Wesley's World

[lizjaneway]

~Man I just want to ask them which way is north why do they keep running?~ The worm like creature thought. It pursued not liking being lost one bit. It hated the fact these things were running. ~You would think I was hungry the way they are running from me. No matter, I will catch them.~ It thought closing the gap between the three officers and itself second by second.


MEANWHILE.....

"Numb, is that all? Okay, okay, I'll try to watch my step," she said noticing the plasma waves dancing around. She wasn't at all impressed by them. She thought she would try to annoy her companion a little by asking something obvious. "Any idea where we are now?"

"I thought as explorers we were suppose to be happy about being here. I understand about wanting to leave, but never come back again? Isn't that a little drastic?" Liz said hoping to understand him a bit more.

"I think we all have personal issues, but that..." Liz started to say, and noticed a strange creature. "Its obvious we are lost. Why don't you go over and ask that creature for directions? If it turns hostile you have your phaser, and I am right here as well," she suggested, and he didn't look like he liked this idea.

"I don't ask for direction. I know exactly where we are, just relax I will get us back to where we need to be," Michael said and Liz sighed letting him lead the way.

About twenty minutes later they were back where they had started. Liz groaned.
"Look, we have been here already," she started to say protesting him not asking directions. He didn't seem to want to listen.

"I know what I did wrong. Come on, we don't have all millenium," he said and she had to walk fast to catch up to him. ~What do I have to do, hit him over the head and carry him? Men are such babies, they can never ask for direction.~ Liz thought remember hearing something about this, but having only had to deal with it once before. ~Oh man, he had such a headache when he woke, and I hated being in the brig. I had it coming though.~

About an hour later, Liz is about ready to hit Aarons over the head and carry him.
"Look, its obvious more now than ever. You haven't a clue where we are going. I will ask for directions, or we will keep running around in this maze forever, which is something I don't wish to do. Why is it men can never ask for directions..." she said as she grumbled a little heading off for the creature she saw before. She didn't let Michael say two words about anything before she left either.

"Excuse me, I seem to be lost here. Do you know how to get back up to.." she said and was cut off. The creature stood up and was larger than she was. It had a good six inches on her, and she didn't like feeling small to anything. Liz noticed it didn't seem to have a mouth, and she wondered what kind of creature this was. She hadn't seen it before in her life. It had one eye and four arms. On the end of one arm was a screwdriver, another had a tricorder, a third had a hand, and a fourth had another hand. She thought it odd, but didn't say anything.

The creature pointed down a corridor and motioned to stay to the left. She thanked it, and motioned for Michael to come follow her. He seemed to hesitate. ~Oh sure, he will follow me when it comes to jumping, but not when leading down a corridor. What is it with guys?~ She thought, and put the thoughts aside moving forward hoping he would join her.

[Jamey Gaz]

---

After calling for the bridge, Jamey was shocked to not hear a response. "Computer, are the comm systems on-line?"

The Computer responded, "Negative, communication systems have not been restored."

"... is the shuttle bay operational?," Jamey quizzed.

"Shuttle bay status unknown."

"... close air lock and disengage docking seals," as he transfered the shuttle's power back to normal.

The run-about moved slowly away from the saucer section and using thrusters only Jamey maneuvered the shuttle around the port impulse exhaust. The ship didn't seem any worse for the wear, so he thought this was only an internal problem. Swinging the aft of the shuttle around, he lined up with the shuttle bay, "Computer, scan the far aft shuttle bay for life signs."

"No personnel in shuttle bay."

"Computer," Jamey asked, "access the ships shuttle control and seal all corridor access to this shuttle bay."

"Access successful ... all corridor doors secure."

Jamey checked the shuttles systems to make sure nothing was abnormal and proceeded, "Computer, decompress the shuttle bay and open shuttle bay doors."

From within the shuttle bay the air hissed out as what wasn't secured to the floor or tables began to fly in the vacuum of space, however not moving far from their original positions. (The artificial gravity units not being active due to the power shut-down.) The shuttle bay door made a thumping sound as its seal was broke to outer space then slowly began to open.

From inside the shuttle, Jamey saw that the bay was dark and he thought that power must have been haywire all across the ship. After the doors were fully open, he slowly tapped the aft thruster twice and the shuttle purposely cleared the door. Jamey's eyes had to adjust to the darkness of the bay but he still had to turn the shuttle's clearance lights on see the bay. Reaching the painted mark that indicated were landing shuttles should sit down he tapped the forward thruster once to slow then once more to stop the forward motion of the craft. Initiating landing, the shuttle settled on the bay floor with a soft bump.

After closing the shuttle bay door and reestablishing the atmosphere in the shuttle bay, he powered down the shuttle and opened the exterior door to the still cold air of the shuttle bay. His breath becoming visible, he walked over to the computer access and turned the lights on and activated the environmental system to warm up the air of the bay. He then turned his attention to contacting someone on the ship.

He entered in a command to the ships computer to load the communication sub-routine and started to see the comm traffic come to life on the screen. Jamey opened a channel to the Engineering Department.

"Commander Jamey Gaz to anyone in Engineering, its a long story, but the deuterium leak isn't real, it was a false command I sent to the warp core system to get the core to shut down. I have cleared the infestation of the main computer core and loaded the back ups; you should be able to restart the warp system now. ... ... ... Has anyone heard from the bridge or Captain Cornette ... is she still in control of the ship?

<TAG ... anyone>

"... very well ... I will make my way to the bridge from here, Gaz out."

It took about an half-hour to get to the bridge as the lifts were not functioning, Jamey made his way to the bridge up the bridge access from deck two. Opening the hatch he climbed up and found himself behind the bridge. Opening the door that lead to the conference room he was glad to see the busy pace of the bridge crew hard at work. Sitting in the center chair, as turning heads stared at him, he said ... ...

"... Captain Cornette, Commander Jamey Gaz reporting."

<Tag Cornette ... anyone on bridge>

JGAZ: edits in red to improve my inconsistencies

[Michael Aarons]

OFF: Um, pardon my need to be like a complete nerd but... If you decompressed the bay before opening the doors then nothing would have come flying out because the objects inside's motion would be that of the ship's and they would move with it. Also artificial gravity would have still been in effect unless otherwise indicated to be offline. And remember in Star Trek: Nemesis, the Enterprise-E had forcefields that allowed shuttles to pass through without the need to be decompressed unless also otherwise indicated to be offline. Plus I do hope you weren't trying to squeeze one of those Runabouts into the bay at the back of the saucer rather than the more sizable one at the ship's aft.

ON: The bridge was surprised to see a new face that was not so new aboard their ship come walking (climbing) in. Although considering the situation, the whole aft of the ship could have been torn off and they still wouldn't have known about it.

One of the engineering personnel approached him. "Are you the guy who initiated the heuristic redundancies?"

"Uh, yeah..."

"Why did you do that? All we had to do was replace the corrupted iso-chips and install new memory modules and the executable commands would have reasserted themselves. This is just going to cause everything to crash again."

"Well how was I suppose to know?!"

All the while below, a different story was transpiring. Having followed the dubious directions of a poly-armed custodian who was bigger than he seemed, the two lost officers searched for their way back. They followed the path that was indicated them by the odd entity.

"So... how long are we supposed to keep going like this before we're supposed to wind up anywhere useful?"

"You really make the worst passenger, huh?" [Liz]

"You didn't even ask where we were going!"

"Just try and keep up!" They continued on their way for some time. The scenery wasn't much as it became quite repetitive along the way. Eventually they came upon a junction in the road which caused them to consider what to do next.

"Well now what?" Off in the distance something was approaching very rapidly. "Hey it's TEG! They're alright!"

"Not that way! Not that way! NOT THAT WAY! Run!" [TEG] The eye tentacle was close on their tail, whatever it wanted it would soon get it. The two made haste to evade the creature.

"Glad to see you're all still safe... any idea where we're going?!"

"Don't worry I'll make sure we find our way!" [Hawk]

"Just don't let him drive!" Cried the doctor.

OFF: BTW thanks for adding some volume to your posts Gaz.

[lizjaneway]

Jorten noticed the new guy, and stood heading over to where he and the engineer was standing.

"Fix the problem," he ordered the engineer who stormed off. Jorten turned to look at this guy. ~Not another one. Oh well, I guess he will learn you can't understand this crew easy. I hope he stays longer than the last one.~ He thought, and nodded not smiling.

"Welcome aboard, Counselor, perhaps you would like to, as they say, roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. We are having problems with our ship's computer," he said. ~I hope they don't find out. Last thing I need is for them to figure out who I really am.~ Jorten thought not liking having to have come under cover like this. ~How else were we to get our information?~

"So, how long before we are put under the microscope?" The Vulcan teased, remembering other species liked to make fun.

(Tag Gaz)


Meanwhile.....

Liz shook her head. She didn't like this.

"Did anyone try to talk to the creature behind us? Are we just running blind because someone got scared, or did you offend this being?" she asked hoping to get some answers.

(Tag Hawk, TEG, or Nik)

Liz was getting tired, and wasn't sure she could keep the pace up. Suddenly she tripped over something on the floor, and landed flat on her face. She moved to get up quickly, and found her ankle hurt.

"Come on, we have to get going," she heard Micael say.

"I can't, my ankle is hurt. Go on without me," she said hoping he would listen this time.

(Michael)

[Michael Aarons]

lizjaneway said:

"Did anyone try to talk to the creature behind us? Are we just running blind because someone got scared, or did you offend this being?" she asked hoping to get some answers."

"No and would you really want to!?" Called the first officer.

lizjaneway said:

"I can't, my ankle is hurt. Go on without me," she said hoping he would listen this time.

"Oh no, I'm not coming this far jumping off cliff, risking my life, and having a possible life changing experience just to be defeated by some damned horror film cliche! Now come on!" He scooped her up into his arms and ran. "My, what have you been eating?" She cursed him again strangely in Vulcan.

Elsewhere, the nexus between the machines and their intelligence stirred.

"It is upon us." "Completion is at hand." "We shall begin." The floating Data heads deactivated and closed down. It was then that a very powerful shrill pulse echoed out across the planet.

It was somewhat unbearable to listen to and Michael did his best to shield the doctor from it by holding her close to him and covering her other ear while she used her free hands to cover his as the others did their best to keep it out. The tentacle was summoned off by this noise and scurried away.

For once it was quiet on Kavis Alpha, no drones grinding and whirring, no monsters attacking, not even an electrical hum which was more a bad omen than anything. Miraculously they found themselves only a distance from the frontier of machine and what was left of the planet's true form. Suddenly there was a massive spike in energy output as everything began happening at once. From within the massive hole, blackness ensued, flooding the planet, and engulfing everything.

Aboard ship, hundreds of circuit modules had been opened to allow the engineering staff the ability to replace all the unusable isolinear components with new ones as best they could until they could get the ship to port. At first it was a challenge because many of what they needed required replication and if that didn't work then they were stuck. Eventually progress was made as grav-plating was partially reestablished and maneuvering thrusters were able to function. The bridge struggled with the problems while relays were repaired granting them a skeletal manifold of sensors around the ship. This at least allowed the captain to know whether or not she still had an aft to her ship.

The officers had stopped, taking advantage of the situation. In the distance it seemed as if the horizon was disappearing into a murky void. "Keep going!" Yelled Hawk as they knew that this was something they didn't want to get caught up in.

They made it back to the landing point where their shuttle had remained smashed face first into the dirt. They helped load Dr. Janeway in and clambered in as fast as they could. Michael was the last to enter but before he did, he took one last look back to what was behind them. Apparently in their absence, the machines had expanded out a few hundred yards closer to the landing site and when he looked up a bolt struck him right center in his head knocking him through the shuttle door onto his back.

"Michael!" "Aarons!" "He's hit!" They each called out in some manner of shock. Aarons was unconscious but exhibited no signs of breathing.

"We have to call the ship and find a way to get out of here."

"But what about the energy field blocking out everything."

"I'm detecting no indication that it even still exists. When they altered the atmosphere the induction field must have just sort of vanished." Nik told them.

"Then fire up the comm system!" It was no use. Upon impact with the ground the crystal oscillator cracked. The oscillation of such a damaged crystal would have garbled any message sent so badly that not even a universal translator could recognize it as a coherent language. "Looks like we're gonna' have to fly this thing out of here if we want to make it out alive."

Hawk being most qualified to get the shuttle up and running made his way to the front. He tried to put in the right commands to get her to move but she wouldn't respond correctly and he couldn't seem to find the right thing to push. Suddenly a hand shot forward pressing just the right thing to dislodge them from the crater and get them off the ground. Aarons then proceeded to pull himself up as everyone stood back surprised to see him still alive and he continued to fly them out.

The shuttle had shot backwards and, through a little finessing, limped itself around and shot up through the air as what was left of the planet disappeared into eternal night. Gravitational forces began to increase the reason as yet unknown. The shuttle wasn't at its peak performance as it struggled to make orbit. Michael poured on the thrust as best he could before channeling everything into a final burst of power that might shoot them into space. The engines exploded as the shuttle broke orbit and went careening out into open space. Majesty reached out and snatched the shuttle with its tractor beam like a frog snagging a fly. All was well for the away team but as for Kavis Alpha IV...

The entire planet had been engulfed by blackness and then proceeded to reduce in mass as if collapsing; this explained the increase of gravity during the escape attempt. There was a bright light as if from the flash bulb of a camera and the planet was now a black featureless sphere no bigger than Luna. It spun revealing on one side a gigantic gem-faceted "eye" the size of Asia now facing toward the Majesty. Everybody watched as the eye illuminated red and it turned back and vanished into a quantum slipstream beyond the reaches of our galaxy.

[Jamey Gaz]

Early in his career as a counselor, Jamey found out quick that most people didn't like ... well ... talking about there problems. From the way it already looked, this ship would be no different. Still looking around the bridge, Jamey was approached by a Vulcan officer, "So, how long before we are put under the microscope?"

Thinking this comment strange from a Vulcan, Jamey responded, "I don't carry a microscope ... I'm not that 'kind' of counselor." Jamey wondered who the person was that told the Engineer to fix something, "Tell me, who was that officer who was talking to the Engineer?" A sharp order such as that during times of distress often meant deeper things.

----- later ------

The tension on the bridge was thick as a camp fire's smoke as the away team was trying to leave the surface. Had it not been for quick actions of the officer controlling the tractor beam their shuttle may have whizzed right past. Skillfully placing the damaged shuttle in the shuttle bay, the collective sigh of the bridge crew was palatable and Jamey noted the team work of the crew.

Taking his seat, next to the Capitan, Jamey reviewed the over all health of the ships crew by reading the notes from the last CNS ... but no real information was retrieved as the computer systems were not fully functioning still.

Not really knowing how he could help, being so new on board the ship, he contacted Liz to see if she needed help. "Commander Gaz to Liz Janeway ... do you need any assistance in sick bay? are there any injuries?"

<Tag Liz>

[Michael Aarons]

Aarons having been no worse for wear by the mysterious blast he had received joined everyone on the bridge still stupefied by what had occurred. The doctor had had a go with a tendon convalescent generator and was able to walk mildly about the place.

"So Aarons, what was with that beam that hit you?" The XO poised the question to him.

"I have absolutely no idea. It felt for a moment that I was being asked a question." They pestered as to what kind of question. "A name or something."

"Whose name? Your name?"

"I don't think they'd be interested in one of our names, sir." [Hawk]

"Well... if I understand it correctly they were looking for a name for themselves."

"What name did you tell them?"

"It's... not important... it was just a name."

"We want to know!" Exclaimed one of the others present.

"You're gonna' hate me for this..."

"Too late but go on!"

"Okay but..." He looked around to see the eagerly curious faces around him waiting to see what he named this new life that had been born before their very eyes. "It was...Unicron."

"Argh!" Everyone groaned as they heard him say the name he had imbued upon the lifeform.

"Aarons, do us all a favor and start living in this century. Okay?" [TEG]

<By the way, I'm skipping over the whole Jorten business because I don't know where Liz wants to take this. I'll let her fill in the pieces on that.>

"Captain, Starfleet Command is hailing us. They have a message."

"What, more suspense?"

"They wish to inform you that you are hereby promoted to the full rank of Captain with all privileges."

"Oh? Wow. So is that how we're ending this mission?"

"Actually Captain I've already had a thought on that if you will." Aarons chimed in. "Hit it."

Jack Jones' Preserved Head in a Jar: "Love, exciting and new, Come aboard. We're expecting you. Love, life's sweetest reward. Let it flow, it floats back to you. The Love Boat soon will be making another run..."

The mission gets tanked at Ludicrous Speed.

OFF: For those who don't get it, that was a call back joke to something Kay said in one of her early posts. BTW, I too am confused who was who in Liz's last post concerning the Vulcan and the person ordering the engineer back to work.

[lizjaneway]

Trishta had been working on a few things in sickbay when she heard a new voice. ~A yes, Ked left us. I almost forgot the replacement was coming in soon enough. I hope he is just as nice if not nicer.~ Trish thought.

"Doctor Janeway isn't aboard the ship at this time. She went with the away team. I am her assistant Trishta, and will do my best to help you. There haven't been too many injuries, at least nothing we can't handle. I just saw the last of the injuries off ten minutes ago, unless someone at your location is hurt. If you would be so kind to come down to sickbay, I would appreciate it," she said hoping to meet him.

A little later, a man walked into sickbay. Trish came out of Liz's office and smiled.
"Hello, Commander Gaz, I am Trishta. Perhaps we should talk in the good doc's office," she suggested.

Once inside the office with the door shut, Trish turned to him.
"I am really worried about Doc Janeway. A couple of missions ago she wasn't fairing too well. Now I hear rumor of her and Michael Aarons being a couple. I really think she needs to talk to you when she gets back," Trish said.

(Jamey)


Down on the planet

"Believe me, you wouldn't want to know what I have been eating. I don't think there is time for you to turn green. Wait, life changing experience. Mind sharing?" Liz said as they escaped the creature.

(Mike)

As Michael was hit, Liz moved her best on her good ankle over to him with a tricorder in her hands.
"No you don't buddy. You wouldn't quit on me back there, don't start now," Liz said to Aarons not listening to anything else around her. She called for her and Aarons to be beamed to the sickbay portion of the shuttle. Only seconds after they reached their destination, she wondered how she would treat him, when all of a sudden he just sat up. She sighed, and he helped treat her ankle for the time being.



Jorten looked at the counselor kinda strangely. "You mean me?" He was lost as to who else would have been ordering the engineer about. "What a shame about the loss of your skills, oh well, better news for the crew," he said being a little coy.

(Jamey)

Jorten overheard the doctor's request and returned to his duties. Suddenly he heard the announcement. He noticed the crew had returned from the planet, and was happy to relinquish what he was doing. The last thing he wanted was to be caught.

"Wait does this mean we get to party?"

[Jamey Gaz]

Once inside the office with the door shut, Trish turned to him.
"I am really worried about Doc Janeway. A couple of missions ago she wasn't fairing too well. Now I hear rumor of her and Michael Aarons being a couple. I really think she needs to talk to you when she gets back," Trish said.

Jamey smiled with a crooked grin thinking of their last encounter resulted in emotion between the two of them, "Oh?, she has moved on has she?" Trish didn't understand his comment and her face proved her confusion. "I think I will not talk to her about her relationship's while I'm the Counselor on this ship ... it could make her feel uncomfortable around me. I think she will be just fine." Jamey added before he left sick bay, "It is good to meet you Trish," looking around, "I guess you have it all under control ... I'll check back with the Doctor later."

----- added during an edit -----

Jamey walked down the long corridor looking for his quarters, that he had not been to as of yet ... he guessed it was on deck nine. He got of the turbo lift on deck nine and noticed right away that this was not the place he needed to be and decided to check the deck out anyway. About to reach the Aft Lounge, a lounge he didn't even know was on this class star ship, he turned the corner and bumped into the one person for whom he was looking. "Liz," he said with a laugh, "I was just looking for you in sickbay."

"Oh, well, I'm not there," Liz said back with a smirk.

"Well ... I know that ... Trish said that you were on an away mission. I hope it turned out well?" Jamey asked.

"Not really ... but I don't want to talk about that now." Liz said rubbing her sore muscles.

The whole time this short conversation was going on, the two had never broken the embrace that the chance 'bump' has caused. Noticing this, Jamey stepped back - his face a bit read. "I'm sorry, I guess I need to ... uh ... well," changing the subject, "I'm about to go to the Aft Lounge here and see what trouble I can get myself into ... you want to join?"

<Liz>

[lizjaneway]

Liz had her ankle looked at, and was moving much better now than before. She wondered if hurting it hadn't done her wonders. She was about to go find some fun, when she literally was bumped into by, none other, than the counsellor from the previous mission. A smile came to her face, and she hoped she wasn't blushing.

"It is good to see you again, as for joining you, I would really like that. So you came to see how I was doing, or did you finally crack and decide to join this crew?" She said still smiling. It was strange, and she wondered if she should go with these feelings. Liz hadn't felt this way since the last mission, and before that never. She realized he might have heard about her and Aarons, and hoped he hadn't.

She walked with him, and they got drinks sitting down at a table. "That last mission feels like it was so long ago," she said breaking the silence that had come. She took a couple sips of her drink, and wondered if it was all a dream. She leaned in a little.

"Jamey about last mission. I remember us getting a bit friendly before the ships parted ways," she said hoping he would say something.

(Jamey)

[Jamey Gaz]

lizjaneway said:

"Jamey about last mission. I remember us getting a bit friendly before the ships parted ways," she said hoping he would say something.

"... a bit friendly," Jamey said trying not to laugh. "I thought it was a bit more than 'friendly' ... but I guess I have been wrong before," forming a retrospective look, "I guess I will be again." Jamey was thinking back to the time on the past mission and was starting to think that it really was all in his mind, that she really didn't have feelings for him. "I understand that you have moved on anyway."

Liz instantly turned her head toward Jamey, "Oh?, what do you mean by that?"

"Well, I did run into Trish in sick bay and she informed me that you and Michael Aarons were in a some type of relationship. ... ... and that is fine ... with me being the Counselor on this ship ... I'm afraid that it would cause problems between us. More importantly I wouldn't want it to cause issues with the rest of the crew." Jamey really didn't want that but he knew that it really was for the best.

<Liz>

[lizjaneway]

"Is this really what you want? I need to know, because I don't think I have moved on. When we parted ways, we never really said we were together or apart. It was all left up in the air, and I don't want it like that. Since we hadn't defined what we had, I figured it was okay to still see other people. If I am wrong say so, if not then confirm it please. I know it can get complicated with us seeing each other, but I like complicated," Liz said hoping it wasn't over.

They sat down at a table in the Aft Lounge. Liz ordered a drink, and it was brought to her. She took a sip hoping he would change his mind on this.

(Jamey)

[Jamey Gaz]

Complicated ... Jamey was thinking ... things haven't been uncomplicated in a long time. He just knew that it was hard enough to be counselor on-board a star ship without adding something like a relationship to the mix. He also wondered about the Captain, it was taught in the Academy that on-board relationships were not frowned upon, but some CO's simply didn't like them. Seeing how he has been on the ship for a couple of days now and still hasn't spoke with Cornette, he simply didn't know how to answer.

"Liz, ... I want to see where this goes, believe me I do, however I'm simply in a position now that ..." grinning at the next comment he was about to say, "... that I need counseling on this. I think we need to test the waters first ... OK?"

Remembering the the state of mind that Liz was in he wanted to ask how she was, "It looks as if you have a better hold on the issues that made you come see me last time? ... is that true? ... no more causing trauma to yourself I hope?"

<Liz>

[lizjaneway]

Liz didn't like hearing this, but she knew he was right.

"Alright, we can 'test the waters', but if that is all we are doing, then I see no reason not to see others," she said wondering what he would say to that. She drank more of her drink, then smiled.

"No, I haven't been causing any more trauma to myself. I've been a busy little bee, and am finally back on duty. As for if I've got a hold on the issues, only some of them. I still feel badly, but I am able to control it more now than back when we first met. It seems my Vulcan side has started to kick back in a bit," she said knowing she was still pretty much a mess. She wasn't sure she wanted to admit needing to see him about a few things, and didn't plan on bringing it up.

"So, what do you think of the Majesty thus far?"

(Jamey)

[Kaylana Cornette]

Having spent the last 6 hours swapping out isolinear chips, Kay was tired, thirsty and definitely ripe. The crew pretended not to notice her eau de stench. Secretly, they were actually quite proud of their (newly made full Captain) Captain for jumping in and getting her hands messy just like everyone else. Another pip wasn't going to change her into some pompous bureaucrat, thankfully.

She slowly straightened her back and made a sighing groan. Sienta smiled at her. "You'd better quit before you land yourself in sick bay, Captain.

"Are you implying I'm overworking myself here or that I'm too old to take it?" Kay asked with one eyebrow cocked upward.

Her Engineer playfully grabbed the chips from her hand. "I'm implying that it's time for a break, nothing more."

"Uh-huh," was Kay's sarcastic lone utterance. But, taking the conversation as a perfect segue way, she graciously excused herself from Engineering.

The closest watering hole was the Aft Lounge. The place was unusually crowded probably because the access to 10-Forward had been cut off because of the lifts being down. She glanced around quickly and saw Janeway in deep conversation with their new Counselor, Gaz. Liz looked up, smiled and waved. Kay did likewise. Liz then motioned her to join them. Kay pointed to a large swatch of grunge on the front of her tunic and shook her head, hoping that Janeway would get the hint she felt too grimy for company. Gaz joined in on the waving-over and Cornette had no choice.

"Enjoy my company at your own risk," Kay warned as she took the farthest seat away from them both. "I hope I'm sitting downwind." She took several gulps of her drink to please her dry throat. "You two look cozy. Anything I should know about?"she questioningly teased. Both of them flushed bright red and Kay realized her joke wasn't a joke. 'Ah, well, just keep it off my bridge and I'll be fine with whatever you two do in your off hours." She took another long drink and pretended not to notice their awkward glances at one another or the awkward feeling she had. She couldn't help but feel a sliver of sorrow for her poor Navigator. "Never play cards with Aarons," she thought.

"I haven't had a proper chance to thank you, Commander Gaz, for your save-the-day heroics," Kay said with sincerity. "For the first time, I'm glad it took Command so long to fill my request for a new Counselor. Your timing was perfect."

[Jamey Gaz]

Jamey wasn't wanting to answer Liz at that moment and was glad the Captain entered the room. Joining in Liz's wave ... Jamey too motioned her over. After an awkward moment about being cozy and keeping it off her bridge ... Jamey was glad the subject was changed.

“I haven’t had a proper chance to thank you, Commander Gaz, for your save-the-day heroics,” Kay said with sincerity. “For the first time, I’m glad it took Command so long to fill my request for a new Counselor. Your timing was perfect.”

"I wouldn't call it saving the day ... every Engineering member I have met has not been so thankful ...apparently I have caused them much work. I only have my past host to thank for the knowledge of what was going on ... apparently Star Ship's have been having computer core infestations for some time ... you would think that StarFleet would fix that somehow." Jamey said to the Captain.

Liz was looking at him while he was talking to the Captain and that made Jamey uncomfortable. The last think he wanted was for the Captain not to trust his ability to perform the job. "Captain, I would like to start crew evaluations as soon as I can. According to the ships records, it has been a while since the last one. I will need your First Officer's help for this task." Jamey said knowing that the Captain knew Star Fleet policy. Looking around the room at the tired crew, "However, I'm sure we can give them some time to get the ship back up and running ... please tell your CEO that I will be glad to help."

<Kay>

[lizjaneway]

Liz smiled and waited for him to say something. He seemed reluctant to do so. She then noticed the captain, and waved. It wasn't long before the captain had joined them, and she knew Jamey wasn't going to say any more on what they were discussing.

"Captain, I've already learned what risk it is to have you as company," Liz said teasing the captain. She smiled, and realized it had been awhile since she had done so. The captain joked too, but Liz didn't find it funny. She blushed, and wondered more about what she and Jamey had been talking about. It seemed they hadn't come to anything good, except an understanding it seemed. Liz put it to the back of her mind.

Liz was looking at Jamey, and then away quickly when she thought she heard the name Aarons. She realized what had happened, and knew this wasn't good. She was thinking about leaving. ~I need to go meditate again, or something. This can't be happening to me again. I thought I had this under control.~ She thought, then noticed Jamey and the captain look at her.

"Please tell me you didn't just hear my thoughts," she said knowing they full well had.

(Jamey, Kay)

[Michael Aarons]

OFF: Can someone please explain the "Never play cards with Aarons" comment?

ON: The job done and all hands aboard, life was returning to the ship as the damage done was fixed. Those nanites had made themselves quite comfortable in the system and whether they knew it or not, they had left quite a few junk source codes all about the isolinear chips due to their incompatibility. This resulted in numerous system errors as the code could not be read as a coherent operation and thus crashed the system. Unfortunately this meant perfectly good isolinear chips had to be dumped because they were non-rewritable components. One good bit of news was that a lot of this occurred in the ship's volatile memory banks which meant a simple power loss would blank it off. On a completely different note not everyone had returned back to themselves.

"Okay Aarons, let's try and get us out of here." The first officer was ready to take his leave of this part of the galaxy except... "Michael?" Aarons lay slumped over his console not moving, not awake.

"Why me? What was so special that they chose me? Why?"

"Aarons? Wake up Aarons! Are you alright?" Aarons sat up straight.

"I'm fine, how are you?" There was something disconnected about him, he was there but not fully so. He stared forward, not really looking at the viewscreen but more like something beyond it out of sight.

The captain was concerned for the condition of her officer. "Michael, can you hear me?"

"Yes I can hear you. Is there something I can do for you?" Since when had he ever been so helpful? "Is there a reason everyone is gathered around me?" Everyone shared looks with each other.

"In due time... What's wrong with him?"

"Well from what we can determine, he's completely aware of his surroundings and can hear everything going on around him, he just can't act upon it. He seems to be entranced."

"What brought this on?"

"It would seem to be a result from the psychic encounter with the planet right before takeoff."

"I thought you said there was nothing wrong with him."

"There wasn't, this is purely him. We're talking about someone whose never had a psychic experience before."

"Consider this Captain, what would you expect to get from a psychic experience with a machine? Right now he must be very confused. I know from personal experiences of being joined that mixing minds is very daunting as the line between your own mind and another's is muddled."

"Are you saying he thinks he's a machine?!"

"Not quite, it's more like he's thinking like a machine." She pulled his neural patterns up on the medical display. "His brain wave patterns are almost shaped like a clock pulse."

"I believe I can do something for him, just get him to my place and I'll get started." Aarons was laid back on a stretched out seat, a light placed right over his face while Jamey prepared himself for what he was about to do. "When you close your eyes what do you see?"

"I see... myself, but not quite myself."

"How so?"

"Because a portion is machine."

"You sound like you're describing a Borg!"

"Borg? Not quite. They invade. This is perfect coalescence." The eerie calm of the navigator was somewhat disquieting to listen to talking this way.

"Tell me. What are you thinking about right now?"

"I remember a struggle to save Liz from a raging stampede of drones down on the planet."

"Must be a very chaotic memory." Jamey was trying to evoke an emotion out of him.

"Quite the contrary. I can see everything quite slowly and in perfect detail. It's really quite clear." Jamey was surprised. No one but a Vulcan has ever displayed such clarity of mind. "Is there something special about me?"

"Well, I've heard you're quite good at your job."

"Why me? Why was I so important that they wanted me?" Even now Jamey could hear something troubling in his voice.

"I'm going to count to 5. When you hear my voice, you will no longer concern yourself with these issues. 1... 2... 3... 4... 5... Michael, are you still there?"

"Dude, man, the light! Too much!" He quickly surveyed the room. "Yeah, I'm gonna' go before I find myself waking up in a broom closet." He exited.

=^="This is Commander Gaz, I believe he's fixed."=^=

OFF: Hope I got you right.

[Kaylana Cornette]

OOC: The 'never play cards with Aarons' refers to the old saying, "Lucky in cards, unlucky in love". Sorry I didn't explain but I truly thought it was so well known that I didn't need to.

"I wouldn't call it saving the day ... every Engineering member I have met has not been so thankful ...apparently I have caused them much work. I only have my past host to thank for the knowledge of what was going on ... apparently Star Ship's have been having computer core infestations for some time ... you would think that StarFleet would fix that somehow," Jamey said to the Captain.

"Well, then, I'm grateful for past hosts! And ask any of the complainers which they'd prefer... the extra work or being vaporized."

"Captain, I've already learned what risk it is to have you as company," Liz said teasing the captain. She smiled, and realized it had been awhile since she had done so.

It was good to hear Liz razzing her again. Perhaps all these on board romances were helping her get over her personal struggles.

lizjaneway said:

Please tell me you didn't just hear my thoughts," she said knowing they full well had.

Kay shot Jamey a look that said 'you certainly have your work cut out for you' and he seemed to pick up her meaning for his demeanor suddenly switched to a more professional one.

"Commander Janeway, why don't you come by my office and make an appointment..."

Their conversation was broken by Liz's commbadge.

=^= Dr. Janeway, medical emergency on the bridge. =^=

Janeway acknowledged and all three of them made their way to the bridge. Luckily, the main turbo lift was back in service so it didn't take them long.

~insert Aarons' last post here~

There was something eerie and unsettling about her navigator being so calm and rational. She wasn't sure she liked it, but it was refreshingly different.

"Number One, please assist our new Counselor with the crew evaluations," Kay said. Then lowered her voice, "And make sure you two take some extra time with Mr. Aarons."

[Jamey Gaz]

OFF ... well ... I wouldn't have done anything along the lines of hypnotizing ... but ... whatever works.

OFF again ... if anyone wants to joint post with me during a counseling event/session ... please catch me on line or email me a time to be on line ... its just best to joint post things like that .

ON

Jamey normally didn't use hypnotizing as a general rule, but in this case he hoped it would allow Aarons to complete his duties until such a time his new issue could be properly resolved. "Aarons, I will need to see you soon so we can work this out ... I will also require the help of the Doctor too ... as this will take more than talking to get past. I can see you when the ships gets back underway; you can make an appointment on your computer in your quarters at any time."

<Aarons>


"Dude, man, the light! Too much!" He quickly surveyed the room. "Yeah, I'm gonna' go before I find myself waking up in a broom closet." Aarons exited.

OFF ... I don't know who I'm saying this too but ... here it goes

ON

=^="This is Commander Gaz, I believe he's fixed. However, Aarons will need to see me again, along with the Doctor, before I totally release him for full duty. He is able, however, to perform his duties in the mean time."=^=

With that done, he composed a message to Liz about Aarons and his need for her during Aarons' next appointment.

<Liz>

--- later ---

After reviewing all the crew records Jamey wanted to get in contact with the First Officer about crew evaluations and composed another message ...

*Commander Gaz to Commander Teg, when would be the best time for you to get together and talk about crew evaluations? Please contact me at anytime.*

[Michael Aarons]

OFF: I didn't say anything about hypnosis, just that you guided me back to a conscious state of mind through suggestion. Remember I was already in a 'trance'.

ON: He really didn't know how he wound up in Jamey's office/room whatever, but he was relieved to so easily get out of there. Michael doggedly made it back to his place and as the doors closed behind him he reached his bed and fainted right on to it.

Aarons found himself back at the free fall down to the now non-existent planet, this time without an away team, without a spacesuit, and without a shuttle. He was falling and as he did so the wings that were protruding from his back extended themselves.

"Cool! Wings! So where's Paul?" <Tell me one of you got that>

With these wings, Aarons soared throughout the planet revisiting old sites he had visited before. As he flew up he came upon the electric sheath which had blanketed the planet and as he entered the field, his wings were vaporized by the energy leaving him to the perils of gravity.

Michael was jolted from sleep. Apparently someone at the door really needed to see him. He answered the door.

"What're you doing?! Get to work, sleepy head!" The first officer had wondered where he had been.

"Ugh!" He groaned as he reentered the waking world to perform his duties. On his way out he made sure to lock his door.

Aarons made his way to the bridge, eventually, and resumed his station. The bridge was too bright, antagonizingly bright. Only the view of space on the viewscreen comforted him. The ship was disembarked as he set a return course for Starbase Bellicose, a likely destination, when the captain entered.

"Mr. Aarons, I do believe you're out of uniform." It was then that he noticed that he had only been wearing the pants and the red part of his uniform.

"Oh, sorry."

"Just put the ship on cruise and go fix yourself." Michael left the bridge, made his way to his deck, then all the way to his quarters. He collided with the door as it was still locked from earlier.

"Dammit." Entering his quarters once more he searched all around looking for his jacket. "GrrrrRR!" He collapsed to his knees panting and buried his face in the seat of a nearby chair. Sleep was just so inviting.

<Y'all's turn.>

[Deleted]

TEG was on watch on the bridge as the Captain was cleaning up after all the work she had been doing. The Majesty was traveling away from Wesley's World at warp 6 when Commander Gaz called him on the comm system.

*Commander Gaz to Commander Teg, when would be the best time for you to get together and talk about crew evaluations? Please contact me at anytime.*

"How about we talk about them tonight in Ten Forward."

*Sounds good. Say 20.00 hrs.*

"Perfect. TEG out."

A few moments later, Captain Cornette arrived on the bridge from her quarters. "Where by chance is Mr. Aarons?" asked the captain.

"I'm not sure ma'am." TEG responded and tapped his commbadge, "TEG to Aarons. Come in. Michael!" TEG excused himself and went to Aarons' quarters. TEG tapped the alarm several times, before resorting to pounding on the duranium door. After another dozen raps, Aarons arrived at the door. "What're you doing?! Get to work, sleepy head!" Aarons responded and made his way to the bridge. TEG then decided that he too felt a bit dirty so he opted for a sonic shower and a clean uniform before returning to the bridge. On his way back to the bridge he passed Aarons returning to his quarters for his fatigue jacket. TEG chuckled and returned to the bridge.

[Michael Aarons]

Aarons' body began to experience the first positive feeling in a long while. He awoke to find himself laid out by a forested creek somewhere he didn't recognize. Water streamed everywhere in a simple rhythmic manner. Michael didn't know where he was, or for that matter how he got there. He tried to piece together his last memories as he looked around.

"Morning! Aren't you quite the sleeper." Liz sat back on a rock looking at him. He was somewhat surprised to see her there.

"Is it really?"

"No, but what else would you say to someone who just woke up?" Good point. He postured himself on the rocky ground. "I stopped by your place and found you passed out so I brought you here. Believe it or not this is actually a place I come to meditate."

"Where are we? I don't... recognize this place." Michael was still feeling a bit dazed and confused.

"Computer, disengage scenery." The view disappeared leaving the monotonous black and yellow griding of a holodeck.

"Where is this, Bellicose?"

"Hardly. You only set the ship on Warp 4 before you left the bridge, although I believe they increased it to 6 afterward. I thought it'd do you some good to be in a more soothing environment. Y'see when the beam hit you, they were trying to gain access to information that did not already exist and thus was a product of your imagination. Machines don't have imagination so they tried accessing your memory from right in the center," she placed her finger right on the spot, "causing a disruption between the distinction of your memory and your imagination and off-setting your REM patterns."

"Uh-huh. And in English?"

"They gave you jet lag. At first we thought you had been altered by the machines, turns out you were sort of sleep walking. Now be a good boy and try and get some rest and I'll come back and check on you later, I have to go fill out medical reports about the mission. Remember I did have to reset your arm joint and Starfleet Medical will want to know about how you had a psychic experience with a machine, a feat done only twice before."

"Yeah and by the same person too." <Let's see if you can guess who I'm talking about.>

The doctor scooted herself off the rock she'd been sitting on and exited the holodeck. In passing, she forewent locking the door. Aarons laid back down on the rocky floor and closed his eyes.

"Computer, make the ground more softer."

[Deleted]

TEG sat in his chair studying the repair estimates, while also gathering duty reports to present to Commander Gaz tonight when they go over the crew evaluations. TEG was in the middle of reassigning some of the delta shift bridge staff to help with repairs when he realized that Michael had not returned to the bridge. He turned to look at Kay and she appeared to have just noticed her self. She asked for a status report from the young ensign siting at Aarons' post. The ensign reported a speed of Warp 4 heading to the Bellicose. Kay said "That just won't do. Increase speed to warp 6."

It was at that moment that Dr. Janeway called the bridge... *Janeway to Bridge.*

"Go ahead Doctor." Replied Kay.

*I've just found Commander Aarons passed out in the doorway to his quarters. I'm going to take him in for observations.*

"Very well Doctor, keep me informed. Cornette out." Kay closed the comm channel and turned to TEG, "Looks like you'll need to adjust the duty roster to fill in for him for a few days."

TEG replied, "Already have done, ma'am. Lt. Isley will be taking over for the next few alpha shifts."

To which Kay replied, "I see. At this rate, number one, you'll shortly be doing things long before they need to be done."

"I would never presume to do something early. Where would the adventure be in that?"

[Jamey Gaz]

Jamey had been in Ten Forward for several hours. Talking with the crew but mostly just people watching. He had found that simply observing people at rest, or off duty, was the best non intrusive way to get to know the crew; at least the social people anyway. It was the crew members who never went to Ten Forward that was had to put a finger on ... but this ship had other lounges that were quiet. Jamey hoped that this would draw out those who didn't like the noise of Ten Forward.

Talking with a couple Engineering crewmen, mostly about what Jamey had done to the ship, was reassuring to Jamey. The crew had acted mad about it before but now it seems that they appreciated his help. After most found out that he was a joined Trill, that kind of made it OK - some how.

Finding a spot next to the windows, Jamey looked out to find his star ... the one that was the Trill home star. Now sited at the table Jamey started reviewing the crew duty roster in preparation for the First Officer ... it was really near 22 hundred hours ... time for the first Crew Review in some time for the Majesty.

<TEG>