"Under Arrest"
By Ensign Peter Lockhart
And Lieutenant Commander James Chen

Chen had just returned to the security station when the alarm went off that a phaser had been fired. Chen darted to the nearest security station and checked the readout. Chen frowned. What was going on here? Somebody was taking potshots in the Jefferies Tubes. Chen turned quickly and saw Heather Sanchez standing close by. "Heather, come with me."

The two officers sprinted out of the office and down the hall, quickly heading to the Turbolift. They got in. "Deck 37," Chen said, too loudly. Heather's hand hovered near her phaser and she had an intense look on her face. "Take it easy, Lieutenant," Chen said. "We still don't know what's going on for sure. I don't want you firing that thing unless you absolutely have to."

Sanchez glanced at Chen. "It could be a saboteur. Somebody conspiring against Captain Price."

"Could be. But we don't know." The doors slid open and the two bolted from the lift and ran down the halls. They hadn't gotten more than twenty feet when a hatch popped open just ahead of them.

Peter knew he was in trouble as soon as the phaser had gone off. He'd probably better try and get out of here as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, that wasn't as easy as it looked. He grabbed his phaser and pocketed it, and then shut his tricorder and pocketed that. He then started crawling at top speed towards the nearest exit.

It took Peter a mere 2 minutes to get to a hatch on deck 37, and then he opened it up to step out into the corridor. Unfortunately, the two people waiting for him had other ideas.

"Whoever you are, come out hands raised. No funny business." Lt. Sanchez said. Peter knew he'd been rumbled, but still thought he could bluff his way out.

"It's me lieutenant. Ensign Lockhart." he said sincerely.

"Then come out!" she repeated. He slowly crawled out. "Hands in the air." She said, pointing a phaser at him. Peter could see 'Commander Chen was standing with her, waiting patiently whilst she did all the dirty work. Peter raised his hands.

"Turn around." she said.

"Ahh come on lieutenant. I haven't done anything wrong." he complained.

"On the contrary Ensign. You fired a phaser in the Jefferies tube and we want to know why." Chen said slowly, watching the Ensign.

Peter turned around. He didn't think it would be a good idea to say what he was doing down there.

"Answer the Commander!" Sanchez bawled. "Or else you're going to the brig."

Peter thought about this for a moment, but then said, "I will, but only as long as no one else is around. I want to speak to him privately."

Chen looked as Sanchez and just nodded. She didn't like the result, but said, "Okay, but you're going back to security first." she said. She grabbed his phaser from his belt. "Move mister, and no funny business."

"You can lower your hands as well Ensign." Chen said, realizing it wouldn't look good for a security team to be seen escorting a security officer around. "Sanchez, put your weapon away as well, and give Lockhart his phaser back."

"But sir!" she protested, but the look Chen gave her shut her up pretty quickly. "Yes sir." she said, and handed Peter his phaser slowly and rather reluctantly.

"Mr. Lockhart, if you'd care to lead the way. Look normal. Just three security officers on patrol."

"Yes sir." Peter said. He started walking towards the turbolift, with Chen and Sanchez close behind. It didn't take them too long to reach main security, and when he walked in, all heads turned to look at him. Sanchez gave all the eyes a look that said, 'he's our man.'

"Mr. Lockhart, the main office, now." James said quietly. "Lieutenant, you're dismissed. And I don't want any gossiping." he said to Sanchez.

"Yes sir." both Lockhart and Sanchez said as they followed their respective orders. Peter wandered into the office and waited for the commander to enter. James did, shut the door behind him and motioned to a seat. He sat down himself behind the desk.

"Right then Ensign. What were you doing down in the Jefferies tube, and why did you fire the phaser?" James said, then seeing Peter's eyes glaze over added, "And no shit Ensign. I want the truth, or else I'll take you down to the gym now and give you the worst unarmed training session of your life."

Peter realized that he couldn't come up with an excuse anyway, so decided to tell the truth. He liked 'Commander Chen, he usually gave him a fair deal.

"I was looking for the Captain sir."

"The Captain?" James prompted. "Explain."

"Yes sir. You see, I was talking to 'Commander Thomas earlier, and I said that I thought the Captain was on board the Galaxy. It's the most logical place to hide really, under the circumstances." Peter said.

"So you thought you'd find him then Ensign?"

"Yes sir. I thought the best place to hide was in the lower decks, so I went there." Peter said, neglecting to mention he'd already scanned Commander Casey's quarters. "I started from the bottom sir, deck 42, and started scanning with my tricorder."

James nodded. It was pretty logical. If the Captain was on board, you'd need an independent device to find him. The computer would almost certainly be fooled into ignoring him if Commander Casey or 'Commander Jamson knew he was on board as well.

"I was on to something." Peter carried on. "I got a strange reading on my tricorder in the Jefferies tubes, so I decided to draw my phaser. But they're not easy to wield when you've got a tricorder in your other hand as well. I dropped it and it went off. It's as simple as that sir." Peter finished.

James started to digest what he'd said. It all sounded plausible, and certainly reasonable given Ensign Lockhart's tendency to ignore most orders and advice. He decided what to do with the Ensign.

Chen tapped the desk idly for a few moments, looking at Peter. Lockhart shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "So you just...took it upon yourself to run an independent investigation aboard MY ship?"

Lockhart started to sweat. "Uh, yes, sir. It really seemed to be the best option at the time. I mean, if the captain were on the ship, it would just seem that somebody should know about it."

Chen nodded. "Well, we wouldn't want to be guilty of harbouring a fugitive, would we, ensign?"

Lockhart shook his head quickly in agreement. "No, sir."

Chen smiled at the young officer. "You know, Peter. I think you had the right idea. I think we should all be very careful that Captain Price isn't on this ship. I mean, we are Starfleet officers. Security, no less. We have a duty to Starfleet and the Federation itself to make absolutely certain that justice is served, yes?"

Lockhart nodded again, smiling that Chen was catching on to all he had been saying. "Absolutely, sir. That's what I've always said from the beginning."

Chen stood up quickly and slapped the table. "We have an obligation. No. A calling to stand forth against this rising tide of hypocrisy and danger lurking around every corner. I say that it is a necessity that if Captain Price is on board the Galaxy, he should be found and taken into custody. People will look at the Galaxy and will realize that we are ready to see justice done, not just blindly follow our hearts! Ensign Lockhart, I salute your call to action. I hereby decree that you should continue your work. But you've been going about it all wrong."

Peter frowned. He didn't like where this had gone all of a sudden. "Sir?"

"Well, you haven't REALLY been searching for the captain. I mean, not as...efficiently as you could be. No, I really think that to get a true feeling, you need to start by going through every single document you can find pertaining to the captain's history. Read every news story and report you can get your hands on. And then, I want you to find any scrap of information you can on any significant stories related to those stories. Find anything which may help you realize what the Captain may be doing. Then, when you're done with that, I want you to carry out a search of this entire ship. Starting from the bottom and working your way up. I want you to crawl into every Jefferies Tube on the ship. I want no stone left unturned. Skip no portion of the ship. Crawl into the wall panels, if you have to. If I find out you've neglected anything on this ship, I'm tossing you out an airlock. Run a scan for *any* anomalous readings. We never know what the captain may be doing. Unfortunately, this is a touchy subject. I'm afraid you and you alone will have to work on this."

Peter looked at Chen. "But, sir. Since you know about this, you could easily exert just a little manpower and have the entire ship searched in just a few short hours. To do everything you want me to do could take days. Maybe a week!"

Chen nodded. "Good. Listen, you're the one who wanted to search the ship. I'm just making sure you get it done more efficiently. You're going to do this after your regular shift. That means you're pulling double shifts, ensign. On your regular shift, you do regular security things. After that, you'll take over duties and do as I say. To make sure you keep up with it, I'm assigning Sanchez to guard your ass. And she doesn't like you, Ensign. After I give her this job, she's REALLY not going to like you. That's fine. 'Cause I like you. You show initiative. Individuality. Honesty, to a point. Certain things I can admire. You just need discipline and a healthy dose of fear. Which is what Sanchez is going to give you. So, spend the next week on your little wild goose chase, get it out of your system. Maybe by then, Heather will have rubbed off on you. Or at least scared you into making a few changes. Besides that, it'll keep you outta my hair for the time being. Just try not to get in anybody's way while you're doing this."

Lockhart looked a little upset. "Sir, really. Isn't this a little unnecessary?"

Chen frowned and thought about it for a moment, then nodded. "Probably. Dismissed. And send Heather in here so I can give her the good news. And ensign. Don't go fumbling around with phasers in the Jefferies' Tubes again."

Lockhart paused, feeling himself start to blush slightly. "Yes, sir." Peter stood up to go, cursing his luck, and headed out into the main security area. All the other officers were looking at him, causing him to go even redder. He looked and saw Lt. Sanchez watching him.

"Lieutenant. 'Commander Chen wants to see you." he said, not really meeting anyone's eye. He headed over to a console and began to scan some reports. Gamma shift hadn't even begun yet, and he'd still got another 12 hours of work to do. He sighed loudly as the other officers started to move away towards their duties.

"Personal Request"
by Lt Cmdr Samara and Cmdr Casey
--------------------------------------------------------

Walking down the corridor, Kay did a quick check of the letter she had written on her PADD.

Stopping outside Commander Casey's quarters, she tapped the door button and waited. The door wisked open and Deiran smiled.

"Hello, Kay. What can I do for you?"

"Can I speak to you about something personal?"

"Sure. Come in. Can I get you anything?"

Kay shook her head and Deiran moved over to the replicator to get a drink for himself.

When he sat down, she slid the padd over to him and spoke,

"Can you please read this? Before you do, I want you to know that this is not personal about you, Captain Price or anyone else."

Deiran nodded and started reading. After a few moments, he put the padd down.

"Kay, you do realise what this is, and what it means for your career?"

Nodding, she replied,

"Yes, I do. As soon as possible, I would like to step down from being second officer and just stay as Chief Engineer only. I never even dreamt of command. I know I am not a people person, and frankly, I scare the hell out of a lot of people."

"Are you really sure?" Casey asked, not really sure himself what to think of an officer not wanting to be second officer.

"I feel better with dealing with machines and inanimate objects then people. I never asked to this or had any interest in it, but took it on as a challenge. Now, I have found out that it doesn't suit me."

"Well Kay, if this is what you want I'll grant your request. But, I don't agree with your decision. I think you'd make a fine CO and they have medication and counseling for your people skills," Casey laughed.

"I trust you not to let this get out, but I went and saw Karyn recently. I am going to start dealing with my temper."

"It's done then Kay," he replied, and signed off on her request by giving the PADD his thumb print.

Smiling, she spoke,

"If it helps anyone's decision about a replacement once Captain Price is pardoned and we have resolved this, I think that Matthew would be a good choice."

--------------------------------------------------------
Lt Cmdr K'Eytyanna Samara - CE (USS Galaxy)
D'Akana T'Mok - NPC Targ (USS Galaxy)
Lt jg. Brightspot to-Srallansre - NPC Security (USS Galaxy)

"Deep In Thought"
USS GALAXY
Commander Deiran Casey, acting Captain

Things were about as crazy as they could possibly be. Where was Miran when he needed her most? What he wouldn't give to be holding his son right now and be as far away from the Federation as possible.

Deiran had spent his whole life around or in Starfleet. He knew how it functioned, how things changed and the politics of rank and the power hungry. Deiran knew the behind-the-scenes of Starfleet and the Federation. How his father, grandfather and great-grandfather had to fight and maneuver to get everything they needed to do their job. He'd seen the best at work.

He also knew the schemes and games played in Starfleet and the Federation, he knew of section 31 and the heartless dealing of the undercover mercenary who sold its soul. Now, Casey knew that he may have been the Captain of this ship, if his father has his way, he'd be Captain permanently. But he never expected to truly Captain this ship for any length of time.

It was his stepping stone, his link from Commander to actual Command. His father even kept him up to date on Starships being built. When it came time for Deiran Casey to captain a ship, Starfleet would give him a ship that would make the Fleet proud, a strong ship worthy of a warrior such as Deiran Casey.

The Galaxy was meant for another warrior, Captain Robert Edward Lee Price. Casey may have bee a terrible person in many people's eyes, but deep down he cared for the people he served with he just didn't know how to show it.

Karyn knew about that, Karyn of all people knew Casey and his personality. He wasn't perfect, but no other man tried to be perfect more than Deiran. In this essence, Casey was trying to remain loyal and faithful to a man he held as a hero and a great Captain.

But now Casey sat in the Captain's chair, with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Captain of the ship, where the former Captain had plotted to kill the President. The citizens of the Federation were looking upon this ship as if the entire crew had someone pulled the trigger.

Everything the crew had done in the past three years was brought to light in the public eye. Some honest journalists showed how courageous and brilliant the Captain and it's crew had been. How the ship had saved many missions from collapsing during the Dominion War.

No one seemed to care about the almost superhuman heroics of the crew and it's Captain and saving the Federation and expanding the Knowledge of all in the UFP.

All they cared about was the assassin of President Kinnley. What happened to innocent until proven guilty? Damn the so-called evidence!

It drove Casey crazy to think that people could be thinking such fallacious things about Lee.

"Captain, Lt. Commander Sullax is reporting trouble with the shuttles. There's a massive storm on the surface. He wishes to take the shuttle further into the atmosphere to try and find the exact locations of the teams," Raesene informed him.

"Put the storm on the screen Mr. Hermedhie," Casey asked. He sat up and saw a huge swirling mass of wind and rubble, it was bigger than anything he'd seen on any other planet with such mass and gravity as Mergotti. It was amazing in scope and full of grandeur to look upon and for a moment the scientist and explorer in Casey forgot about Ryak's request.

"Sir? Your reply sir?" the Ops officer asked.

"Aye, tell the 'Commander to proceed cautiously. Tell him that will keep a lock on him, if he needs our assistance we'll use the tractor beam to pull him out of the storm's path."

"Aye sir," the Ops officer turned back around, facing the view screen again.

Casey was still mesmerized by the power of the storm. 'Dear God, to think there's humanoids living on that planet with such a force as this!'

It wasn't hard for Casey to see the parallels between that storm and the odds stacked against Lee. In fact, Lee should have returned by now. Where in the hell was he? He should have at least contacted him by now.

A myriad of emotions strained through Casey, thoughts everywhere on just about every major subject facing the man, from department reports, his babies, Miran, his argument with Karyn, Lee, now Ryak and the men and women observing the Mergotti planet, his sister and her wedding. Way too many things was on his mind…

["Chen to Captain Casey,"] James Chen, acting Chief Of Security said through the comm-link.

"Casey here Mr. Chen," Casey replied after tapping his comm-badge.

["Sir I have some good news for you, you might want to see this,"] Chen informed Casey.

"Good news concerning what James?" Casey inquired, pyramiding his fingers underneath his chin as he sat back in the command chair.

["The assassination sir,"] was James Chen's reply. "Aye Lieutenant, on my way! Casey out," he replied and was already in the lift when the comm-link was closed.

"You have the Bridge Mr. Hermedhie," he called out before the TL doors shut in front of him.

"Oh Crap, Oh Damn..........Oh Where is the Captain Right Now!"
By Ensign Bruce MaxWell
USS GALAXY Helmsman

Bruce woke up to incoming message sounds from his desk. He woke up quickly and ran over to his desk. Flipped the padd up and said his code. Just then an old friend appeared on the screen.

"Bruce, Listen Up, I am taking a big chance here! Here is some info on the assination. There is the actual tape of the scene also. Man I dont know whats going on that ship your on but damn your Captain is screwed." The Lt.Cmd said.

"Jurial you old son of Bitch thank you.....Your a Lt.Cmd now holy shit. Well I hope you secured this Line and Thank you for the info . To our Fallen Mates and and the ones still alive, Hoo AAhh!" Bruce stated.

"Hoo Ahh!" Jurial said. Then the screen went off.

Bruce sat in his seat and looked over the info given to him. Supposedly a Rail Gun was used, It would leave no powder trace and would still make a noise. Not many use this sporting type gun. Then Bruce used an old mission password to tap into the captains datalogs and searched for any use of a railgun. Hopeing there wouldnt be a single instance where the captain used one. Then there was, Bruce moaned icrimidating evidence. On a Vacation The Captain and His Girlfriend The Yeoman, Fired off Rail Guns. Bruce rubbed his forehead in disgust and wondered what to do. He then looked over the footage and watched the asassination. over and over and over again. If there was one thing Bruce knew unfortunately it was asassinateing people. He looked at the position of The Captain and one didnt notice a weopon and alos the trejectory was all wrong.

When Bruce realized this, he jumped up and Little William fell off his lap with a yelp. Bruce grabbed his coat and a padd he transferred everything to and ran out the door. He bolted down the hallway almost knocking people over.

"Location Of Captain Casey" Bruce said hurriedly.

"The Captain is currently Busy." The Computer answered.

He stopped in his Tracks and Yelled "SHIT!"

"What the Hell am I supposed to do know?" Bruce asked himself.

"Computer send The Captain A Message: That Ensign MaxWell needs to talk to him and will be in the Gym." Bruce stated as he walked to the TL.

"Will Do" The computer seemed to joke.

Bruce just shrugged and went onto the TL and headed for the Gym.

"The Return" pt. 6
by Lt. Commander Christopher Thomas, Chief Starfleet Liaison Officer
USS Galaxy

Lt. Commander Thomas figured he depart the bridge shortly after spending some time there. He was mainly focused on just speaking only with the commander about the recent events of captain price's arrest. He'd in fact spoken with the commander privately about the matter. Which included some very touchy issues. The Commander had to be informed of a few matters about why he was there. Starfleet Command had posted him to this position, because of Price's supposed actions. The orders that put Chris Thomas in this position came from none other than Derian's father, Admiral Thomas Casey. The three of them had a history together by various actions and reasons.

He had to go help Anna unpack their belongings now that he'd reported in and spoken with commander Casey, or captain Casey. Who was the commanding officer of the Galaxy and unless captain Price's defense team could not only prove that he didn't assassinate the president, but was in fact setup for the fall guy. Whoever really did kill the president, would win anyway. Commander Casey would likely be promoted to captain of the Galaxy. Starfleet would never put Mr. Price back as captain if he was only acquitted of the charges. It would be a matter of trust and surely the captain's enemies would move to block him from returning as captain. Politics would likely end up being the name of the game and Chris knew them all to well these days.

He was satisfied that his time on the bridge for now as done and he could take his leave to join Anna in their quarters. They did have to unpack their belongings and settle in, they would be on the Galaxy for some time, depending on what happens. Chris found that had already started unpacking many of their belongings, placing the items were 'she' saw fit. He was happy to see her adjusting and putting stuff away. There was however one minor problem she'd put nothing of his up making the room appear to be only lived in by a woman. Which he had nothing against if it wasn't for the fact that he lived there.

"Anna you've done a wonderful job, but may I ask where's my stuff?" Chris asked.

"Oh it's over there." she said pointing to a corner.

"May I ask why?" and while I am at why you've chosen only to put up your things and our things. We are married after all." Chris said knowing full well what he was saying.

Anna looked at Chris with a pouting face. "Dear, I thought you'd be happy to see our quarters taking shape and our belongings unpacked." Anna said. "I know that I've only put my things away, but I didn't know what to do with yours, Chris."

"Well at least you did put them in one corner. We need to put the wine rack up so we'll have a place to store our wine. We also need to discuss interior decorating, Anna." Chris said as he walked over to the corner were 'his' stuff was and began looking.

"We really need to work on communications were room displays go and what's good to put out in the main room." Chris said. "You've never been onboard a starship so there are some things I should probably explain to you, about the ship and what goes on."

"Oh really and what might these be dear?"

"Yeap the first thing to keep in mind is that when that door opens anyone can see into our quarters. Obviously the door opens by our choice, but we have to be careful about what's in view. Secondly there are those on the ship that love to gossip." Chris said, taking a breath. "All I'm saying is that we don't want to put certain things out where people might be able to see them and later comment on them."

"Ok so then what needs to go away?"

Chris started walking around for a minute and then went to the door and looked. he then walked over to the area and items catching his attention. He didn't say anything he was working on improving the way the room looked. He replaced three things with his own and moved 2 others to other locations. "Much better. Go to the door and tell me who lives here, based upon just what you're looking at in the room." Chris said, He wasn't sure what she'd say, but he was hoping that she'd see the room as either neutral or a couples room.

Anna walked over to the door as Chris requested. She closed her eyes for a few minutes to clear her mind. Then she opened her eyes and looked closely.

"What's the first thing that comes into your mind?" Chris asked.

"The quarters are either lived in by a female or a couple." She said

Chris walked over and joined her to see what he saw. "I agree with your statement, but it does look better." Chris said.

"Glad to hear it, so how was your talk with commander Casey?" she asked him with a smile.

Chris walked over to sit down. "We had a very long conversation both about business and personal family issues. However there were some tense moments. I really can't say a lot about it, because of the nature of the conversation."

"Of course you can't, anything else?" she asked.

"It was good to talk with the commander, but most of our conversation as I said about business, namely Captain Price and my role of being here." Chris said.

"Oh?" she asked.

"Now we need to talk about the ships grapevine, the gossip line." Chris said changing the subject. He had to get her used to life onboard a starship. She'd graduated from the academy, but family commitments had keep her on Earth for the past several years. she'd remained in Starfleet serving at the academy ass a professor. She'd taught two major things there, Italian and Parenting. Not to mention she taught to preschool and 2nd graders. She was really a busy lady at the academy. She really enjoyed teaching and leaving the academy life behind was tough. Chris had spent the past three months teaching her some knew things to help improve her skills. They'd been refreshing her skills in piloting and tactical combat. She also had earned a degree in counseling. He skills were more geared towards social existence and families.

"What were you going to say about the grapevine on the ship?" Anna asked noting he was quite.

"Oh yes the grapevine of the Galaxy. You must always be careful what you say and to whom you say it. We are going to be treated like outsiders by some and there maybe a few who might come to wish you and me harm." Chris said handing her a combadge. "Use this if you need me, security or anyone else. It will be a lifeline if you need help." Chris said. "When I start digging people may get mad at me and you could be a target. I don't want to scare you, I just want you to be aware and alert to the possibility of problems."

"I appreciate your concern Chris, but I can take care of myself."

"I know you can Anna, but I also worry about you and given what's going to be happening here, I'd rather take this step then to mess up somewhere along the way."

"Ok I will wear it and use it if I need help."

Chris and Anna decided to finish unpacking after they eat some dinner. "Tomorrow I have to get started with my work here." Chris said as they went to make dinner for their first night on the Galaxy together.

Christopher Patton
ICQ # 11497863

Brother, can you Acquire a Huge Defense Contract?
by Rom, Grand Nagus, Ferengi Alliance
and Quark, Bar Owner, DS9
reviewed by Captain Price

*** Ferenginar, Residence of the Grand Nagus ***

Despite being a mechanical genius, for the most part Rom lived up his role as the dull oaf. At least that had been his lot in life until Zek designated Rom to be his successor to the title of Grand Nagus. Now Rom had all types of advisors and dignitaries who courted audiences with him.

That is how he first learned of account 59602-Alpha-Zee-81438-Omicron at the Grand Treasury National Bank. Auditor Gaunt later wondered why Zek had contacted the FCA instead of Nagus Rom, and why he had the investigative report delivered to DS9 via subspace.

Scratching his ears and indulging in some Hyperion Beetle Snuff, Rom was smart enough to guess his brother Quark was behind the investigation. But he did not proclaim his assessment publicly.

"Have you been able to trace the origins of these large deposits?" he asked the Auditor.

"All but 2 were routed through Bogus corporations. 3 were Terran, 1 from the Orion syndicate, and 1 from Tholian space. Two legitimate corporations turned up, one Logical Mineral Waters, from Vulcan, and Brack Industries of the Marshian colonies."

Rom had met enough Vulcans to suspect they were innocent of wrong doing. Most likely they just had bad investment advice. But the Terran company might be a different story.

One of the perks of being Grand Nagus was access to computer storage banks larger than most in the quadrant. What they didn't store directly, they could access from 'Memory Alpha' and 'Memory Beta', the two Federation galactic library outposts.

"Computer", Rom ordered, "Summarize history and products of Brack Industries of the Marshian Colonies."

["Brack Industries was founded by Marion Brack in 2210, before the multi trillionare left for a life on seclusion on a planet purchased from his personal funds. Brack was later encountered by the USS Enterprise commanded by James Kirk, calling himself Flint. Doctor McCoy was over 6,000 years old due to some regenerative properties unique to himself.

Brack Industries produces phaser arrays, warp coils, nacels, and other technologies used in modern space vehicles of Federation design."] The Ferengi computer said in its Baritone male voice.

"Nagus", warned the tactical advisor, "I have heard the new Federation President has increased defense spending. This suggests..." he continued to explain, but Rom played dumb, pretending not to understand. Finally, Yodd was so flustered, he gained permission to form an inquiry himself.

"Computer", Yodd asked, "Has Brack Industries been awarded any sizable production contracts in the last month?"

["Affirmative"] "Please elaborate", Rom prompted now that he saw the direction of the conversation.

["Brack Industries received an order for parts to construct 100 new Galaxy type Star Ships and 70 Sovereign class Ships on Stardate 5002.20"] the machine explained after accessing some Ferengi finance algorithms that tracked supply requisitions and public records.

Rom asked his advisors to leave the chamber. After they left, he used a jamming device to secure a comm line to DS9.

Colonel Kira did not look pleased. Grand Nagus Rom filled the main view screen in Ops, so the station commander was immediately notified. He demanded to speak to his brother, in private (knowing the rest of the DS9 crew would find ways to learn the information and help solve the puzzle.) Seeming to be an idiot most of the time put people off guard. More than once, Rom had profited from this.

Rom quickly reviewed the information with Quark.

"Interesting", Quark said. "The defense contract was awarded soon after the seed money was deposited in the mystery account, and after the pro-defence Vice President was promoted due to the assassination."

"Brother", Rom began in his worried tone, "I am worried that the criminals chose our world to conduct their money laundering scheme. Do you think they could be trying to destabilize the economy of the Ferengi Aliance?"

"Not likely, even a 1/2 million credits is not enough to cripple the economy of our whole world."

Rom did not sound convinced. "If this President Johnsen implicates us in some sort of scheme, he could try to confiscate our Marauder class vessels. It is rumored he wants to build a huge armada to crush any Borg, Romulan, or Dominion incursion that might happen in the future."

"Rom, Rom, use your lobes", the elder brother lectured. "Mark the money in the mystery account, that way we can track its movements."

"But brother, we could just close the account.", Rom interjected.

"That would force the criminals to take more drastic methods to protect their interests. The consequences could be horrendous." Quark explained, "Remember the 177th rule of acquisition..."

"Ahh, 'Know your enemies...but do business with them always.' I see Brother. I shall follow your advice." Rom was about to close the channel, and Quark moved back from the view screen. "By the way, Brother, the FCA has authorized an 10,000 GPL award for your actions in uncovering this conspiracy."

Quark looked positively flabbergasted. The sum Rom just transferred to his account was nearly half his annual income.....

"The whole truth"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

Captain Price materializes inside the library on the fourth floor of the senate building. It was evening, and the library was still courted off from the general public by the police, so no one was in the darkened room when Lee arrived. Glancing around, he let his eyes adjust to the dimly lit room while verifying the coast was clear. Taking a reassuring breath, the Captain reached into his pocket and pulled out the small, cylindrical locating device that Spruce had given him on board the Monte Cristo. Activating it, he watched the tiny pulsing light and listened to the quiet beeping tone which lead him to a near by bookcase exactly opposite of the fourth story window and the 'duck blind' barrier of stacked crates the killer had used to conceal his presence in the library.

Moving the locating device around much the same way that a doctor uses a medical scanner, Lee zeroed in on a book, aptly titled, "The whole truth" Grabbing, he pulled the book down from the shelf and opened it up. Thumbing through the large, dusty legal volume, he located a hollowed out section that contained a holo-recorder. "Well, at least Spruce wasn't lying about this." The Captain softly mumbled to himself in a whisper suitable of his location. Flipping the book over, he allowed the holo-imager to fall into his hand, before closing the now empty book and sliding it back onto the shelf.

"Now to just verify the contents. . ." Lee whispered. Glancing around the library, he found some work stations set up for patrons of the library to utilize for literature searches and downloading of electronic volumes of data to their personal padd devices. Walking to the viewing area, he activated one of the terminals and slotted the crystal from the recorder in order to view it's contents.

Glancing over his shoulder at the entrance, Lee verified that no one had been alerted to his presence when the machine powered up and cast a ghostly glow across the room from it's illuminated display. He then returned his attentions to the screen and began playback of the images from the very beginning. In the bottom right corner of the recorded surveillance footage was a stardate counter. Evidently this hidden holo-recorder had been planted in the library a good 24 hours prior to the assassination and had been recording everything ever since.

Lee punched in the approximate time of the Presidential murder and watched. His eyes were shocked to see what appeared to be himself sighting down a targeting rail gun riffle, laying in wait before squeezing off two rounds, and then checking to verify he'd hit his target.

"This can't be. . ." Lee stated in shock. He knew he hadn't murdered the President, yet here were images that undeniably proved that he did. The Captain was stunned and watched on in numbed horror.

Lee watched as 'he' finished glancing out the window after taking the two shots, and then moved back. Carefully 'he' broke down the murder weapon, removing the barrel and doubling it over with the stock, storing it in a large black bag. Lee then saw 'himself' open up another bag, and carefully withdraw a second weapon, another rail gun exactly like the murder weapon, and lay it down at the scene. This struck him as odd, but the Captain continued watching anyway.

Next he saw himself open a small sterile bag and empty it's contents around the immediate area. Lee could tell 'he' was working quickly, as it wouldn't take long for the authorities to storm the building and arrive on the scene. Crumpling up the baggy, the Captain watched 'himself' place it into the black sack with the disassembled riffle, and then take 'his' right hand and place several hand prints around the various surfaces of the duck blind, intentionally leaving prints behind to be found.

Lee felt sick. He was told that by finding this recording, he'd have the evidence he needed to absolve himself of these charges. But what he'd found had so far only served to further incriminate himself, so strongly in fact, that Lee found wondered if he hadn't come under some form of mind control and done this thing.

But then he saw something he almost didn't believe. 'Himself' turning, as if hearing an approaching person, and them morphing into the form of a little girl. At first he didn't believe what he'd saw. Lee even reached out and placed his fingertips on the screen where he'd just seen the shapeshift take place.

Tapping the controls, Lee stopped the playback and backed it up bringing the morphed girl back into the frame. In slow motion he watched it go through a reverse shapeshift, back into the form that resembled himself. "A shapeshifter!. . ." Lee stated in sheer amazement.

He then paused the recording and punched in an earlier time index, to catch the footage of the person entering the picture. In rapid sequence the recording reversed. Lee stopped it immediately when he'd noticed the duck blind as being unoccupied. He then played the recording forward and watched.

"A shapeshifter would be the perfect assassin for a job like this." Lee thought out loud while waiting for the murder to appear on screen. He was stunned when someone did arrive.

It was the man he'd seen earlier meeting with Admiral Braggits and the others on the DS9 recordings. Lee had thought the man looked familiar then, but just now realized where he'd seen him before as he placed down one sack and began removing and assembling a rail gun from another.

"Crickey! That is the gazebo boy from Risa. . ." Lee stated, "He looked after mine and Jamie's weapons on the skeet range when we had finished."

Lee watched as the man finished assembling the weapon, checked his chronometer and then removed a picture of Captain Robert Edward Lee Price. After staring at it for a moment, he morphed into the Captain's form, right before his very eyes.

Lee was both excited and apprehensive at the same time. "That proves it." He said, but he knew that the source of this information was going to be difficult to explain. The way things had been proceeding with the authorities and the media, there was a chance that this evidence would not be viewed as genuine. To be certain, this shapeshifter, whomever he or she was, needed to be located and brought into custody. "One problem at a time. . ." Lee thought.

Deslotting the holo-crystal, Lee placed it into his pocket next to the datapadd containing the DS9 recordings of Admiral Braggits' meeting. Together, the Captain was sure he could use these new pieces of evidence to convince Inspector Bronson to at least detain the Admiral and Captain Rema and hopefully locate this shapeshifter before he got away. Walking over to the Library exit, Lee carefully opened the door and glanced out. When he saw the coast was clear, he quickly slipped away and headed for the stairwell. Lee's next destination would be the local authorities where he planned on turning himself in.

Title: Memories
Thread: shipwrecked on planet
Author: Sandy
Character: Jake Olson

Jake Olson was gathering data on a particular flowering plant that moved from place to place and was very tame.

He was still amnesiac, but flutters of memories crossed his mind like stray thoughts. If he focused, they would drift away. It was frustrating, but there was nothing Jake could do about it.

"We are overdue to return to the Galaxy." The jg said miserably. "I had a hot date!"

Jake couldn't remember what a galaxy was, except for the phenomena of stars in the night sky. Still, he got the idea of what the other was saying.

"The survey ships will keep watch when we sleep. I doubt we are forgotten, something went outa whack. We'll be picked up, it's just a matter of time. I'm sorry about your date, but things happen."

"How can you be sure something is just 'outa whack'?" The other officer began to unpack his bedding on Jake's unspoken order.

"My communicator is nonfunctional, there isn't even background hum, same with yours. The Shuttle's equipment is offline, and when I tried to signal with a survey ship out of planetary bubble, it bounced." Jake added with a bit of dark humor, "Hey, we've a superior officer up there somewhere who'll will have his or her nuts in a bunch if he/she looses us!"

The jg laughed at the picture of Ryak Sullax with his 'nuts in a bunch'. "Your nuts Jake, you know that don't you?"

"I don't remember, but yea, I can imagine."

Title: Memories
Thread: shipwrecked on planet
Author: Sandy
Character: Jake Olson

Jake Olson was gathering data on a particular flowering plant that moved from place to place and was very tame.

He was still amnesiac, but flutters of memories crossed his mind like stray thoughts. If he focused, they would drift away. It was frustrating, but there was nothing Jake could do about it.

"We are overdue to return to the Galaxy." The jg said miserably. "I had a hot date!"

Jake couldn't remember what a galaxy was, except for the phenomena of stars in the night sky. Still, he got the idea of what the other was saying.

"The survey ships will keep watch when we sleep. I doubt we are forgotten, something went outa whack. We'll be picked up, it's just a matter of time. I'm sorry about your date, but things happen."

"How can you be sure something is just 'outa whack'?" The other officer began to unpack his bedding on Jake's unspoken order.

"My communicator is nonfunctional, there isn't even background hum, same with yours. The Shuttle's equipment is offline, and when I tried to signal with a survey ship out of planetary bubble, it bounced." Jake added with a bit of dark humor, "Hey, we've a superior officer up there somewhere who'll will have his or her nuts in a bunch if he/she looses us!"

The jg laughed at the picture of Ryak Sullax with his 'nuts in a bunch'. "Your nuts Jake, you know that don't you?"

"I don't remember, but yea, I can imagine."

"Over the Edge"
By Lieutenant JG Mikala Pailaka

***Holodeck 2***

'I'm not going to make it.' Mike realized as he plummeted headfirst towards the coral atoll below.

He was on his third dive of the afternoon. With each success, he'd pushed himself a little harder, having the computer increase the cliff height and extend the length of the atoll below the water's surface. The current dive was about forty meters, with a seventeen foot leap in order to clear the atoll and reach the safety of the lagoon's deep water.

By Mike's reckoning, he'd managed to launch himself fifteen feet out from the edge at best. And those two remaining feet were going to hurt, even with the safety interlocks on.

"Computer, remove atoll!" he shouted, the last word escaping his lips a moment before impact. As he knifed through the warm water, he could actually see the after image of the vanishing atoll around him. 'Too close' he told himself as he headed back up to the surface with long, powerful strokes. This was just the kind of behavior Counselor Green kept insisting was going to get him killed some day. Had he been leaping off of a real cliff, rather than a simulated one, her prophecy would have come to pass.

He broke surface and let out a whoop of triumph, before swimming back towards the cliff's edge. Risks be damned, he was having a blast! And the holodeck's geographical terrain generators meant he'd never lack for perfectly good cliffs to leap off of.

He clung to the rock face, his heart pounding and adrenaline surging. His muscles were starting to feel the strain from his last two ascents up the cliff sides, and he considered simply reforming another cliff with himself at the top. "Too easy." He reminded himself out loud, and he began to climb, hand over hand, up to the top.

It took him nearly fifteen minutes to reach the top, by which time a dull ache had set in from the exertion. With a final push, he swung his legs up and over the edge and lay on his back, starting up at the warm sun. His body was covered with minor scrapes and cuts from the abrasive rocks, the perils of rock climbing wearing nothing but a pair of swim trunks, but he could have cared less. This was exactly what he had needed.

"So, this is your idea of fun?" spoke a feminine voice, breaking the silence.

Mike rolled over on his side and looked up at Electra, who was sitting casually on a boulder and sipping a drink.

Mike put on a smile through his flushed cheeks. "How long have you been there?" he asked.

"Long enough to see you nearly crack your head open." She said. "After you left 10-Forward, I got curious. I wanted to see what you did to blow off steam. Frankly, I figured you as the type to summon up a dozen Jem Hadar and start breaking necks. That's what half the crew and about ninety percent of the security department do for fun. But this I was not expecting."

"Well, now you know." Said Mike, grabbing a towel and running it over his hair. He could feel Electra's eyes on him and it was making him self conscious, not a sensation he was used to. "Care to give it a try?"

"What? Leap off a cliff?" she said. "Are you nuts?"

"That's what some of my counselors have told me." Mike replied with a grin. "But seriously, you should give it a whirl. It's a great sensation, flying through the air."

"More like controlled plummeting." Chided Electra.

Mike shrugged. "Call it what you will. It's worth the ride." He was still feeling pumped up from his last dive, and knowing he had such a lovely audience got his blood running even more. 'Control yourself.' He said under his breath. 'She's your bartender, not some beach groupie.'

"What was that?" Electra asked, cocking her head.

"Nothing." Mike quickly responded. "Just enjoying the view." He gestured at the lagoon, but the double entendre wasn't lost on his guest.

"So, I take it you're in a better mood then?" said Electra as she stood and stretched, watching his reaction as she did so.

"Yep, did the trick." Said Mike, slightly flustered. "You were right to kick me out of the lounge earlier."

"I'm pretty good at reading people." She said taking a step closer. "I can usually tell what's on a patron's mind."

"I hope not!" Mike blurted out. He turned a bright shade of red and slapped himself on the forehead. "Awe! I can't believe I just said that!"

Electra laughed and rumpled the embarrassed helmsman's damp hair. "You're forgiven, this time." She said with a smile.

She was fully aware of the effect her species had on males and had spent her entire life trying to become more than just the stereotype most people placed her in. But every so often, it was fun to be a bit mean. And she had to give Mike credit, he was doing his best to remain a gentleman. "Well, my break is over." She said. "Gailyn's going to need me for the end of shift crowd. Thanks for the show, Pailaka."

"Any time." Mike replied with a broad smile. "Am I officially cleared to return to your lounge now?"

"Oh absolutely." Said Electra. Her eyes looked over him from head to toe. "But you might want to put some clothes on first."

"Ummm. Yeah... Clothes, right." Mike managed to get out.

Electra chuckled. "Take care, Lieutenant."

Mike waited until the Orion bartender was safely beyond the arch and out of earshot. He exhaled slowly and whistled. "Computer, end program." The holodeck quickly returned to its inactive state. Mike picked up his gym bag and began to throw on his uniform. "My goodness, that woman just does not play fair! How am I supposed to stay moody and depressed with her around?"

*** ***

Lieutenant JG Mikala Pailaka
Chief Helmsman, USS Galaxy
AKA
David Friedland
ICQ# 5805168

"Surveillance" pt. 1
by Lt. Commander Thomas
Starfleet Liaison Officer
USS Galaxy

[Takes place around the captain's departure the latest time.]

Lt. Commander Thomas knew he had to get started with his search. Chris and Anna had spent a wonderful night together, but now it was a new day. He had to get to work, despite the fact of wanting to take the day off to spend time with Anna.

Chris went to work.

He had been speaking with people and doing some research that wasn't to intrusive at the moment. However he was starting to get the impression that everyone wasn't very warm about his presences on the ship. He'd already encountered some strong resistance to his presences or job here. He would be getting on a good number of peoples nerves before this was all said and done.

"Warning, the Bajoran shuttle craft, USS Opaka has departed the Galaxy. Destination unknown, pilot unknown." the computer said.

Chris had been using an empty office as his own for working on the captain's history for the past 6 months. He was working on tracking the captain's every movement for the past 6 months.

"What." Chris said looking up from his work.

"The is a shuttle leaving the Galaxy, destination Deep Space 9, Bajor." the computer said.

"Who's on the shuttle?" Chris asked.

"Unable to provide that information to you at your current location."

"Bull," Chris said "Unless it's someone who's not suppose to be there." He said jumping up from his chair and racing towards the main shuttlebay. He quickly ran into the closet turbolift, entering a personalized key to allow him to by pass it being stopped by normal means. "Main Shuttlebay." Thomas ordered.

He would be there in mere moments, but he had a hunch the shuttle would already be on the move, before he could get there and see who was onboard piloting the shuttle. He had a solid hunch that it was the captain, but he had no proof and because of that he couldn't risk doing anything. However he could make trouble if he found out his hunch was right about the pilot.

The turbolift started near the main shuttlebay and opened up. Chris quickly exited the turbolift and raced the short distance to his destination, but it was already to late. The shuttle was already moving away from the ship, so now he would have to conduct an investigation from here as well. "Damm!" Chris said, Derian Casey was playing him like a fool, 'give me the time to clear the captain's name' only Derian wasn't being truthful with Chris about things going on here.

"Computer download everyone who's entered or left the main shuttlebay, by any means in the past 24 hours. Highlight anything that's out of the ordinary, also include anyone having contact with the Opaka." He said turning around getting ready to leave the room.

"Computer track and monitor the movement of the Opaka, and report it's movements directly to me, by pass any security measures." Chris said, adding the authorizations codes granted to him by his rank and position.

"Who's responsible for the Opaka?" he asked calmly, trying to figure out who to grill first the commander or someone else.

"Dr Gakor is responsible for the Opaka." the computer said.

He would have to pay a visit upon the doctor shortly, but he had to make at least one stop before he could go off and speak with the doctor. He had to check out the captain's quarters, oh and he would actually need something from the forensic medical lab. A medical kit that would allow him to go over the captain's quarters looking for his possible recent presences.

He returned to the turbolift thinking about his next move. He stepped into the turbolift. "Secure lift." he said before issuing his next orders. "Computer download a copy of the captain's personal logs, captain's logs and Robert Price's personal logs for the past 6 months. Then cross reference them by Stardate and subject, transfer them to my office and re-secure them." Chris said.

"Level 5 authorization required." the computer said.

Chris stated the needed authorization code and his rank, name, etc. for the computer to process his orders.

"Working, it will take approximately three hours to complete the process." the computer said.

"Thank you," Chris said to the computer.

"Computer release the lift and take me to the forensic medical lab." Chris said that would be his first stop.

Chris went straight to the lab and retrieved the medical kit he would need for checking the ex-captain's quarters.

"Mr. Price's quarters." Lt. Commander Thomas said stepping back into the turbolift after having acquired the right medical kit he needed to proceed with his visit to the captain's quarters. He also had to consider the remote chance that the captain would've stayed in the commander's quarters to hide out. Only that would directly place the commander right in the line of fire and that's something he knew Price wouldn't do to the commander. He would start with checking the room for any signs of recent visits and go from there.

** Mr. Robert Price's Quarters **

Lt. Commander Thomas entered Price's personal quarters for the first time in well over six months. He felt kind of strange being in there without the captain's presences, but times and things change. He was here know to figure out when the captain was last here in his quarters.

Chris set to work on finding out what had been happening in this room, prior to his visit for the first time.

Christopher Patton
ICQ # 11497863

"Play it again Computer!"
By Ensign Peter Lockhart
With extracts from many other posts.

"So have you found anything yet then Pete?" Ensign Mulich asked as he arrived for Beta shift.

"Maybe." Peter said, scanning through another report on the captain, "But I want to try something for myself first."

"Okay, well I'll let you get on with it. Let us know if you need anything." Mark said.

"Sure will." Peter said, as Mark headed over to a console to begin scanning reports. Peter turned to Lt. Sanchez who was idly working in the background. "Lieutenant, can I go now. I'm really shattered and I've just pulled a double shift. I haven't slept in about 18 hours please sir?"

Sanchez looked over at him. It varied from apathy to hatred. Apathy, in that she was also tired after pulling two shifts, and hatred for Peter after what he'd got her into. "Yes Ensign. But I want you up bright and early for Delta shift! Now get going." she said, before turning back to her console.

"Yes sir." Peter said as he roared out the main doors and headed towards his quarters. He knew Sanchez was only trying to look good. She'd be in bed within 10 minutes herself. Peter mulled over what he'd been checking on during Alpha shift. He'd be digging into the Captain's past, and had decided, like most, that the Captain probably wasn't capable of killing the President. At least not until the death of Yeoman York. Therefore, he'd decided the best thing to do was to go back to that point, and see if he could determine what was happening. However, first thing was first, Peter headed straight to his quarters and crashed out.

*** 9 hours later ***

Peter awoke feeling a lot better. It was an effort to get himself out of bed, but he finally managed it. He staggered around for a good half hour, ordering various things from the computer, before he felt he could start the day, or should that be night?

Peter decided to carry on his investigation. If Chen thought he was pissing Peter off by doing all this, then maybe he'd been right at first, but now, Peter was actually enjoying it. It was quite exciting reading through all those reports on anything the Captain had been doing for the past year or so. The Galaxy had been through some adventures in it's time.

The first thing Peter wanted to do was head to the holodeck. He wanted to replay the time when the Captain might well have become one beer short of a six pack. He didn't think it possible, but you never knew.

To this end, he'd created a holodeck programme to replay the incident in main engineering when Hoglips the Butcher took over. He'd been able to get some reports from various crew members on what had happened down there, not least his own memory. His report had been quite descriptive, but then he recalled that 'Commander Albrecht had made him retype it all, and kicked his arse at the same time.

"Computer," he said, arriving outside the holodeck at about midnight. "Load programme Griffin-Invasion-One." he said, and checked the wall panel to make sure it was ready.

"Programme ready." the computer replied after about a minute.

"Computer, begin programme from stardate 49912.21. Allow me complete control over all aspects of the scenario, and have all characters ignore me." he stated, before the doors opened and he walked in.

Main engineering looking quite good as he strode in, the pirates had not yet arrived. "Computer, freeze programme." he said, and everyone stopped moving. He knew what was coming next, and headed out of engineering down the corridor to check that everything was running fine. Sure enough, he saw Robby Price, Hoglips, Kiths and a variety of pirates coming up the corridor, weapons at the ready. Kiths led two familiar faces. The first was Jamie York, the second was the face he saw when shaving each morning.

"Damn I look handsome!" Peter said. "Whoever wrote this part of the report got it spot on." he said, complementing himself, as he had been the only starfleet officer present at this point to know what was happening.

"Computer, restart programme." he said, and watched as the characters jumped to life again. He followed the pirates into main engineering.

"G'day 'mates." Robby Price began. "Time to die."

The pirates opened fire and Peter watched as the battle commenced in full swing between the engineering staff and the pirates. It was all spookily familiar. He could hear 'Commander Samara screaming from the upper decks fighting the pirates. He saw engineers fall, either dead or unconscious. He saw himself suddenly lunge at Kiths and then...

"Computer freeze programme." he said, just as Ensign de la Salle fired at Kiths, but hit Lockhart instead. "Computer, rewind time index by one minute, but keep the programme frozen." The scene jumped back a minute to when the pirates had just started firing and Peter studied it intensely. He walked the whole area and then the upper level as well. Something was forming in his mind.

"Computer, at this exact time index, which reports are you relying on to recreate the simulation?" he asked.

"Recreation comes from Lt. Comdr. K'Eytyanna Samara, Lt Jg. Angela Dana, Ensign Peter Lockhart, Specialist Peter Sang and Engineering Security cameras 2-Alpha and 4-Alpha." it intoned.

"Computer." he said, pointing at Ensign Michael Highfield. "Why is no report available from Ensign Highfield?"

"Ensign Highfield will be killed in 2 minutes time. Therefore, no report is available." it replied.

"Oh," said Peter slowly. Now he knew why a lot of the engineers weren't able to file reports. "Computer, restart the current programme at a quarter speed. Reduce the audio to 25%." he said, then added. "Computer, continuous list of which reports make up this simulation, highlighting any additions or removals and give explanations as to why."

The simulation restarted, but at a much slower pace and much quieter. However the computer started droning the same list of names over and over. However, every now and then it reported something.

"Security Camera 2-Alpha has been destroyed by hostile fire." it said. "Specialist Peter Sang has withdrawn from the battle scene." it continued. Then he saw himself charge Kiths again, "Ensign Peter Lockhart has been rendered unconscious. Security Camera 4-Alpha has been disabled by pirate forces. Lt. JG Angela Dana has been rendered unconscious." and then finally, a minute later, "Lt. Comdr. Samara has left the scene of battle."

"Computer, freeze programme and explain how the simulation is still running?" he asked.

"The simulation is being run from extrapolated movements and 'most probable' events." it reported.

"Computer, continue simulation, same parameters as before." he said. The scene started up again, but even Peter could tell the computer was having difficulty maintaining what might be happening. A lot of the pirates wore blank expressions or walked about aimlessly until.......

"Captain Robert Edward Lee Price has entered main engineering. Simulation is now operating from verified first person reports." it said as a transporter beam brought the captain in.

"Computer freeze programme and reconfirm. Is Captain Price's report the only source available to the simulation?"

"Negative. The transporter log has recorded the location of the transport. However, it will not be available from this moment on as transport has now ceased." it said.

Peter studied the whole scene carefully. He looked at Captain Price, the proper one for the minute, then checked the location of Robby Price.

"Computer, restart programme, same parameters as before." he said again. He watched the scene unfolded slowly, with a confrontation between the Captain and Hoglips and Robby Price. There was a good few minutes before the computer intoned again.

"Ensign Peter Lockhart has regained consciousness. His report is now available." it said, then almost immediately added, "Ensign Peter Lockhart has left engineering." as he saw himself barged away by Kiths. Shortly after, Jamie York was killed and security breached the doors to main engineering. The computer starting rattling off the names of all and sundry who where now adding to the reports of the battle at hand.

"Computer, freeze programme and rewind to when Captain Price beamed in." Peter said slowly. The scene jumped back once more. "Computer, remove Captain Price's report from the simulation. Treat it as an unreliable source of information. Advance the time frame by thirty seconds."

The scene around him stayed, but all the characters vanished, apart from his own double and Lt. JG Dana, who lay unconscious on the scene. "Computer. Why have all the characters been deleted?" he asked.

"Without Captain Price's report, there is insufficient data with which to accurately place any person apart from Ensign Lockhart and Lt. JG Dana."

"Computer, advance time to when Commander Casey is deciding which captain to pick." Peter said, causing the scene to jump forward. "Computer, present location of Captain Price?" he asked once the scene appeared.

"Unable to determine. Insufficient data at this time."

"Why?" he said slowly, knowing the answer.

"There is no physical or genetic difference between Robby Price and Captain Price. Unable to determine which person is which." it replied.

"Computer end programme." he said, and exited the holodeck, chewing on his lip.

"Storm Surge"
By: Lt/Cmd Ryak Sullax
CSO USS Galaxy

Ryak looked over the readings coming from the planet. There was something about this storm that just didn't add up. The storm was just too strong for anything on the planet to survive on. Ryak did another scan for the away teams. Lt Olson, specialist Tanned and the pilot Ensign Billster of the Charlie Team was not within sensor range. Lt/Cmd Shephard, Ensign Jasmine-Trax and the pilot, Lt. Stellis was not in sensor range either.

"Father."

Ryak looked over to he son who was pointing at the control panel. Ryak walked over to his son and noticed that the runabout was being pulled into the atmosphere. Ryak sat down into his seat and began to get the runabout back into a safe orbit.

***Planet surface ***

Outside the city two boys made there way up into the hills. The sky had turned to the usual redish blue. It was a seasonal occurance and the boys thought nothing of it. It made it a bit harder for them to tell the time due to the sun being hidden but they had no school the next day so all is well.

As they made there way up the mountain they could see a major scar in the surface. It was as if the gods had sent a rock from the stars. As God fearing as they were they had to see what had hapened.

****Alpha Runabout*****

Ryak slowly gained control of the runabout. As Ryak brought the shuttle to a higher orbit the planet set out a surge of energy that coased Ryak to loose most of his controls. Ryak began to move from his seat and picked his son up and placed him on the transporter. Ryak moved back to the main controls and began to reroute power to the transproter. Ryak did a check on the co-ordinates and set it for the Galaxy's bridge and initiated.

****Planets Surface****

The two boys made there way closer and closer to the meteor crash site. Little did they know, they were about to find the Bravo Runabout. As they go closer to the shuttle the boys noticed the sky change colour to a bright orange for a bit and then back to it's red blue colour.

To be Continued....

"Overly Sensitive Counselors"

Lt. J. Lucas Brandis, Zea Toa
Chief Operations Manager

Cadet Alexa Casey, Zea Toz
Counselor (NPC of Commander Deiran Casey)

* * * * * Brandis Quarters * * * * *

Lucas was glad he did not have to get rid of too much stuff. Alexa did not have much and being an Ensign, her quarters were not the largest. So, moving into the VIP Brandis quarters was not the most challenging of events. Sharing a bed with the gorgeous counselor had its positives as well.

"Betazed Sunset," Lucas ordered from the replicator.

The drink materialized a moment later. With a tap to it's side, the clear liquid illuminated into a soft orange-red glow. "Ah, now that's a drink," He said making his way over to bed.

Alexa came bubbling into the room. "Lucas!" She exclaimed, jumping on the bed so that Lucas had to carefully balance his drink to keep it from spilling.

"You may want to give me some kind of warning next time," Lucas looked at his drink for emphasis.

"Oh sorry love, how's this?" She asked displaying a holo-projection of a model in a wedding dress. "It's pretty expensive though."

"Really, how much?" Lucas asked, not really paying much attention to the dress.

"50 Bars of Latinum," Alexa almost hesitated and that got Lucas' attention.

"So, buy it," Lucas said. "If you want it then put it on one of my accounts, believe me I'm good for it," He joked.

"That is not it, Lucas. I wanted you to see this dress because it is a wedding dress," she stated, making Lucas actually look at it more closely.

Lucas leaned in, as if inspecting her closely. "Why would you need a wedding dress? We're getting married traditionally."

Alexa looked at Lucas with her jaw in her lap. She couldn't speak for the first minute, then she stammered her words for another three. Then she stuttered for another minute.

Lucas could feel a good bit of trouble welling up inside her. It made him want to leave the drink on the bedside table and make a run for it. But, with the exasperation he sensed from his fiancé, he knew there was no way out of this one. Plus, she was closer to the door than he was. An emergency beam out came to his mind, briefly.

Alexa's face showed pure fear. She knew what it was like at a Betazoid wedding. She was utterly terrified! The entire wedding party would be naked, her family, everyone.

"Oh my gggggaaaaaaawwwwwwwdddddd!" she replied in pure stark fear, a white ghostly color began to filter through her body and made her skin as pale as pure white.

"What's the problem?!" Lucas asked, wanting to calm her fears.

"Well because I have to stand face forward, everyone will be staring at my butt through the entire ceremony! That's not easy for a Terran female to deal with!" she replied, her voice cracking as she spoke.

"Well," Lucas said, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I can't say that I blame them. That is one sweet backside." Lucas slapped her butt playfully.

"But, if I were them, I would take in the entire picture, gorgeous legs, the perfect waist, a navel to rival any goblet in perfection, and well, I could write a thesis on your bre..." Lucas formed a picture frame that went up with each section he mentioned. He lingered the frame around the area of Alexa's upper chest, as his voice seductively trailed off.

"Lucas!" she said as she blushed and then playfully slapped him on the arm.

"Well, it's all true, bella! You da bomb," Lucas joked. "It's not like you're Deiran! He'll have to hide from mother for sure. Him and Price, when that small matter of murder charges are dropped..." Lucas downed the rest of his drink.

"From what women at the academy tell me, my brother has nothing to be ashamed of in that department," she laughed. "Even some of the female teachers still talk of his tools. I am sitting right there and they'd go over all of my brother's finer 'points' right in front of me, his sister for Pete's sake!"

"So, do the Ensigns aboard the galaxy, but, as you'll soon see...rrrr... I can well surpass the legendary Deiran in le amor," Lucas pointed out, wiggling his eye brows for emphasis.

"My Dad, oh my gosh, I can't see my father naked! That's disgusting!" she was still terrified of the situation and didn't even notice Lucas' playful banter about his le amor.

"Why not? He saw you naked. I really think you are blowing this way out of proportions, Alexa. Plus, we'll have a small wedding, only 1,000 of our closest friends, foreign diplomats, the fathers and mothers of the first 25 houses of Betazed, and..."

"My mother still looks like she did when I was five. Her figure is aging well. I hope I age as well as she has. How will Miran ever handle being at this wedding? Oh no, that poor girl, she'll… She's going to be my maid of honor, this will…" Alexa was beginning to panic. The idea of seeing all of those people naked wasn't something that Alexa welcomed. She also instinctively thought of how all of those people would deal with being naked in front of so many people.

Lucas picked up Alexa in his strong arms and set her down on the bed to stop her from pacing around the room so much. Looking in her eyes, Lucas flashed his blue eyes at her and then changed them to green and gold and back to blue. He knew that would grab her attention; it always did. "Listen, it won't be a problem. They will know how special this moment is for us and it won't matter. They will laugh about it the next day. Of course all the guys will have visions of you dancing in their heads, no doubt. I know I do," The grin on his face showed how little of a problem he thought it was. Lucas had presided over a fair share of weddings; he could not remember how many. Most of them had all been naked, the sensuality, the beauty of it all. Everyone bare before God and all Creation, opening up in the most emotional and spiritual way to proclaim in front of family, friends, and the world that there before them stands a match made in Heaven.

"Why can't Betazoids get married like normal species?" Alexa replied, fear still evident on her face.

"Okay, now you are just being unreasonable, Alexa. Don't you know how much this means to every Betazoid? To have a wedding in clothing would be like hiding who I am, just because people won't like it. That is not the way I want to start a new life together, Alexa. And I don't think that is how you want us to start our new life together." Lucas was just not going to let go of something so sacred.

Alexa was pouting now, she was getting a really good guilt trip from Lucas. "I'm sorry honey, you are right. This is your wedding too, but please understand how nervous this makes me, ok? I will do my best to make you happy, but it will be very difficult for me to endure. But, I will do so because I love you," she showed a slight smile and moved close to him and gave him a soft, sensuous kiss.

Lucas drank in all that that kiss was. His Imzadi for life meant so much to him. There was nothing he would not do for her and she knew it just as much as Lucas did. They had a closeness that rivaled the very center of a black hole and the love that out shone the brightest white hole. He could not wait to proclaim his Zea Toz, his Princess, to the world.

"I Love You, Imza." Lucas replied warmly after their lips seperated, only to begin again.

"Back behind bars"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

Captain Price left the library of the Senate building and quickly made his way down the stairs to the lobby below. It was evening, so there were fewer people about the building, but in the lobby it was still quite busy. Lee adjusted his grip on the datapadd containing the DS9 recordings and the data crystal from the Section 31 holo-recorder he'd just obtained. Holding onto them like they were more precious than latinum, the Captain made his way to the public transportation depot and prepared to beam over to the law enforcement building. Having been there before while in custody, Lee had a good idea which office belonged to Chief Inspector Daniel Bronson. The Captain thought it best to turn himself in directly to the Chief, rather than risk a confrontation by the local law enforcement officers that thought Lee was a lower life form for allegedly murdering the beloved President Kinnley.

Entering in the proper coordinates, Lee stood on the pad and waited for the beam to dematerialize him.

***

The lights were dimmed in Bronson's office. The Chief Inspector, with dark circles under his eyes from burning the midnight oil, was scrutinizing over the latest FNN feed on the escaped Presidential assassin, Robert Edward Lee Price. The media seemed to be enjoying the headlines, and pointing the finger at the San Francisco Police Department for allowing Captain Price to escape. Bronson cringed; both from the allegation by that Summer's woman that SFPD was to blame for the escape, as well as from the bitterness of his day-old coffee that had gone cold from sitting on his desk. Bronson discarded the blackish contents in a near by potted plant and was about to replicate a fresh cup then a transporter beam began to materialize. Instinctively he reached for his weapon and drew it as the figure solidified. Even with the 'Clark Kent' get up Captain Price was wearing, Bronson recognized his escaped man.

"Hold it right there Captain."

Lee didn't resist. Standing perfectly still, except for a slight, slow movement of his hand that held on dearly to the data he'd gathered to draw attention to it. "I've come to turn myself in Inspector. I have evidence that will clear me of these charges. . ." Lee explained carefully.

Bronson quickly eyed the fugitive from head to toe. Coldly he stated, "Turn around and put your hands on your head."

The Captain complied, but spoke as he did. "I'm unarmed 'mate. I brought you the proof that I am innocent. Here, take a look for yourself."

Bronson pushed his weapon into the small of the Captain's back. "I'll take that." He stated evenly, removing the padd and crystal from Price's hand.

Lee then heard the sound of retrains being unfolded. "What are you doing? Didn't you hear what I said? I'm innocent, you have the proof right there!"

Bronson cuffed one of the Captain's hands and lowered his arm down from his head to behind his back. "I don't care." Bronson said plainly. "It's not my job to determine who is guilty or who is innocent. My job is to deliver you to Starfleet Intelligence. Your guilt or innocence is for them to decide, not me."

Lee felt his other hand come down under the Chief's control and the cold metal of the cuffs fasten around his wrists. He was then allowed to turn around to face Bronson. "But what about my evidence? You can't just turn me over to Starfleet and ignore what I've brought in my defense."

"Bronson glanced at the datapadd and chip. "I will turn these over to Starfleet along with you. Then it's their concern, not mine."

"Crickey!" Lee declared, "You should at least view the recordings 'mate. Starfleet is part of this whole thing and those surveillance recordings prove it. If you turn me over with the evidence, you'll be signing my death warrant and allowing the real perpetrators to get away when the evidence is destroyed to cover their tracks. . ."

Bronson listened to the Captain. By all rights, he should just hand Price off to Starfleet, hold a press conference announcing the recapture of the escaped fugitive, and be done with this whole sorted affair. That would get the authorities, his superiors, and the press off his back, and even gain him some accolades for recapturing Price. But Bronson knew the truth. He hadn't recaptured anyone. The Captain had come forward and surrendered into his custody of his own accord. Not something a guilty person would generally do, especially with a manhunt spanning the entire quadrant out looking for his head on a platter.

"Have a seat Price." Bronson finally said.

The Captain sat down, somewhat relieved that the Inspector was going to review the recordings. Bronson first slotted the chip from the Section 31 recorder. Needles to say, he was surprised to see a shapeshifter was involved.

"See 'mate. I was set up. Not only by the physical evidence but by that crafty changeling as well."

"Whoever this person is, he's no changeling." Bronson stated flatly. Seeing that the statement took Captain Price by surprise, the Inspector elaborated. "All of the buildings here, including the Senate building, are equip with inhibitor devices that prevent changelings from shifting their shape. They were installed near the end of the Dominion war to prevent spying."

"But how can that be? You saw it yourself 'mate on the recording. That bloke shifted shape."

"All I can say is he's not a changeling. However there are other species that can alter their appearance. Chameloids for example." Bronson explained, "The inhibitors only work on Changelings, Chameloids would likely be immune."

Lee nodded. Chameloids were rare, but nefarious creatures in the galaxy. They could shift into any humanoid shape at will and often used their abilities for profit and pleasure. A Chameloid assassin would certainly make more logical sense than a Changeling. "All right, a Chameloid then. Point being, it wasn't me that murdered the President. I was eating my lunch in the break room as I explained originally."

Bronson was non-committal over the Captain's statement. "What's on this other recording?"

"Take a look 'mate. It's a Starfleet Admiral, a Captain and a bloke dressed as an Ensign discussing how they planned to murder Kinnley and set me up in the process. That's a copy of an official surveillance recording from DS9 'mate. You can verify it yourself."

Bronson viewed the padd and watched the meeting as it took place a few weeks ago. Captain Price remained silent throughout. The recording pretty much spoke for itself. When it finished, Bronson looked at Price.

"See 'mate? Starfleet is out to get me. If you simply hand me over with that evidence, they will just get rid of the loose ends to cover their back sides."

"This fourth person, you think he's the Chameloid assassin?" Bronson asked.

"Aye. I don't know if that is his true form or not, but I recognize him now. Several weeks back I took a shore leave on Risa. There I shot skeet with my girlfriend. He was posing as the gazebo boy and tended to our rail guns after we finished shooting."

"I must admit you make a strong case for yourself Captain. However my duty is clear on this matter. I have no choice but to turn you over to the authorities at Starfleet Command." Bronson explained.

"You've got to do what you think is right 'mate. If you have to turn me in, then do it. Just see to it that my counsel, Lieutenant Commander Matthew Albrecht, receives those two recordings. He can use them to clear the charges and have me released. Assuming the Admiral doesn't arrange an unfortunate accident once I'm in Starfleet's custody."

Bronson knew the Captain was right. When he turned him over to Starfleet and Admiral Braggits learned that he knew of his involvement in this conspiracy to murder the president of the UFP, he would cover his tracks by silencing Price, and going after the recorded evidence. If he was willing to murder the President, there was likely nothing he'd let stand in his way.

"Well, it's after hours at the moment Captain. I'll hold you here until morning and try to locate your counsel to give him these recordings. But come tomorrow morning, Starfleet will come knocking and I'll have no choice but to hand you over to their custody." Bronson explained.

"Fair dinkum 'mate. I appreciate the consideration. Once Matthew has that evidence it shouldn't be long before the tables are turned and the conspirators can find out what it's like to be on the run with the entire quadrant breathing down your back."

Bronson walked the Captain to a near by cell and placed him inside. Lee sat down on the bench and watched as the shimmering force field activated, confining him inside.

Inspector Bronson walked back over to his desk and searched through his notes for Mister Albrecht's comm frequency. Matthew had left it with the Inspector, and every official he'd spoken to about the Captain's case, earlier on.

"Chief Inspector Bronson to Lieutenant Commander Matthew Albrecht, come in please." Daniel opened a channel.

["This is 'Commander Albrecht, go ahead Inspector."] Matthew replied.

"'Commander, can you come to my office please? I have new evidence regarding your client that you need to be made aware of." Bronson requested.

["Right away Inspector?"] Matthew asked thinking this was about the Zapruder recording O'Connel had uncovered.

"That would be most prudent 'Commander. The sooner the better. Chief Inspector Bronson out." Daniel closed.

"Side Trip: Part 3"

by Ensign Eric Odin and Lt. Anna Gartner
NPC Astrid Salt

They materialized on one of the upper decks of the ship and fires were breaking out and it appeared that some of the pirate had boarded due to the phaser marks on the walls.

Carefully, Eric pulled out his tricorder and scanned their surroundings. He reported to Anna. "Got lifeforms scattered across this ship but I couldn't tell you who is who. Hmmm... That's strange."

Anna turned her attention from the end of the corridor to Eric. "What?"

"For a passenger vessel of this size, it has very few passengers. I'm reading only a couple dozen people."

"Lets worry about that later. We'll have to search this ship, deck by deck and find them."

"No offense ma'm but this ship has six decks thick and is nearly 300 meters long."

"Well, we got to start somewhere." Anna replied. "Let's make our way to the bridge, that is a good place as any to start."

Slowly, the two Starfleet officers started to make their way up towards the bridge. Moving through fairly wide corridors, and access hatches. Eric followed the young lieutenant, while he carefully guarded their backs. He watched her moved forward like a well trained soldier, every step or body movement measured so not to waste energy or to create unneeded sound. So quiet, Eric couldn't even hear her breath.

They reached the turbolift that lead to the bridge deck without much trouble, just a few sparks flying that were avoided pretty easily. As they waited for the turbolift to reach their level, if it would at all Eric spotted a shadow of a humanoid like figure. Eric got Anna's attention and pointed in the direction of the shadow. She and Eric both pointed their phaser rifles in the general direction of the shadow and they both take up positions in archways so as to be ready if it was a hostile. Eric then uses his tricorder to see if the person has a weapon, he does. Eric the decides to shoot out a warning shot and after he shotts it he calls out,"Whoever you are you better drop your weapon and come out slowly with your hands where we can see them."

A Romulan steps out with his hands in sight and no apparent weapon on him and says,"Don't shoot me, you damned people."

Eric yelled back,"Why shouldn't we?," in a questioning tone.

"I'm not the immediate enemy that's why. I do not wish to get in a fight with the two of you."

"What's going on here, why are there so few passengers on this huge ship," Eric questioned aggressively.

"When you find that out then you'll know all you need to," then he touches something on his neck and he is beamed to another location.

"Damn," Eric cried out as he sees the guy has given them the slip. He also notices that the turbolift isn't exactly coming to this deck, so he looks at Anna and asks,"What do we do now?"

Anna paused for a second before tapping her comm badge. "Gartner to Runabout 'Haven'."

A moment pasted before Astrid's voice chimed back. "Haven here. What's the situation over there?"

"Unknown. There might be more going on here than we think." Anna replied professionally. "Do you have a lock on us?"

"Yes, sir. I have a nice solid lock on both of you."

"Okay, be ready to beam us back immediately at our signal, just in case we get in over our head here. Gartner, out."

Anna looked at Eric carefully, then said. "I don't what to force you to go on, you can go back to the Runabout if you wish."

"No offense ma'm but I'm not the type to turn tail and run and I'm offended you would think that I might."

"I'm sorry, Eric." Anna apologized. "I just wanted to be sure if you're up to this. We just moved from being private investigators to possible open warfare."

Eric smirked and replied,"I'm more than ready for this and I think if we can locate the transporter we can do a direct transport to the bridge of this ship. If we can't do that maybe we can locate some kind of a schematic for this damned thing. Your decision ma'm."

"Actually I was planning to do a seek and destroy mission, shooting anything remotely hostile."

Eric stared blankly at the blonde lieutenant. "Well... we could do that too but would it be rather dangerous?"

"I was joking." Anna smiled. "Obviously they're using ECM device to mask themselves on this ship, can you breakthrough by just using your tricorder?"

Eric thought for a moment and respnded saying,"It's possable, but I'd need your tricorder and mine to link up which would double the power."

"Okay here you go," Anna said hoping this would work.

Eric interlocked the tricorders and switched all control over to his, but used the power from Anna's to boost his range greatly. Eric got the real readings from the ship and the scans indicated disruptor and phaser fire a deck above them. Eric showed Anna and suggested,"We could use the jeffries tubes to go up another deck, there's a junction not far from here."

Anna agreed and they both pulled off the jeffries tube cover and crawled in. They reached the juncture easily and climbed up to the deck that was indicated on the tricorder for phaser and disruptor fire. They crawled through another jeffries tube and popped off the cover to the corridor. Anna exited first and noted that nothing was going on in this side of the corridor. They pressed on and Eric found the room where the disruptor and phaser fire had occured, but now it appeared to be physical fighting only. Eric looked at Anna questioningly and asked, "Do we go in swinging or wait?"

"This is too good." Anna whispered with a smile. "I say we stay here and let them do our job for us."

After several more minutes, all the fighting had ceased and the room beyond came deadly still.

"Well, it has been five minute since we heard anything," Eric said, peering inside. "Shall we go in?"

Anna nodded. "I'll go in first, and you stay just 5 meters behind me. Understood?"

Eric gave a nod and checked the setting on his phaser rifle one last time. Anna moved inside first and hurried to a group of crates, hugging them for cover. A second later, Eric followed her in, mirroring her actions. Inside he was shocked to see several bodies of dead pirates, some human but other were a good portion of different alien species. A lot of them were killed by disruptor or phaser fire, but a few were killed by knife or sword wounds during some very brutal close quarter fighting.

Suddenly, Anna up ahead stopped moving along the side of the crates and signalled Eric to also stop. She looked back, holding her forefinger to her lips, telling him to be quiet.

Very carefully, she stepped forward to the corner of the crates and peered around it.

Her action was greeted by an explosion of disruptor fire and Klingon curses. Part of the crates exploded and disintegrated, knocked Anna on her back. Without thinking, Eric rushed forward and grabbed Anna by the back of her uniform collar and pulled her to safety.

"I'm all right!" Anna coughed, her face blacked by smoke and ash. "I'm all right!!"

"You gave me a scare." Eric said, releasing her. "You're one lucky lady."

"Please define luck?" Anna grumbled back get a hold of her senses. "Okay, there appears one stubborn Klingon left and he sounds injured and pissed. I'm going to work around and get behind him." Anna then pointed to the tall stack of crates. "And perhaps you could climb up and get some high ground and I might be able to force him into you. Can you do it?"

Eric nodded and asked sarcastically,"What are engineers for," still keeping his voice down. He then moved over to the crates while Anna begins her try to move around behind the klingon. Eric achieves his goal, apparently without detection.

***

Anna slowly advanced, keeping her back to the various crates in the smugglers cargo bay as she tried to hunt for her prey.

~This brings back memories.~ Anna mused, thinking about her stay on 119.

Continuing to glance, left and right, the small blonde security officer advances forward when a giant figure exploded from the darkness between two stacks of crates with an ear shattering war cry. Anna turned in time to see him and a flash of metal of a Klingon sword.

Quickly, Anna raised her rifle to block the weapon from an inch of striking her head but her weapon bent like a small piece of pipe. She tossed the now useless weapon aside and rolled to her right as the Klingon swung viciously at Anna just missing her again.

Eric heard the scuffle behind him and turned around as quickly as he could without losing his balance. He saw that the klingon definately had the advantage, but tried to think of a way to help her. The best thing he could think of was to throw a crate, so he did. It hit the Klingon on the back of the neck and made him lose his grip on the bat'leth, the bat'leth as well as the crate fell on the ground and on the outer reaches of both. Eric hoped that this wold giveh her some leverage, but if it didn't he wouldn't hesitate to get physical with this klingon.

With the lost of the bat'leth, Anna launched an counter-attack against the Klingon. The small blonde struck the Klingon with a powerful round house connecting with his jaw, then following it up with a right cross. This only served enrage the Klingon.

"Eric!" Anna shouted about to receive a possible pummeling from the Klingon. "Use your damn phaser!"

Eric complied and hit the klingon right between the shoulder blades, the setting on barely above the lowest level of stun. The klingon groaned as he lost control of his body and could not attack. Anna gave the klingon another good roundhouse kick which knocked him down. Eric kept the phaser trained on the klingon and jumped down to the ground level.

Anna glared at Eric, growling. "Took your sweet time."

"Hey," Eric smiled innocently. "I thought you were the tough one. Besides, I heard you get furious if someone tries to come to your aid if you don't need it."

"Well," Anna barked but paused, then looked sheepishly "You're right."

Title: Gentle Leader
Thread: Crashed Shuttle Charley
Author: Sandy
Character: Jake Olson

Jake Olson had no memory, however, he learned that a good way to keep natives at bay was to keep a family of animals close by that the locals found sacred. They were intensely shy around the natives but tame towards the Humans. Olson created with imagination a fantastic nest for a new mother right next to the shuttle.

The house cat size canine, looked like a fluffy fox, took to Jake well. The jg with Jake watched this with greater and greater amusement. Jake had also taken a few specimens of the tame walking flowers with him also. He learned their habits and requirements. The fluffy canine, whom he named 'Foxie' had delivered a handsome litter of three tiny pups.

"Oh my God, but you are a regular Dr. Doolittle!" jg grinned. The shuttle wreck was beginning to resemble a wildlife park.

"What's a Dr. Doolittle?" Jake asked.

"Oh never mind, but you have the strangest method operandi of any scientist I've ever seen and the most effective! You didn't go out and seek specimens, the things just move in!"

Jake was gently putting a plant through it's paces, the two of them thoroughly enjoying each other. "Nor have I met anyone who -enjoys- his job so much!"

"I don't remember much about that, but I sure am having fun now." The little plant snuggled Jake's neck.

"There's something else I've noticed," The jg looked at Jake. His expression became serious as something hit him for the first time. "You have it in you to command. You took command of this mission the minute we landed, and it just hit me now. Your not obnoxious about it, but you did do it. My God, you don't have your memory either."

Jake and the jg looked at each other a long moment. Goofy looking Jake had the skill to take charge. He didn't have the obvious charisma of a Casey or a Price, he didn't bully like his cousin Kirk. However, he was a take over kind of man.

"Surveillance" pt. 2
by Lt. Commander Thomas
Starfleet Liaison Officer
USS Galaxy

** Mr. Robert Price's Quarters **

Chris set to work on finding out what had been happening in this room, prior to his visit for the first time.

He started working his way around the captain's quarters to try and figure out if Robert Price had visited his quarters of late. That was of course why he'd brought the medical kit, to scan the room for bio signatures. Which of course was where he started first, while he had the computer work on another project.

Chris looked around Robert's quarters, this was were a very powerful man once called home and if everything worked out would call it home again someday. He wasn't sure where to start, but he knew he had to start some where and the first place was to start in the main room. He pulled out the tricorder and started scanning for signs of people being here, the trick of course would be getting the scanner just set right to pickup only one things in the room.

"Computer begin downloading the captain's personal and display at this terminal." Chris said.

He started modulating the tricoder to scan for the bio signatures he was looking for in the captain's quarters.

"Working" the computer said.

"Computer belay my last command." he said as he thought about something that he'd almost over looked.

"Computer when was this terminal last used, prior to my last request?" he asked the computer as he moved towards the captain's desk. If the captain had been here, then he would be here looking for answers and information. Which would then mean he needed to use a computer terminal to do his work.

He walked over to the display and started to scan the desk and everything on it, for any signs of DNA. He knew the ship cleaned, but there were some things that didn't get cleaned. He also knew that he could probably trance when the terminal was last used. "Computer what's the status of pulling the last time this terminal was used?"

"Working." the computer said.

He ran the tricorder over the desk and was about ready to scan something else, when it picked up the slightest signature of a fingerprint. A finger print, partial at best, but for the moment it was the first lead he'd managed to find. He started running a close pattern scan of the finger print to see who's it was. The computer only took a few minutes to identify it as belonging to Captain Price and that would mean he was here recently. He was right about him having been on the ship less than a few hours ago, and he had to have gotten on and off the ship somehow. While getting onto the ship wasn't a major concern right now, it could prove to be helpful down the road.

He suspected he knew how the captain had gotten off the ship, the bajoran shuttle that just left the Galaxy. He couldn't of course be 100 percent positive about that, but he could check on that and find out if it was true. He would have to speak with a certain Dr. Gakor, who was already on his list of people to speak with soon. His list was continuously growing and he couldn't believe just how big the list was, but eventually he would find a solution.

"The terminal was last used ....." the computer spewed of the date and times when it was last used. Obviously the captain had been busy looking up things.

"Computer what was the captain looking at?" Chris said asking the computer.

"Working." the computer said.

"Display at this terminal" Lt. Commander Thomas said.

He started scanning the rest of the room and desk while he waited for the computer to process his latest request. He knew that it would be a few minutes before the computer could pull the information he'd requested. He also knew it was possible the computer might not be able to find the information.

He found another finger print, but it was the captain's and someone else over lapped. He couldn't strip enough of the captain's to get at who else might've been here. He was sure the captain had been here, but whether anyone else had been was open for debate at the moment. He would have to continue the scan of the room after he glanced over to the computer terminal to see what possible information the captain could be looking for or at when he'd pulled up something.

"Unable to resolve the requested information." the computer said.

"Damm!" Chris said, not surprised. He was hopping to find out what Price was or could've been looking at while he was here.

"Computer rerun the request, but this time scan for trace signatures of Robert Price requesting information, either verbal or via the key padd. The compare against all known information about the current case against Robert Price." Lt. Commander Thomas said.

"Working."

He resumed his scan of the room. He wasn't sure if he would find the other person's signature of being in the quarters, but he of course had to try. He would continue scanning the quarters and then once he was done here, he had other things to check upon. He had to speak with several other people and then after that he had to speak with a few people.

Christopher Patton
ICQ # 11497863

=/\= "Polarity pt I" =/\=
by Lt Cmdr Matthew Albrecht

*** lt cmdr Albrecht's suite at l'Hotel California ***

After reviewing the damning Zapruder recording of captain Price holding the murder weapon in the window of the Senate building and discussing the evidence, Matthew sent lieutenant O'Connell off to continue his investigation. The 'commander said he would be turning the recording over to the court as he was required to do.

Once the other security officer was gone, Matthew reviewed his incoming messages to find that commander Casey had sent him a message regarding their new encryption system. A huge encryption file came along with the message, which he immediately loaded into his suite's computer. "Sarah," he prompted.

She replied and the two engaged in a conversation about the system's security. "At your request, this system is now physically disconnected and energy shielded against intrusion. To ensure total removal of all personal communications from this point forward, a level one data wipe will be required before the system reconnects."

Matthew grumbled, "It was nice knowin' ya, Sarah."

Once Sarah was independent of her parent systems, Matthew loaded the new decryption software. Finally, Matthew removed a small data crystal from his duffel bag. Deiran had given it to him when he left the Galaxy, and it contained a code to be used when the encrypted communication system was complete. Without the crystal containing Deiran's unique code, no one could interpret the messages they sent each other. Assuming, that is, that the Galaxy crew had come up with an unbreakable code.

*** day three ***

Matthew still hadn't given the Zapruder recording to the court. He was risking serious consequences if it became known that he withheld evidence, but he intended to turn it in before their next meeting. Instead, he spent hours watching the damning recording in an endless loop. He became inured to the violence.

With every viewing, he doubted his captain more and more. All of the standard checks Sarah was capable of making revealed that the vid was legitimate. Just to be sure, he did send a copy to the Galaxy, but they hadn't come up with any news on the recording yet. But, barring some forgery opinion by the Galaxy's science team, Matthew found himself thinking more and more of an insanity plea.

Of course, no plea would do any good if the captain remained a fugitive at large.

And then there was the news from James Chen that his evidence showed clearly that the bullets struck the president from more than one direction. Matthew received a copy on the second day, and began running it through Sarah as well. It certainly did appear to be accurate.

So how did the two factors come together? Price cracks and decides to wack the UFP President. There is a second gunman, and apparent access to intelligence, both of which suggest that an organization was involved. Matthew deduced that a secretive organization operated within StarFleet, and that it recruited Price after the untimely death of his lover. Such an organization would have access to disgruntled officers in order to turn them to their side.

Sometime during his internal monologue, he receives an incoming call.

The familiar voice of the SFPD's investigation team leader said, ["Chief Inspector Bronson to Lieutenant Commander Matthew Albrecht, come in please."]

"This is 'Commander Albrecht, go ahead Inspector." Matthew replied.

["'Commander, can you come to my office please? I have new evidence regarding your client that you need to be made aware of."] Bronson requested.

"Right away Inspector?" Matthew asked thinking he had already been caught by her Honor for violating some code of conduct.

["That would be most prudent 'Commander. The sooner the better. Chief Inspector Bronson out."] Daniel closed.

To be cont'd . . . .

The Oinkus Freeze
by LCDR Endris Gakor, CMO
with ENS Andree Dothan, Doctor
and Gailyn, Lounge Host
with a cameo by LCDR Thomas, StarFleet Laison Officer

*** 10 Forward ***

Doctor Gakor held a Mergotti Starshine, a drink native to the planet below. Her other hand held a fork full of the flavorfull salad Gailyn had made from fresh ingredients. The drink recipe had been culled from primitive television transmissions. (It seems there was more than 1 cooking enthusiast on the ship). There was no way to add original Mergotti liquors in the beverage, since samples had not been collected, but there were enough clues and flavor descriptions to simulate the taste of the concoction.

The Tellarite seemed to be frozen, and had not moved or responded in several minutes. That is, she had not moved except for involuntary functions like breathing. The young doctor grew concerned, but had seen brief lapses in time like this when he was joined with his last host. The best response would be to watch the person, and intervene only if the lapse lasted more than 5 minutes.

Four minutes elapsed. Nothing indicated Endris's strange condition had improved. Her hand relaxed, tilting the drink on to her teal uniform tunic. The icy cold drink woke her from the mysterious self absorption, and she said "Snacks! What were you asking?".

A few seconds past, while both the lounge host and the new Doctor waited to see if the "frozen" condition had erased or made Endris forget the conversation of the previous 10 minutes.

"Oh, you were asking about my family! I must have been distracted because Matthew is waiting back on Earth." But something else also went on. She had one of those gut-tightening premonitions that Captain Price had returned to custody on the Federation home world. There had been no new developments in the Assassination case, and she hadn't heard from Adam's Daddy. So there was no way to prove her gut reaction until they received the next news transmission.

Other things were bugging her. Having set in on Bridge watches, she knew one of the shuttles used for the planetary survey mission had not reported. Could it have crashed? Endris would have to set up Sickbay for casualties just in case. It was always best to be prepared.

Endris launched into a story about how being inflicted with Teresi led her to become a physician, specializing in Immunology so she could find a cure. She did this eventually. In the meantime, she met and fell in love with Matthew Albrecht. After their son Adam was born, the two wed in the Tower of Cuisine on Tellar. It was the first state wedding in years, and had been conducted by Captain Price.

More recently, Hoglips the Butcher, Endris's mirror universe counterpart, killed Yeoman York in a twisted revenge scheme. She also slaughtered several Federation ships and the crew of Star Base 172. While the evil Gakor was attacking the Galaxy, Sickbay sustained major damage. Endris herself received an artificial heart because her natural one had been pierced by shrapnel. It had been touch and go for a while, and clinically, she had died and was then revived.

The Trill felt there was more that was not being shared.

Gailyn used his El-Aurian listening skills, responding with a question. "If the duplicate of yourself was so vicious, weren't you blamed for part of the damage?"

Endris gulped. She didn't want to talk about this. "Of course, some people believed I was somewhat responsible. But the other Gakor was not totally like me. For example, she liked leather garments, and refused to have a gouged out eye repaired after the death of Matthew in the alternate universe."

The Trill thought, dredging up the feelings of a previous host. "Were these differences enough to deflect the responsibility for the damage from you?", he asked thoughtfully.

"Initially, the flack was too much. People felt since the person behind the revenge scheme was me from a different reality, that I should be brought to account. Especially since we look exactly alike except for minor cosmetic differences. Though recovered logs from the Griffin showed her actions and attitudes are totally evil." Endris paused and drank a Mergotti Starshine, which Gailyn had replaced after the spill. After finishing her neglected salad, she continued her tale.

"Fortunately, my husband Matthew had studied law, and got me off the hook. Captain Price was one of the few who stood by me during this ordeal. And the ambush happened so unexpectedly too, with me fresh back from my Bajoran recuperative leave. I had hardly been aboard the Galaxy an hour before I found out what people were saying behind my back. My reaction was not pleasent...." Whatever Gakor thought at the time, she refrained from recounting now. It probably wasn't as gorey as anything Hoglips had delivered from her cleaver, but the Tellarite had used some foul foreign phrases in retort to the alligations.

Andree smiled. "I am sure since Lee defended you when you were accused of crimes you didn't commit, you feel sympathy for him in his current predicament."

"Nourishment! That is true. But I've served under the Captain for years. If there was something in his character that would make him a murderer, I would have seen it by now! And eventually, 100% of the blame for the War Games devistation was placed on Hoglips, not myself." Gakor said rubbing her stomach. The Mergotti drink was very delicious, and she ordered another which was quickly dispatched.

At that moment, Lt Commander Thomas entered the facility, approaching the table where Gakor and her companions watched Mergotti spin below.

"Doctor", he began. Then he relized there were two medics present. The younger face (baring Ensign pips) must be a new addition to the crew, for the Commander could not place him. "Doctor Gakor", he corrected.

"I have some questions about the USS Opaka. Why was it sent to Bajor?"

Sensing this conversation needed to be private, Dr Dothan and Gailyn went on to other adventures.

Meanwhile, Gakor responded "The Bajorans who constructed the shuttle recalled it for possible defective parts. I personally talked with Colonel Kira, who stressed that Bajorans wanted to fix their own mistakes lest they reflect negatively on their application for Federation membership. An authenticated proclimation from the Bajoran provisional government was attached to Kira's transmission. All things being in order, I forwarded the request to Captain Casey with my recomendation for approval."

Mr Thomas listened carefully to the answer, pausing in thought before returning with further questions...

"The Oinkus Freeze: The other side"

Dr. Andree Dothan had just asked a question of Dr. Endris Gakor, when she suddenly froze. Her eyes were looking off into the distance, but not at anything in particular. Arman had seen this before. Sometimes it was a Gut Feeling, a sort of premonition, and sometimes it was simply because the person had been under a lot of stress. and at least once a person had had a revelation about a problem thew were working on.

Noting that her breating was within normal limits, but a little slower than average for a Tellarite, and that her face hadn't turned pale, he knew his best course of action would be to allow her five minuites before he disturbed her.

Almost on cue, at four minuites, the doctor relaxed, and as she did so, the mergotti starshine that had been in her hand, ended up in her lap. Andree bit his tounge and fought a laugh that wanted to escape.

Once the drink ended up in her lap, she snapped out of her reverie. "Snacks! What were you asking?"

Giving her a moment to recover, she responded to her own question with "Oh, you were asking about my family! I must have been distracted because Matthew is waiting back on Earth."

Andree began to get a gut feeling that this was one of those premonition freezes the Tellarite Doctor Told the Trill one about her husband, and their marriage, and their son. She also told of the recent adventure where her mirror universe counterpart, Hoglips the butcher, had committed many atrocities.

Gailyn used his El-Aurian listening skills, responding with a question. "If the duplicate of yourself was so vicious, weren't you blamed for part of the damage?"

Dothan could not comprehend such a thing. the good doctor was not her mirror universe counterpart, and vise versa. "Were these differences enough to deflect the responsibility for the damage from you?", he asked thoughtfully.

Gakor said that Cptain Price, and her husband, Mathew had gotten her cleared about this time Andree leaves the oinkus sensing that the conversation with the Lt. Cmdr. and Gakor was private, and heads down to sickbay.

"Interesting Developments"
USS GALAXY
Commander Deiran Casey. Acting Captain
ACOS, Lt. James Chen

For the last few days Deiran had been going with his gut, even though everything looked like the odds were stacked against Lee Price. For days Casey lost sleep over it all. Not just the evidence against his friend, but the pressure on him from Starfleet was becoming unbearable.

In the last few days the Admiralty at Starfleet HQ had called on average of about three times a day. During it all he had crew down on the surface of Mergotti in the middle of a horrendous storm.

He was making his way to Chen's office as he thought of the recent events. Recent events seemed to be all he had time for lately.

He walked into security and the officers and crewmen shaped up, tightened up, froze like a statue. Whatever you wanted to call it. When Casey entered the Sec officers took notice. Wasn't often the Captain of the ship had time to get to the Security HQ.

He walked straight into the waiting area of Chen's office and waited for the man to see him. It didn't take long.

Chen exited his office with an Ensign that Casey had seen a few times before and even said hello to. An Ensign Lockhart. Casey excused himself from talking with Ensign Sanchez and looked around to face Chen.

Chen nodded at Casey, "Sir. Care to join me in my office?"

"Sure, lead the way," Casey smiled.

Once inside the office Casey took a seat and watched Chen take his behind his desk.

"So is this substantial evidence?" Casey asked. "Is it authentic?"

Chen nodded, "Yes, sir. I believe so. I think what we have is evidence that puts a whole new spin on this case. If what we have is authentic, it'll blow the prosecution's current theory out of the water. And I have no reason to doubt this evidence."

"There are hundreds of possibilities. I want to have verified. But, let me look at it first."

Chen turned his console around to face Deiran and played the video. Deiran watched as the holo-film caught the darkened figure, holding a gun. It seemed to Casey that the gun was fired, as smoke billowed from the weapon a few seconds after it fired.

"In the records, did the reports say that the gun with Captain Price's prints was actually fired? Was the barrel hot or even warm?" Casey asked.

Chen shrugged. "I don't know. That's something Matthew and his team on earth is going to have to look into. I hadn't even thought of that angle."

"Have science do a test on whether that gun could have shot the bullet that killed the President. If it didn't then this isn't the kind of conclusive evidence we need. But, if that barrel is capable of firing the ammo that the Captain's gun fired then we've at least put reasonable doubt into the mix. What do you think Chen? You're the law expert here," Casey smiled and stood to get a cup of Bajoran coffee from Chen's replicator.

"Well, I think that what you've mentioned is definitely a factor. If the captain's gun wasn't recently fired, then there would be no solid way to link the gun to the crime. I also haven't heard any ballistic evidence. I know it's sort of a lost art, but I think it's the best way we have to find out if the Captain's rail gun fired the projectile," Chen watched as Casey fiddled with the replicator. The damn thing never worked well. "You know, I can get a yeoman to get you whatever you need."

"Nah thanks, its ok, I don't mind getting myself a cup of coffee. Tell me something, what's the morale like in the department? Can you gauge for me the pro and con's on the verdict on the Captain?" Casey asked.

"Well, right now the department is pretty much split. The people who've served with the captain for long will be backing him. The younger officers are buying the official line, so far. Professionally, most of them have followed my orders and adopted a neutral position on the matter. It can go either way. As for the Captain, there's another piece of evidence we've discovered."

"What's that?"

Chen leaned forward and typed in a few commands. "Come take a look at this," he motioned at the vid screen on Casey's side of the desk. Casey sat down and watched. "I didn't notice this, either, until I'd watched the program a few dozen times. And then, it required a sitting in the holodeck to catch it all. But what I saw is something which will blow all the prosecutions' assumptions about this case away. But, here it goes," Chen started the feed again. He split the screen and zoomed the left side in on the gun the captain supposedly fired. He then did the same with the feed on the president. "Okay," Chen said. "I'm going to play this in slow mo from the time the president is first shot." He started the feed. The gun went off and the president jerked from the impact, blood spurting from the wound. "Okay, that was the first shot. Now, keep your eyes on the president." The president jerked again. Chen froze the feed. "Did you see that?"

Casey looked up, a little puzzled. "He was shot again."

"Exactly. But, the captains 'gun' never fired. Not that second time. We checked it out in the holodeck. We have no doubts about it. There was another shooter. We checked the angle of impact from the second gunshot. Somebody fired from slightly ahead of the hovercade. Probably from another building, or a roof. But the fact is, somebody else was in on this. We have no significant reasons to doubt the data feeds, as they're straight from the news. Nobody had time to tamper with the images before they got out on the air. But this, combined with the possibility of ballistic tests and other forensic tests I don't even think anybody down on earth's run can combine to make a hell of a dent in the current theories," There was a long pause as Casey absorbed the information shrewdly looking at the screen. Finally, Casey looked up again.

"Has anyone in the department seen this?" Casey asked, after taking another sip of his coffee.

Chen pursed his lips. "No. I've ordered it sat on. I don't think it should be circulating right now."

"Negative Lieutenant, I want everyone on this ship to see conflicting evidence. I want them doubting the evidence that is so called rock solid. Rock solid my ass!" Casey said, letting his anger get the best of him. Normally he wouldn't swear like that, but the whole thing was getting on his nerves.

Chen nodded slowly. He knew how Deiran felt about the whole thing. He knew the millions of different emotions which were running through his body, even if he'd never let them show. He wondered about the young man who'd had command thrust upon him like this. It was a hard place to be. Chen would never want that kind of burden. He carried too much of his own to deal with the entire crews'. Chen took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I really don't know if putting this out this early will be best for the crew. It might bolster the Captain's supporters, but it could also drive them into a frenzy. They'd be pushed to near-fanaticism. And the younger ones just might be disbelieving of the evidence entirely. It'd shake everybody's beliefs in Starfleet, to be sure. The thought that they'd railroad a captain simply because they could would destroy a lot of peoples faith in this outfit. Not to mention the distinct possibility of a security leak. If this gets to the prosecution before Matthew has a chance to review it, it could hurt the impact this kind of revelation would make. The prosecution might even be able to wiggle out from under it. If you want me to put this out publicly now, I will. But I have severe reservations about it."

"I understand your concern. I don't want this leaked publicly James, I just want the Sec department to see it. I want the Ops department to see it and medical. Then I want them to know it is classified and if they leak it or tell anyone about it, they'll be court-martialed and sent to prison for about 10 years. I want them to know that Captain Lee Price is still the man we all know and respect, and I want them to know how corrupt Starfleet Brass really is, it's time to shake things up so we can change things for the better. I have a higher clearance and access to reports that would make your stomach turn, we've done horrid things Chen and a Starfleet Officer needs to see it, so they know how to change it in the future. The crewmen will not be given access to this. But I want the officer's on this ship to know that Lee Price is a Patsy!

"You know I believe that the Captain will be exonerated James, don't lose hope. Captain Price is a good man," Casey finished his coffee and stood. "Thanks for the news James. Be sure to have science analyze this to see if that firearm could have fired the fatal shot. Have them send me the results," Casey put the cup back on the replicator and it faded away.

"Take it easy Lieutenant," Deiran smiled as he started for the door, "keep up the good work."

"Losing A Patient"
Ltjg Roman O'Neil, M.D.

Roman was checking on a pregnant patient when all hell broke lose. Ensign Bav, the Bolian was rushed in and this time there was no jesting about his problem.

The two engineers that brought him in quickly explained that a plasma conduit they were repairing had shorted out and exploded. Bav got the full brunt of it.

Roman quickly ordered them to put the Bolian on the surgical table. Life signs were low and his heart was tribulating, then went into cardiac arrest. He pressed the command to activate the defibrillator and Bav's heart was given an electrical shock. It didn't work and he quickly tapped the command again. Heart rhythm returned but below normal. Bav could easily go into shock. A couple of nurses were attending, including Solana Kabala, as he tried to stabilize a body that suffered severe third degree burns too much of the upper body. Left eye was completely gone, fried black.

Roman tried not to get emotional, Bav had come so often lately that he felt a connection with him, felt sorry for him. Now this.

The ECG was still showing a dangerously low heart rate and Roman decided to give him only 2cc of cordrazine. He didn't want another cardiac arrest but he felt he had very little choice. He had to stabilize the body. Painkillers were injected into Bav's ravaged body to ease his suffering.

Then it happened. ECG sounded a code blue and there was a stillness in that Sickbay as everyone knew how close a patient was to death. Roman pressed for more electrical shocks, even up the dose of cordrazine. He listened for breathing. Nothing. He quickly did what was not usual practice anymore, cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

The clock was ticking. At four minutes, one can be pronounced clinically dead and up to six minutes, possible brain damage. Ten minutes, irreversible brain damage.

It was already a minute but he kept it up. The ECG was still flatline and Roman was now desperate. He gave a stronger dose of cordrazine, any more was risky. He did everything they were taught in med school to resuscitate a patient. None worked. Bav's condition had faltered too quickly.

After several minutes had passed, Nurse Kabala had to bring back Roman from the world's edge. "He's dead, Doctor."

Roman stood there for a moment then stated. "Time of death, 15:42"

The other Medical staff began to disperse but Solana stayed there. "You tried your best."

A pair of interns arrived, began preparing the body for the morgue. They were joking about what happened at Ten-Forward the night before and Roman just couldn't control his anger. Bav was a pain in the neck sometimes but he deserved respect. "Knock it off! Prepare Ensign Bav for the morgue. The man deserves the proper respect from his fellow crew not this childish buffoonery."

"Relax, Doctor, me and Jimmy meant no harm to the guy, really." Answered one intern.

"Crewman Gaines, that guy was an Ensign, a superior officer."

The other intern, seeing the makings of a reprimand, quickly added. "Sorry Sir. Crewman Gaines is sorry, right?"

"Yeah, I mean yes Sir."

The two interns placed Bav on the small transporter and in a shimmer of blue and white, was gone.

"Grr'lss, could you do up his death certificate, I'll sign it later." Roman asked his Caitian co-worker who nodded.

"You look like you could use a friend right now." Solana put her hand on his shoulder.

"Roman?"

He looked to see Angie. The nurse dropped her hand faster than warp speed though he had been oblivious to it.

"I lost a patient." He said matter-of-fact.

Angie escorted him out, giving Solana a territorial look.

-------------------
Lt. jg T-prea
ACMO
USS Galaxy
-------------------

T-prea too upset over what she was sensing got up from the table without a further word and headed out the door of Ten Forward.... down the corridor and into a turbolift that would take her to the bridge....

As the doors of the turbolift swooshed open T-prea stepped out and walked over to Commander Casey who was sitting in the Captain's chair.

"Sir....may I have a word with you....privately...?" She asked in a respectful but unrgent voice.

"The Commander seing the urgency in her eyes and hearing it in her voice told him something was definitly wrong.

"Yes....Let's take this to the ready room..." He told her.

Commander Casey stood up and headed for the ready room... T-prea followed behind.

Upon entering Casey took a seat behind the desk....pointing to the chair in front of the desk for T-prea to sit...

"Please Doctor..." he said as he pointed.

"Thank you Sir..." She responded and sat down.

"What is it that seems to be troubling you...." He asked.

"Sir...have you heard from the shuttle....?" T-prea asked directly.

"Not as of yet...they should be checking in shortly though...why...? Is there something wrong...?" He asked curiously.

"This may sound strange...but I was sitting in Ten Forward eating and looking out at the stars and planet below...when I got this horrible feeling...a feeling that something was wrong....with Jake. My stomach wrenched...and is still in a knot...I just know something has gone wrong..." She explained as Casey could sense the sincerity in her voice and was puzzled...

"There should be checking in....in about 6 minutes....lets see what happens...if we hear from them and all is well we can feel at ease...if we don't hear from them....then we will have to find out what is going on with these feeling you have....and what has happened to them? In the mean time lets return to the bridge..." Casey stated as he stood and headed back out to the bridge T- prea folling behind him again....

Pointing again to another seat....the Commander asked T-prea to have a seat next to him....doing so she folded her hands in her lap as they both waited what seemed forwever but was only a few minutes...

2 minutes left....

T-prea's stomach ached...

1 minute left.....

She could feel her heart beginning to race as her palms became sweaty.....

Casey looked at the time....then at T-prea....

1 minute past the time of checkin....

"Seems you may be right...it's not like Jake to NOT check in at the precise time...." Looking behind him.... "Hail the shuttle..." He ordered.

"Unable...Sir."

"Stranger At My Door"

Lt. Commander Karyn Dallas
Chief Counselor

with an appearance by:

Lt. (jg) Michael McDowell
Engineer

Commander Deiran Casey
Acting Commanding Officer
USS Galaxy

***Michael's quarters***

Karyn waited patiently outside Michael's quarters. She no longer worried about people gossiping about their relationship. Most everyone was pleased that Karyn had found a companion, though the two were more discreet than most. She sounded the chime, ready to wrap her arms around the sweet man who had cared enough about her working overtime to tamper with her replicator. It was nothing serious, he cared enough about her to express his concern, in a most creative way. She was lucky to have such a thoughtful man in her life.

The doors opened and she was greeted by a smiling Michael, who quickly kissed her on the cheek. Karyn smiled and said "Is that all I get? I know it's been awhile, but I had hoped not so long that our relationship reversed to being platonic!" She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him full on the lips. It was soft and sweet, not too aggressive. For Karyn, it was like rediscovering long forgotten but familiar feelings. "Thank you." she whispered.

"For what?" he answered coyly.

"You sneak! You know exactly what I'm talking about! It really was creative of you to work with the replicator to produce those reminders and the roses." She laughed. "I find myself wanting to eat every meal just to get a rose! You should see my quarters...but really if Samara catches your handiwork, she'll have your hide for it. I couldn't ask you to get in trouble for me."

"There you go again, always worrying about someone else. I love you for it, but you really need to stop worrying about all of us. Sometimes you need to let others make their own decisions. Besides Lt. Commander Samara helped...and so did Commander Casey." At the mention of Deiran's name, she blew air from between her lips. "Oh?"

"He wanted to help Kar, said you'd been working too hard lately and I agree with him."

Karyn laughed. "Isn't this supposed to be the other way around?"

"Promise me you'll take it easy. This ship needs you in one piece," he then added, "I need you."

She looked into his eyes and for the first time in a long time she knew she had found someone who loved her for herself.

The truth was, she'd been on edge for a lot of reasons. This whole thing with the Captain was taking more of a toll on her than she'd like to admit. Her fight with Deiran rang in her ears. The two had not spoken since the fight a few days ago. There was professional courtesy but nothing more...she knew she'd hurt him and though she was not sorry for what had been said, she was sorry it had to be said when it did.

There were a lot of things she wasn't sure of now, including this new found romance. Lord knew she didn't deserve him and she hadn't been acting like a supportive girlfriend as of late. But he was still here, and she needed his support more than ever now. "I just need some time to get all this figured out. I know I haven't been the best for you and it's not fair to you right now to have a girl with her head in the stars. If you want to move on, I'll understand. Guess you didn't bank on a crazy shrink...I-"

He kissed her softly again in response. She closed her eyes as his lips met hers for the last time. "Counselor, heal thyself." Karyn smiled, tears in her eyes once again. It seemed she was doing that a lot lately. She didn't want to lose him, but she wouldn't blame him if he decided to say enough was enough.

As if in response to her unasked question, he answered,"Don't worry, love, we have all the time in the world remember?"

She wiped the remainder of her tears away and turned back to look one final time at his smile.

***

***Captain's Ready Room***

Deciding she couldn't avoid Deiran forever, she decided to talk to him in the Ready Room. She needed to get the latest about Lee, a straightforward answer, not one of his cryptic responses reserved for people who "didn't need to know."

Not one for beating around the bush, Karyn entered after being admitted into the room. Before he could speak, Karyn held up both hands and said, "I promise no weapons...except of course my mouth, which I guess did enough damage." Without another word, she moved over next to his couch and proceeded to recline her wheelchair which was facing him. "You see, Captain, it all started with my mother. I don't think she loved me very much...perhaps it was the way she potty trained me. I was always an anal retentive child. I just don't know I-"

She was interrupted by a stern and impatient voice. "Counselor, was there a reason you needed to see me?"

*Grozit. He was going to hold this grudge for as long as possible.* She quickly put her chair into an upright position and resisted the urge to stutter. If he wanted to be all business, so would she. She was hoping Freud humor would break the tension. "Yes, sir. I just received Lt. Commander Samara's request to step down as Second Officer. I figured it was my duty to reccomend a replacement as well submit the weekly crew report. I wanted to deliver it myself, given the current circumstances." He took the PADD from her hand. "I also wanted to meet with you regarding the latest with Captain Price. I was hoping we could get together to discuss the latest developments privately. Perhaps we could get together for a dinner meeting after our duty shifts?"

The truth was she wanted to straighten out this mess between them and she figured if anyone knew the whole truth about the Captain, it was Deiran. There was talk Lee hjad been aboard earlier and if he had, she needed to know. As far as she knew, there was no word from him. The media was pushing the insanity angle, something Karyn didn't believe, but she needed something to work with besides her own analysis. If Deiran had seen him recently, perhaps he could shed some light on the Captain's emotional state. SFC was pressuring her for a statement regarding Lee's past state of mind, something she didn't want to give. Still, she had the feeling Deiran wasn't telling her everything and she needed him to level with her, so she could put her stalling skills to good use.

He looked up at her. "I'm not sure, Counselor...I am rather busy, I'll let you know." He returned to his work.

Her combadge beeped and she tried to keep her tone even. Deiran was giving her the cold shoulder! Never before had she felt like such a stranger.

=/\= "Dallas here. What do you need?" =/\=

=/\= "Ma'am, it's Dr. T-Prea, she says she's experienced some sort of premonition about the Mergotti mission. Do you know if everything is ok down there? She's quite adamant about it and I can't seem to calm her down." =/\=

=/\= "Not that I'm aware of," she looked to Deiran who she knew had the information she needed. He seemed too wrapped up in his work. She knew he had heard every word!

After finding out where T-Prea was, Karyn agreed to meet her in Ten-Forward wher she had just had the premonition. After closing the channel, she spoke to the top of Deiran's head. "That's ok Captain, I'll just go find out the latest from Hermedhie." No longer trying to hide her annoyance, she turned around and left the Ready Room, not waiting to be dismissed.

"Side Trip: Part 4"

by Ensign Eric Odin and Lt. Anna Gartner
NPC Astrid Salt

Eric kept his phaser rifle trained at the klingon and asked,"What now ma'm?"

Anna was still relaxing after her fight with the Klingon. "Is your modified tricorder is still detecting anything?"

Eric checked the doubled up tricorders and after a brief scan, he reported. "It looks like we're in the clear. It appears that the smugglers and the pirates killed each other."

"Lets check their cargo to see what they were smuggling and we better report in to Astrid." Anna said with a grin. "She can be like a mother hen sometimes."

Eric smirked and tapped his combadge saying,"Ensign Eric to Astrid."

"Astrid here, what's the situation down there," Astrid asked anxiosly

"Pretty dull right now, we've found out that this isn't exactly what we initially thought I was. Apparently a mix of species are aboard of not so great social standings. We're going to head for the cargo bay to see what they are transporting," Eric reported

"I'll be expecting to hear from you once you find that out. Astrid out," she said.

Eric taps his combadge off and begins scanning for the cargo bay, he gets after another minute he find it. he turns to Anna and says,"Ma'm I've found the cargo bay to be on the far side of this deck."

"Let's get going then," Anna replied assertively as she picked up a discarded disruptor rifle, and checked it to be sure it have some charges left in it.

Moving down the corridor they soon arrived at what appeared to be the smugglers main cargo bay door. Anna studied the hatch, saying. "Well, lets see what they were hauling."

"Wait!" Eric shouted as he continued to monitor his modified tricorder. "This area is heavily shielded by I'm picking lifeforms, a lot of them on the other side of that door."

"More pirates or smugglers?" Anna mused patting her rifle. "Lets findout."

Anna moved and pushed the side panel to the cargo door hatch to open it. Eric watched in shock by the bold action before crying to her. "Anna! Wait!"

However, Anna flipped the door switch, opening it to a darken room beyond. The first thing that hit them was an incredible stench that he never smelled before in his life time.

Had someone died in there?

Moving carefully to the door, Anna pulled a small flashlight from belt and shined it inside. Both Starfleet officers gasped at the horrifying sight before them. Dozens of dirty faces stared out at them, some shielded their faces from the glare of Anna's flashlight.

"Slavers." Eric murmured quietly to Anna. "I can't believe it."

Anna felt her stomach turn, more by the sight before her than the smell assaulting her nose. Battle harden as she was, Anna couldn't help to be sicken by this. She sweep her flashlight beam left to right, looking at the occupants. "They're all Cardassians. What happened?"

"They lost the war." Eric replied somberly. "That's what happened. With the sorry state their government is in now, they can't even defend their own people."

Anna slowly stepped inside the room and Eric followed her closely behind but the Cardassians back fearfully away from them. The two Starfleet officers could see their remaining clothing were nothing but rags and covered with filth. They all look starving from the lack of food.

"It's okay." Anna said to one Cardassian male with a soothing voice that surprised even Eric. "You're all safe now. We're from the Federation."

Eric gave them a slightly uplifting smile and walked over to Anna and asked,"Ma'm seeing as how these were slavers, maybe these aren't the only ones onboard. What do you suggest we do?"

Anna looked to Eric, slightly overwhelmed by everything happening around her. She was a warrior, not a humanitarian "Then we'll have to find them."

She tapped her comm badge. "Anna to Astrid."

"Astrid, here."

"Who do we got that's nearby?" Anna asked.

"The USS Nelson. They're five hours out."

"Tell them to haul ass! We stumbled across a slaver ship fitted with Cardassian slaves."

They was dead silence from Astrid when she finally replied with a gasp. "I'm on it!!"

Eric considered what they could do next when he a ship wide alert came over the intercoms saying,"Warning self-destruct has been initiated. The core will reach critical in one hour, all hands abandon ship," the monotone voice of the computer stated.

Eric looked at Anna and Anna looked at Eric with the same thought in mind, let's get off this thing. Eric was the first to speak,"Ma'm what are we going to do about the cardassians, Do you think they'll fit aboard the runabout?"

"Continued..."
By: Lt/Cmd Ryak Sullax
CSO USS Galaxy

***USS GALAXY ***

The pattern of a small Romulan boy appeared in the center of the bridge. Sullar sat there in his science uniform with Captain pips. The only thing non starfleet was the Romulan translator on his chest. As was everything else close to the planet, the translator did not work after being shorted out. Sullar looked towards the view screen and began to cry. All he could say was "Father" in romulan as he pointed out into space.

**** Planet Surface ***

The two young boys kept making there way towards the crash site. Even the fact that this storm was different then they were used to they were not at all afraid. As they slowly reached the meteor thy began to feel a bit odd. There was what seemed to be a sour taste in the air and an odd odour. The boys looked at each other and carrier on.

**** Shuttle Alpha ***

Ryak tried to get control over the runabout but it was as if the storm had sucked all of its power. Ryak was not all that good of a pilot but he knew that he was going to get out of this. There was no way to call for help and it seemed as if he had to do some improvising. Ryak began to work at getting the engines back online. As an engineer Ryak was no better than a academy student. Ryak began removing chips and placing them back in other places. He was not to sure what to do but at least he was doing something. Ryak looked over to the planet for a moment as he kept moving the chips at high speed. All of a sudden the engines came on line. Ryak jumped to his feet and pulled the shuttle out of its descent.

To be Continued...

Chris Gagne
ALSO KNOWN AS:
Lt/Commander Ryak Sullax, Chief Science Officer, USS Galaxy.
Email: i2qtnot2b@hotmail.com
ICQ: 25686024

"Family..."
Lt Tim O'Connell
Cadet Allana Vincent.

Cadet Allana Vincent took the opportunity to leave campus. She had the afternoon free after her latest exam and before she crammed yet again, decided to take a walk. San Francisco, so the historians say, was founded in the 18th century by a Spanish explorer. Very old, like her father. That drew a grimace. As she walked, she absentmindedly entered one of the shops on the Fisherman's Wharf and to her surprise saw her cousin.

Tim was seated there with a cofffee when he looked up seeing Allana walk by, "hey Allana, join me?"

With a big smile upon her face, she may her way past two argumentative Bolians, to take the seat beside him. "Is this where you hang out?"

"Well yea one of the places squirt." He grinned, "I'm just sitting here sipping coffee and thinking of a necklace for Brooke."

"You miss her huh?" The Trill manning the counter came over and she ordered a Vulcan mocha. "When do I get to see my, what, cousin-in-law?" She smirked. She gave him a pat on the shoulder. "I miss someone too."

Tim sipped his Rajkthchino. "Who is that squirt?" He regarded his cousin with a curious/amused expression.

"Nobody!" She blurted out, realizing that her Dad had not been to keen on it, why would Tim. Then again, Tim didn't live in some Ready Room either. She sat her drink aside, placed her hands together, then looked into Tim's face. "His name is Salvatore Angelini."

Tim looked at her then a slow smile spread, "Squirt, you got yourself a sweetie. Details details, come on. You know I'm gonna find out."

Seeing no obvious objections, she relaxed but prepared for a negative reaction just the same when she said, "He's a Marine, private, first class. He was stationed on Dad's ship and with the Romulan attack, well we got to know one another. Sal is a great guy." Her face grew sombre. "He shipped out yesterday for the frontier for a mission. I worry about him Tim. What if he get's killed or badly injured?"

"You have to have faith that he is going to pull through, it's his job." He then grinned crookedly, "Didn't I tell you no Marines untill you were 30 minimum."

"I'll be 18 soon." She then gave a wicked grin and punched him in the shoulder. "I don't need a 'big brother' to look out for me."

"I can't be everywhere to look out for you I have my own child to take care of soon." TIm was still proud of his baby on the way.

"Seems so weird, you going to be a father. I remember going out to Grandma's ranch in Texas and you would be there with Aunt Eileen and Uncle Richard. My earliest memory of you was riding a horse-badly." She laughed.

"Badly. I resent that." He grinned knowing she was right, "but you should have met Brooke, she was a paramedic when I was a patrolman. We kinda got back together on the Galaxy and now...well you know the rest."

"I wish I remembered her. You can say I'm certified as a Starfleet Brat , didn't get to see much of home. Mom and I followed Dad, was on Ulysses then Moskva. That wasn't to nice. Dad was made XO and I saw less and less of him. He used to be an engineer then transferred to Ops. He's only used to machines not people. I bet Uncle Richard was a lot different."

"Shifts, court dates, but he was home now and then. Mainly it was a normal childhood, except for the fact, my dad carred a weapon and all his friends did, I thought it was normal." He smiled, "but I've had an exciting career in Starfleet."

"You know Security isn't the way to go to get a future command, however, plenty of science officers have." She gave him a wink. "Maybe you should switch to red, get yourself one of those new Intrepid class ships-no-wait, a Sovereign class ship, ya and explore the galaxy." She took a sip of her Vulcan mocha.

"Nope I'll just stay where I am, the school facilities are better and the family quarters are more roomy on the galaxy, and I like my job. I don't want command. Too much time."

She leaned into him. "Bull. Almost every cadet I met want to command a ship. Even that doufus counsellor trainee. Do you really want to be some yellow shirt captain at some desk on some starbase? Well that's not for me. My grandfather, Mom's Dad, is an admiral." Another smile.

"You know if you had've asked me when I was a single guy I would have expressed a desire to command, but as a married person my perspective has changed." He tapped his chin, "things are jsut different now."

"Maybe Dad should have felt the same way 17 years ago. I can't imagine him staying just someone else's chief engineer though." She glanced around the shop before speaking again. "For a newlywed and a father-to-be, you sure have a strange way of showing it. The Galaxy, bucko, left already and she's on it. Don't you think you should be with her, now of all times. When will you men start acting like responsible partners."

"I got called here, to act as invesstigator for Capt Price's defense team. I'll be heading back to the Galaxy and my lovely wife, as fast as I can."

"Like Sal, duty calls. I guess when I get back aboard the Excalibur, Sam, ah, Lieutenant Lewis will have enough lab work to fill Space Dock." She sighed, it wasn't just a duty shift it was homework as well, four years of it. "I got to get back to campus and study yet again. If I were you Tim, I'd change my wardrobe to red." She finished her mocha and ruffled his hair. "Looks better Lieutenant."

Tim shook his head, "but gold keeps you redshirts safe... squirt."

"Gold makes you color blind. I'll be wearing logical blue. If it wasn't for us, you guys would be breathing poisonous atmospheres or plowing your shuttlecraft into class J nebulae." Allana remarked back.

"Well shuttle craft crash on their own, why do you think we call 'em scuttlecraft."

"What a thing to say. We're going on a scientific evaluation program in the Academy's holodeck the day after tomorrow. We are expected to give all necessary readings and catologue everything we find and present it to our captain, really Professor Hursh. I heard through the rumor mill it won't be class M and we might be wearing EVA suits." She wrinkled her nose at that.

"Free advice, before you get in to the EVA suit, use the bathroom." He smiled imparting a big brother's wisdom to the young cadet.

"I'm more scared of what's out there. Did you know that most of the Class of '74 are dead, killed in the War. I don't want to be a statistic like Commander Kzin, our Chief of Security, KIA." She began to get bit depressed. Death seemed to surround her no matter where she turned.

Tim gently lifted her chin and looked in her eyes, "hey cheer up. Tragedies happen, you know how many friends I know are dead." He didn't want her to answer that. "I know the war cost a lot of good people, but remeber their lives and they are not forgotten."

"Sorry. Just worried about Sal I guess. I got to get going, hope to see you before one of us ships out." She smiled back, then gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Allana, I would plan on it. And if the Marines are half as good as their training. He'll come back to you. If not I'll go kick his butt personally."

"Problem is Dad. I think he'll step in and tell me to break it off."

"He's a father, all he wants for you is what's the best for his daughter. Just let him see how happy you are or go above his head, to your mother." Tim said with a sly grin.

She gave a michievous wink, then with another punch to Tim's shoulder, proceeded to leave the shop.

Based on STAR TREK created by Gene Roddenberry
Story by Lieutenant Suder - Assistant Chief Engineer

"Confirmation"

Suder hesitantly stepped out of the turbolift and on to the Bridge. It seemed to get larger every time he entered the Bridge. He still didn't like the design of the ship, but it was something he had come to accept.

He looked around the Bridge, at each station. At the Tactical station, Suder saw Ensign K’Alin Aldrea Noras. She was going about her business as every officer did, giving updates to Captain Casey who was sat in the command chair.

Suder moved over to the Engineering station and tapped in a few commands that updated the system and allowed Suder to access most systems from that one station.

He began his diagnostic of the primary systems. As he did, the turbolift doors opened again and Lieutenant (jg) T'Prea stepped out. She had a concerned look on her face. Suder didn't need to use any Betazoid ability to know that she was concerned for Jake Olson and feared that maybe something had gone wrong. She raced over to Captain Casey and Suder carried on about his business listening to what was going on around him.

"Sir....may I have a word with you....privately...?" T'Prea asked.

Casey looked at her and nodded, also seeing that something was wrong. "Yes....Let's take this to the ready room..." He told her. Casey headed towards the Ready Room and T'Prea followed closely behind.

"What's that all about?" McDowell asked.

Suder turned to see that Lieutenant McDowell had entered the Bridge. "I think T'Prea is worried about Jake, but who can be sure?" Suder said.

"I brought you the data you requested." Michael reported holding out a data padd.

Suder took it and looked at the information. "Good job. You know you could have handed this in at the end of the day." Suder explained.

"I know, but why wait?" Michael replied.

Suder smiled and shook his head. "Sometimes I think you work too hard."

"That's the only way I'm going to get your job." McDowell joked. After that comment he stepped into the open turbolift.

Before Suder could reply, the doors slid shut.

"I'd keep a close eye on him if I were you." Ensign Noras said.

Suder turned to the Tactical officer. I don't believe we've met?" he said.

"Ensign, K’Alin Noras, Tactical Officer." She replied.

"Lieutenant Suder, Engineer." he replied. "I don't mean to be prying through any doors, but you are a Betazoid?" he asked.

"Part Betazoid, part Vulcan." she replied.

"How very interesting." Suder commented.

=/\= Samara to Suder, report to Engineering =/\=

Suder tapped his communicator. "Understood." he replied. "Duty calls he said.

Ensign Noras gave a nod and Suder approached the turbolift and waited for about a minute for it to arrive.

As the turbolift began to move, Suder continued to read the information that Lieutenant McDowell had provided to him earlier on the Bridge. The report was written well. Suder was amazed that Michael had picked up the concept of 'How to write a report'

The turbolift came to a halt and the doors slid open and Lieutenant Commander Dallas stepped in.

"Hey stranger, haven't seen for a while." she remarked.

"I've been keeping busy." Suder replied.

As Karyn requested her destination, Suder tapped the data padd he was holding.

"So, I hear there's a bit of competition for a new position in Engineering?" Karyn said.

"What position would that be?" Suder replied.

"Yours." Karyn replied with a smile.

"The only person I know that wants my job is your tweaker counterpart." Suder replied.

"Michael is ambitious but-"

"Too young." Suder finished off.

"How did you know I was going to say that?" she asked.

"Just a guess." Suder replied.

"Perhaps you should be a counselor." karyn joked. "You know people so well." she commented.

"I listen a lot. People are always talking, I always listen. That's how I know so much about people." Suder explained.

"I'll have to keep that in mind." Karyn answered back.

"You've already given away your secret." Suder jokingly replied.

"Oh?" Karyn replied.

The turbolift came to a halt and the doors slid open at Main Engineering. "Got to run?" Suder said as he walked out of the turbolift. Karyn was about to ask what he meant when the doors slid shut.

"Suder, one, Dallas and McDowell, two." Suder scored off the remarks of the day.

Suder made his way to Chief Samara's office to hand her a report of the day to day system diagnostic. And to find out what it was that she had called him for. It was probably just to get that report, but Suder couldn't be sure.