HFO Personal Logs 1 – July 2011

Hailing Frequencies Open:

Personal Logs

Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

Vol.1 No1

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July, 2011

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Hailing Frequencies Open:

Personal Logs Vol.1 No1

July 11, 2011

In This Issue 1 4 8

Front Cover: Nova Trek Altered Lives

by M.D.Bruffy

The Ravens Writing Desk

Editorial by Kirok of L'Stok

Altered Lives 1: The Joining

A Nova Trek story by M.D.Bruffy

39 History Lessons

A Star Trek: Heritage story by T.L.Shull

64 Freak School

A new sequel by Janet R. Gershen-Siegel

69 Going Home

A Star Trek: Bylinas story by Kirok of L'Stok

75 Back Cover:

The art of Richard Merk Hailing Frequencies Open: Personal Logs is the official Trekzine of TrekUnited, produced by TrekUnited Publishing, Publisher & Editor: Kirok of L’Stok Kirok@trekunited.com. First pdf online edition 11/07/2011 Contributors to this issue: M.D.Bruffy; T.L.Shull; Janet R. Gershen-Siegel; Kirok of L'Stok; Richard Merk. Special thanks to the countless professionals who have created Star Trek canon and licensed material over the years and Gene Roddenberry, The Great Bird of The Galaxy, without whom this would never have happened.

This is a Star Trek, fan written work The copyrights & trademarks of Star Trek are owned by Paramount Pictures, CBS Corporation and their licensee Pocket Books.

Any attempt to sell or rent this book should be reported to the copyright owners for their action Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001 3

From The Raven's Writing Desk By the Editor Computer: Editor's Personal Log, Stardate 11.05.18 Welcome to the first issue of Hailing Frequencies Open: Personal Logs, the official Trekzine of TrekUnited, the first of a new series of publications from TrekUnited Publishing to bring you a regular dose of fan produced fiction for your reading pleasure!

Fanzines have been around since before there was an internet, yes, when people could only distribute their writing on pressed wood pulp known as paper. They have become a significant part of our literary culture, they've even had their own Hugo award since 1955, but where have they come from? What have they become? Perhaps of more importance to us, what part did Star Trek play in their development and what lies in their future?

In his 1973 "The World of Fanzines", Frederic Wertham describes fanzines as "uncommercial, nonprofessional, small-circulation magazines which their editors produce, publish and distribute, dealing primarily with fantasy literature and art whose writers and readers belong chiefly to the under-thirty group." He cites "The Comet" that came out in 1930, as the first fanzine although Wikipedia traces their roots to amateur press associations that go back to the 19th century. If you're interested in reading transcriptions and scans of historical fanzines look no further than Fanac.

J.M. Verba's "Boldly Writing" gives us a pretty exhaustive picture of the early history of Star Trek fan activity between 1967 & 1987, a fertile time for Trek fanzines! Another important resource is "Star Trek Lives" by Jacqueline Lichtenberg who, with her writing partner Jean Lorrah, are two early luminaries of the Trek fan world who have gone on to champion the use of action / adventure stories to test the boundaries between science fiction and romance.

Star Trek has always had an emphasis on character centred storylines and over the years a subgenre of Trekzines have come to focus on love and lust in the Star Trek universe. Star Trek fanzines hold the dubious honour of inventing of the term slash, from "Kirk-slash-Spock" (K/S), the idea of Kirk and Spock being lovers.

Technology is constantly giving us exciting new opportunities and Trekies especially are renowned for being at the forefront of technological change.

TrekUnited has done its bit in the field of fanzines with Hailing Frequencies Open, our official online magazine, which has had a long and distinguished history with twenty eight zines since 2005!

HFO as it was known, started as the official organ of the Save Enterprise movement that spawned TrekUnited in June 2005 with a six page, fire4

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breathing premiere, edited by Debbie Elholm, reporting on the Enterprise finale viewing party. Issue two was equally militant but issue three in August focused on the passing of Trek actor James Doohan and had the first of our regular articles on fan productions. This trend towards diversification continued in September with an expansion into science, conventions, and the 2005 fan production / postcard writing campaign which was started by the Australian section. Issue five was a landmark in being the first to carry an article by me (Jespah was a writer right from the first issue!) and the following issue held the first mention of the Enterprise S5 project... and all this in its first year!

Keeping up a monthly schedule for most of 2006, excluding a double issue in February, the magazine saw a vast increase in colour and graphics that bore the distinctive style of Joanna Poe as graphics editor and the guiding hand of Richard Anderson as publisher. Its scope covered a wide range of topics, mostly with a Star Trek focus, including regular cartoons by David Reddick cooking, astronomy and chats with various stars from the professional and fan production world.

The four issues in 2007 might not have had the same page count as previous years, but the quality was up there with the best in writing and graphics.

However, sadly, January 2008 saw us put HFO to bed for a well deserved rest as the editorial team considered their options. It was becoming increasingly hard to get contributions for the established scope and the readership wasn't giving us the feedback we needed to tailor the zine to their needs.

Times change, people change, circumstances change and the focus of TrekUnited has shifted to reflect that. Our open, clique-free networking style has always been one of our biggest assets, celebrating the Star Trek fan experience in a very real way, as has our mandate to support fan productions in any and all its forms. Over the years, we've not just reported on fan films and audio dramas, we've hosted and mirrored audio and video files, hosted internet chats and generally acted as a neutral, fan-friendly discussion zone for any and all groups.

When Bill asked me to take up Admiral Rooster's hat as director of media and publishing it was always at the back of my mind that I wanted TrekUnited to be, not just spectators in the fan production world but a part of it. In the course of working on the Twelve Trek Days of Christmas, I've been lucky enough to become associated with a group of individuals who recognise the opportunities that change brings us. Graphic artists who live and create in their virtual worlds of wonder like Madison Bruffy and Richard Merk. Terilynn Shull who is spreading into her own virtual world of Star Trek Online with Foundry and podcasting. Jespah, our expert in networking, the ways that modern technology can be used to bring us closer together as a community in the real world, fan film makers, audio drama producers - all of them good writers, too!

Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

5

TrekUnited doesn't have the active membership it used to have, and the projects we take on have to embrace that change, to celebrate it rather than ignore it. We can't field the same slick and sophisticated, graphics heavy, high quality pdf magazine that HFO had become. For that matter, we needed to reconsider the content that we were carrying, to give our members something they would want to read and to give the fan production community a venue to showcase their wares.

Change for change's sake is not necessarily good and what I had to work out was: what needed to change, what opportunities were out there waiting for us to take advantage of them... and could one match the other?

Change can equal challenge though. Just look around you and you'll see many traditional media struggling to come to terms with new technology. This is nowhere more evident than in the printing and publishing industry where the eBook has finally come of age, bringing with it all the problems and possibilities of the digital world. We at TrekUnited see this as a change for the better and with the help of Richard Merk have started using this new technology to bringing the Roddenberry Dream to a wider audience in the form of fan fiction novels in ePub and Mobi format.

However, something there is that doesn't love... change. Not everyone likes the idea that the words which they read are just a fleeting collection of electrons that flicker across a screen, gone as soon as we move on to the next page, the next screen. They like the solidity of a book, its constancy, the neat rows of paperbacks ranked in their bookcase, a collection of memories which hold something special for them.

To me, the Roddenberry Dream represents this very challenge: how can we embrace the opportunities that technology offers us in a caring and humane manner? How can we explore the challenging worlds of the unknown, take up the gauntlet and tame technology for society's betterment, without disenfranchising those who don't feel comfortable at the cutting edge? Surely, I 6

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thought, technological change should not be an either / or choice: the lady or the tiger, the "Good Side" or the "Dark Side".

Surely we should be able to keep the best of the past and bring that with us into the future. ‌ and there I had it! The new editorial focus of Hailing Frequencies Open: Personal Logs.

Whether you are reading this on a downloaded pdf, browsing it on Issuu or reading it as an ePub or mobi eBook on your Kindle or Nook, I want you to forget the eInk on your screen and cast yourself back to the seventies. Imagine this is a pulp digest you have just picked up from the corner store, or a mimeographed fanzine the mailman has just delivered from some underground Distro. Smell the ink, dog-ear the pages and revel in the glorious black and white!

Welcome back to the days when fans shared their fan experience in 'zines with that personal touch, short stories that carried something of themselves in them. Whilst you'll see little of Mary Sue here, you will see Star Trek stories that have been hand-chosen to reflect the passion that we all share for The Roddenberry Dream - across all eras, based on canon and non-canon, featuring the characters we have come to love and new, original ones springing from the hearts and minds of their authors into the world of Star Trek!

Fan fiction at its best is a resonance of the experience that we felt when we watched Star Trek on TV or on the movie screen. It can range from dramatic space battles to touching moments of personal friendship, it can expand on what you believe the characters were trying to convey to us, continue the story after the credits rolled or it tell a love story that only you have recognised and could never be seen on screen!

Come with me now to make four very personal journeys into Star Trek and in future months I hope you will share some of your own flights of fantasy.

Computer: End Log!

To talk about this book and to find more great Star Trek fan fiction join us on the TrekUnited forums at www.trekunited.com

Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

7

What has gone before....

By MD Bruffy

the fro m rse! e v i n U Aboard the FSS Constitution at the start of it's two year trial run, Lt. Ben

Finney left a circuit open to the ship's atomic pile. Lt. Janet Tamera Kirk came on shift, found and closed the circuit minutes before the ship would have blown up. The resulting reprimand prevented Finney from ever getting a command of his own and he began plotting his revenge against Kirk.

Years later, aboard the FSS Enterprise, now - Captain Janet Kirk was charged with the negligent death of Lt. Commander Finney during an ion storm. but the evidence had been faked and Finney was found to be alive. Sentenced to the Tantalus Rehabilitation Colony, he used his formidable computer skills to escape- and once free, he hacked into the Starfleet data base, where he proceeded to download everything he could find on Captain Kirk- including her medical information and mission logs, which included information on an entity known as the Guardian of Forever.

Using the Guardian, Finney went back in time and planted evidence- retina 8

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scan and fingerprints- framing Cadet Kirk for trying to break into the Program Control Room for the Bridge simulator that was to be used for her Kobayashi Maru Test the next day. But Finney hadn't planned on Kirk being in Riverside,Iowa that night attending her mother's birthday party- with fifty eyewitnesses.

The Academy's Investigating Committee examined the case for two years and was never able to reconcile the evidence with the facts. Their final ruling was "Inconclusive", leaving a cloud of suspicion hanging over Kirk and her careerwhich, had the effect of ending said career before it could begin, forcing her to resign and giving Finney the apparent victory.

Two years later, The Constitution left on her two year trial run with Lt. Finney on board- and no Lt.Kirk. The circuit to the atomic pile was left open- and this time, there was no one to come in after Finney and close it. As a result, the ship exploded- killing all 429 on board- including Finney.

Not knowing the cause of the explosion- none of the flight recorders survived the matter- anti matter explosion triggered by the atomic pile's detonationStarfleet placed the Constitution program on indefinite hold, relying on a modified and updated Daedalus-class to fill the resulting gap.

To many, this made Starfleet- and the Union- look weak and vulnerable. Now, six months after the loss of the Constitution, the quadrant was a riskier and more dangerous place than it had been four years earlier.... =/\= The Orion-class freighter Enterprise didn't look like much, compared to the larger, corporate barges that hauled dried goods across the Federal Union of Planets. She was only two decks tall, consisting of a cockpit, Captain's and First officer's cabins on the upper level. A short ladder climb brought you down to the deck of the cargo hold- the largest interior area of the ship. Off the cargo hold, were the Security Hold, storage room for medical and food supplies (There were no Starfleet food replicators on board) and an empty room that could be pressed into service as another crew cabin or used for storage. To the back of the cargo hold- the rear of the ship, that is- was the hatch to the shuttle bay- more of a shelf actually, Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

since it was barely large enough to hold a single Luminence-class scoutship bearing the name James T. These were the obvious features of the Enterprise. These did not include the Starfleet surplus phasers mounted fore and aft- same for the force field generator- all purchased at Cygnet XIV, as surplus when the Constitution -program was suspended. It was here that the Enterprise's owner also acquired the ship's A.I.-- which allowed the vessel itself to act as crew when necessary, as well as her warp engines, which were capable of a top speed of Warp Six. All of which went into creating a ship that was more than capable of standing up against any common raider it might encounter.

9

At the moment- and for the last four years- only one person has called Enterprise home- and that was her owner and captain. She was human, age 22, red, rust-colored hair in a kind of shaggy cut that reached to her shoulders, she had the kind of athletic build that a human female managed to keep well into her senior years. Her name was Janet Tamera Kirk. At one time, a senior Starfleet Cadet until all that idiocy forced her out four years ago. Since then, thanks to her uncle- Admiral Franklin Fitzpatrick- she's owned and operated the Enterprise and managed to make a living hauling cargo and living by no one else's rules but hers.

For now, she was to be found in her cabin. Said cabin was located to the right of the cockpit hatch coming from the cargo hold. It was small compared to Starfleet staterooms. As you entered, a bunk with storage units above and below, was built in to the left hand bulkhead. A small cubicle of a restroom occupied the right-hand corner. Once past that, you'd see a two-screen work station.

This made up the Captain's cabin of the Enterprise and at the moment, said Captain was engaged in one of the few duties she had to see to."

Ship's Record, Stardate 4956.3. After dropping off that shipment of farming supplies for the colonists on Sierene V, I'm dead-hauling toward Cait in hopes of picking up another load there..."

Turning off the log, she leaned back in her desk chair and for a moment, she simply listened to the sounds of her ship.The hum and low drone were almost impossible to hear- and 10

disappeared under the cover of conversation, when there was any.

She tilted her head slightly. Sounded like the Number Three Warp Manifold needed checked. She'd see to it once they reached orbit. That's not the kind of work you want to try to do in open space- too much chance of being raided while you were making repairs.

It was also one of the draw-backs to a "recycled" ship like Enterprise. You always found yourself trying to stay one step ahead of the next blown circuit.

She could still remember the day four years ago, when she handed the Cygnet XIV authorities the voucher her uncle had gotten her in order to get the work done. Such vouchers were allowed for civilian contractors, but Janet had sworn that she'd never work for Starfleet after the way they did her. "Inconclusive." She nearly snorted as she shook her head. Those idiots on the Investigating Committee didn't even have the nerve to pass a real verdict. They stayed on the proverbial fence right to the end.

At that moment, the intercom on her desk buzzed and the ship's computer spoke in it's programed female tones. "Janet, we're receiving a signal on Starfleet channels."

The scowl on Janet's face was all too clear. "Only one person would dare call me on those channels. Put it through."

One of the screens above the desk soon lit up with the image of her uncle, Admiral Franklin Fitzpatrick, who had been head of Starfleet Operations for the past year. He was TrekUnited's Hailing Frequencies Open

in his mid fifties, even though his hair had turned grey some years ago.

Janet had to admit that he had a face that some might call the face of a hero- though she knew her late mother's brother would cringe if anyone ever called him that to his face. While it wasn't that classic chiseled look- no rock-hard jawline or anything like that- there was a strength to it all the same. Her attitude softened slightly as she spoke to the only remaining family she had.

"What do you want, Uncle Frank?"

The Admiral's eyebrows rose in an almost Vulcan manner as he answered." 'Hello' to you, too. Can't I call my only niece once in awhile to just talk?"

Janet met his gaze without hesitation as she answered."Not from your office on Starfleet channels. I told you before, I won't work for Starfleet."

"Jan-" "You have a lot of nerve- " "Now just a minute, Young Lady. I was on your side back then- and I still am- or have you forgotten who helped you fit out that ship of yours?"

She was quiet for a long moment."Are you calling for you or Starfleet?"

In his office aboard the station officially designated as Starbase One, yet commonly refered to as "Starfleet Command", Franklin Fitzpatrick leaned back in his own office chair as he answered. "Neither. There's a civilian medical research outpost in Sector Nine. They run a lot of highPersonal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

powered experiments which forces them to go through dilithium supplies faster than expected. They'll be forced to start shutting down vital experiments in the next three days without new crystals."

Janet tilted her head and her eyes narrowed slightly. "And where am I supposed to find these new crystals?"

Fitzpatrick reached off screen to one side of his work station as he replied."I'm sending you the coordinates now. the FSS Horizon'll meet you and transfer the crystals to you for delivery."

Janet watched as the coordinates came up on the other screen."Coordinates received. But Uncle Frank, why is a civilian outpost asking the military for help?"

The man sighed. "Because last week their supplier was attacked by a Klingon raiding party. They took every crystal in sight and killed half the personnel. Starfleet was the only other source with any hope of resupplying them anytime soon."

It was Janet's turn to sigh. "Alrightbut at my standard rate."

Her uncle nodded."I'll see to it that it's transferred within the hour."

"Anything else?' Janet asked.

He leaned closer to the screen."Are you still flying alone?"

She shrugged."I have Computer."

"Jan-" "Good-bye, Uncle Frank." As soon as the screen went dark, she spoke once more."Computer, lay in the course to rendezvous with the Horizon 11

maximum warp."

"Acknowledged,Janet. now."

Engaging

=/\= PERSONAL RECORD, STARDATE 4956.5. THE MORE I THINK ABOUT THIS DELIVERY,THE LESS I LIKE IT. WHAT KIND OF RESEARCH COULD A CIVILIAN MEDICAL OUTPOST BE RUNNING THAT USES UP DILITHIUM LIKE THIS? A DILITHIUM CRYSTAL HAS AN EXTREMELY LONG LIFE-SPAN. UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, A HANDFUL OF CRYSTALS SHOULD HAVE LASTED FOR DECADES. SOMETHING DOESN'T ADD UP... =/\= Seated in the Enterprise's cockpit, Janet turned off the log and looked out the viewport. Then she glanced around her. She had to admit the cockpit was somewhat small- it was certain that it would never be taken for a Starfleet bridge. There were four seats all together- two at the flight console and two behind them.

The flight controls took up the console in front of her with monitors for the ship's status mounted beside the passenger seats behind her. It was tight quarters. You either sat down, stood in one place or left- there was no room for anything else. But it was an original part of the ship and it had proven less expensive to repair and upgrade than to replace.

entered scanning range. It should be in visual range in two minutes."

Soon, as predicted, the Horizon came into view. A collection of basic shapes- a sphere in front, a large cylinder behind and slightly below, with two longer and narrower cylinders above and behind, connected to the larger one by two thin rectangles- this was the standard arrangement for the Daedalus-class and since the loss of the Constitution six months ago, it was the primary ship class of Starfleet.

Studying it as they drew closer, Janet had to admit it didn't look like much- certainly not the kind of ship you'd expect to be capable of defending a third of the quadrant from all the various threats the universe could throw at it.

She shook her head and reached for the communications section of the console."This is the cargo ship Enterprise to FSS Horizon, come in."

"Horizon here, Enterprise."

"Standing by to receive your shipment of dilithium for the Sector Nine medical research outpost."

"Understood. Sending transporter coordinates now."

There was a 'bleep' from the console and Computer spoke up."Coordinates received, Janet. Ready for transport."

All of this had no sooner passed through Janet's mind, than Computer spoke up. "Janet, the Horizon has just

"Understood," the redhead replied as she rose from her seat. After leaving the cockpit, a short walk and a climb down the ladder, brought her to the deck of the cargo hold and the cargo transporter set off to one side.

"Enterprise to Horizon ," she called as

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her hands moved over the transporter controls,"Energizing."

On the platform, a sparkling,shimmer took on form and soon solidified into a Starfleet storage container labeled for dilithium storage use. "Enterprise to Horizon.

The dilithium's on board. I'll be leaving for the outpost momentarily."

"Acknowledged, Enterprise- and thank you for your help. Horizon out."

Janet raised an eyebrow at that- not used to politeness from any Starfleet rep other than her uncle. "Computer, engage course for the medical outpost in Sector Nine- warp six."

"Acknowledged, Janet. Course is laid in and engaged."

After shutting down the transporter console, Janet turned to a nearby wall mounted storage unit and took out a scanner. It wasn't as powerful as a Starfleet tricorder, but it was good enough to do the job. She aimed it at the storage container and studied it's readings. "Military grade dilithium.

The best there is. "She turned off the scanner and returned it to storage," But that's to be expected coming from Starfleet stores."

Leaving the container on the platform- no point in storing it for so short a trip-Janet returned to the cockpit and her own thoughts as the ship continued on course. But no matter how she looked at it, this thing just didn't sit right with her. =/\= It seemed as if little or no time had passed when the Computer broke in Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

on her thoughts. "Janet, the medical outpost has just come into scanning range, But there's something strange."

The ship's captain and owner leaned forward in her seat. "Strange how?"

Function lights shifted as the computer processed the information it had."I can't scan the interior of the outpost."

"Hold station."

"Acknowledged. Now at stationkeeping."

"Put me through to Uncle Frank." It was only a minute or so later that the small communications screen on the console lit up with the Admiral's image. Janet didn't waste any time with pleasantries. She jumped right to the point. "Alright, Uncle Frank.

What are you not telling me?"

The confusion in the male's voice was also clear on his face. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm at the outpost," Janet told him.

"They have a jammer that's blocking my scans - I can't scan any deeper than the outer hull."

Fitzpatrick slowly shook his head. "I wasn't told anything about that."

His niece sighed. "Military grade dilithium delivered in a round-aboutway to a 'medical research outpost' with a military level jammer to block unwanted scans. What does that sound like to you?"

The Admiral cursed softly. "Damn it."Then he met his niece’s gaze. "Be careful, Jan. If that is some kind of "black ops" set-up, they won't want you to see any more of than 13

necessary. I'll start digging at this end and see what I can find out."

Janet's expression softened from anger to concern for her uncle."Just don't get yourself killed doing it."

"That goes both ways. Out." Once her uncle's image faded from the screen, Janet's thoughts turned in a different direction. "Computer, from now on, unless our transporter is in use, I want the shields up at all timesfull power."

"Understood, Janet. Shields are now up."

"Hail the outpost."

When the screen lit, Janet had to blink. The human face staring back was one she hadn't seen in over four years- not since the day Academy security escorted Janet from the bridge simulator. Amanda Stevens and Janice Rand had been the only other cadets on the scene- the boys hadn't arrived yet.

Amanda still looked as Janet remembered her. A head of raven black hair that framed her face as it fell to her shoulders along with eyes that were always bright and alert- the kind of eyes that made you wonder what was going on behind them.

"Amanda." Janet nodded to the screen. "You're a long way from the nearest starship."

"Janet. It's been awhile."

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"Almost five years. I was told this was a civilian medical operation.

What's Starfleet doing here?"

Janet's former classmate shrugged her uniformed shoulders and the collar pips announcing the rank of Lt. Commander showed up against her gold colored uniform. "There's some research going on here that could have military applications- if it's used. Starfleet wanted someone here to act as a liaison and keep them informed of the outpost's progress.

"Now, what can we do for you?"

It was the redhead's turn to shrug. "Uncle Frank hired me to bring in your dilithium."

Amanda nodded. "Yes, we were told a civilian freighter would be making the delivery." She looked down and back up. "I'll send you the coordinates to beam it to."

There was an alert going off in the back of Janet's mind. Call it instinct or something else, but something was telling her to grab the opportunity while she could. "I've never seen a medical outpost before. Mind if I beam over for a quick tour?"

Amanda's momentary hesitation was clear even as she answered. "No- of course not.

Come on over. I'll meet you when you arrive."

"I'll bring the dilithium with me,"Janet responded. "Be there in TrekUnited's Hailing Frequencies Open

five minutes. Kirk out." =/\= Once transport was complete, the first thing Janet noticed was that the outpost didn't look like any Union outpost she'd ever seen. Where as the Union's standard method of construction hid most of the technology in the bulkheads, in this case, pipes and conduits ran all over the place and the decks were actual sections of grating instead of a solid surface. The whole thing had a kind of bunker-feel to it, oppressive and a little paranoid.

The second thing she noticed was Amanda and the two Starfleet security guards standing on each side of her.

The third thing was the tricorder in Amanda's hand."Checking me for viruses?" Janet asked over the unit's well known warble.

Only Amanda could see the device's viewscreen and it's transmitted image of the portable scanner in Janet's left jacket pocket and her communicator in the one on the right."She's clear," the Lt. Commander stated - making certain to turn the tricorder off before handing it to one of the guards.

"Do you always greet visitors with a security detail?" Janet asked.

Hoping Janet's scanner was doing it's job, Amanda shrugged."There are some areas on board that require a high level of security."

Janet tilted her head slightly as two technicians with anti-grav units came for the dilithium."This place is Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

starting to sound more like a military base."

"It is-"Amanda paused, almost deliberately, Janet thought, then continued."It is a civilian medical research outpost. That's all it is."

Janet met her gaze for a moment as the technicians left with the dilithium. Then Amanda waved a gold sleeved arm down a branch corridor. "Shall we?"

Janet glanced at the security guards as they started off." If this place is as civilian as you say, then why the guard dogs?"

Amanda glanced at her as she answered."Even in this day and age, there are such things as industrial secrets- secrets no one wants revealed. Not only do we act as liaison for Starfleet, we also provide the outpost's security needs as well."

The red head glanced around, seeing more corridors branching off and force fields sealing off various labs and work areas. "Does that include a military level jammer to block scans?"

Privately, Amanda sighed in relief.

"You noticed it."

That had not been a question. Janet turned to face her."It was damn hard not to."

Their gazes met for a brief moment, then Amanda turned down another corridor. This one had work areas too, but there were also more labsand one was in use. An Orion female was strapped down to an examination table and in obvious delirium. Two technicians stood 15

nearby in environmental suits taking scans and readings. Janet took an involuntary step toward the force field- only to be stopped by one of the guards. She turned to face Amanda.

"A volunteer," the Lt. Commander told her."Some of the diseases being researched here cannot be truly examined by computer alone. Live subjects- " Janet stepped toward her and the outrage in her voice was clear."Why don't you stop lying? This is an R&D base for bio-weapons- something every planet in the quadrant has outlawed- Even the Klingons won't use them!"

Amanda met her gaze firmly- she had to with security present. "It's Starfleet's duty to protect the Union."

"Not by committing Genicide!"

The raven haired female sighed.

"You're not in Starfleet." She tapped a finger against her own chest. "You're not seeing the reality. The Orions are just the latest. We have to be prepared to act."

Janet's eyes narrowed. What was going on here? She didn't know. But she did know one thing. "You're right.

I'm not in Starfleet - and for the first time in my life, I'm glad of it. Because if you're what Starfleet's become, Then I don't want anything to do with either of you."

Amanda sighed in honest frustration. "I'm afraid it's not that simple. If you had just beamed the dilithum over, you could've left and everything would have continued as planned. But you had to beam over."

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Janet stared at her as if she were crazy. "If you think I'm going to let you turn me into one of your "volunteers", you're sicker than I thought."

The two security guards raised their phasers.

Amanda looked at both of them, and then turned back to Janet."You're not seeing things clearly. You don't have any choice."

"The hell I don't," Janet replied.

"NOW!" A second later, she was gone in a sparkle of transport.

Amanda shook her head. She was forced to play things out. "Dammit!

Launch the fighters! Stop her!" =/\= Aboard Enterprise even as the ship was pulling away from the outpost, Janet was reaching the cockpit.

"Computer set course for Caitmaximum warp. Open a channel to Uncle Frank and send him everything we got from the scanner. He'll know what to do with it."

"Acknowledged, Janet. We have company- two one-man fighters from the outpost."

"So much for being a 'civilian' outpost, "Janet muttered."Fore and aft phasers on-line." Janet's hands moved over the console with the ease of four years ownership as she spoke.

"Release phasers to my control. Go to navigation program; Raiders 2-9."

"Acknowledged. Phasers are on line and under your control. NavPro R-29 is now engaged."

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As soon as the computer spoke, the ship dove and turned, twisted in her course. Her speed during these manuvers was far less than when she flew straight ahead, but she still moved more like a fighter than a cargo ship.

Amanda managed to hide her sigh of relief even as she turned to a nearby ensign. "Get Dr. Stone - then put me through to the Director."

Both fighters were far newer in their designs than Enterprise.

Navigation and targeting systems, weapon control systems- all were state of the art.

Admiral Fitzpatrick had been pacing the office for nearly an hour now, waiting for word from his niece. He had several discreet inquiries in the works as well. No one could have built that outpost without leaving a trail somewhere. As soon as the communicator on his desk buzzed, he practically lunged for it, hitting the switch even as he sat down. He listened to Janet's message and glanced through the scans she'd gotten of the outpost.

Their first salvos missed completely.

"What the hell- ?" Pilot Jenson shook his head in disbelief. "I've never seen a cargo ship move like that."

His senior partner, Pilot Watson, was a seasoned officer. "Focus on your job."

A moment later, Enterprise showed her teeth- her Starfleet surplus teethas two blue beams of phased energy sliced through space and eliminated Jenson and his fighter in a blinding glare.

Watson's voice was heard clearly back at the outpost. "Damnit! She's got Starfleet weaponry !"

During this short time, Enterprise had turned as quickly as her bulk allowed and was headed toward Watson and his fighter, firing port and starboard weapons as she came.

Both shots grazed his fighter as Watson pulled away- getting clear just as Enterprise passed through where he had been and jumped into warp- leaving both fighter and outpost behind.

In the outpost's command center, Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

=/\= STARFLEET COMMAND

Then he went back over those scans again, studied them more closely and as he did so, he could feel his stomach tying in knots as he realized the magnitude of the mess Janet had discovered.

This nightmare had to be shut down- quickly and quietly.

But how? =/\= THE PLANET CAIT This was a world of forests, open plains, fields of green grass, blue skies,and clean clear water- while at the same time, being one of the most advanced and civilized worlds in the Union.

As Janet brought the James T. down from Enterprise- half of her thoughts were still back on Amanda as the things her friend had said- and the 17

way she had said them- continued to wade through four years of bitterness. With all of that, it wasn't until she'd landed and reached the spaceport terminal that she started to notice a definite lack of people. When she was here a year ago, the place had been over flowing with travelersand Caitians of all sizes and fur colors. Now.. where was everyone?

Taking her communicator from her belt- she'd left her jacket on the James T.- Janet opened it as she entered the terminal. "Kirk to Enterprise."

"Computer here, Janet."

"Where the hell is everybody?"

"The population is there- in hiding."

The human stopped just inside the building."From what?"

"The crews of three Orion ships in polar orbit."

Janet's eyes went wide in shock.

"Why the hell didn't you see them earlier?!"

"The planet's magnetic field in the polar region masked their readings," the computer answered. "It required several scans to clarify the slight aberrations I was detecting."

Janet looked around as she moved carefully into the concourse. "Are there any - never mind." She had just spotted an Orion male headed toward another exit. He was leading his prisoner by a leather-like leash attached to a metal collar around her neck. Matching manacles around her wrists were hooked together.

She was Caitian of course. Her mane was a rich brown with golden 18

highlights that reached to her shoulders. Two feline ears stuck up out of it. The tuft of fur on the end of her tail matched of course and the rest of her body - what Janet could see through the rags she wore- was like that of a Terran lion - almost the same tawny brown shade.

She wasn't moving fast enough to suit the Orion. He yanked on the lead, causing her to stumble.

Moments later, with a flying kick, Janet planted her foot square in the green-skinned male's back slamming him face first into the concourse wall and shattering it's glass - like surface. Even as the male slumped to the ground, she grabbed the Caitain's arm, said, "Come on!" and led her toward the nearest exit.

The male's bellow echoed off the walls- it was all his fellow Orions needed. They began to converge even as Janet and her companion left the building and headed for a collection of hangars and storage buildings.

"What the hell are they doing here?"

Janet asked as the two ducked around a corner. "Cait's nowhere near Orion territory."

The Caitian glanced back over her shoulder as they ran." They've been raiding our towns and villages for the past month - killing anyone who resisted." She glanced down. "They killed my family."

Janet glanced over at her. "How are you still alive?"

"When they first arrived, my father organized a resistance group to fight them," the female said. "The Orions ambushed us 2 days ago. One Orion hit me with his rifle. When I woke, I TrekUnited's Hailing Frequencies Open

was in an Orion camp in these shackles and my family was dead."

Janet stopped as they neared the end of the alley they'd been passing through and carefully looked around.

She then waved to her companion and the two ran across open ground a landing area - before ducking between two hangars. There was shouting behind them as the Orions continued their search. "Why hasn't Starfleet stopped this?!"

The Caitian shrugged. "Ever since their pet project blew up, the whole organization's been acting like it's in some kind of shocked paralysis." She shook her head. "I was supposed to leave for the Academy a week ago."

Orion shouts were getting louder.

Janet looked around and nodded.

"Come on."

"No," the Caitian said. "That way leads to a cul-de-sac." She pointed with both hands in another direction.

"That way's clear."

"How do you know?"

"During school breaks, I raced flyers on the amateur circuit," the female answered. "I've raced out of this spaceport dozens of times."

Janet nodded and waved a hand in the direction the Caitian had indicated. "After you then."

With a whip of her tail, the Caitian lead the way, but as soon as they stepped out of the alley and into the open they were spotted. "There!

There they are! This way!"

"Damn. Come on," Janet swore as she pulled the female in another direction and took her communicator Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

in hand. "Kirk to Enterprise. Lock on with the transporter. When I give the word, transport two to the James T." "Understood, Janet," the computer replied." I have a lock on you and your companion."

They ducked around another corner and Janet spotted a door."Here. In here." Once inside, they found that it was the side door of a hangar, which provided long-term shelter for various scouts and shuttles. Janet glanced around as she spoke. "What's your name anyway?"

"M'ress. Yours?"

"Janet Kirk."

An Orion voice suddenly sliced the air. "Check that hangar!"

Janet had her communicator open once more. "Now - energize."

The sparkle of the transporter effect faded just as the first Orion barged into the hangar.

Aboard the James T., Janet let out a sigh of relief once the transporter effect released them. "Good. Now we've got a breather."

M'ress glanced around at the flight deck - the console, pilot and co-pilot seats, one other seat and a door leading to the rest of the ship.

"Where are we?"

"Aboard my scoutship," Janet told her as she set to work removing the manacles and collar. It was easy to do so long as you weren't the one wearing them- otherwise, if the manacles came into close contact with the collar, they released a stun charge strong enough to knock 19

anyone unconscious for nearly an hour. The human tossed the things into one corner of the cabin as she continued. "I have a cargo ship in orbit. How long did you say the Orions have been here?"

"A month - that I know of."

Janet sat down in the pilot's seat, one hand coming to rest on the flight console as she shook her head.

"Wonderful. There has to be an answer to this. I can't spend the rest of my life watching over one shoulder for the Orion Syndicate and over the other for some shady faction from Starfleet."

M'ress' confusion was genuine to say the least. "What are you talking about?" =/\= PERSONAL RECORD; ADDITIONAL. I FILLED M'RESS IN ON THE PAST FEW DAYS- WHICH OF COURSE INCLUDED UNCLE FRANK'S CALL ABOUT THE DILITHIUM AND THE R&D BIOWEAPONS OUTPOST GEARED TOWARD ORION GENICIDE. THAT'S WHEN A POSSIBLE ANSWER CAME TO ME... =/\= Janet turned from her new friend and activated the scout's communications system."Kirk to Enterprise. Beam M'ress on board."

The Caitain's tail - which always seemed to be in motion - twitched.

"What are you going to do?"

she answered. "Guarantee your freedom, Cait's and maybe my own.

"But first, I've got to get captured."

M'ress' eyebrows nearly shot off her head as the Human left the scout.

"What?!" =/\= STARFLEET COMMAND ADMIRAL FRANKLIN FITZPATRICK'S OFFICE Seated at his desk, Janet's uncle activated his log as he continued his work."Personal Record: Stardate 4956.6. That niece of mine is something else. Only she would've thought to carry a portable scanner with her when she beamed aboard the 'medical research outpost' in Sector Nine.Once inside the jammer's perimeters , the scanner picked up research labs and a computer core that only major starbases should have. From the looks of these scans, not only is the outpost the origin point for the engineered disease, it also seems to have several decks devoted to the development and construction of the delivery system as well.

"No wonder they were through dilithium so fast.

going

"And this girl- Amanda Stevens. I remember her. Same class year as Jan. Her turn in the center seat was only a month later. How'd she end up in this mess? And how involved is she?"

Janet grabbed up her jacket and turned toward the ship's airlock as

Fitzpatrick turned off the log and turned to another section of his work station. A request for Amanda's personnel file soon had the information on his

20

TrekUnited's Hailing Frequencies Open

viewscreen."...Graduated six months ago. Assigned to Medical Research Outpost in Sector Nine by Admiral Micheal Turner.' He looked up at that in confusion. "Why would the Starfleet Advisor to the Union President be bothering himself with dilithuim deliveries and personnel transfers?"

The intercom on his work station buzzed for attention and he activated it. "Yes?" It was his yeoman. "Sir, Admiral T'Pel just called requesting your presence."

"T'Pel? Now?" "She said as soon as you were available, sir."

"Alright, Yeoman. Call her back and tell her I'm on my way."

"Yes, sir."

Upon leaving the office, Fitzpatrick had something of a hike since he had to go halfway around the station. But he soon found himself standing in front of another door with a different plaque mounted beside it: ADMIRAL T'PEL STARFLEET INTELLIGENCE CENTRAL COMMAND He entered to find himself in an outer office occupied only by a humanoid female with spots that started at the edge of her brown hair and continued down each side of her face and into the collar of her uniform. A Trill. Fitzpatrick had never met one before, but the spots were a definite giveaway. She looked up from her work as he approached Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

her desk."Can I help you, sir?"

"Admiral Fitzpatrick. Admiral T'Pel wanted to see me."

"Yes, sir, Admiral. You can go on in.

She's expecting you."

He nodded to her and entered the inner office. As he did so, the only red headed Vulcan he ever met looked up from her work. It was hard to know how old T'Pel was just by looking at her. But Fitzpatrick had known her for over ten years now and knew her to be sixty-seven standard years- which was still somewhat young by Vulcan standards. She held up her hand in a clear signal for silence, then reached over to one side of her desk where she pressed a switch. "A jammer to block out anyone who might be listening," she explained as she came round her desk. "We can talk freely now."

"Why'd you want to see me?"

"You tripped a notification flag when you accessed Amanda Stevens' file."

"She works for you?"

T'Pel nodded and went on to explain."Since you know about Amanda, I assume you also know about the Outpost in Sector Nine?"

Fitzpatrick nodded. "At first we did not know what was going on- only that men and materials were being diverted for some project that was not part of any official program.

"Then our agents began hearing rumors - personnel were being approached and interviewed for positions in some 'Top-Secret' project.

21

None of our usual agents were able to penetrate the operation- the only answer was that someone with highlevel clearance was running background checks and finding out that they were Starfleet Intelligence.

"The only remaining option was to bring in someone with no ties to us.

Amanda had just finished her third training flight. Her record showed no ties to any group or affiliation.

Everything suggested that she was the one we needed. The details of how I managed to meet with her are of no importance. She agreed to work for me - knowing that nothing could be put on the record. Two days later, she was approached."

T'Pel now stood in front of her desk.

As she spoke, she leaned back against it, her arms folded. "She's been on the outpost for the last three months acting as their head of security as well as their Starfleet liaison. It was only two weeks ago, that she found the computer records for the research they've been doing."

Fitzpatrick stepped toward her. "So why haven't you shut it down?"

T'Pel gave a very human shrug as she answered. "Because we do not know yet who is behind it. Amanda was told, that in an emergency, she was to contact 'The Director' - it was his lieutenant that recruited her. If we move now, this person will only go deeper into hiding."

She watched the human as he stepped away. "And yet, you're taking a chance on telling me?"

"We have known each other for twelve years, six months, three 22

weeks, six hours and forty-seven minutes."

He turned and met her gaze. "No seconds ?"

"I have learned to round off figures when dealing with humans, "She replied in a dry tone.

Fitzpatrick smiled and shook his head. Then the smile faded and he tilted his head slightly before he spoke again."I know who's behind it.

He had me arrange a dilithium shipment for the outpost." He quickly explained about the call and how he had turned to Janet for the delivery.

He then crossed to her work station, tied it into his and showed her the scans Janet had made.

T'Pel studied the scans and then looked to her friend. "So who do you suspect?"

"Admiral Micheal Turner."

The red headed Vulcan was silent for a moment. "Military aide and adviser to the President?"

Fitzpatrick nodded. "It fits. He'd have the clearance to run background checks on anyone, re-route supplies, man-power, finances- all right from the President's office."

T'Pel nodded, then she tilted her head slightly. "Coming on top of the loss of the Constitution, this could tear Starfleet apart if we expose this."

She shook her head. "And yet, we cannot allow him or that outpost to continue operating."

Fitzpatrick stepped toward her.

"Maybe it's time for some maneuvers of our own."

TrekUnited's Hailing Frequencies Open

As he explained, T'Pel's eyebrow began to rise. =/\= CAIT THE CAPITAL SPACEPORT Hidden between two hangars, Janet watched as an Orion male moved past. Then she stepped out behind him. "You guys are harder to find than a twentieth century cop."

The Orion spun around in shock and his eyes

The Orion carried a disruptor rifle.

He now shifted it in his hands as if he intended to use it as a club. "And why not beat this information out of you myself?"

Janet's look of disgust was not in the least faked. "Because you don't know how - and we don't have time for you to learn." She then headed for the terminal building, leaving the male with no choice but to follow. =/\=

narrowed.

This was the one everyone was looking for- They'd all been briefed on what she looked like. But why was she standing out in the open like this?

His eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"What are you doing, Human?

Surrendering?"

"Not quite. Where's your leader at?"

"Ballen is in the terminal building awaiting word of your capture."

"Take me to him."

The Orion tilted his head slightly.

This human just refused to act like the prisoner she was. "Why should I take you to her?"

Janet's eyebrows rose slightly. "Her? okay. Because I have information she just might be interested in."

Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

Janet spotted Ballen as soon as she entered the building. She was standing by the Customer Service desk in an Orion flight-suit that did absolutely nothing to hide every curve of her body. If Janet had taken time to consider it, she might've been a little envious.

With curves like that, any male in the universe would have considered her a dream come true. Raven black hair full and flowing, reached below her shoulders and moved freely as she moved, succeeding when combined with her green skin, in actually enhancing her exotic look. She turned as they approached with the grace of a dancer and took Janet in with a single glance. "You are the human that freed the slave?"

"The name's Janet Kirk. I have a proposition for you."

Ballen watched this red headed 23

Human closely. proposition?"

"What

kind

of

Knowing this would be a hard sell, Janet took a deep breath. "You free all the Caitians you've captured and never return to Cait- in return, I'll give you vital information."

The green-skinned female's eyes narrowed. "What kind of information would be worth that much?"

Janet let it fall. "Information that could save your race from extinction."

Ballen studied her for a long moment- then shook her head. "No deal till I hear more."

The Human nodded. "How about a bio-weapons outpost geared toward Orion genocide?"

Ballen's eyes grew slightly wider at that. "And you know where this outpost is?"

Janet glanced around as she answered."I do. You can have it's location after you agree to our deal."

Ballen studied her closely once more. She knew the Human had to have something else up her sleeve.

Why else would she be so forth coming with this? Yet, if she was on the level, it was something Ballen couldn't afford to pass on. "If you are

24

lying Human, there will be no place in this galaxy where you will be safe."

She reached over to the service desk where a communications device had been sitting and activated it. "Ballen to Task Force, release the Caitians- all of them. Transport them back to the surface immediately."

One voice replied. "Commander, that'll leave our holds empty."

Ballen nodded even though the distant officer couldn't see her. "I know, but we may have come across something more important." She met Janet's gaze as she continued."If we've been lied to, we can always come back later. Ballen out." She spoke to Janet as she shut the device off. "You will come with us...Kirk- until I am certain you are telling the truth."

"May I call my ship?" Janet asked.

"Order it to follow?" Ballen nodded and Janet took her communicator from her jacket pocket." Kirk to Enterprise."

"Computer here, Janet."

"I'm with an Orion female named Ballen. She's the one in charge around here. We'll be going up to her ship in few moments and heading back to the Outpost. I want you to recall the James T. and follow- but stay out of the Orions' way. Be ready

TrekUnited's Hailing Frequencies Open

to beam me back when I call."

"Understood."

"Kirk out." She looked to Ballen as she returned the communicator to her pocket. "Ready when you are." =/\= PERSONAL RECORD, STARDATE 4956.7. WE BEAMED UP TO BALLEN'S FLAGSHIP- AN ORION FRIGATEA FEW MOMENTS LATER. IT WASN'T LONG AFTER THE LAST CAITIAN HAD BEEN RETURNED TO THE SURFACE, THAT HER THREE SHIPS AND ENTERPRISE BROKE ORBIT. AS I LOOKED AROUND BALLEN'S COMMAND DECK, I COULD UNDERSTAND WHY THERE WERE SOME IN STARFLEET THAT WERE NERVOUS ABOUT THE ORIONS. THEIR TECHNOLOGY IS ALMOST A MATCH FOR ANYTHING STARFLEET HAS. ON THE OTHER HAND, WHIPPING OUT AN ENTIRE RACE IS NEVER AN OPTION. IF ONLY IT WAS POSSIBLE TO MAKE THOSE PEOPLE SEE THIS MORE CLEARLY... =/\= Aboard Enterprise M'ress had made her way to the cockpit and was now seated in the pilot's chair, taking in the spread of instruments in front of her. Control lights blinked and the computer spoke. "Interesting."

"What is?" M'ress asked.

"When Janet went aboard the bioweapons outpost, she took a portable scanner with her that allowed me to Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

scan past the outpost's jammer. The scanner is still in her pocket and still functioning."

M'ress' eyes widened as her tail whipped about behind her. "What's it getting?"

"The entire lay-out of the Orion frigate- and something else."

"What?"

"If these scans are to be believed, I am detecting surgical and biochemical alterations throughout Ballen's body."

M'ress leaned forward in her seat."

Are you saying she's not an Orion?"

"Yes." "Contact Janet." =/\= Janet looked around Ballen's command deck as her communicator bleeped. She quickly took it from her pocket. "Kirk here."

"It's M'ress. Can you talk?"

The human looked around, seeing Ballen involved in running the ship.

"Yes- but keep your voice down."

"Your scanner's been on all this time," M'ress whispered. "Ballen's not an Orion. Computer's having a hard time trying to figure exactly what she is. Get out of there as quickly as you can."

Janet glanced over at Ballen and the momentary confusion was clear on her face." Understood. But I don't think she'll pull anything- at least until we reach the outpost. Whatever game she's playing, she has to maintain her cover as long as possi-" 25

Janet stopped in mid sentence, then shook her head. "Dammit. That's what she meant.

"Computer, when we scanned the outpost earlier, did you get any scans of Amanda?"

"Affirmative."

"Pull up her readings and stand by.

Kirk out." =/\= STARFLEET COMMAND THE OFFICE OF ADMIRAL FRANKLIN FITZPATRICK He looked up from his work as the door buzzer went off. "Come." He watched as the unit slid open to allow Admiral Micheal Turner to enter.

Turner was only a few years older than Fitzpatrick, but the lines in his face and his receeding hairline made him look far older. "Well, what rates a visit from the President's Office?"

Turner got right to the point. "Why did you switch the Third fleet's maneuvers from Sector Eight to Sector Nine?"

Fitzpatrick shrugged. "Because Sector Eight has an ion storm moving through it."

Why not Sector Seven then?"

Janet's uncle leaned back in his desk chair."Too close to the Klingon boarder. They'd see it and assume we were preparing for war."

Turner stepped closer to the desk.

"But you know there's a medical research outpost in the middle of Sector Nine."

Fitzpatrick nodded. "That's what 26

you said. But I checked both civilian and Fleet starcharts and they show nothing in that sector- not even a rogue asteroid."

The President's military adviser turned away and waved that off.

"Then your charts are out-dated."

Fitzpatrick shook his head. "No. I downloaded the most current copies this morning. I don't know where your dilithium went," He lied, "But I will once my niece calls back."

Turner spun back to face him."I order you to cancel the maneuvers."

"Why?" Turner's frustration was begining to show in his tone. "I don't have to explain myself to you."

But Fitzpatrick wouldn't budge. "You will if you want the maneuvers canceled. Half the ships involved are already in transit."

The military adviser stared at Fitzpatrick for a moment as if in shock. "Damn it, Frank! You have no idea what's going on!"

"So tell me."

"I can't- it's classified."

Thanks to Fitzpatrick's doing, the office door had remained open. Now, from where she'd arrived in the outer office after receiving word from Fitzpatrick's yeoman of Turner's arrival, T'Pel quietly stepped into the room. "Then, since I am head of Starfleet Intelligence, you can tell me."

Turner backed away from both of them as Fitzpatrick came behind his desk. "Why don't we tell you ?" her TrekUnited's Hailing Frequencies Open

friend suggested. Fitzpatrick didn't wait for Turner to answer. "When the Constitution exploded, it made the Union- and Starfleet- look weak in the minds of races like the Klingons and the Orions. At least that's what you thought."

The President's adviser looked from one to the other. "It does make us look weak- like we're not capable of doing our jobs anymore. The Orions have been carrying out raids deeper and deeper into our territory for months now."

Fitzpatrick's own brows came together in growing anger. At one time, he had considered this man a friend. "So instead of bringing this information to the attention of Starfleet Command, you decided to deal with it yourself!

"You illegally appropriated funds and materials for your own little outpost- then staffed it with researchers who sole purpose was to create an illegal bio-weapon geared toward the total destruction of the Orion Race!

"My god, Mike..." Fitzpatrick turned away in clear disgust.

Turner stepped toward him- almost pleading with him to understand.

"We have to strike first- especially when we don't have ships strong enough to defend us. Removing the enemy is the only option left!"

T'Pel shook her head and her red hair bounced about her shoulders.

"Illogical. Such an action will not remove enemies- it will only create new ones."

Fitzpatrick

turned

back

toward

Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

Turner and his tone was sharp. "If you use that damn thing just once, you'll alienate half the quadrant! Bioweapons can not be controlled. eventually they affect the user as well as his victim- why the hell do you think everyone agreed to outlaw the damn things?"

T'Pel's voice remained Vulcan calm as she spoke. "Admiral Micheal Turner, you are under arrest for illegally supporting an action that was in direct opposition to the Union's best interests and for supporting the use of outlawed technology."

In a practiced blur of motion, Turner had a personal phaser in his hand. "No. I took actions that were necessary to protect the Union! I won't be sent to some damn penal colony for doing what was right!"

Fitzpatrick glanced in T'pel's direction, then shifted his positionforcing Turner to follow his movements. "Put it down, Mike. No matter how it goes, too many people know now."

Turner shook his head. "No!" A moment later, his head twitched to one side and he slumped into unconsciousness as a result of T'Pel's nerve pinch.

The two friends exchanged glances over the unconscious form as silence settled over the office. =/\= THE ORION TASK FORCE PERSONAL RECORD, STARDATE 4956.84. WE'LL REACH 27

THE OUTPOST ANYTIME NOW. AS I WATCH BALLEN INTERACT WITH HER CREW, ALL I SEE IS AN ORION FEMALE DOING HER JOB. COULD THE SCANS BE WRONG? IF THEY'RE NOT, THEN WHAT THE HELL IS SHE? THE SCANS COULD BE SHOWING ANYTHING FROM GENDER REASSIGNMENT TO A SPY. SHOULD I MAKE AN ISSUE OF IT OR LET IT GO? RIGHT NOW, I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO BASE A DECISION ON. BESIDES, SHE'S CLEARLY THE ONE IN CHARGE AROUND HERE AND IF I'M GOING TO GET AMANDA OUT OF THIS MESS ALIVE, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO WORK WITH HER... =/\= Janet glanced around the command deck once more and then stepped toward the green-skinned female. '"Ballen, there is one favor I need to ask."

The non-orion's eyes narrowed. She knew something would come up.

"And what is that?"

"There's one person aboard the outpost that I need to get out before you destroy it- a friend that told me what was going on."

Ballen shook her head. "You can leave after we have confirmed that you have told us the truth- not before."

"You'll be sending a boarding party to the outpost, won't you?" Janet asked.

The raven haired female nodded.

"Of course- with enough explosives 28

to destroy everything on board."

Janet nodded. "Let me go with them. We can find her and she can lead us right to the research that needs to be destroyed. Then we can all go our separate ways."

Ballen thought about it for a long moment, before finally nodding.

Janet wasted no time as she took her communicator in hand. "Kirk to Enterprise. Listen up..." She then went on to explain what was going to happen.

"You're crazy!" M'ress replied. "That outpost'll open fire as soon as we're in range- and the Orions'll shoot back!"

The computer chimed in then.

"Janet, ducking and running from Raiders- even fighting them off- is one thing. But I don't have the navigational programs needed to fly in and around Orion ships, fighters, the outpost and all the exchanges of fire in order to get close enough to guarantee a transporter lock."

Janet sighed and the frustration was clear in her tone. "Now you tell me."

Aboard Enterprise, M'ress' tail twitched in agitation. "I can do it."

Her communicator was closer to Janet's mouth in a second. "A cargo ship is a hell-of-alot more involved than a flyer! You'll be dealing with a lot more than two seats and an engine!"

M'ress returned her frustration in equal measure."Your computer just said it couldn't do it and you're going to be busy. Do you have someone else in mind?"

TrekUnited's Hailing Frequencies Open

Janet could only shake her head.

"You get one scratch on the hull and it's coming out of your pay. Kirk out."

M'ress reached for the communications switch- then tilted her head. "What pay?" =/\= On the lead Orion frigate, a crewman turned toward his commander. "Ballen, the outpost has just come within scanning range."

Janet turned to the female."You won't be able to scan it's interior. It has a jammer that blocks all attempts."

"She's right," the same crewman reported."We can't scan past the outer hull."

Another crewman spoke up then.

"We are being scanned."

Ballen nodded. "Sound battle Alert.

Bring weapons on-line." She turned to someone standig behind Janet."Torlen, take Kirk. You'll both in the first boarding party."

Janet turned to face the being- aand hesitated, for this was the same male she'd kicked back on Cait. He shook his head. "Don't worry human." Then he laughed. "You fight like an Orion!" =/\= Aboard the outpost, the command center was in chaos as the staff responded to their uninvited guests.

"Dr. Stone, the Orions are surrounding us!"

Dr. Samuel Stone was in his late fifties and a strong supporter of Admiral Turner's views. It had made sense then to put him in charge of the Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

outpost.

Someone with some command experience might have been a better choice. Standing at his work station, his hand came down on the intercom.

"Stone to Stevens. Amanda where are our damn shields?"

Ten decks down, in Engineering,three crewmen lay stunned on the deck- with Amanda standing over them, phaser in hand and the maintenance panel to the shield generator open. Several circuits inside were already dark. She activated a nearby intercom. "Stevens here. Don't worry about it, Doctor.

I'm working on it now. Out." She then changed the setting on her phaser, took aim on the open panel and fired- destroying connections and making sure the shields never worked. She then activated the intercom once more."Stevens to Stone. I found the problem. there's been a massive overload in the shield generator.

"There's no way of getting the shields up."

She left Engineering on the run as Stone's voice came over the PA system. "This is Dr.Stone to all personnel. We're about to be boarded

by Orion slavers. Prepare to repel invaders!"

Five decks up, Amanda left the turbo lift, headed for her security office- only to stop at the sight of several poeple beaming onto the station. Most were Orion- then Amanda sighed in relief at the sight of Janet."It's about time you got back."

"Didn't know I had a deadline," the 29

red head replied. research stored at?"

"Where's

the

Amanda pointed. "Down this corridor- same as the labs you saw."

With that, she led the way at a run. =/\= In the cockpit of a certain cargo ship, M'ress was studying the flight console- and was totally lost. This was nothing like the flyers she used to race. "Computer?'

"Yes, M'ress?"

"I need some quick orientation. I point- and you tell me what it is."

"Understood- but it better be a short lesson. The Orions are firing on the outpost and it's shields are down." =/\= Things shook and rattled along with the thunder of Orion disruptor blasts striking the outpost's hull. Everyone knew it wouldn't be long before things started blowing up on their own.

Amanda finally brought the group to a halt and pointed left and right.

"These are the labs- they have to be destroyed if nothing else is."

Torlen looked through one of the viewports and saw the same Orion female Janet had seen a few days agoonly now, she was covered in sweat and far too weak to move. "By all the gods- " He started for the lab's airlock door- and Amanda grabbed his arm."

It's too late for her. If you go in there, you'll die as well. The plague they've designed destroys the immune system. Then, while every disease 30

you can think of attacks the body, it goes straight for the brain." She looked toward the viewport as she went on. "She's lapsed into a catatonic state. If nothing else happens, she'll be dead by this time tomarrow. Even the cure won't help if it's been over eight hours."

The outpost rocked, systems shorted and a ceiling support beam inside the sealed lab fell on the treatment couch, killing the female laying upon it. It took Janet's sharp tone to get the Orions moving again."Torlen, set your explosives." he met her gaze for a moment with a blank one,then blinked,nodded and began issuing orders to his men. Janet then turned to Amanda. "Where did you say the research was stored ?"

Her friend pointed to the end of the corridor. "We can use that office to call it up."

The red head nodded. "let's do it then."

They headed in that direction, only to stop at the sight of a four man Starfleet security detail coming round the far corner. Janet barely had time to shout a warning and shove Amanda to the ground before the shooting stared."We've got to get past them!"

Amanda looked at her like she was crazy as Union phaser beams and Orion disruptor blasts flew over their heads. "How without getting our heads blown off?!"

"You have the authority here," Janet reminded her. 'Use it!"

Amanda stared at her for a moment more, before turning in the direction TrekUnited's Hailing Frequencies Open

of the Starfleet forces."Cease Fire! I'm Lt. Commander Stevens! Cease Fire!"

The male in charge of the detail waved for his men to stop firing and stepped into the open. "Commander?"

Amanda spoke as she and Janet stood up and approached. "These men are volunteers, Lieutenant."

He looked at her, then at the Orions standing behind her and Janet and then back to her."If they're volunteers, then why are they armed?"

The two females traded glances and Janet shrugged. "Good question."

As if her remark and been the signal, the two females attacked the detail with every fighting technique they could bring to bear. When it was all over, four security guards lay sprawled on the deck. Janet wiped stray hair back out of her face and turned to Torlen." Do it!" As he and his men set to work, she turned to Amanda. "Let's go."

The outpost rocked again and the explosions were louder. Amanda glanced at Janet." Those explosions were inside."

Janet nodded as they reached the door. "We're running out of time."

Once the door was open they ducked inside and Janet watched as Amanda went straight to the work station and started digging. The outpost rocked and the lights flickered. "What took you so long to figure it out?" Amanda asked as she worked. "You used to be quicker."

"Four years of turning my back on an organization that turned it's back on me," Janet replied with a clear Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

edge to her voice.

Amanda glanced over at her, then back at her work. "Guess I can't blame you for that." Two data discs emerged from the console and she grabbed them both. "One for Torlen and one for us."

The outpost rocked again more violently and this time when the lights went out they stayed outreplaced by emergency lighting. A moment later, Torlen had the door forced open."The charges are set."

Janet took one of the discs from Amanda and handed it to him as she spoke. "Get your men together. We'll beam out to Enterprise and then beam you back to the task force from there."She took her communicator in hand as they headed for the corridor.

"Kirk to Enterprise. Now." =/\= Seated in the Pilot's seat, M'ress took a deep breath. "Alright, Computer. It's time to get this race started. Stand by to transport."

"Acknowledged, M'ress."

There was an increased hum of power as the engines kicked in and then the Enterprise shot into the fray- ducking in and around frigates and fighters while diving clear of phaser beams and disruptor blasts- all under M'ress' guiding hand. =/\= Janet, Amanda and Torlen grabbed for support as the outpost rocked to the most violent explosion yet.

Amanda glanced at the ceiling then to her companions. "That was the main power lines. That means we 31

only have about five minutes till the core itself blows."

But as they neared the point where they'd left Torlen's men, they found a new security detail standing over their bodies. At the sound of their approach, one of the guards turned and shouted. "More of them! Open fire!"

"Use stun!" another guard shouted."They've got Lt. Commander Stevens!"

Dammit," Janet swore. "Back to the office- Now!" They got back to the office and Torlen got the door closed just as the first stun burst struck. Janet had her communicator in hand once more.

"Kirk to Ballen."

"Ballen here." “The charges were found- but the outpost is about to blow up on it's own.

Keep pounding at it."

"Understood, Ballen out."

"Kirk to Enterprise.

M'ress where the hell" The transporter effect faded just as the door was blown out of the bulkhead.

beings arrived on the cargo transporter platform. Janet and Amanda quickly left the platform and Janet spoke as she stepped over to the control console."Alright, Torlen, let's get you home. Make sure you give that disc to Ballen."

"I will," the Orion replied. "And Kirk? It was good fighting beside you."

Janet nodded in reply, brought the console on-line and a moment later, Torlen was gone. By then, M'ress had reached the guard rails on the level above."Everything alright?"

The red head sighed and nodded. "It is now."

Amanda nodded toward the feline female."Who's she?"

Janet waved a hand toward the Caitain. "My First Officer."

M'ress' ears twitched in surprise.

"Since when?!"

The ship's owner actually checked the time on the transporter console before she answered. "A half hour ago- if you want it. It's a faster promotion than you'd get in Starfleet."

As Enterprise pulled away from the outpost, there was a blinding, glaring explosion and then the outpost was gone. Aboard the cargo ship, three

The Caitain tilted her head slightly to one side as her tail whipped about behind her as she thought it over for a moment. Then she nodded."Alrightyou're on."

32

TrekUnited's Hailing Frequencies Open

=/\=

Amanda turned back to Janet. "So now what?"

Her friend nodded toward her new first officer."First, we go back to Cait so M'ress can get some decent clothes. Then we'll take you back to Starfleet Command. In the meantime, we'll call Uncle Frank and fill him in." =/\= The Orion task force was on it's way home. As for Torlen, as soon as he arrived back aboard Ballen's ship, he headed straight for her cabin.

Now, she answered the door buzzer and watched as he entered. "How did it go?"

Torlen stood before her desk, the data disc in his hand."Kirk, her friend and I made it out. The others are dead." He handed her the disc. "The research for the plague and it's cure."

Ballen stood up in surprise as she accepted the disc. "How did you- ?"

"Kirk." He shrugged. "I guess she wanted us to be able to recognize and counter it if it should surface again some day."

Ballen met his gaze for a moment, then turned toward the viewport positioned behind her desk. As she did so, she laid the disc down- her hand brushing a control Torlen would never see. On the far side of the cabin, the eyes of an erotic statureactually custom-built targeting sensors- began tracking Torlen. "Did anyone else know you had this?"

He shook his head as the targeting sensors locked on. "No. No one."

Ballen actually relaxed with that bit of news. "Good. the Praetor 'll be Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

pleased."

This confused Torlen even as weapons began their build up toward firing. "'Praetor'? I don't- " Two disruptor beams lanced out from the statue's eyes and struck Torlen down in mid sentence. He was dead by the time his body hit the deck.

A female hand hit an intercom switch. "Ballen to Medical."

"Bomek here."

"Send a litter team to my cabin.

Torlen has died of wounds he received aboard the outpost."

"Understood. they're on their way."

"Ballen out." After turning off the intercom, she reached over and picked up the data disc. Ballen then glanced down at the body and a slight smile came to her face as she spoke. " Don't worry, Torlen. You will be remembered for helping to preserve your race"- for the Romulan Empire." =/\= PERSONAL RECORD, STARDATE 4956.9.

UPON CONTACTING UNCLE FRANK, WE FOUND OUT THAT THINGS HAVEN'T EXACTLY BEEN QUIET AT HIS END OF THIS MESS. ADMIRAL T'PEL WAS WITH HIM WHEN WE CALLED, WHICH ALLOWED EVERYONE TO BRING EVERYONE ELSE UP TO DATE. ADMIRAL TURNER'S RECORDS HAVE BEEN SEIZED AND MORE ARRESTS ARE EXPECTED ONCE THE REST OF HIS COCONSPRATORS ARE DISCOVERED. 33

I'VE GOT A FEELING THIS MESS IS GOING TO CREATE ALOT OF VACANCIES IN STARFLEET COMMAND- AND COMING ONLY SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CONSTITUTION, IT'S NOT GOING TO MAKE FOR VERY GOOD P.R. EITHER. WE SHOULD REACH CAIT IN A FEW HOURSPROVIDED NOTHING ELSE POPS UP IN OUR WAY....

EPILOGUE: ONE WEEK LATER The Orion homeworld was a brown and green ball, ice caps at each endboth smaller than Earth's- with a scattering of lakes of various sizes instead of anything approaching the size of an ocean. In orbit around this world, was a brand new Orion frigate fresh from the dockyards- and in it's commander's cabin, sat Ballen. It wasn't her ship though. While she was in command, it actually belonged to the leader of the Orion Syndicate named Maket.

At the moment, Ballen's attention was on a section of console none of the ship's designers ever laid eyes on.

She watched as the highly secretive device ran through it's codes and passwords before completing the connection it was trying to make. As an image formed on the screen, she bowed her head. "Praetor."

The leader of the Romulan Empire returned her nod- and Ballen knew a great concession when she saw one."

Ballen. I have read your report. How soon can you have the plague ready 34

to be released into an Orion colony's atmosphere?"

"My Praetor, I propose that such measures may not be needed."

He tilted his head slightly. "Explain."

His top agent took a deep breath and did so. "Since my return to their homeworld, Maket has been very lavish in his praise for the 'Hero of the Orion Race'. Not only has he promoted me to command of his personal ship, he has requested my presence every evening for somewhat...intimate visits."

The Praetor's eyebrows rose at this.

"And you were able to respond?"

She shrugged. "The training and indoctrination were quite complete.

He suspected nothing- in fact he is quite enamored of me."

The male on the screen lifted his head slightly."Can you push him to the next level?"

Ballen nodded. "Without even trying. If I show him enough devotion and loyalty, we'll be married before the year is out. As his wife, I'll be able to stear him toward certain trade agreements with the Empire.

Then if something should happen to him, no one will begrudge the grieving widow if she should turn to our number one ally for support- say in the form of Protectorate under the Romulan Empire?"

The Praetor nodded."Very nice and neat and nothing the Union can interfere with. Proceed as you've outlined- and Ballen? I hope you'll come to like married life."

The being seated in the command TrekUnited's Hailing Frequencies Open

cabin of Maket's frigate shrugged."I believe I will be able to tolerate it until, as the Humans say, 'Death do us part'?"

The Praetor's laughter echoed off the bulkheads even as his image faded from the screen. =/\= SHIP'S RECORD, STARDATE 4966.7. WE'LL BE ARRIVING AT STARFLEET COMMAND IN ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES. WE'LL DROP AMANDA OFF, TOP OFF OUR SUPPLIES AND MAYBE STOP IN TO SEE UNCLE FRANK BEFORE HEADING OUT ONCE MORE... =/\= Seated at the work station in her cabin, Janet turned off the log as the computer spoke. "Janet, since it appears that M'ress will be staying on board, should I give her full access to the ship's systems?"

The red head nodded. "Yes. With her racing experience, she might have some ideas for the engines- which reminds me, we still need to take a look at the Number three warp manifold. Let's try to do that before we break orbit. Also, give M'ress full access to the business records. I want her to know she can check them anytime she wants."

"Yes, ma'am. we've just received a signal from your uncle. He asks that all three of you come to his office once we've achieved orbit."

"Did he say why?"

"Negative."

Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

Janet sighed. "Alright. Make sure that M'ress and Amanda know."

"M'ress is in the cockpit, Amanda is asleep and Starbase One has just come into visual range."

Leaving her cabin, Janet turned right in the short corridor and reached for the switch to the cockpit hatch. Sliding it open, she found M'ress seated in the pilot's seatwhere she's spent most of the flight from Cait. "You all right?"

The Caitian nearly jumped out of her seat. She glared at the Human as she drew near. "You scared the hell out of me."

"I'm surprised you have any left," Janet replied. "What's got such a hold on your attention that you didn't hear the hatch?"

M'ress nodded toward the forward viewport and the sight of Starbase One steadily growing larger as they drew closer. Her voice was a near whisper. "I've never seen a space station that big before."

Janet leaned forward to take a better look. "You might as well start getting used to it. From what I've heard, they're all this big." =/\= Two hours later, the intercom in Admiral Fitzpatrick's office buzzed for attention. he glanced over at T'Pel where she stood nearby as he answered it. "Yes?" "Your neice and her friends are here, sir."

"Send them in."

The three females entered and 35

Amanda's gaze went to the Vulcan.

"Admiral."

T'Pel nodded in greeting. "You accomblished your mission with great success, Lt.Commander. We here at Command, had been unable to conceive of a method of destroying the outpost without revealing some kind of Starfleet connection."

Amanda nodded toward her friend."The credit goes to Janet, ma'am. I was just hoping for a ride out of there before all hell broke lose.

I didn't know she was going to bring in the Orion Cavalry!"

T'Pel turned to the other red head in the room. "And the Orions remain unaware that the outpost had Starfleet connections?"

Janet shrugged. "They never askedand I never offered."

The Vulcan nodded- satisfaction as clear on her face as it could ever be."Then I think we can consider the matter closed except for a few minor details.

"Lt. Commander Stevens, now that you have some idea of what Starfleet Intelligence is about, would you be willing to continue as one of my agents?"

Amanda glanced at Janet and M'ress before she answered. "As long as I continue to answer directly to you, Admiral."

T'Pel nodded. "Very well. I shall see to the formal paperwork. "She turned to her fellow admiral. "Franklin?"

Janet watched her uncle as he turned to the desk and picked up an actual folder containing hard copy 36

print-outs which he then handed her.

"T'Pel managed to pull a few strings last week."

Janet glanced at the Vulcan, then at her uncle. "What kind of strings?"

He indicated the folder. "Read it and find out."

She opened the folder and began to read- then she stopped and looked up at each admiral in turn. "This is the transcript of a review board hearing."

Fitzpatrick nodded. "Why don't you skip to the summary?"

Janet turned to the last page and began to read aloud."...In conclusion, it is the decision of this Review Board, that the investigating committee erred in their judgment of stardate of 4723.5, in which they stated that their findings concerning Cadet Kirk's part in the break-in of said program control room was inconclusive.

"It is clear to this Review Board that it would have been impossible for Cadet Kirk to be both at the Academy and in Riverside,Iowa at one and the same time.

"Therefore, it is the conclusion of this Review Board, that person or persons unknown used cadet Kirk's biometric profile to gain access to said program control room for reasons unknown. Cadet Kirk should be considered the victim of this action- not the perpetrator and the verdict of "inconclusive'" should be replaced with a verdict of "Not Guilty".

Janet looked up from the transcript and met her uncle's gaze with one of TrekUnited's Hailing Frequencies Open

near disbelief. Fitzpatrick nodded in understanding. "I know. It took four years- but it's better late than never."

She slowly nodded and spoke as she looked down at the print out once more. "True." She looked to T'Pel. "I am grateful, Admiral. But it doesn't answer the questions of 'who' and 'why'- and it doesn't reinstate me, either."

T'Pel nodded as she stood like most Vulcans- with her hands behind her back. "As to the questions of 'who' and 'why'- those are answers whichafter four years- we may never have.

As for reinstatement, I believe you can be of more use to Starfleet- and the Union- as a free agent."

Janet stared at her for a moment, glanced at M'ress, then back again."You want us to be operatives?

Agents?"

The Vulcan gave a slight shrug."When I processed the request for the review, I called up your record. After reading it, I have no doubt that your sense of right and wrong will lead you into situations we at Starfleet Intelligence know nothing about."

Fitzpatrick cleared his throat as he leaned against his desk. "You've been on your own for four years now, Jan. Do you really want to put on a uniform and start jumping to someone else's orders now?"

Janet traded glances with M'ress and Amanda as she stepped away in thought."All I've ever wanted was to be in Starfleet- to serve the greater good." She turned back to face her uncle. "Now you're telling me that I Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

can serve the greater good better by not joining?"

Fitzpatrick sighed. "If this were six months ago, I'd hand you the uniform myself. But it's a different universe now."

T'Pel nodded. "Your uncle is correct.

With the destruction of the Constitution and the indefinite suspension of that program, Starfleet and the Union are in a position they have never been in before.

"Empires, factions, organizations that would never have considered moving against us- will now consider doing just that, thinking that we don't have the strength to stop them."

She stepped over toward trhe office viewport as she continued to speak.

"In one respect, Admiral Turner was correct in his assessment. we do need to make the first move.- but not by extermination or genocide." She turned to face the others. "Moving first means gathering information on our enemies. Finding out who they are and how they are organized. How advanced are their plans and do we have time to counter them?

"The process of gathering information can be just as important as knowing which end of a phaser to point at the enemy. It can also be the most dangerous. Those that gather information tend to have short lifespans.

"If you decide not to join us in this endeavor, I will not fault you."

Janet turned to M'ress. "What do you think?"

The Caitain shrugged. "In a way, it 37

sounds more important than serving on a starship. You're already captain of your own ship. If you join Starfleet, what are you then? Just another crewman, right?"

Her human friend sighed. "I can't argue with anything any of you have said. There's also the little detail that most of starfleet will never read this transcript. Even if I were reinstated, I'd still have to deal with the same hostilities I would have had to deal with four years ago." She sighed once more and nodded. "Alright. It's a deal."

Janet looked to M'ress once more.

"Let's go before we end up smuggling the Klingon Chancellor to a meeting with the F.U.P. President."

Fitzpatrick raised his hand toward her. "One more thing, Jan- a cargo run if you're interested."

She looked at him like he was crazy.

"After the last one? What is it?

Smuggling Romulan ale to Vulcan?"

Her uncle glanced at T'Pel and smiled gently. "No. A small colony on Seriann in the Durianous System. The colonists miscalculated how long it would take to make the trip and now their power supplies are running out."

Janet took a step toward him and her look was filled with frustration.

"Damnit. It's never easy with you is it?"

M'ress looked from one to the other.

"Where is the Durianous System?"

Janet met her uncle's gaze. keep this up, and I'm going to my rates to include combat Then she sighed." Where's the at?"

"You raise pay." stuff

"Cargo Hold Nine," He answered.

Amanda spoke up then. "I know where that is. I can show you."

"After you have done so,"T'Pel stated, "Report to my office for a formal debriefing."

Amanda nodded and as the three females left the office, Janet shook her head and M'ress noticed."What's wrong?"

Janet sighed. "Just thinking about how crazy the universe is. I keep hoping it'll start making sense some day - but I guess I'm just dreaming."

END Madison Bruffy has been making comics and larger graphic novels using the popular 3D modeling software Poser for over three years now. His body of work is mostly in the Star Trek genre although he has also self published a novel.

Follow Madison's graphic fiction on the USS Tamarlane forums... http://usstamerlane.com/MainForu m/viewforum.php?f=19 ...or on his deviantArt pages... mdbruffy.deviantart.com

"Half a light-year from the Romulan Neutral Zone," Janet told her.

"Ouch."

38

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History Lessons

By T.L. Shull

A Star Trek: Heritage Story

For those of you who are not familiar with it here's a little background to help you understand the character here: Cassidy is the youngest child of Wm. T. Riker and Deanna Troi. Named in honor of Deanna's father's favorite "Ancient West" hero - Hopalong Cassidy. She was born with what is considered to be (by Betazoid society anyway) a birth defect, in that she does not telepathically register to them. She cannot sense or be sensed telepathically by anyone.

She also ends up defecting to a Maquis-like militia called the Thraiin when she is 18 years old, rocking the family to its core.

These exercises take place when she is 13 years old...

This is an exercise born from a conversation about how WWII vets and Vietnam Vets view children playing realistic war games on PS3 or Wii as well as those of us who still can't get their parents to talk about the battles they fought.

Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

39

CHAPTER ONE - WOLF 359

have the time!" Riker replied then turned to Worf. "Prepare to fire."

Worf, Shelby, Crusher and Data "At least consult with Starfleet entered the bridge. Riker moved Command," Shelby said smartly before forward in anticipation but it was addressing Worf. "Get Admiral clear from the away teams' Hansen on subspace." expressions that their news was not "Belay that order Lieutenant! There's positive. "The Captain?" he asked. no time!" Riker's eyes flared and "We were unable to retrieve him, sir," Shelby pulled back, incredulous. replied Data as the others looked away in sorrow. "The Captain has The tactical station panel chirped.

"Sir, we're being hailed by the Borg," been altered by the Borg."

Worf stated.

Riker's face contorted with confusion Riker inhaled slightly and turned to and shock. "Altered?" walk to the main floor of the brightly "He is a Borg!" barked Worf from his lit bridge. "Onscreen." post at tactical.

Shelby moved in along his side. All "We'll go back. I need more people. eyes turned to the view screen to see a We'll need to re-tune the phasers sight more shocking than most could again. We'll get him out of there," comprehend. Jean-Luc Picard moved Shelby retorted as Riker tried to soak out from the darkness of the Borg it in. ranks and as he approached, it became The Engineering station chirped. obvious to anyone who had witnessed "Commander," interrupted LaForge, "… it that Picard had been assimilated. reading subspace field fluctuations Borg implants jutted from his face. from within the Borg ship. Looks like His arm was encompassed by the they're regenerating, restoring power. cybernetic devices that whirred and They could be capable of warp any clicked as he moved. A fire-red beam minute." of light emitted from the implant at his temple. He slowed to a stop and "Is the deflector ready?" Riker asked. spoke, revealing that even his voice "It's ready," replied LaForge. had been altered – taking on a singularly electronic resonance that Crusher moved in. "Will. He's alive. quivered the eardrums of those who If we could get him back to the ship I heard it. "I am Locutus of Borg," he might be able to restore…" stated. "Resistance is futile. Your life as "This is our only chance to destroy it has been is over. From this time them. If they get back into warp, our forward, you will service …us." weapon is useless," Riker said calmly The tension on the bridge was more and with authority. than just palpable; it hung in the air "We'll sabotage them again if we so thickly it felt like it could be have to!" Shelby offered. touched and tasted. Riker's stone-cold gaze never varied, it only seemed to "We can't maintain power! We don't 40

TrekUnited's Hailing Frequencies Open

tighten with focus and determination. her surrogate grandfather in his eyes; "Mister Worf," he said calmly, "...fire." nothing of the sweet, affable man in the voice and nothing of the man she "Computer, freeze program!" loved contained within the cybernetic The image of Riker and all the others prison in which he was held. on the bridge of the USS Enterprise-D, Thirteen year-old Cassidy Riker as well as the image of the assimilated stood in the middle of the bridge, just Picard froze instantly and remained in front of the holographic projection there, immobile. of her father completely and wholly She moved in silently and stopped dazed by the scene that was unfolding just in front of Riker and craned her in front of her. She ripped her eyes neck to glance up at his face utterly from the jarring image of Locutus and overwhelmed by the fierce look of forced herself to turn towards the resolve set in his ice-blue eyes‌eyes back of the bridge. There, her eyes that matched hers in their brilliant met those of her sometimes tutor and hue. She was taken with how young her full-time mentor Commander he looked. There wasn't even a hint of Tuvok, First Officer of USS Titan. grey yet at his temples or in his beard. "Why?" she asked softly and with a wave of horror as it began to drift She turned to view at Deanna Troi through her. "Why didn't they tell us?" sitting in the Counselor's chair – her black-eyed gaze transfixed upon Riker Tuvok walked around the with worry and concern. She was also holographic Worf that was leaning taken by how young Troi was. Her over the tactical panel - his finger long chocolate-brown hair was pulled hovering over the interface. Tuvok back and away from her soft featured pressed his lips together as he face. Even with her look of concern, it formulated a response that she might was obvious to anyone who may have be able to comprehend. His dark skin looked upon Troi that she felt Riker complimented the thin, red band at was making the best-possible decision his neck, bearing the three gold pips ‌ the decision to fire upon his former of his rank. His expression may have commanding officer in an effort to appeared stern to those who did not destroy the Borg ship threatening know him, but Cassidy was raised Earth and the Federation. with Tuvok and knew that his expression was actually borne of She turned quickly to look at the one concern and perhaps a bit of face that shocked her most. confusion. "I do not know Cassidy." He His eyes looked like they held the said as he walked down the ramp of deepest sadness, but she guessed she the bridge of the Enterprise-D. might have been placing an emotion "Humans have a tendency to withhold where one may not have existed, for certain facts about their past lives, his voice had been nothing but cold especially moments that might be and uncaring. somewhat traumatic, in an effort to protect their young from observing Jean-Luc Picard stood there, calling painful stimuli. I have found this to be himself Locutus. There was nothing of Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

41

especially true with matters involving seemingly sarcastic tone. She returned battles and conflicts that they were her gaze to Tuvok when the Borg directly involved in."

Cube left the Enterprise adrift and resumed its course for Earth.

"You mean they didn't want us to "Computer, freeze program." know?" Her eyes looked up to those of her father's holographic face once Once again the images of her parents more, simply awestruck by the froze in place and she leaned against intensity of his focus on Locutus. the wall of the bridge, just beginning to understand the ramifications of the Tuvok's scowl deepened. "I don't Borg's departure towards Earth and believe they intentionally withheld her father's inability to chase after the this information but I do believe that enemy vessel. She glanced back up to they, like many other emotionally the dark and serious eyes of her based species, chose not to make their Vulcan teacher. "Uncle Tuvok?" She actions in historical moments a topic sighed with confusion. "Why are you of discussion, whether it was due to showing me this program instead of humility, pain, grief or an effort to Aunt T'Pel? She's my real teacher." keep their children from the burden of that knowledge."

Tuvok nodded knowingly, "T'Pel asked me to go through this history "Pain? Grief? Burden?" Cassidy lesson with you due to my personal wondered aloud. "I don't understand." experiences with the Borg in the Delta "You will shortly," he said. Quadrant. She deduced that any "Computer. remain in objective mode question you might have would be and continue program." best answered by someone who had more than third-party instruction."

Cassidy moved out of the way of the Cassidy looked to him with some holographic Riker and took a stance confusion. "Remember when you and next to Tuvok. They moved toward your sister Elizabeth were caught in the ready room door to monitor the the holodeck playing with the Vulcanpresentation once more. He turned developed Borg training program?" down to look at her and watched her carefully as she observed the Cassidy cringed with the memory. "I situation. had never seen Dad like that before.

He didn't speak to us for three days.

The deflector shield had powered up He never really did talk to us about it." and the weapon had fired, but the Borg Cube was left undamaged. "You see Cassidy, you and your sister Cassidy gasped audibly when she were playing a game with your heard Locutus tell her father that father's most formidable enemy and everything that Picard had known the never realized it. You didn't really Borg now knew and they had been comprehend the devastation the Borg able to prepare themselves for the caused upon the Federation, Captain weapon's discharge, rendering it Picard, me or your parents. While useless. He had even called her father teaching you about the Borg is part of "Number One" in a clinical and your history requirements, T'Pel was 42

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concerned that you and your siblings would react to it differently based upon the fact that your parents and many of your elders were directly involved, especially Captain Picard."

"How did they get him back?" she asked.

"First, T'Pel and I both believe it's important for you to see what happened at Wolf 359."

"That's where the Federation fleet met the Borg, wasn't it?" she asked.

"The massacre?"

He nodded weakly. "If you decide to enter Starfleet Academy Cassidy, you will be forced to observe the battle from the bridges of three vessels that partook in it. However, I think it's better for you to see it, the same way your parents viewed it when they arrived. You have to understand, at the next point in the program, your father had received a field promotion to Captain and the Enterprise was under his command. He made Commander Shelby his First Officer.

They had made the requisite repairs and had arrived at the coordinates at Wolf 359 several hours after the battle.

It's very important for you to tell me if something you see begins to bother you. I do not want your mother to be too angry with our decision to proceed with this lesson."

believe that you and your siblings need to see it like all of your other counterparts. Just because your loved ones are involved should not preclude you from the taking the same courses as your classmates on other Federation ships. Just because you attend a school with only three students does not change your required courses. Then again, few students see their parents as part of their curricula," he stated. "Computer, advance to time index Stardate 44002.3. Begin sequence after the Guinan departs the Captain's ready room."

The bridge altered in appearance.

Ensign Crusher was still at the helm and Data was at Ops. Commander Shelby sat in the XO's chair.

"Who's Guinan?" Cassidy asked.

Tuvok lifted his eyebrows, "Your parents never spoke of Guinan?"

She shook her head. "I've heard them talk about a person with that name, but they've never talked to me about him."

"Her," he corrected and pursed his lips again. "It is possible they have a reason for not discussing her with you just yet. I will not assume one way or the other‌you should ask them directly."

"Okay," she responded and her Cassidy shot him a look of disbelief. curiosity raged when a dark-skinned "You mean she doesn't know you're woman in unusual clothing and a doing this?" funny hat left the ready room. "Is that Tuvok exhaled, "She knows that this her?" is part of your curriculum, however Tuvok nodded. "Yes. She leaves she was not made aware that it directly. Now pay attention." involved the use of this holodeck historical program. Both T'Pel and I Cassidy shrugged as she heard Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

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Crusher speak from his station at the helm. To her he seemed only a few years older than herself. "We're now approaching the Wolf system Captain," he said.

devastation as it crossed her father's face. He stood from his chair instinctively as he tried to soak in the scope of the destruction that lay before them.

"On my way." She heard her father's Cassidy reached for Tuvok's hand voice over the comm system. and grabbed it tightly. He gave her a reassuring tug. "Is it too difficult for Within moments he appeared on the you?" bridge and passed directly in front of Tuvok and her, calmly walking to his She shook her head, not because she place at the command chair. was sure it wasn't affecting her, but because she couldn't pull her eyes After seeing him all morning away from her father's face and his Cassidy had become accustomed to broken façade. his youth and the three gold pips at his collar. To see him with the four Commander Shelby rose from her pips now seemed more comforting to chair and looked to the charred her. "Slow to impulse," he ordered as vessels as they passed. "The Tolstoy… he sat, "take us to the battle the Kyushu…the Melbourne." coordinates Mister Crusher. Yellow Her father's expression softened. alert."

What was it about the Melbourne Worf addressed him, "Sensors are that broke him? picking up several vessels Captain."

The ship continued to glide past "The fleet?" he asked. dozens of ships, all dead in the vast "No active subspace fields. Negligible space outside the Wolf system. power readings," Data replied.

Cassidy looked to see the floating "Life signs?" dead ruin of a Galaxy class vessel. It was only then that she realized that "Negative sir." thousands had died "Visual contact," stated Worf.

Thousands of men, women and in "Onscreen," Riker stated and all eyes some cases like the Galaxy class ship, shot up to the view screen ahead of children had all died. them.

Her legs began to shake when she Cassidy's reaction was an amalgam realized who was on the Borg cube of mistrust, confusion, awe, fear and that destroyed all those ships. shock.

"Grampa..." she whimpered.

There before her - before all of them "Computer end program," Tuvok - were the carcasses of Federation barked and turned quickly to drop to starships strewn about the area. The Cassidy's eye level. The holodeck Enterprise flew between them and reverted to the large room filled with Cassidy watched the look of holoemitters as their glow diminished.

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"This…this is why T'Pel wanted me "Your father's team kidnapped him here." from the Borg cube before they reached Earth. It was Captain Picard Cassidy connected her eyes to the who managed to get a message to gentle dark brown eyes of Tuvok, Commander Data and gave him the trying to find a center. She felt like the idea to input a command into the whole deckplate was pulled out from Borg subroutines causing them to underneath her. "He killed them…" she enter into a regenerative state before said quietly. "Grampa killed them?" they were due. It triggered a feedback "No Cassidy. The Borg took loop causing them to self-destruct everything from Captain Picard and before they had a chance to assimilate made him into something else…what Earth. Your father is a true hero as is killed those people was a Borg named Captain Picard. In a sense Captain Locutus…not Captain Picard."

Picard helped save Earth by fighting so hard against the Borg collective.

She heard the words but she was Cassidy…it is very important you having a hard time understanding understand that Captain Picard was them. Her face filled with fear and not the one who hurt those people." sadness and shock. "But Locutus was Grampa," she said shaking her head Cassidy nodded and Tuvok stood with confusion. "Did he really do and grabbed her shoulder that? There were Galaxy class ships…" supportively, but she was not Her face paled. "There were children. convinced.

There were families…" Her nostrils History, it seemed, was a scarier flared as she fought back the anger subject than she had ever imagined. and the tears. "He killed them." =/\= "Cassidy," Tuvok said sternly. "You must listen to me. Look at me." He forced her to look him in the eye once CHAPTER TWO - One Thing Leads to more. "I have also lived through the Another time of the Borg and you must know that Captain Picard would never have Chapter Notes: Cassidy analyzes done that. He fought them with every her Wolf 359 lesson and receives a fiber in his being to keep them from surprise visit. assimilating him. But that's what Borg do…they take away the individual. He The level of her own anger surprised was made a part of the collective and her. It had been roiling since her no longer had a choice in his actions. lesson with Tuvok three days before.

His actions were only part of the Her mother and father had greater Borg mind…they all killed attempted to talk to her about it, but them Cassidy. The Borg killed them. It she wanted nothing to do with them was the Borg." right now. Her brother and sister had Cassidy swallowed hard, trying to been talking to them ad nauseam believe Tuvok. "How did he get back?" about the Wolf 359 program and they seemed to think everything was going she asked.

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Cassidy was sick of being protected.

She hated not knowing the real truth.

She hated having information withheld from her. At times she felt as though her own parents didn't trust her enough to handle it.

And that's what really made her angry.

So when her mother came into her room for the third time in an attempt to talk to her about the traumatic events that had unfolded before her on the holodeck, Cassidy had flared uncontrollably – and maybe even a little unfairly – trying to force some sense of the pain she was feeling right back at her. to be alright.

She thought her family was crazy.

How could everything just be alright?

Grampa had murdered thousands of people. How could they just flippantly accept that he wasn't at least partially himself when he had been on the Borg ship? It all just seemed too hard to believe.

She had always been the skeptic of the family…always had been the one to question what others would blindly take as the truth. Her father understood that about her … most of the time. Her mother never understood it at all. Her mother's fawning over her after the shocking revelations of the historical program only seemed to increase her bitterness over the fact that her parents never told her on their own. They had withheld the information about Grandfather's assimilation and their own involvement with the attempts to stop the Borg as a means to protect her.

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"Cassidy," her mother offered gently.

"Get out," she stated coldly. "I don't want to talk to you."

"But I want to talk," Troi replied.

"Oh sure, now you want to talk! You should have talked to me beforehand mother! I should have known before I saw the program! I should have known a long time ago!"

Deanna swallowed with sorrow as she sat on the bed. "You're right. Your father and I just weren't sure when the right time would be…"

"Oh please…"

"Really!" Deanna tried to appeal to her youngest child, reaching out for her mentally, knowing that she would still receive no feedback from her mind, it was still a habit she sought. It drove Deanna crazy not to know her child's innermost feelings like she could sense from everyone else on the ship. "It was a horrible time Cassidy!

You love your grandfather and for you TrekUnited's Hailing Frequencies Open

to have thought…"

Cassidy's hands displayed the inquisition testimony for the Pegasus Cassidy stood from her bed, her eyes hearings. "I see you're finally wide with rage. "I said get out," her beginning to realize that we're all voice cool once again, in contrast to fallible," he said softly. the hatred that flowed from her aquablue eyes. "You had your chance," she Cassidy's face contorted with pain hissed. and she whispered with horror, "You? You killed people too?"

"Cassidy…"

Riker froze, not knowing how to "GET OUT!" reply. His eyes broke their contact She stayed in her room the entire from hers and she choked from the weekend, refusing to come out except horror of his unspoken admission. She to grab food from the replicator in the threw the PADD on her bed and ran living quarters and always happy to from her room. see it empty when she ventured there.

"Cassidy!" he yelled after her.

Her parents were busy dealing with some new crisis on the bridge and "Leave me alone!" she cried, her were rarely around. Her sister was voice fading as she escaped the living busy studying and her brother had quarters to hide. She threw her been off doing deities knew what. She combadge on the corridor floor – had been left alone and she liked it knowing that since her mother that way. No one had been able to couldn't sense her presence, she could console her yet. No one had attempted hide in the lower Jefferies tubes for to break through to her until the hours before being located by anyone. fourth night after the lesson when she It was there she sat and cried had locked herself back in her room uncontrollably. when her parents retreated from the Her father was not the hero she bridge. thought he was.

It was her father who had finally No one was. blown the seal.

She withdrew from her family for He overrode the lock on her door the next few days, never speaking to and walked in. Cassidy, half in shock any of them and refusing to discuss and half in rage stood from a anything about the incident or her mountain of PADDs strewn about her feelings with anyone, not even Tuvok bed. and T'Pel. Riker stopped as he grabbed one of She continued to read everything the PADDs – realizing they were all she could. There were mounds of historical documents and service history about her parents and records of his, her mother's and grandfather that she had never known Picard's…

– Captain's logs, personal logs, He dropped his shoulders in defeat testimony and years and years of data, as he looked to see that the PADD in all so she could get the real Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

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information on her own instead of chair slowly, opposing the young girl's waiting for someone else to tell her.

PADD-covered bed. Every PADD contained logs of the Enterprise-D, or She was lying on her bed when the E or the Pegasus hearings or the courtdoorbell rang. No one ever rang the martial after the Stargazer loss. There bell to her room. Her father would were snippets of logs from missions have simply overridden the locks if he he hadn't thought of in years. His own was angry and her mother would heart began to thump hard when he have respected her wishes to be left saw that she had been reading the alone. Her sister and brother would incident involving the Borg named have knocked their secret code on the Hugh and the logs pertaining to door. She surmised it was her teacher, Captain Jellico's distaste for her T'Pel. Cassidy sat up with tension and father's insubordination, leading curiosity. "Come," she said softly.

Jellico to relieve him of his duties.

The door opened and in walked Clearly Cassidy had been studying Captain Jean-Luc Picard. "May I speak hard. Picard knew it was a lost cause with you?" he asked gently. now. She was prepared to dissect The electric shock of adrenaline shot them all. He was sure of it. He through her body so quickly it was actually admired her for it. She had actually painful. been burned and was no longer taking anyone's word for what was true His eyes were filled with deep anymore. She was going to make up sadness and something else she her own mind based on all the couldn't quite make out. Only after he evidence provided to her. Evidence took a deep breath did Cassidy realize she had to gather for herself. it was actually fear. She didn't know what to think. Her first instinct was to He wished he had been able to get run. Her second was to attack him and here sooner‌but his own ship was hurt him – to hit him so hard he two days away when he had spoken would be crushed by her rage. Her to Riker. Deanna had been devastated third was to scream horrible and by Cassidy's passionate reaction to the hateful words to him, to let him know Wolf 359 lesson. All of them were how deeply he had hurt her. feeling horribly guilty that they hadn't informed the children about it before.

Her body began to tremble He now realized how wrong it had uncontrollably as the rage melded been; so had Riker and Deanna. with her sadness and her eyes began to glisten but she choked back her Although Beth and Bill were injured, tears. It all wound itself up so tight they were more amenable to she did nothing but fall back seated on discussing their feelings with Deanna her bed and she buried her face in her and Riker. He had received subspace hands, refusing to cry. calls from both of them and they talked about his assimilation by the Picard made no attempt to move Borg; but he knew something was toward her for fear of causing her horribly wrong when he asked Riker even more grief. He only sat in the about why Cassidy hadn't approached 48

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him as well.

"Because I would," he replied.

Riker had broken his eye contact =/\= with him and sighed heavily. "She's not speaking to anyone Jean-Luc. She CHAPTER THREE - And Now the hasn't come out of her room for two Pegasus days now and won't talk to Deanna, me or even Beth or Bill."

Chapter Notes: Picard visits and Picard felt stabbed. "She blames me." finds that Cassidy has been doing her homework...

"She blames all three of us." Riker replied. "And she has a right to be “You can’t break the Enterprise away angry at all three of us I think." just to come make nice to a thirteen Picard nodded with concurrence. year old girl Jean-Luc.” "Indeed Will."

“I can if she’s my granddaughter who needs to ask her grandfather why he "We're hoping once she has a little killed eleven thousand people, Will. The time to cool down that she'll be more Enterprise’s presence at a quasar can receptive to talking about it…" wait awhile. This is much more Picard shook his head. "No Will. It'll important.” only make things worse, trust me."

“You didn’t kill eleven thousand Riker scowled, "Oh? How so?" people Jean-Luc.” Picard tried to muster a sarcastic Picard saddened visibly. “Cassidy smile. "Because Will, she's just like me. doesn’t understand that.”

If given the opportunity to bury it, I Riker shook his head with utter will and so will she – to everyone's sadness.

“No, she doesn’t.” He sighed detriment I'm afraid." heavily. “Well, I can’t say it wouldn’t Riker closed his eyes. "Maybe you're be good to see you.” right. But she's more than just stubborn Jean-Luc, she'll rip the skin “We’re on our way. Picard out.” right off of us if we attempt to go near Now here he was, sitting across from her." the real victim of their decisions to try to protect her. Her black hair glowed "I'm coming." against the perfect porcelain of her Riker rolled his eyes. "You can't be skin. Her bright blue eyes were serious." reddened with emotion yet she had "I am serious Will. We'll be there in 48 yet to release a single tear that he knew were waiting behind a wall of hours." rage she had built up.

"Captain – why don't you just I’ve done it again. He thought. I’ve contact her by subspace." ruined yet another life. She hates her "Because she'll refuse the call." own parents because of me…

"How do you know that?"

She buried her face in her hands, Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

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trying desperately to hide her weakness in front of him, angry that she had to fight her own emotion instead of standing up to him and proving to him that she was stronger.

She tried to keep herself from seeking something to throw at him and when her eyes searched her room for any such item she briefly caught his expression of sorrow, guilt and despair. It ripped her apart even more.

She stood quickly and moved into him, lifting her hand as if to strike him hard across his face. He didn’t even flinch - anticipating her assault, but it never came. His refusal to defend himself had infuriated her even more and she had dropped her hand in defeat, spinning away from him with an incensed grunt.

His expression never wavered. He still looked upon her with sorrow and guilt. It made her desire to cry spike even more. She fell back onto her bed in shock. She was still a shambles of emotions – rage, anger, guilt, sadness, fear and grief turned her inside out but most of all she sat in disbelief… disbelief he was actually sitting in front of her; disbelief that the Enterprise was now sitting adjacent to the Titan because of her; disbelief that her parents had told him. Her anger boiled up once more. “I can’t believe they had the audacity to ask you to come,” she grunted.

“They didn’t,” he replied. “I came on my own.”

Her guts tied themselves in knots and she forced herself to keep from attacking him. He saw it and didn’t move, fully expecting her to move into to strike him. Yet she found the control to refrain. Again he saw the power she was able to wield over her own rage.

“How could you?” she asked. “Why didn’t you tell me? How come you kept it secret from me all this time?”

Picard only sat quietly, knowing that any answer he many have tried to offer would have been shot down before it had a chance to be heard. He had known Cassidy long enough to know her…she was too much like him.

She was setting him up for the slaughter, positioning herself to cut him down. She had stewed over everything for days now and had developed her hypothesis and all the evidence she had required to render judgment without his testimony…yet here he was to provide it nonetheless.

He wanted her to find the avenue to release that anger and had silently wished she had struck him – it may have provided them both with that catalyst. But she, like him, took the high road and sometimes the high road meant continued pain and manipulation to get to the bottom of things. If he didn’t find a way for her to release that anger they would all lose her, forever. He respected her enough to acknowledge her right to be angry. He stayed silent.

Cassidy took three distinct deep breaths. Picard hadn’t answered her “You deserved to hear it from the and she was disappointed. She wanted horse’s mouth. You deserve the to yell at him. She wanted to tell him opportunity to direct your anger at that nothing he could say would have the person who deserves it most…me.” been okay enough to warrant She sneered. “Why?”

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forgiveness. It was only at that somehow.

I could still see moment she realized that he knew everything…” He finally broke his eye precisely that. contact with her and she could tell he was re-living a very potent memory – He wasn’t asking for forgiveness. He a painful memory. “I saw everything. I was deferring to her anger and he tried to stop them but I couldn’t…I almost seemed to take satisfaction in tried. I tried…” His face contorted with her feeling that way. He was misery. “…but I wasn’t strong enough.” accepting of her rage and he seemed willing to accept whatever penance It was nothing but the complete and she saw fit to bestow on him without utter truth and she knew it. His pain once offering an explanation. Her was still fresh. His anguish and his mouth dropped open, “You really did guilt were still cohesive parts of him kill them all?” and she realized what she was seeing was the outward expression of the Picard raised his hand and gently thin substrata of sadness he had touched his forehead, then his lips. always carried with him, but she had “It’s not that I killed them Cassidy, it’s never been able to mine its source that I didn’t stop them from being before. killed.”

Suddenly things began to gel. Her Cassidy’s intense glare bored into thoughts began to clear and her rage him. If he didn’t know any better he began to subside. Her comprehension would have sworn he was being of his predicament and the depth of scanned by the most invasive device his pain were there, all laid out before ever created. There wasn’t an organ in her and she stepped back and turned his body that didn’t feel some kind of away slightly. “I believe you,” she said heat under the incredible steel-blue of softly. “I believe you tried.” her infuriated and tortured gaze.

Picard’s eyes closed with the relief of “It’s that I couldn’t stop them. I was it, too sore to say anything – connected to the collective and I knew confessions were never easy for him what they were going to do before and confessing to a thirteen year old they even did it. I was connected and I was rather humiliating, but she was couldn’t stop them.” someone he loved, and he needed to She stood from her bed and slowly be loved by her in return. It was then moved toward him, never once he allowed a tear to drop from his eye. breaking her powerful stare at him, Cassidy saw it. She saw him break never letting him look away from her. and it shook her. “I’m still mad you She was going to test him and test his didn’t tell me before hand. I’m still ability to tell her the truth. So far she mad you didn’t tell me about a lot of had held out hope he was. He had not things. But I believe you tried to stop denied his involvement. “What did the Borg. I believe you tried to save you mean you couldn’t stop them?” those families.”

“I mean just that. The Borg had me He nodded weakly. “I did.” he said but I still held on to a part of me softly, “And you have every right to Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

51

be mad for not telling you. It was sometimes her most unsettling, wrong. Even if we meant well, it was attribute. Picard now found himself wrong.” once again disquieted by her surgical gaze. She was going to be a singularly There it was – the admission from beautiful woman and one of the the culprit himself. strongest people he had ever known.

“I don’t expect your forgiveness “I meant that we were stupid,” he said Cassidy. Just know that I am sorry.” bluntly. “We allowed ourselves to think that if we treated you like “Why? Why didn’t you trust me?” children, you would never grow up.” she asked, “Why couldn’t you trust He nodded when he saw her face that I was smart enough to handle the contort with frustration. “You’re right truth?”

Cassidy, of course. We can’t stop that Picard’s eyes flew wide with the and never had the chance. One day revelation. “Do you think that’s why you may realize how we tend to want we didn’t tell you? Because we didn’t to keep our children young, for it’s in trust that you could handle it?” their youth we find a tether back to our own.”

“Why else?” she growled. “Did you really think we wouldn’t find out? It Cassidy thought this was one of the was a history lesson! A school project! most honest statements she had ever Kids younger than me knew all about heard an adult utter. She could it, but I didn’t! I had to learn it in understand the selfish reasons and for school?!” her surrogate grandfather to admit to them again seemed truthful and real.

Picard gazed to the floor. “Of course She knew he had come on his own, I knew you would find out. I always not to seek forgiveness but to do thought and I’d always hoped I would something much more respectful … he be the one to tell you about the Borg was allowing her the opportunity to and my assimilation…” He sighed and make that decision for herself. He was looked off into the nothingness of the without a doubt, treating her as an air behind her. She watched him adult for the first time in their intently once more, “But I guess we relationship…and she liked it. It felt allowed ourselves to be deceived by right. the passage of time.”

She nodded without responding to She pursed her lips with disdain. him and broke her gaze. “Now…I need “What do you mean by that?” your help.”

Picard leaned back in his chair and Picard was shaken by her statement. allowed himself to look over the girl “You need my help?” he whispered. once more. She would have Deanna’s petite stature, unlike her other two “I read about the Pegasus,” she said. siblings who had inherited their “I know.” father’s height; but her facial features were that of Will’s. Her brilliant blue “Did father tell you?” eyes were her most striking, and Picard nodded weakly. “He did.”

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Cassidy bobbed her head. “I don’t reason I think. We’ve made some know how to feel.” awfully stupid mistakes and you became the victim of our good “I can’t tell you that,” he said. “That intentions. You were placed into a is a discussion you must have with position of mistrusting us… him, not me.” Cassidy scowled and mistrusting me. I was saddened by Picard finally let loose a knowing that. I don’t think I would ever forgive smile, “You owe him the same myself if you didn’t trust me.” She opportunity to explain himself as you lifted her head from his shoulder and have done with me.” connected her gaze once more.

She frowned and looked to the floor. “Really.” he confirmed, “But you had a “Maybe.” right in this instance to be judgmental. You had a solid right to “No. You do. He’s a good man be angry. I will work very hard to Cassidy. A noble man. He deserves the build that trust with you again but same respect.” you have to promise me one thing.”

“What he did was so wrong…”

She scowled as she looked at him “Cassidy…how I feel about your again. “What?” father’s actions when he was an “You have to promise me that you ensign are immaterial. You must speak will also treat me like an adult and to him.” come directly to me when you have a “You forgave him though…you kept question or a problem. I deserve at him as your XO?” least that much…and so do your parents.”

“I did. I did because he ultimately made the right choice when it Cassidy was still sore but she nodded mattered.” weakly in agreement. “I’m sorry for bringing the Enterprise all the way out “Yeah, I read that too.” here. I didn’t mean for you…”

“Then let him testify for himself.”

Cassidy grinned. “I have been judgmental, haven’t I?” she said with a layer of guilt.

“Come here.” he extended his arms and she moved in to him. He pulled her head to his shoulder and stroked the satin of her hair. His sense of relief that she still thought enough of him to allow her to be held was powerful.

“Cassidy, I won’t lie. Yes, you’ve been extremely judgmental but…with good Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

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“That was my choice.” he stopped her. “You’re my granddaughter Cassidy and if I’m given the opportunity to charge across the galaxy to be with you…I will.”

in the crowded lounge on Starbase 214. Her brother and sister had run off to watch a bat’leth tournament and her parents were busy meeting with the Starbase Commander. She had promised her parents she would remaiAdvertn in the lounge under the watchful eye of the Titan’s Security Chief, her Uncle Ranul Keru, but she was beginning to regret that promise.

The noise level of the room was close to approaching a din and she tried everything she could to find the quiet in her own mind…a mind still full of sorrow and pain brought on by her recent revelations.

Cassidy felt the mounds of anger start to fall away but she began to tremble slightly as the squelched emotion was now finding the cracks she had revealed. She let a single tear escape from her eyes as she rested her head on his shoulder once more. She reached for his soft cheek and stroked it and she tried her hardest to keep from letting the sadness wash over her. “I’m sorry," she whispered in pain, "I'm so sorry the Borg did that to you It had been just over two weeks Grampa,” she whimpered weakly. “No since Captain Picard had come to visit one deserved that.” her. She had tried to speak to her father on several occasions but always “No Cassidy, you’re right. No one pulled away right before making the deserved to be hurt by them. Yet they overture. Of course, he had also did hurt me and they hurt and killed attempted to speak with her. Almost many, many people." He said gently as every day he would try to approach he stroked the softness of her hair her and get her to open up to him or once more and held her head tight to to her mother…but she was still too his shoulder, "In some ways they hurt raw. you too.”

She had thrown herself into her She wrapped her arm around his studies, which were always a comfort, neck and squeezed him tightly and and the history lessons were finally broke into uncontrolled sobs in becoming less and less traumatic. his caring arms.

Cassidy had already read as much as =/\= she could possibly take in about her parents and Picard. She hoped there would be no more surprises.

CHAPTER FOUR - A Woman With a The time since her discussion with Funny Hat Picard allowed her to analyze his Chapter Notes: Still unable to assimilation by the Borg more clearly, resolve her father's actions on the without the emotional baggage she Pegasus in her mind, Cassidy seeks had initially attached to it, and she solace in a chocolate sundae. realized how victimized he had actually been. She had imagined Cassidy sat in front of an untouched herself in his shoes and although the chocolate sundae resting on the table visions were terrifying, she began to 54

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understand why people took him back into their lives. He hadn’t been the one to kill all those people at Wolf 359, the Borg collective had.

Her relationship with her mother seemed to fall right back into its former complacency and underlying tension. Her mother apologized for the lack of foresight and holding back such vital information. Cassidy could not deny her mother’s true sorrow for the error and she took it for what it was worth. But her mother still had a bad habit of reaching out for her telepathically and then being visibly disappointed when Cassidy didn’t respond. Worse yet, for some reason her mother was beginning to exhibit signs of surprise when Cassidy approached her from behind again. It was a problem Deanna had when Cassidy was little, and one that Cassidy thought she had overcome.

Now, if Cassidy accidentally surprised her, Deanna’s reaction was more than just surprise, there was a built-in layer of agitation with it and Cassidy was becoming increasingly annoyed by it.

She now sarcastically announced her presence every time she walked in and it only added to their building resentment towards one another.

Cassidy was convinced she and her mother would never get along.But Cassidy’s relationship with her father had never suffered before…until now.

She had never been put into a position where she felt like he had lied to her and although technically he hadn’t, she felt like he had. Picard had told her that he deserved the opportunity to speak for himself but what could he say that he hadn’t already testified to in the inquiry regarding the Pegasus?

After all, he swore under oath that his Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

testimony was true and indeed he admitted that he knew that the initial experiments on the interphase cloaking device were against the law, but he had done nothing to stop them.

He never told anyone. Even worse, when his shipmates finally had enough of the illegal activities, they tried to stop the captain themselves.

Her father stood up to them and protected the captain and then abandoned the ship with him and seven others, leaving more than seventy people to die as the experiment faltered. It wasn’t until the former captain returned as a Starfleet Intelligence Admiral and tried to revive the illegal experiments that her father finally stood up to the man.

But what really bothered Cassidy the most was that the Enterprise-D had to get sealed in an asteroid before her father came clean about the device.

It was a point that everyone at the hearings seemed too willing to overlook. It was so blatantly obvious and frightening to Cassidy that she couldn’t even bring herself to talk about it with Picard. He had already forgiven her father and kept him as his First Officer. For years he remained there until he finally earned his way back to being offered another command of his own…her home…the Titan.

Still, Cassidy couldn’t help but wonder if her father would have said anything if the Romulans hadn’t sealed the Enterprise inside the asteroid. If they weren’t forced to use the device to escape, would Riker have allowed Pressman to remove the device and continue the experiments in defiance of the Treaty of Algeron?

55

She wasn’t sure she wanted to really looked back at the soft-featured know the answer to that question. It woman once more with confusion. was why she had avoided him – she “What’s wrong?” the woman asked. just didn’t want to know.

“You seem familiar,” she uttered.

Chocolate wasn’t even helping.

“You look familiar.”

“Now what could be so horrible as to The woman’s smile beamed from her make a young woman like yourself dark face. “Funny you should say turn your nose up at a simply that,” she said brightly and settled delectable chocolate sundae?” herself into her chair a little more It was a voice she had never heard comfortably. “You look awfully before. It was soft, velvet, almost familiar to me. Tell me, have we met baritone, but yet distinctly female. before?”

Cassidy lifted her eyes from the Cassidy searched her mind and unfocused stare of the table-top to see finally shook her head. “No. I don’t a dark-skinned woman with a gentle think so.” smile and a funny, oblong hat standing near her. “Excuse me?” “Hmmm. Maybe not. But you do Cassidy said politely, really not remind me of someone. Someone very hearing what the woman had said to special to me.” her.

Cassidy shrugged with tension and The woman’s smile lifted a little unease. She was about to open her further. “May I join you? The rest of mouth once more but decided she had already said enough. She looked the lounge is full.” around the lounge once more and Cassidy jumped from the anxiety. finally caught eyes with Lt. “I’m sorry I really shouldn’t…”

Commander Keru. He was an “Wonderful, thank you.” The woman unjoined Trill and stood immediately sat without waiting for Cassidy to when he saw the distress in Cassidy’s decline the request. “You see,” she eyes and the fact she had been joined continued, “I’m never quite sure when at her table. He moved hastily from I’ll be able to take a break around here the bar and rushed to her side. “Cass… and right now the other four is everything…” He looked to the bartenders have the place well under woman sitting across from her and control. Just so happens, there are no smiled brightly. “Ah! I see you’ve met empty tables.” the proprietor!”

“But I don’t think that I’m allowed…”

The dark-skinned woman grinned.

“Commander Keru. You know this “To what? Talk to strangers?” She young woman?” nodded. “Good rule. So don’t talk to me. I’ll talk to you instead.”

“Do I?” He smiled broadly. “This here is my niece.”

Cassidy’s head spun, searching for the familiar face of her Uncle Ranul “Your niece?” but he was nowhere to be seen. She 56

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“Yes. Well, no, but stammered with a laugh.

yes…”

he main corridor and to the lifts where they rose to the 281st level – the grand star base’s magnificent “Well, is she or isn’t she?” interstellar arboretum. The two didn’t “She is everyone’s niece,” he speak the entire time they traveled chortled. “She is my captain’s there, leaving Cassidy to wonder who daughter. Cassidy Riker, let me this woman was and what she wanted introduce you to Guinan, head with her. barkeep of the SB 214 lounge.”

Finally, after walking over a Cassidy’s face fell with the perfectly manicured lawn, Guinan recognition of the name and her head turned to her. “Are you always so spun to look at the woman once more. mistrusting of others?”

Something didn’t seem right.

Cassidy let herself think about it for “Guinan?” she whispered. a moment then let a wave of anger Guinan nodded with a sly smile. “No flow over her. “I am now,” she said wonder you look familiar. You are the softly. spitting image of your father.” She Guinan lifted her head and walked turned to Ranul. “Thanks Commander. solemnly in front of her. “Hm. That’s a If you don’t mind, I’d like to spend a problem.” little time with Miss Riker…in the arboretum I think.”

“You know my parents?”

“I’m sure that would be just fine “Yes,” she responded and took a seat Guinan. Just contact me when you’re on what resembled an ancient parkready for me to pick her up and take bench. “I know them very well as a her home. Titan is set to be here for matter of fact.” another two days.”

Cassidy wasn’t sure she liked the Guinan extended her hand to sound of that. “I only heard them Cassidy who looked to Keru for mention your name. They never confirmation. He grinned and nodded. talked to me about you.”

“It’s okay Cassidy. Your parents would Cassidy was surprised that Guinan be thrilled. Trust me.” Cassidy was smiled with her disclosure. “That’s thoroughly confused but looked to the because I asked them not to.” dark brown eyes of the woman who was holding out her hand. She felt no Now she was more than just confused. “Sorry…” fear.

“Come on,” she said. “Come tell me “I asked them not to,” Guinan said blithely. “You see Cassidy ... we’ve met why the chocolate isn’t helping.” once before.”

“Have fun you two and I’ll tell your parents where you are.” Keru said as “We have?” he walked back to his place at the bar.

“Uh huh. When you were about Cassidy allowed the woman to take two.” her hand and lead her out into the Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

57

Cassidy smirked. “That’s why I don’t Cassidy nodded. “I saw you on a remember.” holodeck historical program.” she said.

“You were on the Enterprise-D when “No, I suppose not.” my Dad was…”

“But why would you not want my “Me? In a historical holodeck parents to talk to me about you?” program!? Really?” She grinned. “Oh, “Because I wanted you to meet me now I do feel important.” without any preconceived ideas,” she It was then that Cassidy realized said. “You have no idea who I am. what was so odd about her. “You Only that Ranul thought it was safe haven’t aged,” she said with awe. “You for you to be with me and that your look exactly the same as you did in parents wouldn’t mind.” She grinned that program…” knowingly. “Sounds like you trust Ranul an awful lot.”

“I have so aged. I’ve aged many years since I was on the Enterprise-D. “I do,” Cassidy replied, still standing As a matter of fact I’ve aged precisely some distance from the park bench. twenty five years since then. I’ve just “He’s good at keeping me safe.” managed to look my age that’s all.”

“I am sure he is.” Guinan motioned Cassidy contorted her face and then toward the space next to her. “Come. let the realization slide over her and Sit with me. I won’t bite.” she dropped her head from “Uhm…no thanks. I’ll sit here if embarrassment. “You’re not Human.” that’s okay.” Cassidy said and fell to a “I’m El Aurian.” cross-legged position on the grass in front of her.

“A what?”

“That’s fine confirmed.

with

me,”

Guinan

“El Aurian,” she said gently. “I’m not surprised you haven’t heard of my species. There’s not many of us left.”

Cassidy felt split. She couldn’t figure this woman out. She seemed nice. She “Why not?” seemed honest…but she wasn’t really Guinan dropped her head with a sure. Something wasn’t connecting twist at her lips. “The Borg.” with her like normal and it put her illCassidy felt a wave of sadness run at-ease. through her. “I’m sorry.”

Guinan watched her quietly for a few moments. “You said I looked “So am I,” she said. familiar.”

“So you live here now?”

58

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“Oh, I travel around. I like to tend politely, “I just don’t think it’s…” bar where I can and sometimes I stay “Picard said you were a lot like him. for a long time, sometimes I move on He’s right you know.” Guinan said to another spot pretty quickly.” coolly.

“Were you the bartender on the Cassidy stopped and turned back to Enterprise-D?” look at her, still off-balance by her, “I was.” still not knowing which direction she would come from next. It was a little This confused Cassidy. “Then why frightening. “What do you mean?” would you be on the bridge after they assimilated Captain Picard?”

“It means that you and I are likely to be very close.”

“Oh…so that’s the historical program you saw me in?” =/\= Cassidy nodded. “You came out of the ready room after my Dad received CHAPTER FIVE - And We Come Full a field promotion.

Circle “You didn’t get to see conversation I had with him?”

the

“No. Uncle Tuvok skipped over it.”

Chapter Notes: Cassidy listens to the Listener and uses an old trick of her father's...

Guinan laughed. “Tell me. Why do Cassidy turned to analyze her once you call all your shipmates Aunt or more. She tried to see how truthful Uncle?” she was being and the only signs she “Because they’re family.” Cassidy could discern from this mysterious replied. “Or at least that’s what Mom person was that the truth may be all this woman could ever be. “Who are and Dad said.” you?” Cassidy said quietly.

“They’re right you know.” Cassidy shrugged and then grimaced. It was Guinan’s smile softened. “The most not lost on Guinan. “What? You don’t intelligent question you could have ever asked. I am…a Listener.” believe them?”

Cassidy refused to answer. Truth or Cassidy let her answer soak in. A not, this was a friend of her parents, it Listener. On its face the answer wouldn’t be good to talk about private seemed almost trite but she knew well enough that some of the simplest family matters in front of her. answers carried the greatest depth.

“My, you have been stung haven’t “Why should I trust you?” you?”

“You can only answer that for Cassidy stood. “Look. I think you’re yourself.” nice but I should really go now.”

Cassidy grimaced. She was right.

“You really don’t trust me, do you?” “Why do you want to talk with me?”

“It’s not that.” Cassidy tried to say “Because you need to talk.”

Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

59

Cassidy turned to walk away once more. Not wanting to share her innermost feelings with a complete stranger – especially one that would only run to her parents with what she had said. “Well…thanks anyway.”

“What did he do you that was so awful Cassidy?”

taught me to tell the truth! He taught me to stand up for what I believe in!

He didn’t even do it himself! He waited until the Enterprise was all sealed up inside that asteroid! The Romulans could have tortured all those people…”

“But they didn’t. Your father told Captain Picard about the device, Once again she stopped in her knowing full well he could face courttracks. “Who?” martial for breaking the Admiral’s “Your father.” orders.”

Cassidy remained silent. Guinan’s “But would he have if the Enterprise words felt like razors being drawn hadn’t needed the device to get out?” down her abdomen.

“That’s it…” Guinan grinned. “That’s “You used to idolize him, didn’t what all of this is about. Do you really you?” think he would have kept the device hidden if we hadn’t been sealed in the “Yeah, well, things change.” She asteroid?” sighed and turned to walk from the arboretum again.

“I don’t know.” Cassidy sighed. “I’m not sure…”

“He’s not the man you think he is Cassidy. He’s better than that.”

“Why? Because you’re not sure you would have if you were in the same “Then why didn’t he say position?” something?” she blurted, somehow knowing that Guinan would know It was the ultimate stab – the killing exactly what she was talking about. thrust – the final, shattering blow.

“You think he didn’t want to?”

Cassidy froze where she stood, looking to the dark brown eyes of the “He waited too long. He could have gentle stranger. She felt naked, said something sooner.” She looked exposed…weak. towards the door of the arboretum, letting her back face Guinan.

“No,” she whispered. “I’m not sure.”

“You’re right. He could have. But he “That is the most honest thing was afraid.” you’ve said to me since we met.”

Guinan stood from the bench. “You Cassidy shook internally. “Afraid of cannot ask about what might have what? Doing what was right?” been. Only accept what was and try to “Losing everything he had worked make tomorrow right.” She reached for.” for Cassidy’s shoulder and gently placed her hand there. Cassidy was That was it. Cassidy spun back still numb. “Your father did that around, rage crossed her face. “He Cassidy.

He accepted his 60

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responsibility for what he did. He faced a very rough time during the inquiry and he was ready to accept his fate. But he ultimately made the right decision. None of us can ask more from anyone. Your father has saved more lives than you will ever know.

He saved the Federation’s face and credibility that day. Nothing could have been more heroic. Heroes aren’t born Cassidy – they’re made with split second decisions. Like the one your father made when he realized that the Federation’s honor mattered more than his career.”

talked about everything but her father.

They talked about everything but her mother or her sister or her brother.

They talked about life, the Borg, boys, marriage, death, school, friendship, loyalty, sex, sacrifice, dedication, perseverance, strength and love.

Cassidy had never felt so enriched, so confided in or so…adult.

She went home in the company of Lieutenant Keru and moved directly towards the Titan’s holodeck to watch the historical program her father had used so many years before.

Cassidy tried to swallow but She had been in there for hours, couldn’t. “Grampa Picard trusts him.” watching Captain Archer and Shran …

“With his life I might add. And I so have I…I still do.” Guinan said seriously. “You know he used an historical holoprogram during that time?” Cassidy looked up with slight surprise. “You might be interested to know…he used it to help him come to a decision about his predicament.”

She cried when Commander Tucker ignored Archer’s orders and sacrificed himself to save his Captain.

She could see why it helped her father.

She froze the program when Commander Tucker was pronounced dead and she sat on a chair in the “He did?” sick-bay of the NX-01 – staring at the “Hmm mm. Your mother suggested stricken faces of the captain and the he review the program of the NX-01’s ship’s Denobulan physician. last mission, to help him understand She let the tears stream quietly down that sometimes breaking orders are her cheeks. the right thing to do…”

“He saw the bigger picture.” Riker’s “Are you saying I should watch it?” gentle voice came from behind her.

Guinan smiled. “It couldn’t hurt. You Unsurprised by his presence, Cassidy seem to learn well from using them wiped her face. “He saw that the too.” Cassidy nodded. “Come on. Let Coalition was bigger than him,” she me take you back to the lounge where replied. we can both eat a fresh sundae…

“Yes.” okay?”

“Okay.”

Cassidy enjoyed her conversation with Guinan in the lounge. They Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

“He saved Archer so Archer could sign?”

“Yes.” 61

“Couldn’t signed?”

someone

else

have because we didn’t need the cloaking technology to survive. We didn’t want to be surreptitious in our ways. We “Maybe, but it wouldn’t have been didn’t want to be seen as secretive and the same.” untrusting because that’s not what the She sighed. “Maybe not.”

Federation stands for.

“We wouldn’t have an Archer Day “Not only am I am member of the would we?” She heard him laugh.

Federation, as a Starfleet officer I am a representative of the Federation and She tried not to smile but it was everything that it stands for…even useless. She wiped more of her tears treaties I may not always agree with. as best she could knowing he was directly behind her. “You didn’t know “That promise was bigger than me. what to do, did you?”

That Treaty was bigger than me. I knew it right after I saw Commander “It was the hardest decision I have Tucker give his life for something ever made in my life,” he said softly. “I bigger than himself. I only had a felt so guilty feeling like I let those career to lose…not my life.” people die and there were things that the Admiral and others in Starfleet Cassidy knew he was telling the Intelligence said that seemed so truth and she eased momentarily; she reasonable to me. then mus-tered the courage to ask him the big question.

“Cassidy, I won’t lie – there were many times I was angry that the “Dad?” she whispered and he turned Romulans always seemed to have the his bright and worried blue eyes to upper hand – always seemed to have hers. She knew she would be able to the tactical advantage and I never see a lie immediately and it frightened understood why the Federation her a little. “If the Enterprise hadn’t allowed it to stay that way. I had a been sealed in the asteroid…would hard time disagreeing with the others you still have made the same choice?” that thought their advantage should She looked to the sadness swept be wiped out…but when I was young, across the holographic Dr. Phlox’s I didn’t take into account the true face. meaning of the treaty.”

Riker was visibly shaken and turned She lifted her reddened face to watch with shock to his little girl. “That’s her father walk in front of Captain what had you so upset all this time?”

Archer’s grief-stricken image. “What he asked softly. was that?”

She nodded with defeat.

“The treaty was the written evidence Riker drew his hand down his beard. of a promise that the Federation had “Wow. No wonder you’ve been angry.” made long before I was even born.

The promise was made by a group of “Dad…” people who felt that the Federation “Cassidy,” he looked her straight in could enter into that agreement the eyes, never wavering in his 62

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resolve, “My mind was made up long before we ever entered that asteroid. I was keeping silent in the hopes that the device had been destroyed. If it had been, I knew the experiments would not continue and I would never have to break the Admiral’s order. The moment I saw that the device was undamaged I informed Admiral Pressman I would not allow the experiments to continue.”

for taking the time to find the truth.

Not very many people are wise enough to analyze things for themselves Cassidy.”

“You’re not mad?”

Riker pulled her back to look her in the eye. “Absolutely not. You had a right to be angry Cassidy. We kept a lot of information about us from you.

Not because we didn’t think you weren’t smart enough…but because “Were you scared?” no one wants their children to see “I was terrified.” their mistakes. We want our children to love us and we stupidly think that “I would have been too,” she said as if they see all the good stuff, they’ll she stood and dropped her eyes to the not make any mistakes on their own.” floor. “Computer, end program.” The emotional scene in the sickbay of the Cassidy grimaced and Riker smiled, NX-01 disappeared and the room “I didn’t say it was brilliant Hop, I said reverted to its empty state. it was stupid.” He brought her back into his nest. “It’s only now that I Riker stood across from her with realize how important it is for you concern and sorrow. “You believe me and Beth and Bill to learn about the don’t you?” mistakes I’ve made…maybe I can help Cassidy nodded. you avoid making the same ones in your future. You however, were smart He pressed his lips together. “I’m enough to find the real answers for glad. I don’t think I would have liked yourself. You wanted to know the my life very much if you hated me.” truth and you found it…all on your Cassidy choked. “I don’t hate you…I own. I don’t blame you for not was just afraid…afraid…” trusting us. We didn’t deserve it. I will do my best to earn it back.”

“It’s okay…” He offered his arms and she slowly walked to him, allowing Cassidy squeezed him tightly, him to take her into his strong and knowing he meant every word. caring embrace. “I was afraid you’d Terilynn is a self-confessed Trekkie, never forgive me.”

Columnist, Podcaster, Star Trek Online Dork “I just needed to understand more… that’s all.” She pressed her face directly into his abdomen.

and all around Geekette. Where she finds the time to write her fan fiction is a constant source of wonder.

http://12daysxmas.thunderdownunder.

He stroked her soft hair and relished org/day8.htm her fond hold around him, “Thanks

Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

63

If you’re reading this, then I guess you broke my encryption. If it’s the 2400s or the 2500s then I suspect I’m still alive, and I hereby curse you. If it’s later than that, well, I guess I’m dead so maybe I’ll just haunt you or something.

This is an English class assignment, and it seems to be the only one so far that isn’t totally lame. But if Miss T’Bek, my teacher, thinks she’s gonna get me to hand this in, she’s got another think coming. I’ll edit it big time, and I bet all that’ll be left will be a few indefinite articles. She won’t get my nouns or my verbs. Maybe an adjective or two, if she’s lucky.

So, I should start. It’s August 27th, 2413. Now, I know, you’re probably wondering why I’m not using a star date. Well, it’s because my Mom always used the Earth date when we 64

were all still together in Connecticut. I figure I’m just carrying on her noble tradition.

I should tell you who I am. My name is Rayna Montgomery. That’s my mother’s last name, ‘cause my Dad’s, well, it doesn’t quite work in human talk. Yes, maybe you can tell already, but I’m a mutt.

Through no fault of my own, I guess, I got the worst set of genes from both sides. I have ugly cranial ridges and they look really stupid with my yellowy-red hair. Thanks to Mom for TrekUnited's Hailing Frequencies Open

that, not! I can swipe, hard, at people, but I’ve got no confidence in it. So I don’t swipe much, don’t growl, don’t eat stuff that’s barely dead – ugh – but I get mad easily, so I get into trouble.

there were just too many rules. And, like I’ve said, I got the worst of both worlds. I’m too short and soft to be menacing, and I’m too freaky-looking to fit in, in Connecticut or anywhere else on Earth.

When I was fourteen, I had heard one too many cherry jokes – I used to get them because of my hair color, yeah, thanks Mom – and they were all about my virginity so I ended up doing this guy just because I was so tired of having honor to defend. Then my Dad found out, and he went ballistic because I didn’t wait. I mean, I totally don’t see why he got so upset.

It’s not like I was pregnant or anything.

Let’s just say – despite what my Mom used to say – I am not a pretty girl. Not for humans, and not for Klingons. I’m just a sixteen-year-old waste of time and DNA.

The guy’s family ended up moving away. I don’t miss him. He was a jerk.

I got into more trouble, some petty theft, that kind of thing, and my grades really took a nosedive last year, ‘cause I just stopped caring, know what I mean?

And that’s why they ended up sending me here. I know, I know, the real name of this place is the Archer Academy at Oberon, but everybody calls it the Freak School.

See – and if you’re some archaeologist digging this up in, like, a thousand years, you should know that there are all of these species in the Federation. Before we all had Warp Drive, we just went our merry ways, but now that there’s been peace for a while – ugh – there’s all this interspecies marriage. So kids like me are born.

I mean, it’s not like we all didn’t try.

I tried while I was in Connecticut, but Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

=/\= September 18, 2413 Sorry I haven’t written in a while. I had a lot of assignments. Miss T’Bek is really riding us. It’s all so useless. Not like I want to go to Starfleet Academy or any of that old BS. Not that I have anything else planned, but really, I am sixteen and I just think it stinks to even be thinking about deciding that kind of stuff.

But there is some news. We’re all freaks here, all hybrids of some sort.

Everybody’s been teased and stuff.

They make us go through these, like group therapy sessions. We all share about how isolated we all were at our old schools, how the hairy halfTellarite girls felt during Swim class, how the half-Bynars were all mortified if they were separated for talking. You know the drill.

But, yeah, I’ve got news. We were in Group, and a guy who’s part Tandaran, part Andorian, he was talking about how his old classmates used to throw things, trying to hit his antennae.

And I’m, you know, I’m kinda paying 65

attention, but I’m also not, because it’s not like I haven’t heard this junk before, when in walks this transfer student.

dark really smoldering eyes (You like that word smoldering? I read it in a book once, and it is totally cool) and he’s kinda tall and he’s all quiet like and I am suddenly totally Klingon it And he’s, you know, he has no idea seems, and I cannot stop staring and what he’s just walked into, and I gotta growling a little. say, girlfriend Diary, he is fine. He is easily the most gorgeous guy I have I know! Shut up! ever seen. And he seems like, well, all I ended up getting in trouble with Vulcan, so I wonder if maybe he’s lost.

Mister Tholin and I had to stay after But Mister Tholin, he looks at a print and that Targ Tellifa, she just kinda communicator message, and he’s waggled her antennae at him and he kinda standing there reading, and his just followed. antennae are going crazy, you know, Like I said before, I am not a pretty and he realizes the guy is supposed to girl. be there. So we scootch over because our chairs are in a circle, and I make But I am crafty. room, and Tellifa makes room on the =/\= other side and he sits next to me! So I get to lord it over Tellifa for the rest of Group, even though Mister Tholin is October 4, 2413 trying to keep us all on topic.

Again, I have been doing lots of So the gorgeous guy’s name is schoolwork, plus I had two detentions Stellak, and he kinda looks like most for growling during Group. If I get Vulcans, you know, dark straight hair, one more, my folks are gonna be

66

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called, so I’m trying to play it cool, and he said yeah but he seemed really but it’s really, really hard. eager. I hope he doesn’t, you know, like me like that. ‘Cause he’s just not There’s also this dance coming up. I doing it for me, know what I mean? mean, I am normally far too cool for such things, but the rumor is that I got my folks on the Viewer and my Tellifa and Stellak are going together. Mom even suggested I wear a dress! I It makes me a little sad. I might ask was like, WTF? I haven’t worn a dress Lenny. He’s mostly human but he’s since I was five and I am not about to got some Trill stuck in there so he’s start now. got spots but they aren’t, like, acne or =/\= nothing. I don’t like him like anything more than a friend – and I will be sure to tell him so, but you never know.

October 6, 2413 If I had more Klingon in me, I guess I’d be more intimidating, but most of the time I’m just a creampuff with cranial ridges. I swear I have never told anybody that before. Group is useless, but I feel I can at least mention it here.

The dance is tonight! I gotta admit, I’m kinda pumped for it. Rumor has it there’s gonna be beer and hard stuff if we can get it past Miss T’Bek. They’re all so clueless. I gotta figure, that’ll be a piece of cake. I have actually stayed out of trouble so far, and I don’t think anyone’s more surprised about that than I am. My grades are even better in Composition and History. I still stink at Math and Science.

The school took class photos today and I got to stand next to Stellak! I almost forget to mention that. I think the photo turned our pretty well. I looked like, well, like I always look, but Stellak had his hair combed nice and he looked good. Of course neither of us smiled.

October 7, 2413 I keep wondering what he is that isn’t Vulcan. Maybe he’s part human?

I know human-Vulcan crosses can just look all Vulcan. But they’re usually a lot better adjusted than anybody comes here to the Freak School. So he’s kind of a mystery guy, in addition to being, like, solar hot.

=/\=

Holy cow, Diary, you’re not gonna believe how the dance went.

It started off, you know, pretty lame.

I made sure I got there last ‘cause I hate just waiting around. And Tellifa was there – I bet she thought she was really hot stuff – she had on this kinda silvery dress. I guess that’s what part=/\= Andorians like to wear, but she’s so skinny, she just looked like a wire. I know I woulda been totally October 5, 2413 embarrassed. Lenny said he thought The dance is tomorrow. I asked she looked slutty.

Lenny to go with me as just friends And then Stellak got there, and he Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

67

did this double take when he saw her, and then he started to tell her off, saying she looked really cheap. And I figured out, he must be part-Romulan or something, if he can get all bent outta shape like that.

So she went stomping off and Lenny asked me if I would mind if he went after her and I said okay, ‘cause it’s not like Lenny and I are dating or anything.

But then I had, you know, nothing to do and nobody to really talk to, so I went over to the corner of the gym by the basketball hoop (the dance was held in the gym) and it was all these guys talking. It was at least half of the guys in my class, and they all said that Tellifa was all stuck up. And nobody knew who they should talk to because we’re all so different.

pawning off some of the guys to the girls in class who haven’t ticked me off yet, like Brandi, who’s part Xindi Sloth and T’Mia, who’s Vulcan and I think also Xindi Insectoid.

It was lots of fun! And then you are so not gonna believe this, but Stellak even came over when it was getting late. And there was, like, almost all of the other guys were gone so I asked him if he wanted to dance and he said okay!!!!

And he only stepped on my foot once but he was really apologetic and I didn’t growl at all. And when the song was done, I asked him if we could hang together some time, and he said okay.

And gets even better, ‘cause he said he was sorry, that he doesn’t usually show his emotions like when he yelled So I guess I finally got some Klingon at Tellifa. And I said it was okay, I confidence, ‘cause I said, “I may be have that same problem, too. And he different, but you guys can talk to me, was like, you get me. and not just in Group.”

And I think I do! Which is so cool.

And then it was so funny, like that He didn’t kiss me, and that was a had broke the ice or something, and little disappointing, but I’m hopeful. they all started talking at once, and I’m trying to hold back and not be so they all started complaining about aggressive ‘cause I know that scares how nobody understood them, and some guys. And, no, I will not share it about how Group is, like, totally lame. with Group if anything happens.

And I was all, “Yeah, tell me That’s just gross. something I don’t know.”

And then one of the half-Denobulan guys, I think his name is Fintal, he asked me if I wanted to dance, and I was, like, “I’m half-Klingon, I’m supposed to ask you.” And then they all laughed and I danced with him and he was pretty good although I led.

And then when we were done, they were all yelling, “Pick me! Pick me!” and I danced a lot and I ended up 68

Janet – 'Jespah' on the forums – is going through a resurgence of her fan fiction writing at the moment and pumping out novels at an amazing rate! If you can't wait for us to publish them separately, keep an eye on the TrekUnited Fan Fiction, Art & Literature forum where she posts them first.

In her 'other' life, away from Trek, she works in social media and public relations.

http://www.jespah.com

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Going Home

By Kirok of L'Stok

A Star Trek : Bylinas Story

My Russian grandmother, my babushka, used to read me the epic poems called Bylinas that told of the heroic deeds of the Bogatyr, knights in shining armour who fought for love and honour, who protected the weak and knew no fear. In my sixty years of service in Starfleet I have known many who I would call Bogatyr who have performed unimaginably heroic acts. They came in all shapes and sizes, from planets all over the federation and fought for many reasons but they all had one thing in common...

They were Starfleet.

It was a fine summers’ afternoon and Fishermans wharf was uncrowded for a change. Too early for the local office workers to be on their way home and too late for the lunchtime crowd thought the bar manager. His small restaurant/bar tucked away in the corner of San Franciscos’ famous Cannery was sparsely patronised. A group of German tourists, a business Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

lunch and, at a table against one wall, a young Starfleet Lt Junior Grade, the pips still shiny on his collar, his head stuck in the PADD that he was studying.

The bar tender looked up as two young Starfleet technicians walked in laughing. Hmm… been drinking but still ok he judged, giving them his best 69

smile of hospitality. “Good afternoon way through the tables. gentlemen, what will it be?”

“Lieutenant, mind if we join you?”

The taller and thinner of the pair Now that the Dominion War was rapped the bar with his knuckles. over, StarFleet was returning to its “Romulan Ale, mah man … an’ if y’ more democratic roots where the haven’t any of that we’ll have a division between officers and enlisted couple of the local brew!” His blonde ranks was not as deep. The fact that crew cut and drawl screamed ‘Corn they were all basically the same age belt’ gave the three young men a common denominator.

The Bar tender smiled back knowing full well that if he did give them any “Uh, um … no. I mean, sure, sit of the contraband liquour he kept for down.” The curly head of the young his trusted regulars he’d probably officer bobbed up and, taken by blow the back of their heads off. “Two surprise he stammered a little. All he of the best coming up.” Perhaps things really wanted was some quiet time to might liven up after all he thought as memorise the control schematics of he drew the two beers his new posting but there was no tactful way of saying no.

The second technician, shorter by ten centimetres and with carrot red “Phil Penovski, sir” The talkative hair, punched his pal in the arm. blond offered his hand and with the “Man, this is quiet! What are we going other waved at his friend”… and this to do until the clubs open?” torch-head over here is Kevin Mayhew” As one they turned and scanned the bar looking for ‘targets of The taller of the two who had opportunity’ … no ladies, nobody they identified himself as Penovski dropped knew, not even anyone on the two into one of the chairs and look pool tables at the back of the bar. The nonchalantly around. “Pretty slow, taller of the two - obviously the more huh? How about a game of cards?” outgoing of the pair – tipped a wink Young and naive he might be in to his friend many ways, but even he could see “Follow mah lead” he said and such an obvious set-up coming. picking up his beer he threaded his Reddening slightly he wondered why people seemed to think that his shyness was simplicity. He had been faced with situations like this all through school and Academy. Now he was going to have to back out of the situation, why couldn’t people leave him alone!

“Cards, eh? Is this a private game, boys, or can anyone join in?”

Unnoticed by the trio in the corner 70

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of the bar, a blonde giant in casual clothes had come up to the table. Over two metres tall with shoulders as wide as a pick-axe handle (not that anyone in this century would know where that phrase had come from) the strangers accent was very similar to Phils’.

This time it was the turn of the two enlisted men to look uncomfortable.

Their idea of a little fun at the expense of a young wet-nose fresh out of Academy had not included some interfering local who looked like he could snap them in two!

gentle elbow. “The John MacKinney … of the Churchill! Y’ dummy!”

Through all this the big guys’ goodnatured grin suggested that he was used to this kind of thing. Holding up his hands he halted Phils’ tirade. “Phil, that was a long time ago, you shouldn’t make such a big fuss.” He offered his hand to the now slackjawed Kevin. "Pleased to meet you Kevin, you keeping this young rapscallion in line? Phil <ahem> forgetting your manners? There’s an officer on deck.”

Phils’ face fell as quickly as it had lit up as he turned to the young officer, blurting “Uh, Mister MacKinney I’d like you to meet … uh” Too late he had realised that he had no idea of their erstwhile targets’ name. The youth The newcomer threw back his head stepped forward, punching out his and boomed out a laugh that rattled hand. the SynthWood beams. “Of course you do, Phil, I was a shipmate of your “Kelly, Mister MacKinney, fathers, remember? How’s your sister, Lieutenant Kelly. An honour to meet Nadine these days? I hear she got you sir.” married.”

MacKinneys’ grin now beamed on Phils’ frown turned to a look of awe the red-faced Lieutenant as he shook as he jumped to his feet. Grabbing the his hand with a bone crushing grip. big guy by his ham-sized hand he “Lieutenant Kelly, I’ve been twenty started pumping it, all the while five years with Starfleet and never keeping up a running gabble. “Mister been called sir by an officer yet! You MacKinney, sir!! I haven’t seen you fellas keep that up and I’m going to since Pa’s retirement! You’re looking start feeling old! Call me Mac.” great – you haven’t changed a bit! Y’ Turning to the bar he shouted. gotta let me buy y’ something …

“George! A round a’ Synth’ here!”

Barkeep!!”

Catching the two young enlisted Turning to his astonished friend, he mens’ look of disappointment, his grabbed him by the elbow and laugh boomed out again. “Get used to dragged him to his feet. “Sir, I’d like y’ it guys, Fed ships are as dry as a dead to meet my best friend, Kevin. Kev’ Davidian Dingbat!” As the barkeep this is P.O. John MacKinney.” His came up with the tray of fresh beers, friends’ blank look in answer earned MacKinney drew up a seat opposite him a dig in the side with a none-tooPhil was the first to recover. “That all depends.” He frowned as if trying to dredge up some errant thought.

“Say, don’t I know you?”

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Kelly and relaxed as he drew deeply along by the tide of bonhomie recited on his tankard of nonalcoholic ale. a comic monologue with a surprisingly authentic Irish brogue.

A cloud crossed over his face “I’ve got to be truthful with you though, Round after round of synthetic ale Phil. It’s not ‘P.O.’ any more.” Looking was bought, drunk and cleared from sobered, the younger man nodded. the table. Dinner was ordered – clam chowder and steak – to be consumed “Yes, si…uh, Mac. I heard you’d with gusto, the honour of paying the retired. How’s civilian life treating tab settled by an arm wrestling you?” knockout.

Frowning, MacKinney stared into his Catching sight of a friend entering beer for a second before looking up the now crowded bar, Kelly jumped with a mischievous smile on his face. up shouting “Gonzalez! Over here!”

“Wouldn’t know boys, I’m back in the service again!”

A slim girl with elfin features shouldered her way across from the The two young enlisted men bar carrying a pitcher of soft drink. whooped and cheered and thumped Kelly introduced her to the group as their tankards. she arrived at their table. “Gentlemen, “I was mustered back from the I’d like you to meet my friend from Reserve when the Dominion War Academy, Lt. Gonzalez …” broke and signed on regular again at Gallantly standing as he returned the the end. So I’m Chief Petty Officer handshake of the newcomer, Mac MacKinney now. I struck a sweet deal smiled. “Lieutenant Gonzalez, I’m glad with the headhunters. The brass you turned up. Lieutenant Kelly needs wanted me to sign on as a Warrant some company.” Turning to the others Officer at the Academy but I’m not on the table he went on “I’ve had a one for lectures and classwork. Nope! great time, fellas, but at my age y'need It was either space or the farm so they your beauty sleep!” holding up a plate offered me a berth as Transporter sized hand to the boos and cat calls, Chief on a new ship.” he shouted over them. “Besides I have =/\= a new ship to report to tomorrow, the Mawson.”

As the afternoon wore on the four shared a good time of comradery. The anarchy that followed was hard They laughed uproariously at Phils’ to follow. tales of his boyhood scrapes, whistled “Why that’s our ship, Mac … !” and slapped Kevs’ back when he told them about his girl back home. They “Yes!! Mac, I scored the Conn of the lifted their tankards in a toast to Mawson …!”

Macs’ shipmates on the Churchill, Even the newly arrived young MacKinney's jaw set like stone and a woman joined in as she turned to her far away look in his eyes as he friend. “Eric that’s great! I found out imagined them returning the toast today I got Planetary Sciences on her from Valhalla. Even Lt. Kelly, born 72

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as well!” =/\= Laughing, Mac left them to compare notes on their new postings, but not until he had struck a bargain with Phil and Kev to get back to barracks by curfew. In return he had promised to get them into the Boom Boom Room, that legendary, exclusive nightclub on Fillmore St, for their last night on Earth.

Strolling back along the waterfront in the cool of the early evening, Mac stopped for a moment to contemplate the full moon reflecting on San Francisco bay. It hadn’t been too hard to find the two young ratings after recognising Phils’ name on the transporter manifest. My stars, he thought, Phil was so much like his father! Even the young officers seemed like good kids. In the dusk behind him Mac imagined the ghostly presence of two memories from his past and muttered.

clenched teeth, “Ah swear it will never happen again.”

Was he talking to himself? No, this was his mantra, the centre of his life, his way of winning the forgiveness of the ghosts of his past, the men and women who had been closer to him than family - the crew of the Churchill.

After his discharge, he had tried to settle on his new farm but his heart had not been in it. He felt that he had a debt to pay and, after meeting the young crew of the Mawson, he had found a way of discharging that obligation. He owed it to the memory of his old crewmates to be the link between the old and the new.

He turned his back on the lights of Fishermans Wharf, straightened his back and marched purposefully towards the StarFleet Academy buildings of the Presidio, to his temporary accommodation as a guest small arms instructor.

“They kinda remind me of us on our way to the Churchill. Man that was a night! Perhaps if we had had someone to watch out for us we wouldn’t have needed to outrun those Sps.”

His thoughts were already looking beyond that though to his new ship, the Mawson, a ship he had never seen in person but which was already the centre of his life.

In his mind's eye he traveled back to the night they had tied a bartender's apron to the flagstaff on the top of one of the pylons of the Golden Gate Bridge. His wistful smile melted though as he realised that he was talking to men he had last seen bloody and mangled in the screaming, hissing wreckage of the Churchill. He was overcome with emotion at the waste, the tragic loss.

C.P.O. McKinney was going home.

Kirok of L'Stok is a self-created urban legend not renowned for his modesty, a writer, editor, publisher, voice actor, occasional producer of audio books and Director of Publications and Media for TrekUnited.

Father of two supremely talented offspring and the devoted slave of the Lady of L'Stok, She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed, he is the lord of L'Stok manor, high in the Southern Highlands of NSW near Sydney, Australia

“Never again.” He grunted through http://www.facebook.com/kirok.lstok Personal Logs, Vol1 No1, July 2001

73

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