"Playing With Fire"

Pilot Ember Lansky

Lieutenant (JG) Miramon Terrik,
Chief Navigation Officer

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

Ten-Forward, again. It seemed to be the place she most frequented apart from the Holodeck and the gym. The nexus of social interactions on the ship, it was probably a place of possibilities, a place where hearts were broken or mended, steppd on or ignited. Tonight though, Ember was here more to bury the uncomfortable, wretched memories of a pilot who was situated on the far side of the galaxy. It was abyssmal, but he had strayed to her mind again and she was determined to send him and everything related to him scuttling for the mental pits of hell.

Drink in hand, she leaned against the bar, purposefully casting her gaze around the room.

Spring Wine was to be his drink for the evening - a little alcoholic drink distilled on Bajor, requiring that he had a case imported every so often, since the replicators always failed to do it justice - much as they did with pretty much everything, as far as the Bajoran was concerned. And so, once he'd finished with his work for the day, he'd come up to Ten Forward for a late drink and a little time to unwind in the presence of his shipmates. Somehow, Miramon often found it comforting merely being with those that had chosen to pursue their careers aboard the Galaxy. Certainly they all had different reasons for being aboard, and with all their various diversities, sometimes you had to wonder how everyone got along so well (aside from the occasional isolated incident). Likely, it had to do not with the nature of the people or the ship, but the situations in which those two inevitably found themselves - as the old maxim went, no more powerful friendships are formed than those which are forged on the field of battle. It was, perhaps, a comforting thought.

He'd taken his glass over to sit by the front viewports of the large common lounge. Several Tri-Dimensional Chess sets had been set up nearby, but he wasn't interested in playing right now - he and Saul sometimes had a game over lunch, when their schedules provided an opening - but sometimes he just preferred to sit there and look out at the stars.

From where the ship was positioned, he'd never have been able to identify the star that belonged to the Bajor system, but then he really wasn't looking. Certainly that was what most people would call his 'home', and more importantly, it was there that the entrance to the Celestial Temple could be found, but Miramon wasn't particularly concerned with such things. He just wanted to sit there and mull over his thoughts.

Frankly, if anyone had moved to join him, he probably would never have noticed them until they said something.

"I get moments like these too," Ember said, suddenly appearing next to him, holding her glass and taking a small sip, the tip of her tongue sliding out to wet her lips. "When I gaze at the stars and wish so desperately to be out there, just a small shuttle and me, alone with the stars.." Her voice was soft and husky, perhaps deliberately so, and when she glanced over at him, holding his eyes, there was languid purpose within her dark irises, unmistakably. Her lips slowly lingered

at the rim of her glass.

Her appearance was rather sudden, he had to admit - just went to prove how un-mindful Miramon was being right now. He'd not even heard her approach, which was always disturbing, but sometimes it was good to be surprised - or scared out of your skin, as the cynical half of the Bajoran noted mentally. The conscious half, the one that wasn't laughing at him in particular was aware that he really ought to say something in reply, since it was impolite to remain silent when someone had taken pains to talk to you.

"Would that perhaps be why you are here, aboard a ship with over a thousand souls, to be with the stars, but not alone?" His deep blue eyes flickered away for a moment, back to the view outside of the window, but moved back just as quickly. The woman's first words were rather poetic, considering that he'd never seen nor talked to her before, and certainly an introduction wasn't likely to be as direct or as forthcoming as he was used to expecting - an interesting change, that was for sure.

She laughed. "Even in a ship of a thousand souls, you are still alone… It's foolish to think otherwise." As though she hadn't meant for that slightly jaded remark to slip out, she changed her tack, coyly adding, "Not to imply you are." She fell silent for a moment, and even if it might have seemed she had temporarily lost interest in the conversation, when she spoke again, it was obvious that she had only been thinking about his question. "There're many reasons why I'm here… but many more for why I shouldn't be." She smiled briefly. Maybe though, there was only one that mattered. "But I love the stars."

Ember looked at him. "And you? Why're you here?"

"Right now, I'm here because it's the best place to get a drink and relax without having to be alone, and certainly without being surrounded by reports that need to be read and what have you." He gave the woman an amused smile to indicate that he was joking, since that obviously hadn't been the response she'd been looking for with her question, given how she'd answered his a moment ago. "But, seriously, if I wasn't here, I'd likely be settling down on Bajor as my family continues to insist that I do, or I'd be working back with merchant freight again. I guess I'm here because I enjoy the lifestyle - never knowing where you'll end up next, and doing something useful at the same time."

He took a brief sip of the wine, putting the glass down on the table again with a slight 'clink' as the two glass surfaces touched. He rolled her comment around in his mind for a moment, thinking about it. He wasn't honestly sure he agreed with what she'd said - sure, it was always the case that, in the end, you really could only rely upon yourself, but he'd not been brought up to think that way. He'd lived on ships where trying to be aloof and independent of your crewmates ended up making for an unpleasant journey - for everyone involved.

"Now I'm no Vulcan, but it seems to me that if you've got more reasons for not being here than you have reasons for staying, wouldn't it make more sense not to be here? I can't say I understand your reasoning." He waited, watching her expression carefully.

"There's always a reason for not staying," She said with an enigmatic smile. It was a glib answer, one for which she didn't have to give too much of herself away. "It doesn't matter how many reasons there are pulling you away, as long as the reason that makes you stay – even if it's only one single reason - is stronger, and more important to you than all the rest." She drank deeply, watching him set down his glass. Seeming interested, she moved in closer, one more step that diminished the distance between them, and picked up his glass with her fingers around the stem. "Do you mind if I taste?" She asked, her lips close to the glass, but not quite touching.

Miramon raised his hand and gave a small, nonchalently-intended wave. "Go ahead. I can always get more if you decide you like it. It's native to Bajor, and it's the real stuff, not the one the computer thinks is real.

Ember nodded, taking a sip. It *was* good, different from anything she had tasted before, and in some ways, intriguing – perhaps, not unlike its owner. "I like it," She answered simply.

"Anyway, we haven't been introduced, while we're there. I'm Miramon," the Bajoran noted with a raised eyebrow. Maybe with her people, introductions didn't happen automatically at the beginning of a conversation. That said, it was likely to be a quick way to kill their line of discussion, such as it was.

"Ember," She spoke in return when he asked for introductions. "The dying remnants of a flame and the last-ditch attempt to stay alight, or…" She paused, half-in thought. "The small seeds of a fiery rebirth. You decide." The meaning of her name was as paradoxical and contradictory as she was; maybe it all depended on perspective, on the manner of mood she was in, at any moment in time.

"Can I have more of this Spring wine?" She asked suddenly, unabashedly, her eyes connecting with his, smoldering with hidden intent. "…in your quarters?"

He certainly hadn't expected her to say that. They'd known each other for, what, 5 minutes, and she wanted to go to his quarters? The question at least confirmed one of his firm personal convictions: he was never going to understand women. He narrowed his eyes briefly, suspecting that the woman might perhaps be playing around with him for her own amusement, but he didn't see the any signs of such intent in her eyes. That said, he couldn't really read her expression that well - somehow, even given their problems with the Dithparu lately, the Bajoran was beginning to envy the telepaths aboard ship. No doubt they had an easier time with this.

He relented in his stare after a fleeting moment, then gave a gentle nod. "Alright. It's not like I'm in any hurry to be anywhere else. Shall we go?"

"Let's," She inclined her head gently in a nod. "Lead the way."

"The Dance"

Corran Rex
Ella Grey

Corran had been happy to find that the tux still fit. Given how long it had been since the Trill had had any occasion to wear it, he wouldn't have been surprised at all if it had shrunk some - particularly around the midsection. That, of course, would be completely the fault of the fabric. He hadn't told Ella of what their plans would be for this evening, but had merely sent her the dress, and told her he'd pick her up at 20:00, sharp.

A single red rose in hand, he actually rang the doorbell to her quarters for once, and waited patiently. There was a right way to do these things, after all.

She opened the door and smiled, accepting the rose and then letting him in.

"What do you think?" Ella asked, spinning around for him to see. The dress was inspired by the early 20th century, a slim black halter dress with a long flared skirt, specifically chosen to go well with his tux and to blend perfectly with the group they would be around tonight.

She had been surprised when the dress had been delivered but even more surprised by her reaction at the idea of spending time with Rex. They had hung out countless times over the past few months but this night was different. It was like a date and while one part of her said (in that internal voice of hers that was her mother's) that this was a bad idea, the other part of her was almost giddy at getting to put on a dress and go out dancing.

"I think if anyone else sees you, you'll start reviving old fashion trends." Corran replied warmly, taking a good long look. All in the name of historical correctness, he assured himself. Really. Truth to tell, Ella looked good in the dress.

Damned good.

"And you're going to be equally trendy in that tux." Ella said. "I haven't seen one of these in a long time. Did you replicate it?"

"Had it laying around, actually." he admitted, holding out his arm to her. "An ex of mine used to have a thing for ballroom dancing, so it was handy to keep around."

"I thought that's what we might be doing tonight." Ella replied. She couldn't resist the urge to straighten Corran's tie a bit, of course pulling back when she felt like having her hand linger.

"I'm not a bad ballroom dancer but I did have to replicate these heels." She pulled up her dress slightly to show the shoes. "So your feet have been warned."

"I'll consider my toes put on notice." he replied.

"So why are we doing this?" Ella asked as she put the rose in a replicated vase of water. "Instead of.. what was it last time? Subterranean cliff diving?" That hadn't been too bad but some of Corran's other ideas had been a bit much, like skiing at Rura Pente or climbing Mt. Tar'Hana, a still active volcano. And she liked recklessly flying a shuttle as much as the next pilot but Corran took it to extremes.

"I figured you could use some "out" time with someone other than Indigo's hologram." he confessed. "So as to where, exactly... you'll just have to see." He'd noticed the slight linger of her hand, and found himself wishing that her hand had stayed there longer.

"I like a good surprise." She said with a wink, even though the mention of Indy brought about a slight twinge of guilt. "Do I get twenty questions?"

"You can ask..." he teased, as they started towards the holodeck, which wasn't all that far from Ella's quarters.

"Is the program set on Earth?"

"Yep."

"Is it some famous event in Earth's history?"

"Nope."

"If I pants you, will you give me more than a one word answer?" Ella asked cheerfully.

"No, but you'd better be prepared to do something about it if you do." he replied in an equally cheery tone - and with more than the requisite hint of innuendo in his voice and expression.

Ella laughed. "You should wiggle your eyebrows more when you say that. Looks more lecherous."

"Noted for future reference, Lieutenant." the Trill joked, adopting a mock-official tone.

"Good." Ella said in what would have been an airy tone, had her vocal range not been so limited by the mechanical nature of her vocabulator. "Make sure that you do."

As they came to the outside of the holodeck, Corran triggered the program, and together they stepped inside.

It was the nightclub from Indigo's program with a few modifications. For one it was brighter and less smokey, and the regulars of the dive were now more formal in tuxes similar to Rex's and stunning evening dresses - much like hers. He'd clearly put a lot of effort into tweaking the simulation. A full band sat at the stage where Indigo had sang at and they were in the middle of an upbeat jazz number.

It was perfect. And she wanted to dance.

Ella grinned and took Rex's hand. "Come on!"

Corran laughed as she pulled him along to the dance floor, and he had to admit that the music was infectious.

But then again, he wasn't sure if it was the music, or the company.

She wasn't sure of all the steps but it was easy enough to improvise. And Corran seemed to be able to match whatever impromptu little movement she had decided on, twirls, hops, a minor setback into the tango... By the end of the fifth song as the band managed to finally slip in a slow number, Ella was winded but was also the happiest she had been in a long time. It dawned on her that she had never gotten to dance like that before, certainly not with her ex fiancee or on the rare occasions that she had been asked to dance in years past, and that it was nice to find someone who seemed to enjoy it as much as she did.

Corran had been pleasantly surprised to find how energetic a dancer Ella was, and he had to admit, he was certainly enjoying it himself. For several songs, they whirled about on the dance floor, getting into the music and simply enjoying each other's presence, and the given and take interplay of the dancing, combined with their attempts to constantly one-up each other.

"Okay, let's take a break for a moment." he finally said after the sixth straight number. "Catch our breath, have a few drinks, how's that?"

"That's fine." She said. They walked over to the refreshment table, got their drinks, and sat down at the closest unoccupied table. Ella was amused by the pink table coverings which she thought her mother would have loved.

There was a slight moment where she was unsure if she should sit next to him or across from him but then Ella told herself to stop being silly and sat beside him.

He gave her a warm smile as she did, and allowed himself to take comfort in her proximity. It was such a simple thing, really, and he found himself constantly amazed by how often the simple things with Ella made him happy. The psychologist in him wondered if his many romantic liaisons weren't, as Ammalyn had suggested, compensation for the disastrous breakup of his previous long-term relationship, or, more likely, compensation for the fact that he expected this to have been his last life. That had changed, no, with what he now knew about himself and his past. It was possible that his attitudes towards letting others into his life had as well.

Enough of those thoughts, Corran chided himself (and was pleasantly surprised when Vorrin didn't interrupt his thoughts. Maybe the old man knew when to leave well enough alone, after all.). He raised a hand, and snapped his fingers. A moment later, a waiter appeared with two glasses, and bottle of champagne on ice. "Champagne?" Corran asked with a small smile.

It beat the mixers they currently had. Ella raised an eyebrow. "Going all out, I take it?"

"I hear some women like to be pampered." he replied. "but I'm willing to treat it as a nasty rumor if you disagree."

"You're such a flirt." Ella smiled after sipping some champagne. "And a scoundrel."

"You could use a scoundrel in your life." he replied roguishly, eyes twinkling in amusement after, as he sipped his own champagne.".

"Oh?"

"What, your mother didn't ever tell you to stay away from guys like me?"

"Of course she did." Ella smirked. "And I actually listened too. Mostly."

"Well now," he replied. "Where's the fun in that?"

"I happen to like nice men." Ella said in a mock arch tone.

"Hey," he said, adopting a wounded expression and pressing a hand to his chest. "I'm a nice man."

Ella laughed, wondering if he got the reference, and then playfully tugged on his jacket. "But you just said you were a scoundrel."

"I am." he replied, assuming a straight face, playing the role to the hilt.

"Ah, a walking contradiction. Well, if you're a nice man, you'll know that nice men ask ladies to dance after they've had champagne."

He flashed that same broad smile and stood from the stool, offering his arm once again. "Well then, would the lady like to dance?" Corran said, putting on a veneer of formality, and offering in a low bow. She accepted it with a smile of her own, and they moved back out on the dance floor.

The dance was slow, perhaps the band winding down from all the effort of their previous numbers. Ella didn't mind though. It gave her a chance to move even closer to Corran, which again her mind told her was a bad idea but which she again ignored.

Corran was acutely aware of the closeness of her body against his, but they got through the slow dance quietly, each lost in their own thoughts and their awareness of the other. Once again, Corran resented the ghost of Victor, ever-present in his dealings with Ella. Victor, who would never make a move himself. Victor, who didn't know what he could have with her if he just tried.

Victor was a fucking idiot.

"What's wrong?" Ella asked. His whole body had tensed suddenly. She pulled back to be able to look at his face better and blinked at the anger she saw there. And then again as that anger was replaced by something equally raw and powerful in emotion. They'd teased each other before, he'd flirted shamelessly before, but this was something completely different.

Two hundred and ten pounds of hungry-eyed, sexy Trill wrapped up in a black tux to be precise.

Something low in her gut jumped in response and she struggled to say something that would be discouraging, friendly, hell, even mean, but no words would come out of her mouth.

Instead, the next song began (and, of course, it was was much faster paced, and therefore seemed innately sensual) and they kept dancing. The dance they performed got more intense as it went on, both of them losing themselves in it, giving in to the energy of it with blind abandon, and dancing their hearts out.

Anyone watching would have been immensely impressed with the skill both displayed - and would have been quick to remark that the sexual tension that was present could have been cut with a dull butter knife.

Which, at the climax of the song, Ella decided to do. Because, really, it was either that or go home and sit under a cold shower for a few hours.

She leaned forward to kiss Corran, passionately, urgently. He responded without even thinking, pressing his lips and body to hers with equal need.

The rest of the room faded away and after a moment, he pulled back, resting his forehead against hers. "What about Victor?"

Yes, what about Victor, she asked herself. She still loved him but there was nothing she could do to get through to him for the moment. And she wanted Corran.

"What about him?" Ella replied in a whisper, and kissed Corran again.

After their second kiss broke, Corran couldn't agree more. He smiled broadly. "Then, m'dear, I think you promised me a ride?"

She just smiled wickedly, and spoke four little words. "Computer, remove all holographic characters."

And without another word, they sank to the dance floor of the simulated club, all cares and concerns, doubts and worries, forgotten.

OOC: Set a little after our lovely new XO joins us…

“A Bad Klingon Day…”

Commander Kol
First Officer, USS Galaxy

Lieutenant Kimberly Burton,
Chief Medical Officer, USS Galaxy

Chief Medical Officers Office, USS Galaxy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Singing softly to herself as she worked again, Kimberly was sat happily at her desk making a serious and determined attack on the paperwork that spawned overnight on her desk. So far all but one small pile was actually dealt with, the rest had either been read, filed, turfed out to her staff or actually completed.

~ So far, a good day! ~ she decided, there were only a few cases in sickbay, none serious, the paper work was under control, she had a working shortlist for the position of ACMO, though the decision was on hold until she had actually met everyone, and she felt she had had a nice relaxing time in which to settle into her new job.

~ Why do I always say things like that? ~ she wondered after a moment, ~ It usually triggers something! ~ shrugging she returned to her PADD's and was soon singing again.

Commander Kol entered sickbay, striding purposefully toward his destination: the Chief Medical Officer's office located at the back of Galaxy' medical section. A nurse – or possibly a medical technician, these human uniforms all looked the same – attempted to assist him, but a low growl sent the girl scurrying on her way.

Looking up at the heavy and rhythmic footsteps that indicated someone (or something) big approaching her office she looked out the open door and froze, ~ Someone, somewhere, 'hates' me! ~ she decided as she saw 'Him'. ~ Did I miss a memo!? ~ looking at the unread pile of PADD's she flipped her screen on and called up a list of ship wide memo's, ~ Yup! Missed it! ~ she realised, ~ Goddess, 'He's' the new XO! Why me! ~ Standing as the huge Klingon walked in she refrained from smiling and looked up at his face, remembering just how 'big' he was the closer he got.

"Commander." She greeted him simply, not looking forward to this.

"Doctor Burton." he greeted her in his bass rumble. "I thought you were a... counsellor." he commented, making the word sound like the curse he viewed it as. "How is it you have gained this post?'

"If you recall my file Commander, I have been studying for some time now to achieve my medical licence, which I have, and been assigned here as the Chief Medical Officer,” she explained simply, not really wanting to go into details with him.

Kol just snorted, but he found the explanation sufficient. "Are you aware that there is a child treating patients in sickbay?"

"Well aware Commander, and are you aware that that 'child' is several hundred years your senior!" she informed him.

"If you say so, Doctor." he rumbled.

"Well, what can I do for you, Sir... I doubt you're here for a counselling session," she said, trying to keep the sarcasm out of her voice, tapping her screen she checked to see if a current medical file was available for the commander, "and as we have a current 502 on file for you, would this be a social call? Or for your requisite coming aboard check-up?" she asked, hoping that was the case, and that he hadn't come to resume their last argument about weapons and fighting!

"Neither." he replied. "This is supposed to be a temporary assignment, Doctor. There is no need for your... ministrations."

“Then how can I assist you Commander.”

"I am here because you still not recertified yourself in basic hand to hand combat or basic phaser testing, despite that I reprimanded you for this already on the Arizona." the XO said darkly.

~ Oh…!!! ~ words failing her she thought dark thoughts about Klingons with good memories.

"You should consider yourself lucky, Doctor, that this is not a Klingon ship."

“Oh, and why is that,” she asked, already half aware of the answer.

"Because," Kol answered matter of factly. "I would have already gutted you for your insubordinate nature, and your lack of a basic understanding of the universe proves you to be a liability to whatever ship you serve on."

“I beg your pardon, a ‘lack of a basic understanding of the universe’?” she asked with some disbelief, “just because I have a different view from you doesn’t make it any less valid,” she countered, “exactly what do you mean though?”

"Then allow me to speak clearly."

“You mean you haven’t been up to now?” she asked, trying not to let the sarcasm show in her voice.

Kol nodded, acknowledging the comment as a compliment, though it was very likely not intended as such. "As this is a Starfleet vessel, I must abide by their... regulation. You have one week to recertify yourself, Doctor."

Sighing in frustration she tried not to shake her head or snap at him, they’d had this out before on the Arizona and she’d lost there as well, “This may sound stupid, but out of curiosity, or what?”

"Or you will be removed from the active duty roster, and I will very strongly recommend against your being reinstated. Ever."

“That is somewhat excessive Commander, a recommendation like that should be because of more that you disagree with my personal beliefs,” she argued.

"This is not up for debate, Doctor." the Klingon replied harshly. "This is an order. Failure to comply, should you irritate me further, will result in your court-martial for disobeying the direct order of a superior officer. You will be held to the same standards as all Starfleet personnel, or you will no longer serve in Starfleet." he finished, and turned to depart. Then, remembering how many times Corran had emphasized the need to be polite, he turned to address the woman one final time. "Have a nice day."

“Somehow I doubt you mean that Commander,” Kimberly countered in a neutral tone, “please see one of my staff for your required check up before the end of the next duty cycle,” she countered, “and I will arrange for my… proficiency checks within the next day or two,” she assured him as she sat back down, “thank you for stopping by, good-day Commander,” she said, trying not to sound too dismissive, this was one ‘big’ Klingon after all.

Nieca Rey'ol
Assistant Chief Tactical Officer

"What dreams may come" part 1

****

Nieca's Quarters

****

It’s strange how dreams can turn memories into the reality they once were.

Nieca clutched at the dead leg that dragged by her side, despite its flaccid broken appearance for the past month it still managed to sting with pain and cause her waves of nausea. The thick bone of her femur only protruded through her skin when she pushed upon it, at first it was a raw and fluid wound, but was merely a crusty and pus filled injury now. Even a Pakled could figure things out; it was only a matter of time before this broken bone will kill her, a fever mixed with infection.

But death from a simple injury seemed like a blessing in this prisoner’s camp. The Cardassian guards were cruel and unpredictable, few showed mercy in the four weeks Rey’ol had been help captive. Much of her day was spent in avoidance, not just from the Cardassians but from other prisoners. These camps operated on an eye for an eye and they only defense Nieca now held was a fierce outer appearance.

Her head began to pound and gagging spasms twisted at her insides once more. Looking for a place to hide Rey’ol found a small cave against the dirty floors of the rock walls of the encampment. Crawling on her hands and one good knee she managed to stay conscious long enough to hide.

She awoke to shouting hours later.

Night raids were common in the prisoner’s camp, usually brought on by too much ale; the Cardassian guards gathered their infamous shock sticks and harassed sleeping captives. The shouting Nieca herd came from around the corner; with any luck she could avoid detection. Forcing her broken leg to bend and fold she curled into a small silent ball against the back of the tiny cave and waited in horror.

A pair of boots stopped in front of the cave, Nieca held her breath and watched in relief as the pair of boots, followed by two, more quickly moved past her. Sighing she relaxed and bit and let the tip of her tail slide out from under the rocks.

“Well hello, look who we have here.” The lone guard bringing up the rear of the group smiled at Rey’ol as he bent down to look her in the eye.

Nieca Rey'ol
Assitant Chief Tactical Officer

"What dreams may come" part 2

****

The Cardassian guard took a fist full of Nieca’s dirty blonde hair in his hand and with one strong tug pulled the Caitian out from her hiding place. She merely whimpered in pain, like a beat dog she merely laid at his feet and waited for the punishment to be over.

“Trying to hide from us?” The shock stick in his hands began to hum as it charged “That was stupid of you.” He placed the stick along her side, the smell of burnt flesh filler her nostrils as the guard laughed.

“The Dominion war will be over soon and I personally look forward to conquering more of your kind.” His expression was smug as he placed the stick closer to her broken leg “Perhaps I will skin your father, such a lovely pelt for my floors.”

Nieca’s brown eyes snapped open from his words and her lifeless tail suddenly snapped back and forth in an angry manner.

The Cardassian placed the shock stick into the wounds generated from her broken leg, which cause Nieca to howl in pain. The guard laughed.

“Even a pretty coat from your children’s skin… you filthy animal.”

His words sparked a fire inside of her and Nieca’s good leg began to search for grounding. The guard paused from his torture as his victim grew silent and focused.

“What’s this… thinking of fighting back?” He lifted the stick from her leg and began to laugh once more.

As his head tilted back in laughter Nieca clawed at the earth beneath her. With a new found strength she lunged at the lone guard and knocked him to the ground.

"What dreams may come" part 3

****

She wrapped a hand across his forehead and slammed the Cardassian’s head into the hard ground. Pinned from the large Caitian’s weight, the guard began to squirm and panic under her. A growl escaped her lips as her free hand shook the shock stick from his. A true sense of vulnerability raced through the guard under her as he began to scream for help.

Her dark eyes narrowed as she glanced down at him and once more a deep rush of anger pumped through her body. The months of abuse and pain came to head in this moment and the Caitian flourished in the power she now felt.

She moved in close to him and pressed her lips against his. The dumbfounded guard grew silent for a second before he began to kick and thrash below Nieca. His screams became gargled and wet as Rey’ol lifted her head. True terror could be herd in his wailing as the realization of injury rush over him. Nieca pushed away from the guard and spit out the lump of flesh she had torn from the Cardassian. The sticky metallic taste of blood made her stomach grumble and her instincts roar.

The group of guards returned to the sight of Nieca’s attack and for a moment stood back in horror. Their co-worker had choked and drowned in his own blood, his limp body rested below the feral Caitian, who now wiped her mouth clean of her victim’s blood.

“She ripped out his tongue…” The youngest guard gasped.

“Foul beast.” The older guard sneered as he raised his stick over his head. “We can’t have dangerous animals milling about our encampment, see that she’s collared and chained to the house.”

The younger guard nodded and Nieca watched the older guard’s shadow lower behind her before everything went black.

It’s strange how dreams can turn memories into the reality they once were.

Nieca sputtered and gasped as she sat up in bed, her body covered in a heavy cold sweat, she touched the leg that was once broken only to find it healed and scar free from Starfleet’s medical care.

Three short sobs escaped her body as she reached out in the darkness of her quarters for the bottle of pills resting on her night stand. Sliding two of the small white pills into her mouth she took a sip of hard liquor from the tumbler she had left from earlier. The medicine worked quickly and the once tortured Caitian now found comfort.

It’s strange how dream can turn memories into the reality they once were.

But tonight there would be no more dream for Nieca as the drugs pushed her back into a restless sleep.

OOC: Backposted.

"Boarding"

Lt(jg) Cora Dobyrin, Chief Intelligence Officer

2nd Lt S'srissa, Counter-Terrorism Unit Liason to Intelligence

Arriving on the transporter padd intact, the green-skinned Orion woman looked towards the transporter operator, who was now gaping. It took a brief moment to note he was an enlisted low-ranked man of Crewman rank. While she normally might just ignore it, she knew that if she did, the rumor mill would go nuts.

So, she quickly snapped, "Get your mind out of the gutter, Crewman."

He gulped, closing his mouth, "Sorry. I have your quarters assignment, duty roster and boarding data pack here."

Stepping down, she quickly made the short distance before taking the computer padd from him.

She nodded to him before turning, leaving the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Making her way through the corridors of her latest duty station towards her quarters, the green-skinned Orion woman ignored the looks that she got from men that she passed.

Arriving, she used her previously-sent access code and the door opened. Entering the room, she stopped and looked around.

Dropping to a crouch instinctively after the door shut, she waited for a few moments to make sure no one was going to jump out before pulling her modified tricorder out.

Adjusting it, she began doing an intensive sweep for hidden bugs and recording devices, her trained paranoia coming to the fore. She did not find anything, including when she opened up the replicator housing to check for signs of wilful contamination.

Going back to her duffel bag, she picked it up and headed to the bedroom. She unpacked her gear, putting it away neatly in the cupboards - lined up dead straight in logical groupings.

She then headed to the computer terminal and began setting up her standard data-file security precautions. Once she had finished, she uploaded the CTU information she had brought with her.

Logging off after the encryption protocols had finished working, S'srissa smiled.

Bringing up the ship's map, she quickly located various locations and memorized them - the bridges, Main Security, the Infirmary, the Intelligence office. She knew that it was standard to check in with her commanding officer, who was a Lt. JG Cora Dobryin.

Cora had been expecting another new arrival to Galaxy's Intelligence deptarment. Glancing up as S'srissa entered. "Welcome aboard. I assume you have your orders with you Lieutenant"

S'srissa saluted and handed over a padd to Cora, standing at attention, "Yes, Lieutenant. My transfer orders from CTU are in this padd."

After accepting the PADD she returned to her seat, "Have a seat Lieutentant. Would you like something to drink?" Briefly Cora skimmed the data. "Everything appears to be in order."

S'srissa shook her head, "No, thank you - I am fine."

"You've joined us at a very interesting time," Cora commented. "Once we're finished here take some time to get settled in and review the latest dispatches from Intel. I'll expect to see you at the usual Intel brief at the start of Alpha shift tomorrow."

S'srissa smiled, "Certainly. I recieved a copy during my trip here, and have reviewed it. I will be there."

"Excellent," Cora replied, "Welcome to Galaxy's Intelligence Dept. I'll leave you to finish getting settled and review the data before our briefing."

"Practice Makes Perfect"

Major Corran Rex, CAG/Vanguard One
Lieutenant Cora Dobryin, Chief Intelligence Officer
Lieutenant JG Miramon Terrik, Chief Navigation Officer
Lieutenant JG Saul Bental, Chief Tactical Officer
Ensign Nieca Rey'ol, ACTO SCPO.
Renora Loret, Tactical Analyst
Lieutenant JG Naranda Roswell, Engineering Officer

Observing: Commander Kol, First Officer

OOC: Takes place prior to "Terminal Velocity"

-----------

Holodeck 1, Deck 10

Miramon and Saul were the first two to arrive at the Holodeck, since they were the ones responsible for having set up the simulations in the first place and wanted to make sure everything was working properly before they got started. At least they had one comfort – if it didn't, they had some engineers nearby to help out. Although, as was occasionally observed by some of more cynical members of the crew, whether that was a help or a hindrance depended on the engineer, but Miramon didn't dare say that around Saul, since he was dating one of them himself.

They did not, of course, know that the new First Officer had arranged to be an observer in this simulation. He had not, however, yet arrived.

Stopping at the double-doors, Miramon moved over to the control panel and began typing in a series of quick commands to check that everything was working, then looked over at Saul with a gentle smile curving his normally relaxed features.

"Computer, create program. Give us...the Bridge."

The computer beeped as it processed the command, then gave another one, this time less co-operative than the first. "Please specify bridge type."

"Well I sure as hell didn't want the Golden Gate Bridge," he muttered under his breath. "Bridge as currently found aboard starship USS Galaxy NCC 70637."

He rolled his eyes gently and shook his head as the computer complied. He gave Saul a slightly exasperated look. "Ever wonder which idiot designed the computer system to be so...pedantic? I mean, when I say the bridge, you can imagine that me, being a Starfleet officer serving aboard a ship would, colloquially, only refer to one part of this ship as the Bridge. So, if it was going to predict what I wanted, could it not perhaps think logically about who is asking, where they are asking and what they are asking for?"

"The frightening thing is, some people on board would actually think you're talking about the Golden Gate if asked them to draw a bridge," the Tactical Chief commented.

"I think I'd be worried if the computers on this ship actually started 'thinking'" Nieca interjected as she entered the holodeck. "I would hate for it to change my replicator's meals to what it considered to be healthy." The Caitian smirked a little from her own joke.

"That's why you should always bring food from home.", Saul told her, then went to the side and began a private conversation with the computer, preparing the final parameters of the simulation. He took the scenario from one of the main Wolf 359 challenge scenario back on 2379. It was just challenging enough for a first exercise, and should give them a way to measure the crew's current battle readiness.

Miramon grinned at the banter being exchanged between those of them that had arrived, giving a gentle nod to the Caitian as she came over. At least someone was on time so far. That was at least promising. Not that he could blame anyone else if they decided that the exercises were unnecessary compared to, say, an extra few hours in bed. Given the choice, he might have made that same assessment himself, but he wasn't going to say a word to Saul. After all, they'd planned the simulations together, so they could hardly demonstrate less than full enthusiasm for the proceedings.

Nara made her way to the bridge with about a minute to spare. Saia seemed to be stalling with every imaginable excuse when it came to babysitters. She tried to stick to one besides Miramon and the Widdlesteins. That being the perky lady that watched Saia while Nara was on the away mission. And while she was being mischievous in the Jeffries Tubes. Also while she and Saul almost killed each other.

She looked around with a look on her face, "Well, this may be the only bridge time I get." Nara had yet to be on the bridge. It was a reserved privilege for superior officers.

As Galaxy's Chief Intelligence Officer, Cora was more than a bit interested to see exactly what they had come up with. She arrived at the holodeck and greeted the other two already present. "I'm looking forward this." There was a lot more to consider than just her own response to a simulation such as this one.

Saul, of course, noticed her presence. It was no secret that he and his previous direct superiors weren't in good terms. Saul had no doubt that part of the reason why he was transferred to Tactical was to prevent any further friction between him and Cora.

Well, Cora's presence only meant that he couldn't allow anything to go wrong in this simulation.

Renora stepped through the doors and looked around the holographic replication of the bridge. It was the first time she'd seen the this ships, pretty standard but she could tell there had been some small modifications. She caught sight of the woman to her right, the black undershirt gave her away as intelligence. She glanced over towards Saul who was putting the final touches to the program. ~Okay then, let's see what you can do.~ She thought to herself.

Major Corran Rex arrived shortly thereafter, with Lieutenant Teyri and Pilot Lansky following close behind him. The three fighter pilots were all decked out in their flight gear, as the holodeck had created a room behind the bridge with fighter simulators for the three of them. They would physically be in the holodeck, but the physical illusion would be complete. "Lieutenants, Ensign, Petty Officer." the Trill said, nodding his head at each of them in turn. "Looking forward to seeing what you've come up with, Mr. Bental."

"As am I." came the deep bass voice of Commander Kol. "I was..intrigued to learn of this simulation you have planned, Lieutenant."

Saul was mildly surprised. He just opened his mouth to reply to Corran when he picked Kol. Saul have seen the Commander, but he didn't speak with him since Kol boarded the Galaxy, not too long ago. "Keep in mind that this is only the first in a series of simulations, with increasing difficulty, sir.", Saul said firmly. "That aside, I hope you two will find the Tactical challenge satisfactory."

"You should hope that I do." the Klingon rumbled in a tone that could not be mistaken in it's slight menace. "If it is unsatisfactory, then I will be programming the next one."

Saul frowned, but decided not to respond. It didn't take long for him to judge what type of officer, or person, this 'Commander' Kol was. He was the kind of managerial brute that arguing with would be pointless.

Moreover, this was not the kind of attention that the Chief Tactical Officer wished to receive on his first combat simulation.

"I was unaware that you had the intention of appearing at our humble simulation." Nieca purred as Saul fussed with his program. "I'm sure my commanding officer would be more then happy to give you an active role... "

Kol snorted. "Do not concern yourself. I merely intend to observe."

Rey'ol merely nodded her head in acknowledgment of his wishes, while the faint irritated clicking of well groomed nails rose from the corner of her console.

"All right, everyone.", Saul called out when all the essential personnel were gathered and the arch officially locked, "Today's exercise is the first of several combat exercises that will take place throughout the coming year. There are two major goals for the exercise. The first is to evaluate and to increase our combat readiness, toward a possible conflict with the Triad forces. The second... there's a possibility that the Galaxy's crew will enroll to a major Starfleet exercise called 'The Wolf 359 challenge'."

Saul made a dramatic pause, his eyes focusing on each officer in the room.

"If we're entering into this challenge, we want to be at our best, especially with regards to co-ordination and innovation, since all the crews we'd be working with or against have had the same training we've all received at the Academy, so we need to show them who it is they have to beat." Miramon noted with a smile. It didn't hurt at this stage to motivate everyone's competitive instincts - if anything, it'd hopefully sharpen them up so they'd perform at their best.

Nara nodded. Being ready for battle was something she could understand.

Corran gave a brisk nod. "I've heard of the contest, but I've never entered. Sounds like fun."

Commander Kol didn't comment, though he made the effort to hide his derisive snort. These Starfleet officers and their childish games. Nothing was a substitute for the true glory of combat. Simulated battle - simulated honor - was utterly without worth or purpose.

"This is not yet official, but if we want to have a fighting chance against the best crews the fleet has to offer, we can't waste any time. Now, for the scenario."

Saul swiveled around, tapping on a console. The simulated Galaxy's screen came to life.

"This scenario is pretty straight forward, and was built by Starfleet Tactical following our own run-in with the Dreshayans during our trip to Trill.", Saul continued. "There are three Dreshayan vessels on fast approach vector. These vessels are considered to be state of the art by the Dreshayans , and are more maneuverable than the Galaxy. However, the Galaxy is far more powerful in terms of weapons arsenal, shielding and overall technology. The Dreshayans ' intentions are currently unknown, and their ETA is three minutes on interception course. Note that we are in the vicinity of a Star system - near the Dreshaya border - and that there's a research station nearby."

Kol spoke up once, and the Tactical officer could clearly make out the frown decorating the Klingon's features. "It does not seem a worthy test for a vessel of this caliber."

"Irrelevant to this simulation, sir. It is the crew being tested, rather than the ship. For now we just want everyone to get comfortable and find their feet. It would be disorientating in the least to throw everyone against a Borg Cube in our first run. After all, we're not just testing department co-ordination, but preparing to implement possible changes. If we're too busy 'fighting for our lives' first time out, we'll have no chance to make any corrections. And if we end up doing a much more challenging scenario, I'd rather those were made beforehand. So, I'd imagine, would you."

Miramon's steady expression didn't waver as he watched the Klingon commander. Regardless of the additional pressure being put on them by having a Klingon participating in the simulation, not to mention that the aforementioned also happened to be the current XO aboard the Galaxy, the Bajoran wasn't about to have their setup criticized before they'd had a chance to see how things went. Kol could say what he wanted once the simulation was over, but they'd come here with a purpose, and he fully intended to see that they went ahead with fulfilling that.

"Also, don't underestimate the Dreshayans. They ARE an existing threat, and their ships DO have their advantages, such as speed. I expect everyone to focus on OUR advantages over the enemy vessels. If we do, this will be easy. If we don't… it won't."

"Very well," the Commander conceded. "Your words are not without point. Proceed."

A minor victory, Saul reckoned. He paced toward the Tactical post, where Nieca was standing. "Positions. The Captain and XO are simulated. This is a pure test for the actual crews, and will include minimal decision-making on our behalf."

A holographic figured emerged out of nothingness, and occupied the Captain's seat. It was someone everyone knew, even if not in person.

It was none other than Robert E. Lee "The General" Price.

"Practice Makes Perfect" pt II

Major Corran Rex, CAG/Vanguard One
Lieutenant Cora Dobryin, Chief Intelligence Officer
Lieutenant JG Miramon Terrik, Chief Navigation Officer
Lieutenant JG Saul Bental, Chief Tactical Officer
Ensign Nieca Rey'ol, ACTO SCPO.
Renora Loret, Tactical Analyst
Lieutenant JG Naranda Roswell, Engineering Officer

Observing: Commander Kol, First Officer

OOC: Takes place prior to "Terminal Velocity"

-----------

Holodeck 1, Deck 10

It was none other than Robert E. Lee "The General" price.

The most famous commander of the 'old lady' was wearing Captain pips. He sat down, leaning forward slightly with anticipation. He was young, in his prime. Older or former members of the Galaxy's crew like Commander Karyn Dallas, now-Captains Elaithin Jii, Kent Peterson, and James Mitchell or Commander James Corgan wouldn't have been able to help but feel nostalgic at the sight of Lee Price, legs unimpaired, sitting it what a lot of people still thought of as "his" chair.

However, none of the people in this room today had ever served under that Starfleet legend.

"Lieutenant Terrik will be at the helm. Ensign Rey'ol will take the Tactical post. I will be standing next to her, as simulation operator.". Saul quickly described each person's position, including the engineers on the other holodeck.

Nara took her spot at the Engineering console. It felt odd. Almost like cheating. She didn't care. She got to be on the bridge. Even if it was simulated.

"Let's do it.", He concluded. The viewing screen unfroze, and the simulation came to life.

Miramon gave Saul a gentle grin, then quickly took his station, feeling the familiar crispness of the leather on his chair as he swiveled it to face him, and quickly sat down, turning to face the console which sat just above waist height so he could hit the various controls with optimal efficiency, and without feeling uncomfortable in doing so. The viewscreen in front of him was active, showing Dreshayan ships magnified so that their ships could be clearly defined and observed, even at this distance. Last time he'd seen one of those things, they'd been shooting at him in a shuttlecraft beyond the Galaxy itself, so most of the work had been with regards to evasive maneuvers - and that was likely what would happen on this occasion, too. But, as always, he was just waiting to be surprised and see what they could come up with.

Corran looked to Teyri and Lansky, and indicated the door that would nominally lead to the ready room. "We'll get to our "ships", then."

The Klingon first officer took up a position at the rear of the bridge, folding his arms and preparing for the entertainment that was sure to come.

As Saul moved to stand next to Nieca his heavily booted foot grazed the end of her tail. The tail jumped and leapt away from the weighted danger as if it had a mind of its own. Rey'ol meant to give him a sideways glance for the almost painful gesture but Bental's focus was on the sim.

Inhaling deeply Rey'ol closed her dark eyes. She reopen them slowly, their glassy gaze now locked on the tactical panel in front of her it was going to take a bit of cunning work to dazzle this crowd.

From that very second, events deteriorated quickly.

The Dreshayan arrows rushed toward the Galaxy, much like they did when the Galaxy was en-route to Trill, all those months ago.

A quick exchange of words between Captain Price and the Dreshayan leader has led everyone to the understanding that conflict was unavoidable. This may have been taken for granted, but Saul always believed that the first and best move in a fight is the attempt to avoid it without losing ground.

"Retreat from Dreshayan territory and abandon your invading station, or we shall have not a choice.", The uppity Dreshayan Captain concluded. A moment later, his ship broke off the formation, and began a broad turn toward the research station. One of the two other Dreshayan vessels shot a warning shot across the Galaxy's port side.

"You are in violation of Federation space, mate." "Price" replied firmly. "We'll not be standing down - but you should."

The response was static.

"Captain, their shields are now at full capacity, and they activated sensor jamming. It's safe to say that they are arming their weapons."

"This is it.", Price called, his Aussie accent thickening slightly. "Vanguards, launch and intercept vessel Beta. Mr. Re'yol… fire at will."

Renora winced slightly as she heard the order. 'Fire at will' always sounded to her ears like 'just hit the damn thing'. "Take your time." She said slowly to herself. She watched the reactions of the crew to the situation. Looking at their eyes, posture and listening to their voices. She wasn't a psychologist as such but she did know how to read people during combat.

Nieca's eyes narrowed from Price's words and her agile fingers began to dance across the tactical boards. Seconds later two torpedoes soared towards the Dreshayan ship.

The torpedoes flickered and rumbled against the ship's shields.

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

Vanguard One - Holosimulation

Corran watched as the simulated status markers came up for all of Vanguard squadrons. The pilots profiles - except for himself, Teyri and Lansky - had all been programmed in. "Leader to Vanguards, Galaxy actual has cleared us for launch. Three Dreshayan ships inbound. the big bird's taking target A, we're going for B. Confirm flight readiness when launched."

Both of the other pilots acknowledged the order, and the fighters were on the move.

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

Galaxy Bridge - Holosimulation

"Shields compromised 11% from the torpedoes Captain." The almost slavic yet distinctly Caitian accent rolled in the back of Nieca's throat "And they are preparing to return fire."

Nara just watched it all, waiting on a command. Tactical was to shoot, Ops were allocating resources. Everyone had a job to do during the battle. Nara was just waiting for something to fix, or alter.

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

Vanguard One - Holosimulation

When they'd faced the real Dreshayans, Corran and the Vanguards had participated in a very similar engagement. For the hell of it, Corran decided to use the same tactic as then. "Dreshayan vessel, this is Starfleet Starfighter craft Vanguard One. You are in violation of Federation territory and threatening a Federation starship. Stand down or be fired upon."

The Dreshayan's response was a nice blast of weapons fire that only years of piloting instinct enabled Corran to roll his ship and avoid. "Nice." he muttered to himself. "Allright, let's play it hard. Vanguards, break by flights. One Flight will target the cruiser's ventral plane. Two Flight, you take dorsal, Three Flight, take his rear. We shoot to disable for now."

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

Galaxy Bridge - Holosimulation

"Vanguard One, make sure your target does not reach its own target, the installation.", Price commanded. Their first priority, obviously, was to keep the defenseless civilians from harm's way. The second priority was the one that drew the 'Captain's' attention next.

["As ordered, Galaxy."] came the Major's quick reply over the comm.

"Defensive maneuvers.", the 'Captain' instructed, his voice as sharp and as cold as the edge of a Tritanium blade. "Keep 'em guessing, mate."

Miramon made a soft sound of derision from his chair at the front of the Bridge. Whenever there were Dreshayans involved, he always ended up putting the ship he was flying into defensive maneuvers. Last time it was in a smaller shuttle, but now he was supposed to perform the same little tactics with a Galaxy-class. That was gonna work.

Saul left the simulation running on its own, and now focused on the Tactical display. "Both Dershayan arrows are faster than us, but their flank shields and armament is weak. I propose the Yelenetik maneuver."

"Easy," Miramon muttered. Trust Saul to pick a move that he hadn't done since he'd practised it at the Academy. The movement involved a sudden burst of speed using the impulse engines, propelling the ship forward to outrun their opponents, who would obviously think the ship was moving to escape and would increase speed to try and keep up. Then, as soon as they were close enough to pass the ship, they'd cut power to the thrusters so the enemy would overshoot, and tactical could let loose with their forward phasers. It was much easier in a smaller craft, that was for sure.

The Dreshayan dart came up in a quick maneuver, passing up to the larger Galaxy's saucer. It's companion tried to do it's same, but had to alter it's course to avoid hitting the Vanguards, who'd placed themselves directly in the way. Dart A began to spin as it passed over the Federation ship's saucer, loosing a barrage of fire against her dorsal shields.

"Return fire.", Price ordered calmly. Saul gestured to Nieca to move sideways. With the simulation running on automatic, it was the Chief Tactical Officer's turn to give the gun a try.

"Darts have weak flank shields.", Saul indicated loudly as he directed the Galaxy's fire. The beams impacted the Dreshayan ship's, though it's position kept it clear of retaliatory fire from the ship's phaser cannon or torpedo tubes, limiting the Galaxy crew's options to standard phaser fire.

"Miramon.", Saul exclaimed, "Keep him ahead of us. There's a torpedo with this bastard's name on it!"

"I'm working on it!" the Bajoran snapped, focused more on his piloting than on what the rest of the bridge crew were doing. His console showed him where the Dreshayans were, so he was doing everything he could to ensure that he did exactly what Saul wanted. "Going to full reverse."

The second dart had slipped clear of the Vanguards, who were quickly coming around to overtake the larger ship. It did though, get the chance to coordinate fire at Galaxy herself, and the two ships in conjunction managed to pierce the Federation vessel's shields.

Nara kept her eyes on the console, once and awhile looking out the viewscreen. Once, somewhere as her eyes were switching between the two, she instinctively gripped the console with a death-grip. Instinctively as the ship suddenly rocked. Also instinctively, she kept her eyes on the console, which was hard to read with all the movement, but she did make something out. There was bad news that she had to announce. She almost forgot it was a simulation as anyone could tell with the alarm in her voice, "Damage on Decks 8 and 9. Life Support on both decks down thirty percent!"

"Evacuate the crew from the decks, and proceed to seal the damaged areas.", Captain Price commanded. "Roswell, coordinate damage control teams."

She sent the messages, and she called engineers to the damaged areas.

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

Vanguards

"Son of a bitch." Corran muttered. The Dreshayan ship's shields were holding too well against the Vanguard's own fire, and the ship had managed to slip free of their makeshift corral. "Allright, new strategy, Vanguards. Concentrate all fire on the Dart's engine's let's take her out.

The requisite acknowledgements came again, and the dozen fighters shifted to a mass formation, all aligned with the rear of their opponent.

The dozen fighter craft concentrated their pulse phasers and micro-torpedoes all on the aft-section of the dart's shields, and moments later, they flashed satisfyingly as they fell. Her engines went up shortly after that, raked by a dozen streams of fire. The ship stopped all powered momentum as it completely shut down, and began to drift through space.

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

Galaxy

"One down." the 'Captain' nodded satisfyingly. The other Dreshayan ship had stopped flying it's circles around the Galaxy, however, and was now turning it's attention to the outpost. It slipped past the larger ship, and someone cursed.

"Pursuit course." Price ordered.

Saul frowned. "They are faster than us. If we want to do something let's do it now."

[Galaxy, Vanguard Leader. They're out of our range for the moment. If you've got something, now's the time."]

Saul fired the phaser cannon then, as Miramon aligned the ship perfectly for it. That was the tricky thing about the cannon - it packed a hell of a punch, but the ship had to be positioned very precisely to be able to utilize it. The massive burst of emerge lept forward, and penetrated the Dreshayan vessel's shields and hull clean through - on both sides.

"Computer, end simulation." Kol ordered, seeing the goals met.

"Excuse me?!"

The Chief Tactical officer spun sharply toward the new executive officer. "With all due respect, sir, we are not done here."

"That was the most pathetic display I have ever seen, Lieutenant." the XO said in a condemning tone.

"Hey now," Corran spoke up, after having picked himself up off the deck form where his "cockpit" had abruptly vanished. "Kol, that went fi- "

"Be silent, Major."

Knowing better than to argue, the Trill snapped his mouth shut as the big Klingon turned his attention back to Bental. "Lieutenant, you were unable to deal with a single vessel, of significantly smaller size and of weaker armament, until the outpost you were protecting was in direct jeopardy. What is your explanation?"

Saul seethed. It didn't take him long to regain his composure, but while he seemed professional outwards, he had a sudden desire to see how fast a Klingon can disintegrate when thrown into a plasma container.

"The division of responsibility between the Vanguards and the Galaxy kept the enemy vessel that headed toward the outpost at bay. The outpost wasn't at risk until the very final moment, in which we took advantage of the enemy's concentration on the outpost to aim and hit it with our phaser cannon."

"Insufficient, as was this entire test. Your records all show you to be much better than this, but you allowed yourselves to be soft, overconfident. You responded as though you had the luxury of time, not with the raw need of battle. It is amazing you people ever win anything." Kol continued, starting to rant. "Your next simulation will be programmed by me. You will know no details beforehand, and I sincerely hope you perform better. Otherwise I will be making recommendations to the Captain for your replacements."

Without another word, the big Klingon stalked out of the holodeck.

Saul turned to the rest of the bridge crew. "Let me translate from Klingonese.", He said. "You did OK, but not good enough. The Galaxy needed to finish off one of the darts while they were on approach vector and vulnerable. Also, it might've been a better idea to position ourselves near the outpost. That way, we wouldn't need to hold running contest with the Dreshayans. This is only the first simulation, gentlemen, and from here we can only improve. Anyone else have any comments on the exercise, aside from its... sudden ending?"

"Yes. Next time, let's throw the XO out of an airlock before we get started. Is it just me, or did anyone prefer it when we had M'Kantu-Henderson, as opposed to Henderson-Kol?" Miramon knew full well that he was being insubordinate, but the only others in the room were senior officers and a few junior officers only two of whom outranked him, and he doubted they'd disagree with his assessment. And even if they did, he preferred to speak candidly rather than stay quiet. After all, this was a simulation he and Saul had worked hard to plan. It didn't need a Klingon jumping up and down on it. Clearly the Commander hadn't been there the first time the Galaxy had encountered Dreshayans.

No one openly disagreed, and as a group, the all began to file out. Corran and Saul were the last two in the room, and the pilot clapped a friendly hand on the Tactical officer's shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Lieutenant. Kol's a big bear - he's a real softie at heart. The sim went fine. We'll need to get together and analyze it, but this was a good place to start from."

Bental just nodded, and the two departed the empty holodeck without another word.

"Sitrep"

1st Lieutenant Jebediah Baile, CO Furies, Marine Recon Specialist
2nd Lieutenant Branwen London, Marine staff psychologist

Marine CO office, USS Galaxy

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

Bran came to attention when she entered the office. There were many.. no any place on this ship she would rather be right now then in the office of the commanding officer marines right now. She hadn't seen Baile yet since T'shani left and it wasn't by accident. But she couldn't keep it off any longer.

'If you need any assistance getting started, sir. I did the job for the last three months I know were everything is filed." She said to break the ice. They had to work together after all.

The marine looked up as she entered his new office. He had already decided that he hated the place. "Getting started?" he echoed humourless. "This unit is such a fucked up joke I'm still debating whether to transfer everyone off the ship and bring on a new unit." The rest of the retort he managed to hold back after a deep breath.

She went even more rigid. ~thank you very much~ Bran thought. After all she had been running things the last couple of months. "Your orders, sir?" He would probably kick her off the ship, seeing how he thought about marine shrinks. Branwen did not have many illusions. She was also certain he would take the XO position, and give it to one of his hardline 'act first, think later buddies.'

Why was he in there and not on a planet somewhere with people trying to kill him? That he could handle without any problems. Hell, he even liked it. But this? "Update me on Ward and his damn boyscouts." Baile replied and sighed. This was going to be a long day.

"yes sir." Branwen rattled off her daily report. And told him crisply on the state of every aspect of the marine detachment on the Galaxy. Then finally she took a deep breath. "And what about me, sir." It didn't even come out as a question.

His face became neutral and he looked at her through the dark goggles. "What about you, Lieutenant?"

"Well you hate my guts, sir. So I need to know if I have to start packing my bags."

Baile waited a few seconds then cocked an eyebrow. "Trust me, Lieutenant. People know when I hate them. You're not even close to getting on that list... no, Lieutenant.. I don't hate you.. What I do however is feel disgust over this project of yours... You are experimenting on people who depends on anger in the field. Put thoughts in peoples heads and you'll undermine the rest of the group and people will start to die."

"Sir, I am not going to stop. I think...."

He held up a hand to cut her off. "It doesn't matter, Lieutenant. You're too green to understand what I mean. So, no. You're not being transferred, not even being considered."

Bran was somewhat suprised. "So I can continue with my counseling work? How about XO?"

Again he held up a hand. "Didn't say you could... not at that scale. Select a referencegroup.. no combat personnel in it for the time being. They're yours to juggle around with as you seem fit. Report results to me. I'm not interested in hearing what you're talking about.. "

"But...jeez Baile, combat troops need it the most. Okay, I grant you not all. But some of these guys actually perform better if they can just talk to someone about what they have been through. They don't want to seem soft in front of their buddies but they don't mind coming to me. I just got them trusting me!" She said frustrated.

For a brief second the marine tried to recall the punishment for accidentally taping together someone's hands over a live grenade and then beaming them off the ship. It could happen. Marines had regulations against everything... "Jeez? Is that how they teach new marines to address one another?" he shook his head in dismay. "I don't care if they're ready to sing karaoke, naked with a cherry on top... You are not shrinking the combatants until I you're done with the reference group. Take it or leave it." He had a few things to clear out with the combatants before Branwen or anyone else would be allowed access to them. One was sorting out who would stay and who would not.

"Yes sir." She gritted her teeth. "And when will you be announcing your new XO, sir?" ~Moron~ She thought.

"Since you're asking I take it you want the position?"

She took a deep breath. "It has been my position for the last eight months, for the last four months I have been running the show, sir. Since you have just expressed it is all a mess, I would like to hear from you when I have to clear my desk." She kept her tone of voice respectful.

"Should that time come I assure you there will be no room for misunderstandings.." he replied calmly. "My options are limited, Lieutenant. I can't promote Johnson to be the XO.. he's a Gunny to the heart and a damn good one.. Ward.. let's just say he's got work to do. Furji - good officer but he's got a lot to learn." He pushed a button on the desk, one he had found earlier, and the display on the wall came to life, showing the various members of the unit. "Troy Elder - not gonna happen.. Too young, too clean. Rayne Sutea - I don't see that happening in the next few years."

Branwen bit her tongue, she had a much more positive view of most of these people.

"So that leaves me with you. Too young and a head filled with ideas that's already been tried and tested by hundreds of people like you for hundreds of years." Baile shrugged and turned off the display. "The XO position is yours.. at the moment that's damage control and it'll be up to you if you want it to be more than that."

"Thank you sir. I will go my best. Anything else?" She wanted to get away from his negativity.

He tossed a padd to her. "Here. It's the new squads. Bravo is yours. Furji is still the XO. He's a good squadman.. I'd listen to his advice.. " Baile hoped she understood what he was doing. It wasn't about him not liking her ideas. She needed command experience, a lot more than she had now. They had not done her a favor giving her the detachment to command. Quite the opposite.

"Yes sir." Branwen was not exactly looking forward to the future at that moment. But she was not a quitter, she would stay on the Galaxy and she would do her best to convince Baile that she was a good marine. "I will get to work than."

"Lieutenant.. " Baile stood up and holstered the sidearm that had been laying behind him on a shelf. "You'll brief me twice per week on the NCO's.. also - twice per week you'll join me for PT. If we're to make a marine out of you it's time you got in shape." It was hard to tell if he was joking or not.

"I do work out every day, sir." She didn't tell him that she was a little bit out of shape because she had been doing two full-time jobs the last four months, he would not understand.

"And Lieutenant - if you don't like the current situation there's two ways to get out. Quit or prove me wrong. You'll find yourself wishing the first before the second happens. Marine bootcamp has nothing on what The Furies will be put through as long as I'm in command."

"I will never quit." She said through gritted teeth. "I will show you, sir." She bit back a lot more than that. ~Arrogant bastard.~

A brief flare of irritation went through the marine. Quietly he smothered it before something happened. "Lieutenant." Baile addressed her with a flat voice. "If you got a problem then speak, but if sulking is what you do when things go against you, then that's something you'll be doing on another ship. If you don't have a problem, then start acting like a fucking adult and get with the program!" That was the new Baile talking. A much more evil and meaner version of a man who had already been considered for employment in Hell. "Cause we sure as shit don't have time for you regressing back to a ten-year old ten times a day."

"Yes sir. No sir, I have no other problems except the ones I have already voiced. Can I go now sir?" ~son of a....~first he was winding her up, and then getting angry when she responded.

Baile observed her in silence. Her heart was beating furiously. Was she even aware of he own reaction? He chuckled mentally. Time would show her what the marines were about. It wasn't the idea of giving the marines a shoulder to cry on, that he had no problem with. He had had his fair share of lousy debriefings after long missions. No, it was her lack of experience and adamant belief that she knew better than everyone else. ~Give it time, Lieutenant~, he thought to himself. "Prepare Bravo for a holodeck exercise. Full battlegear. Have them lined up and ready in fifteen minutes. Dismissed Lieutenant."

"yes sir." She saluted and turned to leave.

Watching her leave the office Baile sighed. Slowly he rolled his neck until it popped loudly. Behind him he could feel Maya's presence.

"Taping her hands together holding a grenade?" she asked him and rolled her eyes.

He shrugged and looked at the blond woman. "It could happen."

"Men.." the ghost of his past exclaimed and vanished in front of his eyes.

"Well, it could!" he replied to the empty room.

“I’m Not Crazy, Honest…”

Lieutenant Kimberly Ann Burton, Chief Medical Officer, USS Galaxy

Branwen London, Furies Counsellor, USS Galaxy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ How did I end up choosing this one first? ~ Kimberly mused, she'd debated the choices for her psych review, and had resolved to give the senior counsellors each the once over before committing to one individual, ~ oh yeah, random selection process, ~ she remembered, ~ names in a hat! ~

Feeling a little out of place wandering through the marine offices she found the door she was looking for and tapped the chime.

"Come in!" Bran called out in her welsh lilt.

Hearing the reply from inside Kimberly walked in and smiled at the young lady she found there, "Hi, I'm Lieutenant Burton, I made an appointment earlier."

"Oh yes, our new CMO, welcome ma'am." She said smiling and offered her hand. "Please have a seat. Can I get you anything to drink before we start?"

"No, I'm fine thanks," she said as she sat, "just thought I'd get to know the counselling staff here before I settle on who to see," she explained, "is it Ms London, Branwen?"

"Just call me Branwen, ma'am," she said with a smile, "you are going to meet everybody? Very brave. Most officers tend to stay away from all the counselling staff. You are aware that I'm also marine?" She asked.

"And are you also aware I'm a former Chief Counsellor from the Relentless," she countered with a smile, "I have all the papers that go with the job," she added, "that's why I'm getting to know the counsellors aboard, I'd like to meet you all before I pick someone. And you're not the first marine shrink I've ever met, though it isn't a common combination," she admitted.

"Really. That's cool ma'am." Bran beamed.

"And enough of the Ma'am please," Kimberly asked with a chuckle, "I'm Kimberly. So, Branwen, tell me about yourself?"

"If you tell me more about yourself next. I came out of the marine academy about a year ago. This is my first posting. And they have thrown me in the deep end. I am Exec officer as well. But I love both jobs. Ma.. Kimberly."

"I know the feeling, I qualified from the Academy as a counsellor but I've been studying for my MD ever since, and I enjoy both jobs," she admitted, "I got thrown in at the deep end too, when my boss on the Arizona got hospitalised during a mission, it's not the easiest way to learn the job is it."

"And now they are throwing you into the deep end again as CMO. How does that feel?" Bran asked genuinely curious.

"Strange as it sounds I actually enjoy it," she admitted, "there's no better way to learn I think, after my boss was hospitalised on the Arizona I spent a while in a pretty dicey situation managing a department and looking after the crew, plus dealing with the aftermath, I think it was that that got me the recommendation to the Relentless for their chief counsellors slot," shrugging, "I guess it just depends on how you handle yourself under pressure. How are you finding it?"

"I know the feeling. Within months of coming from the academy I was XO for the marines here. On top of being a therapist. Sometimes it's pretty tough, most of the times I really like it. It keeps me busy." She smiled. "So how about your private life?"

"You're quite direct aren't you, straight for the questions, I guess you need to be blunt with the marines?" Kimberly asked back.

"Yes I have to sometimes. Also I wasn't seeing this as a counselling talk, and in my private life I can be a little bit blunt, and I want to know everything about everybody." She grinned.

"Well we have that in common then, I'm naturally curious, and I love to listen to people talk about themselves or their homes, it's nice to get to know people," Kimberly admitted, "how long have you been aboard?"

"I guess it's almost a year now. Time is really flying. I have been so busy with all my duties. There is hardly time for private life, not that I mind. I have made some friends, and I love spending time with them. I am totally not into men yet. How about you?"

"Very curious now?" she remarked with a small smile, "if you're so busy with little time for a private life I'd say it's time to speak with your boss, you're obviously overworking yourself," Kimberly decided with a growing smile, "enough time to get yourself a boyfriend perhaps," she suggested slyly, curious about that comment as well.

Branwen flushed very red. "I am through with boyfriends for the rest of my life." She said softly. "No big deal. I like spending time with my friends. And you?"

"I have hobbies," Kimberly replied simply, very curious now about Branwen, "and my own shuttle, so freedom to go where I please is something I enjoy," she admitted, "do you mind if I ask something personal though?"

"A shuttle. My sister can pilot one. She loves it... I guess so." She asked a little hesitantly.

"Why do you say you're through with boyfriends?" she asked curiously.

"Bad experience, I guess." Bran said softly. "Nothing traumatic, no rough treatment or anything, he just fancied someone else more. My roommate and friend."

"It happens," Kimberly admitted softly, "but you shouldn't let one bad experience lead your choices," she suggested, "how do you and your roommate get along now?"

"Good. To be honest she liked him first. I just didn't know when I fell in love with him. And he didn't exactly tell me." She smiled. "But enough about me, tell me more about you Kimberly."

"What would you like to know?" she asked openly.

"Anything you would wish to share, I'm not asking into the super personal or anything. Just things you would tell another officer on meeting for the first time," Branwen said smiling.

"Young, single, newly qualified Doctor, with a recently appointed fourteen year old ward basically sums me up," Kimberly admitted, "I've spent most of my career so far studying or being a counsellor, so this is going to be a bit of a change of pace."

"A ward. You have him or her with you?" Bran asked.

"Her... Sara-Jayne, and yup she's with me, fourteen going on twenty five," she admitted, "are there many other children aboard?"

"There are a good few. I am mentor to a girl her age. Samantha." Bran said.

"What's she like?" Kimberly asked curiously, "Sara-Jayne hasn't met many other children yet, perhaps they could get together?"

"She's different. Very independent, getting in trouble all the time. But Samantha has a good heart. And she could use some friends her own age." Branwen said.

"Sounds like something we'll have to organise," Kimberly suggested, "in the meantime, how did you end up mentoring her?"

"The captain actually assigned her to me. Because she can be a disruptive factor on the ship." Branwen said smiling fondly. "So now I am trying to work with her."

"You sound like you like her a lot, what's she been getting up to though for the Captain to assign her to a counsellor?"

"That I'm not going to tell you." Branwen smiled. "I am sure you understand why, Kimberly."

Nodding, "I just asked in case it was common knowledge... anyway, what can you tell me about the Galaxy? What should a new girl be on the look out for?" she asked with another smile.

"It depends what you want to be looking for." Branwen smiled. "Or if its private or work. I can tell you it is very difficult to get bored here."

"That's good to know... What sort of things do you get up to outside of work then?"

"I haven't had much time to relax lately, doing two jobs. But when I'm not I like to fence or to read. And during shore leave I like to go diving. And you?"

"I have a few hobbies, Terran history and mythology is a bit of a passion and I love reading about both, I have my shuttle as I said which I use a lot, and I'm spending a lot of time with Sara-Jayne at the moment, I'll be looking around soon to see what there is aboard to do."

"Maybe we could become friends?" Branwen asked. "Your hobbies sound interesting."

“”I’d like to get to know you better too,” Kimberly replied with another smile, “perhaps you can help me choose a counsellor so we don’t have ‘work’ to worry about while we’re talking?”

"I can do that. Commander Dallas is very good and so is Brian. Good you be my doctor if we become friends? I know it's not as strict as with shrinks. And I would rather have a doctor whom I can trust."

“I don’t think it’s as strict as counsellors and clients, but I’ll check,” she assured the young woman, “though some of the regs are often, ‘overlooked’ for Doctors and Counsellors on starships,” Kimberly reminded Branwen, “considering our circumstances.”

“But you wouldn’t take me as a shrink if we were going to be friends right?” She grinned.

“Anyway, who is Brian?” she asked, “I’ve heard of Commander Dallas, but not Brian, do tell.”

“He is the assistant chief councillor. A nice guy, it just depends if you want a man or a woman. They are both very good.”

“I guess I should make a point of stopping by their offices then,” Kimberly muttered, “I should be off,” she said suddenly, I have dinner to cook,” standing, “perhaps we could meet for lunch one afternoon, continue our chat?” she asked suddenly.

"I would like that." Branwen said.

“I’ll give you a call tomorrow then,” Kimberly replied, smiling she left and made a note to contact the chief counsellor and her deputy tomorrow.

“The Twists and Turns of Life”

Primary characters;

Lieutenant (Jg) Dhanishta Eshe

Lieutenant (Jg) Naranda Sol Roswell

Civilian Saia (APC)

And the babysitter! (NPC)

It was funny how life took twists and turns, ups and downs, through depression happiness and joy.

The Galaxy was much like that. As Dhanishta strolled through the brightly lit corridors of the ship, she seldom referred to as a home (of hell), she noted all the emotion that ran through the halls. Things never seemed to be good, sure there was a glimmer of happiness here and there, but on the whole all the crew were always in pain. She took a mental note of the missions that she had been involved in, how many of them had gone wrong. How many people had died, needles deaths, senseless deaths.

What was it about this ship, this crew that prompted devastation? No matter where they went pain and suffering followed hand in hand.

Throughout the ship there were memorials going on. It seemed like every corner she turned there was another ‘party’ of people in mourning suits. Although there was one group of people that looked like they were going to a beach party! Everyone dealt a different way, and Dhani wondered momentarily what kind of wake she would have had, or even if the Galaxy noted her passing at all.

These reasons and more was why she didn’t make friends anymore. She remembered vividly sitting in Suders office, now O’Sheas, reading the bio of a new crew member; one Naranda Sol Roswell. At first she had been excited, a new member of the engineering crew! But as she read through the bio her excitement began to wane. Of the two people that she had connected with on the ship one had left and the other had died. So she wasn’t going to get caught up in the social side of life. Cause at the end of the day the Galaxy would come under fire, or they would get sent on some stupid mission and her new found friend would die.

As it happened Dhani had been the one to die.

She didn’t think that her death had affected anyone on the ship. After all, her friends had already gone. There was no one left on the ship to care about her. And after the reaction she got when she got back, she wondered why the cosmos had pulled her from the tight grip of death and shoved her back into the land of the living.

But of what she could remember from the last mission, maybe there were more people that cared about her than she had realised.

Somehow this Roswell chick had formed some sort of bizarre connection with her. Dhani could barley remember them working together in her quarters on the EEH, but Roswell had indicated that there was more to it than a passing acquaintance, though at the time she had mentioned it Dhani was all but a nats breath from ripping her throat out. Roswell had been breathing; and that had been enough at the time for Dhani to want to kill her. She hadn’t though, not even attempted to…. She hoped!

And so, just like life took her through twists and turns, ups and downs and all the rest, the Galaxy’s corridors did likewise, and now she stood in front Roswell’s door, her hand resting on the chime.

She couldn’t deny that she felt quite nervous at what was to come. But like all things in life, the future was unknown, and that was always met with trepidation. It was healthy to feel nervous. It wasn’t healthy however to feel guilty, without knowing what you felt guilty for!

Shelly was reading a PADD on the couch with Saia painting in the corner. As was usual with this babysitting job. Made worse with the recent trauma of the Dithparu. Shelly was patient. Saia didn’t have to like her right now, but maybe she would someday, and make these afternoons less awkward.

As usual when the chime rang, the two looked at each other, deciding who would answer; making the guest wait several moments. It was always Saia who finally answered, but the testing of wills had to be done. Any ten-year-old knew that. It was like a rule.

When she opened the door, she immediately smiled. The woman in front of her was Trill! There was only one she knew well. The other Trills didn’t come knocking on the door everyday. “Hi!” Saia chirped at the woman.

Dhanis eyes scaled down as she looked for the owner of the voice. She frowned deeply at the child and then looked into the room behind her. She noticed the woman on the couch and half smiled before looking back down at the girl.

Kneeling down as to be on eye level with the child she smiled slightly, “Hi.” She replied slowly. Dhani glanced back up at the door to check that she had the right quarters.

“Does Lieutenant Sol Roswell live here?” Dhani asked her eyes flicking between the child and the woman on the couch. She didn’t want to be rude to the child; she knew how she hated people looking through her when she was a kid, though she could feel her face begin to flush slightly with embarrassment. Was she at the right quarters…? And if so why was there a child here? She must have been about 8 or 9 years old. Roswell’s bio never mentioned that she had a daughter. And this girl was a Trill. Maybe she was half trill like Dhani, and if she was Roswell’s daughter then she would be half Betaziod, just like Dhani…. Dhanis smile widened slightly as she mused that possibility over in her mind; someone just like her!

Saia shook her head, "She's on the holodeck doin some simulation."

“Oh,” Dhani replied frowning, “but she does live here?” she asked again.

Saia nodded, "And Branwen."

Dhani nodded. She should have checked the computer for who else lived with Roswell. She just assumed that as she lived alone, so did everybody else. Though she wasn’t alone anymore. Michael was with her now, and that was an adjustment.

Shelly stood then and walked to the door, "Who’s this, Saia?"

Dhani looked at the woman as she approached. There was a clear and almost tangible distain between the child and the woman. Dhani wondered for a second if this was Branwen that the girl had mentioned. But then she had met Branwen, she was the counsellor come marine…. Dhani frowned again as she tried to piece together who was who. Again this was why she had kept out of the social circle for the past few years, the coma had helped to do that, things were just too confusing. Keeping track of who was who and who was with who and who loved who etc was all too much for Dhani to handle. She was still trying to work out who she was and come to terms with feeling her *own* emotions now.

“Sorry.” Dhanishta said, realising that she was a stranger at the door, “I am Lieutenant Eshe.” she said extending her hand to the woman.

Shelly had opened her mouth, but Saia responded, "That's Shelly. I'm Saia. What do you want with Nara."

Shelly let out an annoyed breath, but let it go.

Dhani inwardly smiled at the exchange between the two of them. She could feel their emotions, like live wires, the electricity so raw. All it would take for them to erupt was a slight change in the wind and the sparks would fly. The only saving grace for them was that Saia was a child and there for it was doubtful that the outcome would be catastrophic. There would be no blood loss. And for that matter no love loss.

“I just wanted to talk with her.” Dhani replied softly. “Will she be long?”

Saia looked very disappointed that she didn't know. Nara was gone before she came back from school and Shelly failed to tell her when Saia would be free from this perky babysitter. She looked at Shelly now.

Shelly smiled at Saia, suppressing a smirk and looked at Eshe, "Pretty soon."

Just then, Nara rounded the corner and saw Dhani standing outside of her quarters. She stopped a moment and just looked, wondering what she was doing there. She remembered the exchange they had. Nara hadn't let it move into her mind enough to think to apologize, though now she realized she needed to.

Dhani tried hard not to laugh at Saia’s predicament. She understood all to well wanting to be a grown up and acting like one and then at the last moment not being able to follow through. “Is it al right if I waited for her or….” Dhani stopped. She could feel something familiar.

Turning her head she looked down the hall and locked eyes with Roswell.

Her stomach twisted and she could feel her skin prick. The possibility of confrontation was all it took now for the adrenalin to start flowing through her body.

Nara continued down the hall. She wasn't angry at Dhani. She didn't know what had happened, but she figured it was either her fault or Dhani was possessed as well. As she came closer, she spoke, "Hello, Lt. Eshe. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Dhanis body stiffened. The calmness in Roswell’s voice was disturbing. She didn’t know why, but she was sure that Roswell had just cause to hate her. Maybe she was lulling her into a false sense of security... maybe she was genuine. Either way Dhani was tense.

“I ..” Dhani began, but something made her stop, probably the fact that three sets of eyes were on her, and one set belonged to a child. There was an in build instinct to make sure that any un-pleasantries didn’t happen in front of innocent eyes. Dhani there for walked towards Nara and lowered her voice.

“I just wanted to talk with you.” She said. Noting the look on Nara’s face she elaborated, “About what happened….” She said her eyes and tone indicating that she wasn’t going to spell it all out in the corridor.

Nara simply nodded and looked at Shelly, "Do you mind staying a little longer?"

Shelly nodded and when Saia started scowling, Nara gave her a look. Saia sighed and went inside. Nara was getting good at "the look."

Nara looked at Dhani and started walking down the corridor, "Where do you think we should go?"

Dhani shook her head, “No it’s alright, we can talk later I don’t want to take up your time if your busy.” She replied taking a step back.

Without turning, Nara answered, "No. We need to deal with it now."

Dhani nodded and bit her lip slightly. “Right then.” She said more to herself than Nara, “We can talk here if you like?” Dhani asked. If they talked in Nara’s quarters then there would be no shouting or arguing, though she was presuming that Nara had the same ideals when it came to the innocence of children that she did.

Nara shook her head. The first place that popped into her head came out of her mouth, "We'll go to an observation deck. Things seem to get sorted out well there."

“Sure.” Dhani replied. Though she was slightly dismayed she didn’t show it. “Lead the way.” She tried to sound slightly chipper about it, though in reality she was shitting a brick.

The walk to the observation deck was taken in utter silence, adding to the uncomfortable atmosphere. Neither officer looked at each other and for a while Dhani was content to listen to the hum of her own mind. Getting lost in her own thoughts until the swish of the door pulled her from her quiet contemplation.

Nara entered, asked for full lights and turned to Dhani, content to let her start. Nara held her face expressionless. Honestly, she didn't know what to feel here.

Dhani looked around her eyes glazing over everything. She could have been stood knee deep in a swamp and she wouldn’t have noticed. Slowly she turned to Nara and swallowed hard.

“If I lied to you, you would know. Wouldn’t you?” Dhani asked her tone serious.

Nara furrowed her brow. What an odd way to start this. "I don't know."

Dhani stared into Nara’s eyes. “You and me, have something in common. We are Betaziods. You know when someone is lying to you. You can feel it sense it whatever.” She said waving her hand in the air slightly.

Nara shook her head, "I wasn't trained the same way. I got a lifetime of information in one sitting from Cerin. He's not Betazoid and their training is different. Besides, I have my walls up all the time. I don't allow myself to be telepathic unless I want to. I'm just like a non-telepath until I take the walls down. Or until someone tries to break in." The last part she looked away a moment, lowering her voice.

Dhani stared at the floor for a moment, she could feel the frustration rising into anger. She pushed it down and took a deep breath.

“I..” Dhani shook her head. She needed to know that Nara could tell if she were lying, she wanted to make sure that she believed that she was telling the truth. Dhani turned away and began to walk slowly. The movement helped her to organise her thoughts. She wasn’t sure where to go from here. She could just blurt out her secret or try to gather information first about what had happened or… she just didn’t know.

Turing she looked back up at Nara, wondering if she had though of a way to start this conversation.

Nara watched Dhani. Heck, an apology needed to be spit out and she figured she needed to dish it, "I wasn't myself. That's not an excuse, I was enough of myself to still be held responsible. I'm sorry. And I'm sorry for entering your mind without permission, motives and intentions aside."

Dhani’s brow knitted together as she stared at Nara. “I didn’t come for an apology.” She said slowly. “And you don’t need to apologise. If there are any apologies to be made it should be me.” ~but I’m not here for that~ Dhani thought to herself.

“So, I’m sorry.” She continued, though she still wasn’t sure exactly what for. Was there more to apologise for, and would an ‘I’m sorry’ do and how many people did she have to say that to?

Dhani sighed. “I don’t remember a thing.” She finally confessed.

"We had a full out mental battle going on. If O'Shea hadn't broken us apart, one of us..." She paused and shrugged, "I would have blacked out."

Dhani nodded and folded her arms across her chest as she leaned against a railing. “What else..?” she broke off and swallowed hard. She feared that she had hurt someone and now, now she was more afraid, she needed to know what she had done. But part of her didn’t want to know. “What did I do?” she asked quietly as her mind began to rage with the possibilities of what she could have done.

Nara smiled, "Just a lot of pushing I think."

Dhani again nodded. Even though Nara smiled it didn’t make Dhani feel any better. “The kind of pushing that me and Suder did?” she asked randomly. The kind of violation that he had done to her was more accurate but she didn’t want to say that. Or admit that to herself. She was finding out slowly what she really was and she didn’t like it. Her eyes resumed to staring at the floor.

“What about after that?” Dhani asked. “Did I do anything to you...“

Nara frowned. Dhani was deeply conflicted. Anyone could see it on her face. "Just made my headache worse."

She looked down, "Plus, well, no one likes their mind invaded."

Dhani couldn’t look at Nara any more. “No,” she said as her eyes misted, “And no one should have their mind invaded.” She tried to conceal the tear that rolled down her cheek by turning her head away from Nara. Looking across the room at the door she wondered if now was the time to make her exit.

Nara looked at Dhani, and decided to try again to say what she tried to say before. The catalyst of the event and why they were standing here now. "I really am glad you're back."

~I’m not~ was Dhanis instant thought. “Thank you.” She said solemnly, still staring at the door. She could run, but wasn’t that what she had done all her life? She stood up and looked at Nara.

“That means a lot to me.” she said. “And I’m sorry about the way I reacted, I wasn’t myself either.” That was the understatement of the year. In truth she hadn’t been herself since coming aboard this ship. And she wondered if she ever would be.

"Why were you concerned if I could tell if you were lying earlier?"

Dhani shrugged and sighed slightly, “I wanted to make sure you knew that anything I did was not by choice. And that I really don’t remember anything. I don’t want to be fake with you. With anyone.” She added, her voice full of sorrow and regret.

"I believe you. Without using a lie detector." Nara spoke kindly.

Dhani smiled slightly. Nara was a good girl, a nice girl. But still Dhani didn’t feel warmed by her words. They only made her feel worse. There was a quality to Nara that Dhanishta no longer possessed. She was sure she had it once. It was a slight naïveté, an unconditional automatic love, in a way, a forgiving nature; Dhani couldn’t really describe it. Though she knew if Nara lost it she wouldn’t be the same person. And she knew she didn’t have it. She looked at the world through different eyes these days.

Nara sighed, "Well, I hope we can still work on that EEH together." Maybe changing subjects would take the gloom out of the room.

Dhani genuinely smiled, “Yeah, that sounds like a plan. What do you think O’Shea would make of it?” she teased. She could still remember how those two got on. Somehow those first few exchanges didn’t escape her memory.

Nara raised an eyebrow, "At the moment, I could give a flying monkey's..." She stopped and smiled to explain, "She and I don't really get along."

"Now *that* I remember!" Dhani said laughing slightly.

Nara laughed too, glad the mood had changed.

(Follow up to "A man about a horse")

"Horsing Around"

Lt. Cmdr Brianna "Anna" O'Shea
Chief Engineer / Liaison S.C.E.

Lieutenant Kimberly Burton
Chief Medical Officer

Lt. (jg) Naranda Roswell,
Engineer

Ensign Zev Raynor
Terran Telepath 'Intelligence' Officer

Lt JG Claire Barnes,
Security / Hazard Team

::: Interior Turbo Lift ::

As the lift slowed and came to a halt. Anna stepped out and started toward holodeck four. Taking strides as if she was on a mission, she reached the wall console and began to run through the list of programs that involved horse back rides. Finding a program finally, she looked at the designer and saw it was Naranda Sol Roswell, the bane of her existence. Sighing she called up the program. Then sent a message for Nara to join her in the holodeck, giving her no reason why for the invitation. In Anna's fast clicks of the buttons she accidentally copied the invitation to Zev Raynor, though didn't notice it until she'd done sent it.

Walking into the holodeck, she moved over to a stall and began to get her horse ready.

Nara almost missed the message as she was making her way into the bedroom. She would had let it slip into the queue of the many unread messages, but the sender made her wince and grunt as she walked over and pressed the read command. The message was vague and sent Nara in a fury of worry. She called up Shelly over the intercom as Saia would be back from being with her new Trill friend (an older man who took the small orphan under his wing to teach her the way of the Trill).

Moments later, she walked into the holodeck and looked around the very familiar landscape. The worry escalated. Did she miss a protocol for creating Holoprograms?

Raynor was sitting in his bed room, enjoying an ancient game of Super Mario, in an attempt to be his previous high score. He had modified his laptop to play ancient earth games as well as created a wireless controller that would be compatible with almost all 'game systems' as they were called. He was on the final boss in record time and was hoping to beat him as quickly as possible, when he got the message. By the time he finished reading it approximately 3 seconds Mario was dead.

Mario had died in the delivery of this message...

Mario had been one jump away from victory... from the new highscore...

He stared at the screen, his lip quivering... his eyes watering... he was taking shallow breathes. Much swearing ensued at increased volume directed upward relative to the ship's gravity.

And after a minute of this overkill of a cliché, because he couldn't really give a damn about Mario... he exited the room, heading to meet this Brianna O'Shea. Apparently he was being invited to a holoprogram with a female he had never met.

A scary thought entered his mind as entered the turbo lift... he hoped this wasn't part of some weird blind dating service...

Anna was finishing saddling her horse when she heard Nara come in. Mounting up on her horse, she turned and looked toward the exit where Nara and some man stood. Unknowingly she invited him and Claire from security. "Nara... thought we could go for a ride." She said, then looked to the man. "Brianna O'Shea, can I help you?" Anna asked, as she pulled back on the reins of the horse.

Nara had been too busy trying to piece these things together that when Zev came in, she barely nodded in acknowledgement. What worse, when O'Shea DID show up, it was on Nara's favorite horse. A chestnut colored steed with a long white nose marking. She held back the pout and nodded, "Yes ma'am. I'll go saddle up." She made her way to the stable and chose a painted mare and began to saddle the animal, all the while wondering what this was about and feeling perturbed that O'Shea would sneak this up on her.

Raynor looked at the Chief engineer a moment... "Got a weird invite to this Holodeck from you... I'm Zev Raynor."

After a several moments, Nara rode up to stand her horse at a distance beside O'Shea.

"Hmm. must have clicked copy more times then I realized." Anna said, then leaned down to extend her hand. "Brianna Catherine O'Shea... Just call me Anna." She said, shaking his hand. "Since your hear, saddle up and join us for a ride." She said, then put a cowboy hat on her head, with a few red curls hanging out from blow it.

Raynor had never really gone riding on a horse before... motorcycles, hover bikes, elephants (briefly), a strip bar ride when he was five, even Chocobos (A fictional bird that looked like ostrich, but had a bigger head, actually could support his weight, and was the rough equivalent of a horse) he had done. Horses were somewhat new to him.

However that being said, he did have extended experience of it, and he could use that. Unfortunately that one person, was Indian and had used Indian mats instead of the saddle, and ironically fell off the horse half a dozen times.

"Sure why not... its not like I have a life on board or anything yet," Raynor finally said. "Besides, who knows, I make out of it, or a friend... Or both if I'm lucky." <Which I'm not> Raynor took mental note of as he went over to the stables...

The door opened again and Claire walked into the holodeck, looking around. "Hi, I'm wondering why you sent me an invite to a holodeck session?"

"Good, saddle up, Raynor." Anna said, then looked toward Claire. "Hey, Claire. Probably cause I accidentally copies the invite to you. Saddle up and join us... we are forming a posse." Anna said then grinned.

Raynor grabbed a matt threw it on the back of one the horses, and grabbed the reins he would need and attached it to his chosen horse. He didn't bother with the saddle. And began to whisper sweet nothings into the horses ear. He wondered how well it was programmed, or if it would even respond to Native American horse talk...

The steed actually lowered itself as if allowing him an easier time to get on... <Guess it was...> Then he actually got on the animal, and it seemed in total shock and was trashing about wildly in order to get him off. Like a little kid kicking and screaming all the way to their evil aunt ester's house. And it was just as clear that Raynor wasn't going to leave, though you couldn't tell by the way he kept flailing his arms around. Only if you looked at his legs you could see that he was applying himself not to fall off professionally. Though because of the pressure from his legs, the horse seemed to be speeding up. Which was just dandy to say the least...

Raynor was screaming his lungs to exhaustion... and as he was doing so, his was probably over doing his whole mindless yet comical ensign bit a little too far... as his this struggle looked more like slap stick that any serious attempt for help... which it was...

"BoOoOoYAH!" Raynor yelled which was mixed with "HEELP!" as the thrashing continued.

Claire smiled and had the computer copy in her favorite horse from another program. When the beautiful chestnut-colored stallion appeared nearby, she smiled and walked over to him, running her hand over him, "Shhh.. I've missed you a lot, Cyllene. Once I get you set, we can go catch him."

Taking his plain bridle, she slipped it over his head when he leant down before she slipped on his saddle and made sure it wasn't going to come loose. Sliding up onto him, she patted his mane before directing him forward.

Charging forwards with a loud "Hyah!!", Claire lead her horse onwards, although for an Australian Stock Horse, the short distance burst was nothing for an animal that had been classed as the finest cavalry mount in the world.

Reaching Raynor, she had Cyllene shift in so the other horse had to slow down as it turned before having to stop totally.

Anna looked over and saw Claire was helping Raynor, so she didn't move to help. But nodded to Claire and gave her the look of, watch the newbie.

Meanwhile... Outside...

"But why won't you teach me how to pilot your shuttle?" the teenager pleaded.

"Because one, I've see you flying on the holodeck, the idea is to 'miss' the obstacles in your path, and two, you haven't passed your basic flight proficiencies yet, when you have, we'll... see," Kimberly offered her ward tentatively.

Huffing and pouting as only a fourteen year old can Sara-Jayne looked around, "So what're we doing here?"

"Well the computer says there's a holodeck active, but there's no privacy lock or do not disturb active, so I thought we'd stick our heads in and see who's there, meet some new people," she suggested.

Looking at the panel by the door Sara-Jayne shook her head vigorously, "No way," she declared, "not horses again!"

Looking over her wards shoulder Kimberly smiled, "The safety protocols are on, we'll just try not to fall off so much this time," recalling their last, and brief, horse riding simulation they'd attempted.

"I'll leave you to play," the teenager decided, "That shrink offered to introduce me to her friend, I think I'll go see if they're free."

"Dinner's at seventeen hundred," Kimberly called out to the rapidly receding back of her ward, sighing she tapped the door control and walked in, looking around she smiled cheerily at the small group inside, "Hi, mind if I join you," she asked a little hesitantly.

Anna horse reared back, but she held tightly. "Whoa.." She said then looked over toward Kimberly. "No... more the merrier... we are just going for a nice stroll... everyone know everyone?" Anna asked.

"Yes..." Raynor said with such a level of sarcasm, that an alien who had no concept of what it meant to lie, would still be able to tell he meant no. Though he had briefly chatted with two out of the four women he was currently keeping company, and had a slew of absorbed memories he didn't really KNOW them.

Nara faked a cough so she could cover her mouth to hide the smirk. That horse never reared on her. Though holographic, they had a bit of artificial intelligence. The creature was used to Nara on it's back. Apparently, it was having issues getting used to a new rider. After hearing the question, she put her serious face back on and looked around. "Not everyone, Ma'am."

She then looked at Kimberly, the only one she hadn't met before now. "I'm Lt. Naranda Roswell." Nara had decided to drop the junior grade bit in introductions. The pips made it clear she was not a full Lt.

"Kimberly," she introduced herself, "I'm your new CMO," she offered as well, "do these things come with training wheels?" she asked with a mixture of humour and wry sarcasm.

Anna smiled. "I think we might need them, think my reprogramming of this program might have kicked the training wheels off it. Whoever created the program, must have wrote it for children." Anna said, then shot a glance at Nara. The look Anna gave her was, smirk just once more and it would be hell on duty shift.

Claire grinned, tilting her oiled roo-skin Driza-Bone hat down, "I don't really know any of you. I'm Lt jg Claire Barnes from Security. I also am in the Hazard Team. I got nicknamed as Gun-Bunny."

"Well isn't that charming..." Raynor said, for a split second becoming slightly aware of the weapons he carried so often they were of part of his second skin, well hidden under the dark trench coat he wore during his off duty hours. Many might see this as a sign of insanity, but it was just how he was raised. Like putting on your shoes before going out.

"You can call me God..." Raynor started, then added "if you like. Though I generally respond better to Raynor, Zev, not so good to Ensign, been known to have been called Space Monkey, for various reasons... I work in 'Intelligence'" saying Intelligence with the bunny ears quotation hand movement. "I am not evil, and I am not funny," he said again with much sarcasm. It was in this way that lies could be more dependable source of information than the truth.

"Lets head out.. there is a trail out there, I've only got a little time before meeting my brother... you might know him Raynor.. Paulo DiMillo?" Anna said, then rode her horse, who she had named Raven.

Raynor simply nodded, refraining from throwing in any more gags for now.

Nara stopped listening after hearing the part about reprogramming. She waited till Anna stopped speaking and tried to sound civil as she said, "I do hope you saved it under a different name. It's only considerate." She was ticked. She was BEYOND ticked. If she made the changes over her redesign and Nara's work was gone, then, well Nara would just have to live with it. But to insult her!

They weren't on duty and there was no need for Nara to wait on the others. She took off for the trail, not going too fast in case Ms. High and Mighty Oshea changed the path.

"I'm sensing tension..." Raynor commented bluntly, blinking slightly.

Claire grinned, leaning over, "Mate, I'm wondering if I should have brought battle amour and a phaser on stun for protection. If they want to fight it out, let them deal with it as Engineering politics."

"I'm thinking more along the lines of a cup," Raynor said looking back at Claire. "Its usually the only place I'm scared of being hit."

"You'll all have to forgive Ms. Roswell... she's highly strung it would appear." Anna said, as she began to lead her horse along the river. "She and I've have issues. I was hoping that this would give us a fresh start, clearly my hopes for that are for nothing." Anna said then looked over at Raynor, Clair and Kimberly. "Funny thing about it is, everyone else on this ship and Starfleet like me." Anna said, then smirked, at the joke. The smile stayed on her face, but Anna was still slightly torked at Nara. It was the way Nara was so smug, acted like she was some superior over everyone. The times Anna had held herself back from slapping the smirk off Nara's face, couldn't be counted. Anna would just ask for five minutes in a dark corridor with her, that's all, nothing major. No doubt Nara would think in her self-ego-stroking mind she'd be able to take the red haired chief engineer. Course how would Nara know that Baile had actually gave Anna some lessons, wasn't perfect, wasn't on level with Baile, but was enough to crack some skulls.

"So, Claire, Raynor, Kimberly... what's new in your departments?" Anna asked, breaking the silence.

Claire shrugged, "Same old stuff... Security doesn't change much... Did get a bit of stuff to do last mission with the Hazard team though."

"Me..." Raynor said, who couldn't really think of anything else. "Transferred in during the whole last mission... Which by far the warmest welcome I've ever had the pleasure of receiving." This probably wasn't the wisest thing to say, but Raynor wasn't trying to be particularly wise at the moment.

"Sounds interesting to say the least." Anna said, then smiled.

"Me? Interesting? You got get out more..." Raynor joked.

Smiling at the banter around her Kimberly mounted the horse she had selected carefully, "Well I'm still getting to know everyone," she said simply, "and what's been going on here recently."

Nara was slightly ahead of the rest. She heard them talking vaguely, and thought she heard her name, but figured she was paranoid. At one poin