[ON]

The disembodied klaxon of the San Jacinto's intruder alarm resonated through the corridor like a ghostly echo. Concealing one half of his face with a bloodied paw, a recently-made one eyed Lieutenant Commander M'rayr Eisovo made his way to the bridge - slowly. He was feeling lightheaded and disoriented; three times already, he had to recheck his surroundings to make sure that he was headed in the right direction, despite the fact that he was at one point intimately familiar with every inch of this starship. The confusion was no doubt related to the blood loss or severe shock that he was experiencing.
How that Gorn managed not to ram its blade completely through M'rayr's eye socket and deep into his brain pan was something of a minor miracle.

Turning a corner and using the wall for support, M'rayr found the turbolift at last. It was open... or at least it was at least partially open. The lift doors were attempting to close, but were hitting something. As M'rayr advanced, he realized that that 'something' was a body. Starfleet uniform, teal shoulders.
M'rayr pulled the body away from the turbolift and turned it... her... over. He recognized her face and felt a great sadness. Lieutenant Adrianna Malcolms, one of the San Jacinto's counselors. Upon closer inspection, it was clear to him how she'd died. A disrupter burn on her chest indicated that she was killed by a Gorn, presumably while it was emerging from the turbolift at the same time she was preparing to enter it.

By Mraownr. Just how had so many things gone wrong?

It wasn’t a Gorn who killed her, you know?

The San Jacinto had been operating inside the Rigel Beta nebula for the last week, searching for Gorn raiders responsible for an attack on a nearby Federation outpost a month ago. If there was one thing that the San Jacinto's commanding officer, Matthew Chandler, desired, it was justice for those dead men, women, and children they left at the outpost.
He and M'rayr both agreed that it was a considerable risk, using the Rigel Beta nebula, notorious for interfering with both sensors and shields. But they also believed that, while the Gorn were adept at attacking unarmed settlements, that they lacked the firepower and resolve to take on an Akira-class cruiser.

They were wrong.

The Gorn appeared out of nowhere, and in far greater numbers than Starfleet Intelligence predicted possible. Within minutes, main power was out, several sections of hull was venting into space, and enemy boarders were killing everyone they could find.
The last M'rayr knew, main power had been restored and some weapons brought back online. He could hear the occasional shudder of the San Jacinto's forward facing torpedo tubes, the lashing of its phaser arrays, presumably launching against the Gorn starships outside. But he couldn't know for sure. He needed to get to the bridge and see what was happening.

A sound echoed against the corridor behind him. The Caitian turned sharply and felt the room threaten to spin out of control as a result. Dammit, he'd lost too much blood, and knew that he was going into shock. Turning, there was a silhouette near the corridor junction, dark against the eerie red lighting and dense smoke, standing, looking at him.

M'rayr drew his phaser. "Who is there?" He demanded, although the weakness of his voice cracked. Whoever was there likely knew by now that he was injured, and while M'rayr had yet to fully examine his injuries, he imagined they were severe. A smart Starfleet Officer would begin making his way to sickbay. But all M'rayr could think about was the bridge. The bridge, and nothing else. Nothing else than the stranger standing before him.

"I said who is there!" M'rayr growled, putting what little strength he had left into his words. The silhouette didn't respond, but began to walk forward slowly. A moment of anxiety struck the Caitian. He raised his phaser. "I will fire if you do not identify yourself." Was it a Gorn? Or one of the crew? Dammit! The smoke was too thick, and M'rayr's visual acuity too unreliable for him to be sure either way.

"They’re all dead because of you. She’s dead because of you."

"What did you say?" M'rayr asked, trying to hold his phaser straight.

The silhouette rose its hands in a non-aggressive stance, but continued to advance closer. "Your friend, your crewmates, your subordinates. They are all dead.

"Look behind you, Commander Eisovo."

It was a severe tactical misjudgment; M'rayr knew that even as he turned his back to the silhouette. Expecting an attack from behind at almost any instant, M'rayr focused back on the woman lying next to him. She was still dead. But now, her uniform was different. It was completely black. Looking at her face, M'rayr realized that this woman was no longer Adrianna Malcolms - it was someone who, as far as he knew, was still very alive back on the Katana. Jennifer Matthews.

M'rayr's brain froze. He turned back to face the silhouette, this time almost close enough to touch, but still not see. "But… this woman is not dead. She is alive." M'rayr retorted. The silhouette took one last step forward, and M'rayr recognized him immediately. It took everything he had to avoid expressing surprise.

"And so are you, Sir." The Caitian suggested.

Captain Kristopher Kerouac grinned dimly at the Caitian on the floor. His uniform was tattered at all ends, a large gash on his forehead had been deep enough to show parts of his skull, a piece of his right ear was missing completely, and a wound on his chest once again indicated that he'd been struck by some kind of a disrupter.

***

M'rayr awoke with a startle in his quarters on board the Katana. Had Caitians been capable of sweating -- (they lacked sweat glands) -- he was positively sure that his bed sheets would have been soaked. Such as it was, it was obvious he'd shed heavily through the night. His heart was racing. Every dark corner of his quarters felt like a hiding spot for some unseen enemy.
"Computer, lights." The Caitian commanded as the overhead lighting illuminated sharply. "What time is it?"

"The time is 04:38 hours, the computer responded.

"Has an emergency been declared on board the Katana?" M'rayr asked next.

"Negative."

M'rayr all but collapsed back into the bed sheets, heaving heavy breaths that rattled in his chest.

Pulling himself out of bed at last, M'rayr decided that sleep would not return easily and was not worth trying for. He walked to the replicator, ordered a glass of spring water, and took a seat at his desk where an arrangement of PaDDs awaited him.
He tried reading, but his interest waned almost immediately with each one as the faces from his dream haunted him. Every time M'rayr tried to organize his thoughts, he failed. When he tried to shake off the nerves frayed by his dream, he failed.
He felt like a battle was waiting nearby.

***

Jhu snapped awake, her heart racing and her breath seemingly caught in her throat, but she couldn't remember what she'd been dreaming just moments before. Nor could she break free of the intense feeling that she was almost certainly about to die. A few long minutes passed before she was able to get enough air to scramble off the bed and stumble into the bathroom, where she splashed some cool water against her face. The shock of the temperature change woke her up just enough to realize that this anxiety didn't stem from her own brain. Or Nathan's for that matter. It had a pull to it that wanted to drag her out of her cabin, which was just downright weird.

Not wanting to wake Nathan, she quietly gathered her robe and slippers in the dark and went out into the living room, where she sat down on the couch with Lydek, petting the cat and listening to him purr. Still, the strange sensation of being mentally pulled lingered, and she sighed, setting the cat down. She was never going to get back to sleep if she didn't figure out what the hell was going on!

The next moments passed in a gray fog until she found herself just down the corridor from her cabin... in front of M'rayr's door. Screw this telepathy hnaev ch'fvai. I'm going back to bed. The second she thought it, she instantly felt guilty and she sighed again, ringing the chime. If M'rayr answered, she would talk to him. If he didn't, she was going back home.

It took a lot to surprise M'rayr. Even back on board the San Jacinto, he didn't feel surprise when the Gorn foot-soldier took its knife and began seeding it into M'rayr's skull. Fear. Panic, certainly. But not surprise. But at 5:02 in the morning, the glass of spring water he’d been keeping at his desk crashed to the floor in a heap, spilling its contents onto the carpet. "Dammit..." the Caitian cursed beneath his breath as he grabbed the glass before realizing that it was already too late.

"Enter," he barked, letting a little too much of the anger in his mind leak into his voice.

That was not the usual growling undertone of a Caitian's voice. Instead, it was the guttural noise of an angry cat, and Jhu backed up a few steps before mustering the courage to go inside as bidden. There she found M'rayr, who was definitely feeling more than a bit moody. This was a terrible idea. But it was too late. She just smiled weakly, hoping whatever had him so worked up didn't involve her. "Morning... I won't say 'good morning' because being up this early sucks."

What could she possibly want at this hour? M'rayr thought, thinking that, if he was going to start shutting doors on people, he might as well start with the first person who opened one, especially when he was in the sort of mood he was in. An urge to throw something came and passed. God, he was still so angry. "What do you need, Commander?" He asked, his voice still low and tense.

Jhu raised an eyebrow at him. "Could ask you the same question since you're why I'm here."

M'rayr rose an eyebrow back, and edged his way out of his seat so that he could stand to his full height. He came around the desk and crossed his arms over his chest. "What in the name of Mraownr are you talking about, t'Dharvanek?"

Damn, he was tall. Jhu took a nervous step backward, not at all liking his attitude. "Come on, M'rayr, I thought we were past this silliness. I'm your friend, remember?" Immediately her thoughts went to when Nathan had started acting strangely, but that couldn't be what was happening here. This dimension didn't have Section 31, not like that. And they were in the Alpha Quadrant. He couldn't be a Changeling either. "Look, I don't pretend to understand this stuff, but I woke up from a dead sleep in the worst panic I've felt since that damned holo-simulation Cam put us through. And it led me to you."

M'rayr cleared his paw across the air in a futile gesture. He had no idea what she was talking about. At least not at first. But then he recalled parts of the after action review of the Katana's battle against the Pedina and the Undine. It had been a minor annotation, but something about her being in possible possession of telepathy. No. It was impossible. Even if it were possible, he couldn't fathom how she would have picked his dream out of a hundred and forty-nine other dreams. His resolve against her intrusion hardened. In no way, shape, or circumstance could her visit have been related to his dream.
"This is a conversation you need to have with Doctor Liam or Lieutenant Commander Grae if you're waking up in the middle of the night or having panic attacks. Not me." He stated.

Jhu resisted an impulse to roll her eyes. Silly, stubborn Caitian. "I have spoken to Lia, and that's beside the point. This didn't come from me... it came from you. I wouldn't be here if it didn't... I hate being up this early."

"What came from me?" M'rayr growled, not wanting to hear the answer.

"Nothing concrete," Jhu admitted. "Just an overwhelming sense of anxiety and something else... not quite fear. Shock, maybe."

M'rayr looked at Jhu deadpanned. So she was here because of an overwhelming sense of anxiety and fear? Shock, maybe? Even to her own ears, it must have sounded ridiculous. And if it didn't, he'd have serious doubts as to her rationale. "Go to bed, Commander." M'rayr added dismissively, making his way back around to his chair.

"Damn it, Whiskers." Jhu blew out a puff of air, not quite a sigh but equivalent to one. "I know how stupid and crazy it sounds, okay? This isn't the first time someone else's thoughts or feelings have pulled me out of bed, and it likely won't be the last. At least this time it's a friend and not a three-legged demon hell-bent on my destruction."

"I AM NOT YOUR FRIEND!" M'rayr roared angrily, vehemently, as though the word had touched off an anti-matter grade explosion in his mind. Everything in his room seemed to tremble under the severe baritone of his voice, and when M'rayr was finished yelling, his arm reached out on its own, grabbed a full stack of PaDDs from his desk, and flung them into the wall. Several came down in more than one piece.

"Commander Eisovo, control your temper!" Jhu's voice was not so loud as his, but it carried authority all the same. Misdirected authority in this case, perhaps, but if the giant cat was going to yell and throw things she had no problem yelling right back at him. "What the hell is your problem? It wasn't that long ago that we were talking over a few glasses of wine and now we're not friends?"

There was perhaps a moment that what she said began to sink in, to usher a degree of rationality that he had clearly lost as anger poured over him like a ravaging hot fire. But the hope of ending their argument without further confrontation as Adrianna Malcolm’s face flashed across his mind. M’rayr took a determined step towards her, stabbing one of his large fingers at a graze of less than an inch from her cheek-bone. "Get out."

If he was hoping to scare her off, it wasn't working. Jhu leveled an icy glare at him, pushing his hand away from her face. "Urru Ariennye, fehill'curak. Elements forbid I try to be nice to you. You don't deserve it."

M’rayr wasn’t sure what came over him. He’d inhaled deeply, exhaled slowly, trying to calm his rising temper. But the next thing he knew was that he’d grabbed her by the collar of her robe and shoved her back… hard.

Unprepared for a physical assault, Jhu slammed into the wall so hard she saw stars for a moment as she struggled to get back the air he'd knocked out of her lungs. When she could breathe again, she found herself on the floor, looking up at M'rayr... only he wasn't M'rayr anymore. He was a lion on the hunt. That alone was enough to spur her back up on her feet, and she pounced on him with an almost equal fury. There was no thought to it, beyond simple self-preservation, as she knocked him back.

M’rayr grappled at her, taking hold of whatever he could... hair, arms, even bits of her robe. She didn't make it easy, kicking and punching at him, and she made her deep knowledge of Caitian anatomy all too apparent. But when he had her, he pulled, jerking her up and into the air as she sailed across the other end of the room, knocking into another wall, and landing on his couch. Before the Romulan/Trill hybrid could gather a sense of her position on the battlefield, he was upon her again... and again. Throwing her, tossing her like a ragdoll even though that doll bit.

Before she could even think about getting off the couch and fleeing from the room, M'rayr was on her, delivering quite the punctuated pounding. Even without the use of his claws, the blows hurt, and he wasn't giving her much of a chance to fight back either. "Stupid. Ornery. Caitian. Bastard!" she growled as she managed to seize his wrist and haul herself up as he raised his arm to hit her again. She hit him with her free hand then sank her teeth into his ear as he tried to pull his arm free from her grip. It wasn't fair, but damn it she didn't care about fair anymore!

M’rayr growled as a flash of red-hot fury consumed him. He grabbed Jhu by her hair and heaved her into the wall as hard as he could. With the brief moment of respite, and even though the pain in his ear – (now dangling haphazardly by a few strands of cartilage) – M’rayr reached out and took Jhu by the throat. Tightening his grip, he leaned his weight into his brace. His eyes locked passively with Jhu’s, and then sank onward a few thousand light-years beyond them.

Her head still spinning from being slammed into the wall, Jhu didn't register his hands on her throat until he'd completely choked off her air supply. She tried vainly to pull in a breath, and when no breath came she panicked, twisting in M'rayr's grip and clawing at his hands. None of her struggling had any effect on him; no matter how much she clawed or kicked at him, his grip only tightened further. Darkness lurked on the edges of her vision, and she kept fighting until she lacked the strength to do so. Then she saw it in his eyes.

He wasn't trying to hurt her.

No, he was trying to kill her.

The realization came only a moment before the center of her vision greyed out.

Mraownr! M’rayr thought, releasing his grip almost immediately. Jhu’s body slumped into the couch and, for a moment, he feared that she was already dead. Reaching down and grabbing her by her shoulders, he shook her, but she did not respond.
“Commander t’Dharvanek?!” M’rayr urged. Still nothing. He slapped at where his comm-badge would have been but felt only clothe. It must have been knocked off during the melee. When M’rayr turned around, intending on using the communications panel, he saw the cataclysm. There wasn’t a piece of furniture or wall left untouched by their battle. The communications panel itself had been smashed, and he vaguely recalled the moment had been after he pitched her into it.

M’rayr faced Jhu’s lifeless eyes again. “Jhu!” He cried, feeling a wave of raw guilt overtake him.

M'rayr's voice sounded very far away at first, but soon he was shouting. Jhu coughed several times as she came back to her senses, weakly slapping his hands away. She tried to say something but dissolved instead into a coughing fit that not only stole her voice but left her trapped on the couch with M'rayr in the way.

"Thank Mraownr," M'rayr half-whispered. He raised his paws up and away from her, hoping to appear as least threatening as he could despite the fact that she could have seen him as nothing but dangerous. Tears from his feline eyes boiled on his coat, bloodied by their battle, and traced their way downward. "I- I'm sorry, t’Dharvanek. I didn't mean-" he couldn't finish, he had no idea how, or what he could possibly say to make this right.

"You're sorry?" Jhu managed to gasp between wheezing breaths and harsh coughs. Elements, it hurt to talk! She tried to sit up, but her sight rapidly grew grey and sparkling, so she collapsed back down to an uncomfortable semi-lounging position, glaring down at M'rayr, who was on the floor. She had so many nasty words for him, but as she looked at him those words seemed to get stuck in her throat. Was he crying?

He was. Full on tears. She hadn't known Caitians could do that.

Still furious, now Jhu was also puzzled, and she ignored the spinning sensation in her head to sit up a little more. The simple movement sent rippling shock waves of pain from the beating she'd taken, but she ignored that too. Or, she tried to ignore it anyway. She couldn't quite hide the grimace on her face or unshed tears in her eyes. "What. The. Hell." Her voice was barely loud enough to even be a whisper, and she didn't know if even M'rayr could hear her.

M'rayr slumped into the wall behind him, "I killed her."

"Damn near killed me too." Not certain if she should stay angry or feel sorry for him, Jhu glared at M'rayr as she rubbed her throat.

If it were possible for the Caitian to look even more helplessly pathetic, he managed it. He grasped for a response, but found that nothing he could say would right the wrongs he committed. There could be no excuse for what he did. "What I did to you was unforgivable," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "You came here offering your help, and I initiated combat with you instead. All I could think about was her face and what I did to her. She was trying to help too."

A smarter officer might have left while they had the chance, but for some reason known only to the Elements, Jhu stayed where she was. "M'rayr." Even barely audible, her voice carried that note of authority, though she wasn't entirely certain where that 'power' came from. "What the hell is going on with you? Be honest." That many words at once made the raw tissue in her throat burn, and she winced slightly.

M’rayr couldn't bear to look at Jhu; he felt too ashamed. "I killed someone on board the San Jacinto. A woman, and a fellow officer." He started, his voice strained through the recounting. "We were still under attack from the Gorn, and I'd just been stabbed..." M'rayr touched his dead eye, and felt blood. Jhu must have done some damage there, too. "I was grabbed from behind. I… I thought it was another Gorn. I reacted… instinctively”
M'rayr looked at his paw and saw that it was trembling. He felt weak, like the life had been sapped from him. "I- I strangled her. She was a... she was a good friend.” M’rayr risked a haphazard glance towards Jhu. “Much like you.”

Jhu's expression slowly softened to one of shock and empathy as M'rayr spoke. As pissed off at him as she was, she couldn't help feeling sorry for him now as he recounted the story of losing his eye... and then killing a friend. No wonder he kept pushing everyone away from him. "That's why you didn't like me." Oh Elements, she wanted to laugh at the absurdity of that realization. All along she'd thought that maybe it was something she'd done, and it was because he was comparing her to the friend he'd killed by mistake. Somehow, that was simultaneously better and worse. And he looked so pathetic she couldn't do much besides just look at him.

"Returning to Starfleet was a mistake." the Caitian announced after a moment.

"You don't really believe that." It still hurt to talk, but Jhu managed to get enough air to sit up properly, securing her robe back in place as she did so. It was torn in a few places, and her tank top peeked through the tattered fabric. "M'rayr, you need to talk to Lia."

The fact of the matter was that he did. In fact, it had only been due to the incessant persistence of his friend who would eventually become the Commanding Officer of the San Jacinto that M'rayr had agreed to return to Starfleet at all. Of course, things had changed after a few years on board the San Jacinto as he learned to make friends again. But after the Gorn attack, he'd been asking himself if any of it had been worth it. After this, he was beginning to wish he'd listened to his reservations more seriously.
"You cannot be serious," said M'rayr, but not for the reasons Jhu might have anticipated. "After what I have just done to you, there is no scenario in which I will be able to retain my Starfleet commission." It sounded vain saying it like that, as though he were concerned with his career at all even after seeing what he was capable of doing to another living being.

At that, Jhu's poker face broke and she laughed a little. "Oh, ow... sorry. I don't..." She laughed a little more, shaking her head at him. After a moment or two, she sobered back up, looking at M'rayr now with a understanding gaze rather than the fierce glare she'd been giving him not long before. "M'rayr, I'm half Romulan. If you think I haven't hurt a few people without meaning to, you'd be sorely mistaken." Maybe not quite this badly, but she wasn't a walking predator either. No matter how peaceful the Caitians were now, she knew their history, and it wasn't always sunshine and rainbows.

"This wasn't just a physical dispute, Jhu." M'rayr pointed out, and he realized that he didn't even feel strange about using her first name. "Even if just for a moment, I tried to kill you. There is a difference."

"Mmhmm. I've done that too. Once I even 'succeeded' at it... kept my commission because I was in a blind panic at the time." These weren't stories that Jhu particularly liked telling, but if anyone would understand, it would be M'rayr. "There's fire in Caitian blood, no matter how much you furballs try to deny it. Wasn't that long ago that someone could visit Cait and watch one of you take down live prey, you know."

M'rayr made a noise that sounded like disgruntled acknowledgement.

"You're pitiful." Jhu hauled herself up off the couch, only to promptly find herself on the floor again with no idea how she got there. "Oof," she grumbled, then something under the couch caught her eye and she dragged a glass bottle out that had rolled underneath the piece of furniture. "Hey, what's this?"

M'rayr eyed the bottle, and recognized it as property from the previous occupant of his room. "Something that belonged to Commander Tegan, I assume. I thought disposed of his stockpile. I must have been wrong." When he saw Jhu begin to work on the cork, he furrowed his brows at her. "You are not seriously considering…"

"No, I'm considering sharing it. Probably a terrible idea, but there's not much more damage that can be done at this point. Besides, it numbs pain. Physical and emotional." The cork was rather stuck, and Jhu was having a great deal of difficulty popping it loose.

What was happening seemed extraordinarily anti-climactic. Only a few minutes ago, he and Jhu had been locked in battle, one prepared to kill the other while the other was simply trying to survive by any means necessary. And yet now, despite everything that had happened, Jhu seemed entirely prepared to drink it off and make peace with him. He extended a paw towards the bottle, not wanting to grab it from her outright. "Very well. Allow me, Commander."

When M'rayr reached for the bottle, Jhu recoiled reflexively, expecting the angry swipe of his claws. When no strike followed, she grinned sheepishly and handed him the bottle.

"It is traditionally cause for exile for a Caitian to extend his claws against an enemy," M'rayr said while he forced his index claw to emerge. It extended a lot further than one would have thought. "I am grateful to have kept my mind well enough not to lose sight of that, despite the fact that I am already exiled." With a twist of his claw into the cork, he popped it loose and handed the bottle back to Jhu. For more reasons that he could fathom, she certainly deserved the first swig.

"Exile or not, I appreciate you keeping those claws out of our little scrap." Jhu hadn't known just how long Caitian claws were, and she shuddered ever so slightly looking at the length of it. If he had been angry enough to use them, there was no doubt how the fight would have ended. Still, she cheerfully accepted the bottle and took the first few sips. She had no idea what was in this lost bottle of Cam's, but it burned slightly going down, and she grinned as she handed it back to M'rayr. "Probably some kind of whiskey or bourbon... Cam was fond of that sort of thing."

M'rayr hesitated, but took a long gulp. It burned... badly. He coughed, wheezed, and coughed again before passing the glass back to Jhu. "I have no idea what that is, but it tastes awful." The buzz began to hit him soon after though; between not eating and their fight, his body was depleted of anything to counter the alcohol. Even the dull pain in his ear subsided ever so slightly. "But it does have an effect."

"Oh it's not that bad." Jhu snickered at him, calmly taking another swig of the burning liquid and then setting the bottle down on the deck between them. "Anyone ever tell you that you pack a hell of a punch?"

The Caitian snorted, although he winced with it and braced his chest as though something had hurt him. "As do you." Despite his better angels, he decided to take another large dose of the bottle. It burned just as bad as before, but at least the pain was numbing. "So... where should we proceed from here?" He reached up and touched the dangling bit of his ear, and then looked at her throat which was already badly bruised. "I presume that neither of us possesses sufficient medical experience to properly mend our injuries."

"I can use a dermal regenerator, but I can't fix your ear. Sorry about that, by the way." Jhu sighed a little, wondering how the hell they were going to even get to sickbay. "I suppose we'll have to explain this to Cohen..."

M'rayr nodded.

"I don't like it either," Jhu groused. "But I know what broken ribs feel like... and shoulder dislocations." She smirked a little, hoping he wouldn't be too upset about the extent of her injuries. "Look... I don't know what you want to tell him but... we have to agree on it, regardless of the story."

"What are you suggesting?" M'rayr asked. He was inclined to tell Cohen exactly what had happened, even if it meant his command.

"We have a choice to make. Tell him the truth or lie to him. Only problem with lying to him though is I can't lie to Nathan and the truth is going to get out eventually."

"I would never suggest that we lie," M'rayr pointed out, although he was starting to enjoy a small buzz at the front of his skull. As he looked around the room, he recognized that even if they did lie, it would an easy deception to unmask. The damage to his room was... considerable. He glanced over to a small corner of the wall where his decorates used to hang proudly; they were now little more then debris on the floor. He wondered, no matter how much Jhu seemed to insist to the contrary, just how likely it would that he would lose his right to wear the uniform after this.

Pulling himself up slowly, and agonizingly, the Caitian leaned his weight into the wall while he reached a paw to Jhu. "Let us proceed to sickbay. I am sure that Doctor Cohen will be very interested in putting his talents to good use."

"The truth it is, then. Should be fun getting there." Jhu took M'rayr's offered paw and hauled herself up to her feet, feeling a bit unsteady but not in danger of falling again.

[OFF]

The chime sounded on the door of Vara's quarters, as the cadet stood there, shaking slightly. The trip to the library had been very ill-advised, and only now was it beginning to sink in what had happened. Her entire world..shattered. And what had happened to her counterpart had made her wince. Since pretty much everyone was busy now, Mizuki had taken a gamble on who might be off-duty, but was beginning to think she might have lost, as she waited.

Thankfully, it was a winning gamble. Vara opened her door personally, her jacket uncharacteristically open in an unprofessional manner. Seeing the young cadet in the state she was in, she was immediately worried. "Mizuki? Please, come in. What brings you here? What's happened?"

Mizuki nodded, and walked in quietly. "I.." she trailed off, looking at Vara before bursting into tears. "Everything."

Vara was at a bit of a loss for what to do but after a moment, she figured at least something out. Guiding Mizuki over to her sofa, she retrieved 2 cups of ginger tea and a full steaming pot for refills before sitting down next to her - hopefully at a comfortable distance, their bodies just barely brushing each other. Offering one of the warm teacups to the crying cadet, Vara sat there and waited, not wishing to pry until Mizuki settled down a little.

She took the tea and drank a little of it, before setting it down and hugging Vara tightly. After a few minutes, she calmed down and pulled back. "I-..I'm sorry. I had heard that we were in a new universe and I took a trip to the library to research what was different. That was...ill-advised.."

Nodding solemnly, Vara had to agree. "It seems this reality has some rather critical differences to the one we come from."

"U-un.." Mizuki was sad. "My family's all gone. It all went differently, and both of my parents are dead. And the other me was alone all of her life. She died on the Katana...after unspeakable things happened to her.."

Hugging the young woman tenderly, Vara didn't have anything to say for a moment but soon found something to add. "My circumstances aren't much better. My entire race never existed. My ancestors never left Earth during the Eugenics Wars."

"Eh?" Mizuki's voice was suddenly very small..absolutely floored by the realization. "V-vara..I don't know what to say.." Such cruel circumstances..

"It seems the closest thing to family both of us has now is this ship and crew." Vara said before picking up her cup in one hand while she left the other wrapped around Mizuki. Sipping her tea, Vara considered the possible options they even had off this ship. They were dismal at best but at least Mizuki was a Federation citizen still. Vara never even existed as far as she knew.

"Then...I guess we start anew.." she gulped. "If this is all we have left..the ship and crew...then that's all we can do.." Mizuki murmured, though she still felt hopeless in a way.

"Indeed, at least we have that." Vara was silent after that, sipping her tea and contemplating things.

She quietly sipped her tea as well, snuggling up to Vara. The warmth from the other was comforting, at least. "I wonder how far behind in my studies I'll be.." she murmured.

"I don't think that's too big of a concern right now. If nothing else, I'm sure you can continue where you are." Vara said softly.

"I guess." Mizuki sighed. "I still can't believe he's gone...that your history was changed that way...but, can't be like this forever.." the girl was not in the best of states, but she would snuggle against Vara. "For now..I'll be happy with staying like this. Thank you, Vara."

Cadet Senior Grade Mizuki Masterson,
Yeoman
USS Katana

Ensign Cho'ren Vara
Security Officer
USS Katana

Is this what it comes down to? Captain Kristopher Kerouac asked himself as he walked down the narrow corridors of his starship as he proceeded to a restricted area, off limits to the majority of ship's personnel. Research and Development he read silently when he reached the doors which unlike most, did not open upon his arrival. The Commanding Officer of the USS Katana gave his voice authorization and subsequent command codes in order to cause the doors to open upon the computer confirming that Kris was who he said he was.

Research was constantly being done, mostly by Science and Engineering personnel, with some assistance and further work being down by the Intelligence department. However, at this hours, the R&D labs were rather vacant, security personnel were posted outside in the corridor at all times, but none were in the labs. Captain Kerouac proceeded to one of the laboratories where a Bajoran artifact was undergoing further study. It had been brought aboard months ago, and the USS Katana was going to carry it with them on their trip to the Delta Quadrant where, there were to meet a Federation Anthropologist who studied Bajoran culture and had an interest in artifacts.

Kris knew that as soon as he approached the Orb, attention would be drawn on him. Furthermore, once he started bringing down the force fields and containment field, security would enter. I have to do this he told himself though. If the Q are not going to listen, if they are not going to help me, then what choice do I have? The Pah-wraiths could show me something useful, our destiny, fate...a way of here even the Captain thought as he stood at a console and began to peel away the layers of force fields. Just as he suspected, attention was drawn on him and when he began peeling away safety measures, the doors to the R&D labs parted ways and security came in. The Chief Engineer also appeared via use of the labs being fitted fully with holo emitters.

As Vara was the lead security guard for the day, she stepped ahead of the other 3 and pulled her phaser but left her arm slack at her side. Glancing at the obvious hologram she hadn't met yet, she focused her attention on Kris. "Captain, that artifact is incredibly dangerous. May I inquire as to your intentions?"

"Dangerous is an understatement," Arivek added as he came to his senses about where he'd been transferred too. It slipped his mind that automatic relocation subroutines had been added into his matrix for these types of situations. The R&D sections of the ships were filled with many dangerous and sensitive things, and if a security measure was tripped, he was transferred there instantly.

Kris looked at Vara. She was a damn good officer and he knew it. If it came down to it, she'd stop him and there was not much that he could do about that. However, he would do whatever he had to in order to proceed. "Stand down, Ensign" he said in a firm voice. He was not hostile, but he was sure to make his tone a commanding one. "I am well aware of the dangers of this artifact" he added as he proceeded to take down the containment field.

He looked at the woman, her security backup, and the Chief Engineer. "I am trying to get us home" he said flatly. "I need to make contact with the entity or entities inside the orb. They may be hold answers as to how to get us home" added Kris.

Vara, though she was torn on getting home, didn't budge. She knew her duty well and it was to the ship and crew. She also saw firsthand what that orb could do to people... "Captain, I'll be one of the first ones in line for a trip home... But not if it endangers this ship and crew. Captain or not, if you risk us all by touching that orb, I may have no choice but to kill you. Besides, we have no logs or evidence that I've seen that these wormhole alien beings, whatever they are, can even travel between universes or realities. Time yes... and if I remember right, every display of that power has been inside their wormhole. Besides, what makes you think they will even help us? Or that it even has power in this universe?" Vara wasn't used to all this talking, but she hoped Kris would see reason at the very least. "Why don't we do this... Leave this orb alone, dump it into a black hole or something, and go see the wormhole aliens in their home here in this universe and see if they can do it. I'm sure Commander Maica could convince them to send us wherever we'd like."

The Hologram took a few steps forward, his hand held out, "Captain, why don't we put the containment field back and we can discuss a plan to talk to these aliens?" It finally occurred to Arivek what artifact this was, and he was instantly filled with panic. The Bajoran orbs were dangerous objects and were to be taken very seriously. "I think you have a great idea," he lied, "but let's make sure we're ready for them. Sound like a plan?"

"Damn it, I am the Captain of this starship" said Kris shaking his head. "I am making this decision. You can either stand there and lecture, or you can help me" he said looking at the two of them. "What if you erected the containment field and force fields behind me. I'll touch the Orb and try to initiate communications when safety measures are back in place" offered Kris.

Vara wasn't about to relent, her grip on her weapon tightening just slightly. "Then come here and we'll discuss the situation. I'd rather we make sure we do it right than you touching that thing and it destroys the ship. You want the ship to be safe, right? It wouldn't be very nice if you got us all killed trying to get us home, would it?"

"Oh for fuck's sake" replied Kris. Too much time around Andy he made a mental note. He let out a sigh and proceeded down toward Vara and Arivek. "It is a Bajoran Orb. It isn't like there's that much danger to the ship or crew. Just let me touch the damn thing, have my crazy ass visionary experience and hopefully see something useful."

"Might I remind you of the report describing the last person to touch it? It was a crazed Cardassian leading a cult and claiming to be a pah-wraith or some such bullshit. We had to kill him." Vara said, less than tactfully.

"I'd rather we not have to do that to you," Arivek stated, as he walked up behind the Captain and began to re-errect the containment fields and forcefields.

Kris moved in front of Arivek, blocking the man's way to the console. Though if Arivek wanted to, he could walk through the Captain. "Your objections are noted. Both of you. However, I am still Captain of this starship and if I have to I will make a direct order to allow me to proceed with this and I expect you to obey my orders" said Kris firmly. Now, he was agitated and bordering on pissed.

"Captain, you already know that when it comes to Research and Development matters, Andy and I both have the authority to supersede you if need be." Arivek tried to scoot around the man, "So please don't make me do that."

Vara's demeanor was getting more and more sour by the moment. “Direct orders or not, as a member of security, our first duty is to the safety of this ship and her crew. On top of that, these safety procedures were put in place by your direct orders as well. Thus, with conflicting orders, I'm forced to obey the set of orders that I know you made while in your right mind and to err on the side of safety. Besides that, you wanting to touch that thing constitutes the possibility of a hostage situation involving everyone aboard the ship and it's standard procedure to try to prevent such an occurrence.”

Pausing a moment for breath, Vara continued. “In simpler terms, if you touch that orb, we're either going to shoot you in the face until you die from it or this whole lab will be vented into space.”

"Again, I'd like to stress that neither of us want either scenario to occur," Arivek stated, though it suddenly occurred to him that venting the section would not harm him in anyway.

Oh I am touching this Orb if it is the last thing I do thought Kris. "If you want to piss me off, that is your choice" replied Kris. "You may win this battle, but I will have my hands on that Orb."

"Then I recommend you do it in a shuttle far away from the ship and keep an open comm line." Vara retorted.

"There won't be any shuttles," Arivek stated, taking a step closer to the Captain, who was clearly not thinking straight. It took a few moments, but Arivek suddenly had a plan. "Captain, I think you're right. We should definitely contact the aliens in the Orb. But it may be a better idea to consult Doctor Cohen first. We should at least keep track of your vitals."

I trust Liam thought Kris with a nod. "This is reasonable. I will consent to being monitored by Dr. Cohen and medical personnel. Security personnel can be on stand by should something go wrong and I become a threat to the ship" commented Captain Kerouac. "Does that satisfy the both of you?"

Vara wasn't too happy, but it was a concession at the very least. Nodding her consent, she stepped over to a nearby comm panel and started typing up an immediate report to be sent to the Security Chief. It only took her a few minutes and sighing heavily, she turned back to the other 2 security members. "I'm going to check the external room safeties. Don't let him touch anything until I get back, ok?" Receiving their affirmatives, she walked out of the room and down the corridor a short ways to the safety controls there.

That takes care of Security Bitch thought Kris as he looked over, making eyes contact with the Chief Engineer. Oh hologram. It would come down to this the Captain thought as he capitalized on the situation and went for Arivek. "I'm sorry about this, but I don't see much choice" said Kris as he tried to fight his was towards the Orb, struggling with the Chief Engineer.

Arivek planted his feet to the ground and wrapped his arms around Kerouac's waist, struggling to keep the Captain from lunging towards the Orb. "Security!" he called out, knowing that two of Vara's men were still standing there.

"Stand down, Captain!" one of them said, moving forward with his rifle raised.

"Piss off!" shouted Kerouac back at them "You stand down" he added firmly.

"We can't do that, sir. We have orders to fire." The man inched forward again, his finger moving to the trigger.

Arivek pushed his leg under the Captain's, sending the two tumbling to the floor directly in front of the Orb. He pulled the man's wrist down as the Captain reached for the object.

The first of the security officers pulled the rifle higher into his line of site, bringing the Captain between the crosshairs. He pulled the trigger, but at the last moment, Arivek leaned forward and into the path of the energy beam. As the beam made contact, Arivek's form shimmered and he quickly disappeared, leaving the Captain lying along at the foot of the Orb.

He felt the pressure of Arivek vanish and his eyes confirmed it. Their shooting sucks. Mental note to speak with Tonkin he thought. However, he knew this was his one and only chance. Kris shot up and lunged himself for the Orb, his hands encasing it, causing the Orb to illuminate brighter and Kris' eyes rolled in the back of his head. He began speaking an archaic Bajora dialect. His consciousness was elsewhere.

Stepping back in, Vara had to roll her eyes and turn to the 2 meatloaf-like security people. "I leave you for 2 seconds and you let him touch the orb... Both of you are doing rifle training with me tomorrow. For now..." Raising her phaser pistol and setting it to heavy wide angle stun, she shot Kris, the orb, and a few consoles all in one sweep for good measure. Taking the last few steps to the internal shields console, she started activating them just in case.

Ensign R'tame Eevoss was lying on his back, his head and most of his upper body stuck inside the wall behind the sonic shower in Commander Jhu t'Dharvanek's quarters. He'd been spending the last several hours meticulously prying holo-emitters from her quarters, although how they'd gotten there in the first place was an unknown. For some reason, his boss, Arivek Zhuri seemed very insistent that the emitters be removed as quickly as possible, and selected R'tame to do the job. Most of the emitters in the living area had already been ousted, but he was having problems with this one across from the shower. Whoever had installed them had decidedly made the shower unit much more difficult to remove. Again, R'tame could only guess as to why because, unlike Arivek, R'tame could manipulate his arms in certain angles.

Working very close to an EPS conduit, R'tame stayed as quiet as he could while he fiddled with a series of fiber optic cables. He listened carefully for a sudden buildup of energy indicative of a overload. Past worrying about incurring a few minor burns if it were to discharge, the Caitian was more concerned about melting a large clump of the fur on his arm. Despite 24th century scientific progress, no dermal regenerator could regrow those.

His indexes wrapped their way around what he believed was the fifth fiber optic cable, R'tame gave it a short tug and removed it from the panel. An audible whine down indicated that he'd unpowered something. Whether or not it was the holo-emitter was something he would need to determine. "Computer, activate program Eevoss Alpha-two."

The computer chirped.

A moment later, a telltale holographic shimmer picked up by his ears told him that he'd been wrong. An appearance of water, manifested by light and energy, began to rain down inside the shower. R'tame could have made anything appear in order to test whether or not the holographic emitter was in fact disabled, but his creativity was stale when by the time he entered t'Dharvanek's quarters.

Unaware that Arivek had ultimately decided to order the holoemitters removed and therefore unaware anyone was in her cabin, Jhu expected her quarters to be empty when she arrived home, and they certainly sounded that way, so she ignored Lydek's agitated and insistent mewing that something was wrong. She knew cats could be particular, and with nothing apparently out of place, she assumed that Lydek was just... being a cat. She petted him for a few moments and then decided it would be nice to shower before Nathan came home.

With Lydek following at her heels, Jhu went into the bedroom and discarded her uniform onto the deck, leaving it heaped there for now as she went into the bathroom, where she promptly tripped over a huge furry paw in the middle of her walkway to the shower. Yelling more from surprise than fright, she scrambled for a towel while Lydek pounced on the fuzzy intruder's belly.

"Ouch!" R'tame exclaimed as the sudden commotion taking place around his lower half caused him to jolt upward and hit his head on a piece of bulkhead. Reaching for the wall and pulling himself full into the rest room, the Caitian had only a second or two to realize what he was looking at before closing his eyes tightly. Jhu hadn't been nearly so fast as she... or he... might have preferred. Unconsciously, R'tame had always been somewhat curious as to how far down Trill spots went. But he didn't mean to figure it out with one of the senior staff members.

Wrestling his way out of the maintenance panel completely, R'tame flinched with a second look of dread as he hit something on his way out. Suddenly, it began to rain... everywhere. Lydek had been the only one fast enough to scurry out and back into the living room, while R'tame had the appearance of a very wet cat and Jhu's towel became that much more difficult to manage. "Ugh... computer, end program!" He said in a panic. It stopped raining. "Commander," he started, his voice shrill and fast as what had been burned into his mind couldn't be unburned. "I - I'm sorry. I didn't mean to see- I mean- I didn't see anything," ok. That last part was a lie. But R'tame was too busy trying not to earn her wrath that he was willing to reach for any excuse he could.

Lydek's insulted yowling was nothing compared to the fiery glare that Jhu leveled at R'tame as she tried to use the water-drenched towel to conceal her more... private attributes. The wet fabric clung to her skin and resisted being re-arranged, and the other towels in the room were in the same state. "Ensign Eevoss, what are you doing in my bathroom?!"

Holding his hands in the air above his head, R'tame's eyes went even more wide. "Lieutenant Arivek told me to remove the holo-emitters," he declared.

Jhu stared blankly at the young Caitian for a moment. "I didn't know he'd decided to have them removed..."

"He was rather adamant," R'tame pointed out, although not quite sure why that was.

"He probably wants to avoid more surprise visits," Jhu grumbled under her breath, trying to put the towel tighter as she retreated slightly toward the door. She was in no mood to explain that any further, and she was feeling more exposed by the second.

For a long moment, R'tame wasn't sure whether he should follow her or stay. He laid there awkwardly and wet; his hair in tightly matted clumps that would undoubtedly leave a mess on her floor as he tried to extricate himself. Having barely any idea what most 'hairless' sentients looked like outside of their clothes, however, he began to wonder how Paige compared to what he'd just seen. At that thought, a terrible guilt came over him. He had a girlfriend, and had no idea how Paige would react to this.

"Uh, I- I'll be wrapped up in another half an hour, Commander." He called through the opening. "Unless you'd prefer I come back." R'tame sincerely hoped she wouldn't ask him to leave. Having to walk through the corridor sodden wet would be embarrassing.

"No... stay and finish. And use the air dryer in the shower before you go. No sense in walking through the corridors dripping water everywhere... I'm not that cruel to make you walk around looking like a drowned rat." Despite being somewhat embarrassed, Jhu managed a smile as she retreated further.

Ever since Nathan had decked the other Kris, his robotic arm had been giving him issues. Nothing major, just annoying twitches every now and then. There was only one person he trusted to look at his arm, "Computer, locate Andrea Carter."

“Senior Chief Petty Officer Andrea Carter is located on deck 4 in Jefferies junction J23,” the computer replied.

"Eh..." Nathan said to himself, less the excited about the idea of climbing through the ship. He instead smacked his comm badge. "Hey Red, what are you doing?"

“Giving the main energy grid a handjob,” Andy replied over the comm, sounding completely serious. “Why, what are you doing?”

"Wanting you..." he said with a smile. Yes Nathan opened that door and he waited for her to walk through it.

“In any particular position?” Andy said, and he could hear the hint of a grin in her voice.

"Bent over your table in your lab." He said completely seriously.

“Oh nice,” Andy said with a snicker. “I can meet you there in… maybe 15 minutes?”

"That would be perfect! Thanks!" Nathan said and jumped from his desk to head down to Engineering.

It took him only a few moments so he beat her there, he took a seat and waited for her.

Andy took a little longer than 15 minutes to finish her maintenance to the main energy grid then get down to her lab, but she didn’t make him wait too long. As she entered the door, she peeled off the top half of her yellow jumpsuit she wore when she was doing dirty work, exposing the grey tank top she wore underneath. She tied the sleeves at her waist so the jumpsuit wouldn’t fall down, then she headed for the replicator for a glass of water.

“Damn, it gets hot in there,” she said as the water materialized in the bin, then she took a swig. “So, what’d you break?” she asked, holding the cold glass to her forehead to help her cool down.

"Ever since I hit Kris...other Kris" Nathan clarified, "my arm twitches, just a little and not all the time."

“You hit him? Awesome,” Andy said with a grin. She set the glass of water aside and strode over to where he was sitting and grabbed him by the wrist to look at his arm. Now that she was closer, he could see that she was sweaty and slightly flushed. “I wanted to hit the bastard before the other Katana blew, but it just wasn’t to be. I almost shot that ass-hat Verak, though,” she commented as she examined his arm and waited for it to twitch.

"I hit him hard enough for the both of us, trust me." Nathan said as he leaned back in his seat. "I might have put him into a coma, he was not moving much after that...fucking point at gun at Jhu."

“Yeah, really makes me wonder what the hell is going on in this universe,” Andy said. “Well, I can see a misalignment in the wrist, that shouldn’t take long to fix, but I can’t see what could be causing any twitching. Until I see it happen, I won’t know how to fix that.”

As if on cue, Nathan's arm spasms a little. "You have a way with machines Andy." Nathan said impressed that it would do that for her.

Andy chuckled as she watched the arm twitch and spasm. “there it is, a servo in your shoulder. Looks like some wiring came loose,” Andy said. She let go of his arm, then strode over to her work table to get her tools. “Everything else working out alright with the arm?” she asked, grabbing a piece of ice from her glass of water and rubbing it on the back of her neck.

"Yeah its great. Don't even notice it's not my real arm anymore." Nathan said looking at the arm. A thought hit him. "Hey, you should come with me to get tattooed!"

“When do you plan on getting it done?” Andy asked, pulling up a chair by his side. She ran a tool over his shoulder to disable the pain receptor, then opened up the biosynthetic skin to fix the wiring. “You’ll be able to feel what I’m doing. It’ll feel weird, but it shouldn’t hurt. Just try not to move,” she said as she started working. Her breath was a little heavy and her skin was still red from the heat of the Jefferies junction.

"Soon..." he said looking at her. "What's wrong with you?" He asked bluntly.

“I seem to be having trouble regulating my body temperature,” Andy replied. If it was anyone else, she’d probably brush the question off, but she wouldn’t do that with Nathan. “Things ain’t been quite right since I had my cortical node removed.”

"How do we fix it?" Nathan asked. Andy was about the closest thing Nathan had to a sibling and what ever needed to be done he would do it. "I could hold a phaser to Liam's head and make him work fast." He joked.

“We don’t know what’s wrong,” Andy answered. “Liam even called in Ari for a second opinion. I’m not rejecting my cybernetics, but for some reason my immune system is attacking my cortical array. We’re working on a solution, and they’ve had me on light duty so I don’t stress myself too much, but it’s been getting progressively worse.”

"I know I'm not the smartest guy on this boat, but if there is anything I can do to help let me know ok?" He said. "Especially if it gets me off this boat! Man I feel like I have been stuck on board for ever."

“If there’s anything I can think of, I’ll let you know,” Andy said in a somber tone. She finished up with his shoulder, then moved down to his wrist. “I haven’t told Maica, I don’t want her to worry, but I think she suspects something’s wrong…”

"You should not hide things like this from her, we have been through this before." Nathan cast her a glance but he dropped it. She knew how he felt about her hiding things from Maica.

"So I was thinking of making a holodeck program to get my tats fixed. I was going to bring Jhu of course, but you and Maica should come to! Like a double date or something." Nathan offered.

Andy was grateful for the change in topic. She knew she shouldn’t hide this from Maica, but she didn’t even know WHAT she was hiding just yet. Maybe once they knew what was going wrong then she would have something to tell Maica, but for now she would just stay quiet.

“Yeah, sure, sounds like fun,” Andy said. “Any idea on what you’re gonna get on your arm? Same as last time or something new?”

"Something new." Nathan explained, "The old Tattoo was given to me by an actual Buddhist monk on a trip I took on earth. He used a traditional method, he held a needle on the end of a stick and dipped it in a bowl of ink the tapped the stick with a small stone pestle. It took twenty four hours to do and I had to meditate the entire time. No breaks for any reason." It was clear that tattoo was more to Nathan then flesh and ink and then lose of it was hard on him. Something he was still dealing with. "So...I'm open to suggestions."

“I don’t think I could sit still long enough for something like that,” Andy said. She had sat through some pretty lengthy procedures during her recovery after her assimilation, but body art was something different. She didn’t even think she’d look good with any kind of tattoo.

"It's amazing what you can do if you put your mind to it." Nathan smiled at her. "You're the great Andy Carter, you can do anything!"

“I’m not so great,” Andy replied with a shake of her head and a smirk. She closed up Nathan’s biosynthetic skin and reactivated his pain receptors. “There, see how it feels now.”

Nathan didn't say that lightly, he honestly felt that given enough time and resources Andy was literally capable of anything. He rotated his arm around a bit. "Smoother. I didn't even notice it was rough before." But now he could recognize the difference.

“Good,” Andy said, then scooted her chair over to her workbench to put her tools away. “Let me know if anything else pops up.”

"Oh I will, if we ever get split up for whatever reason I don't know what I'll do. I don't like the idea of others working on me." Nathan said.

“Well, I ain’t planning on going anywhere,” Andy said with a shrug, then she turned in her chair to look at him. “I won’t let anyone else work on you if I can help it.”

"Good." Nathan said with a nod. "Anything else going on? It's been awhile since we have had a chance to talk."

“I dunno, kinda tired I guess,” Andy replied. “I just wanna find out what’s wrong with me…”

Nathan laid a hand on her shoulder, "Me too. I mean it, let me know if I can help."

“I will,” Andy said with a nod. “Thanks Nate.”

He started to head out of the lab, at the door he looked over his shoulder and said, "And talk to your wife damn it." Then he stepped away before she could argue the point with him.

Jenni had been left alone in the Intelligence Office. It was strange sitting at a desk and searching through record after record. Someone had started the job for her, compiling the differences between this Katana's records and Starfleet Command's. The computer had been working for hours and had so far tabulated several tens of thousands of differences.

"Blimey," she muttered, sitting at the terminal, watching the progress bar grow. Her work was cut out for her.

Sighing, Jenni stood up and looked around the room. She missed Engineering, but this was just as important as keeping the warp core running. The computer still had a couple hours to go. Jenni was used to tasks such as these; Level One Diagnostics were typically the worst, taking hours to run. At least then, she could kill the time by tinkering with something in Engineering. Here she did not have that option. Perhaps it would be best to use this time to familiarize herself with her new surroundings.

Jenni wandered the room for a few moments. There was little to look at, save for the Commander's desk. She wasn't one to pry, so she'd stay away from that for now. The Lieutenant approached the replicator. "Chai tea, hot," she requested. The replicator began to hum and suddenly went dark.

"What the...?" she asked. She may be in Intelligence, but Jenni was still an engineer at heart. Choosing to ignore the computer's offer to notify Engineering of the malfunction, Jenni knelt down and removed the front panel, exposing the replicator's mechanics. Toolless, Jenni stuck her head inside to see about rectifying the problem.

Nathan came into the office looking for Jhu. What he saw was a woman with brown hair with her head stuck inside the replicator. It had been so long since he had seen anyone other then Jhu or Noxa he figured it was Jhu. Nathan crouched down behind her, pressed himself aginst her and wrapped his arms around her body. He spoke softly, "Did you hit it and break it again?"

Jenni froze, feeling something unlike a normal embrace. The arms that had appeared around her chest were strong, yet foreign to her. For a moment, the stranger's touch felt warm and soothing. That moment immediately yielded to a singular thought, Who the hell...?

"No," she responded firmly without turning her head. Jenni's eyes quickly darted around, looking for an EPS relay to yank out and use for a weapon if she had to. The Chief of Security would certainly hear about this one. "But there is something I will hit and break if you don't let go."

"Oh shit!" Nathan exclamed as he ripped himself from who ever this was. He moved so fast he fell back on his ass with a thud.

Released from the embrace, Jenni hastily removed a piece of conduit and spun around. She recognized the man immediately, though his name escaped her memory, as the head of one of the rescue teams who were instrumental in saving her and the rest of the Katana crewmen. Jenni also remembered how attached he was to her new Supervising Officer. "What the hell? Can't recognize your girlfriend from the back side?"

"Hey..." Nathan said in defense " I'm use to there being two people in here, Jhu and Noxa. All I could see was the you were not a Feringie." Nathan held up his hand to block any incoming blows. "I'm sorry..."

Jenni slowly lowered the conduit, staring the man down. A part of her wanted to forgive him for an honest mistake. The rest of her still wondered why he didn't know Jhu that well. "It's my first day," she said, reluctantly aiding his defense. "Senior Officer or not, I trust you'll take a better look in the future, Lieutenant...?"

"Tonkin," Nathan stood and straightened his uniform, "Nathan Tonkin, Chief of security." He held his hand out to her. "I promise to only shake your hand." He joked.

She took a step forward, still slowly lowering the conduit. After a moment more of hesitation, she shifted the conduit to her free hand so that she could return the shake. "Jenni Matthews," she introduced, knowing that he knew her name. "You and the Commander are... dating then?"

Nathan nodded "We are." he said honestly. "I will make sure to tell her about this. I will be very clear it was all my fault."

Jenni let go of his hand and set the conduit on the desk. Clearly she would not need it until it was time to fix the replicator. "Back aboard my Katana.. how were you able to..." She was thinking of how he had managed to so quickly subdue Verak and Kris, but didn't quite know how to relay that thought.

Nothing Nathan did on the other Katana seemed special to him so he didn't know how to answer right away. "Do what?"

"The way you snapped Kris' arm," she replied. "And how you moved so fast."

"Oh that," Nathan said. He held up his right hand. "Cybernetic prosthetic."

"Must be a hell of a story." Jenni looked at the hand with slight interest. Prosthetics were nothing new, but still were just becoming commonplace in her world. With androids and ex-Borg and cybernetic women on board, it was hard to say how limitless this alternate universe was.

"Tell you what," Jenni said, moving over to her desk where the computer was still hard at work cross referencing Katana's records versus Starfleet's. "I'm good with a toolkit, but I have a feeling my new profession is going to require a new set of skills." She picked up a phaser she had laying on the desk and turned around. "Teach me how to use this and I'll forget today happened."

"Oh that's easy." Nathan said with a smile. "I'll be happy to train you in the weapons on board. Why are you in here? I'm suprised to see you in black and not gold. Our old Mathews was our chief of Engineering."

"Engineering's all full up," Jenni replied with a smile, though that smile still had a bit of remorse in it. "And this isn't the ship I've kept running for the last four years. Best to stay out of the way."

Nathan watched her for a moment, just studying her. Finally he said, "Well regardless, knowing your way around a phaser and rifle never hurt anyone. I'll be happy to teach you. Mizuki and I do some sword training on Monday mornings, I could ask if she would mind you joining us and add in some phaser training." He offered.

Jenni kept her smile as she set the phaser back on the desk. "Mizuki...?" she asked, not familiar with the name. "Another security officer?"

"No, she's a cadet. But I help anyone who's interested in learning to defend themselves." Nathan explained.

She nodded, crossing her arms and leaning back on the desk with a smile. "It sounds like we have a plan, then. Learning how to use a sword sounds almost medieval."

Nathan laughed a little, "You never know when you might need to duel a Andronian or battle a Klingon." He pointed out.

Jenni's smile suddenly became a little hollow, suddenly faced with a reality of wearing the black uniform. "Hopefully not any time soon."

This only cause Nathan to grin at her. "I don't know what your Katana was like, but on this ship if you hope something not to happen...well that's when it happens. Keep a sword handy." He said with a wink.

"One step at a time," she replied, still smiling. "But I don't mind learning something new."

It was harder than she thought it was. Everywhere Jenni looked, she was reminded of a ship that no longer existed. Engineering, the bridge, even her quarters. The paint was the same, so were the lights and the carpet. But this was not the Katana she knew.

Jenni sighed. Most of the crew she'd known who survived had moved on. She'd even been curious about this other Jenni that the crew so easily mistook her for. Fortunately, the logs of one Lieutenant Jennifer Matthews had been left on file. Even now as she walked the corridor, Jenni smirked thinking about her doppleganger's notes about the ship, its quirks, and even the activities of the crew.

One thing was certain. Jennifer Matthews was a loner in both universes. That had made it very easy for her counterpart to accept a different assignment and move on from this ship. As easy as she found that to believe, Jenni could not help but break the strong connection she'd built with her own ship. Perhaps that is what hurt so much walking through these foreign corridors. It wouldn't make sense to anyone else, but navigating these corridors was supposed to help her look past what was foreign and odd. Despite the name, this ship was her home now.

What was that?

Jenni paused, hearing a faint, yet strongly familiar sound. Where was it coming from?

She looked around, as if sight would help pinpoint what walls concealed. Jenni moved quickly, back and forth, trying to track the origin of the emotional strings. Ever since coming aboard, Jenni had longed for the sound of a violin, especially since she had yet to replace the one she inherited. She didn't want to intrude, just listen...

There! Jenni rushed over to a closed door and leaned against it. She could hear the violin's call pierce through the doors and her soul. The piece was incredibly emotional. For a moment, she was reminded of a younger time, sitting on the couch in the family home listening to her mother play the violin. A tear fell down her cheek as she leaned her head against the door, listening to the music play and not even taking notice of how close she was to the door controls.

Heading towards the door, Maica glanced back at Andy as she played, a loving smile on her face. She hated leaving at a time like this but she wanted to look in her storage for more nepata drinks for later. What she didn't expect was to meet someone pressed against the door when she walked up to it and slid open. A bit surprised, she did her best to keep the eavesdropping woman from falling.

Jenni's eyes had been closed as she was temporarily lost in the music. The sudden opening of the doors caught her completely off guard, falling sideways into the room. She caught a pair of arms that didn't belong to her and did her best to steady herself. A glance upward, once she was stable, at a green face was enough to strengthen her state of shock. "I'm so sorry!" Jenni stammered in embarrassment, realizing that the section of the ship she was wandering was for senior officers.

Maica immediately knew who this was and she just pulled her into a hug. "It's ok. I'm sorry for hugging you, but I just can't help it."

The music in the living came to a stop and soon Jenni could see Andy from the doorway, the violin Maica made for her in her hand. "Hey, what's going on over here?" Andy grumped, but the attitude was just a front, trying to save face after being caught playing her violin. Again.

The shock wore off slowly as Jenni attempted to sort out her emotion while in Maica's embrace. It seemed this crew had a habit when it came to meeting her. Like the Captain's, this embrace had warmth, like old friends being reunited. Under normal circumstances, Jenni would consider a protest. But tonight, a little friendship would be cathartic.

"It's all right," Jenni said to Maica, in no hurry to release the hug. When she saw the crazy ex-Borg with the violin, she was quick to raise an eyebrow. "A woman of many talents, I see?"

"Something like that," Andy replied. "You know you can come in if you want."

The invitation was certainly welcome. Nervousness could not help but since through when she said, "I really didn't mean to intrude. Really." Jenni stepped inside, at least far enough to clear the door sensor. "I heard you playing in the hall. Absolutely beautiful."

Releasing Jenni, Maica headed over to a shelf with an array of darker bottles and selected one with a wood patterned label. "My Andy is all rough and sour in public, but when she plays, her emotions come out for all to see. She's just as good with the cello too."

"Why you gotta tell everyone that?!" Andy whined at Maica, but she guided Jenni into the living room without complaint.

"It's only the truth," Maica said as she carried the bottle and 3 glasses to the living room as well. Sitting on the couch, she set out the glasses and poured each of them half a glass of the dark wine. "Brindovian Ale. One of the last bottles known to exist."

"Especially rare since it's now from a different universe," Andy added as she set her violin on its stand.

Jenni smiled, sitting on the couch next to Maica. "You sound like a married couple," she quipped.

"We ain't set a date yet," Andy said somewhat defensively, taking one of the glasses and sipping at the rich ale within.

Sipping her own drink, Maica had to giggle a little. "As far as I'm concerned, we've been married since she rebuilt me and saved my life."

Jenni had politely picked up the last of the glasses, only to pause momentarily at their responses. Though she'd been learning about this crew through the lens of her predecessor, nothing had been mentioned about their relationship. "Congratulations, then," she said with a smile and raising her glass.

Andy simply grunted in reply, finally taking a seat in one of the big, comfy chairs adjacent to the couch, kicking up her feet onto the coffee table. "So, as I hear it, you've decided to stick with us," Andy commented, then sipped her wine. "You ain't going back to your Starfleet for reassignment?"

"I'd imagine the Starfleet of this universe would want someone they can trust to keep an eye on us anyway." Maica said before sipping at her drink again. "Besides, as awkward as it may be, you'll be a big help to a lot of people here trying to come to terms with what we've been through."

Jenni took a sip of her drink for the first time. The strong flavor was unlike anything she'd tasted before. "You're not the ones Starfleet are worried about," Jenni offered, lowering her glass. She didn't want to go into the details of the last few months, and knowing what Andy had seen on board the other Katana, Jenni was sure she'd understand.

"There's just something about ships named Katana," Jenni said to Andy with a soft smile. "It is awkward. I don't recognize hardly anyone, much less the ship herself. And I'm starting to get used to the fact that I'm walking in someone else's footsteps. But nothing compares."

"Well, if it helps to have at least one person who doesn't see you like that, then you got me," Andy replied. "In this universe, I'm either dead or a Borg, either way that puts a unique perspective on the differences of the people here; you're similar, but not the same, like a weird twin who just happens to have the same name as the person we used to know."

"The remains of my counterpart are sitting in a glorified museum. As much as I'd love to meet her... Andy, if we got a chance, do you think you could build a body for her so we could meet?" Maica set her glass down and leaned back, curiosity on her face. "I'm really wondering what differences she had over me. I mean, obviously she didn't have a Lagashi micro-fusion reactor so what kind of power core did she have? What else was different? Are her boobs the same size as mine?" Glancing back at Jenni, she smiled that warm smile of hers. "Sorry, as morbid as that may seem, it's still a point of curiosity. You at least have footsteps here to compare to, even if the Jenni from our universe was reassigned early in her time aboard the Katana."

"Maica, I can't..." Andy said. "Building that body for you almost killed me, I don't have it in me to do it again." More to the point, there was a lot of technology in Maica's body that Andy didn't consciously understand. She had been in this strange, sleep deprived haze and she had overstuffed her brain with schematics and cybernetics techniques, and somehow it all coalesced into a workable final product, but Andy knew she couldn't pull that trick off twice.

"Some things are better left to the past," Jenni said, thinking about the possibilities of a micro-fusion reactor and the applications of such a device. For a moment, she couldn't help but study the android next to her. Had it not been for reading logs, Jenni would never have assumed Maica wasn't an Orion. "Incredible," she couldn't help but mutter.

Andy grinned. She could see the gears turning in Jenni's head. "No touchie, she's mine to play with," Andy teased.

"Speaking of playing," Jenni smirked, thankful for the perfect transition. She gestured towards the violin, "That was a beautiful piece. Who was that?"

"Me," Andy said simply.

"It was lovely," Jenni complemented again. "Have you ever performed?"

"Once. It was terrifying," Andy said with a shudder. That one time at the Ophinias Colony hadn't been that bad, but she really didn't like performing. "But I don't mind playing for friends," she added in a rush. She was almost loathe to admit it, but she was still getting used to being more open about her music. "Do you play?" she asked. "I heard through the grapevine way back when that our Jenni could play."

"It's... been a while," Jenni slowly replied, doing her best to curb a wince at the reference to her alternate self. She hadn't publicly played since the Academy, nor had she picked up her mother's violin in weeks. "Nothing original though."

"Fair enough," Andy said with a nod. She'd caught the wince, but wasn't sure if she should comment on it or not. It was obviously still a raw nerve for Jenni, so maybe it would be best to leave it alone. "Well, if you ever decide to get back into it, I guess I wouldn't mind another playing buddy."

"I might take you up on that." Jenni would have to get a new violin first, but in good time. "Do you write original pieces often?"

"Yeah," Andy replied. "Playing is very... personal. Playing other people's stuff feels impersonal, though it can be fun too, but writing my own stuff.." Andy gave a shrug with a sigh. She rose from her chair and moved over to Maica's desk to load up a data rod with some of her recording for Jenni to take with her. "I don't do the talking thing very well, so sometimes my music is the only way I can express myself."

Jenni smiled, accepting the data rod with gratitude, and taking a sip of the ale. She was enjoying the accidental visit, and already she could see what truly made this Katana different. "What's wrong with someone who lets her passions drive her?" she asked. Her knowledge of Andy's actions were quite limited, but after staying put and quiet for so long, Jenni was starting to see the value of speaking out of turn.

"Not that much, though I know a few people that would argue differently. You just need a good avenue for it." Maica said, finishing her thoughts on bodies and whatnot to rejoin the active conversation. "By the way, if you want to borrow my violin, you're welcome to. Just be careful with her please. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get the resources to make another one anytime soon."

Jenni wasn't sure if she would take Maica up on the offer. It wasn't that the offer was unappreciated, but Jenni wasn't sure if she wanted the responsibility of caring for something that wasn't hers, especially this early in an eventual friendship. "You also play?" Jenni asked, again thinking about Maica's internal workings.

"I do," Maica said with a smile. "One of my primary roles when i was still a sex android was playing musical instruments. I prefer the lyre, lute, harp, and violin though."

Jenni took a sip of her glass. "So..." Tilting her glass ever so slightly in Maica's direction, Jenni commented, "Former sex android turned diplomat is engaged to an ex-Borg Ops officer." Smiling, she added, "And I thought my universe was weird."

"Everything seems weird at first. You just need to give the weird a chance to get to know you and it won't seem so unusual." Maica said, quoting an ancient Bolian philosopher. "I'm serious though. If you want to borrow my violin, just say so. Your counterpart was my doctor before I met Andy and all things being equal, you should have just as tender of a touch so I know I can trust you. Besides, it's carbon fiber - it's not like you can hurt it."

"And I've got an electric violin you can borrow," Andy added. "Or worst come to worst, you can have one replicated. Ain't as good as hand-made, but it'll get the job done until you can get a new one."

They were politely insisting, almost gently forcing Jenni out of her shell. No matter how awkward she'd felt when she first came on board, this crew were doing their best to make her feel welcome. Aboard her last Katana, there was a schism that had divided the crew for so long. Hopefully, it wouldn't too long to get used to this.

"I think I'll accept your offer," Jenni said to Maica. Looking over to Andy, Jenni added, "And thank you both for everything. This ship... This crew... It's unlike anything I've ever seen."

"You're very welcome." Maica said with a slight hint of sadness to her smile. "I just wish I had more to do in this universe. I'm so used to doing the work of a dozen diplomats and now..." Sighing softly, Maica continued. "If you need anything or want me to help out with anything, please... let me know and I'll do it."

"Now that you mention it," Jenni said with a smile, setting her glass down on the table. She folded her hands in her lap and turned towards Maica. "Adapting your files is a much bigger task than anyone thought, especially from the political stances. Perhaps this universe could benefit from the lessons learned in yours."

"Well, I am fluent in over 4 million forms of communication and can readily speak almost anything I've ever come across that I didn't already know." Maica had that wide grin back on her face as she spoke. "If I can compile and offer corrections for a 150 thousand page document in a week in 14 different languages, I'm sure I can help out with that. When you get a chance, forward the information and people to me. And don't let the Captain or the XO know, but my office has full unrestricted outgoing access to the tertiary subspace comms for 'diplomatic emergencies' even when they're disabled."

Jenni was impressed, and her face even bore an expression to relate that. "First thing in the morning, then!" She smiled, again thinking about Maica's capabilities. If the android could thrive outside of her original purpose, then maybe there was a chance Jenni could survive without the engine room.

There was a smile on Andy's face with just a hint of pride; for Maica, for overcoming her limitations and for achieving so much, and for Jenni, for seeing the opportunity present even when the situation seemed hopelessly insurmountable for all of them. This was what made the Katana more than just a ship... She rose from her chair, setting her now empty glass on the table and striding over to the wall where hers and Maica's instruments were resting in their stands. She took down Maica's carbon fiber violin and packed it in a case with loving attentiveness, then brought it over to Jenni. "Here, something to keep you busy until then," Andy said, handing the case to Jenni. "While you two do your thing tomorrow, you can tell Maica how much you liked it and want her to make you one just like it."

With a careful touch, Jenni accepted the violin. She'd only been without her mother's for a couple days, and just touching the case of another's forced her emotions to come towards the surface. Jenni set the case in her lap. While her gaze remained fixed upon it, Jenni gently stroked the edges where her hands were, silently looking for the nonexistent creases and scratches from years of moving between assignments. Her eyes wanted her to cry, but Jenni was not ready for that. Looking back up at Maica and Andy, she said with a wavering voice, "Thank you." Even now, Jenni knew she'd said those words multiple times since entering this room, but never had they been so truthful.

"You're very welcome," Maica said warmly. "and if you can find the right woods, I'd be happy to make one from wood as well." Finishing off her own drink, Maica set her glass back on the table too. She thought about getting another, but not just yet.

Jenni would keep an eye out as the ship travelled. She knew of an excellent source or two, but getting them to the Katana would be a challenge of its own. In time, of course. Hands holding still on the case of the violin near the clasps, Jenni asked Maica, "Do you mind if I try it here first?"

Maica motioned for her to go ahead. "Please, I insist."

With a hint of trepidation — only in that she might damage the violin — Jenni opened the case and lifted out the instrument. Like a pilot inspecting a plane before flight, she quickly looked it over, admiring the craftsman ship and also for anything that told her about its life. Jenni was worried for a moment that she didn't have enough room on the couch and would likely poke Maica in the face with the bow, so she moved herself to sit on the arm behind her.

Jenni retrieved the bow from the case and brought it to a hover above the strings. Jenni calmly took in a breath and closed her eyes, choosing to let her spirit guide her now. As the bow began a nimble dance on the strings, she thought of home, the joy of a family together. It was a piece her mother often played for her before bed or in times of strife, though she never learned who had composed it originally. Knowing she was observed mattered none, for in this moment she was truly home.

Maica relaxed into the music, moved by the raw emotion in the strokes of the bow. She could clearly discern the differences in all 3 of their play styles, but it was deeply moving, none the less.

Andy nodded her head in time with Jenni's tune with an approving grin on her face. She couldn't help but wonder of the origins of the tune as well. There was something enticingly haunting about it, yet soothing as well. Whoever wrote it, the piece was beautiful and unique, and Jenni's emotions gave it an even greater depth. Andy had said she would play with Jenni, but that had just been mere courtesy and an attempt to include her into their little 'family', but now that she had heard the woman play, Andy knew she would enjoy playing with Jenni; now she wanted to join in with Jenni.

The piece came to a close, and slowly Jenni returned to reality. She felt as if she'd bared her soul, and judging by Andy's grin and Maica's relaxed state, Jenni somehow knew she was safe. Carefully she set the violin back in its case simple because she feared of accidental damage if it were elsewhere including her own lap. Jenni had no words for the other women, just a small thankful smile.

"You did good," Andy said approvingly with a lopsided grin. They would definitely have to get together to play sometime! "So, you like how she plays?"

Jenni nodded, somewhat unable to speak. Even when she was an acting first officer, Jenni had been unable to pick up her mother's violin. Being able to play after all of this time took far more out of her than she realized. "I do," she confirmed softly. "Thank you both again." She felt like all she was doing since she came in was thank them.

"Anytime," Andy said simply, and she meant it. With Andy, once a friendship was struck, there was little she wouldn't do to help a friend in need.

Jenni looked over to Maica and then back to Andy. As cathartic as this evening had become, Jenni did realize that she did interrupt their evening. Very gently, she closed the case and secured it with the clasps. "I, uh..." Jenni took in and exhaled a deep breath. "I should get going. Let you both get back to it."

"You didn't interrupt dinner or anything. I was going to go search my storage and see if I had any nepata leaves for M'rayr but I have plenty of time for that." Maica said with a warm smile. "Besides, any time you want to come over, please feel free. We're always up for snuggles if nothing else."

Jenni's smile was tender, her mind still struggling to guide the wave of emotions. "I'll take you up on that," she said, leaning over to give Maica a hug. She might have lost it all, but she was gaining a new family in return. Jenni was learning quickly to value and trust those now around her.

The man stepped out of sickbay, after checking on those of the crew that were still there. His injuries could wait, as he was still rather strong, and his mood was heightened by meeting the new assistant Chief of Intel. People know her..but I know that there's no duplicate of me. No one notices me, no one has recognized me here. I'm simply a ghost.

He proceeded to wander along the corridor, going with the flow and avoiding officers running about to and fro. A head of ginger hair soon came into view, near the turbolift entrance. It was difficult to get a good look at her uniform, to identify her department, but as he came closer he noticed a large piece of debris that was in her way.

"Busy day, I suppose?" His accented voice questioned, giving her enough warning of a presence before he, with some difficulty due to the size of the debris, was able to lift it up enough to move it down the wall a bit, out of her way.

"A-yup," the ex-Borg woman said without halting her repairs. She glanced over at the piece of bulkhead he moved, then back at the exposed EPS conduits she was repairing. "You just came out of Sickbay, you sure you should be moving heavy shit like that?"

"I've got a gift of sorts, so if I'm able to use it, it seems only reasonable that I should." The man replied. "The medical staff are treating the most critical cases. I'm not one of them. You an engineer?"

"Something like that," Andy replied, looking up at the marine. "You need something fixed?"

"Nah." he shook his head. "I'm just wandering, I suppose. One of the 19 who came over. I'm Gordon. Derek Gordon. Pleased to meet you." The man gave, but didn't offer a hand.

"Yeah, I know, I helped Jenni evacuate you guys," Andy said. Even if she hadn't been part of that, she would still know he was part of the other Katana crew; she knew everyone on her crew. "Have you been to the quartermaster to talk about room assignments?"

"Mmm.." He trailed off lightly, looking at her again. Definitely someone who seemed to be straight to the point. "I was planning to do that after finishing my time in sickbay." Though at the mention of Jenni, he did smile just a little. "I'm sure other people will say this to you in the coming days, but thanks for the assist."

"Just doing what needed to be done," Andy said as she stood, dusting off her pants. "Well, you're done in Sickbay or they wouldn'tna let you out, and I know for a fact that Colletare is busy, so I can hook you up with some quarters." She pulled a PaDD out of her jacket to check which quarters were currently available.

"My thanks." He gave agreeably, leaning against the wall. "Hmm.. you look human, but I have a feeling there's more to you than meets the eye." he observed in a lower tone.

"Heh, did this give it away?" Andy asked with a smirk, tapping her eyepiece. "I was assimilated at the Battle of Sector 001. Before that, I was human."

"ex-Borg, then.." He trailed off, memories of his homeworld coming to mind, and what had happened to it. "You clean up well." he remarked dryly, if only to hide the emotions that were underneath.

"I try," Andy said with a chuckle, confirming the quarter assignment on her PaDD before tucking it back into her jacket. "Your new quarters are gonna be on deck 4. can you find your way or you want me to take you there?"

"I'd prefer the company. Assuming that this Katana would be like the other is an amateur mistake, and I wouldn't want to get lost." Derek chuckled slightly.

"Well, assuming there's no major differences in the Intrepid design, and unless your Katana went through a major overhaul that changed the deck layout, then it's a fair bet that it'll be pretty much the same," Andy said as she started walking towards the nearest lift expecting that the marine would follow. "There's gonna be differences in other things, but that's just window dressing; the basic design should be the same."

Derek padded after her quietly, his footsteps not making much of a sound on the deck plating, but it was there. "Mmm. That makes sense. The Intrepid is one of the more efficient explorer designs I've seen in my time. It's almost sad that it ends up seeing so much combat.."

"Yeah, it is a real shame," Andy replied with an agreeing nod. "But it ain't like we can control what other people do out there, so it's a good thing she comes so well armed."

"That's true." The man gave. "Space is certainly a dark place. With a lot of threats. I'd know, since my homeworld is no more." Pausing for a moment, he would continue. "Good thing we are well armed. I look forward to working to protect us."

Andy cast an odd-eyed, quizzical glance his way as they walked. "Your homeworld?" she asked. She had assumed he was human. He looked human enough, but there was something about him that was off, not quite human. "Where are you from?" Hell, maybe he was human; not all humans called Earth their homeworld. As it was, Andy was born in space and had only stepped foot on Earth only a few times, but it was a foreign place to her and she certainly didn't consider it her homeworld.

"The homeworld of the El-Aurians." Derek replied simply. "An El-Aurian man, through some stroke of fortune, found love with a Vulcan female. Some time later, I was born. But my parents could not agree on a name. So they had it decided by an impartial party who was friends with them both. And accepted his decision. To clear up any questions you might have regarding my unconventional name." he gave, to clarify. "But yes. Our homeworld was destroyed by the same race that assimilated you, and scattered us throughout the stars." Here it would betray that he was something of a historian as well. A listener.

"Fun fun," Andy said. As they arrived at the lift and entered, she ordered it to deck 4 and paused for a moment. "I was just a run-of-the-mill human, parents were both Starfleet scientists. Dad wanted a boy, so you gan infer from there why people call me Andy. And I lived my whole life in space, so I don't really think of Earth as my homeworld, and since it's still around I can't relate to your deal... But I have memories from my time with the Borg, brief as it was. I've seen what they do, you have my sympathies."

"And you have my gratitude." Derek nodded quietly, hands clasped behind his back as the turbolift went on its way. "I should apologize in advance if I ever ask you any seemingly forward or blunt questions. My people are listeners, and I'm something of a historian and preserver of memories. I listen to those who are willing to share their thoughts and history with me. In space, there is no gravestone, or memorial, only the remembrance of how someone lived."

"I'm aware of what your people do," Andy said with a hint of sadness. From inside the Collective, she'd had a perspective on some species that few could ever understand, not that it was something she was willing to share, and it saddened her to know what the Borg had done to the Listeners, the El Aurians. "I ain't usually so chatty, but you caught me on a good day, so enjoy it while you can."

"Not many people are aware of what we do, in my universe. It is not common knowledge." Derek replied, nodding a bit. "Then let's start with your name, and your position, which I would infer to be a staff position, and what is one way that being on the Katana has shaped the story of your life?" he asked respectfully.

"Wow, you really are direct aren't you?" Andy said with a chuckle. "I thought you people were more tactful than this." But she paused to think about the question. "Well, I'm Andy Carter, I'm the Chief of Operations and Chief of the Boat. I also maintain the non-organic life-forms on the ship in my cybernetics lab. And this ship has changed my life in ways I can't even put into words..."

"I am tactful when it comes to deeper or more complex questions. But starting off should be short and introductory. Perhaps the lack of "tact" falls under that." Derek nodded. "I don't have a counterpart here, no method with which to see how things are different." After the musing comment, he takes a small breath, falling into his more usual line of speaking, the El-Aurian ability to gather information without hostility.

"So you are a builder. A fixer. Doing this brings you one aspect of a sense of purpose." He mused. "May I ask what draws you to working on non-organic lifeforms?"

"Well, it's in my head," Andy replied as though that was all the answer she needed.

He stared at her, "And it could be any number of things. Unless that's a topic you don't want to share about."

"No, ain't that I don't wanna share it, just most people don't get it." Andy sighed, then the lift came to a stop and they started walking again. "It's literally what's in my head. I mean, aside from the cybernetics that got left behind... I was good at this kind of stuff before this happened to me, but hearing the Collecting, sharing in that knowledge... I can't shut it out, that knowledge is there now, burning a hole in my brain, I had to use it. Working on myself was an outlet for a while, but now that I got Maica and Ari to work on, it feels like I'm really doing something with what I know."

"Mm. Similar to the drive to listen and chronicle stories. It would feel wrong if you didn't use that knowledge." Derek nodded quietly, following her out of the lift. "Maica and Ari. How are they related to you?"

"Ari is just another crew member, but a friend. He actually died and is now a hologram. And Maica is an android I rebuilt when her old body reached critical failure. Now she's my fiancé." Andy led him down a corridor, then stopped at a door and programmed in Derek's access for the room assignment. "And I do more than care for the non-biologicals. There's my own upkeep, and we now have an officer with a biosynthetic replacement arm, and from our universe we have a race of individuals called the Lagashi who use extensive cybernetic modifications, almost like Borg but no mindless assimilation; we've got a Lagashi officer who needs looking after now that she no longer has her own kind to go to for maintenance. I know how to take care of them, so it only seems natural to do so."

"Fascinating." Derek replied, pausing to regard her keying in access. "Your universe had many strides into the realm of non-biological research. Here, with the different environment, the Federation was much more reserved. Though there were strides made with something known as augmentation, these were scrapped by the morally up-tight Admiralty who felt it wasn't right to use sentient beings as test subjects. It is good to know that the ones who depend upon you have such a strong guardian." He smiled lightly.

"Well, I guess you could consider the Lagashi 'augmented'," Andy pointed out. "But whatever anyone wants to call us, we all need fixing just like any biological, someone's gotta do the work and I know how to do it. Didn't seem to make any sense to not try to do everything I could."

Derek nodded in agreement. "That's a good beginning to your story. Like you're a good person, deep down." he gave, signaling that he wouldn't ask any more questions. "Should I ever require your help in that department, I will ask."

Andy simply nodded in agreement. "And let me know if you need anything else."

"Thanks for your time, Andy. Much appreciated." He gave a two-fingered salute / figurative tip of the cap to her before heading inside, the door closing behind him. Thus began the new chapter aboard the Katana...

1st Lt. Derek Gordon
Marine XO
USS Katana

SCPO Andy Carter
Chief of Ops
USS Katana

Leryssa let out a soft moan as she'd awoken in Kadan's bed under the sheets, Feeling a bit sore from head to toe due to the earlier night's pleasurably sensual experience she'd shared with Kadan. But she didn't care about the soreness she felt at that moment, She was very happy that the two of them had shared an intimate and highly passionate night together. It had been better than she'd ever dreamed it could be. Her silk nightgown had been removed, along with her underwear during the night's pleasurable enjoyments, and they were now resting on the foot of the bed, Alongside Kadan's pants and his underwear.

After several minutes, Leryssa examined herself and noticed Kadan's arm was draped over her waist as he slept soundly, Holding her closely beside him. She smiled to herself and shifted slowly and carefully so as not to wake him, and so that she laid there facing him; Draping her arm over his, and gently rubbing up his arm to his shoulder with her hand as she watched him sleep.

Kadan felt a little sore as well, but it was nothing that he couldn't handle. This feeling of..fulfillment, was glorious. And unlike other "conquests"...this felt less of one, and more of a ...meeting of the minds. Different...special. He'd need to think about it, in order to reach his own conclusion on the subject. But that would be later. His mind was at peace..after being in awe the night before.

His arm was draped over her waist protectively. A mixture of traditional human protectiveness, and a more primal form of possession. A Klingon's lust, combined with a human's passion. The sleeping warrior doesn't feel her movements at first, sleeping peacefully and affording her the tender moments that she sought of watching him sleep.

But, not long after, he began to stir, and his eyes fluttered open, to meet with hers...

"Good morning." Leryssa greeted Kadan with a smile on her face, and sensually passionate kiss on his lips. "Sleep well?" She asked as she moved to prop herself up into a slightly upright position with the use of one of her elbows.

"mmmn.." He drifted off into the sensually passionate kiss before pulling away, breathless. "I most certainly did, my dear. And you?"

"Best sleep I've ever had in my life." Leryssa admitted with a smile, Albeit, Her muscles still felt a bit sore, but she ignored them. Instead, She shifted closer to Kadan, and rested her head against his shoulder when he moved to lay flat on his back, "I just wish we could stay like this, and never have to get up." She added with a sleepy sigh and draped her arm over his waist.

"Yeah. Me too." He admitted, to both her admission and her comment. "Despite the soreness..I feel like we're going to have a good day, darlin'. When we get up...we should share breakfast. And, if we're not busy, lunch might be a good option."

Leryssa nodded in agreement to Kadan's suggestion, "I think that'd be a wonderful idea. Though for now, I think we should rest here for a while longer." She looked into his eyes as she continued, "I don't know about you, but I don't really feel like getting up just yet." Her muscles stiffly agreed with her assessment, and she let out a slight groan when they protested to her movement, "Guess my body's in agreement to that last statement." She added with a chuckle.

"Here..let me see.." One of his hands roamed over her back, pressing gently downward onto the mocha-colored, smooth skin, trying to massage some of the soreness away, while the rest of him remained relaxed. "I won't lie...I feel really..complete right now." he gave with a smile.

"So do I." Leryssa responded, Smiling back at Kadan, and letting a satisfying, Yet happy moan of arousal escape her lips, "Mmmn, That feels really good." She gave with an appreciative glance at him as he massaged her back, "Thanks." She leaned in and gave Kadan a more passionate kiss than the one she'd done before; Though, This kiss, However, Lasted much longer than the first one.

His stomach did a small flip at the happy moan, and after sharing the rather long and passionate kiss with her, while still rubbing her back, he pulled away, breathless. "You're welcome. With amazing kisses like that, part of me really wants to go for round two, but I know we would need more rest afterwards and maybe be late for things." he gave, leaning up to give her pecks on her cheek and forehead, and each one of her little ridges. Saying in his own little way that he was open to it if she was.

"Why wait?" Leryssa gave as she hinted that she was open to it as well, Wrapping her arms around Kadan's neck as she captured his lips with her own, In a kiss that was filled with a deep and longing passion than ever before.

"Ooh..feisty." He murmured, capturing her lips with his in return in a full make-out kiss.

"I figured you'd like that." Leryssa commented, Giving Kadan a smile and a nod that told him that she was ready for round two with him when the kiss had ended.

And so round two began...and lasted only a little shorter than the first one. The lighting remained low and he preferred it that way just because of how it danced across her skin.

Leryssa smiled at Kadan, Even though she was breathless when round two had ended, "That was really amazing." She commented happily as she rested her head against Kadan's shoulder, and draped her arm around his waist, "What do you think?" She asked Kadan as she let a happy sigh escape her lips.

Kadan was breathless this time around, and rested his arm around her waist, taking a moment to catch his breath. "Aye, I agree darlin'." he chuckled softly and panting a little. "And I think this is the start of something very good between us." he whispered, leaning down to peck her cheek before giving a sigh. "What'cha want for breakfast?"

"Surprise me." Leryssa answered, giving Kadan a smile. The truth was, She wasn't exactly sure what she wanted for breakfast. So, She decided to let him choose the food for both of them to share for their meal together.

"Mmm." A grunt escaped due to the stiffness accrued from being stationary for a bit. "Do you like Earth food? or are you more traditional with the Bajoran cuisine?" he gave, as he managed to get out of bed and stretch, taut muscles rippling throughout his body.

"I like either." Leryssa responded as she sat up under the sheets in Kadan's bed, "My adopted Human mother made a mix of both. Granted, It wasn't easy for her to try making the Bajoran dishes at first, But after a few weeks of trying, she finally did it."

"Alright." He smiled, slipping easily into a pair of boxers and uniform pants. Going shirtless for the rest, he heads into the kitchen, setting his hand to making her something special. A mix of Earth and Bajoran cuisine..it was not outside of his capability to do.

Leryssa grabbed her nightgown and underwear from the foot of the bed, and slipped them on. Then she picked up her earring where it rested on the nightstand next to the bed, and slipped it on over her right ear. When she was finished, She slowly slid off Kadan's bed, Being careful to make sure she had her balance first before taking a step forward. When she was sure she had full control of her balance, She stretched herself for a minute or two to relieve the soreness she'd felt in her muscles, and headed towards the kitchen where Kadan was making a mix of Earth and Bajoran cuisine. "I can smell that all the way into the bedroom." Leryssa gave with a chuckle, "And it smells really good."

"I'm not really sure what to name this compilation, but I do hope you'll enjoy it." Kadan gave, looking back over his shoulder to give her a wry smile, before he turned his head to keep an eye on it so it wouldn't burn. Just a bit more...

"You could probably call it, 'Bajor and Earth a la Kadan' if you want to." Leryssa joked with a sly chuckle, "Unless you want to call it something else; Either way, I'm sure I will enjoy it." She added, Returning the same smile that Kadan had given her just a moment ago.

"I prefer to stick to the term that we both understand: Breakfast." Kadan gave humbly but with a smirk on his face. "Go ahead and have a seat. I will set everything up."

"Fair enough." Leryssa responded as she took her seat and waited as Kadan had set everything up.

A few minutes later, the table was set, and everything was perfect. "Here you go. It probably isn't my best work, but I hope you enjoy it." he gave, sitting down across from her and waiting to eat until after she had started.

Leryssa smiled at Kadan, Then started to eat, "This is really good." She gave appreciatively after swallowing the first bite she'd taken, Gesturing to the food that had been set in front of her.

"Ya really think so? Thank you." Kadan murmured, smiling at her and beginning to eat as well. It was good. And even better in good company.

"You're welcome." Leryssa responded before taking another bite of her breakfast. She smiled at Kadan when she'd finally finished eating, and there was nothing left on her plate, "So, What have you got planned when your shift ends?" Leryssa asked him with a playful, yet curious smile on her face.

His plate was similarly inclined, and he looked at her. "Since you're asking, I'm free to do whatever, if its with you." Kadan replied smoothly.

"Perfect." Leryssa commented with a smile on her face, "There's a perfect spot in the Kendra Valley on Bajor, Where you can get a great view of a meteor shower on a clear night." She explained, "Perhaps we could program the holodeck to reproduce it? Since after all, Bajor is not exactly 'turn right at the next asteroid', If you know what I mean."

"Why sure, I would love that. we can even have a picnic." He chuckled, nodding and being a big fan of the idea.

Leryssa chuckled as well, "Alright, I'll reserve one of the holodecks for us if you bring the food for the picnic." She gave with a sly smile and a nod to Kadan's picnic idea.

Kadan winked at her. "Gotcha. Will bring some food. Might make it a surprise. Hopefully something you'll love." he gave wryly.

"Sounds great." Leryssa gave with a smile, and leaning in towards Kadan in order for her to give him a kiss on his lips.

He pecked her lips and smiled, holding it for a few seconds before pulling away. Luckily his instincts were more in check as he picked up the dishes and placed them back into the replicator, to be summoned again when needed, and clean.

Leryssa moved over to the couch where she'd left her uniform's overshirt, tunic, tanktop, bra and pants, and had scooped them into her arms, picking up her boots from where she'd left them on the floor in front of the couch with one hand, and holding her toothbrush and hairbrush that she'd picked up from the table, in the other hand. Turning to Kadan, She smiled and replied, "Mind if I use your shower?"

"Go ahead. I'll be out here if you need anything." Kadan nodded easily enough, giving her a thumbs up, as he goes to put on the rest of his clothing.

With a nod, Leryssa entered the bathroom, and after the doors closed behind her, She dropped the pile she'd carried in her arms atop the lone shelf that could be seen there against the far wall. Soon as she'd done that; She moved over to inspect the shower area. Good. Leryssa thought silently to herself- The shower itself was not the sonic variant- She didn't really trust those, Nor did she really like them. It had been the normal type of shower that typically would spout hot or cold water over an individual, However the situation went.

With a sigh, Leryssa reached her hand up in order for her to turn one of the nozzles to turn the water on, and she had made sure that the temperature had been set to warm the water considerably before she slid her arms out of the shoulder straps of the pale pink silk nightgown she'd been wearing, Allowing it to fall loosely from her athletically trimmed figure, To the floor of the bathroom. But not before removing and stepping out of her red silk underwear first. When that was done, Leryssa stepped into the shower and let out a relaxed sigh as the water began to pour over her head and face, Soaking through her hair, and running down the length of her entire body.

He'd always liked the water showers...sonic ones were most abhorrent, and while good in a pinch...well. A shower was meant to be enjoyed. Or so Kadan's thoughts were as he finished buckling on his long-coat uniform, ready to go. Though he'd wait for her.

It didn't take very long for Leryssa to finish taking her shower; When she'd finally finished after a few more minutes, She turned the nozzle the opposite direction than she'd turned it earlier, Shutting off the water flow. No sooner had she'd done so, Leryssa stepped out of the shower area, Grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her still-damp figure, Covering her 'assets' before she used the replicator to recycle her dirty undergarments and uniform, and replicating herself some clean ones to change into. Once she'd finished changing, She towel-dried and brushed her hair with her hairbrush, and brushed her teeth with her toothbrush and toothpaste that she'd brought with her. Afterwards, She picked up her nightgown, toothbrush and hairbrush, and took them with her out of the bathroom, "I apologize if I kept you waiting." Leryssa replied as she gave Kadan a wink and a smirk, "But that shower just felt too good to step out of it."

"Oh no, that shower is amazing. I don't blame you at all." He winked at her and walked over to give her a hug. "Ya look great. But I suppose we should be going to our shifts, hmm?" He pecked her forehead.

"Thanks. You look pretty amazing yourself." Leryssa gave as she nodded in agreement after Kadan gave her the peck on her forehead; She then gave him a silent gesture with her hand towards the exit of his quarters, Which wordlessly told him that he should take the lead, and that she'd follow right behind him. "After you." She added with a smile.

"Well, if you insist." He remarked playfully, turning and heading for the door, turning right towards the turbolift, before getting inside. "Guess we're going to the same place, huh?" he quipped, as the turbolift started its journey. There were temptations, but he wouldn't give in to them this time.

"I guess so." Leryssa gave as she chuckled, "We are in the same department anyway. Which does help save us from going in seperate turbolifts. Not to mention, It cuts our travel time in half and makes it easier to get to our duty shifts."

"Yep. You need any help, I'm a combadge away." He chuckled. "Though I suppose you'd say the same for me, hmm?" There was that teasing glint in his eye again.

Leryssa nodded as she chuckled along with him, "I guess so!" She shoved Kadan playfully on the shoulder. "Perhaps we could meet up in the Mess Hall later for lunch? I mean, If you don't have any plans by then?" She asked him after a moment's silence.

"Sounds good to me, love. No plans for lunch, 'cept with you." He winked at her, chuckling as she was playful with the shoulder shove.

"Alright, I'll see you then, babe." Leryssa gave with a chuckle. With that said, She leaned over and gave Kadan a quick peck on his cheek and exited the turbolift when the doors opened in front of the two of them.

Kadan nodded. "Sure thing." he winked and let her have the peck on the cheek before waving as he strides out of the turbolift behind her, heading for his duties.

Ensigns Storm and Kiska
Security Officers
USS Katana

The mess hall was nearly empty. Derek didn't know for sure...he just knew that people had left him alone. Sitting at the corner table was peaceful enough, a variant of green tea blend in one hand. A balaclava in another. A special one.

We are being boarded, I say again, we are being boarded!

He could tell that the flashback was coming, and closed his eyes, allowing it to happen.

Ghost element reporting in from Engineering. Securing against boarders.

Security was stretched thin as it was, and the two men that had been assigned with him were early casualties of the fight.

Several armored forms, making their way down corridor. Only one of him. Had to act fast. ECM grenade, slows the first two. CRM-114, slices through a third. Appropriated Breen type 3 disruptor, dual wield and fire. During the time it'd taken to destroy their brothers, the two he had slowed closed in.

Light sip of tea taken.

Impact. Grabbed and thrown against wall. Second Breen tries to kick, recovered in time to block. Shoved back, kicked in the side by the first breen, who's repaid in kind. The situation gradually becomes worse. Until a communicator signal comes through..

Only..this was no communicator signal. Someone was talking to him. And they were bringing him back from the flashback, having probably also seen the balaclava that was laying in his hand.

"Lieutenant Gordon?" Jenni asked. Her left hand held a hot cup of chamomile. And her right hand hovered near his shoulder. She could tell his mind was absent, focused on something outside of this room, but the way he held both items in his hands and the somewhat distant gaze. Jenni knew little of his abilities, but enough to know that she shouldn't touch him.

"Derek?" she asked, trying not to sound cautious, but also with a little bit of friendliness.

His eyes became clear again, and not hollow like before. Looking up, he took in the female who was talking to him. It was Jennifer..and she seemed concerned. Taking a deep breath, he sighed, nodding. "Here, Jenni." he murmured in a subdued, accented tone, using a hand gesture to indicate she could sit wherever she wanted at the table. "My apologies, I wasn't ignoring you or being rude. Sometimes I have..flashbacks. This one was from when we were boarded."

"It's quite all right" she replied, taking a look at the available seating at the table. Jenni, in fact, hadn't had a good night of sleep herself since coming aboard. Her mind simply would not let go of the horrors aboard their Katana during her last days. Finally, she selected a chair next to the Lieutenant that also had a view out the forward windows. The room was vacant now except for the two of them, and one of the few reasons why she even approached Derek was a feeling that something was off. "Reliving past experiences or wondering if you should have done something differently?"

"A little of both. Reliving the attack on Engineering, while wondering what would have happened if I had known about the evil plans in motion..." Derek sighed. Things might have been different, but they might not have. "I know that it's all said and done with, but it is..an emotional thing to do, to wonder if you could have done it differently.." He glanced over at her with blue eyes, in a rather somber mood. There was something he would bring up, but only when the time was right.

"Mmm," she mused, leaning back in the chair and sampling her chamomile. "I think if I had known," Jenni suggested, "I would have got off at the last port." She'd still've been an engineer, and she would still have her mother's violin. She returned Derek's sideward glance, sensing his melancholy downturn. "I guess that's what hindsight is for, to learn from mistakes."

"And if I had known..I would have confronted it. And that wouldn't have ended well for anyone aboard the ship." Derek replied quietly. "But that is why I chronicle history..learn from the past, and learn from others. In the end, it makes us better.." He sighed. "It's depressing me, to talk about the old ship. We both lost things on it..but that chapter of history should be closed soon."

"One could hope," Jenni replied. "Spoke to Admiral Montgomery today. Seems that I'm going to be a permanent fixture around here for a while, helping this ship... it's crew get up to speed. Makes me wish..." her voice trailed off to take another sip of the chamomile.

Derek didn't immediately reply, reading the moment and emotion present. "..that more had survived? or that perhaps..you had something that was lost?"

Holding her cup close to her mouth, she looked at the man beside her. "Am I that easy to read?" she asked. Slowly, she lowered the cup onto the table. As she was still in uniform, she reached up and pulled off her badge. "This is it." She tossed it on the table next to her cup. "That's all I got to keep. My uniform... hell, even my underwear... not even worth saving."

She clasped her hands, and rubbed them just slightly. "Shouldn't matter really. Stuff is stuff." She stared at the combadge, almost as if it served as a bitter reminder.

"No..I just got lucky." Derek replied modestly. "Stuff isn't just stuff. It is the physical reminder of your story. The good times and the bad. What family gave you, and what good friends gave you along the way. I've lost a lot over my life. Reminders of my home, my travels....my team." he bit his lip somberly, looking at the combadge as well. "Consider it this way.." he briefly gave, reaching for her hand, and placing it over the badge..and then placed his hand over hers. "Perhaps the one thing you got to keep is the most important." he indicates the badge on his chest as well. "The symbol of the ties that bind a crew together. Flowers may wither and die...but they also grow anew."

Jenni almost resisted the moment he took her hand, but there was a sensation of comfort that rippled up her arm as he finished the demonstration. She felt the outline of the gold and silver communicator under her hand and thought about how many stories it could tell. It was still the one she was issued at the academy. Having been an engineer for all her career, she'd performed many tweaks and upgrades to it, keeping it running well past its expected life.

Alas, it was replaceable, just as it was designed to be. "I wish it was the most important." She had a few pictures, thanks to her brother and the family archives. "I lost my mother's violin," she confessed. "It was the last piece of her any of us had. Now she's gone forever."

He paused for a long moment...any lesser man would have berated himself for being an idiot. But he said nothing. Letting it hang in the air. The emotion behind the confession struck a nerve and he understood just how deeply it had hurt her. "I'm sorry." he murmured quietly. "Now I understand...why you've taken this a little harder than one might initially believe." Giving her hand a gentle squeeze, he continued. "The only thing more precious than the violin is something that can't be taken from you. Your memories of your mother, the good times, the melody of her playing, and of you following her footsteps. They remain within you. Her will lives on..through you. And perhaps one day, your melody will be heard anew."

A pause happened, giving her time to take in those words, before he lightly sighed, hoping he had not said too much. His intent was to comfort her. But over-doing it? Well. He was no counselor. Just a good man capable of mistakes like anyone else.

She smiled. Looking up for the combadge for the first time, Jenni looked at him and offered a word of thanks. She then shifted her gaze to the piece of cloth he'd held when she first approached him. "Doesn't quite take away the sting though." She took her other hand and placed it on his as another display of gratitude. "But, you're right. Life moves on."

"The sting will heal. given time. And you are welcome." Derek gave in responce, smiling slightly at her. Noting her gaze to the balaclava, he looks back at her. "You have a question?" A gentle prompt, to encourage her curiosity.

She lifted her hand which was on top of the pile and indicated the cloth. "A... memory of yours?" Jenni wasn't sure what else to call it, thinking it seemed to be unusual.

"Yeah." Derek nodded quietly..taking a deep breath. "A memory of my old team. With the Breen threat increasing, six ..volunteers, were recruited for a classified augmentation program. It was top-secret, meant to augment a person and place them, once within a suit of Hazard armor, on equal footing with your normal Breen. They were used as test subjects for the project. I was the last. We were commissioned as Tier One, under the Marines. The best of the best, or so they said. This.." he gave, indicating the mask, "Didn't come into play until one summer in 2385.."

One week ago, that information would have startled Jenni. Having seen ex-Borg, androids, cybernetic security officers, and even a Romulan with spots, hearing of augmentation programs no longer sparked surprise. She'd even seen Breen brutality first hand. Jenni thought of Sir Newton, An equal reaction... Rather than prod the story along, Jenni sat quiet to allow him to continue the story.

"Operation Sand Viper. My team, and 54 Marines were sent to a class-M planet in the Unity Sector. Our objective? to force five hundred Klingon and Romulan marauders back from a civilian hospital, and keep its occupants alive. For three days, we held our ground, but the enemy numbers were too great. The sixty were cut down to fifteen. We wouldn't last another night, and the enemy knew it. So we evacuated the hospital and sent only one man to lead the way. The rest of us returned to the line." he paused. "This story gets rather brutal, towards the end. I can summarize the ending, or recite it as the legend tells it." She was being given a choice, since he didn't know if she would like hearing the brutal details.

Jenni gave an awkward smile. "A summary will do nicely," she replied, not wanting at all to hear the brutality. There was a reason she avoided extended periods of sleep, and she wasn't ready to add other images to that.

"I figured as much. Let's just say that of the remaining enemy fighters, only one survived. A Klingon. He was picked up in the desert wandering aimlessly, traumatized. Spoke to anyone who would listen of a force so unbeatable, that it could only be described as supernatural. He called them something in his native tongue which translates to "Ghosts." It was after this, that the Admiralty began to re-think my team. Under pretense of morality and declaring that we don't use living beings for test subjects, they broke up my team, and dealt with the other Marines that survived. Since, if it were known that the Federation had a hand in the result of that operation, it would ruin their image." He paused for a moment before continuing, "My team leader and I were sent to the Katana. The others, were split up. And gave their lives against the Breen. Sacrificed. I am the last survivor of my team, and Starfleet would like nothing better than to hear that their little project had disappeared completely." One could tell that there was a healthy skepticism there. A fire of anger against far away people who didn't understand the truth of the situation. And yet, just as soon as the anger had appeared, it had passed. "I can do nothing about the lost ties, the lost familes. But I can do something about how I carry on from now on."

She did her best to keep her imagination from filling in the blanks. "I'm sorry for your loss," Jenni told him, still keeping her hand under his. She'd lost a memory, but he'd lost the equivalent of a brother. Memories indeed were long-lasting, but lives were bound to the grave. She'd no idea either that he'd lost someone so close aboard Katana. "We all lost more family than anyone wanted to on that ship."

"Yeah.." he quietly squeezed her hand. "We were headed for the evac point, Breen blocked the way. We cleared them out together, but then more appeared behind us. One look from him and I knew what he was asking of me. I could have been weak or emotional, but all I did was salute him and tell him it was an honor. He replied that the honor was his, and shoo'd me away. I ran on. His story will never be forgotten. About how he took six people and forged them into legends. Into heroes who deserve the highest honors of the Federation, but will never get them."

Jenni smiled, hoping to bring a little warmth of her own to this conversation. "How we remember is more important than any honor that can be bestowed," she offered. Jenni reached over and picked up her cup of chamomile and raised it in the air, wishing for a second the liquid within the cup was a bit stronger and better suited for the following act. "To family."

"Wise words.." Derek was humbled for a moment by hearing such wisdom from one such as her. It made him glad that she had survived. The cup of green tea followed, and lightly clicked against hers after the words, "To family, and good friends." A side glance at her would place the implication that he spoke of her squarely into the light.

1st Lieutenant Derek Gordon
Marine XO
USS Katana

Lieutenant Jennifer Matthews
Assistant Chief of Intel
USS Katana

Liam entered the quarters he and the Captain-turned-boyfriend shared, the lights were all but off but in the dim starlight streaming in through the large windows he could see the form of the Captain sitting slumped on the couch. The quarters were a mess, clearly the trip had tossed things about and neither had bother to clean up yet. Without a word Liam crossed the room to the couch, sitting next to the other man he wrapped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him in so his head was against his shoulder.

Kris was slightly taken aback by the action. He had been so deeply lost in thought, but his head making contact with Liam's shoulder brought him back to reality and Kris let out a low, gentle moan. "Hey, gorgeous" said Kristopher, titling his head and looking up into Liam's eyes. "How are things down in Sickbay? Please tell me that we haven't lost anyone" asked Kris nervously.

"Nope, we're in pretty decent shape. Most of our serious were treated and those we rescued from Katana 2 weren't in too rough of shape." He said, pausing he let himself enjoy the feeling of a warm body next to him, pulling Kris closer he kissed him on the top of the head. "I talked to Jenni, well, their Jenni, it was an odd experience, she's so familiar but so different."

Kris smiled and reached up playing with Liam's hair. "I know the feeling" replied Kris, taking a deep breath and collapsing into a state of relaxation and affection. "Jenni was one of the first crew that I met, one of the first to become a friend to me. Between her and Sabrina Corbin, I wouldn't have lasted my first week here" admitted Kris.

He remembered the times that he had gotten lost trying to navigate the ship when he was anything but sober. "Talking to her...this Jenni is much like talking to the woman who was my Chief Engineer those first few months. It feels like old times, but not quite. There's the sting of reality when I remember how out of place we are."

Liam nodded, pulling Kris closer, he turned, leaned in and kissed the CO, "We'll get through this, we may not be able to get home, but we're both safe, we're together, we'll figure this out."

Kris smiled widely and looked into Liam's eyes. "Why is it that every time you say something, I always believe you. I always feel like everything is going to be alright and that nothing bad is going to happen" replied Kris. "We're together" repeated the Captain, his heart feeling as though it had been turned into the fluttering wings of a humming bird. "I know I am safe if I am in your arms."

"Always." He replied smiling, leaning in for another kiss, "Don't get wrong me I'm sure we're going to get into our fair share of shit in this universe, but we'll get through it."

Kris chuckled "Oh if there is anything that this crew had learned in the past several months, it is that I drag this starship through the darkest places and end up in the shittiest of situations. Yet, we always pull through."

"Now, let's go to bed, I'm exhausted." Liam said, pulling Kris to his feet and taking him to bed.

The Captain smiled. "I think I know a few things that may relax you, Doctor" replied Kris playfully as he teasingly ran his fingers trough Liam's hair. "If you aren't too exhausted that is is" added Kris.

He smirked, "I think I can managed to get some energy up."

It was early, Kris had already returned to the Bridge or his ready room, Liam was sitting at the desk in their quarters, normally used by Kris. He'd finally worked up the courage to search himself, see who the Liam Cohen of this universe was. It had been a slow process, there was no Liam Cohen serving in Starfleet, there hadn't been in the last 10 years. No Liam Cohen held a medical licence in the Federation.

Finally he found it, Liam Bryne, apparently his mother had retaken her maiden name after his father had been killed three months before he was born. His father had been killed in an apparent drug deal gone bad. It didn't make sense, the man he was reading about seemed like fiction, it wasn't the father he'd know. Yes his father was dead, but this isn't how it happened. His mother had fled Earth shortly after his birth, the social stigma that had come when his father's death became a news headline.

His mother had moved the family to a small backwater colony, Vantua VII, the colony had a large transient population. She had died when Liam was thirteen, the post mortem indicated she had died of a rare virus native to the Vantua system. For some reason the vaccination they'd all received hadn't work and she died.

Liam couldn't find record of his brother past that point, the Liam in this world had entered the foster care system, but a thirteen year old apparently was a desirable adoption case. He'd bounced around in care until he was 17, then the records stopped. An arrest in the Bajor sector when he was 20, a stint in prison in the Orion system at 22 for prostitution and drug possession. A few years later he popped up in a rehab centre on Betazed, a relapse two years after that, another arrest. Then nothing. Nothing in the last five years.

Liam felt sick, the overwhelming urge to vomit and cry at the same time. How could two people, identical for all intents and purposes he'd become an officer, a doctor, had a prosperous life, the Liam of this universe, a drug addict and a whore. Sure, he'd made questionable choices in his youth, done things he shouldn't have but how had it spiralled like this. Someone there wasn't even a recent record of, someone no one seemed to care about.

He somehow still saw part of himself in this other person, the booking photo of the latest arrest and eery reflection of himself. HIs nose had been broken, his jaw too by the looks of it. His hair was thinner, his eyes had a ghostly grey hue, years of drug abuse, violence, they left scars, the physical ones he could see in the photo and the ones he could almost sense lied below the surface. He shut the computer off, moving to the cupboard on the far side of the room he pulled out a bottle of whiskey, it had been a gift from Brennan on hearing of Liam's promotion shortly before the event, as some of the crew had come to call it. He took a long drag from the bottle, stoppered it and put it back. Did the potential for that life really exist in him, what if his father had died when he was young, instead of in his old age after seeing Liam graduate med school. His life without his brother, someone he was just realizing he'd never see again. The snickered comments they make to each other, Liam about Warren being a dumb jarhead, Warren about Liam being a nerd, but he knew he'd do anything for the other man.

His family was gone, not only was his family gone, but the family he knew didn't even exist in this universe. Outside this ship, he was alone.

There was nothing to calm a mind like the sight of stars whizzing by at warp. Her entire peripheral vision was flooded with hundreds of these stars set against the black velvet backdrop. Jenni crossed her arms as she stared mindlessly out in front.

"You must finish it."

Jenni was suddenly aware that she was sitting. She looked down, seeing the red cuffs she had discarded a few days prior. An open console was to her right, much like the one belonging to the first officer on Katana's bridge.

What was she doing on the bridge? This was no longer her place.

"You must finish it."

Jenni looked up, still turned to her right, to see a familiar blue face with antennae erect. She blinked and the face was suddenly burned and bloodied, as was the uniform he wore. "Redeem us," he spoke sullenly. "Finish what we started."

She gasped, quickly rising from the chair. The bridge was dark and dreary, attempting to hide massive amounts of damage in the dim lighting. As she backed away, she hit something. Her reflexes kicked in and spun around, as did the helmsman she backed into. Jenni gasped, looking upon the burnt and disfigured face of the Vulcan helmsman once more.

"Destination, Captain?" the helmsman asked with a raspy voice.

"No, no, no..." she muttered, backing away from both dead men, only to trip over a body she couldn't see. Jenni fell to the floor with a thud. The body was laying face down, but the head turned ever so smoothly. Though it too was marred, she could again recognize the face as Zanaar.

"What are you waiting for?"

Jenni started to scurry backwards and quickly found her back against the wall. Her heart and breathing were now operating at a rapid pace.

"Save them." Zanaar's black eyes shone with vibrance, as if they could see into Jenni's soul. "From him."

Jenni shot up and ran off of the damaged bridge, sparks flying from above in tandem with every step she took. The corridor was dimmer than the bridge, but it was enough to make out the bodies that covered the floor. Several were burned and bloodied. Others bore the markings of weapons fire.

In fact, she could make out the sounds of weapon discharges in the distance, both Breen and Starfleet.

Tears began to fall down her face as she recognized members of the senior staff, and the engineers she served with. She remained standing right where she was, doing her best to fight back sobs. The moment of her diaphragm was making that extremely difficult. She couldn't stay here. Jenni stepped over the first body, not really sure where she was going yet.

"Stop him..." came a weak voice underneath her feet.

Jenni looked down to see a face staring up at her. The voice repeated the words again, just as sullen as he did before. She stepped over the next body, that of a friend of hers in the science department. "Stop him..." chorused both voices.

She started to move quicker. Every body she stepped over joined in the chorus. It grew louder and louder, and there seemed to be no end to the winding corridor. She had to get out. Panting from fatigue in between sobs, Jenni finally found a door. She pounded the control panel beside it, trying to force it to open. It seemed like she stood there for minutes when it finally opened.

A bright light shone from the other side of the door, encompassing a figure in a silhouette. He had a phaser raised, pointed at her forehead. Jenni, frozen in fear, locked her gaze on the shining yet crazed eyes. Kerouac said nothing, but the phaser emitter began to glow. Jenni screamed and stumbled backwards. She fell on the floor and held her hands up in front of her. "No!" she shouted, turning her head and closing her eyes, still using her outstretched hands in a vain attempt to block the oncoming blast.

The commotion at Commander M'rayr Eisovo's doorway had been unexpected. Not only because it was late, but also because he'd been 'encouraged' to utilize some of his leave time while undergoing therapeutic treatment at the hands of Counselor Grae. As the electronic klaxon had already chimed several times in the short amount of to rise out of bed, he assumed the matter was semi-urgent. And then there was a scream, one that startled him. The Caitian, despite having just woken up, sprang into action and made his way towards the door quickly. The doorway sensor picked up his movement and opened.

M'rayr looked up, left, and right: nothing. He looked down, and found a trembling woman tucked tightly into a ball with her hands extended towards some unseen enemy. Unless that enemy is me, he thought in the back of his mind. His encounter with Jhu t'Dharvanek had not yet slipped into a category of his mind that didn't require him to think about it constantly.

No. It wasn't him that Jenni Matthews was afraid of. Kneeling down in front of her and carefully gripping her by the shoulders -- (M'rayr had become a little more cognizant of his size and strength as of late) -- he squeezed her arms gently and called her name. "Lieutenant Matthews?" He asked low and neutral. In the back of his mind, he wondered if something had happened. Perhaps the ship was under attack, or she'd seen something that terrified her. Compared to his being accustomed to seeing her only in uniform, she was wearing what he could only presume was her nightwear. He wouldn't know what was happening until he understood it from her. "Are you alright, Lieutenant?"

Jenni felt something grab her arms, though the slight amount of pressure meant little to her. "No!" she gasped. Her lungs had been quickly inhaling and exhaling, almost to the point of hyperventilation, thus there was little left for her voice to make use of. Her head was turned to the side when her eyes reopened. She was not wanting to look at the horror that was approaching her, but she could tell that the dim corridor had been brightened by the light shining through the open doorway. She wanted to scream again, but now there was nothing left for her voice. All she could do was put what little energy she had left into shaking off whatever gripped her arms.

M'rayr withdrew his hold of her quickly, and for a brief moment seemed uncertain as to what he should do. He didn't want to shake her more vigorously as doing so might harm her, but he needed to find a way to snap her out of whatever state it was that she was in. Returning to his quarters for a moment, he returned with a small watering can he used to tend to the flowers occupying his living room. Extracting the lid, the Caitian sighed audibly; either Jenni would be grateful for what he was about to do, or extremely vex with him. Returning one paw to her shoulder, he tilted the watering can over her head with the other. Its cold contents gushed out of the opening and onto her head.

Jenni didn't have time to register the pressure on the shoulder when her nerves when all in unison shouted one word -- COLD -- and gave her body a new reason to hyperventilate. She dropped her hands and started to look around. The bodies, the smoke, the sounds of weapon fire... all were gone. Her rapid breathing began to slow, and Jenni felt wet. She looked down, saw that her black cami and shorts were indeed dripping. They were tight to begin with, and the water did its part to make the clothing hug her form more. She looked up to find the silhouette of a... Caitian standing there and his paw resting on her shoulder. Her breathing continued to slow and she took note of the watering can in the Commander's other paw. "Thanks..." she said softly, her strength and energy weakened by whatever state she'd been in. "I think..."

M'rayr opened his mouth to speak, but closed it before anything could come out. There were at least half a dozen questions that he wanted to ask her, but right now she was sitting in the corridor, wet, and cold. He bent one of his paws in front of her and gestured for her to take it so he could help her up. There were towels in his quarters that she could use to dry off. And if she so required, a sonic shower. But right now, Jenni hardly looked like she could stand easily on her own. "Is everything alright?" He did ask, helping to steady her. Whether there was something wrong with her or something wrong with the ship was an item he needed to know.

She wasn't sure why her hand and arm were shaking when she reached out to his paw. Though her breaths were now regular, she could still feel something surging in her body. "Not really..." she said, almost sheepishly. As he steadied her, she looked around the corridor once more. "One minute, I..." Jenni closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead with her free hand. "...How'd I get here?"

"I am uncertain," M'rayr admitted. He glanced along both ends of the corridor. It was late. And he suspected that most of the crew were asleep in their beds. Much like he'd been until a few minutes ago. Looking back to Jenni and recalling the fact that he just poured a container of cold water on her, he stepped sideways, allowing her a clear path back to his quarters. "You may utilize my facilities to dry yourself," he paused, appearing as though he were considering his next words. "You were upset. I will also replicate some Darjeeling tea. It will help to sooth your nerves while we discuss this."

She looked down, unable to inspect her condition in the dim corridor lighting. From the way her wet clothes held her body, however, she did not want to head back to her stateroom. "Thanks," Jenni replied. Having accepted the invitation, Jenni entered M'rayr's quarters. She'd been there once before, but she was most familiar with the layout of senior officer's rooms. Thus, she nearly staggered into the washroom. Jenni placed her hands on either side of the sink and looked at herself in the mirror. She hadn't been entirely soaked, but just enough to mat her hair and wet her camisole. Her eyes were slightly bloodshot and her face pale.

Jenni bowed her head and closed her eyes, embarrassed not just by her appearance, but also in bewilderment in how she got here. The last thing she remembered...

Bodies...

Smoke...

A phaser...

Those crazed eyes...

Her eyes shot open. Jenni turned on the sink and splashed some water on her face. She then reached for a towel and began to dry her hair while her eyes focused on her clothing. Jenni thought about asking for M'rayr to replicate a robe, but her nocturnal activities had caused enough of an imposition. Still, she removed the cami and wrapped the towel around her chest, covering what needed to be concealed. She wrung the cami into the sink a couple times to rid it of the excess water and draped it over the shower rod. It would dry enough for her to head back to her quarters in a little while.

In the other room, M'rayr had already replicated two glasses of Darjeeling tea and set them on the dining table. Caitian social and taboo norms were quite different from humans; it wouldn't be an inconvenience for him to come up upon other Caitians like K'larri or Dekusa while they were washing, but he doubted Jenni would be quite so open to the idea. Sitting at the table, he adjusted the placement and angle of the mugs several times.

When Jenni didn't emerge from the bathroom even several minutes later, the Caitian looked to the doorway. "Do you require anything?" He asked, keeping the tone of his voice helpful.

Jenni froze, about to leave the washroom. His helpful tone was indeed welcome, and now she felt embarrassed by not thinking to ask for at least something besides a towel to cover herself in. "D..." she started to say, almost biting her tongue. She really didn't want to impose. But walking around the XO's cabin in just a towel and shorts simply did not seem appropriate. She peeked her head out of the washroom and spotted M'rayr at the table. "Do you have a shirt or a covering I can use for a bit?" Yes, her mind chimed in. Because wearing the XO's clothing would make this even better...

There was the sound of a chair moving, and then sounds of what Jenni could only assume was rummaging through a closet before a furry arm extended through the doorway. Clasped in its paw was one of M'rayr's undershirts.

"Thanks," Jenni said, taking the undershirt and dipping back into the washroom. She dropped the towel and pulled the shirt over her head, taking note of how loosely it fit. Jenni hung the towel over the curtain rod and pulled the remainder of her hair out from under the shirt's collar, letting its dampness adhere the garment to the back of her neck.

Now comfortable enough to be seen, she stepped out of the washroom to find M'rayr sitting at a table with a cup of tea. She smiled as she approached and sat down at the table. "Thank you," she said, picking up the cup and taking in its fragrance. "I'm sorry I woke you."

M'rayr smiled back knowingly. Even he looked a little tired around the edges, as though sleep hadn't been coming easily to him lately. "You did not wake me." Cupping the hot mug in both hands, M'rayr allowed the heat to almost begin to sear into his skin while he looked to Jenni. His expression unchanged. "Nevertheless, I was not expecting you. Can you explain what it was that caused you to arrive at my doorstep?"

Jenni was about to take a sip and paused right before the warm cup would meet her lip. Jenni released a deep breath and returned the cup to the table, taking a moment to stare at the ripples in the liquid it contained. "I'm..." She sighed once more before confessing, "I'm not sure. I remember going to bed, late." She scoffed, thinking that this wasn't really any later in the overnight. "Then I remember seeing stars. Bodies..."

An image of Kerouac pointing a phaser at her head caused her to immediately stiffen in her chair along with a sudden, but small, gasp.

M'rayr reached a paw over and put it over the palm of one hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You had a nightmare," he said, even though he knew exactly what she was talking about, and that dreams like that were not simple nightmares. There was something about the look on her face and in her eyes that he recognized... largely because he'd had that look before.

Instinctively, Jenni reversed her hand and held the paw in a firm grasp. She looked up and met M'rayr's gaze. "Nightmare doesn't begin to describe what just happened," she quipped. In her stupor, she must've sleepwalked up a couple decks and to the XO's cabin. Part of her wondered why her subconscious brought her here. Perhaps it was an expectation of the comfort her hand now felt. The images began to become clear in her mind and started to replay. She closed her eyes and shook her head. "It's getting worse," she said, her eyes starting to tear up.

There was an instant of unexpected surprise in M'rayr's expression when Jenni took his hand in hers. It elicited a reaction he wasn't accustomed to -- closeness. This from a woman he barely knew or understood, at least not until he took into consideration their common pain. Then he saw the agony return to her face. He would have pitied her had he not been in the exact place as she. His digit brushed the back of her hand without him being aware of the motion. "You can tell me what happened, Jennifer," he said. As much as he felt like he was being pushed to open up to her, he was determined to focus on her problems instead.

"I was back there," she began, her tone soft. It wasn't a struggle to remember, rather a resistance to the memories. "My Katana. My friends. My family. Everywhere I walk, there are the bodies of those who did not survive." Jenni shook her head. "I've been seeing them every time I close my eyes or whenever my mind wanders off. "Tonight... tonight was different. They were speaking. Zanaar. Barnes. Gomez. All of them, saying... something." Her mind still wasn't perfectly clear and now began to ache. Though she did not want to, she closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead with her free hand.

M'rayr nodded. He looked at her, knowing that the two of them probably understood each other more than anybody else on this ship. "Do you know what they were saying?" He asked. By no means was M'rayr a counselor, nor would he know how to fully interpret her dream. But he could at least listen. Maybe it would be enough.

Jenni didn't want to go back there. All she wanted were these visions or whatever they were to stop. Holding in her emotions, perhaps, is what caused this to come to such a unfortunate head. Biting her lip as an attempt to keep it from wavering, Jenni opened her eyes and looked out the nearby viewport, seeing the stars beyond the confines of the Intrepid-class vessel. Minutes seemed to pass (it was mere moments really) until she heard the faint voice of a deceased man say, "You must finish it." What she didn't realize was that her voice quietly repeated those four words to the person sitting beside her at the table.

M'rayr squeezed her hand more firmly, hoping that by doing so that he'd be able to keep her from drifting off a second time. He was suddenly quite reluctant to continue pursuing a better understanding of what she dreamt about. One thing was for certain, he didn't believe that it was in Jenni's best interests to return to her quarters alone. Nor was he inclined to contact either of the Katana's two counselors. Despite how effective Lia Grae had been during their most recent session, they were experiences he wouldn't wish willingly on anyone. Too often, the wound had to be pealed back before it could be mended.

"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another."

Jenni blinked, suddenly freed from the hypnotic starfield. She looked at M'rayr. His words were kind and welcome, but she did know how to respond. Usually, she would see rank before a person, especially with officers senior in the chain of command. Tonight was not one of those nights. No words existed, at least in her sleep deprived mind, to explain what she was feeling. Her eyes drifted downward, noticing for the first time what she was holding. Jenni did not want to let go, but already she could feel sleep calling her. Even now, she did not speak as whatever inspired her nocturnal wandering and sudden wakeup no longer willed any energy for conversation.

It seemed that M'rayr had no need to convey what the expression, once written by an Italian film maker on earth, meant. He smiled, and for the first time it didn't feel like one he had to force. But he was certain of the connection they shared, even if it was one produced by horror, death, and loss. Helping Jenni out of her chair, M'rayr carefully guided her towards his bedroom. "You may rest in my quarters tonight, Ms. Matthews," he said, helping her into the warm bed.

She didn't even try and fight him. It was as if with every step sleep fortified itself, weighing her limbs down and her eyelids. Jenni couldn't even thank him as she was placed under the bedspread. Her eyes closed the moment her head touched a pillow. "Jenni," she whispered, drawing whatever final energy she could. "Call me Jenni." Despite her condition, she did not want protocol or chivalry to be the last sound in her ears before yielding to the night.

Soft pings from an alarm clock comprised of light and energy roused Commander M’rayr Eisovo from his deep sleep. He was grateful, perhaps now more than ever, that Maica and Senior Chief Petty Officer Andrea Carter had encouraged him to replicate several weeks earlier. Otherwise, with his late night guest asleep in the bed, he would have been forced to sleep on the floor. While doing so wouldn't have been terrible, the couch was preferable.

Sweeping a paw through the golden alarm clock, M’rayr silenced its alarm, and then yawned, stretched, and rose. He moved towards the bedroom and found Jenni exactly where he’d left her. Although she was completely wrapped in sheets made of Caitian silk, she looked very peaceful.

If there was one thing that the Caitian species was particularly well known for, it was their love of all things beautiful. And despite the fact that Jenni was hairless, lacked pheromone pores, joint-fused legs, and a tail, the way she slept that reminded him subtly of a Caitian sunrise.

It was unfortunate that the circumstances he found her in last night were anything but…

Moving along the bedside, M’rayr regarded the number of ways he could attempt to wake Jenni. Contrary to last evening, dousing her in cold fluids wasn’t something he thought as necessary. But waking her while looming directly above her didn’t feel wise, either.

M'rayr reluctantly pulled himself into a sitting position near the corner of the bed as he reached out with a paw and squeezed her shoulder gently. “Lieutenant,” whispered M'rayr, despite the fact that Jenni had for a brief moment been at the tip of his tongue.

"Hmhmmm..." came from Jenni as she stirred in the bed. Her eyes didn't open just yet, and though her body was waking plesantly--for the first time in several nights--Jenni's mind could not help but recount several of the events from last night. She remembered considering, no, attempting to play Maica's loaned violin, but no song came to her. There was also the usual late night walk, circling Deck Nine for more than an hour.

But why was the bed so comfortable? She wasn't complaining, but surely she'd remember changing the sheets.

Jenni's eyes fluttered open, allowing a blurred form to come into focus as the ship's executive officer.

And then she remembered. The nightmare. The water. The hand holding. Everything.

She didn't panic, nor could she. Jenni could not explain it, but her body was relaxed, and her mind comfortable. The morning's energy began to surge through her body, but it was the sight of the Caitian that prompted her to smile ever so slightly. "G'morning." The smile grew larger with, "Commander."

Something made M'rayr smile back. And not the sort of forced smile he generally used in order to emulate or otherwise approximate for a humanoid smile. It felt Caitian through and through. He hadn’t known himself to smile like that in a long time. "Good morning," he said, a high pitched vibration rising from his esophagus while he put his paw on the mattress beside her. He then realized how ridiculous the look on his face must have looked and reigned it in, clearing his throat with a cough. “Your shift is due to begin shortly. I apologize. As I am on leave, I forgot to set an alarm for a proper time.”

When she was an engineer, Jenni often found that being deep in the belly of the whale she was out of the loop on a lot of the activities of the senior staff. Being an Assistant Chief tied to a desk kept her even more distant. She had no idea M'rayr was on leave. Her mind instantly pondered the reasonings. The changes this crew had experienced were drastic, and perhaps the Caitian dealt with more a share than he expected.

And then it registered in her mind the fact that she was late. Instantly, she sat up in the bed. The sheets fell into her lap as Jenni looked down, realizing she was in the Commander's clothing. She immediately thought of the implications of walking out of the Commander's quarters in his clothing. She wasn't sure what scuttlebutt was navigating the ship, but she was certain she'd be at the top of the list today. Jenni couldn't even leave the quarters in her own nightwear, knowing the rumors would be just as strong.

Centuries ago, this would be a problem. Thankfully, the Katana was fitted with more than a fair share of replicators. She turned to M'rayr with a shy yet nervous smile. It wasn't embarrassment actually that prompted this expression, but a sudden return of fearing she'd be imposing once more. "May I use your shower?"

Suddenly, the implications hit M'rayr. There would be a woman in his shower. Thoughts of whatever hair particles he might have left over from his previous shedding made the Caitian wary, although he wasn't sure why. Scooting himself out of the way in a somewhat dignified manner, M'rayr gestured towards the closed door next to the bedroom that lead to his sonic shower and facilities. He could only hope that his attention to detail and cleanliness would be sufficient. "You may," he said, the initiating pitch of his voice a little higher in octave than he intended.

From a first officers perspective, the notion of replicating clothing and a comm-badge (not to mention undergarments), seemed extremely unorthodox. And yet M'rayr decided to despite this. It was as if something laid itself into his mind that made him less the generally aloof Caitian that he was accustomed to being.

The moment M'rayr had scooted away, Jenni leapt out of the bed and slipped into the washroom. She did inquire the computer for the time. Armed with the knowledge that she had a few more minutes than she thought she did, but still not enough for her usual shower regimen, Jenni undressed and stepped into the shower. As the sound waves massaged her body, she felt the struggle in her body between relaxation and urgency to prepare herself for her shift.

It was still foreign to her, not reporting to the engine room or the bridge. Thousands of records required updating in the computer, a task normally suited for an algorithm to overwrite and update. But it was the briefings and the memos that had to be assembled for departments, whether it was a foreign policy update for Maica or a technical spec for Avi that consumed her time. She still needed to get a fresh tool kit from the quartermaster. Jenni may be--in this case, figuratively--wearing a black intelligence uniform, but she was still an engineer at heart. Maybe tinkering would help her release whatever was building up inside of her. If she had time today, she'd have to look up what was standard equipment for Intelligence officers and have those items replicated.

Or at least get the technical specs for them. The technology on this ship was four years old, and certainly could use some updating. The EPS grid alone was substandard. She'd have to talk to Avi about seeing if she could help with cycling out several of the conduits with newer, energy-efficient models.

Maybe when all of this was done, she'd request a transfer back to Engineering as an Assistant Chief. Or, if she could finally work past all of these reports and file updates and briefings, she might enjoy being an intelligence officer. After all, looking through the various types of paperwork caused Jenni to learn about countless political situations, as well as procedures covert or otherwise. Or she could even seriously look into research and development of personal devices. That could be exciting!

Jenni blinked, realizing that she'd stood still in the shower for far too long. She deactivated the shower and moved to the sink to examine her hair. Not being in her quarters only accentuated the fact that she was without a hair brush or ties or clips. Jenni was used to wearing her hair down, but it needed a little work. She spotted a brush nearby. Jenni picked it up and immediately noticed the hair caught between the bristles. She stood there for a minute, debating whether or not she was desperate enough to use it.

And that's when she realized the door behind her, which was not hers, was open.

Quickly, Jenni grabbed a nearby towel and wrapped herself in it. Not knowing where the brush had been, she set it back where she'd found it. As a courtesy, she folded the undershirt M'rayr let her borrow and left it next to the sink. She put on her cami which was still a little damp, and then her underwear and shorts. Jenni consulted the computer again for time and exited the washroom. She was bound for the replicator when she saw M'rayr had thought to do it for her. Jenni smiled at him, politely took the uniform and slipped back into the washroom to dress.

M'rayr had glanced upward, perhaps having just adjusted a mug of coffee for the umpteenth time, making sure it's placement on the table was satisfactory. He'd heard as to how long females typically took in the shower, but it had been a long time since he'd been able to confirm that fact himself. Stopping a re-positioning of her mug at the last moment, his brows rose in unexpecting surprise. But by the time he could even regard what to say or how to say it, the human woman had vanished back into the washroom.

The Caitian cleared his throat, adjusting for the haste in which Jenni retreated. "Er, would you like some breakfast..." he asked, finishing with a "Lieutenant?"

She had noticed the mugs on the table when she picked up her uniform. Pushing aside another fleeting thought about imposing, she recalled the time she'd dropped by a few days ago at the breakfast hour and the Caitian's sharing of his customary meal. Jenni knew better than to deny the invitation. "Sure!" she called out as she pulled up her pants and clasped them.

Jenni quickly put on the black shirt and pulled the standard issue jacket over her body. Thankfully, the computer never forgot anyone's size, and the uniform fit just as snug as the one she left in her quarters. She made sure the combadge was assigned to her, overriding again the one in her stateroom and placed it on her jacket. Jenni looked in the mirror to examine herself, wishing she had a bit of mascara for her eyes. Maybe her SO wouldn't notice.

Yeah, she will... her mind warned. The Commander is a woman and the Head of Intelligence.

Jenni pushed aside all thoughts of how her morning would go when she stepped into the Intelligence office and pulled down the uniform jacket to remove the last of the wrinkles. Then she exited the washroom and approached M'rayr at the table, smiling as she did.

Traditionally, Caitains were obligated to dedicate a small portion of each meal to the Mrawnor -- the Caitian Goddess and creator of life. The affair was intensely private, and was not something often observed by outside races like Tellerites, Andorians, Vulcans, or even Humans. The last time Jenni had visited his quarters, M'rayr had just finished his prayers and was thus allowed to consume food.

But he wouldn't have time this morning. Gratefully, M'rayr was still technically on leave and would be able to do so as soon as Jenni had departed. So while there were two mugs of hot coffee waiting on the table, there was only one plate containing what M'rayr assumed would be appropriate for a human female - a warm bagel. A small container of cream cheese waited to be opened nearby.

M'rayr in the meantime sat at the table holding up a PaDD which contained some of the latest sensor reports. Just because he was on leave didn't mean he couldn't keep up with the affairs of the ship. As Jenni came up to the table and took the free chair, he glanced up and smiled back, moving his own mug another millimeter to the right as he did so.

"I hope that will be sufficient," he said, referring to the bagel.

"It's perfect," she replied with a grin. Jenni pulled the two slices apart before picking up the nearby container of cream cheese. She was never one to so generously apply the spread, and she followed suit here by putting on just enough for the first slice and taking a bite. As she chewed, Jenni glanced down at the coffee, noting the amount of steam coming up from the liquid and wondering just how much she'd be able to finish before going to the office. She always preferred a metal to-go canister when walking around the ship, something easily closed should she have to crawl inside a Jefferies tube or stand at a console. Such a simple liquid was enough to bring down a warp core that took months to rebuild.

Looking back up at M'rayr, Jenni could tell he was reviewing some kind of report, so she chose to look out the viewport at the stars while she continued her breakfast.

It didn't matter how fast she tried to eat the bagel, Jenni knew time was getting short. She had a habit for arriving just a little early, something her "twin" was also known for, and she wasn't about to break the habit. She felt now that she was working in Intelligence, every move she made was either watched or forced to have meaning. Perhaps it was an over exaggeration of a fleeting perception, but it was a luxury she could not afford, knowing she'd just spent the night in the XO's quarters.

Jenni took a drink of her coffee and placed the mug back on the table. "Thank you for everything, Commander," Jenni said with a smile as she stood up from the table. Nodding to the Caitian as she picked up the other half of the bagel, Jenni turned and headed for the door.

The Caitian managed a curt nod in Jenni's direction while his eyes didn't take their attention off the report. But by the time she was close to reaching the door, he thought to say something. "Lieutenant?" He began, waiting until she turned around before continuing. He smiled warmly towards her. "Despite the circumstances, your company has been... welcome. My door is open if you ever wish to talk about anything."

Jenni returned his smile with an exuberant one. The invitation was welcome though she wasn't sure how soon she'd take him up on it. She did not know him when she first came on board, but he'd been one of the first to extend a helping hand. When she was ready to talk, she'd seek him out. "Have a good day," she told him before disappearing out the door.

Although it was barely eleven in the morning, Valerie felt the gnawings of hunger rumbling around inside her digestive tract. Perhaps skipping breakfast for a third consecutive day had been an unwise decision. The Mess Hall wasn't far from her quarters and was eager to get a fresh pot of coffee. She quickly put on her uniform and made her way there.

His duty shift didn't start until later. So he had forgone wearing his uniform jacket and simply showed up in the Mess Hall in his uniform pants, boots, and a muscle t-shirt. Derek would head for the replicator to make some tea and to see how different the breakfast menu here was...

Val was standing in front of the replicator ordering a simple bagel with coffee. Once the food materialized she lifted up the tray and turned around and caught herself from accidentally bumping into the person behind her. "Oh, my apologize..." she said with a smile as her red eyes met Derek's blue orbs. "... Derek. I almost didn't notice you were behind me." She gave him friendly nod and made her way to one of the empty tables.

"Suppose I'm getting well known already.." He muttered at the fact she knew his name without him introducing himself. "Sorry about that." he gave, retrieving his food. Red eyes, huh? The girl had, at the very least, caught his attention. "I believe you have me at a disadvantage, Ensign..." The historian trailed off, awaiting a response, mainly a name.

"Valerie Circe." She smiled, "Would you like to join me, since you are curious about me?" She lowered the tray and took a seat the table. "I knew your name because I sensed it. I'm telepathic."

Telepathic? That explained a lot. He nodded, casually setting his tray down across from her. "Certainly." Derek gave in his usual accented tone. Taking a sip of his green tea, he looks at her again. "Tell me about you then, since you already know that I'm a Listener and something of a historian too."

"An El-Aurian... that would explain why your thoughts echo in my mind. Usually the thoughts are precise and clear. With El-Aurians I notice there is a faint echo effect." She shrugged as she opened her bagel and started smearing cream cheese on it with her butter knife. "I'm 24, I turn 25 next month. I'm half Halanan and a fourth Betazoid & Angosian. My telepathic abilities left me in an catatonic state until I was 10 years old. I don't know my birth parents. I woke up in the Vulcan Health & Research Center run by the Science Ministry. At 15 I was transferred to the Betazoid Health Commission to test and advance my abilities and other examinations of my genetic structure. I wasn't given my independence until my 18th birthday where I decide to pursue a career in Starfleet."

"An experiment.." he murmured..committing her words to memory. "At least it was done for the right reasons." the man added, taking stock of his own breakfast, a pair of pancakes. The Earth delicacy was best with syrup, and thus he employed it. "I would comment upon your species make-up, but I'm a hybrid myself."

"Yes... your personality gives off the cool logic of a Vulcan." She commented as she cut her bagel in half. "A very unique pairing. Were you close with your parents?"

"And the nerve pinch comes in handy. Only used the mind meld a few times, though." Derek shrugged, "As close as one could be to a clash of ideologies. They could not agree on a name for me, so a third party decided it and they accepted it."

Valerie nodded, "My name was given to me by the nurse that found me at the hospital of Angosia III." She took a bite of her bagel and chewed slowly. Once she swallowed she asked, "Is there anything else you wish to know for your chronicles?"

"How did you come to be aboard this ship? What was your experience like at the Academy?" Derek asked, before pausing. "Sorry if it seems like I'm interrogating you."

Val tilted her head and eyed him curiously, "You are an historian who chronicles the life of those you serve with; asking questions seems to be a necessary procedure to achieve your objective." She smiled and quickly cleaned her lips with a napkin, "I was assigned to this vessel after I graduated. I have no complaints with my time at the Academy, it was a very educational and liberating experience."

"I imagine it was." Derek replied thoughtfully, lapsing into silence. He seemed to have a pretty good handle on her story, until.. "Have you formed any bonds during your time here?"

Valerie nodded, "I am currently dating Will Morgan, the Assistant Operations Officer."

"I see. And how would you describe him?" He'd find the other man later to get his story, but hearing a view of him from his date would be interesting.

"He is a very sweet man, caring. He is personable and can be passionate, and on a shallow note he is very attractive." Valerie had a wide smile on her face for a moment before regaining her composure. "What about you?"

"I ...haven't, yet." He shrugged. "Not in that way, anyway." Casual sidestep. "I hope to meet more people, though."

Valerie nodded, "I understand, you are in a difficult position. It's hard to find a species that are as longed lived as El-Aurians."

"Yes. How do you pursue a traditional relationship when you are likely to outlive the other?" Derek mused aloud.

"Well there is a way medically to alter your physical appearance and make yourself seem to be aging along with your mate... and then you can commit suicide to die along side them." Val spoke bluntly, "though, the Federation would frown on the suicide aspect."

"Ouch." The word slipped out of his mouth before he could restrain it. "Rather harsh of you. However, it is logically sound...were this mate to be as humans say, "The one." Her wishes would need to be considered as well."

Val frowned, "I didn't mean to offend." she replied softly. "I was raised by Vulcans...sometimes logical solutions are the coldest."

"Yeah. I've experienced coldness more times than I can count." She might see hints of the coldness. The loss of his homeworld, the loss of a family, only feeling recoil or the cold handle of a blade when he killed. Or feeling the inside of an armor which was like a second skin. "I suppose it really does depend on how the mate sees it. If she would want me to live on for her." A gap in his mental defense, it could definitely be seen, a small crush.

"It is also your life. You could seek out other El-Aurians that are in Starfleet. That way you wouldn't feel like you are alone." Valerie suggested as she took a sip of her coffee.

"I fear it may not be that easy." Derek shrugged. "But I appreciate your attempts to help. Thanks."

"Is there anything else you would like to know about me?" Valerie asked, sensing she should change the subject.

"Just one thing. You are curious about something you sense in me, but do not want to offend me." The El-Aurian had a good hunch, from a long time of reading people's faces, or their eyes. "Ask your question."

Val pressed her lips together before replying, "Are you keeping your feelings at bay for a specific individual because you are El-Aurian and the the lifespan that comes with your face?"

He stared at her, bristling just a little bit. Not quite expecting her to lance straight through to the point. At one point he wants to swear, but then remembers that swearing around women is impolite. Even though the one woman that was a Ghost didn't mind. And then there was Andy, the anomaly. No! don't digress from the subject. "I'm wanting to hate your abilities right now." Derek shifts uncomfortably in his chair. "...you're right. But not a word to anyone."

"Of course... and please don't feel obligated to share anymore than you want to. That was why I tried to move on to a different topic."

"Right. Maybe...I should talk about it.." Derek mused. "It doesn't do much good to hold it up inside, I guess."

"Perhaps you should talk with Counselor Grae. There are certain customs and social interactions I don't yet grasp an understanding for. At the Academy my peers always claimed I have a dry sense of humor. I never knew there was a wet version of humor." Valerie shrugged. "I was just fortunate I didn't experience the slapping someone with a stick version. That one sounds rather dangerous."

"It is." Derek replied, leaving it at that. "Maybe I shall." Taking a deep breath, he finished up his meal. "You have my gratitude, dear Valerie. If anyone bothers you that your beau cannot handle..comm me."

"And if you would like company when you are feeling lonely, I don't mind visiting. At the very least, you made a friend today, Derek." Valerie smiled.

"You as well." Derek nodded, offering his hand for a human handshake, and endeavored to squeeze gently.

Valerie took his hand and shook it.

1st Lieutenant Derek Gordon
Marine XO / Ghost
USS Katana

Ensign Valerie Circe
Medical Officer
USS Katana

K'larri was lost.

She knew where her guest cabin was and the general location of the holodecks, but she'd made a wrong turn somewhere on deck eight and ended up in a rather unfamiliar part of the ship. Unfamiliar with starships, she didn't think to ask the computer for directions. Instead, she picked a random door and went inside, finding herself inside what could only be a laboratory. Forgotten was M'rayr's guidance to remain in the non-restricted areas; her curiosity won out and she ventured further into the lab, exploring what it held.

Bridget walked into her lab expecting to be the first one there but, there was a Caitian that she did not recognize wandering around. Bridget frowned and, if she had fur, would have bristled it. She watched the Caitian for a moment and then did a brief survey to make sure the Caitian hadn't touched anything. Bridget cleared her throat and asked, "May I help you?"

K'larri squeaked, a very non-Caitian sound, and just about dove under a nearby table when she heard the woman's voice behind her. "Sorry. I... uh... well... I'm lost," she stammered helplessly, laying her ears back and seeming to shrink as Bridget looked at her. "I know I'm not supposed to be in here but I took a wrong turn... and... well... I ended up here."

Bridget looked at her quizzically. "Wasn't the computer able to help you?" she asked. Then, realizing she should probably introduce herself immediately followed that with "I'm Bridget, by the way, and you've found yourself in my lab."

How was she supposed to know to ask the computer? No one had told her that. "Um... I've never been on a starship before." A moment passed before she realized that Bridget had introduced herself. "I'm K'larri."

Bridget raised her eyebrows. "Well, K'larri," she said, "it's pretty simple. All you have to do is say ''computer' followed by a command. That should help if you find yourself lost again." Bridget decided it would probably be too rude to ask how she had never been on a starship before she settled on asking K'larri, "when did you come on board?"

"At the ice planet, before we fell through the weird space-time hole." K'larri couldn't help feeling like Bridget was judging her, and she shrank a bit more, wanting very much to disappear.

Bridget noticed K'larri seemed to draw further into herself and felt herself grow flustered. "That, was a terrible planet," Bridget said in reply, shivering at the memory of how cold it was. She shook her head, "I hope we never have to go back there in this universe in any other." Bridget paused for a moment before continuing. "Are you adjusting alright for the most part?" she asked, genuinely curious.

"Mostly, yes." K'larri seemed to brighten a little. "It's just hard to remember where things are when all the corridors are the same color."

Bridget smiled. "I felt like that to the first time I was on a starship. You get used to it. What has been your favorite part of our ship?"

"The holodeck," K'larri answered without hesitation, a toothy approximation of a grin on her face. "It's a fantastic invention, one I hadn't seen before I came here."

Bridget nodded. "I like the holodeck as well. Sometimes it is nice to seem as though one is not on the ship any more. I use it myself for exercise."

K'larri wrinkled her nose at the mention of exercise. Already she was so thin that a keen-eyed observer could see her ribs through her fur coat; she didn't need to burn any extra calories. "I spent a few hours in a jungle simulation. It reminded me of home."

"I've never been to Cait. What is it like?" Bridget asked. She was genuinely curious. The scientist in her was fascinated by the different planets and how they could seem similar but be so different. She loved hearing about them from anyone willing to tell her. Data was good but sometimes it was nice to have a sentient being describe something as they perceived it.

"Warm and tropical... warm enough that many of us do not wear clothing unless the situation demands it." K'larri got a wistful look on her furry face as she thought back to how home was. "It's the perfect home for a cat. Like, a literal house cat."

Bridget smiled. "I think I would like Cait," she said. "What other planets have you been to?" She had by now forgotten that K'larri was an intruder in her lab and was only concerned with gaining primary source knowledge.

"Just the ice planet," K'larri said a bit sadly. "I was never an explorer, like you. Instead, I was property. Not an existence that lends itself to seeing planets."

"No, I suppose not," said Bridget. "But, if you think about it, you kind of are an explorer now. At least if you want to be."

"Yeah, I guess I am now." K'larri smiled a little.

Bridget thought for a moment. "I'd be happy to show you around the lab if you're ever interested. It'll help keep me on my toes, having to explain things."

"Really? I'd like that, as long as you're not busy, I mean. I don't want to interrupt anyone's work."

"Just let me know when you'd like to come," Bridget replied.

There was no bright light or white room, no utopia at all when Captain Kristopher Kerouac touched the Bajoran orb. His consciousness was taken, swept to some realm of some sort. He had read the reports from Benjamin Sisko about several different encounters with worm hole alien, the Bajoran prophets, or whatever name he had chosen to use at the time. Nothing in his reports had prepared Kris for 'awakening' in darkness only illuminated by fire. Fire that burned his skin even at a distance from the immense intensity of the heat. Where the hell am I he asked himself, and the concept of many underworld or hells had then come to mind. Gre'thor? his mind pondered, looking around for condemned Klingon warriors and traitors to the Empire.

“No” he said swiftly, his throat so dry that even those simple words hurt to utter. “NO, NO, NO!” he repeated in a series shouting loudly.

The sound of many voices spoke to him at once. Deep and darkly harmonic in there druid like response. “It is what you wanted. What you deserved. You sought this and the fires shall burn.” the flames seemed to rise higher and higher around him until Kerouac could see that he was encircled by these raging flames.

I'm going to burn here. I'm going to burn alive he convinced himself. It was a terribly paralyzing thought and one that had cut him deeply. As a child he had been in a fire on Tuarkana IV, trapped in a house set ablaze by a rape gang. He had managed to get out of there in time, but he had not been able to save the woman left in there to die. He remembered hearing her screams, the last audible horrific screams of agony as she was burned alive. Her screams were like that of a banshee.

The screams were back but this time they were not in his head. All around him were screams of agony. No, this isn't real this isn't real he tried to remind himself, fighting the feelings of regret and terror. “STOP IT!” he shouted at the flames which crackled and howled at him before swirling upward and taking an almost human form.

“Why do you seek us?” it asked him. “Does you seek the power of the Pah Wraiths?”

“NO” replied Kris firmly as he struggled to bring himself back to his feet. “Yes, yes, I seek your help but I do not seek your power. I know what you can do and I do not welcome you to take me” added the Captain, backing away from the fiery figure.

The fiery figure's flames crackled and began to change. Stepping out from the flames was a woman with short black hair and darker skin. “You sit in that chair as though it belongs to you but is doesn't. You are not worthy of anything but pain and suffering” the woman said.

“Wong!” shouted Kerouac, stepping forward towards the woman. “I know who you are...or who you are trying to be. Captain Sanchez died in a shuttle accident. I was to be her First Officer. It was my place to assume command. Starfleet Command gave me her position” added Kris sharply.

“LIIIEEEESSS” the 'woman' replied her eyes glowing like hot embers. “MURDERER” it added before changing shape once again.

The words had cut Kris deep. “You...no. No, No, Stop this now!” he shouted back as he saw the next form it took was his Andorian First Officer.

The twitching blue antennae and disgusted expression on the Andorian's face had said it all. “The truth is known here, Kristopher Kerouac. You killed her just as well as you killed me.”

“That isn't true...Lieutenant Commander Zanaar was killed on the Bridge defending it from a Dominion boarding party” replied Kris, holding his ground.

The 'Andorian' shook his head. “Excuses will do you very little here, Captain. You panicked and your hands shook. You picked up the disruptor...you shot it and you killed me” said 'Tul'.

“I Didn't mean to...I didn't...I couldn't see through the smoke. I shot blindly” replied Kris.

The fire changed once again, lowering it's previously tall stature to that of a child. A little boy with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. “And what about me, Kris? Did you not see me when you took my life too?”
Captain Kerouac felt his chest tighten and a hardness in his throat. “I had to survive. I did what I had to...survival takes sacrifices” said Kris, tears and sweat trickling down his face.

“Survival brings you here, seeking our help...wanting answers to how you can return home” many voices said as the little boy vanished.

“YES” Kris managed to get out painfully.

The fires all faded and Kris was no longer feeling hot and suffocated. He was on a strange planet, one he had never set foot on. At least not that he could tell. A shot figure stood there before him with a large cranium. “The answers you seek are on a world forbidden to you” it said before being consumed from the inside out by a flame.

Kris saw a shimmering light off in the distance. He looked baffled when he saw the large circular device. He knew what it was. “The Guardian of Forever” he whispered to himself, and he took in the landscape of the world and the identity of the 'creature' that spoke to him. The Guardian is on Talos IV he thought and then felt a strong jolt. Everything disappeared.

“He's going into cardiac arrest!” a voice shouted. “We're losing him...emergency transport to Sickbay!”

ON:

Dekusa was still not really accepting of the fact that the ship she had been on was destroyed and that she was on a version of the same ship from another reality. Hence why it had been requested she see this ship's counselor. She took her time wandering that general direction, having left with plenty of time before her appointment. She was looking at the panels and down corridors, nodding to people. To her eyes, having only been on the ship a short time before the incident, it was the same ship. She barely even got to know anyone before it all happened so for all she knew, the people were the same.

Looking up, she found herself in front of the counselor's office. Recomposing herself, she pressed the door chime, hoping she wasn't too early.

Lia was in her office, rearranging some data padds when she heard the chime, "Come in." she called out.

Stepping in through the opening doors, Dekusa bowed her head respectfully to the counselor and introduced herself. "I'm Dekusa. I was told to report here and have an appointment."

"Ah yes, Dekusa, please have a seat." Lia grinned as she gestured to the empty chair in front of her desk. "How are you adjusting with everything?"

Sitting in the proffered seat, Dekusa considered her reply carefully. "Is an adjustment needed?" she asked, avoiding the question.

"Well you're a ship from an alternate universe that just happens to be the very same vessel you served on and was recently destroyed. I think we all are adjusting to everything." Lia replied bluntly but kept a soothing tone in her voice.

"And?" Dekusa replied bluntly, her whiskers twitching slightly. "I understand that. I wasn't on the other version but for a couple weeks and I didn't really know anyone. I know more people on this version than the other. I did lose most of my shinies, but there's not much that can be done about that. I'll just have to collect more."

Lia nodded, as she leaned back in her chair. "Exactly why are you here?" She asked. "Was there something you needed to discuss, get off your chest?"

"I was told to come see you," Dekusa stated simply, "I assume it has something to do with being a survivor of the other ship and the mass death and what not. Am I not coping well with the loss of life?"

Lia shrugged her shoulders, "If you weren't on the other ship very long, you may not have any reaction to the loss of life on the other ship. Frankly it's not a requirement to feel sadness over a tragic event that has no personal connections to you. In other words, you seem to be coping well."

"Thank you," Dekusa said, trying to wriggle her face into a semblance of a humanoid smile but only ending in a nightmarish contortion of teeth and fangs.

Lia pressed her lips together to keep from laughing at the site. While most would cringe, Lia thought it was cute attempt at a smile. "What about the rest?" she asked, "how is life in general for you?"

Relaxing her face back to normal, Dekusa thought it over a moment. "Well... I'm essentially out of a job but I have the potential for a new one. I just have to spend a lot of time poring through records and logs to document the story of the other ship, this ship, and how they came to be where and how they are. Other than that, business as usual I suppose. I'm sure a colleague or two of mine will want to come visit to corroborate the story."

"That sounds...useful. I do know this crew will need to be briefed with the major events of this universe. We maybe displaced by 4 years, but how our two universes differs could be from it's very creation. So I know what you're working on will be very helpful." Lia smiled at the Caitian.

"Indeed," Dekusa nodded slightly. "More so to the rest of this universe to explain your own presence but it'll work both ways."

"Oh I can probably help you with that. Our superiors thought it was a good idea to install a borg transwarp coil to go from our previous assignment in the Gamma Quadrant to the Delta Quadrant, and the basis of why they think this will work is with one starship doing so. Of course what our superiors seem to have forgotten, that particular starship was partially assimilated by the Borg and left some components in place afterward." Lia sighed, shaking her head as she continued, "so naturally something went wrong and boom...we're here...well, at least my understanding on how we ended up here."

"I've gathered similar information so far. The part i'm unclear on is how the ship moved inter-dimensionally but that transwarp coil did not." Dekusa said, relaxing a bit as she spoke. This was turning out to be a more pleasant visit than she had hoped.

Lia nodded her head, "Yes that seems to be the question of the day, however perhaps it would be better to see the transwarp coil as a component and not the main cause. A change of perspective never hurts."

Dekusa looked at Lia strangely for a moment. "I was thinking of it as a component of the event... Maybe I should be looking at it as a symptom of something more."

"Wouldn't hurt, but my expertise isn't Engineering." Lia smiled as she straightened herself on her chair. "Well for the record, I think you're handling yourself well. I don't see why there was a need for you to visit me; but I'm glad either way."

"Thank you, Counselor. As you may know, I'm a Chronicler and was raised in a very prestigious family. It may be my general aloofness and feigned disinterest in others that disturbed someone." Dekusa said calmly. "Once I get all the facts and as much of the sciences of the situation, I'll mourn for the loss of the other ship and life in my own way. Namely, by writing a combination novel and science journal about it. That was one of my goals in the first place, to be honest. To study the effects Kristopher Kerouac had on the rest of the crew. A lot has happened since then..."

Lia nodded, "Truth be told, Dekusa, I didn't know you were a Chronicler or raised in a prestigious family; but I can understand why one would request counseling when it's unwarranted. Overall it has been nice talking with you and getting to know you better."

Standing, Dekusa nodded respectfully. "It's been a pleasure for me as well, counselor. If you ever need me for anything, please feel free to let me know."

OFF:

Lt. Cmdr. Lia Grae

and

Dekusa Shusoe

[ON]

Commander M'rayr Eisovo had been through hundreds of debriefings in his careers both in the Caitian Sky Navy and in Starfleet. Only a handful where as uncomfortable as this. Doctor Liam Cohen had spent the better part of the last hour tending to their injuries. Fixing broken bones, mending detached ligaments, and remedying severe bruising. Their condition upon entering sickbay was bad enough. Cohen also had to administer anti-intoxicant patches as well, as both M’rayr and Jhu’s blood-alcohol levels were hazardously high.

Just how were they supposed to explain the situation? One moment they were trying to kill each other. The next, they were drinking buddies who managed to down an entire bottle of… something before making their way to sickbay? M’rayr was still thinking that part over while Liam Cohen was busy addressing the last of Jhu’s physical injuries. Neither of them had said much of anything since arriving in sickbay, although they were aware that Captain Kristopher Kerouac had already been called down.

T’Dharvanek had seemed rather convinced that this wouldn’t mean the end of M’rayr’s career in Starfleet. Somehow, M’rayr couldn’t share in her confidence; assuming the captain and crew could even forgive what happened, M’rayr wasn’t even sure if Starfleet was still the best option for him. There was a reason he left before. And it was only at the persistence of a man he cared for and respected that he reluctantly agreed to return to the fleet five years afterward.

M’rayr turned, prepared to say something to Jhu, but decided against it.

Jhu was in considerably less chipper spirits once Liam stuck the anti-intoxicant patch on her a second time; she'd pulled the first one right back off and he'd put the second on her back where she couldn't reach it. So she was already a bit cross when her shoulder joint was suddenly slammed back into place, followed by the annoyingly high-pitched tissue re-generator right next to her ear. "Your bedside manner sucks, Liam," she growled at him, tilting her head away from the irritating noise of the device.

"Don't show up wasted and battered in my sickbay then." Liam snapped. He entered a string of commands which ran another complete body scan. He'd managed to patch the chief spook and kitty cat XO both up without any lasting injuries, but their lack of a valid explanation wasn't flying with him. He already ordered a Corpsman to have the Captain come down. He turned and gave the XO a once over, "So are we going to string together an excuse or should I just relieve you both of duty and report what looks like a domestic, mixed with a little drunk and disorderly."

"No excuses." Jhu rolled her eyes, wondering just why Liam was having such a hard time believing them. She did have to admit that parts of what had happened were difficult to fathom, but he wanted the truth and that was what she was giving him. "I went to see Whiskers because my freaky weird not-really-telepathy senses were sounding all sorts of crazy alarms. We argued, I was a bitch, Whiskers went kitty-psycho like when Lydek gets the adrenaline zoomies in the middle of the night... only M'rayr is huge and did quite a bit more damage than Lydek could ever dream of." She paused, letting the craziness of that explanation sink in. "Then I fell and found a bottle of some sort of whiskey under the couch and we drank it. Then we came here because Whiskers was bleeding everywhere and I couldn't breathe..."

"You do realize that alone is enough to have you both sent to a SF Medical centre for long term treatment. None of that is acceptable at the best of times and certainly not from two of the ranking officers on the ship in a crisis situation." Liam replied. He tapped a few commands into a PADD. "There you're both relieved of duty pending a cleared medical AND psych eval."

Captain Kerouac had received the call to come down to Sickbay immediately. He was not given enough information or explanation to know what to expect, just that Liam had summoned him and the matter involved his First Officer and Second Officer. What in the name of the stars is this about wondered Kris as he surrendered the big chair over to Maica temporarily, not wanting to leave the Bridge in the hands in incapable hands.

He scurried across the Bridge and into the turbolift, taking it down the the medical deck. Being called into Sickbay was almost always unpleasant. It typically meant there was an injury or some sort of potential threat to the crew that Medical had detected. When the lift came to a stop, the doors opening, Kris bolted for Sickbay and stormed down the corridors, arriving shortly after.

When he walked in, he saw Liam and he saw the two officers that he had been worried about. They seemed fine for the most part. "Do I even have to ask?" said Kris looking at the three of them, seeking answers. "Someone tell me why the hell I was called down here. I was in the middle of some rather interesting reports."

For as long and quiet as it might have been, it felt like a hurricane of activity had just struck. Between being formally removed from duty by the ship's Chief of Medical, and the Captain entering with questions of his own, M'rayr looked a bit sheepish as his brain caught up to the present. "I take full responsibility for what happened, Captain." He said, commitment in his voice returning. He wanted to at least get that much out of the way before either Jhu or Cohen interrupted.

"Don't care to hear who is taking responsibility or not, Commander. I asked a damn question and I want a damn answer" said Kris firmly. He looked at Jhu. "What about you? You usually have a mouthful to say, Commander t'Dharvanek. Care to explain what the hell happened?"

"Commander Eisovo suffered a spike in his adrenaline levels caused by a dumb bitch who wouldn't leave him alone about something in his past," Jhu replied rather flatly, not offering much in the way of detail but effectively explaining what had happened. Sure, she wasn't a doctor, but she knew what raging adrenaline looked like. She was often the victim of it herself. "In case you didn't notice, he is much bigger than me, and feline on top of that. None of what he did was intentional, and I really don't see the point in me going through a mental evaluation.

Kris looked at Jhu and shook his head. "Not your decision to make, Commander. Neither of you" said Kris. "I will leave that in the hands of Dr. Cohen whether or not either of you should meet with Counselor Grae." Kris looked at Liam. "Medical report, Doctor?"

"Now you wait just a damned minute! It's my head you're talking about, and I think I get some say in whether or not it gets shrunk!" Jhu glared at Liam and Kris in turn, irritated that they weren't allowing her any input in her own treatment or lack thereof. "Don't act like I don't know anything about medical regulations. You can't force me to undergo a psych evaluation without clear evidence that it's actually necessary, and you don't have that."

For the past several exchanges, M'rayr felt like an observer more than a participant. Anything he thought to say felt like a want for explaining or justifying his actions, which he felt was impossible. Rather than wait for the doctor to give his full report, the Caitian interjected himself. "Commander t'Dharvanek's assessment is accurate," he began. "But contrary to her, I feel that a medical assessment would be appropriate, and will submit myself voluntarily," M'rayr stated, a sound of detachment and resignation in his voice.

Captain Kerouac glared at Jhu. Can't you just comply? Ever?! I am trying to watch out for your own damn good thought Kris. "Thank you for volunteering, Commander M'rayr" said Kris. However, his focus was on Jhu. "If you do not want to comply and submit yourself to an evaluation, fine. However, I am adding to relief of duty...for the both of you. One week leave of absence for the both of you. That is an order."

Jhu rolled her eyes at him. "You can't order me to take leave either. That's not how it works, and frankly you need me right now."

Kris crossed his arms "You have shore leave for a week. It's owed to you for having to attend meetings while the rest of the crew had a much longer leave at Ophinias. What you do in your free time is entirely up to you, but I don't want to see your spotted ass near my Bridge, Commander. If you have any issues or problems with this, file a complaint and submit it back in time to an alternate universe where someone will look over your complaints in your dreams."

"That is a mistake." Jhu's voice took on an eerie calm, so far removed from her normal behavior that it spoke huge volumes about just how pissed off she really was. "I will be on the bridge because that is where I belong. If you want me to take leave, you are just going to have to wait until we are in a stable position, which could be never at this point so I don't recommend holding your breath. You need me on your bridge, and if you take one moment to think about it, you'll realize just how much of an idiot you're being."

Kris scoffed. "I am Commanding Officer of this starship until otherwise notified. I may or may not be making a mistake, Commander. However, I will make my command decisions as I see it. Object to them if you wish, and do as you damn well please in your reports. However, I do NOT need you on the Bridge. I need you to respect me as a friend and as your Commanding Officer right now. I don't know what has happened between you and Commander M'Rayr but I would like the both of you to remain in Sickbay for the time being. If Dr. Cohen doesn't find anything wrong with you...fine" said Kris as firmly as he could without coming off fully dickish.

"You don't get to demand my respect while disrespecting me," Jhu shot back, a hint of venom tainting her apparent calm. "And you do need me, unless you want Matthews doing all your intelligence work, which she is not ready for."

"She may not be ready, but she's native to this Universe. Forgive me if I think that she may know a bit more of the situations around here than you" he said back her. Though he did regret the venom in his tone and the sharpness of his words. "I'm sorry" he said with a sigh. "She knows things but you have the training, and with M'rayr sidelined for the time being...your 'vacation' can wait" added Kris.

"Don't apologize to me unless you actually mean it," Jhu snapped at him, her calm broken. He should have listened to her the first time, but no, he'd gone about making himself look like an even bigger idiot by trying to pull rank and give orders that didn't make any sense. She might have been drunk when they came into the sickbay, but she was sober now and she thought it was pretty obvious that she wasn't in any sort of mental distress over the situation. Deciding to ignore anything further Kris would say, she turned her attention to Liam instead. "I have been through far worse than a mauling from an angry Caitian. I was a prisoner of the Dominion, for Elements' sake! I am fine, and I do not need to talk to the counselor to prove it!"

"Tough I disagree and last time I checked regulations it's my call and the Captains. I'm ordering both of you under go a full psych work up, you are not required to do so but you will NOT be cleared to return to duty until I see that eval signed off on by the Counsellor. Object to Fleet Command, Starfleet Medical, the Commander-in-Chief of Starfleet or the Federation President for all I care, I will NOT have any member of the crew performing duties in my judgement they are clearly not medically fit for. Now, your physical injuries are treated and I'm releasing you both to your own quarters. I want you back in here in 36 hours for follow up." Liam ordered.

"Too bad you're wrong." Jhu didn't know what Liam's problem was, but she was not going to follow an illegal order! She fixed him with a glare worthy of her fully Romulan mother. "I've been through this rodeo before, and I know how it works. You need definitive proof of impairment to even refer me to the counselor, and you can't order me to see her unless I'm a threat to myself or someone else. If you're going to quote regulations at me, at least know what the hell you're talking about."

Kris has had enough of this back and forth argument over rules, regulations, and general bull shit pissing match. He also did not appreciate Liam being dragged into it. Not a great day to be Chief Medical Officer thought Kris as he grabbed Liam's shoulder and pulled him back away from Jhu "You won't like her when she's angry" commented Captain Kristopher Kerouac, meeting Jhu's death glare with one of his own.

"Doctor Cohen is just trying to do his job, Commander. We can stand here and debate grounds for psych evaluations until we all pass out from exhaustion or kill one another...personally, I'd rather be more productive" said Kris shaking his head. Jhu had said some words to him that he did not appreciate. He had wanted to retaliate. However, there was too much to do and he was stronger than that.

"Doctor, we'll have Lia give Commander M'rayr a full Psych evaluation considering he is consenting. You may run any blood tests of physical examinations and test you wish. However, I need Commander t'Dharvanek back on the Bridge. Gather a report together for Starfleet Command and Starfleet Medical if you feel necessary to issue a formal complaint. For the time being, I will watch the Commander. If I believe her to be acting out of the ordinary, I'll act then" said Kris firmly.

Liam gave a nod and entered and begin inputting another string of commands into the computer.

Kris then looked at Jhu once more. "Better?" he asked shortly. Just agree and we can get this over with thought Kris.

"Better," Jhu acquiesced quickly, recognizing the look Kris was giving her. "I'm sorry... I don't mean to be a bitch, but this night has been hell enough without people acting like I'm crazy."

Glad that things were settling down, M'rayr picked himself out of the bio-bed and joined Kerouac's side. He still felt too uneasy about being close to Jhu. Whether she'd forgiven him or not, he didn't trust himself. Then again, it wasn't just around Jhu that that was the case. "Captain, I have an additional request. I believe that until such a time that I am cleared to return to duty, that I should..." he paused, wrestling with the words. "... it may be in the crew's best interests if I were confined to quarters."

Captain Kerouac nodded at his First Officer. "I am in agreement with your request, Commander" replied Kris, looking then at Commander t'Dharvanek. "Jhu, have Lieutenant Tonkin select his best for this job. Until we are certain something like this will not happen again, it's best that we do not let the cat out."

"Yes, sir." Sliding off the biobed, Jhu hurried out to find Nathan and give him the order in person.

Nathan sat in Jhu and his room on the couch. He had a PaDD in his hands and he started at the Starfleet logo on it. Almost everyone else had looked up themselves in this... dimension. Why was he so nervous about finding about himself?

Jhu yawned as she entered their cabin, rubbing her eyes with one hand and scooping up Lydek with the other before the cat could trip her. At first she didn't quite register what Nathan was doing, and it wasn't until she was at the replicator with a freshly ordered glass of cranberry juice that she realized that he'd beaten her home, not that the idea was all that surprising. She paused with the glass halfway to her mouth, giving him a bit of a sheepish look as she realized that she hadn't greeted him yet. "Hey. What are you up to?"

"Hey Angel." He said with a smile to her. "I'm not actually doing anything at the moment...but, I was going to look myself up. Finally."

"You haven't done that yet? I thought most everyone had." Jhu skirted past the issue of telling him what she'd found out about herself, hoping he wouldn't ask. Depositing Lydek in his lap, she sat down next to him, taking a few sips of the juice she'd ordered. "We can look together, if you want."

He could not understand why he was so nervous about this, but he was eager for a reason to not look. "Does that mean you have?" Nathan ask Jhu.

"Yeah... and it wasn't pretty." Jhu sighed, looking away for a moment. "In this reality, Tul Zanaar was the captain. Needless to say... my counterpart's not had a good career."

"So far it seems like this is the fucked up dimention, I have yet to hear a good story about anyone. Maybe that's why I'm so worried about finding out about my other me." Nathan admitted.

"Hon, it can't be any worse than Maica being dead or Andy still being a Borg," Jhu said gently, leaning on his shoulder.

Nathan took a deep breath and turned the PaDD on. After a moment he keyed in his Name and was shocked at what he saw. "No data found?"

"That can't be right." Jhu looked over his shoulder at it, at least as puzzled as he was. "There has to be something."

"Here," Nathan said handing Jhu the PaDD. "Maybe you can have better luck with your back door access."

"I knew it. You're dating me to get access to classified materials." Jhu snickered a bit, taking the PADD and tapping in a few 'back door' codes. "I'm a security officer in this reality though, so don't expect me to pull off any miracles with this."

Nathan chuckled. "Yeah its been a long road to this point but finally all the fun and sex we have been having paid off."

"Well let me see what I can do..." Working carefully, Jhu tapped in the codes she'd been assured would work. To her surprise, they did... but still nothing came up. "That's just weird."

"Almost like I don't exist..." Nathan said taking the PaDD back and typing in the name of his father. "Well my dad is still around...wait. Jhu look at this!" He exclaimed as his finger pointed to the name under his father's profile. "Only child Mark Tonkin?"

"That can't be right... you're older than Mark." Curious, Jhu dug a little deeper into the profile they had pulled up, finding that parts of it had been tampered with. "Someone's altered this data."

"Like mine in our dimension." Nathan looked at the PaDD in his hands, his mind slowly putting everything together.

"Your file was altered?" Jhu gave him a surprised look, wondering if she was supposed to know that or not. She didn't remember talking about it, but so much crazy stuff happened on the Katana that she wouldn't be surprised if the information had just disappeared into the ether somewhere.

"Yeah," Nathan said looking over to Jhu. "remember the while Borg thing where my brother died?"

"Uh... yeah. You told me about that a couple times, actually." Curious, Jhu lowered the PaDD to her lap, giving Nathan a heartfelt concerned look. "Is there something else about that I should know?"

"Like what?" Nathan could not help but grin at her. "You Intel people... conspiracy and cover up is not good enough for ya huh?"

"Well I would like to know why it was covered up," Jhu remarked gently, wondering what was going on.

"You and me both..." Nathan muttered. "I never got a straight answer on the way, just always some remark about how the Borg were not well know yet or that Borg attacks were not comment back then." Nathan shrugged. "To bad we are not in our own time and place, maybe you could have dug some dirt up..."

"I'll settle for figuring out whatever we can in this reality." Satisfied that it wasn't Nathan hiding things from her, Jhu went back to trying to unlock the concealed areas of the document.

Nathan looked at Jhu with a little smirk, "You don't honestly think I would keep something that juicy from you do you?"

"Nah. You know better by now." Jhu smirked back at him as the PaDD beeped another 'negative' at her. "Dammit. Whoever covered this up is a real asshole."

"That's my dad you're talking about there, well I assume anyways." Nathan said. "Maybe we should try and call him?"

"Oooh, sorry. Bad choice of words there." Jhu hadn't thought of the possibility that it would be Nathan's father who had altered the data, and she didn't want him thinking she thought his dad was an asshole. "Why don't we try that?"

Nathan chuckled "Naw your right, he's an ass hole. To be honest with you I never told him about you for fear of what he would think about your Romulan half. It's not that I have a problem with it, I think your temper is cute. But he's old school, he came up during the time when Romulan and Klingons were the bad guys" he explained.

"Don't worry, e'lev. I understand... my mother came up during that time too. It took meeting my father to tame that out of her... she still has her hot-headed moments." Jhu grinned a little. It was no secret that sometimes she also had those hot-headed, very Romulan moments. "I can take a few cross words from a man who doesn't know me. Call him."

Nathan smiled at the understanding words. "I love you..." he said softly to her. Then he stood and walked over to the desk that was set up in their room. He turned it on and prepared a subspace call.

"I love you too." Not sure if she should follow him or stay out of sight at the beginning of the call, Jhu finally decided to get up and join him near the desk, where she could easily move in and out of the call's frame as needed.

Nathan grabed ahold of Jhu and pulled her over next to him. He hooked one of his arms around her hip as he hit the call button. Then he leaned his head on Jhu's hip and he waited for the call to be connected. He was nervous so he worked on controlling his breathing.

"Relax," Jhu said gently, rubbing the back of his neck. "Your dad won't be the first admiral to dislike me, and I don't need his approval."

"I'm not nervous because of that, I'm nervous because he's not my dad." Nathan explained.

A moment passed and then the screan clicked on, "Admiral Tonkin..." The man looked like a smaller and older version of Nathan, and it was clear the man was off duty and at home from his dress and the background.

"Sir..." Nathan said, then suddenly found he didn't know quite what to say. The man on the other end did not respond how a father normally would. It was as if this man had never seen Nathan before.

That was weird. Jhu looked at Nathan and then at the man on the screen, who certainly looked like Admiral Tonkin but wasn't giving any signs that he knew who Nathan was. Of course this was a different reality, but surely Nathan looked the same here? "Admiral, you appear confused by our call. Nathan and I..." It dawned on her then that he likely had no idea who she was either, and she trailed off, not sure how to continue. Had he recognized Nathan, she'd already had an idea of what to say. Without that, she was feeling rather lost.

Nathan had expected his father's double to be shocked, but not like this. The admiral's eyes locked with Jhu's and his jaw practically hit his deck. "Honey, come here quick!" he yelled over his shoulder.

Nathan was thoroughly confused. His brow wrinkled as he looked up at Jhu, at a complete loss as to how to handle this call now.

"I can hear you fine without you shouting!" came the response, and at the sound of that voice, Jhu went wide-eyed as she looked away from Nathan's puzzled look toward the viewscreen on the desk. "Now what is so--" A figure Jhu knew quite well came onto the screen... and promptly dropped the full glass she was carrying. "Ajoi..."

"Mom?" Even knowing that it wasn't really her mother, Jhu couldn't help calling her that. "I mean... um..." Completely baffled now, she looked at Nathan, her expression mirroring his.

"Oh god..." Nathan said, feeling and looking a little sick.

"Did you guys find Jhu...or..." Admiral Tonkin trailed off. "I mean, I have heard of the other Katana in whispered tones, hence why had them put this call through to my home." The admiral looked as confused as Jhu and Nathan.

"We're... uh..." It wasn't often that Jhu was so lost for words, but this situation was so weird! "The 'other' Katana is real... I mean... we're on it." Something about the way this universe's version of Shiarrael looked at her was uncomfortable, and Jhu shifted slightly. "I'm not... I'm not her."

"You look like her. You sound like her." Shiarrael leaned over the admiral's shoulder to get a closer look at the screen. "How is this possible?"

Time to bite the bullet. "We were sucked through some kind of dimensional rift and spit out in this dimension. A dimension where Mark was killed in the Borg attack and I was the one who survived."

The Admiral leaned back in his chair hard and covered his mouth and tears welled in his eyes. Realization hit him hard as he took in the sight of his long dead son. Tears started to stream down his face.

Jhu gave the admiral a bewildered look, not really expecting tears. "The file..."

"Was altered, yes. James didn't want a reminder of his loss so boldly in view. Yours..." Shiarrael sighed, reaching out of frame for a tissue box, which she quietly handed to the admiral. Tears in her own eyes sparkled but remained unshed, through sheer force of will. "Starfleet told me you... died."

"Yeah I saw that. Wait... James? What... I don't... are you dating Nathan's father?" It had taken her a while to catch on, but suddenly Jhu realized that it had been right in front of them the whole time. "Fire and Ice..."

"He called her honey..." Nathan said under his breath to Jhu, not really sure what to say right at that moment.

Nathan's Dad wiped the tears and quickly composed himself. "Wait...why are you two calling us together?" It took a moment for him to catch up, but the way they were holding each other and looking at each other...

"This is so not right," Jhu mumbled, suddenly feeling more than a little awkward. "Um... we... Nathan and I are..." Elements this was weird, telling their parents - who were apparently also dating - that they were together. "Dating," she finished after a long pause.

Admiral Tonkin got a strange look on his face. "Oh...um...well then." He looked up at Jhu's mother with a little chuckle. "My dead son is dating your dead daughter. This will be forever the strangest day ever in my opinion."

"You can say that again." Nathan chimed in. "Wait... are you guys just dating?" The question fell out of Nathan's mouth before he could stop it. Now that it was out, he was not sure he wanted to know.

"Oh god, Nathan, don't ask that." It was a valid question, something they ought to know, but somehow Jhu didn't really want to know yet.

"Well." Shiarrael grinned crookedly, and Jhu cringed as she anticipated the answer. "No. Not 'just dating'..."

James chuckled a little but didn't add anything, just gazed up her.

"As if this was not weird enough, now you two are going to leave us in suspense? Horrible..." Nathan said shaking his head, but he had a smile on his face.

"This is cruel. You're acting like a married couple keeping secrets from their children!" No sooner had she said it, Jhu's eyes went wider with shock, hoping that really wasn't the case. "Fire and Ice... tell me you're not!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that." Shiarrael laughed, amused by the absurdity of it all.

Nathan could not help himself, "Go, dad!" He said with a grin. "I approve of your taste."

James laughed. "As odd as this is, I also approve. Trust me though, if Jhu's anything like her mother do not piss her off." This got him a smack on the shoulder that he rubbed while he laughed.

"Oh I know, I watched her beat a replicator once. Poor thing did nothing to her." Nathan joked.

"Shut up," Jhu quipped immediately, punching Nathan's arm.

At that, Shiarrael laughed and shook her head ever so slightly. "She's mine all right."

Nathan took the hit with out even a flinch, he knew it was coming and could tell Jhu had pulled her punch big time. " But to be honest I think we are a bit more serious then just dating." He looked up a Jhu. "We did move in together after all."

"Yeah, we did." Jhu grinned a little sheepishly, not sure she was ready to tell her mom about that yet.

"That's fantastic." Resting her hand on her stomach - out of view of the comm unit - Shiarrael kissed James' cheek. "I'm going to get a second chair."

"This is all great news son, and Jhu. I understand the awkward situation what with I and Shiarrael married and you two with each other, but awkward or not I am so excited to get to know both of you! I see your in gold Nathan." James said to Nathan. "Following in the family's footsteps?"

Nathan sat a little taller in his seat and smiled, "Yes sir, Chief of Security here." he said with a proud smile.

"Which naturally means I'm not really following my mom." Jhu snickered a bit. "Chief of intelligence, but on the command track as second officer."

"Well at lest you and your double here share that in common." James looked over his shoulder for his wife then back to the call. "You have made a far better name for yourself then your double if you have made it to Commander and second officer." He said quietly.

Jhu smiled a little, wondering if her mother was still close enough to hear him. "I didn't have as much red tape or as many bull-headed superiors to deal with, I suppose."

James had a Romulan wife, he was use to having to compete with crazy ears. "She would never say it out, but she was a wreck when they told her they had lost you, having you back..." he stopped as Shiarrael came back into view, "let's just say that's it's really good to see you two, there are no words for how I feel."

"I can't even imagine." Jhu shook her head slightly, lacking the experience to relate to that sort of feeling. "How did you two end up together anyway? It's... not exactly a likely pairing..."

James looked to Shiarrael, when she made it clear she didn't want to tell the story he looked back. "Well, she's an instructor at the Academy on the firing range. I was a guest speaker for a week in the upper level security class. We were introduced when I was being given the tour and then later that night at my reception we met back up and hit it off."

"How the hell did they get my mother to go to a reception?" Jhu snickered, well aware how much her mother hated parties and other social gatherings that forced her into close contact with people before she was ready.

"They... tricked me into it." Shiarrael scowled a little. "Called it a 'small gathering' and waited until I was already there to tell me it was actually quite a large event."

"How do you think we hit it off?" James said giving Shiarrael a sideways glance. "She convinced me to help her sneak off, not an easy task for the guest of honor. Well not if I intended on seeking of with her."

Nathan's face turned red and he shook his head. "Dad..."

"Aw, hell. I really didn't need to know that." Jhu hid her face in her hands, though the dark green flushing on the tips of her ears gave her away anyway.

"Oh, stop acting like a pair of toddlers." Shiarrael snickered at them.

Nathan's mind frantically searched for something to say to change the subject. "So uh...Mark."

James laughed at the two of them.

"I think Nathan would like to talk to his brother," Jhu added to Nathan's comment, still not looking at either of their parents.

James continued to laugh as he spoke. "Mark is the captain of the USS Oasis." He said through chuckles. "You will have to call him there. Would you like me to warn him of your call?"

Nathan's face slowly turned back to its normal color. "Yeah, that might be a good idea. He might not have all the info on this Katana and I would hate for him to think I was a cruel joke."

"Oooh, a starship captain. He's gonna gloat." Jhu snickered a bit, her complexion starting to normalize as she finally stopped hiding. She wanted to ask about her own siblings, but she hadn't seen anything in this universe's file on her about them.

Already thinking of the question forming in her daughter's mind, Shiarrael managed to compose herself from the laughter that had taken over her and James. "Jadzia is a schoolteacher on Trill, and Aerv is... he's Aerv. There's not much more I can say about him, troublemaker that he is."

Nathan didn't know much about Jhu's family o he just sat back and looked up at Jhu and waited. Once there was a break in the conversation, he took a deep breath and asked the question he was not sure he wanted the answer to. "Any other siblings we should know about?"

"Not yet." The response was vague, even for a Romulan, but Shiarrael didn't expand any further; she took considerable amusement in the distressed looks Nathan and Jhu kept giving her.

"Not yet? What does that mean, 'not yet'?" Jhu immediately demanded, though she wasn't entirely certain she wanted to hear the answer. It was already a little overwhelming to find that Nathan was not technically her stepbrother - and she had Nathan's brother to adapt to - and the possibility of having another younger sibling was a bit daunting.

"That means in the near future it will happen." James said with another chuckle.

Nathan didn't blush this time, just gave his dad a curt nod. "You're a brave man."

"...near future?" Jhu had a feeling she might regret asking, and she had to agree that James was a very brave man for taking that chance with her mother. Or any full-blooded Romulan for that matter.

"Perhaps nearer than you might want to know." It wasn't exactly a straight answer, but Shiarrael knew Jhu was clever enough to figure that out on her own.

Stunned into momentary silence, Jhu just stared at her mother.

Nathan just kind of looked back and forth between the two women. He didn't know what, but he knew Jhu well enough to know that her and her mom were sharing some kind of unspoken message between them.

"Um... congratulations?" Jhu said meekly after what felt like a long silence.

"What just happened?" James asked just as confused as Nathan was.

Jhu had been totally oblivious to Nathan's lack of understanding of the nonverbal communication between herself and her mother, and she giggled a bit, not sure it was a message she wanted to pass on. "Near future, Nathan! My mom's pregnant."

"Well yeah, I thought that was clear. Why do you think I called my dad brave? No offense ment Shiarrael." Nathan's said.

James smiled. "What can I say, I love her enough to brave the legendary Romulan pregnancy temper. Actually, it's not as bad as some make it out to be."

"Smartass," Jhu retorted, poking Nathan's ribs. "Just because I didn't catch on as fast as you did..."

Nathan snickered as he got poked and rubbed his ribs.

"Kids, we need to go. I promised Shiarrael ice cream and...well..." James shrugged and looked at his his wife.

"Pregnant lady gets what she wants. We get it." Jhu grinned at them both. "We've held you up long enough. Plenty of time for catching up later, right?"

"Thank you both for calling!" James said with a smile. "I look forward to hearing from you again. We will let you guys know when the twins are born." He smirked to Shiarrael knowing he just dropped another bomb on the two.

"Twins? Don't you dare--" The screen went black before Jhu was done talking, leaving her looking at it for several long seconds. "I don't know if I can deal with this."

"Did we end up in the 'everything is screwed up' dimension or something. God what did we just go through." Nathan asked turning and looking at Jhu. "Remember the good old days when we only had to worry about Section 31?"

"Never thought I'd say it, but I miss those days. This place is just..." Jhu shook her head. "I think I need a drink."

Nathan stood and nodded to her. "Yes, drinking is needed. Lots of it."

"Shit shit shit shit shit," the man mumbled under his breath as he ran down the corridor towards Main Engineering. His phaser rifle that was slung over his back was slapping his shoulder with each stride. Moment earlier, he shot towards the Captain, but instead hit the Chief Engineer, who suddenly disappeared. He didn't realize until then that the man was a hologram. And he only figured it out when his counterpart had let him in on it. And now he was gone.

He rounded a corner and almost slammed into another man who was walking slowly, his face buried in a PADD. Spinning around him, and avoiding the contact, he continued towards the massive doors. Behind those doors, in Main Engineering, is where Senior Chief Carter was, or at least that's what the Computer had told him.

"Senior Chief!" the man yelled as he ran through the doors and into the room that served as the Borg's lab. "Senior Chief Carter!"

"Oi! I can hear ya just fine, ain't no reason to be so loud!" Andy barked back as she rose from the computer where she was writing up a work log of her maintenance to Nathan's arm. She was still half-dressed in her yellow jumpsuit and looking a bit sweaty and overheated. "Now what's the problem?"

"The Chief...disappeared...and I shot him...and he's gone...and..." The man hunched over, his breathing labored. Running through most of the ship wasn't a hard feat, but for some reason, took a lot out of him. "Chief...Engineer...is gone."

"You what?" Oh shit, the rifle blast probebly destabilized Ari's matrix! she returned to her computer interface, clearing away Nathan's arm data to bring up the holographic diagnostic programs. "What the hell were you thinking firing at another officer like that?!" she asked as she searched the computer for Ari's program. She found; it was degrading, but it was still active. "Computer, activate the holomatrix for Lieutenant Arivek Zhuri."

Looking ashamed, the security officer silently stepped out the door, leaving the Chief of Operations alone with her work.

In the middle of the room, the air flickered as Arivek began to appear before his image flashed brightly and suddenly he was gone.

"Don't worry, Ari, I got ya," Andy said to the empty air, hoping he could hear her. She ran his program through the diagnostics program to chase down the grimlins in Ari's program one by one until he finally rematerialized once again in a fizzle of photons. He was still incredibly unstable, his image visible, but she was working on fixing that, her fingers flying over the console to better stabilize him. "Just hang on, don't fade on me again," she said softly with a hint of desperation in her tone. She couldn't lose him, she promised she would be able to save him if something like this happened!

An hour passed before Arivek's program was finally stable enough for him to appear without his physical form glitching and crashing. He squeezed his eyes together, willing the migraine away. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

Andy was looking over at him every few minute to check how he was doing and saw him trying to speak. "Bear with me, Ari, I'm working on it," she said to encourage patience, but she could also see the pain he ws in. And she was working as fast as she could, but her hands had begun to tremble and it was slowing her down. No, not now...

Arivek walked over to where Andy was bent over the console and placed his hand on top of hers. He couldn't speak, but he hoped that the touch would convey his feelings. His form glitched for a moment but he remained in the lab.

Andy nodded, appreciating what he was trying to convey. She took a deep breath and kept working; it took another hour at least to get Ari's matrix stabilized to the point he was no longer at risk for catastrophic failure. With a few final adjustments, his image flickered then returned with greater clarity. "Try talking now," Andy said, leaning back in her chair with a relieved sigh.

He took a deep breath, slightly scared that it may not work. But luckily, he was wrong. "Are you ok?" he asked, putting a hand on her shoulder. "And thank you for saving me."

"I've had better days," Andy said dismissively, "but I'm more worried about you right now. What happened?"

"I was shot, which oddly, shouldn't be a big issue. But...I think there was an issue with a new set of algorithms I installed a few days ago..." Arivek blushed as he explained. "I've created a new part of my program that will download the ship's computer logs into my matrix while I'm offline for memory recall."

"To help improve work efficiency, so you don't have to ask what's going on when you're activated," Andy commented as she looked through his coding in search of this algorithm. "Well, at first glance, it's a solid addition, no apparent glitches, but the more I look at it I can see where it's causing a problem. You see here where it's dumping the information into your memory banks," she paused to point it out. "Now if you were a computer, this wouldn't be an issue, but because you are functioning consciousness, the brain processes information a little differently and the information is getting cluttered and causing strain on your matrix. It's not enough for you to actively feel it, but enough to set off a chain reaction if you get hit by a phaser rifle. I think I can set up a buffer to prioritize the computer logs so the most pertinent ones are what you become aware of first, then we can design an input function designed specifically to accept the data from he buffer so it won't overwhelm your matrix. It will slow things down, but you can still process it fast enough for it to be efficient."

"I appreciate it," Arivek station, surprised that Andy wasn't upset with his new additions. "I do have a filter set in the algorithm that will not download files marked as personal or anything stored on a personal database. I'm sure the crew would appreciate that you not remove or override that."

"I'll be sure to work that in," Andy said, rolling her shoulders before setting back to work debugging Ari's matrix. "But lets get your matrix fixed up. you're still flickering, and you look like you're in pain. Are you in any pain?"

"Oddly, I have a massive migraine. Which I honestly didn't think was possible," he stated, putting a hand to his forehead.

"It shouldn't be," Andy said, taking another look at his coding. "Looks like something is causing feedback in the sensory algorithm I wrote. I can turn it off, but you'll be numb until I can track down the problem."

Arivek shuddered on the inside as his tactile senses began to fade. "Let's make it quick, please?" he asked.

"I'll go as fast as I can," Andy assured him, but she knew it would take far longer than he would be comfortable with. She had seen the relief in his very being when she wrote that algorithm for him, and how uncomfortable having it off was making him now; it made her feel terrible that she had to deactivate the program, but she couldn't stand to see him in pain either! "Hey, Ari, um... would-" Andy sighed as she ran her fingers through her fiery locks, then her shoulders slumped, her fatigue getting the better of her. "Ari, I ain't doing so good. I can keep working on you, but I need to get some rest. I'd like to transfer you to my quarters. Maica's computer setup for her diplomatic meetings is secure, you'll be safe there, and I can keep working on you after I catch a nap and a shower or something. I just.... I'm barely holding myself upright over here." It took a lot to for Andy to admit that something was wrong, but she felt so drained and it was getting progressively worse.

"Yea, that's fine," he said with an almost pleased sigh. In reality, even being offline was better than this feeling. And he'd do just about anything to make it pass quickly. "Deactivate me as you need."

Andy looked over at him with concern in her eyes. "Ari, you're a person with a soul, I won't just deactivate 'as I need'; no one should have that power over you," she said earnestly. They understood the need to deactivate him now and he agreed to it, but she didn't like doing it. What happened to him when he was deactivated? Did he simply not exist? Or was he merely, in a way, unconscious? There were so many questions she wanted to ask him about that, but she was so tired...

"And this is why I trust you," he said, giving her a smile. "Computer, deactivate Arivek Zhuri." The Computer responded with a chirp of acknowledgement and the hologram faded into nothingness.

It was with a sad sort of smile that Andy finally pulled herself from her chair. She transferred Ari's matrix to her quarters and then closed up her lab. the trek back to her quarters felt so long, and it was slow going because of her tired pace, but eventually she made it home. Thankfully, Maica was out, so she wouldn't have to explain herself; she just wanted to get out of these sweaty clothes, shower, then sleep...

At any point in the last four years, Jenni would never consider leaving Engineering at the end of a shift, choosing rather to stay and tinker and tweak for hours on end. In the brief period she wore command red, Jenni found herself constantly checking in on the senior staff and sitting in a corner in the Mess Hall sifting through report after report.

Now that she was an Assistant Chief in a department completely foreign to her, Jenni didn't quite know what to do with herself. Rather than acquaint herself with the crew -- she didn't really know if she wanted to stay past this assignment and the familiarity her face had with this crew was still somewhat unsettling -- Jenni chose to wander the ship's corridors. The similarities between Katanas were striking, but so few between. She knew she'd never enter the engine room again, but she'd never forgive herself for exploring and learning.

It was only when she turned a corner in the corridor when she spotted one of the handful of faces that she considered to be familiar. Like Kerouac and Verak, Jenni's senses through up a red flag the very moment she saw Collins. Cohen at least was a lot like his other self, and maybe this Collins had a better perspective and reputation than the one she knew.

For now, Jenni kept walking in Collins' direction. Certainly this was no time for Jenni to alter her own course, After all, why should she avoid the Lieutenant?

Hayley saw the new officer approaching her. The past few days had been a whirlwind of emotions for her. "G'day lieutenant. How is the new ship? " Hayley usually tried to be friendly, even if the other person wasn't as approachable.

Jenni could tell this Hayley was not at all like her doppleganger. Still, there was something that was preventing Jenni from being able to fully accept that. With a weak smile, she replied, "It's amazing how two identical things can be so different. Ships. Events. People."

Hayley's smile disappeared. She had to convince this woman still that she wasn't like her other self. "Very true. But I am not the other me. I have proved myself to Starfleet and to this crew. "

"The other you?" It was almost an accusation. Jenni had to pause and close her eyes. This is not her... echoed in her mind. When Jenni opened her eyes, she looked first at the red collar with the two solid gold pips. Both women were equal in rank, but not seniority. "So you've heard what your... twin has been up to?"

"For the most part, though I haven't personally met her as of yet. She may look like me, but she isn't me, just as her family isn't mine, and neither is this universe."

"It's probably best you don't," Jenni said. And then, with a deadpan tone, she added. "It'll probably cause some kind of temporal paradox."

Hayley chuckled. "I think it's a bit too late for that. Never was too good with paradoxes, temporal placement, blah, blah, blah. That's why I'm a pilot."

That laugh was enough to crack the ice. "A damn good one, I'm sure." Jenni thought of a time when her Katana had to chase Hayley and her ragtag team, only to lose them near the Badlands. She smiled, though ever so slightly. "Oh, the stories I could tell you..." Gesturing to her left, Jenni added, "Care to walk?"

Hayley shrugged. "Sure. So, what has my other self been up to? I mean I read her profile, but how is she in person?"

"Rash," Jenni said, starting to walk down the corridor. "Bold. Arrogant. Best pilot we ever had."

"My Academy instructors told me the same thing, " Hayley replied.

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree then," Jenni mused, clasping her hands behind her as they walked. "Seems to be the case with just about everyone so far." She looked at Hayley and added, "I feel like I owe you an apology. Or two."

"Yes, you do, " Hayley replied boldly with a grin on her face.

Jenni replied with a forced chuckle. She felt like she had missed something, or even was being held accountable for something her other self had done. Still, Hayley's bold acknowledgement was a sign that the two were not that dissimilar. "It's hard, you know, looking... seeing someone you once knew and keeping the sins from another from tainting judgment. I look at you, and I still sometimes see... my Hayley."

"And that is why this ship doesn't belong here. Because no matter what I do, people will compare and even believe that I'm the Hayley from this universe. "

"It could be worse," Jenni quipped, about to refer to their captain. "You could have destroyed an entire planet." Fighting back a sigh, Jenni added as they continued to walk, "The Hayley I knew before... She may have been and still be the things that I said, but she also has passion. When mixed with her... your talents, great things can happen. Your other self may have been dealt a bad hand of cards, but you haven't. Don't redeem her name, but make one for yourself."

"Tell that to Starfleet," she sighed. "But hopefully the captain will get us back to our universe. "

Jenni nodded, pondering for a moment the implications if the Katana did return to her home. She'd be unable to go with them and would likely wind up somewhere else in this universe's Starfleet. Hopefully she'd be able to fight putting back on the red uniform. Snapping back to the topic at hand, Jenni asked, "What did Starfleet tell you?"

"They haven't said anything yet. I think the brain tanks at Starfleet Intel and science are still trying to figure that part out. "

"Hmm," Jenni nearly grunted, considering the circumstances. From what she'd heard, this Katana used an ancient Borg transwarp coil salvaged from a downed vessel her counterpoint literally had stumbled into. The logs left behind by the former Chief Engineer were quite descriptive as to the recovery of the technology, as well as the spooky encounters with the vessel.

Back to the apology. Jenni stopped and turned to face Hayley. "For whatever it's worth, I'm sorry. You've all been through hell. I shouldn't let the impressions of others taint those I serve with now."

Those words really meant a lot to Hayley. "Thanks. Now I don't have to rig your shower to cover you in strawberry frosting," Hayley grinned.

"Oh?" Jenni replied with a smile of her own. Stopping by the Mess Hall for a slice of shortcake was suddenly very appealing. "Nevertheless, we are all here now. I hope I get the chance to get to know you the way I should've known for all this time."

Hayley grinned. "So do I. Up for a bite to eat?" she gestured towards the lounge.

Jenni nodded with a grin of her own. "You read my mind!"

In the days that had followed Jenni's arrival aboard this Katana, she found herself doing one of three things: anchoring a desk in the Intelligence Office sifting through endless records, trying to sleep, or wandering the corridors avoiding sleep. If there ever were a definition for "fish out of water" Jenni was certain she embodied it.

Tonight was the first night that she felt different. She found herself stepping out of the turbolift into the section that housed the senior officers. Perhaps it was still the unknown reasons that had compelled her subconscious to deposit her outside M'rayr's room that now brought her back. Jenni had done her best to break her previous habits and get to know the crew, but she didn't think she had developed deep enough relationships yet to build significant relationships. At least, not on her own rapport.

Before Jenni could ponder the situation further, she took note of several yellow-collared personnel, equipped with phasers, strategically placed throughout the corridor. Two of them in fact were standing just outside M'rayr's door.

Jenni frowned, wondering if she, as one of three members of the ship's Intelligence department, should know what was going on. Or, maybe, she should at least act like she knew what was going on.

Clasping her hands behind her back, she collected her composure and continued moving forward. Nodding at the ensigns who flanked the Commander's doorway, Jenni reached beside the one on her right and tapped the call button.

It was almost four in the afternoon, and yet M'rayr had only just then opted to take a shower. Caitians were usually quite intense in maintaining their personal cleanliness. But given that M'rayr had barely moved from one end of the room to the other, he hadn't felt dirty or unkempt. Taking a shower had been due to a simple matter of the fact that he was bored, and felt that washing himself would pass some of the time. Donning a pair of comfortable sweatpants and throwing a towel over his shoulder, he emerged from the head just in time to hear the cue of the doorway. His isolation hadn't been particularly easy, and somehow knowing that there were people on the other side of that doorway wanting to see him made things better.

That being said, he had no idea if it was going to be Jhu t'Dharvanek, Sabrina Corbin, Jennifer Matthews, or even Kristopher Kerouac this time around. The possibility of Nathan Tonkin coming by to make sure that his prisoner was well secured didn't escape him, either. He understood the need for some security measures to be in place during his confinement. But an armed guard seemed excessive, even to him. His command codes were temporarily locked, and the doors were sealed from the outside. It wasn't as though there were much that he could do.

"Enter," he announced.

The doors parted and Jenni stepped into the room. "Good evening, Commander," Jenni said as the door closed behind her. She smiled, though awkwardly, as a reflex the moment she spotted the Caitian and the condition of his dress. An awkward feeling grazed over her at the same moment as she tried to process the connections between the activity outside, as well as his appearance. She couldn't help but wonder if any of it was somehow connected to her escapades from the night before or if this was another matter entirely.

Almost as soon a M'rayr saw Jenni come through the doorway, he found a smile lifting itself into the otherwise stony face he wore. Caitian's weren't particularly modest about being undressed, although he'd trained himself to walking around his quarters with at least a pair of pants on. Beneficial, seeing as how he doubted that Jenni would have stayed for very long had he not been. Allowing the smile to subside, M'rayr waited until the doors resealed themselves behind her before he spoke.

"Lieutenant," he began, addressing her with the same formality she'd given him no matter how much he'd been tempted to call her by her first name. That choice spiraled into professional precaution. "I hope you were not reprimanded too severely by Commander t'Dharvanek due to your tardiness this morning."

Jenni shook her head in reply. Simply saying the word no was impossible to deliver without any kind of tonal inflection. Not that any inflection could be interpreted or misinterpreted really. "Arrived right on time, actually. Didn't even give her the chance to send out a search party."

M'rayr nodded. "I am glad to hear that," he said, moving over towards the couch he'd slept on just the night before sitting. After t'Dharvanek's visit, he'd finally recycled the blankets that he'd used to keep comfortable that night. The couch looked as clean as the rest of his quarters; Caitians were very tidy creatures. "So what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" He asked.

Of course that would be the question. Truth be told, she still did not know why she felt compelled to visit the commander. Taking a cue from M'rayr, Jenni crossed the room and sat down beside him on the couch. There was plenty of room between the two, prompting Jenni to turn as much as the furniture would allow. She placed her hands, palms up, one on top of the other in her lap. "I'm... still fuzzy on what happened last night. I know I left my quarters. I know I got into a turbolift. And I know I woke up here. I remember what happened, but I don't understand it."

The fact of the matter was that M'rayr knew even less about the particular trigger or triggers of her specific experience. And yet, if his assumptions were correct, he was convinced that he understood Jenni better than anybody else on this ship could. But he was also fighting his own demons... with Counselor Grae's help. What would Lia think if she discovered that the Katana's two PTSD-suffering officers were talking things out with one another?

Few people were there to help M'rayr in the beginning. And he'd been less than willing to accept help. Where did that get him? M'rayr wouldn't allow Jenni to fall into the same kind of sink hole he had... even if it meant making himself an example for her not to follow.

"You told me that you had a nightmare." He suggested.

"A nightmare is a nice term," Jenni shot back. Her smile disappeared from her face, recalling a moment earlier today where she'd watched the security footage from last night. The look on her face had been one of panic and fright. "When I was little, shortly after my mother died, I started sleep walking, if you could call it that. I often wound up in my father's room or my brothers'. By the time I hit my teenage years, I stopped."

Jenni sighed, looking away from the Caitian. "Last night was the first time since I can remember. It's weird watching yourself do something that you have absolutely no memory of."

M'rayr took notice of the sudden change of demeanor. Hearing her story reminded him of his own past as well. An instinct to reach out and hold her by the shoulder came to him, and passed. Recalling his conversation with Jhu, he decided to be completely honest with Jenni. "It gets worse if you ignore it..." he murmured, his own gaze turning absent as he suddenly became ashamed of his own actions again. "Different species have different ways of masking their fears. Be grateful that all you did was walk in your sleep, Jenni."

There, he finally said her name.

Instinctively, she turned her gaze back to M'rayr. Up until now, their salutations had been strictly formal. It was nice hearing something other than her rank. But now was no time to draw attention to it. She was more interested in what his comments had suggested. "But how?" She asked. "How do you deal with something you don't even understand?"

M'rayr looked downward. What he was about to tell Jenni... he didn't want to see the look on her eyes when he told her. "You ask for help, Jenni." he said, his voice carrying an invisible but heavy weight. "You ask for help because there are people who know how to help. You ask because... if you don't, it will only get worse.” Finally, he looked up and caught Jenni’s blue eyes looking back towards him. “And some day... whether it is a matter of months or even years... you will realize just how bad it can become.” He tried to smile, but the expression was weak. To emphasize what he meant, however, he glanced over to the doorway where Tonkin's small security force stood guard nearby.

Clearly, he was hinting at something. Jenni followed his gaze to the door and remembered the security force that remained outside. Her current position was not one that required checking a full duty roster, something she'd done multiple times a day as a Department Head and Acting XO, so she would never have been aware of the Commander's absence. Whatever had recently gone wrong, efforts were being made to cover it up.

The security force, then, could've been more subtle.

For a brief moment, she wanted to smile in realization that her new line of work was quickly taking hold. This was not the time or place to celebrate the notion. She looked back to M'rayr and placed a hand over one of his paws. It was an instinctive response, really. She offered no explanation for her action.

"What I told you last night," she said instead, "has been on repeat for the last few weeks. I can't sleep, much less close my eyes without seeing those... those who..."

M'rayr nodded with an audible grunt to show that he understood. Even years after the R’toroa, the Cushing, the Axanar, and the San Jacinto, he still had those kinds of nightmares; the kind intense enough and real enough that on at least one occasion turned him into a predator. Those kinds of nightmares never went away. It wasn't about forgetting the memory, it was about learning to live with it. "Those who are gone," he said, finishing her sentence. Laying his free paw on top of hers, he gave it a squeeze.

Jenni looked up at M'rayr. There was something in his eye... something that told her that he knew precisely what she was talking about. She squeezed the paw back before rising to her feet and moving towards the viewport. Gazing out unto the stars reminded her of the dream she'd had the night before, but only for a second. "In the nightmare," she said, not turning back to M'rayr, "they kept saying Finish it. But there's nothing left to finish. The report's been filed. The crew's moved on. It's even passed through the JAG office."

There were a lot of interpretations to her dream and what the crew were telling her. One such possibility was that Jenni's subconscious was sharing in M'rayr's very real concerns over Kerouac. In his own nightmares, wasn't it a dead Kerouac telling M'rayr that he had to stop him at all costs? Part of M'rayr secretly wanted to listen to those warnings in his head. But he'd come to trust Kerouac too far to usurp the man now.

M'rayr picked that time to gently withdraw his paw. He was feeling close to Jenni. Perhaps too close. The last thing he wanted to do was something that might jeopardize their budding friendship. "Nightmares, the result of things you and I have both experienced, rarely have any real meaning... Jenni," he began, hoping that she wouldn't feel too slighted by the absence of his paw. "They are personifications of our dread, doubts, fears and remorse. In the end, they have no real meaning. You need to give it time."

Jenni continued to stare out the viewport, crossing her arms in front of her. "I guess hindsight offers too much clarity then." There was a time back aboard the Chimera when she had to make a sudden and drastic decision. She couldn't help for weeks afterward to think about what would have happened had she pursued the other option. Even today at her desk, there was a moment she'd thought about it. That decision, however, was not linked to more than a hundred deaths.

She looked down at her feet, watching them as they shifted to give her a better stance. Like M'rayr said on another day, none of what happened aboard her Katana was her fault. She'd been dealt a poor hand of cards from the start. Had she played those cards differently... well, she likely wouldn't be standing here today.

Before she could give the situation another thought, however, Jenni felt a very strange and sudden impulse. She gasped, feeling something unusually strong build up within her. Oh no... Jenni barely had time to react, and she did manage to bring her hands up to cover her face barely in time to intercept a powerful sneeze.

The sneeze had come so suddenly that M'rayr actually flinched and jerked backwards. His good brow looked at her peculiarly. "Uh, I believe the proper expression is bless-" He didn't have time to complete that sentence.

"AACCHHHOOOO!" Jenni had no idea what had come over her. In fact, as she withdrew her hands from her nose, she fully expected them to be covered with something. Instead, there was a lone hair, one that was not her own, that had been gently laid across her palm. She brushed it away just before having to throw her hands back into her face to catch the next sneeze.

The doors separating M'rayr's quarters from the general corridor opened as two security guards entered with hands resting on their holstered phasers. Their eyes flashed from Jenni to M'rayr and then back again. Clearly, they were being cautious. None the less, it was unsettling for M'rayr to realize that they had unfettered access to his quarters. "Everything is fine, ensign." M'rayr told the closest of the security officers who had a look on his face which indicated she was making sense of the situation. M'rayr would have let Jenni explain, but she was preoccupied.

Without giving the security officers another regard, M'rayr looked to Jenni. "You are not by some chance allergic to felines, are you?" He asked, deciding to punctuate his question with a "lieutenant," in case the security team were detailed in their reports.

Jenni had lost a lot of breath with so much air being forced out of her body. All she could do was shake her head and wave off the security officers. Her family had a pet cat in their home. There were moments where allergies were present, but nothing ever this severe. Though her nonverbal response was sufficient, Jenni chose to reply with a "No, Commander," of her own, following protocol.

The moment she spoke, however, her body forced yet another sneeze into the open.

A sane person wouldn't be going anywhere near the giant cat after he'd nearly killed them, but no one had ever accused Jhu of being sane. She suspected she was in good company with the crazy people on the Katana, not that she'd ever say so out loud. Doing so might give Cohen the ammunition he needed to railroad her off duty, and she wasn't aiming on giving him the satisfaction. Then again, if he heard that she was visiting M'rayr so soon after their altercation, he might try it anyway.

Jhu didn't really care. With M'rayr off duty, his responsibilities fell to her, and those included the welfare of the entire crew, including any furry troublemakers. Remembering that he'd taken a liking to Lydek before, she brought the spotted cat along, letting him explore the corridor until they reached M'rayr's door. Ringing the doorbell with one hand, she scooped Lydek up off the floor with the other while she waited for M'rayr to answer.

Caitians were generally regarded as a species that needed room in order to flourish. Small confines such as personal quarters for an extended duration had undesirable effects. But M'rayr was unwilling to abandon his personally sanctioned confinement. To do so before he was ready to reintegrate with the crew was too high a risk as far as he was concerned. The electronic chirp at his doorway rose him from a small PaDD which he'd been reading. Its contents were personal.

Counselor Grae was not expected for another hour. Who would be there to see him?

Kerouac? Tonkin? Perhaps even Matthews?

"Enter," the Caitian announced.

"You'd better have clothes on, Whiskers!" Jhu announced cheerfully as she came inside, well aware of the Caitian predilection toward not always being fond of fabric against their fur.

M'rayr glanced downward and saw the civilian viridian green trousers he was wearing, but a shirt hadn't come into consideration when he began to dress this morning. t'Dharvanek rounded the corner carrying what M'rayr recognized as her cat, Lydek, both acting as though the events from less than 48 hours hadn't occurred. His brows crossed into a furrow of concern mixed with elements of surprise, and even a degree of relief. His world had just gotten a small bit larger.

"t'Dharvanek, what are you-" he stopped asking before he finished. If there was one thing he was becoming accustomed to, it was not asking Commander Jhu t'Dharvanek why she ever did anything. He set the PaDD down on the table and stood up, trying to act welcoming even though he was still confused. After a moment, all he could reach for in terms of words was, "Is Lieutenant Tonkin comfortable with you visiting me on your own?" He asked.

"Nathan doesn't like it, but he trusts his guards. You know, the ones outside, just down the hall, pretending they aren't watching you. Besides, I'm wearing a tracker." Setting Lydek down and unclipping his leash so he could roam, Jhu shook her sleeve back away from the bracelet-style tracking device on her wrist. Instantly the cat gravitated toward M'rayr, hopping up on the table and pawing at M'rayr's leg for attention.

Using both paws, M'rayr lifted Lydek off the ground and seated him in his lap. It was strange knowing that Terran felines like Lydek were closely and constantly perceived as the human/ape equivalent. M'rayr didn't see the distinction in the same way. Paying attention to the feline gave him enough time to sort out his personal feelings on the degree of suspicion placed upon him. Security guards. A tracking device. He wouldn't be completely surprised if Tonkin had gone so far as to plant observation tools in his quarters.

M'rayr wondered if it would ever be possible for such suspicions would ever change. Even if Counselor Grae were to give him a clean bill of mental health, would the crew ever be able to trust him again? Would his orders carry the same weight as they had before? He'd already been made aware of Kerouac's near loss of sanity with the orb. The crew needed resolute leadership more than anything else. While M'rayr had been assigned to do just that, he'd proven to be just as compromised.

The Caitian held in a sigh as he pet the cat in long strokes down its backside. What he was about to say sounded selfish. He still felt that Jhu deserved more of an apology than the one he'd given her after very nearly killing her. "On that particular matter, I have been giving some thought into what would be in the best interests of this ship and its crew." M'rayr said neutrally while he continued to pet Lydek. "The Katana needs sound leadership."

"The Katana might be screwed in that respect," Jhu replied in the same neutral tone, opting to sit on the edge of the coffee table rather than crowd M'rayr on the couch. "I mean... Kris, you, me... I don't think any of us are your typical starship commander."

M'rayr nodded. "Indeed. But of the three, I can think of one whom has a chance." He looked up to the Romulan/Trill hybrid.

Jhu raised an eyebrow at him. "Do enlighten me. I want to know which of us you think is actually sane enough for the job."

M'rayr willed himself to look Jhu in the eyes, although doing so brought memories of the battered expression burned into his mind. He wasn't yet convinced that what he'd outlined as a worst case scenario requiring him to resign from he Katana or from Starfleet would be necessary, but if it were...

"I thought you would be a reasonable candidate."

"Me?!" Jhu stared at him for a moment, then she laughed a bit. "Whiskers, I'm not cut out for this stuff. Last time I commanded this ship, I damn near started a war with two different factions. How I avoided a shoot-out is beyond me... and I don't take the pressure well."

The Caitian shrugged. "Well, the official record suggests otherwise," he suggested. "Personally, having read it myself, I believe you did rather well considering the circumstances. Undoubtedly, you were placed in a difficult and unexpected position as both your immediate superiors were unavailable. But you came out of it with your ship intact and crew alive. Even had the situation with the Pedians and the Undine turn into a firefight, it would not have been a reflection on your abilities."

"Everyone keeps saying that, but I just don't see it." Jhu watched Lydek as the cat settled himself on M'rayr's lap, purring happily.

"I have. And I do." M'rayr admitted.

"You... do?" Surprised, Jhu gave him a questioning look.

M'rayr nodded wordlessly, but his eyes were full of a certain conviction in his beliefs and what he was saying.

"I wish I had that confidence."

M'rayr wasn't typically one to soft peddle when it came to personal feelings or doubts. Even if he did, it wouldn't have changed what he was about to ask her next. "You may have to find it sooner rather than later, Jhu. Because I am considering the possibility of resigning as the Katana's first officer. I will stay board if possible, perhaps in another capacity. But after what happened, I do no know if I am the best person to be sitting in that chair; Kerouac needs someone that the crew trusts and believes in."

"Oh no you don't. You are not sticking me with your job!" About to give him a sound lashing for even considering it, Jhu faltered as she took in the state of his quarters, especially the couch. "You're slipping, Whiskers. This place is a mess."

Before Jhu had even begun, M'rayr had a counter argument in mind. He was prepared to address the cons of him remaining in the First Officer position with the pros of hers. And then she took a hard swerve into left field and reminded him of the disheveled state of his quarters. There were two mugs on the table, a plate of what had once held a Terran bagel... and a blanket on the couch where'd slept the night before.

That particular swing was so disorientating that by the time M'rayr regained a sense of the argument he was about to make, he felt out of step with himself. "It was a long night," he said, trying to keep his thoughts consolidated.

"A long night, huh? Who else was here?" Jhu needled him cheerfully, pointing at the two empty mugs.

M'rayr knew better than to try to outwit the ship's Chief of Intelligence. If Jhu wanted to find something out, she would. The best he could hope for was to redirect the conversation. But even that felt like it would be a losing battle in this particular case. The Caitian heaved an audible and heavy sigh as he realized at once that he had no choice but to capitulate to her. Otherwise, it would be minutes or even hours long of her prodding him until he did.

"Lieutenant Matthews," he said plaintively, as though it were no big deal.

"Well I'm glad to see she's settling in and making friends."

M'rayr grunted in near-exacerbation. He'd noticed the playful undertone of Jhu's statement. "It was a platonic visit," he pointed out, not wanting Jhu to gather the wrong impression. At the same time, he wasn't particularly inclined to explain in full detail what had taken place last night; that would have been a violation of Jenni's trust in him, whether it was established or not.

"Suuuure it was. If Caitians could blush, you'd be bright red right now." Jhu snickered at him, clearly not convinced by his statement. "Come on, Whiskers. Who am I going to tell?"

"Strictly speaking, Caitian body language is much more pronounced than those of other humanoids," M'rayr objected, forcing himself to speak in a very matter-of-fact tone. After all, Caitians had fur, whiskers, two ears, and a tail to betray their emotional state. Fortunately for him, each of these were well trained, and he was able to keep a semblance of a "poker face" in front of Jhu. M'rayr reached over and grabbed the blanket that had been lying on the couch as he began to fold it for a return to storage.

"It would be easier for you to tell whether or not I was lying, than for me to tell if you were." M'rayr looked up and gave her a look. "Lieutenant Matthews was having difficulty sleeping. She came to my quarters and we talked. I then allowed her to use my bed while I slept on the couch," he finished, indicating the blanket. M'rayr stood up to walk the blanket over to the closet.

It was the truth. Even if he was leaving out certain details.

"Uh huh." Jhu watched him for a moment, a wicked grin forming on her face. "You drank Klingon coffee together because she couldn't sleep. That seems counterproductive, don't you think?"

M'rayr's mane cackled in what, for Caitian body language, constituted surprise and embarrassment. "The Raktajino was replicated this morning," he retorted, even though he had no idea how she would have known. "She didn't have time to return to her quarters before her shift."

"Doesn't smell that fresh to me, Whiskers."

"Believe whatever you want, Jhu." M'rayr stated. He wasn't willing to go through a back and forth with her, particularly as he suspected that she was toying with him. "There are more important matters we should be discussing anyways," he pointed out, for once eager to return to the topic of his future on board.

"I think you actually found someone you like and you're embarrassed about it," Jhu replied cheekily before sobering up at his attempt to return to his previous topic of discussion. "Listen to me, M'rayr. You're not being driven off the ship, and they're not going to take away your position here. You're not dangerous... you're sick. And it's an illness I'm rather familiar with."

I Like her? M'rayr asked himself, mentally distracted once again. Certainly, he found himself behaving differently with Jenni than he would expect with any other member of the crew... including Jhu. M'rayr hadn't been sure why that was. But he hadn't thought of it as some part of him liking her. She wasn't Caitian; she didn't possess any of the pheromone receptors that Caitians did which were quite crucial to the courting process. She was so... alien.

M'rayr realized that Jhu was staring at him, having already moved off the subject. "I am undergoing counseling with Counselor Grae. Inevitably, it will be her determination combined with the Captain's that will be the determining factor."

"I can promise you, Lia's not going to recommend you lose your job. I'm still here, aren't I?" Jhu knew that M'rayr hadn't been on the ship yet when she'd had to see Lia for her own issues, but she assumed he'd heard about the full-blown meltdown she'd experienced.

M'rayr wanted, even hoped, that he could believe her. But he was a pragmatist at the best of times, and a very real pessimist at the worst. And with the long road to recovery that was ahead of him, it was easy to prepare for the worst rather than to hope for the best. "We shall see," he said after a long moment, working a smile into expression.

"Fire and Ice, you're impossible." Jhu sighed at him, shaking her head a bit. "Look, I know how hard it is to wonder. I've been there, probably more times than I can count."

"Tell me about it?" M'rayr asked. He'd read the reports, but words on lines lacked the perspective he might gain by hearing it directly from the mouth of the horse, so to speak. He knew he was being difficult, even mopey (at least as far as a Caitian could be mopey). But between not knowing where his future lay and being confined to these quarters, it was difficult for him to feel like himself.

"I've killed a lot of people, by Starfleet's standards. Nearly always intentionally, mostly under orders. A few mistakes here and there, but it's to be expected with what I do, right?" Jhu smiled wryly, shaking her head. "But none of it compares to being held prisoner and then interrogated by the very people who rescued you from it. Weeks, even months of just not knowing if your career is over or by some miracle they'll keep you around. The looks you get from people who don't understand..."

M'rayr stretched his neck. "I'm beginning to."

Jhu nodded slightly. "When the Dominion War officially ended, most people thought that was it. The Dominion was beaten, the war over... things could go back to normal. Not so true for Section 31... or Starfleet Intelligence in general really. We still ran missions in their territory, lots of them. With one rule... don't ever get caught."

As idyllic as it would be to believe that war could just end with the flick of a switch, M'rayr knew all too certainly that it had taken a great deal of effort to ensure that the terms of the treaty would be honored, and that the Dominion and their Jem'hadar warriors would be in no condition to launch a second attempt. M'rayr looked at Jhu and began to realize that the woman he saw was but a scratch of who she was. Therefore, if she had an opinion on a matter, he felt increasingly inclined to listen to it.

Kristopher Kerouac had entered the Deck 15 Situation Room as Captain Kristopher Kerouac, Commanding Officer of the USS Katana, but had left the room a desperate and broken man. His family was splintered, his officers torn, and sharp words had cut through the fabric of his relationship with each and every man and woman who had been present. Two resignations by members of his Senior Staff, and a room of hostility and hurt feelings. It was no wonder that he left the room less than the officer and man that he had been.

He was no longer Captain Kerouac, he was just Kris. Stripped away from his uniform's vest like over jacket, stripped down to his deep crimson undershirt and black pants, Kristopher had removed the four solid pips from his collar, clenching them in his fist before releasing them onto the top of the table one by one. Each hit the table hard, bouncing a bit before settling and resting quietly on the hard glass top. After the last pip came to its final resting place, Kris removed the communications badge from his uniform's jacket and placed it on the table as well. One last resignation he thought, taking a very deep breath.

Kris knew in his heart that this would be goodbye. Successful or not, this was it. The show would go on without him, but this was his final act. It was an act of desperation. He stood up from his chair, turned to look out at the blackness of space and gave one last salute to his starship. “I've spent several months of my life trying to do my best by you and this crew. I've gotten us through some tough times, but I also put this starship through hell and dragged my crew along with it. Whether or not Starfleet Command ordered us the Delta Quadrant and regardless of simply following orders by using the Borg transwarp technology before it was ready, I did it. I brought us to this universe and took them all away from home. I could have defied orders and stuck my neck out for the crew. They would have removed me from command and replaced me as Commanding Officer with someone who would have just followed orders and made the jump, but at the very least...I wouldn't be the one who got us stuck here” said the man sorrowfully.

He hung his head lowly, bringing his hands up to his face and sobbed for several moments before he could finally bring himself to walk out of the Situation Room. The man that walked out was not Captain Kristopher Kerouac. It was just Kris, a broken and battered soul who had been born and raised on a backwards corrupt fallen Federation colony world, Turkana IV, a man who went through Starfleet Academy pushing buttons and limits, risking life and limb by performing great flight maneuvers, much to the dismay and disapproval of instructors and administration. He had always been the sort of guy who said 'fuck it' and stuck it to the man. However, he had also been a very broken and shattered soul. Orphaned as a child, self raised and street raised, he turned to a life of pretty crime just to live and survive, turned to sex to drugs to make a living and to feel something even if in the end he felt nothing.

For once in my life, I found my family he thought as he made his way down the dark corridors of the lowest deck of the starship. It is only natural that I lose them, have them turn away from me and leave me like this. It's what I deserve he told himself as he entered the Turbolift. He ordered the lift to deck three where he would go to the holodeck, probably for his final time. He had gone there many of times for rest and relaxation, and a few times for recreation. However, this time, he was going there for relief and resignation. He would file an official report to Starfleet Command later rendering his resignation as USS Katana's Commanding Officer. However, this resignation would be personally addressed to every man, woman, child, android, and pain in the ass hologram who was passenger and crew aboard.

Walking into the holodeck, Kris found the program to be exact. It was perfect right down to the stack of PADDs. He had the holodeck run a program that simulated his Ready Room aboard Katana. It only felt right to do this from there, but he had to do it from the holodeck so that he could make a proper holographic recording. He took a seat at his desk. That subtle action triggered a spree of emotions as tears trickled down his face and his mouth quivered and shook, contorting and showing pain. He took a deep breath and resumed the recording:

“Crew and passengers of the USS Katana, if you seeing this message now being transmitted to you via the ship-wide holoemitters, it is in the event that I have been captured or killed on Talos IV or in the event of my no doubt certain court martial. As Captain and Commanding Officer of this starship, I knowingly and willingly committed one of most hideous acts of defiance a Starfleet Officer could ever make, Captain or otherwise. I ordered the crew to set course for the Talos system with full intent of setting foot on the surface of Talos IV, a forbidden planet. This act is in violation of Starfleet General Order #7 and punishment carried with said violation may warrant not only incarceration but also the potential of being sentenced to death. No Starfleet Officer, no Captain has violated General Order #7 since Commander Spock did in order to save the life of his former Commanding Officer, Commodore Christopher Pike. Starfleet Command and the Federation Council thought heavily on how to deal with that situation, and ultimately pardoned Spock due to his actions to provide the Commodore with a life, final years with the Talosians. I however cannot expect such treatment nor understanding. I violate General order #7 with full awareness of what it means to do so. I willingly admit to my actions and graciously so accept full and sole responsibility for doing so” Kerouac announced as he took a pause before continuing on.

He looked up with a heavy heart and sadness in his eyes. He fought back the tears. Captain's don't cry he told himself as he collected his thoughts and subdued his emotions. “You are all my family. Whether I just pass you in the corridor every morning as I head up to the Bridge, or if I bumped into you while in line in the crowded Mess Hall, you are all my family. You are my crew and you are my responsibility whether I know you closely as a friend or colleague, or simply as Ensign Jones, or even if in my gross negligence as Commanding Officer, I haven't learned your name or duty aboard, you are my family, my responsibility, and my concern” added the man with a long and tiresome sigh. Damn these emotions he thought as he wishes it were so easy to take out a chip and be emotionless.

“Twentieth century Yugoslavian author Ivo Andric once said 'When I am not desperate, I am worthless' to which I wholeheartedly agree. I am your Captain, your Commanding Officer, and it has been and always was from the moment I set foot aboard this starship to protect you all and to do my damn best by you. You were and presently are my responsibility so long as I am Captain of this starship. Not long ago we made an attempt at using technology that we were not ready to use, not meant to use, and used it to try and cut distance out of a journey. Well, the technology failed. I failed. I failed because I felt strongly that it wasn't right to use the technology so soon with out testing it properly, and that failure took you away from safety. It took you away from friends, family, and your loved ones back home. For that I am truly sorry. Words cannot express how deeply sorry that I am. I know all to well what it feels like to be ripped away from someone you love and care so truly about. It happened to me and Starfleet said there was nothing that could be done. They gave up on someone I loved with all my heart, they told me they could not exhaust any more resources on a starship presumed lost and a crew presumed dead. My Uri, my finace, my love and my family. He wasn't just some lost crewmember. He was my life. I am responsible for not only the people aboard this starship who are longing to be back home to their loved ones, but also I am responsible for the people back home who are like me...missing a part of themselves, torn and battered, unsure if they will ever see their friend, brother, sister, mother, father, son, daughter...someone that means everything to them ever again. What if we stay out here and Starfleet never knows what happened to us? What then? Are we to simply be written off as a missing starship...a missing crew. Are we to be nothing more in time but a distant memory and a plaque on a wall, name on a monument in memory of a lost starship?” he asked.

Kris slammed his fist on top of his desk “NO!” he shouted. “NO” he added, his voice thunderous. “I will not let any of you be forgotten. I won't simply allow us all to be some monument walked by by some snot nosed, pimple faced Cadet who thinks 'Oh I hope I never end up like the' as he pisses himself out of fear, questioning if he's ready for deep space exploration. I owe it to each and every life aboard to get us home to get you home no matter the personal cost, and so this was my personal cost. I may be dead now or I may be rotting away in a Federation Prison waiting to put to death for these actions. Regardless of where I am and what fate I meet, know that I did this for you here and for those you were pulled away from back home” added Kris.

He then began the personalizing process of his recording. It was what he knew would be hardest, but also the most important for him to do. His Senior Staff needed to hear his words, even if it were the last words they would ever remember him by, perhaps especially if they were the last words to remember him by.

“Commander M'rayr Eisovo. My Caitian First Officer, you have taught me to put my emotions in what I do each and everyday. Be that a good thing or not, I am not sure. However, I do feel like a stronger and better leader because of you and what you've done in the short amount of time we've served together. You were not the First Officer that I ever wanted, but you were the First Officer that I needed. We may have not always gotten along and I may have cracked one or a dozen more cat jokes than ever needed, but you are an exceptional officer and will make a fine Captain of your own some day” said Kris with a small smile.

He reached up and touched his jaw and shook his head smiling. “Commander Jhu t'Dharvanek, my Chief Intelligence Officer. My reluctant Second Officer, and the toughest spotted bitch with a nasty right hook. You literally cause me pain, but more often than not, my friend, you keep me in check and bring me a sense of tough love. Truthfully, I would have never made it a week as Commanding Officer without you here, and I know that I am better Captain because of you. Thank you for putting up with me and thank you for always being there when I needed a someone to knock some sense into me” commented Kris with a playful wink.

Kerouac found himself blushing slightly at the next officer. “Lieutenant Commander Maica, you gorgeous green Diplomat. I think we both know that diplomacy is one of my weakest areas, perhaps about as bad as Andy or Jhu...though Jhu has shown great potential. Regardless, I do not know what I would have ever done without you. Your intelligence and ability to provide a calm, thoughtful resolve has been a God sent gift. I am proud to have had you as a member of my crew and honored to be able to call you my friend. Thank you for everything. Andy has told me that you two plan to wed, and all that I can think about is how sorry I am that I won't be there to perform the ceremony. I wish you and Andy the best, and I love you both” said Kris with a warm smile.

“Lieutenant Nathan Tonkin. You sir are one hell of a Security Chief, loyal beyond words and determined to keep me and this crew safe, even if it means following me into hell. I don't think Jhu could have picked a better man, but really...Jhu? Why in the name of all that is right in this universe or others would you pick Jhu?! All joking aside, I am glad that you two have one another. You make a great couple and I am sure that the two of you can get through anything that stands in your way. You have been an outstanding Officer and I'll be damned if I didn't leave this ship without having one last honor. This starship is going to need a strong security presence and you have already gone above and beyond what any Lieutenant would. I have already filed the paperwork for this, and I don't see anyone objecting. My parting words to you are I hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, and name you Third Officer in the Chain of Command. Congratulation, Commander” said Kris with a salute.

Ah yes the hologram thought Kris with a small smirk. “Lieutenant Arivek Zhuri, my Chief Engineer. I have not always treated you in the way that you deserved to have been treated. For that, I am truly sorry. You are more of a flesh and blood man then I'll ever be. The truth of the matter is, I do not hate you, Arivek. In fact, I envy you. You know the depths of and limitations of humanity. You know what it means to be ethical and moral...you know when enough is enough and have lines that you won't cross. These are the makings of more than a great officer or good Chief Engineer, these are the makings...the distinct markings of a First Officer, perhaps even a Captain in the making. Limitations...on that note my dear hologram, I am sorry for punishing you by having the holoemitters shut off. A month ago, after meeting you and having a heart to heart with you, I started to understand how limiting things could be for you. I wrote to Starfleet Command, the Corps of Engineers, and to Research and Development. I pressured them to place more efforts and resources behind studying the mobile emitter used by the EMH aboard the USS Voyager. I hope that one day, you too can have the freedom that you so rightfully deserve” noted Kerouac with a nod.

“Lieutenant Jennifer Matthews. I know that you are not the Jenni that served under me before, and thankfully I am not the Kristopher Kerouac who you served under. However, I am sure that my most recent actions and orders...my behavior around my Senior Staff may have you questioning that. You have every right to, but I am not him and he is not me. We are genetically the same, but whatever happened in our lives has to be different because I could never imagine having not one iota of hate for you. Jenni, the woman I knew was a damn good Engineer and a good friend. You have shown me that you are also a great Engineer, but also have the ability to take charge and command. You kept that starship of yours fighting to there was no fight left. You are my hero” said Kris standing up. “I stand to show my honor and respect, but also to ask you, beg you to please accept this offer. This starship needs you and I have asked your Starfleet Command to leave you assigned to this strship even after I am not longer Commanding Officer. Please Jenni, stay with this ship. I want you to take over as Chief Operations Officer as I know that this ship could never be in better hands. You know these systems inside and out, and I know that you have the heart and soul of a leader” noted Kris as he took his seat once more.

“Ah Lieutenant Hayley Collins, be still my beating heart. No, not because you are a fine specimen of the human female anatomy...because your flying makes my heart beat faster than it should and the thought of you in a small, fast, and highly maneuverable fighter terrifies me beyond words, but that is most certainly something I would like to see you do. This starship needs you, Collins. It needs you probably a hell of a lot more than it needs me. No matter how dangerous something is, no matter the odds or obstacles that you face, you scoff and make it so. You'll get this starship and crew anywhere and in one piece. So, I do sincerely hope that you choose to remain a member of this crew for as long as you it is a good career move. My departing gift to you is my sponsorship and support for you to be a test pilot for experimental technology and prototype craft. I can't think of anyone crazy enough” added Kris.

Science thought Kris as he thought what to say to this woman. “Lieutenant Bridget O'Connor, I have not had the opportunity to get to know you as well as I have the other members of the Senior Staff. For that I feel that I suffered a lost opportunity. You are a fine officer, a good scientist, and have I admire you for standing up to me not with harsh words or wild emotions, but with scientific facts, sound reasoning, and most of all with insightful morality. I will be leaving behind a full report on the great work you have been doing in the Science Department and my hope that you will remain aboard the Katana and serve under my successor. This starship is an Intrepid-class...we should be doing more scientific studies and missions of a scientific nature. I will leave this as a strong recommendation for whoever takes my chair and Ready Room to take more of these assignments in order to highlight your abilities. I also would like to see you come out of the labs more and put in some more time at the Science Station on the Bridge.” Kris smiled and gave the woman a small nod.

“Counselor Lia Grae,” began Kristopher shaking his head. “I don't think I have ever met a woman like you. Thank whoever for small miracles because if I had more women like you in my life, I wouldn't have a life. Thank you. Lia, you and I recently exchanged some words, most of which I am not too proud of. I am so sorry for what I said to you, and I am sorry that I pushed you to the point of declaring your resignation from this starship and crew, from the position of Ship's Counselor. Well, tough. I refuse to accept your resignation and as far as I am concerned you may take that PADD you no doubt are working on, drafting up your formal resignation...yeah, take that PADD and shove it. I care about you and this crew far too much to let you just walk away. This crew is a family, Lia. You know that better than I do. We've been through a lot together and the majority of us are not from this universe. They need you Lia, and whoever takes my place...they are going to be from this place. They won't understand this crew's loss, and they will need you to be their right hand advisor. You are a truly special young woman, bold and intelligent beyond my ability of fully appreciating, but this crew appreciates you and I am sure that this new CO will appreciate you greatly. Don't give up on this crew, and never give up on yourself” said Kris with his parting words to Lia.

“Hello, Andrea. Ginger Borg pain in my ass and most dangerous internal threat to this ship and crew. Yes, you fuck up quite a bit, but so do I. I do it a lot more than you do. So, I don't want you to take my words back in the briefing, don't let them hurt you. They were the desperate sharp ramblings of a hurt man. You are the Chief of Boat, you are the leader of the squints and grunts, the backbone of this starship. You know where most Captains fail? Not being able to mend or bridge the natural separation of the enlisted personnel and the officers. That's why we have you and why we need you. It was true when I said there was a difference between you and the others in that room, and yes it is that you are Enlisted. That, however, is not a bad thing. In all honesty, it is a fantastic thing. You speak your mind, you are uncivilized and go right for the average Joe or plain Jane way of doing things. Please don't ever change and please go on to do great things, marry Maica and love her. You deserve to be happy, both of you, and seeing the two of you everyday, the love in your eyes towards her and her towards you is what gave me the strength to be open and date Liam. Thank you. Thank you for showing me that I have it in me to love again. You gave me a second life, maybe I didn't deserve it. Maybe I wasted it, but I appreciate you giving it to me” said Kris, pressing his index and middle finger to his lips.

“Liam” said Kris. Yeah, there's a reason you're last thought Kris to himself as he prepared his words in his head, but in the end just aborted it and went with whatever came out. “Counselor Grae said pretty harsh words...they aren't true. I love you, babe. I love you more than I have loved anything in my life. Uri was my fiance and I owe it to him and his family to find out what happened to him, to find that starship wherever it is. I loved him and he'll always have a place in my heart and be on my mind, but I moved on with my life. It would have been what Uri would have wanted, and though I never thought that I would ever love again, I was wrong. I met one of the most amazing men to have ever entered my life. You make me feel safe and you believed so strongly in me, and I in you. I know that I haven't been the easiest man to love or to even have a relationship with, but know that I am not doing this out of some selfish reason. I am doing it for this crew, for my family. Whatever happens to me know that you'll be on my mind and in my heart until its final beat” said Kris, tears were evident as they began to streak down his face. “Goodbye, my love” closed Kris simply.

He quickly stopped the recording and took a deep breath. “Computer, saved recording and store it in the ship's data banks. Play recording shipwide upon the deletion of my command codes to this starship” commanded the Captain, giving one last order. The computer processed the command and responded with a simple 'affirmative.'