On> Chiara's Quarters.

After spending most of the day studying the ship's schematics and security systems, Chiara accessed the comms and opened a channel to Sovak. While she waited for the signal to go through, she went to her closet and pulled out her black latex cat suit and some additional gear. She stripped down and started to put the suit on.

Chiara zipped up the cat suit. It was skintight and felt good next to her skin. She started to strap on the Nebari paramilitary gear she had acquired over the years.

Instead of Sovak, Soren appeared on the screen.

"Where is Master Sovak?" Chiara asked as she put on a life support pack and affixed the straps around her chest.

"He is.... indisposed. I will continue your lessons." He answered placidly.

"Very well. I am ready Master..." Chiara waited for the new master to introduce himself.

"Since we will be working together it is appropriate that Introduce myself. I am Soren. Sovak and I have known each other for many years, and it has been my good fortune to have encountered him on Starbase." Soren said.

Chiara nodded and sat down. "I am ready for my lesson, master."

Soren nodded. "I want you to initiate meditation." He said as he lit a Vulcan lamp before him. The lamp appeared between them on the screen. "Focus on the flame, and think on the logic and the symmetry of the ship, how it is constructed."

Chiara regulated her breathing and fixed her gaze on the lamp. Her mind's eye shifted and it was now as if she was in the same room with Soren.

Between them, again in her mind's eye, a holographic style USS James Cook appeared, slowly revolving.

His voice softly spoke, hypnotic in tone, "Note the logic of its layout, the simple beauty in its design. Note how the power flows from its heart to all parts of its structure, like a living entity."

Chiara felt as if she could actually feel the starship... to her it became a living breathing entity.

Soren shifted his focus and found himself seeing the ship from her eyes. He kept his own mind still, hiding his rising excitement. Decades of Vulcan training it took for him to mask his emotions from others. And it was going to pay off. "You are an apt pupil, "He whispered into her mind. You are now ready for the next lesson." A pause, then a mental push as he breathed into her subconscious "Ih'hd" (proceed).

Chiara returned from her subconscious and looked at Soren on the monitor.

"It will be done, Master Soren." She said in flawless Rhiannsu. "I will contact you when my task is complete."

"That will be satisfactory." Soren said. "Live long and prosper. Miss Chiara." The screen faded to the Vulcan IDIC.

Chiara walked over to her bed and strapped a pair of phasers to her hips. She then put on a helmet and activated the airtight seal. Once that was done, the life support backpack automatically kicked in.

She walked back over to her computer station and accessed the sickbay computers. She inputted her medical override and inputted the commands that would release sleeping gas with a slight mustard gas additive into the ship's ventilation systems.


On the bridge>

Elsie spoke over her shoulder to Rh'vaurek, "Status?"

"We will be approaching Vela Cava in 2.5 hours, Ma'am" he reported calmly

Elsie nodded. "Keep a vigilant watch. We don't want any surprises. Vella Cava needs these supplies."

"Aye Ma'am" Rh'vaurek went back to scanning the tac console for other craft in the area

A green and yellow gas began to seep through the vents in the bridge.

Elsie started coughing, "Seal the bridge! Ventilate!"

"Ma'am, Environmental Controls have been over ridden" Rh'vaurek reported with a cough

With a shimmer of light, a female figure encased in a black skintight suit appeared on the bridge.

"Damned!" Elsie swore, putting her arm over her mouth, trying to get an untainted breath.

As she drew a phaser, she pulled a stun grenade from her harness and tossed it to the center of the bridge.

Holding his hand over his mouth Rh'Vaurek pulled his disruptor aiming it at the figure "Hold where you are" he replied as forcefully as he could

Elsie looked up and saw Chiara. "Counselor! Get to safety!"

The grenade detonated, taking down most of the bridge crew, including Tarmis.

The woman aimed the phaser at Rh'vaurek and fired.

She popped up the darkened visor to reveal her pale blue face. Chiara smiled at her handiwork.

Elsie's lungs were on fire and her eyes were watering! She couldn't focus! It hurt to breath! ~ Fight! Fight! ~ She told herself, but consciousness was fading fast.

Rh'vaurek dropped below the Tac Console as the Grenade went off

Chiara walked over to Elsie and shoved her to the deck.

~BEEST~ Rh'vaurek telepathically ordered

Elsie whispered, "Damned you, Chiara! You did this to me! You did this!"

"I'm sorry Commodore." Her voice came through the electronic voice filter. "This is for your own good." Chiara aimed the phaser set to stun and fired on Elsie at point blank.

Chira looked up at Rh'vaurek. "Resistance is futile." She replied in Rhiannsu.

Chiara started to walk around the Command Horseshoe and up the ramp to Rh'vaurek. "You will not win this time, Romulan." She said, again pointing the phaser at Rh'vaurek.

Rh'vaurek Fired his Disruptor at Charia's hand holding the Phaser ~I said BEEST~ Rh'vaurek again ordered

~ SHI get a security team to the bridge in hazmat suits on the double ~

The phaser flew out of Chiara's hand to her amazement. She sneered back towards Rh'vaurek. "I was TRYING to do this THE EASY WAY!" From the small of her back she drew the Migichinan Lightsaber that once belonged to Vin Tamar.

On the viewscreen, pirate ships began to decloak.

Rh'vaurek started to wheeze then again fired the disruptor at the new weapon

Chiara saw the shot coming and easily deflected it. She charged at Rh'vaurek and sliced off the hand holding the disruptor. The energy blade immediately cauterized the wound.


Chiara brought her leg up to a roundhouse kick, connecting with Rh'vaurek's head, sending him to the deck.

"Stay down, Romulan."

Rh'vaurek dropped to the deck clutching the wound to his stomach sending the pain through to Chiara

Chiara winced at the pain... the lightsaber fell out of her hand and she too fell to the deck, screaming.

She wrestled to control her self, using Sovak's training to turn off her pain sensing nerves and erecting mental blocks.

~ I'll kill you for this, or die trying ~

"Vrouool!" she cursed at Rh'vaurek. "Frellin' Vrouool!" She said. She stood up and kicked Rh'vuarek as hard as she could in the gut.

She got over to the tactical console and lowered the shield and shut down the weapons.

~ Vang'raden ~ Rh'vaurek shouted into her mind ~ Vang'raden Susse-thrai ~

"Piss off." Chiara growled.

She kicked him again.

"I'd take the time to make you my personal bitch, but the bosses got something else in mind for you weak little boys." She said, bringing the ship to a halt.

Rh'vaurek Reached to his side with his right hand and stabbed his Neca into Chiara's foot

"OWWWW!!!!! MOTHER FRELLER!!!" Chiara screamed.

Rh'vaurek finally fell into unconsciousness

She couldn't kick him any more.

"Finally!!" She said, looking down at the Romulan.

A Ferengi Marauder appeared on the view screen.

Chiara opened a channel as she checked over the lifesigns on the ship. 99% of the crew was now incapacitated.

Ferengi began appearing on the bridge and other parts of the ship. All were wearing masks. "No, Beam the males to the cargo ship, NOW!"

Chiara vented the bridge in order to prevent herself from being overcome. She sat down in Elsie's chair and took out a medkit to start working on her foot.

"About time you people showed up." Chiara growled.

"Brel sneered, "Well it took some time for YOU to get the situation under control, FEMALE!"

Male crewmembers began to vanish.

"I woulda had it under control had that frellin' Rommie bastard not been so frellin' resistant! So go find a corner and frell yerself!" Chiara countered.

As male crew began appearing in the slave holds of the cargo ship, the crew of the Ferengi ship set a course towards Ferengi space.

Brel grinned an ugly snaggle toothed leer, "Only if you come with me!"

Brel ordered Chiara, "Get this ship out of Federation space!"

Chiara stood up and smiled slyly. "Ok..." She walked over to him, taking her helmet off. She breathed in the pure air. "So where do you want to go, big boy?" She purred, running her fingers over his ears.

Elsie began to rouse, coughing. She got to her hands and knees, and tried to focus her burning eyes.

"Take the ship to the Federation area called 30." Brel said

Brel though with satisfaction what profits he would make with selling the ship to COBRA and the females to the Orions.

Chiara went over to the helm and type in the necessary commands. Something in the back of her mind was screaming at her... telling her something was wrong.

Chiara rubbed her head as a headache started to form.

Chiara finished setting the course and pressed the 'engage' button.

Chiara looked around at the Ferengi on the bridge. ~What... what happened?~ She asked herself.

Elsie struggled to her feet, and looked around the bridge. Where were the men? There were only a few of her crew left on the bridge, and Ferengi outnumbered them. She glared at Chiara. "What have you done?"

"I... I don't know..." She stammered. It was like a dream... "What happened?"

"Last I remembered I was talking to Master Soren... getting ready for my lesson." She said weakly.

Lt. J.G. Fara with one more female Security officer ran onto the Bridge with Phaser rifles drawn aiming at Domina "Hold where you are, hands were we can see them". Blaster-brandishing Ferengi immediately intercepted them. The Ferengi herded the two security officers off to the side. Shi followed in behind, reluctantly ordering her officers to turn over their weapons. She saw that a fight here would not be a good one.

Elsie was beyond reason, the residual mustard gas, still burning in her lungs, eyes and mouth. "You sabotaged my ship! YOU! I trusted you and you did... this!" In her fury she backhanded Chiara!

Chiara fell to the deck. Warm, sapphire blood began to trickle from her mouth.

"I... I don't know what happened..." Chiara said.

Shi walked over to Domina driving a savage kick into Domina's ribs "Vang'raden"

The Ferengi watched with glee as the women fought among themselves. "Enough!" Brel said. He gestured for someone to take the helm. "Get us out of here!"

More blood came out of Chiara's mouth as she felt ribs crack. She curled up and looked over to Shi's polished boot then looked upwards at the powerful Rhiannsu woman... then the vision came back to her... she had seen this happen before.

"How...?" Chiara stammered.

Shi roughly pulled Domina to her feet the yelled an order to Lt. J.G. Fara "Take this vang'raden to the brig" Shi roughly pushed Domina to LT. Fara

"No!!! Please, I'm innocent! I didn't do anything! Please, you have to believe me!!!" Chaira pleaded.

~ Weak minded susse-thrai ~ Shi thought to herself

Elsie gave her a black glare of anger as Lt. Fara, flanked by an armed Ferengi, dragged her from the bridge.

Chiara tried to struggle, but found no strength.

Other Orions began appearing on the ship. Brel looked around and howled, "This is not part of our agreement!"

The big Orion heading up the team sneered, "You did your part, now if you want to live, you will shut up and finish the job!"

Brel wanted to live to make profits more than anything else, so he shrugged and complied.

Another Orion took a good look at Elsie and grabbed her arm. "Come with me, babe. You are mine!"

Elsie struggled in his grasp, but he was far to strong. He dragged her into her ready room and had his way.

As she was led out, Chiara started to sob as she heard Elsie’s muffled cries from the ready room.

The James Cook, now under the control of the syndicate, headed for area 30, outside Federation space, escorted by a small fleet of Orion ships.

Off>

JP

Commodore Elsie Veritas
CO USS James Cook

&

erei'Riov (Cmdr.) Rh'vaurek tr'Radaik
CTAC/SEC Exchange officer
USS James Cook
 

ON - Ferengi Ship’s Cargo Bay

Rh’vaurek lay on the floor in agony, he looked at the stump of his left arm how was he suppose to help these people if he was maimed, again he groaned, realizing his Neca was embedded into Domina’s foot last time he saw it. If I live through this, that Vang’raden will wish I killed her

Rh’vaurek started to slow his breathing and his heart beat and with a thought he sent out across the vast expanse of space Jol-ao au Shi, Jol-ao au dianm with that thought the thought of Shi, the thought of S’harien came to mind and a son growing up fatherless. No, I can not let that happen again, not after it happened to me, he will grow up with me at his side.

Rh’vaurek slowly pulled himself to a corner of their prison allowing himself to hide his self-pity and some privacy to pray, for Shi, S’harien and himself for guidance to help the crew escape, the time would come but now all he could do was wait and pray.

OFF

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

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

"A little chaos is good for the soul"

On> The Ferengi Ship’s Cargo Bay.

Rafe weaved his way through the clusters of James Cook crewmen… all men. He saw no signs of women about… or children for that matter. He didn’t see Tarmis Jeram around, but he did see Kimahri off in a corner. He looked over to the big Ronso who was just standing by himself.

Then he looked over to find Rh’vuarek in another corner. The Romulan looked battered and bruised as Rafe walked over to him.

“Leave me be, Riov Oosha.” Rh’vaurek said.

“Let me help you.” Rafe said as he kneeled down next to the Romulan.

“What can you do?” He said. “We have no med kits, nothing. Let me die in peace.” Rh’vuarek countered.

“We have resources.” Rafe said. He had learned the Spiran cure spells enough to where he was confident that using them would help Rh’vuarek. He looked at the stump of Rh’vuarek’s arm. The wound had been caused by a lightsaber, and Rafe knew of only one other person on the Cook in possession of one.

“Chiara.” Rafe whispered.

“The Vang’raden did this too me!” Rh’vaurek growled.

Rafe took Rh’vuarek’s arm and started to whisper a spell he had heard Yuna use many times over. He prayed to the Fayth that it would still work. Light began to appear around Rafe, then around Rh’vaurek. The Romulan’s hand began to rematerialize. Not the original, but the Spiran magic coursed through Rh’vaurek to search his DNA and recreate a brand new hand. While it was at it, the energy set to work on the Romulan’s other injuries.

Rh’vaurek’s eyes went wide in amazement. “What in the name of D’Era!?!” He looked at his new hand with amazement. The spell had taken much out of Rafe. He was not used to the process, nor the drain.

“Good as new.” Rafe said. “You should be feeling better. Go and find Tarmis. We need to discuss our escape plans.”

“Ie Rekkhai!” Rh’vaurek said, standing up. “Thank you.” He went off to find Tarmis Jeram.

Rafe sat down and uncorked his jug to take a drink. He could not access his telepathic link to Elsie and it scared him. He wasn’t sure if something had happened to her… or worse. He tried to put that out of his mind. He looked at the old picture he carried of Elsie and Shi.

“My love…” Rafe said. “Imzadi.”

Off>
 

Capt. Rafe Oosha

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

ON > Ready room

The Orion finished with Elsie and rose from her with a satisfied groan. “Always wanted to do a Commodore. Nice. Very nice.” He pulled his pants up, adjusted himself and strode out onto the bridge.

Before the door swooshed closed behind him, Elsie heard the hoots of other pirates, cheering his victory.

The stench of his breath hung in Elsie’s nostrils, and she fought not to retch. He had beaten her, cut her uniform off with a knife and had brutally, savagely taken her. Her body hurt from the rising bruises he had inflicted while groping her.

Elsie groaned and rolled to her side, then struggled to her feet. At the replicator she gasped, “Water, cold.” When it appeared, she gulped it down, then ordered another and downed it too.

“Duty uniform, size 7, command.” The uniform appeared, neatly folded. She gathered it in her arms and headed for the sonic shower adjacent to the ready room. For a long time she stood there, leaning against the wall until her skin tingled from the sonic waves. She still felt filthy and longed for a hot tub to soak away the aches and the bruises. She dressed slowly, trying not to jar her bruises. Since the Ferengi had taken her last set of pips and her communicator for the gold and silver, she did not add new ones to her uniform.

Elsie glanced at the door, then headed for her console. It was dead. She tried typing in her command codes to no avail. The Orions knew how to disable communications. Escape! It was her duty to escape. She headed for the door, but it did not open at her approach. Opening the emergency access panel and fiddling with the manual controls were fruitless, too.

There had to be a weapon, something! Elsie strode around the ready room, looking in all the drawers and access panels, but the Ferengi had been thorough. They had taken everything they could carry out of the room and had moved all to the main cargo bay, storing their loot with the supplies destined for Vella Cava.

Under her feet, she felt the ship shift into high warp. The Orions were in a hurry to leave Federation space and start distributing their take among their buyers.

Elsie sat behind her desk and reached out her mind to the bridge. Area 30. They were taking the ship North of the slot, and would piece out their prize there. Her mind swept the ship. Much of it was vacant, but the concentration of minds in the Cargo bay and the brig told where the rest of the crew and children were. There were no adult males on the ship! Had they been killed? It was the usual policy of slavers to slay whom they could not sell. Elsie didn’t sense that anyone had been killed. Moved? Yes! They had been beamed off ship, according to a stray thought she picked up. There was still hope, then, that they were still alive.

Mind to mind she searched. Some minds were numb, some terrified. Some were in despair after having been raped by the Orions. There was one, strong mind. Shiarrael! Her mind was full of anger, but focused, calculating.

~ Shi ~ She sent, hoping that in the chaos, Shi could hear her.

OFF>

 

Commodore Elsie Veritas

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

On>
Ferengi Cargo Hold>

Tarmis took a deep breath as he slowly stood up. The gas still felt as if it were smoldering in his lungs. He leaned against the wall to steady himself as he surveyed the situation. As he looked about names and position slowly came to him. Some nearby Officers saw Tarmis and walked over to him. Tarmis pushed back the pain and confusion, as he relied on his training to take over.

Rh’vaurek now breathing a lot clearer walked through the crowd to Tarmis, flexing his hand, testing what it's limits were ~ Rekkhai ~ he called into Tarmis's mind

Tarmis had begun to break the officers into teams; he handed out duties as Rh'vaurek walked through the crowd. Tarmis heard the voice, but it was strangely muffled somewhat. Tarmis looked at Rh'vaurek, " erie'Riov tr'Radaik, I would like you to lead the Security team, begin head counts, check the perimeter of the bay looking for any way to escape as well as any weapons that could be used." Tarmis looked at another officer, " I want you to lead the medical personnel in assessing the needs of the crew as well as attending to any injuries, I know we have little or no supplies but do your best." Tarmis turned to another officer. " I want the engineering team to work with security in ways of how we can escape, send messages or any thing else which could do us any good." Tarmis looked at the officers, " I know everyone is highly emotional right now and that is completely understandable, but we must focus and remember our training will give us what we need to get past this. Let's get to work people." Tarmis said then waved Rh'vaurek over.

Rh'vaurek pushed his way gently through the crowd to Tarmis ~Rekkhai, I believe a telepathic conversation is best, in case these cells are being monitored ~ he informed him

Tarmis nodded, then in a whisper, " I am not sure how we will work through it, but we shall try." ~ Rh'vaurek your assessment thus far?~

~ Counselor Chiara is a Vang'raden, she set us up, now it looks as if only the males were taken off the ship, I can sense no female presence on this ship ~ Rh'vaurek explained what he thought

Tarmis first response was a mix of anger, betrayal, love and concern. He believed what Rh'vaurek said but something inside held him back. ~ Understood erie'Riov, but for now we must think of what we can do. Chiara will be taken care of later." Then the fear and concern grabbed Tarmis' mind like a steel trap, ~ If males were the only taken, what of children? Hogah went to play his favorite Holodeck simulation before all this and I do not see him anywhere? Where is he have you seen him?" Tarmis' emotions clenched his heart tightly as he struggled to control the fear and worry he felt for Hogah.

~ I have also not felt any of the children ~ Rh'vaurek informed Tarmis ~ He is a tough kid, he can look after himself if he has to, he has the toughness of a Cardassian with human intelligence, and very spirited, he will be helpful to the other children where ever they are ~ Rh'vaurek tried to calm Tarmis's fears

Tarmis took a deep breath, as his Leader side turmoiled with his fatherly side. As he swallowed hard he slowly regained composure, ~ Very good. Thank you erie'Riov. I must keep my mind on the moment. We need to figure our best plan of action erie'Riov. I really feel sorry for those Ferengi if Hogah gets mischievous.~ Tarmis chuckled.

~ I do not, let's pray he does ~ Rh'vaurek mentally laughed
~ And may the elements protect him ~ Rh'vaurek added

Tarmis shook his head in agreement, ~ You are so very right erie'Riov. Now let us get off this garbage scow. Oversee your teams, and if you see Capt.Oosha inform him we three need to consider our options and discuss them amongst each other.~

~ Very well, I will Inform him if I see him ~ Rh'vaurek informed Tarmis

Tarmis shook his head, ~ Let's get to it erie'Riov, besides~, Tarmis looked up and laughed. " I can't stand Ferengi Scum anyways." Tarmis yelled while he laughed the entire time.

Rh'vaurek gave Tarmis a sideways glance then pushed his way through the crowd to find Rafe

Off>

Joint Post

erei'Riov (Cmdr.) Rh'vaurek tr'Radaik
CTAC\SEC Exchange Officer
USS James Cook
&
 

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

Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A

ON> Ready Room

In the night, the Orion leader came for Elsie again. She struggled against his advances, but he kept hitting her until she was too weak to resist. Finally, he had his way, and left her lying on the deck to fend for herself.

In the darkness of her quarters a voice began to sing...It was a tiny voice, but the harmony was perfect.

"Li e yu I no..."
"Ren me ti..."
"Yo ju yo go..."

Elsie thought ~ I am delirious. But it could be a lot worse. ~

"Ha SA Te ka Na e..."

Elsie began to make out a small figure in the darkness... a child. No taller then Hogah, but much thinner.

"Ku ta ma e..." The song continued again, from the beginning.

Elsie sat up painfully, rubbed her eyes and peered at the figure in the dark. "Who are you? She asked softly, so as not to alert the invaders on her bridge.

"I am a friend." The figure said. The voice was that of a boy. "Do not worry about the bad men... they cannot hear us." He said.

Elsie grimaced and she shifted to a more comfortable position on the deck, "I could use a friend right now."

The boy came out of the darkness and into the minimal light. He was almost transparent. He wore blue clothes with a hood that covered all but his mouth and jaw.

"Praise, be with you....Dream, child of prayer....For ever and ever...Bring us Glory...." He said.

Elsie frowned, now certain she was either dreaming or hallucinating.

The boy walked closer to Elsie. "Don't be afraid. Be strong. You will win. You have to win."

Elsie nodded. "I am trying. My first duty is to my ship. I cannot save my ship if I am dead. I will survive."

"Good." He said. He placed a hand on her bare arm. It was ice cold. "Let me heal you."

The energy from his touch flooded through her, and she shivered at the cold. But the aches and the pains went away.

"Auron lives." The boy said.

Elsie peered up at the boy. "Oh, the Goddesses be praised! I was afraid they had killed all the men!"

"Auron protects them... like he has others. They all live." The boy said.

"Then we will fight here, and retake our ship." Elsie affirmed.

"Yes. Trust your friends... even the ones you do not trust." He said.

Elsie thought he was talking about Shi. "If I did not trust Shiarrael, I would have sent her back to the Empire long ago."

"You know what and who I am speaking of." The boy said.

In her mind the image of Chiara weeping in the brig came. "Never!" Hissed Elsie. "I gave her access to ship's information, and she betrayed all of us with it!"

"There is more than what you see... or think you see." The boy countered. "Be more then what you are."

Elsie didn't understand, but visions often spoke in cryptic language.

"I will be here... if and when you need me." The boy said. The singing began again.

"What is your name?" Elsie asked. But the boy was fading from view.

"...Bahamut..." The name came in a whisper.

Elsie whispered the name, trying to remember it. She would probably forget it when she woke from this dream.

Still cold from the boy's touch, she rose off the deck and headed for the cot in the alcove off the ready room, slipping under the covers for warmth.

~...imzadi...~

Elsie's eyes flew open! ~ Rafe? Oh, is it really you? ~

~... a favor... from a friend... making... possible...~

~ We all live. We are heading for area 30 to be parted out like so much Cargo. But We are waiting for an opening, a chance, to fight back ~ Elsie didn't know how much he was getting, but at least she knew for sure Rafe was alive.

Elsie could hear in Rafe's mind the same song that Bahamut... the boy... was singing.

~...not... know... fate... Fayth...~ Then a long pause and a feeling of wonder. ~...The...Fayth...sing...~

~We will find you, somehow. ~ Elsie thought.

There was nothing more from Rafe.

Elsie pulled the blankets around her tightly as silent tears ushered her into sleep.

Off>

Captain Rafe Oosha (also as boy)
CIO USS James Cook
&
 

Commodore Elsie Veritas

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

On> The Brig.

Chiara had stopped crying a few hours ago. She sat on the floor in the corner, hugging her legs with her face between her knees.

She knew her Star Fleet career was now effectively over with what happened.

There was not much left for her to do, other then to wait for the Orions, a Star Fleet court-martial, or even death.

Three Orions came into the brig. One headed for one of the other girls to get his treats, while another guarded the rest. The Orion Leader stepped up to Chiara and grinned down at her.

Chiara looked up at him.

"So you are the traitor Soren set up, eh? Well, well. What are yah gonna do now?" He had his beefy hands on his hips and a smug grin on his face.

Chiara said nothing.

Behind him, they could hear the cries and sobs of the young crewman being raped by the first Orion.

Chiara's heart broke again. This was happening because of her.

The leader wanted to turn and watch, but he instead focused on the blue traitor sitting on the deck. "You know, you ain’t got no home anymore. The Feds will give you life for what you did. You have no place to go but to the slave market.... or...you could join us. We could use someone with your talents."

"Join you?" Chiara asked.

"Yah. Just think of it! Riches, glory, power! See the stars with no one to tell you what you can't do. No one will dare touch you under my protection!" He grinned and waved expansively.

This was the same man that had raped Elsie... she wanted so much to get her hands around his neck and strangle him.

"Yeah?" Chiara asked. "And what do you want in return?" She stood up.

"Aw hell, Lady! I got what I want. A nice warm high-class Betazoid to keep me company. Naw you don't get touched. You become one of my lieutenants!"

Chiara started to rely on the Vulcan training to restrain herself from kicking the monster in the balls.

"All right." She said, cocking her head to the side. She knew there was a way she could turn this to her advantage. "You got a deal."

Chiara couldn't believe herself saying that.

The Orion leader saw the shift in her eyes. He had seen that look many times, and knew what it meant. She was danger, but then, she might be swayed. "All right. I give you your own quarters. Ain’t nothing in there anymore but a replicator and a head, but at least you don’t hafta watch my boys entertain themselves."

"Good." Chiara said. "You want me as a lieutenant, then I need some show of authority. I want my phaser and lightsaber back."

"Oh, no. Not just yet! I heard what you did on the bridge! You ain’t cutting MY hand off with that thing! You gotta prove yerself first. You stand watch with Gregy here, and then we see." He nodded to the brig guard to lower the forecefield, and then stepped out with Chaira.

"Hey, I thought you said I don't hafta watch this?" She said, pointing at the Orion with the human girl in another cell.

"You don't. Look at the other five cells." He glanced over at the rape scene. "He's just about done, anyway. All yer gonna see is a bunch of crying."

~Joy...~ Chiara thought of her options... then she remembered her experiences on the Viper. "Right... whatever." It would be a shame to let the Klingon experience go to waste. "I guess if I'm to be a pirate, I gotta get used to this sorta thing, right?"

"Yah. We might even bring you one of the little boys to play with. We aint gonna cut you outta the action, if your prove yourself." He patted her on the back and left her to her new duties. As he left, he already was thinking about visiting Elsie again.

~Bastard~ Chiara thought.

She sat down at the brig control desk, wondering what to do next.

In the cell she had just vacated, the Orion got up from the crewman and adjusted his pants. With a nod to Gregy, the forecefield was dropped just long enough for the two Orions to exit the cell. They left the brig with satisfied grins.

The other females in the cell rushed to their abused crewmate and began to take care of her needs the best they could.

"You boys get your fill?" Chiara asked.

"Plenty more where that came from," One laughed as the door closed behind them.

~Right...~ Chiara growled mentally.

Gregy eyed Chiara. "You musta done something pretty damned special to get let out like that. You give him a good screw?"

"Wouldn't you like to know." Chiara said.

Gregy grinned and turned full towards her. "Yeh! I would!"

Chiara stood up. She cocked her head to the side.

Gregy's mouth began to water.

"Ever had Nebari flavored treats?" Chiara asked him.

"nn...no." His voice came out in a whisper.

She was thankful she was still wearing the Nebari paramilitary suit... it would have enough 'treats' for her to use.

"What's wrong boy? You nervous or something?" Chiara asked.

Gregy licked his lips, and stared at her like a hungry man.

He reached up a hand and very gently stroked Chiara's cheek. 'You are so pretty..."

"That's what they all say..." Chiara chided.

"Then it must be true." He stepped closer and cupped her face in his hands as he drew near to kiss her.

Chiara reached up to him to return the kiss. She place her black latex clad hands around his neck.

Crewmen in the cells turned their backs firmly away from the sight of this traitor warming up to the enemy.

"Aww, so pretty," Gregy whispered, his desire rising.

She place her right index finger softly behind the Orion's ear and pressed, activating a Nebari Neural Overload device. The device, a one use item, sent a charge of electricity coursing through Gregy's neural system, causing his brain to fry and his heart to go into a catastrophic cardiac arrest.

Gregy died on his feet, still thinking about Chiara and him together.

Chiara let Gregy's body fall to the floor. "Yeah, and oooo so deadly to, jackass!" She said.

Several of the brigged crew turned back to look with astonished expressions! What the blue hell was going on?

Chiara weighed her options. She could access the ship's computer from here, but all activity would be traced. She couldn't readily dispose of the body... and if she were to save the ship, she'd have to do more then just kill one Orion.

Chiara hit the comm button. "Domina to the boss."

Frank hit the com on the arm of the Center seat. "Yah, what is it?"

"Something's wrong with Gregy... he just dropped to the floor... he ain't moving or breathing." Chiara said with a measure of concern.

"He got a pulse?" Frank asked.

"Lemme check... No, nothin'!" She said.

Frank Laughed! "Ha! You musta stopped his heart. One look at you! Just toss his body into the corridor. I'll have a couple my men toss him out an airlock. With a chuckle he broke the connection.

"Right..." Chiara said.

Chiara looked around at the cells. "Who wants to help me get this piece of crap out into the corridor?"

Thirty cheers went up! And one bruised, shaky victim stood up with hate in her eyes and just glared.

Chiara selected two prisoners and let them out of the cell. "Look, no funny stuff or we may all be screwed." Chiara said. "I'm going to do what I can to get us all out of here, but I need time."

"Miss Domina," One crewman said, "They are gonna send another shift in here in about two hours. We all better pretend everything is OK."

They dragged to body out and deposited it in the corridor. Chiara then escorted them women back to thier cells.

"Yeah... nothing happened here, all right? Gregy had a heart-attack. He couldn't take all that frelling at once..." She said.

A lt. from Engineering spoke quietly to some of the crew. They looked solemn and nodded. She turned to Chiara. "Ma'am, we will do what is necessary to keep them happy. Anything."

"Hey, once this is all over, and provided I still have a job, I'll help you guys through the aftermath... I've been there myself. Right now, we just all have to be strong. Detach yourselves to some point and just cooperate. The key thing is we all have to stay alive. We got our men out there counting on us... just remember how much you love them and keep that love in your heart." She said, hoping her reassurances would get through to them.

Some of them nodded, knowing they had to be strong. Other clutched their arms and shuddered. But the unspoken agreement was there.

Chiara sat back down at the brig control desk and waited. For what, she did not know.

In less than a couple hours four Orions entered the brig. Two walked up and down the line of cells, and tested the forcefield. The other two stepped up to Chiara. "You, come with us. The boss said we escort you to your quarters. We gotta lock you in till the boss can trust you. Let's go."

"Sure thing." Chiara said. She didn't bother to look at the prisoners. It would give her and them away.

They took her to the turbolift that brought them to the Officers' deck. They brought her to a door that was marked with "Executive Officer" And gestured for her to go in.

Chiara walked into the quarters. She wanted to smile but didn't show it. She was happy to be in Tarmis' quarters.

The guards activated the lock and one took his station outside the door. The other returned to his duties.

Chiara looked around. Tarmis was obviously absent, but she took a chance. "Hogah?"

A muffled voice answered from behind a well-hidden panel, "Miss Domina?"

Chiara came over to the source of the voice and gently opened the panel. "Hogey?"

Not one, but two dirty faces peered out at her.

Chiara's eyes went wide. "What's this?"

"The Orions came, and well, I got marina and we hid. Just like I used to do on Solotec." Hogah said proudly as he helped Marina out of the compartment.

Chiara wasn't sure what to do. "Ok, you guys gotta stay quiet." Chiara whispered.

"No problem, Miss Domina! Me and Marina, we will hide. And...well I can carry messages for you. I know the jeffries tubes..and well..." .his voice drifted off as he realized he was revealing all his stunts.

Chiara started thinking...

She didn't want to put him in a situation where it would be dangerous, but then again they were all in danger.

"Can you get to the Commodore's quarters?"

Hogah thought for a second, seeing the passageways in his mind. "Yeah, but she's not there. The Orion Leader sleeps there. I think she is in the Ready Room. They got her locked up there." His face got sad and he looked down.

Chiara rubbed her head. "There's no jefferies tube access to the bridge, is there?"

"No, Ma'am. They got it isolated. and guarded."

Chiara sat down cross-legged and put her hands on her head. "Frell!"

Hogah sat down in front of her and looked up into her face. "It's gonna be all right, Miss Domina. I seen this kinda thing on Solotec all the time, only not on a ship. These priates, they are kinda stupid. They know some stuff, but they forget stuff, too. You just gotta wait till they forget something. Then you make your move." Hogah spoke like an authority. He had outwitted them more than once.

"You're right." Chiara said, putting her hand on his shoulder.

Hogah grinned like a Cheshire cat.

Marina sat up close beside Hogah, solemnly listening to them talk.

"Well, I guess all we can do is wait for a hole to open up." Chiara said. "Unless you got some ideas."

Hogah shook his head. "We just gotta wait."

"Yeah..." Chiara said.

She stood up to go get a cup of coffee.

"I'm hungry!" He jumped up and headed for the replicator. "Whatcha all want?"

"Coffee." Chiara said. "I don't really have much of an appetite right now."

Marina piped up, "Hamburger n fries and a vanilla shake"

Hogah ordered two. "You can have some of my fries, Miss Domina. You'll like them. Coffee is yukky all by itself!" Hogah brought the food to the table and the kids scrambled into the seats and began to devour the food, as preteens will do.

"I'll pass, thank you." Chiara said. "Look, keep it down. I want you guys to go hide again."

Chiara started looking around to see if Tarmis kept a phaser in his quarters.

Hogah lowered his voice. "OK, Miss Domina. He and Marina grabbed their food and headed for their hiding place.

Chiara watched them close the panel as they disappeared. She sat down on Tarmis' empty bed.

She was thankful that Hogah and Marina were safe. She knew she had some allies on the ship... as long as she didn't tell them she caused all of this.

Chiara cried herself to sleep.

Off>

JP

Commodore Elsie Veritas (as Orions, and kids)
CO USS James Cook

&
 

On>

Rafe woke up. He had seen Tarmis with Rh’vuarek and was going to make his way over to them as the Ferengi gassed the cargo hold they were stuffed into. Now, he found himself waking up in a forest.

Rafe looked around. He still had all of his gear. It was apparent that the Ferengi were not interested in trying to render them helpless, just to get them out of the picture.

The forest was alive with sounds. Birds, wind gently rustling leaves on high. It was peaceful in its own right, but it served as a sinister message. They were stranded.

Rafe looked around his vicinity. Littered about were other men in Star Fleet uniforms and civilian clothes.

“They must have dropped us off.” Rafe said to himself. He uncorked his jug and took a drink. Then, he set out to look for Rh’vaurek and Tarmis.

Off>
 

Capt. Rafe Oosha

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

On>

Vance came to in a strange place. It took him a moment to remember everything that had been happening, but it all came back quickly enough.

~Faye...~ he thought, and he shot up to a sitting position.

"Easy there Vance..." Titus Ford's easy voice said, trying to calm him down. In the short time that Vance had been aboard the James Cook, he'd found that his fellow pilots were a lot easier to get along with than back in his old squadron.

"Half-Pint, where the hell are we?" Vance asked, shaking his head.

"No clue, Vance. It's still just us guys though."

Vance let out a heavy sigh and nodded, slowly getting to his feet. "Where's the rest of the squadron?"

"Still out. Capt. Oosha is looking around with a few of the others, making sure everyone's here."

Vance nodded again. "I guess we better go meet him then, huh?" ~What a way to meet the rest of the crew...~ Vance thought ruefully. The only people he'd gotten to know so far were his squadmates, especially one Faye 'Sweetie' Valentine. Now there was no telling what had happened to her.

Off>

=/\= Lt. (JG) Vincent 'Vance' Johnston
VF-1, Wolf Squadron
USS James Cook, NCC-2098-A

ON> Cargo Bay 2
Shi was sitting quietly thinking when she received Elsie's message. Now she must act on it. She had located the terminal it was on the other side of the room in a small-enclosed area. ~Commodore I received your message. We are in Cargo Bay 2 mostly Security and Engineering personnel. We have 2 guards I am going to slip over to the computer terminal and hack into it. using some Rihannsu techniques they will not be aware of. I want you to try and get a message to Starbase. May the Elements protect you.

~ Understood ~ Elsie sent back. She sat at the console, waiting for it to blink to life.

Meanwhile 2 of the Security personnel had attracted the attention of both guards using feminine wiles. Shi slipped quietly across the floor to the terminal. It took her just a few minutes to remove the controls the Orions had placed on the system. Then she sat up a blind so it would appear they were still in place. ~Commodore, Its all set. Its up to you now.~

The terminal sputtered to life! ~ Bless your Green Rihannsu Heart! ~ ELsie sent and then quickly sent out a distress call and a copy of the recording of all events that transpired since they left spacedock.

As she finished, Frank walked in, with a leer pasted on his face. The rape in the brig had made him horny again. Elsie's eyes snapped to Frank's.

His face became a mask of rage. "Chon!" He roared, " Get yer ass in here! Disable this console now!"

Frank strode over to Elsie grabbed her by the hair with one hand and reached for the billy club hangin on his belt. "You goddam whore!" He shouted and began to beat Elsie as hard as he could. At first she tried to ward off the blows, but soon she was crying out as the baton broke ribs, and upper arm, a wrist. Finally she blacked out, and he continued beating her until his fury was spent.

Frank looked up at Chon, who held a handful of isochips he had pulled from the console. "There won't be any more transmisiions, Boss!"

Frank spat, "There better not be or I start shooting people!" He stormed out, with Chon following him.

Shi had just been in the act of contacting Elsie so through her mind she saw everything that transpired in the Ready room until Elsie finally passed out. Shi was in a rage. They would pay for this the time had come to make their move.

She sent out a short message telepathically ~All who receive this message do everything you can to disable your guards wherever you are. If you can get into a corridor proceed to Cargo Bay 4 my team will be there Await further orders.

The message had gone to a few of her Security and a couple of engineers (Betazoid and Vulcan) Security took advantage of the guards being busy with their pleasures and investigated the locks on the doors. No luck they could not open them but they found an access to a Jefferies tube they could use.

Slowly one by one they made their way out the access. The rest bunched together to hide the fact they had left. After about 10 had gone through the access. Shi
signalled to stop. She called over one of the Gashta and gave him some instructions then signaled him to go through the access with 5 of his people.

With the rest of the prisoners grouped together they could hide the absence of the rest of them. All those who had left had been instructed to make their way to Cargo Bay 4 secure it and wait for further orders.

OFF>

JP

Commodore Elsie Veritas
CO USS James Cook

&

ereiRiov Shiarrael t'Radaik
ASEC USS James Cook
 

ON> Ready Room

Elsie came to slowly, her mind totally taken by the pain of trying to breathe. She had the urge to cough, but stifled it, knowing it would hurt worse if she did. Her left arm and right wrist were broken and swollen from the beating.

~ This is becoming a habit, finding myself on the deck. Maybe I’ll just stay here.~ She started to drift off but a spasm made her cough! OH! The pain! With the back of her right arm she wiped the flecks of blood off her lips. ~ A punctured lung. Not good. Gotta try and stay awake, or I will not waken at all. ~

With great satisfaction she remembered she had gotten off the distress call and the details of the attack. At least Intel would know what had happened here and who had betrayed the ship. She stirred up her anger, fighting to stay awake. ~ Oh, Chiara! Why? Why? We loved you, took you in as one of our own, and you did this! ~

Elsie could not hold the anger. It was slipping away along with her consciousness. ~ I should have cherished my immortality. Oh, Imzadi! I am sorry. I am not strong enough….~

The blackness took over, and Elsie slipped into a coma.

OFF>
 

Commodore Elsie Veritas

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

On> The Forest.

Rafe walked through the woods, giving orders to the men had had come across. His instructions were simple. Go to the clearing that had been found and wait there.

Rafe continued on unit he saw a silvery uniform.

"Rh'vaurek!" Rafe shouted.

Rh’vaurek looked up noticing Rafe coming towards him, he gave one last savage side kick to the tree he was hacking at felling it "Ie Rekkhai?"

"Are you well?" Rafe said, examining Rh'vaurek's handiwork.

"Better that I have been, the fresh air has cleared out my lungs" he noticed where Rafe was looking "A Spear, we heed to eat, I am sure you have noticed the animal calls, so there has to be food somewhere"

Rafe nodded. He had forgotten his own hunger up till now, as his stomach reminded him he should find food.

"I have noted some animal calls, yes. However, I first order of business should be to gather the crew. Then we can worry about survival." Rafe said.

Rh'vaurek nodded "Understood"

Rafe looked around. "I have crew members gather at..." He stopped.

Rafe looked around.

The rustling of some bushes could be heard nearby.

Rh'vaurek Stopped and cocked his ear, he to heard the rustling nearby; he removed the makeshift handle from his kailune readying it to be thrown.

In front of them, a growling came from a bush and the head of a large lizard poked out.

Rh'vaurek stood perfectly still eyeing off the lizard.

Rafe turned side long to the lizard. He produced a large red sword seemingly out of thin air and extended it to Rh'vaurek.

"I trust you know how to use one of these?" Rafe asked his Romulan comrade.

"Indeed" Rh'vaurek extended his hand accepting the blade

Rafe shot his left arm up into the air, shrugging off the left side of his kimono. He dropped back into an open kendo ready stance and his own Tyrusian blade appeared in his right hand.

The dragon-like lizard walked forth from the brush, growling and hissing.

Rh'vaurek took up a more closed stance, making as little a target of himself as possible

The lizard went after Rafe first, since he was wearing the more colorful garb. The samurai sidestepped the lizard's advance and cut the beast across the shoulder. It roared in pain.

Rh'vaurek charged to the opposite side slicing across the lizards blindside flank while it was preoccupied with Rafe, he circled around the lizard keeping away from the tail

The lizard growled in rage and frustration at its prey. It could not believe that prey would actually try and fight back and succeed in doing so.

Rafe dodged a swipe of it's claw and fell back in another stance. He held out his left arm with one finger raised and sword cocked at the ready to size of the beast.

Rh'vaurek dodged a swipe from the beast tail with an upward slash he cut a deep gash across it's hind quarters then rolled away getting away fron the furious sweeping tail

Rh'vaurek rolled right into a furry blue leg.

Looking up, he was Kimahri Ronso, a friend of Rafe's from what he heard to be 'a long time ago.'

Rh'vaurek breathed a sigh of relief, he was not ready to handle another enemy in this position

"Save some for Kimahri!" The Ronso shouted, leaping over Rh'vaurek and onto the back of the lizard and drove his halberd into the beast's neck.

Rh'vaurek looked on with a raised eyebrow, he had seen a lot of things but this blue felinoid with a halberd was intriguing.

The lizard tossed off the Ronso with some effort. Kimahri rolled to the ground and took up position next to Rafe. Rafe switched his Tyrusian blade for his lightsaber.

"Enough!" He said as he charged the beast. With the lightsaber he severed the lizard's head.

Rh'vaurek just shrugged as he held his blade in mid swing aiming at the lizards hind leg

The beast fell with a thud.

"Looks like we have dinner tonight." Rafe said.

"Lizard on a Spit sounds good" Rh'vaurek replied looking at the fallen lizard

Rafe walked over to Rh’vaurek. "You did well."

Rh'vaurek bowed "Thank you, it was an honor to fight by your side for once"

Rafe nodded and thumped him on the chest. "Hey Ronso... you remember how to cook?" Rafe asked.

Kimahri was already dragging the lizard. "Kimahri make food for everyone." He grunted.

Rafe turned to Rh'vaurek. "Ever eat a lizard before?"

"Once, a long time ago" Rh'vaurek replied

"Is it true they taste like chicken?" Rafe asked.

"That depends on how it is cooked, mine tasted like charcoal" Rh'vaurek laughed

"Kimahri is a good cook. We'll leave it to him then." Rafe said.

"Sounds good to me" Rh'vaurek replied as le looked over at the blue felinoid dragging the lizard towards the camp, Rh'vaurek decided to help getting behind the lizard and starting to push

Rafe stopped. He looked around. "Rh'vaurek. Go ahead with Kimahri and see to it that a camp is set up. Find Tarmis if you can. There is something I want to go look at."

Rh'vaurek nodded "Understood"

Rafe turned and walked off into the forest alone. Once Rh’vaurek was out of sight, Rafe started to sing. His tune was slow and mournful…

“Li e yu I no...
Ren me ti...
Yo ju yo go...
Ha SA Te ka Na e...
Ku ta ma e...”

He stopped when a wave of grief rushed over him… he could no longer ‘feel’ his Imzadi.

Off>

JP

Erei’Riov (Cmdr.) Rh’vaurek tr’Radaik
CTAC/SEC Exchange officer
USS James Cook
Python fleet Flag ship
 

Capt. Rafe Oosha

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

Rape wasn't an experience that Vasata had had before, but the pirate that was eyeing Arianai might change that.
~They want you to be afraid of them. Look him in the eye right back.~ She did so, and was rewarded with a slight respectful nod from the pirate. He looked over the other women in this cell, and moved on.

"I guess they aren't all bad. I'm Arianai."

"I'm Nicole. Science, right? I'm in Medical. I wish there was more I could do for the ladies brutalized by these scum!"

"We just need to wait. We won't be here forever. With the help of those that managed to get out of here, we'll take this ship back." Arianai reassures the nurse.

Looking dejected, "I guess. It all seems so hopeless though."

Smiling and leaning closer, Arianai confides, "I now of at least on man on this ship that won't give up. He's a bastard himself, but he won't sit still for what's been happening here."

"Telling secrets, my pretties?" taunts a pirate at the barrier.

Nicole cringes away from the opening, as the pirate signals for it to be lowered. "You look tasty...let's have a go at you." He teases, and makes a grab for Nicole.

Jumping in the way, Arianai stops his advance. He stops short, and looks at her up and down. Spitting at her feet, he says, "You're to skinny. I like a bit of meat on the bones...get out of my way."

"No."

He back hands Arianai, causing her to stumble to her right. Grabbing Nicole, he takes her out of the cell, and throws her down. The barrier goes back up just before Arianai has a chance to act. She kneels on the floor, trying to catch Nicole's eyes, to reassure her that this will end soon, as the pirate has his way with her.

~But will it? Will it end before they have ravaged every female on this ship?~

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

On>

"“Li e yu I no...
Ren me ti...
Yo ju yo go...
Ha SA Te ka Na e...
Ku ta ma e...”

The voice was deep, but carried for a distance. The person sang with a great amount of grief.

Elsie opened her eyes not to her ready room, but to a city destroyed thousands of years ago, and its ruins bathed in the light of dusk.

“Li e yu I no...
Ren me ti...
Yo ju yo go...
Ha SA Te ka Na e...
Ku ta ma e...”

The song was sung again. The same voice, the same grief.

Elsie looked around. "Spira," She whispered. "I know this place. But it is gone."

“Li e yu I no...
Ren me ti...
Yo ju yo go...
Ha SA Te ka Na e...
Ku ta ma e...”

Elsie spun around slowly, looking for the source of the singer.

On a hill not too far away was a lone figure. His kimono flapped in the warm breeze.

Elsie's breath caught in her throat! "Imzadi?" She began striding towards the hill. The fact that her body lay on her ready room floor never crossed her mind. This was real. The other was not.

Rafe extended his clay jug to her direction and drank to his lady's honor.

"Zanarkand." Rafe said. In the blink of an eye, he went from the hill to her side.

Elsie's face widened into a dimpled smile and she gazed at him with loving eyes.

"My home for ten years... as it was a thousand years ago... and as it was a thousand years after it was destroyed by Syn." Rafe said.  This is my strength. This is my will... to never allow this to happen again."

"Where is your home, now, My Love?" She asked, as if it were a riddle, a mystery to be solved.

"My home is at your side, milady." Rafe said.  "My home is our hearts combined."

"I am here, with you, Imzadi. At your side now." Elsie said knowingly.

"And I with you." Rafe said. "But when you go back, we will be apart again." He said sadly.  "I want to teach you something."

Elsie nodded.

Rafe put his hand to her forehead and his fingers glowed on contact. Into her mind he implanted the knowledge of the 'Curaga' spell, a healing magic that would aid her.

"You may find that to come in handy. The Fayth will you to posses the knowledge.

Elsie understood. She understood the path behind, the path she trod, the path before her, and knew this was right.

"I was wrong when I said the Fayth stopped singing... I thought they were no more... but I was wrong. They were only in shock at what had happened to my... our world." Rafe said.

"The Fayth, they sing....they sing a chant. Then I did not dream him." Elsie said.

"“Li e yu I no...
Ren me ti...
Yo ju yo go...
Ha SA Te ka Na e...
Ku ta ma e...” Rafe sang.

"It's The Hymn of the Fayth." He said.  "Praise, be with you....Dream, child of prayer....For ever and ever...Bring us Glory...."

"His name was...Bahamut....He sang that to me" Elsie said in wonder.

"He has found you in favor then, and well lend his strength and power to you if you ask it of him." Rafe said.

"Just...ask? But I am not a believer" Elsie said.

"There is nothing to believe. It is not a religion." Rafe said. "It is simply a fact. The Fayth exist on a higher level then us... just like the Bajoran Prophets. They are only called the Fayth because that is what Yu Yevon first called them."

"They sing, and what else?" Elsie asked.

"And they sing." Rafe said. "Their sole purpose is to counter Syn. When Syn is defeated, they will rest."

This Elsie did not understand. Her mind was still linked to mortal logic. That a species existed solely to counteract another was..well, too much like ecology..one preyed on the other. But Rafe spoke of spiritual things, and this did not translate.

"Are they two halves of a whole, then? Only divided, one evil one good?"

"Yes." Rafe said.

Clarity! Elsie could nearly grasp the concept. "If they are united, they become one whole entity, at peace with itself?" She asked again.

"Perhaps." Rafe said. In fact, he did not think anyone had ever actually looked at it that way.

"You showed me that previous methods of defeating Syn were only successful for a time. If the Fayth and Syn were somehow united, would this not somehow transform the beast into something else. Not defeat, transformation?"

"You may be right... but I'm afraid it will be some time before we... before I can test that theory." Rafe said.

“Li e yu I no...
Ren me ti...
Yo ju yo go...
Ha SA Te ka Na e...
Ku ta ma e...”

This time the voice was female. The pitch was perfect. It sounded as if it belonged in a cathedral.

Elsie looked around, "I must go back." She said. "I have work to do. How do I use the spell? My body is broken and bleeding."

"The knowledge is within you to use it. "Center yourself and concentrate on the word 'curaga', but keep the Hymn of the Fayth active in your mind, for it will only work if you can hear the song." Rafe said.

Singing was not Elsie's strong point. She hoped she could remember what it sounded like.

"You will remember..." Rafe said, his voice trailing off... but the female voice singing was still fresh and alive. Spira and broken Zanarkand began to fade away.

Elsie woke to find her self covered in a blue and white blanket woven in an exotic pattern. It was perpetually cold, but for some illogical reason it warmed her.

Elsie remembered the spell Rafe had taught her. She whispered the word 'curaga' as she focused on Rafe's singing and that of the disembodied female voice. Green light danced about her, repairing the injuries and even made her feel younger then before.

She was stiff, but she managed to stand and look around. Blood, her own, was everywhere... but something struck her as odd. She walked over to the window looking out into shape. It had been frosted over with a word... no, a name drawn into the frost.

"Shiva." Elsie whispered, gripping the blanket closer to her.

She turned and walked towards the replicator for a cup of coffee when she looked into it and saw a face staring back at her from the black glass. It was not her own.  Her first instinct was to reel back in horror, but there was something about the woman's purple face and wild hair that said she could be trusted as a friend and as a protector.

"Shiva." Elsie said again. The purple faced woman in the black glass smiled and vanished. The replicator produced a cup of coffee without Elsie even requesting it.

Elsie picked up the cup and smiled.

Off>

JP

Commodore Elsie Veritas
CO USS James Cook
Flagship Python Fleet

&

Capt. Rafe Oosha

Chief Intelligence Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
 

ON >Ready room

It was evening, and Frank, the Orion Leader, entered the Ready Room with two soldiers, expecting to have Elsie’s dead body tossed out and airlock. Well if she was almost dead, she would be dead soon enough.

Frank stopped just inside the door and gazed at the spot where he had left Elsie to die. The blood stains were disappearing before his eyes as the ship used sonic waves to disintegrate the blood and recycle it through the environmental system. Frank's eyes swept the ready room. Elsie was standing by the replicator, sipping a mug of raktajino.

He growled, “What th’ Hell is goin’ on? I left you for dead!”

“I got better,” Elsie grimaced.

Frank strode over to her, grabbed her and felt her all over. He thrust her from his grip. “You some kind of shapeshifter? This ain’t right!”

“There is more to this ship than meets the eye, Pirate! We are more than a crew of Starfleet Officers, more than cargo for you to sell or plunder at your leisure.” Elsie countered.

“You just cargo to me, lady, and a good screw.” Frank gruffed.

“That is too bad, because this is all you will ever have, what you hold in your hand. You will never be happy inside, because your spirit is empty.” Elsie sipped at her coffee.

Frank’s face reddened. He didn’t understand what she was talking about, but he figured it wasn’t good. He backhanded the mug from her hand and it crashed to the deck in a shower of coffee. “I’ll show you what makes me happy!” He lifted her up over one shoulder and headed for the cot in the alcove.

Off>
 

Commodore Elsie Veritas

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

ON>

Laura sat in the quiet lounge of the USS Enterprise. Captain Picard had been very generous to allow her passage from Starbase 514 to Epsilon Indii to their destination to the Romulan neutral zone. She had heard that Starfleet Intelligence fearing a buildup along their boarders of Romulan warships has dispatched the Enterprise to check things out. The dark woman with the outlandish hat came to her table, and spoke as she poured Laura another cup of tea. Laura had given up on the hard stuff for the time being.

“You look like you are carrying the weight of the Enterprise on your shoulders, and you are only a passenger on this ship,” The bar tender observed.

Laura took a slow sip of her tea and considered the woman’s comment before answering. “Trust me it’s not this ship, rather my ship. The James Cook. I am to represent the best of every squadron at Starfleet’s top fighter pilot training program, and I cannot even follow orders.” Laura sighs and looks out of the view port watching the stars streak by at over 700 billion kilometers per hour. “To top it off I fear my captain does not feel I am worthy of commanding a squadron on her ship, especially not the flagship of the Python Fleet. Especially after I got drunk and took on one of the security deputies.”

“So that’s who you are then.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Laura turned to face the woman.

“Nothing. I heard of you though. A pilot, who single handily evaded capture behind enemy lines and helped bring the CIO and Commanding Officer home safely. You stood for what you believed in, and never wavered. Weather it was wrong or right is not the point. What you did was honorable.

“So what you think is I was in the wrong?”

“You didn’t lose your rank did you?

Laura shook her heard no.

“You weren’t removed from the fleet were you?”

Again Laura shook her head no.

“Then I rest my case. What you did was the right thing. Captain Kirk would not be the legend that he is today if he followed the Prime Directive or orders all of the time. It would be a good bet that both Ambassador Spock and Earth would not exist today if it wasn’t for him bending the rules.”

Laura nodded her head, and took another sip of her tea. “You have amazing insight. I had never considered that before.”

“I have been accused of that a few times,” the dark woman agreed.

“You are not human are you?”

“No I am not. I am a species known as the Listeners, but also known as El-Aurian.”

The El-Aurian woman refilled Laura’s cup and left her to her thoughts. Well she would need time to think, and she had plenty of that. She was still two weeks away from Earth, and that was assuming she got good passage from Epsilon Indii.

Suddenly Big Cat came strolling into the lounge with a wide grin spread across his face. He saw Laura and crossed the room and sat down across from her. “Evening Mav, what ware you so down about?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Obvious? Hell, it’s like you have your own personnel rain cloud following you around. It’s been like that all trip too. You aren’t still worried about your actions on the Nazi planet are you?”

“Yeah a little.”

“Don’t worry about it Mav, let by gones be by gones. It’s all in the past, all you can do is learn from it.”

Laura smiled and gave him a friendly slap across the arm. “Guess every one’s a counselor today. Even the bar tender is.”

Cat smiled. “You don’t know who she is?”

“No. Should I?”

“Look. I am not one hundred percent sure of that but I think she’s Picard’s trusted advisor, and if he listens to her, you had better too.”

Turns to look at the lady behind the bar. “No kidding?”

“No kidding.”

“Where did you hear of this?”

“I served with a lieutenant who served on the Enterprise-D, and he talked highly of her, and told me many interesting things about this ship and it’s crew. Like the First officer and the counselor have a thing for each other, but are in denial.”

Laura laughed. “I never thought you would be one to give into ship board gossip.”

“I’m just repeating to you what I heard.”

“You just keep telling your self that.”

Suddenly a huge smile spread across the big man’s dark face, as an idea came to him. “I found this really neat program in the holodeck. Ever hear of a Mustang?”

“The horse?”

“No, but I think you will fall in love with her at first sight. She’s right up our alley.”

Laura J. Allen

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

On> The Camp

Rafe stood a good distance away from the rest of the camp, on the edge of the clearing. It was getting chilly, but Rafe was thankful that Rh'vaurek was able to whip the crew into shape and get some shelters erected. Spirits were generally good, but Rafe could feel the wave of concern.

Tarmis sat on a stump near the edge of camp, his mind going over what has been completed so far and what must be done in the future. Security teams had already begun perimeter sweeps and according to head count all males over age 16 were beamed taken from the ship and dumped here. Tarmis looked up and noticed Rafe some distance away, he got up and made his way to him. Once there he said, " Cpt. Oosha." Concern could be heard in voice.

"Tarmis." Rafe replied. He only stared at the campfire. "Please do not address me by rank. It means little to me."

Tarmis knelt down by the fire, " But it is also the structure we need to help move us past this and back to our home. I will honor your request when we are alone but if others are around I need to show the semblance of structure and use of rank will be one way I do this. Cp... Mr. Oosha" Tarmis said realizing they were alone.

"Rafe will do fine, Tarmis. How are the men holding up?"

Tarmis looked away from the fire at the officers muddling about the camp. In a soft but strong voice Tarmis said, " On the outside they show little regard for what has happened, but you can see the questions and concerns running through there minds."

"Their questions and concerns are well founded. The Cook does not bode well." Rafe said.

Tarmis gazed at the fire, " No it does not, at that ways heavy on all of us." Tarmis looked at Rafe." Even you and I, but first we need to find a way off this planet and then we hunt these bastards down." Tarmis took a deep breath. " We find the people who did this and bring them to justice."

"I... have a way off this planet..." Rafe said quietly.

Tarmis stood up in shock, he drew closer to Rafe, " How what, a ship?" Tarmis took a centering breath." Please go on M.. Rafe."

"I can only go alone... I have the ability to. I've only done it one other time in my life because of a promise I made to a friend. It was not easy." Rafe said.

"Alone?" Tarmis rubbed his chin in thought. " That is not safe, if anything happens to you we would never know, and you can not take on an entire vessel of pirates, Rafe although it is an option I don't know." Tarmis said.

"If you order it, it will be done... though I am tempted to do it anyway." Rafe said. "I would be an asset to the ship's survival."

Tarmis walked around in a circle, his mind in thought. He tossed up a hand, " Yeah I kind of figured you would do it no matter, however if we are going to do this we should try to come up with a way to keep in contact or so on to ensure we know you were able to send help and such."

"There would be no means to do that." Rafe said. "We have only what we brought with us. No one knows where we are."

"While this portal or what have you is open, you would not be able to send any thing back?" Tarmis asked Rafe, as he stared out away from camp.

"There would essentially be no portal." Rafe said.

Tarmis rubbed his chin once more, then looked at Rafe." You would for all purposes just vanish then?"

"Pretty much." Rafe said.

"A long time ago, when I lived on Spira, I fought a summoner named Yunalesca. I died in that fight, but lived on because of the magic of Spira. I had the will to live because of my promises to my friends Jecht and Lord Braska, as well as my love for Elsie and Shi." Rafe said.

" Ok, that will be one option. Give me till the end of the day if nothing else better surfaces then we will go ahead with your plan. But Rafe, even though sometimes we may see things differently I would never want to see anything happen to you. I want your word if we go ahead with it you will do your best to stay alive." Tarmis said with a wink and a nod.

"I have found that I have a hard time dying, my friend." Rafe said.

Tarmis smirked, then chuckled, " However for something like death it only takes finding one way, lets not look for it ok?" Tarmis said as he chuckled and patted Rafe's shoulder.

Rafe said nothing.

"How are you and Chiara getting along?" Rafe asked.

Tarmis got a sideways smile, " Well, to be honest I am not sure. It is like riding one of the old earth roller coasters, there are times I know exactly where it is going then bottom drops and things change all over again. But no matter what I am enjoying our time together, it is special." Tarmis said with a far off look in his eyes.

"Chiara is a special woman. Treat her well." Rafe said. "She has a lot of love to give, and she needs a lot of love in return."

Tarmis thought of Chiara, suddenly what Rh'vaurek said slammed into his mind. He turned to Rafe, with a start. " Chiara, Has Rh'vaurek told you?"

"No... what happened?" Rafe asked.

Tarmis leaned forward so as not to allow any others to hear. In a hushed voice he said, " Rh'vaurek says Chiara is the vang'raden. I know Rh'vaurek tells the truth, but something inside tells me to look deeper. There must be more than what one can see. I can not believe she would just suddenly become a traitor like that."

"Are you saying Chiara caused this?" Rafe asked.

Tarmis shook his head, " That is what Rh'vaurek has told me. But I refuse to believe it without speaking to her myself. I will not assign a blame like this with out finding out the entire story."

"It would explain how Rh'vaurek lost his hand. I gave Chiara the light saber I had won in my battle with Vin Tamar. She must have used it to slice of Rh'vaurek's hand." Rafe said.

He looked down. "It would not be like Chiara to act in such a manner. We will investigate when the ship and crew is safe."

"But why?" Tarmis blurted out, then after he looked about he toned his voice back down. " What would cause her do that, something doesn't add up."

Rafe was again silent.

"Chiara had no family. Cook has become her family. Her love for you is great, as is her love for Elsie and myself. If she is guilty, then I would assume that it was not of her own free will." Rafe said. He took a swig from his jug and to be friendly, offered it to Tarmis.

Tarmis eyed the jug then looked at Rafe, " That is what I thought also." Tarmis put a hand out the stopped, " Isn't that the stuff that got the Klingon sick on the viper before?" Tarmis asked.

"Yes." Rafe said. "It makes a person stronger... Its an Al Bhed potion... cures all kinds of ailments."

Tarmis took a long pondering look at the jug then took it from Rafe and slammed a gulp down. " Holy Lisius that crap is strong." Tarmis said as he coughed.

"It is an acquired taste. When I quested for the second time to defeat a creature named Syn, my group lived off this stuff." Rafe said.

Tarmis coughed and spat some more then looked up, " Acquired is one way of putting it."

"It is late, go get some rest." Rafe said.

Tarmis nodded as he got up, " You also Rafe. Be safe friend." Tarmis said then exited to his small shelter.

"I will keep watch through the night." Rafe said. "Pleasant dreams."

Off>

Joint Post

Capt. Rafe Oosha
CIO-USS James Cook.
&
 

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

Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A

On>
Camp - Planetside>

Tarmis couldn't get any sleep, he decided to get up and check on the injured crewman. He walked over to the medical tent, which had been set up. Torches hung all about as Tarmis walked into the light. He spotted Dr.Merlose overseeing the medical staff. He hovered over an injured crewman who looked like he had been badly beaten. Tarmis walked between the make shift cots, he gently touched each crewman as he went to show him someone still care about them. He walked up behind Dr.Merlose and waited for him to finish the crewman.

Jake tore off a piece uniform to put pressure on a cut one of the patients had. They had turned some of the plants on this planet to work as disinfectants. Luckily, they had beamed off some of the men when they were holding some medical equipment. But it was scarce and not much of it left. He noticed Tarmis coming in his direction, "Hello Captain, what brings you into my.. uhhh, sickbay I guess."

Tarmis gave a sullen look as he looked about the area. His mind filled with sadness and anger. He pushed back his own emotions to be strong for the crew. He said, " I was unable to sleep Doctor, these men’s suffering was weighing on my conscious and I had to come down to see it for my self." Tarmis said, his gaze frozen on an unconscious officer.

"Well sir, I don’t know what advice to give you. But what I do is take my self out of the moment. I believe that’s what we all have to do. Or else, I wouldn't be able to take all the pain around me. Being a Betazoid doesn’t help much, as I can feel their pain." He continued working on his patient.

Tarmis slowly shook his head, " That is where we differ doctor I can not take myself out of the situation, I have never been able to and to be quite honest I do not believe I would want to. I have to do something, or I feel useless." Tarmis said then ripped off his uniform sleeves and his pant legs. He ripped them into rags and began to hand them to corpsman. " What can I do to help Doctor?" Tarmis asked as the moans of the men echoed in his mind.

Jake looked around, "Well if you have basic medical training you can help with minor injuries. They aren’t, being taken care of, because we don’t have enough people." He felt a chill run up his spine as he looked around.

As Merlose finished speaking a security team brought in another injured crewman. As they sat him on a nearby cot Tarmis realized who the man was. It was the captain's yeoman; he was beaten badly and bleeding from many wounds. Tarmis walked over in a daze, he stopped next to the stretcher. The security officers said, " We found him on the edge of the clearing we almost didn't find him." Tarmis nodded and the officers left, he turned and looked at Merlose. A questioning look across his face.

Jake saddened, "There isn’t much you can do, use your rags to stop the bleeding. The dermal regenerators are running low on power by now, so we can't use it on him. I'm sorry"

Tarmis slammed his fist into the edge of a nearby table, then grabbed a rag and began putting pressure on a wound. He growled, " They will pay for this, all of them. We never deserved this any of us." Tarmis anger rumbled through his mind, he closed his eyes and took a long deep breath. As his mind cleared he began to think clearly. Tarmis nodded to Merlose to hold pressure then walked off. A moment later he returned with an engineer. The engineer had an almost spent phaser power supply. After a few moments he hand the supply and the regenerator to Merlose and said in a sad voice, " There isn't much there sir but it is the best I could do." Tarmis patted the engineer’s shoulder as he walked away.

Off>

Joint Post

Dr. (Cmdr) Jake Merlose
Chief Medical Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
&

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

Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A

ON> Sovak’s quarters, Starbase Python

Sovak read the intel on his monitor..In the privacy of his room he allowed a slight expression of shock to cross his face. The James Cook had been taken over by Orions! But they’d had inside help, one of their own officers, Lt. Chiara Domina!

~It cannot be correct!~ He thought. ~ She was not of the mind to turn traitor. What could have been the cause of her actions? ~ Sovak turned his mind inward and searched his memories of his sessions with her. What he had seen in her mind during Meld showed no indication of intent to compromise the ship. Then something had to have occurred afterwards. She had been vulnerable at that point. What had turned her?

He lit the Vulcan lamp and sat on the rug, staring at the flame. His mind inspected everything he experienced with Miss Domina. The vision, the block, the lessons. The lessons! He scrutinized the lessons in his mind once, then twice, then returned to three. It was in order, a bit skewed. Skewed? He scrutinized it farther, taking himself deep into meditation, slowing his heart rate, his breathing nearly in trance.

There! An implanted message, subtle, subliminal. Instructions within a message within a lesson. One that Soren himself had given to him by Meld.

With a deep breath, Sovak came out of meditation and rose, heading for his com panel. He typed in his code and waited. Soren’s face appeared, momentarily showing annoyance at being disturbed. The expression disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. At that moment, Sovak saw something in Soren’s face that should have not been there.

“I would speak to you, but it appears I have disturbed you. I will contact you tomorrow.” Sovak said with an apologetic nod.

“That would be convenient. I am tired, and need to meditate,” Soren answered.

Sovak nodded and deactivated the monitor. For a long moment he sat, deciding what he should do. He had his suspicions about Soren. But there was only telepathic evidence. Starfleet would not accept that evidence. Who would? The answer cam to him in a flash of insight. Intel. They employed some rather powerful telepaths. If anyone could give credence to his evidence, Intel would.

Sovak reactivated his com and recorded a message. “Captain Riese, I am Sovak, a teacher of mental arts. I have information about the James Cook that may be of help. I wish to see you as soon as you can fit me into your busy schedule.” He signed it and transmitted. Then he waited.

OFF>

Commandant T’ver (As Vulcans)
CO SBP
Python Fleet
 

Commodore Elsie Veritas

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

ON> The Ready Room

Frank again left Elsie, after having hit her many times and mounting her. He seemed to enjoy inflicting pain on her, so she pretended to be more hurt than she was so he would get on with it. Still she hurt from his slaps and punches, and from the way he forced himself on her. She could have used the spell Rafe gave her, but she didn’t want to waste it on a few bruises. It was not her way to misuse her abilities. Shifting into a somewhat less painful position, she lay on her cot, thinking.

The Orions planned on rendezvousing with other ships to offload the cargo and the slaves. The only way the remaining crew could take back the ship is to wait until the Orions turned it over to COBRA and left. After that, the ship would probably have minimal guards on it. If Shi hid enough people in the compartments of the ship, they could take over the ship and make a run into Federation space. Hopefully they would not have to engage in a firefight. But they would if they had to.

What about herself? It was not likely she would be allowed to remain on the ship. She would either be offloaded with the others destined for the slave markets, taken along with Frank, or be killed and disposed of. If there were any way for her to escape, she would. But if she were held captive, she would find a way to contact her people, no matter how long she had to wait.

Elsie centered herself, and shut her mind off from things she could do nothing about and drifted into sleep.

OFF>
 

Commodore Elsie Veritas

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

ON> Guest quarters USS Enterprise.

Laura sat up wide-awake from a restless sleep. She had a dream. She thought for a moment, and could not remember what it was about. The thought was just out of her grasp. Inwardly she searched her mind, but only came up short. Sighing she slid out of bed and went to the replicator. Laura ordered a mug of steaming hot tea and sat down in one of the chairs. In the darkness she could barely see the outline of the objects in the room. It was so quiet and peaceful.

The chime to her door pierced the silence. Grumbling to herself she muttered to herself why in the blazes Cat had come over so late. She stood up and pulled on her robe and tied the belt around her waist, and went to the door and opened it. Standing before her was a gold skinned gentleman in gold uniform. He looked human, but his skin and eyes were all wrong. Data the ship’s Second Officer she surmised.

“Commander.” Laura stated flatly. “Come in.” She turned away from the door and ordered the lights to 80% intensity and sat down upon the foot of the bed. “What can I do for you?”

Reluctantly Data stepped forward into her room. “Sorry to have bothered you at such a late hour Commander Allen, I have some disturbing news. We just received this and I thought you would like to know.” Data hands her the PADD and Laura takes it from him and reads the information. It was on the Cook and it was very bad news indeed. Her ship had been taken over by Orion pirates. Her first reaction was to head back to rescue her shipmates, but she there was nothing she could do to help them.

“Are there any rescue ships en-rout Commander Data?”

“Last I checked there were three”

Laura stood up and handed the PADD back to him. “Sir if you would be so kind as to Lt. Ray Donaldson it would be greatly appreciated.”

Data nodded and exited her room. Slowly she got dressed and headed for the lounge. The ship’s lounge was nearly empty. Laura went to the bar and the bar tender came up to her. It wasn’t the one who she had the conversation with earlier. He was a Bolian, and he looked at her with friendly eyes.

“What can I get you ma’am?”

“The hardest thing you got,” Laura answered dryly.

The Bolian bent down and pulled a bottle out from under the counter, and produced and jug of a green liquid. “I’m not exactly sure what this…”

Laura snatched the jug from the man and was already heading out the door, and back to her quarters, but along the way an idea came to her and she re-routed the turbolift to take to the deck where the nearest holodeck was located. Once outside the holodeck she hit the controls.

“Computer create scenery: outside Bozeman, Montana, Earth 00:00 hours.”

The computer took a moment and then beeped, “Enter when ready.”

With bottle in hand Laura entered a dark forest of her child hood. Above her was a full moon lighting the little meadow she was now standing in. Off to the distance a wolf howled, and night insects chirped their nightly sounds. Laura found a stump and sat down next to it and rested her back against it and pulled the cork from the bottle and took a long drink from the bottle. There was no mistake that was the strongest liquor she had ever drank and it burned all the way down and into her stomach. Almost immediately she felt its effects. She sat quietly for several hours tugging on the bottle until she passed out having drunk most of the contents of the jug.

The next morning a figure entered the holodeck. The sun was just breaking over the horizon. He wore a crimson command uniform, and he was bald with the exception of a few hairs that formed a ring around the base of his skull. He saw the crumpled form of Lt. Commander Allen. He walked to her side, and shook her. Laura’s eyes opened, but they were still fogged with intoxication.

“Looks like you had a hard night. Here let me help you to your quarters.”

Laura allowed the man to help her to her feet, and as she headed for the exit the man tried to assist her, and she waved him off. “Sir, I can make it thank you.” Slowly she exited the holodeck on her way to her quarters. The man bent down and picked up the bottle that she had left behind and smelled its contents. She was really wanting to get drunk. He had once seen Captain Scott drink this same drink. He set the bottle down.

It truly was beautiful country with the towering pines and open skies. He ordered the computer to supply him with a horse and he rode off into the distance.

OFF>

 

Laura J. Allen

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

ON>

Lt. Commander John Batu walked quietly through the trees from his position where he had sat above the camp. As far as John could tell they were alone on this planet, and he had no ideas how to get off of it. As he came out of the trees he saw the shadowy figure of Rafe. The camp was silent because most of the men had already went to sleep. Rafe looked like he was keeping watch of the camp. "Hello sir. Beautiful night isn't it?"

"It is." Rafe replied. "I have not seen you in a while. How are you holding up?" He asked.

"As well as can be expected I suppose. Hell we lost our ship and the women." John felt a surge of anger as he thought about how he did little to stop the invasion of his ship.

"We will get them back." Rafe said with a measure of confidence.

John chose a seat next to Rafe and slowly sat down, and looked up at the stars. He hoped one of those glowing specs was the Cook, but in all likely hood the Cook was gone. "I hope so. You know I feel naked now. I don't know what to do with out a fighter to control." Sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "Piloting a fighter is all I know how to do sir and I let every one down You, Mav, the Commodore, and mostly myself."

"You let no one down, Batu. We were taken by surprise. It happens, we'll deal with it. Our mission now is to survive and figure out a way to get back into the game." Rafe said.

John smiled. Rafe was right, and besides worrying about it would do no good. "Yes sir. What do we do now? I still have my phaser, you think we could link enough of our devices together to build a transmitter. All we have is time, and at the very least it would give us a task, and keep our minds busy."

"Many of us are armed. I will speak with the XO and Rh'vaurek to discuss options. I believe first and foremost we need to figure out a way to advertise where we are. Tell me, are any of your men in their flight suits or flight armor?" Rafe asked.

"A few, I was about to prepare for patrol. Before all this happened. We have...” Looks to the sky in thought. "Vance, Cavalier, Half-Pint, and Hound. The rest are in standard Starfleet duty uniform such as myself."

"Have those men take off their flight armor and guard the units. There are homing transmitters built into the suits that we might be able to link together." Rafe said.

"Yes sir. Have you seen Mr. Rogers? He would be invaluable to your idea."

"No, but make sure an inspection is performed to see if the transmitters are in working order before we expend our resources on using them." Rafe said.

"Sir correct me if I'm wrong but aren't the transmitters only good for a few light years?"

"Engineering might be able to link them together with some phasers and tricorders to make a larger transmitter." Rafe said. "It is possible to do."

John smiled. "Well I aien't no engineer, but it seems like it could work. Oh yeah when I was on top the hill I found some animal tracks. Feline I think, but the paws were as big as my hand.” John held up his hand fingers spread apart. “I suggest that every man be armed. If we don't have enough phasers, and I suspect we don't, we should fashion some sort of an alternative weapon. I don‘t know about you, but that cat might see us as an excellent source of protein."

"We'll see what we can do. Work with my friend Kimahri on that. He is skilled in forest and alpine survival." Rafe said. Something came across Rafe's mind. He looked over at Batu. "I think I have an idea.

"What? The transmitter or the giant cat?"

"The transmitter. I have a Migichinan weapon that generates its own power... and is much more powerful then a phaser. It could power any size of transmitter indefinitely." Rafe said.

John looked at Rafe. He had no clue what he was talking about but it sounded like a good idea. "To be honest with you sir it sounds too good to be true. There is never a simple solution to any problem that I have ever encountered."

"No, there never is." Rafe replied.

John looked up at the stars to gauge the time, but even as he did so he had no idea why he did that. He could only tell time like that on earth. "It's getting late. I will get those men to give me their suites in the morning."

"Then get some rest. I will speak with the senior officers in the morning to try and get some kind of plan established.

"Yes sir." John slowly stood up. His legs had stiffened during the short conversation. "Sir, what are you going to do? I have never known you to sit idly by with out some sort of magic trick up your sleeves."

"I am going to wait for the best option to reveal its self, then act on that option." Rafe said.

John nodded, "Good night sir." John crossed the camp and chose a spot under a giant pine-like tree and curled up in the needles and tried to get some sleep.

Off>

JP
Capt. Rafe Oosha
CIO - USS James Cook
 

Laura J. Allen

Squadron CO
USS James Cook
 

ON> Bridge

Frank growled at his third mate. "Go get that blue female. I got work for her."

The third mate hopped the turbolift to the officers deck and unlocked the door to the XO's quarters.

Chiara was sitting in Tarmy's favorite chair as the third mate walked in.

"Y'know, its usually more polite to knock first." She said, putting down the PADD she was reading.

"Boss wants ya. Says he's got something for ya to do."

"Right... whatever." Chiara stood and followed the third mate.

On the bridge one of the crew announced, "Coming up on the coordinates, Boss. Looks like they're waiting for us."

Frank sat up straight, shifting his phaser in the holster. "Keep alert, boys. We don't wanna run into a misunderstanding. Hail the slaver."

Chiara took up a position next to Frank. She looked around to see who else was on the bridge.

Frank eyed her momentarily out of the corner of his eye and focused on the screen.

The slaver captain appeared on the screen. Several Ferengi could be seen among the bridge crew, and a Nausican. "Frank!" He yelled, "How the hell are you, you ole Pirate, you?"

"Doing good, Lou, doing good! I gotcha a good crop this time, near 500 girls and kids."

"Ya don't say?" Lou was surprised. "Damned good. I gotta empty cargo bay, so lets hop to it. The latimum is on its way." He nodded and a LARGE pile of GPL appeared on the bridge.

Frank nodded to the mate serving at ops, "Ok beam them out. Leave the ones in the brig. They're favorites."

Chiara screamed inside. With every crew member beamed out, it was one more life that likely would be lost to the slavers.

While the transfer was being made, Frank turned the chair and looked up at Chiara. "I need you to do guard duty. I don't trust that Commodore of yours. You go in there and keep an eye on her so she don't do nothing stupid. One more screw up and she's dead."

"Then I need a weapon." Chiara said.

Frank roared with glee! "You don't need no weapon with her! You just knock her around a bit and she's nice and compliant!" He continued to laugh. "Course you don't have the same weapons I do." He gestured to a hand, "Give her your stick. You ain’t using it." The hand sullenly gave up his Billy club to Chiara.

Chiara took the Billy club and walked over to the ready room door.

Chiara keyed her medical access and walked in, securing the door behind her.

Elsie spun to face the door and a dark look covered her face as she saw Chiara. "Traitor!" She hissed. "Frank send you here to finish the job?"

"No, just to keep an eye on you." Chiara said. She took out the medical tricorder from a pouch on her belt and started to scan her.

Elsie glared at her, ignoring the tricorder. "Why, Chiara, Why? We gave you everything. A career, a top-notch posting, friendship! What did they offer you that meant more to you than that?"

"They didn't offer me jack, Elsie. They screwed me... implanted something into me while I was training with Sovak. Last Joe I talked to was some jackass Vulcan named Soren. That was the last thing I remember." Chiara said. "Your vitals check out... surprising too, from the stories I've heard.

Elsie shoved her sleeves up to show the bruises from his punches. "These are the ones outside, the ones you CAN see. I can imagine what others are suffering!"

"I know what the others are going through Elsie." Chiara replied. She looked at something on the tricorder and a tear formed in her eye. "Oh no..."

Elsie locked eyes with her and watched.

Chiara handed the tricorder to Elsie to see for herself. It showed the signs of an embryo in the early stages of development.

Elsie's eyes narrowed. "Franks?"

Chiara nodded silently. "The DNA matches."

"Elsie... I am so sorry..." Chiara said.

Elsie put her head in her hands and began to weep silently.

Chiara walked over to the window. "We have to figure out a way to retake the ship." She said.

"Frank is off loading some of the crew to be transported to the slave pits." She said.

Elsie nearly blurted out what Shi had planned, then firmly slammed a block in place. She rose and walked over to a window, pointing to the ships waiting beside the Cook. "Looks like the cargo is being parted out."

Chiara nodded. "Elsie, there's no way I can make you believe me in that I'm telling the truth, other then to have you scan my mind, but that may be too dangerous right now." Chiara said.

Elsie looked at Chiara, "I know you think you are telling the truth. Whether or not that IS the truth remains to be seen." She said evenly, crossing her arms over her chest, suddenly chilled.

"I don't understand." Chiara said.

Elsie sighed, "You face court-martial and a possible life sentence, Chiara. You might be better off with the Pirates. Perhaps you can find a life with them. If I live through this and you are captured, you WILL stand trial. I guarantee that."

"I would rather be in prison then to be on the side of pirates, Elsie. I'm only siding with them so I can figure out how to screw them over like they did to me." Chiara said.

Elsie whirled on Chiara, her rage rising, "Screwed YOU? I lost a ship and a thousand crew and their spouses and children! Now.....THIS!" She gestured to her abdomen. "Spare me your self-pity!"

"Maybe that was a bad choice of words then." Chiara said. "I guess I'm way too used to making myself number one." she said. "Always had to in the past just to get ahead."

Elsie turned away in disgust and headed for the replicator. "Raktajino...no, belay that. Chamomile tea, hot." She picked up the mug and walked over to her ready room seat, sitting down gingerly, still sore from Frank's last visit.

Chiara sat down on the couch and rubbed the bridge of her nose.

In her field of vision was a flash of light. She looked to see herself on the bridge, but it was distorted. Orions lay about, dead from sword wounds. She turned to see Rafe shoving her out of the way and using his Tyrusian sword to cut open the door to the ready room.

Chiara's eyes were wide open, from where Elsie would see them... they were beginning to cloud over again.

Chiara watched as Rafe pulled Frank from Elise and threw him across the room.

"PRAY... NOW!" Rafe shouted. The Orion's eye's were wide in disbelief at the warrior who had appeared out of nowhere.

Chiara could tell where exactly the vision was coming from, but the bridge and ready room was not that of the Cook.

Rafe took a swig from his jug, then spit the potion onto the sword. Black energy swirled around to and red sigils appeared. Frank could only watch in horror, having never seen anything like it before. He wet himself as Rafe brought the sword down with a mighty swing and four of the sigils broke away and flew at the pirate, cutting not into the man's body, but into his very soul.

Chiara gasped.

Rafe turned to her and from his kimono took his lightsaber. "Can I trust you?" He asked.

Elsie watched Chiara silently, anger smoldering. She had no sympathy for what the former counselor was going through.

"Yes." Chiara said. Even though she was in her vision, she said it aloud.

She took the lightsaber from Rafe, and together they fought the pirates as the vision ended.

All Chiara could see was black.

"Crap... not again... I though Sovak fixed this." Chiara said.

Elsie stood and walked away, heading for the cot in the alcove.

"Rafe is coming to save you... to save us." Chiara said.

Elsie sat on the cot, leaning forward, elbows on knees, her chin in her hands. "Then you better warn your new boss. He won't like it if you withold information from him. He might beat you to death like he nearly did to me."

"Warn him about what? I didn't see nothin'." Chiara said defiantly. Chiara's vision slowly started to return.

"You have a dilemma, don't you, Chiara?" Elsie mused. "Poor, Chiara. Not trusted by either side, caught by your own scruples. The problem is, I don't think you know WHAT your scruples are. Perhaps it is your youth, perhaps your upbringing, but you certainly don't present a very clear picture of your beleifs."

"What beliefs?" Chiara said. "I don't even believe in myself half the time. I guess I'm just better off dead." Chiara said. "I wanted to die... but Tarmis stopped me." She said. "If wouldn't have, then none of this woulda happened. "Can't prove my innocence... and I can't do nuthin' to save you." Chiara said.

"Suit yourself." Elsie laid down on the cot and stared at the ceiling. "It seems to me you need to make a fundamental choice. Is life worth living? If it is, Why is it worth living? Does the Universe center around you or are you willing to take your place in the dance of creation. Are you willing to do your part or will you end it all because it does not go your way?"

"Hey, all I wanted was a decent life. I thought I had that here until all of this happened." Chiara said.

"What do you define as decent?" Elsie turned her head on the pillow and gazed at Chiara.

"I had a boyfriend I could love... I had a best friend in you that I could turn to for guidance and girl talk... and I have someone like Rafe I could look up to." Chiara said. "But that's all gone now."

"I had job I really liked, but I guess even that wasn't in the cards for me." She added.

"So. The universe revolves around you. That is what you believe?" Elsie asked.

"What the hell kinda point are you trying to make?" Chiara growled. "I don't frelling believe that the universe revolves around me, no way! I used ta to what I could do just to survive on the streets when my mom abandoned me... then I had to toughen up even more just to get through the academy, so I don't frelling know where YOU come off thinking that I think that the universe revolves around me!" Chiara hissed.

"So far everything you have told me has been about YOUR life, YOUR fate. I had a boyfriend to love, I had this I had that." Elsie answered. "Have you considered how others feel? Have you had compassion for others, I mean real compassion, not just what you learned in the books? Have you reached out a hand and given of yourself to someone even though you had nothing to give?"

"You know, my job on this frelling ship was to do just that! And I thought I was doing pretty frelling good... I guess not. I guess I'm just a frelling failure in your eyes, eh? Good for nothing, huh?" Chiara hissed. "I thought I had a lot of frelling compassion..." Chiara hissed. "But I guess I'm nothing but a cold-hearted bitch, right?"

"If that is how you perceive yourself, then that is what you are." Elsie said quietly. "Peace and joy come from within, Chiara."

"No, I thought I was a good person, doin' the right thing up until now. I was gonna weasel my way in here to try and nut out a plan with ya to ta retake the ship, but I guess that's even out of the question since you seem to think I'm nothing but a pile of Hynerian Donkey shit." Chiara hissed.

"No, Chiara, I pity you, that is, when I am not angry at what you did." Elsie said simply.

"Pity me?" Chiara said. "All I wanted from you was friendship... I didn't want pity." Chiara stood up. She was coming very close to having enough of this.

"You had that, Chiara, and more. You had a family, and you sold it out. You forsook it. When you lose your family, you have lost everything."

"I never SOLD out! I was set up!" Chiara screamed. "I frelling did what you told me to do and went to seek out a Vulcan teacher to get trained in my abilities and it frelling led to this!" Chiara said. "Would you sell out knowing you've got such a good deal in Rafe... you love him a lot, would you intentionally hurt him?" She asked. "The person... the people I care the most for on this ship is Tarmy and Hogah... I would not have done anything... I couldn't even imagine doing anything to hurt them!" Chiara cried.

Elsie just looked at her, keeping her blocks firmly in place. She did not need to say what was in her own mind.

"You Betazoids think you got emotions all figured out, don'cha?" Chiara said. "You're wrong. You don't even know that half of it." Chiara said. "You think I'm a pile of shit, fine. I guess I am." Chiara said.

"You do not know what I think. And that should not matter to you. What you think about yourself is far more important. You seek others to judge you, to tell you that you are a worthy person. You will never be happy until you convince yourself." Elsie said.

"Its all pretty irrelevant." Chiara replied. "I just don't care anymore. Everything around me has fallen apart. I can't put it back together."

She opened another compartment on her catsuit. She pulled out a small object and tossed it to Elsie. "Use it in good health. I won't be needing it for much longer." She said. It was a Star Fleet issue pinch phaser.

Elsie hefted the small phaser in her hand. "This is useless against five hundred Pirates. That I have it at all is a danger." She tossed it back.

Chiara picked it up and put it away.

"Would you do me one last thing... one last favor... not for me but for Tarmis?" Chiara asked. Her voice was soft and sullen.

"What do you want?" Elsie asked evenly.

The ghostly image of the child Bahamut appeared next to Elsie.

"Tell Tarmy... tell him I loved him... with all my heart. I... just tell him how much I loved him." Chiara said softly.

"I will, when the time is right. If he lives." Elsie said.

"Thank you." Chiara said. "Like Rafe said: "Every story must have an ending.' I guess my story is over." She said and turned and left the ready room.

Elsie shook her head, "She still does not understand."

The child Bahamut looked at Chiara's retreating back then turned to Elsie. "She will not understand if you do not help her, and only before it is too late." The boy said.

Elsie turned to the boy, "Help her? She is a traitor!"

"No she is not." Bahamut said. "She is a victim... like you and like your comrades."

Elsie sat upright and swung her legs over the side of the cot. "What do you mean?"

Bahamut sat next to Elsie. "Chiara is responsible only in body, but not in mind and spirit. She would never have willingly done this, and I think you know that deep inside." The boy said.

"Bahamut, my training tells me not to trust her at all! I have had to put away my own natural feelings and concerns to protect my crew and my ship. And in a hostage situation, one certainly does not succumb to sympathy towards the captors!"

"Then she is lost to this world because you will not combine your heart with reason." Bahamut said, rising from the cot.

"You mean she will die, either by her own hand or someone else’s." Elsie guessed.

"Yes. She goes to die now." Bahamut said. "It is truly said. She would have lived a wonderful life, growing in love and friendship. A worthy companion."

Elsie's eyes got a faraway look, seeking out Chiara's mind.

Chiara's mind was dark. Frank allowed her to return to Tarmis' quarters and was again locked away, just as he had locked Elsie away. Frank didn't trust Chiara and she knew it.

Chiara scribbled a message on a PADD and opened a panel where Hogah was hiding. It contained instructions for Hogah to seek out the safety of Shi, and not to come back here.

~ Chiara ~

"Go away." Chiara said.

~ I will not go away ~

"You will in a few minutes." Chiara said. From her catsuit she drew out a cyanide tablet. She went to the replicator for a glass of water.

~ Chiara ~ Elsie projected the faces of the ones she loved into her mind. ~ Would you destroy the ones you love? ~

"I'm doing this because I love them, Elsie." Chiara replied. "But what does it matter. I'm a traitor no matter what I say or do."

~ No, Chiara, you do this to end your pain. It will cause more pain to them ~

"More pain than knowing that I'm alive as a traitor? C'mon, where's the logic?" "The only good traitor is a dead one." Chiara said.

~ I have just been reminded that there is more to this than logic. You face the music with dignity. If you are innocent, somehow that will be revealed. ~

"I don't have dignity anymore, Elsie. I tried to tell you I'm innocent, but even my best friend would not listen to me. I guess there is nothing left but to save everyone some time and grief." Chiara said, raising the tablets to her mouth.

~ CHIARA~ Elsie turned to Bahamut. "Help her, please? She has no one to believe in."

Chiara swallowed the tablets and instantly her body went numb.

~so this is what it's like to die....~ she thought.

Elsie dropped her head into her hands.

Bahamut vanished from Elsie's side as a cold wind blew through the ready room and a familiar blanket drifted onto Elsie.

~ I will stay with you ~ Elsie thought, though to do so would take her with Chiara.

A female voice began to sing...

“Li e yu I no...
Ren me ti...
Yo ju yo go...
Ha SA Te ka Na e...
Ku ta ma e...”

Elsie projected the song to Chiara.

Before Chiara's lifeless body could fall, another blue female wearing much less clothing appeared. Time seemed to stop.

~... its so beautiful... ~ Chiara thought as her consciousness began to fade.

~ Yes ~ Elsie said softly.

Shiva cocked her head to one side and spun around in a dance, weaving a spell that encased Chiara in a shard of heavenly ice.

Chiara's consciousness abruptly stopped, frozen in a moment...

The spell broke Elsie's telepathic link with the Counselor.

Bahamut again stood before Elsie.

Elsie looked sadly at Bahamut. "Too Late?"

"No... it is never too late, but there is nothing you can do now. The Summoner Lady Yuna will know what to do."

"Will she remember, if she comes back? Will she have something to believe in?" Elsie asked, hoping that she would live.

"That will depend on many factors." Bahamut said.

"We who are the Fayth only exist because we want to exist. Chiara has to want to exist as well." He said.

"Bahamut, I cannot save my ship. I am a prisoner. But if there is a way for me to save one person on this ship, then I will. Can I contact her some how? Can I take her place?"

"Time will heal all wounds, Elsie." Bahamut said.

Elsie nodded. It was out of her hands.

"We are here is you need us... all you have to do is ask and we will come." Bahamut said.

"I do not know what is proper to ask for." Elsie said softly.

"Ask your heart then ask us. We know what to do." Bahamut said.

"Then save Chiara." Elsie said finally.

Bahamut closed his eyes and thought for a moment. "I will confer with the Fayth. Give us some time." He said.

"Thank you." Elsie sighed.

Bahamut touched her hand and smiled, then faded away.

OFF>

Lt. Chiara Domina (& Bahamut)
Chief Counselor USS James Cook
&
 

Commodore Elsie Veritas

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

ON > Bridge

“Transfer is complete.” The mate covering Ops announced.

Frank grinned at the pirate on screen. “It’s all yours Lou! Hope to see you soon.”

Lou wheezed a laugh, “Not likely, Frankie boy! This old tub is gonna take weeks to get to Maxwell! We had ta move our base of operations outta Tortuna. Got too damned civilized. Besides, we can only get warp 8 outta this, so we gotta stay outside Federation space. Gotta go!” He cut the connection.

The old freighter slowly turned and headed north to Maxwell.

Without warning, another pile of latinum appeared on the bridge along with gems and precious stones. The Daemon of the cargo ship never showed his face to outsiders, and preferred to deal through written messages.

“Beam the cargo out,” Frank said.

In a few minutes, the Ferengi ship flashed its running lights and veered off to Ferengi space.

“All right, you men. We gotta get this ship to Ladsius before the Feds catch up to us. Maximum warp!” Frank shouted.

The crew scrambled to set the ship on its heading. They would cross the slot and disappear into Cardassian Space, drop the ship off, then beam back to their fleets. All of them would be happy to return to unclaimed space.

OFF>

(all played by Elsie)

 

Commodore Elsie Veritas

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

On> Tarmis’ Quarters.

Various representatives of the ethereal community of The Fayth gathered around Chiara, who was encased by magical ice by Shiva’s hand in a measure to preserve her life.

“You acted well, Shiva.” Bahamut said. “She will live again.”

The ice-blue woman looked down at the boy. “I did what was necessary, my friend, and it was only I who could do it.”

Anima, who appeared as a raven-haired woman rather than the hideous demon that was her as an Aeon, touched the ice. “This one knows much pain.” She said empathicly. “She is young and beautiful. She should not know such pain.”

Ixion, the horseman, stepped forward. “We all know pain, Anima. We have all shared our pain in our dreams.”

“We must look past the pain.” Bahamut said. “Syn is reborn. Yevon and Yunalesca again work to restart the cycle of death.”

“What does this girl have to do with Syn?” The fiery Ifrit asked.

“She is part of the puzzle. She is a pawn in the game.” Another Fayth, Valefor, replied. “For Syn to be finally defeated, all parts of the puzzle must come together.”

“Why should we care? We are no longer attached to this plane of existence. We are free from the hold that Syn had over us. Spira is gone.” The Aeon Samurai Yojimbo said.

“We were all once like them.” Bahamut said. “We loved life so much that we recreated our beloved Zanarkand, and in our dream we lent our power to the summoners to defeat that who took our beloved Zanarkand away from us in the first place. We are also the Guardians. Fate calls on us to again lend our power and strength.”

The Fayth nodded. Bahamut was right and they all knew it.

“Syn has deposited the Guardians and summoner whom it has selected to again defeat it on planets in this sector of space. Sir Auron had been the first piece, Kimahri Ronso the second. We know that others have been placed, but it has been decided by fate that they will come together to destroy Syn… and this vessel, this ship that flys amongst the stars, she be part of realizing Syn’s final destiny.” Bahamut said. “We must again work together to defeat Syn.”

Again they nodded.

“What of this girl?” Shiva asked.

“The Lady Yuna will come here and heal her.” Vaelfor said.

“But Lady Yuna cannot stop her pain.” Anima said. “She should not know such pain.

“She needs something to believe in.” Shiva said.

“She will have to learn to believe in herself.” Bahamut said. “And she will have to learn to believe in those around her who love her, just as we Fayth believe in and love each other.”

“Are we to save this ship as well?” Yojimbo asked.

“Not unless we are asked to.” Bahamut said, “but fate will guide those involved.”

“Shiva.” Bahamut said.

The ice queen nodded and extended her fingers to the ice. She brought her thumb and middle fingers together and snapped, shattering the ice. Bahamut and the other gathered around Chiara and extended their powers outward, holding Chiara in the air. In front of the dead Nebari woman a young oriental girl appeared. She seemed to not know what was going on, but when she saw the lifeless body being gently suspended before her, she knew what she had to do. After all, the Fayth had granted the young lady summoner their powers many a time. It was time to give back.

Yuna, even in her ethereal form, danced and cast a spell that returned life to the lifeless body of Chiara Domina. It purged from her the poisons that she had taken in. Ixion walked forward and took Chiara into his muscular arms as the Fayth gently brought her back down. He took her to the bed and laid her down. Shiva came to her side to tuck her in and gently kissed Chiara on the head.

Yuna looked to the Fayth with bewilderment. She didn’t know what she was seeing in the alien scenery, but she was happy that once again she was called on to save another life. Its what she liked to do and it was what she did best.

Off>
 

ON> Office of PSID
Sovak arrived at the Intel office precisely at 0900 and pressed the chime.

Arla and Stelam were waiting in Arla's office "Enter" Arla answered

Sovak tucked his hands in his sleeves of his robe and strode in as the door slid aside. He waited inside as it closed behind him.

Arla spoke "Sit down Sovak and tell us your story."

Stelam turned and nodded politely to Sovak

Sovak sat ramrod straight and locked eyes with the colonel. "I believe I am responsible for the events leading up to the takeover of the James Cook.

Arla sat back in her chair, she looked at Stelam "I see would you like to explain how this is so?"

Stelam looked on with folded hands with a raised eyebrow "You had transmissions with the USS James Cook, They seemed nothing out of the ordinary"

"It is.....complicated, and the evidence is telepathic in nature." Sovak answered.

Arla shook her head "Please go on we will listen"

"The Counselor on the James Cook came to me for help with her mental discipline. Because her time on Starbase was limited, I implanted lessons in her mind to aid in her progress. It was shortly after that, that the counselor apparently sabotaged the ship. I believe that one of the lessons I implanted had a subliminal message. The lessons were implanted into me by my master Soren. I have reason to suspect him in this...unfortunate..... situation."

Arla replied "Soren is your master"

He is my mentor, my master. We have known each other many years and he helped me perfect my techniques." replied Sovak

"Soren, he gave the James Cook counselor her last lesson before the Sabotage happened" Stelam stated curiously

Arla asked Sovak "Why did he give the last lesson to the Counselor were you not available?"

Sovak looked from Stelam to Arla. "I was not aware that he did so. I arrived in my quarters to await the Counselor's contact, but she never did."

~ He must have activated something subliminal in the teaching ~ Stelam thought to himself

Arla nodded "I see so he intercepted the contact from the Counselor in order to activate the subliminal lesson.

"That is my conclusion also." Sovak replied.

Arla continued "Can you think of any reason why he would want to sabotage the USS Cook

"No, Colonel. It is unheard of for any Vulcan to sabotage a Federation Vessel." Sovak said. A slight frown appeared between his eyebrows.

"What about the 'VIM'?" Stelam inquired

Arla nodded she was curious about that too.

Sovak gave a minute shrug, "I know little about them, but I do not perceive a link between the Cook and the Vulcan Isolationist Movement."

Arla looked toward Stelam

"Is Soren connected with them in any way?" Stelam inquired

"I do not know." Sovak said. "Until today, I thought Soren was completely loyal. I fear that perhaps I am tainted with other subliminal messages. I cannot even trust myself to meld with my students." Sovak grew introspective, almost sad.

"Would you submit to a meld with me, perhaps I can find and remove any subliminal messages from your mind?" Stelam asked calmly

Sovak gazed evenly at Stelam. "I presume you are Stelam tr'Radaik?"

Stelam nodded slightly

"Your reputation precedes you. You may proceed." Sovak agreed.

Arla nodded

Sovak turned the chair he was in towards Stelam, and closed his eyes, fully preparing to open his mind.

Stelam moved forward, lightly placing his fingers on the entry points to Sovak's mind them began the chant "My mind to you mind, my thoughts to your thoughts......" Stelam gently slipped into Sovak's mind

The events since Chiara first came to him were fresh in Sovak's mind, and these he offered first to Stelam.

Then he shared his suspicions of Soren.

Stelam caught the flash of emotion in Soren in the last communication between the two, one of annoyance and frustration. He had been interrupted, but doing what. Stelam then moved on to the events with Chiara, the lessons that he implanted in her, he methodically scanned through the volumes of information passed on to Chiara then he saw it ~Rhiannsu commands?~ he asked himself

In the recesses of Sovak's mind, he was shocked! Rihannsu?

~ What do you know of Soren's past? ~ Stelam calmly inquired of Sovak

~Only that decades ago he was introduced to me as one who had spent many years in seclusion, mastering the mental arts ~ Sovak replied.

~ With Vulcan privacy, that is how many Tal Shiar agents or Political exiles get around in the Federation, Rihannsu and Vulcan are alike to many Federation citizens so it is not questioned ~ Stelam started to think hard about which one Soren could be

Sovak opened his mind to all he knew and saw about Soren, his appearance, where he was staying at Starbase, details of his habits. He had known him for nearly 40 years.

Stelam scanned over each and every little detail Sovak knew about Soren. Soren seemed methodical, with a rigid discipline regime, so staying on Vulcan was a good place for him to bide his time and wait for the perfect time to strike. His recent arrival on Starbase coincided with the Cobra Consortium, Stelam started to think Soren may be both Tal Shiar agent and Political exile ~ What do you know of his contacts? ~

~ Nothing ~ Sovak said.

~ When did Soren give you these lessons? ~ Stelam again asked

meanwhile Arla is having other checks done on Soren through Intel sources.

~ One month and three days ~ Sovak thought.

~ Thank you that should be all. Do not inform Soren of anything, if you notice him doing anything suspicious then contact me immediately ~ Stelam offered then he slowly broke the meld.

Arla walked over to the other computer there is a message from Vulcan Intelligence Soren had once been picked up in a VIM raid. Arla downloads the message and brings it to Stelam

Sovak opened his eyes, very tired, and quite disillusioned, though he did not change his expression. "I should be detained." He said.

Arla spoke up "Why is that"

"I am responsible for implanting the message." He said simply.

Arla: How so you did not know the subliminal message was present.
you simply passed on the lessons that your master had given you.

"I am still responsible. She was my student. I melded with her. She was in my care." He got a faraway look, one laced with surpressed agony.

Arla sensed he was very disturbed. She turns questioning eyes to Stelam

"What is wrong?" Stelam inquired of Sovak.

"I.....If you will excuse me, I must meditate. This has not been easy to accept." Sovak said quietly.

Arla looked at him "We understand. Thank you for coming here and giving us vital information that will help us in our investigation."

Sovak nodded, rose, and without another word or backward glance, walked out of the Intel office.

Arla turned to Stelam "Opinion"

"Look as deep as we can into Soren" Stelam replied

Arla nodded "I agree I have already started a complete Intel search. One of the results was the message from Vulcan. See if you can get a copy of his entry permit and how he arrived on the base and where from?"

"Will do" Stelam replied "I believe he is both a Tal Shiar agent and a political exile, an agent that was sent to Vulcan but a change of Praetor or Chairman of the Tal Shiar stopped him from coming home"

Arla asked, "do you think he is still receiving orders from the Tal Shiar or has he found new allies.

"I believe he has found New allies, The Tal Shiar have information on the Galaxy X and do not need the Ship. I Suspect him being here he is more linked to Cobra" Stelam replied

Arla nodded "that was my thinking too" Well Sovak's information has cleared Domina but none of it is admissible in a Federation court. We have to find physical evidence or a confession.

"Look deep into Soren first, then take action, meanwhile i have activated the SS Orion, Stingray and T'Raina to the Area near the Slot, they will be there before the Thunderchild and have a better chance of finding the Cook" Stelam explained to Arla

Arla nodded "Good" ~I don't know what is going on with Thunderchild I received a message from Jaden that they are 24 hours from Athene and then another 48 hours back to the slot after they pick up their XO~

"Well we had better get back to work we have a lot to do." announced Arla.

"Have Shiarrael fill in for me for the rest of the day, I must meditate on this information, maybe I'll even be able to mentally get through to Rh'vaurek, see if he can help" Stelam explained.

Arla replied "Good idea" see you tomorrow

OFF>

Lt. Col. (Ssiebh) Stelam tr'Radaik

Assistant Director PSID

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


Adm T'Ver (As Sovak)
CO SBP

Col Arla Ries
Director PSID
 

ON>

Rh'vaurek set himself up for a scouting expedition, , he had removed most of the reflective objects off his person and had wrapped the blade Rafe had given him in a cloth scabbard, with the sun starting to come through the trees, he decided it was time to set out, he had informed Rico and Tarmis of his plan and not to come after him, with the first stirrings coming from the sleeping crew he stepped into the forest

After an hour of walking, Rh'vuarek stopped to rest and look around. He saw footprints on the ground that belonged to a humanoid, but they were not big enough to belong to one of the men of the Cook.

Along time ago he had leant to track, anything from man to beast, deeply scanning the trees for hostility his turned his attention to the tracks again crouching down to take a closer look, he carefully stood back up and crept alertly along the direction the foot prints were headed

Rh'vuarek came upon a figure in the distance. It was dark, backlit by the morning light. It turned to look at him and it had a vague feminine appearance. It turned back and kept walking.

Rh'vaurek realized what ever it was, had seen him, he silently prayed to his goddess as he slipped into the shadows of the trees but never taking his eyes of what he was tracking, he longed for the leather armour and forest cloak he had worn long ago that would have blended him onto the background but now was not the time to reflect, he had a job to do, stealthily he continued after his target

"Don't come any closer." A female voice said. She was there, standing a scant twenty feet from him.

Rh'vaurek stood dead still, hoping the shadows would hide him

The woman was dressed in a black leather dress that dropped to the ground.

It was lined with fur and her long black hair was braided as it fell down her back.

She was carrying what seemed to be a stuffed plush toy.

Her skin was pale, but her lips and eyes were dark.

Rh'vaurek went into a crouch placing his hand on the pommel of the unfamiliar blade

"I know you are there." The woman said. Her voice was alluring... it was certainly what the humans would consider 'sexy.'

~ Who are you? ~ Rh'vaurek mentally called

"Come out to where I can see you or I will force you out." The woman said.

Rh'vaurek peered through the grass at the woman ~ There is no vines near her, but very long grass, that may do ~ Rh'vaurek thought to himself as he slowly stood up, not removing his hand from the pommel of the blade he was carrying


The woman's eyes were piercing as she stared at him.

Rh'vaurek stood his ground, locking eyes with the mysterious woman

"Who are you... or what are you?" She asked.

"I am Soul Catcher" Rh'vaurek replied firmly

"That's an odd name." She said. "You are not of any race I've seen." She said, cautiously walking forward. "Are you of Yevon?"

Rh'vaurek raised an eyebrow "Who?"

"If you ask, then you are not." She said. "You do not appear to be a fiend, but I have learned that appearances can be deceiving."

"I am no fiend, but I can converse with devils, demons, and angels alike" Rh'vaurek responded

"Are you a summoner, then?" She asked.

"I am a Planes traveler" he responded

"Never heard of that." The woman said.

"I travel the Celestial and fiendish planes" Rh'vaurek explained

"I am a hunter of lost souls"

"A person like you would come in handy where I come from." She said.

Rh'vaurek raised an eyebrow "Oh?"

"It would be a long story." She said. "I am assuming that this... place is not Spira?"

"I.... do not believe so, Not according to Rafe Oosha" Rh'vaurek answered

"That name is familiar..." she said. She looked Rh’vaurek over then noticed the sword. "Where did you get that sword!?!" She said.

"Rafe handed it to me, to defend myself with on this planet" Rh'vaurek answered calmly

"That sword is the blade of a noble warrior, a man who was once a very close friend!" She held her hand out and magical energy began to swirl around it.

"And you say this 'Rafe' gave it to you? Answer truthfully or I shall destroy you!" It was obvious enough she was very passionate about the matter.

"I am sorry for you loss" he replied as he snatched his hand away from the Pommel as his hand began to tingle, he grit his teeth and answered "Yes, just before a giant lizard attacked us"

To Rh'vaurek, it appeared as if she was trying to sort something out.

"This... Rafe... is he... or she, here?" The woman asked.

"Last time l looked he was at the Camp site" he answered

"Take me to him." She said.

"But don't try anything funny. I'm watching you." She said with an almost hissing voice.

Extending his hand he called to the woman "come to me"

"You lead the way." She said, maintaining her standoffish posture.

"I will not attack unless you give me reason." She said.

Rh'vaurek nodded then turned, uttering a small chant he walked off through the grass and bushes leaving no trace he was ever there.

The woman followed a good ten feet behind him.

Rh'vaurek got back onto the trail, his heavy boots did not make a sound nor show sign of his passing on the soft earth

After an hour of quiet walking, they neared the campsite.

Rh'vaurek turned to the lady "Stay here, i'll will Call for Rafe, Who shall i say you are?"

"Just bring him here." Her voice was cold and icy.

"I will not lead him into a trap, who shall i say you are?"

"Lu Lu." She said.

"That was not so hard now was it" Rh'vaurek replied sarcastically as he turned away and headed into the Camp site

"Moron." Lulu hissed under her breath.

Rh'vaurek muttered "Susse-thrai" as he walked across the camp site to Rafe "Rafe, I have a woman here to see you, she is waiting just out side the camp site. She called herself Lulu or Moron, I am not to sure" Rh'vaurek bit back a smirk

Rafe stood. "Which name is it?" He asked.

"I believe Lulu" he responded

"Take me to her." He straightened his robes.

Rh'vaurek nodded then led Rafe across the compound to where he left the woman "She is just beyond the clearing" he informed Rafe

Rafe nodded. "Come with me."

Rh'vaurek continued to lead on with his hand on the pommel of the blade

Rafe stopped on sight of the woman, then turned back to Rh'vaurek. "There will be no fight, my friend."

Rafe started towards her.

"Auron!?!" She said. Her voice and demeanor changed as she ran towards him.

"Lulu." Rafe replied. As ran up to him and threw her arms around him. "By Yevon I thought I'd never see you again!"

Rh'vaurek removed his hand from the blade and stood with his hands behind his back "Will that be all"

Rafe turned his head to one side. "Yes, Rh'vaurek, thank you. I have much to discuss with my friend."
Rh'vaurek nodded then turned back and headed into the camp site

Off>

JP

Capt. Rafe Oosha (also as Lulu)
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
&

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

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

"A little chaos is good for the soul"

ON> Cargo Bay 4
Shi moved over to a place against the wall where she was pretty much shielded by the other women. She had notified the rest of the women in her Security force to leave through the access door when a distraction was caused to cover their exit. She had mentally notified one of her strongest telepaths to get the word out to certain people to hide themselves in Jefferies tubes and in other compartments.

They had already started to move the women out of the cargo bay. She was glad that she had made her plans in advance. She blocked out of her mind the fate of the women who had been removed. No time to think of that now.

Two women in the middle of the group suddenly started fighting punching and kicking each other.

The guards were forced to break it up. While they were doing this 10 Security guards and 5 Gashta made their way out of the access to the Jefferies tubes. Here they would stay with the rest that were hidden in other compartments until the Cook was turned over to Cobra which was when they would make their move to take back the ship.

Shi had contacted Elsie and told her of her plan. She was not sure what Elsie's fate would be. She knew she would not be left on the ship.

Soon they would have their revenge for this act. They would retrieve their women one way or another. She had talked telepathically to Rh'vaurek last night and told him of her plans. He had approved them. Oh Elements she missed him so much. She could not think of that either. She must concentrate all her efforts on taking back the Cook that was her job and her responsibility.

OFF>

erei’Riov (Cmdr.) Shiarrael t’Radaik
ASEC, Exchange officer
USS James Cook
Flagship – Command Division
 

ON>

Sovak, with a heavy heart returned to his quarters. He went straight to his lamp and lit it, settling down into meditation. His despair nearly overwhelmed him, and he struggled to regain control. In spite of himself, his eyes filled with tears of self-loathing.

Behind him the door silently opened, and a figure dressed in Vulcan robes stepped up behind him. It grabbed Sovak’s head in a viselike grip and whispered. “You had to pry, didn’t you? You would have never known if you had just been a good Vulcan and minded your own business!”

The voice of Soren echoed in his ear as the point of a Romulan knife (neca) in the base of his skull took his life away.

Soren slipped out of Sovak’s quarters, taking his barely-blooded neca with him.

OFF

Adm T’Ver (As Vulcans)
CO SBP

 

Commodore Elsie Veritas

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

ON – Illythirian Ambassadorial Suite.

Stelam marched straight up to his quarters And passed the guards he stopped dead in his tracks and swore ~ Fvadt, we should have put a guard around Sovak ~ Tapping his comm badge he called “Colonel tr’Radaik to Security.”

“Security here sir.” A female voice replied.

“Set a security team down to the Vulcan district on Starbase to guard one Sovak of Vulcan, Immediately.” Stelam ordered

“Understood sir, security out.” She replied.

Closing the communication Stelam walked into his private quarters to meditate, lighting the Vulcan lamp he carried with him for many years now, he thought he should look in on Sovak to make sure he was all right before security arrives to guard him.

Stelam kept a mental eye over Sovak then started to feel an unfamiliar presence, the conversation came as clear as a bell to his mind, he went to call out a warning but is was too late, he lost the connection with Sovak, he was dead.

Stelam quickly came out of the trance and tapped his Comm badge “Colonel tr’Radaik to” he cut himself off called “Computer, site to site transport to outside Savok of Vulcan’s quarters.”

Stelam dematerialized from his quarters, rematerializing outside Sovak’s office just as the Security patrol rounded the corner “You haven’t seen a Vulcan male exiting these quarters have you?” he inquired

“No sir” the Squad leader replied a little confused at how Stelam got there first then realizing he was in an Intel uniform.

Stelam swore “Sovak is dead, he died just recently, I know who killed him, I just do not have the physical evidence yet, when you go in to his quarters you will find a Romulan bio signature in there as well as Sovak’s. As soon as we have the slightest bit of evidence against him, I am going to nail his arse to the wall.” Stelam growled through gritted teeth

The squad leader pushed on a code to unlock the door they started to perform scans looking for a Romulan bio sign, they quickly found Sovak, slumped forward in a meditative pose and a puncture wound to the back neck. Scanning the body, they found death would have been almost instantaneous. The Squad leader walked out to Stelam “He is dead, puncture wound to the base of the skull, severing the spinal cord at the brain”

“Are you sure you didn’t see any one around these corridors?” Stelam again asked with urgency

“Yes sir, I was a Vulcan male crossing our path just before we got here sir.” He replied

“Thank you that will be all, for now, I want a full report on the crime scene delivered to PSID, I do not have the time to stick around, I have other investigations to finish.” Stelam stated forcefully then turned to leave for his office

<>

Stelam pulled up some scans of the corridors around Sovak’s quarter’s just prior to his beam in “Call up camera in on deck 310 corridor 85 area 51, time frame index between 1200 and 1205”

The computer instantly blinked up the camera recording. One Vulcan male leaving set quarters at 1202 “Computer zoom in on this area” Stelam marked an area around the person in question “Magnify” he ordered. “Zoom in on this area.” Stelam again ordered as he marked an area around the head of the suspect.

“Clarify” he ordered “Show scans from that area at the time in question, what lifesigns are there in that area at that time” Stelam asked full well knowing it was going to be Rihannsu, he waited for the response from the computer

“One subject, Romulan male, approximately one hundred years old, six foot two inches tall, two hundred and twenty pounds.” The computer announced.

“Computer, call up the quarters for Soren of Vulcan” Stelam ordered the computer

“Deck 310 corridor 83 area 50.” The computer responded, in the usual monotone voice.

Stelam leant back in the chair and stretched, his mind was getting weary, he would not be able to do another meld today even if he did catch Soren, he needed to rest, Soren would be here tomorrow, he would make sure of that. Stelam opened a communications link to the agency academy “Colonel tr’Radaik to Colonel Do’Urden”

“Do’Urden here” Huma responded

“I am sending you some coordinates, lock on to the target there and beam them to ‘the room’, I’ll ‘talk’ to them tomorrow” Stelam replied

“Understood sir, Do’Urden out” the screen went blank displaying the agency symbol for a second, before blanking out to the Federation symbol.

<>

Soren paced his quarters waiting for his next lot of orders, when he dematerialized, only to rematerialize in a dark non descript room, then all of a sudden it hit him, his mind felt numb, ~ A PSI dampening room ~ he realized.

Stelam walked up to the Comm and sent a message in to Soren's cell“Soren, Soren, Soren, if that is your real name, you as well as any should know that Intel do not play by the rules, so sit tight, I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Jolan’tru Vang’raden” Stelam said as he left Soren alone in his cell.

Soren raged “You can’t hold me here, I have done nothing” he snapped

OFF

==========================
Lt. Col. (Ssiebh) Stelam tr’Radaik

Assistant Director PSID

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

Commodore Elsie Veritas

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

On > Psi Dampening room

Soren had paced all night, feeling claustrophobic without the use of his telepathy. It was like being deprived of one of his senses. Finally, about dawn, he collapsed on the chair, exhausted, and fell into a fitful sleep.

Stelam was in the Interrogation room, he sent out a message the Academy transporter chief to beam the prisoner here, Moments later Soren appeared in the new chair with Stelam behind him and a glass of ice water, Stelam tipped the water over Soren "Wake up"

Soren started awake with the sudden wash of icy water. He wiped the water from his eyes and looked around in the darkened room. "Who is there?" He reached out his mind to find someone familiar, but who?

Stelam walked around from behind the chair and stood in front of Soren "Remember me?"

Soren's face broke out in a grin, "Well tr'Radaik! This is where you are hiding!"

Stelam looked at Soren like a cat looks at a mouse "Indeed"

Soren sneered, "You were wise not to have returned to the Empire after those feannar re-instated your citizenship. You would have died the moment you crossed into Rihannsu space!"

"I would have the protection of Ortaim u’lyret" Stelam replied

"The elements themselves could not protect you from an assassin's poisoned neca!" Soren chuckled.

"No, but at least I will not die as a Vang'raden like you will" Stelam snapped back

Soren looked up at Stelam and shook his head with a sneer. "My life ended forty years ago. I am dead to my people, with no honor."

"At least I have not worked against the empire, you Vang'raden have sold out, sold your Vaurek to the highest bidder, let it rot forever in Areinnye" Stelam replied in a cold emotionless tone, grabbing Soren's head tightly in his hands

Soren hissed. "I tried to live as a Vulcan, after my mistake, after the Tal Shiar ousted me. I learned their disciplines, their philosophy, and their secrets. And I tried to redeem myself by sharing those secrets with the Empire! They laughed at me!" Soren glared with anger. "They laughed at my thirty five years of work! Well they do not deserve to know what I have learned! I work for others now."

"You messed up, you fell from grace, no longer were you wanted, you out lived your usefulness, you like me have tried to go home, but home no longer wants you. You are the reason the Federation do not like us, do not trust us, you are everything the federation see you decrease out reputation in their eyes. Everything I work for, to show the Federation we will not stab ourselves or our allies in the back for more power. Show them the honor we carry ourselves with, but you never knew what that was did you, that was just another word to you wasn't it" Stelam growled through gritted teeth

"You speak of being allies and wear THAT uniform? You openly wear a Tal-Shiar insignia and a Tal-Shiar rank?" Soren chided. "The Great and Feared Tal-Shiar sits in the middle of a Federation Starbase, right under their noses! And you flaunt it! Where are YOUR loyalties, tr'Radaik?"

"MY loyalties are MY business, I have the reports it is only Rogues working with Cobra, when 'home' wants me back, I will go home, with clear conscious that I have not betrayed the Empire or its secrets" Stelam replied

"I have NEVER revealed the secrets of the Empire or those of the Tal Shiar!" Soren growled, "Even in my sorry life in this inferior part of space, I have held true to the Empire! You think we are all rogues? Think again, tr'Radaik! Senators, Tal-Diann, Tal Shiar, all have a hand in this little war the Cardassians are planning. And we will come in after it is all over and take the resources we so badly need!"

Stelam shrugged, he was not one to care if the Cardassians wiped themselves out in a civil war, or one with Cobra, only one thing truly mattered to him now and that was Vierna.

Soren's words rang true in his ears, the Empire did badly need the resources but he was not here to discuss that Stelam grit his teeth pushing Soren hard against the rigid chair "ENOUGH of this"

"So, tr'Radaik, what do you want with me?" Soren sneered.

"I want to know what you implanted in Sovak's mind to implant into Chiara, and why?"

Soren slammed his blocks up and grinned at Stelam.

"You want to play hard to you? I can do that too" Stelam placed his fingers hard against the entry points to Soren's mind digging in his fingernails and started to force his way into Soren's mind

Soren fought against Stelam's superior push, and he grimaced with pain! He grabbed Stelam's hands and tried to pry them from his face. Finally he cried out, as Stelam broke through!

Stelam forced his first question into Soren's mind ~ Who is giving you your orders? ~

~ I do not know his name. A Cardassian lieutenant. ~ Soren gritted his teeth, trying to force Stelam out.

Stelam firmed up his position in Soren's mind forcing in another question ~ Where is he sending them from? ~

~ Lidsius ~ "Augghh!" Soren groaned as the information was forced from him.

~ What did you implant in Lt. Chiara? ~ Stelam roared into Soren's mind

The mental pain was so great that he shouted aloud! "The implant was instructions to study and sabotage the ship so our operatives could take it over!"

~ Who were your operatives? ~

"The Orions." Soren gasped.

~ What was their cut? ~ Stelam inquired softening up a little to make Soren appreciate the power he commanded

"The Orions got to sell off the supplies and the crew. They are delivering the ship to C.O.B.R.A." Soren answered.

~ To Ladsius? ~

~ Yes ~ Soren nodded mentally.

~ Do you know anything about the Orions working on this hit and run exercise? ~

~ I do not associate with the Orion scum ~ Soren mentally sneered.

~ I did not ask if you associated with them, I asked if you knew anything about them ~ Stelam thundered

"No. I do not know who was contracted to do the job." Soren said.

~ Who would know? ~ Stelam forcefully asked

"Marcet!" Soren yelled, as Stelam dug deeper into his mind.

Stelam left Soren's mind he believed he had enough information he let go of Soren’s head letting him droop from exhaustion

Soren whispered, "Let my final act be one of honor."

"There will be a Neca in your Cell when you arrive" Stelam calmly replied

Soren nodded. No other words needed to be spoken.
Stelam tapped his comm badge "tr'Radaik to transporter room, one to beam to 'The Room'" Stelam looked one final time at Soren "Jolan'tru"

"Jolan'tru, Stelam tr'Radaik" Soren said as he disappeared from Stelam's sight. Soren appeared in the room and as promised, a neca waited for him on the chair. He opened his tunic and took out a small vial of poison and poured it on the blade. Then he knelt on the deck and bared his wrists and his abdomen. Two small cuts on the wrists, and the poison began its work. Turning his mind to the most beautiful place on Ch'Rihan, where he spent many days of his youth in the arms of his lover, he plunged the dagger into his heart, and died with a smile on his lips.

Stelam walked out of the Interrogation room, Soren's words still ringing into his mind, Where did his loyalties lie

OFF

JP

Adm. T'Ver (as Soren)
CO SBP
&
Lt. Col. Stelam tr’Radaik
Assistant Director PSID

Ssiebh Stelam tr’Radaik
Director of Agent Training.
Telepathic and other mental arts.
Military Activities Division Green Agency

Ssiebh Stelam tr’Radaik
Tal Shiar agent

 

Commodore Elsie Veritas

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

On> The forest

Rafe walked along side of Lulu. For him, it had only been a year and a half since he had seen her last, but she wore the age of ten years… ten years since she had last seen the legendary Guardian she knew as Sir Auron… a man who hadn’t seemed to age a day in the time she had known him.

“I am so surprised.” Lulu said. “You were gone… gone to the Farplane. How is it you’re back? Or is this The Farplane and I am dead.” She said.

“We are both alive, Lulu.” Rafe replied. “I was sent to the Farplane to rest, but I couldn’t bring myself to stay there. I had more to live for.”

“Another noble quest, Sir Auron?” Lulu asked.

“No. A woman.” Rafe replied.

Lulu stopped and placed her hand over her face in shock. “You, Sir Auron in love?” She said. “I never thought it possible.” She said.

“Simply because I am the consummate warrior?” Rafe asked.

“Yes, I guess.” Lulu replied. “You never seemed the type that would take a wife. You seemed to live only for a purpose.” She said. “This woman must be very special.” She added, taking Rafe’s hand to look at the ring on his finger.

“She is… but I am afraid her life is in jeopardy.” Rafe said sadly.

“Then why are you not at her side?” Lulu asked.

Rafe then started to tell Lulu his story, of Elsie and Shi and how the starship he lived on was now in the hands of pirates. Lulu listened with compassion and then finally put her arms around her friend to give him strength. It was the first time she had ever seen him vulnerable. She wanted to do everything thing she could for Rafe to make him feel better. He of all people deserved happiness after the life he had lived.

“I will go with you, Sir Auron.” Lulu said. “I am sure Yuna will want to come too.” She said.

“Yuna… is here?” Rafe asked.

“Yes. We woke up this morning to find ourselves in a field with no one else around. I had gone to bed last night in my home with Wakka… but he is nowhere to be found either.” She said.

“Kimahri is back at my camp.” Rafe said. “He was found a couple weeks ago. I have kept him with me ever since.”

“Yuna will be happy. Kimahri disappeared a month ago. We feared a fiend had gotten him.” Lulu said. “Come, let’s go get Yuna.” Lulu said and led Rafe deeper into the forest.

Off>
 

Capt. Rafe Oosha

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

ON>
Fairee was crouched in a Jefferies tube glaring. For once she was thankful of her people's ability to mask their life signs with their surroundings. Fairee had been hiding out ever since the ship had been taken over by the Orions.

These creatures are disgusting, she thought to herself as she kept track of them using her magic. Fairee was hoping to find someone, anyone that could find a way out of this mess.

Fairee sent her magical vision out into the ship again to check on Genesis. Fairee was upset at the treatment and rapes of the women but was powerless to do more. She was still new to the ship and the way she might have solved the problem on her home planet might not be the way it would be solved here. So Fairee constantly moved from spot to spot and tried to keep an eye on things until she got a break of some kind.

~Focus Fairee~ she scolded herself and sent her magic into Genesis to look out through her eyes.

<The Brig, through Genesis' eyes>
Genesis sat in the corner a scowl on her face. She was still battered and bruised from the last Orion who had decided to have fun with the spitfire redhead. "I've got to learn to shut my mouth and control my temper," she muttered as she gingerly stood up and made her way over to check on some of her fellow cellmates. Genesis mind was still going in circles. She had heard the whispers and even seen Chiara with the Orions but couldn't quite believe it. Then when Chiara had agreed to help them Genesis was relieved someone had a plan.

Genesis was projecting calming thoughts as she checked on each woman and so was not paying attention when the forcefield was lowered and the Orion walked in. Genesis watched the woman she was working on eyes go wide and Genesis tried to dive left but wasn't fast enough. The Orion grabbed her by her hair and jerked her back toward him.

Genesis let out a yelp and struggled while he laughed. "You are the fiesty one, everyone keeps talking about. I think I'd like a taste of you human," he said while roughly fondling her.

Genesis spit in his face at the same moment she kicked him hard in the stomach. The Orion let her go with a yell and Genesis hit the floor and rolled to her feet. Letting out a roar the Orion grabbed Genesis by her leg and jerked her to him and dragged her out of the cell to the hoots and laughter of his fellow Orions.

"Got the drop on you didn't she?" one of them asked grinning.

"Shut up. I'll teach her some fear!" he growled as he wrapped his hand into Genesis hair and dragged her fighting and struggling to a corner where he could rape her. Genesis fought but was no match for the Orion who literally pinned her small petite frame with his larger one. The Orion was rough and laughed when Genesis slapped him. "Yes the feisty ones are the best," he said leering at her. Finally he finished and jerked her to her feet. He slammed her hard into a wall and Genesis let out cry.

The Orion laughed and dragged her back over to the others. "Anyone else want a go?" he asked lewdly.

A chorus of "I do" followed. Genesis refused to look at them. ~Disgusting creatures~ she thought as one by one they took turns at her. Finally they were done and they put her back in the cell. Genesis wobbled and finally collapsed in a corner. She closed her eyes and refused to cry.

Suddenly Genesis felt a calmness and warmth spread through her. ~I'm here my teyamando. Do not despair. I will find some way to save you.~ Fairee's voice whispered in Genesis mind.

~You're free?~

~Yes teyamando. I will try and find some help I swear it. And these vile creatures will pay for using you the way they have. I must go. Be strong my teyamando~ Fairee said tenderly as she withdrew from Genesis' mind.

Genesis sighed and went to sleep, safe in her dreams at least from the demons of the reality.

OFF>
Petty officer 1st Class Fairee Planyo
Nurse, USS James Cook
&
Dr. Genesis Aquamara, Lt
ACMO, USS James Cook

ON > Ready Room

Elsie woke very early Gamma shift, or what would be Gamma if there were a Starfleet crew aboard. She rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. ‘Lights one quarter.” Dim ambient light cast shadows of the structural elements above her.

She reached out her mind. It was quiet on the bridge, except for a bit of storytelling, a bit of bragging on past conquests. The ship was nearly empty, those hiding in the compartments and Jeffries tubes were quiet, some sleeping, some sitting alert in the dark. Shi’s team was well-trained. They would stay there until she gave the order.

~Chiara.~ There still was no mental signature of her on the ship. ~She must be dead. But I asked for her life. They must not have decided yet.~ A tear slipped out of the corner of an eye and slid down her face. ~ Be strong, Elsie ~ She thought. ~ Don’t give in to despair.~

Elsie thought about the escape panel hidden in the bulkhead behind her cot, invisible except for those who knew where to look. It would be so easy to slip out. But then the Orions would become alerted that all was not going their way. They would start searching the hidden places on the ship and all advantage would be lost.

So she remained Frank’s toy. It was fortunate in a way that he still favored her, or she might be on the freighter with the others or, more likely, already dead. At least she was with her ship. For now. There would be one more crossroads. When the Orions left the ship, would she be taken or slain? The C.O.B.R.A. might want her for interrogation. For her, that was not an option. She knew too much.

Elsie stroked her tender abdomen. She had thought the tenderness was due to Frank’s abuse, but there was a new life inside her, born of violence, yet innocent in its own right. There were no options at this point, as a sex slave to Frank. If….When! she escaped, she would consider them with the doctors.

Elsie rose from the cot, replicated a clean uniform and headed for the sonic shower. Regardless of her situation, she would keep herself up, and comport herself with dignity.

OFF>
 

Commodore Elsie Veritas

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

ON>
Fairee sat with a brooding look. Damn Orion pigs. They would pay for hurting her teyamando! Fairee sent her magical vision out again and this time located others, moving about in the Jefferies tubes. Fairee grunted and headed toward them, cloaking her presence from telepathic intrusion. Like a homing pigeon she followed her magic to those she prayed would be able to help.

Shi felt a telepathic presence she was not familiar with. It was approaching the area where her and 5 of her Security were hiding. She waited to see who would emerge from the darkness of the Jeffries tube

Fairee froze. Her magic let her know that someone had sensed her. She thought furiously. ~Hmm the person must be a powerful telepath to have felt me.~ Fairee would've shrugged but her wings were too cramped. Making up her mind she slowly inched forward, her eyes once again adjusting to the darkness. She emerged from the darkness and stopped. She could make out at least six people in the dark. "Hello?" she whispered.

Shi looked up and whispered back "Hello" she had not recognized the voice. She called up a mental picture of the person speaking and almost fell over in amazement a Fairy creature with wings. She remembered she had seen her around the ship. "Come forward and join us" she invited her

"Thank you milady," Fairee said and crept into the dimly lit tube and looked at Shi. "Petty officer 1st Class Fairee Planyo reporting ma'am. I didn't know anyone else was free except me. I'm glad to find you though," Fairee added with a smile, aware of the stir she was causing among the women who were looking at her strangely.

Shi looked at her. "Have you been hiding since the takeover in these tubes?"

"Yes ma'am. And let me tell you my wings are hurting. I need to stretch them and soon or else they will remain this way for the rest of my life," Fairee said in dispair.

Shi replied "Yes this is rather cramped quarters I can see your problem.Can you hide your presense in close proximity to someone both telepathically and physically?"

Fairee grinned. "If I do not wish to be seen, I'll not be seen. These creatures that have taken our ship are dumb. My magic works on them best. I can cloak myself invisible and one other you choose to send with me," Fairee explained.

Shi nodded. "good I need to know if Capt. Veritas is still on the ship and how many people have been left on the ship by the Orions. JaEl you go with her. Come back and report to me."

Fairee looked at Shi and said mentally ~If you like you can see through my eyes as we work our way through the ship. It would be easier on you. I know not what I'm looking for~ Fairee said apologetically to Shi as she smiled at JaEl who had made her way over to Fairee.


Shi sent back ~yes that is good thinking. I can also guide you where I want you to go~

Fairee nodded. "Come then JaEl. Let's see what we can find," Fairee said her musical voice full of what sounded almost like sinister laughter. JaEl followed behind her as Fairee made her way quickly through the jefferies tube. Fairee could feel Shi in her mind and Fairee did her best to take in everything as quickly and as efficiently as she could. Fairee had JaEl out in the open and walking among the Orions without anyone noticing. Fairee fanned her wings whenever they went for stretches without seeing any guards. Fairee got them safely to sickbay before sending her magic into a nearby console to disable it from reporting their presence. Fairee dropped the glamour spell around herself and JaEl. "Let's rest a moment." ~ Now what do you wish me to do?~ she asked Shi.

Shi had mentally followed Fairee's progress. She noticed she was in sickbay which was empty. ~bring back a hypospray with some type of sedative~ she ordered. "Then check out the Capt's Ready room to see if the Capt. is still on board. I do not think she is I have not been able to contact her.~

~Acknowledged~ Fairee grabbed three hyposprays and loaded them with the most potent sedatives she could find that would knock out the Orion scum. She handed two more to JaEl. "Are you ready?" JaEl nodded and Fairee once more dropped her glamour spell around them and they exited sickbay. She allowed Shi to guide them toward the bridge and the Captain's ready room.

Fairee paused outside the door. If she entered physically then the Orions on the bridge would know. Fairee thought quickly. ~Ma'am I'm about to do something that would get me in some big trouble with my people but I see no way around it. I'm going to take JaEl with me through the doors~

Shi was not quite sure what she meant but she accepted her word for it. ~do what you have to do. this information regarding the Capt. is vital to our plans~

~I understand~ Fairee touched JaEl's shoulder and said to her telepathically ~I want you to hold my hand. What I'm about to do will feel strange but remember I'm with you and you will come to no harm.~ JaEl nodded. Fairee took JaEl's hand in hers and gripped it firmly. Taking a deep breath Fairee stared at the door and then held up her left hand and placed it on the door. She turned and grinned at JaEl before walking through the closed door, pulling a stunned JaEl through with her to the other side and into the Captain's ready room. Fairee dropped the glamour spell and looked about the room and noticed the Captain walking into the ready room.

Shi mentally observed the whole scene. She looked around the Ready room. The Capt was still there so apparently she was going to stay with the ship until it got to the Cobra base. ~this might be an advantage~ she thought

< Ready Room>
Elsie dressed, ran her fingers through her hair, as they had taken even her brush. Cleansing her mouth in the sink, she rubbed her face to bring color to it and stepped back into the ready room. Standing against the outer bulkhead were the new Fairy Nurse and a new security officer.

Fairee looked at the Captain and bowed. "Milady?"

Elsie glanced at the ready room door. "It is dangerous for you to be here!" She spoke lowly, "You will compromise the mission!"

~Should I say anything to her ma'am?~ Fairee asked Shi.

~give as little explanation as you can but tell her what is going on~

Fairee padded over to the Captain not making a sound. ~Ma'am. We are trying to get our ship back. You know there are others free. We need to know what to do?~ Fairee said in the Captain's mind, her giant wings fanning lazily back and forth. Shi came back ~tell her the plans have already been made. If she can help in anyway and not compromise herself it would be appreciated~

~ Since I am not in control of my ship, follow Shi's orders. I am aware of the plan. I will keep Frank happy until we reach Ladsius~Elsie instructed.

Shi mentally nodded mentally.

Fairee also nodded. Fairee could feel the steel running through the Captain. ~You are brave. On my planet you would have been the highest of our warriors and I willingly will follow you into battle any time milady. Be careful of the little one. These Orion scum seem not to care if they take a life or abuse it~ Fairee said as she briefly touched the Captain's stomach.

~ The child shall be taken care of, Fairee. It is not our way to destroy innocent life~ Elsie thought.

~ask her if she has any idea where the rest were offloaded~ Shi sent.

Fairee realizing the two women would talk better if they were connected, reached over and touched Elsie and allowed her link with Shi to reestablish a connection between the two women

Elsie looked at Fairee in surprise but talked to Shi. ~ They are headed for Maxwell, Shi~ Elsie sent

~ok thanks that helps a lot~ Shi replied

Fairee smiled. ~Anything else ma'am?~ Fairee asked Shi and Elsie.

~ I have the basics here, food water, amenities. I will be safe. You save the ship~ Elsie answered

Shi answered with a touch of relief ~that is good to hear. I was concerned about your well being~ she said before adding ~Aye Sir we will~

Fairee laughter echoed in both Elsie and Shi's mind. ~Ma'am I don't know why you worry about the Captain. She is iron. She will bend when it is time and not before. I would not wish to be her enemy when it happens~

Elsie grinned. ~ Thank you for that, Fairee ~

Shi replied ~I am well aware of the Capt's abilities and courage. Now get back here ASAP~

Fairee bowed slightly to Elsie. To Shi she replied, ~Yes ma'am!~ "Come JaEl." Fairee reached out her hand, touched JaEl and the two promptly vanished from Elsie's physical sight. Fairee walked toward the door, gripping JaEl's hand tightly and repeated her earlier trick of dissolving through the door.

The Commodore smothered a grin behind a hand. Shi was all business! A good quality right now! she thought as she sat down to think.

Fairee and JaEl quickly made their way back to Shi's hiding space. Fairee had once again tucked her wings tightly against her body. "Ma'am, if it's ok I must rest," Fairee said, unable to hide the tiredness from her voice and her pale face.

Shi looked at her "of course Fairee take your rest. There will be much work to do when we arrive at Ladsius."

Fairee yawned. "Never knew a glamour spell could be so draining," she muttered sleepily as her eyes closed and she went to sleep.

Shi smiled at her, she did not understand Fairee, but she appreciated Fairee's help.

OFF>

JP
Commodore Elsie Veritas
CO USS James Cook
&
Petty officer 1st Class Fairee Planyo
Nurse, USS James Cook
&
erei'Riov (Cmdr.) Shiarrael t'Radaik
ASEC, Exchange officer
USS James Cook
Flagship - Command Division

Vance stood by idly, feeling somewhat naked without his flight suit on. He and a couple others of the Wolfpack were standing guard as a few of the ship's Engineers worked on building a better transmitter out of the components that were available. At the moment, things weren't looking too good.

"Frellin' stone age tools..." one of the nearer engineers muttered, but Vance caught it and grinned slightly.

"Problem chief? I thought you Engineers could put together a warp core out of sticks and spit."

Vance earned himself a sharp look with that one. "Sorry Lt, I must have missed Miracle Working 101," the chief replied.

Vance chuckled slightly and went back to keeping an eye on the forest, his hand subconsciously checking to make sure that his phaser was still in its holster. He was avoiding a dirty road of thoughts, the kind that were filled with Orions and the female crew. Vance was a good pilot, and he was roaring inside to get strapped into his bird and vape Orion pirates 'till the universe collapsed. The only thoughts that were better were the ones involving a good old fashioned street fight with those Orions...his fists clenched hard enough to make knuckles pop at that thought.

The only thing that was left was hope...hope that maybe, somehow, Faye and a bunch of the others had managed to get away somehow. ~She's a pilot firt and foremost, so they couldn't hold her for long without regretting it...~

 

 Lt. (JG) Vincent 'Vance' Johnston

Fighter Pilot, VF-1 'Wolfpack'
USS James Cook, NCC-2098-A

To: Dhael’ehrie, Ourai, SS Thunderchild, SS Orion, SS Stingray, SS T’Raina
From: Lt. Colonel Stelam tr’Radaik
Subject: USS James Cook

To the Commanding officers of each vessel, as you already know, the USS James Cook has been captured, but now we know where it is headed, all Vessels make best speed for Ladsius, but remained cloaked. To the Commanding officers of the Dhael’ehrie and Ourai, continue your current mission then lend assistance where available. To the Commanding officer of the Thunderchild you are to patrol the border and scan deep into unknown space for non allied craft, particularly cargo and slaver ships, as they will most likely be transporting the crew and equipment from the James Cook.

End Transmission

==========================
Lt. Col. (Ssiebh) Stelam tr’Radaik

Assistant Director PSID

ON > Base camp

Lt. George Edderly sat around a small campfire with six young teenagers. “All right. You have your sticks?” He looked around at the boys, who nodded and held up the sticks they had broken from nearby bushes.

“Now we are going to make weapons. Take the rocks we found and start scraping a point like this.” He showed them how to scrape, then pass it through the fire, then scrape again, turning the stick to make a hard sharp point.

After a while, the teens were in various stages of completion, and they each had something that could be used as a dagger.

“Now take the longer ones we got and do the same thing. We’re gonna make spears. You can use them for defense or to hunt small animals for food.”

As they scraped their sticks into points, Edderly spoke to them, “I need you to be my eyes and ears. Keep a vigilant watch for anything that might look dangerous, animals, people, anything. If you see anything you are not sure of, you signal me like this.” He showed them a hand signal he had learned in Academy. “I don’t want you leaving the sight of the camp, yah hear?”

“No Sir,” The boys echoed.

“Okay. Joran, Nebal, you take first shift. Two hours. North perimeter. Stay within sight of each other.” Edderly nodded to the boys to begin their shift. The boys stood, solemnly saluted Edderly, then took off with their new weapons in hand to stand watch. The other boys watched them with a bit of envy.

“You’ll get your turn. Just wait. Keep making weapons. It’s very important we have some in reserve.” Edderly stood up. “I have to run a perimeter check. You finish then get something to eat.”

“Yes Sir!” The four remaining boys answered and diligently went back to work. As Edderly strode off the boys grinned at each other and scraped away. :

”Hey, I wonder if we can scrape them flat and make knives!”

“Dunno. Let’s try! We’ll surprise Lt. Edderly!”

With teenage ingenuity the boys went to work, experimenting with different rocks and thicknesses of sticks.

OFF>

Lt. George Edderly (also as boys)
IO USS James Cook
________________________
 

Commodore Elsie Veritas

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

ON> Planet side. Camp of the male officers and crew of the USS James Cook.

Thumper oversaw the development of the transmitter, and helped when he could, but the creation of something from nothing was painstakingly slow. His phaser had since been parted for the power cell and its circuits cannibalized when needed... His stomach growled, and he realized that he had not eaten in sometime nor had probably any one else. It was time they did something about that. He turned and looked up Ereiriov Rh’vaurek Trradaik. He found him standing guard at the edge of camp, and he approached him. "Sir?"

Rh'vaurek held up a hand as he watched deep into the forest, slowly turned around "Lt. Cmdr John 'Thumper' Batu isn't it?"

"Yes sir it is. I was thinking. We... Well I have not eaten, and I suspect that few have for sometime. I think we should see about hunting."

Rh'vaurek crouched down picking up a long wooden object "You know how to use this?" He asked as he handed thumper the spear

"Only in theory sir. I used to hunt with my father, and I have used everything but a spear. I am experienced with a firearm, and have ample experience in a bow. However, I can track."

"You can use a bow?" Rh'vaurek inquired

"Yes sir," Thumper nodded. "Compound mostly."

Rh'vaurek crouched down and picked up another weapon "It may not be replicated, but it is pretty damn good" Rh'vaurek handed Thumper the hunting bow "Just do not ask where I got it, you would not believe me"

Thumper examines the bow. It appeared to be an ancient English long bow. Testing the string Thumper smiled. "Damn site better than rocks."

"Indeed, you will be needing some arrows, Give me a second and I'll retrieve them"

John sighed; his only thought was where in the world was the getting this stuff. Rh'vaurek walked off into the woods, he was gone for a short while, returning behind thumper he tapped him on the shoulder handing him a quiver full of arrows "here" Rh'vaurek was also not dressed in his star Navy uniform any more, he wore a forest green tunic and pants, soft brown leather armor and boots and a cloak that looked like long grass being blown by a gentle wind. He looked like a six-foot tall elf.

"Thank you sir," It was all he could think to say. Thumper had never believed in magic, but it sure seemed like he had just witnessed it firsthand. He took the quiver, and placed it around his shoulders. "Shall we sir?"

Rh'vaurek nodded biting back a smile then walked off into the forest letting Thumper follow. They had been walking for an hour when Rh'vaurek stopped and crouched down looking at a trail "Thumper, What does this look like to you?"

Thumper whispered, "I'd say some sort of deer. The cloven hooves would indicate that." Reaching down he felt the disturbed earth. "Still damp. I'd say it passed here with in the last hour. Probably less."

"From the size if the hooves, I'd say a decent size too" Rh'vaurek added "A full grown male"

"Possibly, but keep in mind that we are on an alien planet and the deer here may be ten meters tall and weigh 3000 kilos," Thumper joked. “Maybe we’re hunting a baby doe.”

Rh'vaurek smirked "How much to you like venison and veal?"

"Right now I'd eat lion. I had some berries earlier, but that's about it." Thumper scanned the base of the trees searching for movement, and listening. Nothing, but that meant little, and he knew it too."See anything?"

Rh'vaurek stood perfectly still ~ Shhh! ~ He imparted into Thumpers mind

Thumper nearly let out a shout of surprise when Rh'vaurek did that. ~Damn telepaths. ~

~ Ready your bow, Slowly!! ~ Rh'vaurek imparted again on Thumper Ignoring his comment as he slowly lifted his leg with drawing a Kailune from his boot.

Slowly and quietly Thumper lifted the bow into position and in a slow and calculated move drew an arrow and placed it in the ready. Thumper scanned the trees, and then he saw it. Only a dark leg, nothing he could hit yet, but at least they had located their prey. ~I see it. Over there, by that huge dead pine. ~

~ Yes I see it, but I can not get a clear shot at it yet, Can you? ~ Rh'vaurek asked

~No.~ John slowly and methodically edged in a circular path. He looked at his hunting partner. ~We each are likely to only get one shot at it in this thick timber. ~

~ Better make it count then ~ Rh'vaurek replied, he now had a clear shot at the deer’s hind leg

Thumper finally circled around until the cover the deer was using was out of the way. The deer's chest was now in full view. It was a clean shot, but with all of their movement the deer had become nervous and at any moment would flee. Thumper pulled back his arrow to full. ~I have him dead to rights, but I'm a little rusty with a bow, and never used one like this. Should I take the shot, or wait for you so we can shoot at the same time? ~

~ On my mark ~ Rh'vaurek replied ~ Now! ~ Rh'vaurek let the Kailune fly, the small blade hit dead on hits target severing an artery and tendon in the deer’s hind leg

The deer stumbled and Thumper let the arrow fly and the arrow slipped neatly between the ribs and entered the heart. The injured animal took three lunges in an attempt to escape and fell to the forest floor, slowly dieing. “It would seem that tonight we eat!”

Rh'vaurek walked carefully up to the deer, he did not want to receive a kick from the wounded animal. "Indeed hopefully enough for everyone"

Thumper looked at the animal. It was big. It was at least 800 kilos. The size of a terrain elk, but it had all of the features of a deer. Even the antlers were the same. "We should all get a little. If it was much smaller then we may have to look for some more."

Rh'vaurek pulled his blade out of the deer’s leg "I may go fowling a little later today, that is what this was designed for" Rh'vaurek explained as he showed Thumper the Kailune, a 10 cm long blade that looked like a bat in flight

The blade brought one image to Thumper's mind: Batman. "Sure thing Batman," Thumper stifled a laugh, because the blade probably had some symbolism to his people. “Sorry sir, that was uncalled for.”

Rh'vaurek cracked a smile and stifled a chuckle

"It's just that your weapon reminds me of something that Batman would carry around to defeat the forces of darkness. I mean no disrespect."

"None taken," Rh'vaurek replied.

"Well sir I say we get this thing cleaned out and back to camp. We can get some of the kids and any of the adults to help us carry it back. I can't carry 400 kilos that far. We'd have to take a dozen trips or more."

Rh'vaurek nodded, if you can find your way back you go back and get some help to carry our dinner, I'll make sure our dinner is not taken by some lazy scavenger"

Thumper nodded, turned and trotted off towards camp. The trip back took half the time since he was not trying to be quiet, since they already had their game. Once in camp he rounded up ten teenage boys ranging from 14 to 17 years of age. With Thumper in the lead they hurried back to the spot of the kill.

"You saved the heart and liver right?" Thumper asked Rh'vaurek.

"The liver? Yes" Rh'vaurek replied

"Good we'll give those to these boys. I don't like it personally but it's better than starving to death." John looked at the Deer. Rh'vaurek had already field dressed the animal and sectioned it. It would be a long walk, but well worth it. "Wish we had some rope we sure could use that right about now."

Rh'vaurek climbed nimbly up the tree that hid the great deer in their hunt, he dropped down a couple of long, strong, green vines "They will do"

~ How does he do that? He always seems to be able to produce everything we need. ~ "Don't suppose you could come up with a subspace transceiver assembly could you?"

Not unless it is made from plant material" Rh'vaurek answered

"Bummer." Thumper found some poles and bought them to the deer and with the vines tied the hindquarters to the pole and instructed that two of the boys should carry it. He continued until the whole deer was headed out towards camp in several parts down the trail. The remainder of the men would switch off with the ones who were carrying the load so they could rest.

Thumper smiled. He looked forward to eating. "Sir, until we get off of this rock we need to start hunting regularly. I suggest we have two to four hunting parties."

"Good idea, there are just to many of us for only one person to hunt"

"Indeed. I'll tell the men. Great hunt," Thumper jovially slapped Rh'vaurek across the back.

"Thank you, for being part of it" Rh'vaurek replied with a hearty slap of his own.

Thumper turned and jogged down the trail to catch up with the procession of men who were lumbering with the weight of the deer.

OFF>

JP

erei'Riov (Cmdr.) Rh'vaurek tr'Radaik
CTAC/SEC Exchange officer
USS James Cook
Flagship - Command Division

&

Lt. Commander John (Thumper) Batu
XO VF-1 Wolfpack
USS James Cook

Played By:
 

Laura J. Allen

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

On> Tarmis’ Quarters

Chiara woke up, not on the floor but in the bed of the man she loved. She felt very lethargic as she tried to sit up. The last think she remembered was ingesting the two cyanide tablets and Elsie calling out to her… then it got very cold… colder then anything she ever imagined.

As she sat up and looked around, she saw sitting in a chair across the room a woman of blue skin. It was a much more vibrant blue then her own. She hand long locks of hair falling around her shoulder and down to almost her knees. The woman’s hair was adorned with ribbons fair and rings of metal. She wore little else to cover her modesty. The woman looked up and over to Chiara.

“So, the child awakes…” The woman said. Her voice was icy, but it had an almost motherly warmth..

“I’m not a child.” Chiara retorted. She did her best to stay sitting up.

“Of course not.” The woman replied. “But the course you took was not something a mature adult would do. Why did you think you would be freed by death?”

“Because my life is shit.” Chiara said.

“No, it is not. Your life is in turmoil, but it is still worth living. Your path ahead is still dark, but even the darkness must give way to light, and when you feel the warmth of that light on your skin, you will know that things are turning for the better.” The woman said.

“I don’t understand.” Chiara said.

“You will… soon.” The woman replied. “Things will be made clear. You have much to live for, and many who care for you. Live, if not for yourself, then for them. You will find much reward and soon you will be able to live with yourself.” She said.

“Why should I? I’m a traitor. I should die a traitor.” Chiara said in defiance.

The woman sat next to Chiara and held her. “My dear, you are not a traitor. You are a victim. You were used in your vulnerability to take this mighty starship. You will be avenged and things will but made right… but you must have patience and faith.”

“Faith? My people have no religion.” Chiara said.

“Then try to have faith in yourself and faith in my words and faith in those whom you would call ‘friend.’” The woman said. “Trust in them to guide you.”

Chiara melted into the woman’s arms, sobbing. The woman stroked Chiara’s hair and kissed her head.

“Shhhh… it is all right, child. We will carry you.” She said.

“Mama…?” Chiara said. The counselor was still coming out of the comatose state that the woman, Shiva, had put her in. The Ice Queen held her tight and looked over to Bahamut, who was standing in a darkened corner of the room. Shiva nodded to him and he nodded back. He turned and walked through the wall to go inform Elsie that everything would be all right.

Off>

On> USS Longbow – In orbit over Tetravus VII

Captain’s Log, Stardate 55602.9

The Longbow is at the end of a successful first contact mission with the Mechanoids of Tetravus VII. The Mechanoids are the robotic legacy of a technologically advanced race that was rendered extinct on the world 2000 years ago when a scientific experiment catastrophically failed, resulting in the planet’s atmosphere to be burned off. Their legacy, the artificially intelligent robots they created, lived on and preserved their legacy and memory. A select few of the scientist that were able to merge their brains with the electronic brains of the robots they created enabling them to live on and create a peaceful technocracy.
Now, the Mechanoids have decided to finally take their place in the galactic community and share their peaceful ideals with the Federation.
It is truly a great day and I am glad to be a part of history.

Captain John Morgan closed his log and walked from his ready room on the Intrepid class USS Longbow to the conference room where Hatar 8 and Gro 2 waited. In the past month, he had gotten to know the Mechanoid ambassadors very well and was happy to include them in his growing list of friends.

Hatar 8 looked up at Morgan as he entered. The robot’s faceplates shifted into a Mechanoid version of a smile. “Well Captain, are we ready to sign the final documents?” The Mechanoid ambassador asked.

“Yes, Ambassador. Once that is completed, the Federation will recognize your world as a junior member of the Federation, then work can be started on full membership.” Morgan said as he sat down at the table.

“Ah. I am very much looking forward to visiting your Earth. It has been too long since I have seen blue skies.” The old robot said.

“I’m certain you’ll enjoy it.” Morgan replied.

The comm. System came to life. “Captain Morgan to the bridge.” Morgan automatically rose and walked to the bridge with the two ambassadors in tow.

“Report.” He said as he walked to his chair.

“Captain, sciences are reporting a wormhole about to open.” The tactical officer reported.

“On screen.” Morgan ordered. The view of Tetravus VII shifted away from the planet and towards one of the two moons that orbited. Seconds later a wormhole opened and through it came a large, dark object the size of an asteroid. It was on a seeming collision course with Tetravus VII.

“Oh my God…” Morgan gasped. He had seen many things in his career as a Star Fleet officer, but nothing like this.

“Red Alert!” Morgan said.

“Sir, at present course and speed, the object will collide with the planet in 1 hour.” The tactical officer said.

“Suggestions.” Morgan said.

“We can try to stop it with tractor beams and the warp field.” His XO said. “Enterprise did it once in a similar situation.”

“Get on it.” Morgan said. He already knew that the Longbow’s weapons would be ineffective.

“Sir… you won’t believe this.” The TACO said.

“Try me.” Morgan said.

“The object is… its slowing, sir.” The officer reported.

“What?” Morgan said.

“It is slowing its speed. It’s coming to a dead stop.” The TACO said.

Morgan turned to the ambassadors.

“We do not possess the technology to stop such an object, Captain Morgan.” Hatar 8 said.

“We do not even possess the weapons that would bee needed to even dent… wait.” Gro 2 said. He rolled toward the viewscreen. “Magnify resolution.” He said. The TACO did as told and zoomed in on the object. Gro 2 immediately recognized the object.

“SYN!” He cried.

“Syn?” Morgan asked.

“We must flee!” Hatar 8 said. “We are doomed!”

“What in the name of the Great Bird of the Galaxy is going on?” Morgan asked. “You know what that thing is?”

“That is Syn. 1000 years ago, we observed a nearby planet named Spira, and this creature plagued the world with monsters and threatened to destroy all life there. It eventually succeeded.” Hatar 8 said.

“We thought the danger had passed then.” Gro 2 said. “But the creature has returned and is now coming to take our world!”

Morgan turned to the TACO. “Scan it.”

The TACO ran his fingers over the console. “It’s definitely organic, sir, but I don’t think we have enough power to even stop it.

Syn began to shimmer with light and a sphere of purple, black and blue energy began to form around it.

“What in the world…” Morgan whispered. The energy from Syn began to extend to Tetravus VII and started to tear away at the planet’s surface. Debris flew towards Syn and began to orbit the space monster on a vertical axis. The energy of Syn started to grow.

“Captain, the energy spikes are way of the scale.” The Operations Officer said.

“Start beaming as many people as we can off the planet.” Morgan ordered. He knew he couldn’t save them all, but he would get as many as he could off the planet, and from a quick look at his armchair display, there were no other ships in the area that could assist.

Syn began to tear away at more of the planet. The Mechanoid ambassadors only stood and watched in silent horror as their Homeworld was slowly demolished. There was nothing else they could do.

More lights began to appear on Syn. “It’s growing in size, Captain.” The TACO reported. “As its drawing the planet in, the energy its processing is increasing it’s mass.”

“I’m reading another energy spike.” The Operations officer said.

“How many have we beamed aboard” Morgan asked.

“200 sir.” The XO reported. Morgan wished he could do more.

“Get us out of range.” Morgan had a feeling he knew what was coming next. The Helmsman turned the Longbow away from the planet and opened the throttle up to full impulse power. As the ship sped away from Tetravus, Syn unleashed its raw power, tearing apart Tetravus VII and millions of Mechanoid inhabitants that remained.

“Set course for Starbase Python. I’ll be in my ready room filing a report with Star Fleet. XO, see to the comfort of our guests.” Morgan said. As he walked passed Gro 2 and Hatar 8, he placed what he hoped would be a comforting hand on both of them and looked back to the destruction on the viewscreen. Tetravus was now nothing more then a debris field, with a creature named Syn at the middle of it.

Off>

Capt. Rafe Oosha

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

ON> (During, Doing That Whole Hunter/Gather Thing)

Thumper had left Rh’vaurek alone to clean out the animal, When he came to the heart, he took it in both hands and offered it to the sun. Saying a silent prayer in offering to the sun, then digging a shallow pit he buried the heart offering another silent prayer to the earth from once it came.

Rh’vaurek felt another presence the spirit of the deer rose up and trotted of towards the sun You still remember, my chosen ranger, how to set the animal spirit free. He now has a place in my glade, you put its soul to rest.

Rh’vaurek allowed himself a small smile he did not know how much time had passed but Thumper had soon returned with the children to haul their dinner away, he got up and smiled at them as they went about their assigned tasks.

OFF

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

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

"A little chaos is good for the soul"

On>
Hiding Place>

Hogah sat in his hiding place just outside the Jeram quarters, or what once was them. He watched Chiara for a long time, he checked on her often. As he watched her this time though something was different, she had been so sad.

Hogah peered through into the quarters, when a hand touched him. He jumped back in shock and suppressed a yell as he drew back his fist. Marina leaned back and put her hands out before her.

Hogah smirked and whispered, " Sorry about that, I guess I a bit jumpy." Marina gave him a strange smile, as a noise caught his attention. Hogah put his hand to his lips as he heard the noise again.

For what seemed eternity Hogah and Marina listened, until they suddenly realized what it was. The sound was like a scraping noise as it grew in volume and came closer. Hogah peered down a shaft, as a shadow could be seen coming closer. The drunk Orion had crawled into the shafts some how and was now seemingly lost, as he drunkenly sung 66 bottles of Ale on the wall.

Hogah put his finger to his lips as he pointed for Marina to go down the shaft to the right. She turned and quietly made her way down the shaft. Hogah knew if he went with her they would both be caught so he decided to lead the Orion on a small detour. As the Orion rounded the corner Hogah sat there holding an empty liquor bottle he had found. He held it up to the Orion and said, " He jerk off looking for more?" Then busted out laughing.

The Orion’s face turned bright red as he slurred, " Ya ugly no good punk giv me ma drunk!" Hogah laughed some more, which made the Orion angrier, " Look you smelly skanky Orion, you want it here, take it!" Hogah yelled as he threw the bottle and hit the Orion atop the head. Hogah then turned and scurried down the left shaft away from Marina and towards their trap.

The Orion couldn't react in time as the bottle made a resounding thud, when it struck him. He put his hands to his head as blood started to come out, " You little rat I'll killz ya for dat!" The Orion yelled as he took off after Hogah.

After a short chase Hogah turned down the last shaft, a dead end. He stopped at the end and waited for the pirate. The Orion came round the corner, right for Hogah.

Hogah laughed as he baited the Orion, the Orion drew closer. Hogah waited a second longer, then activated the trap. Nothing happened as the Orion continued to Hogah, and down had a hand extended to wrench Hogah's neck.

Off>

(Npc'd Hogah)
 

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

Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A

On>
Unknown Planetside Camp>

Tarmis smirked as he heard the voices of the crew working as one. It seemed as if everyone had found a niche for themselves, even if he wasn't able to be everywhere at one time.

As everyone started doing there own things to help the camp, Tarmis decided he should meditate. Tarmis crossed his legs as he closed his eyes and focused on the crystal, which laid, on his desk aboard the Cook.

Tarmis slowed his breathing as he continued to focus harder and harder. After a short time his quarters aboard the Cook came into focus. As he struggled to look something felt strange. There was something or someone else in his quarters and he did not know what or who it was.

The room seemed to stay fuzzy and blurry, all he could make out was a bluish person on his bed. He smirked some what as he thought it must be Chiara. Tarmis decided to try to focus more on the crystal in hopes it would clear things up. As he did a weird look crossed his face.

The crystal came into focus, but was no longer in his quarters. It was in a strange dark place, one Tarmis had never seen before. He pushed harder until he could eventually look at what was about the crystal. He saw Hogah just sitting there laughing, he said something but Tarmis could not hear his words.

Tarmis looked about some more and saw Hogah was talking to an Orion, which seemed extremely angry. Tarmis felt his emotion mix as he looked at the scene. Suddenly he saw the look of Horror across Hogah's face as the pirate reached out to strangle Hogah.

Tarmis screamed, still in mediation. The words fell on deaf ears as Tarmis watched on. Tarmis scream echoed through the trees as the terrifying vision continued in a father's mind.

Off>
 

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

Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A

On> The woods.

Rafe had been speaking with Lulu and the Lady Yuna for quite some time, bringing the women up to speed on his life. He looked over his shoulder when he heard the scream.

Rafe leapt from his seated position and broke into a full run in the direction of the scream. The sound's source was scattered by the trees, but he knew who the scream belonged to and where the owner was.

In minutes, Rafe was at Tarmis' side with sword drawn, ready to defend his comrade from an attacker, but there was none. He looked down at the man who was still in meditation. He dismissed his sword and knelt down next to Tarmis.

"My friend... what troubles you?" Rafe asked, but Tarmis did not answer. It set Rafe on edge. He knew something was wrong and it had to do with the Cook. He knew he had given Tarmis the option of making the decision of Rafe returning to the Cook alone, but time was beginning to run out.

How much longer could the samurai wait.

Off>

Capt. Rafe Oosha

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

On> The Forest.

Rafe could wait no longer. The engineering teams were putting the finishing touches on the homing beacon under supervision from the Wolf Pack. Rafe walked over to Tarmis.

“Tarmis, time has run out.” He said.

“Do you know something I don’t, Captain?” Tarmis asked.

“No… I can only sense my Imzadi and her anguish.” Rafe said.

“Elsie?” Tarmis asked.

Rafe nodded and looked over at Lulu, Yuna and Kimahri. “Keep them safe and bring them with you to the Cook.” Rafe said.

“Wait just a minute, mister. What in blazes are you doing!?!” Tarmis said.

“What needs to be done. I can no longer wait for you to make a decision. My apologies.” Rafe said. Pyre flies began to dance around the samurai as he faded from sight. Yuna said a silent prayer to help her friend and guardian on his journey.

>The Freighter Luxatar.

The crying and moaning of the women of the Cook continued, even as the guards ordered them to be silent. The trauma of the scenario was too much for many of them to bear. Those who were stronger stayed silent, or tried to be comforting.

In the middle of the cargo bay, pyre flies appeared and began to dance. The women parted as Captain Rafe Oosha appeared amongst them. Many gasped, and eyes were wide with shock as the samurai appeared. The guards started to part the crowed to make their way to the scene.

“Hmpf” Rafe grunted. He turned sideways and shot the slinged left arm out and then up to shrug off a side of his kimono. His Tyrusian blade appeared in his right hand. He slid forward into a ready stance.

The guards stopped short and took aim at the intruder. They fired their disruptors, but the magical shield Rafe erected harmlessly absorbed them. He ran forward, slicing through the two guards.

“You and you. Get the rifles.” He said to two female security officers. “Come with me.” He led them out of the cargo bay.

>Bridge.

The freighter captain watched as the scene unfolded. A mystery man had beamed aboard. He was cutting through his men like a hot knife through butter. He was seemingly unstoppable… and backed by hundreds of women; he knew this wasn’t going to end pretty. The captain signaled his crew to surrender. There was no other choice and the Keldon’nar did not pay him enough to die for them.

Rafe secretly smiled as the crew surrendered to the women. Taking the bridge was a peaceful act alone. Rafe approached the captain.

“Tell me everything.” He said.

Off>

Capt. Rafe Oosha

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

Jeffries tube
OOC> This post takes place prior to "What goes around comes around"

Shi set against the side of the tube. Everything was finally arranged and everyone was well hidden. Her tube had access to the bridge. She had heard someone call out that they were 8.5 hours away from Ladisus.

She was tired so she laid her head back against the wall and fell into a restless sleep. Oh Elements she wished that Rh'Vaurek was here.

Her dreams were troubled. She kept hearing the screams of the women and the cries of the female children as they were beamed out of the cargo bay.

She had already been in the Jeffries tube There was nothing she could do. The fate of the ship ultimately rested in her hands.

She was well trained for this and she had laid her plans well.  She felt no guilt but a great deal of sadness. Some of these  women had submitted their bodies to the pirates to help create a diversion so others could enter the Jeffries tubes.

She remembered she had had one very hard moment when she had heard two of the pirates laughing about the way they had left the men on an uninhabited planet.

She had wanted to kill him but she could not even have that satisfaction. She had to remain calm to carry out her plans. She asked the Elements to consign their souls to arennye and to protect the men until they could be reunited with them again.

When the women and children and been beamed out she had sat in the Jefferies tube and watched and listened. Lt Manning had switched uniforms with her so that the guards would not miss her.

She owed so much to so many. They had all performed wonderfully in this crisis. All she could do was place them in the care of the Elements to protect them until they could all be united again.

Everything was in place for the take over. Now was the time of waiting until the pirates beamed off with their chosen ones.

Hopefully they would not shut down the warp core before they left.

OFF>

erei'Riov (Cmdr.) Shiarrael t'Radaik
ASEC, Exchange officer
USS James Cook
Flagship - Command Division

 

ON> Cook bridge

"Coming up on the Fortress, skipper," The Orion sitting at Ops said.

"Hail them and give them our code. Tell them we got a nice big shiny new Fed Starship for them!" Frank laughed at his own joke.

"They say bring it in to the shipyards."

"One quarter thrusters, follow the yellow brick road!" He laughed again, in an immensely good mood after just leaving Elsie.

The James Cook settled into the designated spot and Frank got up from the center seat. "OK, gather your belongings, we're outta here."

Chiara Domina walked onto the bridge. Dressed in her usual attire, she took up position next to Frank. "So, what's the plan?" She asked.

Frank looked down at Domina, "Go get the Commodore and meet me at the transporters."

"Aye sir." She said, and turned to the Commodore's ready room.

She accessed the door and entered.

Elsie was just stepping out of the sonic shower as Chiara entered. She glanced up and smiled, "I see you are still with us."

"I don't exactly know how, but I am." Chiara said. "Get dressed. We're going on a little excursion."

Elsie eyed her with a frown, slipped on a clean uniform and finger combed her hair into place.. "The ship has stopped. Are we there?"

Domina pulled her phaser and pointed it at Elsie. "Frelling shut up... JUST shut up!"

Elsie nodded, gave Chiara a hard stare and complied. Chiara's mind was closed, so she could not determine whether this was an act or for real. No matter. At least both of them were going to live a little longer. " Where to, Counselor?"

"Out the door and not another word from you! I can't stand your voice! Frell, I can barely stand to look at you!" She growled.

Elsie put on a passive face and strode out ahead of Chiara to the turbolift.

Chiara kept the phaser trained on Elsie in the turbolift. She was clearly nervous, possibly even confused. Her eyes bore a hint of hollowness.

Elsie kept her eyes on the turbolift door until it opened to the transporters. Judging from the activity in the area, Elsie figured they were leaving the ship. The women who had been in the brig were assembled on the pads for beamout.

Chiara shoved the projector of the phaser into the small of Elsie's back. "Keep moving, bitch."

Elsie moved ahead to stand beside Frank on the transporter pad. She used her peripheral vision to scope out how many were here, and hoped that Shi had enough of her people left to take over the ship.

Frank put his arm around Elsie as they prepared to beam out.

Chiara stood next to them.

They dematerialized and they beamed to different ships. Elsie, Frank, and Chiara appeared on Frank's own ship, his crew waiting with drawn disruptors. Frank stepped off the pad and yelled, "Let's get our arses outta here, NOW!"

As Frank walked ahead, Chiara grabbed Elsie by the hair and yanked her back. In her ear, she whispered "Every story must have an ending." and then pushed her forward.

Elsie inwardly smiled, then submitted to Chiara's rough handling.

"Hey Frank, you got some eats on this boat?" Chiara yelled.

Frank gestured impatiently to his own ready room, "In there!" He growled. "Get off my bridge! I'M busy!" His ship and the rest of his fleet powered up and headed out as fast as they could.

Chiara motioned for Elsie to go to the ready room.

Elsie wasn't sure where it might be. She wasn't familiar with this class of ship, but she walked in the general direction of Frank's gesture. The door slid open at their approach and they went in to a disorderly room, stale-smelling, and with an odd assortment of furniture from various parts of the alpha quadrant. "How cosy," Elsie grimaced, wrinkling her nose.

"Get used to it." Chiara said.

She opened a refrigeration unit to see what was inside.

"This looks like his quarters." Elsie nodded towards an unmade bed. "I suppose its mine, too for now."

Chiara stayed silent.

"I don't see a replicator. What's he got to drink?" Elsie looked around.

Chiara pulled a beer out of the fridge and tossed it to her, then pulled one out for herself.

Elsie sipped the beer. At least it was cold, and it had some nutritive value. She scraped the clothes off a chair and sat down. Looking up at Chiara, she asked, "Now what, Counselor?"

"I told you, NO TALKING!" Chiara hissed.

She fired the phaser at the wall next to Elsie. "Next time I won't miss." Chiara hissed.

Elsie flinched and looked over her shoulder at the scorch mark. "If you are going to kill me, do it now and get it over with! Otherwise, put the damned phaser away. I've got nowhere to run to."

An Orion ran into the room and yelled, "What the Hell is going on here? You trying to blow out the bulkhead? Put that goddam thing away!" He brandished a disruptor at Chaira.

Chiara turned the phaser on the Orion and fired, vaporizing him.

"Only good Orion is a dead one, wouldn't you say, Commodore?" Chiara said.

Frank and another guard ran into the room, and the guard stunned Chiara. With a raging glare, Frank unhooked his Billy club and strode to Elsie, "You Bitch! I knew I couldn't trust you!" He began to beat her as hard as he could, as Elsie cried out, unable to ward off his blows.

Elsie coughed as Frank broke ribs again, and struck her about the face. Her face was covered with blood and she could not see anything, only feel his blows across her body.

Franks fury was blind to everything around him, "I'm gonna kill you, Bitch." He continued to rain blows on her as she sank to the deck. ~ Imzadi ~ Elsie's mind cried out.

Pyreflies danced across the floor of the room and over Chiara. The pyrefiles gathered and created the form of a samurai.

"This ends... now!" Rafe said, bringing his sword to the ready.

Frank turned at the roar of an unfamiliar voice. While still holding Elsie by the hair, and a bloody club in his other hand he growled, 'Who the Hell are you?"

"I am your death." Rafe said.

"Guards! Intruder alert!" He yelled, dropping Elsie unceremoniously to the deck and hefting his club.

"They can't hear you." Rafe said.

Frank looked around frantically, but the wall com was too far away for him to reach. "Ok, fancy-pants, bring it on!" He growled, dropping the club and unholstering his disruptor.

Rafe's Tyrusian sword vanished, replaced by the hilt of his lightsaber. With a shrill whine it surged to life.

"Take your best shot." Rafe said. "Take it now... it's the only one you'll get."

Franks grinned an evil toothy smile and fired point-blank at Rafe.

At the point of impact on Rafe's body, pyreflies erupted forth, allowing the beam to travel through his body and out the other side. Rafe's body solidified afterwards. “Yes, there are advantages to being dead." He said and proceeded to cut off the hand Frank was using to hold the phaser.

Frank howled with pain as the blade severed his hand and cauterized it!

Rafe swung with and opened fist, knocking Frank to the ground. "For what you have done to my wife, your death will be slow and painful." Rafe growled.

Frank landed next to Elsie, and he scrambled over to her, taking her head in his good arm. "Come any....closer..."He gasped. " And I break her neck!"

Rafe put a fisted hand in front of his face and muttered some words. Searing pain suddenly shot through Frank's body. Another quick spell produced healing effects for Elsie.

Frank writhed in agony as his body convulsed in pain!

Chiara slowly started to wake from being stunned.

Elsie's vision slowly cleared, and she coughed up blood. She tried to rise from the pool of her own blood she was laying in, but she was too weakened by the beating. The pain in her ribcage was subsiding, and she could breath again.

Franks screams of agony rose in volume as the waves of energy continued to course through his body.

"Elsie raised her head, and whispered, "Enough, Imzadi. End it."

Rafe leaned down and lifted Frank by the collar. "You life ends only because my lady wishes it. Otherwise I would prolong your suffering."

By now Frank had soiled his pants and was retching. He no longer had any control.

While Frank was standing, Rafe spun with the lightsaber and decapitated the pirate.

Chiara was now sitting up. "It's over..." She said.

"Not yet." Rafe replied.

Elsie leaned on her arms, half-sitting, trying to gain some strength.

He looked down at the Nebari woman. Chiara looked back up at Rafe, awaiting her own fate.

He extended his lightsaber to her. "Can I trust you?" He asked her.

"Yes." She said, taking the lightsaber.

"We must take the bridge." Rafe said.

Rafe turned to help Elsie up.

Elsie took his offered hand and winced as she struggled to her feet.

"Open your mouth." Rafe said.

Elsie opened her mouth, still bloody from the beating.

Rafe uncorked his jug and poured his potion in, slowly to allow her to drink.

Elsie gratefully swallowed the horrible tasting potion. Finally she shook her head. She'd had enough.

Rafe lowered the potion and re-attached it to his belt.

"Let's end this." He said to Chiara.

Off>

JP

Capt. Rafe Oosha
CIO - USS James Cook
&
 

Commodore Elsie Veritas

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

On>
Environmental Shaft>

Hogah recoiled back as far as he could go; the stench of the pirate seemed to smother Hogah. As the pirate's hand drew closer, Hogah stifled a scream. Hogah took one last chance and pressed the button to activate his trap. As he did he clenched his eyes tightly, and cringed from the eminent danger at hand.

The pirate's smile quickly disappeared as a small rod came up from the floor and the ceiling of the small shaft. A strange loud whine could be heard as they activated, then released a charge directly into the pirate's genital area. The foul smelling pirate's face contorted then after a moment changed as the charges reached full capacity, the charge released and sent a bluish light through the pirate's body.

The Orion dropped to the floor, he was still breathing but barely. Hogah smirked as he kicked the pirate in the head. A moment later Hogah breath a sigh of relief as the pirate disappeared in a transporter beam.


Unknown Planet>
Tarmis scowled as he watched Rafe vanish, he gave the impression he was upset with what he had done. As Tarmis turned and started to the homing beacon he smirked to himself, ~ Go get'em Rafe.~

Tarmis let a large smile cross his face, as he neared the beacon. He some how knew Hogah was finally safe. As Tarmis walked up to the beacon he looked about at the officers. " Ok gentlemen, how goes it?" Tarmis asked.

Lt.Rodgers turned around, his face covered with dirt and grime. " Well Sir to be honest we are done, but not too sure if it will work like it should." Rodgers said.

Tarmis patted Rodgers on the shoulder; " I have complete faith in you Lt, besides there is only one way to find out. Start her up."

Rodgers smirked, " Yes Sir!" He said as he went to the padd and activated the beacon. It sputtered and sparked a little then began to hum. Rodgers turned around as cheers went up and said, " Well Sir it may not be pretty but she is working."

Off>
 

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

Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A

ON > Jeffrie's tubes.

Hogah had left Marina alone in the Jeffries' tubes, and she felt the ship come to a stop and the noise of the pirates moving about the ship. Then it got quiet.

~ I wonder where mother and father are ~ She worried. ~ I want my mother! ~ She wrapped her arms around her knees and tears began to flow. She was so afraid!

Hogah shook his head; the jolt, which hit the pirate, gave him a small shock also. He looked at his arm as blood began to drip down his torn sleeve. With a start he remembered everything. ~ Marina.~ Hogah quickly made his way back to where she should be. As he got closer he could hear her cries, he whispered, " Marina I am here, it is ok." Hogah rounded the corner and stopped next to her.

Marina looked up at him through her tears and whispered, "I am so scared, Hogah! Where are our parents?"

Hogah shrugged his shoulders, as he used a piece of his shirt to wipe Marina's tears. " I do not know Marina, I wish you would never have had to go through this. I am sorry." Hogah sullenly said

"I don't understand. Why did they take everyone away? Where did everyone go?" She sniffled.

Hogah leans back against the wall, " I don't either Marina, maybe we should look about. I mean I saw a pirate leave in what looked like a transport beam. Maybe they left us, what you think? Wanna go out and look?"

Marina nodded and sniffed back tears.

Hogah reached over and squeezed her hand, " I won't leave you Marina." He then turned and led the way back to a grated opening. Hogah leaned back and kicked with all his might. The cover flew off and landed on the floor with a loud clanging metallic sound. Hogah stiffened as the sound died down, " Oops." He said then hopped out the opening, once out he turned to help Marina out.

Marina held his hand tightly, still scared. "What if they heard us?"

Hogah tried to smile reassuringly, " Stay there I will try and look around. You should be safe." Hogah walked over to the door. He cautiously stepped out and looked about. The corridors were empty; he went back to Marina to help her down, " No one there, No one at all. Like they all just vanished."

"Are...are we alone?" Marina's voice quavered.

Hogah held her hand tightly, he tried to reassure her. He knew he wasn't doing a good job though. " Maybe we can ask the computer. You ask and I will get us some food we need to eat." Hogah squeezed her hand as he stared at her for a moment then went to the replicator.

"C....Com..COmputer, How many people are on the ship?"

"There are fifty-two people on the ship." The ship answered.

"How many are adults?" She asked.

"Thirty one people on the ship are adults." The ship answered.

"How many are Starfleet?"

"Twenty-seven are Starfleet."

Marina blanched. "Hogah, some are not Starfleet! The rest must still be hiding."

Hogah looked at Marina, he tried to tuck away the fear as he took the cheeseburgers, fries and milkshakes over to a table. " We should eat then try see if they are good or bad people, Come on Marina I know you like milkshakes." Hogah gave his best smile.

"Oh...Kay, Hogah." She said slowly. Marina went to the table and sat down, suddenly hungry.

Hogah smirked as he slowly ate his meal, he knew he better enjoy it for who knew what was next. Hogah hoped maybe a joke would help, " Well Marina look at the bright side though, this way no homework or tests."

Marina chomped on a French Fry and said, "But I LIKE homework! Mother says if I study, I can be in Starfleet, too!"

Hogah smirked, " Bah homework, but I will tell you a secret if you promise not to tell no one." Hogah looked about even though no one was around. " I want to be a Star Fleet counselor like Ms. Chiara." Hogah said with a wink

Marina was sipping her milkshake just as he said that, and she nearly snorted it out her nose, laughing! "You, a counselor?"

Hogah leaned back a little hurt, " Yeah why is that so funny?" Hogah asked with a stern face.

"Oh, Hogah, I'm sorry! I just never met a male counselor before, and, well, you seem more like the security or the Intel type to me." She smothered a grin by biting into her hamburger.

Hogah smirked then playfully shoved Marina, " Me as Intel or security. You know dad wants that, he was security. But I think I would make a good Counselor, what do you wanna be Hmm?" Hogah asked more like a challenge.

"hmmm. I dunno. Maybe Science like Mother and Father, but I want to discover something really cool, something new. I guess I don't know yet." She shrugged

"But science sounds kinda well boring." Hogah scratched the back of his head as he said this.

Marina leaned forward, "You ever seen a solar flare? Its like the sun spits out this million-mile tongue of fire! Its SO cool!"

Hogah got a strange look, " Solar flare?" The words nagged in the back of his mind some how, just out of reach of his remembering. He shook his head slightly, " Naw never seen one, but it can't be as neat as helping someone find their meaning to life. I know I could do that." Hogah laughed as he heard himself say that.

Marina looked at him puzzled. "I don't know anything about that." She grinned, "I.D.I.C!"

Hogah looked at her strangely, " I what?" He laughed slightly as he shoved a few fries in.

"It's a Starfleet idea, Vulcan's say it. Infinite Diversity in in...inn..Infinite Combinations. It means like they accept everybody and all things."

Hogah chuckled, " I like it, I.I.D.C. sounds kewl." Hogah stopped as they burst out laughing, " I mean I.D.I.C."

Marina heard a flutter and looked up in alarm to see an honest to God Fairy! She gasped and dropped her burger on the plate!

Fairee put her finger to her lips as she smiled and gently fanned her wings. "Hurry along now and hide. Erie’Riov t'Radaik wants all of us to stay hidden just a while longer, then we will have the ship back."

Hogah's mouth fell open as he stared at the strange creature in a Star Fleet uniform. " What the HeL, Heck is that?" He said in a shocked voice.

"Do you know where Mother and Father are?" Marina asked the fairy.

Fairee laughed musically, "Hogah, I am the new nurse. Next time you hurt yourself I will be there. Marina, your parents are safe." She cocked her head like she was listening, "Yes. Your father is with Hogah's father and your mother is safe on another ship."

Marina broke out in a big smile, "Hogah! You hear that? They are safe!"

Hogah smiled as he hugged Marina, just to feel her. " Yes that is great." Hogah said with a large smile, as he kept a wary eye on the strange flying creature.

Fairee flashed a wide smile at Hogah. "You keep her safe, Hogah. I have to go now." She turned, and in a swirl of fairy dust, disappeared from sight.

Hogah leaned back as he shook his head, " There sure is strange things on this ship." Hogah burst out chuckling as he took Marina's hand. " Shall we go hide again, I am done with my burger, if you are ready."

"Yeah!" She grabbed the rest of her fries and dumped the containers in the recycler.

Hogah smiled as he helped Marina back into the opening. Once she was in he pulled the cover back over it. He turned to Marina, " Now what? To bad we can't replay our Holodeck fun." Hogah snickered.

"We better wait," She answered solemnly. "Don't want to mess up the She -Dragon's...errr the Eeeree'rof's plans."

Hogah gave her a look, as he tried to hold back a chuckle, " Hey she can be nice though, just not when she is in sick bay." Hogah winked.

Marina yawned, tired from being afraid for so long. She wrapped her arms around Hogah's chest and snuggled her head against his chest. Almost immediately she went to sleep.

Hogah looked at Marina, as a large smile crossed his lips, and he noticed his pants become tighter. ~ Sleep Marina, I will protect you.~ Hogah said then leaned back, after sometime eventually fell to sleep.

OFF>

Joint Post

Marina Turrel
&
Hogah Jeram
 

ON - Bridge, Thunderchild
Capt Wyn was in her Ready room. It was Orion's shift on the bridge and she was catching up on the PADDS that had piled up on her desk.

The bridge science looked over the scans the Thunderchild's sensors were picking up "Sir," he announced "I am picking up something on sensors about 5 light years from here, from an uninhabited planet just outside Federation space, it appears to be some sort of repetitious pulse"


Planetside>
Tarmis walked over towards the woods, his mind contemplating what would come next. ~ The crew seems to be adjusting nicely, but I know they all long for home. Hopefully we will be rescued soon.~ Tarmis was wrapped in his thoughts, with his back to the camp.

Rh'vaurek walked up to Tarmis "Want a mushroom, I gave one to Rafe before he left he didn't come back to life so it's not poisonous" he said with a chuckle

Rh'vaurek's voice pulled Tarmis back from his thoughts, " Yes of course erie'Riov Khnai’ra" Tarmis said with a chuckle. " You know this is truly a beautiful place, but it is not home."

"No it is not, I am starting to Worry about Shi, I hope she is all right"
Rh'vaurek replied with a sigh

Tarmis turned to Rh'vaurek, " I am sure she will return to you, she is a fighter. Much like you are." Tarmis said as he patted Rh'vaurek's shoulder.

"She'll give them one Areinnye of a fight if they try to do anything to her." Rh'vaurek responded with a laugh.

Thunderchild Bridge> Orion got out of the center chair and looked at what the science officer had found "HHmmmm" He hummed then tapped his Comm badge "Qualest to Wyn, I think you should see this"

Jaden received the message "Be right there Commander" She walked out of her Ready room and onto the bridge. She joined Orion at the Science Station.

Orion stepped aside to let Jaden see what the science Officer found "Sir, we are picking up faint signal from a planet here" He pointed on a spatial map to where the signal was coming from. "At first i thought it was random but listen" He pressed play a sound came over the speakers like ... --- ... ...---...

Jaden listened to the sound it was familiar to her. "Oh yes it is an earlier earth distress call someone on that planet needs help. Commander change course set new course for the coordinates of that planet."


Planetside>
Tarmis chuckled at the image of Shi fighting, " That she would Rh'vaurek, that she would. I almost feel sorry for how she would kick their butts" Tarmis said with a wink.

"We have to hope for the best no point worrying about what might be happening to them" Rh'vaurek sighed again, ~ I hope Shi has kicked Domina's butt for several parsecs ~ he thought to himself

Tarmis shook his head, " You are correct, first we get off this planet then we find those scum and truly teach them a lesson." Tarmis said while he clenched his teeth.


Thunderchild> Orion Snapped an order "Helm, bring us about bearing 315 mark 009"

At Helm LtJG Cathy Shepard replied "Aye Sir changing course to bearing 315 mark 009"

"Maximum Warp, Engage!" replied Cmdr Qualest.

She brought the ship around to the new heading. At the sounds of his 'Engage" she moved the lever to take the ship to Maximum Warp.

Because it is still Orion's shift Jaden sat in the XO chair


Planetside>
Wonder if the beacon has been heard?" Rh'vaurek thought out loud

Tarmis looked over his shoulder at the beacon then to Rh'vaurek, " We can only hope, Rodgers is pretty sure the signal broke the planet's atmosphere. Now it is a matter of waiting."


Thunderchild >

Jaden watched as the signal became stronger She turned to ops "On viewscreen" the warp signature was replaced by the sight of the small green planet. Jaden turned to Orion "Commander order "drop out of warp and low orbit around the planet. Science scan for lifesigns"


Planetside>

Tarmis looked up at the stars, a strange twinkle moved into view as he stared at it for sometime. Thinking aloud he said, " Now that is interesting."

Rh'vaurek looked up with keen eyesight, "It is not a star." Rh'vaurek announced. I have seen nothing there at this time over the past few nights, it is moving faster than the stars too" he explained

Tarmis looked carefully, his face became excited as he stared and whispered, " A ship."

"Could be Sir." Rh'vaurek replied, not wanting to sound high in his hopes.

Thunderchild> "Sir, Strong lifesigns coming from the east coast of a southern Island continent" The science officer announced "about 500 Humanoids of ranging species. They all seem to be in a localized area" The science officer finished


Thunderchild>
Tarmis still stared at the twinkle, " Gather the crew together. If it is a ship I want every one prepared. In case we need to fight our way out." Tarmis said to Rh'vaurek.

"Fight our way out of what, if they take us as slaves, we then have a ship we can try and capture from the inside" Rh'vaurek grinned somewhat wishing that may be the case. Kind of hoping to beat the Kllhe'mnhe out of someone.


Thunderchild>
Jaden turned to Orion "Cmdr, form an away team and beam down close to those coordinates.


Planetside>
"Everyone should be prepared this time though. We will not be taken by surprise like the last time. We can play along to whatever but we will be prepared for who ever it may be." Tarmis said as he turned and walked to the camp.

"Understood" Rh'vaurek replied with a nod and walked off to gather the boys who were on perimeter patrol.


Thunderchild> Orion turned and pointed to the CSEC "Mr. Barcellio, I want an Armed security team in Transporter room two in five minutes" he ordered

Barcellio replied "Aye Sir" as he left to carry out the order.

4 mins later> The CSEC reported "Team assembled Sir and in the Transporter room."

Orion stepped into the Transporter room and onto the pad with Phaser drawn "Coordinates are already in the computer, Energize!" Orion ordered

Capt Wyn moved over to the Command chair and took over control of the bridge
She ordered "Transporter room, Keep a secure lock on the Away team in case of trouble"


Planetside>>
Orion Materialized in the Middle of the camp and immediately noticed the Federation uniforms (No matter how dirty or torn up they were) "I am Commander Orion Qualest of the SS Thunderchild, I wish to speak to the officers in charge" He commanded

Tarmis broke through the officer's who held spears and clubs towards Qualest. He stepped up to him, "I am Capt. Tarmis Jeram." His face broke into a smile. " We are so glad to see you Commander." Tarmis said as he put out his hand. The crew began to cheer and hoot as they realized they were saved.


Thunderchild>
Jaden was anxious she hit her commbadge "Commander what is the situation down there?"

"We have found the male crew of the USS James Cook, Requesting immediate evacuation" replied Orion

Jaden replied "start immediate evacuation to the Shuttle Bay"

"any sick or wounded beam directly to sickbay"

"Beam the highest ranking officer to the bridge"


Planetside>

Tarmis nodded to Qualest as he gently felt the small rock knife still hidden. " We are Ready Commander." Tarmis said to Quarts.


Planetside>
"Injured personnel First, followed by the civilian children, then the rest of the civilians and finally the crew" Orion ordered "Captain, you will beam up with me along with your First officer, once the rest have boarded."

Tarmis nodded, " Very good." He said as he looked over and noticed Rh'vaurek. He waved him over.

Rh'vaurek walked over to Tarmis and Orion "Cmdr Qualest, Nice to see you again"

Tarmis looked from one to the other, " You know each other?" He asked in confusion.

"When he was PSID XO" Rh'vaurek replied. "You were only Khre'Arrain as well" Orion imparted.

Tarmis shook his head, He nodded to the officers and they all tossed their weapons down. " Let's get this show moving Cmdr. we have a ship to find, and our families. I want those Pirate scums." Tarmis said through gritted teeth.

Sometime later> "Well it looks as though we are the only ones here now" he Tapped his Comm badge "Qualest to Thunderchild, 3 to beam up"

The transporter operator beamed the 3 to the Bridge

Jaden saw the shimmer of the transporter beam and stood up and walked forward to greet the officers.

"Captain, you remember erei'Riov tr'Radaik, and this is Captain Tarmis Jeram XO to the USS James Cook" Orion introduced them

Tarmis looked at the deck as he rematerialized, relieved to be on a Star Fleet vessel once more. He noticed a female walk towards them, and he put his hand out." Thank you for finding us so quickly Captain." Tarmis said.

Jaden held out her hand and shook hands with Rh'vaurek "oh yes we have met before" She turned to Jeram and shook his hand it is good to have you safe.
captain and the rest of your crew. Now if you 3 gentlemen will follow me to my Ready room we have much to discuss"

Tarmis smirked some what as he looked at Rh'vaurek then Jaden, " So tell me captain what news is there about the cook?" Tarmis asked in complete seriousness.

Jaden proceeded them to her Ready room she did not hear Tarmis's question.
She arranged 2 chairs facing her desk and one beside her. Then she sat in her own place behind the desk.

Orion walked into Jaden's ready room followed by Rh'vaurek and Tarmis

As they came in Jaden motioned them to the chairs.

Tarmis stood next to a chair as he asked his question once more, " Is there any news about the Cook, captain?"

Jaden replied all in good time Capt. I will answer all your questions please be seated.

Tarmis bit his lip as he took a seat.

Rh'vaurek sat beside Tarmis also eager to hear the news about the Cook

Orion took the seat next to Jaden

When all had taken their seats Jaden continued "To answer your question Capt. yes the USS Cook has been located and is now being followed to its destination by 3 ships. This I received this morning now this ship will be rendezvousing with them. Also another ship the Dhael'erie an REF ship will be joining us."

"We do not yet know what their destination is. We know they are crossing the slot."

Rh'vaurek looked a little confused "I thought the Dhael'ehrie was on another mission" he replied

Jaden replied she is but the two missions have coincided. That is all I can say at this time.

"Understood" Rh'vaurek replied

Tarmis leaned forward, in a huff. " Ok that is all fine, but how long before we can retake the Cook. We need to return to our ship and find those pirate scum." Tarmis said.

"Now Capt Jeram if you would give us a brief rundown of what happened to your group that you ended up on an uninhabited planet." questioned Jaden

"At Maximum warp it will take us 3 days to arrive at the system the Cook is in" Orion replied

Jaden nodded "that is correct. Now Capt Jeram your story." She reached under her desk and pressed record

Tarmis shook his head at the run around. He wanted to get underway and check on the crew. He took a deep breath, " The cook was taken over by Orions, it was like they just appeared and over ran the ship. Next thing I know we wake up in a cargo ship, then are beamed to the planet. And then you came."

Jaden asked "approximately how many days ago or weeks? and what type of cargo ship Orion or Ferengi?"

Rh'vaurek filled in some of Tarmis's story through gritted teeth "The Cook was compromised by the Chief Counselor"

Jaden replied "good that was what I wanted to know about"

"and was there Ferengi involvement?" Jaden asked Rh'vaurek.

Tarmis held up a hand, " But we do not know why, or what caused it.." Tarmis shook his head. " I am not sure, do you remember erie'Riov?"

"No, Lt. Chiara gassed the bridge" Rh'vaurek said

Jaden asked calmly "She was the traitor?"

"Yes" Rh'vaurek growled with a clenched jaw.

Jaden nodded, that agreed with the information she had

Jaden turned to Cmdr Qualest "is there any other information we need from these officers
"I do not believe so" he replied

Tarmis stood up, he tried to control himself, and "Ok you heard the story, If you want to continue you can, but I have a crew to check on I should be with my men."

Jaden looked at him sternly "Capt. sit down until I dismiss you" Your crews needs are being seen too."

She turned to Rh'vaurek if you will stay Commander I would like to speak with you further.

Tarmis shook his head, " No captain, If you want report me but I am checking on my men. Good day." Tarmis said then headed for the door.

Jaden shook her head

"I am afraid though, they will be restricted to Quarters. This is an Intel ship we have a lot of classified equipment" Orion replied

Jaden nodded "I was about to mention that"

Tarmis looked at Qualest, he softened his tone somewhat. " Very well Cmdr, I just want to be by my men, they have been through a lot."

"Go" Orion replied

Jaden also softened "I understand Cmdr but there are certain procedures that must be followed. You are dismissed"

Tarmis turned and left the ready room, as an officer escorted him to his men.

Jaden turned to Rh'vaurek "He is not the Capt of the USS Cook who is he?"

"What is his position?

"He is the XO" Rh'vaurek replied

Jaden raised her eyebrows "I see thank you"

"How long were the men on the planet. Did you keep track of the days or weeks? and did you make contact with any sentient life forms while you were on the planet?" Jaden asked

"I believe we were there 2 weeks, and we met no sentient life" Rh'vaurek replied

Jaden replied "That is what I needed to know" thank you Cmdr tr'Radaik
OFF

Capt. Tarmis Jeram
Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A
&
Capt Jaden Wyn
CO SS Thunderchild PSID PS
&
erei’Riov (Cmdr.) Rh’vaurek tr’Radaik
CTAC/OPS Exchange officer
USS James Cook
Flagship – Command Division
&
Cmdr Orion Qualest
XO SS Thunderchild
Flagship PSID
PSB PS
 

Bridge>
Ael was in the Command Seat they had finally picked up the ion trail of the USS Cook.

They had cloaked and were following her. She was crossing the slot. Hopefully she was not heading into Cardassia Prime.

"Helm, be sure the cloak is at maximum efficiency. Reduce speed so that we do not get too close to the Cook.

Helm replied "ie Rekkhai"

Ops picked up a call coming in quickly followed by 2 more.

"Rekkhai I have 3 calls coming in at once. 3 ships seem to be joining us"

Ael was exasperated "put them on screen one at a time."

The view screen showed a female Capt, in a black uniform. Ael thought ~Intel~ "Yes Capt what can I do for you.

The Capt replied. The SS Orion out of PSID will be cloaked and following you so will the SS T'Raina and the SS Stingray. Our mission is to follow the Cook so we are following
you. We are cloaked.

The screen went back to the view of the streamers of warp travel as the 4 ships followed the USS Cook.

1 Tarim later>
Helm announced Rekkhai the Ship we are following is going into orbit over a small Cardassian planet known as Ladsius

"Drop back remain cloaked and keep the Cook in sight. Notify the ships following us to do the same" Ael ordered.

She sat back and calmed herself and went into meditation. She reached out to Deletham and touched his mind ~The USS Cook has gone into orbit over the planet Ladsius. We have entered a higher orbit so we can stay close enough to observe what happens.~
OFF

erei’Riov Ael t’Sahen
XO Romulan expeditionary force
XO Dhael’ehrie
Romulan expeditionary force
Python fleet
 

ON - Transporter Room, Ourai

Deletham and Tafv stood with T'maekh and Tal waiting for Ael and Dhivael, Deletham turned to T'maekh "What are your names when we meet C.O.B.R.A.?"

T'maekh stood tall, his scruffy goatee already showing. " I am to be HHirl, and Tal is to be D'nal Rekkhai." T'maekh said.

Ael and Dhivael stalk in to the Transporter, Wearing tight revealing clothes, Hoping there would be a Rihannsu somewhere in base they could try and seduce, they immediately made their way over to Tal, Ael whispered into his ear "Hiya handsome"

Deletham no stranger to women using their bodies to try and distract men did not bad an eyelid at their entrance

T'maekh smirked slightly, ~ This should be interesting, wonder how Tal will react.~ T'maekh thought.

Tal gulped back a lump in his throat, then in his best mercenary voice said, " Heya baby" and grabbed both women's behinds.

Ael playfully bit Tal's ear before Tafv broke it up "Come on Ladies, save it for the planet"

Tal took a deep breath, and wiped his brow. He knew it was all for show, but he had become extremely nervous. Tal looked over at T'maekh with an almost pleading look.

T'maekh smirked sideways, and shook his head. He smacked Tal on the back, " Just remember to keep talking like that, you will do fine." T'maekh said.

Ael whispered in a husky voice "Yes, you are doing fine, keep it up" then she left and stood on the Transporter pad beside Deletham and Tafv. Dhivael purred into Tal's ear "You are quite Sexy" then left and Stood next to T'maekh

T'maekh chuckled under his breath, as he watched the females mess with Tal. T'maekh straightened up as if he had seen nothing, and nodded he was ready.

Tal looked up, more sweat on his brow, as his breathing seemed slightly hurried. He tugged at the shirt he wore, thinking it was suddenly getting hot. He nodded his readiness as he tried to push the words from his mind.

"Hteij'rhae!!" Ael ordered in her commanding voice

The transporters activated sending the group down to the predetermined head quarters

Beam in point*

T'maekh snarled as they rematerialized at the beam down sight, he looked around to ensure no one had seen them. After a moment he nodded to Deletham the coast was clear.

Tal also secured the opposite side then nodded to Deletham, his expression hardened looking but not as bad as the others in the group. He stepped back slightly as he awaited next orders.

"We have to talk to the Card'hassain Kllhe in charge" Ael sighed, "Tafv, you can do the talking"

Tafv scowled at Ael "I am in charge of this mission" he hissed his response back to

Ael

T'maekh and Tal looked at one another, but said nothing. They only wanted to ensure the mission was a success.

A Cardassian led them through the corridors to the Office and they walked in "Ah greetings or confident Commander, I see you have arrived with some of your crew, Please do tell me who they are"

The Cardassian base commander exclaimed in a snooty voice

T'maekh and Tal held their hands close to their weapons, with ugly mean snarls about their face. T'maekh scowl at the Cardassians lack of respect, then moved his gaze away.

"I am T'Rehu," Ael then pointed to Deletham "This is Kalabam, on his left is Mandukar, behind him are HHirl and D'Nal and next to him is Teillh"

Dhivael started nibbling on Tal's ear then purring in her husky voice "I wonder where the sleeping quarters are"

Tal and T'maekh both grunt when the base commander looked their way. Tal gave a devilish smirk, and in his harshest voice said, " I know we can find them quick." Then reach around and fondled Dhivael's azz while he used his other hand to cup her bosom.

"Just one thing, My ship is mine, No one boards it with out my permission" Ael growled

T'maekh gave a snarl as she finished her words, to show he backed up whatever she said.

Tal pulled his ear away, her actions began to take affect upon his mind and he knew he had to keep a clear head. In one movement he moved her to his other arm, to leave his weapon hand free.

"Why would I want your ship, It has to be at least a hundred and twenty years old" the Cardassian Smirked

"Three of you will be assigned to guard the Romulan Ambassador, My guards have had enough of her rantings and ravings, you can put up with her for a while, the rest of your available crew will guard the New ship we just retrieved" the Cardassian informed them

T'maekh became interested when he said new vessel, he would love to look it over and see what they got.

Tal spat on the floor at the mention of the ambassador, and under his breath said, " It would be easier to just sew her lips shut."

Dhivael smirked then whispered in his ear "I thought you liked screamers my h'levreinnye"

Tal gave Dhivael a hardened look, then pulled the back of her hair and kissed her deeply. " Shut up unless I tell you got it." Tal released her hair. ~ Remember ~ Tal thought to himself.


"D'Nal, Teillh and I will guard the Ambassador" Ael responded giving then both harsh stares

Tal nodded at Ael's words, and grunted slightly. He then moved Dhivael slightly away from him as he moved in position behind Ael.

A Cardassian Guard led the Romulans away and down the long stairs to the Ambassadors cell

"I told you to keep your hands off him, he is mine and you know it" a slap could be heard echoing down the corridor.

"Listen susse-thrai, he want's me, he doesn't want some stuck up ex-noble susse-thrai" Dhivael replied with a slap of her own

The Guard turned around with his phaser drawn "break it up you two"

Tal chuckled as the women fought. He leaned against the wall to watch the action. As the guard moved closer to show the females he meant it Tal slipped behind him, in a blinding move Tal grabbed the guards head and twisted savagely. A loud snap could be heard as his neck broke and the guard dropped backwards against Tal. Tal took the guard and nodded to the women as he dragged him towards a cell.

"Grab the Keys, time to get the Ambassador out" Ael commanded

Tal in his normal voice said, " Ie Rekkhai." As he continued to drag the guard.

Dhivael picked up the Cardassians phaser rifle, "Time wasting, Lets move" She kicked the dead guard and ran down the corridor to the Ambassador's Cell

Once the door was opened Tal dragged the dead guard inside and tossed him against a wall. Once he did that he took look out by the door.

Dhivael and Ael Stepped in "Ambassador time to move out"

"You know how to use this?" Dhivael asked Ambassador Selessa, holding out the Phaser Rifle

The Ambassador thought this was another dream. She was hurting so she could hardly move but she struggled to her feet and "I am ready"

Selessa realized this was for real "You bet I do, let us go " her voice was strong and determined

Dhivael tossed Selessa the Rifle, "Lets go"

Selessa grabbed the rifle and followed him

Tal followed in suit taking up the rear. As he looked about to ensure no one came from behind.

Selessa held the rifle at the ready she was hoping something would show up that she could shoot.

Ael took point and crept up the Stairs "Once we are high enough for the Transporter to pick up you will be beamed to the Ourai, we want no unnecessary risks taking you with us" Ael informed her

Selessa knew enough to obey the Riov in this situation she nodded her agreement.

Tal kept a tight hold on his disruptor, as they moved along. He wanted to ensure nothing happened to the Ambassador or the others.

Selessa held the rifle steady as they crept up the stairs

They reached the top of the long stairs "Ambassador, we are able to transport you out now"

Selessa nodded as she readied herself for transport , She handed the rifle to one of the others.

Tal took a protective stance to ensure the Ambassador was shielded if anyone came from behind.

Ael reviewed the message from her Chief of ops ~ Ready ~ Ael took the Rifle "Wind to your wings ambassador"

Selessa turned to her and said, “Wind to your wings my rescuer”. *

~ Ready ~ Ael responded mentally then the Ambassador disappeared in a shower of Green Transporter energy

As she vanished she wondered ~who were my rescuers I must make sure they are properly acknowledged~

Off>

Joint Post

Selessa t'Llweii
Rihannsu Ambassador to
Python Sector
SBP PS
&
Khre'Riov Deletham tr'Sahen (also played Ael t'Radaik, Tafv i-Vloa T'nor and Dhivael t'Aimne)
CO Romulan expeditionary force
CO Dhael'ehrie
Romulan expeditionary force
Python fleet
&
Khre’Arrain T'maekh tr'Radaik

Daise Dheno
Dhael'ehrie
Romulan expeditionary force
Python fleet
 

ON - USS James Cook

Ael and Dhivael strolled along the seemingly empty corridors of the USS James Cook; they started to chat idyll "D'Nal is kind of cute isn't he." Dhivael laughed nudging Ael with her elbow.

"I think he may be a Big boy in a man's body, a little too innocent for my liking, but yes he was kind of cute" Ael replied

Shi had gathered her forces in Cargo Bay 4 as soon as she was sure the Orions were gone. They had taken several women with them including Capt. Veritas and The vang'raden Chiara. She gave the rest their assignments in taking back the ship. Her and 4 Security were heading for the bridge when they heard voices coming from the intersecting corridor. Shi motioned her girls to hide in the shadows the ship was on dim lighting until the voices came closer they would leap out and overpower them before they could cry out.

"What were you talking to D'Nal about before he grabbed you like that?" Ael playfully shoved Dhivael.

"That is for him to know and you to find out." Dhivael responded with a giggle.

"Next time tone it down, My brother picked up on your mental screaming, If he didn't realize what you were doing so quickly he was about to have a security team bust down Yhea's door" Ael giggled

"Oh elements he lives up to his name" Dhivael sighed contentedly

As the voices came closer Shi could have sworn they were speaking in Rihannsu but they couldn't be she thought no more about it but proceeded with her plans

Ael and Dhivael continues to giggle like school girls as they patrolled

As they passed by Shi motioned Vail to take one and she would take the other one. She took the one on her side of the corridor. She crept out quietly and quickly encircled her neck with her strong arm pulling back on her head she went into a crouch throwing her opponent over her head. She landed hard on the deck. Shi jumped on her and positioned her elbow against her throat so she could not cry out or hardly breathe she had balled her hands into fist and was ready to beat the Kllhe'mnhe out of her. She happened to look down at her it couldn't be this female looked like her niece Ael at the same time Ael recognized her and stared, both just stared at each other.

~ Get off me susse-thrai ~ Ael yelled into Shi's mind

Shi moved off of her and then said "Who the Areinnye are you, calling me a susse-thrai, this is my ship what are you doing here?

She realized something was wrong Beest she called to Vail who was make good progress with beating Ael's partner

"Pretending to guard it, Shiarrael t'Radaik" Ael responded as she stood up brushing herself off then she pushed Vail of Dhivael

“I have a whole force who are in the process of taking it back.” Shi answered, and then she remembered Ael's rank and calmed down

Not feeling very lady like Ael snapped "What the Imirrhlhhse happened to Rh'vaurek, where is he?"

Shi answered calmly and respectfully. When they took over the cook they beamed the men to a cargo ship and left us in the Cargo hold. I do not know what happened to them I wish to the Elements I did.

Ael grit her teeth and clenched her jaw, she took a deep breath then let it go. "OK, how many of you are there?"

"They beamed off the rest of the women 2 days ago to a freighter. I had been able to send around 40 women into hiding along with my 10 woman guards. So there are about 50 of us only around 30 are Star Fleet the rest are civilians’ women and children they are still hiding. The last thing they did was to beam the Captain the vang'raden and several girls who had been selected as favorites to an Orion ship”

"I'll take it you are the highest ranking officer left on the ship right?" Ael said with a sigh

"Ie Rekkhai" Shi replied you are right I am"

"I'll send over a few of my crew to help bust this ship out. Khre’riov tr'Sahen, and his security officers will be going back to the Dhael'ehrie and they along with the Ourai will be escorting you back to Starbase, they are somewhere on here also pretending to patrol, also with them is Erei'Ssiebh Tafv i'Vloa T'nor, You do know who he is right?" Ael asked

“Ie Rekkhai, I have heard of him. I have not met him, I know Rh'vaurek knows him well.” Shi stopped for a moment she was getting a message.

"Tafv is a long time friend of Rh'vaurek, and" Ael spits out the next bit "Starr's father"

~ Sir the 3rd team has captured two mercenaries what should we do with them? ~

Ael said "yes I know that Rekkhai I think we have a problem my 3rd team has caught 2 mercenaries and are asking what to do with them. They said they told them they were Kalabam and Mandukar, do you know them?” Shi inquired.

Ael thought for a second ~ Kalabam and Mandukar? ~ "Deletham and Tafv" Ael replied

Shi gasped ‘Oh no. Shall I tell them to release them Rekkhai?”

"Bring them here first" Ael replied "better to err on the side of caution" She continued
"Ie Rekkhai" Shi sent back the message ~ bring them to post 4 ~

Within a couple of minutes the two girls bring two trussed up males to post 4.

Shi recognizes Deletham right away. She hopes he does not recognize her

Deletham looked at Ael then at Shi he locked eyes with Shi then turned around and spat a remark at the female holding him "Is this the only way you can keep a man, by tying him up?"

Krill walks up to Shi proudly thinking she has done a good job.

Shi dropped her eyes and wishes Krill would disappear

Tafv locks his gaze on Tafv "Shiarrael i-Ra'tleihfi t'Radaik, are you going to tell these women to untie us?"

She told both girls to release their captives "they are friends" the girls reluctantly untie the two men because Shi has ordered them to do so, but they are not happy.

Deletham shrugged free "The Dhael’ehrie is in orbit, I believe it is time to leave, If you got the Ambassador"

"Yes the Ambassador is on the Ourai" Ael responded "Shi do you want my Tac Officer?"

Shi replied “Ie Rekkhai that is something I do not have” she is growing a little angry at the looks Deletham and Tafv gave her. After all she was only doing what she had been ordered to do and also Ael's superior attitude she frowns. She looks haughtily at Ael "Rekkhai what do you want us to do now it is apparent we are not needed to take back the Cook, her tone is sarcastic

"Once you find HHirl and D'Nal, you have taken back the ship, Congratulations erei'Riov"

Shi is stunned she did not expect this. Her anger fades she receives a call from her other watch station. ~ We have two intruders what shall we do with them Sir? ~ Shi spoke up "one of my other teams has captured the last of your patrols. ~ Bring them to post 4 trussed up. ~

In a few minutes the last two are pushed roughly up to post 4, they are trussed up and apparently there was a real tussle neither side looks too good. Shelly proudly walks up to Shi. "They won't tell us their names but here they are Sir"

"Let them go, They are my crew" Deletham informed Shi

Shi gave Deletham and evil grin. "I can't do that they are intruders on this ship and should be brigged. Unless you want to take responsibility for them" She took out a PADD and hands it to Deletham to sign

Deletham growled "Release them" ~ NOW!! ~

Shi grinned again "Sorry Sir this ship is under the control of Security and they are intruders" she tries again to hand him the PADD, the other girls are trying hard not to laugh, the She Dragon is doing her thing. Shi stands tall and proud she is ASEC and this is her ship, she has taken it back

"When, the time comes to go home, I'll have you kept at Erein for your entire career, Let them go" Deletham snarled

Shi realizes she has overstepped her bounds. She replies humbly "Ie Rekkhai" she turns to Shelly "release them" Shelly is reluctant but she follows Shi's orders and unties both men

"Get your engines ready we leave now, the Dhael'ehrie will distract them" Deletham informed Shi

Shi sent a telepathic message ~ Have the engineers ready the engines for departure. ~

~ Aye Sir they are ready. ~ Shi received

She turned to Deletham and respectfully said, "Rekkhai engines are ready for departure"

"Good, Set a course for the border, go at Maximum Warp, you should reach it in 6 hours, but do not move until you see the Dhael'ehrie and the Ourai attack, and the Spoonhead warships have moved to engage us. Make sure you raise shields as soon as Ael’s Tactical officer beams aboard. A couple of PSID ships will escort you to Federation space, we will meet you just at Starbase, Wind to your wings Shiarrael t'Radaik"

“I will wait until the TAC Officer arrives then raise shields and wait until the Dhael'ehrie and the Ourai attack. I will then engage at Maximum warp and head for the border” Shi repeated

"Please escort us to the transporter room, I have a Ship waiting for my commands"

Shi sends the other guards to the bridge then she escorts the team to the Transporter room

Ael and Dhivael stand on the Transporter pad tapping her comm badge "t'Radaik to Ourai two to beam up" they disappear in a shimmer of transporter energy an in their place stood a tall Rihannsu male, "Arrain tr'Lhoaell Ourai CTAC reporting for duty"

The Dhael’ehrie crew Stood on the Transporter pad Deletham finished setting the coordinates then stepped on to the pad "Energize"

Shi turned to the CTAC "follow me Arrain" she said as she sent a mental message to the bridge to have shields raised.

Bridge>

Shi walked onto the bridge and sat in the Command chair she turned to the Arrain "Take the TAC station run diagnostics to determine the status of weapons" She sat back in the chair "Helm set a course for the border Maximum Warp on my command"

Yhea ran a quick diagnostic on the offensive and defensive systems "All seem to be fully operational Rekkhai"

Shi nodded she sent a mental message to Engineering, ~ Prepare on my command to go to Maximum Warp and sustain for at least 6 hours. Run diagnostics on the core report findings to me. ~

10 mins later ~ Sir Core is operating at 99% efficiency we will have no trouble sustaining Max Warp for 6+ hours. ~

Now that the ship was ready the wait began

Dhael'ehrie bridge>

Deletham marched onto the bridge "Go to Red alert, Battle stations"

The Ship became a hive of activity as Deletham strode over to the Command Chair
Ael saluted then quickly moved over to the XO seat
Deletham returned her salute, then sat in the command chair then looked over to Ael, fire burned in his eyes "It is time we show the Cobra Consortium that we are not to be messed with, we will not be Blackmailed, and we do not give in to demands."

Ael nodded ~ This is my Deletham the way he used to be. I welcome him back. ~ She looked around at the bridge crew she knew they had heard and were thinking the same thing she was. Their pace had picked up as they moved from task to task efficiently.

"Helm, Bring us about and set us on a direct course for the nearest Cardassian Warship, Tac, when I give the order Drop cloak and give her every thing we've got" Deletham ordered confidently

Helm replied smartly "Ie Rekkhai direct course for the nearest Cardassian Warship"

TAC placed his hand on the control for the cloak. His weapons were hot and ready

The Cardassian Ship was dead in the sights of the Dhael'ehrie, Deletham grinned like a predator stalking his prey then he whispered "Live fast, Fly high, Fight hard, Die well"

OFF

Khre’riov Deletham tr’Sahen (as Ael t’Radaik, and Tafv –Vloa T’nor and Ourai NPC's)

CO Romulan expeditionary force
CO Dhael’ehrie
Romulan expeditionary force
Python fleet
&
erei’Riov Ael t’Sahen (Also Dhael'ehrie NPC's)
XO Romulan expeditionary force
XO Dhael’ehrie
Romulan expeditionary force
Python fleet
&
erei’Riov (Cmdr.) Shiarrael t’Radaik (Also Cook NPC's)
ASEC, Exchange officer
USS James Cook
Flagship – Command Division

On>
Corridor>

Tarmis walked away from the ready room, he followed the guard closely. After a short time the guard stopped in front of some quarters. He gestured to the door and said, " This is where your crew quarters start. Please do not leave without an escort Sir." Tarmis looked at the guard the walked inside, he said, " Thank you" as the door shut behind him. Tarmis looked about the quarters, " Hello? It is Capt. Jeram."

Lt. George Edderly stepped out of the head and straightened his uniform. Upon seeing the XO in his quarters, he stiffened to attention. "Sir!"

Tarmis smiled somewhat, " At ease Lt. this isn't business. I wanted to see the crew and ensure everyone is getting along fine. How are you fairing Lt.?" Tarmis asked as he removed his pips, to show he was serious.

Edderly relaxed and gestured to a seat. "Have a seat, Sir. I do have some concerns."

Tarmis walked over to a nearby chair and slowly sat down. It felt strange the softness of the chair, when he had gotten so used to the hard ground. Tarmis gave a warm smile, " Please go on Lt, that is what I am here for to ensure any concerns are gone over."

"Edderly brought a couple mugs of hot tea to the table and sat down, cupping his hands around the mug as he sipped. The hot mug was comforting. "Well, Sir. I am a bit concerned about these people that keep showing up around Captain Rafe. He says they are old friends, but not a whole lot more about them makes sense. First this Kimarhi fellow shows up on Starbase, and then Yuna and LuLu show up here. None of them can explain how they got here."

Tarmis took a sip of his tea, as he nodded his head. " I agree with that Lt, I know little more than you on that specific subject. Capt. Oosha has not informed me of anything about them. Although that is not entirely surprising in light of recent events."

"I would advise keeping an eye on them. We don't know if any of them are a threat or what their abilities are, if you know what I mean." Edderly waved his fingers in the air like he was doing a magic trick.

Tarmis allowed a small chuckle to escape his mouth, then took a long sip of tea. He felt it's hot liquid warm and comfort his body from the inside. He smiled as he looked at Edderly, " I had planned on doing my best to keep a watchful eye over then Lt. However at this present time they are confined to quarters as everyone else. Well I should say as far as I know they are. Did you by chance see or over hear anything which may have raised your suspicions about these creatures Lt?"

"I just don't like the way they just suddenly appeared saying they were from Spira and being "old friends"," Edderly signed quotes as he said this, "of the Captain.

Edderly frowned in his cup, then looked up at Jeram. "No disrespect, intended, Sir. I like the man, and I respect him, especially since he has been helping me. But I don't understand this magic stuff. It gives me the creeps."

Tarmis sat his cup on his lap as he listened to Edderly's ever word, as he finished Tarmis took a deep breath. " I completely understand Lt, but you have to remember magic is usually only the word others use when they can not explain something in normal terms. Those people could have beamed down from a ship just to see Rafe once again or it all could have been some strange plan someone else has. We just do not know. One thing is for sure thought Lt. those beings will be under a careful eye while they are with us."

Edderly nodded; satisfied the XO had heard him out. He gave Jeram a strange look, thought a minute, then spoke," Sir, I came across some information you should know."

Tarmis gave Edderly a nod, " What is it Lt? You can share anything with me." Tarmis said.

Edderly set his mug down and walked over to the small console in his quarters. "I did some checking, Sir. Well this was locked up tighter than a Virgin, so I did some...hacking."

Tarmis chuckled, " I never heard that last part Lt., but the information you came by, what is it?" Tarmis smiled widely.

Edderly typed in his acquired codes and brought up the latest Intel on the James Cook. "See, here? Reports coming in continually. The Cook is at Ladsius. It appears Ladsius is the stronghold of C.O.B.R.A. It looks like the Romulans are planning to spring the Cook, and that erie’Riov t'Radaik has a take over crew hidden on the Cook. Also looks like there is some evidence that the Counselor was compromised and may not be fully responsible for her actions in sabotaging the ship."

Tarmis stared wide-eyed at the screen before. For a long moment he could only reread the information, as it sank into his mind. Tarmis looked up from the screen in surprise, " How many people know about this information Lt?" Tarmis voice slightly concerned.

Edderly shrugged. "Not many, I guess. These are Intel records. They don't share much with anybody."

Tarmis bit his lip in thought, " Download a copy of this to two padds, I will secure one while you ensure the safety of the other. I always prefer to have too many copies floating around than not enough. I will have to contemplate what the next move should be then."

Edderly rose and went to a wall panel in which he had hidden a couple of small PADD's he had lifted as they were taken to their quarters. He brought them to the consol and downloaded the information to both, handing one to Jeram. "Oh, By the Way Sir. I accessed the structure of this ship. Starfleet isn't very inventive, it seems. The Jeffrie's tubes are identical to Decks one through 16 on the Cook...should you wish to get around without the guards." He smirked.

Tarmis smirked wildly, then his mouth returned to normal. " Thank you Lt, but that really isn't an option for myself. I will no doubt be under constant surveillance from now on. How ever a certain Lt, specially one with Intel background would be smart to take a look about when ever he could." Tarmis said then gave Edderly a wink.

"Understood, Sir." Edderly nodded.

Tarmis tucked the padd away so it was unseen. " I should be checking in on the other crew now Lt, unless you would like to chat some more?" Tarmis asked in a sincere voice.

"No, Sir. That is all I have for now." Edderly said crisply.

Tarmis smirked then patted Edderly on the back, " Carrying on Lt. and may Lisius watch over and protect you." Tarmis stopped after he realized he said it then shrugged it off as he exited Edderly's quarters, followed closely by a guard.

Edderly waited till the door closed, then hid the PADD in the wall panel. He began laying out his patrol through the Jeffries' tubes in his mind.

OFF>
JP
Lt. George Edderly
IO USS James Cook
&
 

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

Executive Officer
USS James Cook NCC-2098-A

ON> Dhael'ehrie bridge

Deletham sat in the command chair, eyes glued to the viewscreen, watching the Cardassian warship. Shifting slightly in the chair "Gonaiih, commence attack run." Deletham ordered, with fist clenched and fire burning in his eyes heart and soul

On IKV Talon>

HoS'qul sat in the ready room going over reports from the High Council. It appeared they believed the Federation was siding Cobra. HoS'qul tossed the PADD across the room in disgust. He retrieved a Raktajino from the replicator and sat back down, glad May'bom was at the center chair.

May'Bom hit the com, "Totlh to the bridge!"

HoS'qul quickly stomped out and took the center chair, " Report" He bellowed as he sat down.

"Incoming information! The James Cook is in C.O.B.R.A. hands and it is attempting to make a getaway! The Dhael'ehrie and another Romulan ship are trying to fend off the enemy! It is the Ourai, Rh'vaurek's ship!" She added.

HoS'qul smiled widely as he ground his teeth, " Inform the Romulan vessel where we stand. Follow them in and open fire just after they do. Uncloak just before we fire!"

"Lu' qaH!" Maybom exclaimed and nodded to the communications officer.

Dhael'ehrie >

"Gonaiih, distance to target?" Deletham ordered as much as asked

"Ten Thousand Kilometers and closing fast!"

"Tac, drop cloak and fire, NOW!!" Deletham Shouted

Ourai >

Ael Stood at the tac console, she loved standing there and being in command, she grinned as she saw the disturbance in space the Dhael'ehrie Decloaking and unleashing a fearsome volley of torpedo and phaser fire on the unprepared Galor

IKV Talon>

Just as the Dhael’ehrie uncloaked and fired, the Talon did the same, adding its own disruptor cannons to the fire power.

HoS'qul unable to control his pride at being in battle again stood and clenched his fist as he shook it at the enemy before them. " Cobra pieces of meat, die all of you!"

May'Bom rose from her seat and growled, "Totlh, your place!" She ran to the secondary weapons console.

HoS'qul tossed May'bom a look over his shoulder, which said he was doing what he loved once again. He sat back down in his chair, but slid to it's edge as the battle progressed.

Ourai>

"Rekkhai, we are being hailed, by the Cardassian in charge" the Communications officer announced

"On Screen" Ael Ordered. The Cardassian image appeared on screen Ael yelled at him "Imirrhlhhse’hr!!" then had the screen cut out

May'Bom's hands hovered over the controls, watching both HoS'qul and the Weapons Officer.

USS Cook>

Shi watched the battle on the viewscreen as the Dhael'Ehrie and the Ourai battled the Cardassian Galor. She had been told to wait until they were engaged by Cardassian vessels so she waited obediently. She wondered who the other ship was. It was a Klingon Ship!

IKV Talon>

HoS'qul waited till he could wait no more, " Degh bring him about, May'bom when in range fire everything you have at the first Cardassian bucket of meat we hit. QumpIn tell Rh'vaurek an old Klingon warrior came to save his butt." HoS'qul laughed at the end of his statement.

May'Bom glared at the screen, then at the proximity sensors. One thousand Kellicams, 750 kellicams...baH!" She hit the controls and a satisfying barrage of cannon fire appeared on each side of the forward screen and hit the vessel point blank!

On the Cook Shi noticed other Cardassian galors coming in to join the battle

Deletham yelled "Hard to Port" and the Dhael'ehrie screamed as it made a sharp left turn to avoid an in coming volley of torpedoes, the Dhael’ehrie shuddered a little as they grazed the shields "Starboard shields down to 91% Rekkhai!"

Deletham growled "How dare they scratch the paint work, Return fire!!"

the Tac officer returned fire letting loose the plasma torpedo, followed up with point blank phaser fire "Rekkhai, Their hull integrity is down to 87%"

"Helm, Bring us about, lets send them to the Areinnye they deserve" Deletham firmly ordered

"Ie, Rekkhai"helm replied as the ship gracefully turned allowing a free shot on the unprotected flank of the Galor "FIRE!!!" Deletham yelled as several quantum torpedoes sped forth into the hull of her opponent, blowing it into space debris.

Cook>

On the cook Shi and her crew cheered, but Shi kept a watchful eye on the approaching COBRA ships.

"Hey, there's something going on!" Hogah whispered. Let's go see!" He led Marina up the Jeffries' tubes till they finally got to the bridge. They came to a grate that was near the floor in a wall and peered out. They could see the screen and most of the officers. With wide eyes they watched the meager crew engage in battle!

Shi watched. The other ships were more interested in the DhaelEhrie and the Ourai and the strange Klingon ship.

IKV Talon>

HoS'qul noticed the torpedoes head for the galor, he yelled " Come around." The Talon spun sharp and quickly sped off to avoid the flying debris of the galor ship. The shock wave slightly rocked the Talon as the soared to the Cardassian ships joining the battle. HoS'qul quickly measured his choices, " Degh begin HoS'qul 4." The degh looked over his shoulder then keyed in the commands. A moment later the Talon spun over head of the galor ships then in a lightning move dove straight between them. Their disruptors missed and fired upon one another as the Talon swooped down then back up releasing a volley of torpedo and disruptor fire upon both galors.

Cook >

Shi issued the order "Helm take us out of here Max Warp Engage"

The ship moved out of orbit at Max Warp and sped for the border. As they did the 3 Intel ships joined them 1 on either side of the ship and 1 behind them.

Hogah looked at Marina, his mouth open. "We are leaving?" He whispered. "But it was just getting good!"

Ourai >

The Ourai screamed through the battlefield letting loose with it's own impressive armament. Ael grit her teeth in determination as she fired, easily obliterating the newcomer to the battlefield "Told them I would blow their Kllhe'mnhe out of space" she laughed menacingly with fire burning in her eyes

IKV Talon>

HoS'qul peered over his shoulder, " May'bom send the to whatever Grethor they believe in." HoS'qul knew the ships would not fair much longer.

With a shout of glee, May'Bom hit the controls and fired a stream of disruptor fire at the vessel and the Talon danced and bobbed among the C.O.B.R.A. Ships!

Cook >

Hogah turned to Marina somewhat disappointed, " Darn we Never get to see the action." He said then chuckled.

Marina just looked at Hogah, frozen in fright!

Marina slipped her arms around Hogah and buried her face in his chest.

Hogah unsure of what else to do blushed bright red as he held Marina tightly.

Hogah smiled widely as he for some unknown reason grabbed her and hugged her tightly. " Now we are safe Marina" Hogah said in a sweet tone.

Shi kept a wary eye on the viewscreen to the rear making sure they were not being followed but all was clear they were clear

Dhael’ehrie>

The Dhael'ehrie soared , weaving through the debris of the battle, Deletham noticed one Galor breaking of from the battle and start out to the direction of the Cook "After them!!" Deletham ordered, and again like a bird in flight, she swooped after her prey

"Fire!" Deletham Ordered with a low growl, plasma and quantum torpedoes shot off into space after their target, one by one they again slammed into the ship, making short work of the inferior Cardassian ship.

Cook>

Shi had seen the ship starting to head in their direction. Then the Dhael'Ehrie swooped down on her like an eagle after its prey and caught it in lieu of its mighty talons and destroyed it with her fire. Again the crew cheered.

IKV Talon>

HoS'qul pounded the arm of his chair in pride as, as the two Cardassian vessels began to show numerous breaches. HoS'qul felt the end was near and like a predator about to strike and kill his target he shouted, " Degh about, May'bom full power all weapons, BAH at both buckets." HoS'qul shouted.

"Die! You dishonorable Dogs!" She screamed as she fired both cannons in a continuous stream, cutting through the vessels like they were paper!.

HoS'qul howled as he hit his fist against the arm chair console, and smashed it. He yelled, " May Grethor reach up and tear your souls across eternity you rabid piece of meat.!"

Dhael’ehrie>

"Send a message to the Ourai and our Klingon helpers "I believe we have over stayed our welcome, perhaps it best we now escort the USS James Cook back to Starbase"

"Message sent Rekkhai" the Communications officer reported

IKV Talon>

HoS'qul heard the message come across the comm, he leaned back, " Begin repairs, May'bom take your station and Degh follow them in. We have won another glorious battle."

Ourai>

"Helm, after the Cook, Maximum warp," Ael announced. "Engage!"

OFF

Joint Post

Marina Turrel
&
Hogah Jeram
&
May'bom House of Qoval
Klingon Intelligence
IKV Talon
&
HoS'qul House Qoval
Klingon Intelligence
IKV Talon
&
Khre'Riov Deletham tr'Sahen (Also as Ael t'Radaik, Leih Ourai)
CO Romulan expeditionary force
CO Dhael'ehrie
Romulan expeditionary force
Python fleet
&
erei'Riov (Cmdr.) Shiarrael t'Radaik
ASEC, Exchange officer
USS James Cook
Flagship - Command Division
 

ON > Jeffries' tube, behind the grate on the bridge.

Marina's face was buried in Hogah's chest and she murmured, "Can we go home now, Hogah?"

Hogah smiled, " Of course we can Marina. I will walk you back and stay till your parents come home." Hogah scratched his head. " That is if you want me too." His cheeks started to turn a shade of red.

Marina's eyes filled with tears. "Can I stay at your place? It's too scary with Mother and Father gone."

Hogah smirked, " Sure, oh but I forgot. You aren't afraid of animals are you?" Hogah asked.

"Animals? What kind of animals?" Marina asked, not too sure she wanted to know.

Hogah's smile stretched from ear to ear, " Dratya is a Khafiri shogol, a breed of, uh dad called them drago houn, yeah dragon hounds. When the bad guys came I hid him, and he is prolly real hungry and wants to play."

"A...Dragon hound? Is he mean?" She asked, her eyes wide.

Hogah shook his head, " No Dratya is a big cuddly baby unless you bad, that is why I didn't let him out they woulda killed him for attackin them."

Marina swallowed hard as she followed Hogah to a large Jeffries' tube where they could stand up. "I hope he don't think I'm bad."

Hogah shook his head as he took Marina's hand, and looked into her eyes, " He knows good hearted people when he sees them, trust me Marina." Hogah said as they exited the tubes and entered the Jeram quarters. Hogah smiled as he went to a nearby console and opened it up. A deep bark could be heard over Hogah's laughter as Dratya pounced and played with him.

Marina covered her mouth as she giggled.

Dratya heard Marina's giggles and playfully jumped on her, he knocked her backwards and barked as he jumped about and licked her face. Hogah walked over laughing as he dropped down and played with Dratya and Marina.

Marina squealed as the creature licked her face with a big warm tongue!

Hogah laughed as they continued to play, he suddenly sat up and rolled Dratya on his back as he looked at Marina and said, " Dratya loves his belly scratched like this. " Hogah scratched Dratya's belly and as he did the hounds’ tail thumped loudly against the floor, and knocked over a small statue Tarmis had on a nearby table.

Marina crawled over to the fallen statue and picked the pieces up in her hand. "He broke it." She said.

Hogah giggled as he removed a small bottle and walked over to her, he quickly placed drops of liquid on the pieces and put them back together. After a moment he pointed to the old cracks in the statue, " Shh not the first time." Hogah said with a wink. Then Hogah retrieved a bowl of food and water from the replicator. As he sat them Down Dratya bounced over and began to eat. Hogah stepped up next to Marina again, " Well what should we do now? Watch the imager?" Hogah asked

"Yeah!" She exclaimed! "I wanna see something scary. You got something scary?"

Hogah stuck his tongue out of his mouth as he thought, " Hey I got Revenge Of The Andorian Zombies. Dad never likes me watching that." Hogah chuckled as he took Marina's hand and led her to the couch. As she sat down Hogah quickly got a bowl of popcorn and a blanket in case she got cold. Hogah plopped down on the couch next to her as the movie started and offered her the bowl and the blanket.

The movie started off dumb enough with archeologists opening this old tomb. "That is SO stupid, going into a tomb, cause they got warned..Don’t go in there!" Marina laughed.

Hogah chuckled as he looked at Marina, then pointed to the screen. " But watch this second part." The imager was on 3D mode, when the first zombie jumped out of the dark grave it appeared like it was coming out of the screen.

Marina let out a big scream and buried herself in the blanket, with her head on Hogah's shoulder!

Hogah smiled as he put his arm slowly about her. He gently brushed off popcorn, which had flown about them. " It's ok, you want me to turn off the 3D mode?" Hogah asked, as he felt his cheeks get extremely hot.

Marina's muffled voice could be heard in the blanket. "No." She peeked out from the blanket, with one eye, then hid again as the next Zombie jumped out!

Hogah smiled, as he slouched down some and kept his arm about Marina. Hogah slid under the blanket then put the popcorn on his lap. " Ok we can watch the movie like this if you want." Hogah said, with a slight inflection in his voice.

Marina tucked the blanket under her chin and kept it ready to hide under when the next scary part came. She reached over and grabbed some popcorn, just as Hogah had his hand in the bag. Quickly she snatched her hand out of the bag, glanced at Hogah then blushed. 'Sorry," She said.

Hogah's cheeks burned, as he looked about unsure. He tried to stammer out, " Tha That's ok. Here ladies first Dad said." Hogah offered the popcorn, just as a scary zombie he had forgot about jumped forth. He jumped slightly from the monster and sent more popcorn flying about. Hogah looked at Marina, then giggled nervously, " Sorry."

Marina had popcorn in her hair and there was popcorn all over the blanket. She started to giggle, and giggled through the next scary part.

She giggled even louder when Dratya came over and started to gobble the scattered popcorn up!

Hogah grabbed a piece of popcorn from her hair, just before Dratya got it. He tossed it in his mouth, then giggled, " Hmm tastes pretty good." Hogah laughed as Dratya finished licking Marina's face and hair. " Well that is really sharing a snack" Hogah giggled some more.

While the pet was mauling the kids, a gruesome scene appeared on the movie. A Zombie was tearing apart a scientist and eating him. Marina got very quiet when she spotted the vid. Slowly she slid down and covered her face with the blanket, except for her eyes, watching with horrified fascination. "Ewwww" she whispered.

Hogah looked at the screen, then slid under himself. He remembered the crazed people on Solotec and the things they had done to one another. As the scene ended he looked into Marina's eyes, " I uh was looking for more popcorn" He said sheepishly.

Marina stuttered, "S...so was I." She felt around for the bag, then blushed as she found the lap, but no bag. The Dratya was holding the bag between his paws, happily licking the butter from inside the now-empty bag.

Hogah held his breath as he looked at Marina's hand, he didn't know what to say or do as a small tent formed under the blanket. Hogah remembered seeing people do things like that on Solotec, but now he was scared and nervous. His insides shook as he looked into Marina's eyes. Hogah leaned over and kissed Marina's cheek, as his cheek seemed to burn like they were on fire.

Marina, being the child of scientists, was not totally ignorant about what was happening to Hogah. His kiss made her blush dark gray and she put her hands primly in her own lap. Then she looked at him, right into his eyes, a little afraid, but wanting him to kiss her again.

Hogah still leaned forward, his eyes danced across her pretty face as Hogah searched for an answer or a sign. He leaned closer to Marina, praying he would somehow be able to kiss her again.

Marina suddenly felt something new, something inside her, not fear exactly, anticipation. She raised her chin, watching him very carefully.

Hogah closed his eyes as his lips began to touch hers, a strange sense of ripples rumbled through his stomach and his entire body. Hogah reveled in the new and exciting sensations, until a large wet tongue dragged across both of their faces, and the strong hound breath could be smelt.

Marina flinched back and wiped her face with the back of her hand, "EWWWW!" Nasty breathe!

Hogah chuckled, as Dratya jumped in between them. The hound looked back and forth as if too say, " No No, kiss me." Then lapped it's tongue over Marina and Hogah. Hogah shook his head, " I am sorry Marina, uh maybe we should uh finish the movie, unless well?" Hogah's words trailed off.

Marina giggled. "Dratya can protect us!" She wrapped her arms around the wiggling pet and dragged him to lay between them.

Hogah smiled widely as he put his arm about Dratya and rested his hand gently over Marina's. A twinkle sparkled in his eyes as he looked at Marina then back to the movie.

OFF>

Joint Post

Marina Turrel
&
Hogah Jeram (Npc'd Dratya)

.
ON> Bridge of the Thunderchild

Capt Wynn was in the Command Chair she was watching the viewscreen and thinking ~how am I going to explain to Arla the 2nd distress call~

Lt. Higgins stood at the Science console "Sir, I am picking up a mixed fleet on long range sensors, four Federation ships, two Romulan ships and a Klingon, heading away from Ladsius towards Starbase at high warp" he announced

Jaden "Can you identify any of them?"

"Set course to intercept" ~I had better investigate they are heading for Starbase~.

"The SS Stingray, SS Orion, SS T'Raina, Dhael'ehrie and...... USS James Cook" Higgins announced

Jaden nodded the Stingray, Orion and T'Raina were Intel ships so this meant they were an escort for the Cook unless it was a Cobra trick.

"Approach with caution when we get within range of them" Jaden ordered Helm

"Weapons on standby" she ordered TAC

"Aye sir." Both officers replied

As they rapidly closed the distance between them the 7 points of light on the viewscreen took on the shape of ships.

"Sir" Higgins spoke up "you may not believe this but one of the ships is a hundred years old Romulan Bird of Prey"

Jaden could not figure this one out. She hit her comm badge "ereiRiov tr'Radaik to the bridge"

Higgins tried to Stifle a laugh if this was a Cobra trick they were getting desperate.

Moments later Rh'vaurek was escorted onto the bridge by Security "Sir you called for me" Rh'vaurek stood tall in a newly replicated uniform.

Jaden looked at him and recognized him she turned to ops magnify screen and pinpoint last ship in the fleet"

She turned to Rh'vaurek "identify what that last ship is. what class Romulan ship is it? and how old is it?"

"Bird of Prey" Rh'vaurek replied "I can not remember the exact date it left drydock but is about a hundred and twenty years old, It is called the Ourai, the commanding officer is Ael t'Radaik"

"You want any more details?" Rh'vaurek inquired

"No" Jaden replied I was just confirming what I was told thank you Rh'vaurek it is good to see you again."

Cook bridge>

Shi had been watching the approach of the Intel ship. Why were they trying to intercept them? She had already ordered caution and weapons on standby it could be a COBRA trick.

As they reached comm range she ordered "Hail them"

Thunderchild bridge>
They had come within comm range Jaden ordered "Hail them"

"Sir, We are being hailed by the USS James Cook" The communications officer announced

Jaden shrugged and ordered "ON Screen"

The screen turned black and then showed the Image of a female ereiRiov in a Romulan uniform. She spoke in standard "I am ereiRiov t'Radaik of the USS Cook. you have intercepted our convoy. Identify yourself

Thunderchild bridge
Jaden spoke "This is Capt Jaden Wyn of the Thunderchild. Is this the USS James Cook?

She turned and beckoned to Rh'vaurek to approach the screen.

"Shi"

Shi saw Rh'vaurek standing there and her heart almost stopped. She maintained her dignity and composure as she had been trained to do. "Yes this is the USS James Cook."

she sent a mental message ~Oh Rh'vaurek I am so glad to see you I feared you were dead~

Jaden realized something was going on and she put two and two together. She turned to Rh'vaurek she is your wife is this correct?"

"Yes" Rh'vaurek smiled for the first time in a long time

Shi smiled too.

Jaden looked at both of them. "erieRiov" she addressed Shi. "I seem to have a problem we picked up some males the other day after we received a distress call. They seem to feel their home is on the USS Cook would you be able to provide accommodations for them?" She smiled at Shi.

Shi almost shouted you bet I would but she bit that back and instead said in her calm cool voice. I am sure we could accommodate them. I will have the coordinates transferred to your transporter chief. You can start beamover at your convenience."

Jaden smiled again "I do not believe these men will wait that long. As soon as my Transporter chief has the coordinates we will commence the beamout."

Shi smiled we will be waiting for them. The screen went blank. Jaden turned and tapped her comm badge "Capt Jeram to the bridge NOW."

Tarmis was escorted onto the bridge with Security "Sir, Captain Jeram" They announced.

Jaden looked at him "I want you to prepare your people for immediate beamover to the USS James Cook.

She pointed to the viewscreen so he could see it.

"Yes captain, Immediately" Tarmis replied with a smile.

Jaden smiled at him then turned to Orion who had just come on the bridge "Go with him Cmdr and make sure everything goes smoothly."

She settled back in the Command chair and breathed a sigh of relief ~mission completed successfully
OFF>

erei’Riov (Cmdr.) Rh’vaurek tr’Radaik (also played NPC's)
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

Capt Jaden Wyn
CO SS Thunderchild
Flagship PSID
 

On> The Orion Ship.

Proving to get away from the rest of the Orion fleet was not going to be an easy task. The ships that surrounded the vessel that Rafe had commandeered with the help of Chiara Domina represented the best that the Keldon’nar Cartel had to offer. It was a fair mix of Orion, Klingon, Lyran and Mirak ships, all either bought on the black market or outright stolen.

What remained of the bridge crew remained obscenely cooperative in the face of severe punishment from Rafe had they even thought of giving the ruse away. Rafe watched silently while Chiara used her medical abilities to see to the injuries both physical and mental of the ‘favorites’.

“Cap’n Rafe, there are some new ships inbound… can’t tell what they be.” A pirate at the sensor station reported.

“On screen.” Rafe ordered.

The viewscreen shifted to a view of seven pristine ships, all haze gray in color and graceful in design.

“What be these?” The Orion helmsman asked.

“Migichinan.” Rafe replied.

The seven Draesoneth class battle cruisers approached the Orion fleet and started to engage. The Orion fleet began to break apart, hoping that the 2 to 1 odds that they had in their favor would overwhelm the Migichinan warships, but as the Migichinan began their assault, those odds would quickly start to diminish under the superior Migichinan firepower.

“Hail the lead Migichinan ship, NOW!” Rafe barked.

The screen shifted to something that took Rafe by surprise. Someone Rafe did not expect to see. Lord Prime Zendista McKenna peered back at him.

“Rafe Oosha… a pleasure to see you again. Now tell me: Is this some kind of Federation intel mission you’re on, or have you gone pirate on us?” The Lord Prime asked.

“No sir. This was a rescue mission. Several James Cook crew members were taken prisoner by the Keldon’nar. We were looking for a way to escape from the Orion fleet. Thankfully, you’ve shown up.” Rafe said.

“Fall back. I’ll cover you.” McKenna ordered as he cut the channel. The image switched to a view of the MNV Draesoneth breaking through the battle and coming in front of the Orion ship to give Rafe and company the cover they needed to get away.

The battle had already taken a turn for the worse for the Keldon’nar. The Orion ships were all either crippled or destroyed while the C7 class Klingon battle cruiser were barely holding their own. The one Lyran built ship had already fled, using the fireball of an exploding Mirak ship as cover. Almost as soon as it began, it was over.

Rafe turned to the helmsman. “Set an intercept course for the James Cook and engage.” Rafe looked at the tactical display. The freighter carrying the rest of the James Cook women was now being escorted by Migichinan Destroyers and was already enroute to the Cook.

Rafe turned to Chiara. “You have the bridge, Counselor. If any of the Orions misbehave, kill them.” He ordered.

“Aye sir.” Domina replied.

Rafe left the bridge to begin a sweep of the crew compartments. All but one of the favorites had been accounted for. Using a tricorder, he quickly found the last one. He stopped at the door and could heat moaning and heavy breathing from inside. He drew his Tyrusian sword and activated the “Power Break” skill and shoved the sword through the control panel. The door slid open to reveal an Orion on top of a human woman… one of the last of the favorites.

Rafe walked in as the Orion quickly withdrew from the woman. He picked up a Romulan dagger on his nightstand and charged at Rafe. The samurai sidestepped, taking the Orion by the hand with the dagger. Using a Jeet Kune Do technique, he disarmed the Orion and took control of the Romulan Dagger. From inside his kimono, he pulled out three throwing knives and hurled them at the Orion, pinning him to the wall.

Rafe leaned down to face the Orion with dagger in hand. “Farwell.” He said, cutting the Orion’s throat. Blood poured from the pirate’s neck as Rafe cleaned the blade on the pirate’s sleeve. He turned to the woman who was still naked on the bed.

“Are you hurt?” He asked.

“Only my pride is injured, sir… I kinda got used to the treatment and went along with it… hoping someone like you would save me.” She said. “Umm… I’m kinda out of uniform, sir.” She said, trying to preserve her humor. It was the only thing she had left.

Rafe took off his kimono and draped it around her shoulders. “Come. Chiara will check you over.”

“Isn’t she a traitor?” The officer asked.
“That remains to be seen.” Rafe said. Chiara had given no indication to him that she had turned, but the stories still hung about. He would look into the matter once everyone was safe. Rafe led the woman out of the quarters that smelled of sex and know of death.

Off>

Capt. Rafe Oosha

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

On > Orion Freighter

The Orions previously manning the freighter were locked away in a wardroom and the door guarded by two of the women from the James Cook. The only place big enough to hold nearly 500 women was the cargo bay, so they took turns using the wardrooms, manning the bridge, and using the facilities.

On the bridge, the Communication officer announced, “Lieutenant, I am picking up subspace communications from the Cook!”

Lt. Sarah Bernt, TAC officer, shifted in the captain’s chair. “Hail the Cook, on screen.”

The familiar, but tired face of Captain Tarmis Jeram appeared on the forward screen.

“Lt. Sarah Bernt commanding the Orion Freighter Luxatar. It’s good to see you again, Sir!”

Jeram grinned, “I see you found the other half of the crew.” He looked behind her, to a bridge staffed with women.

“Yes, Sir. Captain Rafe appeared out of nowhere and helped us commandeer the freighter. The Orion crew have been detained.” She answered.

“Let me speak to the Captain.” He said.

“I’m sorry, Sir. He…well…he..left.” She waved her hands in the air.

“Ah. I see, one of his disappearing acts. All right, then. I am transmitting our vector now. Meet us enroute and bring the freighter into Starbase Python. As soon as you are along side, beam the extra crew back. We could use some help here.” Jeram said.

“Understood, Sir. Receiving vector now. Expected time to intercept..” She glanced over at her nav for the numbers.

“Four hours twenty-seven minutes, if the Cook slows down to warp 5.”

Bernt looked at the screen, “You got that, Sir? This bucket only goes warp 8. You have to slow down so we can catch up to you.”

Jeram nodded and spoke to the Nav, “Slow to warp 5.”

“Aye, Sir, Slowing to warp five.”

Jeram smiled, “Welcome back, Lieutenant. Be careful with your cargo. I have a lot of worried men over here.”

Sarah grinned knowingly, “Tell the guys that everyone is alive and relatively unhurt. Dr. Aquamara is seeing to everybody.”

Jeram nodded and broke the connection. “All right, Sally, see how much you can get out of this boat!” Sarah ordered Nav.

“Yes, Ma’am!” Sally answered enthusiastically as her fingers flew over the outdated controls.

OFF>

Commodore Elsie Veritas (as everyone)
CO USS James Cook
Flagship Python Fleet.
 

ON>
<Orion Freighter>
Genesis was making rounds trying to check on the women. Most were physically ok but all were emotionally scarred. Genesis paused and leaned against the wall and rubbed at her eyes tiredly. When possible Genesis had been using her new healing talent to heal the worst of the injuries. She was to the point of exhaustion. Her body ached from her own injuries and from the remnants of the injuries she had taken from others.

What Genesis really wanted to do was sit down and cry. Cry for the needless pain and suffering. Cry for the horrors of the abuse and raped heaped upon the women. Cry for the children who were perhaps more terrified than the adults around them. And most of all she wanted to cry in shame for not being strong enough to stop the Orions from hurting the crew. And cry she did but only in her mind. Not one tear did she shed from her closed eyes.

<USS James Cook>
Fairee had made her way to sickbay to try and clean up the mess that the Orions had made while there. She had just finished cleaning the medical supplies when she felt a sharp pain in heart. She gasped and staggered over to a chair. Her teyamando was hurting!

Closing her eyes and using her elemental magic, Fairee magically reached past the ships bulkheads and out into space. She followed the invisible space currents until she found Genesis' mind and entered into it.

<Orion freighter, Genesis' mind>
Genesis was letting her tears flow mentally when she felt a warmth spread through her mind and soul. She felt a touch wipe away the tears.

~Teyamando, let me in,~ the gentle voice asked.

Too tired to resist and yearning for the comfort the voice promised Genesis dropped all barriers around her mind and Fairee flowed inside her.

For a heartbeat the two women's souls were entwined in brillant flashes of violet and forest green hues that danced behind their closed eyelids and raced through their minds, hearts and souls.

If anyone had passed by at that moment and saw either woman they would have seen a glow of violet and forest green shifting back in forth in an aura around their bodies.

~What are you doing to me?~ Genesis gasped, suddenly afraid of the intimacy.

~Claiming you~ Fairee's gentle reply came.

~Claiming me?~ Genesis asked half in hope, half in fear.

~Yes teyamando. I have been waiting for you a long time. You are the keys to my soul. Will you be one with me? I am incomplete without you~ Fairee asked the glow around her intensifying as she awaited Genesis' answer.

Genesis was stunned. Something in her soul was telling her Fairee spoke truth but Genesis wasn't so easily trusting when it came to her heart. ~I, I'm afraid~ she whispered.

Fairee let the strength of feelings for Genesis flow through the link they shared. Genesis gasped as she felt Fairee's emotions run through her mind and into her heart. Genesis felt so complete, so full of happiness and rightness that she wanted to cry out. Slowly the feeling faded to be replaced by a feeling of contentment and satisfaction.

~Do you still doubt me, milady, my teyamando?~ Fairee asked into the silence.

~No. I believe you'll never harm me. Yes Fairee I will allow you to claim me~ Genesis said, her voice stronger.

Fairee smiled and then called forth her magic in a pool of violet light in both their minds. ~You must call your own magic forth~ she instructed Genesis.

~Magic I don't have any magic~ Genesis stammered.

~Oh my teyamando. I forget you are young still. How do you think you are able to heal by touch? You are magical, you just didn't know it. Focus on what it feels like when you want to heal and your magic will come forth.~ Fairee said and waited.

Genesis was gaping. She had magic? She pushed aside her surprise and instead focused on how it felt to heal. She felt the healing warmth and saw a beautiful shade of forest green fill her mind. ~Is that me?~ she asked in awe.

~Yes Genesis it is you. All you~ Fairee said with a smile. ~Now we must combine to do the joining. Reach out to me, teyamando and let us join.~

Genesis reached out and watched as her power formed a green hand that reached toward Fairee. Fairee reached out with her violet hand and when the two powers touched, a rainbow of colors exploded once again in their minds and their powers rolled through each other and the link. ~My soul entwined with thine from now til eternity. I pledge my blade, my love and my strength to thee. I will be faithful and true to thee. Thou art the best part of me~ Fairee sang the bonding words.

Genesis felt the powers peak and then smash into her and Fairee. For one moment Genesis could see everywhere in the universe at once. She saw her sister-in-law Cassie being comforted by her lover; she watched the twins working on school project; she looked at Jacob who stood brooding in front of a console and she saw what looked like a dark cloud headed for Star base.

Genesis was amazed and then she felt the awesome power starting to ebb as she began to reclaim her sense of self. ~Wow~ she whispered shakily.

Fairee laughed and said huskily, ~You think that now teyamando but wait until I get you alone. Then you'll learn the true meaning of wow.~

Genesis blushed. ~I'm looking forward to it~ she added her voice full of pent up longing and anticipation.

Fairee reached through the link and caressed Genesis across her inner thigh. ~Fairee!~ Genesis scolded as she felt her body respond.

~Oh yes teyamando. I will take away the bad memories of what has happened and replace them with something wonderful. I await you milady, my teyamando.~ Fairee blew Genesis a kiss and withdrew from her mind.

Genesis stood up feeling refreshed. She look down and gasped in happiness. All her bruises were gone and so were the soreness and tiredness. "Oh Fairee thank you," she whispered. Standing up straighter, Genesis headed toward the cargo bay to check on more of the women.

<USS James Cook>
Fairee stood for a few moments with a smile on her face. She could feel Genesis' happiness and Fairee was content. "I will always protect you, I swear on my honor and by the lords and ladies above." she whispered to the air as she made her vow.
OFF>
JP

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

&

Petty officer 1st Class Fairee Planyo
Nurse, USS James Cook
 

ON> Frank's Ship

Elsie holstered the disruptor from Frank's body and headed for the bridge. Noting that some of the Orion crew was still sitting the bridge, she took the weapon out and held it ready.

Rafe walked back onto the bridge. His kimono was wrapped around one of the favorites, a young ensign whom Elsie recognized from sciences

Elsie smiled at her. "You are safe now," She said softly

The Ensign nodded and sat and walked over to the sensor station to relieve the Orion seated there. A look from Rafe encouraged the Orion to leave quickly

Elsie glared at the Orion and signaled for one of the freed crew to lock him away. "One of the wardrooms," She suggested.

The security officer nodded and led the Orion away.

Rafe looked at the tactical display. 300,000 kilometers away was the Draesoneth, escorting the their ship to the Cook.

Elsie looked at Chiara, who was sitting in the captain's seat. "You are in grave danger, Counselor. I am going to take all measures to protect you till we get to Starbase

Chiara looked down. "What's going to happen to me?" She whispered.

"Nothing." Rafe said. "I will guard you." He added.

Elsie sighed. "You must face a court-martial for the charge of treason. At that trial evidence for and against you will be presented, and the JAG will render a decision."

"I'm not a traitor." She whispered.

Elsie squatted down to look Chiara in the eyes, " I am hearing that from crewmembers. Let's hope that other evidence comes to light that will prove your innocence."

"You don't believe me." She said, turning away."

"Chiara, I do not have the luxury of favoritism. Any crewmember, including me, must face charges brought before them. Belief or disbelief is irrelevant." Elsie glanced up at Rafe, then continued. "Does it not mean something that you are not locked up with the Orions?"

"I guess so..." She whispered.

"You are not locked up because I feel you have acted like a Star Fleet officer up to this point." Rafe said. "You have not done anything to show me that you are a traitor." He added.

"Trust me. If you don't trust me, trust Rafe." Elsie pleaded. "I must follow procedure. If there is any evidence in your favor it shall be brought to the court's attention."

"You said some very hurtful things to me." Chiara said.

Elsie gave her an honest look, "Yes I did."

"Chiara, things have been very stressful for us all. I am certain that the exchanges between yourself and Elsie were sincere at the time, but if you are innocent as you contend, then it will come out in the hearing. You must be strong." He said.

Elsie nodded her agreement and rose.

"I'll try to be strong... Elsie?" Chiara said.

Elsie turned back to Chiara, "Counselor?"

"I'm sorry... I didn't... I didn't really mean all the hurtful things I said... and after... after I was brought back to life, I knew what I had to do." She said.

Elsie said, "We will have time to talk all about it later, I promise. Right now you have a ship to fly. Take us home, Counselor."

"Yes Ma'am." Chiara said and turned the helm display. "ETA to Cook in one hour."

Elsie stepped to the back of the bridge and stood guard.

Rafe walked over to Elsie. "We should find somewhere private to talk."

Elsie nodded. "We can't go in there," She wrinkled her nose and nodded to the ready room. "Maybe one of the wardrooms, though I imagine they don’t smell much better."

Rafe nodded and led her to the nearest uninhabited wardroom.

Elsie pushed clothing off a couple chairs and sat down.

"Talk to me" Rafe said.

"About what, Rafe? About Chiara? She has to stand trial. That is out of my hands, you know that!" Elsie frowned at Rafe.

"I am not concerned about Chiara, Elsie. Fate will guide her. I am concerned about you." He said calmly.

Elsie sighed. "Me. I am no worse off than some of the other crew. I am sure, they are...." Elsie swallowed the next word and lowered her eyes.

"They will survive. They are strong, but we must be stronger so we can be there for them when they cannot be strong." Rafe said. "I am here for you now. You don't have to be strong anymore."

Elsie spoke defiantly, "I have to be strong! I cannot succumb to petty weaknesses. My crew depends on me to be strong for them. I set the example!" She folded her hands tightly until her knuckles turned white.

Rafe took her hands into his. "Right now, you are not a Star Fleet officer. You are my wife whom I love with all my heart." He said.

Elsie's eyes filled with tears, "Oh, Rafe, I feel so dirty! I am...pregnant. It is Frank's."

Rafe closed his eyes and pulled her close.

Elsie let go and sobbed into his chest.

"We will work through this." Rafe said.

Elsie said through sobs. "I..will see Dr. Merlose when we get back. He...did he survive?"

"Yes. We lost none of the male crewmembers. Rh'varuek, Tarmis and the Wolfpack did a remarkable job of keeping everyone safe." Rafe said.

"Thank the Four Goddesses!" She whispered.

"There are many who deserve to be recognized in what has happened." Rafe said. "But we will need time to lick our wounds."

"And we have many, I am afraid." Elsie wiped her eyes. "Many of the crew will need therapy."

"That is true." Rafe said. "We should call for an replacement counselor while Chiara faces her... trials." Rafe said.

"Merlose and Aquamara are counselors, as well. But I do not know what condition Genesis is in. We will be at Starbase for a while getting resupplied. And I can ask for a speedy trial for Chiara. At least we will know where we stand, where Chiara stands."

"I pray that Chiara is innocent." Rafe said.

"I do, too. She has suffered enough." Elsie said sadly.

"It was not in her to be a traitor. She has far to much respect and love for both you and Tarmis." Rafe said.

"Then she must have been compromised somehow. But how to prove it? She was not assimilated like Picard was. There are no visual clues, no evidence that I see so far. The defender has his work cut out for him." Elsie mused.

"I have some theories." Rafe said. "I will work on that after we get back to the ship."

Elsie suddenly remembered. "Rafe! I sent the entire transcript of ship's logs and sensors out with the distress beacon! Perhaps Intel gleaned some information out of that. It is worth investigating."

"Yes." Rafe said. "I will contact Intel on the Starbase and touch basis with them." He added.

Elsie nodded. "I will be glad to get on my own ship and take a long hot shower." Elsie scratched her head.

"You and me both. I've not had a chance to bathe since this all began." Rafe said.

Elsie looked around the small cramped wardroom. "The bridge smells better than this. I'd rather wait out there for our rendezvous with the ship."

"Indeed." Rafe said. "The child is Frank's you say?"

Elsie nodded, "Chiara scanned me when she first saw me. She said the DNA matched."

"Have you given thought to the child's future?" Rafe asked.

"There are only two options open to me, to bring the child full-term and adopt it out, thereby my having to take a leave of absence, or to have the doctors put the embryo in stasis to give to a couple that cannot have children." Elsie explained.

"I will support whichever decision you make." Rafe said.

Elsie's eyes hardened. "I cannot carry this child full term. Every day I will be reminded about all this. I can have the procedure done at Starbase, and the child can do someone else good. At least that is more than its father did!"

"All life is precious, and the sins of the father should not be its own. It should be given the chance to live in an environment where it will be cared for." Rafe said.

"And it shall. Even with our modern medicine, there are people who are infertile for some reason or another. With the proper preparation, such a parent can carry a donated child full-term and bear it as her own." Elsie explained.

"Good." Rafe said. "I am glad. With luck, it will never know the horror it was conceived in."

"It is highly unlikely, as only the DNA signature will be recorded. And I doubt that Frank's is in our medical database. Only the child's species will be known." Elsie already felt better, making plans, seeing a solution that would benefit all concerned.

Rafe nodded.

"Bridge to Commodore Veritas." The sullen voice was Chiara's

"Veritas here," Elsie answered.

"We are approaching the Cook." She said.

"Swing to starboard and hail the Cook. We are on our way." Elsie stood and led the way to the bridge.

Off>

JP

Captain Rafe Oosha
CIO USS James Cook
&
Lt. Chiara Domina
Chief Counselor
USS James Cook
&

 

Commodore Elsie Veritas

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

ON - Bridge
Rh'vaurek finished his shift, it felt good standing behind the tactical console again, even doing XO duties it was good to stand at the tactical console, he hadn't gone to his quarters yet, he went straight to the bridge. Now he left, straight to the Security office to meet Shi before heading to their quarters

Shi was in her office trying to write a report of all the activities of Security during the time the Ship was in enemy hands.

It was not going well all she could think of was that Rh'vaurek was back. She would be with him and in his arms again when shift was over.

Rh'vaurek poked his head around the corner "Are you finished yet e'lev?" he asked with a smile.

Shi replied "oh yes e'lev I have been waiting for you. She smiled a brilliant smile at him with her total love for him in her eyes.

Rh'vaurek held his arms open to Shi. It had been too long since he held her in his arms.

Shi got up and rushed into his arms holding on to him as if she would never let him go. It had been so long so many lonely nights and days.

Rh'vaurek held onto Shi tightly, she and Sharien were all that kept him from taking his life after being beamed onto the Ferengi ship "If any Orion's even looked at you improperly, I'll have Ael and the Ourai lay waste to every Orion ship in this element cursed sector." He whispered into her ear.

Shi whispered to him I will tell you what happened later. Let us just enjoy being back in each other's arms right now.

"Of course" Rh'vaurek whispered back lightly kissing her ear tip

Shi shivered as he kissed her ear tip it felt so good. She smiled at him again

Rh'vaurek smiled then kissed Shi in a deep passionate kiss, her warm lips felt so good to kiss again ~Perhaps we should go somewhere a little more private ~

Shi answered ~I think it would be a good idea~. She looked around and a few Security people were trying not to look at them.

They laid their reports on her desk and silently without looking at them left the room

Rh'vaurek Swept Shi off her feet and carried her off to their quarters "Have you seen Rea, he must miss us"

Shi looked at him I imagine he did except for when Hogah played with him. Hogah got into our quarters from the Environmental shaft when he heard Rea crying he got into the room and fed him and gave him water and played with him for a while.

But he has spent a lot of time alone and I know he missed us as I have missed him.

"As have I" Rh'vaurek replied.

Shi smiled. "Yes I know you have".

Rh'vaurek opened the doors to their Quarters, Rea sat in the middle of the room on top of a dead Ferengi "Meow".

Shi stared at Rea and the dead Ferengi and wondered.

Rea looked back with what could be described as a feline grin.

Shi nodded at him that she understood and reached down and picked him up and snuggled him against her chin then she turned and handed him to Rh'vaurek.

Rh'vaurek accepted Rea and cradled him in his arms "Good kitty!" he said, Rea Meowed again happy to be with his masters again.

Neither Shi not Rh'vaurek questioned what had happened here.

Rh'vaurek crouched down the Farengi's ears looked like they had been chewed.

Shi pressed the button for the Universal cleaner. It came out of its slot in the wall circled the body twice went back and got it's large scoop scooped up the Ferengi and carried him out the door.

As the body was taken out Shi noticed the deep claw marks on the Ferengi's neck and arms.

"I am going to guess, all our belongings are still here" Rh'vaurek pointed out.

Shi smiled at him "I would be willing to agree with that."

Looking at the sack left in their quarters "Perhaps we can give back a few other peoples belongings"

Shi looked at him "they will probably be very pleased to have them back".

Rh'vaurek handed Rea back to Shi.

Shi accepted him and once again cuddled him.

Rea was so excited and happy he did not know whether to meow or purr. So he managed to do both at once.

Rh'vaurek unslung his rucksack off his shoulder and opened it up, he walked over to the back wall of their living room with it. He removed the leather armour hanging it up on a stand.

Shi looked at the armour and wondered where he had gotten it when they were all on an uninhabited planet.

She knew enough not to ask. If he wanted her to know he would tell her. He had many secrets like this and she never questioned them.

Rh'vaurek looked back at Shi and smiled "A gift from you know who"

Shi smiled I thought that was who it came from.

She walked over to the couch and sat down. She spoke "we need to talk Rh'vaurek there are things I must tell you.

Rh'vaurek walked over to the couch and sat beside Shi. "what is it?"

You made a remark earlier about my treatment from the pirates. I must tell you a strange story. The first day we were all thrown into the Cargo bay. That night when they brought us something to eat. They started making overtures to the women violently. One of them grabbed Vail and I grabbed him and threw him across the floor.

The leader of the group grabbed me. Shi shudders as she remembers his dirty hands pawing her. I grabbed him by the neck and started to strangle him. He was big and he threw me off and I landed on the floor he was on me in a minute ripping my clothes off. I fought him I kicked and clawed. Suddenly as he was about to have his way with me a man stepped out of the group. He was not an Orion, He was a half-breed Rihannsu he grabbed him and slammed him against the wall and held his arm against his throat. He growled at him you leave her alone She is a Rihannsu ailhun can you not see the ring? She is with child. Touch her again and I will kill you.

From that time on the rest of them left me alone. He was always with the guards when they brought us food.

I do not know why he was with them but I owe him my life and a good deal more.

Shi is shaking like a leaf as she finishes her story. Her hands wrap defensively across her abdomen.

"You say the word, and the Ourai will be hunting Orions as soon as they return the ambassador" Rh'vaurek replied

"Yes" Shi said "But if that one is found I want him brought to me."
I want to thank him personally and I want to know his story.

"The rest give them what they deserve" this is said in a growl
and don't make it pleasant

"I will inform Ael" Rh'vaurek replied his eyes dropped, at his inability to protect the ship from the inside job.

Shi looks at him and places her hands on either side of his face "E'lev no one could have known. It was done so quickly and quietly. The gas incapacitated everyone.

"She is a vang'raden and if she crosses my path I will hurt her.

"I'll see that susse-thari hung" Rh'vaurek replied in a low growl

Shi replied "I agree that is what she deserves." she too growls.

Shi moves over closer to Rh'vaurek and lays her head on his shoulder. She is still shaking. "let us talk of happier things e'lev." She smiled up at him.

Rea hopped up onto Shi's lap and nuzzled against her stomach then curled up and contentedly purred.

Shi stroked him as Sharien gave her a gentle nudge.

"He wants his father" she said to Rh'vaurek "he knows you are here."

"Stelam said Vierna feels the same thing while he is gone" Rh'vaurek replied as he put his hand on Shi's stomach. Immediately Sharien moved and kicked gently
greeting his father.

Rh'vaurek smiled at Shi "Everything is all right now, I am home"

Shi cuddled next to him "I know e'lev and my heart is happy and my soul rejoices at your return.

She thinks to herself ~no more lonely wakeful nights wanting him so bad my body hurt~

"I will never intentionally leave your side, I am yours forever" Rh'vaurek whispered into Shi's ear

Shi whispered back "and I am yours my lord now and forever" She reaches over and picks up his hand and kisses it, then places it against her heart. So he can feel it beating only for him.

Rh'vaurek sighed then leaning over he lightly brushed her lips with his own only to enter into a more passionate kiss

Shi returned the kiss with her own pent up passion.

Rh'vaurek picked Shi up in his arms and carried her off to their bedroom, to spend their first night together in over two weeks.

Shi nestled against him as she was transported to Vorta Vor in his arms.
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
 

On> The Orion ship.

The James Cook loomed in the viewscreen. For all that had happened, the ship still looked pristine on a backdrop of a star field.

Elsie's eyes shone as she gazed on the ship...her ship. "Counselor, Hail them."

Rafe walked onto the bridge, and stopped to take in the sight.

"Channel open, Commodore." Chiara said.

"James Cook, this is Commodore Elsie Veritas. Permission to beam aboard?"

"Permission granted, Commodore. Welcome home." The voice was that of Tarmis Jeram.

Rh'vaurek looked over to Tarmis, "I'll meet them in transporter room two"

Tarmis made his way down to the transporter room. There already was the big cat man Kimahri Ronso as well as Lulu and the Lady Yuna.

Elsie looked at Rafe, "Beam the Orions aboard, then get everyone off. We are going to blow this ship."

"Understood." Rafe said as he went to the engineering station. "Executing transport now..."

Seconds later, Rafe reported the Orions being aboard and quarantined in a cargo bay.

"tr'Radaik to Security, make sure we have no escapees, if they try it, Shoot to kill" Rh'vaurek ordered

"Shoot to kill, aye sir." Security replied.

Rafe cut the power to the engines and shields. "Commodore, the ship is ready to be scuttled. I think it would be appropriate to conduct a weapons test from the Cook once we are safely aboard." Rafe took a tricorder from the panel that had been copying files from the computer.

"Ops you have the bridge" Rh'vaurek left the Tactical station then swiftly made his way to the transporter room with Tarmis

Chiara rose from her station on the Orion bridge. "Well, I guess this is the end of the road for me. Pity, I was just getting used to being a pilot, too." She said to no one in particular.

Elsie, Rafe and Chiara headed for the transporter pad.

Once on the transporter PADD, Rafe issued an order to the computer to beam them over to the Cook.

Rh'vaurek stood in the transporter room and waited for Chiara to rematerialize.

Kimahri looked over at the Romulan. He could sense the tension coming from the smaller man. He then looked over to Yuna, who gave him a look that said 'Be Ready."

Kimahri nodded at the unspoken order.

The transporter hummed to life, depositing Rafe, Elsie and Chiara.

Rh'vaurek Sprung onto the transporter Pad Grabbing Chiara roughly spinning her around and slamming her into the back wall

Elsie yelled, "Stand Down, Rh'vaurek!" Tarmis ran towards Rh’vaurek to pull him off of Chiara.

Kimahri sprung from his position, leaping across the transporter room and shoved Rh'vaurek to the ground. A halberd appeared in his hand and he used it to pin Rh'vaurek to the deck by the neck.

Chiara fell to the deck as well, as bruises began to appear on her face. A small stream of sapphire blood trickled from her mouth.

Rafe stepped over to help Chiara up, giving a dagger glance down to Rh'vaurek. He looked over to Kimahri. "Guard her." He said.

"Get off me Furball" Rh'vaurek growled

Kimhari picked up Rh'vaurek and slammed him into the wall. "Romulan like playing rough? Romulan like beating women? Kimahri like to play rough. Kimahri like to beat those who beat women. Kimahri like to beat you now." The Ronso growled.

"I am Chief of Security, Guarding Prisoners is MY duty" Rh'vaurek growled again

"Auron give order, guard blue lady. Kimahri guard blue lady with life. Romulan attack blue lady without provocation. Romulan without honor. Kimahri teach Romulan honor." The Ronso growled.

Elsie put her hand on Kinhari's arm and ordered, "Enough! Everyone just step back and act like officers! Chiara is under house arrest and I have guaranteed her safety!"

Kimahri looked at Elsie. "Romulan without honor." He said.

"WITH OUT provocation, the stupid susse-thrai gassed us and had us left on that element cursed rock, you want Provocation?" Rh'vaurek snapped back

Elsie answered, 'We do this by the book, Rh'vaurek!"

"Be silent" Kimahri told Rh'vaurek, squeezing tighter around the Romulan's neck.

Tarmis went over to attend to Chiara's injuries with Yuna's and Lulu’s help.

Elsie looked at Rafe angrily, "Tell your friend to stand down! I will not have a brawl on my ship!"

"Yeah, release your damned pet" Rh'vaurek hoarsely growled

"Kimahri... " Rafe said. The Ronso nodded and let Rh'vaurek loose, then backhanded him. "Kimahri no pet!" He said, then took up a position in front of Chiara.

Elsie nodded, "Well, now that this is settled, get her to safety. I'm headed for the bridge."

"She will be held in the brig until her quarters can be set up, she will not have use of the communication system, any computer or the replicator, Meals well be brought up from the galley by armed security" Rh'vaurek announced

Elsie looked hard at Rh'vaurek for a minute then realized he was only trying to do his duty. “Granted. But keep her separate from the Orions."

"Very well Commodore" Rh'vaurek replied

Elsie nodded and strode out of the transporter room and headed for the bridge, followed by Tarmis.

Rh'vaurek grabbed Chiara "Come on Vang'radem, You’re coming with me" and he marched out the door to the brig dragging Chiara with him.

Kimahri Ronso followed Chiara and Rh'vaurek.

"Treat blue lady with respect." The Ronso growled.

Rafe watched them leave. "I don't like this."

"After what she did she is lucky to still be alive" Rh'vaurek snapped back, continuing to drag Chiara to the brig

"I can walk!" Chiara hissed. "Oww you're hurting me!"

It was enough for Kimahri. He intercepted Rh’vaurek, again slamming him into the wall.

"Kimahri had enough!" He roared.

Rh’vaurek drew his disruptor and fired at point blank range

Kimahri stumbled back, absorbing the blast.

A spark of electricity appeared and shocked the disruptor out of Rh'vaurek's hand.

"You're not a very nice person." Lulu said.

Yuna raced over to tend to Kimahri.

"I AM CHIEF OF SECURITY, THIS IS MY MATTER, YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO MEDDLE IN THIS AFFAIR" Rh'vaurek roared

"Auron ordered Kimahri to guard the blue lady, that's all he was doing!" The fragile looking Yuna yelled. "What kind of fiend are you that you would treat someone accused of a crime so roughly!?!" She cried.

"You people interfere again, I'll have you all brigged for interference in a security matter!" Rh'vaurek growled

Kimahri rose. "Auron give order, Kimahri follow order." He said, brandishing his halberd again. "Romulan hurt blue lady, Kimahri will hurt Romulan."

"Blue lady hurt the entire crew, why are you defending her?" Rh'vaurek snapped

"Because you are treating her so badly." Lulu said. "Even if she is guilty of being a traitor, it should not be up to you to start her punishment early."

"With what we have seen, we will make a protest!" Yuna said.

"I am not starting her punishment, I have not even begun to start" Rh'vaurek replied

"Throwing blue lady to wall, Grabbing blue lady.." Kimahri growled.

Rafe came around the corner. "What is going on here?"

"I have had no complaints in the past hundred and thirty years the way I handle security" Rh'vaurek snapped back at Yuna

"Well you have some now!" Yuna countered.

"Do not place your believe system into my work" Rh'vaurek replied "What works for you does not always work for me"

Rafe walked up to Rh'vaurek. "I asked what is going on here, Mister. I expect a response."

"Your friends are interfering in a security matter" Rh'vaurek snapped, Ready to pommel the next person that remotely questioned his ways

"And why were they interfering, Mister?" Rafe snapped.

"I do not know, I am about to throw them in the brig with Lt. Chara for interfering" Rh'vaurek growled hoarsely

"Sir Auron, he was using excessive force." Yuna said.

"Is this true?" Rafe asked Rh'vaurek.

"They have no business here, this is a Starfleet security issue and last time I checked they were not on the roster"

"I have asked Kimahri Ronso to act as Guardian to Chiara Domina on the grounds that she is not safe on this vessel because of the circumstances... You proved to me by your actions in the transporter room that she is not safe." Rafe said.