"Wondering Mind."
By Petty Officer Tyrola Lomax
Engineer

Tyrola was glad of the soft warm glow that the lighting on board a Galaxy class ship gave of. The complete darkness of hte Tamarian, followed by the eery blue glow once she and T'Zaq had got the lighting working, was not at all pleasant. Once the minor cuts and bruises that she had acquired when James had been injured had been taken care of she was back in the transporter room.

"Energising."

As the blue haze engulfed her Tyrola yawned a little, then began coughing as the musty atmosphere on the Tamarian vessel entered her lungs. Once she had recovered, and reported back in with T'Zaq she found herself cataloging the damage done to the consoles and structure of the engine room, doing any makeshift repairs needed to neutralise any immediate problems. Tyrola had to admit she preferred warp core maintenance to structural engineering any day - but a job was a job.

The menial labour of cataloging left her mind to wonder, since only when she was making repairs did the efforts require her full concentration. She can't remember how her mind began to think it, or for how long it had been doing so when she caught herself doing it. The thought had been of James Mitchell. How his slick hair complemented his handsome facial features and how the subdued ridges of his nose added to his masculinity. Once she caught the thought she flushed it from her mind. Now wasn't the time for romantic involvment, but when her mind was left to wonder again it came back to him.

It took her about two hours to complete the work, and with the structure of the engine room now stable, and the damage catalogued for other teams she was allowed to return to the Galaxy.

It was Ty's subconscious that made her stop at the map, that made her locate James Mitchell's quarters, that made her almost walk to them. Stopping at the end of the corridor that would lead her there she cursed herself for following her desires too much without restraint. She walked straight past his quarters and headed to her own. She WOULD talk to him again, tomorrow perhaps.

"Lust"
By Lt. Rose Isis MacAllen, Science Officer

**Rose's bedroom**

Rose is sitting in bed reading a vampire story from her homeplanet while wearing a black nightgown she got for her birthday.

Then she put the book down, "Man that is scary, computer lights off."

What she didn't know is that her nightmare have just started.

**In her dream**

Rose woke up from and got up off the floor, she looked around and saw it was a very old castle.

She walked around while wearing a dark red ball gown, her long brown hair down and curled. Rose can feel a chill and evil all around her.

Rose walked up to the door and try to open it..it was locked, she was trapped.

From behind her came a squeaking noise. When she turned to look, she saw the man from the Tamarian transport. He was dressed in an old-style Gothic flowing cape, vest, breeches, and shirt. He approached her slowly. "Time for your nap, milady," he said.

"I don't need one sir." Rose said backing away slowly she can feel so much evil and lust around this place and him.

He smiled a toothy grin, and suddenly he was there in front of her. "Look into my eyes, milady. You won't feel a thing."

Rose starts running out of the living area of the castle and runs upstairs to the bedroom, she ran into a bedroom and closes the door. Then she yelled a little when she saw two coffins... one for him, one for her.

There came a hideous burst of laughter from below. And then from beneath the door a mist comes floating into the room. It slowly coalesed into the form of a man, and the man from below had entered the room.

"What do you want with me?" Rose said trying to open the bedroom door.

The man said simply, "You. And your life's blood." He quickly grabbed her wrists and propelled her away from the door.

Rose falls on the floor, she got caught on something sharp on the floor and her ballgown riped open a little, "What do you mean like a mate or something?"

The man laughed, "Something like that. An eternal mate. One who will live with me forever." He grabbed her again, and brought her up to her feet. He then quickly moved in to try to get at her exposed neck.

Rose can feel her heart beating a mile a minute she couldn't take it in anymore and passes out.

The man smiles, "Too bad it does not work as well when the person is passed out. But I'll take a small drink before I retire." He pushes her head to the side, and takes a small drink of her life blood. Leaving behind two minute bite marks. Then he places her in one of the coffins and closes the top. Then he climbs into the other, and closes the top. Just as the sun begins to peak over the horizon.

**The Next Night**

Rose woke up in pain and in a very small area that smell like wood with silk sheets inside covering her up, she started to moan in pain.

The man exited his coffin, and quickly removed the other's top. He reached in and picked up Rose. "Are you ready to be mine, milady?"

"I will never be yours who ever you are!" Rose said trying to get away from him grip that was around her arm.

His grip tightened, "I forgot to tell you my name? So sorry. It is Lord Vlad Tepes. And I do think I like your spunk." He moved closer to encircle his prey.

"Why did you pick me, why are you in my dream?" Rose said trying to loosen his grip away from her arm.

Vlad smiled, "Beauty such as yours should be preserved for all time. Come with me. Let me show you how blood can create a rush unlike anything you have ever experienced."

"What about your other lady... what's her name again? What does she say about me?" Rose said trying to thinks of a way of escape.

Vlad looked confused, but that passed, "You mean Lady Lilith? Oh she thinks you would make a good vampire. And so do I." He leaned over towards her neck.

Rose looks out the window and saw the moon is full as its light touches the river near the castle, she can feel the lust going through her body as she walks towards the moon like a zombie knowing that Vlad will be right behind her whispering sweet thoughts to her.

Lord Vlad followed her out to the balcony. "Yes. Stare at the moon while I prepare you for your journey to immortality." He leaned over to kiss the base of her neck.

Rose keep looking at the moon she couldn't take her eyes off of it then she can feel the presure of Lady Lilith coming right behind her also kissing her neck, then Lilith looks up at Vlad and said, "Her blood is sweet and she is not even a virgin."

Vlad said, "That is because she is young. And because she has yet to taste true love." And then he fed on her blood.

**Back on the Galaxy**

Rose jumps up from the bed yelling alittle while shaking, "Thank the gods of my people it just a dream, but it felt so real."

After that Rose couldn't go back to sleep.

NRPG: Soundtrack for this story:

-"Chop Suey" By System of a Down ("Blocked out scene") -"Change (in the House Of Flies)" By The Deftones ("The drudgery of reports scene") (Sorry, can't give you the MP3's for your reading pleasure, due to legal issues and whatnot. Try Morpheus or Gnutella.)

“The Night Owl’s Club”
By Lieutenant jg. James Lionel Corgan
Security Officer, USS Galaxy

Guest Starring: Former PT Queen Lieutenant Heather Sanchez Newbie Ensign Edwin Terrance
And the Gamma shift brig mistress Lt. Jg. Brightspot To-Srallansre

Location: Security Office (24:00 hours)

With blurry eyes and a head persistent on it’s methodical pounding, Lieutenant Corgan finished up the last of his reports to Security. He held the PADD containing his last piece of administrative work with a sense of achievement. Here it was, a completed report, one of the dozen he had to do, thanks to the away mission to the Tamarian ship. Add on top of that, his usual duty reports, brig reports on the lone prisoner (the drunk Donaldson again), his own progress reports on his counseling sessions, the proposal on training crewmembers in phaser markmanship and a report to the Federation Ministry of Arts and Culture on the progress of his band’s latest musical sojourn.

Mission accomplished. Corgan 6, reports…

James had to check out the time. He felt like the work took hours to complete. After Beta Shift was spent guarding the Sanguinarian’s quarters, he spent the time catching up on his paperwork. The last few days, boarding ancient derelicts, searching for friends while dodging others, being counseled by the ship’s resident ‘Listener’ about love and life took a toll on the young man, as well as a sizeable chunk of his free time. Hence here he was, not knowing what hour it has become, with a pile of reports ready to be sent. What was the score?

“Computer, what time is it?” James asked politely.

=/\=”Twenty four hundred hours.”=/\= The computer curtly replied.

“Holy crap… I was at this for five hours? Thanks computer.” Lieutenant Corgan groaned.

Corgan 6, Reports 5. At least it was a marginal victory.

For the first time in five hours, Corgan popped his head around to check out his surroundings. There were three others in the security office, and from the disgruntled look of Lieutenant Sanchez that he noticed from the other side of the room, the graveyard shift was off to a bad start. She muttered obscenities with a thick southwestern accent, in a tongue unfamiliar to him. He didn’t need a universal translator to know what words were the swears. Ensign Edwin Terrance, making sure he stood a sizeable distance away from the fuming senior officer, tapped his report on his own PADD, probably reciting how nothing happens on the graveyard shift. Further still, manning the elaborate brig console was the Sivaon Lieutenant jg. Brightspot To-Srallansre, her dexterous tail darting at the console’s keys to aid in her typing.

Corgan didn’t mind the company. The ‘Night Owls’ were composed of officers considered ‘strange’, yet competent enough to be left alone, instead of on Alpha or Beta shift where the commanding officer could hold a tight leash on them. James didn’t qualify for Gamma shift for some reason. He always thought he was competent enough to be left alone during after hours, but apparently being known as the ship’s ‘psycho’ made his superiors extra careful.

Still, how he wished for Gamma shift. So quiet and peaceful. Just him, a PADD, and the occasional conversation with the other ‘Night Owls’. Him, and Sanchez’s growling, Terrance’s impatient tapping on his PADD, and Brightspot’s annoying tail. He could live with that, compared to most of his problems.

The computer console on Corgan’s desk blipped back to life, revealing on it’s screen and urgent message. It read…

=/\=To: Lieutenant jg. James Lionel Corgan, Security From: Lieutenant Commander Savat, Chief of Operations RE: Immediate Transfer.=/\=

“Hey Sanchez, Brightspot, check this out!” James announced, “Looks like our old CO Savat decided to drop me a line.”

“How interesting. It’s not like Savat to make a social call.” Brightspot observed, “What is the message about?”

“Something about a transfer. Funny, you’d think Lieutenant Jii would call me about these sort of things, don’t you think?”

“Savat is in charge of operations, and they do allocate the resources on this ship. Maybe it is a temporary assignment?”

“Let me find out…” James trailed, his hands shaking with anticipation. It could have been almost anything. Maybe he was being moved to engineering since some of the engineers were being moved to the new special projects division, or better... he could be moving off the Galaxy to a ship with a little more survivability. Either would be ok, though secretly he didn’t want to be an engineer.

He read the rest of the message…

=/\=Due to the lack of resources in the operations department, we have but little option but to draw resources from other departments onboard the ship. Therefore, you have been transferred to operations, effective immediately. Training sessions will be set up to get you re-acquainted with your new tasks on board this ship.

Lieutenant Commander Savat=/\=

~”Holy…”~ James was too spellbound to form the last word. Of all the moves he predicted, none could match the sheer unpredictability of a complete transfer to the Operations department. He didn’t think his skills rated him as a decent Operations officer. His specialty focused on two skills; his excellent skill with phasers and his reasonable skill at tactical. How operations fit in his job description defied his reasoning.

Nonetheless, he was joyful for the transfer. ~”No more shooting and killing, no more dragging Donaldson to the brig, no more ungrateful diplomats to defend and no more watching people die. Just paperwork, administration, and allocating resources. I’m going to love this job!”~

“I’m being transferred!” Corgan piped, a smile cracking on his face. The unexercised muscles in his mouth protested from the physical exertion. “I can’t believe it. Savat put me in Operations. I think all that logic in his skull has gone out for lunch.”

“You shouldn’t put yourself down like this.” Brightspot said, “You sound like you need to celebrate. Congratulations. I’m sure you earned a spot in operations.”

“If you ask me, I think you’ve been demoted.” Ensign Terrance snorted.

Everyone, including the still fuming Heather Sanchez, raised his or her heads. Ensign Terrance didn’t speak much, and when he did, it was all about business. The green officer barely voiced his opinion unless forced to speak.

“Really, what’s so thrilling about Operations?” Edwin argued, “All you do is order this, allocate that, so on and so forth. It’s the deep space equivalent of a shipping clerk. Why not stay here where the action is?”

“Because…” James turned his seat to face Ensign Terrance, a stern look etched on his face, “I don’t see it as ‘action’ anymore. You want action… fine. I had my fill of action, most of it during peacetime. This ‘action’ you talk about involves me taking lives, innocent lives if you count the fact that the enemy was just following orders, and they’d like nothing more than to leave you alone too. The ‘action’ you ask for isn’t fun and games. It’s killing, and dying, and more killing, and dying then waking up the next morning hoping to die yourself!”

Lieutenant Corgan’s hands were trembling. Ensign Terrance, wide eyed with shock, listened to the story, while Sanchez cracked a smirk and Brightspot listened intently. “Maybe, just maybe, I can go to some other department, where killing isn’t so important in my job description. I’m sick of killing. I need a break from killing others. I’m sorry you guys, but I don’t have the strong stomach for such violence anymore, not after all I’ve seen before. The only redemption I found… was knowing I protected the ship with my life, not that it helped too much. Maybe you’ll understand sometime, Ensign.

I’m sorry to have raised my voice. I guess I got carried away in my rant.”

“It’s… ok. Sorry to bring it up.” Ensign Terrance apologized.

“Don’t be. I was out of line, Ensign. Besides… Brightspot is right. I should celebrate somehow.”

He turned his chair back towards the computer screen. His mind was not in the mood to celebrate anything, much less a new job. He still had problems, with only one issued addressed during counseling, and his brain was fatigued.

He still had to tell someone, starting with two of his closest friends. At least, he hoped they were still his closest friends.

“Computer, send the following message to Lieutenant Sotek of the USS Tokyo, as well as Lieutenant Rebecca Von Erst and Lieutenant Junior Grade Electra Reece of this ship.” James excitedly commanded, “Record. Hi gals. I wanted you all to be the first to know that I’ve have just been transferred to the Operations department of the USS Galaxy. I start ASAP, or so Lieutenant Commander Savat tells me…. Well… I’m a red suit. How great is that? Hope to see you all soon. Goodbye.”

“And so it begins… a kinder, happier Corgan.” Lieutenant Sanchez said, sarcastically.

James ignored Heather’s comment, “Computer, send message.”

=/\=”Acknowledged.”=/\= The computer chirped, taking a minute to wink into the standard Federation logo, then show a split second loading screen for the long distance letter to the USS Tokyo. A red flashing message shot up on screen, causing concern in Lieutenant Corgan. On audio, the computer explained, =/\=”Message To Lieutenant Rebecca Von Erst… blocked.”=/\=

“Computer, explain. Why is that message blocked?”

=/\=”User Lieutenant Rebecca Von Erst has blocked all incoming messaged from Lieutenant Junior Grade James Lionel Corgan.”=/\=

“Ok… you’re shitting me. Computer, bypass the blockout. Authorization Corgan Gamma Epsilon Black.”

=/\=”Unable to comply.”=/\=

“What the f**k?” James objected. He tried the manual approach, typing in the password to bypass the blockout. Being a non-expert at computers and not thinking straight, he didn’t give it a thought that manual or verbal, the password wasn’t going to break down her firewall.

=/\=”Unable to comply.”=/\=

“Awwww…, goddamn f**king f**k f**kity f**king hell! F**K!” James threw up his arms in frustration, trying his hardest not to slam or break something, “What the f**k is with that woman? You kiss her ass, call it ice cream, and still she hates you. What the f**k is with that?”

“You have problems with Lieutenant Snowflake?” Heather asked.

“I thought I didn’t, until now. I can’t believe this. You know, I… I screwed up and you know I try as hard as I can to apologize, and she won’t have any of it! Yeesh! You’d think such a genius wouldn’t be so unreasonable… so thickheaded! Now how the hell am I going to tell my side of the story when she’s blocked me out? I can’t believe this… the computer equivalent of saying ‘f**k off’ without meeting the person face to face. How low is that?”

“You don’t know the half of it,” Sanchez aired out her grievance, “She never completes her laps in our morning exercises, and today, she brought along her mommy to show me a lesson. That girl has no backbone, Corgan, any backbone at all. She can’t solve her own problems without sending in someone else… or pushing people away like she did with you. Makes me wonder… how did her mommy hear about me trying to whip Snowflake into shape?”

James held back his words for a second, knowing full well Holli Von Erst heard the rumors and got the full story on ‘Snowflake and the PT Goddess’ from him. He changed the subject back to his grievances, “You’re right, Sanchez. She can’t face me. I’ll make her face me whether she likes it or not.”

“I do not recommend that action.” Brightspot intervened, “As a female, I know that sometimes males tend to take action too aggressively. You are angry at the moment. Allow yourself to ‘chill out’ as you Terrans call it, then decide what to do from there. Talking to her in your current mood will make things worse. You have probably one last chance to say that you’re sorry to Rebecca for… whatever it is you have done to her. Do not waste it by yelling at her and pinning more blame onto her. Besides, I heard that you are quite the gentleman. You can’t use your charm if you’re angry.”

“I heard flattery gets you everywhere with a woman. Say you’re sorry… tells her she’s the greatest woman in the world, admit you’re scum compared to her… and that’s it. Done.” Ensign Terrance said.

“I say you scream at the b*tch until you choke. Show her you’re not going to be pushed around like some Tac Weenie.” Lieutenant Sanchez snapped.

Sanchez laid down some tempting arguments for the Lieutenant to consider, he knew Sanchez was not only outvoted, but also out argued by Ensign Terrance and Lieutenant Brightspot. He hated anger, which was why he fought so hard to suppress it. Anger to him was the emotion of a more primitive, more dangerous way of thinking. Anger never healed. It destroyed. There was no way to use his pent up aggression to stop the growing rift between him and Rebecca.

”Fraggit, you guys are right. I can’t vent in front of Rebecca. I don’t want anyone to see me angry, much less her. Sir… you don’t mind if I leave? I have the sudden urge to break stuff.” James asked.

“Go ahead Lieutenant. It’s not your shift,” Heather waved Corgan off, “try my rifle fighting program. It’s under Sanchez 186. I use it to blow off steam all the time.”

“Thanks sir…”

“No problem, though I’d give Rebecca a piece of my mind if I were you.”

“Sir… if I may say so… ease up on her. She’s gone through a lot of crap. Don’t blame her entirely for locking me out, or for her mother coming in. I mean… I know her. She isn’t the one to tattle tale on anybody, and she doesn’t try to find people to solve her problems. It… happens.”

“You are still trying to defend her? Muchacho, she just blocked out your address. Remember, the computer equivalent of a ‘f**k you’ over the network? She’s not worth the effort.”

“Hell… I guess I am quick to forgive. I want to be friends with her again, but she’s not making it easy. Right now, so that I don’t f**k things over further, I’m going to beat the sh*t out of a Jem’Hadar soldier. Later.”

Lieutenant Corgan took off, out of his desk and out the door in a few seconds. After he exited Security, Ensign Terrance continued to do his reports on his personal PADD and Lieutenant Brightspot diverted her concentration back into monitoring the jail cells.

Lieutenant Sanchez shook her head and sighed, ~”That boy’s sure going to be disappointed when Snowflake doesn’t hear him out. Oh well, can’t say I didn’t warn him.”~

"Professor Foster's Ghost"
By Lieutenant (j.g.) Wren McCauley

Nathan Foster had been a beautiful man. She obsessed over him for a good semester, and when she failed the protocol class he taught, she really wasn't as upset as she probably should have been.

She had been twenty-one when she had first become involved with the married professor. She was one of the older women in the class, particularly because it was a first level class, but she had been older as a first year, having had already gone through a university program. Nathan Foster was forty-seven, older than her father and it had been awkward, extremely awkward, in his office with the windows closed and the doors locked. She had actually thought she loved him, in a way. She did not want to marry him, no, she knew that was not possible and even if it was, she didn't want to get married, there was too much involvement there.

But God, the sex was good.

She stared at the PADD in front of her congratulating her on her departmental transfer as she gently played with a short strand of hair, twisting it in her fingers. She wondered what Nathan would say.

The buzz was that Nathan Foster and his wife, Anna, were having problems. That is what was being said, anyway, and it was probably true. After all, he had an affair with her, and she had barely pursued anything, nothing beyond her normal taunting really. It had lasted how long… four months? Five months? On into the second semester, even when she was no longer in his class. She missed it. She had had so many lovers and yet none had been able to…

She had passed it the second time easily. She put more into it, more in so many different ways.

Wren sighed deeply, leaned back in her chair, leaning her head back. She stared into the shapes of the darkness, frowned, her forehead knit. She was half asleep, that is what it was…

A breeze on her neck. She sighed softly, closed her eyes a moment.

"Nathan, stop it," she whispered, shaking her head. "Not now, we really should not do this, I mean… look at everything… you are a professor…"

"Since when has that mattered?" the voice whispered. She felt the hands move careful along her neck, down, across the accents of her collard bone, across her chest concealed by the soft cotton of her curve raping top. The chilled fingers touched the skin.

"Really, Nathan…"

"Relax, it will all be okay, Wren, no worries."

Down, down, to her waist, up her shirt, soft fingers on her skin, raising goose bumps. She sighed deeply, her breathing heavy…

**

He picked her up and put her on the desk, carefully, the tall, lithe, awkward looking young woman with the dark hair and dark features, the dark soul… she was gloomy, downcast, sarcastic and gray, yet there was something unexplainable there, something in her eyes, or maybe it was her being or in the taboo.

Her five-foot-ten-inch frame did not bother him; Nathan Foster was six foot three, strongly built, with chiseled features and dark and handsome looks, though his black hair was peppered with gray, just enough to make him look even more regal than he already did. She had seen him in his Captain's uniform from before he retired, the photograph from his public record.

His fingers undid her cadet uniform pushed it aside, to the skin, traced grasped, brushed, his mouth on hers…

"What if we get caught?" she whispered, pushing him away.

"Don't get hesitant on me now," he whispered, his light Scottish brood clashing with her clipped upper class London tones. "We've been dancing around this for weeks now." He was breathing about as hard as she was, his hands moving slowly up her shirt, tracing her stomach. "My God Wren," he said, resting his forehead down on her shoulder, kissing her neck softly. "My God…"

"Nathan, if you don't want to…"

"Oh God I want to…" he replied, cupping her face in his hands.

That got him going…

**

She was crying when he left, crying into the pillow.

"I almost feel sorry for that one," Vlad muttered, before smirking shaking his head and moving on to other prey…

**

She was crying when he left, crying into the pillow. She never cried. She was supposed to have everything put together; she was supposed to know where she was going. Damn it, she had cut off her hair! It was supposed to give her some sort of strength! some sort of empowerment that she had lost! She had changed her position, changed her life, bid farewell to the helm, because it had never really been the helm she wanted, it was something else, something more than that.

**

She was crying when he left, crying into the pillow. He felt for her, enough to make him stop and linger at the doorway, his hand resting against the wall. He stopped, leaned against it, drew a slow deep breath.

"Wren…" he whispered. "Come on, my heart, do not do this, this is how it needs to be."

"Why?" she questioned, rolling onto her back. "This… I am not asking anything from you, I just… God, Nathan, please…"

"Wren, it's been six months, I don't… I cannot have a commitment… I'm married."

"So what… like you said, it's been six months…"

"I can't do it anymore. I'm sorry, I just, I can't. I'm sorry. I don't want to hurt you. I can't."

**

She was crying when he left, crying into the pillow as he slowly closed the door, the ancient old-fashioned door with a knob and a wooden frame.

"Is she asleep?" Mari's voice questioned from outside.

"No, but she's getting there," her father replied. "I've never seen her get that upset, Wren's not an emotional girl."

"Talryn doesn't want you to leave, Liam," Mari replied.

"Mari, I need too, you know that."

"You're going to go and get yourself killed or God knows what and it will be me and Talryn, and I cannot deal with that, William, she cannot deal with that, she needs her father."

"I will come back, Mari."

"Sure you will, that is what they all say."

"It is what they all say, but this is what I have to do Mari…"

**

Wren sat up and brushed her hand over her neck. She hung her hair, felt the short strands of hair brush against it, dancing against the skin. That was the worst night she had ever had in her life. She did not want to ever repeat that. Ever. She needed help…

"Shocking Moments"
a Joint Post By:
Lieutenant (jg) Wren McCauley and Lieutenant Commander Eric Odin

The hallways of the Galaxy varied between crowded and empty, depending upon where she went. There was a call regarding the systems of one of the shuttle craft, and Savat had given it to her. She imagined that he was testing her out, what harm could she possibly inflict upon a runabout anyway, nothing major, and besides, one of the engineers would be there. She was looking at the computer aspect, he the engines and such. Quite the pair.

She turned into the shuttle bay and sighed, brushing her hair back from her forehead; she still hadn't gotten used to it.

"Hello?" she questioned. " 'Commander Odin?"

Eric popped out of the runabout and smiled. His large size, with well-defined muscles was hard to miss. "That would be me, but please call me Eric. I'm afraid we haven't met, you are?"

"Wren," she said, hesitantly. "So, let's get to work, shall we? What is the... ah... status of the runabout?"

Eric smirked and said, "The warp nacelle's are out of alignment by a bit and I need you to create a small warp charge when I tell you to. Maybe even help me realign things if you don't mind Wren?" He couldn't help but notice she was pretty stunning.

She nodded. "Of course," she replied, smirking, forcing herself to relax as she moved into the runabout, crouching on the floor and opening her kit.

She took out her instruments one by one, set them up in order of most frequent use. He watched her, leaning against the wall.

"You're new at this, aren't you?" he questioned.

"I suppose so," she replied. "This was my dual concentration in the academy, but I have not used it for a while."

"What was the first?"

She hesitated. "Piloting," she replied. "I used to fly."

"Why don't you anymore?"

"A long story, really," she replied.

"Want to tell it?"

"Not particularly, maybe some other time, eh?" she questioned, not looking at him and staring, instead, at the instruments in front of her.

Eric smiled and asked, "Want some help?" He wasn't wanting to show off per say, but to help her out. The idea it might impress her due to the fact that he could do this well was just an added bonus.

"No, I can do it, thank you," she replied, shaking her head as she opened the panel and began to set up for the charge. "This is really more an engineering point, I don't know why Savat sent me down here... afterward I suppose I shall run a systems diagnostic, make sure the computer is running smoothly... so I assume you come from Till... what do you do on your time off?" Eric smiled and said, "I hang out with my friends, I work out, I take care of my son, I do the whole holonovel experience as well. And what do you do Wren?" he knew she might ask about his son and he would explain it if she did.

She laughed softly, choosing to ignore the question. She didn't do much… what did she do? Beat people up on the holodeck? Mope in the darkness of her cave? That wouldn't be a very good first impression…

"That must be nice, I don't have a lot of friends, I'm dark and spooky I suppose, though I haven't taken much time to get to know people I suppose. How old is the little terror?"

Eric laughed and said "Only about four months old and he's really good. Well, I don't think you're dark a spooky. Maybe a little dark, but you're not spooky." He smiled, knowing that while he was being honest, he was holding back on the compliment.

"Really, that young?" she questioned. "Who's the mother..."

Her attention was too divided; she frowned, bit her bottom lip and slowly reached into the wiring of the conduit, quickly jumping back as a shock impacted her finger, transmitting through the artificial impulses of the brace, up her arm… "Oh! Bugger!" she exclaimed. She jerked away from it, landing harshly on her bum on the floor. "Bugger that bloody hurt..." She sucked on the wound a moment, staring at it, a small welt forming on her index finger, just near the last hook of the brace. She glanced up at him. "I'm sorry, the brace must magnify it…"

"Don't apologize," he said, crouching next to her. "Are you alright?" he asked looking from her eyes to her hand. He knew how that could smart. He had lost count of the number of times he had made those mistakes as well.

"I was injured during the Borg attack," she explained, suddenly self conscious as she clasped her hand into a fist, almost trying to hide it. "That's why I have the brace."

"I see," he replied, nodding. "Want to talk about it?"

"No, not really," she replied. "I am, uh… ready when you are."

Eric smiled. "It will only take the rearranging of fifteen isolinear chips," he said. "Shouldn't take long." He moved over and removed the panels that controlled the programming isolinear chips. He pointed to the panel on the opposite side and said, "Just remove that and switch them around like you see me do." He switched every chip for it's counter-part and left the middle one alone. He replaced the panel and said, "Your turn Wren." he grinned.

*My turn, of course.* she thought, moving beside him, and doing the same. He was extremely close, it made her uncomfortable. She cleared her throat. "So, you never answered my question," she said as she carefully mimicked his previous movements. "Who is the mother of your son?"

"Her name is Michaal and she's living on Bajor. It was a drunken thing that was a mistake, which resulted in a son. It's regretted, because things were never really the same. I think they are mending slowly, but after that happened I recycled all of the liquor in my cabinet so that couldn't happen again. That's the painful truth of true alcohol." She chuckled softly. "Yes, well, we all have things we regret, I suppose. Some of us get gifts from them though, I'm sure the child is wonderful… But alcohol, yes, it is all about moderation, I suppose," she replied. "I'm not much a fan of the hard stuff, but wine, champagne, the like..." she pursed her lips together before finishing and glancing over her shoulder at him, into his eyes. "Although Irish Creme is very good as well." She grinned, her eyes widening, as though she was confiding in him a great secret.

He looked to her and said, "I'd love to at least have a taste of Irish creme if we can get together sometime or maybe just get together to get together. Any chance of that?" He asked with a smile.

She cocked her head, looking at him. "Are you asking me out on a date, Eric?" she questioned, her lips curving into a half smile, eyes sparkling.

Eric smiled and said, "Yes, I am, Wren. Will you go out with me sometime soon?"

There was genuine interest in his gaze; it made part of her uncomfortable and another part… hell, another part loved it. She chuckled softly, glancing away. "I have never been on a date with someone my age before," she replied. "Though I suppose you being a Trill sort of ups it a bit, eh?" She paused a moment, glanced over at him again. "Why are you interested? We have been talking for about five minutes. There is a lot about me that you don't know, Mr. Man."

She grinned softly. *My God Wren, what the hell are you doing? This isn't you! What are you saying! But then again, who are you? Isn't that the question of the day? Who is Talryn McCauley…*

"I want to know more about you and I believe this would be one of the better ways. I understand your doubts, or at least a part of me does. Having more than four lifetimes embodied in you does make it interesting. What do you say?" he asked actually getting a little nervous which surprised even him a bit.

She sat back, away from him a little, staring at the picture he made. She drew a slow deep breath. "Why not?" she said, shrugging. "I could use something to toss it all up a bit. Tell me when, where, so on and so forth and we'll do it. Now. Speaking of doing it... let us get this ol' tub back up on it's feet now, shall we?"

Eric nodded and asked, "Yep, would you mind trying out the engines now?" He smiled and was glad that he had a date for the first time in awhile.

"Not at all, tell me when..."

“Something Wicked This Way Comes”
by James Mitchell
Asst. CSO

The soft lights of the Tamarian vessel drifted under the darkened hull of the Galaxy like a crescent moon, the work crew lights falling into shadow in James Mitchell’s room as a moon falls under an eclipse.

Tap... Tap... Tap... Scrape...

Tap... Tap... Tap... Scrape...

The creature huddled in a crevice corner of the ceiling in the officer’s quarters tapped her claws and dragged talons along the walls in anticipation of the feeding it ached for. As the lights drifted away into another realm of space, it scampered down the walls in a frenzy, hopping silently on all fours to the edge of his bed.

Razor sharp edges caressed James cheek and hair as the creature closed in on him, her heavy breath hot and humid on his ear as she leaned in to whisper sweet words of deception ....

James shifted and swatted his ear as the buzz of a pesky insect flew around it and settled on his lobe. He awoke with a start with the odd sensation of someone watching him, hovering over him. Ever since the visit to the Tamarian vessel, he’d felt like someone, or something to be more apt, was eyeing him. Something...evil was the best way to put it.

“Computer. Lights on.” He kept his unsteady voice at a minimum, just so he could hear any movement that did not belong to his quarters, and catch the intruder in the act.

There was no one there, but the nagging feeling someone was here didn’t go away. The thin hairs went up on the back of his neck, and the familiar tingle went through him, sending butterflies through his tightening up abdominal muscles.

His door buzzer announced a visitor. Looking at the chronomenter, he saw that it was deep into Gamma shift, and still four hours away from his next shift on the Tamarian vessel. He couldn’t imagine who it could be.

Looking around nervously, afraid to catch whatever it was that was bothering him out of the corner of his eye, he stepped lightly to his door, which was buzzing again, with more determination. With a startling thought, an unbidden thought of Tyrola came to his mind, and a flush of nervousness came unto him as he reached to open the constant buzz of the door chime.

As the door opened, a scent of musk washed over him. Soft, floral, yet aggressive in quality, it made his knees buckle, and he had to grip the walls to keep from falling to his knees. He looked up at the scene from heaven, and his gaze fell upon the fine porcelain cream skin of the woman he ran into earlier. Her hair, a flaming red, was a perfect contrast to her soft features, dotted with freckles and button nose. Lips, slightly parted at the mouth, were full and damp, as she lightly licked her lips.

“Good evening, James...” Her fingers, long and elegant, reached out to him and caressed his ear, and traced her nails along his shadow of a beard, following the ridges of his nose bridge. Time went by in a crawl, everything moved in slow motion.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in, James? Like you did when we met earlier? I like to hear your voice.. especially how you say my name. It’s all too.. ravishing!” She purred as she tugged on his ear and nibbled his neck.

James was all-too-consumed by her beauty. Hypnotized by the sheer perfection of this woman, he felt desire rumbling deep in his loins, and an aching fire coursed through his veins. Primal nature ran forefront through his brain as chemicals were manufactured and distributed throughout his systems. Hormones raged and charged through him like a bull in heat.

“Why yes, Lilith, my love. Please enter and be my guest for the rest of this evening. I’d be honored if you spent it with me.” James moved to the side, and gestured her in, ready to take her arm when she crossed the threshold.

Lilith smiled wickedly and passed through James’ last vestige of safety. Her eyes burned red, as her clothing almost seemed to reflect the flames within.

“Something Wicked This Way Comes”
by James Mitchell
ACSO

(This happens five weeks before the current mission. This is the last JP from that period. Thank oyu for your indulgence.)

"Meeting with Her Family- Part Two"
By Lt (jg) Wilhem Quevvenson
and Lt(jg) Autumn Jamieson

Wilhem went through the process of getting fitted for a suit. He was not used to it, by any stretch of the imagination. But he knew that he had to do this first. Three hours later, they had made a suit for him, and he went back to Autumn with it bagged and ready.

Autumn had gotten bored and had gone off after leaving her credit details with the clerk to look for a dress in another shop. She was only just sitting down when Wilhem walked back. "Hello Love" she said. "Get what you needed?" she asked as she paused mid action and rose again, her hand holding the bag with her dress in it and another bag with shoes.

Wilhem nodded, "I got the suit. I hope it will be acceptable."

Autumn smiled. "It should be my love." She linked her arm through his. "Come on let's get back... I am going to need a lie down for about an hour or so before this party and I think you need to lie down as well."

Wilhem smiled softly, "I think so, too. Let's go now, before you nod off in the middle of the store."

"Me nod off? Never!" She said as they walked back to the car where Charles leant against the bonet. "Sorry Charles for taking so long," she apologised as he opened the door and she slid in side the car.

"Quite alright Miss Autumn Mae. Did you find what you were looking for sir?" He asked as Wilhem followed Autumn into the car.

Wilhem smiled at him, "Yes, Charles, I did." He then climbed into the back, and sat there with his arm around Autumn.

Autumn smiled at Charles as he glanced at them. "Back to the MacAllen's Charles please." she said and hit the privacy screen. She relaxed back against Wil. "OK so how was that? not to bad was it... your first shopping trip for clothes?"

Wilhem smiled, "It wasn't too bad. Though getting poked everywhere for a suit of clothes is not my idea of fun."

Autumn smiled back. "Oh well next time we can just go to a normal clothing store... they won't poke at you there."

Wilhem grinned, "That would be nice." He leaned over and looked into her eyes, "Your eyes are the most beautiful I've ever seen. And you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, and probably ever will see."

Autumn smiled. "You sir are trying to flatter me... but thats ok cause I think it's working my love." She leaned towards him and kissed him.

Wilhem returned the kiss with all the passion in his being. He still was lacking some from all the drugs in his system, but he still knew that Autumn would get the message from the kiss, anyway.

Autumn kissed him back with everything she had and didn't want to let this moment pass.

Wilhem held the kiss for quite some time, then after five mintues, he broke the kiss to let them breathe. Then he said, "I love you. With everything I have, and everything I ever will have."

Autumn smiled. "I'll love you until the end of time Wilhem. Never ever doubt that love."

Wilhem smiled warmly, "And I'll love you until time ends. Nothing will ever come between us. Nothing." He kissed her again.

They had been so engrossed in each other that neither heard the car stop or Charles open the door until Wilhem got tapped on the shoulder. Autumn saw the hand out of the corner of her semi-closed eye and realized that it was Charles. She broke the kiss and sighed. "Unless it is of course drivers of hover limos..." she smiled and waited for Wil to get out of the car.

Wilhem nodded and got out of the car first, put out his hand, and brought Autumn out of the vehicle. He led her to his quarters, where he put down his bags, and turned to her. "I hope you can rest up here. I need some rest, and you look like you could use some too."

Autumn nodded. "You could rest here if you want," she said shyly.

Wilhem smiled warmly, "Thank you, Autumn. I think I will take you up on that offer. But where will you rest?"

"Oh the couch is quite comfortable. I'll rest there. You can have the bed," she said causally.

Wilhem shook his head softly, "I think we should cuddle together. And that means sharing one location. Besides I feel that we need to get used to resting together."

Autumn turned to face him. "OK..." she said.

Wilhem smiled warmly, "So where do you want to go to cuddle?"

Autumn bit her lip. "Umm... the bed then... cause I need to sleep as do you love."

Wilhem nodded solemnly, and quickly sat down on the bed. He was actually quite tired, after having been poked for three hours straight by unfriendly hands. "Come love, we need to rest," he said.

Autumn walked over to him and sat down beside him. She reached out a hand and touched his face softly. Her green eyes studied his face looking for signs of pain. "Lie down Wil. Let's get some sleep, 'cause it will be very late when we return tonight." she smiled at him.

Wilhem nodded softly, and laid back onto the bed. He waited for Autumn to lay down by his side. "Thank you, Autumn. You are the light of my life."

Autumn smiled and kicked off her sandals and laid down beside him. She rolled over so that she faced him and said "I love you," and she held out her hand to take his.

Wilhem grasped her hand and squeezed softly. "And I love you," he said. He sat there gazing into her eyes for a few minutes. He then closed his eyes, and faded off with a smile on his lips.

Autumn lay there thinking before she drifted off to sleep. It was nearly 17h before she woke up. She sat up softly and gently eased off the bed so as not to disturb Wilhem and tip toed over to the bag that held the dress she had bought.

Wilhem lay in slumber for enough time for Autumn to change. Then, he slowly woke up and looked around. "Hello love," he said.

Autumn turned from the mirror and gave a tenative smile. Wearing a long black dress with a slightly scooped neckline and high heels Autumn had just finished tucking her hair up into a bun with curls hanging along her face. "Hello love," she replied. "I hope I didn't wake you."

Wilhem smiled warmly, "What wakes me up is the changing of heat dynamics in the bed when you left. In other words, I can sense when you leave the bed, and it wakes me up. Being next to you is calming to me."

Autumn smiled. "Sorry." she whispered as she walked back to the bed. She stood there. "Well its is almost 17h30... I guess you would have to get up anyway."

Wilhem smiled, "Yes, I probably should." He got up and walked to the bags containing his suit. He quietly removed it, and turned to Autumn. "I have to change. So if you don't want to watch..."

Autumn smiled. "Oh if you are asking me to..." she grinned and then headed for the door. "Bathroom's to your left..." she called as she stepped outside. "I am going to leave a message for Rose," and the door shut behind her two seconds before her laughter reached Wilhem's ears.

Wilhem chuckled and shook his head. He then quickly stripped and changed into the suit. He went into the bathroom to see if his hair was in the right place, and quickly smoothed it out. He then turned back to the room, and waited for Autumn to come back in.

Autumn left the note for Rose and headed back to her room. She paused and listened and not hearing movement entered the room. She smiled at Wil.

Wilhem smiled back, "All ready, Autumn. Hopefully this will be enough to impress your aunt and her friends. i wouldn't want to offend any of them."

Smiling Autumn nodded and walked further into the room. "I have to explain something love... about Xavier Crawford."

Wilhem frowned and thought a moment. Then he remembered, "Oh, the jerk at lunch. What about?"

Autumn gave a slight grimace. "He was, as you most likely got from the conversation afterwards, was my fathers PA. He delighted in picking on me while in private but when my fath

er was around.. he acted charming. He also decided that the daughter of his boss was his... this was solved but I thought you needed to know that there is a reason why I dislike him so much. I think he will try to pick on me tonight... hopefully he won't but I just thought you should know that."

Wilhem nodded, "If he does, he will have to get through me. Picking on a lady is not the best idea for a businessman to do."

Autumn smiled and linked her arm through his. "Well then my love. Shall we go?" She looked up at him. "We don't want to keep aunt Leslina waiting..."

Wilhem nodded, and patted her arm, "Let's go. Your aunt will want to quiz me as soon as I arrive."

Autumn nodded and together they walked down stairs to the courtyard. Charles was waiting with a slightly strained look on his face.

"Charles?" Autumn asked. "What's wrong?"

Charles cleared his throat. "Master Xavier decided to accompany me to pick up up Miss Autumn... He is waiting in the car."

Autumn groaned. "Why?" she asked.

Charles shrugged and gave her a look of 'I have no idea.' "If it is a problem Miss Autumn, may I suggest you take it up with Miss Leslina."

"Oh I shall Charles, I shall." Charles opened the door and Autumn climbed in. Wilhem followed and once the dorr was shut Autumn let her eyes rest on the man opposite her. Xavier eyed them coolly.

"Autumn, Mr. Quevvenson. You seem to be a topic of much discussion Mr. Quevvenson... they say you saved Kender's life."

Wilhem smiled calmly, "That is true, Mr. Crawford. A bandit tried to stab her from behind. I spun him around, and he instead stabbed me. That is the basics of it."

Xavier arched an eyebrow. "Well that's very.. gallant of you Mr. Quevvenson... I am sure her family was very gratefully to you." he turned to Autumn "So Kender... what do you think of your company? Or have you been stubborn and handed it all over to Ross?"

Autumn stiffened and firmly decided to put him in his place. "Ross has my.. how do I put this.. Power of attorney with the buisness. Wilhem and I will be both busy on Galaxy... I trust Uncle Ross to do this right Xavier." she smiled at Wilhem and then turned back to Xavier. "Why exactly did you come here? To try and tell me something or just to be a major pain in the ass?"

Xavier smiled. "Well I was hoping that now your father was gone that you would take it over... but seeing that isn't the case I guess i should discus my ideas with your uncle."

Autumn nodded "Yes you shall Xavier." she paused. "And If you call me Kender one more time Xavier Crawford I will deck you."

Xaver laughed. "You Little Autumn deck me? Oh that's just too funny for words," he smirked as the car stopped and Charles opened the door. "Here we are Autumn. Have fun tonight... I am sure I will..."

Autumn looked at the open door and then at Wilhem.

Wilhem smiled solemnly at Autumn, "I guess it is time to face the music. By the way this started it should be quite a night." He got out of the car, and put out his hand to pull her from the car. Then, arm in arm they walked into the party.

Autumn smiled and walked with Wilhem into the house, leaving Xavier behind to walk alone. She tapped lightly on the door and it opened to reveal a tall dark haired and dark eyed woman. The woman took in the couple at the door and smiled at Autumn.

"Autumn darling so glad you could take time to come and visit us!" Leslina gushed as she enfolded her neice into a hug. Her aunt wearing a long red gown smiled at the man by her niece's side. "You must be Wilhem Quevvenson... So glad you could get here," still smiling she nodded to Xavier who brushed past them and into the house. "Come on in you two!" She opened the door wider for both of them and smiled. Autumn stepped past her aunt into the room with Wil at her side.

Wilhem smiled. "It was not a problem, ma'am," he said to Leslina. He took a look around the place, "It is beautiful, ma'am."

Leslina beamed with pride and went into fawning mode. Autumn smirked as her aunt hit high gear. "Oh you think so... Ross is always complaining about my constant decorating, anyway..." She trailed off as she looked around the room. "Come and I'll introduce you both to people," she took Wilhem by the arm and started to lead the way off. Autumn quickly disengaged her arm and followed behind her fiance and Aunt. Leslina hadn't even noticed the ring. Autumn knew that her aunt was taken with Wilhem and when Ross walked up and joined his niece she told him so while watching Wil get introduced around.

Wilhem nodded politely to all of the other guests. He could sense that Autumn's aunt had yet to figure out their relationship. But that was yet to come. And he knew that when that happened, fawning would be the least of their worries.

Leslina noticing that the young man and her had lost her niece turned to look for her. She saw Ross and Autumn talking to Craig and Carrie who should have been in bed and calmly led the way back to her husband. As they approached her niece looked up and smiled at Wilhem and Leslina. "Having fun?" She asked as they arrived at her side and she casually slipped her arm through Wilhem's. She watched her aunt's eyes slowly draw to her hand then back to her face and Autumn gave the universal signal of 'Don't you dare Leslina.'

Wilhem nodded, "Some fun." He noticed her look to Leslina, and softly chuckled.

Leslina opened her mouth to... But whatever she had been about to say was cut off by Ross's hand. He hissed so that the Children, Wilhem and Autumn and Leslina could hear, "We will talk about this later Lesli." Autumn smiled at her uncle.

"Tomorrow would be better," she whispered as she ruffled Craig's hair and led Wilhem away from her aunt.

Wilhem waited a few moments, and then whispered to Autumn, "Well that went well. I hope this will all go well soon."

Autumn nodded and whispered back, "But that is just round one... she is regrouping Love... she'll catch us up later." She looked around the room people were milling everywhere and Autumn smiled. "Let's go for a walk out on the balcony before the buffet is put out."

Wilhem nodded, "Good idea, love."

Autumn led the way out on the balcony and found it empty. "This is much better then being in there with My Aunt and her million questions and Xavier."

Wilhem smiled, "I have to agree. I don't know if I could stand that Xavier much longer. As for your aunt, I am sure she means well."

Autumn smiled and hugged him. "I agree with your thought on Xavier My Love... and yeah Lesli She means well... But I still like spending time with you over being with the family."

Wilhem smiled warmly, "That may change... When I become part of the family. But yeah I like spending time with you over that with your family. They aren't half as cute." He hugged her tightly. "I don't want to let you go, Autumn. It would hurt me to do so."

Autumn smiled. "I won't let you go love. No one can make me... I love you and you and I are going to be together for a very long time."

Wilhem nodded solemnly, "And I believe that. I just hope the events of these past two days are not going to chase some of them away from consenting."

Autumn was about to answer when a smooth voice cut into the conversation. "Oh they have already consented dear boy. If they hadn't do you think the two of you would be out here alone."

Autumn turned her head and smiled at the man standing there. "Chris," she said to the tall man with blond hair and hazel eyes. "Wilhem this is Chris. MY Uncle. Jane's husband."

Chris held out his hand to Wilhem. "Pleased to meet you. Autumn, Jane isn't here so she won't find out until I get back to Earth." He smiled at the young couple. "Hiding out here won't make Xavier go away Autumn." He added.

"No but it means I don't have to look at his face." she replied.

Wilhem shook his hand, and said, "I thank thee, sir, for accepting me at a glance. I will try to live up to that."

Chris nodded. "It is ok. I know my Niece well enough by now that she knows what she is doing. I had better get back in there before Lesli starts on me. You two enjoy the air. I won't tell them that you are out here. Enjoy." He smiled and walked away.

Autumn smiled up at Wilhem. "Let's take his advice love," she whispered.

Wilhem nodded silently. He then whispered, "Let's." And they stood there enjoying the air for the next fifteen minutes. Then, he turned to Autumn, "My love, what are we to do next? I hope it will be together..."

Autumn smiled. "Mingle?" she asked quietly not really wanting to go inside that crowded room and meet with people.

Wilhem shook his head, "I am not ready to mingle. And from your emotions, neither are you." He rested his forehead against hers. "I'd rather just stay out here and think about what we are to do after this trip. With our luck, the next mission will involve some strange race with strange powers."

"Sounds a lot better then babysitting my cousins in the middle of a Borg fight." she said with a smile. "But you are right... I don't like functions like this... too many people all with false faces and the like. Drives me nuts."

Wilhem nodded softly, as to not bump her head, "Things like this I don't find all that useful. I tend to like staying near you to talking to unknown people with unknown agendas."

Autumn nodded slightly. "There is only one agenda I would like to know. Xavier's. He is up to something and it stinks like Targ's breath." She whispered. "I guess I'll find out soon enough about it though" she glanced to the left. "'Cause here comes the Targ itself." She turned and stood in front of Wilhem. "Xavier."

"Autumn, Quevvenson." was all he said while he stood there and studied them intently.

Autumn's mind flashed with an idea that she hoped Wilhem heard. 'Stay still and let him move first.'

Xavier didn't move he just stood there and spoke. "You do know how your parents died don't you Autumn?"

Autumn nodded mutely. Severe bashing with blunt objects and a couple of phaser blasts to the chests. She stayed quiet.

Wilhem stayed silent and waited for the next bit to fall. It seemed that Xavier was up to something. And it was smelling worse than the Kraken. He did not say that. He knew that Xavier would soon show his true colors.

Xavier stood tall against the railing watching them both. "Pity about their deaths Autumn. They were such a lovely couple. So nice to me as well... your father most likely would have left me the company if it wasn't for his wayward daughter."

Autumn rolled her eyes. "You wouldn't have gotten it Xavier. It was left to me for a reason. I am his daughter. Legitimate daughter. As in flesh and blood... you were his PA. Nothing more nothing less"

Xavier smirked. "Keep thinking that Kender.. you'll see." He turned and walked back into the party, leaving Autumn and Wilhem alone and puzzled.

Wilhem turned to her, "He seems like such a... how do you say?" He struggled with it for some time, then said, "I think the word has something to do with the male appendage. But it escapes me right now."

Autumn nodded and scowled after Xavier. "The word is DICKHEAD. And yes that is exactly what he is. He has always wanted something from my father. And now I know what that was. But legally he can't do anything about it anymore. He is an employee of the company and Uncle Ross is in charge." She turned to Wilhem. There was something that puzzled her even more... the remark about it being his is it wasn't for her. Xavier was older then her by a couple of years and yeah sometimes he could be called her fathers son... but... her mind tripped over that thought and dismissed it. She smiled up at him. "Let's forget that idiot My love and enjoy the evening."

Wilhem nodded, "Yes... Let's enjoy the evening while we can." He turned and put his arm around her again. Let the gods have their fun somewhere else. These two were taken.

Autumn stood there her mind drifting onto non consequental things. She watched the people through the windows with little interest. She smiled up at Wilhem and whispered. "Let's hope Leslina gets this evening over and done with my love... 'cause I want to just spend time with you and no one else."

Wilhem smiled warmly, "I agree. I'd rather spend time with you than with any group of people. Let's watch the stars for a little bit. It might soothe our troubled minds."

As they watched the stars above the strange house, they noticed that some of them were moving low over the ground. Then it paused for a few minutes over a low building. "Isn't that the area where the jail is?" he asked. Then suddenly, it raced up out of the atmosphere and then there was the flash of a warp engine engaging.

Autumn watched and nodded. "Must be a prisoner transfer." She looked up and watched the stars again. It hit her then. "You don't think..." she looked at him.

Wilhem grimaced, "I hope not. It would be a bad way to start this night. But if it is, we'll find out soon enough."

Autumn sighed. "The night started bad when Xavier turned up with Charles... this would be at least amusing," she looked towards the sky. "But you are right my love... We will find out soon enough."

Wilhem nodded solemnly, "Well, at least until that news hits, we should enjoy the air. And hope that no one else comes to bother us while we do."

Autumn smiled. "I think they might have gotten the point by now Love." She hugged him and watched the night sky.

Wilhem smiled warmly, and hugged her back. He watched the night sky, waiting to see if anything else untoward happened. Then suddenly there was a commotion inside the massive house. He turned to see what was up, and noticed that there was a royal guard inside the house.

Autumn turned to see the guard and moaned. "What now?" she watched as her aunt tried to stop the man and talk to him.

Wilhem watched as the guard told Leslina something, and Autumn's aunt paled. Then she looked around for someone but did not seem to find whoever she was looking for. But intuitively, Wilhem knew who they were looking for, "I guess we are wanted for some thing."

Autumn nodded and took his hand. "Let's go Love," and she headed for the house doors.

Wilhem walked hand in hand into the house. As soon as they did, Leslina noticed them, and pointed. The guard came over and said, "Wilhem Quevvenson? Autumn Jamieson?" They both nodded and he continued, "I have to inform you that the man Albrecht Froschen has escaped from our prison. It appears he had outside help. That is all for now."

Autumn stared at the guard. "So what are you doing about this problem?" she asked her hand tightening on Wil's.

The guard blanched, "Well... we currently don't know where he went. The person was transported from his cell. And we don't know from where the transporter was used. We suspect from a shuttle, but are unsure..."

Autumn's green eyes narrowed. "Let me get this straight... You a) don't know who helped him, b)Have no idea where he went... c) you suspect a shuttle but you aren't sure?" She glared at the man. "And we are just supposed to stand here and smile and nodd while that LUNATIC is out on the loose?"

The guard cringed from the onslaught from Autumn. He stuttered, "W-w-w-well miss, we are trying our best. There has been talk of providing guards for you. But we are unsure if you would take them. As for that lunatic, we will have him back in custody soon. All ships that left Betazed orbit are being tracked."

Autumn straightened and stared at the guard. "NO guards!" was all she said before turning to Wilhem. "As if they could do any better..." she muttered as she wrapped her arms around him.

The guard nodded, bowed and left as quickly as his two feet could take him. Wilhem smiled at Autumn, "They probably could not do any better. Thus we must be on our guard at all times."

Autumn nodded and looked at her aunt who was standing there watching. "I am sorry Aunt Leslina about that," she said.

Leslina nodded. "Why don't both of you go into the study and get yourselves together... I'll call you when dinner is served ok?"

Wilhem nodded, and turned to Autumn, "Let's follow that advice. It appears that we have some calming down to do. Talk of Mr. Froschen brings me stress."

Autumn nodded and led the way into her uncle's study and shut the door behind them before leading him over to the couch against the wall.

Wilhem turned to her, "Are you all right? I know that that news was a shock. To both of us."

Autumn looked at him. "I can't believe that the security was that bad... Hell I know its bad on Galaxy... but here I kind of expected better," she held out her hand. "Well maybe he has learned his lesson."

Wilhem nodded, "Hopefully." He took her hand in his, and sat down on the couch, waiting for Autumn to sit with him.

Autumn moved closer and knelt in front of him and took both his hands. "I am sorry I lost it out there love."

Wilhem smiled warmly, "Don't worry about it Autumn. I am sure that I would have lost it if you had not gotten there first. The guards needed to be told off for making such a basic error. I mean it has only happened once on the Galaxy. And the person who did it was quickly caught."

"But there were three attacks on the Galaxy last mission... there had better not be anymore," she smiled up at him and then pulled his head down to her's and kissed him.

Wilhem quickly fell into the kiss, and held onto her as tightly as he could. Then, when it was broken, "There will not be. At least not for a while. Security is on a heightened state of affairs now."

"I love you Wilhem... It had better not happen again... or Jii will have a very pissed off Assistant chief medical officer to deal with if anything happens to you." She kissed him again.

Wilhem returned the kiss with all his passion. When the kiss was broken, he said, "I doubt they will atack us on the Galaxy. How will they get on board? I fear they will meet us on some faraway planet, and make us fight by their rules."

Autumn smiled. "Well they can forget that... I only play by my rules," she ran her hand through his hair. "And my rules are fair... so they'll just have to live with it..." She smiled up at him.

Wilhem smiled at Autumn, "I think I'd like to learn your rules. Mine might be fair, yes... But they are from a Renaissance culture, not a StarFleet one... But all those things aside, I'd rather kiss you." And he did.

Autumn let herself go with the kiss and pulled him closer to her.

Wilhem put his arms around Autumn's back, and held her tight. He held the kiss for a full two minutes, before he had to come up for air. He smiled, "I hope you will be well for years to come. There are many things we have to learn how to do. Together."

Autumn gave him a smile and nodded. "I like spending time with just you love."

Wilhem smiled warmly, "I like spending time with only you. You alone give me strength to carry on with my life. Hopefully we'll be together for a long time to come."

Autumn climbed up to sit beside him and she hugged him. "I will be love... I will be."

Wilhem reveled in the feeling of her next to him. He waited a few seconds then sang softly, "I'll be there for you. These five words I swear to you. When you breathe I want to be the air for you. I'll be there for you."

Autumn hugged him. "I love you Wilhem," she kissed him again.

He returned the kiss passionately. He loved the feel of her lips on his. When the kiss was broken, he hugged her tightly. "I love you Autumn. Even if you can be as crazy as a halfling."

Autumn stuck her tongue out at him. "Crazy I may be.. but not stupid." She smirked. "I love you... but what's a halfing?"

Wilhem chuckled, "A halfling is a sentient creature from my homeworld and several others. They look like small humans, about 3 feet in height. They have hairy feet that they want rubbed by their females. I have even heard that one of the worlds that does not have halflings, per se, has a replacement called Kender. That world is called Krynn."

Autumn smiled. "Riana gave me the nickname Kender in our first year at the academy... the family kinda picked it up... But for us the name came from a book."

Wilhem smiled, "A book in a series called DragonLance? Someone once turned me onto them, saying that this was close to my world. It was not. But it is close to the planet of Krynn. In fact, the world they have in those books is called Krynn. I wonder if the writer was shown that world in a vision like experience."

Autumn smiled. "I have never read them... Ria said that they were good but she use to wine so much about the Kender like habits I apparently have that I didn't bother reading them. She said that my collecting things... well it got annoying." She paused. "But I am sure that the writers were doing their best."

Wilhem smiled warmly, "I am sure you have some of those habits. But I would not worry about it. Kender are fun-loving creatures. And that may be the prime reason that I might call you that."

Looking up at him she smiled and touched his face with her hand, "I would like that. Hardly anyone calls me Kender anymore..."

Wilhem grimaced, "Except that 'Dickhead' Xavier. So I hope that I can make it a good nickname, not a bad one like he has made it." He touched her face with his right hand, and rubbed her hand with his left. "I love you, Kender. And that is a fact."

She moved closer. "That dickhead does it cause he knows only Family and close friends are allowed to call me by it... I love you," her lips brushed gently across his.

Gently he returned her kiss. When she had released the kiss, he said, "I will always love you. Nothing will come between us."

A soft rap on the door made Autumn wince and shrug. "Yes?" she called and the door opened to reveal Leslina and Craig.

"Dinner is ready you two."

Autumn nodded, "We'll be out there in a minute Aunt Leslina."

Wilhem smiled at her. "Time to go," he said. "Hopefully, dinner will be a little calmer than the rest of the past two days."

Autumn nodded and rose to her feet. "Let's get this over with," and she led the way out into the main room.

*****3hrs later*****

Autumn had had enough of the petty conversation and mingling and lingering over desert and when her aunt had dissapeared so had Autumn, alone without Wilhem cause he was talking to her uncle Chris, she had made her way to the roof and now stood alone up there watching the night. She knew that Wilhem would find her and simply asking Ross if he knew where she was would make it easier. She stared up at the stars silently and then sighed. Pace was hard to find. Hopefully it would come to her and Wil soon.

Wilhem slowly came up to the roof. He had not wanted to bother Autumn, in case this was soemthing she needed to do alone. When he saw that she was staring at the stars, he admired her for a few moments. He then walked up to her, having decided nto to read her mind, and put his arm around her, "Copper piece for your thoughts?"

Autumn looked up at him. "Hello Love. Just drifting that's all... thinking of my parents and how much they would have loved you."

Wilhem smiled warmly, "Oh I am sure that your paretns would have been interested in me, anyway. My parents would have loved you, too. Something about your smile, I believe."

Autumn smiled. "I would have liked to meet your family."

Wilhem smiled crookedly, "Yes. They would have thought you regal. For a commoner. But I think you are noble, so don't worry. I would have stuck up for you in their circles."

Autumn smiled and then turned and looked out over the town. Her green eyes watching the area carefully. "You are going to have to tell me more about them one day."

Wilhem smiled, "That I shall, my love. That I shall." He moved up beside her, and watched the grounds below. Hopefully, nothing else untoward would creep up upon them while they watched.

Autumn leaned against Wilhem and shut her eyes. "You know if I didn't know that the rooms below us were filled with people I'd say that we were the only ones here."

Wilhem nodded softly, "If we did not know better, then yes that would be the assumption. But we both know better, and we also know that some of those people are hostile to you and me. So let us forget them for now, and enjoy the night."

Autumn nodded. "A lovely idea love." She turned to face him and looked up at him. "How are you feeling love?"

Wilhem smiled softly, looking into her eyes, "A little tired. And a little discomfort around the long line of the scar. It itches badly. But nothing else too untoward, Love."

Autumn smiled. "I think it's time we went home... Uncle Ross won't talk business tonight with Xavier here."

Wilhem nodded, "Then let's go. I wouldn't want to chance the battles to come. Between us and all that oppose our marriage."

Autumn smiled and took his hand and led him down the stairs into the main rooms where everyone was standing around talking.

Wilhem nodded at all of the peopel that looked his way. He did not want to say anything that might offend any of those here at the party. They might use it against him at some later point. And Autumn would not be pleased.

Autumn walked up to her aunt and calmly stated that they were leaving. "Aunt Leslina, we have to leave now."

Her Aunt smiled and hugged her niece. "It was lovely having you both here." She hugged Wilhem as well and smiled at them both. "Autumn I expect you to call me as soon as you get back to Galaxy... we have lots to discuss."

Wilhem nodded at Leslina, "Thank you for having me here. It was a pleasure."

Leslina smiled at the young man. "My niece chooses well," was all she said as she led the young couple towards the main door where Ross stood waiting.

Ross shook Wilhem's hand and kissed Autumn's cheek. "Thank you both for coming. Wilhem it was a pleasure meeting you. Both of you take care and don't take any risks Autumn." He smiled at them and Autumn smiled and led the way out the door.

Wilhem nodded to Ross, and followed Autumn out the door. "Well that went well," he said. Then as they approached the hoverlimo, he felt the fatigue start to creep in. He kept up a facade, but he was beginning to tire quickly. As they reached the hoverlimo, he was exhausted. As if something was sucking the life out of him rapidly.

Autumn smiled at Wilhem. "I think you need to get some sleep love... you frankly look quite tired," she placed her hand on his cheek and smiled.

Wilhem smiled solemnly, "Yes, I do." He caressed her cheek, and got into the limo. He waited for her to get in beside him, then put his arm around her. And promptly dozed off.

Autumn smiled and sat back and waited for Charles to drive them home. When they got to the castle she gently woke Wilhem and led him into the castle and to his room. At the door she smiled up at him. "Love you had better get a good night's sleep."

Wilhem smiled warmly, "I will. Thanks in no small part to dreams of you." He leaned down and kissed her fully.

Autumn returned the kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck as she did so. Gently she broke it and smiled. "Bed Wilhem. I'll see you in the morning love." She pulled away and hit his door release and it slid open.

Wilhem smiled, "See you in the morning, Love." After watchign her go, he got ready for bed and climbed in. Soon he was fast asleep. And dreams of his love dancing in his head.

Autumn walked back to her room quietly and was soon asleep in her bed.

=====
William Bolitho aka
Chief Tactical Officer Lt. (j.g.) Wilhem Quevvenson - U.S.S. Galaxy

"Solving Problems"
By Jessie, Autumn and Wilhem.

Wilhem had decided to convene a secret meeting to discuss the problems he could sense in Rose. He could tell that something had gotten her depressed again. He had assembled everyone he thought of who cared for her, and hoped that things would turn out well...

He had arranged the meeting in one of the Cargo Bays, and hoped that some of the others would show up soon. He was unsure as to how they would take the news, any more than he was sure how Rose would take the meeting in her honor. He hoped that it would do well.

Autumn walked into the bay rolling her shoulders. Her hair was damp from the swim she had just come from and she smiled as she walked up to Wilhem "Hello Love." she said as she hugged him. "How are you?"

He hugged her back, "I am okay. But I know of someone who is not. And we both care for her." He looked troubled, "There are some things that I can sense in her. Ir is like she does not want to block my abilities. She feels unloved and she wants her friends to support her in her actions. She is Rose."

Autumn nodded. "I know.. so what do we do about it Wil? I mean she has had a bad time...." she paused to think about it. She smiled at him and shrugged her shoulders. "I have tried a lot of things... maybe she just needs some time?"

Wilhem thought a moment, then said, "No, I think leaving her alone will only make her more isolated. More depressed. I guess the only hope is to find her some more friends. And someone to love her like I love you."

Jessie smirked from the doorway and let out a sound like she was choking. "Give it a rest you two!" she called as she stepped into the room. "Can't you two go five minutes without slobbering over each other?" She asked with a smile as she neared them.

Wilhem smiled solemnly, "Not when you're in love. When it happens to you you'll know what I mean."

Autumn smirked at Jessie. "Told ya!" Was all she said to the red head before changing the subject back to Rose. "OK Miss tactical.. any ideas on how to cheer her up?"

Jessie grinned. "P A R T Y ! or something along those lines."

Wilhem smiled, "Yes, that could be a good idea. If we can get enough people who care for Rose together, it just might be an idea."

Jessie nodded and pulled out a PADD and began reading a list of names. "Heather, Eric, Karyn, Shinta, Autumn, Wilhem, ME! Um... Andree? Raganald?" she paused and looked at them. "Anyone else? I mean I got some of these names from her Birthday party... nothing much else... a couple of others like Heather's friends..."

Wilhem nodded solemnly, "That should be enough. We can add more when we think of them. Now what type of party would it be?"

Autumn smiled. "Halloween... vampires... you know... the good old Ghost type of one."

Wilhem shuddered, "I'm not sure about that... I had to fight most of the things that people dress up as. Most of the undead. And with these strangers creeping around the Galaxy, I am unsure if it would be wise."

Autumn gave a slight shudder at that. "Okay how's about masquerade?" She smiled at him. "Everyone dresses up in costumes and then people have to guess who everyone else is..."

Wilhem smiled warmly, "That sounds better. But won't everyone have an idea of who Rose is? She is pregnant, you know... Besides being able to tell me apart by my accent."

"That makes my job easier... Stop the other females getting near you... anyway it's all in fun... and Rose well She has the looks that no matter what she was wearing she would stand out." Autumn grinned at him.

Wilhem nodded solemnly, "But then again so do you. You would stand out from everyone else. At least to me."

Jessie smirked and dropped the padd into Autumn's hands. "Listen love birds. We have to get this organized... so can we please decide on this?"

Wilhem nodded at Jesse, smirking slightly. "Don't be in too much of a rush. These things take time."

Autumn smirked at Jessie. "Get over it Parry," she looked down at the PADD. "Well this list looks ok... should we invite Peterson? And the rest of Science?"

Wilhem shrugged, "Probably. But I don't know how we are going to get her at ease with a superior there. But I am willing to try anything."

Autumn nodded. "Me as well... I was thinking maybe we could just invite everyone again... and see who shows?"

Wilhem nodded, "Good idea. But as the party is in honor of Rose, maybe we should invite all those that will help her feel calm. If we can get some expression of love for her, it would work wonders."

Jessie nodded. "Agreed Wilhem. But first we have to work out who they are... I mean with the turn over of crew scince the last mission... Who is friends with who?"

Wilhem smiled, "Rose is friends with most everyone on that list on the PADD. I am not sure about the Counselors, but I am willing to ask them to come along to help us out. As for the rest of Science, I don't know how good friends she is with the rest of the department."

Jessie nodded. "Hmm well then lets invite them and pray for the best... A masquerade Ball sounds like fun... Any theme for the masquerade I mean?"

Wilhem looked at Autumn, "As Autumn was the one with the idea, I guess she should decide. I don't knwo the first thign about masquerade balls."

"Something kinda interesting and will mask everyone really well... Clothes from earths 1700's should do," she smiled.

Wilhem smiled, "Sounds like the kind of clothes I'd wear in Grabentod. I'll try it. What type of masks are you talking about?"

"Face masks, one's that just cover the top of the face."

"Okay... you'll have to help me with that. I don't seem to recall any masks that would work for me at the moment."

"Ok I will." Autumn smiled. "So are we organized?"

Wilhem nodded, "I believe so, yes. Do you agree Miss Parry?"

Jessie smiled. "Think so."

Autumn smiled. "Ok so Masquerade party... 1700's Masks must be worn. Right... ok so Jess will you contact people? And I will get the program written for the holodeck."

Jessie smiled. "No probs.. I'll grab Heather and we'll get started.. " She waved to the two of them and headed for the door. "Oh and Autumn? Keep your eye on those newcommers to the ship... I hear that they maybe trouble." And with that Jessie walked out of the room.

Wilhem smiled solemnly at Autumn, "Yes. Watch out for the guests. They reek of the undead. I can sense a dark prescence around this ship. Two of them. I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you."

Autumn gave him a smile. "Yeah I know that they are bad news... I was there when they met everyone on the ship... but they didn't seem interested at me... At least she didn't... He was watching everyone though.. Scary..."

Wilhem nodded, "I seem to think that they are Nosferatu. Rose thinks so, too. We need to gather all of the data on these creatures. Before they cause irreperable damage."

"Not Nosferatu... too nice looking... try Tzimche or Lasombra," she joked as she linked her arm through his and led the way out of the cargobay.

Wilhem smiled and let her lead the way to brave new tomorrows. And hopefully no Vampires in the future. He would hate to get ash on his hands. From staking them out, as it were.

Autumn smiled at him. "Ever heard of Vampire the Masquerade?" she asked as they walked off down the halls talking.

Wilhem shook his head, "No. Can't say that I have. What is it?"

"Come with me love and I'll show you." she winked at him and took off down the hall.

Wilhem raced after her and hoped that nothing too untoward was about to happen. "Coming Autumn."

The two of them rounded a corner and were lost from view to the silent figure stepping clear of an alcove. "Interesting," was all that was said.

"One Thought"
by Commander Thomas
USS Galaxy

Commander Thomas had finished speaking with Lt. Commander Peterson about the sleeper chambers that remained on the Tamarian vessel at this point. He was open to anything or any possibility that might explain his own doubts. Of course he was a man full of doubts, he questioned everything. His experiences in life caused him to be that way, and he had no qualms about it, as he'd managed to live this long and survived a number of problems.

Chris and Kent had spent some time in discussion about the sleeper units and they'd found some old Tamarian languages notes and stuff in the room that interested the chief. He'd instructed another science officer to get copies of everything with Tamarian language on it for further study.

Right now, Chris's concern was downloading the ship's databases information for further study as well. Of course unlike normal away missions, he'd remained on the assignment and not returned to the ship. There was something about that Lady Lilth character that he didn't like or was willing to admit to anyone that his mind almost lost control of his body. That his body and basic nature had been almost stronger then his will of mind.

Staying on a ship that was once used for carrying people from one location to another in stasis, only to find it's way out here, was almost as disturbing. While he realized it was silly in some sense, he wasn't ready to admit anything. He also knew that his wife was safe as they'd spoken a few minutes ago and she'd heeded his warning.

Pausing for a moment at one the consoles he checked the progress of trying to access and download the old ship's history. If they were going to find more clues about these guest then he needed to know what the Tamarian's might have to say about them. If they were really lucky they'd warn them in some manner about these 'creatures' Chris said to himself.

The download of the information was proceeding along a very slow pace. The ships old systems just weren't designed to transfer or move data from one place to another very fast in compression to todays methods. Chris supposed that during their time, this ship was probably near state of the art and it's transfer speed of information was at the top.

For everything he disliked about the people they'd found here, he was more interested in the ship it's self and information that it could tell them. He'd ordered the sleeper pods to remain here on the ship for now. They were in no danger of failure at this point and he wanted, no they needed more information before even considering bringing them onboard the ship.

There was so much they didn't know about these Sanguinarian's that made him reluctant to move their friends and he was more inclined to believe they were ill and needed to remain in closure to protect everyone for now. However he also being full of doubts wondered about the truth to such a statement.

There were questions that seemed to have no answers.

Maybe he was so used to trouble that he was unwilling to accept the fact there wasn't any trouble to be found here.

After thinking about the notion for a moment he decided, Nope that wasn't the case here. His life, while full of danger and mystery at many turning points, he never once doubted his sense of danger.

"Well then I do have a dilemma don't I." Chris said to himself finally speaking in a while, since he'd last spoke with the chief science officer about the sleeper pods.

Now then the question Chris was faced with telling the captain his feelings. Which were suspicions and nothing else, meaning that there wasn't much the captain was going to do under the current circumstances. After all he'd ordered security and bio hazard containment measures be taken to prevent anyone infecting the ship or becoming infected.

He could tell the captain his concerns about the Sanguinarian's, namely Lady Lilth, but what would he tell him. Oh and by the way captain I felt like this Lady Lilth was trying to seduce me onboard the Tamarian ship, with everyone around me and she wasn't doing much, but standing there.

No if he was going to update the captain about the study of the ship and his own personal thoughts about their guest he would have to do so in such a manner that wouldn't be so open for doubt and questioning. The weird accent they had was weird, but it wasn't what troubled him.

Well the data transfer was going well at the moment. How much longer it was going to take was something no one could really answer. Maybe he just needed to get off the ship and escape from the toils of work. Chris looked at the current time and decided he really should be getting back to the ship.

After all he'd spent several hours over here and returned to the ship momentarily to brief the captain in person once. Then he'd come back over to the ship and hadn't left sense then.

He decided that he would speak with the captain and update him on the current progress of the mission to study and gather information about the Tamarian ship and then go home for some dinner. From there he decided to visit the holodeck and his old computer program that once earned him both respect and reprimand.

Leaving specific instructions to the commanding officers and security on the ship that the Sanguinarian sleeper chambers were to remain off limits. He didn't want them touched, moved or anything else do to them pending more answers.

"Commander Thomas to transporter room, 1 to beam up." Chris said tapping his combage.

"One for the mother ... "
by Rose Isis McAllen
and Ragnald Gustavson

Rose sat in Ten-Forward drinking some Betazoid wine, she hadn't been eating al ot. Rose was still busy with the mission which she thought was very scary and unholy.

Ragnald entered, straightway move to their table and sat down.

"Hi, babies, back from outer space? Did you enjoy you trip?" he asked.

Unholy and scary." Rose said with a little smile while trying to hold his hand a little.

Ragnald felt waves of fright running through his girlfriend's cold and shaky hand. "Unholy? What do you want say with that? They were all dead, weren't they?"

"We found two survivors. It's something about the ship and the two survivors what wasn't right, something so evil." Rose told him drinking down her wine.

"If somebody else had told me I wouldn't believe. But you're Betazoid, so I'll keep my eyes open. Nevertheless, you have to eat, Rose. Remember the baby."

"How did you know I haven't eaten?" Rose said while looking at him with a stock look on her face, she tried to get a piece of hair out her of eyes. "Have you been spying on me again?" Rose said with a grin while getting a little bit more wine.

Ragnald grinned back "No, I guessed. Look, your plate is almost full. And from the mood, you're in I concluded you didn't have another portion before."

"I'm not very hungry, I got some news before we left the Starbase, the found my father and what left of his crew in an POW camp. He wants to see me again after this mission is over, and I want you to come along..he would love you." Rose said drinking the rest of her wine down.

"Another good reason to eat. Or do you want to hear your father say: Young man, do you want to let my baby starve? Come on, one for the mother ..." (he feeded her) "and one for the baby ..."

Rose sighed and started to get a little upset, "Fine I will eat." She hated it when he was right.

"Dircala at Berliega!"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

Captain Price sat in the command chair on the bridge reviewing a datapadd relating recent roster changes and schedules on the ship. It had been several minutes since Counselor Dallas had left to go and visit the unusual Sanguinarian guests that where presently being examined in sickbay.

Lee's thoughts were pulled from his work when Lieutenant Commander T'Zaq entered the bridge. The Vulcan engineer had just beamed back from the Tamarian vessel, and after undergoing the required decontamination cycle, was no doubt here to deliver her report.

"G'day 'Commander. Things are going well I trust?"

T'Zaq walked over and stopped near the Captain's chair. She reached out and offered another datapadd for the Captain's perusal. "Under the present conditions we are making as much progress as can reasonably be expected Captain. It seems that someone or something was responsible for the deliberate destruction of most of the machinery and consoles in the Tamarian vessel's engine room. We are continuing our structural analyses of the damage to try to determine the method invoked to inflict the damage. Though even more of a mystery is why anyone would want to destroy key components of their own vessel?"

The Captain glanced at the padd and acknowledged the 'Commander's observations. Tapping the padd with his thumb, Lee could see images of some of the damage that T'Zaq was talking about. "Cri-key! It looks like someone took a sledgehammer to every panel and console in the place."

"We have not completely ruled that hypothesis out yet Captain, though our analysis is far from complete." T'Zaq reported unemotionally.

"What about recovering the ship's logs 'mate? Any progress there?"

"Unfortunately the age of this vessels computer storage system, the medium used and the extensive damage caused to the engine room where the computer core is located is making recovery of the logs difficult Captain." T'Zaq paused a moment, "It may in fact be impossible to recover the full logs as a result of the damage. However we have managed to recover pieces of recordings that were stored."

Captain Price flipped through the datapadd's menu to locate the stored samples T'Zaq had recorded. Activating the unit's playback, a fuzzy image of a panicked Tamarian appeared on the tiny display screaming, "Dircala at Berliega! Dircala at Berliega!" and then the recording abruptly ends.

"Well whatever he's saying, it seems to be quite important." The Captain stated looking up at T'Zaq.

"Yes Captain. There are other sections we have managed to salvage, but this one entry is believed to be the last thing recorded by the Tamarians. The rather excited gentleman in the recording is believed to be the ship's captain." T'Zaq explained.

"Well then whatever this 'Dircala at Berliega!' means, it must be important and may help to explain what these people are doing out here this far in space. Let's have it translated and researched, along with whatever other log fragments you've been able to recover. Pass this along to Lieutenant Commander Peterson and let him get the proper linguistics expert working on the Tamarian translations." The Captain ordered.

T'Zaq took the padd back from the Captain. "I will see to it that the Chief Science Officer is made aware of the request Captain. Also once our structural analysis is complete on the cause of the damage to the Tamarian vessel's engine room, I will be sure to let you know our findings."

"That would be bonzer 'mate. Carry on." The Captain nodded with a smile.

T'Zaq gave a slight bow of her head before turning to exit the bridge and carry out the tasks that lay before her.

"Friendly visit" (just after getting back from sickbay, in other words, back-post)
by Lt Commander Eric Odin & Lt Rose MacAllen

Rose walked up to Eric's door and knocked on it for she was very very worried about her friend even though the broke up and still alittle upset by it but she was also his friend and nothing or nobody will stop that, she rung the door bell and waited.

Ericcalled out weakly since his head was still spinning, but slightly less now,"Come in." He attenmpted to sit,-up but only managed with hsi elbows. he was in bed at the moment and only had his underwear on.

Rose walks into his room, "Eric it me Rose I came to nurse you back to health if you would let me." she said while looking around his messy living room.

He smirked and said,"Do what you can Rose. I'm grateful for anythign you can do for me." he smiled weakly as he lay back too tired to care trhat he was almost nude.

"Cook, clean, take care of your son, anything you wish." Rose said taking her uniform jacket off, her stomach is alittle big then the last time they talked.

He smirked as he noticed her baby growing. "You're looking good Rose, very healthy." "Ryan is actually with his baby-sitter I informed her of what was happening and she said she would take care of him for as long as it takes. She's good with him." he manged. he was sweating a bit from exertion.

Rose walks in with some cool water, while her eyes were closes she cover Eric up then reopen her eyes and started pating his forehead.

Eric smiled and said,"Thanks Rose." He was amazed she was being so kind to him. He hoped that he would be able to repay her soemhow.

Rose give him a royal smile, "You need to rest now I going to make my homemade chicken soup, call me if you need anything." she said while walking towards the door.

Eric smiled and said,"thanks again Rose." He layed back and relaxed thinking about how good of a friend she was.

Rose started singing some Betazoid opera while cooking some chicken soup.

Eric was half-way between sleep and awake as she was cooking.

**Few hours later**

Rose walks in with her homemade chicken noodle soup in hand, she sit it by the nightstand while laying another cool rag on Eric's head.

Eric stirred slightly and asked,"Rose?" he had lost all track of time and was still not able to recover or move about in a great manner and he was still sweating.

"Your still burning up Eric, I made you some chicken soup I hope it can make you feel better." Rose said with alittle smile, she was worried about him.

"Thanks Rose,"He said trying to sit up. He manged to and said,"I think I am getting better. I'm sure thsi chicken soup will do the trick to get me all the way better." he smiled.

Rose try to smile since she got alot on her mind and sits by him with her Betaziod Bible in hand.

Eric eats the soup up and said,"Thanks Rose, that was great. I think all I need is one good night of rest and I should be great. Thanks a lot Rose." He smiled.

Rose smiles back and then puts her another cold rag on his head, "I will be here if you need me, now you rest don't dream about me ok." she said with a grin..it was there own private joke.

Eric grinned and nodded as he went into a deep sleep. He fell alseep with a big smile painted across his face

Rose smiles as she started to read her bible, but before she knew it Rose fell asleep.

**the next morning**

Eric woke up and was feelng tne times better. he noticed Rose had fallen asleep reading. He got up and got semi-dressed. he walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder and shook her lightly. "Rose, hey it's wake-up time. I'm all better now thanks to you my friend. Thank you very much."

Rose gets up from the chair, "I wish I could have done more." she said while trying to put her uniform jacket on.

"You did more than I could of asked Rose. Thank you again, I'll find some way to repay you." He smiled wondering what he could do.

"I know you will find a way." Rose said with a grin while walking back into the living area packing her overnight bag.

He followed her and said,"You take care as well Rose. I'll let you know as soon as I find a way to repay you."

"Can't wait to hear it sir, good day." Rose said while walking out into the busy hallway.

Eric smiled and waved as she left. he then went ot get a shower and change into clean clothes. His day awaited him.

NRPG: This takes place some time after immediately following our guests trip to sickbay.

"The Agony Of Victory"

Commander Karyn Dallas RN
Chief Counselor/Second Officer

Lord Vlad
Sanguinarian visitor
USS Galaxy

***The Present, Sickbay, USS Galaxy***

Karyn hadn't intended for her first glimpse of the one known as Lord Vlad to be of his chest, but it seemed her intentions were of little concern to the distinguished looking Sanguinarian male, who it seemed had been in the process of buttoning his shirt when Karyn was motioned into the room by a passing nurse. Too mortified to even risk a glare in the nurse's direction as she attempted to back into the main thouroughfare of sickbay, Karyn hastily made her apologies to their guest and promised to give the man the privacy he needed to finish dressing.

The attempt was fruitless however, because the dark haired male had a tight grip of her left wrist and would not let her reach for the control panel which she had hoped would allow her to salvage some semblance of professionalism. Instantly, her body stiffened with the prickle of fear, and all kidding aside, she found herself prepared to bolt, though she wasn't sure she would have the energy to scream even if she were in some kind of danger.

He must have noticed her discomfort, because although he didn't release his hold on her completely, he loosened his grip and gently traced her hand until he reached her fingers and could then grip them in his own warm palm. It was not a true handshake, but he seemed to sense that she was incapable of returning the gesture with the grace he had seen of others onboard this vessel, and that somehow given the circumstances, she would be more comfortable with a gesture that would relieve her of the akwardness of the moment.

"Please, don't be embarrassed, I assure you I am not," he smiled gently, "I have already been poked and prodded by your doctors so throughly, the least of my worries is being caught with my shirt removed." He continued to slowly fasten his buttons, but appeared far more interested in the red-haired creature before him. He was wearing black trousers and was barefoot, and smelled of aftershave, like he had just come from the shower.

Karyn smiled weakly and pulled back to relax her posture a bit in her grav-chair. Not wanting to show any disrespect, rather than look away from him completely, she moved her gaze upward, finally stopping at the bluest eyes she had ever seen. So far, the only peculiar behavior she noticed in her encounter with the Sanguinarians had been her own. "Then my apology must be twofold, sir, for it is not our desire to treat you like a lab rat, nor do we wish to embarass you further through lack of privacy. I'm Commander Karyn Dallas, the ship's Chief Counselor and Second Officer. I wanted to welcome you aboard the Galaxy and see if there was anything I could do to make your stay here more comfortable." Were she able to tear her eyes away from his, she might have noticed he had begun to loosen his collar again, but she was doing her best to maintain her composure.

He seemed to dismiss the notion out of hand and instead took a step back to make a sweeping gesture. "Were I in your place, Commander, with all these resources at my disposal, I would react the same way, though I do wish we could be of more help to your people. We appear to be a bit of a mystery to them." She noted he didn't appear to be too displeased with that fact, though he wanted his words to indicate otherwise. She also noticed a bit of the accent Lee had mentioned, but it wasn't as thick as she expected. As if to alleviate further akwardness, he added, "I am Lord Vlad, at your service." He bowed slightly.

Perhaps the UT was filtering the dialect better now that it had been given more exposure to the new speech patterns. He did not appear to be the dark figure Lee had described, but more like the melancholy poets of Betezed University, those trying to appear philosophical when in reality they were just lost souls trying to figure out what the hell they wanted from life. He reminded her of her fiance, and she smiled, suddenly at ease in the presence of this alluring stranger.

"You'll find, Lord Vlad, there is nothing we like more than a mystery."

Returning her casual tone, he replied, "As do I, though I find it frustrating when I encounter a mystery that is destined to remain so forever. If there is to be hunger for the chase, there must be promise of a prize, don't you agree?" He appeared amused with her now, as if he could carry on this discussion with her forever.

Karyn felt heat enter her cheeks, but she did not look away, finding the verbal exchange most interesting. "What is it you wish to know?" She found herself flirting, although it was unlike her to choose to take that kind of tone with anyone these days given the brutality she witnessed.

He took a step closer, but seeing Karyn tense involuntarily, he retreated. He was frustrated, but she was too self-conscious of her own reaction to notice. He instantly became more business-like. "In what capacity do you offer counsel?"

Unsure of how to respond at first, she was reminded of the designation given to her by one of the Uridian tribe. "I am a soul healer. I listen to people's problems, their inner pain, and I attempt to help heal their souls."

He appeared to mull this over for a moment and slowly a glimmer of slyness shone in his eyes. "You must know a great deal then of your people's dreams, of their fantasies... Tell me, how does it feel to be a keeper of such untapped passion. How you must ache..."

She would later be unable to recall exactly what had happened at this point in their conversation, but one moment he was there talking to her and the next he was on her trying to undo the seatbelt that kept her in her chair. She was so paralyzed with fear that she couldn't cry out, and then she realized who was before her, and knew it would have been a futile effort.

"Please, Dad, don't. You'll wake Katie." Despite her attempts not to, a tear slipped down her cheek.

The drunken John appeared not to know who she was. "Shh...my Lizzie, there's no need to worry, Katie is asleep. Just relax..." Before she could protest, John Dallas pulled her to him, roughly pulling her gown over her head. Karyn felt like she was drowning under the weight of him. Inwardly she screamed, *I'm not Mom, I'm not Mom, I'm not Mom.*

***Ten Years Ago, Janaran Falls, Betezed (The Home Of Alan Taylor)***

Karyn felt like she was drowning under the weight of him and she struggled to break free. She couldn't breathe and despite how badly she wanted to hold him, she found herself pushing him off of her for the third time. Unable to hold back the tears anymore, she sobbed openly, I'm sorry. I just can't, Alan, I just can't..."

"It's ok," he eased gently, though it was obvious he was hurt. Alan Taylor would be leaving Betezed in the morning to find a place for he and his future bride to make a life far from the painful memories of Janaran Falls, and though he knew he would see Karyn again, he was looking forward to spending their final night together no longer virgins. It was what he thought she wanted too.

"I'm not HIM you know." There was no need for him to elaborate for they had had this discussion many times.

"I know. I do want this, I want this with you." She caressed his cheek and pulled him to her this time, determined to remember she had chosen this, her victory over her own womanhood. She would not let her father ruin anymore of her life. She would endure the agony of victory as long as it was hers. As bright blue eyes came toward her, she echoed the warm whisper as he ran his fingers through her auburn locks. "It's not him, it's not him, it's not him."

***The Present, Sickbay, USS Galaxy***

She was pulled from the memory so forcefully, she gasped painfully, as if struggling to come up for air after being shoved under water. As she took in great lungfuls of air, she shook her head in frustration. She hadn't had the water dream in a long time, and even then she had never been able to discern a reason for feeling so fearful in the midst of it.

The memories were always just below the surface, a sense of being torn between immense pain and immense pride. The ache of longing to feel or remember something always drove her crazy. It was as if she had lost something very valuable but had no idea what it was or whether she should grieve or celebrate. "Ache..." Her voice sounded thick in her ears and then she realized what she was doing in sickbay. "Where are they?" Looking slowly around the room, lest she make herself dizzy from pain, or was it joy?, she realized Lord Vlad was no longer in the room.

Had she fallen asleep? She hadn't remembered even ending their conversation. Confused and ultimately embarrassed, she left the room in search of a nurse who might know where they had gone. Their Security guards were gone, but where were their guests, and why couldn't she remember what had happened?

She nearly jumped out of her skin when Nurse Opal touched her on the arm. "Karyn, are you ok?"

Karyn turned to her and without preamble ordered, "Kris, check me for blood loss."

Her entire body started to tingle, and for a moment she was tempted to tell her to forget about it, too embarrassed to admit she was trying to shake off the effects of a recurring dream, but by the time Kristen returned with a scanner she hoped was not defective, a prickle of fear made its way down her spine...

=====
Commander Karyn Dallas RN
Chief Counselor/Nurse
USS Galaxy

"Bad Blood"

Lady Lilith
Sanguinarian visitor

Lord Vlad
Sanguinarian visitor
USS Galaxy

***VIP Guest Quarters, USS Galaxy***

It took all his strength for Lord Vlad to contain his frustration long enough for them to make it back to their guest quarters and to allow the doors to close on their security escorts. For her part, Lady Lilith seemed amused by her companion's emotional state, something that Lord Vlad didn't particularly appreciate.

"I suppose you think this is funny?" He was trying not to pace, but he had to rid himself of his own unspent energy somehow, lest he risk losing control of the hunt.

"I do," was her amused reply, "I do believe you are suffering from performance anxiety, darling, almost as if you had feelings for these creatures. I fear you are going soft on me, my love. She sauntered over to the replicator, tempted to offer him a consolation drink as a bit of levity, but she decided against it. She had no wish to make him any more unstable.

He rounded on her, tempted to rid himself of her once more. He had forgotten how grating she could be, but then he realized the suspicions from such an act would put them in further jeopardy. "I could not maintain the link with her, doesn't that bother you? Need I remind you that fear makes things sloppy?"

Lilith smiled condescendingly. "Need I remind you that women are allowed to change their minds even during their own fantasies?" She shook her head. "You act as if you are too lazy to work for your prizes now. I remember when you used to enjoy how the thrill of the fantasy made discovering the pleasure that much more enjoyable..." She dismissed the issue then. "Isolation has made you weak."

"Isolation has made you overconfident," he shot back, "You seem to think we have the luxury to pick and choose what we want and when we want it."

"Don't we? There are over one thousand creatures on this ship just asking to be sampled, does it really matter if we are selective in our efforts?"

He sighed in resignation. "I suppose you're right, not all are worth the hunt. He smiled, suddenly remembering one of her own failed attempts at conquest. He chuckled. "Imagine that fellow soul healer of hers thinking true love was enough to keep the huntress at bay! As if sex and anything else we take has anything to do with true love!"

She smiled and shrugged. "Whatever works to keep suspicions at bay pleases me. We have to save our strength for more...creative recreation." She had moved to face him now, and was tracing his chest with a sharp fingernail, "You brought her enough pleasure in the end to cover your tracks, so stop letting these virgins of the heart dull your senses. In the end, your needs will be met."

Refusing to be consoled, Lord Vlad returned to pacing. "My needs are not what concern me," he answered quietly, but she knew differently. He was growing jealous of her exploits. "She had no pleasurable intimate moments from which I could draw upon, or at least I don't think so. Even her own desires held no pleasure for her, and every time I would think I was getting close to her deepest fantasy, the more violent one would intrude upon us. I don't have the patience or the skill to tread on the memories or create new ones, and yet, I found the swirl of emotions to be most intoxicating. It was as if she knew what was happening, as if her soul had been laid bare already. I found the unchallenged offering of it to be disappointing, and yet, the fear was intriguing enough for me to consider risking everything."

"There is no honor in taking that which has already been taken, and is now given freely, but without pleasure. To have a one-sided exchange makes us no better than her abusers, and I refuse to become that which is simply a means to a far more glorious existence."

He grinned at her, seemingly in disbelief. "If I didn't know better, I'd say my love was developing a conscience."

For a moment she seemed to hesitate and then was all business. "I'm far more interested in continuing the hunt." Lord Vlad needed no more motivation.

As they exited their quarters once more Lilith reassured her own mind. *Let them have fear. By the time they realize what's happening, it will be the only thing they have left.*

=====
Commander Karyn Dallas RN
Chief Counselor/Nurse
USS Galaxy

OCC: This happened before the whole Vampire thing.

"An Important Follow-up"

Commander Karyn Dallas RN
Chief Counselor/Nurse

Lt. Commander Rayna O'Grady
Assistant Chief Security Officer
USS Galaxy

***The O'Grady quarters, USS Galaxy***

Karyn had received word that Rayna had delivered her twins prematurely since they last spoke, and being a preemie herself, Karyn was concerned about the health of the babies and of Rayna. The last time they spoke, Rayna shared her concerns with Karyn about being a new mother to twins and her general anxiety of raising two infants. Rayna hadn't seen Nikki until she was five years old because she was a painful reminder of a violent act that nearly destroyed her life and threatened to wreak havoc even after so many years. Rayna had been haunted by those old memories ever since the recent attacks on Electra and Rose, not to mention Poet's attempt to hurt her and her babies.

Rayna was worried that Nikki would be jealous of the amount of time she and Mike were going to spend with the new arrivals, and while a certain amount of that was normal, Rayna worried that Nikki would begin to ask questions about why Rayna hadn't wanted to take care of Nikki when she was a baby. Karyn had encouraged Rayna to answer Nikki's questions openly and honestly, especially because Nikki was smart enough to see through lies, but Rayna was reluctant to open that can of worms.

Looking down at the pink and blue teddy bears she'd brought for the babies, plus the "I'm a big sister" T-shirt she'd brought for Nikki, she rang the chime.

Mike answered and to his surprise, his boss was there. Rayna was resting but he thought that this was too important for Rayna not to see her. Nikki came running in as Mike went to wake Rayna up. Nikki was excited and didn't notice the gifts in her hand, "Did you hear? Mommy had the babies but only Miles was allowed to come home. Mommy says Gillian is too sick to come home. I'm taking real good care of mommy, I even got to fix their room." Mike came out.

"Nikki." He apologised, "Sorry about that. Rayna is in bed. You can just go in there, she's waiting for you."

Nikki followed her in. "Nikki, mommy needs to talk to Karyn. Go check on Miles and make sure that he is still sleeping." Nikki looked disappointed, "Oh all right."

Rayna waited for Nikki to leave, "Karyn, make yourself at home. I was just resting. I'm afraid that only Miles is here. Gillian is still in ICU. The doctors don't know anything right now." Her eyes began to tear up when she heard herself say it.

"I know, I heard. I wanted to check on her myself, but I thought I'd come by and see how you and Miles were doing first. I brought presents for all three of the O'Grady children," she held up the bears and T-shirt, putting the pink one in the empty crib, "a welcome home present for Gillian." Karyn added confidently.

"Thank you. They're really cute. I'm sure they'll love their bears." She tried to smile but it wasn't easy.

"I'm not going to tell you not to worry because that would be like telling you not to breathe, but I can tell you that our doctors have lots of experience dealing with preemies, and I know Gillian is getting the best medical care available. Speaking as a two pound preemie myself, I can say we're not as weak as we may appear." She smiled a bit then, and noticed just how tired Rayna looked. "I'm sorry, I should have called before I came by. You need your rest. Is there something I can do to help you? Do you want me to watch Nikki so you and Mike could have some time alone together? Do you need more pain meds?" She wasn't sure that Rayna felt much like talking right now, and she didn't want to push her or intrude.

"I'm glad you came. Just stay and talk to me for a while. Last time we talked, I did a lot of thinking about what you said. It made a great deal of sense. In fact, Nikki started asking the questions I was afraid of her asking and I went ahead and answered them truthfully and in a way that she could understand it. I have to admit, it went very well. I'm also not so afraid that I am going to be a terrible mother anymore but I AM afraid that I might lose Gillian. When she came out, she wasn't breathing. I thought for sure she was dead. After they did get her to breathe and handed her to me, I freaked out. I thought that she was going to stop breathing as I held her so I handed her back quickly. I don't know what I'll do if she doesn't make it. I keep wondering what is it I did that I'm being punished for." "Why do you assume you're being punished? Isn't it just as likely this was going to happen no matter what you or anybody else did or didn't do?" The guilt was normal, but Rayna obviously thought she deserved it somehow, even if she couldn't put it into words.

She didn't need to think on this one, "Nothing seems ever easy for me. Maybe if I had listened to my dad and stayed home in the first place, my life would be less complicated. I never really respected my dad and maybe that's why I have so many things happen to me." She was starting to become very superstitious.

"I think that's a copout, and what's more, I think you know that," answered Karyn matter-of-factly, "the things worth doing are never easy, but at least here you have some say into where you go in life. Are you saying you'd rather give up your independence and listen to your father because living your own life is too hard?" The last thing Rayna needed was to fall into self-pity because of this, and if she let herself think the universe was persecuting her for something, then she'd always remain the victim.

"Yes...I mean, no. I don't know what I'm saying." She ran her hand through the front of her hair, "I'm not talking about 'giving up my independence' as you put it, I mean, I should have not persued a career in Starfleet. I should have gotten into something that wasn't dangerous, like a stay home wife and mother." She shook her head, "Maybe it's just my crazy, mixed up hormones talking." "Don't," replied Karyn, placing a hand on her arm, "don't try to retreat from your feelings now by blaming something or someone now that you've put them out there. The only reason people do that is because they're not really sure they stand behind them. Now," said Karyn as she sat back in her chair, "if you want to discuss leaving Starfleet because it's not what you enjoy anymore, that's fine, but if deep down you know that's not it, then don't waste our time." She was cutting to the chase, overriding her defenses and getting to the heart of the matter.

Karyn paused for a moment and let her words sink in for Rayna. She needed her to focus on the real issue. "You would still be running, you know. Oh, sure, I could sit here and tell you how it's pointless to blame yourself for what's happened to your daughter, but you're using her and your position here to avoid talking about who is really bothering you. This is about Poet and how he ruined your image of yourself. You thought of yourself as this tough broad who could handle anything thrown at her with no problem, and now you're learning that isn't necessarily true. What I don't understand is why you thought yourself any different than the rest of us? Why do you think making a decision like this on your own terms is defeating him? Running didn't get you anywhere in the past, but the brick wall is their for your amusement for as long as you want to sprint." She was pushing, but self-pity had no place in her sessions.

She was a little annoyed at Karyn, "There is nothing to understand because I never said that I was better than anyone else. Anyway, it doesn't matter. I've gotten a reality check and I know that I can't control what happens to me. As for those other things, I haven't made any decisions to leave. I was saying 'what if' that's all, and I'm not running anywhere either." Karyn smiled inwardly. Rayna had gotten her message clearly enough. She was a bit on the defensive now, but that was understandable considering she was trying to sort things out. "All right," Karyn conceded, "let's entertain your what-if scenario, and just for the sake of argument we'll assume nothing bad will ever happen to you again once you make that choice, do you think you'll be happier as a stay at home wife and mother? I guess what I want to know is, are you entertaining these what if scenarios because you don't like the job, or because you suddenly feel like you can't do the job because of your experience with Carson Pratt? If it's the latter, you have to ask yourself why you would let someone like him become a factor in any of your future decisions." Rayna thought long and hard, "I think everyone thinks about the what if's. It is finally becoming clear to me. I like the job. I even got promoted to Assistant Security Officer and I want to go back to work. I would be lying if I said I'm not affected by that man but I'm not going to run away with my tail between my legs either. I worked too hard to get where I am now. The difference is that now, I've got a different outlook towards my job. I'm going to be more careful and not so eager to kick butt. It's not just Mike and Nikki now but the twins too." She looked over at a sleeping Miles, "And you know what else? Being a mother of newborns is not so scary after all." Karyn smiled. "Compared to dealing with Carson Pratt I'm sure nothing could compare. I think it is natural for you to do some re-evaluating of your life after something like this. The hardest thing is admitting to ourselves our true motives behind our actions, owning our own feelings and emotional baggage, and not hiding it. I notice little differences in you already, your posture, your tone. All these external things carry a lot of influence when you psychologically go back and have to put your bad experiences in the right perspective daily, because it's the kind of thing you learn to cope with, not get over. I'm glad to see you're going to be more careful, not just because you're a mother now, but because you're beginning to see that your eagerness to fight back was not completely borne out of your love for the job, but what you saw as a need to strike first to survive." Karyn sighed, "I know it's not easy talking about things like this to someone who doesn't exactly know what you're going through, but I'd be happy to be a sounding board anytime you or Mike need to talk. Would you object to seeing me for a half hour every other week for awhile? I think with the twins being premature you're in for some new challenges, plus the new job is going to add a few more stressors to the mix. I'd like to check in and see how you're doing." "I guess I have no objections to that. I don't need to have a PHD in psychology to know that I am going to be stressed out more. I'm stressed out now with just one of them here but I can handle it. I also know that there is a lot of adjustments we'll have to make in our lives. I just hope I'm ready for it." Karyn smiled. "I hope so too because there's no turning back now either way. You're going to be fine, there's no shortage of people available to help you when you need it, I just hope you won't be afraid to ask." Karyn knew how much it took for Rayna to ask for help in the first place, and though she could relate, she knew deep down it wasn't what was best for her.

Rayna nodded, ""I'll be sure to ask if I need to. Thanks." She also thanked her for the gifts.

With that, Karyn knew her job was done for now, and she felt better knowing that Rayna was doing all right. She had some tough challenges ahead, but at least she was finally beginning to face her demons. That would continue as they continued to talk. Rayna was the light at the end of the tunnel for Karyn, the one example of someone who was thriving despite several painful experiences. Knowing this gave Karyn hope for the future. She left the O'Grady quarters more at peace than when she had entered, and when she saw Miles and Nikki once more, she allowed herself to dream of the day when she would raise her own family.

GM Note:
Material definitely R - borderline MA17.
Read at your own discretion.

NRPG: Soundtrack for this story:

-“New Skin” By Incubus. Album: “S.C.I.E.N.C.E.” (“One on One Fight” scene) -“La Mer” By Nine Inch Nails. Album: “The Fragile” (“Introversive” scene) -“Principle’s of Lust” By Enigma. Album: “Love, Sensuality and Devotion: Enigma’s Greatest Hits” and “MCDMX ad” (“Let Lust Take Hold” scene) The only new age music I’d listen to. This stuff is pure mindf**k ambrosia. Listen to it.

NNRPG: I’d like to thank you all at the Galaxy’s PBEM for making me step it up a notch. I’d like to also thank all those men’s magazines such as Maxim, because without them I’d be the most naïve virgin on the planet and I wouldn’t know what to write. Thank you all, and enjoy this piece of Halloween tomfoolery.

NNNRPG: After hearing about the missionary position complaint from one person, I decided to let the woman be on top for half the time. How many women in the house like to take control like that? Well, I salute thee!

“This is our Moment…”
By Lieutenant jg James Lionel Corgan
Security Officer, USS Galaxy

Location: Holodeck 1

The holodeck reflected the beauty of mid autumn in San Francisco. It was in a secluded grove of pink hued trees that Corgan practiced. He picked the scene for its familiar setting and tranquil atmosphere, both, which he needed to calm him.

The silky petals of the cherry blossom trees came down from the light breeze. Each pink petal floated lazily back to Earth, swaying back and forth without a care in its non-sentient life. There were so many of the rosy cherry petals floating down from the trees that it reminded Corgan of one of the rare snowfalls he witnessed on areas of Earth further north from San Francisco. The air was thick, the soft snowflakes of the trees carpeted the plush grass. This was fall, and Corgan was in the middle of a petal storm.

He liked the eerie calm and the feeling of the soft floor caressing his feet. He glided with ease across the carpet, a phaser rifle in hand, as he practiced swinging the firearm as if it was a close combat weapon. The wicked looking bayonet glistened from the small beam of sunlight that punched through the canopy and fluttering leaves.

Training in such a tranquil setting made Corgan almost forget his problems. Peaceful setting sometimes brought peaceful thoughts. He couldn’t explain how the falling petals soothed him, nor how the fragrant smell of the cherry blossoms brought with it a smile on his face, or how the soft ground gave relief to more than his aching feet. He just knew that somehow, the beautiful surrounding brought peace.

James was always suspicious of inner peace. For him, it meant he was either forgetting the lessons of the past, or he was being relaxed just enough to let his guard down. He was surprised that he could afford a few moments of relaxation, considering the voices and his former friends. Simply, he had almost no energy to fight his mental war. He needed to vent the negativity inside to recharge his spirit.

“Computer, one combatant, rifle fighting. Disable firing com

mands on all weapons during the simulation and set difficulty to level seven.” Lieutenant Corgan requested.

“Acknowledged.” The computer replied. Seconds later, a Jem’Hadar holding his phased polaron rifle appeared from the thin air. The enemy’s stare brought the Lieutenant’s blood to a hateful boil. He never forgot his hatred for his former enemy. He was ashamed to feel this way, knowing how hard it was to let go of years of propaganda and warfare. James tried to calm himself, remembering the effect the surrounding had earlier. It worked to calm himself, yet did not erase all of the prejudice he held for the Jem’Hadar warrior.

“Computer, begin match.” James ordered, then added calmly to the Jem’Hadar, “Shall we dance one last time, mister?”

The Jem’Hadar did not speak a word. It aimed its rifle right at Corgan’s chest. The holographic soldier bellowed it’s war cry and charged in for melee combat. James meet the Jem’Hadar’s scream with one of his own, yelling out an expression of torment and anger at his foe. He also ran at the Jem’Hadar. Their rifles slammed into each other, the bayonets locking the two weapons close.

James looked into the Jem’Hadar’s eyes like so many times during the war. For an unreal facsimile, the opponent emulated the intense stare of a Jem’Hadar perfectly. They knew no fear, felt neither anger nor remorse, and gave no quarter, all told by the look in their eyes. The Galaxy’s most efficient killers struck fear into the hearts of the most stalwart fighters in the Alpha Quadrant, but not Corgan. Fear didn’t often affect a person whose life was considered forfeit. The opponent’s cold stare did not make him waver, but made him more determined to win.

Corgan feigned a kick to the knee. The Jem’Hadar stepped his leg back, avoiding the disabling kick to the knee. Corgan pushed his rifle with all his might, and the Jem’Hadar stepped back to avoid falling over. The Jem’Hadar swung his rifle to the right, unlocking their stalemate, and then sweeping the butt of his rifle into James’s jaw. The Lieutenant saw the move coming, and he countered the stunning blow with the stock of his own firearm. He countered by thrusting his bayonet into the Jem’Hadar’s neck, but the foe was too quick. He easily sidestepped the stab, grappled the rifle with one hand, and slammed his rifle into Corgan’s face with the other. As James staggered back, the Jem’Hadar glanced a blow to his jaw, sending the officer reeling into the petal strewn earth below.

James shook off the ringing in his ears. He didn’t anticipate the opponent’s moves, or the setting Sanchez preferred in her program that was borderline holosafeties off. He saw the Jem’Hadar move in to finish him off. He smirked, knowing what to do next. When the Jem’Hadar got close enough, James lashed out his foot, kicking the hologram in the knee. The opponent grunted in pain as he heard a sickening crack. The Jem’Hadar stumbled back, favoring the injured knee with a limp.

James saw his opening come up. He jumped back into fighting position, his rifle back into his hands and ready to strike. He charged in defiantly, swinging the stock of the rifle into the Jem’Hadar’s exposed ribs. The hologram blocked the blow, then growled as James’ scored a cut on the opponent’s thigh.

His move served to strengthen the beleaguered soldier. The Jem’Hadar swung faster and harder, catching James’ shoulder with a blow. Corgan’s shoulder ached, but he was able to recover fast enough to block a downward swing to the head. The two fighters locked their rifles again, pushing and straining to gain the upper hand. James face looked like it was ready to panic. Sweat beaded off both combatants as they pushed, two titans were locked in a stalemate.

“You lose.” Corgan smiled, and winked. He saw a way to end the tie.

Luring the hologram into a false sense of security, James let the soldier push him back, then he poured his strength into shoving the Jem’Hadar away. The opponent stepped back from the surprising move, while James rammed the rifle into the Jem’Hadar’s gut. He wasted no time looking at the shocked look on the soldier’s face. He shot the butt end of the rifle at the Jem’Hadar’s face, slugging his jaw viciously.

The hologram fell to earth, dazed, confused and defeated by a lowly security officer from Starfleet. His rifle spun out of his hands and clattered near the trees of the grove. Leaves and petals puffed out from the displaced air, floating silently after the Jem’Hadar finished his crash course on falling. Seconds later, the soldier disappeared, swirling back into the holobuffers where it belonged.

=/\=”Player wins”=/\= The computer announced.

James panted hard from the exertion. The fight taxed his fatigue wracked body and worn down mind. He reached his critical point, where he couldn’t go on without pulling energy from a much deeper source. Resting couldn’t be avoided. Some days, it took exhausting everything he had to force himself to rest. He laid down on the inviting carpet of petals.

He felt whole and alive with energy, his hope renewed after the strain. There was hope for him after all to unwind, to let go of his grief and anger, if just for a moment a day. He fought too long and hard against himself. Didn’t he deserve a rest from the fighting?

Lady Lilith thought so. She sneaked into the holodeck while Corgan fought the Jem’Hadar soldier, drifting behind the trees and watching while he danced his ballet of destruction. She admired the refined brutality, the simple, efficient blows and the quickness of the match. She saw, in her latest victim, a remorseful soldier. So many has she seen in her lifetime, the takers of life, wandering about their own lives as if they should have lost their own. She knew the traps these soldiers fell into, the mindset that there was nothing left for them but to either fight, or die, for their cause or for other people, as long as they felt their lives were not wasted on bloodshed. It was a romantic notion to her, these soldiers whom tried to give their bloody profession some sort of redeeming factor. Self sacrifice was romantic to her. Remorse for taking life felt sensual in her mind. She encountered so many soldiers in her long lifetime. There was a unique taste to them she liked to savor. The right mix of sadness, regret, romanticism and redemption made for a delicious meal. She could smell it in his sweat. The highly emotional had a strong taste, especially when bottled up, then released.

The mental and physical high she felt was insatiable. As Corgan rested on the ground, she saw the grin on his face. She knew her magic was working on him. Like so many other men, some soldiers like him, she projected the very element Corgan seeked; a feeling of inner peace.

The fantasy was not complete enough for Lady Lilith’s liking. She was missing her final manipulation, her look. She remembered, from her partner Lord Vlad, of a woman they encountered a day earlier. She caught images of the woman as she empathetically sensed Corgan’s thoughts.

Shadows formed around her, creating the image for Corgan’s preference. She emerged from her dark hiding place a different woman. She became a dark haired mistress in a dangerously seductive black dress. Her face, pale with soft rosy cheeks, accented her soft brown eyes. The short dress showed off her perfectly long, untouched legs, standing on high heels the color of midnight. Her flawless hourglass figure melted into the dress, filling it perfectly with a well rounded behind and a bust that teased men wanting to see more. Adding a scent of jasmine perfume, she completed the lovely image. Lilith was ready to hunt.

Corgan heard a rustling in the bushes. He thought the program shut off all the computer opponents. “Computer, delete components.” He grinned.

=/\=”There are no computer opponents activated.”=/\=

“You have to wrong, computer.” James wistfully spoke, “I heard something in the bushes.”

Lilith emerged from the other end of the grove to surprise the Lieutenant. Casually, with the petals blowing around her, she gracefully walked up to the enraptured officer. James heard a soft scrunching noise from behind. He turned his head to see the lady.

She looked like a holofilm pried out of his head and put to real life. So real was her rendition of his fantasy that his eyes couldn’t believe the picture. The woman included the black dress Lexa embellished so perfectly before, that in fact, it dawned on James that she was, in a sense, Lexa.

“How?” James asked, “You can’t be her. How did you…”

Lilith kneeled close to James, her finger pressed on her lips as she made a sensual shushing sound. “Sssssssshhhhh…” She softly whispered, “Forget her. This is our moment. Enjoy it with me.”

James sat up, looking at the beautiful woman facing him. He knew it wasn’t Lexa, yet so deep was his yearning to be close to the mystery woman.

“Who are you?” He asked again.

Lilith crept closer, whispering into his ears the sweet song of lust. “Do not worry yourself with such trivialities. Come…” Her fingers brushed the back of Corgan’s neck, “Experience this closeness with me, for at least a little while.”

Her fingers trailed down his neck, slipping underneath the collar of his uniform. She circled around James, her finger tracing his collar up to the center of his chest. There, she hooked her finger into his shirt and slowly unzipped his uniform in one fluid movement.

“You’re not afraid, are you?” She asked.

“I… am afraid. This isn’t right. You can’t be real. You are not real. I must be asleep, or worse. Lexa wouldn’t do what you are doing right now. Please, stop.” James pleaded.

“Why would I want to do that?”

The vampriss came closer, her lips inches away from his face. He felt the urge as strongly as the solar winds. Whomever the woman was, she beckoned him to discover more, about her and himself, and how deep his passions can go.

“Am I not what you want?”

James couldn’t deny she was what she wanted, not in the person he needed. Lexa was his love, his secret affection. The reality was, this woman wasn’t Electra Reece. The real Lexa couldn’t show such affection. She was devoid of such deep love, as was Corgan who felt the same. She was an abomination, and anomaly questioning his feeling and defying his thoughts.

“You feel for me. Isn’t that enough?”

~”Yes, I do feel for her, but whatever you are, you can’t be her. This is too good to be true, that’s why.”~ James thought. He tried unlocking from her intensely fervent stare but it was of no use. He was trapped, without a reason or a method to let go.

“Forget her… and all your problems. This is our moment…”

He couldn’t resist any longer. He had to uncork his feeling in front of the stranger in Lexa’s body, but before he could, she kissed him softly on the lips. The kiss set off something inside of him, as if her kisses were made of pure honey. He wanted more, more of what she offered. His lips intertwined with her own, while he stroked her lustrous black hair and curved back. The scent of her perfume and the arousing feeling in his brain threatened to intoxicate the officer.

“You want something hard to seek. Seek, and you shall receive. Receive, and you shall have me.”

James lingered his kisses down to Lady Lilith’s neck. She craned her head back and sighed. He thought his skills in the art of lovemaking were rusty, and mostly untested, and used only once, but somehow Lilith responded to his every motion. She gently brushed his organ with her leg, letting it rise and grow from the heat of his desire.

“I can tell you want me. What is stopping you?”

Her teasing touch strained the last of Corgan’s feeble willpower. She wanted him to let go. Afraid of what would happen if he did, Corgan still held back for a moment, until he loosened the woman’s sexy black dress. The top of her dress fell loosely off of her, revealing her milky white breasts. Her hardened nipples took away the last of his attention and control. He licked the beautifully erect points with the tip of his tongue.

“Don’t hold back on me. Don’t let go of me. We desire each other… hhhhuuuuuu… why should we hold back?”

Lady Lilith tore at Corgan’s clothing, slipping off his undershirt and dress pants as he gave her lips and her legs some much needed attention. His shoes slipped off easily, but the pants took more effort. She noticed the tattoos, seeing the angel design she hasn’t seen in ages. James slipped the dress upwards, leaving a black sash on her belly while the rest of her was not covered, except for a pair of black panties.

“What are you waiting for? You want me, don’t you? Prove it to me.”

James laid down Lady Lilith. He used his teeth to pull off the last obstacle to his pleasure. The panties took off easily. She bent her legs and landed them onto his solid shoulders.

He wanted nothing more than to pleasure her. He crawled his way back to the fantasy woman, meeting her lips with his own while stroking her precious box. Their tongues darted, dodged and weaved each other in a game of titillating cat and mouse. To his surprise, he felt moisture grow between her legs. As soon as his fingers felt moist enough, Corgan slid two of them in. He smoothly moved the two fingers in and out, hooking one of the fingers to catch her pleasure spot. The move worked. Her moan drifted like a gentle wind upon his ears.

“Don’t be afraid to try something different. Huuuuuuhhhhh… hhhhmmmmm… I want you… to let goooooo… ”

Lilith rolled Corgan onto his back. He pulled his fingers out of her erogenous zone, as she picked herself up and tore off his briefs. He was amazed at how warm she felt as she lowered herself down. She bucked and flailed, riding the officer as a wave of pleasure throttled him. He groaned, not being able to suppress the sound. She took pleasure controlling the man that let her ride to her heart’s content, but her goal was still focused. She had to feed, and soon. To make the blood that much more rich, she had to feed at the right time.

The time was coming soon.

“See? Letting go isn’t so bad now, isn’t it? Ohhhhh… You’re enjoying this. C’mon… tell me… how much do you want me?”

“I want….” James hesitated, gritting his teeth as shivers of extasy traveled from his loins to his head, “Errrrrrr…. I want to f**k you ‘till desire tears you apart!”

“I expect the same from you… huuuhhhh huuuhhh…”

James wrested control of Lady Lilith. He leaned up while she temporarily stopped, grabbing her into a sitting position. He bucked spasmodically to keep the rhythm of their lovemaking going forward. While he thrust deeper into her body, the two lovers passionately kissed and stroked every pleasureful inch of their sweating, heated bodies. James never felt so alive since his encounter with Sotek, and just as guilty. His deeper moans matched her own. The minutes passed by like a dream, a wet dream Corgan didn’t feel like waking up from.

“Don’t… stop… you’re almost… huuuhhhohhhhhh…”

James felt the ever increasing pressure build up between his legs. He was about to explode, not able to contain the full extent of his arousal insider her warm crevice. Lilith sensed his impending orgasm. ~”There…”~ She thought, ~”Now is the time!”~

Her razor sharp fangs punctured deep into James Corgan’s neck. The instantaneous rush combined by the overloading sensation of her fangs made James explode into orgasmic fury. The pressure in his loins subsided, but that wasn’t the end of it. Lady Lilith didn’t stop. As she sucked his warm, flowing blood, she kept pushing herself in and out. His penis felt like every nerve was being stimulated, his neck feeling the same way as his groin. The feeling blocked out everything, her face, her beautiful body, the blossoming trees, everything was muted by ecstasy.

James screamed out his orgasm as he came, then from the overload of pleasure, he collapsed in exhaustion, slipping deeply into a dreamless trance.

Lilith, satisfied of the product she tapped, feed on him, savoring his crimson nectar for a long time…

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

He woke up from his strangely pleasant dream remembering nothing. The feeling never escaped him, it’s lingering touch staying long enough to give Corgan a sense of satisfaction. The leaves were still dropping, the fragrance of the grove tantalized his nose, and it was as it was before, a beautiful fall scenery in a cherry blossom grove.

He checked himself over, asking himself ~”What happened?”~. His uniform was still on, even zipped up. The practice rifle was leaned up against a neighboring tree, though he didn’t remember letting go of the weapon at any time. He wiped his brow with the sleeve of his shirt, removing much of the accumulated sweat. ~”Must have worked out pretty hand and fell asleep.”~ He reasoned. It was the only reason he could think of.

It could have been the dream, or the rush of adrenaline from fighting the Jem’Hadar, but somehow, his body was sedated enough to let the mind relax. He couldn’t explain the feeling, except that it felt good. He wanted an explanation, knowing that finding the answer was like trying to recall an important, life-altering dream that he forgot. The pieces were missing. No reason could be found for how he felt, but did he need any? Corgan let himself go. He didn’t need a reason. It felt good and that was that. What more could he ask for?

“Computer… what time is it?” He rasped.

“O three hundred hours.” The computer replied.

Whatever dream, exercise or combination of the two brought on this euphoria, it occurred two hours ago. James was surprised that he fell asleep for two whole hours on the holodeck, without anybody waking him up for a late night game of hoverball.

“Thanks. Computer, Arch.” Corgan groaned.

James picked himself off the ground, his head spinning from the sudden rise. The contentment felt earlier quickly faded into a more ill feeling. His head felt light and woozy, and his knees shook wildly. He walked toward the exit, stumbling with each step forward, feeling like his legs were weighed down with duranium ingots.

~”What’s happening to me? Am I drunk or something?”~ James thought. The Arch slid open. He stumbled out of the holodeck, finding not a single crewman in the halls. Three o’clock in the morning didn’t promise a lot of ship wide traffic. He was all alone. Nobody around to help him from falling to his knees. When he feel down, he crawled himself to the wall and propped himself up. The spinning in his head worsened, and he felt as weak as a newborn kitten. Even his stomach betrayed him, as he felt sick. With blurry vision and feeble limbs, he gathered enough strength to tap his comm.-badge.

“Corgan to sickbay…” The Lieutenant slurred, “Med… medical emergency. I can’t get up. I feel so tired, and my head’s spinning so bad I can barely see. I don’t know how this… happened. I’m just going to lay here… and rest. I feel… sick……….”

Back to the world of darkness he entered. He closed his eyes, and waited for his fugue to claim him.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lord Vlad was not impressed by Lady Lilith’s latest excursion. She found a young man from the first party of explorers to greet the couple. The victim was alone, during the ships after hours, in a more secluded area of the ship during such off hours. The victim was alone and easily manipulated. There couldn’t have been a more perfect opportunity for the hunt.

A perfect opportunity, with a not so perfect execution of plan. Lilith was too eager to feed on this one. Sometimes, her lust for the prey overwhelmed the Sanguinarian to more extreme feeding frenzies. Being on a ship with so many to choose from, most of the people so easy to entrance, it was hard to keep down the vampire’s enthusiasm. Lord Vlad was looking forward to sampling Lilith’s prey, until he found out she didn’t leave enough for him.

“Lilith,” Lord Vlad scolded as he watched the security officer faint outside the holodeck, “What have I told you about the hunt?”

“Come on, Vlad. You should have tasted his blood.” Lady Lilith played with a piece of her dark hair coyly, “It was hot and passionate. Kind of had a spicy taste to it. You can tell he’s a thinker who taps into his darker thoughts. It tasted like an artist, while at the same time he had that boiling tang of a soldier, you know what I mean?”

“Lilith… what did I tell you?” Vlad repeated.

Lilith rolled her eyes, “You told me to be careful. What about it? Wasn’t I careful enough?”

“What about it?!?” Lord Vlad growled, catching Lady Lilith’s throat. She gagged as Vlad’s hand slowly threatened to crush her windpipe, his burning hatred searing into Lilith’s fearful eyes, “I told you not to tap these meatsacks anymore than you should! Now that boy toy of yours called their doctors. Do you know what will happen if they discover why he is sick, and where all that blood went to? We’ll be sought out and driven away! The hunt will be over!”

“Myyyy lorrrrd… I am sooorrryyy… huuuuugggghhhh…” Lady Lilith gasped for breath, finding none due to Vlad’s strong grip.

“My dear…” Vlad looked down on his mistress with disdain, “You have to be more careful. Don’t let the bloodlust overtake you. Keeping our secret is as important as the hunt itself. Do you understand me, my dearest?” “Hhhhhuuugugggggggggg…” Lilith struggled for air. Her strong hold to loosen Lord Vlad’s choking hand lost its grip. Her face pitched forward, her arms hanging loosely like branches.

“Good… and next time, save some for me.” Vlad flung Lady Lilith into the wall. She crumpled back, coughing in spasms. Her gasps for breath were loud and rushed. “Come on Lilith. We have to leave before the doctors arrive. I’ve had enough for tonight and so have you.”

Lord Vlad disappeared into the shadows. Lady Lilith picked up her grace and composure, standing up after her coughing fit. She followed the lead of Lord Vlad, taking refuge in the ship’s darkness.

((Happens after Autumn returns to the ship))

"Mental fatigue and picnics"
By Autumn Jamieson.

Autumn stepped clear of the transporter pad and looked about her. After being dismissed she walked off to her office with a mind full of puzzles.

Stalking past her fellow officers she nodded briefly as a couple called out greetings. She stepped into her office and groan audibly at the sight of the paper work. Her brain was slowly shutting down by itsself and she needed to concentrate on what was happening on the ship and then there was her so confused personal life....

She glanced at her chrono.. Two hours til Wilhem got off shift. She thought back to the ship and Gary's odd behaviour. Something wasn't right. Those people weren't right....

She sat down and pulled the first PAdd towards her. For the two hours she worked almost solidly only pausing when a report was dropped onto her desk.

Smiling at the ensign as she left Autumn returned to ehr work. At the end of Gamma she stood and streached and then composed a message to Wilhem.

To Wilhem
From Autumn.

Was wondering if you'd like to join me for a picnic dinner on holodeck one? No one else.. Just us. meet me there as soon as you can if you are up to it love. Hugs. Autumn.

"Computer send message."
Computer: Acknowldged.

Autumn then left her office and headed for her quarters to get changed into something better suited for a picnic in the woods.

"Near miss"
By Dr Autumn Jamieson ACMO USS Galaxy
Lord Vlad. Visiting vampire.

Autumn walked quickly down the corridor to her office as she turned the corner she spotted a tall dark haired figure outside her door. She moved faster hoping that it would be Wilhem but as she neared the man turned and there was Lord Vlad. 'Drat' she thought as she schooled her features to show pleasant surprise. "Why Lord Vlad what brings you to my office?" she asked as she drew level with the tall man.

"Dr Jameison I wondered if I could have a moment of your time?" He bowed to her and took her hand and kisses the back of it.

Autumn disengaged her hand from his grip and gave a gracious nod. "Of course Lord Vlad." She motioned to her office door. "Please have a seat." She said after they both had entered her office. She took her seat behind her desk and waited for him to speak.

"Dr you and your people tested the lady Lillith and myself after our arrival on this ship.. in fact you yourself was present when we met the young Lt Trabuco on our transport. I was wondering if you had found anything during your scans?" "Scans were inconclusive Lord Vlad as you yourself said that they would be." She gave him a smile the words of warning from Jessie and Wilhem running through her mind. She wondered what he wanted. Whatever it was she wasn't sure she wanted to pay the price.

Vlad's eyes flicked over the young woman's form. He knew what she and her friends had been talking about.. he had over heard the warnings the man had given her and what that red haired girl had said. Part of him wanted to make that man worry about this one.. but as he knew she was quiet able to look after herself. "Dr.. may I call you Autumn it would be easier.." Autumn gave a nod and leant back in her chair trying not to look into his eyes.

"Autumn I know that this must puzzle you as a doctor not understanding why myself and Lillith do not show up on your technology.." Autumn smiled at him. "There are many things in this universe Lord Vlad that technology can not explain.. Your species is merely one of them." Vlad stood up testing her attitude towards him and what she thought of his kind. "Then you must understand why it gets tiresome to us to be poked and prodded like your people did before." He moved closer and Autumn watched him. Gently and slowly he reached out to her face with one hand and slowly Autumn's mind began to respond to his slow seduction. He moved closer to her and Autumn automatically stood up. His hand touched her face and her eyes fell shut and he began to work on her mind.

Deep in her mind Autumn was praying for the strength to stop this from happening. She managed to gasp out at him. "I know what you are.. I don't need scans to tell me that¡K" Vlad drew her closer to him and then backed her up against the wall. "You may know but be warned little one.. I can break you and then remake you." Autumn fought the drowsiness in her mind trying to stay level headed but Vlad pushed his advantage. He pinned her hands to her sides and made her open her eyes. Opening them she found herself pinned by a gaze that bespoke power.

"You and your friends know to much.. I should get rid of you but I find myself drawn to you child." "I am not a child." She said softly as she tried to collect her thoughts and she tried to raise her hands as to push him away. He smiled evilly down at her.

'I like games of cat and mouse and I think you make the perfect mouse' she heard in her mind. He slowly pushed her head to the side and lowered his mouth and Autumn gave out a strangled sob. He bared his fangs and was about to bite into her neck when Autumn's com beeped. Vlad jumped away and headed for the door while Autumn's hand touched the badge slowly. Her eyes followed the retreating back of Lord Vlad and she finally managed to articulate the words of "Jameison here." It was a near miss and she defiantly didn't want to go through that again. "Yes Ensign just send it down and I'll read it later. Jamieson out." Vlad paused at the door and turned to watch her. After she had finished he smiled showing her his canines. "This isn't over little one.. by the time we have finished you will not resist or get away so easily." And then he was gone. Autumn slumped to the floor of her office and didn't move.

**********************************************************************
((. OOC: 2 : the line "I can break you and remake you" is borrowed from my friend Jeremy 'Savage' Meyer, A man who to my mind when he wants to can personify the word Vampire.))

"Frame of Reference."
By Lt. Commander Peterson
Chief Science Officer

Peterson and three other officers who had been on the derelict Tamarian vessel transported back to the familiar surroundings of the Galaxy's number two transporter room. Being in the musty atmosphere made the air on the Federation starship seem sweet, something they all noticed from one degree to another.

"How's it going 'Chief'?" Kent said as he stepped off the transporter pad.

Jensen - who was usually in Transporter Room Three - gave the chief scientist a nod. "Fine, sir. You know, the usual."

Kent smiled. "What's ever 'usual' about being on this ship?"

The transporter chief smirked. He had been stationed on the Galaxy for almost as long as anyone else and he had seen his shared of 'adventure'. "I hear you, sir."

*****

The laboratory doors parted to reveal a variety of specialists that had converged on the single laboratory. There were people from linguistics, anthropology, sociology, and archaeology - all were lending their assistance in the cataloguing and interpretation of information that had been collected from the derelict Tamarian vessel by the various away teams that traveled to and fro.

News that the Tamarain government had been informed of the Galaxy's find had reached the ship after Starfleet Command notified them. There was no sense of urgency as Kent had predicted since the nearest Tamarian vessel was at least three days away. While that meant they were free to continue studying the find, it also meant that under no circumstances would they be permanently removing artifacts from the ancient starship. That of course did not apply to their new guests, the Sanguinarians.

In the far end of the laboratory was Lieutenant Rose MacAllen, working quietly as she usually did, except when she was surrounded by either Wilhelm Quevvenson or Autumn Jamieson. This was her first big chance to prove herself as project leader, especially since archaeology was her 'baby'.

"How's it going Lieutenant?"

Rose looked a little sheepishly at Kent - which was usual for her - but put that down to the fact that she had not gotten to know him well. It was an odd dynamic, one that he had no problem overcoming with many of the other scientist he regularly interacted with.

"Fine 'Commander," she finally responded.

He glanced over at the console she was working on before moving himself out of what could be considered an 'extended personal space'. It did not help ease the tension he felt from her, but there was only so much he could do.

"Have you made any headway with the search parameters that Commander Thomas requested?"

Rose handed him a PADD. "We've managed to find some information on the planet they mentioned, but there is still no luck tracking down mentions of the Sanguarians or their travels prior to the Tamarian vessel."

"Are the databases incomplete?"

MacAllen set up a few parameters before looking towards Kent and answering him. "That is possible, but without narrowing down the search parameters further, it could take a while at this rate."

"I'll speak with Lieutenant Commander Savat about organizing the possibility of interfacing with their central computer. Perhaps that might give a start on their activates before joining the Tamarian crew."

"I've been thinking about that sir," Rose said as Kent prepared to leave. He stopped, moving closer to her to hear what she had to offer in the way of suggestions. "If the Sanguinarians traveled on the Tamarian vessel, has anyone asked them if they actually speak or understand the language."

The idea seemed to be obvious, though no one, including Peterson, had thought about that. It was not as though their guests were forthcoming and volunteered whether or not they understood the unique linguistic structure of the Tamarian people.

"That's not a bad idea. Actually, that's something I don't think anyone's thought about asking the," Kent said, trying to sound encouraging, hoping that might alleviated some of the tension she felt towards him. "If you had a moment, you might wish to stop by and ask them."

"Me!?" Rose protested with her soft voice.

"Or send Roy around there," the chief scientist said before turning to the Human lieutenant working near the Betazoid scientist. "You're not that busy are you?"

Lieutenant Roy shook his head. "No, it's up to you Rose."

Kent nodded. "Then I'll leave it in your capable hands."

*****

"Dircala at Berliega?" Kent said, as he looked at the information the Lieutenant Commander T'Zaq had brought him from the Captain. The chief scientist tried to make sense of the metaphor.

T'Zaq stood quietly in the Chief Science Officer's office, the assistant engineering chief allowing Peterson to gather his thoughts for a few moments and he played the words in his mind, over and over.

Finally he looked over at the half-Vulcan lieutenant commander, "There's nothing familiar to me."

"Nothing?" she asked.

"It could be a metaphor that isn't commonly used or possibly even a reference to some obscure mythological reference."

T'Zaq moved from her position near one edge of the lieutenant commander's desk to the other. "Does it correspond to any of the phrases you, or the other away team members, encountered while on the Tamarian vessel."

Kent leaned back in his chair, playing the words over and over again. Still unable to make any headway, he shook his head. "Not that I can recall. To be honest, we haven't been through all of the information. And what we have is limited by our lack of understanding. The Tamarian language is incredibly complex, and without a frame of reference, it is unlikely we could determine the equivalent in English."

T'Zaq said nothing, but Peterson realized his pro-English speaking 'faux pas'.

"Or even Vulcan equivalent," he said, trying to save himself from offending the Vulcan-Human engineer. "I wouldn't have a clue how to make head or tail of this ..." he began, pausing for a moment before his facial features relaxed in response to a thought, "but perhaps I know someone that can."

The female lieutenant commander nodded. "I shall inform the Captain."

"In the meantime," Kent added, "if I could impose on you 'Commander ... if you could give Lieutenant Rose MacAllen and her team access to the message, even drag in Lieutenant Quevvenson if he's free, I'll look at other possibilities."

"Understood."

As the doors parted for T'Zaq to leave the chief scientist's office, Kent took stood, straightened his uniform and prepared to leave. Reaching across his chest he tapped his communicator, "Peterson to Mitchell."

["Go ahead,"] the Bajoran scientist responded.

"Could you please visit our Borg 'ambassador'," he said sarcastically, still getting over the idea of a permanent Borg presence on the Federation starship, "and see if she can elaborate on a what the Borg know of the Tamarian language."

["Aye, sir."]

"I'll ..." Kent said, pausing a moment, "meet you there."

["Understood. Mitchell out."]

The channel closed with the assistant science chief - the warbled beep from the computer indicating that very fact.

"Hostage!"

You know it had to happen! It was an opportunity I just couldn't pass up! We cannot have sexy vampires onboard this ship, running amok and handing out sexual experiences without bumping into Leo Streely! ;)

Time: Shortly after the Vampires have been onboard this ship

Location: Ten Foreword (or enroute to it, anyhow.)

(Previously: If you don't know vampires are on the ship, ya been living in a cave. In addition to that, Leo and Raven have just discovered the identity of that old geezer back in my first post for this mission. Leo is on his way to confront the creepy old priest about his prophetic statement of:"Something wicked this way comes.")

Here we go.....

"I got ya now ya creepy old bastard!" Leo thought to himself as he marched down the hall, then looked up to the heavens and added:" No offense meant with the bastard thing, all right? I know he's a man of the cloth and all, OK, but sometimes I get excited there big guy."

Seeing that he wasn't going to be struck down by a thunderbolt, he continued down the hall.

"Computer, locate the Reverend Isaac Stoker, OK?"

[THE REVEREND STOKER OK IS NOT A KNOWN CREW MEMBER]

Leo skidded to a stop and thrust his fist in the air.

"Oh everyone's a wise ass now. Even the machines, eh? Ya know your lucky your not real, OK. I'd have to get 20th century on ya and hand you your warp coils. What would ya say to that, huh? Not so funny now are ya?"

Leo jumped as red lights began to flash.

[THREATS TO THIS SHIP AND HER CREW WILL RESULT IN NOTIFICATION OF SECURITY AND PROBABLE DETENTION.]

"All right, all right! Let's not over react now! What is it, that time of the month? Sheesh. Heavy flow of plasma coolant or something? Lets just try this again. Computer...please locate Reverend Isaac Stoker."

[THE REVEREND STOKER HAS BEEN LOCATED.]

Leo tapped his foot on the carpet. "You wanna tell me where he is now?"

[REVEREND STOKER IS IN THE TEN FOREWORD]

"Perfect! Home field advantage! " Leo yelled, breaking out into his trademark scamper.

[YOUR WELCOME]

*** Ten Foreward ***

"Do ya see him?" Leo asked.

"See who?" Jago Jones, ten foreword manager asked.

"That creepy guy." Leo replied, peering from around the corner of the bar where he was hiding.

"Leo, we're on a space ship with 1000s of people, some of whom look like aliens straight out of a science fiction movie. You'll have to be a little more specific. We have a lot of creepy people onboard."

"You may have a point there." Leo conceded.

"I know I have a point. Ain't no maybe about it. So who are we looking for?"

"He's creepy! You can't miss him! Gray hair, funny eyes. Babbling endlessly." Leo said waving his hands in the air for emphasis.

"You mean the priest?" Jones said.

"The priest?"

"Why do you repeat everything I say? Yes, the priest. He was just in here looking for you."

"Where did he go?"

"How should I know where a priest goes when he's not out priesting. Maybe he's out collecting alms for the poor or something."

"Oh, that's just swell, OK. Now how am I gonna find.."

"He left you a message."

"A message?"

"Your doing it again. The repeating thing." Jones said, handing Leo a folded piece of what appeared to be parchment. The little man opened it and read the words scripted inside.

"The darkness has descended. we must act swiftly I will find you this evening.

"That's it?"

"That's it." Jones repeated.

OK, thanks boss! I gotta run now!" Leo said as he started to walk away but was stopped by Jago's grip on his collar.

"Not so fast there stud. In case you didn't notice, we have kind of a crowd here today. Wouldn't hurt to have you help out for a little while. "

"What's going on?" Leo asked straining his neck to peek through the crowd of assembled people in the bar.

There, holding court in the center of the throng of crewmen, were the Sanguinarian guests. Leo's eyes fixed on Vlad. His chiseled features. His almost rugged good looks. ~Kinda looks like the Marlboro Man from them old cigarette commercials ~ Leo thought.

He shook his head from side to side. ~What the hell is the matter with me? Admiring another guy! ~

Then his eyes fell upon Lilith.

He almost dropped the bottle of vintage ale he was holding.

"She....is....hot." Leo said tugging at his collar.

"Oh, I know. Believe that." Jago Jones replied with a dreamy smile.

Leo couldn't take his eyes off the woman. He had never seen such long golden red hair. So long it fell past her shapely bottom and swirled when she moved like the rays of a sun.

Absentmindedly he reached down and began munching on a garlic stick from the platter in front of him. Crumbs spewed from his face as he imagined the woman's short and slender legs wrapped around his ears.

Lilith was toying with a lock of her curly hair and turned her attention to Leo and their gazes locked. She smiled broadly and then winked at him.

"D..D..Did you see that?" he asked excitedly as he patted Jago's arm. "She winked at me!!"

Jones tore his gaze from the woman's flawless black skin and laughed. "I don't think you could handle her, little man. She's damn near three times your size. Better leave the large girls to the trained professionals." Jones said as he smiled, lost in a private fantasy.

Leo's mamma didn't raise no fool, however, and when opportunity presents itself, Leo springs into action. This time was no different. He promptly hefted the platter full of delicacies into his arms.

"Now where are you runnin off to?" Jones asked.

"The master is goin to work, OK? Keep an eye on me. You just may learn something here.' Leo said as he shuffled off into the crowd.

"Scuse me! Pardon me! Watch Out! Comin through! For Price's sake, clear a hole! The Lady is hungry, all right!"

"Truer words were never spoken." Lilith purred with a southern accent. She had slipped away from her admirers and stepped in front of Leo while Vlad entertained the crowd.

"Oh..hey..hi..I was just admiring your rack, I mean..I was in the back. There. Back in the thing." he said, mesmerized by the woman's smile.

"I know. I could see you."

"I hope you weren't offended by my leering. I was just ..admiring your beauty, ass..I mean ambassador. Sorry. I'm a little nervous." he said

"That is because you want to take my clothes off."she said seductively.

"Yes! No! I mean yes, but no..ah..I was just..Oh man."

"That's all right. I want to take your clothes off too." she said, moving closer to him. Leo was starting to sweat now, uncertain if he was awake or if he fell and hit his head and was currently languishing in a coma in sickbay.

"You do? Well, of coarse you do...I mean..I just.."

"Then I want to have sex with you until my body is covered with rug burn or until I am unable to stand up. Is that OK with you?" she said grabbing his crotch. He shivered under her touch.

"OH! OH! AH! Wha..what about the people here in the..i mean..we cant just...for all to see.."

"Then I will want you to shave me." she said, her breath hot against his face.

"OK. I'm in!" Leo said with a smile, grabbing another garlic stick and tossing the tray on the floor, sending fingering..I mean finger foods all over the carpet. (sorry. caught up in the moment.- Joe)

She took the garlic stick from his hand and began to run it across his lips playfully before allowing him to munch on it until just the end was sticking out of his mouth.

She leaned foreword...

Her fingers in his hair...

And kissed him, wrapping her lips coyly around the garlic stick.

Then she shrieked.

Loudly. And shoved Leo violently away from her, turned her head and started wretching, her hair covering her face like a golden curtain. Leo was brought back into reality by this and moved toward Lilith, part upset, and part curious at what prompted her response.

"Hey! What was that all about, huh? What happened to rug burn and shaving each other? Are you OK? he asked as he moved closer.

"Get away from me!" she growled, her voice seemingly loosing her southern charm.

"What did I do? You know you women are all the same. Yes! Yes! Yes! Then its .." he started.

Lilith whipped her head up and Leo was horrified. Her creamy peach skin had been replaced with ragged gray and green scales that barely hid the rotting skull underneath. Her long golden hair was now a mane of serpents, seemingly sprouting from her head. A red forked tongue flickered around her missing lips as gnats flew from her mouth as she spoke.

"GET AWAY FROM ME!!"

"JEEZUS CHRIST ON A CHARIOT DRIVEN CRUTCH!!! "Leo screamed. He blinked and the beautiful southern woman was back now as if he had imagined the terrible image just for a split second.

"Move back." Vlad's strong voice said as he pulled Leo aside and attended to Lilith, speaking in their own foreign tongue.

Leo was dumbfounded. "All I did was share a garlic stick with her." he said looking down at the shiny surface of the platter on the floor.

He froze.

There in the silver reflective surface of the tray was his own reflection. Clear as day.

His was the only reflection.

Lilith and Vlad cast no reflection. It was as if they weren't even there.

"My people strongly dislike the taste of..what you call garlic. We make a practice of avoiding it."Vlad said helping Lilith to her feet and over to a chair, where the rest of the crowded people seemed eager to cater to them.

Leo didn't even notice. His mind was working a mile a minute.

No reflection.

Hates Garlic.

~VAMPIRES!!! ~ he concluded, then raced over to the bar where Jago was laughing.

"Did you see that? Did you see what she did?!" Leo asked panicky.

Jones still laughed. "She slapped you, ya fool. I told you a woman like that is too much for you."

'Slapped ..what are you..who are you looking at?"

"That beautiful black woman over there Leo. What kind of game are you playing?" Jones asked.

"Black woman?" Leo repeated as he looked over at Lilith. Sure enough, her hair was golden like before and her skin creamy and white. he turned back to Jago.

"Get back in your office and seal off the ten foreword!"

"What?! What about the people in here? Are you crazy?"

"Seal it off quietly, so nobody can leave! Hurry!"

"I'm not gonna hold these people hostage just because you got slapped."

"Listen to me! there's trouble here! Trust me!" Leo pleaded. He slapped his combadge.

"Hey Darkstar! Are ya there? Its an emergency!"

[Leo, take the time to learn how to operate a badge properly. What do you want?]

"Get down to the 10-4 immediately! We have trouble! Bring your ass kicking boots!" Leo said watching the doors to the bar slide shut nonchalantly.

{If this is another of your games, I will make it my life's mission to..]

"Hurry! No game!" Leo said closing the channel, never taking his eyes off the Sanguinarians.

"You better be right about this." Jones said.

Leo paid him no mind.

~I got you now, ya creepy bastards! ~ he thought.

"Someone To Depend On."
by

Petty Officer Tyrola Lomax, Engineering

Chief Petty Officer Joseph Reynolds, Security NPC

***Deck 32, Section Gamma, Crew Quarters***

Tyrola yawned a little as she once again looked over the data on her console. It had been perhaps a year since she had given in to fate and decided that since her job in the 'Fleet was secure that she would say there. Therefore she had begun to investigate possibilities within Starfleet itself. It was during these investigations that she had unearthed the Starfleet Officer's Entrance Examination. The theory behind this concept was that not all officer candidates required 4 years of training. For example there were those who had gained experience with other fleets, through other educational establishments other than Starfleet Academy - and of course there were those enlisted personnel with over 2 years experience. Tyrola Lomax had served in the enlisted ranks of Starfleet for three and a half years.

However, there was a catch. The candidate required a sponsor. Simple enough? Well not exactly, they had to be sponsored by either an Academy instructor whom had taught at the Academy for over 4 years, or a senior officer of a Starship or Starbase ranking Lieutenant Commander or above. Now, that in itself was fair enough. However, there was more. This sponsor had to be able to provide evidence of the candidate's ability to serve as an officer and their capability to serve in a variety of functions in the candidate's chosen department. Now, in Ty's opinion the examination should be the thing to test the latter few condtions, however, she could not change the rules.

Ty doubted if she could convince one of the senior staff of the Galaxy to sponsor her, doubted indeed if any of the officer's aboard the Galaxy COULD sponsor her and give evidence of her performance and capabilities. However, she never had been one to give up easily...

"Hey, Ty! You've been fiddling with that console for two hours! Don't you get enough of that sort of thing during the day?"

Ty had to let the smile that built up surface as she turned to her room-mate. She had been surprised that the Galaxy's enlisted quarters only housed two personnel each. The Hope had enlisted quarters that left 4 personnel sharing, and little space for privacy. Obviously the Galaxy class had been designed by one of those enlisted personnel who got fed up with room-mates walking all over their stuff.

"Normally I do, but this is...well interesting." Ty shrugged and slouched back into her chair with a heartfelt sigh.

Her room-mate - one Chief Petty Officer Joeseph Reynolds - who had been sprawled across the sofa with limbs hanging off while reading some PADD or another now stood slowly with a bit of stretching and walked across to where Ty sat next to her desk. "Not another pornographic novel, I hope."

Ty turned back to the console with a light giggle. "No, no, I only read those when you're not around." She felt Joe's head rest on her shoulder and look at the screen.

"Oh well," Joe scanned the console for a moment. "What have we here, an officer-in-waiting?" He chuckled a little.

"Well, if I'm going to be hanging around the 'Fleet for a while I thought it would be nice to..." She turned to him and grinned. "Order around lowly CPOs like you."

Joe nudged Ty playfully in the shoulder. "You're one to talk, PETTY OFFICER Lomax."

The inevitable tickling match ensued and after a lot of giggling, rolling around and screaming the two lay on the floor exhausted. Staring at the ceiling Ty sighed.

"You know, sometimes I wish you weren't gay, Joe."

Joe propped himself up on one elbow and looked at her, half-smiling, half-raising an eyebrow. "Am I really THAT irresistable?"

"Well, yeah." She looked over at him and winked. "I mean you have a handsome face, nice body. You're playful but know when to care and be serious. And most of all you know how to hug and cuddle." She giggled.

Joe shook his head lightly and grinned. "And you've deduced this all in a week?"

Ty grinned. "I was always told I should be in counselling, quick judge of character me."

Joe laughed and moved closer to her and rested his head on her shoulder looking at her face. "You know what?"

Ty looked at his expectantly.

"Sometimes I think that it might work out with you - that is, if I was to go for a woman." He kissed her lightly on the cheek and smiled.

Ty grinned. "Well I suppose that's something, however that doesn't change one thing..."

"What's that?"

Joe didn't have time to prepare himself for the fresh onslaught of tickling from his companion. Giggling he moved back and fought back against Ty. They attacked each other for some 5 minutes before Ty's head met with the coffee table. They looked at each other for a moment then burst into uncontrollable bouts of laughter. When Ty calmed down enough to breath properly she propped herself up against the sofa and Joe did the same against the chair opposite.

"You know how I've told you over this last...well it's only been a week but I've told you often enough that I never look for a guy?" Ty looked up at Joe who was looking at her, curious to where this line of conversation was leading.

"Well, I think I ran into him today by pure coincidence." She smiled, feeling a little foolish. "James Mitchell. He's in Science and is at least part Bajoran. We were assigned together when I was over on that Tamarian ghost ship and well we got to know each other quite quickly under the circumstances. He seems like a realyl nice man, and he happens to be quite good-looking which is also a bonus."

Joe was grinning at her when she looked up again. "So ask him to dinner or something, or even just to...I dunno...help you perfect a holo-program or something." Joe shrugged.

"You know," She paused, looking pensive. "I might just do that." She leant over to Joe and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Just no trying to steal him from me." She winked.

Joe laughed a little as he got to his feet. "Well, I'll try not to, but I just have that natural charm that guys go for..."

Ty giggled and allowed Joe to help her to her feet.

"Anyway, since we're both back over to that Tamarian heap of junk for Beta shift - and it's now..." He looked at the chronometer he always wore round his wrist. "0500??" He raised an eyebrow. "Didn't think it was that late - anyway, bed time." Joe still hadn't figured out why security personnel were being sent onto the vessel every so often. Surely the vessel was secure? Or maybe his team leader was simply fed up with him again and it seemed like a good excuse to get rid of him for a few hours or so. Either way he was over there for the whole of Beta shift as far as he knew.

"I suppose you're right." Ty went over to the desk and shut down the console there.

"Of course, I'm always right, Spots."

Ty rolled her eyes and headed for her room. "You need to find a more imaginative name for me, Joeseph darling."

Joe smiled a little as he walked into his own room. "I'll work on it!" He called through to Ty. "Nite, babe!"

"G'Nite!"

Joe's light went off, and a few minutes later that of Ty followed. The dark silent room was empty...however both occupants had an unnerving sense that there was a presence jsut before sleep claimed them.

"Torture on the Bridge"
By Lieutenant jg Electra Reece
Assistant Chief Operations Officer

Lexa sat at ease at the OPS console, her hands holding the sides as she watched the read-outs. She had been on duty for two hours and was feeling disconnected and very thirsty. She really wanted to chew on some ice. It was an intense craving. She sat at the station and tried to control her shaking hands. She smiled as she looked down and saw the colored lights on her panel.

~ Ummmm, my throat is dry. But I don't want water. I want ice. Hard ice. Chunks of it. Cubes. Chewing it. Crunching. Ice. Ice. Ice. ~

She shook her head. ~ What am I thinking? This is crazy. Why do I want to chew on ice? Hard, cold ice. Flooding my mouth with ... Stop it! Focus, Lexa, focus. Stellar Cartography is requesting more time at the lateral sensor array and so is Archaeology. Alright if I send a message to Engineering requesting more power to those sensors, I can schedule both in and the sensors, with more sensitivity will be able to work, with emphasis on the latter team, as our primary mission at the moment. They need to work on understanding that ship. Affirmative reply, engineering will do it. Now I just send the acknowledgments to the departments and tell them about the other. ~

Lexa looked over her panel and seeing no other urgent business her mind began wandering again. Her eyes blurred and she blinked. She shivered, pushing away the craving for ice, once more. With every minute the feeling was getting stronger. The desire for ice, the need to chew it, overpowered her mind. She held on to the sides of her console, refusing to give in.

~ Ice, cold, hard between my teeth ... NO!!! What is my problem? I don't even like ice. I get most cold drinks without the rocks. But it would taste so sweet and hard as I wrapped my teeth around it ... Stars!!! Stop it. Focus. Don't think about ice. Think about ... the ship. It has been drifting for so long, those people alone so along, asleep. The ship drifted for centuries through the cold vacuum, particles of water vapor freezing on the hull, frozen water, ice ... ummmmm, ice. ~

Lexa shook her head again, focusing on her panel as another request for power came through.

******** Four Hours Later ********

Lexa's hands shook as she pressed buttons on her console. Unable to wait for her replacement, she rose unsteadily to her feet and waved Lieutenant Uhura over to take her station. She mumbled that she was needed elsewhere and her duty log was turned in. The Lieutenant nodded and sat down, shrugging her shoulders at the eccentric behavior of her department's assistant chief.

Lexa walked slowly, watching her feet, the bridge seeming to spin around her a bit. She entered the turbolift. "Ten Forward." The lift began its descent only to stop moments later.

[ Ten Forward has been shut down under a Security protocol. Please state new destination. ]

"Take me to the closest public replicator."

The lift began moving again and soon the doors opened near a mess hall. Lexa stumbled in and demanded of the nearest replicator, "Give me a juice glass filled with ice chips only." The machine beeped and the glass appeared. Lexa grabbed it and dipped her fingers inside. She slumped into the nearest chair, chewing on the ice. She sighed, finally happy after the last six hours of torture. She still didn't know where this powerful craving had come from but she couldn't ignore it any more.

"Dircala at Berliega!"
By Lt Rose Isis MacAllen, Science Officer head of Archology

**Science Lab**

Rose was downloading the information that Lt Commander Peterson and Commander Thomas got from the ship. As it was finishing downloading she was talking to some of the crewmen about what been going on around the ship.

As she was talking Elizabeth Statham, one of her close friends and an Ensign in her depterment looked up with a shocked look, "Lt MacAllen it been download!"

Rose looks at Elizabeth and grins while walking towards her computer station, Rose sits down in front computer and watched her eyes grow bigger.

"Dircala at Berliega, what does that mean Rose?" Elizabeth asked her head officer while other from the Archology department walked around the computer station.

"Ok guys get your head together on this, I know that Berliega is an place, an ancient city on Tamaria where castles and mansion estates were many hundered of year ago." Rose said walking around as her fellow co-workers looked on putting there heads together.

Lorraine Jennifer Ronald who is an Linguistics officer looked at her leader and friend, "I do believe that Dircala is maybe the name man it roughly translated "dark one".

Rose looked at her co-worker, "Oh my gods I heard of a folklore of that...it was writen..Computer download the Tamarian legend of "Dircala at Berliega."

"Finding a Friend"
By Lieutenant jg Electra Reece
Assistant Chief of Operations

Time: 0100
Place: Mess Hall

Lexa sat munching on ice, her eighth glass full. She had been here since she had gotten off of bridge duty around 2130. She had spent the last few hours crunching on ice chips and thinking about her dream of the night before, where she had talked to her father. She had woken with a fulfilling feeling of well being but now, she just felt incredibly lonely.

She finished her glass of ice and looked up. There was no one in the room and Lexa looked back down at the table. She sighed. "Computer, location of James Corgan."

[ James Corgan is in sickbay. ]

Lexa’s eyebrows rose. Sickbay? What was he doing there? She leaned back in her chair and ordered another glass from the replicator behind her. She recycled her other glasses and walked unsteadily to the door and down the corridor to the turbolift.

"Sickbay." The doors wished closed and the car began its winding way through the walls of the ship to the nearest lift exit to the medical bay.

The doors opened and Lexa walked down the corridor and into the desired room. She looked around, trying to focus the spinning room.

A nurse came over to her. "Can I help you, 'lieutenant?"

Lexa looked at her. The woman’s face seemed black around the edges. "Yes … I’m here to see … James … Corgan. The computer … said he was … here." The nurse stared at Lexa in concern as her words slurred slowly from her mouth.

"Is he …," the words trailed off as the blackness spread from the sides of the nurse’s face to cover it and Lexa slumped calmly to the ground, laying her head against the rug. "Sorry," she moaned. She reached a hand that didn’t want to obey her for her tumbled glass of ice. "I … can’t … I … feel … so … tired." Lexa turned onto her back and gazed at the nurse now kneeling above her.

"Doctor! We have a problem here!" were the last words that Lexa heard before she lost her last grip on consciousness.

NRPG: Took place a long time ago. At least before Karyn got promoted to Commander and Second Officer, and before Michael demoted to the regular cast of Engineers (instead of being Asst. Chief Engineer).

"The Nearness of You - Part I"

Commander Karyn Dallas RN
Chief Counselor/RN & Second Officer

Lt. Michael McDowell
Assistant Chief Engineer

Michelle Crawford
Physical Therapist, NPC
USS Galaxy

***Gymnasium, USS Galaxy***

"That's it, Kar, pull down with your arms not your back," instructed Michelle, Karyn's physical therapist. Karyn was using the lat pull machine to maintain her upper body strength, but as usual she was blowing off steam and blowing her form. "Getting angry at the machine will only make you sorry later..."

"Believe me I know. The first time I did this, I couldn't move for a week." Her words were met with the clang of the weights. The steady up and down of the machine provided a comforting rhythm.

"It's a wonder you can move now. When you came, your ears were resting on your shoulders. What's eating you?"

"What is always eating me? Work. We've had some really tough cases lately and it's just like you to interrupt me when I'm in the middle of something."

"You've been avoiding me and rehab and you know it's part of your med requirements. It wouldn't have anything to do to with avoiding a certain rehabilitating Assistant Chief Engineer, would it?"

Michelle was greeted by an extremely loud clang of the weights. Karyn had abandoned the weights in favor of a towel. If she was going to tell this woman off, she'd be damned if she did it with sweat in her eyes! "I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, and even if I did, it would be none of your business! Why would I avoid someone who doesn't remember me as anything more than a shrink?"

"Are you sure about that? Because I happen to remember a time when you entertained blowing off steam in way more interesting ways then weights. Or are you telling me the Nurse Nightingale routine for four months was all about work too?"

Karyn blew air impatiently out of her lips as she moved over to the parallel bars so she could practice walking. "Everybody knows I'd have to be ten kinds of stupid to pine away for a man that isn't aware that he loves me back. I'm just going to have to be content to have him think of me as a shipmate. No way I'm I going to pressure him to be any more."

"He's just a shipmate? The man who once sent you love notes and roses through your replicator? The man who made you waffles with strawberries at two in the morning?"

"The key word there is 'once'. That was before the accident and before we asked him to accept he'd lost four months of his life to a damn piece of flora. Really, he's not ready for anything serious. I'm not avoiding him, I'm just not seeking him out as a potential romance. I'm the Chief Counselor and he is the Assistant Chief Engineer. Our relationship is perfectly platonic, and as long as that view causes no complications I'm fine." She stood using the p-bars. Michelle moved her chair out of the way.

"Great. Counselor, I'd like you to meet your new workout partner."

"What?"

The doors swished open and out of habit Karyn followed the sound. One minute her legs were there and the next... The Assistant Chief Engineer had arrived just in time to see the Chief Counselor fall on her perfectly platonic ass.

Michael hesitated for a few moments and just looked at the two women, but mostly at Karyn. To see her here in the Gymnasium was a total surprise. Finally he was able to break out of his trance-like state and quickly walked towards the Chief Counselor.

"Are you alright? I'm really sorry if I startled you." Michael said and offered both his hands for Karyn to hold onto while Michelle helped her back on her feet.

Karyn was so embarrassed she couldn't say a word. She didn't want to make a big deal out of the fact she needed his help, so she smiled her thanks and placed both hands on his shoulders so that she could help herself upright. Bearing a minimum of her own weight, Karyn gripped the bars for dear life, more afraid of embarrassing herself further than of losing her balance. For once, she was happy to feel the safety of her chair behind her and tried not to blush too much as Michelle helped her get situated once again. No one had ever seen her get in and out of her chair before. Most people assumed she could do it by herself, which wasn't true, but she enjoyed their assumptions and was grateful most of the time not having to explain.

But now Michael knew... He was seeing her at her most vulnerable, physically not as capable as he or anyone else and dependent on the strength of others.

When she was the Counselor, none of that mattered because all she had to do was talk. She had the mind and the motivation, but here... She fought her own embarrassment and reassured Michael. "It wasn't you. I've been weak lately. It's very much a 'use it or lose it' situation with me and I guess I over did it after not working out for so long." *Great, Kar, you just told your former significant other you've turned into a wimp! He was in coma for four months and he has better muscle tone than you. Not to mention the fact he's cuter than you remember.*

Michael noticed how Karyn was looking at him in a way he couldn't quite place. The effect could be felt though as it somehow amplified his feelings for her,...the kind of feelings that made him nervous.

"I would've knocked, er, used the chime before coming in. It's just that I didn't expect anyone to be here at this hour...except for miss Crawford."

"It's alright Lieutenant. The Chief Counselor here was only a bit too overwhelmed when you came in." Michelle said and smiled. She acted like the discussion between her and Karyn never took place. "...Or should I say 'too overjoyed'?" She looked at Karyn to see her reaction although she already knew what it would be.

Karyn gave her a private look that could dent the deflector. Michelle was a romantic and probably thought forcing the two together was her good deed for the century. She knew how weird Karyn was about having others see her out of her element and probably thought using tough love was best. For the most part, Karyn was pretty open about her disability, but some of what she'd been through on the Galaxy had made her revaluate her usefulness. She didn't like people she cared about seeing her like this, but perhaps this was Michelle's way of trying to get Karyn to overcome that.

*Yep, there it is...that look of her, like she could kill you.* Michelle thought. She shrugged and returned an innocent smile. *Hey, I'm the incorrigible romantic type. You of all people should know that by now Karyn.*

Meanwhile Michael got the impression something was going on but, as the rather intriguing scene played out before him, decided to play dumb for now. This situation required a certain level of experience in dealing with women...and he didn't exactly excel in that area. More elegantly put: better safe than sorry.

"Uhm, Michelle? I don't want to rush you or anything but where do I begin?" Michael asked. He had only three hours before he was expected on the Bridge and his intention was to make good use of it. "Same ritual as last time?"

Michelle grinned mischievously. "Nope, I think we'll kill two birds with one stone today. Karyn needs to build strength in her legs by walking with the parallel bars. You need to strengthen your legs as well with weight training. I think we can take care of that, while you help me at the same time. I assume you stretched like I taught you before you came?" Michelle was a big fan of homework.

"Yes, ten minutes, just like you said." Michael said with little enthusiasm.

Although it was necessary to avoid injury he didn't like spending time doing the exercises. They were so boring. *A Holo-program based on those stretches would be much nicer. Maybe a 3D maze of metal bars which you can use for climbing? Surely that would be enough for any stretch exercise.*

"Great. Karyn, stand up, using the p-bars. Michael, come face Karyn under these things, will ya?" The p-bars were exactly like they sounded: two parallel bars, like you'd see in a Terran gymnastic event, but made of metal. The bars could be raise or lowered depending on the user's height and to Karyn, their seemingly endless length represented her own version of torture. Her balance was bad and her endurance low, so even ten steps felt like a marathon.

Michael complied, not sure what was going on, but too anxious to get his workout over to voice apprehension. Michelle wasted no time. Before either could protest, she had slapped two pair of ankle resistance bands on them. These bands would apply steady resistance each time a step was taken, thus building muscle tone.

But that wasn't all. Karyn was about to protest the bands but soon found herself in a stickier situation. Michelle had wrapped a large belt around both of them, with just enough room for them to take a few steps.

"You've got to be kidding...Chelle what is this? What the hell are you doing? This isn't funny. Michael, I'm sorry, it appears my PT has lost her MIND!!"

Michelle ignored the insult and continued. "Here's how it works. Your goal is to get to the other end of these bars without falling on top of each other. You'll have to work together as one to attain your goal. Michael will be stepping backwards, while Karyn you'll be going forward. Be careful Michael, one good lurch backward and Karyn will crumble. Karyn, one overestimated step forward and you'll knock Michael down. Now get to steppin. I'll be monitoring you from the door, so just pretend I'm not here." Michelle was practically cackling at her creative matchmaking. "This will be fun."

Karyn exhaled angrily, "Anything else, PT Nazi?"

"Yes, Counselor, just remember, straight legs and head up. Enjoy!" And before either of the two officers could say anything else Michelle turned and walked away.

To be continued shortly...

Lieutenant Commander Ethan Suder
Chief Engineer

"Burden of Life"

He thought if he would ever get rid of the pain. It hurt more than he would actually like to admit. But he told himself that there was a light at the end of the long and dark tunnel, and that one day, he would reach that light and it would all be fine. But would that be the day he died, or would he actually reach the day when he would wake up, and everything would be fine. He would feel no regret, no pain, no sorrow.

But here he was, just working out in the gym. Punching the huge bag in front of him. It was very dark and no one else was around. Not surprising really. He liked being alone. Meant he didn't drag other people down into his world of pain. He continued hitting the bags in front of him harder and harder, without even realising it. His thoughts continued to think about the past. That was all he ever did. The only thoughts of the future was about that light at the end of the tunnel. But he wanted analyse the past. See where he went wrong, what went wrong, why things went wrong. He continued hitting the bags harder. His fists felt like blocks of bricks. It didn't hurt and felt good to be unleashing his anger and frustration and despair on something that he couldn't even hurt. Better this than a person. His past flashed through his head, day by day; His days at the Academy, on the Lakota and Malinche, the friends and family that he had made, his actual family that he had lost, his parents to the Borg, his Brother lost and killed in the Delta Quadrant on Voyager, Rachel Sanders, Adrianna, Samara, Savanna...

He woke up out of his trance and looked down at the bag on the floor. He looked up at the rope that had been holding it in place but had taken too much pressure. Ethan looked down at his hands. His knuckles were only very slightly bruised, and yet, he felt no different. He heard the doors behind him open. He turned his heard only slightly, not enough to see them, but enough to actually hear them. Two junior officers, tactical officers. Here to work out and dance around no doubt.

Ethan took another glance at the bag on the floor before walking with the shadows of the room and leaving the gym.

Ethan had passed several people on his way to his quarters, but as usual, they only gave a nod. When he was in a mood like this, he must have given a look that displayed a mere glimpse of what he was feeling, but it seemed to be enough to keep people at a distance. He was friends the Engineering crew, and the Senior Officers and he would not let them think otherwise. But a lot of the time, he just wanted to be alone. Still wearing black clothes and not even changing, Ethan pushed the couch in the center of his dark quarters back towards the wall. He grabbed a small sheet and placed it on the floor. He had also grabbed three candles and placed them infront of the sheet and knelt down. Lighting the candles, he closed his eyes and simple listened to the beating of his heart which seemed to get slower and slower.

He felt a slight breeze, la wave of air brushing over his skin. He opened his eyes and looked around at his surroundings. A field of wheat. Forests and endless hills in the distance. A blue sky that did not threaten rain or storms. Ethan realised that this was only a glimpse of the inner peace that lay buried somewhere in his soul. Upon realising this, his surroundings changed, as if washed away like water on a canvas covered in paints.

The skies turned dark and cloudy, with large storms brewing. Rain showering down and thunder echoing in the air. The wind was strong. It was hard to keep his balance, but he looked around again as the rain soaked into his clothes. The forests in the distance were on fire. A large field of flames seemed to be spreading.

For a mere second, Ethan thought of this as another part of his soul. On one side, the quietness and peace. On the other, a fire continued to spread, nothing being able to put it out.

The rain got harder and the winds more violent. Ethan knelt down in the mud and looked at the puddles surrounding him. He was cold but it didn't bother him. He closed his eyes and bowed his head, concentrating on the beating of his heart again...

He opened his eyes and found himself back in his quarters. Dark quarters with the only light coming from the three candles in front of him. For a long time, he just took deep breaths and didn't take his eyes off the small flames in front of him. Something so hypnotic about them. He just remained sitting, looking at the candles for some time. The night was young any how, he had plenty of time to kill...

"The Night of the Living Dead"
by, Lt. Rose Isis MacAllen,
and
Lord Vlad Tepes (written by William Bolitho)

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

The next night, Rose again fell into a deep sleep. But the nightmare began again. This time she was in the dining room of a castle, when in front of her there sat the Lord Vlad Tepes at the other end of the table. He smiled toothilly at her. "Good evening, darling. Are you ready for your bath?"

Rose looks at Vlad, "Why am I here again?" she said trying to get up but it felt like she was chained there for some odd reason maybe it was just fear.

Vlad smiled, "Because I am not done yet with you. Darling, you have yet to accept or decline my offer of immortality to you. It is a simple matter. Either you can live forever with me, or you will be released. Eventually. After we are done with this ship and its crew."

"Why do I feel like I'm chained up to the leg of this table?" Rose asked him with an evil look in her eyes.

Vlad smiled crookedly, "You aren't, my dear. The only bonds that hold you are those of your own mortality. Which can be slipped easilly, as soon as you give me the word. And the fact that the castle is escape proof."

"What are you going to do to me now Vlad?" Rose looked at him... she wasn't even scared of him.

Vlad laughed heartilly, "I am going to wait for your answer. You should not be scared. I will not harm you. Too much."

"You said something about a bath?" Rose said looking into his eyes.

Vlad nodded, "There is a bath being readied in a room next to your quarters. It should be ready in a few more minutes."

Rose couldn't take her eyes off of him and walks up to him like in a zombie state, then started to take her hair down from her bun.

Vlad smiled savagely, "There is no need to show me all of you. That will come later." He led her over to the room with the bath. The tub was filled with red, warm blood. "This is where you will bathe."

Without question Rose took off her red ballgown and steps into the tub, then sits down in it. In this state she had no free will in her.

Vlad sat back and watched her bathe in the rich, aromatic blood. She was just what he wanted. Someone just about ready to become a vamprie of his order. "Good," he said.

Rose started to wash herself in the blood and lays her head back on the tub which is now full of blood.

Vlad watched her bathe for some time. Then when she was done, he brought out a set of towels and said, "Time to dry off, Rose. Feel free to use as many of these as you need."

Rose walks out of the tub and covers herself in the towels still dripping a little blood from her body and hair, then she lays on a little bed that had black silk sheets on them.

Vlad watched her closely, then when he thought she was ready, he approached her, and kissed her neck, tasting the rich blood she had been bathed in. "You smell nice, Rose. Are you ready for the next step?"

Rose saw what time it was, it was almost time for the sun to rise again. She knew that he may keep her locked up in a dark place or back into the coffin she was in before.

Vlad laughed, "Don't worry. The sun will not intrude on our little discussion. At least not for a time."

Rose felt like she couldn't move her body at all as she tried to get up, "Why can't I move?"

Vlad smiled, "It is all in your mind. Or maybe it is the fact that the towels are wrapped so tightly around your body. But either way, you can move if you want to."

"I'm not scared of you Vlad, no man scares me." Rose said then some classical music started to play outside the castle walls.

Vlad smiled, "Except Victor. He will always scare you. What I offer is to let you out of that fear. And into a brave new world."

Rose sit up in the bed and looks at him, she doesn't believe a word he said so she won't give him an answer "May I have a gown or something sir I'm cold."

Vlad smiled crookedly, "Sure thing Rose. The closet is full of things that you might like. Enjoy." He stood and turned his back for the time it took her to change.

Rose put on a white night gown, then sits back on the bed looking out the window.

Vlad smield, "Don't worry. I will protect you from the forces of the light. We will live together in eternal night."

Rose looks up and sees the sun, "The light is coming my lord." she said in a zombie like voice.

Vlad noticed the sunlight advancing, and decided that it was tiem to retire for the evening. He quickly disappeared and flitted back to his coffin. He left the beautiful Rose behind in the locked bedroom.

**Next night**

Rose was in a deep sleep still in the bed cover up with a black silk sheet, still have some blood on her hair and body from last evening's bath.

Vlad entered the room, and quickly advanced on the sleeping form. She seemed so peaceful. Soon she would be his. And that was something that he relished. More vampires under his control.

Rose starts to wake up hoping her boyfriend Ragnald was in this dream rather than Lord Vlad but when she opened her eyes Rose was disappointed.

Lord Vlad smiled down at her. "I hope you are feeling well, Rose. For soon now, we have to begin the process to make you one of us."

Rose felt naked inside, "What if I say no?" she said while trying to get up from the bed still smelling the dried blood on her.

Vlad frowned, "Then you have to die. You know too much about us to live as one of the mortals. So it is immortality or bloodless death."

Rose looks into his eyes, knowing this is a dream said in a zombie like voice, "Immortality."

Vlad smiled, "Then come here adn prepare to be taught immortality." He opened his shirt and made a few cuts along his chest. "Drink my blood, and you shall become immortal."

Rose looked at the blood pouring out from his crest then she started licking fast, the hunger was growing inside her as she started feeding off on his blood.

**USS Galaxy, Rose's Room**

Rose jumped up from the bed shaking, it was just another dream but the taste of that man's blood was real.

"May Gods help us in our time of need." Rose prayed as she tried and got to sleep.

**Lord Vlad's Room**

Lord Vlad was resting comfortably. He sensed the discomfort from the dreams of the Betazoid just down the hall and relished it. Soon now, he would attempt to really feed on her. And then she would be ready to falter in her work. It would not do for someone like her to figure them out before they were ready.

WARNING: This post contains Violence and Mature Sexual Content. Viewer Discretion is advised.

This post contains graphic and descriptive sexual acts. Parents, Guardians, Babysitters, make sure your children leave the room if they are nearby.

"The Sleeper Awakens"
by James Mitchell
Asst. Chief Science Officer

James' mind had only a single focus, and that was on the lovely Lady Lilith. Something about her sang beauty and desire. His heart and genitals ached for her touch as he reached out for her when she entered his quarters. She glided cross the floor as if carried on the breeze, her hair and pristine white gown ruffling as its hem gently caressed the carpet.

She was across the room, and sitting on his bed as his peripherals rushed at him, spinning in a kaleidoscope of color, with she being the only object of focus. Everything else coalesced into an unimportant haze of lumpy colour around the stream of tunnel-vision that cascaded upon him.

"James... come to me... I've been thinking about you since our encounter in that.. what is it you call it?" Her eyes made him light-headed. They were blue one moment, emerald green the next.

"A... turbolift." He stumbled out his reply as he staggered drunk with desire towards her, falling to her knees unbidden. Her eyes burned with intensity, and the fire within held his gaze. He fell into her amber eyes with a rush, and felt his self-control slip away.

"Yes.... a turbolift... of course..." Her slim brows wrinkled as she ran her long, slender fingers through his hair. "I feel a great sadness coming from you, James, my love. Tell me about it... maybe I can help you." She opened her thighs and pulled the Bajoran into them, resting his head on her inner thigh. She ran her fingers along his earlobe, raking her fingers along his neckline lovingly.

"I'm unsure of my feelings, Lillith." His feelings and emotions erupted from his soul unyielded, the pain flowing from him with ease.

"I... am unsure of what I feel anymore. I have a girlfriend back home that I thought for sure was the one I wanted, and until I went over to that damn ship...' His arm shot out to point at the Tamarian vessel, but it felt to weigh a ton and fell uselessly by his side, draping over Lilith's thigh as her gown shifted off to reveal her silky-white thighs. The temperature in the room rose, as he began to sweat. She raised his head to her, meeting his eyes.

"The Trill woman. I can see it, James. Did you know you can see into a person's soul through their eyes? It's a portal, a doorway, if you know how to look, and it's defenseless to those that know how to penetrate it." She began to writhe under him, her skin becoming more revealed as James kneaded her upper thighs. He was leaving red marks from the squeezing, but Lilith didn't care. the faint glistening of secretions could be seen, as the aroma of musk reached his nostrils.

"Forget about them both, James. They don't deserve you..." She gripped his head with both hands, her fingers wrapped around his head, she pulled him to her, pulling her legs up around his shoulders as he buried his face in her most desirable regions.

The finely trimmed lips parted at James lingering touch of his tongue, as if waiting for him. Her fluids burned his lips, dripping into his goatee as she grew more wanting of his touch, arching his back as his darting tongue flew in and out of her, winding itself in random circles, teasing her, passion increasing with every moan escaping her lips. He devoured her taste as he moved to kissing her around her thighs, running his dampened lips around her belly-button, dancing along her sides as he nibbled on her, gripping the undersides of her breasts as he removed the last of her clothing....

She threw him off of her and onto his bed, where he lay submissively. Fingers flew out from everywhere, shredding what little clothing he had on, leaving him bare. His member throbbed with desire, and pulsed as if trying to grow harder. James groaned as she took him into her mouth and rolled her tongue around his ridge. She engulfed him in desire, gripping his sac, burying herself to the base, devouring him voraciously. He gripped the sides of his bed in sheer passion, his knuckles white and shaking. The familiar ache rumbled deep inside him, like a volcano about to erupt, and Lilith flew faster on him, her lips tight to his reddened shaft.

With an unbelievable rush of fluid, James came like no other time. He felt his head expand to gigantic proportions just before he climaxed. He body stiffened, hard as a rock as he experienced an orgasm so intense, his eyes rolled back into his head, and he shook with convulsions as he ended. Lilith held her stance on him, taking every little drop until he was done. She rose her head and smiled, her ruby red hair draped over his stomach and thighs. Her bright red lips wet with saliva, she continued to stroke him to maintain his erection, as she climbed atop him.

"Mmmmm..." James was still dazed from the intensity of the first orgasm when she prodded his still-hard member into her dripping wet canal. His eyes flared opened at the intensity of feeling himself inside her. Her muscles tightened themselves around him as she at first slowly moved up and down, then gyrated and ground herself against him. His sac bounced against her as she slammed down onto him, and she shrieked in delight. He held her firm breasts and twisted on her nipples until they became hard and erect. He took first one, then the other in his mouth as she cradled his head. Her nails raked his neck as she burned with excitement, and, at the moment of orgasm on her part, gripped his member in an iron-clad grip, making James come once again with a blast of fireworks. She ripped and tore at him, leaving trails of blood in her wake.

James was exhausted in her wake, but she hadn't had nearly enough. He was flaccid, and in his weakened state, Lilith probed his chest with her tongue, lapping up the blood she had revealed to her senses. She lapped up every drop of the lifeforce, reached his neck....

He lay in his bed, bathed in sweat, the creature mounted atop him. She had his head held between her admirable claws, eyeing his carotid artery hungrily. In sharing the dream with James Mitchell, she was also caught up in the emotional frenzy, sensing the blood pounding through him, she made the blazing fast descent into his neck, fangs bared in all their blood-lust glory...

In the dream, Lilith had been biting on James neck, until suddenly, she reared her head in a shriek of pain and anger. It was nothing like he ever heard before, excruciatingly painful to his ears. She flew off him in an impossible leap, clinging to the ceiling. James jumped out of bed in a fearful rush. The dream and reality merged, but Lilith's hold on him had been great. Both the creature and Lilith faded in and out of each other. The creature and the succubus.

The succubus wailed at him, and as he watched in horror, creatures of mangled disfigurement pored forth from her birth region, but only in the dream. Her fangs drooled blood in both dimensions, and her eyes in the dream also poured forth tears of blood.

His neck ached and he reached for it as well as searched for a phaser. He felt the cold chill of his Bajoran earpiece, and the creature wailed once again in its own terror-filled scream. James was calm, as he was still feelings the effects of Lilith's hypnotism on him, as well as the exhaustion brough on by the intense lovemaking in the dream, so his confidence was high. He'd faced terrible dreams before and he figured this was just another one of those, couple with his desire for this Lilith he met earlier that day.

He strode toward her with his earring in hand, and thrust his hand out to her/it. Even in the shifting nightmare, both creatures reacted to the religious artifact and puffed away in a mist, dissipating quickly.

He lay back in bed, and slept.

Three hours later, James awoke with thoughts of Tyrola Lomax in his head, and a great yearning to see her.

Getting up, he shook off the cobwebs of the night before - he'd had a nightmare of sorts, but couldn't remember it - and paged Lomax. They were due to report to the Tamarian ship for more detailing.

"Mitchell to Lomax." James spoke to the air as he got cleaned up.

[Tyrola here, James. Ready for the next round of the exciting round of cataloguing?] Her voice struck a chord in him, and he felt warm.

"You bet. Meet me in my quarters for breakfast?" That surprised even him. James never knew he was going to say that.

[Now, how can I turn down an offer like that? Breakfast in a man's quarters and not spending the night there? I'll be there in 2!]

"Let me put some pants on first, okay?" The door buzzer chimed, and James fell over trying to pull a pant leg on, not expecting the buzzer.

"Here already?!" He struggled up, pulling on a pair of sweats and a shirt. "I thought you said you'd be here in 2?" He opened the door to see the exotically beautiful, Tyrola standing before him.

"Yes, I did. I was already on my way to get you this morning. I was going to take you to breakfast, but hey...." She shrugged, and raised her palms, a sly look in her eye. That woke something up in James, and his eyes glazed over. He threw caution to the breeze and decided to take the chance. He felt he had to resolve something in his gut.

He pulled Tyrola into his quarters, put his hands to her slender waist, and gazed deep into her big eyes, innocent and alluring as they were. Her mouth parted in shock, as he ran his fingers lightly over her spots.

"I'm going to kiss you now, Tyrola, like it or not." And with that, he lowered his lips to hers, holding her tightly.

"The Sleeper Awakens"
by James Mitchell
Asst. Chief Science Officer

((Unlike Jillian I HAVE NO problem writing like this. J Hope people like it))

“Vamped up life”
BY Lt (jg) Jessie Parry

Jessie stood by herself in her room with her arms wrapped around her bare mid drift . Dressed in tight black leather pants and a short black almost indecent crop top with black high heals Jessie assessed her new look. She had pulled her long red hair up into a pony tail as per normal and she kind of liked the look. It wasn’t really her.. but she didn’t really mind. She was planning on doing a holodeck program in a disco and she was certain this outfit would work.

She grabbed her jacket and strode to the door and out of it and down the halls to the turbolift. She exited the turbolift and walked down to the reserved holodeck.

*****Holodeck one*****

She entered and started the program. Music flooded from the speakers and the dance floor was filled with people. Jessie smiled as she entered the party atmosphere and mingled among the people. She wasn’t really sure what drew her to the tables in the darkened corner but somehow she found her way there.

The man sitting at a table by himself smiled up at her. Jessie in spite of herself smiled back. The man gently nudged the chair beside him out for her and Jessie sat down. She now recognized him as one of their visitors on the ship and as she searched her mind for the names he supplied it. “Lord Vlad.”

“Ah yes that’s right. I am Jessie Parry.” She held out her hand to shake his. He took her hand and smiled as he brought it to his lips.

Jessie glanced about. “How did you get in here? I mean not to be rude or anything.. but I did seal the doors behind me.”

He smiled. “I followed you in.. didn’t you see me?”

“No I didn’t.. I must have been concentrating to hard.”

“On what?” He moved closer to Jessie and smiled down on her. Jessie smile back determined to be polite to him but soon found herself staring into his eyes.

Vlad’s hand traced a line down Jessie’s cheek. Jessie felt warmth flow through her as his hand drifted across to her lips and his other hand pulled her to her feet. Jessie gasped as their bodies touched. Heat was burning through her body as Vlad’s lips touched her’s. “Change the program” he murmured against her lips and slowly he nibbled along her jaw line. Jessie slowly drowning in the sensations managed to call out “Computer end program and initiate new program…” she was cut off by Vlad’s voice. “Computer new program.. normal Starfleet quarters.”

The room changed and Jessie stared about her. Vlad smiled and kissed her again and Jessie felt her pants being undone. Her own hands went to his shirt and desire was running through her. Deep in her mind a name lingered ‘James’ but the heat was too hot and she was fast loosing the battle to keep her head about her Vlad maneuvered her into the bed room and strips her pants off her and helps her remove his shirt. Deep in her mind the man with her became James and Jessie moaned deep in her throat as his mouth scorched down it and to her breasts. Desire flooded every sense as Jessie felt every touch as the mans hands roamed freely over her body. Vlad smiled against her breast as his hand slipped in between her thighs. Jessie arched up against his hand and he felt her hands racing to his pants. He used his mental voice to tell her what to do. Her hands undid his pants and tugged them off his hips as his fingers entered her. Jessie cried out in shock and she arched up again.

Smiling evilly he pulls his hand out and lay down on top of her Jessie moans and her legs slide apart for him as he enters her harshly. Jessie bucked as he entered her and his tongue licked the base of her neck before moving further up to her jugular. He moved in and out as she began to moan and move about under him. As he felt Jessie climax he bit hard into her neck and drank deeply from her as she withered and bucked beneath him. Jessie's mind clouded with the heat and pleasure unaware that her blood was being drained.

********* Half an hour later Holodeck one*********

Jessie sat up dazed in a both in her disco program. "Computer what time is it?" Computer: time is 11h30. Jessie frowned.. She had passed out. Almost two hours had passed since she had entered the holodeck. Her head spun and she automatically dropped her head into her hands as dizzyness overcame her. "I have to lay off that triple choc fudge sundae before bed... man what a weird dream...." She slowly stood up and made her way towards the arch. "Computer Arch!" And she stumbled out into the corridor and slowly useing the wall as a guide made her way back to her quarters.

"Some Concerns"
by Captain Price
& Commander Thomas
USS Galaxy

Commander Thomas returned to the Galaxy from the Tarmarian vessel after a lengthy stay on board, running test and more or less organizing people as they boarded and left the ship. He wanted the operation to run smoothly and stay away from Lady Lilth for his own health. However it reached the point where he could no longer remain away from the Galaxy without telling the captain's personal concerns about the two 'guest' now on the ship.

After trying to decide whether to return to the ship or remain away, it was just time to eat and that didn't leave him much other choice. His wife would be expecting him for dinner, since the away mission wasn't to some planet or fighting off hungry bats. He was expected to be at the table.

Chris left the transporter room behind and headed off to find the captain. Before he had dinner with his wife, he wanted to speak with Price and let him know his feelings about the guest. While he still couldn't speak of specifics, he felt that it was very important the captain be at least aware of his concerns.

"Computer where is Captain Price?" Chris asked as he turned down one corridor heading for the turbolift located there.

"The captain is on the bridge." the computer said.

Well then that was where he was heading to the bridge. He wanted to speak with the captain right now, before something happened. Assuming what it was, hadn't already happened. Of course the problem was, how would one know what happened when he couldn't even say what it was exactly.

The captain was going to laugh at him saying he was being paranoid and that not having slept or eaten anything since beaming over to the ship was clouding his judgement or something like that. He was sure either way the captain was going to just blow him off and say he had nothing. His argument or statement really did sound like gibberish and not something you'd expect to hear from your first officer.

"Bridge." Chris said stepping inside the turbolift.

Arriving on the bridge a short time later. He found the captain in his chair watching the view screen at the moment. He had a small present in hand for the captain.

"G'day Commander. Welcome back to the Galaxy 'mate." Lee greeted with a smile.

"Captain Price, can I speak with you privately." Chris said.

Seeing Chris was all business, like there was something on his mind, the Captain nodded. "Sure thing 'mate. Come, we can talk over there."

Chris followed the captain to the very edge of the bridge and out of ear shot. He would've preferred the captain's ready room to mention this, but he wasn't in the mood to complain. "I just returned for the Tarmarian ship and I wanted to let you know what we've learned so far. Though I am going to assume that you've already been briefed a few officers on the progress to look at the ship." Chris said.

Quietly answering in near whispers, the Captain nodded, "Aye. I've had reports from T'Zaq on the condition of the Tamarian vessel."

"The download of the information from the Tamarain ship is slow, very slow to say the least. Most of the data that's being downloaded is fragments and could take years to piece back together, given our understanding of their language. Something I am sure several Federation Archeologist, linguist and the like will love to do, instead of worrying about being attacked by the Borg or Dominion." Chris said. "It's going to take some time to finish."

"Yes Miss T'Zaq informed me of that problem and the slowness of recovering the data from the damaged systems. She isn't certain that much more then fragments will be recoverable when all is said and done." the Captain informed with a hint of disappointment.

"This was found" Chris said handing the captain a very small book, more like a notebook "in one of the areas of the ship. Locked away for ages I suppose, it's been damaged over time, but appears to be in good shape. Unfortunately it's also written in ancient Tamarian and while my linguistic skills are good, they're not that good." Chris said jokingly. "We'll have to get it translated, but I think it might've belonged to the ship's captain."

Lee inspected the old, faded black book. It was a captain's ledger. An old style personal log where the captain would write out his thoughts and concerns in long hand. Rubbing a hand over the leather cover, Lee could see the pressed decoration that showed a space scene along with a shooting star and a rocket ship following it.

"This is remarkable Commander..." the General stated as he opened the pages and flipped through them to look at the nice hand written logs the captain must have scribed there. It was odd looking at the Tamarian work, because it was basically written in English, which the Captain could read, but used Tamarian words and references that made little sense. Thumbing through, Lee quickly glanced at phrases that were noted down next to Tamarian dates. "Pocalla trips on log." "Manoko at sunset." "Manoko with fever." "Manoko at sunrise." were some of the entries Lee read as he flipped through the pages. Since he was not raised or taught in Tamarian, the Captain had no frame of reference of the stories that these references belonged to. And as thus their meaning were lost in the reading. Flipping through, the Captain turned to the last entries in the log.

On the second to last page he saw this reference, "Dircala at Berliega" which he recognized. Pointing, he looked to Commander Thomas.

"This one is familiar. Lieutenant Commander T'Zaq retrieved a rather disturbing recording of who we believe was the captain shouting this phrase over and over again." The Captain explained. Chris looked over the Captain's shoulder at the phrase. Lee then flipped the page over and saw a couple of more references with dates near them. "I will need to get this to Lieutenant Commander Peterson. He was going to arrange for a Tamarian translation of whatever messages we retrieved from the Tamarian vessel's logs. I'm certain he will be interested in this."

"There's something else, captain." Commander Thomas started off, "It's about the Sanguinarian's, sir. I feel they don't belong here, like their out of their time. I know that the ship's 300 years old and they've been a sleep so that can be explained." Chris said. "However of more concern is that I just can't shake the feeling they're dangerous. I have this feeling that they're more then they seem to be, really." the first officer said stumbling over his own words.

"Well I'll admit that they are not what we are used to 'mate. And certainly the Lord and Lady are quite attractive people, but I haven't sensed anything particularly dangerous about them. If anything, I think they are rather a friendly bunch from my first impression." Lee explained. He didn't bother telling Commander Thomas about how he thought Lord Vlad looked like he was dressed for Halloween in that Vampire-like outfit he was wearing the last time they met. He figured it was enough that Counselor Dallas made fun of his thoughts. He didn't need Chris to make fun of him too. "What makes you feel that they are dangerous 'mate?"

"My first, uh, feeling occurred when I arrived on the scene finding Lord Vlad and Lady Lilth standing near one of our officers. He was dazed and completely off guard, and seemed like someone who was in a state of dreaminess." Chris said. "Then there was my encounter with them, Lady Lilth in particular, I felt like my humanity was being torn away and just my Neanderthal self was left."

Lee smiled. "Well I can understand that Commander." the Captain whispered while glancing around to make sure no one was eavesdropping on their conversation. "Lady Lilith is quite the looker. And I'd dare say that she's not shy in letting everyone around her know just what a beaut she is."

The Captain closed the ledger and looked at it again. "We should see that Peterson gets this so it can be reviewed and translated. Can you take this to him Commander?"

Chris looked at the Captain awkwardly. "Well I am actually late to go see my wife for dinner sir. I suppose I can drop it off on my way to our quarters..."

Lee raised his hand. "No worries 'mate. The Science labs are several decks below where you are headed. I'll see to it Peterson gets this."

"Thanks Captain." Chris nodded. "Well, if you'll excuse me?"

"Of course Commander. Good job locating this ledger. I expect we will get at least some answers once it is translated from Tamarian." The Captain smiled. He was genuinely pleased at this find.

Chris gave a nod and then turned to exit the bridge.

Lee started back towards the center of the bridge. Reaching, he activated his comm badge. "Price to Peterson. Come in please 'mate."

["Peterson here Captain."] Kent replied a short time later.

"'Commander, we have had a bit of extra-ordinary luck 'mate. Commander Thomas just returned from the Tamarian vessel with a hand written ledger. We believe it's the Captain's personal log. How are you coming with arranging for a Tamarian translator?"

["Still working on it Captain. In fact I was going to see if Three of Four could be of any assistance."] Kent explained in a professional, but less then enthusiastic tone. It was obvious that if Kent was going to talk to the Borg Drone about helping that he'd already explored other options.

"Understood 'Commander. I'll have the ledger brought down to your office. One of the last entries corresponds with the final ship's log Lieutenant Commander T'Zaq was able to recover from the Tamarian vessel's databanks, so this definitely seems relevant to whatever this ship experienced or how it got itself way out here in this remote section of space."

["That would be great Captain. Hopefully we will find a way of translating it. Even if we have to manually scan it and send it via sub-space to the Tamarians to do it for us."] Kent explained.

"Fair dinkum 'Commander. It will be waiting in your office in a few minutes. Price out." Lee stated, closing the channel.

Glancing around the bridge, and then at the Tamarian vessel that hung out in space unmoving, Lee's brow furrowed. He was going to hand it off to another officer to take down to Peterson's office, but as he thought about it, he figured he may as well go on a walk-about himself since nothing was happening on the bridge at the moment, or was likely to while the Galaxy held position where it was at.

"Lieutenant von Ernst." Lee stated while looking at the pixie like red head sitting on a bar stool at the tactical arch.

"Ye-yes sir?!" Rebecca stated as she straightened out of her bored slouch.

Tapping the back of the black ledger the General stated, "The bridge is yours 'mate."

"SIR?..." Rebecca blurted out with widening eyes, and then quickly corrected, "I mean, Ye-yes sir Captain."

Lee just smirked as he walked past the now wide awake Lieutenant and entered the turbolift. Turning he called out, "Chief Science Officer's office." The doors then swished shut, leaving Rebecca von Ernst in charge of the bridge.

"Mail to and From the Bridge"
A Joint Post By:

Lieutenant jg Electra Reece
Assistant Chief of Operations

Lieutenant Rose Isis MacAllen
Science Officer, Archaeology

Time: During "Torture on the Bridge"

********************************
TO: Lieutenant MacAllen
FROM: Lieutenant jg Electra Reece
RE: Lateral sensors

OPS received your request for increased time on the lateral sensor array. Stellar Cartography also requested said time. Engineering has agreed to increase power flow to the sensors in order to increase efficiency. This will be completed at 1930 hours and I have informed Stellar Cartography of this fact. I suggest that you use a rotating schedule of convenience to your departments in order to get your research completed on time. I have informed Stellar Cartography that your department has priority due to the nature of this mission (the study of the Tamarian ship). Please feel free to contact me regarding any problems or if you wish OPS to set the schedule so as to avoid favoritism or other problems. It is now 1745. I will be on duty until 2130.

*******************************************************
To: Lieutenant jg Electra Reece
From: Lieutenant Rose Isis MacAllen
RE: Lateral sensors

I agree about the rotating schedule and I am getting together with my department to help speed along the project. I will send you a copy of the schedule, right now we're halfway done with the project. Just give me a few hours to set up a copy of the schedule.

If you have any questions about anything or even the schedule, please contact me.

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

TO: Lieutenant MacAllen
FROM: Lieutenant jg Electra Reece
RE: Lateral sensors

Everything looks good. If any problems arise, contact OPS. We will straighten it out. Good luck.

Draining Passions

Lieutenant Jg Todd Sansky
Medical Officer
USS Galaxy

NPC Nathan Carrington

The shift in sickbay had been grueling; on his mind were the numbers of crewmates with low blood levels. It was an unexplainable phenomenon as far as he could see. Also playing on his mind was the reaction he and the other doctors had towards the new guests. Todd couldn’t believe that he was nearly will to forget about Nathan and go for this Lord Vlad he had met. Wandering down the corridor to his quarters he thought of Nathan and smiled.

------------One hour earlier-------------

Nathan lay naked in Todd’s bed waiting for him to return. He heard the door open and he instantly got aroused. To his shock it wasn’t Todd walking into the bedroom but one of the visitors from the Tamarian ship. Nathan leapt from the bed forgetting he was naked, pulled by the magnetism of this hunk standing before him. He thought of Todd but those thoughts quickly dissipated as the dark tall man kissed him. He lay on the bed as Vlad removed his clothing. He sat on top of Nathan who felt himself getting harder and harder. Vlad too rose to full attention as he sat on top of Nathan’s hard cock. Both were in heaven as Vlad lowered himself to bite Nathan.

Todd entered his quarters and heard Nathan moaning with desire. Entering the bedroom he was aghast to see Nathan lying naked on the bed fully erect while Vlad stood by the side of the bed.

‘What the hell is going on in here, how could you. Get the fuck out of here.’ Todd grabbed Vlad and shoved him out the door then went back to Nathan, he was so angry he thought he could kill his ‘lover’. He ran up to the bed and grabbed Nathan by the shoulders. His body now lay limp on the bed, all colour was lost from his face.

‘Nathan, I told you to get the fuck out of my room, Nathan?’ Todd looked closely and realized something was horribly wrong. His entire body was as white as a corpse. Everything flashed into Todd’s mind before he realized the present danger. He quickly slapped his comm. badge.

=/\= Security Priority One Alert, find and hold Lord Vlad =/\= =/\= Medical Emergency Transporter room one lock onto my signal and transport two to sickbay =/\= The transporter effect took them and before long Todd was standing with Nathan in his arms in sickbay. Nurses crowding round to help him place the body on a bio bed.

‘Tricorder.’ Todd snapped as the duty nurse ran to get the equipment.

Scanning his lover he frowned worriedly. ‘I don’t understand this, its as if all his blood is just gone, but how. Nurse I need 20 pints of human blood from storage. NOW!’ As they bustled off he set up the transfusion unit to Nathan. ‘Come on I need that blood before brain death sets in, I need to get his heart beating.’ Todd worked as fast as he could, replacing pint after pint of blood as the unit emptied the canisters back into Nathan. As soon as there was a minimum amount in his body Todd began cardiac stimulation, and circulatory aid. Before long Nathan was breathing again yet still unconscious. Todd slowly began to realize that Nathan was in a coma, there was no way to know when he would come out of it. He rubbed his brow and took a deep breath.

=/\= Sickbay to Price, captain a member of the crew has been attacked by one of our ‘guests’ at least you could call it an attack. I think you will want to see this for yourself sir…’ =/\=

"The Real Meeting"
By Lt Rose Isis MacAllen, Science Officer
Lord Vlad (Written by William Bolitho)

**Science Lab**

"Computer Betazoid tea please, extra sweet." Rose ordered while reading the PADD of the information she got so far on the ship and their unholy guests. She walked back towards her desk and sits down, taking a little taste of her tea.

**Corridor Outside the Science Lab**

Lord Vlad walked the corridors of the Galaxy heading for the confrontation with the Betazoid science officer. So far all she had had was dreams of meeting him. They had been muddled with the aspects of vampire lore. Now he was going to drink of her blood, and thus gain some power over her.

Once outside the lab, he quickly entered and swept down on the desk. He hoped that he would not have to use too many mindgames. Some people were not affected by them, and he figured this Betazoid was one of them.

Rose started to feel an unholy feeling in the room and looks right into Lord Vlad's face, "What are you doing here?"

Vlad smiled, "I have come for you. You will make a most excellent matron of my wards."

Rose walks toward where the phasers are and then points one at him, "Get away from me Vlad... you have no power over me." she said while moving around keeping an eye on him.

"Where's your Lady vampire at?" Rose asked him while she looked out the window pointing a phaser at him knowing that it probably won't work on him anyway.

Vlad smiled, "She is having a meal right now. Someone named Corgan, I believe." Then quickly he was by her side, pushing the phaser away from his body, and grasping her other arm to boot.

"LET ME GO! WHY DO YOU WANT ME?" Rose said as she tried to use all of the power to kick him in the face, but for some odd reason he don't want to hurt her or her unborn baby.

Vlad smiled, "I want all those willing in this crew. And even the unwilling. You will soon be under my spell. And that is what I want to do." He began to gaze towards her eyes, trying to mentally overpower her.

Rose looked into his eyes then looks away, "No only in your dreams will you have me."

Vlad smiled, "Do you mean only in your dreams? I don't dream, milady. I only hunt. And you will taste good to me. As sweet as that tea you were drinking."

"You're going to kill me, why do you want me?" Rose asked him trying not to look at him.

Vlad smiled toothilly, "Because you are one of the few I have yet to catch."

"I'm very hard to get Vlad... very very hard." Rose said while walking towards the door.

Vlad held her fast, "You are not going anywhere, milady. Not until I feast."

Then an male crewman walked into the lab with his report for MacAllen, then he saw Vlad holding on the Rose, "HEY!"

Vlad released her and said, "Until later, milady. I always get my woman." And then he left as fast as he had entered.

"You ok Lt do you need to go to sickbay ma'am?" the male crewman asked.

"No I fine thank you for the report crewman, your dismissed." Rose said as she sat down at her desk thinking about what will Vlad do next to her.

"Feeling of Evil"
Lt Rose Isis MacAllen
Lt (jg) Wilhem Quevvenson

(OOC: Take place an hour before the meeting with her Archology staff...sorry it late)

**The Sleeper Ship**

Rose was walking into the main computer area of the ship, she can still smell the death around her. Commander Peterson told her that he will send over another science officer to help out with the computers she prays to the gods that person will come soon so she can get the hell out of there.

**The Galaxy**

Wilhem had been ordered to go over to the Tamarian ship and help Rose and Autumn in their explorations of the strange ship. He was also supposed to download the ship's logs for more information on their guests. The guests who seemed to be not there. As if they were undead.

Transporting over was not the problem. It was the arrival that caught him off guard. It smelled of death and decay. Just like a graveyard back home. Just the sort of place the undead would come from. He soon located Rose and he greeted her, "Hello Rose. I'm here to help you out. How would you want me to proceed?"

"Hey thanks for coming over, the computer is already on next to me it should have the information of the crew." Rose said with a smile while shaking a little.

Wilhem nodded and began to search the computer for lists on the crew. Once he found them, he began to download the list into his tricorder. He hoped that things would work out for them. At least the two undead were on the Galaxy and could not touch them while the Science Officers were on this ship.

"I'm done with this part, I found like a book full of their logs and mythology." Rose told her friend while feeling an evil prescence coming towards then.

When he was done, he nodded, "Done here. I sense a skeleton-level undead heading this way. I get a stronger sense of forboding when I'm near the guests."

"You're not joking my friend, what can we do now?" Rose said walking out of the main computer area of the ship.

Wilhem smiled, "We can try to fight them whereever they end up. We can't let them get to our friends or family. Or we might have more than just the two vampires on our hands."

Rose grins at her friend, she loves the idea of fighting, "Agreed I love to fight but soon I have to stop until my baby is born. That's going to be boring."

Wilhem nodded, "Let us fight them with stakes and holy symbols. Those are what hurt them in my world at least."

"Same as my people we better beam back to the ship and fill out our reports." Rose told him while getting ready to beam out.

Wilhem nodded, and prepared for the beam-out. "Quevvenson to Galaxy. Two to beam up."

**USS Galaxy, Science Lab**

Rose sits at her desk downloading the information, "It going to take a few minutes want some coffee?"

Wilhem stood by the door, "No thanks. I can't stand the taste of coffee. Tea would be better."

"Ok computer two teas." she ordered while looking over her PADD that was full of information.

Wilhem smiled as he took the tea cup. He sipped it slowly as he waited for the information to present itself.

"I hope for this mission that I can prove to them that I'm a good leader, of course this is my first time being a leader of a project." Rose said while biting her nails a little as the information was done downloading.

Wilehm smiled at her, "I am sure you will do fine. You are a fine officer, and you should do fine."

Then the computer started beeping, "Well let's look at the inforation here."

Wilhem glanced at the information. It was all in the strange allegorical script of the Tamarians. One thing stood out. It was a strange reference that stated itself this way, "Diricala at Berlingia!" yelled over and over. It seemed to be somewhat close to the name Dracula from Earth legend. As such, Wilhem hoped that it would lead to some information like it.

"Diricala at Berlingia, my department and I was talking about that today. Commander Thomas bring back some information about something like that. We know that Berlingia is an ancient city on the Tamarian's planet and we thinking Diricala is "dark one" which is like Dracula from Earth legend." Rose told him while drinking her tea.

Wilhem thought a moment, "Is Berlingia a city with many ancient castels. Say from their Middle Ages? That would put it into a like mind with Transelvania."

"Yes Berlingia was a city with many ancient castles, so yes it's like Transelvania in some ways." Rose told him siting at her desk thinking.

Wilhem nodded, "So it would be the place where vampires lived. We must be careful. The vampires will not want this information to get out."

"I know if they knew about this, then all hell will break loose we have to give this report to the Captain." Rose told him while trying to think what to say to the Captain about this information.

Wilhem nodded solemnly, "We do need to get this at least to Commander Peterson. He might tell the Captain. But if you think we should skip a level, then let us do it."

"No Commander Peterson first, I know he will report to the Captain about this."

Wilhem smiled, "Okay. Let's give our findings to the source."

Bubble Bubble Toil and Trouble
by Ens Ozwald Thatcher, Tactical

*** Bridge ***

The team was studying what appeared to be a recorder marker from the SS Integrity, a pre-Federation era Terran ship which had been lost without explanation. Curiously, the Galaxy staff spotted metallic parts of the marker inside the debris field so far from Earth.

"It's degraded so much, it won't likely withstand the strain of transport. Especially since it will go from near absolute zero to room temperature and pressure almost instantaneously." Ozwald mentioned.

"What about a very gentle tractor beam?" An Adorian at the helm asked.

"Pulling something that's almost falling apart isn't a good idea. I think we should recommend sending a shuttle. Using EVA suits, someone can go outside and help get the marker aboard."

"Bonzer idea, 'mate." the Captain said. "A shuttle won't subject our specimen to adverse temperatures or pressure changes. Contact the shuttle bay and see if there are any shuttles ready to leave."

Price returned to his seat, considering something else. "Mr Thatcher, since you were the first to discover the marker in the debris field, I would like you on the away team 'mate."

"Thank you Sir!" Ozwald responded. His first away mission from the Galaxy was sure to be a learning experience.

*** On Route to the Shuttle Bay ***

Lord Vlad and Lady Lilith were touring the deck with their security escorts. Ozwald excused himself, passing between the pair. They seemed to have an aura of odd energy about them. Shuttering, Thatcher looked behind himself. The guests reminded him of the Breen!

Not their appearance, certainly. It was their behaviors and mannerisms that reminded the former POW of his now-vanquished captors. Lilith was definitely alluring, but there was a strange foreboding lurking beneath the surface.

Remembering his time with the Breen brought out anger, triggering a PTSD attack. He must flee these beings who reminded him of such a miserable point of his life. Thatcher decided he needed psychological help, so he headed for counseling.

The receptionist noted his former POW and PTSD status, and promised a counselor would see him soon. When the shuttle bay contacted him because he delayed the away team, they were informed only that the Ensign Thatcher was temporarily off duty for medical reasons.

NRPG: This log is set before Rose MacAllen encounters Vlad, but after James Mitchell has encountered Lilith. Man those vampires really have a thing for science officers!!! :) Mark, this should also tie in for your little filler with Three of Four.

On another note - just to clarify. When I say the Tamarian language is difficult to translate, I do not mean from the Tamarian to English. Just that understanding the metaphor itself required a context to give it some meaning. Thanks all ... keep on biting ;p

"Lose Threads."
By Lt. Commander Kent Peterson
Chief Science Officer

Kent finally arrived in the corridor just down from the cargo bay where Three of Four resided. He always felt unnerved being in that area of the ship, but only since the Galaxy's Borg 'ambassador' had arrived. He had gotten used to her presence on the ship - he tolerated it as best he could - but it did not mean that they had to like it. He certainly had not agreed with it.

This time was different. The problem with the Tamaraian language - a linguistic pattern that three generations of Federation scientists had not solved yet - made this 'resource' invaluable for that moment. If it were under any other circumstances then he would not even have considered it.

The fact was that, despite the ferocity of the Borg and their ruthlessness in the destructive of civilizations, they had a wealth of information. It was so large that undoubtedly it would be larger than the combined databanks of Federation, Klingon, Romulan, Cardassian, and Dominion knowledge. It did, after all, contain the collected thoughts and histories of billions upon billions of individual and more than several thousand species of humanoid. As a scientist, even with Kent's history with the Collective, he could not overlook that fact.

"It's a resource tool," he muttered quietly, reminding himself that he was not condoning its presence on the ship, or that he was actually going out of his way to see it.

The Starfleet lieutenant commander turned the corner and stopped as he eyed the doors of the cargo bay. It was not for what lay behind them, but for what did not stand in front of them. Admittedly Kent was a little surprised that James - who he contacted half an hour earlier - was not standing there and waiting for him. It was not like the assistant science chief to be late for anything - at least not without notifying Peterson or having a good explanation.

The chief science officer walked over to the cargo bay doors and waited there. He would wait a little while before harassing the Bajoran - it was quite possible he was simply stopping by Lieutenant MacAllen to check up on her progress.

A quarter of an hour passed and Lieutenant Mitchell was still no where to be seen. Kent's brow had gradually become furrowed as the time moved on. "Computer," he finally said, "locate Lieutenant James Mitchell."

["Lieutenant Mitchell is in his quarters."]

"His quarters!" Peterson exclaimed. He reached across his chest and tapped the communicator attached to his uniform, "Peterson to Mitchell."

Kent waited a few moments.

"Lieutenant Commander Peterson to Lieutenant Mitchell," he said a little more strongly.

The communications channel did not respond - the Bajoran assistant science chief not answering the internal communications request.

Peterson let out a sigh as he tried to keep his temper controlled. There were many thing he could tolerate, but tardiness of this fashion, especially after he had requested the man's presence, he could not. Unimpressed the thirty-four year old left the entrance of the cargo bay for Lieutenant Mitchell's quarters.

As he navigated his way through the decks of the Galaxy-class vessel he rationalized a perfectly logical sequence of events that would explain James' absence. Perhaps he was in his quarters uploading a report, picking up something, or he was checking for a response he had sent off-ship. It was quite reasonable and highly plausible. The reason why he did not respond could quite easily be a result of his comm. badge not functioning properly - it has happened before.

He stopped in front of Mitchell's quarters feeling a lot calmer now that he had come up with events that would explain the tardy behavior of an otherwise exemplary officer. Kent reached across and tapped the door chime request to his right.

No response.

He tried it again - pressing the door chime request.

Still no response.

Kent shook his head as he reached over for a third time. However, this time he held the button down with a resolve that he would not let go until his Bajoran colleague answered the door.

The doors to James' quarters parted and a tired man answered the incessant noise from the door chime. "Sir," he said a little surprised to see Peterson standing there. "What can I do for you?"

"You were supposed to met me down at the cargo bay to visit our Borg guest, Mister Mitchell," Kent responded. His facial expression gave the younger man an impression that his Human colleague was not happy about something.

"The cargo bay?"

"Yes. I contact you about an hour ago to meet me in the cargo bay. We were going to discuss the Tamarian language with Three of Four," the chief scientist explained. "Don't you remember?"

James looked a little confused. He did not remember Kent having contacted him about meeting in any of the ship's cargo bays, let alone a discussion about talking with Three of Four. Even the memory issue aside, he thought it was a little strange for Peterson to actually want to see the drone - that would be a first.

The out-of-uniform lieutenant shook his head - he simply did not remember.

Kent looked at the man. He seemed a little pale and he was obviously tired. "Look, you don't look well James. Maybe you should report to Sickbay, or if you want, I can get someone to come and have a look at you here."

The Bajoran shook his head. "I'll be okay. I just need some sleep."

"That looks like it might be best."

James turned without saying anything else and wandered back in to his quarters - the doors closed promptly behind him.

While Kent found the entire situation a little odd, but the younger man really did not look at all well. He reached across from his chest and tapped his communicator, "Peterson to Sickbay," he began, walking back the way he came.

["Dothan here."]

"Doctor, is there something going around the ship? Possibly a virus?"

The sound of PADDs shuffling could be heard from the Sickbay-end of the channel. Then it stopped. ["Not that I can see. Why do you ask?"]

"Lieutenant Mitchell looks a little under the weather. I was just wondering if you could send someone around to see him in a few hours."

["Will do. Dothan out."]

*****

Peterson stopped by the laboratory where Rose and her team had been working feverishly through the night, trying to decipher more of the Tamarian references from the derelict vessel. It was on his way from James Mitchell's quarters to the cargo bay, so he when he received the message from 'Lorie' Ronald, he decided to drop by.

"Dark One," Kent said, reading the report that Rose and Lorie had been working on since they found a reference for the obscure phrase 'Dircala at Berliega!'. Kent seemed a little confused. "I'm not sure which is more confusing, 'Dircala at Berliega!' or 'Dark One'?"

"We've gone through the Tamarian databanks. While it isn't in the Federation database on the Tamarian culture, we did find a legend about a man name Dircula at a place called Berliega."

"Not bad," the lieutenant commander responded. "Now that's a start, but who is this Dircula, where is Berliega, and what happened to make that phrase work itself in to the Tamarian language."

"We're currently downloading the all references to the legend itself. Until we analyze it thoroughly, I," Rose said before looking at her linguistic colleague, "we, could only speculate. However, the name 'Dircula' does seem to roughly translate elsewhere as 'Dark One'."

Kent suppressed a smile. He did not subscribe to religious beliefs, warning of supernatural doom, or other related phenomenon - anyone that served with him when the Galaxy encountered the Stone of Tears knew that. For the same token the 'Dark One' was not even a reference in the context that MacAllen and Ronald claimed - it could be a misinterpretation of the man's skin color.

"So the question, ladies, is who or what this 'Dark One'?"

Rose looked down at her console, then at Kent. "We'll let you know as soon as we do, 'Commander."

"Then I'll leave it in you capable hands."

With that the Galaxy's chief science officer left the two Betazoid women to do their jobs. Meanwhile, he hoped that Three of Four had some of the answers to their Tamarian 'puzzle'. It looked like they could use all the help they could get.

"Marquise: End of the glory. A new start for some"
By Jillian Locke
NPC's Riana Parstran and Tuvok, Starfleet Operatives within the Marquise

*******Marquise Base: Location Uncertain********

A dusty holo is held by a thin hand with chipped nails. Green eyes stare at the two figures in the holo. Two young women laughing at the holocamera . One with long raven hair and the other with blond hair. The smiles spoke of happier times. Now one of them stood alone among the debris of a broken base. The people who had worked here were long gone. Dead or imprisoned. She and her small band of allies had been missed in the fighting. Their unit had been too small and inconsequential for notice. The fight was over. The Jem Hader had taken them out. Bodies had littered the area where she now stood.

The end of this grand place, and its ideals had all started when Voyager had disappeared with one of their rogue vessels, well before she had joined the rebels. A hand fell on her shoulder. Turning she saw a figure taller then her with dark skin and pointy ears. Tuvok. Her eyes meet his for an instant before falling on his uniform. Starfleet. Even she had heard about this man.. A marquise rebel many had thought.. She had taken his spot in the rebels.

She stepped back from him startled at his appearance. A voice shouted out a curse and another yelled for the group to run. She could her Mike's voice yelling at her to run and James screaming at the rest to draw their phasers. She stood stuck to the spot the Holo hanging loose in her hand. Tuvok took it from her and examined it. He didn't know the second woman in the holo but the blond stood before him, pale and in great need of a good meal. The Starfleet operative stared at the other Starfleet operative. Riana Parstran and Tuvok.

"Welcome home Tuvok." She said quietly to him as Starfleet officers flooded the area arresting her team. He nodded at her. "Lt well done.. you managed to survive the attacks." Riana gave him a haunted look as an Ensign stepped up to her and grabbed her arm. She tugged on it and tried to break the hold. Tuvok shook his head at the ensign and he stepped back leaving the two Starfleet operatives together.

"Time to go home Lt. Parstran"

"Yes Sir." She straightened up and gave a brief glimmer of a smile. "May I have my holo back sir?" He nodded in typical Vulcan fashion and handed it back.

He then stepped aside to let her pass and then followed her to a shuttle separate from the prison shuttle. Once there they sat down in the seats at the back and Tuvok and Riana began to discuss the events of the small band who had been troubling the shipping of Cardassia for the past year and a half after coming out of hiding.

*******Three Months Later*******

"The USS Galaxy is being assigned to standard patrols due to the extensive damage caused by its last missions." Riana sat quietly listening to the orders being given. It had taken her nearly two whole months to track down her best friend. She had learned that her parents were dead and Ria had paid her respects to the Jamieson's at the funeral. Autumn had not been there.. MIA they said. The family who had accepted her as one of thier own was gone and her best friend was MIA.. it had almost broken her resolve to make a new start.

Now she knew that Autumn would be easier to find if Galaxy was on standard patrol. She put in her request for a transfer to Galaxy's Security department and it was approved. She took a shuttle to her new post. She was on her way to see her best friend.

*******USS Galaxy*******

Riana walked down the hall towards Autumn's room. She stood nervously outside it. She hit the bell but there was no answer.

"Computer. Please state the location of Dr Autumn Jamieson." Computer: Dr Jamieson is on Holodeck two with Lt Quevvenson. Riana made her way back to her quarters. She had heard a lot about Autumn since her arrival, including the fact that she was engaged. How things change.

Autumn had grown up. And from what she heard she had made her mark very nicly on this ship. Riana paused and looked out the large window that showed the floating deralict. She had wanted to go with Thomas and the away team once she learned that Autumn had been assigned. But instead she had contented herself with finding more about Autumn's life here on Galaxy and about the man she was to marry. She slowly pulled her gaze away from the ship and headed back to her quarters.

((This happens before Autumn had that confrontation with Lord Vlad in her office.))

"Picnic"
By Lt(jg) Wilhem Quevvenson, Science Officer Lt (jg) Autumn Jamieson, ACMO

Wilhem quickly checked his messages after Gamma was completed, and read this message:

To Wilhem
From Autumn.

Was wondering if you'd like to join me for a picnic dinner on holodeck one? No one else.. Just us. meet me there as soon as you can if you are up to it love. Hugs. Autumn.

Wilehm quickly changed into more comfortable clothes, and headed for Holodeck One. Once there, he entered, and saw Autumn off by a stream. He quickly padded over to her, and said, "Greetings, Love."

"Hello," she smiled up at him from her seat on the grass. "Have a good shift?" she took his hand and gently tugged him down beside her.

Wilhem sat beside her. "Not really. I can sense great evil on board the ship. Two things. Undead, strong. Probably vampires, as I don't think liches would take a liking to the crew, and ghosts are localized phenomenon. They seem to be getting stronger. I can only guess that whatever it is, is feeding off the energy of soemthing on board. Such as blood. I have been worried all day about you. I will try to be calm during this dinner. But my worries are deep."

Autumn smiled up at him. "I will be careful love, I do agree that things seem dangerous, but maybe... we can just forget about them for now?"

Wilhem smiled at her, "Anything for you, Autumn. Anything for you. I am sure you'll take my mind off them soon enough."

Autumn smiled. "There is so much happening on this ship I thought relaxation would be a good thing." She motioned to the picnic basket set at the end of the blanket.

Wilhem nodded, "A good idea. I will try my best to relax." He leaned over and kissed her.

Autumn returned the kiss with a smile. "Thats good." She drew back and touched his cheek with her hand. "I missed you while I was on that stinky vessel. Rose was there but she went off with Commander Thomas and I was partnered by Gary. Man he has a warped sense of humor... Worse then Kira's." She paused and looked up into his eyes. "I would have rather been partnered with you."

Wilhem smiled, "I would have liked that. Even if the place smelled like the grave. There are some bad things afoot."

Autumn nodded slowly. "Yeah... Ok relaxing time," she stated as she opened the basket and drew out a bottle of red wine and two wine glasses.

Wilhem smiled warmly and took the offered wine glass. "Thank you, Autumn. I hope that our time together can be as sweet as this wine."

Autumn gave him a smile as she opened the bottle of wine and poured them both a glass. "I am sure it will be my love." She leant back on her elbow and smiled at him. "It's nice just to spend time alone with you... without anyone else about to annoy us."

Wilhem smiled knowingly, "I agree. It is good to get away from the concerns of the ship for a time. I just hope it is enough."

"It will be love." She looked about. "What do you think of the program?"

Wilhem looked around, "It is beautiful. A good setting for a picnic. And a perfect backdrop to you."

Autumn blushed and lowered her head. "This was a favorite program of my roommate at the academy. She used to come in here and relax... I used to join her on occasion. When I wasn't studying."

Wilhem smiled, "She had good taste. Like you." He sipped his wine, "Very good taste."

Autumn looked about, "Riana would have liked you I think... I wish I knew where she was... or what happened to her..." She sipped her wine and gazed at the sky.

Wilhem nodded, "I wish I knew where all my friends went to. But that is something I will figure out with time."

"I don't think I can ever find Riana again... She was a Maquis." She looked at Wilhem. "We fear she was killed during the war..." She trailed off and then gave a smile. "Oh maybe one day I'll learn the truth."

Wilhem nodded, "That is the truth. If no time else, then at the end of our lives when we are inducted into the afterlife."

Autumn nodded slowly. Gently she placed her wine glass down on the grass beside her and stretched out on her stomach to look at him. "Wise Wilhem," she said with a smile. Her left hand reached out to take his hand and she gave it a gentle squeeze. "You, My love amaze me..."

Wilhem smiled, "And you, my love amaze me every day. I am amazed that someone would still be interested in me after all that we went through. And all we may still have to go through. The darkness that seems to follow me everywhere."

Autumn looked at him. "I see no darkness love. Just you. And that's enough for me," she gently kissed his lips.

Wilhem gently returned the kiss. When it was broken, "Thank you Autumn. It is nice to know someone can look past my past and see light."

Autumn smiled. "A lot of people on this ship respect you Wil... A lot of people see past the so-called darkness. I know that Rose admires you... And I don't think that she is alone in that."

Wilhem blushed, "Maybe. I don't know. I have not gotten too much praise for doing my duties. I am struggling to make sense of it all. And it is quite difficult to do so. I guess I have doubts as to my usefulness in this time period."

Autumn smiled. "Didn't you help during the Stone of Tears Mission? Didn't you help Rose and me with that silly virus Janeway set up? Didn't you help Rose after her attack? My love you are very useful on this ship. You keep me from doing insane things most of the time."

Wilhem blushed again, "Thank you, love. It is good to see someone believes in me. Even when I myself am unsure of myself."

Autumn shrugged. "It is part of who we are... unsurity is part of being human... Even those who seem so confident can be unsure of themselves at times." She smiled at him. "Accept who you are my love... that's all you need do... You are you and that's why I fell for you."

Wilhem nodded, "Yes. And you are you. That's why I fell head over feet for you. Please never forget that."

"Never will." She smiled as she shook her head. "I think you caught my heart the first time we met."

Wilhem smiled, "I know you caught my heart that first time. I wish I could have gotten the nerve to ask you out at that time. Seems we missed some things during that period."

"We have the rest of our lives to make up for it Wil."

Wilhem nodded, "I hope so. I would hate to think we had missed out on too much." He caresses her face, tickling her cheek slightly.

"I think we have made up for it," smiles up at him and covered his hand with hers. "I never thought I'd find someone on this ship... not after the Reliant."

Wilhem smiled, "The Reliant? Why would things ever be the same on two different ships?"

Autumn looked out over the stream. "Well I never really got on with people on the Reliant... In fact aside from my roommate and medbad shift members I hardly socialised at all... I was so worried about the Galaxy when I got transfered... I didn't think I would make many friends."

Wilhem smiled and picked up her left hand, and kissed the palm, "Don't worry. You are too easy-going not to make friends on a ship such as the Galaxy. And you have made at least two good ones so far."

Autumn smiled. "Yeah I know... Just like you have my love."

Wilhem nodded solemnly, "I know. But only two. You probably have made more. It suits you better. I am just a lonely soul who finally found someone to make me not so lonely."

Autumn reached out and hugged him. "I know what you mean. I definately don't feel lonely anymore"

Wilhem hugged her back, "I don't know what I would do without you. Probably go crazy."

Autumn smiled. "Crazy? You? Never... Me yes... you no," she kissed his cheek. "You are too smart for that Love."

Wilhem smiled at her, "Thank you for the compliment. But I fear I am a little more connected to my emotions than you think."

"Being in touch with your emotions is a good thing Wil... being as cold as ice isn't the best thing in the galaxy." She smiled at him.

Wilhem nodded, "But being so close to your emotions that you fall apart when someone may leave you is not the best thing, either. And as I said I can't live without you."

"I am not going to leave you Wil. I love you too much to hurt you and just leave." She kissed him gently on the lips.

Wilhem returned the kiss. And when it was broken, he said, "Thank you, Autumn. And I would never leave you. It would hurt me too much."

Smiling Autumn nodded and raised herself into a sitting position. "Had a letter from my aunt today..." she began.

Wilhem smiled, "So how did it go? Or do you want to avoid talking about it?"

Autumn winced. "She isn't happy about the idea of a nice quiet wedding on the holodeck... But I think I talked her down from a huge wedding to our idea... I hope!"

Wilhem winced as well, "I hope so, too. I don't want something so big that its claustrophobic. I hate it when there is more going on then I can register in my mind."

Autumn nodded. "I agree... Hopefully Uncle Ross will make her see sense..." she turned her attention to Wilhem and smiled. "I thought if we could just organize ourselves... She won't have a say and there for won't be a problem."

Wilhem nodded, "That sounds like a plan. How do oyu want to go about making the plans?"

Autumn shrugged. "I have no idea... was going to ask Rose for help... if she wants to... Do you have any ideas?"

Wilhem smiled, "the only thing I had nailed down in my mind was a location. And what I am to wear. Which is my nobleman's garb. With sword and sash."

Autumn drops her head into her hands. "OK that's helpful." She sighed. "Have you got a best man yet?"

Wilhem smiled warmly, "It is not my fault. I have not been to many weddings. I don't know really how they go. As for my best man, I was thinking of Lt. Maltos Saria of the Saint Louis. He was my best friend of the group I was with. And I just recently found him again."

"Well then call him love. And find out if he wants to attend." She smiled.

Wilhem smiled, "He will want to attend. And Counsel us. He is Chief Counselor of that ship."

"Counselor?" she flashed a grin. "Why would he need to? Anyone can see that we are fine."

Wilhem grinned, "You might be fine. I might be considered neurotic."

"Neurotic? Nan.. pessamist.. that works." She teased with a smile. "Or then it could be Mr Common sense. You know because you seem to keep me out of situations that could turn out bad." Her eyes softened at him as she gazed into his eyes.

Wilhem nodded, "I will continue to try and make that happen. I don't want you to get into any bad situations. It might cause me to lose control."

Autumn raised an eyebrow at that. "You my love are the calmest person I know. That would be something to watch I am sure." She smiled.

Wilhem smiled, "It might be. But the person who causes the probelm will not be happy. They will most likely be hurting worse than you."

Autumn smiled at her love before leaning down and kissing him gently. "Oh poor them," she murmured as she gently pulled away.

Wilhem smiled warmly, "So when do we eat? It is getting later. And you should be going to bed soon."

Laughing Autumn lifted the basket and placed it in between them. She opened it. "Lets see... we have a number of things in here... Have a look."

Wilhem glanced inside, and saw some submarine sandwiches. One was turkey. This was what he took. "This looks good. Hope you find something to eat."

Autumn smiled and pulled out a chicken, Lettuce, Avacado and mayo sandwich. "Yup," she said as she unwrapped it. She smiled as she reached for the wine bottle. "More wine love?"

Wilhem nodded, "Sure thing, Love. Just not too much. I want to remember this evening."

Autumn poured them both a glass and smiled. "I have the unfortunate ability of remembering everything that happenes... even when I am drunk... Like at the Disco," she looked at the ground. "I was so embarrased the next morning... It took me ages to even look anyone in the face that day."

Wilhem smiled, "Don't worry. You said nothing to offend me. Or anyone else, I am sure. You were just a little tipsy, is all."

"A little tipsy? I was just as bad as Rose," she smiled back. "I only just made it to my bed that night... especially after you kissed my hand." she took a sip of her wine.

Wilhem smiled warmly, "I did not know the effect I had on you. But you had that effect on me."

Autumn blushed and looked him straight in the eye. "Oh you had that effect on me love... So much that after the hug i gave you after the holodeck fight... I decided that, I should, take a step back for a while... It really didn't work cause at the disco I found it harder to resist you... I didn't trust myself not to screw things up."

Wilhem nodded, "After that hug, I was hoping not to screw things up. By coming on too fast or whatever. It is hard to resist someone when you do care for them so much. I did not want to screw your life up. I still don't trust myself not to screw things up."

Autumn touched his cheek. "Well I am sure we won't screw up... And if I do I hope you'll help me to work things out... cause I'll help you love."

Wilhem smiled, "I will help you out, Love. You can count on me."

Autumn smiled back. "And you can count on me... how is your chest love? Have you had any trouble?"

Wilhem shook his head, "No trouble. They say the pain will eventually go away. The new lung is working well. But the scar still itches from time to time."

Autumn gave him a small smile. "It will for a while... but I am glad that you aren't in any pain.... Um have you heard anything on our escapee?"

Wilhem shook his head again, "No. It appears he headed for the Gorn frontier. There are a few systems down there that have little contact with the rest of the Federation."

"Well the further away from us the better, I think," Autumn said quietly. "It is nice to know he can't get to us."

Wilhem grimaced, "I don't think he will stop until he has gotten us. Or he is dead. He will just lay low for a time. And then strike when it suits him."

Autumn shrugged. "Next time he won't get away from me... that's all I can say. He only gets one chance... and he didn't do what he had to."

Wilhem nodded, "Next time, he won't get by me to get to you. Next time, I'll kill him where he stands."

Autumn smiled. "I am sure you will my love." She sipped her wine again. "I will have to get back into practice after that fight. It made me realise how bad I am at hand to hand combat."

Wilhem smiled warmly, "I can teach you. When I don't feel so much pain from stretching the scar and all."

Autumn smiled at him again. "I'll hold you to that Love... But it will be a while before you are back up to full strength."

Wilhem nodded, "I hope you do... When I am able. I could wish the event did not happen. But it has brought us closer, I think."

"Yes... though personally I never want to go through that again," she placed her glass down and brushed a strand of hair from her face.

Wilhem sipped his wine and said, "I agree. We'll probably go through more troubles together. Like this ship. It just attracts trouble."

Nodding Autumn looked about the area. "But not in here," she said with a smile. She stood up and stretched her arms. "It's so peaceful in here... almost makes me forget where we are."

Wilhem nodded, "It is and it almost does. But I find it is more apt that you make me forget where I am and what is going on."

Smiling Autumn knelt beside him and leant forward to kiss him. "I like forgetting everything but you."

Wilhem placed his right hand on her left shoulder, and returned the kiss with a passion. Then when it was broken. "I know. So let us forget everything and just eat. And become more enraptured with each other."

Autumn nodded and leant against him while they ate. After she had finished she closed her eyes and said, "Do we have go back out there?"

Wilhem smiled solemnly, "Yes. We do. Eventually. I would rather stay in here for a little bit longer. Then I'll escort you back to your room. And we can both sleep easier."

Autumn nodded and kissed him again.

Wilhem returned the kiss, his lips tasting of wine and turkey. Her lips mostly tasted of wine and other mellow flavors. He reveled in that. He hoped that nothing too untoward would happen in the days to come.

Autumn pulled away slowly and gently brushed his hair from his forehead and smiled. "I love you Wil."

Wilhem nodded, "And I love you, Kender. You will always be my true love. Never forget that."

"Never. And don't you forget that I love you Wil."

Wilhem smiled, "How can I? Anything short of amnesia and death will not take me away from you. And even in death, I will be a spirit watching over you always."

"You are not going to die for a long time Wilhem Quevvenson. We are going to be together for a very long time... that I can assure you my love."

Wilhem nodded, "And I can assure you that death will not take you as long as I can still stop it from doing so. I would even descend into the depths of Tartarus to bring you back."

Autumn looked puzzled, "Tartarus?"

Wilhem smiled, "One of the lower planes. It is also the Greek equivalent of Hell."

"Oh... need to brush up on my history," she replied blushing slightly as she began to put the basket off the rug so that they both could stretch out.

Wilhem smiled warmly, "Don't worry about it. I only know of the Outer Planes because some of my old friends were paladins. I am just now beginning to discover their whereabouts. But enough of that. It is time to relax and cuddle with each other."

She smiled back. "You have such good ideas Wil," she moved closer and hugged him.

Wilhem nodded and caressed her back in the hug. "I may have good ideas. But they come from my love for you."

Pulling back slightly she smiled. "I love spending time with you."

Wilhem nodded, "Thanks. I love spending most of my free time with you. You are the prettiest person on this ship. And that is a fact."

"You sir are trying to flatter me... amazingly you are the only person I know for whom it actually works." She said blushing and smiling.

Wilhem smiled, "You are. At the very least to me. And I can't believe that you fell for such a plain person such as me."

Shaking her head she leant forward so that their foreheads touched and then whispered. "To me you are not plain My love... You fascinate me... and have done so from the minute we met. I think that you are the best looking gentleman on this ship. And besides it wasn't just your looks that drew me to you... It was you... the person that you are. I love you Wil."

Wilhem blushed and smiled, "I love you Autumn. And you fascinate me as well. I am enraptured by you. And I will always be that way. You are my true love. Please, by all the gods, never forget that."

Smiling Autumn gently kissed him. "Never will," she then deepened the kiss and was content.

Wilhem returned the kiss passionately. He was content, too. And he let her know it by putting his thoughts into her head. He could sense she was content. And he knew that they both would grow in their love for one another.

Autumn lay curled up against him enjoying the feeling of being with him. Slowly she broke the kiss so that they could breathe and rested her head on his shoulder.

Wilhem let her head rest on his shoulder, taking comfort in the feeling of being near her. It was something he could do without failure. He kissed her cheek, "I love you Kender. I will never forget these moments. Not if I have anything to say about it."

Autumn smiled up at him. "I really don't want this moment to end Wil."

Wilhem nodded, "I don't either. But you are getting tired. So if its okay with you, I'd like to take you home, and kiss you good night. We can continue this another time, if you want."

Smiling she stood up and held out her hand. "Anything to spend more time with you love."

Wilhem smiled and stood, "I agree. Anything to spend more time with you, my love."

Smiling Autumn led the way to the doors, "Computer Arch and end program and save," the arch appeared and the doors opened and they stepped into the corridor.

Wilhem walked with Autumn to her quarters. He then turned, and kissed her once again. When he broke the kiss, he said, "I love you, Autumn. Stay safe."

Autumn hugged him and kissed his cheek and nodded. "I will Love. You stay safe as well," she then entered her quarters with a smile.

Wilhem smiled and watched the doors swish closed, before heading to his quarters. He entered his quarters, and got ready for bed. Once he was ready, he climbed in, and began to have sweet dreams of Autumn and his upcoming life together.

Autumn walked through her room and got ready for bed. She lay down in her bed and was soon drifting off into a sound sleep.

"In the Still of the Night"
By Lt Rose Isis MacAllen
Lord Vlad (writen by William Bolitho)
Lady Lilth (writen by Angela Cook)

**Rose's room**

After working non-stop for over nine hours in the Science Lab she needed some relaxing time, she walked into the bathroom and takes off her uniform and take down her long brown hair from its tight bun.

In a dark corner of the room next to hers, Vlad was waiting. When she was resting comfortably, he would strike. This was the first chance since the meeting in her office. And this time he would score a meal.

Lady Lilth walks up to and kisses Vlad on the neck, "What is she to us... another mistress, another lover for the both of us. Her blood is very sweet, the smell of it is... why is her blood so sweet?"

Vlad smiled, "Her blood is sweet, because she has a virgin waiting to come out. And because she is a virgin at heart."

Rose lays down in her bed trying to read her Betazoid bible.

Vlad slowly crept into her quarters. He was ready for almost anything. In the darkness of the outer rooms, he waited for Rose's light to go off. Then he would strike.

"Wait Vlad... should we make her feel pleasure and unholy passion before we attack." Lilth said with a grin while watching the beautiful woman read her bible.

Vlad thought a moment, "Why not? She will not remember any of it anyway."

After Rose prayed to her gods, she turned off the lights and enters a very deep sleep.

Vlad then entered her room, and approached the bed. He hoped to let her sense him first, then seduce her.

In her sleep, Rose started to raise up from the bed a little. Her long brown hair down and smells as Betazoid Tiger Lilies.

Vlad approached her and touched her brow with his hand. He then quickly moved his hand down to her right breast and caressed it.

Rose moans then Lady Lilth ripped off Rose's white nightgown and grins at Vlad while touching the young girl's face.

Vlad then caressed her other breast, and then licked both nipples. He then placed his hand into her warm nether regions. And rythmically moved them in and out of her.

Rose moans a little, then started to move around the bed... the passion and the lust in her was buliding.

When the lust and passion in her reached a certain poitn, Vlad removed his pants and hand, and mounted her roughly. When she reached her crescendo, he leaned over and drank of her sweet blood. Lilith took the ohter side of her, and drank also. It was a beautiful conjoining.

Rose started to yell in pain a little as she was trying to get up from the bed.

Vlad pinned her to the bed until they were done feeding, then they quickly fled the room. Before she was aware of what had happened.

**Next Morning**

Rose woke up with a very bad headache, as she moved towards her mirror she can see two diffrent bite marks on her neck. She started to pass out a little but she pulled herself together, first go to sickbay for this sickness and then back to work... she going to be damned if she was going to let Vlad get the best of her, she not that easy to get.