"Quest for Identity"

LCDR Michala Lynn Casey
Lt Mike O'Grady

=USS Galaxy counseling offices=

Mike had settled in to his office and was reading his first case, Michala Lynn Casey, victim of a transporter accident, that at that time claimed the life of Casey Ti Mirian, wife of the executive officer Commander Derian Casey.

A frown crossed his face as he read the file, within 36 hours she was in the Commander's quarters and considered by all parts his wife, without any input from her.

This was something that irritated him, she was an adult, a sentient adult, who was going through the problems of trying to adapt her own identity, which seemed to be dwarfed by being considered the XO's wife.

Michala sighed as she entered the main counseling bay. One of the conditions that she had been asked to fulfill had been seek counseling. Enrique had left the Galaxy, so she had made an appointment with the new Counselor. She buzzed at his office, she was a couple of minutes early.

The door swooped open and she stepped through. "Michala Lynn Casey reporting." She uttered almost automatically. She looked around trying to get a feel for the counselor before her gaze finally settled on him.

"Hi, come in." Mike stood up and extened his hand, "I'm Mike O'Grady, the new counselor, why don't you have a seat." He gestured to the chair with a smile.

Michala shook his hand and plopped down in the seat. Her arms were crossed firmly across her chest. Her face was as closed as her posture. She did not want to be here. The last counseling session had forced her to think about things that were just to confusing. Her determined features showed her emotions quite clearly.

Mike setted down and looked right at her, "ok, I can see you don't want to be here, why is that?"

"Because everytime I see a counselor, my life goes through a state of upheaval, to be honest." Michala answered honestly and directly. Actually, her life so far had been nothing but upheaval.

"I really don't see the purpose." She finished and dropped her gaze from his.

"Well then answer one question for me and we can discuss ending these sessions."

"Okay." Michala answered cautiously. She knew there must be a trap here somewhere.

Mike looked right in her eyes, "who is Michala Lynn?"

"She is a starfleet officer, doctor and mother." She replied almost automatically.

Mike raised an eyebrow, too automatic, "what about her likes, dislikes, things she does in her spare time, stuff like that, for example, I'm Mike O'Grady, I'm married to Rayna O'Grady, and father to Nikki. In my spare time I box and play hockey."

"I like to dive." Michala paused, what else did she do? She worked, took care of the babies and once in a while she went to the holodeck and dove. She smiled. "I study a lot, to make up for wholes in my memories." Yes, that is what she did in her spare time.

"I've read about what happened to you." Mike moved foreward a little, "Are things beginning to make sense again?"

"Again?" Michala asked, her forehead wrinkled with confusion. "I wasn't aware they had made sense in the first place? But, nothing happened to me, I was born, sort of." Her arms were uncrossed now.

"Do you have problems with the different people's memories, thoughts, feelings, coming to a forefront?"

"Sometimes, not as bad as they used to be. Usually only right before the headaches now. Dr. Andree has sent for a vulcan healer because I have to many lobes." She said this as if it were an every day occurence.

Mike then looked at the folder, "How is your relationship with Derian Casey progressing?"

Michala's gaurded expression faltered momentarily. "It was progressing fine until Miran was found." She didn't elaborate.

"Go on." Mike waved his hand as if indicating more information, "How did Miran's being found effect it?"

"Well, he can't be engaged to me if he has a wife. He didn't want me to move out, but I felt wrong staying there. Enrique helped me get quarters of my own." She said, her voice faltered a little. By moving out, she had suddenly felt as if she had nothing.

He noticed her reactions, "and how does this make you feel?"

Michala closed off immediately. "I answered your one question, already Counselor." She didn't want to talk about how she felt. She liked her vulcan side, no emotions.

"Well I don't like the answer, you don't know Michala Lynn, who *you* are, all you have been is replacing Mirian, both as an officer and Derian Casey's wife. But you are a unique individual and you need to begin to know who you are, and you can't do that if you feel trapped in some forced role for you."

"I have not!" She defended hotly. "I am a doctor, Miran was a pilot. And I have told Derian from the beginning that I was not his wife." Michala didn't stop to think about the fact that she had been playing that role regardless.

"I passed my exams. I am a doctor in my own right!" She clung to the one thing she knew was hers.

Mike saw her heat, she wanted to be her own person, this was a good start, "Well then congratulations at earning your MD, you earned that, how did you feel when you passed those exams?"

"I don't know. Relieved? Excited a little, mostly relieved." She added the last after a pause. "I wanted to have something that was mine."

Mike leaned back slightly in his chair and smiled, "Exactly something that's yours, and you earned that, so you're justifiably proud of it." He knew he found one of the problems, she was denying that she had acted as a wife to Commander Casey, "You told Derian Casey you wouldn't be his wife, did you back that talk up with action?"

"I didn't tell him I wouldn't be his wife. I told him I wasn't his wife. But I did back it up, I wouldn't sleep with him or anything. He even got seperate beds, at least at first." Michala said simply. To her the difference was enormous. She had always known she was not Miran.

"At first?" Mike asked with a raised eyebrow.

Michala blushed. "Well, I mean we were engaged and everything, so right before Miran was found, well we.." She blushed even a deeper shade. ".. well you know."

Mike nodded, "I know exactly what you mean." He was curious though, "who's idea was getting engaged?"

Michala looked up with surprise. "I don't remember, it just sort of happened. It might of been mine, I mean, I lived there anyway. I remembered the babies as if they were mine." She thought hard, had it been hers. "I knew that was what Deiran wanted from the beginning. A counsel ruled that I was Miran, but I couldn't accept that."

"A counsel ruled that you were Mirian?" He looked genuinely surprised, "what do they say now?"

"I don't know? I - the first time Deiran... " her face showed her growing confusion. "I don't think it has been sent for any kind of decision."

"Ok, who all do you know on the Galaxy?"

"Know as in have met or know as in friends?" She asked softly. She had a feeling he meant the latter.

"As in friends."

"Umm, Derian, Odin and...." She tried hard to think. People in sickbay avoided her pretty much. Shinta didn't really count either. "I guess that is it." She finally concluded.

Derian again, this was getting a little disturbing. "Where was the first place you stayed on the Galaxy not counting sickbay?"

"I went home to our quarters." His questions were causing feelings she didn't like. She couldn't even put a name to them.

"Our quarters?" he asked, "Who's quarters were they?"

Derian's and m.." She had been about to say mine but they were really Miran's. She looked up at O'Grady, a lump formed in her throat.

Mike moved next to her, a comforting hand on her shoulder, "He tried to replace Mirian with you, not intentionally, but his grief caused him to try and get back what he lost." His voice was soft, "You should have gotten your own quarters right away."

Michala didn't know what to say. She knew he was right about trying to replace Miran. She herself had accused Derien of the very same thing. Yet, she had never removed any of Miran's belongings except for clothes. "He wouldn't have let me." She said softly. "I tried once and he squashed the order."

"He wasn't thinking clearly. " Mike showed her her file, "for example, Michala Lynn Casey, who decided you'd take his last name?"

"He did!" She replied, he barely heard her.

Mike nodded, "You need to become your own person, you need to find out what Michala Lynn likes before you can even consider a proper emotional mature relationship with anyone."

"I don't know how. Everything I have, except my doctorate, belongs to someone else. Even my memories are not my own." Her voice broke up as she finished her sentence.

Mike gently embracked her and let her begin to cry. "It's ok Michala." Then he wiped her eyes, "Want some friendly advice?"

Michala nodded as she tried to force the control the vulcan officer had been helping her with.

"Keep interaction with Derian Casey to only what is necessary to work. Begin to explore what you want to do, your likes, dislikes, begin to get in touch with Michala Lynn." He kept a hand on her arm, "one other thing, if you want to find a last name that is yours.. Then after you figured out what you want to do, if you want to begin to persue a romantic relationship, then you can persue it, but right now you need to love yourself, before you can love anyone else."

Michala knew she hadn't wanted to come here. Everytime she talked to a counselor, more upheaveal came her way. "I don't think Deiran is going to let that happen, Counselor. He is a very determined man and he seems to get what he wants. I don't think my not seeing him will fly over very well."

Too bad, if he truely loves you he will understand tha you have to do this for your own mental health, if not then he just wants to control you."

Mike smiled grimly, "Besides I can make it a part of your treatment regimine, that is inviolable by any person in Starfleet. He is not dealing with some wet behind the ears ensign."

"He didn't understand when I made my confession to Security. He was most upset with me. I tried to explain that I needed to, he just didn't understand." Her voice quivered with emotion.

"Why didn't he understand?" Mike had read the confession.

"He said that I did nothing wrong. That if I had then half the ship had. I couldn't get him to understand. He doesn't think I was capable of the things I did at the time I did them." Michala didn't know what other reasons to give.

Mike nodded and made a note, "The only thing I can do is talk to him and tell him that it is for your mental health, if he can't see that then I'll talk to him."

"I don't know. It will be very hard. Derian and the kids are the only life I have known. How can I just walk away?" Fear showed in her voice. She was afraid of being alone.

Mike raised his hand, "Ok, perhaps I overreacted, I don't want you to lose contact with the kids, but I also want you to be able to branch out, meet people, as long as you're on the galaxy you'll never be alone truely." Mike spoke with a calm phrasing, "I don't want to pressure you, or make it seem like this is the only way, but it will be for the best that you begin to open your own identity." He then asked, "for example, some evening wouldn't you like to go cliff diving, or play ice hockey, or even read a good book?"

"I don't know. Sometimes I want to do so many things.. sometimes I want to do them and I hate them at the same tiem." Michala knew no other way of explaining the conflicting emotions she sometimes dealt with.

Mike listened silently, "Look I can't claim to know what you are going through, and I know you need a support structure to help you out, which is what Derian is to you, a lifeline, a support, but also you need to have a support structure that doesn't have a direct personal interest in this."

Michala knew that, she just didn't want to admit to it. "Like you?" she said almost as a statement rather then a question. "I would like to go now. I have a lot of things to think about."

Mike stood and wlked with her to the door, "like me. I want to be your friend, and support. Michala, I'll fight like hell to make sure you aren't forgotten in this."

Michala sighed sadly. "Lieutenant, I was forgotten before I even left the transporter room." She turned and walked out the door, leaving the remark hanging between them.

Mike stood silently for a second then walked over to where she was striding to the door, "and for that I apologize. Look, tomorrow my daughter wants to run one of those treevis and flotter holoprograms want to come with?"

Michala had been about to turn him down. She stopped and looked at him for a long moment. "Sure, I am sure that would be fun. I have a faint memory of one but that is it."

Mike smiled, "it will be a great way for us to talk, not as counselor/patient but as friends."

Michala returned the smile. "Something I seem to be lacking?" She laughed for the first time. "Tomorrow it is then."

"See you then." Then he wentback to his office to file some paperwork and made notations in to her file.

"How Do You Misplace a 7-Foot Lizard?"
by Lt. Cmdr. George Kirk
CSO
w/ a brief, unauthorized audio appearance by Captain Price

Beta Shift began and there was no sign of Seth Zonhieb. George ran through the attendance check, thinking the Gorn was merely a little late. In all the time George had been on the Galaxy, Seth was never late for a duty assignment. As time wore on and Seth was still a no-show, George really started to get worried. He hit his comm badge. "Kirk to Lt. Zonhieb," he said. He waited, but there was no reply. He tried again with the same results. George frowned. "Computer," he said. "What is the location of Lieutenant Seth Zonhieb?"

*Lieutenant Zonhieb is not on board the Galaxy,* the computer replied cheerily.

George felt a little sick as he rifled through his PADDs, looking for a request from Seth to go on shore leave as he said, "And where is he?"

*Unknown.*

"What was his last known location?"

*Lt. Seth Zonhieb was last detected in his quarters.*

George nodded. He got up and went out into Main Security, where he rounded up a pair of loose officers and sent them down to check on Seth's quarters.

Meanwhile, he decided to check other avenues. He hit his comm badge. "Kirk to Chief Jensen."

There was a pause, then Jensen came on. *Jensen here, sir.*

"Did you transport Lt. Seth Zonhieb anywhere in the last twenty-four hours?"

*Just a sec,* Jensen replied. There was a brief pause, then he came back on. *No, sir. I don't have any such records. If he left, it wasn't through the transporters.*

George drummed his fingers on his desk. This was making him nervous. "Okay, thanks, Chief. Kirk out." He stared at the wall, thinking. Finally, one of the officers George had sent down to check on Seth came back a negative. Not there. George instructed them to come back up. There was only one other thing he could think of. He said, "Computer. Are we missing any shuttlecraft out of the shuttlebay?"

*All shuttlecraft are currently accounted for.*

George cursed under his breath. He was missing an officer. First, two different people show up out of thin air, and then one of his own disappears. He really didn't like this. How in the hell do you lose a nearly eight-foot tall, seven hundred pound Gorn? Computers couldn't trace him. But then, computers fouled up all the time. He wanted to do a sweep of the ship, but decided to get authorization first. If that turned nothing up, he had to go to the one thing which had deviated from the norm since he last saw Seth Zonhieb. The two new arrivals. They had to have something to do with it. He hit his comm badge again. "Kirk to Captain Price."

*Price, here.*

"Sir, we've got a problem."

Lt Seth Zonhieb, Gorn Security Officer

Surrounded by Bajorian women, all aiming phasers at him, Seth waited for an answer. Last night when he fell asleep he was on the Galaxy. Now he was on another strange ship. Its angular configuration did not jar his memory of known Militia types.

"It looks very dangerous." One of the women finally broke the silence. Another stepped forward with an air of authority. "Take it into holding we don't have time to spare."

The crowd parted and a second in command motioned for the gorn to follow. Several weapons covered the exit behind Seth. He had no choice but to move or be shot. He was lead into a detention area that had bars on the cell doors.

Ducking into the small room the gorn shuffled around as the bars where closed on him. They didn't look thick enough to really restrain the lizard. The guard outside the cell stopped him from testing the metal.

Only a few minutes went by and shots rang out. Flashes of shots came from the outer area Seth had first entered. It stopped another few minutes later. Shouts brought a romulan into the holding area and another cell. It looked like she had surrendered. "Return Uhla Ra'Kor." she was shouting.

The Bajorian thrust the butt of the rifle in her face and she went down. "We don't have her." The romulan kicked the guards feet out from under her and grabbed the rifle. She shot the Bajorian before she could even cry out.

Looking around the romulan noticed that one large audience member to her crime. "These pirates keep strange pets." She said and ran out before Seth could say a word.

Since the coast was clear Seth put his huge green paws on the bars. They would not bend under the tremendous pressure he was putting on them. Frustrated the gorn hit the door and it fell over at the weak hinges. He stepped out and picked the door back up to prop it into place.

The room outside was empty so he was able to sneak out. Once on the turbo lift he asked for the bridge. He needed to know what was going on and the only answers would be in the command area.

The lift doors opened and the tiny command area was barely large enough for the lizard. Five women were scattered around, two of them gasp and shouted an intruder alert. Two others drew weapons while the one in the center chair stood up. "Hold your fire." She ordered as if reading the mannerism of this creature she had never seen before. "I'm Captain Midar of the Bajorian Confederation star ship Louisa."

"Captain." Seth nodded showing his peaceful respect. "I'm Lt Seth Zonhieb of the United federation of planets star ship Galaxy. I think I'm in the wrong universe."

It seemed like a strange statement to say but in the infinite possibilities of the things anything was possible. "I'd have to agree with you." the captain nodded. "But, right now we're in a battle to regain one of our colleges."

"I ever heard the Romulan mention a lost Ulha." Seth told her she quickly responded. "We don't have her. That's what I'm trying to tell them."

"I believe you Captain." the gorn said then continued. "Is it possible both your missing peoples are in my universe?"

One of the other ladies interrupted. "Captain we're being hailed. Major Te'Kan is asking for our surrender."

"On screen." the captain turned around without another word to the gorn. "Major. We have new information on the possible whereabouts of your missing crew person and ours."

"We are not interested in your deceptions." The high ranking romulan woman spat back. "Surrender now or die."

The captain paused for a second. "Just so we can sort this out. I would like to meet with you,Lt. Zonheib here can explain more. We will surrender to do that." Every one on the bridge gasped a negative.

Training Minds
Michala Lynn Casey
Sudrok (NPC Vulcan)

Sudrok took in the corridor with a practiced eye. He was counting the room numbers on the doors, but without stopping he just glanced at them. Stopping outside Michala Lynn Casey's quarters, he rang the chime.

"Come" Michala called. She was expecting the Vulcan trainer that Andree had told her of.

"Live long, and prosper, Ms. Casey" the Vulcan replied in a formal tone, before walking in.

Michala nodded. "Greetings Sir! I look forward to many educational hours in your service."

"Well then, let us begin." Sodrok stated as he pulled two chairs away from the table in the dining area facing them towards each other.

Michala had little memories from her vulcan counterpart. She tried to call on those memories as she took one of the seats that was indicated. Unfortunately, the memories were to disjointed and chaotic to truly recall. She took a deep breath and looked up at Sodrok.

"Now, you must clear your mind." Sudrok began the first lesson. Michala closed her eyes and began pulling on the Vulcan portion of her heritage. "You must visualize yourself. You are in a boat. You are floating on the sea of your emotions. You must seperate yourself from your emotions. You are looking down on your emotions from the plane of pure logic."

Michala attempted to do as she was requested. She had no troubles picturing the boat. However, her sea was a turbulent one at best. She tried to seperate herself from them but felt constrained somehow. Her brow furrowed in concentration as she worked to unchain herself from the turbulent sea of emotion.

Sudrok knew that meditation was best taught by mind meld, but He also knew that Dr. Dothan was working to get a Vulcan healer assigned to the Galaxy, and didn't want to create problems by Melding with Michala. "Relax your body, and free your mind from the turmoil of your emotions. Calm your spirit and allow pure logic to take over."

Michala took several deep breaths. She had a hard time with the idea of pure logic, but she could picture and visualize well. Sudrok finally saw her face relax. Michala now pictured herself above the sea that she had visualized as her emotions. Her breathing remained deep and slow.

Their lesson continued till MIchale showed signs of fatigue. She had managed to retain a state above her emotions but it had been difficult. However, it was a beginning for the healer who would soon be boarding the Galaxy.

NRPG: This log takes place between "Moving Along" and "Ride of the Valkyrie". It concludes the science department away mission.

"What Dreams May Come."
by Lt. Commanders Ryak Sullax and Evin Genestra

As the small Danube-class runabout moved in to a medium high orbit above the second planet in the Epsilon Hydri system, Lieutenant Commander had begun to mobilise the entire away team to begin looking for whatever the Natheni glyph point to in the Hydrolous Sector. They had found the planet using calculation derived by some stellar regression models provided by Lieutenant Olson, regressing the astronomical evolution of the region by some twenty thousand years, showing the two planet system, Epsilon Hydri, as the likely location they had sought after.

Ensign John Talbot had taken the initiative and began to scan the mountainous regions of the planet. Since the ruins in the Natheni system had been nestled in to the side of a vast mountain range, it seemed a logical first place to begin scanning. "Beginning a scan of the mountain ranges," the Human male announced as Sullax walked over to the visual on the main viewscreen.

The planetary view showed large areas of contrasting vegetation sprawling over the medium sized continents that were surrounded by clear blue oceans. Had a civilisation flourished there, then they obviously seem to have taken better care of it then some cultures when they hit an industrial age, like those of late twentieth century Earth.

Jake began to recheck his calculations to make certain that he had been right. Whilst there was no doubt in his mind that the complex algorithm he had used directed them to the correct planetary system, he knew that if there was nothing to find, he would have to justify his methods. As the only M-class planet in that system and located in an isolated region of the Hyrdolous Sector, it was the only likely location for what they were looking for.

As the Human worked he noticed Lieutenant Commander Genestra emerging on to the Bridge. "Feeling better, 'Commander," Jake said, still a little annoyed over the entire situation that involved the 'death' of the Jelarii aide. It seemed as though the young man was still bugged by having unholstered his phaser.

Evin sensed the disgruntled feeling from Olson, but could not blame him whatsoever. Unfortunately, keeping Olson in the dark had been vital to maintaining the deception necessary for Captain Kranorak's benefit. "Much revived, thank you, Lieutenant."

Seated next to Talbot was Ensign Sovok. The younger of the two ensigns was scanning the planet for any life form readings, possibly highlighting a colony on the M-class planet. Aside from sporadic concentrations of animal species, indicating the first examples of a mammalian species on the planet, there were no humanoid readings. "I'm not detecting any humanoid life down there, sir."

Sovok shrugged his shoulders. "It is possible that an advance civilisation might be using cloaking technology," he proposed as an explanation for nothing coming up on the scans.

Lieutenant Commander Genestra swung his chair around to face the other science officers. "In our first analysis of the Natheni III colony, Bendrix and Satok did proposed that the inhabitant might have used cloaking technology. It was an explanation proposed to explain why the level of weathering on the structures did not correspond to the age of the buildings."

"The mountains do not show any signs of a settlement either, sir." Talbot announced as he finalised the last of the scans from the mountain areas of the planet surface. "With all due respect to Lieutenant Olson's calculations, perhaps there just is no civilisation to find."

"They are correct," Olson said reassuringly as the fourth check of his calculations drew the same conclusion that led the away team to Epsilon Hydri II.

Sullax absorbed the information being spoken of around the runabout bridge as he continued to look at the visual of the planet from orbit. "Expand the search to the rest of the planet," he ordered.

"I think I may have found something, sir," Ensign Sovok said as he found something on his display screen and transferred it to the main viewscreen for the rest of the scientists to look at. "There seems to be a high level of masonry in that region of the jungle that may suggest artificial structures."

Genestra sensed something different from the Romulan mission commander as he looked at the sensor scan from Sovok's console. The level of concentration on the region highlighted by the main sensor array peaked Sullax's interest, but whether it was what had seemingly drawn the Starfleet officer and his away team there, they could not be certain of from their position. Sullax did not have to open his mouth and the empathic mission specialist had realised what he was about to have said.

"Mister Olson," Evin said as he looked to the Human science officer, "you have command of the runabout until we return."

"Understood, sir." Jake replied.

"Mister Sovok," Evin then said as he turned to the stoic junior scientist, "you are to accompany 'Commander Sullax and myself to the surface."

"Excuse me, sirs," Jake said, already getting used to the idea of being in a command position, "I would recommend that we maintain a constant communicator lock on the team."

Sullax nodded. It would have been the first thing he would have called for had he been in Lieutenant Olson's position. "Agreed," Ryak finally said. "We will report in on each hour. Until then, continue scanning the planet for any other likely candidates."

"Yes, sir." Jake said as he moved from his console near the back of the bridge and sat down at the helm position.

*** Three hours later: Ruins, Epsilon Hydri II ***

The away team had spent the last three hours surveying and studying the Epsilon Hydri II ruins. It was a near replica of the settlement on Natheni III, though these structures were even older and greater in number than the twenty thousand year old colony that pointed them to the Hydrolous Sector. Unlike the Natheni colony, the one they now stood in was surrounded by a tropical jungle, vines and other wild vegetation having breached the colony perimeter and moving in like a menace.

Near the central plaza they found a repository of earthenware. It was as though the colonists were attempting to save their art from a disaster ready to destroy their way of life, something like an ark from the biblical mythology of Earth. Many of the pots and plates gathered near the plaza had been broken as the ground they were stored in began to collapse nearly ten centuries earlier.

At first, the unusual gathering of artifacts only seemed to strengthen the theory that the inhabitants had abandoned the two colonies in fear of a great disaster that was to befall their colony. Like on Natheni III there was no sign of plague or other natural disaster, forcing the away team to reconsider the reason for the ghostly ruins. Perhaps the threat was perceived or maybe there was some other reason for organising the pots, plates and statues made of clay and burying them near the plaza. Either way it failed to explain why the colonists had left their homes and buildings to slowly disintegrate.

Concentrating on the potential wealth of knowledge located in the sunken earth that housed the large collection of artifacts. It seemed to be the only new lead they had to explore between the two abandoned colonies, possibly revealing the identification of the civilisation that constructed them.

"That looks like the gods of war and destruction," Ensign Sovok said as he recognised the effigies protruding from the large fragment of pottery, "from ancient Vulcan mythology."

"I thought that the Vulcan people gave up their deities when they embraced the philosophies of Surak?" Evin said as he walked over to look at the figures. Sure enough they were indeed like the images he had seen in the Federation database on the two mythological figures. "But I had no idea that the Vulcan people had the ability to travel space that long ago."

"They did." Sovok replied. "And they did not."

"That is because these artifacts are Romulan," the green-blooded mission commander ascertained as he held up a piece of pottery that reminded him of an ancient form of his native language.

Sovok and Genestra looked at Sullax.

"Possibly they were the Vulcans that left to found the Romulan Star Empire?" Sovok proposed.

"Either way," the half-Betazoid lieutenant commander said as he stood up, "that would mean that they did not build these structures. Someone else must have been responsible because the Vulcans did not have space travel and the Romulans did not even exist when either colony was built."

Lieutenant Commander Sullax stood up and looked at the assemblage of broken and intact pottery and statues. "It does not make sense. Then who built the settlements?"

Evin wiped the sweat from his brow as the moist tropical air caused his to perspire. If the Romulan or Vulcans had indeed spent time on the planet then it was understandable that they would have been more acclimatised to the hot and humid conditions of the jungle location.

Picking up a piece of broken pottery he examined it closer. The writing that 'Commander Sullax had been looking at certainly did seem Romulan in origin, and the overall style was certainly ancient Vulcan like Sovok had implied.

"Debune." Genestra said as he stood back up. "It does not reveal who built this colony, but it does explain the artifacts that are found here now."

"The Debrune?" Sovok said, not having heard of that species before.

Sullax turned around. "An ancient offshoot of my people. "They left Romulus shortly before the Romulans began expanding their sphere of influence in what is now the Romulan Star Empire."

Evin tried reading the inscription of the Vulcan-Romulan hybrid languages, drawing on what he knew of the extinct and nearly forgotten Debrune language he had come across in his archaeological studies. In some way, like Ryak Sullax, he hoped it might reveal more about what the Debrune had been doing there, even if they knew who was responsible for the ruins stood amongst now.

"Anything interesting?" Sullax asked.

"I believe it is a proverb," Evin said as he pieced together the pieces of the languages that made sense to him, "move carefully, walk slowly, find direction."

The Romulan mission commander turned back around and began to stare at the central plaza and the large dome that dominated the panorama. Evin placed the piece of tablet he had tried to read back on the ground, where he had found it, and Sovok removed his tricorder from his holster.

Sullax looked around the structures of stone being strangled by vegetation from the jungle. Whomever had been responsible for building the ruins he was now looking around, and those on Natheni III, had managed to keep themselves concealed. Whilst they had discovered a new Debrune archaeological site, something 'Commander Genestra seemed to find personal interest in, they were no closer to completing the original purpose of the away mission.

"So what do you want to do now?" Evin said as he walked up to a contemplative senior officer. "We are already going to be two days overdue making a rendezvous with the Galaxy at Starbase 74 and we wouldn't have the equipment or time to make a detailed survey of the colony remains."

Ryak glared at Genestra even though he knew the fellow lieutenant commander was correct. The had already overextended their deadline and, whilst he was certain that Captain Price would wait for them, there was little else they could do on Epsilon Hydri II but collect some examples of the artifacts they found and relay the location of the planet and colony to the Federation Archaeological Council.

Reaching across his chest, Sullax tapped his communicator once. "Sullax to Olson. We will be transporting back to the ship in an hour."

["Aye, 'Commander."] Olson said from the Runabout Ariel. ["Did you find what you were searching for?"]

"We will be leaving the Epsilon Hydri system shortly thereafter. Sullax out." the Galaxy's chief science officer said, answering the Human scientist's question by not answering it.

Blake brushed his hair back with his fingers instinctively, one second the computer reads Lt. Zonheib as being present, the next second he’s gone. The ship’s transporter crew have no record of him using the ships transporters so it was clear that whatever happened to the Lieutenant, it was one of two things. One, he was kidnapped by a cloaked ship, possibly Romulan, Klingon or even a pirate vessel with an illegal cloaking drive. Two, some astronomical or temporal phenomenon occurred to him, and him alone. The odds were in favour of the former of the two options and the Tactical staff were working hard to isolate some sign of a cloaked ship. No unusual emissions, no audio disturbances, none of the telltale signs that there was a cloaked ship involved. It was damn fustrating. Looking down at the panel in front of him, there was a grid layout of their current sector consisting of a binary star and a system of unpopulated planets on the edge. It was generally uneventful and Blake was starting to think there was nothing to find, a level 2 scan was on its way to being completed and if there was any sign of a cloaked ship it would be there. It could well be that the more unlikely hypothesis as to Lt. Zonheib's whereabouts, the second, may be the correct one. At the end of this shift Blake considered retiring to his quarters early, he was sure Rascal, his dog, would appreciate the extra company.

Galaxy "Awake Sleeping Beauty"
Written by Kahn Nilani

Nilani pressed the fire button - feeling the energy bolt hitting her straight in the chest. Almost instantly she fell into unconsiousness.

She opened her eyes and looked around to the view of a lush tropical rain forest. The birds singing and jungle noises being made by so many different animals that it all sounded defening.

She was unsure of what was happening. She was still dressed in the same clothes and even held the Romulan disruptor rifle on a sling that was over her neck.

Nilani moved cautiously through the tress, stepping ever quietly. 'Somethings wrong' Nilani thought to her self.

She heard a little off in the distance the sound of something mechanical. Nilani pulled her rifle off of her back and moved the edge of a small cliff.

She looked down to see a mine cut out of the hillside, and the movement of people.

Nilani placed her foot on the ledge and slipped. She fell....

**** Sickbay ****

Nilani's eyes opened with a gasp of air - She sat up in a hurry, sweat making her clothing damp and her hand over her heart as if trying to stop it poping out of her chest.

She heard off in the distance "Security to Captain Price and Dr Kira Murphy!"

"Go ahead" the sound seemed far off and Nilani's eyes were still having problems adjusting.

"She's awake!"

"History Remembered or The Inheritance- Part 2"

Ensign Adrian An’quinsos
Counselor

And

First Prince Jonathan Lucas Brandis
Chief Operations Officer
USS Galaxy

With:
Kailen An’quinsos (NPC)
Jaina Norana (NPC)
Sonia An’quinsos (NPC)

Zea Vicea Heero (NPC)
Queen of the Cyndriel Empire
Dr. Jonathan Brandis (NPC)

Plus assorted (NPC’s)

***Just before the departure from Betazed***

Adrian walked slowly to his quarters, brother and sister trailing a little behind. Passers’- by took in an eyeful after they passed Adrian, who was in plain civilian attire and saw two tall humanoids in exotically beautifully clothing talking to each to each other in an unknown language. Beautiful to the beholder, it had a complex melodic rhythm barely reminiscent of the Cantus Firmus of Medieval Polyphony with a more complex and very beautiful Poly-Chromatic alien undertone, that could stump any universal translator!

"Adrian?"

The El-Aurian turned his head. "Kevin, how are you?"

"I’m al right, and you?"

"Everything’s going great." He paused, them whispered in Adrian’s ear. "Are they Ambassadors from some delegation?"

The El-Aurian youth glanced over at his siblings, who seemed to be engrossed in a terribly interesting conversation dealing about his future place in society. ‘If only.’ He mused. "Those are my siblings Kailen and Jaina."

"Oh," He smiled. "Have fun!"

"If you say so." He responded. "We still up for that match?"

"Yeah, I’ll let you know the time."

"Good deal, see you later."

Three siblings entered the room an had a seat. Kailen and Jaina looked around and sat down with a warm smile on their faces. It had the feeling of home, with El-Aurian objects; everything from beautiful and exotic tapestries, to exquisitely carved creatures from other worlds, never before seen by many. On the coffee table before them were the three carved Jade Dragons facing the couch.

"If you’ll excuse me a moment." He announced with a small smile on his face. "His ‘Lordship’ needs to go freshen up a bit!"

*** 67 Years Ago: Betazed-Grand Hall Lega Vao ***

Many had come for the gala event. Betazoids from nearly every house, and some off worlders were there, dressed in their best attire. Two humanoids stood out from all the rest. One, a Tall blonde-haired, blue eyed male wore a series of Crimson Kimono-like robes. Each was exquisitely embroidered with the language of his people in golden thread. Over his right shoulder draped a Ruby-red cloak embroidered with more writings in Gold. The other, a tall strawberry-blonde haired female was also clothed in a series of robes, however, hers were Scarlet, with the writings of her people embroidered exquisitely in Gold. Around her neck, on a Latinum chain, was a tear drop shaped amethyst colored jewel. Her eyes changed from their darkened a bit into a deep blue to match her attire.

Many onlookers who gazed upon the humanoids telepathically conversed with each other, wondering whether they were of some royal family, or Ambassadors here to see the Vicea. Strangely though, they could sense nothing form them.

[Zea Vicea and Dr. Brandis are coming this way.] Jaina whispered to Kailen in El-Aurian.

Her guards walked before her. The well-known, well-dress, and highly trained bodyguards of the first House. Their highly polished boots gleaming and hitting the pavement with a rhythmic clicking. Zea Vicea Heero smiled at the members of the Houses. Her arm wrapped warmly around her husband, Dr. Jonathan Brandis. They had still had that newly wed aura. There was no mistaking the Zea. Her large amulet and ostentatious gown blew lightly with the gentle breezes in the Grand Hall's gardens.

"Your Highness." They said as they respectfully bowed.

"Oh, my, what priceless clothing. My husband has a few of his own. The colors are so alive; it's just gorgeous."

"Thank you your highness." Kailen replied with a small grin.

"And our other siblings should be arriving as well." Jaina responded.

"Speaking of siblings, love, where is my little Imzadi?" Zea Vicea asked her husband about there eight year old son.

*** Just outside the Grand Hall ***

On the steps, the two siblings stood with bright smiles on their faces. The El-Aurian female seemed to dazzle and amaze onlookers and passers-by with her incredible beauty. To Adrian and Sonia, it seemed natural; there family was the nearest equivalent to royalty, if an ancient world like El-Auria had any. Even the guards, glanced towards here and blushed. Many there wondered the same thing; were they Royalty, or Ambassadors?

"Name and if you have one, title please?" The caller asked politely.

[Hope he can remember it!] The younger sibling said. Sonia looked down at the youth and grinned.

"Sonia An’quinsos, Eldest Daughter of Salyavin and Daenara An’quinsos, Lady Amaiya Kayieu and Countess of Betazed."

"And you?" He said to Adrian.

"Adrian An’quinsos, youngest son of Salyavin and Daenara An’quinsos."

The caller looked very impressed by her titles. Clearing his throat, he said. "Introducing Sonia An’quinsos, Eldest Daughter of Salyavin and Daenara An’quinsos, Lady Amaiya Kayieu and Countess of Betazed." He took in a deep breath. "And Adrian An’quinsos, youngest son of Salyavin and Daenara An’quinsos."

Everyone turned around and faced the sibling pair, awes by the beauty of the Tall female. Brandis glanced at the female, her facial features were very similar to someone he knew on El-Auria before it destruction. The younger of the two had some features in common with the woman; similar facial structures, accentuating tans, with, an natural imperialistic aura that seem to permeate through them both.

"Salyavin An’quinsos…" Jonathan repeated to himself, then turned to the Vicea. "I knew their father!"

"Really, dear. Do you know their Taylor?" The Zea said in jest.

"He served as President of El-Auria for over two millennia. Then, about two centuries ago, Salyavin was elected as President of the Interplanetary Council, governing all of El-Auria’s outer colony worlds."

"Well, that is quite the position. But, they are no royalty." Zea responded.

"True, however Sonia’s titles speak for themselves!" He replied.

"Yes…" The Vicea trailed off. "How old did she say she was?"

" Around 4,200 I believe. Give maybe two decades"

[There looking at us.] Adrian replied, noting the guests. [I can feel an odd, yet usual feeling permeating the area little.]

His sister nodded. [I think it has to deal with the fact that we seem to be either unreadable, strange looking…]

[Or that maybe I have the most attractive sister in the Galaxy, and every unmarried male Betazoid here are trying to muster up the courage to ask you out!]

The Tall El-Aurian female looked down at her brother and grinned. [Adrian, are you trying to curry my favor?]

[Who, me?] He gave her a very innocent look. [I’m much to civilized to stoop so low!]

[Well, so as long as you don’t tell the nice young men my age or the fact that I beat several Klingons in a arm-wrestling match, I don’t mind!]

They looked at one another and giggled. The El-Aurian female scanned the room, until she found her siblings near the area where the Queen was. Adrian looked off to his right, and noticed a young-looking blonde-haired youth staring over in his direction. Walking closer, the youth didn’t seem to be afraid, rather amazed at the sight of the strange-looking humanoid.

"So," Adrian asked. "Are you going to join the party, or stay here by the bushes and watch?"

The young and handsome towheaded kid smiled a welcoming grin. "I'm Lucas!" He started, extending his hand. "Everyone says they can't read you and your old. But, you don't look old."

Adrian shook the boy’s hand. "It appears your right!" He said with a friendly grin. His brow raised slightly, he giggled to himself about the comments on his age. "I’m not too old, just around ninety or so. I look this young, is because I’m an El-Aurian. We’re a long-lived race from another part of the galaxy."

"I'm El Orin too!" Lucas mispronounced, like only an eight year old can. "Daddy said so!"

"Really!" Adrian appeared a little suprised. "Who’s your mom?"

"My Mommy is the Empress-Queen of Cyndriel!" Lucas boasted in his showy and sharp suit. The style was uniquely Betazoid with the coat tails that dragged along the floor behind him and the sleeveless shirt. On his head the humbly expensive crown of the Zea Toa rested comfortably. This particular one had a blue gem that matched Lucas' eyes. With all he could muster said, the little First Prince ran off to join his mother at the thrown.

Sonia glided past all the guest, making her way to her siblings, and the Queen.

"Zea Vicea, Mr. Brandis" Sonia bowed respectfully. "It’s very nice to see you both."

"Countess, your presence is always welcome in my Court. Remember that!" Zea Vicea Heero replied as her son ran up the isle, down the blue carpet, and jumped onto her lap with excitement at having met a stranger.

***Present- USS Galaxy***

It had been many days since His brother and sister left, and Adrian was still think about what his sister gave him. In a sense, it seemed a little overwhelming. The El-Aurian glanced down at the pictures he found in the castle. One was a family portrait, taken shortly after he graduated with full honors from the University of El-Auria. The other was a picture of his parents the day his father was inaugurated to President of the Interplanetary Council. The humanoid barely had time to look at anything, before they were whisked away on another mission.

"Where’s a good friend to talk to when you need one!" Adrian declared. Moments later, he began laughing at that thought. "An El-Aurian wanting someone to listen to him," He said humorously, "Now that’s takes the cake!" He stopped and thought about it a moment. "Hmm… maybe if Gailyn isn’t to busy… it’s always great to hear advice from another more experienced member of your race." With that, the El-Aurian headed out the door, and towards Ten-forward.

"Shell game"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

The Captain was sitting in his quarters reviewing the list of promotions on board the USS Galaxy that he had just made official in the last 24 hours. He was pleased so many officers had done such an outstanding job at serving the ship and their fellow crew members. Presently the USS Galaxy was on route for the edge of the Alpha quadrant for their next assignment. There was no hurry, so the Captain had the ship traveling at a modest warp factor one. They would arrive at space station Deep Space Nine in plenty of time for their next assignment.

While reviewing the promotion list, the Captain's comm badge signaled.

["Kirk to Captain Price."] came Lieutenant Commander Kirk's voice over the channel.

"Price, here." the Captain responded to the hail.

["Sir, we've got a problem."] George reported.

After a pause Lee asked, "What is it 'mate?"

["Lieutenant Zonhieb appears to be missing. I've checked the records and he doesn't appear to have left the vessel by any conventional means."]

Lee involuntarily frowned at hearing the news. "Have you checked the shuttles? Maybe he's taken one of those."

["Yes sir. All shuttle craft are accounted for according to the computer, and there are no recorded transporter logs with Lieutenant Zonhieb's bio signature in the last several days."] Kirk informed.

Knowing how cunning the Gorn officer could be when he wanted something, -- like bypassing the Holo-deck safety protocols so that he might "hunt" with an element of danger, Lee returned, "You had better have someone take a physical inventory of the shuttle craft 'Commander, and double check the transporter logs. It wouldn't be unimaginable for the Lieutenant to have left the ship in an unauthorized manner and tried to conceal his departure."

George nodded. Being the new Chief of security, he was privy to the records of the crew members, and was aware of the Gorns earlier disciplinary exploits on the Holo-deck. ["That's a wise precaution Captain. I will look into that possibility immediately."]

"Keep me posted 'mate. Captain Price out." Lee responded, tapping his comm badge to deactivate the channel.

Disturbed by the news, Lee placed down the data padd he was working on and grabbed his duty jacket before exiting his quarters on the way to the Bridge.

Walking down the corridor while securing his uniform, another hail signaled. It was from one of the Security Officers in sickbay.

["Security to Captain Price and Dr Kira Murphy!"]

"Go ahead." Lee responded with a tap of his comm badge as he continued to walk towards the turbolift at the end of the corridor.

["She's awake!"] came the suprised response from the Security officer on the other end of the channel.

"The intruder?" Lee questioned. He still couldn't bring himself to call her Kahn Nilani, in spite of the DNA match. Not until he knew what was going on and who she really way.

["Yes sir. She just regained consciousness."]

"Understood. I'm on my way now." Captain Price responded, just as he entered the turbolift and ordered, "Sickbay."

The doors to the lift swished shut.

"Soup's On"
By Lieutenant Savat

The two security officers walked side by side through the corridors of Deck 38. Delta shift was over. The senior officers were now beginning the Alpha watch. It had been a quiet shift, a trademark of Delta, but Savat for his part did not mind at all. By his reckoning, his decades of training were best put to use when they were not used at all. It meant that their patrols had succeeded in preventing trouble before it started. His partner for the shift, Lieutenant Sanchez, had been quite helpful in showing him the ins and outs of the USS Galaxy, the many nuances and idiosyncrasies that were not covered in the official files that he memorized during his transfer flight.

"So, getting all nice and adjusted?" Heather Sanchez asked.

"Your tour of the ship was quite informative and productive, Lieutenant." Savat replied. "You have my thanks."

"Delta is not the most exciting of shifts, but sometimes, I appreciate the quiet." Said Sanchez. "And you get to see the sun rise every day, so to speak." She added, indicating the panel lights on the corridor ceiling.

"I can see where some might find that comforting." Savat nodded. He looked at the dark haired woman with a critical eye.

"What?" She asked, feeling slightly uncomfortable.

"If you would not find the question objectionable, " Savat asked, "Have you been taken aback by your loss of shift command status?"

Sanchez was surprised at the question, in that it was asked so directly. "Perhaps a bit." She said. "But security has been in flux for a while. We've had a lot of the old timers move on recently. Hell, Commander Kirk was only just promoted to Chief. So this is just a drop in the bucket."

"Indeed." Said Savat. "From the reports I have read since my arrival, it would seem that the entire crew has been through a great deal recently."

"Yeah, you could say that." Sanchez shrugged. "There were the murders, and the mirror universe pirates, and of course, we all died recently."

Savat cocked an eyebrow. "That must have been an enlightening experience for all concerned." He suggested. "Few are those who take such a journey and then return." Sanchez's face darkened and Savat knew that he had, regretfully, hit upon a sore subject.

"Enlightening is not the word I would use for it." She said curtly. "Look, it's late and I'm going to catch a quick bite before hitting the sack. Care to join me in 10-Forward?"

"That would be acceptable." Savat replied.

The pair made their way to the lounge. The crowd was a mix of early risers hunting for breakfast and late shifters looking for a nightcap. The manager, an Orion, had just begun her shift as well.

"Electra, heuvos con carne, por favor." Sanchez ordered.

"The usual, eh?" She said with a smile. "Coming right up. The green skinned woman looked Savat up and down. "You must be new." She said. "I don't forget faces."

"Electra, allow me to introduce Savat, the new Delta Shift security manager" Said Sanchez.

"A Vulcan in security?" She said. "That's somewhat unusual."

"No more so, I would surmise, than an Orion serving aboard a Starfleet vessel." Savat replied.

"Fair enough." Electra laughed. "What can I get you?"

The one thing Savat regretted about leaving the V'Shar to return to Starship duty was the food. He had grown accustomed over the last year to the well prepared delicacies of his native world. Proper Vulcan cooking was beyond the scope of most other Federation races, whose palettes were not sensitive enough to detect the subtle textures of Vulcan spices. What tasted dull and lifeless to a Human was, when prepared by a skilled Vulcan chef, a feast for the senses.

"A bowl of Plomeek Soup." Savat finally answered.

"You got it. Be right back." Electra replied. She returned, a minute later, with a large plate of steak and eggs for Sanchez and a bowl of thin orange broth for Savat. Sanchez dove into her meal while Savat was more tentative, taking a small spoonful and bringing it to his lips, tasting it carefully and letting it linger on his tongue. Electra grinned as Savat looked up in surprise. "You like it?" She asked.

"This is quite good." He said. "Not at all what I was expecting. The recipe reflects the traditional flavors and sub textures of provincial Gol, though with some variations in the proportions of Kanleth herbs and powdered Ispila." He took a few more generous spoonfuls and politely slurped them down. "How did the ship's replicators come by this recipe?"

"They were in the memory banks since before my arrival." Said Electra. "But from what I can tell, they were accessed quite often in the past, at least before Price took command."

"Of course." Savat said. "Captain Shoak, Price's predecessor, was from Gol. He no doubt brought the recipe with him when he took command of the Galaxy."

"Makes sense." Electra agreed. "Can I get either of you anything else?"

"I'm fine." Sanchez said between mouthfuls.

"As am I" Savat added.

As Savat sat and enjoyed his soup, he slowly relaxed. Perhaps the adjustment back to Starship duty would be an easier transition that he had suspected.

*** ***

Lieutenant Savat
Security Officer - USS Galaxy
AKA
David Friedland
ICQ# 5805168

"Reeling"
by Lt. jg Anika Crowe

The valley floor sparkled in the early morning sunlight. The dew drops clinging to the tall grasses glinted with the sun's rays as they swayed gently in the light breeze. A single hill rose out of the center of the valley, overlooking the stream that meandered down near the dirt road bisecting the valley.

Seated at the top of the hill, Anika Crowe fingered the small terran stringed musical instrument in her hand. The move was practiced and sure. She raised the bow to the strings and played out a quick tune. A smile crept across Ani's face as the song progressed, quickly taking on a life of its own.

Closing her eyes, Anika let her hands follow the song she felt and let it float out across the valley.

She sat cross-legged as she played, fiddle tucked under her chin and back straight against the tree. She wore a pair of cut-off denim shorts, a fashion she picked out of a retro catalog on the Risa news feed. The t-shirt she wore was loose and advertised a band from London on Earth. She'd never actually heard them play, but everone she'd ever talked to had loved their music. She'd have to check out the Punk Brats one of these days.

The song ended and Anika stood up. She stretched out her legs and started in on a reel she'd heard once. She winced as she missed a note, but decided it didn't sound that bad. Thoughts of receiving her new rank pip were still vivid in her mind. She couldn't believe she was a lieutenant already.

Ani laughed as she transitioned the song into another reel. She danced down the hill, her bare feet kicking through the tall grass. She'd have to get to work soon. She couldn't believe how things had changed recently. Life could really be amazing sometimes.

"The Right Thing"
by Lieutenant Commander Michala Lynn Casey
and Captain Price

Michala took a deep breath and straightened her uniform. She had been waiting for this summons for what felt like forever. She buzzed the door and waited for the summons to enter.

From within the Captain's office, the General's Australian accent could be heard calling out, "Enter `mate."

Michala entered the Captain's ready room and stood very straight before him. "Lieutenant Commander Michala Lynn Casey as order, sir." She was very frightened. In a way, she had never been taught; right, wrong, moral etc. She only had memories of it all. She had no parents and eight parents, again a very strange state. Right now, she felt as a child would, called to task before a parent.

Lee immediately put aside what he was working on and gave Michala his full attention. "Please, `ave a seat `Commander."

For a moment, Michala thought to refuse, preferring to stand to face the Captain, but she quickly fell back into her child-like state and complied to the Commanding Officer's wishes, sitting in the seat directly in front of the Captain's desk.

Captain Price regarded Michala. In a solemn tone he started to speak. "Let me begin by saying I think it was very brave of you to come forward and admit to what you had done. It took am amazing amount of courage to do that, knowing you would have to face the consequences of your actions. I am making a notation on your record of this voluntary admittance of guilt so that others will know that you did the right thing, if not initially, then in the end."

"Thank you Captain." Michala said meekly. She still didn't feel very comfortable and was expecting the worse - probably court marshal and being discharged from Starfleet or assigned to some remote colony somewhere. She was sure her days on board a Starship like the Galaxy were going to be over. Such prestigious assignments were not awarded to officers that lied to protect their best interests at the expense of others like Michala had done. She could only hope her infancy state would be taken into consideration.

Captain Price continued. "Of course I can not allow this incident to go unpunished. While I admire your honesty and the sincere way you have brought this to my attention, I can not turn a blind eye to what you have done. You concealed vital information about another officer that could have resulted in that person's death. You altered official Starfleet logs and records to further obscure the possibility of that information being found by those that were looking for it and attempting to save Casey Ti Miran from the transporter accident she was exposed to that ultimately resulted in your creation. And for those action to which you've freely admitted, disciplinary actions must be taken."

Michala shifted slightly in her seat. She still felt like a young school girl sitting in the deans office, and strangely had a flash of deja'vu, like she had been there before as a youngster of one of her originators. But now she knew the Captain was getting to her punishment. She was wondering if she'd be court marshaled, or just sent off to a remote outpost somewhere. Maybe Outpost 77, or Beta station 2, or some other far away posting.

"As punishment for your actions Michala Lynn Casey, you will be reduced in rank from Lieutenant Commander to Lieutenant. A reprimand will appear on your official record noting your actions and voluntary admittance of what you had done. I will inform Doctor Gakor of this, and see to it that she is made fully aware of all aspects of this incident. In the mean time, you should put this all behind you and continue on with your career as a Medical Officer on board the USS Galaxy." Captain Price explained.

Michala was quite surprised at hearing the news. She was expecting the worse, to be court marshaled and sent away from the USS Galaxy, from Deiran, the kids, and possibly even Starfleet. She didn't get off without a blemish on her record, and lost a half pip in rank, but at least the General was allowing her to remain on board the ship, and with the family she had grown to love. A tear involuntarily formed in her eye. "Thank you sir." Michala managed. She dared not say anything more for fear of making an emotional fool out of her self in front of the Captain. Reaching to her collar, she removed the half pip and placed it on Captain's desk.

Lee took the pip and nodded. "I will see to it that the databanks are updated Doctor. That is all. Dismissed."

Michala got up out of the chair and began to exit the Captain's ready room. When she entered the bridge, she glanced around quickly and noticed that the command crew were purposely trying to avoid looking in her direction. It was likely they knew why the Captain had summoned her to his ready room. Standing there with just two gold pips where she had once had two and a half, Michala couldn't help but smile. Others might have been upset at being demoted and having a reprimand placed on their record, but Michala was looking at the brighter side of the picture. She was being allowed to stay on board the USS Galaxy as a Medical Officer where she could be close to Deiran and the children.

Walking proudly, Michala entered the turbolift and called out, "Sickbay" just before the turbolift doors swished shut.

"Emotional Avoidance"
Lieutenant Michala Lynn Casey
Lietuenant Mike O'Grady

Michala was a little more cheerful about going to her second session with Counselor O'Grady. She felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She also had gotten to know the O'Grady's a little better since her last session. She entered his office, a smile lit her face. For the first time since he met her, it was genuine.

Mike looked up from his reports, "well Michala, you look cheerful today, care to tell me why?" He asked as she took her seat.

"I will not have to leave the Galaxy. The Captain has decided to be generous and merely demoted me." Michala paused, they had not talked about her confession or the impending results.

"Well that's a good thing I guess." Mike said as he settled in, "How do you feel about what happened?"

"Why do you ask so much about feelings?" She turned his question back. "Emotions are irrelevant."

"Why do you say they are irrelevant, you feel things?"

Michala was quiet for a moment as she chewed on her lip. "I have been learning to detach myself from emotions. It is what my pretraining for the vulcan healer has emphasized. I guess it is difficult to explain."

"Try me." Mike said neutrally. But he thought this was a bad idea.

"Well, because I have four lobes instead of two, they have called in a vulcan healer. To work with him, I have to be able to transcend emotion. The only other option was a surgery to meld the lobes, but that could result in severe personality changes.. basically I would become yet another person." Michala was just getting to know who she might be, the prospect of becoming yet another person did not appeal to her.

Mike nodded, "But you also need to accept that you have feelings and emotions and embrace them."

Michala frowned. "How can I do both?"

"That will take time." Mike nodded and smiled, "Did you talk to Ti Mirian about what happened yet?"

Michala became very still. "No! Every time I see her, I can't seem to speak. I know that I.." Her voice faltered. She didn't finish her sentence.

"You what?"

Michala did not want to talk about this. She searched for an answer that would satisfy this much too astute man. " I know that she is in pain and not able to understand." At least this was truth.

Mike listened, "You could be a help to her, both of you have gone through some of the same thing."

"No, no we haven't. She is locked in a horrid memory that she can't escape. I have none of those horrid memories, I have all the ones that are important. Gaining her own ground and finding a career. Meeting and marrying Deiran, having children." Michala seemed to lose track of Mike as her passion kicked in. "I can't talk to her cause I know that I have taken those things from her, even if it wasn't my choice."

"It wasn't your fault." Mike spoke simply, "you're memories are part of hers. But yet they are the memories of the other two who ended up as part of you." He smiled reassuringly, "Are they starting to come together?"

"Sort of. Most of the time, I try to ignore them. It is like reading someone's journal. Those private moments are not my own. But there will be things that will trigger a memory strongly from one or another. I am growing used to the sensation." Michala smiled a little. "I just wish they were not such strong memories. Instead of the little memories, I have ones associated with strong emotions." Maybe that was why the Vulcan healer was hoping to have her be able to transcend emotions.

"What sort of stuff brings this emotional response?"

"Odd things. A smell or a sound might be a trigger. The most recent was a piece of music. I began to cry and then realized that it had a romantic significance to one of my donor's." Michala didn't know what else to call them, they were not really parents.

Mike looked at her, "What you are going through is something most other species go through in adolescence, you're trying to find Michala Lynn's identity, what you are going to be, and you're doing this while being a doctor and mother."

Michala nodded, "I guess that is true. I just don't have the time to get through it other adolescents have. But at least when you are an adolescent. What consequences, what rewards you earn on yours. I didn't even really earn my rank. I guess that is why it does not bother me that I lost some of it." She finished quietly.

"How did you get your rank?" Mike asked curiously.

"Like everything else I have, it was given to me. I am Miran, remember?" Her words came out with more bite then she intended.

"No you're not, you're Michala Lynn." Mike was firm on this, "You are not Miran, and you should never think of yourself as Miran."

"Everyone else does, except maybe Andree." Michala quipped back. "Some oddity to be avoided. Even a court decided that I was "the last remnant of Casey Ti Miran. Now when I look at her, I wonder if that is true. Maybe in the creation of whatever I am, I took what she is missing." Bitterness that she had kept hidden from everyone was creeping into her voice.

"It's how you've been treated, Maybe you should start acting as Michala Lynn, for example, drop Casey from you last name. Maybe even give up the rank that was handed to you and start from scratch."

Michala looked up at him in shock. "Give it up? Just like that? How would one even do that?" Michala was unsure if she liked that solution any more then she liked the choice she was just handed. "What will I have then?" Michala was truly an orphan in the largest sense of the word and it felt as if she was losing more and more ties to what she had accepted as her life.

"You'd have your friends here. You could talk to the captain and see if you could do it." Mike said, "I'm not saying leave the Galaxy, I'm not saying leave Starfleet, but start as Michala Lynn, you'd be surprised how much satisfaction you could get from it."

Michala would have to think about this. It was true. She was not a Casey by marriage or by blood. And the rank, she had not earned. "I will have to think about this. I had not thought of it to be honest."

"I'm not saying you have to cut yourself off from Derian and the kids, that's not fair to you or the kids. But, keep the relationship friendly, platonic, nothing romantic, you have to find out who you are first."

Michala nodded, "I understand that. I have avoided Deiran lately to be honest. He is a very intense man and it is hard to stay distant when that is all I have known. I also,...." she cut off. Every time she started to express true deep set feelings. She shut down on him.

Mike gestured at her to continue, "Go on, continue."

She didn't want to continue. "It doesn't matter." She smiled at O'Grady. "I really enjoyed myself the other night. I had to go back and do all of the holo story line.

"That's good, Nikki likes you too." Mike smiled disarmingly, "She thinks you're a nice lady. And she is a good judge of character."

Michala smiled. "I am glad she thought so" Michala fell quiet. She was unsure of what to say now.

Mike chuckled, then grew semi-serious, "I want you to keep a journal keep track of your thoughts what emotions you have, even if they're irrelevant."

"For what purpose?" Michala was truly puzzled.

"just to help you keep track of things, keep your mind tracked it can be a great thing. It will be your private journal I won't see this unless you think something is relevant, so you can even write what a horse's ass I am." He smiled at that.

Michala couldn't keep from smiling. "We are done then?" She like the Counselor, but she didn't like being under the microscope.

"For this week. Next week we'll talk more." Mike smiled, "consider me your constant date."

Michala frowned. "I was unaware that this was going to be an ongoing thing. The captain didn't say anything?" She would have thought it would have been brought up if it were mandatory.

"Well it's not mandatory, if you don't think you need it, then we stop. But I would recommend it."

Michala cocked her head to one side and looked intently at the counselor for a long moment. "Why?"

"Right now you are going through an adolescence, you need someone to talk to, I'd like to be that someone."

Michala smiled. "I guess if you look at it like that, I would love that. A journal? I haven't written anything down about what I feel or have experienced. I guess that would be a novel experience."

He smiled and patted her hand, "Besides it sometimes helps to see things in print. I know it helped me when I was a cadet at the academy."

"I never went to academy, well except in memory." Her voice was thoughtful. "See, I have skipped everything." Michala smiled sadly.

"Well you earned your MD's license, " Mike said, "but it did help me, when I changed programs."

"Okay, a journal it is. Anything else for this week then?" She still had to speak to Andree, the vulcan healer had arrived.

"Nope." Mike said, "except for one thing."

Michala looked up, "which is?"

"Meet people, go out and meet people."

Michala grimaced. "I will try. Maybe Odin or Andree will help me."

"If I can help you let me know."

Michala stood up and straightened her uniform. "Aye, I will do that." She smiled at O'Grady. "Next week then doctor?"

"Next week." He wagged his finger teasingly, "and I'm not a doctor yet, I have to finish my MSW first."

Michala laughed heartily. "I am sure I will bring interesting data to such an endeavor." She was glad she had made herself come today. "Good day, Counselor."

"Good day to you Doctor."

Michala turned and left the office. She had much to do Before her shift. There was finding Andree and telling Deiran the results of her meeting with Price.

"Yes"

by
Bruce Maxwell
Navarre Shinta
Gavin Navarre

When Gavin was escorted home a little later. He found his mother on the couch, with her head in uncle Bruce's lap. the boy smiled brightly . "Hello uncle Bruce. Did you and mummy make up? Are you going to marry her and be my daddy now?"

"Hello, Lad. Yes our Mom and I have made up. As far as her Marrying me and me being your dad she hasnt said aye yet. Come here lad." Bruce said patting the section of couch next to him.

Gavin ran over, and sat down next to Bruce. He looked had his sleeping mother. "She looks happy." He said with a smile. But then he remembered something, and looked at Bruce worried. "If you and mummy marry what will happen too little William?"

"He will be taken good care of, dont you worry about him. So what did you do today Lad?" Bruce asked with a smile.

"I went to school and, everybody was very nice to me." he looks at his mother again. "Uncle bruce, I want William to live with us."

"I am glad to hear it. He would too, but we have to make sure everything will be okay." Bruce said with a wink.

Shinta opened her eyes and smiled and she saw her boyfriend and her son together. Gavin really Love Bruce and he was so good with the kid. "Yes" she said with a tear in her eye."

"Sorry. Love didnt mean to wake you. Yes to what my Angel?" Bruce said a little bewildered.

"If you will have me, I will marry you. As soon as my head stops hurting."

"Then I guess you'd better get healed quickly lass, I would be more then happy to have you. You and Gavin complete my life." Bruce said looking into her eyes.

Shinta smiled, but then looked worried. "To we have to ask permission from the captain?"

"I would like him to marry us, So yes we would have to talk to him. Why what is Wrong with asking Captain Price?" Bruce asked with curiosity on his face.

"I told you that Jake has falsified my service record." she lowered her eyes. "the captain might think i am not good enough for you."she whispered shyly.

"Will you stop letting that man control your entire life. The Captain will want us to be happy together. A persons service record does not always tell everything. So from here on out do things you want to do and stop worrying about Jake." Bruce said a little annoyed.

"That is easy for you to say, you do not know what it is like." Agitated herself she started to sit up but groaned has her head started to pound again.

"Rest lass, you need to get better first. Then we will do all we need to. Do not worry about him. I dont and screw'em when he comes. So just lay back down and sleep." Bruce said.

She closed her eyes and drifted off.

"Hope and Escape"
By Lt (jg) Rose Isis MacAllen, Science Officer

Great Staring
Captain William Smith, Maquis Captain
Commander Victor Williams, Maquis Commander

::Maquis Ship::

Rose have been tied to this table for days without food or water, she was growning weaker by the day just what William had in mind for her. Then as she was thinking of ways to escape from this nightmare William walks in with a evil smile on his face.

"Good morning Rosebud how are you?" he asked as he try to touch her cheek but she looked away. Rose can smell wine on his breath that starting to make her sick tp her stomach.

He started to untie her but he still had a tight grip on her arm as he grag her to a near by restroom. There she saw a beautiful black dress.

"You will clean yourself and meet me for dinner tonight, don't try anything stupid." he said as he kissed her on the lips, then she bit him. Rose turn to him as he slaped her very hard across the face.

William grab her by the hair, "I told you don't try it bitch." he said as she throw her to the floor. Rose can feel blood pouring from her head as she hit the floor hard. He looked back with a grin, "My first officer will check on you in a few hours. There noway to call for the Galaxy and nowhere to escape." he said as he walks out and locks the door.

::3 hours later::

As Rose was getting dress somebody started to unlock the door, she was hoping it wasn't William again but lucky it wasn't...it was a human male walking in. Now Rose was scared.

"Don't be scared I'm here to help you get you back to the Galaxy. My name is Commander Victor Williams the Maquis Commander and I wanted to help you escape from here." the young man told her. Rose feel that he was telling the truth. Victor give her a bottle of some sleeping pills. "Put this in his drink and food, when he falls asleep then I will get you a shuttle and get the hell out of here."

Now there was hope for Rose after all.

"Psych Evals"
Lieutenant Savat
Lieutenant Michael O'Grady

Savat entered into the counseling offices with what could only be described as a mild sense of amusement. According to Starfleet regulations, he was overdue for his mandatory psychological evaluation. While he understood the logic behind such evaluations, he doubted it would prove to be very fruitful for either himself or the counselor. As part of his meditations, Savat put himself through an intense self evaluation on a daily basis. What could a human counselor hope to find that he had not already rooted out and made note of himself? This would strictly be an exercise in protocol, nothing more.

Looking over his last report on Michala, he saw his first intake exam a Lt Savat, a security officer. This should be interesting doing a psychological evaluation on a Vulcan. "Please come in, Lieutenant."

"Thank you, Counselor. I am ready to proceed when you are." Savat replied.

Mike motioned to a comfortable chair and Savat took a seat directly across from the counselor and politely folded his hands in his lap.

[Alright, at this point why don't you come up with a series of questions and I'll have Savat answer and leave room for you to explore deeper when you feel he's being evasive.]

Sitting across from him, Mike had to smile. "Well, at least I don't have to send the bloodhounds out for you."

"I pride myself on my punctuality." Savat replied. He looked at the smiling counselor and cocked an eyebrow. "I take is your other patients are less than enthusiastic?"

"That's an understatement, especially security." Mike shrugged and picked up a padd.

"I harbor no anxiety towards this evaluation." Said Savat. "It is merely a meeting I am required to attend, no different then any other."

Starting the questioning he asked, "So, I see you've had quite a long career in Starfleet, starting from the Enterprise B, Why did you join up?"

It was a logical place to begin, Savat thought. "In my youth, I harbored no aspirations to join Starfleet. I was comfortable with my position as a professor at the Vulcan Science Academy. My view remained unchanged after my marriage to my wife, T'Pal, a Starfleet Officer."

"You're married?" Mike asked.

"I was." Savat answered evenly. "T'Pal was killed in the line of duty over sixty five years ago."

"My condolences."

Savat nodded. "Some years after her death, I made the decision to honor her memory by continuing her work in Starfleet. I graduated from Starfleet Academy in 2327 and have been a commissioned officer ever since."

Mentally he calculated and looked over the lieutenant's service records, "I see you have taken a couple of leaves of absence here." He scanned the reports and looked over the padd, "any particular reason?"

"Indeed." Savat responded. "There was always a reason."

"Care to elaborate?"

Savat didn't, but he knew how the game was to be played and decided to give the counselor the information he sought, rather than forcing him to become insistent. "My first leave of absence occurred in 2356. My ship at the time, the USS Stargazer, was damaged beyond the point of repair during the battle of Maxia. I was injured in the engagement and sent home to Vulcan for recuperation. At the time, I had been a science officer, an A&A specialist. After Maxia, I concluded it would be best to expand my horizons. Having previously shown an aptitude for strategy and combat, I decided to undertake training at the Vulcan Institute of Defensive Arts. What I originally intended as a short stay became a longer tenure as a professor at the Institute. During that time, I maintained my commission by teaching seminars at Starfleet Academy."

"And what made you decide to return to full time Starfleet duty?" Mike asked.

"Because there was a need." Savat stated. "The Federation was at war. There were skirmishes with the Cardassians and the Tholians, the war with the Klingons and later, the full scale campaign against the Dominion. Starfleet's losses were staggering. The need for experienced officers was great. I determined that I could better serve the Federation outside of the classroom."

Nodding, Mike was the standard neutral counselor. "I see, and your most recent leave, before you came on board?" This one was interesting to him.

"My apologies, counselor. But I am not at liberty to discuss that, other than to say that the Vulcan government requested my services and Starfleet approved the request." Savat was willing to be open and honest with O'Grady, but there were limits to his candor. The internal politics of Vulcan, and its recent troubles with the Isolationist Movement, were not a topic to be broached without authorization.

He wasn't lying. That much was obvious, Vulcans didn't lie with out their being a logical reason for it, so he let it slide. There was nothing wrong, he seemed to be fine, no problems, no working, no issues he could see.

Savat decided the time had come to add what humans referred to as 'idle banter' to the conversation. He called it 'stating the obvious', but it went a long way towards establishing friendships with one's comrades on a starship. "It's my understanding that you are a recent arrival to the Galaxy as well." Savat began. "And that your wife is a member of the security department."

Mike nodded, "Yup, Rayna O'Grady, we transferred over together."

"I look forward to meeting and working with her." He replied.

A smile, "I think she's on...... Gamma shift," Mike finally supplied. "I know it's easier on Nikki for us to be on the same shift that way we're there when she wakes up, and there when she goes to bed."

Savat nodded. "An equitable arrangement to be certain."

Mike smiled, "makes things so much easier." He then set down his writing stylus, "well that completes our interview. I see nothing that requires me to make an official notice, but unofficially I would like to continue our discussion in a more informal setting."

"I would not be adverse to that." Savat said as he rose "You should be able to locate me in 10 Forward from time to time. I have found the lounge to have a recipe for plomeek soup that is highly satisfactory."

Mike smiled, "I would like to try that, I've never tried plomeek soup...."

NRPG: "For those new people, Zea Toa means First Prince, and Toz means Duke." - Rob Brandis.

"First time for everything."

Lieutenant Commander Jonathan Lucas Brandis, Zea Toa
Chief Operations Officer
USS Galaxy

Commander Casey, Toz
First Officer, USS Galaxy

* * * * * USS Galaxy - Brandis VIP Quarters * * * * *

Lucas dropped his bags on the floor and fell flat on the couch. Finally, home sweet home, in his own quarters, away from the press and the people. He enjoyed them, but it could get old fast. Every now and he needed to be reminded of it.

He and his new bride had returned from Earth. It had been more of a waking nightmare. Everywhere they went, Lucky Jackson had to be. It was a little more than obvious that he did not like his biological father. But, Lucas had to take him. The High Council of Betazed had determined that he was Lucas' son. Already, they were looking into the archives to find if Lucky Jackson could have a title of First Prince. He was discovered after Lucas and Alexa were married. It was fate of the worst kind. His mother had died in an accident.

Lucas remembered her though. They had met while he was at the Academy. Janet Jackson, a fourth year cadet, with all the ambition in the world, she was a unique belle. They only made love once. Right before she had to leave on assignment to the Enterprise. He had not heard from her since. Now, six years later, Lucas wondered why she would have kept it such a huge secret.

All in the past, now that she was gone and all he had of her was Lucky. Lucas had used the better part of what should have been an awesome honeymoon to explain all that had happened. She tried to understand, but Lucas knew she was still not quiet there. He supposed that she had wanted their first born to be "theirs." It was out of his hands though. He fell into a deep sleep from the mental exhaustion.

* * * * * Operations Department * * * * *

Lucas walked into his office, fully uniformed and ready to start his first day as a working, married man. He had not seen anyone from Ops in weeks and wondered how Jamson had run the place as acting Chief. Lucas had his doubts.

The doors to his office opened and everything seemed to be in order. Aside from the pile of PADDs on his desk and the First Officer in his chair, nothing was out of the ordinary. "Sir, can I help you?" Lucas asked, Cmdr. Casey who was looking out of the view port.

"Lucas! What the heck are you doing back so early? My sister dump you already?" Casey gave his brother-in-law a half smile. He stood and said sternly, "Attention!"

It was the well-recognized sound of a Casey order. Lucas stood at attention perfectly and in full naval tradition. It jogged his memory back to when he was a first year cadet and Deiran, a senior, was his squad drillmaster. "Lieutenant Brandis, Jonathan L., reporting for duty, SIR."

"Wrong."

Lucas did not read minds liberally. He figured if a human had something important to say; he would say it. This was especially true of the Iceman. "Sir?" Lucas inquired.

"Lieutenant, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander with all the rights, responsibilities and privileges thereof," Commander Casey pulled out a hollow pip and pinned it on his brother-in-law, finishing with a snappy salute. "Knowing all the pomp and crap you've done lately, I thought I'd get you out of the full promotion ceremony. Congratulations, kid," Casey loved calling his friend kid, considering the El Aurian/Betazoid was 50 years older than him. He looked younger than Deiran however.

Lucas returned the old fashioned, human salute. Betazoids had a similar tradition, only they crossed their forearms over their hearts, ending it with their arms wide open. "Thanks, Deiran or should I say, Duke of the First House?"

"On duty, call me sir," Deiran laughed

It was a joke, sort of. Lucas knew that no loved rank like a Casey. Luckily he out ranked his wife. Lucas smiled, "You bet, Commander."

"Alright, then carry on 'Commander." Casey replied walking out of the Chief Operations Officer's office.

"Yessir." Lucas replied, passing his fingers over the set of three pips that decorated his collar. "You are too hot to talk, ouch!" Lucas said to the reflection in the mirror wall of his office.

"Life's Little Things"
by Lt. Commander Thomas
Starfleet Liasion Officer

Lt. Commander Thomas has been keeping himself busy, by learning and researching as much information about anything as possible. While he continued to spend weekly reports to Starfleet command about the Galaxy's preformance and status, along with additional reports on occassion about crewmembers of the ship, that were of interest to Starfleet. He generally had light duties on-board the ship.

Chris was walking from one end of the ship to the other end, just to explore the ship and see what every deck looked like. He was studying the ships internal configuration to see what potential problems could be reviewed and made safer if possible. He wasn't a genuis of any sort at engineering, but he could recongize problems.

There really wasn't much going on right now, a new assignment was in the works and would come soon enough.

"Catchup for being a slack little kitten"
by Lt Jg. Kira Murphy, Medical (General & Paediatrics)
------------------------------------------------------------

Kira had progressed pretty well with her recovery after the disasterously botched suicide attempt, and managed to get reinstated back on duty.

Due to other issues aboard ship and some creative record editing, she had managed to stay one step ahead of the counsellors, but knew she would have to deal with that at some point.

Currently, Sickbay was pretty empty since it was graveyard shift, and it gave Kira to go over paitent records. She was also doing up a plan for some changes to the Paediatrics section after recent experiences with various children.

Lt. Commander Evin Genestra's voice came over her combadge, distracting her, [Bridge to Sickbay.]

"Aye, 'Commander.", she replied.

[Doctor, be prepared to receive one, possibly two intruders for medical attention.]

"Understood. Sickbay out." Kira said, closing the channel. Her general medical training kicked in as she gave a string of calm orders to the duty nurse.

"Computer, activate Dr Martin. Nurse, inform the Doc about what is happening while I get ready."

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

Less then five minutes later, two terribly injured intruders were brought in by heaps of security officers.

Doc Martin took one while Kira looked after the other.

Working away, she was caught by surprise when Captain Price stepped to the other side of the paitent,

"How does it look Doctor?"

Not looking up, Kira continued on the paitent, trying to remeber that telling Captains to leave her alone so she could do her job was frowned on,

"Could be worse. She's female, Bajoran by the scans, though she appears to have altered her appearance surgically at some point."

The conversation continued for a bit until Captain Price started acting very strange, causing Kira to look strangely at him,

"What is it sir?"

"It can't be. She's dead."

"Sir?. . ." Kira asked not understanding.

Lee glanced at Doctor Murphy. "You said you took a DNA sample 'mate?"

"Yes sir, to confirm she was in fact Bajoran." Kira reminded.

"Run it through the computer databanks. See if it matches any DNA of crew members stationed on the USS Galaxy in the last five years." Lee ordered.

Kira looked puzzled but complied. "I can do that Captain, but why do you think she..."

"Just do it 'mate." Lee stated abruptly.

It didn't take too long at all for Kira to find that her paitent was an ex-Doctor from the Galaxy, one Bajoran named Kahn Nilani. The Captain asked her to check through the records for something similiar happening.

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

Four hours later...

Kira got up and stretched her arms. Looking over to where Nilani was laying, she did a quick check before heading to the Paediatrics Ward.

Going to the terminal, she started flipping through some random computer records when she spotted one that was unusual.

"Computer, bring up file SCJ-AIBO-ERS-110."

[Working.. Contacting Memory-Alpha for file retrieval.. ET 4 minutes.]

Tapping her fingers, she waited until the file came up. Reading through it, she grinned widely when she realised what it was.

Apparently in the late 20th Century, a Earth company named Sony Corporation created one of the first attempts at AI attempts. The by-product was a computer simulation of a simple dog which was placed in a robotic body that was advanced for its time. While only a small number were made, it turned out to be a great success.

Reading further on, she found that the specifications and blueprints of the original 64-bit RISC processor and other components were contained in the file.

"Computer, save file to personal storage. Once that is download, download blueprints to replicate and create the parts."

Five minutes later, Kira had all the parts lying out in one corner of the Paed Ward and was examining them carefully.

"I did ok in my forced-engineering courses. How hard can this be?"

Twenty minutes later, Kira had resigned herself that this robotic dog was way past her skills.

Dumping the whole lot in a bucket, she was about to go back to the terminal when her combadge chirped,

[Security to Captain Price and Dr Kira Murphy! She's awake!]

Smiling, Kira raced out of the Paed Ward and into the main Sickbay area, surprising the security officers who didn't know she had been there.

"Thesis"
Lt Mike O'Grady MSW
Counselor
USS Galaxy

So far the reports had been finished, the files completed and the client notes upgraded with the recent information, Some of these patients hadn't seen anyone in a while, but he had his case load was managable.

But the hardest thing he had finished before his transfer was his Masters thesis. Being on a smaller ship had one advantage, more time. So he had started on his Masters in Social Work as a way to increase his knowledge and skills.

For his graduate thesis he had written on post traumatic stress disorder and it's effects on non combat starship crew and civillians. THat one had been hard to get through, both writing the paper and digging up the research and reports necessary to defend his paper, but now his thesis advisor, Professor Skoda would be contacting him to see if they were going to accept it and let him earn his degree.

The computer chimed and he watched as it displayed information about a message from the distance learning information annex, and linking with John Jay College in New York City. His degree was actually from Loyola University in Chicago Illinois. But since most colleges agreed to share resources with this distance learning to allow Starfleet officers to persue graduate degrees while in service.

It was with this that he would be linked with one of the driest most interesting people he had ever spoken to Dr Emille Skoda a criminoligist by trade, but a PHD none the less so he was the one who had been chosen at random to accept and handle Mike's thesis.

"Mike, I got news." Dr Skoda sure wasn't one for small talk, just get right to the point, "the committe read your thesis, and well they approved it and you've got your degree."

Looking surprised Mike asked,"I don't have to defend my thesis or anything?"

"Nope, they read it and liked it. Good strong opinions, well researched, now we'll send you a notice of degree and inform records to add it to your files."

"Thank you Dr." Mike was surprised at the swiftness of his graduation and how fast the whole thing was.

"Congratulations, good luck and all that." With that the advisor closed the connection and a data stream appeared. It was confirmation that he now had a Masters of Social Work degree.

Lt. Jake T. Olson
email: craftycorner@cableone.net
USS Galaxy
Galaxy 10-4

"Critters oh Joy!"
by Lt. Jake T. Olson

Bud let out a tremendous laugh at the antics of a 'rambling rose', a derivative of the lively walking rose. The baby was a staple client of 10-4, and offered many a laugh to both customers and staff. Jake was having a ball.

Not every one could appreciate youthful exuberance. Scott opened one blood shot eyeball. "Jesus Christ! That little turd have a fog horn up his diaper?"

Jake grinned, "Vulcan energy, that and a proud Cherokee spirit! Now that's what your complaining about, and early to bed and early to rise, makes you healthy, wealthy, and wise!"

"Christ!" Scott moaned, as it was very early in the morning, but he hadn't been to BED yet.

"Can't stand the noise, go to your quarters and sleep it off." Jake offered.

Lt. Rayna Lamar O'Grady
Security Officer

Rayna Lamar, newest member of the Security team, reported for work. She had Gamma shift. This was the first time she was assigned shift supervisor/armoury supervisor. She was actually excited about going back to work. Sitting at home was just not her thing, cracking heads, now there was what she called fun. Most men seemed to get put off by her macho attitude but she didn't care. She was good at her job and she knew it.

She walked in a little early before her shift. There was before her a very tall looking Gorn. She had never seen one but heard of them. He was big and she felt a lot of respect for him.

Rayna wasn't shy. She held her head up high and smiled, "Hi, I'm Lt. O'Grady. I have the gamma shift here. And you are?" By the look of his claws, she refrained from putting her hand out.

"Time to Escape"
By Lt (jg) Rose Isis MacAllen, Science Officer

Also Staring
Captain William Smith, Maquis Captain
Commander Victor Williams, Maquis Commander

"It time Rose, I have to tie your hand in the back until William order me to take them off." Victor said starting tie Rose's hands together. She can feel that she can trust Victor.

"I have the shuttle ready and the map of where the Galaxy is now." he said taking her to the dinner hall.

Meanwhile William was waiting for Rose planing the night out in his mind, if everything go to plans Rose can be prenancy in an month and then she will have no choose but to stay with him as his bride, like it or not. William seen Victor enter with the beauiful Rose Isis MacAllen wearing that black dress his order for her a few months earlier. He smiles evily at her as he walks up to her and kisses her harded on the mouth. Rose looks away from him with the smell of wine still on his breath, as strong as it was this morning.

"You may leave Victor, I wanted to be alone with my future bride." William said touching Rose's hair. Rose looks back at Victor as he walks out the door. William grab her hard by the arm and sat her down in a gold chair.

"I know you won't be needing your hands tied so I will untie them if you be good for me." William said starting to untie her hands as he used his other hand to start touching her body. While William steped out for a few seconds to see what wrong with the engines Rose put the whole bottle of sleeping pills in his drink.

::2 hours later::

William was drinking his wine, "Why do I feel very tired..." then in the middle of his sentenses his fell asleep on the table. Rose back away as Victor walks in with a phaser for her.

"Come on we don't have very much time." Victor said runing her to the shuttle bay. He open the bay door as the shuttle when into space, but the Maquis open phasers on the shuttle.

"Oh damn it, Computer open channel to the USS Galaxy. This is Lt (jg) Rose Isis MacAllen I'm one of your science officers I am under attack by the Maquis, I stoled one of there shuttle with the help of there first officer. Mine engines are almost out I need help now before it to late."

Lt Seth Zonhieb, Gorn Security Officer

The Transporter in this universe seemed primitive and it took a long time for them to assemble the huge mass of the gorn from another reality. The small circle of technology seemed to build the lizard in parts. Starting with the strong calcium of bones and claws. Internal organs joined the structure, everything important protected perfectly by evolution. Wrapped around that where the coils on coils of fibrous pink muscle. The final layer of protective green scales finished off the monster being created.

"Great Aehallh." (Monsterish nightmare) The romulan transporter chief commented, obviously impressed. The major shot him a deadly look for his outburst then stepped forward. "I am Major Te'Kan. You are now our prisoners. Relinquish your weapons and don't make any sudden moves."

"We come in peace." Captain Midar said holder her arms up to see there where no weapons present. The two new comers where escorted to an interrogation room with a table attached to the floor and tiny flimsy stools to sit on.

Seth decided to stand since the stool obviously would not hold him. The Major took the other side of the table surrounded by armed guards. "Care to explain this?" The Major asked Midar while pointing to the gorn.

"It says its from an alternate universe." She looked at the lizard herself. "I tend to agree."

"How do we know its not invading?" The Major was suspicious and eyed the beast over anew. "I'm sure if it wanted to we would already be torn to shreds." She again assessed her own safety against those claws and teeth. "Let us continue. Return Uhla Ra'Kor."

"She's not on our ship. Lt Zonhieb here thinks the Uhla is in his universe." The bajorian captain quickly explained.

"People don't go around switching universes because they fell like it Captain." Te'Kan put a little edge in her voice at the unlikely statement.

"If you have a star chart I might be able to find where the Galaxy should be in my universe." It was the first time the gorn had spoken in the presence of the romulans. They where surprised the creature could form a word with all those teeth. The Major nodded to one of the guards and she left the room to reappear a minute later.

The chart had the romulan ships current location marked off. There where names on some of the stars that Seth did not recognize. He noticed right away that Gorn space was not explored yet.

The second thing he noticed was that one small yellow star was missing. Sol was gone and that meant no earth or humans in this universe. The implications where hard to imagine.

He could find Bajor with no difficulty and traced a route back to where the USS Galaxy should be in his universe. There was no way it would be there in this here and now. The location wasn't far from the current position. The two commanding officers agreed to set a course.

An hour into the trip the Romulan ship rocked and stopped in space. Seth turned to see the empty stool beside him. Captain Midar was not in the room where the guards had left them. The lizard was so intent at studying the maps he didn't notice her leave.

The Romulans didn't notice either until and explosion in their engineering stopped the ship in its tracks. The ship rocked again as the Bajorian cruiser opened fire on the vulnerable ship.

Major Te'Kan' image scanned the room from the communications outlet. She noticed the missing captive as well. "Find her." She barked to the guards. They left the gorn alone.

He could smell the trail of the captain and knew she had used him to deceive her enemies. As the ship rocked some more Seth left his captivity to help the Romulans. He directed a small force to the shield generators as the next likely target. They found the bajorian woman entrenched there.

Judging by the force of the shots ringing off the wall Seth determined the shots would not be fatal to him. Between shots her lunged out to another location. A phaser shot hit him in the hip and twisted him around. His leg hurt but there was little permanent damage.

Crouching and slithering like his ancestors the Gorn made his way to a better location to lunge again. This time he smacked the terrorists weapon from her hand. Her arm nearly flew off her body with the force of the blow.

Captain Midar whirled around with her other hand and broke her knife on the protective scales of the creature attacking her. It smashed her other arm to and her fingers went numb. She knew she was defeated so she activated an explosive he had hidden.

Seth noticed the device in time to throw the woman across the room. A fire ball erupted where she landed and took out the generator with shrapnel. The resulting jolt of the ship was more from the outside than from the bomb.

Klaxons and lights went off and on. The guards around Seth bolted for the nearest escape pod. "Singularity Containment Failure." The romulan computer warned, "Total ship destruction in two siurens."

The romulan unit of time was unfamiliar to the gorn but judging my the rush around him it was short. Seth made his way to an escape pod to find the door too small to allow him access. "Jolan'Tru" One of the romulans said as he closed the hatch.

"One siuren." The computer reported. It seemed to be a little under one minute. The gorn helped other romulans into the tiny pods. He did not have time to make it to the shuttle bay. The ship started to rumble as the final moments built up.

A flash of light overtook the confinement of the engineering housing where the singularity would be kept in stasis. It soon engulfed the entire ship. Seth blinked at the light and when he opened his eyes again there was a woman in front of him in a federation uniform.

"Hi, I'm Lt. O'Grady. " She said with a smile. "I have the gamma shift here. And you are?"

"A little confused." The gorn admitted. He looked around the familiar security office of the USS Galaxy. "Seth Zonhieb, Lieutenant, USS Galaxy, serial number 13290593-G and pleased to meet you Ma'am."

"Reporting for Duty"
Lieutenant Commander George Kirk
Lieutenant Savat

NRPG: Takes place before the events of "Large Lost Soul, Part II"

***Deck 38, Security Offices***

Savat stood outside the door to the Security Chief's office and checked the time. There was still one minute and sixteen seconds until their scheduled meeting. He stood quietly, his hands clasped behind his back, nodding to passers by. Then, at precisely 1100 hours, he rang the chime on the door to announce his presence and then entered.

"Lieutenant Savat reporting for duty." He stated to the Lieutenant Commander sitting behind the spartan desk.

George looked up at the severe-looking Vulcan standing across from him. In all the chaos of the past few hours, George had nearly forgotten he had a meeting scheduled with Lieutenant Savat. He nodded at the chair near the Vulcan. "Have a seat, Lieutenant." Savat looked at the chair and tentatively sat down. Had Savat been a human, George would have thought he was uneasy. As it was, all Vulcans were stiff. "Good to finally meet you. I trust everything's been well so far?"

"My conveyance to the USS Galaxy was without incident." Savat replied. "My quarters are adequate and the ship and her crew meet with my expectations." It was as close as the Vulcan would come to saying that everything was fine. "With your permission, I would like to begin my regular shift rotations as soon as possible."

George smiled slightly. "Well, it's good to see you're so anxious to begin. I've been reviewing your file. You've had a very long and distinguished career with Starfleet. You've got a lot of experience. Which is why I've decided to place you as the shift commander for Delta Shift. I know this might seem odd, as your experience on the Galaxy is very limited, but your overall experience outweighs this. I think you're up to it. The former commander has been made aware of my decision, and she'll be coming onto Alpha Shift. Delta shift has always been a quiet shift. It's good to acclimate you to the conditions of the Galaxy. Are there any objections?"

Savat cocked an eyebrow. With so many talented officers aboard the Galaxy, he had not assumed he would immediately be placed in charge of a shift, but he certainly possessed the skills to do so. "That would be satisfactory, thank you, Commander. I look forward to acquainting myself with the other officers on Delta Shift."

George nodded. "Good. Also, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Of course, Commander." Savat replied. Kirk was his commanding officer. To his mind, a request and an order were one in the same.

George took a deep breath. "We've got something of a crisis on the Galaxy. One of our officers, Lt. Seth Zonhieb, has disappeared. We're not sure exactly what's happened to him, the last record the sensors have of him were in his quarters. We've taken a physical inventory of the shuttlecraft, and they're all there. What I need somebody to do is run a check of the sensor logs on Seth over the last forty-eight hours. See if anything out of the ordinary happened during that time. Also, examine the logs taken from Seth's quarters. See what you can find. I already have several officers working on this, but none of them have the scientific and technical training you do. I could use somebody with your skills on this. I know it's not your shift, but I could really use the help. Okay?"

"I will begin my investigations at once." Said Savat, intrigued.

George smiled and stood up, resisting the impulse to offer his hand to the Vulcan. "Welcome aboard, Lieutenant Savat. And welcome to the security department."

"Rescue her"
by Lt. Ragnald Gustavson

with an unauthorized appearence of
- Cmdr Deiran Casey
- Lt. Cmdr Michael Jamson
- Lt. (jg) Justin Case Skinner
- PO Jensen

Lt. Gustavson sat at his console - sad, thoughtful and somehow absentminded. The kidnapping of Rose McAllen seemingly changed the always friendly helmsman into a quiet customer for the counseling department.

Suddenly the voice of Lt. Cmdr Jamson broke the silence of the - so far - uneventful shift:

"Receiving fragments of an emergency call. Sender pretends to be starfleet."

"Nice trick." commented Lt (jg) Skinner "All

I can find are two vessels, course 120.73, mark 315. Distance 67 billion kilometers , both Maquis, a fighter and a shuttle.". Then he looked back at his scanners. "Strange, the fighter seems to fire at the shuttle. Seems as if it`s not a trick."

"Ok, red alert, Lt. Gustavson, adjust course to 120.73, mark 315, Warp 7. Damage report of the shuttle if available, Lt. Skinner. And prepare to fire the front phaser arrays." ordered Cmdr Casey.

"Looks bad, Sir" answered Lt (jg) Skinner. "Shields down. Several vital systems off-line. Life support fading. And the engine core already reached critical temperature. Don`t know if we can make it there in time."

Ragnald seemed to be awaken. Although the facts of Rose`s kidnapping were classified, he heard she was abducted on a Maquis vessel. Maybe it was this vessel. Maybe she was on the shuttle now. Donar`s sake how often did he train this kind of situation. But now anything was totally different. The life of the girl he loved depended on him. Ragnald`s fingers danced upon his console. The next five minutes would be cruical - one or the other way. Five minutes which seemed to be an eternity.

On the main screen two tiny points grew bigger and bigger.

Suddenly, Cmdr Casey order: "Helm, bring us to distance of 2000 kilometers to the shuttle and stop. Tactical, fire as soon as the fighter is in reach." Then he tapped his commbadge. "Mr Jensen, prepare to beam all lifeforms off the shuttle."

=/\= Aye aye, Sir =/\=

While Ragnald decreased speed to sublight, a flash brightened the screen. An instant later, the Maquis fighter was hit. The battle started. Started? Instead of returning fire, the Maquis fighter increased speed and disappeared.

Again, the screen was brighten by a flash and the Galaxy was hit by a shock wave. The shuttle was disappeared from the screen. Ragnald hit his console with his fist. A tear ran down his chin. He was so near to win, but he lost - He lost HER. The whole bridge was filled with silence. Everybody seemed to stare at him -stared at a grown-up helmsman crying on his post after a battle which never really began.

=/\= Jensen to Commander Casey. Got one survivor. Betazoid, Sir. It`s Ensign McAllen. She is wounded but alive. =/\=

Cmdr Casey tapped again tapped his commbadge. "Lt Crowe, please report to the bridge."

Then he turned to Ragnald and smiled. "Why are you crying, helmsman? I think there`s somebody waiting for you. Dismissed."

"Lifeline"

Michala Lynn
Navarre Shinta
Peter Lockhart
David Mixon (NPC)

The moment Michala indicated that she felt something terribly wrong with Miran, Shinta was on her feet, concussion or not. "Computer locate Ti Miran."

"Ti Miran is in her quarters." Came the reply. Together they sprinted off to the Bajoran's quarters.

*** Miran's quarters ***

"Miran? Please answer me!" Mixon asked desperately. She had been so upset and he was worried. "Open this door!" he demanded.

"What seems to be the problem sir?" Mixon spun around to face a security officer.

"Sorry, sir. Lieutenant Commander Ti and I were on the holodeck trying to do shuttle lessons. She got upset and left. I was worried but she won't answer me." David sidestepped the issue of her coming on to him. There was no need to spread that around the ship.

Peter moved to the wall panel and asked, "Computer, locate Lieutenant Commander Ti?"

"Ti Miran is in her quarters." the computer replied softly.

It was at that time that Shinta and Michala ran into the scene. Each officer tried their codes to open the door - medical, counseling, and security but it would not open.

"Give me a hand with the door." Peter eventually said, and him and David stuck their fingers into the door and manually managed to force it open.

They entered the quarters to find Miran laying in a pool of her own blood. Michala, Shinta and David rushed to her side. Michala felt for a pulse. Her hand immediately flew to the largest flowing part of the cut. "Lt. Casey to Sickbay, medical emergency. Three to beam immediately!"

They were beamed with in seconds to an emergency bed in sick bay. Before they had barely materilized, Michala was giving orders to the nursing staff. "I need a dermo regenerator, stat. You, find out her blood type an get me a transfusion you have three seconds, lieutenant." Michala's hand still held one of the wounds.

"Shinta hold your hand here." Michala ordered and proceeded to use her free hand to scan Miran. Her life signs were there but so faint they barely registered.

A nurse handed Michala the regenerator and she deftly closed the cuts. By this time they had set up for the transfusion and Miran was given necessary blood.

Michala also gave her an infusion to strengthen the heart rate. It took ten minutes before Michala was able to look at Shinta and reassure her. "She will live, but had it been even a few minutes more.." She left the statement hanging.

"Good work." Shinta tried to smile back, but couldn't.

Michala nodded and turned to a nurse. "I want this patient under twenty four hour suicide watch until I give further orders." She turned back to Shinta, "I will leave you with her, but you must sit. Doctor's orders!" Michala tried to smile at Shinta but the situation was so emotionally draining that it did not make it to her eyes.

Michala went to file the necessary paperwork for an attempted suicide whilst she saw Ensign Lockhart enter. There was also the test results and other file work that would need done on this. Why had Miran done such a thing? Michala's heart felt as if it were breaking. Miran was the closest thing to a mother, Michala would ever have. Would she ever get to know the wonderful woman Deiran had described?

*** Shortly ***

Peter stepped into sickbay to see how the patient was doing and was informed by Nurse Ariana that security was supposed to keep a twenty four hour watch on her. Peter opened his mouth to protest that he was here to check on her condition, not guard her with a phaser, but the nurse had already moved back to the patient. Peter sighed, took station near the wall and informed 'Commander Kirk of the situation in sickbay.

*** Meanwhile ***

David sat there a moment in the blood as they three had vanished without them, though he knew that a shuttle bay operator didn't belong in Sickbay. He would only be in the way. He was going through a broad spectrum of emotions as his tears wet his face. He felt anger at himself for pushing her away and anger towards Deiran Casey. He felt guilty – he could have prevented this from happening.

He went to the bridge where Commander Casey was in command, Miran's blood still on clothing. Casey stood up as David came towards him. Mixon punched him, satisfied at the crack he felt and at the sight of the blood. Casey's blood was a small price for her life.

"Miran is in sickbay and if she dies its your fault!" he accused.

By this time, security had grabbed him and started to haul him away, but he continued. "She is a special woman with a beautiful soul and you abandoned her. Her blood is on your hands, bastard!" he yelled the last as the turbolift doors closed.

Now he felt even more guilt-ridden for throwing away his career for punching an officer rather than sleeping with his wife.

"The rabbit died"
by Counselor Navarre Shinta
and Captain Price

Shinta reluctantly walked over to the office of the Captain. She had made an appointment a little earlier, so she would not catch him at an improper time. She had not told Bruce that she was doing this, but she knew she had to talk to Captain Price now, there was no need to arrange a marriage if he did not agree.

Apprehensively she entered the office, and stood to attention in front of his desk.

"Sir" she started, "I... Lieutenant Maxwell and I, we would like to get married." She looked him straight in the eyes now. "I know you have read my file, Captain." There was no use telling him that file had been tampered with, she could not prove it, and that would only make things worse. "Just let me tell you that I love Lieutenant Maxwell dearly, and I want to make him happy."

Captain Price leaned back in his chair. Just behind him in the rectangular observation window, the passing stars trekked by while the ship continued on course for space station Deep Space Nine at warp factor one. It made for a picturesque distraction. "Counselor, I don't know what to say. I'm sure you and Bruce will be quite happy together."

A load fell off her shoulders. And she smiled. "Thank you, sir. This means a lot to me. Bruce and I would be deeply honored if you would agree to marry us. And as I am pregnant, we do not want to wait too long." She looks at him expectantly.

The news of Shinta's maternal state came as quite a surprise to Captain Price. Trying to conceal his state, he replied, "I see. Well then 'mate, I'd be happy to perform the ceremony in that case."

"Thank you, sir. I think I had now better go to organize my wedding."

"Understandable Counselor. And congratulations. G'day."

Shinta smiled and bowed her head a moment before leaving the Captain's ready room.

Captain Price drummed is fingers on the surface of his desk a few times while he pondered over this chain of events. Evidently the warning Commander Jake Simpson gave about Shinta's promiscuous behavior was unwarranted. She and Bruce appeared to be in love and willing to commit to marriage. That didn't seem to be the sort of person the Commander had tried to paint a picture of in his warning.

Lee let out a sigh. He so hated presiding over marriages. Were it up to him, he would have suggested that Shinta and Bruce waited until the Galaxy arrives at Deep Space Nine. The Bajoran temple on the space station would be an excellent place for a small wedding ceremony. However the Counselor's want for a speedy union precluded that suggestion. And given the shock of her being pregnant, -- presumably with Bruce Maxwell's child, Lee didn't see any point in making the suggestion.