Author's Note: Oh wow, the past week has really creaped up on me. I had wanted to post this back on Monday, but tests, school, and life kind of got in the way. So sorry for the long wait but here's Chapter 1 of Year 5. How you enjoy!
Year Five: 2376
/-/-/-/
/-January
Chang shook his leg, kicking the targ away from him. "Get down! Grinok, keep your targ controlled!"
"Come 'ere, Grol!" The targ scurried away, running under the table to its master. With its front paws on Grinok's leg, it panted, tongue hanging out as it begged for food. Dropping the worming gagh in its mouth, Grinok looked up at Chang. "What? Afraid of a little targ?"
"You dare mock me?"
Grinok huffed. "A compliment mocks you- I cannot help but do so when I talk to you." Chang let out a growl, pounding his fists on the table when he stood.
Many of the others stood around, laughing. Chang was by far the most unliked soldier onboard the Craige. And though none choose to taunt him like Grinok, they did not mind being amused at his expense.
"You insolent creature!"
Grinok laughed at the meaningless threat. With a sharp response on his tongue, he opened his mouth to speak. But his words were interrupted by the echoing sound of an alarm. All were baffled only a moment before they quickly sobered and rushed to their stations.
/-/-/-/
/-Around the Same Time
"Your fool-proof plan cost me eleven ships! Those were some of my best men!"
"Well obviously they weren't as good as you say. Where's all this… super great stuff you've promised?" Amen said, turning the argument back around on Jaron, something he had quite the cunning for. "Your ships are supposed to be advanced!"
"My ships are advanced- but they have not changed for a long time. Your Federation did not design their ships around ours as this quadrant once did."
"And that's my fault?"
Jaron huffed. How Amen did not get tired from his endless paranoia and suspicion, he did not know. Nor did he know how every sentence uttered around him was turned into either a compliment or insult about him.
Turning away, the Mikolian was assaulted by large leafs; his hands pushed them away in annoyance. "Why do you insist on walking through a maze of exasperating shrubbery?"
"It's called a garden," Amen called back at him. "And I like it. I think it's beautiful."
"These things," Jaron said, sneezing as his nose picked up the scent of one of the plants, "are reeking, ugly, useless things."
Amen spared only a glance at the Commander before walking on. "Your ship has been dispatched, I hope?"
Jaron let out a muffled groan, his military training hiding his displeasure of the President from the Human as he turned to look at him. "Yes. They should arrive at their target in a matter of hours."
"Good. The distress signal should alert Riker's new ship- what'd they call it?"
"Enterprise, Mr. President."
"Really? How boring… Anyway, I'll have quite the surprise for that man." Jaron's brow rose, for he had not heard of this 'surprise'. But Amen never elaborated before moving on, his next question as random as many in the past had been. "I heard that you requested to see the city?"
Jaron looked over at him, taking a few steps towards the President, rubbing the moisture from his eye as he went. "Yes, what about it?"
"I have to deny the request."
"Why?"
Amen shrugged, giving no answer before saying, "Tea time, I believe." And then he was off, leaving Jaron standing there, rubbing his irritated eyes.
/-/-/-/
/-A Week Later
"What the hell is that thing?" An Ensign glanced over at him, but the Commander paid no attention to the young man as his eyes shifted to the main screen.
"Yellow alert," his deep voice called, yellow lights replacing the normal just as Commander Carson McCullers had ordered. He stood, straightening his Alliance uniform as he did- it still didn't quite fit right. "Ensign, get a hold of the Captain."
"He's at the Lounge, Commander."
"Damn," McCullers sighed. He knew that meant the Captain was unattainable for the time. He turned, biting his lip in thought. "Xavier."
"What's all the fuss about?"
"Unidentified ship. It'll be here in six minutes."
The dark-haired scientist looked from the man to the view screen, and then back at the Commander. "Why didn't we pick it up sooner?"
"We don't know. Can you run and get the Captain?"
"Is he in the Lounge again?"
"Yeah. Hurry."
"No problem, Carson." The Commander gave a disapproving stare, but Xavier never noticed as he hurried out the door.
The Lounge was a little over a quarter of a kilometer away from the Command Center. And, as a private rule, no communications had ever been installed inside. No combadges were allowed either. And as much fun as that freedom could be, it still wasn't wholly understood why the rule was still around.
Xavier ran as fast as he could to the Lounge. But he was hardly half way there when a sudden sound pierced his ears, one that threatened to mask all sounds around him. He pivoted slowly to find the source, eyes widening with surprise at what he saw. A red tail ran behind it as the stray photon torpedo sped through the darkening sky.
He gasped, watching as it hit the Command Center. His mind screamed even in its dead haze to run and his legs responded easily to the command, pulling his body away without his stunned mind knowing.
He could feel burning on his back and could hear the sudden deep, alien rumble of fire exploding into life. He ran faster, maneuvering away, but a thick, dark smoke enveloped him.
He blinked away the soot and smoke and debris that was attacking his eyes. But still he could see nothing. His foot caught, forcing his hands and face to smash against the hard ground.
And finally he stopped. His eyes fell closed and Xavier tried hard to breath. The air around him was thick with ash and debris from the building. His breathes were quick and fast, hurried and afraid, as his dazed mind fought to purge his thoughts of death.
It seemed to him like years as he lay there, praying for life. His eyes closed against the dark, he could only feel what was raging around him…
/-/-/-/
/-Around the Same Time
"This is Outpost 23," the message hissed, static filling the background, covering moments of shouts and explosions. "We are… being attacked by an unknown vessel. Please respond."
Riker inclined his head suddenly, telling the officer to shut the screen off. He waited just a moment, then turned and caught the Lieutenant's eyes. The screen was still replaying the message.
The young Human started suddenly, turning the screen back to the empty void of space. Riker just shook his head. The Lieutenant was young and inexperienced… and not Worf. "How long will it take us to get there?"
"At maximum warp," Data began, Riker turning to look at him. His eyes seemed to glaze over for only a millisecond before he said, "Thirteen minutes."
Riker nodded. "Helm, maximum warp to Outpost 23."
"Aye, sir."
/-/-/-/
The ground shook under Xavier's feet as he ran. He wasn't sure where his feet were taking him. He wasn't sure of much of anything at that moment. But he ran…
An explosion somewhere forced him to the ground. His hands caught his fall. He spun onto his back, cradling his right wrist. Pain shot through his arm but he forced himself to get up.
He needed to get out of there. He needed to get out of there…
/-/-/-/
"Red alert! Shields up! Have phasers ready to fire the moment we drop out of warp, Lieutenant!" The young Human nodded shakily. Riker sparred him only a glance, turning back to the viewscreen. Just as he did that, he suddenly remembered that the man had never been in a tactical situation. "Damn."
The stars returned to their normal size and shape as the distortion effect of warp suddenly wore off. "Target their weapons, Mr-"Riker paused. He had almost said Mr. Worf. Almost. "Kain," he said quickly, hoping that all around him would think it an honest moment of forgetfulness.
"Aye, sir." Beams of red connected the Enterprise and the Mikolian vessel for a mere moment. "No damage, sir."
Riker sighed, looking out at the dark ship. Their surprise was lost now… but why weren't they firing back?
"Fire a round of photon torpedoes."
/-/-/-/
The bridge shook, forcing Commander Azia into the rail. A muffled groan came from his throat before he gained his equilibrium.
"Keep firing on the outpost!"
"Commander! Two more Alliance ships have dropped from warp."
Azia groaned, breathing deeply as he thought. "Signal the others. And keep firing!"
He knew that the officer nodded stiffly, though he did not bother to watch. Instead his eyes were drawn back to the viewscreen. Three ships dropped out of impulse just behind his ship. Federation Starships, he knew.
/-/-/-/
Captain Ivinch pushed herself slowly to her feet, mouth slightly a gap when she saw the newest arrivals.
"Ma'am?" a young Betazoid called from behind her. She turned, finding his dark eyes. He was very adept at knowing her; some times she was appreciative of that.
"Fire…" she started, glancing back at the screen. "Fire at the Mikolian vessel. Do not engage the others."
"Yes, Captain."
Ivinch took a deep breath of air. She was no stranger to firing on one of her own vessels- she had been with Riker when they had all been captured. But that didn't mean her conscience was any clearer for that action.
She watched as the Starfleet ships approached them. There had been a day when that was a comforting sight…
Ivinch swallowed, waiting to see if one would make a move. "Rae, if they fire on us… I want you to return fire. Just remember that they've been told to think of us as the enemy."
Rae nodded. He knew her words were not for him really, but more her own comfort. If she needed to hear such a thing to calm her guilt, then he would listen and nod and do as told.
/-/-/-/
"Captain?"
Riker swallowed hard. Three ships were just there, seemingly hovering between Enterprise and their target. His eyes moved to the dark ship, photon torpedoes the red darts attacking the moon below.
"Target the Mikolian ship, Lieutenant. Fire at will."
Riker could hear the man's sigh of relief; almost immediately he fired on the ship's weapons.
"One of the ships is hailing up."
Riker turned to Data. "On screen."
The image flickered from the four other ships to the image of a starship's bridge. An old Captain, his hair streaked white from age and stress, stepped forward. "Fire upon the Mikolian ship and we will be forced to defend them."
"Your… ally's ship has already fired on one of my outpost. They are killing my people and you don't want me to fire? Out of our way, Captain!"
Riker gestured for the comlink to be cut. "Keep firing, Lieutenant!"
/-/-/-/
"What's going on up there?"
"We're a little busy up here, Doctor."
"So am I, Will." Crusher groaned, rushing around the biobed to the newest patient. "I've got at least twenty here and I'm getting reports from all over the ship."
"Captain!" she heard someone over the comms say.
"Just fire, Lieutenant!"
Crusher ignored their conversation, moving to look over at a Vulcan Commander. The Sickbay shook as she and another nurse tried to set him down on a biobed. His face was set hard and still, but she could see the pain in his jaw from the thick burns on his back.
The room shook, knocking her into the wall. Regaining her balance, "Captain, I'll get back to you." Crusher tapped her combadge, turning her attention back the Vulcan.
Green blood dripped down his back from the open cuts. A large green spot stained the upper left corner of his uniform, his shoulder burned. Plasma burn, it looked. Probably from an open conduit.
"Ensign, hand me…" her voice trailed off as the room stabilized, the lighting returning to normal as the alarms shut off. She paused, glancing at the ceiling. Then she looked back to her patient. "Well, that's better."
/-/-/-/
"Amen planned that."
"Planned… what?"
Riker sighed and looked at Ivinch. "He knew Enterprise would respond to a distress call from Outpost 23. He wanted to see what I'd do."
"And you decided to attack?" Riker stopped suddenly, turning to see the two behind him- Captain Mansel of the Missouri and another man. He just starred at the man for a moment, taking in his thick blonde hair, pale skin and blue eyes. Noticing immediately his age- perhaps thirty-five.
"Who are you?"
"Commander Carter Teal, acting Captain of the Aytona." Riker just shook his head, allowing his brows to knit together in uninterested confusion. "We defeated after our Captain was killed."
Riker nodded slowly, once again the action uninterested as he glanced over the dark haired man. Then, as briefly, he turned away. "I didn't think he was expecting us to actually attack. But I know he's lapping it up… what do you think, Commander?"
Teal looked up but Riker wasn't looking at him. "Maybe… sir, I don't know President Amen. I wasn't really informed of-"
"Did he order the attack?"
Again, Riker was looking back at Teal, but the Commander sighed and answered. "I don't know, sir. As I said, Captain Baronich didn't tell us-"
"You were his first officer, were you not?"
Teal glanced up just soon enough to notice that Riker had glanced back at him. He nodded, "Yes. But if the President had ordered something, he-"
"So then you don't think Amen ordered it?"
Teal sighed and shrugged. Then he shook his head and thought quickly. "No," he said, suddenly, "I don't. But… maybe he did. Perhaps I am bias towards him… but then again, you are biased against him…" Teal's face froze when Riker turned, his eyes glaring at the man. "With all due respect, sir."
Riker's face didn't change, and Ivinch and Mansel just watched on, not commenting. But then Riker nodded, something tugging the corner of his lip. "Good answer, Commander."
His head bobbed with approval and then he turned away, continuing down the corridor. "Damage reports?"
/-/-/-/
"Xavier! Oh my god! Are you all right?"
The man nodded mutely, his tired eyes catching hers.
She ran her hands under the hot water, rubbing them together. There had been so many casualties. So many had died… there was so much blood.
She rubbed harder, the water scolding her hands as it grew hotter. But she was numb, too numb to care.
"Xavier," she called, trying to stop the man. He was just walking- walking where, she didn't know- with his one arm held limply across his chest. "Xavier, stop! I have to look at you."
"I'm fine."
"You're not fine."
She kept rubbing her hands, her eyes moving to the bottom of the sink. It was red, red from the water.
"Xavier, what's wrong?"
"Gwen… there… a stray photon torpedo… it just…" The man just kept shaking his head, mind replaying the moments in his head.
"Come sit down, Xavier. Come on."
She rubbed harder, the blood now gone. But she kept scrubbing at them, as if expecting that her eyes were playing tricks and there was plenty more there.
She stared hard at her reflection in the mirror. Blood had been smeared over her face; some was in her hair. She rubbed at it slowly, flinching as she suddenly realized the temperature of the water.
"Xavier, just sit down," she begged, pushing her friend over to the bed.
"I've never seen a photon torpedo like that. It just… was coming right at us… it hit the Command Center… and then… it was just gone…"
Tear mixed with the now cold water. She looked up at herself, seeing the red puffiness around her eyes… the blood that had mixed with her blonde hair.
A hand ran through her hair absently, rubbing away some of the moisture on her face. Gwen closed her eyes, letting more tears spill over to run down her cheeks, running into her nose. Rubbing her nose, her eyes glanced down at the image on the table next to her.
She was there, surrounded by her friends. It had been a wonderful day. She was at a party; one of her friends had just gotten married. Carson was there with his arm wrapped around her shoulders and Xavier was standing just behind him. Those two had always been inseparable; she had never known brothers to be that close.
A fresh set of tears spilled over; her hand lashed out, forcing the PADD sprawling across the room. That had been the same night Carson had proposed.
/-/-/-/
/-At the Same Time
"This was the last transmission from the Craige."
Chancellor Gowron nodded. The whole of the Council turning to watch when Martok pushed in the data rod. Immediately the black screen fuzzed into black and the Klingon symbol was displayed before the screen fuzzed again, turning into the clouded version of a Bird of Prey bridge. Conduits were blown, sparks flew and smoke clouded the view of much of the bride.
"These… ships came… nowhere! Unidentified… sensor…ough cloak… needed-"
The screen cut and fuzzed back out, displaying the Klingon symbol before returning to a blank wall.
"They also managed to send visual images of these ship, but their sensor data was scrambled too severely to be salvaged," Martok announced to the room.
"Well let us see this ship." Instantly, the dark ship appeared before them.
"I have never seen such a design."
"Neither have I…" Gowron squinted up at the screen, standing slowly as he looked at it. "Run it through all databanks. I want to know who dares attack a ship of the Empire!"
"Yes, Chancellor."
"What do you intend on doing once we know what race this ship belongs to?"
Gowron did not spared a glance for Martok as his eyes were still focused on the ship. "Their deaths will not be in vain. We will go to war with these cowards!"
/-/-/-/
/-Two Weeks Later
The streets were dark as the night set in, triggering the streetlights on some streets, others just barely in the dim light. Noise came from the lighted clubs, people slowly flittering in and out of them. Few at a time staggered out, half drunk, moving on to another party.
He itched the blue spots on his chin and glanced over his shoulder. Jaron wasn't sure what he was looking for, nothing really he supposed. It was more a habit of suspicion than any real necessity.
With a breath, the Commander walked on, turning into the '20's Club. Light and nose even more intense than outside hit him. But he didn't let the dizzying distractions faze him. His focus remained on the object of his search, the reason why he had sunk out from the embassy.
Working his way through the dancers and drunks and others, Jaron looked over the heads and past the colored lights to find a small group cluttered around a single table.
"One of you Manick?"
A man, the one seemingly in the middle of the conversation, straightened. His light eyes sized Jaron up, pausing at his alien face. "Why do you want to know?"
Jaron smiled, his hard face looking awkward with such an expression. "You do not recognize me, do you young human?"
"Are you someone I should know?" He laughed, the rest merely gathering around. Jaron looked them over. He had not expected, or even hoped, for much. But he had envisioned them to be older, not this scraggily bunch of children he saw before him.
"No, Mr. Manick… but it may do you some good to know who I am."
Again he smirked, turning in his chair to look at the others. With the young man out of the shadows, his features were lit momentarily by the lights of the dancefloor, allowing Jaron to see his unnaturally blonde hair, which clashed with the dark tint of his skin.
The human looked back at him. "Who said I was Manick?"
"You did. Now… take this. If you change your mind, I'll be here."
Manick looked down at the table at the alien technology. He didn't touch it. Not out of paranoia but more for uncertainty. Looking back up, his mouth opened to speak, but the alien was gone.
"What the hell? Check him out."
/-/-/-/
/-A Week Later
"Captain's Log: Stardate: 37602.09.
"Intelligence reports show a rise in attacks near the Klingon boarder. They're near where most attacks on the Alliance have been. The Klingons, of course, won't admit to anything, they're not really talking to us. Not like they ever have. But-
"I can only assume that the attacks are the same Mikolian ships Amen has been ordering around. Why pester the Klingons on top of everything? I don't know. But I know Amen has a plan. I just haven't quite figured it all out just yet.
"Anyway, the Alliance Council have told me about a mysterious informant. He managed to send them a transmission through Federation jamming- or so he says. We're not sure who he is, just that he's got some sway on Earth. He even said something about a group- albeit small- of resistors. It might not seem like much, but maybe they could stir up just enough trouble to hinder something of Amen's plan.
"Computer, end recording," Riker called as he heard the chime ring. "Enter."
Data ducked his head in, moving just far enough for the door to close behind him. "We will arrive at Betazed within five minutes."
"Thank-you, Data. I'll be out in a second." The android nodded, but didn't turn to leave. "Something else?"
Riker could see the thought process behind his eyes. Finally Data looked up at him and shook his head. "Nothing important," and then he left.
/-/-/-/
/-Around the Same Time
"Mr. Manick," he turned quickly, shocked to find someone behind him. "When you said you wanted a meeting, I did not think you would be the one here."
The human smirked, but the dark shadows cast over his face left it invisible to the alien. "I like to do things on my own."
"A respectable trait in a leader."
Manick swallowed, his hands buried in his pockets as he looked around. Jaron noted that he was nervous; his movements and posture gave that away. But as Jaron glanced around, his green eyes finding nothing in the late night shadows, he was easily able to see that it was not he himself who frightened the young human. No, it was the threat every noise and sounded presented to his own being.
"I would assume you know who I am if you bothered arranging this meeting."
Manick nodded. "Yeah. You're a… Mikolian- I believe I pronounced that right?" Jaron nodded, a smirk of approval tugging his lip. Amen had assured him that their existence would remain as much a mystery as it could be.
"I also know," the blonde continued, "that you are Commander Jaron. You have high ties with the President and are in command of a large portion- if not all- of your world's fleet."
Jaron nodded slowly. "I do not control all of the fleet. A portion, yes, but not all. And I, Mr. Manick, have done my own research on you.
"You're a young Australian, just out of school. Your plans for medical school were denied and you run and operate the '20's Club after your uncle died three months ago. Since then, you've organized your own little… shall was say 'organization' that consists of at least ten other young post-college students who have nothing better to do than say just how much they hate President Amen."
Manick's smirk dissipated with every word from Jaron's mouth, his nervous rocking returning. "Did I get any of that wrong?"
With a subtle cough, "No. What do you want? You sent here by the Prez to tell us all to be good little boys and girls and to just shut up or something?"
"No. 'The Prez' doesn't know I am here and I would prefer to keep it that way."
"Then what-?"
"I want you and your friends to… to spread the word about Amen."
Manick let out a course laugh. "What word? There-"
"You and your friends have already proven your resourcefulness. I am sure that you will be able to find plenty on your own. Good evening, Mr. Manick."
/-/-/-/
/-Around the Same Time
"So what did he say?"
Manick sighed as he dropped into the chair. The sound echoed throughout for there was no music or lights or people. It was early in the morning and his club had shut down for the time. It was only him and his trusted friends.
"Well… he says he wants us to spread any and all dirt we can find the guy." Manick's brow rose as he shrugged his shoulders. "He gave me this, Andy, you might wanna have a look."
Andy took the device, turning in his hands as he inspected the circular piece. "What is it?"
"Not a clue."
"Did he say anything else?" Manick looked over at Reggie, her brown hair flowing over her back as she turned her head to look over at him.
"Not much. Just that he knows who I am; he knows how to find out about me… but I don't think he knows any of you." Manick sighed. "Andy just check that thing out."
His dark eyes looked down at the mysterious device. Scratching the back of his head, his fingers avoided the spiked locks of blue hair. "Right." Standing, he walked away, his footsteps echoing as he walked through the empty building.
Manick's pale eyes watched for a short time before turning back to the others. "Well… be careful of this guy, okay? No one talk to him. Not until we know if we can trust him."
Reggie leaned back in her chair as the others got up and walked away. Placing her hand over Manick's, he paused half way from sitting up and looked down at her. "You shouldn't have gone and done that. That Commander could have easily have had an armada waiting for you."
He shook his head. "You worry too much, Reg." He sighed, stroking her cheek. Smirking at his old friend, "I'll be fine."
"Just don't be that rash again."
/-/-/-/
/-A Few Days Later
Deanna looked down at her daughter; the girl closing her eyes sleepily as the lights turned down. "'Night, baby girl."
With a sigh, Deanna turned away, letting the door slide closed behind her. She stood there a moment longer, her empathy sensing the child's slipping consciousness. Satisfied, Deanna walked away, tracing the newly familiar path of her childhood home.
"How is she?" Will asked as Deanna lowered herself on their bed.
Deanna just sighed, "She's fine."
"I wouldn't call nightmares every night for two weeks fine."
"Will, it's just a phase," his wife told him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"A phase? Deanna, she's been living on a starship for five years throughout a war. I don't blame her from having nightmares, but-"
"Will." "Imzadi, trust me." "I went through the same thing at her age. It's… it's how her young mind is able to process the emotions she can sense. She's beginning to be able to sense them in her sleep- the dreams are her mind's way of processing them and understanding them."
"You mean when you sense someone's fear, you see a big, ugly bed-monster?"
She laughed with him. "No… I did when I was younger. Now I see them… in other ways. She'll be fine; in a little while, she'll be able to control it more."
"A little while? How long, exactly, does that translate into? I don't think I can keep doing this every night," he whined, hugging her tighter.
"You can't?" She sighed, ignoring the words on her tongue. "Just go to bed, Will."
/-/-/-/
/-A Few Days Later
"Julian?" Jadzia called into the Infirmary.
"Jadzia?" He answered, coming around the corner. "What are you doing here? I thought we were going to go meet at Vic's tonight," Julian said with a slightly perplexed smile as he approached her.
"I know, actually I'm here for Dr. Bashir, not my husband," Dax remarked.
"Why? What's wrong?"
Jadzia nearly smiled at the concern that took over his features as he walked her over to the biobed. "It's nothing, just… my spots have been itching for the past few days."
"Why didn't you say something earlier?" She watched from the bed as he picked up his tricorder, taking out the cylinder from the object as he walked back over to her.
"It wasn't really that bad until today," she said, Julian swatting her hand away as she tried to scratch again.
"Stop that. Itching won't help," he scolded her as he went back to scanning the Trill. His eyebrows creased, and for a moment he seemed bewildered. Then his shock grew, showing on his face.
"What? What's wrong?" She asked, trying to look over the tricorder at the data.
"N-nothing. You-you're fine," Julian stuttered out, starring down at his tricorder.
"Julian." He looked up, a strange mix of fear and joy shinning in his eyes. "What is it?"
A smile grew as he finally was able to say, "You're… you're pregnant."
"What?" She responded, a smile of her own growing. "Pregnant?"
"Yes," he laughed, pulling her into his arms and spinning her around. "I'm going to be a father," he said once he was able to put her down. She only smiled, leaning forward to kiss him.
/-/-/-/
/-Around the Same Time
"Are you ok? You've been awfully quiet tonight," Jadzia commented, cuddling up next to Julian on the couch.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just… I think I'm still trying to digest the idea that you're pregnant. I mean… it's not like we were trying," he explained, planting a kiss on her forehead.
"True, it is a lot to take in."
"It's just… I'm a doctor; I know all the things that can go wrong. All the birth complications, birth defects, diseases… and it's not like a space station is even the best place to raise a child, much less during… well whatever this is," he rambled, only stopped by Jadzia's finger over his lips.
"Julian, it's going to be alright. Nothing will go wrong, I promise. I have the best doctor in the quadrant," Jadzia assured him with a smile. A small laugh escaped his lips, his thoughts still weighing heavily on him.
"You know, I remember when Audrid was pregnant with her first child. She was so nervous; worried about being a good mother and making sure everything was all right," she said laughing at the memory. "Just don't worry so much about it, and I promise it'll make a lot of things easier."
"I know, I just can't help but be worried about such things."
"Everything will be fine."
He nodded, letting the topic be dropped. Wrapping his arms tighter around her, a sudden thought dawned on him. "My god, what are we going to name it?" His only answer a playful swat on his arm and a content laugh.
/-/-/-/
/-A Few Days Later
"Captain Riker?"
"Ah, Commander Tette, just the man I was looking for."
"Sir?" he asked with some hesitation, falling in step with Riker as they made they're way down the corridor.
Riker looked over at him; he did not know very much about the man but he knew both Data and Deanna spoke highly of him. "Do you still know how to get a hold of you contact?"
Tette shrugged. "I don't see why not. Why?"
"I need him to find out anything he can about the '20's Club. Can he do that?"
"The club's on Earth, right?"
"Yes."
"I'll ask."
Riker nodded, patting the man's shoulder as they slowed, coming to the end of the hall. "Good. Do it as soon as you can."
"May I ask, sir," Tette called as Riker turned down the left corridor, "What exactly you want to know about it?"
Riker shrugged, "Honestly, I don't know. Just whatever he can find. Good day, Commander."
"Yeah. Good day, Captain."
/-/-/-/
/-Around the Same Time
Amen grinned down at the translucent paper in his hand. "Good news," he muttered under his breath, his eyes darting back and forth as he read the words. He gave a curt nod, thrusting the paper back into Ken's hand as he walked on.
"Good news, good news."
"The Klingons have declared war! I don't consider that a good thing."
"Trust me, Ken, this is a very good thing. Everything is going to plan."
"Whatever you say, Mr. President, but-"
"And, besides, they are not at war with us. They are at war with the Mikolians. We're not getting into it just yet."
"No?"
"No."
"Then what happens when the Klingons find out about our alliance with the Mikolians? Then they'll be after us!"
Amen smirked, looking back at Ken who was walking a step behind him. "How will they?"
"Oh, I don't know? The Alliance! Resistance factions within the Federation! You do know about them, right?"
"The Alliance? Of course I do."
"No. The resistance factions!"
"They aren't of concern to me."
"What about the Sklig Ntsar-"
Amen stopped suddenly, spinning around to face Ken. "They will be vanquished…" His voice trailed off, his words not as harsh when he said, "Do not worry so much, Ken. It's all under control. Come now, we have many things to do. And I need you to speak with the Federation Council."
/-/-/-/
/-A Few Days Later
Deanna glanced over at the doctor. Salizhan was busy working at her console once again; her mind completely focused on her work. But Deanna could sense that she was fast becoming frustrated.
"Any luck, Dr. Salizhan?"
The Vigolian glanced over at the Betazoid. "Just call me Sal. And no. Nothing."
Deanna nodded with a sigh. She looked back at Liam. He was a young patient, about the youngest, but there was something about him. She felt like she could almost sense something in the back of his mind, something none of the rest had.
Looking back over at the doctor, an old thought came forward. She was still not sure why Salizhan insisted that she worked in the containment area with the patients. She could go to an office where she could be more comfortable.
"Sal? Well don't you have a first name?"
She glanced over, her lips twitching as if to form a smile but not quite making one. "Of course I do… I just don't like it."
"No? Tell. What is it?"
"No!" She laughed, absently hitting a few buttons. "It's horrible…" The beeping of her console stole her attention away. "Uhg!"
Both Deanna and Liam looked over with shocked interest at Salizhan's groan. "What?"
Salizhan ignored Deanna. She ripped her mask off, Deanna wincing slightly as she felt the Vigolian's sting of pain. But quickly absolute horror and shock settled in.
"What? Are you insane?"
Salizhan shook her head. "Nothing! The computer still says they are all perfectly health!" Her arms whipped out, gesturing to the few dozen patients around them. Liam smiled dumbly, mimicking the gesture, flapping his arm repeatedly at nothing.
"And so you took your mask off?" Deanna said, her voice scornful. Both just ignored Liam.
"It's not airborne and they're not contagious. They aren't infected with anything any more. It's gone!"
"Hell of a way to test your theory." Deanna leaned away, Liam laughing somewhat when his hand continued waving. Deanna pulled it down, glancing at Salizhan in between her efforts.
Salizhan sighed and shook her head. She didn't really care any more.
/-/-/-
Hmm... a chapter packed full of surprises. Quite a bit of trouble in both the Klingon world and with the Mikolians. We're even started to see that Earth doesn't seemed to like Amen much either.
But, on a brighter note, loooks like things are going well on Deep Space Nine...