What Evil Lurks in the Belly of the Cotton Ball Jar "
By: Dr. Alyssa Caitlin Northrop, Acting Chief Intel Officer, [PST]
Krystal, Hologram, [RNPC]
M'Ressha Mikaht, Fighter Pilot, [RNPC]
Maxine Lucinda Tapert, Computer Specialist, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.29 0300

"She needed to sleep," Pixie preened her wings and looked over at Blitzer. "She only catnaps, you know..."

Maxine had grudgingly gone back to where the bunks were, agreeing to take a nap, but that was all she agreed to.. And she made it clear that if she couldn't sleep, she'd be back cause she hated tossing and turning. She wasn't curled in the "nest" Blitzer had made for her on the floor more than five minutes before she'd fallen fast asleep.

Blitzer smiled, "Yeah, I cat nap too," he said. He looked at the blue ball beneath them. A large aurora began dancing across the polar region near by them. "You better check cloak matrix," said Blitzer.

"Aye, aye, sir!" the little hologram saluted and accessed the system, checking the matrix as he'd instructed. "You cat nap because you're a felinoid," she pointed out. "Matrix is 100 percent operational."

"Good." Blitzer wrapped himself up tighter in the blanket and nestled back into his chair.

Krystal went back to alternately preening her wings and braiding her hair.

Blitzer watched the little pixie, "So... what was it like for you to be a...REAL girl?"

She stopped what she was doing to look up at him and tip her head a little in thought. "I like to be real," she told him. "I want to be real all the time."

Blitzer smiled at the little pixie, feeling almost sorry for it, "Why can't you?"

Krystal held her hands out, palms up. "No field generators," she told him.

"Oh I see," said Blitzer regarding the little apparition, "Does it feel weird to be a ghost?"

"It feels... insubstantial," she told him with a little grin.

Blitzer reached out and passed his paw through her image.

"See?" she squeaked.

"Insubstantial, now there's a big word for a little pixie."

"I'm well versed," Krystal told him.

"What would you do if you were a *real* girl?"

"Real girl things."

Blitzer grinned and rolled his eyes, "Productive things?"

Krystal nodded. "Yes. Productive, *real* things.

Blitzer leaned back, "sounds like the earth story of Pinocchio."

"Pinocchio? What is a Pinocchio?" Krystal asked. But before Blitzer could answer she was accessing the data files and looking it up. After a moment her wings fluttered and she nodded. "Just like Pinocchio!" she agreed and giggled as she crossed her eyes and watched her nose grow.

Back in the rear of the runabout, Max began to stir in her sleep as a noise protruded into her subconscious and became part of the dream that was forming in her mind.

Blitzer pursed his lips tightly, and looked over his shoulder before he leaned toward the pixie, "Can you really do the Orion slave girl thing?"

Krystal looked over his shoulder too and then nodded. "Affirmative," she whispered and turned green. She grinned at him as her clothes started to shift into those really skimpy pieces of fabric the Orion slave girls deem to be clothing and her nose reverted back to normal size....

Max's scream rent the air as the bug-spider thing with braided hairy legs attacked her and tried to suck itself onto her lips.

Krystal poofed from sight with a screech, afraid of getting caught green-skinned in the act of doing the Orion Slave Girl dance.

Blitzer jumped from his chair and bolted down the corridor, limping as fast as he could to where Maxine was. He came in the room and found Max sitting up. "What is it?" he asked, looking around.

The eyes that looked at him were huge and frightened. She was holding a blanket clutched to her and looking around like something might leap on her at any moment. "I... Uh ... Something..." she had to take a breath before finally saying; "I thought something attacked me..." She scooted closer to him and tried to peer under the bunk.

Blitzer looked throughout the room. He sniffed the air as he went. "I - I don't see anything, you must have been dreaming." He sat down next to her and put his hands on her shoulders. She was trembling.

She let her breath out in a soft grunt and he could feel her relaxing a bit from his presence. "Okay... Yeah... A dream..." she agreed cause that was a whole lot better than the real thing.

"I'm glad you *were* only dreaming," confessed Blitzer, "I forgot my phaser."

That made her blink and finally stop trembling. "You would have had to use your warrior toes." She actually offered him a little smile.

Blitzer tipped his head sideways a little and huffed, "yeah...."

Maxine reached out and gently fwapped his shoulder. "You were supposed to laugh at that," she pointed out.

He took a couple of deep breaths, "Oh..., it was funny. I'll laugh later." He assured her with a smile and a generous nod of the snout. He glanced one more time around the quarters, "I'm sure we all will laugh later."

Maxi frowned and shivered. She held the blanket a little more tightly for a moment and then rubbed her face. "I need something for my headache," she told him and rose to her feet. "You can go ahead and sleep if you like..."

"I'm fine..." he said, "I got my catnap in before."

"Okay... I'll just go grab something then," she smiled a little and headed to Sickbay.

Blitzer followed Max until she turned and entered the tiny sickbay module. He proceeded up the corridor to the flight center and took his seat.

"She's ok," he told Krystal.

"I was concerned," the little pixie told him. "Look what I can do....."

It didn't take Max long to find something for her nightmare-induced headache, and she headed to the flight deck when she was done. By the time she got up front, Krystal had poofed into a 'bug' and was explaining to Blitzer what she'd inputted about their physiological makeup from the scan she'd run when it tried to eat her.

All Max saw was a BUG on the console in front of Blitzer and she screamed. "GET BACK!! GET BACK!! BLITZ GET BACK!" Then she started frantically looking around for a phaser, intent on killing the thing.

Blitzer got up from his chair, and grabbed Max so she wouldn't hurt herself. "Its ok," said Blitzer pointing, "it was just Krystal doing bug imitations."

Maxine was shaking. She blinked and looked from him to the bug that waved at her. "Bloody 'ell..." she drew in breath and let it out in an expressive grunt. "Scared the crap outta me," she complained. "I 'ate bugs."

"Okay, Krysal, better just turn back into yourself."

He sat down and looked at Max, "we should try and contact Northrop and make sure she's ok."

Krystal the bug giggled and poofed back into Krystal the Pixie in a shower of golden pixie dust.

"You're right," Max agreed with a nod as she took her own seat and eyed the changing hologram. "She's been quiet for an awful long time."

"Okay, open a channel and send a single click," reminded Blitzer.

Alyssa stirred under the covers of the bed that Christine Walker had provided. Part of the archeologist had wished that she'd had company, but that wasn't part of the mission. She'd heard the single click from her combadge, despite the fact that it was across the room. Tossing back the blanket, she padded over to the device and picked it up. "Northrop here. Go ahead."

"Tapert here. Just doing a status check, sir," Max responded. "Your message has been sent. Everything okay?"

Without really thinking, she nodded as she spoke. "Yes.. everything's fine here. I'm just waiting on further instructions. What's the word from on high?"

"The party starts sometime soon." said Blitzer, even though he was on a secure channel, thought to be a little vague.

Alyssa frowned. Why did people always want to act so cryptic when they got to play secret agent? "Mr. Blitzer....could you be somewhat less vague, please?"

She caught the use of her "irritated professor" voice and shook her head slightly. "The channel is secure and I've taken every precaution on my end. Swept the room for bugs, I'm using a sound proofing to keep anyone from eavesdropping. So just tell me, ok? How can I carry out my orders if I don't know what they are?"

Blitzer hesitated and glanced at Max before he spoke, "The Zion will be entering the system sometime after 1300."

Max frowned in response to that look and shrugged a little.

Blitzer paused, "Will you be beaming up soon?"

The irritation became more pronounced at the felinoid's refusal to tell her what was going on. "Only if I have to, Blitzer. Do I have to? Or will you just tell me what the brass wants me to do?"

"We had a very short transmission window, we have no further orders. Signal us if you need to beam aboard. Tigris out."

Alyssa blew air up through her bangs. "Very well, Tigris....I'll be here when you need me. Northrop out."

It wasn't truly like her to get short with people, but then again getting woken from a fairly deep sleep would do that to you. Dropping her badge into her pack, she padded back over to the bed and lay down again. It was still dark outside, which meant that it was still as early as it felt. Staring up at the ceiling, Alyssa thought about what was beyond that.... the USS Yamoto.... and the governor of this world. Given the shear number of personnel on the ground, there couldn't be THAT many people aboard. But how do you board a ship in orbit? Sure you could beam in, but that was traceable. Perhaps from that Government Center she'd gone to the previous night? That was a distinct possibility.

Blitzer watched as Max closed the Comlink.

"That was uhh. ...interesting," Max looked over at him and quirked a brow. The Intel officer had certainly been cranky.

He pulled up the geocoordinates which displayed superimposed on the view screen, "oh... its really...really early in the morning there." he said.

Blitzer folded his arms and leaned back. "But it looks like everything is ok."

"Uh-hu---" she stopped and straightened. "I'm picking up a transmission from the media network on the planet," she told him. "Putting it up on screen..."

An image appeared on the viewscreen, It was a the face of a well groomed diplomat. He held an infant in one arm and waved with the other. An audience around him was applauding, behind him stood someone dressed in a federation uniform. "...And furthermore," continued the man, "now that Deleplane's dictatorship has been removed, Pacifica can now move forward! And with the help of our Federation friends, we can grow and prosper. But to undo the things that Deleplane done, will be costly. Our Federation friends have agreed to help us rebuild our great planet to what it was 10 years ago. We will join our forces and fight along side our Federation allies. We must! It is the right war at the right time. Prosperity will be ours again!"

The audience roared with applause. The man handed the baby to a woman near by and began shake hands with some of the people near him and walked away from the podium with the Federation official right behind him.

Blitzer shook his head in bewilderment and flipped his paw over as he gestured toward the viewscreen, "He seems like a nice guy," he said sarcastically.

"Uh-huh... Probably slobbers on babies when 'e kisses them," Max smirked. "There's something wrong with a politician that holds up babies t'show 'ow cool 'e is."

Blitzer looked over at Max and laughed lightly. "He makes it sound like we're the bad guys." Blitzer frowned, "I hope the whole planet doesn't believe it."

"A lot of people still believe it," Max pointed out reasonably.

Blitzer stood up and pulled the blanket tight around himself. "I'm going to the head," he said as he hobbled out the door.

"Don't get lost!" she called after him and then turned to Krystal. "Behave. I'm gonna go get something to eat," she told the pixie and followed Blitzer out of the Flight deck, disappearing into the galley.

Krystal saluted and preened her wings. After a moment she disappeared and reappeared in Sickbay.

When he was finished, Blitzer washed his paws and limped back to the front of the Runabout. He paused when he heard a noise behind the door of the SB module. He stepped inside and looked at the cottonballs that were all over the floor from Krystals effort to count them. He spotted Krystal who was operating the medical replicator.

"I'm getting some pain medicine for you," the pixie turned EMH started to tell him when she spotted the Cait.

It was about then that they could hear commotion coming from the flight deck and Maxine's raised voice.

"What now?" muttered Blitzer as he turned and limped out the door.

"Oh bloody 'ell! You turn back right now an' stop scaring me! This is not funny any more... I mean it. I'm going t'turn you off..." Max threatened.

Blitzer could hear Max continuing in a berating tone of voice as he entered the flight center.

He saw a small spider on the view port directly in front of her, it was about 9 inches across. It moved back and forth and looked as if it were going to pounce on Max. "What are you doing?" he asked.

Max glanced back at Blitzer and pointed at the spider. "Yelling at Krystal. Look at 'er! Do y'see what she's doing? I'm going to bloody well turn 'er off!"

He frowned as he quickly snatched the phaser from Max's holster turned the power down to setting '1' and fired it on creature in one swift movement. The blast blew it off its perch. It bounced off Max's console and landed at Blitzer's feet.

"ACK! You didn't 'ave t'kill 'er!" Max jumped back at the blast, unable to believe he just shot her AI!.

He bent down and picked the bug up by one of its legs and held it up. It was slightly charred and smoking a little bit from the blast.

"Krystal is in sickbay getting me something for my pain," he said.

Max stared at him and the spider in disbelief. His words were just sinking in when one of the spider's legs twitched. That's when Max lost it and let out a startled scream as she scrambled back away from him and the evil looking thing he held in his hand.

Surprised by the scream, Blitzer dropped the bug and jumped back himself. He shook his head and recovered. Drawing a deep breath he scooped up the spider. It twitched a little more. "Its still alive," announced Blitzer turning it around as he examined it.

Max shook and kept her distance from Blitzer and his new playmate. "K-Kill it!" she stuttered, and it was about that time when Krystal popped into view.

"Ewww...." she looked at the spider Blitz had a hold of and fluttered her wings. "Where'd that come from? What are you going to do with it?"

"'E's gonna kill it," Max answered from her corner.

"Why?" the pixie blinked and flew closer to Blitz and hovered around the spider. "We should keep it."

"Maybe she's right," said Blitzer, "the science department might like to see this."

Maxine continued to eye Blitzer and the bug. "Uhhh... Let them catch their own?" she suggested cautiously. "'Ow are y'going to keep it? We don't 'ave any specimen jars big enough to 'old it...." It was clear Max wasn't enamored of keeping the thing alive.

Blitzer turned and marched into the sickbay with the spider and stuffed it in the now empty jar that once held the cottonballs. He fastened the lid and then used surgical tape to secure the lid.

Max leaned over and watched him disappear down the corridor. "Hmmm..."

"He's a Cait on a mission.." Krystal observed as she fluttered near Max and watched Blitzer's parting form along with her.

"Do y'think 'e's angry?" Max asked.

Krystal shook her head with a small spray of golden dust. "Nah. He just struts," the pixie observed.

"Ahhh.. roight..." The pair kept watching down the corridor, straightening as they watched him return to the flight center with his "specimin"

"It won't get out... roight?" Max eyed the thing cautiously, her gaze going from the spider in the jar to him.

"Ooohhh..." Krystal fluttered around it and tapped the glass with her tiny fist, pretending like it didn't pass through. "Wake up," she giggled.

"'Ere now, stop that!" Maxine told her.

Blitzer laughted at Pixie's antics and shook the jar a little, "It can't get out. I'll keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't get too big or something."

"Ack! Dun shake it!" Max squeaked and reached out to smack his hand and then thought better of it... cause what would happen if he dropped it?? "Oh sure, now I 'ave visions of the thing out-growin' the jar and burstin' free of it...."

Krystal giggled and perched on the jar top where she proceeded to preen her wings.

Blitzer shrugged as he looked at his prize, "I wonder if they are good to eat."

"That reminds me..." Max handed him a sandwich. "Yanno, that thing's probably poisonous," she made a face. "It'd give you indigestion for sure."

"Oh!" Krystal sprinkled some pixie dust and the blue transporter haze deposited a hypospray on the console. "That's for you," she told Blitzer.

Blitzer picked it up and looked at it, "I don't know how to use this thing." he said.

"I would, but I can't," Krystal demonstrated by passing her hand through something tangible. "See?" And then she looked at Max.

"'Ey now.. I've never used anything like that..." Max defended herself.

"It's easy," Krystal told her. "I'll talk you through it..."

Max frowned and looked at Blitzer.

Blitzer handed Max the hypospray. "Be careful, I've heard it can be a dangerous weapon," he said with a giggle.

Max took it and eyed him and Krystal. "Uhhh.... Oh fine..." she grumbled and moved closer. "Just don't get mad if I kill you or somethin'," she warned, him and gave Krystal the 'what now?' look.

Blitzer turned his head to expose his neck.

Krystal giggled and carefully explained to Max how to administer the pain killer.

"'Ang on..." Max bent closer to peer at Blitz's neck and move some of his fur aside with her fingertips. "Okay... Y'sure m'not gonna kill 'im or anything?"

Krystal giggled again and looked at Blitzer, giving him a big wink over Max's head.

Blitzer winked back, "just do it already," he said with a smile.

"I'm sure... Just press it to his neck... That's it..." Krystal coaxed and watched as Max followed her directions. The computer expert turned temporary medic was concentrating so hard she had the tip of her tongue slipped out between her teeth and her face inches from Blitzer's neck. "Now just squ----"

"NOT LIKE THAT!" The pixie squealed and then rolled around, giggling helplessly as Max screamed and jumped back, falling over her seat and landing on her butt.

Blitzer cupped both his paws over his snout to keep from laughing out loud. Seeing Max wasn't as amused, he offered her his paw and helped her up.

Max recovered the hypospray and glared at the still giggling pixie as she took Blitz's hand and stood back up. "I swear I'm gonna turn 'er off. An' run a full diagnostic on 'er; or rewrite 'er," she muttered and quirked a brow at Blitz. "Dun laugh at 'er," she told him as she bent to administer the hypospray, trying not to laugh herself now. "It'll only encourage 'er."

She finished the shot without killing him and flicked her fingers through the snickering pixie hologram when she was through. "I did not program you t'do that," she pointed out.

"Hey!!" Krystal giggled when she got flicked. "It's in the databanks," she told her with a nod. "I've been studying."

"Uh-huh..." Max flicked the hologram again, making Krystal giggle once more, and then she turned to Blitzer. "I didn't 'urt you, did I?" She bent down to look where she'd given him the hypospray to make sure he wasn't bleeding or getting a huge bruise or anything.

"I'm fine," he said, "you did that just like a pro."

Blitzer pulled the blanket tighter around himself and curled up in his chair. The medicine made him feel sleepy. He yawned and turned and looked at Max and Krystal with a vacant stare and blank dopey smile.

Max blinked and then gave Krystal a LOOK. "Y'put 'im t'sleep, y'nit," she scolded.

Krystal grinned and shrugged. "Pain medication does that," she explained.

"Hrmph... Well, dun give him anymore then." Max turned and gently shook Blitzer's arm. "Eh, go back an' lay down, mate," she told him. "You'll fall outa there if y'don't. An' you're too 'eavy for me t'lift."

Blitzer complied and stood up, "Wake me up if you....uhm... need anything." He leaned over and picked up the bug in the jar up from the floor and set it on his chair. He leaned toward Krystal, "Keep'n eye on that okay?" He wrapped the blanket around him and picked up his phaser rifle and sauntered down the corridor.

"Uuhhh... Roight..." Max watched him put the bug on the chair and then leave. "What do we look like?" she asked Krystal. "Bug sitters?" she grumbled and eyed the bug. "There is somethin' very wrong about keepin' a bug like that in a jar an' not killin' it..."

"Hey!! It might *grow*!" Krystal nodded and fluttered over to perch on top the jar. "That would be fun."

"You're nuts," Max told her and grabbed her phaser pistol, cradling it in her lap. "If it even twitches, y'tell me, got it?"

"Aye Aye, Maxie!" The little pixie hologram saluted and then giggled as she started to preen her wings.

"I hate bugs," Max grumbled. "And I *really* hate spiders."

Pacifica #111"
By: Melissa Jarvis, Chief Security Officer, [RNPC]
Samantha Carter, Security Officer, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58205.29 0300

Melissa had not been able to sleep so she decided that she might as well get some work done. She sat in her temporary office and looked at several security reports. Shoving them aside she decided that she was going to take a walk about the ship. She had not done much patrol of the ship since becoming the Chief of Security and decided it would be good for her to get back into the habit.

She got up from her makeshift desk and walked out into the hallway. Since deck 5 had been evacuated security had taken over what would have been the family quarters on the ship. It was already still configured as a brig from their recent transport of prisoners to Rura Penthe. On her way to the turbolift she ran into Lieutenant Carter. "Good Evening Sam," she began with a smile, "What brings you down here so late at night?"

"Good evening Chief," Sam said with a smile. " Just looking if everything is secure on this deck."

"I was just about to take a trip around the ship," she said.

" Mind if I join you then." Sam asked. "It isn't much fun, strolling in the corridors alone."

"Sure, the more the merrier," replied Melissa. The two of them entered the turbolift. "I never sleep well right after an attack. It takes me a couple of days to get over it." Melissa paused as the doors of the lift closed, "Deck 10," she said.

"Me neither," Sam responded. " Its funny but I always seem to have the feeling that whenever I go to sleep after an attack I miss something, you know. Besides us security officers are hand picked for our endurance! She grinned.

The doors opened with a hissing woosh and they stepped out onto a mostly deserted deck. With Miranda's being closed there was not much activity here tonight.

"I do not sleep much normally anyway," said Miranda as the headed towards the mess hall. There were a few people in the mess hall, however, everything was peaceful.

" Well at the academy we had this bet to see who could stay awake the longest, and still perform their duties and even do their homework."

"Did you win," she asked with a smile as the made their way towards holodeck 1.

Sam grinned and she glanced at Melissa. " What you think?"

Outside holodeck one Melissa stopped and nodded to the guard posted there, "How are things going Ensign,"

The guard, who clearly had not expected company stood up straight, "All is quiet Sir. There has been medical staff in and out regularly but that is all." The guard did no even understand why they needed him to stand here anyway. It was boring work.

" Smile Kareem," Sam said with a chuckle, she knew from experience how boring guard duty could be. Having looked around at the holodeck Sam and Melissa moved on. Despite the attack the ship was fairly quiet only the a soft vibrating could be felt below their feet. They walked back towards the turbolift. As they stepped in Sam leaned against the wall. " Deck 16"

"What were your experiences Chief, at the academy?" Sam asked.

Melissa smiled, "I spent a good portion of al last year training with the Klingons. That was a eye opening experience," said Melissa, "I tended to keep to myself most of the time."

Sam nodded. " Yes Klingon people are nice, despite they are some what smelly. I hated the academy," Sam replied from the bottom of her heart.

Melissa smiled as the stepped off the turbolift onto deck 16. "It wasn't *that* bad," she said.

"You know in every class there is one cadet who is being picked on. Well my fellow cadets decided in year 2 that it would be me. I guess that's why I am too eager to please everybody. My grades were ok you know but because of this I got a problem with the teachers, cuz I felt they did not do anything to help me with it."

I guess that's why I sometimes rebel." Sam grinned. " No offence of course."

Melissa chuckled, "None taken."

"So during that year and even the next one I buried my self in my books, creating a finesse for finding out information, that's also why I fancy Intel more then security."

Melissa stopped and looked at Sam. She had known that Sam was not completely happy in Security, "You know, Charles is no longer here. There is no reason that you could not go back to Intel." Melissa paused, "Not that I do not value you in Security, because I do. DO you think you could be happier in Intel?"

" Honestly I don't know, I like the security but somehow I miss the excitement of finding out secrets. It's difficult to explain Ma' am. Sam walked towards a open hatch and peered in side.

Melissa resumed walking down the corridor, "Well, when you decide what you want. I will support you in whatever decision you make."

Sam arched an eyebrow. Sometimes she did not know what to think of Melissa. "Ok," she said calmly as she closed the hatch and followed Melissa. The corridor was dimly light to preserve energy and not much was heard. It seemed that this deck was secure as well.

"If you had not chosen to become security Ma’am," Sam asked politely. "What would you have done?"

"I really do not think there is another job for me. When I first entered the Academy I had considered being a pilot," she confessed, "but I am happy where I ended up."

" You know it is never too late to change. Your saying that you have never ever dreamed of being in the Big Chair?" Sam asked with a chuckle.

"No way Sam, I work for a living." Melissa chuckled, "I want to be in the thick of things, not secured in a chair on the bridge.

"Sometimes when I am alone I dream of taking a shuttle and just fly away into the sunset, but then when I wake up...... Sam grinned again. "Chief...." Sam said now hesitantly. " What will happened when we die, do you think we have a soul?"

They walked in silence as Melissa pondered the question. The conversation had gotten much deeper than she had expected. "I don't know what will happen," she said, "I believe that how you live your life when you are alive is what is important. I am not going to worry about what happens when I die. When I meet my death I will do so having lived a life of honour and that is what is important to me."

Sam nodded silently. " It's just I wonder with the war and such if we are making a difference.? I don't want to become just a name in a history book but I guess I want to be a part of those who made it happen. Sounds weird isn't it?"

"No Sam, it does not sound weird," said Melissa, "It is a goal to strive for."

"How did we end up with this conversation? " Sam then said with a grin. "Something more light-hearted now, if it is non of my business than say so ok. Do you think that you will ever end up married and such?" Sam knew she was reaching for a sensitive point in this case. She knew that Melissa and Atwood were once involved and that she had been the other woman so to speak.

Melissa looked sharply as Sam. She was a but surprised by the question, "As you know," she began, "I had once considered it, however, now I do not think I care to go down that road. My career is what is important to me now."

Sam flushed. "I'm sorry."

"I do not know what your experience with Charles was Sam, but mine was a pure mistake. He was such a domineering influence. I lost my sense of self. All because I thought I loved him. I will never give up who I am again."

"I thought that as well, big mistake hey!! Sam said bitterly. "No more men for me ever!! she exclaimed.

Melissa laughed and gave Sam a look of pure evil. "Don't swear off men completely," she said with a wink, "They have their uses." Melissa chuckled, "I just am not going to let a man get in the way of what I want again, that's all." Melissa paused again, "Listen Sam, in a way, I should thank you. Charles' betrayal reminded me who I was and opened my eyes to what a terrible person he was." Melissa's thought went back to the day she found them in bed together. She was one fragile moment from killing them both. "I'm glad I didn't do it." she said.

"Did what?" Sam said.

Melissa kept a neutral expression on her face even thought she was instantly mad at herself for letting that slip out, "Nothing, I almost did something really dumb when you and Charles came back, It's not important."

"I knew about it." Sam replied calmly.

Melissa blinked, "You knew about what," she asked tentatively.

"When the Captain ordered me to transfer to your department I knew that you and Charles were a couple once and me being the other woman I knew that well....... you know. So I checked all the security logs." Sam said softly

Melissa was embarrassed, "I thought I had covered my tracks."

"Not completely Chief, that’s one advantage of having an intel back ground." Sam said looking at Melissa.

"You could have and probably should have reported me right away," said Melissa.

Sam shrugged. "Why should I? You had every right to be angry. I'm glad that you didn't pull the trigger. Besides that's the past, we need to look at the future now."

Melissa sighed, "Yeah, it's looking like a great future," she said without much enthusiasm. "Thank you for not telling the Captain."

"Hey," Sam said with a smirk. "Women amongst each other should be able to resolve these things right?”

Melissa smiled and nodded, "Let's go check deck five and call it a night."

Sam nodded and stepped into the turbo lift. "Deck five".

All that Cloak and Dagger stuff..."
By: Dr. Alyssa Caitlin Northrop, Acting Chief Intel Officer, [PST]

Stardate: 58205.29 1100

Alyssa Northrop had always prided herself on being a good judge of character, be it student or black marketeer. She supposed that Fleet Officers fell somewhere in between. Based on what she knew of Captain Ian Hunter, he was not going to sit idly by when he had cards on the table that he could play. And that had gotten her to thinking after the the call from Blitzer last night. The Zion ought to up there by now, though she couldn't be certain of that. But the information she had placed them in the system about three hours ago.

To this point there had been no further communications...but for some reason Alyssa hadn't wanted to just sit around waiting for some one to call or for something to happen. The archeologist turned spy had a strong feeling that she was going to need to get herself up onto that ship.....and the cautious part of her told her that it wouldn't be all that smart to be unprepared to do so. Then again, if Hunter didn't want her there...then there was really nothing lost.

Since early this morning she had been out doing some of the much needed inital legwork. Before she'd left the bar she'd asked Christine Walker to see what she could dig up from her contacts in terms of intelligence on partol movements and numbers. Walker had been more than happy to comply. If there was any chance of her getting aboard the Yamoto without being detected, it was going to be from inside the building just down the street from her.

The Government Center that the 'party' had been in stood there, staring back at her as if indifferent to what was going on around it. From this distance she could see the guards up on the walls and in the observation posts. She scowled, feeling the dark cloud that hung over the once-beautiful building. The cloud that had turned it into an ugly, oppressive enemy stronghold.

Part of her fairly screamed that going back into that place was a really bad idea. Northrop couldn't disagree with the voice. But at the same time, there was no other way of doing this. Travel between the cities was barred, save for those with the proper documentation...which was only given to special people...none of which were going to help her. This was true for both public transporter terminals and for the submersible craft that some people preferred. So in the end, it came back to this single building. She didn't have to like it....but then again, no one ever asked her opinion.

'Oh....time to go,' she thought to herself as a couple of the Starfleet guards looked in her direction. Lowering her head, she turned and walked off down the street. After a few moments, she risked looking back over her shoulder. No one was there.

"Excuse me, Miss......may I see your papers?" The tone was decidedly less genial than the words themselves. It was meant to be a command rather than a question.

Alyssa froze and looked up...only to see the chest of a very large man wearing a Starfleet Security uniform. She smiled at the man....though inside her head she swore for being that stupid. She'd pushed her luck...and it'd bitten her in the ass.

Shoving her hand down into her pocket, Northrop produced a small isolinear chip. One of Christine's friends had given it to her this morning. He'd explained that it would tell anyone that scanned it that her name was Skye Labelle, that she lived in an apartment on 7th Street, and worked in a women's clothing shop not far from there. He also assured her that everything would check out. She handed it over to the security man who took it without a word and plugged it into his Tricorder. After a moment, he scowled. "I'm afraid something is amiss with your documentation, Miss Labelle. You'll have to come with me."

Alyssa gave him her best 'I'm about to cry' look, "Is that really necessary? I was just out for a walk...and I'm headed home."

There was a slight quaver in her voice which, she hoped, would make the large man thing she was afraid of him. In reality, she held nothing but contempt for this man.

"Oh now...there there. I'm sure if you come with me that we'll get this all worked out." He took hold of her wrist with a grip that felt as if it could crush iron.

Alyssa winced as the man began to drag her along behind him. By now she knew that there was no one else around, which only confirmed what she thought this ass was up to. There was nothing wrong with her papers. She also had a feeling that no one knew where he was or what he was doing....which meant that no one would ever know.

"No...please...don't do this!" she pleaded, hoping that the man would listen to reason. Alyssa REALLY didn't want to have to do anything that would compromise her cover....but it was looking like that was what she was going to have to do...or else let the guy do what he was going to do.

The security officer dragged her down a deserted ally and spun her around. With a quick movement, he pinned her to the wall. "Now...we're going to deal with this problem with your documents. If you cooperate, I'll let you go on your way when we're finished....if not...well...we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

She struggled a bit, trying to get free. 'Damnit!'

Her first impulse was to scream...but that would do no good. There was only one option left....and she let her free hand slip down her side. Just under the windbreaker she was wearing was called a 'fractal blade.' It was a very nasty little device and was very illegal in the Federation. Her fingers closed around the hild of the blade as she prepared to pull it.

His hand came closer, but before he could do anything and before she could pull the knife, his comm badge beeped. He looked torn for a second and it beeped again. With a slight frustrated sigh he tapped the comm badge with his groping hand. "Stinson here....what is it?"

The voice on the other end could only have been Cardassian. It certainly sounded very reptilian, "Mr. Stinson....there is a crowd that needs pacification in Kenduku Station Square. I suggest you get there at once before I make an example of you to the rest of the security force."

Stinson grit his teeth and released his hold on Northrop, "Yes Sir.....I'll be there momentarily."

He tapped closed the channel and looked down at his intended target. He growled a little and then took off at a quick run. Alyssa Northrop wasted no time in going the opposite direction. 'Damn...that was sloppy, Girl. Keep this up and you'll be in a body bag for sure.'

She cursed her stupidity all the way back to the bar...but at least she had the information she needed.

Entering Pacficia System "
By: Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]
Jeff Westfall, Tactical Officer, [PST]
Riaan, Operations Manager, [PST]

Stardate: 58205.29 1200

=Bridge=

As the ship came closer to the Pacficia System Riaan turned and looked at Captain Hunter.

"Excuse me sir we are entering the Pacficia system we should be within view of the planet in 15 minutes."

Hunter swiveled his chair and exchanged glances with Commander Wright.

"Time to get to work," said Wirght.

"Long-range sensors," asked Hunter.

Hunter was anxious about the status of the current intel.

Riaan looked at Captain Hunter and Commander Wright, "sir long range sensors have detected eight Cardassian Galor Class Warships and one United Federation Sovereign Class Starship; based on their warp signature they are cloaked."

Hunter nodded

"We also are coming up on the relay station that the Tigris last contacted us from. Scans indicate no life signs of the away team or the Tigris, as Riaan looked at Captain Hunter.

Hunter nodded, "Passively scan the station."

"Understood sir," replied Riaan as she initiated a scan.

A few seconds later the computer beeped.

Riaan looked up from her consoled, "Sir, scans indicate no life forms on the station or any atmosphere."

Hunter nodded, "Helm steady as she goes, maintain course and speed." He studied system for a few minutes, "One of these moons should provide a could place to stage a tactical meeting don't you think Commander?"

Wright had been studying the system and already had his eye on several spots for a meeting. The captain was right, however, a uninhabited moon was a good place for a meeting.

"helm, bring us to these coordinates," he said sending the data to the helm console"

"Aye-Ayes Sir."

"Westfall, please signal the IKS fleet to rendezvous at Pacifica's 3rd moon.

"Aye-Aye"

Riaan looked at the Captain, sir were approaching the target coordinates."

"Helm, slow to full impulse and take up a position on this side of the moon."

"Aye-aye," responded the helm.

"Any indication we've been detected?"

"Sir no indications that we have been detected as of yet," as Riaan looked up briefly from her console.

==Transporter Room #1==

As the transporter effect faded, seven Klingons stepped off the pad. Hunter greeted Max, the Klingon who was his second in command during the officer exchange. They embraced as warriors after battle. "Hunter!" said Max, Please meet my Captain, Darg."

Hunter extended his hand and greeted the Klingon with a hearty handshake, "I'd like to introduce my 1st in command, Jonathan Wright."

"Nice to meet you," said Wright as he shook Darg's hand.

"Well, we have a battle to fight gentleman, If you will come with me," said Hunter gesturing toward the door.

Everyone except Korg and Jarvis crowded into a turbolift. Korg looked at Jarvis and then back to the men with a nod, "We'll take the next one.

==Bridge==

The turbolift doors opened and everyone exited on the bridge and looked around. "Not quite seasoned yet eh Hunter?" said Darg.

Hunter smiled, "We'll get it scuffed up yet, please," he said gesturing to the observation deck.

Inside they gathered around the table and sat down. Hunter proceeded to discribe the tactical situation.

When Darg learned of the Zion's ability to detect the Cardassian ships he slammed his palms down on the table and stood up. "This is an outrage!"

Hunter stood up and mirrored his posture as Darg continued to banter, "Why did you not tell us this before?"

"Because," said Hunter as put his palms on the table and leaned forward, "We only found out about this flaw in the Cardassia cloaking device very recently. It came from a Federation prisoner. We were suspicious of the accuracy of his information."

Darg frowned and slammed his hand on the table again as he sat down. "Please... continue," he said in a gruff voice.

Hunter sat down, "Commander would you present our tactical plan?"

Wright cleared his throat, "Our plan is pretty straight forward. The IKS Fleet will engage the Cardassian's while the Zion will engage in battle with the Sovereign Class. Our task will be to recover the Governor and his staff as well as remove the Federation presence on the Planet."

Darg looked over the plans and handed the PADD to Max. "Your plan is not without merit," said Max after reviewing it.

Darg grunted, "Indeed."

"We shall be ready in one hour Captain," said Max rising to his feet.

Hunter nodded and stood as the Klingon guests filed out the conference room.

Guess Who? "
By: Samantha Carter, Security Officer, [RNPC]
Zarg , Security Chief , [NPC]

Stardate: 58205.29 1240

Sam Carter was working in her office when her door chimed. Not expecting anyone she went to the door and opened it.

Standing before her was someone she wasn't expecting to see.

A tall klingon warrior stood before her, "Well, are you not going to invite me in," asked Zarg.

"Oh my Gosh!! ZARG!!!" she blurted out as she almost jumped in his arms. She hugged him tightly. "When did you arrive. Come on in!!"

"I was attending a tactical meeting here, we just finished," he said stepping in.

"Have a seat, how are you. I surely missed you." Sam started rambling. She was genuinely glad to see him.

"I... am good," he said, "Drek was... reassigned and ... I, am now chief of security," he boasted. "I have you to thank for that, Sam Carter."

"I am glad for you Zarg." she said softly as she sat back down. "I guess you don't have much time for poetry reading now that you are a chief?"

"Oh, I have even more time now... and my men..." said with an evil grin, "absolutely hate it."

"Did they ever found out about the list?"

"Yes," he said, "that had something to do with my promotion, but enough about me, how are you?"

"I am fine I guess," she replied. It did not sound that persuasive. "You know I don't know what to do?"

"What do you mean?" inquried the Klingon.

"Well Chief Jarvis said that it would be possible for me to go back to Intell now that lt Atwood is no longer there. But I also like security, its, however, I miss the exitement of snooping around, you know. Using snitches to get information."

Zarg chuckled, "you must follow the heart," he said.

Sam looked at Zarg seriously. "What if it wants to go both ways." she sighed. "You think the Captain would approve a combined function?"

Zarg chuckled, "I only met your Captain once," he said, "I'm not a betazed."

"Oh your such a smarty pants," Sam said with a grin. "Well guess I need to ask him myself right? So besides this meeting what are you up to?"

The klingon shrugged, "I am due back at 1300 hours..."

Sam checked her chronometer, " well we still have about 20 minutes, so hmmmm what could we do in 20 minutes?" She blinked innocently.

Zarg chuckled, "I can think of a great number of things to do in 20 minutes," he said with a face splitting grin. "But Max tells me you have a place call Miranda's. I guess we could settle for that."

Sam nodded. "We sure do, I hope that they are finished with the redecorating, it took some hits during the fight. I don't know if Miranda is back yet, Doc had to fix her up you know."

"That is too bad, perhaps another time," he said.

"I am actually due for my rounds anyway, want to accompany me?"

"That is for certain," he said with a smile.

Sam stood up and walked behind the large Klingon. "Zarg, have you grown?" she asked. "You look bigger then last time." In fact Sam had to walk faster in order to keep up with him

He paused to allow her to catch up to his side and slowed his pace to match hers, "Most unlikely."

Quietly they walked the corridor's of the Zion. " So tell me, now that you are promoted, what are you duties?"

"I'm certain my responsibilities are no different than your chief of security. I will say that my role in the upcoming battle will be to defend the ship from any intruders. While I am disappointed I will not be on any of the assault teams....victory is certain," he said flexing his jaw muscles.

They arrived at a turbo lift, he paused and folded his arms. "It must be hard to combat an enemy who looks the same as yourself. Your uniforms are even similar," he said with a hint of empathy.

Sam nodded. "Yes we do and in the heat of a fight it is very difficult to distinguish who is how, luckily we are trained to remember faces, however, there is a slight difference, our pips are different from those of Federation crew.

"I know how difficult it is," said Zarg stepping on to the turbolift, "There was a civil war in the Empire. One House would rise up against another, and blood runs deep."

"I agree, nobody pays any attention to it. We will again have casualties thats for sure. You know its painful seeing brother fighting against brother."

"Your species is tenacious, I'm sure you will come to resolution," said Zarg putting a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Sam smiled softly as she leant against the turbolift wall. "I rather fight along side you Zarg! She said passionately.

Zarg smiled.

"It might sound silly but I am scared. I know that in the end we all go to Sto-vo-kor, but I dont want to go yet. I want to make a difference some how."

"Fear not, for we are comrades in arms, I believe the Federation is weak. Our encounters grow less difficult with each battle."

"Oh but that is true, I heard that their resources are growing thin and that more and more Federation people are fleeing to our side. It's just a matter of time I think."

Zarg smiled, "Where are we going?" he asked.

"Deck 16, " Sam answered. "Gotta check engineering."

Zarg nodded, he was impressed by the generous size of the engineering section, "Its like a brand new ship in here, Everything is shiny," he said

"Let me tell you a secret," Sam whispered. "Chief Silvio has a special team assigned to keeping engineering shiny and clean. They have special rags for wiping off the dirt and so."

Zarg's eyes grew large as he looked all around to catch someone in the act of polishing.

Sam loved the bewildered look on Zarg's face. She laughed.

Zarg, realizing he'd been had, squinted at Sam for a moment with a sinister grimace, and then laughed too.

Some of the engineering crew grinned. It was a cute sight the big klingon and the small human female laughing.

But the lighters side was fleeting as Zarg acknowledged his comlink and nodded to Carter as he dematerialized.

Engagement at Pacifica "
By: Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]
Jeff Westfall, Tactical Officer, [PST]
Riaan, Operations Manager, [PST]
Ryan-Steven ‘Rusty Ryan’ Madriani, Marine CO, [PST]
Samantha Carter, Security Officer, [RNPC]
Zarg , Warrior , [NPC]

Stardate: 58205.29 1310

==Deck 11: Shuttle Bay #2==

Madriani look out from where stood solemnly on the ramp of the Armored Personnel Transport. He watched his heavily armed marines as they marched double file, loading themselves into the APT. Four such vehicles would be loaded to form the primary ground assault on the forces maintaining security for the puppet government.

Madriani to Flight Control.

"Yes Sir?" came the response.

"Who's leading the escort?"

After a brief pause Flight Control responded, "Burner, Sir."

"Patch me through."

Burner was running his fighter through it's pre-flight check when the normal banter on the comm channel was broken by Flight Control with a message from Major Madriani. "Burner here Sir," he replied.

"I know I don't need to tell you this son, but getting us safely to the surface is solely your responsibility. There's a lot riding on this mission...you understand this right?"

"Completely understood Sir," replied Burner with confidence.

"Good," he said with a pause, "...now, as you know, we're going to stay well hidden on the far side of this moon until the battle is engaged. So unless you hear otherwise, stick to the plan, once the enemy is engaged, send a recon ship to find a safe course to the citadel. You'll take us in, standard formation.

"Yes sir, you can count on Alpha wing," said Burner.

"Good man, Madriani out."

Madriani turned around as the last man boarded. The ramp began to rise and closed behind him.

Madriani to Flight Control,

"Flight control here," came the response.

Madriani replied, "Signal the bridge and let them know we are ready."

"Roger."

The flight control officer turned and activated the comlink to the tactical officer, "All flight stations are ready Sir." *** ==Bridge-- 1320 hours==

"Captain Hunter, I have confirmation from the Flight Control Officer that the Marine Assault Force is aboard their Armored Personnel Transports, completed pre-launch, and standing by to depart for descent to Pacifica, on your order," Ensign Westfall relayed from Tactical.

"Have them launch and take up their holding pattern," replied Hunter shifting pensively in his seat.

"Affirmative, Captain," Westfall replied.

"This is the USS Zion. Major Madrani, you are clear to launch *IMMEDIATELY* to your pre-determined attack co-ordinates."

"Acknowledged," replied Madriani.

Hunter tapped his console, "transporter room, has our company arrived?"

"Energizing the last group now Sir...., They are all on board."

==Transporter Room #1 1321 Hours==

Zarg stepped off the transporter padd, for the second time today, and for the second time today, his appearance surprised Sam Carter who was there to receive the Klingons who would help in the invasion of of the Yamato and to help defend the Zion itself from boarding parties.

He stepped up to her, this time dressed for fighting in close quarters. Looking down, he grinned at her. I"m back," he said. He turned slightly and with an arm's length gesture toward the crowded room of Klingon warriors he said, "we got a few more volunteers," he said dropping his arm to his side. "Lt, Darg and his 40 warriors will accompany your Lt Javis if we are able to board the Federation garbage scow, You have me and 20 of us to help defend the Zion.

Sam nodded as she overlooked the group of heavily armed Klingons. "One question Zarg," she whispered. "Do they accept orders from a human femalë?"

He laughed loudly, "They are bound to honor and duty...." he said proudly. He folded his arms across his chest and turned slightly to regard the troops. "Today, they will be victorious! or cross the River of Blood and meet Kahless!"

His speech roused the warriors who cheered holding up assortments of weapons.

"Excellent, she gestured at Zarg and showed him a padd. "Post your men, here at Engineering, here the junction and here. Sam pointed out several more spots.

*** ==Bridge==

Hunter looked at Ensign Forrester, sitting at the OPs station, "Where is Riaan?"

"She's taking final preparations," she replied.

Hunter tapped his combadge, "Riaan, we're moving in, what is your status?"

Riaan to Captain Hunter we have triage setup and prepared for emergency medical treatment anyone who has minor first aid will assist with the injured, also we have one shuttle bay setup as a morgue. I will remain here temporarily and reassign those that are less seriously injured and to assist with evacuations on any deck that becomes compromised unless you need me on the bridge instead.

"Very good," said Hunter.

Hunter turned again to Westfall, "Have the marines and fighter wings deployed?"

"Captain, all ships of the Maquis Armada report they are in holding position."

Hunter gave Westfall a brief nod, "Helm, take is into our attack position," he said.

"Aye-aye," replied the helmsman.

"Westfall, signal the IKS fleet to take up their positions."

"Affirmative, Captain," Westfall replied.

"All ships of the Joint Armada to assigned positions and acquire targets".

Hunter stood and tapped his combadge, "All hands...battlestations."

He watched as Pacicia drew closer in the viewscreen. Hunter turned as the turbolift doors opened and the bridge security teams began to file out.

The command staff had considered engaging the operation from auxiliary control but in the end, decided to fortify the bridge instead. Three klingons accompanied them.

He walked around the circular pathway that went around the outside of the bridge as if he were inspecting the bridge crew. He watched as security took up defensive positions. He stopped and looked over the young ensign who sat at the science station. He seemed nervous.

He paused near Westfall who with his usual cool disposition continued to scan and make tactical computations.

Next he eyed the systems display, "Everything ready Silvio?"

Silvio flashed Hunter a smile. "Yes sir, " he said. Silvio tapped a few more keys, "Silvio to Engineering, activate Warp core security field."

"Aye sir," came the reply.

***

==Bridge -- 1330 Hours==

Westfall's console beeped, Hunter looked over at him with anticipation.

Westfall reported, "Every ship reports in attack profile. Our inital position and attack profile is Cardassian ship, target designated C-6".

Hunter sat down in the command chair and looked over at Wright, "Ready Commander?"

Wright looked up from his console and nodded at the captain. "Ready Sir."

He took a deep breath, "okay Westfall....open fire."

Westfall recapped the target acquisition data on the tactical display and launched four quantum torpedos toward C-6.

"Four quantum torpedos away Captain," Westfall reported.

"Shields up," said Hunter, "fire photon torpedoes and phasers"

***

==Bridge of the Ta'Gatomesh==

Gul D'Malm's jaw dropped he saw it. A moment later his tactical officer sitting in front of him spotted it too, "Sir!" he shouted.

He sat in disbelief, "Sheilds!" he yelled angrily. He knew what he saw were four enemy torpedoes heading toward them. In split seconds they would find their deadly mark on his ship and detonate.

An explosion rocketed his bridge sending him flying to the floor. He wrapped his arm around a bulkhead as the bridge decompressed. Bodies and debris flew through the gaping hole in front of the bridge. Moments later a containment field activated, sealing the bridge from the void of space.

He stood up, his arm broken, and his blood dropping on the floor. "How?" he wondered.

He looked out the gapping hole, his bridge was torn in half. He stood just feet from the jagged edge. The bow of the Ta'Gatomesh was completely annihilated. Plasma sparks illuminated the debris floating away.

Everything was silent. He couldn't hear the roaring plasma fires which consumed his ship decks below.

He looked up and saw the enemy decloaking. The huge sovereign class Maquis ship shimmered from the darkness of space. He scowled at what was unmistakeably a chain of 6 photon torpedoes which had just been fired succession and now streaked toward him at high speed.

He screamed angrily in frustration and hopelessness. His voice was lost in the roaring explosion which ensued.

***

==Bridge USS Zion -- 1331 Hours==

After Westfall reported the complete annihilation of target C-6 Hunter turned to Wright, "Well, that turned out well," said Hunter. But Wright could see he was uncomfortable.

"We rely on our cloaks too much," said Hunter realizing the devastation which could be inflicted on any unshielded ship.

"Better us than them Sir," said Wright. "I will take any advantage we can get."

"Westfall!" barked Hunter, "Initiate attack sequence on target F1." Hunter turned his chair toward the view screen and watched as the cardassian continued to disintegrate. "Let's go get the Yamato," he said a little more subdued tone of voice.

Readiness "
By: Dr. James McIntyre , Doctor , [NPC]
Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.29 1320

'Not again,' Teilani thought as she walked toward main sickbay.

"Well, where do you want us?" asked McIntyre as Doctor Pierce joined them in the center of Sickbay."

"Alright listen up people," she said. "It's hands on again, Pierce, I want you and Gloria, Betsy, Macdougal, Peterson, where is Peterson?" Teilani said as she scouted the room. " Ah there you are, you are in charge of triage, you know what to do.

McIntyre, myself and the rest of you will be working from here. So look alive people, lets work our magic again!!"

McIntyre followed Dane into the intake area where they waited. After what seemed like hours of dreadful waiting, the unmistakable rumblings of torpedoes detonating on the shields could be felt.

Teilani sighed: " here we go,"

The rumblings became more pronounced.

"I was thinking of having the EMH wear a federation nurse's uniform from the 22nd century," said MacIntyre with a wink. "But I was afraid it might have hairy legs."

She laughed. " Well I am sure Bones wouldn't mind if we gave him a wax job you know. It would surely be amusing."

A thunderous explosion rocked the ship, McIntyre steadied himself, "For all we know he waxes his own legs," he said looking at a console, "That might be even more scary. No injuries yet," he reported from the console.

Teilani braced herself. "Don't worry James, they will drop in shortly. She checked her chronometer, I think in bout....10 minutes." Another volley hit the ship and Teilani lost her footing, hitting the floor hard, knocking her head on one of the beds.

McIntyre went over to help Dane up, "Doctor? Are you okay?"

"Man what are they doin on the bridge, shooting at astroids. They supposed to hit the other guys."

"Uhm, Doctor, looks like you are going to be my first patient," he said pulling out his tricorder, "Lay down here for a minute, let's get you patched up here."

Teilani reached up to her forehead, as she looked at her hand there was blood on it. "I think I am hurt." she said as she tried to lie down. "Oh boy I don't feel that good."

"Its just a laceration, we'll get the bleeding stopped and ... "

"James that hurt," she said trying to remove his hand. "Will you stop that, ouch." Teilani tried to sit up.

"Doctor!"

"Yeah yeah I know what people say, doctors make the worst patients, but you know thats because we know what we are going to do to a patient."

"Well," said McIntyre, "I suppose I could give you a neural suppressor and make you forget what we do to our patients," he said with a wink. He ran the dermal regenerator over her wound and watched as skin healing process was greatly accelerated.

Teilani frowned as she tried to remain laying down. "James thats enough, look what did I tell you. Here they come."

And indeed, although the Zion was hit by torpedoes again, the first patients arrived in sickbay. In the far corner of the room an Eps conduit blew and one of the nurses managed to put out the fire.

McIntyre held out his hand to help the Doctor up, "Let the festivities begin," he said.

Teilani steadied herself as she stood next to the biobed. There was a young crewmember, holding his arm. She could see the bone protruding through his uniform.

McIntyre administered a hypo for pain, "Hey kid, kidn't anyone ever tell you to keep your bones inside?" He smiled reassuringly as he ran the scanner. The details of the injury appeared on the view screen at the head of the bed. McIntyre nodded at Dane.

"Alright, you gonna be fine. Lie down," She took the bone regenerator and asked Gloria to pull on the arm.

McIntyre distracted him during the procedure, "Now what is your name?"

"Brian Muller," Sir. He tried not to look at his arm, the torn shirt. He looked pale.

"Now tell me what happened?"

"I was working on the second level in engineering when the ship was hit by a volley. A console blew up and the blast threw me down the steps. Guess I fell the wrong way."

"Well, your not alone," said McIntyre, "lots of people fall down," he said winking at Dane.

Teilani grinned and nodded as she saw on the display that the bones were setting slowly. Small bleeps indicated that Brian was only nervous, and that the pain was minimal.

"We're just about done," said McIntyre, "we'll keep you in the observation area for a couple hours and then send you to your quarters until the pain medication wears off."

I rather go back to work Doctor," he said. " They could use all the help they need."

"That'd be up to the CMO," said McIntyre lookup up at Dane.

"I have no objections," Teilani answered. " Just be careful."

McIntyre looked after Muller as the nurse assisted him away, "Well looks like we're as ready as we're going to be."

Sidelines "
By: Bart "Burner" Reed, Fighter pilot , [RNPC]
M'Ressha Mikaht, Fighter Pilot, [RNPC]
Krystal, Hologram, [RNPC]
Maxine Lucinda Tapert, Computer Specialist, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.29 1331

"'Ere now..." Max straightened and looked over at Blitz as she grinned. "Looks like the battle's on."

Blitzer's eyes grew wide as he engaged the Runabout, "Full reverse," he announced. A moment later he looked at Max, "we're 1500 kilometers from the Galor, detonate the mine."

"Oh, my pleasure," Max's grin widened as she followed Blitzer's instructions.

"Fire in the Hole!!!" Krystal announced with a display of glittering pixie dust.

A flash of white light followed by a crescendo of plasma sparks exploded in front of them. A moment later the runabout shuttered as it was hit be a subspace concussion wave.

Ahead of them a cardassian ship sputtered into view as their cloaking device failed.

"Sheilds at maximum," instructed Blitzer.

"M'on it," Max nodded.

"Shields at 100%!" called out the Pixie.

Blitzer charged the ship as he armed the forward micro-torpedo launchers and charged the forward phaser banks.

All around them there were explosions and streaks of energy beams discharging.

He fired everything at the burning hole in the cardassian ship where the deflector array normally was.

"I'm detecting a secondary explosion on the Cardassian ship," Maxine announced.

"Go back to Cloak," said Blitzer.

"Cloak at 100%."

They watched as a section of the Cardassian ship exploded out. Its lights went out and it began to list.

"Oooh.. Good shot. I'm reading that all its systems are burned out, including life support," Max told him. "Ohh.. and 'ere comes the Calvary. The Marine ATP an' escort wing are inbound."

Blitzer watched on the scanner as the Yamato launched a fighter wing to counter the attack.

Several cardassian fighters joined in the fray. Blitzer's eyes watched the scanners as the fighters engaged the enemy. "It's Burner!" he said pointing to a blip.

Blitzer opened the fighter comm channel and put it on the main speaker.

"Billings, take it easy," he heard Burner say, "Get back in formation you are drifting off."

"Sorry, sir," came the reply, "Look, here come the cardiassians." The young pilot sounded scared.

"Stick with the transports! That is an order," Burner told him, "Beta Squadron will help us, you job is to get these Marines to Pacifica."

"Y-yes sir, came the nervous reply, "Here comes Nova and her crew. The young pilot shouted into his comm link. Sounds of explosions could be heard as the battle progressed.

Conversation between the pilots was almost non-existent as the battle went on until Burner broke the silence, "OK boys here come a few that got around Beta we can take them. Let's go get em. Billings stick with me."

Blitzer watched helplessly as they struggled against overwhelming odds.

Only four fighters guarded the four transports as they raced on to the surface, Burner leading the way. But nine Federation fighters spotted the convoy and broke off to intercept them.

Blitzer looked at Max, "We have to help them!"

Maxine and Krystal both nodded. "Let's do it then!"

"Shields up!" said Blitzer.

"Shields at 100%!" both Max and the Pixie hologram called out.

Blitzer gunned the runnabout forward into full impulse. The inertial dampening fields lagged from the quick action. "Hang on Burner!" yelled Blitzer, "We're coming."

By the time they arrived at the perimeter of the fighting, The Federation had destroyed 3 of Burner's wingmen, while Burner's wing had destroyed 5 of theirs.

Burner was in trouble, a Federation pilot, a good one, was all over him. He was using all the skill he had to avoid the Federation ace's attack.

From out of no where came Blitzer. He open fired on the Federation ship which was zeroing in on Burner. Its thrusters ignited and the ship dissolved into a ball of plasma fire.

"Whoo!" exclaimed Blitzer.

"KAPOW!!! Take THAT!" Krystal cheered and clapped.

"Now that was impressive," Max commented, wide-eyed. "Let's do it again," she grinned over at him.

"Blitz," exclaimed Burner in awe as he brought his fighter around and headed back towards the Marine convoy.

Blitzer opened the Comlink, "Hey Burner!"

"What the hell are you flying that for," laughed Burner, "You giving tours of war torn Pacifica?"

Blitzer's tail curled as he laughed, Burner always cracked up him. "Just sitting on the sidelines waiting for the show to start, I guess I just couldn't stand not shootin' things."

"Thanks pal," said Burner as he pulled back into line with the transport ships. They began their decent to the planet. These transports were going to make it. Burner took count of the men he had left, it had been a costly mission.

Ground Operation "
By: Dr. Alyssa Caitlin Northrop, Acting Chief Intel Officer, [PST]
Ryan-Steven ‘Rusty Ryan’ Madriani, Marine CO, [PST]

Stardate: 58205.29 1420

Blitzer clicked Northrop's combadge and waited for her response.

Ever since her little run in with that Federation Security guard, Alyssa had kept a low profile and stayed safely out of site in the various resistance locations that had become available to her through contacts. Since moving to the captail though, she'd been pouring over maps of the area. When her badge clicked, she muttered something incoherant and then tapped her badge. "Northrop Here...go ahead."

"Madriani and his men are enroute. I'll patch him through."

"Ok," was her lone response. Though part of was wondering why the Marines were coming here...Delaplane was on the Yamato.

This is Madriani, Our ETA is 15 minutes. Do you have coordinates you can transmit for a good landing zone?"

"Standby." Alyssa scanned the map quickly and then selected a suitable location for a marine insertion. With a few taps on the map PADD, she sent the coordinates up to Madrini. "I'll meet you at those coordinate. Try to keep the noise to a minimum....I wouldn't want your little landing party to be crashed." Madriani grinned, "Roger that.."

--Enniten Square, Pacifica Island--

The Armored Personnel Carriers landed in the zone Northrop identified. It was a part of the citidel that rose up out of the water.

The Ramp dropped down and Marine's began to file out taking up defensive positions. Madriani stepped out and approached Northrop. "Ma'am," he said with a tip of his head, "Nice quiet spot... Good work."

"One doesn't stay alive as long as I have doing the things I do by being sloppy." The response was curt...but that was mostly because she wasn't all that social in tense situations like this. "What're your orders, Major? And how might I be of service....beyond getting you down, of course."

Madrini looked Northrop over. She blended in well with the civilian populace.

"You could be our forward observer," replied Madriani, "Move a hundred feet ahead of us and scout for enemy patrols.

Madriani looked up, he could see faint explosions in the late afternoon sky from the battle ensuing in orbit. "No doubt they know we're here."

"That depends on what they're paying attention to, Major." Alyssa's tone was all business. While the fact that a war was going on above their heads, that could still work to their advantage on the ground.

"The closer we can get to the capital before firing a shot the better off we all are."

She nodded, "Then by all means, let's go on to the Capital Building post haste."

Northrop headed off towards a grouping of buildings, away from the Marine drop ships.

"Do you have a weapon?" he asked her.

Alyssa nodded and opened her jacket just enough to show him the pistol that was holstered beneath her arm. "No need to worry about me." She smiled at him.

He gave her a terse nod and watched her disappear into the complex which lead to an underground network of corridors. When she was a little ways a head, Madriani motioned for his troops to fall in and advance. He sent 10 of his men in the other direction to create a diversionary confrontation.

Madriani peeked from behind the corner as Northrop approached an intersecting corridor, some distance away.

The archeologist was more than used to blending in where she didn't belong. The fact that she was being shadowed by a brigade of Marines only hindered her slight. She made a small motion and then continued on her way.

Madriani and his men moved up.

Northrop continued deeper into the complex and kept an eye out. She made no overt attempts at concealing herself. Truthfully, if you didn't want people to see you....hide where they could see you plainly. If you were in the open, it was much to easy and people tended to discount what was easy.

Up the corridor Two Cardassian sauntered slowly towards Northrop's position.

Glancing around quickly, Alyssa found a convenient bulliten board on the wall and began perusing the contents. Madrini was going to have to hide himself....because there was nothing she could do for them short of killing the Cardassians. Hopefully, they would simply go away.

Madrini motioned to his men to take cover in a large alcove off the main corridor.

Northrop could feel the reptilian eyes of the two Cardassians boring into her back. To the casual observer and, she hoped, the Cardassians it looked like she was oblivious to their existance, but she was accutely aware of where they were in relation to her position at the bulliten board.

Inside her head she willed them to continue on their way....hoping these two weren't as stupid as the bastard that had pinned her against the wall. That man would never know just how close he had come to being dead....but these two, well...she hoped they would be as lucky. 'Don't make me kill you...please...just keep moving.....'

Unfortunatly.....it appeared that those from the Alliance just weren't that lucky. "This is a restricted area....you should not be here."

Northrop crossed her arms in what she hoped would look timid. In reality her hand was on the butt of her pistol. "Really? I must've taken a wrong turn somewhere....," she said, giving them a bewildered look.

The lead Cardassian sneared, "Typical of human females. Follow us. You will be detained until someone from the Federation can deal with you."

She dropped her head, "Yes Sir....." Her tone was one of submission. As soon as these fuckers turned their backs....it would be all over. Her only regret was that she didn't have her other pistol so she could be rid of them both sooner.

Madrini was just down the hall...and thus far he'd kept quiet. Alyssa hoped he kept himself in check for just a little while longer. And then it happened....the Cardassian security guards turned and started walked away. In a single lightning quick move her pistol was drawn and blazing....the red phased energy lancing out and striking its targets.

Both guards were dead before they hit the floor. Time stood still for a moment as she listened for an alarm....but thankfully none came. Slowly she exhaled and then thumbed the power output indicator up to maximum....then vaporized the two guards. They couldn't take the risk of these two being found somewhere. If they were just missing...there were other possibilities that dead bodies just didn't permit.

Civilians who were in the area made themselves scarce as Madriani and his men proceeded up to location. He looked at his tricorder, they were very close to the government plaza, in fact, just around the corner.

Alyssa stood next to Madriani and nodded at the next corner. "Around the corner....and you're there. Question is....you want one more set of eyes with you?"

Instinctively, Madriani opened his mouth to politely decline, but after considering the capable young woman. "Can you get inside and create a diversion?"

Alyssa shrugged. "Anything's possible...."

"Do you know where Administrator Bocca is?"

"Right now? No....," she said. "But I can find out."

"Ok... you slip past the guards, I'll signal the other team to begin their diversion. Then, you go inside and create your diversion, my men will neutralize the guards there and storm the interior. You lead us to the impostor, and we'll take him with us and get to the evac site."

"That sounds like a typical Marine plan." She smirked a little and left the Marine leader's side. The man wanted a diversion....oh...he'd get one.

Madriani watched Northrop slip inside, he tapped his combadge, "Sal, begin your operation please."

"Roger that," answered Sal.

A few minutes later dozens of soldiers began filing out the front door of the government complex. Before long, the last of them had left.

Madriani signaled 4 of his men, who at his prompt stepped out from behind the corner and fired their rifles at the 4 guards 20 meters away. They didn't have a chance to respond. He signaled his men to move up. Madriani peered inside.

====Inside====

Getting in had been cake. In the back of her mind she wondered how it was possible that the Federation was still such a problem if this was the quality of their personnel. Here she was....someone who obviously didn't belong walking totally unchalleneged around the Capital Building. "Computer....Where is Administrator Bocca?"

In it's typical voice the computer replied, "Administrator Bocca is in his office."

"How useful....thank you so much." It was time to create a little havoc.

A few minutes later she put the finishing touches on her diversion. It wasn't anything lethal....nor anything all that special. Setting one bucket on top of the other, she moved the setup into one of the ventilation ducts. Assuming her calculations were correct....she had about five minutes before all hell broke loose.

On the upper levels of the Capital Building, there turned out to be a few more guards. That was to be expected...since this was where the important personnel were. Alyssa quickly ducked into an empty office until one more of those guards had passed...then continued on to find a secretary outside the office she needed to be in.

Northrop froze for a second.....her libido taking hold for a second. The woman had red hair...and a very, very nice body. She wore an outfit that left little to the imagination. Under other circumstances....well...Alyssa would have tried extremely hard to get inside that little outfit. But damned if she had other work to do. "Hi....I have an appointment with the Administrator."

She winked, "A very special appointment."

The redhead looked her over for a moment.....then winked back. "I understand....one moment while I call and let him know."

A lithe hand moved towards the comm panel...but Alyssa stopped it. The woman's hand was as soft as Talarian Silk.....and she nearly shivered. "I...um...that won't be necessary....I'd like to surprise him."

Alyssa could see it in her eyes....this woman wanted her to surprise the hell out of the Administrator. In fact, unless she was dead wrong, she wanted Northrop to surprise him to death. Well...maybe Alyssa would take her up on that. But unfortunately....there was little more they could do about it...as the diversion kicked in. It was going to be up to Madriani to get them all out of here.

Smoke began to pour out of the ventilation grates on the wall....thick, black, greasy smoke which caused the fire alarms to start blaring. The building, being older, had no fire supression fields. The redhead went wide eyed....."Oh no!"

As much as she hated to do this....she pulled her pistol and pushed the object of her desire into the Administrator's office....."Please don't make a fuss...either of you. I'd hate to have to shoot you."

The Administrator sat behind his desk.....slack jawed as the alarms blared in the background. "Ok Major...any time now."

By now Madriani and his men had met up with heavy resistance. Madriani tapped his communicator, "Give us a couple minutes and we'll be there."

Madriani peered around the corner. About a dozen troops were blasting away. Not really aiming. He knew they were just trying to hold them down.

It didn't matter, at that moment, Madriani's men had out flanked the enemy and was dropping them effortlessly.

Madriani's diversion team was also taking fire elsewhere in the city. It had apparently worked, the government plaza was relatively unguarded. Then again, it wasn't really designed to be a military installation.

With their phaser rifles drawn close to their chests, the marines quickly crossed the court yard and entered the plaza. Government workers stopped to stair while others applauded lightly.

Madriani's combadge chirped, "Sir, the Federation forces are also contending with a civilian uprising. They're not well organized or well armed but they're giving the Feds a run for it."

"Keep me posted, Madriani out."

Madriani entered the Administrator's office and found Alyssa holding prisoners. He dropped his rifle to his side as his men filed in around them.

"Well done Ms Northrop," said Madriani.

He turned and tapped his combadge, "Riggs! Bring the transport into the court yard"

As his men took Bocca into custody, he turned to Northrop, "What about her?" he asked, looking over his shoulder, "Do we need to take her in too?

The brunnette looked at the redhead, "It's up to her really...she didn't do anything wrong. She just happened to be sitting outside being a Secretary when I showed up."

It was hard to keep from telling the Major that this woman had to be taken into custody and taken back to the Zion. Ever fiber of her being wanted to say that...but well...Alyssa Northrop wasn't a pirate or something.

The pretty secretary smiled at the both of them, "I...I live here...I can't leave."

But the look that she gave Alyssa was unmistakeable. Northrop felt like screaming.

"Okay, You want to Evac with us, it might be a little rough, or find your own way home," he asked.

"Let's go....this place is swarming with enemy troops."

By now, Riggs could be heard in the distance crashing through glass and walls with the transport.

"Let's go!" barked Madriani. His men filed out of the corridor, Completely unhampered.

Once in the courtyard, they boarded the Transport and returned to their primary evac coordinates.

Pacifica #131"
By: Craig Witmore, Engineer, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58205.29 1515

Ensign Craig Witmore had his head- no, darn near half of his body- inside the plasma capacitor junction box. Most junction boxes on Zion were small; however, given the sheer quantity and size of conduits required by the plasma capacitors of the Warp engines, these boxes were almost big enough to sleep in. In fact, the term 'junction box' is really nothing more than a leftover from 20th-centruy Terran electrical contractors. It would have been more appropriate to call this an 'access panel'...however, its location and function- where many conduits meet and join- brought to mind the older phrase. As such, it had stuck.

Craig had his plasma sealer in his right hand, and was running it across the seam where he had laid a new section of conduit. When the plasma capacitors overloaded due to the software incompatibility, several of their conduits ruptured in dozens of places. It had taken the better part of three hours to locate all of the ruptures and replace the ruined conduit.

A small whisp of smoke rose from the conduit as his sealer made contact with the last small seam in the conduit; a second later, when the smoke cleared, he saw no evidence that there had even been a seam.

He extracted himself from the box, and tapped his comm badge immediately. "Witmore to Engineering," he said.

”Preston here, came the disembodied voice of one of Criags colleagues, Report.

Craig cleared his throat. "Junction Chi-43 is repaired, Jake," he said.

”Report back to Main Engineering and help Alpha Team get the plasma flow recalibrated, he said. I will let Chief Silvio know, good work Craig.”

Craig grinned broadly at the compliment. He hadn't been on the Zion for that long- in fact, this was his first tour of duty out of post-Academy training- and it felt very good to have a compliment his work even though it was given by a fellow ensign.

Very good indeed...

Today, I journey to Sto-vo-kor. "
By: Darg , Klingon Warrior , [NPC]
Governor Deleplane , Leader of Pacifica , [NPC]
Korg , Klingon Warrior , [NPC]
Melissa Jarvis, Chief Security Officer, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58205.29 1640

==USS Yamato==

Melissa and her team located the security station shortly after boarding the Yamato. They slowly made their way there. Fortunately, the Zion's transporter chief knew exactly what he was doing and had placed them close to their target.

"Lieutenant, " said crewman Dean as he ducked a Federation phaser blast, "the enemy is blocking our communications."

"We can't worry about that now," she relied, "Lay down some serious fire power on them. Let's go." Her team opened fire on the Federation position. The sheer force devastated the enemy and forced them to fall back into main security.

"Cowards," spat Korg as they moved up closer to the entrance.

A shimmering light appeared in front of the entrance to security. Melissa uttered a string of curses, "Domingo," she barked, "Get that containment field down."

"Aye sir," he replied as he slipped around the corner and down the corridor to the nearest Jeffries tube.

Melissa waited what seemed to her like hours. When Domingo calmly walked back with a confident smile. "All done," he said.

Melissa glanced at Korg who checked the force field. He shook his head. Trying hard to suppress her annoyance she said, "What did you do Ensign?"

"Maximum damage sir," he replied. No sooner had he gotten the words out of his mouth than a loud rumbling explosion erupted down the corridor and the entire deck plunged into darkness.

Not wasting any time she and her team stormed into the security center.

A warrior named Daggbr'th was the first to be mortally wounded. Four others perished quickly as well. The causalities on the Federation side were staggering. Twenty men lay dead from distruptor blasts.

The klingons immediately went to work ensuring the Federation dead were really dead.

Melissa entered the detention block. In the cells were several Pacificians, "Governor Deleplane," she shouted. There was a stunned silence. "I am Lieutenant Jarvis from the Maquis Alliance."

A murmur of excitement filled the room. Several of the occupants of cell B turned and looking at one of their comrades. Melissa stood directly in front of cell B. The man stood up and said, "I am Delaplane."

"Good to see you governor," said Melissa as she deactivated the cell. "Wilkens," she called to one of her men, "have the governor identify his people and get them out of confinement."

"Aye sir," said Wilkins.

Turning back to Delaplane, "We are going to get you and your people out of here."

"Thank you Lieutenant," replied Delaplane.

Now that things were pretty stable Melissa began considering the communication problem. She exited the detention center just in time to see a Federation security agent enter the security center brandishing a very large cannon. He opened fired, the strange cannon sent a blast across the room and hit Korg in the chest. The intruder was instantly cut down by several Klingons.

Melissa watches as Korg slumped to the floor. "Korg," she shouted as she crossed the room and knelt beside him. She could se no visible burns on him and thought that perhaps the cannon had malfunctioned. Korg's eyes bulged and he began to shake ever so slightly.

"It's killing me from the inside," said Korg between gasps for air. His face contorted in agony.

Fighting to control the desperation she felt, Melissa tried to call the Zion for help. Their communications were still being blocked. Another Klingon joined her next to Korg, she was surprised to see Darg.

With much effort Korg grabbed Darg's arm, "Today, I journey to Sto-vo-kor."

Darg thumped his fist on Korg's armor, "Let the Dead beware!"

"Darg," began Korg. Korg's body was now shaking violently and he was using every bit of his will to speak, "She is my mate." He looked from Darg to Melissa.

"Are you delerious?" demanded Darg.

Korg could not respond, he let out a wail of pure agony and then lay still and lifeless.

Darg growled as he pushed Korg's eyelids open with his thumbs. He looked at Melissa

Melissa looked around and saw that the rest of the Klingons had gathered around. It started as a growl deep in her chest and grew in intensity until Melissa was howling at the top of her lungs.

Others in the back echoed the warning yell of the dead, Darg himself also began yelling, thumping his fist on his armor.

When the last of the yell was complete, Melissa stood, she felt nothing other than shear anger. It boiled inside her. Realizing that that Darg was not even supposed to be here, "Darg, why are you here and not in Engineering?"

Darg turned his head and snarled at Melissa, "Engineering has been taken, communications is out, we came to see if you needed...help. It seems we were too late," he retorted.

Melissa walked over and inspected the strange weapon that had killed Korg. She pried it from the Federation security officer's dead hands and hefted the bulky weapon. "Domingo, Jones, and Fredrick! You are with me. The rest of you secure this station and get the Governor and his people ready to go."

With four quick steps Darg intercepted Melissa, "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to the bridge," she said unemotionally as she left security.

Darg looked around at his warriors menacingly, "Are you waiting for the targs to come home? Move it!" he yelled gesturing after Jarvis.

Intruders "
By: Samantha Carter, Security Officer, [RNPC]
Zarg , Klingon Warrior , [NPC]

Stardate: 58205.29 1645

As the intruder alert sounded, Zarg jumped to his feet.

Bridge to Carter, we have intruders on Deck 4, 5 and 16.

"Ok people Sam yelled to the security teams, Martinez deck 4, Brewster Deck 5 and watch the forcefields. Zarg, Benitez, Mueller you all and me to deck 16.

Zarg raced out behind Carter. They arrived at the scene, other security personnel were already engaging the enemy invaders.

Sam ducked behind a bulkhead as a phaser beam cut through the air. "How many enemies are there?"

A security officer named Anderson turned, "16 of them and they want in bad."

"Keep them out of engineering no matter what!!!"

"Yes Ma'am, but we need to get more men inside engineering."

Sam nodded."Zarg you and you team follow me. The rest of you stay here and try to pin them down.!"

Zarg and 4 other Klingons followed Carter as she raced back up the hallway. He followed her into a jefferies tube. They crawled along until they came which led into the upper engineering level on deck 15. As they got down to the main floor, there were only two security officers fending off the intruders.

"Now what?" asked Zarg.

"Now darling," Sam said with a grin. "Now is a good time to die!!!" Sam jumped to her feet and ran behind a console. One of the other security crew a young ensign, not so experienced, cried out as in a hand to hand combat a dagger was plunged into the juncture of his neck and shoulder; his attacker used the opportunity to take away his phaser rifle.

"Bowens, get out of there!!" Sam yelled as she tried to get a clear shot at the attacker. Then from the left Sam watched another attacker aim his phaser, ready to fire.

"No!!" Sam shouted and fired her own rifle in reply.

The blast from Sam's rifle stunned the attacker, enveloping the outline of his body for a dazling millisecond before he fell, but not before the blast from his phaser found it mark. Ensign Bowens. In the second before his death, the young human wrthed, caught in the bright, fatal energy surge cried out in pain.

And then his body vaporized - incinerated so competely, not even ash remained

The klingons rushed into the mix and quickly quelled the hand-to-hand fighting.

Zarg spotted a suspicous bulge on the utility belt of one of the downed federation fighters.

He opened the pocket exposing its contents, "Sam, its a thiridium explosive device with an isotopic decay fuse. He stood up, intended for the warp engines no doubt."

"Take it with you, perhaps we will find out where it comes from. Lets get these guys beam to the brig."

The body of the federation dematerialized in the shimmer of the transporter effect.

Sam tapped her combadge. "Carter to sickbay, we need a medic team here."

"They are on their way, Lieutenant." the reply came.

Zarg's nostrils flaired, "Such a short engagement. Perhaps we should join the bording party."

"It aint over yet, Zarg." Sam replied. "There are more enemies on Deck 4 and 5. Let's see if we can give them a hand."

Zarg handed one of the engineers the explosive device, "The isotopic fuse as been activated, I'd get rid of it," he said turning and racing off behind Carter, "fast!"

Hell Hath No Fury..."
By: Darg , Klingon Warrior , [NPC]
Melissa Jarvis, Chief Security Officer, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58205.29 1650

Domingo and Jones exchanged glances, they had never seen their boss in this state. They had come to trust her, however, and would follow her commands without question.

With weapons drawn the Klingons followed the humans as they marched after Jarvis. Darg simply followed with clenched fists. This wasn't what he normally expected from a human female.

She paused at the turbo lift not expecting the door to open. Much to her surprise, however, it did. Inside was a startled security officer. Melissa did not have time for pleasantries so she swung the butt end of her newly acquired weapon into the man's head as he reached for his phaser. The sickening crunch it made did not seem to make a but of difference to her as the man sank to the floor of the lift.

Darg grabbed the officer by the shirt and hefted him out of the lift.

"Bridge," said Melissa once they were all in the lift.

The tension was palpable as the rode up to the bridge in silence. When the doors opened her men, after a brief fight took out the bridge security guards. Melissa scanned the bridge looking for the man with the pips. She found him standing with another officer at the tactical station. Approaching them she leveled the monstrous gun at the captain. "Captain," she said.

She watched his eyes shift from her to the phaser he had set down on the console. Domingo stepped up to her side and cautiously picked up the Captain's phaser. The computer chimed and then announced that the ships would auto destruct in 5 minutes.

"You are too late," said the Captain with a sneer,You will die with us."

"I'm not going to die today," said Melissa raising the muzzle of the cannon she help into his face, "You are familiar with this weapon?"

"I am," he replied, "or at least I know the theory behind it."

"Then you have not had the pleasure of seeing it work first hand?"

"No, we just acquired it," he replied.

"Order your communications person to stop jamming our signal."

The captain glanced at a female officer and then said, "No."

Melissa made no further conversation, the captain had given her the info she needed. She discharged the weapon into his chest and everyone on the bridge watched in horror as the Captain died screaming in agony. Melissa felt nothing. She noted with a small amount of satisfaction that Korg had been much tougher when he faced the same death.

After his dying screams faded he turned the weapon on the very pale faced communications officer, "Discontinue interfering with our signal," said Melissa, "NOW!"

She did as she was told.

Melissa tapped her comm badge, "Jarvis to Wilkins, "Get everyone back to the Zion we only have about 3 minutes."

"Aye ma'am," came the reply.

"If I were you," Melissa said to the comm officer, "I would tell everyone to abandon ship."

"Jarvis to Zion, be advised that the Yamato will auto destruct in about 2 minutes."

"Acknowledged, the Pacifican Governor and his staff have already transported over. Prepare to beam over.

After a few seconds Melissa felt the familiar affects as the transporter cycle began. Only then did she begin to feel again and she did not like what she felt.

Pacifica #129"
By: Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]
Jeff Westfall, Tactical Officer, [PST]
Melissa Jarvis, Chief Security Officer, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58205.29 1705

Hunter jumped to his feet as the Yamato exploded on the view screen.

He turned and looked at Westfall.

We inflicted damage, but that was *not* "battle fatigue, that was the Yamato's auto-destruct sequence.

Hunter turned back toward the viewport as shimmers of plasma faded from view. The shockwave resounded through the decks of the Zion.

Westfall continued, "Tactically, I would have to assume the Yamato's commanding officer probably thought he could take our boarding party out, and possibly cause the detonation of the Zion for one small price, rather than facing capture, torture and humiliation as prisoners.

"Did we get anyone out?" asked Hunter with a grave tone of voice.

"I am pleased to report that all of the Governor's party are safely aboard the Zion in the VIP Quarters, under heavy guard by our Alpha Security Team, as our guests."

Hunter breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll know better when I've heard from lt Jarvis what our casuality count is, I don't expect it to be light."

Hunter gripped the rail as he studied the spreading debris field. "Sir, I've got 20 life pods on tactical sensors some showing life form readings. I'd recommend we send a fighter wing to tractor beam them into the Marine Deck, and let Major Madrani set up a "Welcome Wagon" for the scum. Hunter turned toward the Ops person, "ETA on the Cardassians?"

"Six minutes Sir."

Westfall also had an announcement, "Security team Charlie reports they have captured or killed all of the Federation raiders aboard the Zion. The medical department is still processing their wounded in Holodeck 2."

"Excellent," said Hunter as looked over at Wright. then he tapped his combadge, "lt Jarvis please report to my ready room.

"On my way," came the reply.

"Number one, you have the bridge, get us out of here."

"Helm," said Wright, "get us back to pacifica."

"Yes Sir!"

"Engage our cloak," ordered Wright

==Ready Room==

As Jarvis appeared at the door, Hunter asked her to come in and have a seat.

Melissa sat down in the chair across from Hunter.

"Lieutenant, what happened?"

"Everything went according to plan. We were able to gain access to the security area and free the Governor and his people." Melissa paused remembering the weapon which was locked in her office. "Korg was killed by a strange new weapon which I have in my office."

"A weapon? What kind of weapon?"

"Korg said it was killing him from the inside. It casued him much pain. A horrible death," she replied with no hint of emotion in her voice.

"Okay, then what?"

"We were not able to get past their communication block so I took a team to the bridge to persuade them to stop blocking our signal."

Hunter wasn't sure he wanted to know the details. He just nodded softly.

"We arrived too late to stop him from engaging the autodestruct," she replied.

"Causalities?"

"I am afraid that the Captian on the Yamato did not survive," she said. "Overall, we took some casualties as did the Klingons," Melissa paused, "I will include exact identifications in my final report."

Hunter nodded, "Thanks Lieutenant, that will be all."

Hunter stood up and followed Jarvis out the door. He sat back down in the command chair. "Helm, status?"

"ETA to Pacifica, 10 minutes."

Irish Mocha and Jamaican Blend "
By: Dr. James McIntyre , Doctor , [NPC]
Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.29 1800

He changed course halfway across the floor and came up to Dane's door. It was open but he paused at the door way and rapped softly on the wall as a polite gesture, even though Dane saw him coming.

"I just finished up my rounds, I thought I would come and see if that olive branch has grown," he said with a wink.

Teilani smiled. "Well lets see if it has, come on in."

He came in and looked around. "you know, every time I come in here," he said, "I can't get over how big this office is... and you have decorated it very nicely," he added.

"Thanks, its the colours you know, I like yellow." Teilani walked over to the planet and scanned it. "It has grown 0.002 millimeter in the last hour."

He laughed because he knew that Dane was joking, after all, it came from the replicator.

"Coffee," she asked. "What kind?"

"I thought I would try that Jamaican blend you were bragging about."

"Ah you will not be sorry. She placed the tricorder in her pocket and walked towards the replicator. "2 coffee, Jamaican blend, double strong, double sweet. 1 small can of cream."

In an instance the mugs appeared and inhaling the fresh, well as long as you could call replicated coffee fresh, fragrance Teilani took the mugs and handed one to McIntyre.

He took the mug and let it warm his palms. He smiled at the coffee's armoma, "indeed," he said with a pleasant smile.

He took a sip and and asked, Dane, "So, where did you study? Terran system?"

Teilani nodded. "Yes good old starfleet medical. Who did you have for xenobiology? I had old turtleneck, or better yet Professor Innes."

McIntyre rolled his eyes, "oh, my yes... Innes, How I've tried to forget," he said with a chuckle, "He had this stuffed denebian slime devil and one night we..." he bit his lip, "oh, geeze, never mind, " he said with a wink.

Teilani grinned. "Don't tell me that you were one of the culprits who released the beastie!!"

"well, I won't say how it got into the bathroom," he said as a smile split his face.

"Oh my goodness our whole dorm was in panic!! It was hilarious." Teilani now laughed outloud.

"Its obvious, some have never seen one alive," replied McIntyre.

"Say, what year did you graduate then?"

Teilani smiled. "That would have been,hmmm 2375

"Of course, I graduated 2 years later," he said.

"Who did you have for antropology?"

"I honestly don't remember," he said trying to recall. "I was bored to death. It wasn't the subject it was the professor, uhm.. short round man, wore facial hair...."

"Oh wait, I know who you mean....... Oh what was his name,.... big beard, looked like a bear. Wait I know... Doctor Tha'dan.

McIntyre snapped his fingers, "yes! that's him."

"I was scared to death of him in the first semester. So imposing!!" Teilani grinned as she sipped her last coffee.

McIntyre chuckled.

"Well what you think of it?"

"Well, I wasn't scared..."

"From the coffee I mean." she said with a grin.

McIntyre peered into the nearly empty mug. "Its a real pick me up."

She leaned back in her chair. "Now some thing more serious. When we engaged the other ships there was some hesitation amongst the staff did you notice?"

"I guess amoung some of the nurses, but .... war is never easy."

"No it is not, but it caused a lapse in response time. I don't want to put them through training just now but do you have any idea to avoid it?"

"Well," said McIntyre, "when I interned, the attending was a great doctor. Uhm, Dr. Collins.... well, he had unique bedside manners. I found I had innately the same skills, I just needed to learn to use them." He shifted in his chair a little, "Its hard to explain," he continued, "but when you are working with nurses and medics, and the moment is tense, everyone is looking at you. They're following your cues. If you breath stress, they inhale it. If you make the best of it, so will they."

He swiveled he chair enough to look out into the sickbay at several nurses tending to patients. "You see your staff out there?" he said taking a sip of coffee, not really expecting Dane to answer, "They're out there, not because they have to be, but because they want to be."

He looked at Dane over his shoulders, "They choose to be nurses and medics, just as you choose to be a doctor... you have to nurture that, and at the same time be their glue when everything else seems to be coming apart."

"No wonder I feel so sticky sometimes but I guess I know what you mean. They did a perfect job despite the first hesitation. Sometimes I wonder if I am not too hard on them."

"That's not to say you shouldn't challenge them to do better or be lack on discipline."

Teilani smiled. " Your right of course. More coffee??"

McIntyre smiled, "Sure, why not?"

Pacifica #130"
By: Dr. Alyssa Caitlin Northrop, Acting Chief Intel Officer, [PST]
Ryan-Steven ‘Rusty Ryan’ Madriani, Marine CO, [PST]

Stardate: 58205.29 1805

Madriani returned from the pilot compartment to the rear of the drop ship and inspected his men.

Northrop looked around the small transport ship as it moved. It seemed that every one of the Marines had made it back....but she couldn't remember the exact number that had touched down with Madriani. "Major....what's the plan from here?"

Technically the Marine outranked her, as did most everyone on board the Zion except maybe the chef and a couple of regular crewmen, but she wasn't about to stand on ceremony here. It wasn't her usual style and certainly not in a combat situation.

Madriani sat down next to her, "well, Miss, we've lost contact with the Zion, the pilot received a transmission but it was corrupted with some sort of jamming device."

Madriani leaned back. "A fighter wing reports that the Zion broke orbit to pursue the Federation ship."

Madriani preempted any of Northrop's concerns, "Don't worry, the D'Kuul is still in orbit. If the Zion makes it back we'll return with Delaplane and decide the best way to clean up this situation.

The intelligence officer nodded. "It's Doctor....or Alyssa. Your choice."

She smiled at the Marine. "But anyway....we can't just fly around up here. I'm sure the Federation/Cardassian forces that are still on the ground aren't totally defenseless. They'll probably be scrambling the auxiliary craft they do have to hunt down that joker."

With a jerk of her thumb, she indicated the Federation governor they'd taken prisoner. "So by my way of thinking...we've got two options. Return to orbit and meet up with the Klingons...or set back down and help."

Madriani slouched back, he was slightly put off by Northrop's brashness.

"Doctor," said Madriani with a slight patronizing tone, "We're going to return to the evac point, I'm not sure what we can do to...help them," he said, "Unless you have intel we don't know about."

"As a matter of fact...I do." She smiled sweetly and pulled a PADD from her pack. Sifting through its contents quickly, she showed Madriani what she'd been looking for. "This is the flash point for a citizen's revolt, Major. I bet if we took ourselves over here that we'd be able to reinforce their ranks quite well....in addition to providing some needed firepower."

Alyssa indicated the weapons locker near the back of the troop transport.

"Officially... we can't..." he shook his head and looked at Northrop, "Nevermind."

Madriani took the PADD and looked at the coordinates given by Northrop. He looked at his men. Their objective was completed, Bocca was removed from the government building.

"Alright," he said standing up, he walked to the front of the ship, and returned.

He cleared his throat and spoke loudly, "Men, we're going to insert ourselves into a combat situation. Everyone make ready."

Shortly after his announcement they landed on the outskirts of the citadel.

"Would you like to stay here with the prisoner or join us?"

The archaeologist pulled out her phaser pistol and checked it's charge. "Do I look like a security guard to you?"

With that, she headed off away from the ship. "Coming Major?"

Madriani whistled loudly, "Fall out men!"

As his men filed out of the transport, Madriani caught up to Northrop. "Do you have a contact?"

"Several....but I have no way of knowing where they are right now." She shrugged and listened. "I suggest that we simply head towards the shooting."

"Alight, you know your way around here better than any of us... lead the way Miss, uh,...Doctor." said Madriani.

Alyssa stopped in her tracks and pulled her backpack around so she could dig inside. Rooting around inside the bag, she pulled out a solid black device that was attached to what looked like an arm cuff. She placed it on her arm and shut the cuff.....causing a small screen to unfold from the upper portion as several sets of lights flashed beneath. Next out of the pack was a pair of glasses with a single lens that wrapped around her face. When she looked directly at Madriani, he could see that there was data scrolling across the lens.....a HUD.

She caught the Marine's surprised look. "What? You have your tricorders....I have mine. My equipment simply has to take into account form factor in addition to function. My work generally has me in tight spaces that require me to be able to move and react quickly. This is more than just a tricorder. Maybe when we get back to the Zion...I'll let you take a look at it. You and your Marines might find it interesting."

Madriani was going to mention to her that the ZR-20X was a newer and improved version but as she interrupted he decided to let her prattle on.

"In reality...it was built as a multi-purpose tool...complete with an array of small weapons and a grapler. After a moment, she spoke again, "There's a strong concentration of weapons fire to the east-northeast. I'm reading a lot of Federation Phaser signatures...but some Klingon, Romulan and a myriad other energy signatures. We're talking seriously rag tag."

That said...she took off running.

Madrini looked dumbfounded, "Romulans?"

He turned and signaled his men to follow.

They raced through the citadel, its interiors were beautiful examples of flowing architecture. Its open spaces and vast expansive ceilings gave the underwater portion of the city the illusion sky.

Up ahead, smoke could be seen rising up behind many of the marble-like court yard obstacles.

The sound of fighting as now everywhere, echoing off the hard surfaces that surrounded them. Alyssa slowed her approach and drew her weapon. Coming to a corner, she looked around it and saw a war zone....the Federation and the Pacificans locked in a pitched battle, neither side really giving any ground.

Looking behind her, "Major....if we can outflank the Federation forces....we'll have them in a cross fire."

"Okay, we'll wait here, you find a suitable location and we'll come to you."

She growled for a second, "Why don't you take half of your team around to the far side of the fire fight....and I'll take the remaining half with me and location a firing position on this side."

Madriani turned, "Wilson, take your men and go with her, Stevens your men are with me."

Madriani and half the men left the way they came.

"Alright...let's move." Alyssa took off into the nearest building and started climbing stairs. She could hear the Marines behind her, grunting as they carried all of their equipment with them. Once she decided that they were high enough, Alyssa went out into the main area of that floor...and over to the windows. Not too far below was the battle for the Government facility. Thankfully, everyone who had worked on this floor had evacuated...which made things so much easier.

"Ok Marines.....you know who to shoot....so do it." Her squad lined up at the windows and started firing down on the pinned down Federation and Cardassian Forces.

After about 10 minutes Madriani signaled Northrop, "We're in position."

"Take them out, Major."

Over a ledge looking down Madriani and his men opened fired on the Cardassians.

The surprise attack dropped several of them who were in unable to take cover.

Many of them repositioned themselves to defend against the 2 sided attack.

After the last Cardassian dropped, the surviving Federation foes signaled their surrender. The pacifians raced forward and apprehended them.

Its Over "
By: M'Ressha Mikaht, pilot , [RNPC]
Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]
Jeff Westfall, Tactical Officer, [PST]
Jean Luc Picard , Admiral , [NPC]

Stardate: 58205.29 1944

Hunter watched as the blue planet grew larger and larger. "Helm, standard orbit."

"Captain, we're being hailed by the Klingon flagship, their transmission signature is authentic;" Westfall was careful to verify all message traffic.

"On Screen," Hunter replied. "Q'pla! Hunter. The Cardassian scum have been...destroyed."

Hunter stood and walked toward the screen, "The Yamato is destroyed as well."

"Victory! We shall drink bloodwine to the fallen warriors later!"

Hunter nodded, "Zion out."

"Captain Hunter, Sir...I have an Incoming message from The USS Sovereign... authenticated transmission from Admiral Picard.

Hunter looked over at Wright with a surprised look and replied, "on screen."

"Aye-Aye, Sir". Westfall stood, stiffly eyes fixed forward, as he transferred the signal to the main viewing screen on the bridge.

Admiral Picard appeared on the main view screen. He sat in the command chair of the Sovereign. "Captain Hunter, Commander Wright, It would so seem that you have matters in hand."

"Yes Sir," answered Hunter.

"Well then," said Picard, "We've come to help clean up this Federation mess."

"Thank you Sir, we could use the help."

"Tango fleet should arrive in 30 minutes, if you can hold matters down until then."

"Did the Federation armada get away Sir?" asked Hunter.

"Only one ship," answered Picard, "the Livingston."

Wright listened the exchange between Picard and Hunter he was surprised that the Livingston had escaped. He secretly hoped that the Zion would cross Captain Sisko's arrogant path again.

"When we arrive we have teams ready to take over on the ground. You may prepare to recall any troops you have there."

"Acknowledged."

"Also Captain, the Governor is welcome to come aboard here, if you want to get the Zion heading for home."

"I'd like that very much Sir," said Hunter beaming a smile, "thank-you."

"You've done a splendid job here Captain, you and your crew should be commended."

"We've had a lot of help Sir, In fact, we have some data that you might like to see."

Hunter motioned for Westfall, "transmit the Cardassian intel and Federation decryption program to the Admiral's ship."

"Aye sir."

"See you soon, Picard out."

Sir, I have an incoming secure transmission from Major Madrani on Pacifica".

"On screen," said Wright.

"Captain, we have removed the Federation Governor and his staff and have been assisting several resistance fighters. The main Cardassian army on the planet has been neutralized or rendered ineffective. Some of the Federation stripped their uniforms and disguised themselves as pacificans," reported Madrani. "CWO Northrop is with our group as well," he added rolling his eyes a little.

"Very good, The USS Sovereign will be arriving in 20 minutes with replacements. Prepare to return to the ship."

"Understood," he said with a nod, "Madriani out."

"Ensign Westfall, " said Wright, "Signal the Runabout Tigress and let them know they can return to the Zion."

"Acknowledged, Commander," Westfall said.

"USS Zion to Runabout Tigress. You are cleared and ordered to return immediately to the USS Zion at your maximum cruising speed, please acknowledge."

Max was not at her station, Blitzer fumbled with the controls momentarily but was able to respond. "Acknowledged."

"Well sir, it looks like everything will work out afterall," said Wright.

Hunter settled back into his chair, "Indeed it does Number One."

"Captain, the runabout Tigress has docked in shuttle bay two, and the Operations Officer reports they are secured," Westfall said, as a constant stream of status updates flowed in from all sectors of the ship and the fleet.

Hunter tapped his comm panel, "All hands this is the Captain. Pacifica is now in the hands of the Alliance. Well done everyone, we're heading home. Prepare to break orbit for Qul Tuq at 2200 hours."

"Let's get this ship ready for the long trip back," said Hunter. "I'll be in my ready room. You have the bridge."

"Aye sir," said Wright sitting down in the command chair.

VIP Patient "
By: Deleplane , Governor , [NPC]
Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.29 2000

Escorted by security forces, Deleplane and his staff entered Sickbay.

One of the sentries approached the Doctor, "The Governor and his staff are here."

Teilani brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. She was tired and fed up with seeing wounded crewmembers. She pulled herself together and put on her professional face.

"Bring them in here."

"Hello Doctor," said Deleplane, "My staff and I will be cooperative in your examination."

"Thank you Sir, if you would follow me please." Teilani walked to wards main sick bay and tapped on one of the biobed. "If you please?"

Deleplane followed the Doctor and sat up on the bio bed.

Taking out her trusted tricorder she ran the scanner along Delaplanes body. "You have some mild bruises on your lower back and some on your left shoulder. I can give you some inaprovaline for it, it act as a painkiller and will reduce the swelling."

"Thanks Doctor."

Quickly she administered the hypopray Gloria had given her. "There you go Sir, you will be fine in the next few days.

"Oh, I been feeling much better. Ever since I got out of the Brig."

Delaplanes aid was a bit worse, it was clear that he had been abused, a back eye and a broken nose, several bruises around his stomach and on his kidneys. "shhhhhhhht you gonna be fine, " she said as he laid down. "Let me do my work, there is nothing to be afraid of."

With professional ease Teilani and her crew treated the rest of the party, some were a bit more damaged but non of the injuries were life treatning.

As the last of them was treated she turned to Delaplane. "Your staff will be fine as well Sir."

"I can't thank you enough Doctor."

"Your welcome, Teilani said softly, putting the tricorder in her top coat. She watched the party leave sickbay then she turned and walked to the replicator.

"Coffee, Jamaican blend, double sweet double strong."

Pacifica #133"
By: M'Ressha Mikaht, Fighter Pilot, [RNPC]
Krystal, Hologram, [RNPC]
Maxine Lucinda Tapert, Computer Specialist, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.29 2010

Three Hours earlier:

USS Zion, come in, requesting emergency EVAC. Repeat, requesting emergency EVAC.

Blitzer sat up and nodded at Max, who activated the comm. and nodded back, letting him know to proceed. "This is the USS Tigress, what is your status?"

Four of us are holding Bocca but we've come under heavy fire and can not maintain our position. Requesting emergency beam out.

Blitzer and Max went to the back of the ship where the transporter was. He handed Max the phaser rifle and energized the transporter. One of the marines appeared with Bocca who was wearing restraints.

"Well well!" said the Marine, "if it isn't our favorite flyboy."

Blitzer smirked, "right Mulligan..." Blitzer looked at Bocca who seemed to be xenophobic and couldn't help himself as he flexed his claws, "you brought me some lunch!" He grinned a toothy smile at Bocca who was now breaking out in cold sweat.

That comment had Maxine smirking.

"Lets get the rest of your guys up here." he said. He nodded at Max, who fluidly handed him the phaser rifle in exchange for the transporter controls. "..energize."

They beamed up the the remaining men, a pair at a time until the entire party filled the small area.

"We need to get back down there and help Madriani," they said stepping up to the transporter controls. Mulligan nodded at the others, "I've got them," he said.

"Good, then lets go."

As Mulligan, the last one, prepared to energize, he said, "keep an eye on him, Get him back to the Zion if you can."

Blitzer put on a disappointed look, "I guess I can't eat you then."

Bocca's lips quivered.

"'E'd probably give y'gas," Max deadpanned.

Blitzer prodded him with the phaser rifle, "move...that way..."

They marched down to Sickbay, "In there." he said.

Blitzer looked down the corridor, "Krystal! report to Sickbay please!"

The pixie flitted into view in the flight deck doorway and wiggled her fingers at him. "Aye, aye, Captain!" And in the blink of an eye she disappeared, only to reappear in the middle of Sickbay. "Ooooooh!! A Patient for me!" she clapped and giggled and a teeny stethoscope popped into existence around her neck and she snapped latex looking gloves onto her hands. She wiggled her fingers and grinned at Bocca. "Bend over and cough," she told him seriously; or as serious as a five inch flying nearly-naked girl-creature could.

Maxine snickered from the doorway.

"I'd do what the doctor says..." said Blitzer crossing his arms, cradling the phaser rifle.

"B-but, but I'm an official member of the Pacifican Del-delagation. Y-you have no right to hold me here. T-this is illegal behavior," pleaded Bocca.

"But... I'm not a member of the Pacifican Delegation. I'm a member of Captain Hunter's Delegation," Krystal pointed out with a little giggle. "So I'm legal," she told him logically.

Blitzer turned and stepped behind Max and whispered loud enough for Bocca to hear, "I've lost my appetite, what do you think we should do with him?"

"Freeze 'im for later?" Max asked and turned her head enough to grin at him.

Bocca's jaw slacked open, he got down on his knees, "p-please don't hurt me, I'll tell you anything you want to know."

"I don't know," said Blitzer, "I still think we should torture him."

Krystal blinked huge blue eyes at Bocca..."Anything?"

Maxine was just about to respond to Blitzer when the conversation between Krystal and Bocca caught her attention.

"Oh, yes... anything!"

"Yay!" she clapped her hands and sent a shower of pixie dust sparkling into the air. "Alright then. We want all your access codes, all the Federation troop movements, and we need a good recipe for peanut brittle," she told him with a nod.

Blitzer nodded, "you two keep an eye on him, I'm going to check our status."

"Roight," Max nodded and gave Krystal an odd look. 'Peanut brittle'?

About two hours later Blitzer hurried down to where Max and Krystal were. "The Zion is calling us in, our mission is complete."

"Krystal, if 'e moves turn 'im into a toad," Max instructed and nodded to Blitzer as he left Sickbay.

Blitzer hopped in the command seat and promptly flew the runabout back to the Zion.

Once Blitzer set down on the flight deck, he picked up the jar with the spider alien in it and his phaser rifle. He went back to where Krystal and Max were guarding their prisoner.

He pointed the rifle at him, "let's go."

They walked out on to the flight deck where security teams immediately took custody of him.

Blitzer turned to Max and Krystal.

He was at loss for words, "I, well... I was... " he put his paw up to his snout and cleared his throat, "I was hoping maybe we could get together sometime and visit again." He smiled, "I enjoyed working with you two."

Krystal fluttered around the two of them for a moment and then settled on Max's shoulder as the young computer expert looked up at the Caitian with almost a lose for words. Definitely shy now that she wasn't working. She couldn't help smiling back at him though and seemed to relax a little. "Yes please. I'd like that," she answered honestly. "Very much."

"*We'd* like that," Krystal corrected.

"Roight," Max nodded with a wider grin. "We would."

Pacifica #136"
By: Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]
Deleplane , Governor , [NPC]
Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.29 2015

"First officers log Stardate 58205.29 The battle for Pacifica is done. The crew of the ZIon performed their jobs admiriably and were able to recover the Governor and begin the process of returning him to power. The Zion will depart for QulTuq as soon as we trasfer control of Pacifica to Tango fleet."

==Transporter Room 1==

The security team brought the last group of Federation prisoners into the transporter room and placed him on the pad.

The security officer nodded. The transporter operator beamed them off to the sovereign where there would be held accountable for their actions.

Next arrived Governor Deleplane and his entourage. Accompanying him was Captain Hunter.

"Governor," said Wright as the dignitaries entered the transporter room. Wright stood next to Captain Hunter. THey were here to say good bye to Governor Delaplane and his staff. They would be transferring to the USS Sovereign until it was safe for them to return to Pacifica. This was the last task before they could take there battered ship back to QulTuq for repairs.

"It is unfortunate that our meeting couldn't have been under more favorable circumstances," said Hunter.

"Thank you so much for your assistance," said Deleplane.

"You are welcome, I wish we could have done more sooner."

"Excuse me Sir," said the transporter operator, "The Sovereign has signaled that they are ready to receive the Governor and his staff."

"Well, I guess this is good bye," said Deleplane as he and his staff took their places on the transporter pad."

Hunter nodded, "good luck Sir....energize."

Wright watched as their guests, who had been through a stressful ordeal dematerialized. After they were gone Wright turned to Hunter, "Time to go home Sir."

"Yeah... yeah, it is," agreed Hunter. "Let's get underway."

Date "
By: Lt Commander Zarg , Security , [NPC]
Samantha Carter, Security Officer, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58205.29 2130

Sam kicked her left boot against the lower part of the console. The fighting was over, luckily there were minimal casualties this time. But as usual this time was also a time to say goodbye again.

Zarg smiled at Carter, "I have always said, the Federation has lost their will to fight."

"Perhaps," she responded. "They have a nasty habit of suddenly popping up when you least expect it."

Zarg smiled, "I'm sure they speak the same of you."

"So what you going to do now, return to Q'onos?"

Zarg's gaze drifted off to a vacant stare, "not as long as there are battles to be fought."

His eyes darted back to Sam's. "Rumor has it we are escorting damaged Maquis ships part of the way back to Qul Tuq.

Sam giggled. "Yeah they could use a tourguide through space. It will be nice streching our legs on QT again, I wonder if a lot has changed there, it has been a while."

"They?" said Zarg as he nudged his head toward her.

"The Maqui ships?" Sam said. "So I guess we have to say goodbye again then."

"After we are underway, I am sure I can beam over. You are also invited as my guest to celebrate our victory tomorrow night."

"Thanks, I like having you around." Sam said with a smile. "I dont know if Chief Jarvis will allow that, I think we need to make our necessary reports first before having some fun.

"Well then," said Zarg, taking her hand in his and raising it to his lips, "You will just have to make sure all your necessary reports are filed before tomorrow evening." Zarg smiled a devilish toothy grin "I'll be reading poetry," he added.

Sam blushed. "Don't worry, I make sure that they are finished, even if I have to whip the other crew to do it." She blushed even deeper, when he kissed her hand.

"That reminds me, I found some new poetry on the database, I will take them with me ......... tonight erm I mean tomorrownight for the party." Sam grinned sheepishly.

His nostrils flared, "You should do that..." said Zarg,

Sam giggled, she had a hopeless crush on the big Klingon and felt a little embarrassed, not knowing how to act or react.

"Would you accompany me to the transporter room?"

Sam nodded and stood up. It was a funny sight a big Klingon all dressed in warrior cloth and a small blond haired female walking side by side to the transporter room.

As they arrived the transporter operator looked at Zarg, "You are the last Sir,"

Zarg turned toward Sam, "Now I guess it is time to say good bye for a little while.

"Yes it it," Sam said, unable to completely filter out the sadness in her voice. "See you tomorrow.

He stepped on the transporter pad and disappeared.

The transporter chief grinned at Sam. "Got a date Ms Carter?" Sam huffed. "Hey I can't help it, I like the big log. Oh and Morley isn't it, did you file your transporter logs yet??

Dismissed "
By: Dr. Alyssa Caitlin Northrop, Acting Chief Intel Officer, [PST]
Ryan-Steven ‘Rusty Ryan’ Madriani, Marine CO, [PST]

Stardate: 58205.29 2150

==Pacifica==

Four hours earlier:

Cautiously several of the Pacifican's approached Madriani and Northrop as their teams joined up.

"I'm Constable Markata," said the a woman brandishing a distruptor. "You're with the Alliance I presume?"

Madriani nodded, "Yes," said Madriani, his eyes still scanning the area for any sign of trouble.

"When did you guys get here? Wh-what is going on? Are you..."

Madriani grew impatient, he didn't have time for a tea party. He nodded toward Northrop, "Alyssa can answer all your questions, she's good at talking." He turned toward her, "I'm going take some men and patrol the area, don't go to far.."

Madriani turned to go but stopped and turned toward Northrop, "And...thanks for your help."

Quickly he then and turned left with several troops.

By now a number of the fighters had circled around Northrop. Markata looked at Northrop, "I'm sorry, I hope I didn't offend him."

She could only shrug, "He's a Marine....he's only happy when he's got something to shoot at."

Alyssa smiled at the woman in front of her. "I'm sure it's nothing you did."

"What's the status of the Federation? Are they still...," her voice trailed off. Unspoken words told of the harsh weeks the Pacifican's suffered.

"I'm not entirely sure what's going on. But we've got the Federation Governor in custody....and as far as I know my ship is up in orbit taking care of the riff raff." Northrop shrugged again, "I'm sure it'll be a little while before Pacifica is rid totally of Federation and Cardassian forces."

The CWO holstered her phaser pistol. She was still wearing her sensor equipment. "How did your people fare?"

Markata looked around, "It could have been worse," she said.

"Any word on Govener Deleplane?"

"Last I heard...he was still on the Yamato." Alyssa could only shrug....but she wasn't able to say more.

Madriani returned to the scene. "If you ladies are done chit-chatting, the Zion has signaled, we're been ordered back to the ship. Reinforcements are on the way."

"Very well, Major." She nodded at the other woman. "I'll leave you to clean up." Northrop smiled.

She turned and followed after Madriani. "Why Major....upset that there's no one left for you to shoot?" There was a hint of a smirk in her voice.

Madriani shook his head in disgust, and ignored her, not dignifying her comment.

The living, the wounded and the dead where all loaded on the transports. Madriani left nothing behind. He signaled the pilot to take off.

He watched out the window as the citadel became just a small point sticking up from the oceans.

Soon he could see the horizons and the dark curve of space. He gazed back at his troops, they were hamming it up, it was a successful mission.

When the transport landed he stood up and spoke to his troops. "Men, listen up. You all did a good job back there. " Madriani gave his men a rare smile, "No row call in the morning and the beer is on...Johnson."

The troops laughed and cheered, "Hoo haa!"

Madriani pushed the button to drop the door ramp.

"Dismissed!"

Sarik Returns "
By: Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Jean Luc Picard , Admiral , [NPC]
Sarik, Chief Science Officer, [PST]

Stardate: 58205.29 2155

The scientist paced up and down. He had conducted research on the metris station in regard to subspace folding and gravitonic fields for quite some time, but though being a Vulcan, he still felt an urgency to get back to the USS Zion. It was somewhat like longing for home because its familiar and because friends are there. On board the USS Sovereign he heard almost everything that happened with the Zion. Even the Sovereign had engaged in combat related to the the Zion's mission. It was fortunate that Tango fleet's battles were decisive and they were able to return to assist the Zion promptly.

He was glad as a guest he didn't need to participate in this ship's activities as he currently could prepare his arrival at the USS Zion and of course at his department.

Admiral Picard was happy to have him aboard. Picard mentioned that Sarik had something familiar over him. On his request Sarik had been invited to a dinner while onboard and he posed several questions about his family. Sarik had known the extend of the questions and had answered them directly and open. Vulcans rarely spoke about their relatives but in this case Sarik had decided to make an exception. Picard was euphoric when he heard that Sarik was in fact related to Spock, though not directly. Sariks grandmother was a niece of Spocks grandfather but they descended from a similar line of authoritian vulcans.

"Lt Sarik, please report to the bridge, we are arriving at the designated coordinates." The comm officer informed him.

"Understood." He looked around in his guest quarters and made sure he had packed everything. There were three suitcases to be brought along, one for himself and two for the science labs with new material for research and loads of padds with data and schemes to create new science equipment. The conferences at the Metris station were enlightning, he had been showed the state of the art technology.

A while later he arrived at the bridge. Admiral Picard sat in his chair and nodded while he entered. "Well, it was a pleasure to have you onboard Lieutenant, we shall now transport you to the USS Zion. But i requested your presence here as i actually wanted to see Captain Hunters face when he sees you. I believe he hasn't been informed of your return, and neither any else of the crew with the exception of the first officer." Picard smiled. "Courtesy of Maquis command."

Sarik understood the joke Picard was pulling. It was to be considered fun and well he didn't mind playing along, in fact he was curious as to the reaction of Hunter as well. While the admiral opened communications to the Zion Sarik stood next to him and nodded as he saw the captain.

Hunter smiled like he'd seen the devil himself dancing a Scottish jig.

"Sarik?" Hunter smirked.

"Peace and long life Mr. Hunter." Sarik did his official Vulcan greeting. " I take it my arrival was somewhat a surprise. But Admiral Picard insisted on it."

The admiral smiled. " Like Spock, never to quick to ruin a joke."

Hunter crossed his arms and smiled as he nodded.

"I will beam back on board, with your permission sir."

"By all means, and.... welcome back."

"I am glad to be back as well. And i am interested in what the Zion has been going throught the past weeks."

"In time, we have a long trip home."

He was there "
By: Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.29 2315

Yet even Teilani could not fight the sand man anymore and she dreamt, and her dreams revealed her true feelings.

She was standing in mid-air, the wind blowing around her. It was very, very cold... slowly she inclined herself forward, and seemed to fly... where to, she didn't know. She looked down, but saw only green fields, vineyards, oceans.

"Hullo?" she called as she floated along. "Hullo?"

And a soft, masculine voice answered, "Hullo..."

In the distance she saw the one person who meant anything to her, also apparently floating on air, but he was still, waiting for her.

She got closer. "Ian?"

"I'm here, Teilani. I'm here."

She was right next to him. She straightened up, reaching out with her hands to grasp his. But he twisted away, and, laughing, called, "Catch me if you can!" Then he was off, flying away from her, over the fields, playing games with her. And she got colder. She knew that if she could just touch him the cold would vanish, that there would be warmth, and belonging... But he remained out of reach.

"Ian!" she called. "Ian, come here!"

"No fair, Doctor. I tried to catch you, now you have to catch me."

"You're too fast," she said.

"Then you must go faster, mustn't you?" His laughter rang out over the vineyards.

Teilani determined to go faster... and she did. With one hand she reached out and grabbed him by the arm as she floated alongside him. And as she did, the cold feeling was gone. The touch was almost electric, and she came up suddenly, 'standing' on nothing, facing him.

"Well, you caught me, now what are you going to do with me?"

"I..." Even in her dream, Teilani wasn't sure. She did want him, to be with her, but, somehow, the sky seemed an inappropriate place. "Not in the sky," she said.

"But the sky is the freest place! We're free here!" He twisted around, putting them both in a spin.

"Here's where we're free! Here's why we're out here! You're free! Kiss me!" Teilani floated forward and put her arms around his. "Then I'll kiss you."

She kissed him, feeling the warmth of her mouth flow into his. She thought he'd forget to breathe, but for some reason she didn't as they stood in the sky, sharing themselves with one another... and when she finally opened her eyes and parted from him, they were standing in his quarters.

"Here's where you want to be," Ian told her. "You want to be here, you want me here. You want me. Here."

"Yes." She still seemed to float as she stepped forward, noticing for the first time that neither of them had any clothes on. Had they been naked the whole time? She couldn't remember.

Ian opened his arms, and she walked into them, holding her hair back from her face with one hand, caressing his cheek with the other.

"Let us be one," said Ian...

... and then they were one. In his quarters. In the sky. In the vacuum of space. Everywhere at once. They were everything, everywhere. Galaxies could be born and die, suns could coalesce and go nova, empires could rise and fall, and they were there. They saw everything, they felt everything. It was too immense to be contained...

Teilani woke up, trying to get her breathing under control. Her uniform clung to her, so much had she perspired.. Passing her hands over her face, she got up and went into the little bathroom, adjacent from her office and splashing water on her face. She'd never had such a dream in her life. She leaned against the wall, as slowly her breathing steadied.

When it had, she looked at the chronometer. She was hoping that the sensation of the water would help her focus her thoughts... focus them on something other than Ian, that is. But she knew it wouldn't. He was there, in her mind.

Log Index | Go to Stardate 58205.30