Where in Space-Time is Kaylana Cornette?

[Deleted]

Nik had discovered a debris field right in the path of the Majesty, at the coordinates Hawk's signal had been originating. Nik tried to scan for it again and got nothing, however, there was a fresh ion trail leading away from debris. TEG ordered Falco to set a course. A few hours later a message came in from Commander Aarons, somehow he and Dr. Janeway had been made aware of the Captain's and Hawk's disapperance.
TEG had Falco plot a spherical course to pick up Dr. Janeway and Commader Aarons without loosing contact with the ion trail. Once aboard, Falco plotted a higher speed course to make up for time before returning to the steady warp 6. It was about twenty minutes after arriving back onboard that Dr. Janeway made it to the Bridge.

"I think we need to talk in private," suggested Janeway.

TEG motioned toward Kay's ready room, "After you, Doctor."

[lizjaneway]

"Yes, and there are enough pictures to divide them equally. Oh I get these two, definately," Liz said taking two where Mike was making a funny face at the camera. She smiled then boarded the shuttle that would take them home.

[glow=purple,2,300]Aboard USS Majesty, Bridge[/glow]

Liz walked into the ready room and turned waiting for the door to seal again. It didn't take long, and he offered her something to drink, which she declined.

"Sir, it is because of me that Mike knew something was wrong. I haven't felt like this since I was a cadet. It's like my zeal has returned, or something.... I'm not sure what it is actually. I got contact with the captain, and something was way wrong," she said filling him in. She watched him for a reaction.

"When Mike was away contacting you for an update, I got contact with Hawk as well. He filled me in on a little bit of what he knew, but I'm not sure exactly what will help here," she said not saying exactly how she contacted them.

[Jamey Gaz]

Jamey was sitting in the seat to the left of the CO, running through sensor data from the debris field looking for trace amounts in order to identify what it was before it exploded. Thankfully, he was not finding any humanoid remains.

The bridge was busy with activity, everyone wanted their Captain and COO back. In fact, Jamey had to counsel several new crewmen for somatopsychic-like disorders on those who had come aboard when the Majesty was docked back at the star base. Current conditions would sometimes cause issues where the relationship between the body and mind would degrade and play tricks are common with new assignments. Jamey wasn't really sure why new personnel was assigned to the ship so unexpectedly, but this was the probable cause of Lieutenant Falco's suspicion of a on-board spy. Jamey wasn't so sure of that, but he had known people to be very deceitful before and exhibit no cause for alarm to Counselors. Only time would be the true bearer of truth.

Sensor logs found that the ship, still unidentified by the computer, wasn't destroyed by weapons fire ... in fact the data suggested that the ship exploded from the inside. Turning his efforts toward the ion trail of bread crumbs, he found that the trail was starting to become untraceable due to high polarized magnetic energy from a near by system. "Commander Gaz to Commander TEG, sensors are starting to have trouble tracking the ion trail due to a localized disturbance in a near by system; we may need to boost sensors somehow to compensate."

(OOC: thankfully my work has calmed down as I have finished my project ... glad to be back)

[Deleted]

TEG was taken aback by Liz's revelation. "Is it like clearvoiency, seeing through their eyes, or like a long distance form of Betazoid like communication?"

<Liz>

"Can you try to communicate with them again?"

<Liz>

-^-Commander Gaz to Commander TEG, sensors are starting to have trouble tracking the ion trail due to a localized disturbance in a near by system; we may need to boost sensors somehow to compensate.-^-

TEG responded to Jamey's comm signal, "Get with Nik and Kel and see how much more resolution we can coerce out of the sensors."

-^- Aye Sir. -^-

TEG closed his comm channel and returned is focus to Liz finding her deep in thought.

[lizjaneway]

"No, not clarvoiency. It is more like the second form. I can talk to them using thoughts, but I haven't been able to go any farther than that," Liz explained hoping she could do it again if needed.

"I'm not sure. It took a lot to get through to Hawk when I concentrated last time. I might be able to, but I don't know what the concequences would be if I did so. I think we need Trishta up here to monitor just in case something goes wrong," she said and he seemed to agree.


Trishta wasn't far away, and came when she was summoned. She was told what was going on, and what she would need to do. Trish set up putting a cordical monitor on Liz. Liz sat down on the floor folding her legs before she closed her eyes starting to meditate but not going completely in.

She was almost there, and could feel it. It was as if she was floating through space again. She thought maybe she had Hawk or the Captain, but suddenly the thoughts were in another language, one she didn't know. It surprised her, and she opened her eyes quickly. Sighing she closed them and tried again hoping she could find who she needed. Once again she was met by a language she didn't understand. She opened her eyes to discover TEG watching her.

"Sir, I have come in contact, but considering I didn't understand the language spoken, I would say it wasn't who I was seeking. I will continue to try, but this could take hours maybe even days before I get through again. I've only done this a couple of times," she said and then closed her eyes to see who she would meet up with. Suddenly she heard thoughts about her, and realized it was Mike's mind she had accidentally entered.

Liz opened her eyes and closed them again thinking of Captain Cornette.

[lizjaneway]

Suddenly Liz made contact, and she was very suprised. It wasn't the Captain, but it was something, actually someone, she hadn't expected. Suddenly Liz was in the company of a being she didn't know, and wondered how she ended up so far off her course. The lady smiled and turned spying the doctor.

Welcome to my home, I rarely get visitors. I am Ravorta, one of the few remaining Temportans. Do sit down, you are going to be here for awhile. I will gladly answer any of your questions.

Liz thought for a few minutes but didn't say or share anything with her new acquaintance.


Trishta rushed over to sit by Liz. The doctor's life signs showed she was in a deep trance making Trish wish they hadn't attempted this.

"Sir, Liz is in a deep trance. I don't know when she will be back among us," Trishta said hoping the good doctor wouldn't be gone long.

[Deleted]

Nik was internally quite upset. He was not used to having Kay's guiding presence absent for so long. Yes she had been gone before, on away missions, and endevours of her own.

But this was different. Nik was beginning to feel lost, like he had lost his purpose. He felt useless, and the latest failure of the trail running cold was just a bit too much for him.

His headache had worsened. He was beginning to feel very unwell...

"Sir, I think I should be relie......" with that Nik collapsed to the floor with a mighty thud. He didnt even had time to steady himself and fall to the floor graciously.

Blood was starting to pool around his head...

"Medic. We need a Medic" shouted an ensign who was working nearby Nik.

[Deleted]

Liz was still out of it when her and Trishta's commbadge began to whine, the emergency signal. She tapped them and the computer requested her to report to the bridge. She turned around and walked through the door from the ready room onto the bridge. She saw Nik on the floor only a meter or two away from the door. She grabbed a med-kit from the storage unit from the wall next to the ready room door. She scanned him, only to find that his life signs were failing. She gave him a stimulant, and ordered for an emergency transport for him. He dematerialized and arrived in sickbay. Trishta ran back to TEG and Liz in the ready room.

"What happened?"

"Something is wrong with Nik. He was unconscious on the floor bleeding. I stabilized him and had him transported to sickbay. What about the Doctor?"

"Same as before."

"I want to take her to Sickbay to monitor her condition, especially with this trance we can't wake her from. But we can't transport her for fear of causing brain damage. I'll call for a hover chair or gurney to take her to sickbay."

[Deleted]

Will took over at Tactical when Major Denart left to brief his Marines. Within a matter of seconds, a series of events took place. The doctor returned and entered the ready room with Commander TEG. Nik collapsed and substained a head injury to which a medic promptly showed up to care for. Now it seemed they were bringing in a hover chair to transport Janeway to sickbay. And from the sounds of things, Commander TEG was planning on joinning the marines.

"Sir. With all due respect. Do you think it wise for you to leave with the captain already missing? We really can't afford to lose you as well."

[Deleted]

Nik was un-conscious, but yet he was somewhere he had never been before. And he noticed something or someone walking towards him.

"We can seem to bring him around, he is to all intents and purposes in a coma, but this is unlike any coma I have seem before. His brain his alive, and firing like never before." The doc was telling TEG.

"Just keep an eye on him, Ive got something to do." TEG said with a stern, yet concerned look and tone in his voice.

The shadow was getting closer to him. Oddly he wasnt afraid. It was then that he started to realise it was Kay, well maybe not here but an image of here.

"Am I dead?" Nik said to the image of Kay.

[lizjaneway]

Liz sat down and continued to look around. The room had light blue walls with a bookshelf against the far one. Liz couldn't see anything written on the spines, and wondered what kind of place this was. She noticed her hostess was watching her as she looked around the room. There were no doors anywhere to be seen, which made Liz curious. She opened her mouth to speak but no sound came.

~How do we speak here? This is a very strange place. How does anyone get from one room to another or even outside? Where is this place and what am I doing here?~ She thought not realizing this was the only way to communicate. Her companion smiled.

The only way to communicate is by thought. This is just my home. If you desire to enter another room or to go outside you just think of outside or a certain room. Here is where the mind is the important thing. Only strong minds enter here, so you must be strong. I don't know much about you, but I am sure you will get the hang of being here quickly. You look like a fast learner. Is there anything else I can help you with? Ravorta thought still smiling. Liz looked around the room more.

~How did I get here? How long do you think I am going to be here? No offense, but I have to leave soon enough. My friends were in trouble, and this is the only way to get through to them right now. Did I think something to offend you?~ she thought watching her hostess.

Most desire to leave learning nothing. I was hoping you wouldn't be like them. Ravorta answered before disappearing. Liz realized she had made a mistake.

~It's not that I don't like to learn, but my friends are all I have. If I lose them, then I have nothing. I'm sorry. Please come back. How can I help you?~ Liz thought and suddenly Ravorta returned. She looked perplexed.

I don't know how you can help. No one has ever asked me that question before. I will return after I ask the others to see what they require of you, if they require anything at all. her hostess thought before disappearing again.

[Deleted]

Hawk and Kay were both safe for the moment, hidden deep within the belly of their captor’s ship. Hawk had managed to lead them both to safety with the help of his animal friends. They would need help soon or they would surely be found by their ruthless enemies.

Kay had tended Hawks wounds and he was beginning to regain some of his sight. Her tender and caring touch reminded Hawk of another medical person he read about long ago whose name was Lassiter he believed. She was a doctor on another starship who was very highly talked about among her patients. Hawk pent many hours reading Starfleet reports about Humans in an attempt to better understand them in his early years with Starfleet.

Hawk would sit and talk to her for hours as she nursed him back to health and even though her mind was that of a child, her skill in healing was miraculous. Hawk could almost feel the strength returning quickly to his body as each hour pasted.

Hawk knew that if help did not come soon he would have to try to get them both off the ship at whatever the cost.

[Deleted]

TEG was a wreck. His captain was missing, along with the chief operations officer, where they were, it was anyone’s guess. The chief medical officer was in a trance that she can’t be awoken from, and the chief science officer just had a seizure and was in sickbay. The captain’s desk was still a wreck from last time he had seen her, when she was doing paperwork regarding the last mission.

Now Tokla Einsti Gilor of rotation 24601, with the familial name of Wells sat at the same desk and wondered how many more of his friends would come to harm because of his inability to gauge the situation better. If he had not followed the image of his former/missing fiancé from the Bar on Bellicose, none of this would have happened, or at least happened differently.

“Why could I have not provided what they needed?” TEG sighed.

TEG then looked toward the holograph of Commodore ‘Big’ Bill Kruse hanging on the far wall. He remembered how the Commodore had helped TEG make the transition from utility officer to being a senior officer. In those years TEG had been a Tactical Officer, and prior to that he had been a Science Officer and a Navigator. He continued to stare at the image of the Commodore.

“Commodore, what have I allowed to transpire? How could I have been so careless?” TEG’s eyes began fill with tears and he had to extricate himself from the chair.

TEG moved to large 2.5m sofa that sat to the side of the room and laid there and began to use a Bajoran meditation technique to focus his mind on the task at hand. How to find Kay and Hawk, before it was too late?

**********

The bridge of the pirate’s ship was an extravagant affair. There where gold and silk weavings on the walls and many treasured relics from across the galaxy. The captain of the ship sat on a throne of pillows, woven from the finest silk the Tholians could weave. His orange skin and bulbous form betrayed the opulence in which he lived.

“Damon Neik, we are approaching the target planet,” spoke a dark-skinned Romulan male, “the facility is on the far side.”

“Attack posture,” Ordered the older Ferengi from atop his throne, “Charge weapons.”

A young human female operated the weapons console, “Charging Damon.”

“The Syndicate will pay for their treachery.” Grumbled the Damon.

“Sir, the night watchman just reported that the prisoners are missing.” Reported a middle-aged Cardassian.

“Send all available personnel to search for the bird and his companion.” Came the orders from the Damon

**********

General K’Thor watched as the ship he’d been tracking suddenly altered course and began a tactical orbit of Osiris V. The General ordered his ship closer to the renegade ship, hoping to see if at a closer range, confirmation could be made regarding the missing Starfleet Officers.

A beeping began at one of the bridge stations, the telltale beeping of a successful scan.

[lizjaneway]

Helping Ravorta was the one thing she needed to do to leave. She found a way to help out these people and in turn she was released from her mind. Liz woke up in sickbay wondering when she had been moved there. She noticed a nurse nearby and tried to get up.

"Don't overdo it, Doc, you've been out for a day or two. Your legs need time to adjust," the nurse said as Trish entered the the room and looked up from a padd noticing Liz was with them again.

"Good to have you back, Doc. They will want you on the bridge as soon as you can walk again," Trish said without batting an eye. Liz tried to walk a couple of times, and about ten minutes later she was walking to the turbolift heading for the bridge.

Liz walked out onto the bridge and headed to report back to the commanding officer. She chimed for the Captain's ready room and was allowed in.

"Sir, I am back in the normal universe, and I have a heck of a report for you. How can I help in discovering the location of the Captain?" she said listening to the response and wishing she were invisible.

"I'm not sure I'm ready to try searching for their minds again. Space is too large, and I don't think I have what it takes, yet, to discover their location. In time and with a little more practise I might be able to do that," she said hoping there was some way she could help discover the whereabouts of their missing crewmates.

[Michael Aarons]

The doctor and first officer had moved their way onto the main bridge. They had discussed Liz's experience beyond this plane and were still none the wiser of its meaning.

"I know this is hard for you and I don't want you pushing yourself," he didn't even like how he was pushing himself, "but I'd like it if you could remain on hand in case you can reach out and find Hawk or the captain." She nodded. "And if you begin to sense anything... you let me know. That's an order." She agreed. TEG returned to the command seat as Liz sort of stood there buried in the space of time which had come to pass with the mysterious Ravorta.

Aarons approached the doctor somewhat not paying attention and as he did so, wrapped her in a loving embrace and smiled contently.

"Well this is a surprise!" It was not quite in his nature to behave like this so openly.

"I was minding the conn when suddenly you were on my mind and then I heard about what happened to you. Now that you're back, I'm just so happy to see you." She was flattered and elated by this news and kissed him on the cheek.

"That's so sweet, but I think they'll be needing you at the helm for this." He let go but before releasing her hand he looked serenely into her eyes and smiled. "Let me ask you something. What do you normally think about?"

"Me, you, me, you, you, me, spam, spam, me, spam, eggs, and you... and spam, spam, spam, eggs, spam, spam, spam, fried beans, spam and you." ;D

"Forget I asked."

[Deleted]

The battleship approached its target. General K’Thor remembered that he was only asked to locate the ship, so after confirming the location, and that the Bird and Woman were on the ship he had a Bekk open a channel to the Majesty.

**********

The tactical station began to beep. Will Jamison noticed and informed the XO, "Commander, I have an incoming message. Priority One."

"Open a channel," TEG ordered, on the screen came General K'Thor, "General, I trust you have news."

"I do commander. I have located a ship with what appears to be your missing officers. I'm sending the coordinates to you now."

Commander Aarons nodded that he had received the coordinates and was currently processing a course.

"Do you have any idea as to their condition?" Asked TEG.

"We are scanning through our Cloak and through their shields, so I can only tell that they are alive. The ship they are on is on an attack posture around an Orion trading post."

"Orions?"

"However, the other lifeforms on the ship span many different species, Ferengi, Romulan, Klingon, Orion, and Human."

"Must be some kind of merceraries. We'll be underway shortly. I have to ask that you keep an I on them General, as I want them to know they can't mess with Starfleet and expect to get away with it."

"While I would enjoy killing the petaQ onboard, my good friend Admiral Nova did ask that I yield to your judgement. We will maintain contact with the ship and contact you if the situation changes."

"Qapla' General."

"Qapla' Commander, K'Thor out."

After the screen returned to the local starfield, TEG looked back at Dr. Janeway, she shrugged her shoulders. He then looked over at Jamey, filling in for Nik, he nodded. TEG returned is attention to the forward stations, and after hearing the telltale beep from Michael's console, indicating a successful course calculation TEG gave the marching orders, "Mr. Falco, set a course as calculated by Mr. Aarons, Maximum Warp."

"Course Laid in sir."

"Engage."

[Deleted]

Upon hearing the commanders order to engage, Will made himself busy preparing for battle. He didn't know what to expect so he was getting ready for anything. He ordered the torpedo tubes loaded and readied the phasers so that they could respond instantly. The sheilds were set to raise with just one more command. He also had a squad standing by incase they were needed in order to board the other vessel. Will knew that TEG would stop at nithing to get thier captain back and he wanted to make sure that he was ready to help any way possible.

"Sir." he said. "Shields and weapons are ready. I also have a squad on standby awaiting your orders."

[Kaylana Cornette]

Miraculously, they had evaded their captors. This vessel they were imprisoned on was a fine ship of war but fell far short in the area of sensors and instruments of science. The pirates were forced to search for the two Starfleet officers with handheld tricorders. Hawk had managed to keep them one step ahead of the search parties utilizing the ship's own fields of interference - trouble spots known by every experienced Operations Officer to cover and disperse sensor sweeps. He had also managed to swipe a discarded Cardassian combadge, altering it to emit a subspace frequency used primarily as a proximity alarm beacon and then piggybacking their Starfleet id's on the signal. If the pirates weren't paying attention, and it didn't seem that they were, the signal would appear as a normal proximity beacon.

Hawk explained to Kay what he was doing and who would be searching for them and she seemed to understand the how and the why - but had no understanding as to the who. Her memory of Starfleet technology and historical events was intact, but her personal memories were gone. Disturbingly, her curiosity about who she was seemed non-existent. Even more disturbingly to Hawk was that he was in no hurry for her to remember. Secretly, he enjoyed the freedom of this Kay to lovingly respond to him. He justified his hesitancy to help her remember by telling himself he was not a doctor, or a counselor, and pushing her to remember could damage what remained of her fragile mind.

---

"DaiMon Neik, we have a vessel approaching at high warp!"

Neik grimaced and bared his pointy teeth. "What kind of vessel?"

The human female's eyes grew wide. "A very, very big one."

[lizjaneway]

Liz hadn't expected such from Mike, but was glad he was concerned for her safety. She smiled and answered his question kinda funny.

"Actually, I mostly think of you. I also have to think of the situation at hand and how to help. But mostly you," she whispered before he went to his station.

She went over to the medical station and started to check on their status hoping they were ready. She sent a message to Trish letting her know they might be needed because of a battle. It seemed Trish was already on the ball getting things ready as quickly as possible, and Liz realized she had been trained pretty well considering the circumstances.

"Sir, sickbay should be ready for any casualties if we have any," she reported from her station. She didn't know if things were going to be okay though considering what she had seen and felt in the captain's mind. Liz hoped whatever they did to their captain that it was reversable. She feared for the worst.

[Deleted]

So whats been going on then? I dont remember very much. I can barely remember who I am. And I have the worst headache in the world.

"Well thats a story and a half" the nurse on duty replied.

"Though I recognise were are red alert, and Im not at my post. The captain will not be pleased" Nik said with a slight smile.

"Well were getting ready for battle to save the captain and hawk. You dont remember do you?"

"Ahh Umm no... its just a tad hazy. I could have sworn I was talking to the captain only just...." Nik said feeling rather sleep again.

[Jamey Gaz]

:: In the Counselor's Office ::

"The stress on the crew," Jamey thought as he looked over his appointment schedule for the day. "If this mission doesn't resolve soon I think that the whole crew will simply go bonkers." Not a medical term he thought has a smirk appeared on his face. Seventeen crewmen and three junior officers were placed on medical leave in the past several days. Jamey thought that stress on a starship was so understated in the Academy that new graduates were mislead; stars in there eyes ... expecting some joy ride. "Computer, where is my next appointment?"

"You next appointment is still on duty in Engineering, their commanding officer has entered a request to reschedule." The computer so simply put the comment.

Frustrated, he noted the fact in his schedule and contacted his next appointment only to be told the same from the computer again. "I guess keeping people sane isn't that important." Jamey commented to no one.

Jamey felt Gaz move in his pouch, something that normally didn't happen during times of rest. 'Must be the frustration and my own stress getting to me,' Jamey thought. Not thinking much more about it, he finished his morning with only one appointment showing up ... a frantic crewman who was assigned to the port - dorsal pasor bank. It had surfed a power spike on her last shift and she has found that every time she tries to sleep she witness her death in 3rd person.

Trying to calm her, Jamey tryed to talk to her about calming teachings and the importance of her returning to her post during this time of need.

"I - I," her hands shaking while trying to talk, "can't." Now sobbing in her hands and in muffled words, "... I just can't."

Not knowing what to do he reaches for his PADD to mark yet another crewman off duty for medical reasons. "I want you to go to sick bay and see the doctor on duty. I will send instructions ahead of you for sleep aids; I think rest will resolve this ... and time." Jamey wrote out the instructions for the doctor and sent them before she got up from the chair.

Turning to Jamey the female crewman asked, "Do yu - you think I will ever be able to return to duty? I do have a family history of things like this."

"Yes, I remember reading that in your file," Jamey replied, "... I think we need to save that conversation for another day. I can tell you this however, you will overcome what you are only willing to face. You are truly the only one who can come the point of turning this around." Jamey looked down at the floor at the crewman's foot that, from constant shaking, had already left a worn spot on the floor. "Maybe when we get back to starbase, we can get you some time off and you can see if my Vulcan colleagues can aid you in this matter." Getting up from his chair and smiling, "lets get you to sick bay."

[Deleted]

Falco set his sensors for highest sensitivity that he could and directed straight at the hostile vessel. He began to receive readings that indicated the enemy ship had raised shields and was powering up weapons.

“Commander, the enemy ship is raising shields and powering weapons,” Falco informed the First Officer.

“Shields up and full power to all the weapons!” TEG yelled with an inflection of confidence in his crew as he tightened in his chair.

Jamison pushed some buttons on his console then said, "Weapons armed and Phasers to full power, Sir.”

“Commander Aarons bring us out of warp and prepare to execute attach pattern Delta,” TEG bellowed.

“Aye Sir, dropping from warp speed now,” Aarons replied.

“Commander Greenwood, locate the Captain and Hawk’s life signs ASAP or you are fired,” TEG demanded.

“Working on it Sir but their shields are inhibiting our sensors, no wait, I have something,” Nik said with excitement.

“I have it to Sir it is a Cardassian proximity alarm beacon and something odd about it,” Falco informed.

“Sir it has the Captain and Hawk’s Starfleet ID's piggybacked on the signal,” Will added.

“Yes Commander TEG I have their location aboard the alien vessel now Sir,” Nik said with excitement.

“Sir long range sensors show two more similar ships headed this way and armed to the teeth,” Falco reported with despair in his voice.

“They will be within weapons range in 15 minutes Commander,” Added Aarons.

“What will we do Sir, what will we do?” Falco cried out.

[Michael Aarons]

TEG had called for pattern Delta; not the most commonplace tactic especially when making the first strike. There was a reason it was called 'Delta' because it was that far down on the tactical strategies list. The Majesty was dropped out of warp flanking the Black Tal-Opal vessels aft port at a higher zenith. To perform the Delta pattern, the Majesty would have to pause so as to release a hard phaser strike while continuing to move and avoid return fire. This was the move an amateur would make trying to unload heavy fire on their enemy without covering their bases.

What was needed was to get their shields dropped or punch a hole, anything to allow a transport signal in to get the Major's Marines on board the ship and seek out Hawk and the captain. Michael had never dealt with the limitations of a hostage situation; it wasn't enough to simply destroy or even repel the enemy vessel but had to try and prevent as many changes to the situation in the enemy's favor as possible until the hostages were rescued. The ventral phaser arrays lit up as the Majesty pounded the enemy's shield array hard. The Tal-Opal were stirred now and moved to fire but Majesty moved in with swift but hard strikes to their shield grid hoping for a buckling point.

The Black Tal-Opal ship was shaken by the poundings it was receiving from the Majesty. Hawk and the captain, taking refuge within the dungeonous bowels of the ship, kept their heads down and prayed someone would rescue them. The individual being held in his arms that very minute was not the captain, it was a person and he loved her for that. This was not Captain Cornette, commanding officer, serving aboard the Starship Majesty, this was Kaylana Cornette, living albeit through Hell but living, with a favorite color, likes and dislikes, favorite meal, a past time. She was real. He had never seen her like this. She was broken, damaged by their "sciences". Hawk noticed that in the face of battle, Kay would clench her chair either from anxiety of facing an opponent in battle or simply Aarons' flying there was something there. Half of him wished she could stay like this, free of the burdens of command but knew beyond the mere egotism he couldn't. She didn't get to live, she was a Starfleet captain who served the ship and served the people on board it. For her to have anything but an immaculate personal image would send the ship into a state of social entropy.

The Majesty struck hard the Black Tal-Opal ship. She was a heavy cruiser designed with a Klingon mentality but powered like a Romulan while built like a Cardassian sporting a Ferengi sense of amalgamation. In short, big, slow, ugly, made for full frontal assaults, and brutal on weapons fire. Things were made easy by the fact that the Majesty had to outrun the forward disruptors while trying to penetrate the shields. Another strike fired and two torpedoes for good measure then came another blast. Majesty had found its opening!

The Major's strike team stood poised at the ready in the transporter room. Headed by Cpl. Mikeala Jordan, the team immediately beamed in as someone took point. The team began to scour the interior. Those who left handed to one side while those right handed took the other side so should anyone come around the corner they could bring their weapons to bear in melee rather than fumble with bringing their weapons to fire and risk a problem. Now that the team was through, it was time to change tactics. Michael began to bring her around for quick strikes and passes trying to stay one step ahead of those guns.

On board the enemy ship, a woman informed the Daimon that they were taking heavy poundings from the Federation ship and that secondary weapons weren't having much effect.

"Change our heading and come about!" Aarons was swinging the ship around when the enemy's forward end came to bear...

OFF: I am about to fall asleep trying to write this. I would highly appreciate being allowed to finish what I started and should be able to do so by the end of tomorrow (hopefully). Also I'd like to say that all of this sounded good at the time I was writing this and so I hope you've enjoyed it so far.

[Michael Aarons]

OFF: As I said, it sounded good when I was writing it but that third paragraph does sound a little confusing and pretentious. Simply put: Hawk is mourning Kay's loneliness at the top and is in love with this semi-amnesiac captain or whatever y'all've been describing her as having become . Anyways...

ON: The Black Tal-Opal ship had managed to get the drop on the Majesty and now had her in its sights. The unleashed energy from its first volley was harsh and could be felt all over the ship. Not expecting this, Michael's response time was impeded by the brutality of the enemies forward weapons. They were slammed by two more shots before Aarons could manage to fly the ship up over the opposing vessel.

"I think it would be best if we avoided this area!" TEG held himself in his seat.

"I'm working on it Sir!" As the Majesty buckled struggling away from the enemy's forward weapons, Michael began to notice just how different things felt not having Hawk right beside him. Falco was almost like Hawk but like anything that is "almost like" something, it only manages to emphasize the fact that it's not that thing.

Nik had been studying the enemy's vessel for any pertinent information about the design and its sensitive areas. All his scans were rough or cursory readouts gathered at any one time before something disrupted the sweep.

"Sir, their weapons should be regulated from somewhere around that protrusion there," he pointed.

"Their weapons aren't the most critical issue right this moment as far as Aarons can manage it." Michael heard that and was displeased.

"The Marines have made it into the ship and are still searching. The captain and Hawk's signal is still active," Falco reported.

Will managed to release a slew of phaser blasts at the enemy ship before it returned fire. He aimed toward the enemy's aft trying to inflict damage to her propulsion and in between enemy fire let off some bolts at their engines. The Daimon called for reinforcement of the shields in the area of the engines. Their helm brought the ship around in full swing where the Majesty was pulling up and away from it.

"I thought you said there were two more of these ships coming this way? They should have been on us 7 minutes ago."

"That would be my doing Commander," General K'Thor appeared on screen much to Aarons' chagrin. "We've taken care of that." The Klingons had managed to intercept the Black Tal-Opal's reinforcements and were holding them off so that the Majesty could do its thing.

"We much appreciate that General. We'll have to remember that someday..." The ship was violently jeered by the impact of the enemy's forward weapons. "Another time perhaps General?!"

"Onward to victory!" he hung up. Aarons' console began to blink and there were all sorts of noises going off as he tried to make it to one of their blind spots.

"Engineering to Cmdr. TEG," hailed Ensign Kel. "That last bit cracked one of our impulse engines. If you want it fixed I'd have to take impulse offline and would require increased shield coverage in that area to prevent further damage." Things weren't looking so good right then as they were no sooner to getting back their captured shipmates and now there may not be anything to come back to.

"I may have something for you on that Sir." responded Aarons. The Majesty changed heading and warped off from the fight. General K'Thor wondered what the Hell they thought they were doing. In a flash Majesty reappeared now on a new course and began to continue firing until it warped back out for another go.

OFF: You know what? Y'all are just going to have to wait until tomorrow for part 3 trying to stay awake.

[Deleted]

***Meanwhile on the enemy ship. ***

Hawk realized by now that his captors were under fire from someone and decided to move Kay and himself to an area where sensors might have a better chance of spotting them. However the more Hawk thought about it the more he believed that the rhyme of phaser and torpedo fire had to be the handy work of Michael Aarons, here to rescue his buddy Hawk. They both moved down the corridor and just as they turned the corner a monstrous hand grabbed Hawk by the throat.

“Where do you think you’re going little birdie,” the Orion said as he laugh with an evil intent.

Hawk struggled with his feet mostly off the floor and was unable to speak as the Orion was nearly crushing his wind pipe.

“Let him go you brute or you will be sorry,” Kay said in a serious voice.

The Orion laughed even louder and said, “If we can not have the information you possess, then no one will,” boasted the massive green figure.

At that point Kay charged the giant and he back handed her against the bulkhead.

“Now birdman I will crush you like an egg,” said the Orion with an evil look in his eye.

Suddenly his eye’s widened and his grip on Hawk weakened. Hawk struggled loose just as the Orion fell to his knees. The jolly green giant slammed to the deck plates as Hawk fell on his tail feathers.

Hawk could not believe his eyes when he saw a large Orion dagger protruding from the monsters back and Kay just standing there with blood on her hand in shock. Hawk struggled to his feet and grabbed her as they head off down the corridor.