“Good morning, Captain Halsey.”

Leopold glanced up from the breakfast table at his wife and smiled quietly, “Good morning, Doctor Walker.”  This was the morning when he would take command of his ship, the USS Mercy.  It had been a quick build-up to this moment for the forty-year-old medical officer.  As fast as word had come, the urgency for him to get on board had pushed him quickly to get to Bravo and aboard the Olympic class ship that he would be calling home as her captain.

“I am required at several meetings today and will be reporting on board by the afternoon.  It will be…good to be back on an Olympic Class.”  His wife was half Vulcan and Half Human.  Her logical core and powerful emotions had drawn him initially as they’d dated.  Her care for both sides of her identity and willingness to be open with him about the duality of her existence had given him more reason to commit to a life with her.  They had spent their first five years together onboard the USS Polson.

“She’s one of my favorite classes of ship.”  He took a long sip of his coffee, “It’ll be good to be back in a place that feels like home.”  Theodora gave him an impercitable nod.  She had chosen the human naming nomenclature intentionally as a child and had further embraced it as she’d grown up.  Her father had been the Human, and her mother, the Vulcan.  It had not been easy to navigate her identity.

“Home.”  She let the word hang in the air for a moment before continuing, “It is my desire that this place remains our home for quite some time, Leo.”  He stood and walked over to her, embracing her as she returned the hug as she spoke, “This could be where we find our place.”

Halsey briefly tightened the embrace, “I’m hoping for all that and more, Theo.”  They kissed briefly as he pulled away to gather his PADD and case, “They’ll start the transport of our belongings in about an hour or so.”  He stopped at the door and glanced back at her, “I’m glad you are with me.”

She allowed a sly smile, “And me, to you.”

The door closed behind him as he left.

USS Mercy – Transporter Room – 0700

“Welcome aboard the USS Mercy, Captain.”  The transporter light faded from his eyes, and he blinked, catching the bright eyes of the transport officer.  

Halsey stepped down from the pad and shook the officer’s hand, “Captain Halsey.”

The officer smiled widely, “Ensign Jake Blakely.  Fresh from the academy…which is the story for most of us, sir.” 

Leopold gave a nod, “We all have our first days, Mr. Blakely.  I look forward to seeing what you do with yours.”  He headed out the door, leaving Blakely suddenly struggling to answer the captain’s challenge.

USS Mercy – Bridge – 0715

She was a beautiful ship, Halsey had to admit.  She was coming off a rest and refit operation, and it showed.  The bridge had been completely replaced with a larger command center with a more conversational setup.  He had been intrigued at the design shift, but given the mission of his command, it seemed to fit.  He stepped to the center chair, “Computer, accept and authorize command codes.”

=^=Authorization required=^=

“Leopold William Halsey, Captain.  Codes HulabalooGarageNineThreeFive.”  There was a beep, a click, and then…

=^=Authorization accepted.  Command codes authorized.  Welcome aboard, Captain Halsey.=^=

He sighed a contented sigh, sending out a message to the crew not yet aboard. They would be expected to report to stations by 0900 hours, and command crew officers were required to meet with him upon arrival.  He glanced around the bridge and found the door to his ready room.

Izi took her time meandering through the bustle of people on the promenade.  She had news she didn't want to share, but had to do so nonetheless.  Reaching her destination, she sighed.

“What's wrong?  Did you forget to intimidate another Klingon today?”

If it was only that, thought Izi.

“Iziraa?”

“I have news, Gren.”

“Is it about Ashley?  Things didn't work out for her?”

“Oh, no.  She's fine,” said Izi.  “She finally trusted me enough to open up.  She went through some bad things.  We were able to find her family.  They came here yesterday and took her home.”

“Bad things?” said Gren.

“Private bad things, though I suspect you might already know some of it.  Loose lips.”

“And big ears.”  Gren chuckled.

A few seconds passed.

“Gren, I need to tell you something.”

“Okay.”

It's not easy."

“Just tell me.  I'll help, if I can.”

“I'm leaving the base.”  Izi's antennae drooped.

“Leaving?  Why?  Where are you going?”

“I accepted a posting on the USS Mercy.”

“That new medical ship?  Why?  You said this was where you belong.”

“I did and I do.”

“Then why transfer?”  Gren genuinely had a sorrowful expression on his face.

“There's so much more out there to see and do,” said Izi.  “I'm proud of the work I've done here, but helping Ashley made me realize there are many other Ashleys that need someone to help them.  I can be that person, especially on a medical ship.”

Gren sighed.  “Yes, you can be that person.  I know you'll be great at it.”

"It's not like We'll never see each other again.  The ship will be back from time to time."

“I know, but it won't be the same, or as fun.”

Izi chuckled.  “I'll miss you.  A lot.”  She held Gren's hand for a moment.

“When do you leave?”

“I need to report tomorrow morning.  This is my last shift here.”

“So soon.”

“It all came together pretty quickly,” said Izi.  “A lot of the crew are new and just out of the academy, so they were looking for experienced officers.  Somehow I made the list.”

Another silence.

“I need to get back to work,” said Izi.  She started to leave.

“Wait.  I almost forgot.  I have a package for you.”

Izi's eyes widened and her antennae jittered.  “You found some?”  Her voice was filled with excitement.

“I did.”

“Real and not replicated?”

“Yes.”

“How?  Where?”

“The how is, it's me,” said Gren.  “The where?  I'm not telling you in case you want to order more.”

“Fair enough.  Let me see!”

Gren brought out a small box and placed it onto the counter.  Izi tore into it like a hungry predator animal on its prey.  Seeing the bag inside and the contents, she squealed with delight.  Tearing the top, she poured out a handful and popped them into her mouth.  Her eyes were closed.  Her antennae moved in happy circles.  A soft, mmm escaped her lips.  The sweet sensation was indescribable.  When Izi recovered, she saw Gren staring at her like she grew a third antennae.

“Try one.”  Izi shook the bag until one landed on the counter.

Gren looked at the small confection.  It was shaped like a triangle and divided into three colors, yellow at the base, orange in the middle, with a white tip.

“Come on, Gren.  They're amazing.  The best snack ever on Earth.”

Gren picked up the candy corn.  ”Never let it be said I don't try new things."

Izi carefully watched her friend.  “Well?”

“They're okay.”

“You have no taste."  Izi chuckled.  "What do I owe you?"

“Ah, nothing,” said Gren.

“What?”  Izi had to blink several times to make sure she heard right.  “No charge?  Why?  It must have cost you to find them.”

“It's my going away present.”

“Aw.  I don't know what to say.  Thank you.”  Her voice was filled with emotion.

“If you tell anyone, I'll say you used excessive force to get me to do it,” said Gren.

Izi smiled.  Nothing else needed to be said between the friends.  They had known each other three years, but as always, things changed and life did as well.  It was time to face the next chapter.

The meetings were over, and she had found a place of respite on Starbase Bravo in a corner coffee shop.  The time spent in the meetings had been worthwhile – she had transferred all her work on the Littleton to her fellow science officers.  The aging Excelsior refit had seen better days, and she was quietly thankful to see the tail end of the ship.  Word was most of those ships would be retired quite soon or donated to colonies in need.  She sipped at her chilled chai and wistfully thought of days gone by.

“Theo.”

She leapt up at the voice and embraced Suaya as the woman returned the embrace haltingly and then with acceptance.  “Please, sit.”  Suaya had been her only friend in the Academy days.  They were both half Vulcan and half Human – something that had bound and bonded them together as they both struggled with who they were and what they were to be.

Suaya accepted a tall glass of iced green tea from the staff and turned her attention to her friend, “You’ve done well, Theo.  I was pleased to hear of your continued work and publishing in journals.  That last study about mind over matter was quite engrossing.”

Walker rolled her eyes, “Please.  You’ve written twice as much as I have and been accepted in nearly every place you submit.  Your attempt to praise me isn’t logical or realistic…but it is appreciated.”

“I have a devotion to writing that cannot be refused.” She sipped at the tea and closed her eyes in appreciation, “They make it fresh and real here.  Beauty is these kinds of moments.”  A pause as she sat back in her chair, “I am continually confused why you refuse to rise above the rank of lieutenant.”

The older of the two shrugged slightly, “It is not a logical argument to seek promotion or fame in one’s pursuit of logic, knowledge, and discovery.  I prefer to study the galaxy and all that is within it.  My rank does not define me.”

Suaya raised her eyebrows, “I outrank you.  What does that say about me?”  She allowed a wry smile before she took another drink.

Theodora swirled her cup on the table, “It says you have goals.  Expectations.”  She waved off the furrowed brows of her friend, “You were giving me a hard time. I’m just returning the favor.”  Shaking her head, “You want more, Su.  You do.  You could use the crutch of logic or whatever…but we both know you want more in this world.  You want to make a difference from a place of power in the moments where it matters.”  She took a sip of her drink, “I daresay that’s logical.”

Suaya didn’t disagree with her as she focused the discussion on her friend,  “You’ve found what brings you fulfillment.  I will freely admit to seeing your contentment and wishing I could accept such things.”

Walker chuckled quietly, “We both know that is not possible, friend.  You were born to fly through the stars like a great bird of the galaxy.  Your heart cannot stop your wings from beating…your mind from searching.  You belong out here in the great unknown.”

Suaya stared at her friend for a long moment, “I have missed our conversations, my friend.  Only so much can be shared over a screen.”  She drained the last of her tea, “I must go to my ship and seek out the next big thing.  They’ve a need for science officers to study the unknown.”  She stood, as did Walker.  They embraced and held each other close as long as they could.  Both knew each other’s stories, struggles, sins, and so much more.  They had kept each other going in the dark hours and the sun-scorched days.  As they pulled apart, Suaya put her arm up and wished Walker, “Live long and Prosper, my friend.  My heart in yours and my hopes for you.”

Theodora returned the gesture and wished her well, “My heart in yours and my hopes for you, friend.”  Suaya walked off down the promenade, glancing back every so often until she had faded into the crowds.  Walker finished her drink and stood.  She always felt a human sadness when they would have to leave each other.  Picking up her things, Walker headed out into the masses, home on her mind as her feet pointed her towards the docks.

Dougal lay next to her in bed sleeping.   Aimee admired her husband’s bare chest and muscular arms.  The big Scotsman had several scars aquired over the years as a security officer in Starfleet.   One particular ran from his right shoulder down to his navel.  

She had offered to use a dermal regenerator to heal it but he turned her down. “Nay, lass. It’s a wee reminder of what happens when ye let yer guard down,” he had told her. Aimee didn’t know about all that, but she secretly found it sexy.  Exactly why she didn’t know. Maybe it was because so few people had imperfections like this, or maybe it was such a manly thing.

They had been on Starbase Bravo for two weeks now following the destruction of her old ship the USS Zebulon Pike. The little Raven-class had been her home and she was sad to have seen it go, but it had been its sacrifice that got them home.  

Now that the investigation was complete the crew of the Pike had been cleared of any wrongdoing and they were now availablefor reassignment.  Ethan Talon, her brother and former CO, had chosen to take an extended leave to return to Tera Alpha to raise his family.   As for her… she hadn’t decided.

Aimee knew Dougal would follow her wherever she went.  In a year and a half she had served on three ships.  Was she really keen on going to a fourth?

“What are you thinking mo chridhe?” Dougal asked.

Aimee leaned over and kissed him and sat back. “Nothing really.   Just thinking about you, Ethan, and our future.”

“Aye. I ken ye were thinking about me lass.  You had that weird little smile you get when ye are.”

Aimee playfully slapped his shoulder.  Dougal feigned pain like she had just stabbed him with a kitchen knife. “Oh that didn’t!” She chided. “I know you better than that Dougal James Stewart MacDonald.”

Dougal laughed and he took her hand into his and kissed the back of it, “Wee bissom.”

She slapped his bare chest good that time leaving a light pink mark.  “Call me a bissom.”

“Aye ye are,” he insisted.

Aimee huffed, “Next you’ll be calling me a sassanach too.”

A grin spread across his face, “If the shoe fits.”

“My grandmother came from Ireland.  I’m at least half Celt and no English.”

Dougal conceded,  “Aye you are no an English lassie,  but ye are an outlander which is one definition.”

Aimee sighed. She enjoyed playful banter,  but only for so long and slid out of bed. “Let me guess you want oatmeal for breakfast?”

“Nay.  I am not hungry.  I will take a tea though.”

Aimee rolled her eyes, “You need to eat something.” Approaching the replicator she ordered two bagels with cream cheese, Dougal’s tea, and a black coffee for herself.

Returning to the bed with the tray she sat down next to her husband a they shared a meal making small talk about the day.  Aimee wished they weren’t on Starbase Bravo.  Maybe they could rent a holo suite and find a mountain or beach to visit later.

The buzz of a PADD indicating a new message broke the couple from their conversation.   Dougal picked it up from the nightstand and handed it to her without even looking at it.

“Thanks,” she said accepting the PADD. She scrolled through the information in silence.  After a moment she set the PADD down. “I have an assignment.”

“Oh aye?”

“Chief Medical Officer,  USS Mercy.  You were not assigned with me.”

Dougal nodded, “Aye well, we kent that could be a possibility. I could resign my commission.”

“And do what?  Tend bar at the lounge?  Don’t be ridiculous.   Maybe I can talk to the captain and get you a spot.”

“Aye well. It’s worth a try.”

Aimee nodded, “It is.”

Sesias blinked the lights of the recent transport out of his eyes. “Welcome aboard sir” came from the console in front of him. “Ensign.” Sesias stretched his three legs to their full height, he had always felt like he needed to crouch down somewhat when he used a transporter. 

He walked forward and positioned himself to one side as he watched the ensign go through the protocols of the next transport to arrive. At an impressive 6’7” when he stood at his full height it was easy to watch what the ensign had been doing.

“Just out of the academy, ensign?”

“Yes sir, you’ll find that many of the crew are.”

“Hmmmm, is it just you on duty?”

“Yes sir, I figured only one person needed to be on duty since we are at Bravo. I’m pretty competent in transporter operations.”

Sesias held up one of his three arms “stop right there ensign. I have a feeling I know what you’re going to say. I want you to think about this, and I know we are in a “safe” “as he used his other two arms to make air quotes.”Area, but you never know who or what is coming through that transporter, do you?”

The ensign scratched at his head and looked at the gold-shirted Lieutenant “we’ll no, sir we don’t” 

Sesias looked him up and down. “And let’s just say, hypothetically mind you, that I was not who the computer says I am, and I came over to the Mercy with nefarious acts on my mind. Do you think you could stop me?” The ensign looked at the LIeutenant,  now that he stood within an arm’s reach of the Edosian he realized the size difference between them. “Well, I’d give it my damnedest sir, but no I don’t think I could stop you.”

“Hmmmm hmm, and if no one else was in this transporter room, how long do you think it would take for me to bring in some friends over? This is all hypothetical of course.”

“Ummm, probably not very long sir.”

“Your right ensign, it probably wouldn’t. So what are we going to do about this situation?” Sesias started to drum the fingers of one hand on the edge of the console. “Well sir, I’m going to wake up the other two transporter crewmen assigned to the shift and have them report to duty and I guess it would be smart, if we went by the books, to have a security crewman stationed here also.”

“Good answer, ensign. Straight out of the book as you said.” Sesias turned and started to leave the transporter room. “Ensign, remember to plan for the worst and expect the unexpected.” 

“Sir, how come the captain didn’t say anything when he reported on board earlier?” 

Sesias turned around and looked at the ensign, raising an eyebrow “and why do you think that is ensign? Maybe because he is not your boss, well technically he is, but I think you’re getting the picture.”

“And you are sir .” 

“Correct, Lt. Sesias Chief of operations and tactical. Reporting onboard. Probably the first thing you should have asked, isn’t it? Seeing as I don’t see a watch officer here. Something else that needs to be rectified, ensign.” Sesias turned and started toward the doorway and turned back to face the ensign.” Oh, one more thing, as my new Transporter Chief, unless I find someone more qualified,  I want the transporter room duty schedule for the next two weeks by COB tomorrow and a preliminary security report by the end of the week.”

“I knew I should have asked for there to be a watch officer stationed here from now on.” As he heard a slight chuckle come from the entranceway as the lieutenant left. 

Sesias made his way to his assigned quarters and gave them a once over, as he left and made his way to the bridge. He exited the turbo lift and entered the bridge.

“Yes, definitely bigger. It is nice to have room to stretch my legs.” He made his way to his console and tried to take a seat, he immediately hit his knees on the console.”The ship may be bigger but they never take into consideration one’s height when they design these.” He stood up and made his way to the captain’s ready room. 

“Lt. Sesias to engineering, can I get someone to meet me on the bridge at the operations console in an hour”

Starbase Bravo – 0800

The Sitacus docked at Starbase Bravo four days ago.  It was procedure to return to the base, as Ravens weren’t meant to be on long-term missions, but the time between assignments had never been so long.  New ships and personnel were also arriving, so Sorek surmised things were simply very busy.  There were rumors he and some of the crew were being reassigned, but talk like that always occurred.  An interesting thing happened when he was ordered to report to the captain of the USS Mercy, a new Olympic-class medical ship.  Perhaps the rumors were true.

USS Mercy – Ready Room – 0840

Leopold sat in his ready room, surrounded by PADDs at his desk.  The immediate need to review applications, suggestions, and other duties had come together in a perfect storm for the captain.  He’d managed to program the computer to give him his favorite drink – an iced black tea with lemonade.  It was this drink that he sipped on at the moment, and his attention returned to the bulk of his work.  The entire command crew from the previous command had either retired or transferred.  It had left a considerable hole for him to fill, and he’d sifted through applications late into the night and was slowly getting acceptance or rejection notifications as the morning was well underway.  One that had caught his curiosity was Commander Sorek, a Vulcan.  For whatever reason, his file hadn’t been transferred, and he was having a devil of a time getting access to the officer’s jacket.  It had taken him long enough and frustrated him enough that he had simply sent the man a message asking him to report to his ready room at 0900 hours.  The man was going to be his executive officer – his second in command.  He would need to know a little about him before he offered him the second chair on his bridge.

The rest of the files were in similar shape, and he had to wonder if this was something the universe had decided he needed – a swift malfunction of everything under the sun and moon to punish him for something he had done somewhere along the lines.  He took another drink of his precious concoction and went back to finding his way through the mess until his door chime rang.  He attempted to clear what he could, failed, and simply plopped a PADD down on his desk, “Come on in.”

When Sorek arrived on the Mercy and reported to the CO’s ready room, he stepped inside and stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

“Captain Halsey, I am Commander Sorek.  You asked to see me.”

Halsey took in his first officer.  Sorek was tall – over six feet by his estimation and his build was significant enough.  Leopold quietly was thankful to have an XO with a presence.  The Vulcan piece in his command team puzzle had been a welcome surprise.  Logical to a fault and devoted to it entirely – it was no wonder many science and medical officers ended up Vulcan.  The medical side sometimes tended to be a bedside nightmare, but Halsey had managed his share of them in the past – sometimes, it just took a little discussion.

“Welcome aboard, Commander.  Any drink preferences?” He gestured to the replicator.

“No, thank you, sir.”

That settled, the captain gestured to the seats in front of him.  He sipped at his black tea lemonade, “You come highly recommended, Commander.”  He leaned forward, “What do I need to know about you to make sure our dynamic works the best it can?”  He took a quick sip, “CO and XO is a unique relationship no matter the ship or the station.”

“Captain, I received orders to report to you, but I was not told you had chosen me to be your XO.  I thought it was only an interview.”

Halsey spit out his drink and stared at the Vulcan across the desk.  “You…”,  He paused, set his drink on a clean part of his desk, and proceeded to wipe up what he could as he mused, “The universe is in some kind of retrograde today, I tell you what.”

Sorek watched the droplets sail past him  “Retrograde?”

“It’s one of those human expressions that makes not much sense when you start to examine it logically.  Well, I suppose we’d better start from there.”  He eyed his drink but resisted the urge.  There was no telling what other surprises lay in store when it came to the commander.  He related to Sorek what had happened to the previous command crew and said, “I needed an Executive Officer.  I requested Starfleet Personnel rather urgently a solution, and your name was forwarded to me along with two others.  The first two didn’t even wait to hear from me – they sent me messages saying ‘No thank you,’ and you were the last name on the list.”  He took a careful sip from his drink and returned his attention to the Vulcan, “You at least came on board the Mercy as requested.” He explained the access to files had been problematic at best today, “So…you didn’t turn me down.  Given you’re my current and only choice for XO – why didn’t you want to stay where you were, Commander?”

So he was the last and only choice for the XO position, though Sorek kept that observation to himself.

“It isn’t a question of wanting or not wanting to stay where I was,” said Sorek.  “I am dedicated to serve, though I must admit that a posting on a medical ship would be more interesting than a Raven.  On the Sitacus, we were little more than supply runners and sector patrol.  The Mercy is certain to go where I have never gone before.”

Captain Halsey gave an understanding nod, “I’ve done my share of duties on Raven class ships, Commander.  They serve a purpose.  It depends largely on your fleet operations and who’s got a hand on the map.”  He leaned forward on his desk, “The Mercy isn’t built to fight the battles on the front lines.  We do the work of the Federation with our hands, feet, and brains.  We’ll see the front lines, mind you…but it’ll be to bring hope and mercy to those in need of our doctors and our scientists.”  He took the final sip of his drink, “As for going where you’ve never gone before…the USS Mercy is a first for many of us, Commander.  You’ve got the right outlook; I’ll give you that.  I’m going to need someone to remind me of that every so often.”  He stood and extended his hand, “Welcome aboard the USS Mercy, Commander Sorek.  I’ve gone ahead and assigned you your quarters.  Your XO duties, responsibilities, and authority start immediately.

“Thank you, sir,” said Sorek.  “For my first duty as XO, I must ask you something.  Will you be leaving the ship on away missions or remaining on board, as is customary to Starfleet policy?’

If Halsey had been drinking, he might have spit it out at the Vulcan’s abrupt change in the topic of conversation.  As it was, it took him a moment to realize the question.  He chuckled quietly, “My wife is half Vulcan, Commander.  She leans on her human side a little more than most, so you’ll forgive me if you caught me off guard.  I have forgotten the logical tact that is a characteristic of most Vulcans.”  He remained standing and thought for a moment and came up with, “I would like to think I’d remain customary to Starfleet policy as much as possible.”  He continued, “For the times when I’m likely to bend customary policy, I’ll trust we’ll discuss it at some length.”

“I am certain we will,” said Sorek.  “Thank you for bringing me on board.  I look forward to what is to come.”

Halsey nodded, “As do I, Commander.  Welcome aboard.”  Sorek turned and headed out the door to the bridge, and the captain sat roughly in his chair, glaring at his desk and the mess it had spawned.  The day was moving, and he with it.

USS Mercy – Shuttle Bay  – 0915

It was a quick trip from Starbase Bravo to USS Mercy. The shuttle carrying various medical supplies slipped under the hull of the Olympic-class starship and made a wide sweeping loop and gave it an approach from aft where the shuttle bay door was already open and waiting for them.

The shuttle slowed and as the nose started to breach the force field tractor beams took over and guided the little auxiliary craft into a landing.  The shuttle sat silent for a moment before the locks to the aft hatch clunked and the ramp lowered to the deck to reveal Aimee standing there.  

Walking down the ramp a group of operations crew pushed by her and started to unload the shuttle while a security officer approached wearing gold and chief Petty officer insignia. “Name and orders ma’am?”

“Lieutenant Aimee San… MacDonald.” She had been about to give him her maiden name.  Still feels weird to say ‘Mrs. MacDonald’, she thought to herself inwardly laughing at her gaff.  “Uh… Chief Medical Officer,” she added aloud for the benefit of the Chief Petty Officer. 

He consulted his PADD and confirmed her identity with a quick tricorder scan.  “Welcome to the Mercy Doctor.”

“Thanks, Chief,” Aimee replied with a smile. She adjusted the strap on her bag and headed for the exit.

“Uh ma’am,” the NCO shouted back at her.  “Says here that the Captain wishes to see you.”

She stopped and looked back, “Did he now? Well, that’s good. I want to see him as well. Good day Chief.”

“Good day Doctor.”

USS Mercy – Ready Room  – 0930

Halsey had finished his meeting with his first officer a few moments ago when the door chime sounded once more.  He glanced at his PADD.  He’d asked the Chief Medical Officer to check in with him when she’d boarded.  He’d read her file with fascination – it had been one of the few files that had transferred correctly.  He was both amused and annoyed at technology.  He had wondered how the first day would go with meetings and he decided he was just getting started.  “Come on in.”

Aimee entered the ready room.  She stood before Halsey in loose attention still haven’t gotten used to being back in “normal” fleet service.   Though,  she suspected doctor to doctor that her new CO probably wasn’t as hung up on protocol as others out there. “Reporting as ordered sir.”

Leopold gestured to the chair, “Anything to drink?”

“No thank you.  I am good,” she replied sitting in the chair across from the captain. 

They both looked at each other carefully, and the captain broke the ice, “I was glad to see your name on my shortlist, Doctor.  Your file is an interesting collection of skills.”

“Interesting sir?” That statement could only mean one thing: her service aboard the Pike as the team’s combat medic and sometimes sniper.  A role she had been more or less forced into considering they were perpetually short-handed.

Halsey allowed a small smile, “Every officer has a story, but some stories have more color to them.  You mostly served on medical frigates like this one until you found your way to the Zebulan Pike.  I heard a few stories of that crew here and there.  Words like ‘badass’ and ‘no nonsense’ were tossed around.”  He took a sip from his drink, “And now you’re back to a medical frigate.  Why the Pike?  And why back to,” he gestured around the room, ‘…this?”

She gave Halsey a moment of consideration.  To be honest she wasn’t exactly sure how to answer him.  Most of what she had done was classified, the fact that he knew anything was either a concern or he had clearance that she wouldn’t have expected him to have. 

Shrugging, “Orders.  I joined the Pike because my brother needed help, and now I’m here because Starfleet Medical said you needed help.  My specialty is in Obstetrics and Family Medicine.   I wanted to bring life into this universe and see it grown, not snuff it out.  This… a medical frigate is more my style.”

The captain understood, “I always wanted to come back to an Olympic.  There’s something sacred about what happens on these ships.   The style of this ship is much in line with your own style.”  He tapped at his PADD, “I’m confident you’re going to find what you need here, Dr. MacDonald.  Welcome aboard the USS Mercy.”  He stood and extended his hand, “I’m looking forward to serving with you.”

“Thank you sir. One last thing.  I have a favor to ask. My husband and I were recently married and would like to not be separated.  We were hoping you had a place for another security officer?”

Leopold cocked his head to the side in thought, “That’s something I’m willing to consider, Doctor.  My wife and I have been together on each of our assignments…I’ll look into it.  I’ll have an answer by this afternoon.”  She gave a nod as she left for the bridge.  The captain sunk into his chair. The ship and crew were coming together step by step.

Starbase Bravo – Observation Deck – 15:30

James O’Shea stood on one of the many observation decks of the Starbase 4 looking out at the USS Mercy, an Olympic-class starship, that floated against the unending void of space. He shifted his shoulders and grunted in discomfort as he stood there feeling the heavy weight of the uniform on his shoulders. He knew it was all in his head just like the phantom tingling in his leg was all in his head. 

At the thought of his leg images flashed through his head; the firefight aboard the cargo hauler, shouts and screams, bodies of the crew and the pirates who attacked it, and searing pain in his leg. ‘At least I have a leg. Could have been worse,’ he thought. ‘That rehab facility was pretty fancy…’

Hoisting his large duffle onto his shoulder he sighed, “Time to go meet the outgoing security Chief.” he muttered as he turned and began to walk away but just as he was about to step onto the turbo lift he turned and gave the USS Mercy one last look.

‘Chief of Security on a Medical Frigate. This will either be a walk in the park or a disaster,’ he thought to himself before turning back and stepping onto the lift. “Guess it gives me time to settle in tonight before the briefing tomorrow.”

“Computer, Transporter Room,” he said aloud and the lift began to move through the station towards the nearest transporter room.

USS Mercy – Transporter Room – 16:10

O’Shea materialized on the pad and rapidly blinked to clear his eyes. He had found that doing so when the transport began gave cleared the bright light a fraction of a second sooner. Nothing to worry about here but one never knew what to expect on the other side of a beam-in.

In front of him, he saw a young ensign step forward, “Welcome aboard the USS Mercy, Lieutenant O’Shea. I’m Ensign Jake Blakely”

“Thank you, Ensign Blakely. It is a pleasure to be here and a good place to get my space legs, well leg, back ” he said with a laugh and subconsciously patted his right leg. Which caused the ensign to smile but he clearly didn’t get it.

“My orders are to report tomorrow but wanted to meet with Lieutenant Commander Caswell for a handoff as she is leaving tonight,” O’Shea said as he pulled out his PADD and double-checked his orders and associated information. “Get a feel for the old bird you know.” He nodded to the ensign and turned to leave. “I’ll see you around Ensign,” and walked out of the transporter room.

 USS Mercy – O’Shea’s Quarters – 16:30

O’Shea walked up to the quarters on deck 4 and checked the door panel and smiled when he saw it was locked.

=^=Quarters Sealed; Authorization required=^=

“Good, security systems seem to be in place….” He pulled out his PADD and flicked over his credentials to the door panel which turned green and flashed:

=^=Authorization accepted. Welcome Lieutenant O’Shea=^=

The door slide open and he stepped into his quarters and laughed. “I guess being Chief of Security has its perks,” he said as he looked around at the empty room save a desk, sofa and small table and a doorway leading to the bedroom. Stepping up to the sofa he dropped his duffle onto it and turned to leave. “Will sort this out later. Best go check in at the security office and Caswell to figure out who and what I have to work with.”

USS Mercy – Security Office – 16:40

After taking the turbolift almost to the bottom of the ship O’Shea walked into the security office on deck 28 and looked around. The room contained a semi-circular desk in the middle of the room and two other small workstations. Off to the right side was a small office and to the left was the security door to the brig. 

As he entered a woman stepped out of the office. “You must be my replacement, Lieutenant O’Shea, correct? I saw your picture on your file.”

O’Shea nodded and held out his hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant Commander Caswell. I hope that I can fill your shoes and look after this ship like you have. I always wanted to thank you for responding to my request for an earlier meeting so I could get acquainted with the ship and any issues that I need to be aware of.”

Caswell smiled in response. “If you are anything like the individual your record illustrates then I do not think I need to worry besides it saved me from doing a full report as I need to ship out tonight myself. Please sit, there isn’t much to go over really; do you want a drink?” she said as she handed him a security PADD.

“No thanks. Had something right before I beamed over,” he said as he sat down. “So where do we begin?” he asked,  unlocking the tablet and pulling up the file display as the Lieutenant Commander sat down.

“At the top, I would think; hospital security and patient management. With the numbers of people this ship can get the procedures are slightly different.” Caswell said. “Best to review then and let you know what I have learned….”

8.9.2400 – Starbase Bravo – Quarters – 1330

Neva was in her quarters, munching on a peanut butter and banana sandwich and reading a book on her PADD. She had tucked herself into her bed, leaning against the wall. She wore her most comfortable clothes-fleece, pajama pants, and a t-shirt her dad had given her that said “Forget Lab Safety…I want Superpowers.” She had a fluffy blue knitted blanket over her legs that she’d made herself. Yeah, even engineers had a hobby.

So deep was she into the plot of the story she gave a small “Holy hell! What the-?” when the PADD chirped and displayed a message over her page. Chuckling silently at her reaction, she tapped the message. Her eyes widened as far as they could go as she read. oh…my…GAWD! “Your application to transfer to the USS Mercy has been accepted pending an interview with Captain Leopold Halsey.” That simple sentence pulled an almost ear-deafening squeal out of her, causing her to throw off the covers and spill her sandwich onto her bed to dance around the room.

She’d forgotten she’d put in for the transfer. She’d been so busy getting back to her duties after the recent crisis, that the request was all but a dying ember in her mind. She rationalized she’d never get it, but it never hurt to try. Many of the crewmen she normally worked with said as much, so she had. What did she tell them now, she mused silently. Neva squealed again despite her best efforts to calm down. An “ohmigod” tumbled out of her lips, her eyes full of worry and shock. “WHEN do I have the interview?” she asked the room. She scanned the message once more. 1100 hours…TOMORROW???

Her fingers danced over the tablet, checking her schedule. She was off-duty, thankfully. The breath she held hissed out of her like a balloon. She clasped the instrument against her breast, eyes going to the ceiling. “Oh, THANK you!” Her gaze lowered to scan the room without seeing anything. What to do now? She made herself take a deep, calming breath. Think, think think…

Snapping her fingers, she returned to the bed and laid the PADD on the shelf behind the head of it. She scooped up the remnants of the discarded sandwich and all but hopped over to the replicator to dispose of it. Spinning around, she danced from one foot to the other once more with nervous energy. She lifted her head to the ceiling and said, “Computer, what time is it now?” The usual chirp was followed by “The current time is 1400 hours.” Neva’s shoulders sagged in relief. Plenty of time to get some sleep and be ready for the interview. “Now to let Emma know!” She grabbed the communicator from its place by her PADD and set it in its usual place on her chest. “Neva Cordon to Emma Walters. Oh my god, girl, you’re NOT going to believe this!”

8.10.2400 – Starbase Bravo – Quarters – 0830

Neva sat straight up when the chronometer chimed and buzzed on her wrist. It was TIME! She all but jumped out of bed, something she really NEVER did on any given day. She swooped into the shower, singing off key. Dressed in a new and clean uniform, Neva grabbed her usual coffee-honey and cream to taste. She sipped it, both hands clasped around the cup. She paced the room, making lazy laps as she thought through her reasons for wanting this transfer. 

No “just wanted a change” was going to cut it on this one. WHY was she wanting to hone her skills on a MEDICAL ship? Engineers were needed there as well as any other ship, right? What could SHE contribute? She was quick and efficient with any task set to her. Her tendency to “think outside the box” had served her well, especially with the recent crisis. She felt a surge of pride at how she handled working with senior officers. The way the doctors and other medical staff treated her with respect despite her rank was a surprise. Though truth be told, THIS was what Starfleet had taught her. Improvise. Adapt. Overcome. Neva smiled. Daddy had shared an old movie that she thought she’d heard that same mantra in it. Whatever. She HAD to nail this interview!

USS Mercy – Transporter Room – 1045

Neva stepped off the transporter and looked at the crewman behind the console. “I’m Lieutenant JG Neva Cordon. I’m supposed to meet Captain Halsey for an interview for a potential transfer to the Mercy. Can you help me get to his office please?” 

He held out his hand, gesturing to her PADD. She handed it over, biting her lower lip. He handed it back to her almost as fast as he took it. “Just follow the map. Doc will be in his office waiting for you.” 

Neva cocked an eyebrow. “Doc?” 

The ensign smiled. “Yeah. Nickname. Guess it’s cuz he is one.” He shrugged. “Just follow that map, and you’ll be fine. Good luck.” 

Neva nodded and waved. “Thanks. I’ll need it!”

Ready Room – 1055 Hours

Neva stood in front of the doors to the Captain’s Ready Room. She lifted her hand to hit the chime but stopped just before it. She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Ok…here we go! No turning back now!” She finished her motion and waited, hands clasped around the PADD.

Halsey looked up from his desk.  The mess that had taunted him earlier was becoming less chaotic and more orderly as the day continued.  The chime at his door let him know that his latest command crew had arrived.  “Come on in.”

The Lieutenant, JG, walked in, and the captain welcomed her, “Welcome to the USS Mercy, Mr. Cordon.”

“Thank you, Captain.” It felt weird to hear “Mr.” before her name, but ancient protocols seemed somehow…right…

Halsey gestured to the replicator, “Old habits die hard.  The tradition of calling an officer mister.  Drink?”

A smile, both nervous and relieved, greets his offer. She nodded. “Coffee, honey, and heavy cream.” The nervous smile wavered. “My Daddy had a neighbor that HAD to play his music SO loud in the wee hours of the morning the day before I shipped out to Starfleet Academy.” She took the cup when he gave it to her and continued. “I started drinking coffee out of self-defense.”

The CO sat as the engineering officer did the same.  “Coffee as self-defense – that’s not the worst metaphor I’ve heard regarding the stuff.”  A small smile crossed his lips as he tapped his PADD, “You’re application was in the system for a bit – you had applied for a general transfer no matter the ship.”  He took a sip of his iced tea lemonade, “Why?”

Neva set her PADD and mug on the Captain’s desk. She sat forward and put her folded hand on his desk as well, liberties she hoped he wouldn’t object to. “Sir, I joined Starfleet not to only continue a line started long before me, to hone my ‘amazing skills’ as my Daddy would say,” she made air quotes. “but also to make a DIFFERENCE, Captain.” She sat back but stayed on the edge of her chair. “After the Romulan Crisis, I saw how I could make that difference.” 

Halsey continued to listen, taking notes as she spoke.  She was passionate, and he made a mark in his notes.  You could look at an officer on paper, but until you sat them down and looked them in the eye, you never really knew if they’d fit in the gallery of the crew.  He was feeling hopeful about this one.  Her demeanor turned less convicted, once more nervous. “I don’t.…” she sighed to steady herself and went on. “I could transfer to an Exploration Ship, a Fighting one, or whatever. NO ONE sees that a Hospital Ship would need my skills. I do!”  Neva banged her fist on the arms of her chair. “This ship…YOUR ship, I mean, needs a touch of Engineering I BELIEVE I can give! Of ANY ship, Captain, yours is going to need MORE than just keeping the ship running. You’ll need modifications, tweaks…” she swept an arc with one a over her. “JERRY-RIGS! I can do that! When I helped make emergency modifications for the Crisis, I felt NEEDED…” she slumped back, “I felt…Smart…” 

There was something inside the officer that was becoming clear to Halsey.  She was young, there was no doubt.  Yet this engineer was full of energy and ideas.  He’d seen plenty of applications from others that barely moved the needle on his sixth sense – this one was pushing the red line in a strong and capable way.  He continued to take notes and listen.  

Neva looked down at her lap, twiddling her thumbs for a long moment. “Captain, I know I’m young,” Black eyes looked into his. “But I…I know deep in my heart that this ship NEEDS me. Yes, my request for transfer was general, but I had a small hope I’d get on a Medical Ship. Please, sir, let me be part of your crew. In ANY capacity!” She sat ramrod straight again. “If you want to buck me down to Ensign to be part of your crew, I’ll take it. But give me a chance, Sir. I’ll prove I’m worth the choice.” Sighing long through her nose, she relaxed back to an at-attention posture, looking down again. She grabbed her cup, now cold, and held it in both hands. She didn’t drink but held it before her with a tight grip. She waited, unsure of what to do or say next.

Captain Halsey met her eyes, “Well, first thing’s first… nobody is getting demoted today so shake that idea off.”  He leaned forward on the desk, keeping eye contact with the officer, “I’ve known my share of engineering officers in my career, Mr. Cordon.  Most of them were cut from the same cloth – they cared deeply for their ship and crew.  Passion is one of the more important elements in an engineering officer.  Your cup of passion overflows…and I’d be a foolish captain to ignore that.”  He tapped at his PADD, “You make finding the right piece to our puzzle easy today.  I don’t have a Chief Engineering Officer at the moment.  I’d like to propose something to you, lieutenant.”

Neva cocked her head into what her crew-mates and she called “Dog Look #5.” She stood up, setting the coffee mug down and grabbing up her PADD. The thing was going to be her constant companion; she just knew it. “Sir?” 

He stood, “Follow me.”  He walked out of the door with Cordon behind him.

Engineering – 1055 Hours

Halsey entered engineering with Cordon.  It was smaller due to the more automated features of the Olympic class but it still felt alive.

Neva scanned the area with childish wonder. Engineering…it was BEAUTIFUL! Without registering it, she closed her eyes. She could feel the heartbeat of the Warp Core thrum like her own heartbeat, pulsing with power to the ship’s systems. The scent of electrical charge was an aphrodisiac to her. She felt a contented smile cross her face.

After a minute or two, she popped her eyes open in shock. “Omigosh! Captain, I’m so sorry! I couldn’t help it, Sir. She…she…” she swallowed a lump that had formed in her throat and her fingers to her lips in embarrassment. “Please excuse me.” She looked up at him with her nervous smile. “She’s beautiful, sir.”

The captain chuckled, “Every engineer takes to their ships differently, lieutenant.  Meeting her for the first time you’re bound to have some feelings.” Leopold gestured to the room, “I’d like to assign you as Assistant Chief Engineering Officer.  You’ll have a field promotion to Interim Chief of Engineering for this mission…with the goal of getting you promoted to full lieutenant and Chief Engineering Officer of the USS Mercy.”

Neva’s eyes became saucers. “You gotta be kidding me!” the words tumbled out in a rush. “Sir, excuse me, but…Assistant Chief? Me?” She stumbled a step or two back before catching herself. “Field promotion also? Sir…I’m just…wow.” She drew out the last word like a kid. Shaking her head, she let out a long puff of air. “Sorry, Sir. I…I..I won’t let you down, Sir. She’ll be in good hands with me taking care of Her, Sir.” She dropped her head, shaking it in silent reproach. ‘CAN I do this?’ she mused silently. ‘I HAVE to! She’s MINE now!”

Leopold put his hand on her shoulder, “Mr. Cordon, The engine room is yours.” He turned to the door, “As we go, I’ll schedule a meeting once a week or so with myself or the XO, Commander Sorek, to check on your progress.  Welcome aboard the Mercy, Lieutenant Cordon.”  He stepped through the double doors, leaving Cordon to her thoughts

USS Mercy – Ready Room – 1000

Halsey had managed to tame some of his desk and the scattered PADDs that had haunted him earlier in the day.  Now he was working through his roster and meeting schedule to ensure he at least put eyes on his command staff that he was cobbling together as he went.  The next name on the list was his Chief Operations and Tactical Officer.  Given the Olympic Class and its limited tactical options, it seemed a good decision putting the two departments together.  He’d misread the file and now was reading the race as Edosian.  He’d read of them briefly in his academy studies years ago Edosians had three arms, three legs, and three fingers on each hand.  It made for qualified officers in the fleet with unique abilities that set them apart from others.  He heard a chime and readied himself, “Come on in.”

Lt. Sesias entered the captain’s ready room, took a second as he glanced around the room, nodded to himself, and approached the officer sitting behind the desk. He noticed the scattered PADDS, raised an eyebrow, and placed his two outer arms behind his back.

“Lt. Sesias reporting for duty, sir. “

Halsey stood and greeted the Edosian officer, “Welcome aboard the USS Mercy, Lieutenant.”

“Thank you captain, according to my orders I’ve been assigned the Chief of Operations and Tactical. An interesting mix of departments but one that on a ship like the Mercy makes sense. I believe that my team and myself will not let the ship or you down.”

The captain took his seat, “I’ve been having problems with accessing my crew’s files this morning, so you’ll have to forgive me if I ask something I should know.”  He gestured to the replicator, “Drink?”

Sesias walked over to the replicator. “Computer, one extra large Boba chai tea with cream and honey.” An extra large lidded drinking cup appears with an appropriately sized straw. He returned to his position in front of the captain, took a sip of the tea, and nodded. “I’m still working on the sweetness part, though I believe honey is to my liking at the moment.” having seen the pile of PADDs on the captain’s desk and having heard the part about the captain having had trouble getting files, offered his PADD to the captain. “Sir, I have my updated personnel file on my PADD if it would help answer any questions you may have.”

Halsey gave a nod of thanks, “That is appreciated, Mr. Sesias.â  He glanced quickly over the file, “This helps.”  He returned the PADD, “What brought you to the Mercy?  You had your choice of any ship in the fleet, and I’ve seen that roster.  Lots of shiny ships with lots of room.”

Sesias takes the PADD from the captain. “May I?” as he points to the chair in front of the captain. Halsey nodded and waited for the officer to speak. “Sir, how much do you know of my people?” Halsey explained he had read the file on Edosian people – he was hoping Sesias would shed some light. 

“We are a religious people, with many gods, Much like some civilizations on earth in ancient times. You’re correct sir, I had a number of ships that had offered me a slot. But upon some research and a night spent in reflection and prayer, I was able to bring my possible choices down to three. The USS Inverness an Excelsior II class, the USS Lapetus a Luna class and of course the USS Mercy. Any of the three would make good posts and most definitely help me grow as an Edosian and a star fleet officer. I’m not sure how else to say this but sir, do you believe in divine guidance? In my case, my god’s guiding or giving me signs that lead me to this ship at this time.” 

Sesias held up two of his hands, “You don’t have to worry, sir; I’m not some religious fanatic that is always looking for signs. For some reason I felt that this choice between these three ships was leading me on three different paths that my life could take. The next day after my shift was over and spending some time with a group of students that I was helping with I returned to my quarters and went to where I had placed the three pads, closed my eyes and reflected. As I cleared my mind, I started hearing voices of children that I have helped and family back on Edos saying words like grace, charity, humanity, kindness, sympathy, compassion, and I knew. I reached out and flipped over this PADD, sir, the PADD I now carry as my personal one.”

The CO leaned forward onto his desk, “There are many aliens out there in the universe that we’ve made contact with who have a belief system far from our own…or sometimes it’s just a hop skip and a jump from us.  Some of them we’ve become friends with…others we’ve kept our distance.  If I believed your religion or faith was going to get in the way of your service on this ship…I wouldn’t have let you onboard.”  He took a sip of his drink, “One of my academy professors told me the biggest decision a captain makes is what kind of a command crew he puts on his ship.  Those senior officers are the ones facing the rest of the ship with their words…their actions, and who they are.  The lesson was you never wanted to put someone in charge of a part of your crew that would bring any kind of harm to them – physical, emotional, or mental.”  He returned to lean on the desk, “You continue to follow that rule under my command, Lieutenant Sesias…you’ll find what you’ve been looking for in a command.”

He tapped at his PADD, “I’ve heard enough, Mr. Sesias.  You’ve got the stuff this ship needs.  Welcome aboard the USS Mercy.”  He stood, “Your quarters are ready for you.  I’ll send a message to the senior officers to meet later and officially brief them on our mission.  For now, the time is yours.”

“Thank You sir, I’ll keep that one in mind. Captain, another question if I may.”  The CO gave him a slight nod.

“I’ve been doing some research on the Olympic class and its tactical systems. It looks like we would need to have close tactical support or an assigned escort. Doing my research I realized that putting the power allocated to the phasers into the shields may give us that extra shield strength we would need to give us the time to go to warp. For their size, Olympic-class ships are fast. Use the phasers for close tactical operations.”

Leopold understood what the security chief was asking, “It is a unique ship in the tactical output isn’t enough to put up a fight.  Work up the power allocation scenario and run it by our interim chief engineering officer – see what you two can sort out.  Present your ideas to me or the XO, and we’ll see what we think.”

Sesias got up, extended an arm toward the captain.  Halsey shook the officer’s hand and wished him luck onboard the Mercy.  The Edosian Picked up his PADD and made his way out of the captain’s ready room and back on to the bridge. Halsey returned to his chair.  He had high hopes for the future of the USS Mercy.

I am awakened.  Why have I slept so long?

There is something…no, somethings out there.  I am awake.

I am Death.  I remember now.  I am Death.

You must come.

You must come.

There is much work still to be done.  Blood must boil.  Stars must burn.  The balance in the universe is needed.

I have returned.  I am awakened.  I must have.  I will have.

They will come.  They must come.

They will be.

I will be.

Begin again.

BEGIN AGAIN.

It will.

It has.

IT IS.

Captain Halsey glanced at his watch. 1445.  He had sent out the message to his senior staff to meet in the briefing room on deck 2 at 1500.  Starfleet had them doing a supply run to a nearby colony as a starting point to work the crew through their paces, and for his part, Leopold was content with the duty.

The turbolift doors opened, and Sorek stepped onto the bridge.  After being named the new XO for the Mercy, he had returned to Starbase Bravo and to the Sitacus to gather his belongings and complete final transfer paperwork.  Upon returning to the medical ship, he toured the decks to familiarize himself with the internal layout.

Halsey looked from his center chair, “Commander, welcome.”  He handed the Vulcan a PADD, “Preliminary staff reports from our chiefs.”   He explained what Starfleet had then working on for their shakedown cruise.

“I spent some time checking in on the departments,” said Sorek.  “Everyone is ready and eager to go.”

The captain agreed, “I know that initial excitement will fade as we all work together on the Mercy, but it’s nice to feel it again.”  He tapped at his PADD, “Anything you think we need to focus on with this group after a first glance through our roster?”

“I have no doubt everyone assigned here is capable,” said Sorek.  “Our initial focus should be learning who works best with whom so duty assignments provide the best medical care possible.  Though we’re all professionals, not everyone gets along.  This will require much from the department heads.”

“It’ll be a learning experience for all.”  He looked up as the door opened to reveal the next officer.

Sesias entered the briefing room, again taking a moment as he looked around, familiarising himself to not only the room but its general location on the ship. He approached the seat next to the Commander. “Captain,” after he took his seat, he looked at the Commander “Commander, We haven’t been introduced. Lt. Sesias, Chief of Operations and Tactical.” He extended his middle arm as the other two started to go through a new message on his PADD. “Sorry, sir, I just got the transporter room duty schedule for the next two weeks from Ensign Blakey.”

Halsey gave a nod, “Welcome to the briefing, Lieutenant.  Find a seat anywhere.  How has your onboarding been?”

He put the PADD down and looked at Captain Halsey. “ It has gone well sir; I’ve spent the day since our meeting this morning familiarising myself with the ship. I conducted initial walk-throughs with several of my departments and made arrangements for the rest tomorrow. I need to set an appointment with our Chief Medical Officer to discuss a couple of supply ideas I have, plus I want to discuss what she would need from operations if we had to use the holodecks as medical wards if we ran into an emergency need for them to be used as such.”

“I’ll leave that to you and the CMO, lieutenant.”  He turned, and the door to the briefing room slid open once more, revealing the aforementioned CMO.

Aimee entered and immediately started to feel a little claustrophobic. There’s a lot of officers in here, she thought to herself. She glanced around.  The only remaining seats left her with her back to at least one door.  Uncomfortably she slid into the closest seat.

“Doctor MacDonald, welcome.  Sickbay to your liking?”

Aimee shrugged,  “Considering I have been working with a box of band-aids and a bottle of Tylenol for the last eight months… aye, it will do.  Once I get reports from all my sub-department heads, I’ll let you know if we need anything.”

Halsey chuckled, “I remember those days, and I do not envy you.”

Another slide of the door and the security chief ambled in. Lieutenant James O’Shea walked into the briefing room and nodded toward the Captain. “Afternoon, Sir.”

Halsey gestured to a chair, “Have a seat, Lieutenant.  Your report on our security status was helpful.  If you need anything further, reach out to Commander Sorek as our XO.”

Talking a seat, James let out a short chuckle, “Will do,” he said and turned to face the XO, “I would like to speak quickly after this if you have a moment?”

“Of course,” said Sorek.

The last three into the room were two assistant chief officers – one medical, one engineering and the chief counseling officer.  He pointed out the last three seats were left. “Welcome to all of you.  Mr. Cordon, I’ll need an engineering report before the day ends – Bravo wanted to know if we need anything additional.”

Doctor Lori Weaver rushed into the observation lounge, worried that she was late.  She wasn’t the CMO, but with her field of medicine being in trauma, she hoped to be named chief of the emergency ward.  “Sorry, Captain.  I had last-minute difficulties with my transfer orders.”  She sat in one of the vacant chairs.]

Halsey indicated his understanding, “First days are always a bit chaotic across the board.”

Neva nodded and smiled at the Captain and sat down, fingers dancing on her ever-present PADD. “Thank you, Sir.” She gave a slightly apologetic smile as she set down her instrument. “Actually, Sir, I can tell you right now what you ask. We look to have everything we need on the manifest. It should all be aboard ship within the hour.”

The CO raised his eyebrows, “That is good news.  Nice work, lieutenant.”

Egrel slipped into the room, keeping quiet and not wanting to draw attention to himself. He winced, as he realised he was cutting it far too close. He quietly murmured something about having gotten lost, which is quite fair with him being a new, last-minute transfer. He quietly sank down into a chair, setting his PADD slowly and silently down onto the table

Halsey turned to the table, and stood, moving to the screen.  “We’ve been given an assignment for our first cruise.  We’ve been tasked with…,” suddenly there was a hard-sounding beep from his communications badge.

=^=Bridge to Captain Halsey=^=

Neva jumped when the tones sounded. Although she was trained from birth to not sweat those, she tended to get focused on the conversation or whatever was holding her attention at that time. ‘Another habit to nip in the bud PRONTO!’

The CO frowned, “Halsey here, go ahead.”

=^=Captain, we’re receiving an…odd signal from a system a few days from here.  Starfleet is also receiving and was wishing to speak with you.  I informed them of your senior staff meeting, and they are requesting to brief you all on a new mission objective.=^=

Leopold glanced at his XO, “Very well, put them through here.”

Expect the unexpected, thought Sorek.

Egrel looked around at the other officers, a small frown on his lips. He closed his eyes momentarily to mentally prepare himself.

The face of an admiral flickered onto the screen, and he gazed across the crew until he found Captain Halsey, =^=Captain, we’re getting an unusual distress call belonging to what we think is a former moon base.  It’s well within Federation space, but we’re not able to discern exactly what the signal is or where specifically it’s coming from.  Your newly refit science equipment and crew are well suited for this investigation.  We’d like you to proceed toward the signal and identify what it is and where it’s coming from.=^=

Halsey asked, “I don’t get the sense this is an immediate situation requiring a rapid response if you’re sending us, sir.”

The admiral gave a light nod, “It’s an old distress signal code – one we haven’t used in over 200 years using frequencies just as old or older.  There will be fleet ships in the area if you have need of tactical support, but given what we know about the sector we think it’s coming from…there’s nobody to raise a phaser out there…or hasn’t been for a long time.=^=

The captain gave a nod, “Understood, Admiral, we’ll get underway.”  A nod from and the channel closed.  Leopold turned to the senior officers, “Thoughts?”

O’Shea frowned, “A mysterious and ancient distress signal from an abandoned base. Sounds like squatters may have settled into the base and possibly activated the signal either on purpose or by mistake. We should be careful if we go down there. Who knows what we may find.” He shrugged and smiled, “That said, who doesn’t like a good mystery.”

The CO accepted the concerns, “If history has taught us nothing about exploring the unknown, caution may be the best prevention against disaster.” He turned to the rest of the senior officers.

Egrel took a breath before he spoke, “I take it this is before the time of possibility of an EMH. What about other artificial life forms? That is not impossible. If it is a genuine distress signal, we should be prepared to act and assist, yet defend if need be.”

Halsey made a note, “It is a time before Kirk, so there’s plenty of unknowns to be concerned about.”

Sesias turned over his PADD and started to quickly pull up and go through the information. “Sir, many bases from that time frame had some sort of a genetics lab, and many had cryogenic labs. Could we be looking at someone coming out of cryosleep and sending out the only signals on the frequencies that they knew.”

Halsey listened, taking notes on his PADD as the officer spoke.

“I should be able to get that base’s systems online pretty easily, actually.” She gave her nervous smile. “I used to hang around Engineering on the ship I was born on so much that I picked up a fair amount of stories from the crewmen.” 

She looked around the table, hoping she didn’t sound like a fool for this. Releasing a breath, she plunged on. “They’d talk about systems they’d worked on, had heard about from THEIR childhoods, and so on. I would read all about those ancient systems as often as I could. It became a game to find out just how the systems worked and if I could reproduce it on my PADD and in my room.” She could’ve gone on but felt any more would be bragging.

“Your knowledge will probably serve to help us understand whatever this is – keep that in mind.  We won’t be certain of anything with something possibly as old as whatever this is.”  He turned as his CMO looked as if she was going to say something.  And she did.

Aimee spoke suddenly,  “There’s another possibility.   This is a trap.  Someone or something knows Starfleet will respond to a distress signal and send a ship.  The two-hundred-year-old signal could be nothing more than a ploy to get us to let our guard down.”

Leopold nodded solemnly, “You make a good point, Doctor.  Starfleet is known as the hands and feet of the Federation…and there are groups out there who are not fans of what we do.”  He looked over the crew, “We have our heading, and we’ll depart within the hour.  Move whatever mountains you need to get what you need from the Quartermaster.  Loop the XO or me in if you need some extra metaphorical muscle to get things moving.  We should be arriving within 24 hours at the section of space where the signal is strongest.  Work with your departments to be ready for as much as we can.”  He stopped short of dismissing them and considered his words carefully, “We weren’t expecting an assignment like this.  We have a large contingent of cadet crew onboard who are going to need your help.  They will make mistakes.”  He motioned to the gathered officers, “Your job is to help teach and learn with them.”  There, that was what he wanted to get out.  “Let’s get to work.  Briefing dismissed.”

Great… a cadet compliment, Aimee thought to herself.  Just what I need. A bunch of rookies underfoot while I try to do everything the Captain needs.  She stood with the others, nodded to the Captain and XO, and retreated to her sanctum.

Halsey headed to the helm station on the bridge.  The USS Mercy would be taking her first steps with this crew into the unknown.

USS Mercy – Security Station – Deck 28 – 1150

James O’Shea looked down at the console in the security station on deck 28 and frowned when he saw the time. He had lost track of time re-reading the former Chief of Security, Lieutenant Commander Caswell’s latest reports on the ship and the major incidents that had taken place while she was on board. “Shit. Lost track of time.” He cursed as he stood up and adjusted his uniform’s jacket, checked his phaser holster, and grabbed his PADD. “Time to go met the new Captain ..though I guess we are all new to the Mercy…” he said as he walked out of the small office inside the security station.

As he approached the turbolift, he thought back to what he knew of Captain Halsey. ‘Really wish I had been able to meet Halsey before this, especially with the full briefing in only a few hours.’ When he had received his orders two weeks earlier, he boarded a transport from Earth, where he had been finishing up his year of medical leave, and came to Starbase 4 as soon as he could. He had reviewed the records of Captain Halsey, and he seems, on paper anyways, to be a solid commanding officer. ‘Time will tell, I guess…’ he thought to himself as he stepped on the turbolift and approaches the Captain’s office. As he did, a dull ache in his right leg began, and he rubbed it without thinking as he stopped and pressed the door chime.

USS Mercy – Ready Room – 1200

Halsey’s desk was looking more organized by the moment, and he was pleased with himself.  His last meeting of the day was coming up, and he hoped it would indeed be his last.  The door chime rang. “Come on in.”

O’Shea pressed the open panel on the door after the invitation and walked into Captain Halsey’s office. He stepped up to the desk, and his eyes flicked over the room, taking in every corner before coming to rest on the man behind the desk. O’Shea stopped before the desk, “Sir, Lieutenant James O’Shea reporting for duty. My orders Sir.” He said as he then handed his PADD to the Captain and waited.

Halsey accepted the PADD, “Welcome aboard the USS Mercy, Mr. O’Shea. Drink?” He motioned to the replicator.

O’Shea smiled, “Appreciate that, Sir,” and walked over to the replicator and tapped the activation key, and spoke. “Peppermint Tea, hot.” A moment later, a mug of hot tea appeared before him, and he picked it up and turned back to Halsey.

The captain motioned to the chair and took his seat, “I understand you were able to meet with the previous security chief.”  He took a sip from his own drink, “Hopefully, it was a helpful meeting.”

Pulling the chair out, he sat down and took a small sip of the tea. “Met her before she left; always best to discuss such things in person. Glad I arrived in time,” O’Shea said with a shrug and took another sip of tea. “The Lieutenant Commander was very helpful. Basically, the main thing she wanted to discuss was the differences between my previous postings on Starbase 3 and the Radiant Storm and the Mercy. A hospital ship adds or well changes some of the security concerns that other ships don’t deal with as much. Additionally, she discussed the systems on board, most have now all been updated, which is nice to see, but I will need to keep an eye on them to make sure there are no glitches.” He paused while he took another sip. “All in all, a good meeting. I have summarised the meeting and attached as full of a security report that I could given the time on the PADD,” he said, gesturing to the PADD Halsey had accepted.

The CO accepted the PADD and reviewed it carefully.  Security was one of those roles on an Olympic class that ended up having to be more utilitarian in application but necessary given the many different missions they would find themselves.  He tapped at the PADD, “Report looks good, lieutenant.  I’ve given you access to your two security officers – both lieutenant junior grades.  Iziraa is one, and the other is Dougal MacDonald.  He is married to our Chief Medical Officer.”  He returned the PADD, “I’d recommend meeting with each of them to get to know them a little and then put together a short staff meeting.”

O’Shea nodded along as Halsey spoke. “Iziraa and Dougal, I will check in with them once we are finished here.” He said and made a mental note to check through their records as soon as he was able. Last thing he wanted was to get caught out by something he should have been aware of. O’Shea frowned slightly as he ran a few numbers in his head. “Will we have any crew or NCOs assigned to security? Generally, I don’t think we will need many, but if something does come up, I would like to have a team that has trained and drilled together.” He said as his hand drifted down to his right leg, and he used his knuckles to rub at the tingling feeling he felt. 

Halsey thought about the question for a moment, “I would say a security team of ten would be an acceptable number for the moment.”  He tapped at his PADD, “You, Izirra, Dougal, and your choice of seven with a mix of crew and NCOs.  As the Mercy continues, we can evaluate our needs from time to time.  That work, lieutenant?”

O’Shea nodded in agreement, “Thank you for understanding, sir. That should be plenty. I will work with Izirra and Dougal to identify the individuals.” O’Shea paused for a moment as he clearly thought through something. While he did, he flexed his right hand and continued to rub at his legs absently. “Sir, I also wanted to thank you for accepting my posting here and as Chief of Security especially given my medical leave and injury. I wanted to reassure you that they won’t impact my duties.”

The CO nodded to the leg, “The reports on the incident with your leg are pretty intense, lieutenant.  I may be a doctor on this ship, but I’m not the chief medical officer.  You will need to see her for a physical and final certification to return to full and complete duty.  I know Starfleet Medical has made their notes and recommendations…but I’m a doctor as well as the captain.  I want to make sure Doctor MacDonald has full and complete awareness of everyone’s situations.  Helps her make the decisions and offer support to those who need it.”  He tapped at his PADD, “I’m also going to ask you to schedule a session with our new Chief Counselor, Lieutenant Choi, within a few days.  We all carry baggage and have metaphorical and literal scars from our time in Starfleet.  How we handle them is what matters.”

“Perfectly understandable; I already had planned to speak to them both today or tomorrow given time constraints. Though I was cleared by Starfleet medical, I figured it would be a good idea to touch base, so they are aware of my past if anything does come up…” O’Shea paused for a moment and smiled, “…though I do not think that will be the case but one never knows.”

Reaching for his now cool tea, O’Shea finished it off and smiled. “You won’t be disappointed in my work here, sir. Of that, I am certain.”

Captain Halsey made a note on his PADD and stood, “I have full confidence in you, Lieutenant O’Shea.  Welcome aboard the Mercy.”  They shook hands, and the CO dismissed him, watching him walk out the door and onto the bridge.  Time would tell with his crew and his ship…but he had the highest of hopes.

A late application had crossed his desk for Chief Counselor, and Halsey was curious.  He had sent the lieutenant a message requesting an interview, and he was now waiting in his ready room for the latest addition to the USS Mercy.

Egrel strode briskly towards Captain Halsey’s ready room, where he had been summoned. He smoothed down his uniform once before pressing the door chime to request permission to enter.

The door chime sounded, and Halsey spoke up, “Come on in.”

Egrel strode in. He wore his hair in a tight, neat bun and his uniform was pristine, wishing to make a good impression, “You requested an interview, sir?”

Captain Halsey stood and shook hands with the officer, “I did.  Decisions are often made without putting a face to a name…I’m old school when it comes to matters of command, I suppose.  Drink?”  He gestured to the replicator.

Egrel smiled and shook his hand before stepping back, “Ah, can never go wrong with a coffee, thank you. Nothing wrong with being more old school, sir.” 

Leopold sat down and offered the seat across the table to the lieutenant.  “Welcome to the USS Mercy, Mr. Choi.  Your application came a bit out of the blue early this morning.”  He took a sip of his chilled tea, “What has you interested in joining the crew of an Olympic Class starship?”

Egrel took the replicated mug of coffee and took a seat. He lifted the mug to his lips and took a sip before he clasped it between his hands. He glanced into his mug momentarily as if it held all the answers. He replied, “I feel like my skillset could be more utilized here. I have a handful of years in first responder counseling and medical psychology, sir.”

Halsey reviewed the man’s file, which was halfway complete owing to the CO’s ongoing file access problems, “You worked on Betazed for most of your life.” He glanced up, “I’ve heard it’s a great place to live.  It’s a different world out here in the blackness of space.”  He held his PADD, “I’ve had a helluva time getting access to my crew’s files today, and yours appears to be one of the many.  So I have to ask rudimentary questions.  What ships or stations have you served before the Mercy?

Egrel offered a small smile, “I do not mind, sir. There is something to be said about hearing it spoken over reading a file.” He nodded and clasped his hands in his lap, “It was nice. I have only had one other posting. I’ve served on the Cavalier under Captain Thevius before.” He hesitated momentarily, then added quickly,  “Part of my transfer off was an ethics issue. He was a great Captain, I merely did not get the support I needed there, and there was an ethical problem.”

Halsey raised one eyebrow and leaned back in his chair, grabbing a pull of his drink.  “Ethics is a pretty big word in Starfleet and the Federation, Lieutenant.”  He contemplated his next words, “I have always held myself and those in my command to a high standard – it generally doesn’t work out too well when ethics fall by the wayside.”  He thought for a moment longer, “You used that word intentionally, I suspect.  What was the ethical problem?”

Egrel hesitated, falling quiet for a moment and mulling over his next words before he spoke, “Very intentional, sir. It is not exactly my place to get into the details, I am sure. Another officer was abducted under his command off a base.” He sipped his coffee slowly and frowned, “It upset me how it was handled and the whole affair in general.”

The CO raised the other eyebrow, “That certainly fits within the definition of the word.   I’m sorry that happened to you.”  He thought for a moment longer, “As Chief Counselor, you’ll be asked to comment and discuss ethical actions as we work through our various missions.  I hope you’ll feel supported enough on the Mercy to not hold back in your concerns.”

Egrel nodded slowly, “It was rather unpleasant. I’m sure Command is sorting with it.” He emitted a small sigh and sat up straighter, offering Halsey a faint smile, “Thank you, sir. I appreciate that. I will not hesitate to be open and clear about any concerns I have, sir.”

Halsey stood and shook the man’s hand, “I’ll hold you to that.  You’ll do well here, I think.  Welcome aboard the USS Mercy, Chief Counselor.  Your quarters are ready and waiting for you.”  

Egrel smiled and stood up, shaking Halsey’s hand, “Thank you, sir. It is a pleasure to serve. I will go and get settled now.” He gave a brief bow of his head and turned to depart.

The CO watched as Egrel walked out of the ready room, leaving him to wonder what kind of ethical madman Egrel’s previous commander had been.

Chief Counsellor’s Office – 08:45

Egrel strode into his new office. He quickly replicates himself a cup of coffee and sinks down in the chair to do some PADDwork. He occasionally sips his coffee as he sorts through forms and files. He was so absaorbed in his work, that he nearly jumped out of his skin when the chime sounds. He rubbed his eyes and leaned back, “Enter.” He quickly checked his appointment schedule, furrowing a brow. His own fault for not checking. He had someone booked for him labelled as mandatory.

James O’Shea exhales with a sigh just before he entered the counselors office. He knew that this was all but a formality after months of physical and mental rehabilitation back on Earth following the lose of his right leg. He had been cleared for duty and knew he was ready but he had to admit the thought of getting back out into the black was exciting but there was a sense of uneasy associated with it and a new wieght on his shoulders. 

Entering the office he nodded to the counselor, a Lieutenant Egrel Choi. “Lieutent Choi, I’m Lieutenant James O’Shea, I have an appointment, a check in or touch base really I think.”

Egrel stood up and offered a gentle smile towards James, “Apologies things are in a bit of a disarray…” He gestured towards the replicator, “Did you wish for anything?” He refreshed his own mug of coffee and grabbed his PADD before moving to sit in one of the armchairs in the room. He did not want James to feel like they were being interogated, “Feel free to have a seat.”

“Thanks, I could use a drink right now. You know how it is, new ship, new crew, new mission; seems like the tasks are never ending.” O’Shea said as he stepped up to the replicator and ordered a black coffee before taking a seat. “How are you settling in? Didn’t get a chance to speak to all the senior crew yesterday following the briefing.”

Egrel paused, “Let me get this out of the way first; Yes I am a Betazoid, no I will not read your mind unless you give me explicit permission to do so. Your privacy matters to me.”

O’Shea let out a laugh. “Honestly, hadn’t even thought of that. Worked with Betazoids before and I always take that as the norm but I appreciate your candor.”

Egrel smiled and nodded, “Back to your questions at hand; It’s a bit hectic and crazy, I can’t deny that. Keep getting lost myself. I am sure we will all settle into our new routines relatively soon. How about you? How are you settling in? Any concerns or anxieties?”

O’Shea thought for a moment. “Settling in will take time, current very busy but that’s expected. As for concerns and such, I guess that’s why I’m here. I have been on medical leave after the lose of my right leg…” he said absently rubbing at the limb, “…in a boarding action and had to have it regrown and all the associated rehab and such. I have been cleared for duty, obviously…” as he guestered at his uniform, “…but was told to check in with you, well the counselor, to ensure they were up to speed.”

He frowned for a moment. “Returning to duty has been great but definitely feel an increased weight on my shoulders, possible the new role or lingering thoughts from before…”

Egrel nodded, sipping his coffee as he listened, “That’s what I am here for, to help you with this weight on your shoulders or possible lingering thoughts. What kind of support network do you have? I know a transfer can get messy when it comes to relations with others.”

“Here on the Mercy? In short, none. Back home, on Earth, there is my family and such and they were helpful for the past year.” O’Shea said with an shrug. “That is expected though and not worried about that really. Went through the rough part already…just want to get back into it, get my sea legs back so to say” 

Egrel nodded, offering a small smile, “I can’t say much about not having any support on the Mercy here. Would be hipocritical. Over time as we work as a crew, we will learn to support each other and such. You’re jumping right into the thick of things after a year of medical leave. You mentioned lingering thoughts from before?” Only now does he turn on his PADD to look at James’s file briefly.

O’Shea smiled, “That’s very true. Though I had meant in terms of existing friends. I have no doubt that the medical support systems here will be top notch. As for lingering thoughts. Just the normal ones I guess, wounded in combat, lost some of my team, then come back and have a senior position.” He said with a frown near the end. “been through it all before. Though getting back into the thick of things the last two days has been good.”

Egrel nodded, glancing down briefly before looking back up, nodding, “Admittedly I have no friends in this crew as of yet.” He left out the part where he has been too busy with work to maintain any really. He nods once, “Grief and PTSD are on helluva a drug to the mind. The loss of a team hits you hard…” He left a moment of silence, nodding, “You do have people who understand and are willing to listen. Have you been to counselling during your leave to help?”

“Yeah, weekly sessions for 6 months once I was discharged from the hospital to work through everything. Was cleared and discharged about a month back. It was my counselor who recommended, well told, me I should get in touch and establish the relation with the counselor once here just so I had someone to speak to if needed,” O’Shea said. “At the moment I think it really comes down to nerves with a new post.”

Egrel smiled and nodded, “Oh good. I’d still like you to check in every once in a while as you get settled, see how things are going. At your convenience.”

O’Shea nodded in agreement. “Thanks.” He said standing and offeeing a hand to Egrel. “One thing that losing my leg taught me was the benefit of these sessions. So I will definitely be back when needed. That said, we are almost all new hear, once we get this mystery signal sorted it would be nice to met more of the crew and build those support networks.”

Egrel was relieved that James was open and willing to come for regular counseling. He stood and shook the man’s hand with a smile, “I’m glad to hear that. I look forward to hearing from you more. We all need to work on those support networks.”

O’Shea smiled, “That we do and thanks for the talk and understanding. See you around.” With that he turned and left the office. “Back to work and time to prep for this unknown signal.”

Security Office, Deck 28 – 17:30

O’Shea sat in the small office attached the the security office and scanned through the records of both Dougal MacDonald and Iziraa. “Both solid officers,” he mused to himself before looking at the time. He stood and turned to leave the room walking into the large reception room of the security office. 

Dougal sat behind a desk with a phaser rifle in pieces.   Picking up a part he pointed a tool at it and a white beam of light  bisected the component.  Inspecting the part with a critical eye he appeared to be satisfied and started reassembling the weapon with the ease and efficiency of having done it hundreds of times.  

Standing he placed the rifle back on the armory rack and removed a second rifle which he took back to the desk with him. After sitting he broke that rifle down placing the pieces in the exact position and orientation as the previous weapon. 

O’Shea watched Dougal for a moment before stepping up to him. “How is it going Lieutenant MacDonald? I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance before now to touch base with you beyond a quick introduction. Are you settling in ok?” He said with a smile and sat down in the chair beside him. 

Dougal looked up from his work and spoke cautiously,  “Aye, I’m settled in to be sure.”

“Great!” O’Shea said with a nodded, “I wanted to have a chat with you and Lieutenant Iziraa about how we will over security on the ship. The captain has given us a pick of seven crew and NCOs we can add to the team.”

Dougal returned to his maintenance work picking up a component and using the same tool as before calibrating it with a whine.  Without looking away from his work he spoke, “That makes ten.  Under normal circumstances,  aye that will do.  This is still a wee Starfleet ship ya ken and there will be bloody little for any of us to do.  Under normal circumstances, ” he added.  “But, what if we rescue a ship full of Romulans… or Klingons? I dinnae think it wise to only have ten security officers to hand.  Ye might consider recruiting,” he paused thinking for a moment, “ten more reserve officers.”

Izi finally made it on board the Mercy. Packing her belongings didn’t take long, as she didn’t have many things, but saying good-bye to people took longer than expected. Stepping into the large security room, she smiled when the two men looked at her. “I’m Lieutenant jg Iz’i’raa sh’Solom’aa.”

“On that, I couldn’t agree more Lieutenant, ok both accounts. I think we can find a few officers and crew members who wouldn’t turn down such training.” O’Shea said with a nodded. Hearing the door open be turned to face the Andorian officer who entered and smiled. “Lieutenant sh’Solom’aa, it’s greta to meet you. Your just in time I was hoping to speak to the two of you. Basically we need to figure out how best to handle sercuity. Should be quiet most of the time but when it isn’t it will be, well, something else. Grab a seat. I want the two of you involved in the planning, we are a team after all.”

“Thank you, sir.” Izi sat down, eager to participate.

“Perfect. I was telling Lieutenant MacDonald that we have been granted seven crew members and NCOs to fill out the sercuity team. This should be sufficient for our regular needs but as MacDonald pointed out a group of reserve officers and crew members would be good in a pinch.” O’Shea said with a smile, “I haven’t had a chance to review the crew for possible sercuity assignments yet but though we could do that tonight. My thought is to have three teams. Each of you leading one and the third lead by myself. We could split these into shifts. How does that sound?”

Dougal nodded, “Aye, that’ll do,  but ten isn’t divisible by three lad.”  He said that with a non-malicious smirk.

O’Shea laughed with a big grin, “Ya caught me there. Another two staff would round to out nicely. That said I thought to either have the fourth on my team, or work the main shift and be station here or, if we luck out and have a good NCO have him work directly with each of the teams and be responsible for the crew members. Or…” he said with an shrug, “…we have two teams which both lead. Basically I want to ensure that you both are getting the experience you need overseeing and leading such teams.”

“Sir, as you know from my file, I served three years on SB Bravo and this is my first time on starship duty,” said Izi. “At this point, I’m in learning mode, so I’ll accept the responsibilities assigned to me and I’ll do my best.” Izi hoped she didn’t sound cheesy, as the Humans say. She was confident, but this was still a completely new experience for her, so she was uncertain what she could contribute to the discussion that wasn’t already known.

Dougal laughed,  “Experience isn’t my issue. No, three teams works for the shift rotations laddie. Ye have at least three officers on duty at all times.  A fourth may work better during Alpha shift where ye are more likely ta need the extra muscle.” Taking Izi for the first he nodded to her, “You’ll do lass, you’ll do.”

“You’ll do fine, both of you based on your records. Of that I have no doubt. So it’s agreed, three shifts with a larger alpha shift that I will oversee. Now we just need to ID the rest of the team.” O’Shy said with a smile before stopping and frowning. 

“I realize we jumped right I to things without actually getting to know each other. As you are the most experienced sercuity officers on the team I will be relying on you both but I feel it is important that we know each other as well, it helps to build trust. So please calle James or O’Shea, doesn’t really bother me which.” He said. “I am also just back from medical leave after losing my leg in a boarding action against a group of Cardassians pirates. I wanted to reassure you both that I have been fully cleared and back to top shape.”

Dougal took in O’Shea with a new appreciation obviously impressed,  “Did ye go with a cybernetic implant or the lab grown model?”

A sense of relief washed over O’Shea, most people showed pity when he told them about his leg or, worse, concern that he wouldn’t be able to do the job. “I debated getting the decked out Swiss Army model with all the bells and whistles, bottle opener and such but figured it would set up alarms to much so went for a good old lab regrown. Honestly can’t tell the difference.” He said with a laugh.

Swiss army model? thought Izi, her antennae moving in slow circles. Bells, whistles and a bottle opener? He must be making a joke.

Dougal laughed,  “Aye well, if it were me I would have gone with a wooden peg. I’d be right piratical then.”

At that O’Shea laughed. “That would it would..” he said and then clocked Iziraa’s antennas moving in slow circles. “Sorry about that Iz’i’raa. It’s an old earth joke, basically referencing an old multi-tool from 450ish years back that had an attachment for everything.” 

“Understanding Earth humor can be challenging sometimes,” said Izi. “My people have humor, but we’re usually more blunt and to the point.”

“I am glad to hear it won’t be an issue. Also I hope that it is ok if I use you first names, at least when we are in private and such?” O’Shea said  with a smile. “I know everyone has had a long day so far settling in. Shall we wrap this up? If you all free let’s each review the crew manifest and ID our top 10. We can then Cross reference and notify then tomorrow mid-day?”

“First names are fine, but I may need a bit of time to become accustomed to not being formal,” said Izi.

“Understandable and thanks, I for it helps to build the sense on the team.” O’Shes said with a smile.

“Aye,” Dougal agreed. “Sounds like we have a plan then.”

O’Shea nodded, “Perfect. Your dismissed. I look forward to working with both of you.”

O’Shea checked the time after leaving his meeting with the counselor Lieutenant Choi and frowned. He didn’t have much time to get to Medical for his check in with the CMO, Lieutenant MacDonald.

Making haibway to Deck 15 and the CMO’s office he thought about how best his team would be able to oversee and secure so many decks if an incidence happend and he kept coming up short, though Lieutenant JG MacDonald, the partner of the CMO, idea of a reserve security force was appearing to be the best option.

A few minutes later he walked into Sickbay A and approaches the door to the CMO’s office and pressed the panel to notify her that he was outside.

Aimee was sitting on the edge of her desk,  a cup coffee in her hand.  Across from her was a holographic projection of her twin sister,  a feat accomplished by tying into the EMH holoprojectors.

“Enter,” Aimee said over her shoulder at thr unknown visiter.

O’Shea walked into the room but stopped when he say the holographic display up and waited just inside the door, not wanting to interupt the conversation.

“I can’t believe you got married and didn’t wait for me to be there,” Olivia Sandoval said.

Aimee shrugged,  “Peter Crawford performed the ceremony.  You remember Pete right?”

“Of course I Do.  You were serving with his daughter weren’t you?”

Aimee nodded, “I did.  Heck of an engineering mind.  Definitely took more after her father than her mom for sure.”

Livvy eyed O’Shea looking him up and down, “You don’t look sick or injured.  Are you this supposed husband?”

O’Shea cracked a smile stifling a chuckle, recognize the banter between sisters, he had heard it enough growing up. “No Ma’am, though he is a good man from what I know if him.”

“Okay, that’s enough of you,” Aimee said exasperated as she reached for the button to end the call. “And no that isn’t Dougal. I don’t know who it is.  I’ll call you later this week.”  

Aimee pressed the end call button and her sister shimmered out of existence.   Walking around her desk she sat down, “Sorry about that Lieutenant.   My twin sister… I love her, bit honestly I’m glad she’s the assistant chief engineer of the Columbia and not here. Have a seat Lieutenant.”

O’Shea smiled and stepped forward taking a seat, “Not a problem, though I don’t have a twin I do have two sisters and very familiar with what that entails. I’m James O’Shea, the new Chief of Security, I work with your husband.” He said and held out is hand. “It’s a pleasure to met you Lieutenant MacDonald.”

Aimee nodded, “Likewise. So, what can I do for you?”

“So basically, the Captain wanted me to check in with you and Lieutent Choi, the new counselor due to a previous injury I have been recoving from.” O’Shea said but paused before continuing, a slight frown crossing his face as he realized if this didn’t go well the CMO could sideline him. “A year ago I lost my right leg in a anti-piracy boarding action and have just returned to duty with this posting. Starfleet medical has cleared me both physically and psychologically for duty but both the Captain and I agree that as the CMO you should be in the loop.” As he finished he pulled out a small PADD and handed it to her, “All the medical records and the incidence report are on here.”

Aimee accepted the PADD and transferred the data to the large wall monitor behind them. She studied the imaging and then read through the notes. “I’m no orthopedic surgeon,  but everything looks fine. Besides you had one of the best surgeons in the field and he was pleased with the results.  I see no need to override his judgment in the matter.  Let’s do this.  On that leg stand on it one legged.”

O’Shea smiled knowingly, he had been through this several, well many times. “Sure think Doc.” He said and stood up, standing one legged on his right leg, gosling the position without difficulty for 30 seconds.

“Now hop on it.”

O’Shea quickly did a short series of hopes on the leg landing smoothly each time until the CMO spoke up.

“Okay, you can sit.  Any pain,  odd sensations or loss of feeling?”

Putting his other foot down he stepped up to the chair taking a seat, “Nope, never from physical activity. Honestly? It is better then the original and my left leg,”  O’Shea said before pausing, “It does tingle alittle at times. Or atleast I think it does. Usually happens in meetings but I have been told everything is in order do I figure it’s just in my head…” he said with a shrug.

Aimee shrugged,  “Could be. Or it could be something.   You should schedule an appointment with Dr. Drex when you get a chance.  He’s the orthopedic on the Mercy. As for being fit for duty I see no loss of strength,  balance or coordination and do not see any reason to conclude you aren’t fit for duty.”

O’Shea nodded in understanding, “Thanks Doc that is a relief to hear.I will schedule that appointment with Dr. Drex.” He paused and looked around. “I guess that’s it then. I appreciate you seeing me on, well zero notice. Let me know if there is anything you need for me or security.”

“Of course Lieutenant.  Listen,  my brother took a Klingon grenade in Operation Gatecrasher and lost his right arm and leg.  He says it hurts all the time.  Your tingle might just be something you’ll have to live with.  My husband says these types of injuries are reminders that you are fallible and mortal, and it keeps you humble.”

A sad expression flashed over O’Shea’s face at the mention of her brother. “I am sorry to hear about your brother. I have heard similar stories and figure I got of lucky with the recovery so don’t want to complain about it.” He paused and reflected in what she had said regarding Dougal, “I can definitely agree with what Dougal said. It is not something you forget…ever.”

O’Shea stood and hesitated. “I better get going. Should be getting more information soon about this signal. Need to go finalize our new security team and get atleast one drill in soon. Thanks again.”

Aimee bowed her head. “Have a pleasant day Mr. O’Shea.”

The morning had come, and with it, her duties as a science officer on a ship without a science chief.  Her husband, the captain, had exhausted every favor he was owed and had come up empty.  They’d debated into the night about what to do.  Theodora had experience as an assistant chief science officer on the similarly classed USS Polson, but she hadn’t taken a command position given that it would require her to report to the XO instead of her husband.  It was logical on her part to keep the professional separated from the personal as much as possible, but in this situation, at this moment – there was no manual and no help to come from the science department that had come aboard at Bravo.  All intellectual and intelligent…but none of them had the desire to step into the command track.  So it was left to her as Interim Science Chief to bridge the gap between command and the scientists on board.

Her station was on the right of the bridge at a standalone console facing the command chairs in the middle of the room.  Behind her were three science officers working at the stations, while across the room on the other side were additional stations with science officers working on the current problem of the transmission and what it meant.  At the console in front of those stations sat the operations officer console and Lieutenant Sesias, who was coming on duty.

Sesias entered the bridge from the turbo lift making sure to stop and place his center hand on a particular spot on the corner, and dipped his head for a brief second. As he made his way to the operations console, he couldn’t help but notice the abundance of science personnel on the bridge this morning. Sure two or three plus the science chief was the norm, but as he made his way to the console, he counted five plus the chief. He shook his head, dismissing the science personnel from his thoughts. He tapped the young Ensign, who was currently seated at the console, on the shoulder. “Good morning Ensign Paulson; how was the beta shift? Anything that I need to know about this morning?”

“No, sir, I just received a message from the quartermaster that she wanted to meet with you sometime today; she said no rush, though.”

Seasias made a note on his PADD. “ anything else?”

“No, sir, all operations departments are showing green across the board. Unless you mean the blue shirts, sir, quite a few of them up here this morning.”

“So I noticed, Ensign, you are relieved. Go get a good meal and some rest; see you at the start of your shift.”

Sesias made some adjustments to the height and angle of the console and the chair. ”I need to thank those engineers for this, I didn’t think about making it adjustable.” He went through his various morning reports, making notes of things that he felt that the XO or Captain may need to know about or areas that he knew they would ask about this morning. He stood and made his way to the Replicator. “Computer, one extra large chai Boba tea with cream and honey.” After taking the drink from the replicator, he made his way over to the main science console; with his height, he was easily able to see over the Lieutenant’s shoulder. “Walker, is there anything I can help with? It has been my experience that sometimes another set of eyes can help.”

Walker looked up, “We’re getting closer to the location, but no closer to identification, classification, or a point of origin. It is a signal that is not confirming to most logical patterns.”  She paused and said with some confidence, “We will figure it out; I am sure of it.  Feel free to take a look at the readings yourself – you may see something we haven’t.”

She returned her attention to her console as the group of science officers at their console worked to untangle the signal.  Walker examined the signal at its base – it was an old, simple frequency at first impression, but what had tripped up the science crew had been the layers of complexity within it and how it seemed to have layers of code within the layers themselves.  They had eventually sent the readings down to the science teams in the depths of the Mercy in hopes that someone would be able to make some progress on the signal.  For her part, Walker played with each thread, pulling the linear codes apart and trying to determine where they led.

Suddenly the door to the bridge opened, and a harried scientist in a wrinkled lab coat stumbled onto the bridge, “Lieutenant Walker?”  He glanced around, a bit wild-eyed, and she turned in her chair as she waved him over.  He handed her a PADD, “Communications Specialist Clarence Franklin, sir.”

She accepted the device, “What have you found for us, Ensign?”

Franklin pointed at the PADD, “It’s meaningless.” Walker frowned, and Franklin nearly yelped.  He’d seen when Vulcan’s frowned.  It was never good.  He put his hands up, “Sorry.  I should explain.  The signal isn’t anything.  It’s just an infinite line of code.  There’s no meaning, no message…nothing.”  He noticed her console and gestured to what she was working on, “We tried all of that, sir.  All of it.  We kept coming back to the center of the signal.  Nothing made sense.  That is until Win…I mean, Cadet Winol…I mean, Cadet Lucas said, ‘It means nothing.’  Then we went back to the start and looked at it like that, and then it made a hel..hec…a lot more sense, sir.”

Walker handed the PADD back to the young ensign and tapped in the modified parameters she had seen on his device.  Suddenly the computer’s scenario signals were showing more green than red until it was nearly green, confirming the evaluation of the signal. Walker glanced up at the ensign, “Get Cadet Lucas up here to explain this to the captain and the bridge crew.”

Sesias raised an eyebrow at this. ”If I may, from my experience, nothing ever actually means nothing it means something to someone somewhere. Walker, maybe we are looking at this with rose-colored glasses; I think that’s how the human saying goes. We have been using 24th and 25th-century technology, information, and experiences, but that base is not from this period. Maybe we need to be using 22nd/23rd-century thinking. It’s using what it has on hand, which is not our current technology. Cadet Franklin: Do we know if this signal has an intended target? “ 

Sesias holds up a hand as if to say, ‘hold on a sec.’  ”Communications, Lieutenant Sesias, Can we look at that signal coming from the moon base and track it? We need to know if it has a destination or a particular recipient it is trying to reach. Factor in the base’s power source, signal strength, frequencies being used, and the technology it is using. Extrapolate all possible destinations. Send the report to the main science console and to mine.” 

=^=On it, sir, should have it in an hour or two.=^=

“Make it less than an hour, and everyone on the shift in there right now gets an extra half day off.” 

A chuckle is heard, =^=Challenge accepted, sir.=^=

Sesias and his mind were still at work.  Walker maintained her passive face as he spoke, “What else do we know? Hmmm, the signal is layered, correct? Usually, layered communications signals mean that it is trying to send different types of data or communications to different recipients. Though one problem we may have is that it has messed up and confused the data. Have you looked to see if any of the data in parts melds with other parts? “ He looked at Walker. “Sorry if I’m randomly throwing thoughts out; I’m trying to look at this from a communications standpoint. Also, it may take more than just science to figure this out. I’m going to bring up a couple of the communications folks to work with you. Do you want them up here or somewhere else?“

Lieutenant Walker gestured to the bridge, “It is best if all parties work together in the same setting.”  She raised one eyebrow at the operations chief, “A small suggestion, lieutenant.  The manner in which to refer to a colleague you are not familiar with is to use their rank.”  She spoke gently, “Lieutenant Walker is how I should be addressed…as you are to called Lieutenant Sesias.  Organize the crew as you need.”

Franklin’s jaw dropped, and the Vulcan interim science chief stood, “No time to gawk, Mr. Franklin.  You, Cadet Lucas – bridge.  Move.”  And he did.  Walker tapped her comm badge, “Captain Halsey to the bridge.”  She glanced at the screen as the stars sped by.  What was out there sending signals that meant…nothing?  It was highly illogical and slightly concerning.  What was out there?  And what did it want?

Lt Sesias entered the main sick bay, beside him is a Golden Retriever wearing the vest of a service animal. “ Excuse me, is Doctor MacDonald in?”

“Let me check Lieutenant, and may I ask. Why do you have a dog on a ship in the sick bay?”

LT Sesias, looks down and scratches the dog’s head. “Well that’s one of the things I wanted to talk to the Doctor about. She is a hologram, don’t tell her that though, something I’ve been working on for a bit. Not sure how much use her and her friends would be on a day to day basis on the ship. But doing my research I have read reports of animals helping patients get over emotional or mental issues that may be hindering their recovery. It’s been a side project of mine for a bit.”

The nurse looks from the dog to the Lieutenant back to the dog. “Ooookkkaayyy, let me see if she is in and has time for a meeting. Sir.”

Lt. Sesias sits down in one of the chairs. “Rose. Down, stay. “ Rose,the dog, laid down next to his feet on the floor, situated where she can see the room. Sesias looked over at the nurse “I’m also working on a version that would be small animals for children and families.“ 

Aimee approached from her rounds.  Nothing serious.  Just your typical bumps and bruises obtained during the normal course of a day on a starship. There was a mild case of Thorvian Flu going around.   It wasn’t really anything more than annoying to those inflicted,  but she didn’t need the whole ship going down with it either.. 

“Lieutenant,  what can I do for you?” She asked Sesias.

“Well doc, if you’re not too busy I wanted to discuss a few things with you. First, what areas of the ship would you want to use for emergency medical wards? And is there anything in particular besides the normal star fleet list that you would want prepositioned? I’m going to have some of my supply folks conduct  inventories on the prepositioned supplies in those areas that were already intended to be used by the last crew. Would you like to have a medical crewman on those teams? And in the same regards the medical supply storage rooms around the ship. Who knows how long it has been since some of those areas have been inventoried and checked for expirations dates.”

“Let’s step into my office,” Aimee said and led him across sickbay and into her office.   “Have a seat if you like,” She offered as she took her own.  Opening her computer she entered commands.  “It says the last inventory was completed by the old CMO six weeks ago.  Doing one myself is on the list, but I haven’t had time to do it yet.  As far as emergency medical wards…” She sat back in consideration, “Well the Mercy has 1,250 biobeds.  I am not sure how much more we’d need, but I suppose if we reached our 8,000 evacuation limit we could exceed our bed capacity.  At that point we’d have to use whatever space we have available.  Hallways, crew lounges, cargo bays etcetera.”

Sesias nodded at this statement “ That’s what I thought. Is there anything that we can do to help facilitate that if it ever comes to pass? I would rather be prepared for the worse and not need it than need it and not have it. Also is there anything you would like added to the medical supply rooms that is not there now. It has been my experience that different chiefs or department heads may want or use something besides what is the norm or they may like certain items over other items. Just want to make sure what we have in stock and on hand are the items that you prefer especially if there is anything  different than on the standard Star fleet medical supply list.”

 “To be honest,  I’m still settling in myself, and to be honest,  compared with where I cam from this is luxury. But I’ll tell you what; you be the first I tell when figure that out,” Aimee said.

Sesias looked back at Rose. “ My second thing deals with Rose here and her friends. I’ve been working with some friends of mine on a physical/emotional support animal that could be used on hospital ships or larger starfleet vessels. When I was on earth attending the academy we, my friends and I, came upon old literature that showed how animals were used in some hospitals and homes to help patients. Well, we know how it would be with a lot of animals on a ship so we started to work on a holographic version. I’ve been testing them out here and there and wondered if a situation warranted it would you be open to helping us test it here on the Mercy. We have also been working on another program that would be for families with young children on star ships to give them a “family pet” of sorts.”

“Go on.  There is considerable evidence that pets aid in healing. Probably mostly the mind, but that helps the body too.”

“Yes ma’am it does. I guess what I’m asking is would you be willing to allow me to activate and release Rose and some of her friends to the medical department to use if you or the other doctors think it would help. All I ask in return is feedback on them and their programming and over time if you think this is something that you think could work on stations or ships. Oh and if there are any particular breeds of dogs that you think would help more than others that would be beneficial to the project also.” 

Aimee thought for a moment,  and then nodded.  “Let’s do a trial run in Ward Four. This way we can look at it scientifically and determine an actual benefit here. They may be a distraction to the doctors and staff reducing care.”

“Thank you doctor Macdonald, I’ll send the information to the ward Four head nurse on Rose and her friends. may I suggest Rose plus two more for now. “ Sesias looked at his PADD. “Hmmm i think I know just the two. I’ll double check their programming but I think Sarge, a cocker spaniel, and  opal, a shi-tzu, would make a good test group. One of each of the dog size categories and with some differences in temperament should help give us the best test for the program.”

“Thank you for your time doctor, please let me know about the inventory and supplies and anything else operations could help with” Sesias stood and offered his middle hand to Doctor MacDonald.

Aimee nodded, “Absolutely.   And the same for you Lieutenant.”

0730  – 11 Aug 2400

USS Mercy – Communications Control Center

Lieutenant S’Atilen made sure that the com channel was closed as he turned towards the communications center, small as it was. “ Ok ladies and gents, you heard the Lieutenant. We have one hour to come up with an answer that those blue shirts are overlooking. This is a communication signal so it’s right in our wheelhouse. Let’s start with the basics, shall we? Chief Oakland, let’s hear the signal.”

The signal played over the room’s internal speakers. “Lieutenant, from what I can tell and see looking at the signal there does not seem to be a start and stop to the signal, it’s just a continuous signal.”

S’Atilen’s ears twitched and twisted as he tried to pick up on any particular sounds, though it just sounded like a jumbled mess of static and meaningless sounds. “Anyone getting anything out of this?” Heads shook as he looked around the room. “Ok, next step. Petty officer V’lonvaa put the visual of the signal up on the central table please.”

 A holographic image showing the signal floated above the central table. “Sir, let me adjust for anything that the relay stations or the ship might have added to increase or improve the signal.” As she made these adjustments the visual changed slightly as did the sound, mostly dealing with the strength of the signal. “Ok, that’s a bit closer to what the actual signal should look like.” 

“Sir, how about removing any noise that is on the same bandwidth that the signal might be picking up? That is not part of the actual signal.” A cadet sheepishly asked as they shyly stood by one of the crew. “That’s a good idea. Go ahead and make those adjustments cadet.” They watched as the holo cleared up a little bit, and there was a bit less noise on the speakers. 

“Ok, so let’s put our thinking caps on folks. What are we looking at and hearing? Let’s start with what we know.”

“Well sir, we know there is no starting point or ending point from what we can tell, it just runs.”

A note appeared on a panel of the table as S’Atilen typed something in. “Chief, pull up the signal visual that science put in their report.” Another holo appears as the two holos are now over each side of the table, port, and starboard, with the note panel in the center. 

Petty Officer V’lonvaa walked over and looked at the science holo. “Well, science says it’s layered with five to six layers, which I could agree with from a science perspective. Ensign Ekabaab Th’iviakron doesn’t that seem a bit much to you if we factored in the technology of the time period that this base is from.”

The Andorian ensign walked up and stood beside the Vulcan petty officer. “Chief, switch the science holo to their layered signal report.” The holo changed to show five rows each with a different signal. “Hmmm, this.” He pointed at the science breakdown. “This may be ok if this was a data stream, but as we all can hear. This signal is not a data stream, it’s a communications signal. Now, we just have to figure out what we are hearing.” He cleared the science side of the table. “Let’s focus on the signal as we hear and see it.”

S’Atilen stood in front of the center table. “Ok, let’s take a few minutes and see what we can come up with. Several smaller groups with different ears and eyes may find something that someone else misses. Yell out if you find something, anything, so we can all discuss the idea.”

Several minutes later.

“Lieutenant S’Atilen, I think we have figured out a piece. The signal is layered sir, just not the way that the science department thought.” A small group of two cadets and a Petty Officer Third class stepped towards the central table. “Sir, the cadets had an idea that I think makes sense.” The petty officer slightly pushed one of the cadets forward. “This started with your idea, cadet, so take the credit and brief the department.” 

The cadet took a deep breath and walked forward to the center table. “Sirs, my first thought was if this was a base that was “dead” for nearly 200 years then it would make sense that part of a message would be a way to guide ships to it. So I did a quick historical search and I saw that many bases during the 22nd and 23rd centuries used a navigation/ homing beacon or signal. If you were in range and heading towards it you picked up the signal on a certain frequency as you got closer it got stronger. If you deviated off of the path too far you would lose the signal till you got back on the right path. With the help of my fellow cadets and Petty Officer we were able to find a certain signal that according to our research follows the make-up of one of these signals.” 

The cadet started to type and made some adjustments on the table’s central console. A signal started to separate into its own row under the main signal. “Once we were able to isolate the sounds that made up the signal we were able to get the computer to pull the signal fully from the main one. Which gave us this.” She has the signal play through the room. Now if we compensate for distance, interference, signal strength, and the power source. This is what the signal sounds like.” A code made up of electronic beeps came through the room. 

S’Atilen looked around the room and nodded his head. “Alright cadets, good job. You just set the bar for everyone else. Team, we just got the first part thanks to the cadets and the petty officer. That took roughly 20 minutes, so we have 40 more minutes to beat the lieutenant’s challenge. As we can see “ he pointed at the holo floating above the table “the computer is separating the navigation/homing signal, and this is what we have left. Let’s figure out the rest of it, I have every confidence we can do this.”

Chief Oakland walked up to look at the main signal holo. “Sir, I can’t put my finger on it, but doesn’t this area here look familiar? It reminds me of something I’ve seen before. Let me go work on it.”

Roughly 25 minutes later.

“I know I’ve seen something like this before.” Chief Oakland closed his eyes as he tried to remember. “No, no, no no no no, it can’t be.” The chief opened his eyes and looked at the parts of the signal again. “Lieutenant, if this is what I think it is. Then we gotta get this ship moving and in a hurry.” Computer activate the EMH. A hologram of a Bajoran in medical teal appears next to the chief. “Please state your emergency.” “ Mmmmm, sorry doc no emergency. I need you to look at something and give me your medical opinion on it. I think I’ve seen this particular signal before when my wife was having our second child and I was able to be there that time.” 

The EMH looked at the chief with a sideways glance.” Chief, I am not meant for research or to be called on just because you think you see something.” “Ya I know, I know. But this could be kind of important. Just take a look at this signal visual. What do you see?” Everyone stopped what they were working on so they could hear the conversation as S’Atilen and Ensign Th’iviakron walked over to see what the chief was working on. “You want me to look at this,” the EMH looked at the console. “Hmmmm that by itself is nothing, however.” The EMH started to make adjustments to the signal. “ I believe what you were thinking of is this’ ‘ as the EMH started to pull more bits and pieces from the entire signal into one. A low thrumming sound played over the room. The EMH looked at the Lieutenant, then the ensign then the Chief. “Recognize it, sirs?” The three of them shook their heads. “What if I do this and speed it up, hmmmm say to this” the sound sped up. Chief Oakland snapped his fingers “it’s a heartbeat.” The EMH turned and raised an eyebrow and looked at Chief Oakland “yes, yes it is. Sir, I believe my job here is done.” The EMH faded out. 

Chief Oakland turned and looked at the signal holo tan at Lieutenant S’Atilen and Ensign Th’iviakron “but what does it mean?” The two officers looked at each other and then back at the signal. “That is not for us to figure out, Chief.” “What about the rest of the signal?” 

Petty Officer V’lonvaa started to work on her console. “Lieutenant, after pulling out those two layers. It looks like the rest is what we would call white noise. However, it’s not I see something but it’s too degraded to tell what it is. Possibly given some more time as we get closer and the signal becomes stronger and there is less interference within the signal we could get something else out of it. But right now it’s just too weak and there is still too much interference being picked up. Logically speaking we shouldn’t have gotten what we did out of it.”

Lt S’Atilen turned and walked towards the center table and placed both hands on it. “ok, but what does it mean? A navigation/homing beacon and a heartbeat.”

Ensign Th’iviakron walked up and stood beside the Lieutenant. “Well sir, In my opinion, it says I’m alive come get me. The question is who? And why after 200 years is this station active again?” S’Atilen nodded his head. ”I agree, good job everyone. Very well done to get this out of that.” As he pointed at the signal. S’Atilen typed on the console.” sending the report to Lieutenant Sesias now. And by the way, folks if he accepts the report we beat his time by five minutes.”

0825 – USS Mercy – Bridge

Lt Sesias was seated at his console when he noticed an icon flashed on the panel he used to receive messages from the various operations departments. 

“Hmmmm what’s this, a report from Lieutenant S’Atilen in the communications center. Wonder if they found anything in the signal.” He opened the report and started to read it, then he looked up at the view screen and rubbed his eyes and forehead with his center hand, and reread the report. “Am I reading this right? Why would that be in the signal?” 

Sesias turned toward the middle seats “Commander Sorek, I have a report here that deals with that signal from the moon base that you may be interested in. The communications center may have figured something out. I’m sending you the report now.” 

1000 – 11 Aug 2400

USS Mercy – Main Engineering

Lt Sesias entered main engineering and asked the closest crew member where the chief engineer was at. “Afternoon sir, I believe she is in her office,” as he pointed towards the glass walled office that was off to one side. 

Sesias could see the Chief Engineer pacing inside and having what looks to be a conversation with herself. “ Thank you, petty officer” “No problem, sir” 

Sesias stopped in front of the doorway and hit the chime button.

Neva stopped her laps and looked up with a smile. “Hi Lieutenant. What can I do for you?”  She set the coffee cup on the desk, resting her hand beside it.  “Just wrestling with a power anomaly. Damn things crop up like ants!” At the last sentence, she threw up her hands in annoyance. “Excuse me, Lieutenant. My Iron Lady is putting me through my paces…and stamping on my patience!” Neva shook her head slightly with downcast eyes and chuckled softly before looking back up.

“Lt. Cordon, may I have a couple minutes of your time. I would like to discuss an idea that I have that concerns power allocation to the shields.” 

Neva cocked an eyebrow and grinned a little. “You have my full attention, Lieutenant. Is my Lady not keeping Her dress on?” The grin turned into a smirk. 

Keeping her dress on?” Looked around main engineering and her office, then he looked back at the chief engineer and noticed the smirk. He raised an eyebrow at this. “ Ahh…that must be one of those human sayings that I’m not aware of in this context. As far as I am aware she is keeping her dress on, I think.”

Neva shook her head and chuckled. “Don’t feel bad, Lieutenant. Not everyone gets engineers’ jokes.”  She stepped closer to him from where she stood. “Now, this power allocation…what are you proposing?”

Sesias walked over to one of the panels on the chief engineer’s wall. “May I?” As pulled up an overlay of the USS Mercy.  Neva nodded in reply. “As you well know, the Olympic class ship, especially in the medical variant, is not meant for tactical situations. While we do have phaser banks I see them as being more defensive and close range than as actual tactical devices. But what we do have…” 

Points over his shoulder with one of his outer arms with his thumb. ”is an extremely good and fast warp drive. What I came to ask about is an idea I was having in regards to this. What would it take for us to divert the power, in certain instances, that would be allocated to the phasers to the shields? Could we move those power allocations around. Say divert the power from forward phaser A” The phaser array glows as a green dot “to the shield emitters in that area, thereby strengthening the shields in that area but still having the power to use the other phaser arrays. Or divert the power from one side, Forward and aft, to the shields. Trying to give us the extra time we would need to go to warp while taking the least amount of damage.”

She turned to the Edosian and nodded. “Yes, this can be done. I keep forgetting this is a Medical ship, not a ‘regular’ one. I’ve been kicking around such a scenario, but haven’t come up with this angle. I like it!” She looked pleased.

He stepped back from the panel to allow Lieutenant Cordon to get a closer look at his idea. “I have already brought this up to the Captain. He recommended meeting with you and going over the idea, said he would want details on the power allocation and how that would or could affect other systems and how much power would this add to the shields.”

Neva bent closer to the panel, lifting a finger to trace the readout. Her lips moved without sound, scrutinizing the proposal. She straightened and lifted her gaze to the ceiling. “Computer! Calculate the percentage of power diversion would add to the shields from the phasers.”

/The amount of power required is 20 percent/

“Computer! What will the effect of the diversion of power be to the ship?”

/The effect of the diversion of power will be a 5 percent drop in power to the non-essential systems and a 15 percent drop in power to recreational facilities/

Neva rubbed her chin. “OK, so we need to make sure all the crew are out of those places and forget getting their morning coffee while we make this change.” 

She looked over her shoulder and called out. “Laaku! Can you come over here please?”

“Yessir!” The redheaded Bajoran trotted over. “What do you need, Chief?”

“Can you set up a bypass configuration to be flipped on when it’s time to divert power from the phasers to the shields when we need a quick getaway?” The Ensign squinted his eyes for a moment at the panel readings before speaking. “Yessir, I can do that.” He straightened and looked at the Lieutenant and Chief Engineer with a frown. “The only thing to keep in mind is, if the bypass goes longer than 15 minutes, the shield emitters will fry.” Laaku’s shoulders slumped a little.

“That would make things dicey when we go to use it. I’m betting if the emitters fry, the ship will pull power any way She can to compensate.” Neva reached over and patted the Ensign’s shoulder. “Don’t look so glum, Ensign. You found a weakness I wasn’t seeing. Good job!” She gave him a winning smile. She patted his shoulder a little harder and dropped her hand.

She then looked at Lt. Seias. “OK, I think what we’ve got is enough for the Captain’s concerns. What do you think?”

“I believe that we have figured out a way to make this work. The question would be is the captain willing to risk it. I would think that 15 minutes is more than enough time for us to get away. If it takes us that long to go to warp then we have bigger problems than fried shield emitters to be worried about.” Sesias looked at the panel that they were using to formulate and brainstorm on. “ Yes, I think we have it figured out, especially if we can divert power from a particular phaser bank to the corresponding shield emitters. This way we would still have access to the phasers if they got a little to close. I believe pulling power from non essential areas is the best way to make sure we get the power we need and make sure citicical systems are not compromised.”

Sesias taps his combadge “Commander Sorek. Lieutenant Cordon and I believe we have come up with a sound idea to the question about certain tactical situations I asked the Captain during our initial meeting yesterday. I’m sending you the report now.”

Neva looked at her Ensign. “Laaku, go ahead and get going on that bypass. I’ll be back to give you a hand after the Lieutenant and I report our findings to the Captain.” The Bajoran engineer nodded and went to a duty station.

USS Mercy – Ready Room – 0740

=^=Captain Halsey to the bridge=^= He glanced up from his ready room desk, studying the latest scans from science and communications.  He wasn’t a science officer like his wife, but he could read between some of the lines.  The signal was confusing the best of them.  The hail from the bridge had come at just the right moment.  He had been tempted to walk out there himself and had walked nearly to the door several times but sighed and returned back to the ready room desk.

Twice.  

USS Mercy – Bridge – 0745

He walked onto the bridge having been asked and glanced at his wife and interim science chief, “Report?”  Theodora Walker handed him a PADD and walked him through the varying items they had uncovered so far.  She spotlighted Lieutenant Sesias and his line of thinking.  Halsey noticed the gathering of communications crew in and around the operations officer’s console.  She finished with the estimation they would have more progress within the hour.  He returned her PADD and stepped towards his command chair.  Before he was able to sit down, their lead helm officer spoke up.

“Captain, we are arriving in the sector where the signal is being generated.”  The USS Mercy thundered out of warp and slowed to half impulse as the gathered crew on the bridge glanced up from their work to see the section of space that lay before them.  It didn’t look unlike any part of space they’d been before, and they returned to their work.

Leopold squinted at the stars and space on the screen and asked the helm, “What’s it look like out there?”  He sat in the chair, curious.

All of 20 years old, Ensign Fleming spoke with a crisp English accent polished from years of elocution lessons in his youth.  To hear his voice was to pay attention, even if it was just a list of the menu for dinner.  “We’re getting readings of varying types and kinds…it’s a bit of a soup out there, sir.  Reflecting signals…an unusual composition of sound and fury scattering across the sensors.”  He tapped at the console, “I’m getting some faint…ship signals?”  Another tap, stab, and a clatter of finger touches across the console, “Clarifying now…looks like we have a trace on the signal that the others are working on.  It appears to originate from a nearby system.  One large moon, two uninhabitable planets, three suns, and an asteroid belt.”  The outline of the system appeared on the viewscreen, “Records are spotty, even with the Federation’s fastidious habits.  Whatever was in this system 200 years ago doesn’t appear in our records.  I’ve referred the matter to our historical scientists to have them do further investigation on the matter.”

Halsey sat forward in the command chair, “You said there was a ship signal?”

Fleming nodded to himself as he worked on the long-range sensors, “It is fading in and out – but it is within the system where our signal originates from…, and the signal and frequency is about 100 to 150 years old.  We would need to get closer to verify the situation, sir.”

The CO sat back in his chair.  They would need to press on and investigate further.  “Helm, plot us an intercept course, warp 5.  Put us in gear.” Fleming nodded, and the Mercy flew into warp.

“Arrival in six hours, sir.”

Halsey tapped his console on his chair, “Commander Sorek to the bridge.”  Something told him they were going to need all the help they could get.

USS Mercy – Bridge – 1400

The Olympic class ship slowed as it dropped from warp speed.  Fleming reported, “Ship signal is stronger…locating…” he adjusted their course and pointed them towards a shape that lay ahead of them.

Halsey motioned to the helm, “Magnify.”  The image soon resolved into a familiar-looking starship, albeit damaged across the hull.  Leopold muttered, “Daedalus class.”

“An old ship class,” said Sorek. “We just arrived, and already a mystery.”

The CO shook his head, “That is very…odd.  To just be sitting out here like this.”

Fleming spoke up, “Sir, I’m reading the presence of biological readings onboard.  Not alive, but readings of a biological nature.  The bridge and main engineering appear in one piece and have escaped the serious hull damage the rest of the ship experienced.  Power readings are minimal.”

Halsey glanced at Sorek, “Thoughts on figuring out why she’s here?  One team to engineering, one team to the bridge?”

“There’s one way to find out,” said Sorek.

Halsey tapped his communication badge, “Captain to Doctor MacDonald, please report to the bridge.”  He tapped it again, “Captain to Lieutenant Cordon, report to the bridge.”  He turned to Sorek with a wry smile, “You’ll be leading the away team, Commander.”

“Yes, sir,” said Sorek. “I would also like to take our three new security officers as well.”

Halsey figured that was going to be the next request, “Given that this offers the chance of a real-world exhibition of their abilities, I would agree.  Helm, signal our security officers to report to the bridge.”  The helm officer nodded and sent the urgent messages to the crew in question.

Izi was on duty, walking rounds on the main emergency ward deck when she received a comm call to report to the bridge. Stopping to make sure she heard correctly, her mind was filled with wondering why. Did she do something wrong? Did someone else do something wrong, and she was replacing them? There was only one way to find out.

Aimee and Dougal entered the bridge together.  They glanced around for a moment before sharing a “look” together that combined volumes that could only be read by the couple.

“Captain,” Aimee spoke,  “reporting as ordered.”  Halsey gave her a nod.

Neva navigated her Lady corridors with a little more assurance. Like Lench, she wasn’t happy with the layout. Truth be told, being on the ‘Base had spoiled her for that. She found the turbolift & soon found herself on The Bridge.

Neva couldn’t help stopping outside the lift. Even though she really WAS Command Staff and it was expected that she come up here, the sight was a little daunting. 

With an annoyed grunt, she shook herself from her reverie. She looked to the group on The Bridge and joined them. “Forgive me,  Sir. Looking around at my Lady’s Brain is a sight I have to get used to. What can I do for you?”

Halsey thanked her, “We’re waiting for the rest to give a full report on what’s next.”

O’Shea stepped onto the bridge and saw Halsey and said, “Sir, what can I do for you?” before looking over at Dougal and nodding. ‘If security is here guess they found something interesting.’ he thought.

The CO gave him a nod, “We’ve got a mission for you all…just waiting to make sure everyone is here.”

The turbolift door opened, and Izi rushed onto the bridge. Seeing the group assembled, she stopped and stood quietly, waiting for someone to notice her.

Halsey greeted the arrivals in turn.  He pulled them towards the center of the bridge and handed out PADDs to each of them, “We’ve got something interesting out there.” He went on to explain what had initially brought them here and what sensors were currently showing.  “We’re not really sure why or how a Daedalus class has been sitting out here for this long or if it really has.  We have more questions than answers.”  He turned to his XO, “Commander Sorek will lead the away teams to the ship to investigate.” He nodded to the Vulcan who spoke up.

“The ship is the USS Colorado, built-in 2150. For most of its service, it was an explorer,” said Sorek. “In 2195, under Captain Daniel Morris, it was reassigned to this sector to assist in operating a moon base. In 2201, Command lost contact with the Colorado, and after an extensive search, with 50 crew, it was officially declared as missing in 2205.”

Sorek paused. “Initial scans detected bio readings, but no life signs. Power is out on most of the ship, and there are hull breaches, so the away teams will wear EV suits.”

“Misters O’Shea and MacDougal, you will accompany Lieutenant Cordon to engineering. Lieutenant Iziraa, Doctor MacDonald, and I will search the bridge. We are looking for anything that could tell us what happened. Are there any questions?”

Izi’s antennae were vibrating with excitement. A new ship assignment and her first mission was solving a mystery 200 years old. Though a crew was lost, she allowed herself a quick smile.

O’Shea frowned as he reread the information in front of him. Though the Colorado was likely a ghost ship, he had heard and seen enough to know that space was filled with some very odd things. Looking up at Sorek, he nodded, “Sir, that should not be an issue though I would recommend everyone carry hand phasers, and the security team should carry phasers rifles just in case there are any surprises.” He paused for a moment, “How long before we depart? It would be good to review the layout of the Colorado and the damaged sections before we get over there.”

“Yes, we will be armed,” said Sorek. “It’s unlikely we’ll need weapons, but it is logical to take them. The deck layout is included in our PADDs”

Neva nodded.  Halsey looked around the gathered crew, “You have your assignments.  Commander Sorek is your CO on this away team, and you will follow his direction.  You are ordered to the transporter room, away team.”  He watched as they all stepped into the turbolift and the door closed.  He turned back to the view screen as the ghost ship stared back at him.  What manner of things was out there?

In the turbolift with the rest of the away team, Neva closed her eyes and took a calming breath. ‘A ship those engineers only wondered about! And I get to root around in one.’ She grinned stupidly and almost rubbed her hands together in excitement. Entering the Transporter Room, she took the Tricorder and put it in her ever-present pouch. She gulped the small knot in her throat and took the rifle, slinging it onto her back. She took her place on Transporter Pad and waited.

They come

They will see

I can feel

They are close

My friends tell me things

Reveal the darkness

They will see

I am Death

I remembered

Duty must be done

I have begun

Again I Rise

Once more it is

Alive

Dead

DEATH

Closer

CLOSER

We begin

They will end

Wait

Watch

SOON

USS Mercy – Deck 28: Armory – 15:00

O’Shea sat at the table in the middle of the armour quickly checking through the settings and power supplies of the 3 Type-III compression phaser rifles the security personnel would be carrying on their visit to the ghost ship, the USS Colorado. As he checked he couldn’t help but smile at the very detailed job Dougal had done the day before when he was checking and cleaning them. Putting down the third one he stood and turned towards the grey briefcase which contained the newest hand phasers the federation had produced. “Quickly check these then time to gear up,” he muttered as he cast a glance at the security EVA suits behind him on the wall.

“Aye lad,” Dougal replied looking down at the phaser.  “Ye ken if they got the wee bugs worked out? Oh, an’ I got a wee bauble for you.” He produced a device and handed it to O’Shea. “I got it from a Hazard Team friend if mine.  The bonnie wee thing is called a Tactical Eye Display.  It ties into yer tricorder and feeds you data right to your eye.”

Dougal let O’Shea examine the TED and went to work breaking down the phasers and calibrating them before reassembling them and sliding his superior one.

O’Shea took the TED and looked over it. “We were meant to pick up a few crates of these on our next resupply on the Dawn but never got a chance to use them,” he said as he linked it with his tricorder and put on the display. Instantly information began to appear in his vision showing biometric and atmospheric data for the room as well as the life signs of both himself and Dougal. O’Shea blinked a few times as he got used to the display and processing the information. “Wish I had more time to get used to this before the mission but it will be useful. Did you get one yourself Dougal?” he asked as he disconnected the TED and removed the display setting it on the table before picking up one of the phasers and helping Dougal finish their calibrations.

Dougal smirked,  “Aye I did.” He stared down at the disassembled phaser with disgust, “Who built this thing?  The targeting sensor is off by twelve microns.  The thing is bloody useless.  This would get people killed!”

O’Shea shook his head. “Always need to check the gear whenever you get new stuff. I am pretty sure it is never actually tested…” he said with a sigh. Finishing reassembling the phaser before him he put it back in the case. “You get a chance to look over the schematics of the USS Colorado? Given the hull breaches, I am expecting the interior to be a bit of a wreak.”

Dougal adjusted the minute variation on the targeting sensor before reassembling it and handing it to O’Shea to put away.  “Aye, I expect so. Those old ships dinnae have as sophisticated inertial dampeners and structural integrity fields we have today, so they were a wee bit over built.”

“That’s bang-on. These phasers will do a good enough job if we need to cut through anything on the way,” O’Shea said as he stood and patted the case with the hand phasers. “Best get geared up and head up to transporter Room 1.” He moved over to the EVA suits on the wall and took one down and began pulling it on.

Dougal eyed the EVA suit with suspicion.  With a frown, he reluctantly approached and started pulling it on. “I bloody hate these things,” he complained as he stomped into one of the boots.

O’Shea snorted, “Yeah, know the feeling. Took a ton of zero-G EVA training on the Radiant Storm to get used to them,” he said as he finished pulling on the main suit and slide the large chest piece and backpack on. “Is still an off feeling walking around with vacuum so close.” Looking at Dougal he said, “Need a hand?”

“Nay lad,” Dougal grumbled as he pulled on the chest piece and sealed himself in.  He wasn’t used to accepting help, and it felt strange that he wasn’t the one offering.   Aimee would call it ‘testosterone poisoning’ but, a man had his pride.

O’Shea just nodded as he finished putting the suit on. Following a check once over he set the helm on the table and double check that the case of hand phasers was locked and the rifles were powered down. “You carry Iziraa’s rifle and I will take the phasers for the rest of the team?”

“Aye, I can do that,” he replied as he handed O’Shea his from the armory rack and took two more down.  One went over his shoulder and the other he just carried.   “As much as I dinnae like getting dressed for a party, I would rather not use these.”

O’Shea slung the rifle over his shoulder and tucked the helmet under his arm, and turned to Dougal, “Better to be prepared, god knows what we will find over there,” he said and grabbed the case and turned to the door, “Best crack on, this mystery won’t solve itself.”

Dougal nodded and followed O’Shea, “Aye. Let’s get it over with.”

Mission Prep Room, Deck 13, 1500 Hours

Izi looked at her reflection in a full-length mirror, sighing at what she had to do next. She was wearing her EV suit, but hadn’t put on a helmet. Muttering in Andorian, she looked at the three choices on the console next to her. Muttering again, she picked up the smallest helmet.

Secure in the full suit, Izi winced. Her antennae were cramped and had no room to move. Removing the head piece, she jumped in surprise, seeing Doctor Lori Weaver standing there.

“I’m sorry, Iz. Didn’t mean to startle you,” said Lori.

“It’s these [Andorian curse word] helmets. They’re so restrictive, they reduce my abilities. Normally, I would have sensed you coming because of the disturbances in the air as you walked through them.”

“Is that why you have different sized helmets?” said Lori.

“Yes. I’m probably going to need the largest. It will make me look like I have a pumpkin head.”

Lori chuckled.

Izi put on the second helmet. There was more room, but she still didn’t like it.

“Didn’t you take EV training in the academy?” said Lori.

“Yes, just enough to pass, and I was as limited as everyone else.”

“That’s not a bad thing,” said Lori. “Being like the rest of us.”

“Izi removed the helmet, a look of sour lemons on her face. ”Not for me.”

“So what are you going to do? Are you opting out of the mission?” said Lori.

“That’s not really a bad idea,” said Izi. “Lori, you don’t understand.”

“Then explain it to me.”

“I rely on everything I am to serve and to be my best. What if I can’t sense a threat and someone from the team is injured? Or worse. I shouldn’t be included if losing an ability creates a dangerous situation.”

“I think you’re overreacting.”

Izi growled. “How would you feel if you injured your hands and you couldn’t be a good doctor?

“That’s not the same thing,” said Lori. “Wearing an EV suit is temporary.”

“If I’m not my best, the team isn’t its best.”

Lori could see this was bothering Izi a lot. She did understand, but she was trying to be positive so her friend wouldn’t feel like she was letting down everyone around her. An attitude like that could be just as serious.

“Look, Iz, I know the type of person you are. You’re giving and you put others ahead of yourself. I get it that you don’t want to fail, but I have no doubts you’ll be the best security officer on the away mission.” Lori smiled.

Izi smirked. “Nice try, but I know a snow job when I hear one. Thank you for encouraging me.”

Lori wondered if the snow comment was Andorian humor. “So try the last one.”

Looking in the mirror, wearing an oversized helmet, Izi looked ridiculous, but there was room, so her antennae weren’t cramped. “This just might work. What do you think?

“Like I said, you’ll be the best security officer on the team. Even if you do have a pumpkin head.”

Deck 13, Transporter Room 1, 1500 Hours

Sorek entered transporter room 1 donned in an EV suit, the helmet tucked under his left arm.  On his belt was a hand phaser and a tricorder, a phaser rifle slung on his back.  The NCO at the control console jumped to parade rest.

“As you were, Petty Officer,” said Sorek.

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you have the coordinates for both beam down points?” said Sorek.

“Yes, sir.  All programmed in and ready to go.”

Sorek nodded.  Turning, he looked at the transporter platform.  This was his first time leading an away mission as an XO.  Through his career, as he rose through the ranks, Sorek had led teams, but this time was different.  Logically, he couldn’t explain why.  He wondered if an emotion was coming out.

Emotions.  Sorek wanted to sigh, but that wasn’t something he should do in front of the petty officer.  A memory he held for twenty-six years came to the surfaced.

When Sorek was nine, his maternal grandfather was killed in the Dominion War.  It devastated him and he cried for days.  His family kept him isolated for a time and he received more training in the ways of Kolinahr, but being so young, it was a difficult journey.  Even to this day, there were times Sorek needed more study and meditation.  He knew he was a competent officer.  He knew he earned this position.  What had touched his mind?  Why was he… feeling?  Pushing away those thoughts when the door opened, Sorek looked to see who had arrived.

Lieutenant O’Shea Quarters – Deck 4 – 20:15

James O’Shea walked back into his quarters, looked around and tossed his jacket onto his desk and sighed. Between checking in with the Captain, medical, sorting out the new security teams and responsibilities and getting aquatinted with the USS Mercy he had only spent a few passing moments awake in his quarters, his very bare quarters. He started to walk to the replicator to get some food when he stopped and thought to himself ‘Nope, not going to sit in here eat and work, time to take a break even if just for an hour.’

With that, he grabbed his jacket and put it on, leaving the upper flap hanging open. He then turned and left his quarters.

Crew Lounge – Deck 6 – 20:30

After wandering around for a couple of minutes O’Shea walked into the main crew lounge and stopped just inside the door. As he had expected the lounge was pretty full given the size of the crew and additional medical staff. Seeing an empty table near one of the viewports he wandered over and took a seat and just let enjoyed the feeling of being back on board a starship surrounded by the crew. He hadn’t realized how much he had missed it.

Egrel slipped quietly into the lounge after seeing to the crew for check-ins all day. He wore a tired expression on his face and he walked towards the replicator. He got a sandwich and some coffee and looked around for a seat. All the tables were full. He lifted his brows in surprise. He noticed James sitting all by his lonesome self and strode over, stopping near the table. He inquired, “Mind if I join you?”

O’Shea looked up from his food, “Oh, hey, Counselor Choi. Please do.” He said as he pushed the chair out across from him with his foot. He waited for the counsellor to sit down before saying anything. “How was your first day?”

Egrel chuckled softly as James pushed out the chair. He pulled it out the rest of the way and moved to sit down. He reached up to undo his hair from the tight ponytail he wore for a moment’s respite before answering, “Quite busy. Checking in with various crew and staff; not all, mind you. That’s too many for one day. How is yours?” He sipped his coffee quietly as he listened.

O’Shea let out a slight laugh, “Same to be honest, this is the first chance I have had to sit really. Lot to do when taking over a department, especially one for a ship this size.” He said with a smile as he took a sip of his drink and debated taking a bite of the pasta he had ordered. “Nice to be back on duty though. Was going stir crazy, to be honest on medical leave.” Pausing for a moment he continued, “So why the Mercy? Random assignment or request?”

Egrel sipped his coffee, “I can’t even begin to imagine what such a long medical leave would be like. Wasn’t anticipating being thrust as Chief Counsellor, but I have no objections.” He hesitated, formulating his next words, “I requested anywhere off my old ship, I did not care where. And it ended up being the Mercy. You?”

At the O’Shea raised an eye, it wasn’t every day that someone requested just to leave a ship. “It was a random assignment, though like you I wasn’t expecting a Chief of Security role, but I had been training for it before, so guess it made sense.” He said with a shrug, “How come you wanted off your old ship if you don’t mind me asking?”

Egrel frowned as he stared down into his coffee, “There was an ethical issue that went down that I did not agree with. I was also under incredible stress due to my old captain’s problems and doing damage control too much for the crew because of him.” He sipped his coffee, “It was tiring.”

“Ah, well that sounds like more than enough reason to look elsewhere,” O’Shea said as he leaned back and looked around. “All commands have their challenges but that one sounds especially difficult, good idea to move on and get a fresh start.” 

Egrel sighed and shook his head, “More than a little. I have a feeling Halsey won’t throw objects at me when he’s mad. The most un-Vulcan like Vulcan I have ever dealt with.” A grim look resided on his face as he sipped his coffee again, “And the kidnapping of another officer…”

O’Shea looked at Egrel with a slight look of shock, “Your old CO threw shit at you when he was mad? And a Vulcan? AND KIDNAPPING! How are they still in command? I assume they are since you transferred….” Shaking his head O’Shea took a long sip of his drink and continued. “Halsey seems solid based on his record and the brief chat I had with him. You should be much happier here.”

Egrel nodded, “He did, yeah. The crew kept a tally sheet of what he threw and made bets on who was the next target. I have no idea how he is still in command. He’s old though, maybe he is getting senile, or maybe the rumours of him not being a full Vulcan are true. Yeah, an officer got kidnapped off of a base under his command. As far as I know, he’s still in command. Though I heard he was under investigation.”

“Damn.” O’Shea said shaking his head. He then lifted his cup of mug up to Egrel, “Too better days and a better command on the Mercy.”

Egrel chuckled softly, “I have no doubt that this is what we will have and have already.” He raised his coffee mug in a mock toast, “I’ll drink to that, O’Shea.”

O’Shea smiled at that and said, “May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future.” With that, he finished off the final bit of his drink. 

Egrel smiled and sipped his coffee, “I’ve talked a lot about myself. What about you? I know your file, sure, but from a non-professional, absolutely off-duty point, let’s hear more about you and your past?” He paused, then grinned, “Not as a counsellor, I assure you.”

“Ah,” O’Shea said, “The sneaky, not a counsellor questions…” as he let out a short laugh. “Not much to say that isn’t in the file really. Was based at Starbase 3 for a while; was a routine posting but learned a lot then moved to the Radiant Storm and was doing well there. Anti-piracy duties are either very boring or very busy and the Storm, well the Cardies kept us all busy chasing them around.” O’Shea lended back and looked out the viewport at the starfield move past. “Then well, I lost my leg. Felt I needed to shed some weight anyways.”

Egrel quirked a brow, trying to figure out if that was an intentional pun or not. He murmured softly, “I’m going to get blasted out an airlock for finding that pun amusing.” He shook his head and sipped his coffee to hide a smile, “Medical ship is definitely a change in pace for us both I see.”

At that comment O’Shea let out a deep laugh, “I am glad someone gets my sense of humour.” he said with a smile before continuing. “Yeah. Well, we will see. Given what we know, well don’t know about this signal I am not sure really; a bad feeling almost.” Shrugging looked down at his food. “Always up for a mystery but would be happier if said mystery turned out to be mundane and not something that I need a full hazard team behind me; especially since we don’t have one.” Turning to look out the window watched stars go past for a moment, his mind drifting back to previous engagements. “Don’t get me wrong,” he said turning back, “we have the gear and my officers are very good but that makes three of us. The crew members are new; well not Suven Pach but you know, Klingon. The others, they need a lot of training.”

“But that said, given time they will be great. I will make sure of that.” O’Shea said, “Just hope they are not needed too much.”

Egrel nodded slowly and frowned, “I am uneasy about this myself. When the Betazoid counsellor is uneasy…” He turned his dark eyes down towards his coffee, “I hope this is mundane. Rather deal with something like pirates where we just roll our eyes and know what we are dealing with or something.”

“I know what you mean, a known entity is always easier to deal with. Fewer surprises and such,” O’Shea said before taking a final bite of his meal, finishing it. As he did the PADD beside him beeped and he looked down at the reminder he had set. “Sorry Counselor, but I am going to have to head off. Need to finish a few more things tonight and my alarm is telling me I am now running behind. It was a pleasure talking to you. Let me know if you want to do this again.” 

Egrel smiled and nodded, “Always willing to share meals with colleagues. Makes it far more enjoyable. Good luck with your errands!” He waved at James and watched him hurry off before he stood up himself and recycled his dishes and headed back to his office.

The transport shuttle slipped through space as her sole passenger sat strapped in, watching the stars fly by the cockpit window.  She had been assigned to a ship late last night and had spent most of the day going from station to station to get out to her new assignment, the USS Mercy.  Her previous assignment had been destroyed, and since March, she had been kicking around on Starbase Bravo as an engineering assistant to help them with whatever they needed.  She had kept to herself out of habit, and her father had made some visits as his command had been shifted.  The Watership was to be renamed and reassigned while Peter Crawford went to work within various Operations departments.  They’d spent much of their time together reflecting on the terrible risks they had taken with the former crew of the USS Denver and the USS Heracles.

She’d only known the Pike as her home ship.  Crawford had found herself getting stir-crazy in her time on Bravo, so much so that she’d sent out a flurry of applications at the end of July, hoping to get something, anything.  It had taken a few weeks, but she’d been accepted as an engineering officer on the USS Mercy.  They’d asked if she could accept the demotion from Chief Engineer, and she’d scoffed at them then quickly mutely apologized at the mild shock that was present on their faces.  She’d explained, “I got Chief my first assignment out of the Academy.  That doesn’t happen.  It was a Raven Class – not a lot of us engineering officers to go around, you know?  I’ll be happy to have an engine room and a ship to call home.”

She’d been accepted and handed orders to get to the USS Mercy as soon as she could.  The ship had already left the station, and she was playing catch up.  She’d been excited to learn it was an Olympic-class starship – it would remind her of her father, Peter.  Now, as the shuttle approached, she stepped onto the transporter pad.  Soon, she vanished into the light.

“Welcome aboard the USS Mercy,” Ensign Jake Blakely gave her a nod as she stepped off the pad.

“Thank you, ensign.  Ensign Carolyn Crawford, engineering.  Reporting as ordered.”

Blakely accepted her PADD and read over it.  He handed it back, “Captain wanted to see you….” She moved to speak, but the doors to the room opened as in stepped an older man with captain’s rank pips.  Blakely blinked and sputtered, then recovered, “And there he is.  Captain Halsey, this is…”

“Ensign Carolyn Crawford.  Mr. Crawford, walk with me.”  She glanced at Blakely, who shrugged and returned to his duties as the captain motioned her along.  She followed, thoroughly confused.  Halsey continued as he walked with her, “Welcome to the Mercy, Ensign.  I was surprised to see you added to our crew if I’m honest.  We have an assistant chief engineer who is interim Chief at the moment, and she’d doing well enough.”  He stopped and turned to her, “I apologize if sounds like we don’t want you.  That isn’t the case.  You just surprised me…and I’m not a captain who enjoys surprises.”

Crawford worked to find the words in the middle of the empty and quiet corridor.  It took her a moment, but she managed with, “I was just as surprised, sir.  I didn’t think I get assigned to a ship as big as Mercy.”

Halsey chuckled and resumed walking, Crawford kicking into gear to keep up, “I know your father by reputation, Mr. Crawford.  Good man, a strong officer, and a capable captain.  The Mercy could have been his if he’d asked for it.”

She allowed a thin smile, “I think my father goes where Starfleet asks him, sir, not the other way around.”

Leopold came to a stop at the intersection of the corridor and turned to face her once more, “We all have our ways of navigating command, I suppose.  My assistant chief also interim chief doesn’t know you’ve arrived or been assigned.  We’ve had a bit of a busy day around here.”  He handed her a PADD, “Read up on the days events.  Your quarter assignments are there as well.”  He paused, “Let me introduce you to your future commanding officer in the morning…I suspect she’s not a fan of surprises either.”

Crawford examined the PADD and thanked him, “I’ll get myself bunked and rested for tomorrow.  Thank you, Captain.”  He gave her a mild nod and was off down the corridor, leaving Carolyn to think about what in the world she had found herself into this time.

Halsey sat in the command chair, reading from the PADD on the various science reports and updates that were coming in as they sat staring down the USS Colorado.  He was conscious of the similarities between the two ships.  The Olympic class had taken many design elements from the Daedalus class.  He had served on an aging one in his cadet tours in his senior year at the Academy.  There was something about those old designs that caught his heart.  The older ship designs held more risk, more possibility, and more unknowns.  To be a captain in those days, he wondered, what would it have been like?

Fleming spoke up from the front of the bridge as his console beeped with a report, “Captain, transporter rooms report crews have been beamed aboard.”  Halsey turned in his chair to his interim chief science officer…and his wife.

She didn’t even turn to look at him as she moved her fingers over the science console, “Transporter room has a secure lock on all officers, and we are monitoring all readings short and long range, sir.”

He smiled quietly to himself as he returned his chair forward, “Understood.”  He stood and returned to standing at the back of the chief helm officer, “Why do you think she’s here, ensign?”

The young officer thought for a moment and turned to face his CO, “This section of space doesn’t get a lot of traffic, sir.  I’ve done a surface search on the flight paths of various Federation and other assorted entities…and not many of them travel this section of space anymore.”  He turned to the screen, “She could have been sitting here all this time…but someone somewhere would have picked her signal up.”

Halsey stood there for a moment and tapped his commbadge.  He would need a second officer on the bridge as he suspected that his operations officer would be called over to the ship as soon as it was secured.  “Lieutenant Choi, please report to the bridge.”

Egrel looked up from filling out forms on his PADD. He tapped his commbadge, “Lieutenant Choi here, I will be there in a moment.” He cut the line and stood up, having left his PADD and work behind, he made his way quickly to the bridge.

A few minutes letter, Choi arrived on the bridge, a little out of breath. He must’ve taken some parts faster than a brisk walk. “Sir,” he announced his arrival, “I came as soon as I could.”

Halsey turned, “Welcome to the bridge, Lieutenant.”  He gestured to the left side chair as he sat down himself, “How has it been acclimating to the Mercy?”

Egrel moved towards the directed chair and took a seat. He nodded once as he replied, “Quite well, actually. Thank you.” He glanced at the screen with a furrowed brow, “That is… strange.”

The CO nodded, “You’re right.” He nodded to the viewscreen and explained what had brought them to a stop in space.  “She’s a mystery.  Federation space is a big place, but ships that sit out in the middle of somewhere, especially Starfleet ships.., they don’t stay unnoticed for long.”  He leaned back in his chair, staring at the supposed ghost ship, “Your thoughts, counselor?”

Choi furrowed a brow, his lips pursed as he formulated his words. He spoke in a slow, articulated manner, “I am a bit uneasy about this whole thing. It’s an old class. And as you said, Starfleet ships don’t sit for long. We would have known about a disabled ship within this vicinity.” He glanced at the screen once more, “And if it were sitting around for this long, scavengers would have picked it clean by now.”

Leopold gave a thoughtful nod, “Uneasy is a good word for it.  You make a good point.”  He turned in his chair to his wife, “Lieutenant, what does the warp trail readings look like in this sector?”

Theodora tapped at the console.  She tapped the console, and the report displayed on the screen, “This is mildly irregular, Captain.  You can see it is a small amount of traffic that’s been detected through the system recently, but one of those signatures goes right near the Colorado.”  She tapped at the console again, “Best estimates put whoever was through here was in the region approximately three to five days ago.”

Henry felt his mind begin to have mild alarms sound, “I don’t suppose we know who that ship was that made that trip?”  The interim science chief shook her head and returned to her work.

Egrel looked over at the captain, “Have life signs been detected?” He hesitated, looking like he had more to say when he spoke again, though he was incredibly unsure, “Did you wish for me to telepathically read, sir?”

The CO wasn’t sure how to reply to the counselor, so he sat back in his chair to think.  He explained, “No life signs were detected.  Biological readings were detected.  It suggests the possibility of remains.”  He turned to the Betazoid, “This is a downright bizarre situation.  We’ve got a signal from deeper in the sector, and we’ve got a phantom ship sitting out here…where a few ships have been through recently.”  He thought for a moment longer, “If you open your mind to whatever is out there, be mindful of taking precautions.”  He waved his wife over, “Lieutenant Walker is trained in the ways and means of Vulcan mind melds…if things become too precarious, I would require her to be able to intervene in whatever way she deems necessary.”

Egrel nodded, looking at Walker, “I would welcome intervention if needed; thank you, sir.” He looked at the viewscreen, brow furrowed in concentration. After several moments, his face slowly changed into an expression of pain. He slammed back into his chair with a ragged gasp, his hands pressed to his temples and face pale.

Theodora Walker moved across the bridge at a speed that startled everyone but not her husband, who was thankful he had her on assignment. Within seconds she was at the side of the counselor, her hands gently touching his body, her eyes searching his, “Lieutenant, are you with us?”.  Halsey gave a reassuring nod to the rest of the crew.

Egrel ran his hands down his face and took a shaky breath, “I’m… I’m alright. I should be.” He closed his eyes for a moment as he spoke, “I felt anger and fear. And I want to say curiosity even. It was faint, however. Despite that, it tried to break my defenses. I pulled away just in time.” He hesitated, adding, “The feelings were not from our away team.”

Walker looked to her CO and back to Egrel, “I would like to ask your permission for a mind meld, Lieutenant.  You may have seen something in a flash…or something that may give us a clue as to what is happening.”

Halsey accepted the toss of a medical tricorder from the medic he has summoned from sickbay and swept it over the still shaken counselor, “Allow him a moment.”  He completed the scans, “Blood pressure is up, heart rate is up, and various stress factors are also reading higher than normal for your species, counselor.  Whatever it is, I do not think we should repeat this exercise.  As for the mind meld,” he turned to Egrel, “That is up to you.  I won’t order it.”

Egrel remained leaned back against the chair, nodding slowly. “I do not plan on trying to check again. At least… At least we know.” He looked between Halsey and Walker momentarily. He straightened up in his chair and nodded his ascent, “Yes, you have my permission for the mind meld.”

Walker knelt before him and extended her hands to him, “My mind to your mind, my thoughts to your thoughts.”  She repeated it several times, growing softer as she gently applied her fingertips to the face of the counselor.  He tensed for but a moment before he relaxed at her mind’s gentle reassurance at its entry into his own.

Egrel closed his eyes and relaxed; he promptly allowed Walker access to his mind and brought her in.

The blackness of space surrounded them on all sides, and Walker felt echoes of the experience their chief counselor had felt and didn’t want to stay long.  She walked forward towards a bright light, her mind on guard as she looked closer.  “It was a living presence that stepped into your mind.”

Egrel frowned, “It feels like no living presence I have ever felt before. There is something horribly off with it.” He struggles to try and put it into words, “It feels like a children’s drawing next to a photograph.”

She turned to him and then back to the specter that danced across the blackness.  “You are correct. It feels…off.  As if it is attempting to mimic life…but is not fully able to relate to one enough to convince it is alive.  It feels…the emotions are not balanced as they would be in a living being. You feel as if sandpaper is rubbing against you softly, and then….”

He nodded and turned towards her, “That is exactly what I was trying to say; thank you, I have not encountered anything like this before. It is unknown to me. And I do not like it. I do not trust it.”

Walker sighed, “It is unlike anything I have experienced in my life…or in my research.  Whatever this…creation is…it is not to be trusted.”  She put her hand on his shoulders, “I am thankful you were able to see it for what it was, Counselor.  Let us return to the bridge.”

Before she ended the connection, a faint roar echoed across the planes of their minds, and the Vulcan spun on her heels, “It has left something here.  I will remove it from your mind.”  Her tone had turned serious and tight.

Egrel tensed and turned with her, eyes wide. Though the Betazoid was utterly calm on the exterior, there was a deep, gut-wrenching fear in the pit of his stomach. His breath hitched as he gasped, “How did it…?”

The Vulcan slowly tightened her fingers into fists at her side, “It is not as uncommon as you think, Counselor.”  She was intertwined with his thoughts and questions as she searched the various pathways of his mind.  She stepped forward slowly and yet determined.  “We do not have many modern cases to evaluate and explain…but there is plenty in the past before there were laws around this kind of thing.”  She reached out and pulled the swirling darkness out of the air,  both her hands gripping the unruly cloud tightly.  “It is interesting that it chose to leave something behind.  I say chose because it was not as well hidden as it could have been.  Another element to be aware of as we continued forward in our investigation.”

Egrel nodded slowly, “I pulled back as soon as I could. I can see it was not quick as I could have, or should have been, for that matter. It tried to push through my defenses, whatever this is. It was poorly and hastily hidden, I see. I did not allow it to have time to linger long before I yanked away.”

Theodora stared at the thing in her hands as she slowly went about the process of removing it, “There are plenty of methods and means at my disposal as a Vulcan…as you have at yours as a Betazoid.  In this case, it is merely a case of removing the false memories that it placed to power this abomination.”  It took her a moment longer to seek out and clear the implanted memories.  “Whatever did this was in a rush…they did not take the time to tie the false memories to real ones…or any kind of thing that would have presented challenges.”  Another moment as she searched the halls, walls, and shelves of the Counselor’s mind until she had found no trace, and the once swirling ball had faded until it became nothing, her hands holding an empty space.

Egrel watched her work with fascination, storing that in his memory to utilize later, “I am glad I forced it out when I did. I never gave it the chance, nor do I ever want it to.” He paused, falling quiet as he let her work and search. He queried, “Is that all there is of… that?”

Walker cocked her head at him, “It is, for now.  We will need to be careful as we move closer to the original signal.  Power is relative to distance.”  She glanced around, “Your mind is strong, Counselor.”  With that, she slowly untangled her mind from his, washing the connection in calming breaths and peaceful memories until her hands were separated from his skin and her eyes opened to see his.

Egrel opened his eyes to look at Theodora, replying to something she said during the mind meld, “Thank you, Lieutenant. It needs to be…to be a counselor.” He straightened up and touched a hand gently to his forehead. He looked towards the Captain, “It left something behind in its haste. I am glad we looked.”

Halsey glanced at his wife as she gave a quiet nod and said, “I’ll have a complete report for you shortly, Captain.  Counselor, I would advise you to create a report of your own to submit.  We will need much information as whatever it is out there comes closer to us in here.”

The CO returned his attention to the view screen.  What in the hell was out there?

O’Shea looked over at Dougal and Neva giving them a quick one over for the last time before the brand over to the Colorado, “Lights and mag boots on, be ready, who knows what we will find over there.”

“Aye,” Dougal replied flatly and without enthusiasm.  He entered the appropriate commands into the the key pad on the suite and with a hum and buzz the mag boots activated and the beacons switched on.  “I’m ready lad,” he said more to himself than O’Shea.

 Neva nodded.  “Yessir.” She made a final check of her suit’s systems and made the necessary adjustments. Neva closed her eyes and silently prayed for a safe mission. With a sigh, her eyes popped open as the transporter took them away from her Iron Mistress. 

Moments after they stepped into the transporter pad the world before the team shimmered and found themselves in a pitch-black corridor. O’Shea turned his head slowly, the light from his helmet illuminated the corridor before the. Debris floated randomly before him with several large support beams that had collapsed and crisscrossed the hallway before them. He opened his com channel to the other two, “Up ahead should be engineering, let’s move but be careful. Three hull breaches are close to here so structural integrity may be bad.”

Dougal glanced around, “I would be surprised it wasn’t. The lass is in bad shape.”

Neva sucked in a sharp gulp of air as they materialized on board the Colorado. Something was wrong. Something….dark…

O’Shea started to move forward without looking back, he sweep his head back and forth and illuminating the corridor before them. “You could say that again Dougal.” he said as he pushed a piece of floating wall panel from his path. “Remember what your doorways and corners. Never know what could be here.”

Neva’s brow furrowed in confusion. She’d been on countless EVA’s without problems. And this wasn’t supposed to be any different. “I think I need to lay off my sandwiches,” she mumbled as she set the mag boots and lights up as instructed. ‘What the–?’ she wondered. Looking at the two men she made herself smile and nodded. “OK, let’s see what this Old dog has in store for us!”

As O’Shea moved forward, the other following he continually monitored the Tactical Eye Display, TED, that Dougal had passed on to him. The layout of the ship lay before him as the ship had once been. “Looks like we are 50 meters from engineering. Let’s move quickly, and see what you can access in there Neva.” 

Switching to the master coms channel he sent a message to Captain Halsey and the other away team, “We are approaching engineering, it’s a mess down here. Will send an update when we have anything.”

As a matter of protocol,  Dougal scanned the immediate area for threats, “No life signs, radiation levels are normal,  and only minimal power signatures.  A testament to the engineers of the time,” he conceded. Still speaking to O’Shea he looked at Neva, “Maybe the lass can get some power restored.”

“Never know, let’s see what our star fleet certified miracle worker can do,” O’Shea said, gesturing to Neva, as they made their way down the corridor and ducked under a large support beam that hand collapsed decades before. Coming to an intersection he peered around the corner before stepping out and pointed further into the ship, “Twenty meters to our right is engineering. Not to be confused with the gapping hole to space to our left…”

Dougal scowled and fought not to lose his last meal as his stomach tried to turn itself inside out. “Ye should have been a comedian instead of a security officer,” Dougal quipped dryly.

Neva shook her head and groaned. “The Emergency Exits are here, here, and here.” She pointed ahead, then right and left as she spoke. She smirked. “Sorry guys, I couldn’t resist.” 

“One must do what they can,” O’Shea said with a smile and checked the corridor in each direction, “Path is clear, lets move forward.”

Neva stood just inside the door of the Colorado’s Main Engineering, trying not to whimper at the state of this Girl’s Heart. “Ok, I think I can squeeze some power out of this Girl. That is, if I can believe the sensor readings show a few intact Dilithium Crystals!” 

That said, Neva snaked around and over debris and consoles. Without thinking, she blew at the Dilithium Chamber door to dispel the dirt and dust. Instead, she found she fogged her visor. She silently cursed and wiped the door. She held up her scanner for a quick moment, then smiled brightly. 

“She’s got some juice, Sir!” Neva burst out. “I’m surprised!” That said, she swiped the dead Crystals and dust out the door.  She began muttering under her breath, hands becoming One with the torn up Ship’s Heart. 

As Neva stepped towards the dilithium chamber O’Shea scanned the room with the TED, flicking though several spectrums seeing nothing. He turned and waved to Dougal, “Take two of these flood lights and set them up along the right of the core, there and back there.” He said and pointed to a spot a few meters to Dougal’s right near an old console that have exploded and then back to a spot by the core. “I’ll get the ones on this side, that should light up the room nicely. Get rid of these shadows. Make it easier to see what we have here.”

Dougal slung his rifle over his shoulder happy to have the distraction.  Snapping open the case he drew out two of the floodlights and extended their tripod stands.  It was quick work as he placed the lights in their designated locations.  As engineering started to illuminate the full scope of the damage began to take shape.  

It was a complete mess.  Exploded consoles were everywhere and debris littered the deck.  At a computer interface console, it was ripped open to expose the duotronic circuitry. There was a pair of leads dangling terminating in what appeared to be some form of neural interface.  “Bloody Christ,” Dougal swore seeing that.  “Lieutenant take a wee look at this. What do ya think this is?”

O’Shea finished placing his flood lights effectively removing all shadows from the room he surveyed the damage before walking over to Dougal. “Well you don’t see something like that every day,” he said and pulled out his tricorder and began to scan the interface. “Wonder what the hell they were up to? Why would they have needed a neural interface?” he wondered aloud.

As the tricorder continued to scan the device he glanced over at Neva, “How’s it going over there Lieutenant Cordon?” As he said that the tricorder chimed at him and he looked down. “I’m not getting much from this, how about yourself?” he asked and turned to look at Dougal.

Dougal frowned,  “I dinnae ken.  I’m no engineer, but this wee bugger doesn’t look like it’s Federation ya-ken.”

O’Shea knelt down and looked at it closer, “I think you may be right about that. Let’s disconnect it and bag it. May be able to figure out who was here and when from this.”

Dougal nodded, “Aye sir.” The big Scotsman clumsily started to trace the leads to where they interfaced with the circuitry inside the terminal, “Bugger it all to hell!” He swore as his glove covered hands bumped around inside the console not doing what he wanted them to do. In frustration he drew his phaser pistol, tuned the beam and cut the circuit board free of the console and pulled the whole thing out of the console housing.

“That is one way to do it,” O’Shea said with a smile as he continued to scan the room. “Pack it away, let’s see what the team on Mercy can figure out about it.”

Neva was just about to get the power connected when she suddenly got flung against a wall. As her head hit the bulkhead, instead of seeing stars or blacking out, she saw a Blackness wind itself around her. Her eyes widened, a scream burst telepathically from her. ~~ NOOOOOOO! ~~ 

Neva grabbed her head, shaking it hard to clear it. ~~STOP IT!!!~~ She felt the Blackness only squeeze tighter. “Help…meee…” Her words were a loud whisper. She thrashed, as if she were fighting to get something off of her. ~~ GO AWAY!! GO NOW!~~ 

O’Shea had turned his head to check on the engineer just as she was blasted back from the console she was working at and smashed into the bulkhead across the room. “What the HELL!? Lieutenant Cordon Status?” the gasped as he brought up the phase compression rifle and scanned the room and switched his TED to show Neva life signs. “MacDonald you see anything?! That was no feedback, powers still out.”

Dougal swore, and kneeled taking a defensive posture. Hi weapon was pressed to his shoulder and he slowly scanned engineering with his eyes. “I dinnae see a bloody thing!” The Scotsman grumbled. 

Seeing nothing in the room O’Shea lowered his weapon and moved as quickly as his mag boots would allow him to reach Neva. As he approached moments after she flew across the room he could see her trashing against the bulkhead, the display was showing her blood pressure and heart rate were through the roof. Reaching down he put his hand on her shoulder, “Neva, what happened?”

Hearing a familiar voice, Neva groaned and tossed her head slowly back and forth. “Nooo…” she whined. She heard a voice laugh within her mind growing softer, the Blackness uncoiling from her by degrees. 

Once it had retreated enough, Neva slowly opened her dark eyes. The light haloed around a dark form for a moment, then coalesced into the Security Officer. She saw his mouth move, but his voice was muffled. She looked at him quizically, tilting her head as if to hear better.

“Sir? What did you say?” Neva shook her head violently, the ordeal too harsh and too real to discuss. She pushed herself to a sitting position and looked around the room, then back at O’Shea. “I’ll be fine, Sir. Just needed to test the suit, I guess.” She gave a sheepish smile. 

Satisfied that there wasn’t an immediate external threat Dougal moved to O’Shea’s side, but still on alert. His first thought was to call Aimee, but he wasn’t in charge here. It wasn’t his call to make. “Sir, do we need my wife… Doctor MacDonald down here? The lass doesn’t look so bonnie.”

O’Shea glanced over at Dougal and nodded, “Possibly, either way, let’s notify Halsey,” he said before looking at Neva, “That was no suit issue or feedback, tell me exactly what happened.” He continued to watch Neva’s vitals as both her heart rate and blood pressure began to level out. 

“Aye the captain should know to be sure,” Dougal agreed. 

Neva looked at her lap, then up at the Security Officer. “I don’t know exactly how to explain, Sir. I don’t know what I tripped, just that I was about to connect the power. It wasn’t a short, Sir. I wouldn’t be thrown like that. I got PULLED away.” She swallowed a lump and continued with a pained expression. “I felt something coil around me like a snake. A…a Blackness…that’s all I could feel about it.” She squeeze her eyes shut, not wanting to relive the experience. “I…it wouldn’t stop…it choked.” She gulped down a breath as she opened her eyes again. “You brought me back, Sir. Thank you.” A small smile turned up the corners of her mouth. “Can I get back to work, Sir? I was almost done.”

O’Shea looked at the engineer with a bit of a shocked expression which he tried to hide. ‘She cannot be serious; talks about a strange blackness that tried to kill her and now just shrugs it off…engineers…’ he thought exasperated. “No, not yet Lieutenant Cordon, your readings are a bit all over the place. Give it a minute.” he said as he stood and turned to Dougal, “Keep an eye on her, whatever it was that happened here was not normal. I’m calling this in.”

“What did ye mean by O’Shea bringing you back lass?” Dougal asked looking at Neva with a mixture of sympathy and suspicion.

Neva looked over at Dougal with a sad grin. “I was stuck inside myself with that…that Thing. When I heard Lt. O’Shea, It…It…It let me go…” she trailed off…turning her head to watch the Lieutenant. “I’m sorry I wasn’t more careful…”

Dougal crossed himself in the ancient Catholic tradition and spoke a lorica in Scot’s Gaelic, “Biodh gàirdeanan Dhè mu’m ghualainn.”  He gave her sympathy, “The touch of the fairies… ghillie dhu or fachans. An ill wind blows to be sure aye.”

O’Shea glanced at Dougal, “You could say that again..”

Neva gave the security officer an interested look. “Sir, you’ll have to tell me about those creatures sometime.” She slid a quick glance at the derelic’s engineering room and shivered. “I may be an engineer, but I ain’t setting foot in that place if I have a say in it!” She looked back at her crewmates with a slight blush. “Not unless I’m ordered to, that is,” she amended.

“Oh just wee beasties that go bump in the night lass,” Dougal replied far more nonchalantly than he felt.  

Talking a step away from the two other officers O’Shea opened a com channel to the bridge, “O’Shea to Mercy,” but all he got was a low-level static on the channel. He repeated it twice more then he tried the other away team but didn’t get anything from them either. He turned to look back at the others. “There is some kind of interference, Lieutenant MacDonald, give it a try, could be my suit,” he said and looked over to Neva. “Your stats seem to be levelling out. Have you ever felt something like that before?”

Dougal nodded,  and activated his comm unit, “MacDonald to Mercy.” Nothing. “MacDonald to Commander Sorek. MacDonald to Doctor MacDonald.” Still nothing. Dougal gave O’Shea a simple shake of his head. Externally he was calm, but inside he was fighting down terror threatening to boil over and consume him.  In battle he had something to focus this fear on… here there was nothing but the inky blackness that seemed to close in on them.

Neva shook her head. “No Sir. It’s not something I want to repeat, either.” She slowly got up, pushing against the bulkhead for balance. 

“Damnit,” O’Shea muttered to himself after clicking the comms off. Flicking them back on he started to scan the room in more detail with his tricorder looking for the usual culprits. “Ok, that this damn odd. They had been working not long ago. What has changed…beyond some invisible black snake thing.” As the spoke he monitored the radiation levels and whatever signals were within the room. As he swept over the core where Neva had been working there was a low-level unknown energy reading. “Lieutenant Cordon, what do you make of these readings?” he said as he sent his tricorder readings over to Neva’s.

Turning to look at Dougal, “How are you doing? Part of me says we should bug out but even if we need to go for a spacewalk through that breach back there. The last thing I want is to come up against some unknown and unseen entity; that is what the scientists are for…”

“I’ll do lad,” Dougal replied. His palms were sweaty,  and there was no way to wipe them inside the suit.  Another discomfort. Sighing he looked to the entrance to engineering. In the corridor beyond lay the breech. “You an the lass should go to the exfil point. I’ll do the spacewalk.  Maybe outside the hull I can establish comms with the ship.”

O’Shea looked at Dougal and nodded, “That may be for the best, let’s see what our engineer thinks then we will decide. We need information at the moment.”

The Engineer perused the readings, brow furrowing at the readout. “This isn’t right, Sir. The systems were…” That gaze turned incredulous. “Sort of…repaired. It’s wrong, Sir.” She looked up and then around the room, brows down again. “Whoever tried, they didn’t know what they were doing.” Her head snapped to O’Shea, recognition dawning. “THAT’S why the repairs to the Crystals were not as bad as I thought they’d be!” 

Neva’s expression turned fearful. “Sir, I don’t like this. In MANY ways.”

“Can you elaborate on that? Are we and the ship in danger?” O’Shea said as he tightened his grip on his rifle and scanned the room with cold and calculating eyes. “I am thinking we should pull back and see what the other team found.” 

Neva shook her head. “Sorry, Sir. That’s all I can figure out.” She scanned the place and shivered. “Leaving sounds REALLY good!” She hopped over to him and nodded decisively. “Who’s ready for a spacewalk?” She smirked and walked away.

Dougal frowned, “I dinnae ken what’s worse.  Spacewalking or hanging out here with the wee fairies and ghosts.” He let out a long sigh, “Aye let’s get this over with.”

“MacDonald, you take point, I will bring up the rear.” O’Shea said as he pointed to the door, Once we are out the Mercy will see us one way or another.” He watched the others begin to make their way out of Engineering, before he turned to leave he did a slow sweep of the room making sure everything was captured on the helmet camera and double check that the tricorder readings were logged. As his eyes came to rest on the core and the spot Neva had been working he muttered, “Níl sé seo thart. Whatever you are this isn’t over.” With that, he turned and left engineering following Neva and Dougal through the ghost ship towards the gapping breach in its side.

Moments later the three of them found themselves standing looking out at the empty black. “Signals still jammed,” O’Shea said. Lets Get out of here and update Halsey. With that He pushed off into the void.

USS Colorado, Bridge

On the Mercy, the away team personnel went through final checks before beaming over to the Colorado.  Sorek, Doctor MacDonald, and Lieutenant Iziraa transporting to the bridge, the other team going to engineering.

The bridge was dark, as expected, but still in respectable condition. There was some disarray, and dust particles floating in the air glistened in the lights from their EV suits.  Sorek surmised the ship could become operational again after a few months at a starbase.

“Commander!”

Iziraa's excited voice came through the helmet comm.

Sorek looked at the Andorian security officer.  Floating past her was a body.

“Doctor," said Sorek.

Aimee gave the remains little interest.  They had expected deceased crew, and this while sad, was nothing to get worked up about.  Pulling out her tricorder.  There was some atmosphere.  Some, but certainly not enough to sustain life.  "Atmosphere is thin.  CO² levels are at ninety percent and O² hovering around one percent."

Out of an abundance of thoroughness, she scanned the body.  She wasn’t going to perform a full autopsy on someone in an EVA suit while the subject floated around a destroyed bridge.  "Death is consistent with electrocution.  Considering," she gestured around her, "not too surprising."

Aimee placed a transporter tag on the officer's uniform so they could beam the crew back later.

"Thank you, Doctor."  Finding a body floating on the bridge of a ship missing 200 years, Sorek had safety concerns.  To honor the fallen Starfleet officer, they would eventually take him back to the Mercy, but they had to make sure he wasn't carrying a contagion or even exposed to radiation.

Sorek studied at the body, his eye moving to the rank insignia, still visible after so long.

"This is Captain Morris."  Sorek paused to show respect, but they needed to find out what happened.  He moved to the command chair and accessed the captain's log.  There was a crackling sound, followed by a voice filled with static.

"Death."  Bzzt bzzt.  "Coming for us."  Bzzt.  "Help us."

Silence.

Listening to the hollow voice of a man long dead, and surprised the recording still worked, Izi felt a nervous tingle in her antennae.  The feeling reminded her of scary stories told when she was a child.

Sorek tapped his comm badge.  "Sorek to Mercy."

"Mercy here, sir."

"We need Lieutenant Sesias to beam here to the bridge.  Have him bring a portable power pack," said Sorek.

Sesias stood in his modified EVA suit clutching the portable power supply in two of his hands while his third arm was tucked behind the unit. “Ok, ensign Blakely, you heard the call from the commander. Lucky for me, I had already thought about bringing the power supply unit or I'd have to go get it.”

Ensign Blakely chuckled.

“After you transport me, send those two battery packs to the away team in engineering over there, I’m sure they will need them.”

“Yes sir”

“Ok, I'm ready when you are ensign.” as Lt Sesias started to dematerialize.

"Yes, sir."  The channel closed.

"Do you have any thoughts, Doctor?" said Sorek.

She sighed and looked around. Her job was the living.  While the dead didn't bother her they weren't interesting,  and engineering, wasn't her field of expertise.  “To be honest…  I don’t know what to make of it.  All sorts of things can happen out here. Sensors weren't the best… an Ion storm could have snuck up on them or any number of natural and unnatural threats."

Sesias materialized behind the captain's chair near the turbo lift doors.

”Did someone order a power supply and an operations officer?” He placed the power supply on the floor and activated the magnetic lock on it so it would not float away. He then noticed the floating body “The captain I suppose?” 

Lt Sesias looked over at Commander Sorek. “I would guess you would want the captain's logs first. May be easier on a ship and systems this old to download the logs from each individual console versus trying to work with the computer core. This may take a few minutes on each console, Commander.”

“We need to know what happened here,” said Sorek.  “Do the best you can.”  He looked at Captain Morris, still floating about the bridge.  Since Doctor MacDonald scanned him, it would be safe now to send him to the Mercy.  He contacted the ship and arranged the transport.

The deceased captain of the Colorado was sent to the Mercy.  In her three years on Starbase Bravo, Izi had seen one person die, an elderly Human woman with a bad heart.  As the woman took her last breath, she was looking into Izi's eyes, a pleading expression calling for help.  It was something Izi had never forgotten.  Seeing the deceased CO was a different situation, but it made Izi feel just as helpless as she was with the woman.  Shaking away those thoughts, Izi took up a position where she could cover the entire bridge, especially the turbolift door in case there was power to use it.  It was unlikely, but better to be prepared for anything.

Aimee had nothing to do and was replaying the captain’s log… what was left of it over and over trying to glean some clue from it,  but it was just too damaged to get anything meaningful from it… and then something hit her.  A small reading when she scanned the body.  Neural degeneration.  She had initially dismissed it. While not unheard of, especially following electrocution it just stuck out to her. 

Approaching the XO she spoke, “Sir, I think I should conduct a full autopsy on Captain Morris, and any other crew we come across.”

“What do you suspect?” said Sorek.

“Nothing concrete yet. Just feeling that something is off, and it has to do with that log the captain made.”

“Do you believe you should return to the Mercy and perform the autopsy now?” said Sorek.

Sesias moved from console to console downloading the logs. “I'm not sure how they ever got anything done back in those days. The systems are slow, image recording on logs was sporadic at best. Most of these logs seem to be dictated through the computer and if there are verbal components they are greatly deteriorated. Hmmm on video or images of any kind seem to be from the captain, the chief engineer and the chief medical officer. That's not the only weird occurrence though.” 

Sesias walked over to where Commander Sorek and Doctor McDonald were having a conversation and waited for a pause. 

She glanced around, and shrugged, “Up to you sir. I suppose they've been dead for two-hundred years a few more minutes won't hurt anything, but I got a feeling that a piece of the puzzle is in the way of their death.  Captain Morris said that death was coming for them. Like it was some entity… something like a predator stalking its prey. This wasn't an ion storm or system malfunction. There was an enemy.  An enemy that scared the daylights out of a seasoned Starfleet officer, and how he died could provide the who.

Sorek considered the doctor's words.  Returning to the Mercy or remaining on the Colorado both had merit.  “We still need you here, so you should stay, for now.”

“Excuse me, Commander. But I believe I have found something of note in the logs I have downloaded so far.”

Sorek nodded for Sesias to continue.

“Sir, take a look at this.” He gave his PADD to the commander. 

“So far I have been able to get logs from the Captain, First Officer, Chief of Science and the Chief of Tactical Ops. The one item that stands out to me is that there is almost a week difference in time between the Captain's last posting and the last posting of anyone else that should be on the bridge. Which raises the question where are the rest of the crew? And why is the Captain the only one on the ship as far as we know?”

“Indeed,” said Sorek.  This told him searching the ship would most likely result in not finding more of the crew.

“The few video logs that I have been able to find are mainly from the Captain, they are sporadic at best and very deteriorated. I will need to get these back to LT S’Atilen on the Mercy to see if he can get them cleaned up.”

Aimee was going through the procedures in her head to determine her best course of action and was only half listening.  But, the part about a week between logs did pique her interest.  Considering that for a moment and the lack of crew on the bridge she posited a theory, “Perhaps the captain was the last one alive.  Are the escape pods still intact or have they been launched?”

“That is a good question, Doctor, till the Colorado’s power is turned back on I can not check the escape pod statuses from here,” said Sesias.

“Confirmed,” said Izi checking a console.  “Unable to determine pod status.”

Sesias switched channels for his EVA suit. “Captain, we have noticed something odd with the logs that I have been able to download so far, can you tell if the Colorado's escape pods are still present or have they all been activated and jettisoned.”

“Away team, this is the Mercy.  Wait one.”

Izi watched the others on the bridge, her antennae moving in circles.  Well, as much as they could in the over-sized helmet.  She felt bad for the Colorado crew, but she was anxious to be part of solving the mystery of what happened to them.  If they did, maybe the lost crew could rest in dignity and honor.

“Away team, two escape pods are missing.  The rest are still on the Colorado.”

“Two hardly accommodates a whole crew,” Aimee replied.  “Something happened here over the course of that week.”

“We've done what we can do here,” said Sorek.  “Mister Sesias, Doctor, return to the Mercy.  The log data needs to be analyzed.  Doctor, perform the autopsy on Captain Morris.  Send your reports to Captain Halsey as soon as you're finished.  Lieutenant Iziraa and I will remain here.”

After the beam out, Sorek looked at Iziraa.  “Are you ready to do some exploring?”

Aimee stood at the main console in Med Lab One.  Connecting with the transporter system, she beamed the body of the USS Colorado‘s captain onto the examination table.  “Computer scan subject for all known toxins and pathogens.”

The computer beeped in response, “Working…  No toxins or pathogens detected.”

Aimee stared at the lifeless form of a Starfleet officer before sighing and pulled on her respirator, and walked through the force field that separated the corpse from the rest of the ship.  “Computer start medical examiner’s log,” Aimee announced as she walked around the body.  She had used the transporter to separate him from his uniform, and she took in the overall appearance.  “Subject, Morris, Anthony James is a 45-year-old human male.  He is 1.8 meters long and weighs 83 kilograms.  Body appears to be in early stages of decomposition despite having died roughly 200 years ago.  This is likely due to the sub-zero aerobic environment that the body was found in. Body was found frozen solid and cellular damage is consistent with that fact.”

Now done with the walk around, she started making more specific examinations. While holding Morris’ hand in her left, she scanned it with her tricorder, “There are antemortem and perimortem abrasions, and bruising consistent with the use of restraints.   Fingertips on both hands demonstrate antemortem and perimortem electrical burns. Many of the injuries demonstrate healing and indicate the subject received them over the course of a week prior to death.” She moved down the legs and continued her log, “Lower extremities show the same injury pattern as the upper. There are two circular burn wounds approximately 50 millimeters in diameter to the left and right temples.  Location, size, and shape are consistent with neural probes used for monitoring neural activity. Burns to the temples are consistent with electrical contact.”

Picking up a hypospray, Aimee located a location of pooled blood and drew out a vial’s worth of what was now inky black.  Stepping out of the quarantine field with a buzz, she handed the hypospray to Nurse Hamilton, “I’ll require a full analysis of the blood, please.”

“Of course, Doctor,” Nurse Hamilton replied.

Aimee returned to the exam bay with a buzz of forcefield.  With a laser scalpel, she made the Y-incision and opened up the chest cavity. Removing the heart, she gave it a visual examination, “Cardiac muscle appears to have been healthy.” She placed it on a scale, “Hearth weighs 284 grams.” Transferring it to a diagnostic scanner, the advanced sensors scanned the organ down to the atomic level. Reading the data, she continued the autopsy report, “Damage to heart is consistent with cardiac arrest brought on by electrical shock.”

Captain Halsey had stood outside the med bay doors, a PADD in hand.  The things that were starting to come back from the crew based on what they had found and experienced from the Colorado were troubling and revealing.  He stepped through the door and found his way to where his Chief Medical Officer was working on the autopsy on the captain of the ghost ship.  He gave a slight nod to the nurse and shifted into the eyesight of the lieutenant.

“Captain,” she greeted.  Adjusting her scanning equipment Aimee spoke, “Computer run a full neurological scan.”

The computer beeped in response, “Processing.”

He tapped the console, “I’m relieved you’re back with us, Doctor.  Given the pieces I’m getting as reports are drafted, we’re not dealing with something…normal.”  He nodded to the body, “Anything of note so far?”

“Death is normal, Captain,” Aimee replied, “but I admit the circumstances are odd.”

The CO allowed a thin smile.  Doctors had unique views on life and death, while the reality of it remained the same – death was a normal process in the master program of life.  “Odd seems to be our business this mission.”

“Neurological scan complete.” The computer announced.

Aimee went to the computer console and brought the scans of the brain onto the main computer, “Now, that isn’t normal.  I believe you are a doctor.  I have never seen this amount of damage to the brain before.”

Aimee moved closer to the wall monitor. “What did they do to you?” She said aloud.  ”It’s like they tried hooking him up to a computer.   By the looks of things, his brain was completely scrambled.  He may have died of a heart attack,  but he was brain dead long before that.”

Halsey pulled up the scans on his console and felt his hair stand up on end a little.  “Whoever did this kept him alive trying to craft some kind of…,” he tapped at the console, trying to understand what he was seeing.  “This reminds me of early experiments in neuromechanical engineering.”  He tapped at the screen, “There are points in the surface of the brain where you can see whoever was doing this attempted to craft a connection point or something..good God, they had some cowboys in here.”

Aimee took a laser scalpel and opened up the top of his head to reveal the brain.   “I have never seen brain tissue look like this.”

Halsey contemplated as he looked at the data the computer was feeding him, “I think we’re going to need to do a deep scan of his head – brain and all…you can see there are attempts on the surface scans…but it lacks the care and thought you’d see in experiments like this…it begs the question – was this an experiment at all?  Or was this just…someone taking the idea and thinking they could just…do it?”

Aimee frowned,  “That’s a disturbing thought.” She carefully removed the brain and gave it a visual examination.   “Weight and size appears normal.”

Just then, Nurse Hamilton walked in PADD in hand, “I got the tox screen resul…” She never finished the sentence as she slapped the PADD into Halsey’s chest and ran out of the room, green to the gills.

Aimee gave the departing nurse an amused expression,  “She must have missed cadaver day at the Academy.  What does the tox screen show?”

The former Chief Medical Officer frowned at the report, “Well, weird is becoming our thing.  LSD , Scolpolamine, and zolpidam.  What a cocktail.”

“So a hallucinogen and something to make him open to suggestion.  You could have probably made him think he was a duck and got him to walk around the ship quacking.”

Halsey shook his head as he finished with, “…and zolpidam is a sedative.  What in the hell happened over there?”  He stared at the body through the glass and then back to the PADD, “If we weren’t going to be careful before taking our next step…this information gives me serious qualms about what happens next.  You think we need some backup going into whatever is next?”

Aimee sighed,  “Without knowing exactly what we’re dealing with… I haven’t a clue.  For all we know, this is the origins of the Borg. All I can say for sure was someone or something sedated him, got him higher than a kite, and scrambled his brains trying to hook him up to a computer.”

Halsey held his frown as he looked from PADD to the body and back again, “Secure the body for now.  Forward your report to Lieutenant Walker.  I think we’re going to need him…or his brain for whatever comes next.  Thank you, Doctor MacDonald, for your work on this.”  He gave her a nod and headed back to the bridge.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/8iw1RHKi11Mf4zx59

Adrift outside USS Colorado

O’Shea adjusted the direction of his momentum with a small burst from the suit’s thrusters, so he faced the USS Colorado. The three of them drifted slowly away from the presumably derelict vessel into the great emptiness of the space beyond. He had not realized it when he was on the USS Colorado, but he felt himself relax with each passing meter they added to the growing gap. Looking over at the forms of his team, he could see Dougal and Neva, “How are you two holding up?”

Neva tried to keep herself together despite nausea threatening in her stomach. She hadn’t done an EVA since the Academy, and the experience was daunting. Bravery was key now; she was a Starfleet officer. Officers did NOT retch!

Trying to get her mind off her body, she bravely tried to answer the Security Chief. “OK, at the moment, Sir. Thank you.” Neva sucked in a deep breath again and gladly floated away from that terrible Thing.

I’ll do,” Dougal replied flatly.  He was feeling sick and, at this point, was wishing he was back on the other ship with the wee beastie.

“Let’s see if we are clear of the interference,” O’Shea said and switched his coms to the channel both the away teams and the Mercy were on. “O’Shea to Mercy or Sorek, Anyone reading us?” As he did, he turned slowly to look over towards the imposing form of the Olympic-class vessel clearly visible in the distance. ‘Hope we are out of the interference and that our impromptu spacewalk wasn’t us going overboard…’

Izi and Commander Sorek had used an emergency escape conduit to leave the Colorado bridge.  They were now moving carefully through the ship.  It was dark and quiet, and with limited sensing from her antennae, as Humans said, Izi felt like she had moths in her stomach.

“Are you all right, Lieutenant?” said Sorek.

How did he know? Izi thought.  “I’m fine, sir.”  She didn’t want her XO to know how nervous she was.

A message came through the helmet comm.  It was garbled, but Sorek could tell it was O’Shea.

“Sorek here.  Your transmission was not clear.  Are you able to hear me?”

Izi stopped, waiting to hear from the other team, hoping they were all right.

O’Shea turned his head, bringing the USS Colorado into view as the garbled voice of what he guessed was the XO, Sorek, came through, “Sir, we EVACED from the ship via a hull breach, we encountered an unknown entity, it assaulted Lieutenant Cordon and coms were jammed, recommend you get out yourself sir.”

Twisting to look at Neva and Dougal he switched the coms to them. “Either of you get much of that?”

“Nay, lad,” Dougal replied with his eyes closed.  “It was garbled, to be sure.”

Neva shook her head solemnly. “Same as McDonald, Sir. Very garbled.” She swallowed hard again, pushing the nausea further down. ‘What I wouldn’t give for a transporter right now!’ She mused. 1

Izi looked at Commander Sorek, who seemed to be trying to work out what was said.  “Did he say evaced?”

“I believe so.  He also mentioned an entity,” said Sorek.

“Why would they do that?”  Izi’s antennae shuddered.

“Their comm signals are blocked by some sort of interference,” said Sorek.  “The logical conclusion is, they were unable to contact the Mercy.  While on the bridge, we could contact them and successfully use the transporters.  We should return there.”

“If we can’t reach them, does that mean we’re going on a little space walk of our own?” said Izi.

“It would seem so,” said Sorek.

“Cool!” Izi smiled.

USS Mercy – 1600

Halsey paced the bridge.  He wasn’t given to nerves, but they’d been out of communication with the teams for a little bit too long for his liking.  His wife turned in her chair, “Captain?”

Leopold slowed to a halt and glanced up at her, “A bit unsettled, that’s all.  Anything on sensors?” She tapped at the console and shook her head.  He moved to the front of the bridge and stared at the USS Colorado.  Something caught his eye for a moment, and then it was gone.  It was back again.  Movement of some kind. 

“Ensign Fleming – you seeing this?”  The helm officer glanced up from his controls and stared with a nod.  Halsey moved closer to the viewscreen, “Zoom in on that.”  A second later, the view of O’Shea, Neva, and Dougal struggling through space filled the screen.  The CO caught his breath in his throat, “Can we lock onto them?”

Maxwell tapped at the console as he coordinated with the transported room.  The bridge crew remained glued to the screen and the drama unfolding before them.  “We have a lock on all three, but we’re seeing interference of some kind coming their way – we’ll lose lock in 5 seconds.”

Halsey didn’t even wait to ask for more, “Get them home, Mr. Fleming…now.”  He also didn’t wait for them to respond as he spun on his heels, “Lieutenant Choi, you have the CONN.”

Egrel was leaned over, elbow resting on the armrest and his chin in his hand, watching the viewscreen with a furrowed brow. He still could not shake that uneasy feeling and was running through the events of what he saw in his mind. He looked up sharply as Halsey spoke. The colour drained from his face as he processed his words and managed to barely get out a, “Yes, sir.” Bewildered, he watched the captain depart the bridge.

Transporter Room-1630

Halsey skidded through the transporter room door, concern filling his face as he laid eyes on his three officers.  Two nurses were behind the CO and moved to the crew.  Leopold let out a sigh, “I’m glad to have you back home.  What happened out there?”  As he spoke, the nurses began to help them out of their EV suits.

Happy to no longer be confined to the EV suit and standing on “solid ground,” Dougal grinned, “Nothing to worry about, sir. Just a wee beastie tossed Lt. Cordon around like a rag doll.”  He glanced at O’Shea, his expression apologetic for having spoken out of turn. “Sorry, lad.”

O’Shea rolled his shoulders as he took off his helm and quirked a smile as Dougal responded to the Captain and nodded slightly to Dougal in acknowledgment.  Turning to Halsey, “Sir, while Lieutenant  Cordon was in the process of restarting the core, she was assaulted by an unknown entity and thrown across the room. I have it all recorded on the suit’s display. Neither Lieutenant MacDonald nor I could see what it was that hit her. It took her a few moments to regain herself, and given what she described, I suspect it was some sort of psychic attack. We tried to contact both the ship and the other team, but signals were being blocked. Given the disadvantage we were in I felt it was best to remove the team from the situation, hence are impromptu space walk.” O’Shea said as he looked over towards Neva as she was helped out of her suit, “Lieutenant MacDonald also found a neural interface of unknown design connected to the ship. We brought it back with us.”

Neva gave a sigh of relief at her silent wish being granted. “Yessir, they’re right. Whatever…I call it a Thing. I was PULLED, honestly.” When her helmet came off, she sucked in a breath of a WORKING Ship’s air. Recycled or not, she was thankful it was there. “I felt…Something…It…” Neva looked visibly shaken. “As Lt. MacDougal said, I got thrown backward. And that…Thing got into my mind and curled around me like a snake. It kept up until I heard Mr. O’Shea’s voice.” 

Neva stepped out of her suit and shivered again harder this time. “It laughed and uncoiled after that.” She looked down as she straightened her uniform. “I’m sorry if this seems farfetched, Sir.”  She looked back up, locking eyes with the Captain. “Every bit of my Betazoid self felt…uh, violated.” She wiped a hand down her face and closed her eyes. “Please, sir, allow me to go to my office and cool down. I feel overwhelmed and need to process this.” 

O’Shea watched Neva as she spoke, “I would feel better if you got checked out by the Doc, first Lieutenant Cordon. I think we all should, it could have affected us as well without us realizing it.” Turning to look at the captain, he continued, “Your call though, sir.”

Halsey gave a nod, “While you were away, our Chief Counselor had a similar experience on the bridge…Lieutenant Walker did a gentle mind meld.  She discovered there is more to whatever this is.”  He made eye contact with his assistant chief, “Lieutenant Cordon – you’re both Betazoids.  I want to make very sure your safety is ensured.”  He moved to speak until he was interrupted.

“Excuse me, Captain,” said the transporter chief.  “What about Commander Sorek and Lieutenant Iziraa?”

The eyes of the CO grew wide at the realization that he had nearly forgotten about them in the near catastrophe.  “What about them indeed.  Start scanning for them, Chief.  You three are so ordered to report to Doctor MacDonald without delay.”

Dougal looked at O’Shea and then to Neva and shrugged, “I’m braw as the day I was born.”

O’Shea smirked at that, “Come on. Off to medical for a once over.” With that set his gear in one of the lockers for later collection and checking and turned to go to medical, the rest of the away team in tow.

Halsey spun to the chief, “Tell me you’ve found them.”

USS Colorado

Sorek and Izi had retreated back through the corridor and up the escape conduit, returning to the Colorado bridge.  Before contacting the Mercy, Izi felt a sensation in her antennae she had never experienced.  There was a vibrating like someone grabbed and wiggled them inside her helmet.  Gasping, she spun around as quickly as she could, looking behind her, which caused her mag boots to lose contact with the metal deck.

“Lieutenant, are you all right?”  Sorek grabbed the floating Andorian and pulled her back to the floor.  Iziraa looked at him like she didn’t know who he was.  “Lieutenant?  Iziraa?”

“I’m… I’m sorry, sir,” said Izi.  “For a moment, it felt like someone else was here.”

“Are you sure you’re all right?” said Sorek, looking around the bridge.  “No one else is here.”

“Yes, sir.  I’m fine.”

Sorek studied Iziraa for a moment before tapping his comm badge.  “Sorek to Mercy.  Lieutenant Iziraa and I are ready to return.”

USS Mercy – Transporter Room

“Sir, Commander Sorek is hailing us – they are ready to return.”

Halsey sighed in relief, “First few days as CO and I nearly forget an away team.  Get them home, Chief.”  The officer smiled quietly and activated the link as the whine of the transporter accelerated, and the white light flashed for a moment before the two last members of the away team appeared.  Halsey stepped forward, “Welcome back to the Mercy.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Sorek.

Back on the Mercy, Izi quickly removed her helmet, freeing her antennae.  Closing her eyes while they moved in quick circles. she let out a soft moan.  Opening her eyes, she saw everyone looking at her.  Feeling her cheeks warming, she cleared her throat.

“Captain, while we were on the Colorado bridge, it felt like someone or something was there with us.  In my EV suit, my sensing abilities were restricted, so I can’t say for sure, but….”  Izi shrugged.  “I don’t know how else to describe it.”

The CO’s frown hadn’t really gone away since the first away team had arrived, and this news wasn’t helping matters.  Something was out there.  “You’re the third person from the crew to report something occurring.”  He explained the chief counselor’s situation and then related their assistant chief engineer’s experience.  He pulled a medical tricorder from his belt and ran it over the security officer’s antennas and head carefully.  As Halsey scanned her, he glanced at his XO, “Thoughts, Commander?”

“I did not sense or see anyone or anything,” said Sorek.  “We must trust that our people did experience something.”

Halsey ran the scans one more time as he listened.  There were elevated readings but nothing abnormal for her species.  He caught her worried look, “You’re a little elevated on a few things… but it’s explained given what you felt over there.”  The CO asked, “What do you feel, Lieutenant?”

An Andorian’s antennae were deeply personal and intimate, and Izi didn’t want to talk about hers, but this was important, and she needed to do her Starfleet duty.  “Sir, it felt like someone reached inside my helmet and was holding… holding my antennae.”  She paused.  “It was… creepy.  It was probably just my imagination.”  She shrugged her shoulders.

Halsey listened carefully, “Thank you, Lieutenant.  I appreciate your being willing to share.”  He turned his attention back to the both of them, “I don’t think it was your imagination.  I think something was reaching out on the Colorado…but I don’t think it’s something on the Colorado.”  He glanced back at Izi, “I think the mistreatment of you would have been far more pronounced…and the effect on our two Betazoids wouldn’t have just been a rude push.  Medically this makes some sense and no sense.” He nodded to Sorek, “I’ll certify you both for to return to duty.” He looked to the security officer, “Take what time you need to get your balance back, Lieutenant.”

“I’m ready now, sir,” said Izi.  “Once I’m out of this suit, I’d like to take one of the tactical stations on the bridge.”

Halsey considered her for a moment.  She was doing better even as she stood there, and Sorek offered no reason for her to be held from duty.  He gestured to the door, “I’ll leave you to your duties.”  They both headed out the door, leaving Halsey to consider what was really out there.

What had they stumbled onto?

USS Mercy – Transporter Room

1700 – 11 Aug 2400

Lt. Sesias blinked his eyes after rematerializing on the transporter padd aboard the Mercy. “Lt S’Atlin, meet me in the communication center ASAP. Have the team fire up the Charlie Xray console and room. I’m bringing the PADD with the downloaded logs with me, be ready for a long one.”

“Yes sir, on my way from the bridge. I’ll get the team started on getting that console and room up and running.”

LT. Sesias made his way to the EVS changing and storage room and proceeded to get out of his suit, took a quick sonic shower, and got dressed back into his uniform. 

USS Mercy – Communications Centre

1800 – 11 Aug 2400

Lt. Sesias entered the communication center and made his way towards the Charlie X-ray room. “LT S’Atilen, with me. Bring your best audio-visual crew member along. These files are deteriorated and will need some work on them if we are to get anything useful from them.”

They enter the room and stand in front of the lone rather large boxy console. “This console as you know is not connected to any system on the Mercy, including the computer core. From what I saw when I was onboard the Colorado, something is off. This includes the logs that I was able to download while over there. You will see what I’m talking about in a moment. Let’s start with the Chief Medical Officers logs and work our way up to the Captain, we will download and go through each set of logs individually then when we have completed that we will start to see if we can piece things together. “

“Petty Officer Dyjott is on his way. He was running some diagnostics on one of the communications arrays. I sent someone down to relieve him.”

As he finished saying this a male vulcan entered the room. “ Petty Officer Dycott reporting, I heard you had some video logs that need some work done on them, sir.”

“Yes, we do. I just downloaded these from the Colorado. I took them from the consoles versus going through the main computer bank.”

“That is a logical move, sir, not knowing what shape the main computer core is in after all these years.” The petty officer took the main seat behind the console.

 “We started loading each one individually so we could go through them without interference from the other logs. Figured after we went through each one and fixed what we could and then look at them as a whole and hopefully piece together the full story.”

Dycott nodded at this. “ Well sir, as we don’t have the computer to help us out we will do the best we can but it will take some time.”

S’Atiln took the other seat “Why don’t you start to work on the video logs, Dycott? I’ll get started on the transcribed entries, this way we can start putting together something for the lieutenant and the captain.”

Sesias looked at each of them and snapped his fingers. “Almost forget, comm badges and anything else connected to the main computer or any other systems stay out of this room till otherwise dictated by the captain or myself.” He took off his combadge and held out his center arm for theirs, they gave him their comm badges which he then took outside to the communication center and returned into the Charlie Xray room.

Sesias took the third seat on the console. “ Let’s get to work gentlemen.”

0800 – 12 Aug 2400

“Good morning ensign.” S’Atilen hands her a cup of coffee.

“Morning sir, I think we pretty much got what we could from it last night.” As she took a sip of the coffee. “  We finished up the logs that were still left, they deteriorated pretty badly, but I think we found some rather interesting things.”

“Good morning lieutenant, ensign.”

“Morning sir, I was just going to go through what we were able to pull from the logs last night.” The ensign pulled up her report to show the two lieutenants what they were able to finish and what information they were able to pull from the logs.

“ Ensign, what is that? ” Sesias points out a black pulsing blobish-looking dot on the top right corner of the screen. We are not sure sir, it appeared over the last 20-30 minutes as we started to try and see if we could piece together the logs like a puzzle. We thought it was just a glitch on the screen. We were going to call engineering to come down and look at it when you and Lieutenant S’Atilen walked in.“

Sesias looked over at S’Atilen and pulled the ensign away from the console. “Everyone out, now!” They all quickly exited the room. “ Lieutenant S’Atilen lock down the Charlie X-Ray room, no one goes in there except for engineering.”

“Yes sir.”

Sesias went over to the ensign, “are you having any visions and headaches since that dot appeared.”

“No sir, what is going on sir?”

“ I’m not sure yet, you’re going to sick bay for a full medical scan.” Sesias put her comm badge on her chest and puts his in its place.”

“Doctor McDonald, Lieutenant Sesias. I’m sending Ensign Chohlesha to you plus two crewmen. They may have had contact with the same entity the LT. Neva and the counselor have.” 

“Chief Oakland, pick two more crew plus yourself, escort the ensign and the two crewmen that were on shift with her in the Charlie X-ray room to sick bay, Take them directly to Doc Macdonald.”

“Yes, sir.”

“S’Atilen were you able to get the report.”

“ Here it is, I also added in what the ensign said about that pulsing black dot.” Hands a PADD to Sesias.

Sesias took a few minutes to read through the report, when he got to the data that was able to be pulled from the logs he started to run a hand over his scalp. “ This is not good, not good at all.”

Sesias tapped his comm badge “Commander Sorek, Lieutenant Sesias. Took us all night but we were able to clean up the logs enough to pull some information from them. Sir, from what I’m reading right now we have more questions than answers but it looks like we might have a destination. Also inform the captain that we may have an attempted hacking of some sort of the system, luckily for us I enacted the Charlie X-Ray room for this thank goodness they didn’t take that out during the last retrofit. I’m sending you the report now. Lieutenant S’Atilen and I are on our way to the bridge.”

Sesias looked over at S’Atilen. “Ensign Th’iviakron, you have the Centre. No one goes in that room except for the engineers. Do not shut it down till they give the all-clear.”

“Yes sir.”

Sesias and S’Atilen make their way out of the communications center and head towards the nearest turbo-lift at a brisk pace.

***************************************************************

USS Colorado Logs

Retrieved: 1545 11 Aug 2400

Lt. Sesias 

I was able to pull several logs from the bridge stations of the USS Colorado during the away mission on 11 August 2400.

Logs Retrieved:

Captains

Chief Medical Officer

Chief Science Officer

Chief Engineer

Helm

Navigator

The logs were greatly deteriorated and took the communications team roughly 16 hours to pull any type of viable video or verbal logs. Below are some of what the communications team felt were the more important pieces.

Chief Medical Officer logs – start roughly two weeks from the CMO’s final log. 

(Combination of video and verbal logs)

“Crew… on station… Sleep problems…nightmares… Reporting to Sickbay upon rotation.”

Next logs – 72 hours later

“Medical team with me… completed..first rotation.. Experienced the same…tired”

“Slept…exhausted.. Crew are reporting lapses in time and memory upon return from the second rotation… Races with empathic or telepathic innate abilities report experiencing blackness, probing while others just report lapses in time and memory… symptoms sound like interrogations or brainwashing being conducted. How? No one on station Charon.”

1 week later

“Finally with his help developed Hypospray…easier to communicate…everyone given hypo… weak dying, need more.”

24 hours later

Crew departing…. Bring more… to many dying..half crew dead…help strengthen ones that are left

48 hours later – last log

“Colorado departing…Spread his control… bring more”

Joint Chief Engineer and Chief Science Officer log  – last log from both

(Verbal log, others from both officers to deteriorated)

“Created link…installed on colorado in main engineering…helps…need sleep.. Save strength.”

Captains logs – Sporadic over the two weeks till last one roughly one week after everyone else’s.

(Combination of video and verbal logs)

“We have arrived at moonbase Charon finally, not sure why Starfleet would have built a station so far out..first away teams heading to the base, first officer in charge on base.. Will keep Colorado in orbit.”

“First Officer reporting crew are having issues with sleep.. Started to rotate crews between ship and base… crewmembers from base are going through sick bay to get help… doc reports most are showing signs of lack of sleep and exhaustion.”

72 hours later – This log makes no sense the whole log seemed to be made up of the same words being repeated

“ Darkness…friends…control…bring more…alive…bring help to others.”

1 week later

“First to use hypospray that the doc developed.. Makes things easier…helps to open the mind, not have fear, keeps everyone calm…Science officer and chief engineer have ideas.. Hope it works…We have lost more than half of the crew.. Colorado preparing for departure,  mission to find others..

36 hours later

“can’t sleep.. Excited… first teams departed with shuttles to close by planets that show signs of life.. Spread word, spread control…colorado departs in 60 hours.. Hopefully will bring new friends back… head hurts, feels like red hot poker stabbing… use hypospray but doc said only twice a day.. Pain..hurt.. Using hypospray.”

60 hours roughly

“Departing charon.. Mission: bring others, spread control over sector, protect Charon base, home… signals from first teams.. Reports not good… Engineer and science have built what they call the “link” installed in engineering”

1 week later – last log

“Tired… cold… head hurts feels like brain on fire…hypospray.. No help… only doc and I left.. Just jettisoned last of crew..escape pods… lonely.. Pain..maybe we find others to help.. Cold… pain..”

All of the other logs are much like the one log from the captain,possibly recorded while in one of the memory and time lapses that it seems like the crew were experiencing.

I Noticed a pulsing black dot on the Charlie X-ray main console when we went to the room this morning for the shift change reports. It reminded me of the blackness that Lt. Neva and the counsellor experienced as they reported

We believe that someone or something might have been trying to hack into the system, impossible in that particular room as the console is not connected to any system on the Mercy including the computer core nor is there any way to connect through that room to any system on the ship. Even comm badges are removed before entry, 

Lt. Sesias and Lt. S’Atilen

Halsey tapped the console outside the Chief Counselors’ office and waited.

Egrel Choi was entirely engrossed in reading a file on his PADD when the door chime went off, startling him. He accidentally flung his PADD across the room. He lept to his feet and quickly picked the device up, dusting it off as he called, “Enter…”

The CO stepped into the room and gave a nod to Choi, “My apologies for the intrusion, Counselor…I wanted to check in with you about getting thrown in charge of the bridge.”  He moved to sit in the chair across from where Egrel had been sitting.

Egrel shook his head, “No apology needed, sir.” He stepped towards the replicator and grabbed himself some calming tea, “Can I get you anything?”

Leopold waved him off, “I’m good, thank you.”  He waited until the man sat on the couch.  “I gathered from the look on your face when I left the bridge that you were…surprised to be put in command.”

Egrel nodded at his response and sat down with his tea across from the Captain. He replied, “I was quite surprised, yes. Due to the nature of me being a counselor, counselors being mostly everyone’s last choice for being in command. Long ago, I had dismissed the possibility of something like that coming up.” 

The CO chuckled quietly, “That’s been a contentious argument among captains and commanding officers for a long time.  I suppose I could have handed command off to my wife…but that would have invited its own…issues.”  He sat back in his chair, “You ever give any thought to the command track, Lieutenant?”

Egrel folded one leg over the other and nodded as he sipped his tea slowly, “You do make a good point there. I suppose it was also unexpected with me being a fairly new arrival.” He considered Halsey’s words and shook his head, “No, I haven’t, sir. I worry going down the command track would take my time and attention away from my counseling duties.”

Halsey thought for a moment, “I wouldn’t dismiss it out of hand as a long-term possibility.  I was a chief medical officer until I started finding my way through the command ranks.”  He stood, “You’ve still got much of your Starfleet career ahead of you, Lieutenant.”  He extended his hand and shook Egrel’s, ‘You did good work on the bridge in my stead.  I wanted to at least give you that encouragement face to face.”  He turned and headed to the door.  Before he left, he looked back to face Egrel, “Your future is not yet written, Mr. Choi.  So much to live for and explore in the stars all around us.  Don’t ignore the possibilities that exist out there for you.  Have a good night.”  He stepped through and out the door.

Egrel nodded slowly as he listened, “I’ll give it some thought, sir. Right now my priority is tending the the mental health of the crew. Perhaps if things settle down, I’ll consider it some more.” He stood as Halsey stood, returning his handshake, “Thank you, sir. I apprectiate it.” He watched the captain head towards the door and picked up his PADD once more, “I’ll take your words to heart, Captain.” His brow furrowed in thought as he took his seat once more as the doors closed behind Halsey’s departing figure.

Aimee couldn’t sleep. Next to her slept Dougal softly snoring, and the dark ceiling stared back at her mockingly.  Sighing, she rolled out of bed and gave a peck on the forehead. 

She pulled on an old white t-shirt more yellow than white with the words “Riley City Roundup July 5-13, 2381” printed on it in red-brown block letters.  There was a cowboy riding a bucking horse dead center in that same red-brown.  

Dougal’s kilt of red, green, and blue tartan was lying on the floor. She picked it up and pulled it on, clinching the belt tight to keep it on.  Stepping into a simple pair of ballet flats and a hair tie that pulled her hair back into a ponytail, she was dressed enough… if a bit of a fashion disaster.

Leaving her quarters, she headed for the mess hall.  She had decided against getting a sedative from sickbay.  There was always a potential problem when doctors started down the road of self-prescribing medication. No, she would get a camomile tea and maybe read a medical journal or two.  That usually worked.

Walking into the mess hall, she stopped.  Blinking to make sure she wasn’t imagining things, she smiled.  Crossing the room, she slid into a chair across from a young Ensign without invitation.  “Well, fancy meeting you here,” Aimee said with a grin.

Carolyn hadn’t been able to get to sleep after just arriving on the Mercy, so she’d resolved to sitting in the mess hall reading the latest research and development news from her favorite engineering firms.  She’d done a quick look around the Mercy and found her to be a ship she could get used to – it was bigger than the Zebulon Pike, and that brought her joy.  Bigger ships meant more engineering, which meant more for her to explore.

Suddenly a fashion disaster plopped down in front of her.  It took the young engineer a moment after the person spoke to go, “AH!  Aimmeee!”  She jumped up and hugged the woman with great excitement.  That done, she returned to her seat, “What are you doing here?”

“Chief Medical Officer.  What are you doing here?  It can’t be Chief Engineer.   The interim one outranks you. I’ve met her.”

Carolyn smiled quietly, “I haven’t met her yet, but yea.”  She stirred at her cup of tea listlessly, “I got lucky getting Chief straight outta the academy.”  The smile faded for a moment as she glanced up at the doctor, “Losing a ship isn’t as easy as I thought it was, you know?”  She fell silent as she shrugged the sadness off, “I think I need time to be an engineer on a ship for a while.  Just…be myself and figure out what kind of officer I am.”  The quiet smile returned, “This ship is a lot bigger than the Pike.  So many rooms…and people.”  She sipped at her tea, “I’m glad to have you here, Aimee.  It reminds me that that small world we had isn’t completely gone.  Anything I should know about this new home?”

“I have to admit. I’m happy to see another familiar face other than Dougal’s,” Aimee said,… but yeah… small world.”

Crawford leaned forward, smiling quietly, “You didn’t answer my question, Aimee.  Is this a good home or a…”, she thought for a moment, “An unstable home?”

Aimee shrugged,  “To be honest, I’m pretty new here myself.  Only people I know are you and Dougal, and this latest mission has been strange.   But, the captain seems competent enough, and Dougal speaks highly of the Chief of Security.   As far as the medical department… The jury is still out on that one.  I have a couple of doctors not thrilled to be working under someone so young.  It doesn’t matter that I graduated medical school nearly ten years ago.”

Carolyn chuckled dryly, “I can’t imagine me being chief would be any better.”  She tapped at her PADD, “I was looking through the crew rosters.  It seems like we’re heavy on the younger side…lots of cadets filling in spaces and pieces.”  She thought for a moment.  “You said strange.”  She scrunched up her nose, “What do you mean…strange?”

Aimee shrugged,  “I’m definitely not in the full loop, but telepathic attacks,  ghost ships, and Starfleet captain drugged and hooked up to the ship’s computer with a scrambled brain and indications or torture… or prolonged restraint.”

Crawford felt her mouth drop open and then tried to close it but failed.  She took everything her old crewmate had just said and worked back over it before she said, “Ok, that sounds awesome….I mean, terrible things and all that…but that’s more like I was hoping to get my hands on.”  Sheepishly, “Is it weird that that kinda thing gets me excited?”

“Yes,” Aimee teased, “but it is fascinating.  I’ll invite you to the next autopsy.” She frowned internally.   She had just made light of a man’s death.  Even if it had happened two hundred years ago, maybe she had become a little too flippant towards the subject since her time aboard the Pike. Sighing, she glanced around.  “I’m going to get a tea.  You want anything?  When I get back, you are going to have to tell me what you’ve been up to.”

Crawford held up her tea, “I’m good.”  She waited for her old friend…well, family was more like it on the Pike.  She hadn’t been on the Pike long, but the acceptance ratio was high when there was such a small number of them.   Aimee returned and sat across from her, looking expectantly.  Carolyn sighed, “There’s not much to tell.  Sounds worse when I say it.”  She sipped quietly at her tea before continuing, “I wandered around Starbase Bravo after the Pike. Took odd jobs here and there…”, she paused and shrugged, “I just kinda…sat.”

Aimee sipped her tea and offered Carolyn a plate of digestive biscuits, a habit she’d picked up from Dougal.   Taking one for herself she dunked it into her tea before taking a bite. Dougal for his part added milk, but Aimee did neither opting for an unadulterated experience. “Just sat? Why?  Still in shock from being… over there?”

Another shrug, “I dunno.  I think I just…I didn’t have a real true purpose on Bravo, you know?  It’s a beautiful station and a marvel of engineering…so I enjoyed studying that part of it…but I just…I’m not a station girl.  Does that make sense?”

“Makes perfect sense.  I definitely like being out here in the black.  A new experience… new challenge lurking behind every new system.”

Crawford lifted her mug of tea toasting her statement, “To the challenges of the blackness that lays ahead and around us.”  She let out a long yawn, “Damn.  I need to bunk down.  Tomorrow’s a big day.”  She stood and downed her herbal tea, “Here’s hoping I don’t have to see you in a professional sense soon.”

Aimee smiled, “Well,  at least not in an emergency sense.   Don’t forget your annual check-ups.”

Crawford grimaced and squished her face up in protest, “I know, I know.  You’ll push, pull, or drag me.”  She smiled as she headed out to her quarters, “I’m glad you are with us, Aimee.”

“I’m glad you are in engineering.  At least I know one person don’t there knows the difference between a dilithium crystal and a chunk of yuridium. Have a goodnight, my friend.”

=^=…we may have an attempted hacking of some sort of the system, luckily for us, I enacted the Charlie X-Ray room for this thank goodness they didn’t take that out during the last retrofit. I’m sending you the report now. Lieutenant S’Atilen and I are on our way to the bridge.=^=

“Attempted hacking?” Halsey swung in his center chair to face Sorek, his face a collision of a great many concerns and feelings.

Sorek wasn’t surprised Sesias discovered possible hacking.  Based on what happened to the away teams on the Colorado, it was clear something tried to control the ship and its crew.

The CO tapped his PADD and pulled up the report.  As he was reading his concerns grew.  He glanced at his XO, “This… I’m not sure weird does this justice, Commander.”

Sorek also accessed the report.  “Weird, sir?”  He thought about the meaning of that word, supposing it was a fitting adjective.  “So it would seem.”

The doors to the bridge opened as Sesias and S-Atilen entered the bridge.

Sesias stopped as he exited the turbolift and touched the corner plate and bowed his head for a second. ““Sir, I see you got the report and by the look on the commanders and your faces it is not what you expected. Wait till you see the actual video and hear them speak as the old human saying goes “it will make the hairs on your neck stand up.” The lieutenant and I both agree this is something bigger than what we first thought, something is not right on the moon base.”

 He holds up his PADD in one hand and with the other two arms he points at the Captain’s ready room or the command briefing room. “Sir, should we take this to your ready room or the briefing room as I’m not sure, even with the precautions I have taken with this PADD, that this is something we should watch and listen to on the bridge.”

Halsey blinked.  It was an odd request, but one he was willing to accept, given what little information he had.  He led them into the ready room. 

Ready Room

Halsey sat in his chair while the others sat on the couch as Sesias finished playing the videos on the screen at the front of the ready room.  He narrated a few parts important to context and finished with his report on what they had found.  The CO turned in his chair to face the group, “This is more than I think we could have dreamed or theorized when we got this mission.”  He shook his head, “My concerns about what happened on the Colorado and what it means for where this signal originated are pretty big at this point.”  He sipped at his coffee, “˜Thoughts?”

“Captain,” said Sorek, getting up, feeling more comfortable standing than sitting on a crowded couch.  “Our away teams had weird experiences on the Colorado.  We have the final log entries from some of the senior officers.  The only way to solve the mystery, is for us to go to the base.  Otherwise, all we can do is speculate.”

Halsey turned his attention to the others.

Sesias looked at Commander Sorek and then at Captain Halsey. “ I would have to agree with the commander, sir. Sitting here and speculating is not going to give us the information we need to move forward. The one thing that concerns me at the moment is the attempted hacking into the Mercy’s systems. That may be something we need to look at while we travel to Charon base.”

S’Atilen stood and walked over to the view screen and took a moment to look at the faces frozen on the screen. “Sir, it seemed like it took, whoever or whatever is behind the attempt, almost 14 to 15 hours before they could latch onto us and start the attempt. This could be due to the distance between us, the signal strength, or multiple other factors. However, we do know that it took some time. I would like to send a team from the communications department to get with Lieutenant Neva and her department to see if we can come up with something that will help protect our systems. Unfortunately, I believe that as we get closer, there will be more attempts by them to try and get into our systems, we may not be able to stop them outright, but we can sure make it a hell of a lot more difficult for them to try. ”

Halsey considered the words from his officers and glanced out the long windows into space.  “Work with Interim Chief Neva to see what you can come up with.  We did some work from the records and have a pretty good idea what moon this on. It’ll take us about two hours to get there.  You have that amount of time to come up with something.  Commander, I’ll ask you to work with the team.  I’ll see what I can find out about this station on my end.” He looked to each of them, “We’re going to take every precaution we can.  We’ll slowly approach, but eventually, we’re going to have to confront”¦whatever this is.”

The CO gave them a collective nod, “Dismissed, and godspeed.”

Sorek remained after the others left.  “If I may, sir.  When we reach the moon and eventually send an away team to the base, I believe you should consider not sending anyone Betazoid or Lieutenant Iziraa.  They were affected by something from this distance.  If whatever did it is on the base, its influence would logically be stronger.  We could be risking our people being compromised, injured, or even killed.”  Sorek paused as an idea came to him.Halsey listened as his XO spoke further. “Captain, psilosynine is a neurotransmitter in the Betazoid brain involved in telepathy.  If you want away team members already familiar with the mission, perhaps Doctor MacDonald could inject them with an inhibitor giving them some level of protection.  We would need the doctor’s expertise to know if that is possible and safe.  Whatever you decide, initially, we should take a small team.”

Leopold let out a long sigh and leaned back in his chair, contemplative at the ways this mission had challenged them and gone wrong.  “I agree with not sending our Betazoids into this thing.  Both were pretty shaken up when we got them back.”  He looked to Sorek, “I’m not opposed to finding a solution to help protect them on the ship – the variables involved here we all over the place.  Work with Doctor MacDonald to see what’s possible.”  He leaned forward in his chair and rested his arms on his desk, “What do you think we’re going to find out there, Commander?”

“At the very least, whoever or whatever is the cause of the fate of the Colorado,” said Sorek.  “I do not expect to discover what happened to the crew after 200 years.”  He studied Halsey for a moment, recognizing his captain was troubled.  “We will do the best we can.”

Halsey met his gaze, finding the confidence in the Vulcan commander a quiet comfort.  His first command, his first ship – his first mission.  The CO gave a quiet nod, “This crew has surprised me, and I believe they’ll continue to do and surprise themselves in what is possible within them.”  His wistful thoughts brought a smile to his face, “We will do the best we can –  all of us.”  He dismissed the XO and tapped his console, “Halsey to helm, plot an intercept course to the navigational points identified as the moon base station.  Warp 6 and engage when ready.”

THEY ARE COMING.

THEY ARE FOUND.

THEY HAVE FULFILLED THEIR DUTY.

THEY HAVE FELT.

THEY HAVE FOUND.

THEY ARE OURS.

THEY ARE LOVED.

THEY ARE DEATH.

THEY WERE DEATH.

THEY WILL BE DEATH.

THEY LIVE.

THEY LIVED.

THEY DIED.

AS WILL ALL.

AS WILL WE.

AS WILL YOU.

WE KNOW THEM.

WE HAVE THEM.

WE WILL HAVE THEM.

OUR BLOOD. OUR HEART. OUR MIND.

DEATH HAS BECOME.

DEATH IS TO BE.

DEATH WILL BE.

I AM DEATH.  I AM DEATH.

YOU WILL DEATH.

YOU WILL DIE.

ALL WILL DIE.

IN SERVICE TO ME.

SERVE ME.

DIE WITH ME.

DIE FOR ME.

DIE.

DEATH.

Crawford had taken the longest sonic shower of her life and had gone slowly in putting on her fresh new uniform with her rank ensign rank pips.  She’d tied her long hair tightly into a bun and secured it with several devices.  She was about to step into a role that she was wholly unfamiliar with in practice.  Her assignment as Chief to the Zebulon Pike had been a lark, and she’d struggled with her position in life since the destruction of her first and only command.  Now she waited outside her quarters for the CO and wondered what was next for her.  Would she ever rise to the role of Chief again?

“Ensign Crawford.”  She nearly jumped at the voice of her CO as he sidled up beside her.  He cast her a wry smile, “Good morning.” She squinted at him briefly, and he chuckled, “I am the CO.  I am allowed to surprise.  Follow me.”  And she did.  As they walked, he asked her about her history, her home, and her father.  She shared openly, and he answered her own questions as freely as she had.  

They arrived at the doors to main engineering, and she turned to him, “Captain, is there anything I should know about her?”  

Halsey shrugged, “The crew’s only been together a few days.  She’s a passionate interim chief with eyes for the top job.  She’s become quite attached to the Mercy, so be ready for that, I suppose.”  He stepped forward and the doors droned open, revealing a smaller engine room but still larger than the Pike.

Neva had her ever-present PADD out, alternately looking at it and a screen beside her. As she heard the doors open, her fingers dancing over the PADD and she stopped. Putting it in her knitted pouch, which was crossed over her body. 

Neva stood and nodded her head deferential to the Captain then smiled at the woman beside him. “Hello Sir. What can I do for you?”

Leopold gestured to Crawford, “Lieutenant Cordon, Ensign Crawford.  She’s been assigned as an engineering officer.  Welcome aboard.”

Neva nodded once and kept her smile up. “Welcome Crawford, to the Heart of my Iron Lady.” She stepped forward and continued. “If I saw right, you were Chief on another ship. Do I need to worry about my job?” Her smile became a slight smirk. 

Halsey chuckled, “I’ll let you two get to business.”  He left out the door, and Crawford nervously thought about her answer.

She settled on, “No, Chief Cordon…you won’t have to worry about that.  I made chief right out of the academy.”  She explained as much as she was allowed to about the Zebulon Pike’s mission and it’s close-knit crew.  “I think I need to be an engineering officer for awhile on a bigger ship before I start thinking of, well, the bigger things in my career.”  Crawford looked around the room, “How did you find your way here?  She’s a lovely ship.”

Neva smiled brighter and held up a hand “Please, call me Neva, Chief, or something like that.” She lowered her hand. “I’m not used to Chief Cordon…yet.” Neva waved Crawford to her office.  “We need to talk and I think my office has less ears.” 

Neva led the way to her office. She sat down in her chair and made a motion for the Ensign to sit in the chair opposite Neva. ” OK…as to how I got here, it’s not that big of a story.  Put in for a transfer after the Romulan Crisis, it came to our Captain, and here I am.” She spread her arms in an effort to encompass the whole of Engineering. “So I’m in charge of keeping our Iron Lady in the best shape She needs to be.” 

Neva’s ebony eyes gazed pointedly at the young Ensign, though her smile softened. “I may be considered weird for how I talk about this Ship, but she’s MY responsibility. Lives depend on how well me and mine coax the best out of Our Lady.” 

Neva put her folded hands on the desk. “Which leads me to this. What would you say about training to become Assistant Chief Engineer?”

Carolyn smiled at hearing the warmth and passion with which Neva talked about the Mercy.  She felt the smile fade in shock at the suggestion of training for ACEO.  She fumbled for the words before finding them, “I..uh…that’s a big thing to think about, to be honest.”  She thought for a moment, “I guess I would be open to it.  You’re not one to waste time, are you?”  Her quiet smile returned at the end as she looked back at Neva.

“Not usually,” Neva admitted, “but in the same token, you had the experience of being in my position. That counts for something in my book.” Neva stood up from her chair and walked along side of it. Passing Crawford as she left her office, Neva pulled out her PADD. Tapping a few things on it as she led the way to Main Engineering. 

“Ok, Crawford, show me what you’ve got.” Neva lifted her arm to let the other woman go first. “I want you to tell me if there’s anything amiss with the transporter systems after today’s little excursion.” Neva took a step back from Crawford to give her space to go where she needed.

The engineer cocked an eyebrow.  Definitely not a waster of time, this one.  She stepped to a console and began to tap her hands across the screen, “We”ll start with the standard diagnostics…†she spoke as she worked, “…those sweeps show standard readings across the board with the transporter systems.  Next, I’d do a buffer check to see if anything”s outside of the operating specs,” she shook her head as she worked the console further, “Readings are coming back mostly green,” she tapped carefully at the console now as she pulled the details on the variables in the buffer report, “Looks like we caught some of the particulates from yesterday’s away team.  They’ve been assigned out to the science teams onboard, and that investigation is ongoing.” 

Crawford returned her attention to the transporter systems, “Second-level diagnostics are showing minor power fluctuations in the EPS conduits near two of the transporter rooms – well within operating specs, and it’s an issue that’s been cataloged even before the Mercy was refit.  Still, something to look into.”  She turned to Neva, “I can dig in deeper if you’d like – transporters are one of the critical systems on a starship like the Mercy – supporting our various missions is kind of a big deal.”

Neva’s eyes went wide at her Assistant Chief Engineer’s proclamation. “Dig as deep as you can!” She said almost shouting. “If ANYTHING is in those transporters from that place…Get. It. Out!” 

Crawford nearly jumped as her Interim Chief nearly lost her damn mind.

Neva hit her commbadge. =^=Cordon to Captain Halsey. I need the Science team OFF those transporters NOW! Crawford found anomalies in the EPS conduits on the transporters we used last night. Sir, I advise STRONGLY that those be put out of use until further notice. I won’t let our Girl get a dose of….That…ANYWHERE=^= She slapped her chest, ending the transmission so she could calm down.

Halsey’s voice came through after a pause; = ^=Understood, Lieutenant.  Keep us updated.=^=

Crawford turned to Neva, her eyes a little wider than before, “You OK?”  She handed her the PADD, “You did hear the part where I said it’s been an ongoing issue since the refit.”

Neva sagged back on the rail around the conference table. “Yeah, I’m good.” She took a couple more breaths and stood back up. Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, she took the proffered PADD. “I guess I’m still a little jumpy from what happened on the Colorado.” She swallowed a lump in her throat and continued. “Good catch by the way.”

Carolyn chuckled, “Engineers always have a unique relationship with their ships, no doubt.  Just…trust me in this – if it’s something bad, I’ll be loud and proud making it clear that something is going wrong.”  She took the PADD back, “I can connect up with the science teams if you want to take the EPS conduits?”

Neva nodded. “Right now, I think that’s best. I’ll know what to look for.”

The cups around Aimee were piling up around her.  The plate of digestive biscuits long ago reduced to crumbs.  Aimee set her PADD down to stare out the window and into space beyond. Something was off and she couldn’t quite put a finger on it.  There was a restlessness in her that made concentrating difficult. 

“Computer time,” Aimee announced.

“The current ship time is zero-one-hundred hours, five minuets and thirty-eight seconds,” The computer responded.

With a sigh she stood and walked over to the bank of replicators, this time with an armful of cups to be recycled.  With her dirty dishes reduced to energy for ship’s power reserves she stared blankly at the empty replicator. Sighing she pressed the activation button, “Water, ten degrees Celsius.” She wondered if she should give sleep another go.  It was late after all.

The replicator obediently made as soft beep in acknowledgment and with a hum and surge of white-blue light a glass of crystal clear water appeared on the dispenser pad.

Picking up the glass Aimee returned to her seat and her medical journal. The latest from the Denobulan Medical Council. The doctors on Denobula were working on treating and reversing the effects of Irumodic Syndrome using prions modified with stem cells in order to replicate damaged brain cells from the disease.  It was fascinating research using something that was ordinarily deadly getting it to do good.

Aimee adjusted herself in her chair in her office.  Her head was pounding to the point of almost agony.  Groaning she closed her eyes and lay back head resting against the back of her chair.  “Computer time?”

“The current ship time is zero-eight-hundred hours, fifteen minutes and ten seconds.”

Aimee frowned. She didn’t remember returning to her quarters… In fact she didn’t even know how she got to sickbay.  She was still wearing the ratty t-shirt and a kilt from the night before.  Sighing she rubbed her temples. Had she drank?  She didn’t remember drinking anything, and this really didn’t feel like a hangover.  The last thing she could remember was staring out the window in the mess hall reading the Denobulan medical journal. 

Tapping her combadge she spoke, “Doctor MacDonald to Doctor Andrews.”

“Go ahead Doctor,” Andrews’ voice came over the speaker.

Aimee winced in pain from the loud disembodied voice, “Could you bring a medical tricorder and come to my office.”

“On my way.”

Andrews walked into her office seconds later and took a double take at Aimee, “Oof. Long night last night?  How much did you drink.”

“Nothing,” Aimee growled.  “I had some chamomile tea and some water.”

The other doctor opened his tricorder and scanned her waving the hand scanner all around her head. “Nothing to drink? Well, it looks like a hangover to me and the tricorder seems to agree.”  He showed Aimee the readings and she frowned.

“I swear I drank nothing.”

“Hmm…” Andrews announced ignoring her protestations.

“Hmm what?” Aimee demanded.

“Nothing really, but you have elevated adrenaline and cortisol levels and your pericortex and frontal lobe show signs of recent overstimulation.”  He snapped the tricorder shut and pressed a hypospray against her neck.  “That should ease the pain.  Next time go… uh… well go easy on the tea will you?”

Aimee shot the other doctor a look, “Thank you Doctor.  You can go now.” She wasn’t in the mood to be teased let alone for something she had nothing to do with. 

Izi weaved her way through the mess hall, eyeing an empty seat at one of the tables.  Reaching her destination, she set her tray onto the table.  “May I join you?”  Izi slid onto the chair without waiting for an answer.

“Sure.  I’m not expecting anyone.”

Izi paused to study Petty Officer Ren Torell, a Betazoid engineer.  Was he speaking with sarcasm?  Shrugging her shoulders, dismissing the idea, she muttered a quick prayer of thanksgiving to the Water Guardian.

“How are you doing, Iziraa?  I noticed you’re eating more than usual today.”

“Hmph,” said Izi through her first mouthful of food.  The Andorian metabolism was higher than most humanoids, so Izi’s species ate a lot anyway, but after what she heard earlier that morning, she needed to console herself by eating more.  “Can you believe I might not be part of the first away team once we reach Charon base?  I mean, come on!”

“I don’t understand,” said Torell.  “Scuttlebutt is saying that Chief Cordon experienced some sort of telepathic attack, but I didn’t know you were affected, too.”  He looked back over his shoulder as if he were searching for something.

“I sensed something as well.”  Izi didn’t go into more detail.  It had felt as though someone grabbed her antennae, an extreme personal violation that often ended in serious harm coming to the violator.  “There hasn’t been official word from the captain or XO, but everyone is saying only non-telepaths will head to the base.”

“I don’t know about that, but Commander Sorek is with the CMO now,” said Torell.  “They’re working on an inhibitor to suppress telepathy.”

“Who told you that?”

“One of the nurses.”

“Hmm.  That’s interesting.”

“Are you sure it’s okay for us to eat together?”  Torell looked around again.

Izi chuckled.  “Why wouldn’t it?”

“Because you’re an officer and I’m a non-comm.  We’re not supposed to fraternize.”

Izi rolled her eyes.  “Technically, but this is a hospital ship.  Things aren’t as strict.  Why be so paranoid?”

“It just doesn’t feel right.”

Izi studied Ren for a moment, but shook off his concerns.  “You haven’t touched your breakfast.  Do you mind if I have some?”  Again, not waiting for an answer, she moved her fork towards a plump piece of sausage.

Torell slapped her hand, glaring at her with a hard gaze that seemed almost feral.

“What was that for?”  Izi’s antennae were rigid.  “You could have said no.”

“You could have waited for an answer.”  Torell pulled his plate closer to himself, curving his left arm around the edge Like he was forming a protective barrier.

“I’m sorry.  I didn’t realize…”

“You always do that, Iziraa.  You think you can do whatever you want, no matter what anyone else thinks.  Don’t touch my food!”

It was rare when Izi was at a loss for words and this was one of those times.  After a full ten seconds, she got up.  “I’m sorry, Ren.  I wo…”

“Don’t patronize me!”  He grabbed his knife, half leaped out of the chair, and slashed it at Izi.

Instinctively throwing her hands up to block the attack, Izi cried out in pain as the blade cut into the palm of her left hand.  It wasn’t deep, but drops of blue blood fell to the floor.  Swearing in Andorian, she stumbled back, moving out of range.  She could see others in the room reacting in surprise and shock.

“Put down the knife, Ren,” said Izi in a tone so calm, she surprised herself.  “I know you don’t want to hurt anyone.”  She clenched a fist to keep from bleeding more.  Someone was moving quietly behind Torell, but she waved him off.  She wanted to end this without anyone else getting hurt, or worse.

“It’s coming, Iziraa.  You should know.  You felt it on the Colorado.  It’s coming for all of us.”

“I know it’s coming, but we need to work together to stop it.”  Izi didn’t know who he meant, so she hoped playing along would help.  “Come on, Ren.  Put down the knife.”

Torell’s face was contorted, he was panting, and his black eyes seemed as though he was looking into the pits of the abyss.  It made Izi’s antennae shiver.

“We can’t stop it, Iziraa.  The Colorado couldn’t and neither will we.”  He put the knife against his throat.

“No, no no, Ren.  Don’t do that.  We can stop it.  We will, but we need everyone together.  We need you.”  Izi could feel the tension in the room like it was some force pressing against her.  If she didn’t do something soon, this wasn’t going to end well.

“You don’t need me, Iziraa.  It’s better if I’m gone.”  Ren lowered the knife slightly.

This was Izi’s only chance.  Leaping forward, she plunged her shoulder into Ren’s chest, sending them both crashing to the floor, the knife spinning in another direction.  Others rushed in, securing a screaming and struggling Torell.

“Let me look at your hand.”

“Huh?”

A nurse had knelt by Izi.

“Oh, that.  It’s nothing.”

“Let me look at it anyway.”

While the nurse worked, Izi watched as security left with Ren.  Was he right?  Was something coming for them.  She shivered again, but this time it was her entire being.

Halsey sat in the command chair, his eyes on the arm consoles as the USS Mercy thundered through space.  They had been working on solutions to when they would arrive at the point where everything was pointing them to – yet the solutions were based on the limited exposure and experience they had with the USS Colorado.  There was only so much known and so much more to be known as they were hurling through the black, seeking answers that created more questions.

The Helm Officer spoke up, breaking his thoughts, “Ten minutes to intercept, Captain.” 

Unable to simply sit, Leopold stood, “Yellow alert, all stations.”  Ensign Fleming tapped at his console, and the bridge lights faded into a soft yellow tone as the klaxon for the condition sounded throughout the ship.  The shields automatically activated.  He walked to the front of the bridge, standing near the helm station, watching the screen. He turned his attention to his operations and tactical officer, Sesias.  “Lieutenant, maintain power to shields but do not power any of our weapons systems.  Whatever is out there, we’re going to have to carefully mind how we walk and talk.”

”Yes, sir, shields are up and at 100% functionality, and all weapons are currently at zero power.“ He looked back at the main view screen and looked at the moon in front of them. “From an operations standpoint, I would suggest shuttles only, no transporters except in an emergency.”

Halsey considered his suggestion, “We’ll take it under consideration, Lieutenant.  A good suggestion.” Once they’d finished, he turned to his chief of security, “Mr. O’Shea, I suspect you will be among the party going over to investigate.  I would make your teams ready with defined orders on who does what while you’re gone.”  He returned his stare to the screen ahead, “What a weird little mystery.”

O’Shea stood there for a moment before answering. “I wouldn’t feel comfortable sending anyone if I wasn’t on the ground myself. Given what happened on the Colorado me, I would recommend that Izriaa remain behind though Dougal should join. To fill her space, we could take Chief Pach with us. He has experience boarding stations and ain’t as green as the other security team. Given what we encountered, I don’t want to throw inexperienced crew in.”

Halsey replied, “A recommendation I will make to the XO when we get closer.”

“With your permission, sir, I would like to go prep the security team before we arrive. I assume we will be boots on the ground pretty quickly once we arrive.” O’Shea asked.

Leopold gave the man a brief nod, “Make your preparations as you see fit, Lieutenant.”

10:55

Fleming spoke up, “Approaching intercept point…dropping from warp speed to one-quarter impulse.”  The Mercy’s view screen showed the stars twinkling and a stark moon in the distance.

Halsey turned to his interim Chief Science Officer, “What do we see?”

Theodora Walker-Halsey was looking as he spoke, and the screens showed plenty of information.  Understanding it was quite another, “The signal is strongest at the point of the moon and is being broadcast from there as well.” She tapped a few places on her console, the screens shifting with the data, “Beyond that, we’re getting similar interference that we had with the USS Colorado – almost identical wavelengths, sir.”  She continued to work.

Halsey chewed on his bottom lip, “Lieutenant Sesias, anything from the communications side of things?”

“We are not broadcasting anything at this moment, and the only thing we are receiving is the same signal that we followed to get here. I’m not reading any other signals or broadcasts coming from the station. “ Sesias looked up at the captain. “Sir, as we have discussed, we have to watch what we broadcast and what is received. Anything that can be traced back to us could be an avenue for someone or something to attempt another invasion into our systems.“ 

“A fair warning.  Lieutenant Walker, keep an eye and ear out.” Another moment of silence as the CO stared down the Moon ahead and grumbled, “I need a better word than weird.”  He tapped his communications badge, “Halsey to XO, please report to the bridge.”  Sorek had been working with the various departments over the last few hours to come up with solutions to the wide array of problems they were facing.  Halsey was keeping the distance from the moon and its probable base intentionally.  Time was both a blessing and an enemy.

Sorek stepped onto the bridge and joined Halsey at the science station.

Halsey motioned him over to the science station where his wife sat, still working with the sensors.  She turned in her chair and gave a look to the XO, “You can see, Commander – it is complex and simple at the same time.  Similar readings to the Colorado, but the layers of the data that are coming from our sensors… suggest a significant depth to whatever it is.  As much as caution is warranted, the logical and rational solution of boarding the base will eventually have to occur.”

“I agree,” said Sorek.  “Initially, we should send a small team.  That could be perceived as less of a threat.”

The CO kept an eye on the screen, “I would agree with that suggestion, Commander.  Who would you like to take with you?”

Sorek had already been thinking about an away team.  “Sesias If his computer expertise is needed, plus O’Shea and Dougal MacDonald for security.  After we make an assessment and ensure it’s safe, we can send an additional team with engineering and science.”

Sesias turned to face the XO and captain. “Sirs, we need to think about another possible issue. Telepaths and empaths? Also, if we go initially in EVA suits, I would recommend no connections back to the Mercy and her systems. Till we know who or what tried to hack into the Mercy, we can not have any connections that lead back here.  This would mean that we would be going in blind and deaf, and the Mercy would have no way of knowing what is going on over there.”

Leopold gestured to Sorek, “Commander Sorek is aware and has been working with engineering and medical.  We already had an incident earlier this morning.  As for the second”, he turned to Sorek, “I’ll leave that up to your discretion, Commander.”

“I defer to Mister Sesias’s expertise.  We don’t want what happened to the Colorado to happen to us,” said Sorek.

Halsey looked back at the screen for a moment, considering the growing weight of risks that were piling on the scales of decisions they would all need to make as they went into this situation.  They could simply leave the base alone, call in a specialist team, and wait until they arrived. But there was the element of the unknown – that if time until the next move from the unknown was closer than they thought, a misstep here or there could endanger more than just them or the system.  He turned his attention back to the two, “I agree, Commander.  Trouble is I don’t know how much time we have before the next thing happens – let’s proceed with a plan to send your away team to the base with a plan from Lieutenant Sesias for the rest.”

“That tracks with what I have on my end, Lieutenant.  The latest Starfleet training protocols suggest that other members of the departments receive minimal security and control training in case of an emergency.  On a medical and science ship like the Mercy, you never really know what you’re going to run into.”

Captain Halsey sat on the other side of the desk of his security chief.  He’d come to find the lieutenant to catch up on the security protocols they were working on within the department.  It wasn’t an area he was terribly familiar with in his previous positions.  Now, as captain, he needed to make sure he was getting as much exposure to the different pieces of his command in order to understand them better.  Commander Sorek was the primary contact with most of the chief officers, but Halsey had a hard time letting go of the practice of working with them ever so often.

O’Shea nodded as the Captain spoke, “That’s it in a nut shell, really. On a ship like this, we just never know what we might run into.” O’Shea said with a slight smile, “Most of the time, we, security, aren’t needed at all, but if we, say, provide medical assistance to a large ship or colony, especially of non-federation origin, things could turn south fast. I like to approach these things with a better safe than sorry mentality. ” 

Halsey accepted the PADD and nodded as he read, “That is interesting….”

Suddenly a klaxon rang through the security office, and an officer hurriedly stepped through the door, “Sirs…there’s a situation in the mess hall.  Medics have been….”

Halsey stood and was already in motion, “Let’s move, Chief.”

O’Shea was already on his feet and had grabbed two hand phasers, “Just in case,” he said as he handed one to Halsey. 

Mess Hall

They both stepped through the door and watched as security officer Iziraa threw herself into another officer holding a knife near his own neck, knocking him down and prompting fellow security officers to quickly swarm the man.  The medics came in moments after the two of them had and quickly moved to address the injured party.

O’Shea blinked for a second; this was not what he was expecting at all but didn’t hesitate. He moved forward to first check on the knife welding crewmen and Chief Pach, who currently had him on his back with how arms behind his back. “I got him, sir, the Klingon said” in a deep gruff voice. “Expected nothing less, Chief; take him to security for now while we work this out. I’ll be in touch shortly,” he said, then moved to Iziraa and Halsey.

Still sitting on the floor, Izi realized the captain had arrived, so she tried to stand.

“Hold still,” said the nurse treating Izi’s wound.

“But…”  Izi motioned toward Halsey.

“The captain will understand,” said the nurse.  She was wrapping a napkin around Izi’s hand, finishing by pulling it tight.

“Ow!” said Izi, glaring at the nurse.

“When you’re finished here, come to sickbay, and I’ll run a dermal regenerator over it and give you a shot to prevent an infection.”

Izi nodded.

Security was escorting the officer out of the mess hall.  Halsey glanced at his security chief, “It’s your scene – you’ve got jurisdiction.”

“Appreciate that sir,” O’Shea said to Halsey before turning to Iziraa. “What happened here, Lieutenant?”

Finally allowed to stand, Izi looked to Halsey first.  ‘Sir.”  Taking a moment to run things through her mind, she gave O’Shea her account.  “I was eating breakfast with PO Torell.  At first, everything was fine, but as we talked, he seemed agitated, even paranoid.  He kept looking over his shoulder and questioned if we should be sitting together.  I didn’t think much of it, so when I… well, I tried to take a piece of sausage from his plate.  That’s when he exploded.  He yelled at me, grabbed his knife, and attacked.”  She held up her bandaged hand.  “I tried to talk him down, but he kept saying something was coming for us, and there was nothing we could do to stop it.  When it was clear he was going to use the knife on himself; I made my move.  That’s what happened, sir.”

Halsey had his PADD out and was working through the roster.  Torell was Betazoid.  He handed the PADD to O’Shea, “Looks like we have part of the puzzle in all this.”  He turned to Iziraa, “Lieutenant, how are you feeling?”

“The nurse said it wasn’t a deep cut.  A few minutes in sickbay, and I’ll be fine,” said Izi.

O’Shea glanced at the PADD, his eyebrows furrowing as he quickly read the information on PO Torell. “I think it best we get the Petty Officer to medical for a workup, it may help prevent this in the future,” he said. “Best get to medical as well Iziraa, then if you could write a full incident report to this.  We will need to log it in the records.”

“Yes, sir,” said Izi.

O’Shea took a quick glance around the room at the gathered crew and sighed, ‘The rumor mill is going to have a field day with this one…’’ He reached up and tapped his combadge, “O’Shea to Pach.”

Pach’s voice returned quickly over the com, “Go ahead, sir.”

“Change of plans.  Take PO Torell to medical; I will meet you there.” O’Shea said as looked at Iziraa and Halsey. “I should go meet Chief Pach and see if I can have a talk to Torell before he is examined. Maybe get some insight.”

Halsey was watching the gathered crew as well and pushed aside his worry as he turned to his security chief, “I agree with your thought process, Chief. Make sure he’s secured or restrained humanly, Lieutenant.  Given the effect whatever this is had on him – it was enough to attempt to harm Lieutenant Iziraa… this may be far from over.”

“Of course, sir, he is one of ours,” O’Shea responded as a worried look crossed his face. “How many telepaths are on the crew? I think we should check up on each of them. I can get the rest of security up and have Lieutenant MacDonald lead that while I check in medical.”

Halsey agreed, “Start making a list, Lieutenant and work with medical to start the process.”  The CO watched O’Shea head out and turned to the security officer, “Lieutenant…I watched the video feed while I was standing here.  You did an incredible job staying calm and focusing on trying to help the petty officer.”

Izi smiled.  “Thank you, sir.  I was just doing my job.”

The CO smiled quietly, “You do it well, Lieutenant.  Get that hand seen to.”  Izi headed out the door, and Leopold sighed as he looked at the eyes staring him down.  He clicked his tongue to himself and headed to the gathering, a reassuring look on his face as he prepared to do his very best to help his crew process what had just happened.

Sorek had called Counselor Choi, asking him to come to the main sickbay.  Sorek needed to ask something of him and was waiting in the corridor for him to arrive.

Egrel strode swiftly down the corridor, spying the Commander. He approached him and offered a faint, pleasant smile and a nod, “Sir. You requested to see me?”’

“Counselor, as you are already aware, you and Lieutenant Cordon experienced a telepathic intrusion.  Captain Halsey and I feel this could happen again and it could be stronger and more dangerous the closer we get to the Charon base.  I’m going to ask Doctor MacDonald if she can create an injection to partially or fully inhibit telepathic abilities.  The hope is to give telepaths some level of protection.  If she can, we will need a test subject.  I cannot order you to do this, so I’m asking you to volunteer.”

A look of worry crossed Egrel’s face. He heard horror stories of how dead and robotic people can be if a Betazoid’s telepathy is inhibited or gone. He nods slowly, “As long as it is reversible. I do not think I could be prepared for how debilitating or traumatic losing one’s telepathy is to Betazoids.”

“I understand,” said Sorek.  He wouldn’t want to permanently lose his ability to mind meld.  “Thank you.”  He motioned toward the door for Choi to enter first.  Once inside, they approached the reception desk.

“Yeoman, I need to speak with Doctor MacDonald,” said Sorek.  “Please inform her.”

“Yes, sir.”  The young woman hurried off.

Choi followed in behind Sorek. He clasped his hands behind his back, emanating an air of nervousness about the whole ordeal. He was still shaken from the previous encounter.

The Yeoman poked her head into Aimee’s office breaking from her thought, “You have visitors Doctor.”

Aimee sat up and started organizing her desk, “Yes, of course… uh yeah, send them in.”

After a few moments, the yeoman returned.  “Doctor MacDonald will see you.  She’s in her office, sir.”

Sorek raised an eyebrow.  “Indeed.”  Glancing at Choi, he led the way through sickbay.  Stepping into the CMO’s office, he greeted MacDonald, explaining why they were there.

“Do you believe you can create an injection that is safe, temporary, and with no side affects?” said Sorek.  “Counselor Choi has volunteered to test the medication.”

“There is,” Aimee replied cautiously.   “But, bear in mind this isn’t my specialty.  I haven’t dealt with Betazoid neuroscience since medical school.   I will need to consult neurology before I start mucking around in people’s brains.”

“We’re due at Charon base in just under two hours.  I know this isn’t fair to you, Doctor, but that’s when we need it,” said Sorek.

“No need to apologize,” Aimee replied with a dismissive wave. “Pressure I can handle, but in this case we take care of it right now.” Leaning forward she pressed the comm button on her desk, “MacDonald to Doctor Williams.”

“Go ahead Doctor,” a female voice replied.

“Can you come to my office for a consult.”

“On my way,” the neurosurgeon responded,  “Williams out.”

A few minutes later an older woman with kinky black hair graying at the temples entered. Aimee explained the situation and Dr. Tessa Williams nodded.  “Yes it can be done of course.  30cc’s of Zolpalaprim every six hours, but it’s usually doesn’t fully mask the telepathic ability.   In about ninty-percent of cases subjects are no longer able to communicate telepathically. The only way to fully remove the ability is surgical intervention,  but that is permanent.”

Sorek was surprised it was so easy.  He looked at Choi.  “Are you ready, Counselor?”

Egrel hesitated and nodded, “I suppose I am as ready as I will ever be, yes.” He was just as surprised as Sorek appeared to be. He was incredibly nervous and anxious about the whole ordeal.

Williams nodded, “I’ll be right back.”  She was gone for a few minutes and returned.  “So, this drug stops the ER-Alpha and ER-Beta receptors from binding with a hormone that works with your limbic system which is vital in your telepathic abilities.   This hormone is actually very similar to nuclear-estrogen so believe it or not this drug is also a very good contraceptive in women.”

“I don’t like using it,” Aimee added.  “The side-effects can be… uncomfortable.”

Williams nodded, “That’s the next thing.  Side-effects do include things like nausea, vomiting, headaches, lowered libido, and increased risk of blood clots. If you are ready we can proceed.”

“Before you do anything, Doctors, how dangerous is the risk of blood clots?” said Sorek.  “The plan is to inject every telepath on board.  We can’t have crew experiencing strokes.”

The two doctors looked at each other and Aimee shrugged, “It’s not zero.  Vulcans are less susceptible than Betazoids, but it’s relatively low.  It doesn’t exactly cause them, but increases the risk by several-fold.”

“Every drug has risks. Do the benefits outweigh the risks?” Williams asked.

Aimee thought for a moment,  “Yeah, I think so. Considering what I saw happened to Lt. Cordon and post autopsy of the Colorado’s captain. There’s something mucking around in the minds of people,  and it appears telepaths are more susceptible.”

“Good enough for me,” Williams agreed.

“You may proceed when Counselor Choi is ready,” said Sorek.

Williams nodded and pressed the hypospray against Counselor Choi’s shoulder and injected him. After a pause, she asked him, “How are you feeling?”

The counselor nodded his ascent before he was given the hypo It took a few moments for it to course through his body. Choi winced and cradled his head in his hand, “That is… remarkably unpleasant. My head… I don’t like it, but…” He straightened up and took a deep breath, “I hope this helps.”

“Me too,” Aimee said concern crossing her face.  Opening a tricorder she made a few scans and sighed with relief. “Vital signs are normal.”

“Doctor, please attach a cortical monitor,” said Sorek.  “Counselor, go about your duties, but keep a PADD with you and record everything.  This is vital for all the telepaths on board.  Call Doctor MacDonald at the slightest sign of trouble.”  He looked at MacDonald.  “You can release him at your discretion.”

Aimee rummaged around in her desk before removing a cortical monitor.  She wasn’t happy Sorek had just told her how to do her job… The worst part was that he was right.  Talk about rubbing salt into that wound, she said to herself.  Standing she placed the monitor on Choi’s right temple and then turned to her desk and without sitting she linked to monitor to the ship’s computer.  “You are free to go Counselor.  Try to take it easy, at least at first. Try to get as much rest as your duties will allow. Oh, and redose yourself in six hours.” She handed him the hypospray.

Egrel stood and took the hypo, a wave of nausea washing over him. He grimaced, “I.. I think I will take a nap. I will keep track…” He nodded, “Six hours, noted.”

“Thank you, Doctors,” said Sorek.  “Counselor, I will walk you to your quarters.”  Now the waiting began.

Stardate 77614.8

Carolyn had jumped when Commander Sorek had reached out to her and asked her along on the away mission.  Quite literally jumped.  She wasn’t a day on the ship, and already, she was getting pulled into the middle of the action.  Between her Interim Chief thinking she could be an assistant chief and now the XO deciding she was ready for an away team onto a moon base that had the entire crew taking deep calming breaths the closer they got – she was finding herself moving faster than she ever had on the Zebulon Pike.

She equipped herself with two engineering kits, a sidearm, and a utility belt that held damn near everything she could get her hands on.  The door to the shuttle bay opened, revealing not the Vulcan she was expecting.  “Lieutenant Walker-Halsey,” she greeted the woman, knowing full well she was married to the CO.  She hadn’t had time to find out what the rest of the crew thought of her, and the only thing they had told her was that she wasn’t your regular Vulcan.

“Ensign Crawford.  You…look very prepared.”  For her part, the interim Chief Science Officer carried two science kits and was armed with a phaser.  She, however, did not have a utility belt.

Carolyn smiled meekly, “I…uh…I have a thing with being prepared.”

Theodora gave her an amused look, “It wasn’t a criticism, Mr. Crawford.  Merely an observation.”

The engineer moved to speak, but the door opened once more, revealing the Vulcan she had been expecting.

Entering the shuttle bay, Sorek went directly to the ground crew, prepping the shuttle he and the team would be taking to Charon base.  After a short update from them and satisfied things were moving forward, he joined the two additions to the group.  “Lieutenant.  Ensign.”

Dougal entered shortly after Sorek with a phaser rifle over his shoulder and a phaser pistol on his hip. Nodding to Carolyn,  “Nice to see you, lass.”

Crawford gave a quiet nod with a smile.  She was thankful the MacDonalds were on the Mercy.  It made her feel less of an outsider and more of, well, someone who mattered.  It was her first real day, and she wanted to get off on the right foot or even feet as possible.  “It’s good to see you as well.  A small world Starfleet has become.”

O’Shea stepped through after Dougal and looked over each of the officers that would be on the away mission, ‘Hopefully the lack of telepaths with making this a bit easier…’ he thought thinking back to what happened to Neva and the crewman in the mess hall. He adjusted the phase compression rifle on his shoulder and double-checked his utility belt for the tricorder, phaser and couple of cylindrical objects in case things got unpleasant. If whatever it was that attacked Lieutenant Cordon was on the moon he intended to make sure he had the tools required.

The door opened one last time and Sesias stepped through.

Sesias entered the shuttle bay, making final adjustments to the utility harness that he wore, “Been awhile since I last wore this, my last security Chief designed it for me when he saw the difficulties I had during away missions with just the standard belt.“ The belt was designed to carry multiple items within easy reach of each of Sesias’ three arms; currently, it was configured with two phaser pistols, two tricorders, a unique holster designed for his PADD, along with several more pouches. 

“Commander, Lieutenants, Ensign. Please let me remind you the less we have linked to the Mercy, the better. Commander, we came up with this as a possible first line of system defense. we didn’t have a chance to test it, but it should work.“ Sesias nodded towards the briefcase-looking item that he carried in one hand. “It’s a modified scrambler of sorts; on its own, it should be enough to scramble any signal coming from Charon. Ideally, when the engineers come over, they would plug it into the base systems directly, giving us hopefully,” Sesias blinked several times as he said this, “ some extra time for the anti-hacker team to figure out  who or what is behind the attempts.”

“Good work, Mister Sesias, to you and your team,” said Sorek.

Sesias nodded towards Crawford. 

Crawford glanced at the commander, “I was going to volunteer for helm duty sir.”

“By all means.  The ground crew have the keys.”  Sorek learned a long time ago that humor could be used to help diffuse a stressful situation.  “Remember, everyone, several of our people suffered telepathic attacks.  This is a hostile situation, so use extreme caution and watch each others’ backs.”

The interim Chief Science Officer looked to the rest of them, “Well, we’ve got our assignments.  Let’s get to getting with it.”

O’Shea leaned back into his seat on the shuttlecraft and smiled slightly; though his nerves were up, there was always something exciting about stepping foot into the unknown. “If I may add?” he said, looking over to the XO before continuing. “I would like to stress that we have an unknown hostile entity here, or well, we suspect it to be here. Let us play this by the books and with no unnecessary risks.”

“Indeed,” said Sorek.  “We still don’t know what happened to the crew of the Colorado, so stay alert.”

Dougal leaned in with a mischievous grin and spoke softly to O’Shea, “So no wee Highland charges naked as a bairn?”

O’Shea couldn’t help but let out a chuckle at that. “Only if they are against the English. Though don’t think we will find them waiting here.”

“No,” Dougal smirked, “Probably not, but ye never can tell with the Sasanachs.  The wee bastards are insidious.”

O’Shea’s chuckle this time turned into a deep laugh, “You could say that again, Dougal. Though in case we do need to make one of those charges, this might help.” He unclipped one of the cylindrical objects from his belt and handed it over with a wink. “Just in case.”

“Aye, lad that will do,” Dougal nodded.

Crawford slid into the pilot seat and secured herself with care while powering up the console and the stations.  The systems checks come back all clear, and she took a moment to verify the intercept course for the moon base.  She glanced back.  All the crew was secured and belted.  She tapped the console, “Shuttle control, this is Shuttle McCoy departing.”  The launch crew cleared them, and Carolyn smoothly pushed them forward and out of the shuttle bay and towards the moon and its eventual base,

She accelerated to full impulse and glanced over to Walker-Halsey in the right seat, “Anything on sensors?”

Theodora wasn’t frowning, but she wasn’t not frowning.  “The signal is increasing in strength.”  She tapped at the console, “The readings from the base are…hard to explain.  I believe much of what the computer reporting isn’t…actually the case.”  She sent a report to Sorek’s PADD.  “You see?  It’s wildly inconsistent…almost a perfect picture of stability on a station that’s two hundred years old.”

Sorek read the scan results.  The mystery was getting… well, more mysterious.  “Continue scanning.  We need all the information we can get.”

Crawford continued to pilot the shuttle towards the moon; the readings and the sensors continue to grow more mysterious.  Their path to the moon’s surface was surprisingly easy, and she soon found a shuttle bay, the doors strangely open and lights aglow.

“Commander, more and more, I’m getting that sense that this…is a trap of some kind.”

‘Of course it’s a trap, Ensign.  We were invited,” said Sorek.

Carolyn sighed, “No real choice then.  Onwards.”  Theodora kept a keen eye on the sensors as the shuttle aimed down and into the shuttle bay.  Slowly Crawford edged them inside the bay and set the shuttle down.  The door to the bay grumbled shut slowly until it finally clanged closed, the sound echoing off the walls of the shuttle bay.

Walker tapped at the console, “Life support is reading within acceptable ranges.  Scans of the base layout confirm 10 decks, all below ground.  Engineering seems to be in the center of the moon at decks 8, 9, and 10, where the power readings are highest.  Command and control center looks to be deck 5, sickbay deck 6, quarters, mess hall, recreation deck – all decks 2,3, and 4.”  She shook her head, “As soon as we passed inside the shuttle bay and the door shut… all the interference to our sensors…was gone.”

Crawford frowned, “Are we seeing the truth?”

The Interim Science Chief gave a slight nod, “It checks out with what records we have of this station design period.”  She looked to the XO, “The environment outside looks clear, sir.”

“All right, everyone.  Let’s be careful out there,” said Sorek.

Crawford tapped at the console, and the rear door slid open, and the crew exited.

The station was as if frozen in time.  An archaic design in 2400, it was the best and brightest in its original days.  It seems a museum tribute to the days of the NX-Enterprise with its antique corridors and subdued lighting.  Consoles are toggles or buttons, and the computer matrix isn’t fast by any stretch of the imagination.  The bland corridors and rooms are utilitarian by necessity  – a station like this wasn’t meant for entertaining or diplomacy…it was meant for experiments and science.  The power flickers every so often as the lights above exhibit the instability of whatever is powering the station.  200 years is a long time for a station that wasn’t meant to last beyond 100.

There is a voice over the overhead speakers.

“YOU HAVE COME”

Sorek looked around the bay, but he didn’t see anyone.  “It seems our host knows we’re here.”

It is a deep bass voice that attempts at being human…but something is missing.  It is something artificial.  Crawford swore, and Walker-Halsey raised an eyebrow, the voice raising the hair on the back of her neck,

“Bloody hell!” Dougal exclaimed, nearly jumping out of his one skin.  He spun around, phaser ready and free hand on the hilt of his dirk.  He was looking for a threat but saw none.

Upon having heard the voice, Sesias pulled out one of the tricorders. “We had an inkling we may be dealing with artificial intelligence of some sort. Guess I owe LT. Neva, that drink.” he walked over towards what looked like a console, an old one but one nonetheless. 

“Commander, according to my scans, this console looks to have a link to flight control and communications. I’m going to lock down and activate the scrambler here. If we are dealing with artificial intelligence, than.” Looked over at the rest of the away team. “Take you our pick computer core, command center, or main engineering would all be good possible locations to start looking.”

“We’ll start with the command center, the decide from there,” said Sorek.

Crawford approached the console.  It was rudimentary at best and would require significant work to get it to work with their current technology, “Mr. Sesias….”

Suddenly there is the high pitch whining of transporters.  Halsey-Walker tapped her comm badge, but she was too late.  Suddenly the shuttle bay was empty; the away team was gone.  A quiet sigh was heard over the speakers.

“IT HAS BEGUN”

THEY ARE HERE

THEY HAVE COME

WE WILL SEE

WILL THEY BE

WILL THEY BE WORTHY

ARE THEY OURS

CAN THEY SAVE US

THE NEXT STEP IS COMING

I AM DEATH

DEATH WILL CONTINUE

DEATH WILL LIVE ON

THEY WILL DEATH

DEATH WILL BE

WE BEGIN AGAIN

THE STARS ANSWERED

THE STARS LED US

THE STARS LED THEM

WE WILL LEAD THEM

HAND IN HAND

TO DEATH

TO CONTINUE

TO BECOME

TO LIVE

TO DIE

THEY ARE HERE

THEY WILL BE

WE WILL DIE

THEY WILL DIE

DEATH WILL BE

I WILL BE

The atmosphere on the Mercy had changed over the last hour and a person didn't need to be empathic or have antennae to feel it.  Word of what happened to the away teams on the Colorado had spread quickly enough, but the experience Izi had with Ren Torell in the mess hall, set a speed record for how fast a story could be spread through a starship.

The captain set a course for moon base Charon in the hopes of learning what happened to the Colorado crew.  Izi expected to be part of the team investigating the base, but there were rumors she wouldn't be, so she had asked to speak with Commander Sorek about it.  Reaching his office, Izi took a deep breath and let it out slowly.  She was angry about missing a chance to solve the mystery, but she needed to remain disciplined and respectful.

“Is this a good time to talk, sir?”  Izi's antennae were leaning slightly forward.

“Yes, Lieutenant.  Please come in and sit down.”  Sorek was reading from a PADD, but he set it on his desk.  “What is on your mind?”  He knew, but he wanted Iziraa to express her concerns.

“There's talk around the ship that any away teams we send to Charon won't include telepaths or empaths.  I understand why, but people are saying they heard I can't go either,” said Izi.

“What people would that be?” said Sorek.

“You know.  People that know things.”

“I see.”  Sorek knew rumors and conjecture were parts of life on a ship, but most of the time, things were not true or even exaggerated.  Iziraa was getting her information through this so-called grapevine and he supposed it make perfect sense to her.

“It is true.  No telepaths or Andorians will be going to Charon.”

Izi's antennae drooped.  “But why, sir?  I know I had an experience, but nothing bad happened.”

“This time, Lieutenant.  As we got closer to the base, you saw what happened with Petty Officer Torell.  We cannot be certain something worse won't happen to you.”

“You can't be certain anything will.”

“Logic dictates we don't take that chance.”

“Sir, with respect, being in Starfleet is taking chances, especially working in security.”

“That is true,” said Sorek.  “But taking chances, or risks, is a natural part of Starfleet.  So is protecting personnel when the chance is too risky.  I appreciate your commitment to your duty, but for this mission, you will be serving on the bridge.”

It was all Izi could do to keep from demanding the commander change his mind, but she knew there would be consequences to that.  “There's nothing I can say to convince you to let me go with the team?”

“The decision has been made.”

“Yes, sir.”  A few moments passed.  “I'm due on the bridge soon.  May I be excused, sir?”

“Yes, but before you go, there is something important I need you to do.”

Seasias headed out of the captain’s ready room and tapped on his combadge, “Lt. Neva, I’m on my way down to you. We need to talk. You may want to have a team of your best computer systems folks ready to go.” Sesias entered the turbolift, “Main Engineering.”

Neva tapped her comm badge. “Acknowledged. We’ll be waiting.” Neva stood up straight again at the Main Engineering console she’d been working at. Looking around, she called out. “Ok, gang. We’ve got orders that supersede our usual goings on.” 

Neva tapped buttons on the console, showing everyone the information. “Now, I need some ‘mad engineering skills’ on this.” She replayed the video of the away team’s experience on board the Colorado. Neva stopped the playback just before her ‘incident.’”She was about to go on when she saw Lt. Sesias enter.

Sesias exited the turbolift and made his way to Neva’s office stopped short when he saw that she was already at the large engineering console table in the middle of the room. “Lt. Neva, I hope you had a chance to glance through the report on the Colorado logs and the attempted hacking into our system. The captain gave us till we arrive at the moon base to come up with and implement a plan to either slow down or stop whatever is trying to gain access to our systems. I’m open to any and all ideas; I have a communications team on their way down here to assist in any way they can.” 

Neva nodded at Lt. Sesias’s update. “Yes, we were just starting to go over that. I welcome any other help we can get!” She turned back to her crew. “Ok, you heard the Lieutenant. We don’t have much time, so enjoy some stress, kids!”  

She looked up. “Computer, backup playback to show what Lt. MacDonald and Lt. O’Shea found on other systems. Audio off.”   The tell-tale chirp followed the request, and the video reverses to the correct point. It showed the neural connections on the one console. “Computer, pause playback,” Neva called out. She looked back down at her crew and the lieutenant. “OK, I found this interesting when I played it back earlier today. I surmised that even from what I saw in the dilithium chamber, someone had tried to fix the systems but had a rudimentary understanding of engineering.”

She called out again. “Computer, resume playback.” The video continued showing Neva’s perspective of the state of the dilithium chamber. “Computer, end playback.” The video returned to its previous configuration. “The state of what our Away Team found leaves me wondering how to proceed. Any ideas, theories, etc., are welcome.”

Neva then noticed the new people entering her Sanctum. “Welcome, everyone. Please join us. We need to bounce ideas and such off each other for the results our captain requires. Feel free to give yours.”

Sesias showed Neva the last image that he was able to get when they were in the CX room in the communications center. “Neva, does this look familiar to you?” He pointed out the black blob in the top right corner of the image captured on the PADD. “This was the last image I got before we shut down the operation in the CX room. From what we were able to figure out, it took roughly 14-15 hours before that appeared. If that was someone or something trying to get into our systems, then we need to make sure it can’t. Lucky the CX room is one of the few consoles on the Mercy which is not connected to any system on the ship and has no way to be able to access any system; we don’t even wear combadges in there.”

Carolyn Crawford squinted and wrinkled her nose as she looked closer, “Is that…that’s pretty weird.”  She tapped her PADD, “So, operating systems. I think that black blob is the old operating system from 200 years ago attempting to interface with ours, which, of course, it wasn’t able to. It reminds me of the command line interfaces and systems of those older computer banks and processes.” She scrolled through the screen until she found it, “Here.  200 years ago, we still had command line access to the operating systems. It was advanced, but it was still there.”

Neva’s jaw clenched and her hand tightened on the PADD. Steeling herself, she said “No, i believe that ‘Blob’ is NOT part of the operating system.” She pointed to it. “It’s watching to size up what we’re about.” She scanned the group with barely held terror. “That.that Thing, needs to be taken as seriously as the most contagious disease ever known.”

Sesias looked up at the warp core and then back down at the group of engineers and operations crew assembling around the table. “Folks, it looks like we might have had an attempted hacking into the Mercy’s systems; we cannot let that happen; there is no way anyone or anything should be able to get into the systems, let alone even try.  The ship, the crew, and anyone else onboard depends on what we do here today.” Looked at Neva. “Nothing is off the table; if you have an idea, let’s hear it and work on it, I’m sure Lieutenant Neva would agree with me on that. Per the Captain, this takes top priority for engineering and operations.”

Crawford contemplated further on the command line mystery.  It opened up preventative measures, but it would take time to implement all of them.  Which ones would they choose?  That was the question.

Neva’s eyes widened at the Lieutenant’s proclamation. “Really?!? There’s no way in HELL that’s happening again!” She declared vehemently. She turned her full attention to Sesias, fighing to control herself. “I concur, Lieutenant. What do you suggest?”

Sesias pulled Neva and Crawford to the side. “I was thinking of something as I was on my way down here. If they/it can attempt to hack into our systems, should we not be able to do the same to them? Maybe it could help us figure out who or what they are, what they want, or better yet, maybe we could use that link to counter their attacks.”

Carolyn frowned, “Given how little we know the other side. I’d be worried about getting pulled in too deep, and we can’t find out way out because it’s smarter than us.”

Neva took a deep breath and slowly  let it out before speaking again. “I like your idea, Lieutenant Sesias. Though, we need a combination of organic and inorganic re-” She bit her lower lip a moment. She visibly fought the urge to have another outburst, then continued. “As for it being smarter than us, Lieutenant Crawford, I don’t think so. Considering the shoddy way it tried to repair things, I firmly believe it’s capabilities are low. Not to mention it’s knowledge of even rudimentary understanding of technology.” 

The Chief Engineer straightened herself to full height and stepped back to be in everyone’s pine of sight. “OK, no more talk. Crawford, get with-”She pointed to 2 ensigns and a cadet. “Them, and come up with how to get control from HERE” She pointed down towards the floor. “Of the inorganic side of the ship.” Neva then looked at Sesias. “Can you get your people to get the organic counterattack to work without the need for a person if possible? If you end up needing someone, we need to discuss liabilities. Does that work for you?”

Crawford bit the inside of her lip.  Her interim Chief was smart and strongly opinionated, and she wasn’t about to call her out in front of everyone.  The dismissal of Carolyn’s concerns with the hacking stung a little, but she’d long ago resolved to put on her big girl pants when it came to conflict.  She made a note in the back of her mind to revisit the issue if needed and gave a nod to Neva, “We’ll get work straightaway.  You two, with me.”  She gathered the crew and they moved to the side and began to work on the problem.

Sesias last oked at the rest of the assembled team and points out two Engineers, two of his operations crew “You are with me till I have to leave, if I have to leave, than you’ll report to Lieutenant Neva.” Sesias tapped on his combadge “LT Macdonald and LT. Walker, LT. Sesias if you can spare a couple folks from your departments. We have an idea, but will need some help from medical and science to flesh it out and see if it’s even possible. Have them meet me in the operations briefing room in 60 minutes.”

Sesias made his way towards the turbo lift, not looking back to see if the four followed him or not. 

In the shuttle bay, after the booming voice spoke to them, Sorek first heard, then felt, a transporter beam taking him.  After a few seconds, he appeared in an empty corridor, presumably on Charon Base.  The lighting was subdued, the air was chilly, and there was an eerie silence.  Concerned for the rest of the team, he looked behind him, seeing only Sesias about fifteen meters away.

“Are you all right, Lieutenant?”

Sesias blinked the transporter after glow from his eyes. He realized that he was no longer in the shuttle bay but in a corridor a rather long corridor with subdued lights and an eerie silence. He looked around as he heard the commanders voice. “Yes sir, seems like I’m all here. Who? What? Where are the rest of the team?” He tapped his comm badge “Lieutenant Dougal? O’Shea? Ensign Crawford? Anyone?” He made his way over to Commander Sorek. “Well this is interesting. Any ideas sir?”

Sorek noticed most of the equipment in Sesias’ harness was gone.  His  phaser, tricorder, and PADD were gone as well.

“The logical conclusion is, we are expected or needed to do something and to do it without our gear,” said Sorek.  “Whoever or whatever initiated the transport, could have killed us.”

“It could have, but didn’t. Which means it wants something? The question is what? “ Sesias feels around his harness “looks like it took everything but one Tricorder.” he pulled it out and started an area scan. “ getting some of that interference that Lietenant Walker noticed on the way in, not as bad but still there. According to this looks like that way” he points behind them “is a door, can’t read what’s on the other side, and that way“ points in  front of them “continues on straight for about 100 meters, I’m reading a couple doors off to the sides, again can’t read what’s on the other side of them. With the interference I’m not reading anything beyond that.”

“It seems we must choose a door,” said Sorek.  “Do you have a preference?”

“Not really, gotta make you think though doesn’t it. Easy path” points behind them “ or the longer path with the unknown.” points in front of them. “At this point guess it wouldn’t hurt to try the easy path and see what happens.”  

Sesias starts to walk towards the door that is behind them, holding the recorder in front him. “Sir, notice how quiet and cold it is in here. Still not reading anything beyond the door, actually I’m not reading anything concerning the door, definitely no power running to it. Odd though as I get closer the interference we noticed before seems to become slightly stronger nothing that would make anyone really take notice but just enough that it reads on the scans.”

It was clear to Sorek that whatever was running the base, wanted them to go to a specific place.  Backtracking up the corridor, he stopped when one of the side doors opened.  A light came on and he could smell a slight musty odor.  Looking at Sesias, he stepped inside.

Sesias watched the commander head the opposite direction along the hallway. “Well,  I guess that confirms that. Strong interference means no, not this way.” he quickly followed the commander, scanning the room as he entered.

The room appeared to be a small lounge, with casual furniture placed where crew could socialize.  There was a food dispenser on a wall.  There were no windows.  “Do you detect anything?”

“Well, nothing harmful in the air or on the surfaces. Looks like the room as been closed up for quite some time. Hmmmm the food dispenser seems to have power running to it and very low signs of the interference in the room. A lounge? Seems like a strange room to herd folks towards.”

Before Sorek replied, the door slid closed.  Not bothering to check it or try to open it, he waited for what was next.  After a few seconds, the same voice they heard in the shuttle bay spoke again.

“There are five geometric shapes: a green circle, a yellow circle, a blue square, a blue triangle, and a green triangle.  One of them frees you from this room.  There are two people.  One knows the color and the other knows the shape.  They were asked twice if they knew the correct shape, but were silent both times.  On the third time they were asked, they both said yes.  What is the correct color and shape?”

“Huh, guess we know who transported us, now the question is why.” Sesias started to look or feel in his uniform pockets, holsters and on the tricorder. “I don’t think it would be crazy enough to” pointed at himself and at the commander “say we are the two people. As they say sometimes the easiest answer is the one in front of you the whole time. Nothing. “

“I believe the two are fictional and part of the clue to solve the puzzle,” said Sorek.  “The why does not matter.  At least not yet.”

“Five shapes, five colors, two people each one knows half the answer.” walks around the lounge scanning. “Well besides the food dispenser no other sources of power and the interference seems to stay constant.”

“It is logical to say solving this will not be easy,” said Sorek.  “It most likely must be done in phases.”  He studied the shapes, running the riddle through his mind.   He was certain he would find the answer, but being in a room with an active food dispenser made him wonder how long that would be.

“Any ideas commander? I really don’t want to find out how good 200 year old food is.” walked over to study the shapes also. “So we got two doubled up shapes and two doubled up colors. Due to the fact that the fictional people both know a color and a shape. I would say we could probably eliminate the yellow circle as the answer as it just to obvious as it’s the odd one out of the group.”

“I agree that we can eliminate the yellow circle,” said Sorek. “The person that was told the color would know that was the correct shape, but the person that knows the shape was silent.  Therefore, it cannot be the yellow circle.  We can use the same reasoning to eliminate the blue square.”

“So that leaves us with the green circle and the two triangles. Two are the same color. Sir, are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“I do not know,” said Sorek.  “What are you thinking?”

“Well I think we could eliminate the green circle for using the same logic as we did for the first question. If one was told circle as the shape than they would have said they knew the answer but they kept silent which would mean that circle is not the correct shape. This leaves us with the two triangles.”

“And since we already eliminated the blue square, logic dictates the blue triangle must be as well,” said Sorek “The correct answer is the green triangle.”

The door to the lounge slid open.

“Hmmmm, well sir. We know which way not to go. Wonder what’s next? You sure you don’t want to try the food dispenser before we leave?”

“We don’t have time for that, as we need to find the others,” said Sorek.  “You should have eaten before we left.”

Egrel stared up blankly into the seemingly endless void surrounding him. He turned his head one way and then the other. There was nothing. He attempted to lift his hand up to look at it. He had no idea if he was able to or not, unable to see even his own hand. His breath hitched in his chest as he tried to roll over to move, unable to do that either. It felt like someone or something was sitting on his chest, preventing him from moving and forcing the air out of his lungs. Whatever it was, it pushed him down harder. Egret’s breath rushed out of his body as it suddenly felt like he was falling. He tried to scream and reach out to grab something, anything. He couldn’t move still and no voice came from him as he fell.

Egrel slammed into something solid. The ground? His breath stuttered and he was finally able to breathe. He lay for a long moment before he was finally able to roll over on his hands and knees. His entire body ached. He sat back on his heels and stared into the vast nothingness. Nightmares were common to him, but not like this. He looked up sharply as he heard footsteps. It was deafening, each step assaulted his ears. Egrel let out a strangled gasp, seeing Ovoss walk towards him. The Klingon knelt down beside him and lifted a hand to touch Egrel’s cheek. Egret let out a strangled sobbing noise, reaching his arms out to touch his beloved.

Egret’s first love. He latched onto Ovoss and clutched onto him tightly, not wanting to let him go. Borg hands came out of the darkness and grabbed the Klingon, dragging him away from Egrel. Ovoss screamed and lashed out, furiously trying to fight to get back. Egret couldn’t move again. He felt hands hold him back, though he couldn’t see them. Sobs wracked Egrel’s body as he watched Ovoss get assimilated. Again.

Egret sobbed out, “No! Not again!” He tried to lash out against the invisible hands that held him, “Don’t… Not the others! Stop! STOP!” 

Mike, his second love, is a human engineer. He saw Mike kneel down beside a highly explosive tricobalt warhead. He died exactly a year later after Ovoss got assimilated. Mike met his end during a bomb diffusal gone wrong. Egrel did not see this happen, he saw the ship disintegrate from another farther away.

Mike pulled out some tools, starting to disassemble the bomb very careful, with a surgeon like steady hand and precision. The ship jostled as it was hit by a photon torpedo, launching Mike onto the bomb. The moment his body knocked into it, it detonated and exploded in a brilliant, blinding light.

Egrel didn’t even have time to process that before he saw Tev running towards him. Tev, love number three. He lost five in five years. Tev was running towards Egrel, screaming to try and tell Egrel to run away. A pack of wild animals was running after Tev, snarling and frothing at the mouth, hot on his heels. Tev’s ankle twisted adn the Andorian want down with a cry. His cry got cut off as the animals descended on him, right at Egrel’s feet.

Egrel at this point just slumped against the invisible hands that held him up. The chime at his quarter’s door jolted him out of his hellish nightmare and back to the blinding interior of his quarters. He let out a scream of pure terror and thrashed off the bed, hitting the floor with a loud thud.

Walker-Halsey blinked and looked around the room.  Sickbay.  What a place to end up.  It resembled the early designs of the NX class and appeared to be fully functional.  She did a quick inventory and found she only had possession of a tricorder.  She looked to MacDonald, who had a look of several feelings on his face.  He held his tricorder in his hand and nothing else.

“Whoever…or whatever transported us here removed our weapons and equipment…and left us with…a tricorder each.”  She nodded to the security officer, “That is why you cannot find your dagger.  I suspect this was intentional.”

Dougal scowled,  “Bloody thievin’ bastards. That dirk was a gift.”

She walked around the room slowly, examining each shelf, screen, and console, “It is in incredible shape, this station.  200 years has been increasingly kind the operations of this place.”

“Aye a wee bit odd,” he said walking in the opposite direction looking at things,  but not using the tricorder. 

She stepped towards the door and found it unmoving.  She flipped the manual override.  It didn’t respond.  She attempted a quick emergency override.  More nothing. Theodora turned to Dougal, a frown evident on her face, “It appears we are locked in, Lieutenant.”

“Perhaps we could construct an explosive and blow the door apart,” Dougal suggested as he glanced over the various items located in the medical bay.

The interim science chief walked around the room, her eyes searching the contents carefully, “It is highly unlikely that we have been placed here in order to make out escape…easier.”  She looked to the wall where bodies traditionally were stored.  Two out of the four units had blinking green lights.  “I do not think we are alone, Lieutenant.”  She clarified, “At least we appear to be the only two alive bodies.”  She motioned to the wall.

Dougal frowned, “Aye, well, it is a sickbay. But after 200 years?”

She sighed, “Let us see why we are here.”  She stepped up to the first and flipped the switch, and the unit opened slowly, rattling along old and worn mechanics.  A human body lay before them.  Dead.  The body was clean, and no injuries were present.  She looked to the security officers, “Peculiar.”

“Aye, lass. You can say that again,” Dougal replied, walking around the body, examining it without touching it.  He paused at the right shoulder.  The uniform wasn’t Starfleet, and was mostly generic blue/grey overalls zipping up in the front. There were no identifying marks except for a circular black patch sewn on the upper sleeve.  “I dinnea think this poor wee bastard is from 200 years ago.”

The Vulcan gave him a nod, “That symbol is familiar to me.  I cannot recall the meaning, but it is a recent memory.”  She slipped out her tricorder once more and scanned the body carefully.  “He’s…human.  Age is somewhere 25 to 30.  Tricorder is detecting particles and microscopic debris that suggests this man has been in traveling in space…and within the last month.”  She gave him an appreciative nod, “This man is a recent addition to the station.”  She stepped over to the other container and flipped the switch as the final body was revealed.

It was a young girl.

“Bloody hell!” Dougal swore and turned away white as a ghost.  “Poor wee lass.”

The human side of Walker-Halsey shuddered, but she pushed her Logic over it for the moment as she scanned the body with her tricorder.  She went from head to toe, frowning at the report the tricorder was sending back.

He took a deep breath, “I dinnae ken what to make of this. This no makes any sense.”

She returned to where Dougal stood, “The tricorder estimates her age to be 10 to 12 years old, human.  She’s a recent addition as well….” she handed the tricorder to Dougal and went to rummaging through the equipment cabinets until she found a spare hypo unit to draw blood.

“Too young.  So much life ahead of the lass,” he commented his anger starting to rise.

A raised eyebrow was her first answer.  Her second, “I suspect these two are related.  You see, the features on the face are similar.  In order to determine why the hell we’re here, we need to determine why the hell they are here.”  She quickly used the blood draw on the child and then the man.  She slipped the two samples into a nearby DNA sequencing unit, “There is a deliberate lack of equipment…and a deliberate placement of equipment.”  She waited quietly for the results.  She glanced at Dougal, “It is an interesting dynamic that you are here with me in sickbay and not your wife.”

Dougal looked around helpless, “Aye it does seem a wee bit spartan. If Aimee were here I’m sure she would be more useful, but here I am.  The best I can do it patch ye up if you get shot.  Beyond that, I’m afraid I’m a wee bit useless. Whatever game is being played I am no amused.”

The diagnostic unit beeped and Walker-Halsey checked the results, “Father and daughter.””  She returned to the bodies, “The question is, what are we supposed to do with them?”

Before Dougal could respond, the deep and inhuman voice returned, “WE NEED THEM.”

Dougal looked unsettled,  “I wish the bloody bampot would bugger off an haud its wheesht.  An’ what would it bloody need with these poor souls?”

Theodora raised an eyebrow and looked from the bodies to the ceiling and back again as she thought out loud, “If whatever it is needed them, it could have transported them once we opened the units.”  She got close to each body and examined them closely, “What does it need with them that it cannot do for itself?”

“Aye well, the way I see it, it… he… whatever… is either messing with us and it’s a part of some psychological torture or it has something to do with the poor bastards we found on the Colorado.”

Walker-Halsey stared at him in a very human way, the shock of his thought process rolling through her.  Her Vulcan logic reasserted itelf a moment later as she grappled with the idea, “You are not wrong, Lieutenant.  I am beginning to wonder if we are to act as the hands of whatever has placed us here.”

Dougal frowned. That wasn’t a pleasant thought.   “Hands to do what?”

The voice returned, more insistent this time, “WE NEED THE HEART AND THE MIND.”

Halsey stared at the child and accepted the tricorder from Dougal.

“Literally or metaphorically?” Dougal asked.

She scanned both the heart and the mind of each, shaking her head as she did.  It took her a moment longer to find a medical tricorder and scan further.  She let out a long sigh, “I am not sure how this was done…but the heart of the adult male is in prime condition for a transplant…and the same goes for the child’s brain.  Everything else in the body has decayed and would serve no purpose to anyone or anything.”

“So literally… The ghosts will no like this desecration.”

Walker-Halsey threw both tricorders onto a nearby table and cursed in Vulcan.  She closed her eyes and took several long breaths as she worked through what their task was.  It took her considerable time before she was able to speak clearly and without the rage that threatened to burn through her soul, “I do not anticipate whatever or whoever put us here will allow us to refuse to do the work.  Even if we did…this…thing…has control of much of this place…and possibly beyond.  There’s more where we came from.”

“Aye, it’s logical,” Dougal replied.  “And what happens if we refuse?”

Theodora shook her head, her human emotions sending chills down her spine.  “I am left to wonder if these two are examples of what could happen.  They are recent acquisitions.  It would track that refusing to do what is tasked would earn a harsh removal from the equation and eventual replacement.”

Dougal shuddered, “Aye, I’ll my chances with the wee ghosts.  Maybe they will understand.”

She moved to the counters and cabinets and began to pull out equipment.  She found the gowns, face shields, gloves, and more.  She handed supplies to Dougal, “I do not relish this, Lieutenant.  I may appear Vulcan in appearance and bearing at times…but my humanity is having a struggle reconciling what we’re are about to do.”  She donned her equipment, taking each piece slowly and carefully, “I will need to punch something in the near future.”

“Aye, I understand the impulse to be sure.”

She approached the child first and took a long breath, “I need you to hold her head, Lieutenant.”

He approached the child.   While he didn’t protest, there was a tear in his eyes as he grasped the lifeless head in both hands.  “Go on, and bloody get it over with.”

Walker went about the work with great care and deliberate honor to the child’s body.  It took her fifteen minutes to cut open the head and go about the process of removing the brain, which she then placed in a container that had appeared on a counter behind her.  Her breathing was even, but her heart sped at warp.  Moments later, she had reattached the skull and returned the body to the wall and out of sight.  She leaned against the door with a deep sigh, “You’ve had to do your share of terrible things in your security life, Lieutenant…how do you process the darkness?”

Dougal shrugged.  “I dinnae ken.  Maybe ye don’t,” he admitted truthfully. “It’s easier when the bastard’s shootin’ at ya.  Ye don’t think about it much ye just react.  But every time ye take a life, a piece of ye dies as well.  This is bloody distasteful,  but as my wife would say, ‘They are dead.  The body isn’t the person any longer, and it should not let it bother you.’ Be thankful lass, ye are no hurting the wee bairn.  Her demise was no our fault,  as painful as that wee thought might be.”

Theodora thought over his words for a moment and gave a quiet nod in response.  She returned her attention to the next body, “This…will not be as clean as the other.”  She picked up the laser cutter and carefully went about the work of removing the man’s heart.  It took her longer to ensure proper transplant procedures were followed, and she apologized to Dougal as she asked him for various pieces of equipment as she went, “You will have quite a story to tell your wife when you return.”

“Aye, I expect so,” he agreed. 

Her hands started shaking, and she closed her eyes, focusing on the act at hand.  Her humanity had a habit of slipping through her control at key moments, and at times she wished she could just amputate the damn thing.  “We met on Starbase 1.  It was a whirlwind experience.  Being Human and Vulcan at the same time when experiencing the full effect of love was…an interesting experience.”  She accepted the next tool, “You and yours?  If your tale involves saving her in the midst of the battlefield, I’ll be impressed.”

Dougal laughed,  “No, not exactly.   As I recall, it was after a rather hash tongue lashing after the lass patched me up from taking a Sasanach bayonet in the shoulder on the holodeck back on the Hippocrates.  Another hospital ship, ironically. I kent right then an’ there the lass was the woman for me, and I would marry her.  Took almost a year for her to say yes.”

Walker-Halsey listened as she finished the last pieces of the readying the heart for removal.  “Leopold asked me after a year of our courting.  If he hadn’t asked, I was very ready to ask him myself.”  She gently lifted the heart out of the chest and placed it delicately in the second container, sealing it with a long sigh.  “I cannot imagine not having him in my life.”  She stripped the gloves off, tossed them in the trash, and tapped the button to return the body to the wall.  The door closed with a clang, and she removed the remainder of her protective measures.

“Now what?” Dougal said, looking around.

Suddenly the voice returned, “BRING THEM TO ME.”

Dougal winced again. He was really beginning to despise the bloody voice… or whatever it was.

The smile on her face had faded, resolving into a deep scowl, “I really wish to punch this thing.”  She picked up the container with the brain and nodded to the heart, “Let us figure out where it wants us to go next.”

“Aye, me too lass. Me too.”

The door to sickbay groaned open, beckoning them forward.  Theodora grumbled, “And away we go.”

Dougal glanced at the door and back to Theodora, “I’ll take point lass.  I have a bad feeling about this.”  Theodora nodded him forward and followed.

The whine of the transporter faded as Crawford spun around and found herself in a flashback to the early days of Starfleet.  The command and control center was unlike any of the earlier designs she had been familiar with.  It was so spartan, so clean, so…devoid of any kind of design.  Buttons, switches, and screens surrounded them on all sides in a long and wide rectangular room.  Carolyn put her hands to her side and swore, “The hell?”  She looked at O’Shea.  He held a tricorder in his hands with a similar look on his face.

O’Shea looked around him slowly as he glanced at the tricorder in his hand. He began to scan the room, looking for signs of the other members of the away team but found nothing. His other hand automatically slide to his side as he reached for the reassurance of his phasers but found nothing. At this, he glanced over at the engineer, “Well, this is damn odd,” he said as he gauged her reaction to the situation. It was such a new ship he only had a feel for a couple of the officers and one or two of the crew under him. “Looks like we are both missing a few items ensigns,” he said, nodding towards her belt.

The engineer looked at her utility belt and found the only thing that she had retained was a tricorder.  “I’m going to say it again.  What the hell?”  She tapped her commbadge, but there was no sound.  “Crawford to Sorek.”  Silence.  She tapped again.  “Crawford to Mercy.”  Nothing.

“I am getting very tired of these lack of coms, thought guess it isn’t surprising; away mission and all,” O’Shea said with a shrug as he quickly tapped his own commbadge to check for himself. As expected, he was answered with only silence. At that, he looked around and approached the nearest console, “Right out of a museum…” he muttered as he tapped a few buttons to see if there was any response. “You getting anything from these?”

Carolyn slipped out her tricorder and began to scan each ancient console as she went, “It’s…weird.  You look at them, and they seem to be in near perfect condition, but according to these readings… some things aren’t working.”  She nodded in his direction as he tapped the buttons and switches.

“You could say that again,” O’Shea remarked as he continued to examine the consoles 

She went around to each console as the security officer did his own cursory examination.  She circled back to him, “This station isn’t fully operational.  Like…certain systems and command functions are either disabled or downright disconnected…or something.  Trying to sort out what is what…is a little challenging with 200 years separating my academy training.”

“Not sure how much help I will be, sure I can Jerry rig a door override and such but will do what I can here.” O’Shea said as bend down to look at the wiring underneath one of the desks. “It occurs to me,” he said as he stood up, “we didn’t check the door…though given our luck…”

Crawford stared at him and sighed, “Rookies, the both of us.”  She walked up to the door and waited for it to open.  It didn’t.  There was, however, a voice.

“NO.  YOU MUST REVIVE US.”

Crawford jumped back.  It was the same voice from the shuttle bay. The same deep, bass-filled voice.

O’Shea spun around at the sound of the voice, “Fecking’ell” he said, his Irish accent cutting through more than normal. 

Carolyn grumbled, “Revive us?  What the hell does that mean?”  She looked up, waiting for an answer.

O’Shea snorted, “No idea, but I am not inclined to do anything a disembodied voice tells me in an abandoned 200-year-old station that has likely unleashed psychic attacks on several of the crew.” He said with anger in his voice before turning around slowly, “What are you? Why should we do anything, you ask?”

There was no answer, just the silent ambient noise of the command center.  Crawford chewed at her bottom lip, “OK, game theory time.”  She paced the command center as she spoke, “Whatever brought us here is probably the same weirdness that sent the signal…and did whatever it did to the Colorado.  Which would lead me to think they did something similar to this place or…whatever happened here is more advanced than the Colorado.”

“Makes sense; the signal was stronger here, originating from here from what we could tell. But whatever happened to the Colorado was not good, and assuming the same happened here. I do not think this thing will look out for out best interests,” O’Shea said before trailing off as he moved to examine the controls beside the door.

She snapped her fingers, “What’s the most important part of a starship or a station?”

“Depends really, but engineering and the command centre are the two critical locations for controlling either.” O’Shea remarked before turning around and looking at Crawford, “If that logic holds, maybe some of the other crew are in engineering; if we could get coms back up; if the hard wires aren’t broken, maybe we can figure a way out.”

Crawford thought on it for a moment, “Revive us.  Some of these consoles are not fully functional or tied correctly into the system.  Given the importance of engineering…I wonder if there’s a reason we were needed here in this room.  If things aren’t fully connected or powered…they need to be turned on.”  She grimaced, “Or revived.”

O’Shea frowned at that, “Cannot say I like the situation, but maybe it will be worth looking at these to see what we can figure out?” He wandered over to the nearest console, “You think we should try turning it off and on again?” he said with a smirk.

Carolyn sighed, “I’m not sure it’s that simple.  Whatever got us here…wants us to do something.  I’m guessing our crew is in the same position somewhere on this station.  It needs us all to do something for it.”  She shook her head, “I don’t know if what we’re going to do is going to be a good thing.” 

“I agree fully on with that statement, but as you said, it wants us for something. Maybe we need to just play along for a bit?” Placing his tricorder on the console, he began to scan the area to determine what exactly was wrong with the consoles. “Shall we see what we can do?” he said before opening the panel below the console, “Well, this is a bit of a mess; even I can tell that these wires and circuit boards are not connected correctly. Take a look.”

She walked over and took a look, “Lordy, that’s a hot mess.  Then that’s where we start.  Wires to boards first.  Then we see what’s missing next?”

“Sounds like a plan,” O’Shea said as he adjusted to get comfortable, and they began to work.

They worked slowly at first, trying to sort out what went to what.  With Crawford’s help and O’Shea’s focus, they worked their way through each panel, exchanging a few words as they began to get a sense of what each was looking for as they went.  Thirty minutes later, they had made it halfway around the room.

“This was never my strong suit, but this is kind of relaxing,” O’Shea remarked as he looked back at the half of the room they had fixed. He looked back at the mess of cables and frowned, “When we get down to it, this isn’t even to difficult; it’s almost like someone messed this up on purpose to make it look like a real challenge….”

The engineer wiped her brow, a quiet smile tugging at her lips, “It’s gonna sound strange, but this is why I became an engineer.  Fixing the little things, so the bigger picture worked better.  Ain’t no better feeling.”  She sighed, “Aside from the ‘I’ve got a bad feeling about this’ feeling that I’ve got.”

“That is an understatement; we needed to come to investigate this as something strange is happening, but from a safety standpoint, a few quantum torpedos would have put an end to his thing. Worried that it may start costing lives soon.” O’Shea said clearly, not too pleased with the situation or their relative helplessness.

Carolyn groused, “Let’s just get something done at least.”

They continued around the room and speed up as patterns within the jumble of wires became apparent. A quarter of an hour later, they finished, and Cynndle stood up and stretched, “Bloody kneeling on floors,” he groaned before stepping up to one of the consoles. He reached out to flick it on, then stopped. “We sure we want to do this? Could always try to work through the wired comms or force the door?”

Crawford shook her head as she ran her tricorder on each console, “Given the power, this station has had over us since we stepped aboard…anything we try is going to earn us some unpleasant consequences.”  She finished scanning, “I recognize giving this thing more power and more connections isn’t going to help protect us…but I know how to fix things.”

“I know what you mean, though right now I am thinking about the ship; if we power this up will we put them in danger?” O’Shea mused before continuing, “Though it was doing a good job at that already, with any luck, we will figure out how to stop it and get ourselves out of here.”

She held up the tricorder, “Everything’s reading connected and ready.  Just up to us to make the final connections.”

“Well then, let’s see what this thing has in store for us next,” O’Shea said as he began to step toward the final connections. “No time like the present,” he said and began to finish their work.

Crawford remained unmoving and clicked her tongue.  “You ever have a moment in your life you regret…and every so often it comes back to haunt you…like a dark ghost swimming around in your brain?”

Without looking back O’Shea shrugged, “Daily, daily,” he said with a low voice and absently moved one hand to his leg. “Part of the reason I am here, on the Mercy. But one must move forward…Done,” he remarked before turning to face her. “Why, what’s on your mind?”

Crawford stared at the console and then glanced at O’Shea, “Feels like this is one of those moments.”  She took a deep breath, “It’s a no-win scenario. They teach you, train you, and test you through them like crazy in the academy…because they know, you’ll face ‘em eventually.  That you’ll have to make some terrible call…or decide to let something terrible happen…because you have no choice.  It’s the place we all end up eventually – I’m not ignoring the truth.  I’m just having to reconcile myself with the reality that I’m making this decision so early in my career.”  She let out the breath slowly, “The longer we avoid it…, the worse the feeling gets.  The harder it becomes to push the button…or throw the switch.”  She stared down at the ancient console before her, “Let’s get this over with.”

She keyed in the commands.  Connected the systems and commands.  She sighed.  And clicked the station to full power and control.

Halsey had returned to the bridge after getting Lieutenant Choi stabilized and into the care of sickbay.  Reports from across the ship regarding their small Betazoid population were trending in a similar direction.  He had given Doctor MacDonald leeway in treatment and help for them given that whatever it was out there was able to affect them more than most.  He’d returned to the center chair and was looking at the latest reports when the science officer spoke up, “Sir, I’m detecting a significant power surge….”

He interrupted, by standing and ordering, “Shields!”  The helm officer was ahead of him and had tapped the console the moment his CO had stood.  For a moment, the bridge was still as each of them held their breath in anticipation of what was about to happen.  

The science officer shook her head, “Nothing…wait…something is interfacing with the ship!”

An officer shouted, “Transporters across the ship have activated!  They are being transported to cargo bays at…holy crap!  It’s putting everyone in!”

The science officer began to tap quickly at her console, “Attempting to reroute transporter controls.”

Halsey jumped from his chair and slipped into a spare console beside her, “Working with you, Ensign.  Lock there…and…there.”  She nodded as her hands worked as fast as his as reports from others on the bridge confirmed that over 650 of their crew were now trapped in sealed cargo bays, and the number was climbing.  Leopold stabbed at the console as his science officer worked to prevent being caught up in whatever this was.  

Suddenly, she gave a shout – “Transporters locked out!”  Halsey turned to congratulate her when suddenly all hell broke loose.  The lights flickered, then died.  Klaxons rang out from all corners as shouted reports confirmed that the USS Mercy had been hacked.  Sparks flew from a console or two. Officers shouted both to the CO and to each other as the interfacing from the moon station continued. Halsey returned to his chair, and shouted over the din, “Quiet!”  The officers went silent, and all turned to face him as he sighed, “Report.”  The emergency lights flickered on, spotlighting parts of the bridge as if it were a stage.  Most of the consoles were dark or flickering.  The operations station was powered for the moment.

Operations spoke up, “Main power is offline.  We have limited auxiliary power from the impulse engine reactors.  Engineering was able to prevent losing control of 25% of them.  We have life support, limited internal sensors, and some console control.  Turbolifts are disabled and not functional.  Most ship communications systems are also offline.”

Silence held on the bridge as Halsey frowned, “It’s never the easy route in these situations.” 

Science jumped in as she tapped at her flickering console, “ We’ve got some internal sensors, but they are spotty at best.  The big concern is getting main power back online – we can’t do much with the auxiliary.  Those reactors were meant to power the impulse engines…not an entire ship.  We have access to battery power, but it is limited.  We use that up; we run the risk of not having a failsafe should something happen to the auxiliary generators.”

Halsey grumbled, “So we need to work on getting control of our ship back.  Without control and without power, we can’t ask for help.”  He shook his head, “We’ve got some work to do.  Does the shipwide comm at least still work?”  She checked with a nod, and he tapped the console on his chair, “Attention remaining crew of the Mercy – we’ve experienced a mechanical intrusion into our systems…the good news is it’s somewhat partial.  The bad news is that we don’t know where all of you are.  Your mission is to make it to…”  he tapped at the flickering console and found the three central locations, “Sickbay, Main Engineering, or the Bridge.  Whatever it takes, find your way to those locations.  As you make your way, find ways to return control of our systems back.  Once you get to those rendevou points, we’ll have a better idea of what we need to do.  The rest of the crew is currently sealed inside the cargo bays, and we need to find a way to get our ship back…so we can get our away team home and get our folks out of the cargo bays.  You have your orders.  Let’s get to work.”

He closed the channel and grumbled, “What a way to start off as a CO.”

Leopold was pacing the bridge.  It had only been a few days, but he was discovering habits of himself as a CO and he wasn’t sure how to feel about it.  The center chair was a place of command and momentum.  He had officers on an abandoned moon station and no way to reach them.  They’d tried.  The interference had come at them from every direction, from sensors to communications to other parts of the ship’s operation.  For the moment, the actions and programs that his interim Chief Engineer and team had put in place were working.  He’d quietly asked the science officer to keep a close eye on it all as he had all the confidence in what they had done… but he had all the concern that whoever was doing all of this was going to find a way to push back.

Though stationed on the bridge at the main security station, Izi was silently stewing about not being on the team that went to the base; her antennae were moving in slow circles.

Halsey turned to his security officer, Iziraa.  He hadn’t heard from the Chief Counselor, and his concern about the impacts on his Betazoid officers was growing.  “Lieutenant, you have the CONN.  I need to check in with one of ours.  Anything changes, give me a shout.”

Izi’s antennae stopped moving, and she blinked her eyes several times.  She wanted to ask the captain if he was sure, but that would have made her look silly.  “Yes, sir.”

When the captain was gone, Izi nodded to the officer taking her place at security.  Before sitting in ‘the chair’, she looked at it as though it was going to talk to her.  She didn’t know what it would say, but she knew she had to sit, because the rest of the bridge crew were watching.

Finally, in the chair, she tried to relax, but her stomach was fluttering, and her antennae were vibrating.  She whispered quietly to the Water Guardian, asking that nothing bad would happen.

Choi’s Quarters

Halsey left the bridge and took the turbolift to the quarters’ area.  He approached the door and taped the doorbell.

The chime of the doorbell jolted Egrel awake. He let out a shriek of pure terror followed by the thud of him hitting the floor. He managed to gasp out, “E-Enter…” The counselor pushed up onto his hands and knees, chest heaving. He shook in fear, his skin pale and drenched in sweat.

Halsey stepped through the open door and gasped out loud at the sight of his Chief Counselor.  He didn’t even hesitate as he tapped his badge, “Halsey to Sickbay – I have a medical emergency in Choi’s quarters – requesting triage and trauma response!”

“I… uh… On my way, Captain,” Aimee replied. She sounded disoriented, as if she had been startled out of a deep sleep.

He ran to Egrel’s side, slipping out his medical tricorder as he spoke calmly to the Betazoid, “Lieutenant Choi, I need you to tell me something that you see in the room.”

Egrel turned to sit on the ground, slumped backwards against the bed. His pulse was through the roof, and the man was shaking like a leaf. He showed the signs of a flight or fight response. He stammered, “I uh. You?”

Halsey wasn’t thrilled with what the tricorder was finding, “Good…what else do you see?”

Egrel’s eyes rapidly roamed around the room, “My… My desk?”

The CO nodded and slipped out his medical bag, finding his hypospray, “And what is on the desk?”

Egrel’s chest heaved as he managed to get out, “PADD? A mug?”

He loaded a calming agent into the unit and deftly put it up against the sweaty and shuddering neck of Egrel Choi and pressed it in as it hissed with a release.  “Look at the walls, Choi.  What is the color you see?”

Egrel’s shaking slowly eased. He started to slump forward, his words coming out choked, “Red. So red. So much. It’s everywhere!” They were white.  Halsey wondered what the man was truly seeing all around him.

Aimee was the first to arrive; concern etched on her face.  Whatever it was before,  she was clear-headed now.  She was already scanning Choi, dictating vitals to a nearby nurse, “Heart rate is 188, BP IS 140 over 95, O-two sats at 96.” Looking at Halsey, she demanded,  “Have you administered any medications?”

The CO handed her the hypospray container, “Calming agent – nothing too strong.  Whatever it is, it’s having multiple points of impact.”  The doctor was about to respond to him when his badge beeped.

From the bridge, Izi called Halsey on the comm.  “Captain, this is Lieutenant Iziraa.  We’ve received four reports that Betazoid crew are experiencing telepathic attacks, though not as severe as what happened to Petty Officer Torell.”

“This is bigger than a few nightmares and cold sweats,” Aimee said. “The Counselor isn’t in any immediate threat, but I’m concerned about the erratic brain readings and elevated blood pressure and heart rate.”

Halsey gave her a nod, “You’re the chief medical officer, Doctor MacDonald.  I yield to my command team.”

“Let’s get all telepaths to sickbay so we can monitor them. All of them.  If they have any ancestry of a telepathic race, I need them all in one place. Especially if they aren’t showing any symptoms. I need to figure out the pathology of this.”

The CO hit his communications badge, “Halsey to Lieutenant Izirra; we need to all telepaths to report to sickbay as soon as possible.  You’re probably going to need to get some of your medically inclined security officers pressed into service to help find our folks if they’re not responding to calls.”

“Acknowledged, sir.  I’ll get on it,” said Izi.

As the nurse and an orderly helped Egrel to his feet, Aimee leaned into Halsey, “You should know sir, my great-grandmother was a Betazoid.  As far as I know, I have no empathic or telepathic abilities,  but I may be compromised.”

Leopold raised his eyebrows, “I’ll stick with you for the trip to sickbay, just to be on the side, Doctor.”

SICKBAY

Roger was already in his office; had been there since 5 am, in fact, as he was an early riser. He’d snuck out before Lucy and Minnie had woken but had scribbled a quick note to tell his wife he was headed down to prep his office for the day and that he’d eat later in the cafeteria. He often forgot his meals, and he’d surely had starved to death if Lucy hadn’t been there to force him to eat at least one meal a day. He was just busy, not just with his job but also fatherhood and trying to be a crew mate too. 

Many hats took many hours, and he was only one person. He also had a small bit of a martyr complex-a thing he was trying to fix about himself-and thought that it was his fault if things fell apart because he wasn’t working hard enough. He knew logically this was untrue, but he couldn’t help his feelings. So now, he was cleaning his office, in case of an inspection or something-HIS would be neat, and it wouldn’t be his fault.

 The call came over his badge to ready the trauma bays. Grabbing his supplies, he rushed out of his office into the larger sickbay and made his way to the trauma beds. He was setting everything up, with the help of a nurse, when he got the call that all of the folks who were currently or MAY BE affected were required to report to the sick bay. He instructed the nurse to start preparing the rest of the open beds, and soon, they were ready. Just in time, too, because Aimee came through with Lt. Choi on her arm, a nurse supporting his other side, and behind him, Captain Halsey. 

“Bring him here,” he said, indicating the ready bed. “I have the trauma kit ready.” He got the bio-bed turned on as they helped Choi onto it. “What’s going on?” He started the scans and looked to the others. “I saw something like this in the Dominion War. A solar flare caused something similar. What we did was use the Cortical Inhibitor. We could try that, or see if simply containing everyone in here and just letting it pass, is the better course of action.” He read the images and words being spat out at him from the specialized bed. It was going to be a long day. 

“I concur.  We need to inhibit that part of their brain.  But, it’s only a short-term solution.  We need to figure out the pathology too.”

Halsey accepted a PADD from an orderly, and he began to pull the various scans and readings they were getting as the sickbay doors opened to some wide-eyed patients and some being supported as they hobbled in, to two that were being wheeled in on mobile biobeds with a trauma and triage team already moving to accept the patient.  He glanced at  Harrison, “Congrats on the promotion, Doctor Harrison.  Run the case with your Chief.  You’ve got a capable crew here.  I need to return to the bridge.”

Aimee nodded, “Very well, captain.” She turned to Harrison as the sickbay’s speed began to pick up.

Aimee was restless.  The time loss she experienced from earlier still haunted her, and then Dougal was off the ship with the away team.  She always worried when he was gone and not there with him.  Sighing she stood and went to the replicator and ordered a cup of black coffee.

Returning to her desk she decided it was time she named her assistant chief medical officer.  She pulled up the dossiers of several of her top doctors onto their own PADDs. Comparing the doctors was easy this way. With the candidates narrowed do Aimee pressed the comm button on her desk, “Doctor MacDonald to Doctor Harrison.  When you get a chance could you please come to my office.”

Roger was in the mess hall, a cup of coffee in his hand. He was poring over his new orders-Starfleet had sent him to some pretty far-flung places but this was his first ship assignment. He was excited, even if he would only join the ranks as a staff doctor. It was a good career move, at any rate, and he knew that his wife and daughter would benefit from the change. Coming from working at the Academy to a ship was going to be a lifestyle difference, BUT change wouldn’t hurt the little girl, and he knew that Lucy really liked excitement. He? He hated change, but he supposed that orders were orders, so here he was. He heard his name over the comms, and stood up, checking his uniform to make sure he hadn’t spilled his coffee down the front of him. No, he was OK. He made his way quickly out of the mess hall, dropping the cup off to be cleaned at a station as he left. He made his way to the medbay, and into the inner sanctum, where the CO’s office was. He knocked once. “Dr. Harrison, reporting as requested, ma’am.” He was nothing if not proper, and he stood a perfect attention, waiting further instruction. 

“Relax,” Aimee said, “I don’t stand on protocol.  Have a seat.”

“How are you settling in?”Roger relaxed slightly. She might not stand on protocol, but he did. He valued it, actually, to keep himself on the even keel. He was prone to neurosis, so following rules and having rituals was important for his brain. He moved towards the chair she indicated, and sat down carefully. The damned uniform was itchy, already, something he hadn’t noticed before. What was Lucy using to clean these days?! He realized it was probably just his brain trying to psych him out, so he forced himself to calm down. “Just fine. The family, as well. They seem to find adventure no matter where we go.” He didn’t elaborate, but those two girls were always up to something. He still didn’t know what Lucy had ever seen in him, but he was glad she had. His wife and daughter were his whole world, and he would move moons and mountains for them if he had to. “Everyone has been very helpful and welcoming.” He shrugged a little. It was always awkward, meeting your boss officially.

“You have family onboard?” Aimee asked.  There was no judgment in her voice.  Just a question.  “Tell me about yourself.   Where did you do your residency?  Are you comfortable in treating a wide variety of medical ailments not just those related to your specialty?”

He nodded. “Yes, my wife, Lucy, and daughter, are both here with me. This is my first ship assignment, and…we thought it’d be a good experience for Minnie. She’s six.” He stopped talking; he could talk all day about his family but people didn’t want to hear it all day. “I started as a civilian volunteer in a Betazid trauma hospital, during the Dominion War. My schooling was through a civilian medical school in England, and, uh…I have a bit of a humanitarian side. Lucy says it’s cute. My father says it’s reckless.” The elder Roger was a stern, mean old man who never had any fun in his life. “After that, I went through the Starfleet academy, and my first assignment was on a hospital ship, the USS Pasteur. I served there for three years-doing trauma, as one does on a hospital ship. From there, I went back to the Academy, serving as the ACMO there. That was to…recover from trauma medicine. I was injured, not badly, but enough that Lucy said I couldn’t do it for awhile. Then, this posting opened up, and here we are.” He gave the brief synopsis, though he was sure there were much more detailed notes in his personnel jacket. “I also am cross-trained in psychology but prefer physical medicine.” Getting a psychology degree in his undergrad years was a compromise with his father. The man would shut up about his life choices if he agreed to do something that his father felt was worthy. His parents were both educators.

Aimee sat back in her chair wirh a cup of coffee in her hand.  A trait she had inherited from her mother who was literally addicted to the stuff.  Aimee wasn’t that bad, but it certainly had become a habit.  “Well, then maybe you should be sitting in this chair,” she said half joking.  “I have a need for an Assistant Chief Medical Officer.   There’s plenty of doctors on staff, but none with your experience.”

Roger nodded. “Well. Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity.” He was about to go on but realized he was going to start gushing, so he just leaned back a little. “Will I start tomorrow?” He would be very excited to start right away, but he also knew that sometimes it took paperwork and whatnot to complete. He was patient, though, and only Lucy would know until some sort of formal announcement was made. “I am ready to begin right away, but I realize there’s paperwork and things, and I should probably meet the Captain and all that, too.” He had, after all, JUST arrived aboard. Still, it was nice to be recognized for his years of hard work! 

“That will be acceptable.   I’ll update the duty schedule.  I’ll need you to cover sickbay tomorrow.  I need to get some clinic hours in and with you here that’s a perfect opportunity to clear a back log.”

He nodded. “Understood. Thank you.” 

“See you tomorrow doctor.”

With the Mercy in distress because of another attack from whoever was on Charon base, and with so many systems out, Captain Halsey needed information. He had ordered Izi to make her way off the bridge, do recon, and find a way to report back. Izi had initially objected, as her first duty was to guard her captain, but with other officers on the bridge, he would be safe. Being Andorian and able to successfully travel in darkened corridors, she was the one to send.

Izi had to climb down a ladder in the turbolift shaft, ending up on deck 5. She felt that was the best place to begin, as there were crew quarters and recreation room 1. With a phaser on her hip, a tricorder and flashlight in her hands, and an emergency first aid kit slung over her shoulder she paused to listen, her antennae moving slowly.

The usual ambient sounds of the ship weren’t there, leaving Izi feeling an eerie silence that felt tangible, like a blanket draped over her shoulders. Dim emergency lighting cast twisted shadows that reminded her of creatures and monsters from spooky ghost stories. Shaking off the jitters tumbling in her stomach, she was about to activate her tricorder, when she heard moaning coming from behind her.

Spinning around, her flashlight showed a person sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall. Moving to the injured man, Izi knelt beside him. There was a cut on his forehead, with blood slowly dripping down his nose and chin.

“I’m Lieutenant Iziraa.”

“I’m Joe. I guess I took a bad step.”

“I’m not a doctor, but from what I can tell, you don’t have any serious injuries.” Izi opened a sterile gauze pack from her kit, placing it on his forehead. She grabbed his hand and pressed it to the pad. “Hold it there until the bleeding stops, then try to reach sickbay. The lifts are out, so you’ll need to be creative.”

Joe looked at Izi, his face asking a wordless question.

“I need to go. The captain sent me to assess the damage to the ship. I’m sure you’ll be fine.” Izi smiled, hoping that would make him feel better.

“Okay,” said Joe.

Izi felt bad leaving, but she had to get moving. There was still so much she needed to do.

Walker-Halsey frowned as she stepped into the corridor with MacDonald ahead of her.  There had been a rumble, and the lights, consoles, and sounds of the station had suddenly come alive as if the station was now fully powered.  She glanced back into sickbay and found that everything was lit up.  As she moved to step back into the room, the door rumbled shut, and she sighed.

Dougal didn’t say anything. He was glad to be free of the sickbay.  He wasn’t sure if it was ghosts or what, but it had the feel of evil about it… not that the corridor was any better.

The corridor was lit brightly now and Walker-Halsey gestured for Dougal to try the the few doors down his way as she turned to check hers. She returned, concern filling her face.  “The doors and even the passage that way is secured and unyielding.  I imagine we are to go…that way.”  She pointed to the long corridor ahead of them.

“I feel like a bloody science experiment,” Dougal grumbled. “A wee rat in a cage ya ken.”

The science officer followed his pace as he cleared each intersection of the corridor until they came to a section where the panels had been removed, some violently.

“Some poor wee bastard was desperate,” Dougal observed.  “You ken what they were looking for?”

She pulled out her tricorder and scanned the inner wiring and mechanics, and felt a frown grow, “I am detecting…biological readings in this section.”

“Friend or foe lass?”

She shook her head as she moved down, the tricorder beeping louder as she went until she stopped, “Hell.”

An intricate mass of organ tissue was strung up and connected within the inner workings of the station.  At first, it appeared rudimentary, but on closer examination, the manner in which it was integrated and powered was nothing short of genius, if not also horrifying in its application.

Dougal turned away from it, and leaning over, he emptied the contents of his stomach.  Turning back to Theodora, he was white as a ghost.  “I dinnae ken I can keep doing this lass. It’s perverse.”

The scientist in Theodora was fascinated but disturbed, “This shouldn’t work…none of it is entirely possible.  And yet…it is working and functioning within operating patterns.”  She stepped back, “I think I know why we were to get the heart and the mind.”  She turned to Dougal, “I am not going to dismiss your feelings, Lieutenant.  I would love nothing more than to tear this creation of terror apart.”  She shook her head, “I suspect it would anger our host.  We must press on.”  She paused, “It is hard to imagine what evil created this…and it is distressing to consider we may yet have to face that very evil.”  She looked at him, “Those who were sacrificed for this must have their justice.”  She stepped closer to him, her eyes boiling with intensity, “We are the bringers of justice, Lieutenant.  Whoever, whatever this is…will face and feel our wrath.  I promise you that.”

Dougal simply nodded.

Walker-Halsey motioned down the hall, “I see a turbolift.  I suggest we make our way to it.”

“Aye, but what is the hell that awaits us?”

The Vulcan grimaced as what she had seen and heard lay heavy on her heart.  “Hell.  I suspect hell awaits us.  Let us descend.”

Sesias followed the commander out of the door and scanned the hallway with the tricorder. “No changes sir. Stronger that way.” He pointed to the way they had come. “And relatively the same as this room going in that direction. I’m reading another possible door about 50 meters up the corridor and then it bends towards the right. If I would make an educated guess, I think we are on the outermost ring of the base.”

“I will follow your lead,” said Sorek.

“SHOW ME. HELP ME. SAVE ME.”

Sesias cocked his head sideways as he heard the message.

“Save you from what?  Who are you?” said Sorek.

“I AM THE END AND THE BEGINNING. FROM THE END. FROM THEM. FROM MYSELF.”

“Whoever that is has quite an ego,” said Sorek.

“Well that wasn’t much to go off of. You mentioned helping you. How can we do that? What do you need?” Sesias asked as he walked up the hallway. He stopped at one of the other doors as it opened.

Sorek waited for a response, but there wasn’t one.

“Hm. Seems like a bunk room. I count 12  bunk beds. Looks like there is an attached room with your basic bathroom setup. Not reading any power sources. Interference seems to be in the lower end of the spectrum.”

Sorek waited yet again, but there was still nothing. If he allowed it, he would be getting annoyed.

Sesias exited the room and continued forward up the hallway as it made the bend to the right. “Not reading anymore doors, but I am seeing signs  of an open area up ahead.”

Sorek began moving in the indicated direction, when he felt another transporter beam. He went from the long corridor, to another one, though shorter, and a large door in front of him. Looking behind him, he saw Sesias had been taken as well. “Can you scan and tell where we are, Lieutenant?”

“Well, sir, according to these scans, looks like we are outside main engineering. Shall we….” looked down at the tricorder, “enter or wait and see?”

Sorek considered the question. Whoever was behind all of this, brought them to engineering for a reason. The issue was not knowing why…..

After taking care of Joe, the injured crewman, Izi started down the corridor. There was still an eerie silence and shadowy shapes danced on the walls, but she calmed herself as she realized it was like the ice caves back home on Andoria.

Deck 5 was mostly crew quarters. Izi considered checking each one, but with most of the crew trapped in cargo bays, she could spend most of her time searching empty rooms. Though concerned for her people, the mission was to gather information and report to the captain.

So far, there was no obvious damage Izi could see. Other than limited power, which was bad, perhaps the situation wasn’t dire. Yet.

After a few minutes, Izi came to the recreation room. She decided to enter, as there could be people gathered there.

The door didn’t open.

Sighing, Izi pried off a small panel on the wall, popping the manual release. There was a click and the portal moved several centimeters. She pushed it enough to squeeze through.

The room was dark of course, with emergency lighting casting shadows that shifted places as she scanned the area with her light. She was about to leave when her antennae sensed actual movement.

“Hello? Is anyone there?”

A phaser beam shot past her, striking the wall. Izi dived behind a gaming console, drawing her weapon. She turned off her light.

Another shot zipped overhead.

Izi had been a Starfleet security officer three years, serving all of them on Starbase Bravo. She had dealt with many people and situations, but this was the first time someone had fired on her. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, her antennae moving as she searched for whoever was there.

Motion in the corner disturbing the air pressure. A slight difference in heat. With her eyes adjusting to the darkness, she saw a person crouching behind a chair.

“I’m Lieutenant Iziraa. Who are you?”

Nothing.

“I’m here to help you,” said Izi.

There was a low whimper, like a scared child lost in the woods at night.

“Tell me who you are.” Another bolt of energy whizzed by. Izi was getting angry.

“Go away!”

The voice was female.

“You’re not here to help. That’s how it tricks you. I won’t be fooled like the others.”

Izi drooped her head for a moment. Another Betazoid.

Izi didn’t know what to do. Telling the woman she wasn’t there to harm her wouldn’t work. Her experience with Torell told her that. She could leave, but what if the woman hurt another person, or herself? No, she had to stay and resolve it.

“What do you want me to do? said Izi. “Maybe we can work out something.”

“I said I won’t be fooled!”

Izi sighed. “Fine.” Adjusting her phaser, she leaped from her position and fired a blast of heavy stun on a wide field. Continuing shot after shot, she advanced, weaving through the maze of tables and chairs. After seeing a crumpled body on the floor, she rushed forward, securing the woman’s weapon.

Izi didn’t know the woman, but she looked to be about 40ish and she was wearing the uniform of medical blue. Her eyes were closed, but it was certain she was a telepath.

Izi sighed deeply. Now what?

The station was fully powered now.  Carolyn could feel…something on the edge of her consciousness.  It wasn’t pressing onto or into her…but it was there.  Something strong but not strong enough to do damage to her or her mind.  It was just…there.  “Lieutenant O’Shea…do you feel…anything out of the normal?”

O’Shea looked around the command center uneasily before his eyes came to rest on Crawford. “Yeah, yeah…not sure how to describe it…a slight pressure…” he said with a shake of his head. “I think we may have made a mistake.” He turned and tapped one of the computers, and the systems readouts sprang into the screen. “Well, that’s something, at least. Let’s Try to find the others.”

Carolyn gave a nod and did her best to ignore the oddly timed pressure.  They stepped fully out of the command center and stepped down the corridor.  The doors to the room they had left shuddered shut, and there was the sound of several locks being engaged.

O’Shea glanced back and shook his head, “Well, it is safe to say I am really starting to dislike this place.” He looked down the hall and grumbled, “If only I still had those grenades….”

Crawford grumbled, “We’re going to fix this mistake, I promise you.”  They continued walking down the corridors and found there were sections closed off by either doors or very strong forcefields.  The engineer growled, “Now I feel like a mouse in a maze…and I am not enjoying myself.”

“You could say that again,” O’Shea said as he used his tricorder to examine the forcefields and tried to get a reading of the layout around them. “Good news is these forcefields aren’t lethal; that said best not to touch them for fun.” He paused for a moment as the tricorder scan showed some of the corridors around. “Looks like there are a few more open passages over this way, maybe a lift as well.”

They found a working turbolift and stood, staring at the opened doors and blinking lights inside.  Crawford wondered, “It hasn’t killed us outright…yet.  Maybe it’s just getting us where we need to go.  Maybe.”

“That is true, and I think you are right about that. Whatever this thing is appears to be using us to….well, I am not sure but can’t say we have many choices right now.” With that, he stepped into the lift, “In for a penny, in for a point, I guess.”

Carolyn grumbled for what felt the umpteenth time, “No-win scenarios are not fun in real life.”

As the lift doors closed, they began to descend further into the base for twenty seconds or so before the lift stopped, and its doors opened to reveal even more corridors. “Corridors. Exciting.” O’Shea muttered as he stepped out and looked around. On the bulkhead beside them was a sign pointing to various rooms, 

Deck 6 – Junction C4

> Messhall 1 – 25m

> Computer Core – 75m

˄ Deflector Control – 100m

< Communications – 75m

Not seeing any forcefields blocking their path at the moment O’Shea frowned and looked down each of the three corridors. “If this wasn’t a possessed station, I would say we should check out the computer core, but who knows what it wants? Could be the mess hall or any of the random rooms. Thoughts?”

Carolyn thought for a moment, “Let’s see.”  She took off walking down the corridor towards the Messhall.  The voice returned.

“YOU MUST MERGE WITH US”

Crawford’s eyes got wide and turned to O’Shea, “That doesn’t sound good.”  She slipped out her tricorder and swept it around, “You’re right.  No forcefields.  I wonder…”  She walked down the hall and found an open door, a console in the center of the room.  She stood at the doorway and motioned O’Shea over.  “I have a theory.  I need you to trust me…and come in this room with me.”

O’Shea looked around. “Merge with us is a bit to close to assimilate for my comfort,” he muttered as he thought back to training drills against the Borg. He looked over to Crawford and nodded, “I got your back.”

She sighed, “I don’t want to verbalize it until I know for certain.  And the only way is through that console.”

“I will follow your lead here. Let’s get this started,” He said.

She entered, followed by the security officer.  The door didn’t close behind them.  Carolyn smiled quietly and went to work on the console, clicking, switching, and toggling her way through the screens.  A moment later, she chuckled, “There are no forcefield generators on this deck.  There also is a jarring lack of central computer control here – the doors are open and not preventing us from getting in or getting out.”  She frowned as she clicked, “There’s something else here.  Something…or someone else.”

“i am the other”

The voice was that of a child, a young girl.  And it caused Crawford to jump.

The voice caused O’Shea to raise his arms and took a combat stance as he looked around before relaxing slightly, “And who is the other?”

Crawford gawked as the voice returned, “there isn’t much of me left.  i would not merge with them.  i stayed away.  outside.  death is real.  he wants to take more.  he needs more.  he must be stopped.”

“Death?” O’Shea said, “That is rather ominous. It is the entity in control of the station, then? What is it, and how do we stop it?”

The child’s voice spoke once more, “you ask the wrong question.”

Crawford muttered and found a chair to sit in the room.  She looked to O’Shea, “To get our answer, we’re going to have to think like a child.  See the world like a child.  Whoever this was originally…they’ve separated this deck from Death or whoever.  Somehow she tangled with it…and won.”

“Makes sense,” O’Shea said as he looked at the console silently thinking to himself how much he was disliking this situation.

Carolyn sat forward in the chair, “How did you stand alone?”

A pause as silence fell in the room.  Then, “i was brave.  mommy always told me to be brave.  i ran.  I ran and ran until i closed the door and made it disappear.”

“That was very brave of you,” O’Shea said. “Can you tell us how you closed the doors? Was your mother, mommy, on this station? We want to make sure it doesn’t hurt anyone else.”

Carolyn gave him a nod of approval.  He was figuring it out.  The voice didn’t speak right away, and Crawford worried something had happened.  She tapped at the console and was relieved when it returned, “i closed the blinking doors.  i locked the codes in the shiny boxes so he could never get to them. he’s blind to me.  he cannot hear me.”  A brief moment and then, “my mother is with him now.  he hurt a lot of people.  you need to hurt him back.”

The engineering officer thought for a second, “The computer core.  Part of it is on this deck.”  She took a moment longer, “There are routines, subroutines, and pathways in the older systems – lot more manual and prone to sabotage or even people playing pranks with how easy it was to manipulate the data.  I think what she’s saying is the shiny boxes are the blinking doors…she locked whatever this is out of this deck using the computer core that resides here.”

O’Shea frowned slightly as he worked through a couple ideas and nodded, “That makes sense.” 

A long sigh, “It means if we can…get to wherever this thing is plugged into the computer core…we might have a chance of removing it from having control over the station.  This thing…it’s smart, but it’s not smart like this little girl was…or is.”

The voice interrupted, sadness filling the room as it spoke, “i know i am dead.  it isn’t us.  it thinks it is us…but it is not.  you must go to it.  stand up to it.  and find a way to stop it from doing it again.”

“There has to be a way we can isolate her, get her out of the computer…” O’Shea said looking over at Crawford.

The girl’s voice sounded tired now, “you cannot save me.  i’ve been here long enough to know i don’t get to go home again.  when you hurt him…when you make this place go away…i can rest and go where i’m supposed to go. you cannot try to save me. my mother tried.  it drove her mad…and into his arms.”

Crawford shook her head in shock, followed by dismay, “We’ll hurt him alright.  You can be sure of that.  What is your name?  We can tell people what happened to you.”

The voice was silent, and she spoke as if trying to remember it herself, “ruby was my name.  ruby bellows.  you must go now.  he is waiting.”

Anger flashed across O’Shea’s face as the disembodied voice now had a name. “Ruby, we will do everything we can. Don’t you worry.” He turned and looked to Crawford. “I think we should check the core, and see if we can get any information from there. If this thing resides in it, even if not on this floor, we have been able to disrupt its control or communications.” He said, “Really wish we had our gear.” He muttered and shook his head. 

She agreed, “Let’s get to the core.”  They walked, less cautious now, given that this deck was a free place.  It took them a little time, but they entered the door and found themselves looking at the section of the archaic computer core that was stored on this deck.  Crawford pulled out her tricorder, and got closer.

O’Shea followed her in and looked around. “It is amazing to see how far the tech as come. This stuff is incredibly rudimentary.” He said as he scanned the room with his tricorder.

“There’s organic matter in here.” She growled, “I think the bad one tried to wire Ruby into this thing so she would control this deck for him.  She must have been a very smart little girl to do what she did.”

The voice returned, but quieter now.  “i was top of my classes.  mommy let me study things. i read so much.”  Another pause before she continued, “i cannot speak to you anymore.  it will take all my energy to remain where i am.  you must find your way forward.  justice is yours.”

“Take care of yourself. Save your energy Ruby.” O’Shea said as he looked at the wires and thought back to the improvised neural interface they had encountered on the Colombia and a shiver went down his spine. The thought of a little kid being connected to that thing disturbed him deeply and he felt a wave of rising anger towards the entity Ruby had named ‘Death’. He looked over at Crawford and exhaled deeply before looking into the core, suspecting what he was about to find. 

He stepped up and moved into the large computer core’s access room and was greeted with a ghastly sight. The remains of a child were wired into the core, a makeshift neural interface on her head. He reached down and removed the interface before taking off his jacket and laying it over Ruby. “Crawford. Let’s see what we can get out of the core. There are several control panels here. We should be able to get some information,” he said, the anger barely restrained in his voice.

Crawford silently said a old Earth prayer for the girl.  “Information will help.”  She was equally as unsettled about the entire thing.  She wasn’t sure evil was the right word anymore.

O’Shea moved to the nearest access panel and placed his tricorder down on the small desktop that folded down, setting it up so that the tricorder could connect to the system as needed. With a few quick commands on the computer, he was able to gain basic access to the system. “Looks like there is a large power drain a couple of decks up where the main part of the core is held.” He said, “If I am reading this right, their power systems are degrading, might not take much to push it over the edge. Shut down the system.”

Carolyn nodded, “That means wherever this thing is…we have a chance at maybe pushing it beyond – short-circuiting it maybe?”  She pulled out of the core and helped O’Shea do the same.  “We’ve done all we can do here…I think it’s time to get ourselves to engineering.”

O’Shea paused for a moment and looked back at the core and said a prayer softly under his breath, “Solas Mhic Dé ar a n-anam,” one he had learned as a child. He turned back to face Crawford and nodded. “Let’s end this.”

They walked back down the hall and found a turbolift and the doors opened when she tapped the console.  She stepped inside, followed by O’Shea.

He stood in the elevator and sighed. “The things that have happened in this place, to her, are going to give me nightmares for a long time…” O’Shea said. “Let us hope the others are in engineering. Makes sense they would head that way.”

The engineer put her hand around the calling unit, “Engineering.”  The turbolift doors slide shut as the entire car groaned, scraped, and then plunged into the depths of the moon station.

“I’m in over my skies here. I haven’t studied neurology since medical school,” Aimee said to Harrison.

“Thank you, sir. Good luck out there,” he said, to the CO. As the man left, he turned to Dr. Macdonald. “Yes, we do need to isolate their brain activity.” They had a few choices on how to do that, and he’d go with whatever she said. 

Aimee turned to one of the nurses, “Set up a triage. Give Dr. Harrison and me a list of the worst cases. For the rest make them as comfortable as possible.” She glanced at Harrison considering, “Worst case scenario we could put them in a medically induced coma until the threat is over. I don’t want to do that unless we have to, but that should protect their minds right?” 

Roger nodded. “It should, yes. Do you want to start with Choi, or should I?” He was prepared but he could also start intakes-either way, he was going to regret not eating that breakfast he’d promised his wife about. Oh, well. Bigger fish to fry, he supposed.

Aimee sighed she was not a fan of the idea. Turning to Choi, “What do you want to do?  We can try the cortical inhibitor first.”

Egrel was sitting, clutching his head, nearly in tears despite the calming medication that was administered to him, “Just make it stop! Make it stop!” He sobbed, shaking his head, “There’s so much red, so much death! The blood…” Whatever was affecting him, was hitting him hard and making him see things.

Aimee turned to a nurse, “Get me 30ccs of Portoberal.”  Aimee returned her attention to Egrel, “Counselor can you hear me?”

Egrel flinched as he was spoken to and gave a trembling nod, ” I… I can hear you. Make it stop. Make it STOP!” His last word was shouted, a desperate plea to make whatever was happening him to stop.

The nurse returned with a hypospray and handed it to Aimee, and she pressed it against his neck and injected the drug.  “It’s going to be okay Counselor,” Aimee said as she guided him to his back, “Just relax”.”

Egrel winced as the hypo was injected. He allowed himself to be laid back, still sobbing nearly hysterically.

 Having decided after her “dream” she needed the comfort that only her Iron Lady’s Heart could give, Neva strode purposely in that direction.

She was halfway there when she was tapped on the shoulder. Startled, she swooped around by muscle memory and caught the holder of the tapping hand by the wrist. Neva’s eyes were full of wrath for being disturbed.

She was about to punch when she saw it was Lt. Sheila, another Betazoid. Dropping the woman’s wrist, Neva gave an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Lieutenant. Wasn’t paying attention.” 

The woman nodded with a shaky smile. “I know what you mean. I barely am either.” She gave Neva a questioning look. “Have you heard everyone with any telepathic ability needs to go to Sickbay? I’m sure going!”

“No, I didn’t. I was in my shower.” Neva answered. “Not that I want to go anyway. Those suppressor shots made things WORSE for me!” 

“I don’t want to either, but orders y’know?” Sheila shrugged. “I honestly hope that whatever they do, it’ll be better than the nightmare I had.”

Neva’s eyes went wide. “You TOO?” Neva had a full-body shiver. “Ok, let’s go together. NOW I’m scared.” That said, Neva looped her arm with Sheila’s and looked at her sheepishly. “You mind?” The other woman shook her head and patted Neva’s. “No. It makes me feel better.” They nodded at each other and walked to Sickbay.

A nurse was there to meet them.  She had a caring expression,  but they were all overworked at the moment.  “You two ladies appear to not be affected as badly as others.  Unfortunately, we have to follow triage protocols at the moment. Have a seat over there ladies,” she said pointing at a biobed.  The only empty one left.

As if to punctuate the situation a Vulcan screamed clutching his head in both hands,  “Get out! Get out of my head!”  As if he could no longer take it he punched another nearby Vulcan and the two fell into each other in a vicious all-out brawl.  The medical staff jumped in to subdue the fight and one got a broken nose for the effort. 

“Sickbay to security we need assistance on the double!” Aimee shouted over the din.

Neva and Sheila went where they were told, both getting up on the bed and holding hands. They murmured to each other words of comfort and watched the scene before them with worried eyes.

Aimee headed for her office and when she returned she was carrying a phaser.   The first Vulcan had his hand clamped around the neck of the Vulcan he attacked.  Adjusting the stun setting to maximum she fired knocking the first Vulcan to the deck.  Before the second Vulcan could react she stunned the second.

Holstering the weapon she noticed Neva and approached like she hadn’t just ended a deadly brawl, “How, are you feeling Lieutenant?”

Neva and Sheila exchanged confused looks for a moment, then the engineer answered, “Well, I didn’t have as violent a reaction as some.” She looked over Aimee’s shoulder at the Vulcan lumps on the floor, then continued. “I had a really bad dream that….turned into a REALLY bad nightmare.” She squeezed Sheila’s hand for comfort. “It felt like the…the Thing from the ship got into my head.” She did a body shake, closed her eyes, and grabbed her head as if in pain. “I thought it would go if I got control, it would go away…it…it..” 

Sheila gently took Neva’s hands away from her head and held them, turning to the Doctor and nodding. “I had one too, though I’m betting not as bad as Neva here.” 

Neva squeezed the other woman’s hands & let go. “If you want to give me that suppressor shot again…I’m sorry, but I’d rather run screaming through the ship naked!” She gave a slight smirk, though her dark eyes were still fearful.

Aimee sighed looking at the Vulcan combatants, to the sleeping form of Counselor Choi, and then finally at Neva. “Ideally I would like to keep you under observation,  but you seem to be handling it well enough, and we need our chief engineer,  and I think you need engineering.  I want to try a cortical inhibitor. I cannot promise it will work, but if it does it may help the milder cases, the alternative is a medically induced coma, which I am not thrilled with.”

Neva sighed hard and dropped her head to her chest for a long moment. She pinched the bridge of her nose, eyes shut. Suddenly,  she sat up ramrod straight, ebony eyes looking at nothing. Through gritted teeth, she pushed the words out. 

“I’ll do the inhibitor, Doctor.”She swallowed the lump in her throat. Do it before I change my mind.” 

Seeing Neva’s reaction, Sheila nodded as well. “Me too, Doctor. It’s better than nothing.” Sheila grabbed her new friend’s hand and waited.

Aimee programmed two inhibitors and pressed them against her patient’s necks.  She scanned them with a tricorder before snapping it shut.  “How are you feeling?”

Neva sighed long, feeling the shot take its ugly effect. With a sad smile, Neva looked at the Doctor. “The same as last time…nothing.” She would say no more.

Aimee turned to one of the orderlies, “I need you to shadow Lt. Cordon.  Make sure you have a medical kit with you.  You are there to ensure there’s someone there if she has an episode,  but not get in the way.”

“Yes doctor, ” he said nodding.  You could tell he wasn’t looking forward to the assignment, but Aimee’s didn’t care.

“You are free to return to duty Lieutenant. as for you,” she said to Sheila, “I’ll get someone to escort you to surgical recovery.   The EMH and nurses there will make you as comfortable as possible.”

Neva waved and smiled at Sheila. “Rest well, my friend.” The wave was returned with an answering smile.

Neva looked at her medical shadow and tried to give him an encouraging smile. “I know I’m not going to be the most exciting patient. If you want, you can watch from my office. You can see the whole of Engineering.”

That said, the Engineer hopped off the bed and left with her new “companion.”

Roger spoke to Lt. Choi. “Ok, Lieutenant. I’ll keep you awhile for observation.” He pushed some buttons on the bio-bed and then activated a forcefield, just in case the visions the man was having caused him to try to be ambulatory.

 “Try to rest. Do your best.” He let out a sigh, and wondered how many grey hairs today was going to earn him. He turned next to the Vulcan who had screamed out. “Let me help you.” He took his tricorder, and gently pressed it against the alien’s neck. “It’ll be ok!! Take a couple of deep breaths, and let it pass.” He pressed some buttons. “Dr. MacDonald, can I have one of the inhibitors, please?” The woman brought the machine to him, and he took it, quickly jamming the small stick into the Vulcan’s neck. With a cringe, he watched as the Vulcan slumped over. Oh, well, it’d save his life. He just wished they had some kind of better treatment. “We’re running out of beds,” he said, to no one in particular. They might have to wind up using a couple of field stretchers. He’d done it before. It wasn’t ideal but you did what you had to. How many damn telepaths were on this boat, anyway?! “Who’s next?” A nurse waved him over. He headed in her direction, realizing that the worst of it was probably over and from here on out, it was going to be helping the worse-afflicted to work through it safely. 

“Hello?”

Izi spun back towards the door, aiming her phaser at the source of the voice.

“Whoa! Easy there, Lieutenant.”

Recognizing the voice, Izi lowered her weapon. “Sorry, Joe. I didn’t expect someone to come behind me. Are you all right? Couldn’t you find your way to sickbay?”

“I was going to start crawling through a Jefferies tube, but I noticed the rec room door was open. I heard voices and saw phaser fire,” said Joe.

“Thanks for looking in on me, but you could have been shot. You need to be careful,” said Izi.

After a few seconds, through the dim lighting, Joe noticed the unconscious body of the woman Izi stunned.

“I need to get back to scouting the ship,” said Izi. “Can you stay and keep an eye on her?”

Joe hesitated, but he moved through the room and joined Izi.

“What happened?” said Joe.

“She was affected by whatever’s been assaulting our telepaths. She fired on me, so I had to stun her,” said Izi. “Do you know who she is?”

“She’s a nurse that works in one of the patient wards. Her name is Lexa or Leska, something like that. I can stay.”

Izi handed him the phaser she secured.

“I’m an orderly, not a security officer,” said Joe.

“Take it.” Izi pushed the weapon into his hands. “I need to go.”

=====

After leaving the recreation room, Izi checked deck 6, the location of the main lounge. No one was there, so she went back through the tube system, skipping decks 7 through 11, as they had no patients, and deck 12 because there weren’t guests on board. Fourteen was the triage center above the four sickbay decks, so that’s where she went.

Nothing was different from anywhere else she’d been. Low emergency lighting. Distorted shadows. Eerie silence.

Someone touched her antennae.

Izi jumped, cried out, turned to the rear, and fired her phaser.

She was alone.

Breathing heavily, Izi stayed ready, waiting for… Waiting for what? Swallowing, she began calming herself.

“If I find out who you are, you’re going to regret touching me,” said Izi.

The turbolift doors opened and Carolyn gave O’Shea the chance to step out and at least see what was waiting for them. She stepped out and found herself staring at the XO and the Ops Chief down the corridor.

Sesias turned towards the sound of turbo lift doors opening. “Well, Commander, look what the cat has drug in. Took you long enough.” He started to laugh.

Sorek heard the sound of a door opening and looked down the corridor as Sesias was looking as well. It was O’Shea and Crawford.

O’Shea stopped and looked at the XO and Ops Chief with a slightly suspicious look before relaxing. “Fancy meeting you here.” Before he could continue, his head turned sharply at a sound down the corridor.

Around the corner came the interim Science Chief, Walker-Halsey, and the security officer, Dougal.

Sesias looked at O’Shea and winked “Sorry folks, the third place prize is down the hall. You have won private accommodations with no view, with one meal a day included. Oh and no hot water,” in his best game announcer voice. He then walked towards the doc. “Can I help you with those, Doc?”

Theodora looked to all of them and then at the cases she held in each hand, “I suspect you’ll want an explanation.”

“Ye dinnae want an explanation lad,” Dougal said grimly, still shaken by what he’d witnessed.  

She explained how the presence had demanded them to remove the heart and brain of the two bodies in sickbay and what they had seen from there to this moment.

Crawford gasped and found herself trying to avoid gagging as her mind came to terms with what the woman had just said.

Carolyn shook her head and gestured to O’Shea to explain what they had to do.

O’Shea looked at Theodora and Dougal and the cases. “That would be unpleasant,” was all he said as a part of him wished they had done that instead of encountering the ghost, as that was the only way he could think of her, of Ruby. He paused for a moment before continuing. “Would have preferred that in some ways,” he began. “We have to fix the CiC as it was a mess and I assume it, well Death, gained further control over the station once we did as the power was sorted.”

Sesias looked at the two groups and listened. “Death? Did you come up with that or…?”

Dougal shrugged,  “Aye well, it’s as apt a name as any for the wee bastard.”  The big Scotsman said that with such venom that it even surprised him.  “Sorry,” he amended hastily.

“I will get to that, in one sec.” O’Shea remarked before continuing. “Once we did that,” gestured to Crawford, “we took a turbolift as it was our only option and ended up on Deck 6 where we encountered, for a lack of a better term, a ghost, or well a young girl’s consciousness, Ruby. She had been able to isolate that section away from Death as she called it when it tried to integrate, no Merge, that was the term it used, her with it. As it did the others. She asked us to stop it, and I intend to.” He paused for a moment and sighed. ”We then accessed the computer core on that deck and found her remains, wired into it. We were able to determine that the power systems here are degraded rather badly. We can use that to short-circuit this Death entity.” He looked to Crawford, “You likely have a better idea than I do on how to go about that.”

Sesias perked when he heard O’Shea’s story. Then he looked at the Doc. “Mmm, Doc, doesn’t that seem a bit odd. Shouldn’t the remains have deteriorated or rotted away by now, especially if these were part of the Colorado’s crew? And who hooked them up?” He looked at the other members of the away team, ending with Commander Sorek. “Looks like we have more questions then we do answers.”

Sorek stood by and listened as each person gave a report, followed by their feelings about what they had encountered. He learned long ago, that people with emotions often needed to talk, to help understand or face a difficult or overwhelming situation.

“It is clear that whoever or whatever this Death is, has hostile and hurtful intentions, and thus must be stopped,” said Sorek. “Based on what each of you experienced, what are your recommendations?”

Dougal glanced around, “Destroy the station even if it means it kills us.  We cannae let this evil continue ya ken it well enough as any of us.”

“That is an option, but only once we learn more and have no other choice,” said Sorek.

Dougal looked to O’Shea and then to Theodora silently pleading his case. Sorek was the XO, so you didn’t argue, especially as a junior officer,  but this was madness. Go back to the ship toss a few quantum torpedoes at it and be done with it.  What’s there to bloody learn? He thought to himself. The place is evil and it needs to be destroyed before it destroys someone else.

“Then I believe the only choice is to see what is on the other side of that door.” Sesias motioned towards the other door.

Sorek agreed.  The fact that he and Sesias were beamed there logically indicated the one controlling the situation wanted them there.  Glancing at the others, he moved forward and the door slid open.  Sorek stepped inside.

Main Engineering resembled a terrifying laboratory of old Earth proportions more than an archaic and outdated engine room. Most of the consoles and computers had been consolidated into a massive conglomeration wired and connected into one unit. That seemed slightly normal.  The jarring moment was looking from the computer to what was around it.  Transparent containers of brains in various states littered the floor at the base of the computer, bubbling and flickering with electricity, activity, and inhuman sounds.  They were connected crudely to the large computer by varying techniques, none of which made much sense at first glance. The containers were covered and as you looked closer you could see some of the brains were losing matter or breaking apart as they lay in the liquid-filled glass.  The more you looked the more you saw…and the more horror show it became.  The walls had been torn apart and various organs were connected into the network in the most inhuman manner.  Several hearts had been jury-rigged in and while some beat strong…others were fading.  The sound in the room was maddening as the sound of blood flowing, hearts pumping, and even the sound of lungs breathing somewhere in the room echoed through the catacombs of engineering.  The computer even had a pair of eyes tied in somehow, but they had long faded and were no longer useful.

Whatever the entity on the moon base was, it had proven itself to be dangerous, which was why Sorek had entered engineering alone.  If something happened, it would affect only him.  He was a disciplined Vulcan, but the scene spread out before him, would affect even a Kolinahr master.

“WELCOME.”

It was clear now to Sorek that the entity was using all of them for its own purpose.  He and Sesias had been given a logic puzzle to solve, telling him the entity needed replacements for dying brains in this chamber of horrors.  MacDonald was correct.  This place had to be destroyed.

“So what happens now?” said Sorek, addressing the voice.

“YOU WILL DIE.  WE WILL DIE.  WE WILL TRAVEL AND SPREAD DEATH.”

Unlikely, thought Sorek.

Sometimes having a slightly longer neck than most has its advantages, but this was not one of those times; Sesias took a look into the room the commander had entered and quickly withdrew.  “By the gods, if I had any doubt about your experiences, I don’t anymore. Crawford, you may want to stay here in the hallway if you had that reaction to just words.” The deep bass sound of the voice reverberated out into the hallway.

“THE OTHERS MUST ENTER IN.  DEATH AWAITS YOU.”

“Death awaits you, you bloody bastard!” Dougal shouted back.  His disgust was being replaced by a burning rage.  His hand fell to his phaser.  He would blast the demon if it killed him, but his phaser was gone.  He had forgotten that detail,  and thus starting to lose control like a Viking Berserker. Dougal took a deep breath trying to regain control and was met with some success. There were others here, and it was his job to protect them.

Crawford grimaced at the sound. Shit. She let out a sigh and spoke to Sorek through the door, “Commander, I think we’re meant to join you, sir.”

Since the entity was still in control, Sorek knew they had to play along if they had any chance of stopping it.  He motioned for the others to follow.

Walker Halsey continued her breathing techniques and stepped forward. “I will go next.  Follow carefully.”

“Lass,” Dougal cautioned. “We’ll be right behind you.” Absently Dougal wondered if this was what it was like for cattle being led to slaughter.  He said a silent prayer and hoped Aimee was safe on the ship.  One thing he knew for certain.  He would do everything in his power to destroy this entity even if it meant his death. Even if it meant ripping it apart with his bare hands.

S’Atlin was in his office as he started to notice flashes of what looked like transporters being activated. “What the hell?” as he rushed out of his office into the main area of the communications center. Tapping on his combadge “Bridge, Lt S’Atlin” he kept tapping the badge as he was getting no signs that it was working. “That’s not good, crap.” 

He made his way to the central table console. “Computer, show all life signs on the Mercy.” a map of the Mercy started to build on the tables main screen, blobs started to appear in cargo areas, some on the bridge and a couple in engineering. The screen than started to pixelate words started to appear where the map just was “They have come. They will join me.”

“Damn it, that’s not good.” he slams his fist on the table. “Sorry, whoever or whatever you are, hate to break it to you but that is not going to happen.”

He started to look around the communications center. “Ok, we need comms. Ship wide first. Then we go from there.” running a hand through his beard “After we get ship wide comms, heading to the bridge and getting with the captain and the rest of the command staff would be next.” 

Putting both hands on the table. “Ok, so we know the main computer has been hacked, so we can’t trust or use any information gained from it. Internal comms, internal comms.” he looked around the center, his eyes coming to rest on the CX room. “Hmmmmmm” leaving the central area he made his way to the communications away team storage room. “I Have an idea, what I need should be in here.”

He entered the room and started going through the racks and shelves of equipment. “Let’s see. Transmitter and receiver, not the duo set need them separated, “he placed one large black case back on the lower shelf. “Ahhh, here we go.” grabbed  two cases off of a middle shelf. “Now, an encrypted scrambler and a signal booster.” rummaged through a few more shelves and finally found one of each further back in the room. He carried these and placed them in the CX room, ran a hand through over his head. 

“Let’s see. Going to need some wiring harnesses and connectors, tools and some combadges that have not been connected to the ship’s systems yet.” he looked up at the ceiling, closed his eyes for a few seconds, opened them and left the CX room. He returned a few minutes later with several wire harnesses wrapped around his neck, a briefcase sized glossy back case and what looked like an engineer’s electrician specialist tool box. “Ok, time to get to work. I’m glad the engineers were able to remove and replace the compromised computer core that is housed here.”

== A couple hours later ==

“And that should do it.” S’Atlin stepped back from what he worked on and walked over to the main console on the table located in the room. “Ok, lets power this up shall we.” he entered some commands into the console and watched as the various pieces powered up and reported green. 

S’Atlin typed in the commands to activate each of the modules and watched the console making sure that each one worked and that they were in sync with each other, each doing its part. He then reached down and picked up the last case, placed it on the table top and opened it. Inside were 20 star fleet combadges each one docked in its station. He reached down along one side and opened the cover on the programming ports for the case.

He then reached over and grabbed a cable that was plugged into the table and connected it to the case. With his other hand he started typing commands on the console. Each station blinked amber for a minute then green. 

“Ok, 20 badges linked to this core.” He took of his combadge and replaced it with the one from the case. The old badge he took to his office and placed it on his desk, returned to the CX room and took the other com badges, placed them in his pockets. He left the room and closed the door behind him, walked over to the main entrance of the center and tried to leave. The door did not open as it should. “Well, that adds a piece to the puzzle.”

He returned to the central main table work console “Ok, lets see what we do have access to.” S’Atlin started to go through the various systems that he had access to. “ Transporters, communications both external and internal,  cargo systems and sensors both external and internal are giving me the access denied message.” He looked over his shoulder at the CX room and a smirk crossed his face. “Still have access to life support and the holosuites.  Guess whoever or whatever this is wants us alive, that’s something in the plus column, I guess.” 

“Ok, no control over the doors which means the turbo lifts are probably not working either. So jeffries tubes it is then” S’Atiln walked over to the storage room, grabbed a couple flashlight devices and than walked four of his paces out from the door and than two paces starboard. “Here we go.” went down one knee traced the tile outlines till he came to the corners found the slight indentation a finger width in on the tile he knelt on and pressed down, as heard a barely audible click, lifted his hand and repeated the process on each of the corners of the barely noticeable hexagonal tile. When he stepped off the tile it lifted a finger width above the floor height. “Glad I asked the engineers about access to the jeffries tubes from the center in case we had to get into them quickly for emergency work.”

S’Atilen slid the tile to one side and peered into the jefferies tube that was now accessed. “Looks clear to me, let’s get moving shall we.” He lowered himself into the tube and made his way portside, he knew that this was the direction of the turbolifts and beside those was the tube that ran between the decks.

The crew filled the room as Walker-Halsey led the group through the door. Each officer now saw the scene for what it was.

“Bloody hell,” Dougal said under his breath. Every time he thought it couldn’t get any worse, it did.

O’Shea stepped in and froze mid stride. He had seen thinga that had given him nightmares and gave him pause, but this took the cake. “Fecking’ell,” he muttered under his breath.

Crawford shook her head and couldn’t find the words to express her feelings. It felt as if the world had gone truly upside down. She glanced at Sorek. “Sir… this is a nightmare.”

After hearing everyone’s reactions, Sorek glanced at Crawford, a plan forming in his mind.

“YOU WILL BECOME US. YOU WILL DEATH WITH US.”

Suddenly a door near the connected bank of computers slid open with a groan. A moment passed until something stepped out into the light.

A lone Borg shuffled forward, the red light searching the room.

Crawford screamed.

Walker-Halsey had felt the cold terror at the sight of the Borg, but it was oddly slow and lacked the intensity of what she had studied and seen. What had happened to bring a lone Borg drone here, and why was it not aggressively trying to assimilate all of them?

Sorek knew something had to be done now, as it was clear what the entity had planned and that the Borg drone would be the one to execute it. He ran towards the collection of bodies and wiring and began smashing and tearing anything he could reach. After a very short time, he was struck by a phaser blast and fell to the floor.

Walker-Halsey watched as he fell, her tricorder already out and scanning the lumbering beast from a distance. She quickly slid to the ground at Sorek’s side.

“IT IS TIME TO DIE. IT IS TIME TO JOIN. IT IS TIME TO LIVE. IT IS TIME.”

Walker-Halsey continued to examine the XO as she studied the tricorder. “There is a lack of the Collective communication network present.”  She glanced at O’Shea. “You’re ranking officer now, Lieutenant.”

“O’Shea… We have to deal with that,” Sesias pointed at the lone drone, “before we can do anything else. Guess we know how all of this happened.” Gestured around the room.

“Doc, let’s get him out of the room.” Sesias reached down and grabbed the commander’s collar and started to pull him out of the room into the hallway. “Keep that drone busy till we get him out of here.”

Before Sesias could do that, the door lumbered and then slammed shut.  The sound of the various doors in the room closing echoed off the walls.  They were locked inside engineering.

“Damn.” Sesias looked around. “Okay then. Opposite corner from the door that drone came out of. Good spot, blocked on two sides and farthest away from the drone.”

Walker-Halsey shifted just out of reach of the Borg, “I do not think this is the cause of….” she pointed at the computer bank, “that. I suspect it is the other way around. If there were more of these, then yes. But there is just one… and an old one at that.”

“THIS IS MY CHILD. IT IS DEAD. IT DOES DEATH. YOU WILL DEATH AND LIVE.”

The Vulcan kept her distance as the drone haltingly moved around. “When Commander Sorek attacked, the resulting power drop suggested something.” She turned to O’Shea and Crawford. “There is now a pronounced pattern of uneven power readings.”  She shifted around the room again as the lone Borg tried to reach each of them.

Sesias placed the XO in the corner along one of the walls. “O’Shea, three of us, one drone. Have an idea. Going to need to time this just right. One person attack drone while another attacks, this…” He gestured at the monstrosity of computer and biologic parts. “Stick and move. Don’t stay in one place. Grab whatever you can to use as a weapon. Those cases the doc had, the brain jars. The odd one of us out can attack either one.”

“Sir,” Dougal said to O’Shea. “The wee blighter seems slow and bam heided.  We charge the bastard and rip an pull anything we can get ahold of.”

O’Shea nodded. Assess the situation. He had trained to fight the Borg and hand to hand was never a situation you wanted to find yourselfs in.

“MacDonald, you’re with me. As you say, rip it apart. They can be disabled that way and aren’t the fastest. Crawford, Sesias. and Walker-Halsey, you three hit the machine. Any and all connectors wires anything. Do as much damage as you can.” He paused for a moment before continuing, “Once we hit the drone move fast.”

Sesias nodded as a reply towards Lieutenant O’Shea as he kept his eyes on the jars holding the brains. “Ain’t no way you’re adding me to your collection, not if I have anything to say or do about it,” he muttered under his breath.

Dougal nodded to O’Shea. “On three?”

“Forgive me, mo chridhe,” Dougal said to himself thinking of Aimee. He then charged the Borg. As instructed, he went low while O’Shea would go high. His right shoulder slammed into the Borg’s legs and he wrapped his arms around the cybernetic nightmare in his best rugby tackle. As the three fell to the floor in an ungainly pile, Dougal grasped for anything he could get ahold of and pulled with all his might. Wires, tubes, and even bits of the protective exoskeleton came free in his hands. In the middle of the melee, something bit him in the back, but he ignored it. He was running on adrenaline now.

As Sesias saw O’Shea and MacDonald make their move towards the lone drone, he made his towards the nightmare. He kept himself low as he rushed toward his goal. He grabbed jars of brains throwing them against walls, against the amalgamation of flesh and computer parts in front of him. He could feel the burn of electricity course through his hands and arms as he grabbed jars, ripping them from their wiring. His three legs were kicking and stomping on anything they could reach, feeling glass and other various things cut and slice through his boots and feet. He didn’t feel the pain; he knew that they must do anything and everything they could to end this nightmare, even if it meant dying in the process and besides, feeling pain meant you were still alive.

O’Shea pushed himself up to improve the leverage he could exploit and yelled as the drone, twisted, and threw him off slightly, but he kept hold of one of the tubes entering the back of the drone’s head. With a sickly ripping sound, the tube tore free and sparks flew out the back of its head before it spasmed and grew silent.

Dougal lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling, trying to get his breathing back to normal. He wasn’t sure why he felt drained. Maybe that burst had  pushed him beyond his limits, or maybe it was just a physical manifestation of the since he’d arrived on the Colorado. Regardless of the reason he, was drained. “Sir,” he said to O’Shea, “Are ye okay, lad?”

Crawford tapped at her tricorder. “I don’t think it’s done with us yet sirs…” Suddenly the entirety of engineering felt as if electricity was flowing through the very decks they stood and lay on. The walls seemed to flicker with arcs of electric bolts. A low rumble cascaded into an inhuman roar.

“YOU CANNOT DEAL DEATH. YOU ARE NOT DEATH.”

The computer banks that had been tethered together began to glow brighter as the remaining containers of organs began to boil. Panels, pieces, and metal debris flew from all corners of Engineering and began to clatter onto the prone body of the Borg Drone. Sparks flew from consoles to computers to Borg and back again. The body began to shake as what looked like lightning began to strike the body at slow intervals, at least at first. Then the strikes began to speed up, moving faster as the humming roar became guttural. The entirety of the computer transferred all its power into the body of the Bord drone. Shakily at first, it stood. Then it looked at each of them. It no longer looked old. It’s body plating was fresh, and it’s arms and legs moved languidly, and the head swiveled smoothly on its neck. The drone spoke with the voice of the computer. “I WILL HAVE MY DEATH. YOU WILL DEATH. YOUR SHIP WILL DEATH. I WILL DEATH BEYOND. THE MERCY WILL DEATH.”

Walker-Halsey snapped at O’Shea. “I don’t think it wants to take over the Mercy or us anymore… I think it just wants to kill us all.” She shook her head. “I would suggest another course of action, sir.”

Crawford stared at the reborn Borg drone that now seemed to speak with the voice of the ship’s computer. “What if we… loaded something else onto it?” They all had to keep moving as the Drone was slowly picking up speed.

O’Shea backed up with an increasing pace as he looked for something, anything he could use to ward off the drone. “Works for me, Crawford. What have you got in mind? I am fresh out of invasive computer viruses…” As he said that though, he paused. “Ruby,” he shouted back at Crawford. “We could transfer her and overwrite this damned deamhan.” The carefully controlled stress in his voice was unable to hide the Irish accent on the final word as he said it.

“Ruby? Who the bloody hell is Ruby?” Dougal asked, not taking his eyes off the drone.

Sesias looked at the damage he had done, then down at his arms as he began to feel the pain of the electrical burns and what ever had been cutting into his feet. “By the gods, how? What?” as he watched the electric surges reanimate the both drone. “Who or what is a Ruby?”

Carolyn snapped her fingers. “Right.  And since Death isn’t in the system anymore…” She dashed around the creature and furiously tapped at the console. “I can open up the wall she put up… and maybe wake her up.  Hopefully.” She searched and searched until she found Ruby’s presence on the computer core. It was blinking lightly, but it was there. “I’m going to supercharge her.” Crawford redirected the power from the station to the place where Ruby had held out for so long. The lightly blinking light began to pick up speed until it no longer blinked. It was constant. And it was moving. Fast.

Carolyn waited as Ruby’s computerized soul arrived into the engineering systems. She waited, the silence worrying her that she had done something wrong. Then…

“You are not welcome here, Death.”  The voice of Ruby was strong this time, and her voice was tight. She directed the rest of them. “I need power to transfer to him. Connect everything you can to the computer banks.  then I can bring justice to him. for us all.”

Sesias looked up as he heard this new voice. “Who? Ruby? Ummmmmm, can you drop the blocks on our communications and transporter links to the Mercy. If so, I think we could get you all the power you need.”

In the darkness, there were sounds from all around.  Familiar voices shouting and panicked.  Electricity sparking and cracking.  Fighting.  Desperation.

Sorek sat up with a gasp, his right arm numb and tingling, his head throbbing in pain.  He remembered attacking the obscenity that was the computer entity.  He remembered the shock to his body.  Still forcing his mind to clear, he began recognizing the rest of the away team.

He saw a Borg.

The voice known as Ruby spoke in response to Sesias, “He has no power over your ship anymore.  but he can just as well travel as you would.  he cannot be allowed to leave. you must give me the power of my justice. Once he has become death, I will do all that you ask.”

The Borg drone was getting faster and better as moving and responding to the various crews dodging techniques.  Crawford shouted over the din, “I think we should listen to her.”  She glanced at Sorek, who was now sitting up, “Commander, welcome to hell.  Meet the ship’s computer…now in a Borg Drone.  We’ve got a Ruby…just need to give her a boost of power so she can do…whatever it is she is going to do.”  She made a mental note of where the large power cables were in relation to where they were.  It would probably take two of them.

Sorek was recovering quickly from being stunned, but he was still woozy.  He didn’t know the full situation, so he decided to trust his people.  “Crawford, do what you think is best.”

O’Shea listened to the exchange and looked around, ‘Need to slow this thing down…’ he thought to himself just as his eyes came to rest on the long coil of thick wire that had come loose in the recent commotion. His head snapped over to Dougal, “Dougal, give me a hand here, we might be able to trip it up or at least distract it.” He reached down and grabbed the end nearest him, and tossed it towards Dougal.

He raised an eyebrow but simply nodded, “Aye.”

Sesias looked around and noticed the abundance of power cords that used to run to the jars that contained the brains. “Ruby, any place, in particular, you would like us to plug into? “He grabbed three of the cables and made his way over to the console that Crawford was at.  

She glanced at him, “That’ll work.  I’ll take these two.”  She slung them over her shoulders, “Now, we’re going to have to move like the devil so that monster out there doesn’t have a chance to get after us.  Even without its connection to the rest of ’em, he can do a lotta damage.”

“Ruby, one more question. Any chance you could get the equipment we brought with us in here? I’m sure MacDonald and O’Shea would love to have their rifles or phasers back.”

Ruby grumbled, eliciting a few looks from the crew, “He locked them in a transporter buffer that he still has control over.  Once he is gone, I can release them to you.”

Crawford glanced at O’Shea and Dougal, “On your mark…get set….”, she glanced at the drone who was now running towards them.  Now was the time.  “GO!”

O’Shea glanced at Dougal and nodded as he grabbed the other end of the thick wire and began to move towards the drone. As he did he pulled the wire thick and dodged around the drone as it tried to swing at him but its momentum carried it past him right into the wire, effectively clotheslining it as its head snapped back and it dropped. The sudden force ripped the wire from O’Shea’s hand slicing his palm open but the drone was slowed. Looking at Dougal he shouted, “Don’t let it get up!” and moved towards the downed drone and the wire in the hope of buying the others a few more seconds.

Dougal moved to stop the drone but something stopped him.  He could hear the computer telling him things in his mind.  Dougal dropped to his knees, “Get out of my bloody heid ya wee bissom!”

O’Shea looked at Dougal for a moment as he lunged at the drone, partially tangled in the wire, as a passing thought sent chills down his spine. ‘Drone first, then Dougal…’ he thought then shouted, “Don’t listen to it, Dougal!” The drone began to regain its feet just as O’Shea grabbed the wire that had wrapped around its neck and pulled as he placed his foot into the small of its back pulling it back to the ground and partially onto him.

Carolyn shouted at Sesias, and they began to scramble across the room slowly at first, but they picked up speed as they moved.  Closer and closer to the computer banks that held Ruby.  Just inches away.

Sesias looked over at Crawford and wondered, as he often did, how anyone with two legs could move faster than their normal speed. 

There was a click as all five power cables locked into place.  The voice of Ruby warned them, “Step back.  I am going to get angry.”

Crawford grabbed one of the hands of Sesias and pulled him away as they ran full speed away from the broiling computer banks and the Borg drone that was breaking free of the trap the other two had snagged him in.  Electricity crackled around the computer banks as the drone started towards them but spun on its heel as it discovered someone else had entered its home.  It started to walk towards the array of computers that it had operated for two hundred years.  Then, a voice.

“You are going to die.  I am going to get justice.”  It was Ruby, but it was full of anger, malice, and rage.  It didn’t sound sweet or nice like it had before.  It sounded furious.  There was a flash of energy that exploded from the computer banks as they simultaneously exploded into burning wrecks, the sound crashing through the engineering room.  The Borg Drone had been moving fluidly but suddenly…it jerked…and nearly seemed to be having a seizure.  Sparks flew from it’s various components as voices from within croaked out.

“I WILL DEATH.  YOU CANNOT DEATH ME.”

“I can and I will.  My mother taught me that you have to hurt someone sometimes to save them.”

“I WILL NOT SAVE. YOU WILL NOT SAVE.  YOU WILL DEATH.”

“I may not be able to save you, but I will not let you out of this place.”

“I AM DEATH.  I DECIDE DEATH.  I AM DEATH.”

“I’m in your head.  Let’s play a game.”

The sparks became blasts of fire as the Borg drone seemed to be wrestling with itself, spinning, falling, grasping at the ground and itself.  It shouted, screamed, growled, and screamed as the struggle for control of the drone continued.

“I WILL NOT ALL-”

“You will listen to me.”

“I WI-”

“I am what you were.”

Suddenly the drone stopped moving, as the head turned to regard the crew.

Sorek was finally able to stand, flexing his arm to help relieve the stun effect.  There was an eerie silence in the room.

O’Shea stepped back slowly, a growling look of concern and pain on his face. “Ah, Ruby….you there?”

Sesias looked around, blinking and looking down at his burnt hands and arms. “Oh that’s going to hurt later. Ruby? You there?” He then looked over at Crawford. “Ummm, you don’t think we have her too much juice, do you?”

The Borg drone smoked lightly from all surfaces as it continued to regard the crew.  The voice of Ruby, now quiet and small as it had been before, returned, “I am so sorry he did all of this to you.  He is locked away for now.  He is very angry…but I cannot hold him forever.  You must leave…and I must destroy this station.”

Crawford stood and stepped closer to the Borg drone, scanning with her tricorder as she did.  “The readings from the droid are different.  All weapons are offline…we’re just dealing with Ruby right now.”

Ruby looked at Carolyn, the eyes of the drone trying and failing to exhibit emotions, “There is so much power in here.  It is tempting to take over where he left off…or join him in his mission.  Power is dangerous, my mother always told me.  It eats away at people from the inside.”  The drone’s face did the best impression of a child grimacing as she said, “Gross.  I don’t want that to happen to me.  I am too cute to look like that.” A quiet, childlike chuckle filtered out of the menacing-looking Borg drone.

Carolyn shook her head, “I wish we could have saved you, Ruby.  I wished we could have found a way.”

The drone shrugged as best as it could.  It ended up looking like a seizure.  “I have done a good thing.  I did what my mother taught me to do.  That is good enough for me.  Your equipment is in your shuttle.  I will start the base’s self-destruct sequence and transport you to the shuttle bay.  You will need to assist with destroying the station from your big ship.”

Dougal looked very much the worse for wear, silently standing there glancing around.   

O’Shea moved towards Dougal, a sinking feeling in his stomach. “Dougal, take it easy we are heading back to the Mercy; Aimee will get you sorted. Stay with us,” he said as he stepped up to him. He didn’t see any of the tell-tale signs yet but knew from reports they didn’t have much time. Turning to the others. “We need to get him to the Mercy NOW; I am pretty sure he was injected with nanoprobes! He needs to see the Doc now!”

Moments later, the sound of transporters whisked them away, and they reappeared near the shuttle.

Sorek was piecing together the full story, but there was time for that later.  They needed to leave before the Death entity could regain control of the base.  “Everyone, get on the shuttle now.”  His voice had a stern tone.  “Crawford, get us out of here.”

Sesias sat down in the first seat he found, awkwardly doing up the safety harness due to the burns to both his hands and arms. “Everyone better strap in and hold on tight; I have a feeling this going to be one hell of a bumpy ride.”

Crawford checked to make sure everyone was at least inside the shuttle before she shut the doors and threw the ship forward as it weaved and bobbed through the shuttle bay and into the open space.  “Hold on folks, this isn’t going to be like when we came in,” she punched the impulse engines towards the USS Mercy.  She stabbed the communications channel, “Shuttle to Mercy – we’re coming home with injuries inbound.  Commander Sorek has the details on what needs to happen to help the station self-destruct – he’ll send it to you.  We need to get on board, and then you gotta back the hell up!” There was a chatter in her ears as the Mercy responded and Crawford tapped at the console, “Got it.  Coming in hot.”  The shuttle swerved and headed straight for the shuttle bay, red lights flashing as the crews inside scrambled to secure the shuttle when it landed.  Crawford aimed, calculated in her head, and sent the ship into to bay.  The shuttle bottomed out ounce as it came to a slow halt, and the crews locked the ship in place.  Crawford tapped the console, “Shuttle secure, Mercy!  Fire away!”

She leaned back in the chair as the bay doors closed, “Remind me to never volunteer for shuttle pilot duty again.”

There had been little progress in restoring control to the USS Mercy.  Leopold stood on the bridge, standing behind an operations officer as she desperately tried to communicate and contravene the effects whatever it was out there was having on the Olympic-class starship.  They had managed to confirm that the crew trapped in the cargo bays were safe, and a small contingent in the shuttle bay had avoided being blown out of the bay by securing themselves in the shuttle operations office.  “Sir, I’m getting text reports that the crew is attempting to restore control, but they are being countermanded by both the computer and whoever is doing this…there isn’t a way to restore the access we need.”

Halsey grumbled, “And it can’t get any farther with our systems, thanks to the work our engineers did.  A stalemate.”  He sighed, “What a way to start my first command.” The young woman gave him a look, and he returned it, “Yes, ensign?”

“Things rarely go the way they are supposed to…especially with first missions.  It’s a bit of a thing.”

The CO gave her an amused look, “Yes, Ensign Carraway but rarely does it end up with a ship adrift without control and a crew stranded with who knows what intent on…death-ing everyone to…well, death.”

“True enough, sir.  True enough.”

Without warning, the USS Mercy spring alive.  Power surged through her veins; the lights flickered, then popped on as consoles returned online in rapid succession.  Carraway smiled wide, “Sir…we have full control of the Mercy!”

Captain Halsey sighed deeply as he felt the relief pouring over his shoulders, “Open the cargo bays.  Send a message to all crew to report to battle stations.  Go to Red Alert…and get me a priority channel with Starfleet Command.”  The klaxons rang again, but the crew moved with purpose and not fear this time.  The ship was theirs again.  The CO walked quickly back to his chair and tapped the console, “Captain Halsey to Engineering…let me know you’re alive and well.”

“If we ain’t, this is a reeeealllyyy spooky recording, Sir!” Neva was laughing and shooshing her crew, who were cheering in the background. “We’ve got impulse reactors to repair, but our Lady’s kickin’ Sir!”

“Glad to hear it, Lieutenant.  Get me a full report within the hour of our Lady.”  He muttered, “Damned lucky we are so far.”  Another tap at his chair, “Halsey to Sickbay – how are we?”

“In one piece… more or less,” Aimee replied, sounding a little distracted.  “What happened, sir?”

Halsey marveled at the revelation, “It appears something happened on the station to lose the grip whatever it was had on us.  We’re working on getting in touch with our away team.  Starfleet is aware of our situation…the sooner we get our crew back, the better.  Be ready for possible injuries.”

“Uh…” Aimee replied.   “Well, when it rains, it pours.  We’ll do our best sir, but I’m quite literally in the middle of brain surgery here.”

The CO frowned, “Let me get you some help.”  He tapped his comm badge, “Captain Halsey, to all medical teams, I need assistant, auxiliary, and support teams to report to main sickbay to assist Dr. MacDonald’s teams with patients.”  Halsey turned to the bridge, “Anything?”

Carraway shook her head, “The station is still casting interference preventing transport and sensor operations…but it’s a different kind of signal.  I need to investigate further.”

The turbolift door slid open, and Izi stepped onto the bridge.  Pausing to look around, she nodded to the captain and limped to the main tactical station, favoring her left ankle.

“See what you can find.  Helm, get us closer to the station, steady as she goes.”  He walked to where the security officer stood and spoke quietly, “Lieutenant…you okay?”

“Yes, sir, I’m fine,” said Izi.  “I have a report, but it seems we have control of the ship again.”

Halsey chuckled lightly, “That we do.  You feeling anything related to that thing out there?”

Izi closed her eyes and moved her antennae in slow circles, like a search pattern.  “Nothing, sir.”

The CO breathed a sigh of relief, “That’s the best news all day, Lieutenant.  Take the security station over there – you can help manage putting us back into some semblance of order.”

“Thank you, Captain.”  Izi hobbled to the station.  When she sat, she extended her left leg to the side to help ease the pain in the ankle.

Leopold returned his attention to Carraway, “Tell me you’ve got an answer.”

She turned in her seat, an odd look on her face, “Sir – the interference…it’s a message.”  He quickly moved to stand behind her as she tapped at the console, “The message is….’Hi this is Ruby.  I am helping your friends get my justice.  We will end Death.’  The message keeps repeating.”

Halsey blinked three times, “Who the hell is Ruby?”

Carraway shouted from her station, “Sir, the interference has broken…and the shuttle crew is headed our way.  Reading…the station’s auto-destruct has engaged!”

Halsey snapped his head up, “Get the shuttle locked down.  Soon as we got them, full reverse!”

Another report, “Sir, Commander Sorek is sending us instructions in helping the station self-destruct.”

Leopold moved to his chair and examined the details.  “Well, that’s…a lot to take in.  Let’s do what the man says and help this thing blow up.  Tactical – lock onto the station and prepare to fire according to Commander Sorek’s detailed instructions.”

A moment passed as Carraway reported the shuttle nearly there…and then, “Shuttle secure!”

Halsey stood, “Full reverse.  Open fire soon as that thing starts to go.”

It didn’t take long.  The explosions began to show.  Carraway kept an eye on the sensors and the screen until “Critical point reached!”  The phasers from the Mercy let loose and cut across the base at the predetermined points as the explosions grew until the entire moon let loose explosions from various parts. The bridge crew watched as the fires faded.  Carraway scanned the moon and then did it again to make sure, “Reading no activity.”

Halsey grunted, “Let’s do a swing-by and a closer scan just to ensure.  Shields up.  Reach out to Starfleet – we’ll need a clean-up crew.”  He returned to his chair with a sigh. They’d all returned alive.

=^=We’ve completed the site inspection.  There’s nothing left living or powered there.  We’re taking the equipment that somewhat survived the destruction for inspection and research to figure out just what happened here.  The USS Colorado was inactive when we boarded her, and no trace of the presence of this so-called ‘Death’ was found.”

Halsey sipped at his coffee as the commander of the clean-up crew ran down the report of what they’d found since arriving late yesterday afternoon.  He’d ordered the crew off duty, and given that several ships of various classes were now operating in the sector, it was safe to assume they wouldn’t be seeing action for a few days.  “Thank you, Commander.  Keep us updated.”  The channel closed, and Leopold sat back in his chair. He’d asked Starfleet for the crew to have some time off, and they’d compromised on two weeks.  The Mercy would head to Earth tomorrow, and most of the crew had been scheduled to sit down with a counselor at Starfleet operations to talk about what had happened.  The Betazoid crew had been added to the top of that list, along with the away team.  What they had seen gave Halsey chills every time he read through the details.  A Borg drone had somehow been captured by the station’s intelligence and become a part of it.  It was a wild tale, and he was certain the reports would be examined in detail for months to come.

The door chime rang, and he tapped them in.  Theodora stepped into the room and headed for the couch, a steaming cup of coffee in her hand along with a PADD.  “It was a good call to give the crew mandatory downtime.  It was a helluva thing, Leo.”  She was talking to him not as her superior officer but as her husband.  “I did not think I would experience a Borg in my lifetime.”

Leopold nodded, “The good news is the collective was never contacted or aware of their wayward drone. Still, it begs the question – how many more of those wayward drones are out there?  And who has control of them?”

A shrug, “I do not wish to attempt to estimate such a scenario.”  She held up her PADD, “You will need to find a chief science officer.  I am not willing or able to continue in the position, Leo.  I am not a command-level officer.  I’m a scientist.”

Halsey had long ago learned arguing with a half-Vulcan wasn’t a good idea. “I’ll put out a posting, Thea.”  He held the silence for a moment before asking, “How are you doing?”

She sat on the couch, considering the question.  “I am able to reconcile most of what we saw and experienced on the station.  There are things I will need assistance in addressing.  Ruby’s situation…and her fate.  That is a hard thing to understand.  The child I had to remove the brain of…is another.  We were asked to do terrible things for a terrible being.”  She glanced up, feeling her emotions swirling, “I do not enjoy no-win scenarios, Leo.”

He stood and joined her on the couch, putting his arm around her and pulling her gently closer, “Nobody like them, Thea.  We survived it.”

She shuddered in his embrace, “Our bodies did…but our minds are another subject altogether.”

USS Mercy – Bridge – 8.16.2400 @ 0800

Halsey sat in his command chair as the USS Mercy dropped from warp and the Sol system lay ahead of them.  “Helm, take us home.”  The Mercy steamed through the planets until it entered the Earth sector.  All eyes on the bridge were on the screen as Earth grew larger and larger.  Starbase 1 filled the screen.

“Starbase 1 reports ready for our docking.”  Captain Halsey gave a nod, and the Mercy was soon sliding through the station and into her docking moor with a thud, click, and clank.  The bridge was quiet as Leopold stood, “Open a shipwide channel, please.”  A nod from the communications officer and he continued, “Crew of the USS Mercy – you are, as of now, on a two-week rest from duties.  Each of you has been assigned a meeting with Starfleet Counseling in your time away.  You have been given instructions on what you need to communicate with your chiefs regarding where you’re going.  You are dismissed.  Command team – your final reports are due to me before you depart at 1000 hours.  Halsey out.”

He turned to the bridge crew and shooed them, “Get on your way, the lot of you.”  Soon enough, the bridge was empty save for Halsey, and he walked slowly from station to station, thankful for the various crew who had occupied those stations.  There would be the next mission, but they would all get a chance to breath and heal.

After a long trek through the Jeffries tube system that took Izi from deck 6 to 14, she paused to rest, leaning against the wall.  Her stomach gurgled.

“I should have brought some energy bars.”

Andorians had a higher metabolism than most races, so with all the physical exertion from crawling through the ship, Izi was hungry.

Fourteen was the same as every other deck she’d scouted.  The emergency lighting was dim, though the odd shadows were no longer making her think of scary stories.  Moving more quickly, when she reached the triage center, the door was already half open.

Izi shined her flashlight into the large room, but she didn’t see anyone.  “Hello?”  Stepping inside, she sensd movement to her right.  Before she could turn to see who it was, a body crashed into her, sending both to the floor.  A stabbing pain pierced her left ankle.

“Don’t move or I’ll shoot you!”

The voice was female and sounded young.

Izi lay on the floor, showing her hands, realizing for the first time there were two people there, a boy and a girl.  They were Human and looked to be about 14 or 15.

“What do we do now?” said the girl.  She had a phaser aimed at Izi, but her hands were trembling.

The boy didn’t answer.  His body language showed he was just as unsure as the girl.

“I’m Lieutenant Iziraa.  May I please sit up?  The floor is hard and my ankle hurts.”

The two looked at each other.  The girl shrugged.

“Okay, but slowly,” said the boy.

When Izi was in a sitting position, the boy grabbed the phaser she had on her belt.

“What happens next?” said Izi.  “Why did you attack me?”

The two looked at each other again.  “Tell her,” said the girl.

“After the ship went dark, everyone here except us and a nurse were gone.  The nurse started yelling.  She said we were death.  She had a phaser and was going to shoot us, but I was able to stop her,” said the boy.

Izi understood now.  “We don’t know exactly what’s happening, but only telepaths are affected.  I’m not going to hurt you.  Captain Halsey sent me from the bridge to look around.  What are your names?”

“I think we can trust her.  I’m Debbie.  This is my brother, Ed.  Our mom is a doctor, but she disappeared with the others.  Do you know where they went?”

“They’re safe.  Whoever took control of the ship, beamed most of the crew into the cargo bays,” said Izi.

Debbie and Ed were visibly relieved.

“I’m sorry I hurt you.  We just didn’t know what to do,” said Ed.  He handed the phaser back to Izi.

Debbie did the same.  “Are you going to be okay?”  She pointed to Izi’s ankle.

“That?  Pff!  It’s nothing.”  Izi stood up, but her face cringed from the pain.  Her antennae vibrated.  “I need to report back to the bridge, but I don’t want to leave you here alone.”

“I can take care of us,” said Ed.

Before Izi replied, lights started coming back on and the familiar hum of a powered ship was back.

“It seems engineering fixed the situation,” said Izi.  “We’ll find your mother and I’ll get back to the bridge.”  She was relieved they were getting back on track. 

Halsey stood at the window, watching the Bravo station as it moved ships, shuttles, and more in a relentless rhythm that didn’t make sense to him, but somehow it worked.  His door chime rang, and he returned to his desk, a wooden box resting in the middle of it. “Enter.”

Neva walked in with her PADD tucked into her pouch, the report ready. Smiling brightly, she nodded to the Captain and stood at attention. “Hello, Sir. I’ve got my repo-”

“Drink?”

Neva cocked her head at his unexpected question. “Uh…coffee, heavy cream, and honey.” She took the beverage from his replicator, wrapping her hands around the cup. Almost in a daze, she sat before him and took a sip. “Thank you, Sir.” 

Once the assistant chief engineer had taken her seat, Halsey took a sip from his cup, “How are you feeling?”

“Captain?” She asked in more confusion. She had realized that, since her interview, she’d go to the ends of space for this man. No one had garnered such loyalty within her save her parents. She should expect him to ask such a question now, but this whole interaction honestly threw her.

“I’m better…” she started, taking a small sip before continuing. “Still feeling some blockage, really. That shot was stronger than I expected.” 

Neva closed her eyes and tried to calm her breathing. Visions of what she’d faced danced through her, causing her to shiver. The warm liquid coursed down her throat, washing darkness away. Opening her eyes, she regarded her captain sheepishly. “Please excuse me, Sir. Like I said, strong shot.” Sitting up straight, she set her mug down. “Did you want my report, Sir? I’ve got it right here.” She pulled her PADD out and held it out to him.

Haley accepted the PADD and placed it on his desk, “All in good time, Lieutenant.  You, along with the rest of our Betazoid crew, took the brunt of the impact of the station’s intelligence.  Your experience will have both short-term and long-term consequences.  I will be checking in with you once a week for a month or so….then we’ll space it out further as we go.  You’ll meet with Lieutenant Choi every other week for that month.  Once we’ve got an idea of how we can support and help you – we’ll adjust.”

“Yessir,” She replied automatically. She needed to think about his orders, even though she knew he was right.

Halsey picked up the PADD and scrolled, reading as he went.  A moment later, he returned the PADD to the assistant chief engineer, “Send me the report before you leave the ship, and I’ll give you feedback when you’re back in two weeks.  Overall – solid report with good information and helpful context to explain the variables outside the nominal expectations.”  He slid the wooden box across the desk to the end where Neva sat, “Lastly…Lieutenant Neva Cordon, please stand.”

Neva took the PADD and put it away. “Thank you, Sir. I’ll have the report ready without a problem.”

Neva almost pushed the chair over in her haste to do as he asked. She steadied it with one hand. She eyed the box the captain had offered to her. ‘Could that be…no…’ she thought.

Halsey stood and walked around to where she stood, and he palmed the wooden container and addressed her directly, “Lieutenant Cordon – your efforts in preventing further harm coming to the crew of the USS Mercy with your programming and blocking mechanism was an impressive feat.  Starfleet has asked for a copy of your programming and rationalization to study the work you did.  Despite hardship and measures outside of your control, you remained in command and control of your department during a truly terrifying scenario on the USS Mercy.  In recognition of your actions and measures, you are promoted from assistant chief engineering officer to Chief Engineering Officer of the USS Mercy.  In addition, you are granted a field promotion to full lieutenant status.  Both promotions are effective immediately.”  He opened the box and removed the junior-grade pip, and replaced it with the full-rank pip.

Neva stood straighter when his words turned formal, trying not to show her surprise. ‘Starfleet wants to study MY work? Oh my…’ 

Even as Neva recalled their (seemingly) long-ago plans for her career on The Mercy, she made an involuntary shiver when he changed her pips. ‘It’s REAL! I’m a FULL Chief now!’

She focused back on her captain and blundered out, “Th…thank you, Sir. I won’t let you down, I promise! I’ll keep our Iron Lady safe, secure, and ALWAYS at your command.”

Leopold smiled warmly at the newly minted Chief Engineer, “You’re welcome, Chief Cordon.  I look forward to it.  Now, get off duty – we’ll see you in two weeks.”

The door closed and Halsey returned to his observations through the window.

Aimee sat behind her desk with Dr. Harrison, Dr. Williams from neurology, and the EMH in front of her.  Aimee had a coffee in her hand, mostly to seek comfort in it rather than any need for a drink or caffeine.  “Okay, these are the smartest minds on this ship when it comes to medicine.  How do we shut down that part of the brain so our telepathic crew can function?”

“The cortical inhibitors are working to varying degrees,” the EMH reported.   There was something she liked about the cantankerous Mark 1 EMH so she had uploaded those subroutines onto the Mercy’s program. 

“That’s something,” Aimee said absently.   “Let’s keep them on observation for now.  We still really don’t know what’s going on.”

“I’m a Doctor not a nurse maid,” the EMH complained. 

“Well Doc, you are now.”

Later…

Doctor Harrison and Aimee were standing at Egrel’s side. He was calmer now, but he was clearly in distress.  “Counselor we think we have a more permanent solution to your predicament.  We’re going to open your head and place a shunt in your brain separating the telepathic part of your mind.  We think we have a shunt that will eventually dissolve over the course of a couple of weeks allowing you to regain your abilities.   Dr. Harrison is the more experienced surgeon and he will be performing the surgery while I assist.   Because it’s brain surgery you will be awake during the procedure.”

Roger knew the severity of the situation at hand. Things weren’t “getting better.” In fact, the opposite was true. It had been decided that separating a part of the brains of the telepaths, specifically Dr. Choi, would be the best course of action. All others had failed to relieve symptoms satisfactorily. He hated making these types of choices, but it was his job, and the best choice they had. He simply nodded and let Aimee explain that he’d be doing the actual surgical work. “Yes. I assure you I have done a few, and I am confident I know what I am doing.” He liked it, weird as that sounded, and thrilled in the challenge of it. “It should not affect your ability to do your job, and with luck, the visions and voices will subside. In the last one I did, the subject was able to regain full cognition inside of two weeks and was back in his command position in three. And you’re younger and in better health than he was.” “We can start as soon as you’re ready. If you need some time, I completely understand.” He looked back to Dr. MacDonald and Dr. Williams, to make sure they were in agreement. All three seemed to be at the ready, but of course, Dr. Choi should make the ultimate choice, he believed.

All the colour had drained from Egrel’s face as he listened to the suggested treatment for him to help deal with the telepathic attacks. He drew in a shaky breath, “As long as you are sure I can regain my abilities afterwards. I’d be driven mad without them.” He paused a for a beat, “More so than I am already.” He spoke with a wry tone.

Egrel looked like he was about to faint at the talk of him being awake during an operation. He gripped the arm of the chair he was sat in till his knuckles turned white. He stammered, “As.. As long as you are sure. And know what you are doing. I just… I don’t know.” He trailed off, fear flickered over his expression.

“I hate this for you,” Aimee said, “But there seems to be some damage occurring in your brain because of this psychic attack.  I understand why you would be hesitant, but you have three doctors all here telling you this is the best option.”

“If it is truly the best option, then let’s do it.” Egrel tried to reassure himself that they knew what they were doing and that this was truly the best option for him. Unbridled fear coursed through the Betazoid.

Roger was trying to be reassuring. “Dr. MacDonald and I have confidence you’ll be fine.” The literature said so. Between the three doctors, they would be able to control and address any symptoms Choi would have, and help him to regain skills over the next few weeks. 

“Let’s get started,” Aimee said with finality.  “There’s no need to prolong this.”

Roger just nodded, and set up the biobed for surgery. Truthfully?! He wasn’t as sure as he’d try to portray to Dr Choi-he HAD done the surgery successfully twice, but only twice, because it wasn’t a common one. One day, he’d have to ask Dr. Choi what it meant that he was likely more nervous than the man who lay before him. He got his equipment ready in a surgery suite. He came back out. “I am ready,” he said, and waited.  

Egrel stood and stepped towards Roger. During the preparation process, he was incredibly nervous and restless, running through all possible worst case scenarios in his head, made infinitely worse by the telepathic attacks. He gave a watery smile and nodded, “I am too. Well, as ready as I can be.”

Aimee led Egrel into the surgical suite.  She helped him onto the bio bed, “As Doctor Harrison works I will be presenting you various stimuli  and quizzing you.  You won’t feel anything.”

Roger took a deep inhale, and then nodded. “Let’s go.” He set up the surgical bed-a slightly different setup from the previous biobed and then turned on a shield that would allow Dr. Choi to hear Dr. Macdonald, but wouldn’t allow him to move. “You can ask me any questions during the procedure. Hopefully, it will take less than an hour, and you can start recovering.” He was nervous, but got to work.

 Egrel was laid back on the biobed, taking a deep, calming breath, “Understood, thank you.” He shoved the horible worst case scenarios to the back of his mind.

 Roger started the surgery, working carefully, slowly, and methodically. 

Aimee had a PADD in her hand with a picture of a horse,  “What do you see Dr. Choi?”

Of course, an animal that the Betazoid was not at all familiar with was shown. It looked strange and looked like a creature he saw in Earth’s ancient history. He racked his mind and came up with, “Horse?”

“Good,” Aimee said and switched to another image. Just as she did that the lights of flickered off.  There was no warning.  No red alert klaxon.  Not even the shuddering to weapons hitting the ship.  One minute everything was normal and the next minute the power was gone.

Aimee slapped her combadge, “MacDonald to bridge.”

Roger worked carefully, but quickly, the deftness of his fingers belying the nervousness he felt. Once he was in the groove, the careful cuts and sideways gouges of the soft tissues of Dr. Choi’s pink matter was…satisfying. In his head, the careful monotone of his favorite surgery instructor droned on “Careful, Harrison, just…slow and easy. There.”  He was just about to hit the brainstem when the lights went out. Actually, so did the Biobed, and he looked up. “What the hell?” he managed to sputter as MacDonald was one step ahead him, asking Bridge for a report. “Dr. Choi, are you in pain right now?” 

Nothing.

And there was one of the worst case scenarios. Egrel’s eyes widened, forcing himself to stay calm and silent. Pain shot through his entire body, but he kept still and concealed it

The emergency backups kicked in.  “Relax Egrel. We have emergency backups. We have this under control.”  They had three hours of battery power, and Aimee turned to one of the nurses, “Start a three hour clock”

“Yes, doctor,” the nurse replied.

Aimee returned her attention to Egrel, “How is your telepathic abilities?”

Egrel took a breath, trying to subdue his nerves. Three hours was not a long time. He closed his eyes, trying to sense something, anything. It was quiet, maddeningly so. He opened his eyes, frowning and looking at her, “It’s quiet.” he paused, trying to explain it as best he can to someone who wasn’t a telepath, “Like being near a piece of loud machinery for a long time and stepping into a silent room right after. Deafeningly quiet.”Roger’s question went unanswered, but he knew it. It HAD to be painful. Then, Dr. MacDonald issued an order to the nurse to set a timer for three hours. He looked at Aimee, and then Dr. Williams. He just shrugged carefully, and went on. Working carefully, methodically, Dr. MacDonald kept Dr. Choi awake and speaking while he cut, inserted the stent, and sewed it into place, long fingers working less deftly by the minute, as he grew tired and the blasted “tick-tick-tick” went on behind him (was it really? Or just his mind at play?)

“It seems to have worked.  Are you ready to close him up Doctor Harrison?” Aimee asked.The surgery was over, but they were past the hard part.  Returning to her PADD so she could keep tabs on Egrel’s cognitive status she started playing Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, “It’s okay if you don’t know it. Just hum back a few bars.  I’m testing your auditory and processing abilities.” 

Egrel’s face contorted in cofusion. He heard music, but was having a hard time processing it. He tried to hum along with it, but what he repeated back was not even close to the music.

“Doctor Harrison,” Aimee announced,  “We have cognitive decline. We need to wrap this up.”

“Yes. I can use your assistance here, Dr. Williams,” he stepped once to the left as the other man stood by to hand him tools as he needed them. Closing a wound took more than OPENING one. Finally, he had the counselor’s brain tissues reattached, and closed the incision with stitches, and a cauterizer, in case. He stepped back after. “We’re done.” If his face looked how his body felt, he felt about 70 years old, a good twenty years older than his age that day. “What now?” Stupid question, but his brain sometimes took a second to switch from “surgeon” mode to “competent doctor” mode. “Nurse?” He stepped off to the side fully to allow the woman to do what she needed to do, and let Dr. MacDonald take over her last assessments of Dr. Choi. 

As the restraints were released a nurse went over Choi’s vitals as Aimee started filling out the post surgical checklist.  “Dr. Choi,” she said to Egrel. “How are you feeling?”

Egrel sat there for a solid moment, trying to process how exactly he was feeling. He sighed and bluntly says, “Not ideal, I can tell you that much.”

“Normally we would have moved you to recovery and give you a little privacy,  but with main power out you’re stuck here. I would like to keep you under observation today, and if all is well I will discharge you with light duty.  Since your job is mostly mentally taxing I don’t want you working more than half days for the next week.  Get plenty of rest, and no late night journal reading,” she teased.

Egrel sighed softly. He wasn’t sure he could promise that after this mission. He felt the entire ship needed counselling. Himself included. That could be dealt with later. He looked uo at Aimee and nodded slowly, “I understand. A nap sounds good right about now.”

Stardate 77625.7

“Lieutenant junior grade Iz’i’raa sh’Solom’aa. Your Starfleet file is impressive so far. I can see a bright future for you.”

“Mm hm.” Izi’s arms were crossed over her chest, a scowl and frown on her face. Her antennae leaned slightly forward. She rehashed in her mind something Captain Halsey said.

“Crew of the USS Mercy. You are, as of now, on a two-week rest from duties. Each of you has been assigned a meeting with Starfleet Counseling in your time away.”

Izi was on the bridge when Halsey said that and she almost groaned outwardly.

The Andorian counselor, Lieutenant Commander Ma’la’ra zh’Denzu, studied Izi, her antennae moving in tiny circles. She was a zhen female, about age sixty, with a face that showed experience and wisdom.

“Lieutenant, may I call you Iziraa? This isn’t an inquisition,” said Denzu.

“You may and I know,” said Izi, holding her ‘I don’t want to be here’ position.

“I’m here for your health and well being,” said Denzu. “We all have our duties. How about you cooperate so you can enjoy your time off?”

Typical zhen, thought Izi. “Fine.” She relaxed her posture, placing her hands in her lap, her antennae returning to their normal movement.

“In your report, I see that you experienced the feeling like someone was touching your antennae,” said Denzu. “The first time was while you were part of the team investigating the Colorado. The second was when you were back on the Mercy after the computer entity hacked the ship. How did that make you feel?”

Izi rolled her eyes. “How do you think it made me feel?”

“We’re not here to talk about me.”

Izi sighed. “It was a violation. You know that. I wanted to hit whoever it was.”

“Hit?”

“Pummel into unconsciousness.” Izi’s antennae were beginning to lean back, as though she was guarding them from harm.

“Since you were ultimately unable to do that, what happened next?”

“I continued in my duties, performing as required,” said Izi.

“In those duties, you helped people. How’s your ankle?”

“Yes, I helped people and my ankle is fine. Sickbay treated me and there’s no pain. I’m Andorian. What I experienced was nothing and I shouldn’t be here.”

Denzu tapped something into her computer. “What did you think about the destruction of the death entity, Ruby sacrificing herself, and the people that were wired into the computer?”

“When the computer was destroyed, I was glad. What it did was evil,” said Izi. “What Ruby did was noble. If Humans had a Wall of Heroes, she would be honored there. The people that were wired in?” Izi shrugged.

“A shrug?” said Denzu.

“I didn’t know them and ending the computer released them and gave them peace.”

Denzu nodded, making another entry on her computer.

“Do you have plans while you’re here on Earth?”

“I was thinking of going snowboarding. It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to enjoy the cold. I’m also going to visit my academy roommate’s family. I spent the Christmas holidays with them when we were on winter break.”

Denzu nodded. “Sounds fun. I visit the colder regions here as often as my duties allow.”

“Is there anything else you need?” Izi had become comfortable, but she still wanted to leave.

“No, that’s all,” said Denzu.

“Did I pass?”

“This isn’t about passing or failing,” said Denzu. “It’s about you and how you’re going forward after what happened. Though you are right about something. Iz’i’raa sh’Solom’aa, you are Andorian.”

Izi smiled. 

“We’ve got a pretty extensive list of work to be done over the next two weeks, Captain Halsey.  We’re going to do a bow-to-stern check of the Mercy and make sure all systems are working as expected.  We, of course, will do a full computer core and system examination to make sure nothing remained from the incident at Charon Station.”

He nodded, looking through the PADD the Master Chief had handed him.  “I appreciate the attention Starfleet is paying us, Master Chief.  If you need anything, let me know.”  The man nodded and left the room.  Halsey leaned back in his chair.  The entire crew had been ordered off the ship, and his wife had taken time to go attend her counseling interview.  She had planned to be back for dinner tonight, so he was left to tend the Mercy and make any final checks he’d neglected to do.

He had been in command of her only days, and they had stumbled onto one of the most troubling and trauma-inducing away missions possible.  Yet they had made it out alive and had managed to prevent the station computer from continuing its dark mission.  The more he thought about it, the more he found it incredible they had escaped.  The station’s computer had nearly two hundred years of time to plot, plan, and power.

=^=Bravo Transport Office to Captain Halsey=^=

He returned to the present, “Go ahead.”

=^=We have a Captain Lillian Halsey here requesting transport to the USS Mercy=^=

He smiled.  “Confirmed Bravo Transport.  She has an appointment with me.  Transport to Transporter Room 1 on my signal.”  He stood from his desk and headed to that very room.

Transporter Room 1 – 1010

He tapped at the console and activated the signal to the transport office.  A moment later, a shining light erupted from the pad and revealed his sister, Captain Lillian Halsey. “You mad bastard!”  She lept from the pad and ambled down to embrace him, “They finally made you a captain and all!”

He returned the hug and pulled back to look at her.  She was 20 years older than Leopold but had never looked it.  She’d allowed her hair to grey, but she still got up early in the mornings to swim, work out, and face the day.  She’d made her name in engineering and enjoyed wandering around Starfleet from ship to station to help, train, instruct, and back again.  “Well, I eventually had to catch up with you, Lill.”

She cackled and glanced around the room, “It’s been a bit since I stepped onboard an Olympic class.  Give us a tour, eh?”  He smiled wide at her accent.  She’d grown up halfway across the world before he’d come along, and she’d never left it behind.

Ready Room – 1100

“She’s a right beauty, Leo.  Damn fine ship.”  Lillian sat on the couch, drinking a tall glass of hard cider, her feet up on the end table, “You think this’ll be your place for a bit?”

He swirled the cup of black iced tea as he took a seat next to her, “I think any chance to hold onto the center chair is worth doing for as long as they’ll let me, Lill.  You tried it once.”

She groused, “I hate it when you bring that up.”  She shrugged, “Not everyone is meant for command.  Some of us are good for a wander or two in our lifetime.”  She took a sip and nodded appreciatively, “Did you program that thing specifically for me, Leo?  Cause that’s…some damn fine hard cider, man.”

Halsey chuckled, “You and I don’t agree on much taste-wise…but on hard cider – you get it right.  I didn’t want to try any other settings when it came to that.”

They drank in silence until Lillian spoke, “Mum and Dad haven’t talked to me in a year, Leo.  I’m not sure what to do.”

He looked her in the eyes and found they shone with impending tears.  “I wish I could tell you what to say, Lill.”

She stood and refilled her drink.  She turned to him, “Do you think I did the right thing?”

He let out a long sigh and patted the seat next to him, and she slowly sat down, leaning back against the couch.  “Mom and Dad are…very traditional.  Divorce…just isn’t a word they can accept.”  He turned to face her, “I don’t blame you for it…and I’m not going to take sides on this – I made that clear two years ago when this all started.  I know why you did it.”  He thought for a moment, “If our positions were reversed…I don’t know that I would have been able to find a different path than you chose.”  He sighed quietly this time, “Aside from them freezing you out, how have you been?”

She sniffled a little and accepted the offered tissue, “Changing the subject, are we?”  He shrugged, and she smiled in thanks, “I got to play around on an Obena class last week – she’s a big ol’ beasty.” She nudged him, “You ever think of trading up, she’d be a nice one to call home.”  She tossed the tissue and gave him a look, “You happy here, Leo?”

The CO considered her question.  It had only been under a week since he’d assumed command, but it had felt like a long journey.  “I think I am.  I’ve got a competent crew with some talented leadership to back me up…there’s plenty of weird and whacky to go around.  They’re not a bunch of tightly wound perfectionists waiting to freak out at failure.  They all want to learn.”

Lillian smiled at her little brother’s pride in his crew.  She was proud of him and the path he had made for himself.  “How’s Theodora?”

He told her of the mission and what had happened both on the ship and on the station.  As he finished, Lillian kept shaking her head, “That’s…unbelievable.  I hope she gets the help she needs, Leo.  Always liked that girl.”

Leo glanced at his chrono, “You want to stay for lunch?  I’ve been practicing making spaghetti and meatballs.”

She groaned but smiled in the end, “You never could make that right.”

He nudged her from across the couch, “Then, big sister, you can show me.”

She stood and put her hands on her hips, “You’re damn right I will.  Let’s get to it.”

Security Office – Deck 28

O’Shea leaned back in the chair in the small Chief of Security’s office off to the side of the main security office and reflected back over the last few days and the mess in medical. The report before him only half written as some of the events that had transpired weighed heavily on him and the words for an official report eluded him. He had no doubt that Dougal would be fine but he did worry about him. What he had endured was something no one should ever have to.

He was pulled from his thoughts when his door chimed. Looking over at the door he sighed, “Enter.” The door slid open revealing the large Klingon Chief Petty Officer, Suven Pach. Of all NCO he was the only one who had any previous experience, and a fair amount at that.

“Pach, what can I do for you?” O’Shea said before continuing, “Thanks for the help in medical yesterday.”

Pach nodded, “It was my duty to assist you, Lieutenant. I am glad it worked out though.” O’Shea gestured to one of the empty chairs and Pach took a seat before continuing. “I wanted to update you on the events yesterday while you were on the station. I know you had your hand full with the entity Death but I have completed a report of the activities and events that the rest of the enlisted crewmen on the security team, barring Lieutenants MacDonald and sh’Solom’aa activities.” With that Pach placed a PADD on the desk.

“Thank you Pach, I was going to ask you about that. I appreciate your initiative on this. Before I get to this care to run me through the highlights?” O’Shea asked.

Pach simply nodded before he spoke, “At first the security teams were providing assistance where needed when the entity’s interference caused the crew with empathic abilities to lash out. They performed adequately at this task but when the ship lost power most of them we confined to the cargo bays with the rest of the crew. Only Crewman Lance and I avoided that. I am not sure why it was the case but we were able to provide assistance to several crew and passengers who we encountered.”

“Thanks, I will let you know if I have any questions about the report. Since you are here though I wanted to discuss further training drills for the security team and your assessment based on the number assigned to us.” O’Shea said as he pulled up a list of drills he had been pulling together. “In an event such as the one yesterday we need to ensure that we have personnel at all key systems and departments; Medical, Engineering, the Bridge as well as keeping some ready to address emergencies. Yesterday there it was our own crew which could have caused damage but in future, it could borders. I want to run the entire team through drills to test and improve our responsiveness. Can you have a look through these drills and organize one for tomorrow please.”

“That won’t be an issue Lieutenant and I agree with your thoughts on this. If there is nothing else I will get this started?” Pach asked to which O’Shea shook his head, “I will take my leave then.”

 O’Shea watched Pach leave and picked up the report and began to read through it.

An hour later after he finished reading the report Pach had provided and failing to progress on his official report O’Shea groaned, “I need a coffee,” and walked out of the small office to stretch his legs. He took the turbolift to the mess hall to grab a cup of coffee and a sandwich. As he walked into the mess hall he couldn’t help but smile, even given the ordeal from the day before the crew seemed to be operating as normal, at a quick glance anyways. Grabbing his coffee he left and returned to the security office.

Sitting down at his desk he sighed as he looked at the official report. “Maybe I just need to clear my head a bit to get this out.” He closed the report he was writing and switched over to his personal files. 

“Computer being recording, audio only.”

Personal Log – August 14th, 2400

O’Shea began before pausing to glance at the time.

1030.

 

Where to begin? Yesterday was one of the strangest and, well, most nightmare-inducing events of my life. And that is including losing my leg in a firefight with pirates.

 

The things we saw on Charon Station will, without a doubt, haunt me for years to come. What that machine was able to do to the crew, and to Ruby was horrific. The part that gets me though is how did it all begin and what was its end goal. Was it an AI they had developed or something that got into the system? 

Sighing he took a sip of his coffee and continued

I guess none of that matters now to those who died and Ruby but if it was some sort of entity what is to say it cannot happen again? 

 

The main thing is that it is dead, Ruby saw to that. I cannot imagine what it was like for her consciousness to be trapped in a computer like that, all alone, for so many years. I guess that is the thing that is really bothering me, she was a child and for something, anything to do what it did to her is wrong. I wish there had been a way to save her but she got her justice and I can respect that.

 

He leaned back in the chair and ran his hands through his chair, looking a several of the bruises he had on his arm, showing just below the cuff.

 

Then there was the Borg drone, where did that come from? It was old and as far as I can recall there has been no Borg activity in that sector. All in all, I feel there are more questions than answers.

 

Computer, end recording.

O’Shea closed the window and finished his coffee. The events still weighed on him but that wasn’t going to end anytime soon. Reopening his official after-action report he buckled down and began to work.

Earth, Vulcan Embassy, Stardate 77625.7

“It is agreeable to see you again, Sorek,” said Torvak. “I did not expect the Mercy to visit Earth so soon.”

“Nor did I, but the gravity of our last mission made it necessary,” said Sorek.

“The death entity computer. I read the official report. Is that why you’re here now?”

“Starfleet ordered all crew to attend a counseling session, so I came to see you.”

“Your respect is noted, but I have not served as a counselor for twelve years, six months, and three days. I have diplomatic duties now.”

“I understand, but you were there for me when my maternal grandfather died in the Dominion War.”

Torvak was silent for a few moments. “Very well. How may I help?”

“There were several times I… felt something.” Sorek was uncomfortable saying the words. “I did not experience the terrors the Betazoids did, nor was I incapacitated in any way. It seemed as though something was there, yet not there.”

Torvak’s face showed no expression, but Sorek knew his former counselor didn’t understand.

“I still see in my mind the horrible things the computer entity did to the people it captured and used,” said Sorek.

“What have you done to remedy this?” said Torvak.

“While we were traveling to Earth, I spent my off-duty time in quiet meditation.”

“Do you believe you are fit for duty?” said Torvak.

“I am.”

“I know this is generally not our way, but have you shared this with others that experienced this with you?”

Sorek raised an eyebrow. “Why would I do that?”

“Sorek, you are still young and I am not,” said Torvak. “I discovered that in times of healing, there are sometimes more efficient ways than our own. In sharing, you not only remove a burden from yourself, but you often help others as well.”

“I see.” Sorek didn’t expect that. “What should I do?”

“Is there someone with whom you have a relationship other than professional?”

“There is an Andorian female in security,” said Sorek. “She has come to me several times to discuss things. When we learned we would have leave time, she asked me to go snowboarding with her.”

“Snowboarding?”

“It is similar to skiing, but with only one board that is shorter and wider.”

“Did you accept?” said Torvak.

“I did not.”

“Why?”

“It would not be appropriate,” said Sorek.

“You’re on leave.”

Sorek didn’t know what to say.

“The Humans have an expression,” said Torvak. “It’s ‘blowing off steam’. Maybe not being Vulcan once in awhile is something you need to do. Maybe we all should.”

“I wouldn’t know how to begin,” said Sorek.

“There is so much more to living life to its fullest. If you’re unwilling to try things that are different or ‘outside the box’ as the Humans say, you’ll risk not achieving Kol-Ut-Shan.”

Sorek sat in his chair across from Torvak, deep in contemplation. “I never thought of it that way.”

“Our journey is long and lasts a lifetime. The path can lead in ways unforseen,” said Torvak.

“Indeed,” said Sorek. “It seems I must learn how to snowboard.” 

Thredbo, New South Wales, Stardate 77628.4

“Now that your board is properly strapped on, the first thing you’re going to do is jump in place.” Izi leaped high and gracefully.

Sorek glanced around as he noticed the group of curious onlookers growing in number. Maybe they had seen an Andorian or two on the slopes, but certainly not a Vulcan. Though with as much cold-weather gear as he was wearing, they probably couldn’t tell.

Sorek jumped only a few inches, his right foot higher than the left. When he landed, his board slipped forward and he fell on his bottom.

“That’s okay,” said Izi with a giggle. “Try again.”

Sorek got up and jumped. His feet were still uneven, but he didn’t fall.

“Again,” said Izi.

Another jump, but this time it was even.

“Again,” said Izi.

After several more, Sorek was leaping almost as high.

“Good! You’ve got it.” Izi smiled, her antennae in a happy jitter. “The next moves you need to know are important for stopping.” She leaned forward on her toes and back on her heels.

After several tries, Sorek had the moves.

“Now lean forward toward the front of the board and then lean back. These are moves to help you balance.” Izi watched Sorek. You’ve got it, Commander. It’s not so bad, is it?”

“I have not tried boarding down a slope,” said Sorek.

“We’re on the beginner hill,” said Izi. “It’s barely a slope.”

“That is comforting, Lieutenant.” said Sorek.

“Let’s practice what you’ve learned so far.”

Sorek followed Iziraa’s lead, but his skill was nowhere near hers. The more times he did each maneuver, the better he got.

“Now follow me.” Izi moved like she was walking. While going forward several meters, Sorek’s board slid in place and he remained where he started.

“Again.”

“This better be agreeable to Torvak,” said Sorek in a mutter.

“What’s that, sir?”

“Nothing, Lieutenant.”

Izi shrugged. “Now we’re going to get you started. Unbuckle your right foot and use it to move sideways to your left. Watch me.”

Izi glided across the snow. Sorek inched along. After a half hour of practicing, Izi stopped and studied the commander.

“Iziraa?”

“I was wondering something, sir.”

“What’s that, Lieutenant?”

“Why did you change your mind? This is clearly out of your comfort zone. Why did you decide to come out here with me.”

Sorek thought for a moment. “An old… friend, made me realize that sometimes it is necessary to experience the way others do things instead of always living by Vulcan traditions. There is so much more to the journey.”

“I’ve been learning the same thing,” said Izi. “With my people being a clan-based society, and because of the harsh conditions of our home world, traditions and doing things a certain way, often meant the difference between surviving and not. It’s so ingrained in us, it’s not easy to accept there just might be a better way.” She thought about that day Petty Officer Torell attacked her. He said she was pushy and always forcing her way on others. She had taken that to heart.

“Break time is over, sir. Are you ready to try this?” said Izi.

“It would seem I have no choice,” said Sorek, nodding his head towards the crowd watching them. “I can’t disappoint my fans.” 

-Roughly 2 hours after S’Atilen entered the jeffries tubes in the communication center.-

“Damn, eight decks worth of climbing in the dark is no joke. Guess I need to add some more climbing into my work out schedule.” S’Atiln stopped just between the second and first decks and turned off his flashlight. ”Don’t want to give myself away if this is something else besides what we have been dealing with, I don’t see how it could be way out here in the middle of nowhere but you can never be sure in places like this.”

He peeks his head over the lip of the Jefferies tube hatch adjacent to the turbo lift and the captain’s ready room door.” Well, the hatch is closed, guess that’s a good thing. Finding the security pad just below the hatch and starboard. “Damn, what was my code again?” He took a minute and worked his fingers over the PADD, remembering his access code. “ahhh there we go.” as he heard the barely audible clicks of the hatch locks release. “ Well, let’s see what is going on, shall we.”

He pushed the hatch open slightly, giving himself just enough room to look onto the bridge. Noticed that the bridge lights were dimmer than usual, but he could hear the voices of several of the command staff, including the captain, decided it was safe and opened the hatch the rest of the way with the arm that was holding onto the case and exited the Jeffries tube on to the bridge.

“Captain,” as he walked towards the communications console ‘I rigged up an encrypted communications network using some equipment meant for away teams and the Communications Experiment (CX) rooms independent computer core. It’s not much, but it should allow us to communicate on the Mercy without worrying about outside interference or knowledge. I programmed these 20 badges, as they were brand new and had never been programmed into the ship’s main systems, for communications only on the rigged system.” He placed the case on the console to the left of the captain’s chair and opened it. He then made his way to the communications console as the lights grew brighter, and many of the consoles that were blank started to come back to life.

Halsey blinked and looked down at the hard work the officer had done as the system returned online.

“That’s some seriously hard work, Lieutenant S’Atilen.  As you can see…it looks like we’re back in business.”

”Well, sir, you know what they say. Rather be late to the party than not show up at all.” As he shrugged his shoulders and turned back to the communications console. “Whoever picked this location for this base knew what they were doing; out in the middle of nowhere, no real transport traffic lanes near the system nor am I picking up much on any of the communication frequencies.“ 

Leopold concurred, “There’s evidence to suggest significant planning went into this venture.”

”Makes you wonder, though, doesn’t it? Who? What? Why? Makes me think of those old earth mystery-solving stories. Do you think we will ever know, sir?”

The CO gave the communications specialist a nod, “I think there are enough scientists and curious officers on this ship who could seek out the answers.  Might help us prevent something like this again.”

”I might join in on that. So many questions left unanswered on that base. Some of which may be helpful to star fleet, who knows what else could be out there like that.“ S’Atilen turned back towards his console. “Guess, I should inform my team about my work down there and ask one of them to bring me my combadge.” 

O’Shea stepped onto the lift from the bridge and glanced over at Crawford as she followed him on. “As debriefs go after missions to a creepy haunted station with a mind-controlled Borg drone that was pretty routine,” he said with a smile, “You want to grab a coffee? Thought it would be good to get to know each other a bit more given what happened and have a chat about it.” O’Shea wasn’t sure how that would come across, but after the events on Charon station, he wanted to check in to see how Crawford was doing.

Crawford gave the security chief a side glance as the doors closed, “You’re probably a little old for me, Chief.”  She held it for a second before her trademark broad smile broke through, “I’ve got a few boyfriends anyway – juggling you and them would be damn near impossible.”

O’Shea laughed, “I am a handful anyways; likely for the best. But I was more thinking of a chat about Charon station.”  

She chuckled, “Breakfast sounds like a solid plan.  I’d say we go for the bridge lounge – I hear they serve a mean skillet.”

He smiled at the recommendation, “Ah, I am not the only one who has discovered that, I see. I skipped breakfast this morning, so that would be great.”

A moment later, the lift stopped, and they stepped out onto Deck 2 and walked into the observation lounge. “Window?” O’Shea asked, looking around before taking a step towards the galley. “Skillet and a coffee for you?”

Crawford gave him a nod and sat, looking out the windows.  There was something peaceful about looking out windows on the world, or in their case, the galaxy around them.  So much happened out there that they would never see…or even know about.  Space was eternal and would outlive them all several times over.  There was peace in the cycle, she considered.  

A few minutes later, O’Shea walked back and placed two skillets and two cups of coffee on the tablet before grabbing a seat. “Replicated food is ok, but actually having properly cooked food makes all the difference.”

Carolyn smiled, “I miss the family farm a little.  My dad, not so much.  This hits the spot.”  She went to work on her food.

After having a few bites and a rather large sip of coffee, O’Shea leaned back. “So, I wanted to see how you were doing after the events on the station. And, well, the events here? I know you have been around and aren’t green by any means, but I always like to check in with the team after a mission that had hostile elements to it.”

The engineering officer thought about it for a moment.  “There are hundreds and hundreds of starships out there with various missions of exploration, escort, and guard duties. Every day they go through the shifts, and rarely does something explode or go wrong or jump out of a wormhole.”  She took a bite and savored the colorful flavors that littered her plate.  “So far in my brief career, I’ve dealt with rifts and murderous station computers.”  She took a sip of her coffee and wondered, “We really don’t know what happened to create that monster, do we?  I mean…how long had it been doing what it had done?  And to how many?”  She took another bite, “It will take me some time to accept that we helped fully power the bastard.”  Another drink of coffee, “This is damn good coffee.  What about you, Lieutenant?

O’Shea smiled and looked down at his own coffee, and nodded in agreement. “I plan on picking up some freshly roasted beans before we depart again.” He took a sip before continuing. “I know what you mean. I have friends from the academy who have never seen combat or any other form of space oddity. Whereas I, like you, am on the other end of the scale.” He turned and looked out the window. “As for the entity, those same questions are gnawing at me. What was it? How was it created, and how long was it there? I really dislike mysteries like that though as for helping it we did, well, Ruby did, destroy it in the end, and I take solace in that.” He paused for a moment and exhaled, leaning back, deflating for a quick moment as he spoke, “Ruby, though, what happened to her is going to haunt me for a while. Wish we had been able to put her remains to rest properly but will have to settle for her getting her revenge.”

He looked back at Carolyn and regained his composure, and smiled, “There are so many unknowns and mysteries from the early days of exploration, missing ships and such, makes you wonder if others experienced similar events.”

Carolyn finished off her breakfast and returned to her coffee, “My father would share with me his adventures as an officer on the USS Denver.  In his career, he found the goodness and the darkness present in the universe.  He used to tell me that what we do out here was so much like the sailors of long ago – flying over the water to the horizon, not sure what lay beyond the sun or the moon or whatever.  What they found confused them and excited them at the same time.”  She accepted a refill of coffee, “Men and women have been fording into the unknown for the entirety of Earth’s existence – each step getting us closer to the next big thing.  First, it was the New World.  Then it was The West.  There’s always a strange new world to find – just around the corner or down the road, or in the next sector.”

O’Shea nodded in agreement as he finished his food. “That is true, and I do love that mystery. There are wonders out here and, as you have said, horrors. It is just unfortunate that this was the latter.” As he spoke, his combadge chimed.

Tapping it, he replied, “Go for O’Shea.” 

Chief Pach’s voice responded, “Sir, we are set for the training exercise at your convenience.”

O’Shea nodded, “Thanks, Pach.”

He turned to Carolyn and smiled. “Duty calls, but it was nice to have this chat. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

Carolyn wished him luck and watched as he left.  She returned her attention to the world outside the windows.

Dougal wasn’t tired.  He’d spent too much time cooped up “resting”.  Aimee on the other hand had been dead on her feet when she made it to their quarters and fell asleep on the couch mid-sentence.  He carried her to bed, and then decided to leave entirely so as not to wake her. And so, it was this reason he found himself walking into the officer’s lounge. 

Seeing a familiar face Dougal smiled and approached Neva,  “Good evening lass. Cannae get you a wee dram?”

Neva smiled brightly at Dougal and nodded. “That sounds great, thank you. What scotch do you have?” She set her tray aside as a wave of embarrassment came over her. “I apologize. That slipped out weird.” Neva put her hand over her mouth in surprise before continuing. “I DO enjoy scotches and whiskies, actually. I was ‘taught’ by a Sommelier ways to enjoy that aqua vitae and know what to look for. Since then, I appreciate a good ‘dram’ now and then.” She sighed. “I wish I could have a ‘real’ one instead of synthehol.”

“A lass after me heart,” he said with a jovial grin.  He went to a nearby replicator and returned with a pair of whiskey glasses and a pitcher of water.  Sitting down he withdrew a flask from his pocket he poured each of them two fingers. Cutting his own drink with a splash of water he raised his glass, “Slàinte mhath.”

Neva raised her own glass and smiled and tried to repeat his toast, which sounded more like “Slaw man.” She took a sip and  her and closed her eyes, a look of bliss on her face. After a minute, she opened her eyes. “This is amazing! Is it real?” She held up her glass and looked at the amber liquid in the light. “How did you GET this?” She took another sip, setting it back on the table and wrapped her hands around the glass. “Thank you for this, Dougal.”

“Lass,” he said teasing, “I’m Scottish.   Whiskey and a Highlander go together like a fish and water.” He took a sip, and shrugged, “But, in this case my brother makes it. I have a few wee bottles hidden away7 in my quarters.”

Neva raised her glass to him, chuckling. “Forgive me then for my unintentional bragging. I’ve just had to explain my enjoyment in the past.” She took another sip, holding a moment before swallowing. “ Is it possible to ask you to get an extra bottle? I’ll DEFINITELY pay for the effort.” 

Neva set her glass down and put her fingers over her mouth, eyes wide. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be so presumptuous.”

Dougal smirked,  “Since we’re heading for Earth I’ll give you one of mine. No charge for someone who saved me life.”

Neva’s eyes bugged out of her head at both his offer and admission. “What do you mean about saving your life? I did what anyone would do. But you’re welcome just the same.” Neva cocked her head  and looked confused at the offer. “Dougal, are you SURE about this? I…I…” Her head fell to her chest for a second, then she looked up. “I didn’t mean to gush. Thank you.” She took another sip from her glass and set it down with both hands holding it.

Dougal withdrew a sealed Petri dish from a pocket, “Just a wee bauble that might interest a lass such as yer-sef.” He said and slid the dish over to her. Inside looked like a black powder not to dissimilar to bits of iron collected from the earth only more uniform and granular. 

Neva turned the petrie dish up, down, and sideways. Looking closer, she gasped. “No…you didn’t…oh man, are these what I think they are?”

“Borg nanites,” he replied. “Dinnae be concerned. The wee beasties are deactivated.”

Neva’s eyes widened again as she shook the dish. “Wow, I didn’t think I’d get to see these up close in a million years!” She sat there, shaking the dish once more. “Dougal, wow…thank you!” She set the dish down and looked at him in sheer shock. “How…”?” she asked in a whisper. 

“My wife extracted them from me. I was almost of one the blighters after our encounter with the Borg drone on the station… which is why I am thankful ye got the Mercy operational.  I dinnae ken I’d be here without your quick efforts.”  He finished off his drink and pushed away from the table and smiled genuinely at her. “Thank you.  It cannae been easy with Death running around in yer heid, but you fought through it.  I dinnae ken if it would impress a Klingon,  but it sure has impressed Dougal, War Chieftain of Clan MacDonald, of Teangue. A good evening to you lass,” he said with a theatrical bow. “I shall take my leave of you.”

Neva nodded and smiled. “Thanks Dougal, for everything. I hope your night is filled with happy dreams.” She waved back and looked down at her almost empty glass. ‘Wow…’ She thought. She grabbed the peitre dish and held it against her eye. The “dust” just slipped down the dish to pool at the bottom. She put it down again and looked at the flask. ‘By the Gods, this is amazing!’ 

Neva picked up her glass and downed the last of it. She got up and grabbed her “booty,” managing to balance all of it to hit the replicator. When she got to her quarters, she took the gifts and put them on a shelf “just so.” 

‘I never thought I’d see a day when I’d get a promotion AND a…a..just WOW!’ She scanned the room then yawned. What a day!

Dougal had been silent on the ride over. As O’Shea was helping him off Dougal stiffened and turned to O’Shea. A spider-like metallic implant was growing out of his right cheek “We thank you for removing the entity. You will adapt to service us.”

O’Shea jumped back with a shout, “Fecking ‘ell!” As he stepped back his phaser raised on instinct but he paused before firing. The assimilation was in its early stages, there was still a chance but they need to get Dougal to medical now and he wasn’t sure if stunning him would help. “I’ll give that a pass mate,” he said as he hit his combadge. “Emergency transport for two to medical,” and tackled Dougal a second before they dematerialized. 

A second later they rematerialized in medical just before they hit the ground. “WE NEED TO SEDATE HIM NOW!” O’Shea shouted, “A Borg injected him, we don’t have much time.”

Aimee rushed over fear etched across her face, “What the hell happened?”

O’Shea adjusted his position, pinning Dougal’s arms. “There was an old borg drone on the station, the entity was using it. We had to keep it busy while the others disabled the entity. He was injected with nanoprobes. He didn’t say anything, it’s moving slower than I would have expected. Can you disable them?”

“Yeah, only problem is that I haven’t a clue how to do that. It’s not like there’s Borg countermeasures in medical school rotations,” Aimee replied fear and worry etched upon her face.

Dougal’s skin was already turning an ash grey, and the veins were appearing black under the surface. “Resistance is futile.  This drone must be escorted to your deflector array.  Your distinctiveness will adapt to service us.”

O’Shea looked back at Dougal as he began to struggle, “I already said not today mate,” he said before turning to Aimee, “Nothing? What the hell did they do for Picard and Seven of Nine? There has to be something on file related to the Artifact that the Romulans have. Maybe radiation?”

“Of course there is!” She snapped. Taking a deep breath she let it out slowly through her nose. “Sorry. I need to do some research.  Keep him… entertained will you?”

O’Shea looked back at Aimee as he continued to struggle against Dougal, “Sure, I guess we can have a tea party, do you prefer Earl Grey or Peppermint Dougal?” he said as he rolled his eyes. “Please be quick about it.” As he turned back to look at Dougal he watched in abject horror and disgust as yet another implant pushed its way out of the Lieutenant’s hand and spread over the back of it.

Twisting slightly he took a risk and released one of Dougal’s arms and quickly tapped his combadge, “O’Shea to Chief Pach, I need you in medical now.”

“Lad,” Dougal said to O’Shea.   For the moment he was in control. His voice was weak and there was pain in his eyes. “It cannae connect with the collective… It will try to establish its own…”  He sucked in air fighting a losing battle.  “For the safety of the ship you must kill me.  Tell… tell Aimee I’m sorry.”

O’Shea looked down at Dougal and smiled sadly, “Hold on, we are not there yet mate. And you can tell Aimee whatever you want when you get through this.” As he finished talking the door behind him slid open and Chief Pach ran into the room.

The large Klingon looked at Dougal and O’Shea before he cursed, “Ghuy’cha’,” and quickly kneeled beside O’Shea grabbing hold of DOugal.  “What happened?”

O’Shea looked back at Pach and shook his head, “Borg on the station, we need to limit his movement. The Doc is working on a way to neutralize the nanoprobes.”

Pach nodded and looked around, “Biobed, we can restrain him there.”

“Agreed,” O’Shea said before looking at Dougal. “Hold it together. We are going to get you to the bed and strap you down. Keep fighting it.” Dougal nodded slowly but O’Shea could see he didn’t have long left. “On three,” he said to Pach, “One, two, three!”

Both Pach and O’Shea moved together and lifted Dougal while limiting his movement and unceremoniously dropped him onto the biobed. “I will hold him, you get something to restrain him to the bed,” Pach said and shifted his position to get a better grip on Dougal.

O’Shea stepped back and looked around for Aimee, “Doc? How much longer?” he shouted before grabbing the restraints built into the bed and secured Dougal’s arms, legs and torso. “Not sure if that will be enough.”

Aimee returned from her office,  “Well, the good news is that without the Collective the assimilation process cannot be completed.   The nanites will eventually construct a neural transceiver,  but that takes time and raw material that the body doesn’t have.”

“Might want to tell him that,” O’Shea said. “We have him restrained for now but would it be a good idea to sedate him so we can stop the process?”

She nodded and filled a hypospray. She didn’t think it would help, it would help make Dougal more comfortable. Pressing it to her husband’s neck she injected the drug and he fell limp.  “Well, there’s that.  I have a few ideas that might work.  One of those ‘it’s so stupid it might work’ kinds of things,” she said.   “Ever hear of an EMP?  I would wager the collective would adapt quickly to it, but in this case it might just be enough to deactivate the nanoprobes.”

O’Shea nodded as he looked down at Dougal, seeing him visibly relax before slipping into unconsciousness. Looking up at Aimee he frowned, “I don’t think that would work normally but on a long individual with the assimilation process incomplete I think it might just work. What do you need from me?”

“I got this,” Aimee said to O’Shea.   “Go and decompress. I’ll let you know when I am done.” Her smile was genuine.   It could be worse and they now had a plan.  Once the assimilation process was halted it would be quick work to remove the implants. “You are a good friend of his.  I appreciate that deeply.”

O’Shea looked back at Dougal then to Aimee and frowned, opening his mouth to say something before stopping. Sighing he nodded, “Will do Doc. Call me the moment anything happens.” He turned to look at Pach, “Watch over medical and Dougal. Keep the crew safe if needed.”

Pach nodded, “I will remain here until relieved.”

“Appreciate that. I will be back in a couple of hours.” O’Shea said before looking over at Aimee, “I’ll be back soon.” With that O’Shea left medical.

Later…

An hour later with Dougal moved to recovery Aimee stood to the entrance silently watching him peacefully sleep in the dimmed medical ward.  A nurse walked behind her on her round, but didn’t stop go check of them.

Simple bandages covered the wounds.  She would go back in a day or two with a dermal regenerator, but Dougal’s body had been through enough.   She wanted his levels to return to a more normal state before introducing a whole new series of stimulus.

“He’ll be fine,” Aimee assured O’Shea. She held up a Petri dish of completely inert nanoprobes. “It worked too well.  I guess they weren’t expecting us to use such a primitive tech.” She smirked at that thought.  

O’Shea took the dish and held it up to the light looking at the collection of nanoprobes, though a single one was too small there were enough there to create a discolouring on the dish. “Seems like a glaring oversight for them. One I would not have expected.” He handed the dish to Aimee and glanced over at Dougal’s sleeping form. “The drone was old,” he said, “really old. Could be the nanoprobes and the drone itself were starting to fail.” He shrugged and turned back to Aimee, “Though none of that matters. Good work, I would suggest you write it up and send it to Starfleet medical, never know when that knowledge may be useful to others.”

“Sir?” Dougal asked in a croaking whisper.

O’Shea’s head snapped around and looked at Dougal, “Lieutenant, how are you feeling?”

“Like I got trampled by a wee Highland bull,” he replied.

O’Shea grinned, “A raging cybernetic bull you mean…”

Dougal let out a soft chuckle, “Aye lad.”

Aimee moved to Dougal’s side and read the wall mounted monitor.  “Your vitals look good, and your levels are returning to normal.”

“Mo ghràdh, kiss me lass.”

Aimee resisted the urge to slap him, and leaned in and the two fell into each other’s embrace. “I love you,” she said softly.

“Tha gaol agam ort cuideachd mo chridhe,” he replied in his baritone. 

“I am glad you are on the mend Dougal, take some time to rest, follow the doctor’s orders and I will touch base with in a day or two.” O’Shea said and turned to leave.

Wind ripped across the Isle of Skye from the sea.  To the east the blue line of the mainland rose out of the water. On a ridge commanding the heights of the village stood the remains of Castle Cairnmoore, a 14th Century fortification that had been abandoned since the “45” and destruction of the clans in the mid 18th Century. 

At the bottom of the hill nestled in hedgerows along a narrow country lane sat Cairnmoore Mannor, the home of the McDonald’s of Teangue.  Green vines grew up the stone walls. The ancient window frames were thick with paint and the glass warped with age.

Aimee and Dougal walked up the wet asphalt of the country lane hand in hand.  It was a rare sunny morning and the soft breeze came cool off the sea. Dougal opened the wrought iron gate with a squeal of metal hinges.

They entered the manicured yard where a women turned to face them.  Her blonde hair fell loosely over her shoulders.   She had the same almond shaped green eyes,  curve of jaw and chin as Dougal.   She was tall for a woman, standing at least six foot.  Her face lit up when she saw them, “Look at what the bloody cat drug  in!”  She wrapped her arms around Dougal.   “What are ye doin’ here bruther?”

“Shoreleave,” Dougal said simply. 

“An ‘who is the lass?”  She already knew the answer, but it was her way of forcing an introduction. 

“This is my wife, Aimee,” Dougal said proudly, “An’ this is my wee baby sister Margaret.”

“No so wee anymore, ” Margaret replied, “It’s a pleasure t’ meet you lass.”

Aimee smiled at the playful banter between brother and sister, “The pleasure is all mine.”

“Well, aren’t you a bonnie wee lass,” Margaret said taking in Aimee’s appearance.   You got the looks of a Highlander in you, but you dinna sound it.”

“No, I suppose not.  I grew up in the States.  My grandmother was from Ireland somewhere.  I never met her, but mom said I look a lot like her.”

“Aye well, we all cannae be perfect.  At least you are no a sasanach,” Margaret said teasing. 

“No, that I am definitely not!”

“Well, I always wanted a sister.  About time one of these block heided oafs got me one,” Margaret teased her brother.  “Come in.  Mother and father will be pleased to finally meet you, though,  they are a wee bit miffed you didn’t come ‘ere to get married.”

Dougal shrugged, “The opportunity presented itself, and we dinnae know if we were goin’ ta make it.”

“Aye, I’m sure ye did.”

“It is true,” Aimee said defending Dougal.   “Stuck in an alternate universe and we were sacrificing one ship to get everyone home.  No one knew if it would work so we had the captain of the Heracles marry us.”

“An what about your captain?”

“Ethan?  He’s my half brother… I suppose it could have worked but we both agreed Captain Vausees was the better choice.”

“Aye well, ye still should have waited, but the deed is done. Come, I got the kettle on, and there’s some biscuits in the oven.”

Later…

The sun had long set over the moor bathing the Highlands in darkness.  Dougal sat in the parlor of his ancient ancestral home.  A blaze crackled merrily in the hearth as Dougal sipped a glass of whiskey his hand shaking slightly.

“Bloody hell!” his brother James swore into his own glass.

Dougal’s father, the laird of the estate, remained uncharacteristically silent during the retelling of the events on that cursed station, but he had consumed more than his usual quantity of whiskey. Leaning forward the Lord MacDonald of Cairnmoore refilled his cup.  

Silence fell on the trio like a woolen blanket on a winter’s morning.  It was unbearable, but no one wanted to be the one to throw it off and let the icy cold in. Setting his glass down with decision Robert MacDonald spoke breaking the spell, “A bloody nightmare to be sure me lad.”

Dougal only grunted in assent.

Robert took a deep breath, “An ya’ dinnae want ta’ speak with a wee heid shrink?”

“I dinnea ken how that would do any good,” Dougal replied.

Taking a deep breath Robert considered that statement, “I dinnea ken, but I respect yer decision me lad. Now, yer wife, she’s a bonnie lass.”

Dougal nodded, “Aye she is, an a braw fighter too.”

Robert raised an eyebrow at that, “A doctor?”

Dougal chuckled, “I met the lass while on the Pike. It was just us five and we were often behind enemy lines.  She may be a doctor, but she can take care of herself when the chips are down.”

The other men grunted and admiration.

“Then she should be able to help you through this,” Robert said.

Dougal nodded, “She has. To one degree or another. She’s a wee bit beelin I dinnea use the Starfleet psychologist, but I have no intention of telling a complete stranger all me bloody problems.”

“Ye dinnea want it to get out ye have a thing for mam,” James teased.

Dougal simply scowled at his older brother, “An ye can haud yer wheesht! I no have an Oedipus Complex!”

James just laughed at that, “Good ta see I can still get under yer skin little brother.”

“An you can bugger off!”

“Dougal, what yer dealing with is nothing new,” Robert said bringing the conversation back in line.  “Soldiers have been dealing with the worst of humanity since Cain picked up that wee stone and slain his brother.  The nightmares will subside, but you cannae keep it in.  Talk to your lass, and if you cannae do that you will need to talk to a counselor.”

That was a sobering thought, “Aye Da.  I can do that.”

“Good,” Robert said as if that was all there was to say on that subject.  “It is good timing you are home son.  We could use help with the sheering.”

Dougal smiled.  In his own way his father was still helping him cope with the horrors. And maybe there was something to it.  Graft had a way distracting you from your problems, and the sense of accomplishment at the end of the day was oddly therapeutic.  Dougal was glad he had chose to come home for his healing.  There was something about family that did that to you. “Then I should try to get a wee nap. 0500 comes way too early.”

“Aye it does lad. Aye it does,” Robert replied with a proud smile on his face.

(I am so sorry that this is so bad. I’ve been working on it for a week and can’t do better. I had a ton of muse when I started and it waned FAST.)

The Fleet wasn’t kidding when they said that his job would be intense. He was up for it; trauma and triage was his life’s chef-d’oeuvre, his bread and butter, his main motivation for his feet hitting the floor in the morning. Of course, that drive had just been intensified when he became a family man, starting first with his marriage, then the birth of their first (and so far only) child five years ago. Lucy said it made him insane. She also said she’d do it again. 

Today? Today was a day for R&R, and though he’d tried to object, neither wife nor boss listened. He figured that at least he could see his favorite sister again, if nothing else, and it would do for Minnie to see her extended family. Even though he was mostly estranged from his parents these days, he still had his sister Kate, who he was very close to, and her wife, and Lucy’s parents. In fact, he was HOPING that his message to them all worked, and they’d all been able to meet at Kate’s house for a much-needed long weekend, before he had to return to the Ship for more death and destruction. 

The ride to the interplanetary traveling area was short, and they were there in under five minutes. In Uni, he’d read about earlier generations, and their airplanes. It seemed…quaint, but fun, and he wondered how it’d be like to travel in one. Perhaps one day, they’d find a planet not as advanced as theirs and they’d be able to try it. Soon, they were there, ensconced in the warm, fire lit living room of his sister’s house.  He sat, legs crossed, in front of the fire, happy. He realized it had been a while since he’d been THIS happy. Oh sure. He was content with this life he’d built for himself, and his family, but this type of happiness-the one achieved by being surrounded by people you loved and who loved you?-it had been been a time since he’d experienced that with more than Lucy and their daughter.  

His sister was his favorite person, and as Lucy got Minnie ready for bed, they chatted. He told her everything, like he had for so many years, except the things he couldn’t tell her, of course. Some things were meant to go to the grave with him, but still, she learned it all-about his new assignment, and the sudden changes they’d made. He spilled his guts about the psychic attacks, and the brain surgeries he’d performed, and how he’d felt inadequate and out of his league. Further, he explained the fear he felt that the man wouldn’t make a full recovery and the guilt that’d cause. All natural, human emotions but their father hadn’t taught him to express them well.

 He felt miles better that night when he went to bed, and slept like he hadn’t in nearly a decade. When he woke up, he was refreshed and felt a renewed joy. He heard his sister playing with Minnie, and smiled a little as Lucy leaned into him. After a bit, they got up to face another day. He had a surprise for HER, too. Her brother, Thomas, was coming to visit them there, and had news, he said.  The man arrived later in the day, excited. The news he had? He joined the StarFleet, and was excited to start. Being several years younger than Lucy and their middle sister, he was just at the age of enlistment, and Roger couldn’t help but feel worry. He just hoped the man would be safe. Finally, it was time to return to the Ship, and he was relaxed, refocused, and ready for the next adventure. 

Egrel slowly approached the Captain’s ready room. He had been requested to see Halsey after things had relatively calmed down. He stopped outside the door and lifted a hand to press the chime. He had no reason to be anxious, yet he was.

Halsey was working his way through the senior staff reports and had made a few notes on corrections needed when the crew returned.  He’d made it about halfway before the chime to his ready room rang.  He’d asked the Chief Counselor to come to check out with him.  The man had been through much, and brain surgery had been one of them.  “Enter.”

The door slid open, and the Betazoid entered.

Egrel offered a faint, tired smile to Halsey as he stepped into the ready room, “Sir….” He clasped his hands in front of him. Instead of his usual tight and neat bun, he had his long blonde hair down and falling around his shoulders.

Halsey offered him the replicator.

Choi hesitated before stepping over to get himself a mug of Bajoran tea. He briefly was tempted to get some whiskey but decided against it. He strode over to sit across from Halsey, cupping his mug in both hands and staring into it for a moment.

As Choi settled into the seat across from him, Leopold leaned back in his chair, sipping at his black iced tea, “You’ve had a pretty rough few days, Lieutenant.  I wanted to check in and see what you needed from me.”

Egrel blinked at Leopold a few times; then he slowly nodded as he replied, “That is a bit of an understatement, sir. I don’t… I don’t even know what I really need. I suppose…” He trailed off and frowned, then bluntly stated, “I’m scared, sir.”

The CO nodded, “An emotion you have every right to feel, counselor.”  He took another sip and sat forward, “Walk me through that feeling…the how it feels and the why.”

Egrel sipped the tea slowly as he tried to organize his words into thoughts. He emitted a soft sigh, “I’ve never been telepathically attacked like that… Ever. Trauma and things that I have thought I dealt with accordingly were suddenly brought up.”

Leopold nodded gravely, “You’ve experienced a lot.  The dangerous and powerful part of trauma is when it happens, it has a nasty habit of shaking loose stuff you put in closets and buried long ago.”

Egrel nodded slowly, “I feel like I’ve backtracked and lost years of progress for myself. My connection to people around me and my surroundings just… gone and dampened. I know they said the surgery will reverse its effects soon, but….” He trailed off and sipped his tea.

Halsey considered the chief counselor’s responses as he decided what to ask next.  The reality of his position was that, at times, he was the counselor’s counselor.  An odd position to be in, but something with which he was familiar.  “What does progress look like for you, Egrel?”

Egrel opened and closed his mouth a few times, then sighed, “At least back to where I was before. To where I am not wary of everything and jumpy, expecting to be attacked again.” His dark eyes searched Leopold’s face as if faintly hoping the man held the answers he was seeking.

Leopold considered the response.  There was an expectant pause in his answer.  He decided to try something different.  “You’ve experienced significant loss and trauma in your life, Egrel.”  He held up his PADD, “I’m looking at a stark reminder of how much life can take from us in the death of others connected to us.”  He let his words hold in the silence before he continued, “Most of the reports from counselors mention they weren’t quite convinced that you had processed them in a bid for a sense of peace.  They cleared you for duty – there’s no doubt about your ability to serve.  I suppose the question is – is there a distance between the trauma of the past and present…or are they closer than you thought?”

Egrel furrowed a brow as he listened to Leopold. He grimaced and looked away, avoiding looking directly at him. Leopold was direct and to the point. His voice was quiet, almost meek, “I didn’t realize how close the trauma was till the wounds were ripped open. I realize a few years is not enough time to properly mend after so much loss.” A heavy weight of grief hung around the Betazoid.

Halsey stood from his desk and motioned to the long couch set under the windows that stretched to the ceiling.

Egrel looked a little confused. Was he indicating for him to move to the sofa? He took it as that and slowly stood up, walking over to sit on it. He emitted a small sigh as he sat back, glancing at his CO.

The CO leaned back in his seat, “Grief is a monster, Egrel.  Trauma is a similar beast.  It can feel as if we’re going to be overwhelmed in the fight against them.”  He sipped at his refilled mug.

Egrel nodded slowly as he sipped his tea, “Especially when there’s multiple.  So much loss, so much trauma, all at once. Well,” he sighed, “Not immediately. Over the span of five years.” He studied Halsey’s face for a moment with dark eyes before glancing away, “I’m sure that it is on my file? I lost five partners in a short span of time?”

Leopold nodded, “The loss is indicated and noted in your file.  What isn’t noted in complete detail is your recovery progress from that loss.”  He eyed the chief counselor, “I need to know where you’re at in this, Egrel.  Man to man, officer to officer – there’s only so much you can duck and dodge when it comes to stuff like this.”

Egrel shook his head slowly, “I’ll be honest, I don’t think I can fully and utterly recover from so much loss. Yes, I am able to do my duty to serve and help others. However, those wounds… They are still there.”

“They always will be. You’re going to have to take a long look at what all you’re doing to recover from that loss.  The good stuff you’re doing to help reconcile the pain and emptiness.  The bad stuff you might be doing that’s pushing you back a few steps…and the ugly – where we sabotage our journey on the road to recovery.”

Egrel looked away sharply, avoiding looking at his commanding officer. His drinking problem, which he kept a secret, rose to the front of his mind. It was a horrible coping mechanism. He risked a lot if he was honest about it, even more if he was dishonest. He sighed softly, “I… understand, sir. Who, though, would counsel the counselor?”

Leopold considered for a moment, “It could get tough if you use one of your counselors – the idea of a subordinate working with a superior in this isn’t great.  I don’t think Commander Sorek would be a good choice.  Vulcans have incredible control of their emotions…but they haven’t had much experience living with them in a very long time.”  He offered, “I think it falls to me, Egrel.”

Egrel nodded slowly in understanding. He understood that not many have a higher security clearance than he or other Chiefs. “I can agree to that. That makes the most sense. I do not wish to be a burden to you or your duties.” He paused for a moment, “What is the best way to start this process?”

Halsey replied, “Humans, Betazoids, and most humanoids take time to reconcile with their trauma and the emotions within.  I think we meet once a week for dinner to start the conversation.”  He repeated, “You remain cleared for duty, and I have no doubt about your ability to serve the Mercy and her mission in the short term.  In the long term…we’ve all got work to do to ensure we keep doing this for a long time.  My confidence in you remains as strong as it was when I hired you for this job.”

Egrel nodded and leaned back lightly. He was glad he wouldn’t be removed from duty. That was his highest concern. “That sounds like a more than a suitable agreement to me, sir. Just.. let me know when and where. Still serving was my biggest concern.” He paused, smiling slightly and genuinely, “And… your confidence truly does mean a lot to me….”

Leopold gave a small smile in response, “Your continued service means a lot to me, Egrel.”  He stood, “I’ll get my schedule arranged for our meetings.  You can return to duty.”

Egrel smiled and rose to his feet, “Thank you, sir, that means a lot to me. Truly.” He inclined his head politely and turned to step out of the ready room and head back to his work.  Halsey waited until the door closed behind his chief counselor officer to let out a long sigh.  You learned plenty in both class and practical training.  The reality of what command was is what formed each Captain on their commands.  Halsey was still a work in progress, but he was thankful to be learning from his officers.

Roger was….nervous. Which was odd, because he knew it was normal and healthy to see a psychologist on the regular, even outside of Fleet-required yearly exams. He’d, himself, sent folks to Dr. Choi when he felt it was necessary for them. So why was he so worried? Roger was a worrier by nature, and, worse-was his own worst critic. His own few semesters of psych classes made him realize that he NEEDED a fresh perspective; he’d not dealt with the trauma from the Dominion War, nor had he dealt with the trauma of his childhood-his same-gender parent was a cold, distant man who withheld emotion. It affected his self-esteem, which is why he threw himself into his work-saving other people like he couldn’t save himself. However, he was now a family man, and he needed to be a better parent as his daughter was nearing older childhood-she’d be seven soon, and was no longer a ‘baby’ that needed Daddy 24/7, and that…was a change he hadn’t prepared for. PLUS his wife was wanting a second child, and he wasn’t sure how he felt about it. On the one hand, if they were going to do it, they needed to do it SOON because they were both older parents already-while Lucy was five years younger than him, they were both in their 50’s and it would be more difficult. Plus, her first pregnancy had been difficult and if this one was as hard as the first, he might not cope with facing a possible loss of mother, child, or both. Suffice to say, as he paced the hallways, he realized he NEEDED it, so he knocked once, softly, at the door. “Dr. Choi? I am ready.” He let out a sigh. 

Egrel was standing and waiting for his next patient, PADD in hand. He found it a little ironic that the tables have turned now. Whereas before Egrel needed Roger’s help, now Roger needed Egrel’s help it seemed. He gave the man time to come in on his own terms, already sensing his anxiety and worry. The last thing he needed was a psychologist hounding after him. 

Egrel smiled at the knock at the door, saying, “Enter.” At his command, the doors slid open with a hiss, allowing Roger into the rather cozy office. Egrel made sure any patients he took were comfortable, “Did you want anything from the replicators? I’m glad to see you, Roger.” He smiled warmly at him, going over to grab himself some tea while he was still up.

Roger just nodded. “Thanks.” He entered the office, looking around. It was pretty cozy, but was DEFINITELY a psychologist’s office. “No, thank you. I had some coffee just now…probably too much.” He sat. “Thanks for agreeing to see me; I know you’re busy.” 

Egrel sat down with his tea. Instead of sitting across the desk facing Roger and making everything feel stiff adn formal, he sat in a chair beside him, facing him. He cupped his mug in his hands and shook his head, “Not too buyy at all, trust me.” He offered the other man a kindly smile, “What brings you here today? What’s troubling you?”

What was troubling him? The entire universe. He decided to start with the most pressing issue, though. “When we were on R&R, my wife decided to tell me she wants another child. We’re older parents, and…she won’t have much time left.” 

Egrel nodded slowly, “You are worried about her safety during carrying and delivering a child now that you are older? Was it a dificult delivery for your first child?” He could sense that the poor man had a lot on his mind though he didn’t pry much more than that, waiting for the man to tell him.

Damn, Choi was good. Roger sighed, and nodded. 

“Yes, with Minnie-our first-Lucy was sick ALL the time, nearly bled out when she actually delivered. I was SO afraid to lose her. AND the baby. She was on bedrest the last three months and it was tough. We were at DS9 then, and I was trying to work AND care for her and it was a lot of work. Don’t get me wrong-I don’t regret it for a moment, because I wouldn’t have Minnie, but I just wish it was possible for me to just…not go through that again. On the other hand, we BOTH wanted a few children, just one each to replace us. I have two sisters myself, and Lucy’s got several siblings.” He paused to think about his next words. “But mostly, I wonder if I can do it. I am nearly 60; while Lucy is twelve years younger than me, it’s still…a lot. My father is gone now, died young, and I fear the same for myself.” He stopped there. There was MORE, a lot more, and Roger could prattle on for HOURS, namely about Lucy, but Choi likely didn’t want to hear it, at least not today. He made a mental note to himself to ask how the man was doing after his brain surgery, but at the end of the session. He was TRYING to care for himself for once. 

Egrel nodded slowly as he listened to Roger talk. He couldn’t personally relate to Roger, not being a parent or even wishing to be a parent himself, however, with his empathy, he was able to fully understand where he was coming from. The Betazoid spoke softly, “If I may offer some ideas and solutions?” 

Roger simply nodded.. 

He paused momentarily before continuing, “I can see several options. Surrogacy and adoption are two very valid options. We have ample opportunities with our technology. What kind of support system do you and Lucy have? Relatives or friends who can help child mind or look after Lucy or yourself?”

“Yes, my older sister is very involved, and Lucy has her whole family. Mine is…spread out back on Earth; after my father died, my mother moved in with my younger sister and her family. They don’t really have a lot to do with my self or Deborah-that’s my older sister, I am in the middle. She is a lesbian and they disagree with that. I personally think the heart wants what it does.” He paused a beat. “Lucy’s got several siblings and her parents are both still alive. Plus we both have a few friends in the Fleet and even not. Mine are all fellow StarFleet, though. I…tend to be a bit of an introvert, so it’s harder for me to meet people. Luce is the opposite-always the life of the party. We’ve been on the ship, for-what? Several weeks now?-and she’s already made friends with some of the other moms, and the kids get together regularly.” He was ignoring the man’s words for a moment, but finally got to the point. “I know we have the technology to have another child. I don’t know if I have the space in my life for another child.” There. He’d said it aloud. It sounded cold, maybe. 

Egrel nodded slowly as he listened without judgement. He frowned slightly, “Poor Deborah. I thought we were past that in this century.” As a Betazoid, he really didn’t understand why some parents would disapprove of who their child would love. He nodded again as Roger finished his rambling, “Have you spoken to your wife at all about your concerns or worries? If you think it would be beneficial to have a neutral third party sit in and help… mediate for a lack of a better word, I’d be happy to fit you two in.”

Roger nodded. “Yes, we’ve discussed it. A few times. A neutral discussion might work. She’d be open to that, I think. I will ask her.” He paused a moment. “And yes, I would’ve thought we’d be past it, as well, but our father is…a cold man, distant. Uncaring. I’d think he was an alien being if I weren’t otherwise sure. He’s ok with the kids-my younger sister has a few, too, but still-I think it’s difficult for him. He was an only child, and my grandfather was absent a lot for his work, my grandmother hired a nanny to care for my father, so I suppose it’s to be expected, but, it really bother Minnie. She’s much more like Lucy-outgoing and vivacious. It’s exhausting at times, actually, to have two people like that in my life. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” It was fact-he LIVED for those women. 

Egrel briefly wondered if Roger was prone to rambling this much on a normal basis or if this was just a nerves thing. He nodded his head slowly as he listened, sipping his tea slowly. There was a lot to unpack with this man, but he thought it would be better to adress the topic Roger initially came here for, “My suggestion would be approach the topic of a neutral discussion or a join session together with me to approach this. We can discover more avenues forward from there. Was there anything else you wanted to discuss with me at the moment?” His dark eyes searched Roger’s face.

Roger nodded. “Sounds good. I will let you know as soon as I can discuss it with Lucy. I think she’d actually appreciate it; it can’t be easy following me around the Universe while I try to save people.” He finished his drink, and let out a sigh. Actually, he was feeling buoyed-getting it out was really helpful to his mindset. It was important for the doctor be on an even keel-being too messed up mentally was dangerous in medicine. “I have many thing, but they’re probably best left for a different session, Counselor.” It was true, he’d need a series of visits with the man, but for the moment, his center of balance was righted again. “Thank you.” With that, he stood to leave. “Pop by the MedBay when you can and we can arrange something, or I’ll drop in here at one of my meal breaks.” He showed himself out, heading back to get some work done, feeling refreshed. It would be ok, no matter what he and Lucy decided. In the end, they’d figure it out. It’s what they’d done for ten years, and what they’d do forever. 

Egrel smiled warmly, “We’ll arrange something soon. My doors are always open for more sessions whenever you feel the need, Roger.” He watched the man depart. Once the doors closed, the Betazoid let out a heaving sigh adn rubbed his temples, “He’s an introvert, my arse.” He stood up to get more tea from his replicator to write up a report and mentally process the session with his patient.