USS ANUBIS
OLD MISSIONS
OLD-P235: USS ANUBIS: Fanggot: Day 4 - 2305 ("Finally Working Together")

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"Finally Working Together"
Previous post: "Fe' (Faith)"
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Setting: USS PARADOX
Stardate: 63073.2300

====^*^====

The PARADOX was much larger than the Kzinti had at first thought, making it much easier to hear the echos from down the different corridors. Hex listened intensely to each and every sound, noting how her father did the same while moving closely behind her. Though his nearness made the Sec/Tac officer uncomfortable, she felt somewhat relieved to have him there fighting at her side.

A noise from far down the right-hand corridor caught the younger Kzinti's attention momentarily. Motioning quickly with her hand to the elder Kzinti, the furred woman knelt down in an offensive combat pose, waiting to strike. A brief moment passed before the alien enemy was within Hex's striking range. Dealing him a quick blow to the back of his skull with the palm of her hand, then following it up with a quick two-fingered jab to the stomach, the creature was soon rendered motionless on the floor.

Quickly moving over him to check his pulse and get a higher view-point, Hex nodded once to Grex before fluidly changing then holding her new defensive position atop the unconscious form, examining each way thoroughly before motioning to move on. The imposing bounty hunter now in the lead, the younger Kzinti held back to watch the opposite corridor carefully as the group moved swiftly ahead of her.

This was easy, this was something that Hex could excel at with a very limited amount of effort. Their bodies made to tackle the harsher conditions on KZINTI PRIME, both Kzinti's were always battle-ready and eager to fight. Sighing, the huntress noted inwardly that their upbringing alone would make it more than difficult for the hunters to work together. Determination fueling her, the fuzzball moved back to the front of the line.

In passing, the Kzinti looked over the condition of the group.The Betazoid, though seeming more bashful than previously, was unharmed and ready as were the kindly priest and COO. Hex touched Adriana's shoulder briefly, giving her a reassuring grin before hurrying forward to once again take the lead. 

"No signs." Grex stated bluntly, crouching to peer around yet another corner, "I'm sure we'll have more resistance further in."

"Nothing we can't handle." Hex replied, turning toward Mortina and signaling her quietly.

Though worried, the Betazoid approached carefully, watching each step as though it may have been her last. When going by the Efrosian, Hex noticed a faint increase in her color and made a mental note to ask the young woman about that afterward.

"Can you try to sense where anyone from our group is located?" Hex questioned, still keeping watch from the corner of her eyes.

Closing her eyes, the woman concentrated, "Near the cargo area, but their emotions are weak."

Nodding her approval, Hex moved ahead slowly. The others followed behind her quietly, not making a single sound that might alert a nearby guard or enemy aware of their intrusion. A protective feeling washed over the Kzinti huntress as she looked back again at the group. The Ensign wanted to protect these people, even if it meant her life.

Surprisingly, they encountered little resistance on the way down to the cargo bays, which led the group to wonder as to why. Hex thought it too, but her mind was elsewhere, on the possibly hurt member of her crew and the rest of the USS ANUBIS officers. Looking back briefly again, the huntress could tell by the looks on their faces, that was all on Elliot and Adriana were thinking about too.

The little group walked quickly through the corridors, taking care to watch their step and listen to each hall they passed. This ship was inhabited, but obviously not used to having unexpected visitors. Most of their crew were either relaxing, eating or playing around from what Hex and the others could here. Leaving them all confused, but thankfully undetected, the group moved on.

Adriana watched as the others moved ahead of her, somewhat fearful for the other away team officers, but keeping her mind on task. Mortina would often grab her arm and point in a direction, obviously listening to something important.

"These people all came here hired as guards, engineers, you name it they have it. Recently there's been a lot of damage to the ship, they all seem to be worrying about when they're going to leave." the Betazoid informed her in a whisper, moving at her side, "Some were thinking about new people coming on board, but the faces were blurry. Do you know a giant of some sort? An engineer maybe? Some of them are thinking envious thoughts about a very tall blue man."

Adriana almost jumped out of her skin, struggling to remain calm, she confided, "Yeah, he's with us. He's our head engineer."

"He was with a group of others and, from what I'm getting, they're being help prisoner somewhere in the ship." Mortina continued, her face becoming grave.

The sound of a blast, made both women freeze. Looking ahead, the realized they were under fire from a turning corridor. Grex and Hex had both pulled out weapons, but the smaller Kzinti seemed to be less energetic than before. Holding her wound from before, the huntress hissed in pain.

"Do you always get hurt?" Grex chided, returning fire quickly before ducking behind the wall again as phaser shots zoomed by where his head had just been.

"Only... around you it seems" Hex joked breathlessly, a shot having grazed her wound just before the fire-fight began.

Struggling to stand, the Kzinti jumped out into the open area, firing several shots rapidly into the joining corridor before rolling to her side to regain cover further along the corridor.

"Grex, cover fire for them. Everyone will have to run across, the cargo hold is this way and we can take care of this little annoyance." Hex said quickly, her voice coming out more harsh than she wanted.

Taking aim, the elder Kzinti began to fire as the Efrosian priest ran by, covered by Elliot's constant phaser fires. They made it to the other side safely, though somewhat shell-shocked from the sudden attack and breathing hard. Mortina went next, running fast with her weapon aimed, but tripping just as she got close. Cursing, Hex began to fire her phaser rifle as the Betazoid was pulled out of the range of fire by the others.

"Come on Adriana! You're next!" Hex called, hissing as a phaser shot grazed her fur.

"I'm coming right after you" Grex stated, taking cover to speak, "So keep going no matter what, understand?"

Nodding, Adriana got ready to run. The Kzinti's looked at each other for a long moment, then both their ears twitched. The second the twitch occurred, they both leaned in a began firing their weapons spontaneously into the corridor. Adriana ran, helping with her added fire-power as well as noting the sounds of pain from further down the corridor as she made it to the other side.

"Anyone hurt?" Hex called back, taking a break from firing again.

"No warrior, we all seem to be fine, if a little shaken." the priest offered with a sincere smile as he helped the blushing Betazoid to her feet slowly.

Blushing slightly, Hex turned back to the fight, "Move along then, we'll be there soon" the Kzinti stated lamely, swaying on her feet slightly before shaking off the dizzy feeling.

"Be careful... " Adriana cautioned, placing her hand lightly on the furred-humanoid's shoulder.

The Kzinti smiled at her crew mate and nodded, "You bet."

Adriana stayed close behind the men as the sounds of firing phasers faded further and further into the distance. Elliot suddenly stopped and knelt down. "Darn it... there's guards."

"How many?" Adriana asked, peeking around the corner slightly.

"Five, all well armed." the COO replied, looking over his tricorder frustrated.

"And focused, they're professionals... " Motina added, muttering to herself.

Adriana saw a black blur in the corner of her eye. Moving back under cover, the aCMO ducked just as a phaser shot whirled by. Only one shot was fired, singeing into the far wall uselessly. Mortina held her breath, hoisting up her weapon cautiously. Elliot checked Adriana's condition before looked around the corner and sighing.

"Well, that's one way to execute a surprise attack." the COO mumbled, standing up and walking out and around the corner.

"Elliot! Where are you going?!" Adriana called, reaching for the man before seeing what he had.

A small, somewhat worse for wear, Kzinti stood in the middle of a group of knocked out aliens, a imposing elder Kzinti by her side. Grex was holding his hand over a red spot on his shoulder, looking more triumphant than hurt. Hex was out of breath and trembling, but other than that, Adriana could tell that it was only her shoulder that was still hurt.

"Amazing... " Mortina sighed, "It's too bad they hate each other... "

Adriana sighed, wondering to herself if that was really the case between the two Kzinti's as she watched them pull open a door marked Cargo Bay 6.

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanggot
Assistant Sec/Tac officer
USS ANUBIS

"The man who smiles when things go wrong has thought of someone to blame it on."
-Robert Bloch
OLD-P234: USS EGYPT: B'exar: Day 4 - 0935 ("Fe")

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"Fe' (Faith)"
Previous post "Training Program 1-1-6" by Marissa
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Setting: USS EGYPT, Holodeck
Stardate: 63073.0935

==========
Sitting next to the holographically-duplicated Texas Hill Country lake, Sam B'exar let out a long sigh. He was on the holodeck of the USS EGYPT, en route to his new ship assignment. He supposed he should be excited, supposed he should be, rather, thrilled at the prospect of new adventures and new worlds...

But he wasn't.

Instead, Sam felt a longing to be back home on EARTH, hiking and climbing and generally getting into a quiet, calm state which fell upon him when he could spend time outdoors. He wasn't strictly a loner-- ::but you know, I think I need more down time lately. Just like a part-empath, know something's wrong but not know how to fix it,:: he thought wryly.

He stood up, stretching a little, and took off at a slight trot around the lake, headed for a trail leading into the hills bordering the lake. He let his body relax, enjoying the breeze and sounds he'd programmed into the holodeck, glad he'd managed to replicate the sounds well. As he ran, he took off his shirt and smiled, knowing no one was watching but smiling at the rare feeling of virtual wind on bare skin.

Sam trotted up the first of the trails to the first stop, halting to listen again to the sounds. He sat on a bench and closed his eyes,
willing his body to relax even more, pushing worries and stress about the mission to come out of his head. He was a little annoyed that it took a minute or two, but was able to still his mind enough to bring up clear and accurate images of those he'd left behind. As was his habit, he spoke aloud to his mother-- non-Betazoid that she was, he still felt she could hear him.

"'ama... I hope you're doing well! I'm hanging out by the lake-- the one we used to swim in when Dad was alive? It's nice...well, at least as nice as the holodeck can manage.

"I wish I could talk directly to you... you know those weird feelings I get sometimes? The ones that feel like something is coming? I've been having them again. And I'm not afraid... but i wish I knew what they were about, you know?"

He sighed and stood again. "Anyway, 'ama... I'll be at my new ship soon, with new people to get to know and new places to go. Yeah, I'm excited... I admit it! And I hope I'm up to the job. It'd be good to fully test out everything I went to school for and then some, no? Anyway... 'ama, pray for me. Or, think of me now and then out here. Your little boy could still use those good thoughts, huh? Te amo!"

Sighing, he began trotting up the next part of the trail, pushing himself a little more. The sun and wind felt great on his skin as he jogged, shirt in one hand.As usual, he wished he could spend his whole life in shorts and shirt, then remembered that a starfleet career mitigated that possibility. "Oh well," he said softly, smiling. "Maybe in my next life."

Sam passed the next trail marker, and sped up through the next two. He had become so focused on the run that the electric voice scared him. "Hijo!!" he yelled as the computer announced imminent arrival. Realizing he was going to have to change and shower, he called out to the computer as he walked. "Computer, end program." Wistfully, he watched the image disappear and his reality reappear. The nest few hours held the potential to change his life, and well-- ::better be ready for it.::

==========
Samadhi Metta Bexar

Ensign Sam B'exar
Unassigned
OLD-P233: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 2300 ("Training Program 1-1-6")

-=-=-
"Training Program 1-1-6"
[Previous post: "The Touch"]
-=-=-

Setting: USS PARADOX
Stardate: 63073.2300

The SPHINX had landed in one of the PARADOX's shuttle bays without any incident and judging by the emptiness of the room, without having been noticed by anyone.  As the crew exited the mobile command unit one after the other, Adriana was reminded of a training exercise that she had taken part in while at Starfleet Academy.

In the safety of the holodeck, the cadets had boarded a starship that had fallen under the control of an unknown adversary.  The objective had been a simple one, to regain control of the ship and deal with whatever obstacles the program would see fit to throw in their path.

Although there had been many similarities between the current situation and the training program, such as the general look of the environment and the situation itself, the aCMO had to constantly remind herself that the PARADOX had not been a holodeck, and that there had been no safeties involved.  The phaser riffle she nervously held in her hands had been fully charged and set to its highest possible stun setting, a favor that those who had taken over the ship had likely omitted to reciprocate.

Slowly, quietly, Hex led the team closely followed by her father, the sight of the two Kzinti hunters side by side having been a most foreboding one to say the least.  As much as the two might have disliked or maybe even hated each other, it appeared that they had both decided to set their differences aside for the sake of the mission.  Arguing with one another would have distracted them of the real threats that could be encountered in any of the corridors, or could spring onto them from anywhere winthin the ship.

Following closely behind the Kzinti hunters Elliot and the Efrosian priest Ojall had taken on the role of information gathering, using their tricorders as well as their senses to try and obtain a better idea of their immediate situation.  This had left the Betazoid Mortina and Adriana to bring up the rear and insure that nothing would sneak up behind them.

As the group cautiously made their way through the corridors, Adriana could hear the background noises usually indistinguishable on a starship.  Like ghosts the team pressed on, not giving the slightest hint to anyone as to their presence or objective.  Adriana could not help but smile as she watched those in front of her move as silently as a cat would, the two Hunters having more than a natural ability for this for obvious reasons.

Adriana stopped when Mortina took hold of her arm, the Betazoid having telepathically sensed something.  The aCMO turned to look at the woman in the hopes that she might be able to get more details but all that the Ensign received for her trouble was a gesture from her to look ahead to the Hunters.  There she noted that the two Kzinti had taken on more defensive postures and that oddly enough Hex had appeared to be somewhat taller.

The aCMO's eyes opened to their widest as she discovered the reason for this optical illusion, the ANUBIS' Chief Security Officer having been standing on what appeared to be the body of some unspecified alien.

With a gesture of his hand the larger of the two Hunters directed the group's attention down one particular corridor while he and his daughter kept their eyes down the opposite way as if expecting someone else to stumble upon the intruders.

"I didn't even get the chance to sense that guy's thoughts," the Betazoid whispered in admiration to the aCMO as she looked at the unconscious form of the alien upon whom the smaller Kzinti had been standing on.

"She's good," Adriana stated in the same whispered voice, referring to the Sec/Tac officer knowing all too well that the Kzinti had been one to keep on your side of any conflict.  [[Too bad she was not part of that training program back at the Academy.  Might have actually made it to the end without dying.]]

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P232: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 2255 ("The Touch")

=-=
"The Touch"
[Previous post: "The Look",written by the devoted William]
=-=

Setting: USS PARADOX, Cargo Bay 6
Stardate: 63073.2255

The last thing Lea remembered had been this feeling of loneliness. This questioning of decision taken long ago which had shaped her life. That was until she felt it. A strange sensation, a gentle caress on her cheek, a feeling that she had only dreamt of before. Had this been just that, a dream?

Slowly she opened her eyes and saw his. At first Lea believed that they had been those of the Oltharian but the CMO quickly dismissed that thought. As gentle as she knew Elan's touch to be, the eyes looking into her soul had not belonged to him. The only other man she could imagine acting this way had been Elliot. The COO would have never dared to hurt Aki's feeling by acting this way.

Lea closed her eyes for a brief moment. Her mind filled with questions and confusion. What had happened to her? She could recall their mission, the trade center and then the pain of her beating returned. Yes she had been beaten, severely. This explained her confused state.

Satisfied that she had found the answer Lea tried to open her eyes once more but found that she couldn't. The caress on her cheek had been so gentle, so loving that she just could not do something to cause it to end. Who had this man been and why had he made her feel this way? How could a simple touch from his fingers render her so powerless?

Dreams had never before felt so real, nor made Lea wish that it would never end. There had been something different about those eyes, something familiar. As she delighted in the sensation of his touch the CMO searched for answers. Diving deep into her memories she hunted for the answers not certain that she would actually find it. Yet something drew her into her own past.

Subconsciously Lea knew where to find what she had been searching for. The answer as to the ownership of the eyes that she had seen. The answer as to why that man's touch made her feel as it did. Images came and went at an astonishing rate as she traveled through the pages of her life. Everything stopped when she arrived at her time at the Academy. There she recalled the eyes and the touch, but in a different way.

Back then those eyes had not been filled with the passion or sorrow she had seen in them last. Back then the touch had not been as tender and loving as she now felt it to be. Something had changed but something had also remained the same. But how could this be possible? Had this truly been him and if so had he carried the torch for her all those years?

Finally Lea managed to reopen her eyes and look into those of the man kneeling by her side. Confusion formed on her face as her thoughts were confirmed. The eyes had indeed been his although aged in a way she could not imagine. The touch had also been his, filled with a love that she could not understand.

Then she felt another gentle hand taking hold of hers. Smaller, younger than the one caressing her cheek. Lea turned and saw the smile of a young boy who seemed on the verge of tears. Yet the boy did not appear sad in the least, in fact he seemed beyond happy. The woman strained to hear the word he had spoken certain that she had made a mistake. Maybe the beating had caused some sort of internal damage. Some swelling in the brain that had caused these hallucinations.

Yes, that had to be it. How else could she explain everything that she had seen? How else could she accept everything that she had felt? How else could she reason what she had just heard?

Lea once again closed her eyes as the caress on her cheek washed away all of her questions. Such peace, such affection in such a simple gesture. She felt such at ease that she did not even flinch when she heard the word spoken by the young boy again. She had not imagined it. He had said the same word only a few seconds ago with as much love as she felt through the man's touch.

"Mother."

=-=
Tiffany Reeve

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P231: USS ANUBIS: Russell: Day 4 - 2250 ("The Look")

=-=
"The Look"
[Previous post: "The Answer is: Doer"]
=-=

Setting: USS PARADOX, Cargo Bay 6
Stardate: 63073.2250

Adam watched as Anya attended to the injured Starfleet officer, the Arcadian being true to herself in her desires to help those in need. Things had gone from bad to worse over the last little while but fate had extended a helping hand in the form of this ship and the people that it had brought together.

"Can you get me the medical kit hidden behind the panel over there," Anya asked of Shawn who immediately did as he had been told.  The young boy had taken a liking to the Arcadian woman, that much had been easy to see, and to tell the truth Adam  had started to get used to having someone of the fairer sex around as well, if even only for a friend whose loyalty he still had not been 100% certain about.

"DAD!!!" Shawn gasped, the sound of his troubled voice having been followed by the crash of the medical kit onto the floor which drew everyone's attention onto the young boy.

Adam rushed to his son's side, fear having given him wings to travel the relatively short distance separating them in record time.  As he held Shawn the man could see a look of confusion in the boy's eyes, a look that he could not understand until her followed the frozen gaze onto the reason for the commotion.

There, resting against the crate, Adam saw something he had never expected, someone he had never dreamt of seeing again.  His hear filled with joy and his eyes with tears as conflicting emotions fought for control of his reason.  How could this have been possible?

Adam dropped to his knees and extended a trembling hand towards the partially conscious woman, his senses having solely focussed on the blonde in the dress, ignoring everything else around him.  Lost in his own mind, Ensign Russell did not even hear Anya's repeated questions which had been echoed by Captain Rikar.  How could any of them understand what he had seen?

Memories of happier times flooded Adam's mind as his fingers drew ever closer to the woman's skin, his heart racing for fear that she would vanish once they would reach their mark.  Her hair had been shorter and styled in a different way, but it had been years since he had seen her last.  Still the shape of her face, of her eyes, of her lips had been exactly as he remembered further fuelling the unpalatable thought that this had been a dream, a mistake, an illusion.  Why would the universe play such a cruel joke on both him and his son?

Adam held his breath as his fingers finally made contact and he felt the softness of the woman's skin beneath his own.  She had not vanished into nothingness, his mind had not played a cruel trick, she had indeed been there within his reach to shatter the memory of her death so long ago.

Beckoned by the tenderness of caress on her cheek Lea slowly opened her eyes to meet those of the man kneeling by her side.  As much as Adam wanted to speak, the words remained lodged in his throat, the emotions he felt having been simply too much for him to control or even comprehend.

The universe had not played a cruel joke on them, in fact it had done quite the opposite.  Lea, his wife and the mother of his child had been returned to them.

=-=
William Reeve

Ensign Adam Russell
(in another reality)
former
Flight Control Officer
USS YORKSHIRE
OLD-P230: USS ANUBIS: Fairborn: Day 4 - 2310 ("The Answer is: Doer")

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"The Answer is: Doer"
[Previous Post Sabrina's "Prisoners"]
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Some are meant to look up into the night's sky and dream of the endless wonders that can be found in the eternity of time and space.
Some are meant to come up with ways of exploring these astonishing wonders and bridge the gap between our world and theirs.
Some are meant to create the tools used to reach these realms that once could only be imagined, turning dreams into reality.
Which are you? Dreamer? Thinker? Doer?
- Oltharian Proverb

Setting: USS PARADOX, Main Engineering
Stardate: 63073.2310

The Oltharian had wasted no time in getting to work on the PARADOX's systems, quickly identifying those that had been broken, sabotaged and repaired, at least to some extent. It had been easy for the ANUBIS' CEO to see that whoever had attempted to effect repairs had possessed only a basic knowledge of Starfleet Engineering. Actually the towering man had been ready to state that whoever had tried to make these repairs had in fact possessed only a passing knowledge of engineering as a whole.

On the other hand the saboteur had clearly appeared to have a more rounded understanding of Starfleet systems, able to maximise the impact of their limited time and accessibility to the PARADOX's complex systems. Of course Elan would have never openly stated this at this time, but the Oltharian had been rather impressed by the way the sabotage had been performed. Someone without a more in-depth knowledge of Starfleet engineering would have been here for hours just to figure out what systems had been tampered with. This had given the general appearance to those watching that the ANUBIS' Chief Engineering Officer had truly been the man for this job.

Within the first five minutes the gentle giant had already taken apart several consoles and removed any component that had not been part of the original construction or had been irreparably damaged through one or more means. Five minutes later, Elan had already started to replicate several of the parts needed to restore many of the ship's primary systems, such as the defensive, internal and navigational sensors.

To the guards that watched over each and every move the Oltharian made, the engineer had been complying with Vellanor's demands in a way that surprised everyone. Obviously the Vorta had held some sort of power over the giant in making him do her bidding with such haste and devotion. Logic dictated that one or more of those being held in Cargo Bay 6 had meant a great deal to the towering giant, thus insuring his dedication to his work.

To the Intel Operative who had taken position on the upper level of the room, unnoticed by any of the others including the imposing Engineer, the Oltharian had simply been doing what he had been born to do. Knowing Elan as she did, Enaii only saw a Starfleet Chief Engineer addressing a mechanical situation that had caused a starship to not perform as it had been designed to. Although the ILO had known that the captivity of their CO, CSciO and CMO had played a role in the speed of the CEO's work, his dedication to the work had been his and his alone.

As she observed the towering engineer work his usual magic, the Intel Operative quickly estimated that the PARADOX would be fully operational within the next eight hours, maybe less. This had been her timeframe to take full control of the ship away from the Vorta with the assistance of those members of the Orion Syndicate who had already been onboard.
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette
 
Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS
 
And
 
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P229: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 2300 ("Prisoners")

==========
"Prisoners"
(Previous Post was Dawn's "Unstable Minds")
==========

Setting: USS PARADOX, Cargo Bay 6
Stardate: 63073.2300

The young woman quickly pushed herself off the smooth hard floor of the cargo bay that she had fallen unto… the guards who had brought the prisoners to this location having thought that it would be amusing to shove the red skinned Jorelian as hard as possible making her lose her balance. As angered as the ANUBIS' CO might have been at her own treatment, Rikar had been happy to see that Maya had been spared a similar indignity… likely because she had been helping the groggy infected Rutian who had begun to regain consciousness while in the turbo life.

"Where are we?" Doctor Summers inquired, her voice trailing off in a way that clearly indicated that the woman had not fully regained all of her senses.

"We are safe," the Shillian softly reassured as she scanned the content of the room and located a small container upon which she would be able to lean the CMO against.

"That's a matter of opinion," the Jorelian freighter captain sighed as she watched the guards close the door, the subsequent sound of a force-field being activated indicated that the only access to the room had been sealed and secured. "How is she doing?" Rikar inquired as she pivoted on her heels and made her way back towards the other two women who had made themselves as comfortable as possible given their situation.

"She seems to be alright," Maya reported as she checked the CMO's pulse in the old fashion way… by delicately placing her fingers against the woman's throat. "Pulse is strong and steady, but I think it will still be a while before the effects of the sedative you injected her with wears off."

"There was not all that much choice," the red skinned woman stated with disdain. "I did what I could with what I had."

"Although her condition does seem stable," the CSciO stated as she carefully eased Lea's head down on the crate, "It would be prudent to get Doctor Summers to some sort of medical facility."

"Somehow I doubt that Vellanor is going to let us just walk out of here… even if it is to only go to Sickbay," the ANUBIS' CO said as she made her way to the force-field protected door of the Cargo Bay. "Our primary objective is to escape and gain control of this ship… everything else will have to wait."

"As you wish Captain," the Shillian acknowledge in a way that reflected far more the true personas of the two women as compared to the roles that had elected on playing for this mission.

"Captain?" A male voice echoed the shape-shifter's word, the man having found it strange that a Founder would address a Jorelian with such respect.

The young woman quickly turned to see that there had been far more people present in the room than she had initially believed… a Human male, a female Arcadian and a young Human boy who appeared to be roughly the age of the young woman's own adoptive daughter Talia.

"Sorry," Adam offered still a little cautious about stepping closer. "I wasn't sure if you three could be trusted. My name if Adam Russell, this is my son Shawn and this is Anya Green… we have been trying to delay these people from taking over the PARADOX. Are you from Starfleet?"

Rikar considered her answer very carefully given that she knew nothing about the two adults and child who had appeared out of nowhere. The fact that the guards had not seemed concerned about anyone else being in the Cargo Bay proved that it had been safe to assume that their presence had been unknown which supported the trio's claim of not having been part of the current crew.

"I am Captain Sabrina Rikar," the Jorelian woman announced. "This is my Chief Science Officer Lieutenant Commander Maya and the injured woman is my Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Lea Summers."

Without saying anything the Arcadian woman made her way towards Lea, the look on her face clearly indicated that she had wished to rendered assistance in whatever way she could.

"Are you three the only ones here?" Adam inquired, curious to know if he could officially consider the cavalry has having arrived.

"There is one other," the ANUBIS' CO stated not feeling ready to reveal the entire truth at this time. "My Chief Engineer was taken down to help fix this ship under threat of us being jettisoned into space if he did not cooperate."

"Then we have to act quickly," Adam half grinned. "An actual Starfleet Engineer will be able to get this ship back to full operational status in a fraction of the time that those ignorant fools would have taken without his help."

"I'll be happy to get out of here at your convenience," Rikar grinned as she hoped that this meant they had indeed found someone new to help them in their mission to regain control of the PARADOX."
 
==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P228: USS ANUBIS: Mitshiba: Day 4 - 2300 ("Unstable Minds")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Unstable Minds"
(Cont. from "Arrival")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS PARADOX, Observation Lounge
Stardate: 63073.2300

Aki's eyes were glued on the seat where the Selay had been sitting only moments ago before the beam from the disrupter ripped his body apart into nothingness.  The reptilian's scream of tortured agony still echoed in the aCSciO's mind along with the words spoken with such venom by Vellarno.  [[I can't stand being lied to.]]

How would the Vorta react should she discover that those in the room wish her had also lied to her, not only about their identities but also about their intentions?  If Vellanor had been so upset about the Selay's hidden agenda that she had deemed him worthy of a quick, yet painful death, the aCSciO could only dread the fate that any of the members of the away team would be made to suffer.

The undercover Starfleet officer dressed in civilian Romulan attire felt a gentle hand being placed on her shoulder, the gesture had been perfectly harmless but it still caused Aki to jump startled.  Despite all of her training and experience the aCSicO had been deeply disturbed by what she had witnessed, a sight that she uncontrollably feared would be soon repeated.  Ensign Mitshiba had been rightfully concerned that she would be the next target, but her fears had not been limited to her own safety.  Ensign Dalziel as well as the others from the ANUBIS had all risked the same fate by having come onboard the PARADOX.

It took several seconds for Aki to turn her attention towards the owner of the hand and see Eve simply motion to the Romluan to follow, the Vorta having already left the Observation Lounge after having told everyone to get some rest. Before doing as she had been instructed, Aki glanced back at the seat one last time in morbid fascination of what had taken place, the empty chair having become a shrine to her feelings.

~~~~~~~~~~
Setting: USS PARADOX, Guest Quarters
Stardate: 63073.2330

Caden, Natalie Portree and Saaki had been escorted to individual quarters on some lower deck of the ship by a handful of guards.  The aCSciO had been in such a state that she had not even taken note as to which deck or section of the ship they had been taken to.  In fact Aki had been so lost in her own thoughts about what had happened that she could only vaguely recall that Eve had spoken to her before each one had vanished into their assigned quarters.

Now with nothing but her own thoughts and memories of recent events to keep her company, Aki began to truly feel the psychological impact of what she had witnessed in the Observation Lounge.  The sight of the Selay's body being ripped atom from atom while the air filled with his scream of suffering haunted the aCSciO's soul like she had never thought possible.

Death was, unfortunately, an all too common part of being in Starfleet, one that each and every crewmember on any starship had been required to accept and face in one form or another.  From small cargo freighters to the full size heavy cruisers, anyone onboard a star faring vessel had to deal with the reality that accidents happened and people died.  Even with this knowledge firmly in hand, Aki could not just dismiss what she had seen, the death of the Selay not having been an accident by any stretch of the imagination.

Alone with her thoughts, the Asian woman stood by the nearest window, her gaze lost on the few visible stars appearing from, and disappearing behind the shifting asteroids.

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P227: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 2230 ("Arrival")

==========
"Arrival"
(Previous Post was William's "What Would Be")
==========

Setting: Unknown Transport Vessel
Stardate: 63073.2230

The young woman sat on the hard bench, her emerald green eyes darted from one guard to the next with the occasional pause on the members of her crew who had also been on the transport. Past, present and future had been forced to meet in this region of space placing the safety of the galaxy and every sentient life form contained within it in danger… yet the Jorelian freighter captain could only focus her thoughts on one question. What had Enaii been up to?

Sabrina had never fallen prey to the idea that her life-mate had betrayed the Federation… as dark and cold as the ILO had been, one characteristic held beyond all others; her loyalty to those she cared most about. Since the list had been a rather short one, it had been easy to deduce that the Intel Operative had figured out a plan to get them all safe and sound onto the PARADOX in order to complete their mission.

The only issue had been that the plan in questions had been known to the ILO alone… a fact that unfortunately had made helping or even going along with it slightly more difficult for the rest of the undercover away team members currently onboard the transport vessel.

A loud noise echoed through the ship before the sound of the engines subsided indicating that the transport vessel had arrived at its destination. The young woman glanced at Enaii to see if the ILO had any instructions but all that Sabrina received was a cold, icy glare.

"Alright," Vellanor announced as she stepped into the room where the Vorta's guests had been kept safe and out of the way by the numerous guards. "Take the tall one to Engineering and put him to work," the Vorta commanded as she waved a casual hand in the Oltharian's direction. "Take the others to one of the cargo bays that has access to space," the Dominion's Lieutenant continued before she turned back to face the still sitting giant. "Do as I ask, fix this ship, or she and the others die a most gruesome death… it is very cold in space and I am sure that you do not want their blood on your conscience," the woman concluded with as she ever so gently caressed the cheek of Doctor Summers who had still been unconscious in the giant's arms.

"What about us?" Natalie Portree, better known as Ensign Eve Dalziel to her fellow shipmates of the USS ANUBIS, inquired not entirely certain that her group, sitting on the other side of the small room, had been included in the Vorta's order to the guards to be escorted to one of the cargo bays.

"You, your Romulan associate and your Ferengi friend will be coming with me," Vellanor stated in a rather pleased manner. "There is something I want to show you."

Eve and Akira watched, along with Caden, as the others were escorted off the transport by the armed guards, each and every last one appearing as if they had been ready to fire at a moment's notice. Once the first group had disembarked, Vellanor took the lead and instructed Sumarris and the others to follow, which they all did without question.

Oddly enough Enaii had been left alone in the transport vessel to disembark at her leisure and venture into the PARADOX without as much as a guard by her side.

==========
Setting: USS PARADOX, Deck 1, Observation Lounge
Stardate: 63073.2245

The journey to the command deck of the ship had been a rather quiet one, no one daring to inquire as to what the Vorta had wished to show them, all having feared in one way, shape or form what this revelation might be.

As the group entered the room, Vellanor invited her guests to take a seat hinting by her demeanour that this would be an important display. As the Human pirate, Romulan civilian, Ferengi entrepreneur and Selay priest each took a seat, the Vorta grinned at the nearest guard who responded by depositing his Cardassian-made disrupter riffle on the table in front of the woman.

"Only a fool would believe that someone does not have an ulterior motive to do what they do," the Vorta began as she lowered herself into the seat at the end of the table, the one usually occupied by the ship's commanding officer. "Even a slave does what he is told, not because he wants to but because he has some reason unique to him or her. Take that giant you saw in the transport vessel… he will do what I asked, not because I was polite or because he has a need to help others, but because he wants to make sure that his friends remain safe. Understanding the reason why people do what they do gives you power over them," Vellanor added before she paused for a moment and met the eyes of each of her guests.

"So you want us to tell you our personal reasons as to why we need transport away from this forsaken place," Natalie chuckled dryly, half hoping that this had been as simple as she had said.

"Not at all," the Vorta replied, the smile on her lips having grown to more than twice its original size. "I already know *why* you are here, or at the very least have a general good idea. You are a backwater mercenary dealing in small time deals and figured that this was a golden opportunity to score big. Likely you got this idea from your Romulan friend there who is either an exiled Tal Shiar operative, or a member of the Romulan council who has fallen in disfavour with those around her. The Ferengi is the easiest of you all to figure, his entire species being motivated by a single thing… greed, and the simple idea of this ship would have been enough to draw his type here."

"Then why have you brought us here?" Akira inquired in as calm a manner as she could, doing her best to appear as an unconcerned Romulan with nothing to fear.

"Because," Vellanor replied, her tone having suddenly shifted from easy going confident to angered in the blink of an eye. "I can't stand being lied to," the Vorta added as she quickly took the disruptor riffle into her hands and pointed it in the general direction of her *guests*.

Everyone held their breaths for those eternal seconds before the Vorta pressed the trigger and fired an energy discharge at one of the four sitting aliens. Set at its highest possible setting, the weapon reduced its target into nothingness but not before a ear-perceive hiss of agony filled the room.

Eve, Akira and Caden looked at each other, stunned and fearful that they would soon be made to follow the Selay into an early grave, but instead the Vorta tossed the weapon back to the guard and smiled at her three remaining guests.

"This ship," Vellanor offered with a pleased expression on her face, "is meant to return the Dominion to its rightful place in the galaxy, not to be used to restore some insignificant religious order that would have been made to either submit to the Dominion or be destroyed by it."
 
==========
Sabrina Jones
Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P226: USS ANUBIS: Russell: Day 4 - 2200 ("What Would Be")

=-=
"What Would Be"
[Previous post: "What Could Have Been"]
=-=

Setting: USS PARADOX, Cargo Bay 6
Stardate: 63073.2200

The Bolian had left Anya and Adam in the cargo bay with strict instructions, to stay put.  With the expected return of Sumariss and the arrival of the woman only referred to as Onyx the Orion Syndicate had a great many things to do in order to take control of the ship.

"Who is this Onyx?" Adam quietly asked of Anya, Shawn having fallen asleep in the arms of his father.  Because he had been so busy crawling through Jefferies Tubes to sabotage the ship, the Father had not spent nearly as much time with his son as he had liked to. Judging by the way the small boy had curled up in his father's arms it was easy to see that Shawn had felt the same way.

"I can't really tell you," the Arcadian replied, her eyes taking in the sweetness of the sight of the man and his son with renewed delight.  "All I know is that she is a high ranking member of the Syndicate and that her position alone makes it unwise to not follow her orders."

"So you are going to just turn over this ship to her because she *wants* it?!?" Ensign Russel said, his voice having become slightly louder, enough so that Anya raised her hands and motioned for the man to keep calm so as to not awaken his child.  The boy needed rest and there had been no better place for him to do so than in the arms of his father.

"It's not that simple," Anya said with a sigh.  "It never is.  If Sumariss had been allowed to take control of the PARADOX who knows what would have happened.  All we know is that he was planning on righting something that had gone wrong on his home planet.  When the Orion Syndicate learned that the Dominion had taken interest in this little adventure it was clear that we needed to act.  In the hands of the Founders this ship could have been used to change the face of the entire quadrant, maybe even the galaxy."

"Nice try," Adam sighed.  "I agree that the PARADOX could not be allowed to fall in the hands of the Founders, but it's going to take a hell of a lot more to convince me that the Orion Syndicate is doing this out of the kindness of their heart.  As far as I can tell, this Onyx person is just as bad as the Founders, if not more so."  The Ensign stopped for a moment to collect his thoughts and play in his son's hair, a small gesture that eased his troubled mind almost instantly.  "Tell me honestly, do you fear this Onyx person?"

"Yes," Anya reluctantly admitted.

"Why?" Adam continued without losing a beat.  "You admitted yourself that you didn't know her, so how can you fear someone that you do not know?"

"I don’t know her, but I have heard of her," the Arcadian clarified in a nervous manner.

"So you're telling me that what little you heard of her is enough to make you fear her?"  He asked to see a look in Anya's eyes that he had figured would be there soon enough.  "I don’t know this Sumariss, not do I personally know the Founders.  What I do know of them is what I have heard or seem with my own eyes, and to be honest this Onyx person strikes me as the worst of the three, the only problem is that I have no idea what she wants with this ship.  That's what truly scares me."

Adam went silent after that, keeping his thoughts to himself.  This entire story surrounding the PARADOX had quickly gone out of hand and with the Orion Syndicate so deeply involved there had been little the Ensign could do about it.  All that he could do was to hope and wonder about a single yet all important thing.  What would be?

=-=
William Reeve

Ensign Adam Russell
(in another reality)
former
Flight Control Officer
USS YORKSHIRE
OLD-P225: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 2200 ("What Could Have Been")

=-=
"What Could Have Been"
[Previous post: "Understanding is Like Truth, a Three-Edge Sword", written by the insightful Jessica]
=-=

Setting: Unknown Transport Vessel
Stardate: 63073.2200

In the arms of her protector Lea had been safe. At least her body had been while in the tender care of the Oltharian. Her mind though had been another story. Alone and vulnerable within the confines of the battered fragile shell. The beating had been vicious, brutal, merciless. It had made sense for Lea to find some way to escape it, to find refuge in the only place she could.

=-=
Setting: Unknown Planet

Here only peace could be found. Soft, white cottony clouds traveled the clear blue sky pushed by gentle winds. The grassy hills surrounded her as far as the eyes could see to vanish into an unseen horizon. Lea felt at peace here, away from the hardships of life and physical pain.

Here Lea's mind could enjoy the moment and let it stretch into forever. She could chose to take a single memory and cradle it or explore things that had not been.

The smiling Oltharian appeared before Lea. The smile on his face rightfully belonging to the peaceful place as if he had been here all along. There had been something about Elan that had always made her feel safe, at peace. Now had been no different as she could feel his embrace around her.

How much her life would have been different had she been able to be with him. Not as a friend onboard a ship. Not even as a couple venturing amongst the stars together. What would it have been like to be with him, on a planet alone with nothing else but each other?

Decisions and choices had been made. So many of them in fact that Lea could not remember them all. Elan had been the last of her failed relationship, one that had not really even started. The Oltharian's heart belonged to an other and there had been nothing Lea could have done to change this.

Where had it all gone wrong? At what time in her life had Lea doomed herself to being alone? To never feel the tender touch and all encompassing embrace of love? Had she wronged some all powerful being in another life and condemned to suffering?

The image of the smiling Elan vanished to instead be replaced by a darker form. Much smaller than the Oltharian, Lea knew who it was before the cloud even took form. Even as only a memory the woman could instil fear by her presence.

"You cannot be here!' Lea screamed at the short, blonde woman having nearly been brought to tears.

"We all have darkness within us," the woman said, her eyes as black and empty as Lea suspected her soul to be.

"You don't belong here!" Lea snapped, her fists clenched in anger and frustration.

"Neither do you," came the soft spoken reply, an evil smile having flashed over the woman's lips before vanishing along with her form.

Lea suddenly felt heavy and tired. The clouds overhead had begun to fade into a darker sky. Had night finally come to claim her from this place?

Through the growing shadows that surrounded her, Lea discerned faces from her past. People who had in one way touched her life through their presence or decisions she had made because of them.

Sabrina Rikar. The woman who had welcomed Lea onboard the ANUBIS. Her strength and dedication to her crew had always been a source of strength. An inspiration for Lea to find courage within her to face the hardships of their missions.

Admiral Koniki. The man responsible for Lea having been lost for nearly four month because of the Yal'Tonil. A man she suspected as having been the one who initially recruited her into SFI. The man responsible for shaping her life as it now was.

There had not been that many in her life. Lea had chosen a path of solitude despite herself. Elan had been the last step in that journey. As she searched her memories through the growing darkness, Lea realised where it had all started. On that fateful day after her graduation from the Academy she had made a choice.

Lea had decided that her career had been more important than romance, or even the chance for it. Adam had been sweet but he had not been what she had wanted. What she had needed at that time, or was he? It had been so long ago that she could not remember exactly what she had felt. Why she had decided to leave him behind.

If she had said yes. If she had accepted to go with him to DS6. What could have been?

=-=
Tiffany Reeve

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P224: USS ANUBIS: Maya: Day 4 - 2220
("Understanding is Like Truth, a Three-Edged Sword")

---
"Understanding is Like Truth, a Three-Edge Sword"
(Previous Post: "Heating Up")
---

Setting: Unknown Transport Vessel
Stardate: 63073.2220
 
It was with great sense of relief that the undercover Shillian noted a faint smile on the lips of the red skinned Jorelian as she returned the medical scanning device and hypospray to the case that had been given to her. The med-kit had been basic to say the least but it had contained what the woman had been required to take care of the injuries suffered by Doctor Summers during her beating while on the trade center.
 
"Thank you," Captain Rikar sincerely offered to the guard who had provided the med-kit, not having seen any reasons to hold any ill feelings towards that one man who had, like the others around the small room, done only what their employer had demanded of them.
 
The Chief Science Officer fought back the urge to inquire as to the condition of the Chief Medical Officer, knowing that there had been nothing that she could have done beyond what the Captain had already accomplished. Asking such a question would actually weaken their already precautious situation in that it would confirm some sort of familiarity between the shapeshifter and the Rutian woman.
 
Enaii, in her capacity as Intel Operative onboard the USS ANUBIS had tutored the Shillian in some of the basics of undercover work and one of the most important rules that had been mentioned stated that no information could be revealed about any members of an away team to anyone. It was true that the Commander Enaii came across as being somewhat paranoid in everything she did, but in this particular instant the Chief Science Officer had seen no reason to not heed those words.
 
While undercover it had been best to play to roles taken to their fullest even if the initial concept of their cover had been breached. Until such time as irrefutable proof had been provided as to the real identities of one or more of the away team members, there had always been the chance that the alternate identity could still prove useful in some way. This had been another point that the Intel Liaison Officer had explained to the Chief Science Officer during one of her many training sessions.
 
Of course this line of thinking made the shapeshifter change the focus of her attention away from the Chief Medical Officer to instead come to fully rest on the Intel Operative herself. The reason for her having revealed that the Federation had been here had still been unknown, but the Shillian could still not accept the idea that this had been some sort of betrayal on the part of the operative. Enaii never played a game by the established rules, especially not a game that possibly dealt with the fate of the entire galaxy. Different situations required different approaches and the Intel Liaison Officer of the USS ANUBIS had been well known for being one to think on her feet and several moves ahead of the current status of the game.
 
Although there had been no way for the Chief Science Officer to confirm her suspicions at this very moment, the shapeshifter believed that the actions taken by the Intel Operative had been meant to bring the undercover team exactly where they had been now; onboard a transport vessel heading for the USS PARADOX.
 
Once there though the team would have to deal with an unknown number of individuals who were currently in control of a starship possessing abilities like none other.

---
Jessica Solarik

Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P223: USS ANUBIS: Fanggot: Day 4 - 2215 ("Heating Up")

#################################
"Heating UP"
Previous post: "False Tracking"
##################################

Setting: USS SPHINX
Stardate: 63073.2215

====^*^====

~~~ Marissa's post ~~~

"Brace yourselves!" Elliot called out as the SPHINX was sent into a hard, sharp turn to avoid impacting against a rapidly moving asteroid. Mortina and Adriana found themselves plastered to one of the walls of the rear section and before either one of them had been able to get back onto their feet, the Efrosian priest had appeared and offered a helping hand, one that the Betazoid accepted with joy as well as flustered red cheeks.

Adriana sighed once more at the romantic air that had filled the room despite the situation, one that had likely been about to become much worst thanks to the fact that Hex had been thrown onto Grex following the COO's emergency maneuver.

~~~ And to mine ~~~

A mere twitch of the ear signaled her discomfort before Hex was pushed back up, not too gently, into a sitting position. Her ears pinned to the sides of her head, the younger Kzinti hissed under her breath as she stumbled for something to hold onto that wasn't covered in dark fur.

"A little more warning next time would be appreciated Elliot... " Hex growled, smoothing out her fur and trying to look anywhere but at the imposing figure of Grex.

"Sorry about that... this signal is hard to follow since it continues so far into the field." the Ensign grumbled, his full attention back on the monitors in front of him.

Grex had rose to his feet and was standing posed for another maneuver, his feet wide apart and crouching down. Hex stayed on the floor and examined the room once over quickly, noting that the blushing Betazoid and gallant Efrosian unharmed as well as Adriana.

"You should have been ready for that." Grex stated bluntly, keeping his eyes straight ahead though obviously meaning to direct the comment to the younger Kzinti huntress.

"I should have been ready? What about you *oh great bounty hunter*? What's your excuse?" Hex hissed, an annoyed undertone creeping into her words.

Thinking fast, Adriana stepped back a few paces, lending the two Kzinti's space as the atmosphere around them became more heated. Hex had stood, moving so her back was to the wall and was glaring at Grex menacingly, which he returned in kind.

"You have a sharp tongue for such a small, unimposing warrior," Grex noted absently, grinning venomously as he watched Hex's features turn dark with rage.

"I may be small, but I can take on as many opponents as you'd like to throw at me." the Kzinti woman growled, notable to ignore the obvious height differences between her and the bounty hunter.

"How about one of your own kind?" Grex challenged, changing his stance from neutral to defensive in a single fluid movement.

"Gladly." Hex grinned, raising her hand to strike out at the elder Kzinti.

"HEX! This isn't the time or place to be doing this, we're on a mission remember?" Adriana cried, grabbing hold of the Ensign's arm and rooting herself down so as not to be pulled up from the floor.

Hex visibly calmed as the elderly priest placed his palm on her shoulder, nodding his agreement to the aCMO's words.

Mortina smiled warmly, nodding her agreement as well. The younger Kzinti sighed deeply before turning around sharply and, placing her back between her and Grex, walked over to Elliot.

"What's your problem?" Adriana commented, watching her friend stalk off, "She's your daughter right? Why are you so distant from her?"

"I don't think that's any of your business." Grex hissed, moving back to place his back at the wall again.

"It is when you start fights on a ship I'm standing in. You could have hurt someone fighting here." the aCMO stated, waving her hand toward the other passengers while glaring at the imposing figure of the Kzinti bounty hunter.

Leaning in close, Grex growled deeply. An icy chill swept over the aCMO as he stalked a step closer. "And what makes you think that I would care for anyone, or anything, within this ship?" the Kzinti spat, his body tensing.

"I know you care about Hex. You did carry her all the way to the temple when she was hurt... " Adriana recalled, backing away slightly and trying to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat.

Grex paused a minute in his advance, his eyes darting in the direction of the mentioned Starfleet officer before he straightened and moved away. His ear twitched ever so slightly, but he remained silent.

Mortina smiled slightly, somewhat blushing as she realized the Efrosian priest standing so close to her. Adriana moved to her side, winking at her playfully before moving past towards Hex.

"I'm telling you there's something wrong with the signal!" Elliot claimed loud enough for the entering aCMO to hear.

"And I'm telling you that if we slow down to fix whatever it is we might lose everyone." Hex stated calmly, watching the monitors with keen, though unfocused, cat-like eyes.

"If we're following a decoy we'll only lose them twice as fast!" the COO noted, dodging past yet another flying piece of space debris.

"What's going on?" Adriana questioned, taking a place beside Hex to better view of the screen.

"That signal has been on a steady course and speed since we have been tracking it. Which means it's most likely a decoy." Hex noted, pointing to the monitor.

"WHAT?!" Grex bellowed, "WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING A DECOY?!"

"What are we going to do?" Mortina asked, moving forward to get a better look as well.

"I... I don't know... " Hex answered glumly, staring hard at the screen as Elliot continued his piloting.

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanggot
Assistant Sec/Tac officer
USS ANUBIS

"Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils..."
- Louis Hector Berlioz
OLD-P222: USS ANUBIS: Morningstar: Day 4 - 2215 ("False Tracking")

###################
"False Tracking"
[Previous Post Marissa's "Getting Closer"]
###################

May the stars carry your sadness away,
May the flowers fill your heart with beauty,
May hope forever wipe away your tears,
And, above all, may silence make you strong.
- Native American blessing, Chief Dan George

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Viper 3
Stardate: 63073.2215

As per the instructions received from Ensign Thomas onboard the SPHINX, the two remaining VIPERs had altered course to track the signal they had been given the specifications for. While dodging what had appeared to be an increasingly numerous set of asteroids the Native American glanced at his instruments and realised that something had not been as it should have been.

"Morningstar to Drell," Erik called out after having opened the comm channel.

=/\= What happened to radio silence? =/\= the Klingon pilot growled back not having seen anything that had warranted the for CO of the USS LANCELOT to jeopardize their mission by revealing their presence to anyone listening in.

"Using a line-of-sight carrier beam," the Native American explained in haste. "Tell me what your instruments are picking up."

=/\= Signal moving at a constant rate on heading 0-1-3 mark 11, why? =/\=

"How long as the signal been moving at that same speed?" Morningstar continued not having bothered to reply to the Klingon's question. If the Native American had been right, as he suspected he was, the answer to the pilot's query would come soon enough.

=/\= Since we started tracking it. Are you going to tell me what this is all about now? =/\=

"Since we started our search of this asteroid field we must have been forced to do emergency course and speed changes a few hundred times to avoid running into one of those floating rocks out there, yet that signal has been on a steady course and speed since we have been tracking it," the Native American explained, the frustration in his voice more caused by the fact that he had taken so long to realise this more than anything else. "There is *no* way a ship would be able to travel through this pee soup like this, even the asteroids themselves have erratic flight paths because they run into each other once in a while."

=/\= We have been tracking a decoy!?! =/\= Drell angrily stated, so much so that Morningstar had been glad to have been in a different ship well out of range as that of the Klingon.

"Either the signal was a fake from the start or there is something in place in these asteroids to throw unwelcome ships onto a false trail in case someone is tracking them," Erik theorized as he called up the sensor logs of his Interceptor-class ship to see if he could figure out what had actually happened.

=/\=There was a sudden energy spike a while back that momentarily blinded our sensors,=/\= the Klingon recalled.

"I remember," the Native American confirmed. "It lasted only a second or so but it would have been enough to mark the original signal and replace it with a decoy. That would explain why the signal suddenly began to move at a perfectly steady rate along a constant heading."

=/\= Using sensor log data we can roughly extrapolate where this happened and in what direction the original signal went, =/\= Drell stated obviously having already begun the process. =/\= Got it, changing course. =/\=

The Native American pulled on the old fashion flight controls to bring VIPER 3 back on course with VIPER 2 leaving Erik to hope that the SPHINX had either figured out this little trick or that they had never actually been decoyed.

Pushing their engines as far as they dared given the risky nature of their environment, the former CO of the LANCELOT felt a wave of relief and satisfaction wash over his body when after several minutes the two Interceptors came upon something other than another asteroid. Not only had they discovered the trickery they had fallen prey to, but now they had found what they had been searching from since this mission had begun: the USS PARADOX.

=/\= Now what? =/\= The Klingon demanded having opened a comm channel in the same manner as the other pilot had not so long ago.

"Too risky to head back and try to find the others," the Native American stated. "Our best hope is to get onboard and assess the situation from there."

=/\= I doubt they will just open the shuttle bay doors for us, =/\= Drell huffed.

"There are certain advantages in being a Captain, one of which is having certain command clearances. If I can access the PARADOX's computer I maybe able to use my own command codes to open the shuttle bay door," the Native American explained as he sent a narrow-beam signal towards the ship.

=/\= You are as sneaky as a Ferengi, =/\= Drell playfully growled as he noted on his instruments that one of the shuttle bay doors of the PARADOX had begun to open.

"Now we get to see if these VIPERs are as *invisible* to sensors as Elan claimed them to be," Erik added as he and the Klingon made their way closer with the hopes of reaching the shuttle bay without being detected.
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette
 
Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
 
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS
And
 
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P221: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 2210 ("Getting Closer")

-=-=-
"Getting Closer"
[Previous post: "Out Of Reach"]
-=-=-

Setting: USS SPHINX
Stardate: 63073.2210

The mobile command unit swerved through the asteroid field under the expert piloting of Ensign Thomas as he followed the tracking signal from the transport ship.  With all of his attention focused on that task alone everyone had remained silent so as to not distract the ANUBIS' COO.

With her heart jumping each time the ship flew by a moving asteroid large enough to turn them into a pile of floating debris, the aCMO had decided to retreat to the back section and take care of something she had wanted to do for a while.

"So," the Betazoid grinned as she watched the Kerelian shed her betrothal dress.  "You're not planning on getting married."

Adriana sighed before she chuckled, rushing to put her Starfleet Uniform back on.  "I do hope to get married," the aCMO replied.  "One day, but not as a Kerelian and definitively not with anyone that was down on that rock."

"Don't be so harsh in your judgment," Mortina added, a gentle smile having formed on her lips as she turned to look at the Efrosian priest who had remained at the front of the SPHINX.  "For every hundred of questionable individuals in that trade center, there is at least one worth some attention."

Felling far more comfortable now that she had been back in her uniform, Ensign Lopez tilted her head to see past the standing Betazoid and confirm whom she had been looking at.  "Isn't Ojall a little old?" Adriana pointed out guessing that the Efrosian had been in his late 50s or early 60s.

"It is not the age of the body that counts," the Betazoid replied in a dreamy voice.  "It's the strength of the soul that matters.  Over time the body fails, but the soul only grows stronger, and his is remarkable.

"I'm guessing that being a Betazoid gives you a unique perspective into other people," the aCMO said while looking at the two Kzinti hunters standing next to one another and still managing to appear galaxies apart.  "Looking into someone deepest thoughts and even their proverbial soul can give you a unique insight into someone."

"I never go looking into anyone's thoughts or soul," Mortina quickly said in her defense as she snapped back to look at the aCMO.  "At least not without their permission and knowledge, but there is something different about Ojall and I felt it the moment he came to my rescue."

"Your rescue?" Adriana gasped.

I had been held captive by some unknown individual who I suspected wanted to either use my telepathic abilities or get information from me," Mortina explained rather quickly as if she had wanted to forget the event as soon as the words had crossed her lips.  "He came to my rescue and brought me back to that temple, and during all that time his mind had been wide open.  No secrets, no hidden agenda, not even a passing thought about who I was or what reason he needed to have to rescue me other than I needed it."

"Sounds very selfless," the aCMO said in admiration of the man she didn't really know, yet the Betazoid's words rang oddly accurate based on what the Ensign had seen thus far of the Efrosian priest.

"There is a generosity about him that seems boundless," the Betazoid continued, her voice having changed from dreamy to mesmerize.  Adriana grinned and wished that Eve had been here to see this, as a ship's Counselor Ensign Dalziel would have likely had a field day with the Betazoid's enthrallment with the Efrosian.

"Brace yourselves!" Elliot called out as the SPHINX was sent into a hard, sharp turn to avoid impacting against a rapidly moving asteroid. Mortina and Adriana found themselves plastered to one of the walls of the rear section and before either one of them had been able to get back onto their feet, the Efrosian priest had appeared and offered a helping hand, one that the Betazoid accepted with joy as well as flustered red cheeks.

Adriana sighed once more at the romantic air that had filled the room despite the situation, one that had likely been about to become much worst thanks to the fact that Hex had been thrown onto Grex following the COO's emergency maneuver.

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P220: USS ANUBIS: Mitshiba: Day 4 - 2150 ("Out of Reach")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Out of Reach"
(Cont. from "Following")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: Unknown Transport Vessel
Stardate: 63073.2150

Saaki, or to those who knew her better as Aki, sat next to her teammate, both of their eyes locked on the beaten form of Doctor Summers held within the caring arms of the Oltharian.

"We need to help her," the aCSciO whispered to Natalie Protree, also better known as Eve Dalziel, the ANUBIS' own Cns.

"We can't," Eve whispered back, her hand having taken a hold of the troubled Asian's arm to insure that she should not do something impulsive.  The Cns had also wanted to cross the small room and help the CMO in whatever way she could, but the half dozen armed guards around them had made this impossible.  Their presence hadalso made Eve remember her own words which she had spoken to Aki when they had arrived at the trade center.  [[If anything happens to me, your only obligation is to save yourself and complete the mission. Don't try to be a hero. The needs of the many far outweigh the needs of the one.]] Strangely though, the space pirate had not felt as strongly now as she had then; not now that it had been Lea's life on the line instead of her own.

"Please," Captain Rikar pleaded to the nearest guard.  "Let me at least give her something for the pain."

The guard huffed and smiled as he looked at the bruised and bloodied woman in the arms of the giant.  As far as he had been concerned the Rutian had gotten exactly what she had deserved and his employer had not mentioned that empathy had been part of his duties.

"There is no profit in letting a prisoner die," Calen said as any self respecting Ferengi would.  "In fact I suspect that your Vorta friend might actually be rather upset if it happened, and frankly I wouldn't put a single slip of latnium on your odds if she lost a bargaining chip.  Your boss strikes me as the type to get even, not angry."

After having considered the Ferengi's words for a few moments the guard reached for the nearest med-kit and tossed it into the hands of the Jorelian freighter captain who immediately went into action.

While Captain Rikar addressed the injured CMO, Aki and Eve turned their attention onto the now smug looking Ferengi who had crossed his arms and leaned back against the bulkhead in as a relaxing posture as he could manage given the accommodations.

"That was," Natalie began then paused as she carefully searched for a word to accurately describe what she felt in regards to the Ferengi's actions, "unexpected.  I never expected you to be the *caring* type."

Caden offered a toothy smile to the space pirate and leaned in closer while keeping his eyes on the civilian dressed Romulan sitting on the other side of Natalie.  "The universe is full of surprises, and opportunities," he stated as he gently rubbed a finger against his lob.

Once Caden had returned to his original sitting position it was Saaki's turn to lean in towards the space pirate.  "What was that all about?" The ANUBIS' aCSciO asked in a whispered voice.

"I'm not entirely certain," Eve replied wish a faint sigh.  "And to tell you the truth that's what is bothering me the most right now," the Cns added as she shot a quick sideways glance at the Ferengi who appeared now more conceited than ever before.

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P219: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 2130 ("Following")

==========
"Following"
(Previous Post was Tiffany's "Shades of Grey")
==========

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center
Stardate: 63073.2130

The young woman did her best to keep an eye on the ANUBIS' CEO and CMO despite the repeated pushes she had been the target of… the thugs who had been escorting them having apparently taken a liking to shoving the Jorelian freighter captain. There had not been an opportunity to check on Doctor Summer's condition since her brutal beating and the red skinned woman could not take the chance to enlist the wrath of the Vorta by stopping. Given the current mood of Vellanor it had been easy to imagine that any deviation from the current timeframe could prove to be fatal for one or more members of the undercover team.

For the time being Rikar had no other option but to accept that the fate of the Rutian-looking woman had been in the hands of the Oltharian. At least there the CO knew that Elan would protect Doctor Summers to the very end should the situation demanded it… which hopefully would not happen.

The group made their way through the winding streets of the trade center until they reached one of the landing platforms… where several other individuals including a reptilian looking alien had apparently been waiting.

"It'sss about time," the reptilian alien stated, the elongated hissing sound in his speech as he spoke having left no doubts that the creature had been Selay in origin.

"We had a few problems," the Vorta calmly explained, obviously not interested in giving the Selay any details as to the cause of the mentioned problems. "Who are they?" Vellanor demanded as she saw three unknown figures standing behind Sumariss.

"They are here to help us with our mutual problem," the Selay unhappily replied as he scrutinized the five strangers the Vorta and her gang had brought along with them. Although he had wanted to ask about their identities and the reason for their presence, Sumariss' attention suddenly became focussed on the short woman who had been glaring back at him.

"Allow me to introduce ourselves," the ANUBIS' Cns offered as she jumped into the discussion in an effort to see if the other teams needed assistance. "My name is Natalie Portree, pilot and engineer. This is Saaki, a knowledgeable business associate and the dirty looking pair of lobs back there is Caden," Eve announced as she kept the shock of seeing Doctor Summers in the state that she had been in hidden.

The next several moments were spent in complete silence as various glares were exchanged between the two groups… any questions that might have been considered remained unspoken for the time being. Eventually the Vorta motioned for her group to proceed to the landing platform where a transport vessel had been waiting to take them back to the PARADOX.

==========
Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Landing Platform D
Stardate: 63073.2140

Hex and Adriana had easily managed to keep up with the leading Betazoid who had been using her telepathic abilities to locate the source of the pain she had experienced earlier. Interestingly enough the three women had been followed by an Efrosian Priest and an imposing Kzinti Hunter, both men having elected to stay several steps back.

The tactic to follow from a distance had been Grex's idea and although he had stated that this would allow them to intervene with greater knowledge of a situation should something happen, Ojall suspected that the Kzinti had simply wanted to give his offspring a little more breathing room. Given that they would most likely become involved in some sort of a conflict, the elder Kzinti Hunter had thought it best to limit internal conflicts to a minimum.

The group, still lead by the Betazoid, made their way onto the landing platform just in time to see the door to the transport vessel close and the Vorta looking back at them, a rather pleased grin having appeared on Vellanor's face.

"She's getting away!" Grex yelled in a full blown rage as he rushed the ship, arriving at the door too late to do anything about their departure. The moment the Kzinti drew is weapon, Hex leaped in his direction and made sure that no shot would impact with the ship.

"What do you think you are doing!?" The massive Kzinti demanded of the smaller one, rage clearly visible in his eyes as he showed his fangs in a menacing manner.
"*My* people are in there," the smaller Kzinti replied. "Whatever it is that you are after will just have to wait."

"I have been after that Vorta for months," Grex growled as he looked up at the departing ship, now well out of range of his hand-held weapon. "Now I may never know where she went."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," the aCMO offered as she kneeled down to retrieve something that had been buried into the ground with obvious haste. "This looks like an isolinear rod, one that I believe Enaii is fond in using."

"We need to get back to the SPHINX now," Hex quickly instructed as she made her way off the landing platform and towards the nearest beam-out location being monitored by Ensign Thomas.

==========
Setting: USS SPHINX, C&C
Stardate: 63073.2150

Although Elliot had been more than pleased with the return of Ensign Fanggot and Mitshiba, he had been less than happy with the fact that three others had beamed onto the SPHINX with them.

"I hope you know what you are doing?" Elliot sighed in a whispered voice as he eyed the towering Kzinti hunter.

"We are still not entirely certain as to what we will be dealing with," Akira stated trying to keep her own uncertainty hidden from the others.

"The isolinear rod contained the frequency of a tracking device," Hex announced from the control station she had rushed to in order to investigate the content of the small data storage device. "I have already recalibrated the sensors and it looks like we can track the ship that Enaii is on."

"We are not even certain that she was onboard that ship," Ensign Mitshiba stated.

"It's the only lead we have," the Sec/Tac officer pointed out.

"So what are we waiting for," Grex added with a certain tone of impatience, obviously wanting to catch up with the Vorta as soon as possible.

"Elliot," the Kzinti security officer began as she invited the COO to return to his station. "Set course to follow that signal and contact Captain Morningstar to have him track that signal as well. Maybe he can also tell us how come we found one of Enaii's storage devices on the trade center."

==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P218: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 2125 ("Shades of Grey")

=-=
"Shades of Grey"
[Previous post: "Black And White", written by the devoted William]
=-=

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, a dark alley
Stardate: 63073.2125

"STOP!" The Jorelian freighter captain screamed once again. The efforts to break free from the three aliens holding her back had left her with no other recourse but to plea. "You're killing her!"

The Vorta appeared unimpressed by the undercover officer's appeal. Vellanor even smiled as the next kick from one of her men sent a splatter of blood gushing from the mouth of the Rutian woman. Gasping for air the Rutian, if indeed that had been what she was, could not see past the pool of blood in front of her. Unable to hold herself up on her hands and knees, Lea could not even hear the pleas from her friends.  The last thing the CMO thought to be the last thing she would see had been the ILO looking down at her. A cold and unemotional expression on her face.  Had this been her last and ultimate payback for what Doctor Summers had done on the LANCELOT?

Lea's body became lifeless as her consciousness drifted away. The sight of the CMO in such a pitiful state had finally been more than the Oltharian could take. Elan rushed to the healer's side easily breaking free from the four men that had been holding him back.  The CEO had never been a physical being, but in this instance he had made an exception.

"I will do anything and everything you ask," the Oltharian said almost in tears. "Just stop hurting her," he added as he easily shielded the doctor's body from another attack with his own.

"If she tries to escape again I will have all of you killed on the spot," Vellanor hissed. With a nod of her head she instructed the rest of her men to resume their journey to the landing platform.

"She was not trying to escape," Rikar growled at the Vorta as she passed next to her. "She tripped and your men made sure that she fell in this alleyway."

"You people needed to see that I am serious," the Vorta said in a cruel whispered voice. The evil smile that formed on her lips pointed that this had not been as much an accident as might have been thoughts. Vellanor's face drew within a hair's width away from that of the red skin Jorelian before she continued. "Plus I could not pass up this opportunity to teach the mighty Federation a lesson in manners. Those who do not mind their own business get hurt my dear."

As the Vorta continue on her way, Rikar's eyes fell onto Enaii who walked right by. The fact that the Intel Operative had not even acknowledged her life-mate's presence had been troubling. Whatever part the ILO had decided to play in this, she had kept the details of her role to herself.

Pressured by the men gathered around him, the Oltharian gently picked up Lea's unconscious form into his arms. A quick memory of their training mission flashed in Elan's mind, but this time things had been for real.  The giant did his best to keep the CMO comfortable in his hold why he followed the others.  If only Enaii had not motioned for him to stay put, he would have intervened sooner.  If only the Intel Operative herself had acted the CMO would not have suffered so. Had the ILO wished for Doctor Summers to suffer or had this incident served another purpose?

No one but the ILO knew this for sure, and she did not seemed in the mood to share at this time.

=-=
Tiffany Reeve

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P217: USS ANUBIS: Russell: Day 4 - 2115 ("Black And White")

=-=
"Black And White"
[Previous post: "Kzinti Mind Play"]
=-=

Setting: USS PARADOX, Jefferies Tube
Stardate: 63073.2115

To say that following the Bolian and Arcadian had been easy would have been a flat out lie.  One things had been the truth though, from what Adam had been able to gather from the way the two had so far interacted, Anya knew her blue skin rescuer well.  Well enough in fact for her to lead him to the one location the Arcadian knew to be out of the way and relatively safe from the rest of the crew; Cargo Bay 6.

=-=
Setting: USS PARADOX, Cargo Bay 6
Stardate: 63073.2125

Adam rushed into the large room to find the pair had already arrived and the Arcadian holding on to Shawn as a mother would a child.  With the Bolian standing immediately behind the Anya, Ensign Russell's heart sank certain that he had somehow been betrayed.

"I was worried something had happened to you when you weren't here," Anya said with relief, the smile on her face having quickly been overshadowed by the young boy's own excitement at seeing his father return safe and sound.  The Arcadian did nothing to hold back the boy who left the embrace he had been in to seek the loving arms of his father.

"I went looking for you," Adam said as he welcomed his son into an embrace that made it seem as if all had been right with the universe. "I was ready to mount a rescue in Sickbay when *Captain Blue Skin* there came in and replaced you with a hologram."

"I feel so special," Anya giggled.  "I had two brave men came to my rescue."

"This is the guy you mentioned?" The Bolian asked of the Arcadian in an almost laughter manner.

"Don't be such an ass," Anya snapped back.  "He is the one responsible for the majority of the sabotage that plagued this ship and the reason why you and the others had enough time to get here.  Plus he's a nice guy, you could actually learn one or two things from him."

"Only one or two?" Adam hissed as he shot a glare at the blue skin man, not at all having taken a liking to the obnoxious Bolian despite the fact that he had rescued Anya in a manner that had been far better than anything the Ensign could have come up with.

"You are right," the Bolian sarcastically sighed.  "I can see that's he's a real charmer, but in the end it doesn't matter.  Jade sent word that Onyx is here and that she will be coming onboard the PARADOX."

"Jade? Onxy? Who the hell are these people and what do they have to do with this ship?" Ensign Russell demanded while holding on tightly to his son as if some evil force had threatened to snatch him from his grasp at any moment.

"We really don’t have time to play twenty questions," the Bolian snapped at Adam before turning back to Anya.  "All that Jade said was that Onyx would be bringing help and that we are to assist her in gaining complete control of this ship."

"Wait," the Arcadian quickly interrupted before the Bolian could continued.  "We are going to held *her* gain control of the ship!  She is not going to help *us*?"

"Those are our new orders," the Bolian nodded, not appearing either pleased or displeased with this change of plan.

"Who is this *us* you are referring to?" Adam demanded, his frustration having reached the boiling point.

"The Orion Syndicate if you absolutely need to know," the Bolian impatiently replied obviously holding a higher position in the organization than the Arcadian did.  "It was our goal to take this ship before Sumariss and his Vorta associate could make use of it. Now we are going to make sure Onyx leaves here with it."

"Why would the Orion Syndicate turn the ship over to this *Onyx*?" Ensign Russell demanded, confused more than ever before.

"Because she *wants* it," what the only reply given by the blue skinned man.  "It's that simple."

=-=
William Reeve

Ensign Adam Russell
(in another reality)
former
Flight Control Officer
USS YORKSHIRE
OLD-P216: USS ANUBIS: Fanggot: Day 4 - 2125 ("Kzinti Mind Play")

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Kzinti Mind Play"
Previous post: "Thoughts and Feelings"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, T'Kon Temple
Stardate: 63073.2125

====^*^====

Running as fast as they could, the aCMO and Betazoid arrived at the door of the room where Hex rested. Slightly out of breath, they noticed that their large, imposing Kzinti bodyguard was no where in sight and the door was ajar.

"I've never seen someone act so... distant from one of their species, not to mention one of their own family members. He didn't even stay by her door." Mortina reflected out loud, stepping into the room cautiously as to not disturb Ojall.

"I'm sure there is more than there seems... " Adriana noted with a short chuckle as both women noticed their missing Kzinti sitting next to the bed on which Hex lay, his back to the wall and eyes on the door.

"Your friend is recuperating well, though I suggest she not do any excesive physical activities for the next little while." Ojall said, smiling warmly, "Though, I admit it is rather hard to treat her when she keeps thrashing."

"Thrashing?" the newly turned Kerelian betrothed questioned, a hint of worry lacing through the word.

"Yes, her mind is constantly ill at ease, but I can't seem to get through enough to calm her completely." Ojall answered kindly, holding down one of the younger Kzinti's arms as it twitched violently.

"Let me try to see what's wrong, we have a problem and we'll need her on her feet." Mortina offered gently, moving to stand beside the Kzinti huntress.

Closing her eyes, Mortina reached out and touched the forehead of her patient. Gasping sharply, the Betazoid was dragged down into the Kzinti's mind, more forcefully than expected. Pictures blurred and stretched, raw emotions floated through the air, almost tangible. Reaching out carefully into the confusion, the young woman touched the center of Hex's mind. A force like an explosion sounded, then all was still as the Betazoid watched the surrounding pictures with interest.

*****FLASHBACK*****

"You're so stupid, thinking that our father is really dead!" A young male Kzinti voiced, laughing as though telling a joke. His fur was longer than that of the young Kzinti in his arms, and much darker. The other Kzinti child squirmed violently as though trying to escape from a coiled snake.

"You're the stupid one Damon! Mother said he died, so he died." The female answered breathlessly, thrashing in the arms of the larger Kzinti but to no effect.

"She said that to hide the truth from you little sister. Father left the day you were born so he wouldn't have to put up with you!" Damon answered, tightening his grip on the thrashing child.

"Stop calling me *little*, I have a name you know." The girl stated venomously, going limp a moment before thrashing again, "I'll get bigger one day, so don't act so cocky."

"Yeah right, you're a shrimp and you're staying a shrimp. The doctor even said so Hex." The older Kzinti simply grinned, releasing his hold and watching as his companion fell to the ground.

Damon began to walk away, leaving Hex to rub her sore arms. Sitting back, the Kzinti sighed in relief and closed her eyes, her ear twitching slightly as she repeated her brother's words to herself slowly, "Wouldn't... have to put up with... me"

A sharp pain filled the memory as it faded into darkness. The observing Betazoid could just barely make out the sound of the young Kzinti crying as she was pulled away from the memory.

*****FLASHBACK*****

"Wow... " Mortina gasped, feeling herself pushed out of the Kzinti's mind and back into her own.

"What? What did you see?" Adrianna asked, concern once again making itself known across her features.

"Yes... I would like to know as well." A voice rasped. Looking down, the Betazoid noticed the shining violet eyes of the Kzinti watching her intently as a low hiss slithered through her teeth.

Pulling back her hand quickly, Mortina stared at Hex a moment before standing up straight and smiling warily. The Kzinti merely watched her, but the intent gaze flickered over to the waiting aCMO soon enough, breaking the mental contact.

"Adrianna, who are these people?" Hex hissed, sitting up painfully but being shoved back down by a large, furred hand.

"They're friends, they want to help. Are you able to move?" Adrianna asked, watching the imposing Kzinti with as wary an eye as she would a ready-to-attack Klingon.

"I would be if *someone* would let me." Hex grumbled, shooting a glare in Grex's direction, "Is there something wrong?"

"Someone is hurt, most likely someone you both know." Mortina stated, watching Hex with a thoughtful expression.

Hex sat up so fast that if the aCMO were to have blinked, Adrianna was sure she would have missed it. "then why are we just standing around? We have to get moving!"

"You're still in need of more rest." Ojall noted kindly, watching the four people with mildly showing interest.

"Never mind it... I've fought and trained in far worse condition. Come on Adrianna, we should go." Hex hissed, grabbing her wounded shoulder before jumping down from the bed and sprinting out the door, Grex hot on her heels.

"Adrianna," Mortina called, catching the aCMO's arm before she could join Hex at a brisk run, "Watch her carefully... I think there is definitely far more than I thought there was."

The aCMO nodded as the Betazoid released her arm. Running after Hex again, Adrianna made a mental note to ask Hex about all this when time permitted.

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanggot
Assistant Sec/Tac officer
USS ANUBIS

"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today"
- James Dean
OLD-P215: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 2120 ("Thoughts and Feelings")

-=-=-
"Thoughts and Feelings"
[Previous post: "Fear in Any Form is The One True Enemy"]
-=-=-

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, T'Kon Temple
Stardate: 63073.2120

Adriana sat on the steps of the temple, her thoughts so lost on her injured Kzinti friend and the other members of the away team that the Kerelian betrothed had actually forgotten what her current attire had represented and meant to others.

"Do you really think it is safe for you to sit like this in view of everyone, alone?" The Betazoid woman playfully said, lowering herself down next to the visibly troubled woman.

"What?" the aCMO replied having been drawn out of her thoughts.  It was only then that Adriana noticed that Mortina had sat down next to her.  "You mean this," she continued as she looked down at her torn dress.  "Guess I wasn't thinking."

"It's alright," Mortina offered with a gentle pat on the Kerelian's shoulder.  "This temple is a safe haven for those in need and I doubt anyone would dare to get close to it wanting to stir up trouble."

"Still," Adriana said with a smile.  "I should get back inside and check on my friend."

"There is no rush," Mortina said in a very calming voice.  "You did an amazing job back there and now your friend is being cared for by Ojall, so you have nothing to be concerned about even if that huge Kzinti hunter is there with them.  That priest could sooth a Klingon with a raging tooth ache.  So relax, you have nothing to worry about, your friend will be back on her feet by the time you are ready to return to your ship."

The aCMO turned her head to look at Mortina with puzzlement.  Ensign Lopez had never mentioned a ship and certainly not that Hex and her had been on the same crew.

Having felt the sudden wave of confusion from the Kerelian, the other woman offered a warm, reassuring smile.  "Relax, first I'm a Betazoid and although I don’t usually pry into the minds of others, your feelings for your ship and crewmates were impossible to ignore. Second, you have nothing to fear from me, I am also from Starfleet.  I was kidnapped and brought here for a reason that I have yet to discover, but like yourself right now all I want is to be able to go home safe and sound."

"Going home will be nice," Adriana admitted.  "But there is something we need to do first, for all of our sakes."

"Something relating to what has been happening here on this asteroid?" Mortina asked.  "There has been a lot of strange things happening here lately, an no one seems able to explain any of it."

"Like this temple," Adriana chuckled as she looked at the structure behind them.  "The temple looks exactly as it was described to be thousands of years ago."

For a brief moment the two women enjoyed the simple sight of the imposing structure, its ageless appearance filling them both with a strange sensation of awe.  That moment was brought to an end when Mortina took hold of the Kerelian's arm before speaking.  "Someone, a Starfleet officer, is in trouble."

Adrianna jumped to her feet and went to run inside the temple only to be stopped by the Betazoid's hold on her arm.  "Let me go, Hex needs me."

"It's not your friend that is in trouble," Mortina explained.  "It's someone else, and they are in pain."

"We need to go, *now*!" the aCMO said as she rushed back into the temple dragging the Betazoid with her.  Hopefully the Kzinti Sec/Tac officer  had recuperated enough for her to get back into action and deal with whatever Mortina had telepathically picked up.

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P214: USS ANUBIS: Maya: Day 4 - 2120
("Fear in Any Form is The One True Enemy")

---
"Fear in Any Form is The One True Enemy"
(Previous Post: "A Logical Explanation")
---

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Tavern
Stardate: 63073.2120
 
Even though the group had been outnumbered three-to-one, the Shillian-turned-Founder still considered the possibility for the undercover Starfleet officers to fight their way out of this predicament. There had been no need for any confrontation to be extensive or even deadly, the ultimate goal having been for them to simply reach the streets so that the quartet could vanish into the crowd. From there they would be able to reach the emergency beam-out coordinates being monitored by the SPHINX.
 
The Shillian had carefully reviewed the merits of her shapeshifting ability in this instance, likely granting the Chief Science Officer an easy way to escape her captors through surprise while at the same time giving the other members of the away team a diversion that they could easily use to their advantage. The idea had nearly reached the final stage where thoughts would be made into action when the Intel Liaison Officer suddenly took a firm hold of the scientist.
 
Enaii glared at the taller alien woman, her icy stare drilled into the soul of the shapeshifter in a may that froze the Chief Science Officer dead in her tracks and made her breathing short and shallow. Even though the Shillian had extensive experience in working with the Intel Operative, the scientist could not recall ever having seen such a frigid, unemotional expression engraved on the face of the woman. At that moment in time, and in complete honesty, the Shillian had truly feared the Intel Liaison Officer as well as for her own life. 
 
Even if the shapeshifter had wished to transform right there and then, their would have been no way for the scientist to focus her thoughts enough to initiate the required cellular shift her species used to achieve other forms. Unlike the being the Chief Science Officer had impersonated, the Shillian had not possessed the skill to change her form without previous careful preparations, not that a small cat, flying bat or even an agile wolf would have been all that effective against the trained Intel Operative.
 
Although the shorter woman had not stated so, the Shillian had been under the clear and distinct impression that any effort to escape or even change form would result in the members of the two undercover teams to be injured or worst killed. Based on this alone the Chief Science Officer had decided to not pursue her previous line of thinking and instead focussed on complying with the directions of her captors, the Vorta leading them and of the Intel Operative who had apparently joined them.
 
"As soon as we reach the landing platform, we will take care of these meddlers," Vellanor hissed in a tone of voice that hinted the permanency of her words. Killing all four undercover Starfleet officers in a more public area such as the tavern would have raised too many questions and attracted attention that the Vorta had obviously wanted to avoid. This had been a welcomed break by all four away team members which was followed by an even more appreciated act.
 
"That would be a mistake," Enaii stated in her usual cold, icy voice, the Intel Operative not even having bothered to look in the direction of the Vorta.. "You need an engineer, and the Oltharian is exactly that."
 
"Fine," Vellanor sighed in dismay as if a prize had been taken away from her. "We'll take care of the other three and bring him with us to the Paradox."
 
"I thought Vorta's were smarter than that," the red-skinned Jorelian said adding a mock chuckle in the end. "Kill us and Elan here won't help you with your engineering problems onboard the PARADOX. Face it Vellanor, you need us *all* alive, like it or not."
 
Vellanor glared at the freighter captain before she stormed out of the tavern having motioned her men to follow, the Vorta having clearly not liked the fact that all four Starfleet officers would have to be taken to the PARADOX. Fear of failure in her mission to restore the Dominion to its highest glory had for the time being given the away team members a break, one that had strangely enough been given to them thanks to the intervention of the Intel Operative.

---
Jessica Solarik

Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P213: USS ANUBIS: Fairborn: Day 4 - 2115 ("A Logical Explanation")

###################
"A Logical Explanation"
[Previous Post Sabrina's "Betrayal"]
###################
 
"Logic is the beginning of wisdom, not the end."
- Ambassador Spock
 
Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Tavern, Room
Stardate: 63073.2115
 
The words spoken by the Intel Operative and the subsequent realisation made by Doctor Summers echoed in the mind of the gentle giant who could not bring himself to agree with the CMO's conclusion.
 
To say that Elan knew Enaii would have been a grave overstatement. The Oltharian had worked with the Intel Operative, had gone on missions with her and had assisted with the creation of several devices to be used by the woman in many different situations. One of his greatest accomplishments in that area had been the 'Person Intel Command Assistant' or more commonly referred to as PICA. The small floating disk had been designed to follow Enaii and provide a dynamic access to her files when onboard the ANUBIS.
 
Like every other officer onboard the SCARAB-Class Intel Cruiser under the command of Captain Rikar, the CEO knew of the ILO's style and methods which included a beyond icy disposition and an honesty that could be perceived as overly blunt. Another attribute associated with the Intel Operative and one that defined her in many ways had been her ability to calculate the full impact of her words and actions. Enaii had never been, nor could ever be, someone prone to an impulsive decision.
 
Logic therefore demanded that the words spoken by the ILO had been meant to accomplish something that for the time being had eluded the understanding of everyone immediately involved.
 
"She betrayed us!" Doctor Summer repeated, anger having replaced her initial shock. "Why else would she say that Starfleet was here to reclaim the PARADOX ."
 
"Actually Doctor," Rikar began, carefully having selected her own words in a way that made the Jorelian looking woman sound almost Vulcan. "Enaii stated that 'Starfleet is here to reclaim what is theirs' and never actually specified that Maya or anyone else for that matter was a Starfleet Officer."
 
"You are going to tell me that Enaii deliberately used a partial truth to suit her final goal?" The CMO demanded obviously not at all convinced about the CO's own conclusion which greatly different from her own.
 
"It would fit Enaii's Modus Operandi," the Oltharian calmly added. "She has never been one to casually say something. Her words have always reflected her thoughts or stated something that would lead to achieve something that she wanted or needed."
 
"I can't believe what I am hearing!" Lea blasted, obviously exasperated by the defence offered on behalf of the ILO by the ANUBIS CO and CEO. "You two are so *blinded* by your own personal relationship with that woman that you are willing to excuse her betrayal of us," the CMO snapped as she made her way towards the red skinned woman. "Captain, are you going to tell me that you honestly trust that woman at 100%? That would don't believe, for an instant, that she might have some reason to turn her back on us all for her own benefit?" Doctor Summers quickly turned to face the towering Oltharian not giving Captain Rikar a chance to answer. "And you, are you so scared of that woman that you can't accept the facts as they have been presented to you?"
 
Both the CEO and CO looked at each other for a short period, silently considering the logic offered to them by the ship's CMO. As accurate as Doctor Summer's words might have been, both Elan and Sabrina still refused to believe that Enaii could have betrayed them. Another reason, one that had been beyond their grasp had to be the reason why the ILO had acted as she had.
 
All eyes suddenly went onto the doorway as it was kicked open and several armed guards rushed inside to forcefully take hold of all three occupants followed by the Vellanor and Enaii. Doctor Summers actually managed a sad smile as she noticed the ANUBIS' Chief Science Officer standing in the background, an energy weapon aimed directly at her head.
 
"Starfleet," the Vorta sighed with a distinct hint of disgust. "When will you people ever learn that the galaxy is not yours to police?," Vellanor stated as she slowly approached the Jorelian freighter captain, an air of superiority having enveloped the servant of the Dominion. "Soon your precious Federation will be reduced to where it belongs; as the Dominion's obeying slaves."
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette
 
Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS
 
And
 
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P212: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 2110 (" Betrayal ")

==========
" Betrayal "
(Previous Post was Jessica's "You Can Only Fool Some People Some of The Time, And Some Even Less")
==========

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Tavern
Stardate: 63073.2110

The cold icy reflection in the eyes of the ANUBIS' Intel Operative revealed nothing about the woman behind it nor the chain of events that had lead Enaii to be here now pointing an accusatory glare directly at the Shillian. Maya could only guess as to what had happened since the last time she had seen the ILO, and fear what would soon come to pass.

"Why?" the troubled shapeshifter asked of the ILO without actually saying the word out loud. What had happened? Had this been a ploy to gain the Vorta's trust or had something snapped within the Operative's troubled and twisted mind to turn her against her friends… if such a tern truly applied to those who knew and worked alongside Enaii?

==========
FLASHBACKS
==========
Setting: VIPER 1, Cockpit
Stardate: 63073.1955

The small craft that had so fully drawn the ILO's attention had belonged to another time, one that very few people knew of, and even fewer had been able to tell the tale of. The ship, like its history would not have appeared on any files found within the records of SFI or any other Intel Agency, that had been the reason why she had recognized it and why Enaii had sent the other two pilots away.

The temporal signature surrounding the ship indicated that it was of this time, of this reality but Enaii knew better, she knew that it belonged to the past, to a time of ruthless acts and chilling darkness. That ship, like so many other things, belonged to a time the ILO had endured and had helped shaped the person that she was today.

==========
Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Bar
Stardate: 63073.2015

From the shadows the ILO quietly observed as Ensign Dalziel in her persona of Natalie Portree and Ensign Mitshiba as a Romulan Operative entered the establishment and made small talk with the Hypello barkeep. Unseen eyes rolled in disappointment as they followed the ANUBIS' aCSciO as she made her way closer to the small stage and the Orion slave seductively swaying upon it.

Jade had been her name and Enaii knew her well enough to know that Akira's disguise had not fooled the Orion woman for a second. It had not been the Ensign's fault for she had approached a woman renowned for having survived through nightmares the likes of which no one could have imagined. Nightmares that the woman hidden in the shadows had shares to earn the name Onyx.

The Intel Operative emerged from the darkness only long enough for Jade to see Onyx and register the subtle movement of her head. Not knowing why, nor truly caring to know, the Orion dancer returned the small poisonous blade that had been concealed in her skimpy outfit and smiled to the Romulan impersonator who had no idea that her life had just been spared.

==========
Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Market Place
Stardate: 63073.2035

The meeting with Jade had been most informative even if only a few words had been shared between the two women, but they had been enough to lead the ILO to her next destination. Enaii arrived just in time to observe the Kzinti Huntress and Kerelian betrothed speaking to the elderly Xindi insectoid she had come to see.

The crew of the ANUBIS had truly a gift for finding trouble wherever they went, and this forsaken place had been no different. Some might have believed the ILO to have been paranoid, but the fact of the matter had been that once again her involvement would save the lives of her shipmates.

"Going somewhere?" Enaii asked of the Xindi, her voice as frigid and empty as space itself. Slowly the ILO approached the insectoid, not truly having expected him to reply to her question. Both of them knew what this meeting had been about and that only one of them would eventually walk away. Any betting man aware of this meeting had already set the odds well in favour of the woman known as Onyx.

The explosion that followed and enveloped the small stall had insured a great many things, the first of which having been that the Xindi would never again report to its master. The second objective had been to insure that no ship left the trade center for the time being, and lastly that no evidence of the ILO's involvement in this matter would ever be found.

Unseen by anyone else, the Intel Operative left the commotion she had created and headed for her next objective and likely another team from the ANUBIS who needed to be saved, even if they did not know it at the time.

==========
Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Market Place, Tavern
Stardate: 63073.2055

Betrayal had been and would continue to be a normal and even expected part of the merciless Intel world. A world filled with layers upon layers of questionable associations that could vanish within a single heartbeat. Survival in this world depended on one's ability to see the signs and betray those that would have betrayed you before they could do so.

Although many believed the Selay known as Sumariss to be the main player in this little game, the Intel Operative had already figured out the truth. The real threat to the crew of the ANUBIS and their mission to save the galaxy had not been an individual per say but rather a entity that had been forced to take on the guise of a simple, harmless garment.

The best part of this was that the Vorta who had done so much to use and eventually betray the Selay once the PARADOX had been under their control had herself been betrayed by a group that Vellanor had not even known had been involved in this battle for time itself.

==========
PRESENT
==========
Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Market Place, Tavern
Stardate: 63073.2115

"Betrayed?" Vellanor repeated with complete disbelief. "You know nothing of what is going on here," the Vorta added in a threatening tone that anyone else other than the ILO would have been concerned about.

"Your efforts to take the PARADOX from Sumariss will fail," Enaii stated coldly and without any hesitations. The name of the Selay having been more than enough to show that the woman who had introduced herself as Onyx might have known more than the Vorta had initially granted her knowledge of.

"Why are you telling me this?" Vellanor demanded, apparently having forgotten about the other shapeshifter who had also been present in the room with them.

"Because," Enaii hissed as she ever so slowly shifted her eyes onto the nervous Shillian-turned-Founder. "Starfleet is here to reclaim what is theirs."

==========
Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Market Place, Tavern (another room)
Stardate: 63073.2115

The young woman stood frozen in place… completely stunned by what she had just heard. 

"Who is this *Onyx* lady and how did she know that we're here?" The CMO asked, her body posture echoed that of the ANUBIS' CO.

"She sounds familiar," the Oltharian added, not quiet able to place the voice with a face, a fact that very much bothered him.

"She should sound familiar," Rikar offered with a sigh. "That's Enaii," the CO reluctantly admitted having known that her life-mate had still been involved with the Orion Syndicate under the codename Onyx.

"Enaii betrayed us?!?" the CMO gasped unable to bring herself to accept that conclusion as she verbalized the thoughts everyone in the room had.
 
==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501
 
"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P211: USS ANUBIS: Maya: Day 4 - 2100
("You Can Only Fool Some People Some of The Time, And Some Even Less")

---
"You Can Only Fool Some People Some of The Time, And Some Even Less"
(Previous Post: "An Obvious Problem")
---

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Tavern
Stardate: 63073.2100
 
Even isolated from the other members of the away team, the thoughts of the Chief Science Officer had been more focussed on the dress worn by the Vorta instead of the Lieutenant of the Dominion herself. There had been something strange, something not quite right about the dress and being the scientist that she had always been, the Shillian had dismissed her current predicament in favour of getting a closer look at the intriguing garment.
 
It was only when the door closed behind them that the Shillian-turned-Founder realised that she had been completely alone with the Vorta. No one else had been in the room that they had stepped in, a fact that the Chief Science Officer had found both unnerving and reassuring. If Vellanor had truly been concerned about the identity of the Founder, surely she would not have ventured alone into a room with her. Of course this left one major questions unanswered; why had the Vorta requested a private meeting?
 
"Please forgive me Founder," Vellanor said in a tone that left the Shillian believing that the Vorta had been in the throws of an emotional conflict of epic proportion. Alone with a member of a species they perceived as gods would have been enough to make any sentient life form ready to emotionally, if not psychologically, break down. "I hope that you will not take offence to my having wanted to speak with you, alone."
 
"I am not offended Vellanor," the Shillian replied, this time having made certain to use the name instead of the race. "You are simply performing your duties to the best of your abilities, and for that you should be commented," the scientist added, this having been the one chance the shapeshifter had to mend the error she had made, or at the very least put enough doubts in the mind of the Vorta so as to delay any unpleasant questions.
 
"Thank you," the Vorta said while giving the Founder a deep bow of respect, "I only live to serve," Vellanor continued, a hint of hesitation having appeared in her words. "Please forgive me for saying this, but I was wondering if you are alright. You seemed a little troubled, preoccupied back there."
 
The shapeshifter remained speechless, frozen in that one instant in time, uncertain as to what to say or do that would explained her behaviour without the risk of raising suspicions or worse cause the Vorta to continue on this line of questioning. Each time Vellanor made an inquiry the Shillian risked saying something that would endanger her life, or more importantly the mission.
 
"There are just many things currently on my mind," the Shillian replied, silently hoping that the answer had been sufficient to ease the concerns of the Vorta and end this segment of their private conversation.
 
"I completely understand Founder," Vellanor offered as she lowered her head and bowed. "May the Great Link allow you to put your mind at ease."
 
The Shilian-turned-Founder frozen as she watched the dress worn by the Vorta begin to move independently as if it had suddenly gained a life and consciousness of its own. Two words echoed endlessly in the mind of the Chief Science Officer, words that meant far more than she had discovered in her research of the Founders, words that left no doubt that she had been in far more trouble than anyone could have ever imagined.
 
As a shapeshifter the Shilian could have fooled most into believing that she had indeed been a Founder by taking on the form of a native cat or bat from her world, but there had been no way for the Scientist to fool an actual leader of the Dominion. Although both species had shared certain similarities when it came to being able to take on other forms, the methods of such a transformations, not to mention the range, had been completely different.
 
Organic as well as inorganic forms had been mere routine to a Founder who could change from one shape to the next as many times as they wished unlike a Shillian who had been limited to very specific animal forms where each transformation would leave the shapeshifter physically drained and without clothes. Beyond that, the ability of the Founders to join in what was referred to as the Great Link had been something completely unique to their species and well as beyond the reach of the Chief Science Officer of the USS ANUBIS, regardless of whom she may have pretended or wished to be.
 
Her heart raced as the Shillian watched the fluidic movements of the dress as it stretched to draw increasingly closer leaving the shapeshifter to understand but too late the reason why the dress had seemed so strange. Now only a miracle could save the scientist from revealing her true identity to the Vorta.
 
"WAIT!" Came the commanding voice of someone the Shillian had instantly recognized, a person who the shapeshifter had not at all expected to see at the trade center, but one whom she had been more than happy to see intervene when she had. The scientist did her best to hide her delight as her eyes fell onto the form of the short woman who had seemed to have appeared out of nowhere as she so often did.
 
Enaii shot a quick glare at the Shillian before she turned her attention to the Vorta, her dress having rapidly returned to its original state. "My name is Onyx, and you have been betrayed," the Intel Operative stated without any further explanations which left the Chief Science Officer to wonder if this had truly been the rescue she had initially believed this to be.

---
Jessica Solarik
Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P210: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 2100 ("An Obvious Problem")

=-=
"An Obvious Problem"
[Previous post: "An Unexpected Break", written by the charming and romantic William]
=-=

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Tavern, guest quarters
Stardate: 63073.2100

While Elan worked on listening in on what was happening with the shapeshifter, the CMO and CO worked on their other problem. That of dealing with the thugs between them and the CSciO.

"We could always use our phasers on a wide stun setting," Lea offered as a possible solution to their predicament. The sarcasm in her voice made it clear that she knew what Rikar would say in return.

"We are not armed," the Jorelian captain replied unimpressed.

"What about using hyposprays filled with a powerful sedative?" The CMO offered next. The sarcasm in Lea's voice even more pronounced than before.

"Unless you have a dozen of them already prepared with you, that is not an option," Rikar sighed. Apparently Lea had decided to be difficult at this time. Something that the red skinned woman had not appreciated in the least. "Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?" Lea asked in return sounding as frustrated as could be. "You want me to come up with a plan rescue Maya. You want me to just pull out of thin air a way to knock out a dozen armed aliens. You want me to magically find a solution to a problem that is just impossible."

"Impossibility is a state of mind," the CO said not at all having found this conversation at all helpful.

"Fine!" the Rutian dressed woman exclaimed as she threw her arms up in the air. "Let's just phase through the walls. That way we won't have to deal with those thugs and we can all jump that Vorta together."

"Nothing is impossible," the Olthairan calmly announced as he flicked a switch on the wall panel. The giant's voice having been a perfect contrast to the frantic ramblings of the Rutian dressed CMO.  Elan turned to face the frantic Doctor, his gaze immediately melted her irritation.

Lea found herself unable to look away from the Oltharian, a storm of emotions having washed over her. Had she been truly frustrated with their situation or had there been something else? Had the CMO felt that powerless to help the Shillian or had the Doctor felt helpless towards something else?

For the first time Lea had  wished that Eve had been there for her to talk to. Things had apparently gotten out of hand and left Doctor Summers feeling like a fool.  The Rutian dressed CMO had been ready to offer an apology to her CO when something else happened.

=/\= Founder, =/\= the voice of the Vorta was heard indicating that Elan had succeeded in his task.  =/\= Please forgive me for saying this, but I was wondering if you are alright. You seemed a little troubled, preoccupied back there. =/\=

"She's not buying it," Lea said rather calmly, the CMO having regained control of her emotions. "That one slip tipped her off and she now suspects that Maya is not a Founder."

"We may have another problem," Elan added. "I was able to tap into the internal sensor grid. According to these readings, there are three distinct entities present in that room."

"Would make sense for the Vorta to not go in alone if she suspected something," Rikar said. This situation had gone from bad to worse in record time, and things were not looking as if they would improve soon.

"The problem is worse than that," the Olthaian said, his voice still as calm as ever. "The sensor scan shows two biological life forms."

"Two?" Lea repeated. "But you just said that there were three distinct entities?"

"I did," Elan confirmed. "The third does not register as being *biological*."

The Jorelian captain seemed to go from a red complexion to one more on the pink side of the color chart. "There is a Founder in that room?"

"You mean a *real* founder! In there with Maya and that Vorta?" The CMO gasped. Trying to deal with a dozen thugs had been difficult enough. Dealing with a shapeshifting alien able to take on *any* form had been an entirely different matter.

"I guess it's official," the red skinned woman sighed. "We have a problem."

=-=
Tiffany Reeve

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P209: USS ANUBIS: Russell: Day 4 - 2055 ("An Unexpected Break")

=-=
"An Unexpected Break"
[Previous post: "A Friend in Need"]
=-=

Setting: USS PARADOX, Jefferies Tube
Stardate: 63073.2055

Over the last thirty minutes Ensign Russell had not only returned to Cargo Bay 6 to insure the safety of his son Shawn but had also managed to make his way where he suspected Anya Green had been held captive, all of this using only the ship's maintenance access tunnels.  All of this scurrying around like a mouse in a maze had forced Adam to gain a ability to do so quickly and silently, a skill that he had grown to appreciate.

It had been with a certain level of pride that the former YORKSHIRE's FCO found out that his suspicions had been correct.  Not being in possession of the ship's security codes had meant that the aliens who had commandeered the PARADOX had not been able to gain access to the ship's brig, leaving them with only limits alternate selections to easily and safely keep anyone a prisoner.

From behind the panel which he had silently moved aside enough to allow him to see inside the bio-containment field, Adam had been able to see the his friend and ally laying on the ground, bound and bruised.  Anya looked as if she had gone through several rounds with an enraged Klingon, but the Arcadian did not give any impression that she had succumbed to her treatment and revealed anything about what she had found or done.  All that remained had been for Ensign Russell to devise a plan to get her out of there without getting himself captured.

A direct assault had not been an option as it would risk revealing his presence to everyone and in so doing placing Shawn in danger.  No, Adam could not permit himself to do this, but nor could he let Anya stay in her present condition.  He needed to come up with a plan, a good plan, and as quickly as possible before this Sumariss that had been mentioned returned and decided on the Arcadian's final fate.

Adam waited and watched as the two goons guarding the room wandered around the bio-containment field never giving the hidden Ensign a single opportunity to even move from his current location.  That was until a Bolian entered the room and told the pair to head to the Engineering level to take care of something.  Having been visibly bored with their current task of guarding the defenceless Arcadian, the two had appeared more than happy to comply with their new orders.

This had been the opportunity the Ensign had been waiting for and quickly prepared himself to strike.  He would get only one chance to rush in and tackle the Bolian down after the force field had been deactivated.  What Adam would need to do with the unconscious blue skinned alien still had not been decided, but for the time being rescuing Anya had been the one and only thought on his mind.

The moment the force field was deactivated by the Bolian, Ensign Russel had been ready to leap passed the panel that he had fully moved aside.  It would take him several seconds to reach his target so he needed to sprint like never before, at least that had been the plan until he saw the Arcadian reach out and embrace the new arrival.

Puzzled by this strange way to deal with a captor, Adam found himself waiting for the scene to further unfold and hopefully provide him with a few answers instead of a universe of questions.

"Why I'm risking my neck for you is beyond me," the Bolian softly sighed as he inspected the woman's many bruises.  "I should leave you here and continue on with our mission."

"You have always been too soft-hearted," Anya said in a pain filled whispered voice.

"You are lucky that Sumariss was delayed at the trade center," the Bolian continued while he pressed a hypospray to the Arcadian's neck. "It gave me enough time to solve this lovely problem you created.  Now we have to get out of here, can you stand?"

"I'll try," Anya said, the journey to her reaching a standing posture having been a slow and painful one.

Adam watched, now more then ever puzzled as to why this unknown Bolian had helped someone who had obviously been against their employer.

"Computer," the Bolian instructed immediately after he and Anya had stepped out of the containment field.  "Initiate False Echo program 5."

Ensign Russell remained absolutely silent as he watched a holographic recreation of the Arcadian appear on the floor where the real woman had been only a few seconds ago, making it seem as if the prisoner had never actually left.

Without someone to actually rescue, Adam decided to retreat back to the safety and isolation of the Jefferies Tubes while he tried to follow the Bolian to hopefully discover what this had been all about.

=-=
William Reeve

Ensign Adam Russell
(in another reality)
former
Flight Control Officer
USS YORKSHIRE
OLD-P208: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 2055 ("A Friend In Need")

-=-=-
"A Friend In Need"
[Previous post: "I'm Not Laughting"]
-=-=-

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Market Place
Stardate: 63073.2055

Adriana could not help but be in awe at the size and strength of the black-furred Kzinti.  She had never in her wildest dream expected to ever meet another alien the size of the Oltharian CEO, yet there he stood.  Grex held onto his daughter as if she had been nothing more than a feather, his arms easily taking on the task to carry the weakened form of the Kzinti huntress.

As the aCMO turned Kerelian betrothed observed the strange pair, Adriana wondered what had been the story between the two of them.  She knew little about Hex and even less about the Kzinti culture, but to see a father and daughter hold such spite for one another had been unimaginable for Ensign Lopez.

"Grex!" Adriana suddenly called out as she noticed a large pool of blood on the giant's arm.  "Are you in anyway hurt?"

"No," the towering Kzinti sternly replied as if the question had been in some way insulting.  "Why would you ask such a question?"

"Because I had truly hoped that this had been your blood and not hers," the aCMO said while pointing to the blood-stained sleeve of the hunter's shirt.  "I don't have the needed equipment to stop the bleeding, and if we don't she will die."

The imposing male Kzinti hunter quickly looked around in search for something that would help them in their current predicament, and without warning suddenly changed course and rapidly headed for what appeared to be an impressing temple.

"Where are we going?" Adriana asked, having been forced to run in order to keep up with the Kzinti's impressive stride.

"As much as I hate to go back there," Grex said without looking back, "I suspect that there will be someone in that temple that can help us."

In only a few steps the towering hunter had not only climbed the many steps leading to the main door but had also stepped inside the oddly strange structure.  [[Why do I have the feeling Lt. Cmdr. Maya would *love* to see this?]] Adriana thought to herself as she continued to struggle to keep up with the hunter.

"PRIEST!" Grex called out drawing the attention of an elderly Efrosian who had apparently been busy taking care of a humanoid woman.  "Your assistance is required, NOW!"

Despite the rather rude tone of the Kzinti, the Efrosian approached and immediately set his attention on the form of the smaller Kzinti female who seemed to almost vanish in the grasp of the male.

"She was hurt during that explosion," Adriana began ready to explain all that had happened and the efforts that had been taken to halt the bleeding, but the aCMO was cut short by a simple hand gesture from the Efrosian.

"I am Kane," the aged alien said with a gentle smile that seemed to fill the room and radiate an aura of absolute peace and tranquility. "I will help."

The Efrosian led the way to a small room and instructed the towering Kzinti to place his ward onto a small, primitive bed.  Once he had been satisfied that Hex had been safe, Grex took a single large step back and gave the Priest room to do as he needed.

"You will save her," the Kzinti said in a way that seemed to mix the concerned tone of a worried father with the threatening echo of a ruthless hunter.

"That's what he does," the humanoid female announced as she stepped into the room to join the others.  "I'm Mortina, a Betazoid, and all I can say is that for one reason or another Ojall helps others."

"I'm guessing that he helped you too," Adriana said having taken her eyes away from Hex only long enough to take in the woman's features.

"More than you can imagine," Mortina admitted before the imposing Kzinti pushed his way passed her to leave the room.

"I'll wait outside," Grex growled leaving the Kerelian dressed woman and her new Betazoid acquaintance to wonder as to the reason why he seemed so distant from a member of his own species.

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P207: USS ANUBIS: Fairborn: Day 4 - 2055 ("I'm Not Laughing")

###################
"I'm Not Laughing"
[Previous Post Sabrina's "Regroup"]
###################
 
"While I admit the universe does have a sense of humour, I doubt very much this is a joke."
- Rev Bem, Andromeda
 
Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Tavern
Stardate: 63073.2055
 
Elan kept a watchful eye on Vellanor as she moved through the room, speaking to one gang member after the other. Something had bothered the Vorta, that much had been clear, but the Oltharian had still been unable to determine what that something had been - although he did have an idea.
 
Maya seemed equally troubled although for an obviously different reason. With a single ill chosen word the Chief Science Officer had feared that she had placed the entire mission, not to mention the safety and lives of those senior officers next to her, in danger.
 
"What do you think Vellanor is asking them about?" Lea asked of the Oltharian in a whispered voice.
 
"Trying to confirm or refute her suspicions I would guess," Elan replied having managed to stop short of adding his usual show of reverence to the ANUBIS' CMO by calling her *Healer*.
 
"I thought Vortas looked upon Founders as gods," the Doctor pointed out, her gaze having shifted from the CEO and moved onto the Shillian shapeshifter before finally landing on the red-skinned Jorelian woman.
 
"Under normal circumstances no member of the Dominion would dare to question the claims of a Founder, whatever it may be," Rikar explained as she glanced in the direction of the Vorta who had apparently completed her round of questioning. "Unfortunately for us, this is far from being normal circumstances."
 
"There is something strange about the dress she wears," Maya offered as if having either not heard the whispered conversation or having decided to ignore it. "It does not flow as it should."
 
"How can you focus on her dress knowing that she may be questioning *who* you are?" Lea demanded, her nervousness having reached its boiling point.
 
The whispered conversation between the four undercover Starfleet officers came to an abrupt end when Vellanor and two gang members approached the table.
 
"These gentlemen will escort you to more suitable accommodations while we wait for things to calm down and the landing platforms restored to full operating status," the Vorta announced in that usual tone which seemed to annoy most other races. As everyone rose from their chairs, Vellanor turned to face the shapeshifter and offered a low, deep bow before continuing. "Founder, with your permission I would like for you to follow me. There is a matter of great important that I need to bring to your attention, in private."
 
The Oltharian quickly glanced in the direction of his CO to see what her instructions had been. Although being a being dedicated to peace, Elan still held the lives of his fellow shipmates above his religious beliefs, and would act accordingly if required. A simple shake of the Jorelian woman's head though made the ANUBIS' CEO step down from his readiness to jump into action.
 
"If there anything you need from us," Rikar offered to the Vorta although her words had been equally meant for the Shillian, "we won't be far."
 
Vellanor offered a cold, icy smile which hinted that should things unfold as the Vorta had expected, the Jorelian, Oltharian and Rutian would have other issues to content with. Maya nodded her understanding and tried as best she could to reassure to other members of the group without actually saying anything.
 
Vigilantly, the three officers followed their escort out of the room while Vellanor and the shapeshifter vanished inside of another room - that one guarded by two other gang members.
 
"Now what?" The Chief Medical Officer, her concerns for Maya having increased with each step they took.
 
"There is nothing that we *can* do," Rikar whispered reluctantly. "Not for the time being at least."
 
The three aliens were brought into a small room and as soon as the door was closed behind them, the undercover officers sprung into action.
 
"Elan," Rikar began as she directed the massive Engineer towards the wall where the replicator had been located. "See if there is some way to listen in on the conversations that are taking place in the other rooms. We way not be allowed there, but I want to know what's going on so that if we need to act we can do so quickly."
 
The ANUBIS' CEO immediately complied and went to work, removing the panel of the control console to gain access to the inner circuits.
 
"How do you plan to deal with the dozen or so thugs between us and Maya if we need to act?" The CMO asked, certain that the Jorelian freighter Captain, Olthairan Engineer and Rutian woman would not be able to successfully fight all of them should the situation called for it.
 
"That's what you and I have to figure out in the next minute or so," the CO stated.
 
"That's not funny," Lea sighed.
 
"It wasn't a joke," Rikar countered with in an all too serious tone.

--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette
 
Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS
 
And
 
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P206: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 2050 ("Regroup")

==========
" Regroup "
(Previous Post was Dawn's "Making New Friends")
==========
 
Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Tavern
Stardate: 63073.2050
 
The young woman and the imposing Oltharian followed Vellanor into the tavern and immediately realised that they had stepped into a new world of trouble… not because they had been surrounded and outnumbered by a dozen of scruffy looking aliens, but rather because another team had already been there. Normally Rikar would have been happy to see both Doctor Summers and Lt. Cmdr. Maya, but in this particular instance the ANUBIS' CO figured that having a Vorta and a Founder in the same room had not been such a good idea… especially considering that the Founder had in fact been a Shillian.
 
"You?" the leader of the gang that had brought the shapeshifter and Rutian here called out in astonishment. "What are you doing here?
 
"Plans have changed," the Vorta announced, sounding as unimpressed as could be. "That bounty hunter is getting too close for comfort."
 
"Grex! That stumbling mountain of fur? I wouldn't be concerned with that walking carpet," the leader said as he laughed out loud. "He couldn't find his way to scratch himself if he was neck-deep in a pool of Tarkalian mites."
 
"You truly have a repulsing way with words," the Vorta stated in disgust as she shifted her attention away from the alien to discover that two outsiders had been also present in the room with them. "You sorry excuse for a worm," Vellanor exclaimed as she began to make her way to the sitting shapeshifter and Rutian. "You are lucky that there are no Jem'Hadars here to follow my instructions or I would have your hide replace the curtains of this stink hole."
 
"Well…" the CMO gulped as she leaned in closer to the Shillian while never taking her eyes from the rapidly approaching Vorta, "at least we know that there are no Jem'Hadar present on this asteroid."
 
Maya braced herself as the distance between her and the Vorta rapidly vanished, the CSciO not at all certain as to what was about to happen.
 
"You honour us with your presence Founder," the Vorta offered as she stopped about a meter away from the sitting shapeshifter and displayed her reverence through a long, deep bow. Maya allowed a faint sigh of relief to escape from her lips although the Shillian knew that this had not meant by any means that they had been out of the proverbial woods . "I was not aware that there was another here on this forsaken asteroid."
 
"An other?" The CMO whispered in shock only loud enough for the woman sitting with her to hear… the idea that there had been an actual Founder here in the trade center had sent a chill down Doctor Summer's spine.
 
"It is best not to inform everyone of our whereabouts or of our intents," Maya explained hoping that her words would be sufficient to end the Vorta's queries before they actually began.
 
"The Founders are wise in all things," Vellanor stated as she once again bowed with the utmost respect to the being she considered to be nothing short of a god.
 
"Who are those people who have brought here?" The Shillian demanded, trying as best as she could to play her part in this little Intel gathering adventure of theirs.
 
"They are no one of importance," the Vorta quickly reassured. "They have offered their knowledge and skill as engineers in exchange for a simple component they require for their own vessel."
 
"There is nothing simple about a transphasic power regulator with a sub harmonic coupling," the red-skinned Jorelian captain stated as she took only a single step towards the sitting shapeshifter before being intercepted by two armed aliens.
 
"Indeed," Maya said and added a faint grin to display interest which she hoped would leave the Vorta to understand that these people were now under the protection of this Founder. "Sit," the Shillian instructed the pair of undercover Starfleet Officers. "Let us discuss this matter in more details… and in private," the CSciO added as she shot a quick glare in the Vorta's direction.
 
With a snap of her fingers Vellanor instructed the gathered gang to bring in two more chairs to the table and allowed the Jorelian woman and Oltharian giant to approach unchallenged.
 
"Will you be requiring anything more Founder?" the Vorta inquired with yet another deep bow of respect.
 
"No," Maya replied as she waved the woman away. "That will be all Vorta."
 
The servant of the Founders blinked a couple of times with surprise before bowing once more, "The name is Vellanor, Founder and I remain at your devoted service."
 
"That might have been a mistake," the young woman whispered as she took one of the chairs that had been brought and sat next to the shapeshifter.
 
"How's that?" The Rutian dressed woman queried, echoing the whispered tone of their CO.
 
"Vortas are a genetically engineered race of clones," the red-skinned woman explained. "There are few *models* at any given time and I am pretty certain that all Founders know them by name."
 
Even through her makeup it had been easy to see that the Shillian had suddenly felt worried as she glanced at the Vorta who in turn had shot an inquisitive look in the Founder's direction.
 
==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light"
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P205: USS ANUBIS: Mitshiba: Day 4 - 2045 ("Making New Friends")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Making New Friends"
(Cont. from "Scientifically Speaking Things Can Always Get Worse")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Landing Platform D
Stardate: 63073.2045

Natalie Portree, the civilian dressed Romulan Tal Shiar Operative and their Ferengi acquaintance had arrived at their destination, safe, sound and on time.  Unfortunately the universe had other plans for the Intel team and their lackey.

"I was afraid of that," the ANUBIS' CNS sighed. As she looked at the displayed status lights of the landing platform  "That blast  we heard caused the flight control of the trade center to stop all ships from departing."

"There is likely a dampening field in place to insure that no one beams off this asteroid," Aki added, her narrowed eyes having stopped on the increasingly nervous looking Ferengi.

"Hey, don't look at me!" Caden said as he again rose his hands as if surrendering.  "It wasn't my fault.  There is no profit in blowing things up.  Selling the explosives yes, using them, no."

The more Caden spoke the more the aCSciO of the ANUBIS realised just how much she despised the Ferengi's one and only reason for existence - profit.  How the species had managed to evolved to eventually make it to the stars had been beyond Aki's understanding.  Aki's growing disdain for the race and individual was brought to an abrupt stop when another alien stepped out of the entrance to the landing platform, his reptilian features clearly displaying anger.

"Not having a good day I take it," Eve said, her eye patch having indicated that although the Selay had been of this time and dimension he had been exposed to a great deal of temporal energy, thus making him a creature worth speaking to.

"Ssstupid sssecurity sssystem," the Selay said, his anger having elongated the already pronounced *s* sound of his words to an almost painful length.  As he realised that he had not been as alone as he had initially expected, the reptilian humanoid pressed a single control on his armband and took one large step back.  "Who are you?"

Natalie quickly noticed the sudden increase in the Selay's nervousness, especially when he noted the Romulan features of one of the three aliens who had surprised him.  The odds had been very good that this had been Sumariss, the individual mentioned in the bar and the one who held their passage onto 'a large ship'.

"My name is Natalie Portree," Eve replied with a calmness that seemed all too natural for the Counsellor.  "We are here to see Sumariss and offer our services in exchange for transport off this Rigellian hell hole."

"One of your associates instructed us to be here, at Landing Platform D, at this time," Aki added having figured that her keeping silent at this time would not help their situation.  To strengthen her position and establish that she had been who she had appeared to be, the sCSciO had needed to be more than a silent observer.

"You called for us boss?" One scruffy looking alien said as he rushed out of the entrance followed by a handful of others, all armed with a strange mix of phasers and disruptors from every corner of the quadrant.

"Look friend," Eve began knowing that their unexpected arrival had placed Sumariss and his gang on the defensive.  "We were simply told that you were looking for some help in engineering and that you might be willing to trade a way off this rock for our expertise and assistance.  If we were misinformed we will happily be on our way and leave you to your business."

Natalie Portree had not even taken a single step away from the Selay and his summoned troops before Sumariss spoke.  "You three are engineers?"

"I'm a freelance pilot," Eve clarified.  "So I have some working knowledge in that field and know what needs to be done to get something to work.  My friend Saaki here is talented in many different fields," the undercover CNS added as she pointed to the ANUBIS' aCSciO who had decided to play 'Tal Shiar Operative', a role that she seemed to grown more and more comfortable with.

"What about him?" Sumariss asked, pointing a rather threatening finger at the Ferengi.

"He's a pair of lobs on legs," Natalie chuckle back.  "He's a pain, he smells, but he can be useful at times."

Caden sarcastically grinned at his hu-man friend for the colorful introduction she had given him.

Sumariss seemed to debate the situation for a while before he motioned for his men to clear the entrance to the landing platform.  "Alright, you're in.  We just have to wait for the flight control to allow us to leave and we will be on our way."

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

OLD-P204: USS ANUBIS: Maya: Day 4 - 2040
("Scientifically Speaking Things Can Always Get Worse")

---
"Scientifically Speaking Things Can Always Get Worse"
(Previous Post: "New Companion")
---

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Tavern
Stardate: 63073.2040
 
The Founder and Rutian sat at the table they had been escorted to surrounded by roughly a dozen nervous looking aliens, the sound of the recent explosion having sent nearly everyone in the room into a state of complete panic. Something had happened and although none knew what had taken place for certain, all seemed to agree that it meant trouble for them in the long run.
 
Hidden and sequestered within the building there had been no way for the Shillian Chief Science Officer to know what had happened or if any of the other members of the away team had been involved. Judging by the expression on the face of the Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Summer seemed to quietly share in these concerns.
 
When the leader of the gang of ruffians finally returned, a simple glare from the Shillian had been enough to make him alter his course to approach the table of the shapeshifter and of her companion. "My apologies Founder, there seemed to have been an explosion at one of the smaller stalls in another sector of the trade center. Everything seems to be under control but the landing platforms have been taken off-line for the time being," the man nervously reported as if scared that the news would displease the Founder and endanger his own continued existence.
 
"Go," the Shillian-turned-Founder instructed trying her best to come across as annoyed at the news as best she could. "Make sure that all *is* under control and let us know the moment the situation has been resolved." The order had been clear enough to send the alien rushing immediately to do as he had been told but vague enough not to let on that the Chief Science Officer of the USS ANUBIS had no idea what she and Doctor Summers had found themselves in the middle of.
 
"Nice that he obeys you like that," the Chief Medical Officer grinned in a whispered voice as she leaned in closer to the Shillian. "Maybe this turn of event will play in our favour and lead us straight to the PARADOX."
 
"Unfortunately, hopeful thinking holds little chance against the scientific premises of the Chaos theory," the Shillian Scientist whispered back. "The odds that things will unfold to only benefit us are much smaller than those which claim that something will happen to hinder our progress in one way, shape or form. In fact any delay or obstacles encounter during our mission may prove to be only side effects of a sequence of events that will affect reality as we know it. For all we know the explosion we heard has begun a chain reaction at the quantum level that will lead to a complete molecular destabilization of all matter within this universe."
 
Doctor Summers blinked several times and remained completely silent as she allowed the words spoken by the Shillian woman to sink in, that was until the Rutian dressed woman noted three new arrivals into the tavern. "Or things could be even worst than what you just described," the Chief Medical Officer said with a long sigh, her gaze locked on the new arrivals.
 
"What could possibly be worst than the complete collapse of all matter leading to the end of all life in this reality?" The Shillian Scientist inquired with puzzlement, only now having realised that the attention of her companion had been entirely focused elsewhere.
 
"That would be a good start," Doctor Summers offered as she quickly pointed to a red-skinned Jorelian freighter captain who bore an uncanny resemblance to their Commanding Officer, a towering Oltharian giant by her side, the two of them having followed a uniquely dressed Vorta into the tavern.

---
Jessica Solarik

Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P203: USS ANUBIS: Fanggot: Day 4 - 2040 ("New Companion")

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"New Companion"
Previous post:"Commotion"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Setting:YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Market Place
Stardate:63073.2040

====^*^====

Hex watched the flames from the explosion engulf the small stall for another moment before turning back to follow the Kerelian betrothed. The explosion was unexpected, but the Kzinti's mind was elsewhere. The stranger had appeared more than once and the fuzzy humanoid was beginning to think it was not just a coincidence.

"Adriana, those here will wonder about us due to the fact that we were in the direct vicinity right before the flames erupted. We should move faster." Hex stated, catching up to the aCMO.

"You always talk like that... all business, why is that?" Adriana questioned, quickening her pace to keep the young Kzinti from running into her.

"I was taught to talk this way when I was young, as a diplomat for my village, and the daughter of a very... unpopular bloodline. It's easiest to talk to people when you place words as I do, for me at least." Hex answered, rolling her shoulder.

Tingling ran down her arm each time she rolled her shoulder; something hurt. Hex stopped a minute and tried to flex her arm, earning herself a very sharp pain in the shoulder. Ensign Lopez had stopped a few feet ahead, looking back with concern.

"Hex? What's wrong?" the aCMO asked, pivoting herself into a position with which she could see both ends of the narrow alleyway.

"Nothing much... my shoulder hurts is all." Hex mumbled, trying to keep her arm still as possible and failing.

"Let me take a look at it." Adriana offered, stepping closer to the Kzinti.

"What? Why?" Hex asked, moving away from the approaching doctor.

"Cause you can't really protect me if your shoulder is broken, and I need to be prepared just in case." the woman answered with a grin.

Hex grumbled, inwardly cursing herself for being stupid before taking her hand away from the wounded shoulder. Adriana gasped, reaching out to touch the Kzinti's shoulder, but stopping when she noticed the stiffness of the other Ensign's posture.

"Does it hurt that bad?" the Kerelian disguised woman asked, pulling her arm back a moment to inspect it with only her eyes.

"Not really, it's just annoying." Hex lied, feeling the pain burn in her shoulder even as she spoke. The Kzinti wasn't about to allow the doctor to do a full analysis on her now, when things needed to be done and people protected.

"I'll have to at least bandage it to stop the bleeding... but it looks like something from the explosion might have gotten jammed into your shoulder." Adriana observed, taking care not to touch the wound more than needed.

"We need to take whatever it is out then?" Hex questioned, her ear twitching slightly.

"Right." the aCMO confirmed, still looking over the wound, wondering how to best manage the removing process while in a trade center alleyway. 

Before the doctor could offer a suggestion, the huntress sighed and quickly moved her hand over the wound. Taking a deep breath, she dug her claws into the wound quickly, gasping in pain.

"HEX! You don't have to do that! We could have found... something." Adriana chided, trying again to keep both her surprise and her voice to a minimal.

"This is easier, and less... " Hex twitched as she slowly began to pull a small, yet long, object from her shoulder, "Less hazardous... "

The doctor sighed, it was useless to scold Hex about it now. Looking around quickly, Ensign Lopez decided to play on the Kzinti's grounds and use whatever they had to aide her. Pulling slightly at her dress, she wondered how much of it she could use to bandage the young humanoid's shoulder.

Hex heard a rip as she was inspecting the piece of shrapnel that had been embedded into her arm. Looking at her crew mate, the Kzinti realized that her dress had become smaller instantly due to the fact that the aCMO was holding a potion of it in her hands.

"I'll bandage you up for now, but we'll have to take a look at that when we get back." Adriana said, smiling at the Kzinti's astonished look.

Gently wrapping the cat-like woman's shoulder, Ensign Lopez felt the Kzinti twitch. Assuming it was from pain, the aCMO continued slower than before. Hex let out a feral hiss in the direction they had come, which made Adriana look up a moment to see the large imposing black Kzinti from before in the entrance to the alleyway, staring at the two women with a grin.

"Well, well, well, it's not everyday you see a young Kerelian betrothed bandaging the arm of a weakling Kzinti huntress." the male said smoothly, seeming somewhat happy with the outcome.

"Wouldn't have happened if you hadn't caused that explosion." Hex stated bluntly, her words sounding dull from the pain, but still venomous.

"What makes you think I would do such a thing?" the older Kzinti questioned, feigning a look of hurt at the mere mention of his involvement.

"You're a hunter, but since you're here, I'm guessing it's not animals you hunt." Hex answered, hissing under her breath as the bandage was pulled closer to her flesh.

"You're observant, I'll give you that. I want to know if you spoke the truth though little Forsaken. Are you truly the daughter of Vladina Fanggot?" the dark-furred male asked pointedly, making the young aCMO feel uncomfortable with a stare in her direction.

"Yes." Hex stated, for no other words were needed, she was wasting her strength talking to the likes of this man when all he did was insult her.

"Then, as your father, I am obligated to help you." the Kzinti stated, grimacing at his own words.

"My father is dead. Even if you were him, what makes now so different from before? Where were you back when I was young?" Hex questioned, assaulting the imposing figure with words since she could not use force to make her questions more imposing.

"There's no time for this talk. Where are you two heading?" the humanoid stated, pinching the bridge of his feline nose with two fingers, oddly irritated.

"Landing platform D." Adriana answered, finishing Hex's bandages, but earning herself a glare from her fellow Ensign.

Before she knew it, the Kzinti huntress was at least four feet above ground in the elder Kzinti's arms. Hex squirmed, but it was futile to resist his tight hold and the Ensign was getting dizzy from the blood-loss.

"My name is Grex," the imposing Kzinti stated, bowing slightly to the Kerelian, "and I will lead you to where you need to go. Unfortunately"

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanggot
Assistant Sec/Tac officer
USS ANUBIS

"Laugh as long as you breathe and love as long as you live."
- Unknown
OLD-P202: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 2040 ("Commotion")

==========
" Commotion "
(Previous Post was Marissa's "Never Look Back")
==========
 
Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Market Place
Stardate: 63073.2040
 
The young woman stood motionless as she tried to gather information as to the explosion that had drawn everyone out of the business they had been busy with. As imposing as the asteroid and trade center had been, the sound of the large crash followed by the general commotion had been impossible to miss. All that remained had been to ascertain if whether or not this event had anything to do with the undercover presence of the ANUBIS' crew here.
 
From his higher vantage point the Oltharian had been able to get a more precise bearing as to the location of the explosion, but like his CO the CEO had not followed the sizable portion of the crowd that had suddenly headed that way.
 
"It appears to be in the general area where team 2 was beamed down," Elan stated in a whispered voice to the red-skinned woman standing immediately in front of him. "It also looks like the landing platforms have been taken offline for the time being to insure that no ship leaves the trade center." 
 
"Fanggot and Lopez can take care of themselves," Rikar nervously offered, more as a means to convince herself than anything else. As their CO the young woman's initial response had been to rush in and insure that everything had been under control or to render assistance if either Ensigns needed it. Instead though the Jorelian freighter captain had to distance herself from the commotion… not only to protect her own cover but that of the two Ensigns as well. Like the other members of the away team Hex and Adriana had been on their own.
 
"This has to be the most excitement this place has seen in months," an unfamiliar voice offered which caused both the towering Oltharian and the red-skinned woman to turn in its direction. Less than a meters away from the pair, a female Vorta stood nonchalantly, the expression on her features pointed to the explosion not having drawn her interest in the least.
 
"If it means that I can make a few extra credits, the whole asteroid field can be blown up for all I care," Rikar chuckled back, having hidden and dismissed her surprise at the unexpected arrival of the woman.
 
The Vorta smiled as only they could, the power and protection of the Dominion having given them a sense of entitlement and security like no other. That the race also revered the Founders as *gods* for whom they had been willing to lay down their lives for had not helped in diminishing this overbearing confidence of theirs. "Allow me to introduce myself," the servant of the Dominion began, "I am Vellanor and I have a business proposition for you."
 
The statement made by the Vorta immediately caught the young woman's attention… in roughly the same manner as the woman's dress which had seemed to flow over the her figure in a rather peculiar manner.
 
"We're listening," the red-skinned woman replied unimpressed as she crossed her arms in front of her, not wanting to appear too anxious or concerned with the Vorta's words. Truth be known though, Rikar had already figured out that the woman's arrival had been due to their little chat about the transphasic power regulator with the Xyrillian… and that this had been a potential lead to the PARADOX.
 
"This is not the right environment to talk business," Vellanor stated, her hands showing the surrounding buildings to the pilot and her engineer. "If you will follow me, we can discuss my business proposal in a more suitable, and private location."
 
The young woman's eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she gaze at the departing Vorta whose words had been spoken with the utmost of charm and savoir-faire but also hinted to this request not having been as friendly as it might have sounded. Still this had been the best lead that had presented itself to them and Rikar saw no reason not to pursue it… after all the fate of the entire galaxy seemed to rest on the outcome of this mission.
 
As the Jorelian freighter captain and her engineer followed a few steps back behind the Vorta, Elan whispered a single word to his CO meant to draw her attention to the general area in which they had been heading in. "Three." Rikar immediately understood the significance of this detail, one that she suspected could make things much more difficult for everyone. The number mentioned by the Oltharian had referred to the team assigned to the section they had been heading to… a team comprised of Doctor Summers as an infected Rutian woman and Lt Commander Maya who for this Intel gathering mission had taken on the role of a Founder.
 
==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 
 
"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P201: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 2035 ("Never Look Back")

-=-=-
"Never Look Back"
[Previous post: "New Coordinates"]
-=-=-

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Market Place
Stardate: 63073.2035

"Was it just me or was that guy a little *buggy*?" Adriana whispered to her companion after a few seconds, referring to the Xindi Insectoid they had just left behind.

"Funny," Hex grunted at her friend's play on words.

"What really gets me is that he thought you and I were shapeshifters," the aCMO added in an even softer whispered voice.  "I thought Commander Maya was the only shapeshifter here," Ensign Lopez continued having referred to not only the woman's special ability but to her disguise also.

"Agreed, but I would be also be concerned about the fact that *we* needed to escape from this place," the Kzinti huntress said before she came to a complete stop, her ears having perked up as if she had heard something worth investigating.

"He did mention something about not mentioning to Rinno that he had helped us escape," Adriana recalled.  "Wonder who that Rinno fellow is and why that Xinti seemed so nervous," the aCMO added having only now realised that her friend had stop, almost running into her. "Something wrong?"

Hex's ear twitched as the Kzinti Huntress turned to look back at the colourful stall they had left behind, then without any warning Hex turned back and tackled the Kerelian betrothed in a rather undignified manner.  Before the bodies of the two Ensigns had hit the ground, a large explosion shook the entire market place, its origin having been that same stall they had just left.

"What happened?!?" Adriana gasped as Hex quickly bounced back to her feet and took on a defensive battle posture.

"Looks like our travel agent was given a one-way trip of his own," the Kzinti snarled, her eyes cautiously inspecting the many individuals who had rushed to see what had happened.  Judging by the size and focus of the explosion, there had been no doubts in the mind of the Security officer that the merchant had not survived.

"Do you think this was because of us?" The Kerelian dressed woman nervously asked, not entire sure if she needed to get back to her feet as well or start crawling away to avoid being seen.

"It's impossible to say at the moment," the Sect/Tac officer replied, her senses tuned to the flurry of activity now taking place around them.  "What I do know is that it will be safer for us to get out of sight.  Maybe someone just didn't like bugs, but there is no reason for us to stay here and find out if there was more to this."

Hex extended a hand to her friend and quickly pulled her onto her feet so that the two of them could make a hasty retreat into one of the alleyways and away from the increasing commotion.  While keeping Adriana in front of her and in sight, the Kzinti managed to glance back one last time at the chaos they were leaving behind.  What she saw this time made her fur stand on end.  Standing several meters away from the main hustle and bustle of the crowd with a rather pleased grin on his face had been the imposing Kzinti who Adriana had run into only minutes ago.

The Kzinti huntress did not know why but she knew that the beast who had claimed to be her father had played a part in what had taken place, a fact that Hex found disturbing and extremely unappealing. Based on what had happened and what she had seen, the Sec/Tac officer knew that they would run into the hunter once more in the not too distant future, that they wanted to or not.

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P200: USS ANUBIS: Fanggot: Day 4 - 2025 ("New Coordinates")‏

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"New Coordinates"
Previous post: "Too Easy"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Market Place
Stardate: 63073.2025

====^*^====

Hex watched her fellow crew mate as she walked through the trade center, glaring at all who dare eye her for a challenge. Though the Kzinti was very well trained in hand-to-hand combat, the huntress doubted that she'd be able to force off an entire army of possible suitors from her new friend.

Easing into character was easy and unnoticeable to the Ensign. The main reason being that the Kzinti was unknown as a Starfleet officer and had never before preformed Intel work. For all Hex knew, the entire galaxy assumed her dead, save a few.

Concern washed through the Ensign as she noticed her companion's arm being grabbed by a sickly green passerby. Tensing her muscles, Hex moved to get a closer look at the undercover aCMO, just to make sure she was safe.

Almost muttering to herself vainly, the Kzinti noticed the young betrothed Kerelian look in her direction, if only for a brief moment. Worry made itself known as the huntress found herself wondering what could be wrong.

Walking swiftly after her though the market, Hex arrived at her side just in time to see her fall to the ground. From what the Kzinti could tell, her friend had rammed herself into a very imposing looking Kzinti hunter.

"Watch where you're going little one," the male threatened, "Don't want to get *too* hurt before your big day."

Noticing the signs of hostility, Hex moved to place herself between Adriana and the much larger member of her species. "Watch who you're talking to, that is *if* you want to keep your skull attached." she hissed, trying to make herself sound fiercer than she felt.

"Who are you to tell me what to do?" the dark-furred humanoid sneered.

"I'm the second child of Vladina Fanggot, High Priestess of KZINTI PRIME. So, I suggest you move aside and let my companion and I pass through," the huntress retorted, moving forward a step and trying to act prouder than she was of the statement.

Unpredicted, the imposing elder Kzinti laughed. "I'm supposed to believe that *you* are the child of my loins? You look nothing like your older brother Damon."

Hex froze, her mind whirling and turning over information. Everything was suddenly wrong, her childhood, her work, her family. [[My father is dead,]] she repeated in her mind several times before getting the courage to stand straight again.

"You know not of what you speak. My father is dead, and so will you be if you do not move from my way," the younger Kzinti threatened, baring her fangs slightly in challenge.

Adriana, though confused, remained silent. Seeing as they were both Kzinti, she didn't want to get involved by commenting on something that might make them both turn on her. The images of Hex doing what Kzinti's usually did, according to some, was still fresh in her mind. The aCMO didn't want this giant cat to confirm her fears.

Grabbing the exceedingly smaller Kzinti by the robe, the larger elder rose her off her feet to place her at eye level. "You dare speak back to me? I can slit your throat here and now if I believed it necessary, and I'm not a very *logical* man."

"In other words, you're not a very *smart* man." Hex jeered, hissing to his face just as easily as she did when their heights differed.

Obviously enraged by her words, the male hissed back, tossing Hex to the ground. "You're lucky I have things to do shrimp, otherwise I would have settled this here and now." the cat-like man warned.

"I'd love to have seen you try, *father*," the huntress jeered again, egging on the elder in a menacing voice.

"If you're still here when my buisness is finished, you can bet that I'll have your hide as a trophy," the hunter snarled, his face tightening as he turned and went on his way.

"Hex!" Adriana whispered urgently, "What was all that about? We're supposed to be inconspicuous!"

"I know... I just couldn't have him degrading me like that... to say he was my father was a low blow," the Kzinti sighed, picking herself easily off from the ground.

"Just promise not to get into any brawls while I'm around. We have work to do and I can't really help you while I'm in this dress," the aCMO cautioned playfully, beginning to walk again.

"No promises." Hex declared, grinning at her the human woman and earning herself a sigh of exasperation.

Just as they began to walk again, Adriana stopped the Kzinti huntress with a tug at her arm and a nod in the direction of an interesting, and colorful, stall. A merchant was motioning to them very urgently, looking hastened and distraught. Cautioning their each and every step, the two woman approached the odd looking bug creature.

"You made it just in time." the elderly insectoid Xindi breathlessly claimed, looking over his shoulder every so often with a twitch, "I was beginning to think you'd never make it."

"We're here now... " the Kerelian disguised woman ventured, somewhat copying the creature's movements in looking hasty.

"Well, what are we waiting for? I've got you all set up with a ride to the planet, as we agreed. It took some doing, but I found a large vessel that is heading in the direction you mentioned. It won't be free, but I'm sure you can swing something with the Commanding Officer in that ridiculous outfit." the Xindi laughed, looking around once more. "His name is Sumariss. He *seems* like the reasonable type, but I'm not entirely sure."

"Our appearance does not suit you?" Hex questioned, looking down again at her clothing, taking a mental note to sew herself new clothes sooner than later.

"NO! No, it's perfect Lady Martolin. I would never insult your attire." the Xindi explained hesitantly, moving away from the Kzinti slightly, "I would go with the two of you shape-shifters, but I'm afraid I have a buisness to run here."

"Where will we find our vessel?" Adriana asked, keeping her voice low as to not be overheard.

"Landing platform D, it leaves in a little while, so I suggest you high-tail it down there and never turn back." the male stated evenly, again looking over his shoulder, "But, if you ever do return, don't tell Rinno that I was the one who helped you escape this place."

"Understood, we'll leave right away." the Kzinti nodded, turning to go and feeling the man's bug-like hand enclose around her forearm.

"Do be safe. Take this with you, it's all I have to offer." the Xindi cautioned, dropping a small bag into the Kzinti's hand, closing her fist around it.

Hex nodded at the male, clamping her hand over his forearm as well before walking away, somewhat dragging the aCMO along with her. The Kzinti shoved the bag into one of her inner pockets meant to hold weapons reloads and continued walking.

"Landing platform D, it could be a lead." the human noted, following close behind the Kzinti huntress.

"It could, but I doubt it. Many ships must come to dock here, and that means that we could be merely walking into some kind of trap meant for someone else." Hex noted, stopping in a small shady place to cool down and talk.

"It's the only lead we have so far, unless you want to hunt down that Kzinti from before." Adriana answered, noting the Kzinti's ear twitch at the mention of her previous rival.

"Fine, we'll go, but stay behind me at all times in case something bad happens. I'm not going to be the reason for another death." Hex sighed, watching the crowd.

Giving each other a solemn nod, the two ANUBIS Ensigns headed out into the fray. Hex wondered who was the real shape-shifter who was supposed to meet with the bug-man, as well as what the small pouch now in her pocket contained.

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanggot
Assistant Sec/Tac officer
USS ANUBIS

"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today"
- James Dean
OLD-P199: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 2015 ("Too Easy")

=-=
"Too Easy"
[Previous post: "Not So Easy", written by the tall, dark and handsome, William]
=-=

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Market Place
Stardate: 63073.2015

Lea glanced back at the Wadi as he scampered off to hide in an alleyway. The fear in the alien's eyes hinted to visions of a horde of Jem'Hadar descending upon him. As pathetic as the display had been, the CMO could not help but grin. The CSciO had been a total success in her first portrayal of an infamous Founder.

"I think that Wadi is going to be needing a change of underpants after this," Lea chuckled in a whispered voice.

"That was not my intent," Maya replied, sadness easily heard in her voice. "The goal is for us to gather Intel and eventually find the PARADOX, not to scare people to their knees."

The CMO thought of a way to respond to he Shillian's statement. Bottom line the CSciO had been correct, but gathering Intel in a place like the YUDARA trade center required that extra edge. An edge that the CMO believed very strongly had been theirs through the disguise and performance of her team companion.

Just as they were ready to enter into the establishment that the Wadi had indicated, Maya stopped. The CSciO begam a thorough examination of their surroundings which prompted the CMO to do the same.  Lea scanned the people walking about, apparently minding their own business and saw nothing. She continued her search for something out of place by looking at the other buildings. Again Rutian-dressed Doctor saw nothing of interest.

"What's wrong," Lea decided to ask, hoping that Maya had only caught a passing case of nerves.

"If the bar is our main bearing, look at heading 1-1-2," the CSciO stated. Lea immediately followed the instructions and noted a strange looking alien looking right back at them. "Now look at 1-7-8 and the other moving at 2-2-6," Maya added.  Doctor Summers complied and now saw what she had initially missed. Two other aliens, dressed as the first one had been, were keeping a close eye on them. A little too close for the CMO's liking.

"They are awfully curious about what we're doing," Lea said as she returned her eyes onto the first alien. The CMO had wanted to be impressed by Maya's observation skills but fear had made that impossible for the time being. "Maybe they are just amazed to see a Founder," Doctor Summers offered not truly believing that this had been the actual case.

"Everyone else followed that Wadi's lead except for those three," Maya sighed. "They are not afraid, nor even concerned. Their interest was immediate as if they had been looking for a Founder from the very start."

"The question is why," Lea said now fully understanding why Maya had stopped as she had.

"Founder?" A fourth alien, dressed in similar clothes as the first three said from the establishment's entrance. "If you would care to follow me, we have a table waiting for you."

"Come," Maya instructed her Rutian companion as she suspected a Founder would have. Not playing the part that she had selected for herself would have been catastrophic. So the CSciO continued as she had in the hope that this would lead to the break that they had been looking for.

Lea quietly followed and tried her best to keep the three aliens behind them in view. When the CMO noticed half a dozen more similarly dressed alien inside, the Rutian-dressed woman experienced cold chills.

"You shall be safe here Founder," the apparent leader of this gang of ruffians said. With an almost graceful gesture he invited both women to sit at the table that had been set for them.

"Well, that was easy," Lea sighed as she took the seat that had been offered to her.

"Too easy," Maya replied knowing that only a true Founder would be able to get out of this situation if things went south.

=-=
Tiffany Reeve

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P198: USS ANUBIS: Russell: Day 4 - 2025 ("Not So Easy")

=-=
"Not So Easy"
[Previous post: "The Magnificent Ferengi"]
=-=

Setting: USS PARADOX, Jefferies Tube
Stardate: 63073.2025

Something had changed and Adam had not liked it.  Not one bit.  The ship had somehow felt emptier, with far fewer people roaming the halls, so in theory things should have been easier, but the reality had been an entirely different thing.

Every key system of the ship had been placed under full time surveillance, the guards posted appearing uglier and meaner than the previous.  There had been no way for Ensign Russell to perform any further sabotage, at least nothing that would have truly mattered.  So reluctantly Adam had ventured through the ship using the Jefferies Tubes in the hopes of finding something to help his cause.

All of this of course while not getting caught.  When one of the panels inside the cramped crawlspace suddenly crashed onto the floor, Adam had been mortified.  He had been so careful to remain quiet, to not draw any attention to his presence.  Now he could hear a couple of goons talking about what they had heard and who between the them would go to investigate.

Adam contemplated the possibility of him taking the intruder to this ship by surprise, to use one of the pipes he had found to give the creature a new bump on its head, but the Ensign quickly dismissed that plan.  As successful as his surprise attack may be, it would leave no doubt in anyone's mind that there had been a saboteur onboard.

As much as he hated it, Adam had to admit that his work and efforts would be far more successful if his presence remained unknown for as long as possible.  So like the rat he had imagined himself to be on a few too many occasions while crawling through the Jefferies Tubes, the Ensign made a hasty retreat and hid silently in the nearest junction.

"This ship is nothing but a pile of floating junk," one alien said, having obviously discovered the fallen panel.  "Everything in here seems to be either broken, breaking or falling apart."

"Sumariss went to get extra engineering help," the other alien said, his voice not having sounded all that distant thanks to the echo through the crawl space.  "All we have to do is to make sure that the traitor we have with us doesn't get the chance to do more damage."

"That should be easy enough," the first laughed.  "She's been kept rather busy."

Adam's blood frozen in his veins.  He had initially believed that they had known of his presence, but the last words spoken by the goons pointed to something much more dangerous having happened.  If the traitor they had mentioned had been Anya, the entire ideal of keeping this ship from falling into unlawful hands had been place in jeopardy and worst the life of his own son had now been placed in direct danger.

As soon as he had thought the coast clear, Adam rushed back to the cargo bay to check on Shaun's condition.  This had not been the first time the young boy had been left alone, but the Ensign would have never been able to forgive himself if anything happened to him.  To lose his beloved wife had been hard enough, but to lose his child would be something that he would never be able to recuperate from.

=-=
William Reeve

Ensign Adam Russell
(in another reality)
former
Flight Control Officer
USS YORKSHIRE
OLD-P197: USS ANUBIS: Dalziel: Day 4 - 2025 ("The Magnificent Ferengi")

==========
"The Magnificent Ferengi"
(Previous Post: Dawn's "Something Smells Fishy")

"'Sometimes the only thing more dangerous than a question is an answer.'"
-Zek to Quark, the 208th rule of acquisition, DS9, "Ferengi Love Songs"

==========
Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Market Place
Stardate: 63073.2025

The two women left the bar as casually as they could, but it was hard to contain the excitement they both felt at getting a solid lead on a 'large vessel'. They were an odd couple anywhere else, but in the trade center it was nothing unusual to see a Tal Shiar and a 'space pirate' weaving through the crowd.

"It could be a garbage scow," Aki offered. "Or a trade freighter."

Ensign Dalziel considered this. Thanks to Maya's work on the eyepatch, Ms. Portree had discovered that the man's 'aura' indicated he was from their dimension. But then again, she also saw no deception in his offer to them. Regardless of the doubts, the lead was still promising.

"Then we'll need a graceful story to back out of the man's nice offer," Eve responded. "But as soon as I get a look at whatever he's transporting us in, I should be able to see any energy signatures that indicate the dimension of origin." Dalziel had also tried to memorize the schematics for both the ship and its shuttlecraft. Actually, she had spent more time on the shuttle's design parameters, due to possibly needing them for a quick getaway if things got out of hand with the PARADOX. Then again, there might not be much of a universe to escape to if the multi-dimensional ship met a destructive fate.

"He mentioned someone named 'Sumariss'. Is that name familiar to you?" Mitshiba asked.

Portree shook her head, tossing a few pieces of dark hair around as she did so. "It doesn't ring a bell. I wish it did."

"So, what's the plan?" The woman posing as a Tal Shiar said, still watching in amazement those around her keeping a respective distance, or better yet, trying to avoid the strange pair. She hoped her crewmate was faring as well in the Kerelian betrothal getup.

Natalie looked absolutely grim. "There are too many variables... at least three possibilities I can think of offhand."

"Okay, let's have them." Aki was surprised how logical the Counsellor could be when she had to be.

"You mentioned the first one. We could have the wrong ship. Once I see the transport vessel, I should know. We need to develop a signal that once it's used, it's a cue to refuse the job and leave the area."

Aki gave herself a mental pat on the back for beginning to think like an agent rather than a Science Officer. "Next?"

"The second option would be the most favorable. The man is alone and the transport vessel is proven to be linked to the PARADOX. I can easily overtake and incapacitate him and we can plan an ambush of the ship using the transport vessel."

Mitshiba gulped. The way Eve had said the word 'incapacitate' was without hesitation. Enaii would have been proud, if she ever openly displayed such an emotion. "And the third?"

"The transport vessel is the right one, but the away crew in the trade center outnumbers us. Then, we need to go with them to the PARADOX, and attempt to win the favor of the crew, all at the same time trying to stop the ship."

"We could rendezvous with some of the others and take them with us to the meeting location," Aki said hopefully.

"I've been thinking about that. However, since the identity of this vessel is not a certainty, I don't want to divert the others from their own investigations which may be more fruitful. We can't put all our eggs in one basket."

Mitshiba sighed, reluctantly agreeing with the Counsellor. "It was a nice thought while it lasted."

All of a sudden, Eve stopped walking.

"What is it?" Aki asked.

Eve looked around in a complete circle, slowly, purposefully. "I get the uncanny feeling we're being watched."

"There's a fine line between being 'watched' and being 'stared at'," the Romulan woman quipped. "Besides, who would be looking for us?"

"Oh, hell," Natalie said in a whisper, focusing her attention on the subject of her concern. She now knew the answer to that question.

"As I live and count latinum, if it isn't Natalie Portree," the Ferengi man said, leaning on the door frame of a small shop less than 500 feet from the bar they had just left. "I never thought I'd see you again."

Natalie huffed and rolled her eye at the squatty orange figure. "That's just another difference between us, Caden. I was *hoping* to never see you again."

Caden laughed nervously. "What's a little lost profit between friends?"

Portree smiled with pure evil. "Surely *you* haven't forgotten the twenty-first rule of acquisition?"

"Never place friendship above profit," he said in response, inching away just slightly from the tall woman. "Well I guess you had me there, Natty old pal."

Natalie slapped him on back, perhaps a little harder than she had to, and watched him shudder and cough with a perverse pleasure. "What brings you to this corner of the universe, my little man?"

"Profit- what else?" Caden replied with a toothy grin. "Gambling, debauchery, drugs, sex, it's all here. And I have a hand in everything," he finished proudly.

"Even the local security forces, I presume?" Portree asked.

"A good Ferengi never reveals all his secrets... let's just say a few have been handsomely rewarded to look the other way."

"Same old Caden," the pilot replied.

"So, who's your lady friend?" Caden said, winking at the Romulan woman. Even though they weren't the lobes of a Ferengi, those pointed ears had a certain attractiveness about them. 

Aki fought the urge to slap the pedantic entrepreneur.

"Hands off, Caden," Portree said sharply. "She's with me and that's all you need to know. Otherwise the Tal Shiar are likely to have you for dinner tonight with a nice chianti."

Caden raised both his hands in a 'no harm, no foul' position. "Okay, okay, no need to get offended. Can't a businessman admire pure beauty?"

Ensign Mitshiba could feel her fist clench with disgust. "Listen, pal-" she began, trying to sound even more irritated than she already was.

Portree interrupted. "I'm afraid the admiration party needs to be cut short, Caden. We have a rendezvous to make in less than twenty minutes. So, if you'll excuse us-"

"A rendezvous?" the Ferengi said with excitement. "Can I come with you?"

"No. It's going to be dangerous," Natalie said truthfully. "If you think the Tal Shiar are bad, they have nothing on these guys."

But Caden wasn't listening. He pulled a large carpetbag from behind one of the shop's merchandise stations and was giving instructions to his assistant, an Andorian male about as tall as Eve. 

"What part of 'no' don't you understand?" Natalie said as the Ferengi met them in the middle of the street. "I'll even pay you just so you'll leave us alone. How does that sound?"

"I need safe transport out of this Rigellian hell hole," Caden said pleadingly. "There have been strange things happening at the temple lately, and it's been bad for business."

"What kind of strange things?" Mitshiba asked, unable to hold her curiosity in check.

"I d-don't know," he stammered. "Something about a plain-clothes Starfleet officer being abducted by a cult that's into mind control," Caden said wildly. "I want my brain and my money to stay safe, thank-you-very-much."

At the mention of the words 'plain-clothes Starfleet officer', Eve and Aki exchanged pained glances. "How far is the temple from here?" Natalie barked at her Ferengi friend. None of them could have known that the person Caden had heard about was Mortina Millings, so the two ANUBIS officers naturally feared the worst.

"About five minutes north of here," he said with hesitation, realizing his chance to flee may have just been compromised by his own latinum-covered tongue. "Now wait just a minute, don't *we* have a ride to catch?"  

"Business before pleasure," Ms. Portree said. "Besides, don't forget 'the riskier the road, the greater the profit'."

"I respect your study of profits- that's the sixty-second rule of acquisition. Okay, I guess I'm in," Caden agreed weakly.

"You're in?" Aki couldn't help but question the Ferengi inviting himself to the group.

"That's okay," Natalie said with mock soothing, allowing the man to step in front of them. "We can use him as a shield if they start shooting."

Caden glared at Portree. "You would never-"

Natalie's one eye narrowed in anger. "Don't *try* me, you little troll," she hissed. "You owe *me* for the mess I got you out of on VALLA ROYALE. Those Bolians would have drawn and quartered you for that Ponzi scheme if I hadn't stepped in."

Caden lowered his shoulders in defeat. "Your memory is better than I thought... for a hu-man."

Portree waved a hand to the north, not acknowledging the compliment. "Lead on, my good sir. You know the place better than we do."

==========
Susan M Ledbetter
=/\=
Ensign Eve Dalziel
Counsellor
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

"I savored those stories; I read them slowly, one each day. And when I was done, I wished I hadn't read them at all. So I could read them again... like it was the first time."
-Melanie to Old Jake, DS9, "The Visitor"
OLD-P196: USS ANUBIS: Mitshiba: Day 4 - 2015 ("Something Smells Fishy")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Something Smells Fishy"
(Cont. from "The Good, The Bad, The Scary")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Market Place
Stardate: 63073.2015

The eyes of the Romuan woman darted from one target to the next, the former aCSciO now a hopefully convincing Tal Shiar undercover agent trying her best to keep her nervousness in check.

"Relax," Natalie Portree whispered with a smile, the former CNS having fallen into the role of her alter ego with remarkable ease.  "It's the others that should be nervous, not you," she continued as she took a sip from her drink.  "Just the idea that a Tal Shiar agent *might* be in here has already caused many to seek alternate seating arrangements. Let them be nervous about you, not the other way around. Give them half a chance and they'll take care of getting the nervousness level in this bar up to a new record."

Aki took in a deep slow deep breath before she again looked around the room.  This time, her vision not obstructed by her own fears, she had been able to see the apparent discomfort and nervousness in others. When her eyes met theirs they would quickly look away and grab whatever drink had been in reach.  One alien had been so flustered by the fact that the Romulan had looked his way that he had reached for someone else's drink, an unfortunate development that had landed him on the floor knocked out by the drink's unhappy owner.

"Rumor has it that you are looking for transport on a large vessel," a scruffy looking humanoid said in a husky voice as he pulled out a chair and joined the two woman at their table without having been invited to do so.

"Maybe," Eve replied nonchalantly while Aki remained silent as per the first rule the CNS had mentioned prior to their arrival here, the aCSciO still refused to consider the possibility that she might need to comply with the second.

"How good are your engineering skills?" the alien asked, his eyes dancing between Portree and the silent Romulan.  "We are not a luxury liner, you'll have to work to earn passage."

"Working is not an issue.  As for my engineering skills, I'm a pilot, what do you think?" Eve half grinned to the man, having laced impatience in her last few words.

Aki narrowed her eyes as the alien's gaze became locked on her, obviously waiting for any sort of reply from the Romulan.  Remaining quiet had no longer been an option, so the aCSciO decided to jump into the deep end and leaned in closer to the man, his offending smell even more omnipresent as before.  "I'm better at engineering than you are at bathing," the Romulan snarled back, trying to be as cold and unimpressed as possible.

The alien growled softly as he moved back slightly into his chair before he exploded in an all out belly laugh that filled the entire establishment.  "I like you," he said once he had managed to stop laughing.  "Sumariss may not, but that's not my problem.  Be at landing platform D in 30 minutes, I need to get some other things before we can head back.  Don't be late," and with that he left in the same manner that he had arrived.

"That was easy," Eve whispered as she took another sip of her drink.

"Speak for yourself," the Romulan offered as she downed nearly half her drink in one gulp.  "The stench from that man was potent enough to peel the paint off a starship.," Aki explained trying to keep herself from gagging.

"Hopefully that means we're on the right track," Eve said with a wink. "Never trust a crook that smells like roses."

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P195: USS ANUBIS: Fairborn: Day 4 - 2025 ("The Good, The Bad, The Scary")

###################
"The Good, The Bad, The Scary"
[Previous Post Marissa's "Here Kitty Kitty Kitty"]
###################

"A whim, a thought, and more is sought. Awake my mind; thy will be wrought."
- Ancient T'Kon incantation of knowledge

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Market Place
Stardate: 63073.2025

Captain Rikar and the Oltharian Chief Engineer had been the last to beam down into the trade center located on one of the larger asteroids of the YUDARA SECTOR. The Commanding Officer of the USS ANUBIS had chosen to take on the role of a Jorelian freighter captain while Elan had decided to go with something simple that suited him all too perfectly.

"Elan," Shoray, the red-skinned woman formerly known as Sabrina Rikar began as the two ventured into the open street. "I really don't think this is such a good idea. Someone might recognize you without a disguise."

The towering Engineer smiled as only he could as a gentle and friendly glow enveloped him while he leaned over towards the red-skinned woman. "Captain, I'm 7 feet, 6 inches tall, the only way for me to be inconspicuous is to not be there in the first place. Coming here as *your* Oltharian Chief Engineer makes perfect sense since records will clearly show that I resigned from Starfleet to return home and that I left home because I needed to get back to what I enjoyed the most."

"Being an Engineer," the CO nodded before she sighed to herself. "Alright Elan, you're the *engineer*, where do we start?"

From his height the Oltharian scanned the street and the buildings that lined it. Several shops and taverns could be seen, all of which appeared as seedy and questionable as the next. Still after a few moment Elan selected that he thought would be a good starting point for their search for information on the location of the USS PARADOX.

As strange as it had seemed, both the Jorelian and Oltharian made their way to the shop without as much as drawing a glance, as if it had been completely normal for these people to see a red-skinned woman followed by a walking colossus.

"Excuse me," Shoray began as she drew the shop owner's attention onto her while her imposing companion stood around the corner out of sight. "We are looking for a transphasic power regulator with a sub harmonic coupling," Rikar said having rehearsed this exact line word for word as it had been given to her by Elan himself. The reason for this had been as simple as the Oltharian's disguise since that particular part could and would only be found or required for a Federation trans-dimensional vessel.

"What do I look like? A Federation parts depot?! The Xyrillian merchant snapped through his breathing apparatus. "And why are you looking for something so specific?"

Rikar did her best to hold back the grin that had threaten to emerge. Their plan had worked and the merchant had taken the bait as the CO and CEO had hoped someone would.

As if following a play rehearsed to perfection the Oltharian stepped into view and looked down onto the Xyrillian merchant. "My captain's freighter is in need of several parts including that one, and I am hoping to retro fit this component to our main drive section to hopefully more than double our maximum warp output."

Taken aback by the sheer size of the giant who had suddenly appeared behind the Jorelian woman, the merchant took a few seconds to think of his next words. "Federation transphasic power regulators are not compatible with anything that we have around here," the Xyrillian stated obviously having set a trap for the Oltharian, one that the ANUBIS' CEO had been more than ready for.

"True," Elan began as he placed his hands on the counter and still managed to be several heads over the merchant. "The power distribution nodes of a Jorelian freighter would never be able to take the strain of the narrowed, focussed transphasic energy stream, that is unless we had in our possession several Federation built ODN power relays."

"You have Federation ODN power relays?" The merchant countered with, his voice having switch from a tone of disbelief to one of peaked interest.

"We got them from a Ferengi who salvaged them from a wreckage," Shoray said. "He seemed rather anxious to get rid of them, for a profit that is."

"Alright, tell you what," the Xyrillian said as he leaned in closer to the Jorelian woman while trying his best to keep his distance from the towering colossus. "I'll ask my contacts to see what I can find, but if I can't find the part you are looking for and decide to unload those ODN power conduits, I would be willing to take them off your hands."

"Let's ask around somewhere else," Elan said as he moved away from the merchant's counter, knowing all too well that the bait had been set and taken.

The Xyrillian quickly reached for the red-skinned woman's hand. "Alright, I'll even give you five percent more than what you paid for those power conduits. You'd be making a profit this way instead of risking blowing your ship into the next century."

"I'll keep your offer in mind," Rikar grinned as she left and caught up to the Oltharian, their plan having worked to perfection. Maybe that had been the reason why the ANUBIS' CO had felt oddly nervous. Things had gone maybe a little *too* well.
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette
Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
 
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS
 
And
 
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P194: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 2015 ("Here Kitty Kitty Kitty")

-=-=-
"Here Kitty Kitty Kitty"
[Previous post: "Fear Can Be a Dangerous Thing or a Powerful Ally"]
-=-=-

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Market Place
Stardate: 63073.2015

The idea of being a betrothed Kerelian prancing around inviting others to challenge another man's claim now more than ever seemed a bad idea to the ANUBIS' aCMO.  An increasing number of man and creatures she could only surmised had been the male of some strange alien race had taken time to look her way to study the woman and her dress.

More than once Adriana had found herself fidgeting with the bracelets around her wrists, wondering if maybe she should not have had a few more there to increase the odds in her favor.  The only thing having kept Ensign Lopez from running back to the designated transport coordinates for an emergency egress had been the calm and collect presence of the Kzinti huntress a few paces back.

Adriana had managed to catch a few glimpses of the ANUBIS' Sec/Tac officer as she looked over her shoulders to study some of the men gawking at the bride-to-be.  Luckily for the aCMO most of these aliens seemed aware of the antiquated culture and the significance of the dress, those who had not been knowledgeable about it having been held back by friends who did.

This left the betrothed Kerelian open to the verbal jeers of many who knew that only a physical challenge could be answered.  As vulgar as some of the comment and stares had been so far though no one had dared to accept the challenge, a fact that had made the Ensign exceptionally glad.

"I'd watch out for that one," a green skinned Orion woman whispered to the Kerelian as the two came within earshot of one another.  "She looks like the type that might enjoy claiming you as a prize."

The aCMO remained stunned for a moment then stopped and glanced in the general direction indicated by the Orion woman, curious and terrified to see what matter of beast the green skinned passer-by had meant to bring to the Kerelian's attention.  To Adriana's surprise and puzzlement though all she noted in that direction had been the Kzinti huntress.  Could it be that Hex had been the one she the warning had been about?  It was true that the Sec/Tac appeared somewhat formidable in her outfit despite her 5'2" frame, but Ensign Lopez could not bring herself to see what the Orion woman had seen.  After all what kind of prize could a Kzinti huntress want with a betrothed Kerelian woman?

A shiver swept through the curly haired woman as one possibility for the warning came into focus in the aCMO's mind.  She had come to hear some stories and legends pertaining to the Kzinti people while back on CESTUS III, stories and legends that Adriana had never dared to ask Hex about for fear that they had been completely untrue and would offend her friend.  Actually, part of Ensign Lopez had also reasoned that not asking would insure that she would not be made to find out if these graphic tales, either in part or in whole, had indeed been true.

Their current mission had proven to be a perfect excuse to not think about such things, at least up until now.  Images her own head mounted on some wall as a trophy haunted the aCMO's next several steps to the point where Adriana failed to see something large and black having made its way in front of her.  Of course by the time the betrothed Kerelian had made this realization it had been too late and Adriana impacted against the imposing form with as little grace as could be imagined.

A vague sensation of skin-tight leather and fur covered muscles had imprinted itself into Ensign Lopez' mind as she attempted to understand what had happened while struggling to get back to her feet. The impact had been such that the betrothed Kerelian had landed face first on the ground, facing away from the wall she had encountered.

Thanks to the dress, the task of getting back to her feet had proven to be a rather difficult one but eventually the aCMO managed to find her way back to an upright position.  Once on her feet she pivoted on her heels to see that the imposing figure in front of her stood a great deal taller than she did.

Once Adriana had managed to identify the species of this mountain that she had ran into, her breath became so short that she feared passing out do to the lack of oxygen.  If the betrothed Kerelian had received a warning because of the Kzinti huntress who had been following her, what matter of alarm should the aCMO have been expecting after having collided with a larger, meaner looking Kzinti bounty hunter?

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P193: USS ANUBIS: Maya: Day 4 - 2010
("Fear Can Be a Dangerous Thing or a Powerful Ally")

---
"Fear Can Be a Dangerous Thing or a Powerful Ally"
(Previous Post: "Freshman Mistake")
---

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Market Place
Stardate: 63073.2010
 
The transporter sequence from the SPHINX had ended and deposited the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Science Officer of the USS ANUBIS safely and unseen in a dark alley of the Trade Center. After a quick review of their respective attires and confirming that their quantum field generator had been operational, the two disguised Starfleet Officer took in a deep breath and ventured into a more open area.
 
The Shillian took a brief moment to visually scan their surroundings and take in the sights which included an astonishing number of alien species. Under normal circumstances the Chief Science Officer of the USS ANUBIS would have rejoiced at this unique opportunity to perform several exo-social studies as well as observe specific inter-species dynamics. A sudden short, forced cough from the Chief Medical Officer reminded the Scientist of the reason why they had been here and that time had not been an ally.
 
With purpose in her steps, the Founder led the way followed by the infected Rutian several steps back, a sight that made many believe that the sickly woman had either been under the protection of the shapeshifter or had figured that it had been the safest place to be. Either way none of the various aliens present in the street had given the odd pair as wide a berth as possible.
 
Upon seeing the smooth features that almost flowed into each other of the Founder, several merchants quickly scanned their immediate surroundings obviously looking for signs of the Dominion's dreaded muscles. The fact that no Jem'Hadar could be seen actually concerned many, certain that no Founder would venture out in public without several divisions of their ruthless troops nearby and ready to act at a moment's notice.
 
The pair pressed on until the unaware patron of a rather seedy looking establishment stumbled out and fell to the ground less than a meter in front of the shapeshifter who for obvious reasons stopped. The Shillian tried to convert her surprise and desire for scientific exploration of the situation into a more disgusted glare, one that the Chief Science Officer had envisioned a Founder offering in a similar situation.
 
Still unaware of his immediate surroundings, the humanoid looking male awkwardly raised himself onto his feet only to stumble backwards onto the ground once he saw the female shapeshifter standing so close to him. Having seen the facial features of the alien, the Chief Science Officer immediately recognized the species as having been Wadi, a race from the Gamma Quadrant and one that had a great deal of experience with the Dominion.
 
As if he had seen death itself, the Wadi dropped onto his knees in an apparent attempt to beg for his life. The Chief Science Officer remained silent, uncertain as to what to say to the frightened man for fear that anything she might say would raise questions as to her true identity.
 
When the Wadi raised his gaze to the shape shifter several seconds later, the Shillian realised that she had needed to do something now, her continued silence no longer having been sufficient. "You know why I am here," the Chief Science Officer stated in her most menacing voice which unfortunately came out more as oddly annoyed.
 
The alien quickly cast his eyes back down and pointed with a trembling finger at another establishment on the other side of the street. Satisfied that the situation had been resolved to the best of her immediate abilities, the Scientist made her way in the indicated direction followed by a visibly amused Rutian.

---
Jessica Solarik

Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P192: USS ANUBIS: Dalziel: Day 4 - 1845 ("Freshman Mistake")

==========
"Freshman Mistake"
(Previous Post: "Side Tracked" by Francois)
==========

For the life of me I cannot remember
What made us think that we were wise and
We'd never compromise
For the life of me I cannot believe
We'd ever die for these sins
We were merely freshmen
-Verve Pipe, "Freshmen"

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Dalziel's Quarters
Stardate: 63073.1845

Eve let out a deep sigh of relief upon returning to her quarters. Even though it felt as though it had been days since she had last set her sights on the sparsely decorated rooms, in reality only a few hours had passed. And, with a mission briefing only a half hour away, she didn't have much time to linger. Captain Rikar seemed to understand everyone's need to prepare, and didn't hesitate to allow those who needed to, to leave the Bridge.

There were only two things that significantly differentiated the quarters from when she had first arrived on the ANUBIS: the civilian attire laid out on her bed, and the small altar occupying a corner of the room. 

The raven haired woman approached the altar and sank to the floor, legs crossed, taking a few minutes to pray silently for a successful outcome to the tasks ahead. But, try as she might to clear her mind, the image of the troubled Engineer crept into the Counsellor's thoughts.

[[First, do no harm,]] Eve thought with embarrassment at the medical professionals' mantra. As much as she tried to help the gentle giant, prod him softly in Lea's direction, and determine what made the Oltharian tick, it only ended up throwing him into a workaholic funk. And that saddened her deeply. In her short time aboard ship, she hoped beyond hope that her presence had made a positive difference to those around her. It was one of her prime motivational factors. To know that there had been an obvious misstep, and the consequences could clearly be attributed to her, it was hard to forgive... to gather one's professional laurels and move forward.

It was a reminder at how far she still had to come. And, it was also a reminder of how well one could function despite lasting emotional trauma. Elan Fairborn was a paragon, an example of the best of what Starfleet had to offer. But he was obviously stuck in the throes of unfinished business, with one Amber Satori.

Eve mentally vowed to do whatever she had to do to help the Chief. It wouldn't be easy with his inability to venture into the heartache without closing himself off from the others. But if there was anything she liked, anything to break the feeling of being inadequate, it was a challenge.

Ensign Dalziel allowed some of the disappointment of the day to fall aside, a core of excitement for the mission ahead causing a smile to form on her face as she rose from the floor to examine the trappings of 'Natalie Portree', the persona she had chosen to adopt.

Natalie was a skilled pilot and a woman for hire, who would do practically anything for a price. Due to Eve's previous use of the character, the persona's rap sheet was readily available to most people that would be looking for it. Instant street cred was a priceless commodity.

The garments were deceptively simple, but effective. The Counsellor's hands traced over a black eyepatch, possibly the most menacing part of the ensemble. Not only did it cause others to get a certain perception of her as someone not to be messed with, it held a special array that allowed her to trace energy signatures...

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 12, Astrophysics Lab
Stardate: 63073.1345

(Flashback time)

"Thank you for completing this on such short notice," Eve said, truly impressed with Maya's interest in the side project. The eyepatch had always been a part of her persona's disguise, but never had its function been so elevated.

(This portion has been written by Jessica)

"Actually it is a limited range scanning device based on the eye-piece used by the Vortas during the Dominion War combined with some of the technologies that are currently in used to allow the blind to see. Microscopic optical fibres and sensor elements have been woven into the material to relay the information gathered to a miniature screen located in the inside. Normally such information would be transmitted directly to the optic nerve or to the brain itself, but since removing one of your eyes was not an option this will have to do. Because the device had to remain small and light, the range and capabilities of the scanners had to be sacrificed but I am certain that it will prove to be useful during our travel through the trade center. I made sure to add a quantum field variance scanner so that you can see actual temporal anomalies. That scanner should in theory also allow you to *see* if something or even someone does not belong to *our* time or dimension. The infrared scanner is as basic as can be but should be sufficient for you to see if something is out of place and added to the bio-scanner you might even be able to identify if someone is lying to you. I would suggest that you wear this for an hour before we head down to the trade center so that you can become more accustomed to the device and the way it displays information."

(Back to mine)

Eve immediately put on the device over her right eye, realizing that time was growing short and she might not have the opportunity at the time Maya was suggesting she wear it. "Thanks again, Commander Maya."

"Glad to be but a small part of the advancement of science and research," The Shillian replied with obvious pride. 

The Counsellor ventured into the corridor, hoping to 'see' something. About ten yards away, she caught a glimpse of the ILO, Enaii, with a young blonde girl trailing closely behind. She knew from the personnel files this had to be her daughter Talia. But the image resonance she was receiving just didn't add up. Dalziel turned around and went back into the lab.

(Back to Jessica)

There was a trace of panic in the normally calm Cardassian woman's voice. "It's not working. Talia is registering as if she does not belong to our time."

"Technically speaking, Talia has not been born yet," Maya replied.

"What?"

"The device is working according to designed specs, and in this case Talia was actually born several hundred years from this time and somehow brought back. This information is of course classified and should you wish to learn more would need to speak to Commander Enaii, not because she is her mother but rather because as the Intel Operative she is aware of the specifics surrounding the temporal origins of the young girl."

(Back to mine)

Eve took this information and filed it away for mental safekeeping. Somehow she thought it would be quite some time before this was the topic of any conversation whatsoever with the ILO. 

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.1925

Doctor Summers and her eager assistant, Adriana Lopez, were having a rather animated conversation about Adriana's choice of undercover attire and the perils of Intel work. Given the unusual, secret existence of the ANUBIS and its mission, it probably wouldn't be the last time such topics were discussed.

(From Tiffany's post "Something Borrowed")

"You'll do just fine," Lea reassured. "If there had been any doubts about your skills, Enaii would have already said something. Her continued silence is the best endorsement you'll ever get."

"It's too bad that she will not be there with us," the aCMO admitted. "I guess I would feel better knowing that she had been out there dealing with the difficult issues."

Lea chuckled. "Personally I am happy that Enaii will not be with us. That way I know that we have the best out there ready to swoop down to our rescue if things get really difficult."

"I hadn't thought of that either," Adriana said, feeling a little better than she had. "Now I just have to figure out what I'll wear."

"Come with me," the CMO said. "I may have something that you can borrow for this  mission, something that you might find rather interesting."

(Back to mine)

"Good luck," Eve said genuinely. The other two women turned, both a little startled, not having any idea how long the Counsellor had been standing there. 

Ensign Dalziel cut an imposing figure. She was wearing a stretchy black jumpsuit, and even though very little skin was showing, the form fitting silhouette left little to the imagination. The temporal belt, not yet activated, was barely visible against the black material. In addition, knee-high weathered-looking black boots with a thick but stable heel for walking or running made her look even taller than she already was, and a rather malevolent black eyepatch covered her right eye. Her long dark tresses had been pulled back in a ponytail, with pieces of hair left loose at the crown and falling over her face as she turned her head. 

"It's a little... severe," Lea offered after taking a moment to examine Eve's getup.

"I *like* severe," Eve said with a grim, throaty tone, one gray eye piercing right through the ship's Doctor like a knife. For a split second, Lieutenant Summers didn't know if the Cardassian-born woman was going to steal the crown jewels or try to suck her blood. Logic indicated neither was an option, but there was something unknown and wild in the Counsellor's gaze.

"Relax," Dalziel added, lightening her tone almost imperceptively, but still keeping an emotional distance from her friends. She draped a crimson pashmina around her neck and then donned a short gray belted trenchcoat that just skimmed the bottom of her hips. Unbeknownst to the others, here were hidden pockets throughout, to allow for some tools of the trade to be carried inconspicuously. "I'm heading to the staging area." 

==========
Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Market Place
Stardate: 63073.2010 

The Romulan-looking woman and her tall freespacer escort moved throughout the plaza with relative obscurity. There was a cornucopia of races and peoples present, each with their own private motives. 

Eve scanned the crowd, both literally and figuratively. She noticed that the few people who caught the solemn gaze of Natalie Portree turned away quickly with a mixture of fear and disgust. That was the exact effect she had been looking for. 

"Anything unusual?" Aki said quietly, so that only Eve could hear.

Eve glared at her companion. If she hadn't been in character, she would have laughed at the question. There was very little in the trade center that *wasn't* unusual. "Nothing indicating anyone out of place," she quipped, "or time."

"Understood," Mitshiba replied, trying to look as dangerous as a Tal Shiar was supposed to.

"There are two things I want you to remember," Eve continued, not pausing in her search.

"What are they?"

"First, silence can be your friend. If you aren't sure how to respond, silence can be very effective. It makes the opponent wonder what you're thinking. Look at how few words Enaii uses in her communication with others."

Aki fought the urge to grin and sort of halfway succeeded, making a face that looked more like a smirk than an outright smile. "I hope that Maya is able to follow that advice."

Eve glared again, so convincingly that it made Aki cringe. "Perhaps you should have picked a more humorous identity."

"What's the second thing?" The assistant Science Officer asked, trying to scowl.

Eve took a ragged breath. "If anything happens to me, your only obligation is to save yourself and complete the mission. Don't try to be a hero. The needs of the many far outweigh the needs of the one."

"Nothing's going to happen to you," Aki said as convincingly as she could, even though she knew Eve's words were heartfelt.

"Of course not, but if it does, those are your directives." They approached a large bar with a gaudy but filthy lighted sign in a language that neither of them knew. "Follow my lead," Dalziel grunted as she led Aki inside the bar. 

The smell of synthale, grime, and smoke hit Aki in the face like a wet, gritty blanket. She stifled a cough as her eyes focused to dim light. 

The bartender was a deep blue, almost a turquoise color, his oddly shaped head featuring two large eyes, one on each side, with a sort of humanoid looking nose and mouth in the center. He was on the short side, wearing a brown vest and pants, his large feet without shoes. "Can I help yoo, Ladieesh?" he drawled with a thick accent.

Eve recognized him as a Hypello, an ancient race from the planet SPIRA. It was the first time she had seen one in the flesh. "We're looking for transport off this planetoid. Preferrably a starship or other large vessel where we can barter our services for safe travel."

"And what shervices would theesh bee?"

Natalie Portree leaned over him, turning on her special brand of charm. "Practically anything... as long as it's illegal."

The Hypello seemed pretty laissez-faire with this information. It was obviously not his first rodeo. "I shee. Would yoo care for shomething to drink? Twoo drink minimum for all our reshepected guests," he offered in a congenial tone.

Mitshiba surveyed the shopworn room while Eve chatted up the strange bartender. The back of the room had a thin stage apparently designed for dancing. There were several whoops and catcalls at the woman currently whirling and gyrating for the crowd. She was an Orion slave girl, her green skin glowing with beauty and exertion. Long voluminous dark hair swirled with each suggestive movement, and her skimpy outfit shimmered in the stage lights. A small placard next to the stage indicated the dancer's name was Jade. "Not very original," Aki noted under her breath, but she could see the skill with which the woman was undulating and making use of the entire stage.

"Two synthales to start with," Portree growled at the barkeep, laying a substantial amount of credit chits on the bar, more than enough to pay for the drinks many times over. "And remember, we mean business."

The Hypello was overjoyed at the riches bestowed upon him. "I will shee too it yoo twoo are treated like royalty while I researsch your requesht."

"I would appreciate not wasting our time if you cannot find what we seek. I will give you one hour to locate transport. *Understood*?" Portree finished a little harsher than she meant to, but it had the right result.

"Yesh, ma'am," he said meekly. "M'oshi ish at your servish."

==========
Susan M Ledbetter
=/\=
Ensign Eve Dalziel
Counsellor
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

"I savored those stories; I read them slowly, one each day. And when I was done, I wished I hadn't read them at all. So I could read them again... like it was the first time."
-Melanie to Old Jake, DS9, "The Visitor"
OLD-P191: USS ANUBIS: Morningstar: Day 4 - 1950 ("Side Tracked")

###################
"Side Tracked"
[Previous Post Dawn's "Romulan Jitters"]
###################

Setting: YUDARA SECTOR, Inside the Asteroid Field
Stardate: 63073.1950

The three small crafts referred to as VIPERs snaked their way through the shifting asteroid field as they searched for the missing USS PARADOX; the cause of the temporal problems which threatened the entire sector, quadrant and possibly even the galaxy as a whole. The unmarked one-man fighters remained in formation as best as they could while they performed a systematic search of the area, relying far more on their eyes than their troubled instruments.

--==(/\)==--
Setting: VIPER 3, Cockpit
Stardate: 63073.1950

"Elan might have insulated the VIPER's internal systems from those temporal anomalies, but that is unfortunately not helping our sensors," the former CO of the USS LANCELOT sighed to himself. As much as his training and experience led him to want to share his discovery, Morningstar kept his thoughts to himself. Communications between the three vessels had been restricted to emergencies or drastic course changes as per Commander Enaii's explicit instructions. "Great, according to these readings now, we are flying through an ocean of Tarkelian amoebas. That or Andorian organic ale, and I'm not sure which one it is or which of those is actually *less* desirable."

=/\= New course; 0-3-1 mark 3-4-2, =/\= the cold, commanding voice of the ILO onboard VIPER 1 came over the comm channel without warning as did her change of course which left the Native American to wonder if the Intel Operative had noticed something off their low starboard side.

Erik scanned the area as best he could with his eyes, seeing nothing more than he had since their entrance into the YUDARA SECTOR. All that there seemed to be in this region of space had been floating rocks, some as small as a tricorder while others were as large as a starship.

From the corner of his eye Morningstar saw what he believed to be a small alien ship of a configuration that he had never before seen. What truly caught the Native American's attention though had been the speed at which the ship, if indeed it had been one, traveled through the asteroid field. Despite its speed, the three VIPERs managed to gain on it due to the most part on some impressive manoeuvres from the lead ship piloted by the ILO.

Just as the trio rounded the latest group of asteroids, a small black shuttle came into view. The slick craft displayed no markings, not that Morningstar had actually expected to see any given the rather questionable reputation of those who called this sector of space home. What truly proved to be strange though was the way Commander Enaii had reacted.

The VIPERs were brought to a complete stop less than a kilometre from the unknown craft, a tactic that hinted the ILO knew either the ship or its pilot despite the strange configuration and lack of identifying marks.

=/\= VIPER 3, you have lead, =/\= the ILO announced to the Native American's absolute shock. =/\= Return to previous location and resume search pattern. =/\=

Erik opened the comm channel but remained silent as he figured that any attempt to get an explanation from the ILO would have been at the very best utterly futile. Having accepted that there had been only one possible course of action, based on that he had given his word to obey any and all instructions from the ILO, the former CO motioned to the other VIPER pilot to follow. Silence reigned as VIPER 2 and VIPER 3 backtracked and returned to their previous location and resume their search for the PARADOX.
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette
 
Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS
 
And
 
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P190: USS ANUBIS: Mitshiba: Day 4 - 1950 ("Romulan Jitters")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Romulan Jitters"
(Cont. from "Approach")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS SPHINX, Staging Area
Stardate: 63073.1950

[[Team 1 will be beaming down in 10 minutes… get yourself ready,]] Aki thought, the words spoken by their Commanding Officer having embedded themselves into the aCSciO's mind.  Only 10 minutes to prepare herself and get into the state of mind of a Tal Shiar undercover operative.

As a scientist on board the ANUBIS, Aki had learned from Maya that analyzing a situation could provide a unique mental focus that overwrote everything else, even nervousness.  So the ensign began to target her thoughts onto specific matters relating to her current situation.  What made a Tal Shiar operative different from anyone else? What made any Intel operative different from anyone else?

The more Aki explored the answer to these and many more questions, the more she came to realize that her only guide and role model had been Commander Enaii.  The operative was a cold, calculating woman who said little and managed to be omnipresent everywhere on the ANUBIS and even here now on the SPHINX.  Mitshiba knew that there had been no way for her to act or even think as the secretive and mysterious woman did, but at the very least it had been a starting point.

"Alright," Aki whispered to herself as she straightened her clothes. "What would Enaii do if she were here?"  The aCSciO smiled sarcastically as she imagined the Intel agent sitting in one of the corners, partially hidden within the shadows, observing silently the rest of the away team, likely in apprehension in their lack of knowledge about the world they were about the step in.

In an effort to get more into character, and using the ANUBIS' Intel agent as a model, Aki headed for the nearest corner and sat with her back to the wall.  There she tried to calm her thoughts to become as still as possible.

[[She looks like she would be able to stay like this for hours if needed,]] Aki noted as she recalled the few times she had caught a glimpse of the ANUBIS' ILO while sitting in this particular manner. [[She always has her back to the wall too.  I wonder if that is to be able to better focus her attention on things in her field of vision? Maybe it is so that she had brace herself with greater ease should something happen.]]

As much as she tried to get into the mindset of the Intel agent, Aki realized that she lacked most if not all of the core knowledge needed to be able to accomplish this task.  Enaii had been good at hiding her secrets, really good and had even managed to hide from the rest of the crew that she had secrets.  Eventually the aCSciO relented in her quest to understand the ILO and simply focused on hiding her nervousness and insecurity from the rest of the galaxy.

"Let's go," Eve said as she stepped into the room, startling out of her wits the otherwise preoccupied aCSciO who had not heard or seen her team partner arrive.

"I guess there's even a skill required for sitting with your back to a wall," Aki sighed, a little miffed at herself for having allowed her ANUBIS Cns to sneak up on her as she had.

"What?" Eve asked, not having understood where that last comment had originated from.

"Never mind," Ensign Mitshiba replied coyly as she got up onto her feet.  "Just trying to get into character and understand the way a true Intel Operative thinks."

"Good luck," Eve chuckled as she fell into step with Aki who headed for the transporter platform.

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P189: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 1945 ("Approach")

==========
"Approach"
(Previous Post was Tiffany's "She Said")
==========

Setting: USS SPHINX, Command and Control
Stardate: 63073.1945

The young woman sat at the control station of the SPHINX, a craft designed to be a mobile command center for away mission holding all of the primary necessities while remaining as compact as possible. Depending on the mission profile this craft could become a home away from home, but the red headed CO doubted very much that this would be such a mission. Time had been their enemy from the start… and despite the recent calm Rikar doubted that they would have any great deal of time to find the PARADOX and resolve this matter.

"I did not get the chance to comment on your disguise Captain," the Shillian who sat at the auxiliary control station offered as she glanced in the redhead's direction. "The Jorelian freighter captain look really suits you."

Rikar laughed out loud. "Thank you Commander," the CO replied with an amused shake of her head. "Your overly generous praises are much appreciated, but the truth remains that this is the least original disguise, and one that will require me *months* to get the red tint off my skin. Your idea to go as a Founder was nothing short of a stroke of genius… one that I would suspect Enaii would have been most impressed with."

"This disguise will be effective only as long as no one places me in a situation where I would have to prove who and what I am," the CSciO countered with, the seriousness in her voice hinting to the woman's nervousness.

"That holds true to most of the disguises the Senior Staff has hoped for," Rikar stated. "Lea may appear as a survivor of the Rutian GIDDA plague, but a quick bio-scan would reveal that she is not a carrier of the disease… not to mention that she is not even Rutian. Akira's Romulan appearance will for sure give her a fair amount of freedom in moving about the trade center but it would not take much for an experience Intel operative to know that she is not Tal Shiar or even Romulan. Adriana's Kerelian betrothal dress is sure to make people talk, but all it will take is one drunk bachelor to expose her as a fraud. We will all need to be very careful during our stay at the trade center and rely on the element of surprise to gather as much information as we can."

Before the Shillian could come up with another counter argument, the young woman placed the SPHINX on autopilot and made her way to the back of the craft where the rest of the Senior Staff had gathered for the short trip.

"We are about 15 minutes away from the asteroid that holds the trade center," the red-skin disguised CO announced as she walked into the room. "To avoid drawing unneeded attention to us and in order to cover as much ground as possible, we will be beaming down to different sections in groups of two. Unless your disguise permits it, avoid contact with each other but keep an eye out for trouble. This location is normally a rough kind of place, and with the temporal anomalies wrecking havoc it will likely be worse."

"No problem," the Kzinti Chief of Security chuckled nervously, her twitching ear having been a dead giveaway that her feelings had not matched her words. "We get in… rattle a few cages… get the Intel and get out."

"You can always tell those Officers who are going on their first Intel mission," Doctor Summers stated as she rejoined the group having left the solitude of the staging area after having heard the captain's voice.

"The teams will be as follows… Ensign Dalziel, you will be beaming down with Ensign Akira. Ensign Fanggot, you will be keeping an eye on Ensign Lopez and make sure that no drunken bachelor gets too close," the redheaded woman stated, her reference to a drunken bachelor having somewhat confused the Kzinti woman. "Doctor Summer you and Commander Maya will be beaming down together while Lieutenant Fairborn and I will form the last team. Ensign Thomas will remain onboard the SPHINX to coordinate out efforts and will be on stand-by should something unexpected occur."

"Be sure to verify the proper working condition of your quantum field generator before beam down," the Oltharian stated, wanting to have some time should last minute adjustments be required.

"Team 1 will be beaming down in 10 minutes… get yourself ready," the redheaded woman instructed before she made her way back to the SPHINX's C&C.

==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 
 
"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P188: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 1945 ("She Said")

=-=
"She Said"
[Previous post: "He Said", written by the most wonderful man in the universe, William]
=-=

Setting: USS SPHINX, Staging Area
Stardate: 63073.1945

Lea had retreated to an empty area of the craft that would be taking the senior staff the rest of the way. For some reason the CMO had begun to feel nervous about the mission. The strange part in all this had been that this had not been her first Intel gathering assignment.

After having returned from her first tour of duty doing deep space exploration, Lea had been approached by SFI.  From there she went undercover deep into Dominion controlled space to gather as much Intel as possible on the Founders and their minions.

To avoid her nervousness from betting the better of her, Lea took a deep breath and forced her thoughts to travel back to a time when things were simpler, easier.

=-=
Setting: EARTH, San Francisco, Starfleet Academy
Stardate: 50006.1215

Still feeling the pressure of having been accepted at Starfleet Academy, Lea had stepped out into the gardens after her first class of the day, her head filled with facts about many new races that she had no problems keeping straight.  The next four years would be challenging, but Cadet Summers didn't care, she had made it to where she had needed to be.

As she stepped onto the perfectly manicured grass, Lea noticed another Cadet approaching her, one that she quickly recognized has having been in her class.  There had been nothing special about the 5'7", brown eyed, brown haired man and she feared that he had came to introduce himself to her.

"Hello," the man said, his chest stuck out like some sort of animal trying to impress a potential mate.  "I'm Cadet Russell, but you can call me Adam.  We're in the same Alien civilizations class."  The Cadets' gazes locked for a moment as each thought about the possible outcome of this encounter.

[[Shoot me now,]] Lea thought as she saw a beaming smile appeared on his lips. [[I guess the next four years are going to be more difficult than I thought.]]

=-=
Setting: EARTH, San Francisco, Starfleet Academy
Stardate: 53359.2245

Graduation day!  The last four years had gone by in the blink of an eye and now Lea faced the rest of her life as a Starfleet Officer. Ensign Summers sighed at the man sitting next to her knowing that without Adam as a study partner she would have likely made it through the Academy an entire year earlier.

Now she had been granted a position on a deep space explorer, an assignment that she truly looked forward to especially for one very important detail, Adam would not be there by her side.

"Lea," Adam began as he nervously reached for the woman's hand. "I need to ask you something, something very important.  I know that you are thrilled with your assignment and that it is what you had wanted, but I would like for you to come with me to DS6," Ensign Russell said.

The request made by Adam triggered a lengthy silence between them that was filled with thoughts about what had just been said.  [[Please tell me that you are joking. I don't need you. I certainly don't love you.]]

The silence continued until Adam finally spoke once again.  "Please answer me."

Lea wet her dried lips and sighed. "I'm sorry. I can't ask for a transfer and I can't be what you want me to be," she replied before standing from the table and leaving Adam alone and heartbroken.

=-=
Setting: USS SPHINX, Staging Area
Stardate: 63073.1950

Lea leaned back against the wall she had been sitting against.  That single decision had shaped the rest of her life and made her the person that she was today.  She had been alone, traveling the galaxy while secretly seeking companionship.

As good as things had been, Lea could not stop wondering what her life would have been had she said yes.

=-=
Tiffany Reeve

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P187: USS ANUBIS: Russell: Day 4 - 1945 ("He Said")

=-=
"He Said"
[Previous post: "Beauty and the Beasts"]
=-=

Setting: USS PARADOX, Jefferies Tube Leading to Environmental Controls
Stardate: 63073.1945

The sound of footsteps on the other side of the bulkhead had halted Adam's progress, the last thing he needed was to be discovered. Granted the odds that those on the other side of the wall could and would hear him crawling around had been exceptionally small, but there had been no reason for the Ensign to take those kinds of risks.  There had been too much at stake.

To avoid his impatience from getting the better of him, Adam took a deep breath and forced his thoughts to travel back to a time when things were simpler, happier.

=-=
Setting: EARTH, San Francisco, Starfleet Academy (Alternate reality)
Stardate: 50006.1215

Still feeling the excitement of having been accepted at Starfleet Academy, Adam had stepped out into the gardens after his first class of the day, his head filled with facts about so many new races that he had problems keeping them all straight.  The next four years would be challenging, and Cadet Russell felt nervous, but he had made it to where he had wanted to be.

As he stepped onto the perfectly manicured grass, Adam caught from the corner of his eye another Cadet, one that he quickly recognized has having been in his class.  It had been hard to not notice the 5'7", azure blue eyed, blonde haired woman and now he would have the opportunity to introduce himself to her.

"Hello," the man said, his chest stuck out like some sort of animal trying to impress a potential mate.  "I'm Cadet Russell, but you can call me Adam.  We're in the same Alien civilizations class."  The Cadets' gazes locked for a moment as each thought about the possible outcome of this encounter.

[[Wow, she's gorgeous,]] Adam thought as a beaming smile appeared on his lips.  [[I guess the next four years aren't going to be as difficult as I thought.]]

=-=
Setting: EARTH, San Fransisco, Starfleet Academy (Alternate reality)
Stardate: 53359.2245

Graduation day!  The last four years had gone by in the blink of an eye and now Adam faced the rest of his life as a Starfleet Officer.  Ensign Russell smiled at the woman sitting next to him knowing that without Lea as a study partner he would have likely never made it through the Academy.

Now he had been granted a position of Runabout Pilot on DS6, an assignment that he truly looked forward to except for one very important detail, Lea would not be there by his side.

"Lea," Adam began as he nervously reached for the woman's hand.  "I need to ask you something, something very important.  I know that you are thrilled with your assignment and that it is what you had wanted, but I would like for you to come with me to DS6," Ensign Russell said.

The request made by Adam triggered a lengthy silence between them that was filled with thoughts about what had just been said.  [[Please don't think that I am joking.  I need you.  I love you.]]

The silence continued until Adam finally spoke once again.  "Please answer me."

Lea wet her dried lips and smiled. "I'll ask for the transfer first thing in the morning," she replied before leaning into his arms.

=-=
Setting: USS PARADOX, Jefferies Tube Leading to Environmental Controls
Stardate: 63073.1950

Adam wiped the tears from his eyes.  That single decision had shaped the rest of his life and made him the happiest man in the galaxy. Together they had created a family, traveled the galaxy and even made a home on NEW EARTH.

As bad as things had gotten, Adam could not imagine what his life would have been had she said no.

=-=
William Reeve

Ensign Adam Russell
(in another reality)
former
Flight Control Officer
USS YORKSHIRE
OLD-P186: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 1940 ("Beauty and the Beasts")

-=-=-
"Beauty and the Beasts"
[Previous post: "Something Blue"]
-=-=-

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 26, Specialized Craft Storage Area
Stardate: 63073.1940

Doctor Summers and Ensign Lopez entered the spacious room to find several members of the senior staff already present; each dressed in accordance to their new Intel gathering persona.  Most had grouped to review and discus the mission as well as their respective clothing and disguise selection, a topic that Adriana had actually hoped to avoid altogether.  That hope was quickly shattered when Ensign Thomas noticed the two new arrivals.

"You look marvelous," the COO said in an admiring tone upon seeing the aCMO.  "Who's the groom or are you looking for someone to fill in that role?" Elliot playfully asked which prompted the Romulan looking woman by his side to launch a swift elbow to his ribs.

Adriana sighed deeply as she shot another glare in the direction of her superior.  "This was Doctor Summer's idea," Ensign Lopez explained somewhat reluctantly.  "It's a Kerelian betrothal dress."

"That would explain the numerous bracelets," Akira said with a grin, obviously aware of the specifics of this alien custom.  "You'd better hope that no one accepts the challenge or you might end up betrothed to a Gorn or maybe something even worse."

"I for one can't think of anything worst than a Gorn wanting to marry me," Adriana dryly chuckled not having found that possibility in the least appealing.

"Try imagining what the honeymoon would be like," Doctor Summers teased in a whispered voice to the aCMO which caused her to physically shutter.

"I can take down a Gorn," Hex who had been dressed in hunting attire said with a level of confidence that actually surprised everyone in the group.

"I believe it," Adriana grinned trying her best to ignore the CMO's last words.  "I was there when you knocked down Drell with a single bounce, all that while you were under the effects of a sedative."

"Whatever happens, Hex and I will be there to protect your honor and virtues," Elliot said before he was forced to dodge another swift elbow from Akira.  "And what are you supposed to be Doctor?" The COO promptly inquired in an attempt to divert the focus of their discussion onto another matter.

"That dress is of Rutian design is it not?  From the GIDDA outpost if I am correct." Mitshiba interrupted, the aCSciO having apparently already figured out the CMO's intended strategy for their Intel mission.  'The stitches along the neckline as well as the style of the shoulders are very specific."

"When did you become such an expert on alien fashion?" Adriana asked of her friend while the aCMO silently wished that she had been the one dressed as a Romulan instead of the aCSciO.

"Let's just say that fashion has been an interest of mine for a while," Aki vaguely explained having fallen into what the aCMO believed to have been the comfort zone of her role.

"GIDDA?  Wasn't that outpost destroyed?" Elliot asked, the name having sounded oddly familiar.  "I seem to recall that name having been mentioned in one of my Academy classes."

"Almost entirely wiped out by a mutated strain of plasma plague," the aCMO clarified still feeling a little strange standing next to Doctor Summers while she wore that dress, even if it had been a replica.

"This is going to be a mission for the books," the COO laughed.  "A Kzinti huntress, a possible Romulan Tal Shiar agent, a Kerelian beauty and an infected Rutian exile; that trade center is never going to be the same again."

"Let's just hope that one of us will be able to get the Intel we need," Adriana said in a solemn tone, "Because in the end it won't matter much who we are or who we pretended to be."

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P185: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 1935 ("Something Blue")

=-=
"Something Blue"
[Previous post: "Using the Scientific Method...", written by the clever Jessica]
=-=

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Corridor
Stardate: 63073.1935

Not wanting to be late for their departure to the trade center, Lea and Adriana had rushed out of Sickbay. The aCMO had remained quiet, stunned by the disguise Doctor Summers had forced onto her assistant. On her side, the CMO had grabbed the civilian clothes she had intended to wear on their way out. The two women remained perfectly silent during their dash to the nearest turbolift.

Once at their first destination, Ensign Lopez took a moment to think while they waited. "Lea," Adriana said in a trembling voice before the turbolift doors finally opened. "I'm having second thoughts about this outfit. Maybe we could go back and look at something else?"

"No time for second thoughts," the CMO said as she pushed the aCMO inside the turbolift pod. "I don't even have the time to dress," Lea added as she followed her assistant and the doors closed behind them. "Deck 26," Doctor Summers instructed the computer before she began to remove her uniform.

"What are you doing?" the aCMO gasped, not at all sure as to what Doctor Summers had in mind.

"Hold this," Lea said instead of a reply, having tossed a ragged blue dress towards her assistant.  "I was so preoccupied with getting you the perfect disguise that I forgot to get myself dressed. I'll just need a minute or two."

"You are going to be wearing *this*?" Adriana gasped as she studied the garment in its entirety. The fabric within her grasp felt old, almost dirty, which perfectly matched the appearance of the dress.

"Why wouldn't I?" the CMO replied as the last piece of her uniform was tossed onto the floor.

"Because it looks like something a leper would have worn. I mean back in EARTH's ancient days that is," Adriana said, unable to draw her eyes from the dress.

"Pretty close," the CMO added as she took the dress from her assistant. "That dress is a duplicate of the type that was very popular on the Rutian planetary outpost of GIDDA."

"GIDDA! Wasn't the population of that outpost decimated by some sort of mutated plasma plague?" Adriana said, instinctively rubbing her hands as if trying to wash them clean of whatever the dress might have left behind.

"Nearly 90 percent of the population perished inside a 36-hour period," Doctor Summers confirmed. "When the Rutian government investigated what had happened, they discovered only a few survivors. These were quickly found to be carriers of this plague which claimed the majority of the research and aid teams. The pathology of the plague showed that it was transmitted through direct skin-to-skin physical contact. To avoid this plague from spreading to their homeworld, the Rutian government exterminated all life on GIDDA."

"I still don't understand why you would want to wear this dress," Adriana said having completely forgotten about her own disguise.

"Rumors surfaced that a few survivors of GIDDA escaped from their world before the Rutian military arrived. Although none have been found, many are still wary about them being out there. With a little change to my hair color and this dress, I believe that I will be able to pass for one of those survivors."

"You will either cause a riot or have every weapon wielding person in the trade center try to kill you," Adriana gasped. "I fail to see the advantage of this disguise for our mission."

"The pathology report showed that only Rutians were susceptible to this plague," Doctor Summers added as she straightened her dress. "I am hoping to play the *pity* card in gathering information. Maybe someone will have heard something about some time traveling ship that could help me save the outpost."

"You know something," Adriana sighed. "I really think you should let Enaii take care of coming up with disguises. Or anyone else for that matter."

Lea shot a glare at her assistant as the doors to the turbolift opened.

=-=
Tiffany Reeve

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P184: USS ANUBIS: Maya: Day 4 - 1935 ("Using the Scientific Method...")

---
"Using the Scientific Method to Intel Work or is it Using the Intel Method to Scientific Work?"
(Previous Post: "Giant Amongst Us")
---

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Personal Quarters
Stardate: 63073.1935

Researching and cataloguing the temporal anomalies within this sector of space had taken the greater majority of the available time the Chief Science Officer had at her disposal. It had therefore not come as any surprise to the Shillian that she had not considered how she would venture to the trade center.

Her markings resembled those of any Trill which had served on many prior occasions to ward off questions that could have quickly become unpleasant ones. As a Trill, no one within Starfleet had any reasons to inquire as to the origins of the woman who had always managed to keep a rather low profile when in public. The problem this time thought had been that being recognized as a Trill would not alleviate the inquisitive glares that would be cast in her direction, in fact the opposite most certainly held true.

Trills, as a race, had long ago been accepted by the general galactic majority as being strong associates and supporters of the Federation. Therefore it had been a logical assumption to believe that within the confines of the YUDARA SECTOR anyone remotely allied with Starfleet would receive a less than warm welcome.

Had the crew of the USS ANUBIS been in possession of more time to prepare for this away mission, the Shillian scientist might have decided to undergo some higher level of cosmetic surgery to better hide her true heritage. Unfortunately time had been one thing that the crew, as well as the galaxy as a whole, had in very short supply. Whatever disguise the Chief Science Officer would ultimately decide upon would have to be equally simple in its implementation and effective in its appearance.

Using her skills as a practiced scientist, the Shillian had carefully reviewed the situation and created a short list of potential possibilities as to her disguise. The list was further streamlined when considerations to how certain races would be greeted by the ruffians found within the trade center came into play.

Had the crew of the USS ANUBIS been able to take the proper time to infiltrate the area and carefully gather the information they required, this debate would have been over before it had actually started. Instead the Shillian Scientist found that her decision needed to take into account many of the elements that she had learned from having been around Commander Enaii.

Once both Scientific and Intelligence methodology had been applied to the decision making process, the Chief Science Officer of the USS ANUBIS had been left with a single choice, one that seemed to perfectly balance the required simplicity of a disguise with the efficiency of rapid gathering of Intel.

The Shillian gazed upon her reflection once more, still trying to accept that the face looking back at her had been her own although slightly modified. A simple pigment additive which matched her own skin colour had been applied to hide the markings, and her facial features had been made rougher thanks to simple sub-dermal implants matching her genetic makeup had graciously been provided by the Doctor Summers.

The façade required for this mission had been rendered with great precision and had met the perfectionist ways of the Chief Science Officer. Unfortunately the persona that hid beneath the disguise had lacked the strength and confidence required to bring this new persona into the realm of credibility.

Under normal circumstances the Shillian would have abandoned this particular disguise and sought the assistance of the resident expert in this field, but Commander Enaii had been otherwise occupied with the task of taking the VIPERs out to search for the USS PARADOX. This left the Chief Science Officer with one inescapable truth; there had been no time to change her earlier decision.

Having reluctantly resigned to the new role she had given herself, the scientist took in a deep breath and stared one last time at the reflection looking back at her. As a *Founder* the Shillian hoped to be able to gather Intel quickly and efficiently without the need to prove to someone that she indeed had been a shapeshifter, at least one with far lesser skills than the renowned leader of the Dominion.

---
Jessica Solarik

Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P183: USS ANUBIS: Fairborn: Day 4 - 1935 ("Giant Amongst Us")

###################
"Giant Amongst Us"
[Previous Post Dawn's "The Right Decision?"]
###################

<<During a time of great chaos where past and present meet, warriors from the shadows will travel through the stars unseen to right what had been made wrong.>>
- 112th Prophesy, written by Ukalli and transcribed into the T'Kon book "Stars of Tomorrow" some 5000 years ago.

Setting: USS ANUBIS: Deck 29, Specialized Craft Storage Area
Stardate: 63073.1935

Elan stared at the Mobile Command Unit known as the SPHINX and allowed his mind to travel back to days long gone by. Once upon a time, while the Oltharian had been a simple, inexperienced officer under the tutelage of joined Trill by the name of Callista Reo, Ensign Fairborn had been asked to take part in a similar mission as the one the crew of the ANUBIS now faced.

It was true that the mission led by Captain Callista Reo had not been as dangerous as the one the Oltharian would soon embark upon, but as a recent graduate of the Academy, any Intel mission had seemed to be as dangerous could be.

The Oltharian smiled ever so faintly as he remembered the rather interesting discussion he and the Captain had shared in regards to the disguise that would best suit the being of his size and attitude.

"Is everything alright Lieutenant?" Ensign Dalziel inquired as the ANUBIS' Counsellor entered the room and approached the motionless engineer.

"My apologies," Elan offered with a deep bow in the direction of the physically altered Cardassian woman. "I was lost in memories of my first Intel mission."

Eve chuckled as she thought of her next words. "You never forget your first." the Counsellor stated. "I hope those were happy memories," Ensign Dalziel added to insure that their conversation would not venture onto another, more personal matter.

"It was an Intel gathering mission," the Oltharian replied. "A little like this one although we were not after a lost Federation vessel able to travel through space and time. The mission itself was not actually the focus of my thoughts, but the preparation for it."

"I'm guessing that you had trouble figuring out what role your alter-ego would play." The Counsellor stated easily understanding that hiding the giant's true appearance and gentle nature would have been a very difficult task, both then and now.

"During that first Intel mission I was assigned the role of a business partner who for all intents and purposes doubled as a bodyguard," Elan explained. "At least bodyguard in general appearance only, but that was never an issue as our Chief of Security accompanied us."

"I am sure that you did exceptionally well as a bodyguard," Ensign Dalziel offered as she looked up at the towering giant.

"Your appearance alone would be enough to make most people quickly reconsider any illicit actions against anyone by your side."

"Appearance alone might have been sufficient in a shady civilian outpost on the edge of Federation controlled space," the Oltharian sighed. "But I fear that my simple size may not be enough to dissuade some of the more tempestuous elements that we will encounter in the trade center."

"You have nothing to worry about Elan," Eve said with a playful smile and wink. "If there is anything I have learned about this crew thus far it is that each and every member of the senior staff is well capable of taking care of themselves even in the face of the most demanding of situations. 

Whatever we end up against I am sure that we will succeed in our mission and find the PARADOX well before it is too late."
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette
Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
 
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS
 
And
 
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P182: USS ANUBIS: Mitshiba: Day 4 - 1935 ("The Right Decision?")

~~~~~~~~~~
"The Right Decision?"
(Cont. from "Focusing On The Good")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS PARADOX, Cargo Bay 6
Stardate: 63073.1935

The Arcadian watched as father and child devoured the fruits that had been brought to them.  From the very beginning Anya had wondered if her decision to join the mission to discover and exploit the secrets of this ship had been the right on.  To be able to travel through space and time had held an indisputable attraction, but there had been more at stake than the simple riches the Selay had mentioned.

That fact had been its strongest in the eyes of Shawn, a young boy who had been drawn into this mess by no decision of his own, or even of his father.  Adam had decided to take matters into his own hands to insure the safety of his son as well as the countless other children out there who would see their lives turn upside down by temporal changes.  Of all the people in this galaxy, Anya suspected that Adam had been the one best to understand this unique situation.

"I doubt Sumariss will be gone for more than a few hours," Anya said, handing over the last of the apples to the six-years old boy.  "We will need to act quickly."

"Thank you," Adam smiled in a way that made the Arcadian know that her decision to side with the former Starfleet officer against her employer had indeed been the right one.

~~~~~~~~~~
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Corridor
Stardate: 63073.1935

The Asian aCSciO made her way down the corridor en route for the transport craft that would be taking the senior officer of the ANUBIS to the trade center within the YUDARA SECTOR.  Dressed in simple and understated civilian clothes Aki reviewed the steps that had lead her to decide on this particular outfit and disguise for this Intel gathering mission.

Being as unnoticeable as possible while in the trade center would insure not attracting any unwanted attention that might prove to be detrimental to their mission.  Time after all had been against them and dealing with ruffians had not been something any member of the senior staff could afford to do.  On the other hand, being able to rapidly show strength and character could expedite the Intel gathering as people would follow their first impressions upon meeting a new arrival to the trade center.  Appearing small and weak had not been an option, but coming in like a crazed Klingon looking for a fight had been equally undesirable, so Aki had to find a delicate balance between the two extreme.

"Aki, is that you?" Elliot called out from a little ways back in the corridor which made the aCSciO stop in her tracks before slowly turning around to greet the rapidly approaching COO.  "Whoa, you look amazing."

"Thank you," Aki said rather disappointed that she had been so easily recognised.  "Amazing was not my intent here."

"That was not the way I meant it," Elliot quickly said in an effort to correct the situation.  "I meant that you look *amazing* in that outfit and that I think Captain Rikar is going to be pleased with your selection."

"I'm glad that you think so," the aCSciO said while she lowered her eyes and readjusted her clothes, "because to be entirely honest I am not sure that I made the right choice, but we do not have the time available to debate and review this matter."

"What do you think is wrong with the way you look?" the COO asked out of surprise having truly believed that the outfit and facial modifications had been perfect.

"I'm not entirely sure," Aki replied.  "Maybe it's just my nerves or maybe it is because I am not sure how those in the trade center are going to react to seeing someone like me walk into their domain."

"I wouldn't worry about that," Elliot said with a heartwarming smile. "No one in their right mind would challenge a Romulan who seems to have something to hide from the general population.  I know that I sure wouldn't get in your way if I was in their shoes."

Aki let out a faint sigh of relief as she and Elliot continued down the corridor, the aCSciO feeling a little more confident that she had made the right decision.

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

OLD-P181: USS ANUBIS: Russell: Day 4 - 1930 ("Focusing On The Good")

=-=
"Focusing On The Good"
[Previous post: "Hunting Attire"]
=-=

Setting: NEW EARTH, Settlement
Stardate: 61212.2230

It had been one year exactly since the survivors of the USS YORKSHIRE had found a new home on this planet, a year filled with joys, smiles as well as hardships and tears.  NEW EARTH as it had been christened had been an odd mixture of heaven and hell, with sceneries worthy of paradise and dangers imagined by cruelest of demons.

Adam leaned back against one of the large rocks that had been long ago rolled where they now stood to provide his hut with additional support.  The coolness of the stone felt good against his back after a long day in the field, and it was with peace that he gazed up at the stars knowing that his family had been safe.

"Gazing at the stars again?" Lea asked, her smile indicated that she had not been agree, but in fact supported her husband's preferred pastime.

"Just wondering if we'll ever find our way back to them," Adam replied in a dreaming way.

"Is our being here so bad?" Lea sighed as she sat next to her man. "We have a roof over our heads, food on the table and friends to share our daily accomplishments with."

"You're amazing," Adam smiled as his hand tasted the softness of his wife's cheek.  "You barely managed to save Josh's life after he ran into that hell spawn wolf-thingy and you still can find the simple beauty in us being here."

"It is better to focus on the good around you and smile rather than to only see the bad and wallow in sorrow," Lea said, her smile filled with such love and warmth that Adam felt it impossible to not agree.

"Never leave us," Adam begged in a whispered voice.

=-=
Setting: USS PARADOX, Cargo Bay 6
Stardate: 63073.1930

"Dad?" Shawn called out from within his father's arms.  "Is that nice lady going to come back soon?"

"She will," Adam replied in as much a reassuring way as he could while doing his best to hide his own uncertainty from his son.  It had been a while since the Arcadian woman had left the Cargo Bay with a promise to return.  Anya had offered her assistance to the father and his son and had vowed to help them in whatever way she could to insure that the PARADOX would not fall in the wrong hands.

Adam's head snapped up when he heard the sound of the cargo bay's large door open.  This had been a moment of truth in which he would know if the Arcadian could be trusted or if he would have to fight for the life of his son.

A faint sigh emerged when he saw the Anya alone and holding what appeared to be a bag of provisions.  With a wave of his hand in motioned for the Arcadian to join them, which she immediately did.

"Here," Anya said as she reached into the bag to fetch an apple which she handed to the young boy.  "I replicated some fruits and water for you both.  Since there had been no indication that anyone else had been using the replicators, I can imagine that you have been living off emergency rations."

"Thank you," Adam happily said as he accepted Anya's second apple. "Were you able to do anything else?"

The Arcadian shook her head clearly disappointed by her own lack of success.  "Sumariss is not the trusting type so I was unable to do anything, but you managed to do enough damage to the systems to force him to seek more *expert* help.  He left for the Trade Center a little while ago with a few of his men to search for engineers to help fix the systems.  This will give us a little bit of time and freedom to rest, eat and plan our next move.  I just do not know what that will be.  We are still outnumbered and will soon have to deal with more people including engineers to make our task complicated.  If Sumariss finds out about any of this, he will skin the three of us alive before jettisoning us out the nearest airlock"

"It is better to focus on the good around you and smile rather than to only see the bad and wallow in sorrow," Adam said as he took a large bite out of the apple that he had been given.  As much as he tried to be happy with the latest turn of events though, the death of his wife had left a void that Anya's friendship and help had been unable to offset.

=-=
William Reeve

Ensign Adam Russell
(in another reality)
former
Flight Control Officer
USS YORKSHIRE
OLD-P180: USS ANUBIS: Fanggot: Day 4 - 1930 ("Hunting Attire")‏‏

"Hunting Attire"
[Previous post: "Dangerous Proposal"]

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 17, Hex's Quarters
Stardate: 63073.1930

====^*^====

Working hard to keep a scream from building up in her chest, the female Kzinti criticized her wardrobe. Not having expected to be using much more than her Starfleet uniform when she first left the Academy, Hex had made it a point not to spend on useless things such as clothing. Now, that choice was being regretted as the Ensign literally pawed through her things, looking for something suitable to wear.

What was found was even less than Hex expected. Aside from her Starfleet uniforms, the feline had only two other outfits. Pulling out the first, her eyes began to tear up with frustrated emotions and memories. [[Not that one... not ever,]] the Kzinti scolded mentally, folding the cloth back into a trunk which she then stored under her blankets for later scrutinizing.

Ears perking up slightly, Hex pulled out her only other option. It was old and probably a bit tight, but a bit of sewing and stitching would mend that easily, and she had more than enough time. Taking care not to drop the robes, the Kzinti reached deeper into her bags to find a small sewing kit she had become quite attached to.

Sitting in the lotus position on the floor in her cramped room, the Ensign began to sew. Her old Kzinti robes for hunting were still in very good shape, but they no longer fit the fuzzball's newly developed muscles and curves. Humming to herself a tune not even she recognized, Hex pulled her needle and gold thread through her clothes over and over again.

Finishing a few minutes later, Hex pulled the garment over her head and modeled her work. Not a stitch out of place, but not that concealing either. The short, light brown robe only fell down to the Kzinti's knees and was worn traditionally strapless. Small gold seams made it shimmer like a mirage in the desert.

All hunter Kzinti's wore light brown robes or possibly nothing at all while out on the hunt. The robes made them blend in with their sandy wasteland surroundings and made targeted prey more at ease when, and if, they were seen. Hex's robes were beautiful, but they represented a deadly strength that the Kzinti cherished.

Her black fur standing slightly on end in embarrassment, the Kzinti opened her door and let out a sigh of relief when she realized no one was in the corridor. Hex quickly made sure to secure the quarters before rushing toward the turbo-lift in hopes of acquiring it empty.

Looking back as she rounded a corner, the Ensign was met with a strong resistance in the form of a body. Crashing to the floor and struggling underneath her unknown attacker, Hex fought violently as strong arms held her down.

"Hush! They'll find me if you aren't quiet..." a low and hesitant voice begged as the Kzinti was suddenly released.

"Who'll find y-" her sentence was cut short as she looked up into the fearful eyes of the Klingon, know only as Karg. "What the... why aren't you in the Sickbay?"

"I came looking for you actually," Karg answered shortly, removing himself from the ground to sit upright.

"No need to worry about anyone finding you, the sensors here will tell them where you are if anyone were really looking." Hex stated bluntly, solidifying herself into a calm and cool exterior she would normally use.

"Then I don't have much time..." Karg muttered, casting his eyes downward.

"Not really, unless you plan to just sit here and say you were sleepwalking," Hex answered sarcastically, pushing herself onto her feet before offering the fallen Klingon a hand.

Karg chuckled slightly, but refused the Kzinti's hand and stood. "I came to apologize, and to thank you for your assistance earlier."

"There's nothing to apologize for, and I need no thanks from you at the moment Karg, I'm extremely busy." Hex noted, crossing her arms.

"Busy doing what? Playing dress up oh honored Starfleet officer?" Karg sniped gently, pointedly looking down at the Ensign's attire.

Blushing deeply, Hex snarled under her breath, "It's none of your business what I'm doing... besides, you shouldn't even be down here."

"So drop me off back at Sickbay, since I've said what I came here too." Karg suggested, shrugging his shoulder slightly.

"I will." Hex answered, glaring through narrowed eyes at the Klingon. There was more that met the eyes to him, but the Kzinti decided that it was better not to know.

Walking swiftly past the Klingon, making sure to grab his arm in passing, Hex thought of how very *thrilled* the doctors would be to have their visitor back. [[How am I going to explain why I had a Klingon passenger with me?]] the Kzinti thought, muttering to herself as she pulled Karg into the turbo-lift.

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanggot
Assistant Sec/Tac officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P179: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 1930 ("Dangerous Proposal")

-=-=-
"Dangerous Proposal"
[Previous post: "Something Borrowed"]
-=-=-

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.1930

Ensign Lopez looked with combined puzzlement and admiration at the wonderful dress that Doctor Summers had carefully pulled out from a nearby closet in her office.  The garment gave the impression that it belonged to some kind of high ranking political official or maybe even a member of a royal lineage.  As delightful as the dress had been though its appearance and shape had confused Adriana as she was rather certain that the outfit presented by the CMO would draw far more attention than the one that the aCMO had already put on.

"It's breathtaking," Adriana admitted, not daring to move closer to the dress for fear of damaging it in some way.  "But how is this better than what I am currently wearing?  Wouldn't this dress get the attention of the entire *sector*?"

"This is a Kerelian betrothal dress," the CMO said with a devilish twinkle in her eyes.

"You will have to forgive me Doctor," the aCMO said in an apologizing manner, "but I seem to be missing something important here.  What do the Kerelians have to do with this?"

"Kerelians are a Humanoid race very close to Terrans in appearance, but they possess some rather unique social quirks," Doctor Summers explained as she approached Adriana and placed the dress beneath her assistant's chin to see how the garment would look on the aCMO.  "One such quirk is the 'proof of love' that a male must perform after having declared to his beloved's family his intention to marry.  Over the centuries the tradition has changed somewhat to be less dangerous, but there are still many families that require this 'proof of love' to be shown has is had been during the height of their civilization and before the Federation's involvement in their world's affairs."

The aCMO appeared as puzzled and confused as ever but still agreed to put on the dress following the Doctor's insisting eyes and gestures. While Adriana changed into the new garment, the CMO continued with her explanation.

"You see, in the golden days of the Kerelian civilization it was customary for a male to demonstrate his affection and desire to marry by fighting to the death any wannabe suitors.  The dress was an indication to anyone that a challenge had been sent and that the woman wearing it would belong to the victor.  As no rules were truly established for such combat, the practice quickly became that the primary suitor could bring with him as many friends as he wanted to insure his victory.  In some isolated cases the suitor ended up being betrayed by one of his own men, but in general the battles proved to be quick and merciless.  Faced with such a development it became common for the challenge to be unanswered which irked many who had wanted to show just how serious they had been to marry their loved one.  Because of this the Kerelians began to venture to other worlds to make their challenge known," Doctor Summers explained and paused for a moment as she admired her assistant in the dress that had been provided.

"I still don't get how advertising a challenge by wearing this dress is going to be *less* dangerous than wearing what I had initially had on," Adriana said, now more nervous than ever although she did like the way she looked in the ravishing looking garment.

"Remember that the suitor wanted to show that he could win *any* fight to prove his love," Doctor Summer continued.  "When traveling to other another planet it was not uncommon for the suitor to bring with him a small personal army or even enlist the assistance of mercenaries.  It quickly became general knowledge on other worlds that accepting such a challenge would become a nearly certain death sentence because there had been no way to know for certain how many others would swoop down to defend the maiden's honor."

"That may be all nice and sweet," Adriana sighed, "But you seem to be forgetting something; I am not Kerelian and there will be no suitor or army waiting to swoop down to my rescue if things should get out of hand."

Doctor Summers grinned as she reached over to her desk for something. "Just stay close to Elan and wear these," the CMO said as she placed several small metallic bands around the aCMO's wrist.

"What are those?" Adriana asked, not at all convinced that this had been such a great idea.

"The custom evolved over the decade to include an additional warning to any potential challengers.  Each small wrist band indicates that the primary suitor has one follower by his side, so the more bands you display the less likely you will be to have things get out of hand," Doctor Summers ended with as she placed over a dozen bands around her assistant's wrist.

"This is still a potentially dangerous bluff," Adriana stated, concerned that she might not be able to successfully pull such a performance.

"That is what the world of Intel is all about my dear," the CMO grinned.  "As rough as this Trade Center may be, I doubt that anyone will dare to risk their lives in this way.  It is all about weighing risk against return, so they will likely be more afraid of you than you will be of them.."

"I really hope that you are right about this," the aCMO gulped having accepted as much as she could that this would be her disguise for their mission.

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P178: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 1925 ("Something Borrowed")

=-=
"Something Borrowed"
[Previous post: "Status", written by the admirable Sabrina]
=-=

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.1925

Lea, Adriana and Eve had returned to Sickbay to complete their preparations for the away mission. From what they had been told, the Trade Center within the YUDARA SECTOR had been a rough place. This was a location that any self-respecting Starfleet Officer would avoid if given half a chance. Of course being within Gorn space had pretty much insured that.

Using this knowledge as a starting point, the CMO, aCMO and CNS vanished into separate rooms. There they put the final touches on their outfits and alternate identity, not that the later had truly been necessary. As a member of the NEW ALEXANDRIA complex their current identity had already been secret enough.

Doctor Summers had slipped out of her uniform and replaced it with something more low key. The earthly colored garment had not been all that flattering, but that had not been the point. Lea had made her selection based on comfort and functionality. As she looked onto the image looking back at her from the mirror, Lea grinned. The outfit combined with a make-shift field med-kit should not draw any unwanted attention to the CMO.

Pleased with her appearance, the CMO returned to the main treatment area.  Lea felt a wave of excitement as she noted that she had been the first to return. All that needed to be done now had been to wait for the others.

"What do you think?" Adriana asked as she presented herself to the CMO.

Lea remained silent, the shock of what she had just seen having been to much to put into words.

"Is there a problem?" The aCMO asked while she reviewed her own appearance to see if something had been out of place.

"Depends," the CMO chuckled slightly. "Do you want to find clues as to the PARADOX's whereabouts or be abducted and sold as a slave?"

"You think this is going a little overboard?" Adriana asked not truly having expected an answer. The outfit she had selected had not been all that revealing, but enough to draw a fair amount of attention to the aCMO. "I just figured that it would be easier to get some answers from people this way. It's not like I could wrestle the information out of them like Hex could."

"There are other ways to gather Intel," the CMO explained with a smile. Lea's experience and training in Intel had made that point clear many times. "Mata Hari might have charmed the information out of men, but she lived in a different time and place. Although you would certainly be able to get any men to talk, there are other things out there immune to such charms. Think about it this way; would a Gorn be more talkative if you sat across a table from it?"

"I hadn't thought of it that way," the aCMO said, the wind having been taken from her sails. "Maybe I am not suited for this Intel stuff."

"You'll do just fine," Lea reassured. "If there had been any doubts about your skills, Enaii would have already said something. Her continued silence is the best endorsement you'll ever get."

"It's too bad that she will not be there with us," the aCMO admitted. "I guess I would feel better knowing that she had been out there dealing with the difficult issues."

Lea chuckled. "Personally I am happy that Enaii will not be with us. That way I know that we have the best out there ready to swoop down to our rescue if things get really difficult."

"I hadn't thought of that either," Adriana said, feeling a little better than she had. "Now I just have to figure out what I'll wear."

"Come with me," the CMO said. "I may have something that you can borrow for this mission, something that you might find rather interesting."

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P177: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 1915 ("Status")

==========
"Status"
(Previous Post was William's "A Gift")
==========

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Conference Room
Stardate: 63073.1915

The young woman stood at the end of the long table, her emerald eyes scanning the members of the Senior Officers who had reported as ordered for the last mission briefing before they would venture into the YUDARA SECTOR… and hopefully onto the PARADOX.

"Alright people… lets make this one quick… Maya, care to start us off?" The redheaded woman began as she lowered herself onto her chair and waited for the Shillian to begin her report.

"I am not sure what happened, but something changed in the temporal signature of the anomalies. The first set we encountered and scanned seemed to be totally random and unpredictable, but the more recent ones seemed to be far more specific as to their temporal reach… the best part of this is that we have been able to narrow down the source area of these anomalies," the Chief Science Officer explained as she summoned a holographic three-dimensional map of the asteroid field which comprised the YUDARA SECTOR. "The PARADOX is somewhere in this quadrant. Unfortunately this has not changed out timeframe… we need to find the ship and restore the fabric of space-time before we witness a complete breakdown of the temporal structure that holds our reality together."

"That area covers more than a quarter of the sector," the COO pointed out with distinct disappointment. "It's still a search area that could take weeks to fully survey and I suspect that we don't have that much time at our disposal."

"That is why we are sticking to the original plan," the redheaded CO added. "Commander Enaii will be taking the VIPERs out and search that area while the rest of the senior staff will be heading down to the Trade Center. Hopefully one of us can catch a break before it is too late," Rikar explained as she shifted her attention to the ILO. "Is your squadron ready?"

The Intel Operative simply nodded and glanced at the Oltharian Engineer who immediately understood that the next part of the briefing had become his.

"All three VIPERs and the SPHYNX have been retrofitted with the same temporal shielding that we will be using while in the Trade Center," Elan announced as if the task he had accomplished had been nothing more than routine. "We will not have to worry about any temporal distortions during the survey of that quadrant the asteroid field and our approach of the Trade Center."

"So the personal temporal fields are ready?" the CO inquired, not because she had not known the answer but more so that the rest of the senior staff had been brought up to speed on that particular aspect of their mission.

"Thanks to the assistance of Lieutenant Fairborn and Lt. Commander Maya, the devices are ready for immediate usage," the Assistance CSciO stated with a hint of pride. "Doctor Summers has confirmed that they are safe to use."

"The field generated by these devices does not appear to have any biological effects," the Cardassian-born Counsellor stated as she jumped into the conversation. "I would like to warn everyone though that we did not have the time to see if prolonged exposure to such a close proximity field will have any neurological effects."

"Relax Eve," Lea sighed. "An average individual would have to be exposed to a field of that intensity for more than 10 hours straight before there would be any possible risks," the CMO stated. "Personally I hope to have this mission done and over with in four."

"According to Lt. Commander Maya's predictions," Ensign Lopez offered as she did some quick calculations on her PADD. "We likely have no more than nine hours to solve this problem. If we do manage to be exposed to that field for longer than that, I suspect that neurological problems may be the least of our troubles."

Although Adriana's words had been offered with a certain light-heartedness, the Kzinti Sec/Tac Officer seemed rather troubled by the fact that they had no more than nine hours to somehow find a clue as to the PARADOX's whereabouts, gain access to the ship, deal with whatever enemy force had claimed the vessel *and* fix the D-Drive before reality as they knew it came to an end. Hex silently lowered her head into her hands and allowed only the twitching of her ear to hint as to her misgivings towards their mission objective and timeframe.

"Alright…" the CO continued. "Everyone is to finishing preparing, get equipped and report to the SPHYNX in 25 minutes. We leave for the Trade Center as soon as the VIPERs have cleared the ship and entered the Asteroid field."

==========
Setting: USS PARADOX, Cargo Bay 6
Stardate: 63073.1915

For the last fifteen minutes the Arcadian woman had explained her situation to the inquisitive young boy, Anya Green having done her best to ignore the man pointing the pulse riffle at her. She had not wish them any harm but the woman knew that her nervousness would have overwhelmed her had she acknowledged the protective father's presence.

"Let me get this straight," Ensign Russell inquired. "You are part of a mercenary group hired by a Selay who is trying to go back in time to save the members of his religious order?"

Anya nodded her head and even smiled as she noted the pulse riffle being lowered ever so slightly.

"Something doesn't add up," the man said with a deep sigh. "Where would an exiled Selay priest find the kind of credits he has already dished out to you and your friends."

"They are not my friends," the Arcadian quickly corrected. "I was attracted by the prospect of wealth, nothing more… and now I wonder if it is all truly worth it."

"I wish I could believe you," Russell softly growled as he raised the weapon in his hands back to bear onto the still sitting Arcadian woman.

"I trust her, dad," Shaun stated as only a child could which immediately melted his father's suspicions.

"We are going to need your help to get this ship back to the people to whom it belongs," the Ensign explained. "I may not be able to promise you wealth and riches, but I can guarantee a clear conscience if we succeed."

"I'll do what I can to help," Anya nodded with a smile to both father and son.

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS: Array Section, Deck 3, VIPER Launch Bay
Stardate: 63073.1930

=/\= Bridge to Commander Enaii… you are cleared for take-off, =/\= Ensign Thomas announced over the open communications channel.

=/\= Good luck, =/\= Rikar's voice followed up with causing the ILO to actually grinned for a brief moment, a reaction that had been witnessed by no one else.

The ILO began her pre-launch verifications and gave the signal to her two wingmen to do the same.

=/\= VIPER 3... Ready, =/\= the Native American announced after a few seconds, the distinct gladness in his voice not at all impressing the ILO who had accepted to not only have him join her squadron but also to permit his recommendation to take over the role of the pilot for VIPER 2.

=/\= VIPER 2... Ready, =/\= Drell announced, the Klingon FCO having been assigned to pilot the last VIPER despite his having been relieved of flight duty for the time being due to his altercation in the ANUBIS' Sickbay with Karg.

Enaii sighed to herself in response to what she perceived as a weakness of her part in having allowed the Klingon to join her squadron, yet his skill as a pilot had been impossible to overlook. At worst case, should Drell prove to be any sort of liability, the ILO had not issues about shooting him down herself if needs be.
 
==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P176: USS ANUBIS: Russell: Day 4 - 1855 ("A Gift")

=-=
"A Gift"
[Previous post: "An Unexpected Discovery"]
=-=

Setting: USS PARADOX, Cargo Bay 6
Stardate: 63073.1855

Children because of their innocence or some unknown insight into life which they lost with age were able to judge a person's character nearly instantaneously, or at least that had been what Adam believed.  Shaun had often been able to identify dangers back on NEW EARTH without having known any of the specifics of the situation.  On one particular instance the boy had saved the life of both his mother and father.

=-=
Setting: NEW EARTH, Forested area about 3 km from the settlement
Stardate: 61031.1130

The entire Russell family had ventured into the woods in search of berries that would be used in tomorrow's celebration of Shaun's fourth birthday.  Lea and Adam could not help but smile as they watched their son run ahead of them finding each and every fallen branch and leaf to be a treasure beyond measure.  As unforgiving as their new home had proven to be, NEW EARTH had also been found to hold certain charms which the survivors of the YORKSHIRE had quickly learned to embrace.

"Shaun," Lea called out to her son.  "Don't go too far, there are dangerous beasts in these parts of the wood."

Adam chuckled and pulled his wife closer so that he could steal a quick kiss before speaking.  "The most dangerous thing we have seen in these woods are those winged squirrels.  I think you can relax a little."

"There are still a great deal of things we do not know about this planet," Lea reminded Adam as she gently brushed his cheek with her hand.  "We have to be careful."

"Yes *Doctor*," Adam teased as he used his wife's nickname.  Although she had majored from Starfleet Academy in the field of Operations, Lea had taken on the role of Medical Officer since their arrival on NEW EARTH.  "Hey Shaun, over here.  Found some berries for us to take back."

The boy rushed back to his parents' side but suddenly stopped a few meters short of the large berry bush that his father had discovered.

"Come on Shaun," Lea urged as both she and Adam reached for the berries.  "These are just like the ones by the brook, and I know that you love these."

"No!" Shaun called out almost in tears.  This had been more than enough to get both his mother and father to stop dead in their tracks and turn to be by their son's side.

"What's wrong sweetheart?" Lea asked as she cradled the boy in her arms.

Shaun said nothing, and after a few moments pointed with a trembling finger to the berry bush where his parents had been.  The trio watched with curiosity as one of those winged squirrels that had been mentioned earlier landed to enjoy one of the larger berries.

"See," Adam grinned as he turned back to face his son.  "There is nothing to worry about," the father continued as he knelt in front of his son.

"Adam," Lea said in a trouble voice which sent her husband to immediately turn to glance at her and then fully around to look once more at the berry bush.

The winged squirrel laid on the ground, motionless, as if dead or at the very least paralysed.  Just as the questions as to what had taken place formed in their minds, the trio watched as a set of vines extended from beneath the bush, grabbed the fallen animal and dragged it beyond sight.

 =-=
Setting: USS PARADOX, Cargo Bay 6
Stardate: 63073.1856

Based on that experience alone Ensign Russell had decided to follow his son's lead without question when they had discovered the troubled Arcadian woman in what had become *their* home.  Shaun had proven the usefulness of his special *gift*, and given the circumstances Adam had been more than willing to side with his son's intuition.

"Alright," the Ensign said as he watched his son take the woman hands into his own without any hesitations.  "We're listening."

=-=
William Reeve

Ensign Adam Russell
(in another reality)
former
Flight Control Officer
USS YORKSHIRE
OLD-P175: USS ANUBIS: Mitshiba: Day 4 - 1845 ("An Unexpected Discovery")

~~~~~~~~~~
"An Unexpected Discovery"
(Cont. from "Possible Reason")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS PARADOX, Corridor
Stardate: 63073.1845

Following their latest setback in getting the ship's D-Drive to work, most of the hired hands had been dispatched by Sumariss to search the ship for spare parts that could be used to repair or bypass the increasing number of malfunctioning systems.  The Arcadian had volunteered to search the lower decks having suspected that she would have less of a chance to run into one of the broken bodies of a fallen crew member.  As much as she fancied herself to be a mercenary, Anya Green had quickly come to realise that petty theft had been about as far on the wrong side of the ethical line that she cared to venture.

The reports that she had overheard as to some of the graphic discoveries made by others while on board this ship had turned her stomach and had convinced the Arcadian that she would not be able to kill someone regardless of how much wealth she had been promised.  It was true that the idea of being able to travel through time had been an alluring one, but not so much that she had placed it above the life of another.  So far they all had been lucky as none of the mercenary had run into a survivor that they would have had to deal with, permanently.

The Arcadian made her way down the corridor as she searched for undamaged power relays and soon came up on an area that displayed clear signs of a terrible battle.  Whatever nightmare the crew of this vessel had been forced to face, it had been brutal in its storming of the ship leaving dark crimson marks on the walls, floors, ceilings and bulkheads.  As disturbing as this discovery had been to Anya she found it within her to be thankful in that such brutality had nearly insured that she would not discover any survivor during her search for spare parts.  As much as the woman had hoped this thought would have made things easier, it proved to instead made her wish that she had been somewhere else.

Further down the same corridor Anya discovered her first victim of the onslaught, and the Arcadian immediately turned away having been unable to deal with the scene.  Although she had seen it only for a split second, the broken form of the crewman had already become engraved in her mind.  Certain that she would not be able to go further the troubled woman backtracked her steps and entered the nearest door.

~~~~~~~~~~
Setting: USS PARADOX, Cargo Bay 6
Stardate: 63073.1855

Shaken to the core by the nightmarish vision she had stumbled upon, the Arcanian leaned back against a set of boxes and slipped down into a fetal position where she began to cry uncontrollably.  This had not been the first time Anya had seen death, but to see a body so completely mutilated had been too much for her to handle.  Crying and shaking like a young child, the woman started to truly question the reasons why she had been here and if Sumariss' promised wealth had really made all of this worth while.  Maybe if they had been here merely to scavenge the ship of any and all usable parts she would have been able to accept her presence here, but the truth of the matter had been much darker.

Through her continued tears Anya wondered if she had not become part of a chain of events that would make others experience the nightmare that had befallen the crew of this ship.

"Are you alright?" A young voice asked which caused Anya to look up and see through her tears a boy of no more than six years of age.

"Who are you?" The Arcanian asked in return while she fought back her tears.

"I was about to ask you that same question," a more mature and menacing voice interjected which brought the Arcadian's attention onto a man pointing a pulse rifle in her direction.

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P174: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 1845 ("Possible Reason")

-=-=-
"Possible Reason"
[Previous post: "Shapes of Things to Come"]
-=-=-

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, T'kon Temple
Stardate: 63073.1845

Not having anywhere other to go, and confident that he knew where the woman he had just rescued would be safest, the Efrosian Priest returned to the T'Kon templ with his new ward.  Although free from her imprisonment, the woman's entire body trembled in her hands of her savior, which only made Ojall quicken his pace.

Once at the Temple though the Efrosian Priest was somewhat dismayed to find that the robbed T'Kon Priest had been no where to be found, having vanished just as quietly as he had initially appeared. Although curious as to the man's whereabouts, Ojall concentrated his thoughts and actions on the now sobbing woman sitting on the stairs of the main altar.

"Here, within this temple, you are safe," Ojall said as he did his best to comfort the troubled woman.  This had not been the first time that the Efrosian Priest had gone out to help a soul in need, and somehow he suspected that it would not be the last.

Mortina did her best to withdraw her tears and regain control of herself, but the trauma that she had endured along with the unexpected rescue had caused a flood of emotions to wash over her.  As much as the woman tried she just could not bring herself to be calm and properly thank the Efrosian for his deed.

Ojall slowly rubbed his hands together as if trying to warm them before he gently moved his fingers to rest on the woman's forehead. In a strange massaging way his fingers slid behind the crying woman's ears and down onto her neck before the Efrosian Priest restarted the process.

"You are Betazoid," Ojall calmly said smiling calmly.  "Open your thoughts to mine and see that you have nothing to fear as long as you are here."

There had been something about the man's touch that instantly made Mortina feel at ease, and after a few moments she did as she had been asked.  Once the telepathic bridge had been created, the Betazoid's troubled thoughts met with a tranquility that she had never imagined possible.

"Relax," Ojall continued having felt the woman's turbulent mind to his.  "Concentrate on the sound of my voice.  Allow your fears and worries to slip out, do not try to hold them back or even question where they had come from.  Focus on the here and now, on my voice and on the simple fact that you are safe from all harm."

Mortina felt her body and mind gradually relax as the Efrosian continue to speak and guide her into a state of peace the likes of which she had never experienced.  Minutes later the Betazoid found herself as calm as could be, her fears had all but vanished and her tears had long ago stopped.

"Thank you," Mortina said, her thoughts having been made to be at peace.  "For everything."

"It was an honor to be of assistance," the Efrosian replied as he added a deep, respectful bow.  "Now maybe we can find out why you were in this predicament."

The Betazoid sighed as memories of her incarceration briefly returned before the calmness of the Priest once again crossed over the Telepathic bridge that had been established to insure that Mortina would not fall back into the condition that she had previously been in.

"If you will permit me, I will search your memories for clues as to what may have caused you to be treated in such a manner," Ojall offered and although Mortina held onto some reservations the mental and emotional peace that she had been made to experience had been more than enough to make her willing to participate in this exercise.

The Efrosian Priest closed his eyes and pushed the mental link between the two of them to a deeper level.  The Betazoid felt as if a Vulcan had just initiated a mind-meld but without the forceful intrusion or the coldness normally associated with the thoughts of a member of that race.  Instead Ojall's reach into her memories had almost been that of a warm blanket that only served to relax Mortina even more than she had been.

Minutes passed and when Ojall withdrew his mind from Mortina's, the Betazoid felt oddly at peace and a little smaller.  "Have you found something?"

Ojall leaned back and remained silent for several seconds before he offered a reply.  "I am not certain if I have, but there is something about that Selay mind you touched that troubles me.  Something that may be nothing, or may prove to be at the center of everything that has recently happened here."

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P173: USS ANUBIS: Maya: Day 4 - 1845 ("Shapes of Things To Come")

---
"Shapes of Things To Come"
(Previous Post: "Dimensions of Reality")
---

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Shady Tavern, Second Level
Stardate: 63073.1845
 
The dimly lit tavern held a wide array of patrons, all of which appeared to have originated from the wrong side of the law. Even some of the more fearsome looking aliens could be seen glancing over their shoulders as if expecting something or someone to suddenly put an abrupt end to their whispered conversations.
 
In a particularly dark corner of the upper level of the tavern, two clocked figures were having a discussion over a pair of untouched drinks. The half filled glasses had been nothing more than a pretence like so many other things in this establishment which catered to all likes of crooks, thieves and mercenaries.
 
"She escaped," the dark cloaked figure unhappily whispered. "That old fool took my men by surprise and I can tell you that he was far more agile than anyone could have expected," the concealed figure reported, his voice held no admiration for the Efrosian priest of whom he had been referring to.
 
"Your inability to perform such a simple task is truly alarming," the female Vorta sighed as she carefully readjusted her own cloak to hide as much of her dress as she could. "You were hired to capture and hold that Betazoid, and now she is free."
 
"My men and I were hired for a simple abduction and interrogation," the dark cloaked man snapped back, still in a whispered voice.
 
"Not to fight some crazed monk. You are lucky that we did as much as we did considering that we are still waiting for our initial payment."
 
Vellanor glanced over her shoulder for a very brief moment and quickly returned to the whispered conversation at hand. "Very well," she sighed. "If you will permit me, I will step out and return with the agreed initial payment," the Vorta offered in a tone of acceptance that seemed to take her partner of fortune by surprise.
 
"You are not going anywhere," the cloaked figure stated as he reached and took a solid hold of the arm of the Vorta. "What guaranties do I have that you will not just leave me high, dry and without a single credit for my troubles?"
 
"I do not have the full amount on me," the Vorta quietly replied as she reached for a pouch with her free hand. "I can leave you this as a down payment until I return with the rest."
 
"You may be cute, but you are still a Vorta," the cloaked man said while shaking his head. "I do not trust you."
 
"Very well," Vellanor continued having once again glanced over her shoulder. "Would my leaving my dress behind be sufficient to convince you that I will return?"
 
The dark cloaked figure grinned and immediately let go of the Vorta, his acceptance of the newly offered terms having been unmistakable. Although it had been easy to see that she had not wanted to do this, Vellanor quickly removed her dress without ever allowing the figure sitting on the other side of the small table to see anything more than her cloak.
 
When the exquisite dress was gently deposited next to the pouch of coins, the mercenary sighed with disappointment, the Vorta having managed to accomplish her disrobing without having allowed him the slightly peek.
 
"Go quickly and return with my money," the cloaked man growled as he dismissed the Vorta.
 
Vellanor made a hasty departure out of the tavern using one of the many unlisted exits. Once outside the Vorta searched for a quiet corner where she embraced the shadows and waited.
 
---
Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Shady Tavern, First Level
Stardate: 63073.1850
 
Grex had been told, after some forceful persuading on his part, that the person he had been searching for could be found here, in this tavern. The entrance of the Kzinti Bounty Hunter had been enough to cause several patrons to halt their conversations until such time as they had been satisfied that the black furred giant had not been here for them.
 
After having scanned the main floor of the tavern, Grex rapidly moved to the upper level to continue his search and hopefully get a better vantage point of the primary level. The moment he reached the second floor, the Bounty Hunter noticed that something had been amidst at one of the tables hidden in the distant shadows. In only a few steps the towering Kzinti had crossed the distance that separated him from his target and discovered that his instincts had once again been correct.
 
A dark cloaked man laid face down on the small table, a search of his neck for any basic vital signs revealed the frightful trust. The man had been murdered, but what truly caught the interest of the Bounty Hunter had been the presence of two untouched drinks at the table which meant that the victim had not been alone.
 
The Kzinti quickly searched the immediate area and found nothing to hint of a struggle or even a disagreement. The only proof that something had happened had been that second drink.
 
--- 
Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, Alleyway behind the Shady Tavern
Stardate: 63073.1855
 
The Vorta quickly made her way through the alleyway not taking a single moment to look back. Every second wasted looking back would allow the Bounty Hunter to get closer, and Vellanor simply could not afford to let the Kzinti draw closer than he already had.
 
As she returned to a busier sector of the trade center, the cloak of the Vorta was pushed away by an inattentive merchant to reveal the same exquisite dress and coin pouch Vellanor had relinquished less than a minute ago.

---
Jessica Solarik

Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P172: USS ANUBIS: Russell: Day 4 - 1830 ("Dimensions of Reality")

=-=
"Dimensions of Reality"
[Previous post: "A Simple Favour"]
=-=

EARTH.
Heart and soul of the United Federation of Planets, and home to the Human civilization.
A world that Adam had always been proud and happy to call home, a world that now stood in complete ruins.  Cities that were once universal beacons of accomplishments to the entire galaxy had been mercilessly reduced to rubble.  The millions of people who had once called this shinning marbled sphere home now only numbered in the hundreds.  Whoever they had been, their extermination of the Human race had been frightfully thorough.

=-=
Setting: USS PARADOX, Auxiliary Controls
Stardate: 63073.1830

As a trained Flight Control Officer Adam's skills as a pilot had been more than adequate, but as a saboteur his training in Operations had been somewhat lacking.  At times he wondered if trying to perform Black Ops had truly been within his skills, but necessity had proven to be a strong motivator.

This ship had welcomed both him and his son, despite that fact that they had originated from a different dimension.  Adam still had not been entire sure as to what this meant, but he knew that he needed to help in whatever way he could to insure that the ship did not fall into the wrong hands.  If not for the sake of the ship itself, the father had rapidly made the decision to fight for the sake of his son.

So far Adam had managed to keep his presence on the ship a secret as he performed minor acts of sabotage.  The only hint of his success in his endeavor had been the sometimes loud cussing of some of the people who had come to take over the ship.  The real problem had been that there had been far more of them than him, and could repair the systems faster than he could sabotage them.

From Auxiliary Controls Adam hoped that he would be able to affect multiple systems all at once.  This would allow him to retreat and take some time to truly think of a better way to accomplish his final goal, whatever that might have been.  This had not been *his* universe, and therefore he knew very little as to whom he could trust and whom he should fear.

Having used all of his knowledge in Operations to set the computer to create a cascading overload in the ship's power system, Adam vanished once more into the maintenance corridors and quickly returned to the reason why he had been doing this.

=-=
Setting: USS PARADOX, Cargo Bay 6
Stardate: 63073.1845

Shawn had always been a bright, imaginative young fellow.  A boy who could turn a few boxes and a piece of string into a game that would keep him entertained for hours. Maybe it had been because of the environment he had spent the last three years of his life in, a forgotten world that gave nothing even to those who worked their fingers to the bone.

The boy had been the pride and joy of both his parents who had given him everything they could to insure that he had a happy life.  On the YORKSHIRE Shawn had enjoyed the highest level of comfort available to a Starfleet family, and on NEW EARTH the boy had learned to make due with what little had been within his reach.

The change from living on a starship to surviving on a hostile planet had almost seemed easy for Shawn, but to lose his mother had been difficult and haunted the young child each and every night.  Adam sighed as he watched his son play with the small boxes he had found throughout the cargo bay.  For that brief moment in time, Shawn seemed almost content with his life.

Adam fought back tears as he wished that his wife had been here with them.  Together, they could have reclaimed this ship and found a new world to call their own.

=-=
William Reeve

Ensign Adam Russell
(in another reality)
former
Flight Control Officer
USS YORKSHIRE
OLD-P171: USS ANUBIS: Morningstar: Day 4 - 1845 ("A Simple Favour")

###################
"A Simple Favour"
[Previous Post Sabrina' "Planning"]
###################
 
<<It has happened, it will happen.>>
- Common saying within Starfleet's Temporal Security Agency
 
Setting: USS ANUBIS: Array Section, Deck 3, VIPER Launch Bay
Stardate: 63073.1845
 
"Commander Enaii!" the Native American called out as he ran to catch up to the ANUBIS' Intel Operative. Although short, the woman seemed to move about with amazing speed and grace. "May I take a moment of your time?"
 
"No," the ILO icily answered, having stopped and turned to face the man only long enough to grant him the honour of her reply.

Erik remained stunned for several seconds, not having expected the answer that he had received. After all the inquiry had only been a courtesy to permit the former CO of the USS LANCELOT to present the ANUBIS' Acting ExO with his request. After having regained his mental composure, Morningstar went after the Operative once more.
 
"Commander," Erik resumed as she finally arrived by the ILO's side. "I promise to be quick and to not force you to answer anything with more than a few words." Enaii immediately stopped and shot a glare in the Native American's direction which actually made him chuckle. "Let me rephrase that, I could never hope to *force* you to do anything if I want to see tomorrow in a single intact piece, so let me just say that I will not *expect* a multi-word answer to my one request."
 
"Very well," the ILO sighed, obviously Captain Morningstar had his mind set on whatever this had been, and by now the Operative's curiosity had been peaked.
 
"I would like to request permission to accompany you on your sortie," Morningstar stated without any hesitation knowing all too well that the Intel Operative had not been the kind of person who enjoyed getting the run-around. "You know my flight credentials are more than adequate to pilot one of these VIPERs," the Captain added having taken a few minutes to review the specs of the ANUBIS' Interceptor Class fighters.
 
"No," the ILO answered once more, the coldness in her voice not having diminished in the least.
 
"Enaii," Erik cut in before the Operative could turn away. "I am asking this as a personal favour. Since my rescue from the LANCELOT I have been absolutely *useless* on this ship, and each time I try to offer my assistance with a project it is either classified over my clearance or has already been completed by the time I hear about it. This ship is truly amazing but I need to do something constructive on this mission before I go mad. I promise that I will be nothing more than a pilot on this mission and that I will follow your every commands without question. I just need to feel that I am more than a lump and this is the only real opportunity that has presented itself."
 
The Intel Operative looked into the man's eyes for several seconds, her stone-cold features not having betrayed in anyway her thoughts or emotions, if she had actually felt any. Enaii could see the desperation in the Native American's eyes as well as the pride that he had pushed aside to permit himself to make this request from her.
 
"You owe me," the ILO finally uttered before she turned around and resumed her course for the lead VIPER. Erik's smile had been bright enough to light up the entire ship, but he still knew better than to verbalize his feelings to the woman who he knew to be colder than a room full of Vulcans. "VIPER 3," Enaii announced after a few steps, "Launch in 15 minutes."
 
The Native American quickly ended his smile for fear that the ILO might actually see it and change her mind. Now he had 15 minutes to get fully acquainted with the Interceptor's systems so as to not make Enaii regret the favour that she had made him.
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette
Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
 
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS
 
And
 
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA

OLD-P170: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 1830 ("Planning")

==========
"Planning"
(Previous Post was Marissa's "Time to Act")
==========

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1830

The young woman sat in the command chair located in the center of the Bridge… the gaze from her emerald eyes lost amongst the streaking stars displayed on the main view screen. The red hue that bathed the inside of the entire ship had been a constant reminder that the ANUBIS had been under the protection of its ablative armour… and therefore nearly invisible to sensors.

"Still no sign of our having been detected by any of the Gorn patrols," Ensign Thomas announced from the Operations station.

"They are all probably too busy dealing with whatever issues have been created by the temporal anomalies that are everywhere," Ensign Mitshiba added from the Science station. Both Ensigns had returned to the Bridge once their task to create a personalized quantum field generator had been accomplished, thanks in some part to the Oltharian Engineer and the ANUBIS' own Avatar.

"Apparently one of those issues is a squadron of Cardassian Galor-Class starships, bearing 288 mark 14," the Kzinti Sec/Tac Officer reported from her station. Hex's words had been laced with a hint of disappointment as she witnessed the battle between the slow, heavily armoured Gorn patrol ship and the three faster, more agile Cardassian cruisers. Ensign Fanggot's mind quickly created a combat scenario in which the ANUBIS had flown into the heart of the battle to teach both sides how a war should be waged.

Standing immediately behind the Sec/Tac Officer, Ensign Lopez grinned to herself as she observed her friend's hand dance on the tactical station as many more scenarios were created and prepared for. The aCMO had accompanied the Kzinti once she had been released from Sickbay under the excuse of needing to insure that Hex had been alright.

Although she had not been overly fond of the idea of having the aCMO by her side, Hex had actually not disliked the idea of having a friend nearby as much as she had expected. The Sec/Tac Officer had even managed to reason that this had been the perfect excuse for her to keep an eye on Adriana and insure that *she* had been alright.

"All three VIPERs have been retrofitted with the necessary equipment to allow them to safely navigate this region of space," the Oltharian reported as he and Ensign Dalziel stepped out of the turbo lift and onto the Bridge. "Annie stayed behind to verify that all of the modifications to the power grid will not impede the Interceptors' combat systems," Elan added while he made his way to the Engineering station at the back of the Bridge.

Although a little curious as to what the ship's Counsellor and Chief Engineer might have been talking about, the redheaded woman refrained from inquiring… as a former Cns, Rikar knew that any question along those lines would have served no purpose and maybe even made Eve's duties that much more difficult in the future.

"Well done Lieutenant," the CO offered as she turned to look at the now sitting Oltharian. "See, I knew that you would have this minor task done well before we reached the YUDARA SECTOR." The CEO simply echoed the Captain's smile and nodded his thanks for the praise he had been given.

"Bridge to Commander Maya," the redheaded woman called out as she turned her chair back to face the front of the Bridge.

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.1835

"Go ahead Captain," the CSciO acknowledged as she tightened a belt around her waste. Although very similar to the one normally worn by Startfleet personnel this one had distinct differences, the most notable one having been two small rectangular boxes located on either side.

=/\= Just checking up on your progress with the testing of the quantum field generator,=/\= the CO explained. Although the initial project had been the responsibility of Ensign Mitshiba, the Captain had thought it wise to have the senior most Science officer check the device for any possible problems or side effects.

"Commander Maya was just about to activate one of the devices," Doctor Summers jumped in with as she opened her medical tricorder and stood ready to monitor the Shillian's vital signs. "I'm just here to make sure we don't end up with a mess that will take Elan weeks to clean up."

Maya playfully glared at the CMO for a moment before she reached for one of the small boxes and activated the device.

"The field is active," the Shillian Scientist reported while she looked down at her hands as if having expected for them to be somehow transformed or even vanish. "Initial observations appear very promising," Maya continued as she reached for her own tricorder and performed a few scans of the quantum field that now enveloped her. "The energy output of the field is stable and my instruments show that the miniature quantum singularity reactor is actually performing slightly above expected parameters."

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1838

=/\= The field dynamic is a perfect match to the one currently used by our ablative armour and bio-regenerative hull. Ensign Mitshiba and Thomas should be proud of the work they have done,=/\= the CSciO stated which immediately made the two Officers in questions glance at each other to trade a prideful smile.

=/\= Looks like Elan won't have anything to clean down here,=/\= Doctor Summers added with a sarcastic sigh, obviously not at all displeased with the fact that the Shillian had not been turned into a pile of protoplasmic goo.

"I am sure that I speak for our Chief Engineer, as well as everyone else onboard, when I say that we are all very happy to hear this," Rikar announced while her pink lips displayed a playful smile. It had been refreshing to see that despite the rather dire nature of their mission the crew had managed to keep a certain sense of humour… a fact that the CO greatly appreciated.

"Rikar to Enaii," the redheaded woman continued as she pressed a control on the arm of her chair to open a new comm channel.

=/\= Yes,=/\= the ILO replied as dryly as expected, the Intel Operative never having been big on words.

"Annie is performing last minute checks on the VIPERs," the CO announced. "I would like for you to take the lead of the squadron. I feel that having our most experienced pilot out there looking for the PARADOX will play in our favour and may grant us the break we so desperately need."

=/\= Very well,=/\= Enaii replied and immediately closed the channel afterwards, thus insuring that no one would be able to tell if whether or not this had been welcomed news or a task that she felt had been well beneath her position as the ANUBIS' ILO and acting ExO.

"We will be arriving at the YUDARA SECTOR in 50 minutes," the COO announced with a distinct tone of anticipation… maybe even excitement.
 
==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501
 
"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P169: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 1715 ("Time to Act")

-=-=-
"Time to Act"
[Previous post: "Something New"]
-=-=-

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, building
across from the T'kon Temple
Stardate: 63073.1715

Despite his frail appearance and advanced age the Efrosian's skills and experience had allowed for his entrance into the secured compound to be an easy one.  Those who had tried to stop him at the door and later down the stairway had been quickly dealt with and rendered unconscious with moves many Kzinti warriors would have been envious of.

To help someone in need, someone who had fallen pray to the corrupted ways of others had been Ojall Chek Kane's greatest calling, yet while doing so he still could not bring himself to severely injure someone. His non-lethal methods had always been quick and effective, and had never proven to be anything less than exactly what had been required during the many years of offering help and assistance to those in need.

As Ojall pressed on in search of this person mentioned by the T'Kon priest, his mind travelled to a time when he had been but a simple student of the monastery he had joined.  There he had learned skills in the field of science and medicine, knowledge in the areas of engineering and combat, and insights into the minds of others that rivaled those of given to Starfleet Academy cadets.  During his apprenticeship the young priest had also learned about compassion and the ability to extend his senses to become one with the world around him.

It had been that specific knowledge and skill which allowed the Efrosian to easily avoid the large metal rod that had been swung at him from behind a support column.  In a single fluid move Ojall redirected the pole and knocked out the one who had held it to send both him and the blunt weapon crashing onto the floor.

"I do not know who you are old man, but this is as far as you go," a man with an icy voice spat from the shadows before several phaser shots ripped through the ambient darkness.  Ojall rolled out of the way while he at the same time retrieved the iron shaft that had been used against him only seconds before.  With the precision of a marksman and the strength of an Olympian the 60-years-old priest threw the rob into the shadows where a loud thud was heard a single heartbeat later.

Ojall could hear the man scamper away as he tried his best to breathe, the metal rod having landed squarely in the middle of his chest.  A normal man would have pursued this attacker to end the conflict but the aged priest had not ventured into this place in search of a fight, but rather in search of a soul in need.

Motionless, the Efrosian listened carefully to his surroundings in an effort to find what he had come here for, his senses stretched out beyond what had been considered normal for most people.  The panting and labored steps of the attacked grew fainter and soon gave way to the sound of a terrified beating heart.

Ojall approached the door and laid a single hand upon it before he spoke.  "I am Kane, I will help," was all that the priest offered to the woman he now knew had been behind the secured door.

[[The door is electronically locked,]] Mortina said from the other side unable to hide her fear, [[you will need some sort of torch to cut through this door.]]

The priest scrutinized the door for a brief moment and decided on a course of action based on the fact that no control panel had been near by.  "Stand away from the door," Ojall instructed before he placed both hands on the door as if he had intended to simply push it open.

-=-=-
Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, a Dark Room
Stardate: 63073.1725

There had been something in the man's voice, something that hinted to a confidence, an inner strength the likes of which the Betazoid had never seen.  As her mind reached out to touch his Mortina experienced a never before imagined tranquility, the man's thoughts had been as focused as a Vulcan while at the same time holding a level of emotion that seemed to stretch to the furthest reaches of the universe.

Quickly remembering the instructions that she had been given, the Betazoid moved as far back as she could, just in time to see the door suddenly fly inward as if a tremendous force had pushed it.

"How did you do that?" The Starfleet officer asked in pure amazement having noticed that no tools or instruments had been in the man's hands.

"Now is not the time," Ojall said as he extended a hand of friendship towards the stunned Betazoid.  "I believe that we should both return to the temple, there I will be able to answer some of your questions."

Still rather baffled by what had just happened, Mortina soon accepted the kind invitation and followed the Efrosian out of her cell and back to the T'Kon temple.

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS

OLD-P168: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 1600 ("Something New")

=-=
"Something New"
[Previous post: "Oltharian Emotions", written by the amazing Francois]
=-=

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, a dark room
Stardate: 63073.1600

The sounds of the struggle that had reached Mortina several hours ago had finally died down. From her underground cell there had been no way for the Starfleet Officer to know what had happened. All she knew was that something had transpired and that now it had ended.

The Betazoid had tried to telepathically reach out during that time. At best she might have been able to let someone know that she had been here, in trouble. At worst the unwilling prisoner might have been able to figure out what had happened. The only thing Mortina discovered though had been that someone somehow had managed to block her telepathic abilities.

~Tsk, tsk, tsk,~ the icy voiced echoed in the woman's head once again. ~Still hoping for a brave knight to come to your rescue, how truly pathetic. I am sorry to burst your bubble, but your salvation will come only at the hands of death itself.~

Before Mortina could say or even react to the dreadful words that she had heard, a very high pitch burst filled the small room. The Betazoid pressed her hands as hard as she could against her ears but to no avail. The ear-piercing sound reached all the way into her soul and soon she found her legs give way under her.

=-=
Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, T'kon Temple
Stardate: 63073.1630

The battle had been won and the forces bent on destroying the temple had been pushed back. The Efrosian stood next to the black robed priest still unable to comprehend what had really happened. To have been able to visit a temple as it had been millennia ago had been a blessing. To have fought off an assault from creatures not of this time had been a mystery. To have stood shoulder to shoulder with a T'Kon Grand Master during battle had been an impossible dream come true.

"I am most grateful for your assistance," the black robed priest said. A deep bow of thanks added to the sincere emotions felt by the man who should not have been there. "Now it is time for you to be the hero once more. Someone is in need," the T'Kon priest continued while he pointed to a small building across the street from the temple.

=-=
Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, a dark room
Stardate: 63073.1700

Mortina opened her eyes and was immediately grateful that she had still been alive. The splitting headache she suffered from had been proof enough of this. As the Betazoid slowly pushed herself onto her knees she wondered what horrible fate awaited her. It had been clear to see that her captors had intended to prolong her discomfort and torture for as long as possible. The question though remained as to why.

The sounds of a new struggle reached the distressed Starfleet Officer. It took no time at all for Mortina to realize that these noises had been closer, much closer. Against her better judgment, and fears the captive woman moved closer to the locked door. Hoping.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P167: USS ANUBIS: Fairborn: Day 4 - 1700 ("Oltharian Emotions")

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"Oltharian Emotions"
[Previous Post Jessica's "It Was About Time That Something Went Our Way"]
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<<The only way out is through.>>
- Ancient Wisdom

Setting: USS ANUBIS: Array Section, Deck 3, VIPER Launch bay
Stardate: 63073.1700

After having assisted Ensigns Thomas and Mitshiba with their power issues for their personal quantum field generator, the Oltharian had been dispatched to the Interceptor Launch Bay by Captain Rikar herself. The task given to the Chief Engineer had been to retrofit all three of the VIPERS with similar equipment, the redheaded CO apparently having the utmost confidence in the giant's ability to perform this complex assignment in less than half an hour. That had been just how much time the towering officer had before the ANUBIS would reach the YUDARA SECTOR and the source of the increasingly numerous temporal anomalies which threatened to take over the galaxy.

Although it had been quite a while since the Oltharian had taken any time to rest, the fact that he had originated from a world with 36-hour days allowed him to work much longer than most. Added to this Elan's insatiable desire to help and perform his duties to perfection insured that the "impossible" became common occurrence.

"I will take care of the required modifications to the power regulator on VIPER 3," the ANUBIS' Avatar announced all of a sudden without prior warning. With both of his arms elbow deep inside the systems of VIPER 1 the giant did not bother to question why Annie had decided to jump ahead in their work schedule.

"Lieutenant Fairborn?" The inquiring voice of the ANUBIS' Counsellor reached the busy Engineer, making him understand why the Avatar had unexpected elected to move as far away from the Oltharian as possible. Annie's ability to tap into any and all of the ship's systems, including the internal sensors had given the artificial woman an advantage like no other; like knowing when to grant someone privacy before they even knew they needed it.

"Right here," Elan replied while his back rested on the Interceptor launch tracks and his arms vanished within the open belly of VIPER 1. "Please forgive my impoliteness," the Oltharian offered with the utmost reverence in his voice, "but I am currently holding on to this Interceptor's main power conduit and am unable to reconnect it in time to properly greet you."

"No apologies are needed," Ensign Dalziel quickly offered as she knelt by the giant's side. Even while on his back and with the majority of his arms beyond sight, the Oltharian appeared as a massive yet gentle giant. "In fact I should be the one offering you my apologies for coming here and interrupting your work."

"How may I be of assistance?" the Chief Engineering Officer inquired despite the fact that the current task he had been working on had been of the highest possible priority.

"Just thought that you and I could have a word together," the Counsellor stated not having thought of any better way to break the ice with the constantly occupied Engineer. "Trying to catch you during a *down time* seems to be a temporal impossibility."

The Olthairan chuckled slightly while he continued to work on the VIPER's power system. "Being the Chief Engineering Officer of a vessel heading into a mission that could possibly hold the fate of the entire universe in the balance will do that," Elan said in a far more serious tone than Eve had expected.

"I had not realised that Oltharians were so *logical*," the Counsellor stated, knowing all to well that there had been nothing similar between Vulcans and Elan's people.

"Logic has little to do with it," the Chief Engineering Officer countered with. "In fact I would be more apt to say that it is my personal emotions which are the source of the clarity of thought required to focus on this task above all else."

"I noticed in your psychological file a rather overpowering sense to defend and protect others," Eve stated not having figured that keeping secrets from Elan would serve any real purpose at this time. After all it had been standard procedure for a ship's Counsellor to review the psychological files of all Senior Officers. "You care very much about everyone, not only those onboard the ANUBIS, that is an admirable quality."

"This may be so," the Oltharian countered with, "but my primary concerns are for those whom I have come to consider to be far more than shipmates. I would even venture to say that those onboard the ANUBIS are more than friends, they are family."

"Thank you Lieutenant," Eve smiled as she felt unequivocally included in that last statement. "I am honoured to be counted with the likes of Captain Rikar, Commander Maya and Lieutenant Summers," the Counsellor added in a way to help the CMO get a better idea of her official position in regards to the Oltharian.

"I am the one who is honoured in having such passionate and caring individuals around me," the Oltharian stated as he continued his work without any visible signs that the conversation had hindered his task.

"As busy as you always seem to be though, have you ever considered that it could be nice to be able to return to your quarters and have someone special there waiting for you?" Eve inquired in a half thought and immediately realised that she had said something wrong. The Oltharian's entire body had slumped and Elan had all of a sudden appeared to be lost in his thoughts.

Quickly the Counsellor mentally reviewed what she could recall of the Chief Engineer's file and sighed as she remembered a single name that had been mentioned only a few times. Amber Satori; an officer who had served with the gentle giant since his first run through the Academy and who now laid in a coma in the NEW ALEXANDRIA's medical facility. The file had not clearly stated that the two had been in a relationship, but the hints had been there, hints that now had been overly clear to the Ensign, if a little late.
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette
Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
 
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS

And
 
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P166: USS ANUBIS: Maya: Day 4 - 1615
("It Was About Time That Something Went Our Way")

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"It Was About Time That Something Went Our Way"
(Previous Post: "Loyalties")
---

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 12, Astrophysics Labstartrekdistanthorizons.yolasite.com
Stardate: 63073.1615
 
Since well before their arrival into Gorn space, the Shillian Scientist had kept a close watch on all spatial and temporal anomalies which had their origins deep within the asteroid belt in the YUDARA SECTOR. Because of the mineral content of the asteroids and their sheer numbers, the state-of-the-art sensors of the USS ANUBIS had been unable to pinpoint the exact location of the USS PARADOX; in fact the sensors had not even been able to manage a general bearing. That was until now.
 
"Alright, speak to me," Captain Rikar said as she walked into the Astrophysics Lab, as per the request of the Chief Science Officer.
"So far all of the temporal anomalies that we have encountered and catalogued have been of an unspecific quantum nature and display a noticeable displacement away from the YUDARA SECTOR," the Shillian announced without as much as an acknowledgement for the arrival of the Commanding Officer.
 
"No specific time flow and moving away from the YUDARA SECTOR," Captain Rikar repeated in a much condensed form. "I truly hope that you did not call me down here to tell me that."
 
"The problem was that the temporal anomalies seemed to have no quantum cause, or link with one another," the Shillian Scientist continued. "The tetryon signature of each of these spatial anomalies seemed to almost be random which made me wonder if the origin of these anomalies was indeed common. Then our sensors picked up this," the Chief Science Officer stated as she called up the specific sensor data onto the main screen of the Astrophysics Lab.
 
The crimson haired woman studied with great interest the seemingly endless string of information that scrolled up on the screen, most of which the Commanding Officer of the USS ANUBIS had actually been able to understand.
 
"This looks like a forced, yet uncontrolled, rupture of the space-time continuum along with something else embedded in the energy wave," Rikar said while she continued to analyse the information in an attempt to make more sense of what the Shillian had showed her.
 
"The additional harmonics in the energy wave is caused by an Matter/Antimatter reaction chamber that is out of alignment, probably due to a phase variance of the injectors brought on by a breakdown in the temporal shielding," the Chief Science Officer added as she called up the engineering specs of the USS PARADOX.
 
"We already knew that the PARADOX was at the core of these problems," the Captain offered in an almost disappointed tone.
 
"Yes we knew this," the Shillian agreed, "but this information had not been sufficient to grant us the ability to narrow our search area for the ship. With these latest sensor scans though we can pinpoint the location of the trans-dimensional vessel within appreciatively ten thousand kilometres."
 
Given that the YUDARA SECTOR and the asteroid field found within span more than twenty times such an area Rikar found the news to be a good one. "Can we get the ANUBIS close enough to use our transporters and beam directly onboard?"
 
The Chief Science Officer shook her head and sighed. "Even if we could manoeuvre the ship deep enough into the asteroid field the temporal distortions would make transporting directly onboard next to impossible. We might be able to retrofit some of the VIPERs with temporal shielding and send them in for a recon mission while the away team gathers information at the trading outpost and maybe even finds a way to gain access to the ship." 
 
"It may not be much," the Captain offered, "but at least this will give us a better chance to find the PARADOX and stop it before it is too late."

---
Jessica Solarik

Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P165: USS ANUBIS: Mitshiba: Day 4 - 1615 ("Loyalties")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Loyalties"
(Cont. from "Condensed Power")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS PARADOX, Deck 22, D-Drive Control Chamber
Stardate: 63073.1615

The blast had knocked her clear off her feet and tossed the civilian dressed Arcadian Starfleet Ensign across the large room like a rag doll.  Instead of immediately getting back up, Anya stayed on the floor and gazed at the flickering lights embedded in the ceiling.  How had she managed to get into this mess?

While on shore leave, Ensign Green had decided to seek fame and fortune within Gorn space.  The main reason for that having been that no one there knew of or even suspected her record as a light-fingered thief.  Anya had even hoped that she might run into a handsome, wealthy entrepreneur whom she would be able to befriend and later leave with his purse greatly lightened.  Instead she had come across a reptilian by the name of Sumariss who had neither been handsome nor wealthy.  Still the Selay priest had managed to convinced Anya to help; for a price.

None of the members of the sorry excuse for a band of mercenaries who had followed Sumariss onto this ship had recognized it as having been a Starfleet vessel, a fact that had played in the Ensign's favor. Even Anya had found it difficult to accept that the PARADOX had in fact been part of the same fleet she belonged to, the external and internal design having been different from what she had known or even come to expect.  Still there had been little doubt in her mind once she had worked with the computer and dug deeper into the control systems of this 'D-Drive' that this ship belonged to the Federation; the tale-tale fingerprints of engineers had been everywhere.

She had been the one to identify the full potential of this special device and inform Sumariss that the ship, in theory, could not only travel into other dimention but also through time.  That was when the Selay's drive to take control of this ship took over everything else. This ship had been the answer that he had spent the last 7 years searching for.

The prospect of being paid more for this one job than she would have received for an entire year's worth of service as an Ensign had insured that the Arcadian remained loyal to the Selay, but with each failed attempt to master this technology Anya began to wonder if this had truly been worth it.

Being able to travel through time had opened up a great deal of financial possibilities, but unfortunately it had also raised several ethical questions that the Arcadian had managed to ignore for the most part.  Sumariss wanted nothing more than to save the members of his religious order who had been massacred almost a decade ago, while the rest of the mercenaries had wanted nothing more than to see these untold riches that they had been promised.

What worried Anya had been what would happened once Sumariss' quest had been completed?  If the ship remained in the hands of the mercenaries the potential for profit had been more than any Ferengi could have ever imagine, but it was easy to see that no one else had thought of the impact this would have on the countless lives found within the galaxy.

Could Ensign Anya Green, an Arcadian once consumed with the desire to obtain nothing but wealth, truly place her selfish desire above the safety and lives of billions of other lives?

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P164: USS ANUBIS: Dalziel: Day 4 - 1527 ("The Pendulum Swings")

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"The Pendulum Swings"
(Previous Post: "Time" by Sabrina)
==========

"Someone once told me that time was a predator that stalked us all our lives. But I rather believe time is a *companion*... who goes with us on the journey, reminds us to cherish every moment... because they'll never come again."
-Picard to Riker, "Generations"

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.1527

For the past several minutes, Ensign Dalziel had handled their Klingon guest with both confidence and trepidation. She spoke quietly and respectfully, sensing that the beleaguered man had been through enough in a short span of time. 

His large, imposing face was etched with a permanent scowl. And yet, he hadn't tried to tear Drell limb from limb, even though his size and strength indicated he could have easily done so. And Eve wanted to know why.

"I offer an apology on behalf of the ship's crew and Captain Rikar. This is not an example of how we assist those in need." It wasn't the first time the branch of diplomacy had been extended in the name of peace. Although, it was perhaps a small shred of peace compared to what they were all facing once they left the safety of the ANUBIS.

Karg shrugged and let out a noise somewhere between a grunt and a cough. "It seems as though people choose to dislike that which they do not understand," he said harshly.

Eve placed her hands behind her back, steepling her fingers. "A Klingon who abhors violence, it is unique. Surely you can admit this, Karg."

"Admit it? I have *lived* it," he practically roared, nearly taking the Cardassian born Counsellor off her carefully crafted guard. 

"It is a narrow path you walk," Eve admitted. It was almost enough to make her feel guilt at the many times she had parlayed physical violence to her advantage. But the satisfaction at using her power for a common good was electrifying. She secretly hoped that Aki and ET had managed to solve their energy problem so they could embark on their mission as planned.

"It is the only path I can follow with a clean conscience. And as much of a burden as it has been, the rewards have outpaced the inconveniences. I am, after all, off that Romulan Warbird." The Klingon seemed to be offering a roundabout 'thank you' for his unconventional rescue.

Eve allowed herself a little smile. "Karg, I want to thank you for speaking with me, as you were under no obligation to do so-"

"NEVER!" Eve's words were interrupted by the strident yell of the aSec/Tac officer.

The pale woman's attention instantly shifted to the Kzinti. Doctor Summers had approached Hex, and she and Ensign Lopez were attending to her even more quickly than the Counsellor could have. Dalziel shared a fleeting glance with the petite furball, a look that was a mix of bewilderment, shame, and sheer terror. It was an active reminder that her work was far from over, mission or no mission. 

"It was not my wish to have anyone fight for me," Karg said, also viewing the event with concern. "Although I can say that little one, she has the heart of a warrior."


==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, CMO's Office
Stardate: 63073.1547 (about 20 minutes later)

Even for someone so entranced by activity, work, and hustle and bustle, the Sickbay proper was getting a little too crowded. So when the ship's Doctor invited Eve into her office, the Counsellor readily accepted. 

Eve had felt a kinship to Lieutenant Summers almost instantly, although if someone asked her to explain why, she wouldn't have been able to. It had been said that some Doctors had bedside manner, and some didn't. Lea Summers had the most natural and abundant bedside manner Eve had ever seen. She cared for her patients' physical health as deeply as Dalziel cared for their mental health. The fact that the blonde woman offered her support to the new Counsellor was obvious proof of that.

(From Tiffany's Last Post)

"Before I let you go," Lea said as she lowered herself into her seat. "I wanted to say something. It's about Elan. Actually it would be more accurate to say that it's about me and Elan."

Eve quietly sighed. [[It was too good to last.]]

(Back to Mine)

Ensign Dalziel smiled as she remembered their talk in the Black Hole Lounge. "Obviously the two of you have feelings for each other. It doesn't exactly take a Counsellor to notice that."

Summers' face reddened slightly. "Yes, we have feelings... but we've never really discussed them. I feel like I'm standing on the edge of a precipice, wanting to jump, but unable to take the leap."

"And the Chief?"

"About the same... but there's a small part of him I can't read."

The dark haired woman agreed. "He reminds me of an elderly Vedek my parents hosted aboard the ship they were assigned to when I was a kid," Dalziel began. "Full of honor, calm, faith. He spoke very little but his actions said so much about his life's calling. I am beginning to wonder if Elan was a priest in a past life. His 'pagh' has much dignity in it." Not to mention the man was a master Engineer. It made Eve hold the Oltharian in a reverent light.

"But what should I *do*?" Lea asked plaintively.

Dalziel considered her answer. "It may seem complicated, but there are only three distinct possibilities. One, openly admit your feelings for him. Two, wait for him to reveal his. Three, end the relationship... and I don't think the last one is an option for you... for either of you."

"I don't think either of us want to ruin it," the CMO stated.

"Even if it ended tomorrow, it wouldn't change what you both have shared, would it? Especially when it could be so much more. You can't keep a candle burning forever by placing it in a box. You starve the oxygen and the candle burns out. The only way to keep the candle burning is to use it up, until it dissolves away. Otherwise, never light the candle in the first place. But then, you have no light at all."

Lea agreed. "Nobody can live that way. But this feels so...unsure."

"Love is like a pendulum, but it requires a push of momentum, and then swinging, to feel like you're flying. The two of you are evidently providing some movement or else you wouldn't need the services of the Counsellor. But it sounds like you both are afraid to let go and truly fly. But that's not unusual, and it's nothing to be ashamed of. I haven't... had a close personal relationship yet at all," Eve admitted. "So perhaps I'm not the best one to be asking for advice."

"Why haven't you?" Lea asked.

It was the Counsellor's turn to feel hesitant. "Sometimes I think I am meant to be alone. My light shines brightest in the service of others. Right now, I only have room enough in my heart for the crew and myself. Relationships... make things complicated. Can you imagine how difficult it must be for the Captain and Enaii?"

A slight chill crept down Lea's spine with the mention of the ILO. 

Eve mistook the reason for Lea's sudden discomfort. "I'm not saying you should avoid what is happening between you and Elan. But mixing it with duty is not an easy thing. But everything that is worthwhile has an element of risk. Just look at all of us." Eve had finished her coffee several minutes ago, but she finally set the cup down in preparation to leave.

"We're meant to be on the ANUBIS," Doctor Summers said with as much conviction as Ensign Dalziel had asserted.

Eve paused at the office door. "And you have to believe that whatever transpires between you and Elan was destined. Your heart has served as a pretty good guide so far, so why stop trusting it now?"

==========
Susan M Ledbetter
=/\=
Ensign Eve Dalziel
Counsellor
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

"I savored those stories; I read them slowly, one each day. And when I was done, I wished I hadn't read them at all. So I could read them again... like it was the first time."
-Melanie to Old Jake, DS9, "The Visitor"
OLD-P163: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 1600 ("Time")

==========
"Time"
(Previous Post was Ashley's "Bonding")
==========
 
Setting: SELAY, Temple of Sanai
Stardate: 55244.0200 (roughly 7 years ago)
 
The continuingly increasing members of the fledgling religious order had long ago retired to their sleeping quarters within their sacred temple… unaware of the plan that had been set in motion against them. For the Selay, the idea of a religious order fully dedicated to peace had been as alien as the United Federation of Planets, but that had not been the reason for the opposition that the group had generated.
 
In addition to the peaceful ways being preached by the order's leaders, new members were encouraged to give up the old ways and forgo killing… even for food. In the entire known history of the Selay people, none had ever eaten something other than freshly killed meat. This along had galvanized the rest of the general population into a single-minded opposition.
 
The Temple of Sanai would not see the rising of the next day's sun, and those inside would be granted an eternal peace… somewhat similar to the one their leaders preached.
 
When the carnage began, only a handful of young acolytes managed to escape into the nearby hills. Hours later an intensive search was initiated for them and all were brought back in shackles before the sun had reached its apogee over the city's main building where justice was dealt… usually quickly and deadly.
 
In a show of mercy, the leaders of the public revolt allowed the handful of young Selay to avoid the fate of their fellow worshipers and were exiled from SELAY to never set foot on their homeworld for as long they lived.
 
Sumariss silently vowed that he would return to his home and show the others the error of their ways… and in time they would come to accept this religious movement as a step in their society's evolution.
 
==========
Setting: YUDARA SECTOR, Asteroid Field
Stardate: 63070.0615 (roughly 3 days ago)
 
The exiled Selay had ventured into this region of the galaxy in search a kind soul to assist in his work to return home as a visionary… not be hunted as an heretic as he had been for the last 7 years. At first Sumariss had given vessels from his planet only a minor leeway… but over the years it had become evident that this had not been sufficient if he had wanted to remain alive. Now several light-years separated him from any Selay ships.
 
Sumariss had been rather shocked to see a Selay freighter in orbit of the trade center… and as small as the ship might have been it had been enough for the exiled acolyte to seek refuge deep within the asteroid field and wait for the freighter's departure.
 
While waiting in peaceful meditation Sumariss allowed his thoughts to venture to a time that he hoped would be in the near future when he would be able to return home as if nothing had happened. If only had been able to travel back in time, he would have been able to warn his fellow believer of the attack and save them all from the unspeakable horrors that had been unleashed upon them.
 
It was then that a strange ship unexpectedly appeared in a burst of light and led the exiled Selay into a sequence of events that would be felt across the entire galaxy.
 
==========
Setting: USS PARADOX, Deck 22, D-Drive Control Chamber
Stardate: 63073.1600
 
Samuriss entered the room that he had been visiting over the last 3 days on a regular basis… each time holding onto the hopes that the solution to the events of 7 years ago had been within his grasp.
 
"I think I finally managed to stabilize the temporal field," a mercenary engineer announced, his only interest having been in discovering the secrets of this ship… not to help the Selay in his foolish quest.
 
"You did not," Sumariss announced in a rather matter-of-fact manner.
 
"How are you so sure?" the Engineer inquired. "There is no way for us to tell from here."
 
"Unless you have just made this breakthrough a few seconds ago, I can say with certainty that you have failed in your efforts," Sumariss said… an profound emphasis on all of the *S* sounds in his words hinted to a high level of disappointment.
 
"Alright mister *smarty-pants*," the engineer snapped as he echoed the Selay's way of speaking. "Since you are so smart, tell me how you know this so certainly."
 
"I just came from a very lengthy discussion with Sobaless… my mentor and leader of the religious order I belong to… a Selay of amazing wisdom and one who was killed by the acts of short-sighted people more then 7 years ago."
 
"Great," the engineer sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck. "At this rate I might has well just place a photonic grenade in the entire assembly and see what happens," the frustrated mercenary uttered as he unleashed a single powerful kick against the base of one of the control consoles. Immediately a set of explosions filled the room… the last of which created a temporal shockwave that knocked everyone off their feet and extended well beyond the hull of the alien vessel.
 
==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 12, Astrophysics Lab
Stardate: 63073.1605
 
Maya's eyes lit up as she noted a sudden change in the readings from her instruments.
 
"Captain Rikar," the Scientist called out after having tapped her comm badge. "Please report to the Astrophysics Lab… I have something important to show you… and time is of the essence."
 
==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 
 
"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P162: USS ANUBIS: Fanggot: Day 4 - 1550 ("Bonding")‏

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"Bonding"
Previous post: "Between You and Me"
#####################

Setting:USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate:63073.1550

====^*^====

Watching her movements intently in case they would give anything away, the Kzinti listened as her friend and crew-mate spoke. Though her mind was still busy with thoughts of its own, Hex knew it was the right thing to hear the woman out and talk awhile. Anything distracting would do when one's own mother can enter a peaceful mind at will.

"It's just... you seem so stressed and poised for attack all the time, like your expecting someone to hit you or something. I know you don't really like talking about it... but I feel I should help," the young human female stated.

The hitting comment stung, but Hex didn't let it show, continuing the conversation smoothly as though she were talking to anyone else, "I'm sure there are other things on your mind besides my welfare."

"Yes, as I said before there are many things on my mind..." the aCMO admitted, falling somewhat into line with her friend's official way of speaking while thinking of her sister's ever lingering presence.

"As for helping me..." Hex wanted to say more, but her throat closed up. She didn't want to be so cold and formal with everyone, but it was a hard habit to break. Taking a shuddering breath that allowed her voice to settle, the Kzinti began again, "As for helping me, I'm honored by your concern, but I can take care of myself."

Adriana seemed to take the Kzinti's words badly, Hex noted her stance change and her face fog with unease. "I guess I saw that one coming." Ensign Lopez said, smiling slightly to let the Sec/Tac officer know she was attempting at humor.

Sighing, Hex rested herself back down against the biobed and turned to lay on her side and look at Adriana. Though the Kzinti knew next to nothing about most of the crew members, she knew that almost everyone was battling their own inner demons. Maybe... maybe it was time to let someone help her for a change.

"I wasn't trying to be rude... or to push you away, I merely... " Hex sighed again, it was more difficult to talk then she had hoped, "I just don't usually open up to people. Especially not to counselors."

"I understand that, it's hard for me too." Ensign Lopez explained, sitting down on the side of the biobed carefully as to not make the Kzinti nervous, "I still think it would be a lot easier to talk to someone... hopefully who didn't think I was insane."

The furry humanoid allowed an honest grin to grace her face and nodded her understanding. All her people who knew where the Kzinti was thought she was insane, but Ensign Fanggot knew better. A warm flutter that Hex never felt before rose up in her chest. A thrilling sense of belonging washed over her as the aCMO returned her grin.

"Understand that I can't tell you everything about me... there are somethings better left unknown even to those closest to me." Hex cautioned, a serious tone entering her voice before she smiled gently, "but, besides that, I'd rather hear why you would consider yourself *insane* in the first place. For some reason it doesn't seem hard to come by on this ship."

Adriana smiled uneasily, but seemed willing enough to the Kzinti. Not wanting her to feel uncomfortable, Hex moved to sit cross-legged on the biobed to wait. The Ensign had never been a good talker, but she was an expert at listening and even more so at understanding.

"Well, I have a sister named Amanda who follows me around all the time" the aCMO confided quietly, the Kzinti noted the slight reddening of her cheeks.

"That's common, my brother follows me around a lot, but he couldn't find me if he wanted to anyway." Hex stated bluntly, a cold acid creeping into her throat.

"No, I mean my sister is actually *here*." Adriana enforced, glancing over to the corner of the room.

"Right now?" Hex questioned, her thin brows rising.

"Yes, just over there, but no one can see her but me... " the aCMO replied, nodding off in the corner's general direction.

The Kzinti smiled a serene smile, it changed her entire visage, the once tense, cold and collected exterior literally evaporated. "Sometimes, it's better to have someone no one can see, than to not have anyone there at all." Hex replied, a warmth touching her tone and making her sound wise and peaceful.

"It can get annoying sometimes, but, when you say it that way, it sounds much better," the human noted, "It also makes it sound like you're alone often too... "

It took less than a millisecond for the cold and tense exterior to return. "I am often alone, now and always." the Kzinti stated, "And that is how it must always remain." venom streaked into her voice, but was gone when she looked back at the other young woman.

"Why?" Adriana asked, curiosity making her sit slightly slouched over to be eve-level with the shorter Kzinti.

"A Kzinti is, in all respects, almost always alone. Only through marriage do you truly bind yourself to another, though most don't unless they find their soulmate." Hex explained, trying to keep the edge from her voice.

"Soulmates, I didn't know other cultures had them." Adriana said, curiously looking over the dark-skinned Kzinti.

"The Kzinti people believe that a person's soul is only half of a complete soul, separated and cast into two different bodies.  The purpose of life is to search for your soul's other half so that they can be reunited.  After death, if one's soulmate was not found, the soul is reincarnated into a new body and their search continues for another lifetime, hence the tern of "old soul".  If on the other hand the soulmate has been found, the two souls merge into one and are granted access to the Far Place where they create two new "young souls" that are set forth to search for one another. I have no soulmate for I am Forsaken, therefore my soul can never go to the Far Place." Hex explained again, her voice taking on the characteristics of a story-teller's, her ear twitching with annoyance at the last bit.

The young human woman found herself stunned, "Forsaken? What could you have done become Forsaken?" she asked.

The Kzinti's black fur stood on end, her ears flattened against her head as she raised her eyes to once again meet those of the aCMO. Hex's entire appearance had become wild and tense with anger, her fangs showing when she spoke, "I was born."

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanggot
Assistant Sec/Tac officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P161: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 1545 ("Between You and Me")

=-=
"Between You and Me"
[Previous post: "Common Ground", written by the free flying Marissa]
=-=

Setting: USS ANUBIS, CMO's Office
Stardate: 63073.1545

"Would you like a cup of coffee?" Lea asked of Ensign Dalziel who had followed the CMO into her office.  Eve had been told to follow, and had done so with a certain sense of trepidation. When someone asked to see the ship's CNS alone, it was never a good sign.

"Thank you," Eve replied. "I'll take it double strong, double sweet, double cream." The Ensigns eyes scanned the room for a hint as to what this might have been all about. The only thing the CNS found was a steaming cup of coffee waiting for her on the corner of the CMO's desk.

"Sit, drink, relax," Lea said more as a command than a suggestion. Although Eve suspected that this had not been the way she had meant it, the CNS still complied.

"Something on your mind?" The surgically altered woman asked, the question usually being enough to get people talking. Instead though Lea just stood behind her desk, her attention fixed on the main treatment area. After having taken a sip of her drink Eve shifted slightly to her right to see what the CMO had been looking at. A faint smile formed as she saw Ensign Lopez and Fanggot chatting together.

"You shouldn't worry about either one of them," Eve forwarded. The odds had been good that the CMO had been concerned about either or both of the officers in her sickbay. All that the CNS had to do now had been to discover why.

"I'm not worried," Lea said, the smile on her lips echoed in her words. "Adriana has already proven herself to be a very capable medical officer. Hex, from what I have seen and heard, as done the same in her field. I know that they have issues. We all do."

[[Here it comes,]] Eve thought certain that Lea had been on the verge of revealing what had been troubling her.

"I just wanted to let you know that if you need someone to talk to, I am here for you." The CMO said almost causing Eve to chock on the sip she had just taken.

"Trying to steal my job?" the CNS asked in a rather faked amused way.

"Oh no," Lea replied as she quickly turned to face the sitting Ensign. "Adriana is better qualified than me. Actually I would suspect that the biobeds are more qualified than me in that matter. I was just offering you a shoulder to lean on and a friendly ear if you need to talk."

"Forgive the bluntness of my question," Eve began as she put the half empty coffee cup down. "Have I been sending out any signs that I am in such a need?"

"Not at all," the CMO quickly said to clarify the situation. "As a member of my team it is my responsibility to make certain that you have someone to go to. As the ANUBIS' CNS I know that you will have your hands full. This crew has more than its share of personal issues and ghosts waiting to pop out. I just wanted you to know that you are not alone. I will not claim to try and counsel the counselor, but something just having a sympathetic ear can help."

"Thank you," Eve said with a smile that lit up the room. "Your offer is much appreciated."

"Before I let you go," Lea said as she lowered herself into her seat. "I wanted to say something. It's about Elan. Actually it would be more accurate to say that it's about me and Elan."

Eve quietly sighed. [[It was too good to last.]]

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P160: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 1545 ("Common Ground")

-=-=-
"Common Ground"
[Previous post: "A Different Perspective"]
-=-=-

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.1545

Sickbay had returned to a state of general peace and quiet that the aCMO had grown used to, and appreciative of.  The earlier fight between the two Klingons, if one could have called the unilateral beating a fight, and the impressive intervention by the Kzinti woman had left everyone in the medical department a little frazzled.

Starships were said to be filled with surprises, and apparently Intel vessels were even more so prone to sneaking something unexpected onto their crew.  Maybe this had been the universe's way of insuring that they were ready to deal with the chaos that could be found beyond the hull of the USS ANUBIS.

With everything back to normal and the FCO sent to his quarters under security escort, Doctor Summers had felt comfortable enough to return to her office along with Ensign Dalziel, and leave the aCMO in charge. Adriana had not minded this, certain that the pacifist Klingon and resting Kzinti would not be an issue.

From afar Adriana kept an eye on hex's medical read-outs, easily having noted that the Sec/Tac officer had been resting but far from asleep.  The brainwaves clearly indicated that the Kzinti had been thinking of something although she outwardly appeared to be in blissful slumber.  Once the aCMO's immediate duties had been accomplished, Ensign Lopez approached the resting furry humanoid with a certain amount of caution, not having wanted to startle Hex.

"No need to tippy-toe," the Kzinti said, her eyes still firmly closed while her ears turned to follow the aCMO like radars.  "I am not sleeping."

"I knew that," Adriana said as she continued to cautiously draw closer to the biobed.  "I just didn't want to startle you.  I saw how quickly you jumped on Drell to take him down and I was just trying to avoid being on the receiving end of a similar reaction."

"No need to worry," Hex stated with a gentle grin as she opened her eyes and propped herself onto her elbows.  "That was a combat reflex, I would never jump that way on someone if they actually managed to sneak up on me."

"I'm guessing that it is rather difficult to sneak up on a Kzinti," the aCMO half chuckled, easily imagining that the race acted and reacted very much like any creature that belonged to the feline category.

"Let's just say that my people have reasons for being a little jumpy from time to time," Hex continued as she lowered herself back down onto the comfort of the biobed and closed her eyes once more.

Adriana watched Hex for a little while as she debated as to whether or not to talk to the Kzinti.  The brainwaves still displayed signs that the Sec/Tac officer had been troubled by something and this had led the aCMO to believe that maybe the two of them had something in common that neither one had truly wanted to admit.

"Hex?" Adriana finally asked, the silence in Sickbay having become almost unbearable.  "Can we talk?"

The Kzinti sighed.  "With all due respect, I am not in the mood to have you test your counselling skills on me."

"That's not what I meant," the aCMO quickly added.  "I just wanted for you to talk; as friends."

Intrigued Hex propped herself back on her elbows once more and gazed as Adriana in a way that almost made the aCMO feel uncomfortable. "I'm listening," Hex said rather coldly.

Adriana hesitated but eventually decided that since she had gone this far it had been too late to chicken out.  "I noted on your medical scans that your mind was very active, as if something was troubling you.  Almost everyone on this crew has something on their mind, something that they think about on a regular basis, but your brainwaves indicated that whatever this is, it is something that is exceptionally stressful.  I am not asking of you to share, I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone," the aCMO said before she allowed herself to admit something private about herself.  "I too am plagued by thoughts and visions that make it difficult at times to perform my duties."

Hex gazed at the aCMO with uncertainty.  There had been no way for Adriana to know what haunted the Kzinti but the expression on Ensign Lopez's face hinted to a trouble that mimicked that of the Sec/Tac officer.

"I'm listening," Hex repeated, but this time in a tone that seemed far friendlier and inviting.

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P159: USS ANUBIS: Mitshiba: Day 4 - 1545 ("A Different Perspective")

~~~~~~~~~~
"A Different Perspective"
(Cont. from "Condensed Power")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Main Engineering
Stardate: 63073.1545

Aki and Elliot worked under the guidance and supervision of the giant CEO as well as with the assistance of the ANUBIS' Avatar who had held the answer to their problem within her all along.  As much as the aCSciO tried to focus all of her attention on the task at hand, the Ensign could not help but look at Annie and wonder what other surprise hid beneath that Vulcan demeanor or hers.

"Aki?" Elliot asked.  "Do you think that the power regulator that we are looking at will be enough to maintain the field's strength or should we look at a way to adding another?"

The aCSciO turned to face the COO and realized from the look on his face that the question had been asked more than once before, obviously Aki's thoughts had not been as focused as she would have liked them to be.  Quickly reviewing the data available to her the Ensign finally answered,  "The power regulator seems to be more than adequate for the task, plus we don't want to make this device too large or heavy. Annie possesses a strength many times that of a normal Human, therefore we have to keep in mind that the device we are creating will be carried by someone much weaker."

"We still need to keep in mind the safety of each and ever member of the away team," Elliot stated as a counter argument.  "Personally I would be more than willing to carry a few extra kilograms if it meant that I would not risk having my atoms spread to the far corners of this galaxy."

"Based on the information gathered by Lt. Cmdr. Maya on the temporal distortions within the YUDARA SECTOR, the ability of the away team to move quickly will be far more important than their own safety.  Time is, and will continue to be our greatest challenge," Annie coldly stated having accessed the stated information through her own unique link with the ANUBIS' system.

"I'm sorry if I don't see this as clear-cut as you two do," Elliot said to the two woman standing around the engineering work station. "Personally I would like to know that whatever device I am carrying on me while I'm looking for clues will not suddenly fail and leave me vulnerable to the temporal shockwaves that are sweeping through that asteroid field or worst blow me up into sub-atomic particles."

"Any delays, as small as they may be, could prove disastrous, not only for the members of this ship but to the countless sentient life forms living in this the galaxy.  Currently there is no data available to indicate that these temporal distortions will not continue to spread outward and eventually engulf this quadrant, galaxy, and beyond," Annie said in a way that hit Elliot like a runaway starship.

"Are you alright?" The Oltharian asked of the bewildered COO.

Elliot seemed to hesitate a little, but after a deep breath the Ensign looked up at the giant CEO.  "As Starfleet Officers we are told that our actions can have repercussions that can affect an entire planet and civilization, but I don't recall anyone ever mentioning that the fate of the entire galaxy could come to rest on whether or not we succeed in our mission."

"All life is inter-connected," the Oltharian offered.  "Saving a single life can lead to a world finding its way out of the darkness that has engulfed it for generations, or condemn it to generations of servitude under a tyrannical dictator.  We cannot waste time pondering the full impact of our actions; the best we can do is act in accordance to our values and try as best we can to place the well being of others before our own."

The COO let out a lengthy sigh as he returned his attention to the small screen in front of him.  The situation they faced and needed to deal with had proven to be far more important than Elliot could have ever imagined, a fact that rather troubled both him and Akira.

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P158: USS ANUBIS: Fairborn: Day 4 - 1530 ("Condensed Power")

###################
"Condensed Power"
[Previous Post Ashley's "When Kzinti Minds Collide"]
###################

<<Since the invention of the atomic bomb, mankind has researched increasingly smaller ways of generating increasingly larger explosions.>>
- Said by Professor Ornstein, Dean of Philosophy and Ethics, Advanced Research Institute, MARS

Setting: USS ANUBIS: Main Engineering
Stardate: 63073.1530

"Hey big guy!" Elliot called out as he and Ensign Mitshiba entered the Oltharian's domain. Immediately Elan turned to greet the two officers with a deep and respectful bow.

"How may I be of service, friend?" the CEO inquired although he suspected that he knew the answer having looked into the task given to the aCSciO.

"We are having a little power issue," the COO explained rather vaguely as he and Akira moved to stand on opposite sides of the Engineering Control Island with the Oltharian standing at the end nearest to the warp core.

"The warp core is functioning within established parameters," the Oltharian stated without losing a beat. "I am not reading any power fluctuations anywhere within the ANUBIS' systems."

"Our problem is about something entirely different, and a whole lot smaller" the aCSciO stated. "We need to provide power to a portable quantum field generator that will envelop a single individual during our visit to the trading post within the YUDARA SECTOR."

The Chief Engineer grinned ever so slightly as he gazed back at the ANUBIS' COO and aCSciO. After a few seconds Elan reached for his comm badge and summoned the ship's Avatar to join them. Almost as if she had anticipated the call, the female-formed android appeared around the corner mere seconds after the CEO had requested her presence.

"Annie," the Oltharian began, "thank you for coming. Ensign Mitshiba and Ensign Thomas are looking for a way to generate power to a portable quantum field generator. I suspect that this generator will be used to shield the individual away team members from the effects of the temporal distortions that we will most surely encounter while outside of the protective armour of the ANUBIS while in the YUDARA SECTOR."

The artificial woman met the gaze of each of the mentioned officers before she returned her attention onto the figure standing at the end of the Engineering Control Island. "I guess this means I am to be the answer," Annie dryly announced, not a hint of emotion in her voice, not that anyone had expected there to be any.

"You know how we can accomplish this?" Akira inquired, the aCSciO having laced her words with enough emotions to fill in the void created by the Avatar.

"I do not *have* the answer," Annie corrected. "I *am* the answer."

"Wait a minute," the COO interjected. "You are going to tell me that your power system is powerful enough to feed a quantum field generator?"

"Actually, yes," the ANUBIS' Avatar stated in a way that almost bordered on gloating. "I am not a pink, furry, battery powered rabbit aimlessly wandering the decks of this ship Ensign Thomas. My continued functioning is granted by a miniature Quantum Singularity Reactor."

"WHAT?!?" The COO exclaimed.

"Wait a minute," Akira gasped. "You are going to tell us that you are powered by a miniature black hole?"

"The equipment is remarkably similar to the Romulan's core power source for their vessels with a few modifications made using Cytherian technology," the Oltharian explained with distinct pride as he had been directly involved with the creation of this technology. "These advancements enabled us to greatly reduce the size of said reactor while increasing the stability of the containment field."

"If the containment field should collapse for one reason or another," Akira began, still under the shock of what she had just been made aware of.

"You would blow up with the force of half a dozen quantum torpedoes," the COO continued while he unconsciously took one large step backwards.

"Actually the force of such an explosion would equate that of 9.125 of our quantum torpedoes," the Avatar corrected in a matter-of-fact manner. "But the security protocols currently in place within my programming are set to prevent the ANUBIS from suffering from such an eventuality," Annie added as she ever so slightly tilted her head to one side as she looked onto the Oltharian CEO.

"In the case of a field destabilization," Elan further explained, "Annie is programmed to use any and all means available to her to get as far away as possible from any life form. Currently this involves a site-to-site transport into deep outer space."

"How stable is the containment field?" Ensign Mitshiba inquired, a little perplexed by the fact that she had been standing only meters away from a miniature black hole.

"Since my initial activation the field has not fluctuated more than .01 microwatt," Annie announced without any hesitation.

"Our best calibrated phasers have a variance a hundred times that," the COO exclaimed with amazement despite his still very visible fear.

"I assure you that the process is exceptionally safe," the Avatar stated as she called up the designs onto the screens of the Engineering Control island. "With some additional modifications it should be feasible to have a similar reactor contained within a small device that could be attached to an officer's belt."

With that the team went to work with the occasional quizzical glance finding its way onto the Avatar.
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette
Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
 
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS
And
 
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P157: USS ANUBIS: Fanggot: Day 4 - 1530 ("When Kzinti Minds Collide")‏‏

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"When Kzinti Minds Collide"
 Previous post “Emotions” by our lord and master Sabrina ::grin::
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--Below written by Francois--

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.1530

The Kzinti office appeared at peace while on the biobed, her body perfectly motionless and at rest - alas her mind had not been so fortunate.
 
====^*^====
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay as seen through a black and white haze

"Where am I?" Hex thought to herself only to hear her own words spoken aloud as if someone else had said them.  The ANUBIS' Sec/Tac officer had easily recognized the ship's Sickbay but the obvious lack of colors and general haze that surrounded her had left the Kzinti to believe that she had someone managed to be somewhere else.

"You *need* to come home," a female voice said as clear as if the person who had spoken had stood right next to the Kzinti woman despite there being no one next to her.
 
"Mother?" Hex once again thought to hear her words spoken out loud.  If this had been a dream, it had certainly not been one of the pleasant kind.  "Great either I'm in another temporal anomaly or this is one of those dreams that I hate," the Kzinti openly said no longer simply thinking about her words.
 
"I do not know what you are referring to Hex," the voice of the Ensign's mother continued, "but it is time for you to return home.  There are many things that you need to know about becoming a High Priestess, one such thing being the ability to project your thoughts into the minds of others."
 
"You mean this is not a dream?"
 
"No it is not," Hex mother replied which a faint chuckle.
 
"Alright, if this is not a dream explain to me why I have never heard you this way before?" the Kzinti forcefully demanded still unwilling to accept that this had not been a nightmare of some sort.
 
"This is the first time that your mind is at peace enough to hear me," the voice explained with a certain tone of disappointment.  "I have tried many times before to reach you this way but your thoughts were too turbulent, too primal to permit you to actual hear me."
 
"All High Priestesses are able to do this?" Hex questioned as she allowed herself to entertain the possibility that this had been real.
 
"There are many things that a High Priestess can do," the voice further explained, "and if you wish to learn more you need to return home and take your rightful place."
 
Hex began to breathe heavily before she screamed at the top of her lungs.
 
"NEVER!"
 
====^*^====
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.1535
 
"NEVER!"
 
"Never what?" Doctor Summers asked as she approached the biobed where the ensign had been resting.  The aCMO had requested the CMO's presence after some strange readings had appeared in the latest scan.
 
"Nothing," Hex said as she tried to dismiss the situation only to notice that the ANUBIS' CNS had been a witness to this little display.  "It was just a bad dream," the Kzinti added as she hoped that the explanation would be sufficient to get everyone off her case.

--Back to me--

"Hex, if there's something you ever want to... talk about, anything," the young aCMO said, noting that the scans had returned to normal and sighing with relief.

"No really, trust me it was just a bad dream, it doesn't mean anything to me," the fuzzy officer stated with an icy bluntness.

It was true after all, nothing of what her mother said had mattered in the least now. Hex was *never* going back home, not without good reason. To marry a priest and take control of her own town was not a reason that suited the Kzinti. Each town was controlled by a High Priestess, a religious icon who oversaw any and all developments to the village. It was a great responsibility, but not at all what the young fuzzball wanted out of life.

Hex noticed others in the room, but was only accurately aware of the two women in front of her. The Kzinti could sense a certain feeling of tension over near where the CO, Enaii and Drell were standing, but couldn't tell much other than that. They hadn't seemed to notice much but her scream either, so the Ensign turned her attention again to Aki and the CMO.

Both medical officers seemed unaffected by the coldness in the Kzinti's answer, or if they were affected they didn't let it show. Hex was determined to make them feel a bit more at ease with her around, even though she was just barely at ease enough to speak to them.

"I'm going to go back and take up my position, but when I get off we could all go to the Black Hole or something?" the Ensign noted with a plastered-on grin, her inner turmoil had begun anew and was beginning to make her feel sick again, her ear twitched twice, if only slightly.

The CMO shook her head, which resulted in a sigh escaping the Kzinti's lips. "I'm afraid we'll have to keep you here for a bit, after such abnormal readings, we can't be sure it won't happen again."

Hex understood the truth when she heard it. The Kzinti was surprised to realize that she was only somewhat dismayed at the fact that she couldn't return yet to her post. A rest would do her well, though the furry humanoid didn't plan to sleep. With Vladina able to jump into her thoughts at any given peaceful time, the Ensign wanted to keep her mind stressed, but rested.

"I'm not going to sleep... but I'll rest here awhile until I'm free to go back..." Hex stated a bit more gloomily than she had originally planned.

Seemingly satisfied, the aCMO and CMO went over to the others, though the Kzinti knew they'd be back. With a small inner determination, Hex decided to put these thoughts behind her and rest, while observing, if from a distance, the situation in Sickbay. Crowded as it was, the officers might need assistance if the Klingons were to go at it again. Not knowing really why, the Sec/Tac officer had taken a liking to Karg and didn't want to see him harmed.

Sleep, at least a peaceful sleep, was usually impossible thanks to the nightmares, but Hex was taking no chances. As the Kzinti lied back down on the biobed, she noticed that it was actually somewhat comfortable. A true grin escaped when the Ensign noted that anything would seem comfy if one spent most of her life sleeping on the hard stone ground.

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanggot
Sec/Tac Assistant Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P156: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 1505 ("Emotions")

==========
"Emotions"
(Previous Post was Tiffany's "Heated Tempers")
==========

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 7, Corridor
Stardate: 63073.1505

The young woman made her way down the corridor leading to the ANUBIS' Sickbay… the look in her eyes warned anyone she encountered to stay out of her way. To have a fight on her ship had been bad enough, but to see this altercation involve the Assistant Chief of Security had forced the redhead's presence.

"Alright!" the Captain stated as she entered Sickbay without any undo ceremony, "what happened?"

"We are not entirely sure Captain," Ensign Lopez answered from the nearest biobed on which the ship's Sec/Tac Officer laid unconscious. Although a little taken aback by the sudden entrance of their CO, the Assistant CMO continued with her duties which pertained to monitoring the Kzinti Officer's vital signs.

"Ensign Drell and our guest decided to go *Klingon* on us… that was before Ensign Fanggot intervened," Doctor Summers announced as she made her way to the main biobed where Karg had been sitting. "We ended up sedating Drell and Hex which means that there is only one who can explain what really happened… and he is being rather stubborn about saying anything at the moment."

Although a little vague on the details, Rikar understood that the two Klingons had for one reason or another decided to come to blows and that Hex had stepped in just in time to avoid the situation from going further. With this knowledge in hand, the redheaded woman approached the sitting Klingon who displayed clear signs of having been on the receiving end of the confrontation.

"Mr. Karg," Rikar began in a calm voice, her former training as a ship's Counsellor never being too far behind. "When you were brought onboard this ship from the Romulan War Bird it was under the idea of rendering assistance… not to see a hostile element disrupt this vessel's operations.

The Klingon quickly raised his eyes to meet those of the ANUBIS' CO, but just when Rikar had expected the man to talk he lowered his gaze back down and further solidified his silence.

"Captain," the Cardassian-born Ensign offered in a whispered voice as she slid by the CO's side. "Maybe I can try something different," Eve offered having seen the exchange. The moment Captain Rikar had decided to investigate this matter personally, Ensign Dalziel had opted to follow and assist in whatever way possible.

Not having been in the mood for a lengthy debate, Rikar agreed to the Counsellor's suggesion and the redheaded woman turned her attention back to the CMO.

Doctor Summers understood that her report had been required even before the CO had made the request. "It all happened so fast," the CMO stated. "One moment Drell and Karg were talking, and the next our FCO was pounding our guest with all of his might… had Hex not jumped into the fight as quickly as she did, I fear that Karg would have been dealt a one-way trip to Sto-Vo-Kor. What surprised me the most was that Karg didn't put up any fight at all."

"Are you certain that he is Klingon?" Rikar inquired, unable to accept the idea that a member of this warrior race would actually turn away from a fight.

"I don't get it either," the CMO said with a lengthy sigh. "Medically speaking there is nothing wrong with Karg… if there is an answer to this, it's psychological and I suspect that it is going to take a while to get it out of him," Doctor Summers added as she glanced in Eve's direction.

"Let me know as soon as Drell wakes up," the CO instructed thinking that a little time for her to cool down would be wise before the redheaded woman pivoted on her heels and headed back out of the room, not having obtained any more information than she had when she had arrived.

"I don't think she's overly happy about this," Adriana mentioned to Eve in a whispered voice.

"There are a thousand things a CO needs to think about," the CNS replied. "Physical in-fighting between officers is never a good thing… even at the best of times… and this is far from being such a time."

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1510

While the CO investigated the events that had taken place in Sickbay, Ensign Thomas and Mitshiba had been busy with the task the redhead had given the aCSciO.

"The miniature field generator could easily be installed in a belt or armband," the ANUBIS' COO stated as he looked at the preliminary designed created by Ensign Mitshiba.

"The field generator has never been the issue… it's the power supply that is the problem," the Asian woman pointed out, this problem having been with them since the start of their work. "I am pretty such that the Captain wants this to work without having everyone carrying a miniature fusion reactor on their back."

"Alright… we have been looking at this problem every way possible," Thomas sighed in frustration. "Either the power supply is not sufficient, too large or too dangerous," the COO explained as he glanced at the various designs that the pair had so far imagined.

"Elliot… you know that I have the utmost respect for you, but I think we need a little more help," Mitshiba nervously suggested.

The COO waited for a few seconds before he nodded his understanding and agreement. "I know exactly who we call ask to help."

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Main Engineering
Stardate: 63073.1515

"Captain," the Olthartian stated with a distinct tone of surprise in his voice. "It is an honour to see you here."

"Thank you Elan," Rikar grinned. Although the ANUBIS had been *her* ship, it had been general knowledge that Engineering in any form had been the CO's weakest point. "Just came to see how everything was," the Captain stated keeping the truth to herself… that she had just wanted to go for a walk while she contemplated the situation that she had left behind in Sickbay.

"All systems are operating within established parameters," the CEO reported with pride. "Thanks to the modifications made to the Ablative Armour and Bio-Regenerative Hull, the temporal shock waves that we have encountered thus far have not had any effect on our systems."

"I am very happy to hear this Lieutenant," Rikar said as her eyes scanned the ANUBIS' Main Engineering as if it had been an alien world to her. "If your time and duties permit, I would like for you to touch base with Ensign Mitshiba. I gave her a difficult project and I am sure that she would be more than happy to be able to draw upon your expertise."

"I would be honoured to help," the gentle giant replied with a smile.

The redheaded woman grinned. "How did I know you would say that?"

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Astrophysics Lab
Stardate: 63073.1525

Since the young woman had decided to take a walk around the ship, Rikar opted to check up on Maya next… the CSciO having been busy since their arrival into Gorn space with the monitoring of all temporal anomalies in this region of space. As the CO stepped into the room she was met with a large holographic representation of this sector of space… and within it several small spheres or various colours could be seen, some stationary while others actually moved, grew or shrank to the naked eye.

"Let me guess," the former CSciO began with as she took a few more steps into the room. "Each of these coloured spheres represents a temporal anomaly that our sensors have picked-up?"

"Actually," the ANUBIS' CSciO corrected, "the spheres being displayed in this holographic image are of the anomalies which have a quantum fluctuation of 15 Temporal units or more.… the colours represent the recorded flow of time within them. As you can see, some of these temporal anomalies are rather extensive in size and temporal impact… thus far the worst I have observed was one in which time flowed backwards at a rate of 1 month per second."

"I know people who would love to spend a few minutes there… the legendary fountain of youth," Rikar stated in an effort to offset the gravity of the situation that had been displayed before her. If the spheres represented only the most sever anomalies, this entire region of space had been in far more trouble than initially believed.

"Unfortunately the temporal shockwaves that encompass these anomalies are exceptionally powerful… strong enough to turn a ship as armoured as this one inside out in mere seconds. I have been forced to recalibrate my own modifications several times to insure that the ANUBIS does not suffer from any of the effects from these distortions in the space-time continuum," the Shillian explained with a tone of seriousness that only served to further emphasise the severity of the situation.

"Have you been able to better pin-point the source of these distortions?" Rikar inquired, the ability to know exactly where these anomalies were originating from could save the crew a great deal of trouble.

"Sorry Captain," Maya replied, her attention still focussed on her work. "As great as our sensors may be, there is no way for them to pierce through the intensity of the central zone of these distortions… the best I can offer is that the source is deep within the Asteroid Field of the YUDARA SECTOR and that we may have as little as 16 hours to put a stop to this before the fabric of space-time itself is ripped to shreds by the temporal tidal waves that are growing exponentially."

=/\= Sickbay to Captain Rikar, =/\= the voice of Doctor Summers was heard over the communications channel before the young woman had been given the chance to think of something to say in response to the scientist's comments.
"Go ahead Doctor," Rikar sighed.

=/\= He's awake, =/\= was all that the CMO said, knowing that nothing more had been needed.

"I'm on my way," Rikar announced before she reached up for her comm badge. "Rikar to Enaii… meet me in Sickbay."

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.1535

In the world of Intel, interrogations were as common an occurrence as any other standard procedure… one of the rules in conducting a successful interrogation had always been the establishing of a clear level of control or supremacy. The young woman knew that her position as the ANUBIS' CO gave her a distinct advantage in such a situation, but again Drell the redheaded woman had been worried that her rank would not be sufficient to insure the complete cooperation of the FCO. So Rikar had decided to call upon one of the ANUBIS' greatest assets.

The moment the CO and ILO stepped into the room, the FCO's muscular body immediately responded by moving slightly away. Although there had been no outward hints to this, Enaii had been rather pleased with herself that her simple presence joined with her reputation had been enough to elicit such a reaction from the Klingon.

"Ensign Drell… I have no time to waste on this, so I will ask only once… what happened?" The young woman queried with a tone that bordered on that of a Romulan, a nuance that the ILO found rather enjoyable.

"That *thing* is no Klingon," Drell snarled as he looked over the CO's shoulder to shoot a glare at the man in question. "He may have the body of a Klingon, but his heart is NOT of my world."

"He's a pacifist," Enaii calmly offered, the evidence before her having been more than enough for the ILO to reach the only possible explanation.

The young woman glanced over at Enaii for a few seconds before she returned her eyes onto the sitting Klingon who clearly appeared unremorseful for his earlier action. "I should confine you to the brig for what you did… regardless of your personal beliefs you are a Starfleet Officer and a member of *my* crew and as such I expect more than what you have displayed. Because I cannot afford to have you away from your post at this time, you will be confined to your quarters while not on duty. Is that understood?"

"Yes… Sir," Drell growled softly as she slid off the biobed to stand at attention before the ANUBIS' CO and ExO.
 
==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P155: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 1455 ("Heated Tempers")

=-=
"Heated Tempers"
[Previous post: "Memories Always Cause Headaches...", written by the graduating Ashley]
=-=

Setting: USS ANUBIS, CMO's Office
Stardate: 63073.1455

"Here are the preliminary results," the aCMO said as she handed Lea a PADD. The Doctor reviewed the data and smiled. The Ensign had been tasked with a research on infectious diseases common to the YUDARA SECTOR. It had been with some visible relief that the CMO read that nothing major had been found in that area in decades.

"Captain Rikar will be happy to know this," Lea said. "I am sure that the last thing she would have wanted would be for the crew to be in this kind of danger. Have you had the chance to compile the rest of the research?" the CMO continued as she looked up to Ensign Lopez.

Adriana shook her head.  Although relatively simple, the research that had been given to her only a few minutes ago. "Bacterial and viral data is unfortunately not as readily available. I am having the computer do a thorough scan of all medical reports in the region," Adriana explained.

"Good work," Lea smiled, content with what her assistant had thus far accomplished. "Be sure to cross reference with medical logs of trade ships that frequently pass through the sector. They may have come across things that the local authorities were not aware of or simply ignored."

Adriana nodded and turned to leave but almost ran into a tired looking Kzinti Officer. "Hex! Are you alright?" the aCMO questioned immediately while helping her friend onto the nearest chair.

"I just need a cat-nap," the Kzinti officer weakly replied.

"Wow," Lea said as she rushed around her desk while opening a medical tricorder. "She must be really sick, she's developed a sense of humor."

Hex had barely the strength to shot a glare in the direction of the CMO before reluctantly accepting Adriana's help.

=/\= Bridge to Sickbay, is Ensign Fanggot alright? She just left her post without saying anything. Ensign Thomas tracked her movements to you,=/\= the CO said through the comm channel.

"She is here," the Doctor replied. "Let me perform a few tests and I'll get back to you.  Summers out."

After a full body scan the CMO motioned to the aCMO to help her bring the Sec/Tac Officer to one of the biobeds. Hex immediately began to fuss and argue against the two medical officers. "I just need something to get me through this shift, then I can go back to my quarters and sleep."

"Ensign Fanggot," Lea began in as a commanding voice as she could manage. "Your electrolytes and dangerously low and you need immediate rest. Added to this that you abandoned your post on the bridge leaves you with only two options."

"Court martial for having left my post without authorization or a medical certificate to explain what happened," Hex sighed. The Kzinti had been so out of it that only now had the consequences of her actions been realized.

"Come on," Adriana said in a friendly tone. "The biobed are not as uncomfortable as everyone thinks."

Although very weak, the Kzinti Sec/Tac officer continued to offer some level of resistance to the medical officers. Hex finally relaxed when a hypospray was applied against her neck by the CMO.  "This won't knock you out, but it should take the edge off. At least that way we'll be able to get something done without you fighting with us at every move."

Just as Lea had finished saying this the sounds of a all out fight filled the room. Everyone present turned to see Drell, the ANUBIS' FCO pounding with all of his might on Karg. The rescue Klingon appeared either unwilling or unable to offer any resistance and simply allowed himself to be a punching bag. Before Lea or Adriana could intervene, Hex had already jumped off the biobed and over the officer's heads.

There had been absolutely no doubts that agility had been one of the major attributes of the Kzinti people. From the biobed, Hex had managed to leap directly onto the FCO and knock him down to the ground. The Sec/Tac Officer had taken a battle stance when the effects of the hypospray truly began to take effect.

The battle between the Kzinti Sec/Tac and Klingon FCO ended before it had started as Hex collapsed onto the floor. Just as Drell had been ready to seek revenge for what had happened, the CMO applied a hypospray to the FCO's neck. A few seconds later the two warring parties were sound asleep on the floor of the ANUBIS' Sickbay.

"What was that all about?" Adriana asked of Karg who simple looked down onto the two sleeping forms before him.

When no reply came, Lea instructed her staff to move Drell and Hex to biobeds on opposite ends of the room. Maybe now the CMO would be able to get some answers as to what had actually happened in her Sickbay.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P154: USS ANUBIS: Fanggot: Day 4 - 1450
("Memories Always Cause Headaches...")‏‏

~~~~~~~~~~
"Memories Always Cause Headaches..."
(Previous Post: "Observations and Questions" by the creative Marissa)
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1450
 
====^*^====

The Kzinti was deep in her own mind as she worked, checking and rechecking all the weapons, shields and everything in between. Complicated as it all seemed, Hex was experienced in working with less-than ordinary circumstances. The Ensign's fingers stopped flying over the control panel for a moment as she thought their situation over.

It was bad, but not the worst that could have happened. The crew was rescued, but what about the rest of the sector? The rest of the galaxy? The Kzinti's head started to spin as she thought of what could be happening on her own home planet. KZINTI PRIME wasn't big on changes, as Hex had experienced personally...

***FLASHBACK***

Setting: KZINTI PRIME, Outskirts of the village of Madrino
Time Index : 17 years ago
 
The young, female Kzinti was, for once, in a very good mood. Not only had she been successful on her very first hunt, but the youth had met a new friend in the process.

"Why is yours bigger than mine? That just can't be fair!" Sunali complained, stroking the fur of Hex's small rabbit-like creature fondly as it rested over her shoulder.

"I saw it first, so I got to get it Sunali, besides, yours is pretty big too you know. You mom will be very proud of you." Hex replied, giving her new friend one of her rare enchanting smiles.

Sunali smiled back, though his was more lop-sided than hers. The two Kzinti children laughed and talked all the way back to the village. It was when they entered that the commotion started.

Hex didn't notice it at first, just able to hear whispers and raised voices in the distance and nothing more. Then she saw them, the Keepers.

Most Keepers were kindhearted and meant well, but the ones controlling Madrino were ruthless and cruel, answering only to the High Priestess. Vladina ruled them with the iron fist of a true leader, but that didn't mean that they respected her daughter as any more than a priestess in training.

"You!" one shouted, moving closer to Sunali with surprising speed, "How dare you walk ahead of the young priestess! Don't you know how disrespectful that act is?"

Hex was taken aback by their sudden concern, but she also knew that it was misplaced when they considered Sunali a threat. The young Kzinti tried to tell them as much, but was caught up in a strong pair of arms by surprise.

"Hey! Leave her alone!" Sunali cried, kicking at one of the men who held him. It was a mistake, Hex knew it was.

Sunali was beaten for misconduct towards the authority, right in front of Hex. She cried out for them to stop, that it wasn't right, but no one would listen to the sobs of a youth, even if she was the priestess in training.

Change. Those who walked in front of the priestess were punished, no exceptions. Nothing would change here, nothing ever could. Hex was carried away toward home as Sunali's torture continued.

Her tears only showed themselves late that night in the confines of her room. There were too many things that needed to change, and Hex was afraid she couldn't do it all. She would need help, and she knew where to get it... 

***END OF FLASHBACK***

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1450

Blurry vision caught the fuzzball off guard as she literally pulled herself out of her tainted memories. Everything was spinning and her head hurt, pictures spun over her vision and the crew was getting more and more distorted.

The control security control panel seemed to disappear as she leaned forward to catch herself. Everything was suddenly as painful as her memories. Hex couldn't control anything around her, couldn't even see straight.

Without a second thought, the Kzinti stumbled away from her panel, aware of curious looks and calls as she headed for SickBay. [[It's just lack of sleep, all I need are a few pills or something to keep me awake...]] Hex thought, stumbling her way over to the turbo lift.

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanggot
Assistant Chief of Security/Tactical
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P153: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 1445 ("Observations and Questions")

-=-=-
"Observations and Questions"
[Previous post: "Easier Said Than Done"]
-=-=-

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.1445

The aCMO watched with interest as the ANUBIS' FCO and Sickbay's latest patient exchange a few whispered words.  Judging by the expression on their faces the two Klingons had been in the midst of a mild disagreement or maybe just a difference of opinion on a specific matter.  Either way the level of friction between them had been unmistakable and left the ensign hoping that it would not escalade, the last thing Adriana wanted to deal with had been a physical fight that she had no hope in stopping.

"There is something odd about that Karg," Doctor Summers said as she joined her assistant in observing the pair.  "I haven't put my finger on it yet, but that Klingon just doesn't seem to fit the norm."

"Did you find something new on the medical scans?" Ensign Lopez asked with a smile, all of their previous scans having confirmed that the Klingon genuinely belonged to this time and dimension, yet the feeling had not been the aCMO's alone.  Adriana had been happy to see that Doctor Summers had felt the same way about the Klingon and had hoped that she CMO had discovered some tangible proof to support their feelings.

"No," the CMO sighed, her eyes glued on the patient in question. "There is no medical proof that he is something other than appears, yet I can't shake the feeling that there is something different about him.  Maybe it's nothing more than the fact that he was on a Romulan ship," Doctor Summers said, the mystery surrounding their patient having been no closer to being solved.

Adriana continued her observation of the two Klingons while the CMO returned to her office.  After a little while Ensign Lopez grinned to herself as she thought of Ensign Dalziel and her duties as the ANUBIS's CNS.  It seemed that there had been an unwritten prerequisite for coming onboard the Intel ship either as a crew member or as a passenger; that of having a secret that could not be openly revealed.

Since it was obvious that the Klingon pair would continue this little exchange for quite some time, the aCMO decided to give them a little more privacy while she busied herself with various tasks that had been given to the Ensign by Doctor Summers.

-=-=-
Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, T'kon Temple
Stardate: 63073.1445

Although the Efrosian had spent all of his time inside the fabled temple, Kane had become increasingly aware of the disturbances that were taking place in the streets of the trade center.  The priest's first instinct had been to go and investigate, maybe even assist in restoring order, but something had kept him where he had been.

The temple had been the reason why he had come to this sector of space, and although he could not understand why the Efrosian knew that his presence within the sacred walls of the structure had been required.

"Priest!" A strange black-robed individual who had appeared behind Kane said.  Not used to being surprised in any matter, the mediating priest quickly jumped to his feet and turned to face the man. Disbelief filled Ojall's soul as his eyes fell onto a sight that could not have been real.  "I require your assistance," the black-robed man added but still received no response from the stunned Efrosian.

Ojall tried to speak but the sight of the black-robed man had simply been more than the Efrosian had been able to deal with.  Had this been some sort of hallucination?

"Forces are gathering outside this temple," the black-robed man said with authority.  "I require your assistance to defend our sacred ground and push back the invaders.  Will you help?"

Unable to come to terms with what his eyes had seen and his ears had heard, Ojall eventually gave in and bowed to the black-robed man who appeared and acted exactly as the T'kon guardians had been said to so many thousand years ago.

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P152: USS ANUBIS: Mitshiba: Day 4 - 1445 ("Easier Said Than Done")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Easier Said Than Done"
(Cont. from "Analysis")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1445

Aki sat at the Science station at the back of the Bridge, her mind racing to find a way to accomplish the job Captain Rikar had requested of her.  Under normal circumstances the aCSciO would have liked nothing more than to tackle something like this on her own, but it had taken no time for the Asian woman to realise that this had been her skills.

"You look like you are about to get run over by a runaway starship," ET said in a whispered voice as he leaned over the edge of the science station.

"It might be less painful," Aki whispered back with a sigh.  "How am I suppose to come up with what the Captain requested?"

The COO, as well as everyone else present on the Bridge had overheard the conversation between Captain Rikar and Ensign Mitshiba.  The job that the aCSciO had received had been a simple one, at least to everyone else who had not been given that particular task to do.

"You could always ask for Lt. Cmdr. Maya's help," Ensign Thomas suggested.

"That is not an option," the Cns chimed in, her words matched the whispered tone of the other two officers.  "It's a question of pride," Eve explained, "Aki needs to do this without having to ask for her superior's knowledge and expertise.  Had the Captain wished for our CSciO to be involved, she would have asked her directly."

"Thanks," Aki half snarled.  "As much as I appreciate the psychological evaluation it's not helping me at the moment."

"Aki," the Cns continued, a faint smile having sneaked onto her lips. "If Captain Rikar called you to the bridge and gave you the job of finding a way of protecting the individual members of the away team from the effects of the temporal anomalies, it is because she knows that you are capable of doing this.  Trust me on this when I tell you that our CO knows a great deal about her crew, she may even know some of us better than we know ourselves."

"That would be why she's the CO," Elliot grinned as he flashed a wink at Aki.  "Plus you have an ace up your sleeve," the COO added.

"And what would that *ace* be?" the aCSciO asked, almost certain that she already knew the answer.

"Me of course!" The COO gleefully stated.  "All you have to do is take care of the scientific angle and I will take care of the implementation aspect of your plan."

"Well one thing is certain," Eve quietly chuckled, "he has enough confidence for the two of you and with some to spare."  The Cns moved around to join Aki on the working side of the Science station before she continued, "Let's be serious, you have access to everything you need.  Maya's work and research is fully accessible to you, all you need to do is to find a way to replicate this on an individual basis."

"You could use a miniature power cell, like the ones found in our phasers, to power some sort of field," the COO suggested.  "We would just have to find a way to generate a localised field and have it match whatever the CSciO did to the ship."

"A regular power cell would not be strong enough, it would likely maintain the required field for no more than a few seconds," Aki pointed out as she began to tap several commands into the work station.  "Can't use a quantum energy source either as it may react to the temporal anomalies.  I'm going to have to find some other way to power that field generator without having each and every member of the away team carry a generator on their back."

"I am sure that you will have all of the answers long before we arrive at the YUDARA SECTOR," Eve said with an unshakable confidence before she left the COO and aCSciO along once more.

"Like it or not Aki," Elliot said with another wink, "we all have confidence in your abilities."

"Thanks," Ensign Mitshiba said with a certain hint of relief. Although she had gained enough confidence to face the challenge that she had been given, the task itself would require far more than just wishful thoughts.  "Don't go too far thought, I might need that conviction of yours as well as your engineering know-how in the not too distant future."

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P151: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 1430 ("Analysis")

==========
"Analysis"
(Previous Post was Jessica's "Temporal Pretzel and Other Time Bending Terms")
==========

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Captain's Ready Room
Stardate: 63073.1430

The young woman sat at her desk… her chin rested in the palm of her left hand while her eyes diligently scrutinized to most recent holographic display of the region of space the ANUBIS had been traveling through with all due urgency. Things it seemed had gone from bad to worse, and there had been nothing that the valiant crew of the Intel vessel could do other than watch in utter disbelief… and hope.

"Captain's personal log," the redhead began once she had reached over to a small control panel on her desk, "Stardate 63073.1435... What a mess. It has been an hour since we have crossed into Gorn space and so far our long-ranger sensors have picked up more than a dozen battles opposing ships that belong as much in this time as Leonardo Da Vinci. At least Ensign Fanggot was able to get a little target practice when a half dozen fossil-fuel propelled missiles suddenly appeared in our path. The nuclear explosion that followed proved to be a none-issue for our ablative armour but the light show was enjoyed by many. Ensign Thomas feared that the explosion might draw unnecessary attention to the sector but everyone else in this region of space had apparently been too busy with their respective issues to even notice what had happened.

I can only guess as to the state of the YUDARA SECTOR, the asteroid field and the trading post on it… all that I can do is hope that we will get there in time. No pun intended."

With a press of a control the CO ended the recording of her thoughts which allowed for the young woman to divert her attention onto another matter.

"Ensign Dalziel, could I see you in my Ready Room when you have a moment?"

=/\= I will be right there Captain, =/\= the Cardassian born Counsellor quickly replied, not having considered for a moment to make the ANUBIS' CO wait… whatever her reasons might have been.

The moment the door chime rang, the young woman opened the door remotely and allowed the ANUBIS' Counsellor to enter, the Bajoran looking woman seemed a little nervous, unsure as to the reasons why she had been summoned to the CO's office. "Come in Ensign… I just wanted to check in with you and make sure that you have been made to feel at home on our little vessel… and maybe taken the chance to know some of the crew a little better."

"Thank you Captain," Eve offered with a distinct tone of reservation. "Permission to speak freely," the Counsellor added after a few lengthy seconds of silence.

"The old Intel philosophy claims that 'loose lips sink ships'," the redheaded woman stated with a rather amused smile dancing on her pink lips. "Although I may believe this to be true in certain circumstances, I personally believe that silence between officers can be even more dangerous. Everyone on this crew may speak their mind at any given time without worries… I appreciate candour and honesty," the young woman explained as she leaned back into her chair.

"Thank you Captain," Eve stated with a grin before she proceeded with what she had intended to say. "The ANUBIS may be a great many things, but *little* is not an adjective that I would use to describe it in any manner, and as for having been made to feel at home… I will just say that I definitively feel *needed*."

"I'm guessing that your meeting with Ensign Lopez, Ensign Fanggot, Lt. Fairborn and Lt. Cmdr. Maya proved to be enlightening," the redhead grinned like a Cheshire Cat… it was clear that as the CO of the ANUBIS there had been little that took place onboard the vessel without Rikar knowing something about it. "Do not worry Ensign, my knowing your itinerary has nothing to do with my keeping an eye on you… it was just that my own interest, as a former Cns, ventured onto those same officers."

"So I'm guessing that any standard Counselling technique or trick would be wasted on you," Eve offered with a grin.

"Counsellor," Rikar retaliated with an almost shocked expression. "You know as well as I do that a reply to any question or statement, be it a tried and true or one completely unexpected can reveal a great deal about an individual… that said though I suspect that you not only knew this but thought to test me on my reaction."

Eve simply shrugged her shoulders and smiled. "I guess you could call it a levelled playing field in our current situation," the Cardassian born woman offered as she eased herself into one of the two chairs located in front of the CO's desk. "Ensign Lopez is dealing with her missing sister as best she can given our situation… and is somewhat concerned about her ability to perform to the crew's needs and expectations. Ensign Fanggot is also dealing with ghosts from her past, but hers seem to drive her to perform instead of the opposite. Lt. Fairborn is a unique individual who seems happiest when he has more to do than considered possible… and as for Lt. Cmdr. Maya, I was forced to cut my visit with her short."

"You caught her in one of her usual explanatory moods," Rikar said almost laughing, the Shillian's ability to describe the smallest possible details of the universe in a hundred thousand words had become almost legendary onboard the ANUBIS. "Counsellor… I need you to be perfectly honest with me… this ship and crew is about 5 hours from being hip deep in a situation that could easily send everyone to the funny farm. From your dealing with them, do you believe they are ready and able to face what we may encounter in the YUDARA SECTOR?"

Ensign Dalziel took several moments to consider her reply, but eventually offered a slow nod of her head before she spoke. "This crew is like no other, and it is my professional opinion that they will all be able to perform to your expectations when the time comes."

Rikar smiled and invited the Ensign to return to her duties without actually uttering a word, an invitation that Eve cordially accepted to leave the ANUBIS' CO once again to her own thoughts.

As soon as the door closed being the Counsellor, Rikar spun her chair to one side and spoke. "What do you think?" the CO inquired to what had first seemed to be an invisible presence in the room, a presence which soon manifested itself in the form of a hologram. The ILO turned to look at her mate but said nothing, instead Enaii just sighed and terminated the holographic projection. "Guess that's as warm an endorsement as can be expected from her," the redheaded woman chuckled.

The CO stood from her chair and made her way onto the Bridge of the ANUBIS where she scanned the deck to see everyone busy with their respective tasks… the only person who seemed a little out of place had been Doctor Summers. The blonde haired woman had apparently been waiting to speak to the Captain for some reason.

"How is your patient Doctor?" Rikar inquired as she made her way to the central chair.

"He's fine… I am just a little worried about him," Lea admitted. "He's very distant and doesn't seem to act like a normal Klingon."

"Is there such a think as a *normal* Klingon?" The COO mumbled to himself, unfortunately loud enough for the CO, CMO and FCO to hear.

"Doctor, if you believe that it may help, I will be happy to release Ensign Drell from his duties for a short while so that he can assist you in whatever way possible," the CO offered having thought that maybe Karg would be more responsive to kindred spirit.

"It can't hurt to try," Doctor Summers nodded before she fell into step with the Klingon FCO who had acknowledged the CO's instructions.

Once the FCO and CMO had vanished inside the turbo lift, the redheaded woman opened a comm channel from her chair. "Ensign Mitshiba, could you report to the Bridge… I have a job for you." 

==========
Sabrina Jones
Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light"
OLD-P150: USS ANUBIS: Maya: Day 4 - 1330
("Temporal Pretzel and Other Time Bending Terms")

---
"Temporal Pretzel and Other Time Bending Terms"
(Previous Post: "Something Old")
---

Setting: Space, Gorn / Federation Border
Stardate: 63073.1330
 
Under the protection of the deployed ablative armour, the USS ANUBIS easily crossed into Gorn territory undetected by the sentry drones that regularly patrolled the border. The fact had been that even had the Federation Intel vessel not been so well hidden from sight and sensors, the sentries would have likely not been able to lock onto the encroaching ship had they even been right on top of it. Space and time in this sector had been turned into a frenzy of temporal anomalies all of which seemed in conflict with one another to reshape the space-time continuum to an independent will.
 
Unaffected by these temporal anomalies thanks to the modifications made to both the ablative armour and bio-regenerative hull, the USS ANUBIS pressed on deeper into Gorn space and towards what the crew had hope had been the source of all these time distortions.
---
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 12, Astrophysics Lab
Stardate: 63073.1330
 
"Here is the latest data gathered by the mid-range and long-range sensors," Ensign Mitshiba announced as she entered the Astrophysics Lab and handed a single PADD to the Shillian Scientist who appeared overly preoccupied with a set of data of her own.
 
"You could have transmitted this directly to my console," the Chief Science Officer stated without ever taking her eyes off the complex set of numbers and formulas that were scrolling on both the display in front of her and below her fingers. "Under normal circumstances I would have explained the importance of being efficient and not wasting time by hand-delivering such information, but given what we are currently witnessing, time it seems has lost all relative meaning. I mean there are anomalies out there in which time is standing perfectly still and a few more where things are actually happening *backwards*. Whatever the cause of these temporal irregularities is, we need to find it and put a stop to it before things get worse, if that is actually possible."
 
"Sorry," the Assistant Chief Science Officer quietly offered as the PADD was taken from her hand. The truth had been that Ensign Mitshiba had wanted to see what else the Shillian Scientist had discovered about the state of the space-time continuum in this region, the Asian Assistant having found several rather disturbing instances from the Quantum Physics Lab from which she had arrived. "It almost looks like some regions of space have been folded onto themselves," Mitshiba stated as she reviewed some of the formulas and numbers that had been scrolling on the larger screen.
 
"Actually," the head of the Science Department of the USS ANUBIS began, her attention still not having diverted from her current research, "It would be more accurate to say that these regions of space had been turned into a sort of temporal pretzel in which time flows at various different rates from the established galactic norm."
 
"Temporal pretzel?" Ensign Mitshiba repeated rather shocked by the unexpected words selected by the Shillian Scientist. "Just another reason why I hate those things," the Assistant Chief Science Officer added in a rather weak attempt to lighten the mood.
 
"No need to worry Ensign," the Shillian continued in all seriousness. "If this rate of change remains constant, and if the data that you have just handed me is accurate as I believe it to be, this region of space will be more like an 'Orion Crushed Black Pea' soup than a pretzel in about thirty six hours."
 
"Remind me why I wanted to be back in this line of work again?" the Asian Assistant rhetorically asked while she silently wondered if the crew of the USS ANUBIS had what it took to get to the bottom of this situation and solve the matter before all of the star maps would need to be modified to show a large 'Pea Soup' sector of space where the Gorn Hegemony once stood.

---
Jessica Solarik
Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P149: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 1330 ("Something Old")

=-=
"Something Old"
[Previous post: "Her Sister's Keeper", written by the caring Susan]
=-=

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, a dark room
Stardate: 63073.1330    

It had been three hours since Mortina had heard her name yelled out telepathically. Three hours since she had turned around to see someone she had never expected to see. Three hours since she had felt the cold kiss of a hypospray against her neck. Three hours that had felt like a never-ending eternity.

Why her captors had decided to have a digital clock on the wall had been a mystery that Mortina had been unable to solve. All that the Betazoid knew was that three hours ago she had been abducted to be brought here. Wherever *here* was. The room contained nothing more than an uncomfortable bed, a single ceiling light, a locked door and a digital clock embedded in the wall. More important though had been that she had been unable to communicate telepathically with anyone.

At one point Mortina had thought that she had seen one of the walls shimmer as if it had been an illusion. Her hands quickly dismissed that possibility as they touched cold solid stone. Later a small white rabbit hopped across the floor, disappearing as easily as it had appeared. The woman theorized that the hypospray had been loaded with more than a simple sedative. That idea was further strengthened when she suddenly found herself back on the bridge of her ship, only to return to the room a few seconds later.

Mortina had done her best to remain in control of her emotions. Fear and even panic would not served her interest at this time especially knowing her captors. This had likely been a game, a way for them to test her patience and inner strength. That or this had all been meant to slowly drive the Betazoid into a state of insanity.  Her only consolation had been that no strange vision had disturbed her solitude for nearly two hours now.

[[Hope they haven't forgotten about me,]] Mortina thought to herself, not truly believing her own words. [[I would hate to starve here and not be given a reason as to why.]]

~We could never forget about you Mortina,~ an icy voice echoed in the Starfleet Officer's mind.  ~Not after what you did to us.~  After having experienced such silence in her mind, the unexpected voice had almost been too much for the Betazoid to handle. As cold as ice and as powerful as a photon torpedo, the officer actually had to reach for the nearest wall to steady herself.

Mortina took in a slow, deep breath to help with her efforts to regain her composure. [[I did nothing *to* you,]] the woman thought as she scanned to room with her eyes. Had they simply been listening in on her thoughts or had they been watching? [[It was an accident, a combination of misunderstanding and lousy timing.]]

The Starfleet Officer had been ready to continue pleading her case when the single light suddenly went out. Seconds later the sound of metal sliding against metal filled the room. Like nails on a chalkboard the sound had been atrocious and send shivers down Mortina's spine. When the light returned, a small plate of food had appeared near one of the walls.

~You have nothing to worry about in regards to you starving,~ the voice said in a quieter tone, almost laughing. ~We have a far more painful destiny in mind for you.~

Again the Betazoid did her best to control her emotions, almost wishing that she had been Vulcan instead. To show fear or feel concern for her wellbeing would have played directly into their hands. Mortina had no idea what they had planned for her, but one thing had been sure, they had been in no rush to make her discover her fate.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P148: USS ANUBIS: Dalziel: Day 4 - 1330 ("Her Sister's Keeper")

==========
"Her Sister's Keeper"
(Previous Post: "Nice and Easy")
==========

"Welcome to sickbay. Take a number."
-the Doctor to Nyrian, VGR, "Displaced"

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.1330

Adriana felt herself stiffen ever so slightly with the weight of her secret. Even with the strange adventure in the temporal anomaly, this moment seemed far more nerve racking. "What brings you to Sickbay? Are you injured?" Ensign Lopez offered weakly, trying to pretend that she didn't notice that the Counsellor was the picture of health.

"No, I'm okay." Eve's gray eyes were sparkling as if her face was alight from within. Her fair skin glowed with happiness. The relief of being back on the ANUBIS, in the correct space and time, was palpable for the Cardassian born officer, and she couldn't contain that positive energy. But, there was so much work to do.

"I thought we could have a talk," Eve said softly. The dark haired woman had taken a precious few minutes to decide what her first course of action would be when the entire crew rematerialized. Everyone, including Captain Rikar, had looked they had been put through the proverbial wringer. Only a few hours had passed, but for some of them it felt like an eternity... like another lifetime. However, Eve's mind remained touched by the presence of Amanda Lopez on the Bridge. And it was with that singular idea that she came to see the assistant Medical Officer.

Adriana slowly lowered herself until she was seated on the edge of an empty biobed. "Sure."

"Tell me about Amanda, your sister," the Counsellor prodded.

Adriana drew a ragged breath. "My sister... has been missing. Part of my decision to join Starfleet was to have the resources at my disposal to find her." None of this was secret information, although she hadn't said this directly to Ensign Dalziel before.

Eve considered this. Amanda, or the image of Amanda, hadn't mentioned her location. She hadn't mentioned if she was even alive. "Have you received any leads as to her whereabouts?"

Adriana glanced downward. "Not yet."

"How long has it been since you've *seen* her?" Eve continued pointedly, studying the other woman's face for answers.

"I'm not sure," Ensign Lopez answered truthfully, still not knowing if the woman she had been speaking to a short time earlier was only a figment of her imagination or something else entirely.

All this time, her sister was watching the both of them like a Cheshire cat. "You have to trust someone eventually," Amanda said.

Adriana searched for words that would bring understanding or an explanation. But there was nothing she could think of to describe what had been happening to her. 

Surprisingly, or perhaps not, it was Eve who chose to trust the situation first. "I know you're able to communicate with her."

Adriana's face blanched. She didn't know how to respond. "Counsellor, I would never compromise the ship with a hidden message transmission." Well, except for the little favor Enaii bestowed upon her shortly after her arrival to the ship. "Pull the logs and see." 

"That's not what I mean," Eve countered. "I know she's here with you, even though I don't understand the possibility of it. She's probably here with you right now." She looked around the room, unable to see the image of Amanda that was staring at the both of them so intently.

Adriana felt herself shiver as she watched Eve search the air in vain, seeing Amanda just beyond the taller woman's gaze. If it could have been possible, they would have almost touched.

Ensign Dalziel was sensitive to Adriana's discomfort, but knew the aCMO needed to come clean about what had been happening. "Adriana, I don't know how to explain this to you, but Amanda revealed herself to me. I spoke to her."

Adriana lost most of the control she had when Eve first arrived. She felt her cheeks redden, the sting of unfallen tears burning her eyes. But to know that someone else had seen Amanda, it soothed her confused spirit. "How? When?"

"The how, I can't answer. But when... it was during the anomaly."

Ensign Lopez gave Eve a quizzical look. After the bizarre places she had been, the indescribable feelings she had experienced, the idea that Eve had been speaking to Amanda at the same time, it was unfathomable. "Why?"

Eve shrugged and shook her head, the long ebony hair from her ponytail falling over one shoulder."You probably should ask her that. But, if you want my opinion, she seemed to seek out the ship's Counsellor. I got the impression she wished for you to take the same path."

Her cheeks grew warm again, this time with the tinge of embarrassment. "Is that true?" Ensign Lopez whispered to Amanda.

"You've been too stubborn about this," her sister answered. 

Eve continued with compassion. "Adriana... you, more than most, understand what games the mind can play. And after experiencing Amanda's presence firsthand, I can't be entirely certain of what we're dealing with. But I am convinced, she means you no harm." 

"I know," Adriana replied, sneaking a glance at her sister. "But I don't understand why she's here... and I can't control when she appears to me. It could jeopardize our mission."

Eve knew there was some truth to what Ensign Lopez was saying. Being so heavily involved with Intel for the majority of her career, she saw what being in less than optimal mental and physical health could do. But, she was hopeful that she could help Adriana. "I wouldn't worry about that," Eve gently touched Adriana's shoulder, trying to offer comfort to the troubled young woman. "If you've managed to make it this far, I don't see Amanda as a hindrance." 

For the first time, Adriana looked a little more at peace. "What happens now?"

"I would suggest you begin to document any time you have interaction with her, to try and see if there is a pattern to her appearance. Then we'll need to discuss it. Once a week."

"For how long?" Adriana asked.

Eve smiled. "Let's just say it's a standing appointment for the time being."

==========
Susan M Ledbetter
=/\=
Ensign Eve Dalziel
Counsellor
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

"I savored those stories; I read them slowly, one each day. And when I was done, I wished I hadn't read them at all. So I could read them again... like it was the first time."
-Melanie to Old Jake, DS9, "The Visitor"
OLD-P147: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 1330 ("Nice and Easy")

-=-=-
"Nice and Easy"
[Previous post: "Return"]
-=-=-

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.1330

Adriana smiled as she verified the latest medical scans on their Klingon patient.  The encouraging results had not been the reason for her happiness, but rather the ability for her and everyone else onboard to be able to think whatever they wanted without having to fear coming face-to-face with it.  No Elysian fields, no corridor filled with kittens, not even a storming battalion of Romulans, nothing other than the cold, hard reality at the end of their fingertips.

Lieutenant Fairborn had not remained in Sickbay for very long, to the visible chagrin of the CMO who had withdrew to the seclusion of her office.  Doctor Summers had claimed that an excessive amount of work had required her attention, but the aCMO had suspected that there had been more behind the sudden change in Lea's mood.

"You do know that she likes him," the familiar voice of Amanda shattered the tranquility of the room which caused Adriana to roll her eyes.

The aCMO went on with her duties, doing her best to ignore the hallucination of her missing sister, a mirage that had grown to be increasingly annoying to the Ensign despite her feelings for her sister.  Ensign Lopez had hoped that the modifications made to the ablative armor by the CSciO would have ended these visions, at least for a little while.  If they had stopped it would have indicated an external cause of these hallucinations, a fact that Adriana would have been rather happy to discover.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not one of those temporal creations you and the rest of the crew had to deal with," Amanda said as she sat on one of the biobeds.  "I am a creation of your mind, a reminder of what it is that brought you out here and a sounding board that allows you to have a better grasp of this reality."

Adriana spun around and shot a deathly glare at the vision that only she could see.  "If you are my anchor into reality, then I am in much deeper trouble than I had realized," the aCMO said in a forceful whispered voice.  If Doctor Summers or any other member of the medical staff should walk in, the ensign would have been able to claim that she had been talking to herself, an impossible claim to make had she been yelling as she had wanted to.

"I would think that you would be happy that I am here for you," the hallucination said as she jumped off the biobed and moved closer to Adriana.  "Think about it this way, if you were truly going mad, you would be seeing things that would make you run screaming or cower in a corner sobbing uncontrollably.  Instead you get to see a caring, supporting face, one that understands what you are going through and one who is there for you."

The aCMO remained silent for a few moments as the wisdom of the words spoken sunk in; even if in the end they had been her own words.  "It is nice to have someone to talk to," Adriana admitted out loud with a sigh.  As much as she might have disliked the idea of hallucinating about her sister there had been some comfort drawn from the experiences.  With a certain sense of peace the woman turned on her heels and prepared to return to the Klingon's side only to almost run into Ensign Dalziel.

"You are right," Eve grinned, "it is nice to have someone to talk to," the Counselor said with a twinkle in her eyes that seem to indicate that she knew more than she had let on.  A lot more.

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P146: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 1310 ("Return")

==========
"Return"
(Previous Post was Jessica's "A Dream is Only a Dream if You Wake Up At The End")
==========

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1310

The young woman stepped out of her Ready Room, her red hair appeared as if the ANUBIS' CO had gone several rounds with a couple of angry Nausicaans. Although aware of the visibly distraught CSciO, Ensign Dalziel, the ship's Counsellor had opted to insure first that the Captain had been alright.

The Cardassian born woman prove to be too slow for the Kzinti Sec/Tac Officer who quickly presented herself in front of the redhead. "Are you alright Captain?" Hex inquired as she peeked around the CO to see if any threat to the ship and crew had followed… instead the Sec/Tac saw only one other Officer… Commander Enaii.

Unlike the CO, the ILO appeared as prim and proper as could be expected… not a single strand of hair had been out of place. Several more questions made their way into the minds of the Senior Staff but all remained unspoken… the possible answers having been far too much for any of them to be able to handle at this time.

"Am I to gather that we are finally out of this little time distortion?" The redheaded CO inquired, her eyes ever so slowly having dropped onto the unconscious Klingon resting on the floor of the command deck.

"We are Captain," Maya reported from the Science station at the back of the Bridge. "I have been able to modulate the ablative armour to immune the ship from any further time distortion… the problem is that they are still occurring and at greater frequency. Unless we locate the source and stop it, this entire region of space could be ripped apart by temporal shock waves… not to mention the general chaos that will ensue when ships and people from different time periods encounter one another.

"Alright," Rikar half grinned, her eyes still locked on the Klingon. "If the temporal distortions have been brought to an end… why is he still here?"

"His name is Karg," Elan offered as he took a single step forward. "He was being chased by a rather large group of Romulans."

"He was injured and it was thought to be too dangerous to separate, so we brought him to the Bridge instead," Ensign Lopez added while still attending to the Klingon's wounds.

"My guess is that he was the Klingon our sensors picked up on the Romulan War Bird," Ensign Thomas added as he moved across the Bridge to reclaim his station.

"So he's actually from *our* reality?" The CO rhetorically queried while she tried to imagine how the Klingon had managed to find his way onto a 100-years old Romulan vessel.

"I performed several molecular scans," Ensign Mitshiba, the aCSciO stated as she presented her tricorder to the ANUBIS' CO. "All of the scans I was able to obtain from others showed a quantum variance… in Krag's case there is no sign of this molecular variation… everything points to him being of our time and reality."

"Alright them… Doctor Summers, please transfer your patient to a more suitable location," the redhead said in a tone of voice that hinted her words having been far more than mere suggestion.

"Elan," the CMO began as she turned to face the towering Engineer. "Would you mind carrying him down to Sickbay, in his present condition I am afraid that a trip through the transporter could actually aggravate his condition."

The Oltharian smiled and nodded his understanding and willingness to comply with the demand made of him. As soon as Elan had picked up the Klingon, Doctor Summers and her assistant quickly fell behind and followed, both of their presence no longer having been required on the command deck.

"As soon as the ship is declared fit for travel, resume course for the YUDARA SECTOR," the redheaded woman ordered as she eased herself down into her chair and shot a quick smile in the ILO's direction. "It looks like finding the PARADOX has become more than a simple wild goose chase… it is now an urgent matter."
 
==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501
 

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P145: USS ANUBIS: Maya: Day 4 - 1255
("A Dream is Only a Dream if You Wake Up At The End")

---
"A Dream is Only a Dream if You Wake Up At The End"
(Previous Post: "Mind The Issues")
---

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge (Reality #2)
Stardate: 63073.1255
 
Time.
 
What is time?
 
To many, it is believed to be an unstoppable and irresistible force that effects everything from the smallest atomic particles to beyond the limits of the universe as a whole. To a few, it is a dimension which can be shaped and manipulated at will thus allowing past, present and future to lose all significance.
 
The Shillian Scientist had worked on the matter that had befallen the crew of the USS ANUBIS for what had felt to be several hours under the watchful gaze of the man whom in another reality had been her father. After several failed attempts to rectify the situation, the Chief Science Officer had decided to take a moment to rest and indulge in the offer made by Sonah; which was to simply listen to the woman as she recalled adventures and events that had marked her life.
 
Sonah listened intently as the Shillian recalled her rescue from the doomed world that had been her childhood home to her time on EARTH and her graduation from Starfleet Academy. Although not her father, the elder Shillian listened with pride as the Chief Science Officer spoke of the many friends she had made along her journey and of the wonders that she had experienced.

"You should be very proud of all that you have accomplished," the entity which resembled Sonah offered. "I know that I would be if I were in your shoes. You are truly an amazing young woman."
 
The Shillian paused for a moment and gazed deeply into the eyes of the older man, the reasons that had made the Scientist dismiss the man for whom he had appeared to be having gradually faded into an unseen background.
 
"My father always said that he knew I would make him proud one day," the Shillian Scientist admitted with a long, drawn out sigh, "but I never got to hear him say those words."
 
"My dearest Maya," Sonah began as he gently reached out and touched the Shillian's cheek. "I know that this has been difficult for you, that my being here has made things emotionally complicated for you as you are forced to face a past that you cannot relive and a future that you cannot share with one of your own. I may not be your father, but I can assure you that he would have been exceptionally proud of you."
 
"Thank you," the Chief Science Officer said in an uncharacteristically short replied.
 
"Now, maybe it is time for you to allow yourself to complete the task that you have been stopping yourself from accomplishing."
 
---
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge (Reality #1)
Stardate: 63073.1255
 
Ensign Mitshiba and Ensign Thomas had worked long and hard at finding a solution to the temporal anomalies that had engulfed the USS ANUBIS while the others took care of each other and their new passenger.
 
"How is our Klingon friend?" Ensign Dalziel inquired in a whispered voice of the Chief Medical Officer who had wandered by the Counsellor.
 
"He will be fine," Lieutenant Summers reported as she glanced in the Klingon's direction, who had been laid in the middle of the bridge on the floor in front of the Captain's chair. "Would have been easier to treat him had we gone to Sickbay though," the Doctor added not at all wanting to have to listen once again to the reasoning which had kept those who had made it to the bridge to remain together and on the command deck.
 
"Despite what Ensign Mitshiba reported from her scans, he may not even belong to this timeline or reality," Ensign Dalziel pointed out.
 
"Speaking of which," Ensign Lopez said as she joined the Chief Medical Officer and Counsellor while at the same time sending a glance at the Assistant Chief Science Officer and Chief of Operations. "When are you two going to fix this? I thought you had been able to access the work and research done by Lieutenant Maya?"
 
"I did," Mitshiba replied, clearly annoyed by something.
 
"All of the data pertaining to this time distortion is right there in the computer," Ensign Thomas added. "We just cannot access it. It is as if someone or something is blocking us from reaching it."
 
"Who would do that and why?" the Assistant Security and Tactical Officer demanded, not at all understanding who would want this nightmare to continue.
 
"There is only one person aboard the USS ANUBIS who can restrict access to the scientific data as described," the Oltharian Engineer stated. "As for the why the data had been thus restricted, we can only theorize as to the reason."
 
"She does not want this to end," Ensign Dalziel offered with a rather ominous tone.
 
---
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge (Reality #2)
Stardate: 63073.1300
 
"Why did you say that?" The Shillian asked referring to the last words spoken by Sonah about it being time for her to allow herself to complete the task she had set to accomplish.
 
"My dearest Maya, I may not be your father but I am far from being a novice in the areas of physical science and personal psychology. Even without looking at your work station I have been able to determine that you have been finding ways to hinder your own work; the way you nervously looked in my direction as if afraid that I would discover something. Somewhere deep inside, you do not wish for this to end, or for me to leave."
 
The Shillian Scientist had been ready to unleash a barrage of reasons and facts to prove Sonah wrong, that she had done everything in her power to solve this temporal problem, but in the end no words came out. The more the Chief Science Officer thought about the preposterous accusation brought up against her, the more the Shillian Scientist realised that she had indeed hindered her own work, either subconsciously or not.
 
"Your friends need you," Sonah said to the Shillian Scientist in a gentle, caring voice as he withdrew his touch from her cheek.

"I am," the Shillian began before she hesitated to finish the sentence.
 
"You have nothing to be sorry about my dear Maya," Sonah quickly continued. "Just remember that your father is proud of you.
 
---
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge (Reality #1)
Stardate: 63073.1305
 
"Reading a massive build-up of energy in the main deflector," Ensign Thomas announced with great surprise.
 
"You managed to brake through the data lockout?" The Oltharian questioned, equally surprised by this unexpected turn of events.
 
"It was not us," Ensign Mitshiba stated as she took several steps back from the science console.
 
After a few tense seconds the ship was engulfed by a bright flash of light, and when it vanished the members of the crew on the bridge noted that their number had increased by one. The Chief Science Officer had appeared out of nowhere with several tears slowly caressing her cheeks.

---
Jessica Solarik

Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P144: USS ANUBIS: Thomas: Day 4 - 1240 ("Mind The Issues")

#####
"Mind The Issues"
[Previous post: "Together At Last" written by the well talented Ashley Shane.]
#####

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 16, Corridors
Stardate: 63073.1240
Elliot looked at his brother and with a smile on his face he asked, "Whats wrong with talking to me?"

With a gaped expression Bob replied, "Nothing much bro, but Montgomery Scott!"

The COO turned from his brother and looked down the corridor and questioned with a nod, "Do you fancy heading to the Bridge I'm going to have to find out what is happening here?"

The starship maintenance worker nodded and agreed, "Lets go then bro."

As they walked the corridor ET could not help but ask, "Why did you not come back to see me after you left? you said that you would come back."

Bob was surprised why his brother had picked now to talk of this, and the surprised look on his face must have been more noticeable than he had expected it too be because his brother had stopped walking completely waiting for a response from him.

"Well, I wanted to but I have been so busy with work that I have simply not had enough time to contact you," responded the maintenance worker.

Elliot turned on his heals and continued to walk in silence with his older brother following in the direction of the turbo lift, then he stopped again and turned to face his brother for a second time and commented "Are you really expecting me to believe that you were to busy to even to give me a call?"

Bobs expression changed and the COO could sense his brothers uneasiness then continued to ask "Really what is it that you are not telling me, you know that I know when you are hiding something."

The starship maintenance worker stared at his brother then angrily retaliated "Well thats good coming from you, when was the last time that you called me to say hello.  I mean one minute your calling me regular and then nothing."  he paused then continued "so really how long has it been?"

This time Elliot was trying to change the subject, "It doesn't matter, lets just get to the bridge OK."

The two men walked into the turbo lift and as the doors were closing Bob's voice stated, "Bridge."

=====
Craig Mitchell

Ensign Elliot Thomas.
Chief Operations Officer.
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

[The Universe is a huge place, but you always seem to meet someone you know just around the corner.]
OLD-P143: USS ANUBIS: Fanggot: Day 4 - 1130 ("Together At Last")‏

~~~~~~~~~~
"Together At Last"
(Cont. from "Overactive Imagination")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1130

====^*^====

Stunned, the Kzinti was literally speechless. Hex watched as myth after myth appeared on the bridge, closing her own mind from imagining anything to frightful. It wasn’t working well… her mother’s face was branded into her mind and her cheek still stung slightly. The officer watched the muscled man disappear slowly, thankful for the release in tension.

“Aki,” Hex managed to gasp, “Was that your imagination then?”

Ensign Mitshiba had turned a bright red but answered truthfully, “I was thinking of mythology on EARTH and he sort of… popped into my head.”

“I can see why” Hex muttered playfully, grinning at the aSciO. The fantasy human was obviously something that the aCSciO was used to seeing.

[[I wonder what mother would say if someone like him were to go to KZINTI PRIME…]] Hex thought, quickly cutting it off. It was too late, with an inward groan; the Kzinti watched the space between Eve and Aki shimmer. The Ensign prepared for the worst as a body began to form.

“Aki…” Eve warned, looking at the shape with slight annoyance, “who is it this time?”

“I didn’t, I swear, my mind is clear.” Aki responded defensively, looking at Hex a moment.

What appeared was not her mother, to the Kzinti’s relief, but another member from her past. Relief vanished and Hex froze in fear, it was her brother. Damon now stood in his traditional traveling robes on the bridge.

“Little sister…” he hissed, walking up to close enough to touch her before realizing that they weren’t alone, “you have a lot to answer to…”

“Aki, Eve… I’d like you both to meet my older brother Damon,” Hex stated with only a brief hesitation. With the others in their direct presence, Hex wasn’t as scared of her brother as before.

Damon did what the officer thought was very strange, he actually wrapped his arm around his sister's shoulders and offered a wide smile to the others, “Pleased to make your acquaintance I’m sure, but I really must be going, don’t want to be late for the wedding.”

The other officers glanced at Hex questioningly, which she merely shook her head, to fragile-feeling to respond directly to anything with words. Damon felt her move and tightened his grip on her, pressing his fingers against her collar bone directly over her scar. The Kzinti gasped, he was threatening her.

Hex was tired of the family reunions and the forced marriage she was never planning to accept. Closing her eyes the Ensign tried to imagine Damon away, knowing she’d get questions about it later. Gradually she noticed that the grip on her arms was gone.

“Hex, do I have to arrange an appointment for you too?” Ensign Dalziel sighed; trying to make a mental note of how many patients she’d received after this little trip was over and done with.

“NO!” Hex protested, feeling a sudden panic-stricken fear rise into her throat. The rest of her protest was cut short when she heard the doors to the bridge open.

All those in the bridge turned to see Elan carrying a wounded Klingon through, swiftly followed by Ensign Lopez and Summers as well as the ship’s computer Annie. They looked relieved to see the other senior officers in the room.

The Kzinti moved away from the opening a few steps, trying to put as much distance in between her and the Oltharian as she could without the others noticing. This was all just getting better and better.

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanngot
Assistant Chief of Security/Tactical
USS ANUBIS

OLD-P142: USS ANUBIS: Mitshiba: Day 4 - 1120 ("Overactive Imagination")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Overactive Imagination"
(Cont. from "What")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1120

While she sat at the science station, Aki tried her best to better understand what had happened.  From having come face-to-face with the Monkey King and the Jade Emperor to having been an expected sacrifice for the Egyptian god Anubis, these last few moments had been rather difficult to accept as having been genuine events.  The aCSciO chuckled slightly as she silently wondered what other prominent mythological figure would grace them with a visit next.

Without even having consciously thought about it, images began to form in the Ensign's mind, images created from the aCSciO's limited knowledge of ancient Mythology and apparently overactive imagination. Suddenly a single image came into focus, as clear and precise as if it had been a physical object within the officer's grasp.

"Aki?" Eve called out with a great deal of uncertainty and surprise in her voice.

The aCSciO turned away from the science station and quickly discovered what had triggered the Cns' shock, a sight that instantly caught Aki's complete attention.  Standing in the middle of the bridge was a tall and handsome golden haired man with a perfectly sculpted body; his leather pants hugged his muscular legs and left little to the imagination.  The low cut of the weathered sleeveless shirt had given the three women present a delightful view of his strapping chest.  The size of a single of his biceps rivaled that of a normal humanoid's head, and appeared as hard as the strongest metal known to the Federation.

"Oh my," Aki said in complete astonishment before she forced her mouth closed and swallowed hard.  Had she truly been responsible for this? What, or more to the point who, had she been thinking about?  At that very moment the aCSciO could not recall anything or even think straight.

"And you would be?" Eve carefully asked, a delighted smile having crossed her lips.  Although the Cns had been born Cardassian and raised Bajoran, Ensign Dalziel had not been immune to the more than apparent charms of this prime specimen of the male gender that had appeared unannounced on the bridge of the ANUBIS.

"I am Hercules," the mighty muscled man replied in a strong yet gentle voice combined with a beaming smile, "Son of Zeus, Champion of man, and at your service fair maidens."

"Oh my," Aki repeated, swallowing hard once more, her heart pounding faster and faster with each passing moment.  "Can we keep him?" the aCSciO said, her thoughts having actually crossed her lips instead of having remained where they had been meant to be, hidden within her head.

"Aki!" Eve said in a stern, almost disciplinary manner.  "Send him back."

"Sorry," the aCSciO offered in regards to her first statement.  "What makes you think that he's *my* fault?"

"You mean aside from the fact that Hercules is from *EARTH's* mythology, that you have not been able to take your eyes off him even as we are talking, or that you seem ready and willing of resigning your commission so that you can leave the ship with him by your side on the first available craft?" The Cns pointed out with distinct amusement.

Aki had been ready to try and push the blame onto the Kzinti but when her eyes fell onto Hex, she noted the Sec/Tac's posture and twitching ear.  There had been little doubt that as handsome and charming as this mythical creation had been, he had not at all been Ensign Fanggot's 'dream man'.  The CSciO started to wonder what would have actually been her friend's dream man but quickly pushed the thought out of her mind for fear of summoning some large, furry beast.

"I'm sorry," the aCSciO offered, partly to Eve for having allowed her thoughts to once again stray, but mostly to this dreamy vision of a man whom she would have to will back to the realm of fantasy, in a not too distant future.  At least there had not been any urgency in sending him back as he obviously did not represent a threat to anyone.

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P141: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 1110 ("What")

==========
"What"
(Previous Post was Marissa's "Kittens Would Have Been better")
==========

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1110

The young woman stood in the middle of the ANUBIS' command deck… her enraged narrowed eyes pierced to the soul of the raven haired woman currently sitting in *her* chair. Once long ago that woman had almost cost Rikar her career as a Starfleet officer… but worse she had almost cost the redhead her life with the ship's Intel Operative and their daughter Talia.

"YOU!" Enaii let out as she appeared at the ExO's station in response to both women having thought of one another. After what the Intel Operative had just endured she had been more than happy to see her wife… at least as happy as she would have let anyone see, but when she noted the presence of the black haired woman the ILO's mood instantly changed.

Over the many years that the Intel Operative had worked, she had come to only truly hate a handful of individuals… and the raven haired woman now sitting in the ANUBIS' command chair had been one of the unfortunate few to have made that particular list. Enaii quickly made her way around the stations located behind the command level and joined her wife in the middle of the Bridge. It was only then that the reality of the situation became obvious to the ILO.
"How?" the Operative questioned, the redhead appearing utterly at a loss to explain this occurrence and the black haired woman grinning from ear-to-ear not at all caring about the question or even its answer.

==========
Scene: USS EXPLORER, Sickbay
Time Index: Several days after the void

Only minutes away from death the young woman had been rescued by the crew of a passing Ferengy cargo vessel. Given the woman assets many on the crew had expected to get a share of the sizable price such a form would have fetched on the Orion slave market. Unfortunately for them their Daimon had decided that selling a Starfleet Officer, regardless of her curves, to the Orions had simply been too dangerous.

By the time the Ferengy ship had contacted the USS EXPLORER and set course to rendezvous with the vessel, the Starfleet officer had awakened and begun to make a nuisance of herself. Having been near death had been bad enough, but to wake up on a Ferengy ship had proven to be too much for the woman. Within a few hours of her stay onboard the Daimon had been more than happy to hand their *prize*, whom they had managed to sedate, back to the Federation without even having asked for any compensation.

The young woman was leaning back against her elbows while still being on the biobed, a puzzled grin painted on her pink lips as the EXPLORER's Doctor and Nurse looked back at her with disbelief in their eyes.

"I tell you... I don't remember. I *do* remember being in a very dark and cold room... but as hard as I try, I can't remember where that room was or how I got there in the first place." The woman said, pleading her case as best she could, the fatigue she still felt clearly visible on her face.

"Welcome to the USS EXPLORER Lieutenant Commander. I am Captain Samantha Carter and if you are at all able and strong enough, I would like to ask you a few questions." Samantha said as she walked into Sickbay having been alerted as to their guest awakened state minutes earlier. The usage of the mysterious woman's rank during the greeting had served a hidden agenda... that of testing the woman's immediate knowledge and memory in the hopes of shedding some light onto her undisclosed past and assignment.

"Thank you Captain... although I have to admit to being at somewhat of a loss as to explain how I arrived into the tender care of your medical staff. As I have repeatedly told your CMO, I don't remember much." The woman said, expecting the EXPLORER's CO to pursue the line of questing the Doctor and Nurse had started almost as soon as she had regained full consciousness.

"Please forgive my bluntness, but you seem to be nothing short of a full blown mystery. Starfleet Operations said that there was no Federation vessel in the sector and that your assignment was stated as being 'Classified' doesn’t answer any of the questions which your rescue has brought to the table."

"That reminds me... I owe you and your crew a very large 'thank you'. I do vaguely remember having a rather rough time with a group of Ferengi. The best I can guess is that they found me and rescued me from wherever I was before you came along and rescued me from them." The woman said, a genuinely grateful smile having come to grace her pink lips.

"Doc?" Carter asked as she turned to face the CMO, wondering if he had anything more to add.

"Other than her exposure to an extreme cold for an undetermined period of time, she could have suffered one or more psychological shock that would have caused this lost of memory. As much as you might want to have me give you more, I can't... I'm a medical Doctor not a Counsellor. All I can base my prognosis on is the results of the medical scans… and in this case they are not telling us a whole lot more than the obvious."

"Captain... I swear... I have no reason to hide anything from you. I want to have the answers to these exact same questions as much as you do." The woman said trying to get up but rapidly reconsidering as her head began to spin.
"Take it easy." The Nurse jumped in with, taking hold of the young woman before she found a way to fall off the biobed she was on.

"You may have regained consciousness, but your body is still extremely weak. You'll need to rest for at least another 12 to 15 hours before I even consider allowing you to get off this bed." The CMO added, ready to reach for a hypospray should the woman argue or even resist.

The young woman eased her head back onto the pillow vaguely remembering similar words of wisdom having been spoken by another CMO in what felt like a lifetime ago.

"Then I have only one question to ask you at this time." The Captain said, having given both the Doctor and Nurse time to ease the young woman back down onto the biobed.

"I'll do my best to answer it Captain."

"What is your name? Starfleet Operations was only kind enough to provide us with your rank and first initial. It would be nice to know what to call you unless you actually prefer Lt. Cmdr. S. Rikar?"

The red headed woman chuckled briefly before the smile that had been on her pink lips vanished as if it had never been there. She knew her name... but for one reason or another saying it aloud had proven harder than she had thought... as if something had not been right with it. Eventually Rikar simply shook her head and met the Captain's inquisitive gaze.

"Sa... Sam... Samantha… my name is Samantha Rikar."

==========
Scene: USS AVALON
Time Index: Several Months after her rescue

With a new lease on life and an inability to discover more about her previous existence, the young woman had decided to leave her past behind and start anew. Her fiery red hair had been coloured as black as night and her general attitude towards life itself had become one of absolute abandonment… to enjoy life now because tomorrow she might be dead.

The universe, not being without a sense of irony, brought the young woman's path and that of the Intel Operative only known as Enaii back together just in time for Samantha Rikar to announce her engagement to someone else.
It was only days before the actual wedding that the persona of Sabrina emerged once again and reasserted itself as the one and only *owner* of the body, mind and soul that *Samantha* had stolen, and had been rather unwilling to return. 

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1115

"Trust me Enaii," the young woman replied to the one word question presented by her wife, "I've been trying to figure it out since she appeared on the Bridge."

"See…" Samantha grinned with unimaginable satisfaction, "my way is so much better. Who cares? I am here and you two will just have to deal with it… it's that simple."

"Deal with this," the ILO snarled as she leaped forward and wrapped her hands around the raven haired woman's throat.

"ENAII!" Sabrina called out in panic. "If this is some sort of temporal anomaly, killing her could kill *me*."

The ILO ever so slowly released her hold on Samantha's neck while still debating on the consequences and relative odds of her desired action. The thought of killing Samantha had been an alluring one, but the possibility of losing Sabrina, as she had once lost Liana had been too much for the Operative to handle… so she withdrew to several steps behind the redhead to insure that nothing would happen from her end.

The ANUBIS' CO took a moment to logically analyse the situation, for the first time allowing her mind instead of her emotions to dictate her words. "Samantha… you and I cannot be here… not like this," the redhead stated as she drew back on her knowledge as a former Chief Science Officer. "We are both the same person… at least in body if not in thought… and we can only exists together as long as we stay within the limits of whatever temporal phenomenon has created you. The moment we leave this place, you will cease to exist, and as this ship's CO I can assure you that we *will* be leaving."

"So you would deny me my life a *second* time?" Samantha queried, not displaying any fear or concerns. "You have been given a second chance… one that is allowing you to leave everything behind and start fresh… think of all the fun and adventures we could have if you just left this 'Federation puppet' act behind."

"The only thing I need to leave behind to have a full and happy life," Sabrina offered with a gentle smile on her pink lips, "is you."

With that Samantha Rikar vanished into nothingness and left the ANUBIS' CO and ILO alone on the Bridge.
 
==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P140: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 1110 ("Kittens Would Have Been Better")

-=-=-
"Kittens Would Have Been Better"
[Previous post: "Starts With Goodbye"]
-=-=-

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Corridor
Stardate: 63073.1110

The group of officers led by Annie had finally reached one of the turbolift without any further incident, everyone having managed to keep their thoughts well in check.  The possibility of dealing with a less furry but likely far more unpleasant encounter as the one they had come across during their travel had been incentive enough for each member of the group.

Ensign Lopez had found it easy to keep her thoughts from drifting onto something other than the feeling of Oltharian's protective arms around her.  There had been something calming about Elan's hold on her, a hold that she grew to cherish more as time passed.  Doctor Summers had spoken of the race's adoration for anyone working in the field of medicine, but to experience this first hand had given Adriana a totally new perspective into the ANUBIS' CEO as well as his people.

"Bridge," Annie said as the doors to the turbolift closed.  The Avatar had not needed to use the voice interface but had chosen to do so for the benefit of the other members of the group.

As the pod began to move Adriana felt Elan's hold on her weaken, a feeling that the aCMO quickly noticed and drew her gaze up to meet that of the giant.  "You are safe now Healer," the CEO stated with a smile which the Ensign returned without hesitation as she found the absence of the Oltharian's arms to be less than welcomed.  A glance in the CMO's direction though quickly indicated that Lea had been happy to see the some distance between the two officers.

Ensign Lopez made a mental note to delicately brush the subject of the Olthairan with her superior to see if there had been some sort of relationship between the two of them, one that extended beyond the confines of their professional duties.

"Internal sensors are picking up weapons' fire," Annie suddenly announced.  "Deck 3, near transporter room 2."

"We should check it out," Elan said with a clear concern for his fellow shipmates.

"With these distorted realities who knows what was conjured," the CMO added.  "They may require medical assistance."

"I think the situation may be more urgent than that," the Avatar continued.  "I have identified the type of weapons used; Romulan disruptors."

"Either the Romulan from that War Bird have found a way to get onboard or someone decided to think-up a group of Romulans," Adriana sighed heavily.  "Either way this is not good."

"Redirecting turbolift pod to transporter room 2," the Avatar reported with an uneasy calmness.  "Arrival in 8 seconds."

The rest of the group required no further warning to prepare for what they would be landing in the middle of.  Phasers were quickly drawn and brought to full readiness by Elan and Annie while the two medical officers braced themselves for what they had hoped would not be carnage.

The moment the doors opened a single figure rushed inside and tackled the Oltharian to the ground as the blasts from Romulan disruptors filled the air and impacted against the back of the pod.  Annie quickly lowered herself to one knee to reduce her exposure and returned fire while Doctor Summers and Ensign Lopez did their best to address the issue within their reach.

"A Klingon?" Adriana said as she rolled the body that had knocked Elan down off the stunned CEO.  "And he's hurt; I count at least 3 disruptor impacts to his back."

"I am Karg," the wounded Klingon barely managed having been brought to near death by the multiple weapons' hit he had received at the hands of the Romulans.  "Please help me."

"Annie!" Elan called out, the urgency in his voice made it clear to the Avatar that she had been authorize to use whatever means at her disposal to bring this situation to an end.

"Initiating emergency containment," Annie said as her eyes closed for a brief moment.  "Force fields are now in place, adding 100 parts per thousand of Trichloromethane to oxygen supply."

"100 parts per *thousand*?!?  Isn't that overdoing it a little?" Doctor Summers gasped as a fraction of this would have been more than sufficient to knock out a fully grown man.  The reply came in the form of several loud thumps as the Romulans dropped to the ground like dead lead weights.

"Never trust a Romulan," the Avatar said with what had almost been a smile.  "Plus it means that they will not be causing any more damage to my corridors for a long while."

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P139: USS ANUBIS: Enaii: Day 4 - ???? ("Starts With Goodbye")

-=-=-=-=-
"Starts With Goodbye"
Continued from Tiffany's "Trouble Along The Way"
-=-=-=-=-

Setting: Alien Planet
Stardate: Far Distant Future

Enaii stood waist deep in a sparkling field of golden grass, she had no idea how she'd gotten here, but she recognized the place immediately.  More importantly, she recognized the time.

This day, with its two crimson suns scorching through a thoroughly crisp breeze blowing straight from a frozen wasteland, marked a fateful day, both in her past, and her future.  The day, that while on an undercover mission in the Obsidian Order, she and her lover, another undercover operative working for another government, stumbled into a reproductive garden and created their love child.  Though her mistress had infiltrated the Order as a Risean pleasure servant and so required no surgical alterations, Enaii herself had infiltrated as a Cardassian.  When their daughter was conceived, or more accurately created, they had abandoned the child to the government of this futuristic planet, so that no one would find out the true genetic lineage of the young operative.

Talia would live her first two years here, without love, without her mothers.  Then some unknown force would return the child to Enaii, back in the past, four years before the day that the ILO had woken up to this very morning, but several centuries before the day that she was experiencing now.

"Enaii?" the voice called out from behind her, and the ANUBIS's acting ExO closed her eyes against a sudden wave of emotion that passed over her.  "What are you doing?" the voice was happy, slightly curious, and so lively that Enaii did not dare move lest she cause the sound to fade.

"Liana," she whispered, barely audibly.  She couldn't move, she wanted to open her eyes, but knew this hallucination would be too fleeting were she to indulge herself.

"Of course it's me," the voice chuckled, the woman sounded as melodious as the sweetest angel.

Suddenly, gently, Enaii felt the woman's hand on the small of her back, tracing her hips as she circled around the operative.

"Enaii, are you alright?" concern laced the Risean's voice, the worry caused Enaii physical pain, and she opened her eyes to reassure the voice.

"Oh gods," she gasped, the illusion stood in front of her, as real as the day they had been here so many years ago, so many years in the future.  Liana wore a baby blue dress of the finest silk, it hugged her legs in the breeze, as her blond hair flowed backwards in the wind.  She could see their future child in her eyes.  "You are so beautiful."

An incredible smile spread across the Risean's lips, lighting up all her features, making her beauty stand out even more, if that were even possible.  Enaii reached out slowly and gently ran the tips of her finger down the contours of the woman's cheek, her porcelain skin standing up to the touch.  "You feel so real," she whispered in disbelief.

"Of course I'm real," Liana countered, a little taken aback, "Have you eaten anything strange?  I didn't hear about any local toxins, but maybe we should get you back to the ship."

"No!" the operative objected strongly before calming completely, "No, I'm well.  I just got caught in the moment, with the suns at your back like that, you truly look divine... like the gods themselves sculpted you."  She watched her lover's face blush, and struggled to burn the image into her mind, she never wanted this moment to end.  "I love you so much Liana.  I wanted to tell you while we were here, but I never had the strength to admit it until we had no more time left."

"Enaii, we just got here yesterday, and we're staying here for at least a week," the Risean objected, "Are you sure you're alright?"

The Intel Agent smiled widely, her eyes sparkling in the crimson sunlight.  "Perfect.  I just wanted to make sure you knew how I felt."

"I know," Liana whispered as she leaned forward and just barely touched Enaii's lips with her own before parting.  "I love you too."

The pleasure servant reached out and took her young lover by the hand and began to lead her on a walk.  The Operative followed without sound, simply taking in every movement of her lover, committing it all to memory, taking not a single second for granted.  After about an hour of walking silently together, Enaii had almost forgotten about everything, just living in this moment of time.  Whether she was in her past, her future, or a pleasant illusion made no difference.  All that mattered was being here, in this place, at this time, with this company.  As they approached a massive granite wall, carved decoratively in alien heiroglyphs, the reality of her life came crashing back down on the Operative with the force of a tsunami.  They didn't know it then, but this beautiful walled garden, with its gorgeous flowered archways and open sky, was one of six reproductive gardens on this planet.  Couples seeking to have a child would visit the gardens, samples of their DNA taken through undetectable means, and a child was created in one of the baby labs.  This only happened if the forces of the garden, something Enaii didn't fully understand, deemed the couple worthy of a child.  If their love and connection to eachother was strong enough.

Liana's love for Enaii was strong enough to abandon their child in order to save her lover's life.  Enaii would never forgive herself for allowing Liana to make that sacrifice.  But now, as they stood outside of the garden, the ILO had to make a choice.  They could walk inside, as they did so many years ago, so many years from now, on this day, and Liana would have to make that sacrifice again.  Or, Enaii could lead her away, they could explore another garden, and if this really was happening as it had before, if Enaii were really reliving this time, Talia would never be born and her lover would never have to shed tears over their lost child.

The Operative paused, her mind racing a light year every second.  She had never questioned being Talia's mother when the girl showed up on their bridge, she had looked at the child as a gift, a piece of her long broken heart returned to her, a little bit of Liana that would outlive them both.  She never debated keeping the girl at that point, but she had been alone... she could change things now, she and Liana could be happily together.  She had told her daughter many times about her other mother, about how much Liana would have loved her... but the operative had never once that she could remember told the girl that she herself loved her.  Enaii was proud of their child, protective of her, but did she love Talia enough to sacrifice this chance?

Inhaling deeply, Enaii looked at the orchard to the west of them, it would be only a short walk, and they could dine on succulent fruit and lounge under a sweetly fragrant tree. They could forget about this garden with its unique purpose.  Exhaling, Enaii sqeazed Liana's hand just a little harder.  "This garden looks interesting, the walls are so intricate."

The Risean nodded, "I don't suppose you know what these hieroglyphs mean?  It almost looks like it tells a story."

"Well," Enaii almost choked, but managed to keep her throat clear, "Let's go in and check it out."

The angelic woman almost glowed, "Let's!" she exclaimed as she lead the ANUBIS's ILO into the floral sanctuary.  It was just as amazing as the agent remembered, with petals that flowed like liquid over the ground and a sweet perfume filling the air.  A fountain with water too clear to even exist sat in the center, a single bench facing the misted spray stood inviting them to sit and relax.

Quietly, they took their place and sat mesmerized by the natural rhythm of the garden.

After what seemed like hours, Enaii finally spoke, breaking the silence.  "I am not from this time."

"Neither of us are Enaii, but it sure is a magical era, is it not?" Liana replied.  "Wouldn't it be glorious to stay here?  Maybe we'll live long enough to see something like this in our lifetime."

"No," the Operative corrected, "I didn't mean that, I mean, I'm not the Enaii from your time line.  I come from your future."

The Risean nodded, "That does explain a lot.  You seem older, harder... like the years have chiseled you."

Enaii looked away from her former lover, she hadn't thought about the young lady she had been those many years ago, before everything changed, before the universe became cold and empty.  Sitting beside Liana she had almost deluded herself into thinking she could exist just like she had before those years had sculpted her.  But even in these mostly quiet moments, her former lover had picked up on how different she was.  Suddenly she became accutely aware of the starfleet uniform she was wearing as it became heavy on her flesh.

"Can I ask you anything?  Or will it violate the temporal prime directive?" the Risean half teased.

"Ask," Enaii whispered, "I could never deny you anything."

"We're..." Liana paused as if not sure how to say what was on her mind, "Not together in your future, are we?"

"No," the operative replied.

"What happened to us?" the pleasure servant inquired.

Enaii sighed and closed her eyes.  The pain was almost too much to bear.  "We have a child, you and I, she will be born today and she is six years old in my future, which is almost a decade after we return to our time.  She is half Risean and half Human."

Liana nodded, "So we leave her here?  So that your cover won't be blown and you won't be killed?"

"Yes."

"But how?  How could we possibly have a child together?  Especially one born today???" the Risean questioned, the confusion evident in her voice.

"I'm not exactly sure how it works," the ILO answered, "but this place is where the people of this planet come to have their children created from their genes.  The garden works automatically, we have already been sampled, our daughter should be born very soon."

"Is she why we break up?  Is that why you stopped outside of the garden?"

Enaii shook her head only slightly, "We never broke up," she wanted to continue but choked on her words.

"But you said..." Liana argued feebly, knowing where this must be going.

"I stopped because I thought I might be able to make your last days less painful.  I thought maybe I could convince you to run away with me once we got back to our time, if we didn't have the knowledge of our abandoned child, I thought we could make it work."

The Risean was quiet for a few minutes, as if digesting her immanent death.  "You decided to bring me here anyway?  Even when you could have changed it all?"

"I'm sorry Liana," Enaii barely managed to force the words from her throat, she could feel the hole in her heart eating away at her under the pressure of her growing self-doubt.  "I had to, for Talia.  I'm married now, my wife adopted our daughter..."

The Risean smiled the most pure, unburdened smile.  "Talia?  Is that our daughter's name?"

The Operative nodded.

"It's perfect!  Tell me about her."

Enaii grinned, "Talia is more beautiful than the Risean ocean at dusk, and smarter than both of us combined.  She is gentle and kind, but a fiersome force of nature at the same time.  She loves with all her heart, and hates with all her heart, and never does anything halfway.  She can't sing a lick, but she dances like every rythm calls her soul to move and her body is just following along.  She has blonde hair and she is just beginning to develop her Risean markings.  I see so much of you in her eyes."

Tears were flowing freely from Liana, and her left hand covered her quivering lower lip.  "Does she know of me?"

The Operative took her former lover's hand tightly into her own.  "Of course she does.  She was named on Risa as tradition would dictate, adopted there, and your father presided over my wedding... he transfered your rite to my wife, and your spirit."

"My spirit?!?  I will be preserved then!"  The Risean gasped, "Oh Enaii, you could not have given me better news than to know that not only would I live on through a child, but my energy would not be dispersed into nothingness after my death."

The ILO smiled weakly.  She knew how much the rituals surrounding death meant to the Riseans, but she did not personally believe in such invisible forces as souls and spirits.

After another long moment, Liana spoke once more.  "Enaii... tell me how I die."

The operative swallowed hard, she had hoped the woman would not ask this of her.  "Two months after we return to our time we will fight over leaving Talia here...  I will tell you it was not worth your sorrow, and I will leave you.  That night, your true identity will be discovered, the tight five will reveal who you are to the Cardassians.  The beatings will be brutal, and they will go on for hours.  In the end, I will come to you, and you will die on my blade."  Tears broke from her eyes and streamed down the ILO's cheek before she was able to control herself.

"Thank you Enaii," the Risean choked out, "I know this will not be easy for you, but knowing you will come to me, to release me from the torture, and to preserve my spirit... it brings me great comfort."

"It shouldn't!"  Enaii barked, "You will die, and I will kill you!"

Liana sighed and grinned just slightly, "Yes.  But I will die looking into eyes that love me, you will take my last breath into yourself, my child will live for years to come, and she will know of me!  She will be a dancer, a fireball, a smart gentle soul who carries me in her eyes.  What is the point of life if it is not that?!?"  The Risean gently stroked the back of Enaii's hand with the fingers of her free hand.  "You need to let go of these demons...  it's time to move on with the rest of your life."

Before the ILO could reply, and in a dizzying instant, she was back on the bridge of the ANUBIS, alone, and more than a little disturbed that she had lowered her guard enough to allow herself to be sucked into an illusion. 

Growling to herself and harshly wiping away the wetness on her cheeks, she walked to the ExO's station and began trying to figure out what was going on. 

-=-=-=-=-
Author's name removed

Writing the hopes, dreams and future of:

Commander Enaii
Intelligence Liaison Officer / Acting ExO
USS ANUBIS

"Whatever absolute darkness there is out there in the universe, she's on a first name basis with it."
~ Hex Fanggot regarding Enaii (Written by Marissa Montonera-Lombardi)
OLD-P138: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 1100 ("Trouble Along The Way")

=-=
"Trouble Along The Way"
[Previous post: "Three Girls, a Ship and a Deity", written by the exceptional Susan]
=-=

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Corridor
Stardate: 63073.1100

The ANUBIS had never felt so large, and the Bridge as distant as it did right now. With every stray thought a potential hazard, the small band of officers had moved carefully through the corridors. Several times along their journey the CMO had wished to have the mental control of a Vulcan. Lea had figured that to be able to push back all emotions and irrelevant thoughts would have been useful.

That idea hung in Doctor Summers' mind for a while and eventually led the CMO to think of the ANUBIS' ILO. Enaii had not been Vulcan, at least not genetically, but the woman had often displayed a control of her thoughts similar to those of that race. Lea grinned to herself as she thought that the Intel Operative acted far more Romulan than anything else.

Fear quickly washed over Lea as she realized what she had been thinking. Visions of the *evil* Enaii back in Sickbay snapping Adriana's neck instantly turned the CMO's stomach. The Doctor needed to control her thoughts, and quickly before something happened. In an effort to ward off these images Doctor Summers imagined things as far away from what Enaii represented. Happy thoughts, such as birthdays, celebrations were quickly summoned. Gentle and peaceful thoughts quickly followed, like flowers and kittens.

Lea felt a surge of peacefulness wash over her as these thoughts took hold. She had not understood why but the CMO felt powerless to fight this feeling. As if she had been floating, Doctor Summers felt light, almost giddy, a sensation that she could have enjoyed for hours and hours.

Unfortunately for her, someone interrupted the CMO's train of thoughts with a rather abrupt calling of her name.

"LEA!"

Doctor Summers jumped as if she had just been awakened from a deep sleep. It had not taken long for Lea to realize why she had been snapped back into reality so forcefully. Dozens upon dozens of small, furry kittens covered the floor for as far as the eyes could see. As adorable as each and every one of them had been, the scene in general had been more of a nightmare than a dream.

"Kittens?" Elan asked his politeness and respect for the ANUBIS' CMO not having wavered despite his puzzlement.

"Sorry," Lea sheepishly replied. "Trust me though; the alternative would be much, much worse."

"As pleasant as these creatures may be,"' the Avatar said. "It would make our journey easier if we did not have to step around them."

"I'm guessing you want me to wish them away," Lea said, still a little amused by the scene she had inadvertently created.

"The alternative would be much, much worse," Annie said in a voice that perfectly imitated that of Doctor Summers.

"That wasn't funny," Lea grimaced. "If you are going to imitate someone while saying something like that, do Enaii. Dispatching innocent kittens seems to be far more her thing than mine."

"You just summon them into existence," Elan playfully added. The CEO knew that the Avatar's words had not been meant as an insult or any other type of affront. The words had just fit the situation too perfectly for the android to ignore.

Lea sighed, closed her eyes and focused her thoughts onto the kittens. To see them vanish had not been enough for the CMO who had not wanted to injure them in anyway. Real or not, those lovely little creatures had deserved something better than to simply be thoughts into oblivion. So Doctor Summers imagined the entire litter transported into another world, a heavenly placed for kittens. Large climbing trees and countless balls of strings were scattered in an endless grassy field.

When Lea reopened her eyes the corridor had returned to its original state, not a single fur ball could be seen.

"There," Lea said with a smile. "No more kittens, now we can make it to the bridge unhindered."

"We can hope," Elan whispered as the band of officers resumed their perilous journey to the ANUBIS' Bridge.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P137: USS ANUBIS: Dalziel: Day 4 - 1048 ("Three Girls, a Ship, and a Deity")

==========
"Three Girls, a Ship, and a Deity"
(Previous Post: "Who" by the inspirational Sabrina)
==========

"Stories can be whimsical... or frightening... or melancholy... or many other things. But noble stories... are the ones that most affect our lives."
Eudana to Kim, VGR, "Prime Factors"

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1048

Ensign Eve Dalziel counted down a break in the Morse Code pattern. She needed to give whoever was watching time to respond, or at the very least time to see the console was not malfunctioning, that there was a methodical rhythm to the blinking lights. 

The empty Bridge had a cold, impersonal feeling, like a museum display. If anyone doubted that it was the crew of a Starship that made her tick, and not necessarily its warp nacelles, this was an irrefutable example.

It was unfortunate that Eve had nobody to share this tidbit of wisdom with. Even though Amanda Lopez had not been completely cooperative, she was someone else to talk to. A kindred spirit. Someone or something with a story to tell. Most of all, Amanda was a reminder of the extreme need for a Counsellor aboard the ANUBIS. It felt nice to be needed.

Eve, noticing her break was over, leaned over the console again, once more telegraphing her cryptic message along the illuminated display.

Suddenly, but without a commotion, The Kzinti assistant Sec/Tac officer appeared on the Bridge as if out of thin air. She looked disoriented, but otherwise unharmed. As Ensign Fanggot's felinoid gaze fell upon the ship's Counsellor, an expression of elation formed on her childlike face.

Ensign Dalziel mirrored the younger officer's relief. "Hex- it's good to see you. Are you alright?"

Hex didn't seem sure how to answer that question, but finally managed. "Yes." Her insides were crawling with everything she had seen and experienced. This wasn't the time or the place to discuss it, and if the petite furball had her way, it would never cross her lips to Eve or anyone else.

The taller woman nodded. "I'm glad to hear it... how did you find me?"

"I don't know," Hex began, trying not to give anything away. "I was thinking about the crew, seeing their faces in my mind, seeing the Bridge of the ANUBIS, and I just... *arrived*."

Even though it wasn't time to stop yet, Eve's hand paused in the middle of her Morse Code message. Amanda's words about Adriana echoed in her mind. [[Everyone is free to think what they wish, experience what they want, with no boundaries.]] "Could it really be *that* simple?" she said.

"Could *what* be that simple?" the Kzinti female said, approaching Eve near the science station.

Eve paused before trying to explain. This was getting way too complicated. "Based on my limited understanding, and certain events that have taken place, it appears the anomaly that separated us can be modified by our own thoughts. In other words, what you think, what you imagine, comes to pass. The thoughts of those inside each temporal bubble create the existence that is experienced."

A look of realization came over Hex's visage. That explained a lot. "So when I thought of returning to the ship, I returned to the ship."

"Yes. With that proof that the hypothesis is correct, I have a concern."

The knot in Hex's stomach resurfaced. "Which is?"

"I am worried that the experiences being crafted by each member of the crew are so distinctive, so vivid, that they may feel as though they *are* reality. That they may not choose to return, or choose to forget their previous lives aboard the ANUBIS." That possibility was overwhelming.

Hex winced. For once she was grateful her childhood had been such a horror. It made her think of her new life, and had brought her back to the here and now.

Dalziel realized she hadn't explained to Ensign Fanggot what she was doing at the console. "I'm sending a message via Morse Code by making the lights turn on and off. I'm guessing that someone is still on the Bridge within another temporal space, and that they may see this message and try to communicate with us. The ship, as well as any other mechanical material, was unaffected by the event."

Hex resisted the urge to check the weapons display. She knew the arsenal was still there, waiting to be used. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Actually, you helped me immensely by coming back to the ship. I have another idea. We both need to think of whomever can see this message, and imagine ourselves being able to join with them. If someone has noticed it, this should cause a reunion. Two minds thinking the same thing have to be more powerful than one."

"Okay," the Kzinti woman answered gamely, trying to focus her mind on the console and whomever would be observing it. 

Eve closed her eyes, placing all her energy on the console and imagining someone was seeing her message and that they were trying to find the source. [[By the Prophets, let this work,]] she thought, still transmitting her information to whoever would notice it.

A few minutes later, Eve felt a wash of dizziness overtake her, and opened her eyes reflexively with the discomfort. She saw Ensign Mitshiba at the Engineering station, and Hex was still there on the Bridge also. This was a good sign, probably one of the best signs she could have hoped for. But they were not alone. A rather menacing figure seemed to be tracing their every move with his imposing countenance. It was most definitely *not* one of the crew.

(From Dawn's last post)

"Aki?  Who is your 'tall, dark and furry' friend?" Eve asked while Hex stood unsure if she needed to jump to the aCSciO's defense and rescue or find a corner to hide in.

The Jackal-headed deity turned and growled menacingly towards the two women who had simply appeared out of nowhere as far as it had been concerned.

"That may not be such an easy question to answer," Aki replied, trying to figure out the best way possible to explain the situation.  After a few seconds of deliberation the aCSciO opted for the simplest possible course of action.  "Allow me to introduce to you the physical representation of the Egyptian deity; Anubis."

"You and I are going to have a *very* long chat about this," Eve hissed at Aki before she returned her eyes onto the imposing figure that easily matched the CEO in height and size.

(Back to Mine)

"What is the meaning of your arrival?" Anubis demanded. The thought of three sacrifices made him feel even more superior than he had a few moments ago.

Eve looked to Aki. After all, it was *her* imagination they were all staring at. "I'm busy, and I already told him as much," Mitshiba said under her breath.

"Then why didn't he leave?" Eve thought out loud. She turned to the manifestation and tried to formulate a logical answer. "We are attempting to restore the crew of this ship that has been so honorably named after you," the Counsellor said, attempting to placate the imaginary Deity. "We appreciate your visit, but do not require your assistance. You have already done so much to serve your people."

"Then there will be no ceremony?" the god angrily replied.

"The creation of this ship *was* your ceremony," Eve answered in a level tone, making a mental note to more familiarize herself with Egyptian history. Then once more, she turned to the assistant Science Officer, speaking in a hushed voice. "Just think him away, Aki, that's all you have to do. He *isn't* real. Imagine him going back to the past, back to his people. The only thing that is real is this ship and the predicament we are facing. You have the power here, not him." The counsellor then gazed at Ensign Fanggot, who was staring at the creation with a heightened curiosity. "Don't feed into his energy, Hex. He is a figment of Aki's overactive imagination."

"I just need to find out why the science console is malfunctioning," Aki said, trying to will herself to the task at hand.

"I did that," Dalziel said with perhaps too much excitement. "I was trying to send a message, then Hex and I began to consciously think of whoever was seeing the console, so we could connect with them. And now, here we are." She went over to demonstrate what she had done.

With the confidence that nothing was wrong with the ship, and that what Eve was saying had to be true, Aki's mood brightened considerably. And, as if on cue, Anubis faded into nothingness once again. "Much better," the Asian woman added for good measure.

A more relaxed awareness was palpable as the three women tried to focus their energies on getting back to normal. Hex began running a full systems diagnostic to keep herself occupied. "That was a close call," she admitted, her fur nearly standing on end.

"Everyone has their demons," Aki said, feeling a sense of relief.

Eve grinned at the pun. "I'm pretty well adjusted now... but when I was sixteen, that's another story."

"I don't know anyone who *wasn't* awkward at sixteen," Aki added. Hex silently agreed.

"I'll have to tell you about it sometime," Eve replied. "But you're going to be talking to me first."

"Agreed," Mitshiba reluctantly answered, then realized that the shrewd Counsellor had not given her a specific timetable. It could be months before Eve had an available appointment at this rate. That thought made the assistant Science Officer smile.

"Perhaps you and Ensign Thomas can participate in couples counselling," Eve added softly with a mischievous tone, which caused the smile to fade from Aki's face. Ensign Fanggot stifled a playful giggle.

Eve knew when it was time to change the subject. "Have you had the chance to review the data from Maya's last action before the separate temporal bubbles formed?" she asked hopefully, knowing that Aki would have a much better chance of figuring out what to do than the Counsellor had.

==========
Susan M Ledbetter
=/\=
Ensign Eve Dalziel
Counsellor
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

"I savored those stories; I read them slowly, one each day. And when I was done, I wished I hadn't read them at all. So I could read them again... like it was the first time."
-Melanie to Old Jake, DS9, "The Visitor"
OLD-P136: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 1100 ("Who")

==========
"Who"
(Previous Post was Dawn's "Shared Madness")
==========

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1100

The young woman stood in the middle of the ANUBIS' command deck… her narrowed eyes locked with those of the woman who now stood directly in front of her.  The raven haired woman had a playful air about her, as if nothing in the world had or could trouble her.  This absolute carefree attitude could have easily become the envy of many, but to the redhead this mannerism had only been a source of hatred and disgust.

"So you actually made Captain," the woman dressed in a Starfleet uniform which displayed the rank insignia of a Lt. Commander teasingly stated before she broke Rikar's glare.  "Guess Starfleet is desperate or they have drastically lowered their standards," the woman added as she toured the bridge, her slender fingers caressing whatever surface had been within range.

"Their standards have not changed," Rikar angrily offered as a defence.  "You just didn't have it in you to abide by the rules; all you cared about was the moment, never giving tomorrow a second thought.  As long as you got what you wanted, you didn't care who got hurt in the process.  You were a disgrace to that uniform then as you are now today."

"Sabrina," the black haired woman sighed, her demeanour not having changed a bit… the woman truly appeared as if she had not a care in the world.  "So you made Captain… but at what price?  Just look at that last evening with your dear wife… an evening that she had thoroughly prepared and which you destroyed because you were too busy being this ship's *Captain*," the raven haired woman continued as sat in the central chair and seductively crossed her legs.  "Face it my dear… as much as you may despise me… you envy the freedom that I had… the freedom of being a woman before the responsibilities of being an officer."

Rikar stood with her eyes narrowed and her fists clenched… her rage had grown to such a level that a Klingon would have likely taken several steps back instead of confronting the ship's CO had they been present.

"*Woman* would not be the first word that comes to mind when describing you…" Rikar hissed with enough venom in her words to slay a thousand grown men.

==========
Setting: Somewhere in the middle of nowhere
Time Index: At this point, who knows…

The young woman sat across from the elderly humanoid man, a traditional camp fire dancing between them and a single smooth bolder beneath her.  It had maybe been only minutes... or hours... or maybe even days since she had made her way here... wherever here was... but now she didn't care.

The dark, empty world that surrounded her meant nothing more than what it represented... nothing.  Her entire universe now rested in her immediate surroundings, even closer than within arm's reach.  Thanks to the old man who had welcomed her into what she could only imagine was his domain, the young woman's troubles had all but vanished into the darkness around her.

For the first time in her life, she could honestly say that she didn't care... about anything.  Actually, to be more accurate, Rikar didn't care about the outside world anymore, but she did care about one thing... cared about them very much in fact... her memories.

"I wasn't looking where I was going and suddenly... *bang*!  I ran into him... or was it that *he* ran into *me*?  I don't remember exactly... but I remember his face when we looked at each other afterwards." The young woman said sounding as carefree as could be.

"You seem to have many memories of this person... was he someone special to you?"

"Yes he was... they all were... I can remember so many faces now... so many friends... so many people who filled my life in one way or another... and now... I think... I think I miss them." Rikar thoughtfully said, trying desperately to hang on to specific memories when all she could conjure forth were vague, general ones.

"So now do you believe you can answer my question?" The ancient asked, his voice sounding as gentle as wise as ever.

"Your question?  What question?" Rikar innocently asked, truly not recalling *the* specific question he had made reference to.

"Can you tell me who you are?"

A gentle smile came to grace the young woman's pink lips as for the first time since that question had been ask, she truly believed to have had the answer.

Like a dream taking on physical form, a small ragged, used doll appeared in her hands... and when it did, the young woman clenched it within a loving two-handed grip.

"Who is she?" The wise elder asked, sounding as if he already knew the answer.

"Her name is Samantha... she was the first thing my father gave me... she was my first and fondest memory as a child."  As Rikar recalled that first memory, tears began to caress her cheeks, the emotions summoned being too much for the young woman to contain.

"So... who are you?"

"I am..." she began with confidence and certainty but before the answer crossed her lips, she felt a deathly cold sweep over her, reaching all the way to her very soul.  The shock of the sensation had been so intense that the doll she had in her hands was dropped and fell to the ground at her feet.

As if suddenly deprived of oxygen, Rikar found it almost impossible to breath, her body now trembling from the unimaginable cold that had engulfed her.

Unexpectedly, the campfire that had stood between the elder and herself vanished as if it had never truly existed... then soon after, so did he... leaving the young woman alone in the freezing void, deprived of all light.

Finding it increasingly difficult to draw even the slightest breath, Rikar collapsed to the ground, unable to understand what was happening to her.  Was this it?  Was this the end?

==========
Setting: What used to be the ship's Stellar Cartography, now a floating piece of debris

The intense cold had made it almost impossible for the young woman to open her eyes, but after a while she managed to accomplish this amazing feat.  What she saw was nothing more than a darkness like the one she had just left behind... yet there was something different... something more.

Through the darkness she could make out a single form... an approaching form.  Her first thought had been to call out to this entity, but her body refused to move, literally frozen in the shape of the ball she had been in.

A voice was heard, yet she could not make out what it had said.  Rikar's eyes closed once more, thinking that this would be for the final time when she felt the coldness that had embraced her with such perseverance replaced with the tingling caress of a transporter beam.
 
==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 
 
"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P135: USS ANUBIS: Mitshiba: Day 4 - 1055 ("Shared Madness")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Shared Madness"
(Cont. from "Where")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1055

The aCSciO had focused her thoughts on the science station in the hopes that she would be able to understand what the rhythmic power fluctuations had meant, and also in the hopes that her latest guest would just go away.

[[It has to be a message of some sort,]] Aki thought having found it extremely difficult to concentrate with the jackal-headed being wandering the bridge.  [[I just have to figure out what the message is and who sent it?]]

"I demand an explanation," the imposing dark colored deity suddenly requested, his voice thundered through the bridge with such force that Aki had almost been thrown off her chair.  "If this place is a temple dedicated to me, where are the priests?  Where is the altar with your offerings to me?"  When no reply was offered the Egyptian deity approached the only other person in the room, a new possibility having been considered.  "Are you meant to be a virgin sacrifice for me?"

If the words themselves had not been enough to make Aki immediately react, the tone of anxious anticipation in the creature's voice had definitively been more than enough to end the aCSciO's efforts to ignore the jackal-headed deity.

"You want an explanation," Aki shot back obviously not fearing the creature in the least.  "Well here it is: you are on board the Federation Starship USS ANUBIS, which is presently caught in the middle of a space-time anomaly that is as best as I can figure causing thoughts to become reality.  You are one such thought given form, and as much as I hate to admit it, it was my thoughts that brought you into existence.  Granted I did not specifically think of you but given the general directions of my thoughts and my current location you having appeared as you did does make some weird sense.  In short, you are not real, even if this anomaly does bridge both time and space, you cannot be real as you have never actually physically existed.  The idea of you, the concept of your appearance and purpose were created out of fear and wonder by the Egyptian people back on EARTH some 3000 years ago.  Now if you don't mind, I have work to do," the aCSciO unleashed in a way that reminded her of her superior, Lt. Commander Maya.  [[I hope Eve will have some free time in her schedule because I'm going to need several sessions with her after this.]]

Aki forced her way passed the dark, imposing figure to reach the engineering station from where the aCSciO had hoped to gather more information on the power fluctuations occurring at the science station.  Before her hands even touched the panel the voice of the ANUBIS' Cns pulled Aki away from her intended task.

"Aki?  Who is you 'tall, dark and furry' friend?" Eve asked while Hex stood unsure if she needed to jump to the aCSciO's defense and rescue or find a corner to hide in.

The Jackal-headed deity turned and growled menacingly towards the two women who had simply appeared out of nowhere as far as it had been concerned.

"That may not be such an easy question to answer," Aki replied, trying to figure out the best way possible to explain the situation.  After a few seconds of deliberation the aCSciO opted for the simplest possible course of action.  "Allow me to introduce to you the physical representation of the Egyptian deity; Anubis."

"You and I are going to have a *very* long chat about this," Eve hissed at Aki before she returned her eyes onto the imposing figure that easily matched the CEO in height and size.

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P134: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 1055 ("Where")

==========
" Where "
(Previous Post was Craig's "Wondering With One Purpose")
==========

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1055

The young woman stood in the middle of the ANUBIS' command deck… face-to-face with a memory that she had never expected to ever meet in this manner. As much as Rikar knew that the most impossible things were theoretically able to come true given certain specific circumstances, *this* impossibility had been well beyond the realm of events that could come to pass… or so the redheaded woman had believed up until now.

"Come on Sabrina," the raven hair woman playfully grinned. "Smile a little… You look like you're looking at a ghost."

"I am," Rikar replied in a rather puzzled manner. "In a matter of speaking that is… for you to be a ghost you would have to have been alive at one point in time."

"That hurts… that truly hurts... a lot… I was far more than a figment of your imagination my dear Sabrina… a lot more… that you liked it or not..."

==========
Scene: A dark void, somewhere in the middle of nowhere
Time Index: Many years ago, maybe

The young woman gazed with mixed interest at what appeared to be an endless black void… no stars… no shapes… nothing stood out from the smooth blackness to help her figure out where she was… but the strangest part of it all was that as curious as she might have been, she knew, deep inside of her, that it really didn't matter.

"Who… are… you?" A gentle ancient voice, coming from no particular location, asked.

"Am I dead?" Rikar questioned in return, her voice carrying no hints of fear or concern to her own surprise.

"What is the last thing you remember?" The voice countered, sounding like it held the wisdom of the universe in each of the syllable spoken.

The young woman thought for a moment… she clearly remembered the stinging coldness biting at every extremity of her body, yet now she felt nothing… no numbing cold… no pain… not even the loneliness that had saddened her very soul. Actually, the more she tried to remember where the cold had originated from, the more the memory seemed to slip between her fingers as if she had been trying to hold on to water with her bare hands.

"I… I can't remember… I was cold… very cold… and alone… I think… but I can't remember why."
"Then maybe you are dead."

"But I am here… wherever here is." Rikar said with more mental clarity than she had felt in a long while.

"Clever girl," the voice joyfully said as a single light, as faint as a distant star emerged from the absolute darkness that surrounded her.

Instinctively, Rikar headed for that light, and as unreachable as it had first appeared to be she knew that with each step she grew closer to something… something that she had no reason to fear.

"Where am I?" She asked, as the light grew larger… closer… even if her feet didn't move at all. The simple idea of ‘wanting' to be closer to the light seemed enough to bring her to it… or it to her… without any other point of reference she couldn't tell.

"Where is a good question… but I think *who* is a better one."

"Who?" Rikar repeated.

"Yes… Who are you?" For the first time, the young woman could see the form to which the voice belonged. An elderly humanoid man who appeared well in the later days of his time yet radiated an energy that hinted to him being much… much older.

Puzzlement swept over Rikar as she once again tried to answer this simplistic question to no avail. Like the memory of the cold that had enveloped her, her own identity seemed to slip right through her fingers in spite of her efforts to remember.

"Why can't I remember?" The young woman asked, more out of sadness than frustration.

"You are trying to remember the wrong thing… I am asking you *who* you are." The aged man lovingly said, sounding as if he had been talking to one of his children.

"That's what I am trying to remember… isn't it?"

"You are trying to remember a name… not the person who *had* that name." The man explained echoing the wisdom of the universe in his every word.

The young woman thought for a moment at what had been said, trying as best she could to understand the meaning of it all. Her name *was* her… wasn't it? Didn't it represent all that she was?

"What do you remember?" He asked, his gentle voice embracing the young woman like a warm blanket.

"Friends… people… smiles and tears… it's all so vague now…"

"That's alright… those are the important things."
 
==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501
 

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P133: USS ANUBIS: Thomas: Day 4 - 1230 ("Wandering With One Purpose")

#####
"Wandering With One Purpose"
[Previous post: "When" written by the highly intelligent and super Sabrina.]
#####

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 16, Black Hole
Stardate: 63073.1230

Elliot had been looking out of the window at the far side of the Black Hole lounge, when he was approached from behind and tapped on the shoulder by the only other person he had encountered.

"So laddy what are we going to do about this wee situation that were in?  It's not like we can drink oor lives away," asked engineer Scotty.

ET turned with a smile on his face and looked at the engineer and replied, "Well we could always see if there is anyway we can contact any of the other crew, I've had a few ideas since we've been here in the Black Hole, now some of them are logical and some are really way out there, but your right we cant just sit here and do nothing, so Scotty what do you say we head to the bridge and see what we can find out?"

The red uniformed Starfleet officer just looked at the Ensign, and if Elliot could read minds he would have thought that the engineer was upset with his decision and at just that point Scotty admitted, "I'm sorry laddy but I do think we could find out more fae goin tae engineering, after all there's no one that kens mair aboot engineering than me laddy and I certainly would like tae get a look at this fine lady's core," as he opens both his arms wide as if to show off the ship to ET.

Ensign Thomas as qualified as he was in his field, he could not help himself from agreeing with the engineering officer and stated "Your right Scotty, after all you may come across something that may help, and if not we can go to the bridge after that and try to figure out our next move then."

=====
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 16, Corridors
Stardate: 63073.1235

This seemed to make then engineer happy cause all he could do as they walked the corridors towards engineering was to smile.

On their way down the corridors Elliot thought that he had saw someone turn the corner at the bottom, and ran towards the vision that he had seen shouting, "Wait! Wait! its me Elliot Thomas Chief of Op... " he stopped in mid sentence as he turned the corner to be staring straight at his brother and croaked "Bob? is that really you?"

ET's older brother Bob just looked at him and cackled, "No it's actually Master Bob to you numpty."

Elliot could not help himself but quickly moved forward and hugged his brother, after a short time Bob commented with a smile. "Bro I think you should stop hugging me, if people see us your going to ruin your rep."

"Oh, I've got someone for you to meet are going to love this, you are bound to know him, I'm telling you that you are not going..." again the COO had been caught in mid sentence, he looked all around him and started quickly walking down corridors then inquired, "Where is he?"

"Where's who?" replied the starship maintenance worker.

Elliot apologized, "Oh I'm sorry bro, I was looking for Scotty.  He was right behind me."

Bob had a curious look on his face when he stated, "Scotty who?"

"Aw come on, the guy..." Elliot paused then continued, "the guy that was the engineer on the Enterprise."

The starship maintenance worker just looked at his brother with his jaw wide open then chirped, "You mean Montgomery Scott the Enterprise engineer?  You mean that he was here?  You mean he was here speaking to you?"

ET smiled and giggled, "Yeah that's the guy, but as quick as you appeared he disappeared, a bit weird eh?"

Bob just started at his brother and commented sarcastically, "You get to speak to Montgomery Scott and I get to speak to you.  Oh this is just perfect."

=====
Craig Mitchell

Ensign Elliot Thomas.
Chief Operations Officer.
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

[The Universe is a huge place, but you always seem to meet someone you know just around the corner.]
OLD-P132: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 1050 ("When")

==========
"When"
(Previous Post was Marissa's "Gentle Strength")
==========

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1050

The young woman stood in the middle of the ANUBIS' command deck… not as alone as she had initially thought, but now she had almost wished that she had been.  The figured that had joined Rikar had not been one associated with pleasant memories… not by a long shot.

"What, no warm welcome for an old friend?"

"You are not my friend," the redhead quickly countered with… not entirely certain as to how this situation had come to be.

"I guess you are right… like it or not… we are much closer than friends."

==========
Setting: Another time, another place
Time Index: 7 years ago… or was it 8? (plus 1 hours from the end of the last post)

The young woman sat in a small compact ball, shivering to the point of barely being able to hold on to the phaser she had repeatedly used to infuse the floating iron beam with energy in order to create some short lived light and heat.

It had been a while since the accident that had isolated her from everything and left the Lt. Cmdr. alone inside a sealed piece of wreckage.  The only reason why she was still alive had been because of the emergency bulkheads that had fallen into place before all hell broke loose.  Unfortunately, the same items that had been responsible for her surviving the structural failure that had befallen the ship had sealed her into the agony she now had to endure.

As time passed, the room she had started to look upon as a blessing of good fortune had rapidly turned into a curse... a dark, cold and lonely curse.  The makeshift escape pod, with its drastic lack of heat and continuously reducing oxygen supply, now felt more like a space floating coffin rather than an instrument of salvation.

With a hand as steady as an earthquake, the blue-lip woman painfully raised her weapon and did her best to aim it at the now very faintly glowing beam that had brought her heat and light, as little as it was, for the last hour or so.

[[I... I wou... would... ha... have... a... better... better... cha.. chan... chance... hitting... an... an... ant... with... a... qua... quantum... torpedo...]] Rikar mentally stuttered to herself as her trembling hand tried as best as she could to accurately position the weapon in line with the intended target.

Numbed by the intense cold, the young woman could barely feel the form of the phaser in her hand, and when her finger finally pressed the trigger, her mind went totally blank for a single, eternal second.  As far as she had known, her aim had been as off as it could have been, and if the phaser's energy bolt came in contact with an already weakened section of the hull, these could easily have been her last seconds in this realm of existence... a fate that she almost welcomed.

To her surprise nothing happened... no explosion... no sudden depressurization... actually there had not even been a shot fired.  Seconds passed and eventually the phaser she clenched in her trembling hand was slowly made to rise to her eyes so that she could try to figure out what had happened.  When the answer became apparent to her, the young woman's frigid grip ever-so-slowly loosened releasing the icy-cold item to the surrounding weightlessness.

The reason for the phaser not having fired had been a simple one... the power supply had been exhausted... now what she had expected to be her greatest enemy... her rapidly depleting oxygen supply took a back seat to the newer, more immediate threat... that of her freezing to death long before she would no longer be able to draw breath.

Hypothermia wasted no time to become better acquainted with the lonely Starfleet officer who had almost accepted what she knew was to come.  Alone... floating in the cold emptiness of space... for maybe longer than she could even imagine... maybe she would finally be able to answer the question that plagued most sentient life forms... was there something on the other side?

The young woman's eyes gave in to the bitter cold that had enveloped her like an eternal blanket... this would be the dream she would never wake from...

==========

"Samantha?" A strange, yet welcoming voice asked.

"Who?" The young woman heard herself answer.

"You."

"That's not my name."

"Than what is your name?"

"I... my name is... Ana... no... Cleo... no... why can't I remember?"

"Who is Ana?"

"Ana... Anaqueen... she was my... CO... my friend..."

"Who is Cleo?"

"She was also a friend... but not Human... she was... ridges on her nose... why can't I remember?"

"What other names do you remember?"

"Neil... Daisy... Peter... Jax... Erik... Shioban... Talia..."

"Talia!  Talia is a nice name... who is she?"

"A sweet little girl.  She was my... daughter... sort of... I think... Enaii was her real mother... I was just... a friend... no... I was more than a friend."

"Who is Enaii?"

"Enaii was... strange... funny... weird..."

"But who was she?"

"I... I can't remember?"

"Can you remember who you are now?"

"Yes... I'm... my name is Sab... Sa... I can't remember... why can't I remember?"

"Samantha maybe?"

"Yes... that's it... I remember... I think... I always wanted... I always wanted to be called Samantha... but why can't I remember being called that?"

"What's in a name?"

"But it's *my* name... isn't it?"

"If you want it to be... you have all the time in the universe to remember."
 
==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 
 
"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P131: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 1050 ("Gentle Strength")

-=-=-
"Gentle Strength"
[Previous post: "Alone"]
-=-=-

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Corridor
Stardate: 63073.1050

Ensign Lopez had been unable to shake the memory of the small boy and his bloodied clothes despite the feeling of security the aCMO had been made to experience in the arms of the imposing engineer.  The words that the child had spoken incessantly echoed in Adriana's mind even though she had done her best to push them out of her thoughts.

The distressed caused by this had been such that the Ensign had even wished that the hallucination of her sister would appear to give the aCMO something else to focus on.  At least Adriana had been able to handle such visions and even come to reason with them on some far reached level, but the child's words and appearance had been beyond her ability to manage.

"Are you able to walk Healer?" the giant engineer asked.  Adriana looked into the man's white eyes and immediately understood that should her answer be anything else but a 'yes' he would not hesitate to fully take her into his arms and carry the aCMO to their destination.

"I can," the aCMO replied, almost fearing the feeling of the giant's arms no longer protecting her as they had.  "Thank you, for everything."

"It is an honor to serve," the massive CEO replied as he helped Adriana back to her feet.  The aCMO smiled in amazement as she considered the giant's strength in comparison to his delicate touch. How could a titan such as the Oltharian possess a touch that would have normally been attributed to an angel?

"It's his way," an all too familiar voice said.

Adriana quickly closed her eyes and willed her sister away; the aCMO had not wanted to have to deal with a hallucination while not being alone.

"Great," Amanda huffed in annoyance.  "First you want me here and now that I am here you want me to go away.  Not exactly the sisterly thing to do, especially not after everything that I have done for you.  The least you could do is acknowledge my presence."

"Get away from me!" the aCMO let out at the top of her lungs, the stress of her previous vision having had a far deeper impact on the ensign than she could have realized.

The CEO quickly took a step back before he realized that the statement had not been directed at him.  "Healer, is everything alright?"

Adriana looked around in search of her sister's hallucination but instead only found Doctor Summers and Elan looking back at her with visible puzzlement and concern.  The swelling of emotions quickly overwhelmed the aCMO who began to uncontrollably cry which made the Oltharian resume his earlier task of hugging the Ensign.

"I'm sorry," Adriana said sobbing.  "I'm just losing my mind."

"It's alright," Lea said in a supportive tone, her hand having landed on the aCMO's shoulder.  "It's this time distortion that is causing havoc with out minds."

"Space-time," Elan politely offered as a correction to the CMO's incomplete statement."

"Whatever," Doctor Summers sighed as she rolled her eyes.  "Call it a space born bowl of brain mush for all I care, the end result is the same; this situation is going to make us all *nuts* unless we find a way to get out of it."

"Annie," the CEO said to the ANUBIS' Avatar, "Take lead, we will be right behind you."  With that Elan wrapped one arm around Doctor Summers while keeping the other firmly around the still sobbing aCMO. The Oltharian had taken on the role of pillar of strength for both women as they proceeded to the ship's command deck and hopefully a solution to their predicament.

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P130: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 1040 ("Alone")

==========
" Alone "
(Previous Post was Ashley's "Kzinti Prime")
==========
 
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1040
 
The young woman stood in the middle of the ANUBIS' command deck… alone.  Something had happened to the rest of her crew, but the redhead's experience had made it so that she had not immediately assumed that she had been the only one not affected… maybe *she* had been the one affected.
 
A strange feeling washed over the CO as her attempts to communicate with someone… anyone on the ship failed and the idea of her being completely alone took more solid root.  Being alone in a room had never been an issue for the redheaded woman, the thought of someone else being around having always been there, but the idea of being completely alone had triggered long forgotten feelings.
 
"Brings back memories… doesn't it?" A voice that chilled the young woman's blood was heard and made Rikar ever so slowly turn to face the person who had spoken.
 
"No… that's impossible… it can't be you…"
 
==========
Setting: Another place, another time
Time Index: 7 years ago… or was it 8?
 
The young woman painfully awoke from her unconsciousness, her fingers slowly running over the bump that her impact against the wall had created.  Without any lights or power, Sabrina could only feel her way around the room, unable to fully realize the predicament she was in.  As far as the Chief Science Officer had been concerned, something had happened to the ship and emergency systems would soon kick in.  It was only after several seconds that one major aspect of her current situation became clear to her... she was weightless... floating around the room as if being in space.
 
When she felt the growing coldness of the room, terror washed over her.  The only way that a starship could become this cold and lose gravitational support would be to have all life support systems off-line... for several hours.  Her heart racing at warp speed, Rikar managed to orient herself using her hands in order to find a particular console and panel.  Behind it she pulled a tricorder and immediately initiated a scan with the hopes that her fears would not be confirmed.
 
What Sabrina found proved to be worse.  Instead of confirming that the ship's systems had been somehow knocked off-line, the small device in her hand revealed that beyond the walls of the room she was in there had been *no* ship... only empty space.
 
"This can't be!" The young woman tearfully pleaded as the tricorder data was verified and revivified.  Life support systems did not work simply because there had not been any attached to the section of ship.
 
Panic took hold of Rikar as silence met her attempts to contact someone... anyone on the ship using her comm badge.  If the ship was not nearby, or worst had been destroyed, she would not manage to survive for more than an hour at best before succumbing to the absolute coldness of space that had already begun to reach within the walls of the room.
 
As a former Counsellor, Sabrina knew that fear would prove to be her worst enemy in such a situation, and as hard as it proved for her, she managed to regain a semblance of control as she erased her tears from her cheeks.  Using the tricorder that she held with an iron grip, the young woman proceeded to getting a more accurate picture of her situation.
 
Nearly a fifth of what used to be called Deck 1 had apparently been violently ripped away from the ship and other than Stellar Cartography itself, only two other rooms had managed to survive this catastrophe intact. 
 
This did not help in anyway unfortunately as no auxiliary power generators had been present in the now floating wreckage... and even if there had been... her knowledge of engineering would not have permitted the young woman to do anything about it.  As it was, the only thing standing between her and immediate death had been the emergency bulkheads that had fallen into place when the accident occurred.
 
Suddenly, the young woman's thought went to those whom she would have relied upon to help solve this problem... had she not been alone.  Sabrina might have managed to control her panic earlier but her growing sadness in view of her imminent fate was an entirely different story.
 
"Get a grip!" Sabrina snapped to herself, taking hold of whatever hope she had left.
 
Again using the tricorder in her hand, Rikar made her way with difficulty to another panel and pulled out a phaser and emergency medical kit.  If there was even the slightest chance for her to be rescued, she needed to be alive for it.  This became her new and only focus.  Trying to understand what had happened to her and the ship did not matter, all she needed to do was survive.
 
Lack of oxygen and the growing coldness would soon make things impossible for her, so she needed to address these points with urgency.  Drawing on all of her medical and scientific knowledge, Sabrina came up with a plan.  Using the items contained within the med-kit, she would be able to slow her metabolism and allow her to make the best use of the oxygen that had been trapped with her in the room.  The phaser she had retrieved would address the problem of the increasing coldness... all she needed to do was find something that she could use the phaser on.
 
Using the tricorder, Sabrina located a metallic beam that had been floating around the room as she had.  Taking her time to be certain not to miss her target, the young woman fired the weapon at the beam, infusing it with the phaser's energy.  Within seconds, the low power setting caused the floating beam to glow of a dim red light.  Even though it would not help in shedding light in the room, it would serve the purpose it had been intended for... that of radiating heat... as little as it was.
 
"Bet my wilderness survival instructor at the Academy never thought of a scenario like this one," the young woman nervously chuckled as she secured the phaser to her side before opening the med-kit in order to address the next problem she faced.

==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 
 
"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P129: USS ANUBIS: Fanggot: Day 4 - 1050 ("Kzinti Prime")‏

########################
"Kzinti Prime"
Previous post "Time for Action"
########################

Setting: KZINTI PRIME, Wastelands
Stardate: 5 years ago

====^*^====

Everything was blurred and hazy when the Kzinti's vision finally cleared. As the mists that had been clouding her mind began to fade away, she found she could do nothing but stare. The sky, a deep blue ocean marked by thousands or millions of shining bright lights. Hex shook her head to clear the ringing in her ear and thought clearly for a moment, [[You can't see KZINTI PRIME sky from the ANUBIS... ]].

Struggling to stand, the Ensign hastily straightened out her uniform and brushed the sand from it. She was back on KZINTI PRIME and, looking around, Hex sighed. It was the planet of her childhood. A childhood best left only to memory, but it was her childhood none the less.

The planet was mostly desert waste lands with small villages or towns as dots all over it's surface. There was very sparse vegetation and very little water, but there was no shortage of mountain ranges and rocky chasms leading to the planet's hollow core.

The steep cliff-like chasms were everywhere on KZINTI PRIME. Those whole preferred the dark, safe habitats underground lived in the hollow of the planet while others, willing to fight any and all intruders, lived above. Hex was standing in one of her favorite places to go as a kid, a deep cave-like chasm in the side of a mountain. It was too high up to see from the ground or for anyone less nimble than her to climb up to.

There, the Kzinti saw herself, although it was a much younger version. Mini Hex was curled into a fetal position against the far wall deep inside her hidden cave. Tears stained her dark cheeks, though no one would notice if they didn't look close enough. Grim covered every inch of her body, torn clothes littered the entrance while the young Kzinti huddled with only her under-gown on.

Hex approached the young child, but was met with nothing she knew in herself, no resistance. As the officer moved closer, she realized that she couldn't see herself. [[I'm going mad... I can't even seem to think straight... ]] she thought desperately, sitting invisibly next to the younger Hex from her past.

"Nothing is right anymore... " the mini Hex mumbled into her knee, "Mom should be taking care of me... not setting me up with some dumb old priest".

The Ensign wanted to reach out and hug the child, not out of sympathy, but out of empathy. This was what had happened the year before she left for the Academy. The younger Hex only looked younger because of ill nourishment and constant beating and exercise.

In the year before Academy, her mother would beat her more often and would sometimes make servants of the temple watch. Hex was, back then, too small to defend herself or to stand and take it, which meant more punishment. Denied entry to any dining halls, the Kzinti had to hunt and fight for the food she needed to stay alive. All normal behavior on Kzinti Prime, anything more was considered doting or overly affectionate. For the females that is.

Men and young boys were treated like gods, though the Kzinti way of life was purely matriarchal. Nothing was given to women who didn't work for it, or had a man work for them. Decreases in the birth rates and increases in the mortality rate was leading to planet-wide chaos. Men were rare and treated as such anywhere they went.

Some, like Hex's brother Damon, had chosen to wander KZINTI PRIME and provide his services as a gene donour, before he settled down.

Hex watched as her younger self cried of hungry, of the cruelty in the world they shared, and of the hardships of being a highly refined priestess's daughter. The Ensign moved away after awhile. Though is *was* her life and her moment, she didn't think she should interfere with her other self's mourning and more than she already had.

The fuzzball slipped silently away into the night, thinking thoughts of the ship in hope of finding herself home. Leaving a much younger self huddling within the cave, unaware of the hardship that was yet to come while she was still facing her own personal hell.

====^*^====
Setting:USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1050
====^*^====

The Kzinti officer soon found herself back on the ANUBIS, realizing that the things she thought about would appear, or in the least be clear to her. Hex was looking around the bridge thinking of people, any people she could remember. She thought of Aki, Adriana and the other senior officers, though she didn't know them all by name. Eve was suddenly just *there* looking distraught but thoughtful.

Hex rejoiced.

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanngot
Assistant Chief of Security/Tactical
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P128: USS ANUBIS: Fairborn: Day 4 - 1045 ("Time for Action")

###################
"Time for Action"
[Previous Post Dawn's "Improved Madness"]
###################

<<Time is a powerful unforgiving river that follows a course set by anyone else but itself. On any given day, this river can display moods that reach into the bright heights of enlightenment or sink into the darkened depths of madness.>>
- Said by Captain Elan Talak Fairborn on SD 88241.1345, in 25 years in one of countless possible futures

Setting: USS ANUBIS: Corridor
Stardate: 63073.1045

The towering Engineer held onto the troubled Ensign with the utmost of care, not because she had been in distress or because she had been of a weaker build than the Oltharian, but rather because she had been an honoured Healer. That fact alone insured that Elan would comfort and protect the woman with every fibre of his being whatever the problem might have been.

To see a member of the crew in such a state had been enough to make the Engineer wish he could alter time itself, but to see a member of the Medical Staff this way had torn the Oltharian's very soul to shreds. All that Elan could do had been to recall the last words spoken by Amber Satori when she had appeared to him down in Main Engineering; [[Be strong Elan, for us all.]]

"We need to find a way to regroup with the rest of the Senior Staff and put an end to this madness," Doctor Summers stated as she kept her own feelings towards the Oltharian in check. This had neither been the time or place for Lea to allow her emotions to dictate her actions, especially not given the volatile nature of their current *reality*. It had become clear that a single stray thought could lead to trouble, and right now they all had more than their fair share to deal with.

"Annie," Elan began in a soft, gentle voice meant to not disturb the still trembling woman who had found refuge in the Oltharian's arms. "You are the only one able to communicate with the others; we need to know where to focus our efforts."

"I cannot be of more help than I have already been," the Avatar calmly stated. "Although I am somewhat conscious of my communication with some of the other members of the Senior Staff, I am unable to access these records. Based on the currently available data I believe that all information will be accessible once this localised distortion of the space-time continuum is resolved which of course will be too late to be of any meaningful aid to you or anyone else."
"Medical personnel here," Lea said as she waved a hand slightly above her shoulder to draw some attention. "Can I get the non-technical version of that last statement?"

"Like the ANUBIS, I am not affected by the time distortion per say and am able to exist in all created realities as long as these realities permit it. As such, I am able to interact with other members of the crew simultaneously although I am unable to relay the details of these interactions at this time," the Avatar reported using the simplest possible terminology. "Lieutenant Fairborn had hoped that I would be able to directly communicate and relay instructions to the other members of the Senior Staff, but unfortunately my abilities seem to be limited to giving very general directions, such as the ones which led him to this corridor."

"Annie is able to tell whom she has been speaking to," the Oltharian further explained. "The information is more like a distant feeling for a lack of a better way to describe it, so it is making it difficult to narrow down the location of the other members of the Senior Staff. Back in Main Engineering she reported having spoken to you Healer," Elan continued as he offered a smile to the Chief Medical Officer.

"So you decided to head to Sickbay in the hopes of running into us," Doctor Summers theorised. "Instead though, we ended up running into you."

The Oltharian simply nodded, still trying his best not to excessively move so as to not disturb Ensign Lopez who had finally begun to show signs of returning to a calmer state.

"Alright then," the Chief Medical Officer continued as she turned towards the Avatar. "Who else have you been speaking to since this mess started?"

"The information may not be 100% accurate, but there are records available pertaining to a discussion with Ensign Dalziel."

"She was stationed on the Bridge," Doctor Summers stated with a distinct tone of enthusiasm. "It would seem to be the best place to head to next, even if Eve is not there for one reason or another it would be very unlikely that every other member of the Senior Staff who had been there would have left."

"Agreed," Elan noted along with a gentle movement of his head. "Once there we can address the problem of making contact and attempting to link the realities present there with our own."
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette
 
Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
 
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS
 
And
 
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P127: USS ANUBIS: Mitshiba: Day 4 - 1040 ("Improved Madness")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Improved Madness"
(Cont. from "Counsellors Don't Go Crazy, Do They?")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1040

Aki rolled her eyes out of frustration as she made her way to the back of the bridge.  To have one mythological being following her every step had been bad enough, but to have two such beings on her heels had been nothing short of madness.  If only they had not been so intent on arguing with one another maybe this whole situation could have been interesting or maybe even enjoyable on some level.

"So what do you people do for fun?" The Monkey King asked as he bounced from the top of one work station to the next.  The creature's agility had been truly amazing, but with other things on her mind the aCSciO had not taken the time to be impressed by the being's acrobatics.

"Ensign Mitshiba is busy trying to find a solution to this problem," the Jade Emperor replied with a scowl.  "A problem that I am certain you have caused through your childish ways."

"I am sorry if my idea of fun extends beyond sitting on a throne and sipping tea," the acrobatic deity said while he performed a one-handed hand-stand on the main science console.  "Some of us do know how to have fun."

When the console suddenly turned off the Monkey King leaped in a single bound onto the top of the CO's chair while appearing as innocent as possible.

"You are only good at creating mischief," the Jade Emperor huffed as he followed Aki to the station.  "You never take a moment to consider the price others must pay of your amusement."

"Here we go again," the Monkey King sighed as he purposely fell from the top of the chair onto the floor, the nimble being having easily landed on his feet after an acrobatic flip.  "You would have me be responsible for all of the trouble in this universe.  It is so much easier to blame someone else instead of finding the true cause of the problem."

"Will you two be quiet!" Aki snapped, the argument between the two mythical beings having worn out the Ensign's patience.  "I'm trying to figure out what is wrong with this console."

"He must have touched something that he was not supposed to," the Emperor said in an accusing tone as he glanced at the Monkey King who had bounced onto the Flight Control Station.

[[Why couldn't it have been Fek-Lar instead of those two,]] Aki sighed silently.  [[At least he would have been easier to deal with.  Heck, any deity of the underworld would have been better than this.]]  The aCSciO though as she continued to analyze the science station and the odd pattern in which it had been turning itself on and off.

As time passed and she carefully studied the strange console, Ensign Mitshiba did not realize that the Bridge had unexpectedly grown quiet. When this stillness became more than a passing thought, Aki looked up and discovered that the two oriental deities had vanished to instead be replaced by a single, far more menacing one.

[[No one is going to believe me,]] the Ensign sighed as she closed her eyes for a moment.  [[Not even Eve is going to accept this for what it is and will likely have me committed to the psych ward of the nearest starbase.]]

The imposing jackal-headed figure that had appeared in the middle of the Bridge tilted his head ever so slightly as he gazed onto the discouraged form of the aCSciO.  The surroundings had felt oddly familiar to the Egyptian deity, even more so since a likeness of him had been painted on the wall by his right.

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P126: USS ANUBIS: Dalziel: Day 4 - 1030 ("Counsellors Don't Go Crazy, Do They?")

==========
"Counsellors Don't Go Crazy, Do They?"
(Previous Post: "A Friendly Run-In" from the brilliant Tiffany)
==========

"Time is the fire in which we burn."
Dr. Soran to Picard, "Star Trek: Generations"

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1030

Time.

Time had not always been kind to the Cardassian woman sitting on the Bridge, who was currently alone, except for an unexplained visitor... a woman claiming to be the psychotic vision of the ANUBIS' new Assistant Medical Officer.

Eve's life had been a string of impossibilities. Her immediate family had died in a shuttle mishap, of which she had been the only survivor. If the craft had drifted undiscovered only a few hours longer, even she might have perished. She had been brought aboard the safe haven of a Starship, and fallen into the world of Starfleet, with adoptive parents who had been unlike anything she had experienced in her young life. Their impression on her was so positively overwhelming that as a teenager she renounced her Cardassian nature and adopted as much of a humanoid one as she could. Her desire to pursue a career in Starfleet, and her unique combination of life experiences and skills made her valuable to the Federation, and to Intel. After her training, they sent her into the fire itself of CARDASSIA PRIME for one of her first missions, knowing that if she could live among the people of her birth, if she could face her own history without breaking, then she really was who she claimed to be. Who she *chose* to be. 

So, it was with this inner conviction that her mind chose to stay in the here and now, without so much as a conscious thought. The only fantasy she longed for was the mission to the YUDARA asteroid field, and even that was overshadowed by the condundrum presenting itself to her at this moment.

Eve steepled her fingers, eyes closed, thinking. [[What the hell do I do now?]]

A cup of double strong, double sweet, and double cream coffee along with some intense thought had not made the situation any clearer. Ensign Dalziel was not much further along than when she started. Amanda Lopez, while not hindering to the thought process, wasn't much help either.

"There's just one thing I don't understand," Eve said to no one in particular, opening her large gray eyes. They seemed to sparkle with silver and crystalline flecks. Whether that was the glimmer of curiosity or annoyance was anyone's guess.

"What might that be, Eve?" Amanda said playfully.

Eve glared at the woman. "Where did you come from?"

Amanda shrugged. "I told you already, my crazy sister brought me with her. She really should qualify for a Section Eight discharge due to being unfit for active duty."

Eve considered Adriana's sister's words again. Her story had not changed. And, the Counsellor had never met this woman before. So, the chance that this apparition had been of Eve's creation was growing less and less by the minute. But. that still did not explain her origin. Her desire to be with the Counsellor seemed quite strong. In addition, Amanda seemed to be mirroring nearly every movement, finding any way she could to keep the lines of communication open with Eve. 

Ensign Dalziel continued her line of prodding, open-ended questions. It was part and parcel of the psychological trade, and highly effective. At least if you knew which questions to ask. "If you were with Adriana all this time, what made you leave? What made you come to see me?"

For the first time since her arrival, Amanda truly looked uncomfortable.

Eve mentally pounced even though her body remained surprisingly still. [[Now we're getting somewhere.]] "If you truly wish to help Adriana, you need to be honest with me, Amanda." 

Finally, a more somber mood descended, draping the Bridge in a mist of desperation. Amanda Lopez's pretense began to fall away. "Because she wanted you to know about me.... because she couldn't tell you in words, she was too embarrassed and worried. However, her thoughts finally betrayed her."

"Because of the anomaly," Eve stated.

"Yes," Amanda said solemnly. "Everyone is free to think what they wish, experience what they want, with no boundaries. Adriana may not have realized it yet, but there was a part of her that wanted to tell you what has been happening."

Eve nodded. If that theory was true, the Counsellor was secretly surprised that the Bridge had not gotten a whole lot busier. She had a suspicion that the combined neuroses of the ANUBIS could keep her working double shifts for weeks. "I promise I will try to help Adriana. You have my word."

"Thank you," the other woman offered.

Ensign Dalziel stood up, a bit of newfound energy surging through her. Or maybe it was the caffeine. "But if I'm going to help anyone, I need to be able to communicate somehow." Logic indicated that at least some of the Bridge staff, like herself, had remained stationary when the anomaly took hold. But, unbeknownst to the raven-haired woman who was earnestly searching for something to do to reconnect with the crew, a gentle melody began to play in the ears of Amanda Lopez. Amanda's eyes widened as she tried to find the source of the familiar tune.

Eve approached the various consoles, looking at the options in front of her."I need to get to the others. Amanda, do you have any ideas?" Obviously she wasn't hearing the siren's song that had caught Amanda off guard.

"N-No, I really don't," Amanda stammered, the realization of why the tune was so hauntingly comforting slowly hitting her.

"Come on Amanda," Eve cajoled, honing in on the spot where Maya had been sitting. "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."

"I... I have to go now," Amanda said, blinking back tears. "Adriana needs me."

"No, don't-" the Counsellor said, raising her head to look at Amanda. But the other Lopez sister was no longer there. "I hope she's okay," Dalziel said to the thin air, speaking of Adriana. Whatever Amanda Lopez was, Eve believed there was some kind of connection between the sisters.

Eve began to methodically switch the science console lights off and on in the familiar pattern of Morse Code. Hopefully someone would notice the rhythmically blinking display and answer her call for help.

==========
Susan M Ledbetter
=/\=
Ensign Eve Dalziel
Counsellor
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

"I savored those stories; I read them slowly, one each day. And when I was done, I wished I hadn't read them at all. So I could read them again... like it was the first time."
-Melanie to Old Jake, DS9, "The Visitor"
OLD-P125: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 1045 ("A Friendly Run-In")

=-=
"A Friendly Run-In"
[Previous post: "Time + Thoughts = Trouble", written by the gluttonous Marissa]
=-=

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Corridor
Stardate: 63073.1045

After having questioned Ensign Lopez about her earlier nakedness, Lea had turned her attention to the Avatar. The amazing creation of the Oltharian Engineer had taken the lead. Apparently Annie had been the only one not affected by the time distortion, a fact that they all could be thankful for.

"Adriana," Lea said while she continued walking. "Can you think of a way to get the others back in our reality?" When no reply came, the CMO stopped and turned around. "Annie, wait," the Doctor called out. "Adriana has vanished."

Doctor Summers quickly backtracked her steps but to no avail, her assistant had been nowhere to be found.

"I am still detecting her life signs," the android stated as she joined the CMO. "She must have entered another reality."

"Is there any way for you to get a specific reading as to her location?" Summers asked. If they could know where the aCMO had been, maybe they would be able to draw her back into their reality.

"I am sorry," the Avatar replied. "Although internal sensors do read her life signs, I cannot identify the exact location of the signal."

"Great," Lea sighed with disappointment. "Let's hope nothing bad happens to her this time around."

"LEA!"

The CMO and Avatar jumped as the scream filled the corridor. Lea quickly ran to her assistant's side to see her crying and covered with blood. "What happened? Where are you hurt?"

The aCMO could only gasp for air as she looked onto her blood stained hand. A quick scan of the Ensign showed that Lopez had not been injured which left the CMO with only one question. Where had this blood come from?

"Adriana?" Lea said as she positioned herself in front of the kneeling aCMO. "*Adriana!*" Doctor Summers repeated with more force in the hopes of easing the woman out of her agitation. "*Ensign Lopez! Snap out of it!* The CMO ordered as she held onto the woman's shoulders.

"The boy," Adriana finally managed. "Where is the boy? He was hurt, bleeding, and said that it was not my fault."

"It wasn't real," the CMO explained. Lea knew nothing of the situation or about this boy, but it was easy to see that Adriana had been extremely upset because of it. "What you saw was in another reality."

With tears flowing from her eyes Ensign Lopez pushed Lea out of her way and dashed down the corridor. Whatever the aCMO had experienced in this other reality had deeply troubled her. Summers quickly got back to her feet and went after her assistant who vanished around a corner. As the CMO rounded the same corner, she found Adriana safely cradled in the arms of the towering Oltharian.

"Elan? Is that really you?" Lea asked unsure if this had been another reality.

"Lieutenant Fairborn," Annie said as she rounded the corner and joined the CMO. "It is nice to see you again."

The Oltharian smiled to Lea and Annie before he turned his attention to the woman in his strong yet caring hold. "It is alright Healer; you are safe now."

Adriana allowed herself to be fully embraced by the gentle giant's embrace. As troubled as she had been, there had been something soothing about Elan's hold on her.

Lea smiled weakly, happy that her assistant had been safe but a little jealous about the position she had found herself in. As innocent as the embrace had been the CMO silently wished that she had been the one lost in the giant's muscular arms.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P124: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 1045 ("Time + Thoughts = Trouble")

-=-=-
"Time + Thoughts = Trouble"
[Previous post: "Troubled Memories"]
-=-=-

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Corridor
Stardate: 63073.1045

The aCMO along with Doctor Summers and the ship's Avatar had set out to search for the other members of the senior staff, the idea having been that finding a solution would be easier if they all worked together instead of separately from different realities.

"You still have not explained to me why you were naked when you appeared back in Sickbay," Lea pointed out as the two women followed Annie.

"I was dead," Adriana replied as she lowered her head in shame, "or at the very least I thought I was."

"I was just curious," the CMO explained.  "It's not as if I am unfamiliar with the anatomy of the human female, so there is nothing for you to be ashamed of.  It was not as if you had appeared that way in front of your parents."

The thought of having suddenly appeared in the buff in front of her parents flashed in Adriana's mind, sending a shiver through her body. As the aCMO forced the thought from her mind, a voice called out from behind, a voice that the Ensign had been unable to ignore.

"Adriana?"

The aCMO turned on her heels to see both of her parents standing a few meters back in the corridor.  "Mom?  Dad?  How is this possible?" Adriana demanded, for a moment having forgotten that thoughts had a direct impact on their reality.

"My sweet little girl," Karl Lopez, Adriana's adoptive father said with a heartwarming smile.

"We've missed you so very much," Diana Anderson, Adriana's adoptive mother added as she opened her arms to hug her daughter.

"How can you be here?" the aCMO asked, still unable to fully understand what had been happening to her and the rest of the ANUBIS' crew.

"The impossible is a common occurrence when you become a parent," Karl playfully chuckled.

Adriana thought about what her father had just said, a line that he had used several times to describe in general terms the drive that one felt when the wellbeing and safety of a child was at stake.

"Ada?" a soft, little voice called out from behind the aCMO.  Unlike the voices of her parents, Adriana had not recognized this one and only turned out of surprise and curiosity.  A small Human child of 10 years old stood in the middle of the empty corridor, his clothes dirty, torn and bloodied as if the boy had been caught in some sort of terrible landslide.  Adriana immediately responded as a Medical Officer above all else, the sight of the injured child having been more than the Ensign had been able to take.  Although the wounds appeared severe, the boy stood without trouble or visible show of pain, something that registered only partially in Adriana's mind.

"*Doctor Summers!" the aCMO called out as she rushed to the boy's side and dropped in front of him, her medical tricorder already in hand. "How did this happen?  How did you get here?  Are you the only one injured?"

The small child ignored all of the questions and just smiled at the frantic woman who had knelt before him.  "It wasn't your fault," he said as his hand touched Adriana's cheek.  "You were so kind to me. You did everything possible.  There was just not enough time.  Don't blame yourself.  It was not your fault," the boy added as he wrapped his arms around the confused aCMO.  "Thank you."

Adriana froze for a moment unsure as to what to do or say.  Eventually though Ensign Lopez gently pushed the boy away to permit her to perform the needed scans so that she could treat the child.  The aCMO became even more confused when the tricorder reported no life signs which led the Ensign to look up to the child once again, this time to see that he had somehow vanished.  The only proof that remained of his having been there at all had been the blood on the Ensign's hand and uniform.

"*LEA!*"

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS

OLD-P123: USS ANUBIS: Fairborn: Day 4 - 1045 ("Troubled Memories")

###################
"Troubled Memories"
[Previous Post Ashley's "Family Reunions Always Lead to Plotting the Downfall of the World"]
###################

<<I look up towards the stillness and peacefulness of space and gaze upon the beauty of the stars. Each sparkle of light represents a cherished memory, a dream of hope or a fantasy of love. It is only when we take the time to look up into the heavens that we can fully understand. That an individual is made of memories, hopes and dreams which are gathered throughout life. Without these things, the soul of a person would be as black and desolate as a night without stars.>>
- Said by Bardef Talak Emzaw, Oltharian Priest, to a then young apprentice to the Oltharian Religious Circle by the name of Elan Talak Fairborn.

Setting: USS ANUBIS: Main Engineering
Stardate: 63073.1045

Like a mythical colossus of stone the Oltharian stood between the Engineering Control Island and the ANUBIS' Warp Core, his white eyes lost in a world beyond the limits of this one. The Chief Engineering Officer had already pried himself out of one created reality to find his way back to this one, but after having spoken with the ship's Avatar the towering giant had found himself torn between realities.

"Lieutenant Fairborn," Annie began as she looked up at the engineer. "Are you alright?"

"An individual is made of memories, hopes and dreams which are gathered throughout life. Without these things, the soul of a person would be as black and desolate as a night without stars," Elan replied through quoting words spoken many years ago by his uncle.

--==(/\)==--
Setting: OLTHAR PRIME
Time Index: some 22 years ago

Those who had hoped to be allowed to follow the path of the Religious Circle sat around the black stone statues, their thoughts focussed on their meditation. Their first test had started far before the sun had begun its journey through the skies, and unknown to the Circle's hopeful, their numbers had counted one more from the start.

The priest in charge of this group occasionally glanced in the direction of the green bush behind which the 8 years old boy had elected to hide. Bardef knew of his nephew's presence but instead of acknowledging it by calling out the boy's name or going over to see him, the simple priest only insured from time to time that all was well.

Elan knew nothing of the methods of meditations, his parents both belonging to the Scientific Circle, having opted to instruct their only offspring in the more *practical* ways. Even though lacking such knowledge the young Oltharian already showed great promise in his abilities and patience, something which Bardef could only rejoice about in silence. Mallock and Sholla had dreams for their son; alas Bardef already knew that the boy's dreams were far differed from those of his parents.

The sun, the physical representation of their god, had already traveled midway across the skies and although the young apprentices had so far proven the strength of their faith with relative ease, the youngest and most inexperienced of the group began to show signs of fatigued. The test required the adepts to meditate for one full rotation of their world. 38 hours of nothing more than sitting, thinking, pondering and concentrating. Even for those who had been instructed in this way, the test would soon enough prove to be a challenge, but for Elan, the challenge had already started a few hours back.

The boy's eyes opened to their fullest when he had feared that the rumbling of his stomach had alerted his uncle and the others to his presence. Luckily for him though, it had appeared as if the sound had not traveled as far has he had expected, Bardef not having moved a muscle. Doing his best to contain his growing hunger, the young Oltharian closed his eyes and focussed on images which he hoped would divert his attention away from the pain in his belly.

Elan's eyes once again opened to their fullest as he felt something land on his folded legs. Fear that he had been discovered filled his mind, but that idea soon vanished as he observed his uncle casually walking around the statue. No indication that he had been discovered could be found, yet the proof that someone knew he had been there could not be mistaken for anything else. Hunger soon gave way to reason and without asking how or why, the young boy quickly ripped at the bread which had miraculously appeared to answer his need.

--==(/\)==--
Setting: USS ANUBIS: Main Engineering
Stardate: 63073.1050

"Lieutenant Fairborn?" The ship's Avatar demanded in as a concerned tone as the artificial being had been able to voice despite her inability to experience emotions. To Annie, Elan represented far more than a member of *her* crew, more than the man responsible for her continued functioning. To the Avatar of the ANUBIS, the Oltharian had been the closest thing to a father she would ever have.

"Those were simpler times," Elan replied as if he had been answering another question, spoken by someone else. "Happier times," he added with a heartfelt sigh as a single tear escaped from his still fixated eyes.

--==(/\)==--
Setting: VALLA ROYALE Orbital Outpost, Cargo bay 7
Time Index: 6 years ago

Their undercover mission had been a success; the crew of the USS DISCOVERY had not only managed to determine the identities of the rogue elements present on the station, but had also set their many business partners against them. Had the away team brought these thieves to justice, their punishment would have likely been several years in a Federation prison, but this way the members of the mysterious "Tight Five" had been granted a lifetime of running from those they had once called allies.

The Captain had been pitiless in her plan, not having hesitated to deal back a fate that the Tight Five had on many occasions bestowed on others, and no one amongst the crew had felt any remorse in this poetic justice. Satisfied that balance restored in the universe, the crew had been ready to return to their regular lives as Starfleet Officers.

That was when it happened. When life for the Oltharian took an unexpected turn and set him on a path that he had never imagined nor even considered possible. That was when Lt. Commander Amber Satori stepped in harm's way to save the crew she had come to admire, and to save the engineer she had come to love.

--==(/\)==--
Setting: USS ANUBIS: Main Engineering
Stardate: 63073.1055

"Elan," the Avatar stated having used the Chief Engineer's first name, an act that the artificial being rarely favoured as it hinted to a closeness between them that could not be mechanically or logically explained. "Why are you crying?"

The emotional reaction to the scenes that the Engineer had been summoning had been beyond the Avatar's comprehension, as well as the reason why the Oltharian seemed so obsessed with continuing with this travel through his own memories. The journey had obviously been a painful one for the gentle giant, yet despite his knowledge of how to end the visions, Elan seemed poised to endure the journey to its bitter end.

--==(/\)==--
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Long-Term Medical Facilities
Time Index: 3 years ago

The same day Elan had accepted to work for Admiral Koniki and the NEW ALEXANDRIA complex, Amber Satori had been transferred to the state-of-the-art medical facilities of the base. What had been stranger had been that the Oltharian had never made the request even though it had been what his heart had desired.

It had been over three years since Amber had fallen into a coma after having been knocked over the head by a trans-dimensional being. Although every available resources had been used, no actual cause could be found to explain the state that the Communications Specialist had fallen into, it had been as if a part of her had been taken to another dimension, out of reach of her physical body.

Since that day Elan had visited her every chance he had, hoping that her condition might have changed while he had been away - but nothing had ever changed. Her body had not moved since the last time the Oltharian had come visiting, and her bio-readings had been as shallow as they had ever been. Working as the Robotics Engineer had been the only way that he could survive each day without madness taking over his soul .

As mush as Fairborn towered over her, the giant felt insignificant while gazing down at the unconscious woman, his latest visit to her bedside ending in the same manner as the hundred previous had - with him leaving and her staying.

--==(/\)==--
Setting: USS ANUBIS: Main Engineering
Stardate: 63073.1100

"Who is to say that one reality is better than another?" the Oltharian inquired as he looked away from the warp core and onto the Avatar who had been standing by his side. "Who makes the decision as to which reality is real and all others only dreams?"

"We are all masters of our own reality," a sage old voice replied, the Oltharian not having needed to turn around to know who had offered these words of wisdom. "To hide from the truth is not the way, not *our* way. You left OLTHAR PRIME to seek the greater truth of the universe, be it good or bad. You cannot turn your back now on all that you have discovered, regardless of how painful it may be."

The Oltharian turned to face his uncle, ready to challenge his words but when he did the Chief Engineering Officer noticed that the elder priest had not been alone. A smiling woman with fiery red hair stood by the Elder Priest, her emerald eyes gazing with absolute admiration and love at the towering giant.

"Elan," Amber began as she slowly approached the gentle giant. "If you give in to these false realities you will not only lose yourself but everyone else that truly means anything to you. This is where you belong, where you have always been meant to be. You are meant to explore the galaxy, to help those in need, to create mechanical wonders and most important to venture forth and not be held back by the hardships of the past." Amber paused for a moment as she reached for the giant's face and lifted a tear from his features with a delicate finger. "As long as you are in this reality I will always be with you, here, where it counts most," the alien woman added as she pressed her hand against the man's chest where his heart was. "If it is meant to be, we will be together again, not in a dream or in a false reality, but in this one. Then you will be able to tell me about all of your adventures, all of your hardships and how you never gave up on your dreams. Be strong Elan, for us all."

The Chief Engineer closed his eyes and fought back a new wave of tears. When his eyes finally reopened the ANUBIS' Main Engineering had once again been empty with the exception of the Oltharian and the ship's Avatar.

"Annie," Elan offered as he ever so slowly turned to face the android. "How can I help fix this situation?"

--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette (f_charette@hotmail.com)

Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS

And

Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P122: USS ANUBIS: Fanggot: Day 4 - 1030
(
"Family Reunions Always Lead to Plotting the Downfall of the World")

##################
"Family Reunions Always Lead to Plotting the Downfall of the World"
Previous post: "What the Heck?"
##################

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Corridor
Stardate: 63073.1030
====^*^====

"Mother? What are you doing here?" Hex stammered, suddenly very self-conscious when standing in front of the woman who had raised her.
Without a moments hesitation, the elder Kzinti strode over to the younger and struck her across the face, the sound echoing loudly through the corridor. Hex did not turn from her, holding on to a weak and battered pride while sensing that Vladina and the officer were alone.

"You… ungrateful little wretch…" Vladina hissed, striking out at the other side of her daughter's cheek, taking pleasure in the fact that the Ensign's face was flushed in embarrassment as well as pain.

"I am never ungrateful to you mother… I merely had to follow my own path," Hex's eyes narrowed slightly, "Not yours."

The next slap hit hard as the Kzinti's mother's strength was fueled by her fury. Nothing was comprehensible as the Ensign's head begin to spin. Hex was vaguely aware that her mother was standing in front of the Engineering room. She wondered why no one came out to inspect the commotion.

"You were my heir, the priestess who would take my place when I was old! What of you now! Look at what you've become!" the dark Kzinti spat at her daughter's feet, "You are Federation scum! Of a different world than your people! You haven't even a mate!"

Hex's face was aflame with embarrassment as she chose her words slowly, "I remain abstinent mother, I have done nothing wrong in that regard, therefore you cannot chaste me for it."

Those who might have watched would have noticed the younger Kzinti's change is pose and posture to match her mother's. They always spoke in the old tongue when alone; her mother preferred it to others. It was hard to speak and horrible for grammar, but it was habit, and one not easily broken.
"You were to give your hand to the young priest of the neighboring village…" Vladina voiced slowly, “He will not have you if you are lying."

"I'm not lying mother, but I will have nothing of him anyway. You and your politics no longer have anything to do with me." Hex said, keeping hold just barely to her edge on the conversation.

"Is that any way to speak to our mother?" a voice joked from the shadows. All of the younger Kzinti's efforts were destroyed as she turned to see yet another member of her family standing in the corridor of the ANUBIS.

The shroud of independence and strength the Kzinti would unconsciously wear around her shattered and crumbled in the brother's steely gaze, surrounded by his raging presence. The Ensign had sub-consciously transformed back into a child as Damon stared into her violet, tearing eyes. Hex *looked* like a child compared to his mass as his strong and steady hands clasped her thin-looking shoulders painfully.

"Damon…" Hex swallowed, on the brink between tears and violence, "Why are you here? Both of you."

Damon's answering smile was cool and looked genuinely sarcastic and playful, but he had a deep coldness in his eyes that only Hex ever saw, "I am here to see you little sister."

"You *will* be wed to the priest Hex, it is your destiny." Vladina stated, now using her normal tongue with her son present. Damon's jaw tightened in response.

"Yes mother…" Hex squeaked, her voice barely audible, defeat was complete with her brother standing before her as he did. The youngest Kzinti could never shake her fear of him. She was acutely aware that he could feel her trembling in his grasp.

"Don't think you've won mother, I still sense resistance in my dearest sister. Hex, you of all people should know that it is futile to resist." Damon stated, giving his little sister a cruel grin when his mother turned away.

"My hold on Kzinti Prime is very limited. If our family is to rise, we must do so through any means necessary, including marriage. The more villages under our control, the stronger we will become. You have family at this moment preparing to secure the last of what we need in Kordinili." Vladina explained coolly, not noticing her child's flinch as she mentioned marriage.

"The priest.” Damon stated in triumph, noting his sister's baleful glare, but enjoying every moment of the time spent with her in emotional pain.
"Yes, the priest. We'll have almost full control by then. We will take the rest by force if needed, and then we will rise Kzinti Prime itself to be a planet to be feared by all." Vladina spat, glaring at her daughter, "Including the Federation"

Hex felt dizzy and was losing consciousness. This wasn't right, the Kzinti knew that it wasn't right, but what could she say? [[Let them believe I will aide them, they'll never find me anyway…]] the officer thought blissfully.

Just as she was about to close her eyes and to surrender to the pounding of her head, Hex thought of her father. What would he do? Her vision was blurry, but she could have sworn she saw the image of her father before her just as she fell into her brother's arms. A big man, black of fur as she was, with only on eye.

The last thing she heard was her mother's strained whisper, "Grex…"

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanngot
Assistant Chief of Security/Tactical
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P121: USS ANUBIS: Thomas: Day 4 - 1100 ("What The Heck?")

#####
"What the Heck?"
[Previous post: "Reconstructing Reality" written by the Smart and lovely Tiffany Rose.]
#####

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1100

Elliot had looked around the ship and to his surprise he could not find anyone anywhere, as he walked back onto the bridge he had the feeling he was being followed, with this feeling he turned quickly to be face to face with a man in red Starfleet uniform.

"Excuse me laddy do you know what's goin' on here?" asked the young man in what sounded to be a scottish accent.

"Eh? do I know you?" replied ET then continued in a soft tone.  "Hold on a minute you look familiar."

The Starfleet officer just looked at Ensign Thomas and then added, "Well I din nae ken who you are laddy but I would still like tae ken where I am cause it surely does nae look like the ENTERPRISE."

The COO looked stunned then commented, "You served on the ENTERPRISE?" he paused then continued with a smile "That ship is legendary and it is an honor to meet anyone who is affiliated with her, even if we are some how in different times.  Oh what is your name by the way, I'm Ensign Thomas or Elliot to my friends." 

This time the surprised look was on the engineering officers face, "Well it's good to meet you laddy, I'm Scotty fae engineering... So what do you mean by different times? I surely can nae be in the future?"

Ensign Thomas just looked at Scotty and smiled then in a happy tone he added, "Maybe we should get a drink, after all I've no idea how we're going to fix this problem, and to be honest my head hurts just thinking about what is going on here."

ET and the engineering officer headed in the direction of the Black Hole, both chuckling about the situation and chatting about what had happened or how it could get fixed.
=====
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 16, Black Hole
Stardate: 63073.1120

Ensign Thomas and the scotsman entered the Black Hole and went to the nearest replicator.

Scotty stood for a second and contemplated what to order, when he asked Elliot, "Can you get any kind o' drink fae this machine or does it hae some kindae security code, as I widnae mind a scotch whiskey purely for medicinal purposes you know laddy."

The COO looked at the engineer and chuckled while he requested from the replicator, "2 scotch whisk..."

Before he could finish the sentence Scotty interrupted, "mind and dinnae fae get the ice laddy."

Elliot smiled then continued to make the request, "2 scotch whiskey's with ice."

ET walked over to the table that the scotsman had chosen, he sat down and passed one of the drinks to the young engineer then took a sip of his whiskey and began huskely,  "So you got any ideas of what could have happened because I have a few myself, but this is the most weird thing that has happened to me.  The computer keeps insisting that there are no personnel missing however after seeing that everyone disappeared from the bridge I rushed back to my quarters and my children are missing too, this is a really weird situation we are in."

The engineering officer sipped his drink then looked at the COO and claimed, "What ever's happened laddy, you can be sure that there's someone somewhere working on fixing this problem, or at least trying to get us back, I mean I dinnae ken about you but my ship and crew need me laddy and I'm dam sure their looking fae some way to get me back."

 [[I hope someone is working on this issue, cause I don't have any idea on how to fix this and I'm dam sure on the way this engineer is drinking, neither of us are going to be able to think straight soon,]] Elliot thought to himself as he took another sip of his whiskey.
=====
Craig Mitchell

Ensign Elliot Thomas.
Chief Operations Officer.
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

[The Universe is a huge place, but you always seem to meet someone you know just around the corner.]
OLD-P120: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 1040 ("Reconstructing Reality")

=-=
"Reconstructing Reality"
[Previous post: "The Perfect Dream", written by the talented Dawn]
=-=

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.1040

"I'm sorry," Lea tearfully said as she tightly held the limp form of the aCMO in her arms.  "I'm the one that should be dead, not you."

"Who are you talking to?" a frightfully familiar voice said snapping the CMO into a full upright stand.

"You," Lea gasped as her heart raced at warp speed. "You're dead!" she barked before the CMO quickly turned back to the biobed to discover that the body she had only seconds ago been holding had vanished.

"Actually, I think I *was*," the aCMO said rather uncertain of herself. The feeling of peace and the images of the tall grass and blue skies were still very fresh in her mind.

"What is going on here?" Lea demanded to no one in particular as she moved closer to Ensign Lopez. "First I find an evil Enaii in Sickbay who is bent on killing someone. Next she kills you by simply snapping your neck and claims that this was in payment of a debt owed. Now here you are standing, obviously alive and for one reason or another completely naked."

"Naked?" Adriana gasped as she looked down to confirm the CMO's words. Before saying or doing anything else, the aCMO rushed into the Doctor's office. There she would be able to address the absence of her uniform with the help of the replicator.

"Computer," Lea said as she followed her assistant. "What is the status of the ship?"

"According to available information, the ANUBIS is currently intersecting multiple quantum realities," Annie replied, the ship's Avatar having seemingly appeared out of nowhere behind the CMO.

"Deer Lord!" Doctor Summers exclaimed while holding her chest. "Elan needs to add some weight to your steps," Lea continued having been scared half out of her wits.

"My apologies Doctor," the android offered. "It was not my intent to frighten you, I simply responded to your query about the status of the ship."

"Well next time you might want to announce your presence first," Lea huffed. "Is the crew alright?"

"Internal sensors show that all members of the crew are present on the ship," Annie replied. "Sensors also show normal biological readings for the most part."

"Annie," the aCMO said as she returned with a fresh uniform. "What did you say about the ANUBIS and multiple quantum realities?"

"I cannot explain more than what Lt. Commander Maya has discovered," the Avatar explained. "The crew seems to be torn between multiple realities while the ship remains structurally intact. As long as the individual reality permits it, I seem able to travel from one reality to the next without trouble."

"Let's say for a moment that I actually understood what you just said," Lea said as she rubbed the back of her neck. "How is it possible for each and every member of the crew to experience their own individual realities?"

"According to Lt. Commander Maya, the nature of these realities seems to originate from the thoughts of the individuals."

"Let me get this straight," Adriana chuckled. "Our own thoughts create the reality we are in?"

"It is a rather simplistic view, but one that is accurate enough at this time," the Avatar stated.

"If we are supposed to be in our own individual realities, shouldn't you and I not be here together?" Lea asked.

"I was thinking of you," the aCMO admitted.

"And I was thinking of you," Doctor Summers quickly added.

"It is highly probable that the act of you thinking of each other created a link between your realities," Annie theorized.

"Well that answers a few questions," Lea said as she glanced towards her assistant. "I'm just curious as to why you were naked when you appeared?"

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P119: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 1030 ("The Perfect Dream")

-=-=-
"The Perfect Dream"
[Previous post: "On the Edge of Insanity"]
-=-=-

"The perfect world was a dream that your primitive cerebrum kept trying to wake up from."
- Agent Smith, The Matrix

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.1030

Doctor Summers desperately held onto the lifeless form of the aCMO, her thoughts solely focused on the unfairness of life and death. Because of an action she had taken, because of a mistake she had made, Lea had traded the life of a stranger for that of one of her own. Neither had deserved to die and the CMO wholeheartedly wished that she could have traded places with the Ensign now in her grasp.

-=-=-
Setting: PARADISE
Stardate: 63073.1030

The tall grass and colorful flowers went on for as far as the eyes could see.  Adriana felt completely at peace, not only with herself but with the universe as a whole, nothing mattered anymore.  As she aimlessly wandered through the grass beneath a picture perfect blue marbled sky, Adriana's bare foot collided with something relatively small but hard.  The impact had not caused any pain, although it most likely should have, but it had been enough to cause the woman to look down and search for the item she had stumbled upon.

As she moved the grass away Adriana discovered a small jeweled box with the initials AL inscribed on it.  Instinctively she opened it and smiled as she listened to the gentle melody that came from it.  The music box matched the one that could have been found in the Ensign's quarters, but the music that it played had originated from its twin, an identical box that had been the property of her sister Amanda.

Adriana lifted her eyes from the closed box now in her hands and saw her home on CESTUS III instead of the field she had expected to find. In front of her stood her parents, each handing a gift to the two small girls before them.

"These are for you," her father said to both little girls.  "They are both inscribed with the same initials to remind you both that you are sisters, forever a part of the other.  Now, inside the music is different, also to remind you that no matter what others may think or say, you two are unique in your own ways.  The music in your heart is yours and even if you share it with others it will always remain yours."

Her tear filled eyes returned to the small music box in her hands. This one had been Amanda's, not hers, and it had been taken by her sister when she had left their home to be with that boy.  Slowly Adriana reopened the box and lost herself in the melody as she recalled her sister's last words, "As long as I have this and you have yours, we will be together."

Adriana's tears flowed like a river, how could she have forgotten about her sister, even if only for a single second?  Amanda had been the reason why she had joined Starfleet, why she had embraced the opportunity given to her by the ANUBIS.

"I have to find my way back," the aCMO said as she tightly clutched the music box.  "I have to get back to the ANUBIS.  I have to get back to Doctor Summers."

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P118: USS ANUBIS: Mitshiba: Day 4 - 1030 ("On the Edge of Insanity")

~~~~~~~~~~
"On the Edge of Insanity"
(Cont. from "Beyond the Countless and Never Imagined Dimensions of Quantum Mechanics")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1030

To say that something had happened had been an understatement. Everyone on the Bridge had all of a sudden vanished without the slightest noise, but what troubled Aki most had been that she had been the only one to remain behind.  For one reason or another she had been set aside from the others, either by design or by chance and that was the detail that lingered in the Asian's thoughts.

"Computer," Aki demanded.  "Where are Captain Rikar, Commander Enaii, Lt. Commander Maya, Ensign Dalziel and Ensign Thomas."

=/\= All stated Officers are currently on the bridge, =/\= the computer replied without delay.

"Great," Aki sighed.  "Either I'm losing my mind or the computer is malfunctioning, and I'm not sure which is more desirable."

Out of desperation and hope, the aCSciO had moved to each and every station to confirm that her solitude had not been some sort of optical illusion and to confirm that the computer had been the one in error. From the Science station Aki had made her way to the Helm and finished with the Operations station, where Elliot had been only minutes ago.

"Well if this is a trick or some sort of joke, I am really not finding it amusing," the aCSciO sighed as she sat in the COO's chair.

"Tricks are my speciality," a playful voice was heard saying from the CO's chair. Aki immediately turned to look at that direction to see a strange looking humanoid crutching on top of the Captain's chair.  The primate features of the man made him appear more like a monkey than a human, and strangely enough the aCSciO felt as if she had somehow known this individual.

"Who are you and what have you done with the others?" Aki demanded as she drew her weapon and aimed it at the intruder.

The humanoid smiled and tilted his head in an amused manner. "Professor Isaru would be most displeased with you for not having recognized me," he said as he shifted his position to be on a one-handed hand-stand while still on top of the Captain's chair.

Aki watched with disbelief the humanoid's acrobatics and followed him with her eyes as he leaped to the front of the Bridge with a grace and agility beyond anything humanly possible.  The aCSciO thought carefully at the significance of the name that the man had chosen to mention.  Why had the name of her Ancient EARTH Mythology class been used, then it hit her.  "Wait a minute, you expect me to believe that you are the *Monkey King*?"

"Why not?" The humanoid mischievously replied as he danced from one foot to the next.  "Who else would have the power to do what has been done?  To send your friends into nothingness and leave you here along to figure out what happened and how to fix it."

"I would be more inclined to believe that you are a Q or a Douwd than the legendary Monkey King as described by the ancient tales," Aki said with a dry chuckle.  Although the Humanoid had displayed the mythological being's flare and general likeness, she had been far from accepting that deities actually existed.

"Akira Mitshiba," a commanding voice said, its echo easily filling the entire Bridge of the ANUBIS.  The Ensign turned back to look at the Captain's chair, this time to see some sort of royal figure sitting on it as if it had been a thrown.  "Would you be more willing to believe that I am the Jade Emperor?"

The Ensign remained speechless, dumfounded by what had happened.  Aki had been so stunned by everything that she had not even try to move away from the Monkey King as he came to place his head on her shoulder.

"Well, there goes any chances we had of having a little bit of fun."

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P117: USS ANUBIS: Maya: Day 4 - 1030
("Beyond the Countless and Never Imagined Dimensions of Quantum Mechanics")

---
"Beyond the Countless and Never Imagined Dimensions of Quantum Mechanics"
(Previous Post: "Blissful Peace")
---

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1030
 
Time had been shattered. Past, present and future had not only collided but forced to merge into a single dimension, one that appeared to encompass everything all at once. At least that had been the initial assumption of the Chief Science Officer of the USS ANUBIS following the failed attempt to fix the temporal distortion that had engulfed the ship and its crew.
 
It had taken a great deal of effort for the Shillian to not give into her feelings when she had seen her father standing there on the Bridge of the ANUBIS. The clues had been subtle, but enough for the scientist to recognize that there had been far more at play than a mere temporal bridging. Her father, who had been in his prime, had died when she had been very young, yet the man who had appeared before the Chief Science Officer had been older, much older than the Shillian remembered him to have been. If this had been nothing more than a merger of temporal points along a single timeline, Sonah should not have been this old and in fact could have only been as old as he had been when their world had perished.
 
If the temporal rift created by the Tachyon burst and harmonics resonance had somehow managed to extend into multiple timelines, some of the smaller clues that the Shillian had noted would have likely not been there. The one that had drawn the interest of the scientist the most had been the small pin that Sonah wore on his vest, a simple item made by a simple child only days before everything that Maya had known came to an end.
 
"You have that overdrive thinking look in your eyes," the elder Shillian said to the busy scientist who had returned her attention onto her instruments. The smile on his lips being that of a proud father as he looked upon his daughter who had not only continued his line of work but far exceeded his hopes and dreams.
 
"I'm sorry," the Shillian offered as she stopped for a brief moment to reclaim her composure. As much as she had wanted to believe it, as much as she had needed to embrace the idea, this man had not been Sonah, at least not the one the Chief Science Officer had once, long ago, called father. "Please forgive me, but I must be honest, you cannot be *my* father. The temporal inconsistencies are just too numerous to ignore and it is my belief that my initial assessment of our situation with the Romulan War Bird caused the situation that we are now in. I proceeded with the idea that we were dealing with nothing more than a temporal anomaly, a linear distortion of the space-time continuum, but I now realise that I was wrong. I mean I was correct in that we are dealing with a temporal phenomenon but I failed to take into account that we might have also been dealing with a breach in the quantum fabric of space brought forth by the Dimensional Drive of the USS
PARADOX. What I am experiencing now is not a temporal convergence but rather a reality given form by my own thoughts, time is not the only force at play here and I suspect that each member of the ANUBIS is currently in the same situation; trapped in a universe of their own creation."
 
The Shillian continued her research through the massive archives contained within the computer memory of the USS ANUBIS. The Chief Science Officer knew what she had been looking for and immediately recognized it when her search came across the desired data. A entity known only as 'The Traveler' had once voyaged onboard a Federation starship and stated that thought had been the basis for all reality. He went on to explain that space, time and thought could be made to become one an enable someone to give physical form to their thoughts, to their dreams and even to their fears.
 
"You are truly an amazing young woman," the Shillian elder offered, a loving smile having graced his lips. "I know that you do not consider me as your father, but I know that I would have been supremely honoured to have a daughter like you."
 
The Chief Science Officer halted her work, the words spoken by the man who resembled Sonah so very much having been impossible to ignore. The eyes of the Shillian began to fill with tears as emotions and wishes took hold over logic and scientific facts.
 
"I would have liked very much for you to have been my father," the Chief Science Officer of the ANUBIS admitted. "I would have loved to share the stories and discoveries that I have been part of, to tell you of the friends I have made, and of the life I have made for myself here on this ship."
 
Sonah smiled at the Shillian as only a father could to his daughter. "My dearest Maya, I would be honoured to listen to all of your stories, to learn about your friends and be made to share in your accomplishments. The universe may not have granted your exact wish, but I am here now and more than willing to fulfil the role that your heart desires."
 
In another distant parallel dimension, the Shillian scientist could imagine her counterpart having declined this opportunity solely based on the scientific facts that pointed to this man not being her *real* father. This decision would surely be regretted in the near future, so the Chief Science Officer decided to push aside the rules by which her life had been governed and opted instead follow her heart and embrace the moment. After all, had she not been told that time could be an ally if she allowed it to be?

---
Jessica Solarik

Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P116: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 1020 ("Blissful Peace")

-=-=-
"Blissful Peace"
[Previous post: "Dark Times"]
-=-=-

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.1020

The agonizing pain that had taken such a complete hold of her mind and body had finally vanished and left Adriana with a sense of peace the likes of which she had never experienced or even thought possible. Her mind had become perfectly still, at rest, and her thoughts as calm as a gentle summer's breeze over a flowery field.

Adriana knew that her eyes had been closed but she felt no urge to open them, or move from the bed she had been laid upon if indeed she had been on a bed at all.  Her body felt as light as a feather, almost to the point of floating.  If this had all been some sort of dream, it had been one that Ensign Lopez had hoped to never wake from.

The idea of not knowing about her sister's whereabouts or condition had somehow lost all significance, as if it had no longer mattered. The endless questions and drive that had consumed her very soul had all disappeared in what had felt to be another life. That alone should have been enough for Adriana to be upset, even enraged, but instead the aCMO found the entire concept almost amusing.  She had been so obsessed with finding this sister of hers; a woman not even related by blood, that it now all seemed too absurd.

Memories of the time the two girls had shared as teenagers now seemed to belong to someone other than herself, as if she had been looking at a historical recording of someone else's childhood.  Even the idea that her adoptive parents had not known about her being alive and safe onboard the ANUBIS had not bothered the Ensign anymore.  Even stranger had been the total lack of interest in discovering why her biological parents had abandoned Adriana as an infant on CESTUS III.

A new wave of peace washed through her being and pushed whatever little bit of hesitation had remained beyond Adriana's thoughts. There had been no reason for the aCMO to worry about what had once been her life, her friends and her family.  The sensation of complete and absolute peace had replaced everything that had made Adriana who she had been and even hoped to become.

Slowly she opened her eyes, not truly having expected to see something in particular, and when Adriana saw an open blue sky the aCMO smiled as if the sight had been exactly what should have been there. Somewhere in the deepest recesses of her mind she knew that the ceiling of the ANUBIS' Sickbay should have greeted her, but she did not find the open sky to be at all strange, and even less unwelcome.

Adriana's muscles seemed to not even be needed to get the aCMO off the biobed and onto the ground where tall grass and beautiful flowers had been waiting.  The scene had been absolutely surreal and impossible; Sickbay had somehow vanished to be replaced by a seemingly endless field set beneath a heavenly blue and white sky.  The scenery reflected the inner peace that the Ensign experienced and it was without any issues that she turned to discover that her body had not moved from the bed despite her now standing amidst the grass and flowers.

"Am I dead?"

The question crossed her list as nothing more than a whisper and immediately after vanished from her thoughts once it had been spoken. This inner peace she had discovered had been far more than anyone could have expected or ignored.

As she began to walk away from the biobed the Ensign felt the tall grass against her bare feet and legs, her uniform having vanished as easily and completely as her troubles and worries had.  All that had remained had been Adriana and this endless field, all that had mattered had been this eternal blissful peace.

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P115: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 1015 ("Dark Times")

=-=
"Dark Times"
[Previous post: "Cardassians Don't Get Frustrated, Do They?", written by the magnificent Susan]
=-=

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.1015

Lea let out a sigh of relief as the CMO looked at the medical readouts on the wall.  Ensign Lopez's EEG had begun to return to normal. At this rate the pain Adriana felt would be completely gone in a matter of minutes.

[[Thank you Maya,]] the CMO thought, the CSciO having held the best odds to being the one responsible.  "I need someone to do a deck-by-deck survey to make sure everyone if fine," Lea said. When no reply came the CMO lifted her head and scanned Sickbay. To the Doctor's surprise no one else had been there. "Where is everyone?" Summers called out while she headed for the isolation ward.

From there Lea went into the adjacent medical lab and ended her search in her office, still not having found anyone.  "Sickbay to Bridge," the CMO called out as she tapped her communicator. Frustration claimed the Doctor when no reply came. "What? Am I the only one on the ship?"

Lea stumped out of her office and returned to Adriana's side. At least the Doctor knew that there had been at least *1* other person onboard. When she rounded the corner the CMO saw a figure dressed in Intel colors standing next to her patient.

"Enaii?" Lea nervously asked, the stature and hair color of the officer matched, at least somewhat. From the back the Intel Agent seemed far more *Romulan* than the Doctor seemed to recall. Panic engulfed the CMO when she saw the woman's hand reach for the aCMO's throat. "What are you doing?"

Visions of the LANCELOT filled Lea's mind followed by the memory of the fist Enaii had launched her way. This time though things had been different, the CMO had not disobeyed any orders. So as scared as she had been Doctor Summers took hold of the woman's arm and pulled it away. The moment their eyes met though the Doctor let go and took several steps backwards.

"Who," Lea gasped. "I mean *what* are you?" the CMO demanded of the woman with red glowing eyes.

"Doctor Summers," the Intel Agent replied in an icy, bone chilling tone. "I am hurt, vexed even that you do not recognize me. You and I have had such an interesting relationship over the years. I agree that we have had our differences, but to not recognize your old friend?"

"You are no friend of mine!" Lea snapped. The woman might have appeared as Commander Enaii, but she could not have been. The voice and Romulan facial features had been wrong. The mannerism had been too egotistical. If nothing else the red eyes had definitively pointed to the woman having been something else than she appeared.

"Now, now Doctor," the Intel Agent grinned menacingly. "There is no need to be hostile. I am simply here to even out the score."

"Even out the score?" Lea asked, not at all liking this entire situation.

"Yes. On the LANCELOT your actions saved a life that was rightfully mine. I had hoped that Commander Enaii would trade your life for the one you stole from me. Since she did not, I am here to collect on the debt that I am owed," the woman said as she turned back to face Adriana.

Before Lea could say or do anything, the Intel Agent had taken a solid hold of the aCMO's head. The CMO felt her throat tighten as she became powerless to stop what was about to take place. In a swift move, the woman dressed in the grey colors of Intel effortlessly snapped the Ensigns neck. The crack of the bones echoed through Sickbay like a thunderstorm.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Lea screamed as she ran to the biobed, tears streaking down her cheeks. When she arrived the CMO looked into the open eyes of her assistant to see nothing but death looking back.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P114: USS ANUBIS: Dalziel: Day 4 - 0955
("Cardassians Don't Get Frustrated, Do They?")

==========
"Cardassians Don't Get Frustrated, Do They?"
(Previous Post: "Mother Dearest" by the talented Ashley)
==========

"I am proud of what I am, I believe in what I do. Can you say that?"
-Chekov to Irina Galludin, TOS, "The Way to Eden"

==========
Setting: Romulan Warbird SH'EREZAN, Brig
Stardate: 63073.0947

The first rotation shift emergency briefing took only a few minutes, but it was an essential part of running a tight ship. Even though their situation was unique, every protocol had to be followed. When the unexpected happened, routine was all they had left.

The disembodied voice of the Operations officer from the Bridge continued over the antique comm link. =/\=We are at a standstill with the Federation ship. They are being secretive, but they seem to be as unable to attack as we are. That's all we have at this time. If a security detail is needed, we will alert you.=/\=

"Understood, Llaerrh out," The Chief of Security said as he closed the communication link. Despite the events happening on the Bridge with the suspect Starfleet vessel, Sub Commander Llaerrh's prime concern was still the prisoner, at least until the Captain told him otherwise. "Report," he demanded of one of the guards, a lanky fellow by the name of Jolkrar.

"Nothing notable to report, sir. He has not spoken in nearly seven hours." Jolkrar was obviously trying to ingratiate himself to his superior's good side. The congenial ploy may have worked, had they not both been Romulans.

"Sleeping?"

The guard shook his head. "It appears he is... *meditating*." Jolkrar said the word as though it left a bad taste in his mouth. The world of a Romulan soldier was relegated to duty, more duty, sleep, food, and still more duty. The idea of anything as frivolous as spiritual enlightenment was lost on the militant race.

"He is a strange one," Llaerrh commented, rubbing his hand against his scruffy beard.

==========
Setting: Romulan Warbird SH'EREZAN, Cell

[[Must not submit... to *their* level. Grant me strength.]]

Karg, dishonored, disowned son of Golak, sat completely still in the middle of the cell, reaching with his mind to find inner peace. Being a prisoner of the Romulans had only been a ripple in his normal state of optimism, but the intense pain he was now experiencing was overtaking him much more strongly than his captivity. 

His weapons had been confiscated, although he would have had no intention of ever using them against his captors. Even in his heightened consciousness, his face still bore the expression of an extremely proud, irritated Klingon warrior.

Karg still did not understand why he was here. He had been in the corner of the bar, nursing a glass of prune juice, and minding his own business. Somehow, the Romulans that arrived on scene wanted a fight and just assumed he would be more than willing to take them on. When he refused, they kidnapped him. 'Crimes against the state' was the weak reason they claimed for their actions, but what jurisdiction they held at the outpost he could not comprehend.

And the pain still persisted, even though the Klingon's self control was immense. Sharp needles touched every inch of his flesh, as if being branded by lancets of fire. Karg struggled to control, wondering if he had been given some kind of mind-altering drug without his consent. Beads of sweat formed on his ridged forehead, his stocky form twitching with an unknown energy. [[What was this?]] he thought, unable to disseminate the reactions of his physical being.

And, with a heaving breath, Karg passed out. 

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.0955

Time.

[[Dammit,]] Eve fumed as she sat in stunned silence, wishing she had more *time* to think. The bridge was full of intense discussion and activity. And, as easy as it had been to chat in the Black Hole Lounge during the wee hours of the morning, it was equally supremely difficult to get a word in edgewise on the Bridge at this very moment.

So, relegated to her position, Eve sat back and observed, something she was very adept at. It had been years since she felt as though she had something to prove. But this new assignment had given her that. She would always be secure in her accomplishments and how far she'd come. But there was nothing that could replace the kind and deserving comments of a superior or co-worker. And Eve was chomping at the bit to earn those accolades. The mission to the YUDARA asteroid field was the perfect vehicle for her knowledge of reconnaissance. An ideal chance to show what she was made of. And instead, here they were, stuck in the mire of a temporal anomaly.

Truth be told, Eve was almost as disappointed as the Kzinti had been when the weapons failed to discharge against the Warbird and its hapless crew, even though destruction of lives unnecessarily was something she was dead set against. The ship was a symbol of the ANUBIS being held back from its mission, even though it was becoming more and more likely that the reason for the ship's sudden appearance was part and parcel of locating the PARADOX. 

(From Jessica's last post)

"...I am configuring the main deflector dish to create a harmonic Tachyon burst that will be directly opposite to the current state of the antiprotons and antineutrons that are in this region of space. This, in theory, should nullify the temporal distortion and return this region of space to a normal quantum state, unfortunately there is no time to test this theory  before implementing it. It is rather ironic to not have the time to test a procedure that will affect time itself," the Chief Science Officer stated just before she engaged the deflector dish.

(Back to Mine)

Eve uttered a Bajoran prayer, trying to encourage a positive outcome. Commander Maya was highly intelligent, that was without question. If anyone could clear up this mess, it would be her-

There was a moment. A moment when everything and nothing collided. And then, silence.

"Bloody Hell," Ensign Dalziel said, borrowing her adoptive father's words of frustration. Eve found herself alone in the ship's command center, which appeared to be completely unchanged. Except for the unmistakable fact that she was alone. Well, almost.

"Annie?" Eve said, hoping that the ship's computer was not off-line.

Annie appeared in front of her, as efficient and pleasant as one would expect her to be. Elan Fairborn, the Chief Engineer, was a man of few words, but he seemed to view any technical creations with a sense of wonder and pride that was nearly as infectious as Maya's love of science. Eve had been informed of some of the unique properties of the extension of the ship. She just hadn't expected to call on those services so soon.

"Annie, how many life forms are missing from the USS ANUBIS?"

"There are no life forms missing from the USS ANUBIS," Annie replied efficiently.

Eve raised an eyebrow. "Computer, how do you explain the fact that we appear to be alone, even if there are no life forms missing from the ship?"

At least Annie had the grace to process this valid question a few seconds before responding. "There are a number of theories as to this scenario."

"How many possible theories?"

"Two hundred thirty-seven, to be exact." The Avatar's countenance was very matter-of-fact, although Eve could have sworn she saw teasing reflected back at her. 

"Please use current known scientific principles to narrow the list to the top three likeliest reasons for this anomaly."

It was as if the raven-haired extension of the ANUBIS had anticipated Dalziel's request. "The most likely possible reason is that the temporal distortion field that caused the Romulan ship to appear in our time could also be related to the current event that is being experienced. The second most likely reason is that a rift has formed in the space-time continuum. The third most likely reason, which I will admit is a subset of the number one reason, is that the PARADOX has developed the capability to alter the continuum or has been modified beyond its original purpose to alter space-time energy."

Eve sighed. Quantum and Temporal Physics was definitely not her strong suit. She rose from her seat and paced about, thinking aloud as she engaged herself with the ship's Avatar. "So a possible option is that the temporal bubble has somehow encapsulated each of the members of the crew, while the physical ship itself remains constant?"

"That is a possibility."

"What is the probability that the harmonic Tachyon pulse that Maya instituted caused the current state?"

"There is a ninety-five-point-four-seven percent probability."

Eve collapsed a little inwardly. She hoped Maya was in a position to try and evaluate the data. "Can this procedure be reversed?"

"Negative. Another alternate procedure could be implemented, but it is impossible to undo what has transpired."

Eve sat back down, wracking her brain as to what she could ask Annie about next. Annie stood at silent attention, certainly ready to answer. But the Counsellor's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a stranger through the turbolift doors.

"Good morning, Ensign Dalziel... although I should call you Eve. I feel as though I already know you." The woman extended her hand in greeting.

[[Just great. Another mystery.]] "I wish I could say the same. Who are *you*?"

"Amanda Lopez. I'm Adriana's sister," the attractive woman replied cheerfully.

"I didn't know Adriana's sister served aboard the ANUBIS."

Amanda smiled. "That's just it- I don't. I'm not really here. But since Adriana hasn't mentioned my existence to you I figured I would take the opportunity to do just that."

This was getting curiouser and curiouser. Eve resisted the urge to ask what Adriana's sibling meant by her comments, and instead tried to seek help. "Amanda, the fabric of time has been twisted due to a temporal event of some kind. Are you aware of this event?"

"Oh, that's a good question," Amanda said playfully. "The only thing I am aware of is before a few minutes ago, the only person who could see me was my dear crazy sister Adriana. And now, I can talk to whoever I want. Naturally I thought of the ship's Counsellor. I need to tell you, my sister is quite mad."

"I don't believe in labels," Eve said dryly. "Especially not right now." The surgically altered Cardassian officer pursed her lips together in thought. If Adriana was really seeing her sister's presence aboard the ship, that could explain some of Ensign Lopez's erratic behavior since her arrival aboard the ANUBIS. "What I should say is there are reasons for seeing things that aren't there. For example, does it make me crazy that I can see you right now?"

The psedo-imaginary-possibly-real-and-sentient Lopez sister didn't respond. It was as if Eve caught Amanda in a trap. Only Annie answered the Counsellor's question. "Sensor scans indicate you are physiologically functioning within normal parameters, Ensign Dalziel."

[[Thank the Prophets,]] she thought. At least that was one thing she could pin her hopes to. "This temporal distortion needs to be fixed, but I'm certainly not capable of doing so," Eve admitted. "Amanda, can you be of assistance?"

If Amanda Lopez had any knowledge of science or starships, she conveniently did not volunteer that information. "I understand what you are saying, but I rather like this, Counsellor. I can come and go as I please. If Adriana's too stubborn to say she sees me, then I can force the issue, which I have."

"Then this is going to be a very long day indeed," Eve said under her breath.

==========
Susan M Ledbetter
=/\=
Ensign Eve Dalziel
Counsellor
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

"I savored those stories; I read them slowly, one each day. And when I was done, I wished I hadn't read them at all. So I could read them again... like it was the first time."
-Melanie to Old Jake, DS9, "The Visitor"

OLD-P113: USS ANUBIS: Fanggot: Day 4 - 1010 ("Mother Dearest")‏

###############################
"Mother Dearest"
Previous post "What do Chronitrons, Tachyons, Antiprotons and Antineutrons Have in Common?" by the knowledgeable Jessica.
###############################

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1010

====^*^====

The young Kzinti rushed down to Main Engineering as she had been instructed, calling multiple men and women to her aid. The entire ship was in chaos, and it made it all worse that most communications were down... somehow. The Ensign hurried everyone ahead of her, preferring to stay behind her group when faced with the Oltharian.

It's not that she didn't enjoy the gentle giant's company, she was merely intimidated by his height. Hex had never met anyone so... large before. The Kzinti decided that she'd be one of a group instead of leading it when meeting with him. It would ease at least some of her nerves.

Screams erupted from almost every deck, though the Kzinti wanted to stop and help, she pressed forward. The fuzzy officer had to reach Main Engineering before one of her own officers broke down and begun the screaming. Hex was worried for the safety of everyone, yet she was powerless to help.

Too little too late, she was forced to leave two people behind; in the care of the nurses of course. The Ensign reached the door of Main Engineering just before another in her ranks collapsed under the pressure of his own mind.

"This can't be happening," the cat-like Ensign muttered harshly under her breath, "if this... thing keeps happening, not only will all our crew be helpless, but I'm sure the Romulans would enjoy having such an easy target."

Everything was a blur, sight, sound and even the smells that the Kzinti cherished so much. Every sent of hers was dulled under her stress and her ear was getting sore from the constant movement. Soon enough it would be defeated and no longer bother to stand straight like the other one.

Hex allowed all the others to go in before her, as she had planned, and was about to go in herself when movement caught her eye. Just never the door something was shimmering in and out, not fully solid but not properly gaseous either.

The Kzinti watched anxiously to see if it was someone from the other ship hoping to catch the ANUBIS crew unawares as they ran around like chickens with their heads cut off. What she saw materialize not only seemed to shatter her soul, but she felt a pain in her chest like never before.

The pain waxed and waned like EARTH's moon itself, burning a hole in her chest and quickly spreading to each end of her body. [[No,]] Hex wanted to cry, settling instead for kneeling heavily on the ground. Her eyes were glazed over, bur she was fighting for control.

In a hoarse whisper, the Kzinti addressed the newest entity on board the ANUBIS, "Mother..."

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanggot
Assistant Chief of Security/Tactical
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P112: USS ANUBIS: Maya: Day 4 - 0955
("What do Chronitrons, Tachyons, Antiprotons and Antineutrons Have in Common?")

---
"What do Chronitrons, Tachyons, Antiprotons and Antineutrons Have in Common?"
(Previous Post: "Confusion All Around")
---

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.0955
 
Time.
 
Some believe it to be linear, predictable and impervious to being changed in any way, shape or form. This is a comforting thought to many as it allows them to relinquish their fate onto an unknown and all power force that has already decided what would happen to them and when. Decisions to be made have already been made and life is nothing more than the exploration of a single path already set before each and every single living entity. Choices under this line of belief are only an illusion, a fantasy created to give one's life some level of deeper reason for being.
 
Others believe it to be nothing at all, that time itself was a creation born from the need to give form to the endless unknown that surrounded them. This creation allowed them to quantify something that otherwise eluded their understanding, and once such definition had been applied the entire idea could then be shelved and ignored. Choices under this line of belief affect no one else but the person who has made it, thus granting them the freedom to do as they please without any repercussions.
 
Others still believe it to be fluid, able to be shaped, changed and even turned back onto itself. That it is a simple physical dimension like any other that can be manipulated to suit the needs and desires of those with the right tools to alter this dimension. As such past, present and future are only ideas, childish concepts brought forth in a futile effort to understand its boundless complexity. Events that have come to pass can be endlessly reshaped to bring about a multitude of new outcomes. Choices under this line of belief are crucial as they not only affect the person who has made it, but also everyone else in the universe as this decision takes form and grows into a new reality for all to participate in.
 
Maybe one or more of these definitions is accurate, or maybe none of them are and time is a living entity able to shape itself according to no one else's whims but its own. Benevolent, it looks upon life with a protective admiration never fully revealing itself to anyone despite their deepest desire to understand and explore. Malicious, it laughs at the repeated efforts to conquer its powers, crushing the hopes and dreams of anyone who dares to challenge its masterful supremacy.
 
So many possibilities, so many questions without answers, so many things to consider. This had been almost too much for the Shillian Scientist who had rushed into the task to discover the cause and solution to the temporal distortion. This quantum anomaly had brought a ship one hundred years into the future and inflicted unimaginable pain to many the Chief Science Officer had come to call friend.
Although imperative, the work to see the Romulan War Bird returned to its own time had been delayed to give priority to saving the crew members of the ANUBIS who had fallen prey to the effects of this distortion. Maybe this had been the wrong course of action, maybe the Chief Science Officer would have done better had she focussed on the larger issue instead of the pain suffered by the individuals, but the Shillian had been unable to ignore the plight of her fellow shipmates.
 
The voices of the Bridge Officers around her had become nothing more than distant whispers, a barely audible reminder to the Shillian that she had not been alone in this quest. They also served to further push the Chief Science Officer to work faster than she had ever thought possible to see this problem resolved with utmost rapidity. The Head Scientist of the USS ANUBIS had found herself in a race against an opponent not known for being forgiving; time.
 
"Captain!" The Shillian scientist called out without warning and continued without having confirmed that the woman in question had acknowledged her request for attention. "Using the information we have on file concerning projects on time travel by the Federation, Klingons and Borg to name but a few, I have been able to confirm that the disruption we are experiencing was caused by an imbalance in the Temporal Drive of the USS PARADOX. The levels of Chronitron particles along with the harmonic resonance of the surrounding antiprotons and antineutrons indicate that this temporal event is of Federation origin, at least in its creation as I doubt that anyone in Starfleet would have caused this to happen. The temporal distortion waves are emanating from the YUDARA Asteroid Field and according to these readings they are steadily increasing in frequency and amplitude."
 
"In short," the Asian Assistant Chief Science Officer added, "things are going to get worse if we do not find a way to stop it."
 
"The real question is can we?" The Commanding Officer offered, not entirely convinced that the USS ANUBIS despite all of its state-of-the-art equipment had been ready to tackle such a situation.
 
"Already working on it Captain," the Shillian Scientist replied, her hands moving over the science console like never before. "I am adding carefully calibrated sub-harmonics to the bio-regenerative hull to counter the psychological effects of the temporal distortion, this should take care of the problem reported by Doctor Summers. I am also working on creating a counter temporal wave that would cancel the effect of the Temporal Drive of the USS PARADOX, or at the very least reduce the impact on the general timeline of these distortions to make it easier for us to reach the ship and effect repairs. I am configuring the main deflector dish to create a harmonic Tachyon burst that will be directly opposite to the current state of the antiprotons and antineutrons that are in this region of space. This, in theory, should nullify the temporal distortion and return this region of space to a normal quantum state, unfortunately there is no time to test this theory
before implementing it. It is rather ironic to not have the time to test a procedure that will affect time itself," the Chief Science Officer stated just before she engaged the deflector dish.
 
The high energy pulse was nearly instantaneous and spread in all directions, effortlessly passing through solid matter as if it had not even been there at all. The only reason the Shillian knew that this had actually occurred had been because she had been the one to initiate the pulse. No external phenomenon had taken place to indicate that something had happened or that anything had changed, at least until the Chief Science Officer raised her eyes from the console to look upon the Captain to discover that the redhead woman along with everyone else on the bridge had vanished.
 
"Not good, not good, not good," the Shillian exclaimed as she quickly returned to her console and studied the newest sensor readings. "Something went wrong, something else happened at the same time, instead of cancelling the temporal distortion the Tachyon pulse shattered the integrity of the space-time continuum. Inert physical matter seems unaffected, but biological matter has been sent into a wild state of temporal flux, now instead of a single temporal bubble we are dealing with dozens, maybe even hundreds of separate time spheres that are isolated from one another. Not good, not good, not good. I have to fix this before something bad happens," the Shillian said with a deep sight. "I mean, I have to fix this before something *worse* happens, because this is about as bad as it could have been short of a complete implosion of this and all surrounding realities and dimensions."
 
"Maya," the gentle and calm aged voice of a man was heard against the silence that had engulfed the Bridge of the USS ANUBIS. "You need to relax, your mind is going too fast. You always were too keen to get things done, time in this case can be your ally if you allow it to be."

The Shillian stopped her frantic work and remained completely motionless for several seconds, the voice the Scientist had heard had been from her own past, a voice that had been an impossibility under normal circumstances. Slowly the Chief Science Officer turned her head in the direction of the voice, her heart pounding stronger and faster the more her sight drew closer to the source. Even with her understanding that time itself had been shattered, the scientist had been unable to logically reason and accept what her eyes had discovered.
 
"You are impossible," the Chief Science Officer stated in a trembling, challenging tone. "You cannot be real."
 
"What is real? To many, dreams are more real than life. If reality is based on your perceptions and your thoughts, then this is as real as you wish it to be. If reality is rooted in the heart and emotions of a person, then everything around you is the illusion leaving only you and I to be the ones who are *real*." 
 
Eyes full of disbelief were soon filled with tears as the Shillian forgot all that had happened to instead embrace the reality of the moment and rush towards the man who had spoken such heartfelt words. "Daddy?"

---
Jessica Solarik

Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P111: USS ANUBIS: Thomas: Day 4 - 1000 ("Confusion All Around")

#####
"Confusion All Around"
[Previous post: "Temporal Oddity" written by the Cool and Sweet Dawn Bohr]
#####

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.1000

The Chief of Operations could not understand what was going on all around the ship, and all he could do was to keep listening to stories as if they had been made up for some kids night around the camp-fire.

Elliot tried to rack his brains to think of what he could possibly do to help the situation on-board the USS ANUBIS, when the CO's voice broke his train of thought.

The red-headed woman touched her comm badge on her chest and inquired "Bridge to Engineering," to which there was no reply.  The CO touched her comm badge again and attempted the same request, "Bridge to Engineering," and again the same reply came, a deafening silence.

Ensign Thomas glanced over to where Aki stood and caught her eye then he silently mouthed "what's happening?", to which she responded with a shrug of the shoulders.

The Chief of Operations then turned to look at the Captain and after studying her expressions he could see that she was questioning to herself the seriousness of the situation.  The red-headed woman then turned towards Hex, which made the furball's ear twitch immediately when their eyes locked then the CO stated, "Ensign Fanggot I need you to get some security personnel down to engineering, I don't want to be stuck out here with either no power or no engineering staff, and right now if the computer is not responding properly anything could be happening on-board."  Then turning to face Elliot she continued, "Ensign Thomas, I need you to run ship diagnostics and find out what is wrong and why?"

The COO gave a faint hearted smile, nodded and immediately started to work at his console, swiping his hand over the console and touching areas with soft tones to announce confirmation of execution.  He ran each individual diagnostic program over all the programming code for the relevant areas of work,  but kept coming back with the same results, everything was functioning within parameters, it did not make sense but regardless of the number of times that he did the diagnostics it did not change the outcome, everything is functioning normally.

After 30 minutes of constant diagnostic checks Elliot looked to the direction of  CO and called in a disheartened tone "Captain, I have done all the diagnostic checks I can and I keep getting the same result and that is everything is within normal parameters."

The red-headed woman looked in Chief of Operations direction, however she did not look surprised with his results then added "If there no problems with the ship; however, we are some how experiencing computer issues then this could be a far more serious situation we're in than what we would like to be."

=====
Craig Mitchell

Ensign Elliot Thomas.
Chief Operations Officer.
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

[The Universe is a huge place, but you always seem to meet someone you know just around the corner.]
OLD-P110: USS ANUBIS: Mitshiba: Day 4 - 0955 ("Temporal Oddity")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Temporal Oddity"
(Cont. from "Medical Emergency")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.0955

Since the Doctor's report to the Bridge everyone had been even more on edge then before, their situation with the Romulan War Bird having been compounded by whatever else had swept through the crew.  Aki, like everyone else on the command deck, had been left with nothing else to do but to wait for the CSciO's analysis as to the probable cause as well as hopefully a possible way to counteract this issue.

"Could it be some sort of new Romulan weapon?" Hex sheepishly asked, her ear twitching like never before.  To be so powerless and at the mercy of something entirely out of her control had rattled the aSec/Tac, a feeling that had been shared by many other officers on the Bridge.

"A new weapon from an archaic ship?" Elliot grumbled.  "It would be very unlikely," the COO said in a tone that almost seemed to chastise the aSec/Tac for having made the suggestion.

"When it comes to temporal distortions," Aki offered in defend of her fellow Ensign, "everything is possible.  It would not be the first time that a ship suddenly gained superior technology."  Of course because she had been defending the aSec/Tac, the aCSciO had made a point to omit the fact that such a temporal shift usually resulted in the crew of that ship to also gain the knowledge to properly use such new technology.  If this had truly been an attack by the Romulans, Aki doubted that any of them would have been left standing.

The aCSciO could understand the reasoning behind Hex's suggestion though.  Had this been some sort of Romulan weapon the Kzinti would have felt more at ease with the idea and the possible counter action, unfortunately when dealing with a natural phenomenon, weapons were usually of little use.

Aki glanced over to the Shillian who had been working like mad at the primary science console to discover the cause of this affliction. Every so often the aCSciO thought that Lieutenant Maya had been ready to report on her findings and give the bridge officers one of her legendary detailed explanations, but so far each time the CSciO's head had come up it had fallen back down within seconds.  Whatever had caused this temporal distortion had been major, the only indication Ensign Mitshiba had needed to reach this conclusion having been the Shillian's extended silence.

The impatience of the CO had started to show, but Captain Rikar knew better than to pressure her chief Scientist.  Maya had visibly working as fast and hard as she could, so much so that Aki had not dared to ask if there had been something she could do to help for fear of interrupting some important train of thought.  Instead the aCSciO concentrated her sensor scans on the Romulan War Bird and the single Klingon life form they had found inside.  To find a Romulan ship 100 years in its future had been an anomaly of its own, but to discover a Klingon inside that very ship had been a mystery that begged to be solved, even if only to set the records straight.

Maybe once the issue with the ANUBIS' crew had been addressed they would be able to turn their attention back onto the Romulan War Bird and its atypical passenger.

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P109: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 0950 ("Medical Emergency")

=-=
"Medical Emergency"
[Previous post: "That Strange Feeling", written by the eager Marissa]
=-=

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.0950

Lea jumped out of her seat and rushed into the main treatment area the moment she had heard the screams. The CMO had not known what to expect but she was completely taken aback when she saw the aCMO on the floor. As if possessed by demons Adriana had been tossing uncontrollably about on the floor. Several nurses had rushed to the woman's side to try and keep her from injuring herself. Even with the weight of several people against her own, Ensign Lopez had still not been immobilized.

"What happened?" Lea asked as she flipped her tricorder open to take some basic readings thorugh the nurses. The Doctor had not needed the instrument to tell that Adriana had been in excruciating pain. Neither did the CMO need any confirmation that her assistant had been beyond being reasoned with.

"I don't know," one of the nurses replied. "She just fell down and started screaming like this."

"I have never heard anyone scream like this," another nurse said while trying herbest to hold the aCMO down.

"There are no visible wounds," the CMO said. "Help me get her onto the biobed."

In her enraged frenzy the aCMO managed to knock the Doctor and one of the nurses onto their rears. It was clear to see that Ensign Lopez had lost all control and needed to be sedated. Quickly Lea reached for a hypospray, loaded it with a mild sedative and injected her agitated assistant. Within seconds Adriana's body relaxed and became still, which allowed for the medical staff to safely move her onto the biobed.

"What caused her to feel such pain?" the nurse asked once the aCMO had been placed and secured on the biobed. The invisible restraining force field allowed for the nurses to take a moment to relax and count their bruises.

"I'm not sure," Lea replied. "But according to these readings whatever caused it is still there. Her EEG is off the scale, the only reason why she stopped screaming is because of the sedative. The real problem is that I cannot find any physiological cause for this pain. The brain is responding to something, but it's not her nerves. The pain seems to be triggered directly from within her brain."

"Doctor," another nurse called out as she ran into the main treatment area. "We are getting calls from almost every deck. Something strange is happening, people all over the ship are collapsing to the group screaming in agonizing pain."

"Sickbay to Bridge," Lea said immediately after having tapped her comm badge. The situation had grown from a single isolated incident to a ship-wide condition.

=/\= Go ahead Doctor," =/\= Captain Rikar replied.

"Something about this region of space and the temporal distortion is causing several crew members to experience extreme pain," Lea reported. "Ensign Lopez was one of the first to become afflicted. I've conducted a few quick tests but I cannot locate the cause."

=/\= Is there something you can do for them? =/\= the CO asked, hope distinctively present in her voice.

"Short of putting them into a coma, no," the CMO replied as she held on to the hand of her assistant. Even under sedation Adriana's hand responded to the intense pain she had been experiencing. Had it all been possible Lea would have taken upon herself the pain Adriana felt. The only thing Doctor Summers could do was to wait and hope that someone on the Bridge would be able to find a solution.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P108: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 0945 ("That Strange Feeling")

-=-=-
"The Strange Feeling"
[Previous post: "The Romulans"]
-=-=-

Setting: USS ANUBIS, CMO's office
Stardate: 63073.0945

Something had happened and Adriana was at a loss to explain how she knew, but she had been drawn to check in with Doctor Summer.  The moment Ensign Lopez stepped into the CMO's office the look on the Doctor's face indicated that the assistant had not been imagining things.  "Is everything alright?" the aCMO asked of her superior.

"Depends," Doctor Summers replied, her eyes glued to the small monitor on her desk.

"Depends on what?" Adriana asked, concerns and worries filled her mind.

"Depends on if you consider the ANUBIS being nose-to-nose with a 100-years-old Romulan War Bird being *alright*," Doctor Summers said, her eyes still not having moved from the image on the small monitor.

"What are the Romulans doing here?" Adriana exclaimed, apparently having missed the bit that had preceded the mentioning of the race by the CMO.

"I'm relatively certain that they are asking themselves that same question," the Doctor said as she looked at the aCMO with a disconcerted expression.  "Not only are they well outside of their territory, but they are also *100 years* late."

"What?" Adriana gasped.  "Oh, you had mentioned that before," the aCMO continued, the earlier statement from Doctor Summers just now having registered.  "Guess my question still applies though, although with a minor twist as to the definition of *here*."

"We are in the middle of a temporal event," the CMO said with a sigh. "We, being the medical staff of the ANUBIS, have to be ready.  I need you to take over and coordinate the emergency teams should something come up; I will stay here in Sickbay and supervise everything else. We have to be ready to deal with plasma injuries from the Romulan vessel and also be ready to address any strange occurrence caused by us being in a temporally unstable area."

"I remember a few classes at the Academy about the effects of temporal distortions on living tissue," Adriana said.  "Some of those were pretty nasty as I recall, causing organs to rapidly age out of control."

"That is why I need everyone ready to jump into action at a moment's notice," Doctor Summer explained.

Ensign Lopez nodded her head in acknowledgment and made her way back into Sickbay where several emergency teams had already begun to gather to ready their equipment.

"You need to have your people be aware and ready about something else too," an all too familiar voice said, which made the aCMO roll her eyes.  "Exposure to temporal distortions have also been known to cause psychological problems in certain individuals, namely to make them unable to discern the difference between what is real and what is not," Amanda stated with an eerie calmness.  "Those individuals are not only a danger to themselves but could prove to be very dangerous to other member of the crew if they should believe them to not be real," the hallucination of her sister continued which left Ensign Lopez to question if she had been suffering from the stated ailment of if she officially lost her mind and gone insane.

Adriana suddenly felt a strange tingling sensation take hold of her skin, as if countless ants had decided to dance on her body.  The feeling quickly became too much for the aCMO to control and she collapsed onto the floor screaming as if her life had been about to end.

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P107: USS ANUBIS: Fanggot : Day 4 – 0940 ("The Romulans")‏

#####################
"The Romulans"
Previous post Jessica's "Everything is Possible When Dealing with Temporal Distortions and Quantum Mechanics"
#####################

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.0940
====^*^====

The Kzinti was, as most had already noticed, trigger-happy. The minute the Captain had given the order, she was wildly firing the ship's weaponry that the Ensign had waited so long to see in action. The thing that surprised everyone though was that nothing happened.
"Hex?" Ensign Mitshiba questioned, "Aren’t you going to fire?"

"I am... something's blocking our weapons, it all looks as though it's working... but it's not..." Hex was confused and distraught, her ear twitched nervously.

"Maybe it has something to do with this temporal bubble we are in," Ensign Thomas offered, noticing the Kzinti's face to look like the one of a child who had just received nothing for Christmas.

"The power build-up in the Romulan War Bird has vanished, looks like they won't be firing either." Akira added, staring at the view screen intently from over in the Engineering station, having linked the unused console to Maya’s.

"What ever is blocking our weapons must be blocking theirs as well," Hex grumbled, happy they weren't being fired upon, but unhappy that they could not fire.

The Shillian female seemed to have thought it through, but was brought up short when the CO began to give orders anew. "Open hailing frequencies, we'll see what it is they want and figure this out," she still seemed to be upset by the mention of temporal mechanics.

Those on the bridge went to work, but Hex lost herself in a fuzzed daydream. It involved the ship's torpedoes to be destroying the Romulan War Bird, reducing it to space junk within minutes. Though the Kzinti was unsatisfied with her weapons malfunctioning, she couldn't help but notice the dark figure or Enaii looming within the bridge.

The Ensgin wasn't afraid of the woman, but she had an aura of menace around her that the Kzinti knew all the others could sense too. Just having Enaii on the bridge meant trouble, and it was as if that trouble wouldn't leave until she herself did.

"Link established Captain, we’re getting something," Tomas called.

"On screen please Ensgin," Riker stated, not moments later, a visual of the Romulan Commander filled the view screen. He looked nervous, but had a determined glint to his eyes.

"What is it you want?" demanded the Romulan, more rudely then necessary.

Hex grinned, glad to see their foe squirm. The Romulan had been brought 100 years or so into the future, and his ship was no match compared to the ANUBIS and it was easy to see that the Commander of the Romulan ship *knew* it.  He and his crew were sitting ducks to the Federation starship which was far more advanced than they were, and this situation was *not* sitting well with the Romulan Commanding Officer.

"Captain, the sensors are picking up 78 Romulan life signs as well as 1 Klingon life sign onboard the War Bird." Maya reported, fingers flying over the keys of her console.

"A captive? Captain, the prisoner can not be permitted to remain on board the Romulan ship!" Drell intervened, bowing his head under the CO's heavy gaze.

====^*^====
(the below section was written by Francois)

"We could try to beam him off their ship," the COO suggested having verified that the transporter system had been operative.

The redhead Captain glanced over to the ILO who said nothing and only slightly shook her head.  Although no words had been exchanged Rikar knew what Enaii had thought; the timeline.  The Romulan vessel had been pulled from its time and brought into the future through some unknown power, and to safeguard the integrity of the timeline that ship needed to be returned to its time.

"Commander," Rikar began in her best diplomatic voice.  "You are very far from home, there is no need to resort to hostilities.  We would be happy to assist you in whatever way we can to see you return home," the ANUBIS' CO offered having made sure not to mention any time references so as to not tip the Romulans of their actual situation if they had not already been aware of it."

"We do not trust nor surrender to Federation puppets," the Commander snarled before the communication between the two vessels was terminated leaving the CO and the rest of the Bridge Officers to wonder as to what their next move would be.

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanngot
Assistant Chief of Security/Tactical
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P106: USS ANUBIS: Maya: Day 4 - 0935
("
Everything is Possible When Dealing with Temporal Distortions and Quantum Mechanics")

---
"Everything is Possible When Dealing with Temporal Distortions and Quantum Mechanics"
(Previous Post: "That Was Unexpected")
---

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.0935
 
The USS ANUBIS had come to a complete stop while the members of the Senior Staff readied themselves to deal with the rapidly approaching Romulan vessel. It had been clear that their only course of action had been to destroy the ship before it collided with them to insure that their presence remained unknown to any other ships that might have been in the area.
 
"All decks report ready and weapons are on stand-by," the Kzinti Tactical Officer announced, ready to open fire with everything at her disposal the moment the Captain would give the order. "Impact in 35 seconds."
 
"Captain, sensors are showing the ship is slowing down," the Assistant Chief Science Officer announced, now more puzzled than ever before. "They have dropped out of warp and seem to be on an intercept course instead of a collision course."
 
"How are they able to see us," the Chief of Operations demanded from his station having once again confirmed that the Ablative Armour had been fully deployed and operational.
 
"It does seem impossible," Captain Rikar added, her narrowed eyes fixated on the image of the now slowly approaching vessel.
 
When the doors to the turbo lift located in the front-portside of the Bridge opened, everyone on the command deck seemed stunned by the unexpected arrival of the Intel Operative. Slowly Enaii made her way to her station located behind the command pit, her eyes never once having left the image displayed on the main view screen.

"This is not right," Enaii stated in a calm yet disturbed tone as she glared at the image of the Romulan ship on the screen from behind her station.
 
"What?" The Chief of Operations asked a little miffed. "That a Romulan ship has de-cloaked in front of us or that it seems to be able to detect us despite our Ablative Armour being activated?"
 
"I believe Commander Enaii is referring to the ship itself," the Shillian Scientist offered as she stepped out of the rear turbo lift and made her way to the science station at the back of the Bridge.
 
"Care to explain Maya?" the Captain urged, the simple fact that a ship had de-cloaked directly in their path had been bad enough, but that the ship had been Romulan had only made things worse.
 
"The ship you are seeing on our screen is a Romulan War Bird, a vessel class that has not been used by the Romulan Star Empire in over as century," the Chief Science Officer explained as she took over the seat gladly vacated by her Assistant, Ensign Mitshiba. "Before you suggest that this might be an old ship abandoned by the Empire and that it has someone made its way into the hands of some other race, please allow me to point out that there is sizable quantum distortion around that ship. This same distortion is also around the ANUBIS and it is my belief that it is the cause as to why the Romulan War Bird is able to detect us. Actually, as far as these readings are concerned I would be ready to venture a hypothesis that we are the only ones able to see the Romulans and that likewise they are the only ones capable of *seeing* us."
 
"So you are saying that the ship is not really there and that we are all imagining it?" Ensign Thomas offered, not at all convinced with the idea that their instruments, as well as their own eyes, had been wrong.
 
"Woah," the Klingon Flight Control Officer scoffed, "that has to be the worst mass hallucination ever."
 
"Not exactly," the Shillian Scientist continued. "Just as the Romulan War Bird initially cloaked while on the edge of our sensor range, I was studying a strange temporal energy wave that was heading our way. The energy signature was very weak and barely managed to reach us, but it was enough to cause a bias in our hull and Ablative Armour which I believe brought us into an isolated temporal bubble in which the one hundred years old ship and ourselves are able to co-exists in. Such a shift in the quantum dynamic of matter in this region of space would also account for how the Romulan ship was able to traverse the distance it did in only a few seconds."
 
"I *hate* temporal mechanics," Captain Rikar said as she rubbed her temples with her fingers.
 
"The crew of that ship is likely as puzzled, if not more, than we are as to what is happening," the Chief Science Officer added before being interrupted by the Kzinti Security /Tactical Officer.
 
"Confused maybe, ticked off, most certainly," Hex announced with a certain tone of trepidation. "I am picking up a *massive* built up of power in their forward section."
 
"They are preparing to fire their primary plasma weapon," the Captain quickly stated as she recalled an Academy history class on the conflicts between the Romulan Star Empire and the Federation. Romulan vessel of that era employed a devastating energy weapon that had proven to be the downfall of several Federation ships until shield technology had been improved.
 
"Normally there would be no need for us to worry," the Shillian explained, "but given the quantum fluctuations that are surrounding us there is truly no way to know for sure as to what effect a high level plasma discharge would have on the ANUBIS.
 
The Captain turned to Hex but the Kzinti had already anticipated the order. "Firing Tri-phasic torpedo spread and pulse cannons."

---
Jessica Solarik

Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P105: USS ANUBIS: Mitshiba: Day 4 - 0930 ("That Was Unexpected")

~~~~~~~~~~
"That Was Unexpected"
(Cont. from "Disguises Not Required")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.0930

Normally it would have been the CSciO who would have been sitting on the Bridge, but because of her research the responsibilities to man the science station had fallen onto the Assistant, not that Aki had been at all complaining.  Ensign Mitshiba enjoyed being on the Bridge, right there where the action would be if something came up, but given their current mission and status the odds of something happening had been slim.

Hidden from sight and sensors thanks to the Ablative Armor, the ANUBIS had been nothing more than a shadow traveling through space.  For an Intel ship being nearly undetectable had been more than an advantage, it had been a necessity, but on the flip-side of that coin it also meant that the ship avoided any and all potential problems along the way.

Aki glanced over to Hex who had gone through at least half a dozen ready-checks on the ANUBIS' weapon systems.  She could understand the Kzinti's anguish at having so much power at the tips of her claws and not being able to use it.  Fortunately for the aCSciO, the use of the impressive sensors of the ship had not been restricted in the least, so the Ensign had been able to give into her desires to test the full capabilities of the instruments of her field.

The more Aki studied the data gathered by the sensors of the ANUBIS, the more she understood Lt. Commander Maya's ways, the woman spending all of her time in any of the ship's science labs.  Standard science vessels could never venture into potentially dangerous areas, such as the Federation / Gorn border, but this had not been a normal ship in any sense of the word.  Maya, Akira and the rest of the Science staff of the ANUBIS had been given a unique opportunity to see and research locations otherwise out of reach.

The aCSciO had been just about to offer a few words of support to Hex when a flashing light on her console drew back Aki's immediate attention.  The long-range sensors had picked up something but when Aki tried to get more information on what had appeared the screen showed nothing but empty space.

"Captain," the aCSciO said, her fingers flying over her console in a desperate effort to get a lock on whatever had triggered her instruments.  "Long-range sensors picked up a *bleep* directly ahead of us."

"A *bleep*?" The CO repeated, not at all satisfied with the vagueness of the description given.

"Sorry," Aki apologized.  "It's the best I can give you.  Something appeared at the edge of our long-range sensors for a fraction of a second before it vanished.

"A sensor malfunction?" The Captain offered as a possible explanation for what had happened.

"Computer diagnostics show everything working within normal parameters," the aCSciO said.  "I could ask Lt. Fairborn do a more thorough check of the long-range sensor array, just in case," Aki added while she continued to work on her instruments.  The fact that there had been nothing and that the computer stated that everything had been as it should have been had started to make the Ensign believe that she had imagined it all.

"Could it have been some sort of cloaked ship?" The COO asked after a few seconds.  The hesitation in ET's voice suggested that he did not believe his own hypothesis.

"It would be an unlikely possibility," Aki replied.  "Aside from the fact that there are no known civilizations with cloaking devices in this region of space, the signal was way too small to have been from any cloaked vessel that we know of."

"CAPTAIN," Hex called out, her eyes having opened to their absolute widest.  "Romulan ship de-cloaking directly in our path and on a collision course.  Impact in 50 seconds."

"Helm, full stop!" the CO instructed.  "Red Alert!"

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P104: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 0820 ("Disguises Not Required")

=-=
"Disguises Not Required"
[Previous post: "Wishes", written by the greatest of all COs, Sabrina]
=-=

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.0820

Lea shook her head at the aCMO in amused disbelief. For an Ensign, Adriana had shown a lot of guts in shooting a joke like that at their CO. Maybe it had been because of their lack of sleep, or maybe because Lopez had found her place in the universe. Either way the CMO had been happily surprised by her Assistant's comfort with the ship and its crew.

"All kidding aside," Lea said. "We can have the entire senior staff turn into Bolians in a few hours."

"That is good to hear," the CO nodded with a smile. "Although I suspect that Elan and Hex may not take onto becoming Bolian too kindly."

"Elan would not be any problem," the CMO corrected. "If either Ensign Lopez or I were to ask him, he would gladly submit to the procedure."

"Hex on the other hand would likely claw our eyes out," Adriana added. "Although I will admit that I think it would be fun to see her *blue*."

"Just be ready," the CO said before making her way to the exit. "Although we do not *need* covert identities for this mission, some of the officers may feel more comfortable with an alternate persona."

"Not a problem Captain," Lea said just in time before the doors closed behind the redheaded CO.

The aCMO picked up a few of the medical equipment that had been set out on the biobed before she turned to face Lea. "I thought that she would order the crew to undergo this procedure," Adriana said in a slightly puzzled tone.

"One of the main rules of an Intel operation is to keep things simple," the CMO explained. "We are going to that planetoid to gather information, not to infiltrate a top security compound. The more at ease we are with ourselves, the less distraction we will be subject to and the more success we will have. Sometimes the best way to hide is to be in the middle of a crowded room as visible as possible."

"That makes sense," Ensign Lopez hesitantly agreed. At least the option had been hers, and the idea of becoming someone else had held a certain appeal.

"Plus," Lea continued, "the identities of the senior officers is relatively unknown to the outside world. Even the Federation knows next to nothing about us, so it is easy for any of us to blend in undetected. Without additional make-up or fake ridges, noses, earlobes that could be detected should things gets a little rough; we further reduce the odds of the mission being compromised. It would be easier to explain why you, Adriana Lopez, are at the trade center rather than trying to justify why you were wearing a *Bolian* disguise."

"Is that why we are going to all be in separate groups?" The Ensign asked, a few fears having sneaked their way into her mind.

"We will draw less attention to ourselves that way," Lea said with a reassuring pat on the back of her Assistant.

"Well one thing for sure," the aCMO said with a sigh. "A change of clothes will definitively be in order. I doubt that there are a lot of people at that trade center who will openly welcome a Starfleet Officer."

Lea laughed. "That much is certain."

=-=
Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, one of the outer edge Market Place
Stardate: 63073.0830

The 23 years old female Betazoid felt the eyes of the crowd on her. Her ability to read the primal thoughts of the many males around her had not made things any easier.

[[Maybe I should have stayed in my uniform,]] Mortina thought to herself. [[That might have drawn less attention.]]

The dress she had selected had been one that the Betazoid had often worn when not on duty. The problem had been that the crowd on this planetoid had been far more *wild* than anything else she had been accustomed to. At first the telepath had actually enjoyed the raw thoughts triggered by her arrival. That had lasted only a few minutes though as some of the images she received became far more graphic.

[[This was a bad idea,]] Mortina thought while still moving forward. Her desire to find her brother had made her come this far and she had not been ready to turn back. Everything she had found had pointed to this place but she had rushed in alone. Although terrified for her own life the Betazoid pressed on, her need to find her brother having been more powerful.

Mortina suddenly froze as a single word was telepathically projected in the open. The force had been such that it had nearly pushed the Betazoid backwards. What had truly troubled the 23 years old woman though had been the word itself.

~MORTINA!~

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P103: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 0400 ("Wishes")

==========
" Wishes "
(Previous Post "Tangled")
==========

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Captain's Ready Room
Stardate: 63073.0400

The young woman sat at her desk, her azure blue eyes lost on the image displayed on the small desktop monitor while her thoughts raced at warp speed. The Senior Staff had gathered in the Black Hole Lounge, a sight that under normal circumstances would have made the redhead smile… but Rikar had not been in the mood. It had been enough for the ANUBIS' CO to see them all there as one big happy group… a group that she had silently wished she could have joined.

With a few presses of the controls the image on the small screen shifted to a shadow filled area of the lounged. To the untrained eye there had been no one at the table, but the redhead knew better and every so often she would see a faint movement that indicated that the ILO had indeed been there. Being the CO of the ANUBIS had more than once forced Rikar to say or do something that she had come to later regret… the spat with her wife having been the latest and most painful of them all.

Doctor Summers had been an asset to this crew because she cared beyond the normal call of her responsibilities as s CMO. Likewise Enaii had been an irreplaceable pillar of strength regardless of the situation the crew faced, the ILO always able to keep the larger picture in perspective. This had been the first time the two Officers had seen their individual ways clash, and given what had happened, it had been a safe bet that it had also been the last. All that had remained had been for all involved to pick up the pieces and move on. Lea would likely never again challenge the ILO's authority and Enaii would likely never even think of this again certain that the CMO had learned her lesson.

If only things had been that easy between the CO and ILO. Rikar knew that in time Enaii would dismiss what had been said… the ILO not having been one to hold a grudge against her wife, but Sabrina knew that the events that had come to pass would never be forgotten.

With a few more presses of the controls the image on the small screen shifted to focus this time on Captain Morningstar… the former CO of the USS LANCELOT and a man visibly torn by his own inner demons. From his seat on the upper level he had observed the gathering of the Senior Staff, and the redhead had been able to see the longing in his gaze. The more Rikar looked at Morningstar the more she came to share the feelings that the ANUBIS' CO had been certain had been his… a feeling of loneliness… a longing to not have the responsibilities of command weigh so heavily on their shoulders.

With a single touch the small screen was turned off. The redhead then leaned back into her chair and turned towards the shooting starts visible through her window.

"I wish…" the redhead whispered to no one in particular as she recalled a childhood story about being able to make a wish upon seeing a shooting star.

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.0800

"Good morning Captain," Ensign Thomas offered to the young woman as she stepped out of her Ready Room. Although the Senior Officers currently on the Bridge had all wondered as to when their CO had entered her office, none dared to voice their question.

"All tactical systems are fully operational," the Kzinti aSec/Tac reported with far more enthusiasm than such a statement would have normally called for. Obviously the Ensign had still held onto her wish to test the ANUBIS' weapons… a desire that would for the time being remained unfulfilled.

The CO simply smiled at Hex before she turned her attention to the science station where Ensign Mitshiba had been busy. As soon as Akira noticed the questioning look of their CO the Ensign answered what she believed to be the redhead's concern. "Lt. Commander Maya is in Stellar Cartography… I believe she is trying to find a way to improve our sensor effectiveness for when we will be at the YUDARA Asteroid Field."

"Maya in a Science Lab," the Counsellor chuckled. "Who would have guessed?"

The young woman could not help but smile at the comment made by Eve, a comment that had been born of the knowledge likely shared between all of the Senior Officers during their early morning gathering.

"Helm," the CO continued as she eased herself into her seat. "What is our ETA for the border of Gorn space?"

"We will reach Gorn space in just under 4 hours," the Klingon FCO replied after having confirmed the information on his instruments.

"Bridge to Engineering," the CO called out next as she opened the comm channel from her chair.

=/\= Main Engineering, Fairborn here, =/\= the Oltharian replied, the giant having sounded as ready as ever to accomplish whatever task the redhead had been ready to send his way.

"Is the Ablative Armor online?" Rikar inquired very confident that the CEO had completed the repairs to the ANUBIS' defensive system several hours ago.

=/\= Yes Captain, =/\= Elan confirmed. =/\= Ablative Armour is ready at your discretion and the bio-regenerative hull is showing 100% integrity. =/\=

"Thank you Lieutenant," the CO acknowledged with a bright smile. "Ensign Fanggot," Rikar continued as she turned her attention back to the Tactical station, "if you would please."

The Kzinti immediately jumped to the task not having required to be told twice to activate one of the ANUBIS' tactical systems... even if it had only been the Ablative Armour.

The lights on the Bridge changed to reflect the cloaked status of the ship, as a red hue now bathed the primary control deck.

"Helm... steady as she goes," the CO stated as she stood from her chair. "Ensign Thomas... you have the Bridge."

"Is everything alright Captain?" the Counsellor inquired, having found it somewhat strange that the CO had decided to leave the Bridge so quickly after having come in.

"No need to be concerned Counsellor," Rikar replied with a reassuring smile. "I'm just heading to Sickbay to check with Doctor Summers as to our readiness to perform a few minor aesthetic modifications for our undercover mission."
"Been there... done that," Eve mumbled to herself.

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Main Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.0815

"Captain?" Doctor Summers offered as she watched the ANUBIS' CO step into Sickbay. "Is everything alright?"
"Everyone seems so concerned about me," Rikar chuckled. "Is there something in my medical file, or something that came out of my last physical that I am not aware of?"

"Of course not Captain," the CMO replied. "It is just that your visit is an unexpected one."

"With all due respect Sir," Ensign Lopez added as she joined the higher ranking officers. "You are the Captain and therefore it is the crew's responsibility to see that you are well and happy."

The CO and CMO shared a quick glance before the redhead turned back to Adriana. "I am not sure what Doctor Summers has been telling you Ensign, but sucking up to your CO will not guarantee a quick promotion, at least not on *this* ship."
Adriana's posture immediately changed to one of extreme nervousness which made Lea laugh.

"Our next lesson will be on the unique and sometimes twisted sense of humour certain COs have," the CMO stated as she patted her assistant on the shoulder.

"I just came in to see if everything was ready should any of the Senior Staff need cosmetic surgery for our undercover mission," Rikar explained, silently happy to see that the issue between the ILO and CMO had apparently not affected the Chief Medical Officer more than it had needed to.

"We are always ready," Summers announced.

"In fact," Lopez jumped in with, "I believe we have perfected the technique to have someone appear as a very realistic Kradin. Would you like to try?"

"And *I* have a twisted sense of humour," Rikar retaliated with, trying as hard as possible to appear offended.

==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar
Commanding Officer
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P102: USS ANUBIS: Enaii: Day 4 - 0125 ("Tangled")

-=-=-=-=-
"Tangled"
Continued from Sabrina's "Hunter"
-=-=-=-=-

(BACKPOST - Catches up to real time)

Setting: USS ANUBIS: Draxx/Rikar Quarters
Stardate: 63073.0125

Immediately following the mission briefing, Enaii had returned to her quarters without delay.  Upon entering the room, the Agent was greeted by a small girl, her daughter, sitting in the middle of the floor, cross-legged and holding a PADD in her hands.

"Hi Nan-ha!" the girl exclaimed happily, looking up from her reading.

Enaii noticed the lifeless form of TEAR on the ground beside the child.  "What are you doing up?"

Talia shrugged.  She had no restrictions on sleep time, and truth be known, she had only to complete all of her responsibilities in a day and she could do as she wished.  "I'm not tired," the girl chirped.  "Besides, I want to pick which snake I'm going to buy to put in Koniki's bed... then determine how much it will cost me and how long I will have to save my credits."

The mother nodded, she admired her daughter's dedication to following through on a threat.  "Talia, I wish for Sabrina and I to be undisturbed.  If you will take your work into your bedroom, I will pay for half of whichever snake you choose."

The child's eyes lit up as though it were Christmas morning, still, she couldn't help but take advantage of the opening for a bargain.  "Three quarters, and you arrange for shipping."

"Half," the mother hissed, though proud of her daughter's progress in her life studies, "And I will arrange shipping on the condition that the snake has an anti-venom."

"Does it have to work immediately?"  the blond girl asked with reservations, "Or can he suffer a while?"

Enaii thought only for a moment before speaking.  "Nothing permanently debilitating, and nothing he cannot work through.  Otherwise, you may make him suffer."

In one swift movement, Talia had scooped up the tiny lifeless robot beside her, stood and bounded toward her bedroom.  "Deal Nan-ha!  Tell Bina good night for me!"

As the girl disappeared behind her sliding door, Enaii set to work on her plans.  It had been a rough rescue mission, and no doubt Sabrina would be more than a little overwhelmed by it all.

-=-=-=-=-
Setting: USS ANUBIS: Draxx/Rikar Quarters
Stardate: 63073.0155

Sabrina paused, her hand hovering over the access panel to their quarters.  Enaii always left it locked so that Talia had a safe place to be, or so she said... the redhead half believed it was more to safeguard the secrets within the Operative's own private office, which rested behind yet another lock once inside.  Sighing, she pressed the buttons to open the door and stepped inside.

"Enaii," the woman called out quietly.  "Enaii?  I know you're here, we need to talk."  The ANUBIS' captain really wasn't looking forward to this at all.

"Sabrina," the Operative spoke, stepping out of their bedroom and into their living quarters.  "You look tired, you should rest."  To anyone but the Operative's wife, such a comment would have seemed completely out of place coming from Enaii.

"No," Rikar sighed, "I really need to talk to you."

"We can talk later," The intel agent offered, stepping closer to her wife.

"Enaii, you can't hit our officers.  It's not acceptable discipline.  We're not on a Romulan ship, this is not the Tal'shiar."  Sabrina blurted it out as fast as she could so as not to be detered by her nerves.  Even to the Captain, the Operative could be intimidating.

Enaii's eye's narrowed.  "You are choosing to do this *here*?"  she hissed.

The redhead stood tall and did not back down.  "We have procedures, and I expect ALL of my officers to follow them.  You will apologize to Lea.  Is that understood?"

The ILO looked about ready to breathe fire.  "Clearly *Captain*," she barked, her jaw clenched and her hands tightly balled into fists.  "May I be dismissed?" she growled.

"Enaii, don't do that," Sabrina pleaded, immediately regretting her choice to confront her wife about work while in their home.

"May I be dismissed *Captain*?" the Operative hissed again.

"Fine!  Go!" the Captain shouted, opening her mouth to say something else, but already her wife had left her alone in the room.  Lowering her head, the redhead placed her hand over her mouth and breathed in deeply through her nose.  After a moment, she decided to go to bed and sleep it off, no doubt, by tomorrow Enaii would be over it.  It really hadn't been such a big deal.

Walking in to her bedroom, Sabrina immediately knew how royally she had messed up and her regret swelled to epic proportions.  Soft whispering Risean music wafted through the air, the scent of wild cherries and rose petals caressed her.  The bed was adorned with flowers, and a small bowl of fruit and cream lay tantalizingly by the bedside, accompanied by an open bottle of Chateau Picard and 2 frosted wine glasses.  A lingerie giftbox, beautifully wrapped in fine silk ribbons lay on the woman's pillow, awaiting her.

-=-=-=-=-
Setting: USS ANUBIS: Intelligence Gathering Center
Stardate: 63073.0220

Enaii stewed in the recesses of the IGC, tracking the object of her ire.  Three other intel operatives had been tasked with herding the woman into the Operative's lair, yet she hadn't made a move in several minutes.  It made no matter, if nothing else, the ILO was patient.  Finally, the doctor was on the move, she had headed straight to the turbolift, and no doubt one of Enaii's officers had covertly instructed the computer to deliver Lea straight into the IGC.

Once the Doctor stepped out of the elevator, her path was locked in, she had only one way to go, and it would lead her straight to the waiting ILO.  The lift had been locked, and all other doorways jammed as well.  As Lea travelled toward her destination, several low level operatives glanced up from their stations to see what person had caused their boss to create such an elaborate trap.  Finally, the physician came to the office of the ILO, before she could turn around, the doors parted and Enaii's voice rang out into the corridor.  "Come in Lieutenant."

Dr. Summers inhaled deeply, then placed one foot in front of the other and marched herself into the jaws of the lion.

"Lieutenant Summers, I have been informed that my disciplining you using Romulan methods was unacceptable, that *only* Federation methods are to be used on this crew.  Therefore, please accept my apology."

Lea's mouth visibly fell open as she struggled for words.  Before she could speak, Enaii spoke again.  "Also, with my apology, I regret to inform you that I am bringing you up on the following charges:  One count of insubordination.  One count of failure to follow a direct order issued by a superior officer during a military operation.  Sixteen counts of reckless endangerment.  Three counts of needlessly endangering the life of an officer AND one count of failure to follow away mission protocol.  You are hearby placed under house arrest and are to report directly to your quarters.  Upon reaching NEW ALEXANDRIA, you will be remanded into JAG custody where you will await court marshal.  You are officially stripped of rank and duty until such time as an officer of the court returns those honors to you."

Lea could barely breathe, in fact she wasn't sure if she had been breathing for the last several minutes and struggled to inhale.  Her cheeks were wet, and she could feel her own tears soaking through her uniform on her breast.  

More than anything she wanted to be able to speak, but the words just wouldn't come.

Enaii stood from her desk and walked straight to the trembling woman, the coldness in her eyes cut deep and indicated that she really did not care for the state of the woman before her.  "Tell me Doctor, do you know why I punched you?" the ILO hissed.

The doctor shook her head, still trying to sort out what had just happened.  "No," she finally squeaked.

"I punched you because what you did was *wrong*," The ILO snapped, "Court marshal, lose your rank and commission *wrong* Doctor Summers.  I punched you because I thought you could learn a lesson without losing the life you have built for yourself..."  Enaii paused, "Apparently not."

"If I hadn't disobeyed," Lea countered, "that man in sickbay would have died!  What I did saved a life, and saving lives can never be wrong!"

"No?" the ILO growled, "And if I had not come back for you, he would be dead, as would you, Ensign Thomas and Elan.  Ranks exist for a reason.  Protocol exists for a reason."

The doctor's throat constricted, it had not been the first time that she thought about how she had almost been the death of the Oltharian, but hearing the words spoken out loud by another made it all that much more real.  "You're right, I can't make those choices."

"You don't have to Doctor.  People like me make them, people like you follow orders."  The Operative backed away and returned to her place behind her desk.

"This world of Intel, where life and death is valued by an unbalanced equation is too much," Lea proclaimed, "I'm not cut out for this."

"You could be," Enaii replied, the ice in her voice replaced by her standard flatness.  "That is why I hit you Doctor, because you have potential."

The physician didn't reply, she just stood in front of the Operative, completely at her mercy... if Enaii was capable of such a thing.

"So Doctor," the Operative offered, "Should I apologize to you?  Or can I throw this court marshal out and trust that you've learned your lesson?"

Lea nodded, she knew she wasn't ready to value one life above another, and at this moment in time, she wasn't ready to follow orders blindly, she needed time to think, to process everything that had happened.  What she did know was that she was being given another chance by someone she'd never expected to give second chances.  "I'm sorry for what I did, I was wrong.  I am very grateful that you chose to give me a chance."

"Get out of me office," Enaii hissed as she turned her attention to another matter, the issue closed in her mind.  The CMO did not waste any time and left the woman as swiftly as she herself may have done.

-=-=-=-=-
Setting: USS ANUBIS: The Black Hole
Stardate: 63073.0300

Having exhausted near to a month's worth of conversation, Enaii silently slipped in to the Black Hole and sat at a corner table.  Without being prompted, a server appeared at her table side and presented her with an empty glass and a bottle of Trill spirits.  Meticulously, and almost ceremoniously, Enaii removed the cork, inhaling the sweet and sour bouquet.  Tilting her glass, she poured the pink liquid in to fill the bottom, swishing it as it landed in the cup.  As she swirled, the color changed from pink to purple to blue and back again.  Sitting back, she watched silently as the senior officers gathered and gulped down her drink before pouring herself another glass.  Intel gathering relaxed her, and after tonight, she needed a bit of an escape.

-=-=-=-=-
Author's name removed

Writing the hopes, dreams and future of:

Commander Enaii
Intelligence Liaison Officer / Acting ExO
USS ANUBIS

"Whatever absolute darkness there is out there in the universe, she's on a first name basis with it."
~ Hex Fanggot regarding Enaii (Written by Marissa Montonera-Lombardi)
OLD-P101: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 4 - 0330 ("Hunter")

==========
" Hunter "
(Previous Post was Craig's "Love and Friendship")
==========

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, T'kon Temple
Stardate: 63073.0330

The surrounding shadows had embraced him as a lover would have a mate… the two having become one with seamless effort. The Kzinti bounty hunter had relentlessly followed his mark for the last couple of weeks through countless planetary systems that had span nearly the entire quadrant, but now he had been closer than ever before.

More than once Vellanor had managed to hide her trail from the bounty hunter but the Vorta's efforts had quickly proven to be insufficient against the Kzinti's skills and experience… not to mention his powers of persuasion. When confronted by the muscular black panther-like humanoid, most became more than willing to offer any and all information that had been within their possession… those few who resisted had been made to see the error of their ways in a most painful of manner.

For reasons that truly did not matter to Grex, the Vorta had decided to travel to this sorry excuse for a settlement; a shady trade center located on a planetoid lost in an asteroid field within Gorn space. Vellanor would not see her plans, whatever they might have been, come to pass… the bounty hunter had been only seconds away from snapping his trap shut on the unsuspecting servant to return to claim his sizable prize.

Grex's full attention had been focussed on the female Vorta so he had not noticed the details of the temple in which she had entered. The only aspect of this location the bounty hunter had taken in and inwardly appreciated had been the complete sense of tranquility that had permeated this building. In another time the Kzinti might have considered staying here for a little while, basking in the silence that he usually only found within the deepest reaches of space… but now had not been the time for such indulgence.

A soft low growl escaped from the towering black Kzinti as his one and only eye suddenly noted three Jem'Hadar warriors as they stepped from behind a huge pillar to greet the Vorta. Three more soon followed and joined the first group in the reverent welcome that had been programmed within their genetic code. Grex did not fear these soldiers of the Founders, and even found it within him to welcome their presence with a faint smile… their bodies would provide a most fitting carpet for the bounty hunter and his mark.

"You will not desecrate this temple with your ways," an elderly Efrosian priest quietly stated while his hand came to rest on the Kzinti's shoulder. How he had managed to find the bounty hunter had been a puzzle that would likely never be solved, but Grex had more important matters to attend to. Not having any quarrels with the Efrosian the Kzinti swung his muscular arm to push the elderly man out of his way but found only empty air.

"You are faster than you look old man," Grex angrily growled as he turned to face the Efrosian… the bounty hunter needed to deal with this meddler quickly before the Vorta could escape.

"Your quest may be noble but your actions cannot be permitted," Kane politely stated, "I will not allow you to violate the sanctity of this temple." The priest spoke in a manner that hinted to the elder having knowledge of this situation that should not have been his, but this mattered not to the bounty hunter… no one would stand in his way.

With lightning speed the Kzinti lashed out at the Efrosian who surprisingly enough managed to avoid each and every strike launched in his direction. The more the elder dodged, the more angered Grex became… so much so that the bounty hunter momentarily forgot about the reason why he had been here to instead focus on the annoying priest.

As one sided and powerful as the strikes had been, no one in the temple had become aware of the battle, the blows and blocks having been no louder than faint, distant whispers. That was until the struggled moved into the field of vision of the Tamarian who observed the conflict with unmatched astonishment.

"Neo against Morpheus in the training construct," he whispered to himself in awe as he watched the massive Kzinti trying as hard as he could to strike the old Efrosian without any success.

When Grex noticed that the Vorta and her Jem'Hadar lackeys had left the temple, the bounty hunter ended the battle by simply running out, leaving the Efrosian behind apparently content in the success of his task to safeguard the purity of the temple intact.

==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P100: USS ANUBIS: Thomas: Day 4 - 0215 ("Love and Freindship")

#####
"Love and Friendship"
[Previous post: "Feelings, Visions And Unspoken Questions" written by the talented and sweet Marissa]
#####

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Holodeck 2
Stardate: 63073.0215

Elliot smiled to himself as they lay there on the small island. 

"So Mr. Thomas what are you thinking or dare I ask?" questioned Akira who also had a smile on her face.

Ensign Thomas moved in close to Ensign Mitshiba and their kisses smouldered and their bodies entwined, while they were embracing you could see they were letting themselves go.  ET slowly moved his right hand down Akira's back, gently rubbing his fingers again slowly over her soft rounded posterior, which made Aki gasp with anticipation of what was going to happen next.  Elliot stopped and cooed, "We have to stop."

Ensign Mitshiba looked at ET with exasperation then questioned, "Why must we?" with a sad expression on her face.

"Well we are in the middle of a Holodeck and it's not as if we have locked the door." Elliot exclaimed with a smile on his face.

"OK ET I think we should take a stroll perhaps to your quarters, at least we can lock the door there." Aki chuckled softly as she hugged him.

Ensign Thomas got to his feet and helped his attractive companion to her feet and stated "End Holodeck program".  Just as he had finished the words the surrounding disappeared to reveal an empty square room with one set of doors at the other end of the room.

"Lets go then." Coaxed Akira as she grabbed Elliot's hand and led him out of the holodeck.  

=====
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 9 Corridor
Stardate: 63073.0225

As they walked the corridors towards the turbo lift heading towards Ensign Thomas's quarters, ET stopped in his tracks and asked Aki, "Before we go back to my quarters, why don't we go for a drink in the Black Hole, its been a while since we have been in there."

"That sounds like a great idea, I'm not feeling tired myself even though we are suppose to be getting rest, I'm just so excited about us and the mission," commented Ensign Mitshiba happily.

=====
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 16, Black Hole Lounge
Stardate: 63073.0325

Elliot and Akira walked into the Black Hole and to their surprise most of the senior staff had gathered at one table.  The couple walked over to the table and ET happily chirped into the conversation, "Is this a private party or can anyone join in?" 

"Yes, by all means," claimed Ensign Lopez then continued smiling at Ensign Mitshiba. "I guess you found who you were looking for."

Aki giggled and then chortled, "Yep, I did thanks Adriana."

=====
Craig Mitchell

Ensign Elliot Thomas.
Chief Operations Officer.
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 
OLD-P099: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 0315
("Feelings, Visions and Unspoken Questions")

-=-=-
"Feelings, Visions and Unspoken Questions"
[Previous post: "Smile from Above"]
-=-=-

Setting: YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center, T'kon Temple
Stardate: 63073.0315

The legends had been true and even after weeks of meditation within the fabled structure the Efrosian priest known to others only as Kane had still been in awe and disbelief.  During his travels many different rumors had made their way to him, but the one about a temple of majestic beauty that belonged to a time long forgotten had been the one to catch his interest.  The Efrosian had half expected to find some derelict ruins if anything at all but to find the temple as it had been at the time of its construction had been more than the priest could have ever dreamt possible.  Yet upon this discovery a strange feeling had claimed his senses, one that he had not been able to understand; one of recognition and belonging.

At first the local priests clothed in the ceremonial robes of the now extinct Empire had been reluctant to allow the Efrosian to stay and mediate.  In time though they recognized Kane for the soul that he had been; a deeply spiritual seeker who's only wish had been to touch the spirit of a mighty race and be bettered by the experience.  Some had even begun to believe that the soul of the visiting priest had originated from the same period as the temple, which explained why the two seemed so perfectly made for one another.  It also allowed for the local priests to dismiss the apparent knowledge Kane possessed not only about the T'kon civilization but also the temple itself.

Now the priests had been happy to leave the seeker to his quest and disturbed him only to bring him food and water to insure that any vision he would be blessed with would not prove to be his last. During his weeks of meditation Ojall had seen many such visions, some from a time when the temple had been frequently visited by those who had overseen its construction, others based on more recent events.  He had foreseen the arrival of the Tamarian as well as his reaction to the temple's presence and condition, a reaction that had very closely mirrored the Efrosian's when he had been blessed by his discovery.

As fascinating as this vision had been though Kane had found himself far more interested in some of the other visions that had come to him during his meditation.  One had been of a powerful vessel traveling through the darkness between the stars, unseen by any around it, and unknown even by those of its alliance.  At first the priest had feared this ship but the visions which followed pointed to the vessel having been one of peaceful exploration and that it had been on a mission very much like his own; to discover the truth behind a rumors.

Other visions had focused on the individual souls that could be found within this vessel, souls that were either looking for or running away from something.  The Efrosian had quickly become fascinated by these beings and their individual quests, one in particular who had been desperately searching for her sister who had gone missing many years past.  The reason for his interest had not been the woman's own need to find her missing sibling but rather the fact that the image he had seen in his mind had been of a woman he had helped many years ago. Had this been a mere coincidence or had the troubled soul he had reached out to back then been the one that the woman in his vision had been looking for?

Ojall's question remained in his thoughts for a fleeting moment only, the feeling that the arrival of this ship and its crew here had only grown stronger with each passing minute.  Somehow the Efrosian priest knew that their path would cross and that in time he would be able to answer not only his own questions but also many of those who had been on there way here.

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi {mmlm24@gmail.com}

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P098: USS ANUBIS: Fairborn: Day 4 - 0315 ("Smile From Above")

###################
"Smile From Above"
[Previous Post Ashley's "Memory Dreams"]
###################

<<The true power of a startship is not found within its engines or weapons, but rather in the passion of its crew.>>
-Admiral Aaron Satie 

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 15, Black Hole Lounge, Upper Level
Stardate: 63073.0315

The Native American had found a quiet corner on the upper level of the ANUBIS' crew lounge from where he could peacefully admire the stars as they rushed by the large windows. Since his arrival onto the Intel vessel the former Commanding Officer of the USS LANCELOT had been impressed, and his earlier words to Captain Rikar still played in his mind. A gentle smile formed on his lips as he thought back to those of his senior staff who had transferred to this ship and how much he envied them.

The ANUBIS had been exactly what those Ensigns had needed, or at the very least the ship had been the break that he had hoped the LANCELOT would have provided for them. Ensign Lopez had needed to find something, anything to help her discover the status of her missing sister and SFI had been a very good place for her to do this. Ensign Fanggot had needed a reason to escape from her past, a situation that had been evident to anyone who cared to look, and the Native American had been certain that her skills would serve her well in the world of Intel. Ensign Mitshiba had proven herself more than skilful in this field and now Erik understood why, the Asian woman held previous experience in Intel on none other than this very ship.

The sound of laughter from the section below drew the Captain's attention and it was with great delight that he noted that Ensign Lopez and Ensign Fanggot had both been sitting at a table along with other members of the ANUBIS' Senior Staff. Ensign Dalziel had also been there, her simple presence seemed enough to have drawn the others out of their shell, a sight that the Native American had been most pleased to see. In time these individuals would become integral parts of this ship's *family*, as they had been meant to, and as such they would be able to face obstacles and hardships that would have otherwise crushed them had they been along.

Erik allowed a faint sigh to escape from his lungs. He had hoped that these Officers would have become part of *his* ship's family but fate had decided otherwise, now all that the Native American could do had been to smile and envy the chance that the Ensigns had been given. They had found their family, one that he could only admire from afar and wish upon them the blessings of the ancient spirits.

--==(/\)==--
Setting: GORN Space, OFREAN SECTOR, YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center
Stardate: 63073.0315

The Tamarian wandered the streets of a previously unexplored section of the trade center, his eyes took in each and every detail with remarkable joy, the alien's love of exploration and discovery of new things having been more than evident. "Sheridon seeing the first White Star," Nartok gasped as his gaze fell upon a structure the likes of which he had never even considered possible. As if plucked out of ancient history at the height of the empire, the temple bearing the symbols of the T'kon civilization stood tall and proud in a section of the trade center that seemed more suited to beggars and vagabonds than a historical monument. "Peasants brought in front of Ra," the explorer whispered as he ever so diligently scrutinized the structure he had stumbled upon and noticed that the carved stones and pillars showed no signs of having suffered over the last 10 000 years. Fear and admiration mixed into a single all encompassing emotion that had taken complete hold of the Tamarian leaving him standing there speechless.

--==(/\)==--
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 16, Black Hole Lounge
Stardate: 63073.0325

The imposing Oltharian entered the lounge and immediately headed for the table where the majority of the Senior Staff had gathered.

"Lieutenant Fairborn, I am most pleased to finally meet you," Eve greeted the towering Engineer. 

"What brings you here at such an hour? Please tell me that our unexpected gathering here was not the cause of your interrupting whatever you had been doing."

"When it comes to Elan," Lea began in a half amused and half concerned manner. "You will quickly realise that he and the ship are closer than you could have ever imagined."

"Annie informed me that the Senior Staff seemed to be gathering here for a yet to be determined purpose," the Oltharian admitted. "I came to see if my assistance had been required in any way, but if my presence is at all disruptive to your gathering I will return to my quarters," Elan offered as he added a deep bow of respect which matched his words perfectly.

"Nonsense," Ensign Lopez, the Assistant Chief Medical Officer quickly offered as she jumped to her feet and wrapped her arms around one of the Oltharian's arms. "Doctor Summers has mentioned a great deal about you and I want to hear more about your people and their admiration of anyone who works in the field of medicine." Adriana escorted the giant to the table, her grasp around the Engineer's arm making her feel as if she had been hugging a moving tree. As much as she had welcomed the Oltharian's presence, it was clear to see that Lea had grown increasingly uncomfortable as the Chief Engineer moved closer.
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette
 
Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
 
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS
 
And
 
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P097: USS ANUBIS: Fanggot: Day 4 - 0300 ("Memory Dreams")‏

##########################
“Memory Dreams”
Previous Post “Over Analyzing is not Something that Shillians are Known for”
##########################

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 17, Hex's Quarters
Stardate: 63073.0300

====^*^====

The Kzinti woman slowly moved about her day, her older age showing in her face and obviously hazardous state of mind. Just as she was heading in to commence the afternoon service, her daughter came around the corner with a guilty glint in her eyes.

“Hex, what have you been up to?” Vladina asked scornfully, regretting her tone as the younger Kzinti retreated back behind the low wall. “Come now…what’s on your mind little one?” she asked in a more soothing tone.

“Father has gone missing, where is he mother?” the child asked, still partially hidden behind the wall.

“Dead” the High Priestess answered quickly, her face becoming a mask of false grief and remorse, “He died the day of your birth my little one.”

“It’s not true…” the youth countered in a determined voice she would usually avoid using with her mother, “the Elders say that he lived and has disappeared.”

“They lie!” Vladina hissed, violently tugging Hex away from the wall, “he died, he is dead!”

“NO!”

Hex’s eyes shot open as tears continued to stream down her furry cheeks. A dream… it was all a dream. The Kzinti sat upright in her basket, allowing her comforter to fall away from around her shoulders. She couldn’t shake the reality of her dreams for the simple reason that they weren’t just dreams, they were memories.

====^*^====
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 16, Black Hole Lounge
Stardate: 63073.0320
====^*^====

Restless from yet another nightmare, the Ensign had found herself walking into the Black Hole. Hex hated the taste of the odd drinks they served and preferred her own concoctions to anything usually served on the ship, but it was a place she considered to hold good company when one was down.

The Kzinti was hardly surprised to see not one, but four of her fellow senior officers sitting together at a table, though they all had a definite air of unease around them. Hex saw no better alternative; therefore she practically dragged herself over to their table.

“Hex? What are you doing awake at this time?” Ensign Lopez asked, seemingly somewhat frazzled, but otherwise enjoying herself.

“Pre-mission jitters,” the Kzinti said smoothly, though she was usually very emotional, Hex preferred her personal business to be hers and no one else’s.

They sat together and the newest senior officer easily was drowned into the conversation as time went by. This is where her head belonged, and this was where she was needed. Though she still had her suspicions about her reoccurring dreams, Hex was glad that this one was different.

Which left her wondering why that was…

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanggot
Assistant Chief of Security/Tactical
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P096: USS ANUBIS: Maya: Day 4 - 0300
("Over Analysing is not Something that Shillians are Known for")

---
"Over Analysing is not Something that Shillians are Known for"
(Previous Post: "Troubled Mind")
---

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 13, Stellar Cartography
Stardate: 63073.0300

The huge spherical room had been set to display in all of its charms and mysteries the destination of the USS ANUBIS. The OFREAN SECTOR stretched for seventy five light-years across, and contained a wide variety of planetary systems, rogue asteroids and other spatial phenomenon that could have very easily drawn the attention of the Shillian Science Officer. Despite all of these distractions the Chief Science Officer had focussed all of her time and research onto the YUDARA Asteroid Field where the rumours of the USS PARADOX had lead them to.

A grand total of four hundred and seventy two asteroids of various shapes and size could be found within the borders of the YUDARA Asteroid Field, some had been no larger than a cargo box while others were larger than certain moons. Although their mission had required the crew to venture to the trade center beneath the protective dome built on the largest planetoid, the interest of the Chief Science Officer had been on the surrounding, smaller asteroids.

Since the ANUBIS had been well out of sensor range, the Shillian Scientist had been forced to use the limited data contained within the archives to begin her research. The Chief Science Officer had still hoped that her work could lead to discovering a way to use both the sensors and transporters to help in the search for the USS PARADOX, although the preliminary work had not been overly promising.

It had now been over two hours since the Scientist had entered Stellar Cartography and began work on this self-imposed project, the lack of progress during that time though had started to weigh on the Shillian. "If only I could use our sensors to scan for the concentration and special properties of those minerals, I might be able to figure out if a change in the frequency of the scanning beams combined with the addition of sub-harmonic resonances would be able to produce any notable results," the Shillian mumbled to no one in particular, especially given that she had been the only one in the room. "Maybe a multi-phasic scan could get better results," the Scientist continued as if someone else had been there with her, "or a quantum scan sent through sub-space could work. Granted both of those options would have much lower sensitivity and accuracy but the objective is after all to locate a ship, not a small pointed piece of metal hidden within a large number of small plastic tubes meant for drinking. An other idea could be for us to use the VIPERS, they would have to use visual navigation to avoid crashing into some of the faster moving asteroids, but those ships are rather manoeuvrable. With a few modifications made to their sensor grid I am sure that they would be able to scan the majority of the asteroid field in just a few days, that is of course if they don't crash into something first."

The Shillian woman sighed and leaned back into the chair visibly distraught by her latest thoughts. "I need a break before I end up sending the ANUBIS into a gravitational sinkhole just to make sure that my thoughts do not go flying all over the place."

---
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 16, Black Hole Lounge
Stardate: 63073.0315

With her nose buried in one PADD and two others firmly in her grasp, the Shillian Scientist stepped into the main gathering area of the USS ANUBIS with the idea that a change of scenery would do her some good. So it was very unexpected for the Chief Science Officer to find several members of the senior staff sitting together at a table when she lifted her gaze from the device to insure she would not be running into anyone or anything.

As if having sensed the arrival of the Shillian, Eve turned and promptly invited the Scientist to join them. It was only after the Counsellor became the target of some rather unpleasant glares that the Human-looking woman wondered in silence if she had done something wrong.

---
Jessica Solarik

Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P095: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 0245 ("Troubled Mind")

-=-=-
"Troubled Mind"
[Previous post: "Mists of Avalon"]
-=-=-

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 16, Corridor
Stardate: 63073.0245

Being trained as a Counselor meant that Adriana could recognize the nuances of her own personal situation.  When the mind summoned images or visions of loved ones it was a clear indication that something had been amiss, and as hard as the aCMO tried to ignore this self diagnosis there had been nowhere for the Ensign to hide from the truth.  She needed help.

Given the early hour of the day and the standing order from their CO to get some rest, Adriana had not felt comfortable seeking out other members of the Senior Staff to talk to, not that she would have known what to say.  In addition the Ensign could easily imagine all of her fellow shipmate enjoying the rest that her thoughts had denied her. Right now though the best medicine the aCMO could think of had been to not be alone with her thoughts, as nice as it might have been to *see* her sister, the entire things had started to creep her out.

On the LANCELOT the hallucination of Amanda had given Adriana the strength to press on where many might have given up, but here on the ANUBIS things had been different.  The visions had seemed to point to something more serious, an inner turmoil that the aCMO either had not consciously known about or one that she had wanted to ignore with very limited success. Part of the Ensign hoped that this had only meant that the Lopez sisters had shared something truly unique, a bond that extended beyond the comprehension of the medical and scientific world. Adriana had also hoped with all of her heart that these visions meant that her sister had been somewhere out there, safe and sound.

Unfortunately though, Adriana had also been able to identify these visions as a possible psychological imbalance caused by her mind's inability to tell the difference between reality and fiction.  As long as the Ensign could keep a foot firmly anchored in reality and reason that her sister had only been a hallucination though, the aCMO believed that there had been hope for her case.

[[Doctors do make the worst patients,]] the Adriana sighed to herself.

-=-=-
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 16, Black Hole Lounge
Stardate: 63073.0300

Ensign Lopez entered the establishment and found it to be far busier than she had expected especially given the time, then again life onboard a starship never followed the concept of day and night.  The aCMO was even more surprised when she noticed Doctor Summers and Ensign Dalziel had beenchatting together at a table.  Adriana's first reaction had been to run out as fast as she could before either one of them had noticed her arrival, but the words spoken by her sister haunted her.  As much as she knew that this wisdom had originated from within her own mind there had been no escape from it, she needed to speak to someone, anyone.

Reluctantly Adriana moved closer to the two sitting Officers, the sound of her heartbeat having drowned everything else, including the Counselor's greeting.

"Good morning Ensign Lopez," Eve said with a smile.  "It looks like we may be faced with an insomnia epidemic."

"Sorry," the aCMO replied, having seen the woman's lips moving but not having heard any words.

"Your body is here," Doctor Summers jumped in with, "but your mind seems to be light years away.  Are you alright?"

"Just a bit distracted," Adriana said before she forced a grin onto her face.

"Come, join us," Eve offered as she pulled out a chair and studied the Ensign with great care, not because the Counselor believed that there had been something more than stated, but only to get a better idea of the aCMO.

"Bajoran tea," Lea requested from one of the waiters, already knowing what her assistant liked to drink.

"I am guessing that this mission is weighing heavily on people's minds," Eve suggested.

[[If only that was the only thing on my mind,]] Adriana thought to herself as she explored the best way to open a discussion about what had truly been bothering her.  When her steaming cup of tea arrived, the Ensign wrapped her hands around it and carefully brought the cup to her lips.

"Just tell them what you see and hear your sister who is not there," Amanda said, her hallucination having appeared out of nowhere on the other side of the table to cause her sister to almost choke on the drink.

The Counselor quickly reached around and began to pat Adriana on the back.  "Are you alright?"

"It was hotter than I had expected," the aCMO replied coughing while she met the glare from the narrowed eyes of her sister who had not really been there.

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS LANCELOT
OLD-P094: USS ANUBIS: Dalziel: Day 4 - 0250 ("Mists of Avalon")

==========
"Mists of Avalon"
{Previous Post: "Why So Nervous?" from the impressive Tiffany)
==========

"Worlds may change, galaxies disintegrate, but a woman... always remains a woman."
-Kirk to Lenore Karidian, TOS, "The Conscience of the King"

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 16, Black Hole Lounge
Stardate: 63073.0250

Eve Dalziel was wide awake, relishing the chance to do some recon work on behalf of the ANUBIS. She'd tried to settle in to her quarters, but they didn't seem like her own yet. And even though sleep would be advisable, her thoughts raced faster than a Vegan fire jaguar on the hunt. Even though the transport to her destination had been grueling, she felt underutilized just being a passenger the entire trip.

A large cup of frothy cappuccino was on her right, on her left a small computer that she used to research information from remote locations. It wasn't the most sophisticated piece of equipment she had used by far, but it was convenient.

Commander Maya's words about the OFREAN SECTOR still echoed in Eve's head. She would need suitable civilian attire and some kind of backstory or direction to go in so that perhaps she could obtain a lead on the whereabouts of the PARADOX.

Ensign Dalziel's instinct was telling her to rely on a previous identity. Namely, that of freespacer pilot Natalia Portree. But, it was a chancey decision. Portree had a very good reputation for being a very bad girl, but that was two years ago. She had to make sure the cover story hadn't been blown after the mission ended. So, she scanned the records, becoming more and more confident that the character could still be used to fantastic effect. [[Looks good, really good,]] she thought, trying to decide the best gadgets she could take without arousing suspicion. Her research was interrupted by the words of the ship's Doctor.

"What are *you* doing here?" Lea said a little more sharply than she meant to, then instantly felt like apologizing. But before she could, the affable Counsellor answered her question without missing a beat.

"I can't sleep," the Ensign admitted. "I've been trying to get my bearings and greet everyone, but understandably some are using this time to actually rest and prepare." Ensign Dalziel stopped herself, more closely looking at Lea's face. "Are you alright?"

"Uh," the blonde woman said, not sure how to respond. In a split second, Eve had gone from just another new officer to a laser beam of intent and focus. Her stare was almost as uncomfortable as Enaii's.

"I didn't mean to upset you," Dalziel offered, nursing her coffee. She wasn't sure what to make of Lieutenant Summers' response. Telling the Doctor and Ensign Lopez what she felt compelled to tell them had been draining. She hadn't been *raised* Cardassian, she certainly didn't *feel* Cardassian, however, she *was* Cardassian. But somehow, despite the strangeness of it all, it felt as though she belonged here on the ship.

"You didn't," Lea replied honestly. "I'm just a little out of sorts."

That appeared to satisfy the raven-haired woman for the time being. "Come and join me in my insomnia," Dalziel quipped, offering the Lieutenant a seat.

Against her better judgement, Lea sat down, ordering a glass of iced mint tea. [[Out of the frying pan and into the fire,]] she thought with discomfort.

"This is an interesting place," Dalziel said, once more scanning the room. "It has better ambiance than STARBASE 22, although it's not as large. But it feels like everyone in here at this hour is either a night owl or lovesick."

Lea nearly choked on her first sip of tea, and Eve was nothing if not perceptive. She smiled. "And here I thought you were a night owl," the Cardassian woman teased.

"Guilty, I guess," Lea said, not sure if she wanted to define what her feelings were for Elan. If she defined them, she couldn't deny them. Perhaps it was too late for that.

"Ah," the Counsellor said knowingly, reassuringly, not wanting to pry. It was amazing how often good listening resolved underlying issues. it was too bad she couldn't bring herself to use that pearl of wisdom more often.

"I didn't expect this," Summers said. There was something so secure and protective in the Engineer's touch, so good and pure and all encompassing. It was as if everything went out the window when he was nearby.

"I think that's why they call it *falling* in love," Eve said.

Instantly Lea's mind flashed to the survival mission on the holodeck. She had fallen, and gotten injured, and somehow the Oltharian was there to rescue her. But he had never made her feel as though she needed to be rescued. However, her lingering emotions left her feeling just as helpless.

"I've never really..." Eve's voice trailed off, embarrassed. "Let's just say my only true love affair has been with Starfleet. It would take a special kind of man to divert my attention from that."

"Indeed," Lieutenant Summers added, Elan's unassuming face coming to mind.

========== 
Susan M Ledbetter
=/\= 
Ensign Eve Dalziel 
Counsellor 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501
OLD-P093: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 0145 ("Why So Nervous?")

=-=
"Why So Nervous?"
[Previous post: "Making The Rounds", written by the talented Susan]
=-=

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Lt. Summer's Quarters
Stardate: 63073.0145

Two years under cover deep inside Dominion controlled space had qualified Lea as a seasoned Intel operative. The CMO's time onboard the USS ANUBIS had only added to her general experience in that field. So why had she been so nervous about what had been a simple reconnaissance mission?

It had been true that since her second run through the Academy things had not been as simple. Lea had managed to find a way to be captured or injured in almost every mission while onboard the ANUBIS. Something inside her had changed and it made the Doctor feel as if something had been missing.  To see an Operative such as Commander Enaii at work only made the CMO feel that much more inadequate.

The mission itself had not made Lea nervous. It had been her own lack of confidence in her abilities that had made the Doctor consider staying onboard the ship. At least there she would have fewer opportunities to get into trouble and require the assistance of others to come to her rescue.

With her thoughts having made it impossible to get any decent rest, the Doctor had decided to go for a walk. Maybe a good long stroll through the ship would help clear her mind and make her tired enough to sleep.

=-=
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Main Engineering
Stardate: 63073.0200

Lea knew that if she went into or near her domain she would end up working instead of resting. So in an attempt to avoid this, the Doctor had ventured as far away from deck 7 as possible. Since the Doctor had not wanted to be alone in the entrails of the ship, she ended her journey on deck 22. There she hat least had the opportunity to run into some of the Engineers who had the less than envious task of working the graveyard shift.

It was with a certain surprise and delight that the CMO found the Oltharian giant standing there alone. For a moment Lea had thought that the CEO had somehow managed to fall asleep standing. That idea though was quickly dismissed when Elan called out to her.

"Hello Healer."

Doctor Summers quickly looked around her. The giant's back had been towards Lea so there had been no way for him to see her standing there. Also as far as she recalled, the CMO had not made any noise that would have alerted the engineer as to her presence.

"How did you do that?" Lea asked as she moved closer to see the giant's eyes closed.

Elan smiled as he remembered the discussion he and the ANUBIS' Avatar had shared not so long ago.  "How may I be of assistant," the Olthairan replied after having opened his eyes, turned and bowed before the CMO.

"I was just out for a walk," Lea said. "I couldn't sleep and thought that a stroll would do me some good."

"I am honored that your travels have brought you here Healer," the Oltharian said. The respect and admiration in the giant's voice had been almost more that Lea could handle. As strange as Elan made her feel, there had always been something about the way he spoke to the CMO that made Lea smile. His sound of his voice had been like music, a melody that reminded her of the instrument she had heard him play.

"Guess you couldn't sleep either," Lea said. As much as she had wanted to mention how much she enjoyed his playing the flute, the CMO knew that this had not been a permitted subject.

"I do not require as much sleep as do most humanoids," Elan explained. "I am still used to my own world's days which are much longer than yours."

"I would love to spend a few weeks on your planet," Lea admitted. "Just you and I, you could show me everything."

The CMO suddenly stopped before she said anything more. Her body had refused to give in to fatigue, but her mind had obviously suffered from her lack of rest. Had Lea continued she would have likely said something that she would have come to regret. As much as she had wanted to share her thoughts with the Oltharian, the thought of losing his respect had insured her silence.

"Is there something wrong Healer?" Elan asked. Apparently the giant had picked up on the sudden change in Lea's posture.

The CMO became nervous as her thoughts turned to mush. It would have been so easy to tell him how she felt with no one else around. It would have been just as easy for Lea to open herself to his gentleness and hope for him to show her just how deep his admiration ran.

"I'm fine," Doctor Summer's eventually replied. "I need to go. I am sorry if I have bothered you," Lea said as she left, not giving the Oltharian the chance to say anything in return.

=-=
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Array Section, Deck A-4, IGC
Stardate: 63073.0220

On the verge of tears the CMO had taken the nearest turbolift and gone as far away as she could. It was only when she stepped into the room that Lea realized the mistake that she had made. From Elan's world she had rushed into Enaii's dominion. From what could have been Heaven itself Doctor Summers had stepped into the lair of darkness incarnate.

To say that Lea had been nervous would have been an epic understatement. In her weakened emotional state, the last thing she had been ready to deal with had been the ANUBIS' ILO. If there had been any amount of luck still available for her, the CMO hoped that the Intel Operative had been somewhere else.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P092: USS ANUBIS: Dalziel: Day 4 - 0155 ("Making the Rounds")

==========
"Making the Rounds"
(Previous post was Francois' "Metaphysical Discussion")
==========

"I am pleased to see we have differences. May we together become greater than the sum of both of us."
-Surak to Kirk, TOS, "The Savage Curtain"

==========
Setting: Uss ANUBIS, Deck 17, Hex's Quarters
Stardate: 63073.0155

Hex fumbled with the door release, her fatigue betraying the curiosity at who would have been visiting her so soon. [[Maybe Adriana?]] the Kzinti woman thought with a little bit of cheer. Even though her new quarters wasn't fully furnished yet, she was still proud of the space and excitement built within her despite how tired she was.

But instead, it was the towering form of the ship's new Counsellor. "Ensign Fanggot?" Eve said hesitantly.

"Y-yes," Hex answered, her violet eyes narrowing cautiously. She was never very comfortable around new people. Especially when they were so *tall*.

"I'm Ensign Eve Dalziel," the pale woman said, offering her hand in greeting. The usually energetic furball of an assistant Sec/Tac gently grasped and shook hands in return. "You left so quickly I didn't get the chance to properly introduce myself," Dalziel continued, stepping slightly into the younger woman's quarters.

"The mission briefing," Hex said, stifling a small yawn, too tired to fight the other woman's intrusion. "You disembarked from the AMON-RA."

"Right," Eve confirmed. "Despite our mission coming up shortly, I wanted to make the opportunity to meet as many of the senior staff as possible. usually I'm not so rushed, but I know I won't have time once we reach the OFREAN SECTOR." The Counsellor seemed to have some nervous energy pent up inside of her, which made Hex feel a little less out of place in her new home on the ANUBIS.

"Oh, I see..." The Kzinti's mind raced at the implications of the visit. It felt as though all of Adriana's groaning about Counsellors was coming to pass. And she was the next furry victim. [[At least give me a good night's sleep before my torture,]] she thought.

Even though Dalziel was not Betazed, she was Intel and Psychology trained, which was nearly as perceptive and equally unnerving. "Relax," Eve said, tossing her almost black hair over her shoulder in a quick and easy motion. "I don't have time to sit anyone down on the couch... yet. It's just that teamwork is very important to me." She gave a smile as if it were a peace offering.

[[Keeping the team from sleeping is a strange way to show it,]] Hex thought. Then again, there was something unique about the way the newest officer carried herself.

"I noticed how well everyone seems to work together here," Eve continued. "You can't manufacture that. It has to be there inherently from the beginning."

"Uh-Hum." The Kzinti leaned on her hand, listening, feeling her eyes close ever so slightly.

"I guess my point is that in order to fully integrate into the team, I need to understand its workings, and the group dynamic is vital for good socialization and productivity. I usually get more time to do that..." It was then that Ensign Dalziel noticed that Ensign Fanggot was nearly asleep.

"Oh," Eve said sharply, realizing too late that she had been interrupting the sleep cycle of the free-spirited Kzinti officer. "My apologies. It's bedtime, isn't it?"

The petite and childlike woman opened an almond-shaped eye in acknowledgement. "Yes, I was just settling in for the night," Hex finally admitted.

"This isn't as important as your rest," Eve said with empathetic remorse. "We'll pick this topic up another time."

"Sure," Hex said drowsily. "Nice meeting you," she muttered weakly.

Then, as quickly as she arrived, Dalziel was gone, relieving the exhausted Kzinti to close the door and resume her slumber. 

==========
Susan M Ledbetter
=/\= 
Ensign Eve Dalziel 
Counsellor 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501
OLD-P091: USS ANUBIS: Fairborn: Day 4 - 0130 ("Metaphysical Discussion")

###################
"Metaphysical Discussion"
[Previous Post Ashley's "New Quarters"]
###################

"A soul is a notion given onto someone or something, not a belief belonging to only a select few."
- Ejenhan Sirra Starrise, Head Priest of the Oltharian Religious Circle

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Main Engineering
Stardate: 63073.0130

The rhythmic pulses of the warp core had been the most prominent sound in the room, and the only one the pensive Oltharian had listened to for the last 30 minutes. To the Chief Engineer, the towering pillar and technological marvel had not only been the central power source for the USS ANUBIS, but it also acted as the heart and soul of the ship.

The imposing giant's white eyes had been closed to allow him to better understand the ANUBIS' status. Like the heart in a living entity which hastened or slowed according to the conditions and burdens faced by the individual, the ship's power core responded similarly to the demands made of it. By simply listening to the enticing slow rhythm of the warp core the Oltharian could tell that the ship had been at peace, preparing itself for the task ahead.

"Hello Annie," Elan offered, his voice laced with an admiration and respect that could have only originated from the Oltharian.

"You are a very peculiar being Lieutenant Fairborn," the Avatar stated as she made her way past the Engineering Control Island to join the Oltharian. Unable to experience emotions, Annie had not physically or verbally displayed surprise or awe at the fact that the Chief Engineer had somehow known of her presence and approach from several meters away. Being the creature that she was, the Android only accepted this as fact and proceeded accordingly.

"Peculiar?" the Oltharian questions, a faint grin having flashed over his lips as he did so.

"Yes," Annie replied as her optical sensors scrutinized the rhythmic pulses that had so completely caught the Engineer's attention. "Although you have no direct interface with the ship, you seem aware of things that I thought only I would be able to know. My arrival in Main Engineering for example, the sound of my footsteps was well below your ability to hear, at least according to your medical file, and last time I checked you did not have a remote access to the ANUBIS' internal sensors."

"I sensed your soul," Elan cryptically explained, his eyes still closed and his head tilted back in a welcoming gesture to the core's pulses.  To someone with the most basic of religious understanding, the posture presented by the Oltharian hinted to the gentle giant having been in the midst of a deep communion with the mechanical *heart* of the ship.

"My *soul*," the Avatar demanded in as perplexed a tone as the artificial woman had been able to produce. "I am the physical representation of the ANUBIS, the ship given humanoid form, an interactive extension of its systems. I cannot have a soul; at least not in accordance to the more commonly accepted definition of that term."

"Annie," Elan began as he released a lengthy breath and opened his eyes to look onto the Avatar. "The ANUBIS is an entity onto itself, capable of amazing feats, as are you, but should circumstances demand it, you would both be able to function without the other. Although you would be diminished by such an absence, separate you would still be able to carry on. You and the ANUBIS share a connection like no other, a link that binds you together, a bond that you would both mourn should it be terminated, but your actions are independent. Therefore your soul, as that of the ANUBIS, is your own."

The onyx-haired woman gaze at the taller man now quietly standing next to her, the Avatar obviously in the middle of processing what the Olthairian had just said.

"Lieutenant Fairborn," the Avatar offered, her head having slightly tilted to one side. "I suspect that this link, this bond you speak of is not only limited to me and the ANUBIS," Annie stated as she turned her attention onto the pulsating warp core as had the Chief Engineer.

The Olthairan slowly closed his eyes once again and smiled, secured in the knowledge that he had been correct in his perception of the *souls* of the ship and that of the Avatar.

--==(/\)==--
Setting: GORN Space, OFREAN SECTOR, YUDARA Asteroid Field, Planetoid, Trade Center
Stardate: 63073.0145

Under the large, reinforced protective dome that covered nearly half of the planetoid, the trading post had established itself as the perfect venue for traders and travelers alike.

"Luke at his homestead in the morning," the Tamarian whispered to himself as he stepped into the deserted streets of the trade center and took in a deep breath as he stretched his arms wide.  His words indicated his delight in taking in the morning's fresh air and his ability to peacefully survey his surroundings, looking towards to the challenges of the day.

--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette

Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn

Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS

And

Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P090: USS ANUBIS: Fanggot: Day 4 - 0140 ("New Quarters")‏

##########################
"New Quarters"
Previous post "Early Morning Relaxation"
##########################

Setting: USS ANBUIS, Deck 1, CO Ready Room
Stardate: 63073.0140

Such an embarrassment. Hex walked slowly to the CO's ready room, after what had happened in the bridge, the Kzinti was even more nervous to ask a favor of the Captain. Things had gone from bad to worse as time went on and her need to run from the room intensified. Alas, the Ensign finished her mission and was now about to ask for yet another favor, though this one was far more thought out. Her ear twitching away, the Kzinti activated the door chime and braced herself.

"You may enter," a smooth female voice called from within, Hex swallowed the last of her pride before she entered the room.

"Captain... I'm sorry to bother you at such an early hour," the Kzinti started, "but, I have a request... I wish to change quarters."

The red-headed female raised a delicate eyebrow, "Do you find your quarters not to your liking Ensign?" she inquired, not as surprised as Hex thought she would be.

"No... it's just that, I would like to have my quarters on deck 17 to be closer the security station..." the fuzzball replied, mentally adding a note that she would also be closer to other things, such as the shield control station and two phaser arrays.

"You do know that those are crew quarters, which are far smaller than that you've been given," The Captain stated, now showing slightly more of the original disbelief or surprise that the Kzinti was expecting upon walking through the door.

"Yes Captain... but in case of emergency..." the Kzinti mumbled, losing her verbal footing, as she always would with those she was not well acquainted with.

"In case of emergency," the Captain continued, "the Bridge is where all senior officers would need to be. However... if you feel you *need* to be placed elsewhere, I will have it arranged." The Captain seemed to know more than she was letting on about.

The Kzinti crossed her fists over her heart and bowed deeply to the Captain, a sign of deep respect for a Kzinti, "Thank you Captain, I'm very grateful." Hex stepped out too fast to see the Captain's reaction.

====^*^====
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 17, Hex's *new* Quarters
Stardate: 63073.0155

Hex walked in with her head spinning wildly from the stresses of previous days. As the Kzinti had been taught long ago, she decided to center herself. Sitting on the bare floor, the Ensign crossed her legs in the traditional lotus position and cleared her thoughts. A mental war ensued in the fur ball's mind. All the emotions from the past days, grief loss, guilt, pain, depression, anxiety, was all swirling in a small black abyss around her consciousness. Using her trained self-control, the officer reigned in all the emotions, and the images that went with them, and pushed them into the farthest reaches of her mind.

Getting up painfully, the Kzinti decided that most of the room could wait, all she needed now was a bed. Hex made up her bed in the farthest corner from the door, where quiet was easiest to come by. The bed was made of basically an over sized basket and a huge, comfy quilt on top with a pillow and giant comforter. All this in different shades of golden yellow and icy blue.

Settling herself down, the child-like officer looked like a cat snuggled in for a long rest. Then Hex heard a soft knock on her door, just as the Kzinti was about to drift into a semi-conscious sleep. [[Sleep, it was just a noise,]] Ensign Fanggot assured herself, but, sure enough, the knocking sounded again. Getting up lazily, and with the most enthusiasm she could muster, the fur ball slunk over to open the door.

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanggot
Assistant Chief of Security/Tactical
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P089: USS ANUBIS: Mitshiba: Day 4 - 0100 ("Early Morning Relaxation")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Early Morning Relaxation"
(Cont. from "Not So Easy")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Holodeck 2
Stardate: 63073.0100

Holodecks were a wonderful invention that allowed someone to wander the most exotic of scenery or visit worlds that only lived in the realm of dreams.  The level of details able to be created had been mind-boggling if you focused only on the specifics instead of enjoying the program and ambiance as a whole.  Aki had selected a much simpler program for what she had decided to do in order to relax; a nice ocean swim.

The gentle motion of the ocean seemed to almost welcome the aCSciO's strokes as the Ensign moved further into the boundless watery world. The holodeck had been asked to provide nothing more than water and a clear blue sky overhead, Aki not having required the incentive of land or of another objective to tackle this program with everything she had been ready to give.  She would swim for as long as her arms and legs would allow, and only then would the Ensign consider taking a break.

For some, resting in their quarters had been the activity of choice, but for Aki physical exercise had always proven to be far more effective at releasing stress and calming her mind.  For her the old axiom of Sir Isaac Newton that claimed 'a body at rest tends to remain at rest, a body in motion tends to remain in motion," had almost become a mantra.  Had she been the only one onboard the ANUBIS to believe in this, the aCSciO might have modified her ways, but many if not most of the senior staff seemed to think as she did.  Many worked double shifts without having been asked and took the briefest of breaks before returning to their duties and tasks.  One of the best proofs of this had been the ship's own Chief Science Officer who spent the majority of her time in the labs instead of anywhere else on the ship, including her own quarters.

"If this is your idea of relaxing, I would truly hate to see what you consider to be a grueling workout," Elliot said from a small island off to the side from the Ensign's current path.

Aki stopped and then altered her course to head for the small island barely large enough to hold the person already standing on it.  Once there she accepted the towel that the COO had offered and started with drying her hair as she playfully glared at Ensign Thomas.  "How did you get here?"

"I walked through the door," the COO joked then continued this time offering the answer that the aCSciO had likely been looking for. "Went to your quarters and when you weren't there I asked the computer.  I'm still not sure why I don't do that right from the start, you never seem to be where I am looking for you."

"I'm sorry," Aki said following a lengthy silence shared between the two officers.

"For what?" Elliot asked, the aCSciO having suddenly become far more serious than he had expected.

"For everything," the Asian Ensign replied.  "For having misunderstood what I saw, for having run off without giving you a chance to explain, for making your life more complicated that it needs to be."

"Aki," Elliot said as he gently took the woman's face into his hands. "You have nothing to be sorry about, and about making my life more complicated there are things that well worth the extra work and time required."

The two Ensigns gazed into each other's eyes for several moments before their lips began to be drawn closer, like two astral bodies responding to a gravitational force beyond their individual control.

~~~~~~~~~~
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Holodeck 2
Stardate: 63073.0215

The peaceful sapphire sky had been replaced by a dreamy twinkling starscape, and the island had been increased in size to accommodate the two bodies now laying side by side, their gaze cast upward towards the artificial night's sky.

"Now this is more my idea of relaxing," Elliot whispered as he held Aki close to him, the fears and worries of the past few days had all but vanished.

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P088: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 4 - 0055 ("Not So Easy")

-=-=-
"Not So Easy"
[Previous post: "No Secrets"]
-=-=-

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Ensign Lopez's Quarters
Stardate: 63073.0055

Captain Rikar had ordered the senior officers to get some rest, and that had been exactly what Adriana had intended to do.  Since the downfall of the LANCELOT, her struggle to get help, the battle against the Imperians that followed and their timely rescue by the ANUBIS, Lopez had not had a single moment to just breathe.  Things had happened so fast afterward that it was only when the aCMO stepped into her quarters that she realized that this had been her first time here.

When she first stepped in Adriana took a moment to look around before stepping back out into the corridor, surely she had made some sort of mistake.  After having confirmed that these had in fact been the accommodations that had been assigned to her, Ensign Lopez re-entered her quarters.  The ANUBIS was indeed a ship with surprises at every corner.  Compared to the cramped quarters on the LANCELOT, the ones on the ANUBIS had been meant for royalty or at the very least high ranking officials.  There had been enough room to fit a small shuttle in her living area alone, and the bedroom had been spacious enough for a full size bed instead of the standard cot.  Doctor Summers had hinted that the comfort of the crew had been important given that they needed to be well rested to tackle the dark forces of the universe, but Adriana still could not have imagined this.

A quick tour of her quarters also showed that her bathroom had been fully stacked and that a shower capable of using both sonic waves and water had been at her disposal.  It was true that water had not been as efficient at cleaning the dirt off a body, but the feeling of warm water on one's flesh had been been far more pleasing.  Faced with this unexpected surprise, Lopez decided to immediately indulge in a long hot shower as this would not only relax her but would also comply with the CO's orders.

Like the caresses of a passionate lover the water cascaded over Adriana's body sending feelings of pure delight throughout her tired muscles.  Once cleaned and relaxed, the aCMO stepped out of the shower and grinned more than ever before as she once again took in the impressive size of her living area.

"There is enough room for the whole family," a familiar voice said from the general direction of the couch.  Adriana sighed as she once again saw the hallucination of her sister, this time Amanda had been comfortably sitting with her hands behind her head.

"You really want me to speak with Ensign Delzia don't you?" Lopez asked, not really having expected an answer.

"It's not what *I* want," the image of Adriana's sister replied with a tone of amusement.  "I'm not here remember.  I am a figment of your overactive subconscious mind which is desperately trying to deal with all that has happened to you in the last few days."

"I'm going to bed," the aCMO said as she did her best to ignore her increasingly annoying habit of seeing her missing sister.

"Dri," the hallucination of Amanda Lopez continued, having used the nickname that only her sister used to set the tone when they were alone and about to talk about something serious.  "You can't ignore me, and even if you don't want to talk to Eve about me, you still need to face the fact that you were one of 80 some odd survivors from a crew of 300.  That alone would be enough to make the sanest officer need to talk to *someone*."

"I *am* talking to someone," Adriana snapped back.  "I'm talking to you."

"Dri," the hallucination repeated with great seriousness.  "You are talking to yourself, that doesn't count.  You need to stop trying to hide from this and face it.  You are about to go on a mission that will require your fullest attention, you cannot afford to be distracted by anything, especially not *me*.  If you are not going to talk to Eve then talk to Lea, Akira, Hex or anyone else on the ship.  You are not alone and you have to stop trying to be the strongest.  Mother and father turned to you for strength when I left, now it is your turn to turn to someone else."

Adriana said nothing, instead she just collapsed onto her bed and hugged her pillow so that it could catch her tears and muffle her crying.  Sleep and rest it seemed would have to wait a little longer.

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS LANCELOT
OLD-P087: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 4 - 0045 ("No Secrets")

=-=
"No Secrets"
[Previous post: "Fresh Blood and Old Magic", written by the astonishing Susan]
=-=

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63073.0045

Lea would have found herself on the floor of her office had it not been for her desk. The CMO had thought there had been something strange about the new Counsellor. Something that just didn't fit the persona as it should have. Something along the lines of a buried secret. Never had the Doctor expected to be that accurate.

"You're *Cardassian*?" Ensign Lopez gasped. At least Lea had not been the only one to be completely bowled over by the revealed secret.

"You have to be the best looking Cardassian I have ever seen," the CMO said. Lea only realized after the words had been spoken what she had said. The shock had apparently been stronger than initially experienced.

"Thank you Doctor," Eve replied with a soft smile. "I will take that as a professional compliment."

Embarrassment engraved itself on the CMO's features. The comment had been a simple observation with no hidden undertone. The words though had come out all so wrong and Lea knew better. If she tried to correct the faux pas committed, Doctor Summers would only end up digging herself deeper.

"You might want to keep an eye on our good Doctor," Adriana offered to the CNS in a whispered voice. "She may be the first to need a 'couch session'," the aCMO continued. To shift the focus onto the CMO had been exactly what the Ensign had hoped to accomplish.

Lea shot a glare at her assistant who had literally added insult to injury. "Trust me, Ensign Lopez is in far greater need than I," the CMO retaliated with.

"I will be happy to see you both," Ensign Dalziel said with a smile. "Unfortunately our Captain has ordered us to rest, so I am afraid that it will have to wait. Maybe upon our return from this mission we can sit down and work out the details of your sessions. In the meantime, good night ladies, and sweet dreams."

With that the CNS left the office and the two stunned and silent women behind.

"She's good," Lopez admitted as she blinked several times in the direction in which Eve had vanished.

"That's why she's on the ANUBIS," Lea added, a playful chuckle having followed soon after. To be enlisted within the secret world of the NEW ALEXANDRIA Complex meant something. You had to have distinguished yourself at some level from the general crowd. To be furthermore assigned to one of the three primary Intel ships meant even more. You had to be more than simply *good*, you had to be *exceptional* in your respective field.

Eve and the other senior members of the USS ANUBIS all had qualified to be here. Through trials, experience or carefully manipulated secrets, they all belonged here. Strangely enough Lea had found this to be reassuring in some way.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS

OLD-P086: USS ANUBIS: Dalziel: Day 4 - 0015 ("Fresh Blood and Old Magic")

==========
"Fresh Blood and Old Magic"
(Previous Post was "Transition" by the wonderful Sabrina)
==========

"Risk is our business. That's what this starship is all about. That's why we're aboard her."
-Kirk to crew, TOS, "Return to Tomorrow"

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Observation Lounge
Stardate: 63073.0015

(From Sabrina's Post)

"Let's start with the obvious… we have several new Officers who have decided to remain with us on the ANUBIS," the redheaded woman began while still standing. "Ensign Mitshiba has returned to us and will be assisting Commander Maya in the Science department. Ensign Lopez has also decided to stay and will be under the supervision of Doctor Summers in the Medical Department while Ensign Fanggot will take over the Tactical and Security position as an Assistant."

"Angels of grace defend us," Adriana whispered under her breath, just loud enough for her Kzinti friend to hear.

Welcoming smiles and approving nods filled the room… that was until the door to the Observation Lounge opened once more and another officer stepped in to draw all eyes onto her. The woman seemed to have an unusual and exotic charm about her, which only added to the mystery which surrounded the Ensign.

"An additional note… Ensign Eve Dalziel transferred over from the AMON-RA as per Admiral Koniki's orders," the redhead announced as she invited the latest arrival to take one of the empty chairs. "She will be taking on the responsibilities of ship's Counsellor."

"Well," Adriana mumbled to herself, "I kept saying that I would need to see a Counsellor."

"Next we need a report on the ship's status," the CO quickly added as she took her place at the head of the long table and shot a glance at the sitting Oltharian.

(Mine)

Eve held a deep breath as she found her place, trying to look a little more approachable but not succeeding entirely. As casually as possible she took a survey of the room, trying to commit each face to memory. They were her new team, after all. She tugged at the uniform, trying to make it feel more like a second skin. It had been months since she had been forced to wear one, and the one piece coverall that had become her 'mode de rigeur' had apparently made her grow soft. At least it wasn't a dress ceremony.

The Chief Engineer was the first to speak. Then the Chief Operations Officer and Assistant Security/Tactical had their turns. The Chief Science Officer gave an impressively detailed description of some of the mission parameters. Each member of the senior staff had something to contribute as the meeting progressed. In fact, the only silent member of the group had been the ILO, Commander Enaii. It was extremely difficult to decide if the woman simply couldn't be bothered to offer her opinion, or if she didn't feel it was warranted.

(From Sabrina's Post)

"At our current speed we will reach Gorn space in just under 12 hours and the OFREAN SECTOR 6 hours after that," the Captain stated as she leaned back in her chair. "This is going to be a physically and mentally demanding mission, so I want everyone to get some rest during the next 12 hours. I want everyone at their best… so if there are no questions, you are all dismissed."

The Senior Staff quickly stood and made their way out of the Observation Lounge, the officers chatting amongst themselves about the information that they had received and the mission that awaited them.

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Corridor
Stardate: 63073.0025

Lieutenant Lea Summers, the CMO, and her new protegé, Ensign Adriana Lopez, were on their way to Sickbay to perform a standard check of their resources before following the Captain's orders and getting some much deserved rest. The rescue of those from the LANCELOT had proven how important it was to be prepared, and this new venture to the OFREAN SECTOR was no different.

"A Counsellor," Adriana said under her breath, still not quite believing that one had shown up.

The ship's Doctor smiled. "It's not as if she's carrying the plague," Lea offered. The newest officer seemed a little... well, *different* around the edges but certainly not the horror that Lopez was making it out to be.

"They talk a lot. And they ask too many questions. I can feel the interrogation beginning already." Adriana would rather have her twin sister hanging around all the time, than have a sit down chat with the ship's Counsellor.

Lea noted that Ensign Dalziel was being sent on the away mission also, along with everyone else. "I think she's going to be too busy to conduct the typical 'couch sessions' you're concerned about."

Neither of them had noticed Eve's approach down the corridor. "Ladies?"

Adriana stiffened slightly, while Lea offered her hand in greeting. "Welcome aboard, Ensign Dalziel."

"Thanks Doctor Summers, Ensign Lopez," Eve said warmly, trying to diffuse some of the awkwardness that she felt. "May I accompany you to Sickbay? I need to speak to you privately. It should only take a few minutes of your time."

The aCMO *almost* let out a huffing noise, except for a gentle nudge of Summers' elbow to Adriana's ribcage. "No problem, Ensign, follow us," Lea said as they made their way to deck 7.

Eve followed the women quietly, trying to absorb all the newness around her. It gave her time to think about her last assignment and the quick turn of events that led her to the ANUBIS...

(Flashback time)

==========
Setting: STARBASE 22, Eve Dalziel's Quarters
Stardate: 63069.0700

The gentle pealing of the alarm woke Eve with a start. She bolted upright in bed, smacking her palm on the sensor built into her console. She didn't want to be late for her meeting with the Commander.

"Lights, half," she said, watching the sparse interior of her quarters brighten to something resembling daybreak. She went to the altar situated near the bathroom, and lit a small candle. She whispered a blessing, something her mother taught her. The routine gave her peace and comfort.

She went into the bathroom and turned on the shower, and caught a glimpse of herself in the large mirror. Her long dark hair was mussed, framing an unnaturally pale face and large gray eyes. She'd been on assignment in the Dolac sector for nearly three months, and had gotten accustomed to the feature enhancements that were part of her persona. So, to see herself again, and nobody else, was a bit of an adjustment.

Eve sighed as she stepped into the sonic shower and let the pulsating motion cleanse her and relax her. No doubt the mission debriefing would be unpleasant for Commander MacLelland to look at, but it was necessary. Losing a valued member of the mission team was never easy. The fact that she had been a witness to it had her questioning her actions and her decisions. It was only in the past few days that she was able to realize if not for her involvement, it could have been much worse. The entire team of nine had been put in jeopardy, so to only lose one individual had been a small sacrifice.

Lieutenant Commander Tomàs Benitez was a decorated officer and had been serving on SB22 years before Eve arrived on the scene. He had been a mentor, and had chosen her as mission leader on several occasions, despite the fact that he outranked her. He seemed to appreciate her attention to detail and her quiet observance of those around her. He knew when he decided to remain behind at the 'safehouse' while the rest of the team went ahead to meet at the extraction point, that it was a calculated risk. But, if not for his actions, they would have never known an ambush was waiting for them. Needless to say, the mission team turned the tables on the Dolacite extremists and they managed to escape the socially backward and techologically lacking society. But Tomàs had paid the price for all of them. That was something Eve wouldn't easily forget.

She closed her eyes briefly and silently hoped that Tomàs' pagh, or spirit, was at peace. The sanctity of life was important to her, and she had once said that the day that death held no consequence to her, was the day she would resign her commission.

==========
Setting: STARBASE 22, Commander's Office
Stardate: 63069.0901

Commander Duane MacLelland took his feet off the desk and shuddered as he finished reading the Intel reports on the mission to Dolac III. One operative dead, another injured, and all to discover the Dolacites weren't Federation material for at least another 75 years. [[I guess every one can't be a ringer]] he thought, tossing the data PADD across the desk with the satisfying sound of cracking plastic.

"Commander?" a soft yet assertive female voice asked.

MacLelland looked up sharply at the tall, lithe woman in front of him, She was wearing a black coverall, an outfit she often favored to the standard uniform. Maybe it was because of how rarely she actually wore a Starfleet uniform on her field assignments. Her long hair had been pulled back in a queue at the base of her neck and cascaded down her back, a few dark strands falling elegantly over one shoulder but barely showing against the ebony material. "How long have you been standing there?"

Ensign Eve Dalziel shrugged. "About 60 seconds."

Duane managed a sheepish grin. There was something about Intel officers, they could sneak around quieter than an invisible ninja. "Please, have a seat."

Eve took a chair, immediately engaging her Senior officer with discussion about the mission elements, including the shortcomings and takeaways. It was obvious she had given the meeting a lot of thought and preparation. It didn't hurt that she had a good rapport with the Commander, and they could discuss anything and everything that was on the table. Working on SB22 had been one of the best experiences of her career, except for the loss of Lieutenant Commander Benitez. "But in the end, there's still one thing that bothers me."

"And what would that be, Ensign?" MacLelland raised an eyebrow, thinking how amazing it was that the woman only had *one* outlying concern.

"The question remains, who alterted the Dolacites to our presence?" They simply didn't have the technological skills required to find interlopers on their own. Especially after all the precautions the mission team took.

"If you're looking for answers, Eve, you came to the wrong place. You know as well as I do we may never find out who tipped them off."

Dalziel crossed her arms in mild defiance. "That won't stop me from thinking about it."

Duane sat on the edge of the desk and faced the determined junior officer. "I do have one question I can get the answer to- are you sure you don't need more time off before your next mission?"

[[*Damn*]] she thought. [[What was the point of having classified records if everyone reads them?]] Eve straightened up in her seat. "No, not at all... Sir." Two weeks away from active duty had been ample time to take care of any loose ends. Not that there were any to speak of.

Commander MacLelland shot a glance at the pale woman. "It's not a sign of weakness to ask for a leave of absence."

"It is where I come from," Eve replied with a smirk. She'd been raised in the Federation, and hard work was something she didn't try to avoid.

MacLelland paced around his desk, handing Eve a small PADD. "Obviously Starfleet agrees with you. They want you reassigned. Congratulations."

"Reassigned?" she asked, as though she had done something wrong.

Commander MacLelland looked at the woman in front of him and sensed her concern. Eve was a study in contrasts. She had the physical strength of a Cardassian, the soul of a Bajoran, the mind of an eager student, and the heart of a Terran. "Relax, it's a promotion of sorts, the orders come directly from Admiral Koniki."

"*The* Admiral Koniki?"

"The one and only. They want you to rendezvous with a vessel called the AMON-RA. It's supposed to carry you to your final destination."

"Which is...?" Eve's question was met with a blank stare.

"It's classified, at the highest level. All they will concede is that once the mission begins, any communication with non-mission personnel will be completely silent. They won't even give me a timeline."

The raven-haired woman sat in stunned silence for a minute, reviewing the small amount of data in front of her. Everything Duane was saying matched the documentation, including Koniki's stamp of approval. Her curiosity began to show. Something about this felt undeniably right. "How soon do I leave?"

"How soon can you pack?"

==========
Setting: STARBASE 22, Eve Dalziel's Quarters
Stardate: 63069.0947

Eve had wasted little time in contacting her parents after her meeting with Commander MacLelland.

=/\=Delta delta omega seven, secure transmission line established,=/\= the computer responded with its standard monotone.

The friendly face of her dad filled the room with warmth. [/\]You look especially serious today,[/\] Seamus Dalziel said with a slight Irish brogue. [/\]Something wrong?[/\]

"No, Dad," she replied with a tone of surprise. She was still a little stunned by the turn of events. But she managed to come right out with it. "I've been ordered to deploy in the next 72 hours."

Her adoptive father leaned back in his seat and chuckled, running his hands through his graying hair. [/\]Oh, I see.[/\]

"What's so funny?" she said.

[/\]I should have known this was about a mission. You always get this way before something exciting happens. What's it all about?[/\]

It was Eve's turn to smile. "It's so classified I wouldn't be able to tell you anything, but the truth is they didn't tell *me* anything. Other than someone *wants* me there. Someone with a hell of a lot of clout that doesn't take 'no' for an answer."

[/\]My kid's moving up the world,[/\] the elder Dalziel said with obvious pride. Then he paused. [/\]Is it deep cover?[/\]

Eve tilted her head to one side in thought. "I'm not sure, but it is a complete communication blackout. No contact whatsoever with anyone on the outside... including family." she finished gently.

[/\]For how long?[/\] Now he better understood her uneasiness.

"I don't know... that's why it was so important I called. Where's Mom?"

Seamus turned his head to look at the digital clock on the opposite side of the room from the comm link. Seamus now taught Engineering at Starfleet Academy, and Patrice was a clinical psychologist with a practice just outside San Francisco. [/\]Still seeing patients until this afternoon. Will you have time to call back?[/\]

Eve nodded. "Not a problem, I still have to pack. They've given me about eight hours to clear my quarters. It's a good thing I travel light. I'll call back at about 1630 hours."

[/\]Sounds great, honey.[/\] Seamus beamed at his daughter. [/\]I love you.[/\]

"I love you too," she replied as she closed the secure transmission.

(Back to the Present)

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63073.0040

The three women entered Lea's office. "What did you want to talk about?" Lea began, sensing the new Counsellor felt nearly as uncomfortable as Adriana did. Adriana had barely said five words since Eve had introduced herself.

"I understand there are very few secrets aboard the ANUBIS." It was more of a statement than a question from the tall woman.

"Correct," Summers responded. "The greatest secret is our existence. Once you have made your way here, many other things fall away."

Eve nodded. "Then there is something... as Medical Officers you need to know. Normally I have the opportunity to schedule a traditional appointment, but our mission parameters haven't given me the luxury of time."

"Time is a rare commodity for us all," the ship's CMO confirmed. "Are you ill?" Lea then asked. At least that would explain Eve's pale visage.

"No, I'm fine," Eve said reassuringly. This was difficult. "But in case anything were to happen to me, and I would need medical attention, you need to be aware."

"Aware of what?" Adriana Lopez asked, finally finding her voice again.

Eve glanced at the two women, her rich gray eyes filled with turmoil. "I'm not human. I'm Cardassian."

==========
Susan M Ledbetter

Ensign Eve Dalziel
Counsellor
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501
OLD-P085: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 3 - 2355 ("Transition")

==========
" Transition "
(Previous Post was Craig's "The Meeting")
==========

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.2355

The young woman stood next the tactical station… it was easy to see that the CO's presence there still had made the new Kzinti Assistant Sec/Tac Officer nervous. The Captain's eyes diligently scanned the work station which indicated the position and status of the USS AMON-RA, the Marine transport vessel that they had met on schedule.

"Status on the transfer of the LANCELOT's survivors," the redheaded woman demanded of Ensign Thomas who had taken his position a little late for his shift. Normally Rikar would have disciplined the Officer for this but she understood that the return of Ensign Mitshiba to the ANUBIS had caused some unique disruption in the otherwise normal routine of the ship.

"The cargo bays have been emptied…" Elliot confirmed after having checked his instruments. "The AMON-RA is reporting that the mass transport went according to plan… everyone is still sound asleep and none-the-wiser. Doctor Summers had them snoring their heads off," the COO added with a faint chuckle. "We also received a few transfers from NEW ALEXANDRIA, their files have already been transferred to the IGC for Commander Enaii's review."


"Well done everyone," Rikar stated with a distinct air or relief… not having all these extra bodies on board would make things a lot easier from now on. "Helm," the young woman continued as she made her way back to the central chair, "set course for the OFREAN SECTOR, warp 7."

"OFREAN SECTOR… Warp 7… aye Captain," the ANUBIS' new FCO confirmed, the Klingon having appeared to be right at home at the helm of his new ship.

"I think Drell likes your ship," Captain Morningstar whispered to the redheaded woman as she eased herself back down in her seat.

"It seems to be a sentiment shared by many others from your crew," the CO confirmed with a grin as she shot a quick glance back at Ensign Fanggot, the Kzinti's earlier request to test the weapons still the talk of the bridge officers. Morningstar held back his amusement as much as he could while the humanoid feline simply lowered her head once again in embarrassment.

"To be entirely honest," Erik offered in the same whispered voice he had just used. "I would love to be a mere Ensign onboard *this* ship… I know that your missions are more the type to give nightmares instead of pleasant dreams, but there are distinct advantages to being on a vessel as exceptional as the ANUBIS."

The redheaded woman smiled as she felt a surge of pride mounting within her soul. It was true that the ANUBIS dealt with the worst the universe had to offer, but it had also been the kind of ship that an Officer could only dream to serve onboard. As pleasant as the feeling had been though, Morningstar's words serve to remind the CO of their immediate status and responsibilities.

"All Senior Officers," Rikar commanded after having opened a ship-wide communications channel. "Report to the Observation Lounge for a mission briefing," then the redheaded woman shifted her attention to the man standing next to her. "Captain Morningstar, since this is *your* mission, I think it would be wise for you to attend as well."

"My mission?" Erik repeated clearly stunned by the statement. "My mission was to gather information and see if the rumours had any sliver of truth… not to rush in and see first hand if the USS PARADOX is actually still in one piece and in this dimension."

"I'm still considering it to be *your* mission," Rikar stated as she stood from her chair. "That way I get to blame someone else if it turns out to be a wild goose chase," the redheaded woman added with a faint giggle, leaving the Native American to wonder if she had been kidding or serious.

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Observation Lounge
Stardate: 63073.0015

One by one the members of the ANUBIS' Senior Staff, old and new alike, stepped into the room and took their seat, everyone displayed a certain level of excitement at the idea of their next mission… well almost everyone. Enaii had never been one to openly display any emotions, especially not for a mission like this one.

"Let's start with the obvious… we have several new Officers who have decided to remain with us on the ANUBIS," the redheaded woman began while still standing. "Ensign Mitshiba has returned to us and will be assisting Commander Maya in the Science department. Ensign Lopez has also decided to stay and will be under the supervision of Doctor Summers in the Medical Department while Ensign Fanggot will take over the Tactical and Security position as an Assistant."

"Angels of grace defend us," Adriana whispered under her breath, just loud enough for her Kzinti friend to hear.

Welcoming smiles and approving nods filled the room… that was until the door to the Observation Lounge opened once more and another officer stepped in to draw all eyes onto her. The woman seemed to have an unusual and exotic charm about her, which only added to the mystery which surrounded the Ensign.

"An additional note… Ensign Eve Dalziel transferred over from the AMON-RA as per Admiral Koniki's orders," the redhead announced as she invited the latest arrival to take one of the empty chairs. "She will be taking on the responsibilities of ship's Counsellor."

"Well," Adriana mumbled to herself, "I kept saying that I would need to see a Counsellor."

"Next we need a report on the ship's status," the CO quickly added as she took her place at the head of the long table and shot a glance at the sitting Oltharian.

"All but one of the Ablative Armour Generators are back to full operational status," the ship's CEO announced. "The last one will take another hour or so to bring to 100%, but everything will be ready well before we enter Gorn space."

"Good," the redhead admitted. "We could easily outrun their fastest ships without trying, but there is no reason to make our presence known to them if we don't have to. What about Operational and Tactical systems?" the Captain inquired, the question having been directed to the COO and aSec/Tac respectively.

"All ship systems are operating as they should," Elliot quickly replied before he glanced in Akira's direction, the emotions triggered by their reunion still very fresh in his mind.

"Offensive and defensive systems are… impressive… and fully operational," Hex stated while she silently hoped that this mission would give her the opportunity to actually see the ANUBIS' arsenal at work.

"So the ship is ready… now let's move on to the mission… Maya, what can you tell us about the OFREAN SECTOR?" The CO continued with, there had been no reason to stretch out this meeting.

The Chief Science Officer pressed several bottoms on the small control panel in front of her and summoned a holographic map of the sector of space in question.

"Although within Gorn controlled space, the OFREAN SECTOR is a haven for commercial exchanges and transactions, unfortunately most of these tend to be on the illegally side of things because it is so far away from any main planetary system and trade routes. The main point of interest in this sector is the YUDARA asteroid field where several planetoids can be found. The largest of these is the home of the main trade center, a large town where it is said that one can find *anything* they desire… for a price. Given that the rumours on the PARADOX's whereabouts were rather vague, this will be the best place for us to start our investigation."

"Given the size of that asteroid field it would be easy to hide an entire fleet in there," Doctor Summers pointed out. "If the PARADOX *is* in one piece, it would be easy to keep it away from prying eyes in there.

"The plan will be this," the CO continued. "The senior staff will travel to the main trade center and start snooping around while the ANUBIS will scan the YUDARA asteroid field from a distance."

"As great as the ANUBIS' sensors are, it will be sheer luck if they pick up *anything* in that floating soup," Ensign Mitshiba said with a distinct tone of scepticism. "There are just too many blind spots and erratic motions in that field to get any viable readings."

"Actually," the Shillian continued, "because of the mineral content in the asteroids, sensor scans tend to be deflected, so any readings that we may actually manage to get would only indicate a general area and not a specific location."

"Hence why we need to get down to the trading post and get some real Intel, if indeed there is any," the redheaded woman confirmed. "The city is huge, so in order to cover as much ground as possible we will start out each at a different section of the outer edge and work our way inward. Needless to say that we will be heading down in civilian attire so be sure to replicate clothes fitting a trader of questionable background. Please take note that communications with the ship will be limited and the use of the transporters will only be possible at a very short range due to the deflection caused by the mineral content in the asteroids."

"We will have to use the runabout to get closer which of course will need to be externally modified to avoid it being recognized as a Federation craft," Ensign Thomas pointed out, certain that a Starfleet Runabout would draw quite a bit of undesired attention.

"We can have the ISIS modified in four, maybe five hours," Elan stated with utmost confidence which was readily accepted by all, the CEO having long ago earned his reputation for being able to accomplish the impossible within the time frame he stated for the respective tasks.

"At our current speed we will reach Gorn space in just under 12 hours and the OFREAN SECTOR 6 hours after that," the Captain stated as she leaned back in her chair. "This is going to be a physically and mentally demanding mission, so I want everyone to get some rest during the next 12 hours. I want everyone at their best… so if there are no questions, you are all dismissed."

The Senior Staff quickly stood and made their way out of the Observation Lounge, the officers chatting amongst themselves about the information that they had received and the mission that awaited them.

==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P084: USS ANUBIS: Thomas: Day 3 - 1915 ("The Meeting")

#####
"The Meeting"
[Previous post: "One big happy family" written by the talented and lovely Tiffany Rose.]
#####

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 16, Black Hole
Stardate: 63072.1915

Elliot took a sip of his drink and was in deep thought, [[Perhaps she's at the bridge? Maybe the science lab on deck 11?]] then with a shocked expression on his face and a hand over his eyes he said to himself in a tone of disbelief, "ask the damn computer."

Ensign Thomas lifted his drink and got up from his seat, he walked to the end of the centre table which had a comm panel then pressed a button and said, "Computer please locate the aCSciO."

=^= Ensign Mitshiba is in the Black Hole, =^= the computer announced.

"What! that's impossible I've look..." the COO stopped in mid sentence as he turned around to search the room again and noticed in the doorway of the Black Hole, there stood Aki.  Elliot had been waiting for this opportunity and now that it was here he was quickly racking his brain on how to explain everything while making his way towards the aCSciO.

Akira Mitshiba hurried down the stairs to meet the COO, as they met halfway between the door and the centre table they hugged.  Elliot then broke the embrace and added, "it is so great to see you, I don't know what I would have done if something had happened to you.  Aki I think that we have something to talk about, would you like to join me at one of the tables?"

The aCSciO nodded and walked to one of the tables nearest them, as they sat Aki looked Ensign Thomas in the eyes and inquired "I'm not going to like this, am I?"

Elliot stared back then stumbled over his first few words, "Well this girl, well not a girl I mean lady, she was working with me earlier, well not just me there were others there too..." ET took a deep breath then apologised and continued, "let me start again, from the beginning, it is the best place to start.  I was working *that* day in engineering helping out with some maintenance on deck 3 transporter room 1, they were having some problems with the transporters not initiating the coordinate lock, there were a team of 5 personnel working on the problem including the CEO, I was checking through the algorithm programming when it came to the end of everyone's shift, so I went home then decided to go to the Black Hole for a drink before we were to meet up for dinner."

Ensign Thomas was still staring into the aCSciO eyes which were filling up then continued with his explanation, "I was sitting minding my own business when all of a sudden this girl came up to me, one of the girls that I had been working with that day and just kissed me, that must have been when you walked in and saw what you saw.  I asked the girl why she had done it and she said that her and some of her friends had been drinking some gamzian wine, and been playing an old fashioned human game called drinking dares, well that's all it was, a stupid drinking dare.  Now I could not explain this to you at the time as you would not accept any messages or calls from me and when you left I felt terrible that is why I have been following what you have been up to so I could meet with you one day in the future and apologise properly." 

Ensign Mitshiba exclaimed, "Thats it?" then put her head in her hands and spoke softly. "I've avoided you all this time over something as simple as that, I am so so sorry ET."

Elliot looked at the sad aCSciO and announced, "Well lets make up for lost time, lets go to one of the holodecks and take a walk on a beach." then continued, "What do you think?"

Aki shifted in her seat and thought [[Oh crap I left Adriana back in the corridor when I was showing her around, I should go back and finish what I'd set out to do.]]  Ensign Mitshiba looked at ET and admitted "I'm really sorry but I was showing a new friend around the ship when she told me that she had met you earlier in the day and that you were looking for me, then I ran off from her to come to speak to you, I should go back to see if she is doing OK."
The COO smiled and inquired, "Could I come along, I would like to meet your new friend, properly this time."

Aki and Elliot got up from their seats and headed towards the door, as they were exiting the Black Hole Ensign Thomas looked at the attractive black haired lady and said, "Thanks for understanding."

=====
Craig Mitchell

Ensign Elliot Thomas.
Chief Operations Officer.
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501
OLD-P083: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 3 - 2100 ("One Big Happy Family")

=-=
"One Big Happy Family"
[Previous post: "New Toys", written by the daydreaming Ashley]
=-=

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.2100

Lea had walked onto the Bridge just in time to hear Hex's request to test the ANUBIS' weapons. Shocked by the demand, the CMO had no other choice but to join the others in their silence.

Doctor Summers could see the debate in the CO's eyes as she wondered if the Kzinti had been where she belonged. Seconds passed before Lea decided to jump in to the Ensign's rescue, not that she truly needed it. Finding your place on a new ship had never been easy, even more so when that ship was one that officially did not exist.

"I remember the first time I walked into and ANUBIS' Sickbay," the CMO said as she stepped in further. "Everything was so new, so amazing that I just wanted to try out everything. I believe I even hoped that someone would get hurt just so that I could play Doctor right away."

Captain Rikar appeared unimpressed with Lea's attempt to deflect the tension. Even if the story had been true, the CMO had only hoped to see one crew member hurt, not fire the ANUBIS' weapons. One of the first rules you learned on an Intel vessel such as this one was to keep a low profile at all times. Within the confines of the ship people could get away with pretty much everything, but to make an outward display had been a huge no no.

"How are you feeling Ensign Fanggot," Lea asked. "I am just here to check up on your physical status and make sure that everything has healed properly."  The CMO had seen the embarrassment on the Kzinti's face and thought it best to change the subject.

"I'm well," Hex answered hesitantly. Trusting people had always been difficult for her, and right now all she wanted was to be alone.

"You will find that Doctor Summers worries a great deal for all of our well being," the Captain said as she got up from her chair to join them. "In time you will learn to accept that we are more than a crew, we are a family."

"That would make you the parental figure," Lea chuckled. "Elan is definitively the *big* brother, Maya the brainy sister which leaves me to be the annoying aunt?"

The idea that Commander Enaii oddly fit the image of the *black sheep* of the family remained unspoken. When it came to the ILO it had always been best to keep one's own thoughts to one's self.

"I am fine Doctor," Hex repeated. "I assure you." It was clear to see that the Kzinti was still trying to find her place, but it she seemed a little more at ease.

"How are our guests in the cargo bays?" the CO asked, the situation with Hex having been considered closed.

"We have already started to pump a sedative into the air supply," the CMO replied. "By gradually increasing the dosage over the next hours, the effect wil appear to have been natural fatigue. That way when they wake up on the AMON-RA none of them will be the wiser as to what happened."

"Perfect," the CO smiled. "Looks like you have everything under control. Keep me informed," Rikar added before the Captain returned to her seat.

Before she left Lea turned to look at Hex and offered a friendly smile to the Kzinti. Hopefully the gesture would make the Ensign feel more at ease and honestly welcomed onboard the ANUBIS.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P082: USS ANUBIS: Fanggot: Day 3 - 2050 ("New Toys")

###############
"New Toys"
(Previous Post: "The Darker Side”)
###############

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.2050

====^*^====

Worry made the Kzinti's head spin spontaneously as she headed to the bridge to report for her first shift as the Assistant Chief of Security/Tactical in the ANUBIS. What could the Ensign expect? Would her failure lead to this ship's demise as well? Everything in her vision blurred as the fuzzball had a momentary dizzy spell at the thought of yet another crew in her incapable hands. Hex wondered briefly if they would be luck enough to be saved themselves if something were to happen as she walked onto the bridge for the first time.

The bridge of the USS ANUBIS was much larger than that of the LANCELOT. The Kzinti missed the old ship, but enjoyed the fact that she would have a bit more space between her and all the others. The Ensign walked up to her station and felt it as her mouth dropped open slightly. [[So...many...weapons...]] Hex thought as she ran her hand over the controls. Her newest instruments of her trade, the young officer sighed happily and allowed a smile to touch her lips as she closed her eyes in contempt.

The Ensign reopens her eyes and took a look around the bridge. Everything seems fine and in control while she started to get the weapons ready. Suddenly, her fingers were flying over the controls, arming and firing from all six Phaser Banks, the four Pulse Cannons and adding in the two forward Quantum Torpedoes. The Kzinti was wildly firing weapons as fast as she could at the incoming space junk. The officer was laughing hysterically as she made space light up as bright as an overpowered Christmas tree. Phasers fired and collided with dozens of small space particles that exploded into even smaller pieces. Nothing in the direct path of the ANUBIS survived. Every piece of space junk was either exploded into pieces or was obliterated into nothingness. All eyes on the bridge crew became locked onto the figure of the Kzinti as she happily tested out all her new weaponry. Hex closed her eyes in excitement.

When the Kzinti opened her eyes again, she was still at her station, holding her slightly shaking hands over the controls. All the weapons were still set to stand by. It had all been just a wonderful daydream. Hex then looked up to see the Captain looking at her with a puzzled look. “I was giggling wasn’t I?” The Ensign noted, bowing her head slightly.

“Yes, you were. Is all well now?” the red-haired woman asked, seeming only somewhat concerned at the outburst.

“Yes Captain,” Hex replied, straightening out herself, “All is well, but I have a question…”

“Yes?” the CO asked, turning to once more face the front of the bridge.

“Can I please test out one of the phasers? Or a torpedo maybe?” the Ensign questioned, her ear giving a slight twitch.

All was silent.

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanggot
Assistant Chief of Security/Tactical
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P081: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 3 - 1920 ("The Darker Side")

-=-=-
"The Darker Side"
[Previous post: "Looking For Someone"]
-=-=-

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Corridor
Stardate: 63072.1920

Adriana watched in morbid fascination as Ensign Mitshiba nearly knocked several crewmen to the floor in her rush to get to wherever she had been going.  Apparently the news had been of importance which only served to make the ANUBIS' aCMO feel that much worse for having forgotten to mention the encounter back in Sickbay.

Suddenly alone in the corridor, Ensign Lopez debated as to which of the many medical labs she would visit first.  Getting better acquainted with the layout of the ship and with the tools of her field seemed to be the right thing to do, after all Akira had said that they never knew what they would end up face-to-face with, so being prepared had been a good precaution.

The aCMO's debate was unexpectedly interrupted when the familiar form of the Kzinti rounded the nearby corner.  "Adriana," the walking fur ball said with far more joy than Lopez would have expected.  "What are you doing here?"

"Akira was showing me around the ship when something came up," the aCMO replied not at all willing to clarify her role in the sudden departure of Ensign Mitshiba.  "So, you decided to stay onboard the ANUBIS," Adriana continued in an effort to change the subject.

"It was an easy decision," Hex said without hesitation.  "This is a golden opportunity to see things that no one else even knows are out there, plus I was not too fond of the idea of someone erasing my memories," the Kzinti added as she gently tapped the side of her head with a finger.  "Things are messed up enough up there as it is."

"You won't get any arguments from me there," Lopez playfully teased, her training as a Counselor having made it easy to read her friend's personality.

"Don't make me hurt you," the feline growled before a smile finally crept up onto her lips.

"Is there anyone that you will be leaving behind with this decision," the aCMO asked, still trying to come to grasp with the consequences of her decision to remain on the ANUBIS in order to find her sister.

Hex huffed.  "No one that will miss me or that I will miss," the Kzinti replied abruptly.  Clearly there had been more about this but this had not been the time or place for Adriana to try and get more information.  "What about you?  Aren't you worried about what your parents will go through if they believed you perished on the LANCELOT?"

Adriana's head dropped, the decision had been a difficult one and now the wound that it had created had been fully reopened by the Kzinti's question.

"They are going to be devastated," the aCMO confirmed.  "That is why I need to get some sort of message out to them."

"There is no way the Captain is going to allow you to contact your parents," Hex pointed out sternly.  "This ship does not appear on any registry, it would be impossible for you to talk to them without revealing something that you cannot."

"I wasn't really thinking of a face-to-face communication," Adriana added.  "More like an anonymous message that would just say that their daughter is alright, something to put their minds at ease."

"Wouldn't not knowing be just as bad?" Hex asked, trying to understand her friend's train of thoughts.

"Thinking that I had died on my first voyage out into space would be worse," the aCMO said, not certain if she had replied to the Kzinti's question or tried to convince herself.

"I still doubt that the Captain is going to let you send that message," the fur ball said in a sad tone.

"That's why I want to speak with Commander Enaii," Ensign Lopez added.  "I overheard several members of the crew speaking about the ANUBIS' ILO and she seems to be a woman able to do the impossible."

Hex's ear began to twitch.  "I would stay away from her if you can help it," the Kzinti said, her breathing having visible sped up.

"Why?" Adriana asked.  "Do you know her?"

"I do not," Hex replied sounding almost thankful.  "But I too have heard people talking, and that woman scares me.  Whatever absolute darkness there is out there in the universe, she's on a first name basis with it."

The aCMO laughed, certain that her friend had been exaggerating but it had been clear to see through the Kzinti's eyes that she wholeheartedly believed what she had just said about the ANUBIS' ILO.  Adriana changed her posture and tried to reassure her friend, now more than ever certain that Commander Enaii had been the person she needed to see.

After a few minutes, Hex and Adriana went their own way, the Kzinti having said that she needed to inspect other areas of the ship which left the aCMO with the same decision she had been faced with earlier; what medical lab to visit first?

Without looking at the name displayed, Adriana stepped through the nearest set of doors and walked into a large room filled with shadows. Surprised by the lack of lighting the aCMO had been just about to call upon the computer to increase the illumination when a voice came from the darkness.

"You wanted to see me."

Adriana's heart stopped for a brief moment as she watched a woman dressed in grey emerge from the shadows into one of the few lit areas.  From the description she had overheard of the ANUBIS' ILO there had been no doubt that the strange woman had been none other than Commander Enaii.

"How did you get in here?" the aCMO asked frantically.  "How did you know? Have you been following me and the others from the LANCELOT?"

The barely lit figure remained motionless and silent despite the Ensign's overbearing irrational behavior.  In time though Adriana calmed down and accepted the situation as it had presented itself to her.

"You want a message sent to your parents," the blonde woman dressed in the grey colors of Intel said, not asked, further showing that the ILO had been all that the aCMO had heard and more.

"I would be forever in your debt if you could somehow let them know that I am alive and safe," Adriana said having realized by now that there had been no need to be overly wordy with the ILO.

"Just what I wanted to hear," Enaii said in a tone as cold as space itself which left the aCMO feel as if she had just sold her soul to the dark universal force that Hex had spoken of earlier.

The lights in the medical lab suddenly went out only to return at full intensity a few seconds later, but that had been enough for the ILO to vanish as she had appeared; without a trace.

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS LANCELOT
OLD-P080: USS ANUBIS: Mitshiba: Day 3 - 1910 ("Looking For Someone")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Looking For Someone"
(Cont. from "Personnel Review")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Corridor
Stardate: 63072.1910

Aki felt amazingly wonderful given the hell that she had just survived, and the more time she spent on the ANUBIS the more at ease she felt.  Maybe it had been because of Adriana, the woman seemed to radiate an energy that was contagious, even infatuating, or maybe it had just been because the ANUBIS had not only welcomed her back but had been the reason why she had still been alive.  If one did not believe in coincidences these events had been impossible to be ignored.

"Here is the Auxiliary Sickbay," Aki said to her walking partner as she pointed to one of the many doors ahead of them.  "As the aCMO you will likely be spending a fair amount of time here, unless doctor Summers decides to keep you close.  The other doors lead to the Microbiology Labs, Zoology Labs and Bio Chemistry Labs," the aCSciO continued having barely looked at the corridor.  The memories of this ship had been as fresh as if she had been on board only a few days ago, the only dark shadow hanging over her joy having been the continued presence of the ANUBIS's COO.

"I don't think I have ever seen so many medical laboratories on a single ship," Adriana said, a little stunned by all that she had been shown but clearly anxious to get to get inside each and every one of the rooms mentioned.  "Most medical vessels tend to specialize in one field, but the ANUBIS seems ready to deal with *everything*."

"That is the nature of the Intel beast," Aki said, a playful grin having appeared on her lips.  "You never know what you will run into, what kind of biological weapon you will have to figure out before it wipes out an entire planet or what danger a never before encountered lifeform pauses to you and the rest of the crew."

"This will be something that I need to get used to," Adriana said with a deep sigh.

"What?" Mitshiba asked, not certain as to what her friend had meant.  "That the ship is so well equipped that you don't know where to start?"

"No," Lopez chuckled.  "I need to get used to the fact that I have to look upon every situation, every mission with a *worst case scenario* mentality.  The Academy does prepare you for the dangers of space travel and encountering new lifeforms, but not to this extreme."

"It took me a while to get used to it as well," Aki said with a reassuring smile.  "The problem is that this ship deals with the darkest possible elements that are out there, some of which are looking for you even if they don't know you exist.  The simple fact that a ship like the ANUBIS is here is enough to make certain people nervous and anxious to get us out of their way."

"Speaking of looking for you," Adriana said, her right hand having suddenly shot up to impact against her forehead.  "I totally forgot to mention this, there was a man that came to Sickbay looking for you earlier.  He said that he was a friend of yours," the Ensign added, feeling very bad that she had not thought of mentioning this earlier.

"Did he give his name? Mitshiba asked, half hoping, half dreading that the man in question had been Elliot.

"Sorry," Lopez shrugged, "he never mentioned his name, but I do recall him being an Ensign."

"Describe this *friend* to me," Aki requested, relatively certain that she knew who the man mentioned by Adriana had been but unable to understand why he would have introduced himself as a *friend*.

Adriana went on to give Aki a detailed description of the man, each feature mentioned pointing more and more to the ANUBIS' Chief of Operations.

"I've got to go," Aki suddenly said before she rushed down the corridor.

"Where are you going?" Adriana asked, her friend having already placed several meters between them.  Whatever her reason had been to run off like this, it had been an urgent one for the aCSciO.

"To find a *friend*," Ensign Mitshiba replied without slowing down or even looking back.

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P079: USS ANUBIS: Morningstar: Day 3 - 1940 ("Personnel Review")

###################
"Personnel Review"
[Previous Post Ashley's "Not Much to Think About"]
###################

<<If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles..>>
-Sun Tzu

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Captain Ready Room
Stardate: 63072.1940

The door chimed had announced the arrival of Captain Morningstar to the Ready Room of the ANUBIS' CO and the crimson haired woman had wasted no time in inviting the man in, his visit having been expected.
 
"Thank you for seeing me on such a short notice," the Native American stated with respect as he stepped into the office of the Commanding Officer.
 
"No problem at all," Rikar replied as she invited Morningstar to sit.  "I gather you have finished speaking to all of the officers who were brought to Sickbay from the LANCELOT," the woman added with a distinct tone of certainty.
 
"I guess there is nothing that happens on this ship without your knowledge," Erik chuckled dryly, the ANUBIS, or at least what he had seen of it thus far, had been run with an amazing level of efficiency and dedication.
 
"Depends on what is happening," the crimson haired woman teased.  "In this case I wanted to make sure that everything went well."
 
"Here are my recommendations for assignments," the Native American offered as he handed over a PADD to the sitting Captain.  Rikar graciously accepted the item and immediately began to peruse its content.
 
"Ensign Mitshiba has already been assigned to the position of Assistant Chief Science Officer," Rikar stated.  "In fact I believe that she has reported to our Chief Science Officer already, but then again she had been onboard the ANUBIS previously."
 
"She was a member of your crew *before* having graduated from the Academy?" The Native American gasped, not at all understanding how this could have been possible.
 
"Due to a certain matter, Akira returned to EARTH and re-enrolled at the Academy," Rikar explained.  "Her records were modified to avoid too many questions being asked."
 
"Well that would explain why I thought she would be well suited for an Intel mission," Morningstar said with a half grin.  The more time he spent on the ANUBIS the more he had come to realise that his knowledge and perception of the Federation had been greatly lacking.
 
"You should see it as a compliment," the crimson haired woman suggested.  "You recognized a skill that was obviously there in the first place.  Now as for Ensign Lopez, I see that you have her listed as an Assistant Chief Medical Officer but her file clearly shows her to be better trained for a Counselling position."
 
"Adriana is a strange case," Erik laughed while still holding the Ensign in the highest possible admiration.  "Her training and abilities are somewhat different," the Native American added, "she enjoys being at the heart of the action and her perception of a ship Counsellor is that they are locked away in an office listening to other's issues and problems."
 
"You should always be careful what you wish for," Rikar sighed, the events that had surrounded the USS LANCELOT's demise still all too fresh in everyone's mind.
 
"It is my belief that she needs to be in a position where she can regain her confidence, and Assistance Chief Medical Officer seems to be a perfect fir for her," Morningstar clarified, not entirely sure that the ANUBIS' CO fully understood what he felt.
 
"It is not an issue," the crimson haired woman announced.  "Doctor Summers has already accepted her in that function, so I do not think that there will be any problems there.  My last concern is with Ensign Fanggot," the ANUBIS' CO continued, her tone having changed to a far more serious one.  "Are you truly certain that this is the right assignment for her?"
 
"Captain Rikar," Erik started, his tone having also shifted to a very formal one.  "Hex is the type to blame herself for anything and everything that goes wrong, and I can say thing with almost complete certainty - she blames herself for what happened to the LANCELOT.  She had nothing to do with it but still she will find a reason to blame herself, so we have to put her in a situation where her self esteem and confidence can be strengthened," Morningstar explained before taking a few seconds to think of his next words.  "All of the officers on that list are exceptionally dedicated and will work beyond anyone's expectations to insure that a mission is successful."
 
"Assistant Chief of Security / Tactical Officer it is then," the ANUBIS' CO nodded as she placed the PADD back on her desk, all of Captain Morningstar's recommendations having been reviewed and accepted.
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette
 
Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
 
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS
 
And
 
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P078: USS ANUBIS: Fanggot: Day 3 – 1910 ("Not Much to Think About")

####################
"Not Much to Think About"
[Previous post: "New and Old Friends"]
####################

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 7, Main Sickbay
Stardate: 63072.1910

====^*^====

Hex could barely contain her excitement at the thought of joining the ANUBIS crew. Not that the Kzinti knew anyone on board, but she was sure to meet them sooner or later anyway. Because the Ensign was so quick to answer, Captain Morningstar said that she'd have to think it over more carefully. So, that's what the officer did.

The Kzinti decided to do what she would usually do when faced with a *tough* decision. Weigh the pros and cons of her particular situation. So far she was faced with only one con and three pros:

Pros:
1) She would get to go on a real adventure, to discover things no one in the universe knew about and would hopefully get to see amazing new places on the way.
2) She considered every memory, even the bad ones, to be precious and hated the thought of losing even a single one. After all, memories are things to learn from, not to fear.
3) She would be working in complete secrecy. That meant that her mother either thought she was dead, or wasn't expecting her back. She would not have to return to Kzinti Prime anytime soon, maybe never.

Cons:
1) She was afraid of everyone on the ship and worried they wouldn't accept her knowing her previous failure to keep her shipmates safe.

The pros outweighed the cons easily, but the one con still worried her deeply. The Kzinti had taken the full responsibility of the LANCELOT's failed mission; even if it wasn't the mission the Ensign had believed it to be. Hex felt as though all the lives lost were on her shoulders. How could anyone accept her with such a reputation?

[[They're asking you to join, not telling you]] The cat-like humanoid thought to herself. It was true, the Ensign wasn't being forced. All and all the Kzinti had made up her mind. Even if they hated her, or shunned her, for what she did to the LANCELOT, Hex felt as if she had finally found a true refugee on the ANUBIS.

As she went to find Captain Morningstar, her conclusion only grew stronger. The Kzinti would lose no memories and would go places others could only dream about. Best of all, The Ensign would never again have to see her mother. Hex was free.

====^*^====
Ashley Shane
Ensign Hex Fanggot
Sec/Tac Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P077: USS ANUBIS: Thomas: Day 3 - 1815 ("New and Old Friends")

#####
"New and Old Friends"
[Previous post: "Full Circle" written by the well talented Dawn.]
#####

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Corridor outside the Observation Lounge
Stardate: 63072.1815

Elliot chased after the CEO after leaving the Observation Lounge, and caught him halfway along the corridor towards the turbo-lift.

"So Lieutenant Fairborn would you like me to report to Engineering for my next shift, as I'm guessing that the Captain would like that delivery system for taking them Imperians down as soon as we can.  After all she does want an effective weapon to use against these things, whether it be for now or later." commented Elliot as they walked further down the corridor towards the turbo-lift.

"OK Ensign, I look forward to your help and input, looks like you and I work well together especially under pressure" the Otharian stated with a smile appearing on his face as the turbo-lift doors opened.

"Excellent, I'll be there at 07:00 hrs and yes I think we'll manage to do this, it may not be easy but I think with both our knowledge we'll have something for the Captain with in the next 48 hours, what do you think, Sir?" Ensign Thomas stated smugly.

"Well Ensign I'm not a betting Oltharian or a man in your case, but a pineapple slices with raspberry ice cream and chocolate fudge dessert says we'll have something for the Captain in 36 hours." the Otharian winked as he replied in a matter of fact tone.

Ensign Thomas shouted through the doors just before they closed tight "You've got yourself a deal, Sir." then chuckled and thought to himself about how much he has connected with the CEO over the past number of hours they have spent working together.

======
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 7, Main Sickbay
Stardate: 63072.1825

ET entered the sickbay and looked around to see if he could find Aki, he knew she had been rescued and he knew he had to find her, so that he could explain about what happened on the USS ANUBIS the last time she had been there, well that was until she had left so suddenly with out a goodbye to himself or the children.  That was the one thing that hurt him the most, he did not get a chance to explain the situation and the kids had felt that she had run out on them.  After looking around he realised that she was not present and decided to look elsewhere, he turned and was about to leave the sickbay when a lady called after him "Excuse me, can I help you with anything?"

ET turned back and replied "I'm actually just looking for someone, hold on, your one of the USS LANCELOT crew you may know I have a friend called Akira Mitshiba do you know where she is?"

"Yes, well not where she is that is, but she was in the group I had been in when we were rescued, but sorry I don't know where she is now." said Ensign Lopez apologetically.

"OK thanks, I'll check elsewhere." Elliot stated sadly.

=====
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 16, Black Hole
Stardate: 63072.1835

Elliot walked into the Black Hole and down the steps to the main table, some sat there and others on the levels around the main table that rose up to where the entrance in was, perhaps this is why it was called the Black Hole as it spiralled down two levels to the main centre table.  The Ensign did not see her here either so he got a drink of Iced lemon water and sat down on one of the stools at the centre table to think where she could be.

=====
Craig Mitchell

Ensign Elliot Thomas.
Chief Operations Officer.
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501
[The Universe is a huge place, but you always seem to meet someone you know just around the corner.]
OLD-P076: USS ANUBIS: Mitshiba: Day 3 - 1850 ("Full Circle")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Full Circle"
(Cont. from "The Dark Side")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Corridor
Stardate: 63072.1850

The shape and colors of the corridors, the whispered hum of the engines through the power conduits, even the aroma that hung in the air, it all felt so familiar, so right.  It had been as if the aCSciO had finally come home after a long journey, so why had she felt so apprehensive about seeing the one person whom she had thought about so much?

They had not left on the best of terms, that much Aki had been certain of.  The question though had been; did Elliot hold any ill feelings against her for leaving the way she had?

The moment she had realized that it had been the ANUBIS that had come to the LANCELOT's rescue, Aki had wanted to run up to him, to hug him and never let go.  Before the aCSciO had been able to act on her thoughts though, questions and concerns crept into her mind.  What if he had settled with that other woman?  What right did she have to barge in like this and hope that everything would be back as it had been?

Aki stopped and leaned against the nearest wall, the pain brought on by the memory of having seen him with another woman had hit with the force of a quantum torpedo.  She had been so concerned about his feelings that the aCSciO had for a brief moment forgotten her own emotions.  He had been the reason why she had left the ANUBIS, why she had faced the Admiral and returned to EARTH with shattered hopes and dreams.  She had run away from the pain, so why had it felt so good to be back where it had all started?

"Are you alright?" Adriana asked as she hastened her steps to close the gap between her and the troubled Aki.

"I'll be fine," Mitshiba replied.  "I just need a little bit of time to get my thoughts and feelings back under control."

"I thought you would have been happy to be back on your old ship," Adriana said smiling.  "This is quite a vessel, from what I have seen of it."

"Wait a minute, you're out of Sickbay!" the ANUBIS' aCSciO exclaimed, sure that this had been a breach of security that would bring the infamous ILO down on them both.

"I have spoken to Doctor Summers," Adriana grinned softly, "and made my decision.  I'll be staying onboard, that way I may actually get to find out what happened to my sister.

Aki took in a deep breath to calm herself then smiled at the former crewmate from the LANCELOT who had become a part of the ANUBIS' family.  "Let me show you around," the aCSciO said as she took her friend by the arm and led her down the corridor.  Mitshiba had not been certain as to where they would be going first, but she had been happy in the fact that she would not be alone with her thoughts and fears.

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

OLD-P075: USS ANUBIS: Lopez: Day 3 - 1850 ("The Dark Side")

-=-=-
"The Dark Side"
[Previous post: "Too Many Questions"]
-=-=-

Setting: USS ANUBIS, CMO's Office
Stardate: 63072.1850

The explanation given by Captain Morningstar as to their current situation had indeed presented Adriana with a golden opportunity to be in a better position to discover what had happened to her sister and maybe even find out some information about her biological parents. The words spoken by Doctor Summers though had brought things into a clearer perspective that made Ensign Lopez carefully consider the choice that had been hers to make.

The Starfleet Officers who had adopted her, those whom she had lovingly called mother and father for all those years had given her so much that it had been impossible for Adriana to consider causing them any sort of pain.  Regardless of her genetics, Adriana had fully accepted her role and status in the Lopez family, but that had also been why the decision had been such a difficult one to make.

If she had been meant to never know about her biological parents, or spend the rest of her life not knowing why she had been abandoned on CESTUS III, Adriana would have still been happy with her life.  In the last 24 years she had already seen and done enough to justify using the term 'a full life', but the sting of not knowing what had become of her sister Amanda had been too much to turn away from.  Knowing how much her sister's disappearance had affected her parents as well as her, Ensign Lopez had been left with little say in the matter; they all deserved to know what had happened to Amanda.

"Will I be able to let my parents know that I am still alive?" Adriana asked.  If her mother and father were to believe that she had mysteriously vanished as her sister had, their sorrow would likely be enough to kill them.

"In time," Doctor Summers cautiously replied.  "There will be a need to come up with some sort of cover story, maybe that you managed to make it to an escape pod to be captured by some enemy of the Federation.  There are people in NEW ALEXANDRIA who specialize in these types of stories and they are rather skilled at it."

"In the meantime though they will believe that I died on the LANCELOT," Lopez said, the sadness in her voice having been enough to make Doctor Summers fight back her own tears.

"It cannot be helped," the CMO lied not having wanted to raise the Ensign's hopes.  Under some very unique circumstances, information had been leaked to people outside of the NEW ALEXANDRIA's sphere of secrecy.  Lea knew that it would have been child's play to let Adriana's parents know that she had been alive and maybe even that she had gone undercover on a classified mission.  Only Admiral Koniki could authorize such release of information and there had been little hope that he would do so for the Ensign's sake.

Adriana had been on the verge of tears, the thought that her parents would believe that their other daughter had been at best MIA had been very difficult to accept.  If Lopez did not embrace this opportunity though they would all have to continue to deal with the unknown of Amanda's case for likely several more years, at least here onboard the ANUBIS there had been the chance that an answer would be discovered sooner.

"You do not need to make up your mind now," Doctor Summers said, the Ensign's struggle having been apparent.

"I already have," Adriana said with a heavy sigh.  "How can I be of assistance to you or any other member of this crew?"

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS LANCELOT
OLD-P074: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 3 - 1845 ("So Many Questions")

=-=
"So Many Questions"
[Previous post: "Dimensional Jump Engines", written by the unique Jessica]
=-=

Setting: USS ANUBIS, CMO's Office
Stardate: 63072.1845

Lea had returned to her office after the senior staff meeting to prepare for what was to come. The CMO had wanted to check the most recent medical reports on the LANCELOT's survivors before they were beamed off the ship. Later tonight, when the ANUBIS would join up with the AMON-RA, those people would be transferred onto a Marine transport without their knowledge. Marines not having been known for their stellar medical practices, Doctor Summers thought best that any medical needs be met before then. The review of the files had also given her the opportunity to fine-tune the sedative concentration required to insure they would all be sound asleep for their transfer.

Once the CMO had reviewed all of the files and instructed her staff to proceed accordingly, Lea lifted her head to see Captain Morningstar. The former CO of the LANCELOT had returned to Sickbay to speak to his senior officers. The expression on the faces of the Ensigns reflected emotions ranging from confusion to uncertainty and maybe a little fear. That they had survived the ordeal they had just experienced should have been reason enough to celebrate, but instead they had been faced with a difficult decision.

Lea did not at all envy Captain Morningstar's situation, but the CMO still admired the Native American man for his dedication to his crew. It was easy to see that the man cared deeply for his officers, whom he wanted to make an educated decision as to their future. The ANUBIS as an Intel ship had a great deal to offer but also asked a great deal in return from those who served onboard. Personal sacrifices, such as the inability to contact family and friends had been the norm, and for some this had been a very difficult demand to handle.

The CMO could already see the questions mounting in the minds of the Ensigns, questions that the Doctor had likely been ill prepared to answer. Ensign Mitshiba having been onboard the ANUBIS before had possibly been the best to answer any queries. Aki knew the ship, its crew as well as the background and character of those who would be making these queries. Hoping that the Asian woman would return soon, the CMO sent her thoughts back onto her work and preparations which could very well include one or more synaptic erasures.

"Doctor Summers," a gentle voice, joined by a soft knocking at the Doctor's office window pulled Lea from her thoughts. "May I have a word with you?"

Lea welcomed Ensign Lopez and invited her to take a seat. "Of course, how are you feeling?"

"I'm doing much better," Adriana answered smiling. "Your staff is very efficient and knowledgeable."

"Our missions keep us on our toes," Lea said, her lips having echoed the Ensign's smile.

"That is partially what I wanted to talk to you about," Lopez admitted. Instantly the smile vanished from the CMO's lips. That she liked it or not she had been cornered to answer the Ensign's questions about their mission profile.

Adriana went on to explain her personal situation starting from the very beginning.  The Ensign described how she had been abandoned as an infant by her biological parents for an unknown reason.  She moved on to explain the link between her and her sister Amanda and how close they had been.  This led to how much the Ensign had felt her sister's absence and the hopes of finding out where she had vanished to.

"So you joined Starfleet having figured that it would make it easier for you to look for your sister," Lea nodded. "You might have even thought that in time you might join the ranks of SFI and increase your chances," the CMO added. "Now you are here presented with a golden opportunity."

"Captain Morningstar was a vague about many details, but he did make one thing clear," Adriana continued. "The ANUBIS is part of something larger, better than SFI."

"That is not true," Lea quickly corrected. "There is nothing *larger* or *better* about what we do here. In fact we would be considered rogues, maybe even outlaws, if the Federation knew of our existence. We do have a greater freedom to act, but we also deal with a darkness of the soul that is beyond what you can imagine. There is a comfort in the lack of knowledge that we never fully realize until it is too late. You feel no sorrow for the pain and atrocities suffered by others when you know nothing of them. We, that is to say those attached to this group, have paid a hefty price for our knowledge. Some more than others," the CMO ended with as her thoughts went onto the ship's ILO.

The Ensign just sat there for several moments as the CMO's words sunk in. Likewise Lea felt an odd tightening of her soul as she watched Adriana consider abandoning her innocence for the sake of her sister. There had been no guarantees that the search for her sister would be a successful one. Accepting to join the ANUBIS though would bring along one certainty; a darker understanding of the universe.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P073: USS ANUBIS: Maya: Day 3 - 1845
("Dimensional Jump Engines Have Nothing on the Imagination of a Shillian")

---
"Dimensional Jump Engines Have Nothing on the Imagination of a Shillian"
(Previous Post: "Status")
---

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 12, Astrophysics Lab
Stardate: 63072.1845
 
The Saturn Project. It had been years since the Shillian Scientist had researched this subject, and even though the head of the Science Department had kept up with the Intel reports she had never truly given it a second thought. According to all of the research and experiments that had been done on this matter, the ability to break through the fabric of the space-time barrier between dimensions had been well beyond their grasp.
 
Then again, the Borg had managed to accomplish this *impossible* feat, although their final result had been far from what they had expected, having opened the doorway to Species 8472. Starfleet had also been able to send vessels into other dimensions, although all of these had been through the combination of strange astral circumstances and a great deal of luck. Maybe that had been the reason why the project had never truly been abandoned, the dream having been kept alive by the insanity of a single scientist.
 
Over the years Starfleet Intelligence had catalogued countless accounts of similar research from every corner of the quadrant and opened even more files on failed attempts, some of these having been of their own efforts. The database found within the secured main frame of the NEW ALEXANDRIA complex contained far more data with even more details, but still it had seemed as if the Federation had not truly been serious about the possible benefits of this line of research.
 
The unexpected destructions of the USS SAGAN and USS SATURN on their respective maiden voyages had not been enough to put an end to the project, but the subsequent disappearances of the USS PARADOX and USS JUPITER had played a heavy role in changing the focus of Starfleet in this field. The USS VORTEX had been commissioned with a far less ambitious mission profile in the hopes that smaller steps would eventually lead to the thrills of success instead of the agony of failure.
 
The complex and nearly incomprehensible formulas for the creation of a trans-dimensional vortex had been staring back at the Shillian scientist for almost half an hour now and still the Chief Science Officer remained fixated on the large wall-size view screen. The thoughts of the Shillian had long ago passed beyond the displayed numbers and symbols to explore the endless possibilities that the formula had presented her with. Never before seen constellations, breathtaking nebulas and sights beyond the ability to be described by simple words teased the Scientist who had lost herself in this imaginary journey through the endless layers between the dimensions.
 
So completely lost in her thoughts, the Chief Science Officer had failed to hear the doors to the Astrophysics Lab open to welcome a new presence in the room.
 
"It is nice to see that certain things never change," Ensign Mitshiba said, having been relatively certain that the Shillian scientist could be found in one of the science labs onboard the USS ANUBIS. "I just came by to see how you were," Akira added as she stepped closer to see what had caught the attention of the Chief Science Officer so fully.
 
"I am very happy to see that you are back with us," the Shillian stated, her eyes still frozen onto the view screen and her thoughts several dimensions away.
 
"Captain Rikar has been very kind in opening the ship to us and especially allowing me to retake my old position, well at least half of it," the Ensign said, the hesitation in her voice having been easy to hear if one had actually been listening. "I hope that you will accept taking me back as your assistant," Mitshiba finally let out after the silence between the two of them became unbearable. Never had the Ensign expected that a conversation with the Shillian could have been so one-sided with the Chief Science Officer on the receiving end.
 
"Of course," the head of the Science Department confirmed in an uncharacteristically short and to the point reply. "I am sure that I am as excited as Ensign Thomas is to have you back with us."
 
The statement made by the scientist had been rather ironic given the complete lack of enthusiasm displayed by the Shillian, even more so with the knowledge that Ensign Mitshiba had not yet gone to see the Chief of Operations.
 
The departure of Ensign Mitshiba from the Astrophysics lab went as unnoticed as her arrival, a development that had left the new Assistant Chief Science Officer perplexed and a little disappointed. Now she no longer had any valid excuse to avoid seeing Elliot.

---
Jessica Solarik
Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P072: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 3 - 1755 ("Status")

==========
" Status "
(Previous Post was Francois' "Secrets Within Secrets")
==========
 
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Observation Lounge
Stardate: 63072.1755
 
The young woman sat at the end of the table where all of the ANUBIS' Senior Officers, including the ship's Avatar had gathered as per the CO's request.  Many had believed that this gathering had been about the Imperians, but none had dared to ask prior to the official start of the meeting.
 
"Doctor Summers," the redheaded CO began.  "What is the status of our guests?"
 
"87 survivors spread through Sickbay and two converted cargo bays," the CMO reported.  "Most of them are suffering from scrapes up to broken bones, but nothing life threatening… they were lucky."
 
The entire gathering became silent as their thoughts went to the other 213 crew members who had not shared in this good fortune.
 
"Ensign Thomas," the Captain continued in an effort to bring the meeting back on track.  "Have we made arrangements for our guests to be returned home?"
 
"We have Captain," Elliot replied as he looked down onto his PADD to confirm the details he had been ready to state.  "We will be connecting with the USS AMON-RA in roughly 5 1/2 hours, at that point we will be able to beam the entire LANCELOT's crew to them, once the proper sedatives have been introduced into the cargo bay's air flow."
 
"Since the AMON-RA is a Marine transport under the control of Admiral Koniki, no one will question the presence of Marines onboard the LANCELOT, and the crew will be able to insure that the ANUBIS' intervention remains unknown," the Shillian Chief Science Officer offered.  "The fact that the cargo bays are nearly identical and that none of the survivors have seen any other part of the ANUBIS, there will be no questions asked.  The only hitch to that plan though is Captain Morningstar and the officers who were brought into Sickbay… they have seen more of the ship than anyone else, although they did not see all that much."
"We could always do a synaptic erasure," the CMO added.  "It is relatively easy to locate recent memories and erase them from a subject's mind."
 
The redheaded woman sighed… the situation that she had been put in because of Captain Morningstar's revelation had been an uneasy one to handle, but not because of what Erik had thought.
 
"Maya… tell us about the Saturn Project," the CO requested.  Immediately the Shillian's eyes lit up to the general dismay of the rest of the gathered Officers.  As much as Rikar would have liked to avoid what was to come the ANUBIS' Commanding Officer had needed her Senior Staff to be up to date in this particular matter.

"The Saturn Project refers to the highly classified Federation's attempt to create ships capable of traveling through the fabric of space-time.  As of the most recent Intel reports there were five vessel that had been constructed towards this purpose… the USS SAGAN and USS SATURN where both destroyed during their maiden attempt to break the dimensional barrier.  The USS JUPITER and USS PARADOX vanished without a trace which left the USS VORTEX alone to carry on the research in this field.  Needless to say that Starfleet Command has been somewhat reluctant in letting the VORTEX attempt too many dimensional jumps and so far no temporal excursions have been attempted as far as we know."
 
Captain Rikar chuckled slightly at the last words spoken by the CSciO… *as far as we know* seemed to carry such a different meaning for them as compared to anyone else.  What SFI knew had only been a fraction of the reality of what was out there, the fact that Maya had unrestricted access to the information on the Saturn Project had been only a sample of this.
 
"Captain Morningstar was enlisted, based on his experience, by SFI to gather Intel on the USS PARADOX which according to certain rumours was seen in a sector of space well beyond the Federation's sphere of influence," the young woman submitted to her gathered officers.  "His plan had been to select a group of unknown graduates who displayed skills and abilities that he believed would serve him well on the initial Intel gathering.  Once the information had been obtained, if any, he would have returned to SFI for further instructions, and maybe even sent to the OFREAN SECTOR, within Gorn space, where these rumours were apparently started."
 
"That's why he wanted to see you alone in my office," Doctor Summers grinned.  "He wanted some privacy to tell you about his *secret mission*.  I can only imagine how hard it was for you to keep a straight face," Lea added having found the entire situation rather amusing.  The CMO had been right though… for Captain Morningstar to confide as he had done not knowing that Rikar had been in a position that actually stood above and beyond the official reaches of SFI had been somewhat comical.
 
"The question is… do we help him in this mission?" The CO inquired of the gathered officers.
 
"If there is a vessel out there able to cross dimensions or even travel through time, we have a responsibility to investigate," the Oltharian CEO replied in all seriousness. To Elan the situation had not been one of Intel but one of science… in the wrong hands a ship such as the PARADOX could prove devastating to the Federation and everyone else in this reality.
 
"We are far better equipped than anything else SFI could launch at this mission," the Shillian added.  "We could actually go directly to the OFREAN SECTOR and begin the investigation before SFI would even have finished to analyse any submitted reports.  We could get several months head start on this which could prove invaluable in locating the PARADOX, if indeed it is there."
 
The gathering of Officers seemed in agreement with what had been said, with the exception of the ANUBIS' ILO who, as always, had remained distant and silent.
 
"I will have to confirm this with Admiral Koniki," the Commanding Officer explained.  "In the meantime though I need the ship's defensive system brought back to full operational status," and with a nod of her head the redheaded woman ended the meeting and sent everyone back to their respective duties.
 
Once alone Enaii approached the standing redhead.  "Morningstar and Mitshiba have enough clearance, the others do not.  If you accept them onboard, it will be under your responsibility."
 
Rikar had expected some sort of lecture from the ILO in regards to the breach of security that the new Officers would represent.  When new Academy graduates were selected to join the NEW ALEXANDRIA complex their background had already gone through extensive scrutiny… this time though they would have to rely on a single man's opinion, a man who had been only moments away to have all that he knew about Starfleet and the universe around them challenged and brought into new light.
 
==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Captain's Ready Room
Stardate: 63072.1830
 
Captain Morningstar stood across from the young woman's desk; the expression on his face reflected the information that the redheaded woman had elected to share with him.
 
"Guess I should thank you for not having straight out laughed at me back in Sickbay," Morningstar admitted.  "There I was considering how dangerous it was for me to tell you what I did while you were standing there knowing more than I did."
 
"This job has a way of putting us in situations that are rather unexpected," the redheaded woman explained in a humorous tone.  "I have confirmed with Admiral Koniki, and he has agreed that these rumours require an immediate investigation.  The ANUBIS will be heading for the OFREAN SECTOR as soon as the surviving members of your crew and transferred to another ship which will bring them to the nearest starbase."
 
"What about those officers that were with me and were brought to your Sickbay," the Native Officer inquired, showing that he had not been a stranger to the world of Intel and its unique requirements.
 
"If you vouch for them, they will remain on the ANUBIS and be integrated into my crew… if not they will undergo a synaptic erasure procedure and sent home with the rest of the LANCELOT crew," the Commanding Officer of the USS ANUBIS explained, not having spared her words to clearly display the only available choices.
 
"With your permission Captain," Erik sighed.  "I would like to speak to them first… we are talking about their lives, their future… or at the very least their brains being turned inside out.  I am ready to vouch for all of them now, but I cannot make such a decision without explaining to them what is at stake."
 
The young woman nodded her understanding and approval.  "I will need your final reply by 2200 so that Doctor Summers can prepare for the procedure should it be necessary."
 
==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 
 
"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P071: USS ANUBIS: Morningstar: Day 3 - 1725 ("Secrets Within Secrets")

###################
"Secrets Within Secrets"
[Previous Post Sabrina's "Directives"]
###################

<<Most see the world of Intel as a single all encompassing universe, but like our own physical universe, the world of Intel contains countless diverging ideas, conflicting facets and even different dimensions.>>
- Admiral Eli Hugo, retired

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 7, Sickbay
Stardate: 63072.1725

They had been rescued, the Native American had still not been sure how this had happened, but the fact remained that they had been rescued.  Now the problem had been how the former Captain of the USS LANCELOT would proceed.

"I am glad to see you are well," a crimson haired woman who displayed the rank insignia of Captain offered as she approached the biobed on which Morningstar had been resting.

"Well is a matter of perspective Captain," Erik stated as he forced a smile.  "Am I to gather that we have your crew to thank for our rescue?"

It was easy to see that the woman had been uncomfortable, that there had been something on her mind, something that caused her to filter her thoughts before they became words.  Morningstar had played this game during his career out of necessity but this had not been one of those times, so he decided to play the game differently this time around.

"Doctor," Erik said as he sat on the bed and faced the blonde haired CMO, "Could your Captain and I use your office?"

Lea fell into stunned silence, not at all having expected such a request, but after a few moments the CMO smiled and nodded her agreement.

--==(/\)==--
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 7, CMO's Office
Stardate: 63072.1730

The Native American stepped into the office followed by a somewhat puzzled woman; this little meeting had not at all turned out the way Rikar had expected.  As soon as the two of them had been alone Erik pivoted on his heels and faced the crimson haired Captain.

"I'm sorry, this is going to come as a shock to you but the situation has forced my hand," Morningstar announced as he leaned back against Doctor Summer's desk.  "Computer, establish a secure link with Starfleet Intelligence subspace network, authorization Gamma-One-Seven-Three-Black."

=/\= Authorization confirmed, =/\= the computer stated which caused the standing woman to momentarily grin.  =/\= Secured subspace link established. =/\=

"My name if Erik Morningstar, I am on special assignment from Starfleet Intelligence," the Native American announced. As the two Captains looked at each other, Erik was puzzled by the lack of shock or surprise from the woman in front of him - the usual reaction when anyone in SFI announced their true link to Starfleet.

"I know," Rikar softly grinned.  "It was the only logical explanation to justify why a Captain with your service record found himself in command of a ship filled with Academy graduates with only a few select exceptions."

It was Morningstar that found himself surprised, never having expected the woman before him to have pierced the cloak of secrecy that had surrounded the actual mission of the USS LANCELOT so quickly.  Despite this the Native American decided that it had been best if he put all of his cards down, there had been nothing left to gain by keeping secrets at this point in time.

"I was asked by Starfleet Intel to take the LANCELOT and attempt to locate information about a vessel that has gone missing.  I thought it safer to avoid bringing in faces that were known to the world of Intel, so I decided to recruit the most promising graduates whom I would be able to train and prepare for our mission.  I expected us to have several months of preparation after our visit to the GUMBARA Nebula but has I am sure you have already gathered, things did not go as planned."

Erik and Sabrina locked eyes once more, the Native American having realised that he had still managed to keep the details of his true mission hidden from the crimson haired woman despite his wish to tell her everything.  Working for Intel trained an individual to be as vague as possible, a habit that Morningstar had found difficult to break.

"Captain, I could get court marshalled for telling you this, and it may also place you and your crew in a rather unappealing position, but given that the LANCELOT was attacked by an unknown force, I feel as I have very few options.   Have you heard anything, rumours, hearsay, about a classified project code name *Saturn*?"

--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette

Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS

And

Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P070: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 3 - 1535 ("Directives")

==========
" Directives "
(Previous Post was Francois' "Detailed Explanations")
==========
 
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.1535
 
The young woman sat in her chair at the center of the Bridge… her thoughts lost on the transmission that had been received and automatically forwarded to the ILO. Whenever something like this happened… whenever Admiral Koniki required to communicate with Enaii directly… secretly… it always lead to trouble in one form or another.
Why would this time be any different?
 
==========
Setting: USS LANCELOT, Corridor
Stardate: 63072.1535
 
The ILO had raised a closed fist to silently instruct the Marines behind her to stop and wait. No questioned had been asked, their training and experience had long ago taught them to obey without questions or hesitation.
 
Once satisfied that their position had been secured, Commander Enaii retrieved a small communication PADD from a hidden sleeve pocket. The small device had vibrated ever so slightly, but it had been enough to notify the ILO that she had received an important message… at least they were always considered to be important as far as the Admiral had been concerned.
 
Enaii quickly scanned the decoded transmission and committed to memory the instructions that it contained. No record of this would appear anywhere and the message itself would vanish into nothingness seconds after the ILO had read it. The only thing left had been to carry out their new orders.
 
With a quick, swift gesture of her hand Commander Enaii instructed the Marines to resume their course for the LANCELOT's Main Engineering. Again they obeyed without hesitation, without questions… and left the ILO behind as she had requested. The Operative's presence and expertise had been required somewhere else for a task best suited to her skills and abilities.
 
==========
Setting: USS LANCELOT, Another Corridor
Stardate: 63072.1545
 
Using the information that she had received from the coded transmission, the ILO had modified her tricorder and located another set of three Imperians a few decks above her initial position. As great as the ILO's rage had been in the fact that SFI had not only known of these murderous machines but that they knew how to detect them had been pushed to the woman's deepest recesses of her mind. There would be opportunities to even the score with the Admiral at some other time… for now though Enaii had needed to focus on the task at hand.
 
The three Imperians she had located had been heading her way, and if she did not stop them they would eventually catch up with the members of the LANCELOT's crew that she had seen make their way around the corner. Captain Morningstar and the rest of his team would never know their good fortune… the ILO had already saved them even though the trio of mechanical killers had not yet been dealt with. Enaii took no joy in this fact though, the truth being that she did not care for their safety, her one and only directive had been to intercept one of these creatures and return with it to the ANUBIS… intact.
The first order of business though had been to deal with the other two.
 
==========
Setting: USS LANCELOT, Transporter Room
Stardate: 63072.1555
 
The Imperians had been far too large and heavy for the ILO to carry back, so once its companions had been dealt with Commander Enaii had played cat and mouse with the third, leading it back to the transporter room. The game had been slow and boring for the ILO who could have easily left the machine to wonder where its prey had suddenly vanished to, but that had not been her objective. So the Intel Operative played bait and allowed the robot to track her… to follow her… to believe that it had been only moments away from completing its directive.
 
Even if it had been able to feel the sting of deception that it had been the target of, to experience the surprise when it found itself on the ANUBIS' transporter platform, lifeless, the ILO would not have found it within her soul to be content with her accomplishment.
 
==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.1600
 
Elan and Elliot had just exited from the CO's Ready Room when the ILO's voice came over the comm channel.
 
=/\= Lieutenant Fairborn, report to the transporter room, now. =/\=
 
The Chief of Operations looked up at the towering Engineering with puzzlement, not only had the ILO returned from the LANCELOT but she had requested that the CEO report to her. Ensign Thomas' first thought had been to ask if he should accompany the Oltharian, but the question was never asked… to show up not having been summoned would have very likely enlist the ILO's wrath.
 
"I will join you in the Engineering lab as soon as Commander Enaii is done with me," the Oltharian offered in a reassuring tone, confirming by the same account that it had been best if he went alone.
 
==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Transporter Room
Stardate: 63072.1610
 
The Oltharian stepped into the room and immediately stopped, the shock of what he had seen having been too much for him to handle right there and then. Elan had expected to find the ILO alone or with some sort of engineering related piece of equipment that required the Chief Engineer's expertise… instead he discovered one of the Imperians on the transporter platform apparent undamaged and looking as threatening as ever.
 
"It's inoperative," the ILO coldly announced as she stepped out of the shadows to stand by the CEO's side. "I need it in Cargo Bay 15," the ILO instructed in that tone that always made the towering Engineer feel only a few inches tall.
 
Knowing better than to question the reasons why, or even inquire as to how the Operative had managed to incapacitate the Imperian, the Oltharian made his way to the transporter controls and began his work. In order to transport the robot to the specified location the CEO had been required to unlock the timed transport sequence that had linked the two ships, a task that Elan had been certain the ILO would have been able to accomplish on her own.
 
Once the transport had been completed, Enaii turned to face the giant, her eyes and voice as icy as ever. "Go to the Cargo Bay and set the environmental controls to these specifications," the ILO instructed as she handed a PADD to the CEO.
Elan's white eyes quickly feel onto the small device which contained very specific settings for atmosphere and gravity, setting that the Engineer believed had been designed to insure the Imperian would remain incapacitated for the duration of its journey. When the Oltharian raised his gaze to inquire as to the reason for all this from the ILO, the woman had vanished from the room as she always seemed able to do.
 
==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.1615
 
The young woman had returned to her seat, unaware of what had taken place, her mind still lingered on the coded transmission that the ILO had received… that was until the image on the Main View Screen displayed several members of the LANCELOT's crew as they stepped off the transporter platform.
 
"Bridge to Sickbay, Doctor Summers have your team ready, we have survivors from the LANCELOT heading your way," the redheaded woman announced with a sigh of relief, their search having finally paid off.
 
=/\= We'll be ready Sir, =/\= the CMO replied, the relief and joy in her voice having been unmistakable.
 
==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Transporter Room
Stardate: 63072.1625
 
Following the report from the Marines as to the number of survivors they had discovered in the LANCELOT's Main Engineering and other isolated sections, the transport sequence that linked the two vessels had been sped up to bring all of them to safety as quickly as possible. As long as the Imperians remained on the ship the treat had been present.
 
One group after another, the ragged and tired members of the LANCELOT were transported onto the ANUBIS and escorted directly to either Sickbay or one of the cargo bays that had been modified to accommodate their numbers and the fact that they had now been onboard of a Federation vessel that for all intents and purposes did not exist.
 
==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.1640
 
"That's it," the Chief of Operations announced from his station, all members of the Senior Staff having been recalled to the Bridge. "The last of the LANCELOT's survivors have been beamed onboard."
 
"What is the count?" the redhead inquired having readied herself for what she knew would not be good news.
 
"Total of 87 crewmembers including the LANCELOT's Captain survived," Ensign Thomas announced. As much as he wished that the news had been better, he as well as everyone else knew that things could have been much worse had the ANUBIS not arrived and intervened as it had.
 
"Helm… reverse thrusters… take us out. Tactical… arm torpedoes and stand by to fire," the Captain ordered. The crew of the LANCELOT had been saved as much as humanly possible, but the ship itself had been lost… its last claim to fame would be that it would take with it some of the Imperians that had caused its demise.
 
"Torpedoes armed and ready."
 
The Captain stood from her chair to pay her last respect to both the ship and those who had fallen while onboard. The true nature of their deaths would likely never be made public and the entire incident buried by Starfleet Intel as an unfortunate accident.
 
The only proof of what had taken place having been those survivors now onboard the SCARAB-Class ship… survivors that would have to be taken care of in one way or another.
 
==========
Setting: GUMBARA, Nebula
Stardate: 63072.1650
 
Half a dozen shimmering lights flew from the ANUBIS as it slowly moved back out of the nebula… seconds later they impacted against the already shattered hull of the USS LANCELOT in a sequence of bright explosions.
 
Only scattered debris remained hidden within the swirling cloud of the nebula, an unseen and unsung monument of the ship and crew whose journey had come to an end here.
 
==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.1700
 
The young woman now faced the unpleasant task of visiting the LANCELOT's Captain and inform him of the situation that he and his crew had been confronted with. As far as the Federation had been concerned they had all perished along with their ship… their only possibility at a semblance of a real life having been within the secret world of the NEW ALEXANDRIA complex.
 
==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 
 
"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5

OLD-P069: USS ANUBIS: Fairborn: Day 3 - 1555 ("Detailed Explanation")

###################
"Detailed Explanation"
[Previous Post Craig's "Examinations and Expectations"]
###################

"Knowing and utilizing the weakness of an opponent is not the same thing, sometimes knowing an adversary's strengths can be just as effective."
- Elwat Egol Cloudbreaker, Head of the Oltharian Klaj~Ra'Shall

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Captain's Ready Room
Stardate: 63072.1555

The moment the ANUBIS' COO and CEO had stepped into the Captain's Ready Room and the doors had closed behind them, Lieutenant Fairborn offered his report on what they had discovered.

"We have located a structural weakness in the outer frame of the Imperians," the imposing Engineer stated with calm enthusiasm.

"Those buggers are walking armours," the Chief of Operations added, his own enthusiasm easily overshadowing that of the Oltharian by his side. "Based on our own combat experience against these creatures, we know that they can take several direct hits and still continue functioning as if nothing had happened. If we focus our fire there," Elliott explained as he presented a PADD to the now sitting CO who had moved behind her desk, "we believe that one or two shots will be sufficient to disable the Imperian."

"Their inner thigh?" the crimson haired woman questioned as she looked up at the two officers with a distinct air of disbelief.

"There is some sort of secondary power processor located there," Elan explained having suspected that the CO's doubts had been because no crucial systems would have normally been expected to be in such an odd location. "We have not been able to get as much information as we would have liked due to the fact that we did not dare send any power into the test subject's systems. What we did find though is that the power conduits leading to that secondary processor are unidirectional. Power travels from the core to the legs, but if we caused a surge in the secondary processor, it would in theory create a cascade failure that would knock out the Imperian's primary power source."

It had been common knowledge onboard the USS ANUBIS that Engineering had not been Captain Rikar's strongest field - in fact she often spoke of it as being her weakness, hence why she had always relied on those around her to help in that domain. So it was with some surprise that the Olthairan saw his explanation accepted and understood without question.

"I figured as much, but my issue is with the location of the target, not it's location on the creature," Rikar explained as she gave the PADD back to the COO. "I doubt that the Imperians will stand still as we try to shoot off their inner leg, and I would suspect that there are only a few people on the ANUBIS that would be able to execute such a precise shot in the best of circumstances."

The enthusiasm of the CEO and COO quickly vanished as the concept of their discovery came against the light of reality, still Ensign Thomas had not been ready to give up, not after having worked so hard to make the discovery they had.

"Maybe what is required is a change of tactic on our part," the COO offered, his enthusiasm having returned to his voice, if only a little. "Direct weapon's fire against the Imperians are only mildly effective, but what if we were able to rig something that would create a directed blast beneath them."

The Oltharian quickly smiled as he picked up on the idea presented by Ensign Thomas. "We could create some sort of high energy landmine that would discharge a powerful focussed burst when stepped upon. The mine would have the disadvantage of being slow due to the charge delay, but it should be most effective against the Imperians as their mobility speed is very limited. In theory such a burst would overload the secondary processor and create the cascade failure within the Imperian all of this without an explosion that would destroy the surrounding area."

"An energy discharge of that magnitude would ionize the area making tricorders and communicators useless for several minutes, but I think that it is a small price to pay for being able to knock those things on their butts with a single shot," the COO added, their discovery having regained the importance he had granted it from the start.

"Start working on the delivery system," the CO ordered. "It will be nice to have a an effective weapon to use against these Imperians, either now or later."
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette

Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn

Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS

And

Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P068: USS ANUBIS: Thomas: Day 3 - 1540 ("Examinations and Expectations")

#####
"Examinations and Expectations"
[Previous post: "Conflicting Emotions" written by the super brill Dawn.]
#####

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 21, Cybernetics / Robotics Lab
Stardate: 63072.1540

Elliot and Elan were hard at work when all of a sudden "Fantastic!" was shouted by the Oltharian.  

"What is?" questioned Ensign Thomas eagerly then continued "Have you found something?"

"Well yes, I think so have a look at this." The Lieutenant said pointing into the inner side of the thigh of the metallic monster.

"OK, so what do we have here." voiced ET as he stared into the inner thigh. 

After looking into the area that he had been instructed by the Oltharian, Elliot happily announced "I get what your saying here Lieutenant, going by its metallic structure this point on the inner thigh seems to be its weakest point, where it has taken a number of shots to take them down you could probably do it with one; possibly two, shots to this area." as Elliot points to the area shown to him by Lieutenant Fairborn.

"That's correct" said the CEO then continued with a smile on his face "I don't think there is anything else we can do here anyway Ensign, so lets go and let the Captain know about our findings."

Both Elan and Elliot left Deck 21, Cybernetics / Robotics Lab and headed to the turbo lift to take them to the Bridge.

======
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Turbo Lift
Stardate: 63072.1550

Elliot looked at the Lieutenant, "So this is going to be some good news for the Captain, however I'm not really looking forward to going over to that hell ship again especially if the Captain keeps radio silence."

"I'm hoping we wont have to go over either but if we have to at least this time we have the upper hand if we come into contact with them again." said Lieutenant Fairborn.

======
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.1552

"Captain, we have some news for you," voiced the Oltharian as he made eye contact when the COO and CEO walked onto the Bridge.

The red headed woman pointed at both the Ensign and the Lieutenant then stated in an authoritative tone "My ready room now you two."

======
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Captain's Ready Room
Stardate: 63072.1555

The CEO and COO explained their findings to the Captain excitedly.

=====
Craig Mitchell
Ensign Elliot Thomas.
Chief Operations Officer.
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 

[The Universe is a huge place, but you always seem to meet someone you know just around the corner.]
OLD-P067: USS LANCELOT: Mitshiba: Day 3 - 1550 ("Conflicting Emotions")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Conflicting Emotions"
(Cont. from "Too Close")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Corridor
Stardate: 63072.1550

The battle had been won but Aki felt no joy as she knelt over the Kzinti woman.  The initial shock of having seen her friend knocked down still caused the hands of the Science Chief to shake, even after Ensign Lopez had taken over and Hex had spoken.  The LANCELOT had already lost far too many good officers to allow for any more to become victims of these *things*.

Anger swelled within the CSciO as she stood over the disabled robot that had assaulted Hex with such unimaginable force.  The machine had finally been rendered inoperative following a volley of phaser shots that would have taken down a small army.  There had been no doubt that these things had been built for combat, able to withstand a tremendous amount of pounding while still able to continue on with the fight.

As impressive as these robots had been though, Aki could not find it within herself to admire these metallic beasts.  There had been an ominous aura about them, a shadow that hung in the air and hinted to these creatures having been meant to spread death and destruction wherever they went.  It had not been a scientific observation, but it had been the way the CSciO had felt and there had been no way to shake it.

"We need to move," Captain Morningstar whispered from behind the Ensign.  The group had initially come this way to run away from the sound of approaching footsteps, and now it had been a safe bet that the noises from the battle had attracted unwanted attention.

"As much as I hate to say this," Aki said in the same whispered voice.  "It might be better for us to stay put and hold this position.  We would be able to set up better defensive positions and I would be able to study one of them in the meantime.  Maybe I could find something that will make it easier for us to win any future encounter."

Although the suggestion had held a certain amount of logic, Captain Morningstar had been clearly against the idea of waiting for whatever had been out there to catch up.  For all they knew they had ran into a small scouting patrol, and that the approaching group consisted of far more than they could ever hope to be able to deal with successfully.  Retreat had been a safer choice, even taking into account the reduce mobility of the team due to injuries.

"It's too dangerous," the Captain said as he pivoted on his heel and headed to the aCMO to inform her of his decision.

Aki sighed, not because they would be running but rather because she would not get the chance to dig into the menacing body of the robot to discover what untold secrets laid therein.

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Chief Science Officer
USS LANCELOT
OLD-P066: USS LANCELOT: Lopez: Day 3 - 1545 ("Too Close") 

-=-=-
"Too Close"
[Previous post: "First Encounter"]
-=-=-

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Corridor
Stardate: 63072.1545

"Because I wanted to be closer to the action," Ensign Lope murmured to herself from the corridor's floor in a reply to an unspoken question about how she had managed to find her way into the current condition.  The advantage had been that this time Adriana had not been alone or hallucinating about her missing sister, the Klingon sitting next to the aCMO had been quite real, as well as his wound.

Since she had been the senior Medical Officer present, Adriana ignored her own weakness and discomfort to attend to the FCO's injury.  Without access to a medical facility or a field medical kit, the aCMO had been forced to rely on more *primitive* first aid tactics.  A long strip of cloth was torn from her uniform and wrapped around the Klingon's arm in an effort to stop the bleeding and protect the wound from infections.

"Please stay still," the aCMO asked of her patient who had rapidly grown impatient with the attention that had been directed to him.

"I am fine," Drell stated in perfect macho Klingon-esque tone.

"What were those things?" Ensigh Lopez asked, the question having been meant to serve a dual purposes; to clarify what had happened and keep the FCO occupied on something other than his medical treatment.

"You know," Ensign Mitshiba answered from a ways down the corridor. "I didn't get a chance to ask."

It was only then that the aCMO noticed that the furry Kzinti Ensign had been out of sight.  Adriana gathered by the way Akira had been on her knees leaning over something that Ensign Fanggot had been down, if not injured.  Drell appeared almost pleased when Ensign Lopez turned away from him to head for the CSciO, but his expression quickly changed when the weakened woman stumbled.

The Klingon had been less than pleased to be the focus of anyone's care but he did seem more than happy to lend a hand.  "You are still weak, you need to take it easy," Drell said as he took hold of the aCMO's arm.

"I am fine," Adriana stated in her best possible imitation of the FCO who actually smiled at the woman afterwards.

Slowly, and with a lot of help from the FCO, Adriana made her way to the kneeling CSciO. Once there the aCMO placed her hand on Ensign Mitshiba's shoulder, a gesture that the woman understood to mean that the Kzinti would be in good care.

"Did someone get the name of that ship that hit me?" the furry Ensign asked through various painful grunts.

"I think you were lucky," the aCMO said as her hands gently scanned the Kzinti's ribs.  "Without the proper instruments I cannot tell for sure, but it feels like you have several broken ribs, but no internal bleeding that I can detect."

"Lucky is a matter of opinion," Hex sighed as a wave of pain shot through her.  "It could have missed me completely instead of trying to rearrange my insides."

"I think we were *all* lucky," the aCMO stated, a quick thankful glance having been sent in the direction of the Klingon FCO and the rest of the group who had all managed to survive this close call.

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS LANCELOT
OLD-P065: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 3 - 1525 ("Waiting")

==========
"Waiting"
(Previous Post was Ashley's "First Encounter")
==========

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.1525

The young woman sat in her chair at the center of the Bridge… her light blue eyes scrutinized the three images displayed on the main view screen with concerned anguish while her thoughts dwelled on the people onboard the USS LANCELOT.  The main background image had been that of the CAVALIER-Class vessel, or at least what had been left of it following the missile impact.  Two other images had been superimposed over that of the drifting ship; the first had been a security feed from the Robotics Lab on deck 21, and the other feed had been from the Transporter Room linked to the LANCELOT.

Radio silence with Commander Enaii and her team had still been in effect so the only information as to the situation onboard the crippled vessel had been from the Officers who had returned.  So far only four individuals had beamed back from the USS LANCELOT; the ANUBIS' own CEO, COO, CMO as well as a single surviving crewman from the original crew.

Lieutenant Fairborn and Ensign Thomas had submitted a quick verbal report as to their encounter and rescue efforts upon their return before heading to the Robotics Lab with their prize… a disabled Imperian.  Even inactive these metallic creatures seemed to emanate an ominous aura that left most cautious and fearful.  The knowledge that the creature had been *dead* and 21 decks lower had done little to ease the redhead's anxiety about the metal monster.

The core processor, located deep within the creature's head, had been separated from the rest of the body and handed over to Lieutenant Commander Maya who had rushed next door into the Cybernetics Lab to decipher the programming of the mechanical monstrosity.  One advantage with artificial life forms had been the ability to figure out their main reason for being with nothing more than basic research, but what the CSciO had discovered in her initial findings had been rather grim.

Most robots were designed to serve, to perform complex or otherwise dangerous duties, or even to protect and defend those who had created them.  Some more advanced machines had been constructed with the purpose to assist in the daily lives of their creators, but safety measures such as Asimov's Rules of Robotics had always been implemented to insure the obedience and servitude of these creations.

Unlike them though the Imperians apparently possessed no such fail-safe in their programming, in fact it seemed that their sole purpose had been the complete annihilation of *life* in all of its forms.  The redheaded CO could not imagine any single being able and willing to create such machines, but the fact of the matter had been that they had been created… and knocking at their door.  There was no way to know for sure why the Imperians had suddenly manifested an interest in their sector of space… maybe the Federation had simply been along their path, or maybe the race that had built them had lost control of these killing machines which were now loose in the galaxy.

Whatever the cause had been, the ANUBIS' CO knew that none of the Imperians present on the LANCELOT could be permitted to continue on or even return to wherever they had come from to report on their findings.  The loss of a single ship along with all of its crew might not have been much, but hopefully it would be enough to keep the Imperians out of this sector for a little while longer.

Had the USS ANUBIS been in normal space, it would have been child's play to transport all survivors to safety and obliterate the LANCELOT along with any Imperians caught onboard, but the GUMBARA Nebula had made this impossible.  Survivors, if any, would have to find a way to let their presence known to the away team so that they could be directed to the transporter room and subsequently to safety.  At the same time, the away team had been entrusted with the undesirable task of locating any and all invading robot to insure that their incursion into Federation space came to a stop here and now.

With the link between the transporter systems established, the redheaded woman had placed the rest of the Marines on stand-by… just in case the Intel Operative and her team required assistance.  The CO doubted that such a possibility would come to pass knowing Enaii but still she had wanted to play it safe… the same reasoning that explained why Rikar had been unwilling to send more people.  Being the killing machines that they where, there had been no way to know how the Imperians would react if suddenly cornered or place in a situation they may perceived as hopeless.
As much as it pained the young woman, the best course of action for the time being had been to wait and let the ILO proceed as she saw best.

"Captain," the ANUBIS' Avatar announced, taking the redhead away from her thoughts.  "We are receiving a priority-one coded transmission."

"I'll take it in my ready room," Rikar stated as she stood from her chair only to stop after a couple of steps had been taken.

"The transmission is being automatically relayed to Commander Enaii using the light-of-sight array," Annie announced in a rather surprised tone despite the android having been unable to experience any feelings.  As the ship's Avatar, the black haired woman had been able to access and follow all of the ship's functions without effort, so it had been with a certain sense of bewilderment that the message had been relayed without her knowledge.
 
==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501
 
"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P064: USS LANCELOT: Fanggot: Day 3 - 1530 ("First Encounter")‏‏

****************
"First Encounter"
[Previous post: "Thank You" by Tiffany]
****************

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Corridor
Stardate: 63072.1530

====^*^====
 
Ensign Lopez was weaker than she at first seemed to be so Drell had been forced to carry her most of the way through the Jefferies Tubes. Once back into the main corridor Hex’s ears twitched every so often, the sound of footsteps seemed to be getting closer, but she couldn’t be sure. Aki noticed the Kzinti’s puzzled expression quickly.

“Hex? What’s wrong?” she inquired, looking around as they made their way into the corridor through the tube.
 
“Don’t you hear that? The banging is gone, but there are footsteps now…” The Sec/Tac officer stated, looking more than a little uneasy.

The group stopped momentarily to listen. Sure enough, they heard them too. The entire group tensed as they followed the Captain down the corridor away from the sound of footsteps. Hex moved to the front with the CO to make sure her weapon would be of use during any fight should they run into trouble.
 
“Captain, do you know what we’re up against here?” Hex whispered to Erik as they moved cautiously down the winding corridors.
 
“No Ensign, and I don’t want to find out.” The Captain stated bluntly. Hex flinched from the words, having hoped to receive a better answer.
 
The fur ball was just wondering what else could go wrong as they rounded the corner. Suddenly, a sharp pain exploded through Hex’s arms, sending her weapon flying. The Captain was already alert with his phaser at the ready.
 
The Kzinti had been hit by the arm of a giant metal warrior…thing. They were unlike anything she had seen. Heavily armored and armed with weapons of their own. The first was large and flanked by two others, equally large. Drell and the others barely had any time to react when the first shoots went off in their direction.
 
Drell went behind a chuck of debris, still holding the weak and now quivering aCMO, Aki was beside him, breathing hard, but unharmed. The Captain was out of Hex’s sight, but she knew he was getting ready to counter attack. The Kzinti dove for her own phaser just in time to avoid a phaser blast that was aimed at her head.

“FIRE!” the Captain commanded, taking one creature by surprise with 2 shots to the middle, it faltered, but countered the attack, just barely missing the CO as he ducked behind another piece of rubble. “Drell, get the Doctor out of here! Now!”.
 
Drell was up before the command and running for a safe place with Aki right behind him. He ducked and weaved through the blasts, but one caught his arm and he fell. Hex had retrieved her weapon and was firing, but she realized the danger and tossed her weapon to Aki. The Ensign immediately started shooting at the creatures as she helped Drell move to get away.

Ensign Mitshiba held the phaser with ease, aiming at the last metallic giant that entered the room. The Terran let loose six blasts that impacted the enemy at different points of his upper torso and head. An electric charge shot through his body before he was rendered nonoperational.
 
Hex thought quickly, the Captain was pinned down by the fire of one and the others were escaping, but they wouldn’t last if that one continued to fire, not with Drell and Adriana weakened. They needed a diversion, preferably a good one at that.

Not bothering to think before acting, Hex combined her martial arts with gymnastics with ease and cart-wheeled over to the creature firing on Aki and the others. Pivoting on her hand, she smashed her foot against its supposed head. Pain shot through The Kzinti's entire leg, but the Ensign continued her attack, spinning off from the kick to slam the thing in the chest at full force.
 
The diversion worked, although she was in intense pain, Hex now had the creature's full attention. The relentless attacker shot blasts at her, which she dodged with her skill in speed and agility. Drell was hidden and Ensign Mitshiba was firing shots at the Captain’s metal beast.
 
Erik came out and fired two shots at the creatures legs, making them buckle slightly from the pressure, this giving Aki enough of a distraction to finish it off with two more shots at the torso and jaw.  The blasts hit like miniature fright trains, sending the metal monstrosity toppling from the force of them, now only one was left. Hex was up and close to the last one when Aki ran in to help.

"Don't do it! Help the others, I'm fine." Hex called, stepping out of the way of yet another blast from her enemy.

The momentary distraction was enough to give the monster a heads up on the Ensign. Using its advantage, the beast smacked its armored forearm across Hex's chest, sending her flying in the other direction. She hit the wall, hard, and crumpled onto the floor as the pain forced her into a blurry unconsciousness.

Aki wanted to run and check the Kzinti, but her focus was pulled back to the massive robot as it turned to face the more agile opponents. The Captain fired two shots in its direction while he moved closer to the other two Ensigns. The attacker deflected one, but the other met it's mark with a deadly accuracy in the supposed stomach.

Aki then fired multiple attacks to the robots back side as it turned to face the Captain. Its entire frame shuddered before it collapsed on the ground with its fallen comrades.

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanggot
Sec/Tac Officer
USS LANCELOT
OLD-P063: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 3 - 1515 ("Thank You")

=-=
"Thank You"
[Previous post: "Helping Hands", written by our heroic savior Francois]
=-=

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 7, Corridor
Stardate: 63072.1515

Lea had checked upon the crewman from the LANCELOT before she had left Sickbay. He had been in bad shape but he would live, but not because the CMO had acted as she had. Doctor Summers had gone against Enaii and received a painful reminder that the ILO did not take kindly to disobedience. Still a life had been saved and the people responsible deserved to be properly acknowledged.

Disconnected images flashed in the CMO's mind as she walked down the corridor to the nearest turbolift. This had not been the first time Doctor Summers had found her way into trouble. The universe seemed to delight in tormenting her, but Lea could not remember ever having felt so scared.

At first she had feared for her own life as the dark, robotic monster moved closer. When Elliot and Elan had appeared in the room though, the fear had shifted onto them. To risk her own life had been foolish, but to drag the COO and CEO into the mess had been irresponsible. How bad would she had felt had either one been hurt, or worse?

The ILO had appeared unimaginably cold and unfeeling when she had stunned the LANCELOT's crewman. The CMO had even thought that Enaii had been beyond cruel in her methods and logic. Now though Doctor Summers began to realize that the Commander had done what she had believed to be right. Not for herself but for the group as a whole and the mission. As the Vulcans often said, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one.

=-=
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 21, Cybernetics / Robotics Lab
Stardate: 63072.1520

A cold shiver swept through Lea as she walked into the room to see the metallic monster on the diagnostic table. Its head as well as much of the armor plating on its body had been removed, still the beast appeared menacing. Elan and Elliot had lost themselves in their work, so they had not noticed the CMO's arrival. Doctor Summers hesitated in saying something for fear of interrupting or even waking the immobile robot.

"Doctor Summers?" Ensign Thomas said as he noticed the woman standing next to the wall. "Glad to see you on your feet."

The Oltharian quickly turned at the news that the CMO had been in the room with them. The quiet smile that formed on the CEO's face spoke volumes and instantly made Lea feel safe.

"I wanted to thank you both for what you did back on the LANCELOT," Lea said. The CMO still felt a little apprehensive about moving closer, so she remained near the door. "If it hadn't been for you, there would have been two more casualties."

"It was an honor to help Healer," the Oltharian said as if he had done nothing worth mentioning.

"Elan," Lea said in disbelief. "You *saved* my life, I think it qualifies a little more than you *helping*."

Ensign Thomas chuckled to himself. Elan was Elan, and there had been nothing in this universe that could change that. Likewise Enaii had been Enaii, and she too seemed unyielding in her ways. "Are you planning on thanking the ILO for her role as well?" The question had been meant as a joke, even if not an overly amusing one.

Lea glued herself to the wall at those words. True the ILO and Marines had arrived just in time to save them all, but a 'thank you' had seemed a little of a stretch. It would have been like thanking an executioner for cutting off your head. If the CMO had to thank Enaii for something it would have to be for the Operative not having killed the Doctor.

"I am sure that Commander Enaii is pleased with the knowledge that she saved us all," the Oltharian said. The voice of the giant, like him, had been gentle and filled with wisdom. "A thank you would likely be considered a waste of her time."

Elliot and Lea seemed in complete agreement with Elan. The ILO had best been left to her ways; it had been the safest course of action for all.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P062: USS LANCELOT: Morningstar: Day 3 - 1515 ("Helping Hands")

###################
"Helping Hands"
[Previous Post Dawn's "Thinned Patience"]
###################

<< There is no success without hardship.>>
-Sophocles

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Jefferies Tube
Stardate: 63072.1515

This had all felt like a bad dream, a nightmare that the Native American had been unable to wake from.  So many had fallen on their first journey to the stars; their hopes and dreams brought to an abrupt end without as much as an explanation why.  What troubled the LANCELOT's Commanding Officer most had not been what had come to pass though, but rather what still waiting in the unknown shadows of would be.  The sounds Ensign Drell had heard, the ones that Erik had later identified as heavy, rhythmic footsteps had not been those of friends, and that had been what weighed on the Captain's mind the most at the moment.

"Captain, here!" Ensign Fanggot called out as the Kzinti Chief of Security and Human Chief Science Officer rushed towards a large pile of debris.

The Klingon Flight Control Officer quickly followed and immediately began to remove some of the heavier pieces to free the Officer that had been trapped beneath.

"I'm reading one broken rib, several bruises and crapes, a few lacerations but nothing to indicate any internal bleeding," Ensign Mitshiba reported as she moved the tricorder over the Medical Officer's torn uniform.

"Ensign Lopez," the Native American said as he looked over the heads of the two kneeling female Ensigns.  As the Commanding Officer of the LANCELOT, Erik had made a point to commit to memory the faces and names of each and every members of the graduating class he had enlisted to be on his crew.  "I am very happy to see," the captain added with a smile that he hoped would ease whatever concern the injured woman might have been experiencing.

Adriana smiled back weakly as another heavy piece of metal was lifted from her form by the Klingon.  "I can assure you Captain that I am just as happy if not more to see all of you," Ensign Lopez offered as Hex and Akira pulled her away from the rest of the debris so that a complete physical examination could be performed.

"Where are Doctor Dollaress and the other members of the medical staff?" Ensign Fanggot inquired as the thought of having a few more medically trained personnel to help with the search and rescue having been rather appealing.  The Kzinti's hopes though were soon shattered as Ensign Lopez simply shook her head and allowed a few tears to fall from the corner of her eyes.

"What is important is that you are safe now," the Captain stated as he confirmed without words through the approving nod of the Chief Science Officer that the woman had not been in any immediate medical danger.

"Can you stand?" Drell ask, having already offered the injured Ensign help off the floor.

"I can," Adriana replied with a hint of hesitation as she accepted the Klingon's help to stand, help that was quickly followed by the assistance of the Sec/Tac and CSciO.  Once back onto her feet Ensign Lopez shifted her attention onto the Captain while still relying heavily on the FCO to stand.  "I'm sorry Sir, but it looks like I'll be slowing you down, my legs feel rather weak."

"No worries Ensign," Morningstar offered with a reassuring smile.

"The race to see who is the fastest is *next* week," Ensign Mitshiba chuckled, her effort to lighten the mood having succeeded even if only for a few seconds.

"Let's head back to Main Engineering," the Commanding Officer stated, unhappily having noticed that the only way out had been back the way they came, back into the corridor where the Klingon and himself had heard the approaching footsteps.  "Drell, help Ensign Lopez, I'll take care of pulse rifle," Captain Morningstar ordered, partially because he knew the FCO would not have any problem with helping the aCMO, but mostly because if they were to step into a battle of some sort, Erik wanted to insure the safe retreat of his officers.

--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette
Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn

Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS

And

Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P061: USS LANCELOT: Mitshiba: Day 3 - 1500 ("Thinned Patience")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Thinned Patience"
(Cont. from "Beneath it All")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Corridor
Stardate: 63072.1500

Hex had taken point, her attuned senses scanned the barely recognizable corridors while Aki followed behind with her tricorder, the two of them in search of survivors while Drell and Captain Morningstar followed behind.  The thought that the LANCELOT could have been boarded by some sort of scavenger had weighed heavily on everyone's mind, and had even made the Kzinti Security Officer a little jumpy.  Over the last hour of their search the four officers had managed to find only a handful of crew members in the areas that they had been able to reach, all of them trapped behind or under fallen debris.  Those few survivors had all expected to be the only ones still alive and had pretty much given up hope of a rescue, a rescue that had unfortunately been painfully slow in coming due to the group's inability to quickly move about the ship and the limited range of their tricorders.

"I am really starting to dislike this nebula," Aki said while she glared at the small scanning device in her hand.  "Tricorders have a very limited range because of this interference and now it seems that it's not even working properly."

"Explain," the CO demanded as he studied his own tricorder.

"Getting an accurate bearing on life sign readings was already tough, but according to these readings, there is someone about 5 meters in that direction," the CSciO explained, her finger having pointed downward through one of the walls.

"You are getting life sign readings from the *floor*?" The Klingon FCO said with puzzlement.  "Are you sure you know how to use a tricorder?"

Having found so few survivors compared to the number of broken bodies that they had discovered over the last hour had thinned the patience of the entire group, Drell's comment and Aki's reaction having been the best proof of this to the CO.  As swift and accurate as the throw had been, the CSciO's effort to hit the FCO with the small device that had been in her hand was easily countered by the Klingon who simply deflected the tricorder with his rifle.  The growl that immediately followed indicated that he had accepted Ensign Mitshiba's challenge, a posture that the Kzinti Security Officer echoed back at him as she sided with her friend.

"AT EASE!" Captain Morningstar snapped to regain control of the situation before it went too far.  "We are all tired, and our feelings have been rubbed raw with all that we have had to deal with, but this is no excuse for this kind of behavior.  Ensign Mitshiba's readings are correct, there is a Jefferies Tube junction in the direction she indicated.  There might be someone there in need of our assistance," the CO said, his hand having landed on the FCO's shoulder both as a sign of support and a way to insure his compliance.

Drell's expression slowly changed from anger to sorrow as the reality of what he had been about to do sunk in.  Not wishing to have both Hex and Aki suddenly against him, and as a show of apology the FCO reached down for the tricorder he had deflected and handed it back to the CSciO with a stern "Sorry".

Pleased that the situation had been defused, the CO directed the group to the nearest access point to the Jefferies Tubes which had been several meters further down the corridor.  Hex and Aki went in first but before the CO and FCO followed, Drell stopped and suddenly turned his head to look down another corridor.

"Something the matter?" the CO asked.

"I thought I heard noises coming from that direction," the FCO said. "Like heavy footsteps."

The Captain verified his tricorder.  "I'm not detecting anything in that direction, but as Ensign Mitshiba did point out, the range is rather limited.  We'll investigate this after we take care of this matter, I do not want us to separate."

"Aye Sir," the Klingon nodded before he followed his fellow classmates into the bows of the ship once more.

The CO stayed behind for a few moments, his eyes locked on the corridor that the Klingon had indicated.  The rhythmic sound of heavy footsteps had been barely audible, but it had been there nonetheless, still the Captain had decided that helping a fellow crewman had been more important than to confront whatever had been approaching, especially since it appeared not to register on their scanners.

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Chief Science Officer
USS LANCELOT
OLD-P060: USS LANCELOT: Lopez: Day 3 - 1445 ("Beneath it All")

-=-=-
"Beneath it All"
[Previous post: "Like Looking into Absolute Darkness"]
-=-=-

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Jefferies Tube
Stardate: 63072.1445

Starfleet emergency protocol stated that in the case of a ship wide catastrophe all members of the crew had to report, either verbally or in person, to one of the ship's primary areas; the Bridge, Sickbay and Main Engineering.  Since no one had come to Sickbay and that communications were out, Ensign Lopez decided to make her way down to the LANCELOT's Main Engineering.  The Bridge would have likely been a better option but Adriana had decided that climbing down had been a more desirable course of action, plus the odds of actually finding someone there had been better based on the lights that had been restored.

Like the parts of the ship she had seen while the aCMO had searched for survivors, the Jefferies Tubes had been in a dismal state, filled with debris or blocked by emergency bulkheads.  As a Counseling / Medical trained Officer, Ensign Lopez had been ill prepared to deal with some of the areas she had crawled into, loose wiring and shattered panels having been best left to Engineers.  Still Adriana had managed to make her way deeper into the LANCELOT than before; forcing her way through collapsed tunnels and avoiding dangerous looking wires.

The aCMO had lost count of how many decks she had traveled, and her knees had begun to show signs of wear, her pants displayed crimson stains from her own life's blood.  Fatigued, Ensign Lopez reached for a power conduit overhead to help her exit the last Jefferies Tube she had been in.  The moment pressure had been applied to the small pipe it broke free from the wall and sent Adriana crashing onto the floor.  The fall itself had been nothing major, and the burns on her hand would require nothing more than a few minutes under a dermal regenerator, but the debris that followed had been an entirely different story.

The avalanche that followed lasted only a few seconds, but it had been enough to cover the majority of the Ensign's body as it lay on the floor.  Adriana let out a scream of pain that echoed down the crawlways, and would have been sufficient to summon help had it been under normal circumstances.  Unfortunately nothing about this situation had been normal and the aCMO found herself alone and pinned beneath several heavy plates and pipes.

It took several minutes but the Ensign found her inner strength and began to dig her way out of the debris, one piece at a time.  Pinned as she had been though the task had proven very difficult and even more tiring, and in time Ensign Lopez found the weight of the remaining debris too much for her to continue.

"You can't stay here forever," a familiar voice said.

Ensign Lopez blinked several times to bring her sight back into focus in order to see the hallucination of her sister looking down at her.

"You know," Adriana grimaced through the pain, "This is borderline insanity."

"Some people talk to themselves, others pray to some unseen power in the universe that may or may not exist," Amanda said with a chuckle.  "You, you get a pep talk from the sister you haven't seen in years, I think you're ahead of most."

"So am I to gather that I can count on seeing you hovering over me like that until I get myself out?"

"Call it incentive," Amanda replied in a very serious tone.  "You are stuck in between decks on a ship where power is at minimal; don't expect anyone to find you on the internal scanners.  If you are to survive, you need to get yourself out."

Adriana took a deep breath and tackled the job of moving the last of the large pieces of debris off of her.

"Oh yeah," the aCMO winced as another pipe was rolled away.  "I'm definitively going to need *several* sessions with a Counselor if I ever get out of this alive."

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS LANCELOT
OLD-P059: USS ANUBIS: Maya: Day 3 - 1445 ("Like Looking Into Absolute Darkness")

---
"Like Looking Into Absolute Darkness"
(Previous Post: "Dreams Are Better?")
---

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 21, Cybernetics / Robotics Lab
Stardate: 63072.1445

Things had definitively taken a turn for the better with the linking of the transporter systems, the safe return of Doctor Summers as well as one surviving member of the LANCELOT. The best break the crew of the ANUBIS had made though had been the capture of one of the robots that Lieutenant Fairborn and Ensign Thomas had gone up against. A total of six such artificial beasts had been rendered inoperative, but only one had been in good enough condition to be brought back to the ANUBIS for engineering and scientific research.

While Lieutenant Fairborn and Ensign Thomas laboured next door in the Robotics Lab on the physical body of the machine, the Chief Science Officer had set up shop in the Cybernetics lab where the scientist attempted to decipher the programming found within the core of the metallic brute. The initial survey of the base programming of the monster had revealed a rather simplistic set of commands, which proved to be rather puzzling to the Shillian. Given the obvious sophistication of the physical frame, the scientist had expected the program to be far more complex and adaptive, but so far nothing the head of the Science Department had found suggested that this had been the case. 

As the investigation progressed the Shillian found her way into what could have only been referred to as the identification protocol, a set of information hardwired into the machine that for all intents and purposes gave the metallic entity its own *identity* and status within its civilization. The more the Chief Science Officer researched this aspect of the programming, the more puzzled and disturbed the scientist became.

"Found anything interesting?" Captain Rikar inquired of the Chief Science Officer immediately as she stepped into the Cybernetics lab.

"No and Yes," the Shillian replied, an answer that the Commanding Officer of the USS ANUBIS immediately knew would lead to a lengthy explanation. "Based on what I have so far discovered, these creatures refer to themselves as the Imperians, and using the base programming found within our own Avatar as a basis for comparison, these artificial creatures are far simpler in content than Annie although apparently more advanced in structure. Other than that there is little more I can report since the computer is still in the process of decoding the core program, but it is safe to state that they are part of a cybernetic race with what I would guess to be a limited purpose."

"Great," the Captain sighed, "just what this galaxy needed, another Borg."

"Actually comparing the Imperians to the Borg would be inaccurate on many levels," the Chief Science Officer stated as more of the core programming was revealed. "The Borg have as a primary goal to assimilate the biological and technological distinctiveness of the races they encounter, the Imperians on the other hand seem to have a simpler objective; the extermination of life in whatever shape or form it may be encountered in."

"That is not what I would consider to be good news," Captain Rikar offered with an audible gulp. The Borg could be reasoned with on some level, but given the information that the Chief Science Officer had given it had been clear that the Imparians would require nothing less than absolute force to be stopped.

---
Jessica Solarik
Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P058: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 3 - 1445 ("Dreams Are Better")

=-=
"Dreams Are Better"
[Previous post: "Power Unleashed", written by the valiant Francois]
=-=

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63072.1445

"Where am I?" Lea asked, her thoughts nothing more than a jumbled mess.

"You are safe Doctor," the redhead Captain replied. "You are back on the ANUBIS."

"What about the others?" the CMO asked, her first memory to return having been the crewman she had returned to save.

"The crewman is stable," the Captain said, her eyes having shifted momentarily to another bed. "Lieutenant Fairborn and Ensign Thomas are in Engineering with one of the robots that attacked you."

Lea took a moment to review the events that had taken place. She quickly remembered the Oltharian's daring rescue as well as the heroic presence of the COO. After a few more seconds the CMO also recalled the less than happy arrival of the ILO.

"What happened?" the Doctor asked, curious as to whether or not the CO knew the details of the situation.

"Lieutenant Fairborn carried you back," the redhead woman said. "He simply stated that you had lost consciousness after having received a hit."

"Enaii packs quick a punch," Lea mumbled loud enough for the CO to hear. "I suspect she took some lessons from a disgruntled Klingon at one point in her training.

"What did you say?" Rikar demanded. "Commander Enaii hit you?"

The CMO realised too late that she had wanted to think her words, not speak them. "She had a valid cause," Lea said.

The redhead glared at the woman resting on the medical bed. The look in the CO's eyes pointed to Rikar not having subscribed to the thought that it had been acceptable for any officer to hit another.

"I disobeyed a direct order," the CMO explained. "I endangered myself as well as the rest of the away team because of it."

"I am sure that you had your reasons," the Captain said as she patted the CMO's hand. "I'll speak with Enaii as soon as she returns about this. In the meantime rest, I am sure your medical staff would appreciate some help with the wounded from the LANCELOT."

Lea offered a weak smile. The CMO knew that there had been very few survivors from the LANCELOT and that the CO had only tried to make her feel better.

[[Can't believe I dreamt of kissing her,]] Lea thought to herself as her fingers carefully brushed against her chin. The pain the CMO felt had been proof enough that this had not been a dream. [[At least Enaii got what she wanted. I'm no longer there to get in her way.]]

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P057: USS ANUBIS: Fairborn: Day 3 - 1438 ("Power Unleashed")

###################
"Power Unleashed"
[Previous Post Craig's "The Transporters"]
###################
 
{There are only two rules to tactics: never be without a plan, and never rely on it.}
- Okri Swessin, Marshal of the Selay Lancers
 
Setting: USS LANCELOT, Corridor
Stardate: 63072.1438
 
"Wow," Elliott gasped as he and the Oltharian Chief Engineer stepped into the corridor. "This place is really a mess, Annie never said anything about how badly damaged this area was."
 
Elan inwardly grinned. "As the ANUBIS' Avatar Annie is not programmed to relay superfluous or emotionally perceived information," the CEO stated as he studied the full length of the corridor. "We sent here her to report on the transporter uplink as well as the status of the immediate area, which she did."
 
"No emotions and only tells you the bare minimum," the COO chuckled as he headed down one end of the corridor, his phaser firmly in hand. "Reminds me of a few girls I dated."
 
The two officers stopped dead in their tracks when they heard the sound of weapons fire from the other end of the corridor. Instantly the CEO and COO rushed in the direction of the phaser blasts to render whatever assistance they would be able to provide.
 
When they turned the last corner, Elan and Elliot noticed two towering dark-coloured androids with their weapons drawn. The first had already partially vanished into a room while the second had been a few steps behind, that was until the two officers had arrived. As if it had sensed their presence the last metallic beast turned and pointed its weapon towards the Oltharian in a menacing way. Lieutenant Fairborn dodged out of the way while Ensign Thomas fired his weapon.
 
It took several shoots but eventually the massive robot fell backwards, its chest plating having been destroyed and the circuitry inside reduced to junk.
 
"By the name of the two Moons," the Oltharian gasped. "What are they?"
 
"Whatever they are," the COO answered as he returned his tricorder to its hoister, "They are not alive. Some kind of machine," he added before he carefully made his way forward to follow the first robot which had vanished within the room.
 
Elan stared at the broken form of the invader, unable to reconcile what he had seen with Ensign Thomas' report. That creature had moved and responded to their presence, whatever purpose had been behind their actions the CEO could not dismiss these machines as not having been alive.
 
"NOOOO!"
 
An icy chill swept through the Oltharian's soul as he identified the source of the desperate plea - Doctor Summers. Without thinking Elan rushed into the room, passed Ensign Thomas and stop to see not one but rather two more of these metallic monstrosities. The nearest one halted its progress and turned towards the Oltharian whose white eyes had locked onto the further one, its weapon trained onto the form of the ANUBIS' CMO. While on the debris filled floor Doctor Summers scrambled as best she could to escape the inevitable - the next shot would not miss as the previous ones had.
 
His own safety having mattered not, the Oltharian Engineer rushed as fast as he could and forced his way past the nearest robot to tackle the second and insure that his attack would not only fail but that any subsequence assault would be directed onto him.
 
"Elan!" Elliot exclaimed as he watched the CEO perform a move that could have only been classified as reckless. Before the robot that the Oltharian had forced his way by could react, the COO opened fire, this time his phaser having been set at maximum power. Despite the weapon's setting Ensign Thomas still had to fire multiple times to down the imposing dark humanoid.
 
With two of these robots down, the COO turned his attention onto the one that the Oltharian had decided to fight at close-range. Because of the proximity of the Engineer, Ensign Thomas hesitated in firing his weapon once again for fear of injuring the gentle giant. As the battle progressed though Elliot had to admit to himself that the term*gentle* had not suited the CEO for the time being.
 
Like two titans, the Oltharian and robot had taken hold of each other's arm and attempted to gain advantage through sheer force. The battle raged for several seconds without either side having taken a clear advantage, that was until Elan tripped over a piece of debris. Immediately after this the robot had reached for the giant's throat, the CEO's hands having quickly moved to grab the creature's hand in an effort to pry the tightening fingers from his flesh.
 
"ELAN! NOOO!" Doctor Summers pleaded, her voice filled with fear and sorrow.
 
The Oltharian closed his eyes and summoned every ounce of strength at his disposal in order to rip the robot's hand apart. The metallic monster took a single step back to analyse and adapt to the situation but that had been more than enough to allow Ensign Thomas to act. A third volley of phaser fire filled the room and downed the last of the attackers to the CMO's unbridled joy.
 
The COO smiled as he watched Doctor Summers rush to the Oltharian's side so that she could hug him. Alas that smile vanished when Ensign Thomas heard the sound of metallic footsteps behind him. As he turned he noted not one, not two, but three more of these robots standing in the corridor, each one of them with a hand-held weapon pointed at him.
 
When the air became filled with the sound of weapon fire the Chief of Operations simply took in a deep breath and readied himself for the end.
Slowly Elliot pried a single eye open to investigate what had happened, not having felt any of the pain or discomfort he had anticipated to accompany his death. Instead of the three standing robots in the corridor, the COO saw their broken forms scattered about before a group of Marines rushed inside the room.
 
Once satisfied that the area had been secured the Marines left the room as quickly as they had moved in to allow the ILO to take over.
 
"Thank you," Doctor Summers tearfully offered to the Intel Operative and her team.
 
Enaii glared at the CMO before she moved closer to the kneeling Doctor who nervously stood as the ILO approached. Doctor Summers had expected some sort of reprimand for having acted as she had, but never had she imagined what came to pass. With the speed of a striking cobra, the Intel Operative unleashed a single straight punch against Lea's jaw which sent the CMO flying onto the floor next to the Oltharian.
 
Also in the same heartbeat the ILO turned her enflamed eyes onto the COO. "What are you doing here?"
 
"We have managed to link the ANUBIS' transporter to those of the LANCELOT," Ensign Thomas replied, half wishing he could get away from the ILO and half worried what she would do if he actually moved.
 
"Sergeant," the ILO firmly stated as she moved away from the ANUBIS' Chief of Operations. "Proceed to Main Engineering, stay alert, they know we are here."
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette

Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn

Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS

And

Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P056: USS ANUBIS: Thomas: Day 3 - 1435 ("The Transporters")

#####
"The Transporters"
[Previous post: "Uneasy Conscience" written by the caring and helpful Tiffany Rose.]
#####

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 14, Transporter Room 7
Stardate: 63072.1435

Elliot turned to face the Otharian.  "I'm keen to get going." ET stated in an eager tone then continued talking as he walked towards the doors to the transporter room "OK friend, it looks like its just you and me on this first trip, lets make it a good one."

The Lieutenant looked at the COO then smiled and stated "Meet me here in 2 minutes and be ready to go, and Ensign when I say 2 minutes I mean 2, OK."

"Yes sir I hear you, 2 minutes to be on the transporter pad, understood." Elliot replied.

The Chief Operations Officer came running back into the Transporter room, then punched the air and said fervently "Yes!".  Ensign Thomas wanted to be back before the CEO and when he saw the room empty he could not hold his feelings, and as he turned to wait for the Chief Engineering Officer to come back he realised that he was not alone after all.

"Ensign, I take it you are ready to go." the Lieutenant said smartly as he got to his feet then continued "I decided to have a seat while I waited on your return, however now we're ready can you set the transporter to beam us across then set the transporter to initiate a beam-back protocol every 5 minutes."

As Elliot walked towards the transporter controls he replied sheepishly to the CEO "Yes sir, I'll do that right now."  ET worked on the controls with ease, pressing and waving his fingers over several different areas of the transporter console, and then he stated in a confirming tone "we're ready, 15 seconds to get onto the transporter pad sir."

The CEO and Ensign Thomas walked onto the transporter pad, then stood and waited for the transporter to energise.  Just before this happened the Elan turned towards Elliot and said in an authoritative tone "have your phaser on the ready and I would advise that you have set it to heavy stun, just to be on the safe side." 

The Ensign was exactly correct in his timing, 15 seconds and they disappeared from the USS ANUBIS transporter room 7 pads, and materialised on the transporter pads of the USS LANCELOT.

=====
Setting: USS LANCELOT, Deck Unknown, Room Unknown
Stardate: 63072.1438

Elliot and Elan could not believe what they saw when they appeared, the wreckage was far beyond what they had imagined, fires that had obviously burnt out, beams and walls with holes that were wide enough for them to look through and sometimes walk through. 

"Ensign, the first part of our mission is to find out what part of the ship we are on then to we need to get to Engineering to see if we can get any controls up and running again." the Lieutenant authoritatively stated.

=====
Craig Mitchell

Ensign Elliot Thomas.
Chief Operations Officer.
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

[The Universe is a huge place, but you always seem to meet someone you know just around the corner.]
OLD-P055: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 3 - 1420 ("Uneasy Conscience")

=-=
"Uneasy Conscience"
[Previous post: "Reality Check", written by the soon to be sorry Marissa]
=-=

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Jefferies Tube
Stardate: 63072.1420

How could anyone be *that* cold? To be part of Starfleet implied a certain respect for life, even a desire to protect it. It was true that not everyone followed this dogma like the Oltharians, but even the Vulcans with their logic appreciated life. The way ILO had justified her actions, Enaii stood at the opposing end of another galaxy when it came to the respect of life. Dealing with the dark side of Intel meant that a certain part of one's humanity had to be sacrificed for the greater good. It had been impossible for anyone to see the horrors hidden beneath the surface and not be affected.

Still, the ILO had displayed *no* compassion for the injured crewman. Had Lea not been there, the CMO had been certain that Enaii would have simply shot the man dead. There had been no way for him to walk, and the Marines had not been sent here to play nurse, so he had been written off as a hopeless cause

The more Lea thought about this the more the CMO found it impossible for her to continue on. That crewman had been alive and deserved help, or at the very least to not be alone to face the advancing invading force.

"Doctor! Keep up!" The ILO snarled to the CMO who had taken a moment to catch her breath.

"I'm feeling dizzy," Lea said.  "I need to take a moment, go ahead I'll catch up."

The CMO heard the ILO mumble something under her breath as she pressed on with all of the Marines behind her. If Doctor Summers wanted to stay behind, she could do it alone. Under normal circumstances Lea might have felt hurt by this, having been left alone, but not this time. Being alone had been exactly what she had wanted.

The moment Enaii and the Marines vanished from sight, the CMO turned and headed back the way they had come. The ILO had followed her conscience as dictated by her training, and Doctor Summers had no other choice but to do the same.

=-=
Setting: USS LANCELOT, Room
Stardate: 63072.1430

Lea found the stunned crewman as the ILO had left him and immediately began to think of a way to see to his safety. There had been no way that he would be able to move on his own, even if he had not been stunned. This left the CMO with the task to drag him to somewhere safe, or so she hoped. The sound of the metallic footsteps had grown closer, too close for Lea's liking, but she was not going to sacrifice this man.

As fast as she could the CMO pulled the man behind a pile of debris to hide him from the advancing invaders. It had actually been fortunate for him to have been stunned so as not to feel the pain from her actions. It had taken several minutes for Doctor Summers to reach her intended location. Even as the footsteps drew increasingly closer, Lea continued to attend to her patient, also cursing the ILO as she did so. If Enaii had killed him the debate would not have surfaced and the CMO would not have returned to die.

When the sound of the footsteps suddenly stopped, Lea carefully looked up over the debris. Her heart stopped as her eyes met a single scanning red light atop what seemed like a nightmarish metallic giant.

She would have to fight, or at the very least defend herself, for both their sake. By the time Lea's hand had found her phasor the metal intruder had already raised his weapon and pointed it directly at her. The machine possessed no conscience and Lea could tell that, like Enaii, it would not hesitate to act as it believed to be right

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P054: USS LANCELOT: Lopez: Day 3 - 1400 ("Reality Check")

-=-=-
"Reality Check"
[Previous post: "The Lesser of Two Evils"]
-=-=-

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Sickbay
Stardate: 63072.1400

Images of her parents filled Adriana's thoughts and reflected off the near perfect darkness around her.  She had joined Starfleet to travel the universe and seek clues as to her past, to search for hints as to her sister's present, but never had she expected to be made to face the final chapter of her own future so quickly.

The inexperienced Ensign had done everything that her training had prepared her for, but it had been much too little to be of any significant help to the members of her crew.  The attack had been too quick, too vicious to truly give the LANCELOT any real hope of survival, and now the aCMO struggled to remain calm and not give into her fears.

Adriana forced her eyes closed in a futile attempt to ignore the countless white sheets that had been draped over those who had not been as fortunate as she, not that the Ensign currently considered herself lucky.  So far her efforts to find another living soul had been met with no success, the aCMO having taken upon herself the unpleasant task to bring all of her fallen comrades back to a more suitable and final resting place.

"You have to keep your wits about you," the Ensign told herself in an effort to calm herself and ward off her growing fears.  After graduation she had listed her choices for duties as having been in the medical field despite her training which had been in Counseling, this because Adriana had wanted to make her parents proud, especially her mother.  There would have been ample opportunities after this first mission to request a transfer to the Counseling staff, but for her maiden adventure Ensign Lopez had wanted to be a little closer to the action.  A desire, a wish that she now could not help but regret.

Maybe if she had selected Counseling as her preferred field right from the start she would not have been selected by Captain Morningstar to be part of the LANCELOT's crew.  Maybe if she had not so desperately wished to make her mother happy the Ensign would have been in another section of the ship, instead of here in Sickbay.  Maybe if she had done all of these things, the aCMO would have been beneath one of these white sheets instead of sitting on a bed, her knees held tightly against her chest, and her mind filled with unanswerable questions.

"Snap out of it," Adriana scolded herself.  "What would father say if he saw you like this?"

"He'd probably think that you're a disgrace to the family name."

Adriana's head snapped up to see an unclear image of someone she had not seen in so very long, something that she had missed for what had felt to be even longer, someone who could not have been there in front of her.

"Amanda?  That's impossible, you can't be here."

"I'm not," the vision replied in an amused way.  "You're the Counselor, figure it out."

Ensign Lopez stepped off the bed and moved closer to the hallucination of her sister.  "My mind," Adriana said, "My subconscious, it's trying to have me focus on something else, something important to me."

"Because if you give up on yourself, you also give up on me, and that's just not the way you are."

The Ensign stood in front of the sister that only she could see and hear, wishing with all of her heart that the two of them could lose themselves in the type of hug they used to share when one was in pain.  Many times they had felt this connection between them, something that went beyond biology, something that allowed one to know that the other had been in need.

"I won't give up," Lopez said before she turned around and picked up the medical kits she had used in her earlier searches of the ship. When the Ensign turned back her sister had vanished, not that she had ever been there in the first place.  "I promise, I won't give up, but I'm going to need to see a Counselor once this is all done and over with."

-=-=-
Marissa Montonera-Lombardi

Ensign Adriana Lopez
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS LANCELOT
OLD-P053: USS ANUBIS: Enaii: Day 3 - 1400 ("The Lesser of Two Evils")

-=-=-=-
"The Lesser of Two Evils"
Previous Post: "Linked"
-=-=-=-

Setting: USS LANCELOT: Corridor
Stardate: 63072.1400

The darkness of the LANCELOT's corridors felt heavy on their flesh as they quickly walked single file toward the Jeffries tubes and away from the explosion, completely oblivious to the proximity of robotic invaders they were moving away from.  They were headed for Engineering, the best place to make a stand and begin their assault on the invading forces.  If, that is, they could get there before engaging the enemy.  Enaii put their chances at far less than 50%, but she did not share her pessimism with the group.  Instead she forged on, in the lead of the group, followed by the Doctor, and a skilled platoon of Marines covering their backs.  Every now and then they would come across a body too mangled to be alive, Lea would scan them anyway, then continue her journey.  Ever since her fainting spell, the CMO had kept pace with the ILO, and graciously had remained quiet dispite the horrors they were faced with.  If the ILO had had the choice, she never would have brought the doctor along, it was all too clear the situation that they were coming in to, but she had also known that arguing with the Captain would have been futile and only serving to waste what time the crew of the LANCELOT still had.

As they rounded a corner, a pained moan filled their ears.  "Help me!  Somebody, help me!"  A Bajoran Ensign in a blue uniform pleaded.

Lea ran over to the injured man, though he seemed hardly more than a boy, and began to scan him.  "It'll be alright.  I'm Doctor Summers of the..."

"Lieutenant!" Enaii snapped before the CMO could betray the existence of their classified vessel.

"Of the Federation," Lea finished, having quickly recovered from her almost error.  "You're going to be fine, I just need you to relax.  Take a deep breath.  We've got you now," she soothed the patient like it was second nature to her as she began to scan him with her tricorder.  "Alright, you've got a few broken bones... three ribs, your wrist, your right femur and both of your ankles.  There's a little internal bleeding, but nothing that we can't fix," she assured the newly graduated former cadet.

"Doctor, can he walk?" one of the Marines asked urgently, "We can't stay here."

"No," Lea replied, "I'm going to need some help to move him, the bleeding is not so bad that we can't move him."

"Lieutenant Summers," Enaii hissed, "If he cannot walk, sedate him, leave him or euthanize him, but do *not* waste our time further."

"Enaii!" The Doctor protested as the Bajoran let out a most pitiful wail.  "Paying no regard to your warped sense of humor, I do not think it was appropriate to make such a joke in front of a clearly frightened young man!  We can't leave him, I won't leave him.  It's inhumane and it goes against everything I stand for."

The Operative's eyes narrowed, and in a split second she had raised her phaser and shot.  The red beam of light immediately impacted on the injured Bajoran's chest, and his body went limp.  "We cannot afford delay Doctor."  The coldness of the woman's actions felt like a bucket of ice water to Lea.  Nevertheless, the good doctor kept the brisk pace that the ILO set for them as they traveled further through the bowels of the ship.

"Enaii," she finally managed, her voice scarcely more than a whisper.  She had stopped scanning the corpses of those clearly dead as they moved past.  "What setting was your phaser on?  You didn't..." the CMO's voice trailed off.

Opening the hatch into the Jeffries tubes, the ILO glared and tilted her hand so that the woman could see the top panel of her phaser.

Lea breathed an audible sigh of relief.  "Thank you Enaii, for not...  I mean..."

"Do not thank me, I did him no favors by leaving him alive," the Intel Liaison snapped.  "Those aliens will do far worse to him than I would have.  Death would have been kinder."

The Chief Medical Officer's jaw dropped, "But why did you do it then?!?"  She could feel the tears building behind her eyes, but she didn't dare let them out.  How could this be part of anyone's job???  Much less her own.

Enaii followed the platoon leader into the Jeffries tubes as soon as he motioned it was alright to do so.  "Time is limited Doctor.  If I had killed him, you would have made a scene.  We do not have that luxury, so he will suffer.  It is the lesser of two evils."

"But how could you???"  Lieutenant Summers countered, completely overwhelmed by the events of the day.

The ILO stopped a moment and took Leah's chin into her hand.  Looking deep into her eyes, the doctor could see a twinge of what only Sabrina might recognize as compassion.  As it was, to those around her, she seemed as cold and calculating as ever.  "People like you should never be in these situations Doctor, it is why people like me were made, to make the hard choices when those with a conscience cannot."  With that, the Operative released the medical officer and continued on her way, never indicating that she had just revealed a part of her soul to the Doctor.

-=-=-=-
Author's name removed

Commander Enaii
Intelligence Liaison Officer / Acting ExO
USS ANUBIS

"The worst is over now, and we can breathe again...
There's so much left to learn and no one left to fight"
 ~ Broken by Seether feat. Amy Lee
OLD-P052: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 3 - 1410 ("Linked")

==========
"Linked"
(Previous Post was Ashley's "Guilt and Ideas")
==========

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.1410

The redheaded Commanding Officer of the USS ANUBIS had begun to pace around the Bridge her impatience and general lack of knowledge as to the situation onboard the USS LANCELOT having taken it toll.  It had been one hour since the away team had set foot onboard the derelict vessel and despite the fact that there had been an open channel the ILO had maintained radio silence, a decision that Captain Rikar had not been ready to overrule… at least not yet.

The good news had been that the Oltharian CEO had manage to bring the ANUBIS' transporters back online, a fact that unfortunately had not helped all that much since the interference generated by the GUMBARA Nebula had made it impossible to get any sort of target lock.  Trying to beam someone from the LANCELOT would have been like using a spear to catch a gold fish in an ocean of crude oil… on the other hand trying to send someone over ran the risk that they would materialize inside a wall, floor or into a section without atmosphere.

"Captain," the Shillian called out from the science station.  "I'm sorry, I have tried everything but there is just no way to establish an uplink with the LANCELOT's computer.  From what I have been able to gather their sub-space communication's array is inoperative, so we would need to establish a physical connection to have access to their computer."

It had been easy to see that the CO had been disappointed by the news, an uplink to the LANCELOT's computer would have made things a great deal easier in trying to figure out what had been happening over there.  Rikar eventually nodded her acknowledgement of the report and even forced a weak smile to appear on her pink lips… Maya had done her best, as she always did.

"Maybe we are going about this the wrong way," the Chief of Operations offered as he turned away from his work station for face the standing redheaded woman.

"Explain," Rikar demanded with a distinct tone of impatience in her voice.

"Even if we could establish a uplink with the LANCELOT's computer it is very likely that it would be of little help," Ensign Thomas explained.   "The ship has obviously suffered extensive damage and is would be reasonable to guess that the computer is in a similar condition."

"What are you suggesting?" The CO inquired while she hoped that the COO had indeed an alternate plan.

"The reason why we cannot use the transporters is because there is no way for us to get accurate sensor readings," Elliot stated.  "What if we were able to get the precise locate one of their transporter platforms?"

"That would, in theory, allow us to use our transporter system to beam to and from the LANCELOT without any danger," the Chief Science Officer confirmed, an enthusiastic grin having formed on her features… obviously the Shillian had endorsed the idea.

"We could ask Commander Enaii to locate one of the transporter rooms and hope that we can get an accurate set of coordinate from her signal," the CO offered somewhat reluctantly, the idea of breaking the radio silence with the away team not having been an appealing thought.  Aside from going against the ILO's standard Modus Operandi any attempt to communicate with the away team carried the risk of interrupting them during some crucial or potentially dangerous time.

"Actually Captain," the COO began as he tilted his head ever so slightly to one side.  "If we could set a line-of-sight uplink directly against the LANCELOT's sensor array, we should be able, in theory, to have a signal travel back to one of their transporters."

"The advantage with this would be that the LANCELOT's transporter would not need to even be operational," the Shillian added.  "Of course the draw back would be that there is no way for us to specify which transpoter room we would be utilizing as the signal would travel through the undamaged circuitry in order to arrive at *a* destination."

"It may not be perfect," the redheaded woman grinned, "but it is a plan, and it sure is better than us doing nothing.  Ensign Thomas, looks like you're heading back to Main Engineering… get Elan to help with the uplink and let me know the moment it is ready."

Elliot jumped out of his chair and made his way to the nearest turbo lift… apparently happy with the idea of working with the Oltharian CEO once again.

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Main Engineering
Stardate: 63072.1420

The moment Ensign Thomas had explained the plan to the towering Chief Engineering Officer, the two of them had jumped onto the task.  In mere minutes the COO had watch the Oltharian's fingers fly over the controls to not only locate the LANCELOT's sensor array but also establish a preliminary uplink.

"Nicely done big guy," Elliot commented… a little in awe as to the speed with which the CEO had accomplished the task.

"Thank you," Elan replied, his eyes never having left the engineering readouts.  "Now all we need to do is figure out a way to test the uplink and see if the transporter room we reach onboard the LANCELOT is a safe one."

"I believe that I can be of assistance on this matter," Annie, the ANUBIS' Avatar announced as she approached the two men.

"No," Elan promptly countered, the idea of risking his ultimate creation having been rejected the instant it had been proposed.  "We can send ROVER, or someone in an EVA suit," the Oltharian added.

"You of all people know that ROVER's sensors are not meant for this kind of work," Annie ever so calmly explained.  "Also it is clear that time is against us, so sending me over to the LANCELOT is the only logical option.  You can set the transport sequence to beam me back after one minute, that would give me more than enough time to obtain a detailed survey of the room and nearby areas.

It had been easy to see that the Oltharian had not been comfortable with the Avatar's suggestion, but despite his feelings Annie's logic had been irrefutable.

Before Elan could say something else, the Avatar interjected, "I appreciate your concern for me, but there is nothing to worry about… even if the room is open to the vacuum of space, I will return to the ANUBIS unharmed.  Your attention to details in my construction have insured this."

The Oltharian bowed with respect as he conceded the argument.

"Engineering to Bridge," the COO called out as he tapped his comm badge.

=/\= Go ahead Ensign, =/\= the Captain replied having easily recognised the voice of the Chief of Operations.

"Lieutenant Fairborn and I are proceeding to Transporter Room 7 to test the uplink," Ensign Thomas announced, the two men having already set underway with the Avatar immediately behind them.

=/\= How are you planning on insuring that everything is as it should be for a safe transport? =/\= The CO inquired, not willing to take more risks than they already had.

"Captain," Elan offered, the giant's voice echoed a level of concern that the Captain had seldom heard, yet she had also been able to detect an equal level of confidence and support.  "Annie has volunteered."

=/\= Understood.  Report back as soon as you have the results.  Rikar out. =/\=

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 14, Transporter Room 7
Stardate: 63072.1430

"You may energize when ready," the Avatar stated as she stepped onto the transporter platform, fear not having been part of the artificial woman's programming.

Ensign Thomas quickly took position at the controls and after having verified that the uplink had indeed been established initiated the transport.

Elan just stood between the controls and the platform, each second that passed doing so at an excruciatingly slow pace.  Annie had been right, she had been the logical choice for this test, still the Oltharian had wished that there had been another way, one that had not placed the ANUBIS' Avatar in direct danger.

"Fifty eight... Fifty nine... Sixty seconds… Energizing," the COO announced to the delight and terror of the Oltharian whose eyes had never left the platform from which Annie had been beamed away on.

The moment the Avatar re-materialized, she stepped down the platform and approached the visibly concerned CEO.  "Well done," Annie stated in a Vulcan-like manner.  "The transport was successful and the transporter room onboard the LANCELOT is secured."

Elan smiled as only an Oltharian of his size could.

"Perfect," Elliot chimed in before he reached for his comm badge once more.  "Ensign Thomas to Captain Rikar… it worked.  We can start beaming people to and from the LANCELOT.  We can set the transporter to initiate a beam-back protocol every 5 minutes, taking anyone on that platform back to the ANUBIS since communications are unreliable."

=/\= Perfect… Ensign Thomas, you and Lieutenant Fairborn are to beam over and see if there is anything you can do to help stabilize the LANCELOT or at the very least make it easier for us to get everyone off that ship ASAP. =/\=

"Understood Captain, Thomas out."
 
==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar
Commanding Officer
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501
 
"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light"
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P051: USS LANCELOT: Fanggot: Day 3 - 1400 ("Guilt and Ideas")

#####################
"Guilt and Ideas"
(Last post: "What a Fool")
#####################

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Corridor
Stardate: 63072.1400

====^*^====

Although seriously shaken from all she had already endured, the Kzinti kept pace with the rest as they continued down the corridor and away from the engineering room. The turbolifts weren't far, as the captain had noted, but Hex seriously doubted that they'd find much there but fried wiring systems like what she'd seen on the bridge. She didn't fully trust manually guided pods.

The bridge... just thinking of her ex-crew mate made the officer's stomach did a sort of flip-flop and crunched in on itself. Though she meant it as a good natured joke at the time, Hex kept thinking back to Aki's words while they were on the bridge.

[["Next time you discover missiles heading our way, try and give us a little more than a few seconds' warning."]]

How could that be possible? The Ensign barely managed to tell them when she did, extra time was impossible. Hex knew it was true and she held nothing against the Terran, but she held everything against herself.

What if she could have detected the missiles sooner? Would Drell have been able to move them soon enough? The Kzinti would never know. She mentally shook herself for going into her trance-like auto pilot. She might have been able to save them...

Everyone was surprised when the rhythmic banging that echoed throughout the ship resumed after the sound of the decompression.  Whatever had been out there in space trying to gain access to the LANCELOT, it had not been alone. There was something out there, and it didn't sound friendly. Could it really be pirates? Then, and idea struck her. What if the enemy didn't want to kill - only to maim. To weaken the ship and it's crew so that they could get to them easily.

It was possible, but a far-fetched idea that she was afraid to mention. Alas, her mouth betrayed her as usual and she ended up blurting out something anyway.

"What if they want us alive?" Hex said, turning a delicate pink when the eyes of the other three officers locked onto her.

"That would make sense..." Aki began, trying to think of something to say about her new found friend's outburst.

"Then why all the missiles? Six of those would have done us in easy." Drell noted, the look on his face either was surprise or grief, Hex couldn't tell.

"What if they had a secondary ship placed to intercept some of the missiles, to make us afraid or something..." Hex trailed of mid-sentence, he idea no longer seemed so good.

"Possible," the Captain replied, "but I don't think any ship would waste missiles just to scare a crew" he finished.

The Kzinti hung her head, dismayed that her idea was a bad one after all. They returned to focusing on the task of getting to the engineering room, and all was silent. The CSciO briefly put her hand to Hex's shoulder in a show of support before continuing her walk.

The fuzzball got lost in her thoughts, the captain was right about it being useless, but she couldn't think of any reason that their attackers would stay around after shooting the missiles. If their goal was to render the ship useless and crew hopelessly lost, it would have been done even if they only hit once.

Hex thought hard, the only reason a ship would stay after an attack that was so devastating was if they wanted something from the ship, but then why had they been trying so hard to render it to pure space trash?

Nothing was making sense, and she refused to offer her thoughts to the group again in case her ideas were shot down. The Kzinti couldn't ignore the feeling she had though, they were definitely coming to finish the job their missiles had failed to complete.

Concentrate, that's all she needed to do. Hex quickly followed the others down the halls, sighing with relief that her outburst seemed to be momentarily forgotten and hoping desperately that what was *more than 67% of the ship* that was currently opened to the vacuum of space, was no where near their next destination.

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanggot
Sec/Tac Officer
USS LANCELOT
OLD-P050: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 3 - 1318 ("What a Fool")

=-=
"What a Fool"
[Previous post: "Worse Than Expected", written by the always friendly Francois]
=-=

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Corridor
Stardate: 63072.1318

Lea had held her breath since that large explosion, her eyes as wide as could be. Fear had been all that the CMO could feel, the emotion having become almost tangible. The only sound she could hear had been a rapid pounding that made it impossible for the Doctor to even think.

In a terrifying moment the CMO lost control of her body and the tricorder slipped from her hand. Frozen in time the device hung in the air beyond Doctor Summer's reach until it fell onto the floor. Lea had not heard the crash because of the pounding in her ears, but the glare from the ILO had been enough.

So much anger, so much hatred, how could a single person hold such rage without exploding? The CMO had been used to seeing admiration on the verge of adoration from the CEO. To be on the receiving end of the polar opposite had been troubling to say the least. The ILO could have frozen plasma in mid air with those eyes, and Lea felt powerless to look away.

How could this have been possible? True the ILO had been the best in her field but she also held the role of mother and wife. Somewhere in that twisted soul there had to be the capacity for warmth, affection and love. Maybe time and patience had been required to pierce the woman's secrets, to open the door onto another person.

The pounding in Lea's ears had finally begun to subside, but the icy glare of the ILO had not changed. A Vulcan would have dismissed the whole thing as illogical. Anyone else vulnerable to emotions would have labeled Enaii as overly passionate. She had been a creature of extremes, likely hating with as much force as she loved.

The CMO felt her throat tightened, her lungs already having begun to scream for the air that had been denied. What powers did the ILO possess against everyone around her, what control did she exert over Lea? Could Enaii actually kill with a simple glare?

Lea finally gave in; there had been no sense in resisting the ILO's power, or her passion any longer. There had been only one way for the CMO to see just how deep Enaii's emotions ran, and if they were as deadly as the Doctor had imagined.

The pounding in her ears returned with a vengeance as Leaslowly, very slowly leaned in closer to the ILO. The moment their lips met the CMO experienced the full extreme that could be found at Enaii's core. The indescribable heat of passion, as well as the blood freezing chill of death, all wrapped into a single heartbeat.

Then silence and darkness, each in their absolute values of a peace that all sought throughout their lives and so very few found.

Seconds, minutes, hours, maybe even days passed before Lea opened her eyes to see one of the Marines looking down at her. The man seemed almost amused as he gently tapped the CMO's cheek.  "You fainted," he whispered as he helped the Doctor up into a sitting position.

Doctor Summers quickly looked around to see the ILO by the entrance of the room they had been in. Enaii had her back to the room and been several meters away. Lea looked down at her hand to see the tricorder still firmly in her grasp.

Hadn't this all started because she had dropped the instrument? Had this been nothing more than a dream? A nightmare born of chaos and fear?

Lea felt like such a fool.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P049: USS LANCELOT: Morningstar: Day 3 - 1350 ("Worse Than Expected")

###################
"Worse Than Expected"
[Previous Post Dawn’s "Echoes in The Dark"]
###################

<<People are made of flesh and blood and a miracle fibre called courage.>>
- Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Main Engineering
Stardate: 63072.1350

The Native American stepped out of the Jefferies Tube and into the LANCELOT's Main Engineering closely followed by Ensign Fanggot, Mitshiba and Drell. The group was quickly greeted, and as warmly as could be, by the Vulcan CEO who appeared to be the only one present in the room.

"I am relieved to see you all alive," Sartek announced unemotionally, the Vulcan Ensign having remained true to his heritage despite the fact that this had been the first contact with any other members of the crew outside of the Engineering Department since the missile had impacted against the CAVALIER-Class vessel.

"We are very *happy* to see you too," Ensign Mitshiba said in a teasing, yet heartfelt manner, not having had any issues about the display of *her* emotions.

"Are you alone?" The Klingon Flight Control Officer inquired while he glanced around the room which displayed extensive damage.

"Only five other members of the Engineering staff survived the attack," the Vulcan replied, his tone of voice not having wavered in the least. "We all have been busy trying to restore essential systems, but the damage to the ship has proven to be far too extensive for us to consider restoring primary power. The main computer is barely functional, working at only 18 percent, and we had to steal several component from the engineering sub-processors in order to bring it up to that point," the CEO reported then paused for a few seconds before he continued. "The sub-space transmitter was damaged beyond repair as were the emergency beacon and life support system. Internal sensors and communications are also inoperative, the only indication we were able to obtain as to the condition of the ship was to use the readouts on the emergency bulkhead deployment. More than 67% of the ship is currently opened to the vacuum of space, either directly or indirectly due to structural damage."

Erik took a moment to absorb the information that had just been relayed to him. As bad as he had expected things to be after having seen the extent of the damages to the LANCELOT the Native American had avoided to envision the situation having been this bad. Without a sub-space transmitter there had been no way for them to contact Starfleet, without life support it had been only a matter of time before the lack of oxygen and heat would mean their demise. Last but not least the extent of the damage to the ship had also meant that the LANCELOT had been unable to move in anyway, shape or form, leaving it to silently float while hidden inside a sensor-dampening nebula to be rescued.

"What about that last decompression we heard a few minutes ago?" The Native American inquired, his thoughts now more than ever in saving those members of the crew that had survived.

"Deck 15, Section 19, Starboard-Aft," the Vulcan Ensign reported after having verified his barely functional instruments. "It appears as if one of the emergency bulkheads failed, but since partial auxiliary power had just been restored, force fields were established to stop the loss of atmosphere."

"We need to get everyone together if we are to survive until help arrives," Morningstar stated, the look in his eyes leaving no doubt in anyone's mind that the Commanding Officer had not given up hope nor did he expect anyone else to do so.

"Can you restore power to the turbolifts? It would make it a lot easier to search the ship for survivors and bring them all together, thus conserving heat and power."

"Already done Sir," the Vulcan announced, "but due to the computer's condition the turbolift pod will need to be guided manually."

"Hold on," the Kzinti Ensign said as she took a step forward and held her right hand up. "Maybe I misunderstood you earlier, but didn't you say that internal sensors were not working?"

"That is correct," the CEO nodded.

"So how are we planning on *navigating* the turbo lift pod?" Hex continued, obviously having realized that this had been a major issue.

"We will have to rely on tricorder readings," Morningstar explained as he reached for one of the devices in question which had been resting on an engineering console.

"This should be fun," the CSciO offered sarcastically as she glanced to her Kzinti friend.

"Sartek," Ensign Fanggot snarled. "Do try to set the turbolift to *slow*. I would rather the trip took longer rather than for us to run into a collapsed tunnel or worse end up floating in space.

"I will do what I can," the Vulcan CEO acknowledged.

"Perfect," the Native American exclaimed, "Drell, Fangott, you two grab a pulse rifle from over there," the CO said as he pointed to an emergency weapons locker. "If we are dealing with scavengers, I want us to be ready to offer as much resistance as possible." 
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette

Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn

Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS

And

Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA

OLD-P048: USS LANCELOT: Mitshiba: Day 3 - 1320 ("Echoes in The Dark")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Echoes in The Dark"
(Cont. from "Hell Froze Over")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.1320

The first time they had heard the strange sound as it echoed through the ship, Captain Morningstar and the rest of the bridge officers just looked at each other, puzzled.  The idea that something might have hit them had been shared by all even though not a word had been spoken. When the sound was heard a second time, followed by a third, Drell decided to speak up.

"A meteor shower?" The Klingon FCO half suggested.

"Inside the GUMBARA Nebula?" Aki replied, "Not likely, plus the sound it too rhythmic."

"To be honest it sounds like someone or something is knocking against the outer hull of the ship," Hex said, the Kzinti having been ready to laugh at her own words had the situation not been so dire.

"Maybe it is whatever hit us before," the Klingon suggested, this time his voice had been far more serious.

"It doesn't make sense," the CO added.  "Whatever hit us, it did so with enough power in a single shot to rip to pieces an entire section of the ship and leave us crimpled.  I doubt that they would send someone to 'kick the corpse' after that."

"Could it be some sort of rescue?  Hex did report that there had been six missiles heading our way and that five of them suddenly vanished, maybe there is another ship out there," the CSciO suggested.

"It is possible that there is another ship out there," the CO said.  "The problem is that we have no way to confirm if they are here for a rescue or to finish the job.  We could be dealing with some sort of pirates who simply wish to salvage what they can from the LANCELOT."

"If so," Drell began with a growl, "they will likely not look sympathetically on having survivors getting in their way."

"Friend or foe we don't have much of a choice," Captain Morningstar continued.  "Our first duty is to restore some level of power to these systems, either to make a rescue easier or to be able to defend ourselves."

"Engineering?" The Klingon asked, not sounding overly happy with the idea of having to go into the Jefferies Tubes once again.

"Engineering," the CO confirmed as he approached the access panel and took point.

~~~~~~~~~~
Setting: USS LANCELOT, Jefferies Tube
Stardate: 63072.1335

The repeated echoes of the sound grew louder as the group ventured further into the small maintenance tunnels.  Without power this had been the only way for them to reach the Engineering department and any hope of restoring power to what had been left of the LANCELOT.

The CO had not wasted any time and had set a frantic pace that the three Ensigns had been lucky enough to be able to match due to their individual skills.  The feline-like anatomy of the Kzinti Security officer had made moving through these small passageways almost easy, while Aki's own physical training had made this seem like nothing more than a training exercise.  Possessing superior strength, Drell had also been able to keep up with ease, all too often hinting that the group could go faster if needed.

The echo through the walls of the LANCELOT grew louder as the group pressed on and left everyone with diminished hope that this had been some sort of rescue.  There had been something about the perfect rhythm that hinted to a sinister reason, a motive that the four Starfleet officers would do best to avoid at all costs.

~~~~~~~~~~
Setting: USS LANCELOT, Corridor
Stardate: 63072.1345

Although the trek through the Jefferies Tubes had been relatively easy for the four officers, the change of pace in having been able to walk upright had been a most welcomed one by all.

"A couple more decks are we'll be there," the CO said in an encouraging tone, doing his best to focus the Ensign's thoughts on the goal rather than on the pounding echo that filled the ship.

Just as Captain Morningstar spoke these words the light in the corridor came on.

"Well done Sartek," Aki cheered only to be thrown off her feet a few seconds later, like everyone else in her group as an explosion shook the entire ship.

"What the heck was that?  Did we get hit by another missile?" The Kzinti furiously demanded.

"That wasn't an explosion, but rather a decompression," the CO said, his experience in the fleet having made it possible for him to know the difference without having to rely on instruments.  "Apparently one of the bulkheads was destroyed, or weakened enough that the pressure blew it out into space."

"That means that there is now more of the ship open to space," Aki tearfully said as she tried her best to not think of this having caused more casualties on the LANCELOT.

"Let's hurry to Engineering, once there we may get a better idea of what is going on," Captain Morningstar said as he ushered the three Ensigns down the corridor with urgency.

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Chief Science Officer
USS LANCELOT
OLD-P047: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 3 - 1310 ("Hell Froze Over")

=-=
"Hell Froze Over"
[Previous post: "Getting to Grips", written by the dedicated Craig]
=-=

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Corridor
Stardate: 63072.1310

Lea stood in the middle of the deserted corridor, still unsure as to how she had arrived there. The last thing the CMO remembered had been sitting at the back of the transport craft. Quiet, her thoughts lost of things that mattered not. The next thing she knew Lt. Summers had been here, in a frozen desolate hell the likes of which she could not have imagined. As hard as the Doctor tried to recall how she had gotten here, all that she could focus on had been the here and now.

The red glow from the emergency lights only served to make the scene that much more unsettling. Stale cold air filled the CMO's nostrils and made her take a few steps back. This ship reeked of death and Lea wished that she had been somewhere else, anywhere.

The CMO's retreat was stopped when her back landed against one of the emergency bulkheads. Lea had not needed her tricorder to know that this had been the only barrier between her and open space. Despite its thickness the wall radiated a chill that made its way into the Doctor's soul. The only thing that had kept Summers from a full panic attack had been the lights on the Marine's riffles. Lights that rapidly moved away through chilling darkness as per the ILO's instructions.

A quick decision had been required; either Lea stayed put, alone, or she needed to catch up with those lights. As scared as she had been the CMO managed to get her feet moving to her great relief. All that had been left to do for the Doctor had been to regroup with Enaii and the Marines.

Nervously the CMO reached for her tricorder and scanned her immediate surroundings. Fourteen life signs registered on the small instrument, fourteen reasons for Lea to be thankful for.

=-=
Setting: USS LANCELOT, Corridor, other side of the bulkhead
Stardate: 63072.1312

The absolute cold of space did not bother them for they had no blood. The vacuum that embraced their metallic forms did not bother them as they had no flesh. The absence of any light did not bother them as they had no eyes. Yet the Imperians pressed on, their scanning red eye* seeing beyond the bulkhead in front of them.

Fourteen life signs registered on their internal scanners, fourteen reasons for them to continue on.

=-=
Setting: USS LANCELOT, Corridor
Stardate: 63072.1315

Lea suddenly felt a forceful hand land on her shoulder which caused the Doctor's heart to stop. It was only when the CMO saw to whom the hand had belonged to that her heart restarted.

"ENAII!" Lea gasped, "Are you trying to kill me?"

The ILO said nothing, but instead of the anger Lea had expected to see in her eyes, the CMO saw something else; concern.

"We are the only ones in this section of the ship," Doctor Summers said. The tricorder had detected only fourteen life signs, those of the away team, so they had been alone. The CMO believed this without question until a loud blast echoed throughout the deck. Like the hammer of a titan having impacted against one of the LANCELOT's walls.

=-=
Setting: USS LANCELOT, Corridor, other side of the bulkhead
Stardate: 63072.1317

Their weapons were designed to destroy living matter, to exterminate life in all of its forms. Their sensors showed fourteen targets beyond the large wall in front of them. So they would pound this structure until it gave way. The time it would take them to accomplish this did not bother them for they were ageless. To kill creatures bond by courage, one frozen in fear, or a wife and mother did not bother them for they were soulless.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P046: USS ANUBIS: Thomas: Day 3 - 1330 ("Getting To Grips")

#####
"Getting To Grips"
[Previous post: "Engineering Wonder" written by the talented and honest Francois Charette.] 
#####

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 22, Main Engineering
Stardate: 63072.1330

"Is there anything I can do to help with the repairs to the EPS conduits?" Elliot had asked with a puzzled expression as his thoughts were still on how the Otharian had known why he had come to Engineering to speak to him.

"Well Ensign, I've got people working on it at the moment, however I do believe you could help me here in Engineering so I can get what systems I have working running more smoothly," Lieutenant Fairborn requested then continued in a soft enquiring tone.  "I do believe you have a knack with programming algorithms for finding faults in consoles, well we are having problems with different sections of some of the Engineering consoles not responding at the right time or not at all, do you think you can help us with this problem?"
  
Elliot smiled then replied, "Mmm, I was going to have a lunch break," then paused and continued after a couple of seconds "I'm just pulling your leg, no time to have breaks, unless your looking for the Captain to break something for you if you don't get your work done on time".

The CEO smiled then gave the COO a pat on the back and said, "Thanks Ensign Thomas, any help we can get is much appreciated."

The Otharian had pointed out to ET what consoles he had needed looked at.  Elliot had worked on each one of them, running algorithm after algorithm so the consoles would run to the best of their ability considering the state of the ship and after about an hour there was no more that the Ensign could do in Engineering.

=====
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 22, Main Engineering
Stardate: 63072.1430

Elliot walked over to Elan and tapped him on the shoulder "Sir, I've done everything I can with your consoles and they are responding within the required parameters considering the shape of the ANUBIS."

"That is great Ensign, I'm still awaiting for an update on the EPS conduits, however as soon as we have them done I will inform you of when the extra power to the Array Section line-of-sight sensors can be expected, OK?"  Stated the CEO as he watched Elliot walking towards the double doors of Engineering to go back to his OPS station on the Bridge.

=====
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 22, Corridor
Stardate: 63072.1435

As Elliot walked the corridors towards the turbolift he could not help his mind wander, there were thoughts running through his head constantly, [[What if something has happened to Aki?  How will I cope if there has?  How will I tell the girls about what has happened if she has been injured or even...]] he stopped his thinking about the bad things that could happen as a tear started to run from his eye, then concentrated on his job while he walked into the turbolift.

=====
Craig Mitchell

Ensign Elliot Thomas
Chief Operations Officer
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

[The Universe is a huge place, but you always seem to meet someone you know just around the corner.]
OLD-P045: USS ANUBIS: Fairborn: Day 3 - 1315 ("Engineering Wonder")

###################
"Engineering Wonder"
[Previous Post Sabrina's "Soulless"]
###################

<<To believe that emotions are born of flesh and blood is a short-sighted view, one that robotic engineers have spend the greater part of this last century trying to disprove.>>
-Lt. Commander Eriksson, Robotics Engineering Concepts, Starfleet Academy

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 22, Main Engineering
Stardate: 63072.1315

The cold, lifeless warp core stood as a towering reminder to the Oltharian Chief Engineering Officer and his staff as to the state of the ANUBIS and the tasks that they all had been diligently working on for over an hour.  The warp core had been taken offline to permit some of the more crucial repairs to be done faster, a decision that Captain Rikar had not been entirely happy with, but one that she had agreed to based on the necessity of the repairs.
"EPS conduits on Deck 14 through 17 will need to be manually inspected," Sovek, the assistant CEO announced from the Central Control Island as only a Vulcan could.

"Number 3, 5 and 6 Ablative Armour Generators are still not responding and show power fluctuations," Lt. Grant, the second aCEO stated from the other side of the CCI while other Engineers came and went at a frantic pace.  "We may have to wait until we return to NEW ALEXANDRIA to complete repairs on them."

The Central Control Island, or *Pool Table* as many on the Engineering Staff had dubbed it, had always been a gathering place to discuss and report problems faced by the staff under the Oltharian's supervision.  In additional to being located in the middle of main Engineering, it could be observed from the deck above allowing for a greater number of Engineers to attend special meetings.  The holographic display on top of the small table also served to show sections of the ship or specific components with great detail.

"See if we can get some help from the Science Department to inspect those EPS conduits," the Olthairan offered, every single Engineer onboard the ANUBIS having been drawn into working on the repairs of the damaged systems.  Given their current situation Elan had been quite certain that Lt. Commander Maya would have been more than happy to have her people lend a hand.

"What about the generators?" Lt. Grant inquired, not having the authority to proceed with the only possible course of action.

"We do not have a choice," the Oltharian reluctantly admitted.  "Take those generators offline and have teams working on them move to the main deflector array, we are still getting some anomalous readings from the deflector dish.  I would not want to have to tell the Captain we cannot go to warp when she gives the order."

"Lieutenant Fairborn," a raven haired woman dressed in the grey colours of Intel began.  "I am still experiencing some odd feedback in my core processor, and suspect that it may have to do with the nebula's subspace emissions," the Avatar explained, her tone of voice echoed a calmness and serenity that the Oltharian had long ago learned to enjoy and admire.  Although the artificial woman had not held an official Starfleet rank, the Chief Engineering Officer still showed Annie the utmost respect and devotion; after all she had been a physical embodiment of the ANUBIS itself.

"I have two Engineers working on this matter as we speak," Fairborn stated while he added a soft bow, a show of respect that the Oltharian usually reserved for Doctor Summers or any other member of the medical staff.

"May I inquire as to when my internal sensors will be returned to active status?" Annie added, Lieutenant Fairborn having been ready to swear that he had detected a faint smile on the Avatar's lips.  "Not being able to know everyone's location onboard is like a Betazoids suddenly losing their telepathic powers."

Lieutenant Fairborn glanced down at the console in front of him and after having confirmed what he had suspected he returned the internal sensors back to active status with a few touches of his fingers.  Instantly Annie closed her eyes as she processed the wave of new data that she now had access to, and after a few seconds the Avatar re-opened her eyes, this time the smile on her lips as clear as day.  "Thank you Lieutenant Fairborn, now, I believe that Ensign Thomas is coming to see you about boosting the signal on the line-of-sight sensors located on the Array Section."

Just as the Avatar turned and began to move away Ensign Thomas stepped through the large double doors leading into Main Engineering and approached the imposing Oltharian whose back had been to him.

"As soon as the repairs to the EPS conduits are completed I will be able to channel extra power to the Array Section line-of-sight sensors, as per your needs," the Chief Engineering Officer offered to the Ensign who had stopped less than a meter behind him.  The Chief of Operations stared at the back of the giant unable to understand how Lieutenant Fairborn had known the reason for his visit.  The last time he had checked the personnel records, the Oltharian had not been labelled as possessing any telepathic abilities, which of course further troubled him given what had just happened.

--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette

Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS

And

Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P044: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 3 - 1250 ("Soulless")

==========
"Soulless"
(Previous Post was Dawn's "The Long Night")
==========

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.1250

Captain Rikar watched with interest as Ensign Thomas and Lt. Cmdr. Maya worked their magic to establish a communication's link between the USS ANUBIS and the USS LANCELOT.  The Chief Science Officer's earlier suggestion, as long winded as it might have been, had been exactly what they had needed.  The GUMBARA Nebula had wreck havoc with many of the ship's systems, and the pounding that they had suffered at the hands of the alien vessel had left the SCARAB-Class Intel ship weakened and humbled.

Although affected by the unique properties of the nebula, the IGC's highly specialized sensors had been able to give a picture of the LANCELOT's condition… as bleak as it may have been.  This had only served to stress the urgency in establishing a communications link and getting the transporter operational as fast as possible.

The redheaded woman's throat suddenly tightened as her eyes fell upon the life readings onboard the LANCELOT.  Although intermittent, the ANUBIS' sensors were able to get a general reading as to the number of people still onboard the crippled vessel.  The most current scan had revealed that only 90 or so of the original 300 crew had survived and left to ward off the second wave of the attack against them.

"Maya," the Commanding Officer began as he eyes narrowed and her finger moved to touch the small screen at the Science Station.  "Can you focus the IGC's sensors on that boarding pod?"

"Problem Captain?" Ensign Thomas inquired while the Chief Science Officer complied with the request.

"It just strikes me as odd that the pod would have landed on one of the decks open to space," the redheaded woman explained with puzzlement.  "I just have a bad feeling about this…"

==========
Setting: USS LANCELOT, Deck 15, Aft Section
Stardate: 63072.1300

As cold as the vacuum of space that surrounded them, the soulless Imperian machines made their way through the corridors in search of their sole reason for being… life… to be exterminated.  Heavy metal footsteps connected with the broken deck beneath them with an inaudible magnetic click while a single red light where eyes should have been tirelessly scanned the area.  An unforgiving grip held onto the blaster, the hand-held weapon ready to be discharged the moment a target would be identified.

The fact that their instruments had failed, due to the interference of the nebula, to take them to an area of the LANCELOT where life could have actually been found had been irrelevant.  The fact that their mother ship had been destroyed and that all onboard had ceased to function had also been irrelevant.  Only their prime directive mattered… to see the eradication of all biological infestations throughout the galaxy.
 
==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P043: USS LANCELOT: Mitshiba: Day 3 - 1245 ("The Long Night")

~~~~~~~~~~
"The Long Night"
(Cont. from "Like Putting an Egg Back in Its Shell After You Have Made the Omelette")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.1245

Captain Morningstar and Ensign Drell had left the Bridge via the Jefferies Tube to survey the ship and search for other survivors.  Aki and Hex had stayed behind to try and get communications back online, the CSCiO having reasoned that if there was emergency power, they should be able to get a distress signal out.

All of the work stations at the back of the Bridge had been gutted to provide the needed pieces to bring the science station back into operational mode.  Aki did everything to keep her mind busy but still every once in a while she could not help herself and her eyes fell onto the first aid blanket that covered the lifeless form of Ensign White.

Life seemed so simple back at the Academy, and space so inviting.

That had been one of the reasons why Aki had found it so difficult to truly find a home onboard the USS ANUBIS.  The ship had been designed to deal with the darkest possible elements of the universe and despite her willingness to do her best; her heart had never been there.  Still there had been one aspect of that assignment that had made it possible for her to stay, that allowed Aki to get up each morning and face the darkness.  That had been until that one day when she walked into the Black Hole to see Elliot with another woman.

From that point on Aki had vowed to leave and never look back, to get as far away from the darkness of her past.  Yet the CSciO could not deny the immediate need she had to feel someone's arms wrapped around her, to comfort her, to make her believe that everything would be all right.

"We can tap into the emergency power feed," Hex said, her entire upper body lost inside one of the access panels.  "But that won't give us nearly enough to get a signal out, especially while inside this nebula."

"Maybe we could try and get a sensor sweep of the LANCELOT," Aki suggested, it would have been a shame to see all of their work gone to waste.  "At least that way we could give Captain Morningstar a status report on our condition."

"Not going to happen," Hex said as she pulled herself out from deep within the open panel.  "The sensor components are fused, the best we might hope for is a visual scan of the ship's outer hull."

"That would be great," the CO said as he and Ensign Drell returned to the Bridge.  "We came across several closed bulkheads, so our investigation of the ship was rather limited."

"Let's see what we can do," Aki said as she leaned over the science station and tried to channel what little power they had managed to steal from the emergency system into the console.  Slowly a barely visible static filled image appeared, too small to see details on the hull, but clear enough to survey the extent of the damages.

"Ouch," Ensign Drell winced as the visual scan came upon the Aft-Starboard section of the LANCELOT.  "That would explain all of the bulkheads."

Seeing what she just had, Aki found herself now more than ever wishing that she had not left the ANUBIS and Elliot as she had, without truly having said goodbye.

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Chief Science Officer
USS LANCELOT
OLD-P042: USS ANUBIS: Maya: Day 3 - 1230
("Like Putting an Egg Back in Its Shell After You Have Made the Omelette")

---
"Like Putting an Egg Back in Its Shell After You Have Made the Omelette"
(Previous Post: "What Happened?")
---

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.1230
 
"You have to be impressed," the Shillian said as she studied the results of her research at the Science Station on the Bridge of the ANUBIS.

"Impressed by what?" The Captain asked, only too late having realised that she should not have opened the door to one of the infamous explanation from the Chief Science Officer.
 
"The damage potential of a single missile, like the ones that hit us, is about three times that of one of our quantum torpedoes, those aliens must have been using some sort of multi-phasic enhancing mechanism. I would have suspected the use of some dark matter but the ablative armour, or at least what is left of it, is not showing any signs of molecular distortion usually attributed to exposure to such an exotic element. The only disadvantage those missiles displayed was a much slower traveling speed, which was a good thing for the LANCELOT as it gave us those few extra seconds to have the USS ANUBIS get in their path, I mean they would never have survived had only half of them hit. That *we* survived is also impressive, I mean I cannot imagine any other ship in the fleet having been able to take the kind of pounding we did and still be here to talk about it. Well that is not entirely true, the SCARAB, SEKHMET and HORUS would have done just as well as we did being of predominantly the same construction as the ANUBIS. Had the alien sensors been able to detect us I would have been curious to see how many of those missiles they would had fired on us. The fact that these aliens fired six missiles against the USS LANCELOT only goes to show that they had not just intended to destroy the ship but to have it erased from existence. That is of course only a figure of speech, as some sort of temporal device or anti-time generator would have been required to actually *erase* a ship from the time line," the Chief Science Officer explained in what had felt to be a single breath.
 
"Do we have ship-to-ship communication?" Captain Rikar inquired her head still spinning but very glad that the Shillian Scientist had finally completed her admiration of the destructive power of the missiles that they had intercepted to save the USS LANCELOT.
 
"It will take some time to set up a narrow-band transmission beam to the LANCELOT," Ensign Thomas quickly replied before the Chief Science Officer could field the question and expose the entire Bridge to another overly detailed explanation of the cause for this problem as well as a hint to why the universe was as it was.
 
"You know," the Shillian Scientist began, having shifted the focus of her research onto the more immediate concern. "If we used the line-of-sight active sensor components located on the Array section, which was mostly spared from the damage of the missile explosions, and we add a calibrated harmonic resonance that is opposite to that of the interference generated by the nebula, we should be able to establish a stable communication link with the USS LANCELOT. Even if their communications systems are down, we would be able to communicate with Commander Enaii and the rest of our away team. This would also give us a platform to start working on allowing us to use the transporter system between the ANUBIS and LANCELOT."
 
Captain Rikar stared for several seconds at the Chief Science Officer while the Commanding Officer of the USS ANUBIS processed the information that the Shillian had relayed. As annoying as Lieutenant Maya could be at times, there had been other instances when the Scientist showed her worth, now if only she could do so with a few less words.

---
Jessica Solarik

Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P041: USS LANCELOT: Morningstar: Day 3 - 1200 ("What Happened?")

###################
"What Happened?"
[Previous Post Tiffany's "Medical Assistance"]
###################
 
<<Life is a mistake, an anomaly born from the chaos of nature. Ours is to correct this mistake and restore perfect order to the universe.>>
- The Imperian Leader

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.1200
 
The last thing the Native American remembered had been to order Ensign Drell to perform an emergency evasive manoeuvre in the hopes of getting the USS LANCELOT out of the path of the incoming projectile.  Without shields and with reduced manoeuvrability there had been little the CAVALIER-Class ship could have done.  Now all that Captain Morningstar could see was darkness, but at least the pain that coursed through his body pointed out to one certainty; he was still alive.
 
The Captain slowly pushed himself up from the floor while he ignored the throbbing of his muscles and the growing fear in his mind, his hands having found without effort dust and debris next to him.  Obviously the ship had been hit, and by the absence of any light or active console on the Bridge the extent of the damages had been severe.  For a brief moment Erik almost hoped that he had somehow been blinded, at least that would have explained the total darkness that he had found himself plunged into.
 
"Report," Morningstar demanded, at this point more concerned for the lives of his crew than the condition of the ship.
 
Faint grunts and moans began to fill the darkness and gave the Native American CO the renewed hope that other members of the bridge staff had survived.  A shower of sparks from one of the consoles granted the Captain a quick glimpse of the LANCELOT's command deck, a sight that he quickly wished he had not witnessed.
 
"Well," a shaken Klingon voice pierced the darkness, a voice that echoed the pain felt by the Native American CO.  "That could have gone a little better. OUCH!"
 
"Are you alright Ensign Drell?" The CO inquired as he continued to make his way to the back of the bridge to check on the other members of the staff.
 
"I will be Sir," the Klingon confirmed, any hint of pain or discomfort having vanished from his voice.  Injured or not, the FCO had duties and responsibilities to attend to, not to mention attempt to help the other members of his graduating class.
 
As the Captain navigated through the darkness he stumbled onto a soft form, one that responded with a faint grunt as his foot impacted against it.  Morningstar quickly dropped to his knees and scanned with his hands the form he had discovered, removing any and all debris as they were encountered.
 
"Are you alright?" The CO inquired, unsure yet as to whom he had been speaking to.
 
"I am Sir," Ensign Mitshiba eventually replied, the tone of her voice having hinted to the CSciO feeling slightly disoriented.  As Erik helped her up into a sitting position the CO felt the young woman's head turning from side to side as if she had been searching for something.  "Am I to gather that primary, auxiliary and emergency powers are all off line," Akira stated, this having been the only explanation she had been willing to entertain to explain the complete darkness around them.
 
"It would seem so," the CO reluctantly confirmed as this would greatly hinder their efforts to find and help the rest of the crew.  "Can you stand?"
 
"Yes Sir," Mitshiba replied before she pushed herself onto her feet and made her way to the Tactical station to investigate the condition of her friend Hex.
 
Just as the Captain had been ready to resume his search of the Bridge, the emergency lights came on to cast an unnatural red glow on the bridge and everyone in it.  However bad he had imagined the damage to be, the CO was quick to realise that it had been much worse and that there would be no hope of effecting the needed repairs to see the LANCELOT return back to EARTH on its own.
 
"Looks like Sartek is on the job," Drell announced with a sigh of relief, the restoration of the emergency lighting having been a good indication that the CEO, or a member of his team, had survived.
 
Akira also allowed a sigh of relief to escape as she found the Kzinti Ensign a little bruised and shaken but otherwise unharmed.  "Next time you discover missiles heading our way," the CSciO began in a humorous manner, "try and give us a little more than a few seconds' warning."
 
"I'll try," Hex coldly replied, obviously not impressed by her friend's attempt to lighten the mood.
 
As the gaze of the two ensigns traveled the rest of the bridge in search for the other members of the crew, the CSciO gasped in sheer horror, a feeling that the Kzinti woman immediately shared once her eyes fell onto the form of the Ops officer.  Several large shrapnel had somehow found their way loose during the explosions to end their flight into Ensign White, one of the larger ones in particular having embedded where her heart should have been.  There had been no doubt that the Ops officer had been beyond help despite the silent wishes of the other two Ensigns.
 
Instinctively Hex and Mitshiba closed their eyes and turned away from the troubling sight leaving the task of dealing with this to the CO and FCO.  This had been a simple exploration and research mission, so how could all of this have happened?
 
--==(/\)==--
Setting: GUMBARA Nebula
Stardate: 63072.1215
 
The crimpled form of the USS LANCELOT floated powerless in the emptiness of space surrounded by a cloud of debris.  The single missile that had avoided the daring and valiant manoeuvre of the USS ANUBIS had found its intended mark and exploded with a force the likes of which could not have been imagined.
 
The aft-Starboard section of the CAVALIER-Class vessel, which included two of the four warp nacelles, had been completely destroyed and left several decks wide open to the vacuum of space.  Emergency bulkheads had been closed to halt the escaping atmosphere but alas too late for a large segment of the crew.  Unfortunately for those who had survived thus far, they would now have to deal with the boarding pods that were only moments away from impacting with the weakened hull of the LANCELOT.
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette

Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
 
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS
 
And
 
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P040: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 3 - 1215 ("Medical Assistance")

=-=
"Medical Assistance"
[Previous post: "Impact", written by the super amazing Sabrina]
=-=

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63072.1215

Lea confirmed having received the Captain’s instructions. *Emergency Away Duty to the LANCELOT* the CO said, what did it mean? Transporters had been rendered inoperative during the battle, so the CMO would be alone with a simple task. Stabilize the injured until either their own medical team could help or they could be transported back to the ANUBIS.

The prospect of what Lea would find onboard the LANCELOT scared her. Not being able to save those injured had been a CMO’s greatest fear. Remembering that she would meet up with the ILO, Lea snapped herself back to reality. There had been no time for this.

The CMO quickly glanced around to see if everything had been under control and to give last minute instructions. In a matter of seconds Sickbay had filled and the response teams dispatched to every deck. So far though the ANUBIS appeared to have been on the lucky side as no fatalities had been reported.

Satisfied that her medical staff could handle the current crisis the CMO grabbed the nearest Medical Kit and headed for Shuttle Bay 1.

=-=
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Shuttle Bay 1
Stardate: 63072.1220

Lea ran into the Shuttle Bay, her medical kit in hand and her nerves already on edge. Instantly the CMO felt out of place, surrounded by Marines and having the ILO stare her down. Going to the LANCELOT to render aid had been one thing, to be part of an assault team had been an other.

Enaii said nothing but the look in the ILO's eyes said it all; stay back, don't get underfoot and especially don't get into any trouble. The Marines had been given the task to secure the LANCELOT, not to spend their time rescuing the CMO.

The Doctor nervously nodded her complete understanding, and even feared for her own life should she disobey. Lea's task had been to help in a medical way and to leave whatever combat they would come up against to the others. This had been an arrangement that suited the CMO just fine.

Onboard the transport Lea had managed to find a seat as far away from the ILO as possible. There had been no reason to get in Enaii's way even before this mission started. The CMO glanced at the Marines and their equipment, each one of them appeared ready to step into a small war.

In the rush to comply with the Captain's instructions Lea had forgotten an important point. What exactly had happened to the LANCELOT to demand such a reaction? Whatever it had been, the CMO knew that it would be the cause of many nightmares to comes.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P039: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 3 - 1130 ("Impact")

==========
" Impact "
(Previous Post was Ashley's "Trust Among Friends")
==========

Setting: GUMBARA Nebula
Stardate: 63072.1130

Due to the effects of the sensor dampening field of the nebula it had taken several more hours for the USS LANCELOT to arrive at its intended destination, the ship and crew not having wished to take any unnecessary risks. Like the detective that it had taken on the role of, the ship had slowly, carefully made it ways to the outer edge of the magnificent primal cloud which seemed to stretch into the eternity of space itself.
 
==========
Setting: USS LANCELOT, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.1135
 
"Ladies and gentlemen," the LANCELOT's CO began as he stood from his chair. "Welcome to the GUMBARA Nebula."

"Breathtaking," Ensign Mitshiba offered as she gazed with delight at the sight being displayed on the main view screen. The swirls of colours appeared as if they had been taken from someone's dreams and hung in the emptiness of space for all to admire.
 
"Targeting sensors are useless," the Kzinti Sec/Tac Officer added, her duties to the ship as well as her own personal inner turmoil having precluded the enjoyment that Akira had obviously embraced. "I doubt we would be able to detect an enemy vessel if it landed on the hull."
 
"We are here on an exploration mission," Captain Morningstar pointed out. "Ensign Drell take us into the nebula… quarter impulse… Ensign Mitshiba, begin a full spectrum analysis of the nebula… and Ensign Fanggot, see if you can find a way to bring our defensive systems back to some level of workability."
 
==========
Setting: GUMBARA Nebula
Stardate: 63072.1140
 
The grey hull of the CAVALIER-Class starship was dwarfed in comparison to the nebula's magnitude as it ever so slowly drew closer. In the vastness of space the GUMBARA Nebula had been only one of countless wonders, and the Federation vessel had been but an invisible speck against the tapestry of the universe… invisible only if one had not been specifically searching for what it contained.
 
==========
Setting: UNKNOWN (a dark room)
Stardate: 63072.1135
 
The large holographic display showed with some difficulties the Federation vessel that had arrived in the vicinity of the nebula. The flickering three-dimensional image pointed to the problems the electronic systems of this unknown race had encountered.
 
"Initiate life form scan," the cold, metallic artificial voice commanded, the same voice that had lead to the destruction of the USS ETNA and all other ships that had crossed this race's path.
 
The holographic image flickered even more for several seconds before an eerie red glow surrounded the form of the Federation vessel.
 
"Confirmed life onboard vessel," another voice announced, as cold and deadly as the first.
"How do we proceed?" A third voice from the darkness inquired… the purpose of this race having been set in their cold and calculating ways.
 
"Extermination!" was the only possible reply, one that would have spelled the demise of the USS LANCELOT and all hands onboard had it not been for one minor difference.
 
"Unable to lock energy weapons on target due to interference," one of the voices reported without any sign of disappointment or annoyance… in fact none of the voices displayed any type of emotion even in the smallest possible measure.
 
"Alter course to intercept and prepare to fire projectile weapons."
 
==========
Setting: GUMBARA Nebula
Stardate: 63072.1145
 
The unknown, alien silhouette moved increasingly closer to the Federation vessel, the research ship completely unaware of the danger that had been steadily creeping towards it. Like the predator that it was, the alien ship used the sensor dampening effects of the nebula to move in for the kill… unseen and unchallenged.
 
Even the cloud or elemental matter itself seemed to hold its breath as the alien ship moved into position to destroy the unsuspecting Federation ship, the crew of the LANCELOT all having been completely mesmerized by the Nebula's charms. All… save one.
 
==========
Setting: USS LANCELOT, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.1150
 
As per the Captain's orders, the Kzinti woman had busied herself to restore the LANCELOT's defensive systems. There had been no reason for the Federation ship to expect that another ship would be in this sector, and even less that they might hold some hostile intent towards them. Still Ensign Fanggot used every skill and knowledge she had obtained from her Academy training to get the tactical sensors back online.
 
Hex gazed at her console with puzzlement… surely what she had discovered had been an error… a malfunction. The sensors had been modified to such an extent that the Sec/Tac Officer had to consider the possibility that something had not worked as she had expected. Suddenly the readings changed and the Kzinti found herself with no other possible explanation… they had not been as alone as they had previously expected.
 
"CAPTAIN!" Hex called out with all due urgency, "picking up six missiles heading our way… impact in 22 seconds."

"WHAT?" The Captain gasped. "Shields!"
 
"Unable to comply Sir," the OPS officer reported, a distinct tone of fear in her voice. "The nebula's interference is making it impossible for us to form an energy field of any sort around the ship."
 
"Impact in 15 seconds," the Kzinti woman stated, a certain frustration having laced her words due to the inability to do anything to stop the inevitable. Then her voice changed, the frustration having unexpectedly been transformed into utter surprise. "I don't understand it Sir… all but one of the missiles just… vanished."
 
"Vanished?" Morningstar demanded with puzzlement, "How?"
 
"Sir," Ensign Mitshiba began, her eyes locked on the sight displayed on the view screen. "There is still one missile heading our way!"
 
==========
Setting: UNKNOWN (a dark room)
Stardate: 63072.1200
 
"Five projectiles exploded before they reached target," one of the artificial voices reported, still not a hint of emotion present where there should have been by any Human standard.
 
"Recalibrate sensors to find the reason for this," the voice of the unknown alien in charge ordered. "Prepare boarding pods."
 
==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.1200
 
The redheaded woman stood behind Ensign Thomas, the ANUBIS' Chief of Operations, her eyes trained on his console as he reviewed the status of the ship.
 
"The Ablative Armour managed to absorb the greater explosive force of those missiles… bio-regenerative hull is repairing whatever damage leaked through," Elliott reported with some level of general surprise. The move pulled by the ANUBIS had been amazing to say the least, but the battle had been far from over.
 
"Analysis of the explosions from the missiles shows that they held enough power to pulverise the LANCELOT… the attack was definitively not meant to incapacitate the ship but rather to see it reduce to space dust," the Shillian CSciO reported, the ship's specialized sensors having given the ANUBIS a distinct advantage in this battle.
 
=/\= IGC to Bridge, =/\= the voice of the ILO came through the comm channel.
 
"Go ahead," Rikar replied as she made her way back to the central chair.
 
=/\= They are attempting to find us. =/\=
 
"The Ablative Armour took one heck of a beating," the OPS Officer reported. "I would not recommend us taking on too many more hits like that last one. 
 
"Then let's not give them the chance," the redheaded woman snarled, this battle having lasted long enough in her opinion. "Bring us about and fire torpedoes… if at all possible get our pulse cannons also to bare… I want this thing on the *receiving* end in this round."
 
=/\= Engineering to Bridge, =/\= the voice of the Oltharian was heard next. =/\= Please keep in mind that the ANUBIS is in rather a frail state, we pushed the engines well beyond their designed limits and many of the power conduits are ready to blow without us getting pounded. =/\=
 
"Just get me enough power to fire our pulse cannons and torpedoes," the CO instructed, certain that the CEO would be able to comply with her request… Elan could always manage the impossible as demonstrated by their arrival at the GUMBARA Nebula more then 12 hours ahead of schedule.
 
==========
Setting: GUMBARA Nebula
Stardate: 63072.1210
 
The armoured form of the USS ANUBIS moved to place itself in optimum firing position, a tactic that the unknown alien vessel seemed to mimic… a manoeuvre that hinted to the ship having discovered the reason for their earlier failed attack against the LANCELOT. Like two warrior of old the two ships circled for position, victory likely going to the one that would achieve this first.
 
In the span of a single second both ships arrived face-to-face with each other and the emptiness between them filled with bolts of compressed energy, shimmering glows of torpedoes and streaks of missiles.
 
Once again the nebula as well as the universe as a whole seemed to hold their breaths as the destructive forces of the weapon's fire moved closer and closer to their targets. In a blast that matched the brightness of a sun, the two adversaries were hit with the full force of their opponent's arsenal.
 
==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.1211
 
The strength of the impact and subsequent explosions had been such that not a single officer had been able to remain at their station… like a giant tidal wave the shockwave had spread through the ANUBIS knocking systems and people out without discrimination.
 
"Report!" The CO demanded after a few seconds to regain her wits, the redheaded woman having found herself thrown out of her chair and onto the far stations at the back of the Bridge.
 
"Power fluctuations across the board… it is going to take a few moment to get systems back online," Thomas reported.

"I hate to put pressure on you Ensign," the Captain offered, "but it would be nice to know if this fight is actually over."

"Sensors are completely inoperative," the Shillian reported once she had managed to regain her seat. "The only sensors that might still be in working condition would be those of the IGC."
 
As if the ILO had been listening in on the conversation, Enaii chimed in. =/\= IGC online… target has been destroyed. =/\=

"Well done everyone," Rikar offered with a grin that filled her face. "Ensign Thomas see if you can assist Lt. Fairborn in effecting repairs to our primary systems.
 
The ILO interrupted, =/\= Sensors have picked up six crafts heading for the LANCELOT… power signature and shape suggest boarding pods. =/\=
 
"Can we destroy them?" The redheaded Captain inquired as she turned her attention back to the COO.
 
"All weapon systems are offline for the time being… I doubt that we would be able to even *lock* weapons on them, let alone fire," Elliott explained rather annoyed by the extent of the damages they had suffered. "Don't even ask about the transporters… we couldn't beam a flea onto a dog right now and the VIPER launch bays have no power."
 
The redheaded woman quickly debated on the course of action to take, given the more then restricted options at their disposal. Eventually though the CO opted for the only available possibility that held a chance to see the LANCELOT's crew saved.
 
"Bridge to IGC… Enaii report to Shuttle Bay 1... You'll be leading the Marines to counter the boarding on the LANCELOT," the Captain instructed before she continued in the same breath. "Bridge to Sickbay… Doctor your skills are required… meet with Enaii in Shuttle Bay 1 for emergency away duty to the LANCELOT."
 
=/\= On my way, =/\= the CMO replied not at all having sounded thrilled with the prospect of being part of the counter-boarding team.

==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P038: USS LANCELOT: Fanggot: Day 3 - 0623 ("Trust Among Friends")

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"Trust Among Friends"
(Cont. from "Scanning")
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.0623

Hex watched as different shapes and lights danced across the computer, but she was barely paying attention. Her dreams were becoming more severe every night and the Kzinti was beginning to wonder what could cause it. The Ensign's eyes drifted over to her crew mate Ensign Mitshiba. Worry seemed to radiate off her in small waves, and they were on target for the CSciO. Sighing deeply, Mrs. Fanggot wondered what could cause her newest friend to worry about her to such a magnitude.

Taking advantage of all the small bickers around the bridge, the Ensign made perfectly sure that her work was fine tuned before beginning to sink into a semi-conscious meditation. Only, the Kzinti was awoken from it only minutes later by the voices of those around her. Careful not to allow the color to show in her cheeks, Hex answered as best she could before returning to her work, realizing that not only Aki was concerned. Focus was what she needed, that and a brain.

Shaking her negative thoughts away, Hex focused on the work at hand, allowing herself to auto-pilot through everything. This was never a good idea, but the Kzinti thought that she may be able to remember the dream if given the right amount of time and energy. Luckily, she was very good at staying on task with her body while her mind was free to drift. The Ensign soon was deep into meditation again.

[[What in the world is wrong with me? I have people who care about me here and I'm worrying about all those who don't...]] Her thoughts stung like a whip and she cringed into her computer slightly. Hex wished more than anything that she could confide in someone, but trust was hard to form and even harder to keep. The Kzinti was very careful not to trust anyone anymore. Righting herself, she noticed a small bleep on her computer and inwardly groaned as she noted the reason and time. Great, she had been in this trance for over half an hour. The sensor dampening field was almost at them.

"Captain... we're almost there" Hex noted, wanting to huddle in a corner when she realized that she was stating the obvious.

The Captain nodded and pressed something on his computer that was obscured from the Kzinti's view, "Ensign Sartek, we'll be needing to slow it down"

=^= Yes Captain, I'll make it happen, =^= came the reply, obviously male.

The Kzinti relaxed slightly, hoping she helped in some small way, yet very much doubting that someone else wouldn't have made the same announcement if she hadn't. Chancing a look at the Chief Science Officer was a bad idea. The Terran was deep in her work, but Hex realized that her gaze would shift to her position nervously every once and a while. Though, when the officer locked eyes with the Ensign, she immediately looked away.

This was going to be a long shift...one that Hex hoped would end quickly. Although the Kzinti enjoyed having a friend, she knew that true friendship was based on trust, something that she wasn't entirely ready to give. The Ensign made a snap decision, making it a vow to herself, to trust her new crew mate. Not with everything... not yet, but maybe in time she could learn to trust her more.

Yes, it was definitely going to be a long shift...

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanggot
Sec/Tac Officer
USS LANCELOT
OLD-P037: USS LANCELOT: Mitshiba: Day 3 - 0620 ("Scanning")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Scanning"
(Cont. from "Morning")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.0620

The GUMBARA Nebula had still been two hours and 40 odd minutes away but the Chief Science Officer had already begun long-range sensor scans.  There had been a lot of data to gather and knowing that sensor efficiency would drastically drop as they approached, Mitshiba had not wanted to risk wasting any time.  Every now and then though Aki glanced at her friend and wished that she could turn those sensors inward and direct them onto the Kzinti who had remained absolutely silent since their arrival on the bridge.  Something had been troubling Hex, and in turn that had troubled Aki.

"Ensign Mitshiba, initiate long-range scans of the nebula," Captain Morningstar said unaware that the task had already been started.  "At this distance we should not get all that much information but this is a scientific research mission, so might has well start."

"Preliminary long-range sensor scan confirmed the data already on file for the GUMBARA Nebula," Aki said before she noticed that the Captain had turned to look in her direction with a pleased look on his face.  "We should be able to get more detailed information in a few minutes," the CSciO added as she tried her best to demonstrate that she had been in complete control of this part of the mission.

"We could ask Engineering to increase power to the engines and get there faster," Ensign White suggested from the Operations station.

"I would recommend against it," Aki interjected.  "The sensor dampening effect of the nebula will make things difficult as we get closer.  As the effectiveness of the sensors is reduced we should actually slow our speed down to insure that we do not get surprised by anything unexpected.  At higher speed our response time and maneuverability are greatly reduced so rushing half blind could prove dangerous."

The FCO turned; ready to make some comment about how he would be more than capable of avoiding anything that suddenly appeared in their flight path, but Drell's smile quickly faded as he reconsidered his thoughts.  Today had not been a good day having already physically run into a crewmate had verbally run into the CO.

"What do you think Ensign Fanggot," Captain Morningstar asked.  "Do you think we should increase or reduce speed?"

The question had been meant as a test, a way for the CO to see how each of his officer thought, instead though Captain Morningstar discovered that his Sec/Tac Officer had been distracted by something.

"Ensign Fanggot?" The CO repeated, a little concerned by the lack of response from the Kzinti.

"Hex!" Aki snapped in a whispered voice loud enough to draw her friend from whatever world she had lost herself in.

"Sorry," the Sec/Tac said in a very apologetic manner.  "I was verifying the impact of the nebula's dampening effect on our targeting sensors and got lost in the simulation that I was running."

"So my guess is that you are against us increasing speed," Captain Morningstar said.

Hex only nodded her head and quickly shied away from Ensign Mitshiba's glare, the CSciO not having accepted the Kzinti's explanation, at least not at face value.

"Then it's settled, Mr. Drell, continue on course at our current speed.  Miss Mitshiba, keep an eye on our sensor resolution and inform us when it begins to drop enough to warrant a reduced speed.  Everyone else, stay sharp."

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Chief Science Officer
USS LANCELOT
OLD-P036: USS LANCELOT: Morningstar: Day 3 - 0545 ("Morning")

###################
"Morning"
[Previous Post Craig's "Sleepless"]
###################
 
<<We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started... and know the place for the first time.>>
-T. S. Eliot 
 
Setting: USS LANCELOT, Bridge
Stardate: 63072.0545
 
This was the time of the day the Native American Captain enjoyed the most, where the universe as a whole seemed completely at peace, ready to reveal its secrets to those whose heart had been adventurous enough to see them travel to the stars.  Erik closed his eyes for a brief moment as he inhaled deeply, although this had been a routine mission, one meant to get the new Academy graduates some field experience, Morningstar still found the entire experience exhilarating.
 
With a touch of his finger the Native American instructed the computer to begin recording.  "Captain's Log, Stardate 63072.0550.  The LANCELOT is 3 hours away from the GUMBARA Nebula and thus far everything is as it should be.  The new graduates are getting acquainted with the ship's systems, their duties and most important, with each other.  So far I think that we have a fine crew, an observation that was confirmed by my First Officer, that alone is worthy of mention.  The first real test though will come once we arrive within the sensor dampening field of the nebula.
 
With another press of the controls the Captain ended his log and shifted his attention to the officers that surrounded him, their shift being only minutes away from being completed.  Morningstar grinned as the doors to the turbolift opened and the officers who formed the next shift walked in.  They were all bright and eager new Ensigns, each one fresh from the academy and ready to prove themselves in their respective fields.
 
"Good morning Captain," Ensign White, the Chief of Operations offered as she led the pack out of the turbolift.
 
"Finally," the Klingon FCO chimed as he made his way to the Flight Control Station.  "I've missed being at the helm of my ship."
"*Your* ship Ensign Drell?" The Captain countered with almost instantly upon having heard the FCO's words.
 
"Drell has already claimed several corridors of the LANCELOT as his," Akira chuckled as she recalled her earlier run-in with the Klingon FCO.
"Is that so?" Erik inquired as he looked back at the LANCELOT's Chief Science Officer.  "Should I relinquish command now or wait until Mr. Drell claims the parts of the ship that he has not yet had time to?"
 
The Klingon FCO had grown increasingly nervous as the conversation progressed.  His words had been ill chosen but they had not been meant in anyway to challenge the Captain's authority onboard the LANCELOT or as the Commanding Officer of the crew.
 
From the Tactical station Ensign Fanggot simply grinned as she watched the imposing warrior try to make himself as small as possible.  It had been easy to see that Captain Morningstar and Ensign Mitshiba had been teasing the Klingon, but Hex could not find it within her to join in on the joke.  Instead the CSciO busied herself with various duties in preparation for their arrival at the GUMBARA Nebula.
 
Once Drell saw the amused expression on the Captain's face the Klingon FCO relaxed a little and focussed on his responsibilities while at the same time making a mental not to never again claim the LANCELOT, or any part of it, as *his*.
 
With the mood on the Bridge having returned to a more professional one, Akira turned her attention onto the Tactical station and the Ensign manning it.  Ensign Mitshiba could clearly recall the sounds she had heard from Hex's quarters much earlier that morning, but it was clear that the Chief Science Officer had not been in the mood to talk about it.  The Kzinti woman seemed to have summoned up every shield and defensive measures around her, the reason for this still a mystery to all.
 
Maybe during one of the quiet times in this mission Akira would be able to approach her friend and have her share her thoughts and feelings.

--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette
 
Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS
 
And
 
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P035: USS ANUBIS: Thomas: Day 3 - 0300 ("Sleepless")

#####
"Sleepless"
[Previous post: "Awake And Alone" written by the brilliant and ladder climbing Tiffany Rose.]
#####

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Elliot Thomas's Quarters
Stardate: 63072.0300

Elliot was restless tonight and awoke a number of times, and when he could sleep no longer he decided to get up.  He paced the main room of his quarters quietly for what seemed to be hours, however after looking at a clock he realised he had only been up for about 25 minutes.  The COO walked over to the replicator, and requested an "Iced glass of lemon water", then took the glass and sat down on the black soft three seater sofa and put his glass onto the oval table and looked out the window, he was feeling very emotional about this mission that they were now on.

"Dad," came a voice from the door on the left nearest to where ET sat.

Elliot looked up startled as he saw he had woken his oldest daughter, "I'm sorry Sam did I wake you up?" the Ensign said in a soft spoken voice.

"Well kind of," she replied emotionally then continued. "You have not been sleeping well Dad and tonight has been the worst night yet.  This all seems to have started when Akira left, why don't you just tell her the truth and then things can go back to how they were before.  Well that's all I'm going to say, well that and try getting some sleep Dad, goodnight."

ET looked at his daughter as she walked back to her door when he called quietly after her, "It's not quite as easy as all that Sam, but I will promise you that next time I see Aki I will sit down and speak with her OK?"

Sam winked at her father with a smile on her face then walked back into her bedroom.  Ensign Thomas lay down on the couch and could feel himself slowly drifting off to sleep again.

{= = = FLASHBACK = = =}

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Black Hole
Stardate: 61097.1935

Elliot took a drink of his hot chocolate as he relaxed back in the Black Hole crew lounge, he had already ordered a Sake for Aki.  He was feeling quite tired after a busy day at work.  While relaxing, a tall attractive dark haired lady came over and sat down, Elliot looked at the woman puzzled he did recognise her but could not place where from, he was about to say something when she leaned over and gave him a kiss.

The doors to the Black Hole opened and Ensign Mitshiba entered, she scanned the room to see if ET had arrived yet, when she could not believe what she saw.  With a tear in her eye Aki turned around and walked back out, she headed to Ensign Thomas quarters to pick up her belongings that she had left there for the evening.

{= = = END FLASHBACK = = =}

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Elliot Thomas's Quarters
Stardate: 63072.0700

Again Elliot awoke, this time with a fright as his youngest daughter had shouted at him angrily "*Dad*, can you not hear your alarm to get up, I can hear it from my room".

Ensign Thomas tried to wake himself up after he had turned his alarm off and thought about what this new day had in store for him.  The Captain had explained why they could not contact the USS LANCELOT, but the thought of not seeing Aki again was killing him, he knew that he had to get the power to all the transporters immediately after dropping out of Transwarp if they were going to save as many of the USS LANCELOT's crew as possible, and especially saving Aki.

[[First priority, I have to get the power to align to all transporters at the right time, just when we drop from Transwarp, so we are ready,]] ET thought to himself as he left his room to go to his station and start work.

========== 
Craig Mitchell

Ensign Thomas
Chief of Operations. 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

[The Universe is a huge place, but you always seem to meet someone you know just around the corner.]
OLD-P034: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 3 - 0530 ("Awake and Alone")

=-=
"Awake and Alone"
[Previous post: "Unexpected Tears", written by the hilarious Dawn]
=-=

Setting: USS ANUBIS, CMO's Quarters
Stardate: 63072.0530

It had taken some convincing from the rest of the medical staff, but Lea had finally agreed to get some rest. Some had suggested that the CMO go back to her quarters and celebrate with a drink. Once the Doctor had walked into her quarters though, the bed had been the only desired destination.

Given how tired she had felt Lea had expected to fall asleep even before her head had touched the pillow. Six hours or so later the CMO had managed to doze off for maybe half that time. Looking at the stars as they rushed by her window or listening to music had not helped. At one point Doctor Summers had even considered going back to Sickbay but quickly decided against it. Lea had not put it past the medical staff to sedate her before security brought the CMO back to her quarters.

A sigh escaped from the Doctor as she lay on her bed. Too many things had been running through her mind for the CMO to get any real rest. Her promotion to full Lieutenant, the upcoming confrontation against an unknown adversary and Elan's music had all been there in her thoughts.  Added to this her own feelings of uncertainty had left the CMO wishing that she had not been in her quarters or alone. Then again, being alone had certain advantages.

On the Bridge with Captain Rikar, Lea would have likely been busy thinking about their mission. Scenarios about what they might encounter would have stressed the CMO to new heights. With Maya or Elliot, the Doctor would have likely been swept into some sort of discussion about something that would have made Lea long for solitude. The simple though of one-on-one time with the Oltharian caused Lea to tremble. Either she imagined Elan being too busy with his work or the two of them sitting side by side in absolutely silence. In both cases Lt. Summers would have regretted having gone to see the CEO.

This left Enaii, the ANUBIS' ILO, a woman as cold as ice and as fierce as a dragon. Just being in the same room as the Intel agent had been enough to make the CMO nervous. The silent demeanor of the woman hinted to unspoken horrors that were best left undiscovered. That thought alone had been sufficient to make the CMO thankful for her current situation in her quarters.

Lea's thoughts slowly returned to the stars visible through her window, and from there onto the LANCELOT. With Elan in Engineering there had been little doubt that the ANUBIS would arrive ahead of schedule. With Maya manning the science station, it had been a forgone conclusion that they would find some weakness to exploit. With Elliot at Operations, the ship would be made to be ready to tackle all worst-case scenarios. With Enaii overseeing the action, it was easy to imagine the ILO suggesting some devious method to end their conflict before it had started. This left Captain Rikar to bring everything smoothly together with some well timed orders.

The CMO smile weakly. All that would be left for Lea and her staff to do would be to attend to a few cuts and bruises. Any treatment for shock would likely be brought on because of the swift intervention of the ANUBIS, not an unknown attacker.

For the first time Lea felt at peace and confident as to what would soon come to pass. There had been no reason for concerns; everything had been taken into account. The ANUBIS had been the best ship with the best crew, so there had been no cause for worries.

Lea sighed once again, this time as her body allowed itself to fully relax and accept the tender embrace of sleep.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P033: USS LANCELOT: Mitshiba: Day 3 - 0515 ("Unexpected Tears")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Unexpected Tears"
(Cont. from "Patience")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Corridor
Stardate: 63072.0515

To say that Aki had slept would have been a huge overstatement, the excitement of being once again on a ship had simply been too much for the Ensign to control.  So after a quick sonic shower the LANCELOT's CSciO decided on going for a jog through the empty corridors of the ship.  Despite being in space, most Federation ships still functioned using the idea of night and day, altering the ambient light to reflect this.

Aki would have preferred to go back to the holodeck and do something more physically demanding.  The problem had been that officers received a specific time allocation for the use of the holodecks, so Ensign Mitshiba had thought it wise to save her time for later.  Aki hoped that the jog through the partially sleeping ship would be sufficient to work up a sweat and clear her thoughts.

Deserted and dimly lit, the corridors of the LANCELOT appeared as if they had been taken from someone's dreams, a sensation that actually caused Aki to gradually change her simple jog to a full out run.  The corridors had after all been deserted, so there had been no harm in the CSciO to pick up the pace.

Suddenly everything went back.

~~~~~~~~~~
Setting: USS LANCELOT, Corridor
Stardate: 63072.0525

Aki forced her eyes open and tried as best she could to understand why the ceiling had been directly in front of her.  As the cobwebs in her mind gradually cleared, Ensign Mitshiba felt the hardness of the floor pressing against her back.  How had she managed to get into this position?

The answer came in the form of the FCO's face as he looked down onto Aki.  "Are you all right?" Drell asked looking rather amused.

"I'm not sure," Aki replied as she began to become aware of the aches and pains of her body, not to mention a couple of tears that had reached her cheeks.  "Feels like I hit a wall," she added out of breath.

"I guess it would depend on your definition of *wall*," the Klingon FCO said with a grin.  "You ran into me."

"That would explain the oddly placed lumps on my head, and why I feel like my stomach is in my heels," Akira said with a soft chuckle as she felt the lumps in question with her fingers.

"Do you need me to contact Ensign Dollaress?" The FCO asked, thinking that maybe Aki needed to see the ship's CMO.

"I'll be fine," Aki said with certainty.  "The last thing I need is to have her report to Captain Morningstar that I was knocked out after running into you.  I would like for him to think that I am a little more solid than that.

Drell laughed and helped Aki to sit up against the nearest wall.  "I have to go, will you be alright?"

Ensign Mitshiba nodded.  It would take her a few minutes, but in time she knew that everything around her would stop spinning.  Aki motioned for the Klingon to go and to leave her, which Drell eventually did. Once again alone in the corridor, the CSciO closed her eyes and took a moment, the impact with the FCO having been rather brutal.  Soon a strange sound drew Aki's attention back onto her surroundings and eventually onto the closed door next to her.

Carefully the Ensign listened and soon figured out what the soft sound she had heard had been - crying.  Aki quickly got to her feet and with surprise noted that the number of the quarters she had stopped at matched those of the LANCELOT's Sec/Tac Officer; Ensign Hex Fanggot.

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Chief Science Officer
USS LANCELOT
OLD-P032: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 2 - 2110 ("Patience")

==========
" Patience "
(Previous Post was Craig's "Getting Ready")
==========

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63071.2110

Since their departure from NEW ALEXANDRIA roughly 5 hours ago, Captain Rikar had remained on the Bridge, every single second spent busy overseeing, coordinating or preparing some aspect of their new mission. Any and every effort to get a few moments of peace and quiet had been met with absolute failure… as if the Universe itself had intended the redheaded woman to pay for some unmentioned transgression.
 
When a break in the endless stream of questions and demands made of the CO came to pass, the Captain immediately jumped on the opportunity and made her way to the turbo lift. There had been something important that had required Rikar's attention… and the way things were going there would not be any time to take care of this later.
 
==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 7, Corridor
Stardate: 63071.2115
 
Captain Rikar walked down the corridor with a distinct purpose in her step… anyone who encountered her having quickly gathered that they needed to get out of the way. There had not truly been an emergency to warrant the CO's haste, but fear that something would interrupt the task that she had taken upon herself to complete had insured that the redhead would not allow anything to stop her.

The ANUBIS' Commanding Officer stopped just short of triggering the doors to Sickbay… her thoughts having drifted onto another time, another place. Many years ago the CO had been where Lieutenant Junior Grade Summers had been and Sabrina recalled that time with fondness and trepidation, easily imagining how nervous Lea would be given their current situation.

==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 7, Main Sickbay
Stardate: 63071.2120

The CO walked in to find the CMO leaning back against a biobed while having a discussion with one of the aCMO currently assigned to the department.

"We haven't even taken into account injuries that we may suffer once we arrive. If we do get there in time, the welcome mat may be pulled right from under us," the CMO stated unaware that the CO had stepped into her domain.

"I had not realized that you had such a low opinion of this ship and her crew," Sabrina quickly countered with as she walked deeper into Sickbay.

"I don't Captain," the CMO swiftly added, the expression on her features reflected sorrow and uneasiness. "I have the greatest possible respect for every member of this crew. I also know that this ship is capable of going up against things that no one else would ever dream of. It's just that," Lea continued at a speed that would have made Maya proud.

"Relax Doctor," the Captain interrupted, a friendly smile having come to grace her pink lips. "I understand where you are coming from. We have no idea what we will encounter, but I can assure you that we will take every necessary precautions. Whoever or whatever is out there will not be given any free shots at us."

Having once been a CMO herself, Sabrina could easily understand the anxiety experienced by Doctor Summers, and the redhead woman's experience as a CNS had made it easy for her to see that Lea had immediately felt better after their little exchange.

"I have to get back to the Bridge before Ensign Thomas sends security after me," the Captain offered with a grin before she tossed a small blue velvet box in the direction of the CMO. "I am truly sorry that we do not have the time to properly celebrate this, but I had hoped to make this official once our training exercise was completed. Hopefully, once this mission is over, we can do this properly."
 
Doctor Summers watched with utter puzzlement as the Captain exited Sickbay and left the CMO to wonder what her words had meant and what had been inside the small blue box. A blinding smile flashed over Lea's lips as she opened the box to see a solid gold coloured pip looking back at her… a pip she quickly understood had been meant to replace the black centered one currently affixed on her collar.

[[*Lieutenant* Lea Summers,]] she grinned to herself… it did have a nice ring to it.

==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5

OLD-P031: USS ANUBIS: Thomas: Day 2 - 2130 ("Getting Ready")

#####
"Getting Ready"
[Previous post: "Self Imposed Nightmare" written by the helpful and kind Tiffany Rose.]
#####

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63071.2130

=^= Engineering to Ensign Thomas. =^= came the voice of Olthairan over the communicator.

"Yes Lieutenant Fairborn, how can I help you?"

=^= We are going to stay at transwarp speed for an increased period of time which we will monitor in Engineering, but to allow us to do this we need to divert power from ships life support systems and areas of the ship unused at present. =^= 

"I understand Lieutenant, I will divert all the power I can from unused decks and systems to you as soon as I get the areas and systems locked down," the Ensign replied while using his station to assess where the power was going to come from.  ET methodically went through all decks and other systems to find every bit of power he could.  [[I hope I can get Elan the amount of power that he needs to sustain this transwarp.]] Elliot thought to himself while pressing buttons at his Ops station.

The computer announced =^=Please evacuate the following areas as all power from these areas including life support will be diverted to Engineering until further notice, Deck 3 Transporter Rooms 1&2, all of Deck 4, Deck 5 Personal Holodecks 1&2, Deck 6 Personal Holodecks 3&4 , Deck 7 Councelling Department, Transporter Room 3&4, Deck 9 Main Holodeck 1&2, Cargo bays 5 to 8, Cargo transporter 2, Deck 11 Emergency transporter, Deck 12 Transporter Room 5&6, Deck 13 Crew Gymnasium, Personal holodeck 5&6, Deck 14 Transporter Room 7&8, Deck 15 Crew Lounge, all of Deck 16, Deck 17 Cargo bays 9 to 10, Cargo Transporter 3, Deck 18 Cargo bays 11 to 14, Cargo transporter 4, Deck 20 Marine mess hall and training facilities, all of Deck 26.=^=

"Ensign Thomas to Lieutenant Fairborn, I have locked down all relevant areas and systems and diverted all the power I can find to you in Engineering, good luck." said Elliot kindly.

=^= Thank you Ensign, this may just do the job. =^=  the Olthairan said in an appreciative tone.

ET was now hard at work at his station, when the Captain came back onto the Bridge, she approached Elliot and said in a soft voice "Ensign, can I see you in my ready room please"

"Yes, Captain" the Ensign had replied with a confused expression on his face.  ET got up from his station and followed the attractive red-headed woman into her ready room, he was feeling rather nervous at the thought of why he himself was brought here.

As the Ensign entered the room behind her, the Captain said again in a soft voice "Elliot, please take a seat."

"Captain I'd rather not, have I done something wrong because I should be monitoring my station with life support, areas and systems locked down I need to keep monitoring the sensors carefully ma'am" stated the tall Ensign calmly.

The CO looked at him sympathetically then explained why she had called him into her ready room "Elliot, you know that we are heading to the GUMBARA Nebula as fast as possible, well there is a ship in that area right now which is in danger, the USS LANCELOT and the crew on......" this sentence was cut short as Elliot Thomas interrupted.

"Hold on ma'am, that's the ship that Ensign Arika Mitshiba is on, we have to let them know that they are in danger" stated the COO emotionally.

The red-headed woman looked at ET and replied "I'm sorry Ensign we cant do that, Starbase 115 is also located in that area and it too will be in danger, and the USS LANCELOT may slow down the unknown opposition long enough for us to get there before they get to Starbase 115."  The CO then continued "I'd like to say take some time in your quarters but we need all our best people at their stations, are you going to be OK Ensign, can I rely on you?"

Elliot sighed then smiled and said to the attractive CO in a calm and gentle voice, "Yes ma'am, I understand.  OK if that's the case then I will go back to my Ops station and work on a programming algorithm that would allow us to return power to all transporter stations at the same time immediately after dropping out of Transwarp, that way *if* we are in time we maybe able to save as many crew of the USS LANCELOT as possible including Aki."

"Dismissed!" was the only other word that ET had needed to hear, so he could get to work immediately.

========== 
Craig Mitchell

Ensign Thomas
Chief of Operations. 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 

[The Universe is a huge place, but you always seem to meet someone you know just around the corner.]

OLD-P030: USS ANUBIS: Summers: Day 2 - 2115 ("Self Imposed Nightmare")

=-=
"Self Imposed Nightmare"
[Previous post: "Warp Theory 101 Through 301", written by the knowledgeable Francois]
=-=

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 63071.2115

"We will be ready," Lea repeated once more with exasperation. Those words had been her reply to the Captain's order to be ready for *any and every contingency*. Because of this the CMO had repeated her answer several times over the last few hours, those words having become her mantra.

Horrific images danced in Lea's head. What would they find once they caught up with the LANCELOT? Would they be there on time or arrive only to count bodies? The worst of it though had been not knowing what to expect.

Going against Romulans meant the medical staff needed to be ready to deal with injuries caused by disruptors. Had they been going against the Gorn, the staff would have been ready for laser burns. The Tholians weapon of choice would have forced them to be ready for seared flesh caused by plasma exposure. As long as they knew what to expect there had been little concerns about the ANUBIS' medical staff being ready.

What kind of weapons did this unknown threat use? Would any victim be able to be brought back to the ANUBIS' Sickbay for treatment or would they need to be attended to on the spot? Would the injuries suffered have been caused by close quarter combat or the results of explosions? So many questions and not a single answer had been available. All that the CMO could do was to prepare as best they could while hoping that all of this had been for not.

"Be sure that we are fully stocked for radiation treatment," Lea stated as she watched 2 nurses carrying a pair of medkits each.  "Not knowing what we will run into means that we have to be ready for the unexpected."

Lea winced as she took a quick step in the direction of the 2 nurses. Although her sprained ankle had been attended to, there had been no time for the CMO to rest. Normally she should have stayed off her feet for at least a full day, but this emergency had made that impossible.

"We really should take it easy," one of the aCMO said.

"Can't," Lea replied, the full weight of her body now resting on the nearest biobed. "We haven't even taken into account injuries that we may suffer once we arrive. If we do get there in time, the welcome mat may be pulled right from under us."

"I had not realized that you had such a low opinion of this ship and her crew," the Captain said as she walked into Sickbay.

"I don't Captain," the CMO quickly added, mentally slapping herself for the timing of her words. "I have the greatest possible respect for every member of this crew. I also know that this ship is capable of going up against things that no one else would ever dream of. It's just that," Lea rambled on before being interrupted by the CO.

"Relax Doctor," Sabrina said with a heartwarming smile. "I understand where you are coming from. We have no idea what we will encounter, but I can assure you that we will take every necessary precautions. Whoever or whatever is out there will not be given any free shots at us."

Lea felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. As much as she had wanted to plan for the worst case scenario for the ANUBIS' crew, the CMO realized that it had been overkill. The ANUBIS had not been a simple cruiser but one of the Federation's most advanced combat able vessel. So, what could possibly happen?

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P029: USS ANUBIS: Fairborn: Day 2 - 1700 ("Warp Theory 101 through 301")

###################
"Warp Theory 101 Through 301"
[Previous Post Dawn's "Friendly Chat"]
###################
 
<<You think I want to go to the stars? I don't even like to fly - I take trains.>>
-Dr. Zefram Cochrane

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Main Engineering
Stardate: 63071.1700
 
The pulsating sound of the warp core in the background had been a pleasing and soothing melody to the Oltharian Engineer who once again inwardly acknowledged that this had been where he truly belonged.  Some had been destined to lead and have their names remembered for all time, others would see their fame insured through acts of courage in the field of battle, but Elan sought no fame nor glory, he had been more than happy to be who he was - the Chief Engineering Officer of the USS ANUBIS.
 
With masterful dexterity the Engineer's imposing fingers flew over the controls of the central control island as the Oltharian reviewed the core concepts of FTL travel in search for something, anything that would give the ANUBIS the extra speed it needed to arrive at the GUMBARA Nebula ahead of the unknown threat.  It may have appeared strange to some that Lt. Fairborn had been in the midst of a review of the basic concepts of Faster-Than-Light travel, but the CEO believed that all research needed to start at the beginning.
 
According the Albert Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity, any particle possessing mass requires infinite energy to reach a speed matching that of light.  The base concept here is that as a particle is made to increase in speed, so does its mass.  The higher the mass, the more energy is requires to make it go faster, and the faster it goes, the more mass it gains.  According to this principle a particle, with the exceptions of tachyons and other unique particles, would achieve near infinite mass as it neared the speed of light making FTL impossible.
 
Enter Zefram Cochrane and his theory that the creation of a stable field, which would later be referred to as a warp bubble, would enable a ship to not only reach but surpass the speed of light.  The general idea was that regardless of speed, the mass of any item within this generated field, would remain constant.
 
Once this concept had been perfected FTL, or warp speed, became easily possible and allowed for the Federation to expand in ways that it had never before imagined.  As the years passed the technology became more efficient at reaching speeds that were thought to be impossible which forced the scientific community to agree to change the Warp Speed scale, keeping the theoretical *Warp 10* out of reach.
 
When it was discovered that wormholes could be creates to bridge specific locations in the fabric of space, a new Warp Speed scale had to be created - Transwarp.  Although much faster than the previous Warp Speed scale, Transwarp proved to have very defined limits as wormholes could only be created to known locations in space and maintained for a specific period of time.  Again with the advancements in technology Transwarp soon managed to close in on the elusive barrier that had been set by the general scientific community - Transwarp 10.
 
Many races had begun work on the next step of FTL travel, including the Oltharians, who turned their attention to the creation of a Quantum Drive or the creation of a Quantum Sliptream, either of which would enable a vessel to reach speeds never before imagined and pushing the boundaries of space travels even more than they had previously been.
 
Alas even with the advancements made by the technological exchange with the Cytherians, Quantum speed still proved to be only a dream at this time, one that the Oltharian Chief Engineer had tried and failed on many occasion to make a reality.
 
Since time had been against them, and that the Oltharian had no access to the level of research laboratories required, the Chief Engineering Officer had instead opted to focus on altering the geometry of the Warp Field.  Changing the shape of the bubble which surrounded the ANUBIS, along with some additional modifications, had the potential to increase the ANUBIS' ability to remain at Transwarp velocity for longer than technically possible, or so the imposing Engineer hoped.
 
"Attempting to alter the warp field geometry while the ship is already exceeding Transwarp safety protocols is imprudent at best," Annie, the ANUBIS' Avatar and the creation of the Oltharian himself offered as the female formed Android made her way to the opposing side of the Engineering Control island.
 
Although possessing all of the knowledge contained within the ship's computer, Annie still managed to sound more Vulcan than Human in her dealings with the crew.  The Avatar had never been meant to be anything more than a physical extension of the ship, but Elan still held the hope that one day Annie and her sisters onboard the SEKHMET and HORUS would one day be more, far more.
 
"I was working on implementing these changes gradually," the Oltharian calmly explained, his gaze still on the controls he had been working on.  "If the modifications are made slowly enough we should be able to keep the impact to the ship's infrastructure to a minimum while increasing the speed.  We may need to divert some additional power to the Structural Integrity Field generators to insure everyone's safety."
 
"Agreed," Annie confirmed as she reviewed the CEO's work.  "Unfortunately since all available power is currently being channelled through the propulsion system, there is nowhere to draw the additional required energy from."
 
Elan shifted his gaze to the Avatar for a moment as he processed her words.  Annie had of course been correct, but her cold and calculating method of processing information to arrive at possible solutions still lacked what some would have referred to as the *Human element.*
 
"Engineering to Captain Rikar," the Olthairan said after having opened a comm channel to the ANUBIS's control deck.
 
=/\= Go ahead, =/\= the CO replied, a clear tone of hope having laced her few words.
 
"We can increase our current ability to stay at transwarp speed," the Olthairan explained while being very careful not to have his voice sound more enthusiastic than it should.  "Unfortunately, to be able to accomplish this we will need to divert power from life support systems and any areas of the ship currently not being used."
 
The pause in the Captain's reply indicated that she had taken the time to deliberate the impact of the CEO's plan on the ship, but after only a few more seconds the CO offered her answer.  =/\= Do it, and please let Ensign Thomas know which sections of the ship will need to be evacuated. =/\=
 
Having received the go ahead for his plan, Elan immediately went to work under the puzzled stare of the Avatar, the simple idea which had been presented by the CEO having been beyond her abilities to imagine. 
 
--==(/\)==--

DISCLAIMER - This post is meant to explain my understanding of FTL (Faster-Than-Light) travel, AKA Warp and Transwarp, and is in no way meant to discredit or counter any theory out there pertaining to FTL, be them actual or fictional.  Even in the Star Trek universe, I was able to find several "explanations" as to how FTL is made possible, I selected one which may or may not be the reality for *this* universe.
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette

Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS
 
And
 
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P028: USS LANCELOT: Mitshiba: Day 2 - 2100 ("Friendly Chat")

~~~~~~~~~~
"Friendly Chat"
(Cont. from "Expendable")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Crew Quarters
Stardate: 63071.2100

Refreshed by their swim in the lake, and having forged the foundation of a basic friendship, Aki and Hex walked down the corridor towards the CSciO's quarters.  The Kzinti seemed nervous, apprehensive to accept the invitation made by the Human, it had been easy to see that Ensign Fanggot had personal issues about getting close to anyone.

Mitshiba grinned as she recalled another Ensign she had befriended from the Academy.  As she motioned for Hex to step inside the yet-to-be decorated quarters Aki wondered what had happened to her friend Elliot Thomas.

"Nice quarters,” Hex said in an attempt to focus any conversation away from her.

"Nice try," Akira chuckled at her friend‘s effort.  "Your quarters are exactly the same, neither one of us having spent any time in them.

Ensign Fanggot posture changed instantly, as if she had been somehow defeated.  Aki quickly noted this and reached out to her friend before the Kzinti decided to turn and run.

"Relax Hex," Akira said in a friendly yet firm tone.  "I'm not a Counsellor nor do I wish to be, but I can see that there are things in your past that you are uncomfortable with, things that you don't want to speak about.  I respect that and will not force you to tell me, or anyone else, anything.  Just know that I am here if you need someone to talk to."

The Kzinti woman remained motionless, the reassurance offered by Aki having been heard, appreciated but not enough to overcome years of practice in keeping her life a secret from others.  Forced to use more drastic measure unless she wanted to see her friend leave the moment the chance would present itself, Aki invited Hex to share a drink.

The invitation was eventually accepted once the CSciO decided to shift the conversation onto their upcoming mission to the GUMBARA Nebula, a simple research expedition meant more to put the crew at ease than to do actual information gathering.

After the two had shared a couple of drinks and reviewed in detail their expectations of the upcoming mission, the Kzinti woman decided to return to her quarters to rest, the start of their next shift on the bridge having been only hours away.

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Chief Science Officer
USS LANCELOT
OLD-P027: USS ANUBIS: Enaii: Day 2 - 1630 ("Expendable")

-=-=-=-
"Expendable"
Previous Post: "Hydrogen, Helium, Plasma, Oh My!"
-=-=-=-

Setting: USS ANUBIS: Corridor
Stardate: 63071.1630

Enaii left the Shillian to her thoughts, as dizzying as it was to listen to the shapeshifter speak, it was unimaginable to think of what it must be like to be in the woman's mind.  Maya, perhaps, was the only person Enaii would never want to be a telepath around.  Whatever secrets that might be gained from the experience would never be worth the exasperation.

There was much for the scientist to ponder, as straight forward as the choice of one life over another was for Enaii, people like the Chief Science Officer valued all life in such a way that the loss of a single one caused them great disturbance.  The ILO rounded a corner, swiftly moving toward her destination while going over the manifest of the LANCELOT which was in her hands.  Captain Eric Morningstar...  she had served under him many years ago, on the USS PROPHECY, a strong man, but expendable.  Commander Evia Nallis, expendable.  Lieutenants Karan, Amal Onay and Frank Smith... expendable. Ensigns Hex Fanggot, Tamara White, Drell, Sartek, Dollaress and Akira Mitshiba, an Ensign that had once briefly served here on the ANUBIS, expendable.  And so the list went, on and on, all expendable.  Over 300 lives, all acceptable losses to the ILO.  Enaii would not lose sleep over it, but she knew many on her crew would.

"Enaii!" a flustered Sabrina exclaimed from behind.  She jogged forward a bit to catch up with her wife.  "Report?"

"The crew of the LANCELOT may be sacrificed," the Intel Operative replied coldly.  "You need to be prepared for that eventuality, it is probable that we will be unable to prevent it."

The young Captain nodded, she was more than accustomed to the agent's callous attitude.  "I will be, if it comes to that.  Elan is pushing the transwarp beyond capacity, we should arrive a few minutes sooner."

"Do not push the ANUBIS to it's peril Sabrina," Enaii lowered her voice, "This enemy is unknown, arrive late if it means being prepared."

"We can't ask the crew of the LANCELOT to die without being willing to die ourselves!" the Captain protested.

Enaii's eyes narrowed and her words cut to the depths of the soul.  "The ANUBIS will never be an acceptable loss."  At that, the ILO picked up the pace and headed to the IGC, leaving her wife to absorb their conversation and prepare for the upcoming encounter.

-=-=-=-
Author's name removed

Commander Enaii
Intelligence Liaison Officer / Acting ExO
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P026: USS ANUBIS: Maya: Day 2 - 1615 ("Hydrogen, Helium, Plasma Oh My")

---
"Hydrogen, Helium, Plasma Oh My"
(Previous Post: "Orders")
---

Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 13, Stellar Cartography
Stardate: 63071.1615
 
One of the more impressive rooms aboard the USS ANUBIS, at least where the Chief Science Officer had been concerned, Stellar Cartography stretched five decks in all directions to allow anyone inside to gain a unique perspective of the universe around them. Just standing within the immense room had been enough to make the Shillian feel insignificant in relation to the marvels and sheer size of the universe displayed around her. With a few presses of the controls on the console located at the center of the spherical room, the Scientist had summoned before her an awe inspiring view of their destination: the GUMBARA Nebula.
 
With a few more swift movements of her fingers the Head Scientist of the USS ANUBIS called forth all of the available information on the Nebula which appeared on the large curved wall of the Stellar Cartography Lab. Although this had not been the first time the Scientist had researched this particular spatial location, the Shillian still found herself in absolute admiration at the colour, shape and size of the nebula. “It is not at all surprising that the GUMBARA Nebula is a favourite of research vessels,” the Shillian stated to no one in particular as she reviewed some of the data having been displayed. “Class 5, Dark Matter Nebula with a magnitude of 4 Astronomical Units, or to be more precise over 599 million Kilometres in size which, if overlapped onto the SOL System would cover the enter center of the system well beyond the orbit of EARTH, the homeworld of the FEDERATION.”
 
Although the sheer size of the GUMBARA Nebula had been enough for most Scientists to be impressed, it had been the unique phased radiation found within the clouds of Hydrogen, Helium and Plasma that truly set the nebula apart from all others. When in proximity of the Nebula, most ships would see the effectiveness of their sensors reduced by more than eighty percent, a detail that any science vessel did not mind for as it required them to venture deep into the colourfully enchanting elemental clouds to perform their intended research. Due to the special specifications of the sensors onboard the USS ANUBIS though, the Chief Science Officer figured that they would probably suffer a drop in scanning effectiveness of about ten to fifteen percent, a drop that would still give them a drastic advantage over any other ship in the area.

 Once the preliminary data on the Nebula had been gathered and analysed, the Chief Science Officer remained somewhat puzzled by the sense of urgency that had taken over the ship. As hard as the Shillian tried, she could not understand what had required such an immediate reaction from the USS ANUBIS an its crew. Granted they needed to intercept whatever this encroaching threat had been with all due haste, but surely they could have accomplished the same task with greater ease had they not been around a sensor weakening nebula.
 
“The USS LANCELOT,” the Intel Operative coldly announced as she stepped up to stand by the Shillian Scientist. With a single touch of her finger Enaii caused two new items to be added to the Stellar Cartography map; the flight path of the CAVALIER-Class research vessel shows as a blue line and the estimated path of the attacking force displayed as a red cone.
 
The Shillian observed in horror that the two new displayed paths intersected at the GUMBARA Nebula which caused the Chief Science Officer to quickly call upon all available information on the USS LANCELOT.
 
“The USS LANCELOT is a research vessel with a crew compliment of over three hundred,” the head Scientist of the USS ANUBIS pointed out before adding the one piece of data that had troubled her most. “A third of which are bran new Academy graduates! We need to inform them, to warn them of the danger they are in. If warned right away they would have more then enough time to leave the area and avoid running into whatever the attacking force is.”
 
The Intelligence Officer sighed as she brought into focus another sector of the Stellar Cartography map. The Shillian had been a remarkable Scientist but her inability to see the larger picture or to evaluate a situation through the perspectives of an Intel Operative had been a rather large setback as far as Enaii had been concerned.
 
Although the Intel Operative had not said a single word, the Shillian managed to understand that this other sector played an important part in the current unfolding of events. A quick scan of the selected area revealed a Federation outpost; Starbase 115, an orbital re-supply station which contained over one thousand officers and their families. If the USS LANCELOT was to be warned of the approaching danger and removed itself from its path, it had been a logical deduction to believe that the attacking force would turn its attention onto the outpost and thus increase the potential casualties by a factor of more than three.

Reluctantly the Chief Science Officer abandoned her earlier idea to warn the USS LANCELOT, instead having shifted her focus on trying to find a way for the USS ANUBIS to reach the research vessel faster than currently expected.

---
Jessica Solarik

Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P025: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 2 - 1530 ("Orders")

==========
" Orders "
(Previous Post was Sabrina's "Profile")
==========

Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63071.1530

The young woman walked a few steps behind the ANUBIS' Chief of Operations, the two of them still trying to figure out a way out of the training exercise that they had been forced into.
 
"I really don't get it," Elliot offered with a sigh. "Why would Admiral Koniki send us into a holographic maze? Training exercises, at least from what I understand of them, are designed to put individuals and teams up against a situation that they may encounter out there during a mission. Finding your way out of maze seems rather unlikely unless we come up against some giant alien race dress in white lab coats." The COO paused for an instant and turned to look back at the redheaded Captain having expected some kind of comment… or at the very least a chuckle or snicker. "Captain?"
 
==========
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section A, Level 6, Administrative Reception Area
Stardate: 63071.1532
 
The site-to-site transport that had plucked the ANUBIS' CO from the holodeck had brought her to stand directly in front of Allyson, the receptionist and secretary to Admiral Koniki.
 
"Good afternoon Captain Rikar," the blonde receptionist quickly offered with a generous smile. "I hope that this unexpected transport did not cause you any discomfort or inconveniences."
 
"I'm guessing the Admiral want so see me *now*," Rikar sighed as she shook her head in disbelief. Koniki had a way with people, ignoring them for weeks at a time until he *needed* to see them, at which point the word *immediately* took on a whole new definition.
 
Allyson smiled and nodded her head as she invited the redheaded woman to step into the Admiral's office.
 
==========
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section A, Level 6, Administrative Offices
Stardate: 63071.1534
 
"Seeing us running around in circles no longer entertained you?" Rikar rhetorically queried as she approached the Admiral's desk.
 
"I am truly sorry for that Captain," Koniki countered with in a tone that hinted to the seriousness of the situation. "Have a seat," the Admiral continued as he stood from his chair and once again gazed out through the large window onto the SCARAB-Class ship whose Captain had been in his office.
 
"Why do I have the feeling that this is going to mean bad news for me and my crew," Sabrina commented as she eased herself into one of the two chaired which faced the Admiral's desk.
 
"Between Stardates 63068.0245 and 63071.1230 the transponder signal of five Starfleet vessels went dead. After a thorough analysis of the situation it has been concluded that all are the result of an unknown force making its way into Federation space," the Admiral explained without delay. The words of the profilers echoed in his mind, a constant reminder of the one hour time frame they possessed to have a slight chance to save the LANCELOT. "I am dispatching the ANUBIS to intercept this threat," Koniki added as he pivoted on his heal to face the sitting Captain. "You are to gather as much data as possible before you use all available means to halt the process of this attack. The ANUBIS is to depart *immediately*."
 
Given the emphasis the Admiral had placed on his last word it had been obvious to the young woman that there had been no time for questions, arguments or even protocol. So with a quick nod of her head the redhead took her leave of the NEW ALEXANDRIA's senior most officer and made her way out to the reception area.
 
==========
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section A, Level 6, Administrative Reception Area
Stardate: 63071.1538
 
"Welcome back Captain Rikar," Allyson greeted the exiting Commanding Officer. "I hope that your meeting with Admiral Koniki went well. As per the Admiral's request your crew has been transported back to the ANUBIS."
 
Before the crimson hair woman could even think about a comment on what the blonde receptionist had said, Sabrina felt the ever so familiar tingle of a transporter beam on her body.
 
==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 1, Observation Lounge
Stardate: 63071.1540
 
The young woman materialized to find the ANUBIS' Senior Staff already present in the room, most of them still standing about with an expression of confusion and bewilderment engraved upon their features. Trained as they were, every officer present held on to their questions and took their seat certain that an explanation from their CO would be shortly forthcoming.
 
"In the last three days five Federation ships have been destroyed by what is guessed to be a single attack force," the Captain cautiously announced as she mentally reviewed their orders. "Our task is to intercept this threat, gather as much Intel as possible before we send it back from where it came from as spare parts.
 
"How long do we have to get the ship ready?" Ensign Thomas inquired. As the ANUBIS' Chief of Operations the question had been of the utmost importance for him so as to establish priorities in regards to supplies and preparations.
 
"We will be leaving as soon as this meeting is concluded," the redhead replied before shifting her gaze onto the imposing Oltharian. "Lt. Fairborn, I will need you in Engineering… time is of the utmost importance and we will need to push the engines well past their recommended limits.
 
"Understood Captain," Elan replied promptly and calmly, the Chief Engineer not having been a stranger to such situations.
 
"Maya, you and Enaii need to review what little information, if any, is available on this," the CO continued, not wasting a single second.  "The Admiral was rather in a rush to send us on our way, so I am guessing that either the data had already been downloaded into the ANUBIS' computer or we are heading into this totally blind. The only thing I know for certain is that we are faced with a threat of unknown strength and number."
 
The ILO took in a deep breath and closed her eyes for a brief moment, as if debating the possibility that the Admiral had intentionally withheld information from them.
 
"Doctor," Sabrina added as she turned her attention to the ANUBIS' CMO. "We are heading into a combat situation, we will need all of your personnel to be ready for any and every contingency.
 
"We will be ready," the CMO stated with assurance even though she had been somewhat worried by the lack of information they faced.
 
The CO took a moment to meet the inquiring gaze of her senior officers, dismayed that she could not answer any of their questions. "I truly wish I could give you more, but for now our immediate priority is to get the ANUBIS underway… dismissed."
 
==========
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 63071.1555
 
The Senior Officer had quickly made their way to their respective stations in preparations for the mission that had been given to them. Rikar had taken her place in the center chair to wait as patiently as possible for more details to be made available.
 
"Captain," the COO called from his station located to the left of the Bridge. "Flight coordinates have been received from NEW ALEXANDRIA… we are to proceed to the GUMBARA Nebula."
 
"Helm, set course for the GUMBARA Nebula," the Captain commanded from her chair as she accessed all available data on their destination while she continued. "Ensign Thomas, get the ANUBIS underway… Bridge to Main Engineering."
 
=/\= Engineering, Fairborn here Captain, =/\= The Oltharian CEO replied, his voice still as calm and collected as could be.
 
"We have our destination… travel time is 32 hours if we can maintain transwarp 7 velocity for more than half that time..." the CO stated having already expected the giant's next words.
 
=/\= I will make sure that we sustain Transwarp 7 or better for longer than that Captain, =/\= Elan replied with a certainty that only he could have managed.
 
"Releasing umbilical connections," the COO announced. "Retracting all mooring clamps… engaging forward thrusters… now.
 
==========
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Docking Area
Stardate: 63071.1600
 
Slowly the massive form of the USS ANUBIS began to move away from its home within the hidden Intel complex to make its way to the still closed gigantic armoured doors In order to reduce the odds of detection to their absolute minimum, the doors could only be open at the very last moment, a manoeuvre that could rattle the most veteran of Officers.
 
The space doors filled the main view screen for several moments as the ANUBIS drew closer before they finally showed some sign of life and began to part to reveal the floating asteroids and colourful gases of the GIZA Nebula.
 
"Reading space doors at 22 meters from the outer hull," the COO relayed with a distinct hint of uneasiness in his voice.
 
The redheaded woman simply smiled for a brief moment as she accepted this to be the only moment of respite they would likely enjoy for the duration of this mission.
 
========== 
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P024: USS ANUBIS: Rikar: Day 2 - 1500 ("Profile")

==========
" Profile "
(Previous Post was Ashley’s "Meeting New Friends")
==========

Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section A, Level 6, Administrative Offices
Stardate: 63071.1500

Admiral Charles M. Koniki… Commanding Officer of the Intel base NEW ALEXANDRIA, a structure the existence of which was known by only a select few… stood between 2 of the 3 massive statues located behind his desk. Each statue represented one of the three SCARAB-Class vessels that operated from the complex… the USS HORUS… the USS SEKHMET… and the USS ANUBIS. Their mission… to protect the Federation and all of its citizens by dealing with the problems that no one else would or knew about.

Koniki's mind struggled to make sense of all that he had been made aware of over the last few hours; reports that now sat on scattered PADDs on his desk. The Admiral's gaze purposely drifted onto the form of the USS ANUBIS which stood motionless beneath him, the ship having been securely docked in its *home* while the senior staff had been busy in a holodeck training exercise.

On Stardate 63071.1230 the transponder signal of the USS ETNA suddenly stopped; a simple event that the Admiral would have normally dismissed as having been a sad tragedy. Life in Starfleet had not been one of quiet exploration and the lost of a ship had unfortunately been a far too frequent part of the game they played. Alas that report had not been the first of its kind to cross the Admiral's desk, the transponder signal of the USS ETNA having been the fifth to stop without explanation over a period of four hours.

A chime echoed through the peaceful office and caused the Admiral to abandon his contemplation of the only active SCARAB-Class Cruiser currently present inside the NEW ALEXANDRIA Complex. As if fearing what he had to do next, the base's CO slowly made his way back to his desk. With the press of a single button one of the impressive Egyptian canvas on the opposing wall slid out of sight to reveal an equally impressive view screen.

"Report," Koniki calmly commanded, his voice echoed an uneasiness that was alien to the veteran officer who had seen more in the last decade than most Starfleet officers had seen in their entire career.

=/\= We have reviewed and analysed the information provided… we are ready to answer your questions. =/\= A female voice said, the screen having opened onto a completely black room where the hints of shadows could barely be discerned.

"Do these events have a common cause?" The Admiral inquired of the darkness, the individuals hidden therein having possessed unique abilities that more than once had given the Intel team an insight into a situation that no one else could have provided.

=/\ = Based on the last known location of the five Federation vessels and the similarities in the sudden end to their transponder signals there is a 87.9% chance that all five events have been caused by the same source. =/\= A second female voice replied from the darkness, the intonation and manner of speech being very close to those of the first… pointing to their obvious status as siblings.

"Were these attacks initiated by the Cardassian, maybe the Gorn?" The Admiral huffed as he ran his hand over his lower jaw in irritation, unable to fathom why either top choices for these attacks would have dared such a bold and open aggressive gesture against them. Yet the possibility of a local known race having decided to enter into a war with the Federation had been a welcomed one compared to some of the other possibilities.

=/\= There is only a 9.7% chance that these events were initiated or sanctioned by either of these races, =/\= A third voice from the darkness added, moving the number of unseen siblings to 3.

=/\= Intercepted coded transmissions from the Cardassians Union indicate that there is a 78.1% chance that 2 of their vessels may have suffered the same fate in the last week, =/\= A fourth voice commented in a rather unemotional manner.

"And the Gorn could have lost ships as well and not even know about it," the Admiral sighed to himself. The reptilian race had always been a formidable opponent, but when it came to logistics the Gorn had been credited to being able to lose a battleship while standing on top of it. 

=/\= Based on the speed of the attacks and their apparent effectiveness, there is a 91.3% chance that these attacks are not the result of any local military organization, =/\= Yet another voice added, bringing the total number of similar sounding people hiding in the complete darkness of the room the view screen had been opened on to 5.

The Admiral remained silent… the implication of this report reaching further than the simple safety of the Federation and its citizens.

=/\= Given that all of the attacks have taken place in a nearly perfectly straight path, there is a 95.8% chance that this is the work of a single attack force, =/\= The 1st of the 5 women heard previously said, indicating that the situation had been thoroughly analysed by the sisters.

=/\= There is only a 12.7% chance that these attacks were specifically meant to target Federation interests, =/\= The 3rd unseen woman chimed in.
"In other word," the Admiral sarcastically interrupted, "we got lucky… yeah."

=/\= The point of origin does appear to be from an unexplored section of the galaxy, pointing to a 89.7% chance that the attacker is at this time unknown to us, =/\= The voice of the 2nd profiler was heard saying.

"Can we extrapolate the next possible target?" Koniki inquired as he debated his next course of action based on the answer that would be provided. 

=/\= There are several possible targets along the attacker's current path, but there is a 67.2% chance that the USS LANCELOT will be the next to encounter the unknown attacker followed by a 77.4% that the attacker will move on to Starbase 115. The ship's registered mission plan taking them almost head-on to the unknown advancing force. Based on available data, the CAVALIER-Class ship has only a 7.6% chance of surviving the encounter if the ANUBIS is dispatch within the next hour, =/\= The 6th and final female voice said before the screen shot off as Koniki forcefully hit the control panel located on his desk returning the Admiral to his quiet solitude.

Several moments passed in absolute silence as the Admiral considered what he had heard and the only possible course of action. The sisters had always been a great help in providing a clear set of possibilities, but on this particular matter it seemed as if the options available had been reduced to only one.

"Allyson… Get Captain Rikar up here… NOW."

========== 
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P023: USS LANCELOT: Fanggot: Day 2 - 2005 ("Meeting New Friends")

#################################
"Meeting New Friends"
(Previous Post was "Stalkers")
#################################

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Holodeck 2
Stardate: 63071.2005

====^*^====
Entering the already occupied Holodeck 2, Hex looked at the scene before feeling the immediate compulsion to stare at her feet. The Ensign wasn’t shy, per say, she had just never spoken to the other Ensigns aboard the LANCELOT yet, and her first meeting was a bit of a surprise. Having just been relieved of her first shift, she was intrigued with the idea of spending a day back home, in theory anyway, on Kzinti Prime. Although the Starfleet officer didn’t recognize her surrounding, her eyes took in the sight of the water longingly. How long had it been since she last had a swim?

Before entering however, the ever vigilant fur ball decided to “examine” the other Ensign first. Akira, that was her name or Ensign Mitshiba as she was formerly known. Hex remembered seeing her on board, at the Science station, but never making eye contact or having spoken with the intriguing new comrade. Akira was a very pretty Terran. The Science major had shoulder length black hair and brown eyes. Those brown eyes were watching her now, waiting for some response to her invitation.

After making her observations, as she was taught to do before entering any situation, Hex hesitantly walked further into the Holodeck, hearing the doors close behind her. “Ensign Mitshiba, I apologize for intruding…” was all the Kzinti could say, she was always uncomfortable when first meeting someone new.

"Not at all, I'm the one who invited you" the young officer stated with a smile.

Hex watched as her newest acquaintance swam in the water. She was eager to join, but now shy, yes definitely shy, at having met another officer in such a manner. The fur on her neck rose, was this an invitation to be friends? No one had ever asked that of her before. Warmed by this new thought, the Kzinti slowly waded into the water next to her new companion.

The girls talked about nothing in particular, their shifts and Academy majors/minors, which Hex was very simple about. She disliked telling people things about her in detail, it gave people too much power over her, and had backfired before. The Kzinti stuck to the bare minimal she could reveal, but remained honest, merely changing subject when asked to clarify a point. The Ensign would soon learn to trust these people, and she desperately wanted to...but she needed time. Time, it seemed, was all she ever really had to watch for.

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanggot
Sec / Tac officer
USS LANCELOT

"Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see."
-Arthur Schopenhauer
OLD-P022: NEW ALEXANDRIA: Enaii: Day 2 - 1445 ("Stalkers")

-=-=-=-
"Stalkers"
Previous Post: "Decoy"
-=-=-=-

Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA: Section H, level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63071.1445

Enaii traveled deep in the darkness of the shadows, unnoticed by those she had followed for several hours.  A small girl kept quietly to her side, only briefly catching the attention of those they stalked, but only as a flutter of darkness, easily dismissed by the woman who had seen it.  The Intel Operative was not fond of training exercises, believing her time was better spent on other tasks.   Koniki, however, had insisted she participate, and so she brought along her daughter, in the hopes of imparting a few firsthand lessons on the girl.

The first choice the child had been faced with had been who they would observe.  Which of their targets, their fellow crew members, would be most worth their intel gathering exercise.  Enaii had expected the six year old to pick a target based on her own preferences - she would have expected the girl to pick her other mother, Sabrina or one of her frequent tutors, Elan or Maya.  Instead, Talia had peaked the woman's interest by picking the Chief Medical Officer.  When asked, the girl had replied that she knew little of the Doctor's capabilities and motivations and thought she'd be the best to observe.  Enaii had been impressed with her daughter's thought processes, and with how seriously she had taken her lessons, but rather than lavish praise on the girl, she had given the child only a slight nod of the head and grin.  To Talia, her mother's reaction had been better than a box full of Tatkeet babies.

And so they had followed the physician as she had clamored along, clumsily plummeted into a hole, and then waited in boredom as the woman awaited rescue.  It came as no surprise that it had been the Oltharian to save the healer, but what seemed wholly unexpected was the ease with which Leah had managed to emotionally drive away her rescuer.  The gentle giant's music was truly enchanting, Enaii had heard it on occasion while observing the man, Talia had been privy to it many a night as a gentle lullaby - but they both knew better than to speak to the man about his playing.  The music that flowed from him was so clearly sacred to him, that it seemed absolutely absurd that Leah had not instinctively known better than to speak of her violation.

After a few of hours following the pair, Enaii noticed they had been traveling in circles.  About half an hour later, Talia caught her mother's attention and spoke.  "Nan'ha, why does Elan keep coming by here?" she whispered as they passed a distinctly shaped rock.  The ILO hushed her daughter and continued their journey of secretive observation.  The woman now paid far more attention to the terrain, and far less to the engineer and doctor.  In another hour, it became clear that Elan was noticing the circular path he had been traveling, as he began to make slight adjustments to his course, slowly and systematically trying to arrive at a place that he had not yet been. Quite characteristically, he kept his concerns to himself, hidden from the healer he carried in his arms.  As strong as he was, after carrying her for so long, she must be causing his arms to ache and cramp up.  He would, of course, never let her know of his discomfort.

The Intel Operative, now knowing that the holodeck puppeteers were willfully keeping them in one place, did not allow the Oltharian to get more than a half dozen feet from her and her child, lest they be separated.  She allowed him to complete his 360 degrees of course adjustments before stepping out of the shadows and into his path.

The giant jumped so far into the air that he nearly dropped his precious cargo, but recovered quickly enough to prevent the good doctor from yet another great fall.  "Co...Commander!" Elan stuttered.  He had always found the tiny woman to be a frighteningly formidable force.

"What are you doing here?" Lea inquired, a little ruffled over nearly taking another fall.

Talia stepped out of the shadows behind her mother, the child had never adopted her mother's cold stare or heartless tone.  However, in this case, she looked completely alike Enaii, revealing the seriousness of the situation to those who knew the girl.

"Let's skip the niceties, shall we?" Enaii snarled.  "We're going in circles, have been for hours.  You have exhausted all possible routes of escape.  Either we wait here and do nothing, or we fix this problem."

"We've been what?!?" the doctor inquired, she had been so totally lost in her world of thought that she hadn't noticed the familiarity of the terrain.

Elan quite gently placed the doctor down on a mossy rock beside them.  The reverence with which he handled her did not betray his turmoil over having inadvertently shared his intimate self with her.  "We have been travelling in circles, or more accurately, the holodeck program will not allow us to progress further than this point."  The Chief Engineer looked up at the ILO, "She needs medical attention, tell me how we can fix this."

The operative turned to her child and spoke, "Raed'aeusnnta'jhiy Ta-ha'lia iekil'eirh 'ie TEAR aellei 'ie entaiy?"

"Nan'ha au'e hveolhaonn raed'aeusnnta'jhiy iekil'eirh ak'h'uehldl," the small half-Risean girl replied in perfect Romulan.  Since the girl had been returned to her mother she had been raised as the woman herself had been, in proper Romulan tradition.  Despite the fact that neither of them was Romulan, this particular exchange seemed completely normal, as natural as breathing, to the doctor and engineer, who had both observed such conversations on many occasions.

"Give them to Elan," Enaii commanded.  Instantly the child nodded and reached into a tiny pocket on the dark utility belt she wore around her waist, producing a silver blade and a sphere no larger than a big marble.  The Oltharian held out his huge hand and took the items gently onto his palm.  He knew he now held the girl's most prized possessions, that one of them was made by his own hands filled him with a deep pride.

The man pressed the ball and a low click sounded as the machine began to hover and whirred into life.  "TEAR", or "Talia's Educational and Assistant Robot" had been the white-eyed man's birthday gift to the girl two years ago, he had spent the greater part of a year working on the machine before that.  It had taken the merging of many different types of technology as well as the use of nanites to build the microscopic internal circuitry, but the little robot, that looked no more like a tool than a toy, could administer the girls lessons, answer basic questions of knowledge and test the child while in the Educational mode it defaulted to.  In it's assistant mode however, it could carry messages, record vast amounts of data, and most importantly, due to a single nanite left inside the device, rewrite it's own basecode to be able to interface with any computer equipped with a remote access.  Taking the silver blade carefully in his huge fingers, the Otharian inserted the tip into a small slot on the bottom of the robot and turned, switching the device into it the appropriate mode of operation.

"TEAR," Elan spoke quietly, though not knowing why.  "Scan the vicinity for remote access, and interface with the holodeck controls."  Knowing it would take a couple of seconds to comply, the man turned to the Intel Operative, "What shall I have it do Commander?"

"End the program," Enaii hissed, rather annoyed by this vast waste of time.

"You can't do that!" Lea objected, "The Admiral expects us to finish the training exercise."

"We can hardly finish anything if he does not allow us to move forward, I do *not* intend to be a rat in his maze any longer," the Operative spat in distaste.  Her hatred for Koniki only rivalled by her daughter's inborn dislike for the man.

The robot flashed a short sequence of lights.  "Interface established, please input commands."

Elan looked from the doctor to the Intel Operative.  Enaii was the ranking officer in the group, he was more than a little afraid of her, and the Doctor, a sacred healer, required medical attention.  His choice was obvious.  "I'm sorry doctor, please forgive me.  TEAR, end program."

Suddenly a bolt of energy flashed through the air and impacted on the machine, causing it to fall to the ground, lifelessly.  Talia ran over to her fallen robot as Koniki's voice rang out through the area, "No cheating!"

The little girl looked up as she cradled the tiny machine in her open palms, her eyes were slit and a cold fire burned within.  "When we get out of here," she hissed, her tone almost identical to Enaii's, "I am going to put a snake in his bed."

-=-=-=-
Author's name removed

Commander Enaii
Intelligence Liaison Officer / Acting ExO
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P021: NEW ALEXANDRIA: Rikar: Day 2 - 1030 ("Decoy")

==========
" Decoy "
(Previous Post was Craig's "Smoke")
==========

Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck Control Room
Stardate: 63071.1030
 
Lt. Drenall sat at the control consol, her eyes locked on the monitors which displayed the progress of the ANUBIS' senior staff through the holodeck. Normally Captain Rikar and the rest of her command crew would have encountered some sort of resistance or challenge to be overcome, but since Admiral Koniki had ordered for the program to be "scrapped", the Vidian woman had been forced to improvised.
 
Through the use of holographic manipulation the landscape had been made to shift and change without the crew's knowledge… leaving them to run in circles until the Admiral would decide otherwise.
 
==========
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63071.1145
 
The young woman had manage to overcome the ANUBIS' COO in their little race and taken the lead, but still something troubled her. Something about their surrounding had not *felt* right and the more the ANUBIS' CO pressed on the more she became certain that this sensation had not been some sort of personal delusion.
 
Without any warning the redheaded woman came to an abrupt stop at the edge of a small clearing. Before Elliot could realise what had happened, the Ensign had rushed past the young woman to stop several meters into the clearing.
 
"Did I miss something?" Ensign Thomas inquired, half worried that he had triggered some sort of a trap that the Captain had noticed.

"No you didn't," Rikar replied as she slowly joined the COO inside the clearing. "I think we *all* have missed something… these hills have been in front of us for over two hours," the CO offered as she pointed to a group of hills in the distant. "They were in front of us when we entered this clearing now and they were in front of us when we entered this same clearing from over there," the Captain added as she pointed to a set of trees to her far right.
 
"That's impossible," Elliot stated with disbelief. "The only way those hill could have been *in front* of us if we came from that direction would have been for this clearing…"
 
"To have been rotated 90 degrees and placed in our path again," the young woman explained, a distinct hint of displeasure having appeared in her words. "Either I am losing my mind or someone is playing games with us," Sabrina huffed as she carefully scrutinized their surroundings.
 
"You have been aware of this for a while haven't you?" The Chief of Operations inquired, assuming that this had been the reason for his CO's overall quietness.
 
"Aware is too strong of a word to describe it," the redhead corrected. "I suspected that something was not as it should have been. That we have yet to come across any real obstacle to challenge us made no sense… Admiral Koniki is not the type to send his officers into a training exercise without putting them against *something*."
 
"So what do we do now?" Elliot queried as he rubbed the back of his neck. If his CO had been correct in her assessment there had been little reason to continue on.
 
The young woman debated for a few moments the question presented to her… logic dictated that they remained here and waited, but Rikar had not been ready to just stop and do nothing. "As useless as it may be… we need to continue on, while keeping a sharp eye open for specific details in our surroundings. If this is actually what we have been sent here to figure out, we are inside a maze of some sort… all we need to do now is find the cheese."
 
"Great," the Ensign sighed to himself, "just what I have always wanted to be… a mouse stuck in a giant holographic maze."

========== 
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P020: NEW ALEXANDRIA: Thomas: Day 2 - 1015 ("Smoke")

#####
"Smoke"
[Previous Post: "So Close, Yet So Far" written by the incredibly talented and kind Tiffany Rose.]
#####

Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63071.1015

After walking for an hour or so, ET was still trying to understand what had happened behind them and why the Captain would not talk about it.

[[She is only concerned about making it to the rally point,]] thought Elliot to himself as he was watching the back of the red-headed woman walking in front of him, while trying to figure out who or what the shadow thing was.  "So Captain, what actually..." Ensign Thomas was stopped in mid sentence.

"Ensign, maybe you did not understand me earlier, this is something that I do not wish to discuss, we are heading to the rally point and cannot take any side tracks from our route, now can you please take point for a while and concentrate on the mission at hand," the attractive CO stated in a calm monotone voice.

[[I don't understand, maybe I did something wrong? Maybe it's something I said?]] ET had thought to himself and continually questioned what he had said and done previously, when he noticed some smoke up ahead of them, it must have been perhaps 5-10 miles in the distance from their location.  "Captain, do you see the smoke?" Elliot Thomas shouted back to the red-headed woman who was now approx 200 yards behind him.

"A little, hold on Ensign!" shouted the CO as she speeded her step up to get a better view.  The red-headed woman got to where Elliot was standing which gave them both a good view of the surrounding area and where the smoke had originated, the smoke was dissipating very quick which implied the fire was about to go out all together, so who ever had used it had probably moved on from its location, but it was in the right direction if you were heading to the rally point.

"Looks like someone has got ahead of us Ensign," the CO said with a smile on her face then continued, "Do you think we should pick up the pace young man? Or maybe you're not quite up to it?" the smile on the Captain's face seemed to increase even further with this comment.

Elliot looked at the attractive woman and said in a happy teasing tone, "Last one there is buying dinner!" then ran off in the direction of the smoke with the speed of a hunting animal.

======
Craig Mitchell

Ensign Elliot Thomas.
Chief Operations Officer
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 

[The Universe is a huge place, but you always seem to meet someone you know just around the corner.]
OLD-P019: NEW ALEXANDRIA: Summers: Day 2 - 1425 ("So Close, Yet So Far")

=-=
"So Close, Yet So Far"
[Previous post: "A Knight to Remember", written by the lovely Dawn]
=-=

Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63071.1425

According to the information given when this training exercise had started, the rally point had been less than a day's travel away. Thanks to the Oltharian who had carried Lea for the latter part, the journey had been an easy one. Even more surprising had been that the gentle giant had shown no sign of fatigue.

Lea watched from a tree stump as Elan filled a makeshift wooden cup with water. The CMO had unknowingly voiced that she had been thirsty and seconds later the CEO had found this small body of water. Guild filled the Doctor accepted the Oltharian's offering once he had returned. The delicate way the cup had been help in his massive hands appeared only religious in origin.

The CMO wondered if this had been some sort of ritual meant to honor 'Healers', or if it had just been the Oltharian's own way. Lea met Elan's white eyes for a brief moment before he turned away to address his own thirst. Reverence and fear had shared a home in the giant's eyes, a mixture that the Doctor had been unable to explain.

Lea had wanted nothing more than to have Elan open up to her. To have the Oltharian share the pain that weighed on his soul. So far though, a silence born from the depths of space had been all that the CMO had received. Like a shooting star through the night, the CEO words split the silence.

"Are you ready to resume our travel Healer," Elan asked. The respect in his voice had been as powerful then as it had always been. Again Lea considered demanding that the Oltharian tell her what had been troubling him. To explain in detail the full significance of the music he had played and that the CMO had inadvertently heard. What crime had Lea committed in having admitted to this? More important, how could the Doctor amend this transgression?

"I am," Lea softly replied after a few seconds. Those had not been the words she had wanted to speak, but faced with the Oltharian's gaze the CMO had been unable to say anything else.

Slowly, cautiously, Elan took Lea once more into his arms without even wondering if she had been able to walk. The CMO could sense guilt radiating from the Oltharian, but her injury had not been his fault. So what had he felt so guilty about?

To be held so close to him and still have a universe separating them had proven to be most frustrating for the ANUBIS' CMO.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P018: USS LANCELOT: Mitshiba: Day 2 - 1300 ("A Knight to Remember")

~~~~~~~~~~
"A Knight to Remember"
(Cont. from "The LANCELOT")
~~~~~~~~~~

Setting: USS LANCELOT, Bridge
Stardate: 63071.1300

An hour after their departure from EARTH, the blue planet from which they had started this journey no longer appeared on the LANCELOT's long-range sensors.  An odd yet pleasant feeling washed through Aki as she raised her gaze onto the main view screen to see the stars streaking by.  This was where she belonged; in space amongst the stars and their hidden secrets.

What better station to be at to investigate the mysteries of the universe?  From the Science station Aki could already review sensor data on half a dozen items, but it was the new discoveries that truly drew her interest.  In the absence of any unknown phenomenon beyond the outer hull of the LANCELOT the Ensign turned her curiosity onto the Ensigns that had been selected for the first shift on the bridge.

The first to fall prey to Ensign Mitshiba's scrutiny was the LANCELOT's Flight Control Officer, a Klingon male by the name of Drell.  She remembered him from the Academy; a stubborn, hot-heated, and often temperamental Cadet who Aki had figured would be best suited for a position in the field of Security.  So it had been strange to see him sitting at the helm of the ship , Aki half expecting him to fly them all into a planet or too close to a black hole.

With the idea of ship's Security in mind Akira turned her gaze onto the Ensign who had been selected for that position, a female Kzinti by the name of Hex.  Ensign Mitshiba had never officially met the fuzzy fur ball, only vaguely recalling seeing the bi-pedal feral a couple of times on the Academy grounds.

As far as Aki had been concerned, Drell and Hex were the only *mysteries* so far onboard the LANCELOT that deserved a more thorough investigation.

~~~~~~~~~~
Setting: USS LANCELOT, Holodeck 2
Stardate: 63071.2000

The first shift of the bridge personnel had ended and Aki had gone to her quarters only long enough to unpack.  The excitement had been too much for the Ensign to contain so she had decided to work out in the ship's holodeck.

An amazing and wonderful invention able to create anything needed for training or entertainment out of simple force fields and holographic images.  In this case Aki had request from the computer a replica of a small lake found near Mount Fuji, a place that the Ensign had spent many days at during her Academy off time.

The sound of the large doors opening drew Aki's full attention, not having expected anyone to come into the holodeck.  Mitshiba was pleased to see Hex in the doorway, her feline eyes taking in the sights of the program that had been running.

"Hex," Aki called out from the middle of the small lake.  "Come on in, the water is great."

~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn Bohr

Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
Chief Science Officer
USS LANCELOT
OLD-P017: USS LANCELOT: Fanggot: Day 2 - 1100 ("The LANCELOT")

###################
"The LANCELOT"
[Previous Post Sabrina's "Research"]
###################

Setting: EARTH, San Francisco, Starfleet Academy, Boarding Dock 4
Stardate: 63071.1100
====^*^====

Hex felt jagged spikes of unease running through her very core as she thought of the LANCELOT. The ship was huge, much bigger than any she had seen, though, in truth, she hadn't seen many. Refusing to allow such emotions to cause her grief, the new Ensign swallowed her emotions and contained them within herself as she had been taught to do. Fearing the inevitable was natural, the young Kzinti knew as much, but it was hard to resist. She was entering unknown territory (or so she hoped), this wasn't a simulation, this was real. Her growing unease suddenly dissipated as she realized that this meant she'd get the chance to go on a real adventure.

Exploration was just as important as anything else she could have done. Discovering new areas and verifying the conditions of old ones was very important. The now hyper-excited Kzinti waited somewhat impatiently as each Ensign took their turn going onto the runabout heading to the Orbital Maintenance Array to go up to the LANCELOT via transporter. Why wait? Why couldn't they all go at once, the anticipation was choking her almost literally. Others around her were talking in hushed whispers about how foolish a trip on the runabout was when one could merely be transported directly to the LANCELOT. She heard things like, "...while in an Orbital Maintenance Array a ship cannot be the target of long-range transporter beams and that it would take too long for all of the runabouts to actually dock with the LANCELOT, I read all about it in the..." and the more frequent, "This is going to take so long" spoken in often whining tones. Though also impatient, Mrs. Fanggot wanted desperately to ride in the runabout, for the pure reason that it looked enjoyable, at least to her. Hex watched as the others went ahead, climbing onto the runabout heading to their newest home away from home.

====^*^====
Setting: EARTH's orbit, Runabout
Stardate: 63071.1120
====^*^====

The runabout was small to most, but not for the fun-sized Kzinti, besides in a shuttle that could hold twenty, eight was very comfortable. Hex made it to her seat in one piece, glancing in no direction in particular, but noticing some things. Most of those in the lower ranks (Ensigns) sat away from those of higher ranks (the Commander and Captain). Making what she considered to be a step in the right direction, the young Kzinti went and sat nearer to the top ranks. She wasn't trying to look snobbish, but she saw it as the youngsters avoiding those elders out of fear. As a new ensign, she felt the need to be with the higher ups to prove her loyalty or respect...or something...maybe she just wanted to sit there...who knew. Tuning out all the chatter from the other Ensigns, the Kzinti dazed out through the entire journey, with the Captain and Commander making no effort to include her in their conversation. Soon, they were all aboard the Orbital Maintenance Array and preparing to be transported to their true destination, the LANCELOT.

Not even a second seemed to go by from the time on the transporter platform to the ship. Following her commands, *Ensign* Hex Fanggot walked briskly to her first destination, the station for tactical/security. Going by most of the others unnoticed, as per usual, the stealthy fuzzball heard all sorts of conversations. Other Ensigns were worried about the mission. Suppressing the urge to giggle, she continued walking smoothly.

Arriving at last to her station, she was finally able to look over her new Starfleet officer uniform. Not as dazzling as she would have made them, but fair enough to keep everyone in their place. Hex wished more than anything to go to her quarters, to decorate at the very least, but she also desperately wanted to see her station *and* allow others to see her in action, if there was any action to be had. All business, the Starfleet's newest officer stood and waited, alertly, for something to happen...anything that would give her something to do. Everything seemed to be going right. Alas, time went on and her mind started drifting to the past...to a darker time, when everything seemed to go wrong...

{= = = FLASHBACK = = =}

Running as fast as she could, blinded by tears of rage and frustration, the young Kzinti fell into a ditch near the edge of the woods.

"Hex..." the voice sounded distant, but the Kzinti pushed herself up against the rock anyway, to keep from being seen.

The youth wiped at her tears and sank deeper into the muddy ditch as her sorrow overwhelmed her mind. Her body had already been pushed too far today on the rocks, and now she was feeling the sting of her aching muscles.

"Why...why can't I be an officer mother?" the Kzinti youth whispered to herself, "It isn't *fair*..."

She heard voices coming closer, screaming her name, but didn't answer. Curling into a fetal position, with her hands covering her ears in a futile attempt to block out the sound, the Kzinti female began to doze off in the mud.

"Why...why mother? Why..."

{= = = END FLASHBACK = = =}

Hex jolted out of her day*mare* with a start. Something was wrong, she sensed it. [[First day jitters...I'll get over that soon enough,]] she thought to herself as her relaxed back into a more comfortable position. That day... it was the only thing on her mind recently, the Kzinti thought of why, but came up empty. Nothing was special about that day, just another day in life for those of Kzinti Prime... wasn't it?

With her mind too numb from being sucked from reality so long, the Ensign stood stiffly and stretched. Today was different, it had to be. Today would change everything, her life, her outlook, everything... if she could just stay focused.

====^*^====
Ashley Shane

Ensign Hex Fanggot
Security / Tactical Officer
USS LANCELOT

"If you try to hard, you'll lose sight of what you're trying for..."
-Unknown
OLD-P016: NEW ALEXANDRIA: Rikar: Day 2 - 1200 ("Research")

==========
"Research"
(Previous Post was Francois' "Field Training")
==========

Setting: Orbit around OMICRON THETA
Stardate: 63071.1200

The USS ETNA, NCC 32406, Alliance-Class research vessel had fallen into a peaceful standard orbit around the planet that had become infamous to the Federation because of a single incident in 2386… 77 years ago.  The Crystalline Entity had left its mark on that world then and Captain Dave Banks had been sent here also eight decades later to investigate and see if life had managed to return a world left completely barren.

==========
Setting: USS ETNA, Captain's Ready Room
Stardate: 63071.1215

"Captain's Log, Stardate 63071.1215.  The ETNA has arrived at OMICRON THETA and long-range sensors have confirmed what the entire science team had suspected… the planet shows no sign of life.  Lt. Commander Bellis, my Chief Science Officer has requested permission to lead an away team to the planet surface for a more detailed scan.  I have granted his request but am ready to bet that he will not find anything different," the ship's CO said with a sigh as he glanced at the planet in question through the window in his office.

=/\= Captain, =/\= the voice of the Executive Officer came over the communication channel.  =/\= Lt. Commander Bellis is reporting in with his initial findings. =/\=

"I'll be right there," the Captain replied as he stood from his chair and straightened his uniform.  Surprise had not been something that the CO had even considered to be a possibility.

==========
Setting: UNKNOWN (a dark room)
Stardate: 63071.1220

A large holographic display located on a perfectly black wall displayed the planet and the single Federation ship in orbit.

"Initiate life form scan," an artificial, metallic voice commanded.  The words reverberated with an icy chill, one that could only hint to the unseen creature's ultimate purpose.

The image on the holographic display soon changed to show the USS ETNA surrounded with an eerie red glow, a colour that also appeared on a very small dot the planet's surface.

"Confirmed life onboard vessel and on the planet," a similar artificial, metallic voice replied with the same lifeless echo present in each word.
"How do we proceed?" A third voice from the darkness inquired in the exact same tone as the previous two.

"Extermination!" was the only reply offered by the one who had initially spoken.  The answer had been given almost immediately after the question, and showed that there had been absolutely no debate as to what course of action these beings needed to follow based on the information that their scans had shown.

"By your command," the others replied in perfect unison, hinting to an efficiency born of mechanical ingenuity and driven by a single unifying goal.

==========
Setting: OMICRON THETA, Away team landing site
Stardate: 63071.1245

"Sir," one of the scientists began; a distinct tone of discouragement present in his voice.  "I have the feeling that it won't matter how long we stay here.  The readings all show the same thing… there is absolutely *no* life on this planet.  I doubt that we would be able to find a single microbe if we could put the entire planet through a biological scanner."

"The Crystalline Entity didn't just sap the life from this world," another scientist offered.  "It drained it of the ability to recover.  The readings and soil samples show the exact same thing reported by the TRIPOLI over 70 years ago… nothing has changed.  This planet is *dead*… not even the Genesis Device would be able to reverse what happened here."

"At this rate the atmosphere will degrade to the point of an away team needing EVA suits within the next 60 to 70 years," a third member of the away team reported as she studied the readouts on her tricorder.  "Without vegetation to replenish the air, it is only a matter of time."

Lt. Commander Bellis gazed back at his team and reluctantly admitted defeat.  The Chief Science Officer of the USS ETNA had come to the planet with the hopes of discovering that life had returned, even if only in a microscopic manner, but instead he was made to see that life had not won this battle.
"Away team to ETNA," the CSciO said after having tapped his comm badge, "we are ready to beam back to the ship."

Instead of a reply though Lt. Commander Bellis heard nothing but static on the opened channel.  With a rapid glance to his team another officer repeated the gesture and announcement only to receive the same result. The channel had been open, so something had been wrong with the ETNA… but what?

Before anyone could voice their concerns as to the reason for this inability to contact their ship the sound of energy weapon's fire filled the air.  Within mere seconds OMICRON THETA had been returned to a state of complete lifelessness, the beings who had carried out this attack not registering on any sensors as being 'alive' despite their ability to act in a most vicious of manner.

==========
Setting: Orbit around OMICRON THETA
Stardate: 63071.1300

A cloud of debris floated in the emptiness of space where the USS ETNA had been only a few moments prior.  No traces of life could be found in orbit or on the planet surface… the only clue as to what had taken place.   
                                                                                                                
==========  
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P015: USS LANCELOT: Morningstar: Day 2 - 0900 ("Field Training")

###################
"Field Training"
[Previous Post Craig's "Something or Nothing"]
###################

<<While I admit the universe does have a sense of humour, I doubt very much this is a joke.>>
- Rev Bem, ANDROMEDA

Setting: EARTH, San Francisco, Starfleet Academy, Lecture Room 7 
Stardate: 63071.0900

The large auditorium-like room had been filled nearly to capacity by those of the recent Academy classes that had graduated.  Many of the Ensigns present had already felt the sting of having seen fellow classmates and friends not make it this far, but their thoughts needed to be on the task ahead.  Graduating from Starfleet Academy had meant that they had earned the right to enter the fleet as officers, but along with this a great deal of responsibilities had befallen them.  From this day forth their lives would never be the same.

Whispered conversations and moments and inward contemplations came to a sudden halt as the doors to the Lecture Room opened.  Everyone promptly stood at attention as two senior officers, one Captain and one Commander, entered and made their way to the podium located at the front of the room.
 
"At ease," the Human Commander instructed as he scanned the gathered graduates, allowing them to return to a sitting position.  Although he displayed a distinct air of seriousness, a faint smile still managed to grace his lips for a few moments before the Captain spoke.
 
"I am Captain Erik Morningstar," the Native American announced without excess ceremony.  "First allow me to congratulate you all on graduating from the Academy, you have all shown an enduring drive to succeed and a willingness to overcome countless obstacles.  You have all been selected to become the crew of the USS LANCELOT, a Cavalier-Class exploration cruiser," the Commanding Officer announced as a technical schematic of the ship in questioned appeared on the large screen behind him.  "Her mission," Erik continued and paused for a brief moment, "*your* mission, will be one of exploration.  The LANCELOT is scheduled to depart in two hours, you have that much time to get onboard and become better acquainted with her systems."
 
As soon as the Captain had finished with his introduction the Commander stepped forward and proceeded with his part of the meeting.  "The following Ensigns will report to the bridge to the specified stations for the first shift:  Ensign Tamara White, Operations; Ensign Drell, Flight Control; Ensign Akira Mitshiba, Science and Ensign Hex Fanggot, Tactical/Security. Ensigns Sartek and Ensign Dollaress, you two are to report to Main Engineering and Sickbay respectively."

The entire room fell into complete silence as all those present dealt with the information that had been given.  In just under two hours they would be on the LANCELOT and heading out on their first mission.
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette
 
Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
 
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS
 
And
 
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P014: NEW ALEXANDRIA: Thomas: Day 2 - 0845 ("Something Or Nothing")

#####
"Something Or Nothing"
[Previous Post: "Swept Off Her Feet" written by the helpful and awesome Tiffany Rose]
#####
 
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63071.0845

Elliot was full of new adrenaline being at the point heading towards the distant hills, he was feeling a sense of achievement that he was able to impress the Captain, even though this time he was actually just following his instincts.

As they got closer to the hills, the Ensign and the red-headed woman distanced themselves a little so they could have a couple of options open to them an ambush, flee in different directions or hopefully just make contact with allies or a crew member.  ET had his blade unsheathed and was ready for action, his senses were all heightened, he could hear noises, looking in the direction of his Captain he could see that she had heard them too.  The 5' 6" woman raised her hand and made a gesture to crouch and advance slowly with care, Ensign Thomas noticed that she was able to crouch much lower than he could himself due to his height although he was still able to keep concealed in the undergrowth.

The noises were getting closer, when all of a sudden a small animal; perhaps a boar of types, ran by at high speed, and then to Elliot's shock he was shunted aside by a dark humanoid shape figure, it was moving that quick that he could not get a good look at who or what it was.  Captain Rikar came rushing over as ET was clambering back to his feet.  "What was it Ensign?" questioned the red-headed woman in an authoritative tone.

"I don't really know, Captain" Ensign Thomas commented and with a confused expression he continued, "I could not get a good look, it was like a shadow... well sort of."  They both looked in the direction that the unknown things had disappeared into, the shadow and animal had both gone, "will we give chase?" the anxious Ensign asked clutching his blade in anticipation.

"No" stated the female in a stern tone, she looked Elliot in the eye and continued "we have an objective to complete and this is only one thing that could distract us from it, lets continue on the course that we originally set, it is obvious that there are no crew members here."

Elliot and the attractive woman headed back onto the course they were originally on, although ET was a bit put out as he was no longer at point, all he could do was to walk in the footsteps of his Captain.

=====
Craig Mitchell

Ensign Elliot Thomas.
Chief Operations Officer
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501 

[The Universe is a huge place, but you always seem to meet someone you know just around the corner.]
OLD-P013: NEW ALEXANDRIA: Summers: Day 2 - 0840 ("Swept Off Her Feet")

=-=
"Swept Off Her Feet"
[Previous post: "Inner Turmoil", written by the artistic Francois]
=-=

Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63071.0840

How could any emotionally aware, red-blooded, non-Vulcan minded woman not feel as Lea did? Elan's hold on her had been tender, gentle, beyond caring, in short, heavenly. The CMO could barely feel the giant's steps as he moved across the land like some ancient titan. In the span of 10 minutes the Oltharian had covered more ground than they would have in 30 had she been on her feet. Doctor Summers felt like a Princess, a Queen, and an Empress all rolled into one.

With admiration the CMO gazed into the imposing man's face and tried as best she could to read him. If only she could be a Betazoid for a few minutes so as to read his thoughts. What had troubled him so? Why had the simple request to hear him play the flute been so traumatizing? Had it all been because she had been a simple Doctor who was virtually worshiped by the Oltharian? Such a multifaceted people they were and Elan stood above them in that regards even more so.

Lea had wanted to ask him so many questions, to try and have him open up to her. As a *Healer* the CMO had been relatively certain that she would be able to order the giant to comply. To have him put aside whatever had caused this invisible force field to be raised between them. If she did this though would he still respect her, not as a Healer but as a person?

Each time a question threatened to escape Lea managed to swallow it back down. Instead the CMO focused on the trees, hills or boulders that were around them. Anything that could keep her mind otherwise occupied had become fair game to the Medical officer.

The features of the surrounding landscape flew by the CMO at such a rate that at times she wondered if she had been dreaming. Being carried as she was it had been easy to lose track of time and feel as if she had been flying. Over the following several minutes though that feeling of ecstasy was replaced with an odd sense of dread. Every now and then Lea had caught a glimpse of something in the corner of her eye. It appeared as a barely visible shadowy form that seemed to be moving as they did.

The first time Lea had noticed this form the CMO had figured that it had only been her imagination. The second time, the woman had reasoned that her guilt in having Elan carry her had made her see things. By the fifth occurance of this unknown follower Doctor Summers had grown genuinely concerned.

"Elan, something is following us," Lea whispered in the Oltharian's ear. For a brief moment the CMO considered adding something more to her words, but eventually decided otherwise.

"Something?" the Oltharian asked, apparently hoping that Lea would be able to provide a little more details.

"Sorry," Lea weakly grinned. "Would my describing it as a *shadow* help?"

The Oltharian quickly located a safe location to gently lower the CMO back onto the ground. With his hands nowfree he would be able to deal with whatever had been following them, if there had indeed been *something* there.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P012: NEW ALEXANDRIA: Fairborn: Day 2 - 0820 ("Inner Turmoil")

###################
"Inner Turmoil"
[Previous Post Sabrina's "Observations"]
###################

<<All life is sacred and therefore those who protect and safeguard it are to be respected and revered.>>
-Oltharian teaching

Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63071.0820

The silence between the ANUBIS' Chief Engineering Officer and Chief Medical Officer had grown to be almost tangible, the Oltharian having done little to hide the inner conflict he had been in the midst of. The music Lea had heard, *his* music, had not been meant to be heard by her or anyone else for that matter.
 
The Chief Medical Officer had wanted to say or do something to ease the gentle giant's troubles but all she had managed to do was to follow his lead through the wilderness as they made their way around or through various obstacles. Lieutenant Summers had been sure that her request to hear him play the flute once more had been the reason at the core of the Oltharian's misery, alas the CEO's inner turmoil had been triggered by something far deeper in significance.
 
That Lea had heard his music had been a shock, one that only affected the Chief Engineer and in some way had made the Oltharian feel as if he had betrayed his beloved, the one for whom the music had been intended for. The real conflict the Engineer faced though had originated from his people's views and teachings about life and the respect it deserved. Anyone who worked in the field of medicine obtained by that simple fact a status that could not be ignored. As the ANUBIS' Chief Medical Officer, Lieutenant Lea Summers had gained this status, despite her wishes not to, and because of this Elan respected her with every molecule of his being.
 
That Elan had opted to bring his flute instead of some other, useful item had now struck the Oltharian has having been in direct violation of his people's oath to protect life by all means available. Granted, the senior staff of the ANUBIS had on many occasions displayed their ability to take care of themselves and whatever trouble they could find, but that had in no way reduce the guild that the CEO now experienced. To him the simple act of not having thought of the others before himself had been nothing short of complete failure on his part.
 
Blinded by his turmoil Elan had not realized that he had steadily increased his pace over the last several minutes which had forced Doctor Summers to almost run to keep up, a task made that much more complicated due to the crutch she had been obliged to use.
 
"Elan!" Lea called out having realised that the Oltharian would not be slowing down anytime soon and that she had been on the verge of exhaustion.  When the imposing Engineer failed to respond the CMO called out again, this time with more force, as she did so the tip of the crutch became wedged between two rocks and sent the Doctor crashing onto the ground.
 
The exclamation of pain which came from the woman as she crashed had proven enough to snap the Oltharian out of his thoughts, and as he spun around to see what had happened he quickly deduced that this had been in some way his fault.  The fact that Lea had been so far behind him had pointed to Elan having neglected his responsibilities to the CMO, that of keeping her safe.
 
"I am so sorry Healer," the Oltharian offered in a heartfelt apology as he rushed back to the CMO's side.
 
"It's alright Elan," Lea countered with as she did her best to ignore the shooting pain in her ankle.  "It's not like you are expected to be by my side all the time," the CMO added as she inwardly wished that the giant would confide in her as to the reason for his distraction and distance.  As far as she had been concerned this had been her fault and she deserved some level of retribution for it.
 
Elan gazed down upon the Healer, his own guild having grown with each passing second.  After a short period of time the Oltharian took the only logical course of action that had been available to him and with great care he scooped Lea off the ground and into his arms.
 
"Elan?" the CMO questioned out of surprise and shock, "What are you planning to do?  Carry me all the way to the rally point?"
 
A gentle nod of the Oltharian's head was all that the CEO offered as a reply, giving the CMO a clear indication that this had exactly been what he had decided in doing.
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette
 
Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
 
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS
 
And
 
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P011: NEW ALEXANDRIA: Rikar: Day 2 - 0815 ("Observations")

==========
"Observations"
(Previous Post was Jessica's "Being Alone Is Never a Good Thing For a Shillian")
==========
 
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63071.0815
 
The young woman took a moment to confirm her heading and to insure that Ensign Thomas had not fallen behind.  As Rikar glanced back the CO was delighted to see the ANUBIS’ COO had not only kept pace but seemed more than ready to press on.
 
"I kind of enjoy these training exercises," Elliot admitted as he sprung to the redheaded woman’s side on top of a small boulder.  "You don’t have to worry about some creepy alien like the Borg or Species 8472 suddenly sneaking up on you."
 
The Captain of the ANUBIS had to hold back her amusement.  "No disrespect meant Ensign," the young woman began, "but I would love to be as innocent as you right about now.  Knowing Admiral Koniki as I do, I can assure you that we would be lucky if the Borg *and* Species 8472 were the *only* things we had to be concerned about during this exercise."
 
==========
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck Control Room
Stardate: 63071.0820
 
Rear Admiral Charles M. Koniki stood in the middle of the large room, his arms folded across his chest and his attention divided on the handful of monitors each focussed on one or more of the ANUBIS’ officers currently engaged in the exercise he had ordered them to take.  A discontent sigh escaped from the man as his gaze locked on the team comprised of the Commanding Officer and Chief of Operations.
 
"Admiral," Lt. Drenall inquired, "should we initiate phase 1 of the Borg/8472 combat program now?"  The Vidian woman hid her amusement well to the fact that Captain Rikar had nailed the NEW ALEXANDRIA’s highest ranking officer’s plan so perfectly.
 
"No," Koniki growled, obviously unhappy with the latest development.  "Scrap the whole program for now… let them sweat it out.  I’m heading back to my office… will contact you as soon as I have something different to throw at them."
 
The Vidian allowed only a brief smile to cross her lips as the Admiral left the control room, clearly unimpressed.
 
"Either Captain Rikar is getting better at this game or the Admiral is slipping," Lieutenant Commander Nabus, the Andorian Chief of Security for the NEW ALEXANDRIA complex said with a grin.  "I'm glad I didn’t take that bet with Quint, he was sure someone from the ANUBIS would correctly predict what the Admiral had in store for them."
 
==========
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63071.0830
 
"Captain," Ensign Elliot called out from a few meters to the CO’s right, something had obviously caught his attention.
"What is it Ensign," the redheaded woman inquired as she turned to face in the COO’s direction.
The 6 foot, 3 inches man pointed to a small hill to their right as he replied to his Captain's query, "Saw something moving over there as it came over that hill.  It was brief but there is no doubt that there was something there.  Either it moved really quickly or it fell and rolled down the hill, either way we can’t see it any more."
 
"What is your suggestion Ensign?” The ANUBIS’ CO asked although it had been easy to see that Sabrina had already made up her mind as to what their next course of action would be.
 
"If it's a foe we need to intercept it and bring the fight to it," the Ensign firmly stated as he placed a hand on the 18 inch hunting blade he had brought along for the exercise.  "If on the other hand it is one of our people, it would not hurt to regroup thus increasing our odds of successfully dealing with whatever the Admiral decided to throw our way."
 
"Well said ensign," Sabrina nodded with a smile as she invited the COO to take point in their new direction… towards the distant hill.
  
==========
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar
Commanding Officer
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501
 
"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P010: NEW ALEX...: Maya: Day 2 - 0700
("
Being Alone Is Never a Good Thing For a Shillian")

---
"Being Alone Is Never a Good Thing For a Shillian"
(Previous Post: "The Strange Meeting")
---

Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63071.0800

The cave that had housed the Chief Science Officer of the USS ANUBIS for the night and the thick forest that had surrounded it had finally fallen behind the Shillian, a development that had pleased the Lieutenant Commander who expected her pace to drastically improve. Despite knowing that this training mission had for objective to reach the rally point with some level of urgency, the scientist had been unable to pass up the opportunity to study the fauna that Admiral Koniki had selected to introduce into the holographic creation.
 
Somehow the head scientist of the ANUBIS had reasoned that she might be able to find something to speed up her progress if she took the time to investigate the choices made by the Admiral. Of course after having had to deal with several variety of constricting and carnivorous plants, the Shillian woman had revisited her decision and had opted to spend more time travelling instead of researching.
 
With the thick forest behind her, the Shillian had found herself surrounded by a rocky terrain filled with chasms of various shape and depth with little to no flora to draw the curiosity of the Chief Science Officer. Unfortunately this had for result to leave the mind of the scientist wandering onto a subject that she had done her best to keep as far away as possible. The fact that she had been alone, not as an officer separated from her crew, but as a member of a world that had vanished leaving her to be the last of her kind.
 
Maybe that had been part of the reason why the Shillian had come across as an overly dedicated and enthusiastic Scientist to the staff of the NEW ALEXANDRIA complex, and why the Chief Science Officer had nearly a dozen projects in queue for her to tackle at any given moment of the day. Through observation of her father Maya had learned the excitement and thrills of being a scientist, a cherished memory that equally brought happiness and sadness. On a normal day this memory would send the head Scientist of the ANUBIS head first into some obscure research or lengthy explanation of a phenomenon she had been studying, but in this training mission there had been nothing to otherwise occupy the thoughts of the Shillian woman.
 
Overwhelmed with sadness the Scientist stopped for a moment and closed her eyes, the memories of a world and people she would never again see having come rushing back to her with inescapable force. For some reason the universe had seen it wise to spare her the fate of her race, a fact that the Chief Science Officer still found difficult to accept even after all of these years.
 
A long deep breath filled the lungs of the Shillian as she reopened her eyes, although the Scientist was relatively certain that she had been the furthest from the rally point the Chief Science Officer resumed her journey with renewed purpose. The faster this training mission would come to an end, the faster the head scientist of the ANUBIS would be able to get back to work and once again keep her thoughts and memories in check.

---
Jessica Solarik
Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P009: NEW ALEXANDRIA: Thomas: Day 2 - 0600 ("The Strange Meeting")

#####
"The Strange Meeting"
[Previous Post: "Something Deeper" written by the clever Tiffany Rose.]
#####
 
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1.
Stardate: 63071.0600
 
Ensign Thomas awoke looking into a clear sky, he stood up and remembered that he had climbed to the top of a tall rock object that was higher than most tower buildings he had saw and this was why the COO had climbed the rock in the first place, he figured that he would have a great view of what was happening around him and plan the best route to reach the rally point which had been explained to the crew.
 
[[I saw smoke coming from two different areas last night, I wonder if it was some of the other crew members]] Elliot had thought as he debated which way to go as the smoke came from the West and East of his position.
 
"OK we are going down and to the East; that's where the rally point is.  If I'm quick I maybe able to catch up with whom ever it was heading in that direction" the COO said to himself as he got into position for climbing down the rock free hand.  
Free hand rock climbing was a great hobby of Elliot's and because of this he was able to climb down the 1500ft rock with the ease and speed of an Earth monkey.  [[Not bad... 90 minutes to climb down, might be some kind of record]] Thought the COO grinning to himself.
 
He was thankful that he had decided to bring the large 18" hunting blade with him, not only did it help with keeping him safe against wild animals, it also helped him to cut through thick plantation, what may have slowed others down, had not really hindered the Ensign as he was able to cut through the thick undergrowth with ease, especially as he was following an already half cut path from someone earlier.
The COO felt a hard blow to the side of his face which knocked him to the ground, without thought of injury he quickly jumped to his feet turning to make a counter blow against his assailant, when what he saw shocked him... "Captain, *what the hell!*" Elliot stated in a voice a little more aggressive than he had intended.
"Oh Ensign Thomas, I'm really sorry I heard noises behind me for the past 15 minutes even though I had upped my speed they still followed, and I thought that it was someone after me" stated the red-headed woman shamefully.
 
"Well, it wasn't really the welcome I was looking for but I'm really glad to see you, even if I have a lump to go with it." the COO smiled at the Captain.

======
Craig Mitchell

Ensign Elliot Thomas
Chief Operations Officer
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501
OLD-P008: NEW ALEXANDRIA: Summers: Day 2 - 0545 ("Something Deeper")

=-=
"Something Deeper"
[Previous post: "Echoes", written by the always thinking Sabrina]
=-=

Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63071.0545

Lea sat on the ground, her leg elevated and her mind adrift.  People did what they were best at.  The CMO could easily imagine that Sabrina had been searching for a way to lead her crew to safety. Lea grinned as she pictured the CSciO doing more researching than walking.

That smile grew larger when she saw Elan return with something in his hand. When Engineers didn't fix things, they built them, and Elan was a master in his field.

The CMO studied with interest the makeshift crutch Elan had fabricated out of a few branches and vines.  The giant had been so thoughtful that he had built in some padding at the top.

"You *are* an angel," Lea said as she accepted the CEO's gift. Although pleased that this would allow her to once again walk, the CMO felt some disappointment.  Being carried with such care and dedication by Elan had quickly spoiled her.

"It is an honor to help Healer," the giant said as he bowed his head. As simple as the gesture had been, Lea felt an amazing level of respect pouring from Elan.  His reverence for anyone in the field of medicine had been well documented.  Still the CMO had a hard time getting used to it.

"Let me redress the bandage and we can be on our way," Lea said with a sigh.  The CMO would not be able to redo the bandage that many times before exposing herself more than she wanted.

Just as Lea prepared to rip another strip of her uniform she heard the distinct sound of fabric being torn. The CMO looked up to see Elan handing her a piece of his uniform.  The giant had not pondered this action, he had only done what he thought needed to be done.

Lea quickly bandaged her ankle once more under the gentle watch of her guardian.  Once done Elan bent down and offered help to the CMO to get her back on her feet. As he did so a small silvery tube slipped from his shirt pocket.  With a reflex that even surprised her, Lea intercepted the item before it fell to the ground.

Elan seemed on the verge of a panic attack. Whatever the item was, it held significant meaning to the giant. With care Lea offered the silvery tube back to the CEO who gratefully accepted.  The item seemed to vanish in the Oltharian's hand, but not before Lea had managed to guess what it was.

"Is that a flute?" Lea asked, unable to visualize Elan's massive hands holding onto something so delicate.

"It is," Elan answered. Although not a Counselor Lea could easily tell that there had been more to this.

"So what is you playing that I hear last night?  I thought that I was dreaming, but now it makes sense. The music was truly beautiful," the CMO said, half hoping that Elan would reveal more about the flute was so important to him.

The CEO almost seemed troubled by the news that Lea had heard him play the night before.  It had been as if the CMO had been made aware of a secret that she should not have known about.

"I would very much like to hear you play again," Lea added. "From what I did hear, you are very talented."

Elan just stood there for several seconds, frozen in thoughts. Lea could only guess that there had been some internal conflict raging within the giant. The instrument held a meaning that the CEO had not been willing to share. His absolute respect for the CMO though had made it impossible for him to flat out refuse her request.

In an effort to put this growing uneasiness behind them, Lea forced herself onto the crutch and took a step. Soon a second and a third shaky step followed which placed the CMO ahead of the CEO.

"So Elan, coming, or am I doing the rest of this journey on my own?"

That had been more than enough to get the gentle giant rushing to the CMO's side. A task that took him less than a single step.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P007: NEW ALEXANDRIA: Rikar: Day 2 - 0530 ("Echoes")

==========
" Echoes "
(Previous Post was Tiffany's "Help From Above")
==========

Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63071.0530

The young woman took a moment to carefully listen as she wondered what devious plant Admiral Koniki had come up with this time.  The night before the ANUBIS' CO had been ready to swear that she had heard music floating in the cool night's breeze, a thought that she quickly dismissed as either having been a figment of her imagination or a trick meant to confuse the crew.  Moments ago the red headed woman had been nearly certain that she had heard someone screaming, but again the sound had been so faint that there had been no way to know for certain.

Not wanting to waste time in a futile effort to figure out what those sounds had truly been or what had created them, the young woman had instead decided to press on with the mission's primary objective… to reach the rally point which was still several days away.  The Admiral had wanted to truly test the crew's ability to survive, something that the CO would have been able to easily attest to had she been given the opportunity.  What Rikar believed though had been that Koniki had also wanted to push the crew to its emotional and psychological limit… every officer of the ANUBIS had already demonstrated their ability to survive the most inhospitable of situation, so this training exercise had made little sense.

Memories of the Academy's Psych test flashed in the young woman's mind… a test that had been initially presented as having been nothing more than a trip to a nearby research facility.  Once the then Cadet had arrived she had been forced to deal with a situation that still gave her nightmares from time to time.

Rikar shook her head as she dismissed the unpleasant memories and returned her focus to the here and now.  Admiral Koniki had by no means been above using such tactics in the preparation of the elite crews of his SCARAB-Class ships, and the CO suspected that this had been the perfect pretence to put the senior staff of the ANUBIS through the proverbial ringer.

==========  
Sabrina Jones

Captain Sabrina Rikar 
Commanding Officer 
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501

"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
OLD-P006: NEW ALEXANDRIA: Summers: Day 2 - 0520 ("Help From Above")

=-=
"Help From Above"
[Previous post: "Heartfelt Melody", written by the soulful Francois]
=-=

Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63071.0520

Lea slowly opened her eyes to see that the stars overhead had vanished. The night had given way to a new day and with it a reminder of her sprained ankle. The CMO recalled having fallen asleep to the sound of an ethereal melody. Although faint she had heard enough of it to be swept by the emotions it carried. Somehow it had worked to get her mind on something other than her predicament. Without the music though, reality and pain had returned in full force.

[[I've got to get out of here,]] Lea thought to herself. The training mission had scattered the crew, so the CMO could not count on getting rescued. Plus she had wanted to prove that she could in fact make it without help. She was after all a Starfleet Officer who had spent year behind enemy lines.  How she had managed to survive during that time still baffled her.

A loud yelp escaped from the ravine as Lea tried to shift her position. The sprain had been severe and the slightest movement caused excruciating pain. Yet Lea refused to surrender to her bad luck. Using a ripped strand of her uniform, the CMO tightly wrapped her ankle. The field bandage would provide protection as well as stability for the time being.

Inch by inch the CMO clawed her way up. The injured ankle dangled lifeless at the end of her leg. An agonizing scream suddenly echoed in the small space. Instinctively Lea had tried to hold herself up with her foot when her hand had slipped. A normal reaction that left the CMO sobbing like a little school girl. A few colorful words spoken in Romulan filled the air as tears flowed from her eyes.

After a few moments to regain her wits, Lea resumed her climb. The ravine's edge seemed like light-years away, but still she pressed on. The idea of spending several days stuck here had been a strong motivator. Also the memory of the otherworldly melody she had heard seemed to give her strength.

An unsteady smile formed as Lea reached the once distant edge. Only the tip of her fingers had made it, but it had been enough for the CMO to envision success. This vision was banished when the rocks beneath her fingers gave way under her weight. Lea could already picture herself with two sprained ankles, or worse. Instead of an additional sprain she might suffer a fracture leaving her unable to move.

The fall was unexpectedly stopped as Lea felt the presence of a large powerful hand around her wrist.  The CMO quickly looked up through her tears to see the face of the ANUBIS' CEO.

Like a heavenly angel from above the giant had reached down in her moment of need.  With ease and uncanny gentleness Elan began to pull Lea out of the ravine.

"Are you alright Healer?" Elan asked, Lea's pain somehow reflecting in the gentle giant's white eyes.

"Sprained ankle," the CMO said out of fear that Elan might decide to put her down. "I can't stand," she added unable to hold back her tears.

Elan carefully pulled Lea to safety and gently took her into his arms. "I shall take care of you," the CEO added as he carried the CMO off with little effort.

Lea wrapped her arms around the massive man's neck. The relief she felt from his hold and words being beyond description.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P005: NEW ALEXANDRIA: Fairborn: Day 1 - 2345 ("Heartfelt Melody")

###################
"Heartfelt Melody"
[Previous Post: Tiffany's "Universal Constant"]
###################

<<I look up towards the stillness and peacefulness of space and gaze upon the beauty of the stars.  Each sparkle of light represents a cherished memory, a dream of hope or a fantasy of love.  It is only when we take the time to look up into the heavens that we can fully understand.  That an individual is made of memories, hopes and dreams which are gathered throughout life.  Without these things, the soul of a person would be as black and desolate as a night without stars.>>

- Said by Bardef Talak Emzaw, Oltharian Priest to a then young apprentice to the Oltharian Religious Circle by the name of Elan Talak Fairborn.
 --==[/\]==--

Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63070.2345
 
The gaze of the massive Oltharian had been lost on the stars overhead as he played his flute, the enchanting melody born of the giant's soul having made him forget for the time being the goal of this training exercise.  Instead Elan had found his thoughts lost on events of the pass, memories of happier times, hopes and dreams that had been abruptly taken away from him.

 --==[/\]==-- 
(Insert funky FLASHBACK music)

Setting: USS DISCOVERY, Elan's Quarters
Stardate: 55022.1950 (8 years ago)

As the two Officers walked into the Oltharian's quarters, Amber was glad to see a smile of recognition appear on Elan's face as he looked around. During their trip from sickbay, the massive humanoid had not given any indication as to the state of his memory.  That smile was the first concrete sign she had received, giving her the feeling that things might be well on their way back to normal.

Slowly, Elan sat down in his chair and looked at Amber making her way to the replicator.  A few moments later, she returned bringing back what appeared to be a large glass of apple juice.

"What's that?" Elan said with a puzzled look on his face, which he managed to keep for a few seconds before it was replaced by a large smile.
Letting out a lengthy sigh, Amber fought off the urge to send the content of the glass in her hands onto the sitting Oltharian.  "I'm not sure I like this new sense of humour you're developing," she said as he offered the drink to Elan.

"I'm sorry Amber, I..." the Oltharian began before being stopped by one of Amber's finger being pressed against his lips.  After a few seconds, the Chief of the OSC gently removed her finger from Elan's lips and reached for the long, decorated wooden box which was home for the Oltharian's flute. 

Carefully, with almost a ceremonial manner, she presented the box to Elan, who responded by gently opening it and reaching in for its contents.
Amber watched as the Oltharian gently ran his fingers against the entire length of the metallic flute, as if he could somehow read, with his touch, the inscriptions that were on it.  With each passing second Elan caressed the instrument, the larger his smile became until it could grow no larger.  At that time, the Oltharian's fingers fell into place against the musical instrument as he slowly and carefully brought it up to his lips.  Like a song of glory echoing the feelings of a thousand generations, the mysterious music filled the entire room.  The notes carried with them such passion and intensity that Amber had to fight off tears from cascading from her eyes.  Elan had always given the impression of pouring himself into his music, something Satori had always greatly enjoyed watching and listening to.  But tonight felt different, the music *felt* more passionate, as if this time instead of Elan expressing *his* feelings, the flute had reached for the Oltharian's very soul to transform it into the musical harmony which echoed through the room.

In the reduce lighting of the Engineer's quarters, minutes quickly turned into hours, as Amber continued listening to Elan's tireless and never stopping playing.  She had made herself comfortable on the bed, her eyes never having left the Oltharian for more than a few seconds at a time as she glanced at the passing stars which added to the enchantment of the moment.  Even after four consecutive hours of playing his instrument, the melodies sounded as passionate and meaningful as the first notes he had played.  Soon, the woman fell pray to her fatigue, being serenaded into a peaceful slumber.

--==[/\]==--
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63070.2355
 
A single tear made its way from the Oltharian's white eyes onto his check as the captivating melody broke for a few notes.  Memories and Hopes where all that the gentle giant possessed at this time, and the holographic stars overhead had gladly taken on the role the Engineer had required of them.

--==[/\]==--
Francois Charette
 
Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn

Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS
 
And
 
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P004: NEW ALEXANDRIA: Summers: Day 1 - 2300 ("Universal Constant")

=-=
"Universal Constant"
[Previous post: "Finding Your Way Home, One Plant At a Time", written by the exceptionally talented Jessica]
=-=

Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63070.2300

Long before Lea had joined the crew of the ANUBIS she always managed to get in trouble. Be it on an alien world or inside a Federation base, the CMO could always find that one shady character. Lea could always stumble onto the impossible to find secret stash of illegal goods. Or find without searching that single loose rock to trip over. This mission had proven to be no different.

Lea had done her best to navigate the rocky terrain. She had even made a sizeable detour to avoid a particularly nasty looking set of pointed rocks. The idea of falling and being skewered had been a strong motivator in Lea looking for an alternate route.  Still her foot had found its way onto that one loose stone.

The tumble down into one of the nearby ravines had left her unconscious for several hours. When she awoke, the CMO had quickly discovered that she had twisted her ankle.  The shooting pain she experienced had left little doubt about this. The initial medical diagnosis had not shown any lesions, only several nasty bruises. Unfortunately in her present condition Lea had been completely incapable of getting herself out of the ravine.

The best Lea could do had been to be as comfortable as possible for the upcoming night.  Thoughts of a comfortable sickbay bio-bed, or her own fluffy bed filled her mind. At this point the CMO would have been happy to trade this simulation for a section of the ANUBIS' floor. Any floor on any deck.

Unable to sleep due to the continued pain of her sprained ankle Lea just looked up at the few starts she could see.  The ravine she had fallen into had deep and narrow enough that the CMO could only see a handful of sparkling lights.

Lea tried her best to hold back her tears. She had truly tried to not become a burden. To not become to one that everyone else needed to aid or rescue. Lea had wanted for this mission to be the one that would show everyone that she could make it without problems.

When her thoughts finally quieted enough Lea heard something unexpected. An angelic music filled with emotions that she could not understand. Had this been some sort of auditory hallucination? Had the CMO lost what little mind she possessed?

Still unable to make sense of the music she could now hear, Lea surrendered to the melody.  Somehow it had managed to make her forget about her pain. Somehow it had made the CMO feel as if she had no longer been alone. Maybe an angel had taken the task of watching over her on this night. Maybe that same angel would make it possible for her to escape from the prison she had inadvertently fallen into.

=-=
Tiffany Rose

Lt. Lea Summers
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
OLD-P003: NEW ALEXANDRIA: Maya: Day 1 - 2100
("
Finding Your Way Home, One Plant At a Time")

---
"Finding Your Way Home, One Plant At a Time"
(Previous Post: "Inner Exploration")
---

Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63070.2100

As a dedicated Scientist the Shillian had always enjoyed being surrounded by the sites and smells of nature, drawn by the simplest of flora to admire and study even if only for the briefest of moment. Because of this aspect of her character the Chief Science Officer of the USS ANUBIS had wasted no time in losing herself in the simulated world created by Admiral Koniki, a world that had provided an abundant array of uncommon vegetation for any wilderness inclined person to enjoy.
 
It had been several hours into the exercise that the Shillian Scientist had been promptly reminded of the core aspect of this mission, along with a reminder of how devious the Admiral could be. The Chief Science Officer had approached a rather odd looking set of wild flowers out of sheer curiosity only to be attacked by several rapidly moving constricting vines. Obviously some of the vegetation on this imaginary world had been made to be predatorily, maybe even at a carnivore level, but still the Scientist had not been able to find it within in to change her ways, even after a narrow escape.
 
The Shillian had quickly reasoned that the discovery of some unique property of certain flora might aid in the completion of their mission, either through medicinal values or simply for their nutritional qualities. Within a few hours, the head scientist of the USS ANUBIS had managed to find a cure for her hunger as well as a soothing ointment for the cuts and scrapes she had suffered from the several unpleasant floral encounters.
 
With nightfall came the need to seek shelter, a task that had proven to be a difficult one given the current elements which surrounded the Chief Science Officer, mainly an impressive forest of large trees which offered little overhead cover. Thus far the Shillian had not encountered any visible signs of wildlife, but to assume that none had been present had not been a hypothesis the scientist had been ready to make, so the need to seek higher ground had been of great importance. After a rapid search of the area, and having used the one item the Scientist had brought along, her tricorder, the Shillian had managed to find a small cave hidden behind several trees.
 
Although not overly happy with having to forego higher ground, the Scientist had been happy to gain the security of an enclosed area, one that had shown no signs of having been previously occupied. Sheltered from the elements, the Shillian made the best of what she had found and prepared to retire for the night while she contemplated the discovery of new plant forms in the days to come.

 ---
Jessica Solarik
Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
OLD-P002: NEW ALEXANDRIA: Fairborn: Day 1 - 2100 ("Inner Exploration")

###################
"Inner Exploration"
[Previous Post Sabrina’s "Training"]
###################

 "This is the journey you've always been destined to take."
-Kai Opaka

 Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63070.2100
 
For the last 10 hours or so the Oltharian giant had made his way through some of the most difficult rocky terrain he could have ever imagined. His strength and size had proven to be an immeasurable asset as he climbed his way over towering walls of stones or found ways to bridge what had seemed to be countless bottomless ravines.

Used to the 35 hours days of his home world of OLTHAR PRIME, Elan had been somewhat disappointed when the light of the sun had vanished below the horizon to plunge everything in an eerie darkness, thus halting his progress. After having gathered whatever twigs and dried leaves which laid about to create a campfire the Oltharian Engineer selected a spot where he would be able to lean back to rest. Having confirmed that the campfire had been strong, the Engineering officer delicately drew a small silver cylinder from his shirt pocket.
 
Admiral Koniki had allowed each member of the ANUBIS’ crew to bring a single item. Most had selected a tool that would help them in their quest to reach the mission’s objective, but Elan had elected to bring something to help him in his never ending personal journey of self discovery; his flute.
 
The Oltharian held the small musical instrument with the utmost of care and reverence as his white eyes drew on what little flickering light the fire offered to scrutinize the cylinder and lose himself in his thoughts.

 --==(/\)==--
(Insert funky FLASHBACK music)
Setting: OLTHAR PRIME, Gardens outside of the Council of Elders
 
"Uncle," a young boy sniffled as he tried his best to hold back his tears. "I'm sorry."
 
"It is alright Elan," a middle aged man dressed in religious robes said as he lowered himself onto a single knee. "Not everyone is meant to become a member of the Religious Circle, and even less to join the ranks of the Klaj~Ra'Shall. Yours is a different path."
 
"But I want to be with you Uncle Bardef," the young boy forcefully admitted. "I want to belong to the Religious Circle."
 
The robed man smiled down at the teary young boy as he placed a caring hand on the child's shoulder. "There is a universe of difference between what we want and what we have to do Elan, one day you may come to understand this."
 
--==(/\)==--
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63070.2145

 On only rare occasions had the Oltharian played his flute outside of the seclusion of his quarters after his graduation from Starfleet Academy. The small metallic musical instrument which seemed to vanished into nothingness while inside the massive hands of the giant had always help a particular significance to Elan, the enchanting and almost mystical music that it created reflecting the composer's most intimate feelings. This type of music had always been meant, as per the teachings of the Religious Circle, to only be shared with those whom the player had special and even intimate feelings for.

As a Cadet though the Oltharian had challenged this belief passed down from generation to generation and had used the music to help him stay in touch with the heritage that he had left back on OLTHAR PRIME. Having been the first of his kind to venture beyond the confines of the planetary system they knew as home, going against all they he had been taught about their place in the universe, Elan had not been a stranger to challenging his people's ways. Even though the music had been shared, very few Cadets had been able to claim to having heard the giant play the small silvery instrument, but those who could had always said the same thing about the sounds that filled the air they had shared with Elan at that time - purely emotional.

After his graduation from the Academy and his first mission onboard another Intel ship, the significance of the music had returned to its intended meaning when Elan had allowed Lt. Cmdr. Amber Satori to be in his quarters while he played. She had interrupted one of the Olthairan's private sessions and after much convincing, Elan had found it impossible to resist the woman's charms and accepted to continue playing with her there.

On that one fateful night a great many things had changed for the Olthairan, not the least of which had been his own personal understanding of the universe that extended all around them. The woman who then held the position of Chief for the Observation and Surveillance Centre on that ship had made her way into the giant's mind long before then, but it had taken time for her to find her way into the giant's heart. Time seemed to come to a complete stop while he played for her, watching Amber's eyes follow each and every movement he made with an intensity that he could not understand or cared to. She enjoyed the music and he in turned had enjoyed her enjoyment making the moment one that he would remember for all eternity.

Fragile and innocent as she knew Elan to be despite his colossal size and appearance, the woman whose age defied all concept of time, had not wanted to rush things making that night even more special as she watched and listened. Amber had learned long ago that life needed to be enjoyed at a slower pace, taking in each and every second and enjoying them to their fullest as they would never come again. During her years she had once enchanted another Oltharian man who in time had grown in wisdom to become leader of his world's governing body, the Council of Elders. That he had been Elan's uncle had only been a universal coincidence that both Bardef and Amber had chosen to keep from the young Oltharian who had left his home world to venture beyond the stars.

Events beyond the control of Elan had taken this woman from him, placing her in a coma from which no medical technique known to the Federation could bring her out of. On that day, the significance and melodies of the music had once again changed to reflect the giant's new found emotion - despair. It had taken the Oltharian a lot of time and soul searching while back on his home world following the renouncing of his rank and position to rediscover his place in the universe. As painful as it had been to venture into the depths of the universe, that is where Elan knew he needed to be. Maybe, just maybe, somewhere out there on one of the worlds orbiting one of those sparkling specks of light he would be able to find a cure for his beloved Amber.
 
Here, alone beneath an imaginary starlit sky, surrounded by the dancing shadows, the Oltharian had once again poured his soul into his music as he allowed his thoughts and memories to venture into another place, another time. Silently the Oltharian Engineer hoped that these training exercises would enable the crew of the ANUBIS to gain the skills and experience needed to succeed in whatever mission they would set out on and maybe, just maybe, return with something that would change the giant’s life forever.
 
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette

Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn

Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS

And

Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
OLD-P001: NEW ALEXANDRIA: Rikar: Day 1 - 1125 ("Training")

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"Training"
(Initial Post of Mission 1 - "All Hands on Holodeck")
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Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section H, Level 8, Training Holodeck 1
Stardate: 63070.1125
 
The young woman sighed as she made her way through the waist high water of the river which had stood between the Starfleet officer and her intended destination… a small hill. As useful and necessary as these training exercises were, the Commanding Officer of the USS ANUBIS had long ago grown to disliking them… yet she could not argue the benefits offered by them.
 
For this particular exercise Admiral Koniki had decided on something different… instead of sending the entire team on a specific mission or objective, he had arranged to have each and every member of the ANUBIS’ senior staff to be in a remote location. The goal of this exercise had been for each member of the team to find their way to the central rally point, and if they were lucky to run into other members of the crew thus making the task easier… or so they had been told. Knowing the head of the NEW ALEXANDRIA complex as she did the redheaded woman had suspected that the holodeck’s difficulty settings would adapt to having more officers together instead of them venturing into this make-belief world on their own.
 
Once she had reached the top of the small hill, the young woman located something to sit on so that she could remove her boots and allow her soaked clothes to dry a little before she would press on in her quest for any other member of the crew. 
 
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Sabrina Jones
 
Captain Sabrina Rikar
Commanding Officer
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501
 
"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light" 
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5

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