“The Great Flood”

Starring

Rebecca von Ernst

More blatant unauthorized use of:

Capt Price
Dr. Dothan
Seth Zonheib
Cmdr, Thomas

The Senior Staff meeting aboard the USS Galaxy was dragging into its Third Millenium, and already Rebecca’s bladder was noticing the effects of the two cups of Hot Cocoa she consumed during the brief Coffee break nearly three weeks ago.

At least that’s how long it felt like to her as she squirmed uneasily in her oversized seat while trying to find a position that didn’t threaten to overflow the dam. (so to speak)

The other officers droned on and on about he moral and philosophical implications of the actions they were planning to undertake, and even now Commander Thomas was delivering a three-part treatise on the effects of Vampire Rampaging upon the Ozone Layer. Apparently it looked bad, as the notoriously fickle atmospheric gas was prone to overreact to almost any outside stimulus…… Unfortunately even space-going undead were bad for the environment.

Then again maybe her imagination was acting up again, but the First Officer’s speak was suitably dull, and Rebecca’s attention-span was only compounded by the problem of ‘pee-overload’

~~~Ooooo Noodles..~~~ She fretted to herself. ~~~If this meeting doesn’t end soon, I’m gonna have a Warp Core Breach of my own!!~~~

Wiggling in her seat, the young redhead form Minnesota found herself asking the eternal question that humans have asked themselves since the dawn of time……(Or at least the dawn of indoor plumbing) ~~~If I don’t get to a bathroom….is it possible for my bladder to pop?~~~

Science said no, but down through the ages, mankind has always tended to disagree on that particular assumption.

At last Commander Thomas wrapped up his spiel on whatever the noodles he was talking about, and a brief glimmer of hope was born in Rebecca’s heart. Alas it was only to be dashed as Commander Price calmly recognized Dr. Dothan with a nod of his head.

Smiling politely and clearing his throat, the CMO launched himself into a 10-part educational miniseries entitled….’Your Blood and You.’ Apparently since the ship was being ravaged by zombies with an affinity for hemoglobin, the Doctor figured it would be a good time to brief everyone concerned on the subject.

As far as Rebecca was concerned, the discussion of bodily fluids did not really help matters in the remotest, in fact only compounding the issue by reminding her of her plight.

“Additionally, “ Dothan was saying, “.. the blood also serves to eliminate waste, by gathering toxins from various cells, ands transporting them to the kidneys, where the impurities are filtered out, and excreted from of the body in the form of urine.”

~~~Only if we’re lucky!!!~~~ Rebecca screamed in her mind, while crossing her skinny legs.

“That’s utterly fascinating, “somebody else at the table breathed in awe, “You don’t suppose that we can use this information against the Sanguinarians somehow you think?”

The Doctor shrugged, “ We don’t know what benefits these creatures derive from blood. While drinking hemoglobin as food is commonly found in lower life forms, it is almost unheard of in higher classes of animals…..not enough nourishment to keep the body running.”

“What about the waste connection?” another officer asked, “Maybe they are using it to filter their own impurities?"”

Dothan frowned, “The theoretical use of blood gathered from a foreign host to filter one’s own URINE is quite extraordinary. I don’t think I’ve ever seen URINE screened that way before. It would take an amazingly complex URINARY system to process URINE in that particular manner. Strange URINE indeed.”

Poor Rebecca winced at every mention of pee, and bit her lip in frustration as her plumbing threatened to reverse gears. She imagined her brain as her bodies Bridge and getting a call from down in Engineering…

BLADDER: Engineering to Bridge…come in Bridge.

BRAIN: (talking slowly and emoting with many dramatic pauses) Bridge here….what do you…… got for us Scotty?

BLADDER : I’m verra sorry sir. But my poor bairns…they canna take much mooore of this pressure. I’m afrai’ she’s gonna blow!

BRAIN: Great Scott MAN! Can you……. reverse the polarity?

BLADDER: Captain! I canna change yon Laws of Physics!

BRAIN: Well ….for God’d sakesman….you’ve …….got too. Bridge to Sickbay, we’ve….got a crisis.

BONES: DAMMIT man! I’m a Skeleton, not a Kidney!!

BRIDGE: But I…….Need you Bones…..I ….must save the bladder!! Dammit Bones, cross your Femurs and prepare for Casualties!

BONES: Legs are crossed, but …..I think that poor bladder is dead Jim.

Back in reality, Rebecca was squeezing her legs tightly together and wondering who the heck ‘Jim’ was, but this really wasn’t the time to go asking her brain silly questions.

Doctor Dothan was just finishing up, “…..and so while a URINARY connection may seem plausible at first, a detailed look at the URINARY system, and the URINE contained within would indicate that the URINE is not connected to the blood the Sanguinarians consume.”

Rebecca rolled her eyes.

Captain Price, in all his calm infuriating self, accepted the report with a nod, and turned to the next item on his agenda for discussion. Frantically Rebecca prayed it would not be yet another dull long winded dissertation.

“Lieutenant von Ernst,” Price said with a small frown, “Perhaps you could give us a report from the Tactical view of things?”

So intent was Rebecca on the crisis below the belt, that she almost missed her name. “Uh….ummm…me sir?”

With infinite patience Price nodded, “Aye Mate. What’s your report?”

Frantic to reach the end of this meeting Rebecca trimmed her speech as much as possible.

“Erg…we’re fine.”

(Pause)

(another pause)

The Captain blinked. “Um…care to elaborate Lieutenant?”

~~~Oh for the love of noodles, just accept the report and get on with potty break!!~~~ her mind demanded

Griting her teeth in frustration Rebecca managed aloud, “We’re reeeeealy Fine Sir.”

(Pause)

“Well then,” the Captain’s frown deepened, “Shall we continue then?”

~~~Oh thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyo u……..~~~

“Next up will be Lt Seth Zonheib with his perspective on things.”

~~~…..thankyouthankyouthankyou…huh? Oh Noodles on a Stick!!!!~~~

Slowly with the infinite slowness that only a Lizard could possess, the Gorn began his report: “I…………..wasssss…………… ssssstanding………………….on………………..ssssecurity……………….duty……… ……when…………..……sssssuddenly………….”

"Inertia"
by Lt. Cmdr Navarre Shinta
Assistant Chief Counselor
and
Lt. James Mitchell
Assistant Chief Science Officer

The next morning Shinta went back to the brig. James should be waking up around now, and she wanted to be there. It frustrated her, that everybody was so busy that she still didn't know when he would be released. That would be a hard blow for him, but she was working on it.

Shinta sat down next to the small bed, and watched him. James had gone through a lot in his life, just like she. She mused, would he have had the same life as a teenager. All the killing, seeing so much death. It did something to you. She swallowed hard, and fought against all the emotions that suddenly began to surface. When he woke she wanted to being control of herself, to be there completely for him.

James slept, and dreamed. This time though, he didn't dream in fear. The sedative the Counsellor had given him relaxed him to the point that he felt like a bystander in his dreams, a spectator to the events that echoed in his thoughts, replaying themselves like a bad recording. Things were fuzzy, and coalesced into each other as he didn't have the strength to hold onto any singular line of thought.

Yet, the only constant in his dreams were Tyrola. Her image would appear suddenly, without pattern, and she would smile at him. This kept him from becoming anxious as well, as her image wasn't the only one coming back. He would also see himself, *feel* himself, floating, shifting, yet feeling shackled, as he watched himself do various things to the woman he felt so much for.

This scared him, too, but in another way. He'd just met Tyrola a week previous. On an away team mission to the Tamarian vessel. They'd been paired up and explored the Engineering section of the ancient ship. During those hours they spent together, a seemingly ordinary conversation had developed into so much more. Maybe it was the atmosphere of the ship drawing them close together for mutual comfort. Maybe it was the friendly correspondence between the two, but whatever it was, it had become something for James that enveloped him with feelings he'd never experienced before. She made him forget about Marisa, and this scared him, as he had every intention of marrying her one day.

It had taken him months to feel those feelings for Marisa, but with Tyrola, it had only been hours. His loss of control when she was around frightened him, yet when she was near, he was strangely comforted, as well. He had to get to the root of these thoughts, and he had to find out who it was that was controlling him, forcing him to become violent towards Tyrola. And when he did find out, he was going to make her pay for what she did to Tyrola, even if Ty never spoke to him again. At least he'd feel like he did something positive instead of sitting here doing nothing.

When James finally seemed to wake, Shinta leaned forward, she did not want to startle him.

From out of the myriad of images feathering through his dreams, a new voice appeared. He gravitated to the whispery sound of his name being called forth, drawing him on a course that led him out of the clouds and into light.

"James, it is Shinta. You have slept for over 12 hours, and now it is time for you to wake." She gave him a few minutes to find his bearings.

His eyes fluttered open to the hazy image of the Counsellor he'd been talking to over the last two days. Shinta, was it? His groggy thoughts were slow to react. She was saying something to him...

"I am very sorry, I have not yet been able to get permission for you to leave here. But my boss, agrees that you are not guilty. And she is working on getting you out of here. You think you can keep going here a little bit longer?" She smiled.

"You should've let me sleep, then." He rolled his hands into fists as he sat up and rubbed his eyes. His vision was still a bit bleary, but she came into focus. She was staring intently at him in curiousity. James yawned and stretched his arms above his head.

She tried not to smile, for the first time he was showing a little bit of temper, and she liked that. "It is not exactly healthy to sleep too long. Besides I do not think you're back side would have thanked you for sleeping any longer. I would do some fittnes exercises as well If I were you."

He blinked his eyes wide as he glared at Shinta. Waking him up out of such a deep sleep, one of those rare ones that make you so relaxed and so involved in the dreamworld, only served to make him grumpy. Being a Starfleet officer doesn't give you the luxury of 'sleeping in', and that was probably the only good thing that has come out of his stint in this cubbyhole they call a prison cell.

Yet, she was his only friend on this ship, and he wasn't going to ruin it, so he bit his tongue and grumbled instead. He pulled his sorry butt and aching back out of bed, pulled off his pipless jacket thathe'd fallen asleep in, as security took away all metals from him, and started stretching to pull the kinks out. As always through his life, he'd just have to suffer the indignity of not getting the things he wanted, and this was the lowest on his priority list. Getting out of this cell and avenging the suffering humility that brought about the demise of the burgeoning relationship between himself and Ty was what was most important to him. He might as well get in shape for it, as he knew it was going to be a tough battle.

"I thought that we could use the time, since you have nothing else to do any way. Now I know that you have seen many councelors, and you probably wish me to be anywhere else but here right now. Yet I would like to work with you. I have read your file, and as you probably know by looking at me I am from Bajor to. I know that the childhoold people from our generation had can leave a lot of scars. How was that in your case?" She tried to keep her face emotionless.

James leaned over to grab his ankles and rolled his back as she spoke to him, his muscles stretching as his back cracked, but when she spoke that last line about childhood scarring, he froze, then stood up slowly. He did not face her as he spoke.

"Counsellor." He twisted his neck to one side, gripped his chin with one hand , the back of his head with the other, and twisted, sending off a resounding crack through the room that rippled as he pulled from one angle to the next.

"I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm *not* Bajoran. My father was Bajoran, yes, but my mother is from Earth." He turned to her, and burned into her a fierce glare that reminded one of the burn of a bad case of gonorrhea. Long, painful, and unbearable if gone unchecked.

"You talk about scars? I've had my LIFE ripped from me, Counsellor!" He turned to face her, his face a mask of fury. "I've seen horrors unimaginable. I've seen death, and maiming, and mutilations beyond compare, and I'm TIRED of it!" Shinta was afraid as he trudged towards her, but she stood her ground. She'd been through her own injustices and pains, and letting him rant was therapeutic. He needed to let go. Security heard the commotion and kept a close eye on the happenings, hands on phasers if needed.

"I finally get some semblance of normalcy in my life, and think I've found someone I can truly share something with, and what happens? The bad karma I've been carrying around since I was two just keeps kicking me in the ass! What do you say to that?" He plopped down on his cot and buried his face in his hands. "You'd best keep away from me, counsellor. I'll probably get you killed like everything else I've known. You don't want to get close to me."

"Yes I do, James." She was glad that he could not see her face right now, because the words he said could have come from her. She was still afraid every day that because of her something was going to happen to Bruce or the children. But she kept going, kept hoping for a normal life, and that was what he should do to. "I want to be there for you, James. Don't worry, trust again. We will get you out of here, and show that you are innocent. Things will work out, but don't give up hope." She squeezed his shoulder. "I will leave you now for awhile. But I will be back this afternoon, hang in there. And don't worry about me, I have been told by the best that I am hard to kill."

With that she left him, Shinta knew that this was going to be difficult for her, in treating James, she would have to face those old hidden demons again. But for both their sakes, she knew she had to do it.

“What the…..?”
By Lt. (jg) Heather Grant-Wellington

****Present*****

She stared out of the window and sighed. Her mind was a buzz with the argument over whether to seek counselling in light of recent events or try to sort out the situation herself. Indiana was safely at his post, after spending some time at the gym, which left him well out of the way of the unknown harm that pursued him. He had left his quarters a couple of minutes after Heather had headed off to her post, which meant he was not present when his door bell rang. Heather then glanced grimly at the computer screen in front of her, lost for a beginning to her latest personal log.

“Computer. Activate personal log.”

The computer beeped to signalled it was ready for the umpteenth time in the past hour.

“Well, I have not the faintest idea what stardate it is, nor where to exactly begin. But, let me just say there’s something so bizarre going on around here, that I feel like I’m detached from myself. How can one describe their reaction to waking up in sickbay with no recollection as to how they got there, and to later discover the lie they have being living?” she paused, searching the room for some kind of inspiration. “While I search for the words, I’ll discuss my recent shift. One word. Uneventful. Why?

Because we’re going nowhere. Though, there was something interesting on way to the bridge. I….” There was a sudden jolt and the stars beyond her window began to stream passed the ship at an increasing speed. “What the on earth?” she gasped.

By the time she registered what was happening, the red alert klaxon screamed to life. Quickly, she got to her feet and raced out of the quarters in the direction of the Battle Bridge.

*******Battle Bridge********

Heather stepped down to the helm control and went to relieve the officer there, when something very odd happened. The view finder blanked out like a television tube going bust and the helm control went dead.

“What the…?” she reacted with a frown.

Concern, she called engineering for a report. The response she received was not good. “Well, ain’t this grand?” she spoke lowly.

The young officer at the helm looked up at her, looking like a frighten kitten. “Nothing like driving blind. I’ll take it from here.” She waved the officer to move out of the chair. Taking a seat, she pondered on how she personally could rectify this situation.

A diagnostic a day keeps the vampires at bay...or Sickbay...or maybe the Shuttlebay...anywheres but here!

Starring:
Lt.jg Lysander Vanderpuls-Hawksley, Tactical Dept.

Introducing (NPC's)
Petty Officer First Class Tim "The Terror" Mirapoints Senior Phaser Diagnostic Technician and ship's neer-do-well and "Boats" aka Master Chief Petty Officer Elizabeth Westwell Senior NCO (Boatswain) USS Galaxy

with gratitutious and unsanctioned mention of The General, Rebecca, and ole meanie Admiral Hoth

*** *** ***

The NCO's Mess was one of those hoary old shipboard traditions. A place set aside for those denizens of the ship who were not really ratings, but not really officers either.

While Starfleet had no real problems with different ranks eating togetheer in their offduty time, the NCO's made it clear that they'd prefer a place officers looked away from, and woe to the rating who wandered in without the magic combo of 'three up one down' on their rank plaque.

The place was packed, and PO1 "Terror" Mirapoints was looking for a place to sit down. An older man of indeterminate age, he was large and rough looking. His uniform looked rumpled, usually ten minutes after he'd pulled it from the replicator. And the amount of beard suppressant he had to use to keep the gun metal blue shadow off his face daily! The lounge was crowded with the remnants of Alpha and Beta shifts off duty, as Gamma had just went in thirty minutes ahgo, and the 'shift of the fuckups' Delta was probally lying face down in pools of their own vomit. There was only one table with free chairs, an island of emptiness in the crowd. For good reason too. But since he had balls like a Terran elephant, Terror went up to it.

'Heyas Boats, can I dock it here? Only the mess is full and you got about six seats here..."

Master Chief Petty Officer Westwell had over thirty years of 'time in service' on her dress uniform sleeves. She'd earned every right and perk of her position during that time, including the right to have a table to herself. But for an old friend like Terror, she'd make exceptions.

"Sure Terror, pull up and moor. You believe all this vampire crap? Everyone running around like it's some...eih...hows tricks by you and the 'gun guys?" Those TAC weenies running you ragged?"

Terror stopped pushing the clots of whatever today's "Daily Special" was and replied,

"Yeah...sheesh. How many Chiefs we had the last two years? Five? Remember the sword guy? I thought he was gonna hit the General with that thing and lose both of his, ya know what I mean? This new one's a piece of work too...she's like a ghost, you never know if she's there or not. The other day, I was on Deck 12 replacing a relay buss, and I reached for my sonic spanner, and it was her ankle! Same size and everything. Now she's got a hair up her narrow butt that there's too many Tac Weenies, so she has some of them playing in the Torpedo rooms. Me, I give a tribble chirp about that, but she assigns that Furball Bosco and some dipshits to poke around *MY* Phaser compartments too! You should see the crap these Cochranes leave behind.. This week alone I find a PADD *inside* a fire control console, and I dunno *how* many pulse inducers and power relays left offline cause they can't read a schematic.."

"Hey. At least this new girl doesn't tell us 'lemme lookit the pretty lights and play with the buttons and you troggs fill the coolant and run diagnostics and all icky stuff like that' From what I hear, response times are up, and you should hear the Comp Core drones bitch about how much more processing time TAC is using these days, plus I had to beef up the Holodeck Projectors c ause she calims they're 'insuffficient'."

Elizabeth half listened to his list of complaints, as she reveiwed her mental database of the crew under her. From what she knew about Terror, he was a competant technician, having come up the hard way in teh Merchant MArines and drafted into the Fleet, where he'd whown aptitude for weapons systems, hardly a necissity aboard a transport. He'd been promoted as high as Chief Petty Officer, and been busted back each time too, once all the way to Crewman Second Class. His problem? He literally could not pass a Federation Marine offduty without sucumbing to the urge to punch him/her/it right in the mouth/maw/beak/whatever. His bar fights were teh stuff of legend, and he'd never lost one yet.

"How many times you get and loose that second stripe?"

"Ummm...six...seven...like that..I dunno. Why? I'm happy where I'm at. No worries, three meals a day...my own bunk..only have to hold the hand of whatever tactical dipshit wants to see the pretty guns and wipe their little noses and bottoms and slap thair little hands if they wanna touch an Inducer Coil.....holy novas...speak of the dipshit..."

Elizabeth's eyes tracked to the figure coming through the quieting crowd, a figure with the unmistakable double pips of an officer.

"Who's that? One of your TAC weenies?"

"Yeah, that's one of the ones been on the Starboard Dorsal Emitter bulkheads all day...Louie Junior Lysander something- too-long-to bother with. He's such the TAC hotshot, they found him in Physics or something. Can't remember his name half the time, but wants to switch to Helm. Probally forget the Antimatter Containment system there and blow the ship to...heyas Ell Tee...you lost or sumpthin?"

"Hi...err..Tom and Boats. I wanted to ask you about the stress testing laser for the durellium collars on the..."

Elizabeth had heard enough.

"Umm..Liuetenant...?"

"VanderPuls-Hawksley"

"yes. The Chief was just leaving, but could I be of assistance....Funny name..I know it from somewhere..."

Terror made his escape saying "Seeyas Boats. Send me a comm about it Ell-tee and I'll be sure and explain it...again...when i got time." and Lysander sat in his chair.

"Ever watch 'Starcrossed Love?" he asked teh MCPO.

"Sure, who doesn't? Best holodrama on the nets....hey...no way...ESTELLE HAWKSLEY? The Actress? She was great on that! I loved it when she played Lucinda AND her evil twin....oh...I'm sorry..."

The pain was in both Lysander's voice and eyes. "Yep. She was a great actress, but everyone remembers her for that Soap..."

"I'm sorry...I'd forgotten that...well..she died...umm... how are you finding life on the Galaxy?"

Lysander was tempted to say"I don't...it comes looking for me " but inseatd went with the 'Fine, thank you" route.

"Let me give you some advice, young man. One, *Tom's* name is Tim, but you should call him 'Chief" or 'Mister" as you would any other junior officer. Second, only the Captain can call me "Boats" without my boot being applied to his fundament. The General and my bosom friends, and frankly with YOUR reputatuion, you'll be nowhere near my bosom.

Thirdly, I hear that you'd give oral pleasure to a Ferringi of dubious personal hygine while tapdancing across a bed of coals just for the chance to get out of Tactical right now. You hate your Chief that much?"

"Hate? no....but I don't trust her either. i mean...everyone else sees her in action and thinks 'Cute eccentricities but LOOKIT those results!' and it's the process that scares me. I mean, I could do maybe, half what she does, but it's take me twenty times longer. I swear she's doing some firing solutions IN HER HEAD without the firing computer! It's creepy to watch her do it, and I don't like the effect it's having on her, she's falling apart in front of everyne. So no, I don't trust her. I feel like she'd kill me without blinking, without even noticing."

Elizabeth stared at him in shock, since what he said mirrored what the ship's scuttlebutt brought her. She wondered if was her business to check and see if this kid had some kind of romantic entanglement with his boss. He obviously had a bit of a torch for her, look at how much he thought about and analyzyed the situation. She decided to cut this short.

"Thank you for being candid Lieutenant. I have business..."

Lysander beat feet, swearing NEVER to set foot in the NCO mess again, and to pester Terror as much as he could to learn about phasers.

Elizabeth leaned back and thought. One of the things that came with her position was the baggage of a portfolio of favours owed and owing, from a whole gamut of people both gems and unsavoury within Starfleet.

One of the ones she owed came due her last shoreleave on Starbase 114...she'd run into the man who, as an Ensign had pulled then Crewman Recruit Westwell out of a crashed shuttle and kept the both of them alive until the USS Naboo could come find them. He'd called his marker due with a seemingly innocous request, that she be his eyes and ears aboard the GALAXY in regards a certain Lt. Rebecca Von Ernst.

His plan, which had struck her professional and personal feelings dead on, had been to improve the quality of COmmand Level officers in *HER* Fleet by identifying them early on and using assets like "Boats" to help mold them. In a case like Lysander, it might just work. While he wasn't part of the 'Project Archangel' she'd heard described, she knew that he'd been considered for it, and probally discarded. Once he grew up and settled down, he'd probally be fine.

Von Ernst was another story. Unless something drastic happened soon, to wake her up and give her something to think about aside from killing...Hoth's 'superweapon' might self- destruct before he got to point it at the next enemy.

but....

who ever said teh whole 'Project Archangel" had to rest on those skinny little shoulders? She knew that Jurgen Hoth's plan had to have some other considered officers. Maybe some of those could be used to help bolster Rebecca? She'd have to comm Jurgen...right after this ridiculous 'vampire' thing was resolved.

As she left to go to her quarters, the MCPO never noticed the puzzled looks of the other NCO's crowded at the next table who'd overheard her whispering to herself. Later, they'd swear she said..

"Never Again..."

"You Can Never Go Home Again"
By Lt Rose Isis MacAllen, Science Officer
Lord Vlad Tepes (played by William)

**Rose's dream state**

Rose is sitting in the main bedroom of the castle as the vampire Lily started brushing her long brown hair out.

"Oh gods not again." Rose whispered to herself while another vampire which looked like a female crewman trying to pick out a dress for her mistress.

"I need to get more information but how," she thought to herself.

Lord Vlad Tepes came into the room, and bowed before his favorite female vampire. "I hope you are doing well, Rose. We have much to do, and a little time to do it in."

"What do you mean?" Rose asked while Lily still was brushing her long brown hair out.

Vlad smiled, "We have to begin culling the population outside our walls. Otherwise they might get brave and attack us."

Lily and the other female vampire walked out, Rose walked over to her closet wearing nothing but black underwear and bra picking out a dress trying to act the part.

Vlad smiled solemnly, "You know you can conjure up clothing with just a wave of your hand. Try it sometime."

Rose looks at him with an look then she waved her hand, she opened her eyes at what she was wearing..an black leather pants outfit.

"How in the hell did this happen?"

Vlad smiled, "We're non-corporeal. We can make any clothes we like to wear. Most of the time, we wear what we were made into a vampire with."

Rose looks into his eyes deeply, "So what now master?"

Vlad smiled softly, "Now we go out into the world and feast!" He pulled her along till they were outside the castle walls, on the battlements. "Watch and learn how to become a bat." He quickly swapped into a bat, and flew around her head.

Rose looks at the bat, "I don't think so Vlad."

The bat flitted around her head a couple more times, then returned to its human visiage. "Come now. Things will soon be fine, if and when you join me in the town below."

"I don't want to go Vlad!"

Lord Vlad smiled, "You will come soon. I understand your hesitance. But it is necessary for you to come along."

Then from below a ruckus started to come from the town. Soon a mob was seen travelling up from the town bearing torches and looking quite peaked. Vlad frowned, "They came sooner than expected."

"What do we do?"

Vlad smiled harshly, "We kill them for their impertinence."

Rose walks back into the bedroom, as she sits on the bed she can hear the other vampires starting to kill some of the villagers, the yelling, screaming, the smell of the blood!

Vlad calls out to her, "Come help us. Without you we all die!"

Rose had no choice and ran out there to help them, by the end all of the villagers are dead as some blood drips from her ruby lips, she was tired now the blood tasted so good to her and she don't know why.

Vlad smiled, "You will relish the taste of blood in the days to come. That I promise you."

Rose give him an evil look, "I want to go home NOW!"

Vlad smiled, "You can't. You are stuck here with me for the rest of your life."

"NO!" Rose said, this can't be happening as she started to run from him as far away as she can.

She tripped and put her hands out to brace herself. Her hand closed on a stake that had been carelessly left there after the fight. As he pulled her up, he opened his chest to a blow, if she wanted to take it.

Rose looks at him with another evil look blow taking that blow to him, "LET ME GO HOME NOW!"

As soon as she hit him in the heart with the stake, he shrieked and turend to ash. Death had finally claimed him. With that Rose was freed from her bondage to him.

**Rose's Room**

Rose smiles while she was sleeping with an little tear in her eyes, she free from the bondage of Lord Vlad and soon both vampires will be gone and the crew of the Galaxy plus herself and her unborn daughter will be safe.

"Thank you Gods for protected me and this crew I know you will unroot all of the unholyness from this ship and it will be done." Rose said while sitting up in her bed with tears of happiness.

"The children"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

"Yes it is very very bad indeed." Counselor Semanka agreed with his colleague.

Ensign Grensii glanced at Prabhat as the two counselors walked apprehensively through the corridors of the ship.

"At first we were unsure what was happening." Tamaria started, "But now it's obvious that our people are being attacked by the visitors." She stated as they walked past some observation portals that showed a good view of the stars streaking by the ship as she traveled at warp 8 for the end of the galaxy. Pointing a thumb out at the passing stars, she added, "And having us headed for heaven knows where hasn't helped tensions on the ship either."

"Yes, yes. I agree completely with your concerns counselor." Prabhat stated in his Eastern accent.

"That is why Counselor Dallas has asked us to go check on the children. They are sure to be frightened with all the recent events. We will need to put their concerns to rest and help keep them calm." Tamaria explained.

"That will be no small task for sure. The children will likely be very very frightened already." Counselor Semanka pointed out.

"That's why we want to get there and let the children know everything is under control." Tamaria reminded.

The two counselors rounded the curved corridor and where just a few meters away from where the children's facility was located. In their haste to get to their destination, Counselor Grensii lost her grip on the game cards she'd brought to help entertain the children with. Playing games with adults was a wonderful way for children to bond in a fun way. "Oh pooh." Tamaria declared as the cards went sliding across the floor.

"Oh my. That was very clumsy of you Counselor." Prabhat stated expressing his empathy for the Ensign rather then making a slight on her mistake.

"It's okay. I can get these." Tamaria said while bending over to get the cards and stack them back in the deck.

"Please, I will help you with that." Prabhat stated, dropping to his knees as if he were about to pray.

"No, I can get this Prabhat. Why don't you go ahead and let the children know I will be there shortly. They need to see an adult and know that everything is going to be okay." Counselor Grensii insisted.

"Are you sure Counselor? I mind not helping." Counselor Semanka asked.

"Quite sure Prabhat." Tamaria smiled. "Go on, I'll be in in a jiffy."

"Very well. We will be awaiting your arrival with great anticipation." Counselor Semanka stated while standing and then heading into the children's facility on board the ship.

Tamaria watched as the counselor left the corridor to see to the children. Returning her attention at the hundreds of game cards sprawled out on the deck, she began to quickly gather them up into piles, only pausing long enough to organize them all in the proper direction. While working at gathering the cards, a strange sort of cool breeze seemed to pass over the back of the counselor's neck. Ensign Grensii straightened up, still kneeling on her knees. It was almost a sixth sense that told her she was not alone. Turning slowly, she saw a handsome Starfleet Officer walking towards her. She didn't recognize him, but he was quite handsome.

"Hello." She smiled.

"Good evening counselor." Vlad smiled. The Sanguinarian stood just a couple feet away from the kneeling Counselor Grensii who gazed up at him with puppy-love eyes. "You seem to have had a spot of trouble. My I be permitted to... help you?"

Blushing slightly, Tamaria nodded. "Sure. That would be nice."

Vlad knelt down next to the counselor and gathered a handful of the cards. His long fingers easily collected a bunch in a skillful sweep, stacking them neatly in his palm as if he were a card-sharp working a Ferengi casino. Tamaria watched and was impressed with the officer's precision. When he reached out and grabbed her hand to place the cards in her palm, she couldn't help but look up into his eyes.

"You have such a beautiful face counselor..."

"Grensii. Counselor Grensii." Tamaria responded.

"Grensii. Vot an interesting name." Vlad smiled.

"Thank you." Tamaria replied, looking away and at some more cards she'd collected. "I was on my way to see the children and let them know everything is going to be okay when I dropped these cards."

"Vell, no harm done. Ve shall collect them and then you vill be on your vey." Vlad stated with a generous amount of charm.

"I don't believe I've seen you around the ship before..." the counselor noted making small talk. It was obvious that she was attracted to the dashing officer.

"I have only recently transferred on board this vessel." Vlad smiled while collecting more of the cards.

"Come over from Starbase 114?" Tamaria asked.

"Exactly correct counselor." Vlad agreed.

"Please, call me Tamaria." She stated looking back into his eyes.

Vlad reached out and cupped the Ensign's face in his hands gently. "I am pleased to meet your acquaintance." The Sanguinarian responded. Then without making the expected introduction, he instead asked. "Tell me Tamaria, Vye vere you headed to see the children vith these game cards?"

"Oh. Well with all that is happening on board the ship, Counselor Dallas thought it would be best if someone spent some time with the children to keep them calm." Counselor Grensii explained. She then smiled, "We don't want them giving into their fears and thinking there are unstoppable, monstrous vampires walking about the ship."

Vlad returned the Counselor's smile. "Vye vould ve vant that?"

***

"Please if I can have your attention kind children." Counselor Semanka asked the rambunctious group of children who were running around the ward making all sorts of playing noises. Clapping his hands, Prabhat had more luck. "It would be most gracious if you would all come and sit down here on the carpet. I have an important announcement I would like to make to you all."

The children finally began to settle down, slowly taking some seats on the carpet while looking at the tall, thin Starfleet Officer who wore a funny hat wrap around his head.

"Thank you very much children. My name is Counselor Semanka. I have come here today to spend some time with you all and answer any questions you may be having."

Some of the children began to giggle. Then one little boy asked, "Why are you wearing that hat?"

Reaching above his head, Prabhat touched his turban. "It is a symbol of my faith. It is a traditional headdress of my people. Think of it as a symbol like the earrings that the Bajoran people wear."

More giggles were heard in the crowd of sitting children. "Why are you so tall?"

"I am very fortunate to share my parents attributes for great height." Prabhat answered with a smile.

"Why are you really here?" one child asked.

Before the Counselor could answer, another youth answered. "He's here to warn us about the wampires that are eating everyone on the ship!"

"Nuh-awe!"

"It's true! I heard Mommy and Daddy talking about the monsters that are on the ship. They sound scary..." one little girl said while grabbing onto her teddy bear and pulling it close to herself in a tight hug.

"Now children, please please let me speak on this." Counselor Semanka stated while waving his hands to regain their focus. "What this young man has said about there being vampires on the ship is not true. Part of the reason I have been sent here today is to dismiss your fears that there are evil monsters roaming about the ship." Prabhat stated in a tone so convincing, he had captivated the young audience completely. "I assure you young people, there are no such things as monsters."

Almost before Counselor Semanka finished the sentence, the door to the corridor swished open and the bloody body of counselor Grensii came hurdling in. Tamaria's body landed in a thump on the deck, rolling from the momentum of the throw and knocking over a bunch of building blocks that happened to be in the way.

Immediately all of the children began to scream and panic. Looking at the door, they all watched as the wicked, demon-like form of Lord Vlad came walking in. He was no longer sporting the appearance of a Starfleet Officer as he's used with Tamaria moments earlier. Now he appeared to be a sort of hideous, winged demon. Stomping into the children's center, Vlad straightened up after crouching through the tiny entrance way and extended to his full, ominous height.

"Oh my. This is very very bad indeed..." Counselor Semanka managed before Vlad turned and swatted the Easterner aside like he was a mere insect.

Shear panic ensued as the children ran, stumbled, crawled, or otherwise scrambled to get away from the evil monster that was bellowing and screeching and flapping it's huge wings in the ward.

"YOU WILL ALL DIE WHEN THE TIME COMES. YOUR BLOOD WILL BE SAVORED AND SHALL NURISH ME. I SHALL USE YOUR TINY BONES TO PICK MY TEETH WHEN I AM THROUGH RIPPING YOUR FLESH FROM YOUR PATHETIC BODIES." Vlad bellowed in an intimidating, demonic voice.

The children were traumatized. Those that were not still scrambling to get away or hide in any corner of the play center were petrified with fear.

In the corner, where Counselor Semanka had been flung to in a heap, Prabhat struggled to remain conscious long enough to activate his comm badge.

With a gentle chirp, the Counselor's communicator activated, drawing the attention of the demon-like Sanguinarian.

"Security emergency in the children's center. One of the visitors is attacking the children..." Prabhat managed to say before Vlad took two steps over, made a fist and slammed it into the counselor, delivering a crushing, demonic blow and sending him into unconsciousness.

"YOU DARE DEFY ME!!" Vlad bellowed before turning back to intimidate and terrify the children some more.

"Melvin Frohike, Man of Action"
by Ensign John Fitzgerald Byers,
Ensign Melvin Frohike, Ensign Richard Ringo Langly and Ensign Jimmy Bond (All NPC's)
--------------------------------------------------------

Entering the shared quarters, Frohike removed the hidden microphone and headed over to where Byers, Langly and Jimmy had been working. Since they were under time-pressure, he had left the bridge quickly while somebody's greasy pig charged around the bridge. It reminded him about that time that one of the engineers had smuggled a targ aboard and then let it blow up the aft torpedo bay.

"Good work, Frohike. Now that we have some more information, it seems to me like it is time we do some of our own investigations."

"Did you hear how that Trill crackpot suggested that idea about body tags? Before you know it, they will become regular equipment and finally, everyone in the Federation will be tagged."

"Maybe, but right now, we have more important things. Once things settle down, we can investigate. Jimmy, I'll leave you in charge of contacting that medical doctor who came along yesterday."

Frohike spoke up, "Byers, that woman has something suspicious going on.. She spotted me in the meeting and I reckon she will hold that over us."

"We can deal with it later. But she did have a good idea about the garlic. Langly, see if you can get into the Security systems and keep abreasts of how the tracking is going. Frohike, see if you can think of a way to crush things very quickly. Meanwhile, Jimmy, see how much garlic you can replicate while I help Frohike."

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

Ten minutes later...

Jimmy carried in the last of the twelve buckets filled with garlic, "Is this enough, guys?"

Byers and Frohike looked up and from behind, Byers could hear Langly trying not to laugh.

"Certainly, Jimmy. Now, I want you to go to the ship's chapel on Deck 12 and fill one of the empty antimatter-containers over there with holy water. Before you do, bring one of those over here and empty it in here."

Once the hopper was full and Jimmy had left to collect holy water, Frohike pushed an empty bucket under the other end and pressed a button. The garlic rolled in and gears started moving.

After a minute, a bright yellow paste started squirming out. As everyone started grabbing for something to block their noses, Langly gasped,

"Geezus, that's vile, Byers."

After he had covered his nose, Byers replied, "Assuming Lt Murphy's suggestion works, this should help."

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

Walking down the corridor in a full enviromental suit, Frohike felt the weight of the squirt gun full of diluted garlic paste & he was carrying that was attached to the ammo backpack and readied himself.

According to the last reported medical records, one paitent had been found near here.

Looking in shadows, Frohike was about to step forward when the back of his neck prickled.

Turning, he saw a flash of black before he went flying, hitting a bulkhead and sliding down onto his back.

He felt a strong grip on the front of his suit and felt himself being lifted up into the air.

Looking out the visor, he gulped when he realised he was looking into the face of Lord Vlad.

"Aiiiiee!! Guys, I just found the bad one, and he's lifted me off the ground."

Langly's voice came over the comm channel, [Quick, kick him in the nuts!]

Shrugging as much as he could, Frohike did so and yelped when his foot collided with a hard metal crotchpiece.

Byer's voice of reason came over next, [Frohike, use the garlic paste. Jimmy, go and help him.]

Hoping that the backpack wasn't leaking all his ammo, he squeezed the trigger and sprayed the disgusting vile liquid around the place.

He was rewarded by an unearthly shriek that quickly rushed away from him.

After Frohike sat up as Jimmy came around the corner, he spoke into his combadge,

"Hey, guys! I think that worked. Maybe we should let Security know?"

Over the channel, Langly's voice replied, "Nah, they will try to find some way to blame us for it. Jimmy, make sure he has a bath before he comes back here."

Slidding in the garlic-water paste that was now oozing into the nice carpet, Frohike got his balance with Jimmy's help, and they headed down the corridor. Once out of the stench, Frohike broke the seal and took a good deep breath of air.

Getting out of the suits, the pair carried the tank and spray gun down the corridor, Frohike in the lead.

From behind, he stopped suddenly when he heard Jimmy say, "Hey, what does this do?"

Spinning, he was just in time to see Jimmy turn the red lever as he screamed, "Noooo!".

As if being sprayed out by 10 atmospheres of pressure, the tank quickly emptied itself in a 360 degree circle.

Byer's anxious voice came over the combadge, [What happened?]

"Jimmy just activated the tank release lever."

[Ohh. Langly, time to break out the ten-foot scrubbing pole and pegs.]

Over the combadge, Byers could the sound of angry screaming as Frohike started chasing after Jimmy.

NRPG: Takes place before "Planning"

"A Favor"
by Commander Karyn Elizabeth Dallas, Second Officer/Chief Counselor
and Lt. Commander Elaithin Jii, Chief of Security

As Elaithin and Zonhieb left the ready room and headed for the turbolift, the pair were joined by the ship's Second Officer, Counselor Dallas.

"'Commander, a moment of your time, please." Dallas asked of him.

The Bajoran turned to the significantly larger Gorn and addressed him. "Seth, go on ahead. Get started on assembling a team for our little bait and switch plan we have here. I'll catch up."

Zonheib merely nodded, and squeezed his bulk through into the turbolift.

Amazing, Jii thought. Two years and the man still intimidates the hell out of me. Well, maybe it's the fact that he could snap me in two with his teeth. he thought, before focusing his attention on the Counselor. "What can I do for you, Karyn?" he asked.

The first thing that struck Karyn was that the six foot three security officer was not smiling in his customary manner. She could rarely recall a time - other than a crisis situation, and sometimes not even then - when the man always had a ready smile.

Karyn was tempted to ask him what was bothering him first since she noticed the behavior change earlier in the meeting and now face to face, but she decided to get business out of the way first. "I wanted to talk to you about getting Lt. Mitchell released from the brig and confined to quarters. PO Lomax as you know has charged Mitchell with attempted rape, and while I'm loathe to see that kind of crime go with a slap on the wrist, I also have come to suspect the behavior was the result of psychic manipulation by our guests. If I had the slightest inkling James posed a threat, I wouldn't ask, but at this point I think brig time is doing more harm than good and until I know for certain what happened, I don't want to take that risk."

As she asked, the two officers entered the turbolift. Jii ordered it to Deck 38 before folding his arms over his chest and leaning against that wall. Prophets, he still felt a bit woozy. Blood transfusions are fine and all...put loosing a pint can really take it out of a man.

" I don't really have a problem with that, Counselor." he stated. "I'm normally a very understanding guy. I've read the incident reports submitted by Petty Officer Lomax, and my own officers. Scans from Mitchell's depositions show that they're both telling the truth. I'm inclined to give the Lieutenant the benefit of the doubt - especially given your thoughts on the matter. I'll see to his release right away. Believe me, I prefer it when my Brig when it's empty. Less paperwork that way. But we Security Officers tend have a black and white perspective on right and wrong. You should probably know that I'll be pushing, at the most, for a general court-martial of Doctor Sansky. At the very least, some form of severe punishment. Rules exist for a reason, because without them, civilizations means Nothing. When those rules are broken - for example, the moment you attack another sentient being for anything other than self-defense - then I've got no problem with locking someone back up until they can be dealt with properly."

Karyn paused for a moment, sensing there was something else besides justice on his mind. She felt weird about calling him by his first name, but at the same time didn't want to be too formal, so she opted for something in between. "Chief, are you all right? You don't seem yourself. Is there something I can help you with?" Perhaps he just needed permission to open up about what was bothering him.

Elaithin consdered it for a moment. "Computer, hold lift." he said. "Counselor, are you a religous woman?"

"Kinda," Karyn answered honestly. "I'm in between faiths at the moment." She smiled, trying to put Elaithin more at ease. He was usually one of the first to laugh at her jokes, but not today.

"I am. My faith means a lot to me The Prophets guide our lives. In my culture, they are what you would call God. And the valta wraiths - I'm sorry, the Sanguinarians are simply evil beings. Just like the Borg." Again, almost imperceptibly, the artificial hand twitched at the mention of the cyborg monsters. "But...how can the Prophets, or any God, for that matter, allow such beings to exist? It flies in the face of everything I believe in!"

"Jii, this isn't the first time you've encountered and dealt with evil in your Starfleet career, I know. What happened between you and the Sanguinarians? What's going on with you now? How is this different from all the other times? Talk to me."

It was a crisis of faith that Karyn didn't have the slightest clue how to handle at the moment having been caught so off-guard at the moment. She sensed it was more than that anyway. She wasn't blind to the fact that he had been through some rough times as of late.

"It's...I don't know. Before, I could always deal with it. My faith kept me strong. I thought...I KNEW the Prophets allowed everything for a reason. But lately...there was Madame Kiye, who proved without a doubt that faith is not always a good thing then the Borg...now, mythological bloodsuckers are availing themselves on the crew. It seems like the only good news I've had in months is the fact that my sister isn't dead - and that's some great news, don't get me wrong. Maybe it's just too much at once."

"That's definately possible." Dallas replied. "I think you should consider how you felt on everything before. I'm no preacher, but it seems to me that now would be the time you need your faith the most." There was obviously a lot more that needed to be said, but unfortunately as Senior Officers in the middle of a crisis, time was not a luxury they had. More than likely he just needed to vent, as even the most faithful among them questioned the way of things when there was so much pain and suffering in the universe.

As her words sank in, a slow dawning came upon the Bajoran. Perhaps she was right. Perhaps the Prophets were merely testing them. "Perhaps you're right. After all...everything happens for a reason." Not wanting to talk about his personal life more, Elaithin ordered the lift to resume its course, and changed the subject. "I should let you know, Counselor O'Grady's volunteered to help out against the Sanguinarians in any way he can. He seems to be preferring more of my line of work of late. What's your opinion on that?"

"I think you're right," she answered with a sharpness she hadn't intended to relate to him, "apparently, somewhere along the line he got it in his head he can't do much good in the department he's assigned to, but if you want my honest opinion, his head isn't anywhere it needs to be professionally. Case in point, this meeting was mandatory for all the senior counselors, but as you could see, he wasn't here when I needed him to be. I know you're familiar with the family situation because Rayna is one of your officers, and I want to be sympathetic to that, but if he can't do the job he's in now..."

Her voice trailed off. It wasn't just the meeting. For weeks, Mike had been out of touch, often leaving before his shift was over without permission. Mike was a good counselor when he put his heart and effort into it, as was reflected in his promotion, but when she gave out orders, she couldn't be concerned about who was going to be on their game and who wasn't.

There was only so much of that Karyn was prepared to take, and after today, she knew she had reached her limit. Unfortunately, she had no time to go play shepherd to a lost sheep at the moment, especially to someone who had the kind of rank to know better. All of them wanted the 'prestige' that came with rank and title, but it was a select few who were actually prepared for the responsibility that came with it.

"I'm concerned about him, Jii, and yes, angry as well. When someone agrees to come and work with me, they not only make a promise to me, but they also commit themselves to this crew." She shook her head, "I don't have the time or the energy right now to play career counselor as well. I've done that too many times already. Just once I wish someone would come here and actually do what they agreed to do. It's your call, and maybe he will be a bit more focused this time around, but this is what it is now. Maybe he just needs to get the security bug out of his system for good, or maybe he's an adrenaline junkie, I don't know. I plan to speak to him as soon as this crisis is over, and just maybe I'll be able to see it coming if you decide to steal another from me."She smiled and added, "I'd like to put Lt. Commander Navarre with him as well. Someone in the field who actually attended the meeting should bring him up to speed."

Elaithin took in everything she was saying - he was also concerned for Mike, but on a personal level, as the man's friend."I agree." was all he really had to say. "I'd also appreciate it if you'd join us...."

"From Dusk Till Dawn"
Takes place before 'The Children'
by Ensigns Alia Drakely and Chuck Copperpot -----

As they cautiously sauntered down the deserted corridor, Alia tapped out a familiar rhythm against her leg with the otherwise useless wooden stake.

"So what the hell are you doing on the Galaxy?" Alia asked her friend with a slightly bemused smile, "The last I heard, you were posted to Deep Space 6."

Chuck laughed a little. "That was, uh," he stopped a moment to count in his head, "four assignments ago. No, wait, five."

"Good old reliable Chuck Copperpot," Alia said, dripping with sarcasm. "What did you do?"

"Nothing at all, I promise you," Chuck said. "It was simply a misunderstanding."

"Uh huh," she said, eyeing him suspiciously.

"I let a Romulan prisoner out of his cell," Chuck finally confessed. "He was helping me translate a copy of 'The Stoic' in the original Vulcan."

The two laughed, Chuck commenting on how most Starfleet officers were "a lot of illiterates and uncultured bafoons." There was a long moment of silence between them. Chester looked over at her,

"What's on your mind?" he asked.

"Oh, you know, just the same old thing, like how I've spent the day trying to shove a stake through a Lord's heart, and was then extremely disappointed when he didn't explode into dust or something, because that is what is generally expected from any decent Vampire - which, incidentally, I don't believe in."

"How about looking at it logically for a minute - under the assumption that they are vampires." He smiled the smile that got him thrown off of quite a few ships.

Alia ignored what she was sure was a dig in his voice,

"Be my guest."

"Well, phasers don't work on them."

"Nope."

"Or wooden stakes."

"Nope."

"So what else is there? A cross?"

"He definitely caught sight of my pendant during our last encounter, and I'm pretty sure he came in to contact with it. It didn't seem to bother him at all." she said shaking her head.

"Pendant?"

Alia pulled out a necklace from where it had been hidden under the neck of her uniform, making sure she securely put it back.

"So how about holy water?" Chester continued his list.

"Chuck, we are on a starship, where the hell did you intend to get holy water from?"

Chester fell silent in thought for a moment before looking back at Alia with an astute smile,

"You're a religious person aren't you?"

"Yes..." Alia answered warily.

"Strong faith?"

"As strong as it has ever been, but what has that...Oh dear, you're not thinking what I think you're thinking are you?"

"Come on, think about it, you bless the water, we use it as a weapon. Nothing else has worked so far, what have we got to lose?"

"All chances of ever being in *his* good books for a start! I'm just a mere follower, not a minister of any kind, I can't bless the water!"

"Well, do you have any bright ideas?"

Alia was silent for a moment before answering in a conceding tone,

"You're crazy, you know that?"

"That's the spirit, come on." He picked up the pace as he led them towards his quarters to pick up the so called supplies that they would need.

********

She felt totally ridiculous. In fact, she was sure that she had never felt so ridiculous in her life. There they were, Drakely and Copperpot, the great representatives of the Galaxy, prowling the corridors ready to confront a murderer - with a paper thin glass sphere filled with 'holy' water, and a string of garlic bulbs.

Oh yes, a foreboding sight indeed, Alia striding along holding a suspiciously harmless looking ball, and Chester next to her, with the string of garlic slung round the back of his neck from were she had managed to persuade him to wear it - If she had the ludicrous task of blessing water, he wasn't going to get away without looking as equally absurd. But then a thought suddenly occurred to Alia,

"How come I get lumbered with the damned water as a weapon, and you get the thing that supposedly keeps the bastards from going anywhere near you?"

"Hey, I'm a shooter, not a fighter." Chester replied with a small shrug of the shoulders.

"You know, Chuck, sometimes I wonder why, out of all the possibilities in the universe, you decided to become a security officer."

"Well, it gives me an endless amount of tedious hours, during which I can read to my heart's content. What more could I ask for?"

Alia was about to counter when she saw the lone figure of Lord Vlad approaching them up ahead. His being alone was one thing in their favour, at least.

"I guess it's our lucky day." Alia muttered to Chuck.

"Shallow men believe in luck," he said, quoting Emerson and suddenly finding himself gripping the garlic as though it were the world's most deadly weapon.

"Ah, Alia and Chester." Lord Vlad drawled as he came to a halt a mere foot away in front of them. The addressed officers gave each other a slightly bewildered, but highly wary look.

The Lord took up Alia's hand, lifting it to brush his lips across the back, and then studied Alia's family emblem that was tattooed there.

"You are of the Drakely House I see." The Lord stated.

Alia refused to let her surprise show,

"What of it?" she asked with the somewhat defensive lifting of her head, pulling her hand back.

"I used to be acquainted with them. Even back then the Drakely women were nothing but trouble."

"I assure you, sir, not much has changed," Chester added. It was a wisecrack, but he was strangely serious in its delivery. Vlad smiled and began to respond before he was cut off.

"Enough! You are under arrest."

"I think not," he smiled.

Alia had been ready for the heavy swipe of his arm that his attack commenced with, and ducked accordingly. Coming back up, she looked at the ball in her hand. 'Here goes nothing' she thought to herself as she hurled it at the Lord, the ball shattering nicely and pouring it's contents over his face.

Nothing. Not even a scratch from the glass on his fair skin.

Alia lifted her eyes upwards,

"Give us a break!"

Vlad's hands shot out and clamped around her neck. As he drove her back against the wall with painful force, he said,

"When will you cattle learn that your toys are useless against us?"

Alia had to fight down the on set of panic as Vlad began to apply pressure to her throat.

She could have showered her god with thanks when she vaguely saw Chester move stealthily behind the Lord - until she realised what he was doing. He had a garlic bulb ready and waiting in his hand.

If Alia had been able to talk at that moment, she probably would have repeated the Lord's earlier statement, 'When will you cattle learn that our toys are useless against them.'

Chester rammed the garlic into Vlad's mouth. It was only there momentarily before falling to the floor, but it was more than long enough.

Lord Vlad's eyes widened with shock as his hands recoiled from Alia's throat with impressive rapidity. His expression could only be described as one of complete repulsion. Vlad spun and fixed his ice cold gaze on Chester, who impressively did not flinch when most others would. The Lord audibly growled before turning and quite literally dissipating to an unknown location.

Chester offered a hand down to Alia, who had slumped down to the floor to regain her breath.

"Thank you." She said as she gratefully pulled herself up.

"You're most welcome." He replied with a slight bow of the head that made her smile. "So I guess we can cross holy water off the list."

"I told you," she said, shaking her head and smiling. "Holy water indeed."

Chester's reply was cut off by Alia's commbadge.

"Elaithin to Drakely. Report to the security office."

She hit her commbadge. "Aye, Commander, I'm on my way." She closed the comm and looked to Chester. "Well, it seems I'm needed elsewhere."

Chuck bowed slightly in a stately manner. "A pleasure as always, m'lady," he said in a poor British accent.

"Oh, please," she said, laughing and turning to walk away. "I'll talk to you later."

"Here," he said, flipping a bulb of garlic over he shoulder and into her hands. "You might need this."

Love Hurts, I know.

Lieutenant Jg Todd Sansky
Medical Doctor

NPC Nathan Carrington

Nathan returned to his quarters and sat in front of his computer display.

"Computer open a channel to Deep Space 3, to Admiral Margaret Carrington."

=/\= Working. =/\= The computer processed Nathan's request as he wandered to the replicator to get a drink. Just as he sat down the image of his mother flashed on the screen.

"Nathan, its good to see you, what can

I do for my favourite son?"

"I have a request mom," he shifted uneasily in his chair as he hugged his glass, "its Todd."

"Oh, from your face I know I'm not going to like this "request" am I, how is Todd, still looking after you if he?"

"Hes in the Galaxy's brig!" Admiral Carrington sighed and rested back in her chair rolling her eyes.

"Request denied."

"Mom you don"t even know what I want yet."

"Son I'm not stupid, you want me to contact Captain Price and order him to release your hot headed boyfriend. Well the answer is no. What did he do?"

"He assaulted an officer and broke out of the brig." Nathan grimaced as he saw his mother react.

"He did what! Well I must say I'm not surprised Price has him behind a force field. If I was captain I would have him sent in an escape pod back to the nearest starbase." Margaret chuckled.

"You do know Price has a reputation for being a hard taskmaster, Todd sure did rattle the wrong cage. Well my dear I do admire your loyalty to that lover of yours but I'm not going to intervene."

"Please mom you have to do something, it's not the first time you have used your influence to help me out."

"That was different Nat, you were only 12 years old and that soccer coach was a fool for not letting you on the team. No no no! If you like I can check into transfers for Todd if he still has a career in Starfleet. If he doesn't we could always use a good bartender on the starbase. I will speak to you soon darling. Carrington out." Nathan was about to talk when the screen went dead. He cursed as he stormed out the room.

Standing at the door to the Brig the guard let him in. He walked over to Todd's cell and saw the man of his dreams lying on the floor. Seeing Nathan he sat up and smiled.

"Back again? I thought you would have moved on by now to someone better."

"Don't be daft, I have the best there is, even if you do have a temper." Todd looked grim with anger.

"A temper? I don't have a temper, I was just saving your ass. Perhaps I should have left you to the tender mercies of Vlad, you seemed to be having the time of your life in bed with him."

"What the hell is wrong with you today, you know I was under his mind control." Todd stood up and hit the bulkhead with his fist.

"I'm sorry babe, I know you were, I'm just sick of staring at these grey walls and listening to that ugly security guard bang on about Greek mythology."

"Well why don't you get him to drop the forcefield and beat the punk to shit." They both started to laugh. The guard heard and rested his hand on his phaser. When the guys say this they laughed even more.

"Don't worry Chuckles you don't have to show off your manliness." Nathan touched his crotch.

"Want to see my manliness." Todd groaned in pleasure.

"Phwaor babe don't get me excited or I will have to sort myself out later and Chuckles will go blind!" They continued to laugh for awhile. Nathan was the first to speak.

"You know, I do appreciate what you did for me and I feel I have to repay you."

"Wait till I get out then you can repay me all night long sexy."

"I have contacted my mother to see if she can get you released. She cant."

"I thought the admiral would have that response, can't blame her though."

"She will see you get a decent transfer if you are still in Starfleet after Price is through with you."

"Well who knows, we could always just leave everything and get married."

"What, you really are horny today aren't you sexy."

"I mean it, I know we have only known each other a month or two but I still want you to be with me forever. You need time I know you do." Nathan smiled.

"I need no time at all. The answer is yes you love struck fool. I just want to kiss you and shag you here and now, shall we educate chuckles over there." The two laughed until Nathan was told he had to go.

"I will visit as soon as I can babe."

"I"m not going anywhere babe."

Nathan walked to the door before glancing one last time at Todd.

"Todd when you get out I'm going to marry you, you're not getting out of it now." He winked and left the room much happier than he was when he entered. Despite the current situation he knew they would work it out.

"Planning"
by Lt. Cdr. Elaithin, Lt. Cdr O'Grady, Lt cdr. Shinta Navarre-Maxwell, Lt. Zonheib, Lt. Mitchell, Dr. Jamieson, Dr. Murphy, Lt. (j.g.) Quevvenson and Ens. Drakely

"....and I'd appreciate it if you'd join us, Karyn. I could use your help apprehending the Sanguinarians. It's time for this ship to work as a team. Running around run by one, like cluckers with our heads chopped off, isn't going to get us any where." Elaithin said. Their conversation appeared to have done a lot of good for the Bajoran. He felt renewed, with a purpose even.

"I agree." Dallas replied, grinning. "And, Jii? It's chicken, not cluckers."

"Like I'm familiar with every Terran saying." the Chief of Security replied, and then tapped his commbadge. "Elaithin to Security. Have Lieutenant Mitchell released and have him report to the Security office. Elaithin out."

"Thank you." Karyn said. "I'm going to pass, however. I'm headed back to the bridge."

"Fair enough."

Shortly, the Bajoran arrived in the Security Office. Mitchell was already waiting. Out of the crew, Seth had already selected Counselor O'Grady, Lt. Quevvenson, and Ensign Drakely to join them. Elaithin nodded approvingly, only thinking of one more department's help that they might need. He tapped his commbadge.

"Elaithin to Sickbay. Doctor Dothan, I could use the assisstance of some Doctors in capturing the Sanguinarians. Do you have two you can spare?"

"Well, 'Commander" Dothan came back, sounding just the least bit annoyed "I'm already understaffed as it is..."

"Doctor, with all respect, If you can get me some Doctors, I can keep these people from sending anymore bodies your way." Ellaithin responded.

"Can't argue with that, 'Commader. I'm sending Kira and Autumn your way. They'll be there momentarily."

Mike had gotten the mission summons again, this time it was on the ship, something to do with these vampires and getting rid of them, which was a good thing for him.

He still had to pin down his chief to see what his chances were of any more advancement on the Galaxy anyway, if it looked more negative he'd have more serious thinking to do about his career. Of course getting an appointment had been hard this mission.

Checking his uniform he headed to the muster point for the team.

Autumn got the summons as she was getting out of the shower. Cursing softly as she grabbed her uniform she got dressed quickly. "That would be right... just as I finish my shower." she muttered as she grabbed her uniform jacket and pulled it on. She left her long hair down as she didn't have time to pull it up and exited her quarters and headed to the Muster point.

Wilhem was also exiting the shower to get ready for his shift. Shaking his head softly, he got into his uniform, and headed off towards the Mustering point, bumping into Autumn along the way. "Any idea what this is about?" he asked her.

She shrugged and said "I believe the Phrase, 'Don't ask me I just work here,' is appopriate at this moment." She rounded the corner and entered the room.

Wilhem nodded. "Okay Love." And he entered the room behind her.

Shinta just finished seeing her last patient for the day, when she got a call from Karyn. Her boss explained that a small team of officers had come together to do something about the vampire problem. Karyn explained that she had new duties elsewhere, but that she wanted two counselors on the team.

"No problem, boss." Shinta said. "Just tell me where to go." These vampires where seriously starting to pis her off. So she went to her private safe and got out her knives. She did not know if it would do any good, but Shinta did not want to come unarmed. After arming herself, she left to join the group.

Moving along the corridor, Kira entered the area where she had been directed to and bumped into Seth as she wasn't looking where she was going..

Looking around, Kira realised that if they wanted to really attract the vampires, they would need to do something unusual.

"Hey, guys! I have an idea.. Maybe we could dress up like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Seth, you can be Grumpy. Autumn, Sleepy.. Lt Cmdr Elaithin, Doc.. Counselor Navarre, Happy.. Wil, you can be Bashful.. O'Grady, you can be Sneezy. And oh, sorry, Ensign, but you get to be Snow White. Sorry that it has lace."

Autumn rolled her eyes and said carefully "That's only six.. Who will you be?"

Kira grinned before replying, "Dopey."

Autumn turned and headed for the door "Thats it I am leaving. Dopey if you are going to sujest something make sure it doesn't invole dress up." She flashed a grin and stopped just inside the door. She wasn't really impressed with the idea at all. "Look I have an Idea.. why don't we just bait a trap? I mean I'll even volenteer for bait duty even... as long as Dopey is bait as well." she paused and looked at Kira "AND she looses that GARLIC! YUCK KIR! What the hell is that for?"

"Well, maybe you like getting bitten, but last time I was, I ended up chasing imaginary flamingos and getting dragged off the bridge, okay?"

Autumn just stared at her and sighed. "Kir somehow I don't think thats going to stop them.. and you know very well what happened when I got bitten.. and NO I didn't fucking Like it!" Her stance had gone from casual to downright defensive.

Moving over to Autumn, Kira put her hand on Autumn's shoulder and said, "I'm sorry.. I just don't know when to stop joking and I didn't mean to get you upset. Can you forgive me?" As she did, Kira did a sad puppy-dog face.

Autumn's anger melted away and she nodded. "Yeah forgiven Kir" she gave Kira a smile. She calmed herself down before Dallas had the bright idea to get her into couselling for anger and about the attack.

"Allright folks. Far be it from me to keep anyone from laughing, But we need to get serious here." Elaithin responded. "And honestly, the garlic's not a bad idea. The Sanguinarians do seem to be allergic to it."

Alia Drakely leant indifferently against a wall with her arms folded, watching the exchange between, Murphy was it? And Dr. Jamieson. Well, it seemed that Autumn was doing okay now, but Alia was still desperate to talk to her to check for herself. But she managed to restrain herself; it hadn't been long since the Doctor had been up and about, the last thing she needed was completely strangers bombarding her with questions.

Alia cast a slightly nervous eye around the room. Everyone here was more experienced than her, and they had the rank to prove it. Not that she doubted herself, it was just...well...

She stood properly and pulled herself up to her full height, "If I may? I think that Dr. Murphy had the right kind of idea." She paused and looked around the room checking for any objections before carrying on, "These...aliens...vampires...whatever you want to call them, may be many things, but they are not stupid. We're going to have to work very well indeed if we are to stop them from realising that something's afoot. If we can somehow appear to be doing something that will pique their curiosity, or perhaps even their arrogance, then it might overrule their judgement and get them to play along nicely."

Mike had been listening to the brainstorming and then asked, "well, what would get their attention, I mean we could leave someone alone on the holodeck, when but then only one would show up..." Kira chirped up again, protecting the back of her head in case Autumn decided to clout her this time,

"Maybe I'm still wacked out, but how about a can-can dance outside the holodeck? Everyone can wear tutu's. Seth, reckon we can find one big enough for you?"

Wisely, Kira also decided to hide behind Lt. Cdr. Elaithin, just in case Seth decided to eat her rather then make a comment.

Everyone else pretty much ignored the statement. That was when the Science Officer, Quevvenson, spoke up. "We've seen evidence that the creatures are partly non-corporeal. Would it be possible, somehow, to shunt them through the air filtration system?"

Murphy responded first. "What's to stop them from simply moving around the ducts once they're in there?"

O'Grady fielded that one. "Forcefields. We put them in as a changeling counter-measure during the Dominion War."

And with all of that, Elaithin felt a plan beginning to come together. Quickly, he began speaking - the Bajoran didn't want to loose any of it. "Okay, I've got an idea. We can set up a command through the computer to shunt the atmosphere from one section of the ship to another. A simple command routine done in OPS should get that set up. Mike, I want you to head to the OPS center, get that arranged. After you do that, join myself, Ensign Phauder, and Ensign Korps. We'll be on a sorft of crowd control, herding them towards a vent, and, after that, into the holodeck. After that, we get them in the area of the closest holodeck. Here's the thing - I want the holodecks to replicate blood. All over the room. That's our bait. We won't even need the Captain. The holodecks are essentially large, manipulated replicators. We leave the doors open, and essentially create a lake of blood in each of them. I'm talking big, here. Partically a pool. If the computer can make it smell fresh, all the better. If I'm right, once we've got them in the area, we get them in the holodeck, and disperse thier molecules from here to the gamma quadrant. We'll need to have people on hand to begin the program, and alert the transporter room as necessarry. Holodecks 1-4 are the only ones big enough for what we need. Shinta, Drakely, you take Holodeck One. Seth, take holodeck two. Mitchell, Murphy, I want you on transporter room three. It's right by Transporter Room two, so have the technician on duty there standing by for our transport order. Quevenson, Jamison, you're on 4."

They were nods all around. Then Ensign Drakely spoke up, spotting the flaw in the 'Commander's plan. "Sir, that will only work if we know where the vampires are....."

"Oh, pah wraiths." Elaithin muttered.

Then the solution presented itself.

[""Security emergency in the children's center. One of the visitors is attacking the children..." ] the call ended with a thud.

"Looks like we get to do this sooner than we thought. Everyone, move!. Get to those holodecks, get those programs running. Mike, get to OPS. Get the routing in the ventilation set up, and meet up with me. Phauder, Korps, you're with me." the 'Commander ordered, having already decided to head to the Children's Center himself......

"Love Hurts More Than I Care To Know"
by
Future Sexual Harassment Litigant, Ens. Chester Copperpot -----

Chuck Copperpot returned to his post in the brig after Alia left to report to Commander Elaithin. He sat quietly for a while, ignoring Dr. Sansky, and finished his reading. He checked his message box and found 47 messages concerning their visitors and vampires, and no fewer than five messages from Commander Elaithin explicitly instructing him not to leave the brig under any circumstances.

"Ah, well," Copperpot groaned. He checked his personal log - which he used as a record of books he was reading or planned to - and noticed that next up was 'Meditations' by Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus. Chuck had read it a dozen times over, but he never tired of it.

He was about to leave for his quarters to retrieve the book when his prisoner's significant other rejoined their gathering. He ignored their conversation mostly.

"I'm sorry babe, I know you were, I'm just sick of staring at these gray walls and listening to that ugly security guard bang on about Greek mythology."

"It's not mythology," Chuck spoke up. "It's literature. Although there is mention of mythology in it, I assure you the two concepts are quite far removed. The use of mythology in most ancient Greek literature is not so much in a religious context as a dramatic device...." Chuck noticed that he did not have the men's attention. He grumbled, and returned to his silence. "Ah, nevermind."

"Well why don't you get him to drop the forcefield and beat the punk to shit." They both started to laugh.

Chuck looked up from his station confused. The profanity struck him as especially odd. He was beginning to doubt that Dr. Sansky had ever read Aeschylus. The threat was grounds enough to remove the visitor and deny the prisoner access to others. Chester put his hand over his phaser before deciding to let it go. He unconsciously put his hand over his phaser, which was resting on the desk. The prisoner and his life partner laughed some more.

"Don't worry Chuckles you don't have to show off your manliness." Nathan touched his crotch.

Now that was sexual harassment, and - as the old Earth commercial went - Chester didn't have to take it.

"Odd, you gentlemen talking about manliness," Chester stood slowly.

"Want to see my manliness." Todd groaned in pleasure.

"Phwaor babe don't get me excited or I will have to sort myself out later and Chuckles will go blind!" They continued to laugh for awhile.

"That'll be about enough out of you two. I do so hate to rain on this effeminate parade, but you've got one minute to get out of here before I put you in the adjacent cell, Mr. Carrington." They finished their conversation, and Chuck returned to his blissful silence.

-----
-Justin
Ensign Chuck Copperpot

“To: Outside World, From: Sickbay.”
By Lieutenant jg. James Lionel Corgan
Delta Shift Operations Officer, USS Galaxy

Location: Sickbay (under quarantine until further notice)

The quarantine was going slowly into its second evening. Being either bored out of his mind waiting for something bad to happen, or caught up in the maelstrom that was the next load of Sanguinarian casualties, James tried his best to keep his head afloat in the chaos. He kept himself busy by carrying the newly wounded officers to what could be their deathbeds. Like cordwood, James and another orderly carried the patients to their biobeds, grimly keeping up their gloomy task until all the victims gained a place to recover. If there we no biobeds, they were moved to emergency bunks.

From James’ perspective, the situation in sickbay was getting desperate. He wanted to escape the moans of the stupor victims, to get out of the house of the dead in any way possible. He was healthy, for now, thanks to quick treatment and a curse of being able to live under dire circumstances. For all it was worth, he was dead weight. No medical experience, save for First Aid 101, restricted him to being the Grim Reaper once more. He was allowed to take his visitors to what could be their final resting place. No thought was darker than this.

Yet, his conscience (the real one, not the voice) gave him a pang of guilt every time he stared at the doors. If he walked out to seek Lady Lilith, he would be abandoning people who needed his help. The patients needed help getting to biobeds, as much of an unglorious task as it was, and the guards in sickbay could use an extra hand protecting the wounded from the Sanguinarians. To go out on a selfish hunt would be foolish, and then there was Lexa. He was afraid to leave her alone, knowing what Lilith threatened to do to her if he took matters into his own hands.

~”Don’t you just love this? It feels like home.”~ The Archangel of Death, one of Corgan’s many unique voices, whispered.

~”Shut up.”~ James objected as he lugged an unconscious science officer in a fireman’s carry.

~”Come off it. You have to admit, the irony of it all is rather enjoyable from my point of view. Think of it a minute, here you are, griping about death and how you’ve witnessed it all during the years, and here you are again, watching the brave people die while you can’t do much more than drag them around and give them neurozine. How does it feel?”~

~”It feels like sh*t. Leave me alone.”~

He swung the unconscious officer onto the last of the vacant biobeds. Doctors milled like ants around the bed, jabbing, scanning and injecting all manners of drugs. One doctor grimaced as he stuck a needle into the man’s arm. The doctor slapped a new cartridge of blood into the transfusion machine; Bolian type B. It was the last of the human compatible blood available.

~”Look at that doctor for a moment. You see what he put in? It’s Bolian, vintage Lt. Chran or Ensign Chogal. You know they need blood badly when they’re using Bolian on humans. What do you think will happen when all the Bolian blood is out?”~ Death asked.

~”I think they will ask for volunteers. While I’m here, I should donate a pint or two. After being drained like I did before, I’m sure I can handle it.”~ James replied.

~”They wouldn’t. You know as well as I do that they wouldn’t tap you, not after receiving blood yourself. No, they’ll look for human donations that haven't been tapped, and when they run out of those, they’ll try to synthesize the blood. Eventually, sickbay is going to run out of blood. What do you think will happen then?”~

~”They will die…”~

~”Exactly. Just think of the gruesomeness that will happen. Whatever blood is left in the dead will be extracted for the living. The doctors will have to pick who lives, and who dies. Soon enough, even that won’t stop whatever it is that’s draining people’s blood. We’re all going to be phased out like cattle in the abattoir. If you’re lucky, you could be the sole survivor, and have the privilege of walking a field littered with the corpses of your comrades. You would be a walking self-fulfilling prophesy. You witness everyone die all around you, just as I and you said before.”~

~”You lie. I’m sick of seeing death everywhere. I want it to stop.”~

~”You can’t escape your destiny, James. I’ll make sure of it. Caio!”~

James collapsed to his knees for a minute of indecisiveness. Being lost in the thoughts of what lie around him, hearing the words of his death obsessed personality ring in his ears like red alert klaxon made his soul shutter inwardly. Perhaps he was right, Corgan reasoned, that his life was traveling through one slaughterhouse after the other. As one of the lucky little cattle, James made quick friends with the other damned livestock, then watched as the cruel, unseen butchers carved his brethren up to be divided by sick and perverted sadists. It was as if the nameless, faceless spirits watching James enjoyed his reactions to the wanton amounts of death being constantly encountered. It was a macabre performance that its lead actor Corgan did not enjoy.

Lemur’s emotionless face stared at Corgan’s blank and farseeing eyes. He came to the conclusion that James was fatigued from hours of sickbay duty.

“I suggest you take a break, Lieutenant.” Lemur suggested in typical Vulcan coldness, “I do not suggest you over exert yourself. I also suggest you take advantage of the current lull in sickbay activity.”

James snapped out of it and answered the Vulcan, “Sure, why not? Got a replicator?”

“To your left, three point eight nine meters ahead of you.” Lemur stuck to his Vulcan stereotype of answering every question in exact detail.

“Thank you.”

The mentally confused Lieutenant strolled to the replicator, distraught from the last thoughts to invade his psyche. Death was a common theme in his life. The universe was never short of tragic ways for other people to die. Then, how come he survived all sorts of tragic endings for many people in a job where he picked the riskiest vocation alive; Security officer, and later picked a job where he had to wear a uniform color rumored to attract death like a moth to a flame. So many times, he braved burning disruptor wounds, knife slashes and vampire’s kisses, and somehow he lived. He was sick of the toying. If he was going to die, he should die instead of wading through more death.

He made it to the replicator. His head spun and ached. It wasn’t too long ago that he received a blood transfusion, so he was still weak from his last attack.

“Computer… one Galaxy special, and a glass of Terran cow milk.” He groaned. The words for milk sounded queer, but he knew how specific the replicators wanted their instructions, unless he wanted to end up with Cordi Placenta Parasite Blood Milk.

“Acknowledged.” The computer chirruped. The next moment, a plate of French fries, some ketchup, and a tuna sandwich on rye bread swirled to life, along with a glass of milk. He looked forward to the meal. It got his mind somewhat off the thoughts of death, and he heard so much about the tuna sandwich legend that he had to try it. He grabbed his meal and took a seat at one of the medical desks. ~”The doctors aren’t using them right now.”~ He thought as he took a bite from the sandwich, ~”Not bad.”~

Death crept back into his consciousness with each bite from the ‘Sam Wej’. In a more positive light, he started to think to himself. It was not so much as random thoughts to distract the thinker of distressing thoughts. Instead, he decided to do something about it. Even if he was to witness a lot of killing, even if he had to be a bad luck omen for the entire crew, and even if he was still disturbed by all he witnessed, he could not let it go further. Sickbay was filling up fast, and as an officer he couldn’t stand idle.

Then there was Lilith and Vlad, the rumoured ‘vampires’ terrorizing the ship. Lilith made it clear that it was she saw in his dreams, taking the form of Lexa and violating the core of his being with her fleshly charms. Then, the vampiress confessed Lord Vlad partaking in some sick game with Electra Reece. It was clear in her voice, like her claims, that James was no match for the two Sanguinarians. Eventually, the vampires knew they would have their way. No security officer, no matter how good, could single-handedly turn the tide of the slaughter.

Even if he were to go out and exact revenge for what they did, how were people like T’Lan and Lexa going to fare without his help. The Vulcan woman with the induced Pon’farr was marked as Lord Vlad’s prey for the few days she had left to live through the blood fever.

On the other hand, was there a way? A bright idea hit his head. If he left sickbay, two people would be the victims of the vampire’s aggression. If he stayed in sickbay, the two vampires would gather more victims for sickbay to treat until it exhausted itself. Therefore, he had to find a way to reach officers from the outside and tell them of their current situation. Lilith mentioned not to contact Lt.Wilhem Quevvenson or Dr. Autumn Jamison. For some reason, Lilith saw the two mentioned persons as threats.

“How were they threats?” He wondered, recalling any memory of the Science officer

-Lt Wilhelm Quevvenson (see strange people)
-Comes from a world stuck in the past
-Heavy into medieval equivalent mysticism
-Girlfriend: Dr. Autumn Jamison
-Friend: Lt. Rose Allan MacIssac (see psychics beware)
-Rumored to have weapons collection.

“I guess I can understand why they’d consider him an annoyance, but a threat? Well… I guess if we’re dealing with something out of fairy books… he’s the man to know. Let’s see how much of a threat they are to our guests.” James grimaced as he took another bite from his sandwich. “Computer,” he commanded the nearby LCARS console, “Begin message. Use encryption algorithms Omega Gamma Foxtrot. Authorization Corgan Gamma Epsilion Black. Activate typed message…”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TO: Lt. Wilhelm Quevvenson, Dr. Autumn Jamison From: Lt. Jg. James Lionel Corgan
Encryption algorithms Omega Gamma Foxtrot in effect. Level 3 clearance required.
RE: Sanguinarians

It has come to my attention that somehow you’re the person to go to for help. I have to tell you right away. I have encountered the Sanguinarian known as Lady Lilith twice. Her first visit put me in sickbay. The second encounter gave me reasons to fear their presence.

When Lady Lilith visited me the second time, she told me about a Vulcan officer named Lieutenant T’lan. Appearantly, Vlad induced Pon’farr on her and she is suffering from the blood fever. Vlad will be back for her before she perishes, but I’m not sure what is worse, watching her die from the blood fever, or waiting for Vlad to suck her dry. I heard there is a chance that her mate will come soon. I cannot allow Vlad to take her before then.

There is also another trouble. Out of all of Vlad’s victims, Lilith threatened to kill one that is close to me. She is in sickbay with me, as we are quarantined for the time being. She said if I contacted you or anyone else about their activities that she would die as well as T’lan. However, as you can tell, I am willing to take that risk. Lexa may be more dear to me than anything, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to be bullied around by these ‘vampires’. If you need any help in sickbay, I will be of assistance. I must stay here for awhile to make sure my friend will be ok.

I hope this information is useful. Please, I don’t know who else would have a single clue what to do with our ‘guests.’

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

“End Message.” James paused. His bright idea left another gap in his plan, ~”Wait. What if I’m released from quarantine. I assume Electra will also be let out. After that, we’ll be vulnerable. What do I do?…….. Hmmmm…. Come on! I have to think about something…”

The wheels and cogs in his mind slowly ground through it’s exhaustion to spark the first flames of free thinking. It’s purpose, to protect while coming up with a clever excuse to do so. Then it hit him. Being in groups would help, and two was almost as good as a group. James and Lexa couldn’t be left alone for long stretches of time while the vampires haunted the Galaxy.

His deft fingers tapped the ‘new message’ button.

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

TO: Lieutenant jg. Electra Reece
FROM: Lieutenant jg. James Lionel Corgan
Encryption algorithms Omega Gamma Foxtrot in effect. Level 3 clearance required.
RE: Any plans?

Hi Lexa! I figured I would take a break. Ok… Lemur told me to. Can’t argue with a doctor, right?

Anyways, I’m worried about what’s going on out there. Whatever these Sanguinarians are, they are making their mark on the ship. I don’t think it would be a great idea to be alone while they are on board.

I would greatly enjoy your company, both for protection and because… I enjoy your company. I think we should get together after we are released from sickbay, even if it is to Ten Forward for a bite to eat.

Before I was recruited to help the sickbay staff, I… I guess I’m kind of nervous to say this, I told you some things of a personal nature. I mean every word of it. I don’t want to see you harmed, and I will make sure that doesn’t happen.

Guess it’s a lame excuse for a first date, eh? I know. I’m a bit out of practice when it comes to dating. Tell you what, I’ll make it up to you after this whole crisis is over. I’ll take you out somewhere nice for dinner, maybe with candlelight, you and me dressed up in our most formal attire, and maybe we can go see a performance on the holodeck. I can get the best, since I have connections to the entertainment industry. I hear the new London Opera house performed an excellent rendition of ‘Madam Butterfly’. Would you be interested?

Goodbye and Godbless.

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

~”You are such a sap.”~ Death sneered.

~”That’s the difference between you and me. I’m a sap, and you like to sap from me. Now piss off. I have some people to take care of.”~ James smiled. He took in his final mouthful of tuna sandwich, turning off the LCARS panel after it sent it’s two messages away.

*** Due to the graphic nature of this program parental guidance is advised. ***

Seth used his knuckle to push buttons on the holodeck. The act was something he was use to, He didn't want to scratch the panel with his claws.

He programmed the doors to stay open and replicate realistic blood.

Once the gorn safties where loaded he entered and walked onto a forest planet. Birds chirped and sunlight streamed in. Yet this program wasn't for leasurely stroll.

A forked red tongue smelled the air and the gorn crouched. There was movement off in the leaves and the lizard moved silently.

A few meters away a Gem'Hadar party was stalking the forest for its own prey. The three members in a triangular formation walked carefully. They thought there was a stir off to one side and all the wildlife stopped its chatter.

That was the first indication of something wrong. The second was a huge green monster dropping from the trees to crush the point member.

Second drew his weapon only to have his arm chopped at with a green scale tree. The bone snapped and the pain hit him as the rest of his body hit the ground.

The Third member was punched in the face with a crunch and collapsed on the ground dead.

Seth stepped on the seconds leg to prevent him from getting away and there was cunching from the limb. his opponent reached for his rifle. The Gorn kicked his head with his clawed feet and the cranium broke free from the body.

"Computer triple difficulty settings." The gorn thought that was way too unsatisfying.

Nine solders appeared around the lizard and two died instantly. A punch to the face caved it in and a kick to the chest mashed internal organs.

Two of the dominion troop jumped on the gorns back and tried to attack. Green scales protected the lizard from knives and the pests found themsleves tossed at another couple.

The last three advanced and started to punch. Seth blocked two with his forearms and bit the last one off. He grabbed two heads and smashed them together.

The four tangled attackers sorted things out and got up. They charged the lizard. One got a limb spit back at him and lost focus. One was tripped and stepped on. The final two had claws ripped across chest and exposed beating organs.

The final survivor tossed his friends arm to the ground and consdered attacking. Then he turned and ran. The gorn crouched quickly to all fours and leaped after.

Seth tacked the fleeing solder and his razor sharp teeth ripped into the flesh. Blood sprayed and pooled around the leaves. The gorn really wanted to rip the heart out of the troublesome guests.

"Computer." The gorn spoke with red dripping from his teeth. "More opponents."

As the machine complied Seth kept ready for any real combatants.

"Just a Post for the Moment"
By Lt. Cmdr. Rayna O'Grady
ACSecO

Quarters........

With all of the things going on, Rayna was very tight reigned on Nikki. She would not be allowed out until this race was killed or off the ship. She had been so involved with her kids that she didn't realize that Mike was going through something. He had left to meet with a group of officers but didn't tell her what it was all about. Maybe it was that he didn't want to worry her.

The infants pretty much kept her busy and she hadn't experienced anything from their ship intruders...for that, she was grateful. She loved spending time with the twins and Nikki was so much help but soon, Rayna would have to go back to work which means that in the next few weeks, she would have to work out and get her skills sharpened again. This was a new Rayna, one who knew that she wasn't omnipotent. She was human and she would act with her wits and brains...not her emotions.

"There, But For The Grace Of God Go I, Part One"

Commander Karyn Dallas RN
Chief Counselor/Second Offiicer
USS Galaxy

***Corridors, USS Galaxy***

He'd had to shake her senseless. The Chief Of Security who moments ago had been the epitome of heightened anxiety was now the picture of calm, and that was fortunate because Karyn was not. "Karyn, do you hear me? Go to the Captain, show him this." He roughly handed her a PADD with the basics of the plan they'd devised. Of course, much of it would be altered because of the situation in the children's center, but it would give the bridge the idea they were trying to implement without revealing too much over the comm.

Jii had her by the shoulders now. "Do you understand?" His mind was already on the children. Hers had been on them the moment they'd received the call. It was amazing just how fast the rug could be pulled out from under a person. Karyn felt herself growing faint as images of dead children sprawled out on the schoolroom floor assaulted her and threatened to become reality. Violently pulling herself from the man's strong grip, Karyn yelled, "Grozit, Jii, get the hell out of here!"

Without a look back, Karyn made her way to the bridge, PADD in hand, tears of pure rage threatening to overtake her. The warm wetness on her cheek was the only thing that convinced her brain that she could not afford to spin into blackness like the world around her threatened to do. With every inch, inside she could feel herself screaming.

***

She must have scared Lee and the entire bridge crew senseless because before she had made it down the ramp from the turbolift, Lee was beside her with a glass of ice water, a look of clear concern on his face. By now, all of them had received word of the situation in the schoolroom, and from the look on the Chief Counselor's face, it appeared she had too and was doing an admirable job of trying to keep it together long enough to deliver whatever information she had. "What is 'mate?"

Karyn cleared her throat, and spoke as if from very far away. Lee was no shrink, but he could recognize disassociation when he saw it. Karyn was completely dettaching from her own emotions. She may as well have been a Sanguinarian herself for all the emotion was showing. "Here's what we came up with sir, Elaithin thinks it just might give us the edge we need."

Lee took the PADD from his Second Officer, reading it carefully while still managing to keep an eye on Karyn, thinking any moment she might just pass out on him. All the color in her face was gone, and upon closer examination, he realized she was beginning to shake. Her only saving grace was the glass of ice water she clutched for dear life and sipped from every so often.

Not bothering to comment one way or the other on the plan itself because Lee knew her mind wasn't on it at the moment, he added carefully, "Thank you, Counselor, we'll keep you informed 'mate. For now, why don't I have Ragnald escort you to Sickbay, have Dr. Harper give you some more fluids and-"

She was in the turbolift before he could say anything more, not seeming to have heard anything after the word informed. He had seen the look on his officers' faces before. It was the look of someone who was about to do something purely on instinct, rather than with a rational mind. "Ops, track Commander Dallas, see where she's headed." He was not about to have his Chief Counselor barreling into a hostage situation in the state she was in now.

"Anything, 'mate?"

"The lift let her out on Deck 2, sir. It looks like she's headed to the main lavatory, shall I dispatch someone from medical?" It was not hard to figure out the situation had made Karyn physically ill.

"Let's give her some privacy, 'mate. She'll be fine. It isn't easy when you realize you sent two of your officers into harm's way unknowingly." Lee had lost many men and women under his command, and while it never got easier, there was a certain perspective of acceptance one gained over time regarding a Starfleet career. Still, a schoolroom was supposed to be sacred ground, an area where honorable men and women dared not to tread no matter what the conflict.

As conditioned as Lee was, there were still times a situation got to him as well, quite literally ones he couldn't quite stomach as well. Losing his love Jamie York had been one of those low points, but at least Karyn had thus far been spared a grizzly scene. Jamie had died in his arms.

Ragnald shook his head sadly. "She probably sent them there just to calm the children. Donar, give those children the strength to endure this," he prayed.

Lee prayed the plan to capture the Sanguinarians worked. He did not want to lose anymore people before the day was out.

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

"There, But For The Grace Of God Go I, Part Two"

Commander Karyn Dallas RN
Chief Counselor/Second Officer
USS Galaxy

***Main Lavatory, Deck Two, USS Galaxy***

It had taken fifteen minutes for her stomach to calm down after she had so unceremoniously lost her lunch while en route to the Counseling Department of the USS Galaxy. Now, hunched over the sink and splashing icy cold droplets over her face, she was sure there was nothing left in her, both physically and emotionally. She patted angrily at the tears that refused to stop coming despite the effort she was putting into it.

Before she knew it, she was sobbing again, realizing the likelihood that anyone would be left alive in the schoolroom after the Sanguinarians were done was slim at best. Striking out at children was the ultimate betrayal as far as Karyn was concerned. It was the last act of a people bent on taking any ounce of control left from their victims. It sickened her to her very core. Having been physically and sexually abused by her own father for as long as she could remember, Karyn knew what it felt like to be totally paralyzed with fear and at the mercy of a sick adult.

A sob caught in her throat as the chirp of her combadge startled her into some sort of composure. She tapped her badge. "Go ahead."

It was the voice of her trusted friend and fellow counselor, Emma Marshall. ["Karyn, the parents of the children trapped in the Children's Center are here. I've tried to calm them down, but they're demanding to speak to you and find out what's going on. What do you want me to tell them?"]

Karyn squeezed her eyes shut as once again the image of dead or dying children sprawled across the floor with her two counselors. She imagined Vlad standing over their bodies and laughing mercilessly at the crew's stupidity. Opening her eyes carefully and gripping the sides of the sink for support, Karyn tried to muster confidence that her red and swollen eyes did not match. "Tell them I'm on my way." With that, she closed the channel.

Taking one last washcloth to her face and one last handfull of water to her lips, she realized she was as ready as she was ever going to be. Despite her best efforts, she was unable to get the sour taste of bile from her mouth. *Or maybe it's fear,* she thought grimly.

***Counseling Department Conference Room, USS Galaxy***

Two minutes later, Karyn was in front of the doors that would take her into the department conference room, the only room large enough to hold all of the concerned parents. Steadying herself and calming her breathing, Karyn forced herself to slip into her professional 'zone', that place which did not care about the turmoil Karyn was in, but only of the task at hand.

It was time to for the show. Nothing else mattered except convincing those people there was still hope. She was a counselor, and she demanded no less from herself today.

The doors parted, and they were on their feet immediately, questions in their eyes, fear in their hearts. "Please, ladies and gentleman, sit down and calm yourselves. I know this is difficult, but here's what we know..."

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

"Making a difference"

Lt Cmdr Mike O'Grady
Counselor

After the meeting had been dismissed Mike left immediately for the operations office to re route the ventilation system to control the, vampires I guess was the proper word.

There was another species name but for the life of him he didn't remeber it or really care, all he cared about was getting these things off the ship, then taking his family on a vacation. Get away from this ship, recharge the batteries and maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

=Deck whatever Ops office=

Mike was standing near a couple of ops officers and they were working the consoles rapidly to re construct the ventilation system to vent our guests to holodecks.

Leaning over the console Mike was working some of the equipment, concentrating on the data and information that flowed across the screen. So far the internal sensors had been slightly enhanced and coudl detect somethign that would trigger the flow program, which would dump our guests in to the nearest of the 4 holodecks. Hopefully this system would work, if not we'd have more problems with these guys then the Galaxy could deal with.

Now he had to go to meet with Jii and stand his space, it felt exciting to be doing something productive on this ship again. He was working, and making a difference.

"The children - part II"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

*** Children's ward ***

Tiny legs scurried in terror. Horrified voices of young, innocent children screamed ungodly sounds. Tears poured out of the eyes of those who dared look back at the demonic winged beast that just swatted the friendly counselor Semanka down like a bug.

"YOU DARE DEFY ME!!" Vlad bellowed. He then turned and took a couple of gargantuan demon steps towards the terrified children.

"YOU SCRAMBLE LIKE RODENTS. SMALL, DELICIOUS LITTLE MORSALS THAT HAVEN'T A CHANCE OF ESCAPING YOUR FATE!" Vlad commented in a voice so evil and loud, it made the walls of the children's ward resonate. Reaching out, he wrapped a clawed hand around the torso of a petrified little girl who clung onto her teddy bear as if it were going to save her.

"You look particularly appetizing young lady..." Vlad said as he tightened his grip and licked the child with his monstrous tong.

At the entrance to the ward, the curvatious figure of Lady Lilith came slinking in. "Playing with your food again my Lord?"

The demonic form looked away from the little girl he was holding and over to Lilith. "Just having some fun terrorizing these cattle infants."

Lilith walked over and looked at the chaos Vlad had caused. She couldn't help but smile at the pandemonium that had erupted. "I see my Lord." Reaching a hand out, the female Sanguinarian caught a passing boy by the neck of his shirt and picked him up off of his feet with a single thrust. Holding the screaming boy before her, Lilith asked, "Have you tasted any of these energetic creatures my Lord?"

"No my dear. I fed on that one over there before visiting our meals to be." Vlad stated.

Looking at the boy, Lilith licked her lips. "You do know how much I love sweets my Lord."

"Tempting are they not? So full of energy, it's a pity they have so little blood in their frail, tiny bodies." Vlad commented.

"But they have enough Lord. And they taste oh, so delicious..." Lilith stated as her fangs opened and sank into the little boy's neck.

The demonic Vlad watched as Lilith drank eagerly from the boy. Such small cattle were easy pray and offered great taste and vitality, but it came at a price. To satisfy one's thirst required draining the youth's blood completely, sacrificing the meat's life for the pleasure of a satisfying meal.

"We must be careful my dear..." Vlad stated looking at the sobbing little girl he held in his hand. "We have a long trip ahead of us. We mustn't waste our food supply this time. Though this one indulgence wouldn't seem to hurt anything." And with that the demonic creature bit the child's head off in a single bite, then held her trembling corpse upside down and rang the blood-juices out of her as he crushed her tiny bones in his powerful grip.

***

*** Cargo bay ***

Nilani stepped back as the shimmering green bio-containment field snapped into place.

"That's got it." The engineer smiled while testing the specialized force field by running her hand gently over the surface. The tingling sensation on her skin told her that the field was effectively in place and working at neutralizing bio-contaminants that were present.

With a satisfied nod, Lieutenant Kahn turned and began packing up her toolkit. Now that the force field had been established, there was nothing further that required her services. It only took a minute to gather up the hand full of wrenches she'd used to reconfigure the force field to a full bio-containment field. Once she had everything back in it's place she closed the toolkit and turned to look at the dripping containers. It had been only a few minutes, but already the once frosty coffins looked almost completely thawed.

"I wonder what is taking Doctor Harper so long to transfer the EMH down here?" Nilani asked herself. But not giving it too much concern, the engineer shrugged her shoulders and stated, "oh well, not my concern now that engineering's part is done." And with that the Bajoran exited the cargo bay, leaving the four Sanguinarian hibernation chambers alone to complete their thaw cycle.

"Thanks For Being a Friend"
By Lt Rose Isis MacAllen
Lt (j.g.) Wilhem Quevvenson

**Next Morning Science Lab**

Rose walks in after the best night sleep in months since the vampires have been on the ship and Vlad haven't enter her dreams that night. Plus her new dog Brecht kept her warm and happy in bed. As she walked in Rose started to put her long brown hair in a tight bun.

"Good morning people!" Rose said with a happy face.

Beta Shift passed by quickly, and as Gamma began, Wilhem walked into the Science Labs. He saw Rose beaming, and walked up to her. "You certainly are looking more cheerful today. I hope my gift let you rest easier."

"Yes it did, but how did you get into my room it was locked." Rose asked him while writing some ideas down on an PADD.

Wilhem smiled crookedly, "I have my methods. Most of which will remain secret for now. Suffice to say, I had help from one of Autumn's friends."

Rose smiled sadly a little, "Well it looks like the dog will be the only man in my bed for the rest of my life."

Wilhem frowned, "Don't say that Rose. The gods will give you a husband in due time. You will eventually meet a man who will sweep you off your feet. That is the way of the MegaVerse."

Rose sighs sadly and give Wilhem a letter from her cousin Lily Williamson, Lily and Drago were getting marry very soon and Lily is 2 years younger then Rose.

"It looks like you and your wife to be will be part of my family tree, you two will be part of the 2nd and 3rd houses of Betazed by marriage," Rose said trying to hide her sadness, why is it everybody falling in love and getting married but her.

Wilhem read and smiled at the thought of Drago getting married to a Betazoid. But then he noted Rose's feelings, and said, "Don't worry Rose. Someone will eventually come for you. If need be, Autumn and I can set you up with some people. Eligible people."

"I don't know what my boyfriend had in mind I haven't seen him very much since the mission. Are you going to write to Drago?"

Wilhem nodded, "Yes I will. He deserves my congratulations. On his big event."

"Fine I'll be right back." Rose said walking out of the lab holding back her tears.

Wilhem followed her. "I understand it is hard on you. But you must cheer up. The gods are preparing you for something special. Someone special. All you have to do is wait."

"If I don't marry soon I will be in big trouble.," Rose told him as she walked off towards ten-forward.

Wilhem continued to follow her, until she made it to Ten Forward, "Rose, you know that your life means something to me and Autumn. So if there is a threat on your life, then tell us. We will deal with it for you."

"You wouldn't understand my mother's way of life for the 3rd house."

Wilhem put his arm on her shoulder, "Look, I don't understand most things about Betazoid royal houses. But the need to get married is high on the list for Brecht royal houses too. Sometimes people make mistakes, and rush too quickly into a loveless marriage. Those are not useful to the soul. Look, I know that you feel pressured to marry. But if you wait someone will come for you. I know of at least one person who would love to meet you. He may join the crew soon, so if you would be willing, I can have him meet you."

"Well it is better then being alone!" Rose said while trying to get an glass of Betazoid wine.

Wilhem smiled and patted her shoulder, "You will be fine. Don't worry. Things will work out for you."

Rose drinks down a big glass of water, "Did Peterson get our report about killing the vampires?"

Wilhem nodded, "Yes. He doesn't believe that they are vampires though. Just humanoids with a lust for blood. That is all."

"Well what a god damn fool he is!" Rose said while drinking down her water very fast.

Wilhem shook his head, "No. Not a fool, per se. He just is not sure of what we know. He does not believe in the supernatural. And that is what causes him to disbelieve us."

Rose sighs, if something happens to this crew she can say bye bye to a new rank and even good happenings in her career.

Wilhem noted the thoughts, and said, "Don't worry. Things will work out. They always do."

"Before you came onto the ship, we had one of the best CSO and ACSO on the ship... now we have Peterson and Mitchell." Rose made an ugly look, knowing both of them hated her.

Wilhem frowned, "They do not hate you, Rose. No one hates you. Especially not the crew of this ship."

"Some of the people do my friend." Rose said with a little smile while drinking a little water before going back on duty.

Wilhem frowned, "I hope not. You are too nice a person to be hated by anyone. I hope that it is just your imagination. You are a lovable person, and you deserve someone who will love you for who you are."

Rose finished her water and looks at her friend, "I hope to the Gods you're right, let's go back to work."

Wilhem nodded, "Let's. Before we get into trouble."

"I'm very happy about Lily and I hope I can come to her wedding," Rose said while walking into the Lab ready for duty.

Wilhem nodded, "I hope I can come to Drago's wedding too. He doesn't know it, but I think he is related to me. Distantly. Like seventh cousins, or something."

Rose grins a little, "That means when Lily and Drago get married you'll be my cousin in law."

Wilhem grinned, "I know. Then you will soon be related to Autumn too. It is a genuinely perfect thing. To have friends that become family."

"I'm thinking what Autumn would think about me becoming her cousin-in-law by marriage."

Wilhem smiled, "I think she would like it. She likes you. About as much as she likes me, I think."

Rose order some ice cubes to eat on which is very unlike her.

Wilhem noticed this, "Are you sure you're all right. It is said that eating ice is like being romantically frustrated."

"Me of course not I just had... a hard night last night."

Wilhem smiled solemnly, "If you ever need to talk, you know where to find me, okay?"

"Before I found the dog, Vlad was in my room I found myself battling against my own lust and unholy passions. I tried to cut him with my Betazoid sword but he turn into some bat before it even touched him." Rose told him while sitting down on her desk thinking.

Wilhem nodded solemnly, "He must have turned into his gaseous form, and retreated. He must have been frightened of something."

"Like what?"

Wilhem shrugged, "Like your sword. Or maybe he finally sensed the dog."

"I know he will be in my dreams most of all," she said while eating more ice.

Wilhem smiled, "I can try to block those dreams from happening. But I doubt it would work really well."

"I tried very very hard... it really don't work very well."

Wilhem nodded, "Understandable. The supernatural have powers beyond our understanding. I hope that things can calm down soon. After these vampires are destroyed."

"So do I my friend, so do I!" Rose said with a grin, then started laughing.

Wilhem smiled, then frowned, "Autumn does not want to see me, it seems. She has been avoiding me since the mental link incident. And being attacked by Lord Vlad."

Rose sits up in her chair more, "What can I do to help?"

Wilhem frowned, "I don't know. She seems quite distant since the attack. It is as if she is scared to talk to me about it. I saw the dream she had. And they could have scared her immensely. I just hope she will return to her normal self soon."

"I know how she feels about the dreams, all we can do right now is to be there for her and not to push her until she is ready." Rose told him while giving him some hot tea.

Wilhem took the tea, and sipped at it slowly. "Thanks, Rose. I agree. Sooner or later she'll be ready to talk."

"Don't worry she will," Rose said giving him a little royal smile then drinks a little more of her tea.

Wilhem nodded, "I hope soon. I want so much to be with her. Even when she is scared."

Rose frowned a little but trying to hide her feelings about what he said about being with the more beautiful then her, wife to be but like always try to hide her pain.

"Don't worry she will."

Wilhem smiled solemnly, "Don't worry. I know you will find someone to love you. That is as it should be. You will meet someone who cares for you, as I care for Autumn. And you. Okay?"

Rose smiles a little then whispers to herself, "Yeah right."

Wilhem heard that, "You will. Believe me please. It will happen to you. You just have to wait."

Rose just looks at him then moved herself along with her cup of tea towards the window to look out into the blackness of space.

Wilhem shook his head, ~Would she ever understand that each person is fated to meet someone they loved, and would love them?~

~Sorry but that not how it is done in my family,~ she said telpathicly.

Wilhem frowned, ~Then they should start. Love is something you have to wait for. I've been waiting my whole life to meet someone like Autumn. Now that I have, I know she is the one. Someone will one day come to sweep you off your feet. That is the truth.~

Rose looks at him, then walks towards her station and sits down, ~My mother doesn't care about me being in love, she doesn't even care if it's a loveless marriage like hers was just as long as I do my duties and give her future Counts and Countesses of Betazed. She already told me my daughter that is growing inside me is not going to have my title.~

Wilhem walked up to her station, and kneeled in front of it. ~Then she is wrong. Your daughter will be a kind hearted person. Like you. And you deserve more than a loveless marriage. You deserve the best. Jsut wait a few weeks. Then we will have new members on board. I know of one special person in that group I'd like you to meet, okay?~

Rose sighs, ~Fine, ok happy now?~

Wilhem smiled and patted her shoulder, "Don't worry. Things will turn out all right for you."

Rose sighs alittle, he right but her boyfriend needs to make an choose soon..very very soon maybe her father can help her boyfriend out, now that be very enjoyable to watch.

"Stardance"

Starring:

Holli von Ernst NPC
(Rebecca's Momma)

Millions of tiny distorted rainbow-hued streaks of starlight slipped quickly past the cavernous viewing Lounge observation-windows with a strange silent grace.

Although the Galaxy was quickly screaming its way out of the Milky Way bound for parts unknown, the silent little spectacle of stars passing at Trans-Einsteininan speeds was something of a calming display to all those that took the time to observe them.

Not that there were many people thus able to do so at the moment. The galaxy was on Red Alert, and all crew shifts were either at Battle Stations, or waited in the appropriate backup staging areas ready to spring into action if the Primary Crew if needed.

While perhaps Ten Forward was by far the most famous of the Galaxy's crew resorts, it was also true that nearly the entire circumference of Deck ten was ringed with nearly a hundred small but comfortable viewing lounges.

The same great Bay windows that looked out on the universe from Ten Forward, also were installed in neat little rows in each and every Lounge all down the line.

If one wanted to avoid the hustle and bustle of the Ship's Nightclub, then one only had to stroll a few meters to the left or to the right to find row upon row of comfy sofas, and unparalleled viewing.

One such passenger took advantage of the relative emptiness of a ship at full alert, and stood alone in one such lounge, silhouetted against the flecks of light streaming past the huge windows.

Holli von Ernst, the slim forty-ish mother of the Galaxy's rather infamous Tactical Chief sighed to herself, and stared unblinkingly into the void beyond.

Her time here on the Galaxy visiting her daughter would be over soon, and there were so many things left to do and say. Poor little Rebecca had been on almost constant alert for the duration of the voyage, and there had been little time to spend with her doting mother.

It was a shame really. But Holli did have to go. The Farm needed tending, and Rebecca didn't need her mom running along beside her everywhere she went.

~~~Besides,~~~ Holli smiled to herself, ~~~Poor Miss Wiggles isnt adapting to Starship life very well.~~~

As if in response to her mistress thoughts, the small brown dachshund curled on a nearby couch perked her floppy ears up and gave Holli a look of sheer worry. -Take me home please- the little dog seemed to say --I don't like it here, everything has a strange vibration, and there's no place to go potty.-

Holli gave the dog a warm smile and shrugged. "Soon baby..soon."

Turning her attention back to the streaming starlight outside, Holli dimmed the lounge lights a bit , and in doing so encountered something ...wonderful.

With the lounge lights now low, the lights from outside could actually be seen reflecting through the great windows and across the walls and furniture of the lounge. Most amazingly, they also reflected off Holli.

The faint glow of millions of star-lines traced intricate patterns across the woman's trim features, running up smooth slim legs, across a rather flat un-endowed chest, and across a virtual cloak of long reddish hair that hung beyond the small woman's knees.

Idly pressing her fingertips against the chilled surface of the Transparent Aluminum 'Glass', Holli admired the twisting, snaking patterns that ran across her outstretched limb, and allowed herself to glance down to see those same lights hugging their way across her entire body.

Perhaps the ship was in grave danger, and perhaps those little starlines represented some horrible mix-up in the vital areas of Navigation and Flight Control, but to the simple Farmer from rural Minnesota, the 'dance' of starlight across her body was truly something to be in awe of.

"Like a shower of intangible sparkles." She breathed to herself, twisting slightly to watch as the lights from outside cascaded down her long red tresses of hair to dance in a circle about her on the carpet.

Normally with all the hustle and bustle aboard the Galaxy, and all the noise and confusion in the hall outside, there would have been little time or opportunity to note the strange phenomena of reflected Warp-Light. But now, with the room quiet, and the lights dimmed lower to divert power towards the ship's Red Alert Systems, the mood was perfect, and Holli was treated to a perfect moment of beauty.

A smile crossed the 40 year old woman's freckled cheeks, and her emerald green eyes, undimmed by tiresome years as a single parent, flashed their own inner light to rival the spectacle outside.

Irregardless of the strange stares from the confused doggie behind her, Holli spread her arms and did a slow gliding turn, holding her breath as the streaks of light glided across her small torso tracing their way hither and yon at Warp 8.

She luxuriated in the silent shower of lights, secretly pleased to see that she still possesed the figure and beauty of a woman ten years younger. Though to Rebecca she would always

be 'Momma' not a few of her daughter's male cremates had noticed with appreciation the trim little package that made up the longer haired von Ernst.

Those traces streams of light and color seemed to touch her in ways no man had for...years?

It was a fitting end for those random beams of light. To be born on the fiery surface of some far off nameless star. To launch out into the cold of space on an unending journey of untold countless years. To be to be intersected out in space by a silver Starship speed in the other direction at unimaginable speeds, to streak in through the forward-most windows on said starship, and finally reflect off the sinewy form of a lovely woman.

What poetry.

~~~What nonsense.~~~

Holli sighed to herself and dropped her arms to her sides with a soft slap.

As quickly as it began...the moment was over. The Galaxy, still sped along at Warp 8, and the Starlight still filtered in, but it was now just that..mere random light.

Nothing Magical. Nothing Mysterious.

Holli herself returned to the world of the mundane....No Stellar Empress she...but merely a lonely fragile woman who contemplated her own mortality by the light of a thousand suns.

Slumping down in to the nearby chair, Holli sadly grabbed her ever-present water-bottle that had been her constant companion for the last day or so. Her recent Running-Duel with Lieutenant Heather Sanchez during morning PT had taken a lot more out of her than she had figured, and her body was still a bit dehydrated from the effort.

Maybe the long-haired marathon Runner had prevailed in the end, but the younger Sanchez had been able to bounce back from the effort a lot quicker.

Taking a sip of the vital electrolytes, Holli felt the aches returning to her tired limbs. ~~~Stupid stupid woman!~~~ she chided herself. ~~~You know better than to push yourself so hard when you haven't been actively training.~~~

Although a regular participant in the Minneapolis and Chicago Marathon's back on Earth, Holli von Ernst had been in the 'off-season' so to speak, and had not logged a single mile during her entire visit with her daughter aboard the Galaxy. Until, that I, the fateful duel with the cranky Latin Security Officer.

The effort had been less than successful anyway. It had only seemed to irritate Rebecca, who knew exactly what her mother was planning to do the moment she saw her arrive on the Holodeck attired in her Running Tights. Only Rebecca out of the group had been aware of Holli's little hobby, and while everyone else was impressed to see Sanchez humiliated, Rebecca had seen it as her mother interfering with her life.

"And that's just what it was," she chastised herself. "You're just an interfering old so and so who needs to butt out. Silly to be dancing in the starlight like some slutty Holo-Star. You chose to remain single all those years of raising Rebecca, so you cant whine now about being a little lonely."

~~~ But Rebecca's gone now ~~~ her brain argued. ~~Its time for you again, and don't forget all those glances you got from handsome men over the last few weeks..~~~

Holli sighed. She was lonely, but she was also a woman of good character and morals. She wasn't one to hop in the sack with the first pair of biceps to come along, and with her leaving so soon, that's all it would be...temporary.

Standing again and walking to the window, Holli stepped back into the pool of whirling light.

Closing her eyes sadly, she accepted the only intimate touch allowed to herself...those of the cold intangible fingers of light from a thousand suns.

"Traps"

by
Ensign Alia Drakely
Lcdr Navarre-Maxwell, Shinta

When Shinta heard that the vampires had attacked the children, a haze of rage settled over her. She would obey orders, although her first impulse was to rush off and see if Gavin was all right. But she realized that she could help more by obeying orders, and creating this trap on the holo deck. So she turned to the security ensign next to her. "Hello, I do not think we have met yet. I am Shinta. Let's get over to the Holo deck, and create the best blood feast these creeps have seen in a long time."

Alia smiled back, "Drakely. Alia Drakely." she said with an outstretched arm. "And you took the words right out of my mouth. I just wish it could be their blood."

Shinta started running. "I was thinking we fill the whole place with cardassian blood, I know exactly what that smells like, good. Do you have any ideas on what we do afterwards? Because I sure hope we are going to get a chance to kill these bastards."

"Just keep them there and get them beamed off of our ship I suppose. As for killing them personally - I understand you wanting to, but I wouldn't hold your breath. As much as I'd like to rip them apart myself, it's easier said then done. Believe me, I've spent the last few hours trying to detain them, and they don't seem to be vulnerable to anything. Phasers, wooden stakes," Alia chuckled, "we even tried holy water, but it was no use. The only thing that worked was garlic - he didn't like that very much."

"I don't know too much about all your earth legends." Shinta said. "But we know these animals on Bajor too. Legends that is. " only she could not remember how to kill them.

They came to a halt outside the holodeck. Alia suddenly noticed the two blades that Shinta was armed with.

"They're beautiful." Alia said in a slightly hushed voice, a tone usually reserved for showing respect. She reached out a hand to lightly run her fingers appreciatively over one of them, "I take it that you know how to use them properly?"

"Thank you." Shinta said relaxing for the first time. "Yes, I know how to use them. They have been used, they have been with me a long time." She stared at the knife she had used to kill many a cardassian. "don't be afraid that I will be a burden to you, I used to work in Security a long time ago."

Alia looked back up and searched Shinta's face, what for, she wasn't sure, but Alia's customary reserved features softened into a kind smile,

"The thought of you being a burden hadn't even crossed my mind. It's just...well...call it stuck-up of me, but there a very few things that vex me more than such exquisitely crafted blades not being put to good use. It was not my intention to offend." she finished with a slight bow of the head.

"I am sorry that I am so uptight. My eldest son is with the children, and I am worried sick. I wish I was over there, I wish I could kill these bloody freaking monsters." Shinta felt like kicking something, she was so angry and so worried about Gavin.

Alia wasn't entirely sure what would be best to do; she had never been particularly good at expressing her own emotions, so was always anxious that she might do or say the wrong thing in situations such as these. But at that moment, she saw a scared and worried mother, and Alia's only concern was to try and make her feel a little more comfortable - if that was possible.

Slowly, so as to give Shinta the chance to back away if Alia's gesture was the wrong thing to do, Alia reached a tentative hand out and laid it, in what she hoped was a reassuring manner on Shinta's shoulder. Alia then said,

"I have no children, so I can't pretend to know what you're going through, but when I heard about where they are at the moment, it shook me thoroughly to the core. I will not stop until we get those bastards off of our ship, and see to it that they won't ever be bothering anyone again. And I would bet, that there is not one person on this ship, who, at this moment, doesn't feel the exact same way."

"thank you, that does help." Shinta managed to find a slight smile for the friendly woman. "And I know that there are competent people trying to free them. I only wish I were there. but since I can't be, let's set up a treat for these creeps that they cannot resist." She finished.

Alia let her arm fall from Shinta's shoulder. She pulled herself up and spoke in a lighter tone,

"The cardassian blood is a good idea, it's something they can't get from us. Shall we...?"

The two women turned and entered the holodeck, ready to prepare their trap.

"This is not how an adventure is supposed to be"

by
Gavin Navarre, aged 7

Gavin had never been so scared in his life. He had heard stories about fights, mother didn't talk much about it, he knew that she had seen pretty horrible things in life. Sometimes he would hear her talk about it when she had a nightmare. And his stepfather had faced horrors as well. Yet he had always thought that that was romantic and exciting, and not as scary as it turned out to be. And he had always thought that if something like that would happen to him, he would be a hero and love every minute of it.

Instead he found himself hudled in a corner, trying to protect two small girls, who looked even more scared then he was. Gavin was crying. He had looked up the moment that the little girl had been murdered. He could still hear her scream, and now blood and gore was spread everywhere, it was even on his clothes. Part of him wanted to get up and protect more children, to defeat these bastards. But his legs would not support him, and tears kept streaming out of his eyes.

So instead of being a hero, he stayed under the table in the corner, keeping the little girls close to him, and praying to all the gods he knew that his mother or his father would come to get him. Because the adventure was not fun at all.

"A Reunion"
By Lt (jg) Wilhem Quevvenson, Science Officer,
Lt Riana Parstran, Security officer,(npc)
Lt (jg) Autumn Jamieson, ACMO.

*****Holodeck one*****

Riana dragged Autumn up to the holodeck doors and said, "Computer start program Autumn/Rianajpg354."

Computer: working. Access is restricted please state access code.

"Arjphellsmouth."

Computer: Code correct.

The doors opened and there was the sprawling yards and the manor house on the hill. Autumn followed Ria into the holodeck and sighed and looked about. "Ria I am not really up to this. Can I just go home now?"

Ria groaned and dragged Autumn further into the program. "Nope you are here to have fun so lets have some fun... We will go riding... you love to ride Shadow and I can finally ride Night. You have moped for long enough... frankly. I mean even Wilhem can’t see you, you won’t talk so this is it..."

Autumn stopped dead. "NO! Ria all I want to do is just go home and sleep ok? I mean I have only been out of med bay a day and I still need rest. And besides... If I wanted to leave my room I would have."

"...and the docs say that you are fine, so now that you are out... it is riding time." Riana grabbed Autumn by the arm and dragged her towards the stables. "Come on will you… Computer two riding habits. Both black. One with a green silk shirt and the other with blue."

Computer:: working... Done

Both girls looked down to find them selves in their riding habits.

Autumn groaned as a groom led out their two horses. Riana handed Shadow’s reins to her. The horse was a large black stallion and Autumn loved to ride it.

Riana’s horse was also black but it was female. Autumn watched her friend mount.

Riana looked at Autumn. "What forgotten how to ride Autumn... not that hard remember... you put your foot in the stirrup and swing your leg over the horse."

Autumn scowled and mounted the horse. "There Happy?" she asked.

"Nope not until you return to the Kender I know and have known for years."

"Bitch."

"Yup."

Wilhem walked to the Holodecks. He wanted to surprise Autumn when he arraived. And this seemed to be a good chance to do so. As soon as he managed to enter, he said, "Computer: Download horse White Charger from file, 'Ilien-2.'"

Computer: Working... complete.

He then mounted up on the massive white heavy horse. He was wearing his studded leather armor, and had the white dragon rapier on his left side. He took the reins and began to gently ride towards the stables, and the two women he wanted to see. Well, at least he wanted to see one of them.

Riana smiled as she spotted the man on the horse but didn't mention it to Autumn. She began to ride towards the forest trail and she smiled when Shadow automatically followed with out Autumn paying attention. Autumn sat on her horse grumpilly and as she wasn't watching where she was going she almost got hit in the head by a branch.

"Hell Ria I really don't want this." she said out loud as she forced herself to glance about. She spotted the horse and rider and halted her horse. "Um Ria?" she said softly and her friend reined in her horse.

"I was wondering when he would show." Ria said softly.

Wilhem rode slowly, trying not to overtake the two women until after he got the signal from Rianna. He did not want to spook their horses. Or Autumn. It had been hell waiting for a call to see her that never came. He knew that if this was not nipped in the bud, their marriage could be threatened. And that was something he did not want.

Ria smiled and turned to Autumn, "You have to talk to him sometime about it Kender."

Autumn glared at her friend as Riana waved to Wilhem, "What am I a child who can't make her own decisions Ria?"

Ria grabbed Autumn's reins to stop her from riding off. "No. But you love him that I know... So you are going to talk to him about this... what you are feeling... Or I lock you in the brig with Seth and let him sort you out." Autumn scowled and crossed her arms.

Wilhem rode up slowly. He could sense that Autumn was somehow perturbed by his prescence. He wanted to comfort her so badly. His love for her was still strong. Stronger, for having gone through that pain with her.

As he rode up alongside them, he nodded at Rianna and said, "Hi, Autumn." He reached over to touch her leg, and patted it. "I don't know if you wanted to see me or not. But I had to see you."

Ria glanced at Autumn before handing the reins to Autumn's horse to Wilhem. "Well I have to be going now... Briefing. Bye!" She spured her horse and rode off before Autumn could say a word, leaving a very pissed off Kender with her fiance.

Autumn turned to Wilhem and looked at him. her eyes tracing their way over him carefully. Deep down she knew she had hurt him with her silence. "Hello Wil. Sorry for being out of touch lately," she said quietly. "Had a lot on my mind and things to do."

Wilhem looked at the ground, "I am sorry you have been out of touch. I wanted to talk to you so badly. And if you had better things to do than talk to me, then I'll try to understand."

Autumn drew back a bit shocked. She dismounted from Shadow and walking in between their horses she looked up at him. "Wil I am sorry... it's nothing to do with you..." she paused and reached for his hand. "I know that I have been distant and it's not just with you... I just needed time alone." She threw a baleful glance the way Ria had rode off and then she looked down. "It is... just... hard at the moment."

Wilhem nodded and grasped her hand. He then said, "I understand. Things need to return to normal soon. Otherwise we will lose our chance at happiness."

Autumn nodded slowly. "I know Love... just... you saw what I saw... You might have seen that but I just... hate... no not hate... dislike... fealing this helpless..." she trailed off and took a breath before looking up at him.

Wilhem nodded solemnly, "I am sorry Love. But I don't know what to do to stop these helpless feelings." He got down from his horse, and hugged her. "I do know that anything I can do to help, you just ask and I'll try to fulfill your wishes."

Auutmn rested her head on his chest and held onto him. "I am sorry Love about my behaviour towards you... I am sorry that the link reacted that way when I got attacked... I didn't want you getting hurt..."

Wilhem smiled, "I did not get hurt physically. Only you got hurt. And that hurt me emotionally. I needed to find out if you were all right. I faded out soon after I felt you slump to the ground. I told them where you were. That is all."

Autumn's mind flashed back over the events and a shiver ran through her. "He was too strong and..." she broke off and tried to get herself together.

Wilhem held her tightly, "I know. He is an evil man. We have to be careful. He will want to destroy us for his own ends."

"He... scares me... and that's something no one has ever done before... not even Xavier could scare me. At first I thought it was pure bad luck that I kept running into him... now I am not so sure."

Wilhem shook his head solemnly, "He was and may still be hunting you. It is his way of feasting."

"Why me... what the hell did I do?" she asked angrilly. "I hate to say it but if he is looking for another main meal... well he can go else where!" she pulled away gently and walked towards on of the trees near by and sat down at the base. She pulled her legs to her chest and wrapped her arms around them.

Wilhem went over and sat next to her, "From what I remember, vampires just like to feed. That is all."

"Yeah but this sort of feeding could kill the entire crew." She looked at him and leaned against him. "And if they bash their food up first... well then medbay is in deep shit."

Wilhem hugged her close and said, "I think Lord Vlad has some sort of vendetta against you. That was why he was inordinately rough to you."

Autumn leant into his hug and hid her face in his shoulder. "I wish he would find someone else to pick on... well not really... but him droping dead would be nice," she said softly.

Wilhem smiled grimly, "I think he likes picking on the whole crew. Mayhaps he is just a criminal in their race. Or maybe the whole race is evil. I don't know anymore. But their representative is quite dangerous to us all."

She nodded. "But there are two of them... that's worse... have you seen HER about?"

Wilhem shook his head, "No I have not. I hope to never meet her, either."

Autumn smiled. "Yeah I hope you never do as well..." She stood up and held out her hand. "I am sorry about avoiding you love... can I make you dinner to make it up to you?"

Wilhem smiled and stood up, "Sure thing Love. Anything to make you feel better."

Autumn nodded and walked over to the horses and took Shadow's bridle. She began to lead the way back to the stables.

Wilhem took the bridle of White Charger and followed Autumn back to the stables. There he placed the hrose in the care of the stablehands, who looked askence at the strange saddle and saddlebags. "Old style military harness," Wilhem told them. He lovingly patted his horse's nose, "You be good now, you hear?"

Autumn smiled. "Next shore leave... we should go riding for the weekend and camp over night... My Uncle Chris has a ranch in NSW where we can ride." She handed Shadow over and took Wil's hand. "Computer Arch."

Wilhem smiled, "NSW? What is that?"

Autumn sighed and shook her head. "It's a state in Australia... Where My parents lived was Queensland... the state below it is New South Wales or NSW." She led the way towards the arch and out the door.

Wilhem nodded, "Okay. I did not mean to make you upset, if I did..."

Autumn reached out and took his hand and moved so that she was standing in front of him. "You didn't upset me Wil... I just forgot that you don't know much about where I lived just like I don't know much about where you lived," she looked up at him as they stood in the corridor outside the holodeck. "Yes I am on Edge... but it's nothing to do with you Love... ok?"

Wilhem nodded, "I know. I wish I could show you my world. But all I know is that it does not matter where we came from. All that matters to me, is that I marry the most lovable woman here. And that is you. Okay?"

Autumn smiled at that. "Yes love. Come on." she lead the way to her quarters.

Wilhem waited while she opened the door, then turned her around and said, "I hope you don't mind." And he kissed her.

Autumn kissed him back passionately.

Wilhem gently broke the kiss. "Good to see that you still have passion for me. I was afraid the recent events would have made you unreceptive to a kiss. Good to see that I was wrong." He then followed her into the quarters.

Autumn smiled and nodded. "So what do you want for dinner love?" she asked softly

Wilhem smiled, "How about Chicken Parmesian over spaghetti? If you can cook that, I would be impressed."

She smiled. "Given time and a proper kitchen I might be able to... but there are things called replicators," she walked over to it and programed the replicator to the specifications Wil had said. A few seconds later two plates of the meal were ready and she placed them on the table. "See."

Wilhem nodded, smiling, "I see that. I just want to taste your cooking one day." He took the fork and knife, and began cutting up the chicken. He tasted it. "It is good."

Autumn nodded as she ate her own meal quietly.

Wilhem quietly ate his meal, not making any comments to Autumn, as he wanted her to enjoy her meal. And he hoped she would not avoid him again. He wanted so much to make her feel better. But he was unsure how.

Autumn finished her meal and went and placed her plate in the replicator quietly. she then went and sat down on the couch and waited for Wil to finish.

Wilhem was soon done, and placed his plate and utensils in the replicator. He then sat next to Autumn. He put his arm around her, and said, "Tell me how to make you feel better."

Autumn shrugged and snuggled down into his arms. "Just hold me I guess Love... I don't want to have to face him again."

Wilhem nodded, "I don't want you to have to face him again either. I want you safe and sound in my arms." He held her tightly, and kissed her forehead. "I will not let you go, Love."

Autumn smiled and lifted her head and gently kissed him.

He returned her kiss, then when it was broken, he said, "Thank you."

Autumn gazed up into his eyes. "For what... it should be me thanking you for not hating me after my behaviour."

Wilhem smiled warmly, "For loving me. I could not live without that love in my life. Thank you for being yourself. And thank you for not hating me for knowing what you went through."

Autumn touched his cheek with her hand and the other took his hand. "He might have hurt me... yes he made me mad... but never at you Love. That would never happen," she smiled up at him. "I am more mad at myself then anything else... I should have been more careful."

Wilhem smiled, "You should not be mad at yourself. it was bound to happen eventually. He does not like to give up, does that one..."

Autumn nodded. "I hope he thinks that I am out of it now... because next time he will regret even thinking about it," she shook her head and then kissed him again. She broke it and whispered. "I missed you."

Wilhem nodded, "I missed you, too. A lot."

Autumn smiled and snuggled down into his hold again. "Stay the night?" she asked softly. "I am not on duty again for another two days or so."

Wilhem smiled, "If you want me to. I don't have to be on duty for another sixteen hours, so we can do anything you want to do."

"Just spend time with you and lock the rest of the world out of my mind for a long time." She sighed and let herself relax in his arms feeling safe.

Wilhem smiled and hugged her tightly, "I hope the studs in my leather armor don't hurt you too badly. I can take it off, if you like."

Autumn shrugged. "Up to you love," she said softly.

Wilhem thought it over, then released his hold on her. "I'll take it off. Then you can have my soft body to lean into." He stood and removed the studded leather vest, sleeves, and pants. Leaving him dressed in a loose shirt and breeches. He sat back down and grabbed ahold of Autumn in a tight hug. "Back," he said.

Autumn smiled and relaxed her body which had involentarilly tensed when he had grabbed her quickly. "So I see," she murmured as she turned to face him and touch his face with a hand.

Wilhem smiled as she relaxed, "Hope I did not scare you that way. I just thought you wanted to be held."

"I do love. I do want to be held by you. But my body is reacting weirdly because of what happened... I am sorry," she looked up into his eyes.

Wilhem smiled down at her, "I won't go too fast for you. I will go as slow as you need. I just want to hold you, and kiss you. That is all."

She smiled and moved so that their faces were level. "I love you Love... he didn't change that... nor have any of my feelings for you changed..." she broke off and kissed him passionately.

Wilhem returned her kiss just as passionately. When the kiss was broken, he rested his forehead on hers. "I love the way you kiss. I love the way you love me. All that I can say is I love you just as much."

Autumn smiled and slid her arms around his neck. She let her fingers play with his hair on his nape and whispered. "I love everything about you Wil. Nothing... no vampire or person is going to change that."

Wilhem nodded, "And nothing is going to change my love for you." He kissed her again.

Autumn responded to the kiss. She moved closer to him and definately didn't want to move.

Wilhem broke the kiss gently, and said, "Thank you, Autumn. I needed that. I think you needed that too."

Autumn nodded and slid down so that she was sitting on his lap with her head on his shoulder. Her arms wrapped around him and she held onto him. "I am glad you are here Love," she said softly.

Wilhem smiled, "I am glad to be here. You need me to be by your side. To ward off the bad feelings you have been feeling."

"Can you make them go away?" she whispered as she hugged him. "I hate feeling scared... but it worries me..."

Wilhem shrugged, "I can try to make them go away. But they are natural. I don't know if making them go away would help or hinder growth."

Autumn shrugged. "All I want is to hold you and hopefully they will go away."

Wilhem nodded, "That I can do. I can hold you until there is no tomorrow if you want me to."

Autumn snuggled down again and murmured, "Oh please," and then she smiled up at him and her hands dropped to his ribs and she tickled him lightly.

Wilhem chuckled at the strange feeling, and let his hands drop so they could tickle her back lightly. He wanted her to feel as good as she made him feel. It was the least he could do.

Autumn giggled and soon pulled back from his hands and stopped tickling him. Flashing a smile at him she moved back into range and kissed him again.

Wilhem kissed her softly, not demanding anything form her. He wanted her to take her time. He knew that they would get to the passionate things in life soon enough. And that was enough for him.

Autumn stood up and stretched after breaking the kiss. "I am tired love," she said wincing slightly as a light pain went through her ribs. "I am going to get some sleep... wanna come?"

Wilhem nodded and stood up, "Lead the way."

Autumn walked into her bedroom and sat down on her bed and pulled off her shoes. She chucked them with great aim into the bottom of her open wardrobe. "Bloody riding boots," she muttered as she pulled off the riding habit's jacket.

Wilhem smiled, "Do you want my help taking those things off? Or are you okay on your own?"

Autumn stood up and chucked the jacket in after the shoes. "If you're offering," she said softly.

Wilhem smiled warmly, "I am." And he slowly got to work on removing the riding pants. Once they were gone, he worked on removing her blouse. Revealing creamy white skin and a bar of black saffron. He paused a bit to fondle her breasts through the material. Then he shucked her normal pants, and stared at her triangle of black lace panties. Then he stood up, "I think you are ready for bed, milady. Unless you have other plans?"

Autumn smiled and shrugged. "Not unless you do milord," she said turning slightly towards the bed.

Wilhem smiled softly, "I would love to make love to you. But I am unsure if you are ready. What with the actions of the past few days and all."

Autumn smiled at that and turned back towards him. She moved right in front of him and took his hands in hers. "Let's just see what happens Love," she said as she stood on tip toe and kissed him lightly.

Wilhem returned her kiss lightly, then pulled her against him. He opened telepathic contact between them, ~Yes. Let's see what happens. I love you Kender. And I don't want to hurt you.~

~You never have... though the headache that we both had when we woke up... well that kinda did but I got over that...~ She slid her arms around his neck and kissed his nape lightly. ~I love you Wil.~

Wilhem nodded softly, ~Yes. The headache... Sorry about that. I just wanted to be there when you were attacked next. I didn't expect to be on duty and have to feel everyhting that happened to you. I do not regret it though. We were connected more intimately than anything prior. I am sorry it had to end like that.~ He kissed her jaw and then trailed kisses to the nape of her neck.

Autumn let her head fall back and her hands slipped to his shoulders as his mouth moved across her neck. ~It wasn't your fault Love,~ she sent as her hands moved down his chest slowly undoing his shirt.

Wilhem smiled softly, ~I know Love.~ He then kissed down to the top of her bra. ~Ready?~ he sent.

~Yes,~ she sent as she slipped her hands beneath his shirt to touch his skin.

Wilhem undid the clasp that held the bra together, and removed the material from her right breast. He fondled it and then took her nipple into his mouth, and sucked on it gently. Then he removed the bra from her other breast, and kissed and sucked on it as well.

Autumn felt the desire begin to build in her body and a small moan of pleasure escaped her lips. She tugged his shirt from his waistband and pushed it off his shoulders.

Wilhem let his shirt fall to the ground, and moved further down her body, kissing as he went. When he was level with her panties, he pushed them off her body, and kissed her in her most sensitive spot. He began licking and sucking at that spot on her body, with her standing over him.

Autumn shivered slightly as sensations flooded into her. ~Wil...~ she sent hazily and her legs went a bit shaky.

Wilhem kept at it. ~Yes, my Love?~ he sent as he brought her ever closer to a crescendo.

Autumn moaned as the intesnity grew. ~Love please...~ she wanted him so much.

Wilhem finally relented, and stood up, and removed his breeches. He pushed Autumn back onto the bed, and placed himself right outside her labia, to tease her a little more. ~Whenever you are ready,~ he sent.

Autumn moved under him teasing him and arched her hips. ~Love please Wil.~

Wilhem smiled, ~Guide me into you, Love. Guide me into the heart of your body. That way you can be sure I will make you squirm.~

Autumn moved her legs apart and slowly raised her hips and felt him enter her as she did so.

Wilhem slid true. Then he began to move in and out of her. Slowly he would build up the speed until they were both ready to climax. He knew she wanted to experience it all.

Autumn moved with him. She pulled his head to hers and kissed him as the tensions built. ~I love you,~ she sent.

Wilhem kissed her back, and sent, ~I love you Autumn. Never forget that. Even more than the sex, which is only an expression of our love, nothing more.~

~I know...~ she sent as a moan escaped from her throat as the heat got almost unbearable. ~I am glad I waited for you to come into my life.~

Wilhem groaned as they began to reach their limits. ~I am glad you waited too. That is as it should be. I wish I had waited as long as you did. But I slipped up once. I am sorry for it.~

Autumn claimed his mouth again and sent, ~No regrets Love... here and Now, all that counts.~

Wilhem returned her kiss and was fixing to reply when they both gave out under the strain. They both climaxed violently sendiong waves of pleasure screaming through their beings. When the wave had passed them, Wilhem broke the kiss and trailed some down her jaw and neck. They both were covered with a thin layer of sweat, and they relaxed into a state of rest.

Autumn curled up in Wil's arms content. She smiled at him sleepily and sent, ~I am glad you are here Wil.~

Wilhem smiled softly, ~I am glad to be here. Come let us get into this bed right. I wouldn't want you to catch a cold.~

Autumn smiled and nodded. She scampered under the covers and waited for Wil to do the same.

Wilhem climbed in besdie her and put his arms around her. ~Let's sleep now, Love. We will have time for more fun when we wake up.~ He hugged her chilled body to his.

Autumn nodded and closed her eyes to sleep. She snuggled down in his arms as she did so.

Wilhem held her tightly, and faded off. As he did he sent, ~Hope your dreams will be pleasant. I would not want you to go through that again.~

Autumn felt him fall asleep and just lay there. She opened her eyes after a while and stared out into the darkness, repeating the actions of every night since her attack... A few times she felt herself start to drift off and she always managed to stop herself. She lay awake in his arms feeling him breathe and just thinking.

Wilhem woke slowly a few hours later, his mind registering the fact that Autumn had not been asleep the whole time. He opened his eyes and looked at Autumn, ~Something the matter Love?~

Autumn shook her head. ~No nothing Love... just thinking that's all,~ she turned and smiled at him.

Wilhem shook his head softly, ~It is okay to think some on such matters. But you need your sleep. Please let yourself sleep. Unless it is so disturbing that you fear the dreams coming back.~

Autumn fell silent and snuggled down into his arms. She didn't say anything. She knew he was right... but she couldn't let herself sleep.

Wilhem waited for her to go to sleep. When thirty more minutes passed, he sent, ~Please sleep. I want to have you at full readiness for tomorrow. I plan on giving you quite the workout.~ He winked at that comment.

~I can't,~ she sent softly into his mind. She turned towards him and slipped one hand up to his head and touched his cheek. ~I just can't sleep.~

Wilhem smiled, ~You can. If i have to I'll block the dreams from coming. But I cannot bear to see you tired all the time. You must sleep. It is needed for the body. You know that. You're a doctor.~

Autumn nodded. ~I will try love.. but no matter what you do they will come...~ she curled up again and shut her eyes. She relaxed her body and tried to sleep.

This time, Wilhem waited for her to fall asleep, then dozed off beside her. He slept lightly, just in case she woke again scared. He knew she would want him to soothe her nerves.

Autumn dreamt. Black shadows, grabbing hands and gleaming fangs. She tried to avoid them but they got closer. She woke up screaming.

Wilhem instantly was awake, and hugged Autumn to him, ~Shhh... Shhh... It was only a dream. A nightmare that must pass before our eyes. You'll get better, I promise.~

Autumn tried to calm down but she wasn't doing it very well. ~Sorry that I woke you love,~ she sent as she tried to school her breathing.

Wilhem shook his head, ~Don't be. I set myself to wake if you did wake up scared of your dreams. I wanted to be here to comfort you all I could.~ He sent soothing thoughts into her head.

Autumn turned and looked at him. ~Thank you,~ she sent as she rested her head on his shoulder.

He rubbed her back. ~You are most welcome. I would do anything for you, Autumn. Even sacrifice myself to let you live.~

Autumn raised her head. ~I would do the same for you love.~ She gently kissed him in thanks.

Wilhem returned her kiss gently. ~I love you Kender. Even with all the foibles of our lives, I cannot stop expressing my love for you.~

~I love you as well Wil,~ she sent as she kissed him again.

Wilhem smiled as he kissed her. ~You taste sweet. Just like you always do. I don't understand it. I know I must taste salty. But that is from my past.~

Autumn just kissed him again. ~I love the way you taste... but then I love everything about you,~ she sent.

Wilhem kissed her softly. ~I love everything about you too. Even if we are both dealing with nightmares of times past.~

Autumn nodded and moved closer to him. She rested her head again on his shoulder and shut her eyes. ~I wish the nightmares would go away.~

Wilhem caressed her back, ~I wish they would too. I hate to see you so scared. And lacking in vibrance at times. I'd rather you become a vibrant person once more. And then we could live together forever with one another. Your vibrance is what drew me to you in the first place.~

Autumn just stayed quiet in his arms.After a short while she raised her head and looked him in the eyes. ~I hate being frightened... Not even being trapped in a jefferies tube makes me this scared... he is only one person... yet...~

Wilhem nodded, ~Yet he is a dangerous creature. Something that should be dealt with quickly. Before he decides to kill someone on board this ship. If he hasn't already.~

~He killed Linda... or so they think... I heard Riald say it when I was leaving Med bay... But how can you deal with someone who can't be scanned? I wish this would all go away...~

Wilhem frowned, ~I do not know. A vampire can turn to gaseous form in an instant. And that is why they can't be scanned. I hope that these vampires will leave us soon enough.~

Autumn nodded. ~I hope so as well Love,~ she relaxed in his hold some more and kissed his cheek. ~Thank you for being here Love.~

Wilhem smiled and kissed her forehead, ~It was nothing. I want to be here with you.~

Smiling Autumn kissed him on the mouth as she sent, ~I love being near you.~

Wilhem smiled, ~I know. As I love being near you.~

Autumn smiled and gently pulled away. ~I think we should sleep now love... you have to be rested for your shift right?~

Wilhem nodded, ~Yes we should, love. And yes I need to be rested. But are you sure you can sleep Love? You seemed quite spooked by that dream.~

~I will be fine Love...~ she sent as she rolled over and pulled the covers up again. She shut her eyes and waited for sleep to claim her again.

Wilhem waited for her to sleep then wrapped his arms around her sleeping form. He then descended into a light sleep in order to be awake the instant she scremaed again.

Autumn slept well and didn't have nightmares again that night. She didn't dream at all.

Wilhem dozed and had little in the nature of dreams. He woke slowly to find Autumn still sleeping peacefully. He disengaged himself from her, and left the bed. Trying to think about what to do with himself. And for her.

Autumn moved in her sleep and moaned a bit as she felt the body beside her move away but she still wasn't awake.

Wilhem glanced over at her sleeping form. ~I love you Kender. And don't you ever forget it.~

Autumn stirred as the words entered her mind. Sleepily she sent back as she began to wake up, ~I won't love... I love you Wil.~

Wilhem climbed back into the bed, and kissed her cheek softly. He then watched her wake up, and sent, ~Hopefully you had some pleasant sleep. Nothing too untoward bothering you, is there?~

Autumn opened her eyes and smiled up at him. ~No, no more then usual... is anything wrong with you love?~ she asked as she reached for his hand.

He grasped her hand, ~No. If there is nothing wrong for you, then I am fine. Besides the fact that I can't take my eyes off you.~

Autumn gave him a smile and sent, ~Uh huh.~ She reached up for his face with her other hand and drew him down for a kiss.

Wilhem returned her kiss softly. ~I can't. You are the most beautiful person I have ever seen. Nothing could change that feeling in my life.~

Autumn smiled at that and kissing him again sent, ~After your shift are you busy?~

Wilhem shook his head, ~No. Not busy in the least. Do you want to meet me then?~

Autumn slid her hand along his shoulder and down his chest, ~What do you think?~ she sent with a smile. ~I would like to see you... can you come by here after your shift Love?~

Wilhem nodded, ~I can. And I will. Thanks Love.~

Autumn smiled at him. ~So how long until your shift?~ she asked as she reached up to kiss him.

Wilhem frowned, "Computer; Ship time please."

||Time is 13:00 hours.||

Wilhem turned back to Autumn, ~Eight hours I believe.~

~Oh,~ she snuggled down under the blankets and began to tickle Wilhem.

Wilhem chuckled and tried to tickle her as well. But he began to slow down as she tickled his ribs. He then began to laugh, and squirm under her touch.

~Now who is squirming?~ she sent as she relented and backed off with a smile on her face. The grin she gave him was mischievious and she waited for retaliation. ~What the big bad pirate got no retaliation.~ she taunted lightly laughter plain in her mind voice.

Wilhem got himself together and leaned over, ~You want retaliation. This is the best retaliation I can think of.~ He began to lick, suck, and nibble on her breasts one at a time.

Autumn moaned softly. ~Yeah that works,~ she sent. ~Do whatever you like Love.~

Wilhem smiled and continued to tease her nipples with his teeth. Then when he was suitably ready, he moved down her belly and into her luscious triangle. Then, he began to lick, suck, and nibble on her most private parts.

Autumn whimpered as the feelings built up inside her. ~Wil...~ she sent as the desire raced in her.

Wilhem continued to tease her most private areas. ~Yes, Love?~

~Please...~ was all she could manage as the tensions built higher.

Wilhem continued his ministrations, and sent the question, ~Please what?~

Autumn whimpered and sent, ~Please Wil... I need you...~

Wilhem nodded, and moved himself up to the point where he was just outside her labia. ~Guide me into you, Love. With your hands this time.~

Autumn slowly trailed her hands down his chest and trailed along his length before guiding him into her slowly.

As soon as he was seated in her, he flipped himself onto his back and now she was on top of him. Slowly he pushed her up and pulled her down so as to create the motion necessary for them to build towards their climax.

Autumn leaned down and kissed him as they moved together. She placed her hands above his shoulders and began nibbling his jaw and neck.

Wilhem moved slowly, then slightly faster. Until he was moving with her in a frenzied pace. He placed his hands on her breasts and caressed them. He flicked his thumbs back and forth across her nipples to make them strong and taut.

Autumn moaned as the tensions built up again. Her body tensed over his as the heat became unbearable.

Wilhem sent, ~I love you Autumn.~ And then suddenly they both climaxed violently. He kissed her lips hard as he rode out the wave of their conjoining. As the wave passed, he softened his kiss, then when it had passed completely, he released his hold on her and relaxed.

~I Love you Wilhem,~ she thought back as she laid beside him and curled up against him.

He caressed her skin, especially her breasts and neck. He smiled at her. ~I love you so much Kender. And nothing will ever change that. Nothing.~

Autumn snuggled up into his side and trailed her fingers across his chest lightly.

Wilhem placed his hands on her breasts, and picked them up, as if to weigh them. ~You have the best formed breasts of any lady's I have ever seen. Of course seeing as I have only seen yours, my mother's and that tramp Sirena's, I may not be the best judge of such.~

Autumn smiled and kissed him. ~Was she really a tramp Wil?~ she sent.

Wilhem thought a moment, ~No. She was just a young woman who wanted to have a nobleman's child. To increase her station in life. I think I was her first. And her only. Seeing as she died giving birth to our children. She had twins, did you know? One boy and one girl. I heard about it from afar. Never did see those babies. I guess it was better that way.~

~Oh...~ Autumn sent as she hugged him. ~Do twins run in your family?~ she asked.

Wilhem nodded, ~Twins and other multiples of two run in most Aebrynnian families. Usually it is twins first, then a much larger multiple birth the second time. My family was different. The first born group were quadruplets, and then I came. Then Sirena, my half-sister came along by a rape. It was most disastrous to our family. Things did not work too well between us from then on.~

~I bet your mother was impressed with quads first,~ she sent with a smile.

Wilhem nodded, ~She was. She expected twins next, since I was a big baby. I weighed about eleven pounds, five ounces at birth. I hope you don't get that kind of baby. I don't know if I would want to feel that.~

~And what you think I do?~ she asked with a laugh.

Wilhem smiled, ~No. But most likely you will have two babies with that combined weight. One boy, one girl. And knowing how painful that will probably be, you probably won't let me get you pregnant again.~

Autumn thought about it. ~We will see,~ she sent. ~I like kids... but in moderation.~

Wilhem nodded, "Understood. Which means two will probably be enough for you.~

~Two to four is ok,~ she sent as she kissed his cheek and with one hand pulled the covers up over them. ~We shall see my Love.~

Wilhem smiled, and kissed her cheeks. ~Yes, we shall see. I hope you feel safe with me. Even when you do get pregnant.~

Autumn nodded and let her fingers trail lightly across his chest. ~Always safe with you love,~ she sent as she shut her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder.

Wilhem caressed her back, and held her tightly. ~That is good, Love. I hope you always will feel safe in my prescence.~

Autumn's answer was to snuggle down in his hold and kiss his chest lightly before moving her lips up to his and kissing him on the mouth. ~Always.~

Wilhem returned her kiss softly. ~Good.~

Autumn smiled up at him and again rested her head on his shoulder. ~Why would you ever think that I wouldn't feel safe in your arms My Love?~

Wilhem thought about it. ~Because of my dreams, where I act out scenes of great distress. Because I may hurt you someday without even knowing it. But most of all because I am male.~

Autumn just shook her head and sent, ~Well forget those doubts my love. I am sure you won't hurt me. Let's get some sleep before your shift.~

Wilhem nodded, ~Yes. Let's get some sleep.~ And he held onto her tightly waiting for her to nod off.

Autumn closed her eyes and was soon asleep in his arms. A small smile on her lips as she relaxed in sleep.

Wilhem smiled and kissed her forehead, before he himself fell asleep in her arms. He dreamed about their upcoming life together. All the beauty this love would bring. And he was content.

Autumn slept soundly and if she dreamt she didn't remember them when she woke up. She opened her eyes a couple of hours later and feeling content just to lay there in his arms soon drifted off into a light slumber.

Wilhem slept for three hours, then woke up, and saw that Autumn was lightly sleeping. He kissed her forehead again. Then, as he was content, he relaxed into a restful daydream period.

Autumn smiled slightly at the contact and slowly opened her eyes and looked at him. ~Hello Love,~ she sent softly.

Wilhem looked at her compassionately, ~Good Morning Love.~

~How did you sleep?~ she asked as she kissed him hello.

Wilhem smiled, ~Well. I dreamed of our life together. I hope you don't mind my saying it looks good.~

~It will be Love I am sure,~ she smiled and hugged him gently before sitting up and running a hand through her hair to keep it out of her eyes.

Wilhem sat up and gently ran a hand through her hair, trying to get it nice and neat. Even if he was going to mess it up again soon. ~I love you Kender.~

Smiling Autumn turned to him. ~I love you Wil,~ she sent softly.

Wilhem hugged her tightly, ~Want something to eat? Or do you want me to do something with you... Something nice and calm and slow. Something to make you squirm.~

Autumn smiled at that and paused thoughtfully. ~Hmm not sure love. Breakfast would be nice before you have to leave for your shift... What do you want?~

Wilhem smiled, ~I guess if it's breakfast, then an Anuriean Waffle. Or as they seem to call it here, a Belgian Waffle.~

Autumn smiled, ~Ok Love... So breakfast in bed or do you want to get ready for your shift first... I am starting to believe that you should leave some uniforms here... you seem to spend more time here then you do in your own quarters,~ she kissed him lightly.

Wilhem smiled warmly, ~Breakfast in bed. For you. I can eat just as well standing up. As to the uniform situation, I guess I should leave some uniforms here for my use. Because as you said, I seem to spend more time here than in my own quarters.~

Autumn smiled at him and slid from his arms and the bed and grabbing her black robe she walked out into the main area calling over her shoulder. "What do you want for breakfast?"

Wilhem called after her, "A Belgian Waffle, with syrup and sugar, if you please."

Autumn smiled and programmed the replicator for their meals and carried them back into her bedroom. For ease sake she had chosen the same as him. She placed the tray in between them on the bed.

Wilhem smiled at Autumn, "Thank you, Love. It looks so good." He tookk a small piece onto his fork, and swallowed it. "Yep. It's good."

Autumn smiled and sitting down on the bed she began to eat her own meal.

Wilhem ate slowly, savoring his own meal. he also did not want to drop any of it on her sheets. ~This tastes as sweet as you do, Autumn.~

Autumn blushed and continued eating and sent, ~Flattery again... boy are we in a good mood.~ She smiled.

Wilhem continued to eat, ~Not flattery. The truth.~

Autumn just continued eating her breakfast. Finally she looked at him and sent, ~Thanks for staying Love.~

Wilhem nodded, ~It was nothing. I just love being near you is all.~ He finished his meal, and looked her over, ~You're quite sexy looking in that black robe. Sexier without it.~

Autumn finished her meal and smiling at him took the tray out of the room. She walked back in and sat beside him on the bed. ~Thank you for that compliment Love,~ she sent as she kissed his cheek lightly.

Wilhem smiled, and kissed her neck, ~'Twas nothing. Only something you so richly deserved.~

Autumn smiled and kissed him gently. ~Whatever...~ she sent as she broke the kiss.

Wilhem nodded, ~It was! You deserve to be told every day how sexy you are. And how much I love you. That is the truth of the gods.~

Autumn smiled and reached out to tickle him slowly. ~You my love are the sexiest guy I have ever known. I love you more then I can say,~ and then she tickled him lightly.

Wilhem squirmed slightly, laughing. ~Thank you, Love for this experience.~

~No problem Love,~ she sent with a smile as she relented and let go of him.

Wilhem bounced up, and grabbed a hold of Autumn in her black robe. ~I love when you surprise me like that. Do you want me to make you squirm now?~

Autumn smiled at him and her eyes sparkled with mischief. ~Oh and how are you going to do that?~ she asked causally.

Wilhem smiled, and pushed her back onto the bed. He then pushed aside her robe, ~Like this...~ and began to suck and nibble on her breasts one by one. And with his hands fondled the other one to tautness.

~Yeah that normally works,~ she sent as the sensations flowed through her body. her hands grasped at his shoulders and then traced lines down his chest.

Wilhem then moved lower, kissing his way down her belly, and into her pubic hair. Then he placed his mouth at the entrance to her nether regions and licked, sucked and nibbled at her most private parts.

Autumn moaned and her body moved under the assult. She moaned as the feelings built up inside of her.

Wilhem kept licking, sucking and nibbling at her. He kept at it, and would do so, until she specifically told him to stop. That was his method of making her feel pleasure.

Autumn moaned again and sent, ~Wil... Love... I want you...~

Wilhem smiled, and pushed the robe off her arms. Then he paused outside of her body. He waited with his organ's head just touching her vaginal lips. Waited for her to move first.

Autumn moaned and let her hands drift down to him. She trailed her fingers along his length and one hand traced patterns on his inner thigh. She moved her hand along him and arched her hips against him.

Wilhem then slowly entered her, until his pubic bone was resting against her clitoris. Then he began to move in and out of her slowly at first, then built up energy.

Autumn moved with him and traced lines up along his chest and shoulders as the pace increased. She kissed his neck and shoulders as they moved.

Wilhem built her up to a peak, then slowed down again. Taking a little of the edge off, he calmly thought of other things to keep his climax from coming before hers. Then, he built her up again. And this time he would not stop.

Autumn moaned as the sensations built up again and as she felt them become too much for both of them her body contracted over his and she moaned deep in her throat.

Wilhem greedily took her mouth with his as they rode out the wave of their combined climax. They slowly receded, and he began to kiss her chin and neck softly. ~I am done Love. What do you want to do next?~

Autumn kissed his cheek and ran her fingers lazily through his hair. ~Lay here and hug you until you have to go to your shift Love.~ She smiled at him and kissed him.

Wilhem smiled crookedly, ~I have to get clean, too Love. So when you are ready, I'll take a shower. And then I'll replicate a uniform for myself. Okay?~

~OK. When do you want to shower?~ she sent as she kissed his neck softly and her left hand caressed the skin on his shoulders.

Wilhem smiled, ~How about in an hour? That gives us time to recuperate properly. Okay?~

Autumn nodded and continued kissing his neck and shoulders. She nipped lightly at his flesh with her teeth playfully. Her hands teased his flesh on his chest.

Wilhem groaned, ~Keep this up, and I might not make it to the showers.~

~Really?~ she asked the playfullness evident in her mind voice as she continued her way kissing and nipping at his flesh down to his chest. She flicked her tongue across his scar and then across his nipples.

Wilhem groaned and laid back. ~Might as well enjoy this if you are going to do this.~

Autumn smiled as she flicked her tongue across his navel and slowly kissed her way down a bit further. ~Who says that you should get all the fun in making me squirm? I can make you squirm too you know,~ she sent as she moved lower and kissed along his length and her hands moved along his thighs.

Wilhem groaned softly, ~I know love. Just be careful, okay?~

Autumn slowly flicked her tongue along him and gently sucked while her hands ran up and down his legs.

Wilhem tried to relax but the sensations were too much. He suddenly began to tense up. ~Love, if you don't stop that, I am going to explode in your mouth. Do you want that?~

Autumn lifted her head and smiled at him and then moved slowly up along his body kissing his flesh as she went. Her hands trailed along his torso and hips and lower and they then moved along his length slowly. ~Want me yet?~ she sent teasingly as her teeth nipped at the base of his neck and after sliding her body against him she moved off him and continued kissing and nipping at his flesh.

Wilhem groaned, ~I want you. Do what you have to. For the good of both of us.~

Smiling Autumn continued teasing him. She kissed his neck and shoulders and her hands played across his chest and lower stomach. Kissing his chest again she slid her hand down further and traced his length lightly. Smiling she looked into his face and kissed him lightly on the lips. She slid her body over him again and teased him even more by sliding herself along him.

Wilhem groaned loudly, ~Please Autumn. I want you. As soon as you can. Before I explode over your body outside of your luscious canal.~

Autumn brought her mouth to his and sent, ~Take me then.~ She positioned herself over him and gently lowered herself down so that he was just outside of her.

He grabbed ahold of her waist and pulled her down quickly onto him. As he entered her he sent, ~Thank you, Love.~

Autumn smiled and arched a bit as he entered her and together with him began to move. She dipped her head forward to kiss his chest.

Wilhem moved slowly in her, trying to build up her own feelings before he exploded within her. He leaned up and kissed her breasts one by one. He even sucked a little on each.

Autumn moaned as the heat built up inside of her. She kissed him lightly as they moved towards the peak.

Wilhem moved in time to her inner grasping of his organ. He groaned softly as the tensions built up inside of him. And inside of her. He hoped that she would enjoy this as much as he did. That was the truth of the matter.

Autumn kissed him harder as the tensions built up to breaking point.

Wilhem kissed her back, and sent, ~I love you Autumn.~ And then the tensions broke over them in a tsunami of pleasure. He bucked against her several times, as they were engulfed in the wave. Then as it receded, Wilhem slowly released his hold on her lips. And as their climaxes ended, Wilhem slowly disengaged himself from her. ~Thanks,~ he sent.

Autumn curled up beside him and smiling replied, ~I love you Wil.~ She pulled the covers up over the both of them and snuggled down against him.

Wilhem smiled, and held her tightly, ~I know you do. Thanks for showing it in your own way.~

Autumn kissed his shoulder and smiled. She was content and happy to stay where she was.

Wilhem kissed her softly, reveling in the feel of her lips on his. ~Love, you and I will live together for eternity. I hope you are ready for that.~

~I want to live with you forever Love... nothing will change that... I am ready for that.~ She kissed him back.

Wilhem caressed her skin, knowing that things would probably get more difficult before they got better in their lives. He was worried about Autumn. He hoped she could take more pressure against these evil forces currently arrayed against the Galaxy.

Autumn lay there reveling in his touch and slowly faded into sleep again. She smiled and sent as she did so, ~I love You Wilhem Quevvenson,~

Wilhem softly kissed her lips, ~I love you Autumn Jamieson.~ As soon as she fell into her sleep, he disengaged himself from her resting form, and headed for the showers. He knew he had to get ready for his shift which would occur soon. And a shower seemed the best way. Once inside he began to get wet, hoping that Autumn might wake. So that he could have some more fun with her.

Autumn woke about five minutes later when she moved and found something was missing. She opened her eyes and sat up. The sheets fell to her waist and she looked about. She could hear the shower and smiled. Slowly she got out of bed and tip toed towards the bathroom. She peaked around the corner and smiled as she spotted Wil. Silently she crept up to the shower and said, "BOO!"

Wilhem started slightly. He turned to her, ~You startled me, Love. I almost thought one of those vampires had invaded your rest. Come in here, so I can bathe you.~

Autumn smiled and joined him in the shower. ~I woke and found that you had disappeared. I was worried I had dreamt last night.~ She kissed his mouth lightly.

Wilhem smiled, ~You did not. Don't worry about that.~ He took some soap and began to lather it onto her body. Starting with her perfect chest and working his way down her body.

Autumn moaned and grabbed his hands. ~You keep that up and I'll call Peterson and tell him to take your shift,~ she kissed his mouth lightly.

Wilhem returned her kiss, ~You do what you have to. I just want you to feel good.~ He placed his right hand outside her labia and began rubbing there.

~You always make me feel good love,~ she sent as she began kissing his chest. Her hands ran down his back lightly.

He fondled her softly, then inserted three fingers into her canal, and rested his pinky against her clitoris. He then began rubbing in and out rapidly, and brushed her clitoris with his pinky. Trying to give her pleasure.

Autumn moaned and as the heat filled her again she trailed her hands lower and along his length playfully teasing him.

Wilhem grunted at the intimate contact on his organ. Then he quickened his pace on the rubbing of her private parts. Trying to make her have even more pleasure than before.

Autumn felt the heat build up even higher so she kissed his nipples and traced along his length even more. She flicked her tongue across his nipples and pressed her lips to his scar.

Wilhem groaned, and pulled his fingers out of her. He then picked her up, and pushed her back against the shower wall, and inserted himself into her. He then began slowly moving in and out of her, and built up the action as they went along.

Autumn clenched her body around him as they moved together. She kissed his neck and chin as she worked her mouth up to his.

Wilhem kept the action going until they were on the verge of climaxing. He sent, ~I love you.~

Autumn whimpered slightly as the wave crashed over both of them and her body clenched about him. ~I Love You,~ she replied.

Wilhem covered her mouth with his, and rode out the wave. Then when it had passed, he let go of her, and withdrew himself from her insides. ~Thanks, Love.~

Autumn kissed him back. She smiled up at him. ~No problem Love,~ she sent.

Wilhem nodded, and went back to soaping up to get clean. And helped Autumn with getting clean too. ~I love the feel of your skin under my hands. It is a rush that I cannot describe.~

Autumn smiled and ran her hands over his shoulders and chest. ~I can't seem to keep my hands off you Love,~ she sent as she stood on tip toe and kissed him.

Wilhem returned her kiss, and then he placed his hands on her bottom, and caressed there.

Autumn nipped at his lip. ~I think Love that you need to get ready for your shift.~

Wilhem nodded, ~I should. And I will. Afterwards I will come back here and ravage you some more. If you are willing.~

Autumn smiled and nodded. ~Always willing to spend time with you love,~ she kissed his cheek and finished off her shower.

Wilhem was done about the same time, and smiling at her, he led her out into the main room. He picked up his clothes and put them back on. He then walked to his armor and put that on as well. He then turned to her, placed a hand to her temple and withdrew his mental contact. "It is done, Love. Now do you want to escort me to my quarters? Or are you willing to stay here alone for a while?"

Autumn smiled and grabbed a pair of jeans and a tee-shirt and pulled them on quickly. "I'll walk you home Love," she said smiling as she went back into her room to hunt for her shoes. A muffled curse and a crash last had her exiting her bedroom with a pair of loafers in hand. "Darn bloody riding boots," she muttered again as she pulled on her shoes. She stood and smiled at him. "Ok ready to go?"

Wilhem nodded, "Let's." He then walked with her down the hall to his quarters. There, he let them in, and removed his armor and placed it in the case. He then removed his clothing and took a fresh uniform and put that on. He turned to Autumn, "Now unless you want to stay here, you can join me on my path to my shift. If that's your wish?"

Autumn just smiled. "Sure why not I haven't seen the bridge in ages... may as well."

Wilhem looked at her funny, then remembered something, "Oh... Yeah... I work on the bridge now. I keep thinking I'm supposed to be working in the Science Labs."

Autumn smiled at him and took his hand and said, "Come on."

Wilhem nodded and took her hand and walked with her to the turbolift. He turned to her, "Are you sure you want to go to bridge? People might stare at you."

Autumn stepped into the lift when the doors opened and pulled him after her. "Let them. They are not my concern," she said as the doors shut. "Bridge," she said and the lift began to move. She smiled at him. "Anyway I am not actually setting foot on the bridge... I am just accompanying you on the turbolift." She slipped her arm around his waist and hugged him.

Wilhem grinned and hugged her back. As they neared the bridge, he turned to her and planted a kiss on her lips. Then after he had released it, the door's opened, and he said, "Good-bye Love. See you after my shift." And then he stepped off the turbolift and went ot his station.

Autumn watched as the doors slid shut and said, "Deck 3," and the lift dropped down. She headed back to her quarters.

Wilhem set about working on the problems that were to present themselves soon. He hoped Autumn was ready for anything strange happening. It was the way of this world that things got out of hand at times.

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

"Getting To Know You"

Commander Karyn Dallas RN
Chief Counselor/Second Officer

Lt. j/g Brian Elessidil
Counselor
USS Galaxy

***Outside Lt. j/g Elessidil's quarters, USS Galaxy***

Karyn couldn't suppress a chuckle as she re-read her newest counselor's service record. She wasn't laughing at him or his accomplishments at all. As a matter of fact, he appeared to be knowledgeable in a number of fields, including one of her favorites, music. He went to school on Betezed, and Karyn had grown up there, so she was looking forward to reminiscing about home with another. She hadn't been home in almost twelve years. What amused her was not the man, but his transfer in departments. The long-standing joke had always been between Counseling and Security. In her three year tenure onboard the Galaxy, she had lost two counselors to Security and had gained a former Security Officer as her Assistant Chief. Just recently she had lost another counselor to Flight Control, and now a former Flight Control Officer was transferring to Counseling!

The only thing that concerned her about the newest arrival was his seemingly restless nature. Karyn hoped Brian enjoyed being a counselor and would choose to stick things out for a while, as she hated the revolving door that was her department. It was a more difficult job than most people realized, and unfortunately, Counseling was one of those fields where it was impossible to know what to expect from dutystation to dutystation. Flight controls rarely change from ship to ship, people do. If there was one thing most people, regardless of species, hated most, it was change. Unfortunately building trust with a therapist was a lot more personal than building confidence on operating a console.

It was unlike her to be so pessimistic, and in truth all she ever wanted from her fellow officers was for them to be happy, but she loved what she did and sometimes it was hard to understand others who didn't. "To each his own." Karyn muttered aloud while ringing the door chime to Brian's quarters. He was brand new to the field, and with any luck he would find his home here. She knew all about restlessness, though, so she chastised herself for judging the book by its cover just yet. The buzz was that he was very enthusiastic.

The door swished open and she was greeted by a brown eyed, brown haired Betazoid male. "Greetings, Brian. I'm Karyn Dallas. I just came by to introduce myself and to see if you were settling in ok?"

"Commander -- won't you come in?" The fact that the new crewman was happy to see his new "boss" was apparent by the smile on his face and the cheer in his voice. Brian stepped aside in the doorway and motioned to space in front of a low table with a couch on the other side. From one side of the room to the other, Karyn was noticing various stacks of books. "Please excuse the books. I've asked for some bookshelves but they haven't come yet."

As Karyn positioned herself at the table, continuing to scan the stacks of books, Brian went over to the replicator. "Your timing is perfect, I just replicated some fresh chocolate chip cookies. They're not the same as baking them yourself, but I haven't had a chance to even find out if there is somewhere onboard where I might do some of my own cooking. It's a relaxing hobby and I very much enjoy sharing the 'fruits of my labors' with others." Returning, Brian held the plate in front of her, "have some?"

Momentarily distracted from her survey of the books, Karyn took a fresh, warm cookie. "Gladly, thank you. I must say it's been a long time since I've been able to sit and enjoy one of these." She smiled and somewhat embarrassedly wiped some crumbs from her mouth with a proffered napkin.

"Can I offer you anything to drink to go with it?", Brian inquired as he placed the plate of cookies on a table in front of her and dashed off to the replicator again.

Karyn was starting to get a little dizzy from the all the activity and had to think a moment before the question sank in. "Well, I think I'll just have whatever you're having, just nothing alcoholic," she answered, still not fully detached from her preoccupation with the multitudinous books. She had begun to notice that they covered a broad range of topics, from quantum mechanics to cook books.

Karyn herself enjoyed a good read, and so was a bit envious of anyone who could find the time to do it and had such a large collection. Lately ship's business had kept her pretty preoccupied and she was having trouble concentrating on much else. She smiled as she thought about how nice it would be to have a male counselor with such enthusiasm in the department. Adrian and Mike were both good people, but Mike was often preoccupied with his own personal life and Adrian was a great counselor in his quiet way, but was so different from Karyn, it could be hard to relate at times. Brian seemed to share her enthusiasm and personality thus far, and she smirked as she realized her admittedly stereotypic view of male counselors may very well be destroyed right here. Still, she had some concerns about his posting here, and she did not want to get her hopes up too high.

"No problem! Two glasses of soy milk, cold," Brian stated to the replicator. After the soft whirring ended, indicating that the requested beverages had materialized, Brian continued as he crossed the room again, "I really like these quarters. On my last starship assignment the accommodations were nowhere near as . . . " He cocked his head and looked up thoughtfully, then added, "well . . . accommodating!" He gave a little chuckle and took a bite of a cookie.

Karyn laughed in return and answered, "I know exactly what you mean. For the brief time I served on the Enterprise-D, I thought I just might have to get more furniture just to balance the rooms out. Even as a crewmen, I couldn't believe my luck at finding an assignment that offered so much in the way of living space. I need a lot of space to move around for obvious reasons," she added with a chuckle.

It occurred to Brian that his darting to and fro between the table and the replicator was due to more than just hospitality. He was a little nervous, perhaps even worried, that some kind of "hidden" interview was being conducted. He focused on her for a few seconds and was reassured by what he read in Commander Dallas: that more than anything, she was genuine. Her interest in getting to know him and make sure he was settling in ok, the sense of humor she was sharing, and even some slight reservation about his joining her staff, were all real. What he also sensed in her was not unlike a motherly tenderness and concern -- one that extended toward her co-workers, her patients, her staff, and now even to him. Brian liked that and felt that no matter what transpired between them, spoken or unspoken, he could trust and respect her.

"This is quite a collection of books you have here." Between Brian's almost continuous movement and dialogue, and the almost overwhelming distraction of the books themselves, Karyn felt a little relieved to be able to finally say something to try to express her reaction.

"Another hobby of mine," the energetic man replied. "It's not common in these days of digital everything to be interested in actual, printed books, but it's a love I inherited from my parents, they're quite the bibliophiles themselves. In fact," Brian laughed a little as he recalled, "they had to add a library to our house on Earth just to have a place to keep them all!"

Although still a little dazed, Karyn had to admit to herself that it was starting out to be a charming visit. "A library! Sounds fantastic!"

The subsequent lull in the conversation seemed the perfect opportunity to address her concerns about his service record. Never one to beat around the bush, Karyn decided to be frank. "Brian, as thrilled as I am you've been posted to the Galaxy, after examining your service record, there are some things that concern me, namely your previous career changes."

Although he knew her concern would have to be addressed and that he could trust her, Brian still experienced a little twinge in the pit of his stomach at her words.

"I should preface this by saying my concern has nothing to do with you being a first time counselor. I started here as an Ensign three years ago and have managed to do some good here, I hope. My concern lies more in whether or not counseling is going to hold your attention long enough for you to see it through. We've lost several qualified counselors to other departments in recent months, and I can't begin to tell you how disruptive it can be to crewmembers who had built attachments to these people. You began as a music student, then became a helmsman and now you'd like to work as a counselor. I need to know you are committed to your job here and don't anticipate getting restless in the near future." She was being candid, and she hoped he would be the same without taking offense.

Brian thought for the briefest of moments as his nervousness melted away and inside, his professionalism asserted itself. "Honestly Commander, if I were sitting on that side of the table I'd be expressing the same concern and asking the same unspoken questions." His voice was softer and more even-toned now and his deep brown eyes were fixed on hers, conveying an unwavering yet gentle, non-threatening seriousness. Although still warm, it was altogether different from the personality Karyn had seen thus far.

"It's never been in my nature to try or even want to pull the wool over anyone's eyes, nor is it in my nature to attempt to provide absolutes where none can exist, so I won't do either now. I think the best way for me to give you some assurance and to demonstrate my commitment as a professional is to share a little bit more of myself, something deeper, with you. It's true that I come here with a widely-varied background, due as much to a difficulty with focusing as to the insatiable curiosity of a quick mind." Even at his most professional, Brian felt a little discomfort openly acknowledging positive attributes about himself, but he continued without pause.

"But at various times throughout my life I've been shown infinite patience, infinite kindness, infinite love; I've also been deeply humiliated, deeply hurt, and deeply rejected. Through my own experience, and through observing and listening to the experience of others, I learned, and continue to learn every day, what it is to be human. I always tried to bring that understanding to every interaction I had with other people. It took a number of years for me to come to the realization that I regarded things I was interested in: music, sociology, piloting a starship --hobbies, if you will -- as my life's passion, while I regarded my life's true passion -- namely, the desire to see each person to whom I got to talk and listen understand and reach the full potential of their humanity -- as a hobby. When I finally understood that, I knew that I needed to re-align my life and career accordingly."

Karyn noticed there was the slightest trace of tears welling up in her newest counselor's eyes . . . and she felt all the more "motherly" toward him for it.

He continued, "That said, I could read all the books in the galaxy, get all the degrees there are to earn, and have more empathic ability than a thousand other Betazoids put together, and I would still be nothing more than perfectly, imperfectly human. In the end, that's all I can bring to this department, this crew, and this life."

As his words echoed in her mind, Karyn could see something more in Brian's fixed gaze than the determination of a passionate, potentially gifted professional. She also saw the silent pleading of a vulnerable man, desperate that what he was trying to say, what he was trying to do, would be good enough -- for her and for the universe. She wondered just for a moment if the same had been mirrored in her eyes when she had begun on her journey in Starfleet.

His candor and vulnerability surprised her all the more and made her aware of her own true feelings about what she did everyday. "I guess the best advice I can give you is this: don't give up. Don't lose that focus ever, and believe me, there will be times you will forget why it is you do this, why you want to do this even. At times, it's going to seem like pain is all you feel and see, but every once in awhile, you'll get that reward that makes it your passion. New recruits can be impatient, unfocused. Nothing comes easy in this job ever, and truly dedicated people have to be in it for the long haul."

She grew quieter. "I sense we are so similar you and I, and as much as you've been through, be prepared for more; more humiliation, more frustration, more pain. Be prepared for the fact that it never gets easier, get used to digging down deeper than you ever thought possible. Being a counselor means accepting that most of the time, you'll be expected to give more than you take."

She smiled, "Assuming you're still interested, welcome to the Galaxy, Counselor Elessidil." She stuck out her hand.

And with a simple reciprocation, he accepted more than just a handshake.

"Permission"
By Lt Rose Isis MacAllen, Science Officer

OOC: This take place before the other people set the trap for the vampires.

**Rose's Room**

Sitting in her favoite nightgown while sipping some peppermint tea, she was fixing to write to the Captain hoping he will give her permission for her long lost father to stay on the Galaxy for an while until his new ship is been build. Not only her father coming on the ship but three of her goddaughters from the USS Morningstar where her cousin Captain Lily Carson commands is coming to stay with her until then get done with an deep space mission, the girls parents didn't want to put three high-strong thirteen years old girls in one of the most troubled part of space.

She started typing in the message to send to Captain Price:

To: Captain Price
From: Lt Rose Isis MacAllen
RE: Permission to Bring my lost long Father and my three goddaughters to the USS Galaxy

Dear Sir,
I want permission to bring onto the ship my long lost father Captain Victor MacAllen who has the Captain of the USS China during the war and a POW, so he can visit me until he takes command of the USS China-A which will be about six months. Also I like your permission to bring on three of my goddaughters:

Victoria and Elizabeth Williamson, (Twin Betazoid girls) and Mary Macfarland, (Human/ girl)

I will take full repondable for all four of the people that are coming under my care.

After this mission this four people well be coming from the USS Morningstar that my cousin Captain Lily Carson is commanding and they will be docking at any Starbase, Outpost, or any place that the Galaxy is going to be until the next mission.

Thank you for your time Captain

Lt Rose Isis MacAllen

"Computer send to Captain Price and lights out please." Rose said as she when to bed for an peaceful night sleep.

"Suck THIS..."

Starring:
Lt.j.g. Lysander Van derPuls-Hawksley,
Tactical Officer (NPC)Ens. Bosco, Tac Officer
(NPC)Petty Officer First Class Tim Mirapoints, Senior Phaser Diagnostic Technician and ne'er-do-well
with gratitutious and unapproved mention of... (NPC) Holli von Ernst, Civilian

PO1 Mirapoints looked at the power converter buss blocking the hatchway on Deck five and sighed. He counted to a very large, double digit number before he felt calm enought to enter the Primary Power Distribution Grid Nexxus for Starboard Dorsal Phaser Emitters No. 5, 6 and 7 (Primary Series) also known as "Compartment 256" to the shipbuilders.

Scattered across the deck were several handtools ranging from sonic spanners, to a handheld Laser cutter/welder for armoured plating, several PADDs, and several modules for the power distribution grid, some in need of replacing, some brand new from the replicator. An access port in the far wall was open, showing the inert forms of several Phaser Inducer Coils currently offline for the physical diagnostic being performed by the Caitian and Terran figures huddled in front of it. The fact that the coils were offline was what had triggered the wonks in Engineering to contact Tim, to see if he or his crew were conducting testing on the units. He should have guessed "tac-weenies" were behind it all. The sounds of their arguement carried across the compartment.

"...and I'm telling YOU, fuzz-face, that there's no WAY they're gonna jump YOU up to Asst. Tactical Officer over me. It don't matter what Jessie says or does, she's only Asst-Tac because the Ell-Tee needs the help. I mean...look at our simulator scores, fer smeggs sake..."

"Simulatorrr-schimulatorrrrr. It has no bearrrrrring on ourrrr abilities when actually fighting the GALAXY. Plus the fact that the Ell-Tee hates your guts...does this scan look rrrright to you? The parrrameterrrs.."

Tim had heard enough.

"*AHEM* excuse me, _gentlemen_ but perhaps you could tell me who the bloody blue novas you are, and why the frag you've got _MY_ power room all disassembled?"

The two forms stood up, and Tim ID'ed them immediatly.

TAC-WEENIES.

Specifically that Caitian dolt pretty boy who shed _hair_ all over the sensitive innards of the ship and his wonder friend, the Terran Tac-Wonder, who was soooooo good, they had to draft him out of the bloody MATH department! And to add insult to injury, they were MESSING WITH TIM'S PHASERS! His nostrils flared. The Caitian, knowing the reputation of "The Terror" and probally catching a whiff of the anger pheremones started edging back, letting the Louie Junior do all the talking (and probally receiving the punches to the mouth as well!)

"Oh, heyas there...Chief. The Ell-Tee got told that Bosco and I were chatting on duty during Delta Shift last week, and she assigned a Level Two diagnostic of all the Saucer Phaser relays to us..."

"Oh. I see. The _LIEUTENANT_ is pissed with you two chuckleheads, so _SHE_ decides to unleash you two on _MY_ Phasers? The _LIEUTENANT_ can't send you down to the Torpedo Bay like that other Ensign? You can't count all the pretty torps and bug Chief Smith can you two rodents? The _LIEUTANANT_ can't do her bloody diagnostic from the Bridge like all the OTHER TAc Officers? Can she? Noooo.. It's gotta be the bloody PHASERS for you two. The phasers that this ship relys on as a primary offensive weapon? The same phasers you're supposed to NEVER take offline without informing not only the Engineering Duty Officer, but _ME_ as well? The phasers you two moronic slimesuckers have strewn ALL OVER MY NICE, CLEAN COMPARTMENT AS WE SPEAK? THOSE THE PHASERS YOU TALKIN' ABOUT, SON?"

Later, Bosco would swear that the PO1's voice actually caused Lysander's 'head-fur' to fly back. However, it did not phase his idiotic grin one bit.

"Yeah Chief. See...Ell-Tee von Ernst says..."

"I DON'T CARE WHAT SHE SAYS. THE _REGS_ SAY THAT YOU DON'T TAKE _MY_......err...you don't take a weapons system offline without informing myself and the Engineering drones THAT YOU'RE SWITCHING TO SECONDARY! At least you fraggin plasma- brains didn't try and start pulling components out of a live system! Also, the power loss ratings for that 576638-KJH the Ensign is holding are well within range, so put it back and quit fussing with it, and while you're at it, clean up all this crud on the deck. Suppose we lost anti-gravetics and this stuff started flying all over the compartment? You also don't block hatchways open like that. Suppose there was a Red Alert, or a decompression on this deck?"

"Well...Umm..I guess we'd have to move that buss, so the hatchway could close. But what's the odds, Chief? I mean..."

As Mirapoints was rolling his eyes, prepatory to giving this young officer the "# 7465- Always Prepared..." lecture;the whoop of the Red Alert Notice caught his attention. What were the odds? Of course, it was these dweebs "Ell-Tee" doing the "All Hands." Some days were just fraggin PERFECT!

++"Umm, Hello Shi...Everybody....Uhhh...This is Rebecc..the Bridge. Red Alert...if you please....oh yeah...Captain Price to the Bridge. Thanks!" ++

At least the Caitian had the sense to hustle when wrestlung the Power buss out of the hatchway. The computer kept droning on and on...

==Please clear obstruction of Hatchway 256. It is against Federation Starfleet Standing Order 383556 to block Hatchways during Red Alert or any other time...Please ...==

The Louie Junior was slinging anythng not nailed down back into the replicator reclaimation chute. Mirapoints was busy opening the emergency panel on the bulkhead nearest the hatchway. He pulled from the recesses of the lockers three Engioneering Emergency Suits, Mk. IV and slung two at the Junior Officers.

"Here, put these on and seal them. They're not as good as Battle Armour, but they'll stop most anything phaser based short of a disintergrate setting and dull a disruptor blast to a dull ache. Plus you don't suffocate in vacuem or get irradiated or anything else too nasty for Bridge types to have happen to them..." He stopped Lysander from dropping the heavy Laser Cutter/Welder into the reclaimation chute. "Nooooo... I got plans for that baby. Let's find out what's going on first."

The three scrambeled into their suits, Lysander and Bosco waving their Phaser II's and Tim hoisting the large backpacked power unit for the Heavy Laser. In a dead run, they pounded down the corridors en route to their duty stations. Tim to the main Phaser Diagnostic Boards in Engineering, Bosco to the Emergency Battle Bridge, and Lysander to assist Damage Control Party # 42 on Deck Ten. Tim was making sure that he made a mental note to chew these two out further whenever they figured out what was going on and fixed it.

--------

The Crew Chief of DamCon Party #42 was a Terran Engineering offcer, who made sure to laugh at Lysander's emergency suit before finishing delegating her orders.

"...you and the security guy double check the turbolift doors are closed. The medic and I will escort that guy who got the hot chai tea spilt on him to Sickbay. Oh yeah...The Tac guy. You go and... umm.. round up any Civvies who look lost. Get them to their quarters. Try to not shoot them, you Tac guys have a reputation for that."

"Aye-aye ma'm. Okay if I rough them up a bit first though?" Lysander's grin was contagious, even if the only thought in his head involved stuffing her wide bottom through a reclaimation chute.

"Negatory there. Just send them packing on their way." She leaned closer to Lysander and breathed into his ear..."You really should wear Blaze Orange more often Lysander, it makes you look less dissapiated than usual. If you're off duty during Gamma Shift tonight, stop by my quarters. Do not stand me up again, or _I_ will stun _you_." With a smirk, she left the Lt.j.g. to his own devices. Not usually a good move where Lysander was concerned. With a shrug, he hustled off to check the lounges scattered all over Deck Ten.

--- --- ---

b-ooooooo-r-i-n-g

That's what this job was. While necessary, searching for people who didn't understand what the flashing Red Lights meant was very b-oooo-ring! He'd visited literally twenty lounges, with no-one in sight...

Except for that.

He watched the lissome figure siloutted against the warp field, watched as she allowed the play of the lights to slide over her body.

And _what_ a body it was, too.

Lysander was replaying her impromptu dance to himself as she sat for a few moments, and then stood again, staring out the viewport at the ever-changing display of the galaxy's beauty.

With a sigh, he shook himself and trudged towards her, feeling the drag of the Emergency suit's bulk.

"Sniffer Dogs."
By Lt. Commander Kent Peterson & Doctor Andree Dothan

The heads of the Galaxy's medical and science departments had gathered in one of the starships many science labs. The lab itself was used just as much by the medical department - it facilities allowed it to double for medical staff experimenting on physiological, immunological, and pathological hypotheses - but official it was controlled by Science.

The two men had been working for the last half an hour, following the brainstorming session between Captain Price's senior staff and designated guests. They had been charged with the responsibility of finding a way to track down the Sanguinarians who had gone from guest to attacker.

"... we the first problem would be to isolate any of the chemical signatures that the Gorn olfactory organ is capable of detecting," Kent speculated, making the reasonable assumption that the Gorn sense of smell was detecting a chemical signature given off by the Sanguinarian body. "Aside from Gorn pheromones, are there any other chemicals we know of to start detecting?"

Dothan's face seemed relaxed as he thought about it. "What about detecting Gorn pheromones for a start," he said matter-of-factly. "They may be emitting a chemical substance that is similar in structure."

"I like the way you think Doctor," Kent said as he stared adjusting the internal sensors to begin scanning for concentrations of Gorn pheromones. The computer beeped and whaled as he made the sensor adjustments - the console almost seemed as though it were protesting about the modifications. Peterson eventually shook his head. "I'm detecting one concentrated form of Gorn pheromones. They're located on the Bridge."

They both knew that it would be the Gorn officer, Seth Zonheib.

"Computer," Andree said as he addressed the Library Access and Retrieval System, "locate Lieutenant Seth Zonheib."

["Lieutenant Zonheib is located on the Bridge."]

"Is he the only Gorn on board?"

["Affirmative."]

Kent looked over at the chief medical officer. "Well, we know there isn't anything wrong with the ship's sensors then."

"It still doesn't tell us what to look for," Dothan remarked.

"Agreed," Kent responded. The chief scientist scratched the back of his head. "Still, if we can determine several locations were we know the Sanguinarians have been, then perhaps we can limit the search parameters to molecules found at each of those locations."

Andree nodded. "That could take some time. Well we know they have been in several crew quarters, so looking there would be a good start. I'll contact Security and see if we can get an update on any sightings."

"Excellent. I'll also include the forensic analysis from my quarters as well. It might be two days old, but the team may have detected something without actually looking for it. I've been told," Kent added, having now confirmed this with the Security, "that the evidence, or lack thereof, points to one of the Sanguinarians."

"Then it sounds as though you were lucky," Andree remarked, getting reading to contact the Security department to find out exactly where there have been recent sighting of the Sanguinarians. Andree turned and reached across his chest to tap the communicator on his chest, "Dothan to Security ..."

As they worked on different tasks to achieve the same objective, Lieutenant Commander Peterson turned his thoughts to the 'vampires'. He wondered how the worlds in the galaxy that had vampire myths - Lieutenant MacAllen's research and his own concluded that it was a large number - would respond to knowing there were humanoids that actually resembled that mythical figure.

It a little bemusing - an explanation for an irrational legend of blood-sucking, superhuman beings. While Kent accepted that the Sanguinarians were real, he still did not think of them as being true life vampires. How could he? He had no proof except the irrational reports of people apparently 'attacked' or 'seduced' by these would-be villains. Seeing them, however, would have left a different impression.

Then there was the lack of information from forensics - how can people who rely on facts on rely on eye-witness reports? Despite the fact that these officers were reliable, it had been shown throughout legal history that the credibility of an eye-witness is not infallible.

"Okay," the medical chief said, having just finished with speaking to Security. "I've got a short list of recent sightings, Including crew quarters, and the school deck," he said, handing over the PADD.

Kent read through the list that Andree had just read out. Bringing up a cross-section of the mighty Galaxy-class starship he started entering in the area for any visual pattern. The only one that existed was the presence of people - food to the Sanguinarians.

Dothan continued to work until he had a thought. Gazing out in to the distance he thought about it a little more, before turning to Peterson. "Maybe we are going about this all wrong," he remarked.

The chief science officer looked up. "Hey?"

"Maybe we ought to try to use a neural gel-pack to interface cultured cells from the Gorn olfactory receptors to a tricorder, then we give it to Seth. Let him try to track the 'scent' and record voice notes along the way, and compare his notes to the sensor data from the gel-pack to his notes, to see if there is a correlation."

Kent shook his head. "That's like putting all your eggs in to one basket, isn't it? If the Sanguinarians realize that we are relying on a Gorn and an adapted tricorder, there's nothing to stop them from impeding our ability to track them down by taking him out of the picture," Peterson said, reflecting on how the Sanguinarians manipulated members of his own department. "Besides, the Captain wanted a ship wide means of tracking them down. If they split up, how will we located the both of them?"

Andree nodded. Begrudgingly he accepted Kent's conclusion.

Peterson worked on the console he was seated in front of for a few moments longer before looking back over at the chief medical officer. "Still," Peterson said, looking over to the Trill Starfleet officer, "maybe we could narrow down the list of substances to scan. You said it yourself."

"I'm not sure I follow."

"Get something the Sanguinarians have had contact with and monitor Zonheib's reactions."

Dothan smiled. "It could work. Then all we need do is isolate the chemical, or chemicals, and modify the ship's sensor to track down concentrations of them."

"But that will allows us to track the chemicals themselves as they are emitted from the Sanguinarians. We still may need a way to confirm that it is them. Visually?" Kent offered.

The medical chief shook his head. "We cannot detect their life signs. That sounds like a good way to confirm it remotely."

"Sounds like a plan!" Kent said eagerly.

Dothan reached across his chest and tapped the communicator on his uniform. "Dothan to Zonheib ..."

*** Some time later ****

The laboratory was quiet - other than the occasional scientist walking in and out of the laboratory - as Kent was analyzing the results of a computer analysis. The library access and retrieval system had compared the various air samples from the locations where there Sanguinarians were last scene. The computer console read like a chemical text book as it described molecules of elements and compounds detected by the internal sensors, tricorder readings, and the native environmental controls of the Starship Galaxy.

The doors to the laboratory opened and Dothan rushed in after having been working with the Gorn, Zonheib, in Sickbay. "I think we've got it!" he said before he even reach Kent's position.

The chief science officer looked up, his eyes sore from staring at the screen of numbers and chemical names. Andree handed him a PADD which showed a chemical hormone that seemed to have triggered Seth's ability to smell the Sanguinarians.

Andree rested against a nearby work bench, "It took us some time to find something in direct contact with the Sanguinarians, but there you have it. As you can see," he began, allowing Peterson a moment to read through the summary. "It is a hormone that appears to be produced by their physiology."

"It looks a little odd for a hormone."

Dothan nodded. It had taken him a moment or two as well to identify the biologically significant substance. "Granted, it is more complex than your regular Human or Trill hormone, but the basic structure is a sterol-like hormone."

Kent gave the medical chief a nod before placing the PADD down on the console and uploaded the data to his console. To go manually through each list of chemicals to find traces amounts of the chemical the doctor had narrowed down as a Sanguinarian substance would be too huge. "Computer," he said, turning back to the monitor, "crosscheck the air samples for traces of the Sanguinarian hormone."

Andree Dothan joined Kent Peterson as the graphical display began flashing highlights behind the detected chemical. "There," he said, pointing to two instances the computer was able to find.

"The school rooms," Kent remarked.

Dothan continued to watch the screen as Peterson stood up and grabbed the PADD that his colleague had brought with him. Reading it looked at the chemical properties that the computer had determined. "I'd say you've done it Doctor."

Andree gave Kent a nod.

Peterson nodded politely back in turn before reaching across his chest and tapping his communicator. "Peterson to Price. Dothan and I have an answer for you sir ..."

"Taking Further Actions"
by Commander Thomas
USS Galaxy

Commander Thomas had waited outside the door for Captain Price to exit the room, so that he could speak to him briefly. The first thing he wanted to do was apologize for being late to the emergency staff meeting, and when the time permitted he would explain further in a report if the captain so desired.

"Captain." Chris said to him as he came out of the room.

Lee's expression was still cross after the circus act that just took place with Lieutenant' Thatcher's pet pig. Turning, the Captain let a little of his dissatisfaction creep out in his voice.

"What is it Commander?"

The Captain's bluntness was noticed by the First Officer.

"I wanted to apologize for being late to this emergency meeting, and I am willing to put a explanation fully stating what caused me to be late." Chris said, "If you so ask."

The General's expression lightened just a bit. Evidently Lee realized he'd responded to Thomas with more inflection in his voice then he should of. He was mad at the pig that was squealing and defecating all over the bridge, not at his First Officer.

"Not necessary 'mate. I knew you'd arrive eventually. If you were able."

"With everyone's focus on trying to capture or stop the Sanguinarians." Chris said. "We still have the issue of their program that now has control of our flight control and speed. If I may ask was any solutions suggested, captain?"

The Captain let out a sigh. "You are right of course Commander. Obviously the priority is in locating and containing our guests. The sabotage they have inflicted to our systems, though it has us trekking off out of the galaxy, it otherwise doesn't pose an immediate threat."

"I see." Chris said as he pondered the captain's comment. "Still if I might request, I'd like a crack at the program now in control of our engines and destination, sir."

"Feel free to have a go Commander. If needed, you might contact our Binar officers. They may be of some assistance in countering the alien program that has taken over our computer systems." the Captain suggested.

"Aye sir, I will do just the Binar's might be able to work on the problem around the clock." Commander Thomas said. "Even if I were to get sidetracked."

Price nodded.

"Then if you'll excuse me I have work to do, if we want to try and regain control of the ship." Chris said.

"Of course, mate." Captain Price answered.

Commander Thomas proceeded to leave the bridge.

Captain Price returned his attention to other matters facing them.

***

Commander Thomas entered the turbolift. "Computer we are the Binar's?" Chris asked.

"Deck 12, section 17 A." the computer answered.

"Odd." Chris thought to himself.

"Computer Deck 12 section 17 A."

Chris found it odd that they would be there an not working on the computer. In any case he needed to find them and see if he could get their help on dealing with the current program that had taken control of the ship's flight control and engines. If they couldn't find a way to regain control of the ship and her engines they'd have to consider trying to dump the core.

They were facing a real challenge here, in the fact they needed control of their ship.

Chris had recommend that with everyone else focused on capturing their guest, someone needed to regain control of the ship. Which now was his job, but he first had to speak with the Binar's and hoped that they could assist him in trying to over come the ship's current program control problem.

"Memories or Dreams?"
By Lieutenant jg Electra Reece
Assistant Chief of Operations

Location: Still Trapped in Sickbay

Lexa perched at a desk, looking over the data she had collected until her eyes blurred from the strain. She could detect nothing unusual other than the blood loss. There were no puncture marks, cuts, or any indication of transfusion before sickbay got to them. She was puzzled, just like everyone else.

She had given up her bed to a victim who needed transfusions and she leaned back in the chair, exhausted. She decided to take a break from the puzzle and check on her computer messages. She found one from James Corgan with a security clearance required. Her eyebrows arched. What could he possibly have to send an encrypted letter to her about that he couldn't tell her face to face? He was just in another part of sickbay helping with patients.

"Computer, recognize Reece, Electra, lieutenant junior grade."

[ Reece, Electra, lieutenant junior grade, recognized. ]

"Computer, display secure message from James Corgan, this station."

The computer beeped as the message appeared. Lexa's eyes scanned the document once, then again, more slowly, then a third and fourth times. ~ He sent me an encrypted message to ask me on a date?!? ~ She wasn't sure which fact shocked her more, his overprotectiveness of such a relatively trivial message or what the message said.

~ He ... he really does like me. The opera. That doesn't seem to be his style but I won't complain. ~

"Computer, reply to James Corgan ...", she shrugged, "Use encryption algorithms Omega Gamma Foxtrot. Authorization Reece Pi Beta Seven Seven Unicorn One."

The computer beeped. "Begin message. I would love to attend the opera with you. I look forward to it. Thanks for always saving me. Lexa. End message, encrypt and send." She smiled and turned to her personal log.

"Computer, record my personal log, this stardate, now. First note: I am in alt. James Corgan asked me on a DATE!!! I was sure he was in a relationship with Rebecca but he says I misunderstood. Oh, I hope so. He is taking me to the opera. I can't wait.

Second note: I am in sickbay and I've given up my biobed to someone else. This is getting crazy. I don't know what is happening. People are saying that our guests are vampires. That is patently ridiculous. There are no such things as vampires. On the other hand, people are winding up in sickbay with mysterious blood loss and no memory of it, myself included. I was in bed and I had a nightmare but it changed to a dream of meeting with my father and he comforted me and ...", she shook her head as disturbing images flashed across her mind's eye. "Something strange is going on. These visitors must have something to do with it. But I ... I feel so ... I can't ... I don't want to remember what happened to me. What happened to me? It was a dream but Daddy ... he ... I ... why would I dream what I seem to remember now? I don't understand. I hate this!!! I didn't dream of having ... with my father. I didn't! I wouldn't!!!"

Lexa took a deep breath and shook herself. "Computer, file second note under my eyes only clearance, with only authorization to view by Chief Counselor only after my death. Authorization Reece Tango Red Two Two Black Indigo."

[ Acknowledged. ]

"Send a note to Karyn Dallas requesting an appointment at her first opportunity."

The computer sent the note and Lexa leaned back in the chair, massaging her temples and wishing she could get these horrible thoughts out of her mind.

"Bringing it all together"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

Captain Price was sitting in his office, still angry over the careless handling of Lieutenant Thatcher's pet pig that somehow landed the terrified animal on the bridge where he proceeded to defecate everywhere. Ozwald was a sport about cleaning up after his pet, but at this point, with the other stressors that were present on board the USS Galaxy, Captain Price didn't have the patience to be forgiving of the mishap.

While reviewing some of the historical references to vampires from Earth's history, an incoming hail reached the General's ears.

["Peterson to Price. Dothan and I have an answer for you sir ..."]

It was Lieutenant Commander Kent Peterson, the ship's Chief Science Officer. After the emergency staff meeting the General had called, Peterson was tasked with finding a way to locate the Sanguinarian guests that otherwise were a complete blank to the ship's instruments and scanners.

"Go ahead 'mate. We could use some good news right about now." Lee responded.

["We believe that the Sanguinarians have a particular hormone that allows Gorn to smell them. I've programmed the ship's sensors to detect this hormone and have located two signatures in the school rooms sir."] Kent explained over the channel.

Lee had mixed emotions at hearing this. On the one hand, he was glad, since the science department had come through and figured out a way to locate the hostile visitors. But on the other hand, he could think of no pleasant reason why the Sanguinarian guests would be down in the children's ward. "Good work 'Commander. I'll notify security and let them know. Use the ship's sensors to keep a running target on them. You can feed that intel to the security teams to assist tracking them."

["Understood Captain."] Peterson responded as he closed the channel.

Lee immediately tapped his comm badge. "Price to Commander Elaithin, come in 'mate."

A moment later the Captain's communicator chirped with a response. ["Elaithin here Captain. Go ahead sir."]

"'Commander Peterson and Doctor Dothan have found a way to locate the Sanguinarians. They've pin pointed their location to the children's center in one of the classrooms." The Captain reported to the Chief of Security.

["Understood Captain. We have a report of an attack down there. I'm dispatching a team as we speak."] Elaithin explained.

"Bonzer. I've instructed 'Commander Peterson to keep security apprised of the Sanguinarian's position as they move about the ship. Now that we have a way of detecting their location they should be easier to deal with."

["We believe we have a plan to lure them to the holodeck Captain. I'll see that it gets put into action. If you can contact engineering and verify they are ready and standing by with the transporter, that would be great. We will only get one shot at this..."] Elathin reminded.

Lee gave a nod. "I agree 'mate. I'll contact Lieutenant Commander T'Zaq directly. Price out."

After doing his patented double-tap, the Captain hailed again. "Price to T'Zaq. Come in Commander."

["T'Zaq here Captain."] the Vulcan engineer responded.

"We have located the guests 'Commander. Lieutenant Commander Elaithin's security team is preparing to lure them to the holodeck as we speak. Are all the preparations made to the transporter to perform a lockless, general wide area transport when the time comes?" the Captain asked.

["We have isolated the cargo transporter for manual operation Captain. I have the holodeck coordinates programmed in. We should be ready to commence transport inside of five minutes."] T'Zaq reported.

"That should be perfect 'Commander. I expect it will take security longer then that to get our guests into position. When they are, expect to receive a signal to transport." Lee explained.

["Once we receive the signal, the holodeck's holomatrix will be deactivated sir. Three seconds later, when it's completely discharged, the transport will begin. Security will need to detain our guests for that period of time."] the Vulcan explained in a perfectly logical tone.

"Hopefully we will have surprise on our side. That and a little luck." The Captain stated.

T'Zaq raised an eyebrow on the other end of the channel. ["Sir, we have no data that would indicate that this will even work. The transporters, even on wide area settings, may not be capable of affecting the Sanguinarians in any way."]

"It's got to work 'Commander. Right now it's our only plan. It may be our last hope of stopping these creatures." The Captain stated. It was apparent from his voice that he wasn't any surer that this would work then Lieutenant Commander T'Zaq was. He was just a little more emotional and placed more emphasis on his hope that it would be successful. It was that human quality of faith that was so illogical to the Vulcans.

["I hope that your assessment is correct Captain. At any rate, the transporter will be ready when the time comes."] T'Zaq responded.

"Fair dinkum 'mate. Standby for the transport signal. Price out." Lee closed as he deactivated the channel.