On>
Counselor's Quarters>

Tarmis held Chiara tightly, over time he felt her grasp begin to loosen until she inevitably passed out from the whiskey. Tarmis gently laid Chiara back in the chair; he then took the whiskey and tossed it into the recycler. Once he did that Tarmis went back to Chiara. Tarmis pressed his combadge, " Transporter room 1, two officers for site to site transport to Counselor Domina's quarters."

A moment later as Tarmis held Chiara, the beam activate, rematerializing them in Chiara's quarters. Tarmis took her to her bed and gently laid her down. He removed her clothing, leaving her under garments on, then pulled the sheets up about her. For a moment he stopped, and stared at Chiara then placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, " Sleep well Sweet Princess."

Tarmis turned with a smile and a feeling he had done well, He exited her quarters and returned to the Counselor's office. Tarmis gathered Hogah in his arms, as he carried him out he informed the nurse Counselor Domina was not feeling well and should reschedule her appts. The nurse nodded, and Tarmis exited for his quarters.

Tarmis checked his chronometer, ~ Shift is over; I will stay home with Hogah, and return to the bridge bright and early in the morning. Coffee with the boss lady. Hope she likes her new decorations.~ Tarmis chuckled softly as he entered his quarters and gently laid Hogah on the couch.

Tarmis brushed Hogah's hair as he watched over his son sleeping contently. As Tarmis brushed Hogah's hair he noticed a cut along his cheek. He looked closer, ~ How in the universe did that happen?~ Suddenly Tarmis yawn and felt extremely tired. He leaned back, ~ I will look when we both awake in the morning.~ As the thought passed Tarmis' mind he slowly drifted off into deep slumber.

Tarmis and Hogah slept somewhat peacefully. Suddenly the crystal on the desk began to glow, and vibrate. As it did Hogah became assaulted by nightmarish images.

Hogah's Mind>
Hogah awoke to find himself in a strange place; there was rock all about. Fire burned on torches hanging from the wall, as a suffocating heat seemed to come from all around him, squeezing his lung and making it hard to breath. A strange crackling, sound made Hogah look to his side. He saw a bright red river of fire. It flowed along a trench around him, before it deposited into an enormous pool of fire below his feet. He tried to sit up, but steel bands, which glowed a strange color, held his body tightly to a square stone altar.

Etched into the altar were small half round indentions into the rock under Hogah's wrists, ankles and neck. The trenches traveled along the altar, till they disappeared past his feet. Hogah began to shake from the overwhelming fear he felt from all around.

Suddenly Hogah heard strange noises, which seemed to come towards him. A moment later a group of scantly dressed female began to encircle him. Their masks portrayed a lovely female, atop the mask rested a solid black crystal. The crystal was shaped like a spearhead. As the 14 females moved about Hogah they chanted strange unknown words. Every so often when a female passed around Hogah he caught a glimpse of a tattoo on their forearms. The tattoo was a dagger stabbed into a crystal with one drop of blood falling under the crystal.

The ritualistic dance they performed sent fear through out Hogah's body. One of the females stepped closer to Hogah, her mask only millimeters from his. She drew a strange ornamental dagger, and raised her mask as she did. As Hogah looked at the woman his face went completely white, he struggled for a breath. His body froze as gazed upon her.

Reality>
Hogah sat straight up on the couch, his screams only coming as loud whispers. "Deona No Deona NOOOOO!" Hogah struggled to say. He anxiously put his hands to his throat, as the crystal glowed a dark almost black color. Hogah looked into the crystal then fell to the couch, asleep once more.

Off>

(Npc'd Hogah)
 

===================
Capt. Tarmis Jeram

Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A

Edited by: TarmisJeram at: 7/20/02

On>
Corridor>

Tarmis smiled as he remembered the walk through the arboretum. Elsie was right the plants made ones soul at peace. With a padd in hand he made his way to Llaiir and Saren's quarters. He stopped at the door, ~Good excuse to see the new baby.~ Tarmis chuckled softly as he rang the chime.

"Enter" Llaiir's musical voice called out, she wondered who was coming to visit her now

Tarmis walked into the quarters, he stopped and stared for a moment at all the gifts and balloons which crewman and friends had sent. He felt slightly ashamed he had not brought his gift. As he looked about he said, " Uh Lt. i'Bratokka?"
"t'Rehu" Llaiir corrected with a bright smile, cradling Isha in her arms

Tarmis blushed slightly as he stared at the padd before him. " I do apologize, the information had the wrong last name. Star Fleet is sometimes slow." Tarmis stared at Isha for a moment; he felt everything bad fade from his mind as he stared into Isha's eyes. ~A child's smile can push back the darkest of evils~ Tarmis thought to himself.

"Starfleet is also Ignorant of Rihannsu ways" Llaiir added a little sourly "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that" Llaiir blushed green with embarrassment

Tarmis chuckled slightly, " I understand Lt, and besides You just had a child you are allowed certain outbursts." Tarmis gave Llaiir a joking wink.

Llaiir allowed herself a smile "do you wish to hold her?" she inquired softly?

Tarmis dropped the padd into a chair, he sort of held out his arms, and spoke in a nervous voice, " I uh maybe I shouldn't I mean."

"It's ok, you can hold her" Llaiir offered kindly

Tarmis shook his head, " I am uh not, uh." Llaiir leaned forward and placed Isha in Tarmis hands. As he felt the small life with his arms an unexplainable joy flooded his body. He stared at Isha, not speaking a word as he looked into her innocent wondering eyes.

Isha cooed happily in Tarmis's arms

Tarmis gently ran a finger along her nose, gently tickling her. " You are so beautiful, yes you are." Tarmis said as he forgot Llaiir was standing there watching him lose all composure.

Llaiir smiled at Tarmis, it was wonderful he was so good with her

Tarmis held Isha for some time, then looked up realizing Llaiir was standing there smiling at him. He coughed slightly, " Uh excuse me I apologize." Tarmis gently held Isha out to Llaiir.

Llaiir accepted Isha back; Isha gave another coo once back in her mother’s arms "Yes Captain, what can I do for you today?" Llaiir enquired softly as she felt Isha snuggling into her arms

Tarmis coughed slightly trying to regain his composure, " Well Lt, I am here to inform you of a change of orders, for yourself as well as your husband." Tarmis looked about wondering if Saren was there.

Saren walked out of the kitchen area after hearing about the change of orders, he stood beside Llaiir who was sitting in the chair, the relief and joy of having Llaiir and Isha back well was visible on his face

Tarmis gave Saren a respectful nod, " As you most likely heard, once we arrive at Star Base Python, you will both be transferred to the newly commissioned Uss Alaska. You will serve as Asec, while you will be given charge over Engineering. Here is a copy of your orders." Tarmis handed each of them a copy, and allowed them to peruse over them.

Llaiir looked over her orders ~ I am going to be Chief engineer again ~ she thought to herself and smiled as she looked over her orders

Tarmis saw the smile cross Llaiir's face. He leaned towards her, " The Alaska has a fine captain also, we went through the academy together. Capt.En-Senara believes completely that all races should join as one, learning from one another and growing from each other. He leads with his heart and cares greatly for his crew. You are lucky to be serving with him."
"Oh thank you" Llaiir Smiled

Llaiir looked up at Saren smiling proudly

Tarmis nodded with a smile to Llaiir, then turned to Saren, " Capt.En-Senara will not go easy either, He will expect much from his crew and give much in return. I would like to say that I am proud that you will be both leaving the cook for such a fine ship and captain. It has been a great honor serving with you both." Tarmis gave Saren then Llaiir a deep respectful bow.

Llaiir and Saren nodded back to Tarmis, "And it has been an honor serving with you sir" they both replied

Tarmis leaned forward, gently touching Isha's cheek once more, " I must be going. Good luck in the future." Tarmis started for the door then stopped and turned around, " On a side note I thought you would also like to know Lt.Kurz and Lt.Ford will both also be transferring to the Alaska, small universe huh." Tarmis gave a slight nod as he went for the door.

Llaiir smiled, she would have some familiar crew to work with, always good to help settling in
Off>

Joint Post


Lt. Llaiir t’Rehu
CR&D
USS James Cook
Python fleet Flag ship
(Also played Isha and Saren)
&
 

===================
Capt. Tarmis Jeram

Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A

ON>
USS JAMES COOK, Kmarh's Quarters>

Kmarh stood with Brandon as he looked in his closet for his sword he used to Fight Tarmis with. He found it and put it on his side.

"I don’t know how to tell her....I was gonna last night...but we ended up having sex."

Kmarh looked at Brandon. "You had sex with her, now you are going to leave her?"

"I know I know, it sounds bad."

"Yes. It Does" He said in a most uncaring tone of voice.

Tarmis left Llaiir's quarters, he looked at his padd as he walked along the corridor, ~Well it seems I have to speak with Kmarh and Brandon next. First I better see Kmarh.~ Tarmis went to a nearby console; he quickly learned Kmarh was in his quarters. Tarmis turned and made his way there, after a short walk he stopped before Kmarh's door. He rang the chime as he straightened and hardened his demeanor slightly.

"Enter" Kmarh said, both him and Brandon watching the door.

Tarmis walked in the quarters, he stopped just inside the door as he looked about. ~ You can tell two bachelors live here, damn look at the clothes strewn about and old containers waiting to be recycled. Oh well on to business.~ Tarmis turned to Kmarh and Brandon, " Ah you are both her good, I need to speak with you both."

Kmarh Instantly Snapped to Attention, and Gave and Held a Salute "Yes Sir!"

Brandon looked at him in confusion.

Tarmis held composure; He returned Kmarh's salute. " Please relax gentlemen, I am only here to inform you that your requests for transfer have been approved. Effective once we reach Star Base python both of you gentlemen have been allowed a short time off. Where you will proceed to next it is unclear." Tarmis leaned forward and handed both men a copy of the approved orders.

Brandon smiled, he was happy, but back in his head....he did not know how he was going to break the news to Genesis...they were in a relationship....a brand new one...and now he has to leave her........

"Thank you SIR!" Kmarh said...standing at ease.

Tarmis stood as both men read over their orders, " There is one small thing I need to ask. Does you request for transfer have anything to do with something I could be able to help correct or change, allowing you to stay aboard?"

"Uhh No sir" Brandon began "We just decided that this ship...Its just not quite what we wanted to settle into...and coming aboard...well we weren’t really in control of those circumstances...with the Draesoneth and all, we feel we should stick around star base until another ship appears that we feel comfortable with"

Tarmis nodded, " Very good, It is just something I had to ask Lt." Tarmis turned to Kmarh, " Also Lt.Red Talon, while we travel back to Star Base I will need you to help train your replacement. He does not yet, however Lt.Rodgers your gamma shift leader will be taking over once we return to Star Base."

"Understood, and Sir, That fight...it was an Honorable one" Kmarh took out his sword "as a symbol, I would like you to have this. It was the sword Kmarh used, in the lost battle with Jeram

Tarmis stood speechless for a moment. He reached and took the sword reverently in his hands. " You honor me with such a glorious battle Kmarh." Tarmis bowed slightly, " Qa'pla in your future Kmarh."

Kmarh, not to comfortable speaking the Klingon Language Nodded. "Qa'pla in yours as well sir"

Tarmis gave a slight grin, " Ok now we have work to do. I have to speak with Lt.Rodgers, then I shall send him to your office Lt.Red Talon, besides the sooner we finish shift the sooner you guys can drink one to the future." Tarmis nodded slightly as he turned for the exit.

"Understood"

Tarmis looked over his shoulder, " I will always remember our battle Kmarh." Tarmis nodded slightly as he left their quarters.

Kmarh and Brandon watched him leave. Then Brandon turned to him "You fought him?"

Kmarh simply stared and chucked and walked off.

Off>

Joint Post


Lt Kmarh Red Talon
Former CENG
Brandon Metchooyeah
Former ACENG
USS COOK
&

===================
Capt. Tarmis Jeram

Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A

On>
Jeram Quarters>

Tarmis took the long way to his quarters; he entered after ensuring no one had seen him carrying the extravagant Klingon blade. He walked over to the closet in his room. He opened the doors then tucked the blade away. ~Children and weapons don't mix. But the blade if an honorable prize.~

Tarmis nodded slightly as he closed the doors, ~ Kmarh truly did have Honor with in him.~ Tarmis turned, and made his way from his quarters, as he did he skimmed over his padd. ~Damn I need to speak with Torbin also.~

Tarmis accessed the nearest console, the computer said Lt.Kurz was in his quarters. Tarmis cleared the console then left for Torbin's quarters. Some time later he stood before the door and rang the chime.

A female voice from within sweetly called, " Coming just a moment." A second later Roma answered the door wearing a short outfit, and an apron, which covered more than her outfit. She blushed slightly, " Oh Sir I apologize, please come in." Roma ushered Tarmis inside as Torbin came around a corner wearing a black cape and mask, with teeny tiny silk under wear.

Torbin stopped dead in his tracks as he saw Tarmis. Torbin stood awkward for a moment then shrugged his shoulders, as he gave a serious nod. " I will be with you in a moment." Torbin stood tall and proud as he slowly walked into his bedroom.

Roma blushed so bad her cheeks were bright as the terran sun. She stammered out, " Uh Sir I apologize, we were not uh. Please have a seat." Tarmis chuckled slightly, " It is quite alright Lt. I should have called first." Tarmis said as he waved off taking a seat.

Torbin reappeared from the bedroom wearing a female’s robe, all pink with colorful flowers pasted about it, and big fuzzy pig faced slippers. Tarmis looked Torbin from head to toe then shook his head slightly, " Ok Lt.'s I will not hold you long. I only stopped by to inform you that we are now on our way to Star Base Python. Once we arrive you both will be transferred to the Uss Alaska. Here are your official orders which were neglected to been given to you prior."

Torbin and Roma quickly scanned over the orders, then turned and hugged each other tightly. After a short time of hugging and kissing they turned to Tarmis. Roma so excited she threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek, " Thank you Sir."

Tarmis stood there somewhat stunned, it took him a moment then he regained himself, " You are quite welcome. I wanted you both to know it has been an honor and a privilege serving with you. Also you will be glad to know Lt.t'Rehu and her spouse will also be transferring to the Alaska with you."

Roma giggled in joy as she thought of the new experiences they would share together. Torbin nodded slightly with a wide smile. Torbin spoke in a joking sarcastic voice, " I guess this means you won't be curtailing my humor doesn't?" Torbin chuckled slightly.

Tarmis gave a devilish grin, " We still have much time before Star Base Lt. allot can happen between now and then." Tarmis winked as they all began laughing. Tarmis gave a pleasant nod then turned to leave their quarters, he stopped at the exit. Reaching up he pulled down a pair of silk thong panties with a frilly design on the front. Tarmis turned and handed them to Roma. Torbin smiled widely as he snatched them away, those are mine” Torbin said as he winked. Tarmis exited. As he shook his head, ~ I don’t want to know I don’t want to ask.~

Off>

(Npc'd Lt.Kurz & Lt.Ford)
 

===================
Capt. Tarmis Jeram

Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A

On>
Galley>

Tarmis walked into the galley after the computer informed him Lt.Rodgers was working within. Tarmis scanned over his padd once more, ~ Pretty good done with appointments for the day and even getting one in early.~ Tarmis began to look about the galley then spied Rodgers in the back working on something.

Tarmis walked over to Rodgers, " Lt.Rodgers?" Rodgers continued working, " Yeah Mack hand me that phase resequencer over there." Rodgers said without removing his head from the area he was working. Tarmis shrugged, and grabbed a large metallic tool. He handed it to Rodgers.

Rodgers took the tool, a moment later he withdrew his head from the opening, " What the hell is wrong with you Mack I said a." Rodgers stopped as he looked at Tarmis. Rodgers shook his head, " Damn stuck my foot in again didn't I?"

Tarmis chuckled slightly as he shook his head, " No Lt you are fine. I fully understand I have very little engineering knowledge and thank you for pointing out my lack there of even further."

Rodgers laughed as he leaned back against the wall, wiping his hands with a dirty greasy rag. " So what can I do for you Sir, I haven't finished shift yet, cause the galley wants this replicator working and I had to replace the entire component."

Tarmis smiled somewhat, " Please can we sit down." Tarmis gestured to a nearby table. Rodgers smiled as he moved over and took a seat at the table, " Fine by me Sir but you take the heat if the chef comes out."

Tarmis chuckled as he nodded, " Fine it's a deal." Tarmis sat down across from Rodgers, " First let me say this is your annual evaluation. If you would prefer we can do this in private or continue here, it is up to you."

Rodgers shook his head, " Naw that's ok Sir. We can do this right here and now, makes it less hassle for me." Tarmis smiled slightly as he placed the padd before him. He scanned it over before he handed it to Rodgers.

Rodgers looked over the padd, his face turning to a large smile as he sat it back down before Tarmis. " That is my rating, wow I have never had that good of an evaluation before Sir."

Tarmis chuckled, " You have done a fine job as gamma shift crew chief Lt.Rodgers. That is why you deserve this rating, also once we return to Star Base you will become acting Cheng. The position will be based on a 6 months probationary period off course, at which time your service will be reexamined."

Rodgers leaned back, and took a deep breath. " Me Cheng, ya sure you gots the right person Sir, I am just a lowly crew chief. I have never thought of myself as senior officer material."

Tarmis smiled reassuringly, " According to your monthly evaluation reports, as well as the words of praise from your prior Cheng's, this position is well suited for you. Besides the Captain has already ok'd it, that is if you would accept?"

Rodgers took a deep breath then stared Tarmis in the eyes, " Ok Sir I accept." Tarmis smiled as he shook Rodgers hand, " Well when you finish meet Lt.Red Talon to begin your training, until we reach Star Base at which time you will officially take over."

Rodgers smiled as he stood shaking Tarmis hand. He looked down as he realized he got dirt and grime all over Tarmis' hand, " Uh Sorry bout that Sir. I will get back to work and see the Lt in about an hour or so."

Tarmis chuckled as he grabbed a rag and wiped his hand, " Quite alright Lt., just next time ensure you cover both hands, I like it when they are both dirty not just one." Tarmis and Rodgers laughed as Tarmis made his way out of the Galley.

Off>

(Npc'd Lt.Rodgers)
 

===================
Capt. Tarmis Jeram

Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A

On>
Javar's Quarters>

Javar tossed in his bed, he rolled to and fro as the dream continually replayed in his mind. His sweat drenched the bed as he jerked about.

Javar's Dream>

Javar sat in the back drinking something a terran friend of his called an Irish crème. The drink was interesting and the liquor in it seemed to sneak up on you.

Javar laughed like a free teenager as he handed the bottle towards Raduli. Raduli laughed as he handed the bottle to Tarmis, " You don't think I will drink that stuff?" Raduli said to Javar.

Tarmis piped in, " Give me that chit." He turned the drink up and began swigging as much as he could. " Ya'll are a bunch of pansies, live it up. Damn look at me" Tarmis got up and began dancing around the small shuttle. " I am footloose and free fancy, no wait Fancy free." The three guys began laughing hysterically, as Tarmis stumbled and bumped into a bulkhead.

Tarmis put his hand to his head, " Damn that smarts." He continued laughing, " But looked saved the important stuff." Tarmis said as he held up the liquor.

As the guys continued laughing and joking a beautiful female shoved past Tarmis and plopped down next to Raduli. She put her leg over his lap as she kissed him deep and passionately.

Tarmis watched on, green with jealousy. He stumbled on purpose falling into Raduli and Dutrina. " Oh I am so sorry." Tarmis began laughing, as the other soon did also.

There is a bright flash, the scene has changed. The three men are huddled in a tight sphere, dried tears strewn across their face as Raduli injects Tarmis and Javar with Detoxin.

Another Flash, Now Raduli, Javar, and Tarmis are standing in a white hallway. They all wear their dress uniforms. A guard steps out a large ornate door, " Excuse me. Cadet Javar if you will follow me please." The guards gestures inside as he opened the door, allowing Javar inside. The heavy door makes a loud thud as it closes behind him.

Reality>

Javar jumps up in his bed, his breathing erratic as he scrambles for his bed, as if it was the source of all-evil. He stands against the wall as he slowly realizes there is nothing to fear. His face has dried tears across it once again. For a time he stands there breathing and looking about. Suddenly he recognized the familiar beep of his console.

Javar goes over and activates the console, there is a message waiting for him. Javar read over Tarmis' letter. As he does he seems to breath a bit easier. Javar replied to the letter, setting it up so it would also go to Raduli.

--------------------------------------------
To: Capt.Jeram
CC: Capt.En-Senara
From: Cmdr. O'Dell

I just received you letter Tarmis, sent a copy to you also Raduli. I just wanted to say I am glad we can put this behind us all once and for all. Bull, Spaz I know you are both nervous and hell down right afraid, but I know this will work. Some how I know, besides I will do anything to get rid of these damn horrible nightmares. Anyways Spaz (Tarmis) I am glad to see you are on your way here. I will set everything up so we can get together and bury this ghost in a proper way. Her soul needs rest. Otherwise we are all damned.

Javar O'Dell - Bull

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

Javar took a deep breath as he shakily pressed the command and sent the message to Tarmis and Raduli.

Javar leaned back in his chair, rubbing his eyes. He hoped when he opened them it would all be gone and he could sleep once more.

In the deep dark recesses of his quarters Javar heard a female whisper, like a long forgotten sound riding the wind, " Retribution Is At Hand."

Off>
 

Commander Javar O'dell

Xo Star Base Python
Python Fleet

On> The Dojo.

Rafe sat in the middle of the Dojo drinking his green tea quietly when the doors open to reveal a lithe and feminine figure. He looked up to see Chiara Domina cautiously walk in. She looked around as if she were a young deer entering a dangerous meadow.

“Come and sit.” Rafe said. “You are safe here.” He added, sensing her apprehension.

Chiara walked over to the older man and sat down in front of him.

“Tea?” He offered.

“Umm. Yes please.” She said, looking at the extra cup as he poured in some of the warm brown liquid.

He handed it to her and watched her test it to see how hot it was. She wrinkled her nose at first to the earthy smell of the tea, but then sipped it and smiled. “Hey, this is pretty good.”

Rafe smiled. “I’m glad you like it. What’s on your mind?”

Chiara’s smile vanished. “Oh… Rafe… I… I tried to kill myself over the weekend.” She said quietly.

“Was the reason that of honor?” He asked.

“No… no, it was selfish… it was stupid. Rafe, I’m so afraid!” She cried.

“Afraid of what?” Rafe asked.

“Everything.” Chiara said. “I’m afraid that Tarmis sees me as weak and unworthy of his love… afraid that Elsie doesn’t think I’m a good enough counselor… afraid that I’ll… I’ll be raped again…”

“The committing of suicide as a final preservation of honor or in the hopes that laying one’s life down so that others will have a fighting chance to live is acceptable.” Rafe said. “But to take your own life just to run from your problems and fears is not.”

Chiara only looked at him.

“We cannot grow and strengthen our souls if we run and hide from our fears and problems, Chiara. We cannot become strong if we cower at the sight of danger.” He said.

Chiara looked down. “I’m only a girl, Rafe. I never wanted all of this. I’m a hero because I saved Elsie and President Sterling, then almost single-handedly secured the negotiations with the Terra Materians.”

“It proves you are more then ‘just a girl.’ Rafe said. “You are a Star Fleet officer and a valuable asset to this ship and to the service. We all depend on you as a counselor and as a friend. Were it not for you, Elsie would not be able to get through the aftermath of her ordeal. Were it not for you, my relationship with Elsie would be no longer. And were it not for you, Tarmis Jeram would have turned his back on the James Cook and Star Fleet. Yes, Chiara, we all depend on you, but you must learn that you can depend on us. We are here for you just as much as you are here for us. We are your friends as well as your comrades. We love you as a person, not just as a fellow officer.”

Chiara laid back and stared at the ceiling as she took in Rafe’s words. “What is it about you Rafe? You always now the right things to say… the right things to do.

“I try my best.” Rafe replied. “I live my life and know who and what I am. I constantly learn and teach. It is what I do.”

“You know… back home I would have been a failure. Its your religion that makes you strong, isn’t it?” she said.

“Strength comes from within as well as from faith. Elsie has her goddesses that she looks to for guidance. The Migichinan Goddess sees to the guidance of her people just as humans look to the Christian God and his son, Allah, Buddha and others for guidance.” Rafe said.

“Who do you look to for guidance?” She asked.

“While I look within for strength and guidance, I do so by following the teachings of Buddha.” Rafe replied.

“But aren’t you Migichinan?” She asked.

“Yes, I guess that much is true.” Rafe replied. “But only recently I… we found out about that. Before I embraced Buddhism, I followed the teachings of Yevon until I discovered that those teachings were without foundation and designed to suppress and not to enlighten.”

“The Nebari have no religion.” Chiara said. “The Nebari life is filled with politics, self gratification and greed. We only care about how we get ahead. Hell, the parliament was planning to take advantage of the Klingons before the Dominion War broke out… then they realized how much we needed them.”

“That was their choice.” Rafe said. “But is it yours?”

“I don’t know. I want something more in my life… I need something more. I need to love Tarmis…”

“And you need to love yourself as well.” Rafe said, finishing her sentence. “Perhaps I can help you on a path to enlightenment.”

Chiara sat up. “You can?”

“Listen.” Rafe said. “I will share with you the Noble Eightfold Path.”

“The Noble Eightfold Path, discovered by the Buddha Himself, is the only way to Nirvana. It avoids the extreme of self-torture that weakens ones intellect and the extreme of self-indulgence that retards ones spiritual progress.
It consists of the following eight factors:
1.Right Understanding
2.Right Thoughts
3.Right Speech
4.Right Action
5.Right Livelihood
6.Right Effort
7.Right Mindfulness
8.Right Concentration”

“This is the stuff you follow?” Chiara asked.

“Yes.” Rafe replied. “Allow me to explain.”

“1. Right Understanding is the knowledge of the Four Noble Truths. In other words,
it is the understanding of oneself as one really is. The keynote of Buddhism is this Right Understanding. Buddhism, as much , is based on knowledge and not on unreasonable belief.”

“So I should do everything I can to understand myself and the people around me?” Chaira asked.

“Yes.” Rafe replied. “You will find peace through understanding.”

“Hey, what are the four noble truths?” She asked.

Rafe closed his eyes. “The first is Dukkha; The Existence of Impermanence. Nothing lasts forever. Understand this and be not attached to what you are experiencing, otherwise you will experience suffering. When you experience happiness know that it is a reaction to circumstance and it is not a permanent state. Conversely, when you are suffering know that it shall not be eternal.”

“The Second is Samudaya; The Arising of Suffering because of craving. Craving sensory stimulation, craving existence, and craving non-existence give rise to the continuity of being, and with it its attendant suffering. Attaining a state of non-craving should be part of your daily effort.”

“The Third is Nirodha; The cessation of suffering. One can end eternal suffering by ending the craving that leads to the continuation of suffering.

The Fourth is Magga; The Middle Way, or The Eightfold Path. Ending the craving that leads to the continuation of suffering is brought about through living by the ideals of the Noble Eightfold Path. It delineates a plan of self-discipline regarding ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom. The Path avoids two extremes--the pursuit of complete and ultimate sensory pleasure, or the pursuit of utter self-denial.

“So the Four Noble Truths lead into the Eightfold path?” Chiara asked.

“Yes.” Rafe said. “Let’s continue on the Eightfold Path.”

“2. Right Thoughts are threefold. They are:
The thoughts of renunciation, which are opposed to sense-pleasures.
Kind Thoughts that are opposed to ill will.
Thoughts of harmlessness that are opposed to cruelty. These tend to purify
the mind.”

“So I should get rid of the bad thoughts… like when I wanted to die… that was a bad thought. I wanted to end it all.” Chiara said. “Like you said, it was foolish.”

“Not in so many words, but yes.” Rafe replied.

“3. Right Speech deals with refraining from falsehood, stealing, slandering, harsh
words and frivolous talks.”

“So when I talk to people, it should be straight talk… no gossip, or talking bad about other… I don’t really do that now, though.” Chiara said.

“I know, but it is something to remember. Only say things that need to be said.” Rafe replied.

“4. Right Action deals with refraining from killing, stealing and unchastity. It helps one to develop a character that is self-controlled and mindful of right of others.”

“So like when you say that I should only say things that need to be said, I should only do things that need to be done?”

“You learn quickly.” Rafe said.

“5. Right Livelihood deals with the five kinds of trades that should be avoided by a lay disciple. They are:
(a) trade in deadly weapons
(b) trade in animals for slaughter
(c) trade in slavery
(d) trade in intoxicants
(e) trade in poisons”

“Those all sound like big no-no’s.” Chiara said. “But what about animals? Most people need protein to survive.”

“The killing of animals just to kill or excessive killing to over stock foods is wrong. Kill animals only if you need them for food or if the animal attacks you and you are forced to defend yourself… otherwise the animal has just as much right as you do to live.” Rafe replied.

“Right Livelihood means earring ones living in a way that is not harmful to others.
6. Right Effort is fourfold, namely:
(a) the endeavor to discard evil that has already arisen.
(b) the endeavor to prevent the arising of unrisen evil.
(c) the endeavor to develop that good which has already arisen.
(d) the endeavor to promote that good which has not already arisen.”

“Ok, this is obvious enough.” Chiara said. “Fight the good fight, stop the bad guys and promote good… like the Federation already does.”

“That sounds about right.” Rafe said.
“Effort is needed to cultivate Good Conduct or develop one's mind, because one is often distracted or tempted to take the easy way out of things. The Buddha teaches that attaining happiness and Enlightenment depends upon one's own efforts. Effort is the root of all achievement. If one wants to get to the top of a mountain, just sitting at the foot thinking about it will not bring one there. It is by making the effort of climbing up the mountain, step by step, that one eventually reaches the summit. Thus, no matter how great the Buddha's achievement may be, or how excellent His Teaching is, one must put the Teaching into practice before one can expect to obtain the desired result.” Rafe added.

“7. Right Mindfulness is also fourfold:
mindfulness with regard to body
mindfulness with regard to feeling
mindfulness with regard to mind
mindfulness with regard to mental objects.”

“What does this say to you? Rafe asked.

“Right Mindfulness is the awareness of one's deeds, words and thoughts.” Chiara replied.

“You are learning very well.” Rafe said. “By staying mindful of your thoughts, words and deeds, you will preserve your health and the health of those who interact with you.” Rafe said.

“8. Right Meditation
Meditation means the gradual process of training the mind to focus on a single object and to remain fixed upon the object without wavering. The constant practice of meditation helps one to develop a clam and concentrated mind and help to prepare one for the attainment of Wisdom and Enlightenment ultimately.”

Chiara listened as Rafe finished the lesson. “So in Right Meditation, if I practice the other seven and apply them in remembrance as I practice eight, I should do all right?”

“Yes. You will be on your path of enlightenment.” Rafe replied. “By living the eightfold path, your life will become easier as you simplify your thoughts, words and deeds. Your life will become easier as you apply this to how you view yourself and how you view and interact with others.”

Chiara nodded. “This is a lot to take in… but I think I can do it. Thank you Rafe.” She leaned over and pulled down his collar to kiss him. “You’ve already taught me a lot. Will you help me through this?”

“Yes. It is my duty to you as your friend.” He replied.

“Thank you.” She said again.
“Go… meditate on the truths I have given you.” Rafe said. “Apply them to your life.”

Chiara nodded and stood. She bowed to Rafe and walked out of the Dojo. Rafe noted that she was leaving with an air of confidence that she did not have when she walked in. He smiled again.

Off>

Chiara
&
Capt. Rafe Oosha

Chief Intelligence Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
"Wisdom begins in wonder."

Arianai hated it when new crew were brought on board. It meant arranging for training and orientations. She finally had her Science Department running smoothly. Thinking to herself, 'One more shouldn't mess things up too much, A dear. Remember to breath.'. She nodded to people she passed in the corridors, and headed towards the transporter room.

The new ship's compliment were to be beamed aboard once docking procedures were completed with the SB. As she entered the transporter room and looked around, a familiar voice is heard.

"Well, heaven bless us. Is that Arianai Kestral?"

Arianai turns, and can feel the red rise to her face. Looking at those that are standing about, her eyes light on a figure in black IS attire. He smiles big, and steps forward.

"Tallan?" Once he is within striking distance, strike she does. Heads turn at the sound of a face being slapped, hard. Surprised at her own reaction, Arianai quickly turns and rushes out, and down the corridor.

With everyone watching him, Tallan rubs his face, and shrugs his shoulders. "Women..." The men in the room smirk at him. And the women, they don't look happy.

OFF

JP

Ensign Tallan Thorne
Intelligence Service
(in absentia, but with permission)

&
 

LtJG Arianai K Vasata
Chief Science Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A

ON> Ready room

“Captain’s Log:

We are approaching Pythus III and will be entering space dock within the hour. The mission at Terra Mater, though difficult for some, was a success, and the emotions around the crew are those of pride for a job well done.

We will be taking on new crew, and losing others.

I hope I can find time to get in a little recreation during liberty, but I have much business to discuss with the Admiral. It has been far too long since I climbed around in the Interactive Escher museum. The multi-gravitational nature of the experience is challenging.”

Elsie felt the ship drop out of warp and stopped the log.

“Commodore to the bridge” Jeram called over the comm.

“On my way, Captain.” Elsie answered.

She continued the log. “Duty calls. Commodore Elsie Veritas, out.”

Though the bridge crew could easily bring the ship in, following standard procedures, it was tradition that the CO sit the Center Seat upon entering port. Centuries ago, the off-duty crew would don dress uniform and stand the decks as an ocean-going vessel would glide into port. Nowadays it was standard duty uniform and no fanfare.

Elsie strode out of the Ready Room, taking her place and beginning the docking procedure.

OFF>
 

Commodore Elsie Veritas

CO U.S.S. James Cook
Python Fleet Flagship

On> The Grand Mall - Starbase Python.

It had been a while since Elsie was able to do any quality shopping, given the duration and intensity of the Cook's most recent missions, but she decided that after talking with Chiara, some R&R was indeed in order... and what better way to get some R&R in then by shopping.

Elsie headed for Betazoid Delights, a curio shop that specialized in artworks and household decorations from Betazed. On her way, however, the sign pointing to the museums beckoned her. She headed for her favorite interactive exhibit, "Stairs" by Escher. It was a 3-D model of the famous painting, and each of the six surfaces had its own independent gravitational system. One could walk the twisting stairs up the walls, over the ceiling, and around to the starting point without falling. The challenge was to forget you were sideways and upside down and to keep one's sense of perspective.

While walking the stairs, Elsie could hear a growling rumble and echo through the designs... like the growl of a cat...

Elsie looked around herself, searching from landing to landing, ignoring the vertigo such a move produces. There...on the ceiling....was a very large, very blue cat! He looked confused, and was venting his frustration at being lost. Elsie back tracked, jogged to the right, then the left, and made her way to him.

The cat looked right at Elsie with piercing red eyes. He snarled at having been seen and with pure strength and grace, he leapt from his perch, bouncing back and forth between the stairs and zipped straight past Elsie and down to the floor of the museum, landing amid other visitors and skidding across the floor. In the light... he appeared to be humanoid.

 

Elsie put her hands on her hips, and stared down at the creature who had made such a daring leap, crossing three gravitational fields as he did so!

The cat-man looked up at Elsie, then hissed and growled at the people around him. There were screams and calls for security as people backed away from him.

Elsie grinned. "What's the matter, it's supposed to be fun!"

The cat-man leered at the people who were running in fear. Star Fleet security had begun to enter the museum, but kept thier distance from the cat-man, not sure how to approach the alien. One thing that Elsie immediately noticed on the primitive clothing and ornaments on the cat-man was how some of the beads bore a remarkable similarity to what Rafe wore on his kimono.

Elsie called to the guards. "It's all right! He just was disoriented! I'll talk to him." She trotted around the walls until she was right side up in relationship to the creature. He towered over her, and looked menacing, but Elsie could see he was not making any aggressive moves. "It's all right, Sir. No one will attack you." Elsie said soothingly.


A growl emanated from the cat-man... but not from his throat... it came from his stomach.

He leaned over and began to sniff her.

Elsie's head being only a few inches taller than his stomach grinned up at him. "I know a great restaurant for carnivores. You like your food live or already prepared?" She asked the blue feline.

The cat -man wrinkled his nose at the scent of something familiar to him... but he couldn't tell what. He looked to Elsie's face.

"You hungry?" Elsie asked simply.

"...Kimahri hungry..." He said. His voice was a soft rumble."

"Come with me, Kimahri." She beckoned for him to follow her. She led him to the Predator Restaurant. It had a viewing area with tables and a sunken two-deck pit, jungle-like with live prey.

Elsie nodded to the owner. "His meal is on me." Elsie sat at a table, ordering iced tea, and waited for Kimahri to decide.

Kimahri looked at the menu and frowned. He handed it to Elsie. "Kimahri sorry... can't read."

Elsie put the menu down and asked, "What would Kimahri like to eat?" The waiter watched the blue feline expectantly

"Food." Kimahri said.

"Cooked or raw?" Elsie asked.

"Cooked." He replied.

Elsie looked up to the waiter, "What is today's specialty?"

"We have a nice porterhouse that the... uhhh... gentleman might like." He offered.

"Bring as much as he will eat. And anything else he wants, " Elsie smiled.

The cat-man looked at the waiter. The waiter confirmed the order on his PADD and hurried off.

Elsie leaned on her elbows and peered up at Kimahri, "Where are you from?"

"Kimahri come from Ronso Village." He replied.

"What planet are you from?" Elsie clarified.

"Planet?' He asked.

"World."

Kimahri fell silent, searching for something to answer the woman with.

"...Spira..." He said with a measure of uncertainty, wondering why the woman would ask such a question.

Elsie gasped, "Spira?...when were you at Spira?"

"Kimahri lay down... sleep in Ronso Village. Wake up... surrounded by machina. Kimahri confused." He said.

The waiter came with a whole roast, a large two-pronged fork, and a large carving knife and laid them before Kimahri. Another waiter set a large pitcher of red wine and a goblet before the blue feline and departed. She reached out her mind for Rafe. The gyms? The dojo? CIC! ~ Rafe..come to the Predator Restaurant. There is someone here you should meet.~

~I am on my way... Another of your relatives, I presume?~ Rafe said.

~ More like one of yours ~ Elsie countered.

~I have no relatives.~ Rafe replied.

Kimahri picked up the pot roast and began eating... without using the utensils provided.

Elsie did not know if this would work, but she projected what she was seeing.

~I'll be there shortly... He's a friend. Tell him Auron is coming.~ Rafe said.

Elsie sipped her iced tea and eyed the big blue feline as he hungrily devoured the roast. It seemed like he had not eaten in a good while. "Kamarhi, do you remember a fellow warrior by the name of Auron?"

"Kimarhi know Auron. Guardian of Yuna, like Kimahri. Not say much. Very wise. Kimarhi like Auron... miss Auron." He said with a touch of sadness.

"Auron is coming here." Elsie smiled.

"Kimahri not understand. Auron go to Farplane... with Braska, Jecht, Tidus. Give life for friends... defeated Sin." He said

Kimarhi's eyes went wide. "Kimahri in Farplane?"

How could Elsie explain? She did not understand it herself! "Auron is here. Not Farplane."

Kimahri sniffed Elsie again. "Speak truth... Auron is here... smell Auron on you."

Elsie smiled. "Yes. Auron's scent is on me."

"This way, sir." A voice said from behind them. Kimarhi stood up as Rafe walked to them."

"Auron." Kimahri said.

"Kimahri... you look well." Rafe replied.

"Sit... eat." Rafe said. Kimahri did as instructed and sat back down.

"You are not dead?" The cat-man asked Rafe.

"Not exactly."

"Kimahri guess is long story... make Kimahri head hurt?" He said.

Elsie scooted her chair over to give room for Rafe's.

"You could say that." Rafe replied. "I see you have met my wife."

Kimahri nodded, then the words sank into him. He turned to Elsie. "Kimahri sorry, not know Auron took a wife. Kimahri pleased."

Elsie's eyes danced between the two, enjoying their easy familiarity as if they had not been long parted.

"How long has it been, old friend?" Rafe asked of the cat-man.

"11 year." Kimahri replied. "Last year mark ten year of calm. Kimahri and Fera make trip to Yuna. Comfort Yuna in 10 year passing of Tidus and Auron."

"How is Yuna?" Rafe asked.

"Yuna good. Take husband... have two sons. Name Tidus and Auron. Husband die tough." The cat-man said. He was genuinely happy to see Rafe.

Elsie watched as a spark of life rose in Rafe's face, one that she had seen only once before on the holodeck, at Spira.

Rafe felt bad that Yuna had to continue to know the grief of yet again loosing someone, but she had two sons to keep her company.

"What of the others?" Rafe asked.

"Wakka and Lulu marry... have 5 littleones... all like Blitzballs." Kimahri said. "Rikku stay with Kimahri. Help rebuild Ronso village." he said.

Elsie gave Rafe a puzzled frown. "I thought Spira was a desolate ruin?"

"So did I." Rafe replied.

Kimahri looked between the two of them.

Elsie explained to Kimahri, "Rafe set up simulations to show what Spira is like today. Apparently they are in error."

"Maybe, but then again maybe not." Rafe replied.

"Kimarhi see Spira yesterday with Kimarhi eyes... not ruin!" He said.

Rafe nodded. "I'm not going to argue with a Ronso... but perhaps we should take him to the ship and run some tests on him." Rafe said.

Elsie nodded. "Good idea. You two go ahead. I really should go talk to Admiral T'Ver."

Rafe nodded. "Kimarhi, you're with me."

The stood up and Rafe placed his hand on Elsie's shoulder.

"I'll meet you back on the ship. I have a few presents for you once you get back."

Elsie handed the waiter her credit chip for Kimarhi's meal, smiled at Rafe, then left to find the Admiral.

Off>

JP

Commodore Elsie Veritas
CO USS James Cook
&
 

Capt. Rafe Oosha

Chief Intelligence Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
"Wisdom begins in wonder."

On> Upper Promenade, SBP

Chiara plopped down at the Rinoka Cafe in the Grand Mall on the Starbase. She looked in amazement at how many bags she had accumulated in the morning of shopping she had embarked on. She started to thumb through the bags.

"Ok, lessee... Got a bottle of Chapar Vanilla for Elsie..." She reached down and found a box containing an incense burner and a selection of incense. "Ok, that was for Rafe, but I don't know if he's into that stuff or not..."

She pulled out a box containing a toy starship. "This is Hogah's" She put the ship back in the bag. She found the Victoria's Secret bag and blushed... "That... would be for Tarmis..."

T'Anna entered the Cafe. There was only one seat open, the one at Chiara's table. She asked the blue girl, "May I sit here?"

Chiara was still bent over looking through the bags. "Go right ahead." She said.

A waiter came by with a cup of green tea and left it for the blue girl.

She sat back up with a lipstick and a mirror. She started to apply the black gloss lipstick to her lips, not looking over to the other woman who was sitting across from her.

T'Anna set her own bags on the floor and told the waiter, "Terran vanilla milkshake"

The waiter nodded and scurried off.

Chiara, satisfied with her selection of lipstick, closed the case and the compact mirror and set them back into one of the bags.

T'Anna gazed at the person across from her. Something familiar. "Hello, I am T'Anna Veritas. You look familiar to me. May I ask your name?"

"Domina... Chiara Domina." She replied. "Say, you look familiar yourself. Have we met?" She asked.

"Waitaminute... did you say Veritas?" Chiara asked.

Chiara hopped up on the seat and crouched down, cocking her head to one side, intently interested in this person. She gave a broad and inviting smile.

T'Anna nodded. "Yes. Veritas. Why?"

"You any relation to Elsie Veritas?" Chiara asked.

"She is my First Cousin. You know her?" T'Anna answered.

"Yeah, she's like my best friend." Chiara said. "As well as my commanding officer.

"Ah! Chief Counselor! Now it becomes clear!" T'Anna exclaimed.

"Cool... Hey, maybe you can answer a question, then?" Chiara asked.

"I will try, Miss Domina."

Chiara pulled out the bottle of vanilla perfume. "You think Elsie will like this?"

T'Anna took the bottle and sniffed it. "Oh yes! It will remind her of some of the flowers her parents grow! You are buying gifts for the crew?" T'Anna asked as she handed the bottle of perfume back.

"Well, at least for my friends. This last mission was a little on the rough side, so I thought I'd cheer some of my buds up with a few things." Chiara said with a big grin.

"You are a thoughtful person, Miss Domina, " T'Anna smiled.

"I try to be." Chiara said.

"So like what do you do?" Chiara asked.

T'Anna chuckled, "What DON'T I do! Right now I am the UFP ambassador to Python Fleet. But I am also a medical doctor."

"Cool... My daddy was an ambassador." Chiara said. "And I did some time on the Viper as the CMO."

"Oh, My! On the VIPER? That could not have been easy!"

"It was tough." Chiara said. "I didn't adjust well."

"They do have their ways, don't they? And Medical science is not on their list of priorities."

"No... and they treated me like crap." Chiara added.

"You mean they treated you like Klingons treat non-Klingons." T'Anna guessed.

"Yeah." Domina said.

"Hmm," T'Anna grunted. "How are you adjusting to the Cook?"

"I'm doing fine, I guess." Chiara said. "I got to do a lot on the last mission... even got shot."

"I'm having some fun, but it's not always easy."

T'Anna's eyes narrowed. "You got shot?"

"I don't know if I can discuss it. It was on an away mission and someone tried to shoot Elsie and another really important person, but I knocked them out of the way" Chiara lifted her shirt enough so T'Anna could see the discoloration from where the laser had pierced her.

T'Anna winced and leaned forward to peer at the healing skin. "They did a good job, it seems. How do you feel?"

"I feel fine... it can get a little sore at times though." Chiara said, lowering her shirt.

"It will take time. Don't over do it." T'Anna giggled, "Listen to me..in Doctor mode!"

Chiara smiled. "Sounds like me when people start talking... I go into counselor mode."

"I did that, too, on the Remorse. Like a mother Hen, I tend to fall into old habits. It never goes away, one's concern for others."

"Yeah." Chiara said.

T'Anna slurped on her milkshake, then wiped the white mustache off her upper lip. "So how long are you all in port for? I haven't had a chance to talk to Elsie yet."

"A week, I think. Some crew rotations then we're off to Vella Cava." Chaira replied.

T'Anna nodded. "I hope I run into her. She is always so busy."

"I'll let her know I saw you." Chiara said... "Hey, why don't you come aboard for a visit?"

T'Anna's eyes lit up. "I would LOVE to! I'll contact Elsie and make arrangements."

"Ok." Chiara said. She got off the chair and stood up to pat T'Anna on the arm. "See you there then.

"It was good meeting you, Miss Domina."T'Anna smiled as her acquaintance gathered all her packages and lugged them off.

"Good meetin' you, too." Chiara said as she headed for the door.

OFF>

JP

Counselor Chiara Domina
Counselor - USS James Cook
&

Dr. T'Anna Veritas
UFP Ambassador
 

On > Astrometrics

"Jerry, look at this, will yah? Tell me what you see?" The Astrometrics officer asked.

"Holy Sh**t!" Jerry exclaimed as he looked at the readouts. I better let command know what is coming!" The Astrometrics Division Chief tried to raise the Chief of Science on the comm, but he was away from the base. "Damn!" Jerry swore and headed for the turbolift at a dead run. He got clearance from the guards at Deck One and walked up to O'Dell who was sitting in the middle of the command deck. The Lt. Commander waited to be acknowledged.

Javar looked at the Ops Office, " It should be interesting, we haven't all been together since the Academy. That was like." The Ops officer gave Javar a questioning look. Javar smirked, " Well lets just say it was a awhile ago, But this should be great," Javar noticed the Ops officer looking over his shoulder, he turned around, " What can I do for you?" Javar asked Jerry

"Sir, we have a situation. Pythus is building up to a big..and I mean big..Solar flare!" He answered. "There is a chance we might get hit."

Javar sat up straight in his chair, " When will this happen?" Javar asked as he became completely serious.

The Officer shrugged. "It is impossible to predict, but I would say within the next 43 hours. When and where it hits is going to depend where we are in orbit when she blows."

"If we are hit by the flare will our shields hold?" Javar asked. " If not what would our alternatives be?"

"Our shields should absorb most of the radiation if they are at full power when it hits. However, any idle ships in the vicinity will have most of their electronics fried. If we are head on, that is. If we get a glancing blow, the damage will be less. We cannot move Star base on a moment's notice, so we are pretty much at the mercy of whatever that sun out there wants to toss our way."

Javar rubbed his hand across his chin in thought, " Ok you get back to astrometrics, and get me as much information as you can about the size of the flare and it direction. I want to know the minute you do." Javar turned to the Ops Officer, " Have shields brought to full, bring up the back ups if need be for extra power. Inform all vessels in the vicinity to pull back so they will not get caught by the flare. Also inform the snake pit about the situation. Come on people let's do this."

"Yes, Sir!" The Officer said, and headed quickly to the turbolift.

Javar stood in front of the chair, as the view screen changed to view the Pythus sun. " Every body keep calm and we should get through this just fine. Javar smacked his commbadge, " Adm.T'ver we have a situation Ma'am."

T'Ver activated the comm in her quarters. She knew it had to be serious for him to contact her while she was on medical leave. "On my way, Commander." T'Ver dressed quickly, slapped her commbadge on and headed for the bridge. "Report! " She ordered as she strode onto the command center.

Javar turned to T’Ver, " Ma'am we have a flare which may impact Star Base, shields have been raised to max, we informed the snake pit as well as All vessels in the vicinity. Now it appears we just wait."

"Time to intercept?" She asked.

"The astrometrics officer, said within the next 43 hours ma'am, exact location and direction unknown."

T'Ver thought a minute then ordered.. "Put the base on yellow alert. Have a communications link open at all times to Astrometrics. Rotate all shields to continually face the sun. The moment the flare threatens, divert all available power to the shields. Since we cannot predict when and where it will be, we had better be ready. As many ships as possible need to be brought into Space dock, even if we have to tow them in and stack them."

T'Ver continued. "Warn any incoming ships to avoid the system until the flare has passed. Alert Sickbay that we might have some cases of radiation exposure. All workbees and EVA's are to come inside immediately."

People scrambled to get the massive space dock and all 240,000 of its residents ready for the flare. The comm system lit up with orders to and from all departments, and two officers manned each command station.

They would be ready.

OFF>

Joint Post

Admiral T'Ver (also as astrometrics)
CO SBP
Python Fleet
&
 

Commander Javar O'dell

Xo Star Base Python
Python Fleet

On>
Javar's Quarters>

Javar stood in the sonic shower, he knew it was not a water shower, but he didn't care. He stood there anyways letting it waves course over his body. The stresses of the bridge slowly faded away. After sometime of this, he slowly got out and dressed in the casual clothes he wore at the academy.

He put on a pair of faded blue jeans with rips at variance places along the legs, a white t-shirt with a large smiley that has it's middle finger up, and a saying underneath that read. Here it is universe, sit n spin.

After he dressed he looked in the far back of his closet, after a short while he found what he was looking for, an old faded blue jean jacket. He put the jacket on as the door chime sounded. Javar grabbed a small bag and a bottle of old Terran tequila and opened the door, " We may be old but we can still party like youngsters." Javar laughed, until he noticed a small boy standing beside Tarmis.

Tarmis looked at Hogah then to Javar and everyone busted out laughing. Tarmis shook his head, " You haven't changed much have you bull?" Javar smiled widely as he shrugged his shoulders, " Why the hell" Javar looked at Hogah. " Why the heck would I?" Everyone laughed for a bit then Javar asked, " So what we got planned to guys? I mean the Red light district is out of the question."

Hogah looked strangely at Tarmis, " Dad is the red light district where they only sell red lights?" Tarmis mouth dropped wide open as he stared at Hogah then Javar then Hogah, " Uh yeah son yeah. Well Javar, since I couldn't get a sitter for about another couple hours, we were all going to take Hogah and go see the Alaska. He really wants to see what the newest ship looks like."

Javar shrugged his shoulders once more as he took the small bag and the tequila, and closed his quarters. " Sounds good to me, let's get out of here. We may need a warm up too." Javar said as he held up the tequila.

Raduli shook his head as he followed the group, " Some things never change do they?" Javar put his arm around Raduli, " Hell, I mean heck no they don't." Javar bust out laughing.

The group made their way to the dock, after a moment Javar signaled to the guys he got a shuttle. He led everyone to the shuttle and they all quickly got in.

Javar jumped in the pilots seat as everyone buckled in. After a quick preflight checklist, Javar activated the comm, " Shuttle micron to Star Base Ops, requesting Departure clearance."

Star base Ops came back a moment later, " Shuttle Micron this is Star Base Ops, you have permission to depart and proceed. We will track you the entire way and be safe Sir."

Javar lit up the engines as the doors open, as the door opened just wide enough for the shuttle to clear them Javar throttled the shuttle forward. Javar flew as fast as he could at the still opening doors.

Star Base Ops came across the comm, " Shuttle Micron you must, Shuttle Micron your speed has. Oh no Shuttle Micron you won't make."

Just then the shuttle shot out the doors, clearing the edges with only a few inches to spare. Hogah had not realized it but he was squeezing Tarmis' leg tightly. Raduli was leaned back in his seat like nothing had happened. Tarmis gently removed Hogah's hand, then lovingly patted it with his own, " It will be ok son that is just Bull. Thick headed and charging in."

Javar leaned back as he made the shuttle do a somersault, " Hell, oh darn Heck Yeah little guy. The only way to live." Javar said to Hogah. Once they cleared the base everyone unbuckled themselves to move forward and look at the view.

Javar brought the shuttle about some so they all could look at the Base, then Pythus. Javar brought the shuttle to a stop as they all stared on in amazement at the beauty of Pythus.

Hogah looked out, wide-eyed. His eyes seemed to stare all about in awe. The group of guys made a slight circle as they hugged and patted each other's backs. With looks of great concern and friendship.

Hogah patted Tarmis arm, Tarmis said, " Just a minute son." Hogah kept patted then smacked Tarmis arm, " Uh Dad." Tarmis exhaled, some what perturbed, " What is it son?"

Hogah kept smacking Tarmis arm, " Uh that dad." He pointed with his other hand. Tarmis leaned closer so he could see what Hogah was pointing at, as he did he and the others all looked on in shock.

Heading towards them was an enormous streak of fire. It almost seemed alive as it course to and fro, burning everything in its path. The flare sparked and waved as it came closer to them, almost as if it were seeking them out.

Javar jumped in the pilot's chair, bringing all systems back online. He looked over at the comm area, ~Damn I had turned it off, for privacy.~ Javar ignored it as he brought the shuttle to life. He started to bring the shuttle about, but it was too late the Flare was on top them. Javar shook his head, " Hell no. Member the Solarius cluster guys. Let's do it again."

Javar intended to ride the wave out like he had done as a youth; he prepared to ignite the warp drive, shooting them free of the flare. As Javar took a deep breath his finger shook slightly, then he pressed the engage button.

You could almost feel the power build up in the warp engine. But nothing happened. Javar nervously checked the console, " Oh shit, there is a variance in the warp regulator. Attempting to bypass." His hands blazed across the console, and then he quickly punched the engage button.

This time the warp field engaged and began to expand. Suddenly everything froze, the flare enveloped the shuttle, but did not move or wave, as it should if it were truly alive like fire. The three guys looked at one another, confused as hell of what was going on. Raduli thought for a moment then shook his finger at them, Could we have caused some type of rip in the fabric of space, caused by inducing a warp field into a Flare of this magnitude?"

Javar and Tarmis looked at each other and shrugged, both said, " Could be." They all started laughing. Until the strange sound began behind them, like the sizzle of the sun on a hot summer days. The sound continued and grew, then was covered over by the screams. Tarmis was the first to turn, realizing what was making the screams. He came about in time to see Hogah being dragged by strangely dressed figures. The black hooded figures dragged Hogah out through what could only be described as a portal.

As Hogah was dragged out, to figures stepped through into the shuttle. One completely in black cape and hood. The other a female, completely stark white with coal black eyes. Her hair was so white the tips seemed to be aflame. Tarmis threw out his hand as if to say stop when the hooded figure said, " STOP! Your son has been chosen to give rebirth to Queen Deriam. His blood will strengthen her new body and his soul will be the first of many to return her powers to her.

Tarmis ran towards the figures, he only got a few feet before the stark white woman tossed out a hand, throwing Tarmis back into his friends knocking them all to the floor. Javar jumped up, his veins popped out, his temples throbbed as he started towards them. " You will let him...." Javar's words trailed off as his anger left him. He stood frozen in fear as he peered on. After some time he finally could speak, " Dutrina? But but that can't be."

The stark white female gave Javar a demonic scowl, " Because I am dead. You fool the Council Of Deriam has resurrected me, so I could bring forth my vengeance upon you all." As she finished she lifted her hand, lightning bolts flew out as they easily grabbed all three men and pinned them to the ceiling of the shuttle. A sick evil smile could be felt from the hooded figure as she watched on, in what could only be described as perverse joy.

The hooded figure turned to Dutrina, " After you have finished with them sister Dutrina, return to us and our Queen Deriam will reward you with what you desire most, a return to the living." Tarmis stared on in horror; he shook his head not wanting to believe what he had heard. It can't be true, mustering all the strength he had, " Deona is that you? If it is you MUST face ME!" The hooded figure had walked towards the door, but she stopped. A sick twisted laugh could be heard, from under the hood. The figure turned still laughing, as it raised its hood.

Javar, Tarmis, and Raduli all gasped in complete horror, their body still coursing with electricity, as their eyes and ears began to show small trails of blood.

Off>

Joint Post

Captain Raduli En-Senara
Co. - Uss Alaska
PFECD
Python Fleet
&
Commander Javar O’Dell
Xo Star Base Python
Python Fleet
&
Capt. Tarmis Jeram
Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
 

ON> Starbase, Upper Promenade

Elsie wandered aimlessly with her arms folded tightly to her chest, after her debriefing with T’Ver. It was shocking that someone had tried to assassinate the Admiral! She certainly was no one who would make enemies. But then there were those who would kill anyone for the right price.

Elsie had shared all of the facts about the mission at Terra Mater. All were recorded for posterity. But the emotions! Oh, Goddess, the emotions! They were churning around inside her, conflicting, contradictory, self-pity, anger, irrational thoughts of revenge.

There was one person in this Starbase who knew her almost as well as Merril had, Her older cousin T’Anna. At one time it had been T’Anna who was going to the stars, and Elsie who would get married, have a family and pursue a counselor’s practice on Betazed. They had laughed at the absurdity of Elsie ever becoming a starship captain. It had not been in her plans.

Well, here she was four decades later, a Commodore, no less, and as distraught as a raw cadet! The Counselor had reminded her that they would come, the shakes, the anger, the self-doubts.

Elsie had gotten over having her ship shot out from under her, and the death of a dear friend. She had finally come to grips with this timeline that had taken Merril away from her, the man she had been bonded to since she was 12.

But on Terra Mater, she had been branded, shaven, and electrocuted. She had been killed, stripped of the immortality she had not wanted in the first place. The healed, but still visible brand on her forearm burned with remembered intensity. And all the wounds opened anew, all the healing undone!

Elsie’s steps quickened until she found the ambassadorial suites. Flashing her ID, she was allowed to enter that section, and she found herself pounding her hand on the chime to T’Anna’s quarters. The door opened and T’Anna’s momentary joy evaporated at the look in Elsie’s eyes, haunted, tortured, angry.

Wordlessly, T’Anna took Elsie’s hand and drew her into the room. For a long moment she watched the tears flow down her cousin’s cheeks, then she gathered Elsie into her arms and the sobbing began for real.

Elsie sobbed like a small child, as her emotions and memories flooded T’Anna’s mind. Here was the one person in the whole universe Elsie could share everything with and know it would never be revealed.

The anger at the loss of her ship.
The terror of the Keldon’nar using the lifepods as target practice.
The heartbreaking sacrifice of an Engineering officer to scuttle the ship.
The open wound in her heart because of the sacrifice of a man without a past to save the two people he loved the most.
The cry for help over 300 years of time and the unhesitant answer: Yes.
The anguished return to an empty life, events changed because one woman went back in time to save one man.
The scary realization that she had been transformed by an enemy into an immortal, to play out a game she wanted nothing to do with.
The surrender to a fascist power to stand judgement for trumped up war crimes.
The humiliating treatment at the hands of the Nazis.
The horrifying laboratory experiment that took her life.
The conflicted feelings she had about her husband’s part in the lab, that he possibly had foreseen the events and had let them play out, taking her immortality away from her, and taking it into himself.

Finally the tears were spent, and the burden shared. T’Anna placed a free hand on Elsie’s face in a meld and soothed her cousin’s mind, not to banish the memories, but to ease the pain. Sweet memories were brought to the surface.

How they played and laughed as children on Betazed.
The joy of Elsie’s wedding to Merril, both bride and groom exceedingly beautiful in the traditional Betazed wedding.
The joys of Merril’s and Elsie’s lovemaking, how they were like two halves of a whole person, how Merril gave Elsie the strength she needed and how she gave him a sense of adventure.
The fulfillment of holding her babies in her arms.
The thrill of her first command, McKenna allowing her to pick the “blue Excelsior in the corner.”
The deep satisfaction of having rescued Rafe from the past.
Merril’s appearance to her in a dream after the timeline shift, giving her permission to love Rafe.
The first time Elsie and Rafe sought each other’s love.
The absurd, but somehow appropriate wedding in Ten-Forward.
The nights they held each other, just for the sheer joy of it.
Her choice to return to this life to stand beside Rafe.
The day Rafe opened his mind to her, trusting her with his memories.

Elsie relaxed in T’Anna’s arms, and the meld was broken. “Why don’t you rest here for a while? I will let Rafe know where you are.” T’Anna led Elsie to her bed, took off her boots, and tucked her younger cousin in.

Almost immediately Elsie fell into a restful sleep.

OFF>

JP

Commodore Elsie Veritas
CO USS James Cook
&
Dr. T’Anna Veritas
UFP Ambassador
 

ON - Llaiir and Saren’s quarters

Llaiir looked around their quarters, it had been home for a little over nine months but such was life, she and Saren were being transferred to the new USS Alaska, Llaiir was saddened to be leaving Shi behind but at least Roma and Torbin would be in her Staff again, like it was before. Llaiir and Saren informed the quartermaster that their belongings should be sent to the Alaska at the Snake pit. Wrapping her arm around Saren’s waist and laying her head on his arm, Saren carried his daughter, who looked even smaller in his arms than in the arms of Llaiir, they reached the docking bay and showed their ID’s, Llaiir took one last look back at the Cook ~ Good bye Friend ~ Llaiir thought to the ship then walked off with Saren for a cup of Tea before heading onto the Alaska

OFF

Lt. Llaiir t’Rehu
CR&D
USS James Cook
Python fleet Flag ship
 

Laura stood in front of the large observation ports looking out across the internal docking bay. In her hand was a cup, but this time instead of alcohol it contained black coffee. Laura enjoyed the beverage, and was soothing and relaxing, in her hand was a padd of information that she had just received from Starfleet Command. Again she looked down at it and re-read the contents of the letter.

Dear Lt. Commander Laura J. Allen,

Your application for Starfleet’s elite fighter school known as “Top Gun” has been received. We have reviewed your file, and while it shows many disciplinary problems, we see a great deal of potential in your career as a Naval Fighter Pilot. We here at Top Gun would like to officially welcome you to our state of the art combat training school. Do not be fooled. You will be on probation in light of recent events, and if you do any thing wrong you will be expelled from the program. We hope that you will develop as a fighter pilot and in turn become an experienced officer that all will look up to and admire. You are the best of the best, and we hope we can make you better.

Congratulations
Capt. Toby Mitchell “Bull”
Commanding Officer: Top Gun

Laura looked away from the padd and back out into the docking bay. It was time she went to the Commodore. Laura sighed and headed for the docking port in which the USS James Cook was positioned. After a minute turbo-lift ride Laura stepped off onto the bridge. The Commodore was not there, but she crossed the command center to the door that she thought was the ready room, and sure enough it was marked “Deck 1: Captain’s Ready Room.” She rung the chime, and waited patiently for an answer.
 

Laura J. Allen

Squadron CO
USS James Cook
"My What Big Teeth We have"

On> Rafe & Elsie's Quarters.

Rafe walked in to find Elsie fast asleep on the bed. His screening of Kimahri had produced some unusual results, but he was hesitant to wake Elsie to tell her. She needed her rest. He sat down at the desk and started typing his report.

 

From: Capt. Rafe Oosha
To: Cmdr. Elsie Veritas

Re: Kimahri

I have completed with the cooperation of Sickbay a comprehensive study of Kimahri Ronso. He appears to be in excellent health with no signs of any advanced aging. He carries no signs of viruses, pathogens or other contagious diseases.
We did discover the presence of chronoton particles in and around him, which suggests that he was subjected to time travel which apparently deposited him on the Starbase.
Kimahri stated that he went to sleep in his hut on Mount Gagazet, a range of mountains on Spira, only to awaken in on the Starbase. He found this to be very confusing.

My conclusion is that he has come from the past that I left behind after defeating Syn on Spira. While I went to the Farplane and ended up elsewhere in time, Kimahri and the rest of my comrades continued on with thier lives for another 11 years.

I have accessed data from a Star Fleet geologic survey probe currently in orbit over Spira, and it does show the planet to be quite dead. I have decided not to share this data with Kimahri yet. I'm not sure if the Prime Directive comes into play in this situation, but at the very least, the less we tell Kimahri the better. He is a warrior and is not concerned with science. Additionally, he may view our technology with a wary eye.

We can discuss this more in length later.

End of report
 

Rafe closed the report and sent it to Elsie's mailbox. He then stripped out of his clothes and crawled into bed beside her, wrapping his arms around her and soon fell asleep.

Off>

Capt. Rafe Oosha

Chief Intelligence Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
"Wisdom begins in wonder."

ON>
Genesis stretched her arms and looked across the Promenade. She was tired. She didn't realize she was going to still feel weak from healing Llaiir and Isha but it had been worth it. Genesis sipped her drink and then her attention was arrested by a woman entering escorted by two guards. The woman looked vaguely familiar. Frowing Genesis got up and walked toward the woman.

Cassie's table>
Cassie had sent her message out to Rakhan and had sat down. At first the guards refused to sit until Cassie had given them a 'nudge' and they sat down.

They sat and chat for a moment when Cassie sensed someone coming toward them. She automatically stiffened and the guards jumped to their feet protectively. It took Cassie a moment to realize who it was and then she jumped up from her chair and hugged the woman.

As she drew closer Genesis realized who the young girl was that had the guard escort. It was Cassie, Jacob's younger sister. Genesis was hesitant to approach but Cassie beat her to the punch by jumping up and hugging her.

"Oh my god! Genesis! I haven't seen you in ages! What have you been into? We kinda lost touch with you after Serene died. We all wondered. We knew you wrote the twins occasionally but you never wrote any of us," Cassie said softly, sensing that she was treading on dangerous grounds.

Genesis tensed. I don't need this right now on top of everything else that is happening to me, Genesis thought getting defensively.

Cassie stared at Genesis. She could hear Genesis' thoughts which she was broadcasting rather loudly. Cassie frowned. "Um Genesis, you might want to tone down the mental chatter. It's a bit loud even when a telepath is shielding around you," Cassie said quietly.

Genesis started and blushed. "You heard my thoughts?"

Cassie grimaced. "Yes and I wasn't even trying to. You're broadcasting rather loudly. Wait a minute, I didn't think you were a telepath?"

Genesis frowned. "I wasn't but now I'm not so sure and I can say the same of you. I didn't think you were that high up in the telepathic scale."

Cassie grinned. "Sit down first and I'll explain." Both of the ladies sat down and the guards sat back down too.

"To answer your question, I wasn't until some rather unique situations gave my powers a boost. And then of course finding out who your true people are does worlds for one's confidence. Don't ask. I'll tell you those stories some other time. So where are you stationed now," Cassie said deftly changing the topic.

Genesis sighed in relief and let her. "I'm ACMO aboard the USS James Cook. And Cassie I love it there! All the families and children I get to work with it. It's like a dream come true. And what about you? What have you been up to?"

Cassie blushed and Genesis looked at her quizzically. "Um well I was assigned a while back to the USS Draesoneth as an ACMO. Then when our CMO changed careers," Cassie grinned at that, "I was promoted to CMO. I wasn't ready for it and it caused a lot of confusion and problems because my powers were starting to manifest themselves. Then there was the little matter of finding my soulmate and well it was a major roller coaster ride emotionally for a while there. Then I found out that I was Illythirian and had magical abilities. And let's not forgot my soon-to-be husban Rakhan who I met aboard the Draesoneth. And if that's not all there's the little matter of me being pregnant," Cassie trailed off, smiling at a stunned Genesis.

Genesis couldn't help but stare at Cassie in shock. After a moment she found and her voice. "Well I see you've been very busy," she said dryily.

Cassie chuckled. "Yeah and I'm hoping to have my wedding sometime in the next couple of weeks. If you are able. I'd like you to come. YOU are family and you are my friend. If it hadn't been for you and Serene back at the Academy I would've given up."

Genesis reached across the table and squeezed Cassie's hand. "No you would have. You just didn't believe that you belonged even though mentally you were light years ahead of even the oldest and most experienced cadet. That always makes for hard feelings. Plus you never showed off which for some reason bothered people more." Genesis shrugged.

"Mom and dad told us not to make others feel inferior and to act normal. I tried and it still didn't work. People will always hate and fear what they don't understand," Cassie broke off mid-sentence her eyes unfocusing.

Genesis sat up concerned and was about to check Cassie when Cassie's eyes refocused a beautiful smile lit up her face. "Rakhan is on his way here now. Look Genesis, I don't know how long you will be here but go on and see the girls and Jacob. They're home right now and are expecting you," Cassie said with a grin.

"How," Genesis began then looked at Cassie sheepishly. "You were talking to them telepathically," Genesis said.

"It's a useful thing when you can doubletalk," Cassie grinned. "Go on silly. There waiting," Cassie said laughing as she mentally 'nudged' Genesis.

Genesis hugged Cassie. "Thanks little one. Take care of yourself and the baby and I'll see you around." Genesis left the Promenade and headed for Jacob's quarters.

Cassie turned back around and smiled at Rakhan who was making his way over to her table.

OFF>

Joint Post

Dr. Genesis Aquamara, Lt.
ACMO, USS James Cook

&

Lt. Cassandra Knowledge
Star Base, Python Fleet

On>
Shuttle Micron>

The hooded figure had walked towards the door, but she stopped. A sick twisted laugh could be heard, from under the hood. The figure turned still laughing, as it raised its hood.

Javar, Tarmis, and Raduli all gasped in complete horror, their body still coursing with electricity, as their eyes and ears began to show small trails of blood.

Tarmis was the first to speak, " What Why?" The figure pulled her hood completely off, " Why would I give up that putrid, selfish god. Why would I forsake his evil ways, for the truth in the joy of our Queen. BECAUSE LITTLE BROTHER I AM SICK OF KNEELING IN DARK CHURCHES, PRAYING TO A GOD THAT NEVER LISTENS OR ACKNOWLEDGES YOUR PRAYERS. BECAUSE LITTLE BROTHER LISIUS TOOK MY CHILD FROM ME!!!"

Tarmis looked on in painful agony. Deona loosened her cloak, exposing a large cut along her abdomen. " See what his loving world has brought me. Our god allowed street thugs to rape and molest me. When they finished they cut open my abdomen, killing my child as they did. Jorka left me soon after because I could no longer bear children, and my life disintegrated before my eyes. Father was too busy even to come to my child's funeral, you had left the family forsaken all of us for that uniform and mother had drank herself into her own private shell. The life according to Lisius, what a pile of crap."

Tarmis eyes became sad, he felt as if tears would come, but the electricity sizzled them before ever leaving his eyes. His voice trembled as he spoke, " Sister you were a High Priestess of Lisius. You turned your back on him for what for this?"

Deona's face contorted, " I turned my back on him because he allowed all that too happen. Lisius gave up on me many years before. I could no longer serve a god, which would allow all that to happen. One night while I was on a spiritual trek, I came across, my sister having a spiritual gathering. That night they inducted me, and I heard her Deriam's voice sing in my mind only moments after I had joined. She told me everything would be good, I would find my true mate, and even bare children. She told me I only must do 2 things, help her be reborn into a new body, and bring her the chosen one."

Deona smiled demonically, " Hogah will help return Deriam to her greatness, and you little brother. Your death will ensure a future in Deriam's creation. One of beauty and majesty, for as you die so will the prophecy of the chosen one." Deona turned laughing strangely as she entered the portal and disappeared.

Tarmis lowered his gaze, his face telling the entire story as he gave in. " I am sorry guys, you will all die because of me." Javar gritted his teeth, with all his might he turned to look at Tarmis, then back to the Dutrina. Javar struggled against the pain as he yelled, " Dutrina, we never killed you. It was an accident!"

Dutrina's gaze lowered, her power lessened as she did. It looked as if she were remembering things, then suddenly she raised her head, her eyes turned the color of fire, as she thrust her hands outwards, " IT IS YOUR FAULT ALL OF YOU!!!"

The shocked made them grit their teeth as foam bubbled and drooled out of their mouth, while the blood began to trail from their eyes and ears even more. Raduli stared at the woman as he slid in and out of consciousness. He tried to stay awake, tried to speak, " DUTRINA!" Was all Raduli could yell, which sounded as a whisper. It was enough for her to hear though.

Dutrina lowered the intensity of her attack, to allow Raduli to speak, but kept the men pinned to the ceiling. Raduli blinked back the blackness, which tried to envelope him. He leaned his head towards Dutrina, " Dutrina, it is me Raduli. You have to remember my love, you have to think back. For me, For US!"

Dutrina shook her head slightly, confusion came in waves. Finally she got some control, stared in Raduli's eyes, " Remember?" Dutrina began to remember the past, playing it in her minds eye, as she spoke aloud what she recalled.


Past>

We were all on the shuttle, No I was in my quarters. Yes I was in my quarters, the message came hand delivered. It bore the symbol of my Queen. I carefully opened it, prepared to do her bidding. It was my duty as a high protectoress of Deriam to follow her wishes. The message explained I must kill Tarmis, he must not be allowed to live. It was decreed by Deriam herself that Tarmis life must end. He mustn’t be able to full his destiny as the chosen one. His death would bring about the beginning of change upon Ullia. Allowing Deriam to once again to return to power.

I carefully refolded the paper, and then set it in the sanctified urn. I carefully ignited the paper in the traditional ways, once it had burned completely I carefully took the ashes, and swallowed them. To ensure I was my mission and my mission was of me. Later on before we were supposed to leave I snuck to the shuttle, and sabotaged it. That is why I insisted we take that one and no other.

We all boarded and I knew my mission would succeed. The flight proceeded as normal, but it was you, Raduli. You said something I never expected, You asked to marry me. I remember you said, " Dutrina my love. The Heavens have sent you into my life and my heart. When I look into the future I see our hearts traveling together as one down the road of life. I only have one wish, that you be my spouse. Dutrina will humbly accept to marry me?" It was those exact words that changed everything.

Your words showed me I had to live my life with the man I loved, You Raduli. That is when I ran off, I tried to stop it, but it was too late. While I was trying, the console exploded. Throwing me across the shuttle. I remembered seeing you come to my side. You laid a hand on my neck, and then everything went black. When I came too, I ran to the pod, but I was too late. As I stared at you through the window I knew this was my payment for failure. But I did not care, for I felt love, true love for the first time ever. It was our Love Raduli that showed me, I must let you live. To carry on our love through the ages.

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

Dutrina looked up into Raduli's eyes, as he stepped up next to her and put his arms about her. Raduli lovingly held Dutrina to him, soothing her troubled soul. " Yes my love that is how it happened, and I never forgave myself for that fateful day either. I always wished it could have been me rather than you." Raduli and Dutrina held each other tightly, whispering loving words to one another.

Tarmis made his way to Javar; Javar laid on his stomach, not moving. Tarmis turned Javar over, as he did he saw the blood and far off look in Javar's eyes. Javar's pupils were barely recognizable through the pools of blood, which had puddled around them; blood covered his lips as it slowly continued from his mouth. Thin lines of blood dribbled out Javar's ears, and down onto the floor. His pulse was weak and his breathing was shallow.

Tarmis grabbed a med kit and worked diligently to save his friend. Moments later he finished, He prayed he had helped Javar enough to keep him alive till Star Base. Tarmis stood and walked to Raduli, " Watch over him Gyro, I am going after my son." Raduli nodded, " I will not let him die Spaz. He is our brother." Dutrina stepped up and grabbed Tarmis arm, " Take this, It will return you to the altar where they have taken him."

Tarmis nodded with a vengeful, angered look, " They will not hurt my son." As Tarmis finished he jumped through the portal, with a bright flash of light he was gone.

Off>

Joint Post

Captain Raduli En-Senara
Co. - Uss Alaska
PFECD
Python Fleet
&
Commander Javar O’Dell
Xo Star Base Python
Python Fleet
&
Capt. Tarmis Jeram
Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
 

On>
Ullia - Deriam's Lair>

As Tarmis exited the portal, a wave of nausea hit him. He swallowed hard, hoping his stomach would steady. Tarmis leaned against the hot wall, which after a short time allowed his nausea to pass. He stood and looked about the strange surroundings.

Tarmis stood in a rock tunnel, which topped at 12 feet high and at least 10 feet wide. The walls were made of a strange crystalline structure, which glowed eerily. The heat all about was so strong it felt as if your lungs were aflame, while the sulphuric smell floated into your nostrils, as if to gag the life out of you. Paintings in blood, lined the tunnel, which told of the perverted story of Lisius and his sister Deriam. Goddess Deriam was trapped by her evil brother Lisius, because of his jealousy of her.

Tarmis read some of the story before he could stand no longer. He spat on the wall in disgust, and then turned towards the strange noises, which emanated from the south end.

Tarmis started down the corridor towards the noises, as he drew closer he realized it was some strange chanting. Tarmis slowly looked about the edge of the tunnel. What he saw made his heart sink and his body want to cringe in horror.

Hogah lay atop an altar completely made in stone. When one viewed the altar from the side, the shape of a naked female could be seen holding a flat top. The mouth of the stone female laid slightly out from the top at one end, as if something were to be directed into the mouth.

The top of the altar had small cup like areas cut out beneath the wrists, ankles and neck. The areas were then linked by what looked like a trench, which would direct something to the edge of the altar and into the stone females awaiting mouth.

Beneath the altar, a river of lava encircled it, then lead back into a large opening, which opened to a Lake of pure Lava. The flames of the lava shot forth randomly, in size and location. The vapors rising from the lava seemed to hiss and speak, as if to say death was abound.

About the altar a group of scantly dressed females encircled Hogah. They wore masks, which portrayed a lovely female, atop the mask rested a solid black crystal. The crystal was shaped like a spearhead. As the 14 females moved about Hogah they chanted strange unknown words.

Tarmis struggled with ideas of how he could save his son. But time would not allow him to ponder any longer. One of the masked females stepped closer to Hogah; she drew a dagger as she removed her mask. Tarmis could not see the females face, because her back was to him. Tarmis did however see the dagger rise for the terrifying blows, which were sure to follow.

Tarmis' mind burned with a father's love as he ran full force towards the group of dancing females. He was too late, the female, which held the dagger, struck with deadly accuracy, each blow slicing a specific area. Hogah screamed out in agony as his blood began to flow from his neck, ankles, and wrists. His lifeblood, drained into the small holders, then streamed along the table, towards the edge of the altar.

Tarmis ran to the group in a blind rage, he reached out and grabbed the female with the dagger, and one other which stood near her. As Tarmis grabbed hold of their bare shoulders, images began to flood his mind. Tarmis saw the image of his sister Deona as she walked down an empty street. With a flash he saw a group of 1 male and 2 females, made up to look like men. They talked in a hushed voice, as they withdrew their weapons. Another Flash, the group huddled in a nearby shadow as they awaited Deona.

Deona strolled along the road, as she turned a nearby corner, someone grabbed her, and pulled her into the dark shadows. The madness seemed to slow, as Tarmis watched the man began molesting Deona, he took great pleasure in her pain. Deona screamed out for help but it was no use, suddenly an old putrid cloth was shoved into her mouth as one female held her arms down while the other began slicing along her legs and arms. The male continued to rape Deona, until her body became limp.

Deona tried to struggle, but her body could no longer fight. Tarmis saw the fight leave Deona's eyes, as one of the females cut open her top, exposing her chest and abdomen. Deona screamed as the female ran the edge of the blade menacingly along the abdomen, as if to show Deona what she was about to do. Then the female attacker gave a sadistic laugh as she shoved the blade into Deona's abdomen, then dragged it's edge all about. Deona's body went completely limp as her blood began to stream all about. It drained down her body and along the filthy street.

The group slowly backed away, then turned and in a dead run took off. As they rounded a corner they came to a halt before 2 females dressed in Deriam robes. The attackers spoke with the 2 robed women. A moment later the robed females rounded the corner, as if they had come upon Deona by pure chance. They stopped Deona's bleeding as they called out for help. After sometime help arrived, as Deona was then whisked off to the hospital.

Suddenly there was the presence of pure evil within Tarmis mind. It reached out as if to grab his mind. A huge spark of electricity arced against the evil mind, sending Tarmis flying across the chamber. He landed against the wall, then fell to his side.

Something shoved into Tarmis' side as he struggled to get up. The females turned about, their gaze was that of death as they stared at Tarmis. Deona still held the dagger in her hand as they walked towards Tarmis. " You are to late little brother, it has begun. LOOK!" Deona said as she gestured behind her.

Tarmis looked past, as he saw the blood drain from his son. Drops of blood began to fall from the edge of the altar, into the stone females open mouth, as it did chunks of it began to fall. The stone female was coming to life. Over Hogah's body a strange white ghostly image began to pull from Hogah's body to float above the altar. It moved about in a circular motion as the chanting continued.

As Deona and the other female drew closer, Tarmis drew his phaser, " Please Sister I do not want it to end this way." Tarmis pleaded as he took aim on his own Sister. Deona and the other female laughed evilly as the continued to walk towards Tarmis.

Tarmis shook his head, " I Love You Deona!" Tarmis said as he squeezed the trigger of the phaser. The phaser released its energy towards Deona. The beam was about to strike Deona in the chest, but suddenly a strange field appeared before Deona, deflecting the phaser shot off into a wall. Deona and the female laughed even harder as Tarmis repeated to fire his phaser.

Time had once again run out for Tarmis, Deona stopped just before him as she raised her blade of her head. Tarmis lowered his head in defeat, " Please Sister I beg of you. If I must die let it be by her hand, As she had ended your child's life." Tarmis pointed to the female next to Deona.

Deona stopped for a moment, then looked to the female. The female shook her head, but could not hide the look on her face. Deona stared on in confusion, then with lightning speed she sliced the female's neck. A gash opened as the Female blood began to pulsate, spewing over the floor and into the lava. The female clenched her neck, as she stumbled about. Finally it had ended, as the female tilted slightly then fell into the river of lava. As her body fell in a huge pyre of flame shot upwards.

Deona turned to Tarmis; she dropped the blade to the floor. Deona's body began to struggle and fight against itself as a strange corporeal figure began to come from Deona's chest. Deona continued to fight and push the being out of her body. Finally the being came free of Deona's body and moved towards the altar. Deona fell to one knee; with a final effort she focused on the being and released a beam of pure intense light. The being froze and began to waver. Tarmis felt his crystal in his pocket; he withdrew it and placed it on the ground before him.

He placed his hands about the crystal, as his body began to spasm and shake. Suddenly Tarmis looked up at the being, and a beam of white amazing light shot from his eyes into the being. A moment later he opened his mouth and yet another beam shot forth.

The being struggled and fought to become free, but it was no use. The intensity of Tarmis' beams as well as his sisters grew, until they exploded, shattering the being into thin air.

Deona fell to the ground as the being exploded, the chamber began to shake and tremble. The walls began to crash about them as pieces of the altar fell into the river of lava. Lava splashed about, and began to flow in every direction. Tarmis pushed himself to stand; he grabbed his sister off the ground and tossed her over his shoulder. In one swift move, Tarmis jumped the river to the altar. Tarmis took some cloth and tightened it about Hogah's wounds then through his limp body over his shoulder.

Tarmis turned, then ran back to the crystal, as he touched it a blinding light enveloped them. Suddenly they were back aboard the Shuttle Micron. Tarmis gently laid Deona and Hogah on the floor. He turned in time to see the portal pulse and begin to dissolve.

Raduli saw the portal begin to disappear, he turned to Dutrina, " Our spirits will always fly, entwined as one into the heavens and beyond." Raduli said then reached out to embrace Dutrina one last time. As his arms begin to envelope her, she disappeared. Raduli's arms tightened about nothing, his love was gone. He began to weep silently, " I pray you find the peace you so deserve my love."

Once the portal disappeared, time seemed to unfreeze. The flare was now gone; only space surrounded them. Tarmis slapped his commbadge, " Shuttle Micron to Star Base. Medical emergency, 5 to beam directly to sick bay." With out a word Tarmis, Raduli, Javar, Hogah, and Deona disappeared in the shimmer of a transporter beam.

Off>

Joint Post

Captain Raduli En-Senara
Co. - Uss Alaska
PFECD
Python Fleet
&
Commander Javar O’Dell
Xo Star Base Python
Python Fleet
&
Capt. Tarmis Jeram
Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
 

On> Ten Forward

Rafe stopped by the ship's lounge to take in the view of space dock. The James Cook was only a matter of hours away from departure and the activity outside the ship proved that fact.

He took a sip from his clay jug. He had just seen to Kimahri's comfort in the quarters assigned for the big Ronso. It felt good to see an old comrade again. After the final summoning and Yuna sending Rafe to the Farplane, he had assumed he would never see any of them again... but instead of the Farplane he ended up of the deck of a Federation starship, only to find out that the Federation didn't exist yet.

Time were calm for now. There were no enemies to face, no evil threats to consider... just peace. He liked peace, he adored peace, but he knew that peace would only be fleeting at best. Given the appetite for trouble that this starship had, danger was only just around the corner. He knew that demons lay in wait for this ship... demons that would eventually be confronted, personal or otherwise. He took solace in the fact that he would be there to aid his comrades in thier time of need... as he had done in the past.

Rafe extended his jug to the window and to the workbees that swarmed the Cook in salute for thier hard work and efforts. He took another swig and then affixed the jug back to his belt.

Off>

Capt. Rafe Oosha

Chief Intelligence Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
"Wisdom begins in wonder."

On> Bridge

Chiara walked onto the deserted bridge and looked around. It was deserted, as in port it was not required to manned 24/7. She walked over to Elsie's Readyroom and keyed her medical access code to gain entry.

From her shopping bag, she pulled out the wrapped box containing the vanilla perfume she found on the starbase and set it on the desk. In the note attached to the box, she wrote "Don't forget to be a girl once in a while."

Chiara smiled and walked out of the Ready Room.

The Dojo

Chiara walked in to find that it too was devoid of it's normal occupant. Capt. Rafe was nowhere to be seen. While security often used the Dojo for hand to hand training, it was often Rafe's place of meditation. She walked over to the statue of Buddha and deposited the gift bow for Rafe. She hoped he would like the incense and burner she found. It was very oriental and in her opinion, very much Rafe. In the note she wrote "For a dear friend. You are so wise and I thank you for your wisdom and grace."

Tarmis's Quarters

Chiara entered the quarters of the man she had fallen in love with. Her gift for him would have to wait, however she placed the box containing the toy starship she had found for Hogah on the boy's bed. She hoped he would like it. With that, she stole away back to her own quarters to try on the tiny lace outfit that she would present to Tarmis as his gift... along with her in it. Chiara smiled at the thought of taking the next step in her relationship with him. They had already slept together, but nothing had actually happened that time around. She found herself increasingly comfortable with her relationship with him to where she was ready to share herself with him.

He had gone as far as to even stop her from doing something very stupid, and for that alone she owed him her life.
Off>

On> The Starchamber

Rafe secured the doors to the Starchamber. If the Dojo was his place of meditation, he figured that the Starchamber was his place of learning and observing. The former Astrometrics lab allowed him to see all that was happening on the ship and in the sector. This time around, he found himself not observing military matters but looking towards matters of the heart.

He accessed the Betazed Central Library and began to search for documents pertaining to the word ‘Imzadi’. It was a word that Elsie had been using to describe her love for Rafe, but it was not a term he was familiar with other then by name alone and the knowledge that it was a state of relationship.

After a few minutes of searching, he found the following:

"I think it's wonderful the way we've all been discussing the term "Imzadi" in such a philosophical light. In every description I've read thus far, I've seen a different mode of explanation and I think that is perhaps the most shining 'definition' of all.
Someone (I believe it was Carol) wrote: "Imzadi is everything.. [and] more than just soulmates."
If IMZADI is to mean "everything", then such an elastic foundation seems a very apt place to begin... Imzadi more than soulmates. Perhaps.
Perhaps we dare to allow that Imzadi -- as a science fiction reference in a science fiction world -- is a safer term to grant the limitless boundaries of definitive sharing; safer than a concept like "soulmates" which is a word that DOES exist in our reality and must therefore be granted less credence than what it might otherwise have.
If we are to keep with what we're TOLD, we must accept as truth that "soulmates" are at best a scientific improbability -- and at worst -- an impossible; fantastic figments of an overworked imagination.
But as has been brought to the attention of humanity on numerous occasions by numerous great thinkers (often before their untimely demise) -- why have an imagination at all, if not to gleefully 'overwork' it?
Social norms would have us 'hold our heads out of the proverbial clouds'. And if we do that, then Imzadi is indeed a safer term when compared with soulmates. But is it really so different from soulmates? The romantic notion of a 'soulmate' has tracked us in countless forms since the evolution of the human condition.
What I think is the most compelling aspect of the idea, stems from what Peter David tried to touch upon in the first "Imzadi" novel: That we are all two halves of a whole, drifting without fulfillment until we find completion. Soulmates or Imzadi, that aspect of the concept remains identical.
It is a paradox of our own making that so few throughout human history have chosen to embrace the idea of a shared 'soul'. Perhaps a little sad, because it means that not everyone will discover the opportunity to find such complete understanding, as a result.
The more we try and define 'being in love' -- to describe it on paper, with words or brushstrokes, I think the closer we end up coming to the realization that love and ardent spirituality exist enmeshed. They tie in together, because the kind of completion we're seeking is something of an endless, driving need for an aspect of our 'inner selves' which we cannot fulfill on our own. We need the other; the half we're (arguably) missing. That, to me, is a "soulmate" I think is exists, but as a rare and often unrealized gift which must be seen to be accepted. Not everyone who marries, feels 'complete'.
So lets look at this from the perspective of a writer, handed the task of making 'soulmates' a reality (at least on paper).
For most of us, especially those who constantly seek an outlet for expression through some artistic medium (including writing), we are compelled to wish that there were some better, perhaps more direct conduit to our feelings and passions than the (often imperfect) methods of translation we have at our disposal.
Imzadi argues that there needn't be any 'conventional' means of communication -- the spoken or the written or the visual -- in order to achieve a true sense of understanding and wholeness, by virtue of our own feelings. I think the concept [Imzadi] is (necessarily) based on empathy, because the Betazoid is empathic, but also because when we speak about the soul, we often refer to a feeling, not a tangible. We do not 'see' our souls. We FEEL them -- spiritually or otherwise.
But how to translate? If we're Imzadi, we needn't worry, the translation is moot. It simply IS and our (partner) knows the same truth that we do. But what if we're not Imzadi? Or what if we have to define it for someone who hasn't ever given thought to the term?
I wonder how many of us have felt the frustration of sitting in a chair with our eyes closed and our heads tipped backward.. focusing feelings and placing our hands on the keyboard -- *knowing* that no matter how beautiful the words may finally be, there will always be something lacking ... something unexpressed, and unknown ... for simple reason that sometimes there truly ARE no words! What does a writer do then?
We pull out a few hair, and hit I suppose. We get up and pace the room. We stare at our monitors or our pads of paper and we break the ends of our pencils from the pressure. We take a break. No matter the means, this 'period' of frustration is (to me) where the fantasy of sharing our thoughts and our feelings in their purest form, becomes most vivid.
Imzadi is a profound term. If we truly could experience the thoughts and feelings of others simultaneously with our own, how would that change our concepts of love, or jealousy? How would we choose to express ourselves when 'words' mean far less than an intimate connection of minds? What is the physical when combined with a sense of understanding in a very spiritual sense? When we feel what our lover is feeling at the moment of climax -- what happens to us?
That's Imzadi, but I think it's also soulmates. If we choose to allow ourselves a little magic in our everyday lives, I think we've all got access to that beautiful and seemingly intangible bit of wonder.
I, for example, could probably ramble on for hours regarding the human condition ... but I don't. Because I haven't the audience apart from through one artform or another. That's why we write fiction and have such love for fantasy. It's easier to drown in a world which (arguably) cannot be real, than to immerse one's self (and one's 'real life' companions) in the notion of combining fantasy with acceptable reality.
Carol is absolutely correct. Imzadi is everything. It's everything we dream of and everything we know to be fact, in that dark, mysterious place we only let 'loose' for our artwork. It hides away from us behind the cool and comforting veil of reality. But it's a powerful draw. Turn in a dark room and we see nothing; yet we know that someone's watching. Stand several thousand miles away from a person we love, yet feel their presence as though they were sharing our space. Perhaps, someday, humanity will embrace the possibility that we are, all of us, a little bit empathic; all of us a little bit 'magical' when it comes to the powerful medium of emotion."
=QD=

Rafe took in the information. Imzadi was a union of two. It was being able to feel the other at any and all times. Being able to sense their presence and emotions, and able to not only feed but to give as well.

The information was adequate and gave him a base understanding, but it still seemed as if it was not enough.

He secured the terminal and left the Starchamber to seek out more advice.

Off>
 

Capt. Rafe Oosha

Chief Intelligence Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
"Wisdom begins in wonder."

On> The Memories of Home Cafe - Promenade - Upper level.

Rafe walked into the cafe. It was packed almost to capacity, but it was quiet. Rafe figured the clientele was mostly Betazoid, who seemed to prefer telepathy over verbal communication.

He walked up to the counter and ordered a cup of Green Tea, or at whatever the clerk could find that was a reasonable substitute.

T'Anna sat at a small corner table by herself, occasionally catching wisps of mental conversation around her. She looked up at an odd mental signature and saw a man in red samurai robes. ~Rafe! ~ She thought, recognizing him from Elsie's mind.

Rafe looked around the cafe. The scene almost reminded him of a few cafes in Bevel on Spira. He enjoyed the cafe atmosphere, with the exception of the Klingon and Romulan cafes, where the environment was more nervous.

Rafe paid for his green tea and then scanned the guests until he saw her.

T'Anna gestured to the Betazoid waiter and mentally asked him to escort the gentleman to her table.

The waiter went to Rafe and touched him on the arm. Rafe looked at the waiter, then down at the hand touching him. The waiter got the distinct impression that touching the samurai was not exactly a wise idea. He promptly removed his hand.

"Sir, there is a lady waiting for you at a table, if you would follow me, please." He said, walking back toward's T'Anna's table.

T'Anna gave a familiar dimpled smile as Rafe approached. "Please have a seat, Captain Oosha."

Rafe took a seat across the table from T'Anna. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you, T'Anna." Rafe said. His voice, as rugged as his face, was surprisingly soft and even.

"What are you doing in a Betazoid Cafe?" T'Anna grinned.

Rafe sipped his tea and then set it on the table. "Looking for you." He replied.

T'Anna set her hot chocolate down and gazed fully at Rafe. "What can I do for you, Captain? Or should I call you cousin? After all we are family!"

"Rafe will do nicely." He replied.

She nodded amiably. "Rafe. You look like a man with a question."

Rafe nodded. "What is Imzadi?"

T'Anna's face lit up. "That is not an easy question to answer. It has a multitude of feelings attached to it. The closest Federation word for it is "Beloved."

"Elise refers to me as Imzadi. It is not a term I am familiar with." Rafe said.

"Then you are very special to her, Rafe. Imzadi is more than a mate, more than a lover. Imzadi is a person who is also part of your reason for being. A Betazoid bonds with her spouse physically, emotionally and mentally. Elsie needs you as much as she need food or air.

"I do not know if I can comprehend such a condition." Rafe said.

"You do not have to. Few non-Betazoids truly understand it. Betazoids grow up in a society of continual mental noise. They learn to block it out and filter it for relevant information. The bonding process mergest two people into one. One balances the other out. Elsie's weaknesses are balanced out by her husband's strengths, in her personality and in her mental well-being. She COULD survive alone, but it would be a struggle for her to adapt to situations she is not comfortable with."

"I have lowered to her the mental shields I have erected over the years... but is there a way I can strengthen that bond, or create a permanent connection?" Rafe asked.

T'Anna smiled knowingly, "Time, Rafe. A relationship is a growing thing. It takes time to get used to each other, to understand each others' ways, to become comfortable with each others' minds. Many things attract a man and woman, mostly loneliness and the need to be close. But lasting love is forged through time."

"So you are saying I should just let it be?" Rafe asked.

"I say you should be loving and attentive, but also be yourself. Elsie cannot learn to love you in the way you need if you try to be something you are not, just to please her. Am I making any sense?" T'Anna asked.

"Yes." Rafe said. "I think it is a simple matter of learning the Betazoid version of love."

T'Anna leaned back in her seat and raised an eyebrow. "The Betazoid Version of love? You care to explain that?"

"Every society... every race has its own version of love. For example, while the Klingons tend to be very primal, the Vulcans are more calm and logical about how love is viewed. How do the Betazoids view love?" He said.

T'Anna thought, wondering how to express it. "Betazoids view love as a vital part of their lives. They are bonded early, and are totally devoted to their spouses. IN spite of their reputation, Betazoids do not frivolously sleep around.

They have a primal need to be one with somebody who will totally understand them. It is like they are two halves of a whole person."

"Was Elsie bonded with Merril at an early age?" Rafe asked.

T'Anna smiled, remembering the ceremony. "She was 12, he was 14. Their telepathy was just emerging."

"Wouldn't he have been her Imzadi then? Her first?" Rafe asked.

"Yes." She nodded.

"Then why would she consider me her Imzadi?" Rafe asked.

T'Anna hesitated, then decided to share. "Elsie came to me yesterday, and we shared our minds. She has always loved you on different levels. IN the other timeline, she saw you as a lost young man, just learning the ways of social interaction. When she heard your call for help, there was a bond there that made her risk everything to rescue you. On Terra Mater, Rafe, she died. She met the Prime Goddess, who gave her a choice to remain with her or to return to life. Elsie chose to return, primarily to be by your side. Not to be a Starfleet Officer, not to live out a Betazoid life, but to be with you. There is no greater bond than that kind of Love."

Rafe fell silent, not sure what to say.

T'Anna said softly, "Do not fear the times she is angry or frustrated with you. It is a part of the learning process. She can be angry at you and still love you more than life itself. You do not have to understand it all. Just accept it."

"I'm... I'm not worthy of this love... this infinite love." Rafe said quietly. "I'm just a warrior... samurai. My life is put on hold so that others may live theirs."

"Who knows what the fates have in store for us, Rafe? All we can do is walk the path set before us and enjoy the company we have along the way, for as long as they are with us." T'Anna's mind tried to stray to JW, but she forced it back to the present conversation.

"It is not fair to Elsie, though." Rafe replied. "It is not fair to her that she lost her first true love. It is not fair to her that she will only live for so many years but that I will continue on. Its not fair." Rafe rebelled.

"No," T'Anna whispered. "It is not fair. It is just the way the path unfolded. Wishing it were different is unproductive. You miss the joys in front of you if you continually look back, and ask yourself, "What if?"

"The joys in front of me are irrelevant if the woman I love with all my heart still pines for her lost true love and I can do nothing to repair her broken heart." Rafe replied. "My call for help was foolish. It was a selfish act with severe repercussions. I should have never come back here." Rafe said, becoming increasingly angry with himself.

"Rafe, you proceed with false assumptions. Elsie is at peace with the loss of her husband. She does not blame you for the shift in timeline, nor does she wish it were back the way it was. Were you to try and change that and take yourself from her in a misguided attempt to repair her life, you would destroy her. You would be forcing her to choose between you and that she cannot do. She loved both of you. That you must accept."

"This deals with temporal mechanics, doctor... I am assuming that Elsie did not tell you what happened?" Rafe asked.

"Rafe, I know what happened. All of it." T'Anna said with finality.

"Then you know that if I go back, the timeline will be repaired. She will not know she ever loved me and she will have Merril back. I would go back to being a mere memory... as it was meant to be." Rafe said.

"I do not see how it would destroy her." He added.

"Are you so certain about that Rafe? Are you certain that the power of love cannot cross timelines? Are you certain that the timeline could be brought back to its original parameters?"

Rafe rubbed his forehead. "Only if the conditions are right... or made right." He said.

T'Anna suddenly got angry. She hit the privacy screen then glared at Rafe. "How DARE you, Rafe!

"How dare I what?" Rafe countered.

"How dare you mess with Elsie's life without her permission! How dare you presume to know what is in her heart? Is it self-pity, Rafe? Is it a misguided sense of justice?" T'Anna's eyes flared.

"I have messed with her life enough as it is, T'Anna. My mere existence harms her. I regret coming back here because of how much I love her. Everything I do seems to hurt her in someway, shape or form. Is it too much to think that I would want to stop hurting her? Is it too much to ask for a way to stop hurting her?" Rafe rebuked. A tear formed in his eye. "I love her so much, I just don't want to hurt her any more."

"Are you hurting her? Or are you teaching her new a new way of perceiving the universe? Do you not realize she is drawing upon your strength? Why do you think she was compelled to come back for you? Think about that."

Rafe tried to center himself, but could not find the energy to even concentrate on a single thought.

T'Anna did not like what she was feeling. "Rafe?" She asked, concerned.

"I... I am simply trying to center myself, T'Anna. I am confused... I am trying to purify my thoughts, but cannot." He said.

"What are you feeling, Rafe?"

"Pain... anguish... the thought of betrayal... that I... that I was too selfish... It conflicts with what I've learned, with what I live by. My actions went against everything I had ever learned." He said.

"Was it so selfish to call out for help? Was it so selfish to want to return to the time and to the people you cherish? Do you not owe yourself happiness, too, Rafe? You are looking back on events and saying "What if!" You did the best you knew how at the time. You cannot punish yourself for taking the actions that you did. How do you know that course of action was not destined?" T'Anna pressed on, "Life is not easy. You of all people know that. You cannot shelter people from the realities of that life."

"True as that may be, I just do not believe that I am worthy of being Imzadi. I have failed myself, and in failing myself I have failed the woman I love." Rafe said.

T'Anna shook her head. How did one go about helping an immortal with his self esteem? The same way one would if they were mortal. "Rafe, you expect too much from yourself. You are made of the same star-stuff we all are. You WILL make mistakes. You WILL at times feel like you failed. But look around you and be honest with yourself. You did the best you knew how. What more could any one ask of themselves. What more could a higher power ask of you?"

"There are no higher powers I could or would bow to." Rafe replied.

Rafe closed his eyes and an air of peace came over him, as if he just remembered something that he had longed to remember but had forgot.

T'Anna asked quietly, "You want to share what you just experienced?

"A memory, T'Anna. A teaching I had forgotten until now." Rafe replied.

T'Anna gazed at him expectantly.

"Bushido also holds justice, benevolence, love, sincerity, honesty, and self-control in utmost respect. Justice is one of the main factors in the code of the samurai. Crooked ways and unjust actions are thought to be lowly and inhumane. Love and benevolence were supreme virtues and princely acts. Samurai followed a specific etiquette in every day life as well as in war. Sincerity and honesty were as valued as their lives. Bushi no ichi-gon, or "the word of a samurai," transcends a pact of complete faithfulness and trust. With such pacts there was no need for a written pledge; it was thought beneath one's dignity. The samurai also needed self-control and stoicism to be fully honored. He showed no sign of pain or joy. He endured all within--no groans, no crying.

He held a calmness of behavior and composure of the mind neither of which should be bothered by passion of any kind. He was a true and complete warrior. " Rafe said.

"And so denying your feelings gives you peace?" T'Anna frowned.

"Peace is all I strive for." Rafe replied.

T'Anna cocked her head, intrigued, "And what do you compare peace with if you do not have strife?"

"With peace comes love and joy." He said. "If I am not at peace with myself, how can I be at peace with what is around me, including the ones I love? There is always strife, whether combating the demons within or around me. As long as I remember Bushido, I will be at peace. Bushido will dictate my actions."

Though T'Anna was not familiar with the teaching of Bushido, she understood the need for a creed to steer your life by. She nodded, understanding that much. "Is there room in that creed of yours for passion?"

"There is." Rafe replied.

She smiled, content.

"My sincerest apologies, T'Anna. I should not have come to you with this. It is something I could have sorted out through meditation." Rafe said.

"It is helpful to speak to someone once in a while to sound out your feelings. It leads to self-discovery." T'Anna explained.

"I have only discovered that which I already knew." Rafe said.

"Exactly. The seeds of truth are in the heart. One only needs to open his heart to find them."

Rafe stood up. "I should go find Elsie."

T'Anna nodded and smiled sweetly. "I enjoyed our..conversation. Perhaps our paths may cross again."

"Perhaps." Rafe said as he turned to leave.

Outside the cafe, Rafe tapped his combadge. "Computer, locate Elsie Veritas."

"Commodore Elsie Veritas is on the James Cook."

"Location aboard James Cook."

"Commodore Elsie Veritas is in the Ready Room."

Rafe stopped walking. "Rafe to Cook... One to beam directly to the bridge."

:Rafe appeared on the bridge and walked over to the ready room. He pressed the button on the door.

Elsie smiled, feeling him before her door. "Enter." She called.

Rafe walked in. His appearance matched his somber mood.

"Sit down. What is the matter?" Elsie asked, concerned.

:"I've been trying understand the concept... the reality of Imzadi." Rafe said.

Elsie didn't know whether to be somber or to break out in laughter. "And how have you gone about this great endeavor?" She asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

: "I started by going to the Central Library of Betazed to look up information but found only debates and discussions... So I sought your cousin's advice." Rafe said.

"Did you come to a better understanding?" She asked.

"A better understanding of many things, yes... about you, and about me, and about us." Rafe said.

Elsie grinned. "I look forward to exploring that understanding with you."

"As do I." Rafe said, wondering if he should discuss the entire conversation he’d had, wondering if Elsie already knew about it.

Elsie rose and placed a finger on his lips, "Shhhhh. No words are necessary. Just accept it, Imzadi." She reached up and brought his head down to hers and kissed him .

Rafe returned her kiss with an energy and passion he had until now never before allowed to come forth.

The release of the energy made him feel very much alive.

Elsie melted into his arms, "Computer, site to site transport, Veritas-Oosha quarters"

Rafe and Elsie immediately appeared in their quarters.

"In my duties to the ship and her Commander, I have forgotten my duties to the woman I love. I wish to atone now for that sin." Rafe said softly.

"And how do you plan on doing that?" Elsie asked impishly.

"By giving to my lady's desires... and seeing to her every need." Rafe replied.

Elsie's eyes deepened as she locked eyes with Rafe, while she reached for the buckles on his robe.

Rafe gently began to remove her uniform. He ran his fingers down her bare arms.

"I want to show you something I learned." He said.

"Show me," She whispered.

Rafe held up Elsie's forearm where the Nazi tattoo was still in placed. With a whisper of Spiran words, a geometrically perfect circular pattern of light took shape around Rafe's fingers as he ran them across the tattoo. Left in the wake of his fingers was perfect, untarnished skin, free of the scars.

Elsie's eyes widened in wonder. "The book."

~The book.~ Rafe replied telepathically.

Rafe began to unfasten and remove Elsie's undergarments.

~That mark just wasn't you... it ruined perfection.~ He said.

Elsie unlatched the last buckle and slipped his robe and vest off his shoulders.

Rafe kissed her about the neck and shoulders. "So tell me, my lady... what is your pleasure?"

Elsie led rafe to the bed and proceeded to instruct him in the fine art of pleasing a Betazoid woman.

OFF>

JP

Captain Rafe Oosha
CIO USS James Cook
&
Dr. T'Anna Veritas
UFP Ambassador
&
 

Commodore Elsie Veritas

CO U.S.S. James Cook
Python Fleet Flagship

ON>
<Star base>
Genesis had left the mall and made her way to Jacob's quarters. She stood outside the door, weighing her options. You're being silly she scolded herself and pressed the door chime.

<Inside Jacob's quarters>
Jacob had settled the twins down to eat dinner when the chime sounded. Jacob frowned but made his way into the living room. "Enter," he said and stopped. His jaw dropped and it took him a moment before he stammered out, "Genesis?"

Genesis looked up at Jacob and smiled shyly. "Hi Jacob. We were on leave and I thought I'd stop by and see the girls."

"Yes come on in. Serena, Aymee come and look who's here!" Jacob called while he ushered Genesis over to the couch and gestured for her to sit.

Aymee and Serena came barreling in from the dining room and letting out twin shrieks tackled Genesis. Genesis laughed and cried and hugged them.

Jacob watched the scene and grinned. He knew Genesis had always blamed herself for Serene's death. ~It wasn't your fault Gen~ he sent the thought softly to her.

Genesis' eyes focused on him for a second and she frowned but she was soon distracted by the twins' antics and stories.

After about thirty minutes Jacob sent the twins to their room to do their homework and he turned to face Genesis.

"Gen we need to talk. There was a lot left unsaid when Serene died and I for one want it cleared up and settled once and for all."

Genesis gulped and then stared defiantly at Jacob. "There's nothing to say. It happened and I can't undo it," she said bitterly.

Jacob let out a growl and cupped Genesis face in his hands. ~Serene wouldn't have wanted you to guilt trip yourself like this Gen. It's wrong. You should honor her memory and her children.~

Genesis started to turn away but Jacob drew her toward him and kissed her at first gently and then passionately.

Genesis fought for a second but then surrendered to the kiss. ~I'm afraid Jacob. I could've done more I know I could have~

~No Gen you couldn't have. Serene knew she would die giving birth to the twins. She had a dream one week before the girls were born. We were so deeply bonded mentally that we shared the dream. She tried to deny what she'd seen but I worried and stayed by her side constantly. In the end no one could save her.~

Genesis drew back from Jacob stunned. "She knew?" she whispered.

"Yes Gen, she knew. Imagine the grief it caused her knowing she wouldn't live to see her girls grow up? That night at the hospital when she was laboring to have my daughters she told me 'don't blame yourself. remember the good times.' an hour later the girls were born and she was dead," Jacob said, tears coursing down his face.

"Oh god Jacob! I've been selfish worrying about me and not considering how you feel!" Genesis cried while hugging Jacob.

"It's ok. Mommy still loves both," Serena said.

Genesis and Jacob sprang apart like guilty lovers and stared down at the girl.

"Mommy says don't grieve but always be there for each other," Aymee chimed in. The girls walked over and hugged the adults.

"Well I never," was all Genesis said as she hugged Aymee. Genesis felt a sense of peace flow from the girl into her.

"Thank you," she whispered. Genesis looked at her chrono and groaned. "I've got to go. I have to meet someone. Look I'll be back later to tuck you girls in ok?"

"Ok!" they said grinning.

Jacob stood and walked Genesis to the door. "Remember we're family and we'll always be here."

Genesis caressed his cheek. "I know." She went out the door and headed back to the Mall her mind full of questions and wondering what Brandon would make of all it.

OFF>
Joint Post

Lt. Jacob Knowledge
CSO, Star Base. Python Fleet

Dr. Genesis Aquamara, Lt.
ACMO, USS James Cook

Aymee and Serena Knowledge
Star Base, Python Fleet

On>
Star Base Sickbay>

Javar, Raduli, Deona, and Hogah reappeared in Sickbay. Doctors and nurses rushed over to the injured beings that had just beamed in. One of the doctors looked about in a strange manner, then turned to a nurse, " The report said 5, I only see 4 injured. Either the report was in error, or there has been a grave mistake. Find out who we have and check that against Base Ops information." The nurses nodded, then rushed off.

Moments later the nurse returned, somewhat concerned. She walked up next to the doctor, " Sir according to DNA imprinted on the Shuttles data banks, Capt.Jeram, Cmdr. O'Dell, and Capt. En-Senara were on board as well as one child. Cross checking those with their images on file, Capt.En-Senara, Cmdr.O'Dell, and child are accounted for. The female we can not identify as yet, but Capt.Jeram is not here Sir."


Unknown>

Tarmis stood in a strange place. There was light coming from all about, but no floor or ceiling was visible. He stood there for a long time before he decided to turn and walk in some unknown direction. Tarmis walked for a while, he then came upon an old man. The old man rested on a large crystalline rock, as he read some foreign book. Tarmis walked up to the man and stopped.

The placed on finger up, a moment later he rested the book on his lap as he withdrew is large thick glasses. The old man smiled warmly at Tarmis, as he did Tarmis aches and pains vanished. Tarmis looked at the old man, as all his worries disappeared.

The old man looked at Tarmis for sometime, before he spoke in a soft voice, which spoke from every angle, " The Light has guided you along your chosen path Tarmis. But fear not this is not and end, rather a new beginning my son. Your new path renews from whence the old stopped. There are many choices and questions before you, do not choose wrong my son." Once the Old man finished he put his glasses back on and read his book once more.

Tarmis stood there shocked by the old man's words. Tarmis shook his head in confused anger. " Do not choose wrong? What in the name of Lisius does that mean?" The old man pulled his glasses down slightly so they could rest upon his nose. The old man's smile returned as he looked deep into Tarmis' eyes, " You will now begin your new path my son." The old man said.

Tarmis walked over, and snatched the book from the old man; " My son lies in a sickbay, bleeding to death. My sister is unconscious, from some ungodly explosion. My to best friends are racked with pain and agony, and all you can say is do not choose wrong. Tell me how to get back to them, NOW!" Tarmis ordered.

The old man chuckled softly, which made Tarmis feel slightly more relaxed for some strange reason. The old man snapped his fingers, then placed a bookmark in the pages as he placed his book on the lush green grass. " You will have many choices before you my son. Weight each carefully as if your very life depended upon it" The old man took a deep breath " For they may do exactly that. But in regards to your friends and family, their lives are unfamiliar, unwritten. It is your path which shall help guide you all to the true light."

Tarmis took a deep breath as he sat at the old man's feet. " But they never deserved this, they never needed to be hurt."
The old gave a sympathetic look as he leaned over and placed a hand on Tarmis' shoulder, " My son, there will be times when the ones we love are hurt. Their paths have not been etched, but rather are being written by ever choice they make. That is where you differ, your path along with its variations has already been written. That is how we are able to step in. You have been honored to be the chosen one, your life will never be easy my son."

Tarmis stared at the old man, his eyes began to show tears as he spoke, " But that is not right, I would gladly give up being chosen as well as my life if it were to mean I could take away the ones I care about's, pain and suffering. I love them all, and they should have the right to along and enjoyable life. It is not fair, They never choose to any of this. They only did because they are my family."

The old man gave Tarmis a long searching gaze. After some time he slowly patted Tarmis' shoulder, " You have chosen well my son. But with each choice comes it's own pain. Because of your desire to remove their pain, saying they knew no better, I will repair their wounds, however they will retain all memories of what has happened. This will however be mute for they will be unable to speak of it accept to one another in private." The old man waved his hand majestically. " It is done. Your friends are recovering as we speak. Your son however will be different, His wounds are healing at the moment, and his memories will become fogged and hidden until he is able to comprehend. He will live his life normal and full, until one day. He will then remember everything, for his destiny has been changed forever, and I am unable to change that."

Tarmis gave the old man a confused look, " And of my Sister?" Tarmis asked the old man. The old man's look changed, as it did the unseen sky clouded and lightning began to crash down.

The old man scowled at Tarmis, " Deona chose her path, now she must follow it to completion." Tarmis shook his head as jumped to his feet, " She knew not what she did, If she had this would never have come about. She also gave herself once she realized the error in her ways." Tarmis could not control his mouth, he continued to rant, " It is for that reason I call upon the right of Salcrefi, I offer myself in her place. It is my right."

The old man leaned back, completely shocked Tarmis had done this, " Very well It is done, however so you both will never forget, you will share scars for eternity. Thy pain is entwined between another. Eternal life touches each other. By his name of good and right, Let Tarmis and Deona bath in the Light."

With a blinding flash, Tarmis returned to sickbay. Tarmis turned, then ran between Hogah and Deona's biobeds. He gently placed a loving hand on them both. Hogah and Deona opened their eyes, and showed Tarmis a loving smile. Tarmis looked over each in turn, as sharp pain washed through Tarmis' body, " You both I truly love. My future would be empty without you." As Tarmis finished he dropped to the floor, unconscious.

Off>

(Npc'd Lisius as The Old Man)
 

===================
Capt. Tarmis Jeram

Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A

ON> Ready Room.

The Solar flare had passed the Starbase up, but reports were coming in that some people were caught out in space when in came through. A report was addressed specifically to Elsie. Tarmis and Hogah had been caught in the flare and had been beamed to sickbay! Elsie quickly made her way to a turbolift, to the docking port, and into the SB lift that would take her to the emergency room.

Tarmis slowly opened his eyes, he had crawled into Hogah's bed and held him tightly. Tarmis looked at Hogah's face as the memories beat within Tarmis' mind,~ I Love you with all my heart son. Every breath you take is a eternity of joy to me.~


Elsie slowed down to a hurried walk as she entered sickbay. "Where are Tarmis and Hogah Jeram?" She asked, barely controlling her anxiety.

Tarmis heard Elsie walk in, he turned to see the concerned look on her face. Tarmis rolled to the edge, and waved a sore arm, " Ma'am." He said.

"Oh, Tarmis!" She exclaimed and touched his cheek. "What happened?"

The loud female that entered sick bay, caused Javar and Raduli to also wake up. Javar groaned as he sat up, " Damn that was one hell of a time." Raduli quietly looked over to his friend as he shook his head, " That is one expressions old friend." Raduli dropped back upon his bed as he stared at the ceiling replying the events in his mind.

Tarmis groaned slightly, having no control of his mental state, images began to flow freely of the terrible events which had transpired. A soft warm voice spoke into his head, " She is your trustee my son, your only friend who it did not affect who will ever know." The voice slowly faded.

Elsie's mouth became a thin line as the images passed easily into her mind from his for the first time. She could see the echoes of the same experience from the Captain and her XO O'Dell. It was almost more than she could take in! Elsie looked over with great concern at Hogah, and lifted up his arms to see the wounds that should have been there. Confused, she stared back at Tarmis.

Tarmis shook his head, his emotions greatly mixed. " No Ma'am they have vanished never to return, but some day he will learn, some day he will know. Why I do not know, but for some reason Hogah has become part of some special destiny." Tarmis gently brushed Hogah's hair, then gently kissed his forehead.

Elsie ran a gentle hand across Hogah's forehead, and smiled at him. "You are safe, now Hogah. Daddy will take care of you."

Tarmis shook his head, " No Ma'am, Our family on the Cook will take care of him. I realized one thing from this, Hogah has touched many people on board the Cook. In doing so he has made them all feel like they were his parents or aunty or uncle in some strange way. For that I am grateful, because I know in my heart no matter where on the Cook he is he is cared for and loved." Tarmis gazed upon his son with much love.

Elsie gazed at Tarmis, "Yes, we ARE a family. We always have been." Elsie turned to the doctor and asked. "How long till they are released?"

Tarmis raised a hand to the doc as he slowly made his way from the bed, and stood. As he did his gown fell open slightly revealing large scars along his abdomen. " I am fine Ma'am I can return to duty by the day's end."

Dr. Ames cleared his throat. " I don't think so, Captain. Another 12 hours under observation, then you and your son can rest aboard your ship. I advise taking it easy until you pull out."

Tarmis gave Dr. Ames a sideways smirk, " Of course I will take it easy Doctor. What would ever give you the notion I would do anything strenuous?"

Ames pointed to Jeram's abdomen. "That tells me you are a risk-taker. You are under my orders till your ship leaves spacedock."

Tarmis looked down at the scars, then from Elsie to Ames. " This, this is nothing more than A brothers love for his sister Doctor. It isn't even fresh. But I will concede, I have a feeling my boss will agree with you over me anyways." Tarmis smirked as he looked at Elsie.

Elsie nodded, giving credence to his words. Even as they spoke, the temporary mental link between them began to fade, and the normal incompatibility of Betazoid and Ullian mind asserted itself. This would be the only time they would communicate on a telepathic level.

As Tarmis shrugged off the scar on his abdomen, he thought " I pray by sharing your pain so that you may live little sister, will show you the true depth of love I and Lisius himself have for you. Redeem your self Deona, this is your one chance to." Tarmis legs still felt somewhat weak, he leaned on the bed slightly sitting his rear on the bed to relieve stress on his legs. " I may have to be in here Ma'am, but I would enjoy some work to take my mind off of things. Could it be possible to have my reports delivered here so I could use this time productively?"

Elsie glanced at Dr. Ames, and he nodded. "That is permissible. I just don't want him crawling around Jeffries tubes with the engineers, chasing voles!" He winked, then wandered off to another patient.

Elsie turned back to Jeram. "You heard him. No chasing voles."

Tarmis looked at Elsie with a large smile, under his breath he mumbled, " Damn and I love vole hunts." He gave Elsie a slight wink.

Elsie giggled, patted his arm, and began to leave sickbay. "Expect your reports tomorrow morning," She chided over her shoulder.

Tarmis chuckled slightly, " Expect them finished in your box by mid afternoon Ma'am. I know how you enjoy reports."

Elsie shook her head in amusement as the door slid shut behind her.

OFF>

Joint Post

Capt. Tarmis Jeram
Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
&
 

Commodore Elsie Veritas

CO U.S.S. James Cook
Python Fleet Flagship

ON>
<The MALL>
Genesis swiftly made her way back to where she had encountered Cassie earlier. She was glad the twins and their father were doing good. Genesis sighed. The aura around the girls baffled her but Genesis hadn't taken the time to question it. She grinned when she saw Brandon waiting for her.

"'Hello Genesis" Brandon said, as she walked up to his table. He looked almost depressed, like something was on his mind and he had no smile.

Genesis sensing his unhappiness abruptly lost her smile and gave him a tentative look. "Brandon what's wrong? I get the feeling that I'm not going to like the news am I?"

"Kmarh and I have been together ever since the beginning. Mind you it wasn't a very big beginning, but nevertheless the beginning" Brandon said as he sipped a drink, he waved over a bartender to give Genesis one as well.

Genesis took the drink and sipped on it. A feeling of dread was overcoming her and a sense of loss. She reached over and touched Brandon's hand gently. "Brandon? Whatever it is please just say it," she asked softly.

"Well after discussing everything with Kmarh....we didn't really have a choice when we arrived on the Cook...you know, the USS Constitution...where we met...and just when things were settling down...it blew up....then the Dreasoneth....a unique ship...but again, just when we thought we had it....it was lost as well, and we were stuck on the Cook, not by choice either....we want to move on Genesis....not to the Cook," he trailed off at a loss as to what to say.

Genesis froze and her eyes widened. "You're leaving?" she said in a whisper, her mind a jumble of confused thoughts.

"I was....gonna a tell you over dinner in your quarters....but we got involved in....extra curricular activities....this ship isn't right for me Genesis...I can' stay here...."

Genesis sat back in her seat and stared at Brandon in disbelief. Her first thought was of sadness. She was losing a friend again. Then she got angry. How dare he make love to her and then leave her! Genesis'eyes narrowed and she gave Brandon an evil look. "Let me get this straight. You're leaving the Cook? Of course you failed to mention that little fact to me when you took me to bed. Was screwing me and then leaving me your plan all along because it was a lousy one Brandon. I don't take kindly to being used!" Genesis was on her feet and glaring at him. She was so angry that she was clenching and unclenching her hands into a fist while staring at Brandon.

"Umm, Genesis sit down!" Brandon ordered trying to calm her. "Listen, I am sorry....You didn't really give me a choice dragging me into your bed."

People around them, and at other tables were watching them, staring...and whispering.

"Oh that tears it! Of course you would blame me you egotistical bastard! HOW DARE YOU! I TRUSTED YOU!" Genesis screamed right before she launched her 5 feet frame at Brandon, tackling him and knocking him out of his seat and to the ground. Genesis let loose a volley of punches and was vaguely aware of people shouting behind her.

Brandon was able to block most of the punches...He was never good at fighting with women...his guard was always down. He grabbed her and flipped her off and putting her on her back. He quickly got up. "Listen...I didn't take Martial Arts because I was bored...Now Calm Down"

Brandon help his hands up like he was about to block a shuttle from crashing into him. "I am sorry...I didn't want to blame it all on you...I take it back....Now please...will you calm The Hell Down!"

Genesis lay flat on her back breathing hard and glaring up and Brandon. Not trusting herself to speak she nodded. Brandon walked bent down to give her a hand, extending one forward waiting for her to grab it and get up. Genesis took his hand and allowed him to pull her to her feet. She flushed red when she realized everyone was looking at her. Centering herself she immediately sent out thoughts of disinterest and boredom until slowly one by one and then in pairs and groups people walked away or went back to what they were doing, leaving only her and Brandon facing each other.

"So is that how it is...you get mad...and beat me up?" He rubbed his stomach, and knew there was gonna be some bruising

Genesis snorted but then softened when she realized she hurt him. "Brandon I'm sorry, here let
me see," she said, all anger gone from her.

"No you know what...that's fine..." he dodged around her. "I guess I found a side to you that I've never known...If you don't wanna at least remain friends...then so be it...." He grabbed his drink and downed the last of it.

Genesis was hurt and confused. She started projecting soothing thoughts and remorseful ones. "Look Brandon I didn't mean to ok? I mean I'm just having a hard time dealing with stuff right now. I've gotten quite a few shocks in the last few hours and you dropping your bombshell isn't helping matters."

"Listen....Would you rather me be happy and still be friends with you on another ship....or be stuck somewhere where I don't want to be?"

Genesis sighed. "I want you to be happy. Even if it is away from me. I'm sorry I lost my temper Brandon. Truce?"

"Yeah...But I should get to sickbay...and then, well, maybe I can see you around sometime...Good Luck...and I am sorry again" Brandon said quietly, giving her a big hug, and turned to leave, knowing this might be the last time he sees her.

Genesis knew she couldn't let him leave like this. "Brandon wait!" Genesis ran over to him and kissed him passionately, tears streaming down her face as she unconsciously went into his mind and erased the last few minutes of their fight from his mind. ~I love you Brandon and take care!~ Genesis released him. Brandon smiled at her, hugged her once more and walked off.

Genesis watched him walk away and wondered if her life could get any crazier.

OFF>
Joint Post

Lt Jg Brandon Metchooyeah
Engineer

Dr. Genesis Aquamara, LT.
ACMO, USS James Cook

ON - Illythirian Ambassadorial Suite

Rh’vaurek walked into the ambassadorial suite escorted by Vierna she had grabbed him at the docking bay and hadn’t said anything until now "Something is wrong with Stelam, he won’t talk to me, and he keeps going on about going home, and taking his rightful place"

"I will speak to him, knock some sense into him if I have to" Rh’vaurek replied cracking his knuckles

"Please do not hurt him, he is not himself, but I be careful" Vierna said with concern for both Stelam and Rh’vaurek

Rh’vaurek walked into Stelam and Vierna’s bed room where Stelam was sitting looking into the mirror, he spied Rh’vaurek from the reflection "Jolan’tru Rh’vaurek, What brings you here?" Stelam asked not turning from the mirror

"I came to see what is sending you home?" Rh’vaurek asked

Stelam turned around dropping the black cloak from his shoulders and revealing the Tal Shiar uniform underneath "Ah yes, I am going home, home to the Tal Shiar, to take my place back in the empire then I myself will become emperor again" Stelam explained his eyes sparkling uncharacteristically, sparkling with malice, mischief and not of Stelam’s life

"What about the friends you have accumulated here, T’Anna, T’Raina, T’Lal, Michael Knight, Jayden Tyronian, T’Karin, what about Vierna, your child with her you know they can not live in the empire, even S’Ten, and not to mention the other commitment you have" Rh’vaurek tried to reply calmly sensing something more was amiss

"I need not those people, just me" Stelam’s voice rasped as if he was not in control, like the words were being forced from his mouth, his hand reached for the disruptor at his side and shakily he lifted it at Rh’vaurek and started to rasp again "Now you dear brother are either with me or against me and if you are against me then you will die"

Rh’vaurek knew now that this was not Stelam, he slapped the disruptor out of Stelam’s hand "Don’t you dare point that thing at me unless you intend to use it" Rh’vaurek had sword in hand at an instant and slapped the flat of the blade across Stelam’s cheek, sparks came flying from the blade and Stelam’s cheek, but the razors edge left a cut across Stelam’s cheek, drawing a line of green blood

Stelam felt his cheek the warmth of the blood slowly trickling down his cheek, and grinned wickedly, he went in to a berserk rage, flailing his arms at Rh’vaurek, but Rh’vaurek use to such chaotic fighting slapped his arms away each time with the flat of the blade, with each his sparks flew form Stelam and the blade and Stelam began to tire and he eventually fell to his knees, Rh’vaurek Slapped Stelam once more with the flat of his blade sending the greatest shower of sparks from Stelam, something emerged from Stelam, a ghostly figure Rh’vaurek recognised rose from Stelam, any Rihannsu worth their rehei would know her "Vriha t’Rehu" Rh’vaurek whispered "The Ruling Queen"

The ghostly figure walked over to Rh’vaurek and caressed his cheek, sending an electrifying chill through his body, she again caressed his cheek, the electrifying chill sending Rh’vaurek to his knees, he remembered what happened next where he also saw this image, his dream before everything went black, he thrust his sword up through the ghostly figures abdomen piercing were her heart would have been if she were corporeal, she disappeared in a blinding flash of light dropping Rh’vaurek to the ground.

Moments later, Vierna hurried in, gently shaking Stelam, "Please, please wake up Stelam" Vierna cried in a shaky voice

Rh’vaurek was the first to stir and wake up in his head he heard a soft voice Rh’vaurek, Son of Jarok, son of Galan, descendant of S’Talon you have done well, wind to your wings

Rh’vaurek looked over at Stelam, and gave him a slight nudge Stelam’s body spasm and jerked violently then calmed, he rolled over, several cuts lined his cheeks but nothing that wouldn’t heal to badly then tried in vain to sit up Rh’vaurek picked his brother up and gently lay him down on the bed, "Just rest for the day, let your vaurek readjust to your body, you will be right tomorrow"

Stelam looked at Rh’vaurek curiously "What happened?"

"You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, get some rest, I’ll see you tomorrow" Rh’vaurek ordered, he then waved a finger at Vierna "No strenuous activities for today for him"

Vierna giggled "I’ll keep him bound to the bed"

Rh’vaurek just rolled his eyes "Jolan’tru" then left the room to go and find Tafv


<< Rihannsu Café, one day later >>

Rh’vaurek and Stelam strolled into the café when the waiter approached them "Rekkhai, the usual at your usual table?" he inquired.

Stelam just nodded his reply as the waiter asked Rh’vaurek "And what can I get you, Rekkhai?"

"I’ll have what his having" Rh’vaurek replied politely as they were escorted to Stelam’s usual table in the back corner, they both took their seats opposite each other and waited for the waiter to return, Rh’vaurek then broke the uncomfortable silence "So what is wrong?" he inquired.

"Nothing is wrong, what makes you say that?" Stelam replied a little defensively.

"The fact you let your body and mind be possessed by a NCL as a starter" Rh’vaurek answered bluntly "You have been a little different since the Exile was lifted, I can tell from your messages, our conversations, even now from your mind, tell me brother, what is bothering you?" he inquired with a solid stare.

Stelam felt uncomfortable under that stare "Nothing is bothering me" Stelam insisted unconvincingly to Rh’vaurek.

The waiter returned with two glasses of Rihannsu wine and a couple of pastries placing them in front of the brothers, he then quickly left feeling like he was interrupting something important.

"I doubt that very much and I think I know what is it that is bothering you" Rh’vaurek informed Stelam.

"Then why ask" Stelam snapped back in a hushed voice.

"I think you want to go home, now that you know you can go home with out death hanging on your head, you want to, it is almost, a need to go home, to put it in words" Rh’vaurek replied trying to calm Stelam.

Stelam placed his glass down and looked hard at Rh’vaurek "I have not had what I can call a home in twenty five years, I place I can return to time and time again knowing nothing has changed, I have not spent more than a year in the same city, on the same planet, or even on the same element cursed ship since leaving the empire" Stelam started to talk through gritted teeth "No where have I found a place to settle down and call ‘Home’ like I called the empire ‘home’ or Justarus ‘home’ even the s’Radaik estate, I have no ties here, no roots nothing grounding me permanently here, all it will take is a resignation to Starfleet and I can go home" Stelam forced every word out in a hushed harsh voice.

Rh’vaurek felt and understood what Stelam was saying and could sympathise "But what about your friends like T’Anna, T’Raina, Jayden Tyronian and the family you have here, Shiarrael, Llaiir, S’Ten even, then there is your other commitment, I know you Stelam, you are not one to abandon the ones you love at the drop of a hat or unless something endangered them, does something endanger them?" Rh’vaurek inquired.

"No, but the family would not be here if it was not for me, Llaiir only left to find me, Shiarrael is here because she could not contact you, and if I left there would have been someone there for her, if I did not leave, S’Ten would not exist, as for the friends I made…." Stelam was cut off by Rh’vaurek who snapped back through gritted teeth trying to keep his voice down as not to attract attention

"As for the friends you made, you plan to leave them with out so much as a Jolan’tru, you want to go back to the empire and pretend this whole thing never happened, if that is true, then you dear brother are deluding yourself"

Stelam absorbed what Rh’vaurek said and it stung because it was true but he still had a reply "I am still sick and tired of being treated with mistrust, suspicion, and scepticism by those that only know me as Rihannsu, I am sick of the double standards, You and Shiarrael should both know that sting, you told me about what happened to Rafe, what if that was you executing Rihannsu law, you are Rihannsu so can you, can you apprehend criminals with what ever force deemed necessary, can you use deadly force on dangerous criminals, your hands are even tied when you do interrogations none of your usual methods can be used, it is ‘barbaric’ and ‘uncivilised’ even disciplining officers who are out of line, I can see it in you, how many times have you wanted to strike out at unruly officers, how many interrogations have you done where you have lacked weaponry from your arsenal to get everything you truly wanted from the prisoner I know you, T’Maekh, just as you know me and I know it is just a matter of time before you boil over"

"Yes, Deletham, I do know you and this is not you, you are a kind and compassionate man, you never sought power, you were reluctant to take command of your ship, you down right refused the promotion to Khre’Riov, twice. You, Deletham, should seek out one of your friends, preferably T’Anna or T’Raina, she will notice the change in you, because you have grown cold and empty inside, think about how Vierna feels, she is almost scared of you, scared for you, what you are becoming, a cold empty shell of what use to be a warm loving man, take a good long hard look at yourself and tell me if you like what you see" Rh’vaurek answered bluntly but with a fire of passion that he hoped sparked something deep inside his brother

Stelam hung he head, he knew he had no response, Rh’vaurek was right, he looked up at Rh’vaurek with sparkle in his eyes that Rh’vaurek knew truly belonged to him

"Home is where ever your heart is, and it is truly with Vierna, make your home where ever she is and hold onto it for all it is worth" finishing off his glass of wine he stood up, I am going to see Shiarrael before the Cook departs, you should see Llaiir before she to departs on her ship" Rh’vaurek informed Stelam "maybe that will also renew your fires, a glimpse of you great grandaughter, she is beautiful, a lot like her great grandmother" he added

Stelam looked up, he had forgotten Calenderi in recent months, I will T’maekh, I will

Rh’vaurek walked out and shot one last look at Stelam before he left sitting mulling over the last of his wine with closed eyes, remembering a time long ago, a much happier time for all where they all had a place to call ‘home’

OFF

===============================
Erei’Riov (Cmdr.) Rh’vaurek tr’Radaik

CTAC/SEC Exchange officer
USS James Cook
Python fleet Flag ship
&

Ssiebh Stelam tr’Radaik


Director of Agent Training
Telepathic and other mental arts.
Military Activities Division Green Agency
 

On> Area 1 Nightclub

Chiara walked into the nightclub reputed to be one of the best in the quadrant outside of those on Tortuna. She got herself a drink and started to melt into the crowd.

The crowd was a sea of people from all corners of the galaxy… the only race Chiara saw that was not present were Vulcans… or even Romulans. There was an abundance of humans and Andorians however. Chiara was even able to pick out a few Trills in the crowd as well. She quickly downed her drink and moved to the dance floor. She allowed herself to move with the crowd. Occassionally she’d feel hands on her, but she didn’t mind too much… It was great to once again feel like just a face in the crowd, another pretty girl.

Halfway through the evening the promoters announced a contest offering latinum and a recording contract to the winner. After being tortured by drunken melodies horribly rendered by less then sober Star Fleet officers, not to mention a torturous cover of the Doors ‘LA Woman’ by an imbibed Klingon, Chiara made her way to the stage and took up the microphone.

She selected her music from the computer and it began to play.

“To be the last to leave, the last to be gone,
stolen from the ones who hung on to it.
To be the last in line, the ones that live on,
silhouette of a dream, treasured by the ones
.. who hung on to it.

Almost a breakdown of our love affair,
the stiletto cuts quick, like a whip through the air.
Long distance winners .. where we survive the flight,
not one of us runs .. from the firelight.

I would love to believe .. I believe what you say.
In the drama of the moment, oh, there's no easy way.
No one ever leaves. Every one stays .. close till the fire .. fades.

To be the last to leave; what caused the fearsome ..
divorce in the night, there was no competition.
To survive do it right. You believe in the five.
To survive the distance, everyone fights.
Everyone fights .. and the fireflies.

At the risk of my feelings .. dreamers in the night.
Some call it our nightmare, and my five fireflies.
Like a sailing ship, not one of us runs.
Everyone stays .. and the fire never fades........”

As the song finished, the crowd started screaming and whistling. It was exhilierating. She smiled as she looked over the crowd and took a sip from her beer. They were calling for more. She looked over at the promoter her gave her a nod and then she selected another song…

“You can ride high atop your pony
I know you won't fall...
'cause the whole thing's phoney.
You can fly swingin from your trapeze
Scaring all the people...
but you never scare me

Bella donna...
And we fight...for the northern star

No speed limit...this is the fast lane
It's just the way that it is here
And you say...I never thought it could

Bella donna...we fight...
for the northern star

And the lady's feeling
Like the moon that she loved
Don't you know that the stars are
A part of us
And the lady's feeling
Just like the moon that she loved

And you say...I never thought it could
Bella donna
Come in out of the darkness...

You are in love with...
And I'm ready to sail...
It's just a feeling...
Sort of captures your soul

Bella donna...

And the woman may be awestruck
And the woman may truly care
but the woman is so tired...
So the woman dissappears...

Come in out of the darkness...

Bella donna...my soul...

Don't change...baby please don't change
And you say...
and your face becomes thin
You never thought it could

Come in out of the darkness

Bella donna...
You are in love with
And I'm ready to sail
It's just a feeling”

The second song was much slower than the first, but it still captured the audience. She couldn’t believe that they would actually love her voice… Then she saw a familiar face in the audience. She smiled as her heart warmed.

“Ok folks, I’m gonna do one more… This is dedicated to my two bestest friends.” She said and selected her last song.

“Alas he was the highwayman
The one that comes and goes
And only the highway-woman
Keeps up with the likes of those
And she in all her magic
With hands as quick as light
Took him to be a challenge
And went into the night

And he in all his glory
Was far ahead of her
But she was never sorry
For wishes that would burn
Enter competition
She chases beneath the moon
Her horse is like a dragonfly
She is just a fool

And she wonders is this real
Or does she just want to be Queen
And he fights the way he feels
Is this the end of the dream

And then he sees her coming
Heartbeats on the wind
Considers slowing down
But then...he could never win
And she...out in the distance
Sees him against the sky
A pale and violent rider
A dream begun in wine

And she wonders is this real
Or does she just want to be Queen
And he fights the way he feels
Is this the end of the dream

A dream as the thunder wakes her
And her highwayman disappears
on a life already lived before
In eyes welled with tears

Today and still today they ride
Will they ever win
He the glory...
She the love...
Still they try again
He the glory...
She the love...
Still they try again
He the glory...
She the love...
And still they...try...again”

Chiara took a bow. She had fallen in love with the mosic of Stevie Nicks as a teenager alone on the streets of Seattle. Hearing the woman’s ancient voice always made her feel like everything was going to be all right. And when she saw Rafe’s face in the crowd, she knew everything would be all right.

The promoters tried to catch up with her to offer her the money and a contract but she avoided them and went to Rafe and grabbed his arm.

“Hey sailor!” She said as they left the nightclub. “I didn’t think you were the type to haunt places like this.”

“I’m not.” Rafe said. “But then I heard your voice and decided to… investigate. You have a beautiful singing voice.”

Chiara blushed. The last person to tell her that was her father. “Thanks Rafe.” She said and leaned her head on his arm. Rafe was much taller then she was. Walking with him made her feel very safe.
“You should perform for the crew some time.” Rafe said.

“I would if I could get a band together.” Chiara replied.

“I play guitar. We’ll try to find others.” Rafe said.
Chiara smiled. “Cool.”

Together, they made their way back to the Cook.

Off>

Fireflies, Bella Donna, and The Highwayman are all written by Stevie Nicks

ON > Ready Room right after post “Career Back on Track”

“Enter” Elsie called, and Lt. Commander Allen walked in with her orders in her hand.

“Ma’am!” She snapped a military-style salute.

“At ease, Lt. Commander. What have you got?” Elsie said, knowing already what Allen had to say. She had gotten a copy of the orders earlier.

“Ma’am, I have been accepted into “Top Gun.” It is an opportunity I cannot pass up. It is my chance to prove myself.”

Elsie smiled. “I understand, Lt. Commander. I wish you good fortune in your career. We need good people out there, along the Cardassian border.”

“Thank you, Ma’am” Allen stood there uncertainly, if she should say more.

Elsie gazed appraisingly at her, “I have faith in you, Laura. You will do well..”

“Thank you, Ma’am. I will leave ‘Thumper’ in command during my absence. With your permission ma’am I would also like to take “Big Cat” along with me. I see a lot of promise in him and he would benefit greatly from the teachings offered at Top Gun.”

“Granted,” Elsie responded.

Laura smiled. It was more than she had hoped for, because of the volatile situation the fleet was in right now she figured that the Commodore would want her to stay. Laura could feel the surge of competitiveness inside of her.

“Ma’am, when I return I will have the Top Gun trophy in my hands. I may have brought disgrace to this ship, but when I return I will bring honor back to it. I intend to make you proud to have me on your ship. A fact that I have yet to be able to do. From the moment I came here It broke the rules, and embarrassed your faith in me.”

Elsie started to say something, but the pilot cut her off with a sharp salute. Elsie returned the salute and Laura made a snappy about face and marched out of the door

Off>

Commodore Elsie Veritas
CO USS James Cook
Python Fleet Flagship

&

Laura J. Allen

Squadron CO
USS James Cook
"My What Big Teeth We have"

On> SB Python Promenade - The Vulcan Quarter

Chiara took her leave of Rafe and wandered to the Vulcan Quarter of the massive starbase promenade. She remembered Elsie telling her that she ought to seek out a Vulcan to help her with her powers.

Once in the Quarter, Chiara realized something very profound... she had no clue how to read Vulcan.
She looked around and realized she was quite lost. "Oh shit." She muttered.

A Vulcan woman quietly approached Chiara and asked. "You appear to be lost. May I help you?"

"Yeah.. I'm looking for a Vulcan." Chiara said absently.

"You have made a wise choice in choosing this part of Starbase, then." She said.

"You don't say... seems to be an awful lot of them around here." Chiara turned around to face the Vulcan woman. "Do you know anyone who can help me? I... I've been manifesting mental powers and it’s really screwing me over, you know?"

The Vulcan raised an eyebrow at Chiara's choice of words. "You seek someone who can help you control your abilities?"

"Yeah... I see things... like things in the future and things that happen in other places... and when I do I go blind... its really scary."

"I see. Follow me. Perhaps Sovak will agree to help you." She turned and walked away, not looking back to make sure Chiara was following.

Chiara followed the woman, also remembering to familiarize herself with the surroundings

The Vulcan woman entered a turbolift and took them to a suite of Vulcan quarters. Several doors down from the turbolift, she pressed a buzzer, waited for the invitation, then led Chiara into Master Sovak's quarters.

Chiara looked around the quarters... it was well decorated with various artifacts... and very clean. She then remembered that any room was clean compared to the usual state of her own quarters.

Sovak was sitting in meditation before a Vulcan lamp. He was so still that he was nearly unnoticeable. The woman approached him and spoke lowly in Vulcan. "This person wishes to engage your services."

Sovak, with measured movements, unfolded his hands, leaned forward to blow out the lamp, then rose to his full 6'-6" height. In his deep mellow voice he asked Chiara, "What would you have me do?"

"Sir, my name is Chiara Domina. I... I need help learning how to control my mental powers. This lady brought me to you." She said, bowing. "Can you help me?"

Sovak watched her for a long moment, deciding. "It is not often that a non-Vulcan comes to me for training."

"My Commanding Officer told me to seek out a Vulcan for training... so here I am." Chiara replied.

"Your Commanding Officer is?" Sovak prompted.

"Elsie Veritas, Sir." Chiara relpied.

His right eyebrow rose very slightly. "If the Commodore has sent you, then I shall attempt to help you. Please, have a seat." He gestured to a pair of straight-backed chairs placed at angles to each other.

Chiara did as told. "Thank you, Sir." She said.

Sovak sat and gazed at her placidly, with his long slender hands resting in his lap. "Explain your difficulty."

"Well, a few years back I started to manifest some psychic powers... I can see things that are happening elsewhere and things that will happen in the future... I can sense some emotions and thoughts too..." She said. "But when I have intense visions, I go completely blind... its scary." She said.

"Fascinating," He said. "And is there a specific emotion that accompanies your visions?"

"Well sir, it scares the hell out of me when it happens." She said. "I've been trying to just accept it as it happens though... I guess I'm more afraid of being blind afterwards." Chiara said

"It is logical that blindness would cause you fear, but is there an emotion that accompanies your visions, before the blindness manifests itself?" He asked.

"I... I can't answer that. I don't know." Chiara said, dropping her eyes.

"It appears you are conflicted. An emotional being such as yourself would have difficulty sorting out and naming those emotions." Sovak explained.

"I guess I am." Chiara said. "I'm supposed to be the Chief Counselor on my ship, but this is something I cannot even sort out."

"The course of treatment involves a few introductory mind melds in order to establish a center of calm, and daily meditation. This may take many weeks to achieve." Sovak said.

"We've only got a couple more days left in port, though... will that be enough time?" Chiara asked.

"You will be leaving so soon?" Sovak thought a moment then continued. "It is not prudent to rush the first sessions, but if you can come to me every day until you leave, we can attempt the early sessions. Perhaps enough of a bond can be formed that we can meet by way of your ship's communications net, and I can lead you through your first few mediations. It is very important that our early work be laid down carefully."

"I understand." Chiara said. "I can be here as much as you need me to be."

"If it is convenient for you, we can begin now. Then see me every day at this time until you leave."

"Ok, sure... ummm so like how much will I owe you for your services?" Chiara asked.

Sovak raised his chin a fraction of a centimeter, "My services are not for sale. What I do, I do for the good of anyone who would seek peace within themselves." Sovak explained.

Chiara felt relieved, especially knowing she wouldn't have to go to Tarmis or Rafe for a loan... although she knew that she'd be able to 'work' off the payments with Tarmis... Rafe would have been another issue.

"Thank you sir... I'm ready." Chiara said

Sovak nodded slightly. "I will place my hands on your face, and I will enter your mind. It will not hurt, but you will feel me in there. Just relax and listen to my voice." He looked at her for permission to continue.

Chiara relaxed. "Ok."

Sovak gently placed his hands on ten precise points on her face and began the litany. "My mind to your mind, your thoughts to mine." Ever so gently like a breath of air, he entered her chaotic mind. ~ I am here. Can you sense me? ~

~Yes...~ Chiara replied.

~ First I am going to place several encoded lessons in your mind. When we continue on your ship, I will unlock each one with a word ~ It took him only a few minutes to place the lessons, which she would understand later. ~ Now, take me to your most peaceful place, someplace that you have been that made you feel content within yourself. ~

The ship's Dojo appeared, with a mental image of the samurai warrior Rafe sitting in the middle.

~This is the first place when I... I started to find peace.~ She replied.

~ Well done. This is what you shall meditate on every night before you retire. Sit in a quiet spot, close your eyes, and bring your mind here. ~ Sovak whispered into her mind.

~Ok~ She said.

Sovak slipped quietly out of her mind, dropped his hands, and gazed placidly at Chiara. "How do you....feel?" He asked.

Chiara opened her eyes. "Ok, I guess... a little tired."

"That is to be expected. The meld takes effort by both parties. Go now, and rest. Return tomorrow."

Chiara bowed to him and rose to leave.

Sovak walked his guest to the door and nodded to her as she left.

Off>

JP
Lt. Chiara Domina
Chief Counselor USS James Cook
&
Commodore Elsie Veritas (As Vulcans)
CO USS James Cook
Python Fleet Flagship
 

On>
Jeram Quarters>

Hogah sat on the couch in the living quarters. Tarmis was at the desk doing all kinds of Star Fleet stuff. Hogah sat back flipping channels on the holoimager. Everything on was boring, so he dropped remote and huffed loudly. After a short time he walked over and put his chin on Tarmis shoulder, " Dad I am bored."

Tarmis did not turn around, he just said, " Then go find something to do." Hogah kissed Tarmis' cheek, " Thank you Dad." He turned and bolted out the door, before Tarmis realized what he had said.

Marina was just getting ready to press the chime on Hogah's door, when he came barreling out and knocked her right off her feet!

Hogah fell to the floor, he struggled to get up, as he lifted himself off marina he realized he laid right on top of her. Hogah began to blush a bright red, " Oh uh I am so sorry." Hogah said as he stared into Marina's eyes, without moving a muscle.



Marina looked up into Hogah's eyes and blushed dark grey! "Um....uh......Hi.." She gasped.

Hogah stammered over his reply, only able to say " Hi!" Hogah looked into Marina's eyes, then suddenly realized he still laid on top of her. " Oh my, I am so sorry." Hogah clumsily hurried to get off of Marina. After a short while he stood up then offered her a hand.

Marina extended her hand, and shyly looked at the deck as he hauled her to her feet. "I...uh..got bored. Mother and Father are on Star base at some big Science meeting, and well, it was SO boring in my quarters. I thought maybe you could come out and play."

Hogah nervously chuckled, " I know exactly what you are talking about. Dad is doing lame reports. Nothing on the imager, it is boring for me too. So what should we do? Hey how bout we go to the arboretum. We can get your telescope and look at stars." ~That was so stupid Hogah, you know you sound like a geek.~ " Uh that is unless you want to do something else?" Hogah looked at the floor as he nervously rubbed the deck with his shoe.

"Lets go play first! I been sitting ALL DAY!" Marina started to run to the turbolift. "Beat ya to the Holodecks!" She shouted as she disappeared into a turbolift.

Tarmis shook his head, " No ya won't!" He yelled as he jumped into a Jeffries tube. Once inside he grabbed a hold of the ladder and slid down like he had seen so many officers do.

The turbolift whooshed to Deck 7 and opened to a grinning Hogah, standing with his hands on his hips. "Hey! How did you get here so fast?" Marina laughed.

Hogah laughed jokingly, " Because boys rule and girls drool." Hogah said as he stuck his tongue out slightly. With the twist of his head Hogah walked into the Holodeck, " I win I win, King Hogah." His laughter echoed about the still Holodeck.


Marina ran up behind him and swatted him upside the back of the head. "Yah, well wait till you see what I got!" She ran ahead to the holodeck controls and punched in her mother's code. "Mother let me use her jogging program. You ever been to Cardassia, Hogah?"

Hogah bit his tongue as Marina smacked him; something told him not to say anything mean. Hogah started to run after her, until she said Cardassia. Hogah stopped dead in his tracks, uncertain of how what he should say or do. He decided to play it kewl, Hogah walked non-chalantly to Marina, " No, but a different place won't help you when you lose." Hogah joked.

"Wait till you see this, Hogah! Its on the top of this ridge overlooking an old volcano. Its got all these trees growing in it and you can run all the way around it. Well, at least Mother and Father can!" The scene changed from grid to the volcanic path high above the floor of the caldera. The running path was uneven and went up hill but was well-worn.

Hogah looked at the path with an unsure look about him. He tried to hide his unsurity as he turned to Marina, " Heck this is nothin." Hogah said with the wave of his hand.

"Beat yah to the top!" She challenged and took off at long-strided lope. Her adolescent legs were lean and lanky and used to the run up the mile-long hill.

Hogah looked at the path Marina ran, then looked to the edge next to him. ~Hmm If I climb this edge I could get in front of her, without killing myself.~ Hogah jumped against the rock face and climbed as fast he could. After some time he made it to the path above, just as Marina rounded the corner. ~ Wow she fast!~ Hogah thought. He took long deep breaths, as he tried to start running, the climb had worn him out somewhat. Marina ran along side Hogah within a short distance.

"Took a short cut?" Marina teased, not even breathing hard. She stopped and looked out over the three-mile-wide caldera. The sky was full of small birds and the trees were just turning red for autumn. They were standing hundreds of feet above the treetops. "Isn't this cool? If only I could fly like the birds!" Marina gushed.

Hogah walked over and stopped next to Marina. He slowly peered over the edge, as a smile crossed his lips. He looked at Marina, " You can in a way." Hogah stood straight, " Computer 2 hover boards." The computer replied by materializing two small boards, which looked like old earth skateboards. Hogah jumped on one and strapped his feet to it. He turned and smiled at Marina, " Not chicken are ya?" Hogah asked with a slight giggle.

Marina eyed the boards warily..."Uh, Hogah....I don't know how to use it."

Hogah smiled wide, " It's easy, you lean the nose of the board up and you move up, nose down you move down. Left is left and right is right. You control speed with the pressure sensor under here." Hogah pointed underneath the toes of his back foot.

Marina looked back and forth from Hogah's feet to her own, stepping into the foot restraints. The stance seemed awkward and she held onto Hogah's hand for balance.

Hogah held Marina's hand, as his cheek began to turn red. He helped Marina onto her board, then unstrapped his feet and strapped her's in. Hogah quickly jumped back onto his board, then restrapped his feet. " Ok let's try it, ready?" Hogah asked as he tilted the nose of his board up slightly, until he hovered a foot off the ground.

Marina let out a little squeal as she rocked the board, trying to find her balance.

Hogah held onto her hand, reassuring he would not let go. Hogah watched Marina intently, "There ya go" Hogah said as Marina hovered slightly.

Marina finally steadied her board and stood up a little straighter, a slow grin appearing on her face. "Now what?" She gasped.

Hogah felt a strange warm feeling wash over him, " Uh now push down just a little on the pressure sensor." Hogah did and the board slowly edged forward.

Marina curled her toes around the sensor, feeling it out and nudged it. the board jerked and she let off. Then she tried it slower, and the board glided forward. "Cool!" She exclaimed!

Hogah smiled, " Told ya you could fly." Hogah gave a slight nod as he slowly moved his board forward.

She slowly followed Hogah down the path, as it descended from the crest. As they picked up a little speed, her black shiny hair flowed out behind her. She stretched out her arms as if in flight.

Hogah watched Marina, as she began to realize she could truly fly. As they soared Marina let out a slight giggle as she flew, which made Hogah smile even wider. " Ready for some fun?" Hogah asked.

"Yes!" Marina shouted.

Hogah looked at her for a moment then turned with a yell, " Follow me!" Hogah said as he turned the board and plummeted over the edge of the path. Hogah fell about 10 ft. then began to soar along a canyon wall.

Marina nudged her board over the edge, and pressed the sensor to catch up to him. The initial drop scared her, but the board caught and soon leveled off with Hogah's. Marina turned a full grin towards Hogah. Her hair waved out behind her like wings and her shirt fluttered in the breeze. She let out a yell of delight!

Hogah looked over to Marina, then nervously put his hand out to her. After an awkward moment Marina put her hand in his. Hogah turned to look forward as they both pressed their sensor, streaking along the canyon it childish glee.

Marina shouted over the wind whistling past her ears, "Oh Hogah! You are so Great!"

Hogah turned to Marina somewhat shocked. His momentary loss of concentration made his board drop and weave. For a nervous time Hogah shook about then resteadied as he returned to Marina's side, giggling off the fear he felt.

Marina was losing her balance, unaccustomed to using all the muscles in her body at once. "Can we stop now? I'm tired!"

Hogah gave Marina a cute sideways smile, " Computer, uh the tree house." The computer beeped, then replied, " Please restate." Hogah shook his head as his cheeks brightened, " Computer show location Hogah tree house." The computer worked for a moment then, an opening appeared just ahead. A large secluded field edged by trees shined like a beacon before them. A tree house was barely distinguishable through the trees. Hogah led Marina through the trees and onto a platform, which jutted out of the tree house. As they sat their boards down Hogah asked, " How’s this ?" Hogah chuckled slightly.

Marina nodded, catching her breath. She looked around and realized she was up in a tree! "What is this?"

Hogah walked in front of Marina then turned, he made large grand gestures. " This me'lady is my tree house. Dad helped me build it and sometimes we come here. I love this place." Hogah said as a large beautiful multicolored bird flew barely over Marina's head.

Marina looked up and around at the bird and giggled. "I've never been in a house-tr...er tree house before!"

Hogah giggled with Marina as he led her inside. As they passed the doorway Hogah suddenly remembered the carving he did on the post. ~I hope Marina don't see that.~ Hogah thought. He tried to distract her by gesturing about, " Dad said this will help show my human side."

Marina turned around in the treehouse and smiled. "This is what humans do? They live in tree houses on Terra?" Marina asked.

Hogah chuckled, " Dad said boys make these there, like their own private club house or something. I forget the words Dad used but he said it was to enjoy."

"You can be all by yourself here." Marina whispered in awe. She stepped over to the window and peered down at the meadow below.

Hogah puffed out his chest, " Yes I can" Then lowered his eyes slightly, " If Dad starts it for me." Hogah giggled nervously.

"Your dad didn't give you the code?" She asked.

Hogah stared at Marina for a moment, then dashed to an edge, " Did you see the kewl el..elev....elevator dad built me." Attached to the tree house was a primitive elevator with weights tied to it.

She followed him and looked down at the rope and platform contraption. "How does it work?" She asked.

Hogah shrugged his shoulders slightly, " I just know dad said pull this." The elevator rose to the tree house floor. Hogah stepped on." Then dad said push this and you go down. Kinda fun going up and down." Hogah giggled.

Marina stepped in beside him. "You can use my code if you want. Just don't tell anyone."

Hogah smiled, " Naw I am no good with codes, maybe you will just have to play with me so that way you don't have to tell your secret." Hogah giggled childishly.

She grinned happily, "Yes!" Hogah pushed the weights and they rode the make-shift elevator to the ground. Out of the blue, Marina blurted, "What was it like, where you came from?"

Hogah looked at Marina somewhat stunned, " Solotec is much like this place, green and pretty. But the town was dirty and ugly.

"Didn't they know how to clean it up?"

Hogah struggled to push back the images of the cold lonely nights on the street or running errands for the man he called da boss. " No they did not." Hogah said.

Marina looked down at the ground. She could tell by his short terse answer he didn’t want to talk about it. "It's all right, Hogah. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I don't care where you came from, anyway. I'm just glad you are my friend."

Hogah looked up at Marina with a large smile. " Dad says I sprang from the darkest of places, turning into his brightest flower. What ever that means, I just know where I came from was bad, and now I have the Cook and friends like you." Hogah said as he, without thinking hugged Marina tightly then let go.

Marina blushed and grinned. "You want to go look at the stars now?"

Hogah smiled widely, " Yeah! And you can come to my tree house whenever Marina. I think you like it." Hogah chuckled as he led Marina out.

Marina walked with him off the holodeck, holding hands with her best friend, with a big grin on her face.

Off>

Joint Post
Marina Turrel (played by Elsie Veritas)
&
Hogah Jeram (played by)
 

===================
Capt. Tarmis Jeram

Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A

On> The Corridors of James Cook

Rafe rounded the corner that would lead him to the holodecks. He walked past Hogah who was holding the hand of a girl whom he did not recognize. Rafe smiled, even though the kids would not see it from their vantage point as his collar hid his mouth.

“Hi Mista Rafe!” Hogah said.

“Hello children.” Rafe replied. “Who’s this.” He asked as he knelt down.

“This is my girlfriend Marina!” Hogah said enthusiastically. Marina smiled.

“Your girlfriend?” Rafe inquired. “Have you had your first date yet?”

“Hogah showed me his tree house.” Marina said.

“Is that so?” Rafe said. “Well, I’d love to chat, but I have work to do. Here, I think I have something in my kimono for you.”

Rafe reached inside his kimono and produced two pieces of candy. “One for each of you.” He said, offering the candy to them.

“Thank you, Mista Rafe!” They said in unison. Rafe stood as they ran off giggling. He watched them leave, and then turned to the holodeck.

“Zanarkand.” He said. After a few seconds, the computer announced that the simulation was ready. He walked into the bustling city where he had spent ten years, watching a dream of the Fayth grow into manhood… where a young lady summoner by the name of Yunalesca secretly prepared to defeat the first manifestation of Syn, only to sacrifice her beloved to the creature and herself be seduced to the forces of Chaos. Where Yu Yevon fabricated an entire religion that would serve to control Spira for a thousand years… Where Rafe learned truly who he was and why he existed.

He walked out onto the ledge high above Spira and watched the water rise into a dome shape, where beneath the monster Syn prepared its assault on Zanarkand. He extended his jug to Syn in a salute the monster, acknowledging its raw power as he drank… then it came to him as he watched.

Syn was not defeated. The final summoning performed by Yuna, the sacrifice of Tidus by the Fayth… only served to stop him for a time longer then they would have originally imagined… but the time would soon come for Syn to return… He knew that this time around it would not be just a Spiran problem, but a problem that the Federation would have to face.

Off>

Capt. Rafe Oosha

Chief Intelligence Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
"Wisdom begins in wonder."

ON>

After the fight with Brandon, Genesis had made her way back to the Cook her mind in turmoil. She went straight to her office and picked up a PADD not really reading it. She sighed. "Who am I kidding? Knew he would be like the rest," she muttered and then frowned down at the padd. Some of the crew was in need of their routine exams. "Computer run a check of those who need routine exams against crew records for those who are currently aboard the Cook right now."

The computer took a moment and then displayed the list. Genesis eyes widened when she noticed Rafe was on that list. Tapping her badge she said, "Captain Oosha, if you have a moment, I would like to see you in sickbay please."

"On my way." Was Rafe's impassive reply.

Genesis sighed. "Great another arrogant male to deal with," she growled as she made her way out of her office and got things ready for the exam.

Minutes later Rafe walked in. He was dressed in his usual Samurai garb. He looked around at sickbay, then walked over to where Genesis was standing.
"Dr. Aquamara, I presume?" He said.

"Yes that would be me. I noticed sir that you have not had your routine exam. I would like to go ahead and get it done for you and out of the way."

"I assure you I am in perfect health." Rafe replied. "I doubt there is much need for a physical examination."

Genesis tilted her head and looked up at the samurai man before her. "Ok maybe I said that wrong. Let me rephrase, Captain you are about to have your routine exam. I need you to sit on the biobed so we can get started," Genesis said, her voice full of anger and coldness.

"Is something the matter, Doctor?" Rafe asked. His voice was soft and even.

Genesis turned her back on him and closed her eyes and struggled to get a grip on her emotions. What is going on with me? I never act this way, she thought frantically as she struggled to focus. "Nothing is wrong. It's just that everyone keeps giving me static over something that is so simple and takes little time. For once, I would just like someone to be agreeable about it."

"Agreeable about what?" Rafe asked.

Biting back an unladylike curse Genesis turned around. "Agreeable to doing what the doctor says. I mean everyone, from the smallest child to the adults questions every little thing. I would like for someone to trust me when I say something and not second guess everything or fight me on every treatment that I try to provide. I swore an oath to preserve and respect life not main and destroy it."

"Of course you did, and I do not question that, nor do I question that fact that you feel you need to perform an examination on me. I simply stated that I do not feel it is neccessary." Rafe said.

"But you do have a job to do, Doctor. Please proceed, but I will caution you that the results you may find might not be what you expected."

Genesis threw her hands up in disgust and said nothing just gestured toward the biobed while she turned to get her tricorder.

"Doctor... stop." Rafe said, standing up. "You are under a considerable amount of stress, stress that you and your environment is giving you. Stop... take a moment to breathe... in through the nose, and out through the mouth... slowly."

Genesis stared at Rafe in shock and stammered, "What?"

She shook herself and huffed indignantly. "I am not under stress!"

"You are under stress." Rafe said.

Genesis kept her mouth firmly shut as she ran the tricorder over Rafe. She looked at her readings and frowned. "What under the seven suns," she muttered.

Genesis looked at her readings and stared at the man before her. "Uh uh. No way." Genesis took her finger and poked Rafe. He seemed solid enough. Genesis looked at Rafe unhappily. "You know I think I need to get a drink. A really good stiff one. Let me guess you've had the exam done before and you had no life signs? How do you exist then?"

"I exist because I..." Rafe had never been asked that question before. He remembered his death on Spira at the hands of Yunalesca.

"I exist simply to exist." Rafe said.

Rafe would have told Genesis about the Farplane and how anyone who 'dies' on Spira would have to be 'sent' by a summoner to The Farplane, but he didn't think she'd believe him. He simply took a drink from his jug and then offered it to her.

"Its about as stiff a drink as you can get." Rafe said.

Genesis shook her head, not understanding but too tired and mentally worn out to question further. "Well I guess you will always be fit as a fiddle. And yes I need that drink."

Rafe handed his jug to her. "Try it. You'll feel better after you get past the aftertaste."

Genesis took a swig.

She choked but got it down. "Thanks I do feel better."

"Don't forget to breathe." Rafe said.

Genesis took a breath.

"Now, how do you feel?" Rafe asked.

"Better and worse." Genesis turned her hurt eyes upon him. "Why does everyone I care about leave me? What am I doing wrong?"

"That is not something I can immediatley answer." Rafe said. "But perhaps we can find the answer together."

"I want an answer but I don't think there is one. First my parents, then my sister, and now Brandon," Genesis trailed off.

"Brandon broke up with you?" Rafe asked/

"Yes he broke up with me."

Off>

JP

Dr. Genesis Aquamara
ACMO – USS James Cook

&
 

Capt. Rafe Oosha

Chief Intelligence Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
"Wisdom begins in wonder."

On> Sovak's Home.

Chiara walked up to the door and rang the buzzer and waited for the invitation to enter. She decided it would be better today to wear more comfortable and neutral clothes.

Sovak's attendant opened the door and nodded. "Sovak waits for you. Please enter." He led Chiara to the same arrangement of chairs they had sat in the day before. Sovak sat, as if in mediation, not looking at her as she entered.

It reminded Chiara of Rafe sitting in meditation. Quietly, she walked to him and kneeled down, then waited for him to speak.

"Welcome, Miss Domina. Please be seated in the chair. You will be more comfortable." Sovak said quietly.

"As they say: "When in Rome..." Chiara replied. "I am comfortable here, master."

Sovak nodded, and turned to face Chiara. "Did you meditate last night?"

"Yes, as you instructed." She replied.

"And how did your mediation go?" Sovak asked. "Were you able to find peace and tranquility?"

"To a point, sir." She said honestly. "I had to remember some of the instruction I received at the Academy, but I was able to at least reach that mental Dojo. I spent most of my time focusing on that."

Sovak nodded. "Then you had a measure of success. Only practice and diligence will perfect your meditation." Sovak lowered an eyebrow in what could be termed as a Vulcan frown. "Because your time on Starbase is so short, I must proceed to the next step. Again we will meld, but this time you must try to have a vision. I shall be there with you and help you hold back the emotion that causes you to become blind. I believe that it is increasing fear that is feeding on itself. You are afraid you will become blind, and as that fear grows, you body responds to that fear, producing that which you fear."

"I am ready." Chiara said.

Sovak placed his fingertips on Chiara's face and chanted the litany, then slipped softly into her mind. ~ Think about those you serve on the James Cook. Allow your feelings about them to surface. Then look forward in time. ~

Elsie was the first to appear in Chiara's mind. Her respect was great, and it even bordered on love. She then saw Tarmis... her Tarmy. She wanted so much to love him and throw herself to him... He was the best thing in her life at the moment, as was Hogah... and then from the shadows entered Rafe... the Samurai... when she tried to think of her father anymore, her thoughts turned to Rafe...

~Good ~ Sovak's mental voice whispered through her mind. ~ Continue ~

Chiara thought back to the time when she slept with Tarmis. It was innocent enough. They were both clothed, but his hand had found its way to her breast, and she was comfortable with that... she found herself longing for his touch yet again.

~ Look ahead, now. What do you see for him? ~ Sovak prompted.

Chiara looked ahead slowly. She saw Tarmis enjoying his time with Hogah, watching him grow... she looked on his hand and saw a gold ring. She smiled at the thought.

She focused on the ring and another scene unfolded... She looked around to see many Star Fleet officers gathered in 10-Forward. She was standing at the head of an isle between them. At the other end was Tarmis in a Star Fleet dress uniform. He looked so handsome. Elsie was standing behind a podium in her own Star Fleet dress uniform. She felt her arm slip into that of another. She looked over and up to see Rafe at her side. She looked down at herself, dressed in a fine blue and white satin kimono.

She smiled from ear to ear... her wedding day! She was so happy that all of her friends were there. She wanted her father to be there but she could feel the presence of her father through the samurai escorting her.

Sovak could feel that there were no negative emotions involved with this vision. ~ Open your eyes. Can you see? ~

Chiara opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry, but she could make out the shape of Sovak's face. "Yes, kinda... I guess."

~ Clearly or not? ~

"Not clearly."

Sovak followed the mental signature of Chiara's visions to their source. He placed a block, like veil in that spot, and gently broke the meld. "Your visions stem from a part of your brain adjacent to your emotional sense of self. I have placed a block between them. It should lessen the side-effects of your visions. It appears that you have less blindness with pleasant emotions than unpleasant ones. With tonight's meditation, bring back this vision and check your sight again. If you should have an unpleasant vision, go back to your place of rest as soon as you can. A pleasant memory plus the block I placed should help you show improvement."

Chiara stiffened... it started happening again... fear embraced her.

The smell of smoke and fire overwhelmed her. Everywhere she looked there was chaos.

"Keldon'nar." She gasped.

Sovak placed his fingers on her face again and slipped in, pushing back her fear, and speaking soothingly into her mind, ~see, Chiara, but take yourself back to the Dojo ~

She heard the screams of fellow female officers... cries for help as pirates moved through the ship. Screams of women being raped...

Elsie appeared, looking at Chiara with intense hatred. "You did this to me! You did this to my ship!" The Commodore roared.

"No..." Chiara moaned.

Sovak held up her emotional barriers as the vision unfolded.

She looked around, backing into a corner. Where was Tarmy? Where was Rafe? They were the guardians of the Cook... they were nowhere to be seen.

"I... I didn't mean to... you have to believe me..." Chiara cried.

"Tell it to the tribunal." Elsie growled and then backhanded her.

Elsie turned away as Chiara looked up. Sapphire blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. She saw a Romulan boot next to her face and looked up to see Shiarrael standing above her.

"Traitor!" She hissed and kicked Chiara in the side as hard as she could.

The kick jolted Chiara out of the vision. While her eyes were wide open, she couldn't see.

"Oh please no!" Chiara cried. "No!!!"

"Sovak, help me!" She screamed.

Sovak soothed over her emotions, dulling them. ~Go back to the dojo, Chiara, to your peaceful place ~ Sovak appeared in her mind and held her hand. ~ Take me to your peaceful place, Chiara. ~

Chiara did the best she could to run from the scene. She made her way past dead bodies and Keldon'nar into the Dojo and locked the door.

~ Peace, Chiara. It is only a possible future. ~ Sovak used all his abilities to calm her. Finally he did what he found distasteful, but was necessary. The vision was locked firmly into her own sense of self: He blocked the memory from her mind.

Chiara held onto Sovak's arm... her vision was blurry but started to return...

"What happened?" Her eyes were wet with tears and her heart felt heavy, but she didn't know why.

Sovak slipped out of her mind, weary from the efforts of the therapy. "Can you see?" He said quietly, almost in a whisper.

"Yes." Chiara said. "What happened?"

"You had a vision, but together we blocked the side effects." Sovak explained.

"A vision?" Chiara said... "What was it?"

"An unpleasant one. Unfortunately the blocks I placed erased it from your memory. A side-effect, you might say."

"You erased it?"

"I blocked it. The power of the vision was too strong for you at this point in time." Sovak said.

"What if it was very important?" She asked.

Sovak answered, "The future will unfold whether you see it or not. What will happen will happen."

"Ok, I guess." Chiara replied.

"Both of us are tired. Go rest now. Meditate tonight, and I will see you tomorrow before you leave." Sovak said.

"Ok." Chiara said. She stood up to leave. "Thank you." She said before she walked out the door.

Sevon nodded to her as she left.

Sevon told his attendant, "Contact Soren. Tell him I need him."

The attendant nodded and contacted Sovak's long-time friend. IN a few minutes, Soren appeared. "What is it you require of me?"

"I have need of advice.." Sovak went on to explain Chiara's visions and subsequent blindness.

"I would have your thoughts," Soren said.

Sovak moved into position and Soren melded with him, surveying the events of the past two days with the Nebari. Soren broke the meld and gazed at Sovak appraisingly. He spoke one word, "rhaei." Then he turned and walked out, hoping that Sovak had been successful blocking that memory from the woman's mind.

OFF>

JP
Lt. Chiara Domina
Chief Counselor
USS James cook
&
Commodore Elsie Veritas (as Vulcans)
CO USS James Cook
Flagship Python Fleet
 

ON> Shiarrael's quarters
Shiarrael woke up and relaxed for a minute before she got up she
had pleasant memories of the visit of S'Talon.

She swung her feet out of bed, stood and stretched. She felt better
than she had for a long time. No bad dreams had disturbed her dreams.

Shiarrael walked out into the other room. She went over to the replicator
and ordered breakfast, she was really hungry "cereal, toast and a large
bowl of variegated fruits. She planned out her day. She knew the Cook
was in and she wanted to see Shi. Maybe they could have lunch at the
Rihannsu Cafe.

Just then her door chime sounded.

She called out "enter" wondering who it could be at this early hour.

Shi walked in and looked around. She walked over to the table. Shiarrael
stood up and embraced her. "I was just thinking about you. I was going
to contact you and see if we could have lunch on the Promenade. But here
you are" She stepped back and looked at Shi."You look great apparently
being an expectant mother is good for you. By the way congratulations
to you both.

Shi smiled "Thank you Shiarrael," It was the first time she had called her
by that name in a long time. Shiarrael smiled at Shi. "Thank you for
recognizing me"

Shi looked at her, her tone is somewhat cold. ."Your story is somewhat unbelievable
and until I saw you. I was not sure if it was true or another Starr trick. Now I know it
is you. I do not completely understand what happened but I accept it.

The Starr personality is completely gone from you. I want Rh'vaurek to talk to you. Why
don't you join us for dinner tonight at the Rihannsu Cafe. I will clear it with Rh'vaurek.

Shiarrael stood up, forgive me I have not asked if I could get you something. Shi replied
yes please a Vulcan Mocha extra sweet.

Shiarrael went to the replicator and returned with what she had asked for. Placing the cup
in front of her, she sat back down. "Shi I have missed you. She, remembered how close
they had been. She knew they could not recapture that. They had changed they were adults
not children. Shi was married and she was bonded to S'Talon. They would forge a new
relationship, She was sure of that.

She looked forward to meeting Rh'vaurek again. She knew that he would not believe her
story until she proved it to him by her behavior.

Shi finished her Mocha and stood up. "Get dressed, we are going shopping."

Shiarrael smiled she had not been shopping for a long time. She walked toward her bedroom
"be with you in a minute" She changed into a green jump-suit with a silver belt. and walked
back into the other room "I am ready."

Shi and Shiarrael walked out of the quarters and headed for the Promenade.
OFF>

erei’Riov (Cmdr.) Shiarrael t’Radaik
ASEC, Exchange officer
USS James Cook
Flagship – Command Division

Cadet Shiarrael Ael t'Radaik
Telepathic and other Mental Arts Section
Military Activities Division Green Agency
SB Python PS

We are Rihannsu, that is the only truth.
 

On>
Bridge>

Tarmis sat in the Center chair; he sipped on Betazoid tea as he perused the gamma shift reports. Tarmis cheeks had a strange sort of glow, an after effect of a peaceful night's sleep. His old pleasant smile sat on his face as his eyes darted across the padd.

Elsie came onto the bridge and saw Captain Jeram already on duty. She strode down the ramp to the lower bridge and smiled. "Ready for our morning briefing, Number one?"

Tarmis flashed a smile, one that had not been seen on his face since his arrival on the Cook. " Yes Ma'am I am. And this is for you Ma'am." Tarmis enthusiastically stated as he handed Elsie a cup of fresh tea. Tarmis stood as Elsie peered at the hot tea.

"Thank you." She took the cup and saucer and led the way into the ready room.

Tarmis followed Elsie into the ready room, as he took his seat he slid a second padd onto Elsie's desk. " Gamma shift reports Ma'am." Tarmis said.

Elsie sat down and crossed her legs, assuming a relaxed posture. "You look rested, Tarmis. You take care of your personal demons on Star base?"

Tarmis gave Elsie a boyish smile, " Sometimes Ma'am we do not need to excise our demons, only to confront and understand them. I learned allot about myself and my past Ma'am, as well as remembered some important lessons I had forgotten. I know the future from now on will be one with much happiness."

"I confronted a few of my own. Though I have a ways to go before I understand them. How is Hogah doing?"

Tarmis face told a mix story as he tried to cover up with a smile, " Hogah should have a fairly wonderful loving life, all I can do is be there for him and ensure he knows his father loves and supports him whenever he needs me."

Elsie gazed at him in understanding. "Prophecy is an uncertain thing, Tarmis. Just knowing the future changes it. Forewarned is forearmed." Elsie took another sip of her tea. It was still hot and soothing. She put the cup and saucer down and picked up the PADD. "I see our supplies for Vella Cava have arrived. We are going out fully loaded."

Tarmis nodded slightly as he sipped his tea, " Yes Ma'am. All cargo should be completely loaded within the next few hours. Inventory should be completed shortly after that. The cargo is being secured almost as quickly as it is being loaded, and it would seem the crew is ready to return to space. On a side note all rotation have been completed and Lt.Rodgers has taken over as Cheng."

Elsie nodded with satisfaction. "We can begin the 24 hour countdown then. What do you think? Will we be ready?"

Tarmis quickly scanned the padd, then gravely shook his head, " No Ma'am I do not believe we will." Tarmis said then allowed a smile to break across his face, " I know we will be ready in less time Ma'am." Tarmis said with a slight jovial wink.

Elsie chuckled. "Ah, I have missed your humor, Tarmis. You help me put this job in perspective. Sometimes I work too damned hard and get way too serious."

Tarmis laughed, which quickly turned to coughing as he tried to hide his amusement, " You too serious Ma'am. I would never have guessed. Besides Ma'am we are only mortal beings it is not as if we were gods and could act out our lives perfectly. I think we will learn fun once again." Tarmis said as a large smile could be seen past the cup he sipped.

Elsie stared off to the far wall with a small content smile. "Yes. We ARE mortal, aren't we? Fun, eh? We should have a party once we are at cruising speed. Music, dancing, banquet."

"And lets invite the children. "She added.

Tarmis shook his head in agreement, " That would be a wonderful Idea Ma'am. We could have some of the officers which performed at the Circus entertain everyone once more. Hmm and we could also have a talent show for the kids, with or with out competitive measures. Either way I think everyone would enjoy it Ma'am, and give everyone a chance to meet children as well as their parents."

"Dressy or casual?" Elsie asked.

Tarmis smiled, " Well let me just say this Ma'am. How many children you know who can keep clean in a dress up situation. Besides I think casual makes people feel more at ease with one another. Also Ma'am it would give everyone a chance to warm up to you in a sense because there would be no rank and the kids would not be concerned of being perfect around Commodore Veritas." Tarmis said with a nod and a smile.

Elsie gave a lopsided grin. "Your logic is impeccable. I just might nominate you for Vulcan of the Year!"

Tarmis almost spit out his tea at Elsie's comment, as he tried to hold a laugh. He finally swallowed the tea then laughed as he said, " Hmm that could be a logical choice Ma'am if it were not for the wild sense of emotions I have."

Elsie's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I suppose there isn't much for us to do till we are underway. I'll take the bridge for a while and you go have some fun with your son." Elsie rose, taking her empty cup tot he recycler.

Tarmis smiled slyly, " You are correct Ma'am. It is for that reason; with your permission of course I would like to bring Hogah to the bridge. To show him where it is his father actually works. Beside Ma'am he has always wanted to see the Big chair he has heard so much about. So you know Ma'am I think he believes you have an overstuffed and large chair you sit in." Tarmis said.

Elsie laughed out loud! "All right, Captain. Your son may take a tour of the infamous Bridge!"

Tarmis nodded as he rose and put his empty cup in the recycler. " Thank you Ma'am he should be here in a few minutes." Tarmis said as he strode to the door without looking back.

Elsie chuckled and headed for her chair. "Soon we will have children running the ship!" She said to herself.

Tarmis heard Elsie's remark; he turned and stopped before here in complete seriousness. " I thought to a certain extent they already were Ma'am." Tarmis walked from the ready room chuckling softly as he went to his chair.

OFF>

JP
Commodore Elsie Veritas
CO USS James Cook
&
 

===================
Capt. Tarmis Jeram

Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A

On>
Bridge>

Hogah took the lift to the bridge at the time his dad told him too. The lift came to a halt, as Hogah's felt a huge ball appear in his throat. He struggled to swallow it back as he stepped forward and two guards stopped him.

Elsie looked over her shoulder at the unspoken challenge, and then nodded to Tarmis to take charge of the situation.

Tarmis stood and looked at the guards, " Let him pass." The guards cocked a look at Elsie, and then shrugged as they let Hogah pass. Hogah went over to Tarmis and curled his finger like to say come here. Tarmis bent over as Hogah said, " Can I hug you on the bridge Dad?" Tarmis smiled widely and whispered, " You can hug me anywhere son." After Hogah and Tarmis hugged, Tarmis led Hogah over to Elsie. Hogah stood rigid as he sloppily saluted, " Civilian Jeram reporting Boss Lady. As Dad says."

Elsie flashed a grin at Tarmis, then Hogah. "Welcome to the Bridge, Master Hogah." Elsie stood up then moved to the Counselor's seat. "Try it on for size." She gestured for Hogah to sit in the Center Seat.

Hogah's mouth dropped, as he looked at Elsie then the chair, then to Tarmis. He looked at Tarmis as if asking is it ok? Tarmis nodded with a proud smile. Hogah rushed over and jumped, he spun in mid air and landed in the chair. He couldn't say a word as he sat there and looked about it awe.

Elsie nodded to one of the relieve bridge crew, and she sat at a spare station. "Now, Hogah, say someone out there was hailing you. What would you say?"

Hogah looked at Tarmis for advice, Tarmis shrugged his shoulders. Hogah thought for a moment, " Who's calling please?" Hogah giggled nervously

Elsie leaned in close and whispered "On screen." Then she nodded for him to say it.

Hogah gave a nervous grin, as he threw back his shoulders and puffed his chest out. He spoke in a low deep boyish voice, " On Screen."

The forward view screen lit up with a vast view of space, having been locked into the Star base sensor array just seconds before.

Hogah, forgot where he was for a moment, he jumped out of the center chair and walked forward. " Oh Kewl." He said as he stared at the view screen

With a small gesture, Elsie signaled the communications officer to play a simulation of another bridge with another CO. "Now, Identify yourself and your ship."

Hogah looked down at the deck as he remembered his teacher told them the answer. After a moment he looked up and smiled, " This is Master" Hogah looked over his shoulder at Elsie, then back to the view screen. " Jeram Of the Federation vessel Uss James Cook." He looked back once again to Elsie to ensure he said it ok.

Elsie smiled and nodded. The simulation answered Hogah, "This is Captain James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise. How can I help you Captain?"

Hogah's mouth fell completely open, " The James Kirk, I know who you are. I studied your career. You are my hero, next to dad of course." Hogah looked at Tarmis, then gave a slight giggle.

The simulated James Kirk rolled his eyes. "Ah these young Captains," He remarked aside to Spock.

Spock answered, 'You were young once, too, Sir."

"Not that young." He replied.

"Younger," Scotty piped up.

Hogah looked over to Tarmis, " That is James T Kirk." Hogah said then said the same to Elsie. Hogah smiled widely as he looked at the view screen. " It is so kewl to talk to you Sir."

Kirk nodded to the young Cardassian-Human boy and said, "Carry on, young man. And safe journey." His image faded from the screen to be replaced by the star field.

Tarmis looked back at Elsie, he shook his head, while he chuckled softly. Hogah started to reply but it was too late, he spun to Elsie," That was soooo neat Ma'am."

"You want to try one more thing?" Elsie asked him.

Hogah shook his head, " Oh YEAH I would love to Ma'am." Hogah said as he stared at Elsie, bright eyed.

Elsie hit the ship's com. "Now testing alert system. Disregard alert sequence." She patted the center chair again, "Sit." She said to Hogah.

Hogah looked unsure then did as he was told. He nervously continued to look back at Elsie.

Elsie pointed out the clearly color-coded alert buttons. "Yellow alert, red alert." She said. “Now, we are approaching an unknown ship. Which button do you push?"

Hogah looked at the buttons, as he thought of which to push. ~ Red means stop, and when that happens everything becomes a mad house. Maybe I should try yellow it seems safer." Hogah gently pushed the yellow alert button; he cringed slightly as he did.

The ship's lighting changed and the yellow alert lights flashed, giving the bridge an eerie cast.

Hogah smiled as he thought about hails," Uh I know hail them Ma'am?" Hogah asked as he stared at Elsie.

Elsie flashed a sly grin at Tarmis, then pretended to be an officer. "Sir! The Orion ship just fired on us!"

Hogah almost jumped out of the chair, as he did his hand hit the red alert. The klaxons went off as the color changed. Hogah immediately looked at Elsie. " I didn't mean to I am sorry."

Elsie nodded, then whispered, "You did good, Captain! Good reflexes. Cancel Red Alert!" The bridge lighting returned to normal.

Hogah beamed with pride, his bright white teeth glaring against the lights as he looked about, " The boss lady said I did good, you hear that dad?" Tarmis shook his head as he held back his urge to run over and bear hug Hogah tightly.

Elsie's eyes shone at Hogah. "Number One, would you like to show our esteemed guest the rest of the bridge stations?"

Hogah hopped off the center chair, he walked over to Tarmis, " Dad is it ok if she does? She is more important and I think she has a pretty smile." Tarmis looked up to Elsie and shrugged his shoulders.

Elsie held in a smirk and put on a dignified face. "Master Hogah, I have duties to attend to. It is Captain Jeram's duty to show our guests around. I hope you do not mind." She rose and nodded graciously to Hogah, then turned to go to her ready room.

Hogah gave a slight pout, before Elsie left he ran over and hugged her about the waist tightly, " I think hugs are better than Salutes Ma'am."

Elsie chuckled warmly and squatted to his level, giving him a hug. "Now I really must go." She patted him on the back and disappeared into her office.

Tarmis put his arm about Hogah, " Come on son let's go see the rest of the bridge." Hogah's smile quickly returned. " Thank you dad I love you." Tarmis smiled proudly, " And I Love you too son." Tarmis said as he led Hogah about the bridge.

Off>

Joint Post

Commodore Elsie Veritas
CO USS James Cook
&
 

===================
Capt. Tarmis Jeram

Executive Officer
 

On>
Jeram Quarters>

Tarmis gently pulled the covers about Hogah. He carefully leaned down and placed a loving kiss upon Hogah's forward, and in a hushed voice said," Sleep well My son. For tomorrow will be a new day. I Love You Hogah." Tarmis leaned back, he watched Hogah sleep.

Hogah's arms wrapped about the toy Star ship Chiara had given him. Tarmis shook his head slightly, ~ His new favorite toy. He sure loves that star ship Chiara gave him; she is so great for him. Hogah loves her to death to.~ Tarmis thought as he slowly got up from the bed.

Tarmis took one last look at Hogah then exited, he turned out the lights as he left Hogah's room. Tarmis stopped just inside the living area, and looked about. He had no reports to file tonight; he had caught up on those. The quarters were clean and for once no toys were left about. Tarmis finally walked over and dropped onto the couch.

He turned the holoimager on, but it seemed like there was just nothing to watch on the hundreds of channels. Tarmis quickly turned it off. A moment later he turned on some audio music, after some searching Tarmis found a song by Whitney Houston, and old Terran singer. The song was called I will always Love you, as the music played it reminded Tarmis of how he would forever be Hogah's body guard in some sense.

Tarmis slid down on the couch; he grabbed a nearby padd and opened a message window.

-------- Blind To The First -----------

The day was cold and clouded above,
I stepped off the transport, someone gave me a shove.
I fell to the ground, a large puddle of mud,
My head hit it so hard there was a loud thud.
I laid there in the mud soaking wet,
You came over and told me not to fret.
You took my hand, pulled me out,
I was upset I even began to pout.
You smiled so warm and caring that day,
I stood there motionless unsure what to say.
Over time you became the only one to trust,
You pushed me on to say try I must.
It was you that helped me through it all,
Even then I could not hear my hearts call.
We stayed friends for many a time,
We played and laughed, even a rhyme.
Finally the day came on by,
I do not know how or when or why.
We talked like we had before,
But now was different, like an open door.
I stared deep into your eyes,
It change then that I did realize.
I saw something within your heart,
And for once I felt like you were my fresh start.
No matter what I said or did,
Your heart unto me stayed hid.
I began to falter and think I was the worst,
Then I realized I was blind to the first.

To That Special One
----------------------------------------

Tarmis closed the message without even looking it over. He took the padd and safely hid it away. Then turned and smiled widely as he started to hi bedroom. He gave one final look around. A small content smile crossed his lips, then he turned, " Computers Lights Out."

Off>

 

===================
Capt. Tarmis Jeram

Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A

ON> Jolan'tru Cafe
Shi and Shiarrael were seated at a small table on the patio of the Cafe waiting for Rh'vaurek to join them.

Shiarrael even in physical appearance did not resemble Starr she was dressed in a Rihannsu skirt in dark green and an off the shoulder peasant blouse of light green

Shi turned to her "I just love that outfit and it looks so good on you. You look like a real Rihanna."

Shiarrael smiled and blushed a little "Thank you Shi. I feel like myself again. Have I told you about S'Talon.

Shi looked blank "no you haven't who is he?" Her eyes lit up, "Have you finally met someone? Is he on Starbase. How did you meet him?"

Shiarrael laughed "do you want me to answer all those questions at once, or one at a time?"

Shi smiled "just tell your story."

Rh'vaurek shut down the terminal and left the security office, making his way down the gangway he showed the security on duty his ID then left for the promenade, he quickly found the café Shi told him to be at He pushed his way through the crowd over to the Café and was met by a waiter. "I am expected, table for s'Radaik"

The waiter nodded then escorted him to the table where Shi and Shiarrael sat talking. He lightly kissed Shi then took a seat at her left hand side

"Jolan'tru, sorry I am late"

Shi smiled at him "Jolan'tru e'lev it is all right."

Shiarrael smiled "Jolan'tru Rh'vaurek it is good to see you. It has been a long time." she meets his eyes with a steady unclouded gaze.

Rh'vaurek returns Shiarrael's look. He can see her, she is holding herself different. Her look is more confident, she does not look like Starr. Even the hair colouing is gone. He smiles

"Shiarrael" he whispers loud enough to only be heard by himself.

Shiarrael's heart is beating fast. This is the final test she looks at him. "I am Shiarrael"

Shi watches both of them. She knows how important this is to Shiarrael. ~Oh Elements help him to see her~

Rh'vaurek's granite expression is broken with a loving smile "Shiarrael"

Shiarrael smiles and her eyes fill with tears. "My Rh'vaurek your Lacendt daeftan has returned."

Shi smiles she is so happy for both of them.

"You have finally broken Starr's hold. It is so good to see you again" Rh'vaurek replied softly.

Shiarrael looked at him. "I know you will understand this> I defeated her and drove her from my mind. You were right she was nothing but a construct of Troy's."

I had the assistance of a Jhu who reprimanded me for not doing it sooner.

"Stelam recognized me the other day. Shi recognized me this morning and now you have recognized me. I have come home" She smiled at Shi and Rh'vaurek

Shi looked at both of them "Well now that that is settled may we eat I am famished."

"S'harien is growing, he is hungry too I'll bet" Rh'vaurek chuckled

Shi nodded "he is hungry all the time" she smiled the smile of an expectant mother.

Shiarrael turned to Rh'vaurek "I need to ask you to do something for me if you will."

"What would that be?" he inquired

"I would not ask now but your ship is leaving soon. I have memories through another person of my life at the Academy on Romulus. But i do not have the memories of your teachings and I need them very much to frame my new life."

"S'Talon?" Rh'vaurek inquired.

"Yes" Shiarrael replied "He was the one who gave me the strength to drive Starr out when he shared his memories of our time together with me."

Rh'vaurek smiled, he remembered how much S'Talon meant to her all that time ago "Yes I will do that for you"

Shiarrael replied "Thank you so much. You will be pleased to know that I am his once again." she slightly blushes

Rh'vaurek smiles knowingly

Shi thinks ~oh so that is what she was about to tell me. I am so happy for her I remember her talking about him, incessently."

She was torn between her love for him, her feelings for Rh'vaurek and her fear of the Tal Shiar.

~she was so lost when i found her. S'Talon was on a training mission and Rh'vaurek was out of town. That morning she had seen 2 Tal Shiar agents talking to the Director of the Academy.~

A Waiter walked up to the table. "I apologize Rekkhai that I have kept your party waiting. Would you like to order now?"

"Yes i'll have a spice tea with some Justarian pasteries" Rh'vaurek replied
~ What would you like Shi? ~

Shi replied a huge Salad and spice tea.

Shiarrael answered to "I will have the same as you Rh'vaurek"

"Make that 3 Sspice teas, two plates of pastries and one large salad" Rh'vaurek ordered.

The waiter bowed. "I will bring your food immediately Rekkhai"

Shi looked at the waiter she had been watching him take care of 6 tables at once. He was good he knew his job"

In 5 minutes the waiter returns with their orders. He delivers them saying "Enjoy your food"

Shi immediately almost dived into her salad

Shiarrael waited until Rh'vaurek had sipped his tea before she sipped hers.

Rh'vaurek took a bite of his pastry then a sip of his tea.

Shiarrael smiled at Shi as she sipped her tea and nibbled on her pastries.

Shi was really enjoying her salad.

Shiarrael addressed Rh'vaurek and Shi "Why don't you two come back to my Quarters it is quieter there and we will not be disturbed when you do the transfer.

"Just lead the way" Rh'vaurek replied.
OFF>

erei'Riov (Cmdr.) Rh'vaurek tr'Radaik
CTAC/OPS Exchange officer
USS James Cook
Flagship - Command Division

&

erei'Riov (Cmdr.) Shiarrael t'Radaik
ASEC, Exchange officer
USS James Cook
Flagship - Command Division

&

Cadet Shiarrael Ael t'Radaik
Telepathic and other Mental Arts Section
Military Activities Division Green Agency
SB Python PS

We are Rihannsu, that is the only truth.
 

ON - Security office

Rh’vaurek sat at the desk he was going over the crew to find someone to replace Saren in his strike team, that was going to be hard, Jonny Rico stepped into the Second in command, a veteran of both Cardassian and Dominion wars, I sometimes wondered why he was not a Security chief on another ship, but I am not about to question my luck in having him in the service on this ship, one of my best officers he thought

Continuing to go over the crew profiles to find a suitable replacement, he made a list of all those he found suitable then typed up a message

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: Erei’Riov Rh’vaurek tr’Radaik
To: Lt. Cmdr Jonny Rico, Lt. Cmdr Carl Jenkins, Lt. Stephen Waugh, Lt J.G. Fara Trel
Subject: Saren’s replacement

To all members, there will be a meeting when we depart to find some one to take Saren’s place in the Strike team, I have made a list and you people can make the final judgement on who you want to work with.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finishing up the message he logged off then looking at his wrist Chrono Fvadt I am late then left to meet Shi at a Starbase Café.

OFF
 

ON> Ready Room

Elsie watched the chronometer, as it counted down to launch. One minute. She rose and strode confidently to the lower bridge, and to the Center Chair. "Number One, take her out!" She said expectantly.

Tarmis looked at the helm officer, then nodded slightly. " Contact Star Base Ops, request permission launch." The Ops officer put the comm over loudspeaker, as Base ops Piped in, " Uss James Cook you have permission to launch, say again permission to launch." The Ops officer, replied " Understand Thank you Base Ops." The bay doors slowly began to open as the arm, which held the Cook released.

Elsie glanced at the confident, happy expression of Tarmis' face and smiled to herself. Yes, someday he would make a fine commanding officer.

Tarmis in a commanding voice said, " Helm station keeping thruster, prepare to move out." The helm officer quickly ran his fingers over the station, as the doors fully opened. Tarmis saw the doors now fully opened, " Helm take us out, once clear of the doors 1/8 impulse to edge of system, then lay in a course for Vella Cava station warp 6." The helm officer replied, " Aye Sir."

The USS James Cook slid slowly out of space dock, hesitated a moment like a bird at the edge of its nest, then moved gracefully away from Star base Python.

Tarmis looked over to Elsie with a fulfilled joyous smile, " Into the great Beyond once again Ma'am." Tarmis said in a hushed voice, then gave a slight wink.

Elsie smiled, content. They were now doing what they were destined to do, to go out into space, to fly among the stars.

Elsie could feel the excitement among her crew. No matter that the mission was routine, taking supplies to Vella Cava. They were out where they belonged.

Tarmis turned to the view screen, " Ops give us one last look at Star base." The view screen changed to show Star Base Python beginning to shrink slowly. " Thank you for everything." Tarmis said under his breath. He gestured to Ops who returned the view before them.

As they left the system, the ship leapt into warm, transforming the forward screen into a tunnel of light.

Tarmis felt joy and sadness all at once, he turned to Elsie. " We step into the unknown, but somehow I know Ma'am together our crew could stand against anything." Tarmis said with mixed emotions.

Elsie nodded in agreement. As the ship settled into cruising speed, the day shift ended, and Beta began to take over the stations. Elsie glanced at Tarmis, "How about joining me in Ten-Forward? I could use a drink." She asked as she rose, allowing the relief officer to take her place.

Tarmis thought for a moment, He was thinking whether he should go home or go with Elsie. He smirked to himself. ~One drink should be ok, Hogah is safe.~ Tarmis thought as he tucked a padd away. The padd showed Tarmis' quarters before it blinked out. " Sure Ma'am sounds like a great idea." Tarmis said then followed Elsie.

Elsie and Tarmis headed for the lounge for a short after-shift drink, knowing that both needed time with their loved ones. They ordered at the bar, saluted each other, and downed their drinks.

"See you tomorrow, Tarmis," Elsie smiled.

Tarmis chuckled and shook his head as he followed Elsie out, " Fastest drink ever Ma'am. But still an enjoyable one. Will see you for tea in the morning Ma'am. Have a pleasant night." Tarmis said then headed to his quarters.

OFF>

Joint Post

Commodore Elsie Veritas
CO USS James Cook
&
 

===================
Capt. Tarmis Jeram

Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A

On> The Starchamber.

Rafe watched the departure of the Cook from his sanctum sanctorum. He was glad to be back out in space, as a ship in dock was not a productive ship, merely an extension of the base. His internal video feeds showed the crew hard at work preparing for the layover at Vella Cava. He personally wondered when the Cook would truly be allowed to spred her wings and go into uncharted territories.

He switched over to the live feed from the probe in orbit over Spira… his dead Homeworld… as dead as he was.

He was the last unsent. There were no more summoners to send him, he who clung on to the world of the living like an umbilical cord that feeds an unborn child. He wanted to live, he needed to live. He needed to exist, but why? He often asked himself that. Surely the Farplane held much more. Was it the ascension to another plane of existence that he really wanted? Or was he avoiding the circle of life all together?

He remembered back to the quest. The pilgrimage of Yuna, daughter of Lord Braska and namesake of the first summoner Lady Yunalesca. When Sin was finally defeated, the Fayth stopped dreaming and Tidus was gone. He too had finally gone to the Farplane only to be sent back into the future. Yuna was left to her own, along with her comrades. But why did the Farplane refuse the old warrior-monk? Why would the Farplane instead deposit him on the decks of the NX-01? What purpose did it have other then to deny him eternal peace?

Rafe pondered these points.

“Rafe” he whispered to himself. Its what they knew him here as. Once an idealistic young man with no past. Once a man who held in high regard the ideals of Star Fleet and the Federation. Now he was more jaded. Spira served to mar his spirit, a spirit now governed by Zen and Bushido. A Star Fleet officer he was still, but now much more. His legacy would be a legacy eternal. Like McKenna, he knew he would always be.

So what was his path now? He wondered. What was his goal? Was there even a goal? He knew that in part his love for Elsie was a reason he still existed, but he knew there was more.

He looked at Spira… at the ruins of Home, Bevel and Zanarkand… and wondered.

Off>
 

Capt. Rafe Oosha

Chief Intelligence Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
"Wisdom begins in wonder."

ON>
Hello mother, father. I have made it safely to the USS James Cook but not without some danger along the way.

I arrived at star base and was exploring when I chanced upon a Insectae attacking a defenseless woman. I save not only her life but those of her husband and his two guards.

What I did not know was that the Insetae had bespelled the young woman's mind. After taking her husband into her mind, we were both able to bring her out of the darkness and back into the light. It worries me that one of the demonspawn would make its way here, to our newest allies strong base of operations. Regretfully I had to kill the Insectae and thus was unable to obtain more intel.

I will shortly begin my shift as nurse. I look forward to the challenges it will provide. Well I must go. Duty calls.

OFF>

Petty officer 1st Class Fairee Planyo
Nurse, USS James Cook

On> Tarmis’ Quarters.

Chiara walked in after keying in her medical access code. The quarters of the man she loved was dark. It was 2 in the morning and both Tarmis and Hogah were fast asleep. She checked on Hogah, who was sleeping with the toy Galaxy ‘X’ starship she had bought as a gift for him. She smiled and walked across the living room to Tarmis’ bedchamber. She activated the privacy screen and crawled onto the bed to kiss him.

Tarmis opened his eyes and smiled at the angelic vision of Chiara’s face hovering above him. He reached up and stroked her cheek.

“Chiara, its 2 in the morning… what brings you here?” He asked.

“I just wanted to be with you.” She said. She stood up on the bed and undid her robe, revealing the white lace teddy she purchased on the Starbase. “I never did get a chance to give your present to you.”

A sly smile crossed Tarmis’ face as she straddled him. “Nebari flavored treats?” he asked.

“Mm-hmm.” She replied and she kissed him deeply. He began to pull off her teddy to reveal her perfect light blue skin. Tarmis didn’t realize just how firm this woman felt as he ran his hands up and down her tone back.

“What did I do to deserve this?” He asked.

“You exist, and I love you.” She replied, taking off the rest of her teddy. She leaned back up to allow Tarmis a full view of her. She then leaned down and rubbed her body on his. “Do you always sleep in the nude?” She asked.

“Occasionally.” Tarmis replied.

“I could get used to this.” Chiara purred.

“I think I could too.” Tarmis whispered.

“Be gentle.” She said as they embraced.

Chiara was thankful that Star Fleet had seen fit to put privacy screens on the doors and soundproof the quarters, as she was sure that her moaning would certainly wake Hogah. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the closeness she was finally able to share with her lover.

After a seeming eternity of bliss, she opened her eyes, but not to see the beautiful face of Tarmis, but that of Vin Tamar. He eyes went wide with horror as she felt him inside of her. She tried to scream but she couldn’t. She tried to wrestle free but she found no strength as the supposedly dead Migichinan Ambassador pressed harder and harder into her.

~Please someone help me.~ She cried from inside. ~This can’t be happening, not again!~

Tamar let loose with an insidious laugh. “You are mine, little Chiara! Now and for eternity!” He roared with power and release. Chiara could do nothing but cry at his intrusion into her body. The eternity of the moment continued.

Behind Tamar appeared a light. A gloved hand took Tamar by the neck and pulled him off of Chiara, tossing him back against the wall of Tarmis’ bedchamber. Rafe Oosha stood between Chiara and Tamar. He drew forth not his lightsaber but his Tyrusian sword that he had named Masamune.

“This ends… now.” Rafe growled. A circle of light danced around his feet and lifted, bathing him in a red light. He charged Tamar and brought his sword down with full strength across the body of Tamar. Tamar screamed and vanished in to rainbow like firefly lights. The quarters were dark again as Rafe turned to Chiara. She had managed to slip her teddy back and drape her robe around her.

“Are you all right?” Rafe asked.

“Yes… thank you, oh thank you!” She cried and rushed to his arms. The light appeared again behind Rafe light a yellow-white wormhole. He looked back to the wormhole. The soft but shrill whine of the wormhole seemed to emit a single word… a name… Auron.

“Are you sure.” He asked it.

He turned back to Chiara who looked up to the Samurai’s face.

He took her by the lapels of her robe and lifted her up.

“This is your story.” He said and lifted her into the worm hole of light.


Chiara’s Quarters

Chiara shot up right in her bed, gasping. She was drenched in sweat with the ordeal of the nightmare. She continued breathing hard as she recollected the events. She went to Tarmis and they made love, only for Tarmis to turn into Tamar… then Rafe came to save her… He tossed her into the worm hole that called him ‘Auron’… was that Rafe’s true name maybe? The entrance into the work hole led her back to the safety of her quarters.

As scary as it was, she was safe and had Rafe… or Auron… or whatever his name was to thank.


Elsie and Rafe’s Quarters.

Elsie woke up to get a glass of water and saw that Rafe was not sleeping next to her. Wondering where he was, she threw on a robe and walked out to living room. There, she found her man kneeling in the center of the room, fully clothed in his maroon Samurai garb. He head was bowed as if either asleep or in deep meditation. His Tyrusian sword was in front of him. He held it firm to keep him kneeling upright.

Elsie walked over to him and kissed him on the temple and smiled. “Who are you protecting now, my love.” She went to retrieve her glass of water and took one more look at the warrior and again smiled before going back to bed.

Off>
 

Capt. Rafe Oosha

Chief Intelligence Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
"Wisdom begins in wonder."

On> The Bridge

It was morning as Chiara walked onto the bridge. She was still in shock from her dream... no, her nightmare. She was dressed in her Counselor's dress but had not taken the time to apply any makeup. Her eyes were dark as she took her seat at the command horseshoe.

She sat, not saying a word, only to stare at the rainbow lights of stars as the rushed past.

Tarmis gave Chiara a worried look and whispered, "What is wrong?"

Chiara only shuddered. She didn't look over at Tarmis or Elsie.

Elsie knew without picking up her thoughts that her Counselor had not slept well. "Counselor in my Ready Room," She said gently as she rose and led the way.

Chiara slowly followed Elsie into her ready room.

Once inside and the doors closed, she collapsed to her knees and cried uncontrollably.

Elsie knelt beside Chiara, gathering her in her arms. "Shhh, shhh. Tell me what happened." Elsie gently murmured.

"Nightmare... I had... a really bad dream..."

"Describe it." Elsie prompted.

"I... I went to Tarmis... we made love... but when I opened my eyes, it wasn't him..." She cried.

"Who was it?", Elsie asked, having a pretty good idea what her answer would be.

"T... t... Tamar..." She said.

Elsie grimaced. "The recent events between Rafe and Tamar triggered a recurrence of your trauma," Elsie said gently as she stroked Chiara's sapphire blue hair.

"Rafe was there..." She said. "He rescued me... He said 'This is your story.' then tossed me into some kind of wormhole."

"So that is what he was doing," Elsie mused.

"He's been there a lot for me lately... watching out for me... protecting me... I think." She said.

"Yes, apparently he has. I found him meditating in full Warrior robes in the middle of the night. At least that part of your dream was real." Elsie confirmed.

"He... he was really there?" She said in awe.

"Yes, in spirit, anyway. He has a sense of what is going on in the spiritual realm on this ship."

Chiara closed her eyes. Spirituality was a foreign concept to the Nebari, but it was something that filled this ship in many forms.

"I don't think I understand." She said.

"We have a physical body, and a mental body. You understand that, because you live and you think. But you also have a spirit body, made up of your life force and your innermost concept of self. It is this body that interacts on an unconscious level with the universe. Many cultures have striven to understand the spirit body, but it st nearly impossible to accurately define." Elsie explained. "Some people call it a soul."

Chiara had calmed down enough to where she could start thinking reasonably.

"Sometimes our soul speaks to us in our dreams, sometimes when we pray or meditate. That is when we gain understanding of who we really are and what place we have in the universe. When a soul has been wounded, as yours has, you have nightmares." Elsie said. "Rape not only violated your body and mind, but also your sense of self, your soul." She continued

"I need to get past this, Elsie... or I won't be able to do my job." Chiara said. "But I just don't know how."

"You won’t ever forget Tamar's abuse, but you need to believe in yourself. Believe that you ARE a worthy person, that you DO have a purpose in existing, that you DO help others along the way. Only in strengthening your sense of self-worth can you rise above the feelings of helplessness this act created in you. It is very possible that this rape is part of the reason you go blind when you have visions." Elsie surmised.

"The visions.." She muttered. "Oh! I forgot to tell you! I found a Vulcan Master on the Starbase who is helping me with those."

"Has there been any improvement?" Elsie asked.

"Yes... He started out with a series of mindmelds and implanted some lessons in me that he would unlock as time goes on since we won’t be able to meet face to face too often, but he put up some blocks that will help ease the intensity of the visions... I think." Chiara said enthusiastically.

Elsie nodded. "I assume, then you need a com channel to meet with him while we are underway."

"Yes." Chiara said.

"Then you shall have it." Elsie smiled. "Come, let’s get up off the deck and have something to drink. It would not do for someone to come in and find the CO and the Head Counselor kneeling on the deck of the Ready Room, now would it?"

"I'm certain it would cause some speculation." Chiara said as she stood up.

Elsie chuckled and went to the replicator. "What do you feel like having?" Elsie flashed Chiara a sly grin, "Other than a whiskey!"

"Vodka?" Chiara asked.

"How about a stiff Raktajino? You look like you could use some perking up." Elsie laughed.

"Ok." She said.

Elsie retrieved the mugs of Klingon coffee and set them on the ready room table. She made herself comfortable and waited for Chiara to do the same.

Chiara sat down. "Tell me about Aur... Rafe. I only know him from what I've seen of him and how he's helped me, but what's your take on him?"

Elsie wrapped her hands around the hot mug of coffee and got a faraway look in her eyes. "Oh, I have known Rafe quite a while now. His creation, well, that is something he will have to tell you about himself. He is a warrior first, and has embraced the Terran Samurai code of ethics. He sees his primary duty as protecting those who cross his path. And this time around, he has found what he so deserves, someone to love him."

"The wormhole thing called him 'Auron.' Any idea what that was about?" She asked.

"Auron was his name in another place. Here he is known as Rafe." Elsie said simply.

"I see." Chiara conceded. "Well, it makes me feel better knowing he is around."

"I wasn't aware till you told me your dream that his ability to protect extended to the spiritual realm. He is quite a mystery, evn to me." Elsie searched Chiara's face. "Counselor, do you need some time off? You seem very tired. You need time for yourself."

"It might be a good idea. Our mission right now is a milk run. I don't see myself being of any use to you on the bridge." Chiara said.

"Then take as much time as you need. Have Medical check you over, just in case you might be physically run-down. Make time to have fun in the holodeck." Elsie answered.

"Ok... I'll make an appointment with Genesis." She said.

Elsie smiled, and finished off her Raktajino.

"If I don't see him before you... tell Auron... Rafe, I mean... Tell him 'thanks' from me." Chiara said.

"I will, Counselor." Elsie nodded pleasantly. "Now, why don't you go have some quiet time, while I finish reading these mission specs?"

"Ok." Chiara said and stood up to leave. She stopped at the door. "Thank you, Elsie."

Elsie gave Chiara a sweet smile, "Any time, Chiara. My door is always open to you."

Chiara smiled and left.

Off>

JP
Counselor Chiara Domina
Chief Counselor USS James Cook
&
 

Commodore Elsie Veritas

CO U.S.S. James Cook
Python Fleet Flagship

ON>
After finishing her personal log, Fairee got dressed and slowly made her way to sickbay. She ignored the surprised looks from crewmembers who passed her in the hall. Fairee usually covered her wings when she was out and about but not when she was going to work. Besides she was not ashamed of what she was. She was careful however not to fan her giant wings which could knock a person if they got to close.

<Sickbay>
Genesis went about her work quietly. She was still mulling over Brandon's break-up with her and her talk with Rafe. She hadn't meant to blurt out the fact that Brandon had dumped her but there was something about Rafe that made a person want to blab everything about themselves without knowing anything about him. Genesis sighed. She had managed to not tell him how she truly felt about the whole messy situation but she got the feeling as he was leaving sickbay that he wasn't done talking about it. Not by a long shot.

Genesis was so lost in her own misery that she didn't notice the concern coming from the rest of the medical staff. None of them quite knew what to do for her and many were too afraid for fear of setting her off. Genesis had also thrown up her mental shields so solidly that she literally had stopped 'feeling.' Genesis walked into her office to retrieve a file and the medical staff let out a collective sigh of relief. The tension in sickbay lowered considerably once Genesis had left.

<outside sickbay>
Fairee stopped outside of sickbay and took a deep breath. This was her first true starfleet assignment and she was not about to mess it up. ~Lords and ladies above protect me in all my trials~ she sent the thought out into space and time. Letting out her breath she walked into sickbay.

The doors whooshed open and Fairee walked in. She heard the gasps of surprise and turned and coolly stared at the medical staff who had all stopped working to stare at her. Fairee straightened up and came further into the room, her wings fluttering briefly.

"Hello, I'm looking for Dr. Aquamara. I was told to report to her," Fairee's musical voice said softly into the silence.

One of the doctors pointed toward Genesis' office. "She's in there. But be careful. She's in a mood that matches that hair of hers," he warned.

Fairee smiled serenely at him and the doctor smiled back. "I will. Thank you for the warning sir," she said as she turned and headed toward Genesis office and pressed the chime.

Genesis was sitting in her office staring off into space when the chime sounded. Startled she sat up. "Enter."

The door opened and for a long moment Genesis forgot to breath. ~Oh god she's beautiful!~ was the first thought to come to mind.

Fairee walked slowly in, careful to not knock over anything with her wings. "Ma'am, Petty officer 1st Class Fairee Planyo reporting for duty."

Genesis finally let out the breath she was holding. "Ah yes. I remember now. You are the new nurse assigned to my ob/gyn division. Welcome aboard Nurse. Here is a list of duties I expect from you," Genesis said as she handed Fairee a padd. "Please have a seat." Fairee folded her wings neatly down her back before sitting.

Genesis smiled in amazement and then realizing the silence had grown she continued. "Do read everything carefully. We have several expectant mothers on board with vairous alien physiologies that you have to read up on. I will rely on you primarily for most of my ob and child care cases. Most of the doctors and nurses aboard have general knowledge in all fields. You are one of the first and hopefully not one of the last that we get that specializes in a specific field of study. Now do you have any questions for me?" Genesis concluded.

Fairee eyed Genesis for a long moment. With her inner vision, Fairee could tell that Genesis had been hurt deeply and was struggling to recover. Fairee couldn't stand to see her suffer so she got up and walked around the desk and stood next to Genesis.

Genesis stared at her with frightened yet hopeful eyes. Genesis had lowered her shields a little to be able to conduct Fairee's interview. The feelings and emotions she was getting from Fairee were too primitive and instinctive to even put into words.

Fairee gently reached out and caressed Genesis' face. Genesis let out a whimper of protest and pleasure. "I don't," she started to whisper.

Fairee put a finger to Genesis. "Shh. Don't think just for one moment, allow thy self to feel."

Fairee stroked Genesis' hair and she started to cry. Fairee gathered Genesis up into her arms and rocked her back and forth. "It's alright milady. It's alright. You are not alone. I'm here and this crew is here to help you."

Genesis cried even harder. Fairee's wings idly fanned back and forth sending a cooling breeze toward Genesis. After a few moments Genesis stopped crying. She wiped at her eyes. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do that in front of you. It was unbecoming of me as your ranking officer. It won't happen again." Genesis reluctantly withdrew from Fairee's embrace.

Fairee stepped back. "What is wrong in taking comfort? Does not a child run to its mother wheen it is hurt or has needs? We never outgrow these base emotions. We all need comfort and support. You have had neither, either by choice or by circumstance. I offer you whatever you need Genesis. And I offer it freely." Fairee stood and waited patiently for Genesis to answer her.

Genesis stood and stared at this strange sexy lady who had invaded her office, her space and her senses. Genesis had never felt toward a woman what she was feeling toward this one. "True. Everything you said is true. I will take just your friendship for now. I can't handle anything else," Genesis said simply, the hurt still in her eyes.

Fairee gave a small smile. "I understand. On my planet we have a custom to seal a deal. May I?"

Genesis nodded. Fairee walked over and gathered Genesis' hands in hers and pulled Genesis to her feet. Genesis looked at her startled and then Fairee kissed her. Genesis froze and then found herself kissing Fairee back hungrily. Fairee returned the kiss with equal fervor and it was several moments later when they came up for air.

Genesis and Fairee stared at each other for a long moment. Genesis' face a mask of confusion, Fairee's one of feminine smugness. Fairee started to kiss Genesis again but the door chimed. Genesis blushed a red to match her hair and Fairee grinned. "Come!" Genesis said.

One of the nurses walked in. "Ma'am your next appointment is here."

"Thank you Nurse, I'll be right out," Genesis said.

Fairee waited until the nurse left and turned and looked at Genesis. "Later teyamando. I promise to finish what I've started later," Fairee's voice danced across Genesis' skin and tightened things in her body the way only a lover's touch could.

Fairee caressed Genesis face once more before walking out of her office. Genesis collapsed into her chair and sat there stun. What under the nine suns had just happened? Genesis didn't know but Fairee's promise made her think some nasty thoughts.

"Damn she is a sexy lady though!' she mused aloud before getting up and going out to meet her next appointment.

OFF>
Joint Post

Petty officer 1st Class Fairee Planyo
Nurse, USS James Cook
&
Dr. Genesis Aquamara, Lt
ACMO, USS James Cook

On> The Star chamber

Rafe looked across the expanses of space and focused a floating monitor in on the Vella Cava system. He began to watch sensor readings come in showing commercial and military traffic in the area.

He saw nothing out of the ordinary as the Cook grew closer to the Vella Cava Space Traffic Control region.

On the bridge, the Navigation officer announced, "Approaching Vella Cava. ETA 15minutes.""Steady as she goes. Watch out for unfriendlies." Elsie ordered.

"Intel reports no threats." Rh'vuarek replied.

Elsie nodded in acknowledgement." So far so good," She said lowly to her XO.

"Nice and quiet. That's the way I like it." Tarmis replied. "I don't know about you, but constantly facing danger isn't my idea of fun."

Elsie grimaced. "It comes with the territory, unfortunately. This area of space belonged to the Orions and the Cardassians for along time. The Cardassians were willing to trade us the slot, but the Orions don't honor the agreement."

Tarmis started laughing.

Elsie looked at Tarmis, "What is so funny, Number one?"

"You used "Orion" and "honor" in the same sentence." Tarmis said.

Elsie smirked. "My error."

"I'll forgive you." Tarmis said.

"Although, I imagine there is some kind of code of honor or trust among them, or their syndicate could not function."

"The Orion have their own way of doing things. They are organized into cartels, and spend just as much time fighting amongst themselves as they do against us."

"Yet they have been doing business for hundreds of years, and are getting more ruthless and more pervasive as time goes on." Elsie noted.

"Perhaps that is their form of progress." Tarmis said. "Of course we can't tell them different unless their progress interferes with our own."

"Which it did when they raided Vella Cava. This station was ill prepared to fend off the onslaught. I wonder if we will ever find the people taken by the slavers. It is doubtful we will ever recover our property." Elsie frowned.

(property)

"Vigilance will pay off." Tarmis replied, hoping he would be reassuring enough.

Elsie glanced over her shoulder to Rh'vaurek, who nodded, understanding the unspoken order.

"Incoming broadcast from Star Fleet Command." The Operations Officer announced.

"On Screen," Elsie said.

Star Fleet Admiral Hirohito Hoshi appeared. "All operating vessels in the Python Sector are to be warned. At 0400 hours Universal, the third planet in the Spira system was destroyed by an unknown force. Spira, up to this point was the focus of an archeological expedition be conducted by the Federation Archeological Society in cooperation with Star Fleet. At this time, there are no known survivors from the Regula class orbital platform Spira 1, and there is no word from the survey vessel SS Urick. Star Fleet is dispatching a starship to investigate. All vessels are warned to stay away from the Spira system until further notice. That is all."

The screen shifted back to the StarFleet seal, then switched over to a view of space.

"Transmit that to Captain Oosha." Elsie ordered.

The Ops O nodded.

"An entire planet... destroyed." Rh'vuarek whispered.

"Commodore, what does Rafe have to do with Spira?" Tarmis asked.

"It's....it's a place he calls home." Elsie said, her heart breaking for him. Now it was gone forever, and all he had left were memories.

"I can keep an eye on the bridge, Commodore." Tarmis said.

Elsie nodded her thanks and rose from the center seat. She quickly headed for the old Astrometrics lab, reconfigured as CIC. She stood for a moment at the door, then stepped through.

Rafe stood on his platform. He watched the replay of the destruction of Spira over and over again.

Elsie scrambled up the ladder to the platform and ran to Rafe, flinging her arms around him. "Oh, Rafe! I am so sorry!" They were inadequate words and sounded empty in even her own ears.

Rafe said nothing. He just watched the feed from Spira 1 until is faded into static, then over again.

Elsie reached over and turned off the display. "This does you not good." She whispered.

Rafe balled his gloved hand into a fist. He considered smashing a console, but then thought that the console had done nothing wrong to deserve such treatment.

"Why must everything in my life be destroyed?" He whispered.

Elsie had no answer. From his point of view, from his grief, it seemed that way. She just held him.

"The Admiral offered little information as to what happened... and SFIC is dumb founded." Rafe said.

"Did you see what destroyed the planet? A meteor, a spatial anomaly...?" Elsie was grasping at straws and she knew it.

"I know what happened..." Rafe said.

Elsie pulled away from him and looked up into his face. "You do?"

Rafe activated the monitor and focused in on a captured screen. He clarified and sharpened the resolution until a large brown creature could be seen over the gray and barren surface. It was larger than a city.

"What is THAT?" Elsie exclaimed.

"That... is Syn." Rafe said. The image of the hellish creature grew larger.

"That...thing...destroyed the planet?"

"Yes." Rafe said.

"But why? It certainly destroyed itself in the process." Elsie asked.

"Spira lived a cycle of death..." Rafe said. "But the cycle would continue as long as the planet remained in any state... as long as The Fayth remained... Syn... ended that cycle. Syn ended that story. I no longer hear the song of The Fayth... only silence. Yunalesca's monster has finally succeeded in accomplishing it's goal."

"I still do not understand. Certainly a living creature would have a sense of self-preservation. Why would it destroy itself just to demolish a planet?"

"Syn lives in a state of death, yet it has the will to continue existing. Its power is unto itself and needs not a planet in order to live."

"So after the planet exploded, it continued existing in another state?" Elsie guessed. "The spiritual plane?"

"I don't... I don't know." Rafe said, deactivating the viewer.

"Rafe," Elsie asked, "Who are the Fayth? And what do they have to do with holding back the power of this beast?"

"The Fayth are... were... the spiritsof Guardians sacrificed in hopes to defeat Syn.The would lend their power to the summoners in theform of Aeons which could be called upon to aid the summoner in the quest to defeat Syn. This would lead up to the final summoning where another Guardian would have to be sacrificed to Syn in order to bring the calm for a mere ten years...when after Syn would return once again and the cycle would begin anew." He said.

"Why would a life have to be sacrificed to defeat this creature? If it hasn't worked up to now, do you not think the requirement of sacrifice was a ruse to eliminate the persons who had the power to defeat the creature?"

"It was the religion that Yu Yevon created. The power he sought to possess. He used Yunalesca to create Syn and corrupted her...forced her to create the creature. The religion...the way of Yu Yevon thus started the cycle. There was no logic in it other then to know that power corrupts, and ultimate power corrupts ultimately."

Elsie argued, "Then the cycle needs to be broken. Such a power let loose in the Federation is a threat to the safety and security of the UFP. If our enemies ally with this creature or find a way to use it for their purposes, we could be facing a major shift of power in this quadrant!"

"If it is in fact Syn, then even our enemies risk destruction. It will not form alliances. It will not sign treaties. It will do the only thing it knows how to do." Rafe cautioned.

"Kill." Elsie said. "It is a living doomsday machine."

"In every sense of the word." Rafe said.

"Then you need to find out as much about it as possible, other than what you were taught to believe. Find out is weaknesses, what can sway it, what it wants, what it craves. Find out what it is made of, and what we must do to defeat it." Elsie said firmly.

"I know plenty about Sin already." Rafe said. "I am certain that it destroyed Spira, but without proof..."

"There has to be proof somewhere. Planets just don't explode for no reason. There has to at least be scientific evidence." Elsie said.

"We will have to wait and see what the investigating starship reveals." Rafe said.

" I have no doubt that you will gather all the information that is gotten from that investigation, both what they are willing to share, and what they are not willing to share." Elsie searched Rafe's face, seeing the pain there. "Don't give up, Rafe, no matter what."

"I never gave up on Spira." Rafe said softly. "It is my home."

Elsie gently stroked his face, then turned to descend the ladder.

"You had more you wanted to say to me." Rafe said.

Elsie turned back to Rafe with sad eyes. "If I could go back in time and undo this, I would. If I knew how to defeat this creature I would use everything at my disposal to kill it, so it could not hurt you again."

"The damage was done along time ago... the pain already caused... during my brief stay in The Farplane, Yunalesca sought me out and told me that Syn would someday return." Rafe said.

Elsie stepped up to Rafe. "Syn has returned. Let's find a way to deal with it."

"For all of our sakes, I hope that isn't true." Rafe said. "But we should deal with it as it comes."


Elsie looked around at the starfield projected on the walls. "You would think there would be room enough for us all." Elsie shook her head, and began to descend the ladder.

"Order and Chaos know no bounds." Rafe said.

Elsie looked up from the deck of CIC. "I'll take your word for that. As for me, I have an order to fill." She gave a small smile, and left CIC.

Rafe went back to viewing the space surrounding Vella Cava just to try and take his mind off of Spira.

Off>

JP

Captain Rafe Oosha (also NPC’d Tarmis)
OIC USS James Cook
&
 

Commodore Elsie Veritas

CO U.S.S. James Cook
 

On> The Dojo

Rafe kneeled in front of the Buddha that was surrounded by inscense, flowers and a number of Spiran spheres that had recorded his memories of travels on a world now lost. He activated a sphere and watched the holographic projection of a life long past…
 

...I would have left the world all bleeding
Could I only help you love
The fleeting shapes
So many years ago
So young and beautiful and brave...
--the cure, drowning man

...you were angels
so much more than everything
oh, hold for the last time
then slip away quietly
open my eyes
but i never see anything...
--the cure, pictures of you

 

Had she not been sleeping, she might have known.

Had she not been sleeping, she might have seen him.

He sat by her side for what might have been an hour, just watching her from the side of the bed. So many years had passed since he'd seen her and she wore her years with grace...even in sleep.

Had it really been so long? She was so, so small...but...still the same.

He brushed a hand over her cheek, a ghost touch that she barely turned her face to -- he smiled, and held back his tears as he kissed her forehead.

I love you, Yuna-chan. You'll be fine.

His daughter slept on.

 

The room was dark save for the pale glow of the moon and he was standing by the window, watching the snow as it fell like tiny stars, quickly swallowed up by the white universe of ground beneath. An army of the fallen, tiny and pure. A music-box played the same aching, haunted tune over, over again and his shoulders were slumped with all the weight of his burdens.

It called to him, the night of the dead -- the spirits were gathering and whispering to him, speaking his voice in low, soft tones, nothing more than the ebb of the tide.

He didn't blink.

The door made a whispering noise as it opened and he didn't turn, only sighed softly. "I didn't invite anyone. Leave me."

"...Do you mean that?"

He couldn't breathe. Every muscle in his body turned to stone and suddenly he wasn't himself, no, not a legendary guardian or a fallen warrior monk; he was nothing but a little boy holding his heart and his voice in his hands like two wounded birds, wondering why they wouldn't fly.

The snow wasn't white anymore. It was blue. Pale, silvery blue and not snow, not at all but...

"Braska-sama..?" The words were choked, barely words at all. It didn't matter.

"I've missed you."

Snow touched the glass and melted instantly, leaving tiny rivers that dripped down the cold surface like tears. They pooled on the pane and froze there.

He turned, one hand against his throat as if it hadn't the energy to reach his mouth. "Braska-sama..."

There was pain in those words, so much that the dead summoner wondered if he'd made a mistake in coming here -- perhaps it had been selfish of him to do this.

"Auron...I'm sorry." Braska padded forward, the steps of a feline, graceful and steady; his shadow rolled across the floor, the Agency's carpeting whispered and scratched beneath his bare feet and Auron realized that he was neither dream nor ghost. He shuddered violently and closed his eye and wasn't quite able to swallow the thick lump that had somehow found itself wedged in his throat. He was choking, it would kill him again but it was too soon, too soon yet.

Slow-motion, Auron turned and finally faced him, opening his eye to see what he could.

Braska stood with one hand extended, reaching out for him and the music-box began it's slow, sad cycle again. His eye dulled, lost focus and drifted awhile in stubborn false-blindness as he remembered so much -- and when it came back, the summoner was still there in simple white kimono, pale hair pulled forward over his shoulders to lie gleaming, cascades of quicksilver in the fragile, stolen light of the moon.

The metal-wrought notes of that tiny music box became impossibly louder, raised its tinny voice to chase away the silence in a game of fox and hare than neither man paid heed to. Auron took a step forward and his heart kept time, his soul sang the dirge and firm, warm fingers touched his own.

He sighed and trembled, tree and wind and don't turn away, don't you dare, it's real, it's real...

The snow was screaming, crying out as it fell, the summoner took the man's hands between his own and brought them to his chest; willing captives, both of them. But the trembling didn't stop. He lifted his eyes and something deep and hidden and unfathomable began to shatter; it pulsed once and gave way to a whole webwork of cracks, a distant cry, an echo.

It exploded.

"Mata ore o korosu."

The summoner closed his eyes and drew him into the loose circle of his arms, he stood limply, a broken doll, death to death but there was the pulse of heartbeat and warmth and the faint smell of winter and sarcocatta, he could touch them all beneath his heavy hands. One slender finger reached up to trace the obscenity of a long-worn scar, remembering the brilliant rust color of the eye that once lived beneath it.

He leaned up and kissed the scar; the other bowed his head. Granting, but asking forgiveness in his own way. A slow tear made its way down a rugged, weather-worn cheek, a response not provoked in the guardian for over a decade.

It made sense sense, more than it should; the last time he'd shed tears he'd lost his summoner. Was it not appropriate for him to shed them over a return? He was undone. Always, by one...

"Don't." It's too late for that now, dear, summer is gone, don't you remember the leaves and sunbeams, they were falling falling falling....

A hand was stroking the salty wetness away. The dead cried for the dead and nothing changed. Another revolution. The melody began again, if it had indeed ended it all, and his mind twisted around itself to comprehend. He was dead, dead...

Auron relented, and turned his face to the curve between the summoner's chin and shoulder, the scent of sarcocatta was greater there, sweet and comforting. His head spun dizzily, his mind reeled and twisted in on itself trying to comprehend how this could be. He took a deep breath, and realized he was drowning.

The summoner knelt as Auron's knees buckled, and gently lowered him to the floor, cradling the guardian against himself like a lost child. He was big but not heavy, not in the least.

"It's...shindeiru na yoru -- the night of the dead. I can't be but a while." Braska whispered and his voice dripped comfort and inevitability -- it pooled around Auron in honey waves and it was Cold. He raised his head to watch the snowflakes as they plummeted past the window, dying beyond his line of sight.

"You'll leave me again," came the soft reply, acceptance swirled with wasted hope like spilled paint pushed out between them in the span of a breath because both knew it was hopeless. Both knew he couldn't stay.

"I'm sorry." The summoner said, bowing his head until it rested against his companion's, neither quite knowing what to say -- ten years had come and gone, and everything was so different now -- it had been ten years since they'd parted ways.

Auron swallowed hard and turned his head to look at the summoner, his eye a deep dark pool, a depthless sable sea of rust and dried blood. Braska stared into his face.

"You've seen too much," he murmured, raising his hand to stroke the side of Auron's face, his pale hand a contrast against the shadowed, darker skin of his guardian, five fingers of pure moonlight that drifted slowly across cool flesh. "And all I can do is watch. I miss you, Auron."

The other man nodded. "The journey is almost over, my lord. It...won't be long, now."

"You sound so sure."

Auron sighed quietly and it was the sound of snow dying, the eye of a tired, tired man that looked at Braska. "It's getting harder and harder to stay here, my lord...no matter what happens to Yuna...I haven't much time left." His voice was full of aching apology, an unspoken thing that played against the cords of Braska's heart in broken counterpoint to the tune of the music box.

"You've done well," Braska said, quietly, "and he'd say the same." He dared not speak the name; a whole untapped well of emotions lay hidden, barred by nothing more than the few syllables that meant the world to them both. Their third was locked away in yet another world, a place neither could touch no matter how they tried. The one that was still alive, trapped in stone...trapped in Sin.

Auron closed his eyes, and when he opened them, he found the moonlight had left them. Something harsher was replacing it, and he recognized the beginning of light. Dawn was coming and much too soon; it would steal away his Summoner, it would kill him yet... He closed his eyes again; if he didn't see it, it wouldn't come...

The summoner felt it too, it pulled at his spirit and threatened to rip him away. No, no, just a moment more...just a little longer... His head bowed and his lips brushed against Auron's; he folded around the man like origami and breathed him in. A forlorn sigh was caught in shared breath and he felt the petal-pressure of lips pressing back against his. There was desperation in the strength that held him so tightly and he realized he was going cold all over, a spreading ice that swept his limbs, a frozen flood and a kiss for good-bye...

"I won't let you go." Breath against his cheek and it burned but he was still there, still there...

Soon.

"I'll always be here. I won't leave you. I never have..." Startled blood-hue awoke and touched brilliant blue, a secret place; a hand pressed against his chest, over a heart that stopped a decade ago, a heart that beat still.

I promise.



His hands were folded in his lap. A pyrefly was swimming the air in lazy, tombola arcs, and the music box was still singing as the sun rose.

It had stopped snowing and he was still alive.

 

The recording ended and the memories faded. A tear streamed from Rafe’s ‘good’ eye…

Off>

Adapted from
he left at dawn
a Final Fantasy X fanfic by miriya valentine
 

Capt. Rafe Oosha

Chief Intelligence Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
"Wisdom begins in wonder."

On> The Dojo

Rafe activated the second sphere. Another memory to relive. It was his therapy. He once believed that the past was just that... the past and should not be dwelled on... but that was so long ago... or was it? Time was a funny thing he concluded, and now an enemy of the past had come into the future to haunt him... but was Syn truly an enemy or just a misguided soul? Syn had once been Jecht, his friend. Who was Syn now? Was it still Jecht? Or had some other lost soul been pulled into the behemoth monster...

Rafe gazed into the sphere... his past... in hopes to find an answer.
 

Shape without form, shade without color,
Paralyzed force, gesture without motion;

Those who have crossed
With direct eyes, to death's other kingdom
Remember us - if at all - not as lost
Violent souls, but only
As the hollow men

- The Hollow Men, T.S. Elliot

His end was the sort of end one can expect, if one is a hero. Larger than life and greater than epitaphs and destined to be ignored. No one wants their heroes to die. Not really. Martyrs, yes, but Spira had seen plenty of those in the last thousand years and as such preferred their saviors alive in that grim corner of the human soul that refuses to give up in the face of overwhelming odds (or, more often, crumples and plays dead until the storm has passed).

His death passed without grief, or heartache, or suffering. None but his own. The Ronso did not sing his passing and the Guado did not call him back from the great beyond for their exotic councils. The masters did not hear screams which never issued from grim blue lips.

In short, he was not missed. If he was dead, nobody wanted to know. There was no need to think that. Better he was out there, somewhere, doing good deeds so noble that none would ever hear of them. The once and future Guardian.

It was easy to miss a thing like a death out here anyways.

On Mount Gagazet it was quiet. The winds took his breath, his warmth, and his consciousness and spirited it away to the ghosts of heroes so far gone and so long passed that had died in this way Just like him. The frost bit into his lungs, inch by inch, as it numbed the burns invisible under his clothing and the vague supernatural scars that cast a mesh around his torso.

The journey down had cost him dearly. A descent from the ruined garden, his ruined life... was that all it was? Disillusionment and loss of innocence; that too was nothing new for a hero. Eventually it hit them all (oh the tragedy) before they decided to go on anyways for the good of all (oh, the nobility). The martyrs had it easy. They were already dead.

He should, he reflected, have been the one to take Yunalesca's offer the first time. He missed them already. Maybe that’s why he had done it after all. Hero his ass.

Where there is a will there is a way. The elements stole his warmth, but there were other things in this life to consider. He could not feel his legs anymore yet they were nevertheless walking - down and out and looking for someone, anyone, to take the burden from his back. Was he rash? There was nothing left here to believe in. Was he a heretic? That he had been for years.

Yevon bless the heretics. Heretics had brought the Calm! He knew then that they would cease to be heretics in all the books and records and voices that mattered, except for his, which took a curious pride in it and the strange hope they’d had of proving that even heretics could save the world (if for a limited time only).

He had been trained as a monk. That should have taught the man that rules and discipline so engraved are not so easy to dismiss or subvert or destroy. Braska had probably already realized it. The Summoner, his... friend... had always had a gift for motivation speeches.

And still he was the only one to really know - to figure it out. Auron held the understanding that deaths worthy of a hero are a convenient way to forget that they have died at all, and deaths worthy of a martyr accomplish little but the advancement of ... hope? Was that what she called it? Didn't she know that hope, like Braska, was already dead? That the Final Aeon was nothing but the ultimate admission of defeat? That there was no way, there was never a way, there never would be a way... why think of a new one?

Maybe she did. He'd been a heretic for too long, thinking thoughts like this, but it was true enough a possibility.

A snowflake tickled his nose, deciding that it would be better for its heath to melt in spite of the man's growing pallor.

Anger had sustained him up the narrow mountain path - past the heights that Jecht had mocked and Braska looked upon calmly (too calmly) while savoring the end of his own grief. Death, he knew, was a relief for the both of them. Braska would never have to find a way to live without his heretic wife and keep up all the pretenses of a priest of Yevon. And Jecht, well... Jecht would never have to worry about taking another drink, would he? Jecht would never have to find a way back to Zanarkand, or his son, and deal with the grief of losing them without ever having seen them die. It was all too pitiful, too stupid for words. Yunalesca handing out excuses and her favor like candy, giving the world that one little spark to be tamped down - crushed under the weight of this pathetic reality.

One more step. Then two - half stumbled. The way down was not as easy as the way up. It was getting harder to breathe through the ice-tinged burning of the air. He couldn't really tell what she'd done to him, knocking him back like that. It hadn't been an ordinary strike, or even ordinary magic Just a touch - a call, if you will - that had poisoned him in a way that impact could not. In her own way she had summoned him.

But someone else was calling.

The rage was gone. That was the first thing he had noticed when his feet began to follow one another in a ragged stumbled dance down the slope. He could not feel angry towards her anymore. The heat of his blood was slowing, stalled, and thinning did not attract all the fiends that it might have by scent alone in more robust days. A few weak, birdlike creatures wandered near here and then and back again but he was able to run them off with a sword wielded by his surprisingly steady hand. Yes. Her blow had sucked the rage out of him and with it the will to live with the futility of all of this, of everything, until he was not dead but so near to it that he did not notice if and when he began to cough blood.

All he was doing was walking down a mountain that had, since the beginning of their time, been covered in snow and ashes.

There were miles to go and his pace was slowing. The atmosphere had leaked into his flesh. Why did it have to be so quiet? It left him too much to his thoughts. Like a mausoleum not just for the ones who perished here but others more pitiful and brave who had made this their final scent into fame and destiny and the feeling of self-satisfaction come with saving the world.

His breath was no longer misted, he noted when he fell. It all seemed right somehow. Was this her gift to him? That his defeat was just reward for a heretic and he need not worry, because all was right in that the world was wrong? No - he didn't trust her or the temple or anyone, for that matter, since Braska and Jecht had perished. There we no one left to live for and there was nowhere left to go and there was only one death left to die.

Still, he dragged himself forward - the snow numbing his face and seeping down into his garments. Did his life flash before his eyes? Was he consumed, then, so consumed with purpose that even she could not banish it away? Might he continue on to tell someone, anyone, even a broken teenager with the wounded swagger of a murdered pride? Could he remember the good times and the bad and forgive those who had transgressed against him, knowing that his work was done with those final whispered words?

"Yuna... High Summoner Braska's daughter... she needs to be safe... take her to Besaid...."

Did he die the death of legends? Of heroes cast in stained glass who ddi not live happily ever after but whose passing was made so much sweeter by the noble purity of their plight?

No. He did not die that sort of death, bleeding out and lightheaded with a panoramic vista below that barely touched a heart so numbed to pageant and production and this stupid world that killed everything it touched with its ritual and science and false hopes. The spiral down had been long and winding. He was tired and bitter and torn like he'd always been and they'd never known. What else did they think it meant, to be a heretic? That anger at his situation had fled with the force of his life and given way to the lightheaded clarity of...

You'll find a way. If anyone can, you will.

Something that had to be done. The vigor stole from his veins regardless.

He'd saved the world... and yet he hadn't. Wasn't that the story of his life? Red on black on white - lying there he cast a pretty picture with all the substance ritual could given. Defined by the rigid laws that govern any painting of ebon calligraphy and crimson seal on parchment.

To Zanarkand. You have to find that damn crybaby... you understand? I wasn't joking when I asked you before, Auron. And we don’t got much time left. Was there a point if he'd never done anything and this was all so futile?

Auron refused to believe that. There had to be a point. If he'd come all the way to die by her beautifully treacherous hand there had to be a point. Even if he'd known it was his own suicide to face her... so what? Why suffer if there was no way out? Everyone in their little world caught up like rats in cages. Maybe he should have married that girl - would that have made a difference? He saw, now, that nothing did. Nothing mattered. Nothing ever did.

Could he bear, then, not to matter?

The warriors breath was growing labored but it was not his time quite yet. Just close his eyes, and after that....

Promise me you'll do it, Auron. You're the only one who can.

Darkness. Was that to be his story? A harsh breath - not his own. A cold nose poking into his gut. Their teeth were bared and their flesh was hot. It wouldn't be so long now. He had lost grip on his sword.

Nothing was supposed to matter to a heretic like him. He wasn't even an Al Behd... to see god in the machines. A life of futility waiting for death and the eventual reformation as some slavering creature of the night waiting for the crusaders swords or, more likely, lurking in the hideousness of Omega to take vengeance on the good people of Yevon.

That was the sort of death he would die, wasn't it? They'd tried to break the rules before, but then were young and stupid then, and his will was broken. Gone. Braska'd wanted to prove that they were different if anyone could do it but in the end they were all that same, exiled to the Calm Lands for their troubles with a statue made of gilt to mark their memories. Past sins forgotten instead of noted. If he'd returned, they might have forgotten his own. Where was the point in that?

He noted, with a certain calm detachment that would mark the final moments of his life and that beyond, that he had lost his sight now. The cold-nosed Something had left. Maybe it was a job for the carrion-eaters. Could they live in the snows here? He hadn't noticed. Braska liked to observe and memorize things while Auron thought on how he could be saved from his own whims.

The summoner had in the end been the more pragmatic.

Who's gonna take care of him if you don't? My wife - I know her. She'll cry too. Hell...

He had been, in the end, a man who had lived and died not for his word (as a hero did) but for his friends, which were also all he had the the manifestation off all the accursed optimism that even now, even here, at the summit of his failure, his inadequacies exposed to all the world like the bleached white bones of his left arm - smarting from a break. He couldn't save them. Nothing could. Everything died here. And then...

There was no pain.

He's a scrawny little kid. You can't miss him. With that damn blonde hair he dyes because his mommy likes it... kid looks nothing like his old man.

But he'd made a promise. Oh, to them certainly... but himself as well. He said that he'd be the one. The special one to figure it out and save them all from...

He would be the one, like they were for him, to pull them out of that place where they had nothing but to die for Spira... but he'd been too weak to convince them life was worth it.

All his life. A heretic. And he'd done nothing, praise Yevon. They'd celebrate him for it. There'd be a Blitz tournament in their honor during the Calm. Jecht would have liked that.

That inebriate had a weakness for games.

My son wants to play blitzball. Pity you never learned the Jecht shot. You woulda sucked ass but the motions mighta inspired the kid, y’know? I was always the best.

He'd said that he would change the world. Even if it was one summoner, his best and only companion, the one who'd saved him... for Braska, he would have changed the world.

But they were already gone. And he would follow into the despair they'd dove into - deluded themselves out of. It was black now. He could not feel the wind or his breath of the....

He'd made a promise. He'd said he'd change the world. For them.

Yer a good man, Auron. I trust you, okay? He'll never made a damn blitzer with you around... but he'll turn out alright. You still plan on followin' through, right? You'd damn well better. Or I'll haunt your ass and the stick up it from beyond the grave...

We couldn't have that, could we?

Resolve made him numb in new and different ways that included things beyond the body like his ineffectual protests and shamefully rash mistakes, and he liked that.

That was why, in the end, he kept walking while his story ended. The path was easier. He did not look for explanations, only miracles. His renewed sense of purpose did not notice the broken, tattered body which he left behind. And perhaps that was for the best, for now, that he had taken a nap in the darkness and risen once more as that heretic part of Spira even she couldn’t kill. The part that refused with a stubborn indignance even to hope as she'd engineered it.

Yeah. Maybe he'd find the kid. Just maybe he would. And then, for once, he'd change the world. In a stupid, silly way... but somehow he'd do it. Maybe he'd find Jecht, or Sin. Maybe he'd defeat it all himself. Maybe he could go back after Yunalesca, and show this world how empty and fragile and pointless it was. He could travel the earth in their memory and change something, anything, to show that they'd been there.

For them.

Sir Auron, the Guardian's Guardian, died a heretic’s death and a hero’s death and neither. He died with a purpose and he died without victory - a man who had been too weak, and yet so strong to just keep walking on despite the shock of a body half-buried in snow and the dimming of a light that should have scared him but for his resignation to transformation into some order of other of flesh-eating beast (the form after death, they said, fit the man). He was still there, would always be there, housed somehow in that place where his rage had fled and left him with the fever of his disillusionment.

He had felt older lying there. And so he was - forelocked frosted grey.

He had felt colder lying there. And so he was - submerged in the icy recess of purpose and purpose alone.

He had felt ineffectual lying there. And so he was - the man who'd show but never tell.

Dead dogs cannot learn new tricks.

Nothing but walking down a path that was filled with snow, and breathing in the cold without feeling it. Nothing but the memories he'd never have, the age that he would never reach, the phantom love he would not feel for a family he did not know. No pain, no care, no heartache, nothing but this heart-rending cold. Yunalesca had healed him. There was nothing like the summoners' cure for life.

Nothing left but promises to keep.

 

Rafe pulled from his kimono the old picture of Elsie and Shiarrael. It had served to inspire him over all these years, and it still did. He loved Elsie with all his heart and there was still a part of him that cared for Shiarrael as well.

There where many on the ship he cared for. Chiara Domina, who seemingly looks to him as a father figure... Tarmis, of whom he was confidant would someday achieve his own command... and of comrade from the past Kimahri Ronso...

Kimahri...

Another soul lost in time, but why? Why was the Ronso here?

Rafe reflected back. Syn was the catalyst that caused his own death... no, it was Jecht that used Syn to do so. An ally within an enemy. Jecht used the power an influence of Syn to gather together those whou would be able to defeat him... Rafe was included in that equation...

Rafe's eyes went wide.

"SYN!" He shouted. It all made sense... it all came together.

The destruction of the first James Cook at the hands of pirates and renegades, creating a Rift that propelled him into an odd journey through time that would hone Rafe into a fighting machine that would eventually end up on Spira to aid Jecht and Braska to defeat Syn and bring the calm... and it was Jecht through Syn that sent Rafe back in time to foster Jecht's son Tidus, creating a final key element that could defeat Syn once and for all...

Now, it seemed that somehow Syn had returned and again had started to fiddle with time in order to once again put the pieces in place that could again defeat the monster...

Syn was the center of the Spiran cycle of death... controling the downard spiral... setting the pieces in place...

It was now all too clear. Syn wanted to be destroyed once more... and hopefully for the last time.

Off>

Adapted from Promises To Keep
by Mess.

Capt. Rafe Oosha

Chief Intelligence Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
"Wisdom begins in wonder."

On> The Dojo

Rafe's revelation caused him to activate one more sphere... a sphere that he had assembled into sort of a log... a memoir of his journey with Jecht and Braska. He knew that some day he would have to relive it... that day was now.
 

It's been ten years. Ten years since we died, Jecht. All of us. Lord Braska, of course. Sometimes I think he was the luckiest of the three of us. He was the only one to reach true death, true peace. And you... what you became... It's not life.

I'm sorry, Jecht. I'm so sorry...

And then there's me. Spending the past ten years as a walking corpse.

Sometimes I think it's been longer.

When I think back on our journey--and I've had plenty of time to think about it, believe me--you and Lord Braska were always smiling. Even knowing how it would end. Or maybe because of it. Braska knew he didn't have much time, and he was determined to make the most of what he had. He saw the beauty in our world, and wanted to keep it safe, with all his being. It gave him a purpose, a drive, but he still kept that gentleness. Maybe that's what gave him that gentleness in the first place, his tender caring for everything, all of Spira. And you, Jecht--full of life, yes, that definitely describes you. Laughing, fighting, drunk, sober--everything you did, you did it with all of your being, holding nothing in reserve. You had a passion to your very existence, a wildness. To be honest, it disgusted me at first. You seemed crude. Unfit to travel with Lord Braska. Braska laughed at that, of course. Not mockingly, he could never laugh at anyone mockingly, but...

I understand why he laughed, now, though I didn't at the time. And that's part of what makes me wonder. Even then... Was I alive, really alive, even then?

We spent so many nights telling stories. Of your children, mostly. Tidus, Yuna. You both had such bright hopes for them. Things didn't turn out exactly the way you'd planned, did they? Still, I think you'd be proud. No, I know you would.

Did you ever notice that I didn't tell so many stories? You two were the most important people in my lives, but there's so much I left unsaid. I don't think you minded, either of you. You accepted me, my silent presence, without pressuring me to open up to you. Still, there's a few stories I wish you'd heard. It's silly of me, probably. It wouldn't have made any diference in the way you treated me, the way you thought of me, the closeness between us. But at least I wouldn't have had so many regrets.

So many stories left untold.

I've tried to remember a time when I was alive, really alive, the way you and Braska always were. But the memories are faded. This is the only one I can think of. The end of it, I think.

I was young, nearly as young as Tidus was when I first met him. My parents were taking me to Luca for the first time, to see the blitzball game. I was crazy about blitzball when I was a kid, did I ever mention that? I don't think I did. It's not something I talk about. And it's been a long time since I've watched a game.

A lot of people were amazed by Luca's size, but after growing up in Bevelle, I wasn't all that impressed. It was the people themselves that fascinated me. All sorts of people, of all races, even a few Al Bhed. I'd never seen one before. In the holy city? Not likely. The Guado, the Rhonso, all fascinating, magical almost, to a child. A thousand new sights and sounds. The Sphere Theatre alone was dazzling.

The Luca Goers were playing against the Kilika Beasts that day, and I wasn't sure who to cheer for. Bevelle didn't have blitzball team, of course. I wound up cheering for the Beasts, because no one else was. I didn't feel sorry for them. I just thought they should have someone to back them up. Just because they weren't as strong as the Goers didn't mean they couldn't have a few fans, right? I stood on top of my seat so I could see, and nearly fell off, jumping up and down when they finally scored a goal, three minutes into the game. After that, my dad picked me up and put me on his shoulders. The people sitting behind us never complained; they were on their feet, too. I cheered and yelled and screamed, just as loudly as everyone around me. It didn't matter which team we were cheering for; we were all swept up in the emotion, the pure joy of the game.

I can still picture my mother standing beside us. She was wearing a green sleeveless dress that clung to her body, and she was jumping up and down as much as I was. My mother was young, and looked even younger, that day. She had blond hair like an Al Bhed, just past her shoulders, and it fell forward and covered her face. She kept reaching up and pushing it behind her ears, but it would come loose again everytime she leaned forward to cheer.

My father was tall, much taller than she was. He dressed in dark clothes, mostly, and he didn't cheer so much. Just a quick "Yes!" when the Beasts scored. He didn't have a favorite team, either, so he followed my lead; mother was the blitzball fan, and she liked the Glories, anyway. The Guado weren't going to play until the next day, but I'd been impatient; I'd insisted on seeing every game in the tournament, and my parents had let me.

The Beasts lost that game.

Afterwards, my parents wanted to go back to the inn and take a break. But I wasn't tired yet. I wanted to try to see the blitzball players up close. So I headed around the building, to where I thought the teams must have gone. And my parents got lost in the crowd.

I'm still not entirely sure how I wound up on the docks. I suppose I hadn't developed a sense of direction. But I hadn't been worried, not yet. I was still caught up in the blitzball fever.

I didn't start worrying until the alarm sounded.

"SIN!"

I understood what that meant, of course. There wasn't a creature on Spira who didn't. But I'd never seen it before, never seen that sickly corpse-grey fin slicing up out of the water, cutting smoothly toward the land. Just a speck on the horizon, at first. But growing, faster than I could believe, larger than my mind could comprehend.

I was the only one who stayed to watch. The others on the docks turned, ran for the relative shelter of the city. It was like standing against the tide, being in the midst of all those people. A surging sea of panicked people, terror making them little more than mindless beasts as they ran, stumbled, picked themselves up and ran again. Possessions, heavy burdens that could slow them down, were left abandoned on the wooden planks.

And I stood motionless.

I'd like to say that I was too terrified to move, frozen in place with shock. But it's not true. If I felt any emotions, watching that dark blot expanding in the distance, I can't remember them.

That's when it started, I think.

"Auron!"

My mother's voice, terror and desperation making it shrill.

I turned.

And the docks erupted.

My memory gets foggy after that. But somehow I made it off the docks, dragged along by a strange boy about my age. My parents didn't.

I can't even remember their faces.

The Crusaders beat Sin back, then. The didn't hurt him, not really. They made sure that he didn't make it any farther than the docks. But they couldn't save my parents.

And back in the safety of the inn, brought there by the boy who'd pulled me off the docks, I hadn't been able to understand what had happened. Why my parents weren't there. I hadn't seen them die, or if I had, my mind had blocked it out.

The boy explained it to me, later. Kindly, gently, in a soft voice with only sadness and sympathy in his voice. No pity. I was grateful to him for that. But there was something he left unsaid.

If I hadn't wandered off, if I hadn't been on those docks, my parents would still have been alive.

I was young, young enough to still put every thought into words. And I cried, then. They were the last tears I would shed for a very long time. But not tears of mourning. They were dark, bitter tears, of guilt and self-loathing. Strange, now, to think of those emotions in one so young. But it hadn't struck me as strange at the time, or the boy who listened to me. He said nothing, only put his arms around me and held me until I was finished. And then, when my voice was hoarse and my eyes red, he started to speak. Softly, quietly. Not the empty words of comfort I would hear for days, weeks afterward. He spoke of loss, mine and his and all of Spira's. And he spoke of dreams, dreams that had no room for death or pain or sorrow. And he spoke of making those dreams real, bringing real hope back to Spira, for me, for all those like me. Of a time when no child would need to cry himself hoarse in the arms of a stranger, when no one would have to fear that dark stain on the horizon. And I fell asleep in his arms, listening to his whispered dreams.

The boy's name was Braska.

Lay beside me, tell me what they've done
Speak the words I wanna hear, to make my demons run
The door is locked now, but it's open if you're true
If you can understand the me, than I can understand the you

Sometimes I think you stepped out of Braska's dream, Jecht. Even if it was just for a little while, you sacrificed yourself to bring the dream of peace to Spira, as much as Braska did. Maybe more. And now, perhaps, your son will be able to do what we could not. To make that dream real.

But my first impression of you wasn't nearly as flattering. Well, how could it be? You were a drunk. You were rude, rough, unpolished- -the opposite of Braska in every way, and Braska was the man I'd dedicated my life to. Your very presence was enough to put me on edge. And you noticed, too. I think you found it as amusing as Lord Braska did.

At first, I'd hoped that you would give up, leave the pilgrimage. After all, there was no way you would be able to stand the hardships of the journey. As soon as we set foot out of Bevelle, you would turn right around and run for the nearest tavern, I was sure of it. And Lord Braska and I would be left to continue our pilgrimage the way it should be done--quietly, solemnly, respectfully.

But we were a good distance from Bevelle, and you still hadn't shown any sign of turning back. We'd just stepped onto the ice-covered lake, and your lips were turning blue, but you didn't say anything, not a word of complaint. Even when Braska suggested we take a break back at the Al Bhed shop, maybe find some warmer armor--and a shirt for you, though he didn't say that out loud--you just laughed and shook your head. You wanted to hurry on to the temple, you said. See this 'ay-on thing' for yourself.

"Whatsa matter, Auron, ya cold? Toughen up! Some Guardian you are!"

You were smiling as you said it, but there was a challenge in your eyes. There was always a challenge in your eyes. You were never satisfied with yourself, were you? And so you had to keep pushing yourself, farther and farther, pulling everyone else along with you.

And it worked, too; Braska laughed, and I seethed, and you, freezing, continued on.

That was when the fiends appeared. You were so confused--had no idea what they were. At first you thought they were a hallucination, do you remember? But once you realized that this was what you were here for, to protect Braska from them and any other threat along the way-- you got a strange look on your face. I still don't know exactly what to think of that grin, more as if you were baring fangs than anything else, or the sharp look in your eye. You reminded me eerily of the snow wolf we were facing.

"Well then, what're we waitin' for?" you demanded. "Let's get 'em!"

And I was left staring, open mouthed, as you rushed forward, laying about with a sword you had no idea how to use.

You didn't turn back. Didn't even suggest it, didn't even suggest we rest, not for a moment. The only time you wanted to stop was when you pulled out another one of those spheres. For a while, that made up most of our conversation.

"Auron! Get a shot of this!"

"Hey, hold this for a second!"

"My wife and kid are gonna love this."

You even took shots of me, sometimes. I thought you were being ridiculous. We were on a pilgrimage, didn't you understand that? The one thing that could bring hope back to our world. A holy ritual that should be treated with respect. We weren't doing it for fun.

But I was the one who didn't understand. A pilgrimage couldn't be made any other way. Braska's final journey--he should be able to see all the beauty of Spira, and all its pain as well, and everything in between. He should make a thousand memories, to make up for a lifetime that he would never have. And that's what you were doing. Making memories, to be handed out like gifts to children.

You gave Braska that. A pilgrimage full of life, and hope, and treasured memories. I understand, now.

You confused me, Jecht. Always laughing, always grinning, a little too loud, a little too broadly. A stark contrast to Braska's gentle smile, the same smile I see on his daughter now. But you were smiling for the same reason, weren't you? If you didn't smile, then all your pain would be shown the world. And you couldn't stand that.

You never wanted to dwell on pain. Even when it got really bad, and all you wanted was to get back, to see your wife and your child again, you never admitted it. You just started sharing your memories with us. I felt embarrassed, the first time. As if I was listening in on something private. But Braska understood. The memories were your way of going home, for a little while.

Telling crazy stories of a city I was sure couldn't exist, a world that couldn't exist. A world without Sin. It was crazy. But... fascinating.

It was a long time before I really accepted you as a Guardian, a long time before I finally understood you. I don't know why it took me so long, sometimes. The stories that you told, sharing tiny pieces of yourself--they shouldn't have made any difference, really. You kept nothing hidden; you were yourself, completely, honestly, and loudly, every moment of the day. Not like me, saying nothing, sharing none of my thoughts, if I could help it. Resenting, then tolerating, then, finally, welcoming your presence; it didn't matter. You understood me, completely, from the moment we met, just as if I'd been as open as you.

You treated everyone like that. You had an easy familiarity to you that I mistook for disrespect. You couldn't disrespect anyone, because you didn't really respect anyone; you treated everyone exactly the same. If you were rude, crude, you didn't realize it. And you probably wouldn't have apologized for it if you had. You never apologized for anything, unless you were drunk. And once you stopped drinking... you were one of the most amazing men I'd ever met. You and Braska.

I didn't understand that until it was almost over.

Lay beside me, under wicked sky
The black of day, dark of night, we share this paralyze

I still remember the look on your face as we crossed out of Mt. Gagazet. You started running as soon as we reached the exit of the cave, and up around the edge of the cliff, a dark outline moving against the stars. I called after you--I wanted us to stick together, it wasn't safe to split up--but I don't think you could hear me. Finally I broke into a run, too.

Braska stayed behind.

The ruined city was an amazing sight, I'm sure, but I barely noticed. It was you that brought me to a halt.

You stood motionless, just staring out over the buildings. And for the first time since I'd met you, the first time since we'd travelled across all of Spira, you looked... old. Tired. A man pushed to the breaking point.

A man who'd just lost his entire world.

Did you recognize any of the buildings, or were they too far gone? Did you even notice? Were you thinking, that's the blitzball stadium where I used to play. That's the house I used to live in. That's the park where I taught Tidus to blitz. What were you missing then, your world, or your family? Or were they the same thing?

Neither of us said anything, as I came to stand beside you. And I looked out across the city, watching the souls of the dead stream across the stars, listened to their distant cries.

"I... I had to see it for myself, you know?" Your voice didn't seem too loud that time. I'd heard you use that tone a few times before, during one of your stories. Not often. "I knew it was ruins, you told me it was ruins, but I had to see it..."

I'm don't remember all of what you said after that. It didn't matter. You cursed a little, when you realized you were crying. And again, when you collapsed. And I held you up, and we stood there, silently, until you finally stopped scrubbing angrily at your eyes, and just let the tears roll down your face.

The door cracks open, but there's no sun shining through
Black heart scarring darker still, but there's no sun shining through

"Chose."

That one word still haunts my dreams. Well... my memories, at least. I'm not sure that I do dream, really, anymore. Every night since then, I've seen nothing but images of the two of you.

And her.

"Chose the one whom I will change... to become the fayth of the Final Summoning."

No, there's no sun shining through

We had struggled for so long. We'd made it to Zanarkand. We'd come all this way. We'd been through such pain, and triumphed, and now...

The dream was empty.

But Braska had pressed on. He'd been determined to go through with it. It was the only way to bring peace to Spira.

"If I turn back, who will defeat Sin? Would you have some other summoner and his guardians go through this?"

And you...

You had your world stripped from you. You stepped through the ruins of your home. You stood there, tears rolling down your face, while the souls of everyone you'd ever known, a thousand years dead, floated above you. And then...

"Make me the fayth."

Make me Sin.



No, there's no sun shining...



And I fell to my knees in the center of the temple, as the only people who meant anything at all to me went willingly to their deaths.

For nothing.

Because I couldn't.

I'm so sorry, Jecht.

It should have been me.

What I've felt, what I've known
Turn the pages, turn the stone
Behind the door, should I open it for you....

I was Braska's Guardian. I'd been training for this moment from the moment I met him. But because I, the coward, wasn't willing to give up my hold on life, you took my place.

It should have been me.

It wasn't your world. It wasn't your problem. You'd only joined us as a way of getting out of jail, and stayed because... why?

It should have been me.

Braska and I, did we change you? Or did Spira itself? What made you willing to sacrifice you own life for a world that you didn't belong in, just to give it a few moments rest before the cycle of death began again?

It should have been me.

The stories we told... Braska's dreams of a peaceful world... you believed in them. Because of us...

It should have been me.

You had a son, a family. Maybe there was another Zanarkand out there, somewhere, and maybe you could find it again. You had something to live for...

It. Should. Have. Been. Me.

My family, my reason for living disappeared when Yunalesca's door closed behind you.

What I've felt, what I've known
Sick and tired, I stand alone

I brought Braska to (his death) Sin, I protected him (until the end), I watched him summon (you) the Final Aeon, I watched (you) it kill Sin.

And I stood by and watched as (you) it killed Braska. And I stood by and watched as (you) it became Sin.

And I was left behind.

No point to life. No point to anything. When I confronted Yunalesca... I think it might have a form of suicide as much as anything else.

But it didn't work. I couldn't give up that easily. And leave you there, trapped? And face Braska on the Farplane?

I had to stay. Every moment of my life... death... existence is pain, has no meaning, no point. I wanted nothing more than to rest. I considered it, more than once. A sending isn't too hard to find. I could walk right into the Farplane, if I wanted to. But... if I did...

I know you'd never forgive me.

"Givin' up already, Auron? And you call yourself a Guardian!"

I had to stay. For both of you.



Could you be there, 'cause I'm the one who waits for you
Or are you unforgiven too?



For a while, I could still see you, somewhere inside Yu Yevon's armor. And the rest of the world was without pain and suffering. You wouldn't bring that to Spira.

Not yet, anyway. You kept it yourself. For as long as you could stand.

It took everything I had not to cry when I saw you, like that, for the first time. But you would have hated me for crying. You always hated tears. If you knew I cried over you, you would never be able to forgive me.

So I did the only thing I could.

I kept my last few promises.

Kimahri took Yuna to Besaid, and you... you took me to Zanarkand, for Tidus.

Lay beside me, this won't hurt I swear
She loves me not, she loves me still, but she'll never love again
She lay beside me...

When your wife found out I was a friend of yours, she almost didn't let me into the house. She pretended to be furious with you, did you know that? But it was just an act. I could see the dark circles under her eyes from no sleep, the thinness of her face from no food... she'd been worried, more than you can imagine, I think. Eventually, she let me in.

I told her that you'd died. She didn't need to know the truth. It would only have brought her more pain.

And I stood by and watched as she went into her room, and closed the door, and didn't come out again.

If I hadn't told her, what would have happened? Would she have wasted away, waiting for news? Or would she have given up, decided you'd left her, cursed your name, moved on? Would she still be alive?

We don't belong here anymore, either of us. We should have both died ten years ago. Now... our very presence is an offense to the universe. No matter where we go, who we try to help, what we try to do, pain and sorrow follow in our footsteps.

I took Tidus with me when I left.
 

Rafe deactivated the sphere... this time he could not stop the tears.

Off>

Adapted from The Unforgiven Two
by Kiti.

Capt. Rafe Oosha

Chief Intelligence Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
"Wisdom begins in wonder."

On> Chiara's Quarters.

Chiara activated her comm and requested a two-way communication with Sovak back at Starbase Python.

She patiently awaited for the request to be routed.

Sovak's face appeared on the screen. "Miss Domina. It is good to see you again. I had thought perhaps the mission would keep you from your lessons."

"No sir." Chiara replied. "I've been keeping up with them. The Commodore even saw fit to give me some time off to get my life in order."

The Vulcan master nodded his head, satisfied. "How have your meditations been coming along?"

"Difficult at times, Sir, but I'm getting along." She replied.

"It is the journey and not the ending that is meaningful, Miss Domina. You gain strength in the effort. It will become easier over time."

"I know... practice makes perfect, right?" She replied.

"To coin a Terran phrase, yes."

"Well, so what's next?" Chiara asked.

"Since we cannot meld, I want you to begin meditation. I will speak a couple of words that will activate your next lesson. Then I shall leave you to your mediation. What you need to think about will unfold as you do so." Sovak explained.

"Ok." Chiara replied, relaxing herself and opening her mind.

Sovak settled into meditation with her, pleased at Chiara's progress. Several minutes into the session he softly said, "Tuipa Rehkuh" Which meant in Vulcan simply, Lesson Three. This lesson was designed to direct her thinking towards self-mastery, the control of her emotions.

Chiara gasped slightly as the knowledge was unlocked and entered her concious.

Sovak held the meditation a few minutes longer, then spoke quietly. "Go and meditate, Miss Domina. With practice, you will learn how to prevent your emotions from taking over. It is you who will have control, not your emotions. Live Long and Prosper. Contact me in one week." The connection faded out to the symbol of the Vulcan IDIC.

Chiara closed the channel. She didn't know what the words 'Tuipa Rehkuh' meant, but it did something. She went to the center of her living room and sat on the floor. She lit a candle and some incense and closed her eyes.

Chiara focused on her inner 'Dojo' and found Rafe meditating in the middle. She knelt before him a found an inner peace overwhelming her.

Rafe took no action... but then again her perception of the samurai in this meditation needed not to act.

She concentrated on the calm of the surroundings. She concentrated on the control of emotion. Mentally, she was a vision of Vin