"Complications"
Lt. Commander Elaithin Jii (Subcommander Mirok)

The cosmetically-disguised Bajoran let out a small sigh. "That settles it then. We've got what we came for." he spat out in Romulan. The sound of disgust was evident in his voice. By salvaging all the myriad vessels at Chin'toka, and attemtpting to grow thier own Jem'Hadar, the government of the Romulan Empire had reduced themselves the the level of comman scavangers and space scum. Any respect the security chief had had before for the conniving, duplicitous race had now faded.

"Indeed." Commander Palteth - Captain Price - responded, still keeping his own Romulan succinct.

Elaithin and Peterson had been scanning the entire room with thier Starfleet-Intelligence provided Romulan tricorders, recording everything. They had more than enough for the Federation to expose the Empire before the rest of the Quadrant. Now, the trick would be to get that information safely back to Starfleet.

A task that would have proved much simpler, if not for the armed guards that had suddenly approached.

To her credit, Karyn immediately took control of the situation. A masterful look of indignation shone on her face as she adressed the guards - whose weapons were pointed at the four covert Starfleet officer. "What is the meaning of this?!" she demanded, her outrage shining through.

Attagirl, Karyn. You're playing it exactly right, the Bajoran thought. His own hand began to drift to the disruptor he wore at his side, but a slight shake of the head from the Captain signalled him to stand down.

With effort, the Security Chief complied.

The guard who had accepted thier identification earlier now strode forward. "You are under arrest, and will wait here. Our superiors are en route. You will hold your questions until they arrive, and you will answer ours. If you do not comply, you will be killed. "

Jarol laughed. "Do not to presume to issue orders to me, Centurion."

The Centurion stepped forward. "My brother died in the Tal Shiar assault on the Founders' homeworld. I would relish the chance to settle that debt, "Colonel"."

Karyn , no that's not right, Elaithin thought. Jarol's eyes shrank to slits as she coldly addressed the Centurion. "If you do not lower your weapons immediately, Centurion, then you will join him."

The standoff lasted for a few moments, until a voice came out of the shadows. "Tsk, tsk, tsk...."Colonel Jarol" " the voice said. A gaunt, almost skeletal Romulan flanked by several more armed guards. Elaithin's hand fell away from his weapon at this point - any sort of resistance, or even really a sign of it - would merely serve to get the Starfleet officers killed.

"I suppose that's not really your name though, is it...."Colonel"? After all, Colonel Jarol was reported Missing in Action over a week ago. I think....that it would be best if you and your associates came with me."

As Elaithin and Peterson shared a brief glance, the skeletal Romulan smiled.

“Riana’s Recriminations”
By Riana Parstran, Lieutenant, Security, USS GALAXY.

In her life she had played many roles. Model Daughter. Best friend. Sister. Marquise. Starfleet Intel officer. Starfleet Cadet. Starfleet officer. And now she played the role of mutineer. Well not really. Brhode was no longer in command. Commander G was. And she had to admit for a helmsman he certainly had the brains and balls that BRHODE Lacked. If Commander G had been marquise he would have made a difference to their cause, but on the other hand she was glad he was on their side.

She sighed as Sara took off after the countess. Brilliant Autumn would be impressed to learn that one of her medical officers preferred the orders of a science officer and her currently non-commanding father. Oh sure Rose had the command ability.. if she did why did she currently turn to Wilhem and Rashid for guidance. Ok so a captain should take advice.. but to rely heavily on others was a sign of weakness.

The one thing Riana knew about Autumn was that even though she had the look of a fragile thing and had that kind side.. she had gone through her training in double time and could out think Rose MacAllen any day. She rarely relied on anyone at all. In fact Wilhem was the first person Riana had seen Autumn cling to as if she was sinking. But then that wasn’t as bad as Rose’s clinging. Riana sighed and took up her post at the tactical station and began doing passive sensor scans on the surrounding vessels. This ship was turning out be worse then she imagined.

OH it wasn’t the fact that her best friend and blood sister was married. Nor the fact that even before the marriage it seemed that Rose had been a threat. Riana had theorised the real reason behind Autumn’s jaunt to the bar with Heather two days before the wedding. The funny thing was that if it had been Rose, Riana would have taken Autumn to sick bay for scans but as it was Heather, both of them had gotten drunk and they were quite content to do so. Riana trusted Heather. She didn’t see Rose’s problem… or maybe she did. Jealousy was a curse. And this ship seemed full of it. The Galaxy was chaos its self and everyone acted as if it was normal when things like VAMPIREs happened. Riana could clearly see why so many of the crew seemed to get along. They were all NUTS.

“Have a lock on all three Hirogen vessels with passive scanners can go to live scanners whenever you are ready Heather”

"Change of Plans."
By Commander Kent Peterson
(aka Major Galathon)

With excerps from Pat's "Complications"

The Federation officers continued to make visual observations and tricorder scans of the warehouse contents. So far they had uncovered shipping orders that showed receipts for cargo transported from the Chin'taka system as well as the physical evidence that the Romulan Star Empire had the remains of several vessels, including the Starship Defiant which was lost after the Breen used their energy dissapator weapon.

"That settles it then. We've got what we came for," Elaithin spat out in Romulan, careful that none of the warehouse personnel heard him and started to jump to conclusions.

Lee glanced over to Elaithin and nodded. "Indeed."

The Galaxy's former security chief turned to his right to gauge where Counselor Dallas and Commander Peterson were - both appeared to be working the console as Kent extracted every piece of data they could with the Romulan tricorder issued to them on the Starship Prospero.

The two Starfleet officers joined Kent and Karyn who were discussing the contents of the shipping records. "How's it going?" Captain Price said discretely, making sure no one could overhear their conversation before he opened his mouth.

Karyn and Kent casually glanced around to the same end.

"This would probably be a good time to go," Kent said.

"Agreed," Karyn added. "We've got copies of the manifests, shipping receipts, origins of supply ... it all seems to check out with what we're seeing here in the warehouse."

"The Chin'taka system appears to be the primary source ..." Kent added until Elaithin tapped his arm gently and directed the scientist's attention to a figure that appeared just a little further down. The others looked to. "I think we've got company."

Although no one was looking directly at Karyn by this time, she could feel them secretly pleading with her to take the initiative once more. It was time for Colonel Jarol to make her presence known once more - deal with the Romulan officer and return to what they were doing. Perhaps Commander Peterson was correct and this was a good time to be heading off.

"Colonel," the centurion said as he held a standard issue Romulan disruptor at the four 'Romulans'. It was not the protocol that one would normally associate with a junior military officer addressing an officer of a higher rank - military or intelligence.

Karyn stepped forward and took the initiative. "What is the meaning of this?"

The centurion raised the disruptor a little higher, pointing it directly at Karyn. No doubt the directed energy weapon was set to some disruption setting - the Romulans did not believe in the stun setting available to Federation phasers. While Jii was ready to jump in to action, Lee signaled to him subtly - there was no way they could win under these circumstances. The security specialist knew it to be true. Any shot fired, or any commotion, would be assured to attract unwanted attention. They would have to wait for the right opportunity.

"You are under arrest," the young Romulan, skeletal in appearance, said, "and will wait here. Our superiors are en route. You will hold your questions until they arrive, and you will answer ours. If you do not comply, you will be killed. "

"Do not to presume to issue orders to me, Centurion," Karyn - or was it Jarol - said as she laughed off the threats of the junior military officer.

The young Romulan's eyes seemed to glare as the woman mocked him. He stepped closer to her, now pointing the disruptor close to her chest, adding, "My brother died in the Tal Shiar assault on the Founders' homeworld. I would relish the chance to settle that debt, 'Colonel'."

It seemed obvious from the young man's tone that he did not buy the identification package prepared for Counselor Dallas by Starfleet Intelligence. Kent could not help but think of Commander Thomas in this situation - he had been one of their rank and kind but left for some reason to assume the role of executive officer on the Galaxy. Should they get out of this, no doubt this situation would add to his dislike of that ass. The question that crossed the scientist's mind now was what did the Romulan centurion know that they did not about the real Colonel Jarol?

"If you do not lower your weapons immediately, Centurion," the 'colonel' said, the Romulan persona pushing the centurion in a very strong, antagonistic manner, "then you will join him."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk ... Colonel Jarol," the voice of a shadowy figure said as he appeared on the scene. He glanced over the four 'Romulans' as they stood there, helpless to react, or as Elaithin wanted to, fight back. "I suppose that's not really your name though, is it ... 'Colonel'? After all, Colonel Jarol was reported missing in action over a week ago."

Now it made sense - at least that was Kent was thinking when the mysterious Romulan explained the situation. It was no real comfort, but at least that was one piece of the puzzle satisfied.

"I think ... that it would be best if you and your associates came with me."

None of the four Federation officers were game to utter another word. Their ruse was up and saying something would only seem to serve to incriminate them.

*****

The underground dungeon was dank. It was not possible to tell but it seemed to be a combination of mould, as well as water that had simply become stagnant. There was little lighting, but the four Starfleet officers could see one another clearly. The question on each of their minds seemed to reflect back on the words of warning from Lieutenant Commander Sullax and Tirol.

Torture and kill.

Kent found the situation to be ironic. His parents had died at the Norkon outposts when the Romulan Star Empire - under the command of Admiral Jarok - destroyed a number of colonies along the Federation border of the Romulan Neutral Zone. While the Romulans maintained that there were listening posts and sensor arrays directed straight in to Romulan space, all the Human scientist could remember was being separated from his mother and father, only to learn that they were killed in the attack. Now he was going to die at the hands of the same people that killed his parents.

The irony was not completely lost. He smirked to himself, a reaction that caught Elaithin's notice.

"What's so funny?" the lieutenant commander asked.

Peterson shook his head. "Nothing ... just thinking about something else," he responded softly.

Lee had been quiet since they arrived at the cell. In fact he had not said very much since being captured at the warehouse. Kent looked at him wondering what he could be thinking. Was he contemplating some directive issued to him by Vice-admiral T'Paal should this situation eventuate? Was he just as freaked as the rest of them? Or was he considering a plan on how to get them out? Although he was very Human, Price seemed to have taken on a Vulcan-like visage. Perhaps it was just the Romulan features from the prosthetics.

Karyn had also been reasonably quiet. While the scientist was no sure, he had to wonder whether or not she was blaming herself. While it was not her fault they were now staying on Romulus as guests of the Empire - at the Praetor's leisure as it were - Kent would have felt that way if he were in her position. Seated together on the same bunk he reached over to placed his hand on her arm, but hesitated for a moment, then went through with it.

For all the four new, this was the last day of their life. Torture and kill.

"Pain"
by Lt Commander Elaithin Jii

In a small, dark room, a man hung stretched via the expedient of rope tied around his wrists and being hung down from the ceiling. A steady, rather irritating stream of water beaded down . This served it's function of wearing the man down, irritating him through of the most subtle forms of torture.

The man had also been stripped naked, a psychological tactic designed to humiliate and demean. For the former Security Chief of the Starship Galaxy, this only partially served it's function. If he was so annoyed at that DAMNED STEADY DRIP of water, he'd have been royally embarrassed.

Elaithin Jii wasn't quite certain how long he'd been there. Three Romulan guards had come into the small cell he shared with his shipmates, and simply directed him out. They had taken him here, stripped him down, tied him up, hung him from the ceiling, and simply...left.

Jii thought it to be a rather rude method of interrogation. If it weren't for the draft, he was almost certain that he would have been insulted.

Some time later, the skeletal Romulan who had apprehended the team returned.

For twenty minutes, the pair stared at each other, neither speaking a word. It was a contest of wills of sorts. There was no doubt that the Romulan was in control of the situation, but he seemed to have a need to "rub that in" as the human expression went.

Finally, irritation and annoyance took their toll, and Elaithin spoke. "What do you want?" he asked, glaring down at the skinny little man in front of him. He was doing his best to ignore the situation.

The Romulan considered the question a moment. "I would very much like to know what one Bajoran and Three humans are doing on my homeworld." he said, beginning a leisurely pace that identified him as an educated man. Jii fought back an expression of shock that they had identified their species already.

Of course, it has also been said that an educated man is the most dangerous of them all. "It almost had us fooled, you know. Subcutaneous transponders, emitting false life signs? Very clever. It would almost have taken a Romulan to think of it."

The Romulan ceased his pacing, and approached the nude Bajoran. "I know several things about you already. You are a Bajoran, You are undoubtedly, as are your compatriots, a Starfleet Officer, and you are engaged in some form of covert activity on the Romulan Homeworld."

"You're very sure of yourself." Elaithin responded. Prophets, that damned drip was irritating.

The Romulan let out a small chuckle. "Quite so." he said, and then looked Jii directly in the eye. "I'm sure your aware of the memory scanners in our possession. If you survive long enough, we may even get to that point. However, I prefer a bit more old fashioned touch. But rest assured, Bajoran, you will tell me everything I want to know." he said, and pulled a small device from his pocked. It was a small device, smaller than a type-one phaser. It took the Bajoran a moment to realize it was a taser. He hadn't seen one in quite some time.

He was going to be tortured with electricity, which the dripping water would conduct.

It was not a pleasant prospect. Praying to the Prophets for strength, the security officer responded the only way he knew how. "Try me, toothpick."

The Romulan's only response was a nod. He brought the device forward, and a current swept through the Bajoran's body. He screamed in pain. A macho display of silence would gain him nothing, while screaming allowed an emotional release that would enable him to focus.

"What is your name?"

Elaithin thought back to his first year on the Galaxy, and even smiled a bit as he replied. "Santa Claus."

The Romulan used the taser again, and again the Bajoran cried out.

"What is your mission?"

After a few steeling breaths, the Bajoran replied again. "To convert the Romulan Empire, so that the people of Romulus may know the love of the Prophets."

Again, he was shocked. And again, he screamed.

"Tell me the truth, Bajoran."

"During the war, I urinated on a Founder." the Bajoran lied again through gritted teeth. If it cost him his life, he would not betray his comrades, or the Federation. As the give and take - and the rather painful electric shocks - continued, Jii used every trick he knew to keep his wits about him. In his mind, he focused on the past, to draw his attention from the paid of the present. He answered the Romulan's questions only sporadically, occasionally spouting pure gibberish as an answer.

He remembered his younger, carefree days at the Academy, where he'd fallen in love with Cadet Jeanne Summers, who'd opened a sulking and hate-filled young Bajoran's eyes to all the beauty the Galaxy had to offer. He thought of his days as a junior officer in the Galaxy's Security department, surrounded by friends. He remembered the days he graduated Starfleet Academy, the day he was promoted to Chief of Security, and the first time he and Heather Sanchez had made love. He thought of the lost crew of the Enterprise-C, and his wonder at meeting Captain Hikaru Sulu. He thought of the food fight at 'Commander Albrecht's wedding reception, sharing his friend's joy at the birth of his child. He thought of all those who were no longer there, remember old comrades.He thought of the joy he'd felt this last year as he'd reconciled with his brother, and discovered his long lost sister alive and well. He thought of all of these things and more.

And through it all, he screamed.

And screamed.

He was panting now, his breath coming in shorter and shorter bursts. It was getting difficult to maintain focus....where were there three interrogators now?

"I will ask you one last time, Bajoran. Tell me the truth."

As focused as he could, Elaithin Jii looked the Romulan dead in the eye. (Or at least, what he thought was the right Romulan. To tell the truth, he was not particularly certain.) "All right. All right. I'll tell you."

He gasped, catching his breath, and spoke again. When he spoke, it was in a very calm, very matter-of-fact tone. "I'm going to kill you." he informed the Romulan.

The Romulan admired the man's courage a bit, to be honest, even if he was a bit taken about by the humorous amount of unmitigated gall the Bajoran possessed. He didn't show that, however. "I think not." was all he said, and brought the taser forward again, this time at it's highest setting.

And Elaithin screamed like he never had before, for this was a pain he had never felt. The electrical currents swept through his body, causing convulsive shakes that almost shook him down from where he hung. It's very likely that he would have told the Romulan absolutely anything by this point.....

......if he hadn't passed out.

********

A short time later, the naked and still unconscious Bajoran was thrown back into the cell, his clothing thrown after him. Then the Romulans left, leaving the imprisoned Starfleet Officers to take care of their own.

"Stop Children, What's that Sound, Everybody Look What's Going Down..."

Joint Post Starring:
Lt. j/g Arel Smith, Security Drone
Lt. Cmdr Lysander VanderPuls-Hawksley, Chief Tac.Officer Samantha Widdlestein (Aged 8) Font of knowledge and wisdom.

* * * * *

Arel had a short temper.

Of course, this was not new information to Arel or anyone who knew her. She could have been strolling through the jungle with Gandhi looking at butterflies and flowers; and still manage to become pissed off. And Samantha Widdlestein and Lt.Commander Lysander VanderPuls- Hawksley were a long and far cry from Gandhi.

She was on the verge of homicide, she decided. If Samantha sang that "Arel's fainted a-wwwaaa---aaayyyyy" song one more time...and Lysander had the annoying habit of muttering "Smeg' and 'Princess' and other nonsensical words under his breath every other minute while whistling offkey and out of tune Klingon Operas; at least she -thought- that's what he was trying to whistle.

Truth be told, Lysander was so wretched musically, he could have been trying to whistle Samantha's "Arel's Faintingggggg..." song at it would still sound like a bad, off key rendition of any Klingon Opera.

Either way, Arel was ready to turn around and yank out both of their tongues in about three nano-seconds.

~~Start my own trophy collection,~~ she thought sourly, envisioning the pink and blue tongues hanging from her waist and flapping in the wind.

Although, truth be told, Samantha was alittle put out that Lysander had seen her with a (gasp!) BLUE tongue, something she was pretty sure Arel had manipulated in order to throw herself at Lysander herself. It makes more sense if you're eight, a girl, and wishing you had bosoms...

And Lysander was disgruntled that every woman in sight was - exactly- not the sort he wanted to be forced to repopulate the Human Race with.

Samantha also insisted upon collecting every flower they came across, even the ones that emmitted knock-out or toxic fumes, or that tried to pick a few fingers back. She was making 'Fairy Princess' crowns with the obvious intention of - everyone- wearing them. If Commander whassisname hadn't been along, Arel wouldn't have been quite so bothered about this development. She quite enjoyed beating up a few plants here and there, although she wasn't quite sure about Samantha's insistance on only pastel flowers for Lysander. He was more 'Wintery' and suited to...

Lysander said 'Smeg' again, because he'd rather gnaw his own head off his neck before wearing a 'Fairy Princess' crown with these two. Especially a pastel one. Didn't the snotface know that he was a 'Spring' anyways? Not like Arel, frowning gloom and doom at everyone, in a vain attempt to try and pretend she hadn't passed out earlier. A 'Winter' if he ever saw one.

Samantha skipped happily as if the threat of Hirogen was gone, replaced of course by happy butterflies and baby deer and rabbits, and dreams of being the future Missus VanderPuls- Hawksley and having Kit Jordan clean her reclaimator chutes on a bi-weekly basis, while she and Arel sat around drinking tea and beating the servants up for giggles and laughs all day long. In sun dresses and cool hats, of course. And..Arel's new and really cool boyfriend might make an appearance or two.

Lysander muttered 'Smeggin Princess..' to himself, no doubt looking for a way to blame everything on Rebecca again. If he thought about it, he was 56.91887% sure he could find a way.

Samantha repeated every single annoying tidbit, lesson, lecture, and/or piece of advice that her Mummy had ever told her, managing in the process to thread in Arel and Lysanders own shortcommings; and to imply how wonderful life could be if they just were like Mummy. All they had to do was listen and take her lessons to heart.

Lysander said some choice words about Samantha's mummy and then returned to mooning over his princess.

Arel carefully kept her hand away from her knives. At least Samantha stopped with the monologue and concentrated on the 'Fairy Princess' crowns.

She was thankful when the newt fort finally came into sight, although she was probably going to quickly become annoyed with them as well. Oh well, it made a change from becoming severly annoyed with Pressly and the rest of the idiots in Security,or severly annoyed with these two idiots in the forest.

She had only been to a counselor once in her lifetime, after an incident at the Academy where she had gotten into trouble for using "excessive force" on someone that had upset her. It actually hadn't been all that excessive, not like the other time when she'd gone after those guys in the bar at Starbase 112...now THAT had been excessive!

The counselor had suggested that she try meditating or chanting something called a mantra rather than seizing people by the neck and punching her frustrations away. The only mantra she could think of now went something like-
"Damn, this planet. . . .
Damn, the Hirogen. . . .
Damn Samantha's and Lysanders smegging Mummy's for not drowning them at birth or eating them or something . . ."

On the whole, she thought her way was much more satisfying.

But then, envisioning beating up Ensigns Jay and Silent Bob; those dolts in Security, was a lot more fun than actually touching the creeps, so maybe this mantra thing needed some work...

Samantha settled a rather quite passable 'Fairy Princess' crown on Arel's head, with a beautific smile, that hinted that the 'bad' stuff might be over, and that all was right in the Universe again. Samantha smiled up at Arel with a gentle, innocent smile that spoke of nothing more than fluffy bunnies, kittens, rays of sunshine and rainbows, and lots of yummy chocolate chip cookies. All things Arel had never had as a child. Strange feelings stirred, in her heart, and she gave S\amantha a shy, gentle smile of her own, hating every moment of it for its sacchrine, sappy sentimentality.

Lysander eyed the crown, and true to form, had to break the moment.

"Try and not fall on it, if you 'not-faint' again." he sneered. "Or elese we'll be picking poisies out here all day again. Smeggin rainforests..."

Arel glared at Lysander, making an effort not to take a step forward, as Samantha moved to place a crown on his head. He tried to shrug her off but she gave him a stern look that even impressed Arel. Lysander sighed but accepted the crown, its exotic pastel flowers actually improving that mug of his, broken nose and all.

Weird. She took a closer look at them and thats when she saw something else waving around from the garland encircling his head. She was about to tell him when he made another clever remark in an attempt to make up for the fact that he was wearing pastel flowers.

"At least my smeggin' tongue isn't blue..." is what he said.

Arel grinned. True it was a malicious grin but who would have thought that she was still capeable of one. It was actually a rather pretty smile, if you ignored its tone. Lysander, surprised, actually took a step back and that was enough in itself to please Arel. She resumed walking to the fort with Samantha skipping beside her, telling her that she should smile more often cause it made up for the fact that her eyes were just a little too narrow.

Lysander remained behind, looking puzzled, the wheels in his tiny little brain slowly processing the information.

About a minute later they heard a loud yelp from behind them and turned to see Lysander dancing around in an attempt to get the flower crown off of his head. He finally managed to pry it off, throwing the wreath upon the ground and jumping up and down on it.

"Wha...???" began Samantha, to be shushed by Arel.

"BUG! there was a smeggin' slimy...bug...or something in that..." panted Lysander.

Samantha might have been angry at him for ruining her crown if he didn't look so cute.(in her eight year old eyes!) Besides, she could always make him another one. She would just have to be more careful when picking the flowers.

"Oh?" asked a 'too-innocent to melt butter' Arel. "Was -its- tongue blue also?"

"Thanks a lot, Smith" Lysander yelled to her after he had collected himself. His foe lay stamped before him and ,strangely, the pastel flowers, as trodden as they were, made the whole mess look a little better. Maybe he should give some to Brhode and see if they improved him at all?

Doubtful.

"Anytime, Jackass" she called back in Klingon and went to meet the newts who had come to greet them. The planet was suddenly looking better to her. She straightened her crown, which had slipped a little loose when she had been trying not to laugh at Lysander's ballet, and said hello.

The newts just stared at her, from their lo-slung newtish position.

Then, one wearing some sort of a backpack wriggled forwards.

"Today is a good day to die, isn't it?" came from its backpack.

Startled by this, she looked to see if the newts were ready to attack. They seemed harmless though. Lysander had said that they were using a Klingon translator, she guessed that the little lizards were just saying hello and not preparing for a battle to the death.

This was just going to be loads of fun.

Samantha wrinkled her nose and stared at the newts.

"AREL! Are they slimy? They look slimy to me! My mummy says that slimy things are -not- good for your skin, like that wrinkle thingey you have between your eyes right now. Which reminds me, we'd better pluck your eyebrow again. You're supposed to have two, not one right across your forehead. And quit looking so mean! It makes your eyes all squidgy! Mummy says..."

Arel eyed the child, wondering how Samantha would look with BOTH her eyebrows plucked...and then repainted back in neon green, just 'because'. . .

Lysander pushed his way past the two and hailed the newts.

"Hi Boys! Break out the booze, I brought more women for you to worship and..errr.. whatever. Wake up Mighty Drunk Warchief Kit and meet Arel and Samantha." The newts goggled and 'squished' in awe.

Lysander cackled and rubbed his hands. "I think the little, slippery looking one on the left likes you and Arel! Lookit his tongue lick his..err.. where his lips would be if he had them!" he whispered to the girls.

Samantha whimpered.

Arel just wondered if maybe she could go back and find the cave again. Alone.

Then she felt something move across her forehead and realized that Samantha had been babbling something about a bug in HER fairy princess crown too. She fought the impulse to start shrieking and calmy took the squidgy bug off of her forehead, disgusted by the slight residual slime that it left behind.

"Poisonous?" she asked the newts as she held out the slug for them to inspect.

The newt with the backback tilted his head to one side, processing what the translator told him and then replied

"Not for -us-. . .What Warrior would refuse gagh?"

Well, that wasn't exactly a no but what the hell. If she died at least Samantha and Lysander couldnt follow her.

Arel bit off the slugs head, spit it in Lysanders general direction, and then swallowed the rest whole, while Samantha icked and acked at her.

Strangely enough, it tasted like chicken.

The newts didnt react by rushing her to the newtest hospital or act shocked by what she had done so she assumed she wasn't going to die anytime soon. A thought crossed her mind however.

"Samantha, what color is my tongue?"

Samantha looked quickly, as if she were afraid the bug could come flying back up Arel's stomach and esophogas and land on her. "Black." she said nervously.

It figured.

"Well " she said brightly, or as brightly as she could which admittedly wasnt very bright at all. "Let's get moving, shall we?"

"Right!" said a very green looking Lysander, eyeing the still wriggling head of the slug-thingey. "Errrrrr...listen....if anyone feels....you know....faintish...try not to keel over on any of the newts. They're sort of funny about that..."

"The

Main Event, Part One"

Commander Karyn Dallas, RN
Chief Counselor/Nurse
USS Galaxy

aka

Colonel Jarol
Tal'Shiar Officer

***Karadon Research Hospital, Karadon, Romulus***

In many ways Jarol had come to feel vindicated. It was perhaps an un-Romulan thing to feel given the self-assuredness of the Romulan nature, but these were strange days and humans made for strange bedfellows. She had sensed Karyn's doubt about their mission, indeed everyone's doubt regarding their ultimate objectives, and while she was not proud of her people for the direction in which they were taking them, she couldn't help but feel the need to defend her comrades against people like Karyn who had only come to see her people as the complete antithesis of herself.

Jarol suspected Karyn had come to appreciate their similarities as well, but always there was an overwhelming desire to return home, to return to what was real and not continue on what amounted to, until now, a wild goose chase. Jarol admired Karyn a great deal (as much as she would admit for a human) because at the very least, the woman knew exactly who and what she was, and in return, she knew exactly what she wanted from her life. Her impatience didn't stem from a desire to find out "What the hell's in it for me?" but from a desire to "Let's stop screwing around and do what we came here to do." Even throwing Jarol's weight around (or should she say her own) allowed her no great pleasure. Acting the part was a means to an end, and it was one of the reasons, at least initially, that Jarol had to reign Karyn in so hard. Fueled only by a will to survive that which she could not escape, Karyn had clung to her anger like a banner. Now even Karyn had proof, and oh, how the martyr Jarol felt vindicated.

Armed with Jem Ha'dar tissue samples, the two continued to explore, Karyn with more confidence than Jarol had ever seen. The stupid human was actually starting to believe they would make it out of Romulus alive. Not even discovering two scientists hard at work in the adjacent laboratory seemed to faze her, and while she was loathe to admit it, Jarol knew it was because Karyn had found her drive to continue on her own terms, the implications for the Romulan people not especially important in that moment and as much as she had been proud to share her psyche with the woman minutes before, it shamed her that this counselor's motivations had now become associated with her own.

The older of the two Romulan scientists looked. Leaving his experiment for the moment he placed both hands to his side and emerged from behind the workbench to address to two militarist-looking Romulans. "Under what authority do you interrupt our work?" he said with a rather demanding tone in his voice.

Not daring to take so much as a breath or a glance in Kent's direction, Karyn had to trust he was making the most of the moment. Her intuition told her he was scanning for information, and she had to keep from smiling outwardly at what great partners in crime they made.

Counselor Dallas stepped forward, throwing herself firmly in to the role of Colonel Jarol. "We are here by the authority of the Tal'Shiar."

"I was not aware that the Tal'Shiar shared an interest in our work," the older scientist said, still with some contempt for the interruption in his voice. "If you are with the intelligence service then where are your identifications?"

Jarol had so wanted to ram the insolent question down the man's throat as Karyn had practiced, but Karyn's knew she needed to buy time, and so Karyn presented her authority of as a colonel to the older scientist even as Jarol felt the whole display quite demeaning.

"I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that the Tal'Shiar would eventually come knocking. I am M'rel. Acting chief scientist," he introduced himself before turning to his younger colleague. "Leave us." The younger scientist acknowledged the acting science chief with a nod and withdrew from the laboratory via a second door to the side of the room.

"We have been working some time now to discover exactly how the Dominion were able to clone and accelerate the development of their Jem'Hadar soldiers," M'Rel said as he folded his arms, addressing only Colonel Jarol as he spoke. "To understand that ability would certainly give us a leading edge in the field of cloning and genetic research."

"The Dominion did exceedingly well in that area. To be able to 'grow' an army every few weeks would allow the Empire an unlimited source of defensive capabilities," Karyn said, fishing subtly for information.

Jarol promptly scoffed in Karyn's mental ear and mockingly congratulated her for connecting the dots while at the same time forcefully reminding her to watch the inflection in her voice. If there was any hint of a question or a sense of uncertainty in her tone, this man would become suspicious. She was Tal'Shiar, she knew everything, and as far as Jarol was concerned, asked the question not as a means to begin a fishing expedition, but to bask in the warm glow of validation from another. It was arrogant yes, but a reality of being an intelligence officer Jarol could live with. It pleased her somewhat though to hear another of her people rebuke the outsider.

"Come now, Colonel," the Romulan acting science chief said will a smile on his wrinkled face, "surely you have not underestimated the military's interest in all of this. To achieve the 'impossible' it would ensure that the Empire had the ability to overrun nearby systems."

"Perhaps even the Klingon Empire?" Kent said, saying something for the first time.

M'Rel nodded. "Perhaps even the Federation," he said, still addressing Jarol. Unfolding his arms he returned to where he had been standing and adjusted the parameters of the empirical exercise he had been working on.

Jarol took some small pleasure in feeling her host's blood drain slightly from her face. Not only was the reality driven home, but Karyn would now be forced to act pleased by the prospect. Try as she might, Jarol could not prod Karyn to react in any way. Jarol would have to settle for mental numbness.

"Now, while I appreciate the Tal'Shiar's interest in my research, I do have a considerable amount of work to complete. Perhaps if you wish a tour we could organize a specific time."

"That will not be necessary," Counselor Dallas said, politely nodding to the 'esteemed' scientist standing behind the workbench. She hoped that hadn't come too sharply. She had been operating on her own in that moment for Jarol very much wanted a tour.

"We have already taken enough of your precious time," the 'Romulan colonel' continued. "Long live the Empire," she announced, raising her arm up to her chest in a salute. Karyn felt like a sleazy Ferengi trying to close a deal.

Kent took Karyn's lead and did the same. "For the Empire."

M'Rel raised his hand and waved it around without an passion for the formal affirmative in loyalty to the Romulan Star Empire. "Yes. For the Empire and all that."

Colonel Jarol and Major Galathon gave the acting science chief of the Karadon research facility a polite nod. Then they too, like his assistant earlier, withdrew from the laboratory and out in to the main corridor.

Glancing at both ends of the corridor they noticed no one within their immediate facility - standing, walking, lurking or talking. It appeared safe for the moment. So much so that Kent took out the Romulan tricorder and gave it a once over to see what new data they had been able to collect.

Karyn waited eagerly. "And?" *So help me, I don't think I can do that again.*

Skimming through he lines of text and graphical representations he looked up and nodded. "We can head back," he said, to their mutual relief.

Each step out of the hospital felt like one more closer to home.

***

Inside the shuttle Karyn could almost believe she was herself again with Lee and Kent beside her, but the relief was tempered by the knowledge the moment was all too fleeting.

So lost in her own thoughts that she almost missed Lee's question. "So did you discover anything of interest to our investigation Commander?"

Karyn glanced back from peering out the side window at the Romulan landscape as it flew past the hover car. "I would say so Captain. Commander Peterson and I spoke to a couple of the scientist inside."

The Captain looked genuinely surprised at hearing this, which looked strange, given his Romulan disguise. "You don't say. How did that go 'mate?"

"Fairly smoothly. They believed that we were officers of the Tal'Shiar, and so cooperated to the best of their abilities." Karyn explained.

Lee gave a half smile. "A role, I've noted you are getting good at playing Counselor."

Kent gave a nod. "The Commander was quite convincing."

Karyn offered a wan smile at the compliments, but couldn't bring herself to say anything else. It didn't feel like a compliment and in fact she felt as though the acknowledgement diminished her somehow.

"So what did you find out?" Lee asked.

"They are definitely doing biogenetic research Captain." Karyn began. "During our questioning, one of the scientists confirmed that they are studying Dominion cloning techniques as they apply to the Jem'Hadar."

"Indeed, at one point the Commander made reference to how such a technology could easily be used to over run the Klingon Empire,..." Kent added while piloting the hover car, "...to which one of the scientists joked that they could take over the Federation too."

The Captain seemed to be absorbing this new data into his mind.

"How about you sir?" Kent asked, "did you learn anything about the facility or what's going on here?"

"I managed to scan a few of the chemicals that were being delivered this morning. I also got a peek at the Romulan database of the delivery company and ran a trace of the recent traffic and deliveries in are region." The Captain explained.

"Did you find out anything from that sir?" Karyn asked. She was hoping, however unlikely, that additional information might mean they could head home sooner.

"Well, the scans you'll need to look at and translate, since I didn't recognize the Romulan medical symbols, but I have it recorded here." Lee said handing his tricorder device over to the Counselor while he continued to speak. "As far as the deliveries go, there have been numerous shipments made recently that all terminate either at this medical facility, or at the warehouse Lieutenant Commander Elaithin is checking out with Tirol. There have also been a large number of shipments that were routed through the Chintaka system, though I'm not sure if that means anything or not."

She took the tricorder eagerly, hoping she held their true ticket home. "These are symbols of regeneration Captain. This one here basically means "life" and this one roughly "to recycle". Together like this it's safe to say that this chemical is used for biogenetic experimentation, for making cultures, growing bio replacements, possibly even cloning." Karyn explained. Tapping the tricorder, she saw something. "This looks like a chemical formula..."

Handing the tricorder to Commander Peterson, Kent took it while being careful where he was piloting the hovercraft. Rateg was just a few miles further at this speed, and fortunately traffic was light at the moment.

"This looks like Biomimetic gel. It's a necessary component in cloning humanoid life forms." Kent explained.

"Then it's true. The Romulans are experimenting with this Dominion technology." The Captain stated.

"It would look that way sir." Karyn confirmed.

Lee took the tricorder back from Commander Peterson when he handed it over his shoulder. "While I was snooping around the hovertruck that delivered these supplies, I over heard a couple of workers speculating about the contents of their deliveries. One of them said they were transporting chemicals and stasis chambers that contained Jem'Hadar soldiers inside for study by the Empire."

"We saw several stasis chambers inside the facility Captain." Kent said, "Though we didn't get an opportunity to look inside any of them. If we were able to get one, and it did contain a suspended Jem'Hadar inside, I think that would be all the evidence Starfleet would need to..."

Karyn interrupted, "...to rekindle another galactic war, this time with the Romulans." She was too tired to sugarcoat. After going to all this trouble, it was just as likely they would cause more trouble than they ever bargained for. So ignorance wasn't complete bliss, but sometimes it beat the alternative.

"Perhaps it won't come to that Counselor." Lee tried to console. "Maybe that by our exposing this research now, Starfleet and the Romulan Empire can work this out without jeopardizing the uneasy peace that now exists between our two governments."

Karyn smiled somewhat sarcastically. "Yeah, I'm sure the Star Empire will be thrilled at learning that a covert team of Starfleet officers were sent over to their homeworld to infiltrate their secret research facility and discover this evidence of their plot to leverage Dominion biogenetic technology for use against their enemies. The fact that allies shouldn't need to spy on each other, let alone plot to destroy each other shouldn't phase them in the least."

"I don't like this any better then you do 'mate." The Captain agreed with the Counselor's sentiment, if not her sarcasm. "But we have a job to do, and the sooner we get it done the sooner we can all get out of here and return to the Galaxy." Lee paused for a moment to take in a deep breath and release it slowly. "First we need to meet up with Elaithin and Tirol and see what they have discovered about the warehouse. Then we can plan what to do next. I think it's safe to say we will be returning to the medical facility one more time to see if we can confirm Jem'Hadar specimens exist before blowing the facility. Though depending on what Elaithin and Tirol found, we might want to check out the warehouse first before returning to the medical lab."

Kent steered the hovercar off the main thoroughfare and towards the house were they were to meet Elaithin and Tirol. It could be seen just down the road a few hundred kilometers away.

"Well, we should know soon. Tirol's house is just up ahead. They should be inside waiting for us." Kent explained.

*The question is waiting with what?*

****
Commander Karyn Dallas, RN
Chief Counselor/Second Officer
USS Galaxy

"The Main Event, Part Two"

Commander Karyn Dallas, RN
Chief Counselor/Second Officer
USS Galaxy

aka

Colonel Jarol
Tal'Shiar Officer

She was growing very tired. It was not something she particularly felt the need to advertise for morale's sake, but it was getting harder and harder to keep that thought from entering her consciousness. So when Jii suggested their best option to get into the warehouse was straight through the front door based on her previous performances, it was not a prospect that filled her with a lot of hope. In fact, it scared the snot out of her.

Jarol's presence lately was not as overt as it had been, and Karyn preferred to think that was because she was just more focused than she had been initially, not because she was becoming Jarol without so much as a nudge.

And yet, she knew she wasn't focused as completely as she needed to be, and at least one distraction was mere inches from here but may as well have been light years apart. The man she knew as Kent Peterson had kissed her in the heat of the moment and like before, she wasn't given much of an opportunity to digest the information, she couldn't digest it, not now.

Damn him for screwing with her game. She had to believe she wasn't safe to kiss in a normal moment and gods knew if they made it back, she wouldn't know what to say. She was his counselor for the gods' sake, what was she supposed to say? Maybe the beauty for him was she and he wouldn't have to say anything. Maybe he would assume she would understand the pressure he was under. Damn him. Damn him for knowing also that she wouldn't have the courage to risk humiliating herself either. With that thought, she was back to planning strategy, feeling like the bit too convenient damsel in distress.

And just like that, whether she knew she had Kent to thank or not, Jarol snapped into place. She was no man's consolation prize.

***

Getting out of the hovercraft, all four of the Starfleet officers could feel the attention they were drawing from the garage attendant. Karyn took that as her cue to begin her Colonel Jarol routine. With great confidence and just the right mix of defiant arrogance, Karyn walked across the garage towards the entrance to the building, leading the way for her subservient entourage to follow behind. The four made a convincing team of Romulans.

Enough to have the garage attendant believe they were in fact exactly what they looked to be, a Tal'Shiar lead investigation team. He immediately hailed his superiors the moment they were out of eyesight.

The garage entrance lead to a small lobby that took up part of the building along with a handful of offices. There were sentries posted at the lobby entrance along with a security access port. Being near lunchtime, the guards seemed relaxed when the party walked up... like they were expecting to see people coming and going at this time of day. But both men tensed when they recognized the Tal'Shiar markings on Colonel Jarol's uniform.

"I am Colonel Jarol of the Tal'Shiar. My team and I will inspect this facility now." Karyn ordered in a stern, commanding voice.

"Inspection Colonel? Forgive me,... I was not informed that there was to be any inspection today." One of the guards responded.

Inwardly Karyn rolled her eyes. For Romulans, they certainly had to be reminded of their place a lot.

"It is a surprise inspection. That is why you were not informed." Karyn stated stepping forward with her hands clasp behind her back as she pressed into the guard's space and looked him up and down, as if deciding if he was in order or would make up a bullet on her report to the Tal'Shiar. "If the Tal'Shiar wanted *you* to know we would be here, *you* would have been informed."

Knowing his place, the guard looked forward in his attention stance. "Of course Colonel. I meant no disrespect."

The other guard piped in, "We should inform our superiors of your arrival."

Karyn stopped and gave a sharp look to the other guard. "No. This is to be a complete surprise inspection." She stated sharply. Then stepping over and in a little more relaxed tone she confided, "The Tal'Shiar is unhappy with the progress this operation is making. We have been sent to find out exactly what it is that your superiors are doing with their time and the Star Empires money. If you were to warn them of this inspection,..." Karyn paused skillfully, "...it would only allow them the opportunity to cover their mistakes and shift the blame to those,... less capable of clearing themselves."

The tone in which Karyn expressed her reasons skillfully relayed the proper message that if the guards contacted their superiors, they would be the ones that would ultimately pay.

"I understand Colonel." The guard finally agreed.

Removing the id pass Tirol provided, Karyn past it through the security check point and punched in the access code with seemingly great confidence. "The Tal'Shiar appreciates your cooperation gentlemen." The Counselor said as the security light flashed green and the door released with a clunk. "Jolan-Tru."

"Jolan-Tru Colonel." The other guard returned with a slightly bowed head.

First Karyn, then Peterson, Price and finally Elaithin passed through the door and entered the lobby.

Karyn sighed. She could now add 'liar' in addition to can become ' can become mega bitch' on cue to her service record under 'special skills.' What was worse was she suspected that made Jarol smile, not to mention her own father

Being a warehouse, the lobby wasn't large. There was a reception area, though no one was seated at the counter. A gentleman was back there, going through some papers when the four officers entered. He looked to be an older Romulan, overweight and balding. It was strange to see a monk like hairline on a Romulan. He looked genuinely surprised.

"Can I... help you... Colonel!?" he said piece meal as he began to realize just who and what these people were, or at least what they appeared to be.

"You most certainly can not." Karyn returned sharply while glancing around disapprovingly. "The Tal'Shiar has sent me to inspect this facility. You will tell no one that my attache and I are here. This is an unannounced inspection."

"I don't understand. Why would the Tal'Shiar care about this..." the man started to say.

"Silence!" Major Galathon bellowed in pretty good Romulan.

Concentrating, Captain Price recited, "It is not wise to question officers of the Tal'Shiar."

Karyn glanced over to Commander Palteth and gave a shallow grin. "Commander Palteth is correct."

She could almost kiss them for taking some of the load off her verbally. Well...almost all of them. She was becoming quite tired of hearing the edge in her voice. It was coming too natural to her now.

The man relented. "Forgive me. Might I arrange an escort to guide you around Colonel?"

Karyn raised a hand. "That will not be necessary." She stated while beginning to walk away from the reception area and towards what looked like the main warehouse entrance. "We will look around on our own."

"Tell no one of our presence." Sub-Commander Mirok added, following Karyn towards the main warehouse area.

"This is a surprise inspection." Major Galathon contributed.

Lee thought a moment and walked past the man to join the others that were already following Colonel Jarol. He wanted to make sure he got his Romulan correct. "Your silence is your life." He managed.

The Romulan swallowed slightly and watched as the officers entered the warehouse area. Jarol, long accustomed to searching for computers right away becauser they held the most information, spotted one and immediately crossed the room to attend to it. She wanted to be angry when she saw Kent following, and then cursed the thought realizing he could be nowhere else but by her side as her aide.

Karyn was upset and confused, but damned if she hadn't kept her composure feeling much worse.

***

"Colonel," Kent said as Karyn passed him.

She nodded back, "Major."

Karyn stopped at a computer terminal and began to access information from it.

"Could you assist me, Galathon," the 'Romulan colonel' requested as Kent was already on his way to see what they could get from the terminal. She would be damned if she was going to avoid him simply because she was afraid of a bit of awkwardness.

"As you wish, Colonel," he replied, grateful that she was at least speaking to him, although, unfortunately, not by his real name. Maybe she did not know that why he kissed her was serious, impulsive, but most definitely not something he did for the 'hell of it'? At least he was sure that was why. Even though Kent was thirty-four he started to get the proverbial 'butterflies' in the pit of his stomach.

They worked together to access the computer terminal. For whatever reason there was the usual twenty-six cipher encryption on the damn things. It took at least ten minutes, as Captain Price and Lieutenant Commander Elaithin continued to visually inspect the wreckage on the warehouse floor, but they got through all of them, bar the thirteenth cipher.

"Sub-commander Mirok," Karyn said, looking at their security expert. "We required your assistance."

To avoid any unwarranted suspicions the 'Romulan major' joined Commander Palteth for a moment as Jii assisted Karyn with the thirteenth cipher - toomany people in one spot was likely to attract attention the away team didnot want.

Karyn actually felt herself sigh in relief. Gods, was she afraid of him now?

"Have you found anything, Commander?" Kent said.

"I have, yes," Lee responded in Romulan. It still seemed unusual addressing his 'mates' so formally an in a completely foreign tongue.

"Major," Colonel Jarol said as Jii made his way back to the Starfleet captain's side. Kent nodded to Lee and joined Karyn once more at the computer terminal.

He stopped as she started cycling through the records. Glancing at a few of the records he pointed to one of them - it looked like a shipping manifest of supplies. He did not recognize most of the Romulan words, but he could pick out the Romulan designation for Chin'taka.

"It appears to be a dispatch from Romulus to the Chin'taka system," she said, shaking her head, "but it is only a salvage request for their own vessels. Nothing about non-Romulan vessels .... although ..."

Counselor Dallas continued to poke around as Kent made copies on the tricorder he was carrying. Even if it did not seem important it might at some later point in time - perhaps filling in a gap that was in their research.

"... but this definitely lists duranium scrap."

"Since duranium is only used in Federation starship construction I find it a little unusual that they would be transporting any quantities of the stuff .... especially quantities that large."

She could actually feel herself exhale. With any luck, they would be home soon.

****
Commander Karyn Dallas, RN
Chief Counselor/Second Officer
USS Galaxy

"Working in a Coal Mine"

by Lt. Sardar
and Lt. Salt (NPC)

The Jefferies Tubes were the blood veins of the USS Galaxy, the long winding service access passage ways offers an 'easy' reach to the more critical components of the starship. Now, they re being used as trenches and hideaways from the Hirogen hunters for the last few resisting crewmembers of the USS Galaxy.

Lt. Salt was focused on the task at hand. It was a tricky job and one wrong move could alert the Hirogen to their intention on the bridge alert boards and that would be quite& bad. So she decided to sing a song to relax herself as she worked.

And there was only tune that suited their situation being stuck in the Jefferies Tubes&

"Well I been workin' in a coal mine
Goin' down down
Workin' in a coal mine
Whew about to slip down
Five o'clock in the mornin'
I m up before the sun
When my work day is over
I m too tired for havin' fun
Lord I am so tired
How long can this go on
I been workin' goin' workin'
Whew about to slip down..."

"Lieutenant!" her big Sarrahban companion grumbled next to her. "You have been singing that song for an hour, I order you to stop."

Salt glanced at her with an amused grin. "Critic."

"There s one good thing about the Hirogen having control of the Galaxy," Sardar said as she help Salt as they worked on a opened service panel inside the Jefferies Tube. "They don t know how everything works just yet."

"You got that right," Salt said. "And that s how we ll get them."

Sardar worked beside the tiny human in the cramp area, as the security and OPS officer worked to reroute ship internal security. The Sarrahban was grateful to have Salt with her, with her knowledge of the Galaxy s security systems, they easily bypassed all the ship s defence grids. Before long, they hacked into the main internal sensors and the backups.

They modified two large PADDs. The first one was tied into the main ship s sensors, recording about an hour of standard sensors sweeps. When the crew makes their move, they ll activate the PADD which will transmit the recorded data, giving the appearance of everything was normal. Hopefully by the time the Hirogens realize something was up, it ll be too late. Also if they try to use the backup sensors, they ll find that they have no control. All controls will be rerouted to the second PADD and a few secretly selected consoles only known by the rebelling crew.

After a few quiets moment, to Sardar s amazement, her blond friend started singing again.

"Oh, oh, oh, go totally crazy-forget I'm a lady Men's shirts-short skirts Oh, oh, oh, really go wild-yeah, doin' it in style Oh, oh, oh, get in the action-feel the attraction Color my hair-do what I dare Oh, oh, oh, I wanna be free-yeah, to feel the way I feel Man! I feel like a woman!"

Salt stopped when she felt the heavy stare of Sardar upon her. Looking up, Lt. Salt could see that she was wearing the Sarrahban s patience rather thin. Sardar had this natural and very obvious gift for intimidation with a simple stare. She had eyes that could pierce through steel. However, Salt had an apparent immunity to Sardar s power of intimidation.

"What? Don t like Shania Twain?" Salt commented.

TBC...

"Deep do-do"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

Starfleet Officers are a disciplined sort. They undergo years of training in the classroom, in simulations and on board actual starships before they are ever allowed a posting of their own. Even then, there is constant reeducation and learning that takes place. Certifications, briefings on new technology, rank advancement courses, the whole nine yards. Further still, officers that are so inclined are allowed to take specialized training courses for their particular specialty. Be that the advanced Tactical school at Wolf 359, the security survival regiment on Daltius 5, or the covert operations courses offered by Starfleet Intelligence branch. While Captain Price realized he had a career's worth of experience in Starfleet Command, he couldn't shake this feeling that he and his team could have been better prepared for this mission. Staring out the cell bars, which surprised him, since Starfleet only uses force field for brig containment now a days -- still this dank, dark basement dungeon the Romulans had taken them to didn't seem like high tech was what was needed here. Staring out the cell bars down the corridor filled with similar, dark cells, wondering what they were doing with Lieutenant Commander Elaithin, Lee couldn't shake the gut feeling he had that the team had been set up to fail. That someone in Starfleet, possibly Admiral Hoth, had somehow manipulated the situation in order to send him and those accompanying him on a suicide mission. Surely there were more qualified officers in Starfleet to carry out this mission. Why had this team been selected? The Captain pondered over that thought. While he did he came to the realization that he didn't need to have attended any of those survival courses or covert operations training seminars to recognize. He and his 'mates were in some seriously deep do-do at this point. Lee had no idea how they were going to get out of this.

A metallic clunking sound resonated down the corridor. It was the sound of a heavy iron latch being unbolted on the door at the end of the Romulan gauntlet to this dungeon of cells. When the bolt drew open, even though the faces of those in the other cells couldn't be seen, their collective apprehension could be felt as all sucked in a breath in unison and the prison block grew near silent.

"They are coming back with Jii." Peterson stated quietly near the cell door.

It was enough to pull the Captain out of his paranoid thoughts of a possible setup on Hoth's part. Standing, the Captain stepped over and could see Kent was correct; two Romulans where carrying Elaithin's beaten and naked body, while a third walked a few paces behind holding a weapon on the prisoner just to be safe.

"He looks terrible." Karyn managed, gaining a glimpse and turning away.

"We should stand back." Lee suggested. Kent must have agreed, because he didn't offer any argument and quickly stepped away from the cell entrance and sat on the bench with the Captain.

The Romulans stopped just outside the cell. One of them took out an archaic ring of keys to unlock the door to the cell. Technologically, the Romulan Star Empire was every bit as advanced as the Federation. In fact some of the Star Empire's warships were larger and more remarkable then the largest Federation ships, the USS Galaxy included. Yet what the Captain and the away team had seen of the Romulan people, how a large number of them live in poverty, and the low technology cells they were now being held in, it made Lee wonder at what price the Romulans Technology and warships had cost their people.

"Stay where you are or you will be next." The Romulan warned. He then stepped aside while his accomplice tossed Elaithin Jii's unconscious body into the cell, his partially torn clothing following like an after thought. Once inside, the cell door was again closed and secured by the first Romulan with the keys.

Lee, Karyn and Kent all moved to their colleague to evaluate his condition. He was beaten and bruised. There were scrapes and slashes over parts of his body where the blood had partially congealed and reopened again. They could only imagine the torture they had subjected the Chief Security Officer to.

"You may leave us." The third Romulan stated.

Each of the helmeted Romulans brought a hand across their chest and then marched off. Leaving the older Romulan with the disruptor standing there outside the cell.

Lee watched the man as he put the disruptor away in his robes. He wasn't wearing a military uniform. It was more formal. It had no insignias on it, but the style and fabric made it obvious it was a costly outfit. Not the sort of attire that blended in with the low-tech surroundings of this warehouse dungeon chamber.

Maybe it was the outfit, or the way the Romulan carried himself. Or the obedience the Romulan soldiers showed the man when he ordered them to leave. But somehow Lee knew this guy wasn't just some Romulan thug sent here to torture them and extract information. Standing, he let Dallas and Peterson tend to Elaithin's wounds.

"What do you want?" Lee managed in recognizable Romulan.

The older Romulan smiled. Somehow the way the shoulders of his uniform had a swooping upturn slant and the crook of his ears and eyelids made the man take on an almost satanic appearance when he did.

"There is no need maintaining your Romulan facade. Our scans show you to be human,.." he said in English, then paused looking at the beaten and wounded Elaithin, "...and Bajoran."

The Captain stopped for a moment, and then decided it was pointless to continue butchering the Romulan language under the circumstances. "Fair dinkum. So you seem to know about us. What about you 'mate? You don't exactly look outfitted for this particular job description..." Price said while motioning a hand around at the surroundings.

Across the corridor, the other faceless prisoners were keeping quiet. All that could be heard was a subtle shifting in their cells. Lee wondered if that was because they were afraid of getting the Jii treatment, or if they were just trying to eavesdrop on the conversation they were having. In the end he figured it didn't matter, one way or the other.

"Let's just say that I am a member of the Romulan Imperial Senate and leave it at that shall we Captain Price?" Again the older Romulan smiled wickedly. "No sense cluttering your mind with information that will serve no purpose."

Lee physically tensed when the Romulan said his name. ~~How the bloody hell did he know that?~~ raced through the Captain's mind. Involuntarily his eyes glanced over to the bloody and beaten Elaithin. Kent and Karyn had managed to get him partially clothed, but the Bajoran had still not regained consciousness.

Reading the Captain's body language, the Senator responded. "Oh no Captain, I assure you your associate reveled no pertinent information to his interrogators. Though only physical methods were utilized for the moment. But I assure you, we Romulans have mental interrogation methods that are much more effective. In time you will all get to experience them first hand."

"Well I'm glad Elaithin disappointed your interrogators." The Captain responded. "And as to your other methods, we will do our best to resist them."

"Yes, yes, quite a gallant thing to say Captain. But it really doesn't matter. You see the torture and interrogations; they are just a bonus here. If they obtain any useful information then so much the better." The Senator stated.

Peterson and Dallas were kneeling over Elaithin, tending to him and listening to the conversation. When the Romulan Senator casually said that torturing them was just a bonus, it set something off inside Kent.

"What do you mean a bonus? Is this some sort of a game with you? If you don't intend to extract information from us, then why are you holding us prisoner?" Peterson asked sharply.

The Senator smiled broadly. He really did look like a satanic son-of-a-bitch.

"Why as Federation spys of course. You see we know about your mission Commander Peterson, Commander Dallas, Lieutenant Commander Elaithin. You all were set up by elements within the Tal'Shiar organization. The *real* Tal'Shiar organization that is, in hopes of luring a Federation team and exposing operative on Romulus. The information you have been collecting, that was all fabricated. Bits and pieces of salvage the Romulan Empire had collected, but not for the reasons you were lead to believe."

"Why would you go to all that trouble to lure Federation Officers here under these false pretenses?" the Captain asked.

"Because Captain, captured Federation spys are not tolerated on Romulus. My people are, how do you say?, patriotic when it comes to such events. Since the Star Empire and Federation worked together to overthrow the Dominion alliance, the Romulan people will need more than a simple excuse as a motivator for severing relations with the Federation. Your capture as spys and saboteurs will be that motivator."

"Romulans have never needed an excuse before!" Kent fumed at the Senator. Kent's thoughts went to his parents' deaths at the hands of the Romulans.

Lee placed a hand on Peterson's shoulder to help calm him down while the Senator answered.

"The body of Imperial Senate would never agree to the idea. They weigh heavily the consideration that the Romulan people are still recovering from the war, like the Federation. But as I explained, Romulans are passionate people. Once they learn that the Federation whom we helped in the war is now acting against us, the cry for war will be both rapid and loud." The Senator explained.

"You bastard!" Kent lunged at the Senator. It took both the Captain and Counselor Dallas to help pull the Scientist away from the iron bars of the cell entrance.

"Help me tend to Lieutenant Commander Elaithin." Karyn suggested, "He needs our help."

Lee watched as Karyn and Kent went to check on Jii. His eyes briefly found the counselors and silently thanked her for assisting. Then his attentions returned to the evil, nameless senator.

"So that is the plan then. To lure and capture some Starfleet Officers to use as spy pawns to start the battle cry for war with the Federation." The Captain repeated to make sure he'd understood what was being said.

"Exactly Captain. If there was going to be a war then there would have to be motive - something the Federation has done to create this problem; and something the Federation and Starfleet could not deny." The Senator stated, pausing only long enough to snap his fingers.

"What better than four Starfleet officers disguised as Romulans on the Romulan home world? Better still, a Romulan operative working for the Federation as well."

The senator stops talking and moves aside. The two helmeted soldiers that carried Elaithin in earlier return, this time with the Romulan Tirol in their custody. Captain Price's eyes widened in horror. Tirol was their escape contact. He was the one responsible for arranging a transport off of Romulus and back to Federation space. Now that he had been captured as a Federation collaborator, they really were in deep do-do.

The soldiers shoved Tirol into the cell and closed the door, latching it with the same antique key. They then turned and left along with the mysterious, evil senator.

Tirol looked like he'd been roughed up a little, but not nearly as bad as Elaithin. For a moment Lee wondered if it was he who ratted out the operation to the Romulans, but he didn't feel Tirol would succumb any easier to their torture techniques then Elaithin. And the Chief Security Officer had resisted saying anything. Still, having Tirol in the cell here with the rest of the team did nothing to boost their hopes of escaping or ever seeing home again.

“Planet Side: part Three”
By Wilhem and Autumn Quevvenson.

She glanced towards the cave. ~Wonder when the dragon will be back?~

Wilhem thought a moment, ~Anytime now. As brass blends in with gold coins, he might even be in the cave.~

~Ah nice.. I could have stood on its tail~ She sighed. ~Oh well if i did it didn't scream, throw a fireball or try and kill us.~

Wilhem chuckled, ~Could have. Technically, stepping or disturbing any part of a dragon's hoard will alert the dragon to your presence.~

She looked at him. ~great alarm system~

Wilhem nodded, ~Yes. Quite effective. Which is why when the Hirogen find this lair, they will probably set off the hounds of the Nine Hells.~

~If they got past the other lair~

Wilhem nodded thoughtfully, ~Yes. Of course, they might come in from this direction. If they find it.~

Autumn shivered. ~Not something I want to look forward to. ~

Wilhem nodded, ~Neither do I want to. It is just a possibility, that's all~

Autumn nodded. ~Okay so should we go and see if the friendly neighbourhood dragon is about?~

Wilhem nodded. ~It might be safer.~

Autumn stood up and held out her hand to help him to his feet. ~come on then. Better do it now then wait for it to find us.~

Wilhem nodded, stood and followed Autumn back into the cave of treasure. Treasure they could never have. He gazed over the hills and valleys where the dragon would lay its body. ~Say, Autumn. What type of energy weapons do the Hirogen use? Phaser or Plasma?~

Autumn thought about it. ~hmm not sure.. they were energy weapons that’s all we know, And they have knives and the like.. that we do know for sure..~ she walked further into the cave and looked around. Not touching anything just looking.

Wilhem nodded, ~The reason I ask is because plasma weapons are a form of fire energy. Brass dragons are immune to all fire attacks.~ Wilhem looked about, shrugged and then reached down and picked up a sword and threw it onto the rest of the hoard.

Autumn shrugged. ~The weapons did a lot of damage on K-4 burns on the corpses and bits hacked off. ~ She sighed. ~Gruesome sight, And that shows that the Hirogen are truly evil.~

Wilhem nodded, ~But then we knew that the Hirogen were hunting machines earlier. We just did not know how vicious they were.~ Then there was a shuffling, and a gargantuan brass-scaled dragon's head raised from the back of the hoard. : Autumn spun towards the noise and stared. ~Holly hell~ she sent. : The dragon blinked twice then started speaking in the same language as the White Dragon had earlier. When that failed, he spoke a couple words in a strange language. Then he began again, in a female voice, "Welcome travellers. What brings you to my humble abode? And, I hope it was not for my treasure." : Autumn took a step back. "Sorry to disturb you.. we ... umm...." she looked at Wil.

Wilhem smiled softly, "Don't worry Lady dragon. We did not come here for your treasure. In fact, we did not come to this world intentionally at all. We have been cast down here by the acts of an evil humanoid race called the Hirogens. They wish to hunt us for pleasure. But with us, they decided to be especially cruel. They wounded us in our legs trying to hobble us. But through the acts of the gods, we have been able to repair most of the damage by special abilities. But these Hirogen will soon be hunting us. And that could bring them to this lair."

Autumn kept still as Wil spoke. Her green eyes watched the dragon carefully.

The dragon frowned. "How many of them do you expect?"

Wilhem thought a moment, "I would guess about two to four Hirogen. I think they like to keep their hunting parties small. But they could set parties down at the location where we started at. And maybe in that desert out there. Where they could find this cave entrance"

The dragon asked, "Which entrance did you come in by?"

Wilhem pointed to the one deep in the cave, "That one over there."

The dragon looked at it then back at them, "How did you get here? You would have had to pass through either the Orogs territory or the white dragon's lair. Either way is too dangerous for normal humans."

Autumn nodded. "You are telling us something we already Know Ma'am"

Wilhem smiled, "Let's just say that I protected my wife from the white dragon. With some help from the gods."

The dragon, if it had eyebrows, would have cocked one at an interesting angle. "Indeed. For unarmed men would not normally last long against a great Wyrm. Even those with the strongest fortitude will fall before him. That you did not try and take up some of his weapons against him is admirable. And probably contributed to your survival. Tell me... Will you talk with me for a while?"

Autumn took a step forward and smiled at the dragon. "Sure. Not everyday I get to talk to a dragon"

The dragon smiled, "Good. Then, if these Hirogen come here, I will help you fight them."

"That sounds like a plan Ma'am" Autumn said squeezing Wilhem's hand and moving forward.

The dragon nodded, "My name is... Well, I don't think you can pronounce it correctly. But as I have forgotten the name given to me by the other races on my previous world, I will say it. It is Jrsstraunthor. What are your names?"

Wilhem smiled, "I am called Wilhem Quevvenson. I was... am a ranger from Alber, Grabentod, on the plane of the planet Aebrynnis. I am also a lieutenant on the Federation starship Galaxy. I am a Science Officer." : "I am Autumn Quevvenson, I am a medical officer on the Federation starship Galaxy, holding the rank of Lieutenant Junior grade." : Jrsstraunthor smiled, "Nice to meet you. Now what is this Galaxy, you speak of?"

Autumn gave a small smile. "It is a flying device that can carry people through the stars and to other planets."

The dragon looked surprised, "A ship? That flies through the stars?" When Wilhem nodded, she continued, "Have they found Toril in this universe? Because that is where I come from? The planet anyway."

Autumn thought about it and looked at Wilhem. "I am not sure... I have never heard of it.. Wil?"

Wilhem shook his head, "Not in this universe anyways. It is the mythical world where the sage Quevven Xiltyn originally came from. He was said to be a planes-walker in the path of a sage called Elminster that lived on Toril."

"Oh ok." Autumn smiled. "Learn something new everyday i guess" : Jrsstraunthor nodded, "Yes... The old sage Elminster. Never met him myself. But then again, he was from the area around the Netherese Empire. I lived in the Raurin Desert. East of Mulhorand." She turned her head towards Autumn, "Tell me what a medical officer does."

"It is another word for healer Ma'am.. I am second in charge of the ships healing center."

The dragon smiled, "That sounds like a good thing to have." She turned to Wilhem, "What does a science officer do?"

Wilhem grinned, "Well, a science officer studies scientific disciplines related to things such as geology, meteorology, and astronomy. Those are, the study of a planet's inner workings, the study of the atmosphere, and the study of the stars, planets, moons, and other objects in outer space."

The dragon was puzzled, "What are scientific disciplines?"

Wilhem shrugged, "Basically they are what came after the Renaissance period. When alchemy started to become more of a science then magic. Tinder twigs, alchemist's fire, thunderstones, and tangle foot bags are all results of alchemy. Tinder twigs are called matches by those of the later years."

"tangle foot bags?" Came a soft enquiry from Autumn who herself had no idea what they were.

Wilhem smiled, "A small bag that when thrown on the floor creates a mass of vines that tangle up the legs of one or two opponents. Depending on their size."

Jrsstraunthor nodded, "You are married, are you not? Do you have any children?"

Autumn smiled softly. "Not yet, but soon."

The dragon seemed puzzled, "Soon? Can you plan when you are to have babies in this universe?"

Wilhem smiled, "No, you cannot plan to have babies. At least, I don't think so. It just sort of happens. She means that she is pregnant with twins. One boy and one girl."

The long-lived dragon frowned, "Then these Hirogen are especially heinous. If they hunt those with child, then there is no hope for their race. They must be eliminated." : Glancing back the way they had come from Autumn nodded. "True but they don't know that i am with child. They are heinous though."

The great dragon growled, "Still they are evil creatures. And that means that they should be destroyed."

Wilhem nodded,. "Agreed. But, this race is from the Delta Quadrant. We are in the Alpha Quadrant. The Delta Quadrant is diagonally northeast of the galactic core. We are to the southwest. These Hirogen appear to have come by way of a wormhole of some kind. They have been terrorizing the region for some time it appears."

"That is true. The Hirogen have only recently come to our quadrant it seems. They are hunting others from our ship, both on the planet and on the ship itself." : The dragon nodded, "How many Hirogen do you face?"

Autumn paused and thought about it. "Well.. we had over a hundred on the galaxy and there was other ships out there... we do not have exact numbers"

The dragon nodded again, "And how many were on your ship?"

"At last count, taking out the 50 odd Hunter killed.. about 70 or so"

The dragon shook her head, "I meant how many people were on your ship? Your people."

"Over a thousand in total but eight hundred warriors the rest civilians.. it that right Wil?" : Wilhem thought about it, then nodded, "About that many."

The dragon looked puzzled, "Then why did you not kill them all? Eight hundred warriors should be able to kill one hundred evil humanoids."

"They took us by surprise and our leader told us not to engage them in battle"

The elder dragon would also have cocked an eyebrow at this comment, "Then that is one weak leader. Even if he had to sacrifice his own life, there is no reason to cuddle evil."

Autumn frowned. "You got the weak part right. He is a big wimp. It is also because of him that we were caught and sent here"

The dragon cocked her head to one side, "What did you do to cause your being sent here?"

Wincing she said "Well... we disobeyed his orders not to attack them."

The dragon seemed to smile, "Then you did the right thing. You must resist evil at every turn. No matter the cost."

Autumn shrugged. "Maybe. But we lost people on the way."

The dragon nodded, "In war, casualties are always a factor. You just have to know when too many have died in the battle."

Autumn nodded. "Been there done that in my time on this ship. Not pretty" she knew this conversation was getting morbid though.

The dragon nodded, then changed the subject, "Have you thought up names for your children yet?"

"Good question" Autumn said with a smile. "His choice"

Wilhem smiled, "I have not thought of names yet. Besides, I wanted it to be a joint choice. Would not want her stuck with a name that no one would understand."

"Yeah your wife has enough problems understanding your friends " she grinned at him

Wilhem nodded, "As I have trouble understanding the root of your friends' names. But if left to my own devices, I would probably name them after their parents. I figure that those names with a Masetian numeral at the end are more regal." : Autumn smiled at that. "That’s ok for a son Wil.. but for a girl.. I don't think having a number after the name would be a good idea. Besides think you could handle having two of me about?"

Wilhem smiled, "I can handle having two Autumns in my life. As long as one is married to me. And the child version of Autumn wants to be just like the mother... Well, that is all I want." Then with a mischievous smile, he asked, "Do you think you could handle two Wilhem’s?"

She shrugged. "Yeah sure.. One will be Wil and the other will be Wilhem. And you never know Autumn is a good middle name." she smiled.

Wilhem smiled, "Yes. It is... But I think it is the most beautiful first name I have ever heard."

Autumn ducked her head. "Yeah ok what ever.. but I am warning you people will have something to say about it" she flashed a smile.

Wilhem nodded, "Yes. They will have something to say about it. But it's our lives. Whatever we decide will be what we want. And that is what we should do." Then, on impulse, he reached over and pulled her to him. And then he kissed her.

Autumn kissed him back, dimly aware of the fact that they had an Audience.

Jrsstraunthor smiled for a few minutes then made a small grunt. "Excuse me, am I keeping you from something?"

Wilhem grinned and broke the kiss. He turned to the dragon, "Nope. You are not. I just can't stop expressing my love for this woman. Nothing else to it."

Autumn blushed and ducked her head again. "He gets out of control sometimes." she said with a smile.

The dragon chuckled, a low rumbling sound. "That may well be. But he does seem to love you greatly." She seemed to steady herself. "Hold onto him as tightly as you can. I was torn from my mate and wyrmlings by the acts of the gods long ago. One god in particular. The one called Cyric the Mad. I seemed to anger him by opposing his clerics when they tried to enter Mulhorand from the Unapproachable East. It was a natural thing. They did not want to talk. They wanted to kill as many creatures as they could. If they could not convert them."

She sighed and turned to them, "Live each moment to the fullest. You never know when the machinations of one of the gods will tear you apart."

Autumn nodded. “I intend to hold on to him. He is my life.” She smiled. “As for living life I hope the Hirogen don’t object to it.. because I intend on being around for a long while,”

Wilhem smiled solemnly, "I will hold onto her for as long as I have. I cannot lose her after losing all the others I have lost in my life. I used to live on a world called Aebrynnis. I was flung off that world by the acts of the gods of that world. By what the science of this universe calls a temporal anomaly. I have found a few of my friends from that anomaly have arrived in this universe, too. It seems we have some sort of strange purpose here."

The dragon nodded, "That is true. What exact purpose do you think you have?"

Wilhem smiled grimly, "To find the one called Bridger. Who was the Child of Light long ago on my world. That has already been done by my friend Sigmund. And to defeat a force called the Dark Men. According to Sigmund there are two types. The mortal type that is merely a human that has the blood of Azrai in his body. Which expresses itself in strange ways. And the other is a shadow. A person, who had the blood of Azrai and died. Whether peacefully or killed. The one type becomes the other when killed. It is a dangerous thing."

Autumn said, "Ok that part you left out after we faced them the last time." She shook her head. "One encounter is enough... I don't want to patching you back up again," she smiled. "I have heard of Bridger... a friend of mine transfered to his ship... she is chief of sciences there. But she hasn't met the man yet," she shrugged. "Oh well I guess the same could be said for most of us... I have never met Brhode either." She glanced towards the main entrance on the far side of the cave. "Did you hear that?" she asked softly, turning to face that way.

Wilhem smiled grimly, "Yes, I heard it. It sounded like some kind of large vermin." He paused, "About Bridger. She might not meet him anytime soon. He is supposedly now a Commodore, and not really on that ship a lot. Oh... By the way, I heard from Sigmund that supposedly Aebrynnis is going to phase into this universe. He did not say where exactly. But he did say something about it going to be the year 1550 HC on Aebrynnis when that occurs."

Autumn meanwhile was watching the entrance carefully without thinking she said. "Honey that's so far after when you were last there it is not funny at all... and it would still be a pre-warp planet when it does." Her brain geared for languages and sciences was already gearing up for combat. "That sounded more like Hirogen then Vermin," she added.

Wilhem smiled solemnly, "I know that, my love. But as to it being pre-warp... Let's just say I have inside information that they may have starships with a different form of propulsion. One that could prove interesting..." He again listened towards the entrance. Again he said, "That is the sound of vermin. Unless the Hirogen have the ability to reproduce the sound of gargantuan monstrous spiders, I doubt that the noise is that of the Hirogen."

Autumn's mouth dropped open. "Spiders? Oh great... just the thing to make my day complete... Arachnids." She drew back a bit. "Is now a good time to say that those things creep me out?"

Wilhem smiled, "I wouldn't worry. It may be as large as Jrsstraunthor is. But she could probably kill it with ease."

The dragon nodded, "Yes, I could. Of course, monstrous spiders usually know better than to walk into a dragon's lair."

Autumn winced. "Someone forgot to tell them that right?"

Wilhem smiled, "Maybe. But the noises are fading. I'd say that the creature is moving off." Then he paused, before saying, "On the other hand. Those noises are humanoid. About our size. I would guess some sort of Bedine people. Whatever race lives on this world."

"Make up your mind Love.. first its spiders now it humanoids? Maybe it is a rescue committee.. " Autumn said softly. "Maybe someone knocked sense into Brhode and they got rid of the Hirogen..." She looked at Wil. "Am I being too optimistic?"

Wilhem smiled, "Not those noises love. The ones coming from further away. As for Brhode getting rid of the Hirogen... I bet he has some idea of how to do that."

Autumn rolled her eyes. "yeah like he should have done his job and blown the ship first chance he got.. personally I believe Rebecca could have done a better job then him. And as for footsteps coming from further away.. can I ask how they would get past old white guy out there?"

Wilhem looked at her strangely, "Old white guy? I thought you meant that the noises you heard were coming from the desert entrance."

Autumn just pointed in the opposite direction with a sigh. ~Clean your ears~ she sent with a smile. "No I meant the sound of scuffing feet coming from that direction." she turned back to the entrance on the far side of the cave.

Wilhem frowned, and concentrated on the other entrance for a few moments. "Those are not Hirogen footsteps. They are too light. They sound... Well, they sound like those of some sort of cross between an orc and a goblin. Probably one or more Orogs. I doubt the Hirogen could get past the white dragon. Not without losing a large number of men. And somehow I believe that the Hirogen parties do not carry comm badges when they hunt. They would like to prove themselves worthy of being proper hunters. Even when they were greatly outmatched."

"Well whatever it is I am so not looking forward to fighting them... My hand to hand combat skills are rusty as." she moved to his side and waited.

Wilhem nodded, "That is okay. I have a feeling they will not like it if they step out too soon."

"Hope you are right" Autumn said softly. "I personally do not want to see if they are as evil as they sound."

Wilhem just smiled. When the creatures came out of the tunnel, it was clear that they were not Hirogen. They certainly looked like Orogs to Wilhem. Then, the dragon nodded once, then spit out a line of fire that engulfed all the Orogs at once. All of them were killed.

Autumn squeezed her eyes shut tight and bit her lip as the heat from the flame washed over them. "Nice move" she said when she opened her eyes.

The dragon smiled, "Thank you. But in truth that is nothing. Of the fifteen dragon species in existence, my breath weapon is the fourth weakest. And that is only because one of the other dragon species does not have a breath weapon. You should see a gold dragon's breath weapon. Now, there is something to be awed at."

Wilhem smiled, "Don't worry. It is the second best I've seen. But then again, I've only seen three. Yours, a white's and a Cerilian dragon's."

"Cerilian?" Autumn asked casually, this time pulling up a patch of bare floor and sitting down to listen her hands folded in her lap her mind semi-aware of her children. She was interested in hearing more about the strange worlds that Wil and Jrsstraunthor came from.

Wilhem nodded, "The ten main forms of dragon kind throughout the MegaVerse are Adurian on my world. Which means that they live on the continent of Aduria. Well, the continent I come from is called Cerilia. It is home to only one dragon species, the Cerilian dragon. It is a quite rare dragon, having only about two dozen on the whole continent. I have only seen one. His name was Zaikhur Lifesbane."

"Lifesbane... nice name.. And you survived it?" Autumn watched his face as she spoke. "I mean with a name like that it hardly inspires people to think you are a nice dragon."

Wilhem smiled, "Two reasons. One, he was attacking another group a short distance away at the time. Then he left. He convinced many to not return to the Five Peaks region with just that one attack. Two, while he was a dragon, he was only about 16 years old. He was born at the same time as I was. See, his egg hatched when his mother, the original Lifesbane was killed by the release of divine energy at the Battle of Deismaar. She somehow was converted into the Five Peaks upon her death, so that is why Zaikhur Lifesbane protects that region from development."

"Ah ok..." Autumn said, wondering how a dragon got turned into a mountain. Shrugging mentally she filed it in her mind as things to puzzle over later.

Wilhem smiled, "Don't be concerned about it, Autumn. It is not known by what magic the dragon became the five tallest peaks in Anuire. Maybe it was simply the divine energy, which was poisonous to dragon kind that converted her."

She gave a slight smile. "Sorry... just things confuse me about your world... I mean in my world... your world was once spoken of as a myth/legend and even then not truly believed... even though now days people are more open minded... it is just hard to take in at times."

Wilhem smiled softly, "That I well know. I have found indications that some of the worlds I know of from our own legends were discovered by writers. For instance, the world of Toril, or more specifically the continent of Faerûn, was discovered by the writer Ed Greenwood. And he seemed to know a lot about the world."

"Sometimes people make things up from dreams and sometimes they are told things .. maybe he knew the world... maybe he dreamt it.. you never know." she shrugged. "Legends are made from fact. Many Earth legends can trace their history back to actual events."

Wilhem nodded, "Well, he did supposedly know Elminster."

She flashed a smile. "Elminster... sounds like Westminster" she said with a cheeky tone in her voice. "But other human authors wrote about planets in your universe Wil.. I mean the people that wrote Dragonlance.. it is set in Krynn... they could have meet people or dreamt the events... you never know.. from what i have seen of your powers .. nothing would surprise me anymore."

Wilhem looked at her lovingly, "DragonLance was written about the world Krynn, another mythical world to us. Krynn was most likely in another universe as well. Its magic was more powerful than Aebrynnian magic was. You see, on my world you needed a touch of the divine blood to cast true magic. On Krynn, you needed to be attuned to one of the three moons." He sighed, "But you may be right that someone wrote about the events on Aebrynnis. I once saw a book called 'The Iron Throne.' It was set during the fall of the Anuirean Empire. That Empire had just been founded several years previously when I was flung off my world. So it is possible that the author saw the future before it happened."

"I have read the DragonLance book Wil.. I did want to know where my nickname came from you know. As for the Iron throne.. I have never read it... I'll see about getting a copy when we get home.. Might give me something to do when Andree removes me from duty in a few months." she smiled. "One good thing about this pregnancy is it will give me more time to spend with you at home... though i will be bored silly."

Wilhem smiled, "Books, Love. There were three in the War of the Lance series. Three in the Twins saga. Plus others." He sat next to her, "And if you want, I'll see if I can get paternity leave. I don't want you bored out of your mind. Leaving you alone like that is harder than you think."

She stuck her tongue out. "Smart ass. I know there are more then one. But then I only read the first... Riana left before i could borrow the others." she said. "Oh I'll be fine... I'll spend time with Rose and the like.. might set up a few holoprograms to help when the babies come.. Throw Brhode's clothes out into space.." she added with a smile.

Wilhem shook his head merilly, "That is if Brhode is still around by then." Then he turned serious again, "Look, Autumn. I don't want you bored out of your mind because I somehow managed to get you, as the Terrans say, 'knocked up.' I want to make your life easier, not tougher. But all I seem to be able to do is cause things to spin out of control."

"Hurried Plan Bit 4"
by Lt Gimli Blackbeard, Vertically-Challenged Field Medic(NPC), Lt Jg Terance 'Goober' Raddick, Trigger-Happy Near-brain-dead
Growth-Hormone-crazed Security Officer (NPC) NPC Hirogen Cubs (BeKunk, MajOnk)
--------------------------------------------------------

Screaming in rage at what the Federation prey had done to their brother, BeKunk and MajOnk lashed out at rocks and innocent trees.

Regrouping had been the only option, since they were now outnumbered by a factor of 2 to prey that seemed much better at killing Hirogen then Hirogen did at killing prey.

Their leader was obviously quite good at gureilla warfare, and seemed adept at laying traps.

Picking up their remaining communicator, MajOnk opened a subspace connection to one of the Hirogen vessels above.

"I have a plan. We have access to centuries of trap-making experience in the computer systems, so we should use it to build a better trap. Also, we have energy weapons while they don't!"

The two Hirogen grinned before reading up on trap making. If they needed anything, it was easy to have it beamed down.

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

Four hours later...

Now that Gimli was able to move a bit more thanks to the splint, he made it well known that he was going to participate and reluctantly, Brightspot was forced to let him and Raddick go out for more food since Brightspt's claws were needed for carving and nobody trusted Nosemaj not to get lost if she went more then 20 metres from the cave by herself.

Heading down the path with an nearly full makeshift bag, he followed Raddick. They had been searching for awhile and had plenty now, but Raddick wanted to see if they could find more of Nosemaj's 'potatos'.

Sitting on a big rock for a few moments, Gimli jumped when he heard a loud yelp from up ahead followed by a sickening crunch. Hobbling forwards, he stopped suddenly when he saw two tree trunks smacked against each other in the middle of the path. What was unusual was that they were suspended from what looked to be thick steel cables.

Suddenly, he realised that a pair of legs were sticking out from under the middle of the trees and he threw up in the bushes.

Realising he was in danger as the Hirogen would be nearby, Gimli dropped his bag and started hobbling back down the path, terrified now for his life.

He didn't get far before he was nailed by two Hirogen energy weapons and dropped to the ground dead with a thud.

"Planet Side: Part Four"
By Wilhem and Autumn Quevvenson

Autumn took his hand gently. "My life has always been out of control Wil... in fact you are the one thing that's slowed it down. And as for me being 'Knocked up' as you say, I am not complaining... much," she added teasingly with a smile. "And as for my life getting easier... well it has never been a picnic Wil... but then again I wouldn't want it any other way. And besides... it isn't your fault we are down here... it's mine more then yours. I should have made Hunter obey the orders... but he is as stubborn as Rose in that department. If I had done my job and made him follow orders we might not be in this situation," she shrugged her shoulders.

Wilhem hugged her tenderly in reply. "It is not your fault. Hunter, as you say, wanted to play 'Cowboy.' Nothing we could have done about that." He smiled, then leaned in, next to her ear, and whispered, "Now, I wish I could take you somewhere private. And do things to you that would make you blush."

She poked his side. "Too late... and it isn't the time or the place... if you had wanted that you shouldn't have left our quarters," she whispered back in his ear before straightening up and falling silent to listen for footsteps or movement.

Wilhem smiled and whispered, "I know. But I thought you should know." He listened, and suddenly stiffened.

Autumn felt him stiffen and looked at him. "What?" she asked softly, not sure she wanted an answer to that.

Wilhem spoke in measured tones, "There is the sound of feet coming from the desert. It sounds like some kind of ogre. Which is approximately what a Hirogen would sound like. And there are at least three of them."

Autumn stood up slowly and looked towards the desert opening silently. After a few seconds she smiled and looked at Wil. "I hope they understand what they are about to get themselves into," she relaxed her shoulders and held out her hand to him. ~I love you Wil,~ she sent to him.

Wil smiled, ~I love you too, Kender.~ He took her right hand in his left and waited. Soon, they heard the grunts of a group of large humanoids. The footsteps stopped outside the massive cavern mouth for a few moments. Then the footsteps started echoing, as if the creatures were coming into the cavern.

~They can smell us... what's the bet it is the same three from the brig?~ Autumn sent as they stood there. ~I hope they have some sort of communication device... we might be able to trick the ones on the ship...~

~If it was the same three from the brig, they would have come from the other direction. Following our smell down that path. I suspect that these are different ones entirely. That just got lucky. Or unlucky, as the case may be.~ Then the Hunters entered the main cave. There were four of them. Three young ones, and one with many scars, who appeared to be the leader.

The lead Hirogen smirked. "Prey, very stupid at that."

Autumn lifted her chin. "Personally I take offence to that... I'll have you know I graduated Second in my class at the academy." She bent her knees slightly waiting.

Wilhem smiled, "Actually, I think that you are the stupid ones. Entering a dragon's lair without permission normally is cause for being called stupid." Then Jrsstraunthor reared up and breathed out another long line of fire which caught the three younger cubs in its path. They, being weaker creatures, died almost instantly.

The Hirogen leader, charged towards the two humans at a breakneck pace. Wilhem waited until the last moment, then raised his right arm, index, middle, and pinkie fingers extended and unleashed the remaining Spellfire energy he had stored in three strokes of electricity. These hit the Hirogen Hunter in the chest, knocking him backwards. They quickly burned through the humanoid's armor and killed him. When the last of the energy left him, Wilhem dropped his arm. He smiled at Autumn, "Told you that it could have an interesting effect." And then promptly slumped to the ground, exhausted.

Autumn grabbed his head before it hit the ground. "Yeah... give me a phaser rifle any day..." She lowered him down gently and looked up at their host. "Thank you Jrsstraunthor for your help." She brushed Wil's hair from his forehead. "As much as your powers work Love... I prefer the power pack of a phaser... less stress and worry for me then when you do this," she said softly.

Wilhem smiled softly, "So Spellfire exhausts you when you use it all up. No big deal. It just needs to be regulated effectively."

She sighed. "Okay I believe you... but I don't like it." She paused. "Besides that short nap we took was a long time ago..." she added.

Wilhem nodded softly, "I hope you are not mad at me."

She smiled. "No not mad, worried yes... mad no." she took his hand and sat beside him.

Wilhem smiled, "Thank you, Love." He sat up slowly, and looked at the dead Hirogen. "Do you want to search the body for any thing we might use?"

"Yes," Autumn nodded and quickly kissed his forehead before standing and walking over to the bodies her face blank. As a doctor she was used to seeing death and blood. She began with the lead Hirogen. She searched his pockets and withdrew his nasty knife from its sheath and tested its weight. "Not bad for such a creature." she commented upon removing a talon claw. "Very nasty... but" she continued holding it. "Deadly in its own way." She unhooked the rifle from the lead Hirogen’s shoulder and smiled. "More like it." She stood up and took the items back to Wil before moving onto the other three. Pinching her nose she winced. "Ew... oh..." her stomach churned. Struggling she removed their talons and rifles that had somehow survived the blast. One of them held something she recognised. "Hmm seems one of these lots raided Security weapons holding area." She held up her dagger with the Phoenix on the hilt. She stood up and glared down at the dead guy. "You know on my world they use to hang thieves..." She walked over to Wil. "Not just Hunters... thieves as well." She stuck her dagger back in her boot expertly and she then checked the power levels on the rifles. "Four talons, three daggers and four rifles. Not bad.. that’s not counting my dagger either. Don't these idiots like Swords?" she said with a teasing note in her voice directed at her husband.

Wilhem smiled patiently, "I guess swords are too good for them. They probably think that killing with a large knife is somehow better than using a small sword to slice through flesh. It is all a matter of conjecture. I am sure that someone is using my swords to try and track us. Nothing else to it."

"Yay!" she mock cheered. "Personally I just hope we get the stuff back..." she paused. She sat down again. "If we get back." She added under her breath.

Wilhem put his arm around her shoulders, "Don't worry, my love. I am sure we will be rescued eventually. It just might take a bit longer than we want it to."

She nodded her head and leant against him gently. "I know," she said softly.

Wilhem smiled softly to himself. He slowly put his head onto her shoulder and said, "I love you, Autumn. No matter what may come from this."

She turned her head and kissed his forehead. "I love you Wil." She rested back against him again and shut her eyes for a second.

Wilhem smiled softly, and shut his eyes for a few seconds. Of course, things did not work out that way, and he was soon asleep. Dreaming of Autumn in her best finery and him just watching her move.

Autumn drifted off curled up into his side, dreaming of their children and Wil. Part of her knew it was a bad idea to sleep but her body demanded it. And she never disobeyed her body when it demanded sleep.

After several hours of sleeping, they were both awoken by a loud roar. When they looked around, they discovered that Jrsstraunthor was standing over them in a protective manner. But they also soon noticed that there were others in the cavern. A total of eight Hirogen, who seemed momentarily frightened by the dragon's roar.

"Merde!" Autumn muttered rolling to her knees and grabbing on of the rifles. "Merci Jrsstraunthor for the wake up call." She said as she aimed her weapon at the lead Hirogen. "Gee takes Eight of you lot to track us? Not very hunter like now is it," she said causally.

The leader of this Hirogen supergroup smiled, "We track prey to this cavern. Prey will now cease to live. And so will this large prey. Prey stupid."

Wilhem smiled knowingly, "I am afraid that you are the ones who may be stupid. Coming into a dragon's lair unannounced can be most hazardous to your health. Especially when it is a good-aligned dragon against evil-aligned humanoids."

The dragon nodded and then began to mumble some words in the Draconic language. Wilhem paused, smiled, and whispered to Autumn, "I think I know what is about to happen. Don't worry. It will be most useful."

Then, in a rush of wind, a huge bluish-skinned man appeared, held aloft by some sort of white cloud. He turned to the brass dragon, "You called me, Jrsstraunthor?"

The great Wyrm dragon nodded, "Yes, Wrrrl. I summoned you to help me deal with these interlopers. The big, ugly ones. They seem to take pleasure in killing those they capture. Through large-scale hunts. They are called Hirogen."

Autumn took an involuntary step back when the man appeared. ~Genie?~ she asked Wil mentally. Her hands tightened on the rifle and she kept an eye trained on the Hirogen.

Wilhem smiled, ~One type, yes. A djinni. Great Wyrm brass dragons can summon them once per day, I believe. Should be most interesting.~

Wrrrl turned towards the Hirogen and smiled a deathly smile. Then, he transformed himself into a whirlwind and swept down upon the Hirogen, picking them up into the raging storm. Only one avoided being swept up, and that was the leader.

Autumn smiled and aimed at the leader. The leader glared at her and Wil and bellowed before charging. "Mistake two" she said as she pulled the trigger. The blast caught his knife arm and he howled in pain.

Wilhem smiled, "Nice shot, Love." He then began concentrating mentally, focusing in on the Hirogen's neck. With two quick jerking of his hand, the Hirogen fell to the ground, unable to move. Wilhem turned to Autumn, "Should I let him die?"

Autumn just stared. "Um..." she floundered for words. "You choose..." She lowered her gun.

Wilhem grimaced, thought, then shook his head, "No. No one should die like that." He quickly undid the blocks that he had placed on the Hirogen's nerves. Soon, the Hirogen leader would be able to stand if he wanted to. But he might not like his chances any more.

Autumn reached out her hand and touched Wil's shoulder gently. "You scare me at times Wilhem Quevvenson," she said softly placing her rifle on the ground and watching the Hirogen carefully.

Wilhem nodded solemnly, "I didn't know I could do that either, Autumn. I am not a really well-liked guy. Mostly because of the strangeness that encircles my life. I hope to someday get past it. But I fear that may never happen."

She hugged him gently. "You'll be fine," she turned and looked at the Hirogen. "What do we do with him now?" she asked.

Wilhem frowned, "I think we need to secure him somehow... But I am unsure how exactly." He looked around the dragon's hoard, and saw something quite interesting. A set of masterwork Large-sized manacles. He pointed them out, "Jrsstraunthor, can we use those?"

The dragon looked and nodded, "Use them. They will most likely not be able to be broken. Even by one such as that Hirogen."

Autumn looked over at them, "Oh those are big. Should work." she looked at their location. "So we climb to get them?"

Wilhem nodded, "Yes. That would be a good idea." He looked at her, and smiled, "Since you are the more nimble of the two of us, why don't you go get them? I will try to keep the Hunter occupied while you do so."

Autumn shrugged. "Ok No problem... anything to get away from dead bodies." She dropped her jacket and began to climb towards the manacles. It took her a short while to reach them. she picked them up with a slight grunt and slung them over her shoulder. Looking back down she began to climb downwards.

Wilhem watched the Hirogen closely, trying to figure out when he would regain full use of his facilities. He finally decided it would be a while longer, and glanced up at Autumn. He really hoped that she would make it down okay. Then he glanced at the whirlwind that the djinni had changed into. As he watched, he saw the djinni reform into his original form. The seven Hirogen cubs who had been caught in the whirlwind fell to the ground. All of them appeared to have been killed or knocked unconscious in the maelstrom.

Autumn climbed as carefully as she could. About 10 meters up her foot slipped and she felt her body start to fall. Biting on her lip to stop herself from screaming she grabbed onto something hard with one hand as she tried to regather her footing.

Wilhem felt Autumn's fear as she slipped. He quickly turned towards her position, saw her trouble and was about to try and catch her, when Jrsstraunthor did something even quicker. With just a word, an invisible sheet of force appeared beneath her feet. It was just large enough to keep her from falling, but not large enough to keep her from climbing off it.

Autumn glanced down as her feet hit something solid. Nothing. She glanced towards the dragon and gave her a relieved smile. "Thank you Jrsstraunthor," she said regaining a hand hold and continuing her way down. She reached the bottom and handed Wilhem the manacles before slumping to the ground with a sigh of relief.

Wilhem nodded, stood and walked cautiously towards the still reeling Hirogen leader. He knew that the large creature might still have some tricks up his sleeves. He decided to be extra careful, and while the Hirogen was trying to reach out for him, Wilhem used the manacles to knock the big creature out. Then he quickly placed the manacles on the Hirogen's hands and feet. Now, the Hirogen was secured from doing much of anything without some help. Wilhem then searched the Hirogen and collected the Hirogen's knife and the three rapiers that Wilhem had been wearing earlier. Wilhem then walked back to Autumn, and gave her the knife. "I guess we are getting quite the collection."

Autumn nodded. "You realise that now they are missing.. more will come looking for them... you didn't find any sort of communicator on him did you?" she asked softly.

Wilhem paused, shrugged and headed back to the Hunter. He searched and found something that looked like a communication device. Quite primitive, really. But it was something that could be useful later. He walked back to Autumn and handed it to her.

Autumn took it and examined it. "I've seen pre-warp planets with higher technology," she muttered. She examined the underside and depressed the small trigged and listened. No noise came from it but then no noise was made where they were. "Like a primitive walkie talkie," she said. "They will most likely monitor the airwaves and the like. When they get worried they'll call them... if I had the right tools I might be able to jury rig it to handle federation signals." She paused, "But even then nothing is certain."

Wilhem smiled, "I guess so. There seemed to be something else there. But it was mostly destroyed by the phaser blast to his hand."

Autumn groaned. "I told you I was a bad shot," she muttered unsheathing her dagger and prying the back cover off the device to examine it further.

Wilhem nodded, "I'll go check the other Hunter we killed." He stood and walked to the Hirogen with the three electrical scars through his armor. He searched the creature, pulling out another of the primitive devices. Then, he pulled off something from the Hirogen’s right hand. It was some sort of more advanced communicator. It looked like something that would be able to transmit through the atmosphere to a ship. He took them back to Autumn and gave them to her.

Autumn examined the transmitter. "Hmmm wonder whether or not..." she removed the back and began to examine it.

Wilhem looked at her, "Wonder what?"

She looked up. "Well... that Hirogen was one of the ones that came into the brig... so it is logical to assume that this communicator is linked to the Main lot of Hirogen on the Galaxy. Including their Alpha... the one that has Brhode in his grasp... not that I am complaining about Brhode being someone’s pet... but..."

Wilhem smiled, "That may be a good thing. He looked somewhat more important than the others. But I can't be sure."

"I just hope Heather got to Gustavson and they have managed to do something..." she began to tinker with its controls. "I knew I should have paid more attention in Engineering 101... Argh... to much time spent at the hospital really cuts back on time spent else where." she kept trying to work on it.

Wilhem nodded, "I hope so, too. I also hope the others were able to make it to safety. As for Engineering 101, I wish I could help you. Most of it was over my head."

She smiled. "I did both normal and Bio engineering. Even got to meet Commander Data and examine his positronic matrix... but anything complicated in standard engineering was the same as you... straight over my head. I mean I got the basics but..." she shrugged she lifted a hand and brushed her hair back from her face and continued working.

Wilhem watched her work silently, then leaned over and kissed the side of her face, "For good luck."

Autumn smiled and nodded. "Thanks Love," she said. ~I love you,~ she sent in her mind as she worked on the communicator.

Wilhem smiled and sent back, ~I love you too.~

Autumn glanced up after a while. "This is going to take longer then I thought. I suggest you get some sleep.. I am going to keep trying to get it to work. I'll wake you if anything happens."

Wilhem paused, "I think we should do something else first." He turned to the djinni, who was still there. "Wrrrl, would you mind if I asked you to, say... create some food and drink for us?"

The djinni smiled softly, "No. I do not mind helping those that need it." He made a few motions and some bread, fruit, and white wine in two wineskins. Plus two wineglasses. "Does that suffice?"

Wilhem smiled, "Yes, it does. Thank you, great djinni."

Autumn gave the genie a smile. "Thank you Wrrrl." she said softly before continuing on her work.

Wilhem smiled and looked around again. That's when he noticed that there were several shining things near the cubs. He decided to investigate. When he did, he found that they were something he had not expected. Communicator badges. He quickly gathered them up and took them over to Autumn. "Want these?" he asked.

She looked at the badges. "Yes." she said. "I wonder whose they are." She turned the first one over and lifted the back off it. She pressed a button and a small voice came out.

{Ensign McPherson}

"Sara's," she said softly, "I hope she wasn't wearing it when they took it." She tried the next one.

{Lieutenant Smith} and the next.

{Lieutenant Jg Jamieson.}

"Hey how about that they got my old badge... they must have raided my office... all these must be from med bay personnel... either ones who fought them, ones they beamed down to the planet, or just old ones left laying around."

{Lieutenant jg Malgin}

"There’s a surprise," She smiled. "Now all we have to do is send a broad band transmission and hope someone up there is awake." she paused. "Though we might want to boast the power out put.. so to disguise the signal... if the Hirogens are about... they could lock on to it." she picked up her old badge and examined it. She then dissembled Smiths badge and began linking wires from the parts of the Hirogen's communicators and the starfleet ones to get the desired affect.

Wilhem watched solemnly. He hoped that she knew what she was doing. It might not be a good thing if this led more of the Hirogen to them. But he also knew it might be their only hope of survival.

She glanced up at him. "Will you stop fretting? This is going to take a while. Talk to Wrrrl or our host... or sleep... I can handle this..." she gave him a smile. "The worst that could happen is that one of these wires short out and fry me... and even then its too low a voltage to do me much harm... or harm the twins... I... we will be fine."

Wilhem nodded softly. He took a piece of bread, broke it, and ate slowly. Once he was done, he decided to lay down and see about getting some more sleep.

Autumn knew he was tired. ~Sleep Love... I'll wake you if anything happens...~ she raised her hand to her mouth to stifle her own yawn but then continued working.

Wilhem nodded softly, then quietly fell into a light sleep. He dreamed of Autumn. And their two children. Who for some reason, looked a lot like them.

Autumn managed to get the wires connected and some of the power couplings linked before her brain said no more. She placed the stuff down beside her and stood up and stretched. Looking around she noticed that the lead Hirogen was awake. She ignored the glare she got from him and sat back down beside Wil. She picked up her jacket from where she had dropped it and spread it out and placed her work on it. she then stretched some more and said, "Jrsstraunthor I am going to catch some sleep." She smiled at the dragon, "Thank you for keeping an eye on us before."

The dragon nodded, and then dismissed the djinni to go back to his prior activities. She kept her eye on the remaining Hirogen cubs. To see if any of them were going to wake up and try anything.

Autumn smiled and curled up in a ball beside Wilhem and fell asleep.

Wilhem felt her near him, and put his arm around her sleeping body.

Autumn snuggled down in his arms in her sleep.

”In the end…”
By Margaret “Maggie” Osborn and Victor “Vic” Azaria.

PLACE: Down planet, Swamp Lands, Cave

Maggie bit on her lower lip, as the Hirogen hunters stood full visible in the opening of the cave. They had no place to run. She looked over at Victor who took the long stick. “Showtime, babe,” he said with a grin and walked onto the thin natural stone bridge. He looked down, seeing the sharp stones there.

Osborn stood at the end, watching as the Hirogen closed in on Victor. She swore and stepped forward, with her home made spear. Azaria and Osborn launched forward, surprising the Hirogens to some extent. They managed to knock one off the bridge, sending him down into his death.

Uglùk yelled in anger when he saw his friend fall. He knocked Osborn away and attacked the male.

Victor tried to drive his stick into the Hirogen but he was too weak. And Maggie...where was she? He saw two hands holding on the stone bridge. Desperate. Urgent. And before he knew it, a pain spread into his upper torso. He looked down, finding a long knife there. He looked up at the Hirogen, questioning. The Hirogen smiled a mocking smile. “You fought good, prey”

Victor closed his eyes and used his last strength to throw himself away from the Hirogen.

No...this couldn’t be. I close my eyes in bitter realization. Victor is dead. His body is a few feet under me, throwing or tripped into the stones. I am hanging after my fingernails here. And over me he stands. Or it.

A Hirogen. My enemy,

I knew Starfleet would be my bane. I always knew that. We die, especially in Security.

I consider myself lucky. I found love before I die. I love Victor. When he asked me to marry him...even for a joke...I wanted to say yes.

The Hirogen raises his knife and laughs.

I push myself away. I am in control. I am ending this, not him.

I am sorry for those I leave behind. But Victor is dead. And this alien will kill me. I am not like that. I do things my way.

Even dying.

I hit the stones and I drown into a darkness. My last thought is recalled to when Victor and I made love.

I die with a smile.

"Sniping"

LCDR Michael O'Grady
Chief counselor

The Jeffries tubes weren't too quiet if you listende right you could hear all sorts of things, like Astrid Salt's bad singing.

She was definately no Rayna in that department. He still missed his wife more each hour that passed and he wanted to be back with her.

Hirogen were still in control of the ship, but their numbers had to be dwindling. How many of the lizard bastards were left anyway?

Couldn't be that many.

Shouldering his crossbow he began to move slowly through the tubes. He wasn't supposed to do this, he was a counselor, not a crossbowman. One of the Hirogen was carring of all things a padd.

Taking careful aim he pointed it towards the juncture of the creature's neck and jaw.

Squeeze the trigger slowly and then wham! a bolt flew straight and trew and with a wet thunk entered the Jugliar vein and carotid artery.

All he got out befor the fountain of blood sprayed outward in time to the creature's heart beat was the phrase, "message for you sir."

The bigger Hirogen was surprised at the weapon striking his hunter. One of their prisoners, a medical officer spoke up, "it bleeds."

A cook spoke up next, "if it bleeds we can kill it."

Then with a loud yell the 10 people who had been taking a sheeplike walk to the transporter for the hunt was shattered and they pounced. 4 of them died but the rest managed to overwhelm the larger creature and eventually beat it to death. But in the end it cost 9 of them their lives.

Mike slunk back in the shadows and loaded his weapon. Now he would contine to move towards the bridge.

"Drink a Little Drink...Dance a Little Dance.. Get DOWN tonight!"

Starring
Lt. j/g Arel Smith, Security Know it All LtCmdr Lysander VanderPuls-Hawksley, male scapegoat

NPC Samantha Widdlestien (aged 8), off to a good start and...the newts...

* * * * *

Lysander stared around the campfire, and wondered for the 234,567,236,212th time that night; exactly -why- this had seemed like a good idea.

To his one side, Kit Jordan snored in drunken contentment. She'd won her arguement, mainly because she talked louder and faster than the newts, and it was therefore 'Resolved: Females can't be sexists because of chauvinist pig stupid males.'

To his other, the newts slithered and shifted in their newty panapoly.

Directly across from him, Arel Smith glowered at him, like it was HIS fault that the newts kept saying things that were questionable 'pick up' lines to her, and Samantha Widdlestein glowered at him; like it was -his- fault that the slimy newts LOVED her and kept slithering into her lap.

With a sigh, he had some more of the Chocolate-Raspberry Mousse-booze wine and wondered if he could stomach the overly sweet stuff enough to get a decent drunken binge on.

Like Kit seemed to have done.

Again.

Samamntha shrieked absently and removed a baby newt the length of her left leg from her lap. She didn't trust Kit Jordan one micro-meter and she was debating if she wanted to actually brand Kit, or just fill her sleeping platform with baby newts for falling asleep with HER head on Lysanders shoulder.

A girl has to watch her future husband at -all- times you know.

"Arel! Look at her...the fat cow! What has she got I haven't? -There-. . . is he smiling at her? He looked like he smiled at her. Smegger..." Samantha whined to her best friend.

Arel, being distracted by one of the newts trying to woo her, said absently "You're flatter then her, she has boobs."

Samantha frowned. That was not the answer she was looking for. She watched Kit as she went into another series of giggles and fake 'cute looks' and sighed.

A newt slithered up and scuffled with another for possesion of the backpack holding the uni-trans.

"I am Detty...newt warrior extraodinaire. I have removed the heads from ten Demons since they began hunting here. Marry me and bear me many strong egg-sacs, you lusty eyed non-slimy warrior vixen from the stars." it proposed to Arel.

"AREL! If I squint, that one looks just like Ensign Pressley!" Samantha whispered.

"He's about as smart as him too." Arel mummered back. This was getting out of hand; it was the fourth proposal of the night "I am sorry great warrior. I am already taken." It seemed the best thing to say.

A chorus of newts wailed in protest but Samantha said loudly "No you're not,

Arel. Why, I'm quite sure you havent gotten any in a long-"

"Have a drink Samantha!" Arel interupted as she passed the closest gourd-cup to her to shut her up. Samantha sniffed it for a moment and then took a sip. Mmmmmm..it tasted yummy! Like chocolate and rasberries. She started chugging it.

"She's kind of simple." Arel said casting her best pity face towards Samantha, who was too busy getting a refill to care or argue. "Anyway, I just can't betray my -(mental choke)- beloved. I'm sorry"

"Who is this pthak so that I might kill him and take you from him?" asked the warty little guy. At least she hoped it was a male newt.

"Err..." Arel began. She was not a good at lying to people, that's why she prefered not to saying anything at all.

"His name is Lieutenant James Corgan." Lysander chimed in happily. He still owed Arel for the bug after all.

Arel's eyes widened.

"How many demons has he slain?" the newt pressed.

"Many. We have a species we call the Jem'Hadar, he has slain at least fifty of them...and about seven or eight of the homocidal maniacs we call "Borg"... and he is quite the ladies man. Isn't he, Lieutenant?" Lysander asked Arel, trying to look innocent.

"On the contrary" Arel said through clenched teeth "He's very...devoted to me." This one was going to bite her in the ass, she thought.

"He's devoted to lots of women..you...Lieutenant Reece...Princess Phaserbanks...Lita Jorvan...he sort of reminds me of Eric Odin..." Lysander remarked, thinking to himself that this one was going to bite Arel on her ass.

Finally.

Arel glared at him and then, in a moment of mean spirited inspiration, turned to Samantha and said. "Lysander loves another woman."

It was cheap, it was low, but it felt good.

"WHAATT!!" the slightly tipsy eight year old screamed and turned to look at Kit with murder in her eyes, a murderous intent that matched Lysanders glare at Arel.

"Not her." Arel said, saving a napping Kit Jordan from a severe ankle kicking, if not some hair pulling and maybe a newly learnt back knifing. "Commander VonErnst"

" Whhooo....oh...OH! SAT grrl widda red hairies?!?!" Samantha yelled. "I is biggur thun HER! WHY??? Oh my Loverly Lysandur! How kod you do sis to meeeee?"

Lysander sputtered as little lush came over and began hitting him with one of the adoring newts that had been resting on her lap. Luckily, another newt rescued it before Samantha had the opportunity to inflict too much damage to either Lyansder or the newt. Samantha just grabbed another one however and began slogging away again, tears running down her face.

"Weee wure s'apposed to buye a BIG houseee -whack- and Ieee was gonna make LEMONADE -smack- and make you wearr Blue suitz and yullow ties -whurp- and Mummy was gonna live nexx doors - whap- and that mean fat cow Kit Jordan was gonna -smak- clean da floorz on Tuesdays -whap (on Kit's head)- and Arel waz gonna be my bridesmaid, because Mummy says you never have a Bridesmaid prettier than you -whap-..."

Lysander looked over at a smirking Arel.

"You do realize that I saw this coming, and that I'm telling her Mummy -who- gave her the booze?" he asked, fending the distraught eight year old off with one hand while fending Kit Jordan off with the other.

The newt turned adoring eyes to Arel.

"Since your beloved Corgan has been revealed a coward and without honor, what do you say? You...me..the mudbaths...?" "Do not believe everything this fool says to you" Arel huffed. "Corgan is indeed a great warrior and this idiot is just jealous."

~~Dear God, was she really defending Crazy Corgan?~~ Arel leaned a little closer to the newt, but not too close just in case he got the wrong idea. "Between you and me, I think Lysander might be just a little taken with him, if you know what I mean. He seems to repel women." The newt looked over to where Lysander was still being smacked by the two outraged drunks and nodded in understanding. Actually, it was confused. The warrior known as Lysander said that the males of his people usually fought, as all right thinking and squishy species thought. But that some of the females were insane. Unfortunatly, his claims that he could attract the insane females of his species seemed to be true.

Lysander, while trying to deflect Kit's weaving attempts to fend off Samantha, who was drunkenly belting away at both of them; looked over at Arel and her newt friend with caution in his eyes. "What?" he said suspiciously.

Arel gave an overly dramatic shrug. "Oh nothing Lieutenant."

"It's Lieutenant COMMANDER. Hey Samantha. Didn't your Mummy warn you about this? Arel is just joshing you because..." and here his voice lowered to dramatic depths. "She's worried you might steal her new-t boyfriend."

Arel growled, which really only turned the newt on more. It 'squished' closer to her boots.

Samantha reeled for a moment considering this. Then, with a final desultory swipe of her hapless newt captive at Kit, she stumbled back to Arel. The poor newt wobbled towards freedom.

"S'okay Arelll..Luverly Lysadadaner Lysssuprp...Listerine... HIM.. still loves me. Im nod gunna steal yer boyfrien..Issyer buddy! We signle gals gotts to stik tuggedder. hey..HEY YOU!" and Samantha pointed at the newt.

"Yeah you.. how ya gonna smooch my beshtesh buddy Arel iffen you gots no lips! he's godd no lips Arel...no lips.. liddle lizard losh hish lipsh..." Samantha waved the gourd as she tried to stand.

Lysander gaped.

"How much of that stuff did you let her drink? One smeggin' sip and I feel like spitting in Bhrode's face..." Arel could only remember handing her a cup, it looked like Samantha had had a bit more since then. Oops. She guessed she was going to have to be responsible now and take it away from her. That of course got Samantha as happy as any other drunk you try to take a drink away from and she wapped Arel on the head soundly for her efforts. Arel held in her temper and spoke to Samantha very carefully. "Do that again... and I will not be in your wedding."

Samantha considered this dilemma. Then she hiccuped and handed the gourd to her. Arel took it and passed it down the circle, wistful that she couldnt start drinking it herself.

Maybe she could steal some and take it back to Galaxy, if they ever got back there. Samantha smiled sleepily and then, pushing the admiring newts out of the way, plopped herself down on Arel's lap. "Like Santy Clauz" she giggled to herself.

"How sweet." Lysander sneered, having misheard 'Sanity Clause' on purpose and deliberatly.

"Shut up..Commander" Arel replied.

"Shuz up Lysandur." Samantha said sweetly.

"Shuz up Lysandur." Kit said as well, before giggling and passing out in a heap.

The Newts turned and looked at the one with the Uni-Trans.

"Your War Leaders command you to not speak, vermin." boomed into the night.

All our Hero coould do was heave a sigh and hope that Arel didn't realize that her newt suitors were all females.

She'd probally blame -that- on him too...

“Orders are Orders”
By Riana Parstran, Indiana Brisbane, and Un-Authorised appearances by Lieutenant JG Heather Grant-Wellington and Ensign Taishal Katel

Riana stood at tactical with a smile. Heather was sitting in the command chair. Katel was at helm… Indy at ops and they were ready.

Heather turned. “Lieutenant.. Chose your target wisely.”

“Yes ma’am” Ria said with a smile. “Who shall be the first to go? You’ll do!” she chose the closest vessel and fired a spread of torpedos and phaser blasts at it.

The Hirogen vessel taken by surprise was also the largest of the three. The Torpedos ripped through its underbelly, spilling air, leaving its hapless crew starving for oxygen and their cries went un headed as the ship went into a downward spiral towards the planet surface as Phasers continued the bombardment. As the huge vessel hit the planet’s atmosphere its fellows were turning in confusion to the Galaxy.

“Evasive manoeuvres Ensign” snapped Heather from her chair. “Nice shooting Lieutenant” “Aye ma’am.” “Merci ma’am”

“Head for the nebular… top speed please.” “Ma’am current speed 5 impulse… we can get to warp 3 soon.. and if we enter the nebula…” “I know Ensign Katell… Just give us what you can” “Aye Ma’am” His fingers slid across the console. And the Galaxy began to turn from its orbit and make its way towards the nebula.

Meanwhile planet side it on the night side of the planet, a straggling group of starfleet personnel looked up as a star shot over head leaving a trail of blazing light. A sign of hope. A sign that if they wished now they would get out of this alive.

Little did they know that up in the stars the fight for the USS Galaxy’s freedom had officially begun.

"Leo Streely - Age 8: "The Grand Finale!"

*As told by Leo himself to the scared and captave children of the USS GALAXY!

With Leo Streely (age 13), his good buddy Spits, a familiar 8 year old Indian, an enraged Orion, several nude dancers and a host of cameo appearences by some familiar faces! (I wouldn't poke at you folks if I didn't love ya!)

Previously: The hell with previously! You all should know what's going on by now, and if ya don't - shame on you! In a nut shell, Leo snuck into a titty bar, stole an Orion's wallet, and came this damn close to getting laid before said Orion barged in with smoke coming out of his ears.

Time: A long Time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

Location: Pinky's House of Flesh, Black Hills, Earth

A soft knock was heard, then the door opened to reveal a sexy brunette in a silken corsett and matching fishnet stockings. The two men sprawled on the oversized couches inside the room smiled with wide eyed glee as the woman spoke in a breathless voice.

"Mr. Dahlquest, Mr. Friedland..my name is Cathy Cannon and I believe you requested my services this evening."

Dahlquest yanked the toothpick from his mouth. He nodded as the beauty produced long silken scarves from a bodily oriface as she sauntered over coyly and draped herself down across the top of the 4 post bed.

"Whenever your ready, boys." she said with a smile as she draped her arms above her head. Friedland was eager to get started with this particular fantasy. He had meticulously planned this encounters every move for the past 4 months.

Dahlquest motioned with his hand as he undressed. "Can we use the other posts to tie you to? I hate the back posts?"

He glanced at Mr. Friedland who fortunatly had another highly detailed contingency plan at hand to accomidate the strippers shift in position.

The two men stood up and played rock, paper, phasers to see which went first.

Before they could settle the matter, the side door that joined each room exploded open and a scrawny young boy came dashing through one side and out the other.

"Make way! Make way! He's gonna kill me!!" The kid screamed as he ran past, leaving the two men scratching thier heads.

'Reckon we'll ever know what that was all about?" Dahlquest asked.

Before Friedland could answer, A mammoth green skinned Orion came thundering through the door. He snarled and eyed the room wildly before crashing through the ajoining doorway, hot after the young man.

The duo peered through the door at the monster as he ran.

"Hey you two! Dont forget about Cannon, huh?" the girl purred, drawing the men's attention once again.

***** Meanwhile *****

Leo's little legs pumped for all he was worth. This hadn't exactly turned out as planned. Somehow he had let those two goons downstairs talk him into taking the comatose Orion's wallet to pay for the services of a beautiful dancer, but before she could turn him inside out, the rhino-like Orion had awakened and came charging after him.

~Ah well. Could alway's be worse. I could be back in the hotel with the rest of my class, singing songs and drinking cocoa. ~ he thought to himself as he slowed down at the top of the stairwell that had once held such promise and snuck a glance over his shoulder.

Sure enough the emerald skinned behemoth was in hot persuit and none too happy.

Leo turned and bolted down the stairs three at a time, crashing into the towel boy at the bottom, sending huge, fluffy towels all over the floor.

"Sorry, dude!" Leo yelled as he took off into the crowded dance room, hoping to blend in with the thick crowd.

The towel boy crawled around on his hands and knees gathering the linen. Two women, thier naked bodies covered in peanut butter and jelly stood impatiently. "C'mon Liam! Kelly and I are getting sticky over here."

"Sorry Kate." he said barely dodging the charging Orion who thundered into the main dance area where the DJ, wearing a canadian hocky jersy with the name Dallas on the back, was spinning a Smashing Pumpkins tune for the perky black woman currently dancing on the stage.

Leo screamed and raced out the side door and into the cool night air.

The Orion barrled through the crowd and out the door, knocking over a piano that was up on a jack being tuned by a man from William's Piano Services. The instrument fell atop the poor man trapping him beneath its elegence.

The only thing visable was the man's namepatch reading 'Mark'.

Weber and Buckly, the two men who had instigated the whole scene laughed hysterically from thier pole side seats. The bartender. Lori, was none too amused. She threw a bottle of gin at the pair who dove for cover as the glass shards went flying onto the floor and mingled with the rest of the debris.

"You Patrick boys are no damn good! Knock your crap off or I'll have you tossed out of here!" she said nodding to the bouncer, JB, who's stern look made the brothers fear being placed on his Universal Shit List.

***** Outside the Bar *****

Leo's legs pumped for all they were worth as he crashed headlong through the forest. Branches from the trees slapped and scratched his body as he wove deeper and deeper into the woods.

He was almost about to conjur up a fantasy about being a track star when his foot slid sunk into thick muck, swallowing his shoe and sending him sailing onto his face.

The Orion came from nowhere and stomped brutally on the young boys back.

"You little toad! How dare you steal from Grogg! Grogg the most feared Orion of all the Galaxy! Now Grogg show you what happens to all who steal from Grogg!" the Orion bellowed as he flipped Leo onto his back and raised a huge chunk of rock he had picked up.

From out of nowhere a smaller stone came sailing through the air and crashed directly between the Orion's eyes.

The big alien's orbs crossed, then fluttered, then he crashed to the ground like a mighty redwood.

Leo wasted no time scampering to his feet and looked to the forest to see his savior.....a young Indian boy, no more than 8 years old, yet lean and muscular for his age. In the boys hand was a sling.

"Holy Cow! That was amazing! You saved my life!" Leo said as the boy walked towards him. "How did you do that?"

'It's easy." the Indian said.

"Easy, my Aunt Edna's big fat butt! That was freakin cool! You sure showed that green goof a thing or two! I would have done the same thing naturally. In fact, I had him just where i wanted him..." Leo started to brag when the Orion swept him aside and grabbed the Indian by the throat and hoisted him high into the air.

Blood was trickling down the Orion's face from the stone wound.

"YOU DARE ATTACK GROGG! GROGG WILL NOW SEND YOU TO YOUR ANCESTERS IN PIECES!" the angry giant screamed as the Indian struggled to no avail.

Grogg withdrew a cruel looking dagger, placed its tip at the young Indian's throat and .....Leo Streely unleashed a ferocious kick to the man's testicals.

Once again the giant fell, this time bashing his head on a large tree and falling unconscious.

The Indian boy crouched into a defensive stance while Leo prodded the unconscious giant with his bare toe.

"Nighty night, Sunshine." he said then turned to the kid. "We make a great team, eh partner?"

The boy straightened and smiled.

"C'mon, we gotta get back to Spits." Leo said but the boy interrupted him and bent down and grabbed the Orion's dagger. He placed his and Leo's hand on the blade.

"You saved my life and I saved yours. In my tribe, my people now would see us as brothers."

He yanked at the blade, slicing thier palms open.

Leo paled. "What the heck did you do that for! he yelled trying to pull his hand away, but the young boy was deceptively strong.

"Now we are blood brothers."

Leo stopped struggling. The gravity of what had just happened fell over him. the boy had saved his life, and he in turn had saved the boys.

"Blood brothers." he repeated slightly awestruck.

"Come...I will help you get back out of the woods."The Indian boy said as he led the two back to the bar, the whole while laughing and reliving the moment.

When they broke the clearing Leo spied flashing police lights all around the Nudie Bar. Near one of the cruisers, Spits stood looking scared yet happy at the same time.

"This is as far as you go kid. I have to go face the music." He reached out his still bleeding hand and the boy took it in his own.

'Good journey my brother." he said then dashed off into the woods.

Leo smiled, feeling more like a man than a boy after all, and walked proudly towards the police and the now smiling Spits. He looked over at the Nudie bar in all its Neon glory.

"Someday Spits....mark my words, I'll have a place just like this! You , me and my brother."

"I..I didnt know you had a brother." Spits said, slobber flying.

"I do now," he said holding his hand as a car pulled up and his teacher leaped out.

"LEO T. STREELY!!! KINGSTON E. PRESLEY!!! YOU TWO BOYS ARE IN A WORLD OF TROUBLE!!!" the woman said shaking her fists as the Indian boy looked on from the woods and shook his head.

***** Present *****

"And the moral of the story kids , is to be strong when all looks scary. Help comes in the most unexpected places." Leo told the crowd of captiave kids.

They all laughed and cheered.

"What happened to Spits?" a little girl asked.

"I don't know sweetie. Last I heard he won some Elvis impersonator contest and used the money to put himself through Starfleet Acadamy." Leo said.

"And what about the Indian? Did you ever see him again?" the Bajoran boy asked.

"Now, I dont know what ever happened to the boy. That's too bad. But whenever Raven and I get in a jam and things look scary, I just rub this scar here and know that we'll find a way out of it."

***** Planet of Doom *****

Raven huddled in the cold awaiting the arrival of the Hirogen. He warmed his hands on the crude fire and then absently traced the pink scar on his right palm.

"Down to One on One (hey! A pakled doesn't count coz she's useless)"
by Lt. Brightspot to-Srallansre,
Ensign Nosemaj Nna Yllek, Pakled Tactical Officer (NPC), NPC Hirogen Cubs (BeKunk, MajOnk)

--------------------------------------------------------

When neither Raddick or Gimli came back after such a long time, Brightspot was getting quite nervous and decided that they needed to investigate. However, it was now night and quite dangerous.

Leaving Nosemaj alone with orders to run & hide if neccessary, the Sivaoan headed out into the jungle. Her night-sight was very good, so she didn't need the scanner. Anyway, it would be more useful for the Pakled anyway.

Even though the Pakled reminded Brightspot that she graduated with honours from the Pakled Tactical Academy, the Sivaoan doubted that Nosemaj would last five minutes along against some Hirogen, and only by prostrating herself and wrappong herself around its legs, wailing in the process.

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

Moving through the forest, Brightspot picked up a terrible scent and immeadiatly went up a tree. From high up, she spotted the source of the smell and gasped.

Now, there was no point in continuing her search, as she could easily see them.

Down in a glade, the two Hirogen were currently cutting into the dead bodies of her two comrades, collecting trophies.

Sheer anger and rage boiled up inside her, and she started wondering how much range Hirogen energy weapons had.

This was the last straw. Examining the energy weapon, she cranked it upto full and carefully aimed it, bracing against her arm.

Picking one of the Hirogen, she fired.

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

MajOnk dropped suddenly and rolled behind a rock as his brother screamed, dropping dead to the ground with a smoking hole in his back. More blasts hit the glade, but MajOnk was protected.

Deciding to leave now, he grabbed some trophies in reach and raced away from the deadly cross-fire.

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

When she was sure the Hirogen had gone, she climbed down and went to check on the bodies. Knowing that he would be back, she grabbed any weapons, including another energy weapon, and raced away, heading by a long-winded course back to the cave.

‘Alone Again’ - Part one
By Ensigh Edward Thomas Derecktor

Edward just had entered the Jefferies tube on Deck 3 on his way back to Deck 6. He stopped for awhile to rest. He had do something about his condition, stimulants would help. He had decided he would go back to Deck 6 and try to find his damage control team but he hadn’t much hope. They were on the planet or dead, or both, but they still fell under his responsibility.

On deck 6 were also the transporter rooms, they would be guarded by Hirogen hunters and he needed firing weapons. He had no use of knifes or daggers, no clubs or bows. He never used them before and he would have no change against a Hirogen hunters even if it was a cub. Replicating phasers was impossible, if the safeties where still online and replicating a old fashion assault rifle would go but replicating bullets was impossible too. Then he had a idea and that would bring him first to Deck 4 main shuttlebay.

Edward followed his way through the Jefferies tubes till he reached a access hatch of the ventilation system near the shuttlebay. This would give him access to the control room. He opened and noticed it was still working the thick air of the Jefferies tube was sucked in with some force. He crawled into to the ventilation duct and closed the hatch behind him. He crawled to the shuttle control room. He was happy that the air was sucking in. If they could smell him he would be lost. He moved very slowly to the grid that kept him from entering the control room. He took his phaser cutting-torch but at that moment someone stepped in front of the grid. Edward could only see the boots and they weren’t Star Fleet issue. He cursed in himself, he had a tricoder and had to scan the control room first. But now it was to late. He turned on the cutting torch and put it on his highest setting and made a horizontal cut into the grid. What he hope happened. The range of the cutting-torch was enough to reach the boots of the Hirogen hunter. Edward heard a scream. The Hirogen moved away from the grid. He walked a small distance but his feet stayed behind. He tried to keep standing on his stumps, he couldn’t keep his balance and fell. His head hit the floor hard and only 30cm for Edward face but still separated by the grid. They looked each other in the eyes. Edward saw in the Hirogen eyes nor pain or fear. The hunter reached for his rifle but Edward had switch his cutting-torch back on and burned the Hirogen’s face off. Edward was sure the Hirogen was dead, still he scanned him and the control room. He was save now and cut the grid away and entered the control room. He stepped over the body and grabbed the rifle from the floor.

Edward looked from the windows from the control room onto the floor of the shuttlebay. He saw six shuttles. The doors from most of them were open. He left the control room and climbed down the stairs to the flight deck still scanning for life but he was alone. He walked to the nearest shuttle. It was parked directly in front of main entrance doors giving access to the cargobays and the rest of the ship. He saw that the shuttle got some maintenance. Some panels where gone and tools lay around on the floor.

He entered the shuttle. “Computer status!” he said. He computer of the shuttle gave him the complete status list only life support and artificial gravity weren’t working. He went to the pilot seat and switched on the control panel. “Computer scan for Hirogen life forms near main shuttlebay.”

“No Hirogen life forms near shuttlebay”, was the responses from the computer.

Now Edward went looking for what he came for. He pulled a panel open next to the pilots seat and they were still here. Two phaser II with spare powerpack. Next he went looking for the medikit and some rations. He located them easily. He had remembered his Academy lessons about shuttlecraft well. He took some water and something to eat. Edward looked into the medikit and took the hypospray and put in it a vial of Tri-Ox and placed it on his arm and injected himself. Then he took a vial Cordrazine and injected him an other 2cc. He felt much better now and swallowed wo painkillers. He closed the medikit and did hang it around his shoulder and put the phasers and powerpacks on his belt.

“Now its time……”, but Edward was interrupted by the computer. “Hirogen life forms approaching.”

“How many?” asked Edward

“Six Hirogen 30 meter from entrance shuttlebay.”

Edward had to think fast. Six were impossible to beat. The control room was to far away and he had to climb a stairs to it too. He wouldn’t make it on time.

He looked at the control panel. “Wait a minute! This craft is fitted with a phaser bank. Lucky me!” Edward was going to do something he wouldn’t do in a any other situation, but now it was just survival.

“Computer, arms phaser banks. Wide spread angle. Fire on my command.”

He saw on the sensors that the six Hirogen were almost next to the doors.

But Edward had a bad day. The computer had something else in mind: “Can not comply. Firing phasers inside shuttlebay not allowed.”

Edward pushed on the manual override button. He saw the armoured sliding doors opening and he could look into the corridor. He saw one big Hirogen hunter running in blazing his rifle at soemthing. Edward hit the fire button. He was blinded by the bright white light when the phaser hit the opening doors. He duck behind the panel. Peaces of the armoured door and bulkhead were rocketed into the shuttlebay and hit Edward’s shuttle. Some with such a forces that they shattered the main viewport of the shuttle. The whole shuttlebay rocked. Everybody in saucers section must have heard and felt this. When the roar was over Edward dared to watch. He saw a very big hole. The phaser blast had removed the doors completely and the bulkhead surrounding it. When the smoke cleared a bit he saw the blast not only had removed the first bulkhead but the two bulkheads behind it too, destroying one of the smaller cargo bays completely.

“Wow!” was Edwards first reaction. “Computer!” he said, but the computer was dead. He flipped open his tricoder but no life forms were present in the smoking debris. He was alone again.

He picked up all his stuff and went to the control room and crawled back into the ventilation duct leading to the Jefferies tube. Now it was time to go to Deck 6.

TBC...

Patrick Liberton
aka Ensign Edward Thomas Derecktor
ICQ #2345474

"Never Look Back - Part 2"
Donovan Black, Tactical Ensign (PC)
Sendi Soleri, Science Ensign (NPC)
Slisik, Tactical Ensign (NPC)
Venril, Gamma Hirogen (NPC)
Kro'phul, Hirogen Physician (read as Torture Artist) (NPC)

-Slisik-

Slisik found Bazda's corpse where it had fallen, smashed upon the rocks at the bottom of that cliff. He had not been alive when he hit, she concluded. The bullet from the TR-116 that was slung across her chest had pierced his skull at the point where it connected to the spine. It had then traveled upwards and destroyed the Hirogen hunter's brain before exiting through the forehead. 'A very efficient kill.' Slisik noted. She then moved on, leaving the corpse as it lay, not sparing the dead another thought.

She moved to the cliffside with a fluid grace all her own, and began her accent toward the caves where Donovan and Sendi had been holed up. She hoped to catch them tomorrow morning, provided that they stopped and she didn't. Upon reaching the edge of the ledge where she had sniped Bazda, she heard the sounds of transporter beams. She paused, ducking back down below the ledge and tried to quiet her breathing.

"Inside! I read one life form. It is one of us." the deep voice of a Hirogen echoed off the cliffside. Then the tromping of armored boots could be heard, heading into the cave. Slisik waited for a moment, then pulled herself up and snuck over to the side of the entrance, straining to hear what was being said inside.

-Venril-

Venril growled as Kro'phul the physician finished regenerating his nervous system. The dagger that had been plunged into his back by Donovan Black, that cursed human, had paralyzed him. Thanks to the marvels of Hirogen medical and anatomical knowledge, Kro'phul had been able to heal the wounds of the Gamma Hirogen. When he was finished, Venril turned to him and the group of hunters he had brought down to investigate Venril's not checking in.

"Report, Kro'phul!" Venril snarled as he stood up, showing that the wound had not taken anything from his formidable presence. Presenting a strong front was important, lest he be challenged, then replaced.

"The humans have started rebelling on board the ship, oh esteemed Gamma. We are receiving reports that many hunting parties have actually been defeated by the prey. I gathered this team of six for your use." Kro'phul reported, not even flinching at delivering bad news to his superior. He indicated the six hunters, all standing at attention with ramrod straight backs.

"They are week! They are all week! Liurp and Letag can have my aide securing their precious ship when I am finished with my hunt." The arrayed hunters seemed quite impressed by Venril's authority.

"Yes, Venril!" was their singular cry. They fell in behind Venril and Kro'phul as the big Gamma led them out of the caves. They were out for blood and vengeance.

-Slisik-

Slisik heard them coming and quickly climbed over the side of the ledge, just in time to conceal herself in a position where she could see. Then Hirogen came tromping out of the cavern, following the ones that she knew as Gamma Venril and Doctor Kro'phul. Venril surveyed the ledge. He looked down at the golden blood that lay on the ground where Bazda had been shot.

"Bazda is dead. He would not abandon his post. I will rain vengeance upon those prey for this insult." Venril said, his anger getting the better of him. His normally calm mind was beginning to become gripped by bloodlust, Slisik perceived. Using her natural Vulcan telepathic abilities, she telepathically reached out and touched the minds of the Hirogen. The hunters were quiet, not thinking much of anything. 'Loyal to the point of stupidity.' was how Slisik would have put it. Venril was filled with hatred, anger, and ambition. And Kro'phul....something made her pull away, something in him. Kro'phul noticed the brief mental contact and became very alert. He looked around, eyeing every corner.

Slisik suppressed the urge to move. It would only serve to give her away. Instead, she thought back to an old Vulcan proverb. 'Let the fear pass through you. Logic is your ally. Then only you will remain.' Kro'phul did not notice the young Vulcan girl. One of the hunters was now down on his knees, looking around. He stood and pointed to the cliffside where Donovan and Sendi had climbed up.

"We follow the prey! The tracks lead to this rock face." Venril bellowed and lead his men off to the side of the cliff opposite Slisik, where they began climbing. Kro'phul gave one last look in her direction, shook his head, and then climbed away.

Slisik began breathing again, realizing that she had stopped for fear of discovery. She furrowed her brow, clinging to the rocks even tighter.

"This looks like a waiting game." she whispered to herself.

'Alone Again' - Part Two

By Ensign Edward Thomas Derecktor
Introducing Matthew and Joshua

Finding his way back to Deck 6 wasn't that difficult. He had done it before but this time he tried to get closer to the transporter rooms. He past the hatch that was to hot to open when he was here before. He touched it, it was still warm but not that hot to burn his bare hands. He open it and it gave access to a other tube. Its was severely damage by fire but it was not blocked. The air was thick and heavy and he could smell the strong scent of burned chemicals. He crawled over the warm and twisted floor plating till he reached the hatch closest to transporter room 4 He scanned the access hatch before he would open it, he made that mistake before. Although he picked up Hirogen life forms and human life forms none were close. He slowly opened the hatch trying to keep the noise low.

When Edward came closer to transporter room 4 he could hear Hirogen voices. He couldn't understand them. He walk slowly to the next corner of the corridor, kneeled and looked carefully around the corner. In the entrance of the transporter room 4 was one Hirogen hunter standing armed with a rifle, in front of him two blond boys, of about 6 and 12 years, unmistakeable brothers. Ohh hell! What were those boys doing there. Are they acceptable as hunting prey? Edward armed both phasers on highest setting. He looked once more around the corner. The Hirogen wasn't alone anymore, an other, much bigger, hunter stood next to him. The big one was pointing at the boys and the smaller Hirogen lifted its rifle and curled him finger around the trigger. Oh my God, he is gone to execute them. They are not worthy prey after all. Edward had done some hunting parties with his dad but his dad told him that unworthy prey wasn't worthy to kill, just let it live. But Hirogen lived by other rules.

Edward rolled himself on to the floor into the middle of the corridor and opened fire. He hit the two Hirogen by surprise. Both were instantly disintegrated. He looked at the boys. The youngest one lay on the floor curled up and the oldest was watching to Edward. Edward stood up and ran to the boys, he took a quick look into the transporter room, luckily it was empty. "Go into the transporter room now!" Edward said. The oldest of the boy still watching him and walked past him. Edward holstered one of his phasers and picked up the younger boy. The boy was crying and scared as hell. When he picked up the boy Edward didn't noticed that a Hirogen hunter was closing on him. Edward walked with the boy on his arm when the blast from a rifle hit him in his side. Edward kept up standing because of the high dosage of drugs he had used. Both watch each other in surprised. Edward because he hadn't heard him coming and the Hirogen because this was the first human that wasn't knocked down or killed by the rifle blast. It looked like the human even didn't noticed the big wound in his side. The Hirogen checked the setting on his rifle and now he made a major mistake. Edward saw the Hirogen looking at his rifle and he didn't hesitate. Edward pulled the trigger of his phaser and the Hirogen was gone, never knowing what hit him. Edward lay the boy inside the transporter room and ran back to his stuff he had left behind. He pick up the medikit and the Hirogen rifle and ran back, leaving a blood trail behind. Edward closed the doors to the transporter room and looked the door with his personal code. That would keep them out for a while.

'Sir, you are bleeding." said the oldest boy while pointing at Edward side. Edward looked in horror, he saw that he was bleeding like a stuck pig. He smelled the scent of burned flesh. The hole was as big as his fist. Slowly the pain of the wound became worse. Edward sat down on the transport platform, opened his medikit and pulled the anabolic protoplaser out. He switched it on. He didn't know how it really worked. He tried to close the wound with it or at least to stop the bleeding. The bleeding didn't stop but it wasn't that bad anymore. He took out one of the bandages and put it on the wound. He called the oldest boy. "What is your name, kid?" "Matthew, Sir", the boy still looked in horror at the blood on the floor.

Edward tried to calm the boy. "Call me Edward or Eddie, what ever you like. Can you help me for a moment?"

"What can I do, Sir?"

"Pull the bandage tight and tie a knot, Matt. Can you do that?" Matthew walked slowly to Edward.

"Yes, Eddie. I can do that." Matthew pulled both end of the bandages and pulled it tight.

Edward kept the bandage at his place. "Pull it tighter, Matt." 'Yes, now it is okay. Make a knot now." Edward smiled at the boy.

"You done a good job, Matt. Thanks."

Edward took a other injections to kill the pain and to keep him conscious. He couldn't keep this going on, his body couldn't cope with it much longer.

Edward crawled to the younger boy. "Matt, what is your brothers name?" "His name is Joshua."

Edward took the boy in his arms and his lap. "Hello, Joshua." Edward said.

But the boy wasn't reacting. He was still curled up and scared.

"Matt, what happened?" He saw tears coming up in Mathews eyes. Edward expected something bad but is worse. With some hesitation Matthew answered him.

"They murdered our mom and dad. We both saw. My mom and dad try to protect us." Matthew came closer and sat against his bro and Edward. Edward hatred for Hirogen skyrocketed. He thought about leaving this room and kill every Hirogen till he was killed himself. He hated life. But he looked at both boys and came to he senses. He wasn't alone anymore. He had to help these boys. He tried to give Joshua to his older bro but Joshua grabbed his arm and wouldn't let lose.

"Joshua, I will be back, I promise." Edward felt the grip of the boy loosen.

"Matthew can you help your brother for a moment. I have to find a way out of here."

Edward looked around and saw that the operator console was still functioning. The coordinates he saw had to be on the planet. Then he saw something in one of the corners. He looked at it closely, he vision became worse too. He counted more then 30 communicators and he picked some up. It felt if he was holding dog tags.

He went back to the console and entered the coordinates from sickbay and a 5 second time delay. He had no choice anymore. Badly wounded and now responsible for two kids, sickbay would be the only place he could go and hoped the EMH was still online and no Hirogen hunters present. I so it would be a good day to die.

He put his tricoder on the console and scanned for Hirogen life forms but none were close yet. He took a scalpel from his meditkit and opened one of his phasers and changed the setting to overload. He closed it again and put on the console too. He only had to push the button and after 10 seconds this console would be destroyed.

There was something going on. He felt something that the inertial dampeners couldn't compensate. He always sensed this before others could. The ship was moving again. He pulled up the communication menu from the console. Switched in visual mode and pinged the bridge. Now he was hoping for a familiar face.

Patrick Liberton
aka Ensign Edward Thomas Derecktor
ICQ #2345474

"Revenge is a dish ..."
written by Ragnald Gustavson staring
NPC Hirogen Beat Perup, CO of Hirogen hunter vessel NPC Jork, helmsman

Hirogen hunter vessel

Hirogen Beta Perup stood behind his vessels muddy brown tactical console. Although a Hirogen's mimic doesn't provide with that high amount of information a Human's face would do it was easy to find out how angry he was.

"I should have challenged Liarp a long time ago" he told Jork, his helmsman. "He became old and weak. His vision towards the danger coming from a struggling prey was obviously blurred. Not just that he again lost a prey vessel. This time he managed to let the prey destroy his own starship. I tell you Jork, as soon as I've caught them, the prey will pay for that. I can't wait watching them being skinned."

"The hunt shouldn't last long, Perup", explained Jork, "the vessel is heavily damaged. Even a cub would be able to follow the warp trail as filthy as it is. They are heading for the nebula."

"Can we get them before they reach the nebula?" asked Perup.

"Surely we could" answered Jork "I already had to evade a mine dropped by them and I expect them to try again. If we accelerate I won't be able to detect the next mine in time. You know hurry kills the hunter."

"You're right Jork. They can't hide in that nebula forever. I think that warrior prey's saying proves right. Revenge is a dish which is best served cold."

"Getting Ready To Strike: Part 2"
By Lt. Rose Isis MacAllen, Science Officer
Captain Victor MacAllen
Lt. (j.g.) Dierdren Mhistecai Hermedhie
Ens. Rashid ibn Corina
Ens. Kay Elizabeth Macfarland
Ens. Sara MacPherson
Lt. Riana Parstran
Some unnamed NPC's

Rashid led the three others deep into Deck 14's Jeffries Tubes. Then, he found another passage that seemed to be heading towards the Captain's Yacht. He motioned for Dierdren to go down first, then he let Victor and Rose head down the ladder, which would end at Deck 16, just outside the Captain's Yacht access port.

Rose is still following the two men as she was getting ready to do battle, but most in her mind she was praying for her goddaughters, her mother, and her mother's royal maid Sarah.

The young Betazoid checked out her phaser for the last time before the battle.

Rashid paused and listened intently. He did not know how many Hirogen might be near the Captain's Yacht docking port. But if there were any, they would soon have to fight them.

"Listen Rashid, Father if anything happens to me my Last Will and Testament is in my desk. Victoria knows where it is because she was with me with the other goddaughters when I was filling it out."

Then Rose looked at Rashid with her dark eyes, you can see that she was scared but she hide it and looked away from him.

Rashid nodded, "All clear," he whispered. He led them to the hatch, and knocked three times. Waiting for an answer.

The older Betazoid male looked at Rashid, ~Rashid promise me, if you even love my daughter as much as you claim you do... if anything happens to me take good care of her please. If we are still alive after this is all over, you will have dinner with Rose, myself, her mother and goddaughters. That means if you want to take a chance to know my daughter more.~

Victor grins a little at the young man, he knows that Rose is not an easy woman to know.

~I think they've already gone to the bridge.~ Rose told them while wiping the sweat off her brow, gods she would need an good bath after this is all over.

Rashid nodded, ~I will, sir. There is no other way to go.~

Riana took her rifle and motioned everyone back and undid the hatch lock for them. "Come down slowly and no funny business. Lieutenant Grant-Wellington is in charge of this vessel and any who come down here accept that and will follow orders as such, make your choice," she waited.

Victor looked back at the others, he knew that Rose didn't trust Heather and now after this threat from Riana he didn't know if Rose will agree to it.

"I think it would be better if we get to the bridge, Dierdren if you want to stay with then that's fine... there will be no hard feelings," the young Betazoid woman told them as she started to crawl back the other way, knowing that it was going to be an long trip to the bridge itself.

Victor followed his only daughter then looked back at Rashid, "Are you coming Ensign?"

Rashid nodded, then looked at Riana, "Sorry, Lieutenant. But I have my duty to protect that woman. I hope we will meet again someday." Then, he went after the two MacAllens. He knew that there was a long road to victory left.

Riana sighed and called after them, "Ok fine but when You see COMMANDER Gustavason tell him that Heather and I are obeying his orders to the letter... that's if you can tear your eyes off my sister's husband Rose to actually look at him."

Sara scowled. "RIANA! That was rude!"

"Your point?"

Sara scowled and shook her head. "You are impossible Riana totally impossible!!"

"Yes well if you are going to yell at me... yell at them for being idiots... when this ship hits the nebula again... they'll be knocked around like flies in a jar!"

Sara glared. And then she slapped Riana hard and grabbed her rifle and climbed after the others. "Wait for me Rashid... things are getting weird down there in the Autumn Quevvenson fan club."

"We need to get to the battle bridge, I know it won't be easy it's our best bet to get control at that area of the ship. If you guys have any ideas now is the best time to do them, as of now some junior officers along with my cousin Ensign Kay MacFarland is trying to meet us half way," the older woman officer told then as she sat back a little trying to rest for a few minutes.

Rashid looked at the others and shrugged, "If that's where you think we might make the best dent in their forces, then let's go. But we'll need more men to do so. I hope we can find some soon."

Sara just sighed and sealed the hatch ignoring her lover's disgruntled thoughts. Sure she liked Autumn but there was no need to be rude about the situation. She crawled up to Rashid and Dierdren and said, "We might find more towards the center of the ship... well thats where commander G said there was a group."

She nods to Sara with an smile on her face, "I agree let's move out."

Victor looked at Rashid with an grin then followed his daughter as they started climbing the ladders, he so proud of her she would make an excellent Captain one day.

Rashid smiled. Yes, she would make a great Captain one day. If she would only let herself do what came naturally. He climbed up last, heading for Deck 8. That seemed to be where they were destined to go.

"Ok people get ready to attack when we see the ememy."

Rashid smiled solemnly, knowing that battle was seldom so easy as that. He figured that they would have to catch some of the Hirogen by surprise, if they intended to win this fight.

Victor sat his phaser ready to strike, then nods to Rose and the others.

Dierdren moved to the front of the group and soon they were on Deck 8. She turned to Rose, "Still want to head to the Battle Bridge?"

The young woman took a deep breath, then another hatch opened up: it was her cousin Kay and about half a dozen other ensigns with phasers.

Kay looked at her cousin and grins at the others while closing up the hatch, "Sorry we were late we had to kill about a dozen people before coming."

The young Betazoid woman looked back at Dierdren with an smile, "Yes we have no choice, since the Chief Helmsman has the bridge we need the battle bridge."

Dierdren nodded. "Okay. If I remember correctly, it is that way," she pointed to the forward parts of the ship

"Let's go then people and don't say an word," the young Lieutenant order as they started crawling through the tubes towards the Battle Bridge.

Sara sighed and glanced behind them. "Pardon me but wouldn't keeping our voices down be wise... I hear something outside the tubes."

Rashid nodded, "I hear it too. We must be quite careful. There is a chance they are already tracking us."

Sara who was last in line past the hatch Kay and her lot had come through as silently as she could. She was mostly past when the hatch exploded behind her. Shrapnel and debris caught her in the back and she screamed in pain.

"Sara, oh gods of my people!" Kay said in an whisper as the others looked back in horror, the young red haired Betazoid checked for an pulse the looked back at her cousin.

"She's alive but badly wounded," Kay explained in an whisper, then looks up as they can hear the Hirogen.

"Ok people get ready to shoot, on my mark." ordered Rose as she pointed the phaser towards the exploding panel.

Rashid frowned. He was not very good with a phaser. And from the sounds of things, there were more than a few Hirogen in the corridor. Maybe too many to fight against.

As soon as one of the Hirogen soldiers opened the hatch, she yelled, "NOW!!"

The pregnant Betazoid started firing her phaser at the Hirogen along with her father and the others.

Rashid waited until one of the Hirogen stuck his head far enough into the jeffries tubes, then used his long sword to cut it off. That was the most he provided to the fight.

The Hirogen started to fight back with an passion, their ugly faces and bodies trying to pull their way into the tube, one young Bajoran woman who was Kay's roommate yelled out a war cry but one of the Hirogen cut her neck.

With hate that was boiling into her soul Kay took her phaser and shot that alien in the face.

Rashid knew that things were getting out of hand. So he glanced at the others and gauged their positions. Once he was sure he had enough room, he pulled a small flask from a bandoleer he was wearing. He yelled, "Fire in the Hole!" and flung it at the Hirogen. It shattered on one of their faces causing extreme burns as the alchemist's fire splashed all over the Hirogen.

This was the perfect time to get then while the Hirogen were still in pain fromt he burns, Rose order to start shooting again.

The Betazoid shot one right in the head, while Kay and a Human Ensign from the medical department shot two of them in the stomach.

Dierdren, who was a little better with phasers, fired several times, atomizing three more of the injured Hirogen. Now there were no more Hirogen coming in through the opening. The warriors sat back to listen. They heard nothing.

"Let's get to the battle bridge I thinking about betweet six to eight Hirogen will the in that area." she explained in an whisper but before they left Kay covered the face of her Bajoran friend and roommate.

"Let's go people!" she told them in another whisper trying not to look back at the people they lost so far.

Dierdren checked Sara's vitals. She was alive, if barely. She asked herself what she could do for the injured Betazoid. She realized that if she did what she was thinking of, she would be quite weak. And no help to the rest of the party. But then she looked back at her colleague's face, which was still twisted with pain, and thought about what Riana would feel if they lost her. She decided that whatever the cost she had to try.

She said a silent prayer to her Lord and Saviour, and put her hands on Sara's head and at the base of her spine. She concentrated and let some of her energy flow through her hands to Sara. Some of the injuries healed immediately. But some remained. Dierdren let her hands lift off of Sara and sighed. She had given her as much as she could. But it still might not be enough. She had stopped the progression to death through bleeding, but Sara was still in the state between unconsciousness and death. Anything could happen. It was really up to Sara.

She turned back to Rose and nodded. She picked up Sara's unconscious body gently and placed it on her shoulders. Then she followed Rose towards the battle bridge. And probably more fighting and chaos.

Then Rose smiles at Dierdren as they went on towards the battle bridge, ready to retake it.

"Gloom and doom"
by Captain Robert Edward Lee Price

Three hours had past since the Senator left and placed Tirol into the cell with the others. The Federation collaborator was silent and somber, much like the Captain and the other former senior officers of the USS Galaxy.

Captain Price sat on the bench and held his head between his hands as he smoothed his "Beetles-style" Romulan hairdo. When he did his fingers passed over the tips of his altered ears, and for the first time they didn't itch like they had been for the entire mission. Lee pressed his lips together slightly on that thought. Things didn't look good. The best they could hope for at this point was that the Romulans would keep them hostage long enough to make the announcement to the Federation that the "spys and saboteurs" had been captured and would be tried for their crimes against the Star Empire. It would be a media frenzy no doubt, as the Senator brought more attention to this Federation incursion in order to gain patriotic support for going to war. Deep down Lee knew Starfleet would do nothing to save them. They would not acknowledge the covert mission, and they certainly wouldn't try to negotiate for their release. Or even if they did, the negotiations would be a sham; a stall tactic by the Senator to inflame Romulan emotions further. The Captain knew that the Senator wanted war, and that all this was just to give them an excuse with the people. So any Federation / Romulan prisoner negotiation would certainly end badly for Lee and his 'mates.

Glancing across the cell, Lee could see that Karyn and Kent were both as quiet as he was. Elaithin had moved some, regaining partial consciousness, but was advised to rest and save his strength. The Captain wasn't sure if in his weakened state Jii had noticed Tirol was in the cell with them or not. He figured there was little point going out of his way to make sure he knew they were all likely to die prisoners of the Star Empire.

Commander Peterson grabbed the bars of the cell with both his hands and gave them a hard tug. Kent's frustrations over the lack of any 'give' in the antique metal bars was reflective of the Captain's own feelings about this mission and their current predicament. Lee had been uncomfortable with this mission from the start. Somehow it didn't feel right or that the right people were going on the assignment. But orders were orders and Starfleet must have had a reason for wanting who they choose to go. Lee wondered if that was why he was chosen to lead this mission? As a Starfleet Captain, he had disobeyed Starfleet orders on more then one occasion. He was known to be a bit out spoken and to take matters into his own hands. Maybe Starfleet wanted to leverage that in the event that this exact thing happened. If the team were caught, they could say Starfleet and the Federation had nothing to do with it and he and his crew members were acting completely on their own. Finally he shook his head. His thoughts were getting wild now. Yes maybe Admiral Hoth had something to do with this mission, but he didn't think it was planned for them not to succeed.

"It doesn't look like those bars are going anywhere 'mate." Lee finally said to break the tension.

Peterson sighed deeply. He was growing anxious by the minute. "There has got to be some way out of this cell. These are just iron bars, it's not like a level ten force field."

"They may just be bars but the are still quite effective." The Captain commented.

"Maybe we can do something with the lock..." Kent said as he tried to reach his arm between the bars and reach around to where the key was inserted from the outside of the door. Try though he might, there was no physical way he could contort his arm to reach around the metal gussets that protected the mechanism. They were welded to the door in such a way as to avoid exactly what Peterson was trying. "It's useless." he finally relented with added frustration.

Karyn finally spoke up. "I don't suppose it would be wise to wonder what is going to happen to us?"

When the counselor's eyes looked over to the Captain, Lee lowered his head slightly. "I don't think so 'mate. It's not likely to lift anyone's spirits any I'm afraid."

"Indeed, but it still doesn't hurt to know what to expect." Tirol stated from the corner of the cell. The only real Romulan out of the five, he was leaning against the concrete wall with his arms crossed in a sort of body hug, like he was cold or afraid.

Captain Price looked over to their exit contact and for a moment thought to tell him to change the subject, but then saw how frightened he too was. He'd forgotten what a brave thing it was for Tirol to get involved in all of this. As a Federation collaborator, the Romulan people would likely hate him even more then they hated the Federation spys. He, after all, was one of their own whom betrayed his people and his country. -- though really he was only trying to preserve the peace and save lives. The Romulan people wouldn't see it that way however. At least not when that Senator bastard was finished with all of this.

"What can we expect?" Counselor Dallas was brave enough to ask.

"Well, normally they would simply interrogate each of us, then when they were satisfied they could get nothing more out of us information wise there would be a decree of our guilt and then executions. However with what it is the Senator is trying to do, we can expect that they will want to keep us alive long enough to contact your government and announce that they have captured you. They will make a political statement to our people and call the actions an act of war on the Federation's part. It will likely be enough for the Senate to get a favorable vote passed by the people to break off relations with the Federation and be a precursor to war." Tirol explained. "Once that happens, they will have no further use for us."

"Then they might let us go?" Karyn asked.

"No. The people of Romulus will be outraged at that point. They will demand for a public execution to watch us all put to death." Tirol explained.

Karyn looked back down at the ground. "That's pretty much what I thought."

"I'm sorry Counselor." Captain Price stated. He then glanced around to Kent and even Jii, "I hoped things would turn out better then they did on this mission."

Elaithin had come around again and moved to sit up slightly to address his Commanding Officer. He was badly beaten. There were bruises on his face, his eye was partially swollen shut and his lip was cut and bleeding slightly, but still he looked at the General. "It's not your fault sir. Just dumb luck is all." he struggled to say. "We almost pulled it off." he paused to regain his breath through badly bruised, possibly broken ribs, "We still might. You hear Tirol... They aren't going to kill us for a while, so we still have a chance of escaping and getting out of here."

Lee had to smile. Beaten and broken, one large wound, Elaithin was leading the charge to pick up everyone's spirits. It was hard though. They all knew that was just wishful thinking. But still, with everything the Chief Security Officer had gone through, and still he held onto some optimism, it was hard to let him down by letting their true feelings be known.

"That's the spirit 'Commander. And you are right, we aren't dead yet. We can just sit back and wait and hope that the Romulans make a mistake."

Kent listened and then went back over to the cell door and rattled it some more.

The General watched and wondered who would be the next person the Romulans took to interrogate and torture. The teams future certainly didn't look very promising from where he was sitting and try though he might, Lee couldn't bring himself to be very optimistic about their immediate circumstances.

"Pre match warm up."

With John Brhode, Captain of the USS GALAXY and Lirup, Alpha of the Hirogen Invaders

----------------------------------------------------------------

"The Gods of War hate those who hesitate." - Euripides

---------------------------------------------------------------

Location: Bridge, USS GALAXY

"This is an outrage!" Skrlg said, his face a contorted mask of fury nearly filling the entire enormous Galaxy viewscreen. Aboard the Hirogen flagship, he pounded his fists against the consol top.

Back on the Galaxy, the Alpha said nothing.

He stood silently, his eyes never once leaving Brhode's battered form, and brhode returned his intense gaze in spades. The Alpha's honor guards brought pieces of his armor and methodiclly strapped each deep crimson component securly across his large frame.

Each piece bore ships and scars of untold battles and hunts worn like badges of honor. Each piece seemingly adding another layer of terror to the aged Hirogen's visage. The average officer would be standing in a puddle of thier own urine watching the entire process and knowing that they would soon clash with the gargantuan.

John Brhode was not your average soldier. He would never be caught standing in his own urine unless his enemy lay beneath him. Instead he studied Lirup and those around him, as he had done since they came aboard.

He watched how each piece of armor fastened to the Alpha. How they interlocked. Where thier seams were. Anything that would gain him an advantage to exploit and place him one step closer to lighting a victory cigar with a burning hunk of what used to be the planet below them.

"You cannot let this ..this piece of meat pervert the Hirogen way! It is inconcievable! He is not Hirogen, he is prey! Prey cannot challange for leadership! Do you really think that he would lead us if he defeats you! Have you taken leave of your senses?" Skrlg screamed before Lirup whirled about to face the screen.

"I AM THE ALPHA!! HOW DARE YOU QUESTION MY WILL!! MY WORD IS LAW!! I HAVE LEAD THIS PACK ON COUNTLESS HUNTS, EACH BRINGING GLORY TO YADABBA AND TRPOHIES AND HONOR TO US ALL, INCLUDING YOU SKRL." the alpha shouted in rage, his arms flailing wildly. "YOUR DUTY IS TO COMMAND THE BATTLE CRUISER, I SHALL TEACH THIS...CREATURE WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HIROGEN. AND WHEN I AM VICTORIOUS, PERHAPS I WILL FORGET WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION!"

His gaze narrowed dangerously. "Or perhaps I won't."

The screen snaped off at his command, replaced with the blue green image of the planet below them where the hunts were taking place.

Lirup's honor guard finished attending thier Alpha, pulling a pair of studded gauntlets into place, draping bandoliers across his chest. Dangling from the bandoliers were scores of grisley trophies, withered bodyparts from aliens Brhode couldn't even recognize.

Still he watched for an opening. Somethign that would further insult the Alpha and enrage him further, past the point of rational thinking.

Seeing the Captain's attention focused on him, the Alpha raised an empty chain. "Your head will swing from this chain while I feast on your heart."

"Congratulations. That just gave me a hard on." Brhode uttered. He swallowed the blood that ran from his resplit lip rather than spit it out on his carpet. he harbored no illusions. He was either going to take back his ship, or he would die. There was no in-between in his eyes.

Finally, Lirup's helmet was placed upon his head. His eyes glowed an eerie red through the helmets lenses. The long crimson braid that hung from the back of the helmet shook as the Alpha rolled his head.

Brhode caught a glimpse of exposed flesh.

A short bladed ax was placed in a holster at his hip and a large, ornate cerimonial spear was placed squarely into Lirup's armored hand. He stood ready to hunt. To defend his leadership, and to crush the human under his heel.

Brhode was brought toe to toe with the large and impressive leader of the Hirogen. "Well dont you look pretty."

Lirup growled.

A priest began his minstrations, speaking of the glory of the hunt, and recanting the annointing of Yadabba by He Who Must Never Be Named.". Lirup rolled his head once again, revealing an unexposed portion of his neck.

That fraction of a second was all Brhode needed and he snapped his head foreward, crashing it into the creatures chin, sending Lirup staggering backwards.

Immediatly the honor guard was upon him reigning kicks and punches from seemingly every concievable direction.

"ENOUGH!!" The Alpha screamed. "This ends now!"

"Funny, I never saw anyone but women fall for that move." Brhode lied. A collective gasp from the surrounding Hirogen told him that his barb had hit it's mark.

"This planet will be your grave." Lirup said, his voice dripping with contempt.

"Only if someone is brave enough to retrieve it after I have lodged it, rock by miserible rock straight up your ass. You know, the ass that's gonna have my boot prints on it right directly. You cant even stop a head butt, a move every tit sucking cub knows." he glanced over at a Hirogen.

"Keep my seat warm, I'll be back up here in five minutes, then we're all gonna have us a little party."

Lirup gripped his spear so tightly that his knuckles cracked.

"BEAM US DOWN. NOW!"

Seconds later, the leader of the Hirogen hunters and the Leader of the Galaxy crew - the two generals of opposing massiave armies vanished from the bridge of the captiave ship and the high stakes waiting game began.

"Watcher"

Lt. j/g Alia Drakely
Security

Lt. j/g Brian Elessidil
Counselor

Lt. Cmdr. Maxwell-Navarre Shinta
Counselor

"Well, betcha never had a party like that in your quarters before, eh Lieutenant?" Brian teased.

He and Alia were the first to depart from the rest of the band of officers in Alia's quarters and were hastily making their way toward Engineering to see if there was anything they could do to help secure that strategic area of the ship.

"I'm sure I do not know to what you are referring, Counselor," she replied back, feigning her most stolid 'Drakely' air.

Neither was looking directly at the other; they conducted their jestful conversation while simultaneously keeping all their senses focused on the serious task of watching for Hirogen as they sought the nearest jeffries tube access hatch.

"Hmm . . . a roomful of men and women with knives, swords and assorted energy weapons and you passed out on your bed? Could look rather incriminating to the Starfleet Board of Inquiry that will undoubtedly be checking into this whole situation once we get through it," he suggested, his eyes darting from one doorway to another as they moved through the corridor with quick strides.

"As long as I provide some sort of entertainment in their otherwise monotonous lives....." She stopped what she was saying and motioned for silence. Her first thoughts were right...they were being tracked. She took hold of Brian's arm and pulled him aside.

Ducking aside to a small doorway off the corridor, Alia stood with her back to the wall, looking over her shoulder for who or what was coming after them. Phaser in hand, she had instinctively become the security officer on alert, ready to defend against anyone who threatened her or the ship. Brian sensed this, and stood further in the doorway, letting her take the lead. Just in case, he had the old phaser rifle ready to back her up.

The sound of quick-moving footsteps came closer. At about the same time, both Alia and Brian realized this couldn't be a Hirogen.

"The footsteps are too light to be Hirogen," Alia whispered.

"No, definitely not Hirogen," Brian agreed, telepathically tuning in on any thoughts coming from their pursuer. After a couple seconds, he added with a little excitement, "It's Shinta!"

He was about to re-enter the corridor to greet her when Alia stopped him, solidly planting her hand on his chest. "Hold on! Telepath or not, I want to make sure with my own eyes."

Carefully, she peered around the corner from their alcove. Just as she did, Shinta rounded the bend of the main corridor. The two tense and battle-trained women caught sight of each other at the same time, Alia with phaser extended, Shinta ready to hurl a deadly-looking knife.

Alia let a nervous laugh out before lowering her weapon. "I never want you as my enemy, you know that?"

"I know. And the same goes for you, they trained you well at the academy." She let herself relax a little bit now. "You weren't supposed to notice me." Then she looked at Brian. "I hadn't counted on your skills." She didn't say that she had been following them on purpose, right now these two where the closest friends she had on the Galaxy, and she knew that Alia could take care of herself. But if she also had to look after Brian,... it would just be easier if there were two of them. Yet she didn't want to tell her friends that.

Brian looked at both of them. "Frankly, I'd rather not meet up with either of you in a dark alley on a bad day," he added, only half-teasing.

"I just thought taking engineering with two people isn't enough. So I have decided to join you," Shinta continued. She was the senior officer, so they couldn't really refuse her.

"Well come along with us then," Brian cheerfully replied. "I'm on my way to ask the wizard for a brain and Dorothy here was just going to see if he could send her back to Kansas. I'm sure he'll have something for you too . .. . ."

Seeing the look from Shinta suggesting that she thought he had lost his mind, Brian decided the light-hearted reference to the old Earth story was wasted on her.

"Never mind," he said, a little discouraged. "Anyway, we were just heading for the nearest access hatch to get to Engineering less conspicuously through the jeffries tubes."

"Sounds like a good idea. Brian I think you should go in the middle." She turned to Alia. "You want to lead or trail?"

Alia considered a moment, if they were being followed she wanted to be at the back. That way she'd also be able to keep an eye on these two. "I'll trail." She said firmly before turning to Brian. "You do know how to use that don't you?" She asked, pointing to the rifle.

"You gave me a rifle that has to be -explained-??!" he replied incredulously.

Alia made a show of sighing with boredom as she moved over to him to show him. "You press that to charge...After about 10 seconds, the light will turn red...but then you have to hit that switch - it's a safety....then the trigger to fire." She explained as her finger followed her talk through over the weapon. She put an arm on Brian's shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. "Simple."

Shinta smiled at that. He would be OK, not that much could go wrong with a rifle. And she was glad Brian had something so he could defend himself.

Sensing the thoughts of his companions, Brian suddenly felt it necessary to at least mount a token defense of his ego. Brusquely slinging the weapon over his shoulder by it strap, he quipped haughtily, "Ladies, I believe I am qualified to defend myself with a fire arm, thank you very much." But his smirk indicated that he was actually glad they were there.

Shinta then opened the nearby access hatch across the corridor, crawled into the tube, and very carefully led the way to Engineering.

"I'll be right behind you." Alia said to Brian as he went to follow Shinta. Alia stood there for a moment looking around with a slight frown - something wasn't quite right...She listened for a moment, but couldn't hear anything. She shook the doubt from her mind, swung the sword back out of the way and followed on what she hoped would be mainly an uneventful journey for now.

"Judgement Day"
Part Two
Lt. Commander James Mitchell
Chief Science Officer

The leaves bristled on the limbs of the trees, but not with the force of wind, as the shaking of the leaves was short and concentrated. Shapes shifted among the shaded realms towered over by the great sequoia-like redwoods, darting amongst the brush.

One of the shapes touched the larger form, and gestured ahead and to their left and lifted a single finger. The larger form turned to their device in the other's gloved hand, tainted brown and green, and lifted the other four fingers of his own hand. The two smaller forms, even at over two meters tall, stood hunkered down behind, twitching nervously on their weapons of choice. One held a phase rifle, the other a cylindrical tube the size of a pop can.

The second form closed the device and tucked it away in a side pocket. It extended a sharpened point and twitched it in the general direction forward and shrugged its shoulders.

Drewl lifted the device he'd taken from a side-pocket earlier and raised it to his helmet. A small square-shaped contraption, it fitted itself to a latch on his eyepiece and clamped in place. Initiating the power conduit, he raised his left forearm and tapped a key.

Looking ahead, the heat sensor in the eyepiece adjusted itself to zoom in to the closest heat source, which proved itself to be humanoid in nature as the faint reds, blues, and greens brightened on his display. He pointed to the fallen tree trunk that stretched across the ravine walls 12 meters above them further down the canyon. He zoomed in his monocular on the trunk to define the exact location of the prey and analyzed the surroundings.

"These prey are shrewd, Hajj. There is something more here than simply hiding on a broken stump of wood. What are they planning?" He gestured madly to Fewl to come up to him.

"They couldn't possible launch an attack from up there and defeat us. They must know it is pointless to try. Maybe they are making it easy for us?" The female Hirogen sidled up to Drewl and caressed his helmet streaks lovingly, and purred.

"Those rocks." He zoomed in on the loose debris on the edge of the ravine. "And there is the matter of that other life-signal nearby. Can you not locate it?" Fewl held the rifle at ready, fondling the trigger as he peered into the gully ahead of them.

"There is something blocking our sensing devices, Alpha. I cannot narrow the signal. Only that it is up there somewhere." She swept her forest coloured claw in a wide arc along the top of the right-most gully wall.

Drewl was at a crossroads. There wasn't any way they were going to get through without showing themselves as the brush cover ended with the entry into the narrow passage.

"Fewl! Remember your teachings in drawing out the prey. You shall have the honour of capturing the first trophy!" Drewl knew this could cost the young cub his life, but the Hirogen hunter would not pass up the opportunity to upgrade his stature among the others, and he would not dare disobey his Alpha. Fewl slithered out, keeping an eye on the trunk far above, and keeping close to the cliff-face as well. Reaching to his waist, he keyed a sequence on an interface, and his uniform swatch changed to a shade of riddled grey.

**Above**

Jesse Traylor lay flat against the bark of the dead tree, staring out at the brush ahead of them for the first sign of Hirogen invaders. In one hand, she gripped a bow, the other a large rock. Her heart hammered hard in her chest, and she felt an ominous feeling creep over her, like a dark cloud heavy with the threat of death.

She silently prayed to her god, and resisted the urge to look for Sum Yung Guy, the geologist who waited for her signal. She'd gotten close to him during the last 24 hours or so, and felt an attraction to him she hadn't felt since her days before her entry into the Academy.

The attention he'd doled on her since their arrival overshadowed all the actions they'd taken in the defense of their campsite and their lives. He made her feel she could do anything, and in return she'd done something she'd never done before.

They took a few moments alone together and took advantage of the wild. In the end, they simply held each other in silence and knew that whatever happened to them now, they would at least go out fulfilled in desires of the body and of the heart.

All that was forgotten when at that moment, a phase blast erupted from the cliff-face next to her, not too far away, and split the tree in half under her. The two ends swung out as she desperately tried to find a grip on the stump. The rock fell from her grasp to clatter to the ground below as the two stumps slammed into the gully sides.

**Further up**

Sum Yung Guy heard the crash and jumped out of hiding in instinct to see what was happening. He saw the tree stump fall away, carrying Jesse with it, her legs trailing behind the jagged and burnt split.

The stump slammed into the gully wall with enough impact to shake loose a landslide of rocks, stones, and pebbles. Unfortunately, it also shook Jesse off it as well. He just stood there, dumb with shock for several long moments, watching her tumbled down the 30 meters to the debris strewn base below.

"Jesse!!!" He finally regained control of his motor skills and ran to the edge of the sliff, not knowing or caring if there were any more Hirogen below. An image of her came into his mind unbidden, from early on this morning, after making love.

"Sum, no matter what happens to one of the us, the other must go on fighting, no matter how much it hurts, okay? Lets not get ourselves killed over emotion..." She lay on the soft, green, grass beside a placid lake, her head propped up on their clothing.

"That sounds to me like you plan on dying, Jesse. What if I die first? Is that what you plan on doing?"

"I'm sure going to try, Sum. I don't plan on dying, but I don't want you to, either. Remember what they Commander said. If you survive this, mourn later. We don't have the luxury of doing so now."

Sum Yung Guy replayed this scene in his head as he saw her unmoving, broken body below. A blast clipped the edge of the ravine at his feet, breaking off a chunk of igneous rock. He dove behind his boulder, and painfully, his eyes flowing with tears, he pushed the boulder to the edge and over.

**Below**

Jesse Traylor lay at the base of the gully, broken and probably dying. She couldn't feel her legs and her wrists were both broken. She opened her eyes to a thundering clamour of her heart beating blood through her broken body and to her brain where pain erupted at her temple. She forced her eyes up to search for Sum, and as her reddening vision passed up the ravine wall, she glimpsed one of the enemy moving along the wall, dodging stones as they rained on him.

She saw Sum up above, staring down at her. ~Do it! Push that rock, Sum!~ Fighting the pain, she tried to move something- anything!- to give him a signal to push that damn thing down. Yet, if she moved anything, it would probably make her lover hesitate more,so she remained still. A phaseblast erupted from the Hirogen that was only a few meters away from Sum, and he dove under cover.

"Goodbye, my love.." Then she saw the boulder, and the day grew darker as it covered more of the sky on her. And then it was over for her.

**Forest**

The remaining three Hirogen watched the human push the gargantuan boulder over the clif-face to bounder down below. The initial human was crushed by the larger stone, and the others followed to fill up around it, blocking the passage.

"You predicted the hoo-mon strategy correctly, Alpha! The other prey came out just as you said it would!" Essol watched in awe at his leader's shrewdness in determining the strategy of the prey.

"It was a worthy attempt, Essol. Something I might have done myself."

**Above**

Fewl clambered up over the edge of the cliff-face, and the last prey was just running over a mesa a few feet away. He removed a similar canister that Essol carried, and clipped it to his phase rifle, wiring it to the trigger. The prey jumped off the plateau and Fewl ran after him, to the point of reaching the high point of the mesa.

He lifted his rifle, adjusted the trajectory of the targeting scope, and fired just above the prey.

A missile projected itself out of the cylinder, spinning itself into a ball, reddening and expanding as it hummed through the air, it's energy drawing into itself until it reached the desired target range, just above the prey. Sum heard the hum above him and turned to look out of instinctual habit.

Above him, the ball expanded into a mesh netting that dropped onto him, enshrouding the officer in energy bands that solidified around his body, and stopped him cold.

"I claim you for the hunt!" Sum let the tears flow as he realized his failure at avenging Jesse's death. He was spun around to face the victor and saw his death reflecting back at him from the matte grey mask of the Hirogen cub.

Fewl shouldered his phase rifle and removed a phase scalpel from one of the pouches clipped to his waist. He gripped Sum by the hair and spun him to the side, where he proceed to cut away his ears. Sum screamed in pain, and screamed until he couldn't hear himself screaming any longer, as Fewl had severed both his ears. The cub fingered the trophies and then cut holes in the lobes so that he could add them to the trophies he'd already attached to his braids on his chestplate.

Drewl, Hajj, and Essol arrived at the scene.

"Excellent catch, Fewl!" Drewl clapped the young cub on the shoulder. "Now it is time to celebrate the catch. You as the victor claim the delicasses(sp). We shall assist on collecting the trophies, then we shall feast!"

Sum couldn't hear anything that was happening. He only knew he was about to die, and from the one who had captured him, he saw the laser scalpel come out once again, and then there was pain, followed by darkness as his eyes were removed.

Over the next several minutes, Drewl and Hajj taught the cubs how to remove the skeletal system and organs. Blood soaked the ground, seeping into the soil. They removed muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Who knows when Sum died during this procedure, as they had removed his tongue and vocal cords early on.

After the body had been dismantled into several piles of treasures, Drewl skinned the head and removed the brain from the skull of the former officer.

Hajj had introduced the remains as they had piled up to a device that resembled a portable replicator. Placing the body parts into the device introduced them to a chemical reaction that broke it down into a gruel of sorts. A creamy-based lumpy soup that was the base of the Hirogen nourishment.

Drewl raised the brain high in the air, its bloody entrails to the central nervous system dangling behind.

"To the one who cannot be named! We absorb the prey into our own bodies to understand!" He split the brain in half once, and each half once again. Each of the four parts went to a Hirogen.

"Eating the mind of the prey willmake us one with them, and we will understand." Drewl unclipped the filter from his mask, revealing the foam on his lips, and ate. The others followed suit.

"To the One Who Cannot Be Named!" They devoured the brains and followed up with the Cream of Sum Yung Guy.

"Judgement Day"
Part Three
by
Lt. Commander James Mitchell
Chief Science Officer

Tak'a Ame sat high in the tree, peering out deep into the dimly lit forest. The sun blocked out much of the light, and the insects were making a racket. She held her bow at ready, waiting for the slightest sound out of the ordinary.

Not that this planet wasn't ordinary. It had flora and fauna much like Bajor and Earth's, with the exception of no sentient lifeforms. Yet it was pure primitivity. Like a developing planet early in the evolutionary cycle, waiting for a form of life to break out of the primal instincts of packs and herds, and forge on ahead for personal development beyond the simple routines of foraging for food and surviving.

Yet this was what they'd been brought down to. A pack of beings hunting for the sport, were playing a game with them, and they were forced to become one with the land, to enmesh themselves into the environment. They were sentient, yet they could not survive on their own, as evident by the mauling of Grant Medeth.

Tak'a Ame sat hunched in her curvature of the tree, tired and sore. Her senses were blunted from lack of sleep and the clamminess of her clothing, still somewhat damp from the rains of the night before, was distracting.

Yet the fear gave her a fresh breath of wind, and she settled in place, leaning back on the tree trunk to stretch her aching back.

Then the resounding rumble of a landslide in the path ahead brought her back to reality.

**Molehole**

Liddle Bul'zi's back was feeling the strain of being constrained in such a small place. No longer able to move, he felt the tingle in his toes first, and slowly it crept up his legs. Against all warnings in his sub-conscious mind, he eased himself out of the tree roots and lowered into the small cavern below, dangling his feet. He lost sight through the small eyepiece as he did this, but kept his grasp on the two ropes he'd been assigned to maintaining as he used two gnarled roots as braces in lowering his torso.

He swung his legs back and forth to regain the circulation until the tingling disappeared. He felt a slight tension during those few seconds, and when he raised his legs, he found only bloody stumps remaining.

He stared in terror at his legless limbs and peered out of the eyepiece to come face-to-face with Hirogen phase rifle. He released the rope at the same time the rifle fired, taking the top of his skull off and burning through the other rope he was unable to sever with the rock. He never even had time to feel guilt for taking his eyes off the hole.

**Waterfall**

James saw rather than heard the landslide from his position. Birds had suddenly flocked to the skies in anxious retreat from something that had disturbed their peaceful abode. The sun had risen high over the horizon by this time and the humidity was rising.

He turned to see several dozen birds fly off elsewhere, but then, several moments later, a half dozen darker forms circling above the same position. This planet's version of vultures.

He bent to retrieve his bow and quiver of arrows in one hand, a spear in the other and flitted lightly over the stepping stones and into the forest, back to the molehole.

The time for vengeance was at hand.

**Ravine**

The Hirogen had completed their feast of Sum Yung Guy and packed up the rest of the nourishment to savour at another time.

Hajj scanned the locale for the next victim.

"Alpha, we have prey 100 meters west of this position. Single life-signal." Hajj fine-tuned the scanner. "Another prey 25 meters further west, and the third is approaching the first signal."

"We are four against three, now. And we have taken two of the pack members. They do not stand a chance, Alpha!" Essol could almost be jumping, he was so excited.

"Do not under-estimate the hunted, Essol. When a prey is injured, it is the most dangerous. And we have taken two of its members. I do not think they plan to go down that easy. Fewl, Essol, you take the first prey. Hajj, you will take the second prey. I will take the third." He took a step forward to lead the posse.

"If any of you come into contact with the prey-leader, do not damage him! He is mine." They gathered the rest of the rations and proceeded to the battlefield.

“Dance… Prey”
By Lieutenant James Lionel Corgan
Lieutenant JG Vladimir Malgin
Ensign Vailen Daitaal
And Ensign Cutter Kara’nin

Also Starring:

Beta Letag, Hirogen Hunter
And various Hirogen NPC’s

Silently, the concealed tribe slept the night away. Fitful nightmares of pursuit and death haunted their dreams, invading the private corners of their minds with frightful images.

The tribe, so full of defiance and energy before, was tired out by the long trek through the jungle. Eventually, they had to rest though the Hirogen would not in their hunt for their Federation ‘prey’. Exhaustion eventually overwhelmed the tiny group, and they slept under palm leaves, ferns, bushes and anything else that could hide them from prying eyes.

On the ‘watchtower’, at middle of a hundred foot tall jungle tree, Ensign Solta and Petty Officer Davis were on the second watch duty. Solta was ever vigilant, his Vulcan physical superiority more adaptable to the lack of food and rest than his human co-hort, the inexperienced Officer Davis. Solta’s sharp Vulcan eyes scanned the trees, while Davis struggled to keep awake by watching the ground below. Both saw nothing out of the ordinary.

The hunter’s training was more successful than anticipated. Creeping through the dense treeline two shadowy figures creped up to a position above the two watchful officers, without making a noise. With hunting knives clutched tightly in their predatory jaws, the silent hunters came closer and closer to their targets.

Momentarily, Solta looked upwards, his Vulcan hearing detecting a slight movement on one of the branches. He looked up and saw nothing out of the ordinary.

“What is it?” Davis whispered.

“It is… nothing out of the ordinary.” Solta replied, “Most likely it was the wind moving a branch.”

The creeping hunters breathed a sigh of relief. The prey didn’t suspect a thing… yet. They crawled their way closer to the prey, until they were within a short meter of each other. The hunters saw a human, young and mostly afraid, and a self assured Vulcan. The Vulcan, with his superior strength, was the greatest threat to the hunters at the moment. No matter. They were trained to be the best hunters in the Hirogen race, using stealth and skill to murder prey and demoralize other prey. No doubt, there were legends of such swift hunters in every race that encountered the Hirogen.

One hunter signaled to the other. It was time to strike.

Catching Petty Officer Davis totally unaware, two arms sprung out of the leafy branches from up above, covering his mouth and yanking his head. He was pulled into darkness as something hard hit the back of his head, knocking him unconscious.

Solta was alarmed by the sudden disappearance of the human officer. Pursing his lips together, Solta readied to release a shrill whistle to warn the rest of the tribe of the intruders in their camp. He sucked up some air, and released.

Only there was no sound. A hamlike hand enclosed around his mouth, blocking out the noise. Then, the Vulcan felt the metal kiss of a knife blade bite deeply into his throat…

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

Minutes later…

*drip…drip…*

The dream was like any other that James had over the last few years. He was wandering in a Borg Cube, a variation of him wandering through the wreckage of the USS Thunderchild. The signs of attack were everywhere. People were running, phasers shot and struck targets, and the screams of the dying echoed through the halls.

*drip…drip…*

The dream was slightly different from the rest. There was blood everywhere. It was slowly seeping through the walls. Borg and humans bled profusely from their wounds, adding to the slaughterhouse feel of the dream.

*drip…drip…*

Only this time, there was something else that perturbed him. The blood was, of all colors, green. Green, slime like blood oozed out of every pore in the walls. The smell of copper and gore stunk through his nose. And always there was that constant drip of blood hitting his head from the ceiling.

Rarely were his dreams so vivid that he smelled everything he saw.

*DRIP…DRIP…PATTER…*

James Corgan woke up from the dream, slightly annoyed that the drip was still continuing. Though half opened eyes, he tried to look to the dawn lit outside world. Instead, stinging fluid flooded over his eyes. He squinted and reacted by rubbing out the fluid, which was by then all over his face. The mess was being made worse, so James grabbed for his uniform jacket and wiped clean the rest of the sticky, smelling liquid.

Still half awake, his partially restored vision gazed upon the jacket he used to clean himself. Through the black fabric, he could see a faint stain of green. He felt his face, tracing a finger along a still sticky forehead, and he brought the finger in front of his face to inspect. There was some liquid, and it was green.

The smell, the feel and the color were slightly off, but the universal olfactory translator told him it was one thing.

Blood.

“Oh no…” James managed to whisper off before he felt another drip on his head. Annoyed, he looked up to find what was causing the strange disturbance.

Hanging from the branch by his feet was the remains of Ensign Solta. Slashed through the neck, the wound bled profusely, dripping blood all around Lieutenant Corgan. The corpse’s face bore no sign of shock or struggle, just an empty stare that seemed to drill through the ground and out the other side of the planet. The uniform was stained with blood. The branch was stained with blood. The ground was stained with blood and the vine that held Solta’s feet was stained with blood.

Everything was a big, bloody mess, and James was in the middle of it.

His mind screamed out ‘intruder’, trying to solicit a response from the stunned leader. It took James a full minute to snap himself out of the trance like panic he was lulled into, and finally jump start his body to make a move. His hands went to the trusty hunting rifle at his side. Grabbing the weapon close like it was a security blanket, James let out a shrill whistle to wake up the rest of the camp.

Then, the Lieutenant screamed, “GET UP!”

Vailen was the first to snap to his feet after Corgan sounded the alarm. The rifle he was sleeping with in his hands and aiming into the canopy. "What's going on James!?" he called out to his commander, his Kappai.

”Jesus Christ! Someone’s been in here! Stay alert and look around!” James warned, scanning the jungle rapidly with his rifle scope.

Cutter sat up at the scream, his back and chest aching slightly at the strain. The group's doctor next to him began to grumble as he woke.

Vladimir flinched, hearing Corgan's shout, but didn't opened his eyes. Just muttered "Shut up everybody! I want to sleep. If you don't want me to..."

"WE DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS DOC! Wake up!" shouted James. Once again, doc was testing his patience. But situation was much more dangerous than before. He bowed to Vladimir and pushed him. "Frag it, wake the f**k up!"

Vladimir yawned and said "OK, OK... Waking up." He stood up and looked around. "So, what a f**k is going on here? Why you are waking me in the middle of my valuable hours of sleep? Why shou..." he stopped on half-word, when his sight catched the branch where Vulcan was.

“Doc… I always have a reason…” James pointed up to Solta’s hanging corpse, “That’s all you need to know.”

Vailen's eyes followed the vine up to the branch where it was bound. From there he scanned the greenery with a trained eye looking for anything...anything at all. "Any sign of Rory?"

“I didn’t see him anywhere.” Lieutenant Corgan answered mournfully, “He was supposed to be with Solta on the second watch.”

"Surely, he would not have run off by himself, injured or not," Cutter suggested, as he slowly brought himself to his feet.

Not meaning to sound vulgar in his concept of what happened, Ensign Daitaal assesed what he could of the situation. "If they got Solta, I would be pretty sure they've killed Rory as well. We should get the Vulcan down."

"Yes!" hurriedly said Vladimir "Get him down and free space here. I hope, that he might be still alive..." ~However, I am really in doubt of it... (sighes)"

“I’d like to be optimistic, but I’m more pragmatic than that. We better assume that Rory is dead. Meanwhile…” James looked up to Solta’s corpse. Lieutenant Corgan dropped his rifle and went for the pistol, squeezed the trigger, and released a blast that slashed the vine. Solta’s bloody body crumpled into James’s waiting arms as both hit the ground. “Sorry doc, but it’s the fastest way.”

Vladimir bowed to Solta and examined the wounds. This wasn't the most pleasant view in his life. ~Oh, my! Who the f**k did it?!~ Minute later he stood up and said gravely. "Time of death uncertain. Obviously in less than an hour. Wounds a made with cutting weapons - something like daggers or swords. Wounds on whole body; among them one missing earlobe and 3 critical wounds: two on throat, in the chest. Huge blood loss... Not sure, but many bones seem to have compound fractures. The only more thing I can add, that even Apollo won't be able to make him stay in this world...”

Lieutenant Corgan was understandably hot under the collar. Red faced and ready to explode in anger, he tried to speak in a deceptively calm voice, but sounded as if he was seething with rage. Somebody, or something, killed one of his men. A member of the tribe was dead, and he wasn’t there to protect him.

James felt like he breached his duty of care, the one shared by all superior officers to protect their own. He failed in his duty to bring Solta home, and for that and the other atrocities done to the Galaxy, he was going to make the Hirogen pay.

Add another grudge in his book. What was a few more?

“Look at that…” Corgan observed the late Ensign Solta, “There’s not a single energy weapon wound on his entire body. Look at the slashes and stabs. From what I remember during the war, Vulcan blood usually usually clots by now, but these wounds are still bleeding. What is causing this?”

”Perhaps an anti-coagulant? Or something like this. I am unsure…” Vladimir answered.

“Well, whoever did this was good.” James noted, “They were able to sneak into our camp without us knowing, and I don’t want this to happen again! Get your gear ready folks. We have to move out of here before whatever killed Solta and Rory comes back for us!”

"Well," Vailen began, "It looks like we should prepare ourselves for Hand to Hand combat. Solta and Davis probably didn't even see it coming. That impresses me. Vulcans are no easy challenge, and it looks like they had their way with this one."

Vladimir expressed his thoughts "The only method of killing Vulcan without getting challenged - 'knife in the back' tactics. Unexpected attack... This can't be Hirogens - they are attacking like dumb horde. Their tactics is going-forwards-like-an-idiots-with rifles-ready."

"Aside from our new hunting knives, we have nothing else for hand to hand martial combat among us. I have training from the Rutian Acadamy, I won't be an easy one to kill, I hope. Any of you have any training?" Vailen looked around and scannned the canopy again, looking for an elusive hirogen.

”The only real experience with my training was in the trenches…” Lieutenant Corgan added, “Every Starfleet officer in all branches except counseling and medical has to have at least basic training in Anbo-jutsu and standard Federation hand to hand. Security officers usually get combat knife training and alien weapons training… which I have. I’m not sure about everyone else, but I know Rory was only enlisted, so his combat training would be bare bones.”

Cutter stood listening to the conversations and exchanges of information. He gripped a captured Hirogen rifle in his hand awkardly, finding it very uncomfortable to hold with his two opposable digits. With his other hand, he checked the tight bandages around his torso which secured a couple broken ribs. "I have some training in several Fruna'lin martial arts, but I can't say how effective a fighter I would be in my condition."

"I... Ummm... Have no Hand to Hand combat training... Just..." said Vladimir and than continued coldly "Excellent! We have enemy already at our back and nobody of us can do anything formidable. I will say - it is great!"

“Don’t let that intimidate you Doc. Fancy martial arts moves will not make them invincible. Alright then. We should not separate, but if we do make sure we stay with someone else. Daitaal, stay with Cutter and vice versa. Vladimir, you’re with me. I also suggest you stay in the middle of the group doc, because the people in the lead and the rear will be hit first. Cutter, are you ok enough to fly? That leg of yours won’t do you any good down here.”

"Yep, sir. In the center. I understood." said Vladimir. ~It is his first order, that fits me...~

Cutter rotated his wings behind him, testing before he answered. "Yes, I believe I can fly, however, landing again is another question," he stated rubbing his bandages.

“Good. You’re our look out. After yesterday and right now I don’t want anyone to be out of eyesight of each other. Understood?”

The avian nodded in response. Always the look out, the eye-in-the-sky hunter reporter.

A gradually rising noise started to appear out of the bushes. At first, it sounded like a steady high-pitched drone, but after a few seconds, it rose to a screaming whine. Alarmed by the sudden sound. James rolled and grabbed for his rifle. The noise was getting louder, reverberating through his eardrum and disrupting his thoughts, and still the noise kept growing. It was enough to imagine his head being popped off by the sonic sound itself.

Vladimir shouted "Close your ears, if you don't want to say 'goodbye' to your ears! CLOSE EARS!"

Yelling through the din, James ordered, “Find them!”

But as he was giving orders, he could not hear the movement in the trees. His eyes caught flickers of movement, but nothing more to confirm the presence of an unknown intruder. The pain in his eardrums was almost too much to take, as James dropped his weapon and cupped his hands over his lobes. All around him, the rest of the crewmen were down on their knees, shaking yelling in protest.

And then… it all stopped. The jungle was once again silent.

Except this time, three Hirogen stood on the outside of their clearing, training their rifles on the rest of the tribe.

~”Where the hell did they come from?”~ James stood up on one knee. By the Hirogen’s hostile stare and the swing of his rifle, standing up was not a good move. The butt of the rifle hit Corgan’s forehead, sprawling him into the ground.

Each Hirogen chose and walked to one of the kneeling members of the tribe. Cutter recognized the hunter that approached him from his scouting mission earlier, the Hirogen that had caught his scent. The hunter circled behind Cutter and held his rifle to the back of the bird's neck. "Your feathers will make an excellent accessory for my helmet," he whispered next to Cutter's face.

Vladimir muttered "Damn! I wasn't right... These Hirogens can do something, except yelling and shooting... They have brains! I want to do lobotomy on any of those boys!" and felt unconscious as one of Hirogen’s hit him in head with rifle.

Through a sea of dizziness and ringing pain, Lieutenant Corgan saw the last Hirogen make it through the clearing. He was towing with him Petty Officer Davis, while holding a curved slashing blade in front of the officer’s throat. Reluctantly, Davis walked a forced path and stopped at the clearing’s edge. Davis was held by the familiar leader of the hunting pack. Both the leader and Corgan met before on the starship, but this was the first time James has seen him during the entire hunt on the planet. However, Lieutenant Corgan heard of his presence, and knew who he was. It was so obvious… the trophies displayed on his electric blue armor, the red runes scrawled on his body, the blade…

:“It has been awhile… prey.”: The leader grinned, showing off a row of crocodile teeth.

“Letag… a pleasure as always….” James sarcastically remarked, “But I fail to see why we aren’t already dead. What do you want with us? Why didn’t you kill the rest of us when you had the chance?”

Letag laughed sadistically, a sort of reptilian chuckle coming from the deepest bowels of his throat. There was a mad glint in the hunter’s eyes, as if he had a purpose higher than anything else planned for the tribe. Intentions almost unimaginable and hard to describe were in Letag’s cunning stare. James could tell he was up to something… anything… involving him.

~”Killing Solta was part of the mind game. He could have killed us any time he wanted.”~ Lieutenant Corgan thought, shocked.

Letag spoke in a guttural voice, :“You are right. We could have slaughtered your entire tribe as you slept… but where was the sport in that? Only mewling cubs would kill their prey while they rested, but as you can tell… my cubs are not mewlings.”:

Having mind suddenly cleared, Vladimir opened his eyes and listened to Hirogen's voice. ~Damn! I now understand, why I felt so uncomfortable, when we started camp~

Nodding in acknowledgement, James replied, “True, but there’s a better reason than that? What do you want with us?”

:”Why…. To hunt of course. Did I not brief you on what was to happen on the planet.”: Letag grimly growled, :”So far, you have proven yourselves to be most formidable prey. Do you know how much trouble you have caused us? Why, I had to convince that Beta you verbally harassed not to come down and claim you as my prey. Well… by convince I meant I had to scramble his transporter signal and disperse his atoms across the entire jungle as he tried to beam down to your position, but it did work and it kept your group alive… for my students and I.”:

“Gee whiz… thanks a million.” James groaned sarcastically.

:”But wait… do you not want to hear about what I have planned for you and your pack?”: Letag shook Rory once as he tried to squirm, inching the knife closer to his throat, :”Corgan… tell your cub to stand still, or he dies in a manner similar to other we have slain.”:

“Don’t move Rory. That’s an order.” Lieutenant Corgan commanded.

:”That’s… better.”: Letag nodded in approval, “Now, if you want your tribe to have a chance at living again, ~”False hope… whatever works…”~, then I suggest you fulfill our demands.”:

"What are your demands, guys?" asked Vladimir, then added quetly "A thousand liters of pure Russian vodka to clear your mind, or thousand tons of gold to each of you?"

:”Tell me… are you the new Alpha of this pack?”: The Hirogen standing next to Malgin hissed in his ears, :”Sir, must we discipline this rabble?”:

:”Quite a prudent response Gyen. I shall administer it myself.”: Letag’s hand switched on a device hung from the loop of his belt. A silvery box like device was switched on, spitting out the ear piercing sonic shrill once again. Everybody’s ears reverberated noisily in the din, while the Hirogen were not bothered by the noise. Seconds later, Letag switched the device off.

James recognized the device as his music player. As a music collector, Lieutenant Corgan had all sorts of playing devices, including the RezX Soundinator Platinum + which Letag currently had in his possession. Made in 2371, they were revolutionary in their efficient use of sonic fields. Unfortunately, they were pulled off the market because with the right modifications they could be used to create a sonic resonance field that could be lethal.

And right beside the music player was three isolinear chips, labeled to their appropriate music genre’s. ~”The bastard’s been through my stuff!”~ Corgan thought, angry at the apparent violation of his belongings.

The martial arts teacher laid down the stipulations, :”Easy… your pack will be separated and transported to different locations on this world, nearby the beaming sights of each of my students. There will be one on one hunts between my students and your pack, while I will personally challenge you… Corgan… to a hunt… in this very jungle.”:

There was a lot to consider, and by the rifle stuck to everyone’s heads there was not enough time to make an informed decision. James thought of the risk of having his tribe separated into different biomes of the world to be hunted by Letag’s students. On one side, it would buy them the time they need to survive the Hirogen hunt (if they could survive) and possibly be rescued sometime in the near future, while on the other end of the argument there was a chance that Letag would screw them over in the hunt.

Then again, it wasn’t very sporting for a hunter to kill their prey as they stood helpless, whether it was in a transporter buffer, a prison cell or while they bartered their lives. Lieutenant Corgan had to count on the assumption that the hunters wanted these terms, so they wouldn’t break them.

“On a few conditions if I may?” James questioned, “Because unlike you guys, I don’t give a rat’s ass where I’m fragged. Kill me here if you want, I don’t care, but I think you guys do.”

:”How perceptive… for animals.”: Letag looked down on Corgan, snorting in disdain, :”Our terms are to have one on one hunts. What are yours?”:

“Rory… I think he should be taken back to the ship. He is… unworthy of your attentions.”

:”WHAT?!?!? Impossible!”: Gyen complained loudly, but Letag silenced the outspoken cub.

:”Silence Gyen. Corgan is right. This Rory did not put up a good fight. He is unworthy of our skills as hunter elites. We will send him to the ship and bring him down to the planet at a later time.”:

“That’s good… but I want something else. I want to keep our equipment and be beamed at least a half kilometer away from our opponents or any other hunting parties. That way, we can make it a fair hunt. Do you agree?” Corgan negotiated.

Letag took a minute to consider his options. After much waiting, he said, :”I agree to your terms, prey. As you have said, this will be a challenging hunt. I do not prefer my students to take it easy like the other Beta’s. I want my prey to be armed and ready for combat, not thrown half naked on the planet and issued spears and slings.”:

“Then it is agreed. If you are to separate us, make it a fair fight.”

:”Agreed…”:

“Shake on it?”

Letag looked down on Corgan, rearing his big ugly head into his face. James smelled his reeking breath, a mix of venom, armor paint and rotting meat roiled around his nose. Then, the hunter discharged a globule of spit, splattering onto Corgan’s forehead. Showing barely any respect, Letag withdrew and pulled out his communicator.

:”I have studied some of your human gestures. I do not want to ‘shake on it.’”: The hunter turned his attention to the tricorder/communicator, :”Beta Letag to Hunt Coordinator. Stand by to beam up three of my students and four of my prey. Send the weaker prey to the grasslands, and the others to climates of their choosing. Make sure they are disarmed until they are beamed to the surface, and make sure they have all their original equipment. Beam the prey and the hunters at least a kilometer away. Give them plenty of space to hunt. Understood?”:

=/\=:”Confirmed. Over and out.”:=/\= Crackled a voice over a microphone.

Vladimir sighed ~So, once again will be alone...~ "Mister, if you know terran geography measures, then transport me to some place with latitude of... 67 degrees to the North. Yep... And please, don't be angry, when your cub will not return. He will not even report you abo..." He hadn't finished, when he transporter beam catched him.

"...OUCH! Damn! Those Hirogens always make the same mistakes! Somebody up there, show them how to aim teleporter ON the ground, not ABOVE it!!!" Shouted Vladimir raising from the snow...

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

One by one, the tribe and the hunters were transported off the planet’s surface in a sparkle of bluish light. Seconds later, Corgan’s tribe and Letag’s students were all gone, leaving the two foes to stare each other down. Letag, with his indomitable strength and mysterious lethality, was up against the crafty, crazy and reckless James Corgan. For minutes, they stared at each other, waiting for the next person to move.

Letag’s impatience to hunt down his ‘spirit prey’ was getting the better of him. He finally demanded, :”Well? What are you waiting for? Move! I won’t try to stop you… unless you try to kill me first. I want you to run as fast and as far as you can. I will… catch up with you shortly to claim what is rightfully mine.”:

“What about the rest of my men?” James asked.

:”Rest assured… they are safe.”: Letag looked at his tricorder screen, :”I have just confirmed multiple transporter signals back to the surface of this planet. They are now back in the hunt as you asked. Now as for you… I suggest you run.”:

Seeing no choice, James rose up to his feet. Grabbing his Hirogen hunting rifle, Lieutenant Corgan slowly walked backwards towards the bushes, watching Letag make any moves. The hunter did nothing to pursue, though he himself walked backwards in the opposite direction. Letag’s knife was still in his hand, and ready to flick it at his opponent faster than the speed of warp, while James had his rifle aimed clearly to blow away Letag’s skull.

They both knew about the mutually assured destruction they held in the clearing. A flick of the wrist or a pull on the trigger would end both their lives. Escape was the only viable option.

Lieutenant Corgan and Letag simultaneously absorbed into the forest, putting a clear distance between themselves for the ensuing hunt.

“The Dirty Dance”
By Lieutenant James Lionel Corgan
Assistant Chief Operations Officer, USS Galaxy

Location: Hunter’s Planet (Equilateral Jungle)

Guest Starring: NPC Prey Lieutenant JG Abby Salinski, Torpedo Room Technician.

Soundtrack: “Loser” By Static-X (“Cleaning out the clearing” scene)

Running scared was all Lieutenant Sarinski did during the last few days.

As one of the first people to be beamed down to the planet, Aleene did nothing but move. It was move, sleep, eat, move, sleep, eat, and repeat as necessary, which came to be necessary a lot. Her legs, right down to the marrow of her bones, ached and protested with each step into the mossy undergrowth of the jungle floor. Her arms hung limply over her body as she struggled to keep conscious.

The last fight with a Hirogen nearly claimed her life, a fact clearly reminding itself as the stab wound to the side of her torso burned and bled lightly. It was a light wound, but enough to slow her down in the hunt. She was lucky, being jumped by two hunters, and somehow by pure luck or ravenous resistance she came out of it on top and alive. She was rewarded with a knife and a Hirogen sidearm, a good start considering the skinned and dismembered corpses of the Federation crewmembers she encountered usually were left with crude spears and clubs.

But still, the wound bled. Her tongue was dry and swollen from the lack of water. Her stomach rumbled and her head spun, and all she had to show for it was a used knife and an alien phaser like device.

So much for Lieutenant JG Abby Salinsky, the promising expert in Torpedo technology (in all its ways, shapes and forms). There was no doubt in her mind that she was going to die in this steamy hellhole, with nobody to bury her except the cruel jackals that chased her down day and night.

She wanted so desperately to stop running, to give her tired and injured body a rest, but after hearing a rustle in the bush, she decided to run faster. Her torso wound protested. She forced down the pain, telling it to go away, and then headed to the nearest bush.

The rustling of the bushes were getting louder. She heard one of the hunters yelling to his pack mates about a trail of blood; it was hard for her to listen through the dizziness in her head. Footsteps walked closer to her, tromping like the steel boots of soldiers.

Seconds later as she tripped and rolled down a steep embankment, her ears rang from the whine of energy weapons firing pulsating light blue spitballs of energy. Rolling down the cliff, she dropped the phaser, watching it clatter into a hole through a thicket of vines.

“No… nonononooo….” She moaned, grasping her aching, blood soaked side. The footsteps were getting closer, the phaser pistol was too deep inside a tangle of vegetation and the Hirogen were approaching.

Cautiously, she righted herself up in time to see the Hirogen approach the cliff area. She saw one of the filthy hunters stare down at her, wide eyed and excited as the hunter’s rifle locked on to her bedraggled frame. More hunters crested the cliff, running down to subdue the prey

:”We have you surrounded, prey.”: Called out an indignant reptilian voice, :”Do not move.”:

Her hand was hovering around the hunting knife she stole before. The voice, wherever it came from, was right. Three hirogen were at the cliff, their rifles ready to shoot her firing squad style if she resisted. Glancing to each side, there was at least one Hirogen to the right, another to the left, and one avenue of escape behind her. That is, if she could run fast enough to avoid weapons fire.

At that moment she broke down, shedding tears of remorse as she found the situation inescapable. She joined the academy for the adventure after hearing so many Dominion War stories. All of them glorified the battles. All the action appealed the former adrenaline junky, as she picked the most dangerous jobs she could find. And what was better than a Torpedo Room Techician, where if a direct hit tore into her section of the ship, she and the despised ‘Wiggy Torps’ would all blow sky high? Nothing.

Then there was the hunt. After being chased relentlessly for the last two days, her appetite for dangerous duty was more than satisfied. To her, it was now poison. It made her realize that she did not want to die.

But here she was, standing in front of a firing line, waiting as the lead Hirogen from the cliff slid down with a knife in his hand and a pistol in the other. With a wicked grin and a sadistic glint in his eyes, the hunter waved his knife then licked the dried blood on its blade.

:”I will give you a choice, prey.”: The hunter mocked, :”I will either skin you alive… or dismember your limbs… or I can remove your organs while you still breathe. And if you are a strong enough prey… I can perhaps do all three…”:

The tears flowed freely over her face. ”I don’t want to die…I don’t want to die…” She wailed, shaking her head, slowly limping away from the hunter. She was not fast enough to get away. The Hirogen yanked her long black hair as she tried to run, sweeping the floor out from underneath her legs and un-ceremonially dumping her body hard on the ground.

Frightened beyond all control, the only urge Abby ever filled out in this situation was to get away fast. She didn’t care about the Hirogen guns. That and anything else was better than what the leader of the pack had planned for her. She didn’t want to suffer what would be hours of having her body dismantled by these cruel, damnable abominations that called themselves ‘hunters’.

Pinning the hapless, crying human, the Hirogen hunter laid on top her. His knife hovered around her eyes, making a criss-crossing pattern as it drifted in the air.

:”You don’t want to see what will happen to you?”: The hunter smirked. He kept the eyelids open and slowly moved the knife closer to vulnerable cornea, :”I can arrange that. I prefer my prey to be unaware whenever the knife does its work.”:

The helpless Lieutenant was now a bucking, screaming, flailing victim of the Hirogen’s oppression. No matter how much she resisted, the Hirogen’s bulk would not remove itself. It was just too heavy. The weight felt like a ton of latinum being dumped on top of her body.

The knife backed away from her eye, but she knew it was no respite. The hunter was coiling his arm back, ready to pluck out the eyeball.

Then, a crackle of energy emanated from the bushes. Seconds later, followed by the faint smell of charred flesh, the Hirogen’s bulk went limp.

She struggled to be free of the dead hunter’s massive body. The frightened and confused Lieutenant JG rolled the body off of hers, as she got up to run again. Whatever it was that killed her aggressor, she could not see him or her (or even an it) around. For that matter, the rest of the hunting party was not even paying any attention to her. Confused, she looked around for the answer.

There was none supplied yet. Just a pack of four Hirogen searching the area with their rifles. None seemed to pay heed to the insignificant prey, as there was something far more lethal in the bushes.

Only, there was nobody in the bushes. Instead, whatever it was that killed the Hirogen hunter was walking towards the rest of the pack. He was not yet detected, and dangerously close.

On closer inspection, Abby found that it was another human Starfleet Officer coming in for the kill. His was in almost as rough of a condition as Lieutenant Salinsky, save for any major debilitating wounds. Dressed in black and gray with a tattered uniform jacket, a gray standard issue tank top and his mud encrusted Starfleet issue pants and boots, the newcomer’s pale, gaunt, wound flecked face, waving blonde hair and slate colored eyes felt from a distance as cold as the stellar winds. There was a lack of feeling in his eyes, as if he cared not of his fate or the impending doom of the hunters.

She recognized who it was immediately. The man himself, reputed to slay Borg by the dozen and Jem’Hadar by the hundreds. He was a legend all over the ship, known for his unstable mental condition and assassin like coldness when it came to combat. Almost everyone had a story about him, most a mere fanciful retelling of a story from a cousin of a friend of a dinnermate’s little sister and so on, but each one seemed to have an underlying theme that was all too familiar. They all told about how unsafe he was, and how crossing his path was considered to be bad luck. Death followed him like a black cloud over his head, some people told Abby, and when it came to battle he was Death to friend and foe.

“Crazy Corgan…” She gasped.

Gracefully, almost professionally, the newcomer brought his two pistols to bear on the first two hunters. Three hunters were unfortunate enough to sight the ghostlike officer approach them calmly. One hunter was even fast enough to swing his overtly huge rifle towards the officer. The hunters were acting on impulse, ignoring Abby as they were caught off guard.

The newcomer’s two pistols were side by side, and then they split away…

The first shot to come from the ghastly fighter struck the first Hirogen who was ready to fire. A bolt of energy crackled out of the barrel Corgan’s left hand pistol, its beam intersecting with the Hirogen’s chest. Cleanly slicing though armor and drilling a cauterizing hole in the hunter’s chest, the Hirogen crashed into a tree and slumped down.

The first hunter died, with three others ready to join him in damnation delivered by ‘Crazy Corgan’. The second hunter ducked for cover, but was intercepted by two spiraling blue beams of energy to his torso. The impacts exploded the hunter’s exotic armor, melting it to slag and searing the flesh underneath.

There was a sort of beautiful dance Lieutenant Abby Salinsky observed when she watched ‘Crazy Corgan’ dispatch the second remaining hunter. His arms barely moved unless they were to shoot a Hirogen. He seemed to waste no motion and stay ever alert, and his fast movements to run behind a thick tree while two blasts blew chunks out of the ancient tree’s wood were as graceful as a dancer who danced many times before. Even unloading the powerpacks from his two phasers and slipping in two more were graceful movements accenting the lethality of his skills and pure, unabashed violence of his job.

The Hirogen hunters ceased to fire. Blowing up the thick jungle tree was futile, for it did not burrow its way to the incurably proficient quarry. Darting from cover to cover, the hunters crept closer to Corgan’s hiding place.

From the sidelines, Abby could see everything. The cautious hunters and their steely-eyed prey. Lieutenant Corgan waited, making no noise as the Hirogen came within meters of his concealment.

Then, pouching like one of the tentacle bearing tigers she encountered before, James came out with his two pistols blazing at the nearest predator. The hunter was met with two separate beams of energy. He fell, doubled over by a shot to the stomach, while a beam lacerated through his jaw, taking with it a gory chunk of the left side of his head.

The last remaining hunter, flanking James from the side, quickly tracked his rifle onto Lieutenant Corgan. Seeing the last hunter lock onto him, James fired a third shot into the still falling corpse of his last opponent and strafed the last remaining hunter to his side. Phaser fire lanced into the hunter’s leg, and as the Hirogen fell to one knee, his finger clamped down on the trigger of his rifle. James spun to his left towards the hunter, kicking out his feet to propel him backwards. Corgan was now falling freely, using the momentum to fall under the trajectory of the Hirogen’s blast, and using the opportunity to fire another shot into his abdomen.

With a sickening slam and the accompanying smell of burning Hirogen muscle and tissue, the last hunter sunk into the bushes and died.

The forest was, for half a minute, alive with the sounds of energy weapons and combat, but rapidly the sounds died away, replaced by the chirping of Rainbow birds in the sky. What was once a deadly duel turned into a reeking clearing of the dead.

Abby counted herself as lucky. If it wasn’t for Crazy Corgan, she would have now been screaming for mercy as she was being picked apart by the Hirogen hunting party. But James did not seem to notice her. He was picking through one of the corpses, stealing powerpacks and stuffing them into his torn over shirt. It wasn’t until James looked at her with his cold, piercing stare that she knew he had indeed noticed her. He caused goosepimples to rise up all over her skin.

~”No wonder he’ called ‘Crazy Corgan’…”~ Abby shuttered, ~”He scares me…”~

His face was showing some expression, a feature he lacked all throughout the battle until now. His mouth moved seemed to move slowly, her exhaustion addled brain not helping matters. Seemingly to take an eternity to translate the message, the words came out as loud and ringing in her ears.

“Look out!” James screamed a warning at Lieutenant Salinski.

She was mostly unaware of what was going on, until a hand enclosed around her neck. She was pulled up as the rest of the arm wrapped around her neck and shoulders, holding her still as she felt the slight pinch of a knife draw a small droplet of blood on the small of her back.

From behind, her captor spoke strange gutteral words in Federation common, saying :”Stand down… prey.”:

TBC……

“Saving the Last Dance for Letag, Part 1” By Lieutenant James Lionel Corgan
Assistant Chief Operations Officer, USS Galaxy

Guest Starring:
Beta Letag, Hirogen Hunter

Location: Hunter’s Planet (Equilateral Jungle)

:”Stand down… prey.”:

Caught unaware of Letag’s presence, James did little more than aim his dual pistols at the hideous creature that stalked him at every turn. His fingers itched… no… they burned for the chance to wrap around the trigger and end the psychotic Hirogen’s miserable life.

Alas, they could not. The woman whom moments before he saved was in his grasp, frigidly staring down at the Hirogen’s knife as it threateningly rubbed up against her throat. One wrong move from Crazy Corgan would spell the end of the hostage’s life.

The lows in which Beta Letag would sink in order to aggravate his ‘Spirit Prey’ were unlike anything James had ever seen. Letag was willing to do almost anything, up to and including killing people in their sleep all for the sake of his demented mind games. Every move he made was a mental game of 3D chess. Intimidation was his sole tactic, used freely and created in any way Letag found it to be possible. All to prove he was the baddest of the badass Hirogen race, to show he was a man to be feared.

James was not scared of the larger, stronger and more martially fit fighter. Scared was killed once he realized he was a killer. Killers never got scared, only angry or severly detached. Moments ago, James was detached as he gunned down an entire party of Hirogen hunters in cold blood, without a second thought or any regrets to follow. Now, Letag was threatening someone else’s life to get at his own. There was no choice but to be angry.

He would be glad once he turned Letag into a smoking crater. There was just one factor stopping him.

The hostage squirmed uneasily, unable to release herself from Letag’s strong grip. Though both of James’ stolen pistols were aimed at Letag’s head and his aim was superb, the slightest movement from Letag could kill the hostage.

:”Stand down!”: Letag repeated more forcefully.

“What do you want me to do, drop my weapons and kiss each one of your buttcheeks?” James jested, laughing and puckering his lips. “Be realistic. I can’t drop my guns as long as you have the girl.”

:”And I cannot get rid of the girl until you at least lower your weapons.”: Letag interjected, :”And I cannot allow her to ruin the hunt!”:

“That so?” Lieutenant Corgan asked, keeping his aim locked onto Letag’s eye, “I’m sure you won’t mind if we take her out of the equation, do you? Let’s face it, she’ll ruin the hunt for you. This is supposed to be just you and I… isn’t it? Not you, her and me. You and me. That’s all. Now do you want that…. or do you want to stare me down for hours on end with this insignificant wretch in your arms, or do you want to hunt me down?”

:”You seem to forget that she is a threat to me. I can’t let her go. She interrupt our most sacred hunt…”:

~”Sacred?”~ Lieutenant Corgan inwardly asked, ~”What does he mean?”~

:”…and I hate to have interruptions! I will kill her and be on with it!”:

”Wait!!!!!” James pleaded, “She has nothing to do with out fight. This is just you and me… in our little dance to the death. She won’t be a problem… I promise.”

While James stalled the vicious hunter, he came up with a daring new plan. Sacred was the key word. Whatever fueled Letag’s initiative to hunt was beyond the sport now. There was an obsession breeding in the pit of the Hirogen’s soul, taking root and not letting go until his task was completed. His drive was stronger than the others, to the point where unsporting hunting conduct mostly frowned upon was largely ignored and mostly broken.

There was something else to the hunt, a factor James never considered before.

Sacred.

The hunt was sacred.

But how sacred was it? James was going to find out.

Lieutenant Corgan smiled as an evil glimmer in his eye shone with the craftiness of a devilish plan. In appearance, he lowered the two phasers away from the Hirogen’s head, simultaneously as Letag withdrew the knife from the female hostage’s throat. As soon as Letag’s knife withdrew down to her stomach, James quick drew one pistol in the direction of the frightened hostage’s head. Eyes opened wide in alarm as she tried to scream, but was caught short by a bout of fear. The other pistol, though not aiming at an enemy target, was still able to twirl around. Corgan’s arm moved, pointing the other gun straight at his left temple!

:”What are you doing?!”: Letag demanded, drawing the knife back to her throat.

“You really want to know?” James cackled with a crazed look in his eyes, “I’m going to blow my f**king brains out, and hers too!”

:”You will not do this. You are prey! You will fight like prey!”:

“Says you, big guy. You can hunt all you want… but I should have died a long time ago. It’s about time I fulfilled my final duty to the world, by saying ‘too bad, you should have killed me on the ship.’ Take care of yourself… ok?”

Flesh met the trigger for possibly the last time, as James inched the trigger closer to the firing mechanism. Slowly he drew it tighter, watching for Letag’s reaction. The hostage was screaming through the cover of the martial artist’s fingers as Letag himself seemed alarmed by the unpredictably rash move on James’ behalf.

But then, James trigger finger pulled away.

“Triggerfinger…” He sang.

The arm pointing the phaser at the hostage thrust in and out like he was trying to pull the trigger repeatedly, all falling short of firing any shots. At every thrust, James yelled, “Triggerfinger…triggerfinger…”, paying no attention to how hysterical the hostage was becoming, and paying attention to how uneasy Letag was becoming.

“Isn’t this a dilemma?” James giggled, screaming, “TRIGGERFINGER!!!!” as he faked shooting himself in the head, “If you kill her, I’ll just kill myself and deny you the hunt you wanted so badly. And if you don’t let her go, I’ll frag her myself, and then I’ll commit suicide. So tell me, how badly do you want me!?!”

Screaming through James’ insane laughter, Letag said, :”Foolish prey! No other prey would flirt with other people’s lives like you!”:

“TRIGGERFINGER!!!!!!”

A resounding click came from the pistol aimed at the hostage. What was supposed to be a beam of energy fizzled and popped into nothingness.

“I knew it was spent….” Corgan dropped his pistol, not moving the one aimed at his head, “But I know this one has a full charge. Want me to risk it?”

:”NO!”: Letag protested, :”You are not that foolish!!!!”:

“You bastards killed my girlfriend!!!!!!!!” In an unusually fast swing of emotion, James turned from a toying clown to an angry berserker, “You razed my home and put me on this god forsaken rock! What more do I have to live for, huh?!?! Come on… give me an excuse! GIVE ME A GOOD REASON WHY I SHOULDN’T KILL MYSELF RIGHT HERE!?!?!?!?!”

James was expecting Letag to bow down, to fitfully give up the hostage in exchange for preserving his life for the hunt. If the hunt meant anything to the hunter, then it was the only logical decision to make.

Letag looked at James, his chilling icicle eyes meeting up with the boiling fury of James’ stare, and laughed. Confused, Corgan didn’t know why Letag was laughing, most likely at his expense.

:”I know you better than you think, my prey.”: Letag confirmed the strange hunter-prey ownership relationship between the two, :”I doubt you will kill your own. You put other’s lives in higher regard than you do your own. However… I do believe you’ll kill yourself, but then she would die because I will kill her after you die. But still… I want you more than anything else. Shall we dispose of her?”:

“On three?” James asked, ~”Did I scare him? Or does he even give a f**k?”~

:”I’m glad we have an agreement. This… dance as you call it… is ours alone.”:

“I agree with you. Kind of like we were meant to be together… don’t you think?”

A growl escaped from Letag’s throat. He shook his head, lowering the blade from the hostage’s throat and relaxing his grip. Finally, the hunter spoke,:“I don’t think you have any idea how intertwined our destinies are… spirit prey…”:

“Well, are we going to count to three or not?” Corgan gave the floor to Letag to start the real hunt. The spiritually driven hunter threw the hostage aside, flicking and twirling his knife in a show of skill as the hostage tumbled into the dirt.

“Leave.” Lieutenant Corgan ordered the hostage, whom already stumbled deeper into the jungle, “GO!”

Letag stopped the knife short from his face. With his unarmed hand, he placed his middle and index finger together, and as his knife arm drew back with its elbow upraised, he traced an invisible line from his forehead to his cheek with the free hand. A low growled escaped the confines of his reptilian throat as Letag’s free hand balled into a fist. His arm straightened out as if it was leading the way for the rest of his body, while his knife arm waited to strike like a scorpion’s tail.

“Heh…” James smiled indignantly, “Now this is where you f**k up…”

Conscience wasn’t a factor in what James was about to do. He was void of feeling guilt for what had to be done. Fighting dirty was a capital offense to most races (sans the Ferengi), but to James he had no problem putting Letag out of his misery. He was willing to separate the soul from Letag’s body any way he could.

So, he had no moral qualms when he fired his energy weapon at a mostly unarmed alien. It felt like he was pulling the trigger a half dozen times at the hateful image of Letag, each shot a wild and unfetted beam of vengeance and the hunter serving as the vent of all of James’ frustrations and hatreds.

Death was swiftly coming to claim the hunter, and the grim reaper delivering justice had a happy grin on his face.

“Nighty night mother… huh?”

Years of martial arts training ( or being too stupid to realize he was about to die ) gave Letag an unnerving bravery. He didn’t move from his spot, standing stoically still in his daring martial arts stance. Death was coming, yet Letag seemed unconcerned during the split second the energy beam was in transit. Just as the beam was supposed to turn Letag’s cranium into a smoked out hollow, he tilted his head a few mere centimeters to his left. The shaft of light passed harmlessly by his ear.

Shocked and surprised by the hunter’s sudden speed, James froze for a second in terror. The gun trembled lightly in his hand, and a bead of nervous sweat broke out over his forehead. Even more unnerving; Letag was laughing calmly at his opponent.

TBC…

“Saving the Last Dance for Letag, Part 2” By Lieutenant James Lionel Corgan
Assistant Chief Operations Officer, USS Galaxy

Guest Starring:
Beta Letag, Hirogen Hunter

Location: Hunter’s Planet (Equilateral Jungle)

:”Try again… my prey. You will see that I am quite formidable.”: Chided the confident hunter, :”Be careful! Your arm betrays your thoughts!”:

Hesitant to fire, James couldn’t figure out how he was supposed to hit something that could dodge light beams. His analytical mind couldn’t come up with any way Letag could have dodged his shots… unless the Hirogen were psychic… or Letag’s abilities were far beyond what a sentient could do. Or... there was a chance that Letag could read his body movements.

~"Or… it was an unlucky shot. Nobody's fast enough to predict movements."~ James felt more confident because of this, and tried to fire again. This time, he was not going to hold back. Wasting a powerpack on one Hirogen was well worth the price for THIS Hirogen hunter.

Feeling the unusual recoil of the energy weapon push back his arm, James released thunderclap after thunderclap of searing charged particles towards the abnormally agile Hunter. The first shot was not meet with any resistance. It disappeared into the lush green jungle as Letag twirled out of the way! The second shot whizzed past the Hunter’s head, as Letag rolled out of the way of the third shot and stopped his roll just short of being hit by the forth!

Determined to hit the elusive target with at least one shot, Corgan fired off the entire powerpack. A half dozen well aimed shots were once again short of their target as Letag gracefully twirled, spun, and leaped out of the way with his martial arts grace. Using an acrobatically amazing move for a creature of his size, Letag flipped sideways, landing in a crouching position as the last shot from Corgan’s pistol split apart a jungle tree. His knife behind his back and his body coiled up like a predatory cat, the Hirogen martial arts master smiled as Corgan’s gun repeatedly clicked.

(NRPG: Metal Gear Solid fans, remind you of anyone?)

James was flabbergasted. The same raving, cold blooded, suicidal, emotionally volatile killing machine from before was humbled to a level far beyond what he could imagine, by an alien hunter that was more than his equal. He was scared because it seemed like Letag could do physically almost anything, and not even energy weapons could hurt him.

:”You amaze me, you know that prey?”: Letag clucked, showing that he knew he had his prey cornered, :”You actually taxed my skills with that quick aim of yours. However… I knew to watch out for this. I know all I need to know about you so that I could prepare myself for this hunt!”:

“You… you don’t know jack and sh*t!!!!!” Corgan panicked.

:”And… Jack left town. Did I get the quote right?”: Asked the hunter, stunning Corgan once again with his intimate knowledge, :”You should know! It’s from your favorite holovid program! Am I right? Is it Army of Darkness?”:

“It is… but my favorite is The Crow.” James stammered. He was fastly loosing heart in this battle. Letag knew details James didn’t even tell Lieutenant Electra Reece (it didn’t come around yet). ~”What else does he know? NO! I can’t let him psyche me out like this! But… he moved so fast! How can I compete with that?”~

:”So I did get it right… Lieutenant James Lionel Corgan. Starfleet Registration number 3412-45867234. Did I get this right too?”:

“What else do you know?”

:”Why… I know all I need to know about my prey. I know that you used to be a hunter yourself. You killed your first animal when you were a mewling cub. Your father was a Beta with the abilities and the ingenuity of an Omega, yet he taught you the most important skills of the hunt! I know you trained as a marksman! I know you hunted on many planets, your first being against the Borg! And you hunted again against the Jem’Hadar! I know you! You’re a hunter like me!”:

“So… WHAT?!?” James threw down his pistol, drawing out his knife and drawing himself closer like a coiling spring, regaining both the initiative and some of his bravery, “You think you can get into my head because you read a few files and dug through my things?!?! You don’t know me well enough to say anything! If you did, you’d know that I’m not going to let you kill me without a fight, and all those fancy moves of yours won’t save you from what I’m going to do to your entire hunting party!”:

Self confidently, Letag spoke, :”Confident words from a prey. Then again… I expected as much from an animal like you. We are so alike… don’t you think? I know you well because in a sense… I am you.”

“You talk nonsense.”

:”That is what I would have said days ago, until I saw you on the bridge of your former ship. I knew it was you after that! So long have I waited for you… and most of my kind don’t usually get to see their spirit prey, but here I am, fortunate enough to hunt it!”

Letag ended the uneasy stalemate by leaping towards James. The hunter was upon the hunted nanoseconds later, his body movements’ blurs as the absolutely astonished James tried to sidestep out of the way. He was too late to move out. It felt like a brick of latinum shot out of a primitive cannon and hit him square in the gut.

The hunter followed the assault with a flurry of fist and feet blows. Lieutenant Corgan felt every impact rock his body, breaking flesh and rattling his mass. Beautifully, Letag seemed to dance as he fought, each lashing boot and striking fist an augmentation of a well orchestrated ballet of combat. James was a clumsy dance partner, futilely blocking the blows he did see. Each one blocked let his guard down enough for three more hits to penetrate his defenses.

Letag spun his leg around in a roundhouse kick, crashing his foot into James’ jaw. Corgan’s feet gave way to the force of the blow, spinning his body and sprawling it all over the Jungle dirt. Gleefully, Letag sprang back, sheathed his hunting blade, and waited for the next move. James was in no condition to fight back effectively. The first blows already burned like the fires of hell all over his pain-wracked body. Moving around aggravated the numerous bruises as his body resisted getting up. Blood slowly filled up his mouth as he felt a half dozen of his teeth either knocked out, chipped or loosened.

~”I’m way out of my league… basic training isn’t going to save me from this!”~ Moaned Corgan, spitting out a spray of blood and teeth, ~”How do I beat this guy?”~

:”I meet you before!!!”: Letag insanely ranted, :”On Cradainia. It was not you, but it was your essence, your spirit that I first encountered! A proud and noble animal, a brave prey who put his pack above his own safety! What a fine… noble animal you were… as I killed you and took your hide as my own! Even while I skinned you alive, you were still fighting!”:

“You’re crazier than me!” James coughed.

“Am I? Maybe it’s because we are so alike!”

“Oh yeah? Would you do… this?”

James closed his fist around a handful of dirt. Letag was too self confident as he circled his prey, almost assured of his victory instead of finishing the hunt. That was to prove to be Letag’s mistake, because it was human nature to fight dirty.

James tossed the handful of dirt into Letag’s eyes. Shielding his hand and

squinting, the dirt temporarily blinded the hunter. Corgan slugged Letag as hard as he could with an uppercut to the jaw, following with a hook to the face. Even without armor, Letag’s jaw was as hard as ablative armor. His fist vibrated in dull pain, yet still he ignored the hurt and hit again in the stomach. This time, the hunting armor Letag wore proved to be much harder than his jaw.

It didn’t matter how hard it was to hurt the martial arts master. His fists were bleeding, but James didn’t care. Pain was provisionally shut out, making way as thoughts of revenge and hatred took over.

A kick to the gut would stop the Hirogen in his tracks. Or… at least Lieutenant Corgan thought it would work. His foot dashed towards Letag’s stomach, but was cut short as the hunter’s eyes blinked back open. Letag grinned and caught the foot with one scaly hand. The other hand artfully twisted the leg, and once again James was kissing the dirt. This time, his ankle was painfully twisted. He was almost to tears trying to suppress the unignorable pain.

:”I am impressed… prey. You are everything I expected… and then some.”:

Fraught with pain, Lieutenant Corgan limped back up, much to the complaints of his left ankle’s torn muscles. Despite the brutal treatment his body was subjected to, James couldn’t find it in him to give up the fight. The only smart part of his brain called for a retreat, but the rest of him wanted the loathsome Letag to die. As long as he had his friends to avenge, he couldn’t urge himself to retreat.

Yet at the same time, he did not know how to kill Letag. He was almost untouchable, and no matter how hard James tried, the Hunter was impossible to kill.

James could not retreat, and he could not kill Letag. Like many other times before death appeared to be unavoidable.

But James was death. He killed many other before. Hordes of Borg, Jem’Hadar, Cardassians, Breen… he had the opportunity to kill half the races hostile to the Federation during his short and tragic career as a Starfleet Officer. He lost track of his tally during the last Borg encounter, somewhere near one hundred sentients, and wouldn’t be surprised if the Hirogen hunt peaked his count to one hundred and twenty five.

He was death to all who crossed him. How could an insolent man like Letag survive while he was around?

Finding solace in his reasoning, James attacked again as Letag approached. One fist was able to dash towards its target, falling short as the arm was grabbed out and flung, taking the rest of Corgan’s body with him. He crashed into a tree, recoiling as a back spasm reacted to the crushing blow. Letag rabbit punched James exposed ribcage. A rib gave way, sharply punching through his flesh and short of an organ.

Letag still didn’t leg go. Using his shoulder as leverage, the hunter tossed James back into the all-familiar dirt floor of the jungle arena. Every breath James took sharply stabbed his insides. He was in more pain than ever, and it was difficult to hold back. He groaned, spitting blood and hugging his wounded torso.

:”This is my hunt!”: Letag proclaimed to the Hunter’s Planet, :”And this is my spirit prey! I will slay you Corgan, and only then will I be complete! You must understand… we are one and the same you and I! Hunter… prey… it doesn’t matter what role we play. We’re the same spirit! Only by killing you will I be whole!”:

Through a bloody, grim mouth, James growled, “YOU ARE NOTHING LIKE ME!!!!! You kill for sport. I kill because you and your filthy kind killed my friends and threw me on this planet! You destroyed my home and tore down everything I loved! You have everything to gain… but I have nothing to lose by wiping out your kind in this sick perverted hunt of yours!”

“Who cares about motives? I hunt, you run… we both kill for some kind of fulfillment! That is how we are alike!” Letag argued.

He hacked up a painful spray of blood before he spoke again, “I was once like you! I treated the killing like a game. I lost to the Borg, and I wanted to make up the points. I felt more alive when I killed than any other time! You know how sick that made my once I found out I was a sadist?”

The last chance James had at killing Letag was tucked behind his back. It was a curved Hirogen slashing blade, the same one wielded by Letag. His hand drew out the alien blade, swinging blindly at the martial arts master.

The hit never came. James saw nothing but red from his right eye. Moments later, he felt an incredible pain burst in his head. His blade was kicked out of his hand and he was booted in the face for his troubles.

Blood flowed freely over James’ damaged eye. Letag’s knife was much quicker than his, cutting a fine, stinging line from his forehead down to his cheek, also cutting the cornea of his eye. He screamed, covering his damaged eye with his left hand.

:”What does it matter? You are an animal…. my spirit prey. It is your nature to fight for primitive reasons. Us Hirogen are civilized, but we do not forget our primitive roots. That is why we hunt… to test our abilities and remind ourselves of what we are. We are not like your version of civilized, where we frown upon our primeval instincts and try to shut them out. That is what makes the other races weak. But we are civilized because we embrace our thirst for the blood of other creatures. We do not hide in denial. We satiate it!”:

”So what if I’m not as civilized as you. Your kind killed everyone I cared about on my ship. Civilized races… do not…” James faltered as the pain pulsed, laughing through bloodstained teeth, “…do not hunt for enjoyment. We fight as a last resort… and kill to right wrongs. And as you can see… I have no choice but to end the hunt. I must kill you… for Lexa… Rebecca… Solta… maybe that rotten f**knut Lysander… and for everyone else you killed.”

The jungle was silent momentarily. The two fighters were staring at each other, one unfazed by the brutal last minutes of fighting, the other down on one knee, slashed, bruised and partially blinded. Blood trickled out of James’ mouth and nose, dripping onto a dead leaf in the forest underbrush and staining his tattered undershirt.

Mockingly, Letag circled once around his prey, saying, :”Kill me? Look at yourself. You are a broken prey. Your physical condition is too rough for your skills to match mine. Accept the facts. I have beaten you… my spirit prey. Yabbado granted my wish. You are now going to die, and I will reach the pinnacle of Hirogen hunters. I will be the best hunter out of the entire expedition, and perhaps of my entire race!!! Nobody is my equal!”:

Picking up James as easily as a child would pick up a toy starship, Letag wrapped his hands around Corgan’s throat. James was faint before, but was feeling his consciouses being pulled away as the oxygen to his lungs were cut off. Corgan gagged and choked, sputtering crimson blood as Letag looked up to his prey and laughed sadistically.

:”You will complete my hunt!”: Letag triumphantly cheered, :”My spirit prey… will die!”:

“Not….” James spoke with his disappearing breath, “…likely…”

In desperation, Corgan spat out a crimson mist at his vastly stronger adversary. Blood sprayed out of his mouth, coating Letag’s face with James’ vital fluids.

”ARRrrrrrrrr….” Letag snarled, dropping Corgan from his grip to clear his blinded eyes. Though his pain wracked body, James gulped in deep breaths of air, clearing his head slightly. His body landed right near the corpse of a Hirogen he shot dead before. The corpse was still holding a Hirogen hunting rifle.

It was his last chance to kill Letag. Willing his body to make one final push, James dove for the rifle. He rolled, catching the Hirogen weapon in his arms, and as he finished his roll the Rifle was trained directly towards Letag.

The rifle snapped back, its recoil discharging an energy blast. With a searing smack, Letag’s chest turned into a charred cavity. The hunter fell back to his knees.

:”Not like this…”: His dying words gasped out. Seconds later, he was dead, face first on the jungle floor, with only James Corgan, the surrounding dead bodies of his race, and the rainbow birds flying overhead.

Letag, the most fearsome hunter of the expedition, the martial arts master and teacher of the entire pack, died on an insignificant planet in the middle of what Hirogens would consider ‘nowhere’. His death was almost tragic, and most definitely lonely.

As for James, he was too deeply in pain and worry to think about other hunters coming in to investigate. He had no time to reflect on his erratic behavior, or his regression into the cold kill frenzy state he slipped into to finish the hunt. The fact that his eye wound was still bleeding didn’t matter much to him anyways.

He reserved the last of his will power to crawl back to Letag's steaming corpse and collect his music player and Isolinear chips. He slotted a chip into the musical device. A soft guitar sound was produced from the sonic field surrounding him, lulling him into a sense of comfort. Then, he started to think, of all things, about Lexa.

”I did it, Lex.” James thought, ”I stopped him. I took him out and I killed his friends. I’m sorry I had to do this, but it was for you.”~

Hacking up a globule of blood, James spitefully spit it out, “I’ll see you soon, Lex. I’m done here. I'm going to die with a smile on my face and a tune in my head. I'll be smiling because... I'll be coming back to you.”

The last sensation he felt before slipping into unconsciousness was the familiar tingle of a Federation transporter beam lift him away into the heavens, back on board the starship Galaxy.

The ship was raped and bleeding, and the crew was battered, with plenty dead. There was no way to tell if James avenged the honor of his ship, or even the rumored death of his girlfriend, but as he woke up in sickbay, he felt partially satisfied.

TBC…

"Isle of View? Dream On..."

The second part of the 'Honeymoon. . .OVER!' subplot By
Cmdr. Rebecca VonErnst( Order the action figure with authentic PUKE-o-RAMA Battle Action today!)
Lt.Cmdr Lysander VanderPuls-Hawksley (Token 'icky' Boy and pacifist-in-training!)

* * * *

Lysander stood on the beach and stared at the long sleeved turtleneck. Colored in a shade of Command Red he's always disliked; the gold silver and black pips on its neck winked back mockingly at him. With a shrug, he dropped it back into the pile of jackets and shirts on the beach.

Screw the Smeggin' Princess.if he thought it was too hot to wear a shirt, he wasn't going to wear a shirt.

In the short four hours since she'd floated up on his island, she'd insisted on trying to tell him how to run his life. While this was hardly a new development in the often (OKAY! 'Always!') rocky relationship betwixt the two; her insistance on maintaining Starfleet discipline was puzzling.

It was like she didn't see the damn Hirogen hunting them.like she didn't care that there was little chance they'd get off this dustball in ANY other form than as 'dinner' for the Hirogen. It was like -all- she cared about was getting back to a ship that was most likely dead, captured and crewed by the aliens, so she could die up there.

Lysander sighed and idley kicked some sand at a harmless seeming bivalved mollusc laying on the tide-line. Of course, the damn thing heated itself up red hot and melted the silica off its shell.

It was like -everything- on the planet was pissed and trying to kill everything else, even on this little island.

Damned smeggin' stupid place to have to die...

He found himself putting the damned shirt back on, and searching for something clean for her to wear. Luckily, most of the bodies he'd discovered to date hadn't dies -too- gruesomely and he'd washed most of the stains out of the Fleet uniforms.

* * * * *

Just down the forest trail from the bare-chested Lysander, the little XO in question was facing her own personal quandary. The unfortunate fact of the matter was, that Rebecca von Ernst, Tactician Extraordinaire, was absolutely filthy. From the flaking splatters of dried blood stiffening in her matted hair and on her normally pale skin, to the numerous rips, tears and cuts that decorated her once pristine uniform, the Galaxy's XO could barely stand the sight or smell of herself.

The problem however, lay how to get clean and still maintain her notorious sense of extreme modesty.

If this was a "Blue Lagoon" type scenario like jungle-boy Lysander apparantly thought it was, Rebecca would have been a young nubile cheerleader-type who would have had no problem stripping down to nothing before stretching lazily beneath the crystal showers of the dancing waterfall, rivulets of sweet water running down her heaving bare bosoms.

Problem was however, that Rebecca was rather skimpy in the bosoms department, and there was no way on Earth she was going to let anything run down them, heaving or otherwise, while Lysander was about.

Instead she opted for simply removing her muddy Starfleet boots before wading FULLY clothed directly into the middle of the stream and sloshing awkwardly about just down river from the aforementioned falls.

A small halo of brown stained the water around the young officer, as a combination of mud and blood was slowly lifted away from her flesh and clothes at the same time.

It wasn't the sort of thing Brook Shields would have done, but it was similarly effective. (if not great for ratings)

Uncaring, Rebecca bobbed about in her heavy wet clothes, luxuriating in the contrast between the island's heat and the water's coolness

* * * *

Somewhere back around the bend, Lysander came up the trail, skirting the patch where the tangler plant sent out grasping sucker laden vines in his wake. Another few weeks, ad he'd have to trim it back, or widen the path on the opposite side.

As he approached the waterfall, all his good intentions about not peeking slipped away.

The waterfall caught the setting rays of the sun, and glorious rainbows of jagged edged brilliance were thrown across the pool. Within, like something from a bad holodrama, a wraith white, slim shape cut the dark azure waters like a white flash of knife edged brilliance.

Okay... it was obscured by the remains of a Fleet issue uniform...but SOME skin was flashing at Lysander, much to his interest.

Lysander hunkered down on his heels and watched a moment.

The shimmer of red and Black and flickers of white that was Rebecca's body captivating him, like a moth circling a flame that will surely destroy it; but unable to break the siren call that leads it to its destruction.

Or something to that effect.

Down by the bank, Rebecca was squishing her soggy way back out of the stream, endless trails of dripping water running off her sodden uniform in cascading rivers.

Unfortunately her plan still had a flaw in that she couldn't very well sit around in the soaked uniform as it dried, and so to solve that, she selected an extra large uniform Jacket from the pile on ground that Lysander had scavenged up for her.

Glancing about quickly, and not seeing anybody about., the elfin girl quickly pulled the waterlogged shirt off over her head, giving the hidden Lysander his first guilty look at the mystery that was Rebecca.

She was not, strictly speaking, 'totally' breast-less, but what she did have was rather underdeveloped indeed, topped by pert dime sized nipples. Something like a twelve year old's chest.

The motion of raising her shirt over her head also caused her rather prominent ribcage to stand out in stark relief against her creamy white skin,dotted with freckles gently about the shoulders.

So quick and elusive was the sight that ere Lysander actually could register what her saw, Rebecca had snatched up the oversized jacket, and slipped in on over her head, so that it hung down well past her hips much like a miniskirt of sorts.

Thus covered, the tiny girl then stripped off her wet uniform pants, revealing slim white legs, bare all the way up until the large jacket preserved her modesty at mid thigh.

Much to the watching Lysander's annoyance; whatever further mysteries Rebecca possessed would have to wait to be revealed.

Sighing to herself and dumping her wet things by the river edge, Rebecca hunted about the bank before selecting two smooth stones polished by years of rushing waters. Tip- towing over in her little bare feet, she squatted daintily by the water and began scrubbing her wet uniform with the two little stones. Slowly but surely some of the more stubborn stains worked loose under the gentle pressure of the polished rocks and the clear water.

She was a strange vision of beauty to the enamored Lysander.

Her pale freckled skin glowing in the sunlight, and her smooth damp hair forming a little wet spot about the shoulders of her jacket. So large was the coat that one thin bare shoulder accidentally poked itself out of the top, adding an unconscious air of sultriness to her perpetual innocence.

He also noted that squatting as she was by the river, the bottom edge of the jacket had hitched its way a little higher up on her long bare thighs, threatening to reveal a little more of Rebecca's anatomy than she was currently aware was showing.

Blissfully unaware, the squeaky clean little girl hummed a happy little tune to herself as she scrubbed with her rocks. It felt a little weird being sans underwear, but fortunately the jacket was long enough to preserve her dignity.

Unfortunately it was then when the aforementioned Lysander strained a little too far out in search of a better vantage point, and losing his footing, crashed noisily from his hiding spot, landing in the clearing with a 'thump' and a muttered 'smeg.'

Jumping up to her feet; startled, Rebecca unconsciously tugged the hem of the jacket down further around her long exposed legs and shot a scandalized look at sheepish looking Lysander.

"YOU.y.I d..don't believe !!!! ARRRRGH!! Y. . you were PEEPING!" she managed, stuttering for the first time in days.

"WATCHING...not peeping and I ...umm. wasn't either...!" he retorted, " I was smeggin well most certainly NOT watching you! I whistled the whole bloody way up the trail to you...and the way your little ears stick out, I'd have thought you would hear -that- !" he retorted. He tossed the boxer shorts he'd found on a decapitated body onto a rock and prepared to storm off.

"There's the clothes I promised you. If your're smeggin' well still hungry, I'll be serving dinner in the cave in about a half hour. . .assuming I have the BREVET COMMANDERS permission to prepare it? Enjoy your swim BREVET COMMANDER." He shot off, before nosily stomping off up the trail to the cave.

Shocked and half dressed, her damp hair dripping itchily onto her nose, Rebecca didn't know whether to blush, cry, or forget the whole thing! What was worse, being caught half exposed by a guy for the first time in your life, or to have him ignore you and stomp off? For the ever-poor self-imaged Rebecca the answer was obvious.

(later that same day)

The living cave was rather nice. Overlooking the tiny beach which was the sole place a craft could land, the cliffside plunged to a rocky and wild coast on the other sides of the Isle.

A cheery fire held a spitted bird that Lysander had eaten before with no side effects, and several non-poisonous tubers were baking in the coals to one side. The flickering light showed clearly the rude bed Lysander had made of empty Fleet issue jackets, no longer needed by dead crew.filled with fresh and redolent fronds. Lysander was sitting on a largish rock, watching the bird cook and wondering how he was going to deal with the ever-fickle Ms. Von Ernst.

He continued morosely poking at the fire, as Rebecca slid into the cave, looking cleaner and much less 'nasty' than she had hours before.

The girlish redhead was still attired in the over-long uniform jacket that did nothing to hide her long bare legs, but this time Lysander could see the barest hint of the gray Boxershorts poking out from under the hem.

There would be no accidental 'flashings' tonight. Still, she had great legs. He found himself wondering if he could wrap his fingers all the way around her thigh with one hand. Or her smeggin annoying neck?

The wound on her cheek was also better, showing less puffiness and inflammation, the astringent properties of Kit Jordans 'mangoes' already at work. Awkwardly Rebecca moved into the cave and slunked up against a nearby wall.

Lysander rubbed at his badly set broken nose and glanced at her.

She looked back unsure of what to say. Did she just sit here in painful silence waiting for him to broach the conversation or. . . .

"We need a communicator." She blurted out off the top of her head.

"For what?" he sneered, in her very annoying, sneering way. It was the first time he'd sneered in months.

"Galaxy is a writeoff, and we're stuck down here until those uglies come to kill us. Communicator...bah! Or were you hoping to ask Captain Bhrode what insightful things he wanted to say to us one last time, assuming -he's- still alive now too?"

Lysander felt a twinge of guilt. But still, he knew Rebecca fairly well, and he knew that her plans to get off this dirtball planet would only lead to more disappointment for her. It might be cruel, but he'd be smegged if he let her mislead herself into thinking anything but the truth.

She scowled back at him, her freckled nose wrinkling in a cute way as she did so. I need to talk to the Galaxy's COMPUTER." She explained.

"Brhode reestablished the Command functions before we were beamed down, and thus as XO, I still have access."

Lysander sneered all the harder. (That being what he was especially good at.)

Sighing Rebecca crossed her bare legs and elaborated. "If I can gain remote access, I can activate the recall codes through the Transporter systems. Normally they're coded to prevent an enemy from trying to use our own transporters to beam themselves aboard, but I have the Executive Officer's Codes necessary for the override. As long as nobody on the ship ACTIVELY interferes with us, I can command the computer to lock onto us and beam us back."

"Oh. All this would happen IF you had a communicator? Too bad you're overlooking the obvious, which you might have missed when you were passed out and all..."

And here Lysander assumed an air almost exactly like Professor Fibbinecci, their Logic professor.

"Firstly, even if you DID have a communicator, the Hirogen were in control of the ship, the last I looked. I think they might notice your little 'beam up' scheme, as they seem to have figured out how to beam people DOWN and into rocks and such."

"Why. . ."

Before she could even get more than the first word out, he sneered all the harder and continued... "SECONDLY... the Hirogen were pretty plain that they weren't going to be beaming anyone of the crew off of this place, except as the contents of a Hirogen tummy-tum-tum. Not to scare you, but they EAT their prey. And we're their prey."

"Thirdly, we're the only living crew I've seen, except for a pair of Civilians and an ensign who told me to my face that she considered her Starfleet career over and herself outside my orders, a feeling I'm starting to agree with."

'And Fourthly... we don't have a communicator anyways. Why was it so important again to be in contact with the ship?"

"Why?" Rebecca blinked. The answer was obvious. "SO we can blow up the ship if we cant re-take it from the Hirogen."

"Oh. Silly me. Tell me, were you always smeggin insane, or is this a recent thing? How do you like your birdie, rare or REALLY rare or charred to a crunchy crisp?"

Math whiz or no, Rebecca never really grasped the abstract reasoning models of Professor Fibbinecci's class so she brushed aside Lysander's 'birdie' comments with a shake of her head.

"Whatever the heck that means. The point is this. We CANT allow a group of pirates to go tooling around the quadrant in the Fleet's biggest Battleship. Millions of lives could be at risk."

"So what? What have they ever done. . ." Lysander began, but this time it was Rebecca's turn to override him.

"And, " she continued, "Even if the Hirogen are in physical control of the vessel, it doesn't mean they have access to the higher Command functions. Only Brhode and myself can do that. So we link the communicator to the Ships computer. . . .. . beam up, and while you create a diversion of some sort or the other I can evaluate the situation and blow the ship if necessary."

It seemed logical to Rebecca, and she didn't even have to resort to bunny's or fishies to make the point.

Lysander poked the roasting Birdie thingey with the knife he'd traded Arel Smith five minutes of 'quiet time' for. He was, uncharecteristicaly; quiet and contemplative.

Then he looked over at Rebecca, hugging her long bare legs to her flat chest against the chill the night was promising. The delicate and fragile plains of her face etched by the jumping ruddy light of the fire. She looked... anxious ... nervous ... expectant even.Like she wanted to know what he thought of her plan.

Lysander sighed and held out her half of the bird, dripping juices and a suspiciously blue bloody ichor from the carcass.

"Damn fine plan Princess. Except for three things." Then he maddeningly started chewing on his roast tuber.

"What?"

He cleared his throat and looked...boyish? Almost sheepish, like he didn't REALLY want to explain it to her, but felt he had to.

"Well.. first? Me or whoever makes your little 'Diversion' is going to have their ass handed back to them with some Hirogen bitemarks all over it. You took only one wallop from those things and folded faster than a Plebe's underpants during Beast Barracks. I had the joy of getting a few more hits from them, just for giggles and thanks to Kit Jordan, and they're NOT easy to distract, short of a Phaser III."

"Irrelevant" Rebecca said dismissivly, " We'd die in the blast anyways. Besides, I would only need a few seconds to set up the proper sequences. Whatever you could manage would be fine I'm sure."

Lysander chewed his roast bird some more, spitting a piece of gristle into the fire before continuing. It sort of emphasized his dissatisfaction with her plan so far, as it spat and sizzled on the embers.

"Secondly, we have ZERO chance in hell of getting past those things out of the transporter room. There's no way TWO of us, unarmed, are getting past even a Cub Scout. No way."

Again Rebecca shrugged. She didn't have to route the commands through a well guarded system. In fact she had entertained the idea of using some of the Hirogen's own tricks against them, by perhaps doing a remote access to one of the shuttle's emergency transporter. They couldn't ALL be guarded.

Lysander continued. "Thirdly. We don't HAVE a communicator. We're not GETTING a communicator. And I need you to concentrate on the situation at hand. You and I and Ensign Smith are the LAST crewmembers alive, as far as we know. We're bound by our vows to keep those civilians alive for as long as possible."

Rebecca rolled her eyes at that fluff. "Wrong-o jungle boy. The civilians are totally expendable at this point. What matters is keeping Federation technology out of Hirogen hands before they decide to go on a cruise, bar-b-queing planets."

Lysander seemed to go insane, kicking sand over the fire and shouting at Rebecca, as she huddled by the wall and stared at him wide eyed.

"SO WHILE I'D -LOVE- TO DO NOTHING SO SMEGGIN WELL AS BEAM UP TO GALAXY AND KILL EVERYONE IN SIGHT UP THERE WITH YOU TO SATISY YOUR INSANE BLOOD LUST, I'M BLOODY STUCK ON THE SMEGGIN PLANET OF DOOM WITH SOME CRAZED EIGHT FOOT TALL ALIENS TRYING TO CHEW MY SMEGGIN' ARSE OFF AND ARMED WITH STICKS AND STONES AND SMEGGIN NEWTS! SO WHY DON'T YOU BLOW IT OUT YOUR TAILPIPES -BREVET COMMANDER-???"

Lysander stood over her, his bare chest heaving in the firelight, every muscle delineated like a classic sculpture of old. His hair was tousled as if by a god and , except for the crooked nose, he could have been a 'David' created by a master sculptor.

Then he turned his back on her and strode out of the cave, leaving her alone, with a sputtering fire, half a bird thingey, and a tuber starting to smolder in the fire.

Rebecca hadnt even blkinked at his tyrade. She was however, surprised at his unwillingness to even try.

"Fine." She muttered before collecting her dinner and muddy boots and rising to her feet. "I'll do it myself."

"Memories, Light the Corners of My Mind. . . "

Ruminations from the over-agitated and caffieneated mind of:
Lt.Cmdr Lysander VanderPuls-Hawksley, Chief Tactical Officer

* * * *

Lysander sat on the half-rotted log in the dusk and idly switched the tall weeds with a broken stick.

Smeggin' Princess. . .

True to form, Rebecca had blinded herself to the world around her. So desperate to hold on to her BREVET Commander position, she'd actually suggested that Lysander kill himself to further some halfwitted plan she had.

'Just find me a communicator, Lysander, and then distract a few hundred Hirogen Hunters while I activate the codes to blow up the ship and kill everyone else. Pretty noodling please?' he mocked, to an uncaring insect lifeform that promptly shat out its opinion of Lysander and Rebecca's plan.

Still... it had possibilities, if you overlooked the part where she suggested that someone sacrifice themselves to implement it.

Too bad they had to survive the Planet of Doom first. Oh, and find or make the -one- piece of equipment that the Hirogan had made sure they didn't have.

Lysanders' brain turned down a 'memory' path that he'd been carefully conditioned not to allow it to examine too deeply.

The finest twisted minds that Starfleet Intelligence had access to, in those crazy years a Commander Chris Thomas ran it, had very carefully blocked off portions of Lysanders memories, even from himself.

So basically, if you asked Lysander about the scenario he's about to 'remember': he'd usually look quizzical and say "I dunno, go look it up in Records." Not remembering that Official StarFleet records were curiously quiet on the subject. Or that your inquiry in Records would result in a stern talking to from several Intelligence goons during the dark hours of your sleep cycle in the near future.

But the thought of hunting aliens...Hirogen.. through the corridors of the GALAXY...he'd been there...the ship. . .

Blood. . .

hunting. . . aliens. . .blood. . .screams. . .the ship!

ALiens....blood... the faces... shouting... crying.... help.... blood....faces... aliens...

Lysander's eyes were glazing over and the small muscles in the left side of his face were jumping in a 'tic' pattern. . .

While in his mind. . .

He was back on the damned USS CITY OF SAINT LOUIS again.

Back in hell.

~~So this is what Jimmy Corgan goes through. . .~~ was one of his last thoughts, as the memories flooded through the psychic chink Rebecca had opened in his psyche.

* * * * * *

"There! Lieutenant whassyername... THERE.. see it? On the Tricorder!" the young marine corporal pointed, getting the attention of the young man dressed in Fleet Reds and battlearmour class II.

Lysander looked around the group of Marines and encountered no friendly eyes. Captain Nils had agreed to move these clowns out for Fleet Command. Now that the aliens were loose and most of the crew incapicatated, Lysander was the last Bridge Officer anyone knew anything about being alive. At least the only one beside Nils herself who wasn't staring at the bulkheads and drooling, waiting for the Aliens to suck out their brains.

The emergency lights flickered and made the weird reddish tinted scene look more surreal. The faces of the Marines looked like the faces of week dead corpses, submerged under water for days on end. Wan, drawn and haggard, they cast anxious eyes to their Corporal and the Fleetie they were trusting for the moment. Hands were clenched around weapon stocks and triggers, as nervous eyes darted everywhere, espicially the faces of their comerades.

The aliens liked nothing more than pretending to be one of them, right up until you found the originals body, and the replicant turned to you with a crazy smile and an armed weapon.

But, no matter how little sleep they'd had, the Marines still looked better than most of the Saint Louis' crew, those bastards unfortunate enough to have come back with Nils from that temporal analomy, before picking up the Marines and Lysander and the new crewmembers a month ago.

Because every member of the crew who had been with Nils when they went into the anaolomy, and came back out with the alien ship in tow was pretty much a zombie, or dead now.

"No... where did it go? Damn thing's fast.. you're SURE that's an alien?" Lysander quizzed the Marine.

"Frag if I know ...sir." The kid answered, his eyes flicking all around the corridor. Those things were fast and fearless, whatever the hell they were.

"All I can say is that it ain't one of ours, and all of yours should be off this deck, so whatever it is, it's gonna die." And the Marines echoed their NCO's words with a muttered group "hoo-ah" as they checked the energy cells on their rifles and tried to look everywhere at once.

Lysander sighed. He'd come on as the Asst. Helmsman, to find his Vulcan Chief in some sort of coma and the ship detailed to take these Marines to investigate the alien ship that had come back with The Saint. Then more and more of the crew who'd gone into the analomy started dropping off into the comas, to die horrible screaming deaths as the aliens started popping up aboard ship and trying to chew their brains out.

Aliens from that thrice damned ship hanging off their port Warp Nacelle.

They only went for the coma victems, some of the new crew and the Marines were the only ones left alive aboard a GALAXY class ship that had once held over one thousand souls.

And now, the things seemed to be hunting the survivors.

Lysander shifted his Phaser III rifle and eyed the corridor again. His decision was easy.

"Smeg it. We fall back to the saucer section and help your other two platoons guard those people. Shoot anything that moves back here, or that tries to come after us."

The Marine studied Lysanders' face a moment.

"And the computer cores here, those people in the engine rooms? Hell; my fourth platoon and any of YOUR survivors who've been trying to spoon feed us power from the warp cores? WHAT ABOUT THEM LIEUTENANT?" the guy shrieked at the newly made Lieutenant Junior Grade.

Lysander stared at the Corporal.

"WHAT? YOU THINK I LIKE THIS? BUT I AM NOT SACRIFICING THE THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY ODD PEOPLE IN THE SAUCER SECTION FOR TEN POSSIBLE SURVIVORS BACK HERE!" Lysander grabbed the Marine by the tunic and shook the Terran, his breath escaping in ragged gasps. "WE'RE GONNA BLOW HER! WE'RE GONNA KILL EVERY SMEGGER THAT'S BEEN TRYING TO KILL US FOR THE LAST WEEK!"

From the litter on the deck, her Borg implants gleaming in the ruddy light, The Captain made her decision. Through chapped and dry lips she rasped.

"Lieutenant, get back to the saucer and activate the computers. We'll get any survivors and bring them back, then set a course...for....Earth. With the derelict in tow That's my order, we're not blowing anything."

Lysander stared at her, unblinking. Smegged if he let a wounded woman make his decision for him. Something was odd....something had niggling him for days now.

"No Captain. I won't. We're going with your first plan. To get back to the Starbase."

"That's my ORDER Mister Hawksley. Earth. We go...to... Earth..towing the derelict." she gasped out.

"Why not the starbase, Captain? You keep pushing for Earth, but it makes more sense to go to the Starbase. It's closer, the seperated ship can only..."

"EARTH YOU COWARD. GO TO EARTH!" she screamed, flecks of blood apprearing from her mouth.

"No." Lysander's voice was flat and cold.

Karen Nils stared at him in disbelief, then she started changing. Right up to the time Lysander blew the Alien's head off Nils' body, as it scrabbled its way out of the ruins of her skull in a grotesque parody of birth, it was changing right there in front of him.

The gung-ho Marines fell back in disgust. Lysander had just seemingly killed his own Captain, the psionic abilities of the esper-aliens hiding their control of the situation, their collective gestalt altering reality.

"You're nuts, you just killed..." the corporal gibbered.

"GET THESE MEN BACK TO THE SAUCER DOUBLETIME. I'M BLOWING THE ENGINEERING SECTION." Lysander ranted.

He'd managed to get the codes activated too, before the corporal figured that they'd fare better with a live traitor at Starbase 223, and had the rear guards stun Lysander and drag him back to the saucer.

When the warp cores blew in the Battle Section and the Alien Esper-Queen died in the resultant blast, and the remaining catonic aliens among the survivng crew in the Saucer section lifepods were examined by the Federation scientists; no one at Starbase 223 was prepared to believe the tall tale.

So the survivors were mindswiped, their memories locked under psionic dampners behind mental walls. That was the way Thomas ran Intelligence in those days, heavy handed and on a 'need to know' basis.

Because heads would roll if it ever turned out that one of the Fleets finest Captains, after coming back from the Borg with Lucutius-Picard; had been an alien scout for an unknown race for the better part of three years. And no one had known about it.

And a half-crazed and terrified Louie Junior had blasted her head off in front of ten witnesses, in the only act of deliberate mutiny aboard a Starfleet vessel in over three hundred years.

* * * * * *

Lysander sat on the log and his shoulders shook in impotent rage and horror.

He couldn't...he couldn't even talk about the dreams and memories with the counselors, because of Smeggin Thomas and his mental butchers.

And now the Smeggin' Princess was setting herself right up for a repeat. . .

All because her precious 'equations' all said that the ship should blow up because Bhrode lost it.

Lysander stared at the ship's communicator that Samantha Widdlestein had given to him in the newt village. It lay in his hand feeling like it was made of lead.

The dumb aliens had never thought to check the small child for equipment.

The small oval with the white 'swoop' on it glinted under the moonlight of the moon on Planet Doom. A faint red highlight danced on it, where the fire was reflected in its polished surface, Rebecca's slight form was like a ribbon of blackness against the light from the cave, as she peered out into the night, probally wondering if Lysander was coming back or not.

Lysander made the second hardest decision he'd ever made in his life to date.

The white and gold ovoid glittered, as it sank beneath the surface of the pool to disappear into the depths.

The tears on Lysanders cheeks were as cold as the depths of the pool.

"Smeggin Princess....she'd thank me if she ever knew. . ." was what he muttered to himself, going back up to the cave to confront Rebecca again, in the next round of the seeming dance they wove in each others lives; with a fickle Fate conducting the orchestra they danced to.

"It Ain't Over Until the Fat Lady Sings."
By Commander Kent Peterson

For the first time in quite a while Kent had thought about his parents. The irony between the link of their deaths at the Norkan Outposts and his own impending doom seemed to have brought some old memories to the surface. It was not like the incident with the Borg - though some might have figured the tragic death of his parents would leave more of an impact - but it was something he worked through a long time ago.

It was funny. As a boy he grew up listening to stories about outlaws, sheriffs, cowboys and indians and their adventures in the Old Wild West. To some small degree he felt like Jack "Mac the Kid" McConnaughey as he and his 'posse' sat behind the antiquated bars of the Romulan dungeon cell.

" ... there has got to be some way out of this cell," Peterson said as he looked for something he could possibly use to bash against the metal poles reaching from the floor to the ceiling. "These are just iron bars, it's not like a level ten force field."

"They may just be bars but the are still quite effective," Lee commented.

The comment took Kent a little by surprise. Not that he would have shown it, but this was the first time that Captain Price did not have all the answers. It made their situation seem all that much more dire.

"Maybe we can do something with the lock ..." the Starfleet commander said. In a fit of frustration Kent shot his arms through the bars and tried to reach the lock that kept the four of them imprisoned and at the mercy of the Empire. He had not intention of going through the horrors that Jii had been through. He could feel something, but nothing to work with - the Romulans had thought of the very thing he was trying to do. While they might not be forcefields they had been modified with the understanding of twenty-forth century experienced.

Peterson withdrew his arms from between the bars of the prison cells and stood there; more frustrated than he was when he first began. "It's useless."

"I don't suppose it would be wise to wonder what is going to happen to us?"

"I don't think so 'mate. It's not likely to lift anyone's spirits any I'm afraid."

At that moment the Human scientist decided to tune out completely. While he was certain he did not wish to wind up like Lieutenant Commander Elaithin, he was avoiding thoughts of their almost certain demise. Stuck, in the bowls of a Romulan dungeon, on the Romulan home world, in a heavily guarded facility, it was not like there was any room for hope.

"It's not your fault, sir. Just dumb luck is all," the security expert managed. "We almost pulled it off ... We still might. You hear Tirol... They aren't going to kill us for a while, so we still have a chance of escaping and getting out of here."

It was wishful thinking. Perhaps because Jii had faith in The Prophets - the epitomy of Bajoran mythology, which Starfleet called the Wormhole Aliens - provided him with enough comfort and belief that things might work out. Perhaps it was because his family and people survived the Cardassian Occupation. Either way, Kent suddenly started to realize why the belief in something could be a powerful thing. It was something he did not have - something he doubted he would ever have.

"That's the spirit 'Commander. And you are right, we aren't dead yet. We can just sit back and wait and hope that the Romulans make a mistake."

It was an optimistic way of looking at it. As they used to say on Earth ... 'it isn't over until the fat lady sings'. Looking around not seeing a 'fat lady' secretly allowed Kent to smile. Taking those words to heart he walked back over to the cell bars and shook them once more - maybe if he was lucky it might be enough to rattled them free of the ancient structure. Unfortunately it was not, but not through a lack of trying.

*****

The Federation away team lay on the bunks and floor, respectively, of the prison cell and tried to get some sleep. If there were going to be hope of an escape they would need to be rested to take the most advantage of any opportunity. The truth was, while they lay there, they could not sleep as the thoughts of torture and death always managed to keep them awake.

For Lieutenant Commander Elaithin the first part had already happened. He had not discussed what the Romulans had done to him - no one dared to ask to preserve his dignity and to avoid giving them an insight of what awaited - but according to Tirol they would all face the same end. Even if they knew who they were, they would take advantage of this opportunity to find out as much as they could from their Dominion War 'allies'. Beaten and naked, the shivering Elaithin was covered by the metallic colored materials from Kent and Lee's respective uniforms. While they lay there in Romulan undershirts, something resembling a T-shirt, and trousers, the security expert was still cold. Karyn had offered, but all three were concerned for her welfare and declined the offer.

Commander Peterson, lying on the floor, looked across the cell to where Karyn was laying on one of the bunks.

*****

Kent managed to open his eyes to see flashlights moving down the corridor that ran adjacent to the prison cells. He was not the only one startled by it as the sound of footfalls echoed towards them. "What's going on?" he asked as he sat up immediately, only beaten to his feet by the speed that Captain Price got up from his bunk.

"Not sure, 'mate," Lee responded he as glanced over to Karyn who had resumed a protective hold on Elaithin, almost as though she were acting maternal by nature.

The jailers reached the cell door and the rustling of metal gave them all the indication that the doors were going to open and something was about to happen. Either another one of them was going to be take out or they were all going to be led to an execution. Either way the was enough tension in the room that it could literally be felt.

The middle-aged Romulan who opened the door smirked to himself as he saw the dread and fear in the Federation officers posing as members of his own society. A veteran, he could think of nothing that pleased him more than seeing the Federation and Starfleet humiliated, as was the case with the four captives. He looked around as though he were getting ready to select a victim. Both Lee and Kent, for different reasons, moved closer to Karyn who was still holding on to Jii.

"Him!" he said as he extended his arm towards Captain Price. "We'll take him now and then the other one in the morning," he added, referring to Kent. "Then the female."

Two armed Romulans walked in and prepared to take Lee, presumably to put him through the same torment as Lieutenant Commander Elaithin, but both able-bodied men met with resistance from the Federation officers. One guard struck Kent in the face in such a way that he landed on the hard stone floor of the prison cell, while Lee received both a blow to his stomach and, then landed a blow to the back of his head.

The assault was not enough to render the former commanding officer of the Starship Galaxy unconscious, but enough to allow an additional guard to escort him out of the cell.

The door closed with a loud metallic 'clang' as it locked once more.

The three remaining Starfleet officers did not hide their frustration or apprehension as Tirol watch on helplessly. He had a better idea of what Lee would go through, and could not do anything but pity him from his own cell.

Another figure emerged from the shadows. "Wait!" the figure said, his voice making it obvious that under the shadowy figure draped in a large winter cloak, there was a Romulan man underneath. "You won't be taking that man anywhere."

"We are under orders, sir," the lead jailer responded.

"I am countermanding your orders," the mysterious figure replied as he handed the middle-aged Romulan a PADD. "Under the authority of the Imperial Senate, you are instructed to release them to my custody where they will be transported to a new location."

The jailer seemed suspicious, but the authorization appeared to be in order. "Why has there been this change in plans?"

"Not that I need answer you ... but there is word that the Federation has sent an extraction team to remove them from our custody. We wish to ensure that does not happen."

"I understand."

The thought of an extraction team coming to free them gave the four a renewed sense of hope where they had been lacking some before. While the extraction team was not there yet, the fact that Vice-Admiral T'Paal or someone else in Starfleet Commander had not abandoned them was something that they did not expect to hear.

Kent and Lee helped Jii to he feet and, with Karyn, they waited to be moved at the discretion of the mysterious Romulan figure.

"Mazes and Monsters"
by Ensign Vailen Daitaal

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

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

The transporter had barely finished placing Vailen Daitaal on the planet's surface, and Vailen had an excellent view of his arena of combat. Before him laid a shallow valley somewhere in the mountainous peaks of the hunt planet. The mountains that completely encircled the valley were covered in a think blanket of snow and a fierce storm raged in the skies about claiming the summit's as it's victims. The torrent of sound echoed through the small valley like a scream of a demon. Vailen was standing on a slope on one side of the valley that offered a complete view of the terrain with the low boiling ceiling of the storm above. The whole valley may have only been two kilometers long, and nearly half as wide.

The whole situation reminded Vailen of an old earth legend of a monster in a maze, waiting and lurking, looking for it's prey. And Vailen would be the unlikely hero of the legend. For him it was kill or be eaten, taken by this creature and devouered and nevermore be heard of. ~What was that hero's name?~ he thought as he took in the maze from a bird's eye view.

"Theseus" he muttered aloud.

With that he set forth down the slope and into the maze of the forest below. He slowly made his way down a slope of scree and came to the valley floor within a few minutes. The coniferous woods soared hundreds of feet into the sky near the center of the valley, the tops of their limbs looking as if they were stirring the storm above. Vailen guessed the slope continued through the forest into the middle of the valley, and he continued on.

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A light snow covered the forest's floor and the limbs of the trees were weighed down with a powdery snow. A few animal tracks litterd the ground Vailen was crossing and some small birds flitted among the branches of the trees. Vailen had the hunting blade tucked into his belt and the hunting rifle in his hands. He had guessed it had about a 75% charge left in it. In the back of his mind, a nagging suspicion of the rifle being useless against this cub. They were martial fighters...trained killers.....assasins. Reguardless, he would keep the weapon. He would be an idiot not to try to use it.

As he approached the center of the valley, he could see the giant trees in the middle were actually on their own little island in the middle of a small lake. Vailen bowed and felt the water, and it was ice cold. He crouched by the water's edge and surveyed the terrain he could see. He glanced back at his reflection on the surface of the water, and he looked tired and beaten, definitely cold, and a little wet from the snow. A flock of small white birds landed on the other side of the lake. Vailen decided to trust instincts as he watched them. They seemed calm and some were playing in the water while others preened themselves near the shoreline. ~The birds don't sense a predator around.~ Vailen thought ~Mind you, they may not be able to hear with this storm going on.~

He took a drink from the water and looked up to see the flock of birds fly away. The drone of the storm raging above buzzed over everything. ~I couldnt hear if a targ was walking up to me.~ he thought. ~Hirogen hunter could be standing behind me and i wouldn't even know it.~ He glanced casually over his right shoulder, then his left. Nothing.

His eyes fell upon the tall trees in the center of the lake and the tiny island that supported the massive bulks.

The water at his feet exploded into his face and a tremendous weight was thrown into Ensign Daitaal's body. Vailen was thrown flat onto his back and the creature raised itself and jumped off of the ensign's body.

TBC.......next episode : "Playing with One's Mind, all by yourself"

"Playing with One's Mind, all by yourself"
by Ensign Vailen Daitaal

Vailen sprung to his feet and whirled his rifle about at the enemy who knocked him down, but he held his fire as he watched a strange creature almost the size of a small horse and with long floppy ears study him for a moment before it hopped off into the forest without a sound. At least not one that could be heard above the roar of the blizzard raging in the skies above. Upon inspection of the track, it revealed webbed feet. "Wonderful" Vailen spoke aloud. "Giant amphibious rabbit."

His head began to throb. Doc Malgin had told him that he may have a concussion, and Vailen was beginning to think he was right. Ensign Vailen Daitaal left the shore and went back into the forest. The hirogen was here. He had to be. Vailen could almost feel it. A cold wind began to blow as the stormhead lowered and came closer to the top of the trees. Vailen shivered in his undershirt and trousers. ~At least Starfleet boots are good quality.~ he noted to himself.

A glint of metal in the distance caught his eye for a second before it vanished. He concentrated his vision on the area he spotted whatever it was in, but nothing his eyes fell across resembled it. He breathed steadily and regularily as he stood defiantly, tensed and waiting for anything else to happen. ~This is a mistake~

He moved into a brushfront and deep into the forest. He glanced back and noticed the wind did a reasonable job of blowing the fine white powder over his tracks. He wanted to climb a tree and take a survey of the area, but he dared not, for he would be a sitting duck up in a tree. Instead, he darted from tree to tree, concealing himself as he went, and waiting and observing. Still, he saw nothing, but he knew the hirogen was out there...laughing at him, mocking him and his crew.

~The mind games these hirogen play are definitely effective~ he thought. ~I havent even seen the hirogen, and i'm already jumpy. It's still best to remain cautious.~

He came over the crest of a little hill and climbing down it, he realized he was nearing the edge of the forest, and the beginnings of the slopes up to the mountains and the storm. Though the storm was slowly descending around him, and snow began to fall lightly. Vailen threw himself into a snowbank as he heared something large coming through the forest. A definite plod of heavy feet and the snapping of branches alerted him to an area about a hundred yards away as something definitely large passed by fairly closely. It plodded into the distance, and once again al lthat could be heared was the scream of the storm above echoing off the mountains and the air was getting colder. Vailen tried to block it out, but he was admittedly getting cold. He stood and bolted in the direction of the slope. He ran out of the edge of the forest and hid behind a large boulder at the base of the mountain.

He aimed his rifle into the treeline and moved it with his vision. Every twig that snapped was a hirogen. Every branch which shook it's weight of snow was a hirogen. Hirogen here. Hirogen there. Hirogen almost everywhere.....

TBC.........next episode "I Want to Take his face.....Off!"

"I Want to Take his face.....Off!"
by Ensign Vailen Daitaal

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For three hours, Vailen sat at the rock face, aiming his rifle into the treeline ready to kill prospective hirogen...Now, the storm was a mere hundred feet or so above him, and the icy wind howled at his back. Sleet had begun to fall almost an hour ago, and Vailen was becoming extremely cold. In his misjudgement, he had dropped the rifle at his feet and huddled to himself to try to keep warm. He strained to listen against the wind to no avail. He couldn't stay here. Not for much longer if he wished to live.

He picked up the rifle, and his fingers were almost too cold to hold on to the gun. He shuddered as he left the icy rocks and went back into the forest. within a few paces of the treeline, he found something disturbing.

Footprints. Big. Booted. Freshly made.

The blood in his body began to flow faster and the throbbing in his head began to pound. The cold didnt seem to matter anymore. Not right now. He looked around as far as he could, but saw nothing to denote a hirogen there. The idea sprung into his mind of following the tracks, but he would probably end up running into a hirogen trap. ~The monster can't be far away, probably only a few hundred meters at most. It was close.

Vailen decided to backtrack the hirogen's footprints, walk to where it came from. Make it come to him. Vailen only got about seventy meters before the snow had blown the tracks blind. At this point Vailen convinced himself the hirogen had to be following his tracks by now.

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The Hunter Dellmar had been stalking his prey for over four hours. Waiting and watching, observing the foolish starfleet sit on a rock. He wanted to attack then and there, kill his elusive prey and claim his prize. He consulted his sensor device and noted the large furry creature was returning. Dellmar stalked the edge of the forest and left the foolish starfleet to freeze himself. ~:Interesting actions from this one.:~ he noted to himself.

He went three hundred paces from where his prey wait, and concealed himself in a snowbank. Dellmar still had a good view of his prey. He Checked his sensor device again. The creature drew closer.

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Vailen heared the branches breaking at the last minute, and a huge furred creature came bursting through the trees, toppling some and tossing others aside. It came straight for him.

Vailen opened fire and hit the creature in the side. It roared a deafaning tone above the howl of the storm, and did not fall down. Instead it faced Vailen and bore down on him.

Vailen froze in his tracks for an instant before he pulled the trigger and held it down. He laid over a dozen shots into the mammoth of a creature before it stumbled upon itself and rolled foreward over itself. Vailen dodged six feet to one side to avoid the bulk of the fallen beast.

Vailen looked at the monster, and it was not yet dead, it's eyes glistened with water and blood and a terrible wheeze escaped from the side of it's chest. It was mortally wounded, and dying slowly. A small version of the beast lay at it's side. Vailen tried to approach, and the fallen mammoth fought to right itself and fend him away.

"Dear God...." he exclaimed. "It was a mother...."

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Hunter Dallmar was only twenty paces off of the Starfleet officer and the two carcasses of the beasts. ~:What is t doing?:~ he thought as he watched the officer's moral dilemma fall into place without realizing what the problem was. ~:Foolish prey. Giving away your position so easily.:~ He smiled a sharp toothed grin and continued to approach the creatures and his prey. He clenched his hunting blade in his left hand, and a pistol sat at his right hip. The soud of the storm covered his movement as he lined up his prey from behind and to the side.

He was only paces behind Ensign Daitaal. He would wear the mask of the Starfleet officer's face as a trophy.

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Vailen riased his rifle, trained on the creatures' head. He caused the damage, he would end the suffering of his mistake. His finger fell upon the trigger. He hesitated as he looked into it's pleading eyes, asking for the pain to stop.

The attack came from the side. The hirogen sprung forth and bodied the starfleet officer over and tumble to the ground with him. He rolled into an aggressive crouching position with his hunting knife drawn. Vailen slammed into the ground and his rifle was sent sprawling into a snowdrift. He lept to his feet and yanked out his knife in the process. He and the hirogen were mere feet from each other. Vailen's head throbbed as blood slammed through his veins, heating his body and spreading a large dose of adreniline through his system. It was a Rutian martial technique, the ability to slightly control adreniline. "With the right amount, even a mediocre soldier can be capable of tremendous things." he used to tell his men.

The Hunter Dallmar smiled evily as he spoke :Foolish prey, so easily distracted....hardly a hunt at all.:

Adreniline surged through Vailen's veins and he spat his words out at his enemy "What makes you think I didn't want you to find me?" he fingered the alien knife expertly, as it had near the same balance as his own combat knife back on the ship.

Dallmar eased his stance slightly and stood closer to his full height. The large hirogen laughed at the officer that he dwarfed. Vailen knew that combat here meant certain death for him. The furry creature on the ground bellowed with pain and was slowly drowned out by the storm above.

The storm.

His only chance.

Catching the hunter completely off guard, Vailen bolted for the treeline and for the slopes to the mountains. Dallmar stood there and watched as his prey scurried into the woods, heading for the edge of the valley's forest. He blinked twice before the hunter realized what had just happened and in a fit of rage, he took off after the officer.

He raced up and broke through the edge of the forest, following his prey's tracks. He looked up in time to watch the Starfleet officer ascend above the cloudline seventy feet up the slope and into the raging storm and vanish.

Growling, Dallmar sped up the slope of scree and found purchase on solid rock a few feet from the cloudline. His prey chose difficult terrain. His scanner was useless. Perhaps this prey was smarter than he expected.

TBC......"One shall Stand, and the Other shall Fall"

"One Shall Stand, The Other Shall Fall"
by Ensign Vailen Daitaal

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

The wind nearly ripped Vailen from the side of the mountain, but he kept climbing higher and higher. The hunter had to be right behind him. Vailen dared not look behind him. Not yet.

He reached a plateau, and snow was whipped at him, biting into his flesh, but he could not care. He was in battlefury, and nothing would appease it but combat. He glanced down the slope and was nearly blown off his plateau. He couldn't see the hirogen throught the storm. Hell. He could barely see ten feet below himself.

Ensign Daitaal hugged the wall and made his way across the expanse. On the other side of the plateau, he found nothing but a thousand foot cliff and winds that could nearly blow the Galaxy itself around. He turned and came back across the plateau, away from the cliff face. The wind must have been blowing just right, for on the other end of the plateau, the armoured and armed hirogen hunter stood.

:YOU HAVE GONE FAR ENOUGH, PREY: the hirogen bellowed, barely audible over the storm :NOW, IT IS TIME TO FINISH YOUR RUNNING. THERE IS NO WHERE LEFT TO GO:

"THEN HERE IS WHERE IT ENDS!" Vailen screamed back. "I TIRE OF RUNNING AND NOW THIS IS WHERE I WILL BE!"

The hirogen drew his pistol and threw it violently over the edge of the cliff. :THEN HERE IS WHERE ONE SHALL STAND AND THE OTHER SHALL FALL!:

Time almost stopped as the Hirogen and the Rutian ran towards one another. The hirogen had removed it's helmet and facemask, it's breath visible upon the exhale. Metal collided in a tremendous clang as their knives met. The hirogen swung his right hand at Daitaal's head, and Vailen easily deflected it as he broke the knifelock between them.

Metal connected time and time again as thrusts met parries and slashes met deflections. Vailen laid in a swift kick to the midsection of his opponent that sent him back a step. The ensign took advantage of the moment and slipped his knife into a kink in the armor. Dallmar bellowed in pain as blood leaked out of the armor at his shoulder, the anticoagulant on the blade doing it's job and making a terrible bloodflow.

Vailen stabbed his knife downwards, looking for a killing blow, but it was easily knocked aside by the hunter. The downed hunter planted his feet into the Rutian's midsection and pushed hard, throwing Vailen flat onto his back a few feet away. Vailen sprung back to his feet and turned in time for the hunter's thrown knife to bounce off his ribs, ripping a deep hole in the left side of his lower chest.

Vailen gasped and grabbed his wound and watched the hirogen pull a second knife...his backup. He charged at Vailen and the officer grabbed up the second blade and rolled out of the way. He tried to right himself but fell backwards defending against a swift series of attacks from the hunter looming over him. Locking his blades together, Vailen grasped down on the Hirogen's weapon and deftly disarmed him and tossed it aside. No sooner than he had done this that the Hirogen kicked at his hands and sent his knives following the others.

Vailen rolled over in time to miss a massive hirogen boot coming down for his head and lunged his shoulder hard against the knee of the hunter. Tendons popped and the Hirogen screamed as his knee bent unnaturally sideways.

Somehow, the hirogen managed to right himself and balance precariously on his injured leg. Vailen raised himself to his hands and knees, but the hirogen's massive boot caught his ribs on the left side, just missing Vailen's knife wound. Vailen gasped and rolled over away from the hunter. The hirogen followed hm and his boot collided with Vailen's side again, this time connecting with his wound and cracking ribs audibly.

Vailen rolled away again, noticing through a red haze he was nearing the edge of the cliff. ~A thousand feet. Hell of a long way to fall~ he thought as the hirogen kicked him again, rolling within a few feet of the cliffside. Vailen choked on blood, and wheezed air into his lungs. His side was on fire with pain, and he gasped every time he breathed in or moved slightly.

The bloody hirogen smiled down at him and stood his boot on Vailen's lower ribs, increasing the pain tenfold. He howled in triumph and turned away from Vailen, leaving him squirm in agony. He paced over and picked up one of the hunting knives and grinned. Within moments, he was standing over his fallen prey.

In final desperation, Vailen leapt up from the ground and grappled his enemy. The Hirogen's dagger stabbed deeply into the Rutian's abdomen, but it didn't slow him down. Vailen watched as a look of utter shock came over the hirogen as Vailen grabbed onto it's shoulders.

Daitaal threw himself backwards towards the edge of the cliff and slammed into the ground at the edge of the rock. With the last strength he could muster, he planted a foot in the hirogen's stomache and heaved him over his head. There was a scream that was quickly swallowed by the storm as the hirogen plummeted to his doom.

Vailen laid in a pool of his own blood, the knife still sticking out of his gut. After a few minutes, he was able to right himself and stand. He pulled the knife from his stomache and stood at the edge of the cliff, wavering in the wind.

He held onto his stomache and kept the bloody knife in his other hand and slowly made his way back down the mountain and back to the valley. ~At least I won't freeze to death there....~

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

The bloody plateau was swallowed up with fresh snow, and the red soon turned to a gleaming white. The two hunting knives laid together, crossed at the handles, almost as a savagetestament to the battle that raged in the storm.

“The Weakness”
Br Ens. Curtis Geluf, Engineering
With Unauthorized use of Lt. Cmdr Ragnald Gustavson

Curtis was desperately trying to come up with a plan. Or at least something that could give him an advantage. He and Commander Gustavson had been on the bridge for quite some time now, monitoring shipwide movement and trying to decide what to do.

The thing that still puzzled Curtis was the large gathering of officers at the Captain’s Yacht. What purpose did it serve? What was the advantage? Did they think they were going to fly the Yacht around and blow up the pursuing ships? So many questions, and zero answers. Curtis decided to focus on HIS current situation.

He and Ragnald were the only people on the bridge. They had it, the very heart of the ship, back in control. But what could they DO with it? They were using the view screen to keep track of movement. Red dots for Hirogen, Blue dots for officers.

“Looks like some weird form of Pac-Man.” Curtis thought to himself.

What kind of weakness could they exploit? Where were the Hirogen weak? Were they weak ANYWHERE? It was then that Curtis noticed something odd.

The environmental controls were set at a constant throughout the ship. The oxygen content in the air was a good deal higher than normal. Presumably tampered with by the Hirogen. “So, they’re accustomed to more oxygen in the atmosphere.” Curtis thought.

Then he happened to notice that in at least ONE section of the ship, the oxygen content was normal.

“The yacht…” he said out loud.

“What was that Ensign?” said the Commander.

“Sir! The Hirogen! They need more oxygen in the air than we do! They tampered with the environment controls when they came on board. If we were to reset them to proper levels, we might gain an edge. They would tire out a lot faster!” Said Curtis.

It wouldn’t be much, but it would at least be SOME advantage thought Curtis as he waited for a reply….

"All Alone In The Night"
Donovan Black, Tactical Ensign
Sendi Soleri, Science Ensign
Slisik, Tactical Ensign

-Black and Soleri-

Donovan Black and Sendi Soleri left the lake around noon. They kept up a light jog for most of the rest of the day, almost reaching the far edge of the woods. There they settled under an old stream bank, currently low and frozen in the winter. Donovan created a fire and then helped Sendi set up the single sleeping roll that had been found in the ex-Hirogen rucksacks. He gave it to Sendi and sat by the fire next to her. They were quiet. Donovan sat cross legged, with his phaser compression rifle sitting in his lap, meditating.

He focused his thoughts on the USS Icarus. For some reason the Icarus kept coming to mind, despite the fact that he was running for his life. An image formed in his vision of the old Oberth-class vessel. The registry numbers NCC-51671 could clearly be seen etched into the hull. Then an explosion and the Icarus was gone, replaced by the all too familiar bridge. This time he was calm. The images of the Icarus’ bridge crew, people who he would have known, formed around him. McHara, the captain, Gordon, the first officer, and S’Tarleya. Always S’Tarleya. This time their images appeared uninjured.

“Who are you?” the image of Captain McHara asked, his scottish accent echoing around the bridge.

“What do you want?” asked Gordon smoothly. The young man with slicked back hair was also the flight control officer.

“I am Donovan Black, and I do not yet know what I want.” Donovan found himself saying. S’Tarleya, the slim, beautiful Romulan smiled faintly.

“Excellent choice of words, Donovan. But now to the real reason for your presence. The release you seek, unknowing.” she said enigmatically, leading him toward the center of the bridge.

Suddenly the scene shifted and Donovan found himself facing the viewscreen, again smashed in. McHara was again dead in his command chair and a black scorch mark was all that remained of the deck where Gordon’s station had been. S’Tarleya, once again wearing the injuries that killed her, stood by the science console. Once again Black was faced with Venril. But this time he had someone else with him. A tall, gaunt, older Hirogen with a pair of barbed daggers in his belt.

“Turn around, Ensign Black.” the old Hirogen said.

“Face your destiny, Ensign Black.” Venril commanded.

“Let her in, Ensign Black.” the old Hirogen taunted him.

“Or it is us you must fear, not yourself.” Venril’s voice took on a dangerous edge.

Donovan, prepared for this moment by a lot of thought that he had done during the day’s running, he turned and reached for the turbolift controls. He found them to be hot to the touch. He punched in a code that he did not know and the door began to open, sliding up into the ceiling. Donovan barely managed to see the pair of Starfleet-issue booted feet. He was jerked back to reality by a cool hand on his shoulder.

It was at that point that he realized that the hand he had thought was punching keys on the turbolift doors was actually dangerously close to going straight into the fire. Donovan quickly jerked back before he burned himself.

“Donovan?” Sendi asked, a simple, open-ended question. Her hand remained on his shoulder.

“Hmmm? I’m all right Sendi. Just meditating.” he said. He seemed distant, faraway now. ‘Fascinating how this human’s moods awing back and forth.’ Sendi noted to herself. But he smiled softly. Sendi got up and came over to him.

“Sendi.”

“Donovan?” she asked as she settled next to him on the had ground, “This morning, you said....”

“Yes.” he said, cutting her off.

“Yes? Yes what?” Sendi responded, cocking her head.

“Yes, I think I love you. That is what you meant, right?” he said. This time it was he who put his arm around Sendi’s waist. she smiled.

“Good. Had you said that yo me and not meant it. It would have been a grave insult.” Sendi said in mock seriousness. Donovan smiled and put his arms around her. He drew her to him and they fell asleep once again, knowing that if the Hirogen arrived at least they would die together.

They awakened barely an hour later to voice in their minds. A smooth feminine voice. Donovan remembered it from somewhere, but couldn’t quite place it.

“Venril lives! He is almost upon you. Run if you value your existence!” the voice came calmly, piercing the chaos of thought. The tromping of boots could be heard in the distance.

“But how is Venril alive? I killed him with my own two hands.” Black thought.

“Don’t mind that. Just run!” the voice said, more urgent now. What could they do? Abandoning the bedroll and bags, they grabbed their jackets and weapons. Then they fled into the night.

“If Any Dawn Can Pierce These Clouds”
Donovan Black, Tactical Ensign
Sendi Soleri, Science Ensign
Slisik, Tactical Ensign
Venril, Gamma Hirogen
Kro’phul, Hirogen Physician

-Slisik-

Slisik hunted the hunters, stalked the stalkers. She walked in the darkness where shadows lay. The Hirogen, their wrathful leader Venril, and even Kro’phul the physician, were ignorant to her machinations. Slisik leveled the TR-116, aiming at the rearmost Hirogen hunter. The targeting scanner clicked into place over her right eye, providing her with night vision, as the young vulcan raised the rifle to her shoulder. The targeting sensor revealed the back of the Hirogen’s head through the foliage. Slisik squeezed the trigger. She did not wait to see if her shot hit, but rather she ran, shifting positions so that she wouldn’t be seen.

-Venril-

Venril walked forward, clasping the Hirogen Plasma Rifle that Kro’phul had brought down for him. In his belt was the last of the trophies taken from Donovan Black’s weapons case, the dikeiferite mek’leth. ‘A Klingon blade.’ Venril noted. he admired the short sword, with it’s wickedly curved blade.

His thoughts were interrupted by the rearmost of his six Hirogen dying in a shower of golden Hirogen blood. The hunter was born forward by the impact of the shot in his skull. He was dead before he hit the ground.

Venril snapped his arm out, pointing in the direction the bullet had come from. “Hunt the shooter down, now!” he bellowed, drawing the mek’leth and charging, while a volley of plasma bolts slashed through the trees. The bolts ripped up foliage and scorched rocks, but did not find their target. Venril and his men then charged off in the opposite direction as Donovan, chasing a phantom. Slisik hoped that it would buy her enough time to hook up with her fellow officers.

-Black and Soleri-

Donovan and Sendi ran. “Bloody heavy thing.” Donovan complained. He had been running on almost no rest for nearly forty-eight hours and the normally light phaser compression rifle was unbelievably heavy in his arms. Sendi had long ago simply let the vulcan pulse rifle hang from it’s straps as she struggled to keep up with Ensign Black. Her injured ankle wasn’t helping things, especially since she had bruised it on an exposed root a few miles back.

Sendi finally gave in, holding up her left hand to signal a stop. “It’s my ankle.” she said to Donovan as they ground to a halt. He helped her to the ground and removed her left boot. He massaged the injured ankle, admiring the smoothness of her blue skin.

“I’m sorry. I’m slowing you down. You should leave me. I can fend for myself.” she said, breathing heavily from the long period of running.

“You’re being foolish, Ensign Soleri. I have a duty as a starfleet officer, not to mention someone who cares, to get you off this world alive. Now let’s get going.” he responded in a crisp, military tone that brought Sendi back to a more reasonable state of mind. He started to help the young Andorian up. A sudden rustling of the bushes caused him to drop her and snap his rifle up to his shoulder, aiming the business end at the offending foliage.

“Relax, Ensign Black.” a voice said in his head, then a slim Vulcan woman slipped from the bushes, holding Donovan’s own TR-116. He recognized her as Slisik, the other tactical ensign that had come on board the USS Galaxy alongside himself.

“Ensign Slisik, that would explain the telepathic messages.” Donovan said, lowering the compression rifle and helping Sendi to her feet.

“We should move on. I have delayed Venril but he will not remain confused for long.” Ensign Slisik said dryly, then jogged off into the woods. Donovan and Sendi hefted their rifles and fell in behind, Donovan’s katana clattering in it’s sheath.

“So how long have you been following us?” Donovan asked Slisik as they ran.

“Since the hunt began. I followed them out of your quarters and down to the planet. I was the one who killed the hunter on the ledge and I warned you about Venril.” she responded. Sendi jogged closer.

“That’s what I don’t understand. Donovan killed Venril, so how is it that Venril is still hunting us?” Sendi asked the young vulcan, sidestepping a branch.

“Apparently neither of you minored in medicine at the academy. Donovan hit the Gamma’s nerve center, paralyzing him from the neck down. To the outside, world he appeared dead.” Slisik said, “A Hirogen physician revived him. Now five hunters, the physician and Venril are pursuing us.”

“Either way, we need to keep moving into the mountains. The terrain is very rocky there and we could set up an ambush. It is certainly more desirable than trying to fight here where there’s no cover.” Black said. He checked the charge on his compression rifle. It still had plenty of charges left in the energy cell.

“There appears to be a suitable valley up ahead in the mountains. THere are some downsides. It will take us several hours to get there and when we do, there is no guaranteeing that we would arrive more than a few moments ahead of the Hirogen.” said Slisik, running with a fluid grace,

“We’ll just have to chance it.” Sendi said grimly, but managed to smile at Donovan. The three officers continued their run.