"Flitter Flitter, Flamingo Flambee"
by
Lt Kira Murphy
and
Lt Rebecca von Ernst

Unauthorized appearances by:
Ensign Arel Smith, Security
Lt. Commander Raginald Gustavson, Helm.
Lt. (j/g) Wilhem Quevvenson, Science

Snips from:
Commander Thomas, XO
---------------------------------------------

"Lieutenant von Ernst...you have the Bridge." The casual attitude in which Captain Price spoke tohose ominous words belied the sheer weight and import of what he was saying.

"You have the bridge."

Four simple words.none more than a single syllable in length and all easily understood by anyone with a second grade education...

"You have the bridge."

Words conveying more power and authority, and sheer destructive potential than ever dreamed of in thousands of years of history. More weight and responsibility for the life and wellbeing of one thousand souls..all thrust directly on the fragile shoulders of one of the USS Galaxy's most notoriously unpredictable psyche's.

"You have the bridge."

~~~Is there an echo in here?~~~ Tiny Rebecca wondered her mind reeled with the sudden transfer of power. Price made no secret of his disappointment withhis flaky Tactical Officer, so what was he thinking?

Even Commander Thomas had to raise an eyebrow at the Captains choice for temporary command. Chris Thomas made even less pretence at hiding his intense dislike of Rebecca and her 'quirks'

Still, An order was an order...

"A.aye..y.yes.s.sir..uh.aye sir I mean. I..uh.have the .uh..I have the con." Rebecca stuttered shakily. She fidgeted nervously on her bar-stool unsure of what to do next.

~~~All hands abandon ship maybe?~~~ her brain offered helpfully.

Price's eyes flicked meaningfully towards the center chair before striding confidently off the bridge with Commander Thomas in tow. Obviously there would be words in private between the two once the turbolift doors were safely shut.

And with a soft hisss of closing doors, Rebecca was alone...

Actually to me more accurate, she was the antithesis of alone..she was the center of attention and the focal point of all activity aboard Starfleet's largest vessel. The little farm girl from Minnesota had been thrust into the limelight at last.

This in truth was the FIRST time that the sheer weight and responsibility of Command had settled on the young redhead, even if only temporarily. To be sure Starfleet's newest prodigy had sat in the BIG CHAIR many times before, but always in simulations, or with a watchful instructor staring over her shoulder.

Indeed it was during a routine training flight around Jupiter that a quick-thinking Instructor prevented a very fumble-fingered Cadet von Ernst from ramming the ice moon Europa at ¾ Impulse.

But here she was at last..

Gulping and muttering a quick prayer to every deity she ever read about in her Academy Xeno-Cultures course, Rebecca slipped slowly off the metal barstool and took a few seconds to steady her trembling feet on the floor.

~~~Darn Noodling Gravity must be acting up.~~~ she fretted to herself as suddenly her legs went all wobbly from the stress.

Shakily she rounded the polished wood of the Main Tactical Arch and made her way towards the center of the room. The open glass viewport in the ceiling allowed the brilliant starlight from above to filter down in a halo about her shoulder length red hair, highlighting it nicely. With all eyes present upon her (or at least she supposed), Rebecca considered the large empty chair before her.

So many times she had sat there during simulations, but never for real..never like this. Maybe the Galaxy was safe and motionless in some sheltered hindquarter of Federation territory, but space travel was never an idle proposition, and command a starship..no matter how brief..was never to be taken in stride.

~~~Well here goes nothing.~~~ she sighed as she appraoched and clumsily clambered aboard the oversized seat. As with most seating aboard the Galaxy, the chair was a tad too high off the ground for the tiny Rebecca, and she found herself forced to choose between perching awkwardly on the very edge of the cushion, or sliding against the back and having her boots dangle helplessly a good four inches off the deck.

Rejecting both, the lithe young woman drew her slim legs up underneath her and sat indian-fashion atop the Galaxy's center of Power.

~~~Now..~~~ she breathed to herself. ~~~I'll just sit here, concentrate on breathing, and hope nothing...unusual happens.~~~

====================================================================
(Elsewhere)

Skipping down the corridor in the resemblance of an LSD induced haze, Kira Murphy giggled as she followed a pair of flamingos and lorikeets down the corridor, muttering and oohing as they changed colors every so often in bright rainbow swirls.

Entering a turbolift, Kira grabbed for one of the birds but missed. Pouting, she called out,

"Birdy birdy."

Laughing, she heard the computer speak,

[ Unknown command. Please repeat. ]

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

In the Sickbay computer, a signal activated as the internal sensors built into Kira's combadge sent information that she was acting strangely.

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

Finally after a short argument with the computer, Kira managed to convince it to take her somewhere that sounded interesting.

After a few minutes, the turbolift arrived at its destination, in which time Kira had managed to chase the flamingos around the turbolift a few times.

When the door opened, they bolted out onto the deck with Kira giggling as she followed ------ onto the bridge.

Kira stopped for a second, looking around as she saw the tactical arch grow wings, "ooooo, funky."

Spotting a flamingo heading past the command chairs, Kira smiled and sprang over the edge of the arch, trying to crash-tackle the big bird that was just settling to nest snuggly in the center seat.

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

Unfortunately for those members of the crew NOT tripping out on some strange Alien chemicals, the world was NOT as Kira saw it. No dancing puppies, no singing trout, and definitely no flamingos in the Command chair. That spot was instead held by the very surprised Lieutenant von Ernst. The skittish little redhead had heard the turbolift doors open, but the security Ensign had made no announcement concerning a possible unauthorized entry so Rebecca had continued to concentrate on the little situation monitor in the chair's armrest.

Her only warning was when Lt. Commander Gustavson turned around at helmand spotted a very attractive brunette in a gray suit that had come onto the bridge and seemed to be quite crazed at the moment.

Before anyone could react, the woman said something like "ooo, funky", and A brief second later, she had sprang over the tactical arch and managed to crash-tackle Lt von Ernst, and was now laughing like a freaking maniac.

One would think that someone suspended in an anti gravity suit like Kira was, would not present that much of a force when struck by. Unfortunately the reality of physics is that MASS and not WEIGHT determines the exact power behind a blow, and so the unfortunate little 95 pound Rebecca was suddenly struck by all 125 pounds of the six-foot plus Kira Murphy, and felt every ounce of it.

The pair crashed suddenly to the floor, Rebecca banging her chin painfully on the deck forcing her teeth the crunch together. Kira, although totally deranged at the moment was more prepared for the impact, and thus rolled out of it easily.

Around them the bridge crew stared in shocked silence as the giggling Elaysian grinned and tittered on about the 'flamingo fall down go.BOOM!'

Blurrily Rebecca peeled herself off the carpet, briefly terrified that somehow the GALXY itself was under attack, and thus her worse nightmare revealed. It was only when she focussed on the grinning loon before her did she recognizze her from somewhere..

~~~One of the big boobed naked chicks from the Slumber Party~~~ her mind supplied the answer, before adding, ~~~ Not that EVERYONE has big boobs compared to you !~~~

Rebecca felt the strong arms of one of the other crewmen assist her to a sitting position on the floor, where she sat for a moment quite dazed. The Security Ensign Arel Smith had finally snapped to it, and came around to cover the giggling Kira with his phaser.

Rebecca as a member of Tactical was the only other member of the Bridge crew that was armed, but the impact had knocked her own weapon over by the viewscreen, where Lt. Commander Gustavson was dutifully collecting it.

Focussing back on the busty, bouncy woman before her, Rebecca stuttered, "Wh.who...wh.what the ..n..noodles is going on?"

Jumping up, Kira raced to Rebecca, who was backpedaling away, and hugged her tight, smiling and snuggling against her shoulder, "Got you flamingo.. Kiss flamingo.."

For someone who was only beginning to get over the shock and embarrassment of having one buxom beauty attempt to kiss her (Namely Nilani Kahn), to now have yet another curvy female attempt to get a smooch was more than little Rebecca could bear. ( especially here on the bridge with everyone watching).

"Aaughh! Get AWAY!" Rebecca protested squirming in Kira's powerful embrace. The sheer height difference between the six foot Elaysian and the five foot Human had the unfortunate effect of smooshing Rebecca's freckled face deep into the pillowy cushioning of Kira's bosom.

It was a sensation that many a man would die for, but for Rebecca it made her skin crawl.

Fortunately for the overwhelmed young Lieutenant the rest of the bridge crew was reacting now, namely the on duty security officer Ensign Arel Smith who vaulted the Tactical Arch, coming to the rescue of her embattled commander.

Snarling a oath in Klingon, the wiry Officer expertly peeled Kira off Rebecca and proceeded to slam the Physician roughly into the deck.

Wiping ineffectually at her 'contaminated' cheek Rebecca dealt with a severe case of the 'heebee-jeebies' as a result of Kira's attemp t.

~~~Flaming Noodles on a stick~~~ she shuddered, ~~~Do I have a stamp on my forehead that says 'Lesbian-bait' or something?~~~

"Prisoner secure," Ensign Smith reported sharply as she held the giggling Dr. Murphy on the floor with her arm pulled back at an awkward angle. "Shall I dislocate something Ma'am?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

All eyes went to Rebecca who was still quietly freaking out. She wished someone else would make a decision, but although Lt. Commander Gustavson was ranking officer present, she had the 'Con' so to speak and was therefore in charge.

"Ummm.ah.well.." She fumbled wishing she could fall into a hole..~~~The horror! Everyone saw her try to kiss me!!! Now everyone knows what a freak I am!!! Not a girl!! I 'm some second class piece of garbage, not even worthy of a REAL relationship!!~~~

Fortunately for the red faced Lieutenant, she was literally 'saved by the bell' when a soft alarm started chirping from the Helm Console.

Swiftly re-manning his post, Gustavson quickly discovered the cause. "Navigational Anomaly Ma'am!" he reported crisply. "Helm has engaged on automatic and we are backing away from the Tamarian vessel."

"Really? Oh.gee." Rebecca breathed, not meaning to speak aloud. Sure enough on the main viewscreen, the docile image of the ancient Tamarian sleeper ship that had dominated the view for the last several days was slowly receding, as the GALAXY gently backed away.

"Bye bye birdie." Kira giggled insanely, waving farewell to the vessel with her one unrestrained arm.

There was a brief second of absolute silence as all eyes turned towards the skittish little redhead in the center of the room, and she was suddenly faced with the gnawing question facing all leaders..'what do we do now sir?'

Fortunately it was also then that she remembered an old axiom valid since the dawn of warfare...-Make a DECISION.doesn't matter if it's the right one or the wrong one, but DO SOMETHING!!-

"Noodles.well.uh..Mr. Gustavoson.uh sir..f..f..full stop if you please."

The blond haired Space-Boomer just shook his head..no dice.

Climbing back into the Big Chair, Rebecca re-assumed her 'Indian-style" seating and attempted access through the Captains Manual Override, again with no success.

"Range to Tamarian Vessel 500 kilometers and increasing, we are coming about to a new heading..AW CRAP!"

"Wha.what is it helmsman?" Rebecca squeaked, "What happened?"

"Nav control just went down Ma'am. I have no indication of where we're heading.."

=/\=Commander Thomas to bridge.=/\= the sudden irratated voice of The Galaxy's XO boomed over the intercom. =/\=What is going on? Why are we moving?=/\=

~~~Noodles..it had to be HIM.~~~ Rebecca cringed at the hostile tone in the Commander' s voice. "I.. I don't know sir." She managed to report in a quavering voice. "The ship just started moving all by itself.

=/\=Order full stop.=/\= Chris returned in a voice of authority

Shrugging despite the fact he coundnt see her Rebecca explained, =/\=I tried that. The helm is not responding.=/\=

Thomas cut off the rest of her answer. =/\=We have away team members on the Tamarian vessel Lieutenant. We can't leave them stranded out here.=/\= There were shuffling noises coming through the intercom as if someone was struggling into a uniform.

~~~Ooops.~~~ Rebecca gulped, eyes flicking towards the diminishing vessel on the viewscreen. ~~~I forgot about them....~~~ "I.uh..I can have them beamed back." Rebecca stated quickly. Looking around for Ensign Smith who would have performed the function, but alas the Klingon-raised Security Officer was still struggling with the seemingly drunken Kira Murphy.

~~~Noodles~~~

=/\=Do it.=/\= Chris ordered, =/\=And notify the Captain.=/\=

"Uh.aye..ok.sir" Rebecca nodded even though Thomas had already cut the connection. "Arel! Stand the Doctor in a corner somewhere and man Tactical...b.beam those away teams back!"

Grinning maliciously, Arel Smith hoisted the wiggling Kira and painfully slapped her nose into a corner near the rear of the bridge. "Bad Doctor," she chastised, "You'll have to stand in Time Out for awhile.."

The gentle humm of electronics from behind her indicated that Smith had successfully completed the beam over, but Lt.Commander Gustavson announced a new problem.

"Galaxy had just slipped into warp Ma'am." He nodded towards the star lines now streaking past the forward screen. No way to tell what speed or what direction we're heading.all Navigational aides are offline.."

"Fooey." Rebecca muttered in frustration. "We 're gonna be lost in space.."

"Fooey.." Kira mumbled sadly from her corner. "Poor pretty Fooey. Bad Birdie."

"Bad Doctor." Smith reminded her.

BRRR---ZAAAAPP!!!

With a sudden static discharge and the smell of ozone, the Main Viewscreen on the bridge suddenly cut out along with most of the lights, leaving the bridge shrouded in near darkness.

"Viewscreen out!" The skittish Ensign at Ops announced the obvious.."Now we're totally blind!"

"External sensors offline." Reported Science Officer Quevvenson from the rear of the bridge. The tall man seemed unusually relaxed and euphoric today, having only this morning boinked the luscious Autumn Jamieson six times in a row. (dang.call him Mr. Stamina)

The compounding disasters and malfunctions hammered painfully into Rebecca's psyche..the patterns of panic and confusion were readily apparent to her mathematical mind, and the one variable at the root of all this was glaringly obvious..HER. She was the crucial factor that could send the mathmatical probabilities into success or failure...the ship needed an effective leader.

Leaning forward in the Big Chair and closing her eyes tight the way she had done in so many Academy simulations in the past, Rebecca von Ernst drove out distractions and focussed on the social and mathematical dynamics of the situation...complex equations dancing in her minds eye.

Now as then....the math behind the issues was glaringly clear. The implementation however was...well...

Eyes snapping open Rebecca knit her brow and stared at the blank burned out viewscreen, "Ensign Smith, Drop a Nav Bouy.let Starfleet know where we are.or at least where we've been."

"Aye Ma'am."

"Ops..reroute power to bridge lighting and see if you can get the ventilators going..the smoke from the burnt wiring cant be healthy."

"Aye Ma'am."

"Helm, Science...stand bye, I'm gonna need you in a second or two."

"Aye Ma'am."

"Aye Ma'am."

Tapping her Insignia Rebecca called out he most frightening words in all of Starfleet...in traditional Rebecca style..." Um..hello ship.uh..everybody...Uh.This is Rebec.I mean this is the bridge.. R.red alert.uh.if you please. Oh yeah.Captain Price to the Bridge...thanks."

~~~Oh noodles did I just say 'please and thanks'.. I'm gonna die.~~~

Swallowing her embarrasment, Rebecca motioned for Gustavson and the tall Aeybrynnis-born Science Officer Quewenson to come closer to the Center of the Bridge. "Uh.Come here guys.I uh..need you to..uh..give me a boost." She stammered.

"A boost?" The two men exchanged quizzical glances. "A boost to where Ma'am?"

Rebecca pointed, and as one, all eyes in the bridge went to the glass viewport in the ceiling of the bridge where stars could be seen whizzing by at trans-Einsteinien speeds. "Up there." She said..."I'm gonna do some stargazing and see if I can figure out where we are going."

Raginald and Wilhem hesitated. The complexities of taking Star-Sighitngs with the naked eye.and doing it at Warp Speed.and doing it without a initial frame of reference was..well it was downright impossible.

But if anybody could wrap their mind around the insanely difficult calculations and vectors and spatial relationships..and do it all in her head...well Rebecca could. (They hoped)

"Allright Ma'am." Gustavson stooped and cradled his hands to give the little Lieutenant a boost up. "Lets just hope the Captain doesn't walk in with you dangling in mid air."

============================================= ==========

Elsewhere on the ship, the ever-spunky Holli von Ernst watched the crew race about as the Red alert order trickled down through the decks, and sighed happily. ~~~My little baby.all grown up and calling red alerts of her own now.~~~

(To be continued)

=/\=

Injustice

Lieutenant Jg Todd Sansky
Medical Doctor
USS Galaxy

NPC Nathan Carrington

Between all the commotion Dothan had ordered Todd back to his quarters to get some rest. Todd walked into his room and dried his eyes before splashing his face with cold water. He looked at the bed, the last place he saw Nathan conscious. Grimly he looked down before taking off the jacket to his uniform. He sat on the bed and taking a deep breathe lay down to try to get some sleep. Todd closed his eyes just as his comm. badge chirped.

=/\= Sickbay to Dr Sansky, we need you here now sir =/\=

=/\= Understood, I’m on my way =/\= Todd got up again and repeated his prior activities, dressed again he yawned and walked over to the replicater.

=/\= Computer, Espresso coffee =/\= Downing the caffeine Todd walked out of his quarters towards the turbolift.

Arriving in Sickbay Todd stopped dead in his tracks, Nathan was sitting in his bed talking to a security officer. “Nathan!” Todd ran over to his lover and hugged him tight. “Oh thank god you’re alright. I was so worried…”

“Get the hell away from me.” Nathan pushed Todd away and knocked him onto the floor before jumping off his bed.

“What, I don’t understand, what’s wrong with you.”

“You did this to me, to all these people, you tried to frame Lord Vlad and his lady by introducing a viral agent on the ship but you failed, you should have killed me when you had the chance, a chance you will never have again.” The security officer stood in front of Nathan with pointing a phaser at Sansky.

“I think you should come with us Doctor.” Todd glared at Nathan with anger and fear, how could he be saying these things. He was there he saw Vlad with Nathan, the damage he caused. Suddenly realizing his situation Todd backed off towards the storage unit, he slipped two hyposprays down the pants of his uniform before raising his hands in surrender. Saying nothing he allowed himself to be escorted out of Sickbay with the rest of the staff looking at him before they were ordered to find Todd’s ‘Virus’. Walking along the corridors he knew where they were headed. The Brig.

“Wait please, you have the wrong man, let me run some neural scans on Nathan first, see if he has been tampered with in some way.”

“No offence Doctor but we have no intention of letting a dangerous criminal loose or allowing him access to a person he has tried to murder.”

“This is so ridiculous, I love that man, why would I try to kill him?”

“Good question, now please after you.” The young man beckoned for Todd to enter the turbolift first. Doing so the other two entered as one called for deck 38 the doors closed and the lift descended. Todd had never been to the secure deck before; security seemed to be swarming around as they entered the Brig. Pointing towards a cell Todd hesitantly walked in as the blue flash of the force field activated. All but one of yellow shirts left the room, one particularly muscular hard faced hunk stood by the controls. Todd sat on his bunk not knowing what else to do, what were his options, ultimately he had to move his innocence, but what could an unarmed Doctor do…

“Dreaming of you”
By Jessie Parry. ACTO.

Jessie sat in her new office and sighed, her eyes continuously straying to the holo on her desk corner. James Kincaid. ‘Bugger!’ she thought as she tore her eyes away from the holo. ‘Concentrate Parry. Get your work done’ she glanced at her screen full or reports and the like. Sighing she shut off her screen and relaxed in her chair. She was never going to get any work done not with the memories of the dream running through her mind. She stood and stretched her body and then picked up the holo gently. ‘How can you, who are so far away affect me like this?’ she sat on the edge of her desk and stared down at it as memories flooded into her mind. Of the first time they had met in ten forward and how after a bit he had gotten agitated and gone off to the holodeck. Of the dinner in his quarters and of that holo program that they had done afterwards. Of the battle bridge during the Borg fight.. of that first kiss and everything that happened afterwards. That dream had surpassed everything that they had ever done. In fact they had never gone that far in reality. She reached out and hit the music button on her desk as she rose and sat down behind her desk sprawled in her chair with a leg hanging over the arm. The music started and she found that it suited her mood perfectly.

“Dreaming of you” by Selena

Late at night when all the world is sleeping I stay up late and think of you and I wish on a star That somewhere you are thinking of me too

'Cause I'm dreaming of you tonight
'Til tomorrow I'll be holding you tight And there's nowhere in the world I'd rather be Than here in my room dreaming about you and me

Wonder if you ever see me and I wonder if you Know I'm there (Am I there)
If you looked in my eyes would you see what's inside Would you even care

I just wanna hold you close but so far
All I have are dreams of you
So I wait for the day and the courage to say How much I love you

I'll dreaming of you tonight
'Til tomorrow I'll be holding you tight And there's nowhere in the world I'd rather be Than here in my room dreaming about you and me

(BRIDGE) Ahh-Ahh
I can't stop dreaming of you
I can't stop dreaming
I can't stop dreaming of you

Late at night when all the world is sleeping I stay up and think of you
And I still can't believe that
You came up to me and said
I love you
I love you too

I'll be dreaming with you tonight
'Til tomorrow and for all of my life
And there's nowhere in the world l'd rather be Than here in my room dreaming with you endlessly

She sighed as the song finished and scrubbed at her face wiping the tears from her cheeks. She glanced at her chrono and sighed. She had to get to the bridge in about half an hour. She stood up to wash her face and check her make up when the announcement came over the intercom. ‘Rebecca?!?!’ she thought as she splashed water onto her face and quickly replaced her makeup and then sprinted to the bridge. If she wasn’t needed there then she would go to the battle bridge.

"Dancing Around"
By Lt Rose Isis MacAllen, Science Officer
Lord Vlad Tepes (played by William Bolitho)

**Rose's dream state**

Rose was asleep in the main bedroom of the castle, she wearing a deep red ball gown with an ruby necklace what was like blood stain on her beauiful body, she was in a very deep sleep hoping that Vlad will just leave her alone for a while.

Vlad slipped into the room, and approached her. he quickly picked her up, and said, "Awaken, my darling. It is time to dance."

Rose tried to pull away, "I don't want to dance Vlad!"

Vlad smiled, "Oh, you will dance, my love. One way or another."

Rose tried to pull away harder from him, "I will not dance with you."

Vlad smiled solemnly, "Why do you try to get away? You are now mine. I will not let you go. now you will dance." And some dancing music starts playing.

Rose stops fighting him and went into his arms, starts to slow dance with him. Then she looks down at her necklace and saw it wasn't a ruby... the stone was full of blood.

Vlad smiled, "I see you like your necklace. It's hind's blood. The stuff to kill gods."

"I don't want it!" she yells while trying to take the necklace off, but it won't come off.

Vlad smiled solemnly, "But it wants you. Careful it might try to choke you if you resist too much."

"What is this necklace for Vlad? Why does it want me?" Rose said as she can feel his arm holding her tight against him.

Vlad nodded, "It wants you for your feeds. That is all.~

"And what do you want me for?" Rose said as they danced around the room, he was going a little too fast for her to keep up.

Vlad smiled, "For proper companionship. Nothing more."

Rose try to think of the way to see what he had planned for her and the Galaxy, "Please Vlad I need a drink sir please."

Vlad smiled and rang for a set of drinks. In came two goblets filled with lavender-colored Klingon blood.

Rose try to smile and takes the drink..the smell was strong, "So what do you have plan for me and the Galaxy in the real world?" she asking hoping not to displease him in anyway.

Vlad smiled, "I plan to feed on everyone. And when that ends, I will begin to kill off the crew, as they become more suspicious."

"And what about me Vlad?" Rose said with a grin on her face, trying to act the part.

Vlad smiled, "You will be allowed to live until after you have given birth. Then I will make you a vampire. And then you will roam the Galaxy as one of us."

Rose got up then when towards the window as a thunder started playing around in the sky, she started to pick some black roses from the vase thinking how she going to tell the Captain and the others this.

Vlad smiled, "Don't fret. Even if you decided to tell the Captain of the ship, he will not believe you. Only a select few will."

Rose looks at him feeling like slaping him across the face but in the dream he was in control he can do anything he please with her in the dreams, she have no free will even if she fights him.

Then Rose sits down in a gold chair, she can hear screams down in the dungon she was glad it wasn't her tied up and gagged down there with the others, but for some reason she pleases him. Rose smells the black rose and then looks into his eyes.

Vlad smiled and picked her up form the chair. "More dancing," he said, as he began to do the waltz with her.

**Few Hours later**

Rose was growing tired of dancing around the room, she started to lay on his shoulder.

Vlad smiled, and laid her on the bed. "Time for some other forms of dancing." And he quickly disrobed her, and pushed his pants down. Then he entered her savagely, and kept ramming her hard until she climaxed. Then he removed himself and pulled up his pants.

Rose tried to get up, she was so so sore from him ramming himself into her, then she grins at him.

"So have I been a good girl or bad girl sir?" Rose said trying to get into the part more.

Vlad smiled solemnly, "A bad girl... A very bad girl. And I like you that way."

"What if I try to escape from you Vlad... you know I will always try," Rose said getting her dress back on while brushing her long brown hair out.

Vlad smiled, "There is no where for you to run. I will find you no matter where on the ship you go."

Rose sits back into the gold chair again, "I'm not a very weak woman Vlad..and you don't know me very well."

Then she grabbed the goblet that was full of Klingon blood and started drinking it down very fast, the blood drips down her ruby lips.

Vlad smiled, "You did well just there. I think you need another dance." And he picked her up and beagn dancing to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.

"Please no more dancing!" Rose said trying to push him away from her.

Vlad only held on tighter, "We will dance until I tire of dancing. Then we will dance under the covers."

Rose tried to keep up with him, she held on to him so very tight she had a bruise on her arm. She danced with him more though out the night, but Rose was thinking of some way to escape from him but if she did he would maybe kept trap making sure she won't escape him.

Vlad smiled, "There is no way out, Rose. You are mine. Forever." He kissed her forehead.

"NO!!!!!!" she yelled trying to fight him with everything she had in her body.

She broke free of his grasp, and fell to the floor. There, her hand closed on a wooden table leg, broken from a previous blind rant of Vlad's. Vlad bent to pick Rose back up.

Rose looked into his eyes again, now she was under his control... her will is now his there was no escape now, in these dreams Rose belongs to him.

Vlad picked her up, and they began to dance once more. "You will enjoy this," he said.

Rose danced with him around the castle until then get close to the dungon, she can here the screaming behind their gags as they were been tortured in everyway Vlad wants. She can see Vlad in the corner of her eyes watching Rose's every move.

Vlad smiled, "You will never have to go through that, my dear. It is only the lesser beings that need the chastisement."

"They're all my friends!"

Vlad smiled, "I am the only friend you need. And I will be your only friend in the days to come."

Rose walks away from him and made her way to the rose gardens where it was full of black, ugly roses.

Vlad followed her and watched her walk in between the pretty black roses. He hoped to make her his soon enough. And then she would be happy for years to come. Or so he thought.

Rose try to run away while running though the gardens, then both Lily and Drago who are both very strong vampires grabs her by the arms, she started yelling but Drago puts his strong hand around her mouth tightly and bring her back to his master, but Rose knew for some odd reason Vlad wouldn't hurt her since he needed her too much, maybe he will just punish her a little.

Vlad smiled, then clapped his hands together. "Good Drago. Now let me have my way with her." He ripped her dress off and puched his pants down and forcefully had sex with Rose. He was extremely rough this time, trying to teach her a lesson.

Rose looks away trying not to yell through the pain, "OK I learn my lesson I will never run away from you ever," she said as Rose saw the sun fixing to set over the hill.

Vlad smiled. "Good. Now let's go inside. All this air is making me dizzy."

*Main Bedroom* Rose walks in then walks towards the coffin she glad that this nightmare is coming to an end once more.

Vlad smiled and laid her down in her coffin. "Sleep well, Rose."

"Yes my evil master, your still a very evil SOB," she said when the coffin close on her tightly.

Vlad laughed, "That I am, Rose. Don't ever forget it."

**Rose's Room USS Galaxy**

Rose jumped out of bed... god not another nightmare, she looked over to the right of her bed and saw some black roses.

"Oh gods!" she said, then Rose got up and put the roses in the trash.

Vlad was in another room laughing mercilessly. He had gotten to her again. And soon he would force her to become a vampire.

"Wedding Plans"
By Lt Rose Isis MacAllen, Science Officer Lt (jg) Autumn Jamieson, ACMO

Autumn stood in the middle of her quarters. A pile of holo mags were on the coffee table and She was glaring at them. On the dinning room table was a long list of things her Aunts were sugesting. She headed for her comm. There was only one thing to do. Call in renforcements. "Jameison to MacAllen. Rose if you have the time can you drop by my quarters please. I need your help with something. Jameison out."

**Ten mintures later**

Rose walked up to Jameison door and rung the ball while puting a belt on around her waist very tight, she waited for Gods help her she going to be depressed since she not getting married yet and she was running thin, tired of waiting of her boyfriend of almost two years to marry her.

Autumn opened the door to her friend. "Rose! Thank the gods you came... I need your help getting out of this situation..." She pulled Rose into the room and the door slid shut. " I need your advice and help."

Rose try to smile and walks in, "Of course want kind of advice my friend."

Rose looks like she was underweight since been prenarncy during her checkup one of the doctor said she was ten pounds underweight. Autumn studied her friend. She was pale and Autumn had read the report about Rose's pregnacy. Taking her friend by the arm Autumn led her to a chair. "Wedding plans." Was all she said. She sat Rose down and sighed as she sat beside her. "Can you help?" she glanced at the magazines. "I thought we could start by looking for your Maid of Honour dress...." Rose smiles at her friend, "I know your worried what are you worried about, you can tell me I won't be upset I have grown alot stronger over time." she said taking her friends hand.

Autumn thought about it then nodded. "OK then." she reached out and handed Rose a magazine. "Wil and I was thinking of a nice quiet.. holodeck wedding in like a forest.. and so far all I have to go on is that. I was thinking of looking for a dress style for both of us that would remind him of his home... what do you think?"

Rose try to smile for her young friend, she was really happy for her but deep inside she was hoping to marry, "Sound beauiful I'm jearous you know." Autumn gave Rose a hug. "Tell you what.. while we are here why don't we look for your wedding gown... that way when HE finally sets a date.. you can drag him to the alter fast" she smiled.

"I have a bad feeling he will never marry me, his mother never did and she was an helmsman." Rose told her trying to get up she was starting to get hungry, very, very hungry. "You never know." Autumn let rose stand. "Grab something to eat if you want." she added as she watched her friend struggle with her emotions.

"Computer double cocolate cheese cake with cherries on top." she order the computer then get the dish and walks back to Autumn. Autumn smiled at Rose. "Ok my friend ideas time..." Rose try to smile again but still depressed about her life been so bad and lonely and sits down trying to hide her feeling.

"What type of dress do you want Rose.. and what colour.. i was thinking pastels.. but.." she paused. "My aunts want something bright and gaudy... so i thought i could plan the wedding with help and then just send them the invites." she smiled at Rose. "They want a huge wedding with minister and tweleve bridesmaids and the same amount of groomsmen... Wil and i don't want that.. " she trailed off as she opened a magazine and handed one to Rose.

Rose started looking though the magazine with a smile thinking about what she saying.

Autumn flipped through the magazine looking for a dress. "Oh man why did i ever think this would be easy?" She muttered as she flipped another page. "Check this dress out Rose." she pointed to a dress that had simple empire lines and a laced up front bodice. "what do you think?"

Rose smiles alittle as she eats the rest of her cheesecake, "It looks beauiful on you, I already picked out my wedding dress."

Autumn smiled. "OK now for the Maid of honor's dress. Pick a colour Rose" She held out a colour chart with a heap of pastel colours on it.

"Well people always said I look damn good in red." Rose said with a big grin.

Autumn grinned. "yeah you do."

"Or light pink will be fine I just want to hide my stomach."

"I am sure we can arrange that." Autumn kept flipping through the mags.

"I have a question how long can it be before you feel a baby kicking your stomach?"

Autumn looked up and after a quick thought said "About four months I believe. By that time the baby is delevoped enough.. you should start showing then as well."

"Thank god I though she was already kicking but I'm only a month and I'm getting too fat." Rose said, she was worried about her weight since she was a child and she vows never to get too fat during her prenancy.

Autumn smiled and shook her head. "Getting 'fat' as you put it durring pregnancy is the baby growing Rose.. nothing to be ashamed of in the least."

"Sorry I can't eat like a pig while pregnancy...that not good." Rose said while thinking about her father who coming back soon.

Autumn rolled her eyes as she flipped over the page and examined the dresses there."Rose you should be fine.. just get your weight back up a bit and after the baby is born you can work it off... If you are unhealthy durring this pregnacy then the baby will be as well."

"I sorry I just worry about my body alot..I know it unhealth but..thanks for been my friend." Rose said with a smile while eating an apple.

"Hey you can get your revenge on me when i have kids ok?" she said with a smile as she flipped to another page. "Just take care of yourself."

"Oh yes I will be waiting for that part...and that revenge is going to be alittle more...we'll wait and see." Rose said with alittle evil grin then starts to eat another apple.

Autumn smiled and flipped another page over. "Here check this dress out." She showed her friend the dress.

http://mystar.org/catherine/068.jpg

"Well what do you think?"

Rose smiles alittle though the pain, "It beauiful Autumn."

Autumn smiled. "Glad you like it.. have you found one that you like?"

"No I haven't Autumn."

"oh well then lets keep looking." Autumn suqeezed her frineds shoulder reasuringly

"Computer down load the history of England's royal family weddings, put of the picture of Princess Diana's wedding dress from Earth year 1981." Rose told the computer and download the picture onto the PADD and give it to her friend, "That the wedding dress!"

Autumn smiled. "Now thats a wedding dress my friend." she looked it up and down. "How she managed to get up and down that Asile without falling amazes me."

"She had help...I think." Rose said grabing another apple, she was very hungry.

Autumn smiled. "Yeah... I think she might have."

Rose smiles alittle then starts drinking her water down.

Autumn sighed and leant back in her chair. "So what else is on your mind my friend?"

"What do you mean Autumn?" Rose asked her still looking at the PADD.

"You just seem quiet and its more then the baby on your mind. Spill it girl"

"I'm fine really I am my friend." Rose said typing into the PADD.

Autumn sighed and nodded. Trying to get anything out of Rose was like tring to get a Kklingon to talk to a Romluan, so she let it drop and continued looking through the holo mags.

"Ok fine I will tell you, my mother said if I don't marry with in 6 months to an year, she may have me killed but I don't think so. She coming to middle age were her body and feelings going haywire for sex."

Autumn's mouth dropped open in shock. "UM does your fiance know?" she managed to gasp out as her mind flittered the information into her brain.

"What fiance, I don't have an fiance!"

Autumn leant back and looked at her friend and said carfully. "I thought you and Raganald had gotten back together.. as in like.. you were before Rose. Sorry my mistake."

Rose sighs, "Damn look at the time I need to go." she lied while trying to hide her feelings as well as started packing.

Autumn stood and moved closer to her friend and touched her shoulder "Rose I am sorry I shouldn't have assumed..." she trailed off.

"No your lucky, you and your husband-to-be know each other for some months and getting married now and I have to wait two damn years for my boyfriend to ask to marry him...he may never ask me." Rose said walking towards the door.

Autumn stood there unsure of what to do and watched her walk away from her. "Rose..."

Rose when back to her work in the Science Lab..and there she going to be for the rest of the night.

Autumn sighed and sat back down after the door had closed and shut her eyes. She didn't know what to do about the situation at all.

"The Naughty Corner"
by Lt Kira Murphy,
General Medicine & Paediatrics
------------------------------------------------------------

Over in the naughty corner, Kira sat against the bulkhead as directed by Ensign Smith, who glared every few minutes towards a turbolift.

While Rebecca had been busy with the current problems, Smith had sent a message to Security for them to come and pick up Lt Murphy for escort to Sickbay for a full workup.

Two of the most beefiest tallest Security guards arrived promptly and took hold of Kira, carrying her away, her feet not even touching the grounnd as she talked to an imaginary budgie.

Entering Sickbay shortly, they headed towards the nearest doctor, who turned out to be Dr Loba the audiologist. The more senior guard spoke up,

"Doctor, we are delivering Lt Murphy into your care."

Loba quickly exc "What am I supposed to do with her? I'm an ear doctor, not a drunken-lout doctor!!"

The guard shrugged and Loba waved his hands in disgust as Kira started rubbing against him.

"Bring her over her then. At least help if you won't go away and secure something!"

They dragged Kira over to a biobed and lifted her up, setting her down on it in a sitting positon.

As Dr Loba got a tricorder, Kira played with the guard's uniforms, continually having her hands pushed away.

When Loba returned and was about to start the scan, Kira bumped it away,

"Suit problem."

Loba sighed and Kira giggled before reaching over to rub his ears. That was the last straw as Loba snapped before rushing away,

"Computer, activate EMH and let it deal with this delinquent."

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

Doctor Martin appeared next to the security guards and picked up the tricorder that Loba had left.

"Dr Loba left you with her. She seems to be drunk or loony at least."

The african woman turned to them and said, "That is true. You can leave now. I am able to handle anything that happens."

The guards nodded and left Sickbay.

Martin turned back to Kira after activating a privacy screen and smiled, "Okay, Kira. Time to get that suit off so I can scan you."

Kira giggled as the EMH undid the catch of her anti-grav suit and peeled it down to Kira's stomach.

Running the scanner over the Elaysian, she spotted a few pairs of puncture wounds over Kira's body - one her neck, breasts, stomach and between her legs on her genitals,

"Hmm.. This is interesting."

Turning to the monitor and bringing up the last physical that Kira had, along with her weekly scans for anti-depressant levels, the EMH instantly noted a pattern that had occurred numerous times recently.

"Kira, your haemoglobin content is very low, and you have numerous bites on your body. The computer is also detecting that the low haemoglobin count has affected the medication you have been taking, which explains your drugged state. This drug will cause your body to sweat out the chemicals in your blood and also clear your head soon. It may make you thirsty as your body sweats out the drugs over the next day or so."

Filling a hypospray with various drugs, the EMH injected it into Kira's neck and ignored Kira's fascination with her hair as she did Kira's suit back up and closed it.

Once that was done, the EMH moved a blood transfusion machine over to Kira and using some Elaysian stock that was stored for Kira, started the transfusion to get Kira back to as normal as she ever was.

Moving over to a terminal, she started reviewing some other paitents to see if they were exhibiting Kira's strange behaviour.

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

Ten minutes later..

Kira groaned and asked for some water, lying back on the bed. After she had finished that, she turned to the EMH and asked,

"Did I really do all that stuff that I remeber doing?"

"Yes, you did. According to Ensign Smith, you have a lot of apologising for to Lt von Ernst. However, I suggest tact and trying not to intimidate her further. The ship is currently at Red Alert, so now would not be appropriate. Now that you seem to be better, you can help with some of the other paitents."

Nodding, she sat up slowly and stood up shakily once the EMH had unplugged the machine.

Picking up a tricorder and wand, Kira questioned as she started spinning the wand on a tray, "Okey dokey, who's first?"

The EMH looked around the Sickbay before selecting a paitent, "Lt Kahn from Engineering."

Gasping, Kira dropped the wand and grabbed the EMH's arm, "Where is she? I have to see her now!"

"I have no problems with smacking you around"
By Enisgn Arel Smith

I really need to stop this, Arel thought wryly. It's going to ruin my reputation.

In under a month Arel had managed to assult three members of the Galaxy's crew. Even in the Academy she had managed to practice more restraint. Granted, the phaser stun on Zonheib had been an accident (how was she supposed to know that their new guests were about as substantial as a hologram) and Enisgn Remmington had probably deserved it.

Arel probably shouldn't have slammed Lt. Murphy into the deck like that though. She had just been so shocked by the woman's attempt to kiss the other girl, while jabbering on about native Terran birds.

After the shock had wore off, however,she had had to pracically bite her tongue to keep from laughing outloud. The whole ridiculousness of the situation was just too much. And the way she

had pushed, okay slapped,Lt. Murphy into the corner saying "Bad doctor" like she was talking to a dog...Gods Arel, she thought, you have a horrible sense of humor.

She only hoped that no one would seriously piss her off for a couple of days. Three within a week was just a little too much and she certainly had no problems with smacking people around.

Arel Smith/Mekaela

Jail Break

Lieutenant Todd Sansky
Medical Doctor
USS Galaxy

NPC A really dumb security officer.

Todd sat staring at the fit young man on the other side of the force field. Todd wanted out of this damned cell as soon as he could so he could try and prove his innocence and bring Vlad to justice. For a fleeting moment he thought about flashing the security guard with his manhood but wasn’t sure if that would get him released or castrated. He decided to think of something else, lying on the bunk Todd felt something dig into his lower back. ‘What the hell…’ Todd soon realized it was the hypo sprays he had hidden. Moving to the corner of the cell Todd took it out and slotted the tranquilizer into the spray. Moving in front of the force field Todd looked at the guard and squinted before rubbing his temple. After releasing a little grunt Todd fell to the deck.

Seeing his prisoner collapse the guard lowered the force field and ran to Todd’s side.

‘Are you alright lieutenant?’

‘Just fine dumb ass.’ Todd swiftly pushed the hypo spray against the neck of the kneeling guard and laughed as he fell to the deck.

‘For security you really are stupid, ooh commander, sounds good enough for me.’ Todd removed the jacket of the commander and swapped it with his own along with his comm. badge after removing the transmitter from the badge. Admiring his new gold attire and three pips Todd humped the guard onto the bed with his back to the force field. Leaving the cell, Todd activated the force field and picked up the guards phaser, holstered the weapon and calmly walked out of the door. Passing a younger human male Todd stopped him.

‘Ensign I have something to attend to, watch the prisoner, that’s an order.’ The terrified kid stammered yes sir as he scuttled down the hall.

Todd’s heart was pounding, he was a Doctor not a security officer and not a commander of the troops. Wiping his brow Todd made his way to the nearest turbolift passing various people he had never seen before, truly this ship was massive, thankfully it was impossible to know a thousand faces. Entering the lift Todd called for deck 2. Jogging down the empty corridor he finally reached his quarters.

‘Computer lock and seal the door to my quarters, accept entry only with my authorization Sansky 02 Alpha 1.’

=/\= Door sealed =/\=

‘Computer locate Nathan Carrington.’

=/\= Nathan Carrington is on deck 2 section 12 =/\= ‘Fuck he’s headed right here, but why, what’s he planning now’

=/\= Unknown =/\=

‘Oh whatever computer, unlock the door.’ Todd ran over to the other side of the room hiding on the wall of the door. The doors hissed open as Nathan, alone walked in. As the doors closed Todd pointed his phaser at Nathan. Nathan turned, seeing Todd he stood aghast.

‘Here to make my dinner?’ Nathan raised his hands as Todd moved closer to take the comm. badge from Nathan’s shirt.

‘Vampire bitten your tongue? Fair enough.’ He drew his second hypo and sedated Nathan. ‘Two men in one day dropping to their knees for me. Charming. Now lets see what the fuck is wrong with you, darling!’

"Unchained Love"
By Lieutenant jg Electra Reece
Assistant Chief of Operations

With an excerpt from "Flitter Flitter, Flamingo Flambee"

Lexa lay on the biobed with her eyes closed as she listened to James play a guitar. She had watched him sneak into the pediatric ward and retrieve it. She listened to the music flow over her as she lost herself in daydreams.

"Lexa, darling, I don't love Rebecca. I love you! You're the one I want to be with." He cupped her face in his hands and stared deeply into her eyes. "I love you, Electra Reece and I'm never going to let you go." He leaned forward and kissed her hard. Lexa wrapped her arms around his neck and ran her fingers through his hair as his hands ran down her back and pulled her closer.

He broke off the kiss. "Marry me, Lexa, love? Travel the universe together?" Lexa smiled broadly and nodded, her hair loose around her. James kissed her again. "I love you." He slipped a ring onto her finger, a sparkling diamond surrounded by rubies. "My love. Lexa. You make me so happy."

He swept her into his arms for a waltz around the room, lit by moonlight and echoing with the chirping of insects. He began singing:

Oh, oh my love
Oh my darling
I've hungered for your touch
A long and lonely time

And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine

I need your love
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me

Lexa's hair spun around her as she beamed with happiness.

Suddenly her reverie was interrupted as the music stopped. "Um..hello ship.uh..everybody...Uh. This is Rebec.I mean this is the bridge.. R.red alert.uh.if you please. Oh yeah.Captain Price to the Bridge...thanks."

She opened her eyes and pushed herself to a sitting position. "That was Rebecca. Calling a red alert and captain to the bridge? What the hell is going on?" She shook her head in disbelief.

"None of it fits"

by:

Commander Karyn Dallas RN
Chief Counselor/Second Officer

Captain Robert Edward Lee Price
Commanding Officer
USS Galaxy

***Chief Medical Officer's Office, USS Galaxy***

Karyn used the brief moment she had to turn around and face the Captain to compose herself. She had not allowed herself to show genuine fear or concern to the patients out in the ward simply because people depended on her to stay calm, and given the behavior of Doctor Sansky, it seemed calm was in short supply even for the most professional among them.

"Something wrong, sir? You seem distracted." She had the sinking suspicion that he had come for more than her report now that she looked at him. She had been so intent on delivering what she had gathered and on working in the whirlwind that was sickbay, the rest of the ship might as well have been a black hole.

"I'm afraid there have been a number of unexplained incidents throughout the ship. These incidents all have a common theme running through them. Our 'mates are all loosing blood. And at least one,..." Lee paused catching Karyn's eye with a serious glance, "...Lieutenant Liito, is dead from this unexplained blood loss."

"Oh my God, Linda..." Linda had been a member of the counseling department prior to transferring to the medical department as a health educator. Karyn had seen her several times since then in sickbay and she seemed very happy with her new job. The news only brought home just how serious the situation truly was. "Have you found any evidence to link Vlad or Lilith to Linda's death?"

"No. No conclusive evidence per say, however Lieutenant Commander Elaithin did manage to pull down the surveillance recording from the turbolift in which I discovered Miss Liito's body."

"You sir? I'm so sorry to hear that. It must have been awful to come upon the scene." She looked into Lee's eyes and saw the shock and pain from the experience still there, but only a glimpse. Understandably, it was not something he wanted to dwell upon in the middle of this situation, but she found the admission telling. He could have left out finding the body himself, but he didn't. Saying something outloud was the most basic of emotional releases, but it was only a start. She sensed she was going to need to speak to the Captain further after things calmed down, and she knew sharing that bit of extra information with her was his way of saying he acknowledged that need. For now, she turned her attention to the surveillance recording. "I'd like to see the recording if you don't mind, sir."

"Here, I can call it up on Doctor Dothan's monitor Counselor." the Captain stated. After tapping a few controls, the high angle surveillance recording of the turbolift began playing. As the images advanced, the Captain cleared his voice slightly. "We are not really certain what is going on here Counselor... but as you can plainly see, the Lieutenant is definitely alone in the turbolift. Our guests are nowhere to be seen."

Karyn watched what appeared to be Lindo Lilito making out with thin air and recalled a conversation she had once had with her about the sex education class she taught to the Galaxy's children. The teenagers liked her because while she packed her lessons with important factual information, she was always willing to answer questions that weren't health related, but were of keen interest to hormonal teenagers. Kissing practice with mirrors was a favorite amongst the prepubescent girls, and Linda was never one to hold back what the girls referred to as the "juicy stuff" as long as they weren't afraid to ask questions openly and honestly. How Karyn wanted to believe this was some sort of practical joke instigated by the girls, but she knew in her heart that wasn't to be.

"Our guests are nowhere to be seen as far as we can tell, but that doesn't mean they weren't there. Vlad was standing right in front of me and he didn't register on any of our instruments. A million possibilities have crossed my mind, everything from hallucinogenics to alien possession. None of it fits."

Lee reached over and deactivated the Doctor's monitor. "I believe 'Commander Elaithin is going to have the recording analyzed further, but as you can see, other than some rather... odd behavior before the Lieutenant collapsed, there is not anything there more conclusive as to why it happened." Leaning back in the Doctor's chair, the General let out a deep sigh. "Still, I can't help this feeling that I have that the Sanguinarian visitors have some part in all of this. I know we have no hard evidence of that to base this feeling off of. But still it's there, never the less."

Never one to finesse, especially when her crew was in danger, Karyn laid everything out on the table as soon as the doors closed. "I'm no tele or empath, Captain, but I know humanoid behavior and I trust my instincts. You don't need me to tell you Lord Vlad and Lady Lilith are not what they seem to be, or even that they pose a threat. As I see it, all I really need to do is help to support what you sensed from the moment you met them."

The Captain's brow furrowed slightly. "That they were charming and that their accents reminded me of B-movie vampires?" Lee grinned. But when he saw that Karyn was not returning his whimsical view of his first impression, he too grew more serious. "Tell me 'mate, what happened when you talked to the guests?"

Karyn paused for a moment, uncomfortable with telling him something as personal as her own strange encounter with Vlad, but she also knew she had to. "I met Lord Vlad in sickbay and to the best of my recollection, we had a nice conversation. He seemed to understand our need for caution, and he was even apologetic about not being able to reassure us further with clearer medscans," her brow furrowed then, because it was at this point the memories got fuzzy. "I think we talked about my work here and then..."

She sighed with frustration and said with more edge than she'd intended, "I don't know what happened next. One moment I was talking to him and the next thing I know I'm alone in sickbay and he's nowhere to be seen. I don't remember saying goodbye to him. He was just gone." She absently rubbed her wrist and tried to piece together what she could remember of the encounter. "As near as I can tell, I was daydreaming, I found myself locked in a memory that I can tell you I haven't experienced in years. It was something extremely unpleasant." It was not at all related to what she had been thinking about at the time, or so she thought.

"I don't lose focus like that Captain, least of all when I'm in the middle of something this important. I can only conclude Lord Vlad and Lady Lilith are responsible for this... this epidemic. My first thought was they had somehow transmitted the virus that had affected their companions, but now, after talking to people, I'm more inclined to believe this involves psychological manipulation on the deepest level." She hesitated for a moment before delivering her next words, knowing the seriousness of them. "I think we have another Madame Kiye kind of situation on our hands, Captain. These people are charming and manipulative, and from the very beginning things haven't been what they appeared to be. This can't be dismissed as simple infatuation or sexual attraction. I just wish I knew what their end game was. Even if we find them, we still can't explain how they're doing this or why. I do know we've got a lot of anemic people out there who have no idea how they got that way, or if they should continue to fear for their sanity."

She smiled then for the first time since the meeting began. "I'm just sorry I took your own impressions so lightly, sir. It appears we may have a couple of real live vampires on our hands."

"Sanguinarians Counselor. Not Vampires." Lee stated. He then thought a minute and tapped his finger tips together out of habit. "I suppose all folklore and ancient mythos have some basis in fact. Wouldn't it be something if the stories we know about Vampires were also based on some elements of truth?"

"Like an alien race visiting Earth long ago, that fed off of the blood of humans?" Karyn followed through with the Captain's thought.

"Exactly 'mate. I'm afraid my expertise of Vampire lore is not nearly as good as it could be." Lee smiled, "Not much use for that sort of thing in the day to day running of a starship like the Galaxy. However it would be interesting to conduct a study of the legends we have stored in our literary databanks and have the computer hypothesis on the possibility of an alien race being the basis of those legends."

Karyn smiled coyly, "Gee, Captain, if you wanted me to help the Science Department scour the literature databanks for vampire lore to make some hypotheses about what we've gotten ourselves into, all you had to do was ask. Literature was a passion of mine at the Academy, though I probably know as much as you do on the gothic stuff. I'll see about getting Kent to help me and bring me up to speed. I've got a few appointments I'll need to attend to first, but I'll do anything to help find who's doing this, short of standing on my head, and only because that would require several other people." She smiled, showing Lee she had not lost her sense of humor.

The Captain gave a nod and a grin. "That would be bonzer 'mate. I'm sure our highly competent security department will have the visitors rounded up for questioning in no time. When we have them secure, knowing of these legends may be helpful in knowing what sorts of questions to ask our guests. So if you can get right on this, that would be appreciated Counselor."

Karyn gave a nod as she and the Captain began to prepare to vacate Doctor Dothan's office in sickbay. Looking out into the busy ward, both the Captain and Karyn could see the chaos that was still happening all around them.

"Captain, I plan on speaking to you again soon." There was no need to elaborate on what she meant. Lee had spoken to Karyn in a professional capacity several times before, mostly regarding the death of Yeoman York, Lee's longtime girlfriend. Finding Linda's body had to have been difficult, especially because she had not been lost in battle, but for no justifiable she had been murdered in cold blood. Lee had allowed these people aboard, and if they were responsible for Linda's death, he was going to accept responsibility for it as any captain would. She hoped he had come to accept her help as genuine concern and not as a need to probe for problems that weren't there.

"Of course Counselor. Once things are back to normal, I'll look forward to it." the General smiled as he and the Commander parted ways.

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

"Mind Games: Part Two: Cat And Mouse"
By Dr Autumn Jamieson ACMO
Lt (jg) Wilhem Quevvenson, Science officer.
Lord Vlad, that pesky and annoying Vampire that seems hell bent on wrecking peoples minds.

'I can break you and remake you,' Autumn mimicked in her mind as she strode out of her quarters. 'I like games of cat and mouse and I think that you will make a fine mouse,' she was in a rare mood... mad as a hornet. "I’ll give him mouse," she snarled under her breath as she stalked into the turbolift and snapped out, "Med bay!" She had had a dream the night before and she wasn’t sure if Wil was right about what it meant... all she knew was that these people were worse then the Borg. Borg she could handle... just chop their heads off or find the correct phaser modulation before they adapted. But how do you fight something that doesn’t register on a tricorder or ship's scanners? She walked into her office and sat at her desk. "Computer download all my appointments for today."

Computer: working.

Autumn sighed as the appointments downloaded and she began to organise her time to suit.

Computer: Download complete

Autumn heard the words and acknowledged with a brisk nod. She worked through her shift and was slowly formulating a plan on how to beat Vlad at his own game.

Lemur stepped in and shook his head. She hadn’t even noticed that it was almost the last hour of Gamma shift. "Dr. Jamieson you should be off duty you know."

Autumn looked up and smiled. "Oh thanks Lemur. I completely forgot the time."

She stood and gathered a number of PADDs and headed towards the door when Lemur stepped in front of her and took the PADDs from her. "Rest Lt. I know that you would work until doomsday but not today."

"Lemur..." She started to say but the Vulcan shook his head.

"Not one Argument Autumn or I’ll call Andree in on it," he walked and placed the PADDs on her desk and then pushed her out the door. "Go home and get some sleep."

Autumn somewhat surprised at his antics shrugged and walked down towards the turbolift.

'That was strange,' she thought as the doors slid open and she entered the lift. "Deck 3," she said as the door shut. She rode up in silence.

She exited the lift and walked towards her quarters. As she rounded the corner she stopped dead in her tracks. He was standing there like a angel of death and Autumn's mind screamed for her to run. She stood her ground as He moved towards her. The gleam in his eyes was predatory. Autumn watched carefully waiting for her time to make her move.

"Hello Little one." His voice was soft and dangerous. Autumn shivered and didn’t reply."Having nice dreams?"

Autumn glared at him. "Those are just dreams.. not real. You can’t win Vlad."

"Ah but I already have little one." He reached out and touched her cheek. "You are wanting to know more... that’s you Kender."

Autumn jerked back. "Leave me alone Vlad before I kill you myself," she hissed in a low tone.

He laughed and backed her against the wall in the corridor on deck three. Autumn found herself pinned and in her mind she yelled for Wilhem.

Wilhem was off-shift when it happened. And when it did, he went running to Deck 3 and soon was on the scene. growling when he saw Vlad, he stiff-armed him away from her. "Stay away, you pest. Or I'll make you into so much ash that you will make a volcano look weak."

Vlad snarled as he stared at the man. "We shall see what happens," and he grabbed Autumn quickly away from Wilhem and sent her flying towards the floor.

Autumn gasped and rolled back to her feet. "Vlad I really think you should leave. NOW!" she said as she tried to get her breath back.

Vlad smiled. "Not until I get what I want Little one."

Wilhem smiled solemnly, "You won't get what you want, Vlad. That I can assure you of."

Vlad glared at him. "You think that the two of you can stop me?" he smiled and advanced towards Wilhem. "I think you would have a hard time doing so."

Autumn began to move and she kicked at Vlad's legs to try and bring him down. Vlad spun and grabbed the leg and flipped her backwards and snapped, "Sit down Little one... I will deal with you after I have dealt with your lover."

Wilhem smiled grimly. He knew that without the accruments of a vampire hunter, that he was on the other side of a potentially bad situation. He knew what vampires could do to mere mortals. He pulled out a small vial and broke the cap. He threw the vial into Vlad's face. Hoping that holy water would work against him.

Vlad snarled as it began to burn but he quickly wiped it off before it can do damage. Snarling he turned away and grabbed Autumn by the throat again and slammed her against a wall. "Anymore of that.. She is dead."

This froze Wilhem in his tracks. He did not know what to do next. Besides he only carried one vial of holy water on him at any one time. He wished he had garlic or a stake. He might be able to move fast enough to take him out before Vlad killed Autumn. But he did not, so he just waited for the other shoe to drop.

Vlad smiled. Autumn struggled. "You see... I want her... and if I have to kill you to get to her i will..." he paused as Autumn kicked out at him. "Stop!" he growled before trapping her legs with his other arm.

Autumn scowled as she struggled to get free. "You know... this is rather... stupid... threatening one of us just to get what you want..." she gasped as his grip tightened.

Vlad turned to Wilhem. "You walk away and I might let both of you live... but at the moment feeding is what I want." He bared his fangs.

Wilhem smiled grimly, "I am sorry to disappoint you. But my personal honor code says to defend those you care for. Even if death is the probable result." He turned to Autumn, "If I die in this act, I am sorry. But I must do something to help you." He tensed for the battle to come.

Vlad laughed and looked at him.

Autumn shook her head. "Wil..." she gasped out as her hands tugged on Vlad's.

Vlad let her go and turned to Wilhem. "So you want a fight? You will learn the error of your ways mortal." He lunged forward fast and grabbed Wilhem's arm and spun him into a wall.

Wilhem grunted as he hit the wall. But he sprang back quickly, and struck Vlad's face a glancing blow. But Vlad merely shrugged that off and knocked Wilhem onto his bottom. He advanced quickly, grabbing him by the throat, and squeezing. Wilhem felt disoriented, but kicked him between the legs anyway.

Vlad grunted and squeezed a bit harder before flinging him to the floor and heading towards Autumn.

Autumn began to back away slowly as he approached her. She drew out a nasty dagger from her boot and held it tight. "I think you should leave Vlad. Two on one isn't going your way."

Wilhem was a little disoriented. But he soon refocused, and saw Autumn trying to hold off Vlad with a dagger. He admired her spirit, but he knew that things could go badly for both of them soon enough. He pushed off of the ground, and went to knock Vlad's legs out from under him. He wanted to get his attention again, so that Autumn could flee, if she wanted to.

Vlad lunged and grabbed the dagger hand and spun her around so that her back was against his chest and she was facing Wilhem with the dagger pressed to her gut.

Vlad smiled and waited a few beats before shoving her forward to Wilhem and walking off down the corridor calling over his shoulder as they collided. "This isn't over... I shall be back and then you Sir won't have a chance to stop me," and he entered the lift and was gone taking the dagger with him.

Wilhem just held onto Autumn tightly, "Sorry love. I couldn't stop him in this condition. I am afraid my reflexes are failing."

Autumn took a deep breath. "It is ok Love. He is really fast. Thank you for coming... how did you know?"

Wilhem smiled, "I heard you call out in my mind. I planted a warning in case he came back. I love you, and I will not let you down. Even in death."

Autumn hugged him tight. She closed her eyes and sighed. "Well I hope he doesn't come back again... no matter what he says..."

Wilhem sighed, "He'll be back. And next time he will be ready to kill one of us to stop the other from having peace." He leaned down and kissed her, "Please don't fret. I'll be there to help you out whenever he returns."

Autumn nodded and lifted her head. "I am not fretting love... just a bit peeved that he thinks he could win."

Wilhem nodded, "Well, I am a bit peeved that he thinks himself superior to us all. Next time, I'll remember to carry a stake and hammer with me. It might show him that some of us have some spirit."

"Yes. That would take him down a peg or two," she smiled. "This is the what second time you have saved me love... you are really a hero," she stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek.

Wilhem smiled, "Come let us go to your quarters. I wish to comfort you some more. Before we get down to more serious pursuits."

Autumn nodded and led him to her quarters. "I think I should give you the access codes just in case," she said as they entered her room. "And I think I shall inform the captain about Vlad."

Wilhem nodded, "I think that would be wise. To inform the Captain. As for the access codes, that is your choice. I would keep them locked up inside my mind for all time, as that would be necessary."

Autumn smiled and leaned up and whispered the code into his ear. "I'll tell the captain later love," she said after she had leant away.

Wilhem smiled and hugged her close, "I will remember to tell you to do that. And I will never let you go. You have my word on that."

Autumn just hugged him back and enjoyed the moment.

Wilhem held her close, and kissed her forehead. "I won't let him hurt you again. That I promise. I will try everything in my power to stop him."

"I know love... at least it was only one of them and not both of them."

Wilhem grimaced, "I hope they have split up as of now. I would hate to run into both of them."

Nodding Autumn replied "Me too love... one is enough... and if there are any more... well then the ship is to put it lightly... Screwed!"

Wilhem nodded, "I agree. But who was in those cases that Engineering brought back from the Tamarian vessels?"

Autumn paused. "Were they like coffins?" she asked casually. "'Cause if they were... then they are sleeper cells..."

Wilhem nodded, "They looked like coffins, yes... You don't think?"

"I most definately do think..." She paused. "Surely they wouldn't open them without the captain's orders?" she asked.

Wilhem shook his head, "The crew would not. It's not in their best interests. But there are two that have interests in the matter. If they could reach these units, and open them, then they'd have more things to take our minds off them."

"Yeah more of the vampires. Yippiee," she said. "Just what I always wanted," her voice heavy with sarcasm.

Wilhem smiled, "I know how you hate vampires, love. Just like I do."

Autumn nodded and leant against him. "It would be a huge blood bath. Something we don't need... the blood supplies will eventually wear out in medbay and that's a problem."

Wilhem nodded, "I agree. How are things at work? You never talk about it. Is there something I can help you with?"

Autumn smiled. "Work is fine. We have a number of people in medbay at the moment, Heather is one of them... almost all of them have suffered blood loss and two are in a coma. but other then that nothing much." She hugged him. "Thanks for the offer love."

He hugged her back, "You're welcome Love. The offer still stands. Anything I can do to help, I will do. Okay?"

Autumn looked up at him. "Hold me. Thats all I want Love. Just you holding me."

Wilhem nodded, "That I can oblige you in doing." He held her tight for as long as she needed.

Autumn relaxed in his arms and sighed. "Love..." she whispered.

Wilhem looked at her, "Yes, Love?"

"Why can't this ship have a blasted boring mission?" she asked with a smile... "Is it jinxed or something?"

Wilhem thought a moment, "I guess things would not be the same without some strange, wierd thing happening with this ship. As for it being jinxed, I actually think it is good luck. I would not have found you without it."

Autumn smiled. "Oh yes that was definately good luck Love," she hugged him again.

Wilhem nodded and hugged her back, "That was the best luck I've had in ages. Not since my days on Aebrynnis has my luck been that good. And this was a more important piece of luck. This is the type of luck to last an eternity."

"Eternity... now spending that with you love would be bliss," she said as she led the way over to the couch.

Wilhem smiled as he sat down on the couch, "Yes that would be. And we will. I can assure you of that."

"Good. As long as it isn't the type of eternity that that stuck up Vamp was offering I am all for it," she grinned and with a mischievious glint in her eye she began to tickle him.

Wilhem began laughing hard. He could not stop as she tickled him. His hands went to her temple, so that he could communicate, ~This feels funny, Love. Thank you for the experience.~

~Well you all tickled me... all is fair.~

Wilhem kept laughing as the onslaught kept going. ~I guess all is fair. I just have not been tickled since I was a boy of 5.~

~Then you are past due for a tickling session,~ and she continued her onslaught.

Wilhem continued to laugh and squirm for five more minutes. Then he began to cough. ~Mercy,~ he sent.

Autumn grinned at him as she relented and backed off. ~Ok love.~

Wilhem coughed for a few more seconds, then began regaining his breath. When he was ready, he sprang up and embraced Autumn strongly. ~Thank you, Autumn. You are the one true light in my life.~

Autumn hugged him back. ~No problem Love.~

Wilhem kissed her softly, ~We really should do something tonight. Something to make up for all the evil that thing did to you.~

Autumn returned the kiss. ~Like what?~

Wilhem smiled, ~Like showing you my ship. Or maybe we just stay here, and let nature take its course.~

Autumn smiled and sent, ~Ship? As in a Galleon?~

Wilhem nodded, ~Actually bigger. A Tower Ship.~

~Like a tall ship?~ she sent still puzzled.

Wilhem nodded again, ~A Tower Ship is a ship about one and a half times bigger than a Galleon. It's main mast is actually a massive tower, from which we fling fireballs and Masetian Fire onto other ships.~

~Sounds like an impressive Vessel Love. What is it called?~ Autumn asked.

Wilhem smiled, ~It was called Quevven's Glory.~

Autumn smiled at that. ~That's nice Love... I would like to see it.~

Wilhem smiled softly, ~Okay.~ He stood up and offered his arm to her.

Autumn smiled and took the offered hand and let him lead her out of the quarters.

Wilhem smiled and led hre to the Holodeck. Once there he loaded the program, "Alber-2." They entered and there before them was the Alber harbor. In the middle of the harbor was a massive ship with a giant tower overlooking the harbor.

Autumn smiled as she gazed about. "It is a beautiful ship Love."

Wilhem nodded, "Let's go on board." He looked at her, "You know this is one time I wished you didn't look so feminine. You will be getting lots of abuse on board the ship. Pirates have rules. And one of them, is a statement that says that all women brought on board can be used by whichever of the men want to. I will not let them have you, though."

Autumn took his hand. "I am sure they will leave me alone if they know that I am yours Love," she said softly.

Wilhem smiled solemnly, "I don't know about that. I seen Captains bring their mistresses on board, only to have to give them over to the mob." He looked at her, "But if you're willing, we can take the trip to the ship."

Autumn eyed the ship carefully. And then she looked at him. "I would like to see it Love... I know that nothing will happen."

Wilhem smiled, "Okay." He signalled for a boat to head out to the Quevven's Glory. When they reached the side of the ship, they began to climb up to the deck.

Autumn was glad that she was in pants as she climbed behind him. As they reached the deck Autumn took a good look around.

Wilhem glanced at the ship. It had been a long time since he had last been on board. He viewed the massive central tower, and the quarterdeck and forecastle on either end of the ship. He viewed the fireball throwers and the Masetian Fire streamers. Then he looked at his lover. "This is the Quevven's Glory. I hope you are impressed."

"It is magnificent Love," she said as she drew level with him. She took his hand in hers and smiled at him.

He smiled at her, "Good. Let's explore the ship, and the Captain's Quarters last."

"Ok lead on Love," she said.

He took her to the forecastle, and showed her the bowspirit and the foremast. Also the forward fireball thorwers, and the ram undrneath the bow. He then showed her the tower and its intricities.

Autumn smiled as he showed her the ship. It was a nice ship. Reminicent of

the tall ships that rested as museum pieces in Darling Harbour in Sydney.

Then he showed her the quarterdeck, and the big wheel. Then, he took her down into the belly of the ship, to the Captain's Quarters. He showed her the chartroom in the front, and then took her into the main quarters, which had a table, several chairs and a large bed, fronted onto the wide stern windows. "This is where I slept while we were at sea. I hope you like it."

Autumn looked around. ~It is lovely Love,~ she sent.

Wilhem nodded. He then turned and picked her up and put her on the bed. ~I don't usually do this on board such a good ship. But I was wondering, if you would be willing?~

Autumn smiled and drew his head to hers. ~Yes Love,~ she sent as she kissed him softly.

Wilhem smiled, and returned her kiss. Then he broke it gently and trailed kisses to the top of her uniform. He began to remove her uniform jacket as she laid back on the bed.

Autumn sat up and removed her jacket for him.

Wilhem then went to work on her uniform shirt. As soon as he removed that, he fondled her breasts throught the fabric of her bra. Then slowly, sensuously, he began to remove the bra. Once he revealed her right breast, he bent and kissed it. He then began to gently suck on the nipple, to make it rock hard. Then he repeated the procedure with her left breast, while fondling her right breast with his left hand.

Autumn arched up as the sensations rose in her and her hands started to undo his uniform.

He continued his ministrations on her chest, trying to give her the most pleasure. Then, he placed his body onto the bed next to her, and moved lower. He removed her uniform pants, and fondled her through the red lace panties she wore. He then slowly, sensuously removed the garment, and began to kiss, lick and suck on her most sensitive spots.

Autumn moaned and arched her hips slightly. Her hands lay at her sides limply as the tensions raised.

Wilhem continued fondling her towards the point of no return. And he conitnued to kiss her until she was finished with her wave of emotions. He then laid back, and sent, ~Now it's your turn.~

Autumn smiled as she leaned over him and kissed him gently on the lips and then she trailed kisses along his jawbone and neck. She undid his uniform jacket and shirt and kissed his chest while her hands removed the garments. She flicked her tongue across his chest and across his nipples.

Wilhem groaned, and let her have her fun. ~Go for it,~ he sent.

Autumn smiled as she kissed her way lower down to his navel and then to the top of his uniform pants. Slowly she slipped her tongue under the material teasingly.

Wilhem groaned and ran his hands through her hair. ~Please,~ he sent.

~Please what Love?~ she asked as she repeated the action this time exposing a bit more flesh to her mouth.

Wilhem groaned again, ~Please finish the job. I want your mouth on me.~

Autumn smiled as she slowly undid his pants. Kissing each peice of flesh she exposed. She flicked her tongue across the flesh of his hip and slowly pulled his pants off. She placed her right hand on the inside of his thigh and gently traced lines along the sensitive flesh there.

Wilhem groaned again and ran his hands through her hair again. ~Please.~

Autumn smiled and gave in. ~Ok Love,~ she sent before doing what he wanted. She slowly began to run her hands along the length of him before kissing him and running her tongue along him.

Wilhem groaned deep in his throat, and put his hadns on her head. He rubbed her hair as she kept kissing and licking him. He knew that much more of this and he would climax in her mouth.

Autumn slowly moved her way back up to his mouth kissing his body as she went. ~Is that what you wanted Love?~

Wilhem smiled, ~Partially. What I really want is you. And only you.~

Autumn kissed and sent, ~Then take what you want my love.~ Her hands roamed his body while she kissed him.

Wilhem returned the kiss, and then moved her body the proper distance, and entered her. ~Now you can move as fast as you want to. I don't mind.~

Autumn began to move and while she moved she kissed his chest and flicked her tongue across his nipples.

Wilhem groaned once more and put his hands on her breasts and fondled them, ~Go for it, my love.~

Autumn kissed him as the tempo increased and the heat built up in both of them. She gently tugged on his bottom lip and then she trailed kisses down his neck and shoulder.

Wilhem smiled and leaned up to kiss the top of her head. Then, he trailed kisses down to her magnificent chest. ~I know you want me. And you know I want you. So give it to me. And I'll give you everything you need.~

Autumn moaned as her body began to tense up. She could feel that they both were near but she couldn't think beyond that.

Wilhem groaned deep in his throat, and kissed his way to her mouth, claiming it as they both climaxed violently. Riding the storm out, Wilhem kept the kiss going until after their climaxes had passed. Then, he broke it only to kiss her again softly. ~Thanks, Love.~

Autumn retuned the kiss and gently laid down beside him. ~No problem Love,~ she sent back as she curled up beside him.

Wilhem put his arm around her naked body. He felt so comfortable, and hoped that things would work out for the both of them. But he was unsure of himself, always. He wanted to protect her, but was unsure if he could. Today was just such an example.

Autumn could feel his worries and she turned to face him. She placed her hand against his cheek and smiled up at him. "Don't worry so Love. I know things seem bleak but I am sure it will work out. They can't hurt us while we are together."

Wilhem nodded, "I hope so. I don't want anyone to hurt you. I can deal with pain to myself but I can't deal with anything happening to you."

Autumn kissed him gently. "I know my love it is the same with me. Don't panic though... we won't let them win."

Wilhem nodded solemnly, "No we won't. You have my promise on that. If I have to kill that bastard vampire, I will."

Autumn smiled and reached up her hand to pull his head down to hers and she kissed him softly. "I know My love. But let's forget about them for now... let's just concentrate on us ok?"

Wilhem kissed her, not demanding anything. When he broke the kiss, "Okay. Bet I can make you move again."

Autumn pulled free and moved away from him a look of mischief on her face. "Sure you could... if you could catch me." she taunted lightly.

Wilhem frowned, "Autumn, running around naked on a ship of pirates is a bad idea. They might try to capture you and do things that would be best left unsaid."

Autumn grinned at him. "Who said I was leaving the room?" she asked innocently. She backed to the edge of the bed.

Wilhem frowned again, "Your manner said you were thinking of it. So I will have to stop you from doing something rash." He swept down on her, and missed her by inches.

Autumn giggled as she did a dive roll past him to the other side of the bed where she glanced over her shoulder at him teasingly.

Wilhem chuckled, and went after her again. She jsut sliped aside. She was a quick little junge Frau (young woman), and he was missing her constantly, by inches. He soon decided that a better idea was needed.

Autumn smiled as she waited for his next move. Confident that she could still avoid him.

He feinted left, and grabbed right. He caught her left foot. He held on tightly and bent and kissed her foot. ~Got you, Love.~

Autumn grinned and nodded, ~Yes you have but can you keep a hold of me?~ she let her body fall towards the ground and spun to pull her leg free.

Wilhem lost his grip, but quickly moved and caught her right leg, as she nearly hit her head falling like that. He bent and kissed that foot. ~Got you again Love. Please be careful. I don't want to lose you to a bad fall.~

Autumn smiled. ~I will be love but now that you have me... what are you going to do with me?~

Wilhem pulled her into his arms. He then picked her up and placed her on the bed. ~I am going to ravage you. But first, I am going to make you climax one more time.~ He moved down her body, and kissed and sucked on her breasts one by one.

Moaning Autumn moved beneath him teasingly. ~Really... that sounds like fun.~

Wilhem moved lower and kissed her labia and sucked on her clitoris. He moved his body, so that she could touch and kiss anything on his body except his head. ~It will be fun. For you, anyway.~

~What about you Love?~ she questioned as she began to touch him.

Wilhem continued his ministrations. ~I will enjoy making you climax. And if you should make me climax at the same time, that is all right.~

Autumn didn't reply she just continued touching his body and trying to make him feel as good as he made her feel.

Wilhem continued to lick and suck at her private parts. He just wanted her to feel good. And that was all he cared about at the moment. If she endeavored to make him feel just as good, then that was a bonus.

Autumn slowly kissed the inside of his thighs, her hands roaming along his length.

He groaned at the contact, and kissed her and licked her in a faster tempo. ~Please do what you will with me.~

As the heat built up inside of her, Autumn slowly ran her tongue down his length and gently grazed her teeth across him.

Wilhem groaned deep in his throat and kept trying to get her to climax before he did. He did not want to go off in her mouth. She might never forgive him if he did.

Autumn moaned and carefully drew away and sent, ~Wil... I want you,~ the heat was intense.

Wilhem smiled, and turned himself around. He placed himself just outside her body, and teased her by putting his organ's head just on her vaginal lips. He wanted to make her move first.

Autumn arched her hips against him as the heat became too much for her to handle without him within her. She moaned as she did so.

Wilhem gave up the charade and gently entered her quickly. He then began to move back and forth, trying to bring her to her climax in time with him. ~Let's do this nice and slow. I want you to feel every minute of this.~

Autumn moaned as they moved together. Her hands rested on his shoulders as they moved towards the crest. ~I love you,~ she sent as she felt everything that they did.

Wilhem continued this for the next two minutes, then they both exploded in passion as their bodies could not hold off any more. As he grunted from the intensity of their climaxes, he banged her hard again and again. As soon as the wave was over, he got off her, and laid there next to her, spent.

Autumn shut her eyes and curled up against him. She was happy as she was, just laying there with him.

Wilhem put his arm around her body, and slowly began to fall asleep. He hoped nothing would end this peaceful moment. ~I love you Kender,~ he sent in his fading awareness.

~I Love you Wil,~ she sent as he drifted off. She lay there and relaxed in his hold and let him sleep.

Wilhem slept for two hours, dreaming of life with Autumn. Which was essentially more of the same things he was doing with her now. Plus some children. To keep the family line going.

Autumn watched him sleep. After two hours she knew that she would have to wake him. So she gently placed her hand on his shoulder and sent as she gently shook him. ~Love Its time to wake up...~ to help it along she kissed the sensitive spot below his earlobe.

Wilhem woke slowly, Trying to hold onto the vestiges of a pretty vivid dream with Autumn in it. But when he awoke to look into her eyes, he was fine with the interruptions. ~Hi Love. How do you want to do these next several hours?~

Autumn smiled. "How's about you show me your quarters on the Galaxy, 'cause I just realized that I have never seen them." She kissed him lightly.

Wilhem smiled, "Okay, Love. Though I am sure you will not be too impressed."

Autumn smiled back and kissed him again. "And my quarters are impressive?" she asked with sarcasm. "Come on Love.. show me where you live," she smiled and stood up and held out a hand.

Wilhem arched an eyebrow, "You going to get dressed? Or are you going to walk the halls naked?"

Autumn grinned at that and replied. "Now there is an idea..." she laughed at his face and grabbed her clothes off the floor and passed him his. She smiled and got dressed.

He put on his clothes, and stood and offered his arm. "Let's go. If you really want to see my defective quarters."

Autumn smiled and kissed his cheek. "Lead on kind Sir," she whispered in his ear.

Wilhem nodded and ended the program. They exited and headed to Deck 3, where his quarters was located. Room 19. Once there he put in his access code, and entered. The first thing that Autumn beheld was a set of ancient weapons and armor on his right wall. Swords, daggers, bows, arrows, and a set of studded leather armor.

Autumn's eyes widened. "Wow," she whispered. She looked up at him. "Nice collection Wilhem," she said admiringly.

Wilhem smiled, "All of them are slightly used, save for the rapier I got on Betazed. Seeing as they were my weapons on Aebrynnis. I had to use them to survive."

Autumn moved closer to the case and smiled back at him. "They look like they are well taken care of Love."

Wilhem nodded. "I learned long ago, that taking care of your weapons and armor could be condusive to a long life. Even in this new life, I take care of my weapons and armor. I never know when I'm going to need it."

Autumn walked back to him and smiled at him, "Hopefully not often my love."

Wilhem smiled at her, "Not often. I am about ready to break out a sword in order to fight this vampire. I don't know which one."

Autumn smiled as she looked over the assembled swords,

"Something sharp and straight to the point?" she asked with a mischievious smile on her face. She turned to him and hugged him. "Hopefully We won't need to do anything about it... Security might have dealt with them by then."

He hugged her back, and said, "Hopefully. But I am going to carry at least a stake and a hammer. Probably a small, thin sword too. Just to be safe."

Autumn smiled. "You have to find them first you know Love," she looked up at him and stood on tipoes and kissed his cheek.

Wilhem smiled solemnly, "Oh, I am sure I will find them. Or they will find me. They hate vampire killers, you know."

Autumn smiled, "Well they can hate all they please... I don't care what they think." She rested her head against his shoulder and sighed, "I know that they will get what they deserve love."

Wilhem nodded, "I understand Love. They will get what they deserve. Even if I have to give it to them." He bent to kiss her sweet lips. When he broke the kiss, he said, "Come. Let's show you the bedroom. I know that is where you really want to go."

Autumn took a step back, "Wrong!" she said. "I wanted to see your quarters Wilhem Quevvenson," she smiled at him. "Yes I kissed you and yes I hugged you... but sex isn't always on my mind." she advanced closer again and placed her hands on his chest. "Ever thought that I love to just spend time with you Lover?"

Wilhem nodded, "Yes, I had. But not since we started having sex. You seemed so passionate in your love-making, that I had not thought you liked anything else about me, other than how I was hung. I would be glad to show you some other things about me, if you like. I can't cook real well, but I can whip about anyone in sword-fighting. I was called the 'Best Swordsman of the Great Bay.' Don't know how true that was, but it was fun."

Autumn shook her head. "Maybe I am but that's because I want to make you happy Love." She grinned, "Not that you aren't superbly hung darling but yes I would like to know more about you."

Wilhem nodded, and began by showing her his clothes from his life on Aebrynnis. Nobleman's clothes and peasant's clothes. There were some finery of gold capes and silver belts sitting near brown hair tunics and dusky breeches.

Autumn smiled at him. "You miss those days don't you love?" she asked softly.

Wilhem looked at her, "Somewhat. But not as much as I would miss you. And not so much since I met you. You have been a light in my life."

Autumn nodded. "But still... personally I can't think of what it would be like to be taken so far from everyone and everything you knew and cared for..." she looked at him.

Wilhem closed his eyes and sighed, "It is hard, yes." He opened his eyes and looked off into the distance, "Losing everything is a bad thing. It makes you want to hold on so tightly to everything and everyone you care for in that new place." He shook his head slightly to clear it, and then he looked at her, "I try not to think about it too much. I find that such thoughts are bad for my well-being."

"Oh Wil I am sorry." She reached for him and held him, "So sorry I mentioned it Love"

Wilhem smiled solemnly, "It is okay. I knew you would mention it eventually. I just did not expect it to be this hard." He shut his eyes and held her tight and would not let go.

Autumn let him hold her and she held him back. She just stood there and let the night slip by.

Wilhem decided that he wanted to let go after about thirty minutes of this. "Sorry love. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

Autumn smiled and brushed his hair off his forehead. "You didn't Love," she whispered.

Wilhem put his hands on her bottom, and caressed. "That is good, Love. I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable."

Autumn looked him in the eye and said, "Never around you love."

Wilhem nodded, and took her over to another cabinet. In it was stacked PADD on top of PADD. "This is the area where I keep all the PADDs I need for my scientific studies. I have to study constnatly. I am not all that familiar with all scientific principles. I have to keep up with them, as I am a little behind from my time on a medieval world."

Autumn nodded. "I know what that's like... there is a stack in the corner of my lounge room over a meter tall of medical journals and the like," she shakes her head ruefully. "And I only cleaned them out last month."

Wilhem smiled, "So when we get married there will be medical journals and scientific journals mixed up with each other? Sounds fun." He bent to kiss her.

Autumn kissed him back and then said, "Yeah and your swords with my tapestries and statues and numerous books," she smiled.

Wilhem nodded, "It will be fun. What do you want to do now?"

Autumn shrugged her shoulders. "I have absolutely no idea Love... what about you?"

Wilhem smiled, "I have one idea." He bent to kiss her again.

~Really?~ she sent as she responded to the kiss.

Wilhem nodded, ~A good idea.~ He bent and picked her up into his arms, and took her into the bedroom, which was decorated in a light blue color, and with a bed with silver sheets. It still smelled of him, even though he had not been here in several days.

Autumn smiled as she looked around. ~Nice room Love,~ she sent.

Wilhem smiled and put her on the bed. He sat down next to her, ~If you are willing to do this, say so. If not, we can just sleep here.~

~I Love you Wilhem but I am tired Love...~ She sent to him. She reached for his hand.

Wilhem nodded, ~Okay Love.~ He put his hand in hers.

Autumn sat up and placed her hand on his cheek and looked into his eyes. ~I love you Wil,~ she sent as she leaned in to kiss him.

Wilhem returned her kiss, and caressed her shoulders. ~I love you Kender,~ he sent as they continued to kiss.

Autumn broke the kiss gently and caressed his cheek with her hand. ~Shall we sleep Love?~ she asked in their joined minds.

Wilhem nodded, ~Good idea Love. Let's kick off our shoes and sleep.~ He did so, and laid back on the bed and waited for her to lay down on top of his outstretched arm.

Autumn took off her shoes as well and laid down beside him and snuggled into his side.

Wilhem held her tight and fell into a deep sleep. He did not dream this time. And that was a good thing.

Autumn drifted off in Wilhem's arms and slept soundly.

Wilhem awoke eight hours later to find her in his arms. He hoped that he would be able to move without waking her. He began to move his arm from under her body, and caressed her cheek.

Autumn stirred slightly but continued to sleep. Her head pillowed on her arm.

Wilhem got out of bed, and thought to himself, ~Now what do I do? I have a beautiful woman in my bed, but I haven't given her the proper ceremony to initate that bed into the fray. I don't want to wake her though.~

Autumn began to wake up slowly. Her mind still linnked with his had registered to his thoughts and in a sleepy voice, with her eyes still shut she asked, "What did you say?"

Wilhem looked back surprised, ~Nothing Love. Just was thinking of ravaging you again. But if you need some sleep, take it.~

Autumn opened her eyes and looked at him. ~I think I have slept enough... nice thoughts you were having,~ she grinned as she sat up. ~Been awake long?~

Wilhem smiled at her, ~Just a short time. So are you willing, or are you going to refuse?~

Autumn moved onto her knees and held out her hands, ~What do you think Love?~ She took his hands and drew him closer to her.

Wilhem smiled, and kissed her lips. ~Good Love. I would not want to do it without your consent.~

Autumn kissed him back and moved closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Wilhem smiled and broke the kiss, and began to trail kisses down her face to her neck and to the junction of her neck and shoulder. He then began to work on her uniform shirt, removing that. Then he trailed kisses down to her chest. He then removed her bra, and kissed her breasts one by one, sucking on them. And fondling the other with his hands.

Autumn began to take his clothes off. She helped him remove his shirt and began to run her hands over his flesh.

Wilhem moved lower, and removed her uniform pants. Then he kissed her sensitive flesh through her red lace panties. Then he slowly, sensuously removed that garment, and placed his mouth at her beautiful mound of love. There he began to kiss, lick and suck at her private parts.

Autumn moaned and her hips raised slightly as her hands clenched at her sides.

Wilhem put his hands up by her sides, to try and grap ahold of her hands. He wanted to feel her grip on his body as he brought her to crescendo. As her hands gripped his with a painful strength, he continued to try and cause her some pleasure.

Autumn whimpered as the pressure built up inside ~Wil... Love...~ she sent as she gripped his hands tight.

Wilhem continued to do his thing, ~Yes Love?~

~Please...~ She whimpered again as it became almost unbearable and she wanted him badly.

Wilhem smiled, and removed his pants. He then slid himself into her gently. He slowly began to move back and forth, trying to time her climax with his own. ~Now you have me. Rejoice.~

As he entered her she gasped and clenched around him as they moved together.

Wilhem moved within her, trying to cause her extreme pleasure as they moved together. He knew that she would enjoy this more if he went slow. But he also knew she might not be able to hold out that long.

Autumn's hands clenched on his shoulders as she felt the wave start to break over both of them.

They both climaxed at the same time, and violently. HIs mouth cliamed hers as the wave broke over them. He held on tightly until they both were exhausted from the coupling. Then he broke the kiss, and trailed some down to her beautiful neck.

Autumn kissed him back and when it was broken she ran her hands through his hair gently. She let the other massage his shoulder.

Wilhem caressed her breasts, tickling her slightly. He kissed her neck, and then sent, ~I hope you are happy. I wouldn't want you to feel anything else.~

Autumn smiled and sent, ~You always make me happy Love.~ She then caressed him back with both hands.

Wilhem contiued to caress her, and hoped she would be this happy for days to come. ~I love you Kender.~

~I love you Wil,~ she sent semi-drowzilly as she ran her hands down his arms and the back up his sides.

Wilhem smiled, ~Tired Love? I can let you sleep if you want.~

Autumn smiled, ~You always seem to wear me out love.~ She snuggled into his side and shut her eyes. ~Not that that isn't a good thing Love.~

Wilhem nodded, and just held her. He knew that she would need her sleep soon. Her shift was coming up and he did not want her exhausted on shift. A tired Doctor could be bad for business.

Autumn drifted off into sleep and if she dreamt she definately didn't remember it. Almost two hours later she woke slowly in his arms.

He just held her for the entire time of her sleep, then as she woke up, he kissed her nose softly. ~Welcome to the world of the awake, Love.~

Autumn smiled at him as she opened her eyes. ~What a wonderful face to wake up to,~ she sent as she reached to touch his face with a hand.

Wilhem chuckled, ~Not as beautiful as yours, though.~

~Flattery again my Love... what are we to do with you?~ she smiled and kissed him.

Wilhem returned her kiss, stroking her body with his gentle hands. ~I don't know. But I do know it isn't flattery. It is true.~

Autumn kissed him again and smiled after it was broken, ~Whatever,~ she sent with a laugh. ~I love you Wilhem. I am glad I woke up in your arms Love.~

Wilhem smiled, ~And I am glad that you are glad. I could not live without you. That is for sure.~

Autumn nodded, ~I won't be leaving you for a long time Love, to do so would kill me... the same if you left me.~

Wilhem nodded, ~I won't leave you alone. There is nothing that can make me.~

Autumn nodded and kissed him with all of her love for him and then sat up. She smiled down at him, leaned over and kissed him again.

Wilhem returned the kiss with all his passion. ~I want you,~ he sent. ~But I think I don't want to tire you out again.~

Autumn nodded and kissed back. ~I know Love... I wish that for once we had the same shift... that way we would have three full shifts together.~ she broke it gently and pulled her knees to her chest again and resting her head on her knees she smiled at him.

Wilhem grinned, ~Then we would have so much love-making it would make you bored. But yes, I wish it were so.~

Autumn raised an eyebrow at his words. ~Who said anything about making love Lover? I was thinking of taking you on again in a holodeck... but I would be very careful I don't want you to end up in medbay like before.~

Wilhem nodded, ~I don't either. But as for taking me on in the Holodeck, I am willing. After I more fully healed.~

Sighing Autumn shut her eyes for a moment and opened up a barrier showing him a dream that she had had while they had been in the transwarp conduit.

~I dreamt of you for weeks before we finaly got together. And I didn't understand it.. I think maybe i do now.~ She showed him the part where he had been in it.

***************
And then the rain fell harder and hid her from Autumn's sight. 'Summer rain,' she thought casually as she just stood there and took it.A hand landed on her shoulder and turning she pushed her now sopping wet hair out of her face. "Wil?!?! But?!?!? What are you doing here.. you weren't even in my class let alone even anyone I knew... oh that's it.. I'm dreaming again, right.. Is it a dream Wil? Wil? Answer me please!" Wil just turned and walked away from her."WIL!" She started to run after him, "WIL! WAIT!" As Autumn ran through the blinding rain she couldn't stop the tears from mingling with the rain. "Wil please wait up I can't..." She ran until she almost hit a tree. 'Whoa ok stop running Autumn before you do damage to yourself.'
******************

~This was the dream that got to me the most Love. Even then I wanted you.~ She smiled. ~I thought you would like to know... but that is part of the dream I had while we were on the shuttle to earth also.~

Wilhem nodded solemnly, ~I wanted you the moment I laid eyes on you. But I was too timid to ask.~

Autumn smiled and reached out for his hand and drew it to her. She kissed the palm gently and sent ~I tried so many times to ask you out myself... but I couldn't... even at the disco... I was having trouble.~

Wilhem smiled solemnly, ~We were all having trouble at the time. Don't worry yourself to death. Time came and allowed us to finally finish the job. We are now together. Nothing will seperate us.~

Autumn nodded and lay back down beside him. ~I know Love,~ she sent as she kissed him lightly on the lips. ~Anyone who wants to can die trying.~

Wilhem caressed her face, brushing several hairs from it. ~I agree. They will die trying.~

Autumn just snuggled closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and nestled her head in his shoulder. ~I love you,~ was all she sent as she held onto him.

Wilhem wrapped his arms around her back. ~And I love you.~

Autumn nipped at his shoulder playfully as they lay in complete silence. Her hands drifting to tickle him. She began to tickle him softly.

Wilhem laughed and tried to reciprocate. But it was too much for him, and he only managed a few good natured swipes at her breasts, before succumbing to the onslaught.

Autumn smiled mischeiviously as she drew back and let him get control. ~Gotcha!~ she sent laughingly.

Wilhem gained control, and began to tickle her stomach and breasts. ~I'm going to get you, my pretty,~ he sent.

Autumn laughed and tried to fend him off. ~Oh really?~ she challenged in her mind.

Wilhem smiled, and continued tickling her, ~Oh, yes. I am going to make you squirm. Then I am going to take a shower. If you are interested?~

Autumn flashed him a grin. ~Make me squirm huh? Hmm and a shower too... gee things are looking up.~ She flipped over onto her stomach and tried to put distance between them as she plotted her next move. Turning to watch him she studied him and feinted left.

Wilhem tickled her bottom as she turned away from him. Then he watched her, and chose to go left when she feinted. He caught her. And started tickling her again. ~Got you.~

Autumn went limp and let her eyes fall closed.

Wilhem let up, and got off the bed. ~I'll be in the shower, if you need me.~ He went to the shower room, and left the door open.

Autumn sat up disapointed. "Drat foiled!" she grumbled as she got off the bed and walked into the bathroom after him.

Wilhem was already getting wet in the shower. He turned to Autumn, ~Foiled? How?~

Autmn crossed her arms and stared at him. ~Why should I tell you?~ she asked casually as she then opened the door and stepped into the shower.

Wilhem smiled, ~You don't have to. I just wanted to know, is all.~ He reached out and caressed her face.

Autumn kissed him lightly and ran her hands over his shoulders as the water hit her.

Wilhem returned her kiss lightly. Then, he turned around and kissed the small of her back. ~For good luck,~ he sent.

~Really?~ she sent as a slight shiver went through her body.

Wilhem smiled, ~I believe that you are good luck, Autumn. I have not had too much bad luck since meeting you.~ He turned her around, and kissed her lips again.

Autumn kissed him back. ~What is it with us and showers?~ she sent as her hands roamed over his body.

Wilhem let his hands roam down her body. ~I guess we just can't keep our hands off one another. At least when we are wet.~ One of his hands found her labia, and gently he put three fingers into her and rubbed.

Autumn moaned and arched against him as her body responded to his touch. ~Ohh love...~ she sent.

Wilhem gently continued to rub her inner workings. His other hand found her breasts and took turns rubbing them to tautness. He wanted her to feel good. Even without him in her.

Autumn's hands ran down his body and her lips claimed his.

Wilhem returned her kiss, and moved his fingers even more rapidly. He would do this until she was ready to claim him with other things. He knew that she would eventually want him in those other ways.

Autumn let her hands slip down his body and touched him softly as she kissed him back. She caressed him and pressed closer to him.

Wilhem slowly removed his fingers, and picked her up softly. He then kneaded her bottom, as he slwoly placed her onto his swollen organ. Then as she slid down, he placed her back up against the shower wall, and began to move back and forth.

Autumn wrapped her arms around his kneck and moved with him. Her mouth gently kissing his lips and alternating them with small nips.

Wilhem thought a moment, then asked, ~Slow or Fast? Your choice.~

Autumn kissed him again and then lowered her mouth to his shoulder and began kissing his shoulder and nape as her muscles clenched around him and she sent, ~However the mood takes us My Love.~ She flicked her tongue across his skin lightly.

Wilhem nodded and slowly began building up the pleasure. For both of them. He hoped that he would be able to help her with anything she needed. But he was only one mortal. He could only do so much. But he would do all that he could.

Autumn moved her lips up to his and sent as the tempo built up in both of them, ~Don't worry so much my Love.~

Wilhem kissed her, and nodded. Then he built the tempo up a little more. Until they were both white hot. ~I love you,~ he sent.

Autumn replied in kind, ~I love you as well love.~ She knew that they were both close and as the wave began to crash over them she felt her muscles contract.

Wilhem gave out, and slid downwards until she ended up on top of him. He kept moving until the wave finished breaking. Then, he pulled her down and kissed her hard. As he broke the kiss, he tenderly kissed down to her neck.

Autumn let her head drop to his shoulder after the wave had ended and she gently kissed his chest and neck.

Wilhem caressed her back. He knew that she would not want to move for some time to come. And he did not want to move, either. So he just laid there, with the water running over both of them.

Autumn traced a line down his chest as they lay there together. ~I love you Wilhem but I think I had better move soon,~ she sent quietly.

Wilhem nodded, ~I know. So let's move when you are ready.~

Autumn nuzzled his neck as she replied, ~But I don't want to move Love I really don't want to.~

Wilhem nodded again, ~I know. But we have to do things we don't want to do occasionally.~

Autumn nodded and slowly lifted her self up into a standing position and held out her hand for him. ~Yeah I know Love.~ She smiled.

Wilhem took her hand, and stood up. ~Come on, let's get cleaned up.~

Autumn nodded and splashed him playfully with the water as they finished their showers.

Wilhem smiled and splashed back. ~I enjoy our little games,~ he sent.

Autumn smiled and finished off in the shower and leant against the wall and waited for him to finish. ~I love You Wil,~ she sent.

Wilhem finished off his part of the shower, turned it off, and walked over and planted a kiss on her lips, ~And I love you Kender.~

Autumn kissed him back and after it was broken she looked up at him. "Well I had better get going back to my room and grab a clean uniform and the like," she said reluctantly.

Wilhem nodded, "Escort you to your room?"

Autumn grabbed her clothes and got dressed and nodded,

"Yes if you like Love."

Wilhem smiled and got dressed, then reached over to touch her forehead. He placed a small alarm in there. In case Vlad came back for more. Then he removed the mental contact that had sent them through the night. "Ready when you are," he said.

Autumn nodded and linked her arm though his and together they walked out towards her quarters.

Wilhem did nothing, until she had reached her quarters. He then turned her around and kissed her. "Do you want me to wait to escort you to your shift?"

Autumn smiled and nodded. "Sure If you want to love," she whispered as the doors to her room opened.

Wilhem nodded, and waited for her outside her quarters. He did not want to see what he might be removing from her body that night. He wanted her to have her secrets, too. And that was something he knew she would want as well.

Autumn stepped out in her uniform and her hair pulled up into a bun. She smiled at him. She took his hand gently and stood on tip toes and kissed him softly.

Wilhem returned her kiss, then began to walk down to the turbolift with her. Once they entered the turbolift, he kissed her again. He waited for the door's to open again, and then led her to SickBay, "Bye Love. Hope you have a nice, peaceful shift. And nothing happens to you while I am away. I will see you after Gamma."

Autumn nodded and kissed him again. "Take care Love," she whispered as she backed away from him slowly smiling. She then turned and entered med bay.

Wilhem smiled and headed back to his quarters. He did not want to leave, but knew she had to do this on her own. And besides, she would be uncomfortable with her fiancee leaning over her shoulder.

=====
William Bolitho aka
Lt. (j.g.) Wilhem Quevvenson - U.S.S. Galaxy; Science Officer Jillian Locke aka
Lt. (j.g.) Autumn Jamieson- U.S.S Galaxy, ACMO

"Bite me, Vamp Boy"
by Ensign Miette Michelle (Remy) Remmington

Remy was bored.

She figured there was something wrong with this because no one else on the Galaxy was bored. There was a red alert going on, numerous people dead from excessive blood loss, security officers running around like chickens without heads (Remy smiled as she pictured her favorite security officer Arel as a wannabe Klingon chicken), and rumors that there were vampires on board. Vampires were on the ship and Remy was bored.

She had tried, of course, to get into the action. She had run around with a phaser and a cute, minituare stake (along with some garlic bread she was devouring) in order to find some vampires but nobody came. There was nothing. It simply wasn't fair.

Remy got up from her bed and stood for a moment. "Well," she said to herself, "maybe if I dress up like a virgin on her wedding day or something, looking all pure and innocent, maybe some vampires will come and try to drink my blood. Then i can stake them. That would be interesting."

"Or I could just read a book."

Shrugging, Remy decided to go walk around the starship, totally unarmed in the way beautiful blonds would do in ancient horror movies, and see if anything was up ( in a starfleet uniform rather than a white dress; far more comfortable). Certainly, SOMETHING would have to happen. "Vampires in space," Remy said with a snort of disgust. "Just beautiful. Well, bring it on." Then she smiled as she left her quarters.

"C'mon. Bite me, Vamp Boy."

((This should bring me up to date with the story line:) we are at Red Alert right? Cool!))

“Am I dreaming?: Or What The Hell?”
By Autumn Jamieson, ACMO
With Riana Parstran, Security Officer, NPC And that stupid Vampire that never takes "Get Lost" for an answer. He is pissed off and it shows.

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

Autumn sat by herself in Ten forward awaiting the end of Gamma shift.It was the beingning of the shift and she had just sat down after her's. She tired and all she wanted was a relaxing drink and then to spend sometime with Wilhem. She gazed out the long window that showed a beautiful view of the stars and of that Sleeper ship. She turned back to her hot chocolate and sighed. She took a sip of her drink and when she put the mug down she stopped and stared at the person entering the bar. A tall blond with green eyes and pale skin. She was beautiful and Autumn almost had a heart attack as the blond walked up to her. Autumn stared as her mind brought forth the name of the person who was standing before her.

“Ria..” she gasped out as the girl sat down opposite her and gave a cheeky grin.

“Surprise Kender.”

Autumn couldn’t believe her eyes.

“Riana Parstran.. what the hell?” she gasped out.

Ria smiled “What not happy to see me?”

“Yeah .. but what the hell are you doing here.. if anyone …”

Ria butted into her tirade. “Whoa Kender.. its cool.. I was .. undercover there.. ok?”

Autumn’s eyes widened. “What.. oh never mind.. it is good to see you Ria” she leaned over and hugged her friend.

Riana breathed a sigh of relief.

Autumn smiled and said “Ok so what have you been up to? And how long have you been on this ship?”

“Oh nothing much.. I was on earth for about three months and then I transferred here only four days ago.”

“Four days?” Autumn grinned. “And why haven’t you come by and seen me?”

“Because you are never home.. you are either on duty or off with a Lt Quevvenson.”

Autumn blushed. “um yeah..”

Riana laughed and smiled at her friend. “So when is the big day?”

“Sometime in the next five weeks.” Autumn replied and stood up. “come on lets go somewhere were we can gossip in privet”

Ria nodded and stood as well. The two girls walked out of ten forward and headed for the turbolift. Once inside Autumn looked at Ria. “Ok where to?”

“Deck 5” Riana stated and the lift began to move.

Autumn leant against the wall and studied her friend. “You have lost a lot of weight Ria.. Was it really as tough as they say?”

Ria nodded. “Things were tough but I survived…. We had to lay low when the attack came but they somehow missed the small cell I was with.” She paused as the doors opened and they exited the lift. Riana led the way to her quarters. Once there the two women entered and sat around and talked. Riana told her about her time with the marquise and Autumn told her about her first assignment before Galaxy. Riana mentioned Autumn’s parents and they both discussed the events on Galaxy of late.

“You should watch out for them Ria” Autumn said. “The male at least is very dangerous”

“I will watch out for them.. security has been put on alert about finding them… but it is hard as they can’t be scanned.”

Autumn nodded and smiled at her friend. “Oh I know all about them being scan less.. Med bay has tried.”

Ria smiled and nodded. "Yeah now we have to find them. Oh gee this is going to be fun."

Autumn nodded as her mind flicked back over the past few days. "He is very determined to get what he wants." she said. "I think being thwarted kinda gets up his nose" she smiled. Ria grinned at Autumn

"And being the Kender that you are you couldn't help but laugh at his miss fortune right?"

"Moi? Jamais!" Autumn tried to look indignant. Ria just grinned and shook her head. She was about to say something when the red alert went off. Both girls looked at each other and sighed.

"That would be blood right" Ria said and Autumn nodded.

Autumn stood and sighed. "Well I had better get to med bay." she hugged Ria on last time. "I'll see you later ok.. be careful." And Autumn ran out the door. Ria sighed and grabbed her phaser and headed for another turbolift that would take her to the Brig.. her red Alert station.

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

Autumn pelted into the turbolift and called out "Deck 12" the lift began to move stopping at deck 10. The doors opened and no one stepped in. "Computer I said deck 12." The was no response. Groaning Autumn left the lift and headed for another. She ran down the corridor full pelt and didn't see the man until she was lying dazed on the ground and she was staring up into his face.

"Oh shit!" she hissed as the man leaned down and grabbed her by her uniform jacket. He hauled her off the ground and flung her into a wall. Knocking her out. He pulled the com badge off her uniform and dragged the woman down the corridor. He entered the turbolift and snarled “Deck 39, Star drive section.” The lift began to move downwards as the woman began to stir on the floor. Autumn opened her eyes and glared at Vlad. “Oh Gee a vamp with a death wish.. who would have thought.” She muttered knowing he heard what she said. He turned and picked her up again and carried her semi-conscious body down into an empty cargo bay. He flung her to the ground and sealed the door. Autumn managed to roll as she hit the floor and she scrambled to her feet trying to put distance between him and her. He reacted faster and grabbed her arm and spun her into a crate hard. Autumn moaned in pain as she felt something break inside of her. Autumn turned to kick him and he grabbed her leg and flipped her over and she collided with the floor. She tried to push her stunned body up and suddenly found herself in the air flying towards the wall. Her back impacted with wall and she felt all of her breath leave her. Winded and stunned she dazedly tried to get her footing back. He pinned her to the wall and beared his fangs as he drew closer to her neck. Autumn struggled weakly and she knew it was futile. He lunged and as he bit her rammed his fist into her stomach. Autumn screamed in pain as both attacks hit her full force. He drank until she lost consciousness. He let the woman slide to the ground and smirked. One trouble maker down.. another few to go. He moved away and moved a crate over in front of her body. She would live but it would take people ages to find her.

As he exited he heard someone call.{{Dr Jamieson to Med bay. Repeat. Dr Jamieson to med bay}} He left deck 39 and headed to find more prey.

****In another part of the ship****

Ria looked up in surprise at the announcement but knowing Autumn she had most likly gotten caught up talking. She turned back to her job.

"Feeling Every Minute of It"
by, Lt. (j.g.) Wilhem Quevvenson
Science Officer
-----------------------------------

Wilhem was helping Rebecca up, when suddenly he felt himself bowled over by some unknown force. As he was trying to stand up, he felt something like being thrown into a wall.

He knew instantly that Autumn was in trouble. He was just laying there on the floor. No where near a wall. He struggled to his feet. He would have gone to her, but he really could not just leave. He had to wait for Lt. Cmdr. Peterson.

As he walked back to his station, he felt like he was being flung to the ground, but just barely missed injuries. Then he felt like he was spun into something. And something felt broken.

A kick and a fling later, he was back on the ground. Then he felt the fangs enter her neck, and the punch to her stomach. He slowly faded away as she did.

When he came to, Medical personnel were looking him over. "Deck 39; Cargo Bay. That's where you'll find her," he managed to gasp as the pain of her body was transfered telepathically to his.

NRPG: This happens a few hours after "The Naughty Corner".

"First Response to 'Angel of Mercy'"
by Lt Kira Murphy,
General Medicine & Paediatrics
------------------------------------------------------------

Walking into the Paediatrics Ward, she stopped suddenly when she picked up something was missing.

For some unknown reason, some moronic fool had gone and deleted all the holographic animals from the program.

"Computer, state who removed the animals."

[Lieutenant jg Corgan ordered the dismissal of a flamingo and a tabby cat. Also, the deletion of a golden retriever was ordered.]

Kira yelled loudly,

"WHAT THE HELL???? THAT SCUM-SUCKING SLIMEBAG DELETED LASSIE?"

Grabbing a nearby tricorder, Kira went to a cabinet and retrieved an isolinear chip.

"Computer, load program Kira-AV-Scan&Clean into Holographic Systems and execute."

[Working.. Program runnning now................. Program complete with no viruses found.]

"Good, although I didn't think Corgan would have the brains to even think of putting a virus in. Even if he ever does, my anti-virus program will stop him."

Moving to one of the panels, she opened it and inserted the isolinear chip into a slot.

"Computer, access chip in slot 5 and download holographic character Lassie into the Paediatrics holographic systems."

[Working.. download complete.]

Removing the chip, Kira spoke, "Computer, reinstate Lassie character and engage all other holographic pets."

Across the room, the golden retriever reappeared and moved over to Kira. Once all the others were there, Kira moved to one of the computer terminals,

"Computer, access the Paediatric Ward Holographic Systems and display computer code."

Instantly, a whole series of LCARS coding appeared on the screen. Reading through it until she found the bit she wanted, she started modifying it.

Once that was done, she ordered the computer to activate that segment of code.

All of the holographics shimmered for a second and then went back to normal.

From now on, each of the holographic characters in Paediatrics had control

over the dismissal and deletion of their programs, effectivly stopping anyone except the Captain, First Officer, Chief Medical Officer and Kira from doing anything again like Corgan did.

Smiling, she sent a short message to the Captain, informing him of this.

Now, it was time to deal with the troublemaker.

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

Heading in a direct bee's line towards where Corgan's guitar was sitting, she picked it up and screamed out,

"Where is that pathetic scum???"

When she spotted Corgan nearby, she smiled and said, "Good. I wanted you to see this."

Raising up the guitar, she brought it down hard on the biobed, smashing it into little pieces.

"Arrested AGAIN"
by Lt jg. Brightspot to-Srallansre, NPC Security Officer
--------------------------------------------------------

Racing into the Brig command post with three other officers after the silent alarm was triggered, Brightspot looked around and spotted the unconscious officer.

Noticing Sansky was missing, she spoke, "Computer, locate Lt Sansky."

[He is currently heading to his quarters.]

Tapping her combadge, she spoke, "Lt to-Srallansre to Security Office, we have a confirmed breakout. Put out an arrest order for Lt Sansky, assumed armed and dangerous. Since he is medical, I don't want to alert him if he is there, so send a field medic from our team down. I am leaving Ensign Janson here, and taking Lt jg Barrows and Ensign Gustas for support. Lock down the deck with his quarters as well. Brightspot out."

Heading out of the brig with Barrows and Gustas, Brightspot reached the nearest turbolift and ordered,

"Computer, Security override of turbolift system, Deck 38, Lift 9, authorization Brightspot-Omega-Nine."

Within 20 seconds, a lift arrived with a surprised yeoman from engineering inside. When he saw Brightspot's intense mood and the drawn weapons, he quickly vacated the lift for them.

"Computer, head to Lt Sansky's quarters and don't stop for anyone else, same authorization."

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

Moving down the corridor with weapons drawn, Brightspot and her team reached the junction before the door to the quarters of the fugitive and she directed them to fan out in standard pattern.

On her count, they all raced forward and Brightspot ordered the computer to open the door. Quickly, they dispersed into the entrance of Todd's quarters.

Drawing her weapon, Brightspot barked out in a loud voice, "Lt Sansky, listen up. Under Section 34, Sub-section 29, Paragraph 11 of the Starfleet Code of Conduct, we are here to arrest you for assault and battery of a security officer during lawful arrest and subsequent escape from custody. Anyone who hinders this operation is also subject to arrest as an accessory."

As Brightspot aimed her weapon at Sansky, she ordered,

"After that pathetic stunt of yours, I am just dying for you to give me a chance to shoot. Drop the weapon so Barrows can detain and cuff you."

"Seeking the Truth"
by James Mitchell, AScO
Lt. Commander Navarre Shinta
Assistant Chief Counselor

James couldn't believe the events that had transpired around him. Sitting in the sparse, brightly lit cell, he was still in shock. His charge of attempted rape had garnered him leering glares from the other prisoners, as the Security guards made sure they knew about it as they threw him violently in the cell he now inhabited. The slew of rapes and murders that had been occurring of late over the last few months netted him the automatic presumption of guilt over innocence.

Justices and laws have changed, revamped, and been amended, but the one constant through General Justice codes in Starfleet was that the accused must be presumed innocent before guilt is established. The recent events still remain fresh in everyone's minds on the Galaxy, and the officers who 'escorted' him to the cell he now resided him, made every effort in showing that.

James touched his tender ribs where he'd been rammed against the bulkhead as he'd entered the prison. The guards hadn't called a medical officer as of yet. They wanted him to suffer. And suffer he did. Food was conveniently forgotten to be brought to him. Excuses of cell-cleanings were made so that he'd be moved to another cell with another prisoner, who always seemed to be much larger than he. He was afraid to sleep.

Yet here he was now, a few days later, staring at his raw hands, hungry and tired. Tears streamed down his face at once again failing as an officer, and a trusted member of Starfleet.

Shinta was not happy that Karyn had asked her to see this patient. She had thought about refusing, but then she remembered that at the moment she was facing her dragons, and this was certainly part of it. Yet she hoped that she could find the sympathy to councel somebody who was a rapist. To her that was the lowest form off being.

A young guard brought her to his cell, she obviously thought about it the same way. She spoke about the prisoner with loading, and somehow, even knowing what he had done, that may Shinta feel uneasy. She believed that everybody was entitled to the same treatment, and fairness. But she kept her mouth shut.

Shinta gasped when she entered the cell. The science Officer sat huddled in a corner, obviously crying. And he looked ghastly. She went over to him and kneeled to next him.But first she called over to the guard.

"Get this man something to eat, and proper medical attention."

"Yes ma'am." The guard grumbled, not happy.

"Mr. Mitchell," Shinta said. "My name is Shinta, I have been assigned as your counselor., let me take you to the bed, and make you a little bit more comfortable." She was a strong woman and had no problem guiding him in his present condition.

James let her guide him to his dishevelled cot. The hard, cold surface of the bunk did little to comfort him, and neither did the obvious tenseness he felt from the counsellor assigned to him. He looked at her strangely, his eyes damp from the tears that had stopped flowing, and wondered what the Bajoran thought of him. Her face betrayed no emotion, even if her eyes showed a touch of anger mingled with fear in them. Not that he could blame her. Everyone else thought he was a monster. Why shouldn't a fellow Bajoran?

Once he had calmed down a little, she sat down next to him. He didn't seem at all frightening, or strong. But then rapists never looked like rapists, now did they? "Mr. Mitchell, could you please tell me what happened in your own words." She said as kindly as possible. She wondered how a Bajoran could possibly do this? For all the unspeakable horrors that both of them had been through during the Occupation, how could one reciprocate those evil acts?

She'd read his files before coming to see him. He'd been through some intense psychotherapy sessions on Earth, and they shared the same nightmares, and wondered if they were ever in a resistance cell together.

"I... only remember bits and pieces, Shinta..." He buried his face in his hands as he kneaded his palms into his eyes, trying to hold back more emotions. The counsellor was silent, hoping the images would arise on their own.

He looked up with such sudden movement and intensity in his eyes, that it took Shinta aback.

"I didn't do it, counsellor." A sharp whisper, followed by a holding gaze.

Shinta looked deep into his ocean-blue eyes, tinged with a ring of green, and tried to see what was behind thos deep-set eyes...

She was still not sure if she believed him. He had lived the same life she had, for many years. And she knew what it did to a person, what you could become if you stayed in there too long. The cost of life didn't seem so dear anymore, and it took you a long time to come out of that trap.

"All I remember was... " James closed those eyes, and thought hard. "I remember seeing her eyes... such beautiful eyes, she has..." He touched his lips, wettening them with his tongue, as if remembering her taste. "I can smell her, a fruitiness, her hair running through my fingers, soft and glamorous...." He opened his own eyes to Shinta's emotionless visage, analyzing him as he spoke tenderly.

Shinta felt uncomfortable. There was so much desire in his face, in his voice. So much longing.

"I kissed her, Counsellor. Nothing more. I felt myself falling when we shared the moment. Falling and floating at the same time. Like I was in zero-g. The next thing I remember after that..." He squinted his eyes and touched his temples.

"...is Commander Peterson at my door." There was something missing from his memory, but he couldn't place it.

"I remember going to bed the night before, and waking up feeling anxious, and.... aroused." Shinta blinked, but nothing she was thinking escaped her stoic features. She continued to let him relive his memories.

James shook his head as if to shake something out. "This is really bothering me, Shinta. I've never hit a woman in my life. I've always revered them if anything, after seeing the travesties Cardassians would put them through.

My god, Shinta, have I become the Cardassians? I can't imagine what Ty thinks of me now..." He slumped on his cot, and covered his eyes in shame and punched the wall with the other.

"I can't remember! Please help me...... I *have* to know if I did this or not."

She took a deep breath, because of her private fears, this was not easy for her. She had let him talk, without interrupting much, but she owed it to herself, and to this young women to be firm with him now. Her inner jury was still out on if he had done it or not. But she had to make sure.

"Maybe you do not want to know, maybe you disgust yourself so much. "

"That's just it, Counsellor. I don't feel anything! I feel like I was never there. Like...like..." He rolled to his back, with a long, thoughtful look. "Like I was somewhere else."

She leaned closer, an almost savage look on her face. "Do not be a coward, and look inside yourself, and be honest. then look me in the eye and tell me if you did it or not. It is inside you, that knowledge, let it out." She stared at him.

Shinta's rage took hold of James, and forced his thoughts deeper past the penetrating shroud of memory, and what he saw startled him.

"I see... myself... and Ty and someone else!" The haze of memory was hard to see in fog that was a resident in his thoughts. Like shackles of steel they held him from just moving past the perimeter into the light of understanding. He shook his head as he gripped hit from both sides and pulled on his hair.

"I can't see it, Counsellor." He was sweating now, gasping for breath. He must've been holding it for over two minutes.

"I know you have had your share of therapy, and I know how you must think about counselors. but I am not the same. I came from the same place you came from. I won't pussyfoot you, and you can't fool me. Maybe that is what you need, if not it is your tough luck. But if you tell me the truth, I will do my very best for you and your sanity. But be honest with me." She locked eyes with him again.

He squinted his eyes shut, and took a deep breath, garnering strength to tear himself free of the tendrils that held him from seeing into his memory block.

"I feel like someone is pushing me away... it's Ty.... I'm seeing something else." James felt himself being pushed away from the image, but he fought it, as he saw himself grab Tyrola by the arms. "I'm seeing myself fighting her now, Shinta...but that can't be me! I feel helpless here.. like something else is controlling my body and my actions. Oh, gods.... it..me... just hit her!"

His eyes were so tightly held shut, they were white around the edges. Tears trickled out from the edges.

The memory ended, as his avatar in the dream fell to the floor in the forcefield, and he was drawn back into his body as everything faded to black. He opened his eyes. They were wide with fear and terror.

"That wasn't me, Counsellor. I felt completely helpless, like I was locked away in my own mind...pushed to the side as something else took control of me. I could never do that to Ty.

I have to know if I did this."

"Why is it so important you have to know, Mr. Mitchell?" Shinta finally asked him a question, and it could be a focal decision point for her, James knew. He faced the wall, hiding his shame.

"Because I think I'm falling in love with her, Counsellor. And if I am, and I did this, I don't think I could live with myself."

"I am not a paladin!"
by Lt. JG Vladimir Malgin

Blood losses... Sanguinarians... When Vladimir heared these words first time, the only thing he thought was something like "Fairy Tales... Huh! Never believed in them... Vampires: what further? Witches? skeletons?.. We have a Halloween celebrated in this style? If it is so, then I can say 'someone needs to go see psychiatrist'... Yeah!". However he proved his old habit - 'Wha is on mind, that is on tongue' and Torsag heared him.

He turned to Vladimir and said "Fairy tales? Perhaps you will say that we all are children... More of that crazy children if we all see fairy tales alive?"

"No... But all what I can say that this is driving me crazy! I am not knight, paladin or sorcerer - I can handle hypo, I can handle borg, but I can not handle fairy tales! You can?.. (smiles) Well, I think that best thing I can do now is to finish my shift and go drink coffee - much coffee! I am sure that caffeine will make this tale to dissipate". With these words he raised his head to the ceiling and took a deep breath. Then he opened his mouth to add something more sarcastic, but didn't said anything. He just made one more groan and headed to his desk.

"Computer, personal log of Lieutenant JG Vladimir Malgin. My head is rolling like merry-go-round! These stories about vampires drive me crazy! No! Not crazy, but VERY crazy... Yeah. I am starting to think that everything from the very moment of my arrival to this god damned ship was a terrible nightmare, and nobody is near my bed to tell me 'wake up!.. Was I cursed by somebody?..

Computer, end of personal log entry..."

Counseling Session
by LCDR Navarre Shinta
with ENS Ozwald Thatcher

(Note: These events happen before the Away Team on the Tamarian ship was beamed back to the Galaxy)

Shinta had only just received the report that there was an emergency patient waiting. As she had a free hour now, she had agreed to see the ensign. So she walked into the waiting room. And since there was only one person waiting there, Shinta walked straight up to him.

"Mr.Ozwald Thatcher?" She held out her hand. "I am Navarre Shinta, if you would like to follow me into my office, you can tell me what the trouble is."

"Certainly, Counselor.", Ozwald said following her as indicated. In her office she gestured him to have a seat, and offered him something to drink, then patiently sat back to listen to his story.

"First of all, I would like to ask if you have had the opportunity to review my file?" Ozwald inquired.

"I've scanned the basics, but haven't had time to go over it in detail" Shinta replied. "You have quite a history."

"That's certainly one way to put it. Conscription during the Dominion war was not made public knowledge. Only a few private fleet captains were drafted due to their experience. The small number of individuals involved made it simple for Star Fleet to keep that matter private."

The counselor was beginning to get a more complete picture of Thatcher's personal difficulties. Even in this time of distress, he was articulate and attempting to be helpful, which would lead to a favorable prognosis once the immediate problem was circumvented. Jotting some notes on a PADD, Shinta asked another question.

"I imagine being captured by the Breen and being held as a POW was a frustrating experience."

"Yes. Besides being a low temperature world which adds to general stress, the Breen deploy chemical, physical, and psychological interrogation techniques. I was lucky to survive them. They are as ruthless as Cardassians in their zeal for extracting secrets."

"Okay", the counselor said with an encouraging smile. "Now I know a little more about your general background. What lead up to your visit today?"

"I had an encounter with our Sanguinarian guests. I happened to pass them in a passageway. Seeing them made me uncomfortable, triggering a stress/anxiety response. I've heard some Betazed and other telepathic crew members have had a similar response, feeling 'vile' emanations from Lady Lilith and Lord Vlad."

"Interesting. I have been compiling a report on that subject for Chief Counselor Dallas. You are right about several members of the crew being uncomfortable with our visitors. I'll be sure to add your name to the list." Shinta said making appropriate notations.

It was time to shift gears and take another tact on things. "How do you see this matter being resolved?"

"I was thinking my years of deep space experience prior to becoming an ensign may be of value to the Away Team studying the Tamarian ship we found. If I am physically on another ship, it would forestall future encounters with the aliens."

"I will consider that idea, Ensign, although a request for away duty would have to be forwarded up the chain of command. In the mean time, I suggest giving our guests a wide berth."

"That might be a bit difficult, Counselor. My quarters are located near where the aliens are staying, making chance encounters more likely." The Ensign said.

"I will see if I can find another berth for you on a temporary basis, given your history and feelings on the matter. In the mean time, do not hesitate to contact me if your anxiety level increases. Now that I'm aware of your problems, I'll do my best to help you resolve them."

Ozwald felt better after the conversation, replacing his stern demeanor with a smile. "That sounds like a viable plan. I think I will drop by medical and see if they have suggestions for managing stress, or maybe a holodeck visit to Risa."

Shinta was happy that Thatcher's mood had visibly improved after the counseling session, and escorted him out of the office.

"After Dinner, With the Wife"
by Chris & Anna Thomas
USS Galaxy

After finishing dinner and desert they'd retired to their bedroom to renew their love in a very intimate way. This wasn't something they did with just a whim on most occasions, they were very much in love. The act of lovemaking, wasn't something they took lightly. When they made love to each other it was very revealing and involved in

They had always dreamed about starting a family, but never tried to do so until tonight. While it wasn't a done deal that this one night would start a family it was enjoyable nonetheless. Life was full of events both failures and success, not every outcome was predictable either.

Lying in each other's arms after the first attempt was just as exciting as the first day on their honeymoon. The thrill, excitement, anticipation and the weirdness of it all was still with them. Life was about moments.

While they were wrapped up in each other's arms not saying a word, their bodies were speaking all that needed to be spoken.

Life was good.

***

Three hours later Chris and Anna were once more rolling around in the bed. This time it wasn't in an effort to produce an offspring, but for the pure enjoyment of being mated with one another.

There hadn't been this much passion between the two off them in several months. With everything happening on the ship in the past months, it'd been not only hard for them to be together, but impossible to consider the kind of future a child might be born into under those conditions.

The conditions of being at war or trying to survive didn't always lend themselves to the right moment of trying to make love with someone. Even more so when you're the commanding officer of a ship or in charge of the ship because something's happened.

Whispering to each other, they were saying just how much they loved one another and what they meant to each other. It was a night of Romance and passion, for they were one.

Time seemed to slow down as they continued their coupling, in life one can be lucky to find a love once, finding someone to love and share a life with more then one time is a miracle in some ways.

How long could they continue to expend the kind of energy they were using right now was anyone guess, because their bodies knew nothing of how tried they might be or sore they would be when all was done. Adrenaline, heightened senses and the nature of the act were primal, providing the needed continued energy and support they would need to last the night.

Love was a language that everyone wanted to understand, to speak and be in a state off at some time during their life. If they were really lucky the state of being in love would last a life time with just one person or perhaps two. It was always a balancing act to find the right person that would compliment your own personalities, but at the same time wouldn't be an exact replicate of you.

-------
tbc.........

"Step Into My Parlor..."
By Lt Commander Elaithin Jii, Chief of Security With Lt. Heather Sanchez (NPC)
(With snippet from "Flitter, Flamingo....")

All throughout the good ship Galaxy, Security Officers searched for beings that couldn't be located by conventional means.

Not for the first time, Lieutenant Commander Elaithin wished the Galaxy was a much smaller ship.

"God, I wish this ship was smaller..." Sanchez muttered under her breath as the pair searched another empty set of guest quarters.

Elaithin let out a small smirk. "I was just thinking the same thing, Heather. They can't have gone too far, you know."

"Oh, bullshit. They could be in the warp nacelle housings for all you know."

Copping a move from his Vulcan predecessor, Elaithin merely raised an eyebrow.

Phasers at the ready, Elaithin entered an override code into the lock on another set of guest quarters.

And Elaithin Jii came face-to-face with a tableau from two thousand years past into Bajoran history.

The walls were a dark sandstone, with torches providing light. The place was opulently decorated.

In other words, it didn't look anything like guest quarters should.

And, there, in the center of the room, were Lord Vlad and Lady Lilith.

"My....aren't you the large one.." Lilith whispered, taking in the Bajoran Security Officer's six-foot-three frame, as the doors whisked shut.

"Ma'am, if you would please....come....with....." Elaithin started, before falling so deep into the seductive woman's eyes that all the world seemed to vanish.

In a dim corner of his mind, Elaithin Jii recognized that something was wrong, and that he wasn't able to move his body. However, as the Lady Lilith pressed herself against him and began to whisper the sweetest nothings....he didn't much care.

He had no idea what had happened to Sanchez.

If he'd looked to his right, he'd have noticed Lord Vlad and Lieutenant Sanchez entrenched in one hell of a passionate embrace, with the good Lieutenant....quite clearly enjoying herself.

As Lilith began to nuzzle his neck, Jii becan to feel an indescribable delight, and then......

["Um..hello ship.uh..everybody...Uh.This is Rebec.I mean this is the bridge.. R.red alert.uh.if you please....Oh yeah.Captain Price to the Bridge...thanks."]

Rebecca's voice over the comm system shattered the illusion. The quarters once more looked as they should - standard furniture in muted Starfleet tones. And Lilith noticed her prey's sudden attention.

Reacting on instinct, Elaithin brought his phaser up to Lilith's chin, and fired.

It was a good idea.

On anyone else, it would have worked.

Lady Lilith, however, was not your average sentient being.

As the phaser beam passed through the space the Sanguinarian had previously occupied, Lilith dissapeared, and dozens of small, dark, furry, screeching creatures flew out the now open door.

Lord Vlad soon followed, abandoning Sanchez in a heap on the deck.

"Son of a..."Elaithin muttered...come to think of it, he didn't feel so good himself. Tapping his commbadge, he managed to get out "Elaithin to Transporter Room. Emergency sight to sight transport to sickbay for two.."

As he and Heather dematerialized into the blue sparkling field, Lieutenant Commander Elaithin Jii idly wondered if he'd ever wake up......

“Comatose Doctor”
By Lt ( J.G. ) Autumn Jamieson, ACMO.
Lyrics [] are from the song [The Lovecats] by the CURE

***As the attack ends***

***Cargo bay, on deck 39***

She slumped to the floor filled with pain and drifting in her mind. She fell deeper into the blackness. Dimly her mind registered someone else's mind and then it was gone. And she was falling again into those dreams.

*Autumn found herself in a familiar place as she looked around she saw a familiar face and figure*

[We move like cagey tigers ]
[We couldn't get closer than this]
[The way we walk]
[The way we talk ]

The tall blond haired man sat on a huge black motorcycle, in the moonlit car park of a bar wearing a pair of black pants and a black button up silk shirt, His black coat was resting over the seat of the motorcycle and he was smoking a cigerette and waiting. The tall brunette girl ran out of the bar and down to him. She smiled and took the helmet he offered her and put it on and climbed onto the back. She pushed up her sleeves revealing a complex tattoo that matched the on one the man’s bear arms. He grinned at her, his fangs, glinting in the light. She smiled back her own fangs , though smaller then his, were also showing. He gunned the engine and they both took off down the road.

[The way we stalk ]
[The way we kiss ]

The bike roared down the coast road and out onto the sand where they left it and walked towards a group of party goers. There in the center was a bonfire and to left was the dark haired man standing in front of a group of people tied up. Humans, Mortals. Food for the vamps. The blond man led his childe towards the bonfire and the others of his sect and pack. She smiled in greeting to those she knew and talked with a tall woman with bright red hair and blue eyes that greatly resembled the man.

*Autumn floated above the scene as people were slaughtered and drank from.In her mind she whimpered in fear as the fun and games got worse.*

[We slip through the streets ]
[While everyone sleeps ]
[Getting bigger and sleeker]

The blood feast and drunken party went on until very late in the night. The vampires bathed in bathing suits or nude in the waves with only one staying as far from the water as he could get. The blood stained the sand and bodies were littered everywhere though now they were being picked up by men and women dressed in black and being dragged closer to the fire.

[We bite and scratch ]
[And scream all night]
[You and me ]
[All these years and no one heard ]
[I'll show you in spring ]
[It's a treacherous thing]

*Autumn felt someone beside her and when she turned she was alone and looking down she spotted another figure walking through the crowd as they left the water*

This one was tall, dark and full of his own power he moved to the blond man and waited for him to finish talking to another red head, this one with a tattoo on the inside of her right thigh and a huge tattoo on her back between her shoulder blades, The red head smiled and moved after the others leaving the two men together. What they said was never heard but the dark haired man bowed to the blond and made his way through the crowd towards the cliffs and disappeared.

[We should have each other to dinner]
[We should have each other with cream]
[Then curl up in the fire]
[Get up for a while]
[It's the grooviest thing]
[It's the perfect dream]

*Autumn’s mind began to register more things.. pain terrible pain and agony. And her mind remembered what had made that pain.*

Back on the beach the vampires were cremating the bodies of the mortals that they had eaten. The smoke turned from white to ashy black and they began to drift away the couple who had arrived on the motorbike climbed back on and drove off into the night as well.. the fire burning as a stark reminder that they didn’t play by mortal rules.

*The scene drifted from her eyes and the blackness swallowed her again.*

"Not so high on the food chain as once thought"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

The Captain began leaving sickbay, wanting to go back to check on the progress Lieutenant Commander Peterson had made with researching the meaning of "Dircala at Berliega!". The General had barely gotten a few paces before an urgent hail was received.

["Um..hello ship.uh..everybody...Uh.This is Rebec.I mean this is the bridge.. R.red alert.uh.if you please....Oh yeah.Captain Price to the Bridge...thanks."]

Captain Price stopped walking and pinched the bridge of his nose while shaking his head slightly and sighing. The sounding of the red alert klaxons followed the "announcement". Reaching across his chest, Lee finally tapped his comm badge. "Price to bridge, I'm on my way Lieutenant."

The Captain quickened his pace. He could only imagine what trouble had occurred to have von Ernst summoning him to the bridge. Rounding the corner, Lee was running the possibilities through his mind when he saw the two most unexpected individuals up ahead walking towards him. It was the Sanguinarians.

"Ah, if it isn't out generous host." Vlad greeted with open arms.

Lee watched the two walking towards him. Vlad was wearing the same ancient attire and flowing red and black cape as before, while Lady Lilith was now wearing a slinky black number with a rather strange, pointed collar that blossomed around her neck. But there was something... something about the way their eyes were looking at him that made the Captain feel as if he were in danger. Instinctively he reached for his type1 phaser, readying it for use should that become necessary.

"But of course darling. Our fair Captain has been quite hospitable indeed." Lady Lilith smiled while biting the end of one of her long, black fingernails while admiring the Captain's physique.

"We've been looking for you 'mates." Captain Price stated while still holding his phaser behind his back. "There have been a few strange occurrences on board the ship and I feel it would be safest for you both to accompany me to a secure part of the ship until things are back under control."

Lady Lilith tossed her head back and laughed at the Captain's statement. She and Vlad stopped walking and stood just a couple of meters in front of the General. "Vot a deliciously nice way of saying that you vish to place us in your dungeon."

Lord Vlad looked at Lilith and nodded. "Yess. It would seem that the good Captain has discovered our activities my dear."

The admission surprised Captain Price. He had expected them to deny having anything to do with the blood loss of the crew. "Then these incidents of unexplained blood loss members of the crew have experienced, you admit they were caused by you?"

Lilith giggled while looking at Vlad and covering her mouth slightly to try and stop. She seemed almost giddy, as if she were intoxicated. "I believe the Captain has just realized who's coming to dinner my sweet."

"Captain Price. Please, you must think us as monsters. I assure you, ve are not the cold blooded creatures your legends vould make us out to be." Vlad stated.

Pulling his phaser on the guests, Captain Price leveled it on Vlad. "I'm sure you can explain it to me, after you've both been escorted to the brig. I don't know

what it was like for you earlier, but now, it's not permitted to drain people of blood and cause their death."

"I believe he's referring to that bimbo you had in the elevator my love." Lilith stated in a snide, somewhat jealous tone.

"Captain Price, the death of your crew member was quite regrettable. Believe me when I say, my people have a great love for your kind. But occasionally, our survival requires that one of the cattle be slaughtered." Vlad smiled, "You can't expect to make an omelet vithout breaking a few eggs Captain."

Lee grew angry at hearing this cavalier attitude towards the death of one of their crewmen. He could still remember finding the twisted body of Lieutenant Linda Liito in the turbolift. The paleness of her skin, and the way she was curled, helplessly in a lifeless ball at the bottom of the lift was still fresh in his mind. "You disgust me. Anyone that exploits the lives of others the way that you do shouldn't be allowed to roam freely."

"Captain, you have us all wrong." Vlad stated. "Ve are not exploiting your people. Ve are only doing what comes naturally. Look at the ecology of your own world. Ven the shark consumes the seal, you do not say the shark is exploiting its prey. It is merely doing what comes naturally so it may survive."

"I believe the good Captain is rather startled to discover that his kind are not so high on the food chain as he once thought my dear." Lilith mused. Licking her lips she added, "He does look like a delicious morsel..."

Stepping forward, Lilith reached out a hand to try and touch the Captain's chest. Reacting, Lee stepped back and pointed the phaser at Lilith.

"Stay right where you are!" Lee ordered.

Both Lilith and Vlad laughed at the Captain's faith in the phaser he held.

"Your veapon is useless Captain. You and your entire crew are helpless against my people." Vlad stated.

Lilith stepped closer as she spoke, "As harmless as a flock of woolen sheep, just vaiting to be sheared..."

Lee took another step back and gave a final warning. He had no desire to harm a woman, but panic was beginning to set in. These Sanguinarians seemed to be fully confident and unafraid of the armed phaser. Tapping the power setting, Lee increased the intensity until all ten red indicators were lit.

"Stop where you are. Last warning 'mate..."

Lilith paused only momentarily, and then ran a hand down her body, as if smoothing out the black silk dress. "I am afraid that I just can't help myself Captain. I need you right now..."

As Lilith reached out and took another step, Lee fired his phaser, aiming directly for her chest. The red phaser beam sliced through the Sanguinarian and continued through until it struck the far bulkhead wall. The seductress was unharmed. She wasn't even slowed down. Grabbing the Captain's wrist with one hand, she raised it, lifting the General up off of his feet.

"Your lantern is no match for our kind Captain." Lilith tightened her grip, causing a great deal of pain in the Captain's hand. Shaking it slightly, the Sanguinarian forced him to drop the weapon.

"You see Captain Price, your people and your technology are no match for us. For millennium my people have existed. In fact, you should be thanking us for bringing civilization as you know it to your worlds." Vlad stated.

Lowering the Captain, Lady Lilith backed him up, pinning him against a bulkhead while still holding his hand tightly in her own. "He doesn't understand my lord. His simple mind can't comprehend what ve have done for his kind."

Stepping closer, Vlad looked at the Captain. "Vhen ve first visited your world, it was populated vith a few ape-like beasts that gathered in small tribes. You could hardly call then human compared to vere ve have evolved you."

Lilith smiled. "Ve began by educating them. Giving them a vay of communicating between tribes."

"This allowed them to gather together and form larger communities. Soon their numbers grew and their civilization prospered." Vlad explained.

"Vhich was exactly vot ve vanted, since essentially we were like shepherds tending to our flock of cattle." Lilith declared with a wicked smile.

"For a long time your planet proved to be a fertile grazing stop. Your people, though crude and primitive, have a certain sensual quality that... amuses us." Vlad paused for a moment, "Though eventually, even that grows tiresome. And so ve moved on."

Lilith piped in, "Ve have visited hundreds of vorlds in your galaxy Captain. And on each of them, it is the Sanguinarians that they own their culture, their start on civilization, their politics, even their religion."

"So you see, ve do not exploit those ve feed off of Captain. Ve are simply taking that vhich is owed to us." Lilith smiled while running a fingernail down the Captain's neck.

"For if it vasn't for my people, your kind would still be huddling in caves and savaging for fire Captain. Your trek across the stars vould not even be possible." Vlad finished.

"I do not believe you." Captain Price responded. "What you are claiming couldn't be possible."

"I assure you Captain, it is possible. And vhat's more, it is the truth." Vlad replied.

"I do believe I am somewhat... thirsty my sweet." Lilith stated while nibbling on her lip slightly while looking at the veins that were bulging in the Captain's panic stricken neck. "Perhaps I vill have a taste of our fine host Captain here."

Placing a hand on Lilith's shoulder, Vlad pulled her back even as she was preparing to bite the Captain. "No my sweet. Ve must pace ourselves. Though this ship is vast and stocked full with vibrant cattle to feed upon, our journey to our own galaxy vill be a long one at the speeds this vessel is capable of. We must ration our food supply wisely."

Lilith looked frustrated as she pulled back from the Captain. Her fangs were glistening from the saliva that coated the ivory colored teeth. "Very well my Lord. I suppose ve can bide our time. Now that the others have been left behind on the Tamarian scow, our tracks have been covered. No other hunters can pursue a trail that doesn't exist."

"Exactly my sweet. All that remains is to stay on course and to enjoy ourselves. Vhen ve grow hungry, ve vill feed off of this crew. Only sparingly to stretch out our supplies long enough to reach our destination." Vlad agreed.

"And what should ve do about the good Captain here?" Lilith asked, returning her seductive gaze on Captain Price.

"Release him. The humans are all harmless. They are inferior in every way to our kind. And eventually, ve vill feed off of each of them." Vlad stated.

Complying with the request, Lilith unhanded the Captain, allowing him to drop back down to the floor. Lee's knees buckled because of the abruptness of the release and he fell to the ground in a heap. Immediately he grasped his wrist, which was sore and bruised from the Sanguinarian assault, but as he twisted it Lee didn't think it was broken.

"Come. Ve must continue our exploration of this vessel. Eventually our cattle will take to hiding. Ve must prepare ourselves by becoming familiar with every location on board this ship." Vlad explained.

"But of course my Lord." Lilith smiled as she reached her hand over to take his.

"Ve vill meet again Captain." Vlad nodded while he began to turn to casually depart with Lady Lilith.

"Hopefully over dinner." The lady vampiress smiled wickedly while she too turned to walk away with Vlad.

Lee looked up from his location on the deck floor at the two throwbacks from a different time. It all seemed like something out of a B Vampire movie. Tapping his comm badge, the Captain reported the sighting.

"Price to security. The visitors are on deck 12, heading past the gymnasium. Send someone to intercept."

["Security here Captain. Teams are on their way."]

Looking at the Sanguinarian couple, Lee began to get to his feet. As he did, he could feel the deck plating vibrating slightly in a rhythmic fashion. Glancing down the corridor, and beyond the visitors, the Captain could see why.

The massive, green form of Lieutenant' Seth Zonhieb rounded the corner and stopped in the middle of the corridor, directly in the path of the visitors. Effectively cutting off their "escape" route.

With arms crossed in defiant, stubborn, lizardly fashion, Seth called out. "Care to try this again whitey?"

Lilith glanced over at Vlad. "Such a slow, dim witted species. Why it's a wonder how it even manages to speak."

"Do not vaste your energy on the reptile my dear. Like the humans, our green pet here can not harm us." Vlad stated as the two continued to walk directly towards the Gorn security officer.

Seth could see they were not yielding. In a way he was glad. He was looking forward to attacking these strange green, reptilian visitors that had already fled one encounter with the mighty security officer. Unfolding his arms, Seth let his claws spread in preparation for the battle that was about to take place.

"Have it your way then." The Lieutenant' stated before leaping into action. With an animal-like leap, the Gorn covered the three meters between him and Vlad in a split second. With his massive arms, Seth began to swipe with his claws at the green skinned visitors using his full force. But unlike the last encounter, the Gorn's claws didn't connect with solid scales and skin, but seemed to be flailing right through the visitor's bodies, as if they were mere holograms or ghosts rather then living, breathing opponents.

Seth continued to swing with his attacks, hoping to connect with something. But it was no use. The visitors simply walked on by the security officer as he continued to attack.

"Stay with them Lieutenant'" the Captain called out as he reached for his phaser and then began running down the corridor to catch up with the guests that continued to simply walk away unhindered by the Gorn's best efforts at stopping them.

Seth turned and continued to swipe at the apparitions with his mighty claws. The Lieutenant' was swinging with enough force to shred even the toughest metal bulkhead, but against the visitors, he was coming up empty.

Finally Lady Lilith turned at the grunting, flailing Gorn and expressed her displeasure. "I grow tired of this game."

Turning on her heal, the Sanguinarian female threw a solid palm strike that landed on the center of Seth's chest. The simple blow was of sufficient force to send the Gorn security officer flying backwards through the air for several meters, where he collided with the advancing Captain Price, sending them both to the floor in a collapsed heap.

"Careful my dear. You know how much I hate it when the food becomes bruised." Vlad smiled wickedly.

The two visitors laughed and then turned to make their exit around the corner of the corridor.

The Captain fumbled around, trying to get the huge Lieutenant' Zonhieb off of him. Seth finally rolled over and slowly began to get to his feet. "They are a great deal stronger then I had anticipated." Seth stated while feeling his chest where a single blow had sent him across the deck.

Captain Price managed to get to his feet. He was now feeling pretty banged up, between his wrist and now the full body tackle the Gorn had inadvertently laid on him. If he were in his twenties and still in his rugby prime, it wouldn't have been so bad. But things change when one hit's their forties.

"They almost don't seem to be real. At least, not in the way we would normally think of real as being." The Captain commented.

A team of security officers came rounding the corridor with their weapons drawn.

"Captain, are you alright sir?" Ensign Salt asked.

"Aye. The Sanguinarians went that way. Be careful, they are dangerous and our weapons don't seem to have any effect on them." The Captain stated while pointing.

Astrid glanced at the two security officers that were with her, and then at Lieutenant' Zonhieb. "Are you coming sir?"

Seth began to move so he could assume command of the security team since he was the ranking security officer present, but Captain Price grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back.

"The Lieutenant' will be coming with me Ensign. Take your team and go on. And be sure to get plenty of back up." The Captain ordered.

Astrid gave a nod. "Aye sir. You heard him, let's move out. Double time. Move, move move!" Ensign Salt bellowed out as the team marched off after the visitors.

Seth turned and looked at the Captain, waiting for an explanation.

Lee took a moment to catch his breath and adjusted to the uncomfort of his bruised body. Humans were rather soft compared to Gorn who literally had armored scales to protect them.

"We will need to put our heads together and come up with a strategy to deal with our guests." The Captain began while licking his lip and tasting a hint of his own blood. "I'm calling for a senior staff meeting and I'd like for you to attend 'mate. I'm sure you can offer some unique insights to our visitors based on your recent experiences with them."

"However I can be of service Captain." Seth replied simply.

"Bonzer." Lee nodded. Tapping his comm badge, the Captain called out. "Price to Bridge. Come in Lieutenant'."

A moment later, Von Ernst's voice was once again heard cracking over the channel. ["Yes Captain?..."]

"I'm on my way up 'mate. Signal the senior staff. I'm calling an emergency staff meeting in the conference room in five minutes. I'll expect a full briefing of the current tactical situation at that time." The Captain stated.

["Senior staff meeting? Um, yeah, okay. Sure thing Captain sir.] Rebecca replied in a less then reassuring tone that it would actually get done.

Lee just shook his head slightly. "Five minutes Lieutenant'. Get everyone there. Price out." He stated in a stern tone.

The General deactivated his communicator and looked at Seth who just stood there unemotionally standing by.

"Well, let's get going 'mate." The Captain stated as he motioned towards the nearest turbolift.

"Yes Captain." Seth replied as he and the General headed off on their way to the bridge.

Last Stand (NRPG The is before Arrested AGAIN and after Jail Break)

Lieutenant Todd Sanksy
USS Galaxy

NPC Nathan Carrington

‘Lock the door.’ Todd said as he carried Nathan to the bed, grabbing his medical scanner he began the brain scan he needed to prove Nathan had been tampered with by Vlad. ‘Computer scan to detect an active neurogenic field in Nathan’s frontal lobe, also scan for residual Sanguarian DNA.’

=/\= Working =/\=

Todd moved into the living area and activated a report log to Captain Price: ‘ Captain I understand my actions are not becoming of a Starfleet officer but I needed to prove my innocence and heal Nathan, enclosed in this report is all the information needed to prove that Vlad was the cause of Nathan’s injuries and his sudden attitude towards me. Please review my findings. Dr Sansky.’ Todd hoped he would still be a Starfleet officer by the time the Captain came to read it.

=/\= Scan complete =/\=

Todd rushed back into his bedroom. ‘Computer show me the results.’ The computer voice finally gave him the answers he needed.

=/\= Neurogenic field ACTIVE, Foreign DNA PRESENT =/\=

From the time decay of the DNA it was obvious that the DNA had been from the time Nathan was in Sickbay and not from the initial attack.

‘ Computer scan the records from the Galaxy, has this field been found in any other objects in the last few weeks.’

=/\= Affirmative =/\=

‘Where?’

=/\= Aboard the Tamarian vessel =/\=

‘Yes, computer save findings and conclusions and attach to report, post to captain Price as well as science and medical department heads.’ The computer worked just as Todd’s door was forced and he was confronted with security pointing a phaser to his head.

‘No please I surrender.’

‘Cuff this traitor, he’s coming with us.’ Todd was set upon by the officer rather roughly and escorted out of his quarters and down the corridor…

Todd was thrown into the Brig as three security men searched him without

due care but with lots of attention. They departed as the blue screen went up. Todd just prayed his captain would show mercy and review his findings, hopefully the ends would justify the means.

"Unsettling Facts."
By Lt. Commander Peterson

"... Chief Science Officer's Log. Stardate 50111.04. I reported to the makeshift residence of our Borg 'ambassador' in the hopes of using the 'its' connection to the Collective to assist our team in deciphering the Tamarian legends, metaphors, and recordings that had now taken a certain level of urgency. According to Sickbay, the condition of the drone remains stable, though neither Doctor Dothan or his staff have been able to provide me with an answer for what caused the comatose condition that Three of Four was found in."

Kent tapped a button to pause the recording before leaned back in his chair. Though he lost no love over the health or functional capacity of a Borg drone - a unitary piece of the Collective that he and others feared - it was the fact that someone seemed to be interfering with the ability of his department to function properly.

While James appeared to be a little peaked, a medical evaluation revealed no medical cause for his lack of memory. As Peterson had noted before, it was not like the assistant chief science officer to 'forget' his duties, especially after only an hour since he was notified of a request or order. The chief scientist was not beyond mentioning it to Karyn Dallas since Mitchell had a history of mental instability - the primary reason for why he had left the Galaxy as her chief science officer some years earlier.

Then there was the behavior of Lieutenant Rose MacAllen - the scientist heading the investigation of the archaeological studies on the derelict vessel. Leading to references of 'doom and gloom' and then vampires did not inspire confidence after she began to behave a little erratically. Ronald even mentioned that she seemed preoccupied, but oddly it had not been until she first stumbled on to the legend of Dircula - by all accounts an unpleasant figure at Bereligia that worked his or her way in to the metaphor-based Tamarian language.

The Starfleet lieutenant commander folded his arms - a somewhat defensive reaction to the thoughts of the unsettling facts. It made him think of the intruder in his quarters. Security and the forensics section of his department had failed to lead anywhere concrete. How had it been? Why were they there? Was there a link between that incident and some of the other odd occurrences that seemed to have befallen the department who were reviewing the centuries-old data from the Tamarian spacecraft?

It sent a cold shivered down Peterson's spine as his mind began to wander and fill in blanks that they simply had no details about. "Vampires," he scoffed, still wary about accepting that particular conclusion from an otherwise reliable scientist good at what she did.

Then again, there was nothing to discount the possibility, except Kent's own prejudices. They had been proven wrong before - with the Stone of Tears - but like that he was expecting some logical, perfectly rational explanation other than some supernatural force.

The chief scientist reach over once again and tapped the button to resume recording. "I am hesitant to speculate at what caused the incident, but I certainly cannot rule out possible Sanguinarian involvement, or possibly even a member of this crew. We know little of the people we rescued from the Tamarian vessel, and there is certainly enough motivation from any one of the thousand or so Starfleet officers on the Galaxy."

And he knew better than anyone how true that last remark was - he was one of those people.

"Until that time I have asked that Security restrict access to the regeneration alcove until Engineering has had the opportunity to review the logs. End log."

Peterson stood up and walked over to the wall-mounted replicator unit. "Coffee, two sugars, milk," he requested, the computer complying and replicating the beverage in a matter of moments.

Whatever the cause, whatever the reason, when looked as a whole, there were some unsettling facts that presented to him. Moving the mug from the replicator to his desk, Kent reached across his chest and tapped his communicator, "Peterson to Thomas ..."

"How to tell your boss that you're a fruit loop"
by Lt Cmdr Dothan, Lt jg Jamieson and Lt Kira Murphy

Entering Sickbay via the Paediatrics Ward door, Kira headed towards the Chief Medical Officer's office. As she did, she could hear Andree and Autumn inside, speaking about something.

Reaching the door, she knocked on it and waited for them to both turn.

"I am wondering if I could talk to you both about something important that has come up, if its okay."

When Andree nodded to her and motioned towards a chair, she walked in and took a seat next to Autumn.

"Yesterday, Lt Brightspot informed me that Fooey died and I ran off, quite emotional. The first thing they did was contact Cmdr Dallas, who directed them to let her know when they found me. We had a bit of a talk and I am going to be seeing someone from Counselling for depression. I probably will need to go on anti-depressants though.."

Autumn looked Kira up and down. "Have you slept lately Kir? You kinda Tired"

"I've been camping out in the Paediatrics Ward for a bit. Oh, and if its okay with you, I left Fooey in one of the smaller unused stasis fields in the morgue until I can deal with him."

"Well, that's alright, I just want you to get approval for any prescriptions from myself, Autumn, or the HoloDoc, at least until you are more acclimated to the effects of the anti-depressants" Andree said, looking out for the best interests of everyone.

"Sure, that's fine. I can look after other injuries and stuff though. Karyn wants me to get a full physical before the anti-depressants. I'm sure Todd won't mind."

Autumn smiled "Yeah"

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

Moving over where Todd was working, Kira tapped him on the shoulder,

"Can we speak in private over here for a sec?"

Once they were in a corner where nobody else could overhear, Kira sat down and started,

"Todd, I'm wondering if you could give me a full physical. I've been diagnosed with depression, and Counselling wants a workup before perscribing anything, okay? Before you answer, I can get somebody else to if you want, coz the anti-grav suit plays with the readings so I'll have to be nude."

"Your going to be what, im sorry but i erm..." He thought for awhile then his eyes lit up "I have to meet Nathan, yeah thats right Nathan" Todd walked backwards towards the door knocking some supplies off a table. He looked over "Ensign, get this mess cleared up i have to report to my superior." With that he ran out the room as he heard Kira behind him.

Shaking her head, she replied, "Oh how I knew you were going to say that."

Autumn stepped clear of where she had been hiding and collasped into a giggle fit. "I... have... never .. seen .... anyone... run so .... fast as.. Todd did ... just then..." she gasped out between giggles.

Looking around, Kira noticed that nobody was around so she stepped closer to Autumn. Smiling, she reached back and tapped a hidden button, grinning like a cat just after it finished with a nice budgie,

Some electromagnetic catches disengaged and Kira wriggled her shoulders as the front of her anti-grav suit fell forwards,

"Since Todd found something else to do and you find it so funny, how about you do the exam? I promise I won't bite."

Autumn sat up and looked at Kira. "God girl can't you go anywhere with out loosing your clothes? Oh ok.. lets get this done.. but an inapropriate behavour and I get karyn to give you counselling for the next two years."

"Hmmm.. Most times yes, but not always. I promise to be good."

Moving over to a biobed, she flung herself down on it, face up and said as she giggled,

"Do your worst."

Autumn just rolled her eyes and grabbed her tricorder and proceded with the exam.

Almost an hour later..

She snapped the tricorder shut and looked at Kira. "Ok kiddo.. full clean bill of health. Which I guess is a good thing."

"Yay.. I let Karyn know."

Takes place before "Not so high..." During "Tag Team"

It wasn't a good day to be a security uniform. This one was ripped to shreds, had a burn on the back and was half crushed between the cold metal floor and cold green scales.

The day had started out like every other. Replicated into existance. Pressed perfectly with every thread in place. A crisp cleaness of newly created material.

The heat in the room quickly made the fibre expand. Which was a good thing considering the amount of body this uniform would cover. Nearly a tonne of muscle pulled and stretched the uniform. That was what is was created for.

Then there was a tour of the ship. It wasn't a bad life. A free ride to see the sights if it had eyes to see. A nose would have helped it appreciate the aroma of ten forward. Instead it felt grease and dirt from the recycled air. Somehow the room managed to never be completely purified.

When the cargo bay doors opened was the first hint of trouble. Threads were stretched and pulled as muscles coiled.

For a brief moment there was the freedom of flying. Not that the uniform weighted much but the wind always seemed to know how to tickle fabric.

The first rip wasn't that bad. A tiny nick on the sleeve. Any good tailor could fix that. Then the sleeve was torn more. It was sad to think the small peice was gone forever.

The worst part of the damage was yet to come as the back was torn. The rip sound echoed in the large room and was followed by more rips.

Next the front was pull hard and the collar gave way. Forces greater then fabric had yanked and stitching gave way.

Finally there was the burn. A sudden burst of energy caught the fray from the rips in the back. The blackness spread across the back and the damage was permanent. There was no way the uniform could be salvaged.

The cold comfort of the metal floor wouldn't have been too bad for a crumpled old pile of rags. If it wasn't for the emmence weight pressing on it awkwardly.

A visit to sickbay wouldn't make this uniform better. If it had feeling it wouldn't feel the regal gold of the morning. More like the pressed yellow seeds of a terran flower ready to be consumed.

Its final resting place in the replicator was like a relief. The technology in the cubby hole resequenced the molecules. Taken apart on a small level and put back together into pristine newness again.

It seemed like a good day to be a recycled security uniform. The fabric was crisp and clean again. Ready for another tour of the ship.

If the uniform had feelings or a mouth it would have screamed in panic as it felt the coil of green muscle ready for action. ~Here we go again~ it thought.

"Black & White"
By
Lt. JG Vladimir Malgin
Lt. JG Autumn Jamieson

Autumn stepped into the mess hall after Beta shift and looked about. She spotted Vladimir sitting by himself in front of a chess board. Smiling that she had found someone to talk to, she moved through the crowd and smiled at a few hapless ensigns before standding behind him and tapping him on the shoulder. "So this is what the Doc's in Med bay get up to in thier spare time hey LT?" she said.

Vladimir raised his head and smiled. "Just wanted to make my mind free from all these hypos, tricorders, biobeds and so on. I am tired, and chess is the only game I can play for relax of mind... Wanna join?"

Autumn smiled "Sure why not.. its been a while."

"Great! Take a seat and prepare yourself. You'll play white, I suppose?"

"Sure. But i warn you that i haven't played in a long time."

"OK, I almost always play black." After these words he started to place figures on starting positon. "So how have things been Vladimir? I see you survived the Borg ok." Autumn pulled her chair into the table and surveyed the board.

"I survived, but my nerves were quite shattered. How many borgs I killed? Damn! I can remember those days... Oh, my! It was something horrible... Like (smiles) playing Wolfenstein, DOOM or Quake... e2-e4?.."

Autumn gave him a puzzled look "Wolfanstein? I don't believe that i am aware of such a game Riald." she said as she contemplated her move. " I am glad the borg are gone.. maybe we can have have a standard mission this time.. but knowing this ships luck.." she gave a smile.

Vladimr took a deep breath. "Luck?! After Borgs, I am starting to think that this ship has no luck at all. Borgs are gone, that's good, but remember, that our great cap has set only 10 years of peace. More of that - as you remember we have drone on ship. Eek! When I see her, my heart sinks!.." He thought of his move and moved knight forward.

Autumn decieded to move her rook first.

Vladimir smiled "Good move, I think, but I'll do better!.. Umm... Yes!" With these words he moved bishop.

Autumn studied the board and sighed as she moved her knight. "Your turn" She hadn't played in ages and watched his move carefully.

"Well, well... By the way - how's it being ACMO? You really deserved it..." Autumn just rolled her eyes. "It is a pain in the ass." she said truthfully as she moved her rook. "I mean after Sansky reported me i wasn't sure that i would get it... your turn"

"My turn? Huh! I almost forgot... (thinks a bit, then moves queen) Check!"

Autumn smiled and moved her king to block the check. "Hmm try that."

Vladimir frowned a bit and thought "Damn! This move is good. What to do?.."

"Give in?" she asked impishly. She leant back and watched the chess board.

Vladimir had a look on the chessboard, contemplating next move, but suddenly leg of chair, he was sitting at broken and he felt on the floor. While falling, he made chessboard fall with him too. Laying on the floor he made a groan and started to swear in Russian. Swear colorfully and emotionally. If anybody could understand Vladimir, his ears could turn red and tie up themselves not to hear such 'words'.

Autumn smiled. "I'll have to learn that language. Oh Riald are you ok?" she held out her hand to help him up.

Vladimir raised his hands "Damn! Why this always happens to me?! Am I the only from these hundrerds of people, who deserved it?.."

Autumn crouched beside him. "I am sure its just a freak accident.. there is nothing deliberatly going after you Riald."

Vladimir stood up and shaked his head "In any case, I feel that I am not in that condition to play games. I think we could play later... After this falling, everything in my head, (smiles) in case there IS anything, is stirred like in mixer. I'd better go and sleep a bit. It was nice playing chess with you. Bye, Autumn!". After these words he gone out.

"Jay and Silent Bob vs Vampires"
By

The lovable duo of Jay and Silent bob
Security crewmen extrodinare.. (in Jay's own mind)

Security alerts were boring, they had gotten them from time to time. Jay simply used it as an oppertunity to look for somewhere to hide and Bob was generally somewhere lookng bored.

As usual Jay was on one of his solo monologues about some random topics. They wer still searching for eitehr lord Vlad or Lillith the vampire people.

"Damn Silent Bob if I come across that vampire bitch Vlad I'm gonna kick his ass all over this ship, then I'll take his ol lady and nail her to a wall hard core style." Bob shook his head and genreally ignored his rambling partner.

In fact the only reason they were even partnered together is he couldn't work with any other member of the Galaxy crew as established when he referred to Heather Sanchez as 'my little hot tamale.' and it took half the beta shift crew to pull the furious lieutenant off him. After that time, Jay was slapped with Bob and that was it.

"These guys are damne vampres and I know one way to kill a vampire man, a damned wodden stake will take that bitch out hardcore."

Bob just looked at his partner with a cocked eyebrow. This could not be good.... last time Jay got an idea like this they spent 3 days in sickbay.

But this time Jay went to the nearest replicator and handed him a large wooden stake. "We're gonna get those bastards and nail em in the heart. THat always takes out vampires." At least it did in the movies.... and movies never lied.

Stalking around the deck they approached a shadowy figure. IT was a vampire. Jay launched with a fierce battle cry.

Only he landed in the one place he didn't expect...

A classroom

not only a classroom but a Kindergarden classroom....

Where children were decorating for haloween with a large stuffed Vampire.

Oops

"The trouble with Sickbay is that it's full of sick people." by Ensign Alia Drakely Security Officer
with: Lt ( J.G.) Autumn Jamieson, ACMO.
Lt. ( J.G.) Wilhem Quevvenson - Science Officer
And various NPC medics.

Eavesdropping had never been her forte. She'd left all that behind her - well, until it came in useful again anyway. But in a place like Sickbay, especially when everyone was as tightly packed in as they were today, Alia couldn't really help but overhear what was going on next to her.

Alia had waited quite a while to be seen to, after all, a cut and swollen cheek is hardly a priority in such conditions; it had been quite a time since she had seen the noteworthy feat of getting so many people into a considerably smaller than required area. It wasn't just the patients; it was also all the staff, bustling purposefully past, seemingly in another dimension all together. She didn't mind admitting that she didn't envy them one little bit.

"Deck 39; Cargo Bay. That's where you'll find her."

She looked over at the man as he choked out the painful words before falling back into a troubled oblivion. The need in his voice had caught her attention. She watched the medics moving around him with concern.

"Deck 39? Any idea what he was talking about?"

"Nope. He was probably just out of it."

She shook her head at the medics lack of interest at the mans words, but she couldn't blame them; they probably had about a thousand other things swamping their minds down at the moment. She strode over to them asking,

"Did he say the Cargo Bay?"

"Yes. Why?" One of the medics answered briskly but with a hint of something else - wariness? Or suspicion perhaps? It might have made her smile at any other time.

"I'll go and check it out. I got separated from my team a while ago, but I've just reported in. They won't miss me for a few more minutes."

"I wouldn't worry about it - he probably didn't really know what he was talking about."

She paused for a moment, replaying the unconscious man's words in her mind. It was no use; she was sure that she had detected almost a plea in them, and if she didn't check, she wouldn't be able to stop thinking about it.

"I'll go anyway. Take good care of him."

As she went on her way she laughed at herself. 'Take good care of him' - where on earth had that come from? "Concern for a complete stranger? You're starting to slip my girl," she said playfully to herself at the thought of losing the 'aloof mask' that her friend Jonathan had jokingly donned her with a couple of years back.

She walked self-assuredly into the Cargo Bay. Although she felt a bit odd doing it, she called out a couple of times. No response. She thought about going, but she thought back to the man in Sickbay - she was convinced that he hadn't been talking nonsense, so instead she walked round, thoroughly searching everywhere. She couldn't describe how thankful she was that she had checked when her gaze was pulled down to the floor farther back into the room.

"Jesus Christ!"

Was the only thing Alia could articulate as her eyes widened with shock. The battered and bloody figure of an attractive, very dark haired woman was sprawled out on the hard floor. Alia swiftly moved over and gently knelt down next to her,

"Oh, God - Please let her have a pulse..."

After a moment she let out her held breath,

"Oh thank God!" Alia whispered to herself when she felt the disturbingly weak pulse managing to maintain itself.

"Ensign Drakely to Transporter Room - Two for emergency sight-to-sight transport to Sickbay."

"Hey! We could do with some help over here!" Alia called out even as a couple of drained looking medics were moving towards them. Alia watched as some kind of recognition of the woman seemed to kick in amongst them, she even caught one of them mention her name - Jamieson was it? Autumn Jamieson - at least that's what she thought they said.

After unnecessarily making sure that the young woman was being seen to, Alia stepped back for a moment. She absently lifted a hand to the injury, inflicted by the Lord Vlad's hand, that still remained untreated on her face. Despite herself, Alia could feel her temper starting to flare again. Although she couldn't be certain, having seen the extent of some of her injuries Alia was pretty damned sure that it was the Lord Vlad and maybe his Lady who had done this to the young woman.

After making a medic promise that he would contact her if there was any major changes with either the man or woman who had captured her attention for the last half-hour, she stalked off down the corridor, hand rested on phaser for all the good it would do, fervently telling herself that there was no way that she was going to let them get away with doing that to, what she didn't doubt to be, two innocent crew members.

"Rescue 911, Streely style."

With Leo Streely(NPC journalist turned bartender), and appearences by Tobias N'Peesee(NPC, Reverend Stoker's little helper), Lt. Raven Darkstar (Security), and an unauthorized appearence by Seth Zonhieb (Security)!

Previously: After being told by two strange vampire experts that he is in danger, Leo now scours the Galaxy in search of the Sanguinarians!

Time: Just after "Buffy" (by me!) and just before "Tag Team"(by bob)
Location: Section 17, saucer section, USS GALAXY

When the USS Galaxy had departed from Starbase 114 for thier current mission, not everything was fully operational. Case in point, Section 17 of the saucer section.

Section 17 typically was home to a block of crew apartments, various offices and the newly installed planetarium. After the ship's last encounter with the Borg severely damaged her, Starbase 114's teams of engineers and technicians had repaired and refitted something on damn near every floor.

Just a few minor repairs remained in Section 17, which remained unoccupied until they returned for the remainder of repairs or until the Galaxy's own crack engineering staff polished the section off.

Power had been diverted to other ship's systems leaving the entire section lit only by the dim auxiliary lighting which bathed the hallways in eerie shadows and left the rooms and apartments in the darkness.

"Darkness has historiclly been home to things that go bump in the night." Leo said staring into the darkness. "If they dont have breasts, im not interested in bumping. What does the book say?"

At his side, Tobias, the Reverend Stoker's aide, flipped through the pages of the handbook Leo had been given to aide him in his quest against the vampires.

"Um..er..it says if you find a town thats deserted..."

"Oh yeah. This is about as deserted as it gets. What are we supposed to do? Do we do a chant or invoke the name of the Almighty?"

"It..it says..to take the hint and stay away. Rule 5."

"Well, we're gonna forget about Rule 5, OK? Now what do we do?" Leo asked.

The skitterish man flipped more pages. "Rule 2....if the area in question has ever hosted foul and nefarious gatherings, move away immediatly."

"I can work with that one." he said slapping his combadge. " Leo to Captain Price.."

["Price here...What is it mate, I'm busy?"]

"I won't take much of your time Chief, just need to know if section 17 here on the ship, has ever ...say...been used as a morgue or hosted a black mass?"

["Crikey lad, are you daft!?!"]

"How about if anyone ever committed mass suicide, or died in another horrible fashion? Gone mad? Hosted necrophelia festivles?"

["Mr. Streely, unless you fancy a lengthy stay in the brig and a complete psychological battry of testing, I suggest you clear this channel immediatly! Price out!"]

"I take it that's a no. We're all clear. Lets go!" he said to Tobias.

Slowly Leo entered (Hee Hee. I just can't help laughing at that one!) the darkness. With most power diverted, many rooms had thier doors open leading into more darkness. Pulling out and snapping on a flashlight, Leo shined it into the various rooms sweeping in slow arcs, keeping his eyes peeled as he walked for the vampires to spring out at any moment, from any corner.

Shining the beam of light into the fourth room, he noticed a cutlery block bristling with sharpened knives sitting on an end table.

"R..Rule 8, stay away from large wooden blocks of cutlery." Tobias said nervously.

Leo shook his head affirmative, and started to back out of the room until Tobias stopped him. "Rule 10, never back into another room. Its always behind you."

"Right. Good lookin out for a guy. Let's go." Leo whispered, turning around and continuing his search into another set of rooms where he found a water fountain installed.

Suddenly overwhelmed with thirst and keenly aware of his dry mouth, he leaned down to get a drink, pressed the button and from the faucet came a thick reddish goo.

"Rule..14 if your.."

"Oh I get the picture! Let's get the hell out of here, ok?" he said running into the hallway. The auxiliary lighting suddenly faded leaving in total darkness with thier flashlights being thier only means of seeing anything.

"Isn't that a kick in the nads. Now we..what the hell was that?" he asked jerking his head to his left where he heard a clatter. He strained his ears to hear. Tobias followed suit.

Again they heard a clatter. This time a bit closer to them.

"The book says we should..."

"RRUUUNNN!!!!!" Leo shouted and bolted down the labyrinth-like hallways. Tobias followed close behind occasionally consulting the book as they ran from whatever was chasing them.

"Upstairs!" Leo shouted spying a stairwell in one of the rooms.

"Rule 17, never go upstairs if being chased."Tobias huffed.

"You know, your book is seriously putting a crimp in my escape plans here,OK?" Leo said as he tripped and fell to the floor. Tobias crashed into a heap behind him, causing the little leather clad man to errupt in a stream of profanity.

"The book says we should expect to fall down at least twice." he said.

"Lemmie see the damn book!" Leo said then promptly tossed it down the hallway." That's what I think of your freaking book, OK!!!"

"But, but, but..."Tobias started until the clatter sounded again, this time nearly on top of them both. Leo quickly adopted the time honored fetal defense and curled into a ball. Tobias just flinched and screamed as through the darkness crashed....

A cat.

A plain old house cat.

Leo peeked out of his ball then promptly jumped to his feet and laughed nervously. "Just a cat. Little critter spooked us good, didnt he. Yes he did. C'Mere kitty. Uncle Leo wants to thank you for excitinbg us." Tobias cringed as leo raced in the darkness after the cat.

A scream caught both thier attention.

The painful sounding noise came seemingly from just down the hall.

To Leo, the moan was also from a very familiar person.

It was Raven's voice.

"PARTNER!!!" leo screamed, tossinging off the overcoat, and withdrawing two sharp stakes.

"What are you..?" tobias began as he was pushed aside by the little man.

"I'M COMING!! THE CAVALRY!! HOLD ON PARTNER!!!" he yelled as he raced off down the length of the hallway towards the disturbance while Tobias sturggled to keep pace.

He bolted around the corner and towards the only room that was lit, skidding to a stop in the doorway to find Raven battered and bleeding on the floor.

Looming over him was...the GORN!!!!

"AAAAAGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Leo shouted as menacingly as he could muster. He charged the creature full tilt, crashing into him with the force of a speeding wiffle ball.

Undaunted by his lack of sucess, Leo struck the Gorn's thick hide repeatedly with the wood sticks while screaming until Seth calmly reached down and wrapped a paw around the man's head and lifted him off the floor.

"Run Raven! Run! " He yelled through the giant green hand, at the groggy Darkstar, who had now rolled across his back and was staring up from the floor at the scene above him.

Leo swiped with the wooden stake and this time Seth caught his arm, brought it up to his mouth and bit the head off the stake, chewed a bit and spit splinters on the floor.

Already in motion with a backup plan, Leo's left hand brought a vial of holy water across the beast's temple, shattering and sending the water dripping harmlessly off the Gorn's scaly hide.

"...stop...." Raven said as Seth brought the struggling little man's head closer to his maw. He sniffed smelling garlic from around Leo's neck and hissed: "Already marinated too!"

The large mouth opened, displaying a brilliant array of sharp fangs as Leo was pulled closer to death.

Darkstar managed to grab Leo's ankle, getting Seth's attention. "...he's ....with me..."

Seth looked at the fallen officer then back at Leo. He grunted and released Leo into a heap. Immediatly Leo crouched over Raven and withdrew another stake.

Raven wearily brought his arm up to Leo's and pulled the steak down a few inches. "leo..stop...he's helping me..it's ok.."

"Of coarse he's sure. I make it a point to avoid attacking fellow officers." Seth hissed as he looked down the hall for the Sanguinarians that had just disappeared.

"..go...get them...I'll be ok...." Raven said. Again seth hissed and this time he lumbered off into the darkness, leaving the duo alone.

Leo loked at Raven. " Holy christ! Are you ok?"

"No Leo, I'm not ok. Help me up." he grunted.

"I thought that he attacked you! Tobias grab his ..Tobias..where the hell did he run to?"

"Wasn't him... it was the ...people..." he said still shaking the fog from his mind.

"The vampires. I know."

Raven was shocked. "How do you know? And who's Tobias?"

"I'm the chosen one. No biggie."

"Why are you dressed like that? And who's Tobias?" he asked eying Leo's garb as he stood up. Blood dripped on the ground.

"He's an altar boy. Forget about him. We got to get you to sickbay."

"Just help me to the brig. I'll be fine. Just need to change my cloths, clean my wounds and clear out a cell for our guests." he said walking gingerly using Leo for support."

" Whatever you say partner." Leo replied as he awkwardly did his best to support the bigger man's weight as they hobbled to the Brig.

For once, Raven took no offense at being called 'partner'.

(OOC: thats 2, lemmie see if I can squeeze a third post in as Raven returns to the brig, just after the Sandsky breakout and institutes a new rule or two - no worries all. Just gonna give future escapees something else to wirte about. Heck, I may have to spring Leo just so I can write about em too!)

"C'mon, Buffy. We got vampires to slay!"

With Leo Streely and those two kooky NPC's currently keeping him company: Reverend Isaac Stoker and the Lovely Lt. Rachel Van Helsing.

*(The way I see it, I need three posts to get me up to date. Here's the first! Enjoy!)*

Here we go...

"You can't be serious!?!?" Leo stammered in disbelief as he stared at the duo before him.

"Oh, we're serious." Rachel Van Helsing said crossing her legs and leaning against the desk that Reverend Stoker sat behind. The old priest furrowed his brow and frowned, obviously displeased at Leo's hesitence to accept the situation.

Leo still wouldn't believe them. "Your pullin my leg here, right?! Damn near yankin that thing right off my waist!"

"I can assure you that there is no pulling of limbs going on here." the Reverend Stoker said. Leo just waved his hands and muttered.

"You expect me to believe that because that Vampire chick touched me before going all Medusa, that she will follow me to the ends of the ship, hell bend on adding me to her list of victims unless I find her first and kiss her on the lips to break the enchantment?"

"That's correct." the reverend said.

"That's nuts!" Leo replied. "Who made you two experts on Vampires, huh?"

Van Helsing and Stoker just stared at him.

"All right. All right. Maybe you do have some clue, but its still crazy! Kiss that thing on the lips! That beast!" he said with a shudder. "I don't even want to think about what venerial desiese I can get from her!"

"Speaking of VD, be glad its the lips on her face you have to kiss." Van Helsing said. The reverend crossed himself and ghasped while Leo blushed at the grinning woman.

"Sorry. Just trying to lighten the mood a little." she said.

"Oh way to light it up, huh? Just keep laughing, OK! Tiptoe on the minefield there, lady!" Leo said. "How about you Padre? Any witty remarks to add?"

The reverend thought for a moment, then added: "Be glad it wasn't the male you had to kiss."

Leo just stared at him for a moment. "That is just sick! I think that celebacy thing has gone to your head there! I'm glad you all are having fun at my expense here. In a little while I'll be looking death in the face and you all want me to kiss her."

"We don't make the rules. We just play by them." Rachel said.

Leo just shook his head. He didn't know what to do. According to these loons, he had so swap spit with a she devil. Normally that was kinda cool sounding but this...sheesh! Blood was one bodily fluid he didnt want to swap.

Then it occurred to him.

4 letters.

W.W.R.D.

What Would Raven Do.

~ Raven would kick some ass then sort the details out later.~ he thought, then turned back to the two and said: " I'll do it."

"Excellent." Reverend Stoker said then stood up and went to the closet.

In a flurry of movement, Leo found himself clad in leather pants and a high necked leather vest.

"You folks take this 'goth thing' seriously dontcha?" he joked nervously, trying to forget the fact that he was volenteering to lay his life down if need be.

"The leather will afford you a protection from the fangs and claws while not imparing your mobility. Now shush. Let us prepare you." Van Helsing said as they continued dressing the little war machine.

Bandoliers were slung across his chest housing 6 pointed wooden stakes. Hard plastic sheaths protecting vials of holy water were strapped around his waist. A necklace woven from garlic cloves was plopped around his neck.

"You are ready." Reverend Stoker said topping Leo off with a long leather coat.

"That's just grand. I don't think I could lug much more around." Leo panted.

"Last thing." Van Helsing said handing him a well worn small leather bound book.

"What is it? Your diary? Hope it's steamy!" Leo asked opening the small tome.

"The Rules of Engagement, goof. They'll tell you everything you need to know for your upcoming epic conflict. You should probibly review it before you leave." the woman said.

"Right," Leo said plopping it into his pocket. He looked at the girl. "We can read it on the way. Lets go."

"Um..I cant go with you." she said.

"Why the hell not..sorry padre'...you expect me to do all this alone?!!!!!" Leo argued.

"Rule number 18."

"Rule 18?" Leo exclaimed, grabbing the book and reading aloud. "If you are in a town where vampires are feeding and are a virgin, leave now. Virgin blood is highly prized by blood suckers."

"You mean you never?"

"Nope." she said.

"Ah c'mon! I find it hard to believe that! Not that your a slut or anything but c'mon."

"LEO!!" she said slightly offended.

"Not one man?"

"Nope."

"How about a woman?"

"HEY!!!"

"Alright alright,. I was just askin. Sheesh. So you never have. Big deal. " he said then thought for a moment. A light went on in his head.

"I don't suppose you ah..you wanna get it on before I go do ya?"

"WHAT?!?!?!"

"Just as a precaution, ok? A safety measure. I'm concerned for your well being is all."

"I think I'll be ok, thank you."

"All right. Just don't blame me when your shuffling around undead or anything. Is there anythign else I need?"

"Luck." the reverend said as a small skitterish looking male raced into the room.

"What is it, Tobias?" the old priest asked.

"They have been found, reverend! In the abandoned section of the ship!"

All eyes turned to Leo who cracked his neck and flexed his shoulders.

"Lets rock." he said. then motioned to the chair. "Keep my seat warm, sweet heart. I'll be right ba.."

"DONT!!!" Both Van Helsing and the reverend shouted, startling the little man and shaking his confidence.

"What!? What!?" he asked.

"Rule 13..never say you'll be back- you won't be."

"Right. Lucky number 13. Got it." he turned to the skitterish man. "Cmon Buffy, we got vampires to slay."

To be concluded!

“Conflict of Interests/Interests of Conflict”

By:
Lieutenant Adrian An’quinsos
Counselor
Kailen An’quinsos (NPC)
El-Aurian Professor
With
Lady Lilith (NPC)
Sanguinarian Strumpet Supreme
And
Lord Vlad (NPC)
Amalgamation of Arrogance

‘I am at peace. My mind has joined with that of the web space and time, in a glorious symphony of unity. I am one with the universe, and the its’ knowledge flows through me with an unparallel beautify unequal in all…’

“Vat have ve here darling.” A masculine voice pondered aloud.

The Sanguinarian couple materialized into the room in perfect silence. One would wonder why they entered here of all places, and what they saw amazed them. Few things would do that to a person who has lived millennia. The room was decked out in ancient and vibrantly rich tapestries, all depicting otherworldly scenes so vivid and extraordinary, that for a moment even the two humanoids were fooled, and amazed with delight. Vlad reached out to touch one of them and smiled with interest.

“A vork from an ancient and equally beautiful culture…”

She trailed off as Vlad’s attention turned toward a figure surrounded by light. His countenance grew predatory as he approached the peaceful figure.

“A Meditating Mage my dear,” A feminine voice stated. “Vaune of the old vaunes…”

“Vaune of them!” He declared he drew nearer, ready for the kill.

The meditating El-Aurian was surrounded by three circles of candles, on both knees, facing the star field through the trans-parasteel window. The outer circle was of deepest red, with an equally crimson flame. The middle was purest white, with a flame identical to it. The innermost were a deep azure, pure in intensity and brightness.

“Proceed no further.” A resolute voice stated with unnatural calmness. “A wall of faith envelops this place, permeating my inner being, and flowing out into the farthest reaches of eternity.” His voice echoed throughout the room with a ghostly resonance

Vlad stopped dead in his tracks and looked at the blonde-haired humanoid with amusement. He was being threatened by this inferior life form. Surely, it had to be a joke! Lilith stayed at her position, watching the confrontation with interest.

“I spit on your faith,” He sneered. “Your nothing more than-”

“An El-Aurian, a race of beings that have traveled the cosmos and gloriously wrenched from it the secrets of its’ being. Within each of us lies that sweet knowledge. As for yourself, you were born a pathetic race of hemovores, struggling to find that next world that would sustain your needs. Your evils are boundless and your villainy are without end.”

“Than cattle!” He declared, and advanced further.

“Compared to whom, the human race?” He asked in kind. Lilith stood there, wondering how long it would take before the little wretch would die by Vlad’s hands. “A primitive, simple-minded biped with inferior senses, and a mediocre ganglia for which to process their limited view of their surroundings?”

Vlad stopped and raised a brow at that statement. He couldn’t disagree with that!

“ It was the dawning of the Second Age of the El-Aurian Empire,” His voice became even calmer. “Our territory encompassed numerous systems, spanning an area larger than the Federation or even the Klingon Empire. We thrived in the Galaxy when humans were still more like apes than men were, and the Bajoran culture was just beginning to grow. That was when your people descended upon our world, almost plunging it into a reign of malevolent chaos for eight centuries.”

“You throw history at me? ME?” Vlad yelled. “We who inspired greatness into your people, into your art into your minds-”

“You, or rather, the erstwhile Bazriaal, who plunged a race of peace-loving explorers into a society primitives. Your people slaughtered millions for that bit of life force that would stop your immortal souls from consuming itself, and driving you past the point of insanity and finally death as the beast within ripped you limb from limb.”

“Go no further my love,” Lady Lilith advised Lord Vlad as he neared further, about the rip the El-Aurian humanoid limb from agonizing limb. “Ve have more important matters attend to, such as the humans aboard. Vhen it is time, ve vill kill this one, and his companions.”

Kailen’s head lowered once again, as he continued in his meditation. The aura of peace that had left it only minutes ago was returning as the two specters left the room.

"No Need for the Morning After..."
by Chris & Anna Thomas
USS Galaxy

Morning came all to soon for a couple that had spent the night away making love and living in each other's arms. It was an unfair and cruel irony that their night of passion and love, something to be cherished had to come to an end, because of work.

Chris rose from the bed giving his wife another passionate kiss, before trying to make his way to the bathroom to clean himself up and get ready for duty. Fortunate or unfortunately for him, his wife chose to follow him into the shower. This was the most enjoyable night and morning he could remember them having in months.

"Where do you think you're going?" Chris teased playfully.

"With you of course." she replied, pursing her lips.

"Oh yeah." Chris said as he picked up the pace to bathroom, where there was a door. He wasn't fast enough as she was still right behind him.

"I guess you made it in." Chris said.

"I guess I did, you know I can beat you in a foot race." she said.

"Yes I know you can, but it does depend on the obstacle course we're racing through as well." Chris said as he turned the shower on to let it get to the right temperature that would make it more enjoyable.

While they waited for the water to reach the right temperature, they held each other tightly to stay warm for a moment. Then stepped away from the embrace so that they could tend to other matters of cleaning what the water temperature was adjusted to something they both could enjoy.

A few minutes passed while they continued to deal with other aspects of human hygiene specific to each other's nature and the water's temperature reached an agreeable temperature.

Finally they both stepped into the shower to begin the cleaning process.

"Mmmm, this water's just the right temperature." Anna said as she moved to the back of the shower stall, allowing her husband to enter and shower as well.

"Yes it is, and thank you for moving so I could get, after all." Chris said. He was the one how was suppose to be in here to take a shower.

****

Thirty to Forty minutes later they emerged from the shower.

"Well that wasn't exactly what I had planned on when I said was going in to take a shower." Chris said as he picked up a tower to start drying himself off. Then when she exited the shower, he handed her a towel so she could dry herself off as well.

"Thank you, I wasn't planning on that .., either, but it was exciting." she said, stepping off to one side where she could dry herself without getting his towel in her face or vise versa.

"Surprises are always exciting, but can create unexpected friction or uncomfortable." Chris said. "On the other hand, neither seemed to be a problem with this turn of events."

Anna smiled, "How true." she said.

"Well then what should we do next?" Chris asked.

"Don't you have to be back to work this morning mister?" she asked.

"Now why did you have to bring that subject up?" Chris asked. "And yes I do, as I recall I was heading into the shower to clean up, so I could go to work."

"Right," she said.

Chris worked to dry himself off before he got to cold and caught a cold. While the room was still nice and warm, because of their shower and the temperature of the water, they still had to dry off and get out of the room. If they remained much longer they'd prune up and be like that for longer then either would want.

"We should finish drying off and get out of here, before we turn into prunes." Chris said as he was just about done drying off.

Anna smiled as she was nearly dry.

***

"I love you." Chris said as they opened the bathroom door and exited the room to get dressed.

"I love you to, dear." Anna said with a smile and a kiss.

-----
tbc.....

"Lock Down!"

With Lt. Raven Darkstar (Security, Brig Superviser) with a few brief appearences by the cell dwelling crew of the USS Galaxy as well as some of the brig staff.

Time: After the jailbreak storyline.
Location: Brig, USS Galaxy.

The Brig.

Two words that sent shivers down the spines of evil doers and criminals here on the USS Galaxy. Words that children whispered in the school room during recess to keep bullys at bay.

The Brig.

An impregnable fortress where those who would harm the rest of the crew were sent until they could be transferred to the nearest hellacious penal colony. A place that could house everything from a raging Gorn to a Borg drone while giving the residents of the ship the peace of mind that the bad guys would remain there where they could do no harm.

Some of those entrusted to guard these undesirables were themselves scary individuals. From the hulking Gorn, Seth Zonhieb, to the rumored to be mentally unstable, James Corgan. All men who could do whatever need be done to insure the ship and her crew remained safe from any threat.

It was the duty they were trusted with as Brig supervisors.

It was that very duty that Raven Darkstar now felt had been neglected.

"He what?!?" the large Indian growled as he towered over the shackled Dr. Sandsky who hours ago had daringly escaped from his cell.

Lt. Brightspot felt the fur on the back of her neck stand up. She tightened her grip on the back of Sandsky's tunic reflexively.

"He broke out of the brig, sir. Assaulting the officer of the watch in the process." she said, her eyes never leaving the Doctor, who glanced over at Leo.

For once, even Leo knew enough to keep his mouth shut.

The Indian's face reddened as anger simmered inside of him." Who was on duty?"

"th..That would be me, s..sir." a nervous Ensign admitted.

"And would you care to explain Ensign, how you managed to allow the prisoner to break free from our custody?"

Sandsky eyed the man. ~ Ensign? The uniform I took off of him was that of a commander?~ he thought.

"I ..was getting dressed in my costume.." the Ensign started.

Raven raised a hand, stopping the young man. "Costume? Explain."

"After my shift, I was scheduled to work a double in the Pediatric ward. The doctors hought it would be easier for the children if Security wern't in full force with scowels while posted there during hightened security, so I suggested dressing up to keep the kids from getting alarmed and to keep with the season. They loved the idea."

"And who were you to be?" Raven asked.

"Commander Riker, sir. I never got a chance to put on my beard."

"I see. Continue with the escape."

"The prisoner fell to the floor, apparently ill and when I went in to check on him, he knocked me out with a hypospray."

Raven gazed down at the man for a moment, then finally spoke. "Report to Pediatrics. I will speak to Lt. Commander Elithian about your reassignment from the Brig. You are dismissed."

"Thank you, sir." the man said as he exited swiftly, expecting a repremand more severe than the one he had just been given. Raven then turned his gaze to Sandsky and spoke aloud, never removing his eyes from the man.

"Lt. Flutie, is cell number 4B still unoccupied?"

"Of coarse sir. Theres no bunk installed yet. Its still bare."

"Not any longer. Escort Dr. Sandsky to his new home."

"But..but theres no bunk. Its just walls and the floor."

"Then the doctor shall have no place to hide weaponry. And make sure that the Doctor has absolutly nothing that can be used as a weapon on his person."

"Aye sir." Flutie said escortong the prisoner to the cell.

Raven turned to the rest of the staff and said "Having nothing better to do with my time, I shall take the watch this shift in addition to my own. Every cell in this block will be stripped bare and searched both by hand and with tricorders. Every person currently residing in this block will be thoroughly searched for weaponry on thier person."

He paused for a moment to let his words sink in before continuing.

"It shall be the policy of this Brig to scan each and every incoming prisoner upon thier arrival. If there is still any doubt as to if there is contraband on thier person, a body cavity search will be administered by the 500 pound nurse of my choosing."

Donaldson winced in cell number 3.

"Cells will be scanned and swept 4 times a week, regardless of if they are occupied or not. The results of each scan will be reported directly to me.If there is nothing found, the reports will read nothing found. In the event that a prisoner collapses, tricorder scans will be administered before an officer enters the cell. Starfleet churns out thousands of those things, we will use them. New inmate arrival will be reported directly to me. Anyone deviating from this policy will answer directly to me. Does everyone understand?"

A round of nods swept through the room. Raven turned to the cells and said "And any of you who don't like my hospitality and the fine amenities we offer should think twice before doing something that would put you under my supervision. This is the Brig. It is not supposed to be a fun place."

He looked directly at Sandsky.

"And further more, this Brig is my yard. The people that staff my yard are extensions of me. Assaulting one of them is just like assaulting me, and I do not like being assaulted, especially in my own yard. You would all do well in remembering that."

He turned again to glare at the assembled brig staff. "Now if you all excuse me. I will be in my office. There are reports to the Captain and Head of Security to be written and you all have jobs to do. Leo, your with me."

The little man followed Raven into his office, closing the door behind him as the brig staff set about thier various tasks.

"Forest Excursion"
Lt. Commander Eric Odin
Lt. Commander Maxwell-Navarre Shinta

Eric wore casual clothing as he sat in his quarters wondering what to do with himself at the moment. The special projects unit was going well for him and the others he hoped. He then remembered that he and Shinta hadn't had the chance to talk in awhile. Ryan was with his babysitter, he'd have to thank shinta for that baby-sitter as well. He made sure that a holodeck was open and then he called out,"Initiate California Redwood program Alpha and lock until I arrive. He then set out for Shinta's quarters hoping she was available at the moment. he arrived and pushed the button and said,"It's Eric." He smiled widely glad to be doing something with his friend.

Shinta opened the door for him, Bruce was still at work. She was glad of that, because how ever platonic the friendship was, Bruce still had some problems with it. "Good to see you again. How are you doing?"

Eric smiled and said,"I'm doing fairly well. I was wondering if you had some time to go on a walk with me in the forest?" Eric grinned and hinted by his ton the forrest wasn't exactly real, but real enough.

Shinta hesitated for a moment, Bruce would not like that. But Eric looked like he needed to talk, and her professional side took over. " off course, the children are still with the baby sitter, so I can spare you an hour or so. lead the way."

Eric smiled and said,"Great, thank you." he led the way to the holodec kwith small talk. When they arrived he unlocked the doors and said,"After you Shinta." He wondered if she had ever even seen redwoods before.

Shinta took a deep breath, she'd never seen anything that beautiful in her life. "Eric, this is magnificent! Is this from were you live?" She took a deep breath, and favored the scent

Eric smiled and said,"No, it's in two places on earth and both are in California. I used to take trips here just to take in it's beauty. I thought you might enjoy the beauty just the same as I did." He smiled as he pointed out the last tree to be cut down and that the base of it had turned into a picnic spot about forty feet in circumfrence. He always laughed at that due to the enormity of it.

"It is so beautiful. You must miss it a great deal." She smiled, still taking in her surroundings. "Do you come here when you feel bad? Does it help you relax?" Again she could not help working a little.

"Something like that yes. I come here to relax and to think about things. Soemtimes I just come to enjoy the beauty here." He had noticed things were on Shinta's mind as well and he offered,"You can come here whenever you'd like. I'll make sure you have access. I actually created the majority of this."

"I did not know that you did things like that. It is great work, Eric. And I would appreciate it. It is a place that can make me feel good." She took a good look at him. "So, how are you feeling?"

Eic smiled and said,"I'm doing alright. Nothing is truly wrong, just a good payload on m yshoulders. Ijust thought I would update you on everything that has been happening. I am now in a Special projects division of engineering.

I really hope everything works out there. Then of course my little guy is doing great and I spend as much time wit him as I can. I'm spreading out a bit and i hope I am making some friends. How are you doing?"

He seemed well adjusted now. Both with work, and his private life "just make sure that you do not do too much." She said. "I am doing fine. Work is busy, and my private life is fine now Bruce is back." Yet she did not tell him everything, that was because she still saw her self as his shrink, there for there are some things that were hard for her to tell.

"I hope me dozing off on your couch with you when I was trying to comfort you didn't cause any problems?" Eric asked deciding to make sure he didn't bring her any uneccessary grief. She was one of his best friends and he didn't want that.

"It did not help." Shinta said honestly. "You know that you still have a bad reputation. It will take you a long time to get rid of that. I know that is not fair, but it is the way it is. Don't worry, I will take care of my husband."

Eric nodded and said,"I am aware of my reputation, but I pay no attention to it. I won't let my life be ruled by some rep I got. I'll acknowledge my past inflection, but there's no way thye can say I'll do the same. I've learned my lesson,"He said with a serious look in his eyes. He then asked,"Do you hold any ill will against me for what I did?"He didn't look angry, it was just a question.

She looked at him closely "Eric, I never minded. I am your shrink, I am here to help you, not pass judgment. But you have come a long way, and I am very proud of you. Yet I do still sense frustration in you. are people giving you are hard time because of your past?"

"Yes, I am frustrated. I am getting over it, because people will know what I think about them generalizing my behavior based on my apst if they mention it. I've jst decided to deal with it that way. He looked out through the trees and said,"To think, a small one of these trees is 150ft."

Shinta felt his anger. "Eric, it will take a long time. People do not forget or forbive easily. You will have to proof youself over and over again. you are doing so, please go on with it. You are doing well, you are making new friends. It is OK to feel a little frustrated now and then, you know you can always come to me, that is what I am for."

Eric smiled and said,"Thanks Shinta. It'd be great if there were more understanding people around here, like you. I'm finding there are a few, so all hope is not lost. Thanks for everything Shinta." Eric really saw her as a really good friend for the first time.

She smiled. "Any time. And remember to keep talking to me, keep letting the anger out. I am always there for you, professional or otherwise."

He nodded and said,"Thanks. I'm not sure if you need it, but if you're ever having troubles in your life, my door is always open." With that they exited and went there ways.

"Take a Chance, Broken Head!"
A Joint Post By:
Lieutenant jg Electra Reece
AND
Lieutenant jg James Corgan

Kira stomped off, away from the calm but perplexed James Lionel Corgan. The argument wasn’t exactly expected, and he still didn’t know what was the big deal about deleting a holographic pet whom harassed him first. A growling dog meant a hostile hologram. He had to ‘put the dog down’, if temporarily.

He rolled his eyes up and sighed, “Why do I have to deal with these people?”

Lexa watched Kira storm off and shook her head. "What was that about?"

Corgan replied, “She’s griping about her dog Lassie. When I went over to borrow the guitar from pediatrics, I sort of… deleted her pet holodog.”

“You did what?!” She hissed.

“It was getting in my way, and it was ready to bite me. The thing was growling at me as if I was really going to steal the guitar in the first place. And a bird and a cat were also in the way, but I disengaged them. Can’t say I didn’t warn the animals now, didn’t I? And now because of that, she smashed her ward’s very own guitar. The kids will be awfully disappointed when Ensign Fletcher comes by to play every Monday.”

Lexa shrugged. "She's awfully temperamental, especially for a pediatrician. You'd think they'd be afraid to have her near the kids."

“I dealt with Klingons, Jem’Hadar, Borg, Romulans, and the occasional Bolian and Vulcan. Half of the species I mentioned… I’ve pissed them off somewhere along the line. Never, in my career, have I dealt with an angry Elaysian woman with an attitude. Don’t worry about it. She’ll cool off, and when she does, I can apologize to her… minus the flowers… and for that matter the dress. That was overkill if you ask me.”

“Oh well, enough about her. That’s gone. It’s done, it’s past… goodbye to that problem, like I need anymore at this time.” James spoke, “Now we’re stuck here… twiddling our thumbs… sans guitar… this is going to be a very dull stay… unless.”

Pediatrics was full of interesting treasures this day. He spied from the window, beside the empty patch that was the resting place of a dearly departed guitar, sat a twinned miniature computer console. The markings on the box read ‘Battleship.’

“Have you ever played Battleship?” James asked.

"Yes. My roommate at the Acadamy was addicted to that game. She made sure she always had someone to play with by teaching it to me."

“Excellent. I’ll be right back then.”

James ventured into the pediatrics ward once again, intent on retrieving the boredom reliever. He peered into the room. Nobody was around.

~“This is going to be easy.”~ James thought.

He snuck in, watching with a wary eye the holoprojectors. Being a friend of an expert holoprogrammer, he knew the telltale signs of activation. He watched for a flicker of light. That was the only indication that a hologram was about to be activated.

So far, no flicker. He was in the clear.

He reached the computerized console game and grabbed it. A smile lit up on his face. Confidence surged through him. The heady trip was enough to make him chuckle.

“Be right back.” He snickered.

While he stole away with the game in hand, he didn’t notice a small flicker of light from the holoprojector at the end of the room. Being overconfident, he walked towards the exit, expecting no trouble.

A large golden retriever expected him first. The vengeful holodog blocked the exit and growled at the interloper menacingly. James turned around, looking for another exit, and found a tabby sitting on a child’s biobed, staring at him and growling in a low tone. To his left, he saw a flock of flamingos, and to the right, a pack of wombats.

He was surrounded.

“Nice animals… nice animals…” James attempted to calm the crowd of holopets. The holograms were not buying any of his charm. The flamingos inched forward, their long legs nearly kicking at the officer. The wombats scurried forth in their pack. The tabby curled up to pounce, its tail and rear end shaking in anticipation, while the golden retriever bore its teeth and snarled.

“Computer. Disengage all holograms.” James commanded.

“Access denied!” The computer chirped, “You meanie…”

The tabby found his opportunity to strike. It leapt onto Corgan’s face as he turned to find a computer console to stop his problem. The tabby scratched and bit at his face. He grabbed a fistful of skin and fur from the nape of the cat’s neck, but the cat wouldn’t budge. Its claws were firmly entrenched on his uniform. James spun himself around in hopes of throwing the cat off. The golden retriever growled once, barked out a woofing battle cry, and sank its teeth into Corgan’s leg. The safeties were still engaged, but the bite still pinched considerably and slowed down James’ steps. The wombats and flamingos attacked en masse, pecking and biting at ever opportunity.

“God dammit! Get ‘em off, get ‘em off!” Corgan cursed.

“Unable to comply.” The computer mocked. “Fine then.” James muffled through a face full of enraged housecat, “Disengage the holoprojectors!”

Instantly, all the animals disappeared. There were no wombats, flamingos, dogs or cats. James was alone in pediatrics. He felt much relieved to have been rid of the problem, though, it perplexed him as to why he couldn’t disengage the holograms, and for that matter, why the person responsible (he had a good idea who it was) forgot about the holoprojector system.

“Computer, re-engage holoprojectors when a person re-enters the pediatric ward.” James commanded.

He shrugged his shoulders and walked out with the battleship game. ~”Oh well,”~ He thought, ~”Corgan one, Kira zippo. Game, set match. I win!”~

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

“B7.” James called.

“Miss.” Lexa declared.

“Darn.” J

ames said as he marked the B7 on his grid screen with a white dot. His photon spread missed an elusive bird of prey. Meanwhile, his own fleet, consisting of a Defiant, Excelsior, Akira, Galaxy and Sovereign class ships took on Lexa’s Klingon taskforce of a K’vort Bird of Prey, K’tinga cruiser, B’rel Bird of Prey, Vor’cha cruiser and a massive Negh’var Dreadnought.

“F9?” Electra asked

“Miss.” James pegged the area right next to his Galaxy class ship. ~”It’s been fifteen minutes and she already bagged two of my ships, with one of hers down.”~ He thought, watching the holoscreen project the pock marked and burned out hulls of his Defiant and Excelsior. Elsewhere, Lexa’s smaller Bird of Prey burned brightly. ~”I thought fun and games brought out conversation.”~

“C5.” James said assertively. He was confident a ship was hiding somewhere in that nebula.

“Miss.” She announced.

James marked the missed area. The nebula was thoroughly searched with a firing pattern tight enough to hit her K’tinga. No such luck. She didn’t choose the most obvious hiding places. James was guilty of doing the opposite. She knew to attack the nebula.

His mind wandered away from the game to a more nagging concern. Lexa reminded James of their visit last night. Nearing the end of their conversation, exhaustion was starting to set in, and the effects of the blood loss were still being felt. In the foggiest nether region of his mind, he recalled… “Rebecca is lucky.” Why and how it came up didn’t seem fitting for the conversation. He dropped the Rebecca part in the middle of his speech.

How did it come up?

~“Hey, broken head, talk to her. I’m getting bored.”~ His conscience nagged.

~”Deal with it.”~ He retorted.

~”Hey, I’m not suggesting this because I need entertainment, which I do! Jesus Christ, broken head, you’re a dull person when it comes to women. At least Lita knew to dump your pathetic ass.”~

~”For one thing, she was a sl*t. Another thing, she cheated on me with five different men! And a third thing, I can be as dull as I fraggin’ well want. I say again, deal with it. Lastly, Lexa’s not Lita. Whatever I learned about attracting women from Lita was wrong. I could do almost anything to make her happy ‘cause all she wanted was to jump my bones. Lexa’s different. She’s… intelligent, kind, caring…”~

~”Boo hoo for Miss Nightingale. She can be all that and exciting, but you… you are doing jack. You were so close to getting her before, and I know for a fact that she’d put out to a knight in shining armor such as you.”~

~”How dare you disrespect her! Remember what happened to Star Lady? That could be you next!”~

“F10” Electra guessed.

A soft electronic boom showed up on the figurine of his Galaxy class ship. A chunk of the saucer section blasted apart and drifted in space. The patch of heated metal showed up on the display as a red marker appeared.

“Hit.” James said in his distracted tone.

“Alright!” She grinned.

James’ conscience brought himself back up, ~”You ain’t going to kill me, because I’m here to help you.

~”You… help me? Since when?” Corgan doubted.

~”Since now, broken head.”~ He replied, ~”And we’re going to start by bringing up Rebecca.”~

~”Ok… I’m listening, but how’s that going to help?”~ James kept his skepticism on the backburner.

~”Easy. Why do you think Lexa brings that little redheaded midget up? It’s because she’s competition…”~

~”HAH! You’re kidding me!”~ James scoffed.

“D9.” Corgan spoke out loud.

“Miss.” She said as his photon torpedo whiffed out of existence.

~”Try for D7 next.”~ His conscience suggested, ~”And may I present your… I mean my arguments?”~

~”Try me.”~ James dared.

~”It’s all elementary, you see. The last girl to ever kiss you was Rebecca Von Erst, a person you could have easily had a night of erotic pleasure with if it wasn’t for your prudish sexuality. I believe Lexa’s on to you with you and the Rebmeister. She thinks you and her are an item.”~

~”You bullsh*t through your metaphorical teeth.”~

~”I do not! Look at her… pouting lips, dark hair, a pert nose, legs that go as high as the sky, and a racktacular set of… OH! I digress! You can see it in her face and hear it in her voice. Can’t you tell she’s unsure about your relationship status?”~

~”No, why?”~

~”Ohhhh man, I’m going to have to start from scratch with you. You know nothing about women. It is called ‘scouting’. Women are always curious about their friend’s marital status. It is a given. She wants to scout you out.”~

~”And for what purpose?”~

~”I highly doubt it’s to shag you like a carpet. I’d say she can’t figure it out from Rebecca, so she’ll find out from you. I’d tell her the truth. This way, you can clear things up and get to the good part… the part where you and Lexa mate like rabid targs.”~

~”You’ve got a sick mind, and IIIIIII doubt you’re right.”~

~”For one thing, it’s your mind, so you have the sick mind. And I am right. Try it. Ask her why she mentioned Rebecca. I bet she’ll evade the question.”~

His mind was made up, and not about the next shot. He was going to ask Lexa straight out, what she meant by Rebecca being lucky. As far as he knew, Galaxy’s Tactical queen was being harassed by the command staff, a gung-ho hawk of an Admiral whom wanted her to make Captain by the end of the year, personal problems and a prankster called Charles Marx. Didn’t sound very lucky to him.

“D7.” James said, pausing for a second, “Lexa, about last night...”

"Hit." She scrunched up her nose. "You're going to regret hitting me that time. You're going down. Down. I'm going to blow up your ships like they were caught in a plasma storm. Torpedoes away," she babbled while her mind ran in circles.

~ Oh no. What's he thinking? Did I ... does he ... oh damn. ~

“I was wondering…”

Lexa looked at him and raised her hands to her face and hair. "What? What's the matter? Do I have a smudge on my face or something?"

“Out of morbid curiousity… could you clear up something with me? I thought that last night, while we were talking, that you said Rebecca was lucky for some reason. How come? Did she… come across some good fortune, win the Ferenginar lottery or something? Or… is it something deeper?”

~”I couldn’t have said it better myself. Oh wait… I did! Hah!”~ His conscience hurrayed.

~”Don’t steal the credit, you bastard.”~

~”Geez, aren’t you touchy.”~

She blushed and looked down, toying with the blanket. "I just meant that... well ..."

“It’s ok Lexa. You can tell me.” James reassured.

"Welllllll ... um ... she's ... lucky to have you." Lexa took a deep breath and bit her lip, blinking back hated and betraying tears. She looked at him. ~ Stop being a coward! Take a chance! ~ "You're ... you're ... you're...," she trailed off, then continued in a rush of breath, "She's lucky that she has you, that you're together…”

James face froze in shock. He didn’t expect the statement to follow tears, “We were?”

“…even though she treats you so bad and she always fights with you, you always apologize and go back and she doesn't seem to care but you love her….”

“I am?”

“…and that makes her lucky and a jerk because you deserve someone great and I thought she was different but she's not…”

“Umm… Lexa?”

“…and you still love her and have sex with her…”

“I did what?!?”

“…and she doesn't deserve someone wonderful like you and she doesn't appreciate how wonderful you are but I do and I wish you could see that she doesn't treat you right and she doesn't care about you ....” The flow of words was halted only by Lexa's panting need to take a breath, tears streaming down her cheeks as she did.

James was surprised by the sudden onslaught of the waterworks. Whatever rebuttals he planned melted away and flowed with the river of Lexa’s tears. Other than an approaching Borg Drone, this was the only thing that could freeze Corgan in his tracks.

~”Whoa… didn’t expect that one coming… NOT!”~ His conscience snapped.

~“What the hell?”~ James thought.

His conscience erupted in uproarious laughter, ~”Oh my god, this is too good to miss!”~

~”What was that?”~

~”Hmmm, you are dense, aren’t you? Look, she thinks you and Rebecca are f**king! Isn’t that solid gold right there! You found out what she’s thinking, now go in for the kill. Try to find out why. You have to find her agenda.”~

This was a lot of information for one man to take in. As far as James knew, he never heard any rumors about him and Rebecca having any intimate relationship. Somehow, he and his uncanny knack for hearing rumors would hear about any relationships before Lexa had an inkling of a thought. What bewildered Corgan was how she came to such a conclusion. No rumors to fuel such gossip and no reason for her to believe what she said came up in his mind.

Unless…

There was the time Rebecca forced a kiss on him, and there were the apology gifts. Maybe Lexa interpreted the innocent gestures as something more.

And then there was last night. He told Lexa about his disgust for Rebecca’s actions. He thought back to those words. To a person who acted like she could jump to conclusions, he could see his words as being twisted around into a new truth. There were just a few more loose ends to figure out, such as the ‘having sex with her’ part that was news to him.

“Lexa, where did you hear all this? The last I heard, I wasn’t doing anything with Rebecca.” He confirmed.

"B-b-b-but you said that you told ... that you seduced her and me and I know you lied about me and you feel guilty becasue you were with her when I was... but you said you didn't yet but you wanted to get with her and then you gave her that great dress and you're always talking about her and how bad she's treating you and you get so upset about it and ... and ...," she trailed off, confused and shaken.

~”This is where you tell her your side of the story. And while you’re at it, ask her why she’s suspicious.”~ Ordered the voice in Corgan’s brain.

“I’m sorry to say this, but me and Rebecca do not have an intimate relationship. I mean, she once tried to kiss me, but I totally resisted, honest! We never did have sex, not once, not ever. I mean, I’d be flattered if she had a thing for me, but I don’t think we are a… compatible match. I’m… I’mmm….. I’m a friend, if she’d consider me that anymore. Nothing beyond friendship. That’s it. Honest to God. Cross my heart and hope to die and all that jazz. Nothing romantic.”

"But you said ... I remember, you came to my quarters to get your guitar and you said that you wanted her! And afterwards you're always talking about her and you're angry that she is angry and you said 'fuck her' and ... You lied? But why? I don't understand."

James blushed after hearing Lexa swear, “I never did try to seduce her. I lied to Poet about this, and that is why Rebecca is angry with me. I’m still ashamed about this... but I’m telling the truth. I told you before about Poet and how I lied to him about seducing others. I shouldn’t have done it. Can you ever forgive me?"

~”What are you waiting for? Give her a shocker of your own!”~ His conscience said.

~”No.”~ James refused, ~”I’ll wait.”~

~”Fine… you pussy.”~

“Lexa,” James cautiously approached his current problem, trying to diplomatically find out every angle to the new rumor without turning on more waterworks, “Can you tell me one other thing. Why do you ask? I know you’re curious about me and Rebecca, which there is nothing going on, by the way, but I don’t know why you’re so curious. There has to be a reason. Don’t be afraid to tell me. You are my confidante. You can trust me with your secrets as I trust you with mine.”

She looked at him and took a deep breath. ~ Tell him!!! ~

"I ... I ... I ... I know you're not ... interested ... and you're a good... friend ... and that's all you want to be and I don't want to lose that friendship so I wasn't going to say anything even when I saw how she treated you but you say I misunderstood that and so I'm not sure if my reasons are valid anymore and you asked and ... I ...," she trailed off then in a great rushing whisper, "I love you, James." And she looked down at her blanket covered legs, unable to meet his gaze and terrified that she had just made a complete ass of herself.

His face turned chalk white at her words, almost as pale as he was after the Sanguinarian attack. He could plan all he wanted, but it never occurred to him that Electra Reece would beat him to the punch. The thought of women, much less her, loving the guy in the first place was foreign to him. He always thought the man sort of… grew on the lady until she felt something.

Shows how his own sweetheart could surprise his most masterful search for the truth.

~“What the f**k…”~ James’ jaw dropped to the floor, ~”…just happened? She… she… said… oh s**t… ohhhhhhh s**t…”~

~”Wow… didn’t see that one coming. See you later!”~ His conscience gave an imaginary smile and wave, turned around, and walked off.

~”Wait a second… get back here you dirty rotten son of a…”~

Too late. He didn’t hear the voice anymore. On most occasions, he would have been glad to see it gone. This was not one of these occasions. Electra Reece was waiting for an answer, from him, about her statement of true love.

~”Dammit. She beat me to it.”~ James thought, ~”How was I to know she felt the same what? How in the hell did this happen to her? Why her, why me… what the hell is going on? What do I do, what in the fragging hell do I do? Wait… I know what I’m going to do. I’m going to freak out, then panic, followed by more freaking out and then I’ll storm out of sickbay and hide in a very dark crevice until this whole thing blows over. Yeah… sounds like a plan. Or… I could wrap this up and say I love her. Will she believe me? Only one way to find out.”~

“Ummmm…” James loosened the frog that miraculously formed in his throat. He loosened his collar with his index finger as his face turned a blushing red, “What can I say except I’m flattered. You know, I’m glad you said that you love me. It takes a lot of pressure off my hands. You see, I don’t know if you know this, but I sort of… have a thing for you too. I mean, I must have first felt it during that whole Poet incident. I wanted to help and I’d do anything within my power to do so, even sacrifice my integrity. I only wanted to help you with all my heart. Nothing else mattered. And then there was the concert. You came up to me… and that dress, I remember that black dress vividly. I swear the image of you in that dress burned in my eyelids for weeks. You’re smart, kindly, you’re not afraid to feel sad or lonely, and you don’t look down on me like I really am crazy. You blow me away, do you know what I mean? You treat me like a respectable human, and that in turn makes me feel like a million bars of gold pressed latinum. Then, when I think I have figured you out, you pull something like this. You tell me that you love me, and this reminds me of all the qualities in you that I fell in love with. I love you, Lexa. What more could I possibly want?”

~”Oh my god… how am I doing this? Did I just say something romantic?”~ Thought James Corgan. Lexa’s tears instantly turned into tears of joy. Her forlorn frown switched into a joyful smile. It was as if the gray clouds parted from over her head and let the sun shine through.

~”Etiquette called for a kiss.”~ He reminded himself. The longing wait was finally over for James, and perhaps for Lexa as well. The confessions were made, the sparks flew and the angels trumpeted their calls. All that was left was the seal it with a kiss.

James inched himself closer to Lexa’s face. He craned his head to avoid painfully bumping into Lt. Reece’s nose. She moved slightly closer. James became more confident in kissing the woman, since she seemed to have no objection.

His lips came closer to hers, millimeters closer, until the anticipation was too much to bear.

The klaxon sound of the red alert sirens rang painfully in his ears. Like a old vinyl record playing ‘Unchained Love’, the red alert stopped the record and scratched out an ear splitting screech. The mood was almost spoiled. He was still willing to give Electra a quick kiss before leaving for battle stations.

A medic tapped James Corgan on the shoulder.

“Have you two fully recovered?” The Vulcan medic asked.

~”Awwwwww… hell! Not now…”~ He complained to himself, while saying, “I have. Why do you ask?”

“We are in need of any assistance you can give us. More victims are coming in, and you two are not allowed to leave until the cause of the epidemic has been uncovered. It would be illogical to leave fit officers idle during a red alert.”

“What the hell. Where do you need me?”

“If you will follow me, Lieutenant Corgan, I will assign you to a task.”

”Ok,” Corgan thought, ~”You bastard.”~….. But before James could react, the Vulcan hustled the Operations Officer out. “I’ll see you later Lexa. Good luck!” He waved to his newfound beau. It was a shame for him to leave so abruptly. He wanted to talk to Electra some more.

The Vulcan’s untimely arrival and the red alert was a blessing in disguise. The situation was becoming a bit hot for an inexperienced romanticist to handle. The work would help sort out what happened, what he did and the effects. There was, after all, a lot to think about.

Pigs and Torpedo Tubes
by Ensign Ozwald Thatcher, Tactical

*** Ozwald's Quarters ***

Counselor Shinta managed to secure Ozwald temporary quarters a few decks separate from the 'Vampiric' guests now on the Galaxy. The young tactical officer returned to his current quarters so he could move, only to find his pet pig Snowy was also experiencing distress.

The snouted mammal was chasing his tail, and had rooted around the quarters displacing things from their customary positions. "What's up Snowy?", Thatcher said. He recalled his pet had excellent hearing and olfactory ranges, and could tolerate much colder temperatures than most humanoid species. Perhaps Snowy could also sense the hostile guests, and was frightened by them.

Ozwald calmed his pet down by holding him and bristling his fur. A gentle oinking encouraged this therapy to continue as Snowy emoted further signs of being content. Minutes before, a red alert had been sounded, but as Ozwald was new to the ship, he had to check the computer for his stationed assignment. He found he was to report to the aft torpedo tubes, a logical place for tactical to crew.

Thatcher said goodbye to Snowy, hoping the now-calmed pig would remain undisturbed as he proceeded towards the weapon station to check it. As he was leaving, he heard the pig banging his hooves on the door, but there wasn't time to find a better solution. After Ozwald turned the corridor to enter the turbo lift, Snowy managed to find the motion sensor that latched the door shut and promptly trotted outside.

Freedom! And better yet for a pig, Snowy smelled FOOD! This excursion was going to be fun... The rampage began without his owner's knowledge...

Before Ensign Thatcher reached the Torpedo room, he noticed that several stasis chambers were stored in a small out of the way chamber. From his tenure as captain of a Merchant vessel, he knew these were often used to contain biologically hazardous materials. An audible alarm indicated the power supply to the containment field was malfunctioning.

Taking initiative, Ozwald moved towards the stasis tubes. He could see humanoids inside, so there wasn't a danger of biohazardous samples leaking out. However, the unstable energy signatures would threaten the humanoid occupants of the chambers.

These people looked a bit like the Sangrianian visitors, but wore peaceful rather than threatening countenances. Ozwald's impression was they would be sympathetic to the plight the Galaxy crew members had now encountered.

Thatcher didn't have access to engineering data to help him warm the stasis units, but he did recall passwords to the Merchant Marine data base. Since all Federation ships carried a copy, he soon had enough information to stabilize the chambers for the next few minutes. Still, energy levels were still rising, indicating these people would wake by tomorrow at latest.

Ozwald contacted Chief Tactical officer Lt Von Erst, and found she was in a senior staff meeting. After a brief conversation, the CTO decided she would ask for both medical, engineering and security teams to be dispatched, so this new group of guests would survive but not pose a threat to the Galaxy.

Around five minutes later, the support team for the revival operation had relieved Ozwald, who proceeded to the Torpedo room...

Meanwhile, a certain Breen Tundra Pig exited a turbo lift near main engineering. The Engineers on duty thought it was some kind of a practical joke, and laughed at the humorous but smart pet. Then there were some not-so-pleasant developments as the pig ran between their legs and got its snout stuck in a warp intake manifold!

The temperature of the warp core began to rise, as the no longer laughing engineers attempted to extract the porker before it could be cooked...

"The Lone Gunmen - How do I subscribe?" by Lt Kira Murphy,
Ensign John Fitzgerald Byers,
Ensign Melvin Frohike,
Ensign Richard Ringo Langly
and Ensign Jimmy Bond
--------------------------------------------------------

Byers shook his head as Langly and Frohike giggled over his shoulder at the story Jimmy had submitted to their small-circulation newspaper, "Forget it, Jimmy. We are not going to publish a story about Captain Price being a transvestite Romulan secret agent. Try to bring us something sensible this time, okay?"

Langly chirped in, "Well, that article he gave us on how Intel was responsible for developing secret bio-weapons for use on the Klingons was good. How else do you think they grew such ugly bumps on their foreheads?"

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

Walking down a less-used corridor on Deck 20, Kira checked the tricorder she had borrowed and grinned.

A few days ago, she had found a very interesting series of news items on a padd someone had left in Sickbay while she had been cleaning up. Now that Nilani was awake, Kira had time to check up on who wrote it.

Reaching the door that she had tracked down, Kira found that tricorder signal was being blocked. Pressing the door panel, she tapped her foot. Her tricorder beeped that it had detected a visual recording system activate followed by a full sensor scan.

Grinning when a speaker activated, someone spoke through it,

[Who are you and what do you want? These are private quarters.]

Leaning forwards, she spoke, "Yes, I know. My name is Lt Kira Murphy from Medical, and I came across a copy of your newspaper, The Lone Gunment. Some of the articles you write are very interesting and I was wondering who to subscribe to it?"

She heard a series of loud clunks coming from the door and finally, it was opened up by a short grey haired man with glasses.

"Quick, come in, Lt."

Shrugging, she followed the man in and he closed then locked the door. Inside, Kira realised why she couldn't detect anything in here, since the inside of the room was covered with some sort of foil material.

The man held out a bucket with a lid on it, "My name is Ensign Frohike. You can put your tricorder in here, and I guess that anti-grav suit will be okay. Elaysian, aren't you?"

Giggling, she replied and handed over the tricorder, "Yes. I had better get that back later, Frohike. Bet you got lots of hickeys when you were younger, eh?"

As the pair walked further inside, Frohike glared at her, "Very funny.. not.."

Entering another section, Kira grinned, "This place sure is big. How did you get them?"

"That was easy. Nobody wanted to be down here, so it wasn't difficult to get three quarters next to each other. After that, Byers, who is in Engineering, was able to join them all together and then we put in the sensor blocking materials."

"Cool, but I bet Security would have a field day whipping your butts for this."

Stopping, Frohike spun around and said, "And if they find out, you will be the first one we come hunting for, got it?"

Nodding, she waited for him to continue.

Further on, they entered a section where three other men were working.

"Guys, I brought in our latest subscriber. Lucky number 13."

Kira grinned,

"Thirteen?"

A man with brown hair looked up, "Yes, thirteen. We don't have much of an advertising budget, okay? My name is John Byers. You met Melvin Frohike already. This is Richard Langly, hacker extrodinare over at the terminal, and this is Jimmy Bond."

Jimmy grinned and stuck his hand out, "Welcome to our subscription program. It is just great meeting you."

The other blond-haired man, Langly, spoke up from his terminal, "Can it, Jimmy. What I want to know is how you found out about us?"

"That wasn't hard. Found some of your articles in a Padd left in Sickbay. Once I ran a trace program, I picked up that it originated from a terminal on Deck 9."

"And what does that have to do with here?"

"Oh, yesterday, I followed Jimmy here from that terminal down to here."

Frohike groaned and wacked Jimmy with a nearby old-style book.

"It wasn't just Jimmy. I did a bit of a background check and found that this computer had unusual access to the computer cores. When I did some digging in, I hit all sorts of firewalls. Got part of the way in before my program was corrupted. Luckily, I kept a backup."

Byers and Langly looked suddenly towards each other before Byers asked, "You did that? That was some pretty good coding and got us quite worried for a bit."

"Yeah.. Your use of those AI algorithims to treat the firewall like a virus was quite ingenious, although what do I expect from a medical surgeon."

Kira grinned, "Paediatrician, actually. And thanks.

"You treat children? Quite impressive. Maybe someday, you could help us."

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

After about ten minutes of talking about what subscriptions were available...

Kira left the strange quarters and headed back to Sickbay to check on Nilani.

"Brainstorm session"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

After leaving his wife in their quarters, Commander Thomas hurried to check out engineering to find out why the ship was out of control and speeding away at warp. Entering main engineering, Chris knew something was wrong the moment he entered and came across the first unconscious body laying on the deck.

"Damn." Chris expressed while reaching for his type II phaser with one hand and crouching down to check the crewman's pulse with the other. "Still alive, at least that's something." The Commander spoke out loud to himself. Rising, Chris continued cautiously as he entered the main engineering area. There were several more engineers sprawled about the engine room, including both of the tiny Binars who were lying prone and making an odd buzzing sound out of their mouths, as if their central processors had crashed and needed rebooting.

Commander Thomas walked over to the engineering console and could see the ship was holding to a steady course, and cruising at an even warp 8. Tapping into the console, he attempted to override the system and bring the ship to a full stop.

["Unable to comply."] the computer responded.

Chris frowned deeply and gave a frustrated sigh.

["Umm, 'Commander Suder. You ah,... need to report to the executive conference room for an emergency staff meeting. The ah... Captain has ordered it. Are you there 'Commander Suder? Sir... ah, could you please respond?"]

Commander Thomas turned his head and followed the voice of the socially inept yet tactically brilliant Lieutenant von Ernst. His eyes finally locked on the body of Lieutenant Commander Ethan Suder, the ship's Chief Engineer. Since he was sprawled out on the floor, and pale as a ghost, it was no wonder that Rebecca wasn't getting a response.

Moving over, Chris knew there was something seriously wrong with Ethan the minute he saw the color of his skin. With two fingers he felt for a pulse. When he couldn't feel one, he leaned over and put his ear near the Engineer's mouth. He could barely feel Ethan breathing.

Tapping in, Chris called out. "Medical emergency in Engineering. Several crewmembers down, and Lieutenant Commander Suder is in dire need for emergency medical treatment. Prepare a site to site transport to beam Ethan directly to sickbay."

["Noodles! I'll see that it gets done right away Commander."] Rebecca answered over the comm channel.

Standing to get out of the transport area, Chris added, "You'll also need to contact the Assistant Chief Engineer to attend the Captain's staff meeting. That would be Lieutenant Commander T'Zaq I believe."

["Yea...yes sir."] Rebecca stuttered.

Ethan's body soon disappeared in a transporter beam as it was whisked away to sickbay.

"You can inform the Captain I'm on my way directly. Commander Thomas out." Chris closed. When the channel shut down, he moved to the master situation console and grabbed a tricorder. Activating it, he scanned the computer systems to make a quick recording of the program the visitors had running that had the ship trekking of on a course that would eventually take them out of the Milky-way galaxy.

"This should come in useful for the Captain's meeting." Chris again stated out loud to himself. After taking a moment to complete his scan, the First Officer clapped the tricorder shut and started heading out of engineering. "I don't want to be late for the Captain's emergency staff meeting..." Chris stated as he quickened his pace.

***

Captain Price and Lieutenant' Zonhieb exited the turbolift as it opened up onto the bridge. Neither officer wasted much time stepping onto the command deck.

Lieutenant' von Ernst was a little startled at the abruptness of the two officer's entrance. First, there was Zonhieb, the seven and a half foot Gorn that could probably fit 'becky's entire head inside his mouth if he tried. The green guy was enough to scare anyone just standing still.

Then there was Captain Price whom entered with the Gorn Security Officer. It was no secret that the Australian CO was less then pleased with Rebecca's performance on the bridge. Sure, he hadn't said anything about the silver and red barstool she'd decided was required for the tactical station, but Rebecca could tell by the Captain's tone and expressions that he was expecting more in the way of command abilities out of her. It wasn't her fault that she'd rather be in her quarters reading or working on her stitchery then giving orders and making command decisions.

"Status report Lieutenant'" Lee asked in a no nonsense tone.

"We are still stuck on a course that will take us out of the galaxy, and cruising at a steady warp 8." Rebecca explained quickly. "We've tried everything I could think of. None of our controls here seem to have any effect."

Lee gave a nod. "Aye, we've been buggered but good. What about getting the staff together. How is that coming 'mate?"

"I..I've contacted everyone sir. Some are already waiting in the conference room." Von Ernst pointed while looking in awe at Lieutenant' Zonhieb who was nearly a meter taller then the tiny redhead.

With a jut of his bearded chin, the General commented. "Then that's where we will be. Have the other officers enter when they arrive Lieutenant."

Rebecca watched as the Captain headed towards the conference room along with Lieutenant' Zonhieb who shook the decking when he walked with the giant Gorn legs of his.

"I'll do that sir." Rebecca nodded. She then quickly added, "I will be joining you shortly."

***

Captain Price and Lieutenant' Zonhieb entered the conference room and quickly moved to take their seats. Glancing around the conference table at the officers that had already arrived, Lee could see Counselor Dallas, who in spite of her handicap always seemed to arrive to her appointments on time. Doctor Dothan was also there, and had several datapadds with him that he was studying. Lieutenant Commander Gustavson the Chief Flight Control Officer was sitting at the far end of the table and appeared to be rather bored. The only other person present was Lieutenant Commander Savat the Chief Operations Officer. The Vulcan looked deep in thought, as if he were reasoning through the recent events and what was known in order to form a logical hypothesis.

Lee frowned slightly. He'd hoped that everyone would be here when he arrived. But the Chiefs from Security, Science and Engineering were still missing. Not to mention the Executive Officer.

Across the table, Doctor Dothan turned his attention away from the padds he brought and cleared his voice slightly to gain everyone's, but mostly the Captain's attention.

"Yes Doctor?" the Captain asked looking at Andree.

"I know the meeting hasn't officially begun yet Captain, but my staff and I have been brainstorming on solutions to this dilemma, and have come up with two things so far." Andree stated.

"Bonzer 'mate. Let's hear it." Lee stated, glancing around at those present and adding, "That is the purpose of this brain storming session. To figure out a way to deal with our Sanguinarian guests."

After making the statement, the General's attention returned to the Chief Medical Officer. "Please continue Doctor."

"We can tag very member of the crew with a tracking bracelet like security was forced to do during the 'Janeway Virus' incident. Doing so will allow us to keep accurate tabs on anyone who is aroused, and not in the company of another living being, and possibly beam them to sickbay, or hold them in the transporter buffers until security can detain them. It is also possible that sensors that are more organic in nature, might have a chance of detecting the Sanguinarians" Andree suggested.

Leaning back in his chair, Captain Price paused a moment as the skittish Lieutenant' von Ernst came squeaking in like a mouse and taking a seat as far away from Lieutenant' Zonhieb as physically possible and meekly sat down.

Clearing his voice, the Captain returned his attention to Doctor Dothan. "Those are good ideas 'mate. Though I don't know how effective the bracelet tags will be. If I recall, they were only partially successful for the virus incident, and then there wasn't the complication of programming them to detect..." Lee paused awkwardly, "...arousal, without the presence of another person near by."

There were a few smirks that went around the table, though no one actually came out and laughed.

"I also don't know how well received such devices would be by the crew in general." Lee added. "But it's worth investigating. Now the idea of adjusting our internal sensors to scan for a broader spectrum or for some other property that could help us pin point our guest's where-a-bouts sounds like just the thing." Lee nodded, "Locating them however is only part of the problem. We need to also figure out what can be done once we do find them."

Glancing at his chronometer, the Captain tapped his fingers on the table impatiently. "Where the cri-key are the others? You did say an Emergency staff meeting, didn't you Lieutenant'?" Lee asked towards von Ernst.

All eyes turned to the wiry redhead who swallowed nervously. "Yea..yea...yes Captain."

Again leaning back in his chair, the General shook his head. "Well, the others can join whenever they arrive. Let's get started. This is a brainstorming session to figure out how to deal with our visitors. If you have any information about the Sanguinarians, or have any ideas, no matter how far fetched, on how to contain them and regain control of the ship, I want to hear it."

The Captain glanced around the conference table wondering when the others would arrive, and who was going to begin voicing their ideas.

"Get UP"
by Lt. Commander Elaithin Jii, Chief of Security With a little unauthorized use of Captain Price

There are certain things in the the universe which happen by chance.

Bumping into an old friend that you haven't seen in twenty years.

Seeing your old girlfriend when you're with your new wife.

Finding out your parents went to high school with your best friend's parents.

And then there are some things that just make you wonder what the hell you did in your last life to deserve the Karma you've been saddled with.

This is what Lieutenant Commander Elaithin Jii was thinking as he and Heather Sanchez materialized, dazed, in sickbay.

It wasn't so much the attack by the Sanguinarians. That, the Bajoran could handle. It was his job. He half expected to get hurt every time he stepped out of his office.

It was more the face he saw as he looked up from the bio-bed, the gruff voice he heard ordering synthesized Bajoran type-Z blood to be brough, STAT.

Doctor Torsag, the Klingon.

And Jii let out a groan that had nothing to do with his blood loss, before passing out. A few minutes later, he awoke, much clearer headed.

"I'm getting tired of seeing you in here, 'Commander." The gruff Klingon stated.

"I'm getting tired of being here, Doctor. What the hell did they do to me?" he asked.

She snorted. "If I knew that, we wouldn't have so many damned patients, would we?" Torsag stated, almost friendly in her hostile bedside manner. She waved around sickbay as Elaithin sat up. "Take a look for yourself." "pah-wraiths." the reverent Bajoran muttered under his breath as he took in the half-dozen crewmen being administered care for blood loss. "The Sanguinarians?" he asked.

Torsag nodded. "You were our lightest case. Somehow, with no physical evidence, they're sapping the blood out of crewmembers. On Qo'noS, we would call them... " The name she utttered was quite unpronouncable. But it did give Elaithin an idea. And was it his imagination, or was Torsag getting nicer?

"On Bajor we call them Valta-Wraiths. Bloodsuckers." he stated. He and the Doctor shared a look...perhaps, there was some connection? It bore investigation.

"'Commander, you'd best get going. They called a Staff Meeting while you were unconscious. Your blood levels have returned to normal, I see no reason to keep you." Torsag said.

That was definatley not normal. Usually the Klingon Doctor yelled at him for getting hurt. "Understood." he replied. Then he looked over to the table where a Doctor he didn't know was working on Sanchez. "Keep me appraised on Lieutenant Sanchez' status." All he got was a snort for a reply as he headed out the door.

As he entered the turbolift, the Detective in him bagan to come forward. He'd heard some of the humans saying the word "vampire." Torsag said the Klingons had a version of them. His own people called them Valta Wraiths. The common element was that they were all bloodsuckers. Supposedly they were all legends. But all legends have a basis in fact. What if -- Then the doors to the bridge whooshed open.

Dammit, I lost my train of thought. The blood loss must have affected me more than I thought. Jii shook his head as he continued towards the Conference Lounge, not paying attention to anything. Inside, he found Captain Price, Counselour Dallas, Doctor Dothan, 'Commander Gustavson, Lieutenant Von Ernst - thanks for snapping me out of Lilith's hypnosis, Rebecca - and Lieutenant Zonheib.

''Commander." Price noted his entrance. Cocking his head to the side, he made another observation "You look a little pale." "My apologies for being late, Captain. I was getting a blood transfusion in sickbay." the Chief of Security reported as he took his seat. Everything was spinnign a little.....but a quick shake of the head straightened out. Maybe he shouldn't be up and about after all.

Not that that would stop him.

" Sanchez and I ran into Lilith and Vlad, sir." the Bajoran reported with a grimace. "Unfortunately, they cleaned our clocks. I can't recall much of the encounter than the oddest feeling that I got intturpted in the middle fo sex when Rebecca's voice came over the loudspeaker, calling a Red Alert." "M..my voice?" the Tactical Officer asked.

"Yeah - thanks, by the way. I get the feeling you saved me from a lot further harm. Sanchez wasn't so lucky. Sickbay said she'd lost several pints of blood, but there's no evidence of where it was lost from. Nor on me." "Just like the other patients." Dothan murmered.

Elaithin nodded. "But I have found something interesting. In the mythos of at least three different cultures, Humans, Klingons, and Bajorans, the Sanguinarian's behaviour and abilites smack of legendary creatures. We call them Valta Wraiths. I can't pronounce the Klingon word. But you humans call them.. vampires."

"Race Against The Body’s Clock"
By Dr Autumn Jamieson, ACMO
Dr Martin the EMH with the best personality.
Other med staff.
{{Please remember that dreams are Illogical}} [{}] Lyrics [{Surprise! you're dead!}] by Faith No More.

**Med Bay**

The doctors moved from patient to patient. Person to person. People with strange blood loss. The people with normal injuries. The people who just collapse and the people who get bashed up and drained. All were there and all were treated with the same amount of concern and care. Some were being transferred to other parts of the huge medical facility that took up half of deck 12 on the USS Galaxy.

The EMH, Dr Martin watched the activity before returning her attention to her patient. A doctor, the patient was badly wounded and there was doubt if she would wake. Her injuries was extensive. She had three broken ribs and had lost a lot of blood. Other injuries were internal.. they included a ruptured spleen and one of her kidneys was damaged. The spleen she would live without.. and the kidney could be repaired. The ribs would take a while. But her body was slowly shutting down due to the blood loss. There was also damage to her lower abdomen. Dr. Martin signalled another doctor to help her and they got to work trying to keep the girl alive.

***In the darkness of Unconsciousness***

[{Surprise! you're dead!}]

Autumn wandered in the blackness of her mind, totally unaware of the world around her. Suddenly she found herself walking down a familiar set of corridors. A small voice taunted her.

[{Ha ha! open your eyes}] [{See the world as it used to be when you used to be in it}] [{When you were alive and when you were in love}]

She walked past people she knew and no one noticed her or spoke to her, engaged in their own conversations. She saw her friends and she saw Wilhem but none of them noticed her. She watched them talk and they moved away in their own directions. She reached for Wil but he walked straight through her.

[{And when I took it from you!}]
[{It's not over yet}]
[{You don't remember?}]

A memory flashed and she was suddenly back in the cargo bay watching what happened to her. She watched the beating and a tear rolled down her non corporal form. The view was almost too clear of what he had done to her. She saw the pain and the fear on her face.

[{I won't let you forget}]
[{The hatred I bestowed}]

She clenched her fists at her own weakness at not being able to stop him. Why couldn’t she find the strength to stop him? Why did she wander about by herself,.. why her? What did she do to deserve this?

[{Upon your neck with a fatal blow}]
[{From my teeth and my tongue}]
[{I've drank and swallowed, but it's just begun}] [{Now you are mine}]

She screamed in her mind as Vlad’s fangs buried themselves in her throat. She could still feel the pain as his fangs tore into her neck and he began drinking from her. She could still feel the blood trickling down her neck as he drank and her hands failing to stop him. In her mind she recited “No never yours.. I am me… never yours.”

[{I'll keep killing you until the end of time}] [{Surprise! you're dead!}]

She was suddenly back in the corridors of galaxy. Watching as if she defiantly no longer existed. She saw Rose and her boyfriend together. She saw Jessie and Heather with two men.. one Autumn recognised as James Kincaid, who was holding Jessie. And then she saw Riana and Wil together.. walking and talking. She wanted to touch them and speak… but she couldn’t. She didn’t exist for them any more. The voice was maybe right… she was dead. She moved towards her friends when it started again. Another voice this time.. this one female interrupted and began a small dialog in her head. Autumn put her hands to her ears and tried to block it out.

[{Guess what?}]
‘What?’ she asked the voice
[{It never ends...}]
‘How do you know.. and what never ends?’ [{The pain, the torment and torture, profanity}] ‘It will go away! This isn’t right!’ [{Nausea, suffering, perversion, calamity}] ‘No!’
[{You can't get away}]
And that’s all she heard as she felt herself being shoved off something high, Claws dug into her back, Autumn screamed as pain assailed her again and she fell.

***Med Bay***

After two hours Dr Martin watched over the still comatose woman. The odds of her survival was much better. Now all they had to do was wait for her to wake by herself. She instructed the nurses to place Autumn in the recovery room and make sure she was notified if anything happened.

Lt jg Seth Zonhieb, Gorn Security Officer, USS Galaxy Unauthorized appearance of Captain Price

Multifacited eyes gave the gorn world a wide view for the preditors. Small auditory tubes where good for picking up the russling of grass from a hundred meters. Then there was the forked tongue hooked into a complex chemical factory for scent. A mouth full of razor sharp teeth to rend flesh and taste its prey. The green scales thick to protect the monster.

Under all that a thick layer of bone protected a delicate package. The nerve centre of thinking. As the gorn escorted the captain around all these senses were on alert. At any moment the predatory guests could come back. If they seduced the man in charge security had failed its job.

A very minor part of that brain was actually a conversationalist. Words ment little on the battle for life and death. Seth used the travel time to replay his encounters in his mind.

Churning up memories at glacial speed the meeting had already well started when the gorn looked to insert his observation. "I can find them." He said in a pause. "I can practicaly smell them anywhere on the ship."

"That must be what the doctor ment by more organic." The captain commented. "We still have the trouble of getting rid of them."

"They attacked Lt. Darkstar and seemed to control how solid they are." The lizardman's hands inside the indian's chest echoed in Seths memory. "When I bit one they couldn't fade out."

"Cri-key!" the captain knew a gem of information when it was presented. "I don't think they will let you get close enough to bite them again."

"I could try sir." The gorn always seemed ready to do his duty.

"Let see what everyone else has." Price said and turned to the rest of the table. "Maybe there's another way."