For the Crew. . .

565 posts were written for the RPG ship Independence and officially distributed between 1/22/07 and 11/25/07.

The last 365 have, for some unknown reason, been taken from the record with a snap of "Q's" fingers and omitted from the official records of the original RPG website.

This is how they were intended to be seen, in order from the beginning.

This site is intended as a resource for and tribute to the writers- your work was too good to simply disappear forever.

I raise my glass to the crew of the Indy in 2007: what a fine crew you were.

"Here's to ya, lads."

~ZL

Post 564) Full Circle

Stardate: 71124.2100
Title: Full Circle
Author: Zanh Liis and Commander Salvek
Scene: USS Independence
Time: Three Days after "Showtime"
--------------------------------------------------

Acting First Officer's Log, Stardate 71124.20

The shuttle landing party has returned to us from their trip to the planet Ikiia, with little resulting from their efforts.

It was discovered that the Trikz weapons manufacturing facility was abandoned some time ago, and if Biggs' father and sister had ever been there, they were no longer on the planet.

We found the ship called Blizzard in a Ferengi impound yard upon arrival to Ferengi space, the vessel having been abandoned by Vely and the rest of his crew as soon as they reached their destination.
Whether or not Biggs' family is still alive, or if the whole plot was a ruse to get Vely aboard the Independence in order to kidnap Zanh Liis, is still unknown.

Lt. Biggs has chosen to resign his commission aboard this ship in order to go with the Blizzard's crew and continue the search for his missing family members, as Starfleet has refused to allow any further involvement on the part of this ship or its crew.

As for the Independence herself, two days ago we were ordered by Starfleet to hold off on attempting a rescue mission to retrieve Zanh Liis --whom we have reason to believe was and still may be on Ferenginar-- until we rendezvous with the USS Odin, which is about to deliver a very important passenger to us.

End log.
----------------

A few moments later, Salvek stood at the foot of the transporter pad and waited for the word to be given.

"Energize," he commanded, when signaled that the person he awaited was ready to beam aboard.

-- Meanwhile, on the bridge--

All officers had been alerted to the imminent arrival, and were told to stand at attention at their stations.

February Grace bit her lip, and looked at the floor as she waited for the turbolift doors to open.

*It'll be all right, Bru.* Reece thought to her, and she nodded just slightly, so he would know she'd heard him.

A moment later, the lift arrived, doors whooshed apart, and a familiar sound echoed through the room.

Click, step.

Click, step.

"Commanding Officer on the bridge," Salvek announced.

TC Blane stepped forward, extending his hand as RJ Gilmore stepped up toward the chair at the center of the room and took in his surroundings. "She looks no worse for wear."

"Welcome home, Sir." TC remarked, and he felt Gilmore grasp and shake his hand firmly.
"So, it's Lt. Commander Blane now?" Gilmore observed, counting the pips on TC's collar.
"Yes, Captain."

"Very well." Gilmore looked at the center seat a moment before sitting down. "Senior staff meeting, observation lounge, five minutes," he instructed, and he turned his attention now to a report with the latest data available on the ship's current status.

-----------Observation lounge------------

Gilmore looked around him and saw faces that were familiar, even if not all well known to him.

Salvek. Blane. N'Dura, Reece. Lair. McKenna. Jariel. Grace.

"So, Zanh Liis has finally gotten herself into real trouble this time, has she?" Gilmore clucked his tongue. "Can't leave that woman alone for a moment."

"As near as we can figure, Sir, it was a set up." Blane remarked, sitting forward in his chair. "And now,"

"And now, Starfleet does not want the Independence anywhere near this debacle." Gilmore concluded.

"Captain Gilmore," Salvek felt his hands forming into fists beneath the table, as he tried to steady himself and maintain the appearance of unruffled logic. "We were prepared to take the Alchemy and go after her,"

"And that is exactly what you shall do. Commander Salvek, as of this moment, I am officially retaking command of this ship. You may assemble a team of volunteers to take along with you and go after Zanh Liis. But if you do," Gilmore pointed a finger at each officer sternly, "you will be on your own. Starfleet is prepared to offer no additional assistance, beyond providing you with that ship."

Looks were exchanged between the officers surrounding the table.

February didn't even have to wait to hear Reece volunteer out loud. She knew already that his mind was made up, and she would follow him anywhere. They'd be going on the Alchemy- no doubt.

"Mr. Blane, I would ask that regardless your personal feelings on the matter, that you remain here, and continue as Chief of Operations until we are certain how this is going to turn out. N'Dura, I make the same request of you." Gilmore continued.

Salvek and Kellyn locked eyes across the table. Lair knew that they'd be going, and this time, they wouldn't be leaving Arie behind. She would go with them.

"Those of you who wish to go on the Alchemy, please make it known."

Salvek and Jariel both stood at the same time, followed by Lair, Reece, and finally, February Grace.

"Very good. McKenna, Blane and N'Dura will stay behind." Gilmore made a note on the PADD in his hands. "Mr. Salvek, you may recruit whomever you wish to take with you from security as well to help your efforts. When will the Alchemy be ready?"

"She's ready now, Sir."

"Then you may depart at your earliest convenience. I wish you Godspeed, and hope that you will all return to us safely, soon. You are dismissed."

Outside the conference room, Salvek's forming crew circled around him in a huddle.

"We will depart as soon as possible, gather up whatever personal belongings you cannot live without and be aboard the Alchemy within the hour," he commanded. "We leave as soon as everyone is aboard."

"Then what?" Kellyn asked nervously.

"Then," Salvek stood tall, his jaw set with determination. "We find Zanh Liis, and bring her home."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Zanh Liis
and
Commander Salvek

Post 563) Showtime

Stardate: 71123.1333
Title: Showtime
Author: Fox Margolis
Scene: The Planet Below
Time: Following "The Invisibles"

Fox was used to having other people watch her...but she was used to being able to see them in return. And even though it was Biggs and N'Dura, it was still creepy that only they could see her.

Still, she knew her top concern was not them, but to make her performance work. And for that, she had to appear as if she were trying to recover after their crash --- though given their bumpy flight down, this was not terribly difficult.

Walking around the shuttle, only half pretending to see what was actually salvageable from the wreck, she asked, "Where are you guys?"

"I'm over here," came Biggs' disembodied voice. By instinct, Fox turned around to face the voice, but of course saw no one. "This is going to drive me mad!" Fox bemoaned.

There was a soft thump on the metal plating of the shuttle near the door, which must have been N'Dura reentering, because it was she who commented, "Quiet, they're coming."

Taking a deep breath, Fox said, "It's showtime."

Fox walked to the entrance of the shuttle and saw the approaching sentry team. It consisted of four men, each heavily armed.

Seeing her, one of the men leveled his rifle at her and said, "Freeze!"

"Oh thank goodness you found me," Fox gushed, taking a step or two forward.

"I said freeze," the man declared again.

Fox stopped, an innocent woe-is-me looking on her face.

This man, clearly in charge, indicated with his head for two of the others to check around and in the shuttle. To the third man, he silently ordered the soldier to bring Fox forward.

"This is not quite the welcoming committee I had imagined when I landed here," she babbled, "though I'm not even quite sure where here is." She put on her award-winning smile. "But still, you're here, and---"

The two men checking out the shuttle came back out, and one reported, "Lieutenant, there is no one else here."

The lieutenant, the man in charge, though clearly not completely immune to Fox's smile, bore down on her with his gaze. "Where are the others?" he demanded.

Fox promptly frowned. "Oh, them. They left."

The lieutenant's gaze became harder.

"Seriously," Fox continued, "they bailed out over the sky." She used her arm to point flimsily upwards. "Sorry, all you've got is little old me."

Now the man in charge smiled, and it was a terrifyingly cold smile. He handed off his rifle to another soldier and stepped toward Fox. He pushed her arms out and began to give her a very thorough body search.

"Hey, watch your hands!" she complained, but the man took no heed.

Satisfied that she was unarmed, the lieutenant stepped back.

"What a welcoming committee you make," she continued.

Without a trace of hospitality, the man replied, "Welcome to Ikiia." Grabbing her arm and pulling her forward, he ordered, "Now, move."

"Yes, sir," she mumbled as she marched, surrounded by these guards and, she hoped, also surrounded by her real saviors.
------------------------
Faustine "Fox" Margolis
Operations Officer
USS Independence

Post 562) The Invisibles

Stardate: 71122.2000
Title: The Invisibles
Author: N’Dura
Scene: Shuttlebay
Time: Current

Lair stood with her hands on her hips. “Lt. Biggs is right – that shuttle is good for nothing but used parts.”

“Chief… mind letting us know what you have in mind?” Fox asked. She had read somewhere in one of Blane’s files that N’Dura had a reckless streak.

“Can it make it to the planet’s surface?” N’Dura asked Kellyn.

“In one piece?” Kellyn responded. “Yeah.. but it might be a one-way trip.”

“That’s fine… we’re going to fake a crash landing.”

“I don’t think you’ll need to fake anything.” Fox commented.

N’Dura ignored the comments. “Fox… you need to look more… roughed up… hand me your jacket.”

Fox obliged, handing her uniform jacket over to the Klingon. N’Dura removed her phaser and shot a few bursts creating a couple of scorched patches, then handed it back to the Operations Officer.

Margolis looked at her jacket in disgust. As she shrugged it back on… N’Dura went inside and pulled out the two back seats, tugging and pulling them from their anchors , then tossing them out the hatch onto the shuttlebay floor. Then she checked out the retractable roof, opening and closing it several times. This shuttle had been designed for emergency ejection seating.

“And just where are we supposed to sit?” Biggs asked.

“You’re piloting… Margolis will sit in the nav position. I’ll take the floor.” N’Dura

“Suit yourself.” Lair said. “But I warned you… this shuttle isn’t safe.”

“Safe is a four-letter word, Commander.”

Biggs and Fox looked at each other with a “what’s that supposed to mean?” expression.

“Commander, if there’s nothing else, we’ll need those bay doors open.”

Moments later, Kellyn was seated at the shuttle bay command post.

“We’ll forego departure procedures, Commander.”

The doors opened slowly, the shuttle powered up and with a slight tilt, they departed into space.

Kellyn shook her head. *I just know I’m going to have to go after them,* she thought to herself.

N’Dura was counting on it.

=^=

The planet came into view. A pathetic little planet with very little temperate area… but a planet nonetheless.

Flying low and crooked, and not on purpose… Biggs picked out a bank of trees on a fairly rough patch of land about 5 miles east of the compound where the hostages were last known.

The shuttle came to a screeching halt kicking up a cloud of dust in the infertile soil.

The three occupants disembarked.

“Think they noticed us?” Fox asked sarcastically.

“Are you kidding? You came through the atmosphere like an elephant in a china shop. Look at the trail of smoke." Fox declared.

N’Dura pulled a couple of pairs of sun-glass cases from her backpack and gave a pair to Biggs. “Here, put these on.”

“Ray Bans?” Biggs said donning the aviator style shades.

“Ray Bends, actually. Go ahead and touch the left arm.” She instructed.

Biggs felt along the arm and felt the small button… pushing it, he suddenly disappeared.

N’Dura smiled. Courtesy of Dr. Cobinsky. I confiscated them from him during his last visit. They’re from the future.”

“So that’s how he gets on and off the ship without being detected.” Fox said, both admiringly and maddeningly.

“N’Dura smiled knowingly and put on her own pair.”

Before activating the invisible shield, N’Dura instructed… “When the Ikiian security detail shows up to investigate, tell them we ejected. Then… Biggs and I will follow you, right into the compound…”

“Why didn’t you just let us in on the plan before we left? Fox asked.

“Because… Lair Kellyn would have these glasses in her lab and there would be no away mission to rescue Biggs' family.”

“And you never reported having them, either, right?” Biggs asked.“Dr. Corbinsky and I have an understanding” she replied locking eyes with Fox Margolis.

Then she disappeared.

Lt. Commander N’Dura
Chief of Security
USS Independence

Post 561) Damsel in Distress

Stardate: 71122.0000
Title: Damsel in Distress
Author: N’Dura
Scene: Enroute to the Shuttle Bay
Time: Current

She matched her long stride for long stride.

“Chief? You mind filling me in on what ‘special talents you’ll be needin’?” Lt. Faustine Margolis was clearly worried. Field assignments were far and few between for the Operations Officer.

N’Dura stopped abruptly and turned to look Fox directly in the eyes. “There are times, Lieutenant, where the female advantage is integral to the success of the mission.”

It took a moment for the message to sink in. “You want me for my looks?! Fox was close to sputtering.

“I need you for your people skills.” N’Dura replied, resuming her pace towards the shuttlebay. “You’re aesthetic qualities only enhance your natural talents.” It was a bonafide, honest assessment from the Klingon that only lent weight to the truth of the statement. “May I be so bold as to say, it is no wonder that Dr. Corbinsky risks the perils of time travel to pursue you.”

Fox was momentarily humbled. “Why… Thank you Chief.”

“However, I require that you look more… dishevelled for this mission.” N’Dura instructed. “More… of a …”

“Damsel in distress?” Fox finished for her as they stepped into the turboshaft and turned towards the closing doors.

“Affirmative Lieutanant.” N’Dura confirmed.

“I knew it.” Fox crossed her arms in front of her chest, a simmering fume about to begin.

=^=

They arrived to the shuttlbay not 5 minutes later.

As the doors opened, a melancholy melody floated in the ionic atmosphere of the shuttlebay. The last notes of an aria from Rodelinda faded on the whoosh of the entrance doors.

Lt. Commander Lair Kellyn, Bajoran by birth, but Human by any other standard, turned to greet the Chief of Security and the stunning ops officer.

“Commander Salvek sez you can have your pick.” Kellyn thumbed over her shoulder.

She walked behind them as N’Dura summed up the shuttle fleet. Finally she selected a rather sorry looking shuttle.

“This will do.”

Kellyn was taken aback. “Uh.. Commander… that shuttle has problems.”

“Perfect.” N”Dura replied,
---------------------------
Commander N’Dura
Chief of Security
USS Independence NCC-90791

Post 560) Damaged Goods

Stardate: 71121.1730
Title: Damaged Goods
Author: Zanh Liis
Scene: Unknown
Time: Unknown
----------------------------------

"IT'S DAMAGED!"

"Mmmmmpppph." The kidnapped Acting Captain of the USS Independence struggled to open her eyelids, which felt as if they were made of lead.

People around her were arguing. Was she dreaming?

"You promised me that it would be in perfect condition!" The same voice shouted again. "If this diminishes its value, I will demand a refund!"

Zanh began to remember recent events up until the point where everything suddenly went black, and then she wished she were only having a nightmare.

She fought once more to open her eyes, with greater success than the first time she'd tried. Through barely cracked lids she observed the image of two Ferengi standing before her.

It took a good long moment before she realized that there was really only one Ferengi, and that her vision was blurry.

As the two poorly defined forms merged into one sickeningly detailed one, she groaned. "Heygetyourhandsofffame." Her words were slurred, and she ran them all together into one. She licked her lips, which were dry as a desert.

She tried to take a swing at the man who was ranting that she, AKA "it" was somehow less than perfect. Her arms were like so much dead weight; useless. Her hands felt as if they were encased in some sort of over-sized boxing gloves, and she was wildly flailing them just as if she really was punch-drunk.

"Look at that!" The elaborately dressed Ferengi with the disturbingly twisted front teeth continued. "Her legs might scar! And if they do her value on the slave market goes way down!"

"Her legs won't scar. Can't you see she has already had some dermal regeneration? If you keep the treatments up over the next day or so she'll be good as new." Zanh recognized the second male voice as belonging to her kidnapper, Vely the Ikiian.

"I still wouldn't want to have her living in my house as a slave," the Ferengi whined. "She scares me. But while we sit here her value on the slave market keeps dropping exponentially!"

"Then it's a very good thing that she's not going to be traded as a slave," Another Ferengi announced, as he came into the room and joined the discussion. He was apparently the senior business partner of the first.

"We haven't decided that yet!" the second protested. "I want top value for my investment and if she's going to raise more money as a slave, then as a slave she'll be sold!"

"Her brain is worth more than her body," the older Ferengi remarked. "Which is a shame, because her body," he looked at Liis licentiously and she felt like gagging.

"That body is half made of metal! Her spine, it's mostly Tritanium! There goes another ten percent off the asking price!" The first man shrieked anew, his pitch rising as he ran some sort of hand-held scanner over Zanh. She ripped it out of his hand as suddenly, she regained control of her arms. Her power of speech also returned as the sedative wore off.

"Why don't we find out what you're made of, little man," she snarled, as she prepared to hit him over the head with the device. "And how far down I can drive YOUR retail value!"

"That will be quite enough, Zanh Liis." Vely declared, wrenching the device from her hand and pushing her backward, and down onto a nearby piece of furniture. "You're making a spectacle of yourself."

"That's my specialty," she growled. "What was in that hypo? And what do you mean I'm damaged?"

"The hypo was purely sedative, to keep you from figuring out exactly where you are," Vely replied. "And the damage to your legs is not my fault. Preexisting."

"Oh, that," Zanh said, suddenly feeling dizzy again and resting her head back against the pillow of the rather plush divan she found herself splayed out on. "I spilled hot coffee on myself last night. I went to Sickbay this morning on business and I didn't have time for complete treatments."

As she looked down, she realized suddenly that she was no longer in her uniform and jumped up once again. She tugged at the fabric of the dress, and dissatisfied with the amount of her that it covered, grabbed a blanket off of the divan and draped it around herself.

"If I find out that any one of you took me out of my uniform, I swear, there will be lobes and other various appendages strewn all the way from here to the Divine Treasury," she grabbed a rather large, heavy candle holder and held it up like a weapon. Still wobbly from the sedative, she teetered, then she realized that the high heels they had her in weren't helping matters any.

*And I thought the Wonder Woman gig was a nightmare.*

"Now now, put that down, dear." A female Ferengi, pointed teeth glimmering brightly, approached, trying to diffuse the situation. She firmly but gently wrestled the candle stick away from Zanh as the three conspirators stood watching from a safe distance.

Zanh tried very hard to stay focused on the fact that those teeth were bright and shiny because it distracted her from the fact that the woman was not wearing anything but that pleasant smile.

"I'm the one who took your uniform. And your communicator. Which, along with your pips, should fetch quite a nice bit of profit." She replied.

"Stop talking about profit!" the older male Ferengi snapped at her. "I married you because you came from a traditional family. I won't have any wife of mine talking about making profit!"

"Very well." the woman said with a sigh. "Might I suggest, gentlemen, that you take your discussion outside now that the captain is awake?" she prodded, as the two Ferengi and the Ikiian bickered in the background over what was to be done with Liis from this point.

Liis had picked out several troubling words from their remarks; among them 'valuable Starfleet information,' and 'very desirable to the Romulans' . Apparently these men had done their homework and knew that her past in TI would make her interesting to many of the Federation's enemies.

At the end of their exchange, she heard one sentence that amused her, as the older Ferengi declared that she should be branded with a warning that declared she was "far too dangerous to be trusted to give Oo-mox.'

"Got that right, jack. Your lobes would never recover." Zanh called as they left the room. Then she frowned. She would much rather they had continued discussing her possible fate in front of her. Apparently the smartest person in the room was the so-called traditional housewife of the man who had paid for her abduction.

"You seem like an intelligent woman," Zanh began, sinking back onto the padded couch again and closing her eyes a moment. "Why don't you let me go, and save yourself a very likely prison sentence when I'm rescued?"

"I thought that you told Vely your people were not to come after you."

Zanh shrugged. "They might follow my orders. Then again, they might not."

The woman fetched a dermal regenerator and gestured for Zanh to pull the blanket back. "I need to treat your legs. They must be exposed for me to do so."

Zanh acquiesced, and she took in her surroundings. "Vely isn't very bright, by my estimation," Zanh remarked, as the woman worked. "He sedated me so I wouldn't know where I am. But it's obvious I am on Ferenginar."

"Are you so sure?"

"Your interior decorating technique gives you away." Zanh replied. "That and the fact that it's raining cats and dogs out there." She gestured toward a nearby window which revealed the telltale Ferengi landscape, complete with rivers of muck.

The woman frowned and called to someone in the next room.

"Hechka, get in here and close those curtains!"

"Right away!" The younger, and also traditionally naked Ferengi female said, rushing into the room. Zanh averted her eyes toward the ceiling as the girl closed the curtains. She couldn't be more than sixteen.

"The chamber maid?" Liis asked.

"No, silly, I live here!" The girl blurted, drawing a stare from the older woman that could only happen between a mother and daughter.

"That will be all, girl."

"But I want to stay and talk to the Starfleet Bah-Jor-Ahn."

"No."

The girl sighed, lingering in the doorway. "Later?"

"No. Go now. Our visitor will not be staying with us long."

Disappointed, the teen finally left the room, muttering. "I never get to talk to any of our most interesting visitors."

"Visiting, is that what abduction is called in polite Ferengi society these days?" Zanh raised an eyebrow. "I'm surprised that they gave me any clothing at all, seeing how it's not the way on your world for women to wear any."

"That was my doing." the woman replied.

"Well, then I thank you."

"You're welcome." The woman's expression softened a little. "I would like your time here to be as enjoyable as possible, Zah-nn Leeeee-se."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"Because where you are going from here will likely be anything but enjoyable."

--------------------------------------------------
=/\= Zanh Liis
Acting CO
USS Independence NCC-90791

Post 559) Transponder

Stardate: 71120.2330
Title: Transponder
Author: Simon Biggs
Scene: Bridge, Seven, Security and Quarters
Time: After Take Your Stations Part Two
-------------------------------------

After the briefing with Commander Salvek, Simon headed to Seven Forward to find James.

The doors to Seven opened to reveal that the place was empty, due to the early hour. The only people present were Simon's brother, and Trick London. The two were talking and laughing as Simon walked over.

"Hey, James."

"Hey Si, have a pint?" James patted the barstool next to him.

"Can't, I'm on duty," Simon replied, knowing that now was not the time for even a synthale with the mission looming large before them. "Tea?"

Trick nodded and moved to the drink replicator.

"Simon," James stared into his glass guiltily. "I've got a confession to make."

"What's that, my brother?"

"I lied when I said I had no idea how to find the Blizzard."

"What do you mean, lied?" Simon felt his temper rising.

James pulled a PADD out of his jacket pocket.

"What's that?" Simon asked.

"I have the transponder codes." James admitted.

"What are these?" Simon pointed to some lines of text on the PADD, testing his brother.

James smiled, knowing what his little brother was doing. "That can be used to take down the ship's shields, weapons and even engines. And yes, it has the exact frequency of the Blizzard's warp trail."

"What about the camouflaging shields?"

"It will disable them, too."

"Your tea, Lieutenant." Trick said, setting the cup down gently before Simon.

"Thanks, bud." Before Simon could gulp down the liquid, he heard a voice hailing him.

[N'dura to Biggs. Report to Security on the double.]

James gave Simon the PADD. "You have to take this to your Commander. It'll give you an edge, at least."

Simon nodded. He tapped his combadge "Be right there, Chief," He looked back at his brother as he turned to leave. "I'll see you later, James."

Then without another word between them, Simon got up from his chair and walked out.

------------------ Security--------------------

Simon walked into Security to see Commander N'Dura pacing back and forth.

"I hope you are a great warrior, Biggs."

"I can handle myself if in battle," Simon assured her, "If that's what you mean."

"We're going to be in a hostile area, and I'll need to see if your up to it. Defending a ship is one thing, running in a battlefield is completely different."

"I have taken training in battle simulations at the Academy. I'll be ready."

"We'll be launching shortly. Be ready."

Simon nodded at N'Dura, making sure she saw the seriousness in his eyes. Then he left for the bridge, to take the transponder codes to Commander Salvek.

-----------Bridge--------------

Simon stepped out of the lift, expecting Salvek to be in the captain's chair.

"Yes, Lieutenant, can I help you?" Came a familiar, sweet voice.

Simon turn around, startled. It seemed that February Grace and Lt. Commander Lair were headed for the lift themselves.

"Yeah. Where is Commander Salvek? I have important information for the Alchemy's mission."

"He's in the ready room," February turned worried eyes toward her friend. "Are you going to be all right, Simon?"

"Yeah," he replied. "Thanks, Bru."

"Good luck on your mission," she added, and he nodded to her.

"Thanks. You, too."

Simon walked to the door of the ready room and pressed the door bell.

"Come," Salvek responded.

"Commander, it seems, Sir, that my brother. . ." Simon sighed, "held back some information about the Blizzard."

Salvek stood up. "What kind of information?"

"He's got the transponder codes." Simon put a PADD on the desk. "He put all the information you need onto this PADD."

"This will help." Salvek nodded appreciatively. "It is a shame that your brother withheld this information, we might have prevented Vely from getting away with the Captain," Salvek actually sighed as well at this revelation. "But there is a human saying I have heard, 'better late than never'. Good work, and thank you, Lieutenant. You are dismissed." Salvek concluded, in the normal, flat Vulcan tone of voice.

Simon exited the ready room and headed for his quarters to prepare for the journey ahead.

---Quarters---

He entered his quarters and discovered a rather large sword on a rack in the middle of the room. Simon moved closer to the unfamiliar object. How it came to be where it was? A mystery to him.

"Computer, has anyone entered my quarters other than myself?"

[Affirmative.]

"Who?"

[Sheila Biggs.]

Simon picked up the sword to take a closer look at it.

"Remember this sword?" Simon turned to find his mother standing over his shoulder. "That's right, it's your father's plasma samurai sword. Where you're going, you'll need it. But be careful, it's a very dangerous weapon."

Simon put his fathers sword around his back, realizing how light it was. He couldn't wait to test it in battle. Simon hugged his mother close for a moment.

"Good luck," Sheila Biggs whispered, "my son."

Lieutenant JG Simon Biggs
Security Officer
USS independence NCC-90791

Post 558) Take Your Stations Part Two

Stardate: 71120.2300
Title: Take Your Stations Part Two
Authors: Blane, Biggs and Salvek
Scene: Bridge
Time: Following Part One
----------------------------------------

------Meanwhile on the bridge.-----

"Mr. Blane," Salvek called TC as soon as the lift doors closed and Simon was gone.

"Go ahead, Sir," TC didn't look at Salvek, but was listening as he poured over sensor data with N'Dura, Margolis and Reece.

"I'm assigning Lt. Commander Reece to your team going after the Captain, as well as any other security officers you may need to mount a rescue attempt." Salvek turned to his wife, who was seated at the engineering station.

"Commander Lair, I believe repairs to the Alchemy have been completed ahead of schedule, have they not?"

"Hey," Kellyn replied, the lopsided smile on her face affirming that they were. "It's me."

"You will need Commander Lair's knowledge of the ship and its camouflage technology, so I'm assigning her to you as well Mr. Blane. You will need to take Lt. Grace along as your navigator."

Salvek noticed February sit up a bit straighter in her seat at hearing she'd been chosen to fly the Alchemy again.

The Vulcan turned to the Klingon security chief next. "Commander N'Dura, you have your choice of any shuttle or a runabout, whatever you feel is better suited for your mission. In addition to Lieutenants Biggs and Margolis feel free to select any other security offers you think you need to effect a rescue. Coordinate with Mr. Blane to prevent any overlap. Does anyone have any questions?"

TC spoke first. “Sir, what is our course of action should Vely resist capture or…” he paused, not wanting to continue, “…he has already harmed the Captain?”

"Arrest him on charges of kidnapping, assault, and theft. . ." Salvek paused, not adding the last but most obvious charge to the list, should the worst have already happened. "He will stand trial before a Federation tribunal and answer for his crimes."

Simon Biggs returned to the bridge without his guests, and approached Salvek. Salvek's eyes gestured toward the ready room and the young lieutenant followed him in.

"You wanted to see me, Sir?"

"I will have you know, Lieutenant, I almost pulled the plug on this entire mission the moment that the Captain vanished." Salvek began, folding his hands and bringing his index fingers to his chin thoughtfully.

"It is illogical for us to involve ourselves in the affairs of worlds at war for the sake of two people. It is also a violation of the last order that our Captain gave to us, which I am sure she will take me to task for later. However,"

Simon's ears perked up at the addition of that last word. "However, Sir?"

"However, I fear that the Federation may already be more involved than we realize, if your father has knowledge that can be extracted and exploited to sway the course of this war. For that reason alone, I have decided to allow this mission to continue. We need to remove any Federation influence from this conflict, if we are able."

"I understand, Sir."

"You are dismissed, Lt. Biggs."Salvek followed Biggs back out onto the bridge.

Just then, Vedek Jariel emerged from the turbolift.[[Sorry it took me so long to get here, I was up to my elbows in the new Rhododendron,]] Jariel explained. [[Mr. Blane called for me, what can I do for you?]]
---------------------

Lt. Commander TC Blane
Chief of Operations
USS Independence NCC-90791

and

Lt. (jg) Simon Biggs
Security Officer
USS Independence NCC-90791

and

Commander Salvek
First Officer
USS Independence NCC-90791

Post 557) Take Your Stations Part One

Stardate:71120.2300
Title: Take Your Stations Part One
Authors: Blane, Biggs and Salvek
Scene: Bridge, USS Independence
Time: Following Heads or Tails
----------------------------------------------------

TC strode out of the conference room and onto the bridge, moving quickly to the operations station where an ensign moved out of his way. He tapped the controls and pulled up the internal sensor logs.

Looking over the information displayed he shook his head. He began to access all of the operational logs of the time frame since the Blizzard arrived. Salvek and the rest of the command crew quickly took there positions around the bridge at the various stations and set to work. Salvek, with only a momentary pause, took the center seat.

TC noticed the Biggs family walk out of the conference room with their heads low, spirits crushed by the newest developments. Simon's brother, James stormed off, muttering something about how coming here had been a big mistake, and how he never should have trusted Vely to begin with. He disappeared into the turbolift, leaving Simon and his mother behind.

TC nodded to the ensign who had been monitoring the ops station.

"Work with tactical and go over every detail of the internal and external sensor logs. We need to find that ship's fingerprint." He ordered.

The ensign nodded but was not completely following why. "Aye sir."

TC elaborated. "Every ship has something that it leaves behind, ionized particles, latent neutrino fields, something." He clapped the man on his shoulder. "Find it."

He turned and walked over to Simon and his kin. "Lieutenant."

Simon looked up at TC. "Sir?"

"I want you and your mother to work with the operations officer and tactical. We need to know everything there is to know about your ship." He looked at Mrs. Biggs. "Even the smallest detail, no matter how insignificant, could be a big help in tracking the Blizzard."

"Sir, I don't know," Simon started.

TC frowned at the man. "That was NOT a request."

Slightly stunned, Simon looked at TC then nodded. "Aye." He turned and walked over to the operations station with his mother in tow.

TC understood that Simon and his mother were devastated at the loss of their ship and also the fact that Zanh had ordered that the Independence would not automatically become involved in their family's plight. TC also knew the more time that either of them had to think about it, the more those negative feelings would grow. They needed to be busy until the shock subsided, plus Simon was still a Starfleet officer and it was his duty to provide as much information as possible to the cause of finding the Independence's kidnapped captain. He made his way to stand by Salvek.

"Any suggestions, Commander?" He asked. Salvek lowered his voice to speak to TC.

"For one, I am not entirely comfortable, given what has just happened, letting Mrs. Biggs have free run of the bridge."

"We need her input on that ship if we are ever going to find the Captain."

"Agreed. Set up an interface for her to work from her quarters with tactical. She can input her data from there without having access to any other systems."

TC went to work setting up the link, as Salvek considered the diplomatic way of having Sheila Biggs put off the bridge. "Mrs. Biggs, this must be stressful for you. Might I suggest you carry on with helping us from your quarters, away from all the noise of the bridge?"

"I'm just fine here Commander, thank you for the offer." Sheila continued to work with the computer screen.

"I am sorry, madame, but I'm afraid there are a number of confidential matters that need to be discussed on the bridge, Starfleet ears only I'm afraid. Simon, please escort your mother to her quarters. We will set a link there so she can continue to coordinate with tactical. Then, Lieutenant Biggs, report to the ready room."

Simon looked at his mother in shock as Commander Salvek ordered her off the bridge. Salvek turned away and sat in the Captain's chair, indicating that the conversation was over. "Come along now Mum," Simon said, taking her hand in his.

"I don't believe it. I thought it was all over and that we were going to be reunited." Sheila said, as Simon walked her into the turbolift.

"Guest quarters," Simon called to the lift. The turbolift moved into action, and Simon turned towards his mother, "What was I thinking allowing an unknown alien onboard? Now, we have not only my father and sister at risk, but one of my dearest friends and valuable officer too."

The lift stopped at their destination and Simon and Sheila headed down the corridor towards the quarters where James and Sheila were to stay. The doors opened with a whoosh. "Where is James?" Sheila asked, exasperated.

"Probably in Seven Forward on the pull and getting drunk."

Sheila started laughing at the sarcastic, yet accurate comment.

"Can you go find him for me?" Mrs. Biggs asked, in a sweet voice.

"OK Mum. As soon as I see what Commander Salvek needs. The computer is over there, so you can work with the bridge. Then get some rest, OK? You'll need it for what's ahead."

Simon left his mother's quarters and headed for the bridge to see what Commander Salvek had in mind.

---------------------------------
Lt. Commander TC Blane
Chief of Operations
USS Independence NCC-90791

and

Lt. Simon Biggs
Security Officer
USS Independence NCC-90791

and

Commander Salvek
First Officer
USS Independence NCC-90791

Post 556) Heads or Tails

Stardate 71115:2100
Title: Heads or Tails
Author: N’Dura
Scene: Briefing Room
Time: Following Quicksand Part Two
----------------------------------------------------------

The universal translator could not interpret what came out of N’Dura’s mouth next.

Suffice to say it was language unbecoming an officer – even if it was in Klingon.

Now the Indy crew had two problems… Biggs’ family and the Zanh Liis.

N’Dura looked at Blane. Blane looked back.

“Heads or Tails?”

“Tails.” He replied.

N’Dura took a Klingon coin from her pocket. Tossing it in the air towards TC, he caught it and slapped it against his forearm. The image of Kahless on the old coin came up on top.

“Your call.” TC said.

“You take the Captain, I’ll handle the hostages on Ikiia with Lt. Biggs.”

“This is not a logical way to determine rescue missions.” Salvek said, a disapproving tone to his voice.

“No. But it is the fastest.” TC replied.

“It is necessary for us to split up.” N’Dura said.

“The Captain clearly said not to get involved in Ikiian affairs."

“That was before she was abducted. And we are wasting precious time. We will need a shuttlecraft.”

Salvek sighed... then nodded.

As the Chief of Security passed behind Fox she paused. “We will have need of your talents.”

“Count me in.” she replied already standing.

The room cleared of personnel leaving Salvek standing by himself.

“Dismissed.” He said to no one in particular.

----------------------------
Lt. Cmdr N’Dura
Chief of Security
USS Independencee NCC-90791

Post 555) Trapped

Stardate: 71116.1945
Title: Trapped
Author: Ensign Rada Dengar
Scene: Sickbay
Time: Concurrent with “Quicksand Part One”

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

Rada surveyed his body; he was still trapped in Sickbay. Secured to his bio bed and with a guard outside, they clearly thought that they could keep him here.

*What fools,” Rada thought to himself with a chuckle *they genuinely think that that will stop us!* as he began to laugh with a cockiness quite contrary to his nature, this attracted some worried looks from the medical staff around him.

His emotions had been erratic to say the least since N’Dura escorted him in here and his behavior in general had been quite unusual, trapped with his thoughts it was an inevitably lost battle.

He had received a visit from Zanh Liis before and found himself praying for her to come just that little bit closer, just to step into his range and then he could show her. He found it to be utterly amazing what they had taught him about how to cease humanoid life and was looking forward to trying it out.

*I almost had her!* he told himself angrily, she had been so close that his hands couldn’t hold back anymore and when he reached up he found his hands just fell short of her neck allowing her to step back unharmed. This was why, he reminded himself, he had to be patient. This was not entirely an act of violent anger although they interpreted it as such. There was still a small part of Rada left and he felt a woman like Zanh Liis deserved to die who she is, rather than to suffer his fate.

He had been sedated but it made little difference, dreams were no longer so lonely as they had once been.

The most concerned member of Sickbay had to undoubtedly be Dr McKenna, who, thanks to his telepathic and empathic abilities had seen a much darker side of Rada than the others.

“Revenge is a dish best served cold, my friends! And even if I have to beam every one of you into the cold depths of space, I will prove it!” Rada called out angrily to no one in particular.

A knowing glance was exchanged between two nurses who both wanted to give Rada another hypo to calm him down even though they knew it would not be safe. Medically he seemed fine except for an elevated heart rate and high levels or adrenaline but this was clearly not the same calm under pressure Ensign that Nurse Bergman had told them about.

“Are you enjoying your new form?” came a deep voice from nowhere.

“Quite well, thank you” replied Rada with a smile, the entire room seeming to freeze in time around him.

“You do enjoy feeding him, don’t you?” joked the voice.

“I’m not about to risk a repeat of last time, we must not let even a drop of what once was remain,” replied Rada jokingly as if he had heard those same words a thousand times before then added “We can not risk that.”

“I don’t know why you chose this form, I mean an Angosian? If you were going for that ugly you might as well have chosen a human” joked the voice.

“We will soon have a lot of humans, I wanted to stand out,” explained Rada.

“Yes, we will.” the voice laughed.

“Are you sure that Beta can’t hear us?” Rada inquired.

“Without our intervention, their minds can’t process information this fast. We could talk for as long we wanted and to them it would seem as though almost no time had passed.” Explained the voice.

“Good, I am enjoying being the unheard whisper.” Rada stated and then added with a wicked smile. “He’s got some psychological testing coming up, I think I’ll have fun with that.”

“Just don’t let him hurt anyone we want, what you did with Zanh Liis was far too risky,” said the voice with concern.

“I made him jump too soon, didn’t I?” Rada retorted cockily.

“Next time he may not, or she may move forward too quickly. In a highly emotional state they can be as difficult to control as when we start out,” stated the voice.

“Relax, I am a Despatian. I can handle his kind,” replied Rada, both cocky and proud.

“You are young and inexperienced. Do not underestimate him, it was done before,” the voice lectured.

“It won’t be again,” replied Rada getting defensive of the accusation.

“Just don’t forget that there are many emotions,” reassured the voice.

“I haven’t, I intend soon to start on a paranoia motif. Make him think that everyone else is jealous.” explained Rada.

“How do you intend to do that and still keep his confidence low?” inquired the voice.

“I’ll make him think they’re jealous of what he’s become with us. The Klingons are jealous that he has learned to tap into his inner warrior better than them, the Vulcans are jealous that he has control over his emotions better that they do, the Trills are jealous of his superior joining…that sort of thing.” Rada explained.

“Do you think he’ll believe it?” asked the voice.

“I have no doubt. After all if you can’t believe your own feelings, what can you believe?” Rada laughed.

“Do not forget, we teach them to seek power and then we provide it. Paranoia does not create a feeling of power,” added the voice.

“No, but it does lead them to seek it. It’d be good to have them chase us for a change,” argued Rada.

“We always chase them,” corrected the voice “We can not afford to fail here.”

“We won’t fail, this body is weak. No matter how much anger I create he should not be able to escape from their grasp,” defended Rada.

“He must not be able to escape.” Corrected the voice.

“If it will make you feel safer, I’ll temporarily weaken the body,” Rada teased.

“That would be appreciated,” the voice replied sincerely.

Rada seemed shocked that the voice seriously wanted him to weaken this body further but decided that it would be fun to see some medical personnel trying to figure out what was wrong with him.

With that, time seemed to resume and Rada started to violently convulse, he couldn’t breathe. Doctor McKenna and the two nurses ran to his side.

“His vitals are crashing!” announced one of the nurses.

“Get me a hypo of hycordrazine!” shouted Dr McKenna as one of the nurses ran straight to one of the draws, her hands fumbling as she rushed to get the equipment.

She almost threw the hypo to Dr McKenna as Rada’s convulsion got more and more violent and he began gasping for air.

“Hold him down,” he shouted and the two nurses grabbed Rada by each shoulder and tried to force him to stay still. McKenna managed to touch the hypo to Rada’s neck and to administer a single dose.

Rada suddenly froze completely still and began choking as panic filled his face.

“He still not getting any air,” stated one of the nurses with desperation in her voice.

Dr McKenna started commandingly “We may have to…” but was cut off by one of the nurses.

“He’s breathing again!” she exclaimed as she looked down at Rada inhaling deeply.

Then with a sigh of relief she turned to Dr McKenna and announced “His vitals are all returning to normal, you did it doctor.”

“No, I didn’t,” explained Dr McKenna curiously “That’s not the affect that hycordrazine should have on Angosian physiology.”

“Then what just happened to him?” asked the nurse.

“I don’t know,” explained Dr McKenna “but I intend to find out.”
--------------------------------
Ensign Rada Dengar
Engineering Officer
USS Independence NCC-90791

Post 554: Quicksand, Part Two

Stardate 71115: 1500
Title: Quicksand Part Two
Authors Simon Biggs and Zanh Liis
Scene: Main Observation Lounge
Time: Following Part One
-----------------------------------

Zanh looked at Simon compassionately. He was still standing, fists clenched. "Lieutenant, sit down. Please."

Simon complied, slumping back down into his chair. Sheila then explained about the Klingon ship's sensor scans and showed the transporter signature present on the station before it exploded.

"Those sensor scans could have been altered," N'Dura warned, "We have not yet had a chance to run every piece of this so-called 'evidence' through our systems to authenticate it."

"I don't think so, it took a lot of effort to get these scans and the Klingons are always a bit suspicious about things like this. They say that they checked them thoroughly as well before we saw them. I also thought that they say a Klingon warrior never lies," Sheila responded carefully.

"A true Klingon warrior never lies." N'Dura replied succinctly.

"So, now is when I ask the obvious question," Zanh began slowly. "I know you would like Starfleet's help to undertake a rescue operation. I'm not certain that we can help. What precisely are you asking of us?"

Vely interrupted and said "With the Trikz forces occupying the Ikiian sector, this has become a very hostile area of the Alpha Quadrant."

*Ah,* Zanh thought. *Now is when we finally find out why this man has been so interested in the plight of two humans when his entire homeworld is being occupied by an enemy force.*

"We don't know a whole lot about the Ikiians," TC Blane said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Care to enlighten us a bit?"

"My planet is located, as you know, between Breen and Ferenginar. A little, out of the way place. There are not many out of the way places left in the Alpha Quadrant at this point in history, but the Trikz have done all they can to try to keep a stranglehold on our people, for years now this struggle has been going on." Vely elaborated. "The Trikz have powerful friends, and so our hold on our territories has been slipping. Other neighboring worlds have looked the other way."

"Well, I know that the Ferengi aren't in a big hurry to help the Ikiians, seeing how the Trikz are smugglers," Zanh replied. "Their piracy has been a source of highly valuable materials and technology for the Ferengi to sell for generations now."

"I've also heard that the Trikz may be involved with the Orion Syndicate," TC Blane cautioned.

"They'll get into bed with anyone who will pay the right price," Zanh confirmed. "They are arms dealers, but in recent years they've taken on larger projects than just distribution. They are at the forefront of illegal weapons development and they are not a threat to be taken lightly."

"Why hasn't the Federation dealt with the Trikz and put a stop to their weapons manufacturing?" Reece asked. "I mean, I know the question sounds stupidly simple but I have to ask it."

"It's. . .complicated." Zanh replied.

"Isn't it always?" Grace said with a shake of her head.

"The Trikz are now using our planet as a chief location for their underground weapons market," Vely informed the crew. "But this isn't the only problem. Still, there is hope. We have recently made an alliance with a close neighbor of ours. The Lexim."

"The Lexim have kept a very low profile in that sector," Zanh said, furrowing her brow. "They have never wanted to get involved in anyone elses conflicts."

"Has anyone here even seen a Lexim before?" Lair Kellyn asked, "I know I haven't."

"The are a pleasing enough people to look at," Vely replied, "Even if they are reclusive in nature. May I?" He handed Zanh a data chip, and she placed it into the panel before her. An image of a Lexim male appeared. He almost looked similar to the human species, only his ears were bigger.

"They are a peaceful people, and yes, they have preferred to remain neutral in the goings on around them. But now they have finally realized that the Trikz are not going to leave them alone much longer, if left unchallenged. Eventually they too will fall. They've realized that perhaps by forming an alliance with the Ikiians they might stand a chance to prevent the Trikz from taking over their world as well." Vely continued.

"S'cuse me, Sir, but how is that a good deal for the Lexim? If the Ikiians have already basically fallen to the Trikz, how can they prevent the same thing from happening to the Lexim?" Grace asked.

"Safety in numbers?" James Biggs offered, having been quietly listening up until this point. "They don't have the forces on their own to withstand the Trikz but with the forces from Ikiia that have managed to regroup off planet, forming a revolutionary force of sorts. . ."

"I'm sorry," Zanh Liis interrupted, "But this all sounds like a lot of local politics to me, and you know that the Federation will not allow Starfleet to become entangled in the local affairs of non-member planets. I don't see, unfortunately, Mr. Vely, what in the worlds the capture of the Biggs' relatives has to do with the war that your home world is unfortunately caught up in."

"What if I told you that Keith Biggs was being used by the Trikz solely because of his history with Starfleet weapons design and that your technology was being used in this war?" Vely countered.

Zanh leaned forward. "Well, that would give me a lot more to think about."

"Because it's the truth, Captain Zanh. Keith Biggs was targeted, and taken specifically for his weapons design abilities. His past role in Starfleet Intelligence made him the perfect choice for the Trikz to abduct, and fairly easily, I might add, from the civilian sector."

"But I thought that Dad was a navigator," Simon looked at his mother curiously. She and James exchanged glances.

"There's a lot you don't know about your father, Simon." Sheila Biggs replied softly.

"I need to know everything that anyone knows about Keith Biggs, the Trikz, the Lexim, the Ikiians, and every other detail that I should be informed of before I make a decision as to what is going to happen now." Zanh replied.

"We simply cannot bring the Independence into a private war like this, no matter how badly we may want to help Simon rescue his family. And we do want to help Simon rescue his family, don't misunderstand me," Zanh concluded firmly. "But local in-fighting, we can't get involved in. So, someone better make a very good case to me for how and why we would be able to justify getting involved in any way, shape or form in this and bring me the data by the end of the day. Otherwise, I am very sorry Mrs. Biggs, Simon, but we're not going to be able to do anything from this point on."

Vely the alien seemed as if he was becoming more agitated with every word Zanh spoke.

"Captain Zanh, how can the Federation," he protested.

"I've made up my mind, Mr. Vely. I need more evidence, I need a justification for our going anywhere near Ikiian space, otherwise the Independence stays precisely where it is." Zanh concluded. "End of discussion."

"In the meantime, Sir?" Simon wanted to know what his next move should be.

"In the meantime, We set course in a general Ferenginar type direction, and see where we are at the end of the day. Mr. Blane, see to it that you and Lt. Margolis coordinate with Science, Security and Engineering. I want every piece of data checked and triple checked for authenticity. Mrs. Biggs, you may stay aboard the Independence but I would ask that Captain Biggs," Zanh locked eyes on James, who could see plainly that the Bajoran did not trust the motives of their Ikiian guest. "You and Mr. Vely should return to the Blizzard and follow us at a distance. Keep in contact, but don't make it obvious that you're keeping up with us." Zanh sighed. "I have a lot to think about. If that's all, we are adjourned."

"No, that's not all!" Vely shouted, as he lunged from his seat and pulled a hypospray from his belt. In one swift motion, he grabbed Zanh Liis by the hair and jammed it against her throat. Everyone jumped out of their chairs, but he warned them off.

"If you come one step closer," Vely announced, "Zanh Liis dies."

"And if we do not?" Salvek stood, fingers poised and ready to pinch the alien's neck nerves at his first opportunity.

"Then she goes with me. Starfleet is going to get involved in this war whether they want to or not." the Ikiian snarled.

"Salvek, don't you dare listen to him!" Zanh insisted, as she and her captor began to shimmer. Vely had activated a remote device and was beaming them out.

"Do NOT come after me! That's an ORD-!" Zanh shouted, then she was gone.

N'Dura hit her badge. "N'Dura to bridge, put a tractor beam on the Blizzard!"

But it was too late. Vely had taken Zanh, and the Biggs' ship, and vanished.

"Holy s**t! Dabin Reece exclaimed. Now what?"

The senior staff formed a tight huddle, as Simon Biggs stared blankly out the window at the empty space where the Blizzard had been, just seconds before. Then he looked back at the now empty chair at the head of the conference table.

"No," he whispered dejectedly. "No, no, no."

"Vedek Jariel to the bridge," TC Blane said sadly into his badge, as they all tried to fathom the fact that Zanh Liis was gone.

-----Aboard the Blizzard-------

"I had a feeling you were stupid, Vely," Zanh snarled, as she attempted to break free from his grasp. "But not this stupid. Do you have any idea who you're screwing with here?"

"I have no interest in you at all, Zanh Liis. You overestimate your importance."

She laughed. "Importance? I'm not important, I'm nobody. I'm just a fill-in, second-string acting captain. Starfleet will have Salvek sitting in my chair before we even get to wherever it is we're going."

She tried to maintain her air of bravado even though she was certain, to a sickening degree, that there were many people who would love to either try to extract information from her or who would want to kill her outright, to settle personal scores. "So who did you sell me out to?"

"The highest bidders." Vely replied simply.

"Oh god, no. You don't mean,"

"That's right." Vely grinned smugly as he shackled her hands and feet. "The Ferengi."

-------------------------------------------------------
Lieutenant JG Simon Biggs
Security officer
USS Independence NCC-90791

and

Zanh Liis
Acting CO
USS Independence NCC-90791

Post 553: Quicksand, Part One

Stardate 71115: 1500
Title: Quicksand Part One
Authors Simon Biggs and Zanh Liis
Scene: Main Observation Lounge
Time: Following "Time to Meet"
---------------------------------------------------

Simon led the party onward, and they walked through the doors to the observation lounge to find Commander Salvek and Zanh seemingly in deep conversation.

The CO and XO stopped talking as the doors closed behind N'Dura, who had come into the room last of all. They slowly rose from their chairs.

"I'm sorry, Captain, but Mr. Vely insisted that he needed to speak with you urgently." Simon's eyes begged her forgiveness, and Zanh raised an eyebrow.

"Very well." She offered her hand to the Ikiian, and then pointed to a seat, gesturing for him to sit down. Vely sat, then Zanh turned her attention to Sheila Biggs.

"It's so good to finally meet you, Mrs. Biggs. I've heard wonderful things about you from your son."

"Thank you, Captain Zanh." Sheila Biggs shook her hand firmly. "I want to thank you also for allowing this meeting to take place."

"Please, make yourselves comfortable. We'll start the official meeting as soon as,"

The doors opened, and TC Blane and Fox Margolis arrived.

"Are we late?" Fox asked, frowning.

"I thought the meeting started at 0700." TC frowned as well.

"No no, you're not late, they're early. Please, have a seat." Zanh concluded.

"Who are we missing?" Blane asked, looking around.

"Grace, Reece, and McKenna," Salvek listed.

"I'm not sure if the doctor will be able to join us this morning," Zanh said softly. Her eyes clouded with sadness as she spoke. She had been to see Rada Dengar in Sickbay earlier, and she knew that the medical staff had their hands full at the moment trying to help-- and contain -- the young engineer. "Grace and Reece should be here soon."

"I thought they had a couple of days off," Biggs whispered to Zanh.

"They do. But I knew when they found out about this situation, there was no way that either of them would want to be out of the loop. . ." just as she spoke the doors opened again.

"And so I said to him, you can forget it, Samson! There is no way I'm working doubles the next week and a half just so that you can-" Reece stopped mid-sentence as he realized that the conference room was already full to near capacity.

"Are. . .we late?" February frowned, and Margolis leaned over toward her.

"No, they're early."

"Is this everyone?" The Ikiian asked impatiently, folding his long arms. "I really am anxious to begin, Captain Zanh."

"He sure is anxious," Zanh remarked to Salvek softly.

"Too anxious." Salvek concluded.

"We are just awaiting our Chief engin-" Zanh tried to explain, as Lair Kellyn skidded into the room, nearly spilling her cup of coffee.

"Am I," Lair began to inquire.

"NO!" Everyone declared in unison, and Lair jumped back a step.

"Well, alrighty then. Don't let me hold up progress," She slipped into a chair.

"Now can we begin?" the Ikiian implored Zanh.

Zanh stood at the head of the table as everyone else settled in. Simon's mother sat next to him, and beneath the table out of view, Simon squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Some time ago, our own Lieutenant Biggs received news that his father and sister had been killed in an alien attack upon their supply depot," Zanh began. Audible gasps emanated from those around her.

"Oh, Simon," February whispered, suddenly viewing the conversations she and Simon had shared on Yensul V in a whole new light. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Now, however," Zanh continued, "there are reports that Simon's father and sister may actually be alive. Mrs. Biggs, if you would continue, please,"

Sheila stood, and Simon pressed a control button on the table to bring up the information he and N'Dura had spent the morning authenticating. "Thank you Captain Zanh. After months of research, leaving no stone unturned, our findings have come together into viable proof that my husband and daughter are still alive." Simon flipped through various screens, giving a preview of the information gathered up to this point, and finally, revealed their ultimate finding.

The image of the two captives was brought into focus.

The footage also showed two armed Trikz guards, prodding the two prisoners onward. Keith and Jenny Biggs appeared to be in chains, and were carrying heavy crates.

One of the guards laughed, and shot his rifle suddenly at the ground, making Jenny and Keith stumble and fall.

Simon stood up, as angered by this image now as he had been the first time he'd seen it in the security office earlier. "I'll have you for that, you coward!" he vowed.

-----------------------------------
Lieutenant JG Simon Biggs
Security officer
USS Independence NCC-90791

and

Zanh Liis
Acting CO
USS Independence NCC-90791

Post 552: Time to Meet

Stardate: 71114:9:00
Title: Time to Meet
Author: Lt. Simon Biggs
Scene: Aboard the Blizzard/Independence
Time: After "Rendezvous"
--------------------------------

Sheila Biggs was extremely worried.

Her mind held captive by one continual, intolerable thought; the holo-image of her husband Keith and daughter Jenny slaving away on Ikiia.

"Mum? Hey, Mum!" came a familiar voice. Sheila came around from her daydreaming about the possible rescue, but remained nervous about what was to come.

She looked up at her son and tried to smile. "Hey yourself, James. What's the situation"

"The Blizzard will rendezvous with the Independence in an hour. I'd like you on the bridge with me."

"Aye," Sheila replied, squeezing his hand gently, more to comfort herself than him. "Captain."

James Biggs left his mother's quarters and walked down the long, angular corridor to the next door, where the lkiian was staying. He was just about to press the door bell when the door opened to reveal the tall form of the man called Vely.

"I was just on my way to the bridge, Captain Biggs. We're nearly in range of the Independence, are we not?"

"Yeah," James was quite surprised to see the Ikiian all ready and rearing to go but he didn't have time to worry about that at the moment. He had a ship to run, and far too many other things on his mind. "We are."

-------------- Meanwhile on the Independence--------------

Simon was in the main security office, compiling all the data his mother had provided via encrypted subspace transmission so that he could get a head start on it before they arrived.

Captain Zanh had set up a meeting in the observation lounge, and he needed to have everything precisely laid out if he was going to make his best case to her that a rescue was needed and should be attempted.

"What," Simon heard the rough voice of Commander N'Dura as the doors opened behind him, "is all of this, Lieutenant?" Simon turned round and nodded respectfully to the security chief.

"It's a long story, Sir."

"Klingons enjoy," she paused, "long stories."

"I'm sure you'll be hearing it all soon at the senior staff meeting," Simon said, in a hurry to return to his work. "But the short version is that my family is in trouble, and I need to analyze this information as quickly and as thoroughly as possible."

"It sounds as if you could use the assistance of the Chief of Security." N'Dura replied as she took a seat beside Simon at the console. Simon smiled, and they set to work. Minutes flew by and turned to hours, and finally he heard his badge chirp.

[Simon Biggs, Report to transporter room one.]

Simon got out of his chair.

"I shall accompany you," N'Dura decided, and she and Simon secured their findings within the ship's computer and went to meet their guests.

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

The trio from the Blizzard materialized on the transporter platform.

"Mum, it's so good to see you."

"You too son," Sheila pretended to be confused by the black spot she saw on her son's collar, where before there had only been one single gold pip. "Well, now what's that? You've something stuck to your collar." She moved her hand upward and pretended to shine up the 'smudge' with her fingers. "Oh, wait! Lieutenant junior grade Simon Biggs, is it then?" She smiled. "You've been promoted, well done. Your father would be," she stopped, and gave Simon a soft hug. Then she stepped aside and let Simon greet his brother.

"Father will be so proud of you." James concluded for her, unwilling to give up the idea that he would be seeing their father again soon.

"Great to see you, James."

James nodded, and then Simon moved to the Ikiian, as N'Dura stood a few paces back, silently sizing up their alien guest.

"Nice to have you aboard. It's Vely, is that right?" said Simon.

"That is correct," The long and lanky alien replied, extending his hand in order to shake Simon's.

"I'd better take you to your quarters, we'll be speaking with Captain Zanh soon. If you'll follow me."

Vely spoke up suddenly. "Lieutenant Biggs, is it possible we could speak with your captain immediately instead of waiting?" He seemed very anxious, and this did not escape the attention of either security officer in the room. "There's another matter which needs to be discussed that may have been overlooked before."

"Oh?" James shifted uneasily, "This is the first I've heard of it,"

"Gentlemen, please, we will sort everything out." Simon assured them as he stepped forward. "But for now, if you will please follow me." He lowered his voice and tapped his badge. "Biggs to Zanh,"

[Here,]

"Captain our guests have arrived, might we speak to you now?"

[Now?]

"Yes, Sir. The Ikiian is asking to speak to you without delay."

[Very well. Observation lounge. Zanh out.]

---------------------------
Lieutenant JG Simon Biggs
Security Officer
USS Independence NCC-90791

Post 551: Why The Long Face? Part Three

Stardate: 71113.2145
Title: Why The Long Face? Part Three
Author: Vedek Jariel and Zanh Liis
Scene: Arboretum
Time: After Part Two
---------------------------------------------

[[What do you mean?]] This was hardly the reaction he expected from her. He was expecting something more along the lines of "What does she know?" or "I'm sure that's not what she meant." [[What am I missing.]]

*What's going on is that she was trying like hell to impress you with her knowledge of all things religious in order to get your attention, but it backfired on her. That is what's going on!* Liis wanted to scream, but somehow she managed to restrain herself and posed a question to him.

"Why do you think she dressed up as a religious heroine? Probably to get closer to you and have an excuse to talk."

Camen looked as bewildered by her words as he felt. [[But that doesn't make any sense. She can talk to me any time, she knows that. We're old friends. We used to talk every day when we all were living on the station.]]

Liis was leaving him the trail of breadcrumbs, but he just wasn't following. She decided to try taking a different tack.

"Yeah, about that. When we were living on the station, how much did you pay for your soup when you ate at Fleur's cafe?"

[[Nothing, she never charged me. In fact if I tried to leave the money on the table she would yell at me and tell me that she was only going to contribute it to the war orphans fund if I left it. She said a man of the cloth should never have to pay for a meal as simple as soup.]]

"You see? She has. . so much. . .affection. . .for you. " Liis almost choked on the words, they were so unpalatable. "Friendly. . .feelings. . .obvious. . .reverence when it comes you. . um. . your work . .." Liis thought a long moment before continuing.

Her brain was engaged and ready to plot a course in one direction toward the truth that would shock him. Her tongue was ready to follow, but her better judgment called 'time out' and everything came to a screeching all stop.

She couldn't be the one to tell him this. He'd have to figure it out on his own, when he was ready to figure it out. Or hear it from someone else. But not from her.

[[Liis?]] He wondered why she'd gone silent seemingly mid-thought.

"Camen," Liis took his hands in hers. "Fleur Le Marc has never had anything but the utmost respect for you. As a Bajoran priest, and as a man. . ." she paused, muttering "especially as a man," under her breath.

[[I'm sorry, I missed what you said at the end?]]

"Wasn't important. In any event, I'm sure that she didn't mean to offend you- likely she was just trying to start a philosophical discussion with you to see how you would respond to her choice of costume, and it came out wrong somehow. We all say things the wrong way sometimes. Well, never you, you always know exactly the right thing to say."

[[I didn't earlier. She could tell that I was upset, I made the situation worse by overreacting.]]

"Hey, if anyone has a right to be sensitive on the subject of being touched by the Divine, it's you," Liis assured him. She reached out and gently placed her hand against his throat. "Whoever the Prophets really are, they've touched you in a very personal way. I don't pretend to understand it all, but it's what you believe, so I try the best I can. Even though to me it's still a mystery to me why you give them so much credit." She cleared her throat of the emotions that came upon her suddenly as she whispered, "I do miss the sound of your voice."

[[I know,]] He also knew that Zanh's own tortured past and viewpoint of the Prophets was something she'd have to square with, one day, in her own way and time. What had happened to him hadn't helped matters any. But he believed he'd earned this "punishment", and so he had to live with it; and so did she, however long it lasted.

But the very last thing she needed, if she was ever going to find her way to a faith of her own, was to be preached at and so he knew he had to leave the matter alone. [[So now what do I do?]] he asked, changing the subject back to Fleur.

"The Ship's Chaplain is asking me for advice!" Zanh laughed a little. "You know I'm awful at diplomacy. This is why we need you around here."

[[The only reason?]] The question was meant to be a joke, but he seemed more insecure than Liis could remember seeing him in a very long time, and she looked directly into his eyes.

"Hey, don't do that. You know that the entire crew would be lost without you. Everyone needs you here, for many varied reasons. But beyond all that," she put her arm around his shoulder. "My reasons for wanting you to be here are entirely selfish and you know it."

He finally smiled a genuine smile. He pressed his feet to the ground and launched their swing into motion once again, in kind of an "aww, shucks" sort of gesture. [[Promise?]]

"Oh, I promise. Come on, Vedek Jariel. We should get some sleep."

[[Thank you, Captain Zanh.]] Liis helped him up off the swing, and held his hand on the way out of the arboretum, a little tighter then usual.

Jariel sighed and nodded, and Liis nudged him gently. "Don't be so sad, Camen. Aren't you the one who always tells me that things will look brighter in the morning?"

***************************************
Vedek Jariel Camen
Ship's Chaplain
USS Independence

and

Captain Zanh Liis
Acting Commanding Officer
USS Independence NCC-90791

Post 550- Why the Long Face? Part Two

Stardate: 71113.2145
Title: Why The Long Face? Part 2
Author: Vedek Jariel and Zanh Liis
Scene: Various/Arboretum
Time: After Full Disclosure Part Two and before Rendezvous?
---------------------------------------------
Camen paced the corridors, thinking about what Fleur had said, and how much it bothered him. Or was he overreacting?

*No, I'm definitely not overreacting, that was beyond insulting.*

He returned to his quarters, washed the makeup off his face and returned to his traditional button down black shirt and matching pants. For him, the party was definitely over.

From his quarters he went to his office, where he thumbed aimlessly through his texts. His eyes scanned the words but absorbed none of them.

*I need to go plant something.* He slammed the book shut, his hands were fidgeting, and he desperately needed to busy them with something constructive.

As he entered the arboretum the doors parted, and TC Blane strolled out past him.

"Good evening Vedek, she's in there."

Camen shook his head in confusion.

"Zanh Liis." TC offered.

*Oh*, Jariel mouthed to him. He nodded his appreciation, and kept walking. Zanh Liis was in her usual spot, on the swing. She waved her hand in his general direction, even though she couldn't see him.

*How does she know? I think she's psychic sometimes.*

He approached and stood before her, hands clasped behind his back thoughtfully. She didn't speak, nor did he. They just stared sort of around each other, off into space for what seemed like forever, or at least a noticeably uncomfortable amount of time.

[[I didn't know you were here.]]

"Do you want me to leave?"

[[No. But. . .I need a few moments to gather my thoughts,]]

"Take all the time you need, I'll wait."

He walked away, and Liis craned her neck so that she could see him. He approached the little stone angel sculpture that he seemed so strangely comforted by, and knelt beside it. He bowed his head and closed his eyes as he began to pray.

He prayed for clarity, for guidance. He even dared to ask the Prophets how much longer he would have to continue in silence? How long would it take until their sense of justice was satisfied? Could he ever satisfy them, really?

His shoulders seemed to slump a little, and he leaned one hand down on the ground, and the other up and against the sculpture.

Liis averted her gaze.

She really wanted to continue on just sitting there and staring at him. He looked like a statue to her himself, most of the time, his features so incredibly handsome that the word 'beautiful' actually seemed to describe them better. His appearance definitely fit the image that came to her mind whenever she heard the term 'angelic'. She could stare at him for hours and be completely content, needing no other form of entertainment to pass the time.

But she respected his privacy, and so she just closed her eyes, sighed and continued to rock on the swing as she waited for him to return, knowing he would as soon as he was ready to talk.

A little while later he finally reappeared and she gestured for him to take the seat beside her.

"So what's on your mind? I missed you at the party after you left. I didn't get all dressed up for Dabin Reece, you know. Even though he likes to think I did."

Camen cracked a smile that vanished almost immediately as he realized he was still supposed to be upset. [[Sorry I ran out on you. It wasn't your fault, I can tell you that much.]]

"That's a start. Care to clarify any more or do I send Logic Boy in there after the information I need?" She tapped her index finger against his forehead.

Camen snickered again. [[No, Salvek has done more than enough for the crew for one day.... Its...about Fleur Le Marc.]]

"Oh." The color drained from Liis' face at the mention of that woman's name.

[[So you know that she's aboard?]]

"Yeah, I know she's aboard. It's my job to approve every single person who comes aboard to work on this ship." Zanh Liis could feel the her heart sinking down towards her boots.

She had wondered at the outset if allowing Le Marc on the ship was a mistake; she was beginning to think she should have gone with her first instinct and told London to find someone else to run his coffee bar.

*Here it comes, that damn little French tart won him over with that insufferable soup of hers. She's putting doubts into his head about me. No, that can't be it, I know he loves me, I owe him that much credit, there has to be something more to this. There better be anyway, or I'll cram her into the nearest torpedo tube and....*

Liis' thoughts were broken by Camen's hand waving in front of her face.

"I'm listening, sorry."

[[It's probably nothing, its just that...]] he paused, [[She came to the party as some religious heroine from Earth history who believed she was in contact with her God, and basically implied that the woman was delusional for believing the things she did. I took offense because it felt like she was taking a jab at me as well. As if I'm crazy for believing in the Prophets.]]

"Oh Camen, you dear sweet lamb." Zanh Liis pressed her thumb and forefinger into the ridges of her nose, rubbing them slowly to push away the headache that threatened to form. "Don't you see what's going on?"
----------------------------------

Vedek Jariel Camen
Ship's Chaplain
USS Independence

and

Captain Zanh Liis
Acting Commanding Officer
USS Independence NCC-90791

Post 549: Why the Long Face? Part One

Stardate: 71112.2145
Title: Why The Long Face? Part 1
Author: Vedek Jariel Camen
Scene: Seven, Halloween Party
Time: Concurrent With The Inmates Are Running The Asylum

*******Flashback to the Halloween Party********

Camen was surrounded by several crew mates, who watched his every move. He was juggling.... or at least pretending to.

He mocked panic as an imaginary ball threatened to escape from his control and ruin his routine. He struggled to hold it in place, until finally he lost his balance, falling backwards onto the floor as each ball fell from the air, knocking him on the head one after the other. Camen made quite the dramatic show of it, before finally 'passing out cold' on the floor.

He jumped up on a table and bowed, to a smattering of polite applause. Camen wondered now when Zanh Liis would make her appearance, or if she had backed out all together. Fox Margolis had promised him that Liis would be a showstopper tonight, and Camen was more the curious what would qualify as a "showstopper" to a former Miss Federation.

From the top of the table, he finally got a glimpse of her by the door, dressed as some sort of superhero. From the looks of it she had been waylaid by Dabin Reece.

Camen pretended to shout across the room to her, and Reece finally pointed her in his direction. He waved to her, and she held up one finger as if to say "I'm coming, just give me a minute." Camen nodded and jumped off the table.

He then began the classic "chase the hat across the floor routine". The crowd gathered around him laughed as he continually "kicked" his hat under the table and dove across the top to try and grab it on the other side.

The routine was cut short however, by some sort of wailing from across the room. It was the Trill, Dabin Reece, and he was singing.

Camen retrieved his "hat" and placed it on his head. He stood between his audience and Dabin Reece, hands on his hips shaking his head. After a few moments he turned towards the audience and stuck his finger in his throat. The crowd laughed, and he turned back to Reece. After a few more moments of the White serenade, he turned back to the crowd, unclipped a suspender, and wrapped it around his throat. He pulled up on it as if hanging himself and stuck his tongue out. Several crewmembers had to cover their mouths to keep from laughing out loud, as Reece continued blissfully unaware he was being mocked, not that he would have cared anyway.

Camen dropped the suspender and clawed desperately at an invisible wall, as if trying to escape some sort of dungeon.

Finally Reece wrapped it up. Camen bowed to his audience, who again applauded. Poor Dabin Reece thought it was for him, as he saluted the crowd with delight.

"Pardon, Monsieur Le Vedek?"

He turned around to see "Joan of Arc", as played by pastry chef extraordinaire Fleur Le Marc.

[[Good evening Fleur, so wonderful to see you. Are you enjoying yourself?]]

"Yes, this is quite the little party being put on by the crew, yes?"

[[Everyone worked hard, that's what this crew does. They never cease to amaze me. Fleur, can I ask you something?]]

"Anything Monsieur Le Vedek." Fleur's cheeks flushed slightly. It was a signal of increased heart rate and blood flow that one might normally observe as a result of infatuation, but Camen remained blissfully unaware that Fleur harbored anything more for him than the same friendship he shared with any member of the crew.

[[Have you seen Zanh Liis yet? That is quite the outfit is it not?]]

"Uh, no, Monsieur Le Vedek. I have not." Fleur quickly changed the subject. "Do you recognize me?"

Camen looked her over, and shook his head slowly. [[Sorry, I'm afraid I do not.]]

"I am Joan of Arc. A famous historical figure from France back home on Earth. She believed she was, how you say, touched by God and charged with leading the French to victory against the English. She was a strong woman and close to her faith, but also most likely delusional," Fleur said with a laugh.

Camen's face turned sour, and it wasn't just part of the mime act. [[So, you're saying she was delusional because she believed she was touched by her God? Am I delusional Fleur, because I believe I have spoken with the Prophets?]]

"No, this is not what I meant. Wait."

[[I suppose all those Orb experiences and my losing my voice is nothing more then some sort of hallucination? Excuse me.]]

"No, wait!" Camen turned to leave, Fleur tried to grab his arm and he shrugged it off and was gone into the crowd. It sounded to him as if she were insinuating a belief in a higher power was nothing more then the invention of an insane mind. She had struck a nerve.

Camen made for the door... and there was Zanh Liis, in all her Wonder Woman glory. It was a shame for Camen, because he was in no mood to party at the moment, and Liis for her part was absolutely stunning. He picked his mental jaw up off the floor, from beside her tall red boots, and reminded himself that he was in a bad mood. She gave him that look that said "What's wrong? I know something's wrong, so you may as well tell me."

He waved her off and forced a smile, wiggling his eyebrows at her, as his silent affirmation that he approved of her outfit, as brief as it was. He stood beside her, as she began to converse with the crew. Camen let her talk as he slipped silently away from her, and tip-toed out of Seven, wanting nothing more than to just be left alone.

***************************************
Vedek Jariel Camen
Ship's Chaplain
USS Independence NCC-90791

Post 548: Rendezvous?

Stardate 71105.1000
Authors: Biggs and Zanh
Title: Rendezvous?
Time The middle of the night- hours after "Full Disclosure"
Scene: Quarters/ Deck 8
-------------------------------------------

The computer informed Biggs that the Captain was in her quarters, and without hesitation he tapped his badge. "Biggs to Zanh,"

A groggy sounding Zanh Liis responded a moment later. [Yes, Simon?]

"I need to talk to you, please. It's urgent."

[You're talking to me now, Lieutenant,] Zanh seemed to sigh, and Simon realized that he may actually have woken her up. Amazing, he was beginning to think that she never actually slept.

"Captain, it's. . .important."

[As in, so important it can't wait another couple of hours until the beginning of Alpha shift?]

"Yes, Sir. That important."

[Ten minutes. My living room. Zanh out.]

Simon's quarters were not far from the Captain's, and so he paced, ticking off the moments he had to wait in his head and nearly wearing a path into the carpet as his boots dragged across it repeatedly.

Finally, at nine minutes and thirty seconds, he briskly strode out of his quarters and up the hall. He took a breath, and rang the chime on Zanh's door.

"No rest for the wicked, so they say." Zanh rasped, her voice hoarse from having to raise it to be heard above the music at the party earlier. "Come in, Lieutenant."

She stood before him in uniform, with a cup in each hand. She handed one to Simon, and he fidgeted it in his fingers, unable to think of swallowing anything past the lump that was stuck in his throat.

"Tea, cream and sugar. You look like you could use it."

"Thank you, Sir, but I," he set the cup down, and Zanh frowned. This wasn't the Simon Biggs she was accustomed to. She took a seat on the couch and gestured for him to sit in the opposite chair.

"What important matter brings you to my doorstep so very early in the morning, young Simon?"

He was comforted by her demeanor, which, while not as teasing as usual, still conveyed enough familiarity to allow him the freedom to say what he needed to say without fear of her reaction. "Captain, before I left on the Alchemy mission. Do you remember, we were talking about my visit to Earth?"

"I remember that you said that it was, what was the word? Complicated?"

"Yes. You asked if I wanted to talk, and I said that perhaps we could talk about it later."

"It's later."

Simon nodded.

"I wasn't ready to explain it then, but when I was on Earth, I received terrible news. News that my father and sister had been killed in an attack on the supply depot where they were stationed."

Zanh dropped her cup.

Simon hurried toward her, realizing that as the mug had tumbled, she had spilled its scalding contents onto her legs. "Captain, are you all right?"

Zanh seemed to register no reaction to the pain, and stopped him as he knelt beside the couch and attempted to pick up the cup from the floor, fussing over the mess.

"Simon, Simon." She shook her head. "Leave it."

She pulled him up by the sleeve and gestured for him to sit on the couch beside her. She stared at him, her expression horrified. "I'm so sorry. If I'd only known, I would have granted you leave. You could have stayed on Earth awhile, spent some time with your mother,"

"Wait, Captain, that isn't the end of the story. I now have reason to believe that my father and sister did not die in that alien attack, but were kidnapped and are being held captive."

Zanh entwined her hands, bringing her index fingers up to her chin as she considered his words. "Slow down. Back up. Start at the beginning and tell me everything that you know."

"The data recordings from the security cameras on the supply depot were garbled. Inconclusive. With an explosion obscuring segments of the picture and audio feed. Several seconds of the recording seem to be missing entirely." He explained. "My mother has been looking into the circumstances surrounding Dad and Jenny's 'deaths', and she just contacted me via subspace a little while ago. She introduced me to her information source, a man called Vely who is a Ikiian operative. This man claims that there is holo-imaging evidence that Dad and Jenny are being held by the Trikz, at a weapons manufacturing facility."

"The Ikiians?" Zanh frowned. "I am not familiar with their culture. The Trikz, however," she paused, "Their reputation proceeds them."

"I had never heard of the Ikiians myself until this morning." Simon replied honestly. "I have no idea if any of this is true. But my mother's ship will arrive within transporter distance of the Independence in thirty-six hours. She is willing to answer any questions you may have, if there is any chance that Starfleet," he paused, "that we, might be able to help and determine the truth of what is going on."

"Oh, Simon." Zanh sighed heavily, reading between the lines and knowing what he was really asking- if she could help him somehow if there was a rescue attempt. "This is tricky. Your father, I know that he was a Starfleet career man, but he was in the private sector for years after he retired," she wrung her hands a moment. "I don't know if we can navigate this quicksand without being sucked under."

"I know that Starfleet might not be able to help," Simon assured her. "And I am not asking for much, Captain. What I am asking is please, let me use the resources available on the ship to analyze the data, to construct a timeline of events. To see if there is any credible evidence that my father and sister might still be alive."

His eyes pleaded with Zanh in a way that tugged at her heart, despite the barriers she kept in place to keep everyone at what she considered to be a safe emotional distance.

"Then, if the evidence supports that they are being held somewhere, I will request leave, and go off with my mother on her ship, and we can go after them. I won't leave them there to waste away, if they are alive Captain. You have to know that."

"I know you, Simon. So of course, I know that." Zanh spoke softly, considering. She nodded slowly. "All right, Lieutenant. Beam your mother aboard, have her bring all the data she's compiled. Science and Engineering can help you sort through it, and I know that your crewmates in Security will be willing to do anything they can to help you out as well as far as authentication of the information."

She thought about how well liked Simon was in general among the crew and had no doubt that his fellow officers would rally around him at this time. "Then we'll call a meeting of the Senior Staff, and we will see where we are. But promise me that you won't just go charging off before we consider all the options. I want your word on that."

"I give you my word," he promised. "Thank you, Captain. Here are the specs on the ship that we should expect to meet us. It's not my mother's old ship, it's something new. It's called Blizzard." Simon handed the captain a PADD with the ships specs on it.

"Holy cow. This is a nasty little ship, Simon. Your Momma's packing some heat."

"My brother designed it."

She whistled softly. "My compliments your brother on his design capabilities, there's some serious armaments on this thing. Pulse plasma weapons, type 9 phaser emitters, forward and aft photon torpedo tubes. Very powerful for a civilian vessel."

"It needs to be, if we're going to go charging into Trikz territory to try to stage a rescue."

That idea worried Zanh more than she wanted to let on. Still, in her head she was already formulating potential plans of action, just in case. . .

As Simon hurried for the door, anxious to get a message to his mother's ship, she called after him. "You know if it were up to me, if Independence was truly my ship and there weren't so many lives at stake, I'd be the first to strap on a phaser rifle myself and follow you into Hell to bring your family home."

"I know you," Simon replied softly, with a gentle smile. "So of course, I know that." He seemed suddenly to have taken on a maturity beyond his years, just over the past few moments and right before Zanh's eyes. "It's not your job to do it, Captain," determination was evident in his voice and on his face. "It's mine."

"Maybe. But you don't have to face this alone."

He nodded.

"You know I can't make you any promises. . ." She wanted to be sure that he understood that her hands might be tied in this situation.

"I'm not asking for any." Simon felt relieved as he returned to his quarters; knowing that as much as the crew and Captain of Independence could do to help him, they would do.

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

Lieutenant JG Simon Biggs
Security Officer
USS Independence

and

Zanh Liis
Acting CO
USS Independence NCC-90791