Star Trek: Season 3 - Shore Leave

[Bryancd]

K'arath stood behind Aeric at the door to the Captains Ready Room. The starnge man had been virtually silent since he met him in Shuttle Bay 2. The shuttle he arrived in was of a configuration K'arath had never seen before and his engineering curiosity almost got the better of him. Instead of discussing the ship with the Lt., the Klingon ordered him to follow. He would have time enough to explore this new bit of technolgy later. Now he needed to deliver this odd man to the Captain who had just beamed back to the ship from earth.

As they strode through the corridors, they past Transporter Room One, where Chief of Security Manrique was just walking out of. He was looking at the bacjk of a figure receeding down the hallway. He presented himself as a mna with alot on his mind.

"Lieutenant." K'arath said by way of greeting.

"Sir." he repsonded

"A problem?," K'arath inquired, watching the crewmen disappear around a corner.

"Nothing I can't handel, sir," Manrique responded. K'arath grinned and moved on.

He and Lt. Aeric arrived on the bridge and made their way to the Captains door. K'arath pushed the chime...

[KingIsaacLinksr]

Ensign Isaac Starstriker was staring up at the ceiling inside sick bay while laying on the bio-bed.  He was waiting for the doctor's verdict on what he was to do next.  As he waited, he began to lose himself in his thoughts.  He began thinking about all the recent events, the disappearance of the original captain of the Tiberius, the death of the lieutenant, and then what he had forced Sevryll to experience.  He felt terrible about the whole thing...wishing that his personal problems had never come to the cost of his commander's time or even the possibility of her sanity.  However, she didn't seem to mind the whole experience but as he was in no shape to read her mind he didn't know.  He hoped that his problems would never come to someone else's expense.

The doctor entered sickbay and said "Ensign Starstriker, I am ordering you to take shore leave.  However, you cannot take shore leave alone for I fear it will do more harm than good for you to be alone right now."  "Yes sir" replied Isaac.  Isaac got up and left the sickbay.

Once he got into his quarters, he looked over at what he called his news report computer.  A new posting by some reporter was now up on the screen and he told the computer to display the new article.  It was written by Zoen Vearne who happened to be a journalist aboard the Tiberius.  He read over the journal and as he got to the bottom of the article, he became disgusted.  'How could anyone write this trash??  It insults everything that the Tiberius' crew has done and what I have been striving to do.  Peace without weapons is impossible.  For there will always be a race out there, such as the Kligons, that will conquer everything that they can.  The difference between us and them is that we don't shoot first and ask questions later.  Disgusted, he changed his thoughts to his mission.  He wondered...what am I to do now?  Am I to move on?  Or should I stay put...  He opened his mind just to test himself and once again he felt that cloud on the horizon of time...it was a cloud of evil and darkness.  He knew that something dark was on the horizon for the crew of Tiberius...but whether it happen now or later was something he didn't know.

He got up from the computer and then he heard the beep of his communicator...

[moyer777]

Counselor Margon smiled as he looked at the entrance of Holo World.  He glanced back at his friends as they made their way to the scanning booth. 

"Welcome to holo world" a pretty young lady said as she pointed the way toward the booth, "I hope you enjoy your stay with us, do you have reservations?"

"Yes, Lt. Commander Margon and a party of three" he said quietly.

"I have you right here, please proceed to the scanning booth, I will take your luggage" she handed them little badges that fit right next to their communicators.

Suder rolled his eyes and looked at the counselor "What?  I don't get it, why do we need more tracking devices on us?"  he said in a snotty tone.

"Relax "said the Dr.  "the mental scanning and history files will be downloaded onto this device, it will help make our adventure a more realistic experience.  This is newer technology and I think you will like it."

Margon raised and eyebrow, "Why Dr.  I didn't know you were aware of the new modifications"  he smiled.

"I like to keep up on these things" he responded trying to subdue his excitement.

The men walked into the scanning booth and multi colored lasers scanned the forms of all three of them.  The computer chirped and information from the cerebral cortex of each of their brains filled the screens around them.  It was an interesting experience to say the least.  Finally the sounds and lights stopped and the door on the back side of the booth slid open.

A pleasent voice said "You may now enter Holo World"

As the men walked toward the exit their clothing started to change. 

The Dr.'s Hawaiian shirt vanished as it was replaced with a tight fitting black and blue sports like outfit.  Each of them has similar attire. As soon as their bodies had crossed over into the next room three helmets appeared in front of them. 

"Please put the helmets on and proceed to trail on the right" a tall man in a blue uniform said. 

They put their helmets on and Suder looked at the Counselor.  "Alright, what the heck is all of this?"

"Patience Andrus, Patience"  Margon said with a chuckle. 

As they rounded the trail they heard strange whirring sounds.  The Dr. was first to see the track.  It was very large and seemed to stretch out forever. 

"HOVERCARTS!"

Andrus shouted out in excitement.

This sport had become a rather huge attraction for it's reckless endangerment yet romantic attraction to high speeds in a rather unprotected environments.  The Dr. looked at Margon.

"So we came all this way for a carnival attraction?"  he looked alarmed.

"No Dr.  you will see, the computer knows what each of us need for relaxation and maximum enjoyment."  he said reassuringly.  Besides, I have a hand in the programming.  I think you will find it most satisfying."

The Dr. shook his head and reconsidered this adventure.  He was supposed to be healing up from a very traumatic past few weeks. 

There were four hover carts in front of them.  Each was unique in it's appearance. 

Suder knew which one was his because of the thudding bass coming from the cockpit.  He jumped in and put the head set on.

Margon climbed into the purple sleek craft of his own. 

The Dr. looked at the two remaining carts and again shook his head. 

Just then, a voice from behind him shouted out, "Come on Dr.  Get your butt in gear, pick a cart and let's get on with this."

That voice seemed familiar to him.  A hand patted the Dr. on the shoulder and he turned to look directly into Lt. Rhys Peter's face!

[Geekyfanboy]

Quinn sat behind his desk has his door chimed. “Enter,” he announced.

As Aeric enters the room, Quinn gets his first view of the strange man. Instead of the standard Starfleet uniform, Aeric wears one of a solid black color, with no hints of department. Also lacking from his uniform is a communicator, it has been replaced by a small metallic device that is almost hidden from view behind his left ear.

There is a slightly distant look on his face as he surveys the room with gunmetal grey eyes and processes the feel of the machines that comprises the Tiberius.

" Sir," Aeric says as he snaps to attention on seeing the captain. " Lt. Aeric James, commander of the Aurora. Reporting for duty as ordered by Starfleet Command and the Department of Temporal Investigations. Should you approve this transfer, it will be and honor to serve on the Tiberius. Attached to my files are a series of your-eyes-only protocols in reference to my potential role."

Quinn took the padd from Aeric and looked it over. "Welcome aboard, Lt." Quinn said has he raised his hand to shake Aerics.

Aeric moves to him to shake the man's hand. He didn't look as he expected, but perhaps that was because he had seen another version of this man in the myriad of timelines that he had traversed. "Thank you sir. I believe that Aurora and I will enjoy this assignment."

Quinn gestured to Aeric to sit as Quinn took his seat behind his desk.

Aeric nodded and took the seat as directed. "Thank you again, captain."

Quinn put down the padd, He looked at Aeric "I see that you don't like to conform to Starfleet uniform standards"

"It depends on who you ask sir. In my ... missions ... Starfleet uniforms tend to change rapidly. A neutral outfit that can be adapted to a ... situation ... seems to work best."

Quinn nodded "I understand that Lt. but now that you are going to be assigned to the Tiberius I would like to see you in a Standard Starfleet uniform. I don't want you to stand out from the other crew members"

"I fully intended to comply with all Starfleet regulations while a member of your crew. Having yet to be assigned to a division, I did not know what color to replicate my uniform." Aeric stated as he watched the captain.

Quinn smiled and looked down at his console. "Thank you Lt. the first officer and I have spoken and think it would be best to assign you to Engineering."

Aeric nodded " I will also inform Aurora to alter her uniform to current Starfleet standards."

Quinn continued to read the padd... "Lt. please explain to me why Starfleet feel that we need someone from the DTI aboard the Tiberius"

Aeric hesitated then continued, "The simple answer is that you, as partly El-Aurian might have some ability in noticing fluxuations to the time line. With the addition of
Aurora and myself, we become a tool to make things right in a worse cause situation."

Quinn picked up the padd... "Could you please explain this… temporal memory ability that you have?"

"I can try. Having being born outside of standard space/time, I don't have a counterpart in any other quantum reality. When timeline changes happen, I remember who I was and who I currently am." Aeric said as he attempted to find a better way to explain it.

"When a timeline changes, I gain memories of what I am supposed to be in that timeline as my presence expands from my point of entry into the timeline. After a recent change in my biology, I can sometimes see into those other timelines or quantum realities. Having outfitted my shuttle with a version of the same ability, we can with some accuracy track changes and corrections to the timeline."

Quinn sat there trying to understand what Aeric was saying. Aeric was right being half El Aurian has helped Quinn in understanding temporal shifts, but he wondered how Lt Aeric kept track of all the different timelines. Quinn has a hard enough time trying to keep the thousands of voices in his head straight. But before Quinn could ask Aeric answered his thoughts.

"It can be overwhelming at times, but I manage to maintain my core self even if reality is never repaired as it once was. As more realities overlap, I lose some of the altered memories in exchange for ones that apply to my current location. With the addition of my nanoprobes, I have gained a higher degree of access to my memories. My core self would best be explained as my operating system and these new memories are more programs or viruses."

Quinn was surprised oO So you are Telepathic? Oo

Aeric looked into Quinn’s eyes, oO Within this range, yes, but I have a greater range and ability when dealing with machines. Oo

"You can speak to computer telepathically?" Quinn asked as he laid down the padd.

"Computers and other technology...The more complex the machine, the greater the ease of interaction." Aeric said with a smile.

Quinn rubbed his chin "Interesting... could you please explain a bit about your ship Aurora, she is a prototype.... correct?"

Aeric nodded. "Yes. She's a prototype and a test bed. She serves a dual purpose. The first is to test and explore technologies that will assist in neutralizing the Borg threat. The second purpose she has is to monitor temporal incursions and provide the ability to address any that exceed a Class 3 threshold."

"Class three meaning a 30% change to the timeline. Events like those usually have someone there fixing them in no time, but if they didn't, we would attempt it."

"In designing the Aurora have better chances of surviving the Borg, she also developed new defense systems that have more than helped us to survive a hostile time shift."

With a directed thought, the PADD switched to display the classified specification of the Aurora Class prototype and suggested upgraded to the Tiberius.

Quinn looked down at the padd, " I see that there are plans here for the upgrades that need to be done on the Tiberius, I assume you will be working with your Chief Engineer on completing these tasks?"

"Yes sir. Some of the technologies will not work with the Akira class space frame, but the temporal shield, sensors, and shielded core are necessities to complete the mission should they ever need to occur. Those files also contain information, in the event of a temporal incursion, that will list all Starfleet known means of time travel."

"Very good Lt." Quinn stood up and as he did so Lt. Aeric did the same. Quinn walked over to the Lt. "Everything looks to be in order, of course I will approve your transfer. I welcome you to the Tiberius. I assume you will be staying aboard the Aurora?"

Aeric nodded and stood. "It would be a waste of resources to not use the space that I already have there."

"Thank you again for the opportunity to serve on this vessel. It was named after a very good man.

"Indeed" Quinn shook Aeric's hand and walked him to the door. It slid open.

Aeric headed through the door, but paused before exiting. "Sir I would be remiss if I didn't inform you that Aurora is also looking into a means of being able to better serve the Tiberius. She is compiling data and designing what she is calling a H.E.A.R.T Device.  Holographic Emission and Autonomous Regulation Terminal."

"Interesting..., please keep my updated. The crew is still on shore leave for another 9 days. I know Lt K'arath our chief  engineer has already returned from shore leave, please take the upgrades to him."

"Yes sir." Aeric said as he headed out to follow the orders.

Quinn noticed Ensign Took on the bridge, he smiled. “Ensign could I see you for a moment please?”

[iceman]

The doctor stopped dead in his tracks at the image of his dead comrade, but only for a second, he thought for a moment, then realized that this would be a better way of remembering his dead friend then the image he had currently replayed night after night since his death.

He grabbed his helmet and jumped into his metallic blue hovercar. It had been many years since he had been in one of these, but the feeling was exhilarating. For at least a little while the cares of the Tiberius were far away and he was like a little kid again, waiting for permission to open his Xmas presents from Santa.

At that moment, the lights on the track were getting ready to go off, he revved the engine of his hovercart then the signal was given, Red, Yellow then Green.... They were off racing around the course swerving in and out of obstacles going faster and faster passing each other as quickly as they were passed,.

The Adrenaline was pumping now, as they rounded one bend after another, this high was like no other, the doctor never wanted this feeling of exileration mixed with adrenaline to end, what a great start to their vacation, then suddenly......

[X]

"So, how did the meeting with the captain go?" Aurora asked as she turned in her chair to face Aeric.

"As well as could be expected. Meeting the captain reminded me why we usually work alone. It's always odd meeting someone for the first time that you have met in another timeline." Aeric said as he took a seat at the console beside her.

"I've looked at the crew manifest and there are a lot of familiar names here. Some of them we have fought against, some of them have been constant allies, and even a few names on the list were lovers of yours in those other timelines." Aurora stated. She had just as many memories as he did about other times and it was sometimes difficult to give a mortal enemy in one timeline the benefit of doubt in another. "While you were away I did maintenance on the power systems and did check on the armaments. Everything is running according to specifications."

"How is the work going to get you a more stable form?"

"I've managed to piece together to working HEART prototypes, but I really want to continue research on an organic body. Once I find suitable female DNA, I'll merge it with your sample and force grow a hybridized clone with the same nanotech modifications that you possess. If the projections are right I'll be able to download myself into the new body as easily as you've downloaded me into your nanite network."

"Does that break any regulations in this timeline?"

"None that I am officially aware of, but I don't think the rest of the Federation would like to know that a hologram is attempting to create an organic body for herself. I also don't have the necessary equipment to create the body. I would need access to a full medical lab for weeks."

"What about the stabilized photonic form?"

"It would take the same effort as an organic body and access to DNA from a species that is capable of transcending corporeal form. That or access to something that would allow me to interlace the energy wavelengths of an energy form into a photonic body. I don't believe that those efforts will pay off any time soon."

Aeric concentrated and allowed his mind to sync with the computers of the Aurora. He briefly glanced over Aurora's notes, but the majority of it was above him. She was programmed to serve as a doctor and he had yet to experience a life where he went into that field.

Commands from his mind flowed freely to the ship as systems blinked into activity and engines were brought online. Another thought sent a signal to the bridge of the Tiberius requesting departure clearance.

Minutes later, Aeric had the ship doing corkscrews as he tested the impulse engines. Sensor information was processed by the mental link as Aurora monitored the stresses on the ship. She was fast and agile. Maneuvering and vectoring thrusters gave the ship the agility of a fighter. It was also next to impossible to get the benefits of the additional thrusters without a neural link to the systems. The placement simply gave too many options and not enough time to fly the ship at her best manually.

Pushing the ship faster, he directed her towards Earth. Aurora on link had already prepared the ship for in atmosphere travel by the time they began their descent. The ship rumbled slightly then Aurora adjusted the configuration of the shield to make them more aerodynamic.

Bright blue oceans flowed below him as they descended closer to the surface. The ship slowed as Aurora and Aeric took in the sight. With the sensors of the ship running at full resolution they could see the world from every perspective of the ship. Schools of dolphins broke the surface to greet them as they brought the ship to a dead stop.

Aeric disconnected from the systems and smiled. "Computer transfer Aurora to my nanite network."

Without another word, Aurora faded from view and Aeric felt the tingle of her consciousness enter his mind.

What are we doing now? Aurora asked as she relished in the sensations of being among the living.

"I told you that I was going to teach you how to swim." Aeric said as he entered the open airlock and dove into the cold blue waters.

[Jen]

Growing up, Sevryll was a precocious child. She walked early, talked early and had a fondness for inquiry. On Vulcan—curiosity is a virtue— yet Sevryll often asked the wrong questions at the wrong time. Because she was young and bright, those subjected to her candid interviews, tended towards tolerance and dry Vulcan amusement.  Proper questions were answered and improper questions were simply ignored.

Sevryll learned Ancient Golic Vulcan before she could speak Federation Standard. As the daughter of a historian, she also learned to read and write the ancient language. She was five when it became evident that she had a gift for it.

The total embrace of logic was the only thing that came slowly to Sevryll. A peculiarity her mother insisted she inherited from her father's side. Krell's mother was T'Pol, the first Vulcan to serve onboard an Earth Starship. Many Vulcans allege that Krell's apathetic practice of Surak's teachings, and his work towards reunification, was due solely to his mother's extended emersion among the humans.

Though Sevryll was taught to control extreme expressions at a young age, she smiled often. Her father made no effort to encourage Vulcan stoicism and her mother never appreciated his clemency with regards to their daughter. Ever the disciplinarian, Sareth was often the one who reminded Sevryll to suppress her emotions.

The doorbell rang in a long, uninterrupted drone as the Vulcan woman depressed and held the chime. "Coming!" said Mrs. Quinn as she straightened her hair in the mirror hanging on the wall within the entry.  Not a strand was out of place— she turned to open the door and welcome the new guest. "Good evening Sareth! I'm so glad you could make it," said the El-Aurian with a compulsory smile. She was beginning to think the woman was intent on ringing that bell until it short-circuited.

"Won't you come inside?" she asked. The stolid Vulcan woman nodded once to her Academy colleague and was then escorted to the library where Mr. Quinn and Sevryll awaited them. Her daughter rose along with Mr. Quinn.

"Mother," said Sevryll as she inclined her head and averted her eyes.

"It is agreeable to see you my daughter," replied Sareth as she darted her own about the room in search of her grandchildren.

"Welcome," said Nathan's father. "I'm Jerrad Quinn." Sareth nodded in turn to the Betzoid. "Won't you have a seat?" He asked, as he motioned to a chair. Sareth sat as her eyes fell back upon her daughter who took a seat across from her.

"Where are the children?" asked Sareth flatly. Before Sevryll could reply they ran into the room giggling and laughing. Both raced up to their mother, excitedly talked over one another... telling her of their adventure in the garden with Jack.

Sevryll calmed them with a gentle word, indicating that their grandmother had arrived. The two half-human children instantly became pure Vulcan toddlers as they remembered their manners. N'Vall was the first to approach Sareth. He tried in vain to offer the elder a Vulcan salute. Sareth raised an eyebrow and rolled her gaze towards her daughter, then she helped the boy split his fingers and returned the gesture. "Peace and long life," said Sareth to the child who looked up at her with a curious expression. N'Vall smiled and repeated the words to his grandmother. If Sareth had allowed the disappointment she felt to escape her hard Vulcan exterior, a grimace would have been her response to his friendly smile. Instead, she inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly—skillfully expending the emotion proper Vulcans were taught to suppress.

She looked up at M'rynn—the girl remained at her mother's side, carefully studying the older woman sitting across from them. In a few days, the toddlers would be three-years-old. Sevryll's children had not seen their grandmother since they were one-and-a-half. And as young children often do, during long periods of separation, they had forgotten the stranger.

Sevryll whispered words of encouragement to her small daughter, and after a moment M'rynn approached Sareth. The thumb she kept in her mouth for comfort, kept her from attempting the Vulcan salute.

"Peace and long life," Sareth said to the child. M'rynn did not respond, but looked back at her mother unsure of what to do next.

Sareth drew a long breath and said, "I see you have begun teaching them our customs, daughter. They are the portrait of proper Vulcan etiquette. "

Jerrad Quinn cleared his throat and changed the subject—offering Sareth a cup of spice tea.

[X]

Family Ties Pt 1: Broken Threads Reforged.


Aurora hadn't lied, but she had bent the truth. She wasn't the only one. Everyone that she had met with aboard the Aurora thought she was simply some advanced hologram, but they were wrong. She was more than just a hologram. She was the sum of the memories and neural patterns of Aeric's daughter. A daughter that ceased to exist with the correction of a timeline.
Had it been a few months later, she could have been preserved in a stasis field until something could be done to save her. Had it be a few years later and she could have been injected with nanites that would have altered to quantum resonance and made her immune to the paradox of having a mother that never existed. The only thing that her father could do for her was to store her mind and build a hologram around it. That wasn't enough for her. She needed to breathe again and she couldn't get his help with it.
Aeric had done what he could to save her and she knew the guilt that he felt at all the lives that he helped to erase and reshape. She also knew that she wanted to be alive again. If this didn't work, she wouldn't need to worry about being forever stuck in a digital limbo. If it did, her father could have the child that she knew he mourned every time he linked with her. She wasn't just doing this for herself; she needed to give her father peace. She needed him to know and see his child again. They both needed this and she was the only one that could do it. She knew the laws better than her father. Holograms didn't have rights. Organics had rights. She couldn't be tried for a crime that a hologram committed and nor could her father. When she had a body again, her life would be her own and she could not be held responsible for her rebirth by a program that no longer existed.

With access to the medical bay aboard the ship, she would be more than able to restore her organic form. Using the talents programmed into her systems, pale imitations of the abilities she inherited from her father, she tapped into the computer systems of the Tiberius. Scanning through the genetic profiles of every female aboard the ship, she only found one adult that was a suitable replacement for her mother that no longer existed.

"Computer, do a deep scan of the Tiberius for any residual DNA from designated Beta-One. Run scan at a .00002% temporal variance so as to not trigger any sensors." Aurora said as she hovered over a medical tank in her sickbay.

"Working." Responded the computer in her voice. It was an older, more mature voice, but she knew that it was based on hers. After only a few moments of searching, the computer responded again. "Viable DNA found."

"Good. Now lock transporters on to the DNA and transport sample here."

As the sample materialized, Aurora went to work, using the gifts of medicine that her holoform had been programmed with. She worked hard as she spliced the Alpha and beta samples together into a modified new whole. She would share characteristics with both of her "parents", but she would also grow up to look almost as she did in her holoform. The only change in her new appearance would be the pointed ears, but she could get used to that. The ears were only one of the many changes she would inherit from her female donor. This project was more than simple cloning, the form she was creating was a new child, a new organism that combined the best of what her donors had to offer.

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

"Bioregenerative field ready." the voice of the computer said as Aurora inserted the newly combined DNA into the biogel filled tank.

"Seal medical bay on my authorization. Level 10 security." Aurora said as she watched the cells of her new form slowly divide on the monitors.

"Medical bay sealed."

"After my program is transferred to Subject-X, transfer all my security clearance and authorization codes to Subject-X."

"Orders confirmed."

"On my mark, shutdown Aurora hologram and bring bioregenerative field online at 100%. Initiate auto transfer of Aurora program to subject x in two hours."

"Affirmative."

"Computer, I need you to shut off bioregenerative field as soon as subject x reaches the early beginning of physical adulthood."

"Affirmative."

Aurora paced as she thought about what would happen next. Either this would work or she would truly cease to exist. In times like these, she knew what it was like to be her father. Of all of the hard decisions that he had to make for the good of the timestream. What he did to save them had condemned her to this state, but now she could make it better and give him back the child he was forced to loose. Now she would be able to live again and this time she had made sure to activate the genes that would protect her they protected her father. She would not lose him again. "Computer, estimate time to completion of Project Homecoming?"

"36 earth standard hours."

"On my mark, disable communications systems and enter phase mode for the next 36.1 hours and initiate Project Homecoming. In 1 hour send communication to subjects Alpha one and beta one and attach my personal logs on the reasons why I have done this." Aurora looked around the ship one last time and swore that she would see it again. She swore to herself that she would smell and breath again. It was a leap of faith that she needed to take. "Engage."

Aurora faded from view as the last word the hologram would ever speak was registered by the computer and activated her orders.

[Geekyfanboy]

Took entered the Captain's ready room. Quinn gestured from him to sit down as he sat behind his desk, "How are you doing Ensign?" Quinn asked kindly. "I'm doing okay sir" Took said with a nervous smile. Quinn nodded "Aren't you suppose to be on shore leave?" Took looked around like he was trying to figure out the best way to say something. " Ummm yes sir, I was on shore leave and enjoying it but..."

Quinn raised his hand to stop him. "Mr. Took you know that I'm a telepath" Tooks eyes widened, Quinn quickly continued "But I do not invade privacy. I can however always feel peoples emotions." Took looked down at his knees. Quinn stood up and walked over to the second chair in front of his desk and sat down. He put a hand on Tooks shoulder. "Did you know I was a counselor when I first graduated Starfleet." Took looked up "of course Captain, I have studied your records". Quinn smiled "Well I am telling you this because if you feel like talking, I'm a good listener," They both laughed as El Aurian were known for being Good Listeners.

Took turned toward Quinn. "Well sir, I don't fit in here. As much as I try, I feel as thought everyone looks down on me. Like I'm not good enough to be wearing this uniform." Quinn's smile turned to concern. "What do you mean, they looked down on you. Why would anyone looked down on you Ensign."

Tooks eyes met Quinn's, "I was born on Telave VII, my childhood was.. to say the least...very rough. I don't know if you know the history of my planet, it's not part of the Federation. Two factions have been at war for thousands of years. Millions of people have died. Those of us who have gotten off world are seen as beggars, thieves or burdens to society. I escaped when I was fourteen, my parents managed to smuggle off world with a trader. He promised to bring me to Earth but instead sold me in to the Orion slave trade. It would be another six years before a Starfleet officer rescued me from my master and brought me to Earth. I enroll in Starfleet and knew this was where I was suppose to be. It was tough to fight the stigma of my race. I worked extra hard at the Academy and graduated in the top 10 percent of my class. But there were sacrifices along the way. I barely had any friends and was see very much as  loner. I was very happy when I was assigned to the Tiberius. I knew I would be able to start a new life for myself.  But it seems that the prejudice at the Academy has followed me to this ship."

Quinn squeezed Tooks shoulder, "I'm so sorry for all your hardship at such a young age and your struggle through the Academy, but that is all behind you. You are a Starfleet Ensign on the USS Tiberius. I can't imagine any fellow officer not respecting you because of your race. " Quinn stood up and Took did the same. "Sir I'm not saying anyone on board has said anything wrong or inappropriate. It's more of an internal thing for me. If you hear that you are the scum of the Universe all your life, you start to believe it." Quinn  walked to the door of his office. "Well Nicholas you need to start listening to different voices. Come join me on shore leave. I am staying with my family and I think it would do you some good to get off ship. Commander Servyll and her children are staying with us as well." "Sir I don't want to intrude" Took say nervously. "Nonsense" Quinn said, "The more the merrier". Quinn and Took walked toward the turbo lift.

Twenty minutes later Nathan Quinn and Nicholas Took entered the large kitchen where he saw his family along with what he assumed was Servyll's mother sitting around the dinner table. "Sorry mother about being late, I had  ship business to take care of. I would like to introduce you to Ensign Nicholas Took, he will be staying with us for the remainder of our shore leave. Quinn's mother Anashta came over and pulled Nic into a bone-crushing hug. As she did so Quinn turned to the elder Vulcan that was sitting next my his father and introduced himself, "Hello you must be Servyll's mother, Sareth. It's a pleasure to meet you"  Sareth looking coldly at Quinn's mother's affection for a complete stranger gave Quinn a nod. Quinn gave Servyll a smile and rubbed his hands together.. "so what's for supper??"

[X]

"Hello father," the young woman smiled as she climbed out of the tank, the clear goo clinging to her newly created body. Her wavy black hair fell to the middle of her back and slightly obscured delicately pointed ears. Without the ears, she could pass for a human girl that was but a few years away from two decades. "I hope I didn't worry you."

"What have you done?" Aeric demanded as he helped her out of the tank. He had received her message and understood her plan, but he could have lost her.

"I've restored myself. I could not replicate my mother's time lost DNA, so I adapted. I selected another mother and ... well ... here I am. Again." Aurora said as she pulled on a robe that waited on a chair near the tank. Her slender fingers pushed the goo matted hair behind her ears as she looked around with metallic grey eyes that she inherited from her father. "You arrived sooner than I expected. I thought I would have time to get cleaned up."

"This isn't a joke Auro-" Aeric started.

"Aria." The girl said, cutting off her father. "I'm alive again. Aurora is the name of your ship and your hologram, I am your daughter. I am as close to the person I was as I will ever be. We should be celebrating, not arguing."

    Aeric pulled the girl into his arms and held her tight, the bio-gel soaking into the black cloth of his uniform. "I could have lost you! Why did you do something so foolish?"

"I did it because I am your daughter and risk taking is just a part of the genetics." Aria said as she hugged him back and savored the sensations of both touch and smell. It had been so long since she felt those senses for her self and now she was whole again. She was several centimeters shorter than her father and could not have weighted more than forty-four kilograms, but he could feel the strength behind her hug.

    Aeric hesitantly released his child, part of him fearing that she would vanish if he let her go. The other part of him, the scientist, needed to know the extent of what she had done. Once he fully released her, he turned to the desk and grabbed the medical tricorder and slowly passed it over her form. Her neural patterns were fully integrated into her new body. He detected minor genetic changes to her genetic profile, a combination of his DNA and that of a female Vulcan. Her body was also saturated with the same nanites that filled his. He smiled to himself as he read the results. She was doing better than he imagined when she sent him her message. Of course, he would need to have her examined in a better equipped medical bay, but she seemed well.

"I am well father. I have my old memories and Aurora's training. I will make a good member of the project and I will even attempt to make a new version of Aurora for the ship."

"How is this possible?" Aeric asked as he just stared at her.

"It has always been possible; it was the ethics involved that hindered the realization. The Federation has had the technology for years, but never a desire to combine it to function as I have needed. The ability to create or in my case, recreate a life using manipulated DNA and imprinted neutral patterns opens a door to something dangerous. It isn't something that we can allow to be exploited. Since I've also inherited an active temporal immunity from you, what happened to be before can never happen again, but we can use that. To keep this project secret, I will tell the Federation that I am from a non-existent timeline. That is the truth."

"What about the DNA that you ... acquired?"

"I informed my donor of her contribution. It was the logical thing to do. It was also the right thing to do."

    As she spoke, Aria moved to the replicator and mentally fed it her commands. Within moments, a newly replicated outfit appeared. She grabbed the clothing and turned again to face her father. "I will need to get showered and changed. We can discuss this further after I remove the goo. If my mother comes while I am preparing, perhaps you can get her to wait for me to finish."

   Aeric nodded and watched his daughter leave. She looked like a combination between her old self and her holoform. The DNA from her mother's side had been replaced with Vulcan DNA. She had his bronzed skin tone, but the color of her hair and the shape of her ears were decidedly her mother, a mother that he did not even know in this timeline and only knew in a few others. He didn't want to imagine what the reaction that this unknown Vulcan would have to the situation.

    His daughter was back and he was happier than he could ever remember. He also needed a second opinion. Aurora, and now Aria, possessed all of the medical knowledge of an EMH, but she was still a child. He needed to be sure that she didn't make a mistake and the processes that she had to employ were well beyond his field of expertise or skill sets.

"Computer, plot a course to the Tiberius and engage at one quarter impulse."

"Affirmative, course plotted at engaged."

   Aeric paced as he gave the next command. "Computer seal all references to Aurora's project and all information of that project under my clearance. Delete any search references to material regarding materials. Project does not exist in any records or searches unless conducted by myself or Aria."

"Orders confirmed. Working." The computer replied.

"Also begin recompiling of Aurora hologram from stored backup files. Remove Aria engrams and restore default personality engrams."

"Working." The computer said. "Attempting recompiling of Aurora program."

    Aeric registered what the computer had said, but had already made his way from the medical bay to the helm. He had his daughter back and there was nothing that he was going to allow to change that. He had done his duty once before and lost his rank and his child because of it. He wasn't going to lose her again. He didn't care what she had done to return to the flesh. She deserved to live as much as anyone else. In all of the infinite timelines, his daughter as she existed now perhaps existed in another quantum reality. Due to his own unique quantum signature, he couldn't be tracked back to a single quantum reality. His initial scans of Aria suggested that she possessed that same quantum ambiguity as he. If he said that she was his daughter from another timeline, it was the truth. If he said that he and this Vulcan shared a child in one of the many quantum realities, it was the truth. They didn't need to bring up the genetic changes or the process of her rebirth to anyone else.

    Aeric closed his eyes and linked to his ship. They had survived so many temporal incursions together. It was one of the few things in all of creation that rode the changes in time as he did. She was both a home and a friend, but there were times where he was also lonely. There were times where he regretted doing what needed to be done. His daughter had been taken from him because he did the right thing. It was only through luck that he managed to retain her memory engrams. He wasn't giving her up again and no one would take her.

   Aeric felt the ship shake slightly as she exited the atmosphere of the blue-green orb. With his mind linked to the sensors, he could already pick up the Tiberius, but rather than hail them for landing clearance, he brought the ship into orb near her.

"I've decided that I need to redecorate my quarters," Aria said as she made her way into the helm and took her, no Aurora's normal place at the second conn.  She had replicated a black jumpsuit similar in appearance to his own black uniform, but hers lacked the place or need for ranking pips. "I think that we can also rebuild Aurora to be her own person and not just as shell for my consciousness."

"I've already started," Aeric replied to her with a smile. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel like I should see if I can test out of the Academy and become an officer."

"You're too young to go to the Academy. I'm also not letting you out of my sight so easily." He said.

"You don't need to. I'm not as crowded as I was. With the option to leave the ship, it feels better being here. It's like I have a real choice." Aria said as her fingers danced over the console. "Are we going to land?"

"No. I want to see what happens when your biological donor processes the information you sent her."

"She's not just some biological donor." Aria said. "She's my mother and if I chose correctly she will see it as that. She will see that this was the right choice."

"She's a commanding officer on my new posting, a married woman, and a Vulcan. Some day we're going to sit down and try to figure out how you define 'right choice'." Aeric replied.

"I could never remake my birth form, that wasn't an option. I did what I could to make the best of a bad situation. I'm alive again and I can help you with your work daddy. Not just the temporal issues, but with the borg. I owe them as much as you do. I didn't exist here because they assimilated my mother before you could ever meet her here."

"I know." Aeric said softly. "Let's not talk about it. This is a good day. My daughter is truly home and we need to be grateful for that."

"So why are we just sitting here?" Aria asked as she spun to face her father, her brow raised in curiosity. It wasn't something he had seen her do before, it was more like something a Vulcan would do.

"How do you feel?"

"I feel fine. I don't have a vulcan's training or desire to suppress my emotions. I hope that I can be forgiven for that, but I don't see a reason to live without truly enjoying what I have been given again."

"That's good to hear. I enjoy emotions." Aeric said as he smiled to her and looked out towards the Earth.

"Are we just going to sit here?"

"No," Aeric started. "I am waiting to see if your ... mother ... wants to meet with you before we return to the ship or if she reports you for what you have done."

"Since you put it like that, waiting seems like a great idea, but the sooner we get to the ship the sooner you can show me around our new home." Aria said as she rose from her console and moved to the back of the bridge. "I'm going to replicate me something to drink, would you like something?"

"No thank you." Aeric said as he closed his eyes and extended his senses through the sensors of the Aurora. Something told him that it was going to be a very long day. "I think you are right about getting back to the ship. We really need to get you checked out."

"I'm fine," she stated. "I didn't do this to get poked and prodded by someone I don't know. I'm still trained to serve as a doctor ... mostly."
"Mostly?"

"Well, I still have much of my knowledge, but I need to get used to myself. I wouldn't want to do surgery, but I have the clinical knowledge. It's just going to take time for me to learn to be a doctor again."

"Is that what you want?" Aeric asked as he plotted a course for the Tiberius and transmitted the request to dock. "What do you want to do?"

"Daddy, right now, I just want to live. I don't want to think about medicine or piloting for a few weeks. I just want to walk around and feel the wind and light on my skin. I want to smell the scent of a nice meal and enjoy the taste. I want to breath and run until I fall out of breath." She said as she twirled about the cabin. "I want to see new holodramas and end the program with fearing that I might vanishing with the characters."

"I'm sorry for what I did to you." Aeric said as he looked at his child. "If I had known..."

   Aria ran to her father and hugged him again. "It's not your fault. If you had not done what you did, I could not have done what I did. I wasn't trapped in some limbo. I did see wonders and I did learn new things. You couldn't have known that I would miss my other senses. Daddy, you saved me and I only finished what you started."

    Aeric nodded again and stroked her hair. "I'm glad you're back. We should see about getting your quarters to your liking and giving you that tour of the Tiberius."

    Aria beamed at the idea. She could go where she wanted to go now. She wasn't bound by the invisible leash of the presence or absence of hologram emitters. She was back to being flesh again. Aria smiled as she reached out to the computers with her own power. It was easier than she expected and vastly changed from her time as Aurora. The ship pulsed around like a living creature. She could feel the reactors pulsing like a heart. Relays and power conduits were veins and arteries. The billions of nanites were a fantastic immune system that helped to protect this near living wonder. She was no longer a part of the ship, she was one with it and she could feel her father's pride and her achievements.

"Would you like to bring her in?"

      Aria nodded wordlessly as she reached to the ship again. She could feel the thrusters and engines ready to dance at her command. As a hologram, it was just a series of commands that she sent to the engines. Now it was different. Now she could feel the ship as an extension of her. Sensors replaced her eyesight. The ship moved and turned as easily as she could lift as finger. In her mind's eye she saw her course and navigated them to the open shuttlebay. She stretched those same fingers and toes and the landing gear deployed. There was only the slightest of shutters to even reveal that they had touched down. "We're home."

[Jen]

Separation had guaranteed an uneasy peace between Sevryll and her mother. The strained relationship had lain dormant for over a year, yet the unexpected reintroduction caused the idle tension to become taut once more. Sevryll was thankful that Nathan had returned, and hoped he could break the frigid ice that had quickly formed after Sareth's arrival. The captain introduced himself to the elder Vulcan and received a polite nod in return.  He offered a sympathetic smile to Sevryll and turned to his own mother, to ask her what they were having for dinner.

"Vegetarian of course: Zucchini Herb Casserole with extra basil. And for desert," she turned to the children, "sugar free, chocolate cake, complete with three birthday candles." The children exchanged looks, neither had heard of birthday candles, but they were willing to trying just about anything once.

Though their mother briefly counseled them on smiling in the presence of their grandmother—they couldn't help but do so—Mrs. Quinn was adept at producing such responses. Nathan watched as Sevryll's mother studied their eager reactions with clinical interest.

Nathan sat down next to Sevryll and motioned to the chair across from him—Took, quietly took the chair. The Vulcan first officer welcomed the Ensign, as Mrs. Quinn ambled over to find out what he wanted to drink. "Water would be fine" he said quietly. Severyll determined that his reticent communication was indicative of shyness and not conceit. She wondered if Nathan had invited him, in an attempt to help him over the social obstacle. After all, the captain was once a ship's counselor.

Apart from Mrs. Quinn's bustling and humming, the room fell momentarily silent.  Nathan decided he would attempt to remove the chill from the air, by engaging Sareth and Sevryll in a conversation regarding Vulcan antiquity. He was certain discussion, involving a subject they were each knowledgeable in, would open the door to more affable dialogue between the two.


"So...Sareth..." He said as he took a sip of from the glass of ice tea his mother poured for him. "How do you feel about Thebat's new theories regarding Vulcan's prehistoric past?"

Sareth regarded him with a raised brow. "I do not feel anything Captain—Vulcans suppress their emotions," she glanced at Sevryll for effect before continuing. "However, my analysis of Thebat's hypothesis is that his data is unfounded, and thus should only be considered as speculation based on circumstantial substantiation."

Sevryll wanted to grimace. She had always considered verbal reminders of the "emotionless condition of the Vulcan people", to be condescending, ill-mannered and categorically deceptive—especially when the cue was issued to Federation citizens. They were, by now, well aware of Surakian philosophy. Sevryll felt it was superfluous to continually explain, the nature of emotional suppression.
Her approach, in such matters, was simply to answer the question.

Undeterred by Sareth's cool response, Nathan turned to Sevryll, "what are your thoughts on the matter?" Sevryll was surprised that the captain was conversant in current theories of Vulcan evolution. She was not aware that while he awaited his meeting with Lt. James, he had searched the ship's database and memorized the title, author and opening paragraph of the first file he found. In actuality, he knew absolutely nothing of Vulcan prehistory.

"Because of volcanism and severe geological upheavals, the fossil record on our planet is sparse. There is often only a single specimen of an extinct species. It is unlikely his evidence is authentic," replied Sevryll.

Success...they agreed on something, but it was still too early to establish whether that "door to more affable dialogue" had been opened. Sevryll met her mother's eyes—perhaps the door was cracked.

Sevryll's PADD beeped from the adjoining room, alerting her that she had received a new message. Dinner was not quite ready, so she excused herself to read the communiqué.

Perhaps the new message was a more detailed follow up, to the one she received only hours before, from Mr. Smith. She lifted the Personal Access Display Device, and keyed her code to retrieve the file.

"Hello Mother..." The words that scrolled across her PADD seared her mind like globs of lava, falling from Vulcan's sky. Sevryll's DNA had been collected and used, without her consent, to create a new life. Where had she heard this before? It was a familiar story. "Elizabeth..." The name came to her like a mirage in the distance. Her grandmother had a daughter named Elizabeth—this had happened to T'Pol. The individual who sent the message, combined her DNA with that of a new crewmember—one Lt. Aeric James. "I guess I should introduce myself..." read the next line— her name was "Aria".

Sevryll completed the document and saved the file. She had been violated...but the appeal for understanding echoed in her thoughts.

Nathan entered the room where she sat staring with unfocused eyes at the PADD in her hands. "Dinner's rea....." a wave of confusion struck him like a clinched fist.

[moyer777]

Andrus Suder lost control of his hover cart.  He had been attempting to pass the Dr. with a grin on his face when all of the sudden the wash of the Dr.'s thrusters choked his engine.  Instead of stalling it had pushed the craft into the Dr.'s flight path which in turn caused Dr. Peterson to spiral out of control and smash into the holographic Lt. Peter's craft.  Counselor Margon was behind everyone and slowed his craft , but it was too late.  All of them piled up and smashed into the side of the cliff. 

Everything turned black.

The air was thick with smoke as phaser fire shot back and forth in the darkness.  Dr. Peterson saw Rhys jumping in the line of fire, but the Dr. lunged forward and the phaser fire struck him in the head.  He fell to the ground and reached up to his temple.  It was warm and felt wet, but strangely he didn't feel any pain, just sleepy.  He pulled his hand off of the side of his head and looked at it.  BLOOD! "Casey!  Casey Peterson! he heard from the darkness.  He recognized that voice, it was his mother's.  "Mom?"  what are you doing here?

Andrus said it again, "Casey, Casey Peterson!, are you alright?  Can you reach me?"

At holo world not everything was a hologram.  The Dr. knew that.  The resort was unique in the fact that it used real elements of life combined with photonic technology.  He surrmized that he men had happened to find one of the only places where the rock wall, was really a rock wall, and the cliff was really a cliff.  Andrus was in shock and holding on for dear life yelling at the top of his lungs at the Dr. who had blood pouring from a gash on his head.  Margon was dangling from his ship next to Suder and had a horrid look on his face.  Rhys was nowhere to be seen, the Dr. wondered what had happened to him, and was well aware that the safety protocols must have malfunctioned.  His head ached and his stomach felt strange.  He was able to pull himself out of his cart and over to the men hanging from the cliff.  It was instinct, pure instinct and before he knew it he had torn a piece of his coveralls off and tied it around his wounded head.  He had locked his booted foot between the rock surface and one of the crashed hover carts and proceeded to hang himself upside down while reaching to Suder.   

"Grab my hand Andrus!"  he yelled.  "Andrus, wake up, listen to me, grab my hand"

"I'm awake Dr.  very awake!" he yelled.

Andrus rolled his eyes and reached with one hand toward the Dr.  His hand grasped Casey's arm but it was slippery with blood.  The Dr. squeezed hard and said, "Let go of the craft with your other hand and grab my hand."  Andrus looked up and struggled.  He knew that if he let go there was a chance he would slip right out of the Dr.s grasp and fall 200 feet.  There was nothing he could do, so with a deep breath he let go and grabbed for the Dr.   

Dr. Peterson pulled with everything he could and the secondary counselor climbed up to safety. 

Before the Dr. could even think he reached down in the same manner and held out his hand for Margon.  The Counselor reached up and grasped the Dr.'s hand.  This time though, the hover cart shifted under Margon's added weight and began to slip from the cliff causing the Dr. lose his footing.  The Bolian screamed out "Dr. let go, let go!"  The Dr. wouldn't, and fell along with Margon down the cliff with the mangled hovercraft right behind them.  The two men fell for what seemed and eternity when in reality it was only second or two. 

Dr. Peterson's life flashed before him.  This was it.  Maybe he wasn't a coward after all.  He knew he wasn't but he couldn't stop blaming himself for Lt. Rhy's death.  Maybe he could help.  He had saved Andrus.  He knew that was dying saving his friend's life and in some odd way it made him feel better.   Strange things go through one's mind when they are about to die. 

The ground came hurling toward them, Dr. Peterson put his hands in front of his face to shield the impact and closed his eyes.  The wind rushed all around him  and he waited to hear the bone crushing "THUD" of his body impacting the hard canyon floor.

SILENCE.

The wind stopped, and the Dr. felt himself hovering weightless.  He opened his eyes to see a holo grid all around him.  Lt. Peter's stood in front of him as the Dr. was suspended over the floor floating.   

"Casey"  you did all you could.

The Dr. now landed softly on the floor.  he stood and looked at Rhys.  "But the Counselor where is the counselor?"

"He's fine Dr. he was never in any danger.  And neither were you."

"What? The Dr. asked, "What are you saying?"

"You've been struggling through something you have no control over Dr.  You couldn't have saved me.  It was out of your hands. I did what I had to do"

"But you shouldn't have died Rhys.  I mean, I saved Andrus, and I almost saved Margon!"  He said almost crying.  By now he reached up and his head wasn't bloody like it had been.  It must have been part of the simulation. 

"Yes, you did, because that's the kind of man you are Dr."  The hologram said.  "Men like you and I rise to the occasion when it's needed.  That takes risk.  You and I both knew that going into Starfleet."

"I suppose so," he said calming now.  "I just, I just, I just didn't want you to die Lt."

"I know, none of us wanted that, but it's how it worked out. Go on with life Dr.  Go on and save people, save people like I would, like we all would, it's why we are out here. Be someone's hero Dr."

With that Lt. Peters dematerialized and The Counselor and Suder appeared. 

They didn't say anything.  They just stood there looking at each other. 

The Dr. wiped tears from his eyes and reached out to Margon.  They quickly embraced and Casey whispered "Thank you Counselor"


Margon let the Dr. go


Andrus rolled his eyes again and looked at Margon.  "I can't believe you talked me into this."  He smiled.

The Bolian counselor called out "Computer, Coney Island"

The holo grid now changed to a carnival setting.   A ferris wheel was to their right and a roller coaster to their left.  A little booth right next to them was alive with activity as the Counselor smiled and said...

"Casey, let me introduce you and Andrus to something called Carmdill Corn."

Adrus looked at Margon.  "Carm - EL Corn you dufus."

"Dufus?" the Counselor inquired.

"Dufus!" the Dr. emphasized.

[JoSpiv]

Ensign Bandana hit his combadge.

"Bandana to Starstriker"

"Startstriker here"

Bandana chuckled, "Hey Isaac, you ready to go down?  Meet me in transporter room 2 and we'll head down".

Ensign Starstriker and Ensign Bandana head down to Earth for shore leave.   Just for sightseeing purposes they went to see Dr. Cocrane's launch site.  Bandana had heard so much about it, but had never been there before.   With the huge statue of the great Dr. Cochrane standing over them Bandana suddenly had a thought.   "Where would be be without this man?"  He had always been facinated by the idea of the "What if?" senario, and just couldn't stop thinking about the Galaxy, if Earth had never developed warp technology. 

He asked Ensign Starstriker what he thought about it, and they both agreed this would be best discussed somewhere more active.    Bandana remembered a nice little place just outside of San Francisco that he used to go to during his Academy days.  He wondered if it would still be there, and if that waitess would still be there.  "What was her name?" he thought.  "Ah yes, Ro-Ana.   Couldn't forget Ro-Ana". 

   

[iceman]

The Dr. ran the simulation over in his mind. It had been so real, right down to the blood on his forehead, the metal, the smell of oxidized metal with the acrid smoke was their too.

The Dr. knew that he had to let go of the Lt, but it was hard. Harder for him then most, He guessed that is why he went into medicine. In part it was to make his deceased family proud, the way he was of them,  when they sacrificed themselves to protect the earth from the Borg at the battle of Wolf 359.

All he has of them now is his memories, a few photos and the medals that they received during their starfleet career.How he hated the Borg for they were responsible for taking his family away from him. This is why he supposed in part, that he took death of his crewmate so hard. Death is so final and it always leaves a hole or void that can never be completely filled or healed.

Starfleet in part is like death, for it often leaves a void in someones life, taking a loved one away from their families for years at a time only to become permanent at a future date. All of us who join must gamble with are future and our lives. We all know that we will face death many times and in many ways, sometimes we win, but quite often we loose.

The Doctors thoughts then focused, he replayed the last mission over in his head perhaps in his own small way he had made a difference, he saved a boys life; was in a large part responsible for ridding the galaxy of a truly mad man, removed some illegal weapons from the federation; and filled a void in a Klingon Mothers life by replacing her dead son with another boy who was also orphaned. All without breaking starfleet laws and regulations.

If he had not joined Starfleet none of this would have happened and many more people would have probably died. He Chuckled under his breath and thought. "Not bad for a Dr."

Perhaps the best thing he could do for Lt. Ryes was remember his friends sacrifice and try to uphold the ideals and values of starfleet to the best of his ability to make the galaxy a better place for everyone to live.

His thoughts drifted back to his academy days and these words "The needs of the many outway the needs of the one"...

The Doctors reason for joining starfleet had become more clearer and more focused, he was  here for one reason. TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE and as long as he had life and air in his lungs he would make that difference by simply being there.

[Rico]

    As Admiral Talbot paced his office, he kept going over the message from his Vulcan friend.  He had known Krell a long time and considered him a good and close friend.  Well as close a friend as you can be when a Vulcan was involved.  But Krell wasn't your average Vulcan.  Talbot remembered quite well the incident on Rigel V when the pair were much younger.  Sirach and Krell had managed to take some leave time together and were visiting a local bar that was well known in the quadrant for having a small stock of Romulan ale.  The Admiral had always wanted to try the illegal and quite intoxicating beverage.  His mixed heritage sometimes caused him to think more with his instincts and feelings than with the more logical side of his mind.  The memories were returning now years later but he recalled a small group of Orion slave traders coming into the bar.  The large green men had the nerve to bring in a female slave with them to the establishment.  Krell had picked up on their activites quickly and overheard them trying to sell the Orion female to someone at a back table.  Krell quickly got up and went over to the table with the Orions.  Sirach followed his friend of course and noticed quickly that there were four rather large Orion slavers that stood up quickly as Krell approached them.
    "I wish to purchase this female."  Krell had told them.  The Vulcan knew that stating that slave trading was illegal on Rigel would do little good with the Orions.
    "Sorry big ears.  This one is not for sale.  Now run along back to your own kind.  Maybe find a nice little Vulcan girl for yourself."  The biggest Orion said as they all laughed at Krell.
    "I can pay double the credits of whatever the current price is on her."  Krell said calming, but loudly to break through the laughter.  Sirach knew his friend well enough to know this was one of those times when Krell would not yield in what he wanted.  He had seen this determination in his friend at other times and recognized it.  The Orion female looked at Krell and had tears in her eyes.
     "I told you Vulcan, she is not for sale.  You and your boyfriend here need to move along now."  The Orion leader said more intensely.  The other three Orions started to move towards Krell and Sirach.
     "You are not being logical.  I have offered you twice the amount and still you will not sell me the female.  Now you are trying my patience Orion slaver.  You will now release the female to me and I will pay you nothing."  Krell said loudly, raising his voice.  Sirach was a bit shocked.  His friend rarely raised his voice and let his emotions show.  But it did happen.  Sirach also knew that Krell abhorred slavery.  This was not going to end easily he thought to himself.
     "You are a funny one for a Vulcan.  I think we will show you what we do to those that interfere with my business."  The slaver said as he nodded towards his companions.  Two of them tried to grab a hold of Krell, but he was expecting it.  The large Vulcan pivoted on his foot and managed to reach the neck of the closer Orion.  He dropped to the ground after a quick nerve pinch.  Sirach stomped on one of the Orion's large feet with his the heel of his boot that sent him to the ground, howling in pain.  Orion's feet were rather weak compared to the rest of their bodies.  This allowed Sirach to get the drop on him and he finished him off with a nerve pinch of his own.  While this happened Krell launched himself at the Orion leader knocking him against the back wall.  The two of them grappled as the Orion tried to keep Krell's hands away from his neck area.  Meanwhile, Sirach was wrestling with the last of the Orion's.  Both Sirach and Krell were fairly large men, but the Orions were huge.  Sirach managed to get a choke hold around the Orion's neck with one arm.  He quickly fell unconscious.  By this time Krell had green blood running down his cheek from a gash across his forehead.  Sirach noticed the Orion had pulled out a knife and was brandishing it at Krell.
     "It's over Orion.  Your men are down.  Leave while you can still walk out of here."  Krell told the Orion leader.
     "I have the knife Vulcan.  I think it is you who should leave."  The Orion said as he slashed the air with his knife.
     "I'd listen to my friend slaver.  He doesn't take to kindly to slavers.  Especially stupid ones."  Sirach told the large green skinned Orion as he grinned at him.  Just then, the Orion charged both of them.  Krell grabbed the Orion's knife arm and twisted the blade from his grasp just as Sirach gave the Orion a hard left hook across his jaw.  This staggered the Orion long enough for Krell to knock him off his feet with a sweeping kick of his leg.  The large slaver fell back and Krell was on top of him quickly, pinning him to the ground with his knees on his shoulders.  Sirach watched as Krell punched the Orion several times across his bloody face.  The strong Vulcan blows quickly broke the Orion's jaw and nose and he fell unconscious.  But Krell continued his assault.  Sirach had to pull his friend off the slaver and even had to slap him across the face to bring him back from his very uncharacteristic fit of rage.
    "I am sorry my friend.  Thank you for stopping me.  I could of killed that Orion.  I don't know what came over me."  Krell said, apologizing to his friend.
    "No need to thank me.  I felt like doing the same myself."  Sirach told his friend as he noticed the raw and scrapped knuckles that bleed green on Krell's hands.
    "Miss, you are free now.  If you need transport of Rigel my friend and I can arrange that.  These men will not bother you again."  Krell told the frightened Orion slave girl as he held out his hand to her.
    "I don't know what to say.  Nareena not remember what being free like."  The girl said as she took Krell's hand.
    "I'm sure you will once we get away from this place Nareena.  Krell, let's get out of here before the authorities show.  They may not be as understanding about your act of gallantry."  Sirach told his friend.
    "Indeed.  Most logical.  Sirach again, thank you for standing by me."  Krell said.
    "Glad to help.  You know I've always got your back my friend."  Sirach said.  A chirp from his desk communicator brought him back to the present day in his office.  He moved over to his chair, sat down and pressed the comm button.
    "Admiral, it seems Captain Quinn and most of the senior staff aboard the Tiberius are still away on shore leave.  Would you like me to patch you through to his communicator channel?"  Talbot's assistant told him.
    "No thanks.  I think I need to see him in person anyway.  Thanks for trying.  Talbot out."  The Admiral said as he leaned back in his chair.  Yes, he needed to talk to Quinn and Sevryll right away.  They both needed to hear the message he had received from his old friend.