The Last Meeting "
By: Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58209.21 1430

Without further delay Hunter took the isochip and turned, handing it to Teilani. "You heard the woman, we have less than 3 hours to find your brother and get back. Let's go."

Hunter felt anxious. More than he could remember feeling in a long time. The mission was nearly complete but yet it seemed, they'd only just begun. The Captain and Chief Medical officer worked their way through old crates whose antiquity could probably be calculated by the accumulation of red dust.

Finally a large loading door loomed in the distance.

"Next time Cap't.. when I mention to go to Mars.." Teilani said while accepting the chip, "wack me in the head!"

Hunter paused a moment, looking to see if they had been followed and then turned toward the door. Teilani followed behind.

"I have eaten enough dust to last me a life time," said the doctor.

Hunter looked at the padd he held and handed it to Teilani, "Which way?"

Feeling that she was talking to a brick wall, Teilani swallowed a bitchy remark and grabbed her dufflebag. "This way.." she said and walked out the room.

The pair walked down to the platform where they waited for mass transit car.

Hunter was quiet. He didn't have a good feeling about the arrangements he had made with Tagliani.

They boarded and rode for several minutes. When they exited, they began walking through the underground labyrinth of streets and tunnels.

"First street right.. " she mumbled to herself. "Left at Murphy's.."

They walked for a ways and turned into an alley way. Immediately they were approached by two men. One looked them over and nodded to the other. The other man tapped a communicator, "They're here."

Within a minute Teilani's brother appeared. His eyes were locked on Teilani.

"Nice to see you in one piece brother." Teilani said stepping back. The little hairs in the back of her neck were itching and she knew that that wasn't a good sign. She handed him the iso chip.

"There are some people I would like you to meet," said Josh taking the chip from Teilani.

Teilani frowned.

The door opened again and a women with a dog on a leash and a young girl entered.

"This is your niece," said Josh, gently prodding the shy girl forward by her shoulder."

"My niece?" Teilani echoed. "I didn't know you were married..." she sank through her knees and extended her hand. "Hi I'm Teilani.

"Lo.." the girl said slowly putting her hand in Teilani's. I'm Azi..Daddy says you are family.."

"Well actually I'm your aunt.. I left before you were born.." she said looking up at Josh.

"I saw you on pictures.. " the girl said.. "You were like me.. "

Teilani nodded. "That was a long time ago..". The little girl smiled and looked up to her Father.

"Is she going to stay Daddy?"

Josh knelt down to her level, "No, honey. She's not. She has a very important job to do."

"She looks like you.." Teilani said softly. "Your eyes.."

Josh smiled slightly.

"Daddy... will she ever come back?..She is pretty..she smiles the same like Mummy."

Teilani froze as she heard the young girl's question. She remembered the harsh words Josh had spoken to her when she, Hunter and the rest had arrived on Mars. Accusing words, why she had returned etc.

Teilani looked at Hunter.. "Sir.. I.. I can't go back. They need me here."

"I'm sorry," said Hunter, "You can't stay."

"You have seen the misery, as a doctor I can do much more here then on the Zion. If need be Wright can handle medical stuff." she pleaded.

"Your presence here could jeopardize the mission." said Hunter shaking his head.

Teilani looked at her niece.. the little girl she had never seen before.. she brushed the girls hair.. looking into her eyes. "I will try to come back.. ok.. I promise.. one day I will come back.. "

Josh stood up straight, he fidget with the isochip.

"For the first time in a long time, I'm not sure what to say. I'm no good at good-byes.

Teilani smiled and hugged her brother whispering in his ear. "Then don't say goodbye.. say be seeing you." She freed herself from the hug and took a step back, her hand touched Josh face. "Be save brother..I love you..take care of my niece.." Teilani said managing to clear the lump in her throat.

Josh said nothing, there was nothing he could muster saying at all. He just nodded and took a step back.

He watched as Hunter and Teilani faded into the dark corridor.

Nikita squeezed Josh's hand, and looked up at him, "I'll make sure they make back."

Josh nodded. Nikita let go of Josh's and and picked up a pack which she slung over her shoulder, With a quick wave, almost like a salute, she set of after them, fading likewise into the darkness.