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Chapter 1

  Captain’s log: stardate 51106.5... We are finally getting a break in the Dominion war, fighting constant fighting some days it never seems to let up. Just when you think one victory is at hand some new element or surprise seems to happen. But today will be different. Today will be the long awaited moment when we rendezvous with our sister ship, the USS Avalon. She has been out of space dock for a little over three weeks now and from what I hear, running at peak performance. Our meeting with her is for the express purpose of exchanging the Crystal-Star Globe (a very rare ore found on the planet Vulcan). The ore was shaped in the form of a Globe and put into a Starfleet themed gold pressed latinum and silver presentation base. It was given to the USS Avalon for her heroic duty in saving three very important Vulcan ambassadors, whose ship was caught up in a borg tractor beam. Because the Avalon was badly damaged in the borg battle, Grandeur was asked to carry the Star Globe until such time that Avalon was repaired and operational again.

 “Well Captain,” said Commander Sexton looking up from his station and over at the Captain’s Chair. “I believe we can say this is going to be a momentous occasion.”

 “You are quite correct Commander. As much as the Crystal-Star Globe has found a place here, it is rightfully due to the Avalon. They are the ones who saved the Vulcan ambassadors and earned one of Vulcan’s highest gifts of true friendship. It is a shame the three ambassadors could not be here to present it themselves.”

 “True.” said Sexton as he walked over to where the Globe was sitting. Looking down at it, touching it in a way that made you feel like the universe was at your fingertips. A map of the heavens, everything interconnecting to form a perfect harmony of all that lies, in the ‘heart of the stars’. “Yes, you are correct Captain.” Sexton said, in a very soft tone of voice, still transfixed on the globe. “That would have been a lot nicer if they were here.”

 “However,” the Captain continued, “they wanted me to inform them of how the ceremony took place, so I promised them I would let them know.”

 Commander Sexton made his way back to his station, as time draws closer to the meeting.

 “Captain,” said Baker looking over at the center command chair, “I have the Avalon on audio only-not close enough for visuals yet. Their communication is broken. It doesn’t sound good sir.”

 “Lets hear it Commander.”

 At that moment the sounds coming from the bridge was nothing but crackley noises with broken words mixed in.

 “This is Avalon...priority one alert....we are.....system failures...all decks, life suppo....gone request emergency assis...

 “Lieutenant Marks, take us to warp 4. We are almost there. That should get us there a little quicker. Baker, open channel.”

 “Channel open, sir.”

 “Captain Forester, this is Captain Roop of the USS Grandeur. We are in route to your location. Can you clear up your transmissions?”

 “Grandeur we co...you, not sure....happen trying to laun...escape pods no success.”

 “Captain, I believe we can get some type of visuals on them now.” Said Baker with some urgency about him.

 “On screen-full magnification.”

 At that moment the Avalon appeared on the view screen, although still somewhat small in nature due to the distance, still, it looked as though there was a haze or slight glow about her. With Grandeur rapidly gaining on her, the image became larger, the glow more distinct.

 “Captain, more bad news.” responded Chief Engineer Crosswell while looking down at his engineering station on the bridge. “I am detecting a massive power build up in their dilithum matrix chamber. Their warp core could blow within minutes.”

 [chirp] Captain Roop pressed his combadge. “Ensign Larkins, try and establish a transporter lock, beam as many personal over as possible, and keep this channel open. Commander Baker, establish a computer link up. Down load as many of the Avalon’s files as you can get. Captain Forester hold tight we are attempting to get as many of your personal out as possible.”

 “Thank you Captain for...your doing....wish ...had ...ans...problems...” Too broken was the words, just bits and pieces was all anyone could make out.

 Lt. Commander Baker worked hard trying to establish a better link. Even some internal pictures would be nice-but to no avail.

 “Captain” said Crosswell. “This is as close as we dare get. When she blows even our shields may not help us much.”

 “Lieutenant Marks, all stop. Ensign Larkins, how are the transports coming?”

 “Not good, sir, I just about have them on the pad and then they fade out again.”

 “Sir, I will run down and see what I can do to help out.” Said Sexton running toward the turbolift.

 “OK, Commander, keep me informed. Baker status report.”

 “Trying to keep the link establish-have about a third of their files now sir.”

 “OK, keep working on it. Mr. Crosswell, anything we can do to buy more time on this situation?”

 “None that I can think of Captain, that is safe.”

 “Then give me your unsafe thoughts on this matter.”

 “Well, sir, we could throw a containment type field around their ship making a slight modification to our deflector dish, but we would still have to be within eight parsecs of the Avalon. That may give her a few extra minutes, but she is going to blow regardless and with us being that close, I am afraid our shields would be useless standing against the blast.”

 “What if we build up Warp power, say to warp five, and at the last second of releasing the containment field, we sling shot ourselves to safety-so to speak.”

 “That does have merit, Captain, but again very risky at best.”

 “Well if it means saving lives, lets do it. Lieutenant Marks, take us within eight parsecs of the Avalon. Mr. Crosswell, make your modification and throw the containment field around the ship. Then, work on that warp power build up.”

 “Aye, Captain.” said Crosswell working as fast and as hard as he could.

 “Captain,” said Sexton coming across the open channel of the combadge.

 “Go ahead Commander, what do you have for me?”

 “Well, sir, with slight modifications on our end as well, we’ve manage to retrieve thirty so far, as well as Commander Stevens. She is the ship’s Executive Officer.”

 “Have her escorted to the bridge Commander, and keep trying to get more people.”

 “Yes sir, Sexton out.”

 A couple of minutes passed while Chief Engineer Crosswell made his modification and shot a beam to the Avalon covering her in a protective blanket.

 “Well Sir, the containment field is around her. But to put a safety margin in play, I say no more then five minutes tops. It will only take less then one minute to reach a build up of warp five. I will start it in two minutes, Captain.”

 “Very well, Mr. Crosswell.”

 “Captain, sir,” said Petty Officer first class Barns as the turbolift doors closed behind them.

“This is Commander Stevens. You wished to see her?”

 “Yes, thank you, Mr. Barns that will be all.”

 “Yes sir.” responded Barns as he made his way back into the turbolift.

 “Commander Stevens,” Roop said looking her straight in the eyes. “Not to make light of this tragic situation. but as Executive Officer I would have thought you would have hogshead the Captain and put him on the transporter pad yourself.”

 “I tried everything short of that Captain, he said he would only leave if all other crew members were off first. He figured that since I knew about as much as he did, that I may best serve over here with any questions you may have. So, to put it nicely, he order me to the transporter pad, in no uncertain terms.”

 “Well there will be plenty of time for questions, assuming we all get out of this alive. We have bought a little more time with a make shift containment field around your ship, but it is not going to last long.”

 “Sir,” interrupted Crosswell. “I am starting build up of our warp core, you have a little over a minute to do what you can.”

 “Thank you Lieutenant. Mr. Baker, status?”

 “I have about fifty-three percent of the files downloaded. It’s still hard to keep a lock on things.”

 “Good work Commander. Keep going. Commander Sexton, your Status?”

 “Ninety people total so far sir. I’m having the same trouble as Mr. Baker. It’s hard to maintain a lock on things.”

 “OK, Commander you have forty-five seconds to get as many as you can. Then cut transporters down completely.”

 “Yes sir.”

 “Captain.” said Commander Stevens turning toward him as she spoke. “Despite Captain Forester’s orders, is their anyway we can beam him directly off the bridge.”

 Captain Roop looked at her with almost tearful eyes but spoke with some assertiveness in his voice.

 “Commander, you must understand we are having a hard enough time, just maintaining transporter lock on the people we are getting. I know you care for your Captain very much, but he is doing what he feels is right to do at this time. I am sure it is more then just tradition that Captains go down with their ships. If that is what is meant to ‘be’ in this situation. But just like me, his crew is more important to him then his own life. No Captain wants to die, but somehow in each of us there is that sense of doing what is right. I, too, would make that same decision should Grandeur ever succumb to similar fates in the future.”

 “I understand Captain.”

 Commander Stevens turned away and took her place at one of the chairs set up at the Science Station. Captain Roop looked at Lieutenant Crosswell as he nodded, indicating it was time to removed the containment field.

 “Mr. Baker, open a channel throughout the ship.”

 “Channel open sir.”

 “All hands, brace your self. We are about to sling shot ourselves from a stand still to warp five. Roop out.”

 “Mr. Crosswell, Lieutenant Marks, on my signal release the field and shoot us out and away from the Avalon.....Now gentlemen.”

 At that moment the beam from the deflector dish went dead. And just like a boy who had pulled back as far as he could on his slingshot and releasing it, Grandeur flung into the vast space surrounding it. Aft view screens were brought up to catch the inevitable explosion that took place within seconds of that action. Moments later, Lieutenant Marks managed to gain control of the helm and bring Grandeur to a full stop. Every one on the bridge also managed to gain composure to themselves.

 “Mr. Baker, status report.”

 “As far as the files go, I got seventy percent of them. As far as this ship goes, no decks are reporting any causalities, sir.”

 “Very well, Mr. Baker. Commander Sexton, status.”

 “We managed to get one hundred and thirty before we broke transporter lock.”

 “Very well Commander.” said Captain Roop in a low unsettling voice, wishing things could have been different, but knowing that life must go on. “Lieutenant Marks, put us on a course to the nearest Starbase, warp factor three. Lt. Commander Baker go through the files that you retrieved from the Avalon carefully. Look for any clues that may give us an answer as to what might have happened. Commander Sexton, when you return to the bridge meet me in my ready room, Roop out. Commander Stevens, will you join me as well?” The Captain extended his hand as he waved it toward his Ready Room doors. “Commander Rabal, you have the bridge.”

 “Aye, Captain.” responded Rabal as he took his place in the Captain’s Chair.

 Feelings throughout the ship on what had just happened was being felt by not only the surviving crew members of the Avalon, but also Grandeur’s crew as well. Everybody on Grandeur worked hard to make the survivors feel as at home as possible until they reached the starbase ahead.

Chapter 2

  The slow weary hum of red alert surrounds the room. The crimson light flashed on and off reflecting against the smoke so bright it is hard to see the room. Lieutenant Lane Deaver makes his report to the Captain from the side mounted Security station.

“That’s it Captain! The port nacelle is crippled! We are now venting drive plasma! They’re coming around for another pass.” The entire bridge shakes as the Jem’Hadar phased poleron beams tear in to the hull of this Norway class ship.

“I have lost phaser power!” Lane finishes as he looks at the view screen to see the Imperial Romulan Warbird, Tuneix, explode in an inferno of fire. He thinks to himself “My god, that is like looking straight into hell itself.” He turns and looks at the tactical display. Two Klingon Bird of Prey left, the USS Destiny has taken damage and the transports are still there.

 “Captain, they appear to be ignoring the transport ships. None of the three have been attac---.” Interrupted by another jagged shake on the bridge.

 “Good,” the Captain replies. “Maybe they can get to Scarr 3 after all. This can still be worth something!”

Lane looks at the Captain. He feels a little worse after hearing the sarcasm in his Captains voice. The Captain engages his console under his right hand.

 “This is Captain Deece of the USS Zeaburg, we and our convoy are under attack. Send reinforcements immediately.”He turned toward Lane, “Make that a distress call Lieutenant.”

Lane turns back to his console. “Distress call done sir”. The Bird of Preys are gone from the tactical screen. 

 “Captain, I am going to rearrange the shield harmonics again, I think we could withstand another attack if I go a little lower on the EM band.” The Captain looks at Lane and gives him an affirmative nod. The Security/Tactical officer begins to reconstruct the shield harmonics. It seems to work. The Jem’Hadar beams rock the bridge again causing a support beam to fall on the science station. The Operations officer jumps from his station to assist an officer under the debris. Lane reviews his console and reports.

 “Captain, the shields are holding...But that port nacelle is giving us more problems than the Jem’Haa--.”

Boooooom as the shaking bridge interrupts the Lieutenant. The Tactical console grows warm as the systems under it overheat. Giving this much power to the shields in a lower EM band while venting drive plasma from the Warp core was bound to be playing practical jokes on the main computer... but the shields were up. The overall feeling of the ship was more of a gradual murmur. A faint vibration just beneath the deckplates. The massive shaking that consumed the bridge earlier had been replaced. Lane could not deduce whether it was the plasma venting, the shields on such high output, or the computer overloading. Lane reviews the engineering reports from the heated console.  

 “Captain. The phasers are back online, 60% power. I also have a full spread of photon torpedoes prepared for you sir!” he turns to the Captain seeing the red alert light reflecting from the right side of his sweaty face. There is a contumacious look in his slightly squinted eyes as he turns to the tactical station...”FIRE!”

 Lane fires as he and the Captain look to the screen to see the phaser beam reach across the sky with four lustrous red torpedoes chasing it along it’s path. It’s path toward a Jem’Hadar attack ship bearing from aft. The high energy weapons splash into the remaining shields of a ship that was destined to meet a sword of fire. The screen lights up in a brief fireball that does not do credit to the ship that caused it. The last two Jem’Hadar concentrate there efforts on the small Norway class ship.

 “Good shot Lieutenant!” Yells the Captain in a voice with inspiration.

Lane smiles and returns to the HOT console. His smile inverts into a look of concern. He begins pressing buttons rapidly. The Captain sees this and inquires.

 “What is it Tactical?” Lane ignores him for a few seconds in concentration and then speaks.

 “Sir, I am having a hard time keeping the shields around the damaged nacelle. There are not enough shields left to protect that area of the ship. The Enemy is beginning to target the nacelle!” Lane turns to the Captain and right back to the console. 

 “There firing.”

Lane turns again to see the Captain looking at the view screen...The bridge explodes...................The Tactical officer is on the ground when he hears a mixture of sounds. Some plasma conduits have burst; a fire extinguisher is being used; someone is screaming, a woman. He shakes his head and rises to his feet. The bridge is smashed. He steps, dazed, to the station in front of him and secures the plasma a conduit closest. Smoke has filled the bridge. He briefly gets a look at the causality list coming in on the computer and attempts to read the translucent screen. [DEAD...First Officer---Chief Engineer---Engineer---Engineer--- Chief Medical officer---Dr.----Dr.-- --Nurse---Crewman---] He looks away from the list.

 “Captain, we have...”  

 “I know Lieutenant.” The Captain says as the smoke clears. The captains chair is visible again revealing him looking at a readout on the arm with a causality report. The computer speaks “Danger--- warp core stability compromised---breach in two minutes.” The Operations officer pops back to his station. After a quick analysis he reports.

 “Captain, we have damage to the main computer. There is nothing I can do with the core. The ejection systems are off-line.”

 “This is the captain, ALL HANDS TO EMERGENCY ESCAPE PODS! Prepare to abandon ship.” The Captain looks around the bridge at the few officers surrounding him. He sits back down in his chair. “That means all of you, too.” All of the officers get up and proceed to the turbolift, except Lieutenant Deaver. The Captain glares at his Security Chief. Seeing the glare he responds to it. “Sir?”

 “Get out of here Lane.” the Captain responds.

 “Sir?” Lane responds back as another rumble shakes the lonely bridge.

 “I am not going to go down with the ship Lieutenant, I just have some things to take care of here first. Dismissed. That is an order.”

 Lane steps up from his station and gives the captain a nod. “Danger---warp core breach in 30 seconds,” the computer babbles. The Security officer makes his way to the turbolift leaving his Captain behind.

 Lane turns to see the doors shut in front of him. The smoke is not here on the turbolift. “Escape pod.” he orders the computer. He thinks to himself “20 seconds left. He is not coming.” Now Lane is being sarcastic to himself, “Good idea, Lane! Suggest to the Captain we can handle the convoy. We did that for sure.” But losing the ship was not part of the plan!

 I suggested we could go on our own escort mission because we had a Warbird, two Bird of Preys and an Akira class starship willing to accept this mission. (At this time, the Federation, Klingon, and Romulans have joined together in an alliance against the Dominion.) The Fleet Captain gave us acknowlegement to be the command of the convoy. This Norway class ship could get some attention. I was crazy. So small...

 The Destiny may be lost. I did not get a chance to find out before I left the bridge. The door opens and Lane steps into the escape pod. “Warp core breach in 10 seconds”.

 “Lets get out of here!” he yells at the crewman manning the controls for the pod.

 “Aye sir, what about the Captain?”

 “He is not coming.” Lane says as he sits down in a bench chair along the side of the pod.

 “Ejecting.” says the crewman. The massive push throws the Lieutenant to the side a bit. He notices the window beside him. As the pod leaves the ship the Lieutenant can see Zeaburg doggle away through the window. He notices that the nacelle is gone and the hull is wrecked.

 As the ship turns about, the lieutenant witnesses a spread of photon torpedoes being fired from the saucer section of Zeaburg. The captains last stand against the Dominion was at hand. The torpedoes he fired ripped the nacelles from a Jem’Hadar ship. The Captain got one. The Jem’Hadar increase there fire on the Zeaburg. The shields hold. Getting weak, BUT THEY HOLD. The port nacelle looks like more of a problem. He has no one at the engineering station. Instantly, the other nacelle on the Zeaburg lights up flourescently and a massive flash envelopes the escape pod. Zeaburg’s warp core explosion rocks the pod with bone jarring vibrations.

 “S-Sir,” the crewman begins. He looks at the Security chief with an absent look in his eyes. “Only three escape pods got away from the explosion”.

 “Report, crewman.” said the shaken Lieutenant. The crewman looks at his screen and reports, “Sir, the only escape pods to get away from the explosion were the ones with no other senior officers. You are in command of the crew.” The Security chief looks at the crewman.

 “Continue sending distress calls on all channels”. The Lieutenant sits back in the seat and looks out the window where he saw his ship destroyed. Time passes slowly.

 After several hours of staring into the area of his “life’s” destruction, a ship seems to appear from the very same point of “no return”. 

Chapter 3

  Two days has passed since Grandeur made it back to Starbase Four. All of the Avalon crew survivors were doing good and getting re-assigned to various ships, tensions were high but I guess war does that to you.

 “Admiral Edwards, you wish to see me?”

 “Yes Larry come on in,... please have a seat.”

 “Larry you and your crew are needed back in the fighting, I know you ask, what else is new.”

 “Well, Sir, I was going to ask if we could have a few more days to investigate what happened to the Avalon.”

 I would love to help you Larry, but none of us can rest while the war is going on. Besides, we got all the Avalon files that your Chiefs Comms. Officer was able to retrieve, and we spoke to Commander Stevens along with other crew members. If we get anything...trust me you will be the first to know.”

 “But Admiral maybe we......”

 “No Captain forget it,” The Admiral cut him off in mid sentence. “The war, it takes priority over all else. Now you will be setting a course for the Dalarn Sector, heavy causalities being taken got a distress call from the Zeaburg. Captain Deece was heading up a convoy mission caring extra supplies and such, seems like most of the convoy fell under Jem’Hadar attack, we need you to leave immediately.”

 “Yes Sir responded Roop as he stood up from his chair, we will leave at once.”

Roop headed toward the door, his thoughts still wishing they had more time to figure out what happen to the Avalon but knowing deep down that the war was at hand. Roop spun around just before exiting, hearing his name called one last time by the Admiral.

 “Yes Sir.”

 “You and I both know that this war will claim more lives before it is over, take care of yourself, good captain’s, good ships and good crews are hard to find, come back in one piece.”

 “Yes sir I will do my best.”

 Thirty minutes went by as Grandeur’s crew made it back aboard all cargo holds were re-stocked, all supplies replenished.

 “Commander Sexton,” Said the Captain as he entered the bridge. “Are we all ready for departure?”

 “ Yes sir all ready on your say so.”

 “Very well Commander take us out.”

 “Helmsman take us away from Starbase Four heading 3251.6 Dalarn Sector when clear...warp seven.”

 “Aye Commander,” responded Lieutenant Marks as he spun around in his chair.

Within seconds the starship came to life. People inside the station was lined up watching Grandeur pull away, soon the long nacelles lit up its usual color of blue and shot toward it destination ahead.

 The next few hours seemed to drag, not much conversation going on. Soon the First Officer got up from his station and began to move about.

 “Well Captain, “Sexton began. “Any bets on how long the war is going to last?”

 “Well Commander I am not much of a betting man, but I would say as long as the Dominion think they have a chance at winning.”

 “So far they have been doing a fair job Captain.”

 “You mean every now and then they land a few good ones on us,” The Captain said with a half smile about him. “I tend to be very optimistic Commander I try and believe the best will come of everything.”

 “Well sir I am not doubting we won’t win, I am merely stating that they have managed to do some heavy damage so far.”

 “This is true Commander, and soon I plan to do a little heavy damage of my own.”

 “Sir!” Shouted Fowler. “Short range senors indicate two maybe three Jem’Hadar ships closing in on our position.”

 “How long before they reach us Lieutenant?”

 “Approximately 5 minutes Sir.”

 “Well Commander it looks like I might have a chance to do a little heavy damage now.” The Captain smiled at him as the Commander turned back toward his seat.

 “Red Alert shields up all hands man your stations.”

 With in a couple of minutes two Jem’Hadar fighters opened fire on Grandeur.

 “Shields holding Sir.”

 “Lieutenant, target the lead ship’s weapons, use a single array.”

 “Locked in Sir.”

 “Fire.”

The outer most phaser arrays lit up as they made their way letting off a bright reddish orange beam of light toward the enemy ship. The Jem’Hadar shields buckled a little, but didn’t breach.

 “Minimal damage Sir.”

Another torpedo rocketed Grandeur as it nearly hit the port nacelle.

 “Well I guess we have a really tuff spot to clean, said the Captain looking over at his tactical officer. OK Lieutenant same target both barrels as they use to say.”

 “Target locked Sir.”

 “Fire.”

Grandeur’s quad phaser arrays both lit up in a half circular motions four strong beams of light, two on each side shot toward the Jem’Hadar ship within a second an explosion took place. First their weapons dissipated, then one half of the ship followed in an aura of victory. The firey red explosion reflected off of Grandeur’s shields.

 “Yea,” said the Captain with a smile on his face, “that is the way to handle a messy stain. One down one to go.”

 “Correction Captain responded Folwer that third Jem’Hadar fighter I thought I detected, well, its for real.”

 “Darn it all, extra uninvited party guests. Fire at will Mr. Fowler.”

 “Aye Sir, firing all weapons.”

Explosion after explosion, some direct hits, Phaser fire in all directions. At that moment three Jem’Hadar solders beams aboard. With out thinking, Lieutenant Bowers fires her phaser at the one closest to her, then over at the one by the turbolift. The third raises his rifle as Commander Sexton knocks it out of his hand and does a spinning roundhouse kick to his mid section, he falls to the ground as the Commander reaches for his phaser killing him as well.

 “Lieutenant Fowler, have additional security report to the bridge.” The Captain orders as he receives an affirmative nod from the Lieutenant. 

 The battle outside continues. Grandeur holds its own shot after shot. Hit after hit reveals signs of wearing down.

 “Lieutenant target the closest Jem’Hadar ship’s propulsion system with a few quantum torpedoes using our pulse beam cannon, if that don’t mess up their lunch of Ketracel White nothing will.” The Lieutenant wipes a spot of Jem’Hadar blood from the tactical console, staining the sleeve of his uniform. Then begins entering commands on the console. 

 “Loaded Sir”

 “Fire”

At that moment a blaze of orange and reddish light shot from the front of Grandeur to the lead Jem’Hadar Ship. Followed in side the light were 5 high yield quantum torpedoes making their way to their destination, within seconds a massive explosion took place enveloping the Federations prey, the prey of people who do not start war. Now once again one ship is left standing to fight Grandeur alone. The Jem’Hadar fighter approaches from aft in attack formation. Closing fast to release the high powered poleron beams suddenly, slows and turns away.

 “Sir the last Jem’Hadar ship is fleeing, shall we persue after him.”

 “No Lieutenant, maintain our present course and speed, We have not heard the last of him, he will be back with friends and we will make a stand then, we need to get to the Darlan Sector as quickly as possible and fighting another ship will slow us down.”

 “Aye Sire, course and speed maintained.”

 “Well Commander, said Captain Roop as he walked toward him. Check on damages throughout the ship and make repairs as quickly as possible. Then work with Lieutenant Fowler at Tactical and make sure all weapons and shields are up and running at peak performance I want to be fully ready for our next meeting with our not so friendly guests.”

 “Yes Sir”, responded Sexton as he made his way toward the turbolift. “we will be ready for them again.”

The Captain took a deep breath for a moment and gave his usual glance around the bridge, everyone seemed relieved, that for a moment the fighting has stopped. Thoughts were going through the Captain’s mind of how young some of his personal were aboard this ship. For some, this was their first time at war, first time they felt the ship move violently from side to side when sounds of explosions were heard from near fatal misses from the enemies powerful weapons. First time they felt the emptiness of life, and the cold reality that there may not be another tomorrow. Even the Captain is not immune to the harshness of war, but countless battles toughens one’s spirit and seems to ground you in inner strength.

 “Mr. Baker I want you and your men to keep very close tabs on all frequencies that the Jem’Hadar might use, inform me of all the juicy gossip you hear, I want to know if one of them breaks a lunch date.”

The Chief Comms. Officer looks up at the Captain with a strange look about him, I guess it is the Captain’s new off sense of determination about him.

 “Ahh..Yes Sir...lunch date....no problem Sir...all will be documented.”

The usual bridge sounds could be heard as a few more hours have past, preparations were being made for the inevitable meeting that Grandeur was going to meet the Jem’Hadar once again.

 “Sir”

 “Yes Commander” Respond the Captain as he looked up from his chair

 “I am happy to report that we are about as ready as we will ever be, myself and the Security Chief have checked over all weapons systems, everything is running at peak performance.”

 “Thank you Commander, the whole crew is doing very well. I know these are tuff times with all of our tensions being high. As soon as the war is over we will all take some much needed R and R.”

 “Sir announce Baker I have intercepted a transmission of some interest, the computer is translating for me as it comes in, will have it shortly.”

The Captain rises from his seat and stands in front of the Communications Station, he looks down at the Comm’s Chief as he reads what is taking place. Within a couple of seconds Mr. Baker looks up from his screen, his eyes widen from the words he has just read.

 “Sir,” responded Baker with a moment of hesitation, “the message indicates they just attacked a Federation colony near the Polaris Region there were no survivors.”

The Captain looked up with a blank stare about him, any number of things could have been going through his mind at the time but only one thought was there at the moment.

 “Sir,” the Commander spoke up, “are you all right?”

The Captain remained in deep thought for a little bit longer his expression was one of disbelief, mixed with feeling of emptiness.

 “Sir,” chimed the Commander one more time, this time touching him just a little, “please tell us what is wrong.”

 “Ah... ah the colony that was just attacked, was more then just a colony. It was a research and development area for a new Federation Weapons system. I believe it was called a phaser cannon.It supposedly worked on the same principle as our pulse phaser emitter but instead of drawing energy from the phaser arrays themselves it drew it directly from the phaser core, which would then make it ten to twenty times stronger then what we now use. The ideal was for it to cut through a ship’s hull in a matter of a second or two.”

 “How do you know this Captain?” asked Baker.

The Captain paused for a second still caught up in the moment, still not sure he wants to believe what has taken place. He collects his thoughts then speaks.

 “It was a carefully guarded secret,only a few high ranking people knew about it.

I had a real close friend who was working on the project, or else I may not have known either. We were so close I could trust him with my life and he could trust me with his. But now that doesn’t seem to matter, we can assume he is dead along with the other colonist.”

 “I am so sorry Captain for the loss of your friend.”

 “That is very kind of you Commander, thank you.”

The Captain voice still a little shaky over what had just transpired, deep regret and sadness could be seen in his eyes. Soon he wiped the tears that were starting to come forth, he regained his posture as he moved back to his chair.

 “Well its over Commander, and we all have our jobs to do. There will be time for remorse later.”

 “I understand Captain,” responded Sexton, “but let me ask you something. Do you suspect this was a planed attacked as if somebody tipped the Dominion of this area, or just blind luck that they found it?”

 “In war Commander there is no luck, each side learns of the other, you get to know your enemy very well, his strong points and his weak ones. You learn where you can do the greatest damage, what will have the most impact in determining who will win and who will lose. No Commander, it was not luck, someone has been speaking a little to much. Starships just don’t blow up for no apparent reason either. Sounds like to me we have an infiltrator in Starfleet...possibly a changeling.”

 “Shouldn’t we contact Starfleet Headquarters sir?”

 “Sure we should, but who do we contact not knowing who is for real and who is the infiltrator, and of course we have no proof that my suspicions are founded.”

 “Then what do you suggest sir?”

 “The only thing we can do right now Commander, carry on with our assignment. News will reach Star Fleet Headquarters about the colony being attacked and killed and the ones that are clean will suspect the same things we do. It won’t be long the infiltrator should there be one will be flushed out for who he is.”

 “Very well Captain”, said Sexton as he returned back to his station.

A few more hours have past as both the Commander and Captain were in their quarters getting some much needed sleep. Lt.Commander Rabal was in charge as Grandeur made her way toward her destination.

 “Sir I am picking up four Jem’Hadar war ships”. Shouted Ensign Owens.

 “Location Ensign.”

 “1453.6 about a half a lightyear away sir.”

 “Very well Ensign, Red Alert shields up all hands to your stations.”

 “Ensign Locas be prepared for evasive maneuvers.”

 “Aye sir” responded Locas, waiting on your commands.”

Chapter 4

  The Sound of red alert echoed throughout the ship all crewmen were awaken by the sound including the Captain and First Officer.

 [Breep] “Bridge this is the Captain, what is going on?”

 “Sir we have four Jem’Hadar war ships closing in on our position due here any......” He was interrupted as a shaking rumble replaced his voice. The ship made it’s first jolt to the side as a near placed beam came close to the front saucer section, personal on every deck was holding on tightly to whatever they could grab.

 “I am on my way Commander, Roop Out!” The Captain jumped from the bed and began slapping his uniform together. He ran out of his quarters toward the turbolift still fitting his tunic into place. Once inside he ordered the computer.

 “Bridge!” The turbolift began to move to the crown of the ship as the Captain made himself a little more presentable.

 “Ensign Owens fire duel phasers and photon torpedoes full spread.”

 “Yes Sir firing now.”

 Beams of phaser fire lit up the blacken sky, balls of reddish-orange light made their trail toward the enemy ahead. Explosions and bending sounds of overstressed bulkheads could be heard all around as the Dominion warships returned with purplish Poleron beams. They were hitting Grandeur repeatedly on various parts of her hull.

 “Shields at 95 percent, holding sir.”

 “Keep firing Ensign.”

 The turbolift doors opened as the Captain made his way onto the bridge. Part of the normal bridge crew were exchanging stations as well.

 “Commander Report”

 “Four Jem’Hadar attack ship’s sir, I have duel phaser arrays and photon torpedoes firing at will, shielding holding at 95 percent. Was thinking of using the Blackfoot Sir.”

 “That may not be such a bad idea Commander.

More violent quakes moved the ship from side to side, an overhead conduit within the ceiling sparked causing personal to move out of the way of some falling debris.

 “Lieutenant Marks, shouted the Captain, switch to pattern bravo three, Lieutenant Folwer load three quantum torpedoes full spread.”

 “Loaded Sir”

 “Fire”

 Three blue intense circles of fire made there way to the lead Jem’Hadar ship first hitting their weapons array and then causing a cascade effect to the rest of the ship.

 [Breep] “Commander Sexton where are you at?”
 “On my way to the Bridge sir”

 “Turn yourself around and head to the Blackfoot a couple of crewmen will meet you there.”

 “Aye Sir going there now.”

 “Mr. Baker inform Lieutenant Perry and Ensign Maraz to meet the Commander in Cargo Bay Zero ASAP.”

 “Yes sir.”

Another rigorous shaking infected the bridge as another direct hit to Grandeur saucer section. More sparks begin to erupt from the broken ceiling conduit. The final brunt threw Lieutenant Bowers from her chair but she managed to pick herself back up.

 “Shields at 80 percent Sir”

 ‘Thank you Mr. Folwer, keep firing.”

At that moment a stronger concentration of Jem’Hadar Poleron beams converged on the saucer section. This caused Grandeur to jolt much harder this time. Lieutenant Fowler looked at the gaping hole in the ceiling as the armada of firefly looking sparks increased there escape. Then he was pushed down to the ground as a final jerk consumed the bridge, knocking him unconscious. Commander Rabal bent down to assist him... then touched his combadge “Sickbay this is the bridge we have a Medical Emergency.” Within seconds Chief Medical Officer Williams came rushing out of the turbolift. He administer a hypospray that revived the Lieutenant but noticed his wounds went deeper then that. He stopped the bleeding and helped him up.

 “I need to get him to sickbay for other observations Captain.”

 “Very well Doc., Ensign Owens take over.”

More movements were taking place as Lieutenant Williams helped Mr. Folwer on to the turbolift. Seconds later reports from tactical were coming in.

 “Sir intruders on deck nine and eleven”

The Captain pushed a button on his chair opening a channel throughout the ship.

 “All available Security Teams report to decks nine and eleven, we have intruders aboard.”

Phaser fire was now taking place within the ship, Federation as well as Jem’Hadar personal were now falling dead in the decks. The turbolift doors open up as the Medical Officer and Lieutenant Folwer were making their way out. Phaser fire shot passed the doors bringing a sense of reality back to the injured patient the Doctor was helping. The Jem’Hadar raised his weapon again, Lieutenant Folwer reached for his phaser and drew it toward a Jem’Hadar solider who barely missed the Doctor in its second attempt to kill. Suddenly a voice could be heard that was distinguished above all else....

 “Dad help me... help me please!”

Lieutenant Folwer looked up in time to see his daughter Ensign Folwer who was a member of the security team being beamed away by a Jem’Hadar solider. Instinct took over as the Security Chief lunged forward shooting two more Jem’Hadar soldiers standing next to the one who beamed out. He ran relentlessly through the endless firefight to a smaller cargo bay on the other end of the deck. As he entered he noticed one solder standing in the room as a sentry. Reacting immediately he flipped over a barrel standing next to the doorway stooped behind it and shot the invader in the chest. After a quick visual circle of the room he jumped to the transported pad. With his hands working at light speed, he set the controls to beam himself over to the Jem’Hadar ship that took his daughter. The Doctor rushed in the cargo hold only to see Lieutenant Folwer’s body dematerialize into the transporter beam.

 “Bridge this is Williams, Lieutenant Folwer just beamed off! I think to try and save his daughter who they just took away...unless a miracle takes place I doubt if we will see either one again.”

 The Captain looked over at his Second Officer at the news that had just taken place, harsh thoughts were on his mind once again. The continuing attack just outside the ship brought him back to reality. The bridge began to shake again.

 “Commander Sexton are you prepared to drop?”

 “Yes sir on your orders”

 “Then go... and good shooting.”

 At that moment the Blackfoot dropped from underneath Grandeur and shot toward the farthest Jem’Hadar ship. All four barrels from the quad phaser saddle pacs lit up with never-ending fire power. The torpedo launcher sitting a top, just behind the Blackfoot command center sprang open shooting three type photon torpedoes each one hitting dead on target. Another explosion could be seen just moments after, from Grandeur’s aft view. Now two ships remained. The Jem’Hadar continued there attack on the saucer section of Grandeur. More purplish Poleron beams bolted the oval shaped surface as one made a very close pass. The second flanked around and directed its icy beams of energy onto the Warp nacelles. Each impact seemed to be more intense than the last, on the ship.

 “Sir shields weakening down to 60 percent”

 “Thank you Ensign. We managed to get them down to two, but we will have taken a greater toll before we could finish them off. I think our only choice is to give them another target.”

 “You mean send a shuttle out there Captain?” Responded Rabal with a half confused look about him, knowing a shuttle would not stand a chance.

 “No Commander, we are going to saucer separate between the three of us we should win. Take a crew to the secondary bridge and initiate separate sequence.”

 “Aye Captain will do.”

 The Second Officer grabbed some personal and headed to the Command Turbolift, they made their way to the secondary bridge and begin the sequence. So far all was going to plan.

 “Sir responded Locas all is ready.”

 “Very well,” responded Rabal “begin.”

 With in a second the mighty inner latches that held the saucer to the secondary hull retracted inward giving freedom to the saucer so that it could maneuver away from the rest of the ship. A mini nacelle dropped down from the rear and begin to power up giving a small amount of warp capability to the part of Grandeur that is now on its own. As Commander Sexton was firing at the next ship closest to him, Lt. Commander Rabal was shooting all phaser arrays at the lead ship. Both the Blackfoot and Grandeur’s saucer section were attempting to throw enough firepower out to take the heat off of the body, this would allow time for Captain Roop to come behind his enemy to inflict the last hopeful blow destroying the worn ship and her crew. The distraction prove positive as Grandeur made its way... only debris from the last exploded ship stands in their way..

 “Steady as she goes Lieutenant I want attack pattern Echo on my mark. Ensign Owens as soon as I give the signal to fire I want five torpedoes targeting their fusion reactor area.”

 “Aye sir five torpedoes standing by.”

 “Steady... steady NOW Lieutenant.”

 The ship made a hard right to Starboard and dipped down under the floating debris that was once part of their cover, then a hard roll, left to port with one final dip under the fighter gave way to their view, all was insight now moving upward behind it.

 “Now Ensign FIRE!”

 At the touch of a button, five high yield photon torpedoes made there way out of the aft launcher each one on a present course with destiny. The first,... second, and third ones found there mark as the reddish-orange fireballs begin their explosion, soon four and five were seconds behind finishing the cascade effect to the rest of the ship. Grandeur turns to joined it companions in finishing off the last remaining ship. Quad Phaser beams from the saucer was hitting their port nacelle, the phaser strip along side Grandeur’s bridge area lit up, targeting their Starboard Nacelle and the four Phaser Cannons housed in the port and starboard saddle pacs of the Blackfoot lit up with firey intensely targeting main weapons. A weak attempt on the part of the Jem’Hadar gave way to some short bursts of their poleron beams targeting Blackfoot’s upper third nacelle, the purple beams of light, shot out but fell inches short of their target. Then once again the final explosion happen, red, yellow, orange all the colors one would see in a massive explosion lit up the surrounding space until the ultimate white light consumed the viewing screen and the debris was scattered once more.

 “Commander Report,” spoke the Captain as he turned toward his chair.

 “All is well, no causalities sir.”

 “Very well proceed in.”

 “Lt.Commander Rabal, report”

 “Structural damage to the saucer, as were before, one man hurt, minor wound sir.”

 Very well Commander stand by, prepare for saucer docking sequence.”

Soon the Blackfoot was under Grandeur slowly she rose up into the hull and disappeared, the outer portion of the ship’s skin was as before. One would never know of her existence until needed again.

Slowly the massive saucer move backwards to find her place with the rest of the ship, once there you could hear the sounds of the Hugh clamps as they secured the saucer back into her home.

 “Well crew lets get this place cleaned up. Lieutenant Marks maintain original course and speed toward the Dalarn Sector, if there is anything left of the Zeaburg or her convoy I want to find out.”

 “Aye Captain original course and speed maintained.”

The Captain sat down for a moment as he looked ahead into space, both his first and second officers made their way back up to the bridge. For a moment some could breath a sigh of relief, others kept busy doing what was necessary to bring Grandeur into some sense of reality. The bridge looked worn, parts here and there were hanging down, but at least, if only through shear fate and a strong sense of determination to win this war Grandeur was still intact, and this was one crew, officers and enlisted alike that was bound to keep her that way.

 Captain’s Log Stardate 51205.9 Four more hours have passed, since our last encounter with the Jem’Hadar, in that fight inter-ship battles broke out as well. The following personal gave their life in performance of their duty and to save this ship from being taken over. I am putting in recommendations they be awarded Star Fleet highest medals of honor. Lieutenant Mark Fowler, Ensign Lorannie Fowler, Ensign Bill Watts, Chief Petty Officer Bob Hampton, and First Class petty officer Denna Wilks. May the actions of these brave men and women never be forgotten. 

 “Sir we are in range of the Darlan Sector.”

 The Captain spun around in his chair and looked at his Science Officer, “are you picking up anything ?”

 “Nothing of the Zeaburg or her convoy Sir, however there are strong indications that there was a battle here a while back.”

 The Captain looked worried, knowing what his next answers might be, but he had to ask he slowly turned and looked over at Security hoping for a bit of good news, Ensign Owens shook her head indicating there was nothing on her screen as well. His last hope at the moment was his Comms. Chief, slowly his eyes meant his and an answer was given.

 “I have tried on all frequencies sir, so far I ha......wait I got something.”

The Captain jumped from his chair and ran to Communications, “What is it Dan?”

 “An Escape pod sending out a signal, and by the numbers I am getting sir, it seems it might be from the Zeaburg.”

 “Heading.”

 “4156.3 Sir.”

 “Lieutenant Marks.”

 “Got it Captain,” said Marks interrupting the Captain’s next words.

 With the course change laid in Grandeur made her turn in that direction, soon not one but three pods came with in visual range, all three markings clearly indicated with out doubt they were the Zeaburgs.

Chapter 5

  “Sir, the USS Grandeur is hailing.” says the crewman.

 The Lieutenant brings himself back to dizzying reality.

 “This is Captain Roop of the Federation Starship Grandeur. We are bringing your escape pods aboard. Take your engines off-line.”

 “Acknowledged Captain.” says Lieutenant Deaver. The pod halts in the shuttlebay and the crew are escorted to Sick Bay. Most of the escape pod’s refugees are without any serious damage, including the Lieutenant. His eyes circle around the room as the doctor finishes the scans.

 “All right Lieutenant,” the doctor says, as he places his instruments on the table. "It looks like I can give you a clean bill of health now." Lane gives a sigh of relief as he hears the words coming from the doctor, he knew there was nothing really wrong with him but it is still nice to hear re-assuring words. "Also I believe the Captain wishes to see you in his ready room when you are through here.” Dr. Williams concludes.

 Lane gives him a nod as he makes his way off the bed, he puts his shirt back on and makes his way to the door just as a man with a red tunic comes in. Lane looks up noticing three pips on his collar and realized that this must be the first officer.

 “Hello, I am Commander Sexton, and you are Lieutenant Lane Deaver I believe?"

Deaver feels a bit nervous almost running into the new Commander but quickly regains himself. "Yes sir I am."

 "Great then I will escort you to the bridge Lieutenant.“

 “Of course sir," Lane responds, hoping for the best when he greets the Captain.

 Lieutenant Deaver makes his way to the bridge behind the Commander eventually reaching the destination. He pings the door chime and is allowed to enter.

 “Ahh, hello Lieutenant, sit down please.” Captain Roop says as he takes a seat himself. He has a cup in his hands. Lane imagines it is coffee.

 “Thank you, that will be all Commander.” Sexton gives an approiate nod to the Captain as he makes his way out the doors to the bridge.

 Lieutenant Deaver takes a look around the Captain's Ready Room, he noticed how well laid everything is. Swords hanging from the wall, the model of his last duty station and especially the chess board in the corner. He begins to turn his attention back to the Captain.

 “Do you play Lieutenant?”

 "Sir?" asked Deaver not quite catching all he was asking.

 "Chess Lieutenant, I noticed you was looking over at my Chess Board."

 "Yes Sir I do, I have been playing for quite sometime now."

 "Very Good Lieutenant I will be most anixous to get in a game with you."

 "Thank you sir, I would find that quite interesting."

  "Now Lieutenant the reason I called you in here,” the Captain continued as Lieutenant Deaver sat up more straighter in his chair.“I want you and the rest of the survivors to

become members of Grandeur. You speak for them. This ship has become very shorthanded in many key areas as of late and we need bodies, I have cleared this with Starfleet Headquarters just so they are aware of it Lieutenant.”

 The Captain begins to relax in a comfortable manner as Lieutenant Deaver gazes at him for a few seconds and then takes a deep breath.

 “Captain, I think the past few days have been terribly tough for me. I don’t know if I would be a good addition to your crew. I think I speak for everyone.“

 With those words, the Captain stands and places his cup down on the desk. Lane smells the aroma now, realizing it is mint iced tea.

 “Lieutenant, according to Starfleet regulations under wartime conditions remaining crew members that are survivors of a destroyed ship can serve onboard the rescuing vessel as temporary crew, until they reach a starbase or be placed in full-time status whichever the Captain deems necessary. We- are- at- war Lieutenant!”

 Feeling very threatened by the Captains voice and the look in his eye, the Lieutenant attempts to think of something to say.

 “Lieutenant,” in a softer more benevolent tone as he sits back down and leans back in the chair. “We lost our Chief of Security just a short time ago. Although we still have some fine seasoned officers aboard most of the remaining crew are new graduates, transferred from science stations and other places as well. Overall they have no real experience under their belts.”

 Lane watches the Captain loose himself in thought for a second or two. The Captain makes eye contact again.

 “I need good people Lieutenant, the Jem’Hadar have intruded on this ship far to many times for my patience.”

 Lane has listened standing up and it has made perfect sense. He begins to sit back down once again, glad that the Captain did not slap him into his chair and made him listen.

 “Captain, how would you want me to serve this vessel?” the Lieutenant asks with his head slightly off axis.

 The Captain almost makes a smile.

 “Will you be my Chief of Security Lieutenant?”

   Lane's mind races with the thoughts of his former ship, his duties as Chief of Security aboard the Zeaburg and remembers how well he done his job. The ideals that he come up with to buy more time against the Jem'Hadar worked and he knew given this chance he could make a difference here also.

 "Sir, I can not speak for the others. But, I accept.” Lieutenant Deaver responds as he moves up slightly reaching his hand forward to the Captain’s.

 As the two shake hands and sit once again, there was a quite unspoken moment. 

 Lieutenant Deaver knew this was his new home now, but also knew that settling in was not going to be easy. Time would help control the many thoughts that now way heavily on his mind but never stop the pain of losing so many close friends, and of course his Captain. After regaining the moment he looks his new Captain in his eyes. “Will that be all sir?”

 “Yes Lieutenant you are free to go.”

 The Lieutenant turns to make his way toward the door but stops at the Captain’s last word.

 “Welcome aboard Lieutenant, I am sure you and your crew will do a fine job aboard Grandeur.”

 “Thank you sir” Responded Deaver with a great smile, he then spun around and headed out toward the bridge.

 For the first time since the loss of the Zeaburg, Lieutenant Deaver has come to believe he has a new family now, GRANDEUR. He enters the turbolift as the doors close.

 “Deck four.” he speaks, the lift begin to moves, and then comes to a stop. Lt. Deaver makes his way out and toward the Crystal-Star Globe Lounge. Once he has reached the doors, he enters. At a small table in the center of the room is Commander Sexton having a coffee with some of the other command staff. The Lieutenant walks to

the table and addresses the Commander. “Good afternoon sir, mind if I join you.”

 “Please have a seat, you’ve got to be hungry.” The Commander smiled, warmly.

 There was a look of concern in his eyes, Lane realized, but he blinked it away.

 Lane sat down. He felt awkward. He figured that he looked awkward too. New faces around every corner, he thought. New home. . . I better compensate to relieve the stress at my core too. He looked across the table at Daniel Baker, Chief of Grandeur Communications, intent at work with something on a data PADD. He glanced up long enough to smile, and returned to reading... Or whatever it was that he was doing.

 “Can I get you something, sir?” Lane nearly jumped out of his pants as the local waitress on duty startled him.

 “Yes, umm--.” He was having trouble trying to hide and morph his jumpiness in front of the fellow officers. “I’ll have a, uh, Asian green tea with plum juice.” He said

briskly still attempting to hide being startled.

 “Anything to eat sir?” the waitress continues“ Lane looks around the table once again, still not sure of his new place or his new fellow officers. The waitress is just dying to tear me down in front of these people his mind begins to think.”

 “MayBe LaTER.” He said in a voice that clarified he did not want to be asked again.

 The waitress gave him a standoffish look and went to get his drink. She was attractive he thought, and didn’t deserve the treatment he just gave her. Lieutenant Billings looked over at him but was unconcerned with what he had just done. Lane was apparently getting

 some breathing room on this new ship to fit in, and he knew he needed a lot of space to adjust.

 Sexton took a casual glance at him from behind the rim of his mug, through the pale steam. Sitting it down on the table in front of him, he swallowed and his finger began to trace the word ‘ACE’, that was etched on the side of his tankard. Lane wasn’t sure if he was picking the correct word to start a conversation, so he began to search for another when the Commander spoke.

 “There was a phaser fight on deck seven, some Jem’Hadar troops were trying to get to our armory and beam out with our weapon stock.” Darren paused, as if the words just hung out of reach.

 Lane looked on, anticipant of the next sentence. He had found the correct word, but that still did not change the fact that this was hard for him.

 “They managed to make off with three cases of compression rifles and a case of photon grenades. We lost seven in Security in a little under three minutes, one of which was the daughter of our Security chief at the time. Overwhelmed by her abduction at that moment, he beamed onto the Jem’Hadar attack ship in hopes of saving her.”

 He turned to look out the windows lining the outer walls of the room. Lane could almost see inside his superior officers head. He could understand the loss his Commander was feeling, looking out that window. Perhaps he watched for an answer that had not come to him still, or maybe hoping to see a shooting star, Lane didn’t know. But he did

 know the emptiness that his new commander was feeling inside, the sense of. . .why? Why do such things happen. Why do friends have to die? Why do Starships have to be lost? Why is it every day we seem to lose another piece of ourselves to the Dominion? There were no obvious answers, but at this moment in time, watching Darren gaze out the

window, Lane felt closer to this Starfleet Commander than he had felt to anyone else in a long time. He shared understanding with someone that only two minutes ago, he could only feel.

 Chief Baker, looking on in remorse, had not looked up from his PADD until now. He must have felt it in the air. The atmosphere between the Lieutenant and the Commander was loose yet thick at the same time. I believe everyone at the table could feel it then. Lane was at a cresefice with emotion. He knew what would be said next, but buried it into the part of his mind that denied it, then it came.

 “We were in bad shape and, uh. . .” Dan forced the words. “We had to leave him behind, there was nothing we could do.”

 Lane picks up on the words Dan just mentioned, his mind caught what he had lived not to long ago; all that pain that was stabbing at his heart, over flowed at that moment.

 He could feel the tears welling in the corners of his eyes, but stopped them there. NOT HERE...NOT NOW. The faces of those he knew and cared for on the Zeaburg kept ripping through his mind, choosing the path of his dreams, and calling out to him in his

nightmares.

 “Yeah. . . war bites.” The Commander looked up at him. Lane realized everyone at the table was looking at him. It was not tension. He had just said something that brought everyone from there emotional states. Including himself. A weak smile of appreciation almost snuck up on Darren’s face, but he caught it just in time. The waitress sat Lane cold green tea down in front of him.

 “Thank you.” Lane replied to her.

 “Would you like something to eat now?” She asked cheerfully. Lane looked at her and then to all at the table. He felt welcome.

 “Uhm, yes. I will have shrimp, with a side of Klingon Bre’ket lung.”

 “Be back shortly.” She said cheerfully again. Lane relaxed in his seat finally.

 “So Lieutenant.” Darren began. “Tell me about the Zeaburg.” He gave Lane a slightly evident nod.

 “Well, she was an over worked under powered Norway class vessel. When the war broke out we were in the Qualar sector......

Chapter 6

  Captain Roop sits in his chair reading tactical reports. Once he has almost completed he realizes something The reports do not match up with what Grandeur has witnessed on its way to rescue the USS Zeaburg. He spins his chair around to the tactical station.

 “Ensign Owens, are these reports accurate?” She raises up over the console and answers.

 “Yes Captain, they are the latest from Starfleet.”

 “Hmmm, looks like we need to contact command then.” Roop says under his breath as he spins the chair around and looks at the viewscreen. He taps his index finger repeatedly for a few moments, then stops.

 “Lieutenant Deaver, report to the bridge!” Commander Sexton looks to the Captain from his chair.

 “What is it Captain?” Sexton asks sitting more straight up than before.

 “A stink Commander,” he pauses for a second, “Join me in the Ready Room. Ensign Owens, ask the Chief of Security to join us please, when he arrives.” The Captain and the Commander enter the Ready Room doors.

 With a whisk of sound, Lieutenant Deaver enters the bridge. He steps forward from the turbolift and looks around. Eventually he looks to the ceiling taking more time to experience the bridge of Grandeur. On his gaze through the room he notices the Ensign at tactical looking at him.

 “Is something wrong sir?” she asks approaching him.

 “No, Ensign, it is just much different. Where is the Captain?” Ensign Owens backs off and returns to the tactical station.

 “The Captain requests your presence in the ready room sir.”

 “Thank you, Ensign...?”

 “Owens sir.” She replies as she moves back to her work on the console. Lieutenant Deaver makes a half smile and approaches the ready room again, still looking all around in an attempt to memorize the bridge and all the people on it.

 Lieutenant Deaver steps through the Ready Room doors and enters. Captain Roop is in his chair behind the desk observing the display. Commander Sexton is standing on the other side of the room ga