Mission 16: Across Time and Space

[Andrew Kirk]

Kirk found himself mid-conversation with the humans from something they called the Federation. He hadn’t exactly figured out if they were native from this time and place or not but what he did know was that he was looking dead into the eyes of two Vulcans and one Andorian.

"Jack to Andy, the ship is a complete mess," Jack said over the comm forgetting that by now his best friend would be talking to the people from the strange ship," it's going to take at least a week to get everything taken care of. Mike was also injured during that jump we did, he's currently in sickbay."

“Excuse me,” Kirk said politely as he walked over to a more private COM, “Jack do what you can. I’m with a few of our guests right now and when I’m done I’ll come down to check on Engineering. Out.”

He knew there wasn’t a need for further conversation as both officers knew the score and they were down. It was almost like the old Earth 2004 American League Championship Series when the Boston Red Sox were down three games to none against their rival New York Yankees. The Challenger is the Red Sox and they are down to one game and their backs are to the wall. It was crunch time and Kirk had every confidence in his crew to get the ship back in working order again.

Rejoining the group Kirk apologized for his abrupt absence, “My apologies, where were we?”

[Deleted]

Jack felt utterly foolish for disturbing Andy while he was speaking to the weird aliens from the future. The gossip mill had already come his way and according to Jenkins, Andy was speaking to a Vulcan and an Andorian. That bit of information immediately peaked his interest. It was common knowledge that Andorians and Vulcans rarely worked together. In fact before the Enterprise, they were stuck in an Earth like Cold War.

"Commander, sorry to bother you, but we're having problems with the plasma manifolds," a crewman said wiping some dirt off his forehead," I was told that you have some experience with them."

"Don't worry, where is the problem?" Jack asked glad that he would have something to do for a while.

"Deck D, Juncture 28," the crewman said before running off to continue his duties. Jack quickly picked up his gear near him and ran off towards the stairs. With power being diverted to more important systems, the lifts would be non operational for a few more hours. Jack knew that he would be loosing the pounds he had gained while on Earth.

When he reached Juncture 28, Jack immediately realized that the problem was a lot worse. If the manifold ruptured the entire deck would have to be evacuated and worse their was a possibility of a chain reaction which would destroy the ship and everyone alongside with it.

"Jack to Cole, cut all power to Deck D from Juncture 20 to 32, I need to repair it before it ruptures," Jack said as he waited for the power to be cut. If he tried to fix it now, he would be hit with a huge surge of energy that could easily kill him. As the lights dimmed, Jack took a deep breath of air and took his coil spanner to try and realign the manifold. After a few minutes of minor tweaking, Jack felt comfortable with his work and asked Cole to restore power. Jack half expected the manifold to explode and end his existence right then and there, but once he realized he was still alive Jack immediately began to analyze his work. "Glad to know that I still got it."

"Commander Logan, we need help with communications," Jonah his assistant said over the comm," the computer won't allow us to bypass some of the security parameters."

"Alright, I'm on my way," Jack said as he brushed off the sweat on his brow.

[Deleted]

Saryn didn't know what to think exactly of their current situation. There were strangers that teleported onto their bridge, though the colour of their teleport was somewhat different than their own and they seemed to be more at ease with the method of transportation. Furthermore, the two Vulcans were accompanied by an Andorian and they didn't seem the least bit phased by it.

He suppressed a scowl but before he could school his features back into a neutral expression, the older male Vulcan had moved before the female and had expertly immobilised him by pinning his arms at his side. Being the tactical expert he was before becoming a medical man, he could've thrown the older man off but he decided not to. He felt that this man could kill him in an instant, could see this man was better trained than he was.

"You should control your emotions better in front of visitors who only wish to offer you assistance as well as fire and water."

Saryn was released when the woman told his 'captor' to stand down and unconsciously he rubbed his arm. "She carries herself with a great deal of confidence," he told his commanding officer as he stepped away from the strange visitors, "and the presence of the Andorian seems to assure her rather than irritate her. The Andorian seems at easy in their presence as well. I would assume that they are forming a conspiracy."

He grabbed a PDA and a scanning device from the medical bag he'd taken up to the bridge, then walked up to the woman first. "May I?" he asked politely, speaking softly in Vulcan.

She nodded and calmly stood, an air of confidence and trust about her that Saryn found disquieting. As he scanned her, she turned to look at the new readings on the damaged viewscreen. He didn't miss her sharp intake of air as she gasped in surprise, but he stoically continued his scan. "She is full Vulcan," he confirmed to his commanding officer, before moving to Larok and finally Thorad.

He clenched his fingers around his scanner, fighting the innate hatred towards Andorians as he stepped up to the young male.

Thorad on his turn held perfectly still though his hand was poised over his phaser, ready to stun the doctor on the first sign of trouble. "Proceed," the Andorian said softly, nodding encouragingly to the old-time Vulcan.

Saryn proceeded, then returned to stand beside his captain, holding his silence, but keenly observing the strangers. He didn't trust Vulcans who would willingly associate with Andorians. Perhaps this was still somehow a trick.

[Deleted]

"We are fine," Sonak replied as Halthor contacted her, "we have offered assistance to the Challenger crew. However, they are severely damaged, we may need to evacuate the ship." She looked Kirk squarely in the eyes as she said it, while allowing their doctor to perform his scans. He wouldn't find anything out of the ordinary, other than perhaps a temporal phase shift of some sort.

"I am a doctor as well," she finally revealed, "if I can assist in treating your crew, I will gladly do so. In the mean time, I believe I may answer your science officer's questions, insofar I am allowed to do so."

The Vulcan commodore hesitated briefly as the appearance of the Raven -though she hadn't recognised her as such yet- sank in. Her own ship was dwarfed by the huge Galaxy glass vessel, and Challenger was drawfed even further by both ships. "We have been thrown back in time by a hostile entity," she continued, "we come from the year 2394 and that vessel," she now pointed at the Raven, "is quite possibly from my time as well."

This time she tapped her combadge. "Sonak to Fox. Identify the Galaxy Class vessel," she ordered, "is she from our time?"

[Deleted]

Sharon watched as the other ship became more cleared even with the damaged viewscreen then the captain spoke to her.

“Lieutenant Wolf, I’ll assume the MACOs are already on high alert. Set them up in a deck by deck defensive posture. Team two MACOs up with one of your security officers. Place extra soldiers and guards on all our key systems. I don’t feel like allowing anybody to just be able to come on board and take what they want from us.”

"Yes sir." Sharon said and left the bridge.

Sharon went below and ran into Mike and her second Jason in coversation they both nodded to her as she approached.

"Mike , Jason, we have visitors coming, I want the macos and securtiy to work together on this, armed and at vutal areas on the ship, I do not want anyone going where they are not allowed, I would like at least two men in engineering out of the way incase someone transports over." Sharon said.

"Sharon we were just discussing that, sounds like a good plan, we are already implementing it as we speak, I have given your men some of our pulse rifles to go with the phase pistols." Mike said.

"Very good Mike, Jason any problems I should know about?" Sharon asked.

"Nope both sides are getting into position as we speak, noone gets past us." Jason said.

"Sounds good, I will be on the bridge let me know of any problems." She said.

Sharon left and headed back to the bridge, returning to her station, she was happy her men and the macos were ontop of things then her scanner beeped another ship was in the area.

“Captain, I’m picking up something. It appears to be another ship.” Lt. JG Wolf informed her commanding offer of her findings.

“Put it on screen.” Kirk ordered.

Sharon tapped the controls and the viewscreen changed, it showed the other ship.

[Andrew Kirk]

New ships entering into unknown space with them, time travel, and Vulcan and Andorians working side by side. This was sounding more like a science fiction novel to Kirk than real life, and the more he heard the less he wanted or wanted to admit to these time travelers that they needed the help.

Looking at Saryn Kirk could tell that his confusion with this situation was showing, “Give me a moment if you will.” Kirk said to the group while he simultaneously pulled Saryn aside.

They walked to the back of the battered bridge, all the while observing the three officers from 2394 and the unknown Federation they spoke of. Kirk eyed the officers once more before speaking up, “What do you make of this?” His question, although simple, was a barrage of questions all wrapped up in one.

If there ever was a time when Kirk needed a Vulcan and their vast experience in space travel this was that moment. He held his tongue, preconceptions, and listened as the Vulcan medicine man began to speak.

<Tag Saryn>

While Saryn spoke Kirk’s eyes deviated from his Doctor to the screen where a distorted image became to become clearer. It was an odd shaped ship and its sheer size was unbelievable. He thought he had seen a huge ship when the alien ship appeared before them, this one however dwarfed the first.

[Deleted]

"What do you make of all of this."

Saryn turned, regarding his commanding officer, the question reflecting in his own dark eyes. What to think, indeed? "I do not know captain," he finally answered, then offered his PDA. "I have scanned the three of them, and they are most definitely Vulcan and Andorian."

The last word came out as a scowl, his eyes flashing briefly with a hatred that Kirk had never seen in his doctor before. "However I cannot determine whether they are indeed from the future, as they claim. Not, without having them escorted to the medical bay and subjected to further testing."

He looked past the captain, towards the three visitors, who were still quietly standing and waiting right where they had arrived. "They make no hostile moves, but it could be a trap. Their vessel I would assume is tactically advanced, and if that other vessel belongs with them, we stand no chance against them. I would suggest to keep them here, logically they are valuable hostages, until we know more."

Saryn fixed his gaze back on his captain. "The older Vulcan is remarkably strong, he has managed to bruise me. He seems loyal to his own captain, ready to protect her as well as the Andorian. Logic dictates that, if they speak the truth, Vulcan and Andor have formed an alliance."

[Deleted]

"Should we leave him alone?"

"I'm not going to wake him up, he's been working non stop for the last seventeen hours."

"I heard he snored."

"And how would you know that Janis?" Robert Cole asked irritated.

"Commander Logan dated my friend Jessica during the Academy and she told me that he snored when he slept," Janis replied with a devilish smile," though according to Jessica he made that up in other ways."

"I wouldn't mind dating him," Lucy Scott said joining the group of engineers who had now practically surrounded the sleeping communications officer," have you seen him in the gym?"

"Shouldn't we wake him, I don't think he's comfortable," Robert said feeling a bit uncomfortable about the current conversation.

"Feeling uncomfortable are we?" Lucy asked with a little jab," I can appreciate a good looking woman, why can't you appreciate a handsome man?"

"I don't know," Robert replied," though if I see a good looking woman somewhere I'm definitely going to ask her out."

"So why haven't you asked me out then?" Lucy asked placing her hands on her hips.

"Lucy you're not my type," Cole said with a laugh," plus none of you have a change with Commander Logan.

Jack had indeed been asleep, but all the chatter around him had awaken him in the middle of the engineer's conversation. It had taken all of his power to not bust out laughing. He never knew what the woman of the ship thought of him and he was pleased to know that it was in a positive manner.

"Lucy I would date you," Jack said out of the blue which caused everyone to scream in fear. Jack immediately began to laugh as he propped himself back to his feet," so you four have been talking about me?"

"How much did you hear?" Lucy immediately asked her faced flushed in embarrassment.

"Not much, I just waked up," Jack replied with a boyish smile," though seriously I would date you if I could. Though I'm pretty sure you would dump me after our second date."

"I'm not so sure, maybe after the fifth date," Lucy said before walking away and beginning another run of test.

"How long was I asleep?" Jack asked finally turning his attention back to the work ahead.

"Only for an hour or so," Robert replied," we have everyone working in ten hour shifts and I'm asking you to do the same. You almost pulled a twenty hour shift and we both know that isn't healthy. I would tell the Captain, but I want to keep on your good side."

Robert's last remark made Jack laugh for the first time since arriving in this strange area of space. Everyone knew that Andy and Jack were best friends, but Jack had yet to use that to his advantage. In all the years that they had served together Jack had never used his friendship to get his way. Jack was proud of this fact and was going to keep it that way.

"I just give advice when asked; nothing more," Jack said as he looked at the report handed to him by one of engineers that had been talking about him while he slept," it seems that a lot has been done while I took my nap."

"Yes, and the captain has been talking to the captain of the other ships," Robert said," they have sent a few repair teams to help with the repairs, but its still slow work. They have massive repairs to complete as well."

"Trust me, I wouldn't want to be the department chief of a ship that big. It almost five times bigger than the Challenger," Jack said realizing that it was time for him to talk to Andy. While all of this information was useful he would rather have the complete picture.

"Yes, but I would love to have a few hours with those systems, it would be awesome," Robert said with a childish glee.

"I would love to see their communications array," Jack said fully understanding the curiosity held by his crewmate," I wonder how many languages their communications officer knows?"

"You should ask," Robert said before himself departing to continue his work.

Taking Robert's instructions to heart, Jack allowed himself some personal time. He would take a quick shower, change into a new uniform, and have a quick meal. Once this was done, he would go speak to Andy.

[Andrew Kirk]

Saryn and Kirk’s mind were on the same page with respect to their friendly futuristic guests. They were powerful, the weak scans they could get off indicated a power source that was thought to be impossible to build, alongside more powerful phase canons and who know what kind of destructive torpedoes the ships possessed. They were simply out gunned at every corner, so all moves had to be very political. Kirk needed to make sure these other two ships needed them.

“I would suggest to keep them here, logically they are valuable hostages, until we know more."

Saryn’s simple suggestion spoke volumes to the Captain of the Challenger. If they could somehow keep these officers aboard with out making it look like an aggressive tactic then they might gain a much-wanted edge.

“Thank you Doctor,” Kirk slapped Saryn on the shoulder, “I’ve got to get down to engineering. Keep our guest busy.” Andy began to move away but before he left he couldn’t resist a little jab, “Oh and Doctor…don’t kill the Andorian.”

Rushing through the corridor and flying down the ladder and stairs Kirk found himself in the familiar groups of the engine room. When he finally arrived he found more damage and destruction then he thought possible. Just as with the bridge the engine room looked like a debris field. It was then that Andy found himself begin to worry about the friends he had down here who might have been killed.

“Andrew!” A female engineer around his same age called out with tears streaming down her face as she approached Andy, “Have you heard about David?” Sarah McGregor wrapped her arms around Kirk and they embraced each other. By his silence she assumed that her friend, part time lover, and Captain had no clue to the fate of their mutual friend, “He’s dead.”

Sarah began to let it all pour out, as the sorrow was too much for her to continue to keep it bottled up. Kirk’s emotions were split at this moment, for he wanted to grieve along side Sarah but he had the lives of the entire crew to worry about as well. At this moment one life was just a drop in the bucket and more importantly there will be a time to grieve, Kirk just knew it wasn’t this time.

He pulled the engineer off to the corner where he tried to calm her down by stroking her hair and gently kissing her forehead while at the same time telling her it was all right, even though he felt wrong saying it.

“Sarah I need to know where Command Logan is.” His tone official to the point of be blunt.

Sarah pulled back as she wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, “He’s over by the warp core sir.”

“Thank you,” Kirk leaned in close so he could whisper into her ear, “We’ll talk later, I promise.”

Jack had always been handy with tools and especially around warp engines. Andy never really knew where he picked up his skills, but he hope that during his stint as Chief Engineer his friend might have learned a thing or two from him. As usual the talkative COM officer was knee deep in the filth with the engineers.

“Commander Logan, can I have a word with you.”

“Sure.” Jack replied before using a red towel to wipe off what grease could be removed with the simple towel. Once they were away from the engineers the tone became more candid, “What’s up?”

“I need you to get a group of engineers together to stop working on repairs and start working on a dampening field.”

“Why?” Jack questioned the order immediately and yet Andy knew it was coming.

Knowing his friend deserved to know the entire score he leveled everything to him, the two ships, the temporal guests and the fact that they were in a very bad position politically. They didn’t have a card to play so he was pulling out his joker and hoping nobody called his hand.

“I need to use your skills in scrambling to scramble bio signs of everybody on this ship. They have the technology to teleport anywhere and from greater distances than we can. We need to keep them here, but it needs to look like it’s apart of our laundry list of malfunctions.”

“Why do we want to keep them here?” Jack again fired off a tough question. Andy could see in Jack’s eyes what was important to him was and it came in the fashion of a single word, isolationism. Forget the aliens, thing about ourselves right now, Jack’s eyes spoke volumes.

“It’s our joker Jack. It’s what keeps up from getting blown out of the water.”

“What if you’re wrong?”

Kirk hadn’t thought about it, but the words had hit him like a ton of bricks. One name came to his mind, David, the now former engineer and friend to a good portion of the ship, “It’s a defensive stance I need to take.”

This time Andy’s eyes spoke volumes as Jack could see the pressures his friend was under and the lack of real options he seemed to have. It wasn’t that Jack was instantly convinced of his friends plan, but if it was this important to him then he would do it.

“What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking about using our hull polarization, but if we could cause a disturbance in the plating by a simple ‘grounding’ we possibly disrupt any teleporters.” Kirks said.

Jack nodded his head, it all was sound thinking, “What do you expect to get from them if we keep them here?”

“Information.” Kirk’s reply was simple and honest, “They have yet to be very forthcoming with it. We don’t know where we are; we are apparently in the same time but not the same place. These people are from a Federation of sorts in the future with Andorians and Vulcans living together in peace. Our star charts tell us we are nowhere near home and by nowhere I mean not just around the block but an entirely new city. We’re lost Jack, with no friends to call for help and we’re clearly out numbered.”

“OK, we’ll do it.” Jack replied.

“Good. Just remember it cannot look intentional, it must, I repeat it must look as it is one of our many problems.”

“I will.” Jack replied in a confident tone.

[Deleted]

The Challenger's communications officer was skilled in many things and the request he had just received from his friend was easily doable. Jack didn't agree with Andy's decision to keep the strangers on board, but he would support him nonetheless.

"Robert, Lucy get your butts over here," Jack said as he walked toward a relatively empty area of the engine room. Andy wanted Jack's entire engineering team to work on this little project but Jack decided that it would be better to do things differently. As he explained the situation to the two talented engineers, he realized how easily it was for him now to ignore his ethical and moral standards. The things he had done while in service to Starfleet would sicken the young man that had joined all those years ago.

"I don't feel comfortable doing this, Jack," Robert said," they haven't done anything to us and if they wanted to capture us there really isn't anything we can do."

"I know, but Andy wants this done," Jack said looking into the eyes of his friends and comrades," I want you two to create a little subroutine that will redirect all power reserves to our hull. It will polarize the entire ship and blend our life signs. With a high enough concentration we'll look like a big blob."

"What about the Vulcans and Andorians?" Lucy asked knowing that the Jack's idea had a big fault. Since there were only three Vulcans and one Andorian on board they would be easily found.

"That's why I will be working on the dampening field," Jack said knowing that this would be tricky. The field would require a lot of power and finding a believable excuse would take some doing.

"We can rig the engine to create a field, we would just have to change the polarity," Robert said as he turned to face the damaged engine.

"I know, but the strain on the engine would be dire," Jack said already thinking of ways to minimize the damage to the ship," if anyone ask your working on a special project that I assigned you. We're going to call this Operation Caged Animal."

"What a lame name you know," Lucy said with a half snort half laugh.

"Look, I came up with it just right now," Jack said with a brief smile," now lets get to work."

[Deleted]

Sonak watched as the ship's medical officer walked away with his captain, fully aware that Larok was hovering nearby, ready to jump into action. "Relax," she whispered to him, "we are here to help, and help is what we will do under any circumstance. They have reasons to mistrust us, just look at the sheer size of the Vesuvius, compared to this vessel."

Thorad nodded in agreement, his antennae twitching. "Excuse me," he told both Vulcan companions, then walked over to the person who had introduced himself as McCalister. "Sir, you offered information about scientific objects. Would you care to elaborate? Perhaps we can ah...exchange ideas."

"Lieutenant..." Sonak warned, casting him a pointed look.

"Understood ma'am," the Andorian answered non-committingly, then focused his attention on the science officer. "Perhaps we can clear up your sensors a little further."

Understanding what he was trying to do, Sonak nodded her approval. "Larok, perhaps you should assist the tactical officer in recalibrating her weapons? They appear damaged. I shall assist the doctor in any way I can."

Leaving the older marine to his leisures, Sonak walked up to Saryn. "Perhaps you could show me your sickbay? If time allows, and circumstance, I may be able to allow you to see mine."

Saryn narrowed his eyes at the younger Vulcan, his entire posture tense and alert. Then he nodded. "I could use your assistance ma'am," he answered politely, "please, follow me."

Remembering his captain's instructions, Saryn led the Vulcan captain to his medical bay, but tried to keep her away from Numike. She would be frightened and he did not need her upset. "Would you consent to further medical examinations?" he asked quietly.

"Certainly," Sonak answered, motioning towards passed for a biobed. "Over there?" Then she spotted Numike. "She looks ill, is she all right?"

"Over there," Saryn confirmed, picking up more of his medical tools. "The pallor is her natural complexion. She is Mirandan, and my daughter." He waited patiently for the woman to lie down before he started his examinations. "Furthermore, I will not allow you to examine her, she will be frightened if I allow you near her."

"She is your child," Sonak agreed, "and no business of mine. We came here to assist with repairs, and that is what we shall do. However I do offer you my medical expertise."

"This may hurt," Saryn warned, as he jabbed the needle of a syringe against her arm. "I am making certain you carry no illness that could infect this crew. A precaution, I am certain you understand."

The younger Vulcan nodded, impatiently allowing him to proceed. She had always wanted to tour one of the ancient vessels, and now she had the opportunity. "I understand. I would do the same, if the roles were reversed."

Again, Saryn narrowed his eyes at her, wondering how she knew and understood so well what he was doing. "Are you a telepath?" he asked quietly.

"All Vulcans are touch-telepaths in my time," Sonak answered honestly, "though some, like me have a higher ESP rating. Those often become medical officers, as I am trained as. I did speak the truth when I said I am a doctor, medical and psychological. I am qualified to serve as counselor as well."

"Convenient," Saryn answered coldly, his own mental barriers slamming up. "Refrain from trying to read me, it is rude and unwelcome."

"I was not-," she broke off, realising that being a telepathic Vulcan in this time was unheard of, and even frowned upon. "I apologise, it will not happen again."

"Indeed not," the other doctor answered, before he placed his hand on her temple, his fingers easily finding the katra points. She fought, and she was strong, and Saryn was untrained in the finer arts of mind-melding. He stumbled back, gasping.

The captain sat up, glaring at him. "And that was a breach of protocol," she snapped, "I want a word with your captain. Right now! And we shall be leaving, at once." She reached for her combadge, but he was prepared and raised the phase pistol he had been carrying at her. Then he flipped open his communicator. "Lieutenant Wolf, report to the medical bay. Summon Captain Kirk as well, we have a situation."

He stepped up to the woman and pulled the combadge from her uniform, tossing it aside before he disarmed her. "My captain will find out what you really are up to," he reasoned logically, "you appear to be Vulcan, but you do not act as one."

"I was not raised by Vulcans," she answered calmly, watching him carefully. She had antagonised him somehow, but she couldn't fathom how or why. She only hoped Halthor would still be monitoring, and pull them out at the first sign of trouble.

~meanwhile~

Mark Harped gazed from Morgan to Halthor, then back to Morgan. "Are you sure we can keep the modules together?" he queried, "Discordia keeps drifting and keeping it tractored is a big drain on our reserves. Unless Logan can fix the docking clamps."

Then he stared at the viewscreen. "Holy..." he started, gawking at the enormous vessel that appeared. It was dwarfing the Vesuvius, and the Challenger was no more than a rowboat compared to it. "Who?" He walked over to the OPS station. "Scanners can't identify the vessel," he reported, "I'll try hailing them for you. They're certainly receiving."

He gazed up. "This is Commander Mark Harper, Strategic Operations Officer on the Federation Starship USS Vesuvius. Identify yourself!"

(tag: MC7)

ooc: we're not leaving just yet...

[Andrew Kirk]

Jack’s words stayed with Andy as he walked along the damaged hallways back in the direction of the bridge. He hadn’t walked to far from engineering when a fellow engineer rushed up from behind him.

“Sir, we just received a message that your needed in sickbay on the double.”

“Thank you.” Kirk replied now moving more in a half jog through the twisted metal and hanging wires.

As Kirk rushed through the halls the alarms started to go off and just as he went for the COM Jack’s voice blared over the ship wide speaker system, “Attention all hands we are experiencing a ship wide emergency and recommend that you do your best to try and not touch any bulkheads with unprotected hands. A ground has gotten loose and the entire hull has been electrified causing a high electronic field that may result in electrocution. Be careful and do your best to avoid previously mentioned contact with any bulkheads. This problem should be resolved with in a matter of hours. Engineering out.”

Andy smiled as the ruse was put into place, now he needed to find out what had happened down in sickbay. His first gut reaction was that something else had happened to Mike and he may be in greater danger than originally thought.

When he stepped into sickbay he saw a sight that he wasn’t expecting. Saryn had the Commodore at gunpoint, “We shall get to the bottom of this right now Captain.” Saryn said as Kirk entered sickbay, closing and locking the door behind him.

“Explain.” Kirk said simply to his Doctor.

<Tag Saryn, Sonak>

[Deleted]

Morgan came round slowly, he was insickbay and there was a dark haired nurse leaning over him.

"It's good to see you awake," she said. Morgan managed a smile and closed his eyes as he still felt dizzy.

He heard voices and opened his eyes to see Commander Halthor speaking to the nurse. The FO came over to the biobed. “How are you Morgan”

Morgan stared up at the Andorian for a moment, "Pretty much all right. I'll be back at the Helm in no time." He gave a half smile. "What happened to the entity?"

The FO brought Morgan up to date on the entity's dramatic exit from the ship and the fact that they were now in the Andromeda galaxy in the year 2158. Morgan blinked a few times while this story was being told. It seemed for once something really insane had happened and no one was blaming him for it. In fact as he was unconscious in sickbay at the time he had the perfect alibi.

“Good to hear you're all right, I wanted to check up on you and make sure you were doing well with the medical staff available as we only have few aboard at this time. If you’d like and feel up to it you can make your way back to the bridge as long as the assistant medical officer has cleared you. I will be heading to the bridge and will see about contacting this newest vessel.” The FO said

The FO left, leaving Morgan to ponder the best way to get out of sickbay, after all, the Andromeda galaxy was a completely unknown place to fly and he wasn't going to miss this chance. He just had to get medical clearance. Morgan gave his best smile and asked the nurse to come over. A 10 minute conversation later and he had managed to get his release from sickbay and a dinner date.

Morgan found that he was allowed back into his quarters, quickly changed into a fresh uniform and headed for the bridge. Commanders Halthor and Harper were on duty. There was no sign of the Commodore. He gathered she was on an away mission. Morgan took his station but not without gazing at the NX class ship on the screen, he wondered what it would be like to fly such a ship.

Vesuvius was in bits, Morgan realised however it was only in the bits it was designed to split into so that was something. Morgan check a few calculations before turning to look at the two commanders. "If we use the ventral thrusters on Discordia I can compensate for the docking clamp problems and hold the ship together."

"Are you sure we can keep the modules together?" Harper queried, "Discordia keeps drifting and keeping it tractored is a big drain on our reserves. Unless Logan can fix the docking clamps."

"I'm sure," Morgan said flatly. It was a slightly nuts thing to do (although not by his standards) and he wasn't boasting.

It was at that moment that another ship appeared. Morgan identified it to himself as a Galaxy Class mark III, a classic if rather large design. Still they were fun to fly. Morgan wondered idly if they had any further information on the situation or if they were just as bemused. He guessed the latter. He heard Commander Harper ask for an identification.

[Deleted]

"Pulling a weapon on a Star Fleet Commodore is just asking for trouble. I will put this under the heading of rash actions of the young."

"I do not recognise your starfleet," Saryn answered, his aim infallible as he reached for the wooden staff he kept in sickbay, the staff he had used as walking aid on several occasions. "And I am not as young as you believe I may be. I am older than she." He nodded towards Sonak. "And she behaves strangely for a Vulcan, I believe there is more to her than she leads on."

Sonak on her part still sat on the bed, breathing deeply. "Larok, now is not the time to get into an argument. You are to assist Lieutenant Wolf, your orders stand. Move!" She expected her senior marine officer to obey her order, logically and efficiently.

She turned to Kirk, sliding off the bed and walking towards him, fully conscious of her medical counterpart aiming a weapon at her. A weapon she was unfamiliar with. "Doctor Saryn attacked me," she explained, "telepathically. He accused me of reading him, then initiated a mind meld of his own. He is rather untrained, I might add, I was able to fight him off without effort."

Saryn remained motionless, staring at the younger woman. By his estimate, she was at least a decade or two younger, but obviously far better trained. He had no explanation for his actions, other than that they were logical. "She was reading me, she knew what I was thinking," he countered, "the transgression was hers."

The Vulcan knew he had his captain on his side; he would believe him rather than this red-headed stranger from what she claimed ws their future. He lowered his weapon and lay it on the counter beside him. "I apologise for the mind-meld," he finally conceded. "May I proceed?"

Sonak shook her head. "You have caused enough damage. We shall be returning to the Vesuvius shortly, so that I can confer with my senior staff on the best course of action to repair your vessel. Additionally, I wish to bespeak the commanding officer of the other vessel." She paused a brief moment, knowing for certain that Larok - who still had not left and thus defied her orders - would protest. "Would you like to accompany me captain, doctor? We could bespeak the other captain together."

Saryn blinked, then gazed at his captain, eagerness visible on his otherwise expressionless face.

[Deleted]

*Although Sonak had told him to relax but something in the way the Challengers Doctor was acting reminded Larok of the Vulcan's he had trained with as a youth. Moving to the tactical station Larok took out his tricorder and started to work on getting the weapon systems on line while at the same time Keeping track of the Commodore's bio signs through her comm badge. After several minutes the comm badge stopped transmitting her bio signs. Entering a few commands into his tricorder got only a carrier wave from the Commodores comm badge. Tapping his comm badge...

Larok: Larok to Sonak respond.

* After getting no response, Larok turned to leave the bridge and ran head long into someone. Looking up he saw one of the Challengers security officers blocking his way.*

Larok: Excuse me I need to get to your sick bay.

Guard: I'm sorry sir but you need to stay here, Captains orders.

Larok: Really, have you ever tried to stop a Vulcan when his mind is made up?

*Then Larok pushed a button on his tricorder which linked to the Challengers transporter and beamed him to engineering. Stepping up behind Capitan Kirk he lay ed a hand on his shoulder and activated the transporter again, this time both he and the Capitan were transported to sick bay. His first sight was the Challengers Doctor holding a Phase Pistol on Sonak. Larok raised his phaser at the doctor.*

Larok: Pulling a weapon on a Star Fleet Commodore is just asking for trouble; I will put this under the rash actions of the young. I do not speak of your age just your maturity as a Vulcan. You should embrace IDIC a little more than you do and learn to trust a little. As for my age I am approximately 135 years older than I appear; but that is a story for another time. I think our Co's need to work this out before things get out of hand and someone form section 31 gets involved.

Sonak: "Larok, now is not the time to get into an argument. You are to assist Lieutenant Wolf, your orders stand. Move!"

*Sonak expected her senior marine officer to obey her order, logically and efficiently. But he did not move and responded.*

Larok: Mam under regulation 46b no Flag Officer shall remain in a pr oven hostel situation with out armed escort; until the situation has been declared safe by the ranking combat or security officer, which I believe is me.

[jrmacgregor]

Jim played out all of his cards. In his game of solitaire, he'd had no moves left. "Bats!" he thought. "Once in a while it would be nice to win one."

He gathered the cards and replaced them on the bar, and left Ten-foreward. He was going to go to the bridge, but was interrupted partway there by the ships comm.

=/\=Doctor MacGregor, please come to main shuttlebay at your earliest convenience.=/\=

He tapped his commbadge. =/\= Doctor Macgregor here. What is the nature of your call? Shall I bring a team?=/\=

=/\=Negative, Doctor. No one is in need of medical attention. We just need you to sign in a new arrival, which is waiting for your inspection.=/\=

=/\=A new arrival? Personel didn't notify me of any new medical staff coming aboard.=/\=

=/\=Not who, sir, what. A new shuttle has arrived, and since your staff will be the primary user, you'll need to sign for it.=/\=

=/\=Well, then I'll be there momentarily.=/\=

"Strange," He thought as he made his way there. "didn't Engineering inspect shuttles as they arrived? Junior staff at that, not the department head? This is certainly a strange ship if they think I need my own personal conveyance. I'll let everyone know I'm not so uppity that I need special perks... I'm just a normal..." The doors hissed open, and there in the middle of the bay, was a class 11 shuttle, with the name "Piper" on its side. An engineering crewman was just putting his scanning equipment back into stowage, and noticed the arrival of the chief medical officer.

"She's mechanically and structurally fit as a fiddle, sir. She's all yours"

"Thank you, Crewman." Jim said, as he opened the main hatch and went inside.

In this shuttle, the passenger compartment was removed, and replaced by a lab, with seats available for the medical or science team, depending on who took her out. Foreward of the lab compartment, was the cockpit, where two pilots, and two passengers sat. Aft of the lab was the sickbay, consisting of two sets of tripple bio bunkbeds, with readouts for each on the bulkheads in between the foreward sets, and the aft sets. In all there were beds for twelve patients. He shuddered at what events could take out a whole away team, but there were risks to going where no one has gone before. All seemed to be in order here. He stepped off of the Piper... "Piper..." he thought... "...where have I heard that name before?" Then he remembered. Second of Three CMO's aboard USS Enterprise. First of two under Jim Kirks command. First there was Phillip Boyce under Captains April and Pike, then Piper under Kirk, followed by McCoy. Required study at the Academy.

Jim signed for the new ships ambulance, and returned to his original course for the bridge.

[Deleted]

Daniel woke with a start, looking around his quarters he could not work out why he had woken so quickly, then as he looked to see the time he saw another figure in his quarters. Almost half jumping Daniel made his way to his table where he had hid a phasser, before he could reach it the figure moved and turned on a light. “Evan, what the hell are you playing at, what are you doing in my quarters?” Daniel still felt like getting the phasser out but unlike some random intruder Evan knew Daniel could not shot straight to save his life. ”Well i have been here since the nice doctor released you, that doctor was cute though” Evan gave a giggle that Daniel knew was both forced and meant to make him jealous. Daniel could now remember the trip to sickbay and the poisoning, the poor doctor did not know who had poisoned him and if Daniel was right James would not want to know. Daniel walked over to Evan, who prepared himself as if he was about to be hit, Daniel hugged him and then gave him a gentle nudge towards the door. “If you want to start our relationship again then you can take me to dinner, till then, Out!” Daniel watched as Evan smiled and walked out the door.

Daniel had a very good idea who had tried to poison him, the problem was why they had not succeeded as they were very good at ‘dealing’ with problems. As if answering his thoughts the consol on the wall began to beep. Walking over to the consol Daniel hoped he would not need that phasser for himself touching to consol he heard the familiar voice of the computer =/\=In coming communication, voice only=/\= Daniel thought about leaving it and pretending he was not here but he knew that it was coming now because he was alone “Computer open communication voice only” ‘if they will not show their face neither will i’ Daniel was almost ready for a fight when the voice of the computer returned =/\=Please input security code for access=/\= Daniel felt like this was becoming his tune “Commander Daniel Biers, security code Biers nine two three omega” Daniel waited and then something he both dreaded and knew happened =/\=Insufficient security clearance=/\= Daniel knew he was in trouble “Computer, Commander Daniel Biers, Security code Biers sigma three one dash nine four two omega, password shadow” Daniel knew if anyone heard he had a second security level he would be lucky to not get shot. Access approved, security level 12 authenticated=/\= with that small statement he heard the communication achieve and heard a voice he hated to hear on a good day “Well Daniel, you have definitely got yourself in a good spot of trouble, a mutinying ex-borg for a captain and a xo who cannot follow orders, you must really like it there” Daniel could hear the laughter in his voice, at this he snapped “If you are wanting something then tell me otherwise i am going to cut this communication before someone on the bridge notes a secure channel coming from my quarters, sometimes i wonder about you J, for a agent you are too much of a joker sometimes” Daniel did not hold back his anger from his voice like he normally did. “Well, i live to confuse you. I have new orders for you, undoubtedly Starfleet command is giving your admiral orders on the same lines as ours but we would like the logs from all ships involved and the originals destroyed. These orders will make sense when your admiral tells you his orders. Do not fail us again, Section 31 does not suffer failure lightly” with that closing statement the communication closed before Daniel could ask any questions.

Daniel did not understand his new orders but he would probably work it out soon enough, leaving his quarters Daniel made his way across to find Doctor MacGregor for his check up. “Computer locate Doctor MacGregor” =/\=Lieutenant MacGregor is in shuttle bay 1=/\= Daniel wondered why the chief medical officer would be there, unsure Daniel changed his direction and made his way to the shuttle bay. As Daniel arrived at the shuttle bay he saw the reason for why the doctor was here, in the middle of the bay was a new medical shuttle, the doctor Daniel noted was fanning his new piece of equipment. “Doctor, i see you have got your medical shuttle, i believe i was to check in with you before i returned to active duty?”

<Tag Macgregor>

[Carl Torek]

Mc entered the Bridge, surprising Carl and the rest of the Bridge crew by his rushed demeanor .. He sat next to Carl and handed him a PADD.

"So we're going after them ?" Torek asked, reading that the USS Vesuvius had disappeared.

"Yes !" Mc7 said, rubbing his temples as if he was suffering a severe head-ache, "Get us underway Carl. The last known co-ordinates of the Vesuvius are there. I'll be in my quarters if needed."

With that, the Admiral got up and entered the turbo-lift .. Torek re-read the orders and then spoke.

"Helm ... Take us out of orbit. Star fleet Command has already approved our departure. Once clear, go to heading two six five point one zero. Go to warp six as soon as we're clear."

"Aye Sir." the duty Navigation Officer said, repeating the orders back.

Carl watched the Earth fall away on screen, then relaxed somewhat as the accelerated out of the system ...

"Mister McLean, you have the Bridge." Carl said, heading for the ready room ..........

[Carl Torek]

PLEASE NOTE: The following post is by Scott McLean:


"I'll be in my quarters if needed…you have the Con Mister McLean."

"Aye Sir." McLean replied as he took a seat on the bridge. He had never been in charge of the Con before and for the first time in his entire career he felt out of place and in unfamiliar territory. With that came a strong sense accomplishment with in him, had he finally reached the command level he thought he would never reach, or was it that there wasn’t a junior officer around who was qualified enough to handle the ship? Either way McLean wasn’t going to argue with Commander Torek’s decision.

The Raven streaked across space with little to no effort as the warp engines continued to sustain a smooth warp bubble. If McLean didn’t know any better he would swear that this new version of the Galaxy Class starship was much smoother in ride than the Intrepid Class he had grown so fond of.

"Chief we’ve just increased speed to Warp 9.9." Called out the helmsman.

"Did you make the adjustment ?" McLean asked feeling silly by questioning the helmsman.

"No sir. Our increase was a jump from Warp 7 to 9.9."

"Pull back power and get us back to our previous speed." McLean calmly ordered.

"We just increased to Warp 11."

"That’s not possible."

"Warp 15."

The bridge aboard the Raven began to vibrate as the stress of the high speed was starting to cause a strain on the Raven’s hull.

"Warp 20."

"Slow us down Ensign."

"I don’t have any control over this sir. Warp…25 ... "

"What is that ?" Somebody from the back of the bridge shouted. McLean’s eyes were drawn to a white entity out in front of the Raven. It quickly became clear that as the entity raced further ahead the Raven was picking up speed as if it was in tow, or it had some how had fallen into the beings sub-space wake.

"What’s going on Scott ?" McLean heard Carl come over the COM.

"We have a situation up here sir." McLean replied.

"Bridge report." Mc 7 called out over the COM as well.

"We’ve run into some sort of sub-space wake sir and we can’t escape at this moment." McLean kept his answer to a minimum as he knew both senior officers would be making their way to the bridge.


<Tag Mc7/Torek>

[dukemccalister]

[limegreen]Thorad nodded in agreement, his antennae twitching. "Excuse me," he told both Vulcan companions, then walked over to the person who had introduced himself as McCalister. "Sir, you offered information about scientific objects. Would you care to elaborate? Perhaps we can ah...exchange ideas."[/limegreen]

“Clearly an exchange of ideas would be beneficial as it would help us maybe improve the situation we are in, Im all for thinking outside the box and using new ideas to push us into a positive direction, maybe the exchanging of ideas will be good for both of our ships seeings as were badly damaged and we are in need of some repairs, some technical and scientific expertise might help divulge the problem and narrow our repairs across all sections as well as the exchange of scientific ideas might help us.” duke replied then watching thorad get motioned by sonak.

[limegreen] "Lieutenant..." Sonak warned, casting him a pointed look. [/limegreen]

[limegreen] "Understood ma'am," the Andorian answered non-committingly, then focused his attention on the science officer. "Perhaps we can clear up your sensors a little further." [/limegreen]

“You have skill with the scanner lieutenant thorad, if you wish tell me exactly how to go about this as you might control the systems, as safety precaution it is my duty not to let others attempt control of ship systems just yet until the captain authorizes, but with your help and expertise you can follow me through by providing me improvements in scanner potential.” Duke replied.

“I do hope you understand Lt Thorad its under the best circumstances that I not let you take control as would your captain. If my captain gave me permission then will all due cause I would grant you that leisure.” Duke replied then walked over to Sonak “Well it looks like you have things to do, so im going to catch up with Lt Thorad on the bridge, he can help me quite a bit and prove useful until you comeback.”

Opening the Communitor “Captain Kirk, I have been accompanied by Lt Thorad at my Station for the duration, he seems to know his abilities well, and our scanning range has improved remarkably, with a 50 percent margin, I would also like to say I have pinpointed the exact designation of the vessel outside of our ship it’s the USS Raven”

[vanderhalthor]

[limegreen] Vesuvius was in bits, Morgan realised however it was only in the bits it was designed to split into so that was something. Morgan check a few calculations before turning to look at the two commanders. "If we use the ventral thrusters on Discordia I can compensate for the docking clamp problems and hold the ship together." [/limegreen]

Listening to the Lt speak, it was profound to hear the new ideas in a time of haste, many things were happening all over the Vesuvius and the Lt sounded pretty sure of himself in the likeliness even though his comradry might disregard his idea and put there own forward, regardless, halthor found morgans idea interesting as well as well thought.

[limegreen] "Are you sure we can keep the modules together?" Harper queried, "Discordia keeps drifting and keeping it tractored is a big drain on our reserves. Unless Logan can fix the docking clamps." [/limegreen]

“Well with all hope, the lieutenants idea should prove useful at the time, you didn’t just come up with this just on the flip of a switch and it must have took you some time to carefully think about the situation in which we were in as well as how we might prove getting the ship back together in the state we are in, I say we should go with your idea.” Halthor replied then listened as morgan spoke again.

[limegreen]"I'm sure," Morgan said flatly. It was a slightly nuts thing to do (although not by his standards) and he wasn't boasting.[/limegreen]

[limegreen] It was at that moment that another ship appeared. Morgan identified it to himself as a Galaxy Class mark III, a classic if rather large design. Still they were fun to fly. Morgan wondered idly if they had any further information on the situation or if they were just as bemused. He guessed the latter. He heard Commander Harper ask for an identification. [/limegreen]

“Galaxy Class Mark III, hmmm, let me look through my data pad for a second here.” Halthor took a moment to go over his logs then go over the scanner, increasing the potential, he cross-referenced both sources to conclude it was the one ship. “It can only be the USS Raven, it appears she has come for us, and possibly gotten our distress call. Hopefully the borg or other entities were not following the raven’s signature as well, or we would be in a world of hurt.”

“Ensign Ritan, get me a Communications link up with the Raven, I wanna speak with the captain.” ritan understood then patched it forward.

“USS Raven, this is the USS Vesuvius, Commander Halthor here, we have identified you, and cross-referenced you with prior data, how are you holding up?”

[jrmacgregor]

Jim signed for the new ships ambulance, and returned to his original course for the bridge. Just short of the shuttlebay hatch, he saw the ships counsellor, Commander Biers.

“Doctor, i see you have got your medical shuttle, i believe i was to check in with you before i returned to active duty?”

"Good to see you up and around. Normally I'd scedule you an appointment after a couple of days rest, but since Petty officer Perren saw fit to let you have a walk, and I don't have much to do anyhow, I'll have a look."

The two made their way to the turbolift, and rode it to deck twelve, where sickbay was located. After verifiying he was at least good enough to return to work, Jim was about to make his pronouncement, when the ship began to vibrate uncomfortably.

"Commander, You may return to duty. It feels like somethings happening, and you may want to go take the seat to the skippers left on the bridge." He remembered he was headed there anyway, "I'll go with you. I need to find out if I should recall all medical staff not on sleep cycle." The two returned to the turbolift, and made their way to the bridge. There, they walked into a frenzy.

"What’s going on Scott ?" McLean heard Carl come over the COM.

"We have a situation up here sir." McLean replied.

"Bridge report." Mc 7 called out over the COM as well.

"We’ve run into some sort of sub-space wake sir and we can’t escape at this moment."

"Good gravy... " thought Jim. "How do I put a bandaid on a runaway starship?" He took his place beside the tactical officer, as Biers took his seat in the command center.

[Andrew Kirk]

Captain Kirk, I have been accompanied by Lt Thorad at my Station for the duration, he seems to know his abilities well, and our scanning range has improved remarkably, with a 50 percent margin, I would also like to say I have pinpointed the exact designation of the vessel outside of our ship it’s the USS Raven.”

”That is good news Duke, keep me posted on any further progress.” Kirk replied into the wall Com before turning back to face Sonak and Saryn.

“What is it?” Saryn instantly picked up on Kirk’s confusion.

“There isn’t a USS Raven in our fleet.” Kirk said eyeing his Doctor.

“I may be able to clear this up,” Sonak spoke up, “It appears we may have another visitor from my time.”

This was the last straw for Andy, as he needed answers and he needed them quickly, “Will you excuse us Doctor.” Kirk said as he walked out of sickbay with the Commodore by his side.

This was the second ship from the Commodore’s time and now with the odds firmly against him and his crew he needed to press the nearly morally unmovable Sonak for some breadcrumbs of information.

“With all due respect Commodore I’m going to speak very frankly,” Kirk said as he let his pace dictate his intensity, “If this is indeed a second possible ship form your time I need some answers.”

“I cannot tell you about the future Captain.”

“It’s not the future I’m interested in.” Kirk fired back before proceeding to elaborate, “Where are you from? Saryn’s scans say your Vulcan but Saryn appears to have his doubts and frankly so do I. Also my ships computer is telling me I’m nowhere near home right now and I simply need to know how two Vulcans, and an Andorian are best of friends out in the middle of unknown space in ships that are the sizes of our most current space stations.”

<Tag Sonak>

[Scott McLean]

“Damage report.” McLean called out from the center chair on the bridge of the Galaxy Class star ship USS Raven.

“Systems check out normal sir.” Came a rather quick reply from the tactical and security officer.

“Engineering reports systems in the green Chief.” An engineering officer reported in from the back of the bridge.

Both Commander Torek and Admiral Mc 7 hadn’t shown up on the bridge so McLean proceeded to remain in command. He found it surprising how comfortable it was for him and how natural it all felt; it was almost like being down in Main Engineering, McLean thought.

“Chief, we’re being hailed.”

“By who?”

“The USS Vesuvius.”

“Open the channel.” McLean said standing up to take the call from the missing ship.

“USS Raven, this is the USS Vesuvius, Commander Halthor here, we have identified you, and cross-referenced you with prior data, how are you holding up?”

“Commander Halthor, I’m Commander McLean, Chief Engineer of the Raven, we’re all a little confused by our little ride, but other than that all our systems check out.” McLean replied giving himself a second to catch his breath, “How is your ship holding up Commander?”

<Tag Vesuvius>

[Deleted]

"Ma'am under regulation 46b no Flag Officer shall remain in a proven hostile situation with out armed escort; until the situation has been declared safe by the ranking combat or security officer, which I believe is me."

"And you forget I have been a commanding officer for quite some time now. It is illogical to put myself in a hostile situation, with or without armed escort. You have your orders major." She paused, resting her hand on her marine's arm for a second, not long enough for it to become a breach of protocol. "I will be fine major, and you know where to find me if things do get tense. I want you to get in contact with the Vesuvius and get an update on the situation. I believe I will be quite safe."

She cast Kirk a pointed look, but didn't miss the doctor's somewhat annoyed sigh. She walked with Kirk when he asked her to and listenend to his arguments. “Where are you from? Saryn’s scans say your Vulcan but Saryn appears to have his doubts and frankly so do I. Also my ships computer is telling me I’m nowhere near home right now and I simply need to know how two Vulcans, and an Andorian are best of friends out in the middle of unknown space in ships that are the sizes of our most current space stations.”

"I am indeed quite Vulcan," she answered, "however I was adopted by a Human couple when I was three, after my parents were killed. Your doctor is in error where his doubts are concerned; he is the one acting illogically, attacking me as he did. He should be grateful he is still on his feet, myself or Larok could easily have killed him."

She paused; this was not a time to start arguments or continue existing ones. "We are from the year 2394 and my ship is one of her kind, though the other vessel is indeed quite new as well. I do not know how they got here or why, but we were thrown here by a hostile entity while we were on our way from Andor to assist the Andorians and the Romulans in a terraforming project. In my time, Andor is a member of the Federation...our alliance, if you will. I did just offer you the opportunity to visit my vessel, though I have no doubt my first officer would approve."

Again, she paused, looking back over her shoulder where Saryn was still watching them. "My first officer is Andorian, and quite good at his job. There are bound to be species aboard that you have yet to hear of, but I trust none of this will reach your records. If it does, we may be forced to take drastic measures."

It was then that a child raced up to them, followed by Challenger's doctor who was close on her heels. "Numike, come here," he snapped at the child, "do not bother our visitors."

The child bared her teeth at Sonak, who merely smiled and knelt before her. "You have one set of beautiful teeth," she complimented the child, "how old are you?" She glanced up at Saryn, motioning it was all right, she wasn't bothered.

Numike glanced around at her father, a little confused. "Six," she answered shortly, looking ready to bite someone.

"I have a boy and a girl your age, but they were left behind in my time with their father." Then she showed her own teeth, which were a leftover from her time spent as a vampire after Tepes had infected her with his virus. "And my teeth do match yours, however they are not for biting anyone, not anymore."

The child quickly covered hers, looking even more confused. "Dad, was she on Miranda with you?" she asked.

Saryn shook his head, but cast his captain a knowing look; he'd been right after all. "No, she was not. Now, return to our quarters and tend to your homework. I have work to do."

"yes father," the child answered, then disappeared.

Sonak meanwhile rose back to her feet. "I have to return to Vesuvius. Thorad will remain with you to assist in your sensor repairs. My invitation stands, however I do have to return." She tapped her combadge. "Sonak to Vesuvius, Larok and I shall be returning shortly. We may bring visitors."