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((Blueheart’s Quarters, USS Atlantis)) ::Dreams never follow a coherent sequence.. :: ((Dreamscape – flashback to stardate 238908.22)) ((Il Diavolo Blu, Living Museum District, Sigma Iotia II)) BLUEHEART: We have a reservation. ::The girl was in her early twenties. She had on a glittery sheer sleeveless blouse that extended to just below a small waist. A similarly colored pleated skirt barely covered her knees, seemingly attached to her blouse via a loose-fitting silver chain that functioned as a belt, perhaps. Her pitch black short hair stuck to her scalp in undulating rivulets, held in place with an ample amount of mousse and a beige hair band with a large silver flower on one end. She had thin lips, painted a deep blood red, to compliment her rouged cheeks. Her violet eyes sparkled as she nodded to the gentlemen and turned around to draw and hold open heavy scarlet velvet drapes. Raj and Emerson spent a full minute to take it all in. Red. Nearly everything bled, oozed and dripped red. From tablecloths to tea-light glasses, the curtains all around the room to the walls themselves, the rose-scented candles to lamp shades, the suspenders on the men playing in the band to roses worn by the waitresses. All varying hues and species of red. Raj nearly squealed in delight. The pretty girl in the sheer-colored fluid dress escorted them to their table before duly departing. Raj was aware of stares directed at them, and having a table in the middle of the room didn’t help to divert some of that attention. Emerson, on the other hand, was fully aware and basked in the stolen glances and intimate whispers suddenly having sprung all around them. The band played a lazy, bluesy number. All the players were dressed in black shirts, black pants, black fedoras, and narrow red suspenders. Whirls of blue smoke drifted languidly to the chandelier-decorated ceiling above, like lifeless jellyfish. Most of the male patrons of the club were evidently middle-class as ascertained by their outfit of jackets and vests and suspenders and fedoras, smoking cigars and slim cigarettes, but there were a number of upper-class gentlemen present as well, dressed in top hats and tuxedos, smoking pipes and drinking brandy; women with elegantly coiffed hair strung with pearls, or in beautifully crafted cloche hats, smothered in mink, ermine, fox and chinchilla, draped on their men’s arms. Emerson helped Raj into his seat before taking a seat himself.:: BLUEHEART: ::reaching out across the small round table to tighten the noose of Emerson’s tie:: There. Perfect. ::Emerson wore a dark olive green thin-lapelled jacket and vest with matching straight-cut slacks that ended slightly above the ankles. Raj was initially hesitant about green altogether, fearing it might make him look like a leprechaun, but the final ensemble was well worth the risk. Underneath the vest he had on a crisp white shirt buttoned at the wrists with ivory cufflinks. His tie was a solid mauve and hid behind his vest. Slicked back with a ton of hair gel, the red-haired xenolinguist almost looked bald, not having his luscious curly tresses running wild. But this was well camouflaged with an olive fedora with a thin camel band around its circumference. Raj had stuck a dappled partridge feather on one side of Emerson’s fedora, and he admired this ingenious accessory ever so often. The first officer had on a similarly tailored midnight blue vest and trousers, over which he threw on a matching jacket that had barely-discernible mauve pinstripes. He also wore a lavender shirt underneath with a solid magenta tie, and a midnight blue homburg with a broad mauve band. A nine-inch golden pheasant tail feather stuck to the left side of his hat completed the outfit. Both men wore polished black-and-white banded shoes with white socks, as was the what-was-I-thinking fashion of the era.:: WAITRESS: Drinks, gentlemen? ::Her multiple droopy silver necklaces chimed against the table.:: BLUEHEART: Absinthe for me. RAVENSCROFT: ::giving Raj a curious look:: oO Seems the Prohibition doesn’t extend to this part of town. Oo Red Death. Oh, and bring me a cigar. BLUEHEART: ::after the waitress sauntered away:: You don’t smoke. RAVENSCROFT: Neither do you drink anything stronger than wine. BLUEHEART: ::grinning mischievously:: ‘Tis a good night for recklessness! RAVENSCROFT: oO If I didn’t know better, I’d say he’s drunk already. Oo ::chuckling:: You’re not having a midlife crisis are you? BLUEHEART: What? ::He laughed.:: RAVENSCROFT: You want to prove to the young jay-gees that you’ve still got it by getting drunk, getting laid and getting into a bar brawl? BLUEHEART: ::sly grin:: Getting laid isn’t so bad. RAVENSCROFT: ::smirking:: Unless it’s with the Captain. BLUEHEART: Ack! RAVENSCROFT: What! I think the Captain cuts a dashing figure.. for a two hundred-year-old. BLUEHEART: ::wide-eyed with disbelief:: He’s my commanding officer! It’s inappropriate! Besides, he isn’t my type. RAVENSCROFT: Well, that didn’t stop a certain--- BLUEHEART: ::scolding:: Hey! RAVENSCROFT: When you’re drunk, you’re drunk. ::shrugging nonchalantly:: Things happen. BLUEHEART: ::narrowing his eyes and glaring at Emerson:: Then I had better keep you on a very short leash, lest you stray. RAVENSCROFT: Ooh a leash. Kinky. ::The waitress returned with their drinks and cigar. She waited until Emerson clipped off one end before lighting it. Emerson fished out a wad of greenbacks and handed it to her with a complimentary wink and a tip of the hat. She giggled and bounced away.:: BLUEHEART: ::rolling his eyes:: Aren’t you going to pinch her bottom? RAVENSCROFT: Good idea. Then you can spank me for being a naughty, naughty boy. ::Emerson inhaled on the cigar, unsuccessfully suppressing a paroxysm of violent coughing, then exhaled a cloud of blue-grey smoke above his head. Raj stared at the absinthe spoon and sugar cube set aside by the waitress next to his shot of the green alcoholic drink. Ignoring the accompanying paraphernalia, he downed the entire glass of absinthe in one gulp and turned red as a lobster, breathing through his mouth to let unseen flames escape his scorched esophagus.:: BLUEHEART: ::mildly breathless::Wow! RAVENSCROFT: ::frowning, amused:: I’m pretty sure that’s not the way it’s done. BLUEHEART: ::waving at another waitress, a brunette this time, with his empty glass in the air:: Seems like there’s a lot of things I don’t know--- ::He stopped abruptly and stared blankly at Emerson.:: RAVENSCROFT: ::after a few silent seconds:: Well? Go on. The suspense is killing me. BLUEHEART: ::to the returning brunette waitress holding a bottle of Spanish absinthe:: Leave the bottle, dear. ::Emerson fished out another wad of bills and paid her handsomely. Returning his gaze at Raj, he found him already downing his second shot straight up, coughing and hacking afterwards. Emerson gently reached out across the table and placed a warm hand over his friend’s.:: RAVENSCROFT: ::in a soft, endearing voice:: What’s really going on here, Raj? ::The band struck up an up tempo number. There was applause all around and little squeals of delight and giggles of excitement. Middle-class ladies and gentlemen, women clinging to their long necklaces cascading down their necks, in front of their dresses, and men holding on to their fedoras and tugging on their suspenders, left their tables and rushed to the area in front of the stage on which the band played. They danced. The women’s slinky dresses shimmering like diamonds as they spun, kicked and gyrated to the fast jazzy number. The men’s shoes made rhythmic taps and clicks on the well-polished hard wood floor, their moves just as smooth, just as passionate. The movements were so fast Raj couldn’t tell if the dancers were doing the Charleston, Lindy hop or black bottom. The dance partners came together only to separate. The men twirled their gals over their heads, over the floor and around their waists. Those pouty lips. Those swaying hips. Strong muscular arms on delicate porcelain skin. A frenzy of flailing arms and legs, synchronized and coordinated. Raj felt the blood rush into his cheeks. His heart pounded in tandem with the bass. His soul wailed with the horns. He stood up, straightened his back, breathed excitedly, and removed his jacket, letting it fall onto the back of his hardback chair. He reached out his right hand for Emerson. With his posture slightly askance, his left arm bent behind his back and his right outstretched before him, he was not unlike a cavalier goading his opponent to a duel.:: BLUEHEART: ::with passion and fire in his eyes and charm on his lips:: Dance with me! ::And so began the duel.:: ((End dreamscape/flashback)) TBC ====================================== Commander Raj Blueheart Commanding Officer USS Atlantis NCC-74682

((Conference Room, Deck 1)) ::This was a mutiny! There were all against him! He was completely shocked that they would try and do this to him. Had he not been a good and honest Captain to him? Where was the gratitude and loyalty? :: ::Commander Greir Reinard was not himself and he couldn’t understand why everyone was questioning him. He couldn’t think properly or see past the red mist. He had never behaved like this in his life and everyone in the room seemed to know it was uncharacteristic of him too. :: Reinard: Oh no you don’t! ::Breathing heavily and getting more agitated:: Mutiny! I won’t have it! ::He thought he could trust these people, so why were they doing this to him? It didn’t seem right or fair to him! :: Falcon: ::Voice still calm, but nervousness working its way in.:: Sir, this isn’t mutiny. We’re concerned for you. That’s all. Thomas: ::Keeping his eye on the Captain, Kael addressed the Counsellor.:: Commander Brice, you’ll be accompanying the Captain to where he wants to go. ::That sounded more like it. They were going to do what he wanted. He lowered the chair a little so it wasn’t raised high above his head. He was glad they had remembered their place. :: Brice: Where? Thomas: He wants to go to the Brig, we’ll escort him there. But first I need to organise to get him there. ::Wait what? What did they mean by ‘organise to get him there’? weren’t they going to walk like normal people? He’d been putting the chair down but stopped as he suddenly became suspicious and paranoid all at once. :: Reinard: Hold on a minute. What are you doing? We are going to the brig right? ::He meant to go and talk to Bo’Sun. He didn’t know why but he strongly felt that’s what they needed to do. If this was a mutiny though as he now felt it was… maybe this was a trick to put him in the brig! He had never thought Commander Thomas capable of such treachery. How could he make such a poor choice in him for first officer when he was normally such a good judge of character? He’d never felt so betrayed in his life and it hurt badly. :: Thomas: =/\= Ensign Block, lock onto the Captain and Commander Brice, and prepare to transport. Confirm when that is done. =/\= ::Greir started to raise the chair again. He wasn’t planning on escorting him anywhere! He was only locking on to Brice and himself. She was the only one who could back him up and stop Thomas. His actions were out of order!. :: Block: =/\= Locked on sir, where am I sending them? =/\= Thomas: =/\= Listen carefully and when I’m finished do it immediately. Transport the Captain and Commander Brice, ::now speaking as quick as he could be understood.:: to sickbay and place the Captain behind a containment field…NOW! ::Greir gave an almighty roar of pure rage and swung the chair back over his head, preparing to flig it with all his might. Unfortunately the transporter beam took him and the momentum the chair had gathered send it flying backwards towards the door..:: ((Sickbay - Darwin-A)) ::As soon as Greir materialised in sickbay he slumped to the floor. The transport had made him feel disoriented and he was completely surrounded by an energy field. He felt like it was pressing him into place. Worse still he could feel the energy fields from the warp core and the freighter becoming stronger. He was desperately afraid and needed to get out of here as quickly as possible. :: ::He could hear voices behind him and got to his feet, using the biobed as a support. He began to get his bearings again. He’d never fielded this much all at once and the fact that he couldn’t control it and filter out things like normal was pushing his freak out button. :: ::That wasn’t what was making him so angry and aggressive though, although it was a contributing factor to his emotionally turbulent state. He could think clearly, he didn’t feel himself and he was all too mindful of the problems he’d suffered as a child. He was certain something had gone terribly wrong when he’d banged his head. :: ::Now he was trapped in a place that was lit up worse than the city of Bondi had been and there was no countryside to retreat to. If his nervous system got too overloaded with it all then he could be paralysed or maybe killed. He felt more and more sure, with the pain in his head and growing nausea that the worst would surely happen. :: Manius: Captain, this is Dr Manius, can you tell me what’s wrong? I want to help you. Reinard: ::In a panic:: Make it stop! It’s killing me! ::Was there anyone on this ship that would help him? Maybe he’d had it too good for too long and the price for everything great he’d had in life was an early and painful exit from this stage in the cycle. He wasn’t ready to cease being yet. There was still so much he wanted to do! :: Manius: What’s killing you? You have to tell me or I can’t help. ::Greir strained to focus and think hard to try and explain the problem. It should have been a simple matter to express but he’d become riled up way beyond a point where he could control himself, even with all of his years of training in counselling. :: Reinard: The energy fields. It’s too much! You have to drop the energy fields ::It came out as a terrified plea. His fielding had reached a point that had he been asked to find anything on the ship freighter or immediate area, down to the smallest energy weapon he could find it in a heartbeat. He was unprepared for it! :: Manius: ::Speaking urgently:: Ok I’ll do you a deal. You lie on the biobed and I’ll drop the containment field. ::Greir paced around. Lie on the biobed. Lie on the biobed. Lie on the biobed. It sounded so simple. For the first time since this had all started he felt like he knew what he had to do. That it would lead to something good happening made it all the more appealing. :: Manius: Captain! Lie down on the biobed! ::Right! Lie on the biobed. Now would be good. He stopped his pacing and did it immediately, trying to calm his breathing down so he didn’t hyperventilate. Sure enough the containment field came down and there was one less thing assaulting his senses. Maybe this could work. Greir wanted another deal like that. One that led to another, bigger switch off. :: Manius: Just like I said sir, the containment field is down. Just try to remain still and calm. ::What, no deal? Greir couldn’t handle that. Was he supposed to just lie here and die? No. There was only one thing for it, he had to get away. He needed to get as far away from the Darwin as possible, by any means. :: Reinard: ::Urgently:: I need to get out of here! ::He sat up suddenly, with wide panicked eyes. He lunged at Dr Manius, the man who stood between him and his continued existence. There was a struggle as Greir tried to get past Manius and out of the room. The man had grabbed him and intended to put him back on the death bed. He was just as much a traitor as the rest. :: Manius: ::Strained:: Computer! Re-erect containment field! ::Greir freaked out and screamed right in Todd’s face. He had no regard for anything or anyone else and was furious that his freedom had been denied. Already feeling angry and aggressive this latest mood stoked the fired and he finally crossed the final barrier, assaulting Todd by violently striking him, hard in the face. The instinctive move had left him exposed and a small hiss by his ear indicated the Doctor had succeeded in pumping him full of drugs. He felt extremely tired all of a sudden and with it the powerful emotions seemed to fade into the background as he slumped to the floor and sleep took him.:: Tbc! Commander Greir Reinard Commanding Officer USS Darwin-A Cadet Steward: UFOP: SB118 Academy

(( USS Drake - Science Lab )) ILWARY: I think we can say with 99% confidence that they are us. ::She gasped and panted few times watching his expression attentively.:: oOHe hates me now.Oo ~I'll go and report to Captain, you can go and report to Commander Brice. Explain her also about the radioactive substance they found out about and tell her I'm going to talk to Captain and ask if we can do the active scan of the planet ourselves to check their findings.~ WORICK: ~...okay~ :: He was already pulling back from contact, afraid not of her but of his own feelings...although Ireya might not be able to tell the difference. :: ILWARY:~ I think that finding out about the substance is now most important. Go, we'll talk later.~ ::She paused for just a moment.::~ If you want to talk to me again.~ WORICK: ~ I... ~ :: Abruptly, the scientist turned and fled. She thought he hated her...he'd sensed that. In fact, he wasn't convinced she didn't hate herself. Hate the weakness she fought every day. Didn't she know how amazingly strong she was? But he couldn't be in her presence right now. He just couldn't. He couldn't stand the look in her eyes, that assumption, that sure and certain knowledge that having seen her so intimately he couldn't help but hate her. The...arrogance that thought she knew what everyone else's feelings were. :: :: He barreled into an unused lab and locked the door, then leaned against the inside of it. :: WORICK: I need the counselor is what. I need...help. :: He wanted the feelings he had to go away. And he couldn't talk to the counselor herself - she was on the bridge running the ship. Maybe one of her assistants. No...none of them were telepaths or empaths, none of them would understand. And he certainly wasn't going to try and talk to a Vulcan. :: :: Carlton Worick sank to the floor, head in hands, waiting until he had enough control over his thoughts and feelings to be able to stand being seen in public. Being seen by her? He...curse it. He wanted so badly to wrap his arms around her, but he knew she would misunderstand, would see it as that thing even worse than hatred. :: :: Pity. :: PNPC Carlton Worick Science Officer USS Drake

((USS Thunder-A - Somers Homestead - Earth)) ::After their little adventure in the Sol system the Thunder had returned to earth, the ship was docked at Earth Station McKinley undergoing repairs, so the crew had time off. While Paul went to visit his Mother and Fathers Family and reacquaint himself with them, Alex spent sometime with her parents.:: Samuel Somers: ::giving his daughter a big hug and holding her at arms length as he looked at her:: Well back so soon, not that I am complaining of course, nasty business out at Hegemone, but that is business, how long are you home for and where is my new Son-in-law? ::Sam asked.:: A. Somers: I am back here till I am recalled as is Paul, but he has gone to visit his side of the family, this will be the first time in a long time that he would have been home for any length of time. So how is mom and where is she? S. Somers: Your mother is out visiting old colleagues, she will be back later ::Sam responded putting his arm around his daughters shoulder as her Sister Karyn and her partner entered, Alex looked puzzled, she knew her Sisters sexual orientation, but her partner was new.:: A. Somers: ::Giving her Sister a big hug:: So Sis you going to tell me who your new partner is? K. Somers: ::Hugging back then stepping back:: This is Danielle, we were just going out hiking, you want to join us? ::Karyn asked.:: A. Somers: No thanks Sis, you go enjoy yourself, pleased to meet you Danielle ::Alex said and the woman only smiled as both left the house, she looked back at her father:: That is what her fourth partner since leaving the Embassy? S. Somers: Its her sixth, but whose counting, she is a big enough girl and lets not go there. A. Somers: Agreed ::pause:: so what have you been doing with yourself since I left so soon after the wedding? S. Somers: Oh Starfleet Diplomatic Corps had Starfleet High Command reactivate my commission, I am still a Colonel but now I am officially the envoy to Kronos, it seems that the Klingon High Council wish now to only deal with a warrior and I am told you had a hand in my new appointment ::Sam said.:: ::Alex broke away and holding out both hands.:: A. Somers: Whoa dad! I did not speak to any Klingon envoy or even to the Chancellor, so how in Hades could I have assisted in your new appointment!? :she asked clearly puzzled.:: S. Somers: Easy there lass, I am not blaming you, but it seems on your Klingon held After Wedding party you got into a drinking contest with a group of Klingon's and apparently drunk all but one under the table and you and the last Klingon apparently collapsed at the same time. ::pause:: That Klingon was their Envoy to Earth and he was impressed at your cast iron constitution and ability in imbibe strong drink and remain coherent. ::beat:: So he put in a request to have the flame haired Terran Warriors Father as the Federation's Official Envoy to Kronos, so now I have a posh office at Starfleet Headquarters and two Advisors and an Aide plus a Secretary and I am missing the days where I was ducking Phaser fire and it is all thanks to you ::he said with a smile, to show he was not mad.:: A. Somers: Wow dad, I never knew getting blasted would get you assigned such a position, but if they had seen me when I returned to the Thunder-A, I do not think they would be too impressed. S. Somers: How so? A. Somers: First Off there was the Upchuck, then just as I thought I had finished I upchucked some more and by the time I had finished the ships Doctor had to replenish my vitals, Paul of course stood there like a pillar of stone totally emotionless, where I was concerned, but he did speak to the Doctor, I was too ill to pay any notice ::she responded.:: ::As the day wore on and her Mother came home and warmly greeted her Daughter and they talked, by 2300 hours the past few days had caught up with her, she yawned and excused herself saying she was retiring for the night so up to her room she went and got into her night-dress and went to sleep and in her sleep, she had the most weird dream, one that she would remember for the rest of her days.:: ((Alex Somers Bedroom - Somers Estate - 2300 hours)) ((Dreamscape)) ::This was one of her more€¦ Craziest dreams, but it would bring her to a revelation, one which she would share in knowledge like an old Historical Starfleet Officer.:: ((USS Yorktown - Personal Quarters - September 1 2421)) ::Alex was walking from one room into another, even though she knew it was a dream, it was surreal, she noticed she was wearing some kind of Marine Uniform, it was not recognisable but she looked in the mirror and gasped, she still had her Red hair, but now it was in a bob and liberally streaked with white, her features were that of and old woman. Then she noticed her rank which showed Colonel rank, she looked at her file and saw that she had recently turned 60.:: Somers: So I finally make it to Colonel but I am an old woman when I do, interesting, still I managed to keep my figure ::she said to herself suddenly she found herself sitting on the bridge which was unfamiliar to her as it was not set out like any ship she had served on before and it mostly had Marines on the bridge.:: ::The ship had just gone to Red Alert and was responding to a distress call from Betazed, with her, she knew, how she did not know, but she knew she had two other Ships on her left and right flanks respectively, she called up her ships name class and registry number and that of her companion ships.:: Somers: ::speaking to herself:: interesting USS Yorktown NCC 1941-C Achilles Class Refit, that is this ship, now what of my wingmen? ::she asked herself:: interesting, things must be bad for Starfleet if they have Marines commanding Starships ::suddenly she knew the Federation was once again at war with a powerful enemy and barely holding their own.:: So my wingmen are the USS Nimitz NCC 96318-A and the USS New Horizon NCC 89071-A, both are also Achilles class refit. ::pause:: [...] I have my own battle group ::she said in surprise, as even on a basic Achilles class; the ship had eight dorsal Micro Quantum torpedo launchers in addition to four forward firing and two rear firing standard size torpedo launchers add in a mix of Pulse Phaser Cannons and High graded Phaser arrays an Achilles Class ship was nothing to be sneered at, even alone it could hold its own in a battle with a much larger ship.:: ((Betazed Foothills - September 15 2421)) ::Now she was standing in a valley in the Betazed foothills, she looked behind and saw some fleeing refugees. She remembered that having lost her Wingmen in a space battle, and the Yorktown shortly after that she had escaped to the Planet with 299 Marines and a Fleet Medical Officer. She had assured the refugees that her 300 troops would hold the enemy at bay while they escaped, now she saw some portable automated Pulse Phaser and Torpedo turrets placed on the hills on the left and right sides of her dug in platoon, she tightened her combat webbing. It was now she realized she carried three types of bladed weapons, her Mek'Leth and Bat'Leth and on her right hip was her D'Tagh Knife and on her left was her collapsible quarterstaff. She also had her Phaser versions of her trusty Desert Eagle Pistols and a standard Mk 40 Pulse Phaser Auto-fire Rifle it resembled in size and style the rifles used in Picards time on the Enterprise-E, but it had more options and was somewhat more powerful. She looked to her left and right and noticed that all her troops carried an assortment of bladed weapons. Somers: So our enemy finds honour in bladed combat, ::it was then she noticed her units patch:: First Platoon 95th Rifle Regiment Starfleet Marine Corps ::pause:: dammit the Federation must be in an all out war if old units had been reformed ::she said to herself.:: ::There was one refugee who she held back so he could carry her last recording to her superiors on Earth, she sealed and coded the device and looked at the refugee.:: Somers: Give this to the First Starfleet Ship Captain or Klingon ship Captain you meet and tell them this ::beat:: This is the last report from Colonel Alexandria Lynne Somers Colonel in the 95th Rifle Regiment and we shall hold out for as long as we can, while we can, do you understand? ::she asked and the guy nodded.:: Good now get to your transport ::she said and watched him flee as sonic booms were heard as enemy drop ships made their decent.:: Raise the Regimental colours ::She said, knowing that one of her own crew would have picked up their battle Colours along with the Federation flag.:: ((USS Yorktown - Betazed Orbit - One day earlier)) ::The Trio of ships commanded by Alex arrived in the Betazed system and was immediately in combat, after years of fighting together these three crews reacted as one and their enemy found out just what the Achilles class was capable of, but despite early victories, they had numbers against them. The enemy had plenty, they were only three Elite ships, but they cut a good sized chunk into the enemy armada. They used their torpedoes sparingly after the first volleys, now the element of surprise had gone and the enemy ships began to cause damage to them, Alex was clinging to her chair as reports from her Comms Officer came in.:: 1st Lieutenant Lane: Captain, the New Horizon has just been lost a number of escape pods are heading for the Betazoid foothills and the Nimitz has gone out in traditional Klingon fashion and we have began to show some damage, we will not last much longer all torpedoes are spent we are only on Phasers now ::she reported.:: Somers: Okay we will take as many with us as we can, order all excess crew to abandon ship use every available shuttle and escape pods and head to the location of the Nimitz escape pods, I will remain with my XO and two Officers, I assume there is enough power to send a distress call and Emergency transporters? ::she asked.:: Officer: Yes Captain, also I have brought these for you, it would be a shame to leave them behind ::the Officer said handing Alex her prized weapons, the Twin Katanas she carried in the past were nowhere to be seen.:: Somers: ::Smiling:: Thank you now send off that distress call and get to an escape pod ::she said and watched as most of her crew left.:: Its bigger than a shuttle, but I think I can fly her ::she said sitting at the Helm, Triome take shields Keral weapons lets show them what riflemen can do shall we? ::she said as she swung her ship around and out to a safe distance and stopped.:: Lt. Col. Triome: Why are they not shooting? ::the Bolian first Officer asked.:: Somers: Well you have one badly beaten up Achilles class ship facing off over a thousand enemy ships, they enemy commander is probably thinking I am either insane, I am going to run or I am going to Kamikaze, if what intel files say about these Grivaan are correct the enemy Commander is either curious or shocked, but expect a communication from him soon, Keral how are those weapons looking? ::she asked her Klingon Second Officer.:: Major Keral: All weapons are functional, but I estimate we will last no more than ten minutes, fifteen if extremely lucky. Somers: ::Looking at the Klingon:: I would like to say today is a good day to die, but we will not be dying this day my friend ::she said and as predicted the enemy commander contacted her.:: Triome: Captain, we have the enemy Commander hailing Somers: Onscreen ::she said and the image of a Grivaan War Leader appeared.:: Who do I have the distinct honour of addressing? ::Alex asked, becoming formal:: oO Now to see if Starfleet Intelligence got something right Oo War Leader K'Faali: ::he puffed up with self-pride at the sudden formality given by this Soldier, he was of the old school, where; when one Officer addressed another, they obeyed a strict protocol; this Soldier bore authority about her and displayed some formality.:: you have the honour of addressing War Leader K'Faali Commander of this Fleet, and who am I speaking to? ::he asked just as formally.:: Somers: ::Stepping around the helm station and coming to Parade rest where she showed her unit patches and rank:: You Sir have the honour of addressing Colonel Alexandria Somers Commander of the USS Yorktown and a Senior Officer in the 95th Rifle Regiment Starfleet Marine Corps, we are one of the many Elite Spec Ops units in the Federation ::she responded.:: K'Faali: I am pleased to meet the commander of the trio of ships that has caused my fleet much damage, now as one warrior to another, I offer you a chance to surrender with honour, you will be shown every respect of a proven warrior. ::beat:: Before you reject my onetime offer think, your ship has no heavy weapons left only beam weapons, your ship is badly damaged and will not survive a short exchange with one of my frigates. So surrender with honour and I shall allow your troops on the planet and those still on your ship to go free, on this you will have my solemn oath ::he said.:: ::Alex looked at her First Officer and made a motion to cut audio as she turned and made her way back around to the helm station. With her back to the viewscreen and no audio going out she spoke.:: Somers: Well bless my cotton socks, Starfleet Intelligence got something right for once, I have set this ship on auto-pilot and it will hold out long enough for us to beam to the planet, get some weapons from your quarters quickly and beam down to the planet, I will join you directly, we have one final duty to perform on the planet, while I have one final duty up here, now go ::she said, both nodded and left the bridge.:: ::Turning back to the viewscreen as she sat, she saw the War Leaders curious look as to why this human had dismissed her visibly remaining crew, now pressing a button on her console she reopened audio.:: Somers: Apologies War Leader, final instructions to my Officers. K'Faali: You are going to surrender with honour? ::he asked hope edging his speech.:: Somers: No, your offer is most generous and I am truly honoured, but you have no idea on my Unit they were not called Somers Renegades for nothing. No Sir, we shall meet again in personal combat on the planet below, there the final result will be decided. Good day to you War Leader K'Faali I will see you on the fields below Qua'pla ::she said and closed the link.:: ::She programmed in an excellent and creative attack pattern and checked to see if her two remaining crew had gone, confirming they had, she set the ship on auto, stepped into the middle of the bridge and put her combat harness on with all her bladed weapons and her Phasers, she stood and looked around.:: Somers: We had some good time huh old friend, but we shall meet again ::she said to her ship:: Computer begin attack run and energize ::she said as she vanished from the bridge and the Yorktown attacked.:: ((Earth - Starfleet Headquarters September 20 2421)) ::Now Alex found herself observing a group of people, it was the CinC of Starfleet, the Intelligence Commander and some Admirals from the Security and external operations Departments. Standing in the middle was her husband Paul Sharpe, his hair was white and he was in Civilian clothes, but had the Kronos Ambassadorial sash on, next to him was the Klingon Chancellor and on his right were their two children, Marine Captain Samantha Lynne Somers and Lieutenant Paul Sharpe Junior plus to her surprise was the Romulan Proconsul. Her daughter was the image of a younger Alex. Now her consciousness watched these people watch her last report recording from her.:: Commander Thompson: Sirs ::an Aide came rushing in, with Paul Sharpe and his two children in tow, both had been told of events with the Yorktown.:: A refugee gave this to me with a direct message from Colonel Somers. Fleet Admiral Jennings: Out with it Commander Thompson: ::clearing his throat:: It reads This is the last report from Colonel Alexandria Lynne Somers Colonel in the 95th Rifle Regiment and we shall hold out for as long as we can, while we can.€ ::pause:: That is the message, also the refugee mentioned that the Starfleet surviving troops had erected their Battle Standard and the Federation flag as enemy drop ships were landing ::he said handing the recording to the Fleet Admiral.:: ::He took it and dismissed the Aide and placed the recording and the first images to greet them was the 95th Rifle Regiment 1st Battalion Flag.:: Somers: Stardate 242115.09 my trio of ships has fallen in orbit of Betazed, The USS Nimitz went with all hands, some survivors from the USS New Horizon landed safely on the planet, plus most of my crew from the USS Yorktown. Send a large Fleet you will need it; I have including myself only 299 Riflemen and one Fleet doctor, we have set up a defensive position at the foothills of Betazed, by the time you get this we will all be dead. My ships faced a large Grivaan Fleet and we accounted for half of that number, unfortunately all their fighter Carriers survived. As this is my last report, I have a few requests ::her recording said.:: Sharpe: 300 troops against thousands of enemy troops, It is a modern Battle of Thermopylae ::Paul said.:: Chancellor Torok: ::Looking at Sharpe:: What is this battle you are on about? Sharpe: ::Looks at the Chancellor:: I would ask Sir that you look up ancient Earth history, Greek Armies, search parameters Spartan Warrior or simply put in Battle of Thermopylae. This will tell you what I am on about, 300 Spartan troops against the Persian Empire, the troops held out for seven days three of which were battles. But considering today's weapons and tactics, Alex's assessment is correct they could hold out for three days max. ::pause:: But knowing Alex she will hold out for six, either way we will be too late getting there. ::As she was dreaming this, Alex wondered what the hell was going on, it was like she was connected to all areas where her mortal self was or recording were, plus watching things unfold as Paul comforted their Daughter and Son.:: Somers: ::Looking directly at the Chancellor, as if she knew he would be there sent a chill up all their spines.:: first request is to you Chancellor, I ask only that you hand my Bat'Leth, Mek'Leth and Dag'TagH to my Daughter, also she is to be put through Klingon bladed Combat training. Passing my weapons to her as they are hers by right of succession and it must be honoured ::she said and the Chancellor absently nodded.:: ::She looked directly at the Fleet Admiral of Starfleet.:: Somers: Any to you Fleet Admiral Sir I ask that our bodies are recovered and given full military honours funerals and that when a memorial is erected; you put on the following passage for the memorial, perhaps it will give our forces courage to overcome our foe, the inscription should read:- €œIf we do not live another Day, Then say this over our Pyre: They died like Riflemen Their Faces to the Fire€ ::The Fleet Admiral would grant this as it would sit well with the Klingon's who were essential in keeping the enemy at bay and the Colonel was correct, it would motivate Federation Alliance Forces.:: Proconsul P'tretil: A touching verse, it would motivate me to be better than those who died ::he said, in typical Romulan fashion.:: Sharpe: Exactly sir, that is what my wife intended ::Paul said and the Proconsul looked contrite.:: Somers: ::Now she looks directly at Paul Sharpe Senior:: and you Paul my love, I will see you again where no Shadows fall. ::she looks at her two children:: My logical little Paul, so inventive and who follows his father, my lovely daughter Samantha; remember that nothing is forgotten, nothing is ever forgotten, ::she looked back at her husband:: Paul on my grave I want the following text placed €œAlexandria Somers, she lived for as she died, in combat€ ::beat:: that the personal stuff out of the way, my report is as stands, until reinforcements arrive, Betazed is in enemy hands. This is Colonel Alexandria Somers signing off, Fly safe and true ::with that the recording ended.:: Jennings: Time to organise that taskforce, you coming Chancellor? Chancellor: Of course, Proconsul, can your people send a cloaked scout ship out and supply transports to carry their valiant dead back? ::the Klingon chancellor said.:: ::The Romulan only nodded and was about to leave as a member of Species 8472 walked into the room in its natural form draped in a cloak and using an injection changed shape to human and spoke.:: Species 8472: Could my troops join you on this, your Warrior was well known to us and treated us with fairness and honour, we wish to repay this. Jennings: By all means Ambassador, we would be honoured ::he replied and all left the room to get things done.:: ((Foothills - Betazed - Early morning September 16 2421)) ::Suddenly she was back in her older body and looked to her rear and there was the two flags fluttering in the breeze as over a thousand Grivaan Elite troops led by War Leader K'Faali, who advanced forward under a flag of truce as he looked admiringly at the elderly humans bladed weapon assortments.:: K'Faali: I offer you this final chance to surrender. Somers: ::Stepping out in front and looking up at the taller being but directly into his eyes:: We shall both die in the days to come War Leader and I must say that it has been my honour to fight a worthy opponent, if only we had met when I was younger, then I would be the only one standing out of both of us. K'Faali: Hmm€¦ Pride, bluster but both backed up by pure courage, I am also similarly honoured to have faced you in honourable combat ::he said and both Grivaan and Human returned to their lines.:: Somers: Truly an honourable warrior race, but I know the effect my death will have on my daughter and I pity any Grivaan that crosses her when she has come of age ::Alex said:: Okay Rifles lock and Load, aim and fire when you have a solid lock ::she said and suited action to words.:: ::Not exactly as predicted, It took five days before the Riflemen's ammunition was exhausted, by now there were craters all around her surviving troops, her flanking Phaser and torpedo turrets had expended their compliment of torpedoes and the Phaser Turrets had been destroyed, but only after taking a heavy toll on the Grivaan shock troops, now under a tattered Battle flag of her Battalion and the UFP flag the remaining Riflemen took out their Phaser Pistols, Alex her Desert Eagle Phaser Pistols and fired at the charging Grivaan. More enemy were cut down and they pulled back, but it was dawn on the sixth day as the surviving riflemen pulled out their bladed weapons, the Fleet Doctor had no such bladed weapon, so Alex loaned her Mek'Leth.:: Somers: Do you know how to use one of these? ::she asked.:: Fleet Doctor: Yes, but only at novice level. Somers: These are Grivaan to'ba; not Klingon Warriors ::Alex said as she looked down at the lifeless body of her Bolian First Officer.:: Commander Simmerson: Understood Colonel ::she replied taking the Mek'Leth.:: ::Alex like her troop stood atop their barrier various blades drawn and glinting in the sunrise, as the Grivaan charge with their bladed weapons drawn, she speaks loudly:: Somers: Okay people, fight and die well, for today is a good day to die ::she said and saw out of the corner of her eye her Klingon Major puff up with pride, ready to die in battle.:: ::Next thing she knew she was watching her older self embed her blade deep into the War Leaders chest, while his blade went right through her heart and was sticking out of her back, with red blood dripping from it. As both warriors collapsed together, all their troops around them dead; both leaders look at each other and gave each other a grudging smile of mutual respect, as the life left the both of them. Somehow Alex who was watching this happen knew that a Federation Alliance Fleet had arrived and that no more enemy troops would be landing.:: Somers: ::Suddenly she knew what she had witnessed, it was her death:: so this is how I am to meet my end ::she said, her father had once told her that her ancestors always knew when they would die, when a certain path they walked had reached a fork and they all ended going down the same road, all her past family they all had a very vivid and profound dream, now Alex had just gotten hers.:: ::She found herself now standing alongside her husband and children on the hill over-looking the battlefield along with Torok, Jennings, P'tretil and Thompson; Jennings Aide. All looked down at the mix of Starfleet and Grivaan bodies and two of those were easily identifiable as both had blades sticking out of their chests and all were under a battle tattered Banner of the 1st Battalion of the 95th Rifle Regiment, the Federation flag had fallen majestically between the two dead leaders of the opposing troops as to signify what both armies had been fighting over. As the group got closer Alex found she floated along with them and all could see a small smile on their faces.:: Sharpe: I never understood it when she had that smile ::he said.:: ((End Dreamscape)) ((Alex Somers Bedroom - Somers Estate - 0800 hours)) ::Alex awoke in a cold sweat and screaming.:: A. Somers: ARRGH!! ::As her parents and sister all rushed in worried, she looked at them:: I hate those type of dreams ::she said realizing her hands were shaking.:: S. Somers: ::her father sat on the side of her bed and hugged her:: what is it sweetie? ::he asked.:: A. Somers: ::She looked at her father:: Dad remember you told me once about that dream few of my ancestors always had at a certain point in their lives? ::she said.:: S. Somers: Yes ::he said hesitantly knowing where this was going, as he too went through it around his daughters age.:: A. Somers: Well I had that dream, daddy, I know when and where I am going to die ::she said as she broke down in tears, not hearing the gasps of her Mother and sister as both had been told of such an event and like Alex all believed in such an occurrence.:: TBC Marine Captain Alexandria €˜Red Vixen' Somers (PNPC) Recon/Demolitions Duronis II Embassy/USS Thunder-A & Colonel (Ret) Samuel Somers Ambassador to Kronos/Father & Warrant Officer Karyn Somers(formerly PNPC) 1st Battalion 21st MACO Regiment Dreamscape Characters Commander Paul Sharpe Senior Ambassador to Kronos & Fleet Admiral Jennings(NPC) CinC Starfleet United Federation of Planets & Chancellor Torok(NPC) Klingon High Chancellor Klingon Empire & Proconsul P'tretil(NPC) Romulan Empire & Lt. Colonel Triome(NPC) First Officer 95th Rifles 1st bn SFMC USS Yorktown NCC 1941-C & Major Keral(NPC) Second Officer/Klingon Exchange Officer 95th Rifles 1st bn SFMC USS Yorktown NCC 1941-C & Commander Simmerson(NPC) Chief Medical Officer USS Yorktown NCC 1941-C & Commander Thompson(NPC) Aide to CinC Starfleet & Unnamed Ambassador(NPC) Species 8472 Envoy & War Leader K'Faali(NPC) Grivaan Fleet Commander 1st Grivaan Expeditionary Fleet Simmed by Lieutenant Paul Sharpe ACTO USS Thunder-A/Duronis II Embassy

((After the Awards – USS Thunder-A – Sharpe/Somers quarters)) ::Paul returned to the bridge and Alex saying she was still feeling under the weather retired to their quarters, she stripped down to her regulation undergarments and laid on the bed and was asleep immediately.:: ((Dreamscape)) ((Somers family Estate – One Month after the Betazed incident 2421)) ::Once again Alex found herself as an observer watching a funeral, she suddenly realized it was hers, most of her family was there as was Paul and her children, she watched as the funeral being an old fashioned affair, saw the coffin descending into a freshly dug grave and felt sorrow. What surprised her the most was that Paul was doing something he never used to do, he had tears running down his face; she thought it sweet and loved him for it. Now all those who were there on Betazed now stood vigil as the honour guard Marines from her old-selfs regiment fired a twelve rifle salute, for those not human they paid respects their way. The Romulan Proconsul gently dropped in an old Romulan blade and moved off.:: Klingon Chancellor Torok: ::the Klingon Chancellor gently placed a bottle of Bloodwine and a ceremonial Dag’TagH in the grave, and spoke.:: Have something to drink in Sto’vor’kor Colonel Somers. ::Other officials and family placed other items not so grand, then came her children’s turn, her son Paul Sharpe Junior placed in an old toy she had gotten for him and her Daughter Samantha Lynne Somers placed a rose in. Paul Senior put in his Katana blade and holding his children walked away.:: ((Betazed Foothills – 16 September 2422 – One year to the day)) ::Now Alex was back on Betazed a little disorientated and she was once again watching a ceremony.:: Somers: oO Oh man this is confusing, what year is it now?Oo ::she asked herself.:: ::The same officials that were at her funeral, were now joined by a Grivaan ambassador, she was really confused now, but listened in.:: Federation President: I thank you all for coming; we are here at the foothills on Betazed one year to the day of the deciding battle of the Federation Alliance/Grivaan Imperium conflict. ::beat:: It was in December that the Grivaan High Command contacted us and asked for a ceasefire and an offer of peace. What we know now, but did not then was the last Stand made by Federation forces on this spot sealed the prospect of a lasting peace-treaty between us and the Grivaan Imperium. ::beat:: Now on this day to honour those who fell here, both Grivaan and Federation, a day of remembrance will commence, a short Human style Ceremony will start this, followed by the Grivaan one, Fleet Admiral Jennings ::he said stepping away and allowing the CinC Starfleet to take the podium.:: Jennings: As requested by the late Colonel Alexandria Somers the following passage has been placed upon this monument, this passage is as follows. “If we do not live another Day, Then say this over our Pyre: They died like Riflemen Their Faces to the Fire” We have honoured her request and agreed that it is fitting for who she was and who her men were. ::As the Admiral droned on Alex looked at one large memorial, elegant in its shape; It was similar in style to the Iwo Jima Monument on Earth. It showed a graven image of Alex and some of her men on the left with the 95th Rifle 1st Battalion Regimental Battle Honours Battle banner fluttering in the breeze, held up by one of the other figures, while the statue of Alex held in her right hand a TR-118 Marine Rifle, this was like a TR-116, but altered for Marine use. On her back in a sheath was a Mek’leth blade, her left arm and hand was outstretched and supporting a UFP flag as its center, while on the right of it was the statue of the Grivaan War Leader whose side of the memorial mirrored the left, but his right hand was also holding the Federation banner but his had was below hers and he held a Grivaan rifle in his other hand and his troops supported the Grivaan Imperium battle standard.:: Jennings: Both Statues hold the Federation Flag between them, this symbolizes two things, the reason why they fought and died for and what finally brought our two species together, Ambassador Sharpe. Somers: Bloody Hell The guy is still a [...] wind bag, he puts Politicians to shame sheesh ::she said, aware that she could not be heard, suddenly Paul being called to the podium was a surprise.:: this should be interesting ::she quietly said to herself.:: Sharpe: Thank you Admiral Jennings ::he said and turned to face the assemble delegates:: Most of you knew Alex after she had left the Duronis II Embassy, by this time she had mellowed somewhat, but before Duronis II she was a wild-fire, she always got into trouble with her Senior Officers, she had a tendency to get things done her own way, while some of the time they worked, but when she was on a Starship things were different, having been there for most of her interesting encounters always brings a smile to my face ::he reflected a moment.:: But that was the past, this is the present, I would like to quote an old Human Prime Minister who spoke these very words in the Aftermath of the early 20th Centuries World War Two conflict the Battle of Britain, as in what happened here a year ago reflected what happened back then, I hope the symbolism is not lost on anyone?. ::pause, then he began:: “Never in the Field of Human conflict, was so much, owed by so many to so few”. ::Alex felt a lump coming to her throat.:: Sharpe: One final honour passage before I hand the stage over to the Grivaan Ambassador ::beat:: They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn them and at the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them ::He said and indicated to a bugler who played the Last Post.:: ::After a few minutes bowed silence he looked up.:: Sharpe: Thank You All, Ambassador Gr’taal ::he said using a Grivaan greeting motion with his hands.:: ((End Dreamscape)) ((USS Thunder-A – Sharpe/Somers Quarters – Present day)) ::Alex awoke screaming.:: Somers: ARRRRGH! ::coughing and automatically regulating her breathing patters as she had been trained to do:: In the name of all that is good in the world, I thought this had finished back home, dammit ::she said getting out of bed on shaky legs and spotting the case of Klingon Bloodwine, walking over she picked up the crate and sat at the bottom of the bed and opened the first bottle and took a healthy swig.:: ::She looked around the darkened room with dark thoughts as she began to cry once again.:: TAG, TBC Marine Captain Alexandria ‘Red Vixen’ Somers (PNPC)Recon/Demolitions Duronis II Embassy/USS Thunder-A & (Dreamscape Characters) Unnamed Politician (NPC)United Federation of Planets President Sol Sector – Earth & Chancellor Torok (NPC)Klingon High ChancellorKlingon EmpireQo’noS & Ambassador Paul Sharpe Ambassador to Qo’noS & Fleet Admiral JenningsCommand in Chief Starfleet Command Sol Sector - Earth Simmed by Lieutenant Paul SharpeAssistant Chief Tactical Officer USS Thunder-A/Duronis II Embassy

((Holodeck, Starbase 118)) ::Captain Nicholotti commanded the attention of her staff in much the same way she always managed to do it. The magnetism she projected and the respect she commanded captivated the beach-goers.:: Nicholotti: Hello everyone. ::She smiled.:: I do hope that you will all enjoy the good food and good company we've managed to pull together for this little gathering. ::As she spoke, the intricate, “political” situation seemed to unravel itself before Ben’s very eyes. An explanation was provided regarding Lt. Commander Matthews’ presence, and the Captain managed to frame it as Starfleet Command having great confidence in the Starbase Operations staff. Then, as though to something between a consolation prize and a catalyst for the whole shift, Commander Walker was restored to the rank of captain. :: ::Ben found himself scratching his head as to how events had unfolded to land them where they were. Despite the brief explanation regarding Walker’s history, the whole situation seemed quite strange. However they’d gotten here, Ben foresaw some very difficult conversations between their Commanding Officer, First Officer, and Second Officer resulting from the huge jumble of positions and ranks. Ranks were supposed to make everything more clearly defined, yet here they seemed to do the opposite.:: Nicholotti: I also want to formally offer promotions that were granted in the field during this last mission. Captain Dubeau, and Lieutenant MacLaren, if you would please join me? ::Ben smiled as the pair stepped forward to receive their well-deserved promotions.:: Alex Matthews: ::Speaking from the crowd.:: Captain if you will permit me. I would like to announce the engagement of Captain Dubeau and Doctor MacLaren. If you all would join me in giving them both your best wishes and hearty congratulations. ::He grinned broadly as the two stepped back into the crowd, smiling to one another, then returned his attention to the Captain.:: Nicholotti: Finally, I have a couple of new promotions to add to that list. I would be lost without officers like all of you, and I am proud to be the Captain of this crew. It is my hope that one day, you will be the next generation of Captains, taking Starfleet to new places, and new heights. For now, I consider it a privilege to promote Lieutenant JG Livingston to full Lieutenant, and Lieutenant JG Silveira to full Lieutenant, with all rights and privileges therein. ::Ben stepped back in surprise, catching himself just before he stepped on someone’s foot. His mind raced.:: ((Flashback – USS Columbia, Deck 24, Main Engineering)) ::Ben glanced over to the spot where Kevin had been, moments ago. Now that someone had taken him to medical, he’d receive the proper treatment, at least there was the peace of knowing he was in good hands. The Chief Engineer had done precisely what Ben had wished he had done in protecting his ship, but the ugly outcome was far from desirable. For a moment, he wished their places might have been reversed; that he had gone down fighting and Breeman was still ready and able to secure the ship. Then, they might all have a chance at survival. As it was … :: ::Main Engineering was a busy place again. Those engineers who had escaped the scene had filtered back in, and those who had taken shelter were back at their posts – or what was left of them. Most had no station to work from, and if they had, they wouldn’t know what to do. With Katy still on the line with Commander Walker, Ben took a place atop a damaged piece of equipment.:: Livingston: ::Aloud:: Alright everybody – listen up! Right here, right now, this looks like the aftermath of a terrible event. But elsewhere on Columbia, they’re still in the thick of it! We’re going to help them. And we’re going to keep the rest of these dragons outside the ship, or we won’t stand a chance. ::Ben paused, trying to allow the situation to settle before continuing. Many of the faces looking at him were pale, frightened things and the rest looked so exhausted that he wasn’t sure they’d be help at all. But they had to be – they would have to put everything they could muster into this, just as Livingston himself was putting forward more than he thought he had.:: Livingston: So this is the gameplan. Power teams –get these damaged EPS ducts and conduits up and running. We’re lucky to have energy at all, and anything else will take it out completely. Reactor and warp drive teams, guess what? You’re power engineers now, so help them out. ::Many of the engineers hurried off toward the damaged areas.:: Livingston: Maintenance teams, and everyone else, I want all hull breaches identified and prioritized, and I want any systems down fixed ASAP. Team leads – you’re in my office in three minutes, and bring ideas on how to keep these monsters out. ::As the rest of the went off to their assignments, Ben was left alone to feel the implications of the threat they still faced.:: ((End Flashback)) ::Ben shuddered as he remembered the events. Kevin had stood alone against the monster that invaded their sanctuary. And then, all of a sudden, he was removed from the equation. Kevin had been needed. He had relationships with the other engineers. He had the experience to know what to fix first and what could wait. Ben had been shooting from the hip as he said those words, trying to put forth some illusion that he knew what to do.:: ::It all came down to this: It should not have been Commander Breeman standing against that dragon. It should have been Lieutenant, Junior Grade Livingston. The one who was more expendable; the one who had no idea, in the aftermath, of what to do.:: ((Flashback – NCO Briefing – USS Columbia, Livingston’s Office)) Karzai: Yes, that would work! Livingston: Alright – is that something your folks can do, or do you need the output in a different format? Karzai: We’d need a surface geometry file – but we can convert it. :: A number of other ideas came up, and before long, the list had grown into a true plan. No single idea would keep them safe by itself, but the redundancy and overlap would be a layered defense; a concentric castle that would, hopefully, protect against these dragons better than their medieval counterparts. With a nod, Ben brought the meeting to a conclusion.:: Livingston: Droogendyk, take Yung and put together details of what it’d take to keep it running. Start by checking our inventories for anything we’ve got – I don’t want to use more power on replicators than we’ll get out of the things. Droogendyk: Yes sir. A lot of the parts will be in the lockers already under de west bay. Dat didn't take a lot of damage. Livingston: That’s fine. Anything else? Droogendyk: Nope. Livingston: Alright, Karzai, I want that power output map for Ops ASAP – that’s our short-term solution, so pull in whatever resources you need. Karzai: Yes, sir. Livingston: Alright, everyone else, keep your teams up and running, and let me know immediately if you need any additional resources. Dismissed! ((End Flashback)) ::The previous missions had pushed every officer to their breaking point. For Ben, it had meant being bigger, being stronger, being more certain than he actually was. It meant filling a role for which he was not qualified.:: ::Missions were supposed to strengthen people and accomplish things. At the end of all this, though, Ben felt only less certain. Had they managed to pull through and rescue their crewmembers despite the tremendous obstacles? Yes, they had. But Ben felt wearied by it, as though in the sleepy stupor that lingers when awoken in the night.:: ::Lieutenant Ben Livingston meant more responsibility, not less, than Lieutenant, Junior Grade Ben Livingston. It meant he’d be called on to an even greater extent, though he felt pressed to the limit as it was. What would happen if he was not up to the task? The only way to grow is to stretch outward, but do you know as you approach your limit the moment at which you’ll topple over?:: ::Over to the side, Vitor stepped forward to receive his promotion. What was he thinking about it? Ben had no idea. In that moment, Ben was not certain of the outcome, but seeing no alternative, he gulped down his apprehension and made up his mind to boldly go into the unknown.:: ::He stepped forward.:: Silveira: Thank you Captain. ::he winked as he received the pip.:: LIVINGSTON: ::quietly:: Thank you, Captain. ::As he received the pip in his hand, it seemed heavier than he had expected. His hand dropped slightly under its weight. Was it a pip made of lead, perhaps, or a pip made of gold?:: Nicholotti: Congratulations to you both. ::And then, after a moment, she released all of her officers to the relaxing call of the beach, the festive nature of the circus, and the alluring call of the food.:: And with that complete, enjoy the party! ::As the buzz of excitement began to whirl once more around him, Ben was, for now, still in that moment. Beside him, perhaps, someone had said “congratulations,” but whether to him or someone else, he neither knew nor wanted to find out. Ben remembered what Captain Nicholotti had said. The words rang in his ears.:: ((Flashback – moments before)) Nicholotti: It is my hope that one day, you will be the next generation of Captains, taking Starfleet to new places, and new heights. ((End Flashback)) ::It was most probably something said for dramatic effect, or a token expression used at promotions. But the words had been said, and whatever she’d meant by them, to Ben they heralded the long years of a career filled with the sorts of tragedies and trials that he’d already faced. If there would someday be a Captain Livingston, Ben wondered as a sort of passive observer who it would be. It would not be the Ben Livingston of this day. It certainly would not be the bright-eyed ensign he’d been when he first stepped onto the Starbase. That man had been killed aboard the Columbia.:: ---- Lieutenant Ben Livingston Assistant Chief Engineer Starbase 118 Ops

(( Laudean Military Command, Lokesh City )) :: Blood. Fire. Pain. Blood soaked ground. Fire burning from disruptor blasts. Pain as the shrapnel tore into his body. In many ways, Bomani was one of the lucky ones. He survived the onslaught at Bondi...however, most of his men did not. His unit was decimated, caught between a Klingon and Orion platoons in a murderous pincer movement which cut them off from the rest of their counterparts. The Battle Of Bondi was more than just a battle to repel invaders...it was a slaughterhouse, and Bomani had never seen such ferocious fighting. As the battle raged, he hoped the Starfleet personnel on the ridge above him could keep the Klingons, Orions, and Scarlet Brotherhood at bay. There were so few of them...only four, and two of them were women. When the Federation had returned once the Romulans had been ejected, Nothing had prepared him for the horrors he witnessed on that day, or the bravery of those Starfleet personnel who took their place on that ridge. They refused to yield, even under the rain of mortar fire directed at them. Even when over the comms it was thought they would be overrun, they fought on, with the fervor of brutality Bomani never expected..and even with his platoon suffering ninety percent casualties, he could see Starfleet still holding that ridge..and it heartened him to fight even harder, even more boldly. Here were essentially guests on their world, and they would fight so fiercely for a world upon which they were not born or trying to conquer? No..there was something special about them, and no one had expected them to fight for them, especially after their ship was so badly damaged and burning in space in the skies aove them. :: The battle ebbed and flowed, and the panicked voices on the comms, including his own, were exhorting the platoons where to redeploy to curb the onslaught. Then...the battle turned as the Scarlet Brotherhood forces seemed like they folded into itself, buried under murderous Laudean fire. As the Orions broke off to meet this new threat, Bomani took the rest of his forces and dove straight into their lines..he did not think about his life then, only victory. The Laudean forces overwhelmed them, and comm traffic indicated the Klingons were moving to reinforce. Sustaining the attack would be impossible if the Klingons were able to get more troops in the area...thery were beginning to run short of weaponry, and casualties were mounting, in spite of their advances. Bomani could hear on the comms the Klingons wee coming, but Starfleet was holding them out...and he could see them on the ridge..but one man was bigger than the others...he could see him occasionally through the smoke, and Bomani knew this was no normal Starfleet officer, that Starfleet had warriors among them more than equal to the Klingons, and yet, they were proponents of peace. Once the day had been won, and the wounded and dead were being attended to, Bomani learned that the Starfleet personnel were still fighting...now they were attempting to hunt down the rest of those who may have still been in Lokesh City, and the after action reports say they were quite successful in dealing with the stragglers, especially the huge one..:: :: The slight pain of his still recovering injuries jolted him back from his memories of the battle, to the report on his desk. Actually, he had two reports. Through the Prime Ministers office, he had managed to obtain the names of the Starfleet officers who fought so valiantly on the ridge above them, ensuring victory for the Laudeans, and especially, the name of the huge officer with them. Although much of his Starfleet record was redacted, Bomani did get his name and rank....Major Hannibal Tiberious Parker. Bomani knew he could learn much from this man...he had never seen a soldier...which to Bomani, was exactly what he was....like him before, and it was evident by his record he was no stranger to combat, having served during the Dominion War, and had even served with the Klingons during that conflict. He would have to meet this man, and learn from him what he could...:: :: Many Laudeans felt gratitude towards the Federation and Starfleet, but within the military, sentiments ran both hot and cold. There were some who resented the fact the battle turned on the actions of the Starfleet officers, that the Laudeans could have held out against the forces arrayed against them. Bomani knew the truth was a little different. He was there. If the Klingons had been able to reinforce, he would be dead, and so would most of the Laudeans in that valley. Bondi would have been lost, and Lokesh City would have fallen soon after. They would have lost the planet. Bomani had heard stories of what the Orions would do to their women, selling them into slavery onto far off worlds...the Scarlet Brotherhood using their planet to attack a place called Bajor...and the Klingons to finally destroy their long enemy, the Romulans. Ti'hahn would have been violated, stripped, its people forced into servitude under the rule of dictatorship...he had seen that under Romulan rule, and he wanted no part of that again...:: :: Soon, Starfleet would return, to re-occupy their rebuilt embassy, and with a ship more capable to fending off attacks...a battle cruiser. The subject wasn't taboo, but it was clear the military saw this as an affront to their superiority, that they could not protect their own world. Now, with essentially a battleship returning to their space, how would Starfleet, and the Federation, behave now? Bomani believed that the Federation would be the same, and Starfleet had lost many in defense of their world, and they wanted to make sure they could defend the work they were trying to do here. The new ship, the Thunder-A, would be there soon, only sharpening the debate. He was going to do everything he could to prove many in the military wrong..he was staking his military career and his family on it....:: PNPC Submarshal Bomani Abasi Commander, Laudean Defense Forces Laudean Region As simmed by: Major Hannibal Tiberious Parker 2nd Officer/ Marine Commander/ Chief Of Strategic Operations USS Thunder-A/ Duronis II Embassy

((Matthew's Bedroom - London, England, Earth )) ::Sat in the dark and gloom of his bedroom, a small boy crossed his legs and pulled the covers over his head. Night Light zipped through the covers, phasing through it effortlessly. It was like firefly; a hologram hovering in mid-air and liked to follow him around the room. Night Light knew the purpose of the deed, such was his intelligence.:: :: Matthew's father had sent him the latest in novel history, the pinnacle of the realms of the imagined and the forefront of the Starfleet mission - the new Federation Man comic!:: ::Carefully, he turned the padd on and started his journey into the dark underworld of the Federation aided only by Night Light, his sidekick.:: (( Space, Comic Universe )) ::The blackness of space stuck out like a carrot in a bag of turnips. Stars twinkled and flashed as a mysterious object floated past them, unnoticed by a cluster of meteorites and the occasional lump of space debris. Time seemed to standstill.:: ::There was a great thud and a crash! Suddenly the mysterious object became aflame with bright burning embers! The blinding blue flash of a torpedo whizzed past and sank poetically into the hull of the mysterious object. It turned, trying to hold onto the stability drives as the structural integrity field began to collapse beneath the strain it was put under. As the light shone over the gun metal grey hull plating, the name of the object glimmered like a beacon of forgotten heroism.:: ::The USS Defender exploded.:: ((Matthew's Bedroom - London, England, Earth )) ::Matthew jumped at the final screen as it showed the beautiful USS Defender, the home of Federation Man and the pinnacle of all that was just and wonderful shattered like light into a pit of obscurity. His heart sank. What a way to start the new adventures! Matthew was enticed. He poked his head out from underneath the covers, Night Light darting out, illuminating the shadowy bedroom.:: ::Satisfied there were no monsters, he ducked his head back underneath the blanket and read on.:: (( USS Defender, Comic Universe )) ::24 Hours Before...:: ::The USS Defender floated seamlessly through the unknown sector, touching the intricacies that the universe had to offer as many souls on board spent their time on a little rest and relaxation. The light from a distant sun and moon glinted off the highly polished ablative armour, the forcefield windows glistened as they automatically adjusted the light to an acceptable level for those inside the vessel and the nearby planet shone in a blue hue.:: ::Captain Robin Sharp stood beside the window, his arms crossed over his chest and he surveyed the glinting darkness. His ship cat, Duck, lay on the sofa, swishing his tail back and forth as he dreamt of mice scurrying along old mooring ropes. The feline stretched his back paws into the air, as though catching an invisible ball of yarn.:: Sharp: Night Siege ::A voice behind him echoed in the back of his mind.:: Lockstock: So, you want us to stay here, then, sir? ::Robin didn't smile, his face as stoic as a Vulcan's. His eyes a staunch frown.:: Sharp: Yes, I am connected to this place. Lockstock: If you don't mind me asking, sir, this area of space is entirely unexplored; we needed Starfleet permission to enter here. Other than that wreckage off the port bow, it looks deserted. ::he bristled:: What is this place? ::The floating wreck of a vessel that may have once resembled a Federation starship floated in the distance, captured by space, unwilling to let it go. Robin narrowed his eyes and looked back.:: Sharp: This is where I died. (( Argent Sphere, Comic Universe )) ::Meanwhile....:: ::The ship groaned in the twinkling hue of the starts, flying with a whisper past the great star in the system. The vessel made of spires and spikes, composed of fire and brimstone, crackled through space like lightening through the sky. The engines roared brilliantly, deafening, rising to the sound of a violin string stretched across chasms that would never snap.:: Crazefury: The Federation ::he spat the words:: put their misguided faith in one starship to protect them. ::his fist curled:: We will CRUSH them slowly... painfully ::A fist slammed into the metal table, rattling it to the foundation bolts in the decking. The fists' owner growled, snarling underneath the black brim of the cap resting atop his dark hair, before speaking in voice that shook those present to their very core.:: Night Siege: Federation Man is mine. ::the words dripped like blood:: My plan is proceeding as expected. Sharp will investigate the wreckage and find what he has been looking for. ::The low guttural growl intensified, rolling out of his throat. A green light, a beam the width of a pencil shone onto the viewscreen windows of the dark Argent Sphere, creating a targeted ring around the wreckage and a shuttle with blue nacelles heading towards it.:: ((Matthew's Bedroom - London, England, Earth )) Gillian Brice: Matthew! ::The boy squeaked, pulling the cover off his head, his heart pounding inside his small chest. He looked up into the friendly face of his grandmother who was already tucking the covers back around the boy, taking the PADD from his hands and placing it down on the bedside table.:: Matthew Brice: But... but... ::She shook her head.:: Gillian Brice: No buts, mister. Bedtime. Federation Man can wait until morning. ::With a kiss to his forehead, Gillian left the room, the door closing behind her as Night Light sped across the darkness. He waited until he could hear the footfalls down the corridor before grasping for the PADD again, only this time he reread the letters from his father and his Kolla.:: ::As his eyes started to drift to a close, he began to dream of being Federation Man, out there on the USS Defender, protecting his parents.:: TBC PNPC Matthew Brice Civilian, Child Future Federation Man Earth As simmed by Lieutenant Commander Ethan Brice Research & Development Engineer USS Apollo, NCC-71669

((Backstage, King Levin III Grand Opera House, Va'ku)) ::Baale dipped a slender finger into a small ceramic pot containing a reddish paste. The paste was made from the crushed shells of a type of ocean arachnid. She brought her finger up and smudged a little paste on the prominences of her cheeks, rubbing it until it blended beautifully into her blue skin. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, turning her head from side to side, guiding a wayward lock of hair into its rightful place. Her long glossy black hair was fashioned into a towering sculpture, rivulets of which cascaded down onto her bare shoulders. She hooked large golden hoops to her ears, one for each lobe, and inserted her graceful arms through a string of gilded bracelets and bangles, some of which glittered and shimmered with embedded gemstones the color of the rainbow. Pleased with what she saw in the mirror, she got off her stool and made one gentle turn on her dainty forefeet, her supple neck craning to catch her reflection as she did so. Her gown billowed out around her, suspended in the water. A creation of immaculate beauty, the coral-hued gossamer gown was a sight to behold. It covered her legs under a bell, tapering as it wound tightly around her waspish waist before flaring upwards to drape loosely over her small breasts. She smiled. She touched the heavy gemstones-laden shell-and-coral choker around her neck. Then her smile vanished. The gorgeous dress, the breathtaking jewelry, the awe-inspiring make-up and hairdo they were all not hers. They belonged to the state. To the men who ran the state. She was merely a character chosen to adorn these accessories for the night's performance. She lifted the hem of the gown and swam out of her dressing room, making her way to the main stage through surprisingly lonely aisles and walkways, murmuring the words to the aria she was about to deliver. She was calm and composed, having done this many, many times before. She was gifted with an exceptional voice, a melodious, hypnotic, soul-stirring voice. The men paid good money to come to see her perform every fortnight. That was her purpose, she reminded herself, to please the men in any way she possibly can. She could begin to hear their rushed and coarse voices even now, as she neared the stage. Lascivious voices, teasing and taunting and impatient. A figure swam hurriedly up to her from a side aisle.:: SIMOUX: ::loud whisper:: Baale! BAALE: ::startled:: Simoux! ::looking around anxiously:: What are you doing here? You are supposed to be at the mill. It's your shift! SIMOUX: Oh Baale! ::She clasped the woman's shoulders in her partially webbed hands.:: I come bearing sorrowful news. BAALE: What is it? ::Her heart rate quickening.:: What news? ::She wasn't entirely certain if she wanted to receive it to begin with.:: SIMOUX: The elder women from the center have been summoned to your father's house. Three of them. Tonight. ::Her heart sank to unfathomable depths. For a moment she honestly thought she had died. She felt nothing. Nothing the warm ocean water caressing her skin. Not the beautiful soft dress hugging her body. Not the enticing lights and music beckoning her to the stage. Three female elders summoned to her father's house. When that happens it only means one thing and one thing only. She was to be married off. And by the next reversal of the nebula's magnetic poles.:: SIMOUX: I am so sorry, Baale. ::Baale's lips quivered when she tried to force a smile. Her shaking hands gently held her friend's and coaxed them off her shoulders. She squeezed Simoux's hands in hers. A tear threatened to spill from her eye.:: BAALE: Lom.. .. ::Her voice choked.:: SIMOUX: I can't get word in. The launch site is too heavily guarded. ::She started shedding tears. If not for herself, for her friend. It was the very least she could do at the moment.:: I will try again when this cycle ends. BAALE: No! It's too dangerous! Don't do it, Simoux. I can't bear to lose you. ::She turned her face away to hide a falling tear.:: SIMOUX: ::turning her friend's face back to her:: Don't cry, Baale. You're going to ruin your make-up. ::She carefully wiped away the stray tear and perfected the rouge once more.:: BAALE: Do you know.. ::voice choking again:: who he is? SIMOUX: ::shaking her head:: No. But I heard it's someone important. Someone very high up in the state. ::Her voice trailed off and she bowed her head.:: ::A gong sounded above them.:: BAALE: I must go now. They are calling me. Thank you, Simoux. ::She kissed her friend on both cheeks.:: Now go! Before you get caught. SIMOUX: Oh Baale.. ::Then she swam away, vanishing down a darkened aisle.:: ::Baale inhaled deeply, expanding her chest and collecting her whit and thought. She blinked back another rebel tear threatening to fall. She hoisted the hem of her gown once again and swam upwards. Upwards through a square cutout that led directly onto the wooden stage. She was blinded by the bright lights, just the way she liked it, so that she needn't peer into the lubricious eyes and salivating mouths of the hoards of males spilling over themselves in lust and desperation, spilling out of the ornate viewing boxes and gaudily gilded seats, competing to catch a glimpse of the exquisite soprano. She waited until the rowdy crowd quieted down before opening her lips to begin singing. This part of the aria was a solo with no musical accompaniment. Her voice was both hypnotic and haunting. She sang the tale of two star-crossed lovers, whose fates conspired against them to keep them forever apart. In the end, only Death could bring them together. This tale she sang with all her heart. An irremediably broken heart.:: TBC ============================= Baale Adaali Va'ku Breeding Center as simmed by LtCmdr Raj Blueheart XO USS DISCOVERY-C

((USS Avandar, Holodeck)) :: The turnout was beyond even Tan’s best guess. Beyond even the crew of the Avandar, with the attendees who were linked in via subspace.:: :: It seemed that either Blackwood had more friends than she knew, or the crew had arrived in force to see a fellow Starfleet officer to her final resting place. It was a heartening sight. :: :: Standing room only was the order of the day, crowded and uncomfortable, as Tan took the podium. During the crew’s stay on Eden he had become the unofficial funeral director, a position it seemed he had -- regretfully -- kept in reality. :: ::Jack walked in with his head down. He felt oddly uncomfortable. He and Evanna had shared....what exactly, Jack was unsure. A moment of mutual comfort? A night of much needed release and passion definitely. And now he was here to see her laid to rest. It seemed so unfair. His thoughts were filled with things that could have been. Where were they headed after that night? He would surely never know now.:: :: Kagran watched as Tan got onto the podium. He was stood next to Eerie who had seemed very down since the away team had returned with Blackwood’s body. :: Kagran: :: Talking quietly. :: You ok there? Eerie: :Somewhat lost in thought:: Of course, Kagran. ::It was a small gesture, but Eerie felt at ease with the Klingon, but the use of the first name without the rank was a status that he did not convey on many.:: ::Watching from sickbay on his padd, tr’Khellian lay on the bed with a completely unreadable neutral expression on his face.:: ::Jen Malcolm sat amongst the crowd, flanked on one side by Christopher Davies, who had been quiet since they’d met to walk down together. Ashley sat on her lap, Jen’s arms wrapped a bit too tightly around her:: ::Mancuso found a place to sit. For Jack it was better to keep his distance from the rest of the crew. Nobody knew about him and Evanna, at least that he knew of. And it had only been once, but it had left an impression on him. And she had been a friend. His emotions were in a state of turmoil.:: ::Elya Tali, aboard the USS Apollo far away, watched by hologram in the dark of her quarters, often staring out the window at the stars streaking by trying to make sense of the sudden news.:: :: The murmur of voice quietened. Tan touched his pad, resting it against the wood of the podium. :: Tan: Thank you all for coming. I wanted to thank those of you who are not crew of the Avandar, those of you who are not Starfleet, and those who have travelled a vast distance to attend this ceremony. oO(Kagran) This should never of happened. Oo oO(tr’Khellian in Sick Bay) It happened under my watch. My watch, my fault, my shame. Oo Tan :: He glanced down at his PADD, reading slowly. :: Tan: … your presence is especially surprising to me because it seemed as though Blackwood did not have many friends. :: A murmur. :: Tan: This was not a judgement on her, however. Life is not a popularity contest, and irrespective of if we all liked Lieutenant Blackwood or not... we respected her. The turnout shows this. We respected her brilliance, her quiet strength... her tolerance for scotch. :: A few chuckles, but this was a sombre occasion. :: Tan: On Eden, we... the Avandar crew... had many funerals and said many words. But somehow, in the back of our minds, something was always telling us that those times were an illusion. That the dead had not truly left us and their absence was merely a temporary thing, that we were only asleep and dreaming. :: He paused, glancing down to the photon torpedo tube that contained Blackwood’s body. :: Tan: How I wished I felt that feeling now. This time, however, I know we’re playing for keeps. :: Another pause, then Tan turned back to the crowd. :: Tan: Eerie, if you would, please. :: The Trill relinquished the podium. :: oO(Eerie) Great....first one up.......Evanna why......? Oo ::Eerie did not like public speaking. That much was a given. But since his elevation in rank he knew there was a lot of public events that he would would at least have to make a showing. But this was something that he knew he wanted to be at. He walked up to the podium and stood in front of it. If he was going to do this he wasn’t going to hide behind it. He kept his look on the gathered crewmates, not wishing to look on the casket. He kept his tone level and professional.:: Eerie: I first met the Lieutenant ….I mean... Evanna on the Aurora. We were roommates for almost a year...::pause:: It was a difficult process. I was first put off by her....but I grew to like her, and she was my friend. I am proud to say that. We shared a lot, and for that will be eternally grateful. But I am not ready to let her go. To me she will always be with us... As long as we remember her......She may have died...but she still lives within us....::For a lack of anything else to say. He raised his right and gave her a salute. Holding it for a moment. He let his arm drop his let his eyes drop on the casket for an instant and then in strict military precision worked his way back to the back of the room.:: tr’Khellian ::From over the intercom:: =/\= I would like to go next. If I may.=/\= tr’Khellian: =/\=Lieutenant Blackwood.....Evanna.... was a...troubled soul. =/\= tr’Khellian: =/\=Torn. Divided. At war with herself and the world around her. Trying always to do the right thing as she saw it while at the same time trying to see it as others did. I understood her. =/ \= tr’Khellian: =/\=Evanna...you restored my...faith...in those around me after Eden. Thank you.=/\= tr’Khellian: =/\= Rest well Evanna. I will miss your kindness :::voice becoming huskier:: and your gentle spirit.=/\= :: While the people listened to tr’Khellian, Kagran moved over next to the Marine Guard of honor, which he had set up, led by his number 2 Beornan. :: :: The Caitian helm officer had remained fairly silent throughout the beginning of the ceremony, ears flattened and paws folded in front of himself. The news had struck him hard, and at first he had trouble figuring out what he was going to say. As the previous speaker finished, S’Acul slowly padded forward towards the podium and paused for a moment next to the tube that was her casket, resting his paw atop the cool surface for a moment before turning to look out over the crowd.:: ::The corner of his mouth tilted upward in a sad smile - Tan had said it perfectly that Blackwood seemed like she hadn’t had many friends, but the guest list proved otherwise. Golden-flecked eyes scanned the faces before him, many of whom he recognized from the Avandar, many who he had never met before. His tail flicked once behind him as he looked down to the podium’s surface, his speech blinking on the PADD that lay there. He felt a lump in his throat.:: S’Acul: Evanna was... something else. I think everyone has their own story that can attest to that. She was brash, eager, sometimes overconfident, and yet other times she was absolutely unsure of herself. I don’t think many people were able to get close enough to see her soft side - she did seem to have her shields up most of the time. I barely got to see it myself, so I count myself lucky. ::The Caitian’s ears raised slowly as he shifted his gaze to look at the oversized headshot of Evanna, leaning forward a bit more on the podium with a sigh.:: S’Acul: She was a special kind of Starfleet officer. She held herself to a higher standard and pushed herself to be better at her job. I think that, in her mind, she felt she was expected to do so by her senior officers, so I don’t think she would ever admit that she was doing it to herself. I know she was stressed at times, and even felt trapped in her position... but whatever the case, she was amazing at her job. ::pausing:: I know I’m going on a little bit longer than I probably should, and I apologize for that because I’m sure some other people want to speak as well, so I’ll wrap this up quickly: if I could go back and tell Evanna one last thing before she died, it would be that she will be missed. Working on the Bridge will not be the same without her, and I for one will be aware that she is gone. No one will ever do the job quite like she did. Thank you. ::As S’Acul stepped down from the podium, he paused once more next to her casket and leaned down, whispering a few silent words before crossing towards the group of men that had already spoken. Extending his paw, he shook each of their hands and followed with a hug before falling into line between Alleran and Eerie, paws once again folding sombrely in front of him.:: :: T’Lea stood beside the Captain, statuesque and emotionless – the quintessential Vulcan. She had nothing to say, nothing that would do Evanna justice with her plain, impassive words, so she let the others speak for her, and there were plenty willing to do so.:: :: Penny York had been at the front of the crowd quietly sobbing the entire time. She’d been a complete emotional mess since hearing of Evanna’s death. The entire journey back to Federation space, she’d locked herself in her quarters and cried into the care bear Evanna had given her as a Christmas present. That carebear had absorbed so many tears that it’s fluffy filling would probably turn into a lump of salt once, *if*, it ever dried out.:: :: In motion now, Penny gingerly made her way up to the podium, and dabbed at her Rudolph red nose with a tissue. She loathed public speaking, but for Evanna, she wanted to say something.:: York: I have a best friend. My very first BFF. That was Evanna. We were besties, and we have the matching charm necklaces to prove it. :: She pulled out the little half-heart pendant, secure in the fact that Evanna still wore the other part. She couldn’t bring herself to look at the casket though, if she did she’d break down in a wailing heap in front of everybody.:: York: ::holding it together:: Nobody can ever take that away from us, nobody can take away the memories we have -- like the fun holodeck program of Pippi, girl’s night out at the Comet Club, gossiping about cute guys, shopping sprees, and then stealing each other’s new clothes. She was more than my crewmate, more than my Chief, she was… ::quiet sob:: … Sorry. ::deep breath:: Evanna was like the sister I never had, and I won’t forget you. Ever. :: Tears welling up in her eyes she dashed from the podium and back into the comfort of the crowd.:: :: Elya nodded to herself and turned to introspection - she didn’t feel like she had the eloquent words of some in that room to share, and couldn’t call herself truly Evanna’s friend. Evanna had always been striking, but distant. Still, some here had seemed to truly be her friend... even Eerie! Killed in action at 27... Elya’s thoughts kept returning to that number -- her own age as well -- and kept quiet looking back out the window. :: ::Robins listened quietly as Blackwood's crewmates spoke their final words to her. The ceremony was heartbreaking, but at least it brought everyone together, to share their memories and to support one another.:: ::With the podium relinquished, Robins walked over to fill the space.:: Robins: I know that I haven't known Lt Blackwood...Evanna...as long as many of you here today, but...I feel that as I look around today, and see the array of faces, I see Evanna. For, as has already been said, although she was at war with herself, never fully content with herself, she was dedicated to both her work, and the people around her. You people. I never knew her, but if I could get to know even some of you, I would see her. In your actions. In your words. In your dedication. Evanna's body has died, but that spirit of dedication lives on in each of you. And I think it would be the greatest honour to her if we try to keep that spirit alive. ::Robins gave a curt nod in thanks and turned to the torpedo casing that held Evanna's body. She bowed her head briefly in respect and returned to the throng below.:: ::DeBarres looked on from the back of the large room. Normally she never worn her uniform off duty, but she was in her dress uniform for this occasion. She could tell that a lot of people would be missing her for a long time. She could see it in Eerie’s small eyes and she could see Penny was hurting too. She had never spend any real time with Evanna and really didn’t know her . But Charlotte knew that if two of her friends were hurting, and if she was good in their books then Evanna must of been pretty special.:: ::He sat still in his chair and swallowed down the lump that was building in his throat. Jack could think of nothing to say. Nothing that hadn’t already been said. And whatever there was that needed to have been said between he and Evanna would simply rest quietly in his mind for the rest of his days. He looked down, trying hard to push the pain down deep inside him. ::: ::Jen took her turn at the podium, swallowing down a flutter of nervousness as she looked out at the assembled crowd. She’d had her private words with Evanna when her body had rested in the morgue. She’d said her goodbyes, but it didn’t make it any easier staring at the torpedo tube. Jen was one of the few people in the room that knew that inside the tube Evanna’s body was encased in a biohazard suit - and she almost chuckled at how fitting it seemed for science officer:: ::She cleared her throat, stifling what was an odd amalgamation of a laugh and a sniffle, and wiped an errant tear from her eye.:: Malcolm: I was one of the few that was proud to call Evanna my friend. Those of you who knew her, knew she was a bit reckless. In fact, the first time I met her, it was to mend her broken nose. On the Aurora, we named one of the biobeds after her. ::The soft sound of gentle laughter floated across the room, bringing a sad smile to Jen’s face:: Malcolm: But, as I got to know Evanna better, I realized, it wasn’t recklessness...it was bravery. Evanna was someone you could count on. Someone you could turn to and know she had your back. And you didn’t have to ask her. She was just there, ready to help, even if it meant putting her own life in danger. ::She took a steadying breath:: Malcolm: We lost Evanna too soon...and we’re left wondering what her courageous, inquisitive and brilliant mind might have accomplished. She will be missed, and by no means forgotten. As we say goodbye, and continue our quest for knowledge, remembering her will hopefully give us the bravery we need to continue on. ::She thought she’d spent all of her tears, but as she walked from the podium, she found herself wiping a steady flow from her cheeks. She joined the line of officers standing off to the side, silently taking a place beside S’acul. She didn’t have the strength to offer handshakes or hugs as the Caitian had.:: ::S’Acul offered Jen a weak smile as she came to stand next to him, and he swallowed at the lump in his throat. His paw reached out to gently take hold of her hand and gave it a soft squeeze.:: ((Holodeck One-Deck Four-USS Mercury)) ::Alexander walked into the holodeck in his dress white uniform, with a picture and the black box in his hands. His heart heavy as he programmed the holodeck to connect to the service for Evanna Blackwood. He closed his eyes as the atmosphere of the room changed to where the service was being held. He opened them to see the crew of the Avandar, he stood at attention and walked towards the torpedo casing that held her body. He walked over to it and looked down, he bent down on one knee and placed the picture of his mother and father near the casing next to the flowers. He opened the black case that held the medal of bravery awarded to him for the Battle Of Camis IV. With tears in his eyes he placed the case on the torpedo, and stepped back with a smart salute. He thought to himself how much he felt for her and how he would have given his life to protect her. He brought his hand down, turned and walked to the podium and stepped behind it.:: Matthews: I’m sorry that I could not be there for you Red. ::He looked out to the crew and nodded to them.:: There were four people in the universe that know my secret, now there are only three. I kept it hidden from all of you, except Eerie. Evanna was a little sad one day, and she needed a laugh. I did something that brought a smile to her face...., but I had no idea someone else saw it. Then there is another thing that I did not say. She will hear it even though I will never hear it back. ::Looking to the torpedo casing.:: I Love You Red. ::Alexander stepped away and walked to Captain Vetri, and Lt. Commander T’Lea, and saluted. He nodded to Eerie, Jen, S’Acul and the rest of the crew.:: :: Arden had been completely devastated upon hearing the news of Evanna’s death. More than anything he didn’t want to believe if only for selfish reason. Evanna had been a truly unique person on top of that and more importantly she had been Arden’s friend. One of the few people he actually connected with on that level. By the time he arrived at the holodeck for the service Arden had barely gotten over the shock of the situation. Standing near Lt. Commander Matthews, a fellow officer from the Mercury in his white dress uniform, Arden stood in near silence as the other officer of the Avandar spoke in turn. After Lt. Commander Matthews spoke Arden bravely stepped up to the podium.:: Cain: During my Star Fleet career I have seen my share of loss but I can honestly say that nothing that has happened to date compares to the moment I heard of Evanna’s.... Like most here I have the honor of saying that Evanna was a friend to me. Those that know me will tell you that I don’t make that statement often.... Although I knew Evanna before we entered the Academy the moments I will hold onto, were the times I helped Evanna with her physics homework. In exchange she even managed to get me out of my room to have what she called fun. I will always be thankful for that because it made me a better person. ::Stepping down from the podium Arden turned respectfully to the Torpedo casing that held his dear friend's remains. Staring at it Arden said his final goodbyes to Evanna in silent before returning to his seat. As he did so Arden dabbed tears from his eyes. ((USS Avandar, Holodeck)) :: Throughout it all, Della had kept her silence, letting the others pay their tributes to their fallen comrade - and friend. In time, though, it was her turn, and it wasn't just duty that called her to step forward.:: :: Instead of moving to the podium as most were no doubt expecting, she took up position beside Blackwood's casket and looked around the gathering.:: Vetri: Is there anything more I really need to say? After all, it's one thing for me to speak about her, but you, all of you, her friends and colleagues, have already paid her more tribute by your presence and words than anything I could do. :: Retrieving her hand from where it had come to rest on top of the torpdeo, she clenched it white-knuckle tight as she carried on speaking.:: Vetri: One thing, I think, we can all agree on is that Evanna was cheated of a lot. A long life, the possibilities that future may have brought her... But there is one thing I will *not* let her be cheated of. :: Straightening to attention.:: Vetri: Attention to orders! Lieutenant Evanna Blackwood, having demonstrated true professionalism and courage, and by virtue of her exemplary dedication to duty, and her service to both this vessel and the Federation as a whole, is hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. :: Dipping into her pocket, she pulled the small box that lay there out. Carefully, she raised the lid to reveal the rank pips inside and pressed it down on the casket's casing, the bonding layer on the base, triggered by the lifting of the lid, attaching it firmly to the black composite.:: Vetri: ::softly:: Late, I know, but you still earned it, Evanna. :: Stepping back, she regarded the casket in solemn silence for several long moments.:: Vetri: We all came from the stars in the beginning, and we all return to them in the end. Whether an afterlife claims you or not, wherever your spirit roams, know that you'll always be here with us as well. Let us know what's out there, Evanna. :: Turning her head slightly to catch Tan's eye, she gave a tiny nod. Within moments, the blue shimmer of a transporter beam enveloped the casket and whisked it away. Behind her, Kagran tapped his commbadge twice, a little signal for the extra little send-off he had arranged to take place.:: ((Holodeck One-Deck Four-USS Mercury)) :: Once the ceremony came to a close Matthews spoke out once more, his voice seemed to fill the room with his simple command.:: Matthews: Computer end program. ::The room returned to the colors yellow and black, as Alexander walked out of the room to his quarters on the Mercury to talk with his parents.:: ::Without speaking to Matthews, Arden similarly departed the holodeck to no place in particular.:: ((Open Space, Near the USS Avandar)) :: The Waverider and Argo, both holding position near the Avandar, were both briefly lit by the light of Blackwood's casket appearing between them. Locking tractor beams on it, they engaged their thrusters, keeping perfect formation as they stared heading for the local sun.:: :: After a minute or so, they had reached the speed they wanted and the tractor beams released, letting the casket engage it's own little thruster and carry on under it's own power. Pulling away, they put a little more distance between themselves and the torpedo before the pair of them fired off their phasers, a trio of short bursts searing the void as a final salute to their fallen comrade.:: ::FIN:: ----- The Crew USS Avandar & Lt Elya Tali Chief Engineer USS Apollo & Lt. Cmdr. Alexander James Matthews Chief Of Operations USS Mercury- NCC-99812 & Lt. Commander Arden Cain First Officer USS Mercury, NCC-99812

((Matthews’ Quarters-Deck Four-USS Mercury)) ::Alexander walked out of his bathroom just after taking a shower he was a little nervous about meeting Jade Shryker from the Drake. Askade had met her while she was the counselor on the Independence. He walked over to the closet, taking out his dress white uniform, he looked over to the shelf, and pulled out the other black box, that held his medal for bravery. He took it out of the box and pinned it in the correct place on his jacket. He laid the jacket on the bed , the pants and sat down to look at his pictures of the crews that he has served with. He used the towel to dry off, then stood up to put on his undergarments and the uniform pants. He pulled on the uniform shirt, and sat down to put on his boots. He thought about the last time he put on this uniform, he and Arden attended the service for Lt. Evanna Blackwood.:: ::He looked over to the picture of the Avander crew and smiled at her image. He closed his eyes with the image of her in his mind, and let her go, as he opened them again and grabbed the jacket. He walked over to the mirror, put on the jacket and made sure that everything was in the correct place. He stood there looking at himself making sure that he was ready to meet this woman that he had heard about. He turned and walked to the door, heading to the ship’s arboretum for some flowers.:: ((Holodeck Two-Deck Four-USS Mercury)) ::Askade stood outside of the holodeck with Audie by her side waiting for Alexander to appear. It had been over a year since she had seen Jade, she sent the message that she wanted her to meet Alexander the day before. She has been worried about him ever since they left the Avandar. He has really done nothing but work constantly. Hardly any time off at all, she really does wonder if he has the traits of a Klingon at times. She looked over to see as he walked towards her, she could see that he was very nervous with the flowers in his hand. She smiled, knowing that he would walk through fire to save a life. When it came to women, he was shy.:: D’ciq: ::Raising an eyebrow.:: Well now don’t you look like the officer I met a few months ago. Very nice indeed. ::Watching him fuss with the collar of his uniform.:: Stop fussing you look fine. Jade is a very beautiful woman. She’s tough and lot’s of fun to be with. ::Looking at him intensely.:: You my dear friend need someone fun in your life. Here look at this picture of her. ::Handing him the PADD.:: Matthews: ::Tugging at his collar.:: Thank you, I’m nervous Askade. ::He looked down to the PADD, his eyes opened wide as he looked upon the beauty of Jade. The eyes and the face of a very beautiful woman. The long flowing hair, the features of a goddess before him. He looked back up to Askade, and saw the smile on her face.:: This is Jade? D’ciq: ::Laughing.:: Yes, that is my friend Jade. What do you think? ::Raising her eyebrow.:: ::Alexander stood there speechless, there were no words to describe the beauty that his eyes held before him.:: Matthews: ::stuttering.:: She is beautiful Askade. ::Feeling anxious to meet this woman.:: When can I meet her ? ::Thinking to himself that was a dumb question, just then the holodeck computer announced the connection to the Drake was completed.:: Computer: =/\=Program and virtual connection complete. You may enter when ready.=/\= ::The doors opened to reveal a small but lush garden on Earth near the coast of North Carolina looking out to the ocean, with a cool breeze coming in from east. Looked to see the sun on the horizon still above it, but just about to set. The sky was turning to the familiar dusk colors of purple and burnt orange. In the center of the garden, there is a table with chairs. They are made of wicker, with a small cooking table over to the left. He and Askade walk into the holodeck, looking around to make sure that everything is perfect.:: ::All of a sudden there was the sound of the holodeck doors opening again. They both turned and looked at the woman that walked into the garden. Her silhouette glided across the garden towards them, Alexander just stood there as he looked upon the beauty of the lovely woman named Jade Elizabeth Shryker.:: (Holodeck – USS Drake) ::Jade was nervous to meet this man, but her friend Askade from the Independence had said real nice things about him. Jade had made a real effort to look her best - and walk without limping. The wounds she’d just received in the explosion on the Drake were tightly bound. The Doc had done a great job of patching her up. She hoped it wasn’t going to put Alex off and he would like what he saw. Wearing a short, figure-hugging black dress, with short sleeves, and black strappy heels, she walked towards him, her hair bouncing as she walked. She smiled at him. He was real cute. Tall, tanned with deep dark eyes. She spotted a long pony tail. A stallion for her.:: ::Alexander looked at her in awe as she approached him. the way she moved as if she floated on the air. He could see that she was walking with a slight limp, but still the image of her was stunning. He gazed upon her as if he was looking at an angel that came from the heavens to be by his side, he was more than happy at the sight of her in the dress she was wearing. He looked back as Askade just smiled and waved to Jade as she left the holodeck with Audie by her side. He focused upon the lady from the Drake.:: Shryker: Hey there. You must be Alex. :: she cringed as the words came out of her mouth. Who else would it be but Alex?:: Alexander: ::Smiling at her.:: Yes, Lt. Cmdr. Alexander James Matthews. It is my honor to meet you. ::Taking her hand into his and kissing it softly on the back of it, her skin was soft as satin with the gentle touch of his lips. He then presented her the flowers. :: Umm... these are for you.::Giving her the bouquet of red roses from the arboretum.:: Shryker: Thanx! They’re lovely. And thanx for inviting me and all. ::She smiled at Alex, and also D’ciq.:: Matthews: The pleasure is mine to meet such a beautiful woman, and lady. Would you like to have a seat? ::Holding his arm out to her.:: Shryker: Swell. ::She looked at the table set for two, and the sea beyond the garden. Maybe he take her for a walk along the beach after they’d eaten?:: ::Alexander stood tall over her, but he felt strong and confident around her. As he walked with her to the table, he looked into her eyes as she turned towards him. He found himself getting lost in them, he had to make sure that he was not dreaming as he pulled the chair out for her as she sat down. He pulled out a bottle of wine from the small decanter on the table into her glass. He lit the candles that were there and he looked into her eyes as the flame flickered in them. He poured himself a glass, and sat down in the chair across from he.:: Matthews:I hope that it is warm enough for you. Shryker: Sure. So__ ::nervously:: what did Askade say about me? Matthews: ::Looking directly into her eyes.:: She told me that you are strong, tough and beautiful. She was right on everything. Askade has never steered me wrong. You are so very beautiful. Shryker: :: I__ I am _ flattered. ::She gazed at this man. He was handsome. Very handsome. Her heart fluttered slightly.:: Matthews: ::Smiling.:: As you can tell, I’m nervous, but a good nervous. I’m actually starting to feel very comfortable around you already. Shryker: Me too ::smiling.:: Matthews: Not sure if Askade told you, but I was a marine, then transferred to security and tactical. She told me that you are in security also. ::Jade nodded, and sighed softly. Yes she had been in security her whole career. She had the mental and physical scars to prove it. Five times now she had cheated death at her last gasp. This Alexander seemed very special, but all it would take was one more accident or attack, and she may not be so lucky.:: Shryker: Yes, was Chief on my last ship. Matthews: But enough talk about careers, what would you like to know about me? Shryker: Oh, lots! Where do you come from, your folks, why did you join Star Fleet? Any crazy adventures. Everything! ::He stood up to start making dinner for her. He listened to her voice that calmed him as it made him feel at peace. The last few months all he has done was work and not had the time to enjoy his time off, if and when he took some time. As the sun started to set and the moon started to rise he could see the moonlight start to shine upon her face. He just started to smile at her as he finished cooking. Jade noticed this, her eyes sparkling. She loved his smile.:: Shryker: You happy that the food is ready? ::indicating his smiling face.:: Matthews: ::Taking the food off the fire, and serving it on the plate in front of her.:: I’m smiling at you. Shryker: Oooh! Matthews: ::Looking into her beautiful green eyes.:: Because you are very easy to talk to and open up too. Jade, I have not felt this comfortable in a long time. Thank you. Shryker: Thank you? What have I done? You organized all this. Matthews: For just being you. ::Serving himself his food, then sitting down to face her. Jade’s heart was pumping now. No one had ever talked to her like that, EVER EVER. :: Shryker: Oh Alex. ::She beamed with happiness.:: So, come on, tell me all about yourself. ::Jade took a sip of her drink.:: Matthews: I was born in the midwest. My parents live in Ohio. There is a valley where my house is located surrounded by mountains. It has been in my family for generations. My family has served in Starfleet, since it started. My parents are still alive and together. My family has this habit of naming us after military leaders. Myself I was named after Alexander The Great, the Macedonian King. I’m the only child, but I do have cousins and some nieces and nephews. Your turn. ::He started to eat his salad, looking directly into her eyes as the flame flickered in them.:: Shryker: Well, I was born in space. My folks were couriers oO pirates Oo and we travelled all over the galaxy. My father left us when I was very young. ::Jade bit her lip.::, but my Mom kept on working as a trade carrier. My kid brother Ryan and I helped out, even flying the shuttle at times oOand giving covering fire too Oo. Matthews: What happened to your mother? ::Noticing the pain in her eyes.:: Shryker: Mom’s gone. ::Jade held her Mother’s locket, that was around her neck. It was her only prized possession.:: Ryan’s now with family friends, he’s just a kid. Matthews: ::He watched her as she touched the locket around her neck.:: Have you seen him recently ? Shryker: No I don’t see him much. Last time was two years ago. I think he’s forgotten about me. Matthews: No, I don’t think so, he could not have forgotten you. Why would you think that ? Shryker: Maybe he thinks I should have tried harder to find Mom. But I was only 17. What could I do? Matthews: You did just what a sister should have done, be where she was needed, what happened to your mother anyway ? ::Looking at her with concern.:: Shryker: She went missing on a mission. I had to care for Ryan on my own after that. Had to do all things just to survive. ::Jade’s eyes moistened. But she quickly changed the subject.:: So, tell me about the Mercury. ::taking a mouthful of food, then keeping her head lowered, looked up at him with just her eyes.:: Matthews: ::Looking to her eyes as she talked about her mother, then seeing the tears he went along with the change in subject.:: The Mercury is a science vessel, the Oracle class. We are in the Mentar Corridor, deep space exploration. The last mission we were on we encountered the Borg. ::Taking a bite of his food.:: The Mercury is a fine ship, great captain. I work with Eyas Wulfantine he is the Chief Tactical Officer. Commander Kells is the commanding officer, Arden Cain is the first officer. Isaac Green is Chief of Security. Shryker: I remember Eyas, but the others are new to me. Matthews: Oh yes, he was on the Indy with you and Askade. He transferred from the Tiger. ::Looking at her glass.:: Would you like some more wine Jade? Shryker: Yes thanks. ::She smiled warmly at him.:: Matthews: ::Standing up as he carried the bottle over and filled her glass.:: Your welcome. After dinner would you like to take a walk on the beach ? ::Looking into her green eyes that reminded him of a jade dragon that he had seen in a museum. The soft subtle beauty of her face enchanted him.:: Shryker: The beach? I’d so love that. Not been on a beach for years. Matthews: ::Putting the bottle back in the decanter, then walking over behind her chair, helping her out of it.:: If I may have the pleasure of walking by your side ? ::Smiling.:: Shryker: The pleasure will be all mine. ::Alexander made sure that he was on the side where her noticed her limping and gave her support as they walked towards the beach into the moonlight as it reflected off the water. He held out his arm for her to hold on too as they walked into the sand.:: Shryker: Hey Alex, let me take my shoes off. Heels and sand don’t mix. ::He held on to her as she took off her shoes, she squeezed his hand tight as she held on. He sat her down to take them off making it easy for her. He felt that he should treat her as woman should be treated, with honor and respect. He helped her up, held her hand in his as they walked down to the shore line as he carried her shoes.:: Shryker: Thanx. :: He looked upon her as the moonlight shined in her hair, the gentle breeze blowing through it was they walked along the edge of the shoreline. The tide was coming in towards them, Alexander stopped and took off his boots and rolled up his uniform pants legs, took her hand in his again and walked farther along the beach in the moonlight. He stopped and turned towards her and looked into her eyes.:: Matthews: ::Touching her face gently.:: Jade, I don’t normally do this, but I feel that it’s right and I have to be honest. ::Jade’s heart fluttered. She looked up into his eyes.:: Shryker: Yes Alex? Matthews: ::Looking away for a second, then looking back into her eyes.:: When I was in the marines... there was a battle in a small system on the planet of Camis IV. I was in command of a recon unit that was to defend a Federation outpost. ::Closing his eyes and opening them again.:: We were told that the forces were of low strength and it was just a minor skirmish. When we got there most of the buildings were destroyed, most of the personnel was dead or dying. We fought our way to a hill outside of the town, and found that there were reinforcements advancing, Nausicaan raiders. ::Breathing heavily.:: During the attack my men were killed, I was hit by a phaser, and cut on my arm by a knife. I had no choice but to call in an air strike on my own position, a Broken Arrow. I was the only one that survived. ::Jade felt his pain.:: Shryker: Oh Alex, that must have been so bad. But__ I am glad you did survive. ::She smiled.:: Matthews: I was in the hospital for sometime, I have survivor's guilt. A form of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. ::Touching her face again with gentleness.:: Shryker: You must never feel guilty about that. Life must be cherished. Don’t ever forget that. ::Jade moved her head towards him.:: ::Alexander held her close and took her into his arms. He held her gently as he moved closer to her lips and kissed her softly. The smell of her perfume became stronger and even more intoxicating. The touch of her soft lips felt like satin as he continued to kiss her with a building passion. He had never given himself like this to anyone, but it felt more than right to open himself to her. He stroked her hair with gentleness as he felt himself open his passion to her deeply.:: Shryker: Alex__ ::Jade ran her fingers across his back, and pulled him closer into her. She breathed in his scent and held him tight, never breaking their kiss.:: ::Alexander felt his heart beat faster as he kissed her, he felt her pull him closer to her. It was just a holodeck program, but it was so real that he could only be enveloped in the moment. He knew that he had to be with her again.:: ::Jade knew this was in fact just a holodeck sprite, but it felt so real. She wanted it to be real. To be with this man who she had just met, but felt she had known all her life. She pulled her head back briefly, just to look into his eyes again.:: Matthews: Jade... ::Looking at her with the eyes of passion.:: May I see you again ? Shryker: Soon__ tbc Lt Jade Shryker Security - Drake & Lt. Cmdr. Alexander James Matthews Chief Of Operations USS Mercury NCC-99812

Voting closes Sunday, June 24 2012 at 23:59 PM. This round of voting only qualifies one sim to move on to the next round of judging. REMEMBER: This is NOT a popularity contest. Vote based on MERIT, not the fact that someone is your crewmate. Any crews found “stuffing the ballots” or ratings, will be disqualified PERMANENTLY. Yes, that means the whole crew!

((Holodeck 2, USS Victory)) ::As if on cue, the arch that would permit entrance to the holodeck appeared no sooner than the tug had pulled away leaving the jet alone on the tarmac a distance from the hangar. Kali had already been up into the [...]pit and verified things that might have mattered in the real world, but had little coincidence in the holographic world. Still, old habits had a way of sticking around, especially in an environment as real as this.:: ::Seconds after the arch appeared, the doors opened to reveal a tall man in a flight suit that he didn’t seem all that out of place in. Some people, like Tressa, had a hard time adjusting to the weight and feel of the suit. Colt, however, seemed almost as comfortable in it as if he were born in the thing. Her eyes followed him as she laughed at the recollection of Tressa when they had gone flying on Earth, a coincidental thought she was suddenly thankful for as it had allowed her to hide a deeper, more frightening feeling; an ever strengthening attraction that she hadn’t fully explored during the crisis, but one that was making itself quite known now that things had calmed.:: ::Not wanting to answer questions, she turned back to the jet and continued the process of pre-flight until he approached and spoke to her.:: ::Colt stepped through the doors to Holodeck 2 and immediately found himself on a Tarmac standing before an archaic aircraft. He approached the plane trying not to tug at his flight suit, it was a little uncomfortable as he had cinched up to help him withstand the g-forces of whatever stunts Kali might pull. He looked over at the woman who had invited him on this...date? He wondered if that was what this was. Things had been somewhat confusing between them and Colt was still trying to decipher what exactly their relationship was. It was a difficult thing, trying to pursue a personal relationship with someone who was his direct superior, but he was beginning to find that challenge less daunting every day.:: ::Approaching the aircraft, which he had learned earlier via the computer library was an F/A-18F, a type of 20th Century fighter jet, he found it amazing that contemporary Air Forces used fragile, primitive crafts like this in battle. He closed the distance between them and spoke:: Daniels: So, this is the real deal... an actual F-18? ::He of course knew it was a holodeck program, but he imagined it was a near perfect reproduction.:: It's hard to believe they'd use things in air battles with no shields or warp drives or anything. ::Now she had little choice but to turn and grin at him. At least there were no questions about her previous staring or the slight laugh.:: Nicholotti: I see you do your homework. ::Colt smiled warmly at Kali:: Daniels: I try to learn everything I can about every weapons system I can. ::He paused for a moment and continued with a smirk:: Even reeeeaaaally old ones. ::Having made it all the way around the aircraft, Kali now made her way over to where he stood. He was taller than her, but that didn’t matter; there was no fear in her mind now as she walked up to him and stopped.:: ::As Kali came around from the opposite side of the jet, Colt got his first unobstructed view of her in her own flight suit. His mind struggled to find a label for the way she looked, cute seemed to be the closest approximation, though the word betrayed the confidence and the capable way she was performing the pre-flight.:: Nicholotti: You ready for this? ::An almost evil grin appeared as she spoke, fighting the urge to move even closer.:: ::Colt looked up at the blue-gray monster and raised an eyebrow.:: Daniels: I'm ready as I'll ever be. Nicholotti: ::with a nod.:: Good. Let’s go then. ::She gestured towards the rear ladder as she turned and headed back towards the beast. It was, for all intents and purposes, a living, breathing, being at that point, and one that Kali had spent many long hours in as a kid. This was one moment where the smile just couldn’t be hidden.:: ::He climbed up the ladder and into the empty seat behind Kali, taking a few moments to figure out how to strap himself in before speaking again.:: Daniels: So, how exactly did you learn to fly one of these? ::He looked around at the various instruments and displays, particularly the weapons systems. Colt always seemed attracted to the things that blew up and/or put holes in other things.:: ::As she settled into her own seat, ground crew members appeared and pulled the ladders from the plane and finalized preparations for their departure.:: Nicholotti: My grandfather taught me. ::Without thought, her hands went to work bringing the monster fully to life. With each one, something new came on and changed until finally they were ready to roll.:: ::Colt smiled even though she probably wouldn't see it from where she was sitting. The confidence she was exuding and the way she was working this ancient warbird, wasn't unlike the way she commanded a starship, which he found to be extremely...alluring.:: Daniels: I see. You sure seem like you know what you're doing. So do I need to do anything or do I just sit back here and be amazed by you like usual? ::Her face well hidden in her helmet, Kali knew he wouldn’t be able to see the look on her face. As the canopy lowered around them, she spoke into the now active radio.:: Nicholotti: Yea, don’t touch anything. ::She laughed.:: Not until we’re off the ground at least. ::There was a tone to her voice that said so much more than what she spoke. It was almost taunting, as if she were telling him ‘just wait, you’ll see’ with an evil laugh appended to the end. It was a trick her grandfather had used on her, and one she had a bad habit of pulling on anyone brave enough to go flying with her. For now, though, there was the matter of takeoff. After that, they would be free.:: ::Relative silence descended on them as she went through the process involved. Air traffic control was handled by legacy towers and Starfleet installations these days, but in her holodeck simulations, she always tried to get things close to how the old towers would do it. It never quite seemed real though, but it worked well enough for the purpose. At least she never found herself waiting in line to take off, ever.:: ::With clearance given, the plane responded to her controls as she maneuvered it towards the runway they would use to get into the sky. Simple movements caused the craft to react all the way down the taxiway to the end of the long strip of concrete that sprawled out in front of them. Smiling to herself, she made the final preparations for takeoff while speaking to the man behind her. This was always the best part of things; feeling the speed as the craft they were in hurtled into the sky.:: Nicholotti: How are you doing back there? ::Colt was enjoying himself already. The sound and vibration of the turbine engines were tremendous, the visceral stimulation was a far cry from the sterile, antiseptic feel of a small starfighter. As usual the woman behind the controls was demonstrating her refined ability to capture his thoughts, preventing him from thinking about anything else for too long, before his thoughts returned to her.:: Daniels: So far, so good. I'm not too worried though, I trust you. ::Kali laughed; he certainly had a knack for being able to invoke feelings she had thought long buried. It was only the jet, and the controls at her hands, that kept her mind on track and not of on a distant tangent.:: Nicholotti: Fair enough. ::With that, she shoved the throttle all the way forward. The plane seemed to jump beneath them before it went screaming down the line of concrete ahead of them. Kali watched the gauges, pulling back as soon as the speed hit a certain mark. The craft went shooting through the sky as the two occupants were pushed back into their seats with the force of multiple G's. It was this that she lived for, both as a child and now; the moment when speed, in all its glory, could actually be felt.:: ::As Kali hammered on the throttle Colt heard the turbines roar and felt the force of gravity press him back into his seat, it was astonishing. His mind told him that he had achieved speeds far greater than this on any number of ships, but because modern ships had inertial dampeners he had never found it very exhilarating. Now he truly felt as though he was screaming through the air faster than ever before. After a few moments of climbing they finally leveled off he found himself able to speak again.:: Daniels: Kali, this is great! The raw power of this beast is awesome. ::He was smiling like a kid and he was fairly certain that she would be able to hear it in his voice.:: ::She could hear that wonder in his voice; the same wonder she had always had for the sheer thrill of flying. Her own laughter filtered over the radio to the back of the plane.:: Nicholotti: Glad you can see the light. ::If he could see her face, he would see quite the smirk. It was rather pleasing that he was really enjoying himself. There hadn’t been many people she’d flown with since she joined Starfleet, but Colt seemed to be having the most fun of them all. Of course most of them ended up sick at some point during the flight, Tressa included, though hers was probably to be attributed to the pregnancy they had found out about a couple days after their flight. She smiled in spite of the part of her that missed the woman desperately and focused her attention back on the man who had taken her up on the offer to fly.:: ::He looked out the side of the canopy, studying the control surfaces trying to understand the way the jet maneuvered through the air in an attempt to estimate it's abilities. Looking forward he spoke again.:: Daniels: So, let's see what she can do! Nicholotti: You might be sorry you said that. ::He felt his muscles tense up slightly, he hadn't realized how much of an adrenaline junkie he was, but now he was shaking a little in anticipation of the incoming rush. As she gunned the throttle once again and he felt the welcome feeling associated with acceleration in Earth's gravity he smiled under his helmet and let himself be pushed back into his seat.:: ::Kali immediately pulled the nose up into another steep climb that pushed them both back dramatically into their seats. As the airspeed slowed, she nudged the nose back over and they quickly shot back down towards the ground. It was like a game of chicken that she always lost, but there was a kind of thrill that built itself up within her as the ground got bigger and bigger. There was also precision in the move, and when the altimeter was at her limit, she pulled out of the dive and made a parabola that took them back into the sky.:: ::They tore through the sky climbing, diving, and rolling as Colt had to fight back the urge to yell. He imagined that she would be impressed by the fact that he hadn't gotten sick from the stunts, she didn't have to know that he had stopped by sickbay on his way over and picked up medicine for motion sickness. His heart was still racing when they finally leveled out again. ::After a few of her normal stunts, she brought the plane level and somewhat under control before speaking to Colt.:: Nicholotti: So, you should grab the stick and fly. ::She paused dramatically and stuck her hands up so that he could see them.:: Cause I’m tired. ::She laughed. This was the one thing she did to everyone, save Tressa, just to see how they would react. The effect was much better in the real world, but the holodeck had made things feel real enough up till now; perhaps the mind would not allow him the luxury of remembering they were actually quite safe on the ground of the holographic chamber. Of course there was also the fact that her safety was in the pedals at her feet, but she kept that to herself too.:: ::He saw her hands held up in the classic "no-hands" gesture and in a brief moment of panic scrambled for the Co-Pilots stick before the logical part of his brain told him they were actually in the safety of the holodeck. Grinning sheepishly he held it steady for a moment before gently lowering the nose of the jet into a gradual dive before gently nosing back up to level. The little "stunt" he pulled didn't hold a candle to the large overarching loops Kali had pulled, but he was proud of the simple maneuverall the same.:: Daniels: You know, that's not bad. It certainly handles a little differently than a starship. Maybe I'll have you give me some lessons sometime... add to my list of skills that aren't particularly useful, like sailing. ::The word reminded him of their time on Eschevar, he was sure this would be fond memory as well just like they time the had spent there.:: Nicholotti: That wasn’t so useless though. ::On the contrary, it had been the origination of the spark that had led them to this moment. In that aspect, it had proved to be very useful.:: ::Once again she took over the controls and he released his grasp on the stick. A few moments passed before either of them said anything. Colt was looking around the [...]pit now taking note of the various buttons and switches.:: Daniels: Does this baby have functional weapons systems? ::Kali couldn’t help but laugh at that. If anyone would ask that, it would be him.:: Nicholotti: Yea, but nothing’s loaded. ::The real jet, of which this program had been modeled after, that sat in a hanger at home on Earth, was as real as it had been back in the glory days of the supersonic flight. Without the need for the weapons though, they were never loaded or armed.:: :: He was a little disappointed by the news, until he had an idea.:: Daniels: I Suppose it won't hurt to depart from realism a little here... Computer, outfit this jet to full combat payload. ::Air to air missles appeared on pylons and the ammunition for something called a "20mm Cannon" showed to be at full capacity:: oO Projectile weapons, So retro... I like it. Oo Daniels: I'm gonna let 'er rip. Is that ok? ::By now, Kali was quite amused. Having gone through great pains to program the jet to provide similar functionality to front and back seat occupants, she hadn’t thought it would be used in this manner. Still, she grinned. Never had anyone thought to do such a thing in the past, but it seemed like a good enough idea. It certainly would be a good test of her flying skills and his shooting skills if nothing else; but only if they had an opponent.:: Nicholotti: In a minute. Computer, insert three opponents. ::She paused and thought for a moment.:: One Su-27 Flanker, one MiG-29 Fulcrum, one F-4J, Mitsubishi version. ::There was a moment of silence before the computer complied and the other three jets appeared a ways in front of them. After another moment, the jets scattered. Kali smiled. It was time to hunt.:: Nicholotti: Alright. I’ll chase em down, but the shooting is all you. ::Colt was grinning so widely his face was starting to hurt, it wasn't every day that he got to play with this kind of hardware. Though he had no training with these kind of weapons he hoped his natural skill at making things go boom would be able to compensate:: Daniels: Yeehaw! ::He yelled a little too enthusiastically:: Let's go. ::That was all that was required; he said the word and she banked the plane off to the right to follow the first of the opponents. It wasn’t long before the Flanker was in sight out of the canopy window. Suddenly aware of their presence, it broke its flight pattern and tried to dart in between the clouds. Kali followed it.:: ::Colt spotted the enemy plane and tried to lock missile radar, a tone told him that he had 'probably' locked on. He had noticed the 3 weapon choices Vulcan, 'AMRAAM', and 'Sdewndr'. Going with the only name that he recognized he fired, resulting and a short burst from the front mounted Vulcan cannon.:: oO Oops, that's not it. Oo ::As Kali lined them up again and Colt finally heard the lock on tone, he this time fired the 'AMRAAM'. As the missile arced out his eyes followed it to its fiery conclusion:: ::Pursuing the jet through the clouds, she waited to hear the release of whatever weapons the man behind her would choose to use. The clouds cleared in that moment, and they found the plane they were seeking just to their right. Kali banked the plane again and Colt shot; the result of which was an explosion of orange red flames the likes of which she’d seen on some older holovids she’d watched as a kid.:: Daniels: Yeah! Pretty good for my first try, eh? ::Laughing at the reaction coming from the back seat, Kali turned the plane towards their next target.:: Nicholotti: Not bad. Not bad at all. Daniels: What can I say, weapons just... speak to me. ::They continued until all 3 adversaries were destroyed, largely due to Kali's impressive flying and to a lesser extent, Colt's beginner's luck in the gunner's seat. ::Having had enough fun and adrenaline for one day, Kali brought the plane around and set it as gentle as ever on the long runway that looked so incredibly real. Her hands went to work again, flipping switches and pushing buttons as they came to a stop near the line of hangars where they had started. Finally she opened the canopy and released her body from the restraints allowing herself just a moment to get used to normal gravity again. Continuing her egress, she motioned behind her for him to do the same.:: ::As the Jet came to a stop and the engines wound down, Colt saw Kali unbutton her helmet. As canopy slowly opened she climbed out and motioned for him to follow. Once they were on the ground and clear of any hazards they stopped not far from the now motionless fighter to talk.:: Daniels: I'm glad we did this. ::He paused for a moment:: You never cease to amaze me, do you know that? ::The comment took her momentarily off guard, but she kept her composure. So often over the past week she had questioned herself and her ability to do what she did. Now here he was telling her that she amazed him.:: Nicholotti: I do? ::Colt rubbed the back of his head a little, a habit he often displayed when he was trying find the words to express himself.:: Daniels: I don't know, it’s just that every moment I spend with you seems to leave me hoping that the next one isn't too far away. ::In the still silence that had now taken over the holodeck, Kali felt the trappings of command, and all the responsibility melt away again. An incredible feeling replaced it, drawing her to him. She stepped closer and slipped her hand into one of his.:: Nicholotti: All that we have is now, and right now, I’m here. ::The feeling of standing on the edge of a cliff had long gone. This was the path she was willing and ready to follow. Would he jump as well?:: ::As Colt stood there holding her hand, he again tried to find the words that would portray his feelings for her. His words were failing him once again, so he decided on an alternative course of action. He placed his other hand on her waist and gently pulled her towards him and before he could talk himself out of it, he kissed the beautiful dark-haired officer with a passion befitting of the tension that had existed between them for weeks. As he felt the lightning shoot through his body, he laughed internally at the fact that his biggest adrenaline rush of the day hadn't occurred on that jet. After a moment that seemed much longer than it had probably been, he released her allowing for the now notably smaller space between them to return.:: ::For a command officer who had to stand strong almost all of the time, it was surprising to even herself to see just how fast she melted into the moment. It definitely caught her off guard only this time, had he been watching her, he would have actually seen it. But he didn’t; instead, he felt it. He had to, because as he embraced her, she realized how much this was what she had wanted him to do. There had been a sort of longing over the past weeks, and it had become tension that was all suddenly released with this single act. It was like a deep breath after having been under water for too long. It was an act that sent near literal sparks shooting through her body, bringing with them a feeling of being really alive for the first time in a very long time.:: ::And when he was done, he let only the smallest space return between them. The Captain of the Starbase was gone; in that moment, though, she felt more powerful than any command would ever allow her to. In his arms, she felt as if she didn’t need the plane beside them to fly. Kali didn’t fight the smile or the look of contentment on her face. She had found a safe place to be; to show what she was feeling and thinking. He had earned that now, at the very least.:: Daniels: I don't intend on letting you go anywhere if I can help it. Nicholotti: Good. ::Throwing time and any other cares to the wind, Kali pulled him back towards her. As their lips met again, no words needed to be said. All that existed in that moment was him, and to her, that was all that really mattered. Sure, there would be terrorists, and those who would want to hurt the station and those on it, but right now the universe was perfect and so, she found herself lost, more than willingly, in the moment, and in his arms.:: ::All of his fears assuaged, he more than willingly allowed her to pull him back towards her. As they embraced in the shadow of the machine that had so quickly been replaced as the highlight of his day, he silently thanked the universe for bringing him to this base, for bringing him to her.:: ::After a short while (a little too short by Colt's standards, but beggars couldn't be choosers) they regained some of their composure and, realizing that they both had somewhere to be soon decided end the program. The grid pattern on the walls faded into view and with the exit now plainly visible they walked hand in hand towards it, stopping just short of causing it to open.:: Daniels: This was fun. ::He smiled and winked:: We'll have to do this again real soon. ::Kali grinned. Fun was one way to describe it.:: Nicholotti: Yes, we will. I look forward to it. ::As they stepped out into the corridor, he dropped her hand before turning towards her.:: ::With that he released her hand, not wanting to cause a stir with any crew that might be in the corridor, and stepped through the threshold. He paused and turned back towards her one last time.:: Daniels: Hey, I'll see you tonight. Ok? ::She nodded, not wanting to let him leave or to let the moment end, but looking forward to the next when they would see each other again.:: Nicholotti: Of course. I wouldn’t miss it. ::He reluctantly turned and walked down the corridor, heading towards his quarters on the Victory to shower and get ready for the party later that night. Though he plodded on with a sense of purpose, his mind was still back in the holodeck, replaying the events over and over.:: ::Kali watched him go with a tinge of sadness. Moments were fleeting, but she would always have the memories and the feeling of being able to fly without any wings that he had left her with. A smile appeared on her face as he disappeared around a corner and she headed off to her own quarters. This was just the beginning, the beginning of something great.:: JP By: -- ======//////======> Lt.JG Colt Daniels Chief Tactical Officer SB118/USS Victory & -- Commander Kalianna Nicholotti Commanding Officer Starbase 118 / USS Victory

((Treatment Room 2, Sickbay, USS Mercury)) ::He had greeted the Marines as he passed them and checked the integrity of the quarantine fields at the door. Everything was excluded; not a virus nor a signal could get out, certainly not a nanite. Not even air particles, the environmental system was on closed-circuit recycle with reclamation and replication of air molecules. The internal monitoring system showed that the majority of the raw materials that Engineering had delivered had been used, and the Borg Queen appeared whole, and was using the power module placed at the back of the room.:: ::Saveron keyed an exclusion forcefield half-way across the room, effectively cutting it in two, before he accessed the force-field airlock that was now in place in the entryway. The forcefields were transparent, he could see the Queen the instant the door slid back, and over their faint hum he could hear the whine of the powerpack.:: ::Stepping patiently through the fields as they cycled to let him in without letting anything else out, the Vulcan doctor at last stood with nothing but a forcefield between himself and the Borg Queen. He looked her over with a neutral expression, but a more compassionate eye than most would use. She was here because of him, he didn't doubt that most of the crew would have gladly destroyed her. Yet the doctor could only wonder how she must feel, bereft of her connection to the Collective that had created her. Could she even function independently? He would find out.:: Saveron: Sochya. ::He greeted her traditionally, for want of a better idea. He had insisted that she be treated as any other prisoner would; it was logical to be polite.:: :: The Queen raised her eyes to her visitor: an important motion, since it was one of the simplest left to her. She was pleased with her ability to execute it, since so much of what she had been -- so much of what had been given to her -- had so recently been taken back.:: Borg Queen: You are Vulcan. (beat) Perhaps it is logical to tell you that resistance is futile; but I do not doubt that you will disagree. Saveron: You are correct. ::He confirmed.:: oO So she does have independant reasoning. Oo Borg Queen: Then tell me why you are here. Have you come to observe me? The creature who was once Borg -- who, without the song in its mind, is now fit only for your menagerie? Saveron: Affirmative. ::The doctor assured her evenly.:: I also wished to converse with you. Borg Queen: You would be happier if you allowed me to assimilate you. A collective of two -- a collective beginning with two. Our voices, in each other's heads. (beat) Are you not intrigued? Are you not curious? ::She had him there; yes he was curious.:: Saveron: Not in the manner which you presume. ::He replied.:: Being Vulcan, I am already aware of what it is to have my mind bound to another, but unlike the Borg my bond-mate and I retained our individuality. ::Although in the depths of an intimate meld even that could be difficult.:: That is not something I wish to lose. Borg Queen: By sacrificing your individuality, you will expand and grow in ways you cannot imagine. It is illogical to assume that you would not benefit. Saveron: When the Collective assimilates an individual they become a drone and lose their individuality. It fascinates me that you have not come to understand how this weakens you. Or perhaps you have? The Nimitz Borg are different to those with which the Federation is acquainted. Borg Queen: It is true that we are -- and that I am -- different from those Borg encountered by your Federation before. We are connected, and yet each drone retains a sense of self. I've given them this gift myself. Saveron: So you begin to gain an appreciation of the benefits of a different point of view. Many thought that the Collective assimilated everything, and learned nothing. Borg Queen: Oh, yes. We have grown and learned much as we've evolved towards perfection. Saveron: The Collective assimilates, it incorporates, but it does not create; it cannot. To be creative requires subjectivity, and that is something that you lack. An individual point of view is subjective. And it is that point of view, that difference in perception and understanding, that leads to creativity, invention and improvement. Without it a species stagnates. You steal ideas because you cannot make your own, this makes you as a parasite dependent on your host species; that is a weakness. Borg Queen: Perhaps. You cannot hear the thoughts of those around you; that is a weakness. Whose is worse? :: She did not wait for a response before continuing. :: Borg Queen: I would take my own life and allow my children to grow another Queen if I believed I would never return to them. But their strength is such, and your weakness is likewise, that I trust that I -- that we -- shall overcome. :: She turned away from the Vulcan man. She had no more to say to him. :: Borg Queen: Leave us. :: Only the quiet swish of the door told her that she was, again, alone. :: TBC! Dr. Saveron CMO USS Mercury & The Borg Queen (sans collective) by Cmdr. Kells

((Personal Quarters)) ::Kaedyn Zehn looked at himself in the mirror with a concerned frown. In his newly replicated uniform, with its black turtle neck on which his new rank was pinned, he felt even less like the old Kaedyn he had been before Joining than ever. This, he knew, was healthy since he no longer was the old Kaedyn but it was still disconcerting. The logic of an intelligence service highlighting it's officers with a distinct uniform colour was lost on him but perhaps it was a way of Starfleet Intelligence demonstrating how mainstream it was in comparison with the shadowy, nefarious intelligence agencies throughout the galaxy.:: ::With Eliaan still asleep, he quietly slipped out of their quarters and into the turbolift for what would be his first day in his new job. While excited at the prospect, he felt a knot of nerves in his stomach as the lift ascended to it's destination.:: ((Black Tower)) ::Arriving at the entrance to the command tower, which the station's intelligence department called home, Kaedyn took a deep breath. The Black Tower had gained a level of notoriety in the past, much of it based around events that he had not been authorised to know about and may never have actually happened for all he knew. Jilenna had spent some time there but as a marine counter-intel officer she was usually based with the other marines on the other side of the station.:: Computer: Access to this area is restricted. Authorisation required. Zehn: Authorisation Zehn Lamda-Three-Two-Black Computer: Authorisation accepted. ::The doors opened and despite the mental picture of secretive bunker that Kaedyn had always had of the area, it was just another Starfleet corridor and exactly as Jilenna had remembered it. In a large, deliberate step that seemed to mirror the metaphorical step in his life, he entered the Black Tower and the doors slid quietly closed behind him.:: ::Ahead of him, a young man dressed in the black uniform of intelligence and with a single pip denoting his rank, stood waiting. Was he waiting for him?:: Ensign: Lieutenant Zehn ::He said it so it wasn't clear whether it was a question or a statement and for a moment, Kaedyn didn't know quite how to respond. When he did, he carefully so that the response could be interpreted either as a confirmation, if it were a question and a question if it were a statement.:: Zehn: Yes Ensign: Commander Cornwell wishes to speak to you. ::The name sounded familiar but then after seven lifetimes of memories, a lot of names sounded familiar. He was due to be briefed on current intelligence status but surely Starfleet wouldn't send a Commander to brief a Lieutenant.:: Zehn: Sorry, who? Ensign: Commander Valerie Cornwell ::And from the depths of Zehn's memories, he immediately knew who she was...:: ~~Flashback: 2369~~ ((USS Indomitable)) ::Lieutenant Commander Reigan Zehn sat behind his desk, straight-backed and commanding, as the young Ensign entered his office. She looked, he noticed immediately, terrified in the way that all new ensigns looked on their first day of duty. Another chief might try to make her feel more at ease or pretend to be her friend but he had other ideas. Now, he believed, was the best opportunity to take a promising officer and mold her into his image of a good security officer.:: Zehn (Reigan): Ensign Valerie Cornwell service number four three two dash five five six dash seven one three. Class of 69. Graduated with honours, a major in Security and a minor in Operations. ::Standing at attention, she looked vaguely unsure as to whether to respond.:: Cornwell: Sir, that's me. Sir. Zehn (Reigan): You didn't want to minor in Tactical? Most of the ensigns who major in security minor in tactical, and vice versa. Cornwell: No, Sir. I did not. Zehn (Reigan): Why not? Please, you may speak freely. ::She remained at attention.:: Cornwell: I am not interested in combat, sir. Most tactical officers are glory hunters, in my experience, Sir. I felt operations would give me a better understanding of Starships, which would help my role as a security officer. ::A small smile crossed the Trill's face, a rare occurrence when he was on duty.:: Zehn (Reigan): Very good, Ensign. I am a Security/Operations graduate myself, for the very same reason. ::He indicated that she may sit down across from him and she did so, although she remained rigidly upright.:: Zehn (Reigan): I have reviewed your Academy record, Ensign Cornwell and I was sufficiently impressed to request you for my department. Cornwell: Thank you, Commander. I appreciate that. Zehn (Reigan): You have done well learning the theory of being a security officer. I will now teach you the practice. ~~End Flashback~~ ((Black Tower)) Zehn: Commander Cornwell ::As he stepped into the temporary office, which indicated that Valerie Cornwell was not permanently assigned to the Starbase, he spotted the woman he had known so well two lifetimes before. Her hair was longer now and greying, where it had once been almost black, but the face was more or less the same. She smiled and waved him in.:: Cornwell: Come in, Kaedyn. It's great to meet you, well not exactly meet you but you know what I mean. Zehn: I do, Commander. It's been... a long time. ::They had last met, or rather Reigan and Cornwell had last met, not too long before his death at the Second Battle of Chin'toka during the Dominion War. She had written to Jilenna several times but they had never actually met. Somehow, despite the fact that Zehn had experienced the death of two hosts, Cornwell looked as thought she had suffered through a more difficult time. She seemed weary and tired.:: Cornwell: I was sorry to hear about Jilenna Zehn: Yeah, it was a tragic accident... Cornwell: But, now, here you are. I must say, your new host is very attractive, if I were only twenty years younger... ::It was common, Kaedyn knew, for non-Trill to speak in such terms. It was almost as if they believed, given the nature of Joined Trill, that the host was little more than a shell, an outfit that could be changed.:: Zehn: You have barely changed since the day we first met, Commander. ::She eyed him with good humoured suspicion.:: Cornwell: Nonsense. I keep getting older and you keep getting younger... Boss. ~~Flashback: 2369~~ ((USS Indomitable)) ::Reigan Zehn stood outside his office. He masked his impatience well behind a facade of stoicism but as the young Ensign approached it spilled out.:: Zehn (Reigan): You are late Cornwell: Sir? Zehn: You were to report to me at oh five hundred hours Cornwell: And here I am. ::He frowned.:: Zehn: Computer, time Computer: The time is oh five hundred hours and two minutes Cornwell: Two minutes? That's not really late Zehn (Reigan): And what, may I ask, is the threshold for being "really" late? five minutes? ten minutes? fifteen minutes? How long does it take for an explosive device to go off or for someone to beam away from a crime scene? Timing is essential in the life of a security officer. Cornwell: I understand, Boss. It won't happen again. ::He knew he was being tough on her but he knew she could handle it. He was always tough on new recruits, they picked things up quicker if he wouldn't let them away with anything. He was particularly hard on Valerie because he knew she could be really good but also because he could tell she was developing a crush on him.:: ::The last Zehn host, Tomen, had been a star athlete and an attractive man. Tomen had been used to that sort of attention, Janel thrived on it and Zhima had mourned the loss of the political power that had made him attractive to woman. For Reigan, that sort of attention was unexpected and unwelcome.:: ::They began his morning ritual of patrolling the large Nebula-class starship. He liked the crew, and the civilians onboard, to see him around and to be a visible presence on the ship. It was a habit he was hoping to instil in the young Ensign Cornwell. He had a set route that he always took and usually Zehn (Reigan): Did you hear about the wormhole? The first stable wormhole to the Gamma quadrant Cornwell: Yes, it's exciting ::The Trill man's face remained stoic, obviously annoyed at her inability to think like a security officer.:: Zehn (Reigan): No it isn't. We have no idea who or what is on the other side of that wormhole and what sort of danger they pose to us. Cornwell: I suppose. Zehn (Reigan): I know that when arresting a Klingon I need to take backup; or when questioning a Betazoid be aware that they can read my mind or that an Orion woman has pheromones that make men go mad and to send female officers. I don't have that knowledge about these new races we might encounter and that make me nervous. Cornwell: Of course but it isn't the point of Starfleet to explore the galaxy? Zehn (Reigan): It is but I don't like uncertainty and neither should any good security officer. Danger lurks around every corner, never forget that. ~~End Flashback~~ ((Black Tower)) Cornwell: I'm not sure how well you've been briefed. I spoke to Savannah and she asked if I could speak to you about this... ::Kaedyn adjusted position in his chair. Surely, she knew he hadn't even had time to visit his office. She had sent someone to collect him from the lobby of the tower.:: Zehn: I haven't been briefed at all, yet. Cornwell: How familiar are you with the Thracian Alliance situation? ::Open-ended questions. Was she using Reigan's interrogation techniques against him? Such a question led the person being asked into a situation where they couldn't quite be sure what was being asked. In that circumstance, people often gave away more than they planned as an attempt to find the answer to whatever the real question was.:: Zehn: I'd imagine I know as much as anyone of my previous rank and position on this station knows. ::She smiled at his equivocation.:: Cornwell: After a few years in Investigation, I have found myself in the deep end of intelligence. When the Thracian Alliance was established, I was sent here to establish links with them. That assignment has ended and I am being pulled out. When Savannah informed me that you were taking over the Intel brief here, I was glad that someone I could trust would be involved. Zehn: I'm not here to create intelligence networks. Cornwell: Of course not. Zehn: Then what? ::She leaned forward, placing her arms on her desk and interlocking her fingers.:: Cornwell: I'll be frank with you, Kaedyn. Thracia is a mess and it is my belief that it poses a risk to the Federation. The whole place is riddled with agents and double agents and probably triple agents... Zehn: I had gathered as much. Cornwell: Why? Zehn: There are two groups of Romulans on opposite sides of the Thracian border and there's that old saying: when two Romulans are in a room, they are likely both spying on each other. Factor in the proximity of the Klingons who are better at intelligence that they may pretend to be; the fact that some of those who found themselves in Thracian space will have loyalty to their previous governments and the number of alien traders and diplomats that have made a bee-line for the Alliance. I'd be surprised if ::She smiled, confident that the investigative capability of Reigan was present in this recently promoted young officer. For his part, Kaedyn was a little surprised at how he was speaking.:: Cornwell: I am concerned that as a result, the Thracians will develop a Tal'Shiar style intelligence agency. If they do, it will be up to you to keep in contact with the fledgling networks that I have established and ensure that such spies don't wind up on SB118. ::He frowned.:: Zehn: Commander, I have been on this job for less than a day. Surely, someone with more experience would be better suited... Cornwell: If anyone can do this, it would be Reigan Zehn Zehn: ::frowning:: I'm not Reigan Zehn Cornwell: You are the nearest I have to him and with Jilenna's counter-intel experience you are probably even better suited for it. ::He cleared his throat.:: Zehn: Commander, my position is within the Starbase chain of command... Cornwell: That was not my decision, believe me. Zehn: Regardless of whose decision it is, I get my orders from my commanding officer. I won't subvert the chain of command. Has this been cleared with Commander Nicholotti? ::A shadow briefly crossed her face and Kaedyn, acutely aware that this woman who had been his subordinate was now his superior by quite a bit, worried that he had stepped over the line. However, almost as quickly as it had appeared her expression softened again.:: Cornwell: Commander Nicholotti is your CO and I respect that. I also trust Nicholotti, which I can't say about a lot of people any more. This is simply a counter-intelligence assignment, which would be within your area of responsibility and Commander Nicholotti will certainly be kept in the loop. Zehn: Okay... Cornwell: It has been felt that since Kaedyn has no background in intelligence, you won't have shown up on anyone else's radar. In short, you won't be seen as much of a threat to the Thracians, Klingons or Romulans. Zehn: Do you have any proof that the Thracians are planning anything like the organisation you are describing? Cornwell: There are. I just know there are. ~~Flashback: 2369~~ ((USS Indomitable)) ::The morning patrol of the ship had become an excellent opportunity for the Security Chief and his apprentice to discuss any questions she had and for him to impart his wisdom. He had even managed to accept the crush that she had on him, which did not appear to be going away anytime soon.:: Cornwell: Okay, what would you do if you know someone is guilty but we can't prove it. ::Nodding to a passing officer as they walked, he considered the question. It was one of the most difficult aspects of security work.:: Zehn (Reigan): We investigate using our gut instincts but that can only get us so far. Proof. Evidence. Facts. These are what we must strive for at all times Cornwell: And what do we do if we can't find any proof? Zehn (Reigan): Look harder. Turn over more stones. Go back and turn over the ones you'll already looked under. Speak to your witnesses again. Cornwell: And then what? ::The Trill stopped and turned to face the young ensign.:: Zehn (Reigan): Then you may have to accept as justice is not served. ::She looked incredulous at the very notion of it, as if Cornwell: You'd just give up? Zehn (Reigan): Give up? Never. That's the key, we may have to watch as a criminal gets away or a crime goes unsolved but we never give up. We never give up. ~~End Flashback~~ ((Black Tower)) Zehn: I will look over any information that you have and discuss this with the Commander. ::For the first time in their conversation, she visible bristled and regarded him as the subordinate that he was rather than the mentor he had been.:: Cornwell: I am not a new ensign, Lieutenant. I do not need you to check my work. ::He said nothing for a long time. She had been used to Reigan Zehn who, given the chance to lead an investigation like this, would have jumped at the chance. She had not reckoned with the stubbornness of this new host.:: Zehn: Then until I am ordered otherwise, I cannot help you. ::Opening her mouth to respond, she closed it again and leaned back in her chair. After staring at him for a long time in silence, she lifted a PADD and tossed it across the desk at him.:: Cornwell: That doesn't leave the Tower. You have until tomorrow to get back to me. Speak to Nicholotti if you wish. Zehn: Thank you. Cornwell: Dismissed, Lieutenant. TBC Lieutenant Kaedyn Zehn Intelligence Officer SB118 / USS Victory