Birdsong had never held much appeal to Lieutenant Junior Grade Asa Dael, but somehow while dreaming lazily on Itafy beach in Madagascar, Asa understood the appeal.

The cloudless sky was azure blue, reflecting off the navy blue and emerald green waters of the beach, and schools of colorful tropical fish swam gracefully in the coral reef just off the coastline. Fishing boats could be seen at the edge of the horizon, and gently swaying trees lined the beach area, providing shade where the sand met the land. A food and drink vendor walked up and down the beach, stopping by umbrella’s and towels to provide refreshment to guests resting a comfortable distance from one another. The world felt at peace, and in this moment, Asa understood the appeal of restfulness instead of their usual manic energy.

The last mission on the USS Hera had been a harrowing one, and the emotional toll it took on the doctor was high. They had lost six crew members, narrowly escaping the same fate by a combination of luck and teamwork. Now the salt in the air was not from tears, but the scent of the sea, and Asa allowed themself to forget about their woes for now.

After finishing off a particularly strong daiquiri, Asa stood, brushing the sand off their baggy board short and tank top combo. Their pale skin looked luminous reflecting in the sunlight, and the all black ensemble the doctor was wearing was not helping. The contrast between light and dark was a bit jarring, and made the doctor look even paler than usual. Combined with their frail physique, one could be forgiven for thinking Asa was here for medical recovery of some kind. But then again, perhaps they were…after a fashion.

Walking towards the beach, Asa felt like eyes were on them. By no means was Asa a master of situational awareness, but a few outings under fire had taught the young El-Aurian to trust their instincts. Turning to face the shore, they saw a young human man openly staring. He winked and motioned the doctor over. Curiosity piqued, Asa joined him at the food stand he was loitering at.

“Um, hi. Can I help you?” they inquired.

“It’s not every day we see someone as…..unique…..as you. I’m guessing you aren’t human….so, what’s your story?” the unknown man asked.

He was good looking in a casual kind of way. Sun darkened skin with a smattering of freckles, light brown hair with striking blue eyes, muscles that were obviously for show and not utility. He reminded Asa vaguely of the athletes from the Academy, or the security recruits. He was the type of person that most of the medical students would have called a jock.

“I’m El-Aurian,” Asa replied primly, feeling a bit off put by the man’s demeanor. They were waiting for the inevitable jokes about their pale skin, their lack of musculature, their lack of gender, or their general personage. The jocks they had worked with before always went straight to that…Well, hopefully once they grew up that changed.

“Oh, I’ve never met an El-Aurian before,” he replied, interest shining in his eyes. “My name’s Jake by the way, what’s yours?

“Asa,” they replied, “Um, nice to meet you.”

Jake moved closer to Asa, bumping against their shoulder and looking them up and down. His pupils seemed to be dilated- but that made no sense as he was not in too much shade or too much light. He reached down and plucked Asa’s right hand, as if to force a handshake, but instead brought the hand to his lips, pressing an unwanted kiss on the doctor’s skin.

Trying to suppress a cringe, Asa withdrew their hand quickly and surreptitiously wiped it on their shorts. “Well Jake, it’s been nice to meet you, but I think it’s time I go for a swim, Catch you later!” they called, quickly jogging off and out of site.

Creepy much? Plus that’s just an absolutely fantastic way to spread germs. Hope he doesn’t have Alusian fever with eyes like that…” Asa thought to themself while diving into the vivid blue water.

The doctor had always been a strong swimmer, brought by spending hot summer days growing up swimming in the rivers as a way to cool off. The waves were steady and manageable, and the doctor found themself exploring the area and ranging a bit further afield than they meant to. Just as Asa was considering it might be time to turn back they caught sight of a small inlet along the shore line leading to a picturesque grotto.

About half the interior was filled with shallow water, decreasing in depth up to a sandy shore with a smattering of grass at the rear. The stone cave was filled with a canopy of bioluminescent blue and purple vines growing up along the domed interior of the grotto, and small glowing plants filled the interior of the cave as they floated gently in the water and grew from rocks in the grass. The glow gave the grotto an other-worldly underwater appearance, uniquely beautiful and unlike anything Asa had seen before.

They paddled to the shore and rested half in-half out of the water, enjoying this moment of peace. The waves gently lapped Asa’s body and they felt the force of the ocean to cause a slight sway as they sat on their still submerged knees. The gullsong was the only company Asa was aware of until a jade green mist wafted from the rear of the grotto.

Inquisitively Asa turned to look at the mist, noticing it was swirling in on itself forming a beautiful sphere, now more emerald in appearance as it increased in density. The sphere flattened itself to a circle, and the outer rim along the circle darkened uniformly to a deep navy blue. Then the navy shifted to bisect the circle at a point starting at the center of the circle, disappeared, and then reappeared as a duplicate of the same half-diameter line. Then, as the emerald green dispersed to form a jade cloud, the navy blue line broke into three large segments and one segment slightly over 1/10th the size of one of the lines. After a moment the navy lines dispersed into the jade cloud, which reformed itself as an emerald swirling sphere.

The visuals had been simple but beautiful, and it took a moment for Asa to snap out of their reflection and realize what they had been shown.

“Pi! Of course!” the doctor exclaimed, realizing as they spoke that the being they spoke to was not only sentient, but knowledgeable about mathematics also.

Tentatively, Asa waived at the sphere and said in a sheepish tone, “Um, hi there. I’m Asa, nice to meet you. I like your sphere. It’s a very pretty shade of green.”

In response the sphere swirled a bit faster for a moment, then drifted closer to Asa. As it reached the doctors resting formed it began to form a tendril that reached out towards the El-Aurian tentatively, stopping just short of touching them, as if asking permission. Asa thought about telling the sphere to go ahead, but then realized that they had no way of knowing if they were understood. So instead, Asa reached out with one hand towards the whirling emerald sphere, showing them by action that touch is welcome.

Still moving slowly, as if allowing the young doctor a chance to move away if desired, the gaseous form moved towards Asa, eventually brushing against their fingertips and moving to surround the doctor’s arm, shoulders and head. The doctor sensed that perhaps the being needed to surround the form of whomever they were near in order to establish contact, and Asa obliged by moving out of the water onto the shore of the grotto. Once they were fully out of the water, the green sphere moved to envelop Asa’s form, creating a tickling sensation as the gas swirled.

A pressure was felt inside Dael’s head and they realized that the being was attempting to communicate to them directly. Walls they were not aware they had erected inside their mind fell at a thought, and Asa thought enthusiastically, “Hi there! I’m Asa…you getting this?”

The feeling of mirth and happiness they received in response was an immediate affirmative, then Asa received sensations of greeting and well wishes, a sense of benign intent, and feeling as if questioning if their communication method was acceptable.

Sure, this is fine, but I admit I’m a bit new at this. I tend to think in words, I’m guessing you don’t?

The sensation shifted to one of thoughtfulness, then as if summoned from a great distance, the impression of words began to form in Asa’s mind, I can, but it has been ages. Greetings Asa, I can be known as Viridi. That is what they called me when I was last on this planet. But you are not from here, I feel the universe in you, a touch of something…outside. Different. What is this?

The question felt genuine and curious, not as a judgement, but an honest inquiry to understand a mystery. Asa moved to sit on a nearby stump and Viridi moved with them, causing Asa to measure their steps more than usual to avoid a misstep. Once seated, Asa replied, I’m nothing special. Just an El-Aurian who has been given a bast from a goddess and made a pact with Death They then thought of an image of winking along with the sound of laughter and feeling of joviality to convey that although the statement was true, it was said with laughter, not bitterness.

This is new to me. I have not seen any life forms like you before. You are new, and for one as old as I, new is beautiful. Viridi responded.

You are new to me too, Asa thought, The people I serve with, Starfleet, they have encountered beings that looked to them as you do to me, but almost always in the depths of space. You said you have been here before? Where is home to you?

Instead of a response in words, Asa felt a sensation of great distance, a feeling of Nebula’s whizzing by on their skin, the eddies of a whirling gas giant enveloping their body, heat beyond what organic life could withstand- but not uncomfortable heat. To Asa the felt as if a warm embrace, it felt familiar, welcoming….it felt like home. They had the impression of a binary star system the planet was orbiting, creating a peculiar orbit as the planet was drawn to two equal gravity sources who were locked in their own dance.

They saw the growth of a rocky planet nearer the stars, a planet much cooler and rich in vegetation, liquid water, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon based life. Asa watched as the beings on the gas giant as they detected the growing civilization on the rocky planet. The gaseous beings ventured forth and allowed the unseen eddies of energy in their star system to draw them closer to the rocky world, and they floated down through the atmosphere and began to interact with the new life forms. The gaseous beings swirled with curiosity and joy, and Asa felt their excitement at confirmation they were not the only life in the universe. The doctor felt the glee as the Malleable Ones (as the beings on the rocky planet called them) learned to make touch-telepathic contact to share their minds and knowledge with the Little Ones (as the Malleables thought of them).

For a time there was peace. The two sentient species learned from each other, and the Malleables marveled at the flora and fauna of the rocky world. The Little Ones built rudimentary star ships to travel to the gas giant and see the whirls of energy and storms of sentience that raged there for as long as could be remembered. Both grew from one another….until the Little Ones became jealous of the Malleables. Jealous of their immortal life span, jealous of their ability to travel through the vacuum of space unaided, jealous of their lack of sickness, and jealous of what they perceived to be an imbalance of power.

Prophets and Kings rose up in the Little Ones, the Malleables were exiled back to their own planet, where they began to search for other life to learn from. Then one day, the air ignited. Burning in a horrendous blue fire, the nurturing gases and enzymes of the Malleables planet were all stripped away, leaving a dissipating ball of gas and a few living Malleables, now adrift in open space fleeing from the spaceships of the Little Ones, still armed with the killing weapons that had destroyed their world.

Asa felt Virildi’s sadness as they fled their home system, followed by many long years traveling formlessly through the vacuum, stopping by planets when they found them to explore and search for life. There was a sensation of contentment as Virildi rested on some inhabited planets, observing but very rarely interacting with the life already there. They watched as their new friend hitched a ride unseen on countless starships, and saw them travel to Earth three years ago. Virildi had been to Earth before in a long bygone era and had been curious to see what the little hairless apes were up to. Surprised to find Earth the heart of the Federation, they observed the comings and goings of other races, and decided they found a place to rest for a while again. After finding a quiet grotto with an interesting coral reef and abundant life nearby, Virildi had been residing in a crack in the rock face of the cave when Asa came swimming in.

Taken aback at the unexpected depth of answer, Asa replied, I’m…I’m sorry you went through all that. That you have lost so much. If I may ask….why did you chose to speak with me? I would have never known you were there…

There was a brief pause, then the words formed in Asa’s mind, Because you are like me. Alone. Unique. Neither of us has a world anymore. I saw you were like me, and I missed speaking with others.

The emotion this sentiment evoked in Asa was instantaneous. They felt sorrow for what they were both missing, but also joy that they could share this beautiful place and time together. Attempting to communicate with Virildi in the same way the other was accustomed to, Asa sent across images of dancing and happiness, followed by a questioning feeling, as if to convey, “Wanna dance?”

The joy received in response was full of mirth and surprise. You are the first to have this reaction. I have never danced before. I would very much like to dance with you Doctor Asa Dael.

Permission having been given, Asa started humming a random series of notes as they came to mind, and stomping out a beat of three for an old time waltz. The overall effect was one of an El-Aurian religious chant being performed by an 1800’s Earth composer, but it suited Asa’s purposes just fine. They raised their arms up and felt Virildi swirl beneath them, caressing their arms and legs as they moved together in time. Asa took swirling steps in a circular pattern and waived their arms about haphazardly; Virildi picked up the beat and began swirling up and down Asa’s body in time. To anyone who did not know what they were seeing it would have looked as if some unseen hand was moving diaphanous cloth over the doctor’s form as they danced. The entire affair was vaguely hypnotic to Asa, only ruined by taking one misstep and tumbling into the wet sand, where they continued to stagger until sitting down awkwardly in knee-high water.

Virildi had not disconnected at the stagger though, and now hovered enclosing the doctor’s head and shoulders. The sensation in Asa’s mind felt akin to kindly laughter and enjoyment of the dance being completed. They felt their ears turn bright red in embarrassment, when suddenly a thought occurred,

Wait, do you not need to be surrounding me in order to communicate? Asa inquired.

No, Asa Dael. Only to make the first contact. Now as long as a few of my molecules are touching you, we can sustain contact. It was very nice to be touched though as we danced. It has been many long years since I knew the feel of other sentient beings molecules entwined in mine. was the response.

The loneliness behind the statement was palpable, and Asa reached up to run their hand through Virildi slowly, as if stroking their back gently in response. Asa had never felt such an immediate feeling of kinship with another being, but there was something so beautiful about Virildi. The way Virildi swirled was so gentle, so hypnotic, so….stunning. And the way they communicated not just with words but thoughts and emotions, completely unashamed and without holding back…Asa had never experienced a being so open with them….so will be to vulnerable. It was flattering and charmed the young doctor into responding in kind.

As long as I’m down here….wanna go for a swim? Asa sent the mental image of a playful wink combined with a loving caress.

I wish very much to share your experiences, Asa Dael Virildi responded.

Asa waded deeper into the water, making sure to keep a bit of their head above water at all times as Virildi maintained contact that way, and also provided a bit of sensory input with each breath Asa took. They were about to start doggy paddling back towards shore to offer Virildi an evening enjoying a stroll through the famous Avenue of the Barabos Trees when there was the sound of an approaching boat.


“That’s odd,” Asa said aloud. One of the reasons they had swum in this direction was the area was closed off to aquatic thoroughfare outside of swimming. The birds shared their alarm and the fish sharing the grotto with them took off quickly in the opposite direction. Wanting to be on steady ground, Asa began to go back towards shore when a small craft raced in and Asa felt themself being physical hauled into a boat. Virildi signaled anger and surprise combined with a bit of fear, but did not make contact. As if realizing that Asa could draw strength from them, the gentle gas sent calming thoughts and feelings of solidarity through their mental contact.

Once the spinning in their head stopped Asa turned to look at the man piloting the boat.

It was Jake.

He was still smiling, but his smile looked predatory now. Three other men were on the boat, one moved to hold Asa still while the other two jumped into the water and went ashore, clearing the area in much the same way Asa had seen security personnel perform the task serving on the Hera.

“What the hell is going on?!” Asa cried, angry at being manhandled and confused as to why.

Looking down at them, Jake’s smile widened to show more teeth. His voice rasped harshly as he said, “Well well well, what have we here? I came here to pick up one specimen, and I have two? The Curator will be so happy.”

Asa did not know what, or who, The Curator was, but the capital letters were clearly pronounced by Jake, and the doctor was certain they did not want to find out. Virildi sent across a quick flash of reassurance, and a promise to return, and began to pull away from Asa to seek a way out.

Virildi was fast…but Jake had been expecting this. He drew a vacuum hose out from his boat and flipped a switch, causing immediate strong suction. Asa watched in horror as their swirling green friend was sucked into a small pressurized container similar to those used to store hazardous materials in a lab. A light on the top of the container turned from red to green, indicating it was in use, and Jake disconnected the hose before directing the two grunts to carry it aboard.

“How dare you!” Asa screamed, moving to kick and punch and bit whatever-or whoever- they could get their hands on. “Let us go!”

Those words spoken, Asa realized Jake had not come for them. No one casually traveled with a vacuum container to capture a sentient shade of green- this crew had been here for Virildi.

Asa’s struggle was brief- they weren’t the strongest individual, and these were trained operatives. The two men that had gone ashore having secured Virldi tied Asa’s feet securely and locked their wrists behind their back. Sensing movement would only hurt, the doctor collapsed like a lump in the bottom of the boat.

“There, that’s more like it,” Jake replied, reaching down to pat their head condescendingly.

“Why are you doing this?” Asa asked, their voice tinged with fury and fear.

“The most important three little words in the galaxy, my dear,” he replied, “Gold. Pressed. Latinum.”

There was not much worse in the universe to Asa than a person who would harm others for as paltry a reason as profit. However knowing the intended purpose was a help….after all, Jake would need to keep them alive in order to make a profit. Well, probably would need to keep them alive. Maybe.

“And how much is a life worth?” Asa sneered in response.

This was clearly the wrong move. A booted foot was applied quickly and with great force to Asa’s abdomen, knocking the air out of them and leaving Asa gasping for air through a clenched jaw. Jake reached down and backhanded them across the face before taking a handkerchief out of his back pocket and stuffing it in Asa’s mouth to act as an impromptu gag.

“Yours? I have no idea, you are just a tasty bonus to take to The Collector. El-Aurian’s are rare, but not unheard of. But a genderless El-Aurian? And a baby to boot? That’s a treasure rarely come by. Of course your parents will be looking for you, but I’m confident we will be far enough away before too long that they won’t be able to use any freaky El-Aurian abilities to find us. Poor little child, should have stuck with Mommy and Daddy,” he concluded, stroking one hand down their face in mock concern.

He doesn’t realize I’m here alone. Gods, I’m so screwed. I’m going to die. He’s going to sell me and I’m going to die….Wait. Breathe, Asa. He doesn’t realize you are Starfleet either. When you don’t show up as expected they will start looking for you. There is no way the Hera will leave without you. The captain wouldn’t do that, Rita wouldn’t do that, and I think Dox would refuse to fly without at least some explanation of my absence. Clemens will lead the hunt, probably wearing too many gadgets for his own good, Thex will find a way to get the ship closer to use its tools without being seen, Sonak will have the composure to find a logical solution….

They continued to go through the list of the crew, one at a time, thinking of what each person would contribute to the effort to find them, realizing their makeshift family would not let them down. They just had to stay in one piece until rescue came. It was then that Asa realized…rescue would come for them. Virildi had no one coming to rescue them. All Virildi had was one Lieutenant Junior Grade Doctor Asa Dael. Well. Shit.

Resolve flooded the doctor’s mind. This maniac would not be allowed to sell their new friend to another maniac. To live in a universe where that happened was simply unacceptable, so Asa would not accept it. They would find a way to stop this travesty from occurring.

The sound of the boats engine changed, indicating the vessel was starting out over deeper waters. Asa’s brow furrowed, they had been expecting the band to put ashore in the same area that Asa had been staying. Knowing they would not be able to effect anything in their current position, Asa decided to conserve their energy and wait for an opportunity. Of course, their kidnapper was expecting a child….and a child would not behave the same way a Starfleet officer would. A child would be terrified and acting much different. If they were to have any chance of success, Asa’s kidnappers would need to think of them as helpless and fearful. Only then would they lessen their guard, allowing a chance for escape.

The doctor curled in on themselves as best as their bonds would allow and began sniffling and trembling as if holding back tears. Jake glanced down derisively, muttering something to himself about weak willed children. Once Asa ensured no one was looking at them, they spared a wink for Virildi and resumed cowering.

Think Asa, they berated themself, How are they keeping Virildi contained? Obviously some sort of special high-pressure container, but Virildi should be able to escape pressure alone. There must be a localized gravity field also. That would explain why it took two of them to carry the container once it had been sealed. So if I want to free them, I need to what? Reverse gravity? No, no, obviously unseal the container somehow. He sealed it with his hands on the mechanism, and I don’t see any biometric readers on there….so if I can get my arms free somehow I can scootch over there and at least get Virildi free. Well, except for the vacuum device Jake used, curse him. That has to be out of play too.

The vacuum pack was sitting directly next to Virildi’s container- directly between the two security thugs. There was no way they would allow Asa to get close enough to do anything. Desperately searching for any kind of tool, Asa acted as if they were being wracked by sobs and twisted and turned to survey what was on hand. The only options that presented themselves were the utility tools directly on the belts of Jake and his goons, so Asa wrote that off immediately.

They had been so occupied with searching for a way out that Asa did not realize the engines had cut off until they felt one of the goons picking them up and tossing them over a shoulder like a sack of potatoes. The boat swayed slightly in the ocean water and nothing could be seen for miles around. Asa’s heart sunk into their stomach with the realization that they were about to be transported off to who knows where.

Soon enough the twinkly lights that spoke of Federation transporter technology enveloped the entire assemblage, and when Asa next opened their eyes they saw drab, clinical hallways filled with dust. Small circular windows looked out onto a parched red landscape, revealing other structures, mostly white, with circular windows and some with glass dome tops. No one was seen moving outside, the entire area looked to be covered in red dust and was clearly long since abandoned. The power in the hallway flickered, as if unaccustomed to being in operation.

Mars? I’m on Mars? In what….an old hospital? Asa thought.

After being carried through what felt like five miles of hallways, Asa was unceremoniously dropped onto an uncomfortable bed, metal retractable arms raised up to allow their kidnappers a place to tie their arms and legs.

Goon #1 as Asa had come to think of him went to tie their left arm to the left side of the bed, but at the slightest pressure the arm gave way and threatened to fall off. With a grunt of dissatisfaction, he moved and tied both wrists to the right side of the bed. Goon #2 caught on wordlessly and secured Asa’s ankles together to the right side of the bed as well. Lying awkwardly on their side, Asa sniffled and felt a rise of genuine panic at being left hog-tied to a bed.

Goons #3 and #4 brought in Virildi’s container, struggling and grunting at the increased weight caused by the gravity field. Jake supervised the entire affair, and seeing things were to his liking instructed goons 1 and 2 to stand guard at the door and call him at the first sign of trouble. With that, Jake strode from the room, already calling someone on a communicator and bragging loudly that they would be most pleased with him.

As soon as the door latched, Asa began to slowly inch the ties on their wrists to the bottom of the metal arm railing. Making sure to remain silent, they worked their ankles to be as low on the bed as possible also. Fingers searching, Asa reached down, feeling for the emergency release button they knew to be on the side of all hospital beds from the era of this station.

Almost…..there…….. they thought, freezing upon feeling the button with the very tip of the middle finger on their right hand.

The bed was old, and it made a slight sighing sound as Asa’s weight shifted. They froze, expecting the goons to see what all the fuss was about.

Screw it. They think I’m a child, might as well act like one. Asa concluded as they began to scream hysterically through the gag in their mouth. The door slammed open, and Asa curled their fingers in, away from the release button, and into what they hoped passed for a fist of fear.

“What’s all this about?” Goon #2 demanded. “Crying for your mommy? Tough luck. Once the boss sells you, you won’t ever see her again, no matter how long you live.” He ripped the gag roughly from Asa’s mouth and said, “Now tell me you will behave like a good little child.”

Asa had always heard the best lies started with the truth, and they needed a well of grief to draw from to fuel their tears, otherwise nothing but anger was coming to come through, and that would be counterproductive. They thought back to how much they had loved their mother, what a gentle soul she was, how much she made Asa feel safe and loved. Then they remembered what it was like to lose her, to have that security ripped away, to go through life feeling as if part of their soul was ripped out. They thought how much they would love their Mother to rescue them, not just from this horrid situation, but also from the pain of growing up motherless, the pain of growing up seeing how destructive their father was and being powerless to stop it. The pain of losing Brennan, the last precious gift of a baby brother Mother left behind. Asa embraced the isolation they felt through the Academy, of always feeling like they needed to be rescued, of feeling helpless, of feeling like an imposter, a child who ran away from home and got in too deep. Asa let all the waves of mourning they long suppressed behind a smile come crashing in. The tears they shed now were real.

“Well?” the goon asked, leaning down and getting his sweaty face directly in front of Asa’s. To their horrors, a huge hand was groping their backside and moving towards the front as the goon continued, “Promise me….or I’ll make you wish you did.”

“My mother is dead you bastard!” Asa screamed, finally finding the perfect blend of rage and sorrow to sell their feigned helplessness. “My father isn’t though! And he would never let people like you steal me! He’ll find you! You’ll see! As soon as he gets back from his walk and I’m not there, he’ll turn the system upside down looking for me!” Asa punctuated their point by forming the largest spitball in their mouth as possible and launching it directly in the goons face.

The goon stood up in a fury, ripping Asa up off the bed and freeing them from their bonds through brute force strength. The doctor felt their body being thrown against the wall as Goon 2 told Goon 1 to go outside and make sure they weren’t interrupted. The fear that coursed through Asa’s body made them feel like everything was moving in slow motion as they took in every detail of the room.

Virildi was churning furiously inside their container, agitated at the scene in front of them and frantically seeking a way to get out. The bed had turned over, zip ties still hanging loosely from the metal arm. There was a cabinet along the wall with door that appeared to hold the standard compliment of medical instruments from the 2200’s. Asa had learned about medical history of course, and knew what should theoretically be in each drawer. If only they could get past the goon to the wall they would have a fighting chance….

A shard of broken glass from a broken screen was nearby on the floor, and a collection of discarded hospital gowns lay in the opposite corner. The other walls held the usual medical posters from the time, warning about the dangers of pressurization sickness and how to detect the early stages of radiation sickness. Asa began to dismiss the posters as useless until they saw the tacks holding them onto the wall. Crude method for hanging items- but it would be a start for the doctor to escape.

Goon #2 strode towards Asa slowly, like a snarling wolf closing on its prey. “Oh little one,” he said, “That was a huge mistake. You are a prize to be sure….but The Collector will prize you just as much with a little extra color on you.”

Suddenly he pounced, grabbing Asa by the neck and throwing them to the ground next to the updended medical bed. Time resumed its normal speed as the air once again left Dael’s lungs. It took a moment to realize the pain they were feeling were from a series of blows landing on their back, and at that moment Asa heard the cracking sound of a belt being removed and whipped through the air, landing its first strike on the doctors back.

The scream Asa let out at this point was not feigned but genuine, and words escaped the doctor as lash after lash fell. The goon made derogatory comments the doctor did not fully hear until finally the blows ceased and they were hauled back to the bed. Goon #2 realized he didn’t have any more restraints and went to secure one of the discarded hospital gowns to use to tie Asa’s hands to the metal frame.

Goon #1 looked in as Goon #2 made his exit and asked, “Think that will hold?”

“Even if it doesn’t, where do you think that idiot is going? We are both right here. It’s fine. We’re leaving in an hour anyway,” he replied.

An hour?! Asa repeated internally, I have got to get out of here now.

Once the door was closed, Asa allowed themself a count of 10 to sit and cry quietly, attempting to regain their breath while considering their options. The beds angle was awkward, but Asa managed to scoot along and find the emergency release on the beds arm again, pressing it gently and slowly as the metal slowly detached from the bed.

Thank gods I do all those stretches Asa thought as they doubled over to catch the metal frame with their feet before it could make a sound. After returning the frame gently to the ground, Asa worked the bonds on their wrist around to slide off one end; they then brought the fabric to their teeth and using a complicated series of movements between teeth, tongue and wrists, worked to free their hands. Rubbing feeling back into their wrists, Asa contemplated their next move.

Ok, now to free Virildi. And maybe try to arm myself…

An inventory of the cabinet along the far wall revealed nothing of use, so Asa began to try and open the attached drawers. The first two held long expired medications and swabs, the third prophylactics that would be sure to fail now, and the fourth was locked. The lock wiggled slightly, an old fashioned mechanical lock with a key. Having grown up among a group of timeless peoples, Asa had broken into their fair share of mechanical lock to cause a bit of mischief or search for goodies that the elders had hidden away. Nothing had pleased Brennan more than candy stolen from their fathers lock box, so Asa had picked up the skill quickly. Unfortunately there was not much visible they could use to pick a lock, and time was running out.

Steeling themself against the oncoming pain, Asa picked up the shard of glass and allowed it to slice into their left hand while they used it to fiddle with the locking mechanism. Fortunately the glass was thin enough and was able to wiggle back and forth until the lock finally sprang open with a loud click. Asa paused for a moment, checking that the goon squad had not heard anything, and once no ruffians burst through the door, the doctor proceeded to open the drawer.

Inside was a series of controlled medications and four hypo needles. Pocketing the needles in the ruined remains of their swim trunks, Asa walked over to Virildi’s container. The green light was still lit, and Virildi was swirling uncertainly in the container. Asa gently placed the glass on the ground and without thinking ran their fingers through their hair, smearing blood across their face and hair. They tried pressing the unlock button, but a keypad opened, revealing the need to enter a pass phrase to open the container.

Seven characters Asa thought, counting the number of spaces to be filled, What would this group of hooligans use for a password?

The doctor ran their hands up and down the sides of the container, thinking calming thoughts towards Virildi and looking for any escape mechanism. There was none. The cursor on the password blinked unhelpfully.

For a moment Asa almost despaired, they tried to lift the container, but it was far beyond the young doctors ability to carry. The tears that flowed silently now were of frustration as Asa counted on their fingers the letters in the most common words used by smugglers they had learned in Starfleet Security 201.

Password? No, that’s 8. Guest? No, that’s 5. Starfleet? No, that’s 9, not to mention highly unlikely. Bastards would be appropriate, but I doubt that too. What would actually matter to these jerks? Asa thought.

Inspiration struck, and Asa approached the keypad once more, entering L-A-T-I-N-U-M.

A pleasant sounding beep sounded, the light turned red, and the seal opened, freeing Virildi from their prison.

The goons must have heard the beeps and came bursting through the door in the process of drawing stun weapons from their waist holsters. Virildi acted before Asa could even think, swirling fiercely and filling the entire room with a green mist. There was a slight suction felt and a whooshing noise as the glass and thumbtacks holding the posters on the wall were sucked into the maelstrom of Virildi’s wrath.

An impression formed in Asa’s mind of ducking and covering, and the doctor was quick to comply. As soon as Asa was on the ground, they heard the screams as the thumbtacks and glass was thrown into and through the goon’s bodies, spraying blood all over Asa’s prone form and painting the walls in a disturbing pattern. One of them croaked out that he could not breathe, and Asa hazarded a peek to see Virildi filling both goon’s mouths and nostrils with a highly concentrated mist while the debris filed whirled around, slicing through muscle and artery. With a final squelching noise, both goons fell to the ground.

Death by a thousand cuts indeed Asa thought, surveying the thousands of lacerations covering the goons form.

Doctor Asa Dael, I thank you for freeing me, how then shall we proceed? Virildi sent to Asa’s recovering mind.

I….I don’t know. We have to get out of here. They are going to sell us to some kind of collector….and I don’t think that will go well for either of us. Can you be diffuse enough to be invisible to human eyes? Asa inquired.

Virildi seemed to think on this for a moment, then responded If I am diffuse, I cannot do what I just did. In truth, being concentrated for so long as exhausted me.

It was then Asa noticed that Virildi was not the same solid green sphere they had first seen, but now flecks of white showed throughout, as if dust had become embedded in their essence. Virildi was also swirling dramatically slower, as if lethargic from a huge effort expended.

Fear not, my friend,Asa replied,I will find us a way. If you can be diffuse and act as a scout, that will help me act in the physical realm for us both. Would you like to try?

I can do this. I will go and scout the way

A feeling of gratitude was conveyed in the response, and an embrace as if that of a warm hug was sent through their link before Virildi stretched themself, becoming nothing more than a faint swath of green slithering along the floor. Asa watched as their friend exited the room, went rapidly down the hallway, and disappeared. Not wanting to be found, Asa crouched behind the doorway, hypos in hand, and waited for what felt like an eternity for Virildi to return.

The comms on the goons bodies crackled as Jake called to the two dead men, apparently named Heathcliff and Aaron, and Asa’s heart froze. Jake became inpatient at the other end of the comms and said he was on the way to “show them how to do their jobs”.

Come on Virildi, please come back Asa thought desperately.

It was at that moment that Virildi came rushing back, now back in their green sphere and moving at an incredible rate of speed. Before Asa could inquire as to what Virildi found, their mind flooded with an image of the abandoned hospital. Asa could see the hallways that had become impassable to foot traffic, the corridors with more ruffians occupying them, and a hallway leading to an antiquated communications room, filled with blinking lights indicating the systems were still operational.

Of course! Asa thought, These old hospitals didn’t have systemic comms offworld, but there was a central hub near the heart of every hospital. If we can just make it down these corridors, I can call for help! Virildi, can you join with my, physically I mean? If you can hide within my body, I can shield you from being captured.

Asa felt a sense of assent, followed by an image of gratitude as Vrildi's sphere merged and melted onto Asa's form. Once joined, Asa felt....complete. As if some long missing piece has been found, and with a knowledge that they need never be alone again, if only things could stay this way. They also knew it couldn't last. Such perfect peace was unsustainable, and the doctor had business to attend to. Releasing the sensation with regret, Asa set off towards the hall.

Virildi planted a map in Asa’s mind, veering through corridors that could be traversed by both parties and attempting to avoid any physical life forms they could encounter. The two had made it ¾ of the way to the communications room without raising any alarm when Asa suddenly heard the booming voice of Jake bellowing down the hallway.

“YOU!!!!” he screamed, locking eyes on to Asa and Virildi as they ran, “You killed my men!”

The scream was followed by the unfamiliar sound of gunfire, and Asa felt their side scream in pain as a bullet penetrated their flesh. Staggering, Asa paused to apply pressure and was surprised at the amount of blood. Without stopping to turn back, Asa darted into another hallway, out of Jake’s line of sight, and allowed Virildi to guide them to run to the communications room. It was a struggling affair, and Asa felt their body begin to wear out from trauma and shock, but managed to push through to the communications room, trailing blood behind them.

Once inside, Asa spared a moment to barricade the doors quickly with chairs scattered around the room. It might not yield much time, but every second counted. Vrildi took the opportunity to extricate from Asa's body, leaving them both with a feeling of isolation and loss. Seeing Virildi hovering uncertainly, Asa reached out to initiate their mental link.

Virildi, will you come with me? If I can get someone to beam me out of here, will you come with me?

No, Asa Dael, Virildi replied, I have expended much energy in being diffuse and concentrated today, and I grow tired of humanoids after today. Humanoids always deal with my kind in anger and destruction, I can sense they have much growth to do before I will be amongst them again. You, Asa Dael, have shown me kindness though. I would like to see you again. I sense you are long lived. I need to roam the gas clouds of the universe and recover my strength. I would like to meet you 300 Terran years from this day. Will you return to the cave where we met in 300 years? I would very much like to join my molecules in our dance again

Humbled by Virildi’s trust, Asa simply nodded yes, feeling their eyes fill with tears. I…I didn’t even think to tell you to run Virildi, I’m so sorry. You should have made your escape as soon as I freed you, thank you for staying and helping me. I will see you in 300 years from this day. Travel well and rest safely, my friend

Wordlessly, Virildi sent images of gratitude and friendship, of chosing to help Asa, and of joy that they met. The green sphere floated over and enveloped Asa completely, a gentle hug of parting combined with a sharing of emotion. Their grief and sadness echoed one another’s, as well as the beauty they saw in each other. Breaking the contact, Virildi swiftly fled the room.

Tears and blood flowing freely, Asa went to the comms and entered the hailing frequency for Hera personnel to communicate with the ship, “Emergency, Emergency, this is Lieutenant Junior Grade Doctor Asa Dael, I have been kidnapped and I am currently being held hostage somewhere on Mars. I need emergency beam out. Please reply.”

In the middle of Asa’s hail, the door started to open to a screaming Jake and the two other goons. The pitiful barricade Dael had made only obstructed the strong men briefly, and soon enough they had descended upon Asa. Jake backhanded them, knocking the doctor to the ground, and the two goons both delivered a few quick kicks to the doctors wounded abdomen until Jake told them to stop.

He knelt down and wrenched Asa’s head back, revealing a rapidly blackening eye, and tracked their neck with a blade drawn from his boot, drawing small amounts of blood as he went.

“Well child, you are getting to be more trouble than you are worth. Where is your friend?” he sneered.

Asa glared at him, refusing to speak.

“Child,” Jake said, in an almost parental tone, “Tell me, don’t make me have to hurt you. You are all alone out here. No one is coming to rescue you. There’s just you,” he said, slicing into Asa’s chest, “and me. Now, I’ll ask again, Where. Is. The. Gas. Creature.”

“You’re wrong,” Asa replied. “I’m not alone, and I’m not a child. You idiot, you just kidnapped a member of Starfleet.”

Jake recoiled as if bitten from the words. He stood quickly, brushing off his hands and turned to the other two goons. “I was right, not worth the trouble. Kill them.”

Sentence pronounced, he strode off, exiting the room as the goons descended. Asa braced for the worst and desperately hoped their call for help had been heard.

And 54 million kilometers away, it was being received on board a small but powerfully retrofitted J-type ship called the Khallianen. The ship, parked in Earth Space Dock, gifted to the newly minted Baroness of the Artan Pirate family and Asa's shipmate and friend, Lieutenant Mnhei'sahe Dox.

From the back cargo hold, Dox heard her ships comm system bleep on as the signal came across. She had spend the last few hours stocking the ship with some personal items she had gotten from her quarters on the Hera. Clothes, some diagnostic equipment for repairs and upgrades, and the Romulan disruptor she had acquired from an auction with the Captain over a month ago.

"...the hell. Computer, repeat message!" Dox shouted as she ran from the back of the ship towards the helm, still wearing the tight black tank top and green military pants and boots she fell asleep in the night before. The red-headed Romulan had set he ships comm signal to pick up Starfleet communication frequencies. However, the computer let out a loud, awkward failure message and did not obey her orders.

She had been working on the ships computer systems and remembered that the last owner was a Romulan pilot, and repeated herself in Rihan. "Computer, replay message NOW!"

With a chirp, it complied this time.

=^="Emergency, Emergency, this is Lieutenant Junior Grade Doctor Asa Dael, I have been kidnapped and I am currently being held hostage somewhere on Mars. I need emergency beam out. Please reply.”=^=

"HNAVE!" Dox cursed in Rihan as she began feverishly flipping switches and powering up her little ship. "Dock control, this is the Khallianen in dock K-90-x23. Release docking clamps, begin exiting procedure immediately!" She yelled to the comm system.

Dox's mind raced. Several senior crew including Rita Paris were still scattered on Earth for shore leave and curiously out of communication and the Hera was parked in the Asteroid belt further away from Mars. Frustrated and ready to move, she yelled back to the comm system. "DOCK CONTROL, CONFIRM!"

After a few seconds, Dock control confirmed and released the Khallianen's docking clamps as the exterior doors began to slowly open. "Okay, baby. Time for your maiden voyage."

Pulling the small but powerfully ship from the dock, Dox sped faster then regulations out of the still opening door into space. Whipping around, Dox set the coordinates for Mars at the ships maximum safe cruising speed between planets in the same system and took off with a shot.

Once en route, she switched her comm channel to the secret frequency to contact the Hera. "Lieutenant Dox to U.S.S. Hera. Please respond. Have received a distress message from Doctor Dael on Mars. I'm en route and in need of assistance. Sending my coordinates and the received message. Please respond!"

After a few seconds, the comm system chirped back. "Hera to Dox. Captain Telvan and Commander Paris are unavailable. Forwarding your message to Lieutenant Commander Thex. Please stand by."

In the cockpit of her ship, Dox shouted back, "Stand by, my ass. I'm going, coordinates sent. Send whatever backup you can with medical assistance." As the Khallianen roared closer to Mars.

The two goons were closing on Asa, fists raised and a hellish glint in their eyes. Doctor Dael was determined to die on their feet, and took comfort that Vrildi had made an escape.

Staggering upright, Asa flashed an insolent grin at the goons and waited for the inevitable blows.

But instead of blows, a glimmering flash of green light swirrled in between Asa and the two goons as Mnhei'sahe Dox materialized into the room, disruptor drawn forcing the two to step back.

"You two know these don't have a stun setting, right?" The angry young Romulan hissed. Then, stepping back, Dox glanced over her shoulder to look at her friend. "Asa, are you... oh my God."

"It's only mostly my blood," Asa replied wryly. "Gentlemen, I would yield if I were you. Your opponent now was trained by a kolinhar master and pirate queen, and she doesnt look to be in a good mood."

Asa's tone was dark as they stood leaning against the wall, one hand applying pressure to the bullet wound in their side. As Dox surveyed Asa's injuries, goon 4 saw an opportunity and raced forward, kicking high and knocking the disruptor from Dox's hands.

As the disruptor flew from her hands, Dox's eyes went wide as she burned the image of Asa into her mind. In an instant, a lifetime of training in the Romulan martial art of Llaekh-ae'rl, translated as 'laughing murder" kicked in without thought as her vision went green with rage.

With a roar, the stout Romulan pilot shot forward fast enough to catch the thugs leg while it was still in the air, tucking her shoulder under as she crossed her arms tight over his knee.

"ASA! GRAB THE DISRUPTOR!" Dox roared as she quickly dropped her full, nearly 300 pounds down to a single knee pulling hard down and forward, draging the goon with her as his own one snapped loudly under the pressure.

The massive man let out a wild scream in pain as Dox kept moving, twisting on her hips to grind his joint painfully against itself as the first thug fell over towards the other, who had stepped slightly out of the way to attack.

Turning towards the disruptor and allowing themself to succumb to gravity, Asa dropped to their knees and sctabbled forward on hands and knees until they reached the weapon. With anfinal lunge, Asa grabbed the weapon and rolled over to try to aim.

Standing up, Dox barely made a sound and charged the significantly larger man, who swing wildly. Dox swerved, but still took the punch to her face. But in an instant, the attacker learned that she had ran into a punch on purpose.

Spinning with the hit, Dox rolled her back with the lunging punch and swung her own arm up and around his, forcing him off balance and under her center of gravity.

Lurching forward, the thing screamed "BITCH!" as Dox grabbed the back of his head with her free arm and put her full weight over his back, smashing his face into the ground as they fell.

Once on the ground, holding his one arm tight in place, Dox proceeded to pull his head forward and back into the ground repeatedly until he stopped resisting.

The thug was moaning on the ground, face gushing blood while the other thing squealed on the ground, writhing and grabbing his shattered knee as Dox stood up, her own green blood streamed down her own face from her cracked nose. She was breathing shallowly and her eyes looked glassed over as she turned to the door.

"Mnhei'sahe, are you ok? Is it time to go?" Asa asked in a small voice. They held the disruptor in unsteady, bleeding hands, and began to try to sit up without further injuring their side.

"Be careful, their leader is somewhere out there."

Turning slowly towards Asa, Dox simply muttered. "I know where he is." Then she reached into her pocked antd pulled out a small comm device from her ship. "Computer. Lock on the disruptor. Target from that location and beam Doctor Dael up now."

Suddenly, the same green swirl of energy surrounded Asa and in an instant, the injured El-Aurian had vanished. "I don't want you to see this, Asa." Dox said as she walked over to the thing with the broken leg.

She looked at him as he shuddered in pain, putting a finger to her lips and whispered, "Shhh." There was panic on his face as she reached back and yanked the boot off of his foot. In shock, he began to let out a scream before she swung the boot around quickly and rapped it across his jaw, knocking him out.

Standing up, she stepped through the thick door to where her ship's sensors had identified the leader's location.

Realizing what happened, Asa looked around at the unfamiliar ship.

Where the hell am I now? Asa thought. Then, seeing there was no imminent danger, Asa collapsed into the nearest seat and said, "Computer."

When there was no response, Asa closed their eyes, hoping Mnhei'sahe was safe and that she would soon be there.

Meanwhile, in the hospital down below, Dox walked into the hall with Jake, who was still holding the small knife, still wet with Asa's blood. She let out a breath that she had been holding to announce her presence as Jake spun around to see Dox, standing about ten feet away with her hands behind her back, holding the boot in her hands.

Sneering, Jake looked Mnhei'sahe up and down. Taking in her unique appearance he licked his lips and said, "My oh my, you are something special, aren't you? Human and what, Vulcan? No, Romulan. Not as exotic as your little friend, but I will still get a good price for you, fear not." Brandishing the knife openly he stalked towards Mnhei'sahe, leering more with each step.

In response, Dox simply cocked her head to the side and stared forward with a blank expression of low simmering rage. She shifted her eyes, watching Jake's shoulders as he moved.

As he leared closer, she simply stood still, staring at him until he was only a few feet away.

"Oh, this is gonna be fun," Jake said, lunging forward with his knife slashing.

As the knife got closer, Dox moved far faster then her size made seem possible, swinging the boot down to bury the blade into the thick leather. Jake tried to pull the knife free as Dox twisted the boot pulling the knife free from his grip before tossing both far behind her.

Now the two stood, both disarmed, staring at each other.

"Enough of this. Would you just die already?" Jake snarled, hunching forward and charging at Dox in a linebacker stance.

In one quick move, Dox sidestepped slightly to her left while curling her fingers into a tight wedge on her left hand. With a loud roar, she lifted her full weight up as he lunged just past her and burried her hand deep into his right side just below his ribs and twisted.

As she struck the vagus nerve of the attackers liver, her let out a massive grunt of pain as the side of his body went limp and her flumped to the ground, gasping impossibly for breath.

Dox righted herself and stepped over the the boot and yanked the knife out calmly. "That was your liver. It doesn't work anymore."

With a grunt, Dox kicked him in the face to roll him on to his back as she brought her knee down onto his chest and put the knife up under the artery below his left ear. "The wonderful person you hurt is a doctor. They could help you if I let them. But I'm not going to let them do that for you. Would you like me too?"

But Jake could only gasp for air, clinging to consciousness as his skin took on a slightly yellow twinge. Dox's hands shuttered as the knife quivered in her hand. She wanted to slit his artery and watch him bleed, but instead she heard a voice in her head.

It was the voice of Rita Paris only a few days ago, upon learning of Dox's appointment as an Artan Baroness. "I'm happy for you, just make sure that you never arrive at divided loyalties. Since the pirates are considered privateers by the Federation, apparently they are okay with it- which means that being Starfleet and being a pirate should be easily accommodated, as neither is in conflict with the other. But when you are on pirate business you are still held accountable as a Starfleet officer, and I'd wager visa-versa. So enjoy yourself, and I suspect you will have some epic adventures, just always keep one eye to that point, if you will."

After a brief pause, she dropped the knife, tucked her hand behind Jake's back, tucked her hand into his side and twisted again. Instantly, Jake let out a massive breath and screamed.

Stepping up, Dox pulled the comm out of her pocket. "You'll live. Computer, one to beam."

In a shimmer, Dox vanished in a swirl of lights reappearing seconds later on the deck of her small ship. Out the window, she could see a Starfleet runabout, the Selune from the Hera. "Computer, drop shields." She said in Rihan.

"This is Lieutenant Dox, preparing to beam Lieutenant Dael to your position. There are three hostiles, incapacitated on the surface. Send a team to collect them. Commander Paris and the Captain are going to want to have words with them."

Then Dox turned to the chair where Asa was limply flopped and the tension she had been holding released as she began to calm down from the rage she had been mainlining. "Asa, honey. You're okay. We're gonna get you help."

"Please don't leave me," Asa sobbed, "Its, its been a really bad day. Did they hurt you? Let me see your nose, you are bleeding," Asa rambled, trying to sit up. It was much easier to focus on Mnhei'sahe than allow themself to feel the pain and emptiness within. Asa knew they were injured, but being powerless to fix it, was desperately focusing elsewhere.

Taking Asa's hand in her own, Dox squeezed it as she spoke, leaning in close. "Shh... I'm okay, honey. I won't leave you. I promise. But we need to get you home, okay."

Leaning back, with tears welling in in her eyes, Dox called out in Rihan. "Computer. Engines to neutral." Then she switched back to Terran English. "Dox to Runabout. Change of plans, we're both beaming over. Put my ship in tow and get us home."

Turning back to Asa, Dox tried to smile. "We're going home, honey." Then she put her arms gently over her injured friends shoulders in an extremely gentle hugs. "Two to beam out."

And in a glistening shimmer of pale blue sparkles, the two vanished.

The launch from the DTI base had been smooth and the flight from Earth to Jupiter had been uneventful, thankfully. Enalia had time to go through all the controls in this small vessel. She had three different shield controls, a single phaser, the deflector was configured to open temporal wormholes... All within a relatively narrow field of view, she was able to see literally everything this amazingly compact ship had to offer, including the single transport control.

It used T-CARS though, rather than LCARS, which was taking some getting used to. So far it seemed intuitive enough, but she needed to think a little differently to navigate it.

An alert popped up and tapping on it, she saw she was coming up on the injection point. Easing off the impulse, she slowed as she came to the indicated coordinates. It was an open area of space, but sensors said it was a temporally weak point.

"Well... Here goes..." Enalia tapped the initiation sequence and started the deflector's beam lancing out, the calculations already having been made to create the temporal wormhole to link this point in space-time to the neutral zone right where Spock's Jellyfish ship would be passing through momentarily... a century prior to now...

Not worry about the semantics of the time travel, she let the computer handle things now, allowing the anomaly to finish forming and flying straight into the center of it.


On the other side, the Timeship Flux emerged unscathed. Enalia checked her status and found she had been irradiated quite a bit, but the system was already injecting her with dovaline to help with that.

Next she checked her sensors. 2387. There was a ship passing nearby. Checking the IFF, she found that it matched that of the Jellyfish.

Opening a hailing frequency to the ship, she took a deep breath and began. "Ambassador Spock, This is Captain Telvan of the Timeship Flux. I must discuss your current mission with you and I have limited time so a mind meld would be the most expedient method. Please rendezvous with me immediately. Also... How do you feel?"

There was a very perceptible moment of silence before was heard a deep but slightly raspy voice over the comm system.

"This is Ambassador Spock. I am on an urgent mission to save the core worlds of the Romulan Star Empire. Time is of the essence and billions of lives are in the balance. Whoever you are... are you here to offer help?"

All the while, the stolen experimental craft was continuing unwaveringly on it's course at maximum warp.

Yeah, she should have known this wouldn't go too well... "Yes, I'm from almost a decade into the future and it is not an exaggeration to say that the fate of this universe and existence itself hangs in the balance upon the precision of your mission as well as the completion of mine. Please... Eight minutes. That's all I ask." Glancing at the countdown until the temporal singularity drew her back in and collapsed, Enalia swallowed hard. She would be cutting this close, either way.

There was another pause before the legendary half-vulcan's voice spoke again.

"Stopping for eight minutes would jeopardize my mission; something I am not willing to do on your word alone despite your dire warning and even... what you asked me. However, ignoring the facts of your presence, of your so-called timeship and of your... request, would be illogical. Therefore, there is only one logical course. Please lower your shields."

A sign of trust? Or beaming while at warp? Either way, Enalia didn't have the time to waste and she trusted both the Ambassador as well as Sonak so she bypassed safeties and lowered her shields. "Shields are down. Radiation from the temporal anomaly is leaking in now so please be quick, Ambassador."

"Acknowledged. I am detecting the chroniton radiation cloud forming around your vessel. Your calculation was correct."

And just as he finished speaking, a blue light within a greenish field struck the Flux and a jolt shook the entire shuttle. Before the captain of the hera could realize what was really happening, the greenish light bathed her followed by the tingling sensation of a transporter beam. A moment later, she was standing on the pad of a personal emergency transporter, facing a bubble-shaped cockpit mostly occupied by a high backed metallic chair. As it turned around, she could immediately recognize it's occupant, the gaunt, pointy-aired figure dressed in a grey Vulcan traveller tunic known throughout the Alpha Quadrant and even well beyond.

"Welcome aboard, Captain Telvan."

He touched a few controls and a computer display showed that her ship was being towed at maximum warp by the stolen scout ship.

"Your vessel is now locked within the extended warp bubble of this one with a tractor beam sent through the annular confinement of it. So were you beamed in as well. We are en route to the Romulan Star System, ETA twelve standard minutes, present speed."

He stood up, rather taller than most people would expect, his hands crossed behind his back.

"Now, I will ask you two things: why it is that you deem it vital for the sake of the universe to stop me from saving billions of lives and prevent a cosmic catastrophe; and how do you know of my mother."

His dark gaze bore into hers.

"You have seven point four minutes left."

Glancing to the consoles behind him worriedly, she confirmed this. She actually now had that minus however long it took for her ship to get back to the injection point and she suspected he knew that. "Now that time is even more of the essence... without my aid, you will not be able to save those of Romulus... The subsequent splintering of time due to the use of the red matter with Nero's interference will threaten to tear apart all of existence."

"Please..." Stepping off of the transporter pad, Enalia realized just how great the height difference was and looked up to the great Ambassador. "I am only the messenger. Meld with me as your chosen one did and accept the message I bear. It is the logical thing to do."

Something in her voice, in her face, in her eyes, convinced him as much as all the extraordinary pieces of evidence that had been thrown at him since the appearance of this mysterious Captain Telvan, claiming to come from the future aboard a ship that was definitively not of this time. After decades of service iin Starfleet under the most legendary captains of all, Pike and Kirk, after meeting and mind-melding with no less famous captain Picard, Spock had a lifetime of experience with the extrordinary, the unusual... and especially about the complexities of time travel and it's consequences. And so, he hesitated no more.

His fingers went to the head of the Trill Starfleet officer and, in a matter of seconds, his mind was as one with hers; and with her symbiont; and both with that of another Vulcan he had never met and thought had died a century ago... and then... with himself; an echo of his own katra... of his future... somewhere else... that should never have been...

He cut off the meld almost as abruptly as it had started. His face, creased with two centuries of life and wonder, suffering and wisdom, became thoughtful for almost a minute before his black pupils met again those of the woman.

Then he spoke out loud while still looking at her.

"Computer; drop us out of warp."

While the meld with Sonak was one she had handled reasonably well, the one she had just done with Ambassador Spock himself was much more powerful and while she herself was strong of mind, she still felt a bit weak in the knees after how fast he had gone through her minds. Taking a deep breath to center herself, she looked up into his eyes and waited for his logic to process what he had just learned.

She didn't have to wait for long.

"Since your people in the future found out the real cause of the Hobus catastrophe and corrected it, my mission is irrelevant. That it causes the birth of a reality-damaging parallel universe is enough to invalidate it. I return you to your ship and will return this one to its rightful owners, giving myself up to the authorities for it's theft."

"Not exactly the outcome hoped for, but close enough. Thank you." Enalia Bowed her head appreciatively.

He lifted his hand and parted his fingers.

"Live long and prosper, Captain Enalia Telvan."

The spotted Captain returned the Vulcan salute. "Peace and long life, Ambassador."

Then his fingers went to his transporter console. At that very same instant, a powerful jolt and flash of green light shook them almost beyond the capability of the inertial dampeners to compensate. Then, a blue light bathed them in it's glow.

Beyond the canopy of the jellyfish loomed a colossal green mass of metal and lights shaped like the beak of a bird. It had appeared out of nowhere and shot a disruptor bolt across their bow. And now, a voice boomed from the comm speakers.

"Federation vessels! This is the Shavok! You are in violation of the Treaty of the Neutral Zone! In the name of the Romulan Star Empire, you are under arrest on the charge of espionage and incitation to war! Any resistance will call for your immediate obliteration!"

"Of course..." Enalia tapped her comm badge. "Timeship Flux, one to transport back." In a brief shimmer, she was back inside the tiny cockpit of the experimental timeship. Glancing at the timer for the temporal anomaly, she only had four minutes to get back to it before it collapsed and she would be stuck here. She didn't have the weaponry or the time to deal with Romulans and now she was captured in a pair of tractor beams...

Both which suddenly released the Flux as one disconnected and a probe suddenly shot out of the Jellyfish and between them, dragging the Romulan one with it until it struck the emitter and blocked it's aperture completely.

"I suggest you warp out immediately, Captain," came the voice of Spock over the comm. "I will deal with the Romulans."

His next transmission explained immediately how.

"Romulan vessel; this is Ambassador Spock. Scan my ship; you will detect an anomalous form of plasma of cosmic intensity. This red matter, if released here out of it's magnetic confinement, will create a super black hole that will not only swallow us all in it's infinite gravitational field, but all the stars within a whole sector... including the nearest Romulus and Remus star system. my shields are down. You are one disruptor shot away from a major stellar catastrophe."

And as he spoke, he maneuvered his advanced spacecraft between them and the ship from the future, giving them no angle to change targets.

Well, this was one for the history books... Enalia hit the engines and headed back to the temporal injection point, barely making it in time to let it suck her back into it before it collapsed.


On the other side, in the shadow of Jupiter, circa 2396... The timeship emerged exactly nine minutes after it had gone in. Power was flickering and Enalia had taken a near lethal dose of chroniton radiation since her shields were now down. She was covered in radiation burns and was barely conscious as she activated the beacon, which flickered a few times and went dark, just like every other console on the ship. Even emergency power had been drained on that return trip. It seemed they had some more tweaking to do.

Enalia chuckled softly as she tapped her comm badge and got half a drawn out chirrup as it too died.

Then she looked out her window and saw a nice friendly Miranda class coming to scoop her up. The SS Relativity. The last thing she remembered as she passed out was the shimmer of a transporter beaming her into a sickbay.



"We have her secured and taken care of, Lieutenant; she was exactly where she was supposed to be."

Sonak did not look at the transporter chief but at the wall monitor showing the now empty and powered out Flux being taken safely into a cargo hold by tractor beam.

"Obviously. That is how her ship's nav computer had been programmed; a program I triple-checked myself," he states with his usual deadpan tone. "And I also implanted a post hypnotic suggestion in her mind and that of her symbiont so that, even impaired, she would reflexively input the proper coordinates manually in case the computer failed."

"I see you left nothing to chance to get your captain back," the young man observed out loud.

"Chance is the name one gives to one's failure to account for all the variables. Now if you will excuse me, I will see to the welfare of my commanding officer."

As he exited the transporter room, he tapped his combadge.

"Sonak to Commander Paris; I am on my way to meet you in sickbay."

Tense moments had passed locked in a chronally locked vault, then freedom, but the news that the captain had not come through unscathed. DTI and Professor Langstrom had been insistent that they wanted to take readings from beaming Rita, so since the USS Relativity was ready to pick them up and ferry them to the extraction point out by Jupiter, Rita had agreed to try it. After all, if they had fixed the timeline in theory it would no longer be actively trying to eat her.

Beaming up as a solo act, it still felt unpleasant, it still made her skin crawl, it still made her want to scream bloody murder and not do it, but it no longer felt physically painful to transport. It still took too darn long to her perception and she was still aware the entire time, but it didn't feel like something hungry was consuming her in the process. Reassembled into matter on the transporter pad of the relativity, she patted herself down to reassure herself all of her parts had made it through intact.

It had really been a busy day for the girl who'd only wanted a tour of Starfleet Command.

Making her way to Deck 6, where she knew Sickbay would be located, Rita found an odd comfort in the familiar hallways and deck layout of the Miranda class. The classic Constitution saucer section was familiar and reassuring to her, even as she entered Sickbay and sought out her logical mate, who would be at the bedside of the Captain.

"How is she? Is she going to be alright? What happened?" In a personal crisis, Rita's usual calm demeanor evaporated somewhat, because this was an eventuality she hadn't been prepared to face.

One of the nurses came out with a grim expression. "We're doing the best we can, but it'll be rough for her for a while. Her Trill body is recovering perfectly well, but... The symbiont... It's not recovering as quickly as we'd like so we've contacted the Symbiosis Commission for advice. If she can pull through the next half hour though, she should be in the clear."

The nurse then paused and glanced back into the treatment area that Captain Telvan was currently in, several arches moving over and around the woman and firing healing beams into her and scanning away. "She's somewhat conscious now, if you'd like to speak with her."

Nodding to Sonak, Rita in turn nodded at the nurse and followed her to the bedside.

"You know, it takes real talent to get radiation road rash from a trip through time, Captain. You have a very unique career, ma'am," Rita kept it light, because what she could see through the plastishield artificial skin grafts they were placing, it looked... painful and vaguely horrific. "But you made it back! As promised..."

The spotted captain was numbed up pretty well as attested to by her weak smile at Rita's approach. "Hey... Of course I did. I don't think most of my uniform did though. And both comm badges... I think they were in my skin? But they're fixing me up... My spots itch."

"Everything makes your spots itch," Rita teased gently. "I'd have you transferred to the Hera but I strongly suspect the DTI are going to want to inspect you thoroughly and make sure you aren't going to come unstuck in time or something. Which is apparently a sane thing to do, I'm told." Rita rolled her eyes for effect, hoping to cheer up the regenerating Trill. "How's Telvan?"

Enalia furrowed her brow a bit in consternation. "Our memories feel... Separate? But together? It's odd. Like we're distant but getting closer."

"Such distancing from oneself is not totally unknown to Vulcans," Sonak said as he joined them. "There is an antique ritual called Kal Tor Pan; the Refusion, which allows even a completely displaced mind to integrate a corporeal shell. It is somewhat similar to the way a Vulcan's katra is placed into a receptacle for keeping. I am not familiar with Trill symbiotic process, but since we already successfully mind-melded once, there is a definite probability that the ritual would work if need be."

He stood at attention before continuing.

"In any event, it is agreeable to see you again, Captain. You have risked much on the Commander's behalf, she who is my wife, and mine. I am in your debt."

And then he bowed formally.

"Yeah, what he said," Paris added hastily, realizing she'd forgotten her manners in the moment. "Thanks for not letting me blow up and take reality with me, ma'am."

"Like I said before... Nothing you wouldn't do for me." Closing her eyes, Enalia smiled softly. "When I get out of here... We're having a party... My place... Stripper costumes..."

One of the doctors came in at that point and paused the arch near her midsection to apply a vaseline looking substance to it and glop a healthy portion into her symbiont pouch. "Don't mind me Captain. Symbiosis Commission says this should help you feel right as spring water. Trill saying, so I hope that's good."

"Oh, that does feel good." Enalia immediately seemed to perk up and within seconds was almost coherent, if tired. "I'm feeling whole again already, thank you."

"I get the feeling this is one of those things they give you a medal for, but they can't say why they gave you the medal so they can't actually admit to having given you the medal, so it's kind of like the medal doesn't exist except as a private joke between you and Starfleet Intelligence. And sure, we will dress up like strippers and come to a party at your place."

"A slightly more tangible hero's reward than that hypothetical medal, I'd say..."

"You have earned all the praise one deserves for such an accomplishment, Captain. But you will excuse me if my duties will not allow me to participate in this... celebration," Sonak said with a very, very straight face.

"Spoilsport. You're in charge of the Hera then. I think I'll wear one of those mirror universe uniforms I saw at the costume store..." Grinning lewdly, Enalia closed her eyes to imagine it.

"Acknowledged," replied the stoic Vulcan.

Any other junior officer like him might have understandably felt trepidation at the prospect of being entrusted so soon with command of the Hera; even a Vulcan would have felt the burden as a difficult responsibility at this point of his career. But Sonak had forty years of Starfleet experience, including the last years as a starship captain himself on the Constitution class capital ship of his time, the USS Exeter. The seriousness of the responsibility here and now was just as great, but as his wife would colloquially put it, this was not his first rodeo.

And to him, it was way easier and fulfilling than parading in clownish disguises for no constructive purposes. That his captain understood this added another notch on the already high level of respect he was giving his commanding officer.

"I've got a Mirror look that'll knock your socks off. We'll go have ourselves a great time, play 'Game of Starships'. As soon as you get on your feet, Captain.

The Sickbay of the U.S.S. Hera was unusually quiet, with much of the crew away for much needed shore leave, but along the wall of bed, one was abuzz with activity. But Chief Medical Officer Asa Dael wasn't the physician running around the table this time. This time they were on it.

A supposedly relaxing day at a beach in Madagascar led to an extremely violent kidnapping that ended up with the ships young doctor the victim of multiple, agressive beatings, vicious knife wounds and a bullet holes.

At Asa's side, holding her hand tightly was their friend and fellow shipmate, Mnhei'sahe Dox. "Asa, honey. We're home. We're on the Hera. Everything's going to be okay. I'm right here."

Meanwhile, the ships hard working EMH and Nurse Vimes were at the table, checking sensor readings and trying to work around the red-headed Romulan who refused to leave her friends side.

"Did...did you see a green sphere of gas as we left? I..I think they got away, but Mnhei'sahe..those people," Asa said through their sobs, "They were going to sell us. We have to stop them."

The young El-Aurian had a death grip on Mnhei'sahe's shirt front, unwilling to let go, fearing somehow this was an illusion and they would wake up back in captivity on Mars. Asa stared at Mnhei'sahe though huge wet eyes, hurting but thankful their friend had come to the rescue like an avenging angel.

"I didn't see anything like that, Asa. Not when I was there or on my ships sensors. It was just you and the three attackers." Dox didn't mention the two bodies she picked up on her sensors. Whatever had happened, Asa would say so when they were able to.

"And don't worry about them. I... We have them in the brig and their transport in tow. You're safe and they won't hurt anyone else." Dox didn't want to add to Asa's stress by bringing up how close she came to simply killing all three of the attackers for what they did to them.

Sniffing, Dox winced slightly as her nose, broken in the fight, began to bleed again. She wiped the blood on her sleeve before Asa had noticed.

Smiling weakly, Asa slowly released Mnhei'sahe's shirt, relaxing a bit and replied, "They must have gotten away. Thank you, you saved us both. If we can find the person who hired them, you saved so many more, Mnhei'sahe. Do they need treatment? I...I dont know if I can do that."

"We'll find them, Asa. I can guarantee that." Dox looked into her friends eyes, reading the near panic behind them. She had never met anyone even half as compassionate as Asa Dael and seeing their pain put the young pilots stomach in a knot as she sniffled up a little trickle of blood. "But for now, let's focus on you, okay?"

Turning to the EMH working on them, Asa asked, "What's the verdict? I think that antiquated freaking gun nicked my tertiary kidney, it hurts enough to have..."

The EMH and Nurse Vimes were working as efficiently as possible, muttering to each other what they needed, having worked out a system between them to speed things along long before now. "Frankly my dear, you're lucky to be alive. Any other person, this sort of thing would have shaved twenty or thirty years off your life at minimum, if not outright killed you. Being El-Aurian, though... I'm sure you'll make a full recovery and live longer than even me."

He then took a deep breath and continued. "As for your injuries... We've stabilized your projectile trauma for now. The internal bleeding is stopped and the biobed is running a full body tissue knitter for your massive internal bruising. As for your multiple lacerations and cracked bones, we'll have to use the osteo-regenerators manually on them. Your tertiary kidney, I've had to patch. That's going to be sore for several weeks. You also have a chemical imbalance I can't explain and without knowing what drugs they injected you with, I won't be able to counteract them. We may have to just let that work out of your system naturally."

Listening to the list of injuries, Dox felt that knot of pain for her friend slowly turn back into anger as she thought of Asa's attackers. But for Asa's sake, she buried those feelings.

Letting the words sink in, Asa wondered how terrible they must have looked when Dox found them. They hadn't realized they were quite that close to death, it has all been adrenaline and survival in the moment. It took a moment for the Doctors final comment to sink in, but when it did, Asa realized what he might be saying.

"Drugs? Oh, no, none of that. There was a being made of gas they were trying to sell off... its, it's how they found me," Asa said weakly, "I had just met Vrildi when they swarmed. The leader sucked Vrildi into a pressurized, gravity enhanced holding container. When we were escaping, Vrildi sheltered in my body to evade recapture while they helped me get to the communications room. That is probably it... I have felt so empty and lost since Vrildi left. Our joining was so complete.. and now it's just me. I'm just here and I keep almost dying and maybe the universe is trying to tell me something you know?"

The words came out in a rush, before Asa truly knew what they were saying, but when they finished the sentiment it felt true. Asa reached towards Mnhei'sahe with one trembling hand, tears flowing freely and silently as they closed their eyes against the now harsh light.

At which point, Dox could no longer keep the tears from pushing out from her eyes. Taking Asa's hand and holding it flat against her own torso just below her right breast, Dox whispered to her friend. "It will never be just you, Ravsam..." she cooed the Rihan word for a sibling. "We're all here for you."

"You feel that?" Dox held her friends hand over her heart. "That's where you live. You live in here. And I'm not letting you go anytime soon."

Then the emotional Romulan turned to the EMH, speaking softly. "Doctor, that Imbalance... can you isolate it? Get us a sample or even some kind of energy signature. If this Vrildi was a target, we may need to figure out how to find them for Asa. Any information we can collect now might be crucial. Thank you."

Then Dox looked back at Asa. "And please, turn down the light for them."

"Thank you, Mnhei'sahe," Asa replied reverently, soaking up Mnhei'sahe's strength through their touch.

Looking between Asa, Dox, and Nurse Vimes, the EMH had no choice but to nod in aquiessence. "Ok... I'll do what I can. Computer, dim lighting to seventy percent and begin analysis of anomalous phyto-enzymes and compare to all known gaseous entities." As the computer complied, he set about with osteo-regenerators and scanners to make sure they got all of Asa's cracked bones while Nurse Vimes took care of her external lacerations and bruises. "Now please relax or I'll have to give you an extra dose of painkillers."


Favoring their physician with a weak smile, Asa tester their hands at their side as they tried to ignore the feeling of a broken body being knitted back together.

"Aye, Doctor. Sorry to be a bad patient, it's just been one heck of a day, " Asa replied. "Was my pituitary impacted? That might explain why I feel so... wonky."

The EMH nodded his head with a hint of exasperation. "It's bruised, just like everything else. Lieutenant Dox, do you mind getting the bottle of special medicine from the desk in the Chief's office? It looks like a small bottle of blackberry brandy. And find a small cup as well, please. Guess what else nearly ruptured?"

Turning slightly towards the Doctor, Dox stifled her immediate reaction of irritation. She didn't want to leave Asa's side for as much as a second and wondered if he was just trying to get her out of his way. But he was in charge the and she wasn't going to fight him on it. "Aye, Doctor."

But she leaned forward and kissed Asa on the forehead lightly. "I'm just running to your office for a second. I will be right back."

Then, hesitantly, Dox stepped back and walked quickly to Asa's office, wiping some fresh blood from her nose on her sleeve.


"Thank you," Asa replied to Dox, then arched an eyebrow in an approximation of humor at the EMH eternally enthusiastically exasperated expression.

"It's always the dang splenic kidney, isn't it? What's the verdict then, how long have I managed to bench myself? "

"I'm going to say bedrest for three days. Maybe four. I'll leave that to your discretion. Then light duty for at least two months. I also recommend counseling." The EMH finished up and nodded to Nurse Vimes. "The biobed should be done with the deep tissue knitting in about twelve minutes. While that's doing its thing, we should check on our other patient."

After a moment, Dox came out with the bottle she was sent to retrieve and a small cup. "So, this bottle that looks like blackberry brandy appears to just BE blackberry brandy."

"How very astute of you. Sometimes the best medicine is the oldest medicine." The british modeled holographic doctor grinned as he took the bottle and cup, pouring out a measured amount for Asa and resealing the bottle. "Nurse, if you could please see to the Lieutenant's injuries, I'll finish up here."

"Yeah...I should get back to Asa." Dox said, pearing past him to his friend on the biobed.

"Of course, Doctor," Nurse Vimes replied smoothly. The implacable nurse was a veteran of more than one wounded senior officer and knew how to keep her head on in an emergency. She could immediately see there was going to be no separating the CMO from the CFO, and simply brought the necessary tools over time where Dox was watching Asa.

"Look at me for a moment please. I need to set the bone first, would you like pain medication? It is highly effective but may leave you a bit woozy," the nurse asked Mnhei'sahe.

"Huh?" Dox asked, forgetting for a moment that her nose was broken. She looked over at Asa and didn't want to risk getting woozy and not being able to be there for them. Rolling her eyes for a moment, Dox just looked at Nurse Vimes, frustrated, as she replied. "No, just go."

Dox took a breath, cleared her mind and let out a breath.

Having received the expected answer, Nurse Vimes placed a thumb on each side of Dox's nose and with a crack realigned the bones. Before Mnhei'sahe had a chance to react, the nurse was working with an osteo-regenerator to repair the bones. Holding up a finger to warn Dox not to move, she then used the tissue knitter to correct tears to the surrounding cartilage. Then with a motherly pat to Mnhei'sahe's shoulder she went to check on Asa's vitals.

Wincing, as tears pushed out of her face, Dox sarcastically mumbled, "Thanks." before lightly rubbing around her nose, though not touching it directly.

The holographic Doctor shook his head and made sure Asa had a good grip on the small cup of brandy. "You take your time with this. The Captain is recovering in the radiation ward so I'm going to check on her and let her know you're aboard and being treated as well. I won't be gone more than a few minutes, ok?" With a warm smile, the EMH patted Asa's knee and headed back deeper into sickbay.

"Wait, what?" Asa called, but realizing they would be more of a hindrance than a help to the Doctor, Asa sipped the brandy slowly, trying not to make a face at the burn.

"Mnhei'sahe, what the hell is going on today? I went for a swim and wound up on Mars, you are flying to save me in a new, non federation ship, and the captain is in the radiation ward? How are you, by the way, I know Nasal resetting smarts," the weary CMO inquired.

Walking over to Asa's side, Dox watched the EMH as he walked away with a curious glare. "With the Captain? I have no idea. This is the first I heard of it too. When I picked up your message, I couldn't get through to her, Rita or Sonak. I had no idea why so I just took off and told the Hera to send back up."

Then, she placed her hand on Asa's leg, lightly rubbing her mended nose. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Bit of trivia, it gets broken a lot. As for the ship, it's mine now. A gift of the Artan Pirate family of which I was recently folded into as a Baroness under Schwein by the Captain."

"Congratulations, Mnhei'sahe. You deserve it and more, thank you for coming to rescue me," Asa said, leaning back in exhaustion.

A couple minutes passed after the EMH left before there was a loud crash.

“WHAT?!” The screamed question was loud enough to be heard through the security field and two closed doors. Moments later, the Captain herself came storming out of the Radiation Treatment Ward, her skin still splotchy from her recent burns, dressed in nothing but a minty blue medical robe and trailing an IV floating along hooked to her right wrist.

Her eyes were filled with death and rage at what she had been told by the EMH who was futilely trying to get her to calm down. “Please Captain, I insist that you return to your treatment.”

“Insist all you want! I feel fine!” Indeed, in her current state, she looked like she could easily tear the arms off a mugato if she wanted to. Enalia stood behind Dox's shoulder and looked down on Asa and Dox in full Pirate Queen mode, shadows seemingly warping around her to create an almost sinister effect that lit up her eyes with a thirst for death and vengeance. “Now... Tell me who did this to you so I can make them pay." As she spoke, the intent on her voice was clear. They would pay with their lives and they would suffer dearly as they did so.


Asa took in Telvan's appearance, noting the half drained IV bag and signs of healing skin. OK, no clue what happened but she is healing, and the EMH knows what he is doing. If you want her to heal, answer her questions. You can do this Asa, no tears. Just an officer making a report. Asa thought , emotionally and physically drawing breath before responding

"I'm sorry, ma'am, I don't entirely know. The kidnappers were led by a man named Jake, but he was a mercenary of sorts, procuring rare life forms for someone he referred to as The Collector. We were beamed to Mars with a Federatuon style transporter though, and there were signs of the abandoned hospital being in use for a bit, possibly as a base. Security may have gathered data from the scene, and I am willing to bet Jake will roll over on his employer. Speaking of, if he has been brought aboard he will need medical treatment. I recommend the Doctor only as Jake is a skilled combatant and may try to injure someone. I would also like to recommend Mnhei'sahe for a commendation. She...she saved my life, ma'am. If I may ask, are you well?"

Asa spoke in a level tone of voice, but their hands were trembling as they continued and to their shame tears would not stop flowing freely from their eyes. Having said their peace, the doctor dared to make eye contact with the Captain, hoping to gauge her reaction.

Enalia was burning with a cold anger that only those in similar positions to hers knew well. One of her people had almost been taken and had their freedoms stripped from them and she wasn't going to stand here and take it. "The Collector then? Baroness Dox, as soon as you're able, please relay everything about this to Baroness von Alcott. Have her interrogate the prisoners and... Handle... the Collector."

Being referred to by her title of 'Baroness' rather than as 'Lieutenant' was both slightly startling and expected at the same time. Dox knew this wasn't Enalia Telvan, Starfleet Captain. The rage in her eyes, so familiar to Dox, meant that this Princess Enalia Telvan of the Artan Family. And it meant people were very likely going to die for this.

And in that moment, though Dox had stopped herself from killing Asa's attackers, she felt glad in spite of herself. "Aye, Captain." Dox replied, coldly.

Enalia then looked down at her hands and relaxed, noticing that she'd been clenching them tight enough to cut into her palms with her fingernails. The look of surprise on the captain's face when she saw that showed that the cold rage surprised even her. "I uh... Yeah, I'm fine. Just some chroniton radiation burns. The main thing is that Rita and Sonak are still with us and perfectly fine."

"Captain, will you please return to your treatment now? Think of the symbiont..." The EMH rested one hand on her shoulder as if to guide her back to the Radiation Treatment Ward. "And now I have to treat your hands too?"

Snapped out of the moment by Captain Telvan's comment regarding the status of Sonak and Rita, Dox walked over behind the two as the EMH was trying to direct Telvan back. Her cold expression replaced now by concern. "Captain. I'm sorry, but what happened? I was with Ri... Commander Paris on shore leave just the other day."

The spotted and radiation burned woman let herself be shuffled off like some invalid at this point. "Well... You know how Starfleet Command has all those transporter pads all lined up in the lobby constantly going? She decided to take a tour and it didn't go well and Temporal Investigations got involved and one thing led to another and I had to go see Ambassador Spock in the past and the shard timeline she's from no longer exists..."

Following behind slowly, Dox froze in her tracks. "Oh my God..." She muttered as the blood flushed from her face. The fear she held on to for Rita Paris regarding transporters gripped her harder than any fear of her own. She stood, glancing at Captain Telvan and back to Asa. She thought of Rita who was like a sister to her. She thought of Sonak with whom she had shared the totality of her mind.

Standing in the middle of Sickbay in shock as the Captain was lead away by the EMH, the young Romulan realized that span of a single day, she had almost lost the four people that were more important to her than her own life. "T... Thank you, Captain. I'll talk with Baroness Von Alcott immediately."

"Thank you. I'll be in... Stop prodding me..." Enalia swatted at the EMH.

"I'm sorry, but if we don't get you back to your treatments as soon as possible, we'll have to add another twelve hours." The holographic Doctor ushered her as quickly as he could back deeper into sickbay.

Hanging her head slightly, Dox took a breath and stepped back over to Asa, standing by the side of the bed, struggling to keep herself from weeping for her friends benefit. Instead, she pulled a tissue from the table beside them and gently padded Asa's tear soaked cheeks. "Rest now, honey." Dox whispered.

Earlier that day, she stopped herself from murdering the three men that hurt Asa. But she didn't know if she could make that choice again and she wasn't sure she wanted to.

"I will...and I think we all need a vacation after this vacation," Asa said in a vain attempt at levity. They closed their eyes and let sleep claim them, time to rest now for tomorrow held concerns enough of its own.

It had been an inordinately long day for Lieutenant Mnhei'sahe Dox, which began with the Romulan Pilot intercepting a distress signal from her friend and the HERA's CMO, Asa Dael.

Dael had been kidnapped by a group of mercenary criminals targeting some sort of gaseous energy being that Asa had befriended and was trying to protect. Asa was currently in the Hera's main Sickbay recovering from intensive injuries caused by an extended series of assaults carried out by the men.

The men, however, we're currently incarcerated in the medical wing of the Hera's brig... put there by Dox when she discovered what they had done to her friend.

All this information was conveyed as Dox had contacted the Baroness Schwein Von Alcott on orders of the Captain who had ordered Dox to bring in Schwein to interrogate the prisoners in order to discover the identity and location of their patron, someone referred to only as 'the Collector'.

But the Captain made one thing clear. She didn't give these orders to 'Lieutenant' Dox. She gave them to 'Baroness' Dox. Meaning this wasn't a Starfleet investigation and Dox was there as a Baroness of the Artan Pirate family. As.such, this was going to end badly.

Waiting in the hall outside the secured hospital wing of the brig, Dox was still wearing her green Artan uniform pants, black tank top and green denim jacket she had been wearing all day as the turbolift dinged announcing it's arrival.

As the turbolift doors opened, Schwein stepped out in her blue pirate outfit with a large wooden case on her back, followed by the literal personification of Death who waved cheerfully to Dox. "The Collector's goonsquad, is it? We'll have to make sure at the very least. The Princess also won't be happy unless we do to them what they did to Asa, which isn't very Starfleet. I'll understand if you want to sit this one out."

Nodding at the pair, Dox replied. "I'm not here as Starfleet. And I wasn't acting as Starfleet when I put them in here." She remembered seeing what those men did to Asa and her stomach churned with anger. "Only one of them will be in any way responsive. The leader Asa said called himself Jake."

"Then that will make things easier." Punching in her entry codes, Schwein entered the medical wing of the brig and led the trio to the cell with the one called Jake in it. "This is him?" she asked, setting down the large wooden box and opening it up to reveal all manner of barbaric torture devices pirates were rumored to use.

"Yes." Dox replied. In the cell in front of them, Jake was laying on a medical table, his right side bandaged from surgery to stabilize the date Dox had done to his liver and and IV drip attached to his arm. Behind them, across the hall, the two goons we're in their own cells, also propped up on hospital beds.

The first's left leg was in a cast as Dox had shattered his kneecap and twisted the limb hard enough to tear the bones free of their connective ligaments beneath the skin and his jaw was wired shut.

The second's face was heavily bandaged as Dox had crushed both orbital bones, his nasal passage, hard palate and jaw. A breathing tube had been inserted down his throat.

Continuing, Dox elaborated loud enough for the half asleep prisoner to snap awake at the sound of her flat, emotionless voice. "He and his associates beat Asa repeatedly. Multiple kicks to the head and torso causing major bruising to their internal organs. They threw Asa across the room repeatedly, breaking their ribs. But this one. This one slashed Asa's hands with a knife and shot them once with a metal projectile firearm. He almost killed Asa. This one was the leader."

"You nearly killed the personal physician to the Princess of the Artan Pirates." Schwein spoke just as loud as Dox so they could hear her as she leaned on her box of implements. "Then you had the gall to try to sell them off into slavery to some collector? How about you tell us straight up who you were working for and I don't have to get creative? Which Collector? Kivas Fajo? Morba Daln? Trako Hast? If you lie to me one of your friends will die so be sure you tell the truth the first time."

Keeping her face neutral, Dox was slightly concerned by the statement. Baroness or not, she couldn't just execute, or allow to be executed, a prisoner on a Starship. She was still an officer first and foremost. But as Dox looked at Jake and remembered seeing what he had done to Asa, she had to fight the desire to want to kill him herself.

The fight seemed to have gone out of Jake, or maybe it was just the painkillers talking, as he stared bleerily at Schwein.

"If I tell you, I'm as good as dead anyway. This is a Starfleet brig, trust me its not the first one I have seen, which means you won't hurt me. It's not the goody goody way. In fact I bet that one," Jake said, motioning to Dox, "gets in trouble for her actions earlier, the half breed mutt that she is."

"Ouch. Trying to call my bluff." Schwein sneered as she pulled one of the curved blades from the box. "Well guess what. This Starfleet vessel is assigned to Intel Command. We specifically do Section 31 work. You're familiar with them, right? We make monsters disappear so normal people like you don't ever have to know about them. Guess who the Captain is."

The augmented human pirate grinned wickedly as she turned to one of Jake's two goons. "You've already vanished. This ship doesn't exist. You're all listed as missing now so we can do whatever we like."

Trying to suppress the fear from showing on his face, Jake took a gulp and wiped hisnpalms anxiously. Once the customary sneer returned to his face he replied, " You know I did your little friend a favor, right? We were only there for the gas creature and they had the bad luck to be together. I could have just shot them and left their body in the cave where I found them. The fact they are alive at all is generous enough, dont you think? Now if you ciuld just return ne to my base, I'm sure I can make it worth your while."

Hearing that, Dox felt herself beginning to shudder in place as her blood went hot. Thinking of Asa's injuries, glanced at Schwein's box of torture devices. She wanted to use them. She wanted walk into that cell and make him choke to death on his own bile as she fed it to him.

But she paused, let out a breath and a wave of anger and tried to remember what they were really there for. "This gas creature. Why were you there for it? What is it and why does this Collector want it?"

Jake rolled his eyes at the question, turning to face Dox and answered, "I had been tracking that green bastard for two weeks. No idea what it is besides a paycheck. The boss gave us a spectographic tracker, only things like it give off a certain signature. The collector has a whole host of weirdo trackers. He likes unusual life forms, the rarer the better. Once he has them, he sets about making sure they get more rare, increases their value you see. And me? Well, man has to make a living somehow. Might as well defreak the galaxy and get paid fot it. But i doubt someone like you would understand."

Dox smiled slightly, but it was a mirthless and cold thing. She had gotten a wealth of information from Jake is very few words. The Hera had his transport in lockdown. With it, all of their equipment. Equipment she now knew could lead them to Asa's friend to insure they were okay. But it was also equipment Jake procured from the Collector and could possibly be traced back to whoever they are. It was good information.

But Dox didn't want to let him enjoy his sad justification. "Oh, Jake. We've been authorized to remove three... freaks... from this galaxy, and I will enjoy it. So I think we understand each other more then you think." She grinned at him, but her eyes were icy cold.

"You wouldn't dare, " he said, turning his back to the pair in arrogant disregard.

"Jake, you three are only alive right now because I wanted you alive. Because I wanted to know what you just told me. We have your ship, Jake. We have your equipment. Everything the Collector gave you. Everything we can trace back to them. You staying alive is simply dependant on if we think you might have something useful to tell us."

Dox put a hand on the wooden box and leaned just enough of her weight on it to have it let out an eerie creak in the echoing brig. "If my friend and I feel there's no more information to be gleaned from you, then we'll simply take you from this room onto my personal ship and discard you like so much space trash... after we're satisfied."

"I think I might like that. What about you, Jake? Are you ready to meet the third person that came in the room with us? She looks eager to meet you." Schwein was of course referring to Death, who was grinning this whole time like a cat that had eaten a shop full of canaries. She knew these men's fates and how soon they would be departing. She was surprised that they couldn't yet see her though - they were that close to their ends.

Jake turned back to face Dox and Von Alcott. Glancing around he sneered, "I was dead the moment I told you anything about the Collector, you will be doing me a favor to just make it quick. No need to lie about there being three of you. It's not like I can do anything to you in here."

"So tell us where to find this Collector and we'll end you quickly and painlessly," Schwein promised, her grin widening.

"Risa, southern continent, seaside resort near a small town named Klavast," Jake replied dully. He saw something flicker from the corner of his eyes. A tall woman loomed as he turned to look, her face was hollow and dead, and her eyes shone with an infernal fire. The woman wore black rags covered in chain mail and carried a huge sword.

"Who in the name of the gods is THAT?" Jake screeched.

"Jake, meet Death. Death... If he's not lying, dig in." The Baroness returned the torture implement to her wooden box and closed it back up as the dark woman literally floated through the forcefield and hovered over Jake for a moment before reaching into his chest and pulling out a black ball of light and quickly extinguished it. Instantly, the man was dead. "Now... About the other two..."

At the sight, Dox's knees went weak and she stepped back in shock. "Oh my God..." She whispered in Rihan but could say nothing more, frozen in place.

The other two goons were cowering in the adjoining cell, trying to look small as they listened to the interrogation.

"Please, we don't know anything, it was just a job!" One wailed painfully through his shattered jaw, staring at Death. The other goon, unable to see what was occurring and unable to speak simply soiled himself in mute, uncomprehending terror.

Death quickly repeated her task of snuffing out the lives of the other two goons as Schwein tossed the large wooden box on her back and headed for the door. "Want to go with me to end this Collector?"

But Dox just stood there, still in shock. They were dead, just like that. She had wanted it. She wasn't even upset that they were dead. She was upset that she failed. "We... killed prisoners in custody in a Starfleet brig."

"Those men were already dead." Turning to look at Dox, Schwein grabbed her by the jacket and physically picked her up by it. "Look... They got a better death than they deserved, we got the information we needed... If we patched them up and let them live they'd either spend their lives in jail, get killed painfully for betraying their client, or keep doing the same shit for the rest of their miserable lives. This is the kind of things we do as Baronesses sometimes."

All nearly three hundred pounds of the portly pilot dangled effortlessly in Schwein's grip as Dox realized just how far this path would lead her.

Setting Dox back down, she smoothed out the other woman's jacket. "Though I have to admit, this is only the second time I've done it in a Starfleet brig..." Pulling a datapad out of her back pocket, she pressed a few controls on it, initiating a transport sequence that whisked away the three bodies. "Now... Do you have any further complaints? Or can we go take revenge on the one actually behind all this?"

If Dox said nothing and went along, she was turning her back on Starfleet. On being a Lieutenant on the Hera. On everything Rita Paris had been trying to teach her. But Rita wasn't the Captain..and the Captain had given her orders.

Or, more correctly, the Captain gave 'Baroness' Dox orders. Her exact words were 'Relay everything about this to Baroness von Alcott. Have her interrogate the prisoners and... Handle... the Collector.'

"I can't go with you. The Captain's orders were for you to find and take care of the collector." Dox looked at Schwein and Death as her heart sank a little. She was throwing both lives away. "I need to stay here. I let this happen and there are going to be consequences."

"Ah, yeah... You are Starfleet too, aren't you? Sorry... I shouldn't have let you come to the interrogation." Now it was Schwein's turn to look apologetic.

Death raised her hand. "If I may? They each only had about a week left to live anyway. I know it's no excuse to you, but as part of my job, even for blackened hearts like theirs, I'd rather ease their suffering fast than let them be tortured for days."

"I knew I didn't have to be here." Dox said, her shoulders slumping. "I knew this could happen. I knew this was likely to happen." Then she looked directly at death, who somehow seemed more beautiful in that moment to the guilty young woman. "I wanted it to happen. I guess I have a long time to try and live with that."

"Go. You have your work. I have mine. I need to deal with that now. I'm sorry." Dox said, as her eyes fell to the floor.

At the door, Schwein paused, causing Death to almost bump into her. "One more thing? I looked over the security logs of the Princess giving you those orders... I trusted you but something about them... They sounded more like they came from her mother. That footage? She kind of reminded me of her mother... Don't... Don't tell her I ever said that though. Turning into that woman is one of the things I know she fears more than anything. And heavens help you if you do ever cross that woman. No power in existence could save you." With that grim warning, the duo finally left the brig medical wing, leaving Dox alone with her thoughts.

Thinking on Schwein's words, Dox couldn't help but remember her meeting with her own mother just a few days ago. How she left her in tears and the she dealt with her by becoming her. But that was the least of her concerns at that exact moment.

The Romulan pilot looked up at the security cameras that she knew would relay everything that had happened to the new head of the security department, Commander Rita Paris. She thought about the time lost Android Kodria Mizu who once told her that in the future, she would be a Captain and knew that there was now way that was going to be a Starfleet Captaincy now.

Hanging her head, she walked out of the brig. It was time to make her report and deal with whatever would occur now.

Returning to the Hera in preparation for the end of shore leave on Earth, Rita Paris came with a calm mind and a tranquil soul- or at least that's what she tried to tell herself. The universe she'd come from no longer existed, it's end hastened by her presence here, the isotope sample from Aijon Prime she'd transported out with back in that universe and her uncanny knack for screwing up transporters. All those untold lives, snuffed. The chronal scientist on hand had explained that they were all doomed anyway quite shortly after Rita's departure, but that still didn't make the end of a universe any lesser to her conscience.

A lot of what Rita had gotten involved with lately had gone to crap in one form or another, but going back to work ought to fix all of that. A clear purpose and direction did wonders for her, and she had a mountain of paperwork. A good 18 sec/tac officers had transferred off in addition to the dozen she'd lost already, which was a significant number of her force. Fortunately, they were on Earth, and there was a fresh batch of security personnel coming available. Fresh out of the Academy, still drill ready and spit-shined, no time to have picked up bad habits yet, they'd be perfect for the Hera.

Picking and choosing, it might have been sexism or an overreaction to the former department's mindset, but Rita recruited 90% female officers for the new sec/tac department, then took on a few more males just to give herself a washout percentage as well as set the bar a bit for increasing the tactical presence.

The shuttle ride was not a short one, because she had chosen it that way. A shuttle change on Luna. Another shuttle change on Mars at Utopia Planitia. A Hera shuttle would pick her up from Mars, which was where she was getting caught up on her reports. Flight Control was predictably uneventful, with one complaint of a timing violation from Ceres Station which alleged that the pilot came in 35 seconds too early. Enough of a margin to have a word with the pilot, as she was certain Lieutenant Dox would. Engineering had used the time and resources creatively to overhaul a number of systems. Rita was reasonably positive the overworking engineer had barely set foot on planet Earth, but had vastly enjoyed access to the resources of Starfleet's home system.

Ops was uneventful, although all of their stores had been restocked, which was always nice to know, including her photon torpedo requests, which made Rita happy. Nice to know you could still get old reliable in the escalating arms race. Medical... Dael was laid up, it seemed... multiple lacerations... projectile wound... kidnapping...

"What the hell?!?" Paris started as her comm badge chirupped.

=^= Your shuttle is arriving at pad 12-G. =^=

Walking and reading was a skill a line officer had to have, because you needed information and you needed to be where that information could be applied. Reading through the incident report as well as The Doctor's post-operative notes, Rita Paris put together what had happened to Asa Dael while on vacation. Madagascar? It's so pretty, who'd think it was dangerous?!?

Striding onto the shuttle, she saw that Lieutenant Dox had not only rescued Dr. Dael, but checked in three prisoners. Which was good, because the Captain was going to want words with them, Rita suspected, before they went off to a penal colony or rehabilitation or whatever the Federation did with criminals nowadays. That's when she came across the prisoner escape report for all three prisoners.

"Computer, please open a tightbeam frequency to the USS Hera on my authorization, Paris, R, LTCDR 867-5309. Sergeant, I'd appreciate it if you'd keep your eyes on your instruments and not on my comms, and we're wiping these logs when we're done. Am I understood?"

"Yes ma'am," said the pilot who'd drawn the short straw to pick up the Commander.

"Pair of earbuds, Sergeant if you please?" Paris asked as her PaDD went blue with the Federation symbol, then Starfleet, then Starfleet Intelligence, then the USS Hera. Taking the offered signal receivers, Rita followed the report of missing prisoners. As she was the ranking officer, only the Master At Arms would have the clearance to review the footage. She watched from the time the prisoners were processed, brought back to the medical wards of the brig.

Fast forwarding, she saw Dox, out of uniform, and the Baroness, always easily recognizable by her mane of silver hair. Plus the computer had ID tags on both of their comm badges. As the Baroness opened a chest of torture devices for the interrogation, Rita slowed it down to watch. She suspected the Baroness was a master of intimidation.

As the scene unfolded, Rita watched.

As they spoke of Death, someone she couldn't see on the visual logs, Rita watched.

As one by one, they all snuffed out, as if willed to die, Rita watched.

As the Baroness picked up one of her officers and intimidated her as well, Rita watched.

As the bodies beamed away, Rita watched.

As Dox realized what she'd allowed to happen, Rita watched.

As the Baroness gave her parting statement, Rita listened.

Which sent a cold dagger of fear into her heart.

Great. The future takes root in the present...

Once aboard, Commander Rita Paris sent the message to the officer who she knew would be waiting to receive it.

The brig, Miss Dox. Sooner than later.

Seconds later, a reply came through. On my way, Commander.

-----------------

A few short minutes later, Mnhei'sahe Dox stepped off of the Turbolift, freshly redressed in a clean, crisp uniform having just changed from her bloodied civilian clothes she had been wearing all day. As she walked down the corridor to the Brig of the U.S.S. Hera, she tried to prepare herself for what she knew was coming. In her hand was a PaDD with a report of everything that had happened and of everything she had done and allowed to happen.

As far as she was concerned, she was likely to be staying in the brig when this was all over, but more than anything else was the knowledge that she had betrayed the trust Rita Paris had placed in her. But if her career in Starfleet was over, it would end in the uniform that she had failed.

"Commander." Dox said with a forced calm on her voice that was taking extreme effort as she approached Rita Paris.

Turning to regard Dox impassively, Commander Paris spoke succinctly. "You checked three prisoners into the medical wing of the brig after seeing to their medical care. Where are those Federation citizens now, Miss Dox?

Keeping her voice as steady as possible, Dox answered. While it had only been a short time since the incident, it was clear that Rita Paris knew most everything. "They were killed during an interrogation conducted by myself and Baroness Von Alcott. The Baroness had their bodies beamed away before leaving."

"And how were they killed, Miss Dox?" The tone was still even, still calm, still impassive.

Taking a slight breath, Dox had no intention of lying to her First Officer or friend, even though the reality was difficult to grasp and required a significant explanation. "As you may recall, during the mission to the Worldship, Doctor Dael and the Baroness had encountered a being that had identified itself as the literal embodiment of... well... Death. When Schwein was almost killed, Death followed her back to the ship and has been here ever since as Doctor Dael had mentioned during the post mission briefing."

Pausing for a second, Dox continued with the unusual story. "After the Worldship, while talking with Baroness Von Alcott, I was... introduced to her. To Death. As such, I can see and hear her. Currently, I believe only myself, Schwein, Doctor Dael and the EMH can. She was... with us during the interrogation and when we had acquired the information we were ordered to get regarding the location of the person behind the kidnapping and attack of Doctor Dael, she..."

Finally, as the story had reached the part Dox was dreading recounting, she stuttered briefly. "... She claimed them. She stepped through the forcefield and just... pulled out their lives."

"What action did you take to defend these Starfleet prisoners from this unrecognized authority acting as judge, jury and executioner?" Paris asked calmly.

There were no words of protest or excuses as Dox answered. "Nothing, Commander. I did... nothing."

"Indeed you did not, Miss Dox."

There was silence for a moment, and when Rita Paris spoke again, it was low and quiet, and as she spoke, the pain in her voice was clearly evident.

"I warned you. I warned you to keep an eye to your duty, not to be swept up with all of the piracy. That you could be both, but you would be held accountable." Those bright blue eyes came up to meet the brown eyes of Mnhei'sahe Dox accusingly. "Then at the very first crossroads, you chose not Starfleet... but piracy. You brought these men to justice and gave them humane treatment. Then you returned, not as a Starfleet officer, but as a 'Baroness'. To allow a civilian with no recognized authority interrogate those men, then watch them be executed without so much as a word raised in objection."

"I... thought you were made of sterner stuff, Miss Dox." The sentence hung there; simple, but damning all the same.

At the words she knew were true, Dox's heart felt like it had exploded in her chest. But she did her best to maintain her composure.

"Were you ordered to do this?" Paris asked plainly, the old-school officer's features a grim mask of self-control.

Taking a breath, Dox paused for a moment before speaking. "I was ordered to tell Baroness Von Alcott to conduct an interrogation by... The Captain... while we were in Sickbay with Doctor Dael."

"You did not think to protest this order as an unlawful one?" The voice of Rita Paris rose sharply, into those tones of command she'd had drilled into her for her entire life. "Did you not stop to question the validity of the order? Your moral compass never told you that this was wrong, even if you couldn't recall the exact Starfleet regulation that it violated? Was this an order that a Starfleet officer should carry out?" The voice of the first officer rose to a crescendo, then she quieted again.

"No. On this starship, I suppose it is not that unreasonable order after all, is it?" Rita Paris sideyed Dox, running her fingers through her asymmetrical shock of hair, then putting her face into her hands for the space of a long breath. When she pulled them away, her mask of composure was in place.

"I... am a Starfleet officer, Miss Dox," the Academy class of 2255 alumnus explained. "We comport ourselves according to a code of conduct and a set of rules. It was an oath I swore, a very long time ago. I hope they still make you swear it in modern Starfleet. Because it meant something. I swore to uphold and defend the constitution of the United Federation of Planets as a member of Starfleet, and I've devoted my life to that ideal. If the orders coming now are for the actions of a pirate queen and not a Starfleet captain, we have a certain conflict of interests at play. Do you understand?"

The conflicted young officer felt herself shaking so slightly as to be invisible to the eye. She understood far too deeply the extent of her failure and was struggling to maintain her composure. "I understand. I've... failed this uniform and what it means on every level, Commander."

"No. You made poor choices, Miss Dox," Paris snapped back with military precision. "The results of those actions remains to be seen. This isn't about you, Lieutenant. This is about the Captain. I fear we are in a battle for the Captain's soul, which is of the Hera- Starfleet or pirate. Remember what the Baroness told you? Kodria Mizu warned me as well. Now do you understand?"

Pausing for a moment, thinking back to a conversation she also had with the Android, Dox's face relaxed slightly as she recalled. "Kodria... she wanted to ask me something about Schwein but she was scared to. She asked me if I had really fought beside her. Something about it seemed strange. Like it was more than her not wanting to just reveal the future."

"We've a conversation to take with Captain Telvan, Miss Dox. You're with me," Paris ordered, turning on her heel and marched off to the brig exit.

"Aye, Commander." Dox replied following closely behind, understanding now that her problems here were only a small part of a much larger crisis.

Tapping her comm badge, Paris called out to the overhead. "Computer, please locate Captain Telvan."

=^= Captain Telvan is on Deck 12, in the radiation treatment ward of Sickbay. =^= the computer promptly replied.

Moving with a purpose, the first officer exited the brig. She did not stop for a phaser, nor did she arm herself with the advanced EVA armor she had learned to work with. In this confrontation, words and principles would be the weapons to win or lose this battle. So time to use a few of them.

"Make no mistake, Miss Dox, you still stand at that crossroads. Forces are gathering and change is coming, and I somehow doubt this will be the last time you are forced to choose between selfless duty and selfish freedom, the structure of the rule of law that allows civilization to flourish, or the self-indulgence of the land of do as you will, because pirates answer to no one." Paris turned to eye the conflicted officer as they arrived at the turbolift.

"Time to decide if you are a Starfleet officer who plays at being a pirate, or a pirate playing at being a Starfleet officer."

Standing rigidly, looking up at her resolute First Officer, Dox paused for the briefest of seconds. But in that short instance, a phalanx of thoughts went through her head. She thought of the friendships made on the Hera and the sacrifices she had both witnessed and made. The contacts with cosmic beings beyond imagination and the hard choices made every day in that uniform.

She also thought of the pride she felt putting that Delta on her chest and those pips on her collar. She thought of those responsible for her, and those she was responsible for. She thought of all she had done to earn those that she had almost thrown away out of unchecked anger and selfish vengeance.

She thought about all of that and more as her eyes focused to meet Rita Paris'. She might still lose all of what she had worked for, but she wasn't going to just give it up. She adjusted her tunic and as she spoke, the tremble in her voice was vanishing. "My decision is made, Commander."

"That's good to hear, Lieutenant," Paris replied as she strode into sickbay, eyeing her PaDD for directions to the radiation treatment ward. Sickbay took up the entirety of Deck 12 after all, and while the fulsome first officer was good, she didn't know where everything was on the starship Hera. As they wound their way toward their destination, Rita Paris paused, taking a few seconds to compose herself. She said nothing- Dox needed to see resolution, not hesitation. More than one soul was at stake here, and Rita Paris had to get this right, or more than one life would be ruined this 03:00, the midnight of the soul.

Brows furrowed, jaws set and resolute, Rita Paris strode into the captain's semi-private sickbay room.

"Captain, I believe we have a situation," Paris opened with, as she so often did, regardless of the crisis at hand.

Brows furrowed, jaws set and resolute, Rita Paris strode into the captain's semi-private sickbay room.

"Captain, I believe we have a situation," Paris opened with, as she so often did, regardless of the crisis at hand.

Opening her eyes slowly, Enalia peered out of the treatment chamber, looking a bit worse for wear. "Commander? Hey. EMH cleaned up your delta shield. It's on the counter there by the door. What's the situation?"

"Computer, please give us a privacy bubble, 3 meter radius centered on me," This would diffuse all sound, ensuring that while the Hera's recording sensors were still at work, crewmen nearby would not hear their conversation. With the chirrup of the computer to confirm the order had been enacted, Paris looked down at the radiation-burned Trill captain who had just very recently saved her existence and likely the planet Earth and the sol system, depending on whom you asked.

"Captain? Would you please recount the last order you gave Lieutenant Dox?" By the book, Rita.

"Ah shit..." The spotted woman closed her eyes and furrowed her brow. Laying on her back in a minty blue medical robe, she was at a distinct disadvantage, but she did her best as the medical equipment continued to fire its healing beams into her flesh. "I gave those orders to Baroness Dox, didn't I? Specifically the orders to have Baroness Schwein von Alcott interrogate the prisoners that tortured Asa and were going to sell them off to the Collector and then handle their employer... Right? Not the last orders I gave to her specifically as Lieutenant Dox which were, I think... Something related to the shuttle rotation between here and Mars? Is that assumption correct, Commander?"

"Computer, gimme a playback, please," Rita called out, and from the overhead came the audio.

"The Collector then? Baroness Dox, as soon as you're able, please relay everything about this to Baroness von Alcott. Have her interrogate the prisoners and... Handle... the Collector."

"So a Starfleet officer was kidnapped, rescued by a Starfleet officer, the culprits were placed in a Starfleet brig under Starfleet custody. Citizens of the Federation. Whom you ordered your LIEUTENANT to turn over to a civilian with no authority in this matter to interrogate them," Rita stressed, because it was very clear that Baroness Dox and Lieutenant Dox were one and the same when orders came from her Captain. "Do you know where those three Federation citizens entrusted to the care of Starfleet are now, Captain?"

"I've been confined to this treatment ward this whole time so unfortunately, the only news I've been told of is what the EMH deigns to inform me of. I take it by your presence and demeanor that their current status is not a good one though." Taking as deep a breath as she dared and letting it out slowly, Enalia stared up at the ceiling. "So where are they now, Commander? What has my lapse in judgment wrought?"

"Three dead men who'll tell no tales, as the Baroness' apparent companion killed them? I need to run through the ship's logs and check some scans on certain quantum frequencies, but apparently, Death becomes her, and is now the Baroness Alcott's companion as well as her personal assassin." Paris leaned in closer to the spotted captain. "Ma'am, this is serious. You may not have said the words, but your order certainly implied that you wanted your lieutenant to dispatch your personal pirate to assassinate those men, then to assassinate the person they work for once located. That's certainly how a Starfleet tribunal would see it."

"She's only supposed to be here as my family's attendant and adjutant... And technically we're barely even pirates anymore..." Enalia was just splitting hairs now and she knew it. But there was another issue she needed information on. "As for Schwein's companion... Who are you talking about? She's always worked alone since she lost her crew."

"Lieutenant, report," Paris stepped aside to let Dox explain this particular bit of strangeness. "Prologue as well as what happened in the brig, as you explained it to me."

Stepping forward, Dox took a breath then spoke. "Schwein is... somehow... connected to the literal embodiment of Death itself, Captain."

Then, the conflicted young pilot recounted the tale as she had just told Commander Paris. Of how Death has come on board the U.S.S. Hera, bonded to Schwein. How Dox and the entity had become acquainted. And how that entity had followed the red-headed Romulan and the pirate Baroness into the brig to have her final say with the three men.

Then Dox added a final detail that had not come out in her conversation with Commander Paris. "And... when it was over, she told me... she said that they would have died within a few weeks anyway and that she was showing them a kind of mercy..." As she spoke, Dox let out a single, mirthless chuckle as her professional demeanor was beginning to crack ever so slightly. "...to try and make me feel less... responsible. Less responsible for having said and done nothing to prevent it."

Then, Dox decided to speak slightly out of turn as she begun to full understand the cost not just to herself, and not just to the Baroness and the Captain but to the women she saw as her friends. To Schwein and Enalia Telvan. "Whatever the consequences, Captain. That isn't... we can't allow ourselves to become that any further."

"I wanted those men to pay for what they had done to Asa. I wanted them to pay beyond....beyond just what I had done to them when I brought them in." Dox glanced to Rita as she spoke, revealing then her ultimate weakness during the incident, hoping that by doing so she might help keep the Captain from going further down that same path.

"But I have to be better than that. WE have to be better than that. So that this means what it's supposed to..." Dox gestured to the Delta on her breast. "...for both of us."

As Dox spoke, the Captain listened without interruption. When she was done, she closed her eyes and would have nodded if her head wasn't secured. When she spoke next, she was a bit hoarse. "I'll be honest. I wanted them to pay as well. I knew Schwein would get the information out of them and then shuffle them off somewhere. She's done it before, but using bluffs and fear tactics. Now you're telling me she's bonded to some invisible spirit of Death that's been wandering this ship this whole time and didn't think to warn someone?"

"I'd like to say that if I had known I wouldn't have given those orders... But I was so pissed... So full of cold rage... I probably would have given those orders anyway. She's been like family to me and I've trusted her with my life like you wouldn't believe. She's stood up to my mother when even I couldn't." Enalia took a moment to gulp back the emotions trying to boil out of her. "So whenever I need someone to take care of something in the underworld, she's always the one I go to."

"I normally keep things under control better than this. I guess with the tribunal, having lost so many crew on the last mission, nearly losing you and Sonak, then hearing about Asa... I felt like no matter how hard I tried, the universe was going to take everything away from me like it always does." The spotted woman took a shuddering breath. "And now you tell me my closest friend is walking around with literal Death as her playmate? Commander... What's the Starfleet answer?"

Taking a moment to inhale a long breath, a carefully considered reply formed. "Executing prisoners is a violation of the Khitomer accords, which reinforced the Starfleet code of ethics. Not my strongest suit, but..." fingers tapping at the PaDD which somehow Paris always seemed to produce in such moments she scanned for her answer. "Violation would result in a trial and court-martial for Starfleet personnel, civilians guilty of such crimes or the agent thereof would be tried and convicted in military court, not civilian... the long and short of it is that makes her guilty of murder, ma'am, and a wanted woman by the Federation."

Looking up, the Starfleet siren looked the spotted captain in the eye. "You know the Starfleet answer, ma'am. This was murder. Not a casualty of wartime, not a matter of universal crisis where the ends justified the means. This was a revenge killing, using Starfleet personnel and facilities to accommodate it. Those men would have seen justice, as all criminals deserve, but that was taken from them." Paris turned the PaDD around to show the prisoner with his jaw wired shut shrinking away from an invader he could not see.

"Please, we don't know anything, it was just a job!" One wailed painfully through his shattered jaw, staring at his approaching assassin they could not see- the manifestation of Death.

"That was murder, ma'am, Not vengeance, not justice, and not Starfleet by any stretch of the imagination," the throwback officer explained, as an ethics lesson was clearly called for here. "As we are a classified Starfleet Intel vessel, I'm sure you have the capacity to sweep this under the rug, deny its existence. You can continue to promote your Starfleet officers with Pirate rank, and order them to do things that violate the Starfleet Code of Military Justice. You can welcome Baroness von Alcott back aboard with open arms and pretend it all never happened. This is most certainly a possibility that I recognize."

"But when I was ready to run, because I didn't know if you were Starfleet or a pirate, you gave me your word. You explained to me why you were Starfleet- because you were determined to be your own woman, to be better than what you'd been raised to be capable." Rita Paris paused, letting her words sink in to the Trill starship commander. "Because as I explained to you then, I am Starfleet. Being a Starfleet officer is my life, and I cannot compromise that for something like vengeance, not even for one of our own. We are a standard to uphold, one of proud and noble traditions. We're the good guys, ma'am. Because if we're not, then we aren't Starfleet."

"That's the Starfleet answer, Captain Telvan."

"You're right, it is. It's a bit more complicated for us at times being under Intel Command, but it is." The spotted and radiation burned woman knew her first officer was right but there was still one more issue to bring up. "We still have one problem though. The galaxy at large isn't allowed to know about the existence of the deity class beings like Hera or the Asgardians. This Death falls into that category. How do we bring the spirit of Death up on charges of murder for doing what they'll claim is their job? How do we enforce it? Do we punish Schwein for that? Hera is apparently influencing the crew into the family way. How do we prove that Death isn't influencing the crew similarly?"

Taken slightly aback by the idea, Dox forced it out of her mind. She refused to entertain the thought as an excuse for herself. But like Rita has said earlier, this wasn't about her. "Captain... this may be the case for Schwein."

"They... Their connection is deep. Schwein's accent is gone. She said that Death gave her her own accent... like she's being... overwritten. And... there's more. Just before this all had happened, when we were with Captain Magnus at the starbase, something happened."

With a slight crack in her voice, Dox continued. "The was a vendor. An elderly man that was passing. Death touched his cheek while he slept and he... he died. He died and Schwein winced. She lied to us about her injuries being exasperated, but as she walked away I heard her whispering to Death that she FELT that man die. That it caused her pain."

"I was trying to find her in the station that night to find out what happened when I received Asa's distress call. But... in the Brig... If Schwein felt those men die, it didn't show. Or worse, she did feel it and it didn't bother her this time."

“It sounds very much as though we need to separate the two of them for the good of the Baroness,” Paris posited. “While her actions may be influenced by this entity, there is a surefire method of separating them. Assaulting a Starfleet officer, manslaughter and removal of Federation prisoners from a Starfleet facility are all serious charges, but they can be addressed. For right now, I am concerned with the fact that the Baroness may well not be herself."

"I propose she be recalled and separated from the Death entity. I’ll do the research and see if it is possible, but I’m not willing to give up on her if the Baroness can be saved. That woman saved my life, and I’ll not let her go into the darkness without a fight. If that means defying Death, it won't be my first time," Paris added with firm resolution. Baroness von Alcott was her friend, and she wasn't about to write her off if she was in trouble. Especially if she was in trouble- because that meant she needed her shipmates more than ever.

"If you call her, she'll heed you and come, won't she Captain?" If they had to lay a trap for the noble pirate, so be it. Paris was already committed to the course and getting up to speed.

Thinking for a second, Dox interjected. "She's on her way to Risa. That's where he said the Collector was. And the Fluffernuttenfaust has a solid cloak, but I know how to crack it."

"If we chase her she'll run, fight and evade. No, Miss Dox- she'll come if summoned by the Princesszin. The question now becomes, will the Captain call her back?" Paris turned to eye the radiation-burned Trill captain in the biobed.

The Trill woman's eyes were closed and tears were rolling down the sides of her face as she considered all that she had just learned and realized the implications of. If this went poorly in any way at all, she'd be losing one of her closest friends and her best ally for the Tribunal. She really had no choice though - this entity of Death and Schwein had to be recalled and her lapse in judgement corrected in any way possible. She had prevented the loss of two of her newest family, but the universe was trying to take one of her oldest from her now.

"Maica... She has the comm codes," Enalia croaked out. "She can send a message in my name recalling her. I doubt I'll be out of this damned thing before she gets back, so... Good luck..."

“First I have to take a consultation with Hera and detailed sensor analysis to see what the metaphysics of the situation are, and what can be done. We’ll recall the Baroness as the final component of this plan, assuming it comes together,” Paris countered, her mind working overtime to arrive at possibilities and solutions. “Meanwhile, Miss Dox, would you be so kind as to step outside and stand by? I need a few words with the captain,”

The return of polite manners to the friendly First Officer was likely a positive, but given her usual open door nature, actually requesting privacy was a sign in and of itself.

"Aye, Commander." Dox replied, as she left the room to wait nervously at attention outside the room.

When the first officer turned on the captain, her eyes were blazing with fury. “We’re going to skip the protocol of speaking freely, because you’re going to listen to me, Enalia Artan Telvan, and I am going to be heard and understood.”

“How… DARE… you!” Paris fairly roared, which, unbeknownst to her, could be heard clearly by the junior officer in the corridor outside the room where Lieutenant Dox stood at attention. “I take a great pilot with so much potential, teach her how to be an officer, teach her pride in herself and her accomplishments, teach her duty and sacrifice and honor, and you! You come in and decide that she’d be better off as a damned pirate! I warned her,” Paris began to pace, as she often did when speaking, but this was more of a predatory stalking around the biobed where her friend and captain who had been injured saving her very existence lay.

“I warned her not to get caught up in this pirate business, to keep an eye to her duty,” Paris muttered, practically a grumble. “Then Asa Dael is in trouble. Does Dox alert Starfleet? No, the Captain gifted her with her own unregistered vessel, so she doesn’t bother to wait for backup from the Hera. Does she stun and capture the accused? No, she breaks them, physically brutalizing them like a black ops professional. Because that’s what pirates do. Only then does she bring them back to toss them in the brig, to get them medical attention, then report to her captain.”

“Her captain, who immediately indicates that she does not need a Starfleet officer, but the ‘Baroness Dox’ to carry out her orders, wherein she clearly implies that she wants all of these men dead,” Paris was talking with her hands now as she ranted, a full head of steam going. “Assassinated. Murdered. Frontier justice- no judge, no jury, just executioner. You send in the Baroness, not Starfleet personnel, for interrogation. Which ends with three dead men in the brig, when she absconds with the bodies, as if that eliminates the evidence, as she sets off for another Federation planet. Because the Starfleet officer relayed to the private citizen pirate orders from the captain to assassinate the party identified as responsible for all of this.”

“What about any other victims does this ‘Collector’ have who are going to need to be rescued? Victim counseling? Returning them to their families, native environments, homes? Is the Baroness von Alcott and her little pirate sloop going to be equipped to handle all of that? What happens when those victims start talking? What happens when Asa Dael finds out what was done in their name? Have you even considered that both von Alcott and Dox have both been genetically manipulated, and that is illegal in the Federation? Did you consider how much danger this would expose both of them to with one careless act?”

Leaning in to the head of the hospital bed, Paris pressed her point. “This piratical tribunal is going to ruin us all, Enalia. Your damned granddaughter risked wiping herself out of existence because she’d rather not exist then let what’s going to happen to you come to pass. You can be a pirate and a Starfleet officer, but you’ll still be held accountable as a Starfleet officer. The Starfleet officer who just ordered assassinations and spoke in rage, and is trying to ruin more lives than her own.”

Realizing the irony in her own harshly spoken words, Paris stood up straight, visibly calming herself from her righteous wrath. “It’s not too late. We can make this right, and we can deal with the fallout. But I need your word, Enalia Telven.” Regarding the Captain through half-lidded eyes, the voice of the career Starfleet officer became choked with emotion.

“When I was going to run, you assured me, you SWORE to me that you were Starfleet first, a pirate second. You worked so long and so hard to get away from becoming your mother, and here you are, doing precisely that. Now you are corrupting Dox with that exact same madness,” tears rolled down the angry executive’s face. “You are committing murder on a Federation starship, and that isn’t Starfleet. That’s not who we are.”

“So right here, right now, you swear to me, Enalia Telven. You swear to me to comport yourself according to your Starfleet oath. Which means not corrupting the officers beneath you with your pirate business when you get angry and want to circumvent society’s laws. I won’t have it, Enalia. I won’t be a party to it,” Paris stated with finality. “So you make your choice, and you make the decision and you give me your damn word, and you by all that’s holy you mean it. Starfleet first, period. We do things the lawful Starfleet way from this moment forward.”

“Because if not, then it is my duty to remove you from command and bring you up on formal charges,” Paris said stiffly, her voice thick with regret, her chin dimpling as she restrained the emotions saying all of this brought forth. “It is my duty to do the same for Miss Dox out there. It is my duty to have the Baroness von Alcott brought to justice, to answer for her crime. As vague as the logic may be, I suspect the sensor date will be quite convincing. I am a Starfleet officer, and I know exactly where my duty lies. If you desire a different outcome than that, you had better swear to me by whatever’s holy to you that we will never, EVER have this discussion again. Am I making myself perfectly clear?”

Enalia was silent for several long moments as both women cried. When she finally tried to speak, she couldn't find her voice at first so she had to try again a couple times, swallowing hard between each time and straining the field holding her in place. "The only other person... To ever talk to me like that before..." She then tried to nod, but again, she was stopped by the medical fields holding her in place. She felt so weak and helpless right now, just like she used to when she was a little girl, and it showed. "I swear... I just want to get through the Tribunal, name a successor, and leave it all behind me... Get on with my life in Starfleet..."

“So long as it doesn’t involve murdering your matriarch in order to become her, I will help you with every trick in my bag, every ounce of resolve that I possess,” the ancient astronaut offered. “But you swear to me, Enalia Telven, by whatever you need to swear, that moving forward you are a Starfleet captain, not a pirate princess who dispatches her Starfleet officers on errands that will ruin their careers. You give lawful orders that can be obeyed without compromising the principles of Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets.”

“You swore to me once that you might ask me to do some questionable things from time to time, but those orders would be handed down from Intel Command, and in the best interest of the Federation as a whole. ‘I promise they will not be personal’- your words.” Hands balled into fists, the betrayal Rita Paris felt was evident in every word, every gesture, every nuance. “Now you swear to me that same promise for your entire crew, from the second officer down to the lowliest crewman. We will not have this discussion again, Enalia. We won’t, because if you ever pull anything like this again, I won’t say a word to you. I will simply do my duty. I swear that to you, on my honor as a Starfleet officer.”

While she seemed to be agnostic at best, the one defining characteristic of Rita paris was her dedication to her duty, to being a Starfleet officer. Thus a vow on her honor as an officer was the strongest oath by which she could swear. Her persistent honestly made it abundantly clear that she was neither bluffing nor would she give an inch on this.

As her first officer berated her, something inside Enalia's eyes slowly died like a light going out. She knew exactly what she had to do to just finish this whole Tribunal without anyone in her crew getting hurt and as soon as she was out of here, she'd do it. Rita Paris was right. Her mother was right. she had made all of this personal. She'd have to give them both what they wanted. Staring up at the ceiling she spoke like she no longer even cared what happened to her own body - she just wanted this all to end. "Fine. I swear it. When I get out of here, I'll give my mother the daughter she wants, then cut all ties to the Artan lineage. Baroness von Alcott will be removed from the entity of Death. I will never give another order to another soul pertaining to my pirate heritage after that and if I ever give another illegal order, I'll resign."

“I didn’t say anything about you giving your mother what she wants, Enalia. I swore I wouldn’t let the joy drain out of your life to become just as bad as your mother. Don’t martyr yourself here- that’s not what I asked for, and punishing me for it is brutally unfair,” Paris explained, seeing how this was playing out and struggling to prevent it. “I didn’t demand you give it up, I just need you to put Starfleet first. Choose your next words very carefully, Enalia Artan, because if you follow this course, you’ll unmake someone I’m rather looking forward to meeting someday. No ma’am, you don’t have the luxury of just rolling over and giving up. That's not the starship captain who talked me out of rending space and time. That's not the starship captain who travelled in time to save me from destroying Earth. That's not MY captain.“

Enalia thought on that for some time as she stared at the ceiling, slowly going over everything that had been said, before moving her eyes over to Rita, her eyes widening. "Grand... Daughter?" That realization finally sunk in and implications of that also started hitting her. "So now you're telling me we broke the Temporal Prime Directive as well?"

“When do we not?” the time-tossed officer from 2268 replied with a self-effacing shrug.

Closing her eyes, she thought on it some more, trying to turn her thinking around. "Then I have to win the Tribunal... As a Starfleet Captain... You know I'm going to need an Angel in Gold to pull this off, right?"

Taking the captain’s hand gingerly in her own, Rita Paris offered a small smile. “Did you miss that part? Every trick in my bag, every ounce of resolve that I possess. You told me once that you needed me beside you. That no one else could serve as your first. I promised you then, and that promise holds today. Where you lead, I follow. When the Hera is in danger, I’ll stand for her. And when my captain needs help outmaneuvering her tyrant of a matriarch, then she’ll have to contend with Enalia Telvan and Rita Paris.”

“You’re not alone in this. You’re never alone. So long as we do the right thing, stick to our principles and do the right thing.” Reaching between the bands to stroke the Trill woman’s hair, Paris smiled that reassuring smile. “Hell of a mess you made, Captain. I’ll help you clean it up, because that’s why I’m here. I’ll help you with your Tribunal, because that’s why I’m here. And I will keep you on the path to being your own woman, the noble Starfleet officer who risks everything for the safety of those who will never know of her heroism. Because that’s why I’m here.”

"Thank you... You'll probably never know just how much that means to me, but I'll try to make sure you do someday." The Trill woman smiled weakly up at her human first officer. "Now... How about you get with Maica and recall our lost little piggy before she does something we'll all regret? Oh, and uh... Please don't be too hard on Mnhei'sahe... She apparently just watched three people get eaten by the literal spirit of Death. That's got to take a toll on the psyche."

“Research first, then recalling the Baroness,” Paris reminded the captain, who was still reeling from the rad burns combined with being thoroughly chewed out by her first officer. “As for Miss Dox- if we don’t punish her, she will punish herself. She failed in her first true moral crisis as an officer, and she witnessed the results of her actions, yes. Three men are dead because of her choices, and all of this could have been avoided had she known to comport herself as a Starfleet officer, not as a ‘baroness’. With that said, I am recommending busting her back to LTJG. It will provide a reminder for some time that her actions have consequences, and make her more mindful of her duty.”

“Assuming that the Commodore doesn’t bring you all up on charges,” Rita added, knowing the unlikelihood of that course.

"I don't think I can punish her like that for my mistakes as a Starfleet officer. That would imply a coverup on my part." Enalia sighed as best she could, locked in the radiation burn torture device. "But I'll take it under advisement. Magnus said he'd register her ship to her, but we can at least control when she can leave the Hera with it. How about we start with confinement to quarters while off duty and extra duties in the lower decks and when I get out of here we can review the case together?"

“With all due respect, no ma’am,” Paris stood upright, defending her choice. “Dragging it out will only further damage her self-esteem and worth as an officer, and give her time to find more and more reasons to punish herself. She may have in part been acting on your orders, but these were her choices, not yours. This isn’t messing up a duty roster or showing up drunk on duty. This is an important turning point for her, Captain. She needs to understand that the rules exist for reasons and that there are consequences, but also that justice is inherent in the system, which should never be circumvented for personal reasons. The decision is yours, of course, and I will abide by your order. But that’s my recommendation.”

"She's one of those self-harm types, isn't she?" Enalia asked, thinking it over. "Fine. Three months demotion one rank pending a performance review. Extra duties and confinement to quarters for the same time. And Rita? If you EVER recommend we take shore leave in the Sol system again, I'm throwing you in the brig. This system is built on way too many cursed mass burial mounds or something..."

"Ah, and if you need an idea on extra duties, DTI mentioned they needed someone to help sort through old historical records from the early twenty first century and try to restore them. Particularly about someone named Donald Drumpf."

“Understood ma’am, that’s fair and it should do the trick, thank you. Although I think we should probably prepare to get underway before DTI looks too closely at Kodria Mizu's presence here,” Paris expressed. While she didn’t want to punish the junior officer, her duty was clear and no favoritism should apply. The Captain’s choice was just, and she felt good about it. Moving to the door, Rita turned to make a vow, to leave the spotted captain with some hope.

“If there is a way to save the Baroness, ma’am, I’ll find it. We don’t let our own go gentle into that good night… not in Starfleet.”

"Thank you... I'd at least like to see my piggy again." Then another thought hit Enalia. "Rita... You're at the door, right? I can still hear you. We're still inside the same privacy bubble. What radius did you set it at again?"

“Three meters ma’am, why?” Opening the door, Rita realized that Dox was standing rigidly at attention just outside the doorway.

Facepalming, Rita grasped the bridge of her nose and sighed, shaking her head. “Heard every word, didn’t you?”

Rigidly, Dox stood in place where she was ordered to stand, eyes locked straight forward. Those eyes were slightly glassy and the young woman's body shuddered slightly as she struggled to maintain her composite. But even through the door, her Romulan ears picked up the entire conversation.

"Aye, Commander." Dox replied.

“Walk with me, Lieutenant. The night is long, and we’ve many miles to walk ere the dawn,” Paris said, moving with a purpose on her way out of sickbay.

Walking in step behind Commander Rita Paris, Mnhei'sahe Dox was a broken woman. As the two worked their way through the corridors of the Hera silently, Dox could only think of everything she had just inadvertently heard.

Moments ago, they had been in Sickbay with Captain Telvan where the Commander had been arguing with the Captain over her recent conduct, and Dox's conduct. Though arguing was far too strong a word as it was a completely one-sided dressing down from Commander Paris. Dox had been ordered to wait outside, but could hear everything.

Begrudgingly listening, as she couldn't exactly leave where she was ordered to stand, Dox learned a great many things. She learned that the Android, Kodria Mizu was the Captain's granddaughter. She learned just how deeply the conflict between the Captain and her Mother was going to go. And she learned the consequences of her own, shameful actions.

Still wearing the two solid pips marking her as a full Lieutenant as she walked, Dox knew it was a lie. She had stood by, doing nothing as she allowed the cosmic being known as Death execute three prisoners in the Brig of the Hera. She had walked into that brig knowingly with the Baroness Schwein Von Alcott and Death herself to interrogate the three men that had kidnapped and brutalized the ships CMO, Asa Dael. And in her anger, Dox stood by and allowed them to die on a Starfleet ship, as a Starfleet officer.

Officially, Dox had now been reduced back to a Junior Grade Lieutenant, among other things, all of which felt like less than nothing to the guilt ridden young woman who looked ahead at the woman she thought of as a Sister walking ahead of her. A woman who she had failed utterly. Her disgust with herself was palpable and rose in her heart like a weight of bile inside of her.

But she would keep her composure. She would follow and wait and accept her insignificant punishments. And she would not cry or break. That, she thought, was behavior reserved for those that deserved friendship. And in that moment, Mnhei'sahe Dox knew that wasn't her. Not anymore.

Striding through the corridors of the USS Hera, Paris called for the turbolift, then directed it to deck 4. When it arrived, she marched out of the lift and straight to the Flight Control office. As it was late, there was no one on the office at the moment, and once the confused Mnhei’sahe Dox was inside and the door was closed, Paris pointed to a chair in front of the desk, then seated herself in the one next to it. Looking out over the still active flight deck, she crossed her arms beneath her improbable bust, then began speaking, low and slow.

“I’m sorry that you overheard all of that… it was an error on my part, and in a day of errors, I should have been better than that,” Paris offered, then she sighed. “Sometimes a stand has to be taken and harsh words employed… but it should have been private. So say your piece, Dox. Permission to speak freely.”

Taking the indicated seat, Dox sat at attention. Her posture was rigid and her face was tight. It was everything she could do to make eye contact with Paris as her eyes kept snapping away for split seconds at a time like cornered animals trying to scratch themselves from a corner. Swallowing, the young Romulan woman's throat was dry and hoarse. Clearing her throat for a brief second, she replied. "I... have nothing to say in my defense, Commander. What I did... what I didn't do when I should have was... unforgivable. I will accept any punishments you deem appropriate."

“Yes you will, and you’ll remember the lessons, and you’ll do better next time. You already know the punishment, and you’ll take it without complaint. And someday when it’s your turn to be giving this speech to a junior officer, I hope it isn’t for something like this.” Paris sighed heavily, and as she did so, she visibly sagged. Suddenly the weight of the situation physically settled on her, and she wore her internal mood outwardly- that of misery.

“You let me down, Mnhei’sahe.”

While a part of her mind heard what Paris had said about this responsibility one day being hers, Dox couldn't accept the concept of ever regaining her rank or rising above it. The concept was completely alien to her guilt-ridden mind at that moment. But it was at the sound of her first name that her heart twisted itself into a knot.

As the blood flushed from her face into her stomach, Dox turned white. Her lip trembled and she bit it to keep it in place as her eyes began to tremble. "I... I know I have, Commander."

“You were doing so well, and then this pirate business came up. And I thought you could juggle them both. I warned you, not to forget your duty, not to forget that you are Starfleet- and at the first moral challenge, you chose to be a pirate. Why, Dox? Where did I go wrong? Did I not prepare you? Did I not set the right expectations? Was it because we’re friends, my advice became more casual to you? Why, Dox?” There was a note of pleading in the woman’s voice as she spoke, and it was clear that she felt every bit the failure as Dox for having allowed her to fail.

Seeing the pain across Rita Paris' face was too much for Dox, as a small cluster of tears ran down her cheeks. At the break, she locked her body even tighter and the effort had become visually apparent as she was shaking in place, clutching her own knees so tightly that her knuckles were bone white. "When... when I received Asa's distress signal I was... I was on that... that ship. At sp... space dock."

Trembling, the words cracked out of her throat. "I just took off as fast as I could. I tried contacting you and the Captain but your comms were down. So I contacted the Hera and... I don't know who answered but they were telling me to stand by while they found Thex. I was closing on Mars and all... all I could hear was Asa's voice. I re... relayed the message, my coordinates and I requested assistance, but I couldn't... I couldn't wait. I got there but all I had was a god damn disruptor without a power cell and still no response from the Hera...

"There were four life signs from the coordinates of Asa's message... and two bodies. One was weak, but I... I didn't know the situation. I didn't want to just beam up someone at random. That ships shit sensors couldn't tell the difference from an El-Aurian or a Human. So I took the disruptor hoping I could bluff or at least use it as a targeting source for the ship to beam back and some comms and beamed down." The words were coming a little clearer and faster as the agitated officer recounted the events of the last day.

"I... I appeared between Asa and two of the men. When I saw Asa... When I saw what they had done to Asa..." Dox began shuddering in place, shaking her head as tears streamed down their faces. "I wanted to kill them, Commander. I... I wanted to beat them to death with my bare hands and..." Dox's voice sank to a whisper. "And I almost... I almost did."

Moving her eyes down to her knees, Dox took a few deep breaths as she tried to compose herself as best as possible. "I stopped myself. I... I stopped myself on Mars. I heard your voice in the back of my head and I stopped myself."

Bringing her eyes back up to meet Rita's, Dox's face was a mask of ultimate anguish. "But... when I went into the brig. When Schwein... When Schwein and Death... we... we were just trying to... intimidate them... get them to talk... what the Captain wanted and... I shouldn't have even GONE... then when she... when she started towards the first one... I just froze. I... couldn't... I didn't... I should've..."

Jittering in place, Dox was now in a full on panic attack as the weight of everything that had been building inside of her burst out. In the chair, the stout former full Lieutenant curled into a ball and buried her head deep in between her arms, raking her nails against the back of her own neck and pulling her own hair tightly forward.

This is the job, Rita she told herself as she watched the young officer fall apart. Giving her a moment to let it out, she sighed.

“Do you know why we fall, Miss Dox?” she asked simply.

As the moment passed, Dox's breathing began to quiet as she slowly released the death grip around her own body. Rita Paris's words seemed like they were coming from a million miles away as the world around her began to come back into focus. She didn't know how long she sat there, slowly raising her head back up as her breaths pushed out, slightly less shallow with each one. As she came back to a normal sitting posture, the bones in her kneck let out an audible series of pops as the tension released itself.

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Dox finally let out a strained response, her voice cracked from a silent scream. "So... we... so we learn... learn how to get back up, Commander."

“That is correct, Lieutenant,” the soft voice of the starship siren intoned. “You fell down today, didn’t you? It was a hard fall, and you got more than a few bumps and bruises, didn’t you? Mmmm hmm. But you’re still alive and you can still move. So now, that you’ve fallen, what’s it time to do?”

Sighing, Dox tried to keep her head up as she was beginning to calm herself again. "Get up. Keep... moving forward."

"This is the job, Miss Dox. You get dealt a crushing blow, and you don't have time to let it stop you because you're five steps ahead of the apocalypse and losing ground. You're in shock but you have to keep moving, because you have to make a plan to head off catastrophe. The situation requires a hero, but there's just you." Standing, Rita Paris held out her hand to the beleaguered pilot.

"You're never alone, though. Because we're Starfleet."

Looking at Rita's hand for a second, Dox thought beyond herself and remembered Schwein out there.

"And there... are catastrophes to stop still." The young pilot said, her voice still hoarse as she took Rita Paris's hand and pulled herself up.

Offering a hopeful and encouraging smile, Rita checked the redheaded Romulan's eyes. She wasn't okay, and she wasn't at her best, but she was up and moving and she understood a bit more about the life she'd chosen. "Contact Maica, have her put in the recall order with urgency. That'll give us time to put everything together, hopefully."

Tapping her comm badge, Dox called out. "Dox to Maica. We have an emergency situation. The Captain needs you to contact Baroness Von Alcott immediately with a recall order. This is maximum urgency, she needs to get back to the ship now and she needs this message to be from the Captain. Please confirm."

Maica had been sitting in their quarters most of the night alone, waiting for any update on her wife from medical when the call came in and the stress and worry on her voice was clear. =/\="I... Yes, of course. I'll send it immediately and let you know when I get a reply."=/\=

"Thank you." Dox replied, then she turned her attention back to Paris.

"The Baroness has her own ship dock within the Hera, doesn't she?" Paris asked as she started moving for the door. She'd needed privacy and surroundings Dox would feel comfortable in. Now they needed to move and get things done, as she started bringing up scan records of the hospital wing of the brig from the assassinations.

"Aye, Commander." Dox replied, following Paris as they began to move with purpose. "Shuttlebay 3. It's hidden as a cargo bay on deck 23."

"Bring me up the schematic and that of the surrounding corridors. We'll be setting an ambush, Miss Dox, as a fallback if reason fails, so with an eye to that if you please," Paris grabbed a PaDD in the holder by the hatch and handed it to Dox as they moved out into the corridor, heading for the turbolift.

Walking and working, Dox pulled up the schematics for the area. "Got it, Commander. Outside of the primary entrance, there are four Jefferies tube access points, three ventilation shafts openings, the catwalk entrance to the control room. That's 9 possible egress points not counting the actual door to space, and that's holocloaked."

"All of them can be blocked off with forcefields, but Schwein's accesses could deactivate those currently. And none of that will stop Death." Then Dox scrolled to the exterior corridor schematics. "Similar issue in the main corridor. Within the first segment alone there are two Jefferies tube access points behind the lower paneling here and here."

"If we can stop the Baroness and not Death, all the better. She's the one we have to deal with. I think. Honestly?" Paris spun at the turbolift entrance, pressing the call button. "Kinda making this up as I go along. I still need some sort of scan of the entity..." the lift arrived, they hopped in and rode to Deck 8. Disomebarking, Paris looked to the overhead.

"Computer, the timestamp of the security footage I have on my PaDD here... do we have any more detailed scans that show a third entity present? Something quantum-ish...?"

=^= Confirmed. =^=

On Rita's Padd a first person camera watched a short woman hover as she turned to look, her face perfectly white and ashen, and her eyes piercing in the dark hollows of their sockets, some of her long black hair escaping from her hood as she floated. The woman wore a black hooded cape which fluttered in an imperceptible breeze over a floor length jacket, full body corset, and leather pants. Her thin lips pulled back to reveal long alabaster teeth.

"Who in the name of the gods is THAT?" Jake screeched.

"Jake, meet Death. Death... If he's not lying, dig in."

It was the scan from the Baroness von Alcott's own cybernetic tricorder eye.

Looking slightly confused for a second, Dox tilted her head as it occurred to her. "That's... not who I saw. Not exactly, anyway. That's from Schwein's point of view? But it's different from how she described her to me. Anyone that can see her sees something different based on... uh... how you perceive the idea of death. HE saw a monster."

"Oh... oh, that's unpleasant. That looks like she's feeding off their life energies, and-" Rita paused to zoom in on the still image. "She's sharing it with the Baroness, look how her readings spike here. I suspect that's how she increases their bend... hm. Fortunately, we happen to have an expert in these sorts of things onboard. Miss Dox, your security clearance is about to go up."

Approaching the VIP quarters, two Amazonian guards flanked the door, and both gave both her and Dox the once over, threat assessing them. One was tall and lean, but muscular, while the other was short and compact, a bit burly. Both were humanoid females. Looking between them, Paris nodded. "Ladies."

"Computer, unseal hatch of VIP quarters number 11. Authorization Paris, R, LTCDR, 8675309," Paris called out to the overhead.

=^= What is your weight? =^+

"Seriously?" Paris muttered under her breath. "165 pounds as of this morning."

The computer chirruped, and the door slid open. The Amazons stepped aside to let the officers pass.

Hera raised one finger as the pair entered, mouthing the words as she read them in her latest novel - War and Peace. It only took her a few moments to get to a good stopping point before she was able to slip her bookmark into the physical paper book and set it aside. Standing, she greeted the two Starfleet officers that had come to see her. "Rita! and the one I felt in space when we got close to Gaia! It's good to see both of you hale and hearty! What brings the both of you here at this unusual hour?"

"Bad news. Hello Hera... this is Lieutenant Dox. Lieutenant Dox, this is the goddess Hera, formerly the tyrannical despot of Meroset 347." With the introductions out of the way, Rita launched into her pitch for the problem at hand. "We've got a few minutes to prepare to face a manifestation of Death itself that's bonded to our friend. We need to know if the bond can be separated so that they can be isolated. And of course, we'll be hoping to hold Death, because we'd really rather not kill her, not unlike yourself. So if you could offer some sage wisdom and whatnot, it would be very appreciated right now. Computer, isolate this PaDD's data."

With the confirmation chirrup from the overhead, Rita handed Hera the PaDD with the tricorder playback from the first attack.

Taking the PaDD, Hera looked it over as she talked. "It's so good to meet you, Lieutenant Dox. When I saw you out there I tried to act as a beacon of life to guide you back as best I could. No one deserves to... Oh my..." As the playback progressed, one hand went to Hera's mouth in surprise.

"I see why you came to me..." Moving over to the table, the Greek Goddess set the PaDD down on it flat and thought a moment before tapping at it a bit to isolate the particular data streams in the sensor feed to study them, her brow furrowing in consternation. "I can confirm that this is indeed the spirit of the ferrymaster. Not even the Q can stop this being. If they've bonded with someone, that means they've found a successor. There are only two ways I know of to break that bond. The first is for the person to overpower Death in a game, which, let's face it... Death cheats like a bitch. The second is for that person to lose their essence somehow, such as bartering it off to someone like me."

"On the bright side, this does look like an unnatural bonding so there are probably all sorts of extra limitations on both of them." Looking up at Rita and Dox, Hera looked at them questioningly. "I know I started sensing hints of this presence after the mess with the Puppetmaster... But with the deaths this crew experiences I didn't pay it any heed. Please... Is there anything you can tell me of how this happened?"

"On the Worldship, the cultists were attempting to perform a blood sacrifice to summon Asmodeus. The ceremonial dagger nicked the Baroness and she caught me across the thigh. Baroness decided taking the knife out of the equation was the answer, so she took a stab to the guts and held it there. It nearly killed her, but we got her to Sickbay in time. The EMH could see her too, meaning she followed her up from the surface. Apparently they've been companions ever since." Rita was reasonably proud of herself for succinct reporting of bizarre phenomenon today.

"They've been far more than companions. Death can't be far away from Schwein for any length of time without apparently being pulled back. And she's been... overwriting herself over the Baroness. Schwein used to have a thick, German accent and it's gone now. Behavioral quirks are starting to mirror each other. Schwein can feel it when Death takes someones life."

Then the nervous pilot added. "I... Apologize, but I have question that's... tangentially connected. You said you acted as a... beacon for me in space. And I did see you for a few seconds just before I saw her as I passed out. But when I woke up in Sickbay, Death was there watching me. She... she said she had been actively trying to keep me alive while Asa... Doctor Dael... Worked on me."

"Did she do that? Or was that you?" Dox asked with a quizzical expression of concern on her face.

"I acted as a beacon as long as I could, as I felt the approach of Death. What their role in your survival was, I know not but I do know that Death never lies."

Looking across at the goddess, Dox nodded slightly as she pondered Hera's answer. "Thank you."

The goddess pointed down at the PaDD. "What I do know is that if they can't be far from your Pig friend, you have an opportunity no one else before has. You can isolate Death and keep them both away from dying things, which will feed the transformation. Also, as long as Death has not completely taken over, you still have a chance of redeeming your friend. You will need to convince her to win back her sense of self as a start. Then either beat Death in a game or combat... Or barter off her essence to one of my kind..."

Hera stared down at the PaDD for a few moments, a look of consternation on her face. "If there were any demigods left to wed her to, that might work..."

"Mmmm, last shot at a demigod I knew transferred off the boat in utero on Earth. Oh great, there's another regret I'll likely get to have in 18 years when they blame me for how their lives turn out," Paris muttered as she rose to pace, organizing her thoughts. "But win back her sense of self... and beat her in a game or combat. Okay, we can do that- I'll bet she can't beat Sonak at chess, and I'm pretty positive we can put a good old-fashioned high-tech alloy bullet through her if all else fails."

The Goddess of Matrimony shook her head. "Your Pig friend has to do it and you can't exactly kill death... But if you play to her strengths..."

"Play to her strengths… okay, duly noted," Paris let slide calling the woman 'pig', which she personally couldn't stand, but it seemed irresistible to others. "Now, a follow-up question, Hera. Could she be influencing the behavior of those around them, not just the person she's bonded to?" In her heart of hearts, Rita was desperately hoping Hera would confirm this and give her something to work with as to why her shipmates had become so bloodthirsty temporarily.

Nodding, Hera tapped at the PaDD some more, trying to find a reading it might not give her. Eventually it did somehow give it to her, perhaps by divine providence. "This... Right here. This quantum signature is proof that Death has a Domain Aura like I do. Unlike me, however, she's drawing energy in through it. If you've noticed any oddly aggressive behavior, depressive thoughts... Things that might lead to deaths around the ship, then this would be an influencing factor. Scan for this quantum signature, and block it if you can."

Listing to her words, Mnhei'sahe Dox took a step backwards in shock. She had refused to entertain the thought that her actions, inaction or unchecked anger in the Brig could have been anything but her own when Captain Telvan had suggested the possibility. But hearing the idea here and now spoken almost matter-of-factly shook the red-headed Romulan.

Hera looked up at the half Romulan woman as the shock hit her. "What? It's like breathing for my kind. When you move around, do you consider the breeze you make that rustles the leaves of nearby plants? If Asa hadn't gotten a domain blocker from the Asgardians and hooked it into the field emitters around my quarters, you'd have a lot more new families aboard your vessel over my stay here."

“Yeah, you’re a terrible influence,” Rita muttered offhandedly as she realized the implications of what Hera had said. That would explain the uncharacteristic behavior onboard the Hera, in Dox, the Baroness and the Captain- which meant she owed the captain one hell of an apology when she got through the current crisis. But for now, that had to wait. The job was on and the clock was ticking, with the life of the Baroness at stake.

“What about a full God?” Paris was reaching now, but desperate times called for such measures as she took the PaDD back to isolate that quantum energy frequency Hera had pointed out. “Thor is single, although it would be a hell of a leap to get him to come all this way then hope to get them to hit it off. Hell, what could I even use to entice him here, forget about making a love connection? I'm not the best of matchmakers...”

"Isn't he married to Sif?" Hera asked, a look of consternation and confusion crossing her face. "Or has... What? Uh..."

“Apparently she passed on and he has been in mourning. He actually hooked up with the Baroness and French in a tag-team… what, it’s the 24th century… and I was hoping to play matchmaker between von Alcott and Thor and doing a terrible job of it, but I’d rather she be herself and alone then co-opted and overwritten by someone else.” There was also the thought in the back of her head that she and Hera were apparently also connected, which was a potential cause for concern. But one crisis at a time.

“So, this isn’t exactly your bailiwick, but got any great ideas how to lure Thor for this, Hera?” Feeling her way in the dark and bumping into the furniture, Rita stumbled along trying to make a plan in a situation that left her once again out of her depth. “Aside from the wooing and all of that…”

"Actually... I do." Looking between the two, a plan started forming in the golden goddess's head. "I'm the bait, Death is the motivator. As soon as you start interfering in Death's plans, she's going to go after you and none of this..." Hera motioned at the quarters around her. "Is going to prevent me from protecting you in any way I can. As for the connection between Thor and ... Her name... I have got to be mishearing it... If there's any sort of love there, I can work with it and get them betrothed to each other."

“So you’re proposing that we contact Thor to explain that we’re going up against the Reaper and if he wants you to face justice he’ll have to come intervene?” Paris walked through the logic slowly. “Because you’re going to defend me from her because you know I’m going to endanger myself… aw, Hera, that’s sweet. Hopefully it won’t come to that, but that plan is pretty darned good. And while we’re not usually about mind manipulation, causing feelings to blossom for the positive to save lives all around… well hell, I do that with words, and you aren’t doing harm with it. And if we can make a happily ever after out of this, that would certainly be the optimal plan. Hera, you’re a genius!”

"Well, my greatest weapon is being clever, after all..." The disgraced deity blushed slightly at the comment and glanced back down at the PaDD, tapping at it to itemize the scan data they would need for the coming encounter. "Now... Are there any further questions? I don't have all the answers, but I'll do what I can to answer what I can."

Pausing for a second, Dox turned to Paris with a slightly quizical look on her face. "Commander. I know we're short on time, but I do have a question... but it's not about this? May I?"

"Well, my greatest weapon is being clever, after all..." The disgraced deity blushed slightly at the compliment and glanced back down at the PaDD, tapping at it to itemize the scan data they would need for the coming encounter. "Now... Are there any further questions? I don't have all the answers, but I'll do what I can to answer what I can."

Pausing for a second, Dox turned to Paris with a slightly quizzical look on her face. "Commander. I know we're short on time, but I do have a question... but it's not about this? May I?"

“By all means, Miss Dox. You’re an active participant in this plan, and your input is valued and vital. So a personal question might not seem relevant now, but it could be. And Hera has been as helpful as she can be, so giving her more chances for redemption and helping others is never a negative. Please do proceed,” Paris ended as she herself tried to come up with any further questions.

"Thank you, Commander." Dox turned to Hera, maintaining her professional posture, but her expression was still confused. "My... apologies if I'm overstepping my bounds by asking....but... As I understand it, your own personal power has been greatly diminished. There are force fields and dampeners in effect. You just said you would push past that to protect Commander Paris. I understand that."

Letting out a slight breath, Dox continued. "You appeared to me out there in space. As a beacon. We're never met before. If using power weakens you, why? Why did you do that for me?"

Hera looked up at Dox and smiled motherly. "Because it was the right thing to do. But in a more... Explanatory manner... I need psionic energy to survive or I'll fade from existence again. I've found that selfless service and sacrifice of my self gives me a form of power that's... Sustaining. I can't go around transmuting things and performing miracles, but healing someone or acting as a beacon... Shielding someone from Death... As long as it doesn't really benefit me. It's almost like how the Asgardians draw their power, actually. They devote their lives to duty, service, and honor and it gives them great strength and power and over the centuries they only get stronger. I hope to find a similar path and not use the Olympian organ that I was born with."

Sitting down in one of the chairs at her table, Hera started waxing philosophical as she occasionally did. "I suppose it's like running on fossil fuels all your life. You think you'll have an unlimited supply so you just burn all you want as fast as your will desires, throwing energy all over the place... Then one day you wake up and you realize your coal and petrol is gone and all you've got left is a set of solar cells and a potato battery and you have to figure out how to make them work or die. Then someone amazing and unexpected comes into your life and offers you a second chance... Tells you that there is a way to make them work and hands you some wires to hook them up."

Looking up to Dox, she smiled again. "Did that answer your question?"

The first authentic smile in a what had felt like an endless day of pain and torment spread across the young pilots face as she understood what Hera was saying. It was Rita. She was talking about the golden clad example of everything one could aspire to standing beside her. Everything Rita Paris had been to Mnhei'sahe Dox, she had also been for the Goddess Hera.

Rita Paris was Hera's beacon in the darkness, and that was something Dox understood perfectly. It was.something she had feared lost forever just minutes ago.

"It did, thank you very much." Dox offered a polite bow and a heartfelt smile to the goddess.

“Well, you’ve given us a lot to work with… thank you, Hera. If this is going to be as bad as you say, and you are determined to do what you do, I certainly can’t stop you. But I can make it easier on you,” Rita Paris explained as she walked to the door. “Computer, unseal hatch. Paris, R, LTCDR, 8675309.”

=^= What was your mother’s first name?” =^= The computer asked, and Rita found herself choking up a bit, though she couldn’t say why.

“Valentina,” she replied, looking at the goddess Hera and worrying that this might be the last time she’d see the reformed tyrant who had become quite a fixture of her life. The computer chirruped, and the door slid open, both of the Starfleet security officers came to attention outside the door.

“Ladies, Hera is going for a stroll. You are to take her to the Arboretum, and let her enjoy the surroundings until I call for you. I won’t be along on this one, so you two will be on your own recognizance. I have faith in you, however. Am I understood?” It might just get her court-martialed, but Rita was ever a creature of instinct, and this seemed to be the right thing to do.

That's when Dox's comms finally chirruped with Maica's reply. =/\="Maica to Lieutenant Dox. I finally got a reply from Schwein. She's about twenty minutes out of the system and headed our way. Also... She didn't sound like herself... Even in text..."=/\=

"Excuse me." Dox nodded to Hera as she tapped her badge. =/\="Dox to Maica. Thank you, we think we might know why. Please forward the message to my PaDD. We'll keep you posted on the Captain, thank you."=/\=

Hera rested a hand on Rita's shoulder and smiled in a knowing way. "I'll miss you but I'll do my best to enjoy my time in the arboretum without you. You go do what you have to do and I'll pray for you."

Turning to face the goddess, Rita searched her eyes as she spoke. “I can’t stop from doing whatever you are going to do, it seems. But please… don’t get killed doing it. You’ve come so far and there’s still a lot of good you can do in the universe.”

Impulsively launching into a hug, Rita whispered in the goddess’ ear.

“If you get yourself killed, I will be very cross with you, because then you’ll never be able to tell my kids stories about all of this someday.”

Stifling back a surprising flood of tears, Rita Paris turned and strode off with a purpose.

“Come along Miss Dox. It seems Armageddon is closer than we thought, and we have a brilliant plan to enact…” As soon as I think of what to say, at least…

Having left the USS Hera about an hour ago, Schwein had her marching orders, but she also had a moral dilemma. She wanted to take this Collector out of the picture in a permanent manner, but if he had more captives, they deserved justice as well. "Death... What are the odds that this Collector guy and his goons in his stronghold are supposed to die when I get there in... Eleven days?"

"That depends on you and what happens upon your arrival." Death replied with a grin. "Do you have a plan?"

"Two plans, actually..." Schwein adjusted the warp field harmonic to better match the cloak and leaned back in the pilot's seat. "First one, I go in and kill everyone, leaving the mess to an anonymous tip to the local authorities. Second one, I gas the place, give an anonymous tip to the authorities, and make sure this collector is caught holding the goods. Which one I choose..."

Depends on whether I'm supposed to reap twenty three souls in that underground bunker or not," the pale woman finished. "Well... To find that out we'd have to deepen our bond. We'd have to be able to see through each other's eyes."

The silver haired pirate stared at the pale spirit for several long moments before turning back to the small ship's controls with a grunt. She was already bonded far too deeply for her tastes already...

Coming up behind Schwein, Death lightly ran her black gloved hands over her shoulders and across her chest, whispering into her ear enticingly. "It'll only be a little bit... What will it hurt? You'll be able to see soooo much and you won't have to worry about anything..."

While the pirate was a bit startled, there was something soothing about the words - like a soft lullaby that she couldn't resist drifting off to sleep to as she nodded. "Okay..."

Grinning with teeth as long as piano keys, Death seemed to sink into the now entranced Schwein and vanish. After a moment, the Reaper Schwein awoke and opened her eyes, staring out across the vastness of space, into the Collector's base on Risa. There she saw not only the Collector, but five employees and seventeen prisoners and read their life histories and immediate futures.

Reaching out, she pulled her ship down to warp six, changed course to the Rigel system, and tapped into the comm systems to begin her preparations. It turned out she didn't even need to go to Risa, after all. She just needed to get a little help from the local Defense Force and tell them all the information they needed. Within the hour, The Collector would be in Federation custody, his mercenaries would be in prison, those seventeen prisoners would be getting proper care, all stolen relics would be on their way back to their owners, and she would have downloaded his entire database into the Risian Defense Force mainframe.

Grinning wickedly, a dark glow seemed to envelop her as she passionately worked.

Within twenty minutes, her end of things was done. The database had been uploaded remotely using their own access codes and a SWAT team was now raiding the base. The odds of any of the Collector's associates getting away from this unscathed was almost impossible.

Finished, Death released her grip on Schwein, popping out of her like a rag doll out of a party canon, falling to the deck behind the pilot's seat while the silver haired pirate simply went limp with exhaustion.

When the private comm line lit up, neither of them really had the strength left to answer it.

Standing in the corridor outside the hidden shuttle bay on Deck 23, the mind of Rita Paris raced as her fingers tapped over the surface of the tablet in hand, tending to the last-minute details. She’d done more with less in her day, but she’d never squared off against an actual physical manifestation of Death before. But after her near-death experience on the Worldship, the Baroness von Alcott had become bonded to the entity, who was now seemingly overwriting her and increasing the likelihood for mortality on the USS Hera. When she had snuffed out three prisoners in the brig, she had crossed a line.

Now it fell to Rita Paris and Mnhei’sahe Dox to stop her… with a little help from their friends.

“Miss Dox, we don’t have much time, so I’ll make this brief. I owe you an apology for my words and actions- I was unaware that you’d been influenced by Death, and I blamed you. I now see that was unfair, and I apologize for my actions.” Leave it to Rita Paris that when preparing to face Death, she was making sure she took care of the living.

“With that said, you don’t have to be here. I’m the ranking officer, and this is my responsibility. I’m the idiot who wants to try to save Death, and as you have a bright career ahead of you, I’d prefer that you not get killed today. So you don’t have to be in the line of fire,” Paris explained.

"With all due respect, Commander, that's not an option. There are too many variables in play here for you to face by yourself. For starters, you can't see or hear Death without instrumentation, I can. She basically has to introduce herself to you and I invited that hoping to help Schwein. It's probably what let her in." Dox replied matter-of-factly.

"And Hera said Death doesn't lie. That means she did save my life out there, when I was in space ten seconds longer then should have killed any other Romulan. She told me I'd live well over two hundred years. If she doesn't want to kill me, that's leverage we can us to help Schwein AND her. I believe this is not who she is inherently. I believe this merging is making her this way somehow. Maybe something leftover from that ceremony, I don't know."

Then Dox's posture changed as she stood at attention. "You're my Commanding Officer and... my... you will never face Death alone as long as I can stand here with you. You're never alone, though. Because we're Starfleet, right?"

The smile that spread across the face of Rita Paris was restrained, but clearly an expression of pride in the junior officer who had come so far so fast. “We are friends, Miss Dox. And yes, we’re never alone, because we’re Starfleet.”

There was a slight reverberation in the deckplates that signaled to both pilots that a ship had settled gently to the deck. Picking up the PaDD in her hand, Paris started the music pumping through the local speakers, as violins and french horns began a slow, dramatic build up.

“Death of Siegfried from Wagner. Gotterdammerung… it means ‘Twilight of the Gods’. Seemed fitting, and I’d bet my bra strap the Baroness knows this all too well,” Rita explained as she played her first move in this game of Death. Standing with the Padd at her back, hands clasped behind her, Rita focused on the fact that if she did this right, no one died today. Starfleet means everybody comes home.

As the Romulan shuttle ship decloaked and the side door opened, the music went on at its measured pace. The silver haired pirate stepped out of her ship looking like she was exhausted, followed by the entity known as Death.

Schwein looked up at the ceiling of the secret docking bay and muttered something before calling out. "Gotterdammerung. Four hours long and wonderful for relaxing... Computer, change music playback to Der Freischütz Number 9 Terzett." With a chirrup, the bay was filled with the much more lively operatic German tale of the Huntsman in the Wolf's Glen. "Much more appropriate, wouldn't you agree?"

“I’m surprised you recall,” Paris countered. “Baroness von Alcott, we fear that death no longer becomes you, and we’ve come to ask her to voluntarily separate from you. We would like our Baroness back, not an avatar of Death. We mean neither of you harm, but we’ve come to a crossroads,” Paris opened, stating the facts to see how it went, although all she could see was Schwein.

The silver haired pirate stood there with her head cocked to one side as if listening to a voice that Rita couldn't hear. In fact, that's exactly what she was doing. Death was pacing around her, speaking to her. "She's trying to separate us. I can see it. She has a plan and has this whole place on lockdown already. Remember the good we just did as one being... As one entity... We can continue doing that. Just hop in your ship and go."

While Death felt threatened, Schwein felt conflict and it showed on her face. On one hand, she didn't want to abandon Enalia or her friends and on the other, she didn't want to let go of what she had just gained with Death.

Watching and listening, Dox interjected. "We need to separate you. The both of you are being changed by your time together. And not for the better."

The resolute Romulan stepped slightly forward, talking directly to Death now. "This isn't the woman who sat at my bedside while I recovered and refused to take me." Then she turned to Schwein. "And you're not acting like the woman who tried to get me drunk and laugh so I'd stopped obsessing over my problems."

"This merging wasn't supposed to happen. And it has to stop before you both become something neither of you want. We just want our friends back... Both of them." Then Dox turned to Death, still pacing around Schwein.

"Also, friends introduce each other. Otherwise, it's rude." Dox kept her eyes on Death while gesturing to Rita. "Commander Rita Paris, this is Azrael Abbadon Thanatos, Angel of Light and Dark, Rider of the Pale Horse, Ferry Master of the River Styx. Azrael, my friend would like to talk to both of you."

The pale woman stopped pacing, her eyes widening in shock as a dark shadow seemed to momentarily pass over the bay as Dox spoke her names. She then turned to the Angel in Gold to see if she recognized, or even could see her.

For Schwein's part, something else seemed to come over her and she reached up to her forehead and cybernetic eye as if she were in pain. She felt as if for the first time in weeks her head was starting to clear up a bit.

Though she still couldn’t see anyone else, Rita Paris had no doubt Death moved amongst them, and proceeded from that supposition. Wasn’t the first time she was flying blind in the dark with no instruments.

“Please… Baroness. We wouldn’t be here if we weren’t your friends. We mean neither you nor Death any harm. It’s just that we feel she isn’t a good influence on you. You are valued and beloved here on the Hera, and your presence enriches us all. You are, far and away, my favorite pirate,” Rita offered, fishing for some words that might sway the heart of the pirate. “And I stand by my word- I didn’t hurt Hera and I don’t want to hurt Death either. But we are losing our Baroness to her. What happened to your accent, Baroness von Alcott?”

"My accent... She took it from me... Said I didn't need it..." Hissing in pain, Schwein pressed one hand to her gut and one hand to her cybernetic eye as she sank to her knees. There was a war being waged inside of the augmented woman and it looked like it was one that she was losing.

Death wasn't going to take this interference lying down though. It appeared that even though she had been declared to this Rita Paris, she still couldn't see her. "You're an interesting one. Any mortal, any being... I can read their lives. But not yours..." Floating a little closer to the object of her curiosity, she looked all over, trying to find any hint of why this was. "Who... What... are you...?"

Realizing what was happening and that Rita still couldn't see Death as she loomed closer, Dox stepped in front of her Commander, talking over her shoulder. "She's saying that she can't read your life, Commander. She doesn't know who or what you are."

Then Dox turned her focus to Death herself. "Just let Commander Paris talk, Azrael. Please. I can tell her what you say. But I'm afraid for you. I don't think you can see what you're becoming."

Then a realization exploded in the reasoning Romulan's mind as she thought back to her own father. "Most addicts can't. That's what's happening, isn't it?"

"Tell her I'm the woman who never was," Paris shot back with a surprising amount of bitterness, as she was reasonably certain she knew why Death couldn't read her. After all, she came from a quantum frequency universe that no longer existed. She was literally a woman who paradoxically could not exist, yet did. "As for your theory, nailed it in one, Miss Dox."

Moving past the Romulan renegade and the Angel of Death, heedless of the danger and uncaring of Death’s curiosity, Paris approached the stricken Baroness. “WE need you Baroness. We need your calm, your humor, your loyalty, your dependability… all the things that make you Baroness Schwein von Alcott.”

It was the first time Rita Paris had ever called the supersoldier by her given name, as she abhorred it and found it horrifically disrespectful to the woman. It was, after all, the German word for 'pig'. But desperate times called for desperate measures.

"Look,” the compassionate commander held the PaDD up in front of the Baroness as security footage replayed an image of the burned and feeble Captain Telvan, lying in a biobed.

“How about you get with Maica and recall our lost little piggy before she does something we'll all regret?”

“If there is a way to save the Baroness, ma’am, I’ll find it. We don’t let our own go gentle into that good night… not in Starfleet.”

"Thank you... I'd at least like to see my piggy again."

Hearing Enalia's voice like that and looking up at the PaDD in shock, Schwein's eyes went wide and a few hot tears rolled down her cheeks. "Prinzessin?..."

Death's eyes went wide as well as she looked back at the silver haired woman and she realized just how close she was to losing. With a bone chilling wail, she flew at Rita Paris. The intensity of Deaths movements were so quick, Dox was thrown to the deck. "Hnave!" She cursed in Romulan.

But the howling specter of Death was stopped at the last instant, by a wall of golden light.

The namesake of the starship USS Hera was suddenly there, interposed between the mortals and a blackened mass of shadow that all could see, and would even show up on the visual spectrum security footage.

“There’s our Hera,” Paris smiled as she saw that former tyrant of Meroset 347 selflessly shielding them from the angry specter of Death. Getting her arm under the Baroness, Paris helped haul the combat medic to her feet. “That’s right! The Prinzessin… that kid who saved you when you were just a girl, took you in, became your lifelong companion and loves you dearly. Princess of the Artans, Captain of the line, and your friend who is terribly worried about you. C’mon Baroness…"

"You once told me you would do anything for the Prinzessin. I need you to remember who you are… who you REALLY are!!”

While Hera and Death struggled physically and Paris and Schwein struggled with words, Dox scrambled to her feet and pulled a small PaDD out of her pocket. A PaDD with a pre-programed message for this exact moment. As she pressed send, she looked up with concern at Hera who appeared to be struggling and whispered. "C'mon, Cavalry. Here's your signal."

"Ja... For ze Prinzessin I must remember..." The silver haired Baroness had a fresh light in her organic eye that she hadn't had for a while now as she remembered who she really was and renewed her vigor for life. "Danke, Rita. I was lost in ze forest but you knew where I waz, didn't you?"

"I didn't. So I called your name until you heard me," Rita beamed a warm smile for the Artan attaché.

As the clash between Hera and Death raged on, it cut into the deck plating, gouging deep fractures into the durasteel as streams of energy founted between them. If it continued much longer, it was obvious who would come out on top though - Hera's power was waning, and she was fast approaching her limits while Death's power seemed limitless and relentless.

Standing just outside the streams of energy, Dox screamed at the being she once thought was a friend. "STOP THIS!"

Suddenly a stream of rainbow light came in through the holographic bay door and smashed into the deck right behind Death, leaving behind an incredibly well-muscled blond-haired man wielding a hammer with lightning arcing off of him. Thor, son of Odin had arrived.

Knocked back by the arrival, Dox looked on shock for just a second, then back to the clash of gods. Hera, Rita Paris' friend and the goddess for whom the home she loved, was weakening and seemed about to fall. In an instant, Dox shouted at the newly arrived God. "NOW!"

As she did, the stout young pilot ran at full speed, leaping as far as her thick legs would allow as she tackled Hera's form just as the goddess had begun to go limp, tucking around Hera and rolling the two free of Death's reach, and leaving the dark being open.

The Mighty Thor didn't even hesitate, launching the biggest bolt of lightning to ever lightning into the Pale Rider at full force, flinging them mercilessly into a nearby wall and nearly through it, embedding the entity neatly into it so they wouldn't easily escape for at least a little while. He then casually walked over to the crumpled form and set Mjolnir into her lap. "Be a dear and hold this for me, would you?"

The God of Thunder turned back to the others and assessed the situation. "I received a message that was succinct and to the point so I came as quickly as I could. Was I... In time?"

"You were indeed, Odinson!" Rita Paris declared, her heart thumping in her chest. "That was one hell of a timely rescue!"

Meanwhile, on the other side of the bay, Dox turned over off of her back and gently let Hera go to rest, lying against the bulkhead the pair had rolled into. The young Romulan pilot's uniform was smouldering from a few stinging burns caused by getting too close to the energy tendrils that had nearly lashed her form.

"Hera!" Dox called out, putting her hands on the weakened goddesses face. "Are you okay? Talk to me?"

"Holy me... Let's not need to do that again, please..." Hera replied, too weak to even move from where she was. She was able to turn her head and glance around and make sure her Matronly Domain was cranked up locally as high as she could get it at least. With any luck it was enough to get those two love birds to declare their love to each other if the situation was explained to them. The other two women in the room knew about it so she hoped they'd be okay.

The effect on Schwein as she saw Thor again was immediate. She remembered him being deliciously handsome, but damn... Her pulse and breathing quickened just being near him and he was heading towards her now? it felt as though her heart had skipped a beat.

Kneeling mere inches from the source, Dox actually got so momentarily light headed from the rush of blood caused by the intoxicating effect of Hera's aura. Flumping hard against the bulkhead next to Her as her knees had gone too weak to stand, Mnhei'sahe Dox's mind filled with the image of her Miradonian fellow pilot, Mona Gonadie.

"Imirrhlhhse!" Dox moaned, breathily, cursing in Rihan.

"I could be wrong, Baroness, but seeing as you look better than you have in days, I believe that man-god over there just saved us all from Death. Literally. You should probably offer him some sort of heroes reward, nein?" With that said, Rita Paris fairly shoved her friend into the arms of the ruggedly handsome blonde-haired blue-eyed Teutonic god of myth and legend.

It was a simple plan. But to be fair, sometimes simple plans worked best.

Without missing a beat, they embraced passionately, their lips and bodies pressed together as lovers that have missed one another only could. Several long exploratory moments later, they finally came up for air, the both of them breathless and panting.

"I have missed you dearly, Schwein, daughter of Alcott. I did not realize until this moment how much you enlighten my heart, my life, my soul."

"Ja. I have pined for you like I have never before thought possible."

The Mighty Thor slowly took a knee before the silver-haired pirate. "Then swear an oath to me that your hand will be mine. You still must prove yourself before the others, but I have seen your strength of body and spirit. I know you will impress them as you have me."

A look of shocked bliss on her face, Schwein looked between Thor and Rita and back before replying. "I'll have to settle some things here first, but ja. I swear it. Forever more I am yours, Thor Odinson."

"And I am yours, Schwein, daughter of Alcott."

With a slight wailing that sounded like gas escaping out of a banshee, all the energy escaped out of Death and she was reduced to what she was when the crew of the Hera originally found her, no longer bonded to the Baroness.

At the sound, Dox was jolted out of her Hera-induced moment of bliss. "Azrael?!" She yelled.

Grabbing a pair of workers gloves from a storage panel on the wall, Dox got up an ran across the room to where Death lay, defeated and still pinned under Thor's mighty hammer.

Kneeling down near enough to speak but just out of reach in case she we're still not herself, Dox called over to her. "Are you... are you okay? Are you yourself again?"

From the smoking hole in the wall, Death was now groaning in pain and cradling her head with one hand. "Owwwww... I feel like I've been on a decade long bender at Cancun Jamaica. That's the last time I let puppets summon me and get involved with demon summoning..."

Peering out with one eye, she looked Dox over. "You're... Mnhei'sahe... Right?"

A thin smile cracked Dox's face as she spoke, her gloved hands on her knees. "Yes, that's right. Mnhei'sahe Dox. We're friends. Do you... do you remember? Do you remember what happened?"

The pale woman sighed heavily as she rubbed her head with her one free hand. "It's a bit hazy, but I think so. I've spent a lot of time chained to some silver haired gloomy pirate... Haven't I?"

The Romulan pilot's face shifted to a more melancholy expression. "Yeah. Schwein. You've been bonded for weeks. It had been slowly merging your personalities, but something went wrong. So we separated you."

Acting on faith, Dox put her gloved hand out on her shoulder. "Give it time. I think it will come back to you."

Meanwhile, Rita Paris had swaggered over to where Hera lay in repose. "Did you tell your security detail you were ditching them to come save all of us from certain doom?"

"I left them a note in the roses. If they come tackle me now, I fear I may break." Hera smiled up at her Angel in Gold. "Did we win?"

"Thanks to your plan and your timely intervention, yes... the good guys won," Rita smiled, a close-lipped smile of contentment. "C'mon, patron of woman and matrimony. We have to have a few conversations," Extending her hand, Rita took Hera's hand and helped her to her feet. Once there, she stepped in to give the goddess a hug.

"You saved my life there, y'know," Rita whispered. "Probably everyone in the room's lives, but I think that makes us even on who saved who." Pulling back, Rita shook her head in amazement. "You really did reform for me, didn't you? You gave me your word, and you became the real thing. The Hera of legend."

Hera rested one hand on Rita's shoulder. "You showed me who I really was by showing me who you were. You've shown leadership I've not seen since... well. Thank you... for having faith in me."

"Ah, I'm just a gal who knows how to ask for help. Speaking of which," Rita turned to the happy couple. It might have been Hera nudging it along, but even without it she'd had a feeling about those two. "Oh Mighty Thor, Odinson, god of thunder, lord of the living lightning, wielder of mighty Mjolnir and the man that proved to Baroness von Alcott that there really was a man out there for her after all..." Rita paused for the laughs, then continued, taking a bow before the legendary figure. "I offer you my utter and heartfelt thanks. You arrived in the nick of time, and saved the day. I am in your debt."

"If a call for help cries out in the void and the forces of darkness imperil those who call to the god of thunder for help, e're shall he come to aid. For it is that which makes me mighty- mine dedication to protect, shelter and save those who know to call for the aid of- the Mighty Thor!" The thunder god grinned, then eyed Schwein for a brief second before adding, "Also, you're welcome. That was very impressive, wasn't it?"

"Epic, Mighty One," Paris assured. Turning to Dox and Death, Rita asked, "So Miss Dox, how's she doing? Still amongst the unliving?"

Turning around, Dox replied. "Aye Commander. When they were separated there was a massive expulsion of the energy that I think had been overwhelming them. She's back to normal, but her memories of everything since the incident at the Worldship appears hazy right now. She remembers me a little, she knows she was bonded to the Baroness, but I'm not sure what else."

"Hm. Well, we need to figure out what to do with her. But before that?" The flashy first officer offered her hand to the portly pilot, an earnest expression on her face. "Outstanding work, Lieutenant Dox. You did... well, just great. Like always. Thank you."

Taking Rita's hand with her standard, slightly awkward smile, Dox replied. "Thank you, Commander."

Turning back to Death, Dox looked the still confused cosmic entity in the eyes. "We'll figure this all out. And we'll help you."

"Mighty Thor," Rita Paris turned to the burly god who was still canoodling with the bawdy buccaneer. "I realize I juuuuust said I owed you one. But I've a favor to ask, in your magnanimosity. The goddess Hera, as you see beside me here, has reformed, sworn off her old ways and has dedicated herself to being patroness and protectress of women, married women, marriage, family, and, ah, childbirth. Please, I know that justice must be served for her crimes of the past. But could she not serve her time aboard the vessel which bears her name? We seem to be embroiled in something of a war of titans and gods, and Hera has proven herself a friend and protectress to this starship."

"I beg of you... we will monitor her closely, and she is always guarded. And should she return to her old ways, I will personally hand her over to you. But please, we need her... here." Rita hadn't planned for both words of the end of the sentence to be words whose root were based in the goddess' name, but that was just how it worked out.

The god of thunder considered for a moment, eyeing first Hera, who stood nervously as she was inspected, then he turned to clasp Rita Paris on the shoulder. "Yea, verily! I saw her defending you and my pretty pirate, and I can sense that she no longer feeds on the the supplication of others. Good thoughts, good words, good deeds."

"Aye, the Odinson doth agree that Hera's actions have been noble. Though she still has much to answer for, and centuries of reparation to make, I see that the wrathful goddess is on a better path. Far be it for me to deny her and remove her from it? I shall speak to the All-father on her behalf... and in the meanwhile you shall maintain custody of the goddess Hera, pon the setarship USS Hera. Rather fun to say, that."

"As for Death... I've no quarrel with this being. With the two separated, they'll no longer continue to combine to become a monstrosity. Instead, they may pursue... their own destines," Thor grinned like a surfer, then scooped up the Baroness, who let out a surprisingly girlish shriek of delight.

Not really knowing how to address the God of Thunder, Dox lightly nudged Paris with her elbow and pointed to the hammer, Mjolnir, still sitting on top of Deaths lap, awkwardly pinning her into place.

"Ah, right," Rita spun around to point a finger at the figure she couldn't perceive. "You. Death. We're very big on second chances here on the Hera. So long as you mind your manners and don't cause any more trouble- and you have caused quite a lot of trouble, missy!" Paris wagged the finger somewhere near Death's nose. "But I'll put in a word for you with the Captain, and we'll see if you can be a guest of the USS Hera for a little while. After all, Miss Dox here vouches for you, so you come highly recommended..."

Death eyed the woman suspiciously, hoping she was still invisible. "Please tell me I'm not visible to the whole crew of this... This ship is the USS Hera? I could use a vacation... How's your sushi?"

Chuckling slightly, Dox replied. "No. Most of the crew can't see or hear you. I can. Our doctor, Asa Dael can. Our Emergency Medical Hologram. And everyone here except for Commander Paris."

"And, uh, I have no idea." Dox tilted her head awkwardly. "Commander, do we have good sushi?"

"We have replication technology, a rich cultural history and data storage capacity like you wouldn't believe. I daresay you could ask this starship to make you mediocre sushi, and it would still be good. Why do you ask, Miss Dox?" Paris stood up straight again, then tapped the distracted thunder god on the bicep. Which was, unsurprisingly, like granite.

"Oh, Death wanted to know." Dox replied in a somewhat deadpan fashion, like it was the most sensible answer in the universe.

"Of course. That's going to take some getting used to. Say, Thor? I believe our guest has agreed to behave. So if you would be so kind as to remove the mighty Mjolnir restraint so they can go on with their lives- wait! I read that you can just call for it and it flies to your hand. Does it? Can I see?" Rita took a moment to fangirl over one of the more well-known facts of one of the best-known gods of her world, thanks in no small part to mass media.

With a self-satisfied smirk, Thor extended his hand, and the mystic mallet flipped perfectly into the palm of his hand headfirst. He caught it, then flipped it casually without looking at it, and caught the handle as it came round. "I have duties to attend to, so I must be on my way. I shall await thy message, Baroness von Alcott."

"You will have them every day, mein lieb," she replied.

Gripping the hammer by the thong at the base of the handle, the master of Mjolnir began spinning the hammer faster and faster, into a blur that became a shimmer of colors, as the Bifrost formed. Without looking back, he hurled the hammer into it, and vanished as if he'd never been there.

"Heck of a way to travel," quipped Rita Paris.

It was an extremely long day and night for Mnhei'sahe Dox. It had been well over thirty hours since she first received the distress signal from Doctor Asa Dael that had kick-started a sequence of unbelievable events that had led to where she was now. Sitting in Sickbay, having just been treated for minor burns incurred tackling the Goddess Hera away from the literal embodiment of Death, who had been driven temporarily mad by a tainted bond with the Baroness Von Alcott.

Dox groaned as she put her scorched and ruined uniform top back on as the EMH sent her on her way. She was exhausted from the events of the last thirty hours physically and mentally. As it stood, she still didn't know if she was still a full Lieutenant or if her actions, although influenced by Death herself, still led to the deaths of three prisoners under her watch. But those were problems that would wait until after a little very needed sleep.

As she stepped out of the Sickbay, she was momentarily startled by the presence of the Hera's First Officer, Commander Rita Paris who seemed to be standing out there waiting for something. "Uh... Commander Paris? What can I do for you?"

The first reaction was to lecture the little lieutenant on replicating a fresh uniform if she was going to be seen on deck, particularly leaving Sickbay. But given the conversation, Rita decided to stifle it. The day had been long and trying, and the fact that Dox was in a good mood was favorable- no need to make her feel badly about a choice she’d made which would just make her self-conscious until she addressed it. Not the point, Rita.

“Walk and talk with me, Lieutenant,” Paris explained as she peeled herself off the wall and stepped in stride with the casual pace of the junior officer. “I feel we should talk about today, to help us both process it and put things into perspective, and to clear the air. What do you say?”

Becoming a little nervous, because she was almost always a little nervous, Dox continued alongside her First Officer. Pure fatigue ever so slightly reduced her usual tendency to put herself at rigid attention, however. "Yes, Commander."

“Nope. We’re off-duty, you are still singed from whatever that energy was and it’s just you and me here, passersby who work very hard not to get the Commander’s attention notwithstanding. So this one’s just Rita, Mnhei’sahe.” As they walked, the gold-clad commander eyed the lieutenant. "Assuming you are okay with the familiarity."

"Aye..." Dox rolled her eyes and sighed somewhat humorously as she had almost default answered with military protocol. She let out a light chuckle as she corrected herself more casually. "Yeah. Familiarity is good."

“I was wrong, Dox. I jumped to a conclusion and my own fears and misgivings seemed to be given life, and I overreacted. Which is apparently because when it comes to you and your career, I am a bit defensive, it seems,” Rita chuckled at her own folly. “I wanted to be happy for you with your side life as a pirate, but clearly it terrified me that it was going to ruin your career as a Starfleet officer. And there it looked like it was on its way, and I did not take the time to consider anything logically or be suspicious of the situation. I just took it at face value, and it was more complex than that.”

“Then I compounded it by screwing up and letting you hear my conversation with the captain, which was another mistake compounding the first and second mistakes. So, the old lady gets to be very mortal, very human and very humble today. Day? It is day, isn’t it?” Rita mused. “I’ve been up for so long I literally have no idea what time it is. I had planned to turn in when I got back aboard, but then this whole Death business started.”

"It's... 05:00 hours... ish. I saw a clock in Sickbay and didn't want to believe it." Dox sighed as they approached the turbolift and stood at the doors.

"It's... unusual... hearing a Goddess tell you something was in your head pushing buttons to change the way you think." Dox looked over at Paris with a slightly pained expression. "I didn't feel anything. I just felt impossibly angry and it wouldn't go away. And I've been so angry for so long in my life before coming here that... It was easy to just believe it was who I really was."

The lift opened and the duo stepped inside. As if on autopilot, Dox muttered to the ceiling. "Deck 8." And with a chirp, the lift continued as did the young Romulan officer. "I didn't even consider how everything changed once they left the ship. I just felt nothing but a... wave of guilt. It was like... instant sobriety after being drunk as hell."

“I should have recognized that. I should also have had more faith in you, Miss Dox. This pirate business…” Rita sighed, a seismic event. “The Captain comes with a lot of baggage, and it has always been a concern of mine. When she gave an order to the Baroness Dox, and it was one I would object to, it… it scared me. I was afraid that you were straying from Starfleet, that you were prioritizing the Artans over your duty as an officer. I should have trusted you more than I did, and I apologize.”

“You’re not busted, by the way,” Rita added. “You were never supposed to have overheard that, and it would never have been an issue if not. You weren’t responsible for your actions, and I won’t put a blemish on your record over something in which you had no control.”

"Thank you. I mean, not just for that, but for this. Right now. Thank you." Dox shifted somewhat uncomfortably in the lift as it came to a stop at it's destination. The door wooshed open but Dox just stood for a moment. "When my head was clear again... more than anything... I was terrified beyond anything that I had destroyed my friendship with you. In a day of horrible feelings, it was somehow the worst one."

The face of the fulsome first officer settled into a sad smile, as she placed a hand on the astrospace ace’s shoulder to guide her out of the lift. “Dox… no. We may disagree. I may let you down occasionally. You might let me down sometime. But our friendship is much deeper than that, and I would never abandon you. I’m like the queen of lost causes! If I wouldn’t give up on you when we first met, what makes you think I’d give up on you after you decided I was your sister?”

Hanging her head slightly, Dox took in a deep breath. As she lifted her head back up, she turned to Rita with a half grin and a slightly hysterical chuckle. "Hnave... We finally did it. I think I'm actually too tired to cry again today."

“Let’s call that a good thing, hmm?” Rita offered with a smile, wrapping an arm around the stubborn starfarer’s shoulders and shaking her a bit. After all, they were walking through Officer Country, and they were off duty, so it was unlikely any enlisted would be around to see it.

Dox made her way across Deck 8 as she continued working through processing the day. "That... just made me more scared to lose you. You know my relationship with mother... I didn't know what Family WAS until I got here. Until... until you. And then Asa. The Captain. Mona. Just this idea that someone could mean so much to you that you couldn't imagine that person not existing anymore. That felt like family to me. That told me what you were to me."

In spite of herself, a tear leaked out as they walked past the senior crew quarters. They came up on Dox's room, but the red-headed Romulan knew that Rita was very comfortable in the 'walk and talk' mode, and so she kept walking. "I mean... It's not a Klingon thing where you need to duel anyone to the death in my name or anything. Although... uh... It does kinda mean that if I die on a mission, my Mother has no say in what happens to my possessions or body. That would be you. I mean, if that's okay."

“For what it’s worth… well, I’m guessing you have an idea of what my family was like growing up with The Commander,” Rita expounded, adding some clarification. “I really never trusted anyone until I met Sonak, who is pure transparency- what you see if what you get, and eventually he trusted me with his mind,m his everything. After that, I opened up a bit more, and honestly, I just saw too much of me in you. Except you were raised in a different time, under different circumstances. But that crowd of demons you were hauling along behind you… them I knew all too well, because they still try to whisper to me too.”

Walking along side, Dox nodded up with a melancholy smile as she let Rita continue.

“As for the disposition of your worldly goods in the case of your untimely demise, make sure you write out a will. Which I suppose I should do as well, although I expect they’d just recycle all of whatever’s in my quarters and be done with it, like all the other times I seem to have perished,” Rita snickered.

"Over my dead body." Dox replied, a little more aggressively then she might have under different circumstances, before catching herself. "Sorry... I know that's not up to me. I just mean that's not right. Not here. Sorry."

“Ahhh, Sonak’s not one to attach emotional significance to objects… given that he’s not one to attach emotions, period,” Rita chuckled. “And I got what you meant, Mnhei’sahe. The sentiment is appreciated. I’d make out a will, but… seriously, I’ve been listed as KIA like five times in my career now, I think. No wonder I can’t see death… I’ve spent my life cheating her somehow.”

“If I should die, take what you want. If I want it back badly enough, I’ll come back and ask for it, okay?” Paris raised her eyebrows and offered a bemused smile to the rambunctious Romulan.

With a slightly exaggerated smile, Dox replied. "Then I'll just hold on to it and wait for..."

Then she trailed off, thinking about what Rita had said about not being able to see Death. Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks and began laughing as a massive grin spread across her face, and a fresh tear snuck out.

“Whoah whoah whoah, what all this then?” Rita asked, in equal parts surprise, bemusement and concern.

"Oh my goodness... that's what she meant. How could I have not caught that?!" Dox smiled up at Rita. "Kodria. We were talking. We were talking about... well... You. She was worried about having told you stuff from the future. She wouldn't say what, but I just kinda told her that you were the right person to go to. And she laughed."

A few more tears crept out as Dox thought of her lovely Android 'niece' in stasis until she would wake back in in her own future. "She said... She said, 'Even Death can't stand up to Aunt Rita.' That sneaky little... I'm hugging her so hard when she wakes up."

“Hahaha… well that’s… funny, I guess. Certainly open to interpretation, for sure,” the throwback retro officer admitted. “But have no fear, Miss Dox. I am neither an immortal nor unkillable… I’m just extremely lucky and unlucky all at the same time. Which tends to lend itself to a life that reads a bit like far-fetched fiction. But I’m from a hundred thirty years in the past and an accidentally created timeline that no longer exists, so what is and isn’t believable is a bit more loosely defined when it comes to me.”

“Have you been sitting on this the whole time, afraid to say anything for fear of messing up the timeline yet petrified over what it might mean?” Rita asked, genuinely concerned over this development.

With a light laugh, Dox replied, "This, no. Not really. She said it so casually I just chalked it up to her generally high regard towards you. She was so worried about telling me anything, even though she really wanted to."

Thinking back to that night, Dox's tone got more melancholy. "She was so upset about what she told you, she didn't want to risk anything more. So I just tried to make her feel better, ya' know?"

“Good for you. She was so determined to fix what once went wrong, yet not to fundamentally ruin our lives in the process,” Rita recounted. “It’s hard to reassure someone when you are so desperately curious about the future. But I’m pretty proud of all of the crew on that front. No one pressed her, and Kodria might just have made a difference after all. With a little luck, someday she’ll be able to tell us all in person.”

As they rounded the deck again and came up on her quarters again, this time the exhausted pilot slowed to a stop. "I miss her. Even without saying much about our futures, you could see who she was. She was a good person. She is a good person. Knowing I had something to do with that, no matter how much or how little, feels... it feels good."

“Yes… yes it does. Look, Miss Dox, I am genuinely sorry for how this crisis played out. I’ve said a lot of things, tried to own my own faults and foibles within it and you’ve not really acknowledged it. Are we okay?” Paris asked directly. “Or is there more that I need to say or do?”

Leaning her head back, Dox took a breath. "This is still 'Rita and Mnhei'sahe' time, right?"

“This is still very much off the record, no ranks, permission to speak freely. If you have something spectacularly disrespectful to say, we may want to step inside. But by all means, speak your mind. Miss Dox.” It may have seemed like formality, but in truth, Rita used the honorific in on and off duty conversations, as it was actually less of a mouthful to say than ‘Mnhei’sahe’ to her. While Rita was concerned over what might be said, it was only fair to hear what the redheaded Romulan had on her mind.

But what was on her mind was more than words, as she flung her arms tight around her friend. Shuddering slightly as she clung to Rita Paris for a moment, all she could say was a hoarse "t... thank you. Thank you for not giving up even when... even when I didn't give you any reason not to. Thank you "

“Heyyyy… hey… it’s okay, it’s okay,” Paris patted the back of the emotionally wrung out pilot, letting her get her release. “We’re friends, we’re shipmates and we’re Starfleet. You might be surprised how far I’d go for you, and just how determined I’ll be not to give up on one Mnhei’sahe Dox. I will not give up on you- I wouldn’t when you were a stubborn introvert, and I sure as hell won’t give up on you now, or ever. You’re going to be stuck listening to me tell your grandchildren stories about their famous granny someday, or whatever the word for that is in Romulan.”

Pulling herself off of Paris, Dox righted herself and wiped her nose and she chuckled. "D'ri’anov."

“Whoof. I’ll just stick to Federation standard so as not to molest your native tongue,” Paris chuckled, then she waited for Dox to compose herself. When she had, Paris made eye contact, her expression one unfamiliar to the pilot the called Hotshot.

“So… I’ve apologized a lot, but… you haven’t actually accepted any of my apologies. Should I take that as a sign…?” Now it was clear that it was something the observant officer had noted and had built up some concerns of her own.

With a slightly uncomfortable look on her face, Dox wiped her nose. She bit the bottom of her lip as she struggled to speak. "Rita, yes. Of course, I accept. Of course. I just... It's just that... I don't think you did anything to apologize for. None of us had any way of knowing."

The conflicted Romulan took a deep breath as she continued. "I was so upset after my head cleared... when you called me to the Brig, I was on my way to your office. I had a PaDD with my report... and my resignation. I couldn't process how I could have just... done NOTHING."

The exhaustion having taken its toll on her composure, her eyes watered up again. "I filled out my own paperwork for a Court Marshall, I was so upset. And now... even knowing what happened... I don't know how to deal with it. More people are dead because I didn't do what I should have. Because I let another one in."

“Maybe it was the presence or influence of Death, which can make one freeze in the moment. Maybe it was the horror of watching what you viewed as a friend casually commit murder. Maybe it was shock. There are a lot of maybes in there. But there are a few things I do know,” Paris reached down and took her friend’s shoulders in her hands.

“You are no coward; you lack neither bravery nor fortitude, and while you may not have experienced quite so much of the weirdness the galaxy offers, you are experiencing it now. Learning from it. Growing,” Rita nodded as she spoke, emphasizing her point. “You did your best while you were under the influence. Next time you will recognize it and have more of an edge. Next time you’ll be better. That’s what I expect, and that’s what you’ll do. I have faith in you. As Sonak says, experiments must always have failures- they teach us as much as successes.”

“No resigning, missy. I won’t have you throwing away a promising Starfleet career over a mistake. We learn, we grow- we don’t quit. Quitters never make the history books, and they don’t save the ship, world, system, quadrant, galaxy. We get knocked down, then we get up again. And if you can’t then you get a hand up. Understand?” Paris offered a smirk that looked like a less sinister version of the Captain’s trademark expression.

“Next time you’ll know better, and you’ll act differently. But you can’t beat yourself up until next time, and I surely won’t. So long as you’ve got faith in me, I’ve got it in you too, little sister,” Rita smiled, that million watt smile that reminded you just how pretty the woman really was, as opposed to getting used to her in day to day life.

Her composure returning, Dox stood up straighter and replied. "I understand. I do, and I will. Thank you, Rita." And with a slight smile, she continued. "And thank you, Commander."

“You’re welcome, Mnhei’sahe. And of course, Lieutenant- it’s the job. Comes with the pips. And I have to prepare you for someday when you’ll be giving these talks to officers under your command.” When she spoke of it, a future of command did not seem like wishful thinking when the words came out of the mouth of the confident Rita Paris.

Instead, it was somehow sounded like a promise from the universe.

It had been a very eventful shore leave for the Earth girl's homecoming. A night out on the town rediscovering the great melting pot of the Federation all coming together in her home town, which was glorious. A morning surfing on the beach- not the best beach in the world, forget about the universe. But even with small waves and a chill in the air, it was still splashing about in the sea from which all life on her planet had sprung, and she felt a connection to it which she had renewed once more.

A trip to Ohio with Dox had been a homecoming for the little lieutenant, and Rita had been glad she could be there for her. Plus Mnhei'sahe had inherited all of her grandparents old packrat junk, which was all old Earth memorabilia and nostalgia of her homeworld. It meant little to Dox, but she offered to share it with the woman with no past, which meant the world to her. She had yet to have a chance to go through it, but she would schedule some time to do it with Dox, give her a chance to consider memories of her grandparents through material connections.

Couldn't even visit Starfleet Command and be a tourist and not somehow have it turn into a catastrophe. One that had the Captain in the rad burn ward and the entire reality from whence she and Sonak had escaped now... gone. Wiped out by paradox, yet they had remained chronally and dimensionally locked, and they persisted. She'd understood the logic and the reasoning and the fact that it was inevitably going to collapse on it's own, but somehow she couldn't help but feel that she had stood in witness to the death of a universe. Her family, her friends, all of those yet to come were not just gone, they had now never existed.

Rita Paris was now an impossible girl.

There were three of them that she knew of; herself, Sonak and Akira Zhuri still persisted- Rita had checked, and apparently the convoluted nature of her origins was sufficient to enable her to survive the destruction of their universe of origin as well. Cheers, kid. Go make a life for yourself.

After a relaxing vacation in a tropical paradise the El-Aurian rebel had apparently met a particulate lifeform and befriended it when they were both set upon by kidnappers, who brutalized the doctor and apparently planned to sell them to a collector, which sounded ghoulish. They had gotten word out, Dox had arrived like an avenging angel and had decimated the kindappers, leaving them all in critical condition in the brig.

That would have been enough, but back on the Worldship the Baroness had apparently picked up a literal shadow of Death. One that began bonding and blending with the jovial Baroness to transform her into an angry bitter soldier whose shadow murdered those aforementioned broken men who had kidnapped and abused Asa Dael while they screamed, traumatizing poor Dox. A plan had been hatched and a battle for the soul of the Baroness was fought, with even Hera stepping in to save the day. The two were separated, and now Death was a guest of the Hera, although for some reason Rita seemed unable to perceive her.

The ship's surgeon, their frail young physician could, however. With all that had gone on and everything that had come to pass, she was bone tired and it was 04:17. But duties and obligations were what they were, and before her labors were done, the old-fashioned officer in the old-fashioned uniform still had to go see her shipmate and friend, to see how they were. Moving quietly through Sickbay, the Commander made her way to the chief medical officer's bedside.

Looking up through drug lidded eyes, Asa Dael saw Rita sit down to their left. Rita looked weary, which made sense given the hour.

"Rita," they greeted, "Whats going on, are you ok? The EMH just went offline...I...I would help you, but I can't get up..." Asa trailed off and began blubbering tears of anguish and frustration. The doctor was confused, their fear reaction still on high alert leading them to immediately conclude Rita had befallen tragedy and was in peril.

"Shhhh... it's okay, Doc, it's okay. I'd give you the big formal 'Myx Dael and all of that, but it's late and it's been a very long day. I'm okay, I promise, and we can talk all about it later. I just came to check on you," the exhausted executive reached out to pat Asa's hand, then hold it. "It sounds like you had a very perilous encounter with some remarkably bad men."

Gripping Rita’s hand in vice-like fashion, Asa nodded before responding, “Yeah, do I know how to pick a vacation spot or what? Everything was going so great too….I even met someone that for the first time I understood what all the hulabaloo is about when people say they have a crush….but then, they came. And everything got hard and horrible. Why does everything always turn horrible, Rita?” the doctor concluded, turning wide wet eyes towards the Commander, hoping against hope she held some knowledge that could make sense of the day.

Without hesitation, the spirit of the 23rd century answered her young shipmate. “Not everything turns terrible, Asa. Remember all of the horror of Meroset 347? We crippled Hera in that battle, and working with her, we reformed her. She saved my life tonight, mine and the Baroness, and she did it solely because it was the right thing to do. We taught her that. She was a tyrant and a despot and we taught her a better way.”

“When I first arrived here I was scared and lonely and in over my head. I was a hundred years behind the times, what use could I possibly be to the future?” Rita spelled it out plainly, with no pretense. “Yet here I am, First Officer. And it is clear to me that I am needed here, and that the universe put me here as some sort of cosmic design. So despite how horrible it was to be torn from everything and everyone I knew, good still came out of it. So, not to make light of all of the bad that happened… but there is good, Asa.”

“You are a good person and I won’t lie to you- bad things are going to happen to you and the people that you care about over the course of time. The key is finding what good comes out of it. In this case, you and your friend being kidnapped led to us saving the Baroness and Death from a terrible fate, which we might not have otherwise noticed until it was too late.” The buxom blonde clasped the frail physician’s hand in both of her own. “So don’t let it beat you down and make you a cynic just yet, They-Who-Will-Outlive-Us-All. You have a very long journey ahead, and your belief in the good in people and the universe can’t wither and die just yet. Otherwise you are liable to end up like those old fuddy-duddies you ran away from to avoid becoming, hm?”

With a bark of laughter, Asa replied, “Well that would be a fate worse than death, so no, we can’t let that happen quite yet. Not until at least 3000. Some whipper snapper calls me an elder at 800 and I’ll box their ears.”

After taking a moment to process what Rita had said, Asa looked up, “Wait, what? The Baroness and Death were in trouble? I think I missed that….is it related to why the Captain is in the radiation ward? I…I must have missed a lot in a few hours….”

“Sounds like story time to me…” the weary woman expressed with a smile, and she began relaying the tale of all that had transpired during shore leave on Earth, or at least the parts of it of which she was aware. To her credit, Rita was an engaging storyteller, and when she was through, she had brought Asa Dael up to speed on current events. When she finished, she offered a small smile.

“Which brings us to the present, with me visiting my doctor in their own sickbay to check on them and make sure they are okay,” Rita patted the bed where Asa’s leg was parked. “This… tends to be an exciting career, Myx Dael. As soon as you think you’re used to it, the rules change and the universe throws another curve at you that you never could have expected, as evidenced by the stories I just related. But the universe is not unkind, and there will always be wonders amongst the dangers and heartbreaks. I promise you that.”

“I know,” Asa replied in a small voice, “Today was just a really bad day. Sounds like it was a hard day all over. Would….would Sonak object if I asked you to stay here and hold my hand for a while? I don’t want to be alone yet, but I don’t want to intrude on your time with your spouse…But you are probably tired too, never mind, I’m sorry…”

The young doctor was a well-known cuddler on the ship and seemed to seek physical contact with others by instinct. Through the course of their conversation Asa had continued to hold Rita’s hand as if it were a lifeline to sanity, but upon realizing the hour and how tired Rita must be, Asa let go and steeled themself for a night alone in a biobed. They were determined to not be weak, to not cause more heartache and imposition to their friends, and to show they could handle the challenges of this life….to not be a child. None of that resolve meant they would enjoy the recovery process they knew they were to undertake, but as the old proverb went “the only way out is through sometimes.”

After taking a deep, steadying breath, Asa concluded, “I’m not really alone after all though. The EMH will pop up if I ask him to. I’m safe and sound on the Hera.”

It was unclear who the last sentence was meant to convince, Rita, or Asa themself.

Feeling the young individual let go of the deathgrip they had been maintaining on her hand, Rita Paris too was very grounded in physical reality, having spent far more time than she cared to as an immaterial energy form. Thus when she was stressed, she tended to grip things with that same desperation, trying to anchor herself to the physical world, to hold herself firmly in a universe that seemed determined to hurl her hither and yon. Sonak was already well aware of her status and whereabouts, so there was no conflict there.

Thus while it might not seem proper, and it certainly was not something the chief medical officer tended to ask of the first officer, Rita Paris thoroughly understood the request. Thus she stood and edged onto the bed.

“Scoot over, shorty,” the fulsome First Officer advised, as she slid onto the biobed, getting her arm behind Asa Dael’s head. As the larger mammal, she suspected that the androgynous El-Aurian would likely cling to her form. Given that they were asexual as well, she would view it not unlike comforting a young one after a trauma. She herself had been this shaken in the past, but she had Sonak. Asa Dael had no one, so Rita Paris would see them through the night.

As expected, Asa turned onto their side and nestled into Rita, clutching at her uniform with both hands.

“Thank you, Rita,” they said, then after a moment of thought, “Computer, privacy screen please.” It wouldn’t do to have the first officer's authority diminished by being seen cuddling the chief medical officer.

As Rita’s warmth sank into Asa’s bones, the woes of the day caught up to both prone figures. Asa felt their breath begin to deepen in a sleep pattern, but wanted to voice a final thought before sleep claimed them.

“Rita, just so you know, you are one of those wonders the universe uses to counter the bad. Love you.” That said, Asa was asleep in the next breath.

As for the aforementioned wonder of the universe, she was already snoring gently, arms encircled protectively about her charge.

"Hum..." Thex said as she carefully moved the fish scale slab that was ruffly the size of a chopping board around to take a look at its underside. Placing it and the grabbers down on the table she turned to look over at Rita. " This is out of my area of expertise. It looks organic to me. Do you think we should get the doctor down here?" She said turning to look at Rita who was manning the scanner.

"Aw jeez, you know I don't know what I'm looking at half the time here... it looks like the big scales are indeed from some member of the aquatic sealife variety, but the computer's playing hob trying to figure out what species it's from- it seems to incorporate multiples, including arthropods? So a squid with scales? How would that even work? Cross-referencing it with the mythological database, hold on..."

" Some combination animal they create perhaps?" Thex said as she walked around to look at the console. The list was long as the celtic people seemed to have a very long list of scaled sea monsters. " That could be it perhaps. " She said pointing to one's description. "Cirein-cròin, a sea serpent from Orkney that was so large that it fed on seven whales at once. I think we have one of those in andorian mythology." The andorian said as she looked back up at the scales.

"If we could prove a cross-relationship oif species through this sample that would probably make the xenomarine biologists excited as well as the historians. Okay, let's see if we've found a missing link, eh?" Rita fumbled with the interfaces trying to cross-reference the scanned data to existing data, but to her surprise, the tricorder helped her along, and she found a match. Hey! Look at that! Cross planetary migration of species is incredibly rare, go us for science nerd win for the month!"

" So this thing may have been the missing link for some are planets ancient sea life?" Thex said as she looked at the results on the screen.

“That’s for the Science department to decide, we just make the discovery. Thing is, these things have a bizarre quantum signature, like they are larger than their actual size. You think these might be more artifacts?” Paris mused. Science was by no means her strong suit- that was the purview of her better half. But she could read a tricorder and she was starting to learn what to expect from pieces such as these.

" Maybe, but they don't seem to be similar to the other ones. For one we can scan them which we can't with the others. We could try the nanite trick again see if that can spread some more info on them?" The andorian suggested.

“You’re the brains of this partnership, lady, I’m just the good-looking one,” Paris quipped as the worked. After all, she and Thex worked well together, even if three quarters of the time she had no idea what the engineers was doing, she just appreciated the results. “If you think that’s the play to make then let’s make it happen!”

The andorian nodded and it wasn't long before she had produced a bottle of nanties the same as Sonak had produced only with a few alterations to work on organic material. " Okay Can you man the controls commander?" She said as she placed the bottle and one of the scales onto a table.

“Uhhhh sure… what am I manning here?” Again, 25th century technical expertise was not the spirit of the 23rd century’s strongest suit, and while she was game to try things, she was often adrift when it came to operating modern technology. “So I’m doing what now…?”

" Sorry, I forget you're a little behind, Commander. Hit the yellow then the blue button and that will get it started. " Thex said as she took her place behind the computer console to monitor the nanites.

"Yellow button, blue button, and there we go! Okay, so what's the nanite trick?" Rita was reasonably enthusiastic even if she didn't know what was going on.

"The nanites will give us the deepest possible scan of what this thing made off. We're were able to get some info of from the armor....." Thex said as her eyes light up as the data began to come through. " Now this isn't normal. According to this these scales are still alive. "

"Ohhh, that's... exciting," Rita added sarcastically. "So alive, active cell structure, but no actrual system in place for them to actually live- no way to process nutrients, no waste elimination, no hydration requirements- hey, is that the answer? Dunk these in water to get them to turn into giant fish of legend?" Paris postulated, trying to make sense of the readings while spitballing ideas.

" Maybe it looks like they have some sought of psychic residue that keeps them connected and alive to it's original creature. " Thex said sending the energy reading over to Rita.

“I hope my old hair trimmings don’t do that,” Rita muttered. “So why would an old bog witch who we parted with on good terms send us living fish scales seems to be the mystery at hand. Fish scales of a legendary beast of myth, which we seem to learn every day just means ancient alien visitations from species who clearly did not have a Prime directive,” Rita clarified, chuckling over the weirdness of her workaday life.

" She must have had some reason to send them. I guess we'll find out after some more testing. " Thex said as she switched off the nanites. A beep from the computer made the andorian look around. "Hello.... the jewel results are in." She said, her bright blue eyes looking over the data. "Well, not so exotic here. Two blue Jeremejevite gems that by the data look like they came from the seas around the Scottish Orkney islands."

"Yay Earth stones! Y'know, you should take them. Make some nice earrings for your gal out of them- they certainly have an interesting pedigree, if nothing else. Plus they'll set off the color of her eyes. So I guess we should call Doc and see what they think of our fish scales after all?" Rita shrugged. She was more of an idea gal than a lab gal, but Dael was quite the whiz kid.

" Yeah, we'd better get the doc down here." Thex said as she tapped her combadge. =^= Thex to Asa Dael could you please join us in the hazadous material lab we have some biolgical samples we need a hand with. =^=

It took Lieutenant Junior Grade Asa Dael seven minutes to reach the hazardous materials lab, carrying a medical tricorder and PaDD along with a satchel containing medical sample kits and their usual assorted gee-gaws of hypo’s, sterilization beam, tissue knitters, cell regenerators, and growth inhibitors. The doctor had learned to embrace the weird that came with life on the Hera and had started traveling to any call for their assistance with a kit in tow.

Greeting the pair, Asa said brightly, “Hello Commander, Lieutenant Commander, how can I help?”

" Glad you can make it doc. " Thex said as she stood up from her chair and hurried over to the table she had laid the two scales. " Well around an hour ago a large horse appeared in ten forward dropping off a bag containing these two scales as a gift from a Celtic bog-witch. We've done some test on them, but this is rather out of are level of expertise. We're trying to work out why she would have gifted us with these.

“A horse…from a bog witch….right,” Asa replied, taking a moment to collect their thoughts and wrap their head around the most recent bout of weirdness. After a deep, cleansing breath, Asa sprang into action, smile on their face and tricorder at the ready.

After a few preliminary scans, Asa said, “OK, hit me with it. Has anyone done advanced genetic sequencing? I’m getting reading of non-replicating cells that are being suspended in a psionic energy field. We saw similar things in some of the living statues on Meroset, but the structure was significantly different.”

While waiting on a response, Asa moved to pull up the cellular structure images that had been obtained from clean-up efforts on Meroset and put them side by side with images of the cells in the mystery bones. They looked back and forth between the two images, typing into a PaDD at a furious pace and setting a computer analysis program running. That done, Asa turned back to the commanding officers and said, “Oh, um, sorry, got wrapped up in the mystery. I meant to put a ma’am in there,” and proceeded to blush furiously, head to toe.

"Just some lab work, Doc, not much need for formality. Your military etiquiette is noted and appreciated but no violation of respect of command has occurred," Commander Paris explained. "We called you for your expertise and your furiously curious intellect."

Smile brightening, Asa replied, “That I can give freely! Now, from what I am seeing, these are half-engineered, half-evolved cells. If I had to posit a theory, I would say these were once part of a larger creature, but have been removed and are now discrete from the being they came from. I will need to conduct some advanced analysis to conclude the species of origin, but based on the selective permeability of the cell wall, they would appear to be from an aquatic creature. I would like to take a sample and place it in a hypertonic solution, and also another in a hypotonic solution. Cohesion is also being held together through a series of varying extracellular matrixes that have a higher than usual ion count and electron potential. What else have you found thus far?”

The doctor was walking back and forth across the room, looking at the scales in open curiosity, and talked about twice their normal speed. Asa Dael was always one for a mystery, and looked forward to seeing what they could learn from their current quandary.

" Well according to the scan results they seem to have some connection to the original creature which is keeping it alive. None of the cells seem to be deteriorating. " Thex added hoping the doc hadn't already said that.

“No indeed, they are not,” Dael affirmed, “They almost appear to be in statsis, what with the neither growing nor deteriorating thing, but there is still neural energy within the cells and a current moving along the extracellular matrix. There is a higher than average amount of quantum entanglement and…..celestial energy? Considering the recent visits we have had from various ‘gods’ is there any chance our pony express was from someone we know?”

" If the note that came with it is true then it's a gift from Nassania. Though it could be a lie. We did only encounter the celtic gods because Loki stole some of there stuff and swapped out Hera's stuff for it. " the andorian added.

Asa scrunched up their nose in thought. After a brief pause they said, "Nope, not a clue. Remind me which one that Nassania is?"

" That's where we have a problem. We have very little information about her mainly due to the celts not writing anything down. We think she was worshiped in Belgium and may have been a river or bog goddess, but apart from that, we have very little. Well other than the fact that Loki had tricked her so he could steal her stuff. " Thex said as she ran her hands through her white hair.

At that, Paris cleared her throat and began to read from a PaDD, as she'd had nothing to do but look up the answer.

I call to Nassania of the flowing waters,
lady of the freshwater sea, ever restless,
never still, goddess who renews herself
each moment, who stirs the silt with every swirl.
Nassania, goddess supple and persistent,
mistress of a land of many voices, many tongues,
you know the beauty in asymmetry; you know
the sweetest harmony comes from diversity;
you know the time for battle, you know the time
to yield. Nassania, lady of the fountain,
lady of uncertainty, you who grant the gift
of change, goddess, I praise you and honor your might.

"So there's that..." Paris offered with a grin. "I may not know how to work a spectrometer but I can use a search engine with the best of them."

" Or there's that." Thex said feeling rather embarrassed.

“Thank you,” Asa said, including both Paris and Thex, “So, giver of change? Bog goddess….asymmetry….diversity…..lady of freshwater sea……Computer, analyze RNA and DNA of sample. Please identify for any known type of freshwater animal given a 3% variance in structure excluding variances in the cell wall permeability. Extrapolate backwards and provide common ancestor possibilities please.”

The computer chimed back, “Most probable common ancestor is Miooplosus, a freshwater lake fish common in Earth’s early to middle Eocene period. Probability is 94%”

"Soooooo big ol' fish?" Asa asked the group, gauging if they found this supposition to be absurd.

"Okay... big fish, sure. I have no idea why she sent us a pair of still living fish scales. Do we toss them in the sea and they turn into a fish or something? I dunno folks, too little data and we might be chasing our own tails here. Maybe to her fish scales were her holy symbol or currency of the time, who knows." This sort of investigation wasn't exactly Rita's specialty.

" For all, we know if we touch it one of us could turn into a mermaid. Maybe after Asa done some more tests will get some information. " Thex said as she looked at the scales.

"Well, that's definitely not making me want to touch it. I need two legs," Rita chortled.

A look akin to the proverbial light-bulb going off in Asa's mind lit their face. "Ladies, we have an aquatic individual aboard the crew now. We could ask Triton to see if he senses any resonance with the scales? I would also like to run advanced diagnostics in Sickbay to check cell membrane aqueous permeability and also submerge small samples in a few different solutions. Now to just take a sample..."

As the doctor attempted to shave a small portion of the scales off for research a blue light glowed slightly, and the sample tool simply rebounded off the light, falling out of Asa's hands onto the floor.

"Huh. Well, that's different," Dael responded, "It's almost like the tool was...repelled somehow?"

" Sounds like the armor of Achilles. I still can't get any samples off it." The andorian said. " Do you want me to bag them up and help you take them to sickbay?" The engineer asked.

“Well, moving from one lab to another is definitely the cue for the gal with no technological nor scientific background to check out. Keep me posted as to the results and let me know what you find,” Paris offered with a casual wave as she departed Engineering to make the rounds in the torpedo bays for an inspection. While she would puzzle over a problem if need be, this was far more in depth than just concocting a plan, and the extradimensional explorer was basically useless in this setting. Torpedoe bay inspections were much more her speed.

" See you later Rita. I still owe you a few drinks." The andorian called as the time-displaced human left the room.

“You mean the armor that took years off your life?” Asa responded, trepidation in their voice. The Andorian engineer did not know what it cost Dael to reverse the loss of 20 years from Thex’s lifespan caused by using unknown armor, but the doctor feared similar results, and knew they could not keep bargaining off years of their life through Death in perpetuity; caution was the obvious course of action here.

" Yeah though it didn't have any blue glowing light. Tools just simply break when i try and chip anything off it. Not that touched it since i found out what happened when i use it." The andorian said.

"Well, that is certainly for the best," Asa replied. "Did the suit react to anything at all? Something we could replicate here?"

" Only the nineties we used for scanning and it was able to disable them within thirty seconds," Thex explained.

“Well, nothing for it, let’s get it to Sickbay Lab 3. There’s no one working in there right now, so we don’t have to worry about endangering anyone in the process. Containment protocol 4 should do it, I think.”

That said, Asa began transferring the scales to a carrying container that would shield passersby from any leaking energies or contaminants that had not been found already. In a moment of supreme clumsiness, Asa dropped the scales to the ground, whereupon they bounced and….reformed? But into what?

Rushing to lock the doors and put the room in quarantine, Asa called to Thex, “Scans please, what are you getting off that thing? Any artron energies or chronaton? Computer, containment forcefield around the unknown items now, non-porous please and report any particulates that have come out already.”

" Getting a whole mess of energies and other readings," Thex said from the console as the light shone even brighter. Then as quickly as it had begun the light began to fade forming something new. As the light declined what was now lying on the floor was a strange scaley cylinder. With a slight hiss, it opened as what appeared to be two starfish rose from the cylinder.

Before Thex could say anything another light shone from the new scaley structure as what appeared to be a hologram of a godess filled the room.

" To the andorian that know that you have the thanks of the goddess Nassania. I am happy you have figured out my gift. I present to you the wielder of the armor of Achilles what you may call a workaround to a problem. This machine made from my greatest follower will give you a way to use the armor without expending your own lifeforce. Each creature will allow your thirty munites of its use. use them sparingly they will take a turn of the moon to recharge. If the enemy you fear is returning then we will need all the help we can get." The message said before fading to nothing.

" Well, that was something," Thex said looking towards the doctor. " You'd think she'd mention to drop it on the floor on the note she sent us." The andorian said with a slight grin on her face.

It was another sleepless night for Lieutenant Junior Grade Asa Dael. Since returning from a kidnapping mishap on shore leave Asa had a hard time sleeping. They had met a wonderful creature named Vrildi, a stunning being made of the deepest shade of Emerald green gas, and exchanged a deep telepathic communication before fusing their forms to help Vrildi evade capture. Of course, this was after Asa had taken a severe beating and before they were shot in the abdomen. The good doctor had survived only through a daring rescue from Lieutenant Mnhei'sahe Dox and emergency care from the ships EMH. While the worst of their physical injuries were healing, Doctor Dael still felt broken inside, and every time they closed their eyes the horrors of the ordeal were waiting on them.

The most recent attempt at sleep had resulted in one fitful hour of rest before Asa woke up to trembling hands and a racing heart. The soft glow of the nebula scene that comprised the walls of Asa’s quarters only served to make the young doctor feel more alone…and alone was not a good thing right now.

You aren’t safe. Someone could just beam you out or something and no one would even know. God, this room is so huge and quiet, and I’m all alone with my thoughts again. I wish I could talk to Virildi, I wish I knew they were ok. But of course I can’t do that because I would probably just put them in danger again. After all, my primary occupation seems to be just screwing things up. I almost transported Rita into the void, I couldn’t do anything to save those men on Section 31-B, Mnhei’sahe risked her life and career because I’m too much of an idiot to even be able to go swimming without getting in mortal peril, and oh yeah, you suck so badly you let your Dad basically kill your mom and brother, Asa. Great freaking job. Honestly, maybe the universe is just telling you that it doesn’t want you around.

Throughout the mental tirade Asa had become more and more upset, and felt increasingly worthless. A small voice at the back of their mind was reminding them that these thoughts did not reflect reality and that Asa was disregarding other factors and coming to erroneous conclusions. During the day Asa could manage to listen to that voice, to keep themselves centered on facts and function in their role as Chief Medical Officer. The nights were different though, long hours spent alone in rumination brought out the worst part of Asa’s brain, often leaving them crying and shaking in fear alone in their quarters.

Getting up out of bed to wash off their face, Asa caught sight of their reflection looking haggard in the mirror. “This is ridiculous,” they told the image. Gathering their bravery, Asa decided to take some advice they once gave their friend Mnhei’sahe and chose to not hurt alone.

After screwing up the courage, they walked next door and rang the chime as warning before entering Dox’s quarters. For her part, Dox had only recently returned to her quarters after spending the last few hours working overtime to keep her own mind occupied. The events of the last few days had been an extremely tumultuous one for many aboard the Hera and Dox found focusing on work helpful in keeping from getting lost in her own mind.

On this night, she had been burried underneath the Runabout Selune performing a particularly dirty bit of repairs to the hydrolic systems of the landing assembly. It wasn't a job a department head usually performed, but she found the work relaxing sometimes.

"Asa! Oh my goodness, what's going..." But before she finished the thought, she stopped, knowing better. She was there and saw the end of what the young El-Aurian doctor had gone through.

Finding the lieutenant alone, Asa ran over and collapsed next to her, sniveling pitifully before burying their face in a surprised looking Mnhei’sahe’s arms.

“I….I can’t do this anymore,” they wept, “I’ve tried so hard to be brave. I’m supposed to be better than this! Why can’t I pull myself together! I have all this knowledge about everything going on in my head and it doesn’t matter, nothing matters, and nothing helps, and it’s always going to hurt, and do you even know how long a time that is for me? I’m an immortal idiot! And I’m always going to be useless and a burden to anyone who cares about me, and I just can’t do it! I just….I can’t….it’s too hard…”

Feeling almost literal pain for the young officer thought of as a younger sibling, she wrapped her soft arms tight around them. Asa was one of the best things she felt she had in her life and Dox would be damned if she didn't do everything she could to help. "No, no, no. shhh."

Her voice dropped to a low whispering coo as she spoke to her hysterical friend. "You stop that. That's bullshit. You are the sweetest, most compassionate, most wonderful person I have EVER met and WILL ever meet. And I know! I checked with our android niece from the future and she totally confirmed all of that." It was a joke to hopefully cut through Asa's pain for a second, but it was the first thing the struggling young Romulan could think of.

"Huh," Asa half-chuckled, "She may not have been an impartial observer, but thank you..."

Plopping unceremoniously on the floor, Asa went to wipe their face, but noticed the hands that had been clinging to Dox's uniform were now soiled with the grime that covered their friend.

"Um, Mnhei'sahe, why does it look like you have been sweeping chimney's in Victorian London?" Asa inquired in a small voice.

Looking down at her own uniform top, Dox sighed. "Hnave." She cursed in Romulan. "Hold on, let me get you a wet towel." Dox walked quickly into the bathroom, pulling off her clothes as she walked to toss into the laundry bin. Moments later she re-emerged in her bra and underwear with a damp towel. "Sorry, I was working on one of the shuttles tonight. Kinda made a mess of myself."

"Now talk to me, honey. What's going on? Nightmares? Flumping to the ground next to the trembling doctor, Dox reached over and began wiping down their now-grimy hands with the damp cloth like a Mother would with a child.

Still snuffling piteously, Asa nodded.

“It started with nightmares, now I just wake up every hour or so and can’t get back to sleep. I keep thinking of every stupid mistake I’ve made, everyone I put in danger by my actions, how much of a burden dealing my inability to take care of myself is for everyone else, and how inevitably I’m going to screw up worse and get someone killed for it...I…I don’t deserve to be here. I don’t deserve your friendship. I’m just some idiot child who thought they could grow up simply by leaving home. I’m useless in the field, and the EMH is a better surgeon than I am. I don’t know why I’m even here anymore,” Asa concluded with a crack in their voice.

Putting her arm around Asa and hugging her in tight to her soft chest, Dox whispered "Stop that, honey. No." Putting her hand on Asa's head, Dox began lightly petting it as she spoke. "You're here because you need to be here. Because we need you. I've read the reports. You're amazing in the field, one of the coolest heads on any Away Team. You've saved MY dumb life more times than I can remember at this point. Hell, you LITERALLY put me back together. And every day, you keep me together."

Putting her hand on Asa's cheek, Dox gently raised the crying doctors face to face her own, her own eyes wet with tears for how close to home Asa's fears are. "You are my best friend... this ship needs you, I need you. I know how hard this is for you right now, and you know I do. To feel like your world is crumbling and that everything you do makes it all worse. But it's a lie."

As the words came out, Dox's stomach tightened a little at how closely it all felt to her own problems and her own feelings. And just knowing that Asa felt like that almost made the young woman angry to think about. "It's all lies, honey."

Going boneless in Mnhei’sahe’s embrace, Asa let the tears flow for a few moments before saying anything. The entire affair had been so overwhelming, and while they knew logically this was a trauma reaction, it was incredibly difficult to see past the emotion to the truth of the matter. After warring so long with themselves alone, it was a comfort just to be able to say all those doubts and fears aloud to a friend.

“You’re my best friend too, Mnhei’sahe,” Asa finally said, then allowed the silence to settle again for a moment before continuing, “I’d be lost without you. Thank you for saving me…I…I know it wasn’t easy on you, that you don’t like violence…I don’t either…..but those men…..what they did….what they were goingto do…And Vrildi….I don’t even know if they made it safely away. I mean, I think they did, but I won’t know for another 300 years when we meet back in the cave, I told you about that, right? That they wanted to see me again? Everything was going so wonderfully until he showed up….” The contempt Asa put into the word “he” indicated it must have been Jake they were referring to.

The sound of the name of the man that had tortured Asa caused Dox to involuntarily tighten up slightly. Dox didn't have the heart to tell Asa how much she enjoyed nearly beating him to death. That when she watched Death claim his life hours later, she was secretly glad. that she would have personally fought through a thousand Jakes to keep Asa safe, her own soul be damned. She now knew that her rage in those moments had been stoked by the cosmic influence of Death, but the seeds were hers and she owned that.

Instead, she forced herself to relax for Asa's sake, focus on them, and kept holding them tight. "You told me you and Vrildi merged. That left a trace in your system that the Doctor was able to isolate. I bet if you ask Rita and Sonak, they can figure out a way to find them to see if they're okay. But there was no trace of that energy signature on Mars except the little bit in you, so Vrildi got away."

Wanting to try and keep Asa's mind from dwelling on the horrors, Dox instead tried to lead them back to Vrildi. "So, they want to meet you again? That sounds wonderful. Tell me about them, they sound pretty special."

Snuggling in to speak about happier affairs, Asa allowed themself to be diverted from the self-recrimination, happy to catch up with their friend about something so wonderful in spite of the unhappy circumstances.

“I was in Madagascar, went to go see the trees that were on my wall, you know? The trees were so beautiful, and there was this beach nearby where I stopped at a resort. It was all so lovely, and I was enjoying swimming and exploring things on my own. I had been swimming offshore for a while and I found this little cave. Really pretty little grotto, the kind of thing you see in holovids. I went in to rest for a bit before swimming back, and this green sphere came floating out. Of course, I was curious, who wouldn’t be?

So I stuck around and the sphere acted out a rough approximation of Pi, so I knew the being was intelligent. They kind of reached towards me, and I reached towards them, and our minds were joined. We could feel what the other was feeling, and they told me the story of their world from long ago and how they wandered the Universe alone. Even told me that I was something unique too, if you can believe that. I think they were just being kind….I mean, look at me. I’m just me. But Virildi was amazing, older than many planets in the galaxy, they had seen so much, and just a glimpse of it was breathtaking.

And we danced….you can’t even imagine what that felt like, sharing a mind with someone as you shared your movements together. We were so entwined and wrapped in one another….it was so perfect. Even our merging was glorious. I’ve never felt so loved, so cared for, so complete…but then it was over, and…and….and……” Asa burst into tears again, unable to recount the horrible feeling of loss they felt, and in fact still did feel.

Dox just smiled, hugging their friend. Of course, she could imagine having been briefly merged with the shard of a cosmic titan for a short time a few weeks ago. But she didn't want to make it about her. "So, a cosmic being comprised of energy and gas, incalculably old and wise, saw you and decided to introduce itself and share it's being with you because you are SO amazingly unique and special, and you still doubt it? Asa, I've lived in space my entire life. I've seen thousands of different kinds of people. Most of them are selfish, cruel things. Ugly inside in so many ways. But in all of that time I've only me one Asa Dael. You are unique and special and perfect."

"And if it is in any way possible, I will help you find Virildi so you can tell them how you feel about them. I promise I will."

“I….I really hope I get to. When they were leaving they asked to meet me again in 300 years in the cave where we met. Virildi said they needed time away from corporeal life because every time they go around us they see so much fear and violence, and who can argue? But why are people so cruel, Mnhei’sahe? I always thought growing up that if I could just get away from the idiots I lived with that the universe would be wonderful, and that justice would rule, and people would work to make one anothers lives better, because why would they not? But it’s just the same, sad, stupid arguments over and over, world to world. Greed and distrust, violence, cruelty….what’s the point of it all? I just want to help people, was I foolish to think that would make a difference? ” Asa asked, eyes huge, staring up at Mnhei’sahe.

"No, honey." Dox replied with a pained expression on her face. "This galaxy just doesn't deserve you. We're not good enough for you. You do so much more than any one person could for... for everyone."

"I'm just a doctor," Asa replied, looking confused, "I just try to make people better, that's kind of the whole point of the profession."

Sheepishly Asa continued, "You are good too, Mnhei'sahe. You wouldn't have been so bothered by the deaths when we rescued Kodria if you weren't. Plus the Captain must think so if she made you a baroness. I. I didn't get you in any trouble, did I? I should have asked before now, I'm sorry."

The questions stung hard but Dox deflected as best as possible. "You're a lot more than a just a doctor, Asa. And you didn't get me in trouble, no." Dox stood up and walked over to the Replicator. "Let me get you something to drink. You want a hot chocolate?"


With a slight grin Asa said, "Always, you know that. You just got in, right? Dont skip dinner on my account, I am just being ridiculous, I should know better than what my brain keeps telling me. I know i am acting like a stereotypical trauma victim, so why cant I stop."

"Computer, one Hot Chocolate. Thank you." With a shimmer of light, the wide steamimg mug appeared. Dox picked it up and handed it to Asa as she sat back down on the floor across from them.

"Because trauma makes us blind. We can't see past our own pain for a while. It's just something that takes time. We talk it out with people. We try to understand the reasons. And when there are no reasons, we try and figure out how to blame ourselves." As Dox talked, she realized much of what she was saying could be applied to herself. Much, but not all. But she just wanted to keep Asa's mind occupied.

Sipping the hot chocolate with both hands, Asa thought on that for a moment.

"Sounds like you have some experience there, huh? I made an appointment for subspace counseling with an old professor. I enjoy counseling the crew, but I think I need one of my own right now. I need help getting my head on straight. I don't want to hurt like this anymore," Asa said in a small, open voice.

"We all need help sometimes and that's good. I'm glad you're going to talk to someone who will have smarter stuff to say than me." Dox let a melancholy smile across her face. "And you can always come here as long as you want to."

"Look, you stay here tonight, okay? You can take the bed and I'll crash here on the couch. But that way you won't be alone, okay?" Dox asked, smiling.

"I'm bendy, I don't mind the couch," Asa replied, "Thanks, Mnhei'sahe, you are a good friend. Sleep well."

Dox smiled through as she countered. "Nope. Not an option. Tell you what, it's a bigger bed than I need anyway. Do you think you might feel better if we just crashed together?"

Dox knew Asa was a nearly compulsive snuggler and hoped the offer would help her hurting friend get a decent nights sleep.

The first genuine smile of the evening lit up Asa's face. "Really? You don't mind? That would be great. So what side am I on?"

.
“Any person subject to this chapter who behaves with disrespect toward his superior commissioned officer shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”

The crisis had passed, and life on the Hera was back to what passed for normal. The Baroness had been rescued, separated from her toxic relationship with Death. Who was also aboard now as well, with Rita assigning them guest quarters on Deck 8. Everyone seemed to be none the worse for wear, save the three problematic corpses. But, rampaging accidental entity was something that showed up on starship reports. It was a thing in her time and it still was, clearly.

All was well, given how the events worked out, and there was a small but markedly significant detail to tend to. Entering Sickbay, Commander Paris nodded to the personnel as she passed through, making her way to the radiation ward where currently her captain lay, recovering from chroniton burns she had sustained saving Rita, Sonak and the planet earth from the catastrophe that seemed to perennially follow in the wake of the ancient astronaut.

Confirming from the nurse that the Captain was awake, Paris entered her room, nodding. Her demeanor was stiff and formal, and when she spoke, she did so with her chin held high and her military bearing at it’s finest.

“Captain,” she said as she held up the PaDD for the spotted starship commander to read.

On the PaDD was a write-up for one Commander Rita Paris with a recommendation for disciplinary action under Article 89 of the Starfleet Code of Military Justice: Disrespect Toward a Superior Officer.

“I owe you an apology, Captain. The recent events on the Hera were influenced by the toxic bonding of Baroness von Alcott and the extraplanar entity known as Death, which incited heightened aggression levels in some members of the crew. That includes Miss Dox and yourself. Instead of rationally seeking all of the facts then proceeding from logical conclusion, I immediately leapt to an incorrect conclusion, and in this very room, I verbally assaulted and disrespected my superior officer. I believed the worst of you, when I should have looked for deeper motivations. They were my own prejudices and fears that were given voice, and I am well and truly regretful for my words and actions. I submit my report, as well as my disciplinary report for your approval.”

Still strapped into the radiation treatment pod, Enalia could only move her eyes to look at Rita and talk to her. "So you're saying that since the worldship incident we've all been affected by this? Just like how Hera was inadvertently putting crewmembers into a family way? That I should dismiss everything just like that? As I understand it, this sort of thing heightens emotions and feelings we already have within us that we would otherwise normally easily control."

"Though it's not that easy, in reality..." Enalia closed her eyes as the healing beam arc slowly passed over her face again. "So... Are we agreed that no one needs to be demoted? Has the situation been resolved? Is... Everyone ok?"

"Yes, ma'am," Paris seemed to be studying the floor. "No demotions, situation resolved, everyone okay. Death is aboard, under restriction and guard just like Hera, but that's a precaution for now and may change. Apparently it was the combination of the two of them that made it toxic, and now separated, it appears the Baroness is back to her old self, and Death has much less sting."

"As for dismissing it ma'am, as far as the crew are concerned- Dox and the Baroness were influenced by that combination entity, as were, I believe, you. I... should have noticed sooner, been more cautious, made the Baroness get checked more thoroughly. I should have seen it, and I didn't. I don't even have the excuse of that influence when I assaulted you, because the entity was not onboard at the time. I'm sorry Captain- genuinely, truly. I leaped to negative conclusions because that's what I wanted to believe. I didn't analyze the facts."

"What's that Earth saying again? You're only human?" The spotted woman grinned slightly as she tried to wiggle in the clamps and force fields holding her tightly. "I think it applies in this case, especially dealing with all these deity class aliens. So what sort of punishment are you proposing for yourself?"

"I hadn't, ma'am. Didn't seem right. You are literally the wronged party in this case, so it seemed just to let you make that decision," Paris was humbled- she'd been in the wrong, she admitted it, and she'd accept whatever punishment came her way.

"Unfortunately, you're in charge of the ship right now. Freaking EMH revoked my computer access and relieved me of duty so I couldn't get out again. I can't even listen to any freaking music. Nurse says I have another forty five freaking hours left. My spots itch so freaking bad..." Enalia moaned piteously. "So if you want punishment, I'm not in the right mindset to dish it out because right now I'll tell you to flog yourself in the lounge with a bunch of wet noodles while singing a Vulcan ballad."

Looking up from the floor, Rita was relieved by the Captain's leniency, then a though occurred to her. "I could scratch your spots?"

Enalia's eyes opened wide, seriously considering the offer. "They go down my sides head to toe and cover about a third of my body... And if you interfere with the treatment the EMH will yell at both of us... Are you still up for it?"

"Call it extra duty, ma'am. I got you burnt then yelled at you in bed. The least I can do is take getting yelled at by the Doctor. And, I maintain my manicure," Rite held up her hand, showing the captain the neatly manicured but still almond-shaped claws on the ends of her fingertips.

"Besides, you'd do the same for me." Tapping her comm badge, Rita spoke to the overhead. "Commander Paris to Master At Arms Riley. I need a thorough Security sweep of Sickbay, but skip the radiation ward. I need you to keep the EMH busy for at least 20 minutes. Can you do that for me Chief?"

=^= Roger wilco, Commander. I'll have a team in there in 40 seconds. =^= came the reply, and a smile settled onto the face of the fulsome first officer.

"There. Now he can yell at us later and we won't be disturbed. As extra duty goes, this is definitely a unique one," Rita explained as she cracked her knuckles. "Just don't let your wife kill me over it," she added.

"I think she'd approve." The spotted woman was grinning in anticipation at the relief she was going to experience at the hands of her first officer. "Besides, she's not the killing type."

"Lucky for me..."

For the beginning of her shore leave on her home planet, Rita Paris, native of planet Earth, spent a day surfing with her logical husband, as she loved the water and the beach, and surfing brought back many happy memories, now to be shared with her beloved kolinahr.

After that she’d gone to Ohio, supporting Mneih’sahe Dox in reconnecting with her human ancestry and helping her to embrace the humanity she was now beginning to accept as part of her dual heritage. The ancient astronaut had stopped to tour Starfleet Command, which had of course nearly resulted in system-wide catastrophe, and left her cut off from her past in a rather permanent way. On her checklist of places to go and things to see on Earth, this one was not in her itinerary, nor should it have been.

Yet here she stood, outside the welcome sight of the ancestral Paris homestead.

A large, stately wood and masonry home in Nob Hill, Reginald ‘Reggie’ Paris had purchased the home when he was working on building the first NX class vessel, and it had been handed down from generation to generation ever since. ‘There’s been a Paris in Starfleet since before there WAS a Starfleet’ was a popular phrase in her household, taught from one generation to the next as they grew up, went to the Academy, then shoved off for the stars.

Despite her father’s objections, Rita Paris had been no different.

After having watched Dox reconnect with the grandparents who were no longer amongst the living, sorting through their belongings and explaining the significance of human burial rituals and connecting with the dead, Rita had realized that she needed to take her own sage advice and get herself some closure. As much as Dox thought she was learning from Rita, she was teaching Rita as well, reminding her how to live right. Because being needed helped define the golden age heroine, and she was okay with that. The pugnacious pointy-eared professional was a far cry from the insecure young woman who would have avoided everyone and lived in a shuttlecraft if she could when she first came aboard.

It had been instinct that had driven her that day to crack that shell, and she'd be forever glad that she had, as it had been the first step to discovering the amazing young woman inside.

Facing the facts, Rita Paris had called a shuttle, plotted her course and dropped herself off at the shuttle stop down the block from the old Paris place. Walking up from the south, she could see the stained glass in the upper windows of the third story, just as she remembered them. The large windows throughout the house were all as she recalled, although the house was white with black trim, which was odd because in her day it had been a pale lime color with dark green roofing. But the steps were still there, the wide porch around the entire front of the house, the same porch swing- here's to craftsmanship.

Eyes filling with tears at the sight of what had and, paradoxically, had not been her family home, Rita wished she could see inside. See the kitchen again, the heart of the home, where she had spent a lot of her formative years either being urged to eat or being fat shamed. And lectured. The hours of lectures she had endured standing silently at attention, while Commander Paris had berated her, analyzing her many and varied flaws.

Never Daddy. The Commander was Daddy only in front of company.

Still, there had been good times, and Rita had always loved the house. Her father had inherited it when his father had died of an unexpected heart attack. Which she hadn't thought of in years, but the thought crossed her mind- could Clifford have killed his own father for the house and contents? He was incredibly proud of it, and it was one of the reasons he was stationed at Starfleet Command- the house was made for entertaining or meetings, small gatherings all the way up to a 300 person house party which Rita had proven on her high school graduation night. 312 to be precise.

Lieutenant Commander Larry Paris was a widower, who had raised his son without a mother, because she had died when the boy was young. Around 4, Rita recalled. Exactly the same age Albert had been when their mother had died. Staring at the house in stark shock, Rita put the pieces together. Commander Clifford Paris genuinely had been a maniac and a sociopath, as Rita had learned over the years. The man had disintegrated her on the transporter pad- accidentally, but through deliberate sabotage, to be fair. Then he'd drugged and kidnapped her to brainwash her of all things. On another occasion he had even tried to poison her. Father of the year he was not. Now, standing outside her old home and seeing it all fall into place, she could truly comprehend just what a monster he had been.

While she longed to see into the house, that was the thing about showing up to your old house after you've been gone a long time. Strangers live there now, and everything is different than you remember it. You are no longer welcome in that place.

Not that, in hindsight, it had ever really been that welcoming to her, as it was her father's home. She just got to freeload there, as he was fond of reminding her.

Producing a small tablet from inside her top, the buxom beauty of a bygone age called for another shuttle to carry her off for some closure.


Arlington was a cemetery for military personnel long ago, and had been adopted by Starfleet as where they interred their heroes. It was a no-fly zone, but she chose her entrance and her path, and took the walk. Clad in her anachronistic gold minidress uniform of more than a century ago, as she preferred. Rita Paris was an anachronism in more ways than one, and she preferred to identify as one. The lost navigator was still Starfleet and made the nod to the pips for rank, as modern personnel couldn't figure out how to read her sleeve rank ribbons. While some onlookers may have thought her in poor taste for reenacting at a solemn monument such as Arlington, the spirit of the 23rd century didn't care. She'd come on a mission, because she had ghosts to visit.

Walking through the miles of neatly ordered white tombstones, she found the one indicated on her miniPaDD, which she had decided she needed to nickname something else. Standing before the chalk white marble tombstone, Rita Paris drew in a sharp breath, then began that one-sided conversation she had counseled Mnhei'sahe Dox to have only days before.

"Hello, Daddy. It's been a long time."

The stone read 'Clifford James Paris CDR 2202-2289'. Beside him was another that read 'Albert Michael Paris CDR 2235-2346'. Beside Clifford was ‘Lawrence Paris LTCDR 2175-2228’. The plot to the other side of Albert was empty. Even in death, her brother got credit while she was overlooked.

"Hello, little brother. I told you I'd always be older than you, and look, here we are.”

“I have to say I’m impressed, Daddy,” Paris began. “I was killed in the line of duty and I didn’t even rate a tombstone. After you were the one who made the arrangements to have me murdered by transporter, in death you couldn’t even afford me that much? Not even a marker in Arlington to commemorate that I ever existed? That’s pretty damned cold.”

“Not that I should be surprised, I suppose.” The girl anachronism began pacing in short, measured steps before the stark and clean white tombstone. “When I was alive you only acknowledged me when you disagreed with me trying to actually live up to the family name and serve with distinction. I know," Rita threw her hands up in the air, "how dare I have ovaries and try to be productive in Starfleet?"

"Because it was a man’s game. To boldly go where no MAN has gone before. Yeah, I got that part. But I’ve got news for you, Daddy- I have boldly gone in so very many different ways that you wouldn’t believe. I’ve been to the edge of the galaxy, traveled in time, jumped dimensions more than once, and despite everything, I’ve done more than survive. I’ve thrived. Despite your best efforts, Daddy.”

“Remember Sonak? Well, you wouldn’t but you’re going to stand in for my father, Clifford, because I’ve got some processing to do, and for once you can’t help but sit and listen to me,” Paris muttered, knowing this was not the same man- yet, in so many ways that mattered, he was. His own daughter had transformed in the exact same transporter accident and was never reassembled into matter, so he had murdered her just as if he had done the deed itself. Clearly he had lived with it just fine. Since the daughter of the dead man couldn't be here to dress him down, her counterpart from another reality would be happy to stand in for 'local Rita'.

“Well, after the time you kidnapped me and tried to literally brainwash me, he and I stayed together. You’d hate him- he has an insatiable curiosity about the universe with no assumption that he knows it all. Calm and logical, yet he can be passionate and intense. His decisions are uncolored by fear, greed, pride or envy. He literally came through time and space just to find me. Brave and strong and determined, he's a genuine hero. So basically the exact opposite of you, Daddy."

"Oh, and he’s not human. One of those ‘darned Vulcans’ you loved to go on and on about. I married him. We’ve got a 5 year plan to finish our current assignment, then come settle down and raise the next generation for a few years while we’re young. Pointy-eared grandchildren, just like you feared, you speciesist bigot.”

“I’m serving starship duty again- it’s a long story and frankly, even dead you don’t have the security clearance, so I’ll not bother telling you. They literally hit me with the ship at warp and that saved my life. Crazy, Right? But true." Rita sighed and looked off wistfully. "Ahh, she’s sleek and powerful and beautiful, and I’m the First Officer. Yes, Daddy, someone was crazy enough to not only let me serve, but lead. Want to know something funny? Any time I have a question, all I have to do is ask, ‘What would the Commander do?’ Then I do the exact opposite of that, which usually means 'don't act like an entitled dick and have some compassion'."

"Oddly enough, my career is going quite well. Thanks for all the lessons in ‘how not to do it' over the years, Daddy.”

Pausing, Paris’ face contorted a bit. “It’s so funny. Even now I can still hear you going on in my head about how I’ll fail soon if I am doing well now. How I should never be out there amongst the stars, how it’s a man’s game, exploring the galaxy. You never believed in me, ever.” Rita sniffled, her anger starting to get the better of her, as the truth began pouring out of her with the tears.

“All those years, scholastic achievements didn’t matter, dance recitals you insisted I go to but never showed up for didn't matter. My track meets you couldn’t be bothered to attend or pretend to care about how I did. And how dare I, HOW DARE I want to go join Starfleet? Follow the family tradition? Be an officer and contribute to a crew? I know, how utterly insane of me, as you told me oh so many times on oh so many occasions. All you ever did was claw me down while I kept getting up and striving harder to please you. Because I bought into the idea that it was possible- at least right up to the first 'arranged marriage' scam you pulled with Yngvig Hoorstman at my sixteenth birthday party."

Now Rita was picking up speed as she spoke, dredging up all sorts of old wounds and irritations. "My birthday is before the fleet casts off in the Ides of March, so every year you could use it as an excuse to invite the rest of 'the boys' and politic. You were never in a single picture with me on my birthday, because you made the wives set it up and the enlisted cater it and the cadets work it and I was just an excuse for more time for yourself, you selfish prick. Because in your eyes the fact that I didn’t have a Y chromosome made me completely and utterly useless to you. A bother, a nuisance you had to protect from herself. And you protected me right into an early grave, you frog-faced failure.”

Tears were flowing now, but Rita was on a roll, and for once she was going to have her say. “Anything Albert did was golden, but I was just never, ever going to be good enough, no matter what I did. You know what? You were wrong, old man. I wasn’t good enough, I was better. Better than you ever gave me credit, that's for damn sure! I still remember you blaming me for Mom’s death. Standing there in the funerarium, with her urn of ashes because you refused to let her be buried, even though you could. Telling me that Mom had died because I was so 'difficult'. Do you have any idea how cruel that was? How I carried that around for yeeeeeeears? How damaging that was to me? And now I figure out you probably killed her too, just like you killed me.”

The tears of rage and sorrow continued pouring out of Rita Paris as the time-tossed officer wagged her finger at the tombstone, a gesture she had learned from the grave’s resident. “You were a terrible father, Clifford. You were a terrible father and a lousy commander, and my children will never know of you. I’ll never tell them what an absolute bastard you were. My children will all feel valued. They will feel like when they try their best, they are good enough. Their accomplishments will be celebrated, not derided. No favoritism. My children will never question that they are all loved, and loved equally, Daddy."

"I don’t think I ever heard you say those words to me… which, I guess I can give you credit there. At least you didn’t lie to me.”

“I’ve seen the future, because I live here now. There is equality, other races are welcomed and celebrated, and it isn’t just a human savior's game out there in space anymore. You and your pack of sexist space cowboys can all burn in hell, because this is what your grandchildren did with Starfleet. They turned it into the dream that the Federation was selling all those years, sending white men out into space hoping to contact more of the same. This is a better world than you and yours ever dreamed of, in the here and now. In this better world, I’ve got some news for you.”

“I am good enough. I am worthy to carry on the family name. I am a line officer of Starfleet, and I honor the uniform a whole hell of a lot more than you ever did. I serve with distinction and valor, and I uplift my subordinates, not work to keep them down so I can benefit like some desk-jockey weasel. I am that dream of Starfleet in our day come to fruition, Commander Paris. Not your bigoted little boys club, but a genuine effort of many worlds and cultures coming together for peaceful exploration and mutual benefit. Your inheritors are far more noble than you ever were, Daddy. Which includes your little girl Rita.”

Taking a moment to compose herself, her emotional energy spent, Rita mopped at her damp cheeks and took a deep, cleansing breath, letting her churned up emotions settle once again. “Good talk, Daddy. We should have done this years ago."

"You could never see me for who I was, and you never recognized who I’d become despite you. So enjoy your footnote in the family album, where both you and Albert apparently accomplished entire lifetimes of a whole lotta nothing. Me, I’ve got first contacts to make and people to rescue and phenomena to explore and space to travel. I’ve already had a more illustrious and interesting career than you ever did, and I’m only getting started. Goes for you too, you obnoxious jerk,” she added, flipping off Albert’s tombstone.

“So don’t expect any more visits- you are a part of my past I have been done with for decades now. You were a petty little shitbird of a man who amounted to nothing, and frankly, I’m… I'm..."

"I’m glad you’re gone. There. I said it."

"I’m glad I’ll never have to worry about rounding a corner and running into you, or getting a message from you about some promising new officer you want to marry me off to, or how much of an embarrassment I am to you. You’re the embarrassment, Daddy- you never deserved that uniform, you disgraced it. So enjoy watching me from whatever afterlife you ended up in. Because that’s all you’ll ever get to do. As I succeed and achieve, you’ll have nothing to say, like always.”

“Burn in hell, Daddy. Say hello to Albert while you’re there.”


Walking out of the vast cemetery could take time, but she had time. Rita liked to walk and think, if she wasn't running and thinking, as it helped her process- always had. Sonak said it created equilibrium in the balance between her mind and her body, thus enabling her to achieve a harmonious blend of logic and emotion that he found sublime. Thinking of her logical spouse brought a smile to her face. As she had wanted to do some things alone, he thus planned to visit Starfleet Science and perhaps the Academy. They were to meet for dinner at a yet to be chosen location, the alien astrophysicist being willing to indulge his nubile navigator's impulsive nature.

A life of adventure amongst the stars she had sought, and achieved, beyond her wildest dreams. A man far greater than any she had ever conceived of existing adored her, appreciated her, celebrated her and loved her, despite the incontrovertible fact that he had no emotions. A mighty starship was her home, filled with wonders of both artifice and individuals. Serving under a pirate princess gone rogue do-gooder, doing the dirty jobs of Starfleet. All while bringing her outdated morality that was the dream of Starfleet in her day to the equation, and insuring that they did dirty deeds while making choices based on compassion, not fear. Teaching, supporting, exploring and adventuring.

Life, for Rita Paris, was an adventure. With the intuition native to all heroes, she strongly suspected that her life would always be thus, and the thought made her smile all the more brightly. That winning smile that was unmistakable and unforgettable. The family name she'd keep- after all, it was hers, and she'd pass it on if the kids wanted to use it, not force it on them if not. The life she had led as a child simply didn't have to matter to the adult. Daddy dearest was long since worm food, and it was time the Starfleet officer, whose accomplishments by far outstripped anything her father had ever dreamed of achieving, forgot about him and moved on.

Before she left the land of the dead, the woman who graduated 32nd in her class from Starfleet Academy, class of 2255, had one more stop to make.

To see an old friend.

The statue was impressive- clad in one of those uniforms that had come along about a decade after she'd left, that the fleet apparently stuck with for decades afterward. She'd hoped the statue would be the dashing young captain she'd remembered, but this was a stouter man with longer hair, a communicator in one hand while his other hand pointed toward the stars. The legend inscribed on the base was a quote:

Some people think the future means the end of history. But we haven't run out of history just yet.

There was a monument with a tasteful reflecting pool, and a mausoleum that housed his body, which had been recovered in 2371, although he had been declared killed in action in 2293 on the Enterprise B. Busy year for him.

Circling around, she took in the tasteful monument to a fellow she'd gone to school with, who saved her and 5 others of his 'bridge crew' from flunking out of the Academy by beating the Kobayashi Maru. She'd kept up with his career, of course. Because she was a line officer and it was fleet business, she'd read the reports of the Enterprise's exploits, keeping up with him as he took command of the Enterprise and drove the famous starship out for the most memorable five-year mission of them all.

They'd not been close, because they ran in different circles. She rebuffed him only once, and he took it gracefully and never asked her again. Although that smolder and that smile and those eyes were hard for any woman to resist, and he knew it. He was handsome and charming, and he'd been a good classmate her four years at the Academy.

This wasn't the same man that she had known. But it was A version of him, and visiting with the dead, they didn't quibble with quantum reality differentials.

"Hi Jim... long time, no see..."

Laying the decorative plate into the gift box, Enalia nodded in satisfaction. She'd finished thinking over what had happened, processed everything, gone over all the reports, and even had time for a cup of tea since she'd gotten out of that fecking awful radiation treatment vice. Now she just needed to find a trio of friends and apologize to them, starting with her first officer.

"Computer, where is Commander Paris?"

With a chirrup the computer replied. =^= Commander Paris is on E deck in the forward pod lounge. =^=

"Thanks. Now to hope she stays there long enough for me to get there." Enalia grinned wryly as she tucked the gift box under one arm, knowing how fast the Commander could get across the ship.

=^= Records indicate she has not changed location for seventeen minutes and is alone, =^= the computer offered helpfully.

"That means she's about to start moving or going to stay there a while... Thanks again." Not wasting any more time, just in case, Enalia headed out the door and towards the nearest turbolift. Once inside, it was a simple command to get it moving in the right direction, but as it had to work it's way through the ship the long way, it was the longest turbolift ride on the ship.

Eventually she did get there though - Intel pod, E deck. Right between the labs and the lounge. Quickly tugging down on her uniform top, she strode into the lounge and looked out at the view across the top of the ship and inside the Ceres Intel Base. They weren't real windows, but the holographics were impeccable so to normal vision you couldn't tell the difference.

"Quite the view, isn't it?" she asked as she walked up to the table Rita was at. "Do you mind if I join you?"

"Not at all... it's your ship, Captain," Rita looked up in surprise, but took it in stride. She'd come up here to the reasonably remote part of the starship visited by few save for Yeoman Dedjoy, to collect her thoughts for a bit and try to plan in the mire of chaos that seemed to be their lives. But it was good to see the Captain out and about the starship. "Doc finally let you out for good behavior?"

Sliding into one of the chairs at the table, Enalia set the gift box in front of Rita. "Yeah, finally. I was in there for what? Three days? Remind me never to try out any experimental time ships again."

"Yeah, I'm supposed to be the daredevil pilot, right?" Rita joked, as both women had been pilots willing to take incredible risks in their day, and now that both were command level, neither tended to see much piloting anymore.

The spotted captain then motioned to the box. "This is for you. You apologized for yelling at me while I was in the clamps of torture but... A lot of what you said was right and I need to make amends for that. Under an alien influence or not, those feelings are there whether I like them or not. I need to settle my issues with my family and it's going to take skills and things I'm frankly not very good with."

"What I'm trying to say is that I'm sorry. I shouldn't have crossed that line, influence or no."

There was silence for a moment as the pinup-girl of the past stared out the virtual viewport to compose her thoughts. When she spoke, it was earnest and from the heart, a bit more casually direct than she would speak if others were about. "I crossed lines too, Captain. I... worry about Dox. I've seen what it does to you when we get involved with piracy, and it worries me that she'll follow in that path. She'll be a great officer someday... and it makes me feel as though we're competing for her heart. Serving in Starfleet, piracy represents her smuggler's past, that she ran away from to join Starfleet. Just like you," Rita looked Enalia in the eye.

"You worked so hard to get away, yet you started indoctrinating one of your junior officers at the first opportunity, and it worried me, Enalia," Rita said quietly. "I was worried that she'd been a party to a trio of assassinations you had ordered in the brig of the ship, and that it was going to be the end of her career. I overreacted... but the danger to Dox was genuine. I love the Baroness, but as non-Starfleet she might have gotten some leeway, but on your orders it endangered you too. This whole affair... I worry, Captain. I worry a lot."

"I worry all the time too, but I'm determined to get through it as a Starfleet Captain. Also, for the record? I didn't intend for those men to be killed. Schwein is normally very good at intimidation and she can usually get what she wants out of people without resorting to violence. Her torture implements are actually antique Klingon cooking utensils. The Collector on the other hand... I'm glad his base was raided before she got anywhere close to Risa." Enalia sighed softly. "As for our Dox... She has ties to my family and this was my way of giving her an avenue to reconnect with all the refugees she helped growing up. I worry too, but she's got to make those decisions on her own. We can only guide her so far."

"So in order- yes. I could see that's all Baroness planned to do, and she did it well. In hindsight I can see it all, but at the time..." Sighing deeply, Rita shook her head. "Is this what it's going to be like being parents? Raise them, teach them, guide them, then you have to trust in them to make the right decisions?"

"That's what I'm told." Enalia stared out at the other ships docked with them for a few moments before continuing. "Even if they make mistakes, we have to be there for them. Help them find where they went wrong and help them find the right path and remember that the right path for them might not be the path we chose for them."

The spotted woman then pointed to an angular science ship the same hull color as the Hera with a donut-shaped outer saucer and a smaller inner saucer with sweeping nacelles trailing behind it. "Like that ship right there. That's one of the new Intel science ships. I'm told it'll have systems we haven't even dreamed of yet but command is using our mission reports to build it from the ground up. We're helping them find the right path even though no one knows what it is yet. We just have to hope for the best."

Enalia took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "And I just realized I'm horrible at analogies. Open your present. My wife is great at analogies."

"You really didn't have to get me a present, Enalia," Rita objected politely. "It's very sweet, but wholly unnecessary." Opening the box and looking inside, the face of the lost navigator warmed as she took in the sight, then she carefully reached in and fetched out the wooden plaque. Embossed upon it was the legend 'FRIENDS', with the inscription below it which read, 'A friend knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words'.

Blinking back tears, Rita nodded. "Yep. That's why... yeah, that's pretty much..." Eventually all she could manage was an emphatic nodding. "That's... that's on target right there, Captain Telvan."

"Thank goodness." Enalia relaxed into her chair even further, relieved that the present was well received. "If I didn't have you and Maica, I would be completely lost right now."

"I think you don't give yourself credit, Captain. But thank her for me, please. This is lovely and I will treasure it. This one's for the quarters, on my wall of sentiment." Rita beamed a smile at it. She loved the message, and wood reminded her of Earth on a starship of metal and plastic and polymers.

"Speaking of sentiment, funny thing. Our little friend, the sliver of the Titan that we herded home? They left me a gift. The file of my old office is still in the holodeck," Rita explained. "I replicated a model of my old Exeter and the Farragut from the hologram for my modern office. It took my memories of the place and made them solid here. I don't know if they did it intentionally or not, but it's kind of remarkable for me. A connection to my past in a universe that we paradoxically caused to never come into creation, yet here I am, the impossible Earth girl."

Looking to Enalia, Rita laid her hand over the other woman's spotted hand. "I will try to keep you grounded, and I will try to navigate a clear course for you. I'll be your sword and shieldmaiden- I will defend your starship inside and out. I'll help you get through the battle for your own independence, and we'll do it without violating our Starfleet oaths. I will remember that underneath all that swagger and seeming omniscience is still an all-too mortal woman, frail as the rest of us. Just like me," Rita offered frankly. "We keep one another balanced, Captain. That seems to be why this works. I... will respect that I have to let them make mistakes, and that I cannot be quick to judge. Emotion must be tempered by logic."

"I swore I'd serve, and that I'd do my best. Five year mission, ma'am... this is the part where we say goodbye to Earth," Rita said wistfully. It was a paradox about the spacefarer that she strove to explore the stars, yet yearned for her homeworld, beloved in her heart. "I'll see it again in the year 2400 when I've got a date with destiny. So now, let the stars be my destination."

"Well said, Commander Paris. Well said." Enalia reached out and gave Rita's hand a squeeze as they looked out over the broad and graceful saucer of the USS Hera. "To wherever those in need cry out, that's where we'll go. And to our oaths we'll hold true."

"I will tell Kodria Mizu, eighty-something years into the future, that you work out a way to call for help, and you wait, and you don’t give up hope. Because there are people out there who spend their lives answering those calls for help in the darkness when all seems lost, people like Starfleet," Rita patted the captain on the shoulder. "When she found herself all alone and in need of help, she called out into the darkness, and she didn't give up hope. Who should show up but Starfleet. Because we're the good guys, you and me and this amazing crew of mad diversity of yours."

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Captain. You lead, I'll follow, and she'll fly straight and true for you, on my honor as your officer, first amongst them." Rita nodded. "Oh! I bought something. I don't imagine it's a pet for you, but Maica will probably adore it. Computer," Rita called out to the overhead. "Please beam in My Little Fuzzball."

There was the hum of the transporter, and on the table before them a tribble appeared, cooing and purring curiously.

"It's just a robot, basic programming, apparently they are kid's toys for parents who want a hypoallergenic pet who still looks organic. But it trills and rolls around. It can't climb walls, and you're welcome for that because I thought that might be a bit too close to the real thing. But I ran across them in a shop in San Fran so I got one for you. Kind of a memento of our first real adventure together."

"Oh ho!" Enalia picked up the little fuzzball and started petting it, setting off a pleasing cooing sound. "I actually thought about getting you a live neutered one before Maica suggested the plate instead. Thank you. I'll treasure it always."

For several long moments the only sound was the cooing of the tribble toy as Enalia pet it. "Hey... If it comes down to it... My mother is likely to demand a duel between starships. If so, I can't use the Hera. Would you be my first officer and tactical officer aboard my old ship?"

Without hesitation, Rita Paris replied. "I will.. but only so long as you swear to me you aren't going to kill her. Plain and simple. I'll stand on your bridge in my golden oldie uniform and I'll show her tricks she never dreamed of and we'll make her regret ever raising an objection to your wishes. But when it's over, she lives. She has to. Because we're Starfleet, and otherwise the cost to you is too great, and I won't be a party to that." Eyeing the spotted corsair, the career Starfleet gal offered her hand. "Deal?"

"You know she's not going to..." Enalia paused, her hand half way to Rita's, her eyes narrowing. "Wait a second... You know something, don't you? Kodria did tell you something. That's why she was so nervous meeting me. Alright, but she's not going to make it easy." Finishing the handshake, Enalia eyed her first officer warily.

"This was the first time she'd ever met you. How much do you want to know?" Rita laid it on the table- if her Captain wanted to know, she'd tell her all of it. As far as she was concerned, all but one small piece of the future could tend to itself.

"Honestly, I wish I didn't know that you knew. With as much plotting as I do, I'd rather it be on my terms. After all, the future isn't... But the future has called me on my fecking viewscreen on my fecking bridge and walked into my fecking ready room more than once..." Giving a groan of defeat, Enalia buried her face in her hands and went back to petting her new tribble friend.

"It's okay, Cap'n," Rita offered soothingly. "If I don't have to tell you then I won't. If it's the only way to get you to listen and avoid catastrophe, I'll use it," Rita admitted. "But really, she's just worried because if you kill your mother you become her, and the joy in your life is just gone after that. Kodria didn't want that for you, and neither do I."

"So we play this by the book, and you and the Baroness cook up a way we can win without fatalities, and I will be very discriminating about my targeting to insure that we do not destroy but disable. After all, if we blow out her shields she can't refuse you a face to face duel then, because you can beam over. I'm confident we can do this, Captain. And I'll be right there for you the whole way. You can beat her, we can win your freedom and we can walk away clean. I know we can." If nothing else, Rita's enthusiasm and conviction were somewhat reassuring. After all, the impossible tended to somehow become merely improbable when she was around.

Enalia nodded and furrowed her brow. "Then it's time I taught you her playbook so we can prepare for it. Then prepare for her counters to our preparations. She won't use transporters - she'll use ramming style boarding actions and field disruptors. We may both use rebuilt Miranda class ships, but hers has a lot more Klingon tech while mine has a lot more Federation allied tech. She'll be ruthless yet cunning. If she pulls back, it'll be to lure us into a trap. If she presses her attack, it'll be to push us into a trap. If she boards us, it'll be to set a trap."

"That's the basics... I'll send you replays of several of her battles later." Enalia held up one finger and waggled it in the air. "She's one of the only people that I believe could have beaten the Kobayashi Maru scenario without any sort of cheating at all and I bet you she would have started it by ramming the first Klingon ship with tractors at full hard enough to knock it into the second. Then dropped half her shields to beam all those survivors up using everything they had, even the cargo transporters. After that, she would have likely used the derelict ship as a shield and finished them off piecemeal while they finished the rescue before blowing up the freighter for good measure."

"Then we'll simply have to be smarter, ma'am. Fortunately, I happen to know one of the smartest men alive, and he is kinda fond of me, so he'll likely have a brilliant insight or two. But I will definitely study her playbook, and we'll outsmart her, ma'am. I've beaten plenty of opponents who were smarter or stronger or simply outclassed me over the years with a little planning, a little luck and a lot of improvisation when it all goes wrong. We'll beat this one too, you watch and see." Paris spoke from a position of absolute confidence- this was not a woman who had raised and intimidated her for the entirety of her life. This was just another space pirate too clever for her own good, who needed to be taken down a peg or two, and the Captain needed confidence for this. So from her First Officer, confidence is what she'd get.

For her part, Enalia could only hope and pray that they had luck on their side as well, but having Rita on her side was a blessing all on its own. Right now she had hope that they could actually win this. Smiling hopefully, she reached out and hugged her first officer. "Thank you. You have no idea what your strength means to me."

"Yes I do, Captain," Rita whispered, holding the trill captain. "We're gonna win this- you, me and our merry crew of not-pirates along with your own personal pirate. We're going to win you your freedom and you'll live on your own terms without argument. You'll have children when you decide and name your own successors and juggle both lives. You can have it all, and you will. I'll see to it personally."

While in truth Rita had no idea how she would make good on that promise, as usual, she'd figure it out. Meanwhile, the captain needed to believe it in the here and now. Rita Paris would give her something to believe in- hope.

It had been a tumultuous shore leave, filled with exciting adventures, emotional reunions and bittersweet memories. It had also nearly gotten the Baroness von Alcott killed, although it had ended with a positive result- it seemed the Baroness and the god of thunder, The Mighty Thor, were indeed hitting it off. Which meant that sometime in the near future the Baroness would be leaving the Hera for a new life amongst the Aesir.

With an eye to that development and her need to reassure herself about the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of those closest to her who seemed to endure more than mortals were meant to bear, the all-too human Rita Paris had come to call upon the pirate adjutant of whom she was quite fond, and going to miss terribly when she left. But her life was moving in a positive direction, and while the Baroness had never breathed a word of it, Rita had sensed that she was lonely and despaired of ever finding a man who could withstand her genetically augmented strength and endurance. Her current beau more than measured up, so there was a potential happy ending in sight for her.

The fact that it would tear apart the Pirate and the Prinzessin was another matter. But Rita hoped it would solidify relations with the Asgardians at least, and love was something one could not be selfish about. Thus she stood once more outside the quarters of the silver-haired supersoldier, to spend some time with her before she departed soon for her new life. Pressing the door chime, the gold-clad commander waited for the response.

"Ja! Enter!" called the silver haired pirate, whom was sprawled out on her couch and grinning like some love struck teenager. She was once again wearing her usual blue and silver Baroness garb and eyepatch and a pair of half filled mugs of mead were sitting on the coffee table.

"Well, you look back to your old- no, scratch that, you look better than I've ever seen you. Why Baroness, you are practically glowing!" Rita commented as she entered, a bag draped over one arm and one of those million-watt smiles spreading across her face. She'd never actually seen the Baroness full-on happy, and it was a bit of a delight for the cheerful commander to witness.

Schwein rolled her head to look at Rita and grinned wider. "I feel wunderbar. Thor came by and we spent the night together talking and snuggling and we drank mead together..."

"Because he can Bifrost onto vessels moving at warp because it's magic, or technology sufficiently advanced blah blah blah. Well, the structural integrity field generators work well, because no one complained. I think they are reinforced in the VIP cabins, but I really cannot keep track of all that. Look at you, you punchy pirate," Rita stepped in to place her fist alongside the arm of the swashbuckling supersoldier and noodged it off.

"I'm happy for you and sad for us because you'll be leaving us. I mean, you're sticking around for the tribunal at least,l right? If ever she needed you she'll need you then. We all will. You'll be here, won't you?" Paris fairly pleaded with the cybernetic corpsman.

"Ah sheizer..." Sitting up, Schwein lost her good mood and became instantly worried. "With all the duel and wedding plans I have completely forgotten about it... Freyja wants to test my mettle soon and Odin is rallying the Valkyries for something that even Thor does not know of..."

"Uh uh uh... you still have a commitment here, Baroness. I'm not going to lecture you about commitment and honor, duty and loyalty. I daresay you understand those principles better than I," the Starfleet siren admitted. "But you can't leave us yet. Freya can want what she wants, you still have a duty to see through here. The Tribunal. The Captain cannot see her way through this without you there. Dox will help, but she doesn't know the players, the lay of the land, who's in with whom. She'll be all alone out there, and she's not a politician. Von Alcott, a lot is at stake for more people than just the Prinzessin. This is all of us in, because sink or sail we're in this together."

"What about you?"

"Ja, I have to be here. Asgardian things take ages anyway. I would like to confer with another of her former Lieutenants though. If you would permit another pirate aboard?" Schwein looked up with hope in her one uncovered eye.

"Thank you, Baroness. That's a huge load off my mind, and I was hoping that would be the case. Thank you, thank you," It was clear that this had been weighing heavily on the mind of the buxom bombardier, evidenced by the relief on her face. With then turned to something of a smile of smug smartassery. "Another pirate, eh? You have to train your replacement, don't you? Because she still needs an attache to the Artans."

"All right, you know the rules- she's your responsibility. You clean up after their messes, you are responsible for his words, deeds and actions and it is your responsibility to teach them the art of being a pirate attache in Starfleet and working with the old-fashioned fleeter." Rita took a half-bow. "Who are they?"

"Baroness Sarika 3rd class. The Prinzessin and I rescued her on my first mission out together from Syndicate slavers. She became our science officer aboard the Manticore." Schwein looked up at Rita suddenly worried. "Ah, she's a much more... Cheery fraulein... Despite how she dresses. She's also a perfect marksman and her cybernetic arms will be full of weapons."

"I have seldom found you to be anything less than cheerful, Baroness. Aye, bring her aboard, better she learn from you while you are here and learn who we are under duress so that she'll know our mettle. Now, all of that aside, I have a couple of gifts for you. Call them early engagement presents, or souvenirs of a sentimental old sot who doesn't want you to forget us."

Reaching into the bag, Rita produced a wooden box. Removing the lid, she pulled out an ancient sailing ship that was contained within a glass bottle with a mouth too small for the ship to have passed through it. The lid reversed to form a stand for the bottle for display purposes. "This is a ship in a bottle, an art form practiced by some of my people that involves building a miniature ship model inside a bottle. It would be simple with replication technology, but this is hand crafted the old-fashioned way. It's an antiquity to remind you of your pal the antique. I found it in Dox's grandparents junk, and I thought it might be something you would appreciate."

"Oh my goodness..." Schwein took the bottle and stand and gingerly carried them over to her one shelf which she had a few small knick-knacks on and settled it into the center next to a picture of her, Enalia, and a few other strangely dressed people. "Danke schoen. I will treasure this."

"You go run off and marry a god, I need to make sure you remember us little people," Paris replied. "Which is why I also got you... well, she ship's computer replicated it for me when I asked, but still..." Rita produced a small round base, larger than her palm. Triggering the device, a holographic representation flickered into being of the USS Hera in all of her top-secret glory. "The old ways and the classics are important, but it's just as important to remember the living and those still here for you... even when you are far away."

"I'm the sentimental sort, Baroness. I like seeing where I've been so that I know where I'm going. I thought that might be something for you to consider as you go through the trials ahead- you have a whole ship full of 'Fleeters back here cheering you on, ready to drop it all on your say-so and come a-running, schnell!" Rita added. A word or two in German was easy enough for her somehow, yet she still couldn't tell you the word for making haste in Vulcan.

"Oh my! Is so tiny and cute and wunderbar!" Schwein accepted the small hologram as well, placing it next to the old ship in a bottle before turning back to Rita, happy tears in her eye. After a bit of a pause she decided to go in for a hug, easily lifting the golden clad chrononaut off her feet and spinning her around. "Danke. You hast been truly a great friend through all of this. And I was wondering... Will you be my maid of honor? You'll get to keep the spear."

Laughing gaily at being effortlessly spun about by the jubilant pirate, Rita was all smiles and surprise. "Me? I am deeply flattered and honored, Baroness, but what about the Prinzessin, would she not be offended to not be your second?" Unless bridesmaids had changed a lot through the centuries this was one duty Rita knew pretty well. Although participating in an Asgardian wedding did sound intriguing to say the least, and it would most likely be a very exciting affair.

"Who do you think is walking me down the aisle?" Schwein grinned wider, having already planned that part out.

Rolling her eyes, Rita groaned. "Thaaaat I shoulda seen coming. Then yes, Baroness, I am flattered and deeply honored, and I will be there to serve as your shieldmaiden for your wedding to a teutonic god. Sounds pretty funny when you phrase it like that," Rita chuckled. "So you gonna put me down now that I agreed or are you planning on toting me around the ship like this all day?" the career fleeter girl asked with a twinkle in her eye.

"Excellent!" The augmented human pirate spun the 'fleeter around again before setting her down and releasing her. "Now I have a gift for you."

Running off into her bedroom, she opened an antique wood trunk bound in durasteel banding with a creak. It was even locked with what looked like a keyed padlock from an ancient sailing vessel. Moving a few trays around inside, Schwein found what she was looking for and gingerly carried it back to Rita.

"This..." she began, uncovering the long, thin, velvet wrapped object with great care. "Is my first pirate blade. Ze Prinzessin reached out to me, offered me this knife, and told me 'Come with me if you want to live.' After you saved my life, I want you to have it as a token of my gratitude."

While her instinct was to point out that the Baroness had saved herself, Rita had only helped, she realized that protesting diminished the gift and would be rude. While the pirate was as sentimental as the soft-hearted sailor of the stars if not moreso, that meant that this was one her greatest treasures. So, eyes wide with surprise, she accepted the blade gingerly from the Baroness, then unwrapped it gently, exposing the blade. "Baroness, I don't know what to say.... are you sure? This is something very precious, irreplaceable... like you."

Tears welled up in the eyes of the Starfleet siren as she smiled at the bombastic buccaneer.

The silver haired woman nodded solemnly. "Ja... I have no greater gift for the one that restored my will to live."

"You honor me, Baroness. I will treasure this by displaying it in my office, where one of these days it's liable to save my life. Just like the woman who gave it to me." Rita realized in that moment just how much she was going to miss the loyal pirate who had so good-naturedly taught her the basics of swordplay and accepted her as an equal, despite her inherent distrust of 'fleeters'. The woman who had taken a knife to the guts to stop the summoning of a demon, yet had fought off Death herself when her princess had called for her to return.

"If all pirates were like you, Schwein," Rita admitted, actually using the woman's first name she abhorred so much, "I'd have to quit Starfleet and join."

"And if all 'fleeters were like you, I'd have to apply for a commission." Schwein grinned.

Walking down the corridors of Deck 8, Lieutenant Mnhei'sahe Dox was a little nervous. Nervous was, of course, her natural state. But in this instance it was because she was on her way to meet with Death. Not an abstract, metaphorical concept, but the literal manifestation of Death itself, currently taking up residence in guarded and shielded VIP quarters on board the U.S.S. Hera. Underneath Dox's arm was a small covered tray of Sushi she had prepared by the officer's mess just in case the ships replicators hadn't quite gotten the delicacy right.

It was just days ago that Death was still unnaturally bonded to the Baroness Schwein von Alcott. It was a bonding began over a month ago, causing the both of them to become corrupted and dark. But after a pitched conflict involving the ships other resident Deity, the Goddess Hera and the God of Thunder Thor, the two were separated and Death appeared to be herself again. A self that Dox found to be quite a lovely person.

As she approached Death's quarters, she stopped to address the two security guards stationed outside by the new head of security, Commander Rita Paris. The pair of gold clad young women stood at strict attention and looked more than capable of handling any threat that came to that door. However, this was not an unannounced visit and Dox and her care package of Sushi were expected. The taller of the two security officers was a human woman, a solid 6 inches taller than Dox and had broad shoulders and short cropped brown hair. "Good evening, Lieutenant."

The security officer didn't smile or break attention, but it was a pleasant greeting, nonetheless. Dox replied to the two ladies. "Thank you Ensign Jenkins." Then nodded to the other woman, a slightly shorter young Bajoran. "Ensign Nayarr."

Then Dox addressed the door. "Computer, unseal hatch of VIP quarters number 14. Authorization Dox, M. Lieutenant. Access code 795-X9E." With a chirp, the computer replied. =^=What is you Mother's House Name?=^=

Replying, Dox answered. "House t'Aan." With another chirp, the door slid open with a woosh and the security officers stepped to the side. Dox nodded as she stepped in, "Thank you."

Stopping to stand at the entrance as the door hissed shut behind her, she introduced herself as Death was waiting across the room. "Azreal? It's Mnhei'sahe."

The entity of Death, now that she was back to her old self and not having the influence of a forced bond, the Puppetmaster, or being chased by angry yakuza spirits, was relaxing in meditation, having laid down a spirit sand pit in the middle of the quarters she'd been assigned and hovering over them in a cross-legged Buddha pose as she used her reaper sight to study the nature of life and death across the universe.

At the sound of entry, she came back to herself and opened her eyes and smiled. "Mnhei'sahe? Hey! How are you doing?"

Glad to see her friend back to normal, Dox smiled back warmly. "I'm good, thank you. I wanted to come and see how you were doing. And I come bearing gifts." She held the covered tray up high.

The pale woman's eyes went wide. "Is that sushi?" Pulling an ornate glass bottle out of her coat, she uncapped it and sucked all the spirit sand back into it before lowering her feet back to the floor and tucking the bottle back away. "I haven't had good sushi in... ah... I guess it's been at least three hundred years. When a puffer fish chef challenged me to a duel."

Tilting her head slightly as she watched the unusual display, Dox smiled a quirky little half grin. Such displays that were fantasy to the red-headed Romulan pilot we're becoming almost expected the longer she served on the Hera.

"Yeah. I asked the chef in the officers mess make some real stuff. I didn't know if the replicators would do it justice, thought I admit I have no metric as I've never had it before. So, I hope it's good." Dox laid the tray down and uncovered it to reveal a colorful display of the small rolled fish and rice treats, with a set of chopsticks and a container of sauce.

"How are you recovering? Has your memories filled back in? Dox asked with authentic concern. After the initial separation, Death was extremely disoriented and her memories of the time in which she was bonded to Schwein seemed spotty at best.

Death looked over the delicious tray appreciatively and expertly picked up a set of chopsticks. "I believe so, for the most part. I... Have some amends to make... And some apologies... Not the least of which is to you." Poking Dox in the sternum with the chopsticks, she continued. "You now carry with you a burden you wouldn't otherwise have because of me. You and Schwein von Alcott both."

"Well, I have a lot of help carrying burdens, these days, so I'll be okay. But I appreciate it, thank you. As for making amends, in regards to me, you don't have to do anything." Dox smiled as she spoke, still standing at the table.

"What happened to bond you to Schwein was unnatural, as I understand it. As a result, the longer the two of you were connected, the more the effect changed you both. As a result, none of us were quite ourselves. So, don't worry about me in that regard. I can't say, regarding Schwein, however."

"And then there's that Angel in Gold..." Picking up one of the pieces of sushi, Death poked it in her mouth and chewed, purring as she savored the flavors. "Oh, I love eel... Is this from Rigel?"

The anxious aviatrix smiled, happy that her offering was being well received. "I actually didn't, ask. I just deferred to the chef and asked them to make the best variety of sushi they could come up with. But I'm glad you're enjoying it."

Moving back to Death's previous comment, Dox thought for a second before continuing. "Commander Paris still can't see or hear you, so I can do my best to relay any messages you'd like."

The pale woman munched on another piece as she spoke, her chopsticks waving in the air. "Then please relay to her that I can't read her timeline. When she passes it's going to have to be one pretty traumatic festival. I'm guessing she's not from this universe and another Death is supposed to be responsible for her but is no longer connected."

"I'll tell her, thank you." Dox smiled, watching her enjoying the sushi. She reminded herself to try some the next time she was in the officers mess as it smelled quite good. "Has the room been okay? Is there anything else I can get for you the next time I stop by?"

"The room is fine. Please bring more food though. There's no one feeding me in this place and it's not like I can walk down to the nearest convenience store and snag something." Picking up one of the fancy tuna sushi, she dipped it in the soy sauce and noshed on it like a starving woman at an all you can eat banquet.

"Absolutely. I can always stop in when I'm not on duty. In the meantime, you... uh... I didn't think about it, but does the replicators not respond for you? As she spoke, Dox thought that Death might simply be looking for some company and she was still standing at the table in 'officer' mode.

Dox gestured to the chair opposite. "Do you mind?"

The pale woman gesticulated at the chair as if she'd forgotten about them even existing. "Please! I am sooo sorry. I'm so used to no one seeing me unless they're about to die... Do you want some uh..." She looked around for something she could offer her guest. "Chair? I have chair and table to offer... And what's a replicator?"

"Uh, it's okay." Dox chuckled every so slightly. "I'm awful at socializing, so I tend not to know how to do this either."

Dox walked over to the replicator in the wall behind them, called up the on-screen menu and pushed the button for a hot tea and seconds later, a hot tea materialized. "It responds to verbal commands, but the screen interface might work better if it can't hear you. But from this menu, it can create pretty much anything you might want to eat or drink."

Dox picked up her tea and took a sip. "Would you like something to drink? It doesn't do alcohol, by the way. Only synthol, which tastes... close... but won't get you drunk."

With a tempura sushi hovering millimeters from her mouth, Death stared at the magic hole in the wall like she'd seen a ghost. "That thing... Makes food? Can it make a virgin bellini? I don't really drink but I do like virgin cocktails."

"Absolutely. You just press the button on the menu, which opens up these sub menus until you find was your looking for." Dox stood to the side so Death could watch her. It was slower then just speaking your request out loud, but likely would work better for her. A few seconds later, a virgin Bellini appeared in a shimmer of light.

Walking to the table, Dox placed the drinks on the table and sat down. As she sat down, she began to realize that this woman wasn't exactly the same woman she had met before as the Death that was linked to Schwein liked her drink. A trait likely mirrored from the Pirate Baroness. "Hope you like it. And yeah, the Replicator can make anything, but I'm still happy to come and bring food, if that's okay with you."

Taking a sip of the replicated drink, the pale woman wasn't sure if she should be reviled by it or amazed. "Well, it's obviously rearranged molecules... but impressively so." Sliding into the seat in front of the sushi tray, she slid another into her mouth and chewed. "I have to admit, it's nice to be able to talk with someone that I'm not about to kill. I wouldn't mind some company now and then."

"I'm glad to." Dox replied earnestly. Of all the friends she had made since boarding the Hera, this might be the most unusual, but as she thought, her face shifted to a slightly more thoughtful expression.

"When I woke up in the Sickbay... a few weeks back. When you were sitting at the end of my bed. I know I was really still out of it, so I only kind of remember everything. But, I don't know If I said 'thank you'. So, thank you."

"That event I do remember well. And you're welcome. It wasn't your time so I helped make sure you stayed right where you belonged. I think a few other forces would have had it out for me if I had done anything else, anyway." Nomming on a salmon sushi, Death started almost purring as she scooped up a bit of ginger and wasabi.

Slightly chucking, Dox replied to the slightly cryptic comment. "I do not think I want to know what that means. But I'm glad you're liking the sushi. The officers mess actually cooks food the old fashioned way, so I can grab you something else on my way when I stop in next time. What do you like?"

"Pasta and meat, mostly. Though I haven't had a good wet sub sandwich in ages. I am going to gain so much weight here. My horse is going to be pissed..." The pale woman stuffed another piece of sushi in her mouth and washed it down. "Ugh... Sea urchin... Delicious, but it's definitely an acquired taste that I never acquired..."

"Ha! Well, I'll do what I can." Dox laughed out loud. "Great, I'm going to go down in galactic history as the fat girl that fattened up Death."

Death could only give a snorting laugh at that. "I wouldn't feel too bad. I'm about a tenth of my predecessor, a fat mongoloid man. Well... Technically... Everyone sees something different, but that's who he was. Like me, I'm betting you see me as a familiar Romulan woman? I'm actually Japanese. I killed my predecessor when I was about to slice my neck open in the ah... Eighth century, I think? He walked in, skull peering out of his robes and a scythe in one hand, casually looking at some sort of timepiece and without even thinking, I sliced open his throat instead."

"You never forget the first soul you reap..." Sighing heavily, she poked another piece of sushi into her mouth.

"Wait... so you were... a mortal human once? This is a... job?" Dox sat back in her chair, mildly shocked by the matter-of-fact revelation. "I'm sorry if I'm prying, but what happened? He came to you when you were going to... kill yourself?"

"Yeah..." The pale woman set down her chopsticks and a bit of a shadow crossed her face. "The smallpox epidemic wiped out so many, including my parents and most of our household... Then the Fujiwara no Hirotsugu Rebellion took the rest of my family... I had nothing left and the government was likely going to execute me for my husband's involvement with the rebellion so I was going to try to do the honorable thing."

"Then the current Death came in before I actually committed the act, which is a big mistake. Never do that because that's a good way to lose your job. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as I sliced his neck open, and the rest... Well... I guess is history."

The young Romulan was taken aback. "Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry. I can't even imagine."

Then Doc's face went quizzical again. "So... none of the names you told me sounded Japanese. If you don't mind me asking, what was your name before?"

Death just shrugged it off and finished her drink. "Couldn't tell you. Don't remember it. None of the others like me remember their prior names either, though we all have memories of those lives."

Hanging her head slightly, Dox suddenly felt extremely sad for her friend. While it wasn't exactly the same thing, she herself had only learned what her true name was just months ago now, so the idea hit a little close to home for the anxious young Romulan.

"I am sorry. I know there's nothing I can do, but... if you ever want to just talk about it... I can listen." Dox smiled and shook her head empathetically. "Also, Asa's subbing as ships Counselor and they're really good. And they can totally see and here you too, so you can have two sets of ears at your disposal." She added, trying to lighten the mood.

The pale woman just shrugged it off. "After this long you get used to a few things like only having names that mortals remember as you. I suppose if someone alive remembered who I was before I became Death, I might know that name too, but... Oh well." Not bothered by it, she popped another piece of sushi into her gaping maw.

While Death seemed nonplussed, Dox made a mental note of each detail given of a sixteen hundred year old human life for future reference. But it was clear to the young woman the her strange friend didn't seem to care to dwell on her former life. "Fair enough. But consider the offer an open standing one. Anytime."

"Is that really the sort of thing you're interested in? You don't want to ask about the kinds of people I've reaped or the places I've been?" Death asked right before stuffing the last piece of sushi into her mouth. "Mmmm... spider crab..."

"I'm not not interested in any of that, per say. I mean, I'm sure you've been pretty much everywhere." Dox leaned on her elbows onto the table slightly. "But I'm more interested in you as an individual.

"Like it or not, I think of you as a friend. And I like to know more about my friends. What interests them, entertains then, and what bothers them. That's all." Dox grinned as she spoke. "But I'm also good talking about whatever you'd like as well. I certainly don't want my questions to be the thing that bothers you."

The pale woman set aside her chopsticks and leaned in, studying Dox's face curiously. "Are a lot of modern girls like you? Talking about honest feelings and things like that? I find that fascinating because for the longest time, people seemed to talk about nothing but other people. Some would talk about things like inventions and objects... But now and then you'd find someone that would speak highly of ideals. Some of my favorites were those. Like this Vulcan guy... A follower of Surak. Only person to beat me fair and square in a game and all he wanted was enough time to finish his masterpiece and make preparations for his death, which I helped him do."

Laughing slightly, Dox replied. "I really don't know what 'modern girls' do. My best friends are a woman from over a hundred years in the past and a genderless El Aurian. But, yeah. We all tend to want to know what what's going on in our friends lives."

The pale woman just leaned back in her chair and chuckled softly, a soft smile gracing her features. "Fair enough. So I've never had a friend before. At least not one that wasn't either doing a job as similarly demanding to mine, at least. What kind of things should we talk about?"

Relaxing a bit more, Dox relaxed back in her chair as she spoke. "Well, usually we avoid talking about work off hours and try to focus on stuff like personal interests. Like, you were meditating, it looked like, when I arrived. Is that something you enjoy doing when your not on the proverbial job?"

"Actually, that's part of my job... That meditation, I can see across and through the entire universe." Not explaining further, Death just sat there for a few moments before asking something of her own, something she wouldn't know the answer to by reading the timeline floating above Dox's head. "So uh... What are your feelings on that Hera lady?"

Thinking on it for a moment, Dox replied. "I don't know, really. I mean, she appeared to me as some sort of... beacon when I was beamed into space. We only really talked the once a couple of days ago. I know she and Commander Paris are friends." Dox chuckled slightly. "I honestly couldn't tell if she liked me or not."

"Do you plan on visiting her again then?" Death asked curiously. "She seems like a nice person, after all."

"Yeah, I think so. I'd like to get to know her better." Dox replied.

"That's good. More connections means more resources to draw on later in life." The pale woman smiled and looked into her empty glass. "So... This replicator thing... Let's see if I can figure it out on my own." Standing, she headed over to the magic hole in the wall and set her glass inside and started pushing buttons. Sometimes they responded to her and sometimes the screen just went haywire and had to reset itself. After a minute of this, she just gave up and tried speaking to it. "Computer, virgin bellini. Virgin... Bellini... Vir... Gin... Bell... Ini..." Eventually, the replicator started cycling and spit out a bowl of Cardassian porridge...

"Hnave..." Dox cursed under her breath in Rihan as she stood up and walked over to stand next to death at the replicator. "I hoped that push button interface would work better. The sensors can detect you, but not with enough precision to work effectively." Dox pushed the bowl aside. "Computer, virgin Bellini."

After a second, the drink materialized. "Well, I can set up a menu program for you that will generate set items in a schedule for when I'm on duty for breakfast and lunch. But otherwise, it looks like you'll be having company with your dinners if you don't mind." Dox smiled somewhat awkwardly, hoping the inconvenience wasn't too much.

"I'm used to not eating that often, so it's not that big of a deal. One meal every few days is more than enough for me." Tapping at the controls a bit more, she finally got it to produce something again... This time it was a bowl of feline supplement 47 with strawberries... "Well doesn't that look appetizing..."

Taking her virgin bellini, she just returned to the table and sat back down. "I'll just have to rely on others since this place doesn't like me either."

Sitting back down across from her, Dox felt terrible at the situation. "I'm really sorry about this."

"It's fine. These things happen." Death sipped at her drink and relaxed, brushing it off as she considered dropping a landmine. "The life of a pseudo-ghost. So what do you normally do for dinner? Anyone special you go on dates with?"

Immediately, Dox began to blush as she took a sip of her tea. It had been a few weeks since she had begun realizing she had feelings for her Miradonian flight assistant, Mona Gonadie but she had yet to say anything. "Me? Uh... dates? Yeah, no. Usually I just eat alone in my quarters. Sometimes I go to Ten-Forward or the officers mess, though."

"So are you going to tell her then?" the pale woman pressed.

At which Dox inadvertently snorted tea up her nose as death spoke. Coughing for a second, Dox looked across the table with a slightly goofy, flustered expression as she rambled out an answer of sorts. "Uh... her? What? Her who? No... I mean... I dunno... Maybe... What?"

"Sorry, I read it in your timeline. Your Miradonian friend." Death grinned wider. "Are you going to tell her or not?"

Realizing that pretending she didn't know what Death was talking about was clearly pointless, Dox scrunched her face slightly. "I... I guess. I just.... I made an ass of myself the last time we..." She knew she was rambling and so slowed down and started over.

"We work in the same department, and a few weeks ago I kinda realized that I... liked her... ya' know. But it was at the same time I was going through my first... well... um... I mean..." As she started rambling nervously again, she flipped her head down onto the table. "Ugh... I was horny. I was aggressively horny and apparently I was projecting frickin' pheremomes across the room. Mona... her name is Mona... picked up on it and was flirting. But I don't know if she was just messing with me or not and I'm too scared to ask and find out."

"There's only one way to find out, isn't there?" The pale woman sipped at her drink. "The way I see it, you could potentially make your work environment awkward or regret not saying anything. You have to decide which one you'd rather live with."

Raising her head off of the table Dox moaned. "Work's already awkward since my little fawning session. I'm just being a coward. I know it."

The aspect of Death giggled softly. "Then what do you have to lose?"

"Ugh... nothing, I suppose. Surely not my dignity. That warped out of here a while ago." Dox flumped back in in her chair and took a drink of her tea. "I just have no idea how to do it. Seriously. I have... I have no idea what I'm doing."

Death leaned in and took Dox's hand in one of her gloved hands. "You walk up to her, take her in your arms, and you tell her in the sultriest voice you can that you want to have a candlelit dinner with her, then make sweet, passionate love to her all night long. Simple as that."

Hanging her head, Dox sighed. "Me? I don't..." The young pilot trailed off as she thought. "She'd... She would just laugh at me. They... they always laugh."

"Has she ever laughed at anything you've said in seriousness?" Death pressed further, squeezing Dox's hand.

Rolling her eyes, Dox sighed. "No, but... I don't... people don't.... think of me like that."

Death leaned back in her chair and finished her drink. "Ah, you're right. Who am I to know of such things? I just watch people live their lives and help them pass on. You're right though. I don't know what people think. I can only read their timeline of actions through their life and even most of that isn't clear a lot of the time."

Sighing, Dox conceded defeat. "Point taken. I'll... I'll try. But... I do not have a 'sultry' voice to call upon." She laughed a light chuckle as she raised an eyebrow. "Candlelight dinner?"

"Just do your best. Be romantic." The pale woman winked reassuringly.

Chucking nervously, Dox replied. "Thanks. I will."

It was 1400 hours aboard the USS Hera as Lieutenant Junior Grade Asa Dael approached the holodeck, steps heavy with dread.

Normally an outing to the holodeck would be a fun occasion, or at worse a means to practice valuable job skills. Today had a different goal in mind. One short week ago Asa had been vacationing in Madagascar, enjoying the wind and waves, when they had been set upon by brutal kidnappers. Asa had been snatched up along with a gaseous life form they had befriended and had fought hard to escape long enough to signal to the Hera for emergency assistance. Lieutenant Mnhei’sahe Dox had lept to action like Asa’s own avenging angel and rescued them from the kidnappers while the gaseous creature named Virildi escaped. After emergency surgery, Asa was left with a couple of months light duty and a host of traumatic memories to process.

After a few sleepless nights Asa had sought out counseling via subspace with an old mentor to help process what had occurred. It was uniquely frustrating to need therapy when serving as the ships counselor, but Asa knew that without seeking help for their own problems they would be no good to anyone else. When their counselor had recommended exposure therapy, Asa had simultaneously dreaded it and known they needed to complete the therapy as soon as possible.

However the best part of Starfleet as a whole and of the USS Hera in particular is that no one need suffer or strive alone. The doctor trusted their friends would be there for them, and sent an invite along to Mnhei’sahe to join them on the Holodeck for a swimming trip. Dox knew all the details of what happened to Asa so likely had an inkling this jaunt had more than one purpose, but Asa had not specifically stated their goals when sending the invite. They were hoping against hope that the scenery today would not be problematic, but also knew Mnhei’sahe would be there for them if they fell apart.

Arriving five minutes earlier than Dox to program the holodeck, Asa’s face was set in a grim line of determination. Today would be enjoyable- one way or another.

After a few minutes, the door wooshed open to reveal the red-headed Romulan pilot, walking in wearing canvas sneakers and a Starfleet red sweatsuit with a duffle bag over her shoulder. "Hey, Asa. I'm here."

“Hey Mnhei’sahe!,” Asa greeted their friend warmly, “Ready to go for a dip?”

That said, the doctor took off the Grecian style dress they had been wearing revealing a mid-thigh pair of navy blue swim shorts and a lime green swim tank top. They were blessedly barefoot on the holographic sand and wiggled their toes slightly, digging into the warmth.

The holodeck portrayed a perfect representation of Itafy beach. The gently rolling azure blue waves, the sweetness in the air from local fried dessert vendors, the call of the gulls in the air, the hint of color from the nearby coral reef, and a few spots with beach chairs and towels laid out for guests to enjoy. The air was warm and gave the impression of the Sol system sun beating down on the occupant’s skin.

So far, so good thought Asa, proud of the lack of fear they felt from seeing the beach that had preceded such heartache when last they saw it.

Smiling, Mnhei'sahe knew what was going on. Asa was her best friend and had shared what had happened on the real version of this beach. And being no stranger to trauma, she was prepared to do whatever was required to help her friend. And today, that meant being seen in a bathing suit.

Dropping the bag on the simulated sand, she kicked off the shoes and pulled the sweats off to reveal a far too reveling, tight green one-piece suit. She was blushing slightly, smiling.

“Ooooo nice,” Asa said encouragingly, “Green really is your color.”

While Asa intellectually knew that Mnhei’sahe was shy about her appearance, the young doctor did not fully understand why. In the way of the truly young, Asa felt no shame about their body- save for the occasional zit that popped up- and saw no inherit flaw or cause of shame in their friends. They wanted her to see herself the way she truly was- a unique life full of love and compassion contained in a body strong and healthy. While as an asexual Asa would never really understand attraction based solely on physical appearance, they knew what it was to see the beauty in another’s soul reflected in their body, and Asa found Mnhei’sahe’s soul to be beautiful.

An impish grin appeared on Asa’s face as they made eye contact with Mnhei’sahe. “Last one to the water is a rotten egg!”

Challenge proclaimed, Asa was off running towards the water’s edge, all gangly arms and legs windmilling about haphazardly.

Laughing, Dox broke into a lighter run behind Asa. Under normal circumstances, she would fixate on what her rotund form looked like bouncing back and forth, but that wasn't even a consideration today. Asa's playfulness was infectious.

Without looking behind them, Asa reached the water and attempted a graceful dive in, but wound up belly flopping onto a wave, getting turned over and swallowing a mouthful of simulated seawater before popping up laughing and themself, hair askew in five different directions at once and a strap from their suit falling down.

Wiping water from their eyes, Asa called out, “Min, where’d’ya go?” The nickname was new, but said in a familial tone. Asa had been wanting to try it out for a while and figured might as well screw up all their courage today.

At the shore, Dox was gingerly stepping into the simulated water, testing it's temperature. "I'm coming. It's..." She stood up straight, surprised. "Oh, it's nice."

With a smile, she dove in after Asa, popping up nearby. She knew her chosen Rihannsu name was a mouthful and thought the nickname was charming, but drew no attention to it. "Thought it would be freezing like the academy pools."

“You are clearly woefully uneducated in the glories of a beach!” Asa enthused, “Some beaches have the glorious warm water. Ifafy is one of them, another is Cocoa beach off the coast of Florida, and I believe Trill’s waters are too, but that would be a question for the Captain. I have always wanted to visit there….purple oceans, can you imagine? That would be so cool.”

Ok, Asa, she didn’t balk at the nick name. At some point you’re gonna have to ask her to go with you to that grotto you know. Get brave. the doctor thought.

“Hey, um, Min, I was wondering, if it would be ok, would you swim with me over to the cave where I met Virildi? It’s really pretty and I think you will like it. And….well, and my therapist said it would be good for me to see the grotto is still beautiful and to remember the good things that happened that day. And I really, really don’t want to do that alone,” they concluded, uncertainty coloring their voice.

Smiling as broadly as her chubby cheeks would allow, Dox swam a little closer and said softly. "It's what I'm here for, silly. You're never alone, okay."

“Thank you,” was the heartfelt reply. “It’s just over this way….welllllll, I say just, it’s more like a 45 minute swim, but I go slow. Always loved swimming, was just never that fast at it. I sink like a stone as soon as I quit moving, so I conserve movement. That’s a nice way to say I lollygag, right?”

The doctor concluded with a playful wink. It was an effort to be their former self, but it felt good to laugh and be silly with a friend. Along the swim, Asa stopped here and there to point out colorful pieces of coral or to watch the sea life swirl around them. Every time a fish touched their foot the doctor wound up in giggles from the tickling sensation, and at one point grabbed a handful of seaweed floating nearby and made an impromptu wig atop their close cropped hair for Mnhei’sahe’s amusement.

Soon enough the two had reached a small cave, the interior covered in bio-luminescent vines and flowers glowing softly. It gave the grotto an alien appearance, but it was still beautiful to Asa’s eyes.

“You know, I never looked up what types of plants these are. I don’t figure they are native to the area, I certainly never saw anything else like them. What do you think?”

Looking around at the beauty of the grotto, Dox smiled as paddled in place. "I think you're right. This doesn't look like something from Earth. Not entirely."

Tilting her head, Dox pondered for a moment. "May an effect of your friend, Virildi?"

“It’s possible,” Asa conceded, “We didn’t really get a chance to talk too much about the flora and fauna, but it’s not outside the realm of possibilities they carried some spores or seeds within themselves when traveling. When we were making our escape,” Asa paused after a slight hitch in their voice belied strong emotion, “Virildi picked up some thumbtacks and threw them about, so they had the ability.

“Can you imagine how much Virildi has to share? What knowledge they have? The brief time we had together was so glorious…being joined with another being…I had never imagined. I guess that’s why many humanoids enjoy sex?” Asa asked, slightly blushing at the very idea.

Wading in place, Dox began floating on her back to look up at the grotto. She had gone out of her way to not think about the few minutes she had been merged with the shard of the cosmic entity that formerly inhabited this very holodeck, but it was a strong memory that grew stronger listening to Asa talk. "Yeah... it's... I've only got one experience for each, but for me, sex didn't even come close."

"I'm glad you got to have that experience." Dox continued. "Virildi sounds like they were very special to you."

“Yeah,” Asa said, letting out a plaintive sigh.

“It probably sounds silly, doesn’t it? Getting so invested in someone after knowing them so briefly? I can’t explain it, even to myself. I’ve never felt that way before…I could have spent hours communicating with them, soaking up their stories, telling them what few I have….Even now, I’m looking forward to meeting them again, even if it is in 300 years.”

Asa took a cue from Mnhei’sahe and began floating on their back also, staring up at the glowing ceiling of the cave, “It was all so intense, you know? I didn’t know feelings could be like that. Our friend that used to live in here….do you miss them? What was that like, if you want to share? ”

Dox sighed as she answered. "Yeah, I kinda do. It was only a couple of minutes, but it was amazing to not feel alone in your own body, like that. It was like... it's hard to put into words. The closest think I can think of isn't sex. I guess... I guess it's what being in love feels like."

Suddenly, Dox wasn't thinking of the entity anymore. Instead, she thought of the growing feelings still unspoken between herself and her Miradonian assistant flight chief, Mona Gonadie. She hadn't yet worked up the strength to tell Mona how she was feeling, but that feeling was the closest thing to the sensation of being joined. But what Dox didn't realize was that while she was thinking, the broad, warm smile had returned to her face and she had stopped speaking for a full thirty seconds, just floating there.

Of course Asa couldn’t let a target for shenanigans go without a bit of mischief, so the young doctor walked through the water up to the reclining figure of Mnhei’sahe and ever so gently booped her on the nose. Chicanery aside, Asa resumed floating with a grin and they asked, “So, who were you thinking about just then? Come on, Min, you know all my nonsense, gimme some of yours.”

Snapping out of her thoughts, Dox looked back at Asa. "It's nothing, really. It's probably just me being stupid... but..."

She trailed off for a second. "It's... Ensign Gonadie. I just... I think... I really... like her." Then she righted herself in the water and cleared the water out of her face with a scrunched expression. "It's nothing, right? I'm just being stupid, right?"

With a laugh, Asa splashed Mnhei’sahe playfully.

“No, you aren’t being stupid, silly. It’s great! I mean, she did throw a coming out party for you and played makeover getting you in that green dress. Pretty obvious she likes you too, goofball. So, have you asked her out yet? Stammered in amazement? What stage are we at?”

While the doctor had no firsthand experience with romantic relationships, they had observed classmates first experience with love during the Academy and learned a good deal about the usual course these things took. The doctor also knew a bit more about Mona’s physiology than Mnhei’sahe did, and had surmised that any interest the pilot felt was already detected by Mona’s keen sense of smell. Knowing how Mnhei’sahe was fueled at times by equal part anxiety and frustration, Dael kept that particular detail to themself.

"What? No. No, I've not even told anyone really. Well, Death knew." Dox rolled her eyes with a grin. "SHE said I should just walk up and basically ravish her."

The anxious young Romulan laughed. "Yeah... I don't even know how to just say 'I like you, Mona'."

“Welllllllllll,” Asa considered, “Avian species frequently still rely on displays of plumage. So maybe a gift of something with a lot of color? Or preen for her, like fuss with your hair, or apply makeup while glancing at her? Sorry, I’m really bad at this. I just word vomit all over people everything in my head. Like that. And that. And that,” Asa continued with a grin.

Allowing Mnhei’sahe a chance to think, Asa dove into the water and did a handstand that was ruined by a sudden wave causing them to lose balance and topple over with a splash. Standing up with arms raised, they cried “Ta-da!” as if the whole affair had been planned.

Laughing out loud at Asa's playfulness, Dox was glad that they seemed to not be dwelling on their pain, and if talking about her embarrassing feelings for Mona was helping, then that worked out just fine.

"So, what about you? It sounds like you're still thinking a lot about Virildi? I know it's not exactly a one to one comparison, but it sounds pretty similar to me." Dox grinned mischievously as she spoke.

After a longing gaze to where Virildi had first appeared, Asa shook off the remembrance with a sigh. Flopping back to lay in the water, Asa began to swim towards the cave exit.

“Come on, let’s talk and float. The sun is setting and I always wanted to see the stars at night from the ocean. I hear you can see the whole Milky Way from the Sol night sky, and I was always around too much light pollution to enjoy it in person before.”

Once the pair had made their way outside the grotto, Asa lay on their back floating gently and responded, “Yeah, I think about them. Probably nothing will ever come of it though. After all, our lives aren’t exactly compatible, are they? They want to roam the stars, ride the eddies of space, explore planets and observe life. I’m shipboard most of the time and explore the galaxies inside the bodies of the people I treat. I surf the wave of thought to those I counsel, and conquer the invading hordes of disease and damage. Not exactly the same thing, huh? But then again, who knows, I have plenty of time to change course. My life has changed so much in the last 10 years, who knows where I will be in 300 years’ time. Whadd’ya think? Fashion model by then? Maybe a tightrope walker?” the last was said with an obvious smirk. Both people knew Asa would languish in either career, and likely kill themself if they attempted a tightrope.

Chuckling slightly, Dox replied. "Asa, you do roam the stars, ride the eddies of space, explore planets and observe life. That's literally our job description."

As simulated stars began appearing in the sky, Dox pointed up. "Look up there. Follow my finger. See that little cluster of stars there? Honey, that's where we really are right now. We're explorers. You just explore the inside and the outside at the same time. Which sounds a lot like what drew them to seek you out in the first place. It sounds like what love feels like."

Turning slightly, Dox booped Asa on their nose. "And I'm willing to bet Virildi won't be able to wait that long to know you again. You're worth it and then some."

Turning slightly, Dox booped Asa on their nose. "And I'm willing to bet Virildi won't be able to wait that long to know you again. You're worth it and then some."

Blushing slightly, Asa replied, “Thanks…it’s just, they are so awesome, so unique, and I’m, well I’m just me. I’m just a doctor. Ok yeah, I guess you are right, I do someexploring, and maybe a little unusual…..”then seeing the look on Mnhei’sahe’s face Asa giggled, “Ok, ok, point taken. I can see you aren’t going to let me get away with sulking. Maybe I will meet them again soon. There is still a trace of their psionic signature entwined in mine, who knows, maybe they can track that down. I could have asked the Doctor to remove the trace elements from our joining, but they aren’t harming me, and it’s a nice reminder, you know? After all, I’ve already jacked up being a 100% natural El-Aurian, what with the whole Death thing and Hera thing, what’s another cosmic residue added to the mix, right?”

Smiling, Dox added with just a bit of pride. "Asa, I already had the doctor isolate that sample they left in you when you were in sickbay. It's still a part of you, but we have the energy signature. And I may have loaded that signature into a sensor sweep algorithm in the Flight Control Office in my spare time in case you ever wanted to track them down. Just sayin'."

"For whenever you're ready. No rush." Then Dox lightly splashed the nervous young doctor.

Asa’s face lit up at this revelation. Bounding in excitement to give Mnhei’sahe a hug, they exclaimed, “You are the best! I mean, maybe not yet, they probably need time to recover…longer lived species sometimes have amplified recovery periods, especially among particulate life forms, and they would need to find a gas giant to take haven in if my guess is right. Sorry, I’m rambling, huh? Anyway, back to you and Mona. Soooooo what’s the plan for you to make a love connection. How wilt thou woo fair maiden?”

It was clear although the words were said with levity that Asa truly wanted their friend to be happy. Something about the scent of the water in the air and the quiet of the simulated stars lent an air of confidence to the two friends, it felt like the perfect setting to tell secrets. It was not hard for Asa to understand why so much of human storytelling started gathered around a campfire at night. The darkness of Earth was not all that dark when shared with a friend.

"Fine, change the subject!" Dox laughed, splashing Asa. "Honestly, I have no idea. I don't even know how to just TELL her. I've... I've never really done this before. Not really."

“Um, maybe she knows already?” Asa said, testing the waters to see how Mnhei’sahe would react. “Like, has she given any indications? Flirted maybe…whatever that looks like beyond the whole party and dress thing. Heck, I dunno. The one life form I crush on just merged with me and shared my dang brain. So just stick your fingers in Mona’s brain and beam her the knowledge. That should work, right?”

Ugh... Yeah, I think she knows." Dox blushed with embarrassment. "SOOOO... remember a few weeks ago when I was... uh... when I got..." She sank half into the water.amd groaned up bubbles.

"When I was on my... period..." Dox moaned out the words. "I was making an ass of myself and she was flirting like crazy, but I don't know if she was just messing with me."

By reflex, Asa responded, “Menstruation is a perfectly natural part of life. No need to be embarrassed by it. And from what I understand of people who experience sexual attraction, flirting is part of life too. Granted, all flirting looks like people messing with one another to me, but I think that’s part of the process? To flirt back without having some heart behind it would be a bit cruel, don’t you think? And Mona has never struck me as cruel. I think, my friend, there is a strong probability she likes you too. Tell me what happened while we swim back to shore, I’m dying for a funnel cake at the little stand.”

Swimming back, Mnhei'sahe skipped over the fact that that had been her first ever period of the uncomfortable details of how intense it was and instead focused on how she was feeling. "We... we haven't talked about it since that day. I mean, we work in the same office so I don't know what that means? I know... I know... I'm over thinking in."

“Hmmmm, yeah, that’s a toughie. First things first, what safeguards do you have in place to avoid any appearance of favoritism or retribution? I know you would never do that, but your reputation is hard fought and well deserved. And we both know that if there is one thing people do, it’s talk. So, to avoid the flight crew getting all uppity, how can we preserve that for you? It’s possible Mona was waiting for you to make the first move for the same reason, ya know?” Asa replied.

"I don't know... I mean... I know the rules about fraternizing and keeping stuff behind closed doors. But I haven't really thought about it. I mean, I have to say something first." Dox replied as they swam slowly back to shore.

"I should just say something, right?" The anxious aviatrix asked.

With a grin, Asa pointed towards the funnel cake stand the two friends began towards.

“Yeah, but it’s going to be ok. You are both professionals, just, maybe don’t worry if she’s your soul mate and just see if she’s a soup mate? Ask her out to dinner, just the two of you, but somewhere public, like 10-forward? It might take some of the stress off?” Asa said in a conciliatory tone. After all, if they could defy ancient demons together, surely two crew members could eat a meal together.

"That's a good idea. Just dinner and I can see if it's all in my head or not." As they walked, Dox looked at her fingers. "Ugh, I'm all wrinkly now." Then ran her pruned finger tips across Asa's back. "Feel the horror of the Romulan prune woman!"


With a mock shriek, Asa cried “Nooooo not the pruuunnnnneeeee womaaaaaaan! She will make me tooooo reeeegggguuuullllllaaarrrrr!”

Then with a wink continued, “Let’s rehydrate you with fruit punch and syrup, shall we?”

Some things in life would stay constants for Asa, and chief among them were a loving friendship with Mnhei’sahe and an abiding love of all things sugar.

"That sounds good to me." Dox laughed deeply as she talked. But after a second, she brought her voice down and soft as she looked Asa in the eyes.

"How are you feeling, honey?" She had a broad sincere smile, remembering why they had come to the holodeck to begin with.

With a sigh, Asa met Mnhei’sahe’s gaze. Wrapping their arms around their middle in an act of self-comfort, Asa considered the question. Their instinctual response was to affirm that all was right with the universe and disregard their own healing. However, time spent acting as counselor had reinforced to Asa some healthy emotional habits they had neglected in their own life, and being emotionally honest with close friends was one of them.

“Honestly…I’m not sure. Some days I feel like normal, like I can brush off the bad dreams and fear and it will just go away. Other days I wake up with tears drying from crying in my sleep. I abhor weakness in myself though, so I don’t let myself dwell. I have an entire ship to keep healthy after all, so I throw myself into the work. There were four nights in a row that I slept two hours or less because I stayed in my office working. Even the EMH is starting to look askance at me for it. But I started therapy, and I’m confident that is going to help. Today helped. I could experience this place as something positive….some sunshine to counter the darkness. There were moments in the grotto when I felt the fear creeping in, but I had you there, so I knew I was ok. I’m coping…albeit not always in the best way possible. If I’m still off kilter after a couple of weeks of talk therapy, I will ask the EMH for some pharmacological assistance to get ye old neurotransmitters behaving again. Not exactly reassuring to have a wreck of a doctor, huh?” they concluded weakly.

The pair had reached the funnel cake stand and Asa had procured a massive apple funnel cake and two drinks for the table while speaking. They placed the treats on the table while waiting for Mnhei’sahe’s judgement of their mental state.

Taking Asa's hands, Dox sat the pair down on the bench of the table as she spoke. "It's hard, and you know I know. But you're doing everything you can, right? You're going one day at a time and getting help when you need it, right?"

Dox leaned in and smirked. "And you're not literally beating yourself up, so you're way above my level. Just don't ever think your alone. My door is always open for you. Literally. I programmed it to open for you regardless. So whenever you need a hand, just grab mine. If you can't sleep, come over. Okay?"

With which Dox pulled Asa in for a long hug.

Returning the hug with a ferocity that many would be surprised by, Asa said in a reedy voice, “You do realize you just gave a level 5 cuddle-clinger access? But I will…I promise. Thank you for being there, and for letting me be there for you.”

Not letting go, Dox replied softly. "Like it or not, you're my family now. I'll always be here for you and vice versa."

"Family," Asa affirmed with a nod. "Thanks for being here....really. I promise next holodeck trip will be all fun, no therapy. Maybe we can even play around with reduced gravity or something..."

"Whatever you want to do, so long as it's not talking about my love life, or lack thereof." Dox replied with a smile.

While she tended to make breakfast for herself and Sonak as part of their morning routine, which was time spent together that both of them enjoyed, and dinner was an affair that was sometimes scheduled and sometimes ‘catch as catch can’, Commander Rita Paris tended to take lunch in the Officer’s Mess on Deck 9. As such, it gave her the opportunity to mix and mingle with other officers and take something of a barometer of what was going on about the Hera.

Not much of one, as for the most part conversations became muted or ended when she got near, as for the most part lower ranking officers tended to regard higher ranking officers as sharks in the water. It had always been thus, and Rita had long ago grown accustomed to the fact. But she eavesdropped like a pro while appearing to read her notes while she ate her soup and salad that she tended to take as a midday meal.

Today, however, it seemed Lieutenant Dox was amongst those dining at the same time, so she wouldn’t be dining alone. Sliding into the seat opposite the portly pilot, who was reviewing something on a PaDD of her own, Rita waggled her eyebrows in greeting as she waited for the redheaded Romulan’s attention to refocus.

Pulling her eyes up from her PaDD, Dox smiled at Paris' somewhat exaggerated expression. "Oh, hello Commander." She pushed a button to save her work and put her PaDD down.

“Lieutenant,” the ebullient executive replied, picking up her spoon and poking at her soup. “What’s got you occupied over lunch?

"Oh, just scheduling time for flight tests of the new engine upgrades for the Thor and the Selune. I'm looking forward to feeling them out, but also need to rotate the rest of the flight crew and make sure everyone's up to speed on the revisions." Dox talked while dunking a corner of an English muffin into her stew.

"And what's on your agenda for the day?" Dox asked in response.

“I have the marvelous responsibility of testing out the new Security recruits and ranking their unarmed combat capability. I suppose I’ll have to fall back on my Master At Arms for it, since he seems to be a fan of more than just judo. I’m one step shy of useless in hand to hand, so this is not going to be one of those moments where I win the respect of my subordinates through dazzling skill.” Rita paused to take a spoonful of the weird thick lumpy green soup she had chosen for lunch. “So that should be a lot of fun for me.”

"You don't sound... enthused with you options, Commander." Dox took a bite of her freshly dunked muffin. "Is Chief Riley not the right person for the job?" Chewing, Dox tilted her head, suspecting that this was more than just a casual lunch conversation.

"Eh, I'm sure he is, it's just..." Rita's voice dropped to a level that only someone with particularly acute hearing would be able to understand. "Riley's been in Starfleet as long as I have, and I think he's a bit past his prime. So I kind of don't mind him having to show all the young toughs how to do submission holds and power punches and whatever else it is that martial artists do, but I don't know that I want him sparring with them too much. I'm sure as hell not sparring with them or they'll never respect me, once they figure out how girly I am."

While Dox figured Rita was likely selling herself short, she also understood the predicament she was in as their Commander. The red-headed Romulan ate a spoonful of stew while she pondered Paris' predicament.

After a few seconds of awkward silence save for the sound of chewing, Dox replied. "I don't know how useful it would be, but I can..." She paused awkwardly mid sentence... "I can come and help with the sparring or... whatever... If you want."

That got her an upraised eyebrow from the bombshell blonde as she picked up her PaDD and began tapping at it. "Well, I did see the medical reports on Asa's kidnappers, and you certainly put them in critical condition. Say here you are adept in the Romulan martial art of Llaekh-ae'rl. So, pardon the ignorant Earthling, but that sounds a little more intimidating than Starfleet Judo class?"

"It's... My mother started teaching me... well... before she started showing me how to fly ships. Sometimes business simply had to be conducted on the ship and she wanted to make sure I was prepared for any... situations." As usually was the case, the stout pilot was a little anxious talking about herself.

"It's... very aggressive. It's direct translation is 'laughing murder' and it's gotten me out of a few situations I'd have rather not been in." Dox took a sip of her tea as she spoke.

"Can you teach it? At least teach a top five useful moves class? Give them all an unexpected edge?" Rita boiled the idea down quickly into a workable plan. "I need a good opener with these people. The security department is 46, the tactical response team is back up to 12 thanks to a fortuitous graduation of the Starfleet SEAL program. Turns out when you say 'do you want to work for Starfleet Intelligence', it's either hard yes or no, period."

"I've got to call the assembly, give a speech, let my people know they are embroiled in a war of cosmic beings, show them to their duty, then someone needs to teach them something amazing that inspires them to be bold and confident and hopefully smart. So... y'busy?" Paris beamed an innocent smile at Mnhei'sahe Dox, and batted her eyes.

Dox grinned in her usual, crooked, awkward way as she responded. "I've... never tried teaching it before. But I can certainly try." She took a sip of her tea. "And I'm only as busy as my First Officer says, I suppose. I can make some time."

"Great!" In a series of spoonfuls, the fulsome first officer finished her soup in about fifteen seconds, then proceeded to jam her salad into her mouth one forkful at a time in rapid succession, swallowing a few times as she got up, taking her tray over to the reclamator and dropping the tray, silverware and dishes in where they would be broken down and used again and again in an amazing display of recycling. Chewing and swallowing, Paris sat back down at the table, folded her hands neatly before her and smiled pleasantly.

"Now is good. I've got that presentation in about three minutes on Deck 11. I'm gonna wing the speech, but that's no surprise to anyone. Meet me down there or walk with me?"

Taking a last sip to finish off her tea, Dox wiped her face and collected her tray for the reclamator. "I'll walk with. It's a good warm up." She replied with a smile, placing her tray to be recycled.

A cheerful grin settled onto the face of the first officer as she turned to exit. "Always dependable Miss Dox, most appreciated. Simpson, don't dawdle, I expect that report by 13:00 hours, because I will have my inventory before we cast off, mister."

Marching out of the officer's mess roughly 4 minutes after she'd walked in, Paris moved with the steady cadence of a marching pace, which made it easy for others familiar with marching to fall into step with her, as it was drilled into cadets on the drill field in Starfleet Academy. "Well gosh, I'm not sure how many photon torpedoes they sent us ma'am. Did you want to send them back? "

"The one thing that will apparently brand me as an anachronism far more than my uniform is apparently my adherence to the idea that we are in fact a military organization with a rank structure, primarily because we are entrusted with large scale matter replicators, transporters and the capacity to deliver things like quantum torpedoes. I'd prefer the civilian populace and the amateurs not be toying with such things. Which includes incompetent officers. But hopefully setting expectations will make this work." The first officer muttered as she marched along, aware that her sharp-eared companion could hear her clearly.

"I'll do whatever I can to help in this regard, Commander." Dox replied, keeping pace beside Paris having become quite adept at matching the First Officer's stride in spite of her much shorter legs.

"5 good moves they can use, preferably submission moves. I don't need kill-crazed, I need confident and capable. Beyond that," Paris arrived at the turbolift and pressed the button. "I need to inspire them. But I think I've got an idea..."

"Submission moves I can do, Commander. Inspiration is your arena. I'll follow your lead, as always." Dox replied with a sly but subtle grin.

Striding into the gymnasium, the first thing that struck them was the ratio of females to males in the security force. There were now 13 males, and the rest were females. A Klingon pair who looked like sisters stood off to one side, arms crossed and scowling. Two Vulcans females were now part of the security team, as were a trio of Andorians. An Efrosian woman was present, as was a Deltan female and a Bajoran male and female. A trill woman was present, as were a voluptuous Orion female and a pair of male Orion officers. A Caitain stood watching everyone in the room, calico fur bristled and tail switching. A Nausicaan stood near the back, tall and gangly and aloof, whom Rita was reasonably certain was Crewman Squirf'd, the first Nausicaan to join Starfleet. Everyone else in Gymnasium 1 was humanoid save for the Saurian of indeterminate gender, at least to Rita. Taking them all in as she entered, a pair of large and impressively muscled yet clearly female specimens were braced to either side of Hera, who looked somewhat bemused to be present and under such practically neanderthalic guard.

"Good day. For those of you who don't know me, I'm Commander Paris. Yes, they're real, I know it's short, and no, you don't have to wear one," she opened with, which got a few chuckles from the assemblage. "This is my old uniform from when I served back in 2268, during the era of the five year missions. It marks me as an antique, as a very old fashioned officer. That is not accidental. Because you will find me to be very old-fashioned. I skipped all the years between then and now, so I'm a genuine throwback to my time."

"Which means that I believe in things. I believe in things like honor, duty, sacrifice, the greater good, the Prime Directive, and the fact that when the night is dark and all hope is gone, Starfleet can show up and save the day. I believe that we're out here to do some good in the galaxy, and often that means there is some brave soul who has to be there doing the job. Usually that brave soul wears Security gold."

"I believe that Starfleet is a promise- nobody is expendable and everybody comes home." Paris paused to emphasize this point, making eye contact with each person in the room.

"When our shipmates call for Security, they expect a response team to arrive on the scene immediately and be prepared to assess and deal with with any situation, follow lawful orders and be the reliable, stoic backbone of Starfleet. We... you, me, her, him, we're the heroes. I greatly prefer words and communication as a solution to problems. And I will expect all of you to approach situations the same way. But when diplomacy fails and words turn to angry shots fired, that's when we shine. When the terrorist tries to sneak into the peace talks and we stop them before they ever get close, that means we did our jobs."

"In case you are wondering, this," Rita gestured to the graceful toga-wearing woman standing amidst the sea of gold uniforms, "is Hera. THE Hera, the goddess of legend who is in our custody as an advisor. I brought her down here today so that you can all get a good look at her and familiarize yourself with who she is and what position she holds on this starship. Many of you will spend time on guard duty outside her quarters. Hera is not a prisoner- you are posted there to protect her. We live in a universe of transporters and shapeshifters and image inducers and we are in a war with gods and titans playing dice with the universe. So a duty that many of you will share is to protect the ship's namesake, who is our guide to the weirdness of the universe. Hera is to be treated as a dignitary, not a prisoner. Regardless, even were she a prisoner, you would treat her respect and dignity, as Starfleet treats all prisoners. Am I clearly understood?"

There was a general assent throughout the hall, so Rita nodded and continued, pacing as she did so.

"Yes. you heard me right. War with gods. Many of the legends of our various worlds have basis in fact, and here stands one of them, live and in person," Rita gestured to Hera, who offered a queenly wave. "We've been drawn into a brewing conflict that could destroy the galaxy, and this is what you've signed on for. I've prepared briefing reports for you all, so before you decide the first officer's a crazy old lady, maybe see where we've been and done before you got here. Then you can decide if the Commander is cuckoo or if you signed on for a very exciting assignment."

"Everyone will be fitted with the advanced EVA armor, and trained on our ship-specific weaponry. I expect my security force to be well armed and well prepared, and you will all be master marksmen by the time we're through, if you are not already. And everyone will of course be expected to hold their own in hand to hand. To that end, I have today invited Lieutenant Dox to join us." At this Rita gestured to draw attention to the stout starpilot waiting patiently in the wings while Rita did her thing.

"Lieutenant Dox is a Romulan, and a master of the Romulan martial art of Llaekh-ae'rl. If you dislike Romulans, if you have a grudge against them, or if you personally feel that they do not belong in Starfleet, see yourself out now. Because we are a very large Federation of planets, and I have zero tolerance for bigots. Let's make that clear here and now. We do not discriminate according to race, species, color, creed, planet of origin or gender. This is Starfleet, and if you've made it this far you damn well better know what we stand for. If you have any doubts, I'm here to remind you, because the Security force of the USS Hera will distinguish itself through bravery, dedication, and service. I will accept nothing less. If you have a differing opinion, now is the time to make it known, because you can be transferred off before we leave the Sol system."

No one walked out, and Rita was reasonably pleased.

"All right then," the cheerful commander beamed a smile at the assemblage of security officers, pleased by the response. "Let's start on our heroes journey, shall we, by learning some moves from a martial art seldom shared outside Romulus. Miss Dox, you have the floor, if you please?" With that, Commander Paris stepped off to the side to cede the focus to the chief flight control officer.

Stepping up, Dox stared at the assemblage of potential new security officers and her stomach flipped upside down. Her general anxiety was ramped up to thirteen as she looked around the room with her hands behind her back.

After a slightly awkwardly long ten seconds of silence, Dox took a deep breath and pushed out her words. "Llaekh-ae'rl... is translated to mean 'laughing murder', and it's named this for a reason. It's... designed to be an extremely fast and effective way to neutralize an opponent. And it generally means that they aren't going to be getting back up afterwards."

Looking around the room, the short, stout pilot saw looks of disregard and a few smirks here and there. "However, we can also adapt the lessons for our uses in Starfleet. What I'll be sharing with you today is a series of defensive and submission maneuvers that can be very effective on almost any humanoid opponent. I'll need... Uh... I'll need a volunteer."

One of the Vulcan officers stepped forward, a slight woman with no sideburns, black hair cut in straight bangs over her eyes and a bowl cut around the rest of her head. About the same height as Dox, she was much slimmer, to the point of being petite. "I wish to learn this technique. How may I assist?" the expressionless security officer asked.

A slight smile crept onto Dox's face as the scenario might be ideal for what she wanted at this point. "Thank you. The first thing I would like would be to show a number of submission holds and maneuvers slowly. If you could stand about half a meter in front of me."

As the slight Vulcan stepped into position, Dox addressed the room. "More often than not, you will likely find yourself facing an opponent who is either larger or stronger than you are. Llaekh-ae'rl is designed to neutralize some of those advantages through speed and leverage to even a playing field as much as possible."

Turning back to the Vulcan security officer, Dox continued. "Please, place your hand on my chest as if to reach for, or grab me, Miss..." Dox paused for the officers name.

"I am Petty Officer second class T'vala, Lieutenant Dox. I come to serve," the Vulcan security officer replied, then, her weight balanced evenly, she placed her hand on the chest of the redheaded Romulan obligingly, her dark brown eyes observant and patient. It was clear that she herself was no amateur from the way that she moved.

"Thank you, Petty Officer T'vala." Dox replied. "Once a potential opponent has made virtually any move against you, even one as nondescript as this, they have opened themselves up. As a general rule, always allow them to make the first move. It gives you information and it gives you opportunity."

With nerves slowly being overcome as she spoke, Dox was getting slightly more comfortable. "Place your hand over your opponent's like this." Dox reached her right hand over T'vala's, with her thumb planted over the back of the Vulcan's and her fingers wrapped around the side of the the palm.

"From here, we begin twisting our opponent's wrist over. As they lean forward, with a stiff palm, apply pressure here, just above their elbow to keep their arm straight as you are applying pressure to the wrist." Dox slowly showed the maneuver as her Vulcan assistant allowed her to, obligingly. "As you pull them forward, they will be off balance. Shift on your hips and turn slightly, bringing your left leg under their right shin. Do all of this in one motion, and you can redirect the momentum of a much stronger opponent to the ground."

Dox released the grip on T'vala's arm. "Thank you. Now, let's run through that again at speed, please. Replicate the action as if you were quickly reaching for me." The two women reset their positions as T'vala reached quickly forward for Dox's chest. But before her hand made contact, Dox was in motion.

Repeating the actions described, Dox grabbed the Vulcan's hand, twisting it over and pulling her off balance as she swept her to her knees on the mat, forcing her arm to lock straight. "With someone of T'vala's strength, I can likely only hold them like this for a moment, but it's a moment enabling you to control the next move."

Releasing her grip, Dox helped the Petty officer up. "Thank you again, you may return."

"Would you like for me to replicate the move, Lieutenant Dox?" When she acquiesced, the Vulcan security officer replayed the move with Dox as the attacker, demonstrating she had at least absorbed it. The rest of the security force was watcxhing, at least. Paris was watching the crowd, to see who was paying attention and who was not.

Then Dox addressed the room. "The amount of control that wrist hold will give you depends on exactly how much force you apply. A little force causes significant pain. Enough to discourage most opponents from trying to wriggle free. Too much force and you risk breaking their wrist. As we progress, I'll show each of you how much is enough."

Looking around the room, Dox wasn't looking forward to what she knew she was going to say next. "T'vala represented an opponent far stronger then me. Now I need someone much bigger. Shouldn't be hard, I'm usually the shortest person in any given room." She ended with a light joke which got a few chuckles as she waited for a volunteer.

"I will stand to oppose you," one of the Klingon women in the mustard uniforms stepped forward. Striding through the crowd to step into Dox's personal space, looming perhaps 33 cm over the compact chief, the Klingon security officer glowered down at Romulan pilot. "S'Rina, daughter of Wil'Iam, petty officer third class. I bench 130 kilos, and I am a master of Mok'bara. Show me your strength, romuluSngan!"

That said, she slid easily down into a combat ready pose.

Having expected this, Dox sighed lightly. "My name is Lieutenant Dox, Petty Officer S'Rina." Dox stood with her arms behind her back, and her expression as neutral as possible.

"And this is a demonstration, not a sparring match. I would be more than happy to accommodate that on our own time if you would like," Dox kept her tone and posture professional, but firm. "But for now, let's stay focused."

The large and beefy Klingon woman offered a slight nod of deference, and waited for the demonstration instruction.

Addressing the room, Dox continued, though she felt a bit of nervousness over if she would be a to successfully pull anything off against her looming voulenteer. "The first lesson in a confrontation like this is to do everything in your power to avoid it.. Don't rush in or lunge at an opponent with a thirty plus centimeter reach advantage on you. Instead, make them come to you where you have an opportunity to turn your disadvantage into theirs."

Turning back towards her Klingon volunteer, standing about a meter and a half away, Dox continued. "Please, reach for my neck or head."

Moving slowly so that the demonstration could continue, the beefy Klingon took a step forward and overreached to grasp Mnhei'sahe's shoulder with a hand that was nearly the size of said shoulder. While she made contact, this was a fresh graduate of the Academy enlisted program as well as Security subtraining, and her contact was light, only enough to let the Romulan instructor know she was there.

Trying not to think about the tension building in her stomach, Dox continued speaking in a measured tone. "At this point, your opponent is reaching for you or, as is seen, has already made contact. Place one hand over the top of your opponents hand, similarly to the last maneuver to keep it extended, and take single step backwards. If you maintain a firm grip, this should serve to both extend their arm straight and bring them slightly forward, off balance."

"From this position, there are a number of actionable maneuvers to use." Slowly, Dox showcased each as she described them. "A stiff palm strike to the extended elbow will both pinch the nerves in your opponents forearm releasing whatever grip they may have. Sufficient force can also break the bone if necessary. You can also incapacitate the knee from this position with a downward directed kick to just above and to the outside of the kneecap."

Leaning in, Dox pointed to just beneath the large woman's shoulder into her armpit. "There's also a nerve cluster located right here on most humanoid races that becomes exposed. From my angle, a punch is too long to have any effective power. But if you pull your opponent in further, you should have sufficient force for a well placed kick to the nerve cluster."

Letting go, Dox stepped back. "Performed correctly, that would disabled your opponents arm completely for approximately two to five minutes. Done incorrectly, you've just pissed her off and put yourself off balance. So for now, focus on the arm and knee attacks that get you out of reach."

Turning back, Dox nodded slightly. "Let's run through at speed, limited force for demonstration, please, Miss S'Rina."

The Klingon woman gently but firmly pulled Dox back into position, then took her hand, made a knife hand of it and placed it a few centimeters behind and below where the martial arts instructor had indicated, a bit more dorsal than her previous placement. “Our nerve clusters are beneath the scapula, making them hard armored in this instance, But a knife strike here can accomplish the desired effect,” the Klingon security officer indicated. After having offered the correction, the Klingon stepped back, made sure the instructor was prepared, then moved in at half speed to grab the shoulder of the little lieutenant once more.

With a quick precision, the two officers performed the maneuvers for the class, repeating the actions to showcase the described variations for all to see.

As the completed the moves, the two wildly dissimilar women stepped back into their starting positions. Dox first addressed her Klingon voulenteer. "Thank you very much, Miss S'Rina. Particularly for correcting my strike placement." Then she turned to address the group. "We're all here to support each other, so never be afraid to admit when you don't know something and learn from your fellow crewmates."

As the completed the moves, the two wildly dissimilar women stepped back into their starting positions. Dox first addressed her Klingon volunteer. "Thank you very much, Miss S'Rina. Particularly for correcting my strike placement." Then she turned to address the group. "We're all here to support each other, so never be afraid to admit when you don't know something and learn from your fellow crewmates."

“If you would like to spar sometime, let me know Lieutenant. Your training seems thorough and I would welcome the opportunity to test my skills against you outside a classroom setting,” the big Klingon whispered, then she grinned, a toothy affair that was reassuring and somehow threatening at the same time.

However, the generally aggressive young red-head smiled back, intrigued but still a little wary, and replied back in a whisper. "It would be an honor. Thank you."

Then, Dox straightened her tunic and turned back to the assembly. "That's two basic maneuvers. Perhaps now we can focus on disarming moves? I'll need another volunteer and a reasonable facimile of a weapon…"

The rest of the class passed without incident, as a few questions and clarifications were asked for an offered, and once the lesson was over, the security officers were broken into paired groups to practice the techniques. All of them quickly adapted to the maneuvers, particularly the two Klingon sisters who seemed to greatly enjoy the submission holds and nerve strikes. It was abundantly clear from the way they moved and the horseplay between the two that they had been friends for a long time, and that neither was in the habit of being gentle with the other. However, when pairs were rotated, both were patient, calm and pulled their punches appropriately for the sparring session- much to the relief of their commander, who did not look forward to having to break up a Klingon brawl.

Leaning into the flight control chief, the head of security whispered, “It looks like your new moves are a hit. Thanks Mnhei’sahe, I very much owe you one.”

Smiling in spite of herself, Dox was a little proud. She had taken an aspect of her childhood that she once regretted, and with a little help and some gentle prodding from Rita Paris, turned it into something positive. "I'm just glad I could help... and that I didn't pass out out there." Dox whispered back with a smile.

It was just before shore leave began that lieutenant Mnhei'sahe Dox first began to realize that she was harboring more than just friendship for her fellow pilot and flight control assistant Chief, Mona Gonadie.

The two had worked closely together many long nights in the Flight Control office since shs was made its Chief and over time, Dox found herself stealing more than the occasional glance at the colorfully plumed Miradonian. But that came to an awkward head a few weeks ago when the young Romulan pilot found herself swimming in a rush of freshly restored hormones that stoked the embers of an attraction into something much larger.

The acute senses of the Miradonian picked up on Dox's pheromones, to say nothing of the fairly obvious fawning that followed. There was awkwardness and Mona flirted playfully, tormenting Dox. But since then, nothing had been said of it.

The two still worked together every day with no problems, but both went their separate ways on shore leave which left the awkward, lonely young Romulan woman to begin beating herself up over what she should do. But as of today she had made a decision. She was going to say something. She didn't know what, but something.

It took a pep talk from Death herself to push Dox out of her comfort zone, but now she found herself sitting at her desk at the end of a long day with the final paperwork filled and crew rotations all set. Mona was coming out of her workshop as Dox was finishing up and the anxious pilot did her level best to quash the knot In the pit of her stomach.

"Good night, Ensign Gonadie. Uh... well... we're officially off duty... Uh... Mona." Dox cleared her throat as she stumbled over her words. "I was going to grab a bite to eat in Ten-Forward... and... uh... was wondering if... uh... I was wondering if you wanted to maybe get something to eat too."

Mona sauntered over to the flustered half Romulan, a grin spreading across her face. "Well, I thought you'd never ask. Ten forward you say? Why not someplace a bit more private instead? That way we can... Take our time. Unless you prefer it be in public?"

Feeling herself go flush, Dox swallowed nervously. "Well... I just figured it would be nice to... Ya' know... talk. Get to know each other outside of the office."

"Ah, of course. Sorry, I misunderstood." This time it was Mona's turn to blush, one hand going to her face. "Yeah, ten forward is fine."

"Oh, no. No, no need to apologize. I'm just... I thought it would be... Ya' know...." Again, Dox found herself rambling and bit her lip as she tried to compose herself. "Ten-Forward. Yes. I just need to shut everything down here but can meet you in about ... fifteen minutes?"

"That will give me just enough time to change and grab something from my quarters." Mona nodded, a now nervous smile on her face. "I'll see you there."

As Mona headed out, Dox scrambled to shut everything down for the evening, and now wished she had decided to suggest more time to stop in her quarters herself, though she knew she didn't have much to wear other than her uniforms. Nothing except for the exquisite, green feathered dress that Mona had gifted her. But that would be way too much, Dox thought

'Hnave...' Dox thought. 'She didn't just laugh in your face. Just relax and stop over thinking everything.' After a few minutes, she left the office on her way to Ten-Forward.

---------------------

Pacing the deck for a few minutes longer then the fifteen minutes mentioned, Dox finally worked up the nerve to finally step in. The double doors of Ten-Forward wooshed open to reveal a half full room, bustling with activity. Looking around, Dox froze as she saw Mona waiting by a table at the far end wearing a short blue and yellow angular dress and holding a shiny silver gift bag.

Noticing Dox enter, the brightly plumed Miradonian waved. "Hey! I'm over here!"

From across the lounge, Dox heart felt like it skipped a beat at the sight of Mona. She looked absolutely stunning in her dress and Dox felt pathetically ridiculous still wearing her uniform. But after a second, she nervously walked over, adjusting her top as if it were a cadet review. "Uh... you look .. you look amazing, Mona."

"Thank you. You look very professional." Mona smiled and blinked enticingly and motioned to the table she had been saving for them. "Shall we? I um... I got you something during my trek through the Amazon. They had these holographic parrots in the gift shop at the end and... I don't know... I thought of you..." Obviously embarrassed, Mona handed of the gift bag to Dox.

Nervously Dox sat down and took the bag somewhat sheepishly. "Oh my goodness, Mona. You... you didn't have to... Really." Chuckling nervously, Dox fumbled with the bag to pull out the gift. "I asked you to dinner and you have a dress and a gift ready. And I look like this. I... I'm sorry. I'm screwing this all up.

"You just need practice with social engagements is all," the brightly plumed Miradonian replied, chuckling softly.

Rambling, Dox pulled out the package. A small bird stand with a holo-emitter built in. Pressing the button, a small yellow plumed bird appeared, squalking "Hello, Hello." And Dox let out a laugh. "It's... It's adorable. Thank you. You really didn't have to."

"I felt like I should get you something to remind you of me... Or something..." Mona looked away a bit sheepishly. "Anyway, I taught him a few phrases already like I love you and kick him in the nuts and ah... I think he picked up a few other things I say a lot."

Freezing for a moment, Dox stared up at Mona as she talked. "You taught him to say..." The red-headed Romulan turned the holographic gift, fumbling with the off switch and placed it on the table. "It's wonderful... Thank you so much. Really. But... I really have been... I've been meaning to talk to you and... after last time I..."

Shutting her eyes and biting her lip, Dox took a breath and, trying her level best 'sultry' voice which instead came out like an awkward squeak. "I... I like you, Mona. I like you in the way that I... don't need a gift to think about you." Her face was scrunched up as if waiting for a punch.

Instead she felt Mona's hands tenderly resting on hers. "I like you too. I think about you before I go to bed and when I wake up in the morning."

Feeling a shot of electricity running down her spine, Dox's throat went dry. She slowly opened her eyes to see Mona smiling back at her. She looked down to Mona's hands resting over her own and blinked in disbelief. "I... I made such an ass of myself in the office when Kodria was there... I didn't want to say anything. I figured... I..."

Clearing her throat, Dox took a breath and pushed through her anxiety. "Me... me too."

Mona preened on her nose a bit before speaking. "I've gone out and mated without much thought quite a few times but they've all been one or two nights and that's it. One of us would fly the coop and never be seen again. When I met you though... I started having different thoughts but you never noticed the normal mating signs my people use... So I kind of gave up."

Blushing, Dox began fidgeting in her seat. "I'm sorry... I'm not... I'm not good at this. I pick up on signals and my brain does backflips trying to convince me they mean... anything... other than 'she likes you, too.' But I didn't want to let my stupid anxiety talk me out of trying with you again. And, I guess, here we are."

Centering herself and taking a breath, Dox smiled. "Ever since I met you, I've had a hard time not thinking about you. You're funny, and brilliant, and honest, and... absolutely stunning."

The colorful aviatrix grinned back happily. "I feel the same way. I've never felt like this about anyone else before and I doubt I ever will. I'm sorry I tried all my normal tricks of flirting and fawning and flashing for finding a quick mate. I'm kind of new to the long term mating thing myself."

Laughing a little bit, Dox was still blushing. "You don't have to apologize. Really. I'm just glad I wasn't imagining it."

Then Dox's tone shifted slightly to a slightly more serious. "Look... I... I don't want to ruin anything. But... I've... I don't have a lot of experience here. With trying to have a... I dunno... a relationship. I've never really been here before. So, I'm kinda flying blind. But... And I know there are issues with us working in the same department we have to be hyper-aware of... but I really... want to try. I mean... If you do, too?"

"I do, yes." Mona tilted her head just a bit. "As for working together, we just have to keep it professional while on duty, right? Off duty is our time and as long as you don't show preferential treatment to me in any way, there's no issue. That's how Commander Paris and Lieutenant Sonak do it anyway."

"Yeah... absolutely. When we're at work, we're at work. I can do that." Dox hung her head for a second and sighed. "I feel about a thousand pounds lighter... which for me is saying a lot, I guess." She grinned awkwardly at the self-effacing joke made at the expense of her own weight.

"You do carry a lot of excess anxiety, but I think that just adds to your charm," Mona replied, lifting one of Dox's hands and nuzzling on it softly. She was a bit oblivious to the weight reference since her own people tended to be rather meaty and revelled in it.

The young Romulan turned her hand over to cup the side of Mona's face. The knot of anxiety in her stomach began untying, replaced by something warm and new. She smiled as she replied with a slight chuckle. "Well, I'm... I'm glad you find it charming. I guess that says something."

"You could be a frazzled messy ball of anxiety and I'll just kiss you on the beak and do my best to make it all better."Mona nuzzled her cheek into Dox's palm tenderly. "You'll take good care of me as well, right?"

Bringing her other hand up to caress the other side of Mona's face while she felt a tingling go down her spine and somehow everything felt more vivid in the room. "Mona, I... I have no idea what I'm doing.But... but I'll do everything I can and try and figure this out as we go. I promise."

"Then how about we go back to my place and start to figure it out somewhere a bit more private?" asked the brightly plumed aviatrix, starting to thrum softly.

The average Romulan heart rate was about 240 beats per minute, but in that moment, feeling Mona's body humming through her hands, Dox felt like it must have been twice that. Her skin felt flush and the room seemed to spin. "We... we need to take this..." She swallowed as she spoke through a dry throat. "We need to go slow. I... I can't ruin this, okay?"

Mona nodded and looked deep into Dox's eyes. "We can go as slow as you like. I'll explore this as slowly as you'd like with you."

That was when the server standing next to their table cleared his throat. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but may I take your order? I promise to replicate it slowly."

Instantly, Dox's eyes went wide and she turned a bright green as she blushed from head to toe. Pulling her hands back and sitting up ramrod straight in her chair, the flustered young Romulan had all but forgotten there was anyone else around. "Hnave..." She muttered in Rihan, her native tongue.

"Uh... dinner... Uh... Mona? Do you wanna.... Uh... we can get something to go?" Dox stammered.

Mona also blushed as well, a yellowish tinge flowing through her lighter feathers. "Ah yeah..."

"If you'd like to place your order, we can have it beamed to your destination of preference," offered the server.

Looking over at Mona then back to the server as she placed her gift back into the silver bag, Dox muttered. "Uh... The... uh... Shrimp Scampi Alfredo, please. Mona?"

Mona folded her hands in front of herself and did her best to remain composed. "Loaded omelette, extra cheese and peppers with a side of grilled salmon, please. Your quarters or mine?"

Pausing to think of the last time Dox was in Mona's quarters when she tried on the amazing green feathered dress in Mona's bedroom. The dress that Mona left in a box on the spacious, impossibly comfortable looking nest the Miradonian had. She thought of how impossible it would be to take anything slow in that environment and blurted out, "My quarters should be fine. Uh. Lieutenant Dox, Deck 8, please." Dox smiled awkwardly at Mona, "If... if that's okay with you?"

"Perfectly. I'd like to see where you live anyway." Mona grinned mischievously. She too wanted to take things a bit slow, but wasn't sure she could in her own quarters. They were designed more for relaxation, entertainment, and... Nocturnal activities... If Dox's quarters were as spartan as she suspected they were, they could easily take their time.

Looking up at the waiter, Dox nodded and repeated the instructions. Then, after the waiter walked away, Dox stood up from her chair and, fumbling with the bag in her hands, awkwardly held out a hand to help Mona up, smiling nervously the whole time.

The brightly plumed aviatrix gingerly took Dox's hand and stood up, smoothing out her dress after she did so. "Shall we then? Before our food gets cold? And you can change into something more comfortable as well."

It was a very short, somewhat quiet trip from Ten-Forward to Mnhei'sahe Dox's quarters on Deck 8. As they walked, Dox tried to remember how much of a mess her quarters might have been left in, but she was fairly certain that the bed was made and there were no clothes strewn about as she stepped up the door and it whooshed open. "Lights", Dox spoke to the room as she gestured Mona in nervously.

The room was fairly bare. There were two small shelving units with a few framed photographs. A picture Rita Paris had taken of the command crew shortly after Dox's first mission. 2 of her mother. Some old books and mementos, but very little else on the mostly empty shelves. The rest of the room was furnished only with the basic furniture it came with and nothing more. On the small glass dining room table, were the plates already beamed in from ten-forward. "Um... this is it." Dox nervously declared as she walked in behind Mona.

Mona silently let out a sigh of relief - this was as spartan as she had expected and there wasn't anything weird like some people she had visited. After looking around, she pulled Dox into a close hug, breathing deeply of her scent. "It looks just like you live here."

After the briefest moment of surprise, Dox brought her arms up slowly to return the hug. Her anxiety faded in Mona's arms as she held on tight, her fingers gently following the grain on the feathers on the back of the Miradonian woman's neck.

Slowly, Dox looked up into Mona's deep, golden eyes and chuckled. "I swear, I am the shortest damn woman on this ship."

Chuckling softly, the feathered woman kissed her half Romulan companion softly. "Not by much.

It wasn't the first kiss Mnhei'sahe Dox had ever received. She was kissed by the cruel cadet at the academy that wooed her virginity away to check 'Romulan Girl' off of his sadistic list of conquests, but that was a cold, fake.thing.

This soft kiss filled Mnhei'sahe with a warmth she had never felt before as the hairs on her body stood on end. She rolled her head so that her forehead rolled down Mona's as their lips separated. "We... should eat before our dinner gets cold... and... I need to change."

Her words were deep and breathy as her uniform suddenly felt like it was strangling her. Slowly, she pulled back, licking her lips and still tasting Mona on them. "I'll... be right back."

Standing in the center of the room, Mona stood, smiling as Mnhei'sahe stepped slowly back into her bedroom. As the door was sliding closed before her, she smiled back.

Keeping busy with work was the one thing that Lieutenant Mnhei'sahe Dox liked to do the most when her mind was otherwise wont to be distracted. And today, she had a whopper of a potential distraction. The night before, Dox had her first date with her fellow flight control officer and friend, Ensign Mona Gonadie, and it had gone surprisingly well. Dox had been harboring feelings for the brilliantly plumed Miradonian for months and had finally worked up the nerve to ask her out and she had said yes.

Thankfully, today Mona had been scheduled for helm duty leaving Dox to work in relative privacy in the Flight Control Office. On her desk were a variety of crisis that needed to be addressed, which included new crew transfers from the Hera's recent time in the Sol system, and continuing flight tests on the upgraded engines on the Runabouts Thor and Selune. As such, that was where Dox found herself now, running a pre-flight systems check on the Runabout Selune. The day before she had scheduled a quick engine test outside of the ship and everything was looking good. Pleased that all was well in the main hangar bay, she put Ensign Hartnell in charge of the office for a while, and prepared to take the runabout out.

Which was when she received a buzz from the dockmaster's station in the hangar.

“Lieutenant Dox? Commander Paris has requested to copilot with you on this test flight. She should be approaching now."

Sure enough, marching double-time at that military pace of hers, Dox could see the distinctive form of Commander Rita Paris rapidly covering the distance between the traffic control office and the Selune. If her antique uniform were not distinctive enough to identify her, no one else on the Hera had that figure, which even on the well-disciplined flight deck still turned heads as she passed.

"Confirmed. Thank you, dock master." Quickly, Dox punched in the door sequence, the warning light and klaxon going off outside to warn of the lowering ramp, even as the hatch to the runabout opened with a telltale woosh to allow the Hera's First Officer entry. Dox was focused on the pre-flight check and the normal anxiety that would have had her wondering what was wrong was absent.

She turned to the hatch and stood up. "Welcome aboard, Commander."

“Thank you, Lieutenant. Taking her out to shake her down?” Paris asked, realizing she’d made a double entendre without trying as she waved off the formality. Settling into the copilot's seat, the fulsome first officer wore a half-lidded expression of bemusement on her face.

"Aye, Commander. She's passed all the diagnostics and Sim tests of the new engine systems, but I need to feel it in action and run her through her paces before I clear the ship for duty." Dox tended to refer to the shuttles and runabouts in anthropomorphic terms, and today was no exception. "But I'm always glad for some company and an extra pilot's p.o.v. Thanks."

Dox called up to the computer with a broad smile on her face. "Selune to Flight Control. Requesting clearance for launch."

"Selune, you are 5X5 and cleared for launch,” came the voice of traffic control.

Confirming, Dox completed the sequence and took the runabout out into the stars. After clearing to a safe distance, the through Chief pulled up the flight test checklist and began putting the smaller ship through her paces. "If you'd like, we can swap on the checklist, Commander. So far, she's handling perfectly."

“Happy to help. So, you ready for The Talk? I mean, by now you expect this sort of thing, so it can’t be a surprise. Tell you what- let’s make this some leadership training. Forward maneuvering thrusters check, and how about if you tell me why I’m here, what I’m here to talk about and why it’s important?” While she could be terribly old-fashioned in many ways, the feisty first officer had a knack for throwing people and situations off-balance, and today she was clearly living up to her reputation.

As her normal levels of anxiety had abated, Dox was slightly confused for about half a second before she put the pieces together. Her expression deflated slightly, as she responded, first to the more official requirement. "Forward maneuvering thruster check, aye."

As she began the first text, she prepared mentally for the next one. "You're here..." She paused, her familiar anxiety reemerging. "You're here to talk to me about myself and Ensign Gonadie going out last night."

Without missing beat, Dox continued to clear the flight checklist as instructed as she spoke. "That while relationships between crewmembers are not forbidden, they are to a degree, frowned upon as they increase the chances of favoritism, clouded judgment and possibly reduced performance quality. Which, I guess, is the regulation answer. But... It's important that we don't allow personal feelings to get in the way of our duties to the ship or color how the crew perceives us as officers, which can undermine authority."

The smile that spread across the face of the senior officer at the explanation of her junior officer was genuine, as she was consistently impressed with the pointy-eared pilot. “Great answer. So the next part of the talk would be about what you show in public versus private. But again, I suspect you know exactly what I’m going to say.”

"We rein it in. No public displays of affection or overt familiarity. Whatever... whatever this might become is kept behind closed doors." Dox replied, in a somewhat sheepish voice, "We present ourselves as officers first and foremost."

“Correct. Miss Dox, am I embarrassing you? Rear maneuvering thrusters,” Paris asked solicitously. She had planned for this to be far less mortifying for Mnhei’sahe Dox than it appeared to be turning out to be, and it distressed her.

Punching in the proper instructions to the helm, Dox replied professionally. "Rear maneuvering thrusters. Aye." As she began putting the runabout through the steps of the checklist again, she tilted her head slightly. "No, not really, Commander. Not embarrassed... Just... I'm just worried I'm going to mess this up on every level. It's not like there's a checklist for it."

“A little of that is healthy,” Rita admitted, “because it keeps you from getting cocky and makes you pay attention to your partner, which is important. So professionally you have all the right answers- no canoodling in public, keep it professional. It’s not as hard as it sounds, honestly. As for in private… well.”

“You have a great number of resources who know a little bit about this. And you also have someone else involved who isn’t exactly a dodo bird,” Rita couldn’t resist the avian reference which was probably lost on the Romulan girl. “So worry less about screwing it up and more about enjoying the feeling of excitement at the beginning of the relationship, when you are exploring who each other are and what they are about, finding common ground and differences, feeling the emotions swell within you and that hot flush sensation when they look at you. Don’t overthink it. Trust yourself, trust her, and even if this doesn’t work out, make sure you comport yourself as an adult and you should be able to part as friends.”

“Oh, and never speak in anger,” Rita added. “I have seen more damage done from a slip of the tongue and words spoken in anger than anything else in a relationship. One of the reasons I chased Sonak- I knew he would never lash out in anger or fear or retaliation. He literally has none of that in him, so I knew I would always be safe from that with him.”

Looking over at Rita, who had slid effortlessly from First Office to Friend, as she often did, Dox smiled. "Thanks. I appreciate it. I really... have no idea what I'm doing. It took me months to just say something to her."

“Well, life’s a dance you learn as you go, and this is one of those dances that can be the best and worst of times,” the Earth girl philosophized as she was wont to do in such moments. “Trust your feelings, speak from your heart, and most of all be truthful, with yourself and with her, and you’d be surprised how the rest of it tends to fall into place. It took me weeks and a death sentence to tell Sonak I liked him. I was terrified he was going to reject me- I mean, I’m all emotion and he is none, and sex isn’t the same for them as it is for us. But if I hadn’t screwed up my courage to be honest with him I likely wouldn’t be here today. So, honesty, my friend- the key to all relationships.”

The smile slowly faded as Dox's tone took on a melancholy one. "Should...should I even be... Rita... I'm such a mess. It's... it doesn't feel fair to... Inflict my issues on to her like this."

"Wow, self-defeatism this soon? Look, I get the whole imposter syndrome, believe me. And crummy self-esteem is hard to overcome, I will admit. But deciding you are unworthy before she even gets to know you is really doing the other person a serious disservice, don't you think?" Rita ran a few diagnostics on the checklist as she spoke, leaving her a bit distracted and less intense in her delivery and focus. "You are removing their chance to get to know you and decide if your quirks and flaws and damage just make you more interesting. It happens y'know."

"Again," Rita pointed to herself with her index finger. "This chick. Damage? Lots, with more incoming on a semi-regular basis. But he doesn't mind. He enjoys helping me sort it all out and he lends perspective, while he finds it all fascinating and applauds me for my progress. I would never have known that if I decided I was 'just too emotional' for him."

The smile began to crack through a little at a time. "Thanks." Dox paused for a moment as she was running through her mind.

"In those boxes we had beamed up from my grandparents... I remember they had this set of, like, polished stone egg things. Do you think she would like those or is that stupid?" Dox looked over with a legitimately concerned look on her face.

"Do you think she might like them?" Rita asked plainly as she test fired the phasers and watched the metrics. She was skipping around on the checklist, but getting it done while they talked.

"When she was on shore leave she got me this adorable little holographic parrot as a gift. It's really cute and I thought the eggs... I don't know... I hope so." As she spoke, she tossed her head back. "I'm second guessing myself again, aren't I? Nevermind, it's rhetorical. I know I am."

"I think she'll like them." Dox returned her attention to the flight checklist. "And it looks like the Selune checks out. Want to take the helm?"

"Don't mind if I do, since I have the excuse. I've never flown her before," Rita tapped over the controls, and sighed. "Say what you will, Tom Paris was right. Pushbutton flying is boring. Now, about your eggs. What was it that made you think that she would like them? It was because you saw them and you thought of her, right?"

Without really thinking, Dox just replied as she filed the report from the checklists into the ships logs for later. "Yeah. Basically."

"Those are the important words right there. 'I saw them and thought of you'," Rita explained as she slid the small stealth ship into some tight little slaloms. "Every woman wants to hear that. It means that in some way we're always on their minds, and that's incredibly flattering. Because it is genuinely sweet. So, be honest, say how you feel and see how she reacts. I don't think I've ever gotten a gift and not at least been polite about it, even if I stuffed it in a shoe box under my bed. I had a LOT of shoe boxes growing up, trust me."

Dox smiled as she listened to Rita's advice. She smiled thinking of Mona, and missed her as she did so. "Rita, thank you again. For the advice and just... ya' know... for listening."

"That's what friends are for, Miss Dox... and senior officers."

{Outside Commodore Raster's Office at Starfleet Intel Headquarters, just after The Incident}

"He. Did. WHAT??" the baritone brogue echoed right through the reduced-audio-penetration lining of the Director of Special Projects office.

{Inside said Office, more quietly}

"Ye jest wait 'til ah git mah hands on yon little pipsqueak. He knoos therrre arrre limits..." a pause, then, "Whae be Samuel's condition?"

The redwood of a man fumed as he got a detailed list of the damage to one Lieutenant Samuel Langhorne Clemens (forget the number of predecessors), as he thought about ways of beating the living gods-damned hell out of a godling that had the poor judgement to interfere with the mission of the USS Hera. He was reviewing the audio/visual records of the duel as the list was spieled-out to him.

"Stable? Guid. Them biosynthetics'll werrrk ferrr th' time bein'. Ah'll werrrk up some specifications ferrr upgrrraded rrr'placements. Keep me posted- Ah'll hae the limbs and a few o'errr items rrready ferrr installation by the time Herrra arrrrives." A moment, and then, "Thank ye ferrr lettin' me knoo. I apprrreciate ye."

Once the comms were closed, Raster closed his eyes, still able to see the damage, both as it had happened, and afterward, while the team was stabilizing the young Missouri Miracle.

"Ah, lad- y'shouldnae ev'n hae been herrre- but ye did yerrr bloodline prrroud. Betterrr, strrrongerrr, and fasterrr. ah prrromise."