[Return to Archives | Return to Listing | Previous Page]

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Stardate 9808.23
Nikki LeNaud
Personal Log

Begin Log:

Nikki was still unsure about the commander. Scott was nice and
he was really patient with her but she was still being rather reserved
with her deeper inner emotions. Now that her human side was allowed to
come out, she was having all sorts of emotions coming to the surface but
the majority of those emotions were confusion and puzzlement.
She found herself more and more going to the tavern and sitting
in her corner just to be somewhere other then her quiet room. As she
sat there, she would notice other men. For the first time, she actually
studied them. Studied their actions, their gestures, their features and
their mannerisms. She studied the responses that they got as well. A
couple times, she had to giggle as she watched on particular male trying
to desperately find a date. Nikki wondered to herself if his life cycle
was coming to an end and he had to insure the continuation of his line.
Each time he tried, he would get slapped hard.

End log

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Stardate 9808.24
Nikki LeNaud
Personal Log

Begin Log

Nikki stood in front of her closet and looked at her array of
clothes. They were pretty much all the same with the slight variations
of color. One thing theme that ran constant in her closet was that all
her clothes were pants. There was not one dress in the whole bunch.
The one uniform dress she had, she took out of her closet and burned
beyond recognition.
Maybe it was time for a slight alteration to her wardrobe. As
she looked at her clothes, they seemed rather on the drab side so she
immediately went to the uniform shop and ordered a new outfit. It was
stunning when she first looked at it and she liked it when she tried it
on. She took no time at all deciding on whether or not she wanted it
because she did. Now she had to have someplace to where this. It
called for a night out on the town.
As soon as she got back to her place, she put it on again and
was trying to match her shoes. She found a pair of shoes that she had
never worn as she didn't have an outfit to wear it with before. She
stood in from of the mirror and she smiled as smile of satisfaction.
There she stood in a black velvet catsuit encrusted with brilliant
glowing gems. This is what her wardrobe needed to give it a boost.

End Log

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

"SLOW DAZE"
By Zantus A'Ethers*
SD: 9808.31
(* -- NOTE TO SURAK THE ROSTER MAN: The name is Zantus A'Ethers, not Zantus
A'Ether, and the Tavern is Any Port, not Any Ports.)

The Xenar bartender lay on the bartop, his cloth rag over his eyes. The
Thugs, for that was how Zantus had come to call them, were in their customary
sprawl about the Any Port Tavern. The baldheaded Rude was semiconscious at
the bar, an unfinished Alvanian brandy in front of him. The redheaded Reno
was over by the holosuites nursing a Black Hole. And Tseng, the almost
imperterbable one, was lying down in a booth, a bitters on the table.
"Bored..." Zantus intoned.
"Bored..." Rude slurred.
"Bored..." Reno droned.
"Zzzzz..." Tseng commented.
Zantus lifted the rag off one of his eyes and peered at Tseng, then dropped
the rag and sighed heavily. "Some people just don't appreciate other drinks.
I don't know how people can stand that dishonest Ferengi!"
He heard a distinct noise, and lifted the rag again. Rude, Reno, and Tseng
were sitting up and glowering at him. Zantus grinned sheepishly. "Present
company excepted, of course." That mollified the Thugs, who settled back
into their sprawls.
There was a silence for a few moments, then Zantus spoke again. "I've been
wondering, who was this Jack 'Cow-stow' guy?"
"Jacques 'Coo-stow'," Tseng corrected. "He was a marine biologist or
something on Terra in the twentieth century. Big advocate of stopping water
pollution and such."
"Hmm," Zantus hmmed. He mulled that over. "Makes sense then why they
named the Outpost after him. I mean, that's a lotta water out there," he
said, gesturing blindly at the windows at the expanse of water outside.
"What?" Reno said. "You don't have water on your planet?"
"Sure we do," Zantus said. "I just never saw it. When the Orions forbid
you to leave your hometown for most of your life, you don't get to the beach
very often. And I didn't have much time for suntan during my visit to Zeta
Leo IV."
There was a quiet sound from the vicinity of the entrance. Zantus lifted
the rag and saw an alien standing in the doorway. "Are you open?" he asked.
Zantus rolled off the bartop, crashing spectacularly on the floor, then
stood up and smiled. "Apipoulai! I'm Zantus A'Ethers, the bartender here at
the Any Port Tavern. How can I help you?"
"A tall glass of Bolian tonic water, please," the alien said. He looked at
the Thugs, who remained sprawled about the Tavern, and asked, "Are they
safe?"
"Yeah, they had all their shots," Zantus confirmed. "Besides, once they've
had their booze, they're harmless."
The alien nodded and looked at the Thugs with some unease, then drank his
Bolian tonic water. Zantus took Rude's brandy away. "You've had enough,
Rude." The bald Thug groaned a protest, which then turned into a drunken
snore.
Tseng and Reno looked at him, shared a look, then got up and picked their
comrade up. "We'll just take him on home. Put the drinks on our tab, Zan."
"Yah, sure," Zantus said. "Apipousan!"
The Thugs carried their friend out and the alien looked at Zantus with a
question on his face. Zantus shrugged. "Advice: Avoid drinks that cause
nappy time."

END

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Keldar's log

Well I'm here...on a planet full of water. So of course my first assignment
here is to be on a ship in outer space. Very odd the way these starfleet
commanders think. But I survived, aside from the smoke I inhaled, and the
stickiness on my fingers from the space tape we eventually had to use on a
loose and stubborn part of the ship we were on. The Desiderata, or something
like that, wierd name for a ship. I bet it wasnt worth the latinum that
starfleet put in to it. It was probably put together in some back world
planet, where they could get the parts for cheap along with the labor. Almost
Ferengi like in that sense I almost have a bit of respect for them, almost,
the fact that I was on it, and it wasnt functioning properly, upsets me. I
certainly wasnt expecting such an exciting time out, for a first assignment,
but the chief helped me through, she seems able to handle her self pretty
well for a ....human...female at that....well almost human. Still cant
understand the clothing thing, but I suppose I'll have to get used to it. Odd
though.
Then there was this giagantic cat-female, that was an interesting
meeting to say the least. For a minute there I thought my old pet had come
back to haunt me....I'm not to sure about where I stand with her....Lt Kya or
something like that I believe her name was...very interesting and
deadly...I'll have to make sure to remain on her good side....and not to make
her upset.......perhaps she would like a nice new sonic hair brush?
ah....probably
not. Anyway things seemed to have settled down the last couple of days
here...and I'll have to try and find the chief and try to get to know her
better seeing we probably will be working a lot together. maybe she would be
interested in a freindly game of dabo at the nearby bar. Of course there is
no such thing as a friendly game just well just less
expensive.....heh.....anyway its time to shine my latinum....sigh....how
relaxing......

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Quest For A Home
part 3
personal log, FstLtElana

"MY BOAT'S HERE! MY BOAT'S HERE!" FstLt. Elana was almost shouting with glee
as she bolted from the main Outpost building, practically running from her
office down to the dock area, scattering the newest squad of ensigns as she
went. She had sworn the cargo employee who'd contacted her to let her know of
the arrival was almost laughing, but she had dismissed the thought.
She hurried down the slope to the dock, mind whirling from excitement. It
had been far too long since she'd been so excited over something -- months,
at least. She arrived at the entrance to the marina, and looked around for
the cargoman in the familiar brown coveralls -- Universal Parcel Service. The
man walked over, a smirk on his face, and offered the PADD for her signature.
"I assure you, the damage isn't from the shipping and handling," he
remarked, grinning. "Slip 3-E." He gave her a nod and a smile, then tapped
his commbadge and disappeared in a shimmer of blue light.
"3-E." Elana took a deep breath of air and headed down the walkway towards
the third dock, wondering at the UPS delivery man's words. Dock three was
reserved for ships undergoing repairs, or recent deliveries.
She walked past the new Bolian pleasurecraft in slip 3-A, and then saw the
mast bobbing at slip E. Well the mast looks okay, that's a good sign.
There she was, the Platinumfinger.
Her heart sank as she stood beside her newest acquisition. This is the boat
that's a 'sweet little vessel'? "No wonder he took coral for it!" she
snapped, to nobody in particular. Well, the coral had been free; all she had
needed to do was borrow a boat and head out to a couple of the lesser islands
to gather what she could. Five hours gathering coral had been worth the boat!
She sighed again, shaking her head slightly as she regarded the boat. "Hmm,
and I can see why it was too much hassle! Any ship you don't keep up properly
becomes a floating hunk of junk."
What had seemed poor at first glance got worse as she neared it, and
although she could see where the boat's resemblance to its original condition
was, she knew there was a lot of work involved.
It needed paint. The deckboards needed a serious scrubbing. The nets were
gone; and the dinghy attached to the back looked as if it needed CPR. The
windows were so badly beat up that she couldn't even see through them. She
hated to even think about stepping onto the boat and taking her inspection
tour, but she needed to. She unclipped her PADD and began taking down the
long list of parts that needed repair or replacement.
If her own home planet wasn't occupied right now, she would have written
home and asked to have her own boat shipped out, but there was also a certain
amount of pleasure to be derived from restoring this boat, too. She decided
that no matter what, she would not let Galex or his cronies know she had been
the least bit disappointed.

- t b c -


Subject: Quest For A Home, 2
Date: 9/3/98 12:26 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: FstLtElana
Message-id: <1998090304264500.AAA22879@ladder03.news.aol.com>

Quest For A Home, part 2
Personal Log, FstLt. Elana de Marco

"Well, it's official... I negotiated with Bugsy, who negotiated with Galex,
who negotiated with his cousin's brother's uncle's fifth-cousin once removed
ex-roomate... or whatever... ::chuckles:: I paid shipping on my own, through
a reputable freight company, saved a few bars of latinum that way. The boat
is priced less than I'd expect although still not cheap... I wonder what's
wrong with it? The picture Bugsy provided looks good... but I'm glad I
didn't blow ALL my savings on the boat itself, because I think I'm going to
need some of those credits I have saved up!
"The amount of motorized boat traffic in the main lagoon bothers me, not
only because of the scientific research dome below on the lagoon floor, but
for the sea life that lives in this sheltered lagoon. While there are a
couple streams and one small river that flow into the lagoon, providing water
flow and circulation, it's still a delicate ecosystem. I am going to come up
with a plan to relocate the commercial boat traffic outside the lagoon,
and present it to Surak and Elias. Perhaps we can limit the boat traffic
within the lagoon to under-sail-or-solar-power-only.
"Well, my boat is due here in three days.... we'll see what she looks
like then."


FstLt. Elana de Marco
Chief of Engineering
Outpost Cousteau

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Stardate 9808.25
Nikki LeNaud
Personal Log

Begin Log:

Nikki sat on the couch in her quarters with a frown on her face.
She was in a quandary. She was off duty and had no idea of what she
wanted to do. She could go into the holodeck or she could take a walk
outside. After all, it wasn't like she was on a ship, she was on a
planet and she really hadn't been out there except for the race.
She put on her outdoor leather and a pair of boots. There was
no way in Hades that she was going to be walking outside in high heeled
shoes. She finished adjusting the straps on the boots and then stood.
She looked around her quarters wondering if there was anything she
needed to take. Her whip was not even an issue. She had that already
fastened to the belt. She did however decide to take a phaser with her.
She left her quarters and headed out towards the outer doors.
She didn't expect to be gone long so she didn't pack any provisions or
tell anyone where she was going. Scott was busy elsewhere and Kya was
busy doing security stuff and Aimee was busy with sickbay stuff so she
had to go it alone.
She stepped outside and the sun was just beginning to rise,
casting long lazy shadows over the land. The nocturnal wildlife was
replaced by the day creatures. An variety of sounds could be heard as
the world began waking up from its evening slumber. Nikki looked around
her trying to decide which way to go. She looked to the left at the
mountains and then to the right towards the plains. She turned left and
headed for the mountains.

End Log

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Stardate 9808.25.2
Nikki LeNaud
Personal Log

Begin Log:

Nikki began her trek towards the mountains. The going at first
was relatively easy. She was planning on just spending the day
exploring the outside world. The closer she got to the mountains, the
rockier the terrain became. She could hear the sound of rushing water
and decided it would be a good time to stop and get a drink. She made
her way to the stream and dipped her hands into the cold water and began
to drink. Movement caught her eye and she looked up. She didn't see
anything but there was something definitely on the other side of the
stream. The branch of a smaller tree was swaying as if someone had
pushed it aside to pass, yet she saw no one.
Her senses became quite alert. She tried to sniff the wind but
there was none. It was a calm morning. She tried to listen for any
more movement, but heard none. As she stood ready to dismiss it as a
trick of the mind, a silver flash caught her eye. She still couldn't
see a thing. She walked up the stream to it narrowest point and crossed
over, stepping on rocks as she traveled on. Once on the other side, she
stopped, letting her Klingon senses take over. She began to move deeper
into the forest, trying to find where that flash of silver came from.
She now lost all track of time.

End Log

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Stardate 9808.25.3
Nikki LeNaud
Personal Log

Begin Log:

Nikki was now on the other side of the stream trying to find the
thing that shone so bright. If there was trouble, she would have her
phaser and whip to protect her. As she traveled through the woods,
navigation became a little harder as the trees and brush were closer
together. Since this part seemed like it was not traveled often by
humanoids but mostly by the denizens of the forest.
"This is going to be a rather well spent afternoon. Plenty of
fresh air, on the prowl", she said to herself as her trek took her even
deeper into the woods and as it did, the canopy seemed to hide the sun
making the forest floor on the dark side. Once again she saw movement
up ahead but didn't see what or who had caused the movement. "This is
maddening. Perhaps I should go back and get a party together to flush
this thing out." When she turned around to go back the way she had
come, it was as if the forest had just grew in behind her closing her
off to all possible ways back. She stopped and listened. At this
point, she was so far into the woods that she could no longer hear the
stream. In essence, the trees had trapped her in this part of the
forest.

End Log

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Stardate 9808.25.4
Nikki LeNaud
Personal Log

Begin Log:

Nikki was beginning to get tired and hungry. She finally had
cleared the thick trees and could see a clearing up ahead. As she made
for it, she noticed that the clearing wasn't sunny. As she reached it,
she looked around and then up to the sky. Perhaps it was because the
base of the mountain was right there, or that clouds had moved in or
quite possibly that it was now night fall. She had been so intent on
finding out what was taunting her, she lost all track of time.
+OPC+ "This is Nikki." She paused a moment and then tried
hailing the outpost again, but to no avail. Something was interfering
with communications. Something that didn't want her leaving until it
was ready to let her go. She had a choice, she could try finding her
way back and getting lost in the dense forest in total darkness or
finding a place to settle in for the night and scrounge something to
eat. "Hmmm, I wonder if they would notice that I'm not there in the
morning. Probably not. Well, at least this will see just how good my
survival skills are." She said to herself.

End Log

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Stardate 9808.29
Nikki LeNaud
Personal Log

Begin Log:

Nikki continued on her trek at the base of the mountain. As she walked, a
few rocks came tumbling down. The noise caught her attention and she looked
up. There was movement up there. What ever it was that was leading her on
was now on the mountain itself. She narrowed her eyes as she looked up,
trying to focus on where it might be. She didn't see a thing.
She looked for a spot where she could commence her ascent to follow what
ever was up there. "Its a good thing I have my hiking boots on," she said.
"It makes things a little easier to deal with." By now, her leather was
dusty but that didn't bother her. The first available area with water, she
would wash the dust off of herself. As she climbed, she reached the area
where she thought she saw the movement. It was a flat area, almost like a
trail
on the side of the mountain. She followed it until it widened and then
stopped as the path seemed to drop off the side of the mountain. She turned
back around looking where she could climb up and then she saw what seemed to
be a hole in the mountain side.

End Log

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Stardate 9808.26
Nikki LeNaud
Personal Log

Begin Log:

Nikki began to awaken as the first rays of light pierced the
lower branches of the tree which she had settled into. One thing she
had learned from Kya was that trees make good resting spots. She
stretched and scampered down the tree. She was hungry again and decided
to go find something to eat. She looked around her and everything
looked so different. She definitely did not pass this way during the
race.
This part of the land at the base of the mountain was very
still. Not a lot of sound came from the animals. A chill ran through
her as the thought of Akos came back to her. For the first time, he had
popped into her mind. The thought of Akos never even crossed her mind
as she tried tracking the movement. She knew he was evil and sly but he
wouldn't be this way, teasing her and leading her along. He would have
tried to attack her while she was tired and resting. Not one dream of
him, did she have will sleeping. She walked along the base of the
mountain looking for some sort of edible plants and berries. She tried
hard to listen for the stream to follow back to familiar surroundings,
but she couldn't hear it or anything that sounded like it. With the
mountain on one side and the trees on the other, she couldn't really
tell in which direction the sun was rising.
Nikki had to face it. She was lost, but, from this, she would
learn how to find her way back. This was the kind of thing she thrived
on. She would probably be in deep doo doo for walking off without
telling anyone where she was going, and for going alone. She would have
to simply cross that bridge when she came to it, if she ever got back.

End Log

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

"SMALL TALK"
BY ZANTUS A'ETHERS
sd: 9809.04

It was another slow day in the Any Port Tavern. Zantus was behind the bar
as usual, meticulously cleaning each glass and bottle even if it was already
clean. The Thugs were there too, in their customary sprawl about the room.
Tseng, however, was not there. Zantus noticed this and asked of Reno,
"Hey, Reno, where's Tseng?"
The redhead looked up from his drink and shrugged. "I dunno," Reno
replied. "He doesn't share his daily schedule with me."
Rude looked up from his stool at the bar. "He said he was going to get
something to put up in the Tavern."
Zantus brightened. "Hey, anything that will help business is fine by me."
A few minutes later, Tseng entered carrying a large box. "Ta-da, I got
it!"
Zantus vaulted the bar and went over to him. "Well? Well? Tokemata, man!
Speak up, what is it?"
Tseng gently pushed Zantus back and explained, "Before I was with Reno and
Rude, I wandered around–kinda like you, Zan. I was on Deep Space Nine once,
saw this place called Quark's."
Zantus made an unpleasant sound. "Gah...Ferengi."
"Yeah," Tseng confirmed, "a Ferengi ran it. They had holosuites like you,
Zan, and drinks, and Dabo. But they also had this."
He opened the box and held up a circular dart board. "Darts."
Zantus looked at it. "I'm not familiar with this Ferengi game."
"It's not Ferengi," Reno said. "It's Terran."
Tseng set the dart board up on a wall and took out a set of darts. He held
one up for Zantus to look at, then squinted one eye at the board. He cocked
his arm back and let fly. It hit the metal wall (clang!) and Tseng shrugged.
"I never said I was any good."
Zantus took out the other set and examined the darts. Tseng took them and
pointed the sharp end away from his eyes. "Those are the dangerous ends."
Zantus peered at him, squinted at the board like he saw Tseng do, and let
fly.
Double twenty.
The Thugs blinked and looked at Zantus, who set the darts back down on the
table. He nodded. "Similar to tadjo on Xenar. Sounds good. How many of
those ya got?"
"Five boards with two sets of darts each," Tseng said.
"Rack 'em up, Tseng," Zantus said. He clapped him on the back and vaulted
back over the bar to his work.
By this point, the alien that had visited the Tavern a few days earlier.
He looked around. "Open, right?"
Zantus nodded and gestured to one of the empty barstools. "Bolian tonic
water?"
"Yes, please," the alien customer said.
Zantus poured him a glass and pointed to the dart boards. "We have darts,
in case you're interested."
The Customer looked at it and nodded absently as he drank his drink.
Zantus shrugged and whistled "Alouette" as he did his work. In the air,
Tseng's unsuccessful throws could be heard.
(Clang...clang...clang...clang...) Every so often, Reno's successful throws
were heard. (Thud...thud...thud...thud...)
And the day went on...

END

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Stardate 9808.26.2
Nikki LeNaud
Personal Log

Begin Log:

As Nikki came closer to the hole, she noticed it was overgrown
with brush. As she pulled the brush away, she saw that the hole was now
rather large. It went back into the mountain as far as she could see.
It just wasn't a hole in the mountain side, but a cave. One by the
looks of the overgrown brush, that hadn't been accessed in a long while.

As she stood at the entrance, a warm sweet smelling breeze hit
her. It was coming from inside. Was this a path straight through the
mountain? No more having to go around or over? She would definitely
have to check it out. She entered the cave and at first, she couldn't
see anything until her eyes adjusted to the darkness. The farther she
entered the cave, the cooler it got and the darker it got. She didn't
have a torch to be able to navigate the pitch darkness.
Now she really had to go back and get her equipment. This truly
intrigued her. She wanted to go deep into the cave as possible, but in
order to do that, she needed a light source. She turned and got ready
to leave when she heard a sound coming from the darkened depths. She
was now in a quandary. Should she stay and find the source of the noise
or try to find her way back to the outpost and then hopefully try to
find the cave again. What should she do?

End Log

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Stardate 9809.06
Nikki LeNaud
Personal Log

Begin log:

Nikki decided that she was going to go ahead and search the cave. As she
continued to search for anything that could be used a light source, she
stumbled upon a pile of old dried up bones and what looked like old tattered
clothing. "That's odd, I don't remember ever seeing those there before. Its
everything I need to make a crude torch, but where did it come from. Its as
though what ever I need to continue my journey, is being provided for me."
She able to fashion at least four torches from the skeletal remains and
remnants of cloth. With her phaser, she carefully brought one of the torches
to life. Its rays, filling the cave around her with a light. She progressed
farther into the cave checking every nook and cranny to make sure that there
were no inhabitants.
Nikki turned and looked into the direction where she came from. She could
no longer see the opening of the cave or any light from the outside. There
had to be another opening as the flame on the torch would dance, casting its
light on the wall making look as if they moving with her. Stopping for a
moment, Nikki tried to listen for any sound but the cave was as silent as a
tomb. She let out a sigh that seemed to echo through the passage, before
continuing on to find out what it was that was luring her into the unknown.

End Log

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

"OOH LA LA"
BY ZANTUS A'ETHERS
sd: 9809.06

The Any Port Tavern was busy. Lowrankers, redshirts, and civs were around
the place. Some played darts, and the Thugs were, as always...no, wait, they
weren't there. Zantus whistled "Alouette" to himself as he mixed drinks and
cleaned glasses. The young frequent who had been in the Tavern a lot more
recently looked around and noticed the
Thugs' absence.
"Hey, Zan," the Frequent said, "where're your friends?"
"The Thugs?" Zantus asked. He looked around the Tavern and frowned. He
scratched his pokey, blond hair. "Well, whaddaya know? They aren't here.
Dunno, old sport. Refill your tonic?"
"Yeh," the Frequent said.
Suddenly, there was a noise outside the Tavern. Then, dancing through the
door came all three Thugs—Tseng, Reno, and Rude. Rude was carrying a
music-machine, which was spouting a favorite from the late twentieth century,
"Ooh-la-la" by Rod Stewart.
The Thugs were grinning and singing along with the music. Rude clapped the
music-machine on the bartop and cranked up the volume. Before long, everyone
was nodding along with the music, redshirts and civs alike.

I wish that I knew what I know now
When I was younger!
I wish that I knew what I know now
When I was stronger!

Zantus called over Tseng as the customers started dancing along. "Tseng,
what's this?"
"The Tavern needs all the attractions it can get!" Tseng shouted over the
music. "Rude had this old music-machine, and some song-chips! Thought you
could use it!"
"Thanks!" Zantus shouted back. "You guys have been a treasure!"

Ooh-la-la!
Ooh-la-la, yeah, yeah!

The song came to a finish, and the customers, the Frequent included, started
to applaud. Then the Frequent shouted, "Play it again!"
Rude shrugged, adjusted his light-filters, and hit the replay button.

Ooh-la-la!
Ooh-la-la, yeah, yeah!
Ooh-la-la!
Ooh-la-la, yeah, yeah!

END

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Quest For A Home
part 4 ~ joint log, FstLtElana and Major Elias

Three days after part 3

"LOOKING BEAUTIFUL!" Elana grinned at Chief Petty Officer Hanover, who was
giving her a hand in repairs. Two days before, they had closed the locks on
slip 3-E, the boat had been hauled up out of the water into drydock.
She was spending all her free time down at the docks, working on the boat.
She had removed all the damaged parts, and, taking them back to the
reclimator, and also using up at least half of her cargo replicator rations
she'd been saving, she had replaced almost all the parts she needed.
Almost. There were a few minor parts that she was having shipped in
priority; but otherwise things were cruising along quickly. The first day the
boat had arrived, she had spent her lunch hour going over it thoroughly, and
ordering in a few parts. That night she had come down and scrubbed the dead
barnicles off, emptied the entire interior, and stripped out the cushions in
the main cabin. Elana had burned the midnight oil, working until
nearly 0230 hours, scrubbing every interior and topside surface so she could
get a good look at what she needed to do to bring the boat to specs.
Happily, she had three days' break coming, and she intended to spend it all
working on her boat. She had recruited CPO Hanover and Specialist Joliet, a
pair of bright young engineers, to help her out, paying them in a combination
of credits and replicator rations. They had helped her get the boat hauled up
out of the water, and over the past two days helped her replace or fix almost
everything in need of repair on the catamaran.
She still had to do the interior, and replace the windows, install various
navigational equipment, add the solar panels.... there was definately a few
days' worth of work still before her. But the two young men worked quickly
and efficiently. Hanover, one of the terraforming techies, was a sailing buff
himself; Joliet, one of the hydroponics engineers, was a mechanical wizard.
They went about their work cheerfully and with good speed.

Elana was belowdecks, working on some base painting. Hanover and Joliet had
already finished for the day and left about an hour before.
"Helllloooooo....." a voice called out.
Elana stood too quickly, banging her head on the doorframe that she was
painting. "Yowch....." She dropped the paintbrush back into the bucket and
made her way towards the hatch.
"Hello?"
She could hear the voice more clearly as she emerged deckside, wiping her
hands on a towel. "Yeah yeah yeah!... didn't you see the doorbell?" she
teased, and then turned almost as red as her hair when she saw who it was,
regretting her tone of voice, playful as it was meant. "Major! I'm sorry--"
"That's all right, Lieutenant... we're off duty." His blue eyes crinkled as
he smiled at her. "I'll only give you two demerits."
Elana laughed. "Okay, sir -- err, Major. I can accept that."
"I was just coming over to give you your post--" he glanced the boat over,
and finished, "-surgery docking slip. Dock 1, slip D. You'll be diagonally
across from the Calypso, slip E, so I'm here to kind of say, 'Welcome to the
neighborhood.'"
"Thanks, Major, I appreciate it, I'm definately looking forward to living
down here." She tossed the dirty towel into a soaking bucket. "I did want
to talk with you about perhaps making the lagoon docks only residential? I've
been looking over the area's geological surveys, and I think I may have an
alternative--"
Elias grinned. "Whoa, whoa. Write up the information and let's keep that
during work hours, shall we?" Elle blushed, and he chuckled. "Half the
thing about living down here is living away from work, you know?"
"Yeah, definately."
"So, perhaps once you get that .... boat .... fixed up, and settled in over
at slip D, we can have a nice neighborly dinner or something."
"That'd be nice." She smiled.
"Good! I look forward to it, then." He glanced at the boat. "Well, looks
like you have your work cut out for the evening, and I'm due for a meeting in
fifteen, so I'll talk to you later, Lieutenant." He gave her a salute and
walked off towards the walkway to the Outpost.

- t b c -

Subject: "I'll Be Mellow When I'm Dead"
Date: 9/7/98 8:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: ZantusAEth
Message-id: <1998090800204400.UAA05828@ladder03.news.aol.com>

"I'LL BE MELLOW WHEN I'M DEAD"
BY ZANTUS A'ETHERS
sd: 9809.07

The day following the big romp after Rude the (ex)Thug brought in an old
music-machine, Zantus was cleaning the Tavern, while the (ex)Thugs were in
their customary sprawls around the place. At the bar, the young Frequent
Customer was there.
"Hey," Zantus said to him, nudging him. "No sleeping on the bartop."
"Hwuh?" the Frequent looked up. "Oh. Thanks."
"Say, boyo," Tseng called from his sprawl, "never caught yer name."
The Frequent turned around to face him. "It's N'rm. N'rm Pt'rson."
"Pleased to meet ya, N'rm," Reno said from the dart boards.
"Hey," N'rm said to Zantus, "ya ever think of hooking that machine up to the
comm-system?"
"I don't think the Cap'd like that," Zantus said.
"Naw, I didn't mean the outpost's comm-system, I meant hook the machine up
to the speakers in the Tavern, so you don't have to crank the volume up so
loud," N'rm explained.
"Makes sense, I guess," Rude commented.
"Okay," Zantus told him, "you find out how to do that, and I'll give ya a
free drink."
"Two."
"Deal."
The young alien went over to the music-machine and began to fiddle with it.
Zantus watched him a moment, then took out a music-chip and examined it.
Tseng watched him. "What's that one? Another Rod Stewart?"
"No, it's one I found in Mr. Bylt's things that he left behind. He's a fan
of humorous Terran songs." Zantus held the chip up. "This one's by some guy
called Weird Al."
N'rm stepped back from the machine. "I think that'll do it."
Zantus inserted the chip and pressed the play button. A few seconds later,
a song was blasted through on the speakers. Zantus turned down the volume a
notch as the lyrics were heard.

I don't care about your karma.
I don't care about what's hip.
No space-cadet's gonna tell me what to do!
I won't swim in your Jacuzzi.
Ya can't make me settle down.
I'd rather kick and jump and bite and scratch and scream until I'm blue!
I may as well be hyper, as long as I'm still around,
'Cause I'll have lots of time to be laid back when I'm six feet underground.
I'll be mellow when I'm dead...

"Ain't it th' truth?" Reno grinned at Tseng. The Thugs laughed and clashed
their glasses together and gulped down a mouthful of their respective drinks
as Zantus poured N'rm his first free drink.

I can't stand the smell of incense
I don't really like to jog.
No Joni Mitchell 8-tracks in my car. (Ooh!)
I hate anything organic.
Even health food makes me sick.
You won't catch me sippin' Perrier down in some sushi bar
I tell ya, now's the time to go for all the gusto you can grab!
You'll have plenty of time to be low key when you're laid out on the slab!
I'll be mellow when I'm dead...

Before long, the Tavern regulars (redshirts and civs) were filing in and
laughing at the funny song playing. N'rm nodded along with the beat as
Zantus took orders.

I don't want no part of that vegetarian scene.
I won't buy me a pair of designer jeans.
No redwood hot-tub to my name.
I got all that I want, and if it's all the same to you,
I don't need a course in self-awareness
To find out who I am.
And I'd rather have a Big Mac or a Jumbo Jack,
Than all the bean sprouts in Japan!!

People began lining up at the music-machine with song requests. Zantus had
to calmly turn them down after saying he didn't have that chip. Other people
brought the chips up, asking that he play them after Weird Al was done.

So don't ask me what I'm into.
I don't need to prove I'm cool.
I'll break your arm if you ask me what's my sign.
I won't show you where my head's at.
I don't need to see no shrink.
Psychosis may be in this year, but I'm really not that kind (a guy)
And I'm in no hurry to be casual, in fact I think I'll wait
Till I'm pushin' up the daisies—Like, wow, man, can you relate?
I'll be mellow when I'm dead...

And the night rocked on.

END

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Stardate 9809.06.2
Nikki LeNaud
Personal Log

Begin log:

Nikki continued deeper into the cave. By this time the first torch had
burned itself out and the second one was now it. The flame danced even more
and the sweet smell grew stronger. The passage was much more narrow and the
ceiling was lower, so much so that as Nikki held the torch up, the flame
would kiss it. The smoke hugged the ceiling as the breeze pushed it along.
The air in this part of the cave was cooler, almost cold to a point. It
caused Nikki to shiver every now and then. There was a lot of moisture
about, as she felt the air stick to her like wet gauze. The passage was so
small at one point, that she had to crouch down to get through it. But when
she did, the walls and ceiling opened up into what seemed like a room . As
she stepped in and held the torch up, her eyes were met with an unbelieveable
sight.

End Log

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Journeys of the Mind and Soul part 3
(all three logs set AFTER the benlithium story)

Kya opened her eyes as far as she could, which, because they were caked over
with blood and dirt, wasn't very far. Her eyes adjusted.

She watch the gaurd pacing back and forth several meters from her, and she
waited until he was close. She sprang. And stopped. The chain that was
around her neck and paws kept her from moving very far. She let out a soft
snarl, trying her best to free herself from her chains. The gaurd kept
walking.

It she was correct, then it had been ten days since she had seen the light of
day, since the humanoid known as Shur had captured her. She had given them
hell, and several bore the scars of her teeth and claws. Shur's ear would
always be half gone. Her own fur and face was covered with dirt and blood
from numerous wounds they had given her. Now Kya was beginning to tire. Her
spirit was as firey and savage as ever, but her body, without food and
little water, was slowly approaching the verge of collapse.

"Tarin, get the serum. Now. This kitty isn't staying any longer."

At the sound of Shur's voice Kya raised her head and leaped forward,
straining with all her strength to get at her tormentor. He simply laughed.

"Ms Kitty," he held up a small hypo. "A long time ago someone from
somewhere developed a delightful little serum that tests the boundries of a
humanoid." He grinned. Kya bristled. "You see it makes you wild, it takes
away your humanity so to speak. I get my best pets that way."

Kya took a deep breath, staring through her blood at him. "You can't do
anything ..." Suddenly she let out a scream that curdled the blood of those
present. Kya dropped to the ground as the serum, injuected barely a few
seconds ago, began to take effect. Through cloudy vision she could see the
members of the Outpost, her friends. She reached out a paw to those already
fading. "I'm sorry ..." Last in a line of people she saw Chase, the hateful
smile begging to be slapped off his arrogant face. But for the first time,
Kya's eyes failed to darken in anger. Instead they paled to white as she
collapsed, unconcious, the last of what was called her soul gone for what
might be forever.

TBC .....

Ltjg Kitren Kya
ACSEC Outpost Cousteau

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Journeys of the Mind and Soul Part 4

The feline was light for her size. Her shoulder reached almost four feet,
but she barely weighed 190 lbs. That didn't matter though. They had seen
enough of her damage to give her the strongest cage, the tightest locks. She
ahd them all scared.

She paced the length of her cage often, impatience one of her values. There
was one person who even was stupid enough to come near her. Stupid, because
she had already mauled him three times.

Her fur glistened in the artificial light like a silver coat laced with ebony
stripes. Had she stood still, she would have looked like a jeweled statue.
But she wouldn't stand still. She wasn't about to let her gaurd down.

Shur watched the feline from the door, his eyes shining at the prize he had
won. A little bash in the head, some serum, and he had something that
brought the great trader Fynn to his doorstep. And it was Fynn who was
talking to him now, telling him he wanted this feline, telling him what a
wonderful choice she would be for his mistress. Shur had seen his mistress.
She was stunning, and her black eyes captured souls. She was standing close
to the
cage, watching the female cat within.

The feline, called "Toughy", looked up in curiousity at the female on the
other side. She didn't strike when the cage door was opened. She didn't
snarl as Karra, Fynn's mistress, walked into the large cage. She didn't
object to the pets and caresses. She enjoyed them.

Shur's men stood in awe at the power Karra seemed to hold over the feline.
They were in shock. Fynn said something first. "A thousand bars."

TBC .....
Forever Faryddan
Ltjg Kitren Kya
ACSEC Outpost Cousteau
>^,,^<

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Journeys of the Mind and Soul Part 5

Sanine K'ya opened her eyes and looked over at her mate. Kasha smiled at
her. "They're almost here blossom. Only a little longer."

The feline opened her eyes and stared around at the humanoids. Something was
up. She could sense the excitement, the rush. She closed her eyes and went
back to sleep.

She grunted and closed her eyes as another contraction hit her. She was glad
this only happened once in a lifetime. It was over in a few hours. Soon she
was looking down at two young female kittens. She smiled. They were twins
except for the black tail tip on the second born.

A rocking caused the feline to open her eyes again. Her cage was being
moved. She gripped the floor, her mind going over what had gone through her
mind.

"Just be careful with Outpost Cousteau people. They cause me a lot of
trouble."

The feline's ears perked at the name. Deep in the recesses of her mind,
something was fighting like a raging bull to get out. Slowly, it was
winning.

They were on the shuttle, and the feline studied the bolt on her new cage.
She knew she could open it.

Fynn was about to clear orbit when he heard a sound behind him. He turned,
and he didn't get to scream before the feline had attacked him, throwing him
agains the buttons. The ship plummeted to the ground below.

The feline opened her eyes in the smoke and haze. She knew she needed out,
but as she stood she let out a cry. Her hip was broken. Moaning, she pulled
herself out of the shuttle, her instincts telling her which way to go. She
got as far as the bushes before collapsing unconcious.

Sanine smiled and leaned close to them. She placed a paw on the firstborn.
"Kitren you will be named."

Seven days later, two weeks after Major Elias stormed into Ops about his
missing ACSEC, an officer would report that a civilian had found a feline ten
meters from the edge of the compund. She was unconcious, in horrible shape.
Her hip was broken, and she was dehydrated. They had taken her to sickbay.
It was Kya.

TBC .....
Forever Faryddan
Ltjg Kitren Kya
ACSEC Outpost Cousteau
>^,,^<

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Bio-Bed and a Movie
JL Surak and Elana


Surak lay on his bioed in "Health Bay" and let out a bored sigh. He had
been in "Health Bay" for two days, despite his constant assurances to the
Medical Staff that he felt fine. Meanwhile, piles of PADDs had begun forming
on his desk in his office off Main Ops. ~~I can barely keep up with the
paperwork, when I am allowed to work my full shift!!~~
Presently, he looked up to see his CEO, First Lieutenant Elana de Marco,
approaching his Bio-Bed.
"Good afternoon, Captain. How are you feeling?" the engineer asked,
smiling.
"Just ducky. Though I might have to have a few words with the CMO," he
said, grumbling in an un-Vulcan-like manner.
"Well... the doctors know best, sir," she said flashing a smile. "I
thought you might be less than entertained in here, so I brought you this."
Elana handed him a PADD.
"Ah...what is this, the Desiderata's damage report?" he asked, with a
noticeable facial expression of hope.
"Not exactly sir. It's a holo-movie PADD. The film is a classic from
Terran history..."
Reading the title, his eyebrow arched in question. "Gilligan's Island?
Was Giligan an explorer?" The Captain wracked his memory for the name
Gilligan.
"Not exactly; it is a fictional comedy, sir. I thought it might raise
your spirits."
"Well, thank you for the gesture, Lieutenant," he said, doing his Vulcan
best to sound gracious.
"Not a problem, sir. Well, I'll let you rest... and don't be too hard on
the Med staff. It is their job, afterall," she said, grinning, turning to
leave.
"I'll try. Generic good-bye phrases..."
Several hours passed, and Surak had tried several things to amuse
himself. First he counted specks on each ceiling tile he could see. Then he
divided them by the number of fiber per inch on his hospital blanket.
Finally, he fought the growing temptation, and watched the holo-movie.

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Stardate 9809.07
Nikki LeNaud
Personal Log

Begin Log:

The sight that met Nikki's eyes was incredible. She took a few
steps forward so she could take in the entire area. The space was not
natural, as some of the places seemed to have marks made from some a
sharp instrument, like a chisel, and perhaps some sort of hammer. She
had an odd sensation go through her. She stayed close to the walls so
as not to disturb what she saw.
The center of the room looked like large flat stones had been
placed in a circular pattern, almost resembling a gathering and meeting
place. In the center of that circle was apparently a large dish.
Nikki, finally decided to get close enough to get a better look. As she
approached the circle, she felt like she wasn't alone. She looked
around but she was the only one there. After a moment or two, she
stepped inside the circle. Then as if some unseen force, either
external or internal, guided her, she seemed to know what to do.
She knelt down in front of the large dish. Its sides seemed
charred and there was some sort of material already there. She held her
hands together as if in a sort of prayer, the torch perfectly balanced
between her hands and looked up to the heavens.
In a voice that didn't seem to belong to Nikki, a chant began to
escape her lips. "Nohrk tul apphr porr darhl." She then slowly brought
the torch down and the dish in front of her burst into life, a flame
dancing wildly as if it had been imprisoned for ages and was now finally
able to dance again and stretch itself out.

End Log

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Stardate 9809.07.2
Nikki LeNaud
Personal Log

Begin Log:

The flame still danced wildly but now it began to turn a very
pale light blue. It illuminated the entire room. Nikki was now seated
on one of the stones that surrounded the fire. As she looked around,
she saw others sitting with her. She turned and looked at each one and
they in turn did the same in a way of acknowledging all those present.
To her, they seemed solid, but if someone were to come upon this scene,
they would have thought her insane as she was the only one sitting there
in front of a blazing fire.
One of the figures turned to Nikki and began to address her.
"We have waited a long time for you Tjaghr. You have come to rescue us
from the angry heavens. They once again rumble with hatred."
Nikki responded as Tjaghr, "Yes I have. Alas, this shall be my
last visit for I have chosen to join Khaless in his journeys. Another
will replace me."
The group looked worried but then came to the realization that
the Gods would look over them until a new defender would be delivered to
them. They knew that Tjaghr was going to die soon and that the Gods
had already begun the search for another defender. "We shall miss you
Tjaghr. And we wish you well on your journeys. As you know, the skies
have already begun to darken. The demon is approaching."
"Yes I know" replied Nikki/Tjaghr. She looked around the room
at the ones gathered outside the circle. She was not surprised in the
lest as to who was all there. Tjaghr stood and approached a group in
deep conversation. She looked at them and admired their courage. She
had raced the one called Pandor. He was quite good. It took cunning to
beat him but she had done that. She looked at him and he turned his
head and spotted her and smiled. His feline eyes glowing with affection
as he let out a low loving growl to her. He finished his conversation
and he came to her. Though his eyes were filled with deep love for her,
she could still see sadness.

End Log

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Stardate 9809.07.3
Nikki LeNaud
Personal Log

Begin Log:

Pandor held Tjaghr tightly in his arms, his growls telling her
that he loved her dearly. Yet, he too knew that he would never see her
again. Tjaghr looked up at him and she smiled at with him, her love for
him showing in her face. "I know that you have traveled far my love, to
come here to help us. I want to be at your side when you meet the
demon," Pandor said as he lifted her chin up with his paw. As he looked
at her, he ran a nail down her forehead and the bridge of her nose. His
clawed finger tracing the ridges on her forehead and the bridge of her
nose.
"I can't ask you to put your life on the line. I love you too
much to do that," Tjaghr said as her eyes filled with tears. Even
though she was a warrior, she still had very real emotions.
"You don't have to ask me. I want to do it. If we are to die,
I want it to be together," he said as he gently kissed her lips as his
strong arms held her tight.
"You know what we have to do, my love. We need to get some of
these people out of here and as far away as possible. Do they
understand that they will leave this world and not see it again?" she
asked him, her own voice in a sultry growl.
"Yes, they understand the best they can. The new worlds have
already been chosen for us. And Tjaghr, live or die, I will be at your
side for the rest of eternity." Pandor replied. Then he added, "I love
you like no other person has loved another." Fayddarian
"And I love you just as greatly," replied Tjaghr. "Have you
any ideas what the worlds are that have been chosen?"
"All that I was told was that one is called Fayddar and the
other is Quonos.

End Log

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Stardate 9809.08
Nikki LeNaud
Personal Log

Begin Log:

Nikki/Tjaghr looked at Pandor with her head cocked to the side and a
concerned look on her face. "Is that all you know about these two new
worlds? What about neighboring worlds? Are they friendly or hostile?" she
asked him.
Pandor looked at her with the same concern. "No, there is no more
information on them. They would have to take their chances the same as if
they stayed here," Once more he took her into his mighty arms and held her.
"I wish you had come under different circumstances," he added.
"Different circumstances?" she asked him as she looked up at him.
He smiled at her as his eyes sparkled. "Yes, different circumstances as in
you and I uniting as mates for all eternity"
Tjaghr smiled back at him as she held him tightly. Her eyes beginning to
well up as she knew that the day he spoke of would never happen. "You are the
only one I love Pandor, and will ever love. I too wish the circumstances
were different too."
They stood there holding each other for a few moments more before the earth
began to rumble again.

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Stardate 9809.09
Nikki LeNaud
Personal Log

Begin Log:

Tjaghr's friend Torthar came running into the large space in a panic. "We
must go now! The demon has returned with a vengence!" Tjaghr looked at him
and then back to Pandor. She knew this was it. She turned to Torthar and
said, "It is a good day to die." Torthar turned pale at her words, but
Pandor knew what she meant. On the wall where the scribes had gathered to
record the events, had already begun etching the wall. Tjaghr watched them
as
they busied themelves to etch the last few hours of their existance.
She took a deep breath and with a sound of defiance in her voice, she said
"Let's do what we can to allow the others to leave. I will meet you in the
heavens of all eternity." With that she kissed him with all the love she had
for him. Pandor held her tightly as he know, their fight would be futile but
that the others would live and carry on their race. He took her hand and
together, they headed for the tunnel that lead to the outside. They
paused at the entry to the large space, turned and for the last time, took in
all that was happening.

End Log

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Stardate 9809.10
Nikki LeNaud
Personal Log

Begin Log:

Nikki swayed and caught herself on the entrance of the great area looking
down the tunnel that she had come down. She didn't know if she had been
dreaming or what. She felt light headed and the emotions hit her of what she
had just relived. She began sobbing at the thought of Tjaghr and Pandor, the
people having to flee knowing that they would never see the others again, the
terror the ones left behind must have felt.
She slowly turned back around so that once again, she was facing the great
space. The fire now snapping and crackling in an animated sort of way. Its
colors of red, orange and white. Then she remembered the scribes. She
hurried to the wall where they once stood. She brushed away the dirt that
had collected in the etched writings and then stood back and looked.
"This can't be! It can't be the same!" she said with disbelief in her
voice.
"Yes Nikki, it is the same," came a voice from behind her.
She spun around to see a figure, not quite solid but some what transparent.
Beside the transpartent figure stood another, in the same sort of
appearance. Nikki knew right away who they were and was not freightened.
"Why?" was all Nikki said and the two spirits looked at each other and simply
smiled.
They knew what she was asking.
"We have waited a long time for you Nikki, and for Kit Kya to arrive on this
world. It is only through the two of you that we can finally find rest. Our
past had to be told. Nikki, your klingon spirit is what drew here. We had
hopped that Kya would have been with you."
Nikki looked at them as a solomn look came over her. "I wish she could have
been here too." She looked at Pandor and with a voice that was almost
pleading, she spoke to him. "Pandor, Kit has been hurt. Before she can help
you, you must help her." He seemed to understand what she was saying. He
looked at Tjaghr and with a loving growl, kissed her. "You will find your
rest first, and then I shall follow you. Once Kit Kya has been healed, then
I shall be able to rest with you and we will spend the rest of eternity in
bliss." With that, Pandor seemed to vanish in the smoke. Tjaghr watched him
and smiled as her beloved Pandor began his mission to find his peace.
When Tjaghr and Nikki were left alone, Tjaghr moved closer. Nikki could see
through her but that didn't seem to phase her in the least. "You must tell
our story to all your families. Eons have passed since that day and I fear
that they have forgotten us. For our peace, our lives must be told to all."
As Nikki listened to Tjaghr, she could not help but feel an overwhelming
sadness. Tears began to fall from her eyes. "Nikki, don't be sad. Our
peace is coming, but it will come through you and Kit. You have such a
wonderful spirit in you. The gods have chosen rightly eons ago when they
chose you."
Nikki looked perplexed through her tear filled eyes. Tjaghr simply smiled,
"Look on that wall there," she said pointing to the wall to Nikki's left.
"The scribes put the gods' prophecy on that wall. Pandor and I didn't see it
as we had already left." Nikki walked over to the wall Tjaghr had pointed to
and began to brush away the dirt as she had on the other wall. When the dirt
was removed, all Nikki could do was stare. There on the wall of the
cave, was an etching of two figures. Each one bearing the Starfleet emblem
and the names Nikki and Kitren.

End Log

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

The Voyage Home Ferengi Style Part 1

::Keldar stood at the edge of the doorway awaiting the shuttle to take hum
back out to the arrays. Many thoughts were rushing through his corrupt little
head. All of a sudden a page came for him over the intercom.::hits
communicator badge::Keldar here. "Ensign there is a call for you on line
Alpha Gamma 6." Thanks. ::Keldar shook his head who would be calling for him
here? Very odd.
::Walks over to secluded wall panal device::Patch me through to the call on
Alpha Gamma 6, personal code *****
::Waits for the call to be switched over::
"Hi Keldar, It's Ishka calling, how are you doing? I hope you haven't spent
all you latinum yet....are you keeping your ears clean? You know you will
never find a mate if your ears are dirty all the time...just ask your
father."
::Keldar flinched it was his mom....gods what now?::
Hi Kani, what do you want this time? No, my ears are perfectly
fine...clean as a lode of latinum. And my latninum supply, well I'll keep
that to myself if you do not mind. Father's well I take it.....what do you
want? I'm almost ready to go out on duty here.
"Well Keldar it does concern your father I'm afraid, he wants you to come
here at once. He did not tell me what it was about, but I believe it is
important. Are you keeping your under garments cleaned I know all about you
single ones......how about eating? Are you eating enough chew grubs they are
good for you, you know."
::restraining from hitting head against the wall::
Yes mother, I am doing just fine.....You tell father that I will not come
home unless I have a good reason. And stop bothering about asking about
anything inane.
::Keldar noticed his mother take many deep breaths and turn a lighter
color::
"Well Keldar....if you are going to be that way....your father thought that
you would act like that. You know how much this is costing him...calls arent
as cheap as they used to be."
::Keldar waited a few moments, to his mothers point of view, he seemed to be
distracted by something. In truth he was wasting time on purpose...It wasn't
his latninum they were using anyway::
Yes mother I know how much calls are these days....Why do I have to come
home, what is so bloody important?
"Well Keldar you would like to meet your bride before the wedding day right?
We would hate to send for you and you not have met her yet correct?"
::Keldar almost fell over from the shock. Him get married? Yeah right that
would be soon, right after he bought the Federation and lived happily as King
on Ferenginar.
You must be joking mother I am not getting married. I have a career now I
am not going to change that, you know how latninum consuming ann option that
would be.
"I am not joking Keldar here are the tickets and names of the ships to get
on. We hope to see you soon. I know your bride will love to meet you. Be sure
you are on Orion 3 before the week is out otherwise it will be to late and
you know what that means."
::Keldar shrugged:;
Yeah, yeah. All right I'm coming home and we'll discuss this there.
"Bye bye Keldar remember to..."
::Keldar switched off the communque....and kicked the nearby wall::
How dare they? He had told them he didnt want to get married...it didnt
corralate in his plans. He began rubbing his ears in a soothing motion...and
eventually calmed down a bit.
::He waited for the computer to print out the information and the tickets he
would need.::
He would have to explain to the captain, and hope that the captain wouldnt
hate him for leaving this soon after arriving for his first assignment.
::Ripping the tickets off and shuffing them in his gear....he read the
directions, and committed them to memory. Then he tossed the information
into the nearby recycling place and stormed away, grunting as he went.::
He failed, however to notice, the note that had been place at the end of
the message...it contained four words........Watch for the Sloon.......

As Keldar turned the corner to catch the shuttle a shadowy figure picked up
the letter, read the directions, and destroyed the letter. A deep gutteral
laughter echoed through the halls....

TBC

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

"Journeys of the Mind and Soul Part 1"
SD 9809.02

DAY 1
Kya lifted the bag over her shoulder and smiled down at Cassie. "I'll be
back in three days."
Cassie nodded and looked up at Ensign Wren. Wren smiled back down.
"Cassie will be fine Kya."
Kya nodded and took a deep breath. With that she turned and walked off.

From the top of the hill Kya looked out over the OPC compound. She smiled.
"This is just a short leave. I'll be back in three days."
Sighing, she tapped her commbadge. "Transporter Room beam me to the
predetermined location." Kya disappeared in a shimmer.

DAY 2
Kya opened her eyes and smiled at the darkness around her. Night had just
set in on Sorin, the captial of Vantar's southern hemisphere. She rose from
her bed and moved to the shower. Ten minutes later she walked out of her
room and was on her way.

"How in hell did you do that Cat?"
Kya lifted her head and grinned at the man beside her. "I learn fast."
The man grinned and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I like that in a
partner."
"Guys its your turn." Kya laughed and looked over to the speaker, a human
woman. The woman, Dina, smiled at Kya and her husband, who was Kya's pool
partner. Kit laughed. "Let's play Sam shall we?"

Kya was having the time of her life. In an evening she had made three
friends, Dina, her husband Sam, and his sister Sanny. She had learned a new
human game, and she had mastered it. She had new foods and drinks. What a
learning experience! Now she was on her way back to her room. She would go
back to OPC the following day. Suddenly, she heard something and turned down
the alley. What was it?

A sound came from behind her and Kya whirled snarling. A scream came from
someone as her claws ripped into his face. She whirled again, her amber eyes
black with anger. Someone jumped on her back, and she slammed against a
wall. Snarling she turned to face the next attacker. A large board slammed
into her head and she dropped unconcious to the ground. A man stepped from
the shadows and stared down at her.
"What a pirze you'll make my kitten."

TBC .....
Forever Faryddan
Ltjg Kitren Kya
ACSEC Outpost Cousteau
>^,,^<

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Journeys of the Mind and Soul Part 2

DAY 4
Kya moaned and opened her eye. The other was caked with blood from her ear,
making it impossible to open it. She could've wiped it away, but her paws
were tied behind her back. She could even speak witht he gag in her mouth.
She felt a cool cloth on her face and she opened her eye again, staring at
a strange human as he cleaned the blood from her fur. Slowly she moved a
claw and started to slice through the ropes around her paws.
She heard footsteps and looked up as a large grey skinned humanoid walked
up to her. He grinned. The smile caused the fur on Kya's back to stand up.
She began to knaw at her gag with her teeth.
The grey male placed a (hand?) on her body and leaned forward, his lips
close to her ear. "Maybe now you can enjoy with me." His hand trailed
downwards. Snarling Kya spit out the gag and latched onto his ear. He
shouted as her paws came free and she slammed them into his stomach. Claws
ready, she would have ripped him open if two phasers on stun had not knocked
her unconcious.

TBC ......
Forever Faryddan
Ltjg Kitren Kya
ACSEC Outpost Cousteau
>^,,^<

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Journeys of the Mind and Soul Part 6

Sorra stood beside her in the darkness of the ditch. His blue eyes reflected
the pain in his ankle. He smiled at Kitren slightly, and let out a breath.
"We better go, before Shii gets here." She nodded and helped him to his
paws.

The feline's eyes flew open and she stared around sickbay. She had been
there for several days now. She had watched them come and go, and now "Ms
Kitty", as they called her, was ready to get out of the place. She slowly
stood and stretched. No one paid her much attention, as she was prone to
wander around sickbay. No one noticed when she slipped out the door and made
her way to the promenade.

Kya stood looking over the promenade of OPC for the first time. Her eyes
widened at the diversity that reminded her of home.

The feline stared out at the bustle of people in wonder. So many .... Her
eyes studied each person below, until one caught her eye. Fascinated, she
crept through the shadows to the lower level.

Major Casey Elias headed through the porminant towards his office. He felt
like he was being followed, but everytime he turned around nothing was to be
seen. Scowling, he walked into the dark room. "Computer, Li....." He heard
a low growl, and turned in surprise.

He found himself tackled by a 185 lb furry ball. His instincts kicked in,
and he rolling ready to throw his attacker. He stopped in shock at the face
of his ACSEC.

"Ms Kitty" stood and studied her "prey". He instantly stood the moment she
moved, and it reminded her of a cat. She cocked her head when he growled to
himself. "Damn. Now I've got a pet for a Security officer."

TBC....
Forever Faryddan
Ltjg Kitren Kya
ACSEC Outpost Cousteau
>^,,^<

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Pandor's Quest

The spirit of Pandor knew Kya when he saw her. He was also surprised at the
shape she was in. He knew the great strength of the Faryddan mind, for he
himself was Faryddan. He knew he had his work cut out for him. He had to do
it. He had to heal her, to help her, and to show her his memories. Someone
had to know.

The spirit went deep into Kya's mind. Somewhere in there, a feline was
fighting against the serum's effects, trying to get out. Pandor would help.

TBC ....
Forever Faryddan
Ltjg Kitren Kya
ACSEC Outpost Cousteau
>^,,^<

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

"The Adventures of Supercat, the Promenade Prowler"
(takes place after Journeys Part 6)

The Major scowled and placed a small bowl of milk on the floor. Standing up,
he glared at Kya. "You better be glad you've gone nuts or I would shoot you
for doing that."
"Ms Kitty" looked up from her spot on his desk and meowed. She gave him
the look that every cat owner knows well, the look that says "I'm humoring
you." He scowled again and walked out of his office and headed towards his
own place, wondering what the heck he was going to do.

"Ms Kitty" waited in silence until the lights on the primenade went out.
Slowly she rose from her place on the Major's desk where she had been
sleeping. Dropping down to the floor, she walked over to the bowls. After
nibbling a bit on the kibble and lapping up a little milk, she stood and
walked out of the Major's office, set for adventure.

"Ms Kitty" didn't find adventure that night, but what she did find was a
small eight week old kitten. She had no way of knowing this was the escaped
Joxer, and she had no way of knowing that it belonged to Lt. Logan, her enemy
before she had been injected with Shur's serum. In fact, she didn't know who
Lt. Logan even was. When Major Elias walked in his office in the morning, he
found Kya still asleep on his desktop, and a small kitten curled up
with her. He began to make his own Hypothesis.

----TBC in Part 2
Forever Faryddan
Ltjg Kitren Kya
ACSEC Outpost Cousteau
>^,,^<

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

The Adventures of Supercat, the Promenade Prowler Part 2

"Ms. Kitty" laid her ears back at the Major and growled grumpily. He was
glaring at her, trying to get her to sleep on the floor "like some damn
normal cat" instead of on his desk. This was on the account that he "didn't
need a pile of fur decorating his desktop." Kitty resorted to giving him the
look that said "I'll just humor you and then when you leave I'll get my way."

The Major scowled again and left. Kitty had won. She was still laying on
top of his desk.

Kitty waited a few hours before rising and taking a few bites of kibble. An
officer had come during the day and taken the kitten. but not before Kitty
had to be sedated. Her amber eyes adjusted to the dark and she stepped out
of his office, and to the Promenade.

She saw him but he didn't see her. From the upper level of the Promenade
Kitty watched as the person tried to get into one of the shops. Growling,
she perched on the banister. With an angry snarl, she leaped off the
banister and slammed into the person. When the criminal was dragged off a
little later, he was screaming about a flying cat that had attacked him.

Kitty was long gone by then. She was running through another part of the
Promenade. Her head was pounding, and she needed a place to rest. She found
a small dark corner, and she lay down.

TBC in Pandor's Quest Part 2

Forever Faryddan
Ltjg Kitren Kya
ACSEC Outpost Cousteau
>^,,^<

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Pandor's Quest Part 2

Pandor's spirit went deep into Kya's mind as she slept. In a second, the
memories supressed by the serum sprang full blown to her mind as Kya fought
her way out in a battle that would last for several days ...

"….. and so was the creation of the universe and those who live here."
Sanine looked down at her two young kittens and smiled. Already young
Kitren and Kurra were showing themselves to be born leaders. She touched
their heads and whispered blessings into their ears. They would change
history, she knew.

Twenty year old Kitren laughed happily and leaped up into the tree. Sorra,
the same age, was faster. Before she was halfway up the tree he was beside
her and passing. He beat her to the fork and laughed as she pulled herself
up beside him.
"When will you learn Kitren? I am faster and stronger than you will ever
be."
Kya sighed, trying to catch her breath. "I gave you a head start."
Sorra's laughter rang through the forrest. "You did not! Admit it Kitren!"
"Never!" She laughed and leaped up in attempt to go higher. With a
chuckle, Sorra grabbed her tail and pulled her back down into his lap.
"You're mine, Kitren." His smile faded and he leaned close to her, kissing
her on the cheek. Kitren stopped laughing and pulled away, looking into his
eyes. "Sorra, you know I am only twenty. We can't do this."
Sorra smiled. "I plan on waiting."
Kitren chuckled and leaned against him, closing her eyes as the night set
on. "I love you Sorra."
In the fork of the tree two Faryddans slept, unknowing that the next morning
Sorra would die during an attack on them by a pack of Faryddan wolves. They
did not know that five more years would never come for him.

The beach party was going fine until Silver dumped a water balloon on Kya.
Then he was in trouble.
Scott grabbed his ankles and Kya grabbed his arms. Together they dragged
Lt. Silver to the dock and tossed him over the side. Surprised, she slipped
and all three fell in. Nikki simply stood there and laughed.

"The hours sitting in the classes at the Academy never prepared me for the
excitement that I would feel when I finally received my first assignment.
Now, I stand in my quarters looking out the window at Vantar IV's land and
seascape, reliving my first few hours here.
"I arrived into orbit aboard the U.S.S. Stargazer. They were on their way
to Deep Space Nine, so dropping me off was just a small detour. I was
accompanied by Lieutenant Faxly in a shuttlecraft to the surface.
"My first look at Outpost Cousteau was an impressionable one. Even though
the entire complex is still under construction, it seemed almost beautiful.
I wanted to serve here. The Main Building stretched fifty meters into the
sky, towering over the other buildings like a queen over her subject. I felt
proud to be hers.
"After bidding farewell to the Lieutenant" ::growls slightly at the thought
of the arrogant Lieutenant:: "I was escorted to the Main Building, where I
was welcomed by both Captain Nanaimo and Major Elias. I felt welcome, and
from what I could gather empathetically, for I usually don't probe minds
without permission, they were happy to have me.
"With the remaining day I found myself in a tour of Cousteau's facilities
and a chance to get settled. Tomorrow I go on duty. I vow by my mother's
heart that I will serve Starfleet as well as if not better than I served
Farydda."

TBC .... in Rememories Part 1.

Forever Faryddan
Ltjg Kitren Kya
ACSEC Outpost Cousteau
>^,,^<

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Stardate 9809.14
Nikki LeNaud
Personal Log

Begin Log:

Nikki couldn't take her eyes off the etchings on the wall. Tjaghr finally
spoke again and Nikki was so intranced by the pictures that she jumped
slightly at when she heard the voice. "Nikki, there is a gift the gods have
left especially for you."
"A gift? What kind of gift?" asked Nikki quite puzzled. Not know why they
would leave a gift for her and in all this time, she was sure that it would
have been stolen.
"Yes Nikki, a special gift. One that when seen by other, they will notice
that you are the chosen one," Tjaghr said with a smile.
"I still don't understand about being the chosen one and why others would be
looking me." Nikki said as a frown crosses her forehead.
"All will be revealed, once you accept and take possesion of the the gift,"
answered Tjaghr.
"Then where is this gift?" asked Nikki.
Tjaghr pointed in the direction to the other side of grand room. "There in
the northeast corner is a small chamber. The gift is in there."
Nikki walked over to the entrence of the chamber and noticed that she would
have to almost crawl into it. It was dark in there and she couldn't see at
all what was in there. "How can I see in there, its too dark"
"The gift will make itself known to you," Tjaghr replied.
Nikki looked over to the spirit and then turned back to the chamber. She
entered. Once inside, it was too small to stand. As she tried to scan the
room, she noticed a tiny sparkle of light. It began growing rapidly and then
without warning, it engulfed her. The whole cave was suddenly filled with a
loud angry and anguished growl.

End Log

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Ens. Mandy Personal log SD9809.14

Dear Diary,

Well, didn't I just have the most wonderful first day in my new position? I
was following the rest of an away team into a cave where we found some sort
of sphere. The captain seemed to be sucked into it, I think, I don't know, I
was covering the rear and looking more toward the entrance making sure we
weren't being trapped in there by whomever created that sphere. After that,
I don't have a very good recollection of what happened. I have fleeting
memories of an island jungle and several wacky characters running about.
When I awoke I was laying at the feet of the Major who was dressed rather
strangely as were the rest of the crew...including myself.

::Pausing in her diary for a moment wondering how she will ever get over the
shame of waking up in a grass skirt and coconut shells. Taking a deep breath
she puts her hand on her head a moment, rubs the lump there making sure it
was not a dream, and continues::

At any rate one of the crew...was it Elana or...no I think her name was Kayla
or Kala or something. ::sighs:: I guess I'd better study the crew roster a
little more carefully so I know who to thank for this nice little lump. At
any rate, one of the female crew members said she had to knock me out because
I was trying to eat the crew!! This is a bit far fetched for me to believe,
but considering what everyone else was looking like and doing, who
knows. ::she chuckles to herself a moment:: Diary, I must confess however, I
have met a few male crew members that are yummy enough to eat. ::laughing
out loud, not believing she said that, folds her arms and lays her head in
the crook of her elbow trying to stifle her giggles. Taking a couple of deep
breaths to compose herself she straightens back up after a moment and
continues::

But ah...diary? ::clears her throat of the last of the laughter:: That's
just between you and me okay?

::As she closes her diary/personal log she sighs and rubs her head again
thinking:: ~~Maybe I should go to sick bay and have this checked out, I
think I'm a bit giddy~~

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

"One Leg At A Time"
PL Surak

Surak dashed into his Ready Room and quickly walked towards the closet in
the corner. "Computer Initiate Privacy Tints and Sound Proofing,
Authorization Surak 123Gamma," he said opening the closet.
"Privacy Tints and Sound Proofing Initialized..Be Well Captain Surak,"
the computer replied.
Tossing off the "Health Bay" gown, Surak quickly donned his uniform. He
slumped into his chair. "Computer open personal log..."
"Log open...Be Well Captain Surak"

::LOG OPEN::
"...We are experiencing some time/space anomalies. I have inspected Fleet
wide starship deployments, and have found some odd patterns. Something big is
happening on the Cardassian border, and I have heard nothing. Moreover, the
Dominion have taken Dynax 2, an illogical move on there part. They should
have taken DS9 and Bajoran before attacking Dynax 2. Additionally, the USS
Potemkin is not on the front. She is orbiting a Storrs III in the Beta
Quadrant. This is highly illogical. The USS Potemkin is one of the most
heavily armed starships on the fleet. She should be on the Border.
I will be calling a meeting of the Senior Staff to go over these
phenomena. It seems that Q-bert was less than benign when he corrected the
damage The Sphere did to me.
I have apparently exposed my backside to several of the Main Ops crew.
~~Damn Health Bay gowns~~~ I wonder if they make a Hallmark™ card for this
occasion..... Close Log"

::Log Closed::

Captain Dante Aristotle Surak,
Commanding Officer,
Outpost Cousteau, OP-102770
Vantar IV, Beta Quadrant

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

The Voyage Home Part 2
Journey to the Skies

Keldar awoke with a start.....he was still groggy from the day before, it
had been a wierd and long day. First they had ended up and in some human
entertainment show from the past, thanks to the captain. He had been knocked
uncouncious, once again thanks to the captain, but at least he had been
promoted. So he guessed it was worth it. But now the real test was to take
place.
He hurried to get ready to catch the shuttle, and to set his parents
straight about the whole marriage thing. He was extremly reluctant to go but
business was business and he hoped this one would be profitable without the
marriage part. Being newly promoted, he almost felt like he was desserting
his new crewmates, but this was business.
He had asked Surak for a leave, said goodbye to his chief and grabbed his
belongings and headed for the outgoing shuttle. At first he had thought that
Surak would turn him down, he had seen hesitant, but understood how some
Ferengi families are. He had wished him a safe journey, but to stay out of
trouble, like Ferengis get in trouble. Keldar grinned, his pointy teeth
gleaming, he was ready for anything.
Shuttle Mandark now preparing to depart for rendevous with USS Anthony. All
those wishing to leave on this flight, pleas board now. We depart in 5
minutes.
Keldar once aboard the shuttle glance around to those who had also been
getting on. There was a huge Klingon male, a few humans and a Vulcan female.
The Klingon gave him a sneer and glanced barbarically in his direction, until
he looked away, which he did rather quickly. The humans never even bothered
to look his way, and the Vulcan, rather petite for her size, gave him a
smile. That sent Keldar back, a
Vulcan that smiled? Hmm...how interesting. He smiled back and then set his
gaze elsewhere.
He had always been a bit uneasy on planetary liftoffs, and landings, but
once in space he was always fine. A few minutes past and soon they were in
orbit around Vantar and heading toward the Anthony. He glanced quickly around
again and noticed the Vulcan stil had her eyes on him. He figitted in his
seat and glanced away again, she had had a wierd gleam in her eye. Swallowing
neverously, he contented himself by watching the shuttle as it docked
inside the Anthony's bay.
As soon as the the boosters cut and the tractor beams kicked in and guided
the shuttle to a stop, he grabbed up his stuff and headed toward the door. He
let the Klingon out first, or should he say, the Klingon let him follow him
out. Keldar felt the Vulcan come up from behind him, the humans as of yet
were busy discussing something and were slowly making their way toward the
exit. Once all had exited the shuttle, a high ranking officer stepped
through the doors and he came to attention, out of reflex.
A smile crossed the mans face as he looked down at the Ferengi. "Guests, we
will be heading out, as I speak. Allow myself to introduce.....myself. I am
Captian Powers, and this is Ensign Johnson, who will show you to your
quarters when I am done with you. Welcome to the Anthony, if there is
anything you need let me, or one of my crew know and we will do our best to
accomodate you. Each of you has a
destination to Starbase 84 on Orion 3, so sit back enjoy the trip, but please
follow the standard rules and everything will go smoothly.
The captain then left, and Keldar could not help but notice the captains
strange toothy smile that mad a Ferengis look normal. The female ensign now
caught Keldars eye (and you know how painful that coul be) and he followed
the others as she led them to their quarters. As they went he felt more
relaxed as he began to hear the hum of the ship around him.
When they had arrived and had been shown to their quarters, Keldar glanced
around inside of his, it was smaller than his had been on the outpost, but
that made sense for the Anthony was a smaller ship, a science vessel, if he
remembered correctly. He sat his stuff down on the bed, and was just about to
sit when the door chime went off. Stifiling a curse he went to open the door,
first hiding his latninum under the bed.
"Come in....
To his amazement the Vulcan female was standing there, and she was still
smiling.
"Greetings, My name is K'lotha, and you I believe are Keldar." she said,
arching a eyebrow at him.
Keldar swallowed hard...

tbc

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

The Voyage Home Part 3
Lunch At Tilffany's

There she was across from him. Keldar blinked just to make sure she wasn't a
figment of his sometimes overactive imagination. Ever since they had arrived
at the local's dining place on the Anthony, called 'The Lab', he had not even
touched the chew grubs that he had ordered. K'lotha had ordered some green
and red vegatation, he had no idea what they were exactly, but they certainly
did not look good for anyone.
The two of them had not spoken since she had asked him to accompany her to
'The Lab', and he had replied yes. Of course he had figured out that he
probably didn't have a choice in the matter really. She had blanched a bit
when his food had arrived and, she had seen that they were still squirming.
But this was the way one ate chew grubs, well at least, that's how he ate
chew grubs.
She glanced at him and spoke, "Aren't you going to eat?"
That broke his train of thought and he nodded, putting a grub into his
mouth. K'lotha swiftly glanced away as he chewed. He although didn't taste
it, for he was deep in thought once again.
Was she a spy placed to watch over him to make certain that he didn't give
out any federation secrets? Or perhaps she was an aquaintance to Surak.
Whoever she was she was keeping mostly to herself and making herself more
mysterious as time went by.
When they had finished eating their respected food, Keldar sat looking at
her paitently awaiting an answer, any answer to who she is and what she
wanted. Taking a deep breath he gave in and began to talk to her.
"Allright, what's this all about anyway? And are you a Vulcan? If you don't
mind me asking you don't act like any Vulcan I've met.
K'lotha looked at him. "Like I said prviously, my name is K'lotha. Daughter
of K'lriss and T'vokin of Vulcan, but I am 1/2 Vulcan and 1/2 Romulan.
Keldar nodded, "That's why the show of emotion then..
She raised an eyebrow. "Pardon me?
"Well most Vulcans don't smile all that much, if ever.
Unable to maintain the charade any longer, she grinned. "You are right,
most do not, but I... well you might just say am pretty unique.
"You certainly can say that again, but that still doesn't explain why you
are here with me. Neither Vulcans, Romulans, or in fact most races tend to
spend any time with Ferengi. Not that we ususally mind that much. Keldar
shrugged and looked at her inquiringly.
"You might say.....I was sent to look for you....and to accompany you home.

Keldar peered at her questioningly, started to reply, stopped, started
again, and stopped again. Finally he said, "Okay, once again why?
"I was paid to.
That got Keldar's suspicions up, "By who?
"I am not at liberty to say.
Keldar thought about that, he'd have to be careful that's for certain. If
someone wanted him dead, he would more than likely be dead already. What was
this about? Perhapshe should play along... for now.
"All right..you are to accompany me home, then what?
"We shall see when we get there.
Keldar groaned and placed his hands and his ears and thumped his head on the
table. This was getting him nowhere fast.
"What if I decide that I don't what you to accompany me home?
"It would not be logical of you to try and force your way on this Keldar, I
will accompany you.
Keldar blinked, looked at her again, no trace of emotion was on her face
now. Vulcans were definitly stronger than Ferengis, there was no doubting
that, but perhaps some of his Starfleet defense courses could help him if
necessary. He'll just have to wait and see. He began to fidgit again, and
feeling anxious.
"Should we take a walk? he suggested.
They still had around 8 hours left before they reached the Orion system,
this vessel was a science one, that usually didn't go anywhere to fast and
kept scanning systems on high, to check for anomilies. Keldar felt maybe this
way there would be a chance, slim, but a chance that she would let something
slip that he could use to his advantage.
She nodded, "Agreeable.
They both got up and started out of 'The Lab' and walked down the halls
surroounding it. Here there were not that many beings around, and much to
Keldar's dismay, K'lotha spent most of the time in silence, staring out the
windows into space.
Suddenly, a shadow appeared from behind them and Keldar turned just in time
to see K'lotha go flying, and crash into against a wall and sag limply to the
floor. He finished his turn and saw the huge Klingon from the shuttle
standing there, a horrible grin on his face. The Klingon took a step toward
him, and drew a wicked-looking knife from it's sheath, and started to laugh.
Keldar looked around in vain, wishing that Lt. Kya would make her appearance
there at anytime, and if not here than even the yellow shirted Ensign Mandy,
but they were light years away. Here he was alone in the halls of hell and
the hound was breathing down his throat.

tbc.

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

The Voyage Home Part 4
A View To A Kill

Keldar continued to make a steady retreat, slowly but surely away from the
Klingon brute. The Klingon uncaring, advanced still laughing and either
waving the knife at him, or shifting it from hand to hand. His back hit a
wall, and Keldar grimanced and looked around in panic. There was nowhere for
him to go. Whoever heard of a dead-end in a starship? He took a defensive a
stance as he could, which made the Klingon laugh
even harder.(Which in its own way caused Keldar enough of a panic to almost
need a change of pants.)
Glancing around again, he looked for a conn panel of any kind, something to
let someone know that he was here and to come quickly. He regreted at that
moment leaving his communicator badge behind. Seeing that there was none, and
remembering now that his whip had been placed nice and neat in his bag, on
the bed, in his room, he was about out of options.
There was little room now that seperated him from the Klingon whos laughter
had now turned into a snarling growl, and drool now appeared on his lower
lip, as he went into a crouch. Gulping, Keldar, shifted his feet and prepared
for the battle that would inevitably take place, then he remembered his
favorite quote.
Standing as straight as he dared, he looked up at the Klingon winked, and
asked, "Is there anything I could do for you? Perhaps we can make a deal?
The Klingon looked stunned for a moment, but only for a moment, and then he
burst out in laughter.
"No deal ferengi, Donoth accepts no bribes. He hunts for the fun, even if it
is a lowly ferengi, like yourself. The only thing you need to worry yourself
about with me is how I am going to kill you and how it is going to hurt.
Keldar swallowed hard, and quickly looked around again and went into his
defensive stance. That had not worked the he had hoped it would. At least he
had found out that, someone besides, Donoth wanted him dead, but who and why?
Donoth let a wild yell and dove at him, Keldar barely managed to dive and
avoid being slashed. Rolling to his feet he turned to face Donoth, who had
quickly recovered from
missing and was after him again. Managing to roll aside and have the next
couple of attacks miss him again, Keldar found himself quickly tiring.((Note
to self: get in better conditioning if able to survive here.)) He knew he
would not have enough energy to avoid the next attack, he prepred himself to
try and block the next thrust.
When Donoth came at him, he swiped at him in a horizontal motion, Keldar
brought up his left arm to take the blunt of the blow, and felt the intense
pain as the blade sliced through the muscle in his arm.
Howling in agony he held his arm to his side. Blood ran down his fingers,
and started pooing on the floot below. Donoth smiled in glee and killing
frenzy, as he looked at the horrified expression that now crossed Keldar's
paling face.
"Soon you die ferengi, but first I'm going to get my fun out of this.
Donoth put the knife away and kicked Keldar square in the chest. Keldar
flew backwards as the breath left his body. He landed with a thud and gasped
for air. Wheezing for a breath he struggled to sit up, but a kick to the back
sent any idea of that from his mind. A few more powerful kicks to his
midsection and Keldar's vision began to blur and darken. He groaned and
gasped for air as he tried to crawl
away from where he guessed Donoth to be.
Hearing laughing, he then felt more blows to his back. Curling into a ball
the best he could, and trying to hold in a whimper, for no Starfleet officer
should whimper in front of his enemy, he tried to stop from blacking out.
After a few minutes though, the blows stopped, and Keldar heard from far
away, a voice calling to him, mocking him.
"Are you hurt little ferengi? Are you in pain? These are nothing, they are
only the beginning of the pain you will feel.
Keldar couldn't see him, but he heard the sneer that must have adorned
Donoth's face. Moving his head he caught a brief glimpse of the Klingon
warrior standing by him. Noticing his postion, Keldar lashed out his foot in
pain, and let his remaining strength flow through his foot. His foot
connected with the Klingon's knee and he was satisfied when he heard a snap
and Donoth roar in agony.
"You'll pay for that worm breed!, Donoth snarled at him.
Keldar desprately tried to crawl away, but he felt a hand clamp down around
his ankle and drag him back.
"Feel the pain, bugspawn!, Donoth yelled and twisted Keldar's foot.
With a snap, his ankle shattered and he nearly passed out from the pain.
Tears running down his face, he tried to squirm from the grasp and crawl
away.
"No you don't ferengi, now you will die! Forget about the pain the sloon
would bring you.
Donoth pulled on Keldar's ankle and intense shearing pain went through his
body, and he howled in pain.
"No that will not happen. A soft but firm voice said.
Keldar heard a guttural moan, and something hit the floor, hard. After a
bit he chanced a look and saw K'lotha standing over Donoth's prone body. She
gave him a wan smile, as some green blood dripped from the side of her mouth.
At that time, Keldar never had seen anything more beautiful then her at that
moment.
"How did you manage that?...he asked softly.
She knelt down and held his head in her lap. "Ancient Vulcan secret."she
replied.
And then darkness took him....

TBC