The Swirling Mists Have Cleared [Mission Thread]

[anderson]

Joan gets up and moves away from both parties feeling like nothing but a failure. She wonders what will happen to her now, and continues in this state of mind.

Lt. Johnson quietly continues to monitor her station, and wonders when she gets her cadet back.

Riz stays in stand by mode waiting for all of this to be over, and for the return of the chief. She wonders if this is how it is always done with chief engineers, but dismisses this returning to her responsibility, monitoring not just engineering for our ship, but also keeping an eye on the other ship trying to help if need be.

OOC: Don't know when I will be back. If not before graduation, well then it was a pleasure simming with all of you.

[Paikea Apirana]

The talk with Katie had done Paikea a lot of good. They had talked about the battle and how it had affected each one of them. It wasn't until the doctor told them to shut up that they stopped talking and rested. It was a restless sleep, but it was still that.

Minutes Later

Paikea woke with a start, there were many people in sickbay now. It seemed that some of the rescue party had started to come back on board. Paikea quickly asked the closest person for answers.

"What happened?" Paikea asked.

"Roz beat their champion," the Lt. said bitterly. Paikea could guess who their champion had been, the bitterness in his voice spoke volumes.

"Cadet Paikea, I'm sorry to do this, but I have to ask you to leave and do whatever you want," the Doctor said. "I bet you are feeling at least 75%."

"You are right doctor, I am feeling better," Paikea responded," Is it alright if I report back to my station?"

"Yes, but don't overdo it Cadet, or I'll lock you in your quarters," the Doctor said. Paikea chuckled a bit and headed towards the bridge.

The trip to the bridge was painfully slow, but Paikea didn't let that stop him, he wanted to be their when the Captain took his seat and we left this cursed area of space. Many people had died today and Paikea really thought it was not for a good reason, but he would of course not say that out loud.

"Cadet what are you doing here?" Commander Ford asked as soon as Paikea entered the bridge.

"Reporting in for duty again sir," Paikea said giving him the widest smile possible. The Commander walked up to him and guided him to the science station. To be honest Paikea was very glad to be back where he belonged, at a science station.

"Commander what is happening on the planet?" Paikea asked still wanting to know all the details.

"Well as far as we know, we have won the battle cadet," Ford started to explain,"the Amazon's excepted the Amazon challenge and champions were chosen."

Of course Paikea already knew this, but he didn't know why the Captain and some cadets and officer's still had not returned. It was worring him a bit, which Paikea found was not good for his health, because each time Paikea thought of the worst possible scenariro his pain would come back.

"Where is the Captain?" Paikea asked.

"Well Cadet we don't know, but we do know that he is still on the planet and we are awaiting his call," Commander O'Conner said.

<Tag everyone on the planet>

[Deleted]

TJ slowly walked – perhaps it would be more accurate to say that he hobbled, as he was still pained from the bolo-like instrument the tall Amazon had used to bring him down in mid-flight – with the survivors of the Hepta crew.

Each step was painful, and more pain was added to it by the fact they were allowing Andromache to escape justice. If there was only a way to incapacitate the enemy and bring in their queen. He racked his brain trying to come up with a plan. Several times an idea nearly came to him, but just before he could seize upon it, it would wriggle loose from his grasp and bound away on the feet of antelopes. Yet, there was a way, if he could just remember!

Also adding to the intensity of his pain were the casualties suffered at the hands of the Amazons. As captain, he must needs preside at memorial services for the fallen heroes.

Worry, the little sister of fear and first cousin to pain, pressed upon him as well. Where was Xin-Ling? He had caught a glimpse of her earlier in the battle, but she was now nowhere to be seen.

OFF ...

There is a way to accomplish our mission, and the technique is simplicity itself. I do not want TJ to come up with the answer. Anyone want to bring up a plan on just how to capture Andromache without facing her warriors, and with the least possible danger to Hepta personnel?

[Deleted]

OFF; well here goes nothing

on:

Cyle stopped dead in his tracks, something else had to be done today. He turned slowly and walked back towards the Queen. " Your Majesty" his voice rang loud and clear as everyone stopped to listen.

" you are under arrest for the capture and attempted Murder of the Captain of the USS Hepta, i am asking you politly to come back with me and face a trial for your offenses"

[Deleted]

Hands went to swords and arrows were drawn and pointed toward the young marine as he walked confidently toward the War Queen.

cylejohnson said:

"Your Majesty, you are under arrest for the capture and attempted Murder of the Captain of the USS Hepta, i am asking you politly to come back with me and face a trial for your offenses."

Andromache, her jaw now dropping wide open, was astounded at his brashness. She was not often left without something to say, but for a few brief moments, she was taken aback, and so began to snicker, then laugh, and was joined by her Amazons.

"Earlier today I gave you your life, nursling," she commented. "I spared you because you displayed potential for becoming a fine warrior one day – but that day is not today.

"Go back with your crewmates, little one, and count yourself fortunate you have amused me this night. It is that, and that alone, that spares your life this time."

Cyle was again fuming at the queen's lack of respect.

Suddenly, the queen's laughter halted, and she spoke with a low, threatening voice.

"And do not try my patience again. The next time, I will not spare you," she said, with her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.

[williamhunter]

Cyle stopped dead in his tracks, something else had to be done today. He turned slowly and walked back towards the Queen. " Your Majesty" his voice rang loud and clear as everyone stopped to listen.

William walk with Cyle to the Oueen and he put his phaser on the Queen. He hear wath Cycle said to the Queen.
" you are under arrest for the capture and attempted Murder of the Captain of the USS Hepta, i am asking you politly to come back with me and face a trial for your offenses"

[Deleted]

' yeah right, i had actaully thought that might work' Cyle thought to himself as he stayed put.

" i'm sorry to say your highness, i cannot leave without, and will not. Kill me if you must, but know this. My ship has its weapons trained on this planet, and will only wait for the others to board before your planet is destroyed. The choice is yours, allow your fellow Amazon's to live and maybe one day become better than they are, or have your entyire planet blown up into little bitty peices smaller than an atom."

Cyle stared at Andromache, hoping beyond all reason his bluff would work, but knowing better himself. HIs kept his eyes as cold as possible and hoped the others would understand what he was doing.

Cyle then turned to William. " Will, get out of here. take the others and get them onboard the ship"

OFF: well, this is fun

[bubblesdelight]

Katie watched as Paika left sickbay and the doctor now began to come closer to her.

"How are you feeling?" The doctor asked.

"I'm feeling better, my stomach feels tight though." Katie replied.

"That is normal, you will be back to normal in a few days. You can report back to duty now Cadet."

"Thank you doctor." Katie said.

Katie held her side as she stood up off the bio bed. Her stomach was more tight than she thought. Katie slowly put on her undershirt trying not to cause anymore pain to her stomach.

After a long five minutes of getting dressed Katie walked out of sickbay and headed back to the bridge. On the way to the nearest turbo lift she had to stop to support herself against the wall as her muscles didn't like the activity she was putting them though. She finally made it to the turbo lift and ordered it to rush it's way up to the bridge.

The doors slide open and she noticed all eyes turned to her, she froze for a second looking around at all the officers on the bridge. Once they noticed it wasn't who they were hoping it was they turned back to their duties.

Katie silently made her way to the Operations station and quickly sat down. She was sweating from the pain of walking with out any walls to support herself. Letting out a loud exhale Katie began to look over the Operations station and waited for her instructor to come back around.

[Deleted]

TJ was amazed as well at the move of Mr. Johnson. To walk immediately up to the War Queen, who commanded superior numbers and – let's face it – superior fighters after having been given safe passage to leave the area was a foolhardy move. Better to regroup and come after the queen later.

"Your majesty," he called to the leader of the Amazons, whom he could see was moving slowly toward an explosion of temper, "th' cadet, by your own word, is but a young man, not yet skilled in dealin' with a warrior such as yourself." The War Queen turned her angered gaze on the captain.

"Might I be speakin' a wee bit of a word on his behalf?"

Andromache said not a word, but narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

Slowly, TJ walked back to where the queen and Cyle were standing. There, he spoke eloquently to her, attempting to persuade her to look on his youth and inexperience, and promising he would receive training in these matters, asking her to let them all depart peacefully.

Turning to the cadet, TJ frowned slightly. "Watch your tongue, man," he warned the Cyle. "'Tis a better time comin' t' be fulfillin' our mission."

He knew it was imperative to get the survivors back to the Hepta as quickly as possible where they could deal with this situation from a position of power, and before the Amazons could get into their spacecraft. This, they could not do where they now were.

[Deleted]

OFF: This is a joint post between Dr. Johnson and myself.

ON:

The pain was unbearable, and Xin-Ling reacted with screaming. She didn’t feel as hot as when she was trying to fight her way back to consciousness, but then again, she was not likely to be up and about for several days, either. From the side of her biobed, her good friend, Barbara Johnson, the ship’s counselor, reached over to gently lay her hand on hers.

“I’m here for ya, Puddin’,” she said.

Dr. Mackler stepped up and, taking a brief look at her chart, said, “You’re gonna be takin’ it easy for at least a couple days, Xin-Ling, but I don’t think it’s gonna be any permanent damage.”

The doctor cut away her uniform from the area of the wound and took a Depuration Rod from a nearby table. Up until the mid-twenty-first century, the wound would have been flushed with water, and then a germicide, but generally nowadays the rod was used to cleanse and flush most deep flesh wounds.

Placing the rod over the wound, Dr. Mackler applied pressure to its handle, and the Depuration Rod pulsated with a bluish glow and hummed as it pumped the impurities out of Xin-Ling’s system.

“Run a scan on the area now, nurse,” ordered the ship’s surgeon.

“Yes, doctor...”

A quick scan revealed the area treated with the Depuration Rod to be sterile.

Next taking the autosuture, she slowly worked the open wound, bringing the flesh together and anchoring the two sides of the wound from its depth to the surface so that they could properly heal.

Noting her pained expression, and having heard her previous screaming, Dr. Mackler turned to the nurse and said, “Prepare fifteen cc’s of lidosol.”

Within moments, the nurse returned with a hypospray filled with the requested amount, and administered the drug in the vicinity of the wound.

“That should take affect in about thirty seconds, Commander,” said the nurse.

“There!” Dr. Mackler put the autosuture back on the tray and took a dermal relenerator, activating it and slowly passing it over the surface of the wound until it was completely closed.

“Like I was sayin’, Xin-Ling... you’re gonna be laid up for a few hours, an’ after that ya can go back to work.

“I wouldn’t be doin’ any of that fancy Kung Fu stuff ya do, though. Not for two or three days.”

“Hear that, Puddin’?” said a very relieved Barbara Johnson. “Ya gonna be just fine.”

“Your prognosis is excellent, doctor,” Jordan teased the counselor. Turning to the nurse once again, Dr. Mackler said, “She can be up on her feet in about three hours. Not before.”

[Paikea Apirana]

Paikea was not on the planet, but he could tell that something good was happening. All of the Starfleet personal were being beamed back on to the Hepta. There were just a few people left on the planet, Cyle, William, the traitor Joan McCormick, Roz, and the Captain. Paikea didn't know what they were doing there, but they must have a reason.

"Sir we are being hailed by the Captain," Cadet Anderson said as she attended to her station.

<Captain Edwards>

They were heading back onto the ship, safe and sound. All they would have to do, is bring the Amazon women to justice. Which would be something easier than said.

[Deleted]

TJ had picked up the remains of his uniform shirt as the crew were making their way back to the ship, and secretly hailed the Bridge of the Hepta.

"Be ready on me signal t' beam every member o' th' crew still here on th' surface back on to th' ship," he had said.

About that time, Cyle issued the "request" to Andromache to surrender herself into Federation custody, and TJ responded by hobbling toward the queen and the cadet.

For five minutes he attempted to persuade the War Queen, but her expression grew more and more truculent. She was not buying it.

"Now, Mr. O'Connor!"

paikea said:

"Sir we are being hailed by the Captain," Cadet Anderson said as she attended to her station.

In seconds, the remaining planetside Starfleet personnel were shimmering, and Andromache screamed in rage. She knew what was happening. Drawing her sword, she rushed at the captain and cadet, but by that time it was too late. All Federation personnel were on the Hepta.

As they finished shimmering in the transporter room, TJ called, "Report! I want to know now if all surviving members are aboard!"

"All survivors aboard and accounted for, captain," answered Lieutenant Giles, the Transporter Chief.

[Deleted]

With a scream of rage, Andromache sped forward, drawing her blade as she came at the captain and the cadet. She would not let them escape, since they declined the terms of the safe passage she had granted.

Attempting to cut through both at once, she swung, but by the time the blade reached them, they were as good as on the Federation ship, the last shimmers disappearing from sight. They had escaped!

“Sisters! They have violated the terms of safe passage, and even now mock us!” she cried to her warriors. “We must not permit this!”

With a sweep of her sword towards the massive starcraft, she signaled her army into pursuit. “Themiscryans, into full armor, and then to Warbird!”

As one, several hundred skilled warrior maidens raised their war-cries and rushed to their tents to take their shields and preferred weapons, then ran toward the Themiscryan starcraft.

Within the hour, the Federation starship would be as dead as the Klingon cruiser that Vagh of the House of Rannuf had commanded.

“Have patience, great Artemis,” Andromache prayed as she strode up the ramp that led to the great Themiscryan vessel. “By the rising of Apollo’s chariot, you will have your sacrifice ... many of them!”

[Deleted]

"captain, i have an idea. We could lock on to Andromache's signal, and beam her directly to the brig, couldnt we?

Cyle had been running thoughts through his head for quite some time and as soon as he was back on the ship, he got the captians attention.

<Tag Edwards>

"I understand" Cyle had deliberatly left out saying sir to this man, as far as Cyle was concered, saying sir was a sign of respect, and the captian had yet to earn it. The color of his uniform didnt matter in Cyle's eyes, it was the attitude. And what the captain had said to him before they left the planet, had left Cyle with the thought that this man did not deserve Cyle respect, so he didnt get it.

OFF: i know that may seem weird, but thats the way Cyle is, earn respect and you shall have it, Just playing the Character is all.

[anderson]

Still very out of it, Joan didn't realize she had been transported along with the rest of the crew, but they seemed to notice, as she was taken to the brig. She relented to them, and once again was imprisoned, which was one place she seemed to have gotten to know very well. She lays down on the bed her mind tossing and turning trying to process what has happened.



Lt. Johnson hadn't realized she had company until the cadet reported about the incoming transmission. She jumped at the cadets voice, and then turned to see what she could have her do.

"Welcome back cadet, are you alright? You look aweful, are you suppose to be here?" She says quickly not sure if the doc had let her come back to duty.

With the response she realizes this cadet is one tough cookie, and she smiles. "Alright then cadet, help me with this station as you should. We have several system errors to get to, and I don't think engineering would mind, but you should check with them first." the Lt. says getting back to work immediately.

<Anderson>


Riz is suddenly overwhelmed with several systems going haywire. She gets several error messages, and contacts engineering about them. They start to correct them.

[Deleted]

cylejohnson said:

"Captain, i have an idea. We could lock on to Andromache's signal, and beam her directly to the brig, couldn't we?"

TJ had been racking his brains, attempting to come up with some type of plan to bring the War Queen into custody, but the answer was elusive. Hearing the cadet's idea let a breath of fresh air into his thoughts. He had been looking for difficult solutions to a difficult problem, and somewhere in the back of his mind was a scenario – a scenario about two hundred years old – that would have worked, but he just couldn't recall the details. Something about the Enterprise, NCC-1701.

But Mr. Johnson's suggestion just might work. It would take a great deal of precision, and there was not much time, for certainly Andromache would be following, pursuing them within moments.

"'Tis a fine idea ye have, m'lad. We can't lock on t' her signal – she has none, not havin' our communicators, but if we could manage t' separate her bio signs in th' transporter room...

"Mr. Johnson," TJ said with a big grin and his customary eye-twinkle, "ye've just earned your pay this week!"

Tapping his comm badge, TJ said, "armed security t' Transporter Room One. I'm wantin' 'em five minutes ago!" he said as he rushed back to the transporter room.

Bursting through the hatchway, he called to the Transporter Chief.

"Mr. Giles, separate th' readin's for th' captain o' th' enemy vessel on th' surface o' the planet. Lock on an' beam her aboard – nothin' metallic is t' come with her!"

Confused, the lieutenant did as he was told.

[Deleted]

"Captain, permission to join the security team"

Cyle looked at the captain as if he were a child again, this was something he wanted to do.

"Granted lad"

Cyle hurried to the transporter room, with only a phaser. Cyle figured the rest of the team would handle her with weapons and what not.

Upon arrival, Cyle saw the look of surprise on some of the teams faces, but payed no attention.

When the Amazon arrived, Cyle smiled at her. "Not to bad for a youngling like me eh?"

<Androamche>

[Paikea Apirana]

The minute that the transporter was activated the bridge was informed why.

"Commander it seems that we have just transported Andromache aboard the ship," Cadet Anderson responded. Everyone on the bridge stopped what they were doing. Had they heard correctly had the women that was responsible for the death of many Starfleet personal was in their custody.

"O'Connor to Edwards"

"Commander I'm kind of busy right now, can this wait until later," Captain Edwards said over the comm. This answered everyones question. The Captain was with Andromache right now.

"Red Alert, Helm get us out of here," O'Connor ordered. Paikea quickly saw the reason why. The Amazon ship was closely behind them. The ship did a 360 and quickly went to warp.

"Science I want you to work to mask our warp trail, I don't want them coming after us," O'Conner ordered Paikea and the Commanders. Paikea quickly did as he was told and went into engine control. He would have to do it slowly, but it would work.

"Commander's I will change the warp harmonics by .000002 microns for the next 20 seconds, my calculations say that will be enough to change our warp trail," Paikea said.

"Good idea cadet, get going," Commander Ford said. Paikea did it and quickly started the timer. Just has he had predicted the Warbird was no longer following them, because they didn't know where to go.

"Commader O'Conner, we have evaded the Amazon ship successfully," Paikea said.

"Good Cadet, modify the warp trail ever so often so they cannot pick it up again, we will be in Federation space in no time," Commander O'Connor said.

"So does that mean we are heading home sir?" Paikea asked.

"Well unless told otherwise that is correct Cadet," Commander O'Conner said.

[bubblesdelight]

With the response she realizes this cadet is one tough cookie, and she smiles. "Alright then cadet, help me with this station as you should. We have several system errors to get to, and I don't think engineering would mind, but you should check with them first." the Lt. says getting back to work immediately.

"I will get right on it." Katie said walking back to the engineering station.

Once she approached the station she pushed the communications button to call down to Engineering.

"This is Cadet Anderson, we have noticed several systems errors up here on the bridge, can I give you a hand with anything?"

<Engineering>

[Deleted]

Having finished her vow to Artemis, Andromache entered Warbird and continued on to the bridge, where she took her seat in the captain’s chair.

“Give us lift-off, Melanippe,” she commanded, and in answer to that command, Melanippe’s skilled fingers raced over the console, and the Amazonian ship’s engines hummed. Lifting off the ground slowly at first, then pointing its nose skyward, the massive ship swiftly picked up speed, and within moments, was free of the planet’s atmospheric influences.

“Set stardrive to level nine,” commanded the War Queen, and Warbird flew swiftly in pursuit of the Hepta. She would teach these Federation males the danger of trifling with the mercies of Andromache of Themiscrya!

The viewscreen that dominated the bridge showed the fleeing Hepta growing larger as they came ever closer in pursuit, when suddenly the queen began shimmering, and vanished from the captain’s chair, leaving a stunned crew behind.

Well trained they were, however, and Andromache’s First Lieutenant, Danaë, took near-immediate charge.

“After that vessel of Hades!” she cried. “It is certain our queen is aboard her. We will retrieve Queen Andromache and then vaporize their spacecraft!”

Flicking a switch on the captain’s chair, she ordered, “Three score warriors to the transportation chambers, in full battle dress. Assault shields on maximum setting, blue auras on maximum, merge settings. Transport to the enemy vessel on my signal.”

It took but moments for the sixty women to prepare for battle, weapons and shields at ready.

In the Transporter Room of the Hepta >>>

The security team was standing ready, phasers drawn, and Captain Edwards was beside the Transporter Chief as a sparkling, shimmering form began developing on the pads. The instant Andromache’s form fully materialized, she reached for her sword, but the leather scabbard was empty. Nothing metallic had come with her.

With a wild cry, she vaulted from the transporter pad, intent on attacking those in the room with her. She was queen. She could not fail.

“’Tis advisin’ ye I am t’ hold your temper, your majesty,” said TJ, a look of mingled anger and sadness in his eyes.

Andromache took in the situation, and stopped her attack. Very well, she would wait. Only a short time, and her crew would be in pursuit, and freedom from these males would be hers once again. Then – then! – she would exact her terrible vengeance on this ship and its crew. And she would make this “captain” wish he had died on Artemis’ altar!

At that moment, a face familiar to her spoke. ...

cylejohnson said:

"Not to bad for a youngling like me, eh?"

“You are brave in the midst of superior forces only. You have me only because you’ve stolen my sword. Put one in my hand, male nursling, and I will show you how good you are!”

“But we are with th’ upper hand, your majesty,” the Irishman said.

“Mr. Johnson...”

“Yes, captain?”

“Would ye care t’ escort our royal guest t’ th’ brig?”

Tag... Mr. Cyle

As Cyle and the security team escorted the queen from the transporter room, she heard the captain quietly say, “’Tis at a later time I’ll be interviewin’ her.”

[williamhunter]

"Captain, permission to join the security team"

William Hunter looked at the captain.

"Granted Cadet"

William Hunter walk with Cyle to the transporter room, with only a phaser.

Upon arrival, William hope that he, not have to use his phaser on the Queen,

Cyle saw the look of surprise on some of the teams faces, but payed no attention.

When the Amazon arrived, Cyle smiled at her. "Not to bad for a youngling like me eh?"

<Tag everyone >

[Deleted]

“You are brave in the midst of superior forces only. You have me only because you’ve stolen my sword. Put one in my hand, male nursling, and I will show you how good you are!”

Cyle listened intently to the queen, smiling to himself

“But we are with th’ upper hand, your majesty,” the Irishman said.

“Mr. Johnson...”

“Yes, captain?”

“Would ye care t’ escort our royal guest t’ th’ brig?”


As Cyle and the security team escorted the queen from the transporter room, she heard the captain quietly say, “’Tis at a later time I’ll be interviewin’ her.”

Cyle stood right behind the queen, he had little fear of her now, and probably never would fear her again. It was his idea that captured her after all, his own idea.

" its really too bad we had to meet this way, i would have very much liked to have gotten to know you better, m'lady. Your quite beutiful, for being an Amazonian Queen bent on killing all males that is"

<Tag Andromache>

[anderson]

Riz sputters as she realized someone had pushed a button on her console, something she clearly didn't want anyone touching right now. She hadn't heard anyone walk over, as she was very busy under her console, then suddenly a female voice speaks.

"Don't bother them with that, if you insist on giving me a hand, then alright. I think more than one system is wrong on the bridge, and I intend to make sure of that once I have my station debugged. Right now I need the paratritenducer, which should be in the toolbox near your foot." She says trying to stop the station from spraying her, and doing so only after getting a bath, which she didn't want. "And step on it kid." She says very frustrated.

<Anderson>

"Oh sorry, I forgot we don't have any cadets to train, and I didn't mean to jump down your throat either. It is in the top part, and looks like a box at the bottom with a v at the top. Thanks." Riz continues after she is scolded by the cadet, then she hears something kick the box.

"Do you mind, I need those to fix this daggum station." She says extrememly upset.

<tag any superior officer>

"Sorry, I didn't realize it was you, sir. Several systems are giving us problems, and I do believe that my station is causing us to see these problems. I am trying to figure out the bugs with my station, so I can get us up and running properly, sir." She says not moving from her spot, and is relieved when the officer leaves.








Meanwhile, Joan finally realizes where she is, and starts to laugh.
"Oh what a fine mess I am in again. Oh well, I need to find something to pass the time until they come for the inquisition, oh I know, I will sing." She says still not her complete self. It isn't long before she spies her queen and a cadet enter, and the queen is put in a cell nearby. She hears something, but doesn't respond trying to pick out what song she will sing. Not finding anything coming to mind, she decides to make one up herself.

[glow=purple,2,300]Ode to the brig, a place to rest, a time to find oneself again, oh ode to the brig[/glow]

"Ugh, forget that one, oh I know!" She says a song finally coming to her. She starts in on the [glow=blue,2,300]Farmer in the Dell[/glow], singing it only loud enough for her and her queen to hear. Joan finds singing is wonderful, and unfortunate for the queen Joan can't hear how off key she really sings.

"What, you want me to sing louder, okay." She says and beams as she sings at the top of her lungs.

[Deleted]

cylejohnson said:

"It's really too bad we had to meet this way. I would have very much liked to have gotten to know you better, m'lady. You're quite beautiful – for being an Amazonian Queen bent on killing all males, that is."

Andromache responded with not a word, though she heard Cyle Johnson well enough. Mixed emotional response sprung up within her.

On the one hand, she had been reared to despise everything male, looking upon them with suspicion and hatred, fed by the slaughter of the Samartian culture that marked the beginnings of the Amazons in the mists of antiquity. Her upbringing would not allow her to accept masculine attention, unless she herself delivered it at the end of a sword. On the other hand, she was a woman, and a small part of her appreciated the compliment.

She turned and looked through narrowed eyes on Cyle for an instant, then faced forward again on her way to the brig.

[Paikea Apirana]

Paikea had been working extremely hard to cloak their ion trial, once he was sure that no one could ever pick it up he relented. There was something that was still bothering him all this time and that was the treason of Commander Joan McCormick. Paikea just didn't understand her actions.

Matt had always told him that the best instructor in Starfleet was Joan McCormick, she would always help you and would die for her ship and shipmates. The fact that she had betrayed them all and helped in the murder of many people. Joan McCormick just didn't fill the profile of a traitor. Then something hit him.

"Commanders may I be excused?" Paikea asked. Paikea didn't really wait for an answer and just heard yes Cadet, before the turbolift closed. Matt had told him something a long time ago, just before he had been transferred to the Jefferson. Something about Joan, that made her special.

"Deck 4, Cadet Quarters" The turbolift ride seemed to take forever, but in fact it was only a couple of seconds. Once it stopped he ran towards his room.

He made it in record time and he quickly went to his briefcase, where he kept all his mail. He went to the back of the pack of PADD's where he knew Matt's mail was going to be. There it was, his first letter after graduation. Once he read it he dropped it and ran towards the brig.

When the guards outside the door saw Paikea running they thought he was going to warn them about something. But once they realized that wasn't the case they stopped Paikea from entering the brig.

"You may not enter, Cadet, the Captain is interrogating the prisoner," the guard said.

"Look I got some information," Paikea pleaded which seemed to work. Paikea nodded at them in thanks and walked in.

"Cadet Paikea what are you doing here?" Captain Edwards asked. Paikea ignored him and walked up to Joan.

"You couldn't help yourself could you"

<Tag Joan>