Where in Space-Time is Kaylana Cornette?

[Michael Aarons]

As a result of the devastating damage by the enemy vessel's weapons, Majesty had been reduced to relying on warp for maneuvers and was making strafing hit and runs. It wasn't very efficient but kept the enemy from many if any shots on them.

Corporal Jordan's group advanced slowly but swiftly through the interior of the Order's ship. As they moved, scans were taken for Human and Falconian signals. The peculiar presence of other Humans aboard slowed their progress slightly. Between the rumbles of battle and interior noises, they listened in between the sounds for indications of their surroundings as they had been trained to do. Moving along the point man indicated three persons around a bend one actively armed. Mikeala ordered two of her riflemen to the point. The team sat poised at the ready. The three individuals were conversing about nothing important and Jordan was holding out to give the order until all three could be seen clearly from the vantage point. They held their position patiently until it was time. From their viewpoint, the individual bearing his weapon and another with his back turned were clearly visible but the third was blocked by the second thus shielding him from Marine fire.

Hawk dragged the bewildered Kay through the ship's bowels. He was hoping he was moving towards the exterior of the ship but wasn't sure of much of anything in that madhouse. They broke to take cover from any search parties roaming about. Kay was rather glazed over from her actions and Hawk could almost see the reflection of it in her eyes. Despite the rather uncomfortable environmental conditions, Kay was obviously cold; an early sign of shock.

The Marines continued to hold waiting for the opportunity to strike. In the meanwhile efforts to pinpoint Hawk and the captain were underway while others covered their six. The second man began to shift and the Marines aware of this brought their weapons up. As he moved about, the other could then finally be made out. Corporal Jordan gave the order. The three Marines at point shot out and took their marks and in the confusion the three men were unprepared as the Marines opened fire. The squad moved forward as they moved toward the three bodies covering the floor. They made sure to disarm them.

"How long are they going to be out?" Jordan ordered.

"Long enough, Sir!" reported a ballistics expert. The team carried on after the signals being picked up.

The Majesty was continuing to do what it could in light of its situation. Michael was swinging the ship around as best he could with the braking momentum as opposed to the much slower method of using manuevering thrusters. This was, however, taking its toll on the ship's structural integrity. Liz had been trying to sense the captain or at the very least Hawk but only sporadically since the Majesty was in range of the ship only briefly at a time. She was having trouble channeling thoughts and focusing. At best there were glimpses into who knows what but she couldn't make sense of any of it. Ravorta watched as Liz struggled with her gifts and rallied her on. She guided Liz to extend her mind beyond distance limitations and seek out the greater consciousness. Suddenly Liz was finding herself back on the Order's ship even while away from it.

Hawk could sense danger was headed their way from the jackal that was sniffing them out. Simultaneously, Liz was surprised to be sensing an animal while searching for Hawk and wondered why she was suddenly smelling fried chicken. The bird man didn't know what to do and was also afraid for the captain's state currently. The doctor informed TEG of the impending situation of their crew.

"We're not getting much results with these quick attacks. TEG to Engineering: Dyton any progress?"

"We're trying to get the systems rebuilt but it will still take some time."

"What about the secondary impulse engines?"

"They're designed for use with the stardrive. If you want I can start rigging the system to those engines for you. But the added mass of the saucer will radically alter its handling." TEG looked at Michael.

"It shouldn't be any different than a Galaxy-class. I think I can handle it."

The Ferengi Daimon was starting to see a pattern in the Majesty's movements. He began calculating a formula and waited. Hawk was trying to come up with some way out of their situation. Jordan's squadron were hesitantly approaching their destination. Quickly and methodically they rushed out and in an exchange of fire took out a group of seekers while another fought off the jackal with his rifle. Hawk tried to remain out of sight but knew they were close upon them. There wasn't much that could be done at that moment and Hawk with baited breath that smelled like bait ;D knew this was it. The Corporal stuck her head around as the team gathered around them. A Marine shined a pen light into Kay's eyes.

"Oh yeah, it's definite." Definite!? Definite what?! but there was no time. They quickly moved away from there.

Jordan signaled to the Majesty they were ready to pull out and there was success. Majesty warped in for another strike, this time punching an opening for extraction, when they were met by the enemy ship. The Black Tal-Opal ship came to bear on the ship without warning. They were slammed by the might of the enemy's weaponry. Majesty was taking a pounding. There was no way they were going to be able to do this, especially letting down their shields. In a last ditch act to save them, Majesty warped off once with the enemy ship preparing for them. Majesty came screaming back head on tilted to its side. It showed no signs of stopping and was avoiding a number of their shots on its side like that. A volley of quantum torpedoes were released slamming into the front of the Order's ship as the Majesty dropped warp pulled away on momentum scraping by the ship with what's left of the shields against their shield grid disrupting it long enough for the transporters to get fired up and get everyone out of the extraction point before warping off a final time.

All were aboard which now meant they no longer had to hold back. Majesty warped back and then began attacking the Order's ship full on with phasers and torpedo salvos. Will targeted the weapons point indicated by Nik earlier and with a combination of internal combustions and the daring forward move, the cruiser was then made dead in the water. The Klingons had managed to destroy one the others while the Orion captain desperately retreated in the third.

"You know we never got to finish our little vacation. Guess we can now." The whole crew celebrated the victorious return of their captain but not for long...

OFF: There! Now you can post something. I've said all I wanted to say.

[Deleted]

The Corporal's team was waiting for the Majesty to transport them off the Tal-Opal cruiser when a blond human female approached the group. She held a phaser in her hand, before she could say anything a private stunned her. Once she was unconsious, Corporal Jordan noticed a device implanted in he neck. The Corporal thought it prudent to take her back to the ship, so the transporter room was told to add another to the party.

The captain and the woman were transported directly to sickbay, the rest of the team materialized in transporter room one. Once the team was aboard, TEG ordered the Majesty to fire one last volley and return to Starbase Bellicose. Once that was done, TEG left Michael in command of the bridge and left to check up on the captain and Hawk.

[lizjaneway]

Liz heard that they were going to beam over the captain, and rushed to sickbay before they could do so wanting to be there to help heal her. She hoped it wouldn't be too hard, and that they could figure out what had been done to their captain.

She arrived in Sickbay noticing Trish looking a little upset. She saw the captain was on a biobed and there was another female on another one. She sighed knowing they had their work cut out for them.

"Okay, you work on the blonde, I'm going to see if I can help the captain," she said and both went to work. She hoped that if TEG showed up in sickbay he wouldn't ask her any questions.

[Deleted]

TEG entered sickbay to find that Dr. Janeway had the captain on the main biobed. He was confused as to where Hawk was. A few seconds later, as if on cue, Hawk came hobbling into sickbay, supported by two marines. TEG thought about it for a second, then remembered the limitation the transporters had of only being able to redirect two signals to another part of the ship during a regular transport. It was a security limitation instituted after a ship was hijacked by having a boarding party be beamed aboard a ship with a legitimate transport, then be scattered throughout the ship, where they seized control. This got TEG to thinking, "Who else transported with the captain?" He went over to Hawk.

"Hawk, how do you feel?" Asked TEG.

"A little worse for wear, but I'm more concerned about the Captain." Replied Hawk.

"So am I."

It was at this point that TEG noticed that several medical persons were at another biobed. TEG approached and got the shock of his life... it was Rachael. So it wasn't a figment I saw on Bellicose. What happened to get her on that ship. TEG asked a corpsman to take a blood sample, and compare it to the Starfleet Database, just to confirm her identity. It has been nearly 10 years, since I saw you last... Where have you been? What happened to you're ship? Why were you on the Tal-Opal ship? TEG just stared for a moment before snapping back to reality and checking on the captain. As he approached, he realized that Dr. Janeway was not optimistic.

[lizjaneway]

Liz was hoping that TEG wouldn't have shown up, but knew there was no way to keep him away until she had better knews. She checked the captain on everything from her brain to her toenails. She couldn't figure out what they had done to her mind, and hoped there was a cure for it.

It wasn't long before he was standing near her inquiring about the captain. She sighed and turned to him.

"She is healthy with the exception of her mind. I haven't a clue as to what they did to her. I have a few ideas about what I could to do find out and maybe reach the captain bringing her back to her normal old self," she said not sure if she liked these options knowing what they entailed for her and her CO.

[lizjaneway]

Liz listened to what the XO thought of these ideas, and knew what she had to do. She had prepared herself before the time came, and then she went over and started the meld. Liz closed her eyes to concentrate hoping this would be easier than she thought it would be.

Liz discovered herself in a forest type area, and she wondered what she had gotten herself lost in. She started walking down the path and noticed a few branches were broken after a bit of walking. She turned hoping this would lead to someone who could help her.

The off path walk area lead to a row of tents making Liz sigh as she walked on hoping someone was in one of them. She went to the first one discovering she couldn't open it. After trying to open five of them she gave up and continued walking noticing the meadow nearby. She saw a woman there and decided this was the person to ask directions from. When Liz got closer she recognized her captain sitting on a rock.

"Captain Cornette? Oh I am so glad I found you, we have to go back now," she said ready to lead the way and offered a hand to her CO. She noticed the look in the captain's eye and raised her left eyebrow curious as to what this was about.

"I don't go anywhere with strangers. You go back to where you came from and leave me be. I need to think more," the captain said making Liz sigh. She acknowledged these wishes and turned around returning from whence she came. Liz opened her eyes and frowned.

"Sir, I found her in there, but she doesn't recognize me. I can't coax her to return with me. Is there something we can do to help her otherwise? Perhaps I could take you in there, sir, and have you talk some sense into her returning," she said but found him reluctant to go. Hawk spoke up right then saying he would go in with her.

"Very well, we will go and speak with her. I just hope she recognizes you," she said and prepared for both of them to go. After meditation for a few minutes in her office, she returned and placed one hand on Hawk's temple and the other on the captain's.

"I hope you are ready for what lies ahead. Don't worry, I won't leave you in her mind," she said and in they went. Liz lead him down the path and toward the meadow where the captain was. She took him to her and then stepped back a little to watch the encounter hoping it was something that would help. She stood far enough away that they could have a few moments alone. It wasn't long before they approached her and asked to be taken back.

Liz smiled and agreed to do so, leading back through the maze to the real universe and their home. She opened her eyes and smiled knowing some good might come of this. ~I just hope the captain is okay now.~ She thought and waited to see what would happen now that the captain was back.

[Deleted]

TEG watched as Liz bridged the minds of Hawk and the captain. They had been in the same position for nearly half-an-hour when all three of them gasped simultaneously. As the meld was broken, Hawk lost his balance and had to be taken back to a biobed by some corpsmen. Liz stood up straight, grabbed a tricorder, and watched the readings as the captain slowly regained consciousness. As she did, she started looking around. She only vaguely recognized the doctor, but when she saw TEG nearby her eyes lit up.

"How's the ship?" Asked Kay.

"Much better, now that she has her captain." Replied TEG.

He gripped her hand and gave it a pat, "We're all glad that you are back."

Liz finished her scans, "Captain, it doesn't appear that there will be any long-term damage, but I would like you to rest for about a week, just to make sure everything is still where it should be."

"Yes Doctor." Replied Kay, as she decided to take this opportunity to catch up on some much needed sleep.

After Kay fell asleep, TEG focused his attention to the other woman, Rachael, whom the Marine Squad had brought back with them. She looked so calm a peaceful, it is amazing that she had been working on the Tal-Opal ship. Liz came over to update him on what she had found.

"We did a DNA test to confirm her identity... she is former Lt. Commander Rachael McMann from the starship Flora. I did a complete bio-scan and it appears that her mind has been altered. I assume that it is some sort of block preventing her previous memories from surfacing, so she could be molded into a solider for the Tal-Opal."

"Can you remove the block, restore her memories?"

"I can."

"Please do, and let me know when you are done, I'm needed on the bridge."

[lizjaneway]

Liz did what she could to help the captain telling her to rest for a week instead of just suggesting it knowing the captain might ignore a suggestion. She then informed the First Officer on the other woman that had come in with the captain.

"Can you remove the blocke, restor her memories?"

"I can, but I'm not sure how sucessful I will be at it. I am new to these mind powers, but I will do my best, sir."

"Please do, and let me know when you are done, I'm needed on the bridge."

"Very well, sir, it will take me some time to do. There are several years missing, and my mind yet strong is a bit drained from the captain," she said and then watched him go. Liz decided to rest before attempting to help Lt. McMann, and went into her office sinking on the couch knowing it was okay to look fatigued when she was alone and not before.

Trish entered the office and found the CMO dozing on the couch. "I thought she looked a bit put out. Must have been that mind meld, and the XO wants her do to another. Hasn't she given enough already?"

"No, and don't you dare utter another word. Our XO knows what he is doing, and knows that I wouldn't say I would attempt something unless I thought I could do it. We have served with each other long enough to know he will ask the impossible of me, and that I will do the impossible no matter what it does to me. You keep in mind that as doctors we are miracle workers no matter what that means for us we are to keep this crew healthy at any and all costs. Now I think with a bit of food and meditation I will be just fine in doing another mind meld, and not another word from you. Help watch over me or stay out of my way," she said and got something to eat quickly before meditating.

Once she was ready the chief medic went out of her office and explained what was going to happen to the Lt. before even attempting the mind meld. While in her mind she saw many things about what this woman had went through spying where the block was and how to remove it. She realized this was only going to take one meld, and that it was going to be very difficult for the medic after all.

Liz pulled the block out of the woman's mind and destroyed it once it was in her own mind knowing her mind was stronger than this other woman's. The meld ended and suddenly Liz collapsed on the floor being put on a biobed near the captain to be monitored. Trish came out and sighed doing her duty knowing it might be awhile before Liz woke up.

Trish asked the Lt. how far back she remembered, and wasn't surprised when the woman answered that she remembered everything knowing they would want to know on the bridge of this.

=^=Trishta to Commander TEG, the block has been removed. Unfortunately it was too much for the good doctor and she is out cold and might be for the next couple of days. When she wakes I will be recommending that she rest for the next week and will assume her duties until she is back up to par.=^= Trish informed and thought she heard a sigh before any form of acknowledgement.

[Deleted]

TEG received the news that Dr. Janeway had removed the mental block from Rachael. He was looking forward to finding out what had happened to her over the years, and why she was on board the Tal-Opal ship. In the meantime TEG awaited word on the Captain, as she had been ordered to bed-rest for a few days. The ship was at high warp for Starbase Bellicose, Ensign Kel was working hard organizing the repairs of the warp-core and the ship, Jamey Gaz and Wil Jameson had left for new assignments, Nik Greenwood was still in sickbay with an unknown condition, Michael Aarons was piloting the ship with Falco keeping the Operations station ready for Hawk whenever he was released back to duty, and Dr. Janeway has slipped into a coma, the Starbase would be taking care of her when the ship arrived at the Starbase. The bridge seemed like a house with all the family gone... or emptier even than that.

[Kaylana Cornette]

Though her brain felt like Swiss cheese, Kaylana Cornette was herself again, mostly.

Her normal duties were insurmountable. So, for once in her Starfleet career, Kay followed the doctor’s orders and remained off duty. Rest, however, was just as elusive as her feeling of normalcy.

Not being able to sleep, she left her quarters, roaming aimlessly. The crew did well in abating their shock of seeing the Captain in her pajamas. All knew of her recent ordeal and readily dismissed her odd behavior yet some couldn’t help but take an extra long look at her retreating, silk-laden form.

Her meanderings took her outside TEG’s door. She stopped there pondering whether or not to ring the chime. Without thinking, she instead walked to Hawk’s door.

The injuries Hawk sustained during capture were extensive but healing well. He rose with some effort and answered the door chime. The surprise of seeing Kay made him momentarily mute.

Without saying anything, Kay slipped past Hawk and entered his quarters. The door closed behind her. Immediately, she embraced him, drawing strength from him just as she did on the Tal-Opal ship. At first, Hawk responded in kind, pulling her close to him and reveling in her soft warmth. Soon, however, reality took root. His body stiffened and Kay released him. The look of hurt on her face was almost too much to bear. He turned away, squinting his eyes shut but he could still see her in his mind, standing there, so vulnerable, so willing and yet now, so unobtainable. He heard the mechanical swoosh of his door and knew she was gone. He sunk into his bed, clawing his bed sheets in anguish and heartbreak as he let go a piteous moan.

Finding her way back to her quarters through a blur of tears, she knew what had to be done. Meticulously, she dressed and coiffed and polished then presented herself to the medic on charge in sick bay.

“Captain Kaylana Cornette, requesting to be released from medical leave of absence.”

[Deleted]

TEG hated Thursdays. Seems he'd never quite gotten the hang of them. Even though everyday was just about the same onboard a starship he always hated Thursdays. TEG awoke at 06.00 hrs, a little early, even for him. He showered and shaved, pulled a freshly pressed uniform from his wardrobe and dressed for duty. Thankfully his duty shift didn't start until 08.00 so he take care of some business. He made his way to the mess hall on deck 6 where he like to read the latest news from the Federation News Service, have some scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. Today for some reason, the news all look the same, the food tasted like polymers. He finished his meal and checked the ships time. Finding it to only be 07.15 he headed to sickbay to check up on Rachael. He received an update from the doctor on duty that she was recovering, but needed a few days more rest before she'd be conscious. With a pang of remorse in his heart, he ordered her moved to the brig under high security incase when she awakes, she behaves aggressively.

TEG then strolled his way around the deck, aimlessly navigating, until he decided it was time to head for the bridge. He entered the turbolift, and each deck he passed, he picked up another crew member. On deck 2 Commander Aarons joined him and the two of them, along with a few junior officers and enlisted personnel arrived on the bridge at 07.55 hrs. Commander TEG dismissed gamma shift and took the center seat. He called for status updates. After a few minutes, two PADDs were presented to him, one from the back of the bridge, the other from the front updating him on current situations. He was about two-thirds of the way through the first PADD when the aft turbolift opened, and out stepped Captain Kaylana Cornette, a sight for sore eyes, a too long absent from the bridge.

"Number One, report."

"We are currently traveling at warp 7.1 enroute to Starbase Bellicose, Computers are running at half speed until 11.00 hrs for maintenance, we are currently limited to a maximum speed of Warp 7.6 until repairs are complete on the warp core, and there were no causalities during the rescue mission." TEG stood up and offered the captain her chair.

"Number One, could I see you in private?"

"Of course. Mr. Aarons, you have the bridge."

[Kaylana Cornette]

TEG followed her into the Ready Room as Kay settled behind her desk. Slowly, she ran her hand across the cool surface of her console simultaneously seeing it as familiar and unfamiliar. TEG let her reacclimatize. He knew this was going to be tough on her, but if he knew one thing about Kay it was that she would give it her all. And if she felt up to taking command, he would certainly support her decision, all the while watching for signs of exertion and possible incompetence.

Kay vacillated, thinking she might confide in TEG, knowing full well she could, and thinking because it involved Hawk, she shouldn’t. Because she was the Captain, she felt duty-bound to tell her First Officer of anything that might interfere with her command capabilities, but as a human female, shy by nature, she was nothing short of embarrassed.

“The crew knows very little of what transpired during your captivity, Kay,” TEG said quietly, sensing her thoughts.

Kay blushed. “And I didn’t put anything about it in my reports, either.” She shook her head and chuckled lightly. “Sometimes it’s a real pain having a near-telepath as an FO.”

“Well, we’ve known each other so long… I’m technically not telepathic…”

“Your telepathy aside, I don’t mind admitting – at times this position demands too much of me.” Her voice nearly broke as she held back her tears.

“You realize,” TEG said gently, “Technically, there’s no Starfleet mandate keeping you and Hawk apart.”

“You’re right. But, you also know, we’re taught in Officer’s Training that it’s distracting and certainly not encouraged. Most CO’s who choose a relationship, choose it instead of a command. And most, who try doing both, end up failing at one or the other.”

TEG knew she was right. “Whatever you end up choosing, I’ll support you.”

“The choice, my dear Number One, has already been made.”

TEG tilted his head slightly and waited for her to tell her what that choice was. Her reply was answer enough.

“Tell Mr. Aarons to take us to warp 8 – I suddenly feel the need to hurry to our next assignment. I’ll contact Admiral Clark and see if he can tell me what’s in store for us next. I’m sure we’ll have time enough for a little R & R during repairs. Maybe enough time for you to reacquaint yourself with our current brig occupant?”

“Hmmm… now who’s being near-telepathic?” He smiled faintly and turned to go.

“Just so you know, I’m here for you as well,” she said sincerely.

He turned back just before entering the bridge. “I may take you up on that. Good to have you back, Captain.”

[Deleted]

Kay's words were still ringing in TEGs head as he made his way to the brig. As the turbolift plunged through the heart of the ship, TEG was pacing around the lift. He was practicing what he would say to Rachael after all this time. He reluctantly decided to not introduce himself, and see if she could recognize him after all these years.

In the many years he had been in Starfleet, he had interrogated personnel before, but never someone with whom he had shared a relationship.

The lift arrived just outside the entrance to the brig. He stepped out and approached the large shielded door. The computer then requested his identity.

"TEG24601, Commander, First Class."

Standby for retina scan.

The computer scanned TEG's left eye. After a second or two to process the image and compare it to the one on file, the magnetic locks clicked on the door, indicating that is was no longer secured. The door then opened with the familiar electro-mechanical hum made by the servos. Inside the room lined with cells was one of TEG's former deputies, Petty Officer (2nd Class) Coats. They exchanged pleasantries, after which TEG asked to see the prisoner. Coats indicated a cell, third down, on the starboard side. TEG approached the cell, he saw his former fianceé sleeping on the bench at the rear of the cell.

"Miss McMann." He spoke, devoid of emotion.

She stirred, and turned around to face TEG. To TEG her beauty has only seemed to grown in the 7 years since he last saw her. It took him a second to regain his composure, then he continued.

"Miss McMann, I have a few questions regarding your activity aboard the Tal Opal ship, and the means by which you came into their service."

"I'll tell you what I can remember, some memories are a bit foggy."

"Let us start at the beginning. What happened to the USS Delphi?"

"The Delphi, I haven't thought about those days in years. We had left DS9 at 2984.1201 for the Artouris sector on a survey mission. About 3 months out, we collided with an explosive device. Sensors never saw it, but from the damage is was guessed to have been a gravitic mine. The mine knocked out warp drive, sensors and communication. After attempting to do some damage control for a few hours, one of the fusion reactors had a power-spike that fed back into the warp core, damaging the containment fields. Commander Kordae estimated 10 minutes before a warp core breach. We tried to eject the core, but the explosion had fused the hull plates around the ejection port. As a result the captain ordered an emergency saucer separation, and tasked the transporter rooms to evacuate as many people as possible from the star-drive section before the breach. When the breach occurred, we were far enough to only be slightly more damaged, but the shockwave knocked out the RCS thrusters, so we were sent tumbling through space. Unbeknownst to us, the Tal Opal had set the mine, and captured us a few hours later. The co-opted the crew to mine for dilithum, latinum, and borrite. By the time the first year was over, more that half of the remaining crew were dead. It was primarily the men who survived the torture of mining in that environment, but I made it. I think it was my athleticism that allowed me to survive.
"I was then taken to a medical facility. When I woke up, I had no memory of who I was. A Ferengi named Brust took me as his prize. He had been the one leading the capture of the Delphi. He eventually began to trust me. He then began to train me to work on his ship. Everything is foggy from there, about 4 years ago until yesterday, waking up in your sickbay."

"Our doctor removed an implant from your brain. As best as we can figure, it blocked your real memories, but has allowed you to retain those from your Tal Opal life, as least from the beginning. It is possible that before we removed it it began to erase events, or your mind has blocked them itself in order to prevent a mental collapse. If you knew what you had done in that other life, you might never be right again. However..." TEG suddenly stopped mid-sentence. His mind was picking up on something, it was coming from Rachael "He looks familiar. But from where.... Oh my God."

"TEG?" She asked.

"Yes Rachael it is me."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I wanted to know what happened before then."

"But why?" Her eyes began to well up, her emotions were beginning to have an effect on TEG.

He indicated to Coats to drop the field. He entered and took her into his arms.

"I had to make sure you didn't go into the Tal Opal willingly." He wispered as she began to cry into his chest. "But now I know you would never do that. You were manipulated into that position."

"I'm glad it was your ship that found me."

"So am I."