MESSAGES FROM EARTH

Part 1: Making Plans

“You did a good job with the situation on Ekos, Captain.”  Admiral Ross declared, his image appearing on the desk monitor in Captain Shelby’s ready room.

Shaking her head, a derisive snort escaped Elizabeth as she made her reply, “I wish I could say that we did.  To be honest, Sir…it was a clusterfrinx.”  Gritting her teeth, the blonde starship captain continued her report.  “Professor Davin was murdered, and Lieutenant Rysyl, Ambassador Offenhouse and I were taken prisoner.  It was only through a combination of Commander Hobson and Lieutenant Atoa’s rescue teams and a good measure of luck that we were able to get out with our lives.”  Pausing for a moment to take a sip from her coffee, Liz continued her morose report, “And…to make matters worse, the pro-Federation government on Ekos is probably going to fall and be replaced by one that will rescind withdraw its status as an associate member of the Federation.”  No matter how you cut it, Sir…” Shelby sighed, “…it was a disaster.”

“I think you’re being too hard on yourself, Liz.”  Ross replied in a paternal tone.  “I know Professor Davin was very important to you…” Seeing the youthful captain taking a breath to speak, the avuncular admiral held up his hand, “No…Liz…let me finish.  I know you think you’re responsible for what happened to the Professor, but you have to understand it wasn’t your fault—there was nothing you could have done about it.  Nor could you have done anything about the political fallout.”

“I know you’re right, Sir” Elizabeth conceded, “And I am feeling better. It’s just that there are times…”

“I know.”  The admiral replied, acknowledging the emotional weight felt by the young captain, “And I’d probably feel the same way if I were in your shoes. I know the Professor was a lot more than just a teacher to you—he was a mentor…and a friend.  And I know you have damned few of those.  But I think I can understand a little about how you feel.  I might not be able to empathize—but I can sympathize.  The Professor’s goal was a good one—one that is still attainable.  I think the worst thing that could happen would be for his sacrifice to be in vain, wouldn’t you agree?”

“You’re right, Sir.”  Liz answered back, nodding her head.  Taking another sip of her coffee, Elizabeth’s face twisted in distaste at the flavor of the now cold beverage, “So…what happens now?  Ambassador Offenhouse is wondering when he’ll be leaving.  And…to be honest…” she confessed, “I’m looking forward to our next mission.  The sooner I can get away from Ekos…”

“The better.  I understand completely, Liz.”  Ross said sympathetically.  A smile appearing on his face, the admiral cleared his throat.  “I think you might like these orders, but I’m afraid they call for you having to put up with Ambassador Offenhouse for a bit longer.”

“Sir?”  The petite blonde captain interjected, surprised.  “I’d have thought that the Federation Council would have wanted him back as soon as possible…”

“They do.”  The admiral replied, his grin growing wider.  “That’s where the Sutherland comes in.”  Pausing for effect, Admiral Ross announced, “Your orders are to get Ambassador Offenhouse to Earth as soon as possible.”

“Earth?”  Liz asked, a smile forming on her face, “Are you serious, Sir?  I’d think that Starfleet Command and the Federation Council could get what they need from him through subspace rather than detailing the Sutherland on what amounts to a ferrying mission—not that I’m complaining, but still…”

“Switch to a secure channel.”  The admiral ordered as his image disappeared, to be replaced by the Starfleet emblem.  Moving quickly to comply, Liz touched a button on her console.  The Starfleet device replaced once again by Admiral Ross’s face, the admiral cleared his throat.  “What I’m about to tell you is classified—need to know only.”

“Understood, Sir.”  Liz acknowledged.

“A diplomatic conference with representatives of the Romulan Empire is being held on Earth even as we speak.”  Admiral Ross announced.  “The main topic of the conference will center on coordinated action against the Dominion threat.”  Immediately upon hearing the admiral’s words, Elizabeth sat bolt upright in her seat.  “I thought that would get your attention, Liz.”  Ross deadpanned.  “While, even going at maximum warp, you probably won’t be able to make it on time to get the ambassador to the conference; you’ll be able to get him there in time to participate in the nuts and bolts deliberations that’ll be going on afterwards.”

“I think I see…” Liz remarked, only to be cut off by the admiral.

“Right…”  Ross affirmed, nodding his head, “He’ll be able to give his insights on the situation regarding possible Dominion involvement and to answer any questions that might come up.”  Repressing a yawn, the admiral concluded, “Well…you have your orders, Captain.  Have a pleasant trip.”

“Thank you, Sir.”  Liz replied; a grin returning to her face as the admiral’s image on the computer monitor was once again replaced by the insignia of Starfleet Command.  Pressing the intercom button on her desk, Captain Shelby spoke, “Commander Hobson…report to my ready room, please.  We’ve got our new orders.”

****************************************************

As the tunes from an old torch song, ‘Stormy Weather’, filled the air in Rick’s, the Sutherland’s lounge decorated to resemble a 1940’s era nightclub; Sam Lavelle took a sip from his bourbon and coke, “So…what are you going to do once we get to Earth?” He asked the dusky skinned woman sitting at the table across from him.

“Go home…” Ensign Maria Django replied as she took a sip of her drink, an Antarean Sunrise, “See the parents…maybe hit the beach.  What about you?”

“Pretty much the same.”  Sam replied as Alec, the piano player who also worked in hydroponics, smoothly switched to a Cole Porter tune.  “I figured I’d go to Nairobi—see my father at the university…and then swing by Toronto and spend some time with my sister and her family.”

“You know…” Maria smiled shyly as she traced the edge of her glass with her finger, “…you could come to Rio with me—after you see your family, that is.  We could go to Ipanema…”

“Sounds good.”  Sam replied, flashing a roguish grin, “But what about this?  Why don’t you come with me to Nairobi and then we can go to Rio…”

“Hmmm…” Maria smiled as she considered her answer.  Finishing her drink, she replied, her voice now taking on a husky quality, “Sure…why not. Sounds like fun.”

******************************************************

Another couple, this one consisting of the Sutherland’s first officer, Christopher Hobson, and the operations officer, the lovely olive-skinned Deltan woman, Lieutenant Anara Rysyl, sat at another table in the bar, one close to the piano.  Sipping her Trillian aurea, Anara asked, her lyrical voice accentuated by the Cole Porter song being played on the piano, “What do you plan to do with your shore leave, Chris?”

“I don’t know…” The diffident first officer replied in his usual nasal tone.  “To be honest, I haven’t really thought about it.”

“You have family…” The beautiful Deltan suggested, “How long has it been since you’ve seen them.”

“It’s been several years…” Chris began, pausing for a moment as he took a sip of his scotch, “Not since…”

Shaking her head sadly, Anara interjected, “You mean to tell me you haven’t seen your family since…the accident?”  Sighing at Hobson’s slight nod of his head, Anara declared earnestly, “Then I’d say it’s past time that you did.”  Not giving her companion the chance to interrupt, the Deltan continued to speak in a gentle, yet persistent tone, “They’re your family, Chris.  You’ve been punishing yourself for too long.”

“Perhaps you’re right.  Maybe I should.”  Hobson replied diffidently, his lips turning up into a slight smile as he saw the pleased look on his companion’s face.  “What about you?  What are your plans?”

Shrugging her shoulders, Anara replied with a chuckle, “I haven’t really given the matter much thought.”

“You know…” Chris began hesitatingly, “…you could…come along with me…”

“No…” Anara said, shaking her head gently, placing her hand on that of her companion’s, “I’d be intruding…this is something I think you need to do alone.”

“You’re right…”  Hobson acknowledged, his usual poker face returning as he withdrew his hand from the table.  “…of course.  Please accept my apologies.”  Finishing his drink Chris stood up, “Now…if you’ll excuse me…I think I’ll turn in for the evening.”

Watching in stunned silence as the first officer strode out of the lounge; Anara vaguely heard the muffled voice of Jadon Tol, the Sutherland’s chief engineer and best friend of the icy Hobson, “Chris…whatever am I going to do with you…”

“Huh?”  The bewildered Deltan woman exclaimed as she looked up to find the Trill engineer standing next to her.  “Jadon?”

“My buddy, Chris…” The roguish Trill sighed, taking the recently vacated seat across from Anara as he gestured for the volunteer waiter to bring him a mug of synth-hol.  “I’ve got duty in a couple of hours.”  The engineer explained, making a face as he took a tentative sip, “You know why drinking synth-hol is like making love in a canoe?”

Shaking her head in bemusement at the free-spirited Jadon, Anara answered back, “No…why?”

“They’re both frinxing too near water!”  Jadon laughed, his joke eliciting an amused chuckle from his companion.  Seeing that his gag had the desired effect, the Trill engineer said in a sympathetic voice, “Don’t be too hard on Chris—he’s just a…”

“He’s an ass.”  Anara completed with a frown as she sipped her drink.

“Well…” Jadon quipped, “I was going to say dumbass, but…”

“I think I like dumbass better.”  Anara jibed back.

“Yeah…” Jadon agreed, then, his tone gentling, he pleaded, “But don’t be too hard on him…it’s just that…”

“He just keeps pushing me back.”  Anara interrupted, her humor disappearing.  “He’s so afraid of allowing anyone close to him…”

“I know…” Jadon concurred and then, leaning close, he spoke in a voice barely louder than a whisper, “Look, Chris has always been the sort who kept people at a distance.  When Natalie died…” Tol explained, “It was even worse.  He drew so far into himself that I wasn’t sure he’d ever make his way out.  It took a long time for him to finally come to grips with what happened, and to be honest, he still hasn’t completely.”

“I understand…” The Deltan woman replied, repressing a shudder, “I felt the pain that he went through…”

“Yeah…” Jadon conceded, “Your empathic link with him has probably made you closer to him than anyone else—including me—and I’ve known him longer than anyone else here.”

Shaking her head sadly, Anara interjected, “Not that much closer.  So much of him is still walled off.”  Sighing deeply, the Deltan woman added somberly, “And I don’t know if I can—or even if I want to—put up with the emotional baggage…”

“You shouldn’t have to.”  Jadon declared solemnly, “Chris has let this go on for far too long.”  Smiling a roguish grin at the lovely Deltan sitting across from him, the Trill engineer remarked, “You know, maybe what he needs instead of a shoulder to cry on is a good swift kick in the pants.”

Flashing a wicked grin of her own, Anara rejoined, “Ok, Jadon…What do you have in that twisted mind of yours?”

*****************************************************

“What are your plans, Mr. Varok?”  Ensign Candy Johnson asked, looking up from her computer console in the astrophysics lab.

“Excuse me, Mr. Johnson?”  The elderly Vulcan responded in his usual flat tone.

“Your plans…when we get to Earth?”  The bubbly ensign replied, “What are you going to do?  I mean I heard that we’re going to be laid up for a week or so as they do some work on the main deflector array…”

Long experienced in the human trait of incessant curiosity, Varok, bowing down to the inevitable, decided to indulge the junior officer, “I plan to meet my granddaughter—T’Pren.  She is a student at Starfleet Academy.”

“Oh?”  Candy responded, much to the chagrin of her Vulcan superior, “What year’s she in?  What’s her specialty?”

Taking a deep breath, Varok continued to humor the young human.  “She is a third year cadet.”  He declared; his voice and manner not reflecting the pride that he felt deep within him for her and her accomplishment, “And is a science specialist.”

“Just like her grandfather!”  Candy interjected with an infectious grin.  “You must be proud of her.”

“Pride is an emotional response.”  Varok replied flatly, “And as such is illogical.  But…” he added, “I do take…satisfaction…in her accomplishing her goals in the manner she has done.”

“You should.”  Candy responded with a wicked grin as she returned to her work, “You have every right to feel that way.”

Raising his eyebrow, Mr. Varok returned to his duties, silent as he remembered the conversation he had with his daughter, T’Prel, several hours earlier concerning T’Pren and some recent…illogical…decisions that she had made.  Decisions that affected not just her life, but also the family honor.  Decisions that he intended to discuss with his wayward granddaughter as soon as possible.

**************************************************************

The trite saying that goes ‘Time heals all wounds’ more often that not is a truism, Liz noted as the grief she had felt several days ago over the loss of Professor Davin had by now, for the most part, leaving behind mostly happy memories with only the occasional painful twinge to remind her of his passing.  Now, with the Sutherland’s arrival on Earth drawing nearer, Liz began to make plans.  Luxuriating in her tub, gently scented soapy bubbles tingling her skin, she smiled her fist truly contented smile in days as she sipped champagne from a long crystal flute.  “Computer…” The hedonistic captain ordered, “Establish a subspace communication with Sandy Moore and Jason Phillips…their subspace idents should be in my personal database.”

“Idents confirmed.”  The computer replied, “Connection made.”

“Display visual…bathroom wall monitor.”  Liz ordered as she set her glass down on the side of the tub next to her. 

“Lizzy!”  The woman, a stunning blonde wearing a blue bathrobe and lying on a large double bed grinned widely as she recognized the Starfleet captain.  “Jason!  Come over here! It’s Lizzy!”

“Hey Liz!  Long time!”  The man, a dark haired man with a goatee and wearing a towel around his waist, smiled broadly as he entered the room, joining his companion on the bed.  Leering, he quipped in an English accent, “You’re looking good—but aren’t you out of uniform?”

“Yeah…” Sandy interjected, speaking in a sultry voice, “You look absolutely scrumptious.”

“Hmmm…you two look delicious yourselves.”  Liz purred as she took a sip from her champagne.

“How long has it been, love?”  Jason asked.

“Eight…maybe nine months…” Liz answered back.

“I can’t believe it’s been so long.”  Sandy exclaimed, “So, Baby…what’s up?”

“Yeah…darling…” Jason remarked, “I hope it’s nothing bad.”

“No…” Liz replied, her body stiffening momentarily before she banished—for now—the memories of Professor Davin that had suddenly rushed into her mind.  “In fact…it’s good news.  The Sutherland should be at Earth in a few days or so…”

“Hey!”  Sandy cried out, “That means you’ll be able to make it to Raul’s party!”

“That’s right.”  Jason chimed in, “You have to come, Liz…you know it’s not the same without you.”

“Yeah.”  Sandy interjected, “I remember the last time…”

“That was fun, wasn’t it?”  Liz quipped, “I don’t think I ever…”

“Me either…” Sandy giggled.

“So…” Jason asked as Sandy began playing with his long hair, “We can count on you?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”  Liz grinned as Jason kissed the back of Sandy’s neck.  “Hmmm…” Elizabeth remarked, flashing a brief leer as she watched her friends growing more and more amorous, “I better let you go now.  Looks like you two are getting ready to have some fun of your own.” Mock pouting, she added, “I wish I could join you.”

“You don’t have to go, Liz.”  Jason protested as he undid Sandy’s bathrobe.

“No…don’t go.”  Sandy added with a wicked grin as her sultry voice grew even more seductive, “We know how much you like to watch.”

“Mmmm…” Elizabeth purred, “Much as I’m tempted to, I’d better not tie up this subspace channel too long.  But don’t worry; we’ll get together in a few days for fun and games.”

“Mmmm…We can’t wait,” Sandy replied in a husky voice as the man lying next to her continued his kisses and caresses.

“See you soon, Liz, darling.” Jason then said as he reached over his sensuous blonde partner to terminate the transmission. “Bye, love!”  Sandy called out as the monitor went blank.

Taking another sip from her champagne, Liz lay back in her tub, “Hmmm…now, what should I wear to Raul’s orgy?  I wore leather last time—I think this time I’ll go for lace.  Maybe the Andorian spider-silk teddy that Garak made for me?  Yes…that should do nicely.”

************************************************************

Walking briskly down the corridor towards the holodeck, Denise returned the greetings of various crewmembers with a courteous smile or a hello until she made out the form of Lieutenant Atoa approaching her.  Fighting down the butterflies in her stomach, the doctor smiled back as the burly security officer greeted her, “Mornin’ Denise,” Manuele called out with a grin as he took in the slender Japanese woman standing before him, “Going out for your morning run?”

“Yeah…” Denise all but stammered as she felt her whole body growing warmer while in the presence of the New Kauaian. 

“So…where are you jogging this time?  Boston Marathon?  San Francisco?  The Pythian Ridge on Alpha Centauri V?  The Taelian forest on Rigel VIII?

Smiling, Dr. Murakawa replied, “This time I thought I’d try out that program you loaned me…”

“The cliff trail overlooking New Honolulu?”  Seeing the doctor’s head nodding in confirmation, Manuele smiled warmly, “Yeah…I used to love hiking there when I was a kid.  I remember how my brother and I always got into trouble exploring the trails and caves…”

“You know…” Denise, forcing down the lump growing in her throat, ventured, “If you want…you can join me…”

Maintaining his smile, Manuele shook his head ruefully, “It’s tempting…but…I can’t right now...” He then explained, “I’ve got a departmental meeting in an hour…that gives me just enough time to get my stuff together and fire off a quick subspace letter to Mere…”

Upon hearing the name of the beautiful Ekosian security officer, Denise felt her heart sink as she all but tuned out the rest of Lt. Atoa’s words, “…but I’d like to take a rain check if that’s ok with you…” Seeing the faraway look in the doctor’s eyes, the New Kauaian inquired, a note of mild concern in his voice, “Denise?  Denise? You ok?  You look like you’re miles away…”

“Oh…” Dr. Murakawa, her face reddening with embarrassment as Manuele’s words brought her back, “I’m sorry…I get like this just before a run.  “I used to do it all the time just before a track meet back at the Academy…” Recovering her momentum as she spun out her lie, she further explained, “I’d get so focused on the race that…”

“I understand,” Manuele interjected with a friendly smile.  “So…what are you going to do when we get to Earth?”

Pausing for a moment, Denise responded, “I was planning on going to Rome…pray at the Tomb of the Saints.” 

“Tomb of the Saints?”  The New Kauaian security chief inquired.

“Yeah.”  Denise smiled shyly, crossing herself.  “It was built shortly after First Contact.” She explained in a reverential tone.  “It’s a holy site for all three branches of the Catholic Church—and even some of the Protestant faiths.  It’s where His Holiness, John-Paul III, lies—along with the cardinals who were martyred with him.”

“I see…” Manuele replied, and then, changing the subject, asked, “So…what else have you got planned?”

“I’m not sure.”  Denise answered back.  “I talked to my mother last night.  She mentioned coming to Earth for a conference and we agreed to get together and my father lives in Tokyo.  I haven’t seen him in years…”

“Sounds like the perfect opportunity for a family reunion…” Manuele began and then, seeing a dark look crossing the doctor’s face, the New Kauaian silently cursed himself, “I’m sorry.”  He apologized.  “I forgot.  I guess I really put my foot in my mouth this time, didn’t I.”

“Oh, no! Not at all!”  Denise quickly replied, shaking her head.  “It’s not your fault.  It’s just Dad and I never got the opportunity to get that close and well—me and my mother have just started talking to each other again.  So…getting all three of us together at the same place at the same time…”

“Might be a little awkward.”  Manuele interjected, nodding his head sympathetically.

“Right.”  Denise affirmed.

“Well…” The New Kauaian security officer suggested, “Maybe you can get together with them at different times…perhaps get an idea as to whether they’d be comfortable with each other—and whether you’d be comfortable with them at the same place at the same time…”

“Hmmm…” Dr. Murakawa responded, “Maybe…It wouldn’t hurt to give it a try.” 

“That’s my girl!”  Lieutenant Atoa beamed as he glanced at the chronometer.  “Oops!  I better get going or I’m going to be late for my own meeting.”

“Yeah…sure…go on…I’ll be ok…” Denise muttered under her breath as she entered the turbolift and began her stretching exercises, “Nothing like a nice solitary run in the country to clear your mind…”

*******************************************************

“Approaching Sector 001.”  Lieutenant Lavelle announced from his position at the helm as Captain Shelby, sitting in the center chair, nodded her head in acknowledgement.  “We should arrive at Earth in a few days at our current speed.”

“Very good, Mr. Lavelle.  Maintain course and speed.”  Turning to Lieutenant Rysyl, the captain smiled, “Lieutenant, you might want to inform the ambassador that he’ll be leaving us soon.”

“Aye, Sir.”  Anara replied, making her way to the turbolift as Manuele announced from his position at tactical.

“Captain…I’m receiving a coded signal from Starfleet Command.”  He then looked up from his console, “For your eyes only.”

“I’ll take it in my ready room.”  The Captain answered back as she vacated the center chair.  “Commander Hobson…” She commanded as she the doors to her office slid open, “The Bridge is yours.”

Taking the seat behind her desk, Elizabeth allowed the chair to mold itself to her features before commanding, “Mr. Atoa…open the channel.”  The monitor screen springing to life instantly following her security chief’s acknowledgment, the insignia of Starfleet Command was immediately replaced by the visage of Admiral J. P. Hanson, looking especially haggard.  I haven’t seen the admiral look this bad…Liz mused…since the Borg Incursion.  “Admiral?” The petite starship captain ventured, “Is everything all right?”

His lips turning up in an ironic grin, the balding admiral replied, “I’m not sure we’ll ever see all right again for some time, Elizabeth.”  Taking a deep breath, the admiral spoke, “You’re aware, of course, of the conference being held with the Romulans at Antwerp?”

“Yes, Sir.”  Liz responded, “We’re bringing Ambassador Offenhouse back for the follow-up discussions.  Why?  Has something happened?”

“You might say that.”  Admiral Hanson answered back, a grimace on his face.  “A bomb went off while the conference was in session.”  Ignoring the shocked look on his protégé’s face, the admiral steamrollered, “It has since been confirmed that it was a changeling that planted the bomb.”

“My God…” Elizabeth gasped, momentarily shocked by the news.  Recovering quickly, the headstrong captain asked, “What are our orders, Sir.”

Flashing a wide grin, the admiral exclaimed, “I knew I could count on you, Liz.” His grin vanishing, Hanson continued, “Admiral Leyton has made Ben Sisko head of planetary security…”

“He couldn’t have made a better choice.”  Liz observed.  “So…where does the Sutherland fit in?”

“We’re trying not to start a panic.”  The admiral stated, “So…for now, at least, there are no changes to your orders.  Proceed on to Earth.  When you arrive, you’ll receive any additional orders should they be necessary.”

“Understood, Sir.”  Shelby acknowledged in a grim tone.  “What should I tell my crew?”

“Have your doctor carry out blood screenings of all personnel at once.”  The admiral responded quickly.  “We’re not sure how deeply the changelings have infiltrated our ranks.”  Shaking his head glumly, the admiral ran his fingers through what was left of his hair, now an unruly tangle, “You know it’s bad, Liz, when you can’t even be sure that your best friend isn’t a changeling infiltrator.”  Pausing for a moment, Hanson’s lips turned up into a warm smile, “I’m glad you’re going to be here, Liz.  I’ll see you when you arrive.” 

Liz sat silent in her seat for several moments watching the blank monitor screen as she tried to wrap her mind around the news that she had just heard.  Shapeshifters—on Earth!  I suppose it was inevitable. She sighed as she considered the implications.  They’re probably on most—if not all—of the principle home worlds—you wouldn’t need a lot of them—just one or two on each world could create all sorts of chaos—and not just through sabotage.  She thought, shaking her head, even the rumor of a shapeshifter being on a starship or a major installation could disrupt operations.  Taking a deep breath, Liz touched her comm badge, “Dr. Murakawa, I need you to report to my ready room at once…Commander Hobson…Mr. Atoa…you’re to report to my ready room as well.”  Taking a deep breath, Liz walked over to the replicator and ordered a cup of coffee.  “Playtime will have to wait…” The starship captain sighed as she took her drink, “We’ve got work to do now.”

******************************************************

Part 2: Countdown to Crisis

As he sat down on the antique wooden bench, Admiral Leyton surveyed the almost pastoral scene before him.  Well manicured gardens courtesy of the chief groundskeeper, Boothby, buildings architecturally designed so as to appear to meld in with the landscape, rather than clash with it, a deep blue sky with fluffy white cumulus clouds thanks to the weathernet, and the sound of songbirds chirping all came together to give to the admiral the perfect picture of paradise. 

Sighing deeply, the bearded head of Starfleet Command grew even more pensive as he reviewed the events of the last week.  The conference bombing in Antwerp was the final nail…the admiral thought…now, more than ever, there can be no doubt.  I’m right.  A steely glare to his eyes as he gazed on a snowy egret standing next to a small pond near where he sat, Leyton gritted his teeth as he realized that he couldn’t be sure that that beautiful bird was in fact a bird and not a changeling  We have no choice…I have no choice.  If the Federation is to be saved…if this…he decided as his eyes once more took in the panoramic view before him, is to be preserved, then I have to act.  Standing up, the admiral made his way towards the Administration building where the Commandant of the Academy, a Bolian handpicked by Leyton, kept his office.  Soon, the two admirals would have a meeting…a most important meeting…a meeting with lasting consequences.

***********************************************************

“Assuming standard orbit, Captain.”  Lieutenant Lavelle reported as a familiar blue and white orb filled the Sutherland’s viewscreen.

“Starfleet Command is hailing us, Sir.”  Lieutenant Atoa then called out from his position at tactical.

“Main viewer.”  Shelby ordered automatically, smiling as the image of Admiral Hanson filled the viewscreen, “Admiral?”  Her smile disappearing, the petite captain reported, “Ambassador Offenhouse has just beamed down.  What’s the situation on the ground?”

“Stable for now.”  Hanson replied, a measure of relief in his voice.  “Concord, Eagle, and Potemkin should arrive within the next forty-eight hours to bolster our forces—just in case those rumors of possible cloaked Dominion ships are true.” 

On hearing the news of the Potemkin’s impending arrival, Lieutenant Lavelle’s teeth clenched.  Maria, observing Sam’s reaction out of the corner of her eye, raised an eyebrow in silent inquiry.  Receiving in return Sam’s unvoiced “Later”; the Brazilian junior operations officer nodded her head slightly as she returned to her duties. 

Ignoring the silent exchange going on between her junior officers, Liz concentrated on the admiral’s words.  “Also…” Hanson declared, “…the President has enacted limited security measures—ranking Starfleet officers and their families are required to undergo frequent blood screenings and we’ve instituted phaser sweeps of sensitive areas.”

“Understood, Sir.” The captain replied, “And our orders?”

“For now…maintain your current posture.”  His lips turning up into a wry grin, Hanson continued, “I know you and your people were hoping to just drop off Ambassador Offenhouse and take it easy for a few weeks, but until we get a better read on the situation here...”

“It’s all part of the job, Sir.”  Shelby responded with a smile.

Nodding his head approvingly, the admiral grinned back, “Still…I’m sorry to have to rain on your parade.  You all have earned a breather.”  Sighing, Admiral Hanson concluded, “Well, I’ll let you go now, Captain.  We’ll meet in my office at 1100 tomorrow and discuss things further.”

**********************************************************

Striding into the Commandant’s office, Admiral Leyton extended his hand towards the Bolian admiral getting up from his seat behind the desk.  “Keep your seat!”  Leyton exclaimed genially as he took the Bolian’s hand in his, shaking it vigorously.  “I’ll just take this chair over here.”  The Chief of Starfleet Operations said as he sat down opposite the blue skinned Commandant of the Academy.  “So…how’s it going, Barzhan?”

“Fine!  Fine!”  The Bolian replied, sitting down.  “And you?  How’s it going at your end?”

“It could be better.”  Leyton grumbled, “The President still refuses to face up to the danger of the situation we’re in here.  The security measures he’s authorized are nowhere near sufficient to deal with the threat.”

“So…” Barzhan inquired in a hushed tone, “You’re saying that we’re going to have to…”

“Move on to the next phase…” Leyton completed, nodding his head, “Yes.  I’m afraid so.”  Giving the blue-skinned Commandant a calculating look, Leyton asked, “Are your people ready to go?”

“Red Squad’s ready when you give the word.”  Barzhan replied with assurance.  “They’re good kids, James.  They’ll get the job done.”  Pausing for a moment, the Bolian admiral tentatively asked, “What about Captain Sisko?  Is he with us?”

“Ben Sisko can be trusted.”  Admiral Leyton immediately responded, his confidence in his former first officer coming through loud and clear in his voice.  Standing up, the bearded admiral gazed into the eyes of the Bolian admiral who had once served with him in his campaigns against the Tholians, “We’re now on the clock, Barzhan.  Operation Lights Out commences in twenty four hours.  Hopefully, then the President will then give us the tools we need to do our job.  Now, I’d better get back to the office.  Good luck.”

Watching as the doors closed behind the admiral, Barzhan activated his intercom, “Mr. Carroll?  Have Red Squad report to my office immediately.”

************************************************************

Operation Lights Out: T-minus 20 hours

Elliot Mitchell and his wife Sarah looked on fondly as their two children, Crystal and Andrew, ages five and eight, slept soundly in their beds.  “They’re really looking forward to seeing their Grandpa and Grandma tomorrow,” Elliot, a junior climate technician, remarked.

“I know.”  Sarah replied with a grin.  “Did you see the card that Crystal made for Mom at school today?”

“Yeah.”  Elliot smiled warmly.  “And Andrew…his first time going on the transporter without Mommy and Daddy…he’s been so looking forward to that…”

Chuckling softly, Sarah quipped, “Of course he is…as far as he’s concerned, he’s all grown up now…”  Putting her index finger to her lips as her little daughter stirred slightly in her sleep, the doting mother uttered a soft, “Shush,” as she tiptoed over to her bed.  Gently tucking in first Crystal and then Andrew, she kissed them both on the foreheads.  “We better go to bed ourselves now…” She whispered, “Tomorrow’s a big day.”

***********************************************************

Operation Lights Out: T-minus 18 hours

“Buy you a cup of coffee, Sam?”  Maria Django asked as the two ensigns assigned to relieve her and Lieutenant Lavelle at helm arrived at their console.

“Sure, Maria,” The dark haired helmsman replied as the pair made their way to the turbolift along with the rest of alpha shift, “I could use a cup right about now.”

Entering one of the Sutherland’s three galleys, Maria asked Sam to claim a table for the two of them as she made her way to the closest unused food replicator.  Ordering an espresso for her and a coffee, sugar, no cream, for her friend, the petite young ensign handed the coffee to the dark haired Canadian as she took her seat opposite him.  “So…you want to talk about it?”

After taking a careful sip of the hot beverage and setting the cup down on his table, Sam recalled, “Remember several months ago when I told you that my mother opposed my entering Starfleet Academy?”  Taking Maria’s slight nod of her head as assent, Lavelle continued his narrative, “Well…when my uncle Richard—you remember me telling you he’s captain of the DeRuyter?” 

“Yeah, I remember.”  Maria said as she blew on her espresso, prompting, “Go on…”

Taking another sip of his coffee, Sam continued, “She always tells my uncle and my Dad that the reason she was so dead-set against my applying was that she didn’t want to see me get hurt…that her and her brother laying it on the line in Starfleet were enough…but that’s not the truth…” He said solemnly as he lowered his head.  “The real reason is that she didn’t think I could cut it…that I wasn’t up to the job…that I wouldn’t take it seriously.”

“That’s ridiculous!”  Maria replied with a snort.  “Ok…yeah…you’re a nice guy and all and you’re fun to be with, but…” All traces of laughter vanishing from her face she regarded the man sitting across from her.  Taking his free hand in hers, the petite Brazilian ensign declared, “…you’re also an incredibly brave, loyal, and giving human being…” Squeezing his hand, she continued, “…and if she can’t see that…then it’s her who shouldn’t be wearing this uniform.”

“Thanks, Maria,” Sam replied, squeezing her hand in response, “I think I needed to hear that.”

“So…” Maria asked, “When are you going to give ‘Mommy Dearest’ a call?”

“I think I’ll talk to Dad first…” Sam answered back, forcing a grin to his face, “Start things off on a good note before tackling Mom.”

“Good.”  Maria declared as she stood up.  Bending over, she gave her friend a kiss on his cheek, “I’ve got to go talk to my parents and then try to get some sleep…that is if Treasure isn’t snoring up a storm!”

“Well…” Sam jibed, “If she is, you know you can always come and crash with me.”

“You know…” Django rejoined with a smirk, “I might just take you up on that…”

*************************************************************

Operation Lights Out: T-minus 16 hours

“Mrs. Patel…” The doctor explained in his rich Australian accent, “You’re right.  Even a century ago, this procedure would have been considered very risky, and I won’t lie to you, it is still major surgery—we’ll be engaged in some very delicate work in your husband’s brain, but he’s in very good health for a man of his years and he stands a good chance at making a complete recovery with the operation.”  Pausing for several moments to give the woman sitting across from him, a slightly built Indian woman, her dark hair now mostly gray, to take in what he had just told her, the doctor further admonished, “But your husband does need this operation.  The neural deterioration has reached the point where noninvasive procedures are no longer viable.  Surgery is our only option here.”

“I see.”  The woman answered back.  “When do you want to do the operation?”

“Tomorrow.”  The doctor replied.  “Just to be sure we could get him in as soon as possible, I took the liberty of putting him on the schedule.”  Holding out a padd for the elderly woman, the doctor requested, “I just need your authorization here and we’ll proceed.”

Pressing her thumbprint on the padd, the frail woman pleaded as she stood up, “Take care of him…please.”

***************************************************************

Operation Lights Out: T-minus 10 hours

“Oi Mae!”  Ensign Django smiled at the woman’s image on her computer monitor.  Even though her skin was more than a few shades lighter than her daughter’s, the older woman’s dark hair and fair features easily marked the pair as mother and daughter.

“Oi, meu filha!” Teresa Django replied; a broad smile on her face as she regarded her daughter.  “Where are you?  Are you still on your way here?”

Laughing merrily, Maria answered back, “I’m already here.  The Sutherland arrived in Earth orbit about fourteen hours ago.”

“And you’re still on that ship and not back home?”  Teresa mock scolded, her sly wink revealing that she was merely teasing.  “What sort of heartless person is your captain to keep a mother from her daughter?”

Her laughter growing louder, Maria joked back, “The type who’d have your daughter cleaning plasma coils for the next year.”  Her laughter disappearing, the young Brazilian added in a serious tone, “I wish we could come down, Mae, but we’re still on alert…”

“I understand, meu filha.”  The older woman replied, her laughter vanishing as well, “I haven’t seen people this nervous since the Borg Incursion.  We’ve had half a dozen cancellations at the hotel since yesterday and tua pai has had some of his charters cancel out as well.”  Her smile returning to her face, Teresa regarded her daughter, “But I’m glad you’re back and I know tua pai will be happy to see you too.”  Then, a wicked grin crossing her features, Maria’s mother asked, “So…you said that you wish that ‘we’ could come down.  Who is this other person, eh? A young man, perhaps?”

Her darkened complexion not completely hiding the blush coming to her face, Maria answered back, “Oh…all right…yes, Mae, it’s a man.” She stammered, “His name is Sam…Sam Lavelle…he’s a shipmate of mine.”

“Ah…” Teresa exclaimed with a laugh.  “Well…bring him with you; we’d love to meet him.”

Joining her mother in laughter, Maria replied, “I’ll be sure to let him know.”  Her laughter dying down to be replaced by a fond smile, the young Brazilian finished, “I’ve got to go now, Mae.  I want to grab a quick nap before my shift.  Tell Pai I love him and I’ll see you both soon.”

“Tchau! Meu filha!” Teresa quickly responded before her image vanished, to be replaced by a blank screen.  Getting up out of her seat, Maria slipped under the sheets of her bed.  Smiling contentedly at the fact that, for now at least, her roommate was not snoring, Ensign Django drifted off to sleep.

************************************************************

“Hey, Dad.”  Sam smiled as his father’s face appeared on the monitor screen.  With his dark black hair and neatly trimmed beard, Michel Lavelle looked every inch the stereotypical university professor.  “How’re you doing?”

“I’m doing fine, Sam!”  Michel answered with just a slight Quebecois accent.  “When are you beaming down?”

“Hopefully soon.”  The younger Lavelle answered back, his smile vanishing.  “Right now they want us to hold our position…”

“I understand, Son.”  The older man interjected, a note of sadness in his voice, “When I found out about what happened in Antwerp, I couldn’t believe it.  It’s…”

“I know, Dad.” Sam replied in a soft voice. “I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Mom’s ship should be here by tomorrow…”

“The Potemkin?  It’s coming in too?”  Michel exclaimed, his smile returning until he saw the distraught look on his son’s face, “Sam…don’t you think its time you and your mother settled your differences?”

“There’s nothing I’d love more…” The younger man replied, “But I’m not sure Mom wants to.”

“Now…whatever gave you that idea?”  The older man asked as his image gazed into the eyes of his son.

“To be honest…” Sam admitted, “I thought we were patching things up.  She seemed pleased when I got my promotion to full Lieutenant, but, when I told her I was transferring over to the Sutherland, she exploded.”

“Why?”  Michel asked, “I’ll admit, I don’t know that much about how Starfleet operates, but I get the impression that it was a good move for you.”

“It was.”  Sam confirmed, nodding his head, “A very good move.  I’m senior helmsman and…” He added with a note of pride in his voice, “I’m pretty sure I’m fast tracking towards my third pip.”

“Now that is good news!”  Sam’s father declared, beaming with pride in his son.  His smile disappearing, the elder Lavelle asked, “So, what has your mother so upset?”

“She hasn’t told you?”  Sam asked, surprised, “I thought you and Mom were getting along with each other.”

“We are…we are!”  Michel asserted, “It’s just she never mentioned anything about it to me—except to say that you were going to the Sutherland.”  Tilting his head slightly to the left, the anthropologist added, “She also said something about it being a…trouble magnet…yeah…that’s what she called it.”

Chuckling, Sam quipped, “Well, it certainly is that!”  His smile vanishing, the young helmsman continued, “But it’s a good ship…with a good captain and a good crew.”  Shaking his head, the younger Lavelle grumbled, “I wish I could get Mom to see that.  To see that leaving the Enterprise was actually the best thing I could have done.”

“Your mother can be very stubborn at times.”  Michel commiserated, “Believe me…I know.”  An ironic grin on his face, the Quebec born anthropologist added, “That’s both why I fell in love with her and why our marriage fell apart.”  Changing the subject, the elder Lavelle asked, “Do you think you’ll be able to come down before you have to leave again?”

“I’m pretty sure I will.”  Sam replied with a smile.  “If nothing happens tomorrow, I think we’ll be able to take some shoreleave.”  His grin growing wider, the young man added, “Besides, there’s someone I want you to meet.”

‘Oh?”  Michel grinned, “And this someone would be?”

“Her name’s Maria…Maria Django.”  Sam answered back with a shy grin, “And I think you’ll like her.”

“If you like her, Son…” The older man declared confidently, “Then I know I’m going to love her.”

*********************************************************

Operation Lights Out: T-minus 8 hours

“Come in Commander, come in!”  Admiral Leyton beamed as his aide strode into his spacious office.  Getting up out of his seat, he gestured towards one of the chairs facing the desk, “Have a seat.  How are things proceeding?”

“We’re on schedule, Sir.”  Commander Erika Benteen answered; the slightest hint of doubt in her voice.

Picking up on his aide’s unease, the admiral asked in a fatherly voice, “What’s wrong, Erika?  You seem a little…tentative.”

Sighing, the chestnut haired commander replied in a careful tone, “I do have one concern, Sir…”

Gesturing with his hand, Leyton prompted encouragingly, “Go ahead…you know I want my officers to feel free to express their opinions.”

“It’s just sir…” Commander Benteen began, “I’m not sure that we’ve fully taken into account the effect a total power blackout will have.  Remember, when we take out the power grid, our team will be taking out all of the backup systems as well—including the climate control and other emergency systems.  It could have quite a strong impact…”

“I know…” Leyton replied somberly, “I couldn’t get any sleep at all thinking about it. But…” the admiral declared, his eyes now taking on a fiery gleam, “…we don’t have any choice.  Unfortunately, the only way this President can be made to understand just how serious a threat we face is through a powerful—and drastic—demonstration.  Believe me, Erika, if there was some other way…I would take it in a heartbeat.”  Shaking his head sadly, the admiral concluded, “But we have no choice.”  Gazing into his protégé’s eyes, Leyton asked, “Do you understand?”

“Yes, Sir.”  Benteen answered back in a soft voice.

“Good!”  The admiral exclaimed as, getting out of his chair, he walked around to where Commander Benteen stood.  “Stand up please, Commander.”  The admiral requested in a grave tone, taking out a small box as Erika stood.  “I had these replicated yesterday.  I wanted to give them to you when you officially took charge of the Lakota later on today, but now’s as good a time as any.”  Opening the box to reveal two gold pips, Leyton beamed as he pinned the pips on Benteen’s collar, “Congratulations, Captain.”

**********************************************************

Operations Lights Out: T-Minus 6 hours

“That’s strange…” Third Year Cadet T’Pren, eyebrow raised, opined to her green-skinned Troyian roommate, Atris, also a third year cadet, as the pair walked down the corridor towards their room.

“What?”  Atris asked as she brushed back a strand of her luxurious white, mauve highlighted hair that had fallen over her right eye.

“Those two…” She said, tilting her head in the direction of two other third year cadets, both humans. 

“What about them?”  The Troyian cadet asked, shrugging her shoulders, “Lyman and DeWitt might be a pair of brownnosing toadies, but otherwise I don’t see what’s so strange about them.”

“They’re part of Red Squad.”  T’Pren explained, “I just find it interesting that while the rest of us are confined to the dorm complex, they’re sneaking off to the Admin building again just like they did last night…”

“They’re Reddies…” Atris sneered, “You know their drezhit doesn’t stink.  They get to do whatever they want.  Besides…” she questioned in a suspicious tone, “How did you know they snuck out last night?”

Her lips turning up into a slight smile, the Vulcan cadet responded with a shrug, “Because I followed them when they snuck out.”

“You’re joking…” Atris exclaimed.  “How did you pull that off?”

“It helps if you know how to slice into the computer…” T’Pren whispered.  “I waited until they left the dorm, used the combination I got from the computer to open the door without triggering any alarms, and followed them out.  They met up with that little nirak Shepard and the rest of their little clique and then they all went into the Admin building.”

“Damn…” The Troyian woman swore, “You’ve got more balls than an Elasian assault commando!”

“I hope so…” T’Pren replied with a snort, “Because I’m going to need them soon.  Grandfather’s coming to visit…”

“So…” Atris said, flashing a mischievous grin, “I get to see the legendary Varok.  I wonder how he’s going to respond to the new you.”

“It’s going to be grim…” T’Pren answered back, a dour look on her face, “When I confirm to him what my parents have already told him, that I’ve embraced V’tosh ka’tur, that I have accepted my emotional self, he will probably disown me…”

“It can’t be that bad.”  Atris countered, “You’re his granddaughter after all—wouldn’t that be an emotional response for him?

“Let me tell you something…” T’Pren replied with a snort, “Don’t believe it when people tell you that Vulcans don’t have emotions.  Believe me, we do.  We’re also notorious for keeping grudges.”  Sighing, the young Vulcan concluded, “Grandfather will disown me…and he’ll do it in a completely logical way.”

**************************************************************

 Operation Lights Out: T-minus 2 hours

Rematerializing on the transporter pad, Captain Shelby smiled as she saw her mentor, Admiral Hanson, waiting with outstretched hand to greet her.  “Welcome back, Liz…”

“It’s good to be back, Sir.”  Shelby replied as she took the admiral’s hand in hers.  Shaking her head, she commented as the pair made their way down a busy corridor to the Hanson’s office, “I wish we didn’t have to come under these circumstances though.”  Pausing for a moment as they reached the admiral’s office, the starship captain asked, “So…how are things now?”

“Better…” Hanson declared with a smile, striking a note of confidence. “I think we’re getting a handle on it.”

“Good.” Liz exclaimed as Admiral Hanson ushered her into his office, “My people will be glad to hear that.”

“I’m sure they will.”  The admiral replied, ordering two iced teas from the replicator.  “Here…” he said, giving one of the glasses to Elizabeth while he took the other for himself.  “Closest you can get to sun-brewed tea without it being the real thing.”

“Thank you, Sir.”  Liz answered back, relaxing in the comfortable chair across from the admiral’s desk.  Taking a sip from the cool drink in her hands, she asked, “So…what do we do now?”

“We’ll keep at our current level of alert for another day or two…” Hanson replied, “After that…if nothing happens…we’ll go back down to normal operations.”  Taking another sip of his tea, the admiral added, “That’ll give you time to see your parents…”

Her face hardening, Elizabeth responded carefully, “That’s probably not such a good idea, Sir.”

Sighing, Hanson addressed his young protégé in a paternal tone, “I might be overstepping my bounds here, Elizabeth…but…I’ve known you for a long time and your father for an even longer time…don’t forget, I served with him on the old Exeter.  You’re both two of the most stubborn, willful individuals I’ve ever met…which is probably why you’re both such good starship captains.”  Shaking his head sadly, the admiral added as he ran his hand through what was left of his hair, “But those two traits have also kept the two of you apart for years.  He’s not getting any younger, Liz…” Hanson admonished, maintaining his fatherly tone, “Not to mention your mother…Anna’s been caught in the middle between the two of you for far too long.”

“I’ll admit…” Liz reluctantly conceded, carefully choosing her words, “…that it’s been rough on Mom and…maybe…I’ve been unfair to her.”  Sighing as her old mentor looked on at her, Shelby grudgingly agreed, “Oh…all right…I’ll talk to Dad…if we get the chance.  But I can’t promise you anything.”

“That’s my girl!”  Hanson beamed approvingly as he finished his drink. Standing up, the admiral patted his protégé on her shoulder, “I’m afraid I’m going to have to let you go now, Liz.  I’ve got a late meeting with Admirals Shanthi and Paris…” he said with a sly wink, “…and I need time to firm up my shields before meeting those two…”

“Understood, Sir.”  Liz laughed as she made her way to the exit.  “And…thanks again, Admiral…”

*************************************************************

Operation Lights Out: T-minus 1 hour

Holding on to her husband’s hand, Rina Patel tried to smile through her tears as the doctor and his staff entered.  “Don’t worry, Mrs. Patel…” The Australian doctor consoled, “I promise I’ll take good care of him.”  Taking out a hypospray, the doctor injected it into the elderly man’s neck.  Nodding his head in satisfaction as he ran his tricorder over his patient’s body, the doctor smiled, “So far…so good.”  Nodding his head at one of the attendants who then touched a button on the biobed, the doctor once again addressed Rina, “We’ll wait awhile—give the anesthetic and the nutrients were putting into his system a chance to take effect and then we’ll perform the surgery.”

*****************************************************************

“Crystal! Andrew!” Sarah Mitchell called out in an exasperated voice as her husband, collecting the lunchtime dishes, placed them into the reclamation chute.  “Hurry up!  Your father has to go back to work!”

Pushing the button next to the chute, Elliot smiled as he turned towards his wife, “I’ll see you later, honey.” He said as he gave her a kiss.

“Don’t forget us, Daddy!”  Two voices called out behind him.

“Now, how could I ever forget my two angels!”  The doting father exclaimed as, kneeling down, he embraced both children in a tight bear hug.  “Now…you be good at Grandpa and Grandma’s, ok…”

“Ok, Daddy…” Crystal, the youngest, said with a shy smile as her father kissed her on the forehead.

“Don’t worry, Daddy…” Andrew declared proudly, “I’ll be sure she’s good.”

Laughing, Elliot mussed his son’s hair, “You just be sure that you behave yourself, young man!”  The father proclaimed with a broad grin.  Getting back on his feet, turned once again to his wife, “I better go now, honey.  We’re running a new program today and I need to get in on time.”

“Ok, honey.”  Sarah responded as she gave her husband another kiss, “I’ll see you this evening.”  Looking down on her children, the loving mother smiled warmly, “Ok guys…time to get changed out of your play clothes.  We’re going to have to get a move on if we’re going to get to the transporter pad on time.”  Clapping her hands, she commanded in a voice familiar to mothers, everywhere, “Now!”

******************************************************************

“Pretty day, Manoel!”  Joao, the first mate of the charter boat, Teresa, exclaimed as he looked up into the cerulean sky.

“It should be…” Manoel Django, an athletic, dark complexioned man, quipped, a toothy grin on his face, “The climate control net said it would be.”  Cutting the boat’s engine off, the charter boat owner/operator called down to the divers suiting up on the deck.  “This is the spot.  You won’t find better reef diving for miles.”

As the divers entered the water with a splash, Joao asked his employer and brother-in-law, “So, did you hear from minha irma?

“Sim,” Manoel responded with a warm smile, “She said Maria’s back.”

“She is?  Is the little firecracker at the hotel?”

“Nao” Manoel replied; shaking his head, “She’s still on her ship—in orbit.  She told Teresa that Starfleet didn’t want to take any chances so they’re keeping them on alert.”

“That’s probably for the best,” Joao agreed.  “Still…I hope they’ll let her spend at least a couple of days with us.”

****************************************************************

Operation Lights Out: T-minus 30 minutes

“You all understand your tasks…” Cadet Riley Shepard instructed.  “The Lakota will beam us into the global power distribution complex in Lisbon; we disable the power relay system and all the backups…”

“All of the backups?”  Cadet Dorian Collins asked in a shocked tone.

“All of the backups.”  Cadet Shepard emphasized, “Those are our orders.”  His eyes focused on Collins, Shepard demanded, “If anyone does not feel that they can carry out these orders, they need to say so now.”  Satisfied that Collins had dropped her questioning stance, Shepard smirked inwardly, “Good.  We’re all on the same page.”  Activating his comm badge, the young cadet spoke, “Shepard to Lakota.  Red Squad is ready for transport.”

********************************************************************

“Captain?”  Lieutenant Atoa reported from his position at tactical, “They’re here.”  Three starships came into sight in the Sutherland’s main viewer.  The Excelsior-class Concord and Potemkin and the Nebula-class Eagle appeared in a triangular formation with the Eagle at the apex of the triangle and the two Excelsiors at the bases.

“And here comes Mom…” Lavelle muttered sotto voce as he immediately picked out the Potemkin amongst the other ships.

“Focus, Sam…” Ensign Django whispered.  “Put ‘Mommy Dearest’ out of your mind for now.”

“Two Excelsiors and another Nebula…” Commander Hobson noted dryly, “We’re not bringing much to the table if there really is a cloaked Dominion fleet on its way here.”

“You go with what you’ve got, Commander…” Liz riposted in an equally wry tone before addressing her tactical officer, “Mr. Atoa, hail the Eagle.”  Picking up the padd which sat on her lap, she quickly glanced at the personnel entry for the Eagle, burning the name of the ship’s captain into her memory.  The images of the three starships now replaced by that of a brown haired, blue eyed man sitting in the center chair, Elizabeth smiled, “Captain Owens…it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Captain Shelby…” Owens responded politely, yet stiffly, “The pleasure is mutual.  What is the current situation?”  The Eagle’s captain asked, getting down immediately to business.

“We’re stable for now…” Shelby replied, matching the other captain’s detachment, “Admiral Hanson has ordered us to hold station until further notice—just in case.”

“Understood, Captain.”  Owens acknowledged in a formal tone.  “If there’s nothing further…”

“No…” Elizabeth responded in a cold voice, “That covers it. Shelby out.”

“So…” Commander Edison commented with a twinkle in his eye, “That was the infamous Captain Shelby.”

“That’s her.”  Captain Owens tersely acknowledged.

“You sound like you don’t like her.”  Edison observed, speaking in a low tone so that there conversation could not be overheard.

“It’s not a matter of liking or not liking her.”  Owens replied in an equally low voice, “It’s just that I don’t think someone like her has any business wearing that uniform—much less commanding a starship.”

"What do you mean?"  Edison gently probed, keeping his voice low. "It can't be just because she likes having a good time..."

"No..." Owens shook his head, "...it isn't...at least not completely."  Taking a deep breath, the Eagle's captain said, "Look, Gene...I don't want to talk about it right now.  Let’s just say I have my reasons and leave it at that."

“Ok…” Edison replied, respecting his captain's wishes, "Sure.  But I’d still love to score an invite to her next party.”

As he looked down on his padd, a slight grin appeared on Michael Owen’s face.  “Get me the Lakota.”  The Eagle’s captain ordered.  Turning towards Edison, he explained, “Erika Benteen’s finally made captain and got the Lakota.  It’s about time…” He then said in a much softer voice, “In fact, it's past time.”

*************************************************************

“Stuck up prick.” Captain Shelby muttered under her breath before putting the captain of the Eagle out of her mind.  Looking down on her padd, Liz memorized the names of the other two captains before addressing her tactical officer, “Mr. Atoa, get me Captains Taras of the Potemkin and Lynwood of the Concord.”

***********************************************************

Operation Lights Out: T-minus 0

“Ok…we’re in.”  Cadet Shepard whispered after he and his team beamed undetected into the Lisbon power distribution center.  Walking to the main console, the young cadet nodded his head at the duty technician, a former crewman of Admiral Leyton’s on the Okinawa.  Nodding his head in return, the technician turned around, exiting the facility.  “Let’s do this.”  The leader of Red Squad ordered as his people took their stations at the various consoles, inputting the codes that would soon plunge the entire planet into darkness.

*******************************************************

“We have to be very careful here…” The operating surgeon said; addressing the surgical residents as he carefully and skillfully manipulated the laser scalpel in his hands.  “Now…this is the most delicate part of the entire operation…”

****************************************************************

“Grandpa…Grandma…” Little Crystal shouted out with glee as she saw her grandparents on the communications screen.  “See what I did?”  She asked proudly as she displayed the card that she had made in school the other day.

“It looks beautiful dear.”  Crystal’s grandmother replied with a beatific smile.

“We can’t wait to see it, darling.”  The little girl’s grandfather added before addressing the little boy standing next to his sister.  “Won’t be long, Andrew and you’ll be taller than me!”

“I’m already taller than Frankie Munroe!”  The little boy responded with a smile, “And he used to be the tallest boy in my class.”

“Elliot and I thank you both for looking after the kids.”  Sarah chimed in as she gathered her children to her.  “We’re looking forward to spending our anniversary in the mountains this weekend.”

“You two deserve the time off, Dear.”  The elderly man replied.

“Charles is right, Sarah.  We’re only too glad to look after Crystal and Andrew.” The woman added with a smile, “You two go off and have a good time and don’t worry about a thing.”

“Thanks, Mom…Dad…” Sarah replied as she gave her children one last hug.  “Now, Andrew…Crystal…remember to be good for your grandparents and when you get home, you just might find a little surprise waiting for you.”  Smiling warmly as she gazed at her children’s faces, Sarah kissed them both before guiding them to the transporter pad. 

As the attendant guided the children to their positions, he smiled at the young mother, “Don’t worry, Ma’am…I’ve been doing this for years.”  Smiling at the children, he asked, “Ready?”

“Energize!”  Andrew ordered, acting just like the starship captain he was planning on being when he grew up.

“Bye, Mommy!”  Crystal called out; waving to her mother was the attendant manipulated the controls, surrounding the young children with its blue glow.

***********************************************************

“Now!”  Cadet Shepard called out triumphantly as he pressed the button.  Touching his comm badge, he ordered, “Lakota…beam us up.”

“We did it!”  The youthful cadet gloated, pumping his fist in the air.  “We brought down the entire grid!  Are we good—or what!”

***************************************************************

“Oh my God…” Lieutenant Smithurst, the beta shift helmsman for the Sutherland, uttered in a low voice as he saw the bright urban lights that dotted the night side of the planet suddenly vanish, plunging that hemisphere into darkness.

“Lieutenant Rysyl?”  Lieutenant Nyota Dryer called out from her position at tactical, “All communications with the planet have ceased.  Power readings have ceased as well.”  A note of alarm creeping into her voice, she further reported, “The planetary defense grid is down too.”

Anara Rysyl, sitting in the center chair as the officer on duty, immediately touched her comm badge.  “Captain Shelby to the bridge at once.”  Turning towards Lieutenant Dryer, she further ordered, “Take us to Yellow Alert and signal the other ships in the task force.”  Her voice taking on a grim tone, she declared, “This might be it.”

****************************************************************

“How are his vitals?”  The doctor called out as he connected another severed ganglia.

“All green.”  The nurse called back.  “Blood pressure is…”

Before she could finish her sentence the operating room went black.

“What the hell?”  The surgeon cursed, “Where’s the damned power?  If we don’t get life support back on now, this man is going to die!”

“There’s no power, Doctor!”  The nurse answered back in an alarm filled voice, “Communications are down too.”

“Damn!”  The doctor swore again; sweat pouring from his body as he struggled in vain to save his patient.  But without power to keep the life support machines that Mr. Patel’s body was tied into, his blood couldn’t circulate and his lungs could no longer take in air.  It took mere moments for Ajit Patel, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, to die.

*******************************************************

As the transporter effect surrounded the young children, beginning the process that would convert their molecules into data streams, everything went dark.  The communications screen…the instrument panel…the transporter pad.  Everything.  But the transporter pad wasn’t empty.  Knowing what was about to happen, the transporter attendant quickly turned the now distraught mother around, clutching her face tightly to his chest.

“Don’t turn around, Ma’am!”  The attendant ordered, “Don’t!”

“My children!”  Sarah cried out, sobbing into the man’s chest, “Where are my children?  Crystal?  Andrew?”

Turning his eyes from the two misshapen lumps of protoplasm sitting on the transporter pad where two innocent, laughing children once stood, the transporter technician, tears flowing down his cheeks, said in a soft voice, “They’re gone, Ma’am…they’re gone. I’m so sorry. I’m so…so…sorry.”

************************************************************************

Part 3: Unintended Consequences

Striding on to the bridge as soon as the turbolift door slid open, Shelby called out to Lieutenant Rysyl, who, at that moment was vacating the center seat, “Report.”

“We have a planet-wide power blackout.  Secondary and tertiary backups are down as well.” The Deltan operations officer reported as Commander Hobson entered the bridge, assuming his usual position by the captain’s side.  “The climate control net and planetary defenses are also down.”

“Contact the other starships.”  Captain Shelby immediately ordered, turning to Lieutenant Dryer, the tactical officer currently on duty.  As the other starship captains appeared on the main viewer in split screen, Liz addressed them, “I’m sure you’ve all picked up on what’s going on.  We need to coordinate relief efforts so that we’re not tripping all over each other.”

“I agree.”  Michael Owens, captain of the USS Eagle, promptly replied.  “What are your suggestions, Captain?”

“Lakota has made contact with Admiral Leyton in Starfleet Command.”  The newly minted Captain Benteen interjected, earning a raised eyebrow from Shelby and a pleased look from Owens.  “The President has authorized the Admiral and Starfleet to implement emergency measures.  We’ll be acting to transport security forces to assist in maintaining order, maintaining communications between Starfleet and other essential services, and otherwise acting on Admiral Leyton’s orders.” Benteen declared, putting special emphasis on the last phrase.

“Understood.”  Liz responded.  “As for the rest of us…” the captain suggested, addressing the four other captains on her screen, “I would suggest that we divide the planet into four quadrants with each ship taking responsibility for one quadrant.”

“Sounds good.”  Captain Lynwood of the Concord replied as he stroked his seal-brown mustache.  “We’ll take quadrant four.”

“We’ll take three…” Captain Taras of the Potemkin chimed in, his antennae twitching.

“Good.”  Shelby answered back.  “Sutherland will take one.”

“And Eagle will take two.” Owens interrupted.

“All right then…” Liz snapped, “Let’s do this.”

****************************************************************

Joseph Gannon Memorial Hospital, Houston Texas

“Dammit!” Dr. Mark Neal cursed as he continued administering CPR to his elderly patient.  “I’m not going to lose you too, Olivia.  Come on…you can do it.”

“Doctor…” A dark skinned nurse said in a low, sad tone, “It’s too late…there are others.”

“I know…” The balding physician replied, sighing as he reluctantly ceased his life saving efforts.  “Mark time of death…” He declared as he took out an antique windup watch out of his pocket, “…at 1315.”  Shaking his head as he moved down to the next patient, the doctor somberly noted, “If we don’t get power back on line soon, we’re going to lose all of them.”

Almost immediately after uttering his dire prognosis, the doctor, along with his nurse, heard the almost unmistakable sound of a transporter.  Looking up, they saw three figures materialize in front of them—all three wearing Starfleet blue uniforms, the one in the middle, an apparently Eurasian woman, with a human male on one side of her and a Denobulan woman on the other.  More importantly though to the exhausted doctor and nurse was what the three Starfleet officers were carrying—emergency power generators.

“I’m Doctor Denise Murakawa,” The Eurasian woman stated as she walked up to Dr. Neal and his nurse.

“Thank heaven you’re here, Dr. Murakawa.”  Dr. Neal responded with a sigh of relief.  “I’ve already lost three patients and I’ve got more on this wing that are going to die if we don’t get some power restored soon—not to mention the pediatrics stasis wards.”

“These power generators should restore your critical systems.”  Dr. Murakawa replied as she plugged hers into a recessed wall slot.  The biobeds springing to life once again, they resumed their primary function of providing the patients occupying them what they needed to stay alive as Denise watched, monitoring them to ensure their proper functioning.  Addressing the two medics accompanying her, the Sutherland’s CMO ordered, “Go to pediatrics and stasis and get the power going there.”

“Nurse Reynolds will show you where to go.”  Dr. Neal interjected, motioning with his hand for his nurse to accompany the Starfleet crewmen.  Turning towards the attractive Eurasian doctor standing in front of one of the biobeds, the attending physician uttered, “Thank you, Doctor.”

“I’m just sorry we couldn’t get here sooner.”  Denise replied as her eyes fell upon the covered body of the patient that had just recently died.  Turning her gaze away from the deceased patient, Dr. Murakawa continued, “I’m afraid I have to go now.  Is there anything else you need before I have to go?”

“No…” Dr. Neal shook his head, “I don’t think so.”

Nodding her head, Denise managed another slight grin, “I’ll leave Crewmen Phylis and Rogers with you for now…” she said as she handed the doctor a comm badge.  “If you need any more help, just use this to contact the Sutherland.”  Touching her own comm badge, the Eurasian doctor spoke, “This is Dr. Murakawa, beam me up.”  One down and too many more to go.

*****************************************************************

Somewhere off the Brazilian coast

“Manoel…I thought you told me that the climate net said that we were supposed to have clear weather today.”  Manoel Django’s brother, Joao remarked, pointing at the darkening skyline to the east of the charter boat that Manoel owned and operated.  “Looks like we’ve got a storm brewing.”

“Sim.” Manoel acknowledged as he stroked his chin.  “I’ll contact climate control and see what’s going on.”  Touching a button on his control panel, he grunted, “That’s weird.  They’re not answering.  I’ll try Teresa.”  His face now showing signs of concern, the dark skinned charter boat owner said, “Nothing there either.  It looks like all the comm lines are down.

As the clouds overhead grew darker, Joao commented as he began to suit up, “If the comm channels are down, we’re not going to be able to contact the divers.  I better go down and get them back up soon.”

“Good idea.”  Manoel agreed.  “Better hurry…the way those clouds are gathering, I’d say we don’t have much time before the storm hits.”

******************************************************************

Western Hemisphere Climate Control Net, Miami

Elliot Mitchell looked out the window at the Miami skyline, his face etched with worry as the rain cascaded down.

“It’s weird…” His coworker, Helena Thomas, commented.  “The rain…this is the first time I’ve seen naturally occurring rain…I mean rain that we didn’t have anything to do with.”

“Dangerous too.”  Elliot pointed out as he gazed about the darkened climate control facility.  “The weather patterns that we’ve controlled for so long are now beginning to reassert themselves. If we don’t get a handle on this soon—we could be facing some very…very…dangerous weather.”

Placing a hand on her friend’s shoulder, Helena observed, “That’s not all you’re worried about.”

“You’re right.”  Elliot confirmed.  “It’s Sarah and the kids…”

“I’m sure they’re ok.”  Helena comforted.  “Didn’t you tell me that Crystal and Andrew were going to their grandparents while you and Sarah took the weekend off?”  Taking her coworker’s single nod of the head as his answer, the dark haired woman continued, “Well…there you go.  They’re either at home with their mother or they’re at the grandparents.”  Pointing to the Starfleet security troopers who had suddenly materialized outside their building, she smiled, “See…Starfleet’s already on it.”

*************************************************************

Off the Brazilian Coast

Helping the last of the divers up on to the boat, Joao grinned as he looked up at the small craft’s skipper, “All present and accounted for Manoel!”  Feeling the stinging rain on his cheeks as well the increasingly choppy seas, the first mate shouted, “We better get back home now before it gets worse out here.”

“Sim!”  Manoel called back as he engaged the charter boat’s engines.  “Get our passengers inside!”  He ordered as he steered a course for home.  The experienced boater tried to negotiate the increasingly violent seas as waves soaked the deck, tossing the small boat about. 

“Damn!”  Joao cursed as a tall wave crashed on the deck.  “If we don’t get out of this soon!”

“We’ll make it!”  Manoel shouted as he guided his boat through the squalls, a toothy grin on his face as he pointed to the shoreline, “See!”

“I see!”  Joao called back, managing a shaky grin of his own as the small craft began to pull away from the storm, “But, I think, brother-in-law that I am also going to be very seasick!”

**********************************************************************

Midwest Power Distribution Node: Chicago

Materializing in the main complex of the power distribution complex, Lieutenant Commander Jadon Tol, along with four of his engineering staff, greeted the grey haired woman who approached.

“I’m Cecily Richards.”  The woman said by way of introduction as she held out her hand.  “Administrative supervisor.”

“Lieutenant Commander Jadon Tol.”  The joined Trill replied, taking the administrator’s hand in his.  “Chief Engineer, USS Sutherland.”

“While I’m glad to see you…” Ms. Richards remarked, “I’m not sure what you could do here.  All of our computers are tied into the main computers in Lisbon.  We can’t do anything until they’re back on line.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that.” Jadon answered back with a roguish grin.  “While you’re right in that we won’t be able to restore full power to the entire Midwest, I think we might be able to provide limited power to emergency facilities.”

“If you can even pull that off it would be great…” the administrator replied dubiously, “…but I don’t see how you’re going to be able to do it.”

Turning to his people, Jadon called out, “Treasure!  Get started on that power transfer relay.  Tompkins! You and M’rys tackle setting up the bypass system.” Clapping his hands, Tol commanded, “Let’s move it people!”

Turning back to the administrator, Jadon explained.  “We’re going to set up a power transfer between your node and the three other nodes in this quadrant with the Sutherland…”

“Can your ship meet all our power demands?”  Cecily inquired; a doubting look still on her face.  “That’s an awful lot of power to supply to a pretty large area.”

“That’s why we’re only going to be able to supply a limited amount of juice.”  Jadon replied.  “Also, we have teams with portable generators providing power to hospitals and other facilities which help take some of the load off.  Still, the lights are going to be out for ninety-nine percent of the population in your region,” the Trill engineer admitted as the sound of thunder boomed in the distance.  “But at least we’ll be able to get some power to those who need it most.”  Shrugging his shoulders, Tol concluded apolgetically, “It’s better than nothing.”

******************************************************************

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“Mae Deo!” Joao swore as he leaped off the boat, mooring rope in hand.  “We made it!”

Helping his seasick passengers off the boat, Manoel surveyed the darkened beach and buildings.  “The power…” The ebony skinned skipper remarked, “What happened?”

“Changelings.”  A voice answered back.  Turning towards the voice, Manoel quickly recognized the form of an Andorian wearing a gold and black Starfleet uniform.  “Ensign Ta’var…Starfleet security.”  Taking note of Joao securing the small boat with the mooring line and then glancing at the lightning flashes off to sea, the young Andorian remarked, “You were fortunate to make it back.”

“We wouldn’t have…” one of the divers exclaimed, “…if it weren’t for Mr. Django here.”

“Yeah…” Another diver chimed in, “He saved us all!”

“That’s good.”  The security officer replied before inquiring, “Does anyone require medical attention?”

“Just for seasickness, I think…” Manoel answered back with a slight smile as the divers all nodded their heads.

Cracking a smile as he motioned for two other security troopers, both human, to join him, the Andorian instructed, gesturing at one of the two officers, “These men will take you all to a medical facility and then to wherever you’re staying…”  As the group prepared to leave, the young ensign advised, “Once you’re back at home, you’ll need to stay there—there’s a dawn to dusk curfew until further notice.”

************************************************************

USS Sutherland

“All relief teams have reported in and we have initial casualty figures.” Commander Hobson reported frowning as he handed his captain a padd.  “It’s not good, Sir.”

Glancing down at the padd her first officer had just given her, Liz frowned, “At least a thousand dead world-wide.”  She sighed, shaking her head, “And these are just the initial numbers.  I’m afraid they’re going to get much higher before all is said and done.”  Addressing her tactical officer, Shelby inquired, “Are you picking up any readings that might indicate cloaked ships?”

“No, Sir.”  Lieutenant Dryer responded.

“That’s odd…” Liz commented, cupping her chin.  “What about Andor, Vulcan, and Tellar?  Anything unusual going on with them?”

“Just normal chatter and communications coming from those worlds, Sir.”  Nyota replied, shaking her head, “Same thing from Trill, Betazed, Rigel, and Alpha Centauri.  No disturbances of any kind reported.”

“This doesn’t make sense.”  The captain remarked as she drummed the arm of her chair with her fingers.  “If one or more cloaked fleets really did sneak through the wormhole, then what is the Vorta or Founder in charge waiting for?”

“It is most illogical.” Lieutenant Commander Varok interjected from his science station.

“Exactly.”  Liz agreed.  “If I were the Dominion commander, I’d launch my attack a few hours after the sabotage.”

“In other words…” Hobson interjected, “Right about now.”

“Exactly!”  Liz exclaimed, her finger drumming ceasing as she gazed intently at the main viewer.   Once again calling out to Lieutenant Dryer, she asked, “Anything now?”

“No, Sir.”  Nyota replied, repeating her earlier answer.  “No signs of cloaked ships.”  Shrugging her shoulders, she added, “It’s just like normal.”

“Sir?”  Sam Lavelle ventured from his station at the helm, “Why would you wait a few hours?  Why not attack immediately?”  The helmsman asked as he stared at the placid image of the Earth in orbit currently displayed on the main viewer.  “I’d think that right after the sabotage would be better.  They’d have the advantage of surprise and shock.”

“There is that…” Shelby acknowledged, stepping into the captain’s role as teacher as she continued to carefully eye the main viewscreen, “But by waiting for just an hour or two, I’d still have all the advantages of an immediate attack plus all the Starfleet ships in the area would be tied up in relief activities, slowing their response times.  The trick, Mr. Lavelle, is to time your attack for just the right moment—you don’t want to wait so long that additional reinforcements could arrive before you secure your objective.”

“I think I see, Sir.”  Lavelle replied, taking in the impromptu lesson.  “So what do we do?  Cease or curtail our relief efforts?”

“We can’t do that.”  Liz answered back, shaking her head as the casualty figures that she had read earlier flashed back into her mind.  “We’ve got people down there depending on us.  Still…” she said, “Something’s not quite right here…” Turning to the ebony skinned woman manning the tactical console, the captain ordered, “Get me Captain Sisko. Maybe he has some ideas as to what’s going on.”

*********************************************************************

Western Hemisphere Climate Control Net, Miami

“I think that does it!”  Lieutenant Louise Hopkins, the chief engineer of the Eagle exclaimed from the main control console as she inputted a numerical code. 

“All systems reading optimal.”  The Eagle’s operations officer, DeMara Deen reported.  “Looks like your idea of using the Eagle’s engines to restore the climate control net worked.”

“I got the idea from the Sutherland’s engineer.”  Lieutenant Hopkins grinned before warning, “It’s only a temporary fix though.”  Turning towards the current duty supervisor, she said in an apologetic tone, “I’m sorry, but you won’t be able to have the complete control over the climate that you would normally have.  However, you can monitor conditions and you should be able to deal with any potentially dangerous climatic conditions such as tornadoes and tropical storms—provided you don’t get hit with too many at once, that is.”

“We’ll take whatever we can get, Lieutenant.”  The supervisor replied, a smile on his face.  “Thank you.”

************************************************************************

Starfleet Academy

“Something’s not right…” Cadet Second Class T’Pren declared, the flickering light of a single candle combining with the low light of her padd to provide the only illumination in the room she shared with her classmate, a green-skinned Troyian named Atris.

“Oh?”  Atris snorted as she circled her arm to encompass the dark room, “I wonder what gave you that idea?  Maybe the fact that the power’s out and we’re sitting here in the dark!”

“Well…that…” T’Pren chuckled, a sight her roommate still had not completely gotten used to, “And…” she said, her laughter vanishing as she handed her padd to the Troyian cadet, “…this.”

“This looks like a…”

“Transport log.”  T’Pren finished, “Yeah.  Check the last entry.”  The Vulcan said, pointing at the bottom of the padd.

“Hmmm…looks like the Reddies beamed on to the Lakota…” Atris thought for a moment and then gasped, “Wait a minute…we’re on lockdown!  So what are they doing beaming on to the Lakota and how the hells did you get your hands on the transport log?   No…”  The Troyian woman laughed as she shook her head in astonishment, “Don’t tell me—I don’t think I want to know.  Still…” She repeated, her laughter vanishing, “What were they doing?”

“That’s what I’ve been asking myself.”  T’Pren admitted.  “After we split up yesterday, I followed our two pet Reddies: Lyman and DeWitt.”

“So…” The Troyian woman asked, her curiosity aroused, “Where did they go?”

“Same place they went last time.”  T’Pren answered back with a smirk, “The Commandant’s office.”  Pausing for a moment, the Vulcan cadet continued, somewhat smugly, “I’ll bet not too many people have noticed this—the Reddies have done a pretty good job of covering their traces, but this has become something of a habit for them recently.  I’ve counted five meetings this week alone—with this last one being the third time since the lockdown.”

“So…” Atris remarked, shrugging her shoulders, “They’re ‘special’…” She said with more than a hint of sarcasm, “They’re always getting to do stuff we mortals don’t get a chance to do.”

“Yes…” T’Pren agreed before countering, “But don’t you think it’s more than a little…” her lips curled up into a smile at her next word, “…illogical…for them to be sent off on a ‘training’ mission in the middle of an Academy-wide lockdown?”

“Perhaps…” Atris conceded.  “But what can we do about it?”

“Hmmm…” T’Pren vocalized as she considered her choices, “I don’t think going to the Commandant’s a good idea—leaving out the fact that he won’t like my hacking into the computer system, his office was where the Reddies were all meeting at.”

“So…” Her Troyian roommate asked, “What other options are there?”

Shaking her head, the lithe Vulcan cadet responded with a wry grin, “There is someone…”  Calling up a saved article on her padd, she showed it to her roommate.

“Pava Lar’ragos?”  Atris questioned as she glanced down at the padd.  “Now I remember!”  She exclaimed, “He was the guy who went back into the Federation embassy during the Tsen’kethi crisis to bring back the flag.  How do you know him?” 

“I don’t.”  T’Pren admitted, “But Grandfather knows him.  They worked together several years ago on some project or other.  Don’t ask me what it was though—Grandfather never told me.”  Sighing, the young Vulcan remarked in an ironic voice, “Hopefully, Lar’ragos will at least listen to me before he has me sent to counseling.”

******************************************************************

Once in the safe privacy of her ready room, Captain Erika Benteen, after taking a cup of jasmine tea from the replicator slot, sat down behind her desk.  “Computer…” the newly minted captain ordered, “Connect me with Admiral Leyton at Starfleet Command.”

On seeing the image of his former aide in his monitor screen, the bearded admiral managed a brief smile, “Erika.  I was about to contact you.”  Letting out a breath of air, Leyton intoned, “Everything is going even better than we expected—President Inyo granted us full emergency powers, and the response of Earth’s population to our intervention has been exactly what we thought it would be—they see our security patrols as what they are—a source of security and safety.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Sir.”  Benteen responded before glancing down at the padd on her desk, “Admiral…” she began nervously, “…have you seen the latest casualty figures?  Five thousand dead.”

“Five thousand…” Leyton gasped, shaking his head in genuine sorrow, “We…I…knew that there would be…consequences…when we brought down the power grid, but I had no idea…”

“I know, Sir.”  Benteen interjected, speaking in a soft voice, “Most of the dead were elderly or critical care patients in hospital, with some deaths storm or weather related. Two of the deaths…” she said, choking back a sob, “…were two children who died when the power cut while they were beaming…” Shaking her head, Erika lamented, “It was a freak occurrence.  Under most circumstances, the transport would have been aborted or they would have been stored safely in the transport buffers, but...when the power cut out…”

“They were past the fail safe point…” Leyton finished in a somber tone as he shook his head.  Pausing for a moment, the admiral said, “You’re right, Captain, the loss of those children…as well as the others…was a tragedy.” Speaking now with increased resolve, the admiral’s deep baritone voice resounding through the monitor’s speaker, “But think of how many more lives would be lost if we didn’t do this—if the Federation remains placid in the face of the Changeling threat.  Instead of five thousand dead…it could be five billion dead… more as two entire quadrants are ravaged.”

“I realize that, Sir.”  Captain Benteen replied, “But…”

“It doesn’t make it any easier when you see those names…” Leyton interjected, smiling beatifically on his protégé.  “I understand, Captain.  But you have to remember…” the admiral continued, “…that those people…those two children…didn’t die for nothing.  Through their deaths…” he concluded as his eyes took on an especially sharp focus, “…the Federation will be saved.

As the admiral’s image faded out, Erika Benteen gazed intently at the now blank screen.  For the first time since she had begun her service under Admiral Leyton, she began to doubt the rightness of her cause.

********************************************************************

Lisbon, Portugal: Main Power Distribution Net

As he looked on at the technicians busy restoring the power distribution grid, Pava Lar’ragos shook his head.  “Whoever did this knew what he was doing.” The security specialist remarked to the engineer standing next to him, who was at that moment taking a quick break.

“Tell me about it.”  The engineer replied with a sigh.  “I don’t think I’ve seen such a professionally done job—the changeling that did this had an intimate knowledge of our codes and system layouts.”

“Yeah…” Lar’ragos answered back in a guarded tone, “…you’d think.”

“Well…” The engineer said with a smile as he stretched, “Time to get back to work.”

Spotting his relief approaching, Pava grinned back, “I’ll see you later.  I’m done for the day.”

“Some people have all the luck!”  The engineer quipped as he returned to the console he’d been working on, “I’ve been here forty eight hours straight.  It’d be nice to sleep in a real bed for a change instead of a cot.”

As he walked back to his own temporary quarters, Pava thought back to his brief conversation with the engineer.  Something’s not right. The suspicious El-Aurian thought.  Infiltrating the conference with the Romulans and planting a bomb? That’s easily doable for any shapeshifter worth their salt. But to take down the power grid while leaving the consoles intact…that takes a different skill set entirely. Getting in wouldn’t be a problem…Pava concluded as he mused over the problem, But our shifter would need to have either been here for a long time or would have to have been a very quick study to be able to take down the primary system and all the backups. Shaking his head as he opened the door to his quarters, Pava muttered to himself, “Stranger and stranger.”

********************************************************************

Starfleet Academy

“I hope they get the power back on soon…” Atris remarked as she stepped out of the bathroom, holding her nose, “…it’s starting to get kind of gamey in there—if you know what I mean.”  Her mischievous smirk vanishing, the Troyian woman brushed aside a strand of mauve tinted silvery-white hair from her eyes, “I know you’re worried about meeting up with your grandfather and all, but why can’t you just give the information to him?  Why go through the trouble of trying to reach this Lieutenant Lar’ragos?  It doesn’t sound very…logical…” the young cadet quipped, her smirk returning, “…to me.”

“No…” T’Pren replied, vigorously shaking her head, “…that would be a disaster.”  Pausing for a moment to take a breath, the Vulcan woman explained, “Even leaving out for now our…issues…it would still be a bad idea.  The first question Grandfather would ask is, ‘Where did I get this information?’, and then, after I told him, I’d have to endure an endless lecture concerning my violation of Starfleet regulations and about the impropriety of eavesdropping.  The next question would be, ‘Why didn’t I inform the Commandant?’ and when I tell him that I think the Commandant might be behind all this, he’d ask me what sort of proof I have and when I tell him it’s a hunch he’d…”

“Tell you that you’re being illogical.” Atris concluded nodding her head.

“And then we’d get into my embracing V’tosh ka’tur…” T’Pren added, her lips turning down into a frown. “And I really don’t want to deal with that right now.”

“I can see where that might cause problems.”  Atris commented sympathetically.  “So…” the Troyian inquired, “How are you going to tell Lar’ragos about what you’ve found? All communications are monitored.  If something really is going on…”

“Whoever’s doing it will know that we know…”T’Pren interrupted, completing her roommate’s thought.  “I’ll have to use non-verbal cues and choose my words carefully.  Hopefully…” the youthful Vulcan quipped as a smile returned to her face, “…the reputation that El-Aurians have for being listeners is a deserved one.”

********************************************************************

Lisbon, Portugal: Main Power Distribution Net

“We’re ready!” A technician called out.

“It’s about time!” The Starfleet security trooper next to Pava grumbled.  “Seventy two hours without power is long enough.”

Shaking his head, Pava retorted in a somewhat sarcastic tone, “This is nothing compared to what it’s like in the real Fleet.”

Chastened by the lieutenant’s words, the young human trooper apologized, “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean it that way.  It’s just…”

Recognizing the genuine regret in the trooper’s words and body language, Pava took on a more conciliatory stance as he placed his hand on the younger man’s shoulder, “That’s all right, Crewman.  No harm…no foul.”  His next words, however, were cut off as all of the consoles lit up with the primary lights coming on at the same time.  Feeling a cool rush of air as the climate control system started back up, the El-Aurian smiled, raising his voice over the loud cheers, “Well…looks we’ll get to take a hot shower tonight.”

“Yes, Sir.”  The crewman grinned, sniffing, “I think we could use it.”

“Smartass.” Pava retorted with a laugh as he made his way to a nearby security console.

“What are you doing, Sir?”  The crewman asked as he noticed the lieutenant perusing the data flashing on the screen.

“Just playing a hunch…” Pava replied, his brow furrowing as his eyes picked up on the transport log entry.  “I’m hoping that we might get an idea as to how our changeling got in here.”

“Any luck?” The crewman asked as he attempted to peer over the El-Aurian’s shoulder.

“No.” Pava lied as he turned.  Flashing a smile, the lieutenant asked, “Could you do me a favor?  Right about now I’d die for a cup of hot coffee…”

“Sure thing, Sir.”  The security trooper acknowledged as he turned away, “How do you want it?”

“Black.” Pava called out as he surreptitiously downloaded the information on the monitor to his tricorder.  “And make sure it’s Ethiopian!”  Watching as the download completed, the El-Aurian nodded his head.  Now that I’ve got it…Pava thought…the question is…what the hell I’m going to do with it.

**********************************************************

As the lights began reappearing on the planet’s night face, Lieutenant Rysyl smiled from her position at the center chair.  Activating the intercom, the Sutherland’s Deltan operations officer spoke, her lyrical voice especially cheerful, “Captain Shelby?  Power has been restored.”

***************************************************************

“Well…well…well…” Commander Eugene Edison, the first officer of the USS Eagle said; a broad grin on his face as he saw the Earth’s night side light up.  “Isn’t that a pretty sight, Laas?” He asked, addressing the ship’s tactical officer, the Bajoran Nora Laas.

“It sure is, Sir.”  The Bajoran woman replied, “It sure is.”

***************************************************************

Immediately after rematerializing in the same transporter hub that had days earlier claimed the lives of his two children, Elliot Mitchell saw Sarah’s grandparents, both with somber looks on their faces, standing next to a chestnut haired woman. “What’s wrong?” He asked in a voice strained by the fatigue of having worked almost nonstop for three days, “Where’s Sarah and the kids?”

Approaching the younger man, Sarah’s father placed a hand on his shoulder, “I’m sorry, Son…” He said in a grave tone, “But there’s been an accident.”

“An accident?”  Elliot stammered.

“Andrew…Crystal…” The elderly woman sobbed, “They…they’re…”

“They’re gone, Son.” The man finished, squeezing Elliot’s shoulder.

“How?”  Elliot asked weakly as he felt his knees buckle.

The woman rushing next to the stunned father, she, along with the grandfather, helped Elliot to a nearby bench.  “I’m Doctor Vance…” She said in a soft voice.  “Andrew and Crystal…” She said, keeping her voice soft and low, “…were killed in a transporter accident when the power went out.”

“NO!”  The stricken father wept as he covered his face with his hands.  “That’s not supposed to happen!”

Shaking her head, the counselor explained, “It was an unusual set of circumstances…the power went out at just the wrong time…”

“Sarah?”  Elliot asked, his tears still flowing, “Is she?”

“She’s at home…under observation.”  Doctor Vance replied.

“She hasn’t said a word since the accident.”  Sarah’s father interjected.

“And she stays in the children’s room.”  Her mother added, “She goes to their beds…straightens them out…and then sits down in the chair next to their dresser.”

“I want to see her.”  Elliot demanded as he staggered to his feet, “Now.”

“We’ll take you to her, Son.”  The older man replied as he helped his son-in-law to his feet.

*********************************************************************

As the lights flickered back into life in their tiny dorm room, Cadet Atris Nylysa clapped her hands in delight.  “All right!  It’s about time! Now we can flush the toilet and I can take a real shower.”  Sniffing her underarms, the playful Troyian declared, “I stink.” 

“I know.”  T’Pren deadpanned; the faintest hint of a smile on her face.

“You’re one to talk…” Atris lightheartedly teased as she made her way to the bathroom, “You know you don’t exactly smell like Boothby’s roses either.”

“Tell me about it.”  The young Vulcan replied as she activated the communications panel on her desk.  “I think I will have a long soak in the tub…” However, before she could finish her statement, the image of an attractive man with tightly curled and close cropped jet black hair appeared on the monitor.

“As fascinating as the notion of watching you taking a bath might be…” The man commented with a crooked grin, “I’m afraid I have more important things to do.  If you really must have someone watch you though, I can think of a voyeur or two who’d get into the view.”  His smile vanishing to be replaced by a stern expression, the El-Aurian lieutenant demanded, “Is there a reason why you’re contacting me, Cadet.  I don’t believe I know you…”

Blushing green as she heard her roommate’s faint laughter from the bathroom, T’Pren fell back on her childhood teachings to center herself as she addressed the imposing figure displayed on her monitor, “I am sorry for the interruption, Sir.  My name is T’Pren, granddaughter of Varok, whom I believe you once served with…”

Stroking his chin as he attempted to recall the name, Lar’ragos, finally placing name with face, grinned broadly, “Varok!  Now I remember.  It’s been a while—several years in fact.  So…how is he doing?”

“He is well.”  The Vulcan cadet answered, “In fact he is on the Sutherland in Earth orbit now.”

“He is…” Pava replied as he carefully hid his reaction on hearing the name of the Sutherland.  “That’s interesting…I’ll be sure to leave him a message.”  His smile vanishing, Lar’ragos once again inquired, “But I’m sure that’s not why you’ve gone through all this trouble to contact me…”

“No sir…” T’Pren admitted as she made a production of picking up her padd and placing it on her lap.  “It isn’t. I realize we don’t know each other, Sir…” She began, drumming the edge of her padd with her index finger, “But…as you served with my grandfather, I was hoping you might be able to advise me in how to approach him about a matter of some…delicacy…”

“I see…” Pava drawled, his senses immediately picking up on the young Vulcan’s verbal and non-verbal cues.  “You need me to advise you on how to approach your grandfather regarding you’re becoming V’tosh ka’tur.” He declared, putting a very slight tonal emphasis on the Vulcan phrase at the end.

“Yes, Sir.” T’Pren acknowledged, nodding her head once.

“All right…” Pava smiled, his eyes focused on the padd on the cadet’s lap.  “Is the Academy still locked down?”  Taking the Vulcan’s single nod of her head as a yes, the El-Aurian instructed, “Very well…I’ll meet you in your dorm in...Let’s say two hours?  That’ll give us both time to wash the stench off of us.” He quipped as the Vulcan woman chuckled.  “I’ll see you then.”

Well, well, well…Pava thought as he stripped out of his grimy uniform. I wonder what’s on her padd.  Stepping into the tiny shower stall, he grinned as an idea came into his head.  Hmmm…Lizzy’s here and she knows Sisko…maybe…maybe…it might just work.  Provided…The El-Aurian’s face darkened for a moment, Sisko can be trusted.

**********************************************************************

Part 4: The Eye of the Storm

“Admiral Hanson’s online for you, Captain.” Lieutenant Atoa announced as the Sutherland’s captain entered the bridge.

“I’ll take it in my office.”  Shelby replied, the bags under her eyes revealing her lack of sleep as she motioned for Commander Hobson to, for now at least, retain his position in the center chair.  As soon as the doors to her office slid shut, Liz ordered the computer to activate her desk monitor.  “Admiral….” The captain greeted as she took her seat, frowning slightly at the haggard appearance of her old mentor.  “Haven’t you had any rest at all?”

“I’ve probably had about as much as you have, Liz.”  The admiral replied, managing an ironic grin.  Taking a deep breath, Hanson began, “I want to thank you and the other captains for your help in this crisis…”

“We were just doing our jobs, Sir.”  Liz interjected.

“Still…you all saved a lot of lives…and that’ll be noted in your commendations.” Hanson continued, waving off Shelby’s protestations with a grin.

“Thank you, Sir...” The petite starship captain responded before asking, “So…what is our current status? Is there any indication of Dominion fleet activity?”

“No.” Admiral Hanson replied, brushing back what was left of his hair, “And that has me and a few others worried.”

“Same here…” Liz agreed, observing, “It just doesn’t make sense…carrying out a massive act of sabotage like this without following it up.  To throw away such a devastating tactical advantage just for the sake of causing temporary havoc!  The Founders aren’t fools.  They have to know that from now on our guard’ll be up—it’ll be much harder for them to launch a decapitating strike like this in the future if and when they do decide to attack.”

“That’s what we intend to tell Leyton when we have our meeting with him.” The admiral declared, shaking his head, “There’s so much here that just doesn’t add up.”

“Yes, Sir.” Shelby responded simply as she diplomatically decided to change the subject, “Are there any further orders, Admiral?”

Grinning beatifically at his youthful protégé, Admiral Hanson replied, “We’ll still need you and the other starships to help maintain security patrols for now and keep an eye out just in case company does come—at least until after the President’s speech, so we’re maintaining a system wide security alert, but otherwise, you and the other captains can take your ships off yellow alert.”

“Thanks, Admiral,” Liz acknowledged, flashing a warm smile for the rumpled figure in her viewer, “I’m sure the crews will appreciate that.”

Chuckling, Hanson answered back, “I’ll bet your crews aren’t the only ones happy about the news.  I have to go now, Liz, but hopefully, we’ll be able to get together before the speech.  Hanson out.”

Touching her comm badge immediately after her desk monitor went blank, Shelby spoke, “Commander we’re to maintain security alert status, but you can take us off yellow alert and if you would please, relay this to the other captains.”

“Aye, Sir.”  Commander Hobson’s crisp patrician voice answered back.  “Anything else?”

“Yes…” Shelby decided, “Off duty personnel are now authorized to go planetside for limited shoreleave.  Remind them that we are still under a system wide security alert and that they are subject to immediate recall, so no civilian dress, their comm badges are to be readily accessible and they are to check in at regular intervals until further notice.”

************************************************************************

“You sure you don’t want to come with me?”  Lieutenant Sam Lavelle asked, flashing a rakish grin at the slender, petite, dusky skinned woman walking next to him.

“Yep.”  Ensign Maria Django answered, flashing a crooked grin of her own, “You’re all on your own on this one.  Seriously…” the young Brazilian added, her smile disappearing as she brushed back a stray strand of her companion’s hair, “…this is something you need to do on your own.”

“You’re right.” Sam admitted with a single nod of his head.  “It’s past time Mom and I settled this…”

“And you might not get another chance like this for some time.” Maria interjected, completing her friend’s thought.

“Right.”  The roguish Canadian helmsman concurred.  “So…” he asked, his wicked grin returning, “You still want to introduce me to your folks?”

Maria laughed, “We’ll see…” Winking at the dark haired lieutenant, Ensign Django teased, “If you’re a good boy, I’ll even wear my new swimsuit when we go to the beach.”

“Hmmm…” Sam leered, “I didn’t know you got a new swimsuit…”

“There’s a lot about me you don’t know…” Maria countered with a leer of her own as the pair reached the door to the transporter room.  “Now…go on…get out of here…go see Mommy Dearest,” she ordered as she pushed him through the open door. “I’ll see you when you get back.”

**************************************************************

Turning towards her first officer, Captain Shelby inquired, “Commander?  You have family on Earth, don’t you?”

“Yes, Sir.”  Hobson replied, his voice almost as flat as a Vulcan’s, “Near Albany, New York.”

“I thought so.”  The captain replied, “You planning on going to see them?”

“Perhaps…” The first officer began, only to be cut off by his captain.

“You should…” Liz interjected, “You know we might not be getting around here again for some time.”

“What about you, Sir?”  Hobson then asked, turning the tables on his commanding officer, “Aren’t you planning on seeing your family?”

“Are you and Admiral Hanson part of a shared consciousness?”  Liz retorted, her good humor suddenly vanishing.  Taking a deep breath as she saw that her first officer had no intention of backing down, Liz brushed back a stray strand of blonde hair, “Tell you what, Chris, I’ll make a deal with you.  You see your folks and I’ll see mine.”

************************************************************************

Rematerializing on the dorm transporter pad, Pava Lar’ragos immediately recognized the Vulcan cadet to whom he had spoken just a few hours earlier.  “Cadet T’Pren?”  The el-Aurian questioned; his face an expressionless mask.

“Sir.”  The third year cadet responded, coming to attention.

“Stand at ease.” Pava instructed as he allowed a slight smile to cross his lips.  His smile vanishing as his eyes registered the green skinned Troyian standing next to the Vulcan cadet, Lar’ragos inquired, “Who’s she?”

“She’s my roommate, Cadet Atris Nylysa and knows everything.” T’Pren answered back.

“All right, cadets…” Pava replied, nodding his head once as he motioned with his hand, “Let’s take this discussion to your room.”  As the trio made their way down the hall, the perceptive el-Aurian immediately noticed a Vulcan female passing the little group going in the opposite direction, studiously ignoring T’Pren as she went past.  Lowering his voice to a barely audible whisper, he remarked, “It seems she doesn’t like you.  That was cold…even for a Vulcan.  No offense…” He quipped, cracking an ironic grin.

“None taken.” T’Pren responded with a snort, explaining, “V’lar doesn’t exactly approve of my recent lifestyle choices.”

“None of them here do.” Atris interjected; her irritation at her friend’s ostracism by her fellow Vulcans evident.  “Pack of snotty zylaks.”

“So…” Pava, seeking to gather insight into the character of the young cadet walking next him, gently probed, “What motivated you to embrace V’tosh Ka’tur? Surely you knew the reaction that would entail from other Vulcans?”

“Let’s just say…” T’Pren replied in a level tone, “I have my reasons for now and leave it at that.”

“Fair enough.” Lar’ragos agreed as the trio stopped next to a door.  “I take it this is your quarters.”

“Aye, Sir.”  T’Pren acknowledged as she opened the door.  “After you, Sir.”

**********************************************************************

Crossing herself reverently as she drew near the small piece of wall that was all that was left of the legendary St. Peter’s Basilica, Denise Murakawa lowered her head, saying a silent prayer for all those who had fallen during the long wars of the twenty first and early twenty second centuries.  Raising her head and once again making the sign of the cross, the Japanese-Centauran doctor approached the tiny chapel within which the relics of the martyrs were enclosed.  Entering the church, Denise dipped her fingers in the holy water as she once again made the sign of the cross.  Approaching the altar, she knelt alongside the other parishioners.

While most of those attending were human, Denise did notice a Bolian couple kneeling across the aisle from her.  Recognizing her Starfleet uniform, the Bolians smiled at her before turning their attention back to the liturgy.  As she heard the mellifluous chanting of the choir, took in the images of the saints and of the Virgin and Child, and inhaled the fragrance of the incense, the young doctor quickly found herself caught up in the ceremony.  Joining in the responses, Denise let herself go, allowing the sights, sounds, and smells to transport her away.

“My child?”

The priest’s voice bringing the young doctor back from her reverie, Denise opened her mouth to accept the Communion wafer, crossing herself as she did so.  The ceremony concluded, she sat with the others as the priest preached his homily, his sermon one of thanksgiving and regret.  Thanksgiving that the crisis appeared now to be over, regret at the loss of life.  The priest, recognizing that he had a Starfleet officer present, also expressed his gratitude for the assistance given by Starfleet and others, causing the doctor to blush as all eyes turned to her.  As the service drew to a close, Denise once again bowed her head in prayer, joining with the others as the priest gave his blessings to all in attendance.

As she turned to walk away, Dr. Murakawa heard the priest’s voice once again, My child?”

“Yes, Father.”  Denise responded, turning around to face the elderly man clad in his priestly vestments, “What can I do for you?”

“That’s funny.”  The Father, speaking with an Irish accent, answered back, “I was about to ask you the same question.  Please…sit…humor an old man for a while.”

“Thank you, Father.”  Denise replied as she sat down on the pew next to the old priest.  “Actually…” she stammered, “…I could use some help.”

“Tell me…what is your problem?”

“Problems, actually.”  Denise confessed with a sigh.  “First…there are my parents.  They’re both on Earth now, but they’ve been divorced since I’ve been a child and my mother and I have just started talking to each other again after I converted and…” Shaking her head, the young doctor laughed.  “I’m sorry…I don’t usually rattle on like this.”

“It’s all right, child.”  The priest smiled, “We all need to unburden ourselves.  Go on…”

“Thanks Father.  I think though, I’ve got a handle on the situation with my parents.  I’m supposed to meet my mother after the President’s speech and have dinner and well…Manuele…a…friend of mine…he gave me some good advice…”

“So, what else is troubling you?”

Sighing, Denise continued to unload her problems, “Father…It’s…so often…I feel like all I am is an observer—that all I do is watch while everyone else does!  I see all my friends…my shipmates…they’re living life—they’re doing things!   Sam and Maria…they risked their lives to save an old friend of Sam’s.  My friend…Anara…all she has to do is enter a room!  Manuele…” she said, her voice filled with longing and regret, “…meets someone once and they click.  And then there’s me!  I’m sorry…I must sound so childish…”

“No…not at all, my dear…” The priest said consolingly as he patiently listened.  “My child?” He asked in a soft voice.

“Yes, Father?”

“What did you do during the recent crisis?”

“I helped coordinate aid with the hospitals in the North American Quadrant.”  The young doctor replied.  “We provided emergency power to as many hospitals as we could…and helped the staffs…”  Shaking her head, Denise confessed, “But we couldn’t save them all…we lost so many…”

“But you saved so many…” The priest interjected, “Those you saved would have died had you not been there.”

“On one level…” Denise conceded, “I know that.  But on another…I feel like I could have done more.”

“What more could you have done?”  The Irish cleric inquired.

“I don’t know.”  Doctor Murakawa admitted, “But I feel like I should have done more.”

“We all feel that way.”  The priest remarked with a gentle smile.  “Whenever I talk to someone…whenever I visit a sick parishioner…whenever I say Last Rites for one of my flock…I ask myself could I have done more…”

“And what sort of answer do you get?”

Chuckling softly, the priest replied, “I don’t.  All I can do is have faith that I did all I could.  I know it’s not much of an answer…” The priest confessed, “And probably not what you wanted to hear, but it’s the truth.”

“I suppose you’re right.”  Denise allowed as she brushed back a tear.

“And about your other problem…” The priest continued, his smile returning as he placed a comforting hand on the young doctor’s forearm. “Perhaps you’re trying to force things.  It sounds to me like you have many good friends.  Why don’t you let them be your friends?   All the rest will come in time.  Don’t rush it.  You’re a beautiful, talented, and intelligent woman—don’t worry about finding love—love will find you—and you’ll know it when you see it.”

******************************************************************

The first sight Sam Lavelle saw upon stepping off the transporter pad on the Potemkin was his mother wearing the blue and black of the sciences branch along with the two gold pips and one black pip on the collar of a lieutenant commander.  Holding his head erect, the dark haired Canadian said simply, “Commander.”

“Lieutenant.”  Lieutenant Commander Charlotte Kincaid acknowledged in a crisp tone.  “Son.”

“Mother.”  Sam replied in an equally frosty voice.  “How have you been?”

“Better.” The Potemkin’s Science Officer replied as she motioned for her son to follow her out of the transporter room.  “And yourself?”

“Pretty good, actually.”  The young helmsman answered back as the pair walked down the Excelsior class ship’s corridors, moving aside occasionally to make room for a hurrying crewman rushing about on some task or other.  “The Sutherland is a good ship and I’m enjoying myself there.”

“I’m sure.”  Charlotte snorted, “If half of what they say about that ship and its captain is true, then it must be a nonstop party for you.”

Coming to an immediate halt, Sam Lavelle glared at his mother.  “Mom.  If all you’re going to do is complain about the Suthy and Captain Shelby, then I’m going to turn around right now and go back to my ship.  I am not going to put up with the usual today.  I’m not in the mood for it.”

“No…” Charlotte, recognizing at once that her son meant what he said, pleaded with a sigh, “No.  Don’t go.  Please.  I promise…no more comments.”

“Good.”  Sam replied, his lips turning up into a tentative smile.  “So...where are we going?”

“Well…” Charlotte responded, a slight smile coming to her face as well, “…I thought we could talk over drinks in the crew lounge.  I know it’s not quite as well furnished as the lounge on your ship probably is…but it’s not bad.”

“I’m sure it’ll be just fine.”  Sam answered back, deciding to give reconciliation a chance.  Walking down the corridor with his mother, the young Canadian helmsman glancing out of the corner of his eye at the woman who had given him birth, hoped against hope that this time, unlike the others, she felt the same.

*********************************************************************

“So, Mr. Lar’ragos…” Atris began only to be hushed into immediate silence by Pava’s raised hand and growled, “Quiet!”  Taking out a small object from his satchel, the security officer activated it.  Nodding his head as the device, letting out a low hum, indicated that there were no listening devices in the vicinity, Pava set it down on the small coffee table in front of the sofa.  “All clear.”  The El-Aurian announced, “We can talk freely here.  This little jewel…” he smirked, pointing at the object, now glowing a faint yellow as it hummed, “…not only detects bugs and long range listening devices, it also puts out a field that prevents eavesdropping.”  Sitting down on a chair opposite the sofa, he asked, “Ok, T’Pren…now that we’ve made sure no one’s listening in on us, you can tell me why you’ve dragged me all the way over here.”  Pointing at the padd the young Vulcan cadet was now holding in her hands, he further queried, “I assume it has something to do with that.”

“It does.” T’Pren replied laconically.  Taking the lieutenant’s slight nod of the head as a request for further elaboration, she explained as she handed the padd to him, “It contains the transport log for the Academy beginning twenty four hours before the power blackout.  You’ll note…” The young Vulcan commented, pointing to the log entries in question, “That Red Squad beamed out of the Commandant’s office to the Lakota while the Academy wide lockdown was still in effect and beamed back after the grid went down.”

“Hmmm…” Lar’ragos drawled as he took out his own padd.  “I downloaded this…” he said, “…from the security console at the Lisbon central distribution node.  It contains a transport log—and a whole lot more.”  His brow furrowing, he perused the data on both of the padds, “Now that is interesting.  Take a look at this…” He requested, as he highlighted a log entry on his padd as well as that on T’Pren’s.  “Minutes before the grid goes off line, we get multiple transports from the Lakota to Lisbon and then back…and then…” he continued, pointing to T’Pren’s last entry, “…to the Academy.  Now, cadets…” he quipped, “I’ll let you connect the dots.”

“Hells…” Atris swore, “…even I can figure it out.  The godsdamned Reddies sabotaged the power grid.”  Silence filling the room as the enormity of the elite cadet squadron’s actions sunk in, the youthful Troyian asked in an almost pleading tone, her voice barely above a whisper, “But why?  So many died because of this…”

“That’s the hundred thousand credit question.” Pava replied, all traces of humor gone from his voice.  “Why would the Commandant of the Academy send Red Squad off to kill the power grid in an effort to make it look like a changeling infiltration? Unless…”

“He’s acting on someone else’s orders.”  T’Pren supplied, finishing off the El-Aurian’s thoughts.

“Exactly!”  Pava exclaimed as his fingers danced over the padd’s console.

“What are you doing?”  Atris inquired, her heart racing as she saw numbers and displays appearing and disappearing on the small display screen on the padd.

“Your roommate isn’t the only one who can hack into computer systems.”  The El-Aurian replied with a crooked grin, “Although she is very good at it.”  Addressing the young Vulcan woman, he quipped, “Have you ever considered switching over from sciences into security/tactical, T’Pren?  You’ve got the aptitude…”

“I shall…” T’Pren answered back with a wicked grin of her own, “…give it some thought”

“You do that.”  Pava replied, “…because if you are as good as I think you are, I might just have an offer for you…”  His good humor once again disappearing as the information he wanted appeared on the data screen, Pava declared in a grim tone, “Got it!”

“What?”  Atris asked, her voice edged with both excitement and concern.

“Not here.”  Pava said as he tapped his communicator.  “We’re going to need a lot of help here on this.”

*******************************************************************

“Hello, Mama.”  Liz Shelby said with a smile as she regarded the image of the woman in her monitor.  Her strawberry-blonde hair now touched by gray, Anna Shelby still looked at least a decade younger than her sixty-two years.  “You’re looking good.”  Liz remarked with more than a hint of tension in her voice. “How are you doing?”

“I’m doing fine, Lany…” Anna replied with a broad grin, using the Hungarian word for daughter.  “So is your father.”  She added; a disapproving note in her voice at her daughter’s failure to ask about her other parent.  “We made it through the power blackout ok.”  Pausing for a moment, the older woman gave her daughter an accusatory look, “It’s good to hear from you.  I can’t remember the last time we talked…”

“Mama…” The younger woman sighed, “You know things between me and Father are still…”

“Don’t you think it’s time you and your father settled your issues, dear?”  Anna implored, “This fight has been going on for years.”

Gritting her teeth, Liz bitterly spat out, “Don’t you think I’ve tried, Mama?  But every time I hold out my hand to him, he bats it away.  He’s a stubborn, pig-headed…”

“Just like his lany…” Anna grinned, slipping into Hungarian, “…and your nagyanya, and your nagyapa.”

“I get the message, Anya!”  Liz chuckled, her rarely used Magyar immediately returning to the blonde starship captain, “I’ll try…” She sighed deeply, “…but I don’t think it’ll come to much.”  Shaking her head disconsolately, she concluded, “It’ll go like all the other times.  We’ll say hello and then he’ll say something or I’ll say something and we’ll yell at each other and then one or both of us will storm off.”

“Maybe, darling,” Anna conceded, “But won’t you try…please…for me.”

“All right, Mama, all right!  You win!  You can lay off the nagging Hungarian mother routine!” Liz laughed, “I said I’d try!”

“Good.”  Anna replied, nodding her head triumphantly, “So…when can we expect you down?”

“I have some business to take care of here first…” Liz sighed.   However, before the captain could finish her sentence, her comm badge beeped.

“Captain Shelby?”

“Yes, Lieutenant Atoa?”  Shelby replied with a groan, “What is it?”

“A Lieutenant Lar’ragos needs to speak with you, he told me to tell you it concerned an old friend of yours…Nyssa…” On hearing that particular code word, one used when Pava was chief of security on the Shran, Shelby sat upright in her chair.  “One moment.”  She ordered.  Returning to her mother, Liz smiled sadly, “Mama?  This message is important…”

“I understand, Dragam.”  Anna replied indulgently, “Remember, I’m married to a retired starship captain…I know how it is. Until later.”

*********************************************************************

His lips turning up into a grin as he saw the confused look on the Troyian woman’s face, Pava explained, “Nyssa is an unofficial code word we had on the Shran.  It means that there’s a critical situation, but I can’t talk about it on an open channel.” A few moments later, Captain Shelby’s voice came through the comm badge.

“Pava?  How is Nyssa?”  Liz asked, her voice tinged with fatigue and weariness.

“She’s ok…” Lar’ragos replied, “But she misses you and would like to see you as soon as possible.”  Pausing for a moment, he added, almost as an afterthought, “She also told me to tell you that she’d love to see your ship.”

“I think that can be arranged.”  Shelby replied, maintaining their coded conversation.  “We can beam you up when you give the word.”

“Great.”  Pava replied, “Nyssa also wanted to tell me that she’s got two friends who’d like to beam up as well.  One of them is Varok’s granddaughter and she tells me that she can’t wait to see her grandfather…” he said, ignoring T’Pren’s glare, “And the other…well…” he smirked, “She’s this gorgeous Troyian woman.  I have a feeling the two of you’d hit it off…if you know what I mean…”

“What?”  Atris exclaimed in a shocked tone, “I’m not…I mean…I’ve never…not that there’s anything wrong with that…” She added hastily, knowing her roommate’s gender preferences, “It’s just that I like…guys…”

The sound of her laughter coming through the comm badge, the trio heard the captain’s response, “All right, Pava.  Nyssa’s friends can beam up too.”  Her laughter now replaced by a much grimmer tone, Shelby inquired, “Are you ready to transport now?”

“Aye, Sir.”  Pava immediately responded as the two cadets drew closer to him.

“Ok.  I’ll meet all of you in my ready room after you transport aboard and you can fill me in on everything.”

“We will, Sir.”  Pava answered back, “I think you’ll find it very…interesting.”

*********************************************************************

“Like I said…” Charlotte Kincaid remarked as she and her son took their seats at a table in the Potemkin’s lounge, “It’s not as big or fancy as what you’ve probably got on your ship…but it does the job.”

“Thank you.”  Sam smiled appreciatively as a waiter brought the pair drinks.  Sipping his bourbon and coke, the youthful helmsman asked, “So…have you talked to Dad?”

“Yeah.” The Potemkin science officer replied with a grin, “I’m glad to see that Michel is doing well—and that you’ve talked to him already.”

“Look, Mom…” Sam interjected somewhat defensively, “You weren’t in system at the time…”

“I’m not blaming you for anything, Sam…” Charlotte answered back; raising her hands in a warding gesture, “Look…” she began hesitatingly, “I don’t want us to fight.  In fact, I’m glad you came.  Something’s come up that I think you might be interested in…”

“What?”  Sam asked, still somewhat wary in spite of his mother’s conciliatory words.

Shaking her head, Sam’s mother took a sip from her rum and coke as she regarded her son, “You look like I’m about to sell you defective Ferengi merchandise.” She joked, “It’s nothing like that.  In fact—it’s an opportunity.”  Frowning, she reluctantly confessed, “I’ll admit, Sam…that when you first applied for the Academy I didn’t think you could cut it.  Not because you’re not bright enough…” She clarified quickly, “It’s just that…when you were younger, you always had a problem sticking with what you started.  You couldn’t maintain stable relationships—flitting from one girl to another, you lost interest quickly in your extracurricular activities…I just didn’t think that you had the strength of character necessary to make it as a Starfleet officer.”

Listening quietly as his mother spoke, Sam answered in a soft voice, “You’re not telling me anything I didn’t already know, Mom.  But you have to understand, I’m not that boy anymore.  I’ve…”

“Grown up.”  His mother interjected, completing her son’s sentence.  “I know…now.  I’ve followed your career from the Academy to the Enterprise and then to the Sutherland.  I admit I was wrong about you.”  Flashing a slight smile, she continued, “In fact, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.  Something’s come up that I think you might be interested in.  The Ops officer position on the Potemkin will be opening up soon.  I can put a good word in for you with the Captain, if you want.”

“I don’t know…” Sam demurred.  Seeing the disappointed look on his mother’s face, the young man quickly explained, “It’s not you, Mom—honestly.  It’s just that things are going well for me on the Sutherland.  I’m senior helmsman and I should make lieutenant commander in about a year or so.”

“If you take the Ops position…” Charlotte argued, “…you’ll have that third pip inside of six months—probably three.  Captain Taras is an excellent officer to serve under—he served with Admiral Leyton several years ago and he’s pretty good about recognizing and awarding talent.”

“So’s Captain Shelby.”  Lavelle countered. 

“So I heard…” Charlotte sneered disapprovingly. “Tell me…has she ‘rewarded’ you?”

“Mother…” Sam uttered warningly, “I told you…”

 

“I’m sorry, Son…” The older woman backpedaled quickly, “Like I said, I don’t want us to fight.”  Standing up, she sighed, “Look, my shift begins in fifteen minutes.  Why don’t we meet again—maybe we can get together with your father and sisters and make a family outing of it?”

“I’d like that.” Sam replied with a smile, taking the olive branch offered by his mother.

“Great. We’ll hash out the details later.”  She said smiling, “And please…at least think about what I said concerning the Ops position.  I know you’d enjoy it here and it’d give us a chance to get to know each other again.”

********************************************************************

Smiling as Pava, accompanied by the two cadets he had mentioned earlier, entered her ready room, Captain Shelby stood up as she gestured at the chairs in front of her desk.  “Lieutenant.  It’s been too long. Cadets…be seated please.”

“Captain.”  Pava Lar’ragos answered back, flashing a roguish grin as he took his seat.

“Sir.”  The two youthful females responded nervously in unison as they took the chairs on opposite sides of the El-Aurian.

“So…Pava…” Liz inquired, her smile disappearing as she sat down.  “What’s going on?”

“Take a look at these, Captain.”  Lar’ragos replied as he handed the two padds to the petite captain.  “I think you’ll find them interesting—and more than a little frightening.”

As Shelby perused the two padds, her expression went from bemusement to surprise to stunned disbelief and finally to outraged anger.  Her searching gaze landing first on her former supervisor and then on his two companions, Liz, her lips pursed into a thin line, her facial expression a stony mask, questioned in a level, deceptively mild voice, “Are you sure, Pava…absolutely sure…about these?”

“Yes, Sir,” was the El-Aurian’s laconic reply, “I wish I weren’t.”

“You understand what this might mean?” Shelby stated, maintaining her outward veneer of calm.

“Yeah.”  Pava answered back, “I know.  So…” He asked, his face also a stoic mask, “What are we going to do about it?”

Punching her intercom button, Liz spoke, “Mr. Atoa…connect me with Admiral Hanson in Starfleet Command.”

Several moments later, Lieutenant Atoa’s voice came through the intercom, “I’m sorry, Captain, the admiral is not available.”

“I see…” Shelby answered back, her brow furrowed with concern.  “Try Admirals Nechayev, Paris, and Shanthi in that order.”  Addressing the El-Aurian officer seated before her, the captain remarked, “If what’s going on is what we think it is…then we should know very shortly.”

“Captain?” The Sutherland’s tactical officer’s voice once again interrupted, “Starfleet Command reports that none of the admirals are available.  They are all attending a closed meeting regarding security for the President’s upcoming speech and are under no conditions to be disturbed.”

“I see…” Liz drawled, “Is Captain Sisko available?”

“No, Sir.”  Lieutenant Atoa soon responded.  “Same excuse…” The tactical officer reported in an exasperated tone, “…attending a security meeting.”

“Right.”  Liz declared as she stood up.  “I want a meeting of senior staff in my office in thirty minutes.”  Addressing the three officers now also rising to their feet, she ordered, “I want you three there too.  I’ve got one more call to make, and if it bears out, then we’re going to have to move and move fast.”

********************************************************************

“Grandfather…” T’Pren greeted nervously as Varok entered her temporary quarters.  “You look well.”

“You do not.” The older Vulcan responded, raising an eyebrow.  “You appear to be…disconcerted.”  Pausing for a moment as he gazed into the eyes of his youthful granddaughter, the wizened science officer declared, “Your parents have informed me of your…illogical…actions.”

“So…” T’Pren glowered as she mustered the courage to stand up to the family patriarch, “You’ve already passed judgment?”

Responding with a frown, Varok retorted in an even tone, “I have made no judgments as yet.  A rush to judgment would be illogical.  For now, I merely seek information—and clarification.”

“Fair enough.”  T’Pren responded, relaxing somewhat.  “It’s just that I found that a rigid following of the laws of Surak no longer worked for me.  So…after a great deal of soul searching and other…circumstances…that occurred to me and things that I discovered about myself, that, for now, I wish to remain silent about, I decided to embrace V’tosh Ka’tur.”

Tilting his head slightly to the left, the elderly Vulcan commented, “I fail to see the logic in your decision making processes.”

“There’s very little that’s logical about it.”  T’Pren answered back, a slight note of defiance returning to her voice.  Willing herself to calm down, the young cadet continued her narrative, “I want you to know, Grandfather, it wasn’t a decision I made lightly.  I wrestled with it for several months—denying it—and myself—before finally accepting myself as who—and what—I truly am.”

“And what are you?”  Varok asked in a quiet voice.

“I’m T’Pren.” The young woman replied in an equally subdued tone.  “Your granddaughter. A Starfleet Cadet.  A Vulcan with feelings and emotions and not ashamed to show them. ”

“And your family?  Your obligations?  Your heritage?”  The elderly Vulcan questioned, “Are they not a part of you as well?”

“Of course they are!”  T’Pren responded somewhat heatedly.  Pausing for several moments as she found her center once again, the young cadet continued, “You just witnessed me applying Surak’s teachings to calm myself.  I haven’t abandoned Surak, Grandfather…” The younger woman declared in an almost pleading tone, “Far from it.  There is great wisdom in his words.  It’s just that I don’t think he ever intended for us to slavishly follow them as if they were written in stone.  He intended them to be guidelines…not commandments.”

“That supposition is an emotional response and unsupported by text…” The older Vulcan interjected, “But do continue…”

“As for my obligations…” The young woman shrugged her shoulders, “I’ve sworn an oath to Starfleet Command.  I will honor that oath and all others.  I am not betrothed to anyone…Am I?”  She pointedly asked her grandfather.

“No.”  The older man replied, shaking his head.  “It was decided by your parents that you would be allowed to follow your own path as regards choosing a mate.  It was their hope—and of your grandmother and myself as well—that you would consider the suit of S’ten, as he does come from a distinguished family and would be most suitable.  However, I can see, in the light of what you have just revealed to me, that that would not be a very likely outcome and so it would be fruitless to press the issue at this time.”

“Thank you.”  T’Pren replied in a soft voice, “You have no idea how much I appreciate that.”  Taking a deep breath, the young Vulcan addressed the last of her grandfather’s questions.  “And as for my family.  As far as I’m concerned, you’re still my family.  As to whether everyone else still considers me a part of the family…” she stammered, “…well, you’ll have to decide that for yourselves.”  Gritting her teeth, she gazed directly into the eyes of the family patriarch.  Steeling herself for the inevitable outcome, she declared, “That’s all I have to say.  If you’re going to disown me—do it now and get it over with.”

Shaking his head, the older Vulcan responded with just, it seemed to the younger woman, the faintest note of sadness in his voice, “I have not come to disown you, my granddaughter.  I came to see you because I was concerned as to your well being.  The course you have embarked on will be a difficult one—a painful one.  I had hoped that by convincing you to turn away from it that I could spare you that anguish.  But I can see that I cannot do that.  While I shall not judge you, there will be many who will.  You will be ostracized…barred entry into our most sacred shrines…and there will be those within our family who will not accept you or your choices.  Are you willing to live with that?”  Seeing his granddaughter’s single nod of her head and hearing her soft “Yes”, the elderly patriarch, placed a hand on the younger woman’s shoulder, “Very well.  I shall inform your parents.”  Stepping back, he made the Vulcan salute with his right hand, “Live long and prosper, T’Pren…my granddaughter.”

Tears rolling down her cheeks, the youthful Vulcan woman raised her hand, repeating her grandparent’s gesture, “And you, Grandfather…” She smiled, “Live long and prosper as well.”  As the older man left her quarters, T’Pren smiling through her tears, said in a soft, warm voice, “I love you.”

**********************************************************************

Answering her door chime, Liz waved her senior staff into her office.  “Find a seat.”  The captain urged as she sat on the edge of her desk.  “For those of you who have not met, this…” She introduced, gesturing towards the humanoid dressed in a beige Bajoran militia uniform, “…is Constable Odo from Deep Space Nine. His presence here is directly related to the current situation we’re facing.”

“What situation is that, Captain?”  Commander Hobson asked as he took a standing position next to his commanding officer.

“Remember our discussion regarding the bizarre nature of the ‘changeling’ attack on the power grid, Commander?”  Shelby asked as her office quickly filled up with her officers as well as Lieutenant Lar’ragos and the two cadets.  “Well, we were right to be suspicious.”

“What do you mean, Sir?”  Lieutenant Rysyl asked, her empathic senses immediately picking up on the tension coming from the constable and the captain.

“It wasn’t a changeling who sabotaged the grid.”  Liz explained, “Instead, it was Starfleet personnel.”

“Specifically…” Constable Odo interjected, making his voice heard over the growing murmuring from the gathered officers, “Cadets from Red Squad that beamed down from the Lakota.”

“Quiet!”  Captain Shelby ordered as the noise grew louder.  Clenching her teeth as her ready room quickly fell into silence, the blonde captain spoke, “Thank you.”  Turning towards Pava and the two cadets, Liz quickly introduced them, “I’ll turn things over to Lieutenant Lar’ragos and Cadets T’Pren and Nylysa.  They’ll fill you in on what they’ve discovered.”

“Thank you, Captain.”  The El-Aurian said with an inscrutable smile.  His smile disappearing, Pava swiveled the computer monitor on the captain’s desk to where it faced the gathered officers.  Downloading the information on both padds on to the Sutherland’s computer, the log entries appeared in a split screen display.  “You’ll note here…” He said, pointing at the image from T’Pren’s padd, “…that the log records show that Red Squad had beamed aboard the Lakota from the Commandant’s office a full twenty four hours before the power grid went down.”

“While we were all supposed to be on lockdown and confined to our quarters.”  Atris interjected.

“And how was this information attained?”  Commander Hobson inquired in a nasal tone.

“I hacked into the Academy system.”  T’Pren replied in a matter of fact tone, garnering slight grins of appreciation from Lieutenants Lavelle and Atoa as well as a disapproving frown from her grandfather. “I’ve also observed Red Squad sneaking off to the Commandant’s office repeatedly beginning approximately two months before the power blackout with the meetings growing more frequent immediately after the bombing in Antwerp.”

“Let me guess…” Manuele remarked with a twinkle in his eyes, “You snuck out of your dorm and followed them.”

“Precisely.”  T’Pren replied laconically, her lips turning up into a slight smile.

“And this other entry, I take it…” Hobson queried, “…would be the time that the Red Squad cadets beamed into the Lisbon complex.”

As Pava nodded his head in assent, Constable Odo cleared his throat.  “This corroborates what Captain Sisko and I have found out from our intercept of the Lisbon transport logs and our interrogation of Cadet Shepard.”

“Pity the Valiant has already warped out of orbit with Red Squad on a training mission.”  Commander Hobson observed, “Awfully convenient, I would say.”

“It gets worse…” Shelby intoned as she nodded at Lar’ragos, encouraging him to continue.

Pressing a button, the log entries disappeared from the computer monitor to be replaced by another display, this one a list of names.  “This is a listing of officers who have served under Admiral Leyton in some capacity or other since his tenure as captain of the Okinawa.  Note especially those names highlighted.” He instructed as certain names appeared in a red color.

“That’s the Commandant of the Academy.”  Lieutenant Rysyl exclaimed in a hushed tone.

“And the first officer of the Concord.”  Hobson noted.

“And Captain Taras.”  Sam observed, “My mother told me that he had served under Admiral Leyton when she tried to talk me into transferring over to the Potemkin.”

“She did?”  Anara asked, her eyes widening.  “What did you tell her?”

“I said no, of course.”  Sam answered back, “I told her that I’m happy here and have no intention of transferring off.”

“While I appreciate your loyalty…” Captain Shelby smiled, “You might want to tell your mother that you changed your mind.”

“What?”  The Canadian helmsman exclaimed, his mouth agape. “But…I thought…”

“I’ll explain it to you later, Lieutenant.”  Shelby interrupted as she and Pava exchanged knowing glances.  Turning her attention to the shapeshifter standing somewhat aloof of the group, Liz inquired, “Have you heard anything more from Captain Sisko?”

“No, Captain.”  Odo immediately responded, shaking his head, “The last time I spoke with him, he was planning on informing the President about our suspicions.”

“Leyton’s people probably got to him first.” Pava noted, receiving a nod from the constable.

“That would be my guess.”  Odo agreed.

“They’re probably also holding Admiral Hanson and the rest of them.”  Liz conjectured, relating her failed efforts at trying to reach the admirals as her intercom beeped.  “Go ahead, Mr. Dryer.”

“Sir…” The voice of the ebony skinned security officer filled the room, “The Lakota has just warped out of orbit.”

“I was afraid of that.”  Odo growled in a low voice.  “Major Kira had discovered that one of the lieutenants stationed on Deep Space Nine had also served on the Okinawa.  This man was able to manipulate the wormhole into opening at intervals…”

“Making it look like a cloaked fleet was coming through.” Liz finished, “Providing the perfect pretext for putting everyone on alert.” 

“Right.” The Constable agreed.  “Defiant is on its way to Earth with the confirming documentation.”

“Which means…” Anara gasped, “…that the Lakota was ordered to intercept it.”

“Major Kira will not allow anything…or anyone…to stop her from completing her mission.”  Odo declared confidently.  “Even if the result is combat.”

“Do you really think it’ll come to that?”  Lieutenant Rysyl asked, refusing to believe that one Federation vessel would willingly fire on another.

“I think…” Odo replied, “That while Major Kira will not fire first, she will not permit Captain Benteen to interfere and will do what she has to do to get this information here.”

Sighing deeply, Elizabeth stated in a low, mournful tone, “Erika will follow her orders.  Even if that means firing on the Defiant.”  Closing her eyes momentarily, Captain Shelby stood up.  Her head erect, she announced to everyone in the room, “We have no choice.  We have to move and move quickly.  Otherwise, we’re going to find ourselves in a civil war. So…here’s what we’re going to do…”

*************************************************************

Part 5: Touch and Go

“Please inform our mutual associate…” Admiral James Leyton said as he addressed the middle-aged Trill on his monitor, “…that I fully intend to honor our agreement.  After a year, we shall agree on the composition of a new Federation Council—one whose delegates fully appreciates both the danger of the changeling menace and the need for the Federation to return to its traditional roots.  Once he is named President, I will step aside and resume my duties as Commander-in-Chief, Starfleet.”

“He shall be glad to hear that, Sir.”  The Trill replied, “And he wants you to know that he will do likewise.  Our party will give you our full support and, once he is made President, you will receive whatever you need to deal with the Dominion and changeling infiltration.”

“Thank you.”  The admiral said as his enunciator chimed.  “Excuse me, but my security chief is at the door.”

“Of course.”  The Trill acknowledged.  “Until later.”

******************************************************************

“Commander Daneeka…” Admiral Leyton smiled as the youthful Bolian lieutenant commander entered his office, “How are our ‘guests’?”

“Mad enough to split anti-matter, but behaving themselves, Sir.”  The gold and black clad officer responded with a grin.

Chuckling, the admiral responded, “That’s to be expected, Alynna Nechayev, Owen Paris, J. P. Hanson, and Thuosana Shanthi are easily four of the most stubborn people I have ever had the pleasure of serving with.”  His laughter vanishing, he continued, “That’s why it’s important we continue to try to get them to see that this is the only way to preserve the Federation and our way of life.”

“And Ben Sisko?”  The Bolian security officer inquired, asking about their mutual acquaintance who had also served on the Okinawa.  “How long do we keep him in lockup?”

With a dour expression, the admiral replied, “Sisko has made his decision.”  Seeing his security chief about to protest, Leyton raised his hand to silence her, “Don’t worry, Daneeka, I’ll keep my promise to him and let him go after we remove the President and secure our position.  I’m even thinking about retaining him at Deep Space Nine afterwards if he gives me his word that he’ll take no action against us because, even with everything that’s happened, he really is the best man to have out there.”  Shaking his head, the admiral lamented, “I think the biggest mistake I made was taking him off that station and bringing him here.  I misjudged his character completely.  I really thought that he, more than anyone else, would have understood the necessity of our actions.”

“It’s too late to be second guessing ourselves now here, Sir.”  Daneeka interjected politely, yet firmly.

“You’re right.”  Leyton responded, a smile returning to his face as he stood up.  “Well…I better see to our guests…”

“And I need to make my rounds…” Daneeka replied as she turned towards the exit.  “Good luck, Sir.”

**********************************************************************

“Hey, Mom.”  Sam Lavelle smiled at the image of his mother on the computer screen.  “I’ve thought about what we talked about earlier…”

“You mean the Ops. position on the Potemkin?” Charlotte Kincaid inquired, her heart beating quicker as she gazed into the eyes of her son.  “Have you decided on whether you’re going to take it or not?”

“Well…” Sam replied, deliberately drawing out his sentence to appear as if he was being unsure of himself, “…I have to be honest.  I was going to turn it down flat…” Seeing the crestfallen look on his mother’s face, the Canadian helmsman flashed a reassuring smile, “But then I thought more about it.”

“And…” Charlotte prompted; hope once again rising within her.

“And well, I decided that I wanted to talk more with you about it…and maybe have a talk with Captain Taras as well…that is if it’s ok with you and him.”

“I’d love to!”  Charlotte exclaimed, a pleased look on her face, “And I’m sure the Captain would want to talk to you…” She then lowered her voice conspiratorially, “I’ve been kind of laying the groundwork for you with him.”  Her smile growing wider, the dark haired science officer invited, “Why don’t you beam on over and we’ll talk and I’ll see if the Captain can see you.”

“That’d be great, Mom.”  Sam smiled back.  “I’ll see you in a few.”  Immediately after his mother’s image disappeared, Sam touched his comm badge, “Lavelle to Captain Shelby.  Phase One is in motion.  We’re on our way to the Potemkin.

“Very good, Mr. Lavelle.”  Captain Shelby’s voice responded, “Carry on and good luck.”

“Well, Maria…” Sam quipped as he turned about to face Ensign Django, the dusky skinned Ensign’s expression a mixture of nervousness and anticipation, “Ready to meet Mom?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”  She answered back as she slipped one of the padds containing the incriminating evidence concerning Leyton’s plans in her satchel, “I just hope she believes us.”

“So do I…” Sam replied glumly, “So do I.”

**********************************************************************

“Permission to come on board.”  Captain Michael Owens requested formally from the Sutherland’s transporter pad.

“Permission granted.”  Commander Christopher Hobson replied in an equally formal voice, completing the traditional formula.

“My First Officer, Commander Eugene Edison.”  Owens introduced as the other officer, also wearing the red and black of command stepped off the transporter pad, hand outstretched.

“Call me Gene.”  The Eagle’s executive officer said with an affable grin.

“Commander.” Hobson acknowledged in his usual patrician tone as he took his fellow first officer’s hand in his in a firm grip.  Addressing both officers, Chris announced, “If you will accompany me, Captain Shelby and the others are waiting in the captain’s ready room.

“Lead on, Commander.”  Owens replied as the doors to the transporter room slid open.

As the two officers from the Eagle made their way down the Sutherland’s corridors, they found that life on the Sutherland by and large followed the usual routine for a starship: officers and enlisted ratings rushed to and fro to and from their duty stations, officers engaging in brief conversations before resuming their routines.  “Culsten’s going to be disappointed.”  Commander Edison muttered to his commanding officer, referring to the Eagle’s youthful Krellonian flight control officer.

“How so?”  Owens whispered back.

“He was convinced that the Sutherland held naked races in the corridors.” He replied with a chuckle.

“That’s on Fridays.”  Hobson deadpanned as the officers transited the bridge en route to the captain’s office. “Just before the alpha shift orgy.”

“He is joking…isn’t he?”  Eugene whispered, lowering his voice even more as Captain Owens laughed quietly and as he heard discreet snickers coming from the Deltan woman sitting at the operations console.

“I think so.” The Eagle’s skipper responded somewhat dubiously as the door to Shelby’s office whooshed open.

“Come in, Captain Owens…Commander Edison…” Captain Shelby called out from the large wooden desk behind which she stood with a dark haired lieutenant wearing a gold and black uniform on one side of her and a humanoid male wearing a beige Bajoran militia uniform on the other.  “This is Lieutenant Lar’ragos.”  She introduced, motioning with her hand first towards the lieutenant and then in the direction of the other man, “And this is Constable Odo from Deep Space Nine.  Please…be seated.  We have a lot to talk about and not a whole lot of time.”

******************************************************************

Stepping off the Potemkin’s transporter pad, Sam Lavelle managed a slight smile as his mother approached, “Mom…I’d like to introduce you to Ensign Maria Django…”

Giving the dusky skinned ensign an appraising look, Lieutenant Commander Charlotte Kincaid frowned, “Why did you bring her here, Sam?  I thought you wanted to discuss the ops position with Captain Taras.”

“I do, Mom!”  Sam answered back, his tentative grin turning into a frown as Maria glared daggers at his mother.  Subtly pressing the small of the Brazilian ensign’s back with his free hand, the Canadian helmsman smoothly lied, “You should be thanking Maria, Mom.  If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here now.  She’s talked me into at least hearing what Captain Taras had to say.”

“Sam’s right.”  Maria interjected, barely maintaining her temper.  “I told him he needed to think of his career first and that this was too good an opportunity to pass up without at least talking about it.”

“Well, then…” The dark haired science officer declared, her attitude towards the petite ensign suddenly shifting, “…I’m glad to hear that Sam has one friend, at least, on that ship with a good head on her shoulders.”

Smoothly segueing before his volatile companion could speak, Sam quickly suggested, “Why don’t we go to your quarters, Mom?  I’ve got a lot of questions to ask and I was hoping that you might give me some idea as to how to approach Captain Taras so I don’t make an ass out of myself.”

“Of course!”  Charlotte exclaimed, readily agreeing.  “After all, we wouldn’t want to have a repeat of what happened between you and Commander Riker back on the Enterprise now, would we?”

“No, Mom…” Sam uttered, plastering a fake grin on his face as Maria gave him a sly look, “…we wouldn’t want that.”

“And everyone says I’m a bitch…” Maria muttered under her breath as the trio left the transporter room.

*******************************************************************

As Captain Owens and looked over the evidence for a third time, his jaw clenched with silent rage.  You’re sure about this?”  The Eagle’s skipper asked for the second time, not wanting to believe the incriminating data before him.

“I wish I weren’t.”  Captain Shelby responded with a sigh.  “But yes, it is genuine.”

“And confirmed…”  Constable Odo interjected, “…with testimony from one of the participants…”

“Yes…” Captain Owens interrupted testily, “Cadet Shepard from Red Squad.  I read the report of his interrogation.”

“Captain…” Liz intervened as hers and Owens’ eyes locked, “…we don’t have time for this…”

“You’re right.”  Owens conceded, nodding his head once in response, “It’s just…” he shook his head, “…for Leyton to do this…” How could you, Erika? Michael asked to himself.  What could have made you take part in something like this?

“I know.”  Shelby commiserated, “I felt the same way.”  Taking a deep breath as she leaned forward against her desk, resting her weight on her balled up fists, she declared in a grave voice, “We’ll have time for recriminations later.  I need to know and I need to know now…can I count on your help?  Leyton’s people control the planetary defense grid’s center of operations.  I need you to neutralize them while Pava’s team frees the admirals and Odo frees Captain Sisko.”

“We’ll do our part…” Owens vowed as Commander Edison cleared his throat.  “Go ahead, Gene…” Michael encouraged as Captain Shelby nodded her head.

“Sirs?  I’d like to make a suggestion…” He began, “I know Commander Mark Dennison on the Concord.  He’s a good man and a fine officer.  I’d hate for his life and career to be ruined here.  If you let me, I think I can talk him down.”

“As far as we know…” Captain Shelby mused as she considered the Eagle’s executive officer’s suggestion, “…he might be completely innocent and not even know what’s going on here.  He hasn’t committed any open acts that I’m aware of.  He’ll have to answer of course, for any acts of omission should it come out that he did know details of Leyton’s plot and didn’t tell anyone—but I’ll let the JAG deal with that.”  Flashing a brief smile at Edison, Shelby decided, “Very well, Commander.  If Captain Owens agrees, then you can go ahead and try to talk Commander Dennison into going to Captain Lynwood on his own.”

“Of course I agree.”  Owens immediately confirmed as he placed a friendly hand on his first officer’s arm, “Good luck, Gene.”

“Thanks, Captain.”   Edison smiled back before turning back towards Shelby, “So…when do we start?”

“Phase One has already begun.”  Elizabeth replied.  “You can beam over to the Concord from here if you want. Phase Two…” Shelby continued, “…begins as soon as Captain Owens is ready.”

“We’ll be ready in fifteen minutes.”  Owens replied confidently.  “Lieutenant Nora Laas…my tactical officer, will handle the operation from our end.”

 “All right.”  Liz sighed as she walked out from around her desk.  “We’ll commence Phase Two on receiving word from you.”  Taking a deep breath, the blonde captain concluded the meeting.  “Good luck, everyone.  I have a feeling before this is over we’re going to need as much of it as we can get.”

*****************************************************************   

Immediately after the door to his mother’s quarters slid shut, Sam Lavelle shoved a padd into her hands.  “Read this…but before you do, I’d suggest you sit down.”

Taking her son’s advice with a quizzical glance, Charlotte Kincaid sat down in a brown armchair, motioning for her guests to be seated as well.  Making herself comfortable, the Potemkin science officer began to peruse the padd in her hands.  The expression on her face changing from mild curiosity to disbelief to outrage, the Ottawa native swore, “Do you honestly expect me to believe this?  Hell, for all I know you’re the changelings and this is all part of your plot to start a civil war.”  Her eyes flaring with anger, she spat out as her hand hovered over her comm badge, “Give me one good reason not to call security right now and have you thrown in the brig!”

“You really are an idiot!”  Maria spat out as she leaped to her feet, “The evidence is staring you right in the face and you’re too stupid to see it.  You think we’re changelings?  Ok…”  She growled as she took out a hypo.  Rolling up her sleeve, she placed the hypo against her bare arm.  Gritting her teeth as she pressed the button on her hypo, she extracted a small sample of her blood.  Replacing the ampoule with an empty one, she gestured for Sam to roll up his sleeve.  Repeating the procedure with him, she turned towards the stunned science officer and smirked as the two blood samples showed no change.  “Satisfied now, Mommy Dearest?”  Putting in yet another empty ampoule into the hypo, Ensign Django tossed it to her companion’s mother, “Now it’s your turn.”

Seeing the stunned and shocked expression on his mother’s face at the fiery ensign’s outburst and her subsequent actions, Sam, placing a restraining hand on Maria’s shoulder, pushed her back down to her seat as he leveled his gaze at his mother.  “Mom…do you honestly think that if Maria or I were really changelings that you’d be able to hit that comm badge of yours before you were stopped?”  Taking a more conciliatory stance, the dark haired lieutenant pleaded, “I know this is a lot for you to take in…but we’re…I’m…telling you the truth here.  Because of Leyton, over five thousand people are dead and if he’s not stopped, that number’s going to grow—by a lot.  If we’re wrong, then you can just say that we coerced you…that you didn’t have a choice but to do what we told you to do.  We’ll be the ones taking the heat and your career and reputation will remain intact.  But…if we’re right and you did nothing—or you tried to stop us—do you really want to have that on your conscience?”

“No…” Charlotte replied in a soft voice as she rolled up her sleeve and, repeating the actions of the two younger officers, took a sample of her blood, “I wouldn’t.”  Tossing the blood sample back to the dusky skinned ensign, the older woman remarked with a steady glare, “Satisfied?”

“Yeah.”  Maria responded with a smug grin as she examined the unchanged blood sample.  “Now, I’m happy.”

“Good.”  Charlotte answered back, her face taking on a grim look as she turned her attention back to her son, “So…what do you want me to do?”

“We need to get in to see the Captain.”  Sam replied, relieved that his mother had now come around, “Hopefully, we can convince him not to follow Leyton’s orders…or if we can’t…that we can stop him before more people are killed.”

“Well…” Charlotte suggested, “I did tell him that you wanted to speak to him about the ops position, so he is expecting to see you…”

“Great!”  Sam exclaimed with a grin.  “That’ll give us the perfect opportunity.  So…when do we meet him?”

“Give me ten minutes to freshen up…” Charlotte replied, “…and I’ll meet you in the lounge.  We can go on from there to the Captain’s office.”

“Ok…” Sam smiled as he and Maria got up out of the chairs.  “We’ll see you then.”

Flashing a sly grin as Maria made her way towards the door, the older woman asked, “Oh…Ensign Django…are you always this…”

“Bitchy?”  The young Brazilian replied with a smug grin as she looked back at her friend’s mother.

“I was going to say confrontational…” Charlotte rejoined with a twinkle in her eye, “But bitchy works just as well.”

Shrugging her shoulders, Maria quipped as she exited the room, “Actually, I’m usually much worse.  You’re lucky.  You caught me on a good day today.”

Laughing as the door to her quarters whooshed open; Lieutenant Commander Charlotte Kincaid made her way to her dresser drawer.  Her laughter fading away as she opened the drawer, the dark haired science officer took out the small hand phaser that she had hidden there under her clothes.  Concealing it in the small of her back, the protective mother squared her shoulders as she took a deep breath.  Exhaling, she recorded brief messages for her husband, children, and brother and then strode confidently out the door and down the corridor, her decision made.

*********************************************************************

As a haggard Elizabeth Shelby took the center chair, she gratefully took the cup of coffee offered to her by an ensign wearing the gold and black uniform of operations.  Taking a sip of the hot beverage, the petite captain sighed in gratitude as she noticed the green light flashing on her armrest.  Reluctantly setting her cup down, Captain Shelby punched the intercom button with her index finger, “Pava…Manuele…your teams are clear to go.  Commence Phase Two and…” She quickly added, “Good luck.”  Swiveling her chair, she addressed the young ensign who had earlier brought her coffee and was now standing at the tactical station.  “Bring the ship to yellow alert, but do not charge either weapons or shields unless I say so and give the ‘Go’ signal to the Eagle.”

“Aye, Captain.”  The young woman crisply acknowledged as she moved to carry out her commanding officer’s orders.

Picking her coffee cup up, Liz took another sip.  Nothing to do now…the captain mused…but wait...and hope.

*****************************************************************

Glancing down at his arm rest, Captain Michael Owens, also sitting at the center seat of his ship, took a deep breath.  “Bring us to yellow alert.” The Eagle’s skipper ordered as he activated his intercom, “Lieutenant Nora…Now.”

********************************************************************

Bolting up out of his chair as two figures materialized in his private office, Rear Admiral Barzhan glowered at the human officer wearing gold and black and the young Troyian woman wearing the gray and red togs and insignia of a third year cadet.  “What is the meaning of this Lieutenant…Cadet?”  The Bolian Starfleet Academy Commandant growled.

“You are under arrest, Sir, for conspiracy to commit mutiny and insurrection.”  Seeing the admiral making a motion with his right hand towards his desk, Manuele warned as he drew his phaser, pointing it at the flag officer, “Don’t, Sir.  Please, Admiral.  I would hate to have to stun you.”

“Very well…” Barzhan sighed as he slowly raised his hands, “Where are we going?”

As Lieutenant Atoa and Cadet Atris took their positions to either side of the admiral, Manuele activated his comm badge, “Atoa to Sutherland.  Mission accomplished.  Three to beam up directly to security holding.”

*********************************************************************

“Hello, Ben.”  Lieutenant Commander Daneeka smiled down at her old friend from behind the forcefield of the confinement cell he had been locked up in.  “How’re you doing?”  Benjamin Sisko, still wearing his red and black uniform, lay back on the bed, his head and back supported by the headboard, hands clasped behind his head.  While he gave the appearance of being relaxed, the Bolian security specialist knew full well that her former shipmate from the Okinawa was carefully observing his environment, looking for any weaknesses he might exploit to make his escape.  “I know what you’re thinking, Ben—I’d be doing the same thing if I were in your shoes, but please, don’t try.  I’d hate to have to bring you down.  In any event, Admiral Leyton has promised to let you go.” Holding out a peace offering, the youthful Bolian added, “He even said that he’d be willing to reinstate you as commanding officer of Deep Space Nine.”

“That’s mighty generous of him.”  Sisko responded, his toothy grin not at all hiding the sarcasm of his tone.

“Ben…” Daneeka shook her head, “Why won’t you understand? Jaresh Inyo is an incompetent jackass—he’s totally unfit for the job.”

“It’s not our place to make that decision!”  An outraged Benjamin Sisko retorted, rising to his feet.  “Starfleet has to stay outside politics!”  His anger fading, the dark skinned captain pleaded, “Don’t you see, Daneeka?  Once Starfleet starts down that road—once it becomes involved in politics—that’s the beginning of the end for our way of life!”

Shaking her head, the young Bolian countered, “You’re wrong, Ben.  Admiral Leyton’s way is the only way to preserve the Federation and our lives.”

Sitting down on the edge of his bed, Benjamin shook his head somberly as he regarded his former shipmate, “Tell that to the five thousand people who’ve already died because of this.  And if Leyton isn’t stopped now—they’ll be the first of many more.”

**********************************************************************

“Gene!”  Commander Mark Dennison, the first officer of USS Concord, grinned as he saw the face of his old friend, Eugene Edison.  Grasping his friend’s hand in a firm handshake, the dark haired, bearded light skinned Dennison remarked, “How long has it been?  Five years?”

“At least.”  Commander Edison grinned back as he shook his old friend’s hand.  Releasing his grip, Edison asked, “Can we go somewhere and talk, Mark?”

Seeing the serious, foreboding actually, look on his old friend’s face, Dennison replied, “Sure…how ‘bout our lounge?”

Shaking his head, Gene answered back, “I’d rather go someplace a bit more private.  How about your quarters?”

“Ok…” The Concord XO remarked, a mystified expression still on his face, “What’s this all about, Gene?  Has something happened?”

Taking a deep breath, Edison exhaled with a sigh, “I’ll tell you when we get to your quarters.”

************************************************************************

Materializing on the main transportation pad at Starfleet Command Headquarters, Lieutenant Pava Lar’ragos, along with the rest of his party, were politely accosted by a petty officer wearing the gold uniform tunic of a security specialist and carrying a phaser rifle at port arms.

“Morning, Petty Officer.”  Pava said with a crooked grin as he made ready to step off the pad.

“One moment please, Sir.”  The noncommissioned officer instructed as he signaled another enlisted rating manning a console.  “Weapons scan.”

“That’s quite all right, Petty Officer.”  Pava replied in a reassuring tone as the crewman manning the console announced, “No weapons or other contraband devices scanned.”

“You can step down now, Sir.” The petty officer declared; his posture relaxing somewhat.  “I’m sorry about the scans…” he said apologetically, “…new directives…”

“That’s all right, Petty Officer…”

“Duncan…” The security officer supplied, his lips turning up in a slight smile.

“Petty Officer Duncan.”  Lar’ragos smiled back.  “We all have our orders.  Speaking of which…” His smile growing wider, he gestured towards Constable Odo and the rest of his party: Lieutenant Nyota Dryer and Cadet T’Pren, “…we’re under orders to escort Constable Odo to Starfleet Intelligence for further debriefing and you know how Captain Elack gets when he’s kept waiting…”

“Don’t I!”  Duncan sighed sympathetically, being very well acquainted with moody Bolian intelligence chief’s sense of punctuality.  “You’re clear, Sir.” The petty officer declared, waving Pava and his party through, “Have a good day.”

*********************************************************************

“What’s this all about, Gene?”  Commander Mark Dennison asked as he and his friend entered Dennison’s quarters. 

Pausing for a moment as he regarded the portrait of his old friend standing next to a blond haired man, Eugene Edison flashed a wan smile, “How’s Eric doing?”

“He’s ok…” The Concord’s first officer replied, “We don’t get to see each other as often as we’d like since he took that job with the Federation Development Program, but I’ve got some leave time coming to me and he’s planning on taking some vacation time so we’re planning on meeting up at Risa the end of next month.”  Motioning for his old friend to be seated, Dennison remarked, “But I’m sure you didn’t want to talk to me about my relationship with Eric.  So…what is it?”

Handing the padd in his hands to Commander Dennison, Gene sighed, “Please tell me you don’t know anything about this, Mark.”

His eyes reflecting his astonishment and disbelief as he read the information on the padd that Edison had just handed him, Mark Dennison remarked in a hushed tone, “You think I’m involved in this?”

“You’re saying you’re not?”  Gene asked; desperately wanting to believe his friend’s innocence.

“Of course, I’m not!”  Mark answered back heatedly as he shot up out his seat.  “I’d never betray my oath like that!” He growled as he paced angrily, “I can’t believe you of all people would think that I’d have any part in something as monstrous as this!”

“I believe you.”  Gene replied in a sincere tone, adding, “I was hoping you weren’t part of this…that’s why I asked my captain and Captain Shelby to let me talk to you first—before they contacted your captain.  I wanted to give you the chance to clear yourself.”

Calming down as he heard his friend’s words, Commander Dennison sighed.  “And if I were involved, to do the right thing.”  Taking a deep breath as his friend nodded his head in affirmation; the dark haired commander cracked a smile, “I’m glad you did, Gene.  Now…let’s go see Captain Lynwood and get this settled.” 

********************************************************************

“Well…that went easier than I thought it would.”  Lieutenant Dryer whispered once the group was safely out of earshot of anybody.

“We got lucky this time.”  Pava replied, his smile vanishing as they approached their destination.  “This is one of the security monitoring stations.”  Turning towards Odo, the El-Aurian raised his hand just as the constable began to melt.  “I’d hold off on that if I were you—this room is probably set up to run automatic phaser sweeps to detect changelings.”

“Good point.”  Odo conceded, returning immediately to his usual humanoid form.  “So…how do we proceed?”

“You and T’Pren wait out here for now.” Pava instructed, “Leave this one for Nyota and me.”  Flashing a wicked grin at the lovely dark skinned woman, the El-Aurian quipped, “You ready?”

“I’m always ready.”  Dryer rejoined with a smirk of her own as the door slid open to reveal the solitary occupant of the room.

Turning about quickly at the sound of the door opening, the security specialist immediately jumped out of his seat, coming to attention on recognizing the insignia of the two lieutenants.  “Sirs!”

“Stand at ease, Crewman.”  Pava smiled as he and Nyota approached closer.  “We’re just doing a security sweep.”

“Security sweep, Sir?  Commander Daneeka didn’t mention anything about any security sweeps.”  His expression suddenly suspicious, the crewman requested, “Wait a moment, I’ll ask her.”

“That’s all right, Crewman.”  Lar’ragos replied, his lips turning up into a cold grin.  Striking before the guard’s hand could touch his comm badge; Lar’ragos felled the younger man, the edge of his hand striking the back of the guard’s neck, rendering him instantly unconscious.

Picking up the slumping crewman, Nyota dragged him to the far edge of the room.  “Smooth, Lieutenant.”  The ebony skinned security officer remarked with a toothy grin.

“Thanks, and it’s Pava.”  Lar’ragos responded as he motioned for the rest of his team to enter, “Ok T’Pren…” he quipped as he bent over one of the security consoles, “It’s time to show me how good you really are.”

“Just watch, Sir.”  The young Vulcan rejoined as she quickly inputted a series of numbers and letters on to the computer station that she occupied.  Flashing a triumphant grin, she announced, “All done!”

“Done here.”  Pava exclaimed at nearly the same time.  Turning towards Odo, he explained, “We’ve uploaded a program that disables the security alerts while at the same time appearing fully operational to anyone making a cursory check.”

“Very good.”  The constable remarked, his lips turning up in a sardonic grin, “I’ll just have to make sure Quark doesn’t find out about this.”

“It won’t hold up if someone looks real close.”  T’Pren cautioned, “But, so long as we avoid alerting any live guards, it should buy us the time we need to accomplish our mission.”

“It’ll be enough to get the job done.”  Pava pronounced as he turned towards Odo, “Constable, you should find Captain Sisko in Security Confinement.  Go back to the last intersection we passed, take the corridor going left, then the next corridor right and you should be there.”

Watching as the changeling constable exited the room, Pava turned towards the remaining members of his team.  “Ok…let’s go.  Leyton probably has the other admirals locked up in the main conference room.”

“Why there?”  Nyota asked, “Wouldn’t it make more sense for him to put them in a cell.”

“Not really.”  Pava explained.  “You see, he still wants them on his side—their support would go a long way towards swaying most of the rest of the Fleet to go along with his coup, so he’s not going to want to alienate them by locking them up in a cell.”  The El-Aurian’s lips turning up in a crooked grin, he concluded, “I’m betting that he’s been sweet-talking them constantly since he made his move.”

“Then…” Lieutenant Dryer grinned, “What are we waiting for? They’re probably bored stiff by now.”

**********************************************************************

“Well…good news for a change.”  Liz Shelby exclaimed, addressing her first officer as she came on to the bridge.  “Manuele has just taken Admiral Barzhan into custody and I just got off the line with Captains Lynwood and Owens and Commander Edison.”  Sighing in relief as she took the center seat, she continued her narrative, “Commander Dennison denies having anything to do with Leyton’s plot and a check of his subspace communications logs verifies that he’s had no communication with Leyton or any other known conspirators.”

“That’s one piece of good news at least.”  Commander Christopher Hobson agreed; his poker face still in place.  “It would have been a shame to have his life and career ruined by this reckless…stunt.”

“Yeah…” Liz muttered somberly as her thoughts drifted to her former lover now sitting in the center seat of the Lakota, “…a shame.”

*********************************************************************

“Ah…Commander…” Captain Taras smiled, his antennae twitching slightly as he rose from his seat, “Come on in.  All of you…” His grin widened as he regarded the dark haired young man and dusky skinned woman who entered along with his science officer.  “Be seated…” He genially insisted as he sat down again.  “So, Charlotte…this is the young man you’ve been telling me about?”

“Yes, Sir.”  Lieutenant Commander Kincaid responded with a shaky grin, “This is my son—Lieutenant Sam Lavelle. And this…” She continued, “Is his…friend…Ensign Maria Django.”

“Well, Mr. Lavelle…” The Andorian captain remarked as he called up the young lieutenant’s service record on his padd, “Lieutenant Commander Kincaid says that you would be a good fit for the operations officer’s position.”  His smile growing wider as he perused Lavelle’s record, Taras declared, “Your Academy record and your service on the Enterprise and Sutherland as well as a recent commendation from Admiral Glover would seem to bear that out.  So…” The captain queried as he gave the young human an appraising look, “Why do you want the job?”

“Sir…” Sam began, clearing his throat as he offered the captain the padd he was holding in his hands, “Before we continue, you might want to read this first.”

“Hmmm…” Taras vocalized, his antennae pointing at the younger officer, “Very well…let’s see what you’ve got.” 

As he read the incriminating evidence on the padd, the genial expression on the Andorian captain’s face quickly vanished as his antennae twitched in a manner that the experienced science officer quickly recognized as a mixture of nervousness and anger.  Her hand surreptitiously dropping to the small of her back where she had concealed her phaser, Charlotte pleaded in a somber, pained voice, “Tell me you’re not a part of this, Captain…please!”

“I’m sorry, Charlotte…” Captain Taras replied as he slowly rose to his feet, grasping the phaser secured under his desk as he did so, “…but Admiral Leyton’s right.  If we don’t do something now, the Federation is doomed.”

“I’m sorry too, Sir.” Sam interjected as he and Maria stood up, “But, per Captain Shelby’s orders, we’re going to have to place you under arrest.”

Sighing, the Andorian captain drew his phaser, pointing it at Sam and Maria, “I’m afraid I can’t allow you to do that.”  Punching his intercom button, Taras spoke, “Number One?  I need a security detail in my office immediately.”  Turning his attention back to his guests, his smile returned, “I’m afraid I’m going to have to confine you to our brig for now.  I promise your confinement will be as brief as possible.”

Drawing and firing her phaser, Charlotte Kincaid cried out as her captain’s body slumped on to his desk, “I’m sorry, Sir.”  Dropping her weapon as the first officer and two security guards stormed into the ready room, a tearful Charlotte, responding to the executive officer’s demand to know what had just happened, pointed to the padd on the captain’s desk.

Picking up the padd and reading it, the Potemkin’s XO frowned, “Are you sure about this?”

“Yes, Sir.”  Lieutenant Commander Kincaid responded, nodding her head.

“Captains Shelby and Owens will confirm it.”  Lavelle added as both he and Maria stood under the phasers of the two security guards.

“We’ll see…” The first officer responded, “For now…” He ordered, motioning to his security officers, “Confine them to the brig and take the captain to sickbay.”  Pausing for a moment, the commander further instructed, “And then inform the doctor that Captain Taras is to be restricted to sickbay or his quarters until I get to the bottom of this.”  Seeing the confused look on the two guards’ faces, the commander barked, “Now, gentlemen!”

*******************************************************************

Entering the security monitoring station, Lieutenant Commander Daneeka frowned as she saw that the specialist who was supposed to be monitoring the consoles was not at his station.  “Crewman?”  The lovely Bolian called out as she cautiously advanced further within the room.  Looking about, she very quickly found the man in question slumped against the far wall, arms crossed on his chest.  Shaking her head, Daneeka rushed to the crewman.  Shaking him back into awareness, she barked out, “What happened here?”

“I don’t know…” The crewman groggily replied as he struggled back to consciousness, “There were two lieutenants…security officers…and then…”  As the crewman slumped back to the deck, Daneeka touched her comm badge, “Security alert.  All levels.  At least two intruders wearing Starfleet security uniforms.  All individuals not carrying proper authorization are to be immediately apprehended.”  Approaching one of the security consoles, Daneeka called up a diagnostic check.  Immediately recognizing the tampering, the young Bolian growled, “Attention all security personnel!  Ignore all security alert monitors—they have been tampered with.”  Nodding her head as a trio of security officers burst into the monitoring room, Daneeka spat out, “You’re with me.  I want the bastard and/or bitch who did this.”

**********************************************************************

Security alert.  All levels…Attention all security personnel! Ignore all security alert monitors—they have been tampered with.

“Well…they’re on to us.”  Nyota remarked as she and her companions moved cautiously down the corridor.

“Then be thankful we’re almost there.”  Pava replied as the trio advanced to within sight of the main conference room.

“Hopefully…” T’Pren interjected, “We can get the admirals and Admiral Leyton in one go.”

“First things first…” Lar’ragos cautioned as he pointed to the two security guards standing in the corridor.  “This time we’re not going to be able to bluff our way past them.”

“So…” Lieutenant Dryer asked as she readied her phaser, “Do we take them out now?”

“Wait.” Pava said, his lips curling up in a sly grin.  “I have an idea.”

************************************************************************

“Admiral Leyton?”  Daneeka called out, touching her comm badge, “Respond please.”  Growling at the lack of response from her leader, the Bolian lieutenant commander turned towards two of the three security guards accompanying her.  “Go to the admiral’s office…” she ordered, “…find out what’s going on and tell me yesterday.”  Turning to the remaining specialist, she commanded, “You’re with me—we’re going to the main conference room.”

***********************************************************************

Pava and Nyota advanced towards the two security guards, their phasers trained on the young Vulcan woman walking between them.  Coming to a halt before the guards, Pava announced, “We caught this individual with an accomplice.”

“Where’s the other?”  One of the guards, an Andorian, asked, his antennae twitching suspiciously as the other guard trained her phaser on the three standing before her.

“Sickbay.”  Lar’ragos promptly replied, maintaining his usual crooked grin as he surreptitiously sized up the Andorian standing before him.

“Why don’t you check in to be sure?”  Lieutenant Dryer thoughtfully suggested as she made ready to strike.

“Just one moment.”  The Andorian replied as his hand moved to his comm badge. 

Seeing their opening, Pava and Dryer simultaneously struck as T’Pren snatched the phaser out of the human security officer’s hand.  As both officers slumped to the deck, the trio heard a voice coming from behind them.  “Not bad!  Too bad you’re not on our side.”  Pivoting about, weapons drawn, they saw a Bolian security officer with another trooper standing beside her, their weapons leveled at them.  “I wouldn’t…” She quipped, “Waking up after a heavy stun blast is a bitch and a half.”  Smirking triumphantly, she motioned with her weapon, “Your phasers…drop them…now.”

Catching Nyota out of the corner of his eye, Pava flashed a crooked grin, making as if to drop his weapon.  “Sure…whatever you say.”  Seeing that his ebony skinned companion was in position and that T’Pren had steeled herself for what was about to happen, the El-Aurian sneered as he and Dryer dived for the cover offered by the intersecting walls, “Come and get them!”

Firing simultaneously, T’Pren’s phaser hit the security trooper accompanying Daneeka as the beam from the Bolian hit her square on the chest.  Snapping off return shots, both Dryer and Pava cursed as the lieutenant commander took cover behind a corridor wall.

“Damn.”  The El-Aurian swore, “We can’t afford to let that Bolian bitch tie us down.”

“I think I might have an answer.”  Nyota grinned as she dragged the stunned female trooper back behind the cover of her wall.  Searching the security officer’s satchel, the ebony skinned woman smirked triumphantly as she presented a tiny photon grenade.  “Found it!” She exclaimed as she set the grenade to a heavy stun setting.

“What are you waiting for?”  Pava cried out as a phaser beam narrowly missed him, “Throw the motherfrinxing thing!”

“Damn!”  Daneeka cursed as she just missed the tricky El-Aurian.  “Stay still, why don’t you.”  Then, hearing a clanking sound beneath her feet, the Bolian woman looked down to see the photon grenade.  “Frinx me.” She uttered as the grenade went off, sending her slumping down to the floor.

********************************************************************

Shielding their eyes from the light flash, Pava and Nyota listened carefully from behind their positions before taking a tentative look.  Peering around the corner, the El-Aurian grinned, “You got her, Nyota.”

“Hope she’s ok…” Dryer responded, flashing a toothy grin of her own.  “Even on stun settings its rough getting slammed by those things.”

“Eh…she’ll be all right.”  Pava replied with a grin of his own, “That woman is too tough to kill.”  His eyes falling on their fallen comrade now being tended to by Lieutenant Dryer, the El-Aurian asked, “How’s our future security chief?”

“She’ll be ok…” Nyota replied confidently as the young Vulcan stirred, “Take it easy, dear…” The ebony skinned woman said, speaking in soothing tones, “You just got hit by the equivalent of a charging mugato.”

“You did good, Cadet…” Pava said, adding in his praise, “…taking one for the team like that.”  Watching with concern as Dryer helped the youthful T’Pren to her feet, the El-Aurian asked, “You sure you’re up for this?”

“I’ll be fine, Sir.”  The cadet replied in a shaky voice.  “Just give me a few moments to catch my feet.”

“No can do.”  Lar’ragos said with a rueful grin, “We need to get to the admirals now before Leyton can send more troops to stop us.”  Motioning for Nyota to help the younger woman, Pava made his way to the conference room door.   Receiving no response as he punched the enunciator, the El-Aurian cursed as he removed an access panel.  “I’m going to have to hotwire the door.”  Jerking his head towards the corridor, he ordered as he removed and replaced chips and relays, “Keep an eye out for party crashers.”  Several moments later, Lar’ragos cried out triumphantly as the door slid open, “Done!”

Entering the large chamber, weapons drawn, the three officers found the four admirals as well as the President of the Federation seated at a large circular conference table.  As all three officers lowered their weapons, Pava called out respectfully, “Mr. President…Admirals…”

Admiral Nechayev spat out angrily, “Who are you?  And where is that bastard Leyton?”

“You can tell that son of a bitch…” Admiral Hanson spat out, “That we haven’t changed our minds.”

“We will not support his coup!”  Admiral Thuosana Shanthi declared, her nostrils flaring.

“You can tell your superior…” Jaresh-Inyo declared in a soft tone, “…that neither I nor these other officers will comply with his wishes.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Sirs…” Pava replied, flashing his winningest grin, “But we’re not with Leyton.”

“We were sent by Captain Shelby…” Lieutenant Dryer interjected as she guided a still groggy T’Pren to a nearby chair.

“The lieutenant’s right.”  Pava confirmed, “We were sent to free you.”

“Shelby…rescue…” Shanthi mouthed, her voice reflecting her relief at being freed as well as her distaste at the fact that the author of her freedom was the captain she despised so thoroughly.

“I knew we could count on Liz!”  Admiral Hanson slapped his thigh triumphantly.  “Didn’t I tell you Alynna?”  Cracking a crooked grin, he added, “…Thuosana?”

“Are all of you all right?”  Lieutenant Lar’ragos inquired as he made his way to a communications console.

“We’re fine.”  Admiral Paris responded, “But what about everyone else?”

“Just a moment, Sir…” Pava replied respectfully, “…and I’ll find out.”  Smiling victoriously, the El-Aurian activated the comm channel. “Sirs, I’ve raised Captain Sisko.  One moment and I’ll put it on the main monitor.”

Moments later, the image of Captain Benjamin Sisko filled the monitor screen.  “Mr. President…admirals…” the dark skinned officer declared respectfully, a smile on his face.  “Admiral Leyton…” He said, gesturing with his hand at the sullen admiral seated beside him, “Is in my custody and Defiant has just arrived along with the Lakota with additional information regarding the admiral’s conspiracy…”  Pausing for a moment, his smile vanished as he continued his report, “I regret to inform you that both Defiant and Lakota suffered severe damage with loss of life on both ships.” 

On hearing the news, the earlier ebullient mood within the conference room became much more somber as Shelby and Owen’s images appeared on screen as well, “We received Captain Sisko’s communication the same time you did…” Captain Shelby politely interjected, “And we’re glad you’re all safe and sound.  We’ve taken Admiral Barzhan in custody and Captain Taras is being held in confinement on the Potemkin as well as my people and the Potemkin’s science officer who aided them.  Potemkin’s first officer has further informed me that he would not release any of them until he receives confirmation by Command.”

Turning towards Pava, Admiral Hanson ordered, “Get the Potemkin for me, Lieutenant.”  Addressing Shelby, the balding admiral grinned, “Don’t worry about your people, Captain, I’ll get them out for you.”

“Thanks, Sir.”  Liz smiled.  “I appreciate that.”

Adding his voice to the discussion, Captain Owens reported, “Lieutenant Nora Laas and her team reported that they were able to successfully retake the planetary defense center from Admiral Leyton’s people with no loss of life on either side.”

“That is good news.”  The President sighed as he struggled to his feet.  “Captains…” He declared in a solemn, dignified voice as he addressed the images of the three officers on the split screen, “You and your people have rendered the Federation…all of us…a great service.  We are in your debt.”  Pausing for a moment he added in a lower, gentler tone, “I am also personally indebted to you…”

“You should all be proud.”  Admiral Nechayev added, a rare smile on her face as she regarded the three captains—all quite different in temperament and individual style, yet all equally loyal to the Federation and its values.  “What you and your officers and crew have done today will be remembered by us all.  A great deal of work though…” The admiral declared, her smile vanishing, “…still remains to be done.  Stand by for further orders.”  Turning towards the El-Aurian and Lieutenant Dryer, the Russian admiral smiled, phrasing her order as a request.  “I would appreciate it if you two would remain on hand to assist us in coordinating our efforts to restore order.”  Glancing down at the still dazed cadet, Nechayev further ordered, “And if you would, please see to it that this young lady receives immediate medical attention.”

**********************************************************************

Nodding her head as Liz acknowledged the orders she had just been given, the petite captain turned towards her first officer, “Commander Hobson?  Tell Lieutenant Atoa to send as many security troopers as he can spare to Starfleet Command.  Captain Owens is doing the same for the planetary defense network.”

Aye, Sir.” Chris answered back in a crisp voice, tapping his comm badge.  As the first officer relayed his captain’s orders, the young ensign standing at Lieutenant Atoa’s normal station interrupted, “Sir?  I’ve just received a message from the Potemkin.  Commander Akala says that he has just received confirmation from Admiral Hanson to release Commander Kincaid, Lieutenant Lavelle, and Ensign Django.  The lieutenant and ensign will be returned to the Sutherland as soon as possible.”  Pausing for a moment, the crewman added, “I’m also receiving a message from the Defiant from Commander Dax.  She says that she is unable to speak now, but wanted to let you know that she is fine as is Captain Benteen.”

On hearing the good news regarding both her best friend and her former lover, Liz sighed in relief, allowing her command chair to possess her weary body.  “Sir?”  Commander Hobson’s voice snapping her out of her reverie, the youthful captain looked up, “Are you all right?”

“Yeah…” Liz replied with a tired grin, “I’m Ok…just tired…very, very tired.”

“It would seem, Sir…” Chris observed, “That the crisis has been averted.”

Nodding her head, the captain took a sip from her now cold coffee, making a face at its bitterness, “Yeah, Chris…” She agreed in a sleepy voice, “We dodged a bullet.  Now…” She remarked as she set down her cup, “…comes the hard part.  We have to try to put everything back together again.”

Star Trek: Sutherland

Index