Act Two, Scene Three

[Akirapryde]

Pit Stop (Part Two)
Stardate: 53834.65
Ruins of Logan City
World: Terra Nova (Eta Cassiopeia III)
Location: Eta Cassiopeia star system, Sector 004, Alpha Quadrant

Maura set in the pilot's chair of the Susquehanna going over the repair reports of the work completed. The sisters started the repairs during the late night hours after they first arrived, the repairs continued throughout the following day and in to that night. Thanks to the added help of the Novians, Seona and her sister were able to complete the vital repairs to their stolen runabout. As she scanned her notes of the past few hours, she would best described that time as organized and effective while repairs on the Susquehanna were carried out. Maura didn't like the idea of sitting still for these repairs but there was no other choice. The damages demanded that the repairs be made. The fact that Maura was able to limp the Susquehanna to Terra Nova was a testament to her skill as a Marine pilot.

Before today, the sisters had relied on a long lists of preset tricks and traps that had been created and laid out by Seona ahead of time. Now those tricks had been either used or could no longer be trusted to still be in place. Maura knew that her skills as a pilot were going to be more in demand than ever before. The entire 4th Fleet was out there searching for the sisters and they still had light years to go. The road ahead did seemed all but impossible, yet Seona had explained how important it was that they complete this journey. That the fate of the Federation and billions of innocent people depended on their success. While Seona kept most of what she knew all others, what did tell the Novians about their critical mission gave them a sense of pride that they were helping the sisters. Because of their generosity and compassion, the Novians bestowed their respect and assistance on the sisters. It was not long till the sisters were called, "suitable Oversiders."

Maura went over the repairs that had been completed. The list was long but Maura was grateful that nearly all of the repairs were completed. Despite their best efforts, some components were too badly damaged and needed to be replaced. Luckily Seona was able to convert parts from a few damaged shuttles to help create suitable replacement parts for the Susquehanna. More importantly they were able to restock the runabout's supply of mirco-torpedoes. This was thanks to Maura's knowledge of the nearby ruins of a Starfleet Marine training base. It was from that base that Maura was able to secure a Tricobalt device to forward Seona's end game plan.

Despite the completed repairs, Seona's offer to help the Novians left the Susquehanna's Deuterium reserves were nearly spent. Despite all of the work done to repair the runabout, without Deuterium the ship was nearly helpless. A situation that Seona wrote off as unimportant and one that Maura hated. The pair argued over the issue twice during repairs. Both times, Seona had this belief that their needs would be met along the way. Seona couldn't explain it, but somehow she knew that their needs would be met. She pointed out that it was by her trust in their path which brought them to Terra Nova and this turned out to be a blessing. Seona begged her sister to understand and not be worried. Maura on the other hand made her concerns well known. Not worrying about something like this was beyond the highly trained Marine.

With parts from the Marine base, they were also able to repair a broken sub-space transceiver for the Novians. Ricard decided to keep the current situation on Terra Nova silent till after the sisters had fled the world. Despite the offer of Ricard to hide the sisters, there were still fears. Any moment a Starfleet ship could enter orbit. In reaction to this fear, they did their best to shield the Susquehanna's energy signature by taking the engines and power sources off line. It was a hard choice for Maura to make because that meant that the engines would be taken to a zero state. This meant that restarting the engines would take valuable time. Time that Maura feared they didn't have. However, the benefit of this action was that the runabout could not be detected from orbit by its energy signature. From orbit, the Susquehanna would be able to blend in with the surrounding city.

Using her Marine training, Maura had a large camouflage net erected over the runabout to protect the ship from visual scans. From inside the runabout, Maura organized both repairs of the ship as well as defensive operations. She worked closely with Lethan, Ricard's oldest son, on matters of defense. Lethan turned out to be a surprise for Maura. The man was not only attractive but a quick learner in terms of space combat. Because Maura was not longer giving Starfleet any assumptions about under estimating them, Maura was desperate to keep the odds in their favor. Lethan came up with a very clever plan that could help the sisters in a pinch.

His idea was to beam their captured anti-mater in a wide dispersal pattern behind the runabout. Once the beaming was completed, the anti-mater would react with the surrounding space and cause micro explosions. Not enough to do severely damage a larger ship but enough to blind that ship and confuse weapon targeting sensors. Maura liked the way Lethan thought and worked with him to hammer out this plan. It was more than enough to catch any captain off guard. Especially one who was in close pursuit of them. This little trick could prove to be the deference between life or death for the sisters. Maura knew that the game had changed and the odds were mounting against them.

Clever tricks alone would not save them in any future encounter with Starfleet. Maura wanted to find a way to straighten the shields. Working closely with Seona and Lethan, the three of them came up with a very Novian way to increase the runabout's shields. They stripped the shield emitters off of two shuttles and added them to the Susquehanna. With all three sets of emitters working at full power, it wouldn't be long before the entire grid was blown out. However during a very short period of time the Susquehanna would be able to take two times more damage than anyone would suspect. Just long enough to make an escape from a future Starfleet trap.

For all of her abilities at the helm, Maura knew that the Susquehanna could never out run a Starfleet ship in straight line chase. Nor could it hope to win in a armed engagement. Any future encounter had to be limited in time. This was because Starfleet ships would be on stand by to quickly react to any sighting of the stolen runabout. No, Maura was not going to underestimate Starfleet's ability to organize and carry out an effective search and capture. She knew that they would focus on neutralizing the runabout and even possibly beaming them off of the craft against their will. Maura thought long and hard of any possible way they could escape an escalated encounter with Starfleet. To her disappointment there were none. For Maura, this meant only one thing. That they had no choice but to avoid the next set of encounters all together. There was simply no other choice.

Luckily for them, the Novians were kind enough to provide the sisters with the latest Federation updates regarding their stolen runabout. Sadly these reports were not the same as the ones that were issued to Starfleet vessels. But they were more than what the sisters had before landing on Terra Nova. The updates were those issued to Federation and civilian boomers in the area. According to these updates, Starfleet placed the location of the Susquehanna over a dozen light years away, and badly crippled. Noting the repairs that were completed and their actual location, the reports were far from actuate. This information helped the sisters plot their next heading along their over all goal. A goal that Seona kept to herself. For now, all Maura knew was that they had to reach the badlands. That was their current objective. Despite working closely with Ricard and Lethan, the sisters never spoke of their plans and none of the Novians asked.

Maura was able to find a hole in Starfleet's search pattern. She knew almost right away that it was a trap. However knowing it was a trap meant that she could use that to her advantage. There was still a sensor drone that had not used yet close enough to be useful. Maura thought that it could be used to trip the trap. No she was not expecting Starfleet to fall for that trick again. In fact she was counting on them not to fall for that again. If Maura's plan worked out, then she and Seona could avoid another encounter with Starfleet altogether. Maura studied the locations of some of Starfleet ships in the area. Her training and close working relationship with many of these captains gave her an advantage. As dark as the situation might seem, there were rays of light peeking through these clouds. And they were not about to allow the darkness to prevent them from seeing these rays of hope.

One such ray of hope was that Ricard had a name of a boomer captain that had often helped the Novians in the past. He was a trusted friend that traveled these parts regularly. The boomer captain was a smuggler that had worked with the Bajoran Resistance then later with the Maquis. The captain knew trade routes and also knew how to move without drawing suspicion. With the help of this name, Maura was able to create a plan to help them escape the current search area and move closer to their next objective. As Seona would put it, it was another ray of hope and that they could be grateful. Maura would be grateful once they had completed their tasks and no longer on the run from Starfleet. She didn't like this situation at all.

Even with this name, it was far from a sure thing though. It still required the sisters to convince this captain to agree to help them. Ricard could only promise that the captain would be willing to listen to the sisters' plan. He would not promise that the captain would agree to help. It wasn't much but Maura wasn't complaining. With all the help they got from the Novians and now this gift, it was all more than enough to give Maura some hope that they might actually reach the end of this road, where ever that might be. For their help, the Novians could easily find themselves in trouble with Starfleet and even possibly the Federation.

Maura found that the Federation's reports regarding their limited supply of micro-torpedoes being expended during their battle with Admiral Tate to be miss leading. However she wanted to ensure that this misinformation played in to their favor. She would focus on realigning the four phaser emitters so to spare her torpedoes. In keeping this a secret could help out in an unavoidable encounter. Then there was the lone Tricobalt device. While Seona had her plans for the device, Maura didn't want to write it off just yet. Though the Susquehanna was not equipped to fire device, Maura could still find it useful. These surprises could help turn the odds within any future encounter with Starfleet towards the favor of Maura and her sister.

By the falling nightfall, the Susquehanna was back up to nearly full power again. Far more than what anyone would suspect after the reports of the damage the runabout suffered at the hands of the Valley Forge. Maura had an idea to play in to this assumption. While she wasn't about to underestimate Starfleet, she hoped that the reports issued to the Boomers would be at least similar to those that were issued to Starfleet ships as well. According to those reports, the Susquehanna was badly damaged and lacked not only full power but shields as well. A fact that was no longer true and one that Maura hoped she could use to their advantage. Drawing on what they knew of the ships in the search group, Maura knew that they couldn't relay solely on speed. But the Susquehanna still had a much higher maneuverability over all the ships in the search grid.

Maura turned in the pilot's chair as she switched to the PADS holding the design specs of their opponents. There were four classes of ships that they had to be concerned with. As Maura studied each class, she knew that each held their own advantage and disadvantage. She knew that each of these captains would be studying the Susquehanna and her abilities. Maura had to ensure that she knew each ship that they could face as well as their crews. While Seona slept in the back of the runabout, Maura spent her night studying what Starfleet was planning to send against them. Luckily for the sisters, Admiral Tate was a proud officer and wouldn't ask for help until he was sure that he was over his head. This meant two important fact would remain true till the bitter end. That the 4th Fleet would be the only unit used to find them. And secondly, that there would not be any ships of the latest technology within the search area. Well that was excluding the USS Thunderchild. But Maura was hoping that the Thunderchild would not play a key role in any of this. She didn't like the idea of going up against the man she still loved.

Maura first looked at five Ambassador-class ships assigned to the search pattern. Namely the USS Zhukov, NCC-26136, who had been spotted by a boomer less than three hours ago near Trill. The Zhukov was captained by a seasoned officer but her crew was mostly cadets and a few training officers. Then there was the aging USS Merrimac NCC-1715, a old Enterprise-class ship pushed back in to service during the hight of the Dominion War. The Merrimac was leading a group of scout ships near Plexion Nebula. The scout ships with their large powerful sensor arrays could prove to expose any movement that the Susquehanna were to make within the nebula. These scouts could move through the nebula and give chase, but their lower warp speed didn't make them much of a threat to the Susquehanna. The largest threat of this group was the Merrimac. Even with her haul being nearly a hundred years old, the Merrimac was more than a match for the runabout. The ship's crew were all veterans and had prove themselves under fire during the Dominion War. It was this group that Maura was counting on the play their part in her plan for them to escape.

Then there is the six Excelsior-class ships of Foxtrot Squadron running search patterns that spanned nearly fifty light years. Each of them could easily over power and over take the Susquehanna in just about any encounter. They posed almost the greatest of threats to the sisters and their over all plans. Scatted along the next three sectors, getting past these six ships would be difficult. 'But not impossible,' Maura thought as she scanned over the specs of the ships. Maura scanned the reports of where these ships were as she took a sip of her tea. The music played softly in the background. Maura had always found Celtic music relaxing. She leaned her head back as she soaked in the music for a moment. She could see the sectors of space in her mind. The ships and their projected movements. Getting past them would not be easy if they were still on station. She needed the Merrimac to expect Seona and her to keep playing their sensor drone tricks.

'They will have to expect the Susquehanna to try to runaway from the search grid,' Maura thought as she closed her eyes. She knew that Foxtrot Squadron was Admiral Tate's way of trying to force them in to running and turn this in to a race of speed. One that the Susquehanna could never hope to win. She listened to the music as her mind played out the different possible outcomes where they crossed paths with one of those Excelsiors. There was no way to limit an encounter with Foxtrot Squadron. The unit had to be moved if they were to reach the Bad Lands. She picked up the last PAD and sighed heavily. The single largest threat to them was the USS Thunderchild. Despite the lack of fanfare for her launch just a few days ago, Boomers across the sectors were all talking about the Federation's first dedicated carrier. Maura knew the captain better than anyone out there. He was brilliant and for them dangerous. She would not expect him to fall for any simple trick of the mind.

Maura had always known that the Thunderchild was going to be a threat to them. And now, Admiral Tate was placing the Thunderchild in play. The positioning of the carrier meant that it could quickly respond to just about any course that the Susquehanna could make. This limited Maura's options and she knew that this was Admiral Tate's over all plan. To force the sisters in to making a desperate flight away from the Thunderchild. And thus pinning the Susquehanna in between the Excelsiors and either one of the other two groups. But knowing the plan meant that Maura could plot her next action around it. Admiral Tate would not move the Thunderchild till he had some kind of confirmation of the runabout's location. Distance was what Maura needed on the carrier.

Sightings of the Thunderchild placed her making high warp for Admiral Tate's stricken group. Knowing where the Thunderchild was, was of vital importance to Maura. While in any other encounter, it would pit the runabout against another single ship. An encounter with the Thunderchild would pit the runabout against a large mother ship and numbers of equally matched smaller craft. Alone the Thunderchild and her wings of fighters could easily entrap the Susquehanna in any foreseeable encounter. The more Maura thought of the number of possible encounters, the odds never seemed to be on the Susquehanna's side. No matter what Maura thought of, the end results would be the same. The Susquehanna would find herself entrapped in a running pursuit with anywhere between five to ten fighters while the Thunderchild organized the capture from a distance. She opened her eyes, "Caught between the anvil" she said thinking of the carrier and its fighter wings, "and a hammer" she said speaking of Foxtrot Squadron.

The only way to keep ahead of Starfleet was to not have an encounter with the Thunderchild. It was just that simple, and Maura knew it. Captain Jackson would not be the kind of man to simply fall victim to some trick. She knew him all too well. She wouldn't be surprised if at this very moment, he was studying her own military record. "Tell me Jack" she whispered, "Do you remember us now?" She said closing her eyes. "Tell me Jack, can you feel me thinking of you in this moment." she continued to whisper to herself. "Do you remember how we would play our games of hide and seek? How I used to always beat you." She smiled as she remembered those found memories. Maura opened her eyes once more and returned her mind to the specs of both types of fighters that the Thunderchild carried. She shook her head, "We have to avoid the Thunderchild. At all cost." she said as she set the PAD down and picked up another data pad. "I wonder if you will remember me now Jack" she said as a smile crossed her lips.

Maura's eyes scanned the specs of an Antares-class freighter as a smile crossed her lips. The ship had been modified to maintain a warp factor of seven for long periods of time. Much faster than the Susquehanna and this could help them make up for some lost time. But most importantly, according to Ricard, his friend had dealings and contacts within the black markets. For Seona's plan to work they need to get their hands on some gold-pressed latinum. Selling most of the anti-mater would help them raise the needed latinum for the final stages of Seona's plan. Maura couldn't deny the fact that for them to reach their goal, they had to get passed nearly a dozen Starfleet ships that were searching for them. The odds were not in their favor and this guy seemed like their only hope. It was no easy task and Maura knew it.

It in that moment that Ricard rushed on to the Susquehanna calling out for the sisters. He turned from the entrance just in time to catch a startled Maura with a mek'leth in hand. Maura had learned to use the Klingon weapon during her assignments with Imperial Klingon Defense Forces. Startled by Ricard's rushed entrance, Maura had jumped up from her chair sending PADs across the deck of the Susqeuhanna. Her stance was a clear indication that she was more than ready for combat. Ricard rose his hands in a non-threatening manner, "Burier your blade Oversider" he said with a hasten breath. Maura nodded as she lowered the blade but didn't put it away. Maura didn't like being surprised. "We have trouble" he said as he tried to catch his breath. "A group of bounty hunters are coming."

Maura's face twisted with anger, "bounty hunters? how?"

"Tet" he said softly as his voice came under control. Tet was an out spoken local who didn't agree with helping the two fugitives. While Tet was out spoken against the sisters, he had never posed a threat to them before. It was clear now, that he had become a threat. Ricard continued, "he has a friend who works for these bounty hunters. I suspect that he sent a message to them telling them that you were here. Warned them about you and that you are trapped here." Ricard still held his hands in a non-threatening manner.

Maura nodded as her mind switched to that of a Marine Officer. "Okay, how many and how much time do we have." She had to weigh her options.

Ricard lowered his hands as he spoke, "Five of them coming this way. All heavily armed. They landed just beyond the city an hour ago. They left two more are guarding their ship. They are moving through the ruins as we speak. My men will hold them off for you to escape."

Maura knew that Seona would not approve of Ricard and his people becoming involved in this. Even if they need the help of the locals. She shook her head, "no, inform your people to keep clear of all of this. You have done more than enough for us. There is no need for any more involvement from you or your people." She knew that it would take an hour to bring the Susquehanna's engines on line. So running was out of the question. She had only one choice, to fight. Still, in that choice she knew she had a wild card. "Tell me, do you know how many are they looking for?"

"One" Ricard said plainly. "They were only told of your sister. You are a shadow to them." Because Tet disliked the situation, he had never came aboard the runabout. Because she was so busy during the repairs, Maura never had a chance to leave the runabout. Because of this, he never saw Maura and thus was not able to warn the bounty hunters of her. This was her wild card, the bounty hunters would not suspect crossing paths with a Starfleet marine. The plan was already forming in her head as she smiled, 'Well Jack, it looks like we shall cross paths again. May you enjoy defeat at my hands once more' Maura thought as she nodded.

"Good. Thank you Ricard" she said coming up with a plan, "Go and help them. Tell them that you and your people were forced you to give Seona aid. Give me about thirty minutes to get ready for them. If you can avoid it, do not tell them about me." She said moving back to the control panel and started the sequence that would bring the engines up to full power. "If you have to, tell them everything. Do not place your people in any further danger." Maura explained as she noted the count down clock which told her that she had wait one hour till the engines were ready.

Ricard nodded, "Oversider" he said to Maura's back, "You Earthers might call it luck. I say the Great Rocks brought you two here. I hope you and your sister to stop this war before more suffer. You both can count on us" he said with a smile and a nod

Maura nodded as she turned to face him. She stepped forward as she switched her mek'leth to her off hand and held out her right hand for him, "I want you to know Undersider, that I was wrong when I said that we shouldn't help you and your people. You Undersiders, are good and honest people. I am honored that we dug together here." The two shook hands and exchanged a moment of respect before Ricard turned to rush from the runabout.

Maura turned to the Co-pilot chair and smiled as she saw the compression phaser rifle resting in the chair. "Well it looks like I still wont have a chance to use you yet" she said while holding her mek'leth. This coming battle would all be close quarters where her lower numbers would give her the advantage. Getting the rifle was something that Seona didn't agree with, but Maura convinced Seona of it. Maura had asked Ricard, who was more than happy to, to recover the weapon from the marine base for Maura. Maura activated the perimeter sensors of the runabout and sealed the two doors. At the same time, she killed all the lighting within the ship. This was going to be a dirty, nasty battle and those bounty hunters wouldn't know what hit them.

On that note Maura picked up the rifle and turned to walk towards the aft section of the runabout. In her mind, Maura was working on her plan to fight back the bounty hunters. However a scream from Seona brought Maura back to a heighten sense of alert. She rushed off the flight deck and towards the aft section of the runabout. Maura's heart raced as she ran the short distance to the only crew quarters on the runabout. She saw Seona on the bed thrashing about as Seona screamed out in pain. Maura ran over to the bed and slid on her knees to the edge of the bed. There was clearly concern in Maura's eyes over the condition of her sister.

Maura tried to comfort Seona and bring the trashing arms under control. However, Seona was in a state of panic as she tossed and turned nearly violently. Seona's eyes shifted across the room as she continued to fight off some unseen attacker. With each new scream, Maura face filled with dread. Maura tried to hold her sister but Seona thrashed out more, preventing Maura from holding her down. Changing her plan, Maura leaned back on her heels grabbing Seona's bag by the strap. She pulled it over to the floor where Maura was kneeling. Maura drove her hand in to the back searching it for some unseen item.

As frustration filled Maura, she took the bag and dumped it out. Her hand's shaking as she searched the contents till she found the hypospray with red liquid in the bottle. "Shhhhhh" Maura said as she pulled Seona close and held her tight. It took a few moments for Maura to get Seona under control enough to use the hypo. Seona continued to fight through this unseen nightmare as Maura fought to control Seona's arms. Seona seemed to be lost between some nightmare world and that of the real world. Maura pressed the hypospray up to Seona's neck and activated the medical device. Maura held the spray to Seona's neck long enough for the dose to be injected in to Seona's body.

Within seconds Seona calmed down as Maura continued to hold her tight. Seona seemed to slip back in to a state of sleep as Maura pulled her sister close. Maura held her sister tightly but a surprise came over her face. Maura's eyes widened as she pulled her hand back from Seona's back. Her hand was covered in blood. Maura couldn't explain the blood as she looked completely confused. Seona's back was completely covered in her own blood and fresh wounds as if she had been whipped and beaten for hours. Maura's eyes filled with anger and pain as she looked closer at the fresh wounds.

"Oh Blessed Goddess, what have they done to you?" Maura said softly as she pulled the bruised and bloody Seona close. She looked down at Seona's back to see several clear lines of blood showing through Seona's shirt. There was no way Seona would be helpful in repelling the bounty hunters. Maura reached over and grabbed a Dermal regenerator. She activated the device as it projected a bluish glow. Carefully, Maura hovered the device over the multiple cuts and bruises, "Baby, I am so sorry I can't protect you from this" Maura said as she rocked Seona. Within seconds the wounds started to heal but Maura knew that Seona would need more long term medical treatment as many of these wounds were too deep for the Dermal regenerator to heal.

Seona gave off a deep sigh as she drifted back in to the realm of sleep. Maura rested her head on Seona's head as a tear fell from Maura's closed eye and landed on Seona's cheek. "Oh baby, what did they do to you in that nightmare place." Maura said as she continued to rock her sister.

Time seemed to slip away as Maura held her sister close and comforting her. Just over that of a whisper, Maura hummed a child's melody for her sleeping sister. Maura hated what those people at Starfleet Medical had done to her sister. It wasn't till after Seona had stolen the runabout that Maura had joined her sister on this mission. Before that, Maura was serving with the Marines as they fought back forces of the Dominion. By the time Maura had joined her sister, Seona had already escaped that so called Medical Facility and was on the run from those who were trying to kill her. Seona never talked about what happened during her stay at the medical facility or why they were separated, but Maura had her own assumptions. To think that Maura was risking her life to save the Federation against the Dominion. It made Maura angry, but Seona begged Maura to help her.

Maura almost forgot about the loaming danger of the bounty hunters till the computer alerted Maura of hostiles approaching the runabout. Maura turned her head and nodded, "Sit this one out baby sister." Maura said as she carefully placed Seona back in to the bed. "I will take care of those who would do you harm" Maura said as she pulled the blanket over Seona. Once more, Maura would go in to the breach. But this time it would be in defense of her own family instead of for loyalty of the Federation. She knew in her heart that the Three Goddess would see her through this day. She picked up her mek'leth and turned to walk out of the room. It was time to stand and fight. This day, Maura was going to win.

---

Stardate: 53835.2
Within the system: UIH-0351
Asteroid Field, Search Sector Gama Three
Jolly Roger Squadron
Commander Bonham, Commanding

The VF-84 Squadron AKA the Jolly Rogers, was formed under Starfleet Command's order to create Starfleet's first dedicated carrier based fighter squadron. The order called for three wings of Starfleet's brand new Valkryie fighters, with the first wing being deployed to the USS Thunderchild for Admiral Ross' promotion ceremony. It was Commander Bonham's suggestion to name the Squadron after elite naval squadron from Earth's history. Because of this suggestion, the tail section of each fighter bares a black field with a white symbol of the skull and cross bones. A handful of elite pilots within Starfleet were hand picked to become members of Starfleet's first elite fighter squadron. Even before leaving dry dock, VF-84 were making news as they mastered their skills across the Sol system. This was as much for publicity as it was for actually training.

"So does anyone have any idea how long we are going to be chasing these ghosts out here?" the voice of Lieutenant, Junior Grade Paula Pender spoke over the comlink. The tension in her voice was clear to hear even for those in the flight operation center aboard the Thunderchild. Since the accident that nearly claimed five of their comrades, the tension of the pilots were reasonably high. Lieutenant Pender was a veteran of the last months of the Dominion War and one of the first few pilots to be selected for this elite unit. During the war, her assignment was piloting a Peregrine-class fighter. The same kind of fighters that makes up the Thunderchild's VA-164 Squadron. Her experience, skill and cool headed approach to piloting made her a easy selection for VF-84.

For nearly eight hours, the six pilots and fighters of VF-84 had been flying long patrols throughout this asteroid field. Without the key use of their Cat Eye scout shuttle, this made their search much more taxing on the pilots. Before this patrol, both Alpha and Beta wings of VA-164 Squadron AKA the Ghost Riders, each ran their own eight hour patrols. The flight crews of the Thunderchild were becoming a bit trigger happy and jumpy as they continued to chase sensor ghosts across this system. While the patrols were not overly long, it was piloting in and out of these asteroid fields that was racking havoc on their nerves. Operations in deep space were not overly difficult. However in an asteroid field where sensors were not fully operational, things became a million times more complicated. Not only did the pilot have to track their own flight path, but monitor two dozen other objects moving in completely different directions. It was taking its toll on the pilots of the Thunderchild's air group.

Cadet Treasach laughed, "When the Admiral has enough scans of each Asteroid. I think he means to find one without a name." The Benzite cadet was only a months prior to his graduation of Starfleet Academy's first class of fighter pilots. Despite his age and lack of field experience it was his skill on the 'stick' earned him a place in the prestigious VF-84 Squadron. Commander Bonham saw him during training and requested to have the Cadet do his Cadet Cruise aboard the USS Thunderchild. "Maybe the Admiral might want us to name an asteroid after him."

The laughter filled the com-channel as the other pilots took to the joke. That was, all but one. "Alright, focus on our mission everyone," snapped Commander Bonham. His voice was not characteristic and held more than a hint of frustration. "We started this mission with six fighters, I am not about to loose one because someone is too busy cracking jokes." The stern voice of Commander Bonham brought the laughter to a stop. He had decided to personally lead this flight. It was the Admiral's suggestion that he take command of the search for a nearby runabout or from flight operations. Anything but directly in command of these missions. However Commander Bonham was a hands on leader. He had led the first flight took a four hour break after speaking with Noonia and now was back leading this search group.

Without a Commander of Air Group assigned to the Thunderchild, Commander Bonham was asked to fill in during this crisis. He wasn't sure if Admiral Tate would allow him to remain in that role or not. But for the moment, Commander Bonham was responsible for these pilots. He would not send them in to harms way without his leadership paving the way. Because of his role as Commander of Air Group, Commander Bonham had taken a few liberties that were already getting under Admiral Tate's skin. Namely leading this missions personally. But Captain Campbell had gone to bat for him and Bonham recorded in his personal log his respect for the Campbell and gratitude for the honor of being named CAG of the Thunderchild, regardless of how long it lasted. Still there was a mission to be carried out. No one in VF-84 thought the Susquehanna was still in system. But if it was, Bonham would find it. If for nothing else, than for his captain.

"Sir!" Lieutenant Junior Grade Etxebarria spoke with a high pitched 'r' sound in her voice. The Caitian is the only member of Skull Squadron who had trained with the fighters during their development. "I am tracking a target that matches the energy signature of our runabout" she explained. Each of her 'r' seem to roll with her statement. "Target at 128 by 31 by 079. Speed is....74,770 km/s" Lieutenant Etxebarria was another Dominion War veteran pilot. Like Lieutenant Pender, she was also a experienced Peregrine fighter pilot with a number of kills under her belt. Originally she had planned on leaving Starfleet but it was Commander Bonham who had convinced her to renew her commission and join the Jolly Rogers.

"Commander, I have the target as well" the voice of Lieutenant Josef Ferrer cut in. Lieutenant Ferrer was the ranking officer of the Jolly Rogers. During the war, he was known for being reckless and too brash. However it was an intervention by Commander Bonham who saved his career. Now, the seasoned pilot has become a bit tempered by his experiences. "I think if we fall back, we could maintain our sensor lock while the Ready One squadron deploys to support us" Lieutenant Farrer explained. It was the standard plan that had been ordered by the CIC. Which was right from the books as to how to handle situations like this. The orders were clear, everything was to be done by the books. No unnecessary risks were to be taken. This order came right down from the Admiral himself. But Bonham knew that none of this would be by the books. After all, those books were written by Admirals who were using tactics that were nearly fifty years old.

Sure the orders were sound and ensured that each patrol had enough back up should they stumble across the stolen runabout. It was the safest of plans and ensured that no pilot would find themselves out matched with the stolen runabout. However it forced the pilots to give up valuable time in exchange for waiting for the ready one squadron to arrive on location. In the past twelve hours, they had two sensor contacts with what they believed was the stolen runabout during the second set of patrols. But by the time the ready one squadron arrived on station, the contact vanished deeper in to the asteroid field before visual contact could be made. It became clear to the pilots that this was going to be a cat and mouse game. And it was only adding to the frustration of the pilots.

There was a pause over the com-channel as the pilots knew what falling back meant. Another chance for the contact to vanish before visual contact can be made. "Negative" Commander Bonham finally said. Each of the other two times the contact showed up Commander Bonham had wished he was there to make the call, but he wasn't. However right now, he was here to make this call. "We are going to get a visual on this contact" the Commander added. After a few seconds he added, "Farrer, I want you to take the rest of the Squadron ahead on a wide L pattern. Run your sensors as wide as you can. Make sure you are easily tracked."

He paused a moment before adding, "I will take Ensign Noguerra with me" he said speaking of Ensign Étaín Noguerra. A brand new graduate of Starfleet Academy as a shuttle pilot and one of the newer members to the squadron. The reason behind her addition to the squadron was a mystery even to her. "We will dip low and circle that big asteroid at the far side. Once on the other side of that asteroid, we should have a clean line of sight on our contact. This way we can at least we can see what we are chasing out here.

Over the com-channel a voice broke in from the USS Thunderchild's Combat Information Control or CIC. "Be advised Jolly Rogers, you are to fall back. We are deploying the Ready One Squadron at this time. Do not risk an encounter without backup. Is this clear?" The voice was stern and easily understood. The order was completely by the book and Commander Bonham knew that this would allow the contact to vanish once more.

Commander Bonham shook his head. Once more he spoke up, "Negative. CAG's Discretion. We are going to make visual contact with this sensor contact. Then we will fall back and wait for the Ready One Squadron." While on the surface, it did appear that Commander Bonham was ignoring his orders. Honoring a CAG's Discretion to command his Air Group while they were aloft was a time honored tradition going back to the days when sea going carriers sent warplanes in to harms way back in the 20th Century. A tradition that had not been part of Starfleet before and one that may not be part of Starfleet now. It was something that Commander Bonham didn't really care about. The only thing Commander Bonham was concerned about was how Admiral Tate would handle having his orders ignored. 'That will have to be up to the captain to handle. For now we are going to find out if we are wasting our time or not.' Commander Bonham thought. As he didn't wait for the CIC to confirm his plan his switched his attention to the task at hand, "Farrer, you have your orders. Ensign Noguerra, you are on my six. Let's go find this runabout." He turned his fighter over on its wings and banked hard away from the rest of the group.

Lieutenant Farrer acknowledged the orders as he took command of the rest of the squadron while Ensign Noguerra broke in over the com-channel, "Aye Sir!" Her fighter broke hard over as she took up her position behind Commander Bonham's own fighter. The squadron split up in to two groups as they increased speed towards the ghostly image on their sensors. Within seconds Bonham and Noguerra's fighters both vanished from all sensors. At the same time, the rest of VF-84 lit up the area with their own sensors. It was nearly impossible for anyone to miss the fighter group as they circled wide around the asteroid.

Back aboard the USS Thunderchild Admiral Tate looked up at Captain Campbell as the five officers who are assigned to the CIC fell silent. All eyes fell upon Admiral Tate who didn't seem to like his orders being ignored. Bonham was taking a major risk by disobeying the orders, and Captain Campbell knew it. But Campbell had his CAG's back. With a nod to the Admiral, Campbell ensured that the Admiral would remain silent. Admiral Tate had faith in his officers, including Commander Bonham. Still, it was clear that this issue was not over. But for now, the plan would continue.

Carrier operations were still very new to Starfleet and Admiral Tate had a lot riding on this operation. There were still a lot of learning on all levels to be had. The Admiral took in a deep breath as his eyes shifted back to the view screens as everyone returned to their duties. He slowly let out his anger and watched helpless as the operation played out before them. "Your man better be right Captain, or I will have his career." Admiral Tate whispered at a level that only Captain Campbell could hear.

Meanwhile back in the cockpit, Commander Bonham pushed the throttle forward as he started to take the fighter to its maximum speed. He knew that he had to clear this large asteroid field before the rest of the squadron reached the outer edge of sensor shadow. If he didn't the sensor contact would flee the area and his plan would fail to gain a visual contact. It was critical for him and Ensign Noguerra to be in position to spot the contact while the rest of the squadron caused it to flee deeper in to the field. "Hang with me Noguerra" he said noting that she was falling back a bit. "You are doing fine" he encouraged. He also wanted to put this young pilot to her tests, just as he will with all the other members of this elite squadron.

The situation was understandably frightful as the two fighters were becoming dangerously close to the asteroid that they sped through their orbit. Their speed were being increased as the gravity field of the asteroid was starting to sling them around. It was just as Commander Bonham's planned. On the far side of the Asteroid and beyond the shadow of it, the rest of the Squadron were making a wide sweep. Beyond the Asteroid, the sensor contact started to react to the rest of the squadron moving to remain out of visual contact. In doing so, moving in to position for Commander Bonham and his wingman to catch sight of it. Time was ticking down as the three sensor groups switched to a much more dangerous game of cat and mouse.

"Sir, aren't we pushing it a bit too fast" the nervous voice of Ensign Noguerra spoke up. Her Irish accent was thick as well as her fears. While the Flight Operations couldn't track the pair of fighters, they could hear everything that was said between them. They also knew how the fighters were reacting to the speed and untested maneuver.

Commander Bonham checked his own sensors. She was right, they were pushing the very limits of the fighters, but he knew the fighters could take it. "Its okay Ensign. We are going to conduct a simple roll. Lets put the asteroid under us" he ordered. He knew that piloting was one part skill, one part luck and one part perception. In their current angle, their large cockpit window was filled with a giant rock. While they didn't need to the window, it could be unnerving for the rookie pilot. By inverting their fighters, the asteroid would be out of sight and thus a bit more out of mind. He carefully executed the roll and watched as his wingman followed suit. "There you go" he said softly, "feeling better, Ensign?"

Her voice seem to be a bit more steady now, "Aye Sir." It was still clear that her nerves were still pushed to their limits. Still he knew that she was a good officer and would follow her commander.

Commander Bonham checked the data being streamed in from the rest of the squadron. Their current position kept them out of sensor contact with the target or the rest of the squadron. This also meant that the contact didn't have sensor contact with the two fighters either. "Two minutes, thirty five seconds, Ensign." Commander Bonham said. He saw the medical data on his wingman and knew that her heart rate was still dangerously high. "Tell me Ensign. Back at the Academy, did you take Commander Lindquist's Combat Maneuvering Course" Commander Bonham asked. He knew the answer to his question but wanted to get her mind off of the risks of their dangerous operation.

Her voice was still filled with fear, "Aye Sir."

"Commander Lindquist and I are good friends" he said speaking of his former shipmate. While their parting wasn't in the best of conditions due to the Thunderchild's final battle. The two men had actually mended their friendship shortly before the Thunderchild had left Utopia Yards. Commander Lindquist had been the unofficial CAG aboard the Thunderchild during the Dominion War. He had personally trained Commander Bonham on space fighter combat. In all practical terms, Commander Lindquist was writing Starfleet's books on Carrier operations and Deep Space Fighter Operations. The two had created a wide range of tactics during the Dominion War that were now being taught at the Academy. It was by Commander Lindquist's recommendation that Ensign Noguerra was assigned to Starfleet's very first active carrier combat fighter group.

"Sir" she said questioning the direction of the conversation. Her voice was starting to ease a bit but that fear was still there.

"That's right Ensign" Commander said softly as he checked his sensors. They were less then twenty meters off the asteroid's surface at speeds that would seem insane. He made a short adjustment to follow a long canyon on the surface and make sure that she was following close to his tail. "He came to me with your training records. Would you like to know what he had to say about you?" Commander Bonham watched her medical scans which indicated that she was still suffering from increased heart rate, higher blood pressure and increased breathing. The pair of fighters zip in and out of the canyon. At times with only a few meters to spare on either wingtip. He noted how her skill was right where he had expected it to be. She hung to his six with the skill of a veteran pilot, just as he knew she could. The thought of how Captain Campbell would react in such maneuvers almost brought a smile to Commander Bonham's face. He made a mental note to take the Captain on a 'familiarization' flight in the near future.

Her voice was still filled with fear, but she never backed off on her wingman. She knew her place in the formation and refused to give up any space between them. Her hands worked over the controls as she followed him through the canyon. Their speeds were now nearly twenty percent faster than the very limits that the fighters were designed to handle. This caused a new wave of fear to raise in her heart. She refocused her attention on her wingman. Her eyes fixed on watching what her commander was doing. "Aye Sir" she said than added, "I never thought he liked me. Because he was always so hard on me."

Commander Bonham checked his sensors and noted only two minutes, five seconds remained in their maneuver, "He told me Ensign, that if the Federation's first fighter unit were to survive the test of time, that it would need natural pilots like you and Cadet Treasach," Bonham said than added, "He also said, that I would be a fool not to assign both of you to this unit. He spoke of you personally though. He told me that you took to flying like most of us take to walking. Something about it being in your blood" he commented then added, "care to explain?"

"Aye Sir" She replied with "one of my ancestors was Lieutenant Commander Eugene Esmonde. A decorated officer with the British Naval Air Arm. He lead the No. 825 Naval Air Squadron's Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers in an attack against the German battleship Bismarck. Through out my families heritage, there are aviators. Even the helm officer of the NX-2 was related to me. Ever since Commander Lindquist found out about it. He always said that flying was in my blood." She paused for a moment to remember her experiences back at the Academy. "But I had always thought he didn't like me. He said that I was wasting my ability and skills on helm operations and shuttle training. There were times he challenged me to quit. And I am not proud to admit it, but I almost took him up on his offer a couple of times."

"No Ensign, you are mistaken," Bonham said softly as he watched her heart rate steady a bit. "He actually thought very highly of you. He called me a fool for ignoring your skills. Truthfully I wasn't going to assign you to this unit cause you were only trained as a shuttle pilot and helmsman. The two of us argued over you for almost an hour. He finally convinced me to give you a chance. And I am not disappointed in that decision at all. It IS in your blood." Commander Bonham said as he checked his sensors one last time. 'Thirty seconds' he thought, "Okay. Listen up Ensign. We are going to invert once more and push our engines just a bit more. At the end of this canyon we are going to dive away from the asteroid. Before we can do this, we will have to build up the last bit of speed. All I want you to do is watch my tail wings and follow me. Don't focus on any thing else."

"Aye Sir" she said as she started to roll her fighter over. Once more the large asteroid filled her cockpit window. Her heart rate jumped up a bit as the actual distance between her fighter and the large rock was revealed. She looked right in to the tail of her commander's fighter and cleared her mind. She didn't want to admit it, but she was filled with a sense of pride that the man who she had at one point referred to as her mortal enemy had spoken so highly of her.

The twin fighters had rolled over on their wing tips once more as the bluish glow from the engines grew brighter. The force of the increase in their speed pushed them both back against their seats as the inertial dampeners attempted to compensate for the increase in gravitational force on the two pilots. Back at Flight Operations, the computer was signaling the assured destruction of both craft since the beginning of the maneuver. But to the relief of everyone, the two fighters were still intact. The stresses sensors on the fighters were all in red as their speed reached 97,026 kilometers per second. There were more than enough comments of the insanity of the maneuver. To his credit, Admiral Tate kept his silence as he shot a glare at Captain Campbell. It was almost assumed that within any moment the fighters would break apart under the stress.

Back in the cockpits, with the end of the canyon in sight both fighters were pushing beyond the very limits of the craft's design. But like a pair of cool headed skill surgeons, the fighters snaked their way towards the end. Just beyond the asteroid, the sensor contact was already well on its way fleeing for the safety that the deeper asteroid field offered. There was no way the rest of the wing would be able to catch the contact or gain a visual sight on it. The rest of the wing did their part in chasing the target right to where Commander Bonham wanted the target to be at just the right moment.

Within seconds, the pair of fighters rocketed out from behind the asteroid so fast that the contact was not able to react to the appearance of the two fighters. The maneuverer placed the two fighters in clear view of the sensor contact. It also placed them completely cut off from any support from the Ready One Squadron or the rest of their squadron. The dangerous maneuver left the pair of fighters in a position to where they could easily be out gunned by a much larger runabout. But the dangerous maneuver cut off the escape of the target. Meaning that the rest of the wing could be in a position to support them in a matter of moments. That is, if the two fighters could survive long enough for help to arrive. Luckily for the two pilots, survival would not be an issue today.

"DAMNIT!" Commander Bonham cursed as he locked his targeting sensors on the contact. "I have a lock on our runabout" he added in frustration. "CIC, I hope you are seeing this" he said as he scanned the targeting drone. The screens within Flight Operations lit up with what the Commander was seeing. He switched the safeties off on his pulse phasers and targeted it. "I am done playing!" He said as he watched the highly maneuverable drone attempt to flee the two fighters. Anger filled his eyes as he pulled the trigger on his stick. The twin pulse phaser fire destroyed the drone in a bright light that lit up his cockpit. "CIC, be advised that we have located and destroyed one targeting drone. Give my squadron one hour and I bet we will find the other sensor contacts to be drones as well."

Admiral Tate didn't bother to speak as he just waved his hand. He turned to walk out of the CIC with a look of anger over his face. It was clear that once more, he had been made a fool of again. This was becoming personal for him. "Captain Campbell, deploy the rest of the fighters and all other assets. Lets follow the Commander's lead. Inform all Commands within the search group that the Susquehanna had escaped the system." Originally he had wanted to play it more safe to avoid being led in to further traps. However with the brash and bold actions of Commander Bonham, it was clear that the runabout was not here. It was only a matter of proving the findings. "Find the rest of those drones, damnit" he ordered. Even his long time friend, Captain Campbell knew better than to comment. "In the time being, Captain, you have the command of the fleet. I have to place a report to Starfleet Command" he added.

Within the hour, with the full scope of the Thunderchild deployed, two other Targeting Drones would be discovered and destroyed. The hunt was done with little care for any possible traps that might have been laid. With the search over and no further sightings of the runabout and no other traps found, it was clear that the Susquahanna was no longer in the system. The only questions that remained were where she disappeared to and how long ago did she manage to flee. Unofficially, the hopes of locating the lost runabout would fall to an idea by Commander V'rol.

[Akirapryde]

Steady Workout
Stardate: 53835.42
HoloSuite 1, Deck Two
USS Thunderchild
Admiral David Tate, Captain Phillips and Captain Campbell

Narrator Note: the following scene is being observed via security monitors by Commander V'rol. Those involved in the scene are unaware of this monitoring at this time.

Today the holosuite took on the appearance of boxing center out of earth's twentieth century. The space was wide open with an old fashion boxing ring in the center of the room. Images of great boxer from across the centuries line the walls while a range of different training devices line the edges of the structure below the images. There was a heavy sent of musty sweat in the air as what would be expected in such a place. A number of hologram figured trained at versus devices while a pair of boxers worked their way around the ring as they exchanged blows.

This was one of Admiral Tate's favorite programs when he choose to retreat during his down times. There had been so much over the past few hours that gave him reason to desire a retreat. First his flagship was rendered useless at the hands of a mentally twisted fugitive. Next the pride of his career suffered a malfunction that had already caused a fire storm back on Earth. If this was not enough, the fugitive had once more played him for a fool. His anger was raging over and wanted. No had to blow off some steam before he took someone's head off.

With the operations of the ship so far away, here he could collect his thoughts and unwind after an incredibly long and painful day. Admiral Tate dressed in typical fashion of a pair of red boxing shorts while his hologram opponent was dressed in blue. Normally he would ensure that the two of them were equally matched. However today was not a typical day by a long short. His anger boiled over and had to be released. He ensured that the program ran higher than his actually ability allowed. The bruise on his face reflected the increase in level. However the hologram wasn't fairing much better. Admiral Tate had a lot of steam to blow off. They danced around the ring attempting to get the upper hand on the other. But Admiral Tate wasn't making this match easy. The sounds of a pair of men dueling it out could easily be heard while a third man was speaking.

"I am not so sure that capture of this fugitive, alive, will be possible." Captain Phillips said from outside the ring while the Admiral exchanged blows with the hologram again. "I was speaking with my contacts in Starfleet Intelligence, Sir. Aside from the official investigation in to this matter, they have revealed to me in confidence that a secret investigation has discovered evidence that this person, this Seònaid Melville, has links to radical elements in Cardassia." He explained as he turned his attention to his PADD. "While this information is intentionally being withhold from official reports to protect their sources, they were able to give me some details of what was uncovered. The links between Melville and this group are growing more compelling with each day. According to my contacts, these are the same people who were responsible for the attempted assassination of Elim Garak which claimed the life of Admiral Haden three months ago."

The news angered Admiral Tate as he preformed a series of rapid combinations on the hologram. He was all to familiar with the assassination of Admiral Haden. He had narrowly avoided being killed in the explosion. It was lucky that Jackson had summoned him away from the meeting at the last moment to review plans for an upcoming meeting. Still, Admiral Tate didn't let the situation cloud his current focus. In this moment, his focus was on a hologram boxer right before him. During his Academy days, he was a champion boxer who was unbeaten for nearly ten years. It was only after he decided to stop competing and refocus his attention on pursuing his career that his title was finally given to another boxer.

He would often joke that the reason for giving up boxing on the competition level was to give the rest of Starfleet a fighting chance at the title. Currently Admiral Tate holds the record in Starfleet for the longest run as Heavy Weight Boxing Champion of Starfleet. "Phil" he said using the common nickname for Captain Phillips, "there better be more than hear say on this. I will not order the death of this young woman simple because your contacts feels she is a threat or because some shadowy agent might have heard something damning" he snapped as he hammered the hologram with a powerful right hook that was one of his signature moves. The hologram stumbled back as the Admiral continued, "Phil, I can't tell you how much I detest the idea of ordering this woman's death. So give me a" he strained his voice as he punched the hologram once more while the hologram landed a sound blow on the Admiral, "something better than hear say."

Captain Phillips nodded, "I understand Sir. I have pushed my contacts as far as they are willing to go to give up information. Sir, you know how they are. Think back in the past. It was in fact my contacts that warned us of the bombing on Korma. How many lives were we able to save that day. I could spend hours listing all the times my contacts have come forward to warn of terrorist attacks across Cardassian space that saved lives. My contacts are hardly wrong."

Admiral Tate nodded as he dodged an attack and took one to the left midsection. He knew that Captain Phillips was right. Those damn spooks in Starfleet Intelligence were hardly ever wrong. During the past eight months they have given up vital information that saved lives. But this was different, now it was assumed that he would act on this information to order the death of a woman who was just as likely mentally ill and was in desperate need of medical help not murder. "I know what you are saying Phil. But I need more before I order her death. You have to push them for more. Anyway, continue," he said giving the man permission to continue with the briefing.

"Yes Sir," Phillips said then continued. "So it would appear that just before our fugitive was liberated from the Velos Internment Camp, she was personally visited by both Gul Ocett and Gul Macet. Currently both of these individuals are wanted by the current Cardassian Government for crimes against the Government. Gul Macet, as you know, has been responsible for stirring up negative emotions against Federation involvement within Cardassian space. Gul Ocett was the one who is suspected as being the one who planned out the assassination of Admiral Haden. Sources have been able to confirm to my contacts that the fugitive was broken by the Cardassians during her imprisonment and is now a willing operative working for Gul Macet."

Admiral Tate clearly didn't like the news as he pushed back against the attack on him landing a hand full of sound blows. Both man and hologram were locked in a bitter battle that was taken its toll on both. "I am not liking where this is going Phil," he expressed.

"Indeed Sir" Captain Phillips said as he continued to read from his PADD. "However it can't be over looked that all of this is happening during a time when Garak will be outside of Cardassian Space at Admiral Ross' ceremony. My contacts suggests that she might be in fact going to make a move against Garak himself while he is on Deep Space Nine. If this were to happen, then the...."

"Damnit Phil" he said delivering a powerful blow in to the hologram. "I know what will happen. A Starfleet Marine killing the hero leader of Cardassia. It would shatter what confidence the Cardassian people have in the Federation. No amount of spin, could ease that kind of scenario." Admiral Tate switched back to a defensive position as he danced across the ring with the hologram moving in on the attack. "What about this spy. What do your contacts have to say about this whole spy business."

Captain Phillips shook his head, "I have pushed my contacts hard on this one. While they are aware of a number of 'leaks' within Federation personnel. They are currently looking in to the leak of the level which you informed me of. I have to admit, when you brought those codes to me I was shocked. Who ever had that kind of information would have access to Flag Officer Security Clearance. Sir, maybe if you could tell me how you came across this information, I could let my contacts know and this could help them find the leak."

Admiral Tate knew that the information came from Captain Campbell, but he knew in his heart that Campbell was above any accusation of being a spy. He was not going to drag his friend in to this mess. "Sorry, Phil. You have your contacts and I have mine. This one will remain my secret, for the time being." He paused as he took a series of rapid punches from the hologram. After he pushed the hologram back he continued, "so you mean to tell me you don't have any ideas, or even a guess?"

There was no hinting in the Captain's voice as Phillips spoke, "Sir, if I have to guess. I would say, that the leak was Captain Campbell. I know it would be hard to accept. After all, you got him this very command. All that you had done for him, would prove to be a painful betrayal. But it all makes sense. Captain Campbell has a history with the fugitive. He and her sister shared a strong love affair when they were children that lasted up till they were teenagers. Sir, he hid this fact from Starfleet and from you. His ship was the first ship 'attacked' by the fugitive. He happened to have a message waiting from her via some Priest that he knew as a boy." Captain Phillips could have continued but the glare from Admiral Tate brought the list of reasons to a halt.

Instead Captain Phillips switched gears, "while this is circumstantial evidence, you have to consider that he might be the spy. After all, what is the point of his desires to protect the fugitive to the lengths that he has gone so far. I have already shown you how he is withholding information about the direct relationship with the fugitive's sister. It was by your order that the evacuations were halted and she was left behind. And the hell that she suffered on Velos. One doesn't forget these things Sir. If you just consider what I have said you will see I am tel......"

Admiral Tate was enraged by the claims to such a point that he hammered the hologram with a left cross and an right hand upper cut. The blows sent the hologram stumbling backwards, "Thats enough!" he yelled out in anger at the same time as the blows. As the Hologram was stumbling back to its feet, Tate turned to Captain Phillips, "You listen to me God damnit cause I wont say it again. Campbell is not a traitor. SO unless you have any hard evidence to suggest otherwise, then stow that kind of talk. I want evidence that can prove who the spy is." he turned just in time to catch the hologram making an attack on him. He let out a cry as he delivered another left cross that sent the hologram stumbling to the right. "I wont chase ghosts."

"Sir, with all due respect. What will you do when Captain Campbell starts to attempt to cast doubt off of himself and on to others. Would you be so willing to defend me or any of your other aides with such clarity? Sir, I have always been by your side." There was passion in Captain Phillips voice and he was clearly upset that the Admiral wasn't listening.

Admiral Tate sighed as he walked over to the ropes and leaned on them. As he moved the hologram reacted to the action by lowering his fists and waiting. Admiral Tate rested his gloved fists on the top ropes of the ring. "Listen Phil, we go back to the Academy. I was there for you when your parents died. I know you just as well as I know Jackson. Hell we have been friends since the beginning of the war. Nothing has changed and nothing will change. But you see, this is just what the spy would want us doing. Turning on each other instead of looking for that hard evidence. There is a spy in my camp, and I need to know which one it is. I trust you and Jackson with my own life. But I have to know where this leak is. So find me this evidence, if not I will have to hand this investigation over to Starfleet Intelligence."

Captain Phillips nodded, "your faith in me is reassuring. But if Jackson is the....."

"Hey..." Admiral Tate said waving his hand, "Jackson is no traitor. So leave it at that." He demanded as he shook himself off and turned to face the hologram. "Tell me what else you got" He added as he readied to continue his work out. The hologram responded by reading its own stance and moving closer to make an attack.

"Garak's ship will be arriving at Deep Space Nine in just over twenty four hours. All security steps have been taken to ensure his safety. As you know, this will mark the first time sense the end of war that the key leadership of the Cardassian Government will be outside of Cardassian space. Our ships have been placed on full alert and are ordered to expect anything. My contacts suggest that Gul Ocett and Gul Macet are planning something, but at this time it is unclear what. The two Guls have a handful of ships supporting them but nothing that could compare with the might of the Cardassian military or our own fleet. My contacts insist that what ever they are planning will be limited to their scope of influence. Which could be protests and minor acts of terrorism. However, I urge you to not under estimate these two Cardassians. They have proven to be ruthless in their goals to drive the Federation from Cardassian Space."

Reading from his PADD, Captain Phillips continued, "Reports have it that they are using the Rolor Nebula just inside Breen space to hide their ships from our detection. Though there is no direct link between the radicals or the Breen Government however since the end of the war, the Breen have been very silent about these incursions in to their space. This could be a possible link between the Radical Movement and the Breen Government."

Admiral Tate shifted on his feet to dodge another attack by the hologram, "But that doesn't mean they wont take the advantage should something happen. What about those reports of a Breen build up along their boarder?"

Captain Phillips nodded, "Those reports are still confirmed. Nearly fifty ships have been amassed along the Cardassian/Breen boarder. However the Breen are claiming that they have become worried about the increased tensions between the government and radicals within Cardassian space. My contacts have also indicated that they also don't like the idea of Starfleet ships operating near their board within Cardassian space."

Admiral Tate nodded, "Worried my ass. I wouldn't be surprised if those bastards had a hand in these escalating tensions."

Captain Phillips nodded, "Indeed sir. What of the new communication's protocols?"

Admiral Tate dodged the hologram's attack as he countered with a gab to the hologram's lower ribs. "Starfleet Command has decided to issue new protocols via a secured network from within Starfleet Intelligence. It will remain as such till the leak in my camp can be sealed."

"Sir?" Captain Phillips questioned then added, "So we are to be left out of the loop on this?" There was concern in his voice.

Admiral Tate didn't seem to notice as the hologram attempted to land a series of attacks which the Admiral successfully blocked. "Yes, that is correct. And it was done by my order. I wanted my command to be cut out of the loop. Those protocols are too vital to leave to my pride. I trust all of you. But I won't deny the facts. This leak is in my camp, Phil. Someone close to me has betrayed my trust and I mean to safe guard my fleet from that betrayal."

Captain Phillips nodded, "So you don't know of the new protocols?"

Admiral Tate shook his head, "Nope. Again it was by my order. I have also asked Starfleet Command to place the rest of my staff on Deep Space Nine under close observation till this mess is cleared up."

Captain Phillips nodded once more, "So keep your friends close and....."

"Yeap and..." Admiral Tate said slamming his fist in to the hologram once more with such force to knock the larger human backwards a bit. "Keep my enemies even closer. But as I said, you and Jackson are my closest friends. I wouldn't discount that the spy knows I am on to him or her. When the time happens, I will need both of you close to me." He backed up as the hologram lowered his arms in reaction to Admiral Tate's actions. Tate turned back to Captain Phillips, "I mean it, Phil. I trust you two with my life. And I need you both, now more than ever before."

Captain Phillips nodded, "we have been your friend for over two decades. I am sure I speak for Jackson as well when I say this. Both of us will stop at nothing to clear your camp of this damn spy. Trust me, if nothing else, I will clear your name Sir," Captain Phillips pledged. "Sir, could you just give me all that you know about this spy including the information about the codes you discovered. I will pass them over to my contacts and they will use their sources to find this spy."

Admiral Tate hated to admit it but Phillips was right. Each time, his shadowy contacts spoke they were hardly wrong. They were a resource that could be exploited. But Tate hated them. He had major issues with those spooks. But he had more reasons to trust those ghosts in Starfleet Intelligence than he actually wanted to like them. It was a well known fact that as much as Captain Campbell disliked Doctors, Admiral Tate hated spies. Regardless of which side they served. Near the end of the war, he had actually shocked his entire staff by placing his Starfleet Intelligence Liaison officer in to an airlock to ensure that the woman was telling Admiral Tate the full truth. Admiral Tate had threaten to space the woman if she didn't stop speaking in half truths and withholding what he considered vital information.

After that event, Starfleet Intelligence enlisted the services on Captain Phillips as their Liaison Officer to Admiral Tate's staff. The move created a unspoken truce between Starfleet Intelligence and Admiral Tate. As the hologram closed on Admiral Tate, he drove his fist in to the hologram and followed up the opening with another series of combinations, "Damnit Phillips!" he cursed "Damn games of cloak and daggers." he added as he drove fist after fist in to the hologram knocking the figure back. "Give me my warships, a battlefield and an enemy that I can see. This is the war I want to fight. Not an enemy hiding in the shadows."

With a final powerful blow, the Admiral cried, "God damnit I hate dealing with these spooks." The blow knocked the hologram's head sending a spray of blood in to the hair. The hologram fell backwards on to the mat. Admiral Tate backed up turned to Captain Phillips as he thrust a glove at him, "No Phil. You have the resources of your damn spooks. That is enough you need. Now find me that spy or else you will go a few rounds with me in here!

On that note, the door hissed open and Captain Campbell walked in to the holosuit. Admiral Tate turned and waved at his long time friend, "Jack" he said with still a bit of anger in his voice. It was clear by the sweat and blood that Admiral Tate had been working out for a while. "I hope you brought your gloves Jack. Cause I am growing tired of beating up on your holograms. I would like some real meat to beat up on." he said letting out a laugh, "Oh and none of that kicking, flying peter pan stuff. This is boxing, Jack." Admiral Tate walked over to the edge of the ring and rested on the ropes as the hologram disappeared from the center of the ring. Tate shot a look at Captain Phillips, "Unless you have anything else. You have your orders."

Captain Phillips nodded, "Yes Sir" he said with a very official tone. Captain Phillips turned and started to walk for the door. Upon passing Captain Campbell, he spoke in a lowered voice, "his is not happy today. Best to keep your guard up and avoid the upper cuts." The warning was well called for. No one knew the Admiral as well as these two men. When Tate was not happy, he took out his anger in the ring. There was more than enough reason for Admiral Tate not to be happy. Captain Phillips left the holosuite. The door hissed closed and vanished in to the wall of the gym.

[a magical taco]

Captain Campbell was already putting on a pair of gloves as he walked into the holosuite. He had greeted Phillips as he walked out of the room but the man didn't seem interested in talking. Wasn't the first time he had ignored Campbell after a nasty debate with Tate. Campbell didn't pay it much attention. He climbed into the ring, his heart rate already beginning to elevate at the thought of finally having the chance to spar again. He had been so exited to learn a Klingon was on board until he found out she was not a worrier. Even after he called into question her honor during thier game she still refused to fight him in here. Of course, if Campbell had his way they would spar in a much more interesting style than boxing. He didn't understand why a combat sport would limit the attacks that could be made on an opponent. "I don't know what you have against real fighting, Tate". The captain said his face void of humor. He knew the comment would annoy the admiral. He had made similar ones in the past before a match, knowing just how much the admiral loved boxing. "Perhaps we should just play bloody knuckles or patty cake since you don't like enjoy fighting styles that have been useful, ever". This time Campbell couldn't help it and he cracked a smile. Then he put his hands up to defend himself. This was going to hurt and for a second he smiled wider than he had in weeks and then it was gone. He started to move toward the admiral throwing the first jab at the man's face.

[Akirapryde]

Stardate: 53835.42
HoloSuite 1, Deck Two
USS Thunderchild
Admiral Tate and Captain Campbell

Tate smiled as his old friend climbed in to the ring. "Patty cake, uh" the Admiral said taking the first jab to his gloves. There was a lot going through his mind at the moment. But boxing helped him sort it all out. For some reason being in the ring really brought everything in to perspective for him. "Tell you what old friend" he said as he returned the jab that Captain Campbell easily dodged. However the dodge placed Campbell right in the line of fire for a power left. The blow was narrowly deflected off the Captain's glove. "Patty Cake!" Admiral Tate said with a smile on his face as he danced around the ring.

Giving Captain Campbell enough time to gather up his thoughts the Admiral continued to move lightly on his feet around Captain Campbell. "So what now" Admiral Tate said as he continued to move around. "I mean, with the fugitive and all. What now?"

[Akirapryde]

A touch of murder to spice things up
Stardate: 53835.82
Maintenance Access L7
Deck 12

The burn marks along the walls defined for all those looking that they were walking in to a heavily damaged area. Maintenance Access L7 was one of the hardest hit areas during the resent accident that was inflicted on the Flight Deck. Within this access conduits ran up from the Hanger Deck and through the entire Flight Deck. Here the main power for the launch/recovery systems were ran. During the accident, a series of powerful backfeeds along the EPS Conduits triggered fires and explosions within the access areas. The scope of the damage was massive as told by the blacken walls.

A Damage Control Team of three crew members moved up the ladder as they laughed at the shared story. "Wait wait" crewmen Kaluza said as he laughed, "let me get this straight. He did all that within twenty fours?" he helped the next crewman behind him up the ladder by taking a pair of cases off of him.

Crewman Dustin Yonkers laughed as he nodded, "yeah, twenty four hours." Crewman Yonkers said as he finished climbing up the narrow ladder and turned to help the crewman behind him.

"Your lying" laughed crewman Raquel Stefanovic. She finished climbing up the last of the ladders to reach the maintenance access area.

"No I am telling you, I heard from my roommate. He was there, and saw what went down in the Lounge" Crewman Yonkers defended. The three crew members stood in a tight space that had black marks along the walls. There were signs of explosions and fire everywhere.

"Okay" crewman Kaluza, "hold on. I want to make sure those seals are still in place before we open the door." He pulled his tricorder and scanned beyond the door. "Well the odor will still suck but the atmosphere is still going to be breathable. Looks like that patch we welded in place is still holding."

Crewman Stefanovic moved forward and placed her tricorder on the door, "Setting the power transfer to the door motors." She started to tap on her tricorder. "this will take a moment" she added.

"Hey Yonkers, set up that portable purifier so we can have some fresh air while we work" Crewman Kaluza.

"Sure," crewman Yonkers said as he turned and dropped to his knees. He opened up one of the cases and started to set up the unit.

"Damnit, the door motor is jammed" crewman Stefanovic said in frustration. "I thought we fixed that earlier this morning"

"We did, " crewman Kaluza said as he came up next to her. He looked at her tricorder, "this doesn't make any sense. Get on that side of the door and help me," he said pulling out a pry bar.

Crewman Stefanovic nodded pulling out her own pry bar and both crewmen got ready to force the doors open. With their combined effort, the two forced the doors opened just a bit. Once the doors were pried open a bit, they set the bars on the side and used their hands to force the doors fully open. The small space was revealed to be just as damaged as the rest of the ship. But what surprised three crewmembers was the bloody mess of a body laying face down near the far side of the space. Unlike everything else in this room, the body had no signs of being burned. The pool of blood next to the body reached across nearly the entire floor. Crewman Stefanovic let out a stifled cry as she took sight of the scene.

Crewman Yonkers paused his task as too was too shocked to even speak. The body had been beaten so badly that its skull was crushed and mangled. A bloody piece of pipe laid next to the body and was clearly the murder weapon. The gold uniform told the three crewmen that the victim was an engineer. But it was Crewman Stefanovic that made the identity from behind her hand when she said, "Isn't that Lieutenant Medart?"

"It was...." crewman Kaluza said as he scanned the body with his tricorder. While the unit was not a medical tricorder, it was enough to tell him that Lieutenant Medart was dead. He reached to his com badge. "Crewman Kaluza to Security. You need to get a team up Maintenance Access L7."

Crewman Stefanovic turned and buried her face in crewman Kaluza's chest. It wasn't the sight of the body that shocked her. It was the brutality of the attack that left someone so loved in Engineering by the crewmembers laying in a pool of her own blood. The three crewmembers stood by and waited for security personnel to show up and start their investigation. It wouldn't take long for word of the murder to spread across the entire ship. This has caused security to step up its investigation before word of the murder could spread. The hope was to zero in on the murderer before the crew's imagination could take hold.

---

Within moments of security starting their investigations, they were able to correctly identify body as Lieutenant Kiera Medart. The witness reports showed the original findings of the three crewmen and they each were dismissed as suspects by Security. Doctor Bell was able to identify the nature of the death as massive trauma across the Lieutenant's body from a beating with the murder weapon. However within moments, he noted that the cause of death was due to loss of blood and shock. He noted that who ever attacked Lieutenant Medart left her alone in this room to die. A death that would have taken between one to two hours after the beating had stopped. According to Doctor Bell's estimate, this placed the time of death around stardate, 53835.55

The location of the murder made discovery that much harder because of the damage, none of the internal sensors within this section were functioning. This limited the amount of evidence that could be discovered as to who was behind the murder. Lieutenant Medart's finger prints were detected in the room as if she was checking systems that had been damaged by the accident. The tricorder that was found near the body had been smashed. However thanks to the science department, they were able to recover the data. It appears that Lieutenant Medart was running scans within the room searching for what could only be signs of intentional tampering with the Launch and Recover Systems. The broken tricorder narrows Doctor Bell's estimated time of day to stardate, 53835.64 It was the last moment the tricorder recorded anything. Sadly the tricorder was not set up to record any bio-signs, so it added no clues as to who committed the murder.

While there were no finger prints on the murder weapon, security was able to find three hairs around the murder scene. Two of the hairs were within the sealed room and the last was just outside the room. These hairs belonged to the only M'bwa M'witu aboard. The animosity between the two was well known across the ship. The two women had been known to have full blown arguments. On one occasion, Lieutenant Paxton even struck Lieutenant Medart across the face. To make matters worse, during the estimated time of death Lieutenant Paxton location on the ship was not able to be proven by the computer. This has prompted security to issue an a request up to the Chief of Security to bring Lieutenant Paxton in for questioning. Currently, the three crewmembers are being held to keep them from informing others of what they saw. Also, Doctor Bell has agreed to keep his finding secret till the investigation allows him to speak of it. His staff has taken the body for a full autopsy.

---

It had been such a long night than day with the accident on the flight deck. Lieutenant Paxton stumbled in to her quarter to the high pitched sound of a kittens meow. She had changed from her armored EV suite when she left the flight deck and was now in her Starfleet Uniform. Her hair was no longer in the tight pony tail that she had started the day with. The look of exhaustion was clearly seen across her face and in her movements. It wasn't the physical exhaustion that was weighing heavy on her, but the fact that she had people in sickbay. Luckily all would recover, but she felt personally responsible for their current condition. "Lights, dim" she said as she walked in to her darken quarters and within seconds the lights turned on just enough for her to see where she was going.

She smiled as she saw the little gray and white kitten coming out from under the bed on the left. "Ah, so now you love me lucky" she said as the kitten came up and started to rub on her leg. Paxton kneed down to pet the small creature. It purred to her touch, "oh after this morning, I figured you wouldn't want to love me" she explained as she talked about how the animal had urinated on her uniform. Paxton had come across the kitten a few weeks ago back as dry dock. It was a stray and half starved. She had heard of such creatures but had never seen one with her own eyes. Rebecca took pity on the creature and took it in. She studied how to care for such a creature but somehow the instructions were lacking in a number of critical areas.

After a short patting, Rebecca slowly stood up and walked over to the replicator. "A small bowl of warm shredded fish and chicken and a small bowl of milk" she said softly and glanced back at the little kitten. Her smile grew, "whole milk" she added. Within seconds the replicator acknowledged her commands and the two small bowls appeared on a metal tray. She picked up the tray and walked back over to the kitten who had moved in to the center of the room. Once more Rebecca lowered herself to her knees and placed the tray on the floor for the little animal to start eating. It let out a soft meow as it leaped at the food. She started to pat the little creature as Rebecca laid down next to it. She was so tired from the highly charged, emotional day. She ran her hand over the little creature with great care not to hurt it. The food was clearly appealing as the kitten kept purring as it eat.

Rebecca felt so tired after the long day. Her eyes were becoming so heavy that they were slowly drifting downward as she carefully pet her little kitten. There was just something relaxing about the way this strange little creature made that purring sound that seemed to induce sleep on her. So many times, Rebecca had come home from very long hours on the flight deck to this little sleep inducing creature. So many times she had drifted off to sleep right here on the floor next to it. At first she had suspected that the creature was dangerous to her race but Doctor Bell had assured her that this wasn't the case. He even took the time to run a full physical over the small creature to make sure that it was perfectively healthy. It was by his suggestion that she kept the animal in the first place.

Doctor Bell had told her that being able to care for the little creature would help her with the insomnia. He explained that such animals love unconditionally, much like her own race. That they were life time companions like what she was missing in her life. No one on the ship knows of her loss like Doctor Bell. He was the only one she could trust with her....'condition'. As she had many times before, her mind drifted back on him. She didn't blame him for what happened. She had been warned ahead of time about what she was getting in to. But that didn't change the pain that she suffered from. Just as her eyes were becoming settled and her mind started to drift in to the world of sleep her ears detected the sounds beyond her door. Her eyes snapped opened as a chime from the door sounded and drew both of their attentions towards the door. "Yes?" Rebecca said almost half asleep.

The door hissed open as Rebecca half turned to see who was bothering her at this hour. She didn't even know what the hour was, but her body was telling her it was too late for company. Or was that the exhaustion speaking. Rebecca saw Lieutenant Tabby Ó Ruaidh and pair of other security officers behind the female Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh. "Lieutenant Paxton, will you come please come with us." While her eyes told her that there were three members of security at her door, her ears told her that there were more in the hallway.

Rebecca eyed the three security officers as her eyes narrowed. She rose up from the floor and rested on her arm. "What is this about" Rebecca questioned then her eyes narrowed as if she could see right through their intentions. "What if I choose not to?" All Rebecca could do is question if that abomination of a Chief Engineer had reported their little exchange earlier today. Rebecca knew that the Starfleet had rules against what was said but she really didn't think that anyone would really be upset over it. She had expected another one of 'those' talks from the CAG about being understanding to those of different cultures or not to say hurtful things. Truthfully, she couldn't understand how Starfleet could have ever won a war while worrying about other's feeling. But she never thought the little rat would have sent security after her.

Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh facial expression didn't change, "Lieutenant Rebecca C. Paxton. I will not ask you again. Please come with us."

Rebecca noticed that the two officers behind Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh had carefully reached for their phasers. It wasn't more her eye sight that gave their movements away, but the sound of their uniforms slowly and carefully rubbing up against itself. Her ears focused on the sounds around her. Even her kitten Lucky could sense the change in the environment as it stopped purring. Rebecca's eyes widen with surprise. "Hey, calm down" she said raising her hands in surrender. She knew what she had said and done was wrong. She was not about to make this whole situation worse over some hurtful words and a 'slight tap' on its face. The surprise on her face over the seriousness of the situation was clear. "Okay okay! calm down. No need for weapons. I will do my time in the brig. After all that abomination deserved it" Rebecca confessed. She wasn't sorry and nothing in her voice reflected it. After all, Rebecca felt completely justified in what was said and done during the exchange.

It was Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh's turn to be surprised as she waved her people to stand down. Lieutenant Paxton's temper was well known across the ship and so was the feud between Paxton and Medart. Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh had half expected this to be much harder than as it appeared it would be. "So you admit what you did to Lieutenant Medart" Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh asked. She waved her team in to the small quarters as the kitten ran for the safety of the bed.

Rebecca was true to her who she was. She knew that she was wrong in that exchange. Sometimes she allowed her temper to get the better of her. She didn't feel guilty over it, but this didn't change that she knew she was wrong. "Yay, I admit it" Rebecca said accepting her fate of a few days in the brig. She rolled her eyes as she stood up and knew she was going to get a long talking to by the CAG now. 'Great' she thought as she watched the team of security walk in to the room.

The kitten disappeared under the bed as the Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh and two other security personnel moved in to the room while two of her people secured the door. Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh waited till they had secured Lieutenant Paxton before speaking again. "Lieutenant Rebecca C. Paxton, you are here by under arrest for the murder of Lieutenant Kira Medart" Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh said in a very professional manner. Everything in which Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh did was directly by the book. The only change was in that the suspect confessed to the crime. It changed the over all plan from a simple escort to security for questioning to apprehending a suspect who confessed to the crime.

Rebecca's eyes widen with shock and surprise as she tried to open her mouth but nothing came out. Horror filled her heart and numbed her mind as Rebecca tried to speak, to say something but her voice was caught in her own throat. As Rebecca was trying to figure out what the hell was happening, Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh tapped her com-badge, "Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh to Commander V'rol. We have the suspect in custody. She actually confessed to the crime. We will be bringing her to security for questioning at once, Sir."

The chirp of the com-badge indicated that the channel was closed as Rebecca let out a scream, "NO" she struggled against the two officers holding her. "Wait, no..." she tried to struggle and continued, "that is not what I meant." Rebecca's mind was spinning as continued to struggle and fight for them to listen to her. "I didn't kill anyone!"

Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh motioned for the door to the quarters be sealed as she tapped her com-badge, "Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh to transporter control. Security protocol three, Six to be transported directly to security. Within seconds, the room was empty as the group was transported directly to security. All that was left in the room was the soft sound of a meow from under the bed. The entire event had been carried out in all the perfection and efficiency that any Vulcan would have been proud of. Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh's official report would show that Lieutenant Paxton first confessed to a crime and allowed herself to be arrested than recanted the confession. Nothing of the event would be left out of Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh's official report. Internal sensors were recording the entire event so that everything would be recorded for the official records. After all, she was one of V'rol's personal protege.

---

A search of Lieutenant Paxton's quarters would reveal more damning evidence. On the floor near the entrance to her lavatory, traces of Medart's blood were found in the carpeting. The blood was consistent with as if it had fallen off something. Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh personally over saw the search of Lieutenant Paxton's quarters before they questioned the Lieutenant. The search was conducted in such a way to help element all possible suspects and leave behind the only possible person responsible for the murder. Because of this, Lieutenant Paxton's roommate was eliminated as being a suspect because she was in holodeck one with almost a dozen other officers and crewmen playing in a holo-novel during the time of the murder. Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh's own background in criminal behavior brought concern to the investigation.

In private she approaches Commander V'rol, "Sir, might I have a word with you" she ask softly. After being given permission to speak in private she voices her concerns. "Sir, I suspect that the investigation might have been misdirected, intentional. I don't have any prove to this, however my instincts are telling me that this is all too clear of a closure. Paxton and Medart are known rivals. Paxton is known for her temper and all of the evidence. Maybe I am wrong but it just feel too neat and tidy. I know I can not ignore the evidence before us, nor can we accord for Paxton's whereabouts during the time of the murder. But it just doesn't feel right. I suggest that we continue with the official investigation publicly. And that we launch a second secret investigation. Should both investigations point to Paxton, than at least would have given justice its due course. However if the second investigation reveals doubt to Paxton's guilt, we owe it to justice to follow that doubt to where it takes us" Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh explained. She paused for a moment before asking, "your thoughts Sir?

[Akirapryde]

The Interrogation of Lieutenant Paxton
Stardate: 53835.96
Interrogation Room Three
Deck 15, USS Thunderchild

Lieutenant Paxton set in the interview room silently and alone. The amount of time she had been here seemed like forever but her mind told her that this was only an illusion created by the blank walls. She had a long conversation with her own legal adviser not too long ago. He explained her rights and made sure that she was aware of what she was being questioned over. He asked her if she wanted him to file any formal requests in her defense. Lieutenant Paxton flatly denied offering any defense as she held to her claims of innocence. Lieutenant Paxton looked up to the wall and saw the large Federation symbol on the wall. She knew what it meant, not only for her but for her people. It was the Federation that came to her peoples' rescue when no one else had. She knew in her heart that the truth would set her free from this, but she feared where the truth would take her. What stood before her was not something for those who were weak of heart or of stomach.

This room was just one part of the heart of the military justice system aboard a Starfleet starship. And today, its lone occupant was a harden combat veteran who was suspected of murdering her shipmate. Lieutenant Rebecca C. Paxton was seated in a chair facing the door with a chair next to her and a pair of other chairs across the table from her. She laid with her head down facing the door waiting for what she knew was coming. She couldn't lie that she was afraid. She knew she couldn't satisfy their desires for information about what she was doing during the time of the murder. She had been told that her hair had been found at the place of the murder. It didn't surprise her as she was all over that section doing her own investigation. But she couldn't tell them what she was doing. 'I just couldn't tell them' she thought softly.

Lieutenant Paxton looked around as that sense of despair crossed over her. She had been in this room before, but never for such a serious reason. She let out a deep sigh of desperation as she laid her head down on her crossed arms. Just a few hours ago, she was getting pats on the back for helping to fight the fires within the hanger deck and saving lives. Now she was under arrest for the murder of Lieutenant Kira Medart. She closed her eyes as she thought of the events which led her to this chair once more. She couldn't believe that all this was happening. She knew that each and every action in this room was recorded. She wondered if Captain Campbell was watching from his ready room. Her eyes scanned the room in hopes of seeing any sign from him. She almost expected that at any moment he was bust in and put an end to this whole mess. How could anyone think that she murdered Lieutenant Medart. "This has to be some kind of sick joke" she half mumbled "he's not dead". A tear dripped from her eye as she took in another breath.

After almost an hour of waiting, the door hissed open and a pair of Security Officers stepped in to the room. Lieutenant Paxton was almost sad that Captain Campbell hadn't assigned his Chief of Security, Commander V'rol, to the investigation. Instead, they sent Lieutenant Tabby Ó Ruaidh to head up the investigation. Lieutenant Paxton lifted her head as she wondered why the Captain hadn't rushed to her defense. 'Did he have doubts about my innocence?' she wondered as she watched the two officers walk in to the room. Her heart wanted Captain Campbell to rush in a save her from this mess. Or to at least stand by her side during this nightmare. Just as Lieutenant Paxton was about to speak Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh spoke up.

"Oh hold on" Lieutenant Tabby Ó Ruaidh said as she motioned for the other officer to follower her, "I forgot something." Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh, turned to Lieutenant Paxton, "Hang on. We will be right back" she said softly then the two officers turned and left without another word.

Lieutenant Paxton dropped her head back on to the table. She knew it was a mind game being played by Security. It was the third time that they came in and then before anything started they had some reason to leave again. She had felt the change in temperature as they had caused it to raise nearly ten degrees. Also the air had become thicker forcing her to work harder to take in more air. Plus she was just so tired, from pulling a double shift on the hanger deck and then the accident. That on top of her insomnia was making this whole situation so much worse. She was beyond anger at this point. She just wanted to cry and as much as she hated to admit it, she wanted to be held to told it would all be okay. She knew in her heart that if she was found guilty of this murder, she would be returned to her people to face her own fate. She so much wanted to call out for him. She missed him so much. His touch and the way he made her laugh. The man she had given her heart to and now was gone. Another tear dripped down from her eye. She didn't really think of him very often but during times like this should couldn't help but think of him. Oh how much she missed him.

After about another thirty minutes, the pair of officers returned. However this time, they had another officer with them. Once more Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh spoke, "You know Lieutenant Commander Fazehas" she said motioning to the Andorian officer. "Despite your statements that you don't need him here. I have asked him to sit in on these conversations and to continue to act as your appointed legal council."

Commander Fazehas walked around the table and took a seat next to Lieutenant Paxton who didn't bother to raise her head from the table. The Andorian took some time to explain in detail what was going on and that she could be charged with murder. He made it clear that this was no game and that if she had any questions, ask him. Rebecca just wasn't paying much attention to what he was saying. She was just so tired and it was clear by her expression that she was on the edge of depression. The other two officers set down across from Lieutenant Paxton. Commander Fazehas finally got her attention and spoke softly to Lieutenant Paxton, "As I have told you, they are holding under suspicion for the murder of Lieutenant Kira Medart. This investigation is being conducted under a military tribunal rules. I will ensure that your rights are not violated. Plus you need to know, you don't have to answer any of their questions." Lieutenant Paxton only nodded her understanding without lifting her head.

Rebecca didn't lift her head as she nodded, "I know Council. You told me all this before. And I told you that I don't need you. I am innocent of these charges," she said then added, "I have nothing to hide." It was a lie but Rebecca knew in her heart that the two had nothing to do with each other.

Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh nodded to Commander Fazehas, "this is correct Lieutenant, you don't have to answer any of my questions. IF you have nothing to hind, then the sooner we get to the truth the sooner this nasty business will be over. So shall we begin?" She paused a moment then activated her PADD, "For the record, please state your full name."

Rebecca half lifted her head, "Lieutenant Rebecca......."

Her answer was cut off by a slam on the table from Lieutenant Lorenzo as he slammed his hand down on the table next to Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh. The sharp sound caused almost everyone to jerk in surprise, "Give us your real name!" Rebecca's keen hearing reacted to the sharp sound forcing her to flinch in pain as her head shot up as she was startled by the sound. The only person at the table that didn't jump was Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh. She only nodded to the Lieutenant sitting next to her.

Commander Fazehas was going to say something, but Rebecca waved him off as she shook off the pain in her ears. With a heavy sigh Rebecca nodded as her eyes looked down at the table, "My true name is Binti Wa Mvua Na Ya Wazi, Msafiri Juu Ya Anga. I have taken the human name of Rebecca Cairo Paxton." Her eyes didn't shift up from the table. The ringing in her ears was painful enough, but her physical state was clearly interfering with her ability to think straight. Instead she just looked down hoping that at any moment the door would hiss open and in would walk Captain Campbell saying all this was over.

Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh's voice was soft and kind as she spoke, "That is a lovely name, Lieutenant. Do you mind telling me what it means?"

Rebecca looked up at the woman speaking to her and tilted her head, "It means, Daughter of the rain and of the plain, sister of the wind, traveler upon the sky" Rebecca finally said softly.

Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh nodded as she said, "that is lovely. Tell me Lieutenant. Can you please explain to me your relationship with Lieutenant Kira Medart?"

Rebecca looked down as she spoke, "I didn't kill him" with a large degree of sadness in her voice. "Why can't you understand that."

"Because you admitted to killing her," Lieutenant Lorenzo said forcefully as he leaned forward raising his hand up once more. The motion caused Rebecca to flinch once more out of fear of the sharp sound that seemed to be coming. It was the objection of Commander Fazehas that halted the noise this time. Instead Lieutenant Lorenzo just stated, "brutal murders are not unknown to you, are they. I know a killer when I see one. Why don't you tell us about Cairo."

"Cairo" Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh said waving her hand to call off Lieutenant Lorenzo's action. Her voice was prefect in leaving the impression that she didn't know what was being talked about. The true was that she knew all too well what happened in Cairo. Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh had studied Lieutenant Paxton's file in detail.

Rebecca looked down and started to speak but was interrupted by her legal advisor. He informed her that she didn't have to answer that question. Rebecca only shook off the warning and continued, "My middle name is Cairo. It was the city on Earth where my father was employed by the Federation Culture Council. It was the first city I had seen, I was born on a refugee ship. So this was all so new to me. I loved that city. My father worked at the New Cairo University. He taught Alien Cultural studies. When I was old enough, I attended too as an art student. I remember that night when it happened as if it happened only yesterday." Rebecca dropped her head and looked down at the table in defeat as the memory flooded her mind.

"Our host family were remarkably kind to us. No one in the Federation or beyond had ever been as kind to us as they were. Sometimes I used to think that they must have been so special to welcome a strange family like us. They took us in and taught us so much. They had a son and daughter who was about my age. I grew up with them and we all studied art at the university together. We had a rather hard week with finals and all so that night we were out celebrating the end of the finals. I used to think that you humans celebrated for just about any reason. I never had Obelisk before. It is kind of like a wine but much more."

"We were having such a good time, just the three of us and our bottles of Obelisk. I shouldn't have had so much to drink but I did. A man and woman came up to our table asking odd questions about me. At first the questioned didn't make any sense to me. But everyone was laughing at us. Ramla, the daughter of the host family we were staying with suggested that we leave. I didn't understand why all this was happened. But I did as was suggested. We were getting up and walking towards the door when the woman waved a bone from her plate at me telling me to beg for it." A tear slipped from her eye as she continued her story. Even though the anger of the memory filled her heart, Rebecca couldn't hide the large degree of guilt in her voice as she continued, "I don't know why I turned around. Ramla begged me to stop, but I as so anger at this. I had been told that the Federation was different. That it didn't matter what you looked like. That everyone was excepted for who they were. They were all laughing at me. Someone even pulled on my tail, which made me even more anger." She looked up with tears in her eyes, "It just wasn't right." Rebecca looked down once more as she paused to collect her thoughts.

After a few moments of silence Rebecca continued to tell her story, "just wanted to tell that woman that her actions were hurtful. I just wanted to tell her that she was being disrespectful to me and my people. But everyone was laughing and she started to show me how to beg for that stupid bone." Along with the sense of guilt came a wave of anger over what happened as she gripped her fist. "I tried to speak to her but her stupid laughter and actions kept cutting me off. Everyone was laughing at me. So I turned to walk away but then she barked at me. I know what an Earth dog is. I am not an Earth dog!" she said with anger in her voice but more importantly to those watching were those tears of pain. The kind of pain that can only come from guilt and sadness. There was no hiding these emotions. "I don't know what happened next, I just snapped and attacked her. I leaped on her and forced her down on to her back and just kept beating her. I guess my actions surprised everyone in the bar because everyone just stood there watching me beating that woman to death." Rebecca said lifting her hands and looking at them in shame.

Rebecca paused as she took in a deep breath to regain her emotions. "The family of the woman I killed spoke in my defense at my trail. I was surprised as was many of my people. It was just something that didn't happen in my culture. By our customs, my father stood over me in judgment. The Council of the Republic wanted to show the Federation that we were just as civilized as any other culture. That this kind of behavior would not be tolerated. My father thanked the woman's family for their kind words. I remember how he looked down on me during that day. There was so much disappointment in his eyes. I don't know why I had had so much to drink that night. The flavor of that drink just tasted so good." She looked up once more, "I am not blaming the drink for my actions. I know they are my own."

Once more her eyes dropped back to the table as she lowered her ears in sadness and continued, "after all that was done on my behalf, my father still sentenced me to life of service within the Republican Guard. Here I would serve the Republic till my death in the line of duty or of old age. I will never be able to go back to the life I once had. No one in my culture would ever accept me for who I was. That life is over for me. So I wait for my death for this life to end and my sins cleanses from my soul. I don't know why I killed that woman. I can't bring her back." Rebecca lifted her eyes as she showed the two Lieutenants across from her the burden of her soul. It was something that simply couldn't be faked.

"Life aboard this ship is kind of like what you call parole for me. I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize this. If I get sent back to the Republican Guard because of something like this, I will be forced to endure what is called, The Death of Ten Thousand Stones."

It was something that Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh knew. She had researched it before the meeting. Rebecca's people call it, Haki Mara Mbili, which basically means double times justice. There are no repeat offenders within the M'bwa M'witu culture. If a person commits a crime they are sentenced to serve the Republic as part of the Republican Guard till that debt to the Republic is served. If that person commits another crime during that sentence or the same crime again during the rest of their natural life time, they suffer the Haki Mara Mbili. A death sentence where the convicted is slowly crushed under ten thousand stones. Each stone is placed by the family of the victims as well as the family of the convicted. The act, by their cultural beliefs, cleanses the families of the sin which the convicted committed and allows the family to continue their life without the burden of those sins. It was practices like this that was holding up the M'bwa M'witu from full membership in to the Federation despite their desire for it.

Rebecca continued, "trust me, the name says it all. I don't want to die, not like that" she said but it was not the full truth and Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh knew it. "I didn't kill Lieutenant Medart," she added but this time the truth fully there and again Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh knew that as well.

Lieutenant Lorenzo laughed, "okay then, tell us where you were during the time of the murder" he said then pushed a PADD before her. On the PADD showed the time of death and the lack of data regarding Lieutenant Paxton whereabouts during that time.

Rebecca looked down and only said, "I was out......" there was that pain once more as she trailed off her statement.

It was clear that Lieutenant Lorenzo wasn't going to give up, "out where!?" he yelled at her slamming his hand down on the table before anyone could react to it. This time, the slamming was with a much sharper sound causing Rebecca to flinch in pain. "Did you realize you were out of milk and decided to swing by the store and pick some up on the way home" he paused then yelled in a sharp voice "Where were you!?!" His yelling was filled with sharp vocal sounds that it was clearly having a painful effect on Rebecca as she flinched in pain.

Commander Fazehas tried to intervene on Rebecca's behalf but her anger got the better of her. She couldn't hide the pain in her ears anymore as she looked up at him. "I was just out!" she yelled back as her anger took hold. "I was out. But I DIDN'T SEE MEDART! I DIDN'T KILL KIRA MEDART!" she yelled back. Again there was that truthfully statement that Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh was looking for. But she needed facts to support her gut feeling on this. Rebecca tried to pull back but the pain was so intense in her ears.

Lieutenant Lorenzo was going to continue the yelling match with his hand raised again but Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh gently waved him off. "If you don't mind Lieutenant Paxton" she said bringing Rebecca's attention back to the table. Lieutenant Lorenzo just walked away from the table while the conversation continued. "Tell me something. You and Lieutenant Medart had this issue between each other. Can you tell me why you disliked her?"

Rebecca made a serious effort to calm down. Her mind raced as she only offered one word, "him."

Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh tilted her head to the side as she questioned the statement, "him?"

"Your science is so much better than ours is. I wont deny this. Sometimes, I look at what the Federation can do with their technology. I have never seen anything like it. There are those of my people who think that your Federation are almost God like. There are those who think you are the children of the Gods. The remarkable things you can do with your technology. But Kira decided to do something that violated all of nature. HE change his sex. But the science can only change the outside. He smelled like a man in a woman's skin. He sounded like a man to me. He was a man to me, without question. At first I was so confused when I first met him. But then I became anger because my eyes told me one thing and my senses told me something else. It was so strange to me not to be able to trust one of my own senses. He was an abomination to nature."

She paused a moment as she looked down once more. Rebecca hated to say those words but her ears were killing her and she just wanted all this to be over. It was the truth, regardless of if they wanted to hear it or not. "Yeah, we didn't get along. But it wasn't only because of this. I tried to work with him and tired to look past this horrible thing that he did to himself. I tried to understand why someone would do such a thing. But the more we talked, and the more we worked together I realized that he wasn't a leader. Everything about him was so fake. So I stopped trying to understand and just disliked him. I just couldn't respect him. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't respect him. Even his own people didn't respect him. We bumped heads a lot. We even went to blows during some arguments. And yes, I started them. But I never hit him more than once and that was normally out of frustration. He would talk like a woman but he is not a woman. It was just so unnatural." She explained and picked up the PADD.

"Don't believe me, look it up. I spent time in your brig for each of those offenses. I am not ashamed to admit this. I am not proud of my actions either, but they are the truth" Rebecca said slid the PADD back towards Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh. As Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh scanned the PADD, Rebecca rubbed her ears and wishing the ringing would go away.

Lieutenant Lorenzo moved towards the table, "I say we just get Commander V'rol in here and rip the truth from her mind in one of his mind melds." It was a threat that was meant to gain a reaction out of Lieutenant Paxton. Everyone in the room knew that the M'bwa M'witu had deep routed fears of telepaths. It was a race of telepaths that had enslaved the M'bwa M'witu when they were just coming out of the stone age. Because of this, telepaths were treated with great fear across the entire culture. Mind melds were not only forbidden by the M'bwa M'witu faith and by their laws. They were feared worse then death its self. Lieutenant Lorenzo's empty threat was used to summon up the fear within Lieutenant Paxton and the look across Rebecca's face confirmed the results. The M'bwa M'witu sitting across from them shuttered as if someone walked across her grave. It was a primal fear that nearly sent the woman in to panic.

Once more Commander Fazehas tried to intervene but Rebecca cut him off as she proclaimed, "I said I didn't kill that.....person!" Rebecca half cried as the fear of a mind meld took hold. She had heard horror stories of these strange practices. "Please believe me" she begged Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh as Rebecca reached across the table almost as if pleading for her life. But it was more than just that. It was fear of that shadow race that no longer exists today, but only in the dark parts of the M'bwa M'witu mind. Like a specter reaching its cold dead hand in to Rebecca and gripping her heart, Rebecca pleaded for her life, "PLEASE....."

Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh reached out and took hold of Rebecca's hand as to reassure the Lieutenant that at least this woman was here to protect her from the man behind her. "I want too. I really do. But I have to know where you were during this time."

Rebecca didn't withdraw her hand as she looked down. "Air lock six just off the flight deck" she said looking away in despair. "I......" she started and paused, "there is just so many people on this ship. I can't ever be alone anywhere. I have tried" she said as tears started to flow from her eyes. "I get a moment here or there. But give it time. Soon I can hear them coming. There is just no where to be alone. To be silent. So I go out the airlock. I bypassed the security sensor with a small wire that is hidden in the panel next to the air lock."

Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh continued to push deeper, "tell me what you were doing out there."

Rebecca didn't want to answer but she glanced up at Lieutenant Lorenzo. She knew that this horrible man would force that telepathic nightmare on her if she didn't comply. All of her thoughts would be open for everyone to see. She would have no privacy anymore. Her fears, her hopes, her love would all be open and subject for all to judge her on. "I hook up a life line and I just float above the ship. Sometimes I think about just cutting the line and drifting a way in silence. But I always come back." She looked down, "I have spoken with Doctor Bell about this often. He can confirm what I am saying. During the time you are talking about I was out of the ship floating" she said in defeat.

Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh rose up from her chair with a nod, "thank you Lieutenant. We will confirm your information. In the meantime, it is important that you remain here till such a time that we can clear your name." Rebecca didn't say anymore as the trio rose up and left her alone once more. Rebecca just dropped her head on the table and continued to cry.

---

As V'rol watched the monitor of Rebecca laying her head back down, Lieutenant Ó Ruaidh walked in to his office. "I will send Lieutenant Lorenzo to check her story with the air lock while I speak with Doctor Bell." She looked at her PADD for a moment before continuing, "this is interesting. My team discovered a hidden panel in Lieutenant Medart's closest. Within that panel were some minor things. With them was a PADD with three signed statements stating that the witnesses each claimed to have heard Lieutenant Junior Grade Mordecai Noonia state that he was going to lie in attempt to ruin her reputation. I am familiar with these three individuals. They have been known for stir up trouble down in Engineering. Still, I will ask my team to bring them in for questioning but I suspect that this has nothing to do with the murder."

"Also in the course of our investigation, we were able to identify that Lieutenant Medart had placed a request to the computer as to the location of the Captain. This was just an hour before her death. I don't suspect that she had a chance to meet with him." She looked back at her PADD and reviewed some more information, "This might be a good place for the other investigation to begin. The last person that Lieutenant Medart spoke with was a crewman name Masaru Dragovic. After her morning meeting with her Section Chiefs, she sought crewman Dragovic down in his quarters. We know this cause she placed the request for the Captain's location just outside his quarters. We found that he had placed a message to Lieutenant Medart in the middle of his overnight shift. That message was read before the meeting by Lieutenant Medart. And deleted from the mainframe by Lieutenant Medart herself just after her morning meeting. Crewman Dragovic is a warp field coil expert. When questioned by my team, he seem worried and nervous to speak to them. During the time of Lieutenant Kira's death, he was in his quarters with two of his roommates. We have confirmed his story ad as such can eliminate him as a suspect."

"He claimed that the message that was sent was only routine information. But this doesn't add up because Lieutenant Medart went to great lengths to remove the message. We could only uncover the fact that something was sent to her, nothing more. I feel that he is hiding something about what is going on. It is my suspicion that Lieutenant Medart was attempting to protect him from something or someone. This is the most logical reason why she went to such lengths to remove his message to her. Maybe if you can speak to him you might be able to get him to open up. I believe that this is the first step towards finding the real killer." On that she paused, "I also believe now without any doubt that Lieutenant Paxton is not our killer. After my interview with her, I believe that she didn't kill Lieutenant Medart. Also, the evidence against her is simply too neat and too prefect. When my team dug in to the facts and the sensor logs, there is no evidence of tampering. If Paxton's story checks out, and I suspect that it will, then this means that our killer has the knowledge to infiltrate our systems and attempt to fool us. To protect Lieutenant Paxton from the killer, I am going to inform the Captain that we believe that we suspect her as the killer. This should ensure that the killer makes no move against her. It will also allow my team to keep her under heavy guard, should the killer attempt to silence her by faking her suicide." She concluded her plan to Commander V'rol.

[Akirapryde]

Final Acts....
Stardate: 53839.19
Denorios Belt, The Bajoran System
Deep Space 9
Colonel Kira Nerys, Bajoran Militia, Commanding
Operations Center

It had already been a long day for Colonel Kira Nerys by the time her duty shift had ended several hours ago. There was the mountain of paper work that was had to be done and a long list of new arrivals that needed to be reviewed. There was simply a lot that still had to be done today. Colonel Kira set in the Commander's office going over shipping, security and personnel reports. It had been over a year since Captain Benjamin Sisko had vanished within the fire caves of Bajor. It was still something hard for her to get used to, that he was gone. She missed her friend dearly. She missed all of her friends. The station seemed to be very different now a days as she walked its corridors. There are days that she can almost remember the echoes of their laughter. The adventures of days past often fill her memory as she would tour the station.

Colonel Kira leaned back in her chair as she slowly turned around to look out the large window. She could see the space around where the wormhole should be. She knew it was still there, and somewhere within the Emissary watched them. Watching her from deep within the wormhole. Colonel Kira slowly took in a deep breath as she closed her eyes in hopes of hearing their voices once more. She reached back in to her memory and tried as hard as she could to remember what their voices sounded like. She let out a sigh as she thought, 'something is missing.' She hated to admit it but there was something missing around the station. She didn't realize how much she missed her friend till moments like this. When the calm of night tightened its hold over the station.

"Nerys......."

Her eyes shot open as if there was an alert. She knew that voice, it was the voice of the Emissary of Bajor. She turned around in her chair to search her office yet saw no one. She took in a heavy breath, "Great Nerys, you are going mad"

"No Nerys, your not"

Once more Nerys turned her chair in the direction of the voice and found her self in a place of nothing but white. There was nothing in this place. Just herself and HIM! Before her as if nothing had change, he stood there before her. The Emissary of Bajor! Eagerness filled her heart as she wanted so badly to rush up and give her friend a hug. There was so much to say. So much she wanted to tell him. But instead all she could do was just stand there with her mouth open shocked by his appearance to her.

He spoke to her in that ghostly voice of the Prophets, "Nerys.." he said stepping towards her. "Something is coming to the station."

She looked blankly as she asked, "Emissary....What do you mean.....What is coming to the station"

He smiled to her as he waved his hands before his body, "something that has not been seen in the galaxy for a long time."

"Emissary, I....I don't understand" Nerys said stepping forward just a bit. Her heart was heavy with the message that was given to her. But more importantly, it was heavy with the reverence that she was chosen to receive it.

The Emissary only smiled as he reached out and took her by the shoulders, ""You will, Nerys. Once more Bajor will become the center of something larger than its self. But you have to open your mind to that which you won't understand."

"Emissary, what do you mean?" she said to her empty office. Nerys rose from her chair and looked around. Her eyes filled with wonder and sadness at the same time. She wanted so much to have him back and still he was gone. She turned around once more just to make sure she was still where she thought she was. Her shoulders dropped as the sadness over came her. Once more she was alone. The buzz from her desk broke her of her thoughts. She moved back to her chair and spun around as she activated her comlink. "Yeah" she said softly as she looked out the window once more.

"Colonel we have the latest information regarding the missing runabout, the USS Susquehanna." The voice belonged to Lieutenant Ivo Hristov. A good Starfleet officer but sometimes a bit too eager to rush headlong in to a crisis. He was assigned to the station just over a year ago and had become one of her most important officers. His loyalty was something she knew she could count on. For a human, he was very attractive. She often joked how he was a blue eyed, blond hair devil that had already won the heart of more than a few dabo girls.

Colonel Kira enjoyed having the skilled officer aboard. Nerys liked him, sometimes more than she wanted to admit. His playfulness had won her friendship and his attention to his duties earned her respect. She only wished that he would learn to think before he acted. He was relativity new to the station despite his more than proven history within Starfleet. "Continue Lieutenant" she instructed.

"Yes Ma'am" he said then continued his report. "According to Starfleet, there are mixed reports that place the runabout heading deep in to the bad lands. However none of our ships have reported spotting it. We have reports of a that a Saber-class ship stopped a suspected smuggler out of the Eta Cassiopeiae system. The search crews discovered that the the smugglers flight plans had been altered. According to the true plans, the transport had recently made a stop at Terra Nova. This caused the search teams to dig deeper. While his cargo hold was empty, they did find traces of tritanium. But surprisingly, it was in his engineering space that they made a discovery. Three anti-mater bottles that matched those of the USS Valley Forge."

This was finally the break that Starfleet had been waiting on. "Where did this take place at? And is there any way we can tell how long ago the Susquehanna was aboard this ship?"

"The search teams are holding the smuggler and his crew for questioning, but they do not believe he has any further useful information. After being confronted with the evidence, he admitted that he picked up the runabout over Tarra Nova. He only spoke to one female but suspected that there was someone else aboard the ship. He was paid for his troubled in those anti-mater bottles. He took the ship and its two occupants to just outside of the badlands. The last he saw of the runabout was that it was moving in to the ring system of a gas giant as a pair of Klingon Bird of Prays were closing. That being said Colonel, there is a lot of traffic among our Klingon patrols in the sector. It would appear that they are eager to find the runabout. Something about helping the runabout and its crew on their journey to Sto vo kor." This caused Colonel Kira to laugh. "Ma'am?"

The report of that exchange hit her desk a few hours ago. She paused as she couldn't help but find the reports to be hilarious. She read the report not once but twice. About how a lone runabout bested a pair of Klingon Birds of Pray and had stolen one of their clocking devices. 'If only Worf was here' she thought with a smile on her face. She got a laugh about it then just as she was smiling while thinking about it now. How could a group of highly trained Klingons over estimate their situation so badly to allow a runabout to best them. IF she didn't know better, than this whole mess with the Susquehanna would seem more like one of those bad holo-dramas that Chief O'Brien used to make her take part in. If this was on the holodeck she would be enjoying herself. But the truth is, that this is a highly dangerous person who is bent on having her revenge against the Cardassians. For the first time in a long time, she felt bad for the Cardassians. It wasn't if they didn't have it bad enough as it was. Colonel Kira waved her hand in thin air as she said, "Nothing, please continue."

"Yes Ma'am. Other reports indicate that the stolen runabout might be heading our way. A few informants suggest spotting the stolen runabout passing Olmerak at high warp. However we have not been able to confirm those reports. A Bajorian patrol ship thought that they picked up a warp signature of the stolen runabout just within system. However once they arrived to check it out, they found nothing there. Sadly, there are reports all over the sector regarding Starfleets lost runabout. We just can't pin point where the craft is to locate it. The Ministers back on Bajor are starting to ask questions. They want to know if Bajor is at risk from this person."

Nerys leaned back in her chair and remembered what the Emissary just told her. That she had to be open to what was in store for them. She wasn't sure what he meant but she trusted her faith. Something was coming and she knew better than to second guess the Emissary. "Tell them no. What ever is going to happen will happen. But still let us play it safe. Issue a general warning to all departing and arriving ships to report all sightings of any Danube-class runabouts. We will cast our net wide and see what we happen to catch. What else do you have?"

"Yes Ma'am. We also have report from security just came in moments ago. They caught Quark messing with a security sensor in one of the upper docking ports. They found a Starfleet com-badge on him. However it was not one of ours. The report said that he was acting pretty suspicious." Lieutenant Hristov finished his report

Nerys smiled at the thought that some things simply didn't change. Quark had promised to behave during the Admiral's promotion ceremony. It wasn't like he had a choice, she twisted his arm and made him promise. But deep down inside she knew that he would break his word at the first chance he got. This was the reason why she placed extra security personnel to watch him and his associates. Nerys stood up, "Thank you Lieutenant, inform security to take Quark to Odo's...." she paused as the memory of Odo was a painful blow to her heart. "I mean the magistrates office." Nerys paused as her heart felt the pain of loss love take hold of her for a moment. Odo was the person that she missed the most. Nerys stood up as she decided to deal with Quark personally. "I will teach him to break his promise to me." she mumbled as she moved for the door to her office.

Walking around her desk, she grabbed her PADD from the desk. She continued to make her way for the door and as she approached them, they hissed open for her. Within seconds she was walking across Ops for the turbo lift. She motioned towards Lieutenant Hristov, "You have Ops. Let security know that I will meet them there." She informed as she continued to walked over to the lift. Her mind let out another long sigh as it had already been a long day and she was well past ready for bed. But there would be no rest for her tonight.

Lieutenant Hristov waved his hand towards the lift as to warn the Colonel, "Don't forget that the lifts in the central core have been acting up all day." He gave a sound of frustrations, "Between the lifts and other systems malfunctions, I would think we were infested with gremlins."

Nerys came to a stop as her shoulders slumped. A frowned crossed her lips as she turned with disgust. "God I miss the old days" she said with frustration. With a nod, she turned and walked for one of the side corridors leading away from Ops, "Let security know that I will be there as soon as I can" she said as she turned to leave operations than added, "Information the maintenance teams they better get these lefts fixed tonight!"

Lieutenant Hristov nodded, "Yes Ma'am. Already on it. Maintenance can't figure out what is wrong with the systems. They think it might be somewhere between the links with the power distribution systems and the main computer. But they are not sure where."

Nerys didn't reply as she walked off the deck of Operations. She so badly missed her friends. But at the time, she had to deal with Quark. If anyone wanted on this station or to move something, they would have to go through Quark. And he had promised to behave. She even agreed to allow him to have a get out of jail free card if he could behave till the ceremony had past. Her anger at the Ferengi had clouded her thoughts as she continued to walk down the corridor. In a way she welcomed the long walk as she stormed her way from Operations. It would give her time to build up a good sound anger at Quark before she arrived to rip his ears off.

Colonel Kira didn't notice till it was too late that she was walking up to a young female Bajoran in a militia uniform. Based on the uniform and the rank, the young woman was a cadet from Bajor. With a cross look, Kira noted that her own PADD had more time in service than this cadet. The woman had long blond hair with hints of pink highlights that was rapped in a tied in a tight pony tail. There was some kind of pink ribbon woven in the woman's hair that helped keep the hair nice and neat. Colonel Kira couldn't help but question the different styles of hair back on Bajor. She rolled her eyes as she noticed the smile of the young cadet's face.

Colonel Kira noted the odd worn brown leather bag over the cadet's shoulder. Something about the bag stood out but Kira couldn't put her finger on it. There was a noticeable increase spring in her step once the young woman noticed Colonel Kira and glim was cast over the cadet's eyes. Clearly she was one of those new cadets that came aboard this morning. Colonel Kira remembered what it was like when she first came aboard. 'The cadets these days just don't have a clue' Nerys thought to herself as she dismissed further thoughts on the bag and the odd feeling came along with it.

"Excuse me, Colonel" the young officer said softly with a smile. There was a notice of nervousness on her voice as she spoke. After all, for this young cadet was meeting a legend renowned across Bajor. "Reporting to the station command" the woman said as she pushed her PADD towards Colonel Kira. It didn't take much to assume that the PADD contained the officer's orders. "Transfer from the Bajoran Military Academy" the young officer continued as she tried to push her PADD towards Colonel Kira, "and might I add, I am so honored to serve along side you Colonel."

The final statement caused Colonel Kira to roll her eyes once more at the young officer. Nerys didn't even bother to look at the PADD as she waved it off. "Do you know what time it is, Cadet? Don't you think this could have wait till morning like the rest of the other cadets?"

"Ma'am, I just want to make a good impression" the cadet said with her broad smile holding fast. She withdrew the PADD and looked down, "sorry Ma'am."

Nerys sighed heavily, "look cadet" Colonel Kira finally said after rubbing her temples. 'It had been such a long day' Nerys thought as she didn't really feel up to baby sitting tonight. She didn't have time for this. "Ops is down that corridor and then take a left at the junction. You will find a Starfleet Lieutenant named Hristov. Give him your orders. Speak to him, I will be back in about an hour. Then we could sit down and talk over a raktajino" Nerys knew what it was like to be that young eager cadet wanting to make a good impression. It might have been a long day but this young woman didn't deserve to be ignored because of it. "Inform Lieutenant Hristov that I told you to wait in Ops for my return."

The young Bajoran smiled and let out a bold "Yes Ma'am!"

Kira rolled her eyes at the cadet's enthusiasm as she thought, 'cadets these days.' There was excitement in the cadet's voice over the idea of some one on one time with a legend. Colonel Kira nodded as she added "oh and that brown shoulder bag of yours and your hair." she said pointing out the two offenses. "neither are regulation. So I expect them fixed by morning" Kira snapped in a stern voice. But in a softer tone she added, "but tonight I will let it slide."

The young officer nodded as she said "yes Ma'am" with excitement over a personal meeting hero of Bajor.

Nerys allowed the cadet to pass and watched her for a moment as the cadet continued her way towards Ops. Nerys smiled for a moment as shook her head. "What is the academy doing sending us these air heads" Nerys wondered under her voice as she let out a slight laugh. She smiled while shaking her head and watch as the cadet vanished around a corner. She turned and continued to rush her way down to the Magistrates Officer. She had a meeting a rather painful meeting with Quark. 'At least it will be painful for him', she thought with a smile.

The young Bajoran officer vanished around a corner as she continued to make her way towards Operations. Carefully she followed the directions that were given to her and within moments she found herself coming up to the last turn that would lead in to the Ops Center. This was the center of all command and control for the station and for the entire sector. It was the nerve central that was one of the most protected areas on the station. Even reaching this far would be more than enough for any intruder. But only a few brave souls have dared to risk turning that corner and taking on both Starfleet and the Bajoran military. This was not a place for one who was weak in bravery.

And for any intruder, this would clearly be the end of the road for their attempts at wrong doing. For Seona, she knew that once she crossed this line, there could be no going back. Her life would be ending tonight and she was in complete acceptance of this fact. Coming aboard just this morning gave her the valuable time to set up her plans. Unlike her other plans, this time she didn't create an escape plan. This would be a one way trip around that corner. Seona had found that getting aboard the station would be much easier than she had suspected.

She smuggled herself aboard by hitching a ride on a Bajoran transport. It was on that transport that she took notice of the new cadets that were coming aboard. She even set down and spoke with one of the males. He couldn't stop speaking of Colonel Kira and how legendary she was. He was more than willing to answer any and all questions she had. All it took from her was a bit of batting of her eyes and that mindless blond look that she had mastered so long ago. She played the part of first time traveler perfectly. She knew what he wanted, he was hopping to get lucky with a human female. So she played it to its fullest and gathered valuable information which helped her create her plan. Luckily he didn't hold his drinks as was as he had planned. Her spiking his drink didn't help either. He would wake up tomorrow morning with one hell of a hangover and would have missed all of the fireworks.

Now, Seona stood at the apex of her goals. Just beyond that last turn, was all that she had worked towards. Everything that she needed to save the Federation was just beyond that turn. While the crew of DS9 were looking at the end of a long day. Seona was looking at the night as it was just beginning. It would be her last night alive and she meant to make the best of it. No one bothered to question the young Bajorian cadet as she made her way towards ops. Some even gave her directs to reach this point. Not even Colonel Kira bothered to question a wide eye cadet just reporting to the station. Now, it was time to finish what she started. Taking a breath, Seona started to walk those final steps towards the Operations Center of DS9.

"Tell me Major, can you feel it?" Gul Bolon said coldly. The tall Cardassian officer and former captor came up behind Seona and whispered in to her ear.

Seona's eyes widened as she spun around with a phaser from her bag in hand. She had the weapon set to heat. It would be a nasty non-leathal wound that would she hoped would force attackers to respond with lethal force. She looked down the empty corridor as her weapon searched for any target. Seona closed her eyes as she tried to get her fears under control. 'Come on Seona, this long road is so close to being over. Get a grip' she thought as she turned and leaned up against the bulkhead. She could feel his breath on her neck as he whispered to her. She fought to focus her mind on the moment. Without looking Seona lifted the flap on her bag and returned the phaser to its place. She started to search the bag for something.

It wasn't long till she pulled out a handful of empty hypo-bottles. As she pulled them out, a small number of them slipped from her grip and fell to the floor. Seona slid down to the deck as she search through the empty bottles in her hand. All of them were empty as she continued to search through her bag for others. Her heart sank as she knew what it meant. Her eyes filled with tears as her search continued more frantically. "Come on, I only need one more. Please.....one more...." Seona whimpered as she felt him hovering right over her.

"Ahhhh, no more medication, Major" he gloated as empties bottles slipped from Seona's fingers and on to the deck around her. She leaned back on her heels as hopelessness tried to take root in her heart. "Major, you know what that means" he said as he ran his hand over her long pony tail. "What will you do" Gul Bolon asked as he played with her pony tail.

Seona dropped the bottles as her eyes shifted to the entrance to Ops just down the corridor. She could hear them in their laughing and talking about some guy named Mordecai Noonia and some holo-simulator. Their voices carried and echoed down the corridor as they laughed during their shift. She turned her head as she rested her head against the bulkhead again. Her eyes filled with tears as she fought to keep her mind focused. Once more her hand searched the bag once more while Gul Bolon moved from beside her like a predator on the hunt. Soon he was kneeling before her with that look of victory in his eyes.

Gul Bolon smiled as got up and walked towards the opening in to the Operations center. "Give me what I desire Major and I can help you." Seona's hand continued to search as she pulled out empty bottle after empty bottle from her bag. Each bottle slipped from her fingers and fall about the floor around her feet. Despair was starting to set in as tears blurred her vision. She knew that she needed her medication if she was to continue this. She needed her mind focused on the task of stopping Bolon from destroying the Federation. Gul Bolon peeked in to the Ops Center "Here, tell me the code to the array and I will help you take back control over your mind." he offered. "Tell me how to reactivate it and I can ease your suffering."

Seona closed her eyes once more as the tears welled up. She desperately needed her medicine to silence him. Finally she pulled one out as the Gul turned to face her. She lifted the bottle to the same level as her eyes. Looking through the bottle, she saw that it was just about an eighth full of a red liquid. 'Please' she thought as she looked in to the bottle and the red liquid within it. It just might be enough for her to complete what she had to do. She had to save the Federation from destruction. 'Please Crone, please give me the strength to complete this journey' Seona offered in prayer to one of the Triple Goddess of the Wiccan faith.

Gul Bolon shook his head, "ah Major, still not enough" he said moving back towards her. "Give up, and give me what I want. I will ease your suffering."

Seona shook her head as she loaded the partial does in to her hypo. "It will have to be. I will never give you what you want." Seona said to the empty corridor. Then under her breath and in a painful whisper she added, "For all, tragically great are made so through a certain morbidness.... all mortal greatness is but disease." On that she injected herself one last time. All her hopes now rested on if she can complete her taste before her control ran out. Slowly Seona relaxed her arms and allowed them to lower down to her side. Her eyes drifted closed as she could feel the medication taking hold of her mind. She held her eyes closed tightly as she focused her mind. It took all of her effort to control something that was nothing less than a hurricane of thoughts and emotions deep within her own mind. Those voices that are not her own were slowly growing silent once more. The empty hypospray slipped from her grip as it fell down to the deck under her. Her mind slowly became steady and her thoughts were once more those of only her own. With her hand shaking, she reaches back in to her bag and pulls out a tricorder.

Taking a deep breath as Seona looked up and down the corridor. There was a sense of gratefulness about her as she was alone in her mind once more. Seona opened the tricorder and enters a set of commands that would start her preprogrammed plan. It would take a few moments for her program to take full effect on the stations systems. During that time she waited for the medication to take full effect. The dose was limited and now so was her time. She didn't have much time left, if she was to complete this mission. If she was to save the Federation from the horrors that she knew was coming. In her mind she knew it was coming, she could feel it just beyond her vision. But she knew it was coming. She could see the ships in orbit over numerous worlds. The death toll that would be raising. The suffering and the battles. Starfleet ships would be all be helpless to defend themselves from these unseen attackers. "No, I will not allow this to happen" Seona promised as she drove the visions from her mind.

The tricorder acknowledged that the command had been sent and her program was now starting. Seona returned the tricorder to her bag. Next she drew out a isolinear tag pistol and checked it to make sure that it was in firing order. After switching the pistol to her off hand, she reached back in to her shoulder bag and pulled out a second tag pistol. Once more she checked this weapon as well to ensure that it was in firing order. With all things finally in order, she rose herself up back to her feet. She reached across her body and felt her dampening device under her uniform and knew that it would help her reach her goals tonight. All they will see is her ghostly image and will not be able to get a transporter lock on her. "This is my end of the road. May I die tonight so that millions will live tomorrow" she prayed softly.

She lifted both pistols up to her head as she ran over her plan once more. Resting the pistols on her head, she closed her eyes. The timing of Seona's plan was critical and would take place at the same time as departing Bajoran transport. Its hold was secured for the trip back to Bajor. The tags would signal one of the station's transporter units, and the target would be beamed to that transport. She wasn't expecting the crew to remain out of contact till the transport arrived at Bajor. But the secured hold would make them spend valuable time getting out and alerting the station of what happened. All she needed was just enough time to secure the Operations Center and to carry out her plan. If all things played in her favor, she would be finished long before anyone could reach Ops to stop her. As always, time was a factor for her. After she did what she must, nothing else matter. She knew that this was going to be her final mission. One that would save the Federation from a brutal surprise attack.

She opened her eyes as she rose up to her feet. She carefully moved the rest of the way down the corridor towards Ops. Once more drawing in a deep breath and uttering a silent prayer to the Triple Goddesses. Seona readied herself for this final act of heroism. On that Seona pivoted on her feet and stepped in to full view of the Operations Center. The look on the faces of the crew members within Ops was clear evidence to the surprise that Seona had won. As they were reacting, Seona took aim at the first pair of officers located on the Security and the Operations Stations. Before either man could trigger an alarm, both Starfleet Officers vanished within seconds in a bluish transporter hum. Seona tucked and rolled towards the center of the room as a phaser beam narrowly missed her.

Lieutenant Hristov, being a highly trained security officer and combat veteran of the Dominion War, was quick and sure of what he needed to do. His quick reaction gave him a target as he shifted on his feet while taking aim with his phaser. He took aim as she was coming up from behind the center table. Seona took aim at him as he took his aim at her. He fired on Seona from behind his station just before she had a chance to fire at him. In his mind he knew that this battle was over. The red phaser ripped through the air catching Seona on the upper shoulder and burning its mark on her Bajoran uniform. The hit caused Seona to stumble back as he smiled. The phaser was set to stun and it was a solid hit. But to the Lieutenant's surprise it didn't stun her. Lieutenant Hristov yelled out, "Computer! Intruder Alert! Operations!" He took cover behind his station as a tag narrowly missed him. He heard something being beamed from Operations.

The computer made a sound as if it was attempting to speak but only gibberish was heard. The reports of Soena had already been spread across the sector. Lieutenant Hristov knew now that this had to be the fugitive that Starfleet had been hunting for for the past few days. While Seona was attempting to find her next target as the last four officers were hiding behind their consoles. Lieutenant Hristov motioned for a Starfleet Officer to join him in an attack while a female Bajoran officer would move to the security station and manually trigger the intruder alert. Lieutenant Hristov came up from behind his console as did the other officer. Both men took aim and fired. Soena managed to dodge Hristov's beam but was the second fire hit was true as it hit her. At the same time, she once more took aim and fired both her pistols. The Starfleet officer that hit her and the Bajoran running for the security station both vanished in seconds. Just as before, the stun setting had no effect on Seona.

Lieutenant Hristov knew his options were running out. He took a glimpse of where the intruder was and planned his next attack. He tapped his communicator only to hear it buzz and chirp. The sound told him that the communications were off line. Considering that there was no alert from the four phaser shots, he figured that they were cut off from support. He could see Ensign Carmody with her phaser at the ready. She motioned to him that she had set her phaser to kill. He didn't like the idea of killing the intruder. But considering that the first two hits set on stun didn't stop the intruder, it was a necessary evil to defend the station. He nodded as he motioned the location of the intruder within the room. He held up three fingers, informing her of a three count that they will begin their attack on. She nodded her understanding.

Seona moved slowly around the center of the room using the main table as cover as she searched for her last two targets. She stayed low to give the last two officers as little target as possible. She would only pause long enough to get a idea of where they were, then continue to move. It was now a game of cat and mouse. Her eyes watched the only two exits of the room noting that it would be a temping escape plan for one or both of the officers. Her ears told her that there were two other heartbeats within the room. She could feel them and knew that they would not surrender the room without a fight nor would they flee for escape. Her mind focused on the task of securing the room. Her virus would only keep the computer and communications down for a short period of time. Time was running out for her and she had to put these last two targets down before her program ended its cycle.

Seona reached out with her hearing and could hear the change of a phaser setting. She heard the failed attempt to activate a com-badge. She could hear them moving about around her, hiding from her sight. Seona closed her eyes and allowed her hearing to filled in what her eyes failed to see. They had to know that the Operations Center was cut off from the rest of the station. The clock was ticking down and Colonel Kira would be arriving at the Magistrates Office, only to find the report was faked. Once that event occurred Colonel Kira would lead an armed assault to retake Ops. Seona had hoped that it would be Colonel Kira who would take her life. But for that to happen Seona had to secure Ops first. Seona moved in to a position where she knew that the two remaining officers would have the advantage. She wanted them to attack instead of bleeding out the time. She needed them to attack so she could counter it. She had to end this battle.

Noting that the intruder was just on the other side of his station, Lieutenant Hristov knew he could take her down without having to kill her. He motioned to Ensign Carmody to follow his lead. IF his attack failed, she would be able to kill the intruder. He communicated his intentions and her role in his plan. She nodded her understanding of the plan. He waited as the Intruder continued to move closer to his position and was making herself open to a close in melee attack. Lieutenant Hristov smiled as he figured that this was going to be over in just a few short minutes. Either he will disable the intruder or Ensign Carmody would kill the intruder. One way or the other, the intruder would fail.

Taking the bait, Lieutenant Hristov leaped over the console as he yelled, "NOW!" He used his arm to hold up his body, he kicked his leg out and to the side. Seona's actions was much faster then he had expected as she took aim. This forced him to change his attack in such a way that it would prevent him from being beamed out of the room. His left foot nailed Seona's right hand causing her aim to shift unexpectedly. Her right hand fired its tag just as his foot knocked this weapon off aim. The tag flew through the air and narrowly missed Lieutenant Hristov once more by only centimeters. The tag whipped pasted Lieutenant Hristov's head as he flatted his body while giving up any hopes of a second attack. The tag stuck in to the door leading to Colonel Kira's office. Within seconds the door vanished as it was beamed over to the Bajoran transport. In that moment, Lieutenant Hristov realized that he had played right in to Seona's trap. All his hopes rested on Ensign Carmody and her aim.

Despite Ensign Carmody moving from her position just before she popped up to fire, Seona's eyes were already tracking the Starfleet officer. Within moments this could be over. If Ensign Carmody could fire first, the Operations Center would be secured. Milliseconds turned in to hours as both women shifted their aim at each other. Seona's long blond pony tail flipped through the air as Ensign Carmody sprang upwards in to firing position. Ensign Carmody's short blond hair whipped upward as she came in to full firing position from behind the Science Station. Both females brought their weapons in to position to take aim. Only heartbeats passed in that moment.

Their eyes met in that brief moment in time as the two woman locked their own sights on each other. Ensign Carmody had never taken a life before this day. She had often wondered what the feeling would be like. However she was surprised to realize that in this moment, she didn't feel anything. It was all training that focused her mind. Her body reacted to years of conditioning and training. There was no fear, no hate, no emotions at all. All the Ensign could do was to think of her training and react to it.

Seona zeroed her aim with her pistol at the Ensign and fired just as the Ensign fired her own phaser. The tag flew through the air passing right below the red beam of the phaser. It hit Ensign Carmody in the gut and a soft beeping sound told the fate of the young Ensign. The red beam of the phaser ripped past Seona just as she rolled her shoulder back and down so to allow the phaser beam to pass her. The beam hit a console behind Seona and exploded it. The sparks filled the air behind Seona as the Ensign vanished from the Ops Center. Within a blink of an eye, the contest was over. Despite her courage and the miss, Ensign Carmody had joined her companions aboard the Bajoran transport. Seona didn't give herself time to think as she shifted her focus back to Lieutenant Hristov was still able to defend his station. The battle for control over the Operations Center of Deep Space Nine continued.

Lieutenant Hristov had to react fast if he was to keep some degree of the upper hand. He made a quick change in his attack as he drove both feet in Seona's chest. The powerful blow sent Seona stumbling back as she lost her grip on both weapons. Seona's back slammed against the center table as her pistols fell to the ground. Lieutenant Hristov leaped up from the console and moved to a better position against Seona as fast as he could. If Lieutenant Hristov thought that this would level the battle field, he was mistaken. Just as he was reaching for his own phaser, Seona rebounded like a coiled spring. She slammed her fist in to his chest knocking him back and heavily winding him. Her next attack was a knee to his gut forcing him to double over. She continued her combination attack on the Starfleet Lieutenant while she spun around planting her right foot in to his chest. The combination attack sent him slamming in to the back of the Security Station. The sound of his phaser falling somewhere by the Science Station indicated that both combatants would have to relay on their melee combat for victory.

"Major" Gul Bolon said from the entrance to Colonel Kira's office then added, "Guess what?" There was that gloating again.

Seona turned her attention just long enough to take her eyes and mind off of Lieutenant Hristov. Seona never saw the attack from the Cardassian Guard as he flung himself towards her once more. He kicked her in the side of the head causing her to stumble towards the Colonel's officer. Knocked of balance and slightly dazed, Seona fought to regain her footing. It was too late as Lieutenant Hristov was on top of her before she could react to the attack. He wrapped his large arms around her neck in a sleeper hold. He didn't want to her hurt her. He knew who she was and had read her personnel file. He knew that she was suffering from mental instability. So hurting her was the last thing he wanted to do. He held the pressure against her neck hoping that her mind would let go before her body did.

"Don't resist me Major" Gul Bolon said as he walked towards Seona with a smile on his face.

Seona panicked as the arms of the Cardassian Guard was cutting off her air supply. She could feel her body growing weak under the submission attack. She drove her elbow in to his side trying to weaken his grip on her. Despite the power of the blow and the cracking of ribs, the attack failed to gain any ground for her. the guard let out a deep grown under the pain of the attack but he didn't loosen his grip on her. She could see Gul Bolon smiling as he stood there. There was victory in his eyes as he stood there. But she knew he wasn't there. Or was he!? She simply couldn't tell anymore. She could feel his pleasure over her suffering. She knew that the Cardassian Guard behind her was real. She could feel his heartbeat through the choke hold. Or was he an illusion of her mind as well. 'Is Gul Bolon really here!' her mind thought in a panic.

"Come on Major" he said gloating. "You knew that this was where it all had to end. All your plans had to bring you back here." Gul Bolon laughed as he held his distance from her. "We both knew that you would come home once more."

Seona fought hard to remain focused but she could see the Gul Bolon's officer back on Velos around her. He had brought her back to Velos! Her mind tried hard to refocus. "I will not let you destroy the Federation!" she managed to say to Lieutenant Hristov's surprise. Seona grabbed her right fist and used her left arm as a power multiplier. She drove her right elbow in to Lieutenant Hristov's side. "I will stop your attack" she cried and added, "If it is the last thing I do! I WILL STOP YOU BOLON!"

She repeated the attack with more power as she was filled with anger over what she knew was happening. She kept driving her elbow in to the side of Lieutenant Hristov. Seona could see the ghostly illusions standing around the center table. They were looking over a large illuminated map of this region of space. Their distorted voices echoed in her mind as she continued to drive her attacks home. She couldn't make out what they were saying but she knew what they were planning. She knew that they were plotting to destroy the Federation. Seona let out a scream as she drove her elbow in to the side of the Cardassian Guard.

The power of the hit sent Lieutenant Hristov slightly in to the air as he fought for control over Seona's neck. She was much stronger than he had ever imagined. It was all he could do to just hold on to her let alone keep the sleeper hold intact. He tried to tightened his grip on her neck as he fought to keep the woman under control. Another elbow broke his grip and sent him stumbling back. Before he realized it, she was back to her feet and in full motion. She spun hard slamming her left foot in to the side of his head. Lieutenant Hristov spun to the right as he was flung on to the center table. Even as he was trying to recover from the attack, he felt two powerful punches to his lower back. The blows knocked the wind out of him. This time, he was the one fighting to keep the blackness at bay. It took all of his might just to turn over with his back still up against the center table.

Seona planted her hands around the Cardassian's neck. She would kill him right here, right on Gul Bolon's desk. She tightened her grip around his neck as his eyes grew larger. "Look in to his eyes Major" Gul Bolon whispered in her ear. "How many times did I allow him to rape you. I can't remember." Seona lifted up the Cardassian from the table by his neck and slammed him back on to the thick glass table. "That's right Major. Kill my guard. Its okay. I will allow this for you, my love" Gul Bolon whispered once more.

She hated this guard like no other. She knew what his touch felt like. She hated him when he touched her. She hated it, when he was inside her. There was a female scream from somewhere in the room. Or was it in her mind. Seona could no longer tell anymore. All she could feel was that this monster had to pay for what he did to her. She tightened her grip on his neck as the flashbacks ripped through her mind. She could feel his touch on her skin all over again. She could feel him inside her once more. She slammed his head against the table once more as anger filled her mind. All she saw was the Cardassian Guard who was aloud to rape her when Gul Bolon was too tired or bored to do it himself.

Lieutenant Hristov's eyes started to roll up in to the back of his head as he made a last ditch effort to loosen the grip on his neck. He hit both her forearms with his own arms. The attack was feeble and weak as it had hardly any effect on Seona or her grip. Seona looked in to the Cardassian's eyes as she knew his death was at hand. It was all she could do was to have this bit of revenge. "Kill him Major" Gul Bolon said with a hint of laughter in his voice. "Its okay. I never really liked him anyway. Always whispering behind my back. Always plotting against me." Once more the room was filled with a female scream. Seona looked up from the Cardassian and saw herself standing by the turbolift.

   

But she wasn't here on the station. It was more like looking through a window in to another place, another time. Seona couldn't explain what she was looking at, but she knew it was her. She felt herself looking back. She had seen this before and knew it was true. The woman on the other side of the Ops screamed out Seona's name once more. Seona only gazed at herself standing there in some snow covered wooded area.

Seona's eyes widen as her mind couldn't understand what was going on any longer. Seona turned back to see the Cardassian on the verge of death. His body failing, his eyes no longer moving. "FOCUS!" Seona heard herself cry out from the other side of Ops. Seona closed her eyes and shook her head. When she opened them she could see the Starfleet Lieutenant near death. In shock, she backed up letting him go. Without any grace or control, he slipped from the table and flopped to the floor below. He cough and fought for breath as he laid on the floor. Seona continued to back up as she searched the room once more. Her hands were shaking uncontrollable. Her eyes were filled with tears as she couldn't control her own mind any more.

Scanning the room, she noted that Gul Bolon had vanished once more. She looked down at the Starfleet Lieutenant who was still coughing as he fought to regain breath. She moved backwards to the back side of the Operations Station and reached down to pick up one of her pistols. She nodded and walked past Lieutenant Hristov while he rolled over to his hands and knees. He would survive this day, but Seona knew she wouldn't. Without looking at him, she took aim with the pistol and fired. Within seconds his coughing faded from the room as he was beamed with his friends.

She took her shoulder bag off and dumped out the contents on the center table. Two phasers slid across the table. Each were set for the heat setting. It was part of her final stand plan. Along with the phasers, an explosive grenade wired to a harness fell from the bag as well. A deactivated bioscanner was linked to the detonator of the greade. If she was stunned, the harness would explode and ensure her final stand plan. She would save the Federation, and then die the way she was meant to have died with the rest of her unit back on Velos.

Seona pulled a metal case from the small pile and set it on the side. Under the case were a set of Mek'leths banded together with a leather straps. The blades were coated in blood as were the leather straps that held them together. Seona looked at them with a sense of wonder as if she had never seen them before. Without thinking she picked them up and took the straps off of the blades. She positioned them behind her back and pushed them under her belt for safe keeping. Along side the mess of odds and ends was her tricorder, the same one that she used to hack her way in to the computer core of the USS Thunderchild. In the center of the pile was a holopicture of Maura, Jackson and herself. They were teenagers standing by a large rock next to a waterfall. A tear filled her eye as she looked at the picture.

A larger pile of empty hypo bottles rolled across the table and many fell on to the floor. She had made her medicine while she was at Jackson's home on Mars. She had thought she had made enough, but it was clear that her estimates were off. Seona knew that her condition was growing worse by the moment. Now, those empty bottles reminded Seona of the ticking clock against her. There were three PADDs within pile as well. One such PADD was what she attempted to show Colonel Kira.

She picked up the case as she rushed over to the Computer Pit and leaped down in to it. She opened the case revealing a set of isolinear chips that were each attached to the case by a flat ribbon. She pulled a series of chips from the central computer of DS9 and replaced them with her own. Seona took her time to make sure of each chip she pulled as she tied her case in to the central computer. She looked up from the case as she spoke, "Computer, scramble all command codes for the next thirty minutes."

Within seconds the computer responded in a female voice, "Unauthorized attempted access. Verify Identity, please"

Seona returned her attention to the case as she pulled a few more chips and once more replaced her own chips with those that she pulled out. Once more she double checked the link between her case and the central computer of Deep Space Nine. Once more she looked up, "Computer, scramble all command codes for the next thirty minutes." Seona waited for the computer to answer. If she didn't have the right combination than she would be locked out of the computer and trapped in Ops.

The computer's female voice returned, "Acknowledged. All Commander Codes are now scrambled for the next thirty minutes."

Seona nodded as she knew that she had done it. She was in control of Deep Space Nine. "Computer, activate all security force fields across the entire station. Seal off Operations and the central core with a level ten security force field." As the computer acknowledged the commander Seona climbed out of the pit and started to get to work. Seona knew that the force fields would not stop Colonel Kira. By now, Colonel Kira had to know that the station had been hijacked. But it would slow the Colonel down enough. Seona paused as she approached the center table once more. "Computer" Seona said as an after thought, "Scan the Central Core and Operations. Are there any Cardassians in the area?"

After a few moments the voice of the computer was heard once more. "Negative" the computer responded as Seona looked around the room almost as if she didn't trust what her eyes were telling her.

"Computer, open security protocol. Run a continuous scan for any Cardassian bio signs within the Central Core or within Operations. Alert base personal of the location of any Cardassian bio signs detected once they enter the security protocol zones. Trap the Cardassian within an isolation field till Security can respond. Configure the protocol and encrypt it" Seona said as she returned to her case and moved more chips around and further bypassed the security protocols of the station's mainframe.

The computer responded, "New Security Protocol configured and encrypt."

Seona walked over to the central table and all of her things. Her cherished memories were now laying on the table. Pictures that she had taken since the beginning of this wild adventure. Seona wanted to try to understand what was driving her. So she took as many holopictures as she could. "Computer run the new security protocol in shadow mode" she said as looked down at the different pictures with a bit of sadness in her heart. She knew that this would be the only record left for anyone to truly understand what she had done and why. She recorded her performance on Terra Nova. She recorded the image of the homeless family that she protected against thieves. It was all within this little camera. "I hope that someone will understand why I am doing this" she said softly and added, "there is just enough suffering in the galaxy as it is."

The computer acknowledged her commands once more as Seona picked up the hand full of PADDS and headed for the science stations. "Time to get to work" she said as she stood behind the station. She held the PADD over the station as she paused once more. She scanned the room carefully once more before placing the PADD on the terminal. "Computer, create file folder named Seona AVP-One" she commanded and waited for the creation to be confirmed. Seona nodded, "upload the following data at this station. Transfer all data to Seona AVP-One. Run Preprogrammed Encryption, titled Night Wind. Once these tasks for this station are complete, ease all data located on this PADD."

Once more she waited for the computer to accept the commands that she gave it before moving over to the communications station. She placed the second PADD on the terminal. "Computer realign all subspace antennas to the coordinates within this PADD" Seona ordered and set the PADD on the upload port.

This time the computer refused the command, "unable to comply. Instruction would sever Deep Space Nine from the Federation or Bajoran Subspace Networks."

Seona let out a huff of frustration as she moved back to the computer pit and her case. She leaped down in to the pit and dropped to her knees once more. She scanned the chips remaining within the computer control relays. She pulled a couple more out and replaced them with her own chips that were hard wired in to her case. "Computer realign all subspace antennas to the coordinates within the PADD located on the Communications uplink station" Seona ordered.

This time the computer complied, "All subspace antennas are currently being realign to uploaded coordinates. Communication Black Out in two minutes. Advised to stop current course of action. Communication Black will prevent all communication to and from the station along Allied Subspace Networks."

"Computer, continue with the realignment" Seona said with a nod as she once more climbed out of the computer pit and walked back across the operations center. She reached the science station once more and started to run her fingers across the station's controls. "Computer, aside from my own protocols, are there any other non-Starfleet or non-Bajoran programs running in the background of the mainframe of the central computer." Seona continued to scan the station for any other programs currently running. Her eyes raced over lines of code as the computer scanned its own operations.

"There are no other programs that meet the prescribed parameters" the computer replied with.

Seona nodded, "Computer, copy the file Seona AVP-One"

"File Copied"

Once more the demon spoke, "Ah Major, what are you doing?" Gul Bolon said as he walked around the central table of Operations.

Seona looked up in shock as she spoke, "Computer, are there any Cardassians in Operations?" She couldn't stop looking at him. Fear filled her heart as she prayed it wasn't here.

"There are no Cardassian Bio-sign located within Operations" replied the computer.

Seona shook her head, "run a complete diagnostic on all internal sensors"

"Diagnostic is currently being run"

Seona turned her head away from Gul Bolon as she attempted to refocus her mind, "Run the copy of Seona AVP-One"

"Copy Seona AVP-One currently being run"

"Major, you can't keep playing these games with me. How long do I have to hurt you" Gul Bolon said as he ran his hand through her hair. He leaned in so close that she could smell his breath. She hated it. Her hands started to shake as his hand ran down her hair and across her cheek. "Tell me what I want to know Major and all this will end."

"Diagnostic on internal sensors complete. All sensors are operating within their normal parameters" the computer said out of the blue.

"Ah Major what do we have here?" Gul Bolon said as Seona reached behind her back and grabbed one of the Mek'leths. She pulled Mek'leth from behind her and held it before her face so she could see it.

"Computer" Seona said as despair filled her voice. "Scan Operations for any Cardassian Bio-Signs" Seona said as her eyes filled with tears and her voice echoed the pain of her heart. Part of her wanted there this Cardassian to be real while another part of her didn't. She gripped the Mek'leth with so much force that her fingers nearly went numb.

"There are no Cardassian Bio-Signs within Operations or the Central Core"

Seona let our a heart felt cry as the Mek'leth was driven in to her hand. "Why Major? Why do I have to hurt you?" the force behind the blow snapped the blade leaving part of it in her hand.

Seona looked down to see his hand on her blade. She cried out in pain as her knees gave way under her. Only her hand which was now stuck to the table kept her up. "Leave me alone!" she cried out with so much pain and with tears almost flowing. She reached up and pulled her self back up, "I will stop you Bolon, I swear it."

But Gul Bolon wouldn't be denied as he motioned for his guards to come forward. "Major you belong to me. You always have, and you always will"

"Warning a hostile viral program has been detected within the Short and Long Range Sensor systems" the computer said with a simple alert to warn the operations crew of the new discovery.

Seona pulled the Mek'leth blade from her hand and dropped it on the console. She then reached over and up the third PADD and placed it on the console. Her blood covered the PADD as she returned her mind to its task. "Computer, upload the following files. Copy and run the copy. Encrypt the original files in to Seona AVP-One. Same as before."

"Warning, Deep Space Nine is no longer part of the Federation or Bajoran Subspace Networks. Deep Space Nine is currently in a state of communication's black out" the computer warned and then it added, "It is advised that the Supspace Antennas be realigned to their original coordinates."

"Time is fading Major" he said as he ran his hand over her head. "Stop fighting me and give in to what I desire. Damn the Federation and Starfleet. Accept me as your owner."

Seona pulled out the second Mek'leth from behind her and swung it at Gul Bolon as she let out a cry. "I wont let you destroy the Federation" she promised as she swung again.

Each attack he easily dodge as he backed up. One of his guards came up behind Seona and kicked the back of her knee causing her to fall to her knees. She never saw or heard the attack coming. Her blade hit the console as it dug deep in to the metal. It was then knocked from her grip by a second attack from behind. Before she could recover, the second guard came up beside her and kicked her in the back of the head. This attack sent her flopping to her stomach. Before she knew it, both Cardassians were stumping her as if they were putting out a small fire. "Major, please don't make this any harder on you than it has to be. I want the codes for the array. If you tell me what they are, I will tell my men to stop."

Seona tried to fight back but the men had the upper hand on her. Each time she tried to get off the ground, they pushed their attack even more. Within seconds her body reflected the brutally of the attack that she was under. Her face bloodied, her body broken and bruised. "Computer" Seona cried out for help. "Lock transporters on Cardassian bio-signs within Operations" she struggled out as blood spit from her mouth. "Beam them to security" she ordered.

"Unable to comply, there are no Cardassian Bio-signs within Operations or the Central Core."

As the brutal attack continued as Seona struggled to defend herself from the two Cardassian guards standing above her. "Computer, disable ALL force fields! INTRUDER ALERT OPERATIONS!

An alarm was sounded that echoed across the station as the Computer answered the call, "All Security Personnel Alert. INTRUDER ALERT has been activated in Operations. ALL SECURITY PERSONNEL ARE TO RESPOND." The computer spoke up again, "All files have been compiled and encrypted. Hostile viral program within Long and Short Range Sensor systems has been cleaned. All sensors are now functioning correctly." there was a pause, "Warning, a Cardassian scout ship has been detected at the edges of the long range sensors. All subspace antenna have been realigned to their new coordinates."

"Major, I wont let you resist me" Gul Bolon said as he waved off the two guards. "Tell me what I want to know or this will continue!"

Seona's face was covered in blood as she looked at Gul Bolon with hate in her eyes. "I will never stop resisting you" she spat at him. "Computer, Transmit Seona AVP-One across all Supspace Antennas."

"Unable to comply with instructions. Instruction requires manual commands from the Communication Console"

"See Major, even our computer knows that you have lost" Gul Bolon said with a smile on his face.

This was it, everything she worked for. Her entire plan now rested on one button on the communication's console. Seona started to crawl towards the communications station. Gul Bolon stood up and motioned for one of his men to continue their assault on her. Each blow was painful, but not one would stop her from crawling across the floor towards the communication station. Behind her a small broke trail of blood as she dug her nails in to the metal floor and pulled herself along. She knew that she had to stop him from attacking the Federation. So many lives were depending on her. She reached out with each and every being she could muster. With each movement, the attack continued. She knew that Bolon would never allow her to send her message. Never allow her to save the Federation. She didn't have a choice.

Each blow crushed her bones and caused internal injuries, but none would stop her. "I've danced my last dance and with this final act I sing my last song...." Seona said just loud enough for the computer to hear it but not understand its meaning. "I pray you found both of them to your liking ... my dearest sister...." she said as she reached up for the station. She could see her goal just inches away from her finger tips. "You died for me, now it is my turn to die for them" she said softly as she reached for the activation button. The flashing button waiting for her to active it and transmit her signal. Tears filled her eyes as the pain could not longer be denied. All she could do was to focus on the console and the command to start the transmission. Within moments it would all be over and her heart accepted this as the end.

Her hand reached for the controls but a second pale hand grabbed Seona's hand by the wrist. Seona looked up with a bloody face and saw Colonel Kira Nerys looking down at her. "What the hell happened here?" Seona's vision went blank as the pain finally over came her minds ability to ignore it. The last thing Seona heard was Colonel Kira Nerys saying, "Somebody get me a Flash Message to USS Thunderchild!"

---

Narrator's note: Seona's quote "I've danced my last dance and with this final act I sing my last song. I pray you found both of them to your liking ... my dearest sister." was offered by our own TA, superseen1

[Akirapryde]

Stardate: 53843.47
Acts of Valor
Almost two days since the Battle of DS9 (2377)
USS Thunderchild

Begin Broadcast of Federation News Service

The short lived but intense coup within the Cardassian Union ended less than twenty four hours after it began. If not for the crew of the USS Thunderchild, a combined attack from Breen and rebel Cardassian units would have paved the way for the a new anti-Federation Government on Cardassia Prime. The plan was brilliant in its creation and aided by Captain Phillips, Admiral Tate's Adjutant and Senior Intelligence Officer of the 4th Fleet. Starfleet's 4th Fleet would have been all but powerless to stop the coup during the critical stages of the attacks. With hundred of thousands of lives on the verge of being effected, the Coup could have upset regional balances of power for decades to come. However despite all their planning and plotting, none of this came to pass.

Hailed for his heroism and command abilities, Captain Jackson Campbell of the USS Thunderchild lead his crew leading up to the coup and stopped it before it as it started. It was Captain Jackson and his crew that discovered a vital leak that revealed that an ultra secret Communication Command Protocol had been lead. This protocol had the ability for someone to use it to locate and track any Starfleet or Federation ship. With it, the movements of the 4th Fleet could have been easily countered. Thanks to this discovery, the leaked protocol was canceled and a new one reissued along a secured line. Starfleet ships would hold the same shroud of war as any other ship in space.

Lacking the ultra secret protocol that had been provided by Captain Phillips, the Breen warships remained on their side of the boarder when the Coup started. This alone tipped the scales back in to the favor of the 4th Fleet and the Loyal Cardassian military. To further weaken the coup, Lieutenant Junior Grade Mordecai Noonia discovered that the Rebel Cardassians had infected the Cardassian and the 4th Fleet with a Sensor Virus. This virus would allow Rebel ships to approach Loyal Cardassian or Starfleet ships without detection till the Rebel ships entered in to visual and weapons range. The virus was meant to allow the rebel ships to have the ultimate surprise on the defenders. Once again, it was because of the betrayal of Captain Phillips that the virus had infected every ship of the 4th Fleet. However, thanks to Lieutenant Junior Grade Noonia this horrible virus was discovered and eliminated. Hundreds of Starfleet personnel owe this one eager Lieutenant Junior one hack of a thank you!

Without the help of their sinister Sensor Virus, the ships of the 4th Fleet and Loyal Cardassian ships were able to see the coming attack well in time to be ready for it. There was no surprise attack and no easy victory for the Coup supporters. Despite their set backs, this didn't stop a large number of rebel ships to make a futile attempt to rob power from the Cardassian people. During one such battle, which has already been tagged, the Battle of DS9 (2377), our brave pilots of the newly refitted USS Thunderchild held off wave after wave of rebel fighter. These attacking fighters were a mixture of left over Jem'Hedar and Cardassian fighters. Once more, Captain Campbell proved the superior tactics of the Federation. But most importantly was the wisdom of Starfleet in its development of its first carrier, the USS Thunderchild

The Battle of DS9 (2377) has already resonated across the entire sector. Not only did the USS Thunderchild survive the battle, her fighters were not only able to defend Deep Space Nine but were also responsible for the limited losses suffered by both Federation and Loyal Cardassian Forces. Only twenty six Starfleet personnel and five Loyal Cardassians were killed during the intense two hour battle. But not one Starfleet pilot was lost during the battle. This was due to the superior training in recovery by the deck crews of the Federation. While it is unclear the scope of the losses suffered by the rebel Cardassians, it is expected to be high by many assessments. Of those twenty six lost by the Federation, fourteen were lost when the weapon's pod of the Thunderchild took a pair of direct hits from an attacking fighter. Among the losses was Lieutenant Kinchlirah, a Klingon Warrior who served aboard the ship as an exchange officer. She gave up her life to ensure that her fellow shipmates could launch their escape pod safely. Her death was felt deeply among the entire ship as she was well liked and her death served to save others

Shortly after the battle, the IKS Negh'Var and a hand full of supporting ships arrived at Deep Space Nine. To the surprise of many, the Chancellor of the Klingon Empire himself came to give his daughter, Lieutenant Kinchlirah, a traditional Klingon death ritual. Her body now free from its spirit was disposed of as Lieutenant Kinchlirah was sent on her way to Sto-vo-kor as all good warriors were. After the death ritual, the IKS Negh'Var and her ships returned to Klingon Space as the USS Thunderchild continued repairs at Deep Space Nine. While the rebel Cardassian forces still remain at large and the carry, the Kelish poses a threat to regional security, do not fear. For the USS Thunderchild and her fighter wings will be remaining in the region to provide direct security support.

The fugitive known as Seònaid Melville, who had been a decorated Starfleet Marine turned traitor still remains at large. Lance Corporal Melville had escaped medical custody just over six months ago. During her months of planning she hijacked the runabout USS Susquehanna and used it for her own goals. She managed to remain off of Starfleet Security's senors till just over a week ago when she planned and carried out an attack on the USS Thunderchild as it had just departed from its dry docks. She then later planned and carried out an attack on three more ships of the 4th Fleet. This attack left the three ships helpless as Lance Corporal Melville continued her rampage of terror across the sector. Her next encounter was on Terra Nova where she badly wounded four bounty hunters before making her escape. Following her twisted goals of destruction, she attacked a pair of Klingon Bird of Preys. After stealing a cloaking device from one of the crippled Bird of Preys, she turned her sights on Deep Space Nine.

It was there where Lance Corporal Melville's trek of terror came to an end. She attempted to sabotage the station's communication network. However her attempts were thwarted by the Deep Space Nine personnel and the Lance Corporal was placed in custody. It is unclear at this time, if the actions of the Lance Corporal had anything to do with the coup or if she was an active member of the Coup. It has been discovered that Lance Corporal Melville had spent almost a year in Cardassian custody at the infamies Velos VII internment camp. It has been suggested that her will had been broken and was convinced to work on the behalf of the rebel Cardassians. This begs the question, could this poor woman have been saved before she was triggered by those rebel Cardassians? That answer will not be known any time soon, as Lance Corporal Melville escaped custody during the Battle of DS9 (2377).

According to official reports, a loss of power in the medical facility where she was being guarded gave her the opportunity to over power her guards and escape. While there is no evidence as to how she escaped the station, it is clear after numerous searches by both Starfleet and Bajorian personnel that she is not on the station any more. Her whereabouts are still unknown at this time. However she may be able to run, but she will never be far ahead of the long arm of Starfleet. Admiral David Tate has stated that "this fugitive, who is most likely the most dangerous fugitive of our time will be captured and brought to answer for what she has done. This I assure you."

Reassuring words....

On a side note, the body of Dr. Kennard Campbell has been brought home. He was discovered by one of his aides with a self inflicted phaser wound to the side of his head. His suicide has come at a tragic loss to the Federation as well as the Cardassian Union. Dr. Kennard Campbell was leading relief efforts in some of the worst hit areas of Cardassian Prime. A number of his aides had reported that his behavior took a turn for the worse after he had a private conversation with his son Captain Campbell. The family has planned for a private funeral in three days. Dr. Selina Campbell is expected to make a rare public appearance for the funeral.

This is the Federation News Service. Bringing you the most up to date and most accurate news from across the Federation.

[Akirapryde]

Stardate: 53843.47
Acts of Valor
Almost two days since the Battle of DS9 (2377)
USS Thunderchild

The ship somehow seemed so empty after the death of Lieutenant Kinchlirah, at least to Commander Bonham it did. He walked down the corridors as he did normally. His patrol for the day was over and his long expected down time was about to begin. He had done everything he could to fill his time with any distraction he could think of. But there was nothing he could do to over come the sadness that he felt. He missed her so much. Still even in death, she died just how she lived, with honor. But that didn't change the pain in his heart. He walked past a pair of crewmen conducting repairs in the corridor just outside of his quarters. They both stopped what they were doing to thank him once more. Ever since the battle, he had been patted on the back and thanked over and over again for leading his fighters in defense of the ship. Everyone knew what he had done to save those two escape pods. Before he was despised, now he was the hero on the ship. Somehow, he just didn't feel like a hero. He smiled and thanked them for their comments as he did to everyone.

He accused himself politely as he walked in to his quarters and in to the darkness of his life. He stopped just beyond the door and allowed it to close behind him. His dark room mirrored the feelings in his heart. Without her, his life somehow seemed so much darker than it already was. He looked down as the pain rose up from his heart. His mind steadied itself as he took in a deep breath. He reached down and pulled up his shirt and tossed it in the direction of where he knew his bed was. "Computer, lights, dim" he commanded and the lights in the room rose to just a bit more than a candle setting. His well built frame reflected a man who cared deeply for his body. The tattoos across his arms and back were not typical of Starfleet but he didn't much care. Each tattoo had its own special meaning to him. The first one he got was back home when he was only teen. Since then, his life was reflected by the art on his body.

He walked over to his desk and flipped on the computer. As he moved around his desk, he paused to see a hologram image of himself and Lieutenant Kinchlirah back on Mars. Just behind the holo-stand, set her personal d'k tahg. Chancellor Martok himself handed the blade over to Addison after they sent her spirit on to the after life. Addison flopped down in to his chair as he looked at the blade. His heart sank as he thought of her. He slumped in to the chair as he turned to face the monitor of his computer. He ran his hand over the hologram stand as he watched it from the corner of his eye. She was gone and he couldn't do anything about it. A beeping sound brought him back to the moment as he turned to see what messages awaited him.

He scanned the computer and saw that there was another message from Captain Campbell. That would make five now since the end of the battle. A number of times, the Captain had wanted to speak with Addison, but skillfully Addison had been able to avoid any meaningful conversations. It wasn't like he didn't want to speak with Captain Campbell. He gave his reports and even engaged in a conversation about the future of Lieutenant Junior Noonia. However Addison managed to keep any and all conversations about only official topics. Anything else and he knew that she would be brought up. Addison just didn't want to talk about it. At least not yet. He just wasn't ready to talk about it.

He wanted to, but he just couldn't bring himself to speaking about her. There was another message from Dr. McCoy. He read the message and noted that he had not replied to the last two messages that she had sent him. Her latest message stated that she was worried about him and would like to have him come speak with her during his next down time. He laughed softly as he read the words, 'down time.' He didn't have any down time cause he ensured of that. When he was on patrol or over seeing the repairs on the Flight Deck, his mind wasn't on her. Or the fact that she was gone. The next message was from the Captain again. "Thats six now...." he said softly reading it. This one carried more authority tone than the last few. It suggested that they speak once he was back from patrol.

Though Addison knew that the word suggested meant ordered, he just didn't care. He checked his watch and knew that the Captain would be expecting him any time at his ready room. Addison even pictured the Captain waiting in his chair with a report from the deck officer stating the time that his flight had landed. Addison bet that the Captain was even timing how long it would take him to reach his room, read the message and head up to his ready room. Addison leaned back in his chair and let out a heavy sigh as he looked at the door. He knew he owed the Captain the respect to show up upon being asked to report. Again, he just didn't care. This wasn't like Addison and he hated these feeling. Addison checked the ship's clock and noted that he had ten hours before he was on duty next. He reached across his desk and picked up a partially drunken bottle of gold liquid. He pulled the cork out with his hand and tossed it at the Replicator.

Addison rose up from his chair as he took a deep gulp of liquid and felt the burn down his throat. "Computer" he said with a horsed voice from the liquid then paused, "play Bonham musical file ten and preset audio levels." On that note, the music filled the room as Addison walked over to a small ledge next to his window. The sounds of a live audience could be heard as his own voice filled the room. Talking about the song that was about to be played. He scanned the pictures on the ledge and saw one of his band a couple of years ago on the Shuttle Bay. It was the only major concert that the Thunderchild ever hosted. Thousands of marines were in attendance and they rocked all night. Addison put the bottle to his lips once more and turned the bottom to the ceiling and held it there till the first lines music were heard.

"Make the sadness go away, Come back another day." His recorded words echoed in the room and beyond those walls. The beat and music was not classical, but harsh and heavy. It matched his own soul. To his core, Addison was heavy metal. He didn't like Jazz or classical music. He found their tempo too slow, their beats too soft for his liking. He looked at another picture on his ledge. In this picture were those of his friends. Most were dead now, some moved on with their lives. But a few have chosen to remain aboard and continue what they started. Just like these, once more someone close to him was gone. He put the bottle back to his lips once more and turned it towards the ceiling. Once more he felt the burn down his throat. The burning allow his other pains to be soften. He looked in to the picture as he smiled, remembering those days. The music played on in his room, "For years I've tried to teach, But their eyes are empty"

Within the picture was a large Peregrine Fighter in the center of the Thunderchild's shuttle bay. Along its wing, a large black Skull and Cross Bones had been painted. Knelling before the wing were a group of uncommon friends, they would have never forged their friendships had this unit not been created. As he tipped the bottle once more to the ceiling, a black Skull and Cross Bones tattoo on his upper left shoulder reflected the same symbol on the wing of the fighter. Bent over the tattoo was the letters, 'VF-84'. Under the tattoo and bent to circle it from the bottom was the word 'Reaper.' Under the word 'Reaper' were a number of different symbols. Some were of the number of Jem'Hedar fighters he killed while others reflected the number of Cardassians met their end due to him. Unofficially, Addison was the first Starfleet Ace. However no one outside the fighter unit was actually counting kills. Within time, they all became Aces. If only Starfleet had noticed what they had at the time.

Still, after this unit had been created, their friendships became stronger than the ship its self. They flew together, fought together and some even died for each other. The words from his song echoed in his mind and through the room, "Empty too I have become, For them I must die." Along the side of the Fighter, a pair of engineers, Ensign Jenifer D'Antonio (who would later be married and take on her husbands name of Luther), and Ensign Tina Jacobson stood with pride. They were the ones who designed the Peregrine Mk X Fighter. The X had been an inside joke that that was how good the fighter had become. Addison toasted the pair of engineers just before he lifted the bottle once more. He knew that no pilot was worth more than the engineer that supported him. Back then, they had six fighters and only two engineers. Everyone worked long hours but they worked like a family with a single goal.

Between these two remarkable engineers were a group of brash and insane pilots. The resident Vulcan daubed them as the most illogic group of humans he had ever met. Addison smiled as he lifted the bottle once more. There names would forge the future of Starfleet's carrier program but they were forged in to his memory as some of the bravest men and women he ever served with. These pilots were Lieutenant (jr) Markus Luther, Ensign Josef Ferrer, Ensign Armando Girard, Lieutenant (jr) Tamara Pajari, Lieutenant (jr) Addison Bonham and lastly standing behind this lot of misfits was their leader, Lieutenant Lindquist. And while the unit would grow to thirty six fighters and pilots, these six were the original twenty forth century Jolly Rodgers.

Taking another deep gulp from his bottle, Addison carefully ran his fingers over the holo-image of his friends. There was more to the song than anyone would ever understand as it continued to play, "A sad and troubled race, An ungrateful troubled place!" He looked at the image of Ensign Girard and remembered the day that picture was taken. It was a week after the invasion of Velos and Captain Evelyn Hoffman had asked Lieutenant Lindquist to create a unit that would be ideal for raiding Dominion behind lines. Addison picked up the image and walked over to his desk with his bottle in hand. He set down as he continued to remember those days long gone. He remembered how everyone doubted that the group would survive let alone be successful. But they were all edger and shared a common hatred of the Dominion.

But what led them to victory was a completely insane way of taking to piloting. Lieutenant Lindquist said it best, "Anyone can be a helmsmen. But only someone who is insane would take the risks needed to be a Ace Fighter Pilot." Addison smiled as he knew they were all certifiable piloting those fighters that were more like reactor overloads waiting to happen. Their engineers had those first fighters wired so tightly that the joke was, if their fighters would blow up before the enemy could kill them. He turned the bottle up towards the ceiling once more and took all that his mouth and throat would allow in that moment.

Addison recalled just after this picture had been taken, he and Ensign Girard had spoken while the others were in debate over the future of this new unit. Those words echoed in Addison's memory today as he took another drink. The song's chorus played as Addison remembered back to that day. "I see the sadness in their eyes, Melancholy in their cries, Devoid of all the passion, The human spirit cannot die, Look at the pain around me, This is what I cry for, Look at the pain around me, This is what I'll die for"

"Listen Addison, I want you to do me a favor. If anything were to happen to me and you survive. There is someone I want you to look over for me." Addison remembered the request as if it was yesterday. "Her name is Lylliana Skytower" Addison remembered as he pulled another image from behind this one. It was of a young female standing with her parents at some kind of fair. "She is my cousin. Her mother was my aunt" Ensign Girard said then his tone turned to sadness, "My parents asked me to look after her when her parents were killed. My parents were both assigned to a deep space research ship and I was living on Earth on my own. I was loving life and getting ready to enter the Acadamy" Addison recalled the pain in the man's voice as he told the story. "I was young and didn't want to be bothered with looking after some kid I barely knew. The last time I saw her, she was only a baby. Now she was some kid how needed a real parent, not me. I mean, really, it was the Federation. She wouldn't be left on the streets. I figured she would be placed in a good family. And I could enjoy life as I wanted to."

Addison never judged the man for his mistake as he looked at both picture. "Before I could undo what I did, my parents were killed when their ship was destroyed. By that time, I was in the Academy and she was in some orphanage" Ensign Girard explained. "I never knew how to explain it to her that I left her alone when she needed someone to step forward for her. So I did my best to look out for her from the shadows. Making sure that she had what she needed for her studies and that the doors she wanted were always within her reach. Addison, she is really bright and has a good future ahead of her, despite the fact that I abandoned her. So listen, if anything happens to me, you have to promise me that you will look out for her" Ensign Girard asked. "Promise you will look after her, Addison."

Addison nodded as he looked at both images while the music continued playing. Addison returned the smaller picture to its hiding place. Ensign Girard would give up his life in defense of the ship a week before the Battle of CMO-26. By this time, the Dominion were being able to predict where they were attacking all to well. Rumors started to spread, but it would be too late as CMO-26 would spell the end of the Jolly Rogers. The unit would be all but eliminated and the Thunderchild left a burning crippled shadow of her former glory. It was a untimely accident that prevented him from taking flight with his unit. Instead he was on the bridge manning tactical. Addison had often wished he had been out there with his bothers and sisters. Left to die with them...Addison lifted the bottle once more and held it longer than he could take it. He coughed hard after this gulp.

He reached across his desk and picked up a PADD with message from Federation Diplomatic Corps still on the display. His music continued to play, "Make the sadness go away, Come back another day." The header of the message was dated just a week ago and read 'Congratulations Commander Addison Bonham, your application to transfer to the Qo'noS Embassy has been cleared by Starfleet Intelligence and accepted by the Federation Diplomatic Corps. Upon acceptance of this message your orders will be sent to your current command.' Addison sighed heavily as the crisis had prevented him from moving forward with their plans. He had placed his duties ahead of the woman he loved. They had agreed to hold off on anything till after the crisis had passed. 'Now it was too late' he thought as he took another large drink from his bottle. Once more the coughing.

Now, Kinchlirah was gone and there was no reason to accept the transfer. It was if his heart had been ripped out of his own chest. He held the PADD in one hand while he took another drink from his bottle. Still holding the bottle he wiped the excess from his lips with the back of his hand. The music seemed to hit the very heart of his pain, "The things I've said and done, Don't matter to anyone." Tears slowly well up in his eyes as he reread the message and remembered their plans. He was going to transfer to Qo'noS and she would return home. That would give the pair of lovers the chance to explore their love without having to worry about regulations and security. He had intentionally selected a role that would be low risk and low security so not to interfere with their plans. To some it appeared as a working retirement. For him, it was opening a door that he so badly wanted to cross. All he wanted was just a chance to walk away from this life and have a life that was his own. "But still, you push me to see, Something, I can never be."

He deleted the message from the PADD without any further action on the application. He slammed the PADD down on to the desk with the pain of his heart. He stood up once more and took another deep gulp from his drink before throwing the now empty bottle against the far wall as the music continued to play. "Why am I their shattered king? I don't mean anything!" Letting out a scream filled with heartache and pain from love lost. Half dropping half sitting, he flopped back in to his chair and looked at his reflection in the large window.

Beyond his image, he could see the massive structure that was called Deep Space Nine. He could see his own scared face gazing back at him as the chorus continued again. "I see the sadness in their eyes, Melancholy in their cries, Devoid of all the passion, The human spirit cannot die, Look at the pain around me, This is what I cry for, Look at the pain around me, This is what I'll die for"

There was pain in those eyes as Addison reached out in to the air almost as if to touch the face of the man in the window. He could see the tears of pain running down that man's face. The years of suffering in those eyes. He leaned forward as to reach just a bit closer to the window as the musical solo played on. How much he wanted to speak with that man in the window and share with him the pain of their heart. Addison tilted his head as the reflection did the same. They shared the same pain and Addison could feel it. She brought light to his life. Her own existence almost seemed as if a God send to him. And now she was gone. The words to him of her death echoed again in his mind, "...rumors of her death....." 'Rumors' he thought with almost a laugh as he leaned back in his chair once more and opened up a draw of his desk.

He carefully pulled out a second bottle from its hiding place. He reached over and picked up the picture of his friends of yesterday while he pulled the cock to the bottle with his teeth and spit it out. Taking another full gulp of drink he looked in to the image of yesterday and recalled the promise he made. He said out loud as he remembered what was said that day, "Yeah, I will. I promise. I will watch after her for you. But don't worry nothing will happen to you." Once more the chorus played on, "I see the sadness in their eyes, Melancholy in their cries, Devoid of all the passion, The human spirit cannot die, Look at the pain around me, This is what I cry for, Look at the pain around me, This is what I'll die for"


Addison continued to work on finishing off the second bottle as he shifted his attention. He placed the picture back down next to the image of Kinchlirah. He reached in to the open draw and pulled out a small shoe box sized metal box. He placed the small metal box on the desk before him. He carefully opened it and pulled out the heavy clothed item. With all the care he could, he unfolded the cloth revealing a nineteenth century pistol. It was only a replication of the original but Addison had painfully rebuilt the weapon to fully working order. It was Ruger Blackhawk 45 and the pride of his collection. It's thick black shine seemed to captivate him as he ran his fingers over the weapon. Within the cloth were small metal rods, small square cloths, a old plastic bottle, and a set of long narrow brushes. Addison took another large gulp from his second bottle before turning his attention to his pistol.

Beyond his room, repairs to the USS Thunderchild continued as the pair of crewmen continued their work. They could easily hear the chorus through the door. "I see the sadness in their eyes, Melancholy in their cries, Devoid of all the passion, The human spirit cannot die, Look at the pain around me, This is what I cry for, Look at the pain around me, This is what I'll die for" In that moment, a sound that was too sharp to be a powerful explosion was hurt from Commander Bonham's room. The noise was so sudden that it caused both crewmen to jerk with surprise as the crack filled the corridor as the music faded.......

TO BE CONTINUED

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The actually music that Addison Bonham was listening too.