Stars of Night (Sterne der Nacht): Part 1

Author: Christy Anderson

You can contact me at kittyunlimited@go.com.

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Paramount minus Ensign Christy Anderson and a few selected insignificant characters

This is sort of a second sequel to Void of Night, so if you would like to know more of the background, I would suggest you start there. I hope you all enjoy this!

Stars of Night (Sterne der Nacht): Part 1

By now, the klaxons were sounding in my ears and I was surrounded by the alien species. My mind was racing, trying to recover the proper Starfleet protocol for this situation. I saw them begin to fire, and the security guard nearest me fell to the ground in agony. I looked to the others for any indication of what to do, but there was nothing, they all were waiting for my next move. Like Tuvok had said, the simulation depended solely upon my actions. Another officer to my left fell, and I knelt down to check upon him. I put my two fingers on the side of neck and held them there for several seconds- no pulse. Revolted, I withdrew my hand and stood with my weapon pointed at the nearest alien. Captain Janeway's voice came over the Comm. "Janeway to Security Team Three."

"Security Team Three here, Captain," I said hurriedly.

"Ensign Anderson, report on your position…" her voice trailed off.

"We're holding up in Engineering, Captain. Two dozen aliens just transported over, and they're attacking us. We're doing our best to secure our position, but we need reinforcements."

There was a long pause. "Noted, ensign. Do whatever you can to neutralize the attack."

I gulped, knowing that my every move was being watched. I had no idea what to do next. I turned and saw my security detail being slaughtered mercilessly by the group of aliens on the upper deck of Engineering. By now, most of the crewmen had been evacuated out of the area, and my security officers were the only ones left. The remaining members looked to me for guidance. Not knowing what else to do, I took in a deep breath and ordered them to put their phasers on stun and begin shooting. Immediately they all obeyed my command. As I began to join in, Tuvok stepped out from where he had been observing inconspicuously. "Computer, end simulation," he commanded.

Without delay the holodeck disappeared. I turned and stared at Tuvok. "Why did you end it?" I asked frustratedly.

"Ensign Anderson," he began, "you have already violated 32 security protocols within the first 35 minutes." He gave me an empty stare.

"What did I do wrong now?" I demanded. Within six months I had completed my studies with Lieutenant Gebhart, and the Captain had ordered that I was to be tested over my newfound knowledge. This had been my second attempt at the final security protocol test.

Tuvok's voice brought me back into reality. "Starfleet protocol dictates that you take care of the wounded before you engage in further battle. It is obvious that you are still unfamiliar with this material. It was illogical to continue the simulation. Needless to say, you have failed this week too. I will arrange for Lieutenant Gebhart to review lessons 16 and 17 over with you again. We will try this again next Saturday at 09:00 hours. You are dismissed, ensign."

Downhearted, I left the holodeck and headed towards my quarters. Just this last test, and I will be able to work shifts on the bridge at the science console I thought to myself. Although Captain Janeway had installed me to a full ensign on the senior staff, she had expected that I worked to fulfill her trust in me. With flying colors, I had already passed the science tests administer by Lieutenant Stanfield, the Chief Science Officer, and B'Elanna had administered a fairly easy mechanics and engineering test. All I had left was Tuvok's security protocol test. Drittes Mal ist ein Charme… third time's a charm. As the turbolift shuddered to a halt on Deck Three, my stomach began to growl. I walked the short way to my quarters. After a brief shower, I would head to the Mess Hall to get something to eat.

Sauntering into the now familiar room, I sank down onto the couch. "Computer, what is the current time?" I asked as my stomach growled even louder.

The computer beeped. "The time is 13:26 hours," it replied.

My stomach growled again in disagreement, protesting the time. Seien Sie geduldig… be patient. I slipped out of my uniform and headed towards the bathroom. I reached down into my drawer and pulled out a fresh uniform.

"Lieutenant Paris to Ensign Anderson," Tom's voice interrupted from the Comm system in my room.

"Christy here," I said in reply.

"Hey, Harry and I were going to the Mess Hall for a bite to eat. I was wondering if you cared to join us."

I sighed. "I'll be there in a minute Tom. Christy out." With that, I jumped in the shower, my mind full of images past. In my first month on Voyager, Tom had asked me out to dinner, but it had not gone as expected. Since then we had remained friends, close friends, yet it still bothered me when I saw him with one of the Delaney sisters. I knew in my heart that Tom would be nothing more than a friend, yet my new emotions were more concerned with his well being. From that moment on, I had seen him fling himself into different relationships that were sure to collapse. I found myself many times wishing that he found the right person for himself. Perhaps I would live to see the day. Sie denken an Unsinn… I am thinking of nonsense.

Feeling fresh once again, I terminated the shower and began to dress. I had to eat fast as I realized my next duty shift in the Science Lab began at 15:00 hours. I stared in the mirror and approved of my appearance. I walked out and sat on my bed, fastening my boots. Over to my left stood the telescope that Samantha had replicated for me as a present a little while ago. It was turned and pointed out my window at the stars, die Sterne der Nacht… the stars of night. I watched as they passed by, slowly coming at first and then accelerating to a blur. My eyes were riveted to the beautiful sight, the inexplicable force that I found comforting, the overflowing source of strength that I drew from daily. It was times like these that I did not miss home or my Father, when I subconsciously knew that everything was going to be all right, that I was going to get home.

My thoughts were interrupted by the door chimes. I sighed; it seemed that I was never alone. "Come in," I said softly. The doors swished open to reveal Paris and Kim.

"I thought you would prefer an escort," Tom said dramatically.

"To the Mess Hall?" I questioned sarcastically.

Tom beamed me a smile. "Never know when you'll get lost."

Inwardly I groaned. Tom had never forgotten the first time we had met. There was not a moment that passed by that he did not mention rescuing me off of Deck Four to Samantha's quarters that were on Deck Three. I looked over at Harry who had been silent through the entire episode. He gave me his best blank look and shrugged. "Tom pulled me along."

I finished tying my boot and stood up to join them at the door. My stomach growled again, and I blushed at the noises it was making. "Sounds like someone hasn't eaten in a while," Tom said as he walked out the door.

After we arrived at the Mess Hall, Tom and Harry headed straight for the replicators. "You coming?" Harry asked.

I shook my head. "I think I'll try Neelix's newest slop."

When I had my tray of food, Tom and Harry had already seated themselves at the back corner of the Mess Hall. Cautiously I maneuvered through the tables to where the two figures sat waving. Sitting down, Harry stared at the unidentified mess on my plate. "Are you sure you want to eat that?"

I nodded. "It will do… at least it will keep me awake and alert for my next shift," I replied as I took a bite. "Die Suppe ist etwas bitter, aber es ist eine Verbesserung nach, was ich aß letztes Mal… the soup is slightly bitter, but it is an improvement upon what I ate last time."

Tom nodded and changed the subject. "So how did your test with Tuvok go today?"

I dropped my gaze from his face and stared at the soup. "I failed again. In 35 minutes I managed to break 32 security protocol."

Tom sent a sympathetic look. "Just shrug it off, Christy. You are trying to learn in six months what a normal person learns in four years. You're improving. Why last time, Tuvok ended the simulation after 15 minutes and you had already violated 68 Starfleet security protocol."

Harry managed to jump in. "It's okay, I had trouble memorizing all of those when I was in the Academy. If you need any additional help, though, be sure to call on me."

I nodded. "Thanks Harry, maybe we could get together before next Saturday…"

"We'll arrange something later," Harry interrupted nervously. Harry managed to finish the last bite of his food. Grabbing his dishes, he stood up to excuse himself. "Well that was wonderful," he began, "but I need to be getting back to my quarters. See you two later."

I watched him as he took his dishes to the recycler and walked out of the Mess Hall. As the doors swished shut behind him, I turned to look at Tom for any indication of why he had left in such a hurry. But Tom's face held an empty look, he was as much in the dark as I was.

"I guess we scared him off," Tom said with grin.

I remained silent and became engrossed in my plate. Harry's actions had rattled me; there had been an unmistakable terrifying look in his eyes. He looked haunted, hunted, scared beyond all imagining.

"Want to have dinner together?" Tom's voice brought my thoughts back into the Mess Hall. It took awhile as I adjusted to my location and took in his last words. "Dinner?" Tom asked again.

I shook my head. "Oh, no, Tom, I can't. After my shift in the Science Lab, I'm eating with Ensign Wildman in my quarters, we're going to continue her German lessons."

Tom smiled. "I'm in the mood to learn German," he said playfully.

Suddenly I was aware of someone's presence behind me. "But Tommy, you have to have dinner with me," the voice whined.

I felt myself stiffen as I recognized the voice of Jenny Delaney. "We missed you all day, Paris," her sister Megan said. Both girls came over and squished beside Tom. I began to feel uncomfortable as Jenny planted a kiss on Tom's lips, which he almost simultaneously returned. Tom looked over at me and gave me a helpless look.

"Ah, then I guess…" he began.

I gave him a forced smile. "Don't worry, maybe some other time," I finished for him. Gathering up my plate and silverware, I stood to excuse myself. "See you around, Tom," I said as I turned away.

"Christy," he called after me, "you don't have to…"

I interrupted his words. "See you later," I repeated.

Dumping my dishes in the recycler, I turned to get one last look at Tom. He waved to me and shouted, "I'll call on you later!"

And acknowledging his promises, I walked out of the Mess Hall to think through some of the new and confusing emotions.

To be continued…