Stardate 81004.4

"Captain's log, Orlok appreciated the return of his remaining Guards. However I find the number of Guards lost to be unacceptably high. I know that there is no good that can come from blaming myself over this matter and that we were the fastest ship in the area. No one could've gotten there faster and the station was destroyed, hopefully preventing this from happening again. This brings me to the most prominent and current part of our previous mission, the organic Android. The Counselor and Admiral Barker reported to the cargo bay and attempted to talk with it, with little success. It still seems to lack an understanding of most words and mostly mimics things it's heard recently. It shows the ability to change its form at will, granted with errors in their constancy and lacking the ability to alter his color. Our Chief Security Officer Remi Ylek still recommends we keep a constant eye on him to which I have agreed with one condition, I will allow him to move about the ship while escorted and given him very limited computer access so he can learn. In the meantime however I have turned in for the night for some much needed rest. I need to stay sharp if I'm to continue keeping an eye on Barker's work yourself into the grave spirit and a development between our Security Chief and Counselor."

Captain Frame lay sleeping in his bed wearing his undershirt and uniform pants. His boots were set beside his feet on the floor below. Small sensor lights flashed at the bottom of his bed which reduced the noise of the crewmen walking down the hall outside of his room. He had only been in bed for three hours, but the brief nap felt like an entire night in such an adaptive and comfortable bed. Though they were standard now in Starfleet the new Comfort-Cots were the single most comfortable things in the known universe! They consisted of two movable metallic legs at the head of the bed which could mimic any motion the user desired, an outer frame that regulated the Bed's heat, and a liquid purple membrane that constantly adjusted to the user's body and kept them in the perfect state of comfort.

"Captain, your pre-designated three and one half hours sleeping period has expired. Wake up." called the calm quiet voice of the computer as the soft squishy purple membrane nudged Frame's shoulder.

With a small groan Frame rolled over in his Comfort-Cot and moved toward the edge. The bed continued to adjust itself the whole time, proving to be a very comfortable seat as he reached for his shoes.

"Thank you Computer. How much longer is it until we reach the USS Barlow?" asked Frame as he ran a hand through is messed hair.
"At our current time, enough for you to enjoy a well earned breakfast. I'll alert the Chef that you are coming." replied the Computer in an oddly human tone.
"Computer, I was unaware that your MCARS operating software included simulated personality." began Frame as he looked over his spacious bedroom for his duty Jacket.
"Chief Engineer Trw'elik Zeria believed that installing personality subroutines into my Bio-Neural Positronics packs would make the crew's transition from LCARS to MCARS easier. Admiral Barker gave permission stating that with a personality I can talk the crew through the tutorials through friendly positive interactions. I've also take the liberty of replicating your favorite drink, Malted Milk. It is waiting for you on your coffee table. Will that be all Captain?" replied the Computer.
"Yes, thank you Computer." replied Frame as he grabbed the small metal glass full of Malted Milk.
"With your permission Captain I would like to be called Grace." replied the Computer.

With a small smirk and a nod Captain Frame exited his living area. The crew quarters of the Grace were much larger than the rooms of older Starships, consisting of multiple rooms. They were really more like small apartments built into the ship, for the Crew's comfort, one of the many advantages of being the record holder for largest ship in the Fleet. Even the ship's interior was designed to feel more like home, finished cherry panels covers bulkheads in the hallway and a soft self cleaning carpet-like material covered the floor. Frame walked down the hall as other Officers in off duty wear or jumpsuits passed him, heading either to appointed tasks, their quarters or the Crew Mess Hall. Frame preferred the longer walk to the Senior Officer's Mess Hall apposed to the Transporter down the hall, it allowed him to see more of the ship and allow him to get a sense of where the crew's heads were at. As he neared the Officer's Mess a passing Security Officer brushed against his shoulder.

"Oh sorry Captain." saluted the Officer.

The Officer himself was an interesting sight. Covering the left side of his head was a large metallic implant which circled half way across the top of his head down to the top of his left ear. A smaller plug sat on the left temple of the implant which flashed with many mechanical lights.

"It was nothing Ensign?" prompted Frame.
"Strong, Nathan Strong, though everyone else calls me Sparks, screw ball. Light bright, or metal head for obvious reasons. Don't mind me I was just heading down to Medical to…." replied the Ensign before bursting up into uncontrolled laughter, sobbing then slamming his fist into the wall.
"Are you alright Ensign Strong? Frame to Medical I need a Medical team in hallway 12 C section…" began Frame as he tapped his badge.
"No, I'm alright. It's this damn implant. I took a handheld Torpedo to my head a few years back. Some sort of Dominion wannabes with a grudge against the Federation. It messed up the whole left side of my brain, my nervous system, and left eye. The implant let's me lead a normal life and continue active duty, it's just every couple of weeks or months I need a Doctor to reset the Emotion center otherwise it overloads or gets backed up and I get a little…. bipolar." replied Ensign Strong as he snapped out of his minor episode.
"So this is all normal for you then? Medical cancel Medical Team request." said Frame as he re-tapped his Comm. Badge.
"Sorry for the scare Captain. I should still have a good week or two before it really needs reset, but I started weeping this morning when I couldn't find my shirt so I decided I'd better take care of this before it gets too serious. Might as well be in top shape for this mission, I filed a request to the Security Chief to come along on this mission and I'm pretty sure she'll say yes." continued Ensign Strong with a twitching smile.
"Alright then, carry on Ensign. I look forward to seeing you after you get your implant reset. As you were." saluted Frame before continuing down the hall.

Strong saluted before continuing down the hall towards the Medical bay. Frame shook his head and exhaled at the interesting encounter before entering the Officer's Mess. The room long and lined with paintings with Bulkheads placed between them. A long curved table dominated the room with an elaborate chandelier-type ornament affixed to the ceiling above. A small Kitchen area was attached to the far side of the room when pots lay in disarray, a polar opposite to the elegance of the room itself. The sound of clanking metal pots and bubbling broth cut through the air as Frame neared the counter at the front of the Kitchen area.

"Just toast please." said Frame as he set his now empty cup down onto a small Replicator panel.
"Toast stupid! Too…..er…. dry! You not dumb Vulcan back for more pond scum is you?" replied a low, dry, yet female voice from back near the stove.
"Excuse me?" asked Frame, surprised at the reply to his order.
"Dumb Vulcan man in stupid suit want me make mud and bug salad for crew! No like! Stupid Vulcan, talk too much stupidness! You eat better!" replied the voice as Gaa emerged from the back of the Kitchen area with a tray of pancakes that could rival the Eiffel Tower of Earth.
"So what do you suggest Chef?" asked Frame, confused by this Cook's cooking style.
"You eat pancakes!" replied Gaa as she shoved a large plate of Pancakes forward.
"Thank you for the recommendation Chef but I don't have time for a full breakfast, my toast if you would please." said Frame as nicely as he could, moving back from the towering plate.
"No toast, you eat PANCAKES! Fresh tree sticky and little sweet things! Order up!" hollered the psychotic reptile as she returned to the kitchen area where more pancakes where cooking.

A small poorly sign sat at the far end of the counter which stated today's special as Chocolate chip pancakes with fresh maple syrup. Tightening his jaw slightly and closing his eyes for a moment Frame reached out and grabbed the plate, his actions being immediately met with an approving gurgling hiss-like noise from Gaa as he turned to walk away. Sitting down and cutting off a small portion of the larger breakfast Frame had to admit that they smelled and tasted better than any other pancake he'd tried in the past, even though they were not what he asked for. However, accepting her species' lower intelligence and as much personal leeway Captain Frame could give her, he'd still have to have a talk to her about declaring Pancake Martial Law in the Officer's Mess.

Stardate 81004.4

Counselor Personal Log and Report To The Vulcan High Command

Greetings to the members of The High Command, I have much information to relay to you in this report. The discovery of this alien species during the mission (files enclosed) has proved to be a priority. The species encountered are very hostile, and seemed to have far more advance technology. When I attempted to make contact with them they did not seem to respond to verbal conversation, and if they have a form of communication it is one I am unfamiliar with. However one of the most important things to note is the discovery of an organic Android. This being is unlike anything encountered before by a Vulcan. The Android began life as a gelatinous form and then it developed into a solid humanoid. I later attempted communication with the Android along with Admiral Barker (whom I find to be quite a logical being; for a human) however communication with the Android proved to be less then satisfactory. It seems capable of speech, that I have seen, however most of it is limited to the simple repeating and switching of words. It does appear to be learning and with time it might prove to be a valuable asset. On a finishing statement I find the Graces security chief Rami Ylek is one of the most emotion driven beings I have ever encountered. End of Report.

Sarkin entered the Officers Mess Hall carrying bowl in one hand and a cup in the other. He saw Captain Frame and he moved to sit down next to him. The counselor took notice of the huge pile of pancakes on his plate.

"Good morning captain." Sarkin said as he sat down next to Frame. Placing his bowl and cup down.

Frame wiped his mouth before responding. "Good morning to you counselor, care for some pancakes…we have enough to feed the entire fleet." He said as he gestured to the kitchen where Gaa was flicking her tongue in and out and staring coldly at Sarkin.

Sarkin raised a brow at the towering stacks; and then turned his attention back to the captain.

"No captain, as told Gaa that I did not prefer…pancakes. And when she refused to serve my order I was forced to go back to my quarters and replicate my own meal." He pointed to his bowl and Frame looked into it and saw the contents. It was some kind of muddy brown broth with small chunks floating around the top; and it did not smell that appetizing.

"Um counselor…what is that?" Frame asked.

"Plomeek soup." Sarkin said as he took a spoon and stirred the contents.

"Gahhh ou bring yur bad food into my kitchen." Gaa yelled at the Vulcan.

Sarkin did not even respond to Gaa's comment he began to eat his breakfast. While Frame taking another look at his half finished stack of Pancakes pushed back his chair. "Well I think I have eaten enough breakfast." He said as he picked up his plate and set down on the Kitchen counter. "Thank you for the food Gaa, see you at lunch. Counselor enjoy your…soup." And with that Frame took his leave.

Gaa looked at the Sarkin once more and shook her head "Dumb Vulcan." Then she went back to her work.

Sarkin eat his food in silence and took a sip of his red tea. And then he heard the Doors slide open. He turned his head his eyes met with Rami.

The security chief narrowed her eyes at Sarkin and then she went over to the Kitchen.

Gaa flicked her tongue happily. "Ah Rami, you good to Gaa, Gaa made good pancakes today."

She said as she handed a large plate of the food stuff to the Bajoran.

Rami took it and smiled "Thank you Gaa, it looks amazing."

Gaa gave her best attempt at a smile "Yes, uch better en the food the dumb Vulcan wanted." She said as she nodded to Sarkin.

Rami smiled and nodded "Gaa I completely agree with you."

Then Rami stood and she moved the opposite side of the table and began eating the sticky syrupy pancakes in stony silence.

It was like this for three minutes until Sarkin broke the silence. "I sense that you are not fond of me." He stated

Rami put her fork down and stared at Sarkin "Really what gave you that idea?" She said sarcastically. However the Vulcan did not seem to notice so he answered "Well on the away mission you seemed to be very against me being there, and after I had violated your personal space to save your life-"

"You did not save my life." Rami said angrily.

"On the contrary, I could tell from the rapid increase of your heartbeat that your were about to exhale, if you did you would inhaled thus causing-"

However he stopped when he saw Rami's hands ball up into fists. "Perhapes you and I should schedule a counseling session at some point, we can discuss your anger issues towards Vulcan's."

"Oh I am not angry at Vulcan's I just get really mad at arrogant Counselors." Rami said as she strained to keep her voice under control.

Sarkin blinked and then he picked up his empty cup and bowl, he placed the two in the replicator and then headed to the door however he stopped and turned back and looked at Rami and said one last thing "Actually Lt. Commander I was not always a counselor." And with that he took his leave.

First Officer's log, my name is Kelsey Covaks; I have been assigned to serve as the First Officer aboard the U.S.S. Espial Grace. Unfortunate personal issues have prevented me from performing my duty for the last two missions, but finally things are beginning to settle down. My family has been in Starfleet for generations, the most famous having been Captain Rachel Covaks of the U.S.S. Constance, but I have never desired to be judged by the deeds of my family, instead by my own actions.

"Computer, end recording," Kelsey says, sitting up in her bed, running a brush through her long black hair that seemed to be a curse in her family that all women had long hair that seemed to grow uncontrollably as she fits it back in her usual ponytail, she heads out of her quarters, and down towards the turbolift heading for the bridge.

Once on the bridge, she takes a PADD, she's going over the information on the new form of life that had been discovered in the prison. "And I thought I had heard everything…" Kelsey mutters she had indeed heard a lot from the stories of her family's exploits; the Covaks family had been in Starfleet since the days of Starfleet legends like James T. Kirk and Spock. "Computer access personal logs of Captain Rachel Covaks."
"Please specify Stardate or subject," the computer's voice says.

"Any references to Cybernetic or cyborg life forms," Kelsey says, and the screen she is looking at displays all log entries on the specified parameters. "Let's see, Borg attack on Vega, Borg attack on Starbase 35…" she says, shaking her head, the problem was this was mostly Borg encounters, more Borg encounters, Borg encounters involving the Klingons, one Borg encounter involving Q, another Borg encounter involving the Undine (species 8472), and she finally gives up . "Computer, are there any records of non-Borg or non-Soong Androids in Starfleet?"

"Nothing significant," the computer replies. "However, there are references to two Cybernetic species in the records of Captain Katherine Janeway."

"Janeway, right, the Captain of the Voyager," Kelsey says. "Forget it, there's nothing here that can help me."

She gets up, and heads off the bridge, there wasn't going to be any easy answers. Then again, this was Starfleet, there was no such thing as easy in Starfleet.

L'Ann has just finished her look over of her new home away from home.
L'Ann murrs to herself~ I kinda like the look of this place.
Just as she seems to finish her murring to herself the door to sickbay fly open.

Crew member~ We have men who need treatment Doctor
L'Ann ~ Please call me L'Ann and yes I can see let's get them set up in the beds.

L'Ann rushs around seeing to all the men that are brought in.
In no time L'Ann seems to have everything under control. A few minor injuries considering that these Security Officer narrowly avoided getting caught in the explosion of the Alien station. A few cuts here, a plasma burn there from one of the Alien security systems.

~There, just lie on this Medical-Cot for a little while and you'll be ready to resume active duty." smiled L'Ann, her murring reassuring the injured officer.

Being a Caitian had it's advantages, her murring and friendly face often lulled her patients into a more cooperative state. Normal Doctors always had to deal with what she called "Hero Patients." The kind of patients that would insist that they were fine despite having third degree plasma burns covering 70% of there bodies, or the Senior Officers that would constantly try to leave the Medical ward before they were ready. This was an ability she had grown quite fond of, a smile, a purr or murr, and her already calming feline qualities kept her patients just the way she liked them, cooperative. Satisfied that her patients were stable and that her assistant Doctors could handle things L'Ann set down her Medical Tricorder down and prepared to head up to the Mess Hall for breakfast. However as she approached she left her officer the door of the medical bay hissed open.

"Excuse me, whose the Doc on call?" asked a man with an older model Brain implant as he walked through the door.
"Well I am. I'm the Chief Medical Officer, L'Ann." murred L'Ann as she stopped.

Breakfast would have to wait for a few moments.

"Security Officer Ensign Strong, Nathan Strong. Pleasure to meet ya Doc. Hey listen I've got an old Emote-101 Processor unit and I need a Doctor to reset the Processor." he continued.
"Emote-101 Processor? I assume your experiencing..." began L'Ann as she stepped forward.

L'Ann was familiar with the old Emote-101s, they were uncommon but they were a device she had encountered before.

"Mood swinsgs, Bipolar outbursts, the works. Really I should be good for another day or so, but I'd like to be at my best. Hopfully I'm going out on a feil mission with the CO." nodded Ensign Strong.
"Oh really?" asked L'Ann as she led him over to a Medical Cot.
"God I hope so. Ever since I got this damn implant my Commanders keep giving me little milk runs to try to keep me happy. It's kind of they're way of saying, its great that you can lead a norrmal life with that thing in your head but we don't trust you enough not to go crazy on a really away mission." replied Strong.

*L'Ann starts her work and soon enough its all said and done*

"All done" L'Ann murrs loudly.
"Thank you Doctor" says strong.

L'Ann "And I tell you what, I'll go and hunt down the captian and give him my clear for your mission."
"Oh god really? A Medical recomendation for a mission? If you can pull that off I might actually have a shot at this! God bless ya." grinned Strong as he jumped up out of the Medical-Cot.
"I've actually been maning to get Catain Frame down here for a check up." purred L'Ann.
"He should be somewhere around the mess. I bumped into him a couple minutes ago around the officer's Mess, he stopped by for some grub before heading up to the Bridge." continued Strong as he ran his hand over his flashing implant.

After a last minute check of the Implant L'Ann stepped out of the Medical Ward in Search of the captain as Strong headed off to one of the Security areas.

Stardate 81004.4

Sarkin sat alone in his office looking over crew physiological evaluations when his comm-badge beeped "Counselor you have an incoming priority message from Vulcan." Sarkin placed his pad down and tapped his badge "I will take it in my office."

Sarkin then pulled up the view screen. What came up first was screen that required a Vulcan Military password. The counselor raised a brow and then entered one of his old clearance codes, and then the screen asked that this conversation be conducted on a secure channel. Sarkin pressed button making sure no outside source could listen in on.

The screen was then replaced with an image of Administrator S'val, leader of the High Command.

S'val was an aged Vulcan of one hundred seventy five years old. His hair was grey but still had some small streaks of black remaining. His eyes though seemed to shine with power and wisdom. "Commander." He addressed Sarkin by his old military title with his powerful tone.

Sarkin bowed his head. "Administrator." Sarkin knew the Administrator well. When he had served as the Military Advisor to High Command he had always been at S'vals side, and often represented S'val when Sarkin had been the Vulcan Ambassador. It had also been S'val who had recommend that Sarkin serve aboard a Federation vessel.

"Sarkin, I see you have adjusted to your new position as a Counselor well."

Sarkin nodded his head "Yes sir I have."

"Good, I would expect nothing less of you." S'val responded

"Sir, might I ask why you have contacted me?"

S'val straightened slightly before answering "It is in regard to your recent report involving the Alien android." S'val said as he pulled out a data pad "These are your words, 'When the security team fired upon the original gelatinous form of the Alien the phaser fire had no effect as if the outer layer of the skin absorbed the energy.' This is true?"

Sarkin nodded "That is correct sir, but why would you need to contact me about that? All the in formation is attached to report I sent you."

S'val placed the pad down and stared directly at Sarkin "I require a genetic sample of this being."

Sarkins expression did not change "Why?"

"That is not important for now?"

"I see it at as important."

S'val gaze almost seemed to harden but then he nodded his head "It involves Commander, The Restoration of Vulcan. I will give twenty-four standard hours to acquire a scan of the genetic coding."

Sarkin was silent for a moment his brain calculation and he nodded his head "By your command." He lifted his hand and gave S'val the Vulcan Salute.

S'val returned the Salute and then the view screen went blank.

Stardate 81004.4

Main Engineering

Chief Engineer Trw'elik stood in the seven deck tall central hub of Engineering in a small system display room that was acceptable by the third floor catwalk. Where the consoles in the room normally displayed readouts on the other system's status and operating speed there was now images of flowers, buildings, and blocks of text from poetry and history books. The Organic Android sat in a chair looking over all the screens with an overwhelmed yet at the same time happy look on his blank face.

"What is that?" it asked curiously in a small childish tone.
"Why that's a rose. They're an Earth flower I'm quite fond of." replied Trw'elik with a sweet smile.
This creature reminded her so much of a pup. Young, curious about things around it, and so innocent despite its graphic creation.

"Why is it like that?" it continued.
"Like what sweet heart?" replied Trw'elik as she attempted to nurture the creature with the same kindness and love a real pup would receive.

The Organic Android froze puzzled for a moment trying to form the words for the question it wanted answered. Finding itself unable to think of any words the Android morphed the gooey skin of its palm into the shape of the petals.
"Like this." it said as it pointed to the bud.
"Because it's blooming, that's when flowers are the most beautiful." smiled Trw'elik as she studied the creature's near perfect recreation of a Gallic Rose aside from the lack of color.
"Why?"
"Because then you can see all the pretty colors."
"What is bloom?"
"When a flower reaches certain age the bud on top will open up and release pollen which will make new flowers." answered Trw'elik.
"Why?"
"Because flowers don't live forever, they need to make new flowers to take their place."
"Why?"
"Because if they didn't there would be no more flowers."
"Why don't they live forever?" asked the creature once more.
"Because, nothing can live forever sweetie. All things age and eventually they move on." replied Trw'elik feeling slightly awkward trying to explain death to something so curious and sweet.
"Where do they go?" It asked.
"No one can say for sure. I believe that all life renews itself in one form or another and is never forgotten." replied Trw'elik.
"Why?"
"Because my people believe in something called Cosmic Rebirth. The organic body of someone will eventually age and die, but someone's essence is a part of the universe and the universe will eventually place them into something new." replied Trw'elik as she took a seat next to the creature at the table.
"Does everyone believe in Cosmic Rebirth?" he asked.
"No, my little Sayble. Each species, every person has their own way of looking upon the afterlife. Some think it is the end, others think it is only the beginning, it is up to each individual to find the belief that is right for them." replied Trw'elik.

Again the creature paused in thought before tilting its head slightly.
"What is Sayble?"
"It is a word my people use meaning "Curious Pup". It is used to describe young pups who are trying to learn about the world around them."
"I am Sayble?" asked the Creature.
"A Sayble, but for now since we need something to call you, you'll be our little Sayble." smiled Twr'elik as she patted his head.

Stardate 81004.4

Sarkin stood in the turbolift clutching a hyposyringe that he had 'borrowed' from the Med-Lab. He had moved through the corridors like any normal officer but inside the turbo-lift his mind raced trying too justifying all that he was doing with logic.

S'val had been Sarkins mentor since he had been a student at theVulcanAcademy. The Administrator had taken the young student as his protégé. He made it possible for Sarkin to become what he did. And he had trusted Sarkin with the plan of The Restoration of Vulcan. In many ways S'val had been like a second father to Sarkin.

When Sarkin had been younger he supported the Restoration completely he had seen the logic of it. But things had changed over the years a great deal of things and the logic of the plan began to fade. He theorized that S'val would see that as well but after all these years S'val had not halted the plan. A plan that could endanger the entire quadrant; but for now, Sarkin was still a loyal Vulcan.

After Sarkin and the Admiral had interviewed the Android the Engineering Chief Twr'elik had decided to take the Android and try figure out more about its design. He believed that he would still be able to get a genetic sample without any problems.

Sarkin stepped out of the turbo-lift and entered Engineering. He watched as staff here worked hard. Making sure the ship remained running in perfect condition. He scanned around, not seeing the humanoid wolf he halted one of the engineers; a Klingon female.

"Where might I find Officer Twr'elik?" He asked the Klingon pointed to up. "She is on the third floor in a small display room. Go up the stairs and you see a catwalk, take that and you'll find the room." She said in a hurried voice and then she moved past Sarkin to continue with her duties.

Sarkin did as the Klingon instructed and after he walked across the catwalk he saw the room and he saw the Android and the chief engineer.

He entered the room and stopped to stare. He saw the Android starring at pictures and images of cities, buildings, flowers and also looking at texts of writings. The Android was seemed to be absorbed with all of this, Twr'elik had her backed turned to Sarkin as well. She was talking to the Android explaining all the images to it in a way that a parent would to a child.

"What goes on here?" Sarkin asked making himself known.

Twr'elik turned very quickly and seemed shock to see someone had entered without her noticing. The Android however did not turn it continued to stare at the images.

"Oh hello, I did not see you there umm…" She seemed at loss for a name.

"Counselor Sarkin, we met in the Cargo bay earlier yesterday." He said in his usual emotionless tone.

"Right now I remember." She said with a smile as she stuck out her furry hand eagerly. Sarkin stared at it; he was not one for shaking hands however he found it was a customary thing amongst most races. He took her hand and shook it; well she did most of the shaking. Finally Sarkin was able to wrest his grip out of her hand.

"So how may I be of assistance to you Mr. Vulcan?" She asked.

"First you explain what it is your doing with the Android?" He asked nodding towards it.

"Oh I am helping Sayble learn." She said with a great deal of pride in her voice.

Sarkin raised a brow "Sayble? You name it?"

Twr'elik nodded "Well we can't just keep calling him Android. And he seemed to like to name."

Sarkin looked at her and then at 'Sayble' "Fascinating, what is it you have been showing him."

"Oh well I figured that since he is constantly observing and learning. I have set up these monitors to help him. Originally he was just viewing simple grammar to help him speak, but he advances very quickly. He has been observing languages, music, poetry, history, mathematics, sciences, architecture, and botany; he really likes flowers." Twr'elik told him

"He is capable of speech now?" Sarkin asked as he looked over at the Android.

"Basic speech, yes; he…he is sort of like a child."

Sarkin looked at her and then once more at the Android. "Interesting, I need to draw a genetic sample from…Sayble." He said as he pulled out Hyposyringe.

"What for?" Twr'elik asked out of curiosity but Sarkin could sense that her protectiveness over Sayble.

Vulcans were well known for their honesty however at some points they viewed it as logical to bend the truth in order for ones and others safety.

"Med-lab wants to run a simple biological scan on Saybles DNA. They want to make sure that his form is stable, that his cells are not deteriorating." He said as he gripped the hyposyringe

"Why did Med-lab send you down? Wasn't L'Ann available?" Still slightly skeptical

"Doctor L'Ann was busy with dealing with patient. I was Med-lab awaiting a check up so I offered to come and get the sample." He said.

"Well alright, I guess if it is to make sure Sayble is ok." She said as she stood out of the way.

Sarkin walked past her and looked at Sayble, the android stopped staring at the monitors and he looked at Sarkin.

Sarkin bowed his head. "Greetings, Sayble."

Sayble stared at Sarkin and then bowed his own head. "Greetings, Sarkin." He said in the same tone as the Counselor.

"You remember me."

"I do." He said Sarkin nodded "Please hold out your arm." He asked.

Sayble blinked once and then looked at Twr'elik who nodded. Sayble then held out his arm and Sarkin took the Hyposyringe and placed it on Saybles arm and pressed a button. The Android did not even flinch.

Sarkin waited until the small vile was full of a thick milky white liquid. Sarkin removed the hyposyringe and placed it in his pocket. Sayble looked at his arm and then lowered it, he then turned his head and began watching the monitors.

Sarkin then began to walk away he gave a brief nod to Twr'elik. He then exited the room without another word. Twr'elik watching him all the way.

(Flashback: The Planet Vulcan, Sixty Years Ago)

S'val walked with Sarkin down the empty halls of Grand Hall of Central High Command complex.

"Sarkin you know I value you intelligence. Your logic is almost equal to my own." S'val said; his hands folded into his sleeves.

Sarkin walked behind S'val "You honor me Administrator." He said in what Vulcan's would consider a 'humble' tone.

"And it is because I trust you so much; that I have decided to inform you of something, information of the greatest secrecy."

"And what is that sir?" Sarkin asked

S'val stopped, turned and stared at Sarkin "The Restoration of Vulcan."

(End of Flashback)

Sarkin read the results of the genetic scanning from Sayble. His eyes scanned down the list.

He found all of it to be fascinating. Sayble was truly a remarkable being…and that made Sarkin set down his pad.

Sayble was a living being. From what he could tell, the android was able to feel, think, and understand. And Sarkin was taking advantage of him. He had many times seen older children taking advantage of youngsters. Was this any different? Was he the older boy taking advantage of an android who was for now little more then a child?

And then comes the genetic scan itself. What would S'val do with it once he had it? Sarkin had a theory on what he might want to do with it; but he preferred not to theorize without proper information. But Sarkin did know that this information could be dangerous if placed into the hands of the illogical; by the gods of the Vulcan had he just considered S'val to be illogical.

S'val was the Administrator. He was the most logical all Vulcan's…or he had been. Perhaps age had clouded his judgment and logic.

If that was true, then how could Sarkin simply hand over the item that might enable The Restoration to begin?

"I will give twenty-four standard hours to acquire a scan of the genetic coding." S'val words re-entered Sarkins mind.

Why would S'val have given him only twenty-four hours to retrieve the scan? Although he had done it with time to spare; surely S'val would have given him more time realizing the fact that Sarkin would need to be careful; with heightened security measures. Then why; unless….unless he was planning to launch the operation.

Sarkin looked at the Datapad grabbed it and placed it in his pocket. He then moved rather quickly out the door. He needed to find the Captain and the Admiral right away.

Stardate 81004.4

The rear door of the Bridge hissed open as Captain Frame stepped forward. The view screen in front of him displayed one of the old 25th Century refit Nova Class Deep Space research vessel hovering in front of a class nine stellar nursery nebula. The nebula looked like an abstract painting full of various shades of purple, streaks of red and blue, and a white shining center. Frame continued through the large spacious Bridge towards his seat, the first officer sitting in her chair beside his and Barker sitting in his chair to the right of Frame's. Remi had beaten the Captain to the Bridge as she had used one of the teleporter systems and sat at her station in the front of the Bridge. With a quickly leap over a console behind his chair which doubled as a security rail Frame took his seat.

"Captain Frame, the USS Barlow is hailing us." reported the first officer as she watched her Captain swing into his seat and adjust his armrests.
"Thank you XO Kelsey, on screen." replied Captain Frame.

The beautiful picturesque scene before them quickly disappeared and was replaced by an older bald Canadian man with squinted eyes and a hoarse strained voice. Several officers scurried across the Bridge of the USS Barlow.

"Captain Rick Sheraton, it's been a while." smirked Barker as he leaned back in his chair.
"Admiral Barker, they've still got you on active duty? I thought for sure you'd have retired to some nice tropical planet by now. And I see you've still got your old XO hanging around you." smirked the sixty year old captain.
"Rick you and I both know it's been a good many years since I've been an Executive Officer." chuckled Frame as he leaned forward.
"Ah that's right, it's Captain Frame now isn't it? The Fleet will let anybody be a Captain anymore, won't they?" continued Captain Sheraton as his crew continued to run around behind him.

Several Engineering teams were disassembling various consoles behind Captain Rick, chattering amongst themselves as they worked. A yellow alert flashed in the background screens and several "Warning" screens blinked.

"I see you've managed to break your little ship again, Rick. What's wrong with her this time?" smiled Frame as he sat back in his chair.
"Now there's the thing. There's something in the Nebula that's causing much higher energy expenditures than normal in a class nine Nursery. This thing is causing enough energy and gravimetric distortions to cause any solar system near the heart to enter Orbital Mitosis. We tried to get closer to the center to observe this phenomenon but our old shield emitters failed and the Deflectors burnt out. Planets are splitting and forming two smaller planets that share the same path around a sun and we can't get close enough to observe it." replied Captain Rick.
"Do you have any idea what's causing the increase in energy consumption?" asked Frame as the humorous mood from earlier quickly faded.
"From what we saw the planets' gravity fields are pulling against each other, acting like some kind of giant machine that's ripping open a hole in Space/time! It's almost like cosmic clockwork." replied Captain Sheraton with increasing urgency.

The Sensor Officers quickly began scanning the anomaly at the heart of the nebula. Debris from destroyed planets littered the area and asteroids were pulled into the nebula by the intense Gravity.

"Sir, bringing the Grace through that debris is inadvisable. According to my instruments though our honeycombed frame and multi-layered hull would survive the damaged caused by the debris, the anomaly would be adversely effected." announced the female Kobali sitting at one of the Sensor Stations.
"Captain, I suggest we use my shuttle Isula. She's small and nimble enough to navigate through the debris and she's got more than adequate sensor capability. Granted she isn't state-of-the-art and I've had to make a few….creative repairs, I think the Isula is up for it." said Remi as she turned away from her console and looked back at the Captain.

A small chirp sounded as the Computer quickly blinked to life.

"With no disrespect to Security Chief Ylek I would like to make a suggestion." began Grace.

Several of the Bridge Officers paused at the unexpected outburst by the Computer. Captain Sheraton and the majority of his crew also seemed confused by the Computer.

"What do you suggest Grace?" asked Frame as he moved a small screen next to his seat towards him.
"This Starship is equipped with three Launch Bays one the underside of the Saucer Section. The one in the center contains the Captain's Yacht, the one to the starboard side which contains six hundred forty three fighters and a Military Barge, and the port bay which contains the ship's Skiff. Given the current scenario I have been presented with I would recommend the Skiff for an away mission. It is roughly the same size as the USS Barlow with science and scanning equipment as advanced as the Espial Grace's. Its small size would allow it freedom of movement within the Nebula without disturbing the delicate gravimetric balance keeping the anomaly from exploding outward and consuming the nearby area." replied Grace as she brought several images of the Espial Grace's lower Launching Bays onto the screen.
"Sounds like an idea to me." nodded Barker.
"Captain, with your permission I would like to send a team of my best Science Officers with you on your Skiff." added Captain Sheraton as he rose from his chair.

Frame nodded as he too rose from his chair and nodded.

"Granted, we'll launch the Skiff within the hour. Espial Grace out." replied Frame.
"Communication has been closed Captain." announced the Comm. Officer.

Frame walked over towards the Communications located in a small alcove towards the port side of the Bridge. He quickly hit a button which sounded a small mechanical whistle to gain the Crew's attention before activating the ship's intercom system.

"Attention Port bow Launching Bay, ready the ship's Skiff for departure. I want it fully ready to launch within the hour. Doctor Mohinder, assemble a medical team and report to Port bow Launching Bay in forty five minutes for a survey mission. Security Teams Eiota, Epsilon, Theta, and Breaker report to Port bow Launching Bay. Counselor Sarkin, Assistant Chief Engineering Officer Henry Foley, Engineer J'norri, and Science Head Officer Slovek meet me onboard the Skiff in half an hour. XO Covaks, Security Chief Remi, follow me. Admiral, you have the Bridge." ordered Frame before starting towards the exit of the Bridge.

-
Meanwhile

Ensign Strong readjusted his uniform belt which ran over his shoulder and down his back. It had been a very long time since he actually needed to be wearing his security armor. His silver arm and knee pads were fixed to his uniform and his wrist mounted Combat Tricorder was up and calibrating. A large armored Combat pocket was clipped to his belt and the armored tips of his boots shined in the ship's artificial light. His Security Team, Breaker had been given an away mission and because of his renewed mission status he would be going as well. He was excited, nervous, and mildly worried all at the same time, and not because of his outdated emotions regulator. He stopped in front of a door in one of the many wide and long hallways of the Grace and stepped forward as other Officers walked past.

"Don't goof around with the Counselor too long Light-bright; last thing you want is to be late for your first mission." called one of the Security Officers as they walked past.
"Nice to see you too." replied Strong in a detached an uncaring tone.

The door in front of him hissed open and Strong entered the Counselor's office. Counselor Sarkin stood at the back of his Officer closing a drawer in his desk.

"Counselor, do you have a minute?" asked Strong as he stepped forward.
"I have twenty eight minutes three seconds until I must report for an away mission with the Captain. However until that time I can continue my Counseling duties." replied the Vulcan man as he stepped forward.
"Same here. I've finally scored an away mission that I'm allowed a Rifle and Combat Ready Status. Now I don't know how this Counseling thing works; if you're just going to give me a pep talk, give me a hug, some kind of psycho technical talking, or chase me around the room with a Spear poking at me until I leave but I'd like your help." continued Strong.

Counselor Sarkin paused for a brief moment and tilted his head slightly.

"I have never encountered nor practiced a method of Counseling that has involved the beating of my patients. If you have experienced this method of Counseling before I recommend that you seek legal recourse. My methods involve placing my patient in a comfortable environment and attempting to diagnose their problems." replied the Counselor.
"All I need is someone to help me get my head in the game. This is my first away mission where I'm trusted not to be hindered by my implant and I'm pretty nervous. This is my first serious mission after my accident." continued Strong as he sat down on one of the seats.

Stardate 81004.4

Sarkin had been on his way to speak to the Captain and the Admiral when he realized that it had been somewhat foolish of him to take along a scanning of Saybles DNA. A scan that had not even been authorized by anyone. So he had returned to his office to place the pad in a safe place when his Comm-badge went off informing him he was supposed to report to the Launching bay in thirty minutes for an away mission.

Sarkin summarized in his mind that this mission would not interfere with the information he needed to relay to Captain and Admiral. Sarkin walked over to his desk and opened a drawer. He placed the data-pad inside the drawer and then sealed it. Just as he did that His office door opened.

"Counselor, do you have a minute?" asked a man who Sarkin recognized as Ensign Nathan Strong from his review of the crew manifest.

"I have twenty eight minutes three seconds until I must report for an away mission with the Captain. However until that time I can continue my Counseling duties." replied the Vulcan as he stepped forward.

"Same here. I've finally scored an away mission that I'm allowed a Rifle and Combat Ready Status. Now I don't know how this Counseling thing works; if you're just going to give me a pep talk, give me a hug, some kind of psycho technical talking, or chase me around the room with a Spear poking at me until I leave but I'd like your help." continued Strong.

Counselor Sarkin paused for a brief moment and tilted his head slightly.

"I have never encountered nor practiced a method of Counseling that has involved the beating of my patients. If you have experienced this method of Counseling before I recommend that you seek legal recourse. My methods involve placing my patient in a comfortable environment and attempting to diagnose their problems." replied the Counselor.

"All I need is someone to help me get my head in the game. This is my first away mission where I'm trusted not to be hindered by my implant and I'm pretty nervous. This is my first serious mission after my accident." continued Strong as he sat down on one of the seats.

"Can I offer you a drink of some kind. Tarkallion Tea, Romulan Ale?" He asked. Sarkin had found that many species felt more relaxed and calm when drinking.

Strong shook his head "No thank you I am not thirsty." He said as he eased a bit in his chair. The Counselor nodded his head and then moved from behind his desk.

Sarkin sat down in the chair across from him and folded his hands. "Why do you feel your mind is not set for this mission?" The Vulcan asked.

Strong looked at Sarkin and licked his lips "Well you have read my report right? My implant causes my emotions to go into whack. And you know ever since then…I guess I could not be trusted not burst into tears or rages when on a mission."

"Are you saying that because of your implant that your senior officers refused you an away mission? Or that you yourself felt that you would cause the problem?"

"I…I felt I might endanger the mission. So I used medical reasons to stay out of all the missions. It wasn't until after I transferred to the Grace that I wanted to go on them again. I want to feel useful…but im still having doubts." Strong said as rubbed his hands subconsciously.

Sarkin raised a brow and then got up from his chair and retrieved a crew evaluation report he requested. He typed in a few keys until he brought up Strongs file he then looked at his patient "Please stop me if I get anything wrong ensign." Sarkin then began to read

"Ensign Nathan Strong. 'A reliable hard, working man who shows great dedication in his work.' As said by Commander Korvak of Deep Space 10 in the Gamma Quadrant. and 'A capable soldier who is able to adapt to any change presented to him.' This was said by Captain Zhare of Federation Freighter; Royale. All of this after your implant." Sarkin said as he set his pad down.

He stared at Strong who stared right back at him "It seems to me Ensign that people who would say that must have great confidence in your abilities as a Starfleet Officer." Sarkin said as he sat back down.

"Yeah but at both of those assignments I just worked harder to make up for the fact I could not perform on away missions." Strong said

Sarkin could sense that his previous statement had touched Strong but he still had doubt. He decided to bring up a memory. "Would you care to hear a story Mr. Strong?" Sarkin asked.

"Um uh sure?" Nathan said confused.

"Many years ago, I served aboard A Vulcan ship as a Commander." Sarkin told him. This caught Nathan off guard "You were a commander?" He said shocked

Sarkin nodded "Indeed I was. There was this female who served aboard the ship as well. Her name was T'pel. She was a security officer. Very good at her duties. One day she and I as well as a few other officers beamed onto a Class L world. Local marauders had taken up refugee there. We located them and a battle erupted. We had nearly achieved victory when one of the marauders shot a phaser beam. It hit T'pel in her arm. We defeated the Marauders and we beamed back aboard our ship. T'pel survived but her arm was to badly damaged they could not save it."

"That's awful sir." Strong said in a sincere voice.

"Our medical officer was able to provide her with a synthetic arm. Capable of performing all of the normal tasks, although she would require daily checks to make sure it functioned normally. It was not long after that she came to me with a request to be transferred to a new assignment. She viewed it illogical to remain on duty if her arm would cause interference, such as malfunctioning during a fire fight."

Nathan began to understand why Sarkin was telling him this story and he still listened intently.

"However I did not accept her logic. I requested that she remain on duty and she did. She later found out that her logic had been flawed when she had made her request. For two months we received a distress call from a Tellarite colony. There had been an earthquake and they needed aid. We arrived at the planet and a group of us T'pel included beamed down an began to assist them." Sarkin paused and looked at chronometer. They still had twelve minutes left.

"There was a small child trapped underneath some rubble and we were having a hard time moving the rubble. As it turned out T'pel was able to use the strength of her synthetic arm to move the rubble and save the child." Sarkin ended his tale there.

Strong clapped his hands together "Wow sir, that was an interesting story…uh is there a moral?"

"Yes ensign there is. Sometimes what we thing to be disadvantages turn out to be a great strength . Do not keep thinking that your implant will cause difficulties when in fact it might lead to advantages. Just as the Klingons once viewed the Federation to be a pathetic government, now we are one of their greatest allies."

Strong thought over Sarkins words and slowly began to nod his head. "Yea, yeah I think I see what you mean Sir. Turn my implant into an asset rather then a liability." Now that Nathan began to think about it he realized that a number of races found that showing great outbursts of emotion was well looked upon.

Sarkin took another glance at the chronometer. It was time for them to go. The Vulcan stood "I am afraid that our time is up Ensign. I would suggest that you and I meet every week or so and continue our conversations. Perhaps if you wished I could teach you several Vulcan meditation techniques."

Strong stood up and smiled "I would like that sir."

Sarkin began to walk to the door and he motioned for Strong to come "Also Ensign although I am Senior officer, I am not a member of Starfleet. There is no need for you to refer to me as sir. Simply Counselor or Sarkin will suffice."

Then together Nathan and Sarkin walked together to the Turbolift.

Stardate 81004.4

Port Launching Bay

With fifteen minutes to spare Captain Frame materialized in the Port Launching Bay. The Senior Officers assigned to the away mission stood outside of the craft and a Flight Officer stood ready to escort Frame towards the Skiff. The Launching bay was dimly lit and bathed in a light blue glow. The area was covered in a reflective metallic alloy similar to the material inside the 26th Century Time-Pod that were currently in use by Historians. There was a narrow stairway which led from the elevated portion of the Launch bay where a small Flight Control Office sat down to the catwalk outlining the currently docked Skiff.

"Right this way Captain." saluted the Flight Officer.
"Thank you Ensign?" began Frame.
"Dullen, Mat Dullen. It's a pleasure to finally meet you sir. We've got the Skiff ready and waiting for her first launch. I have to say I'm happy that I'm here for her maiden voyage." replied the Ensign who wore a fully enclosed helmet complete with an independent air supply and a flight suit that covered every inch of his body.

Federation Flight Deck/ Hanger Uniforms were widely used by Fighter Pilots and Hanger workers. They were fully sealed and pressurized in the event of a Force Field collapse and could keep the wearer alive in the event of being blown out into space. An MCARS pad strapped to their left thigh allowed them remote access to all systems throughout the Launching Bay in the event they were away from the various terminals scattered across the Bay. Their Rank Insignia was displayed above their Starfleet badge along with their names.

"Right then Ensign Dullen, I'll assume by your eagerness that the Skiff is ready for departure?" continued Frame as the two walked forward towards the stairway in the Launching Bay.
"Aye sir. Chief Engineering Officer Trw'elik Zeria sent down a team of Engineers she chose personally for the job. I've gotta say she's got an eye for talent, this guy Foley she sent down here took care of sixteen different system checks in under twenty minutes!" replied Dullen as several other Flight Officers looked over at the Captain.
"That's nearly an entire System Check in a single minute. I'll have to remember to give Mr. Foley my personal compliments." replied Frame, amazed at Foley's speed.
"Man's as talented as he his fast, spotted a power fluctuation the other guy missed." continued Dullen as they neared the stairs.

The two quickly jogged down the stairs in the bay as other officers in Flight Suits moved around the bay, preparing the area for launch. Several lockers lined the sections above and below the stairs. Both sets of lockers contained Emergency tool kits, water canteens and emergency rations, Tricorders, and Phaser Rifles in case someone ever managed to forcibly board the Grace through the Bay doors. Frame continued ahead as Dullen turned back and hollered several commands to other Flight Officers.

"At ease." called Frame as he jogged up to the Senior Officers.
"How'd things go up in Medical?" asked Remi as Frame continued towards one of the Skiff's airlocks.
"Everything checked out, I'm fit as a fiddle. A few gaps popped up in my Record but our Chief Medical Officer took care of it." replied Frame as the others followed behind him.

The Senior Officers stepped through the airlock and boarded the 180 meter long Survey Vessel. Several Security Officers stood inside the hallway in front of the airlock waiting to see the Officers aboard. Ensign Strong stood with the other members of Security Team Breaker pounding on his chest and shaking his head with anticipation and excitement. The display quickly caught Security Chief Remi's, Frame's, and Sarkin's eyes even though Ensign Strong stood towards the back of Team breaker.

"Are you alright Ensign?" asked Frame as he looked back towards Strong.
"Just really excited to be going on a proper mission SIR!" replied Strong as he continued to bob in place.
"You must be Ensign Nathan Strong. I was personally asked by Chief Medical Officer L'Ann to bring you along for this mission." began Captain Frame.
"What is it exactly you are doing Ensign Strong?" asked Counselor Sarkin
"Getting my game face on SIR! It's been a while since I've been on an away mission and I need to get the Blood flowing SIR!" replied Strong, continuing to shout the word Sir as though he were still serving in the federation Military.
"You've had the chance to get to know this Security Officer?" asked Frame as he turned back to the Counselor.
"I have. Ensign Strong requested a Counseling Session moments prior to our departure to this Launching Bay. He was reportedly feeling anxious and nervous about this mission and sought reassurance." answered Counselor Sarkin
"Just a case of the jitters, nothing that will inhibit my ability to perform this Mission SIR!" replied Strong as he slammed a fist into his chest to continue his adrenalin building.
"Calm down Ensign, I have complete faith in your abilities. If all goes well this mission you have my word as well as the Captain's that you'll be assigned to many more Away Missions and your duties will be increased. And you're not a Starfleet Marine Private anymore, you can drop the SIR!" replied Remi in a calm voice, still preventing her eyes from even catching a glimpse of the Counselor.

Ensign Strong took a moment and smirked as he finally stopped bobbing in place.

"Yes Ma'am, sorry old habits die hard. My previous CO had me scrubbing bulkheads the last time I forgot to address him as sir." he replied with almost a chuckle.
"You don't have to worry about that here Ensign. I'm not a Starfleet Drill Sergeant nor do I have any intent on having you scrub Bulkheads. I'm assigning Counselor Sarkin to personally monitor your performance during this Away Mission so he can personally tell me his opinion of your future assignments." replied Frame.
"Sir, yes sir." replied Strong with a growing smile.
"Security Team Breaker, you are dismissed." ended Frame before starting through the hallway towards the Bridge.

Counselor Sarkin followed close behind Ensign Strong as the Security Team headed down towards a Security Junction. Strong once again began bobbing as he stepped, mumbling things to himself as he clenched fists and continued his self pep talk. The other members of Team Breaker chuckled amongst themselves as they looked over at Ensign Strong.

"Dude Light bright, calm down. This is an Away Mission, not a war." laughed one of the other Security Officers.

A split second grimace of annoyance flashed though Strong's face, however he quickly returned to his pep talk.

"Sparky, if you keep jumping up and down like that you're going to launch that implant right out of your head. Relax, you've been on other missions." chuckled another Officer as they walked.

"Do these Officers often refer to you with such titles?" asked Counselor Sarkin, the other officers quickly stopping as they realized that the Counselor was listening to everyone instead of just Ensign Strong.

"Yes they do, but I don't let it bother me." replied Strong, still pumping himself up.

"I'll assume that these by your comment that these titles are of an insultive nature and that you have been referred to as Sparky or Light Bright before by your fellow Officers. However I do not see why they refer to you as such as you neither glow nor give off an electrical discharge." continued Counselor Sarkin

"Counselor, we're just funning around. We don't mean anything by it." replied one of the Officers becoming nervous that this may be in Sarkin's report.

"They're goofing around about my implant." replied Strong as they walked.

Counselor Sarkin raised a brow before discontinuing the conversation and continued to observe Strong as he marched around the Skiff checking and rechecking the most trivial components. Strong seemed to be fueled by his emotions, his constant mumbled pep talks for confidence and a quick flex of his muscles or a fist to his chest to increase the flow of adrenalin in his system. He seemed to be a very committed officer, if not a little overly enthusiastic. The behavior of the other Security Officers however would be noted in his personal log. Such outbursts may be considered hurtful to those who experienced emotions. Their actions seemed almost predatory, hunting out a weakness of a flaw in what they labeled prey and attacking it, or in this case attempting to draw personal amusement out of a noticeable defect in another individual.

-
Meanwhile

The Senior Officers of the Espial Grace entered the Bridge of the Skiff and quickly took their seats. The Bridge of the Skiff was much grittier than the Espial Grace's elegant and brightly lit Bridge. A single Cherry Wood railing behind the Captain's chair, XO's Chair, and a third open seat broke the otherwise almost military styling of the Skiff's interior. The interior was dimly lit with a single blue light above the center of the Bridge casting large shadows off of the various consoles. The Skiff crew had quickly boarded and taken their stations upon the Captain's earlier order of a coming departure. The center and rear of the Skiff's Bridge were elevated above the forward section with two gentle inclines and a single set of stairs leading down from the Captain's and XO's seats allowing access to the forward section which housed Helm, Tactical, and Sensors. There were several large mechanical components that were caged behind chain-linked walls to the rear starboard and port sides of the Bridge which could be accessed in the even of an emergency. The Engineering Console sat in a small alcove on the starboard wall right beside one of the large caged off sections.

"USS Espial Grace, this is Captain Frame. We are preparing to launch the Skiff. Departure is to occur in T minus two minutes." began Frame as he tapped his Comm. Badge.
"Espial Grace here, we are ready to commence launch on your order. Oh and Captain, have a pleasant flight." replied the Grace's Executive Office.
"Thank you XO Kelsey, you have the Bridge." said Frame before closing the Transmission.
"Captain, Tactical is powered up and operational. I'm running aligning programs and simulations now. All weapons will be ready for combat in forty six seconds." called Remi as she quickly punched in commands on her console.

Though she had her clumsy entrance on the espial Grace's Bridge Remi was determined not to allow it to happen again. She was the Security Chief on board this ship, she was the symbol of security, power, and safety and she had to convey that to her fellow crewmates. She also was not about to allow that pointy eared green blooded sneak kisser the satisfaction of witnessing her experiencing difficulties with her assigned duties.

"Captain Frame to Launch Bay Crew, prepare to launch the Skiff." ordered Frame as he leaned back in his chair.
"Aye sir! Alright you heard the man, everyone fall back to the office. Get that force field up and begin launch procedures!" hollered the Flight Officer on the other end of the line.

The Flight Deck Officers quickly finished what they had been doing on their Terminals and quickly ran away from the catwalk and small alcoves around the nearby area and towards the stairs leading up towards the elevated section of the Launching Bay. Ensign Dullen stood with three other Flight Officers who motioned for the others to continue running back to the office or at least to the upper part of the Bay. As the last Flight Officer quickly ran up into the upper part of the Launching Bay Dullen slammed the flat of his gloved palm against a control pad which activated sent the all clear to the computerized systems in the bay. With a quickly double check with her sensors Grace activated the Force field to prevent the Flight Officers from experiencing the depressurization which was soon to occur.

"Force Field is up and all Officers are accounted for chief!" hollered Dullen.
"Acknowledged Ensign! Begin opening the first and second set of Space Doors!" hollered the Senior Flight Officer to several other Officers setting in front of controls.

With a low mechanical hum a massive set of heavy doors in the several deck deep chasm below the Skiff began to open. Another set of Doors a few yards below the first set quickly began to open as well. The large Mechanical docking arm connected to the Skiff's Saucer Section and the series of smaller clamps connected to the Skiff's spine and nacelles groaned a low mechanical groan as they moved forward a few inches and slowly began to lower. The Skiff slowly began to descend through the rectangular chasm that led out of the ship. The walls around them were covered in a transparent metallic alloy like the windows throughout the rest of the ship and allowed any crewman in the lower decks off the ship to witness the Skiff's slow departure. Many of the Grace's lower decks were dedicated to military or recreational use. One of the Espial Grace's many internal gardens was visible through one of the windows.

"Space doors are open. The clamps on the Skiff's Nacelles are disconnecting…now." announced one of the Flight Officers as the metallic coverings over the nacelles detached and folded up onto the larger Docking arm that still held fast to the Skiff.
"Release umbilicals and retract them." ordered the Flight Commander as the Skiff passed through the now opened Space doors which had been covering the inside of the Espial Grace's outer hull.

The Skiff continued to lower towards the section of hull plating at the bottom of the rectangular chasm. With a bright blue flash the section of the Grace's hull beneath the Skiff faded away in the blue glow until there was only an open rectangular hole leading out into space. The mechanical docking arm continued to lower the Skiff until it hung several meters below the Grace's outer hull.

"The Skiff has cleared the final Space Door and is reporting Status Green sir." called another Flight Officer who sat in front of a console.
"Alright, blow the clamps and release the Docking arm. Congratulations on the first launch of the Skiff." said the Commanding Flight Officer casting an unseen grin under his fully enclosed helmet.

"Captain we have cleared the Space Door, Skiff is free and drifting." announced the Kasheeta Helm Officer of the Skiff.
"Helmsman, set a course for the USS Barlow to receive Science Personnel." ordered Frame as he gripped his armrests as he stared out of the Skiff's small Veiwscreen.

Sarkin; still in the security Junction was sitting in the chair in a large room with the Security team. He meditated and watched as the Security talked amongst them selves. He found it interesting on how many topics they could discuss.

Some of them talked about sports, planets they had been too, missions they had been on, women that they had loved. Sarkin then turned his gaze back to Strong; who was still trying to pep himself up for the mission.

He clenched and unclenched his fists, and muttering silently to himself.

Sarkin ended his meditation and turned to Strong. "Ensign, if you continue to try and force adrenaline throughout your body by use of this 'peping' you will suffer from the drawbacks of headaches and hypertension." The Counselor told the Ensign.

Strong ceased what he was doing and looked at Sarkin with somewhat guilty look. "Sorry sir, I guess I am still a bit jittery, being my first away mission in awhile."

"Just remember what we discussed, relax and calm yourself and you shall do fine on this mission." Sarkin said as he turned his head back and gazed at the rest of team, whom he still believed acted in behavior unbecoming of Starfleet officers towards Ensign Strong. He would be sure to bring each of them into his office at some point to discuss their need to verbally antagonize others for their own self amusement.

Ensign strong looked at Sarkin, knocked his fists together and then spoke "Uh Sir, may I ask a question of a possible personal nature?" He inquired.

Sarkin did not turn his head when he spoke "You may ask the question, however depending on what it is I may refuse to answer it." He said in his usual stoic tone.

"Well, sir I could not help but notice. That before we boarded the ship, Chief Rami she seemed like she really did not want to look at you, Hell she looked like she did not want to be on the same deck as you."

Sarkin turned his head and looked at Strong with his dark eyes "I suppose that the Chief is still angry at me due to what happened during the retrieval mission at the Space station."

"Why? What did you do, Kiss her?" Nathan said laughing at even the idea of that.

"I suppose her terms that I did." Sarkin said absently.

The laugh died in Strong mouth. His eyes widened and his mouth dropped "YOU KISSED CHIEF RAMI!" He practically yelled.

Then everyone in the room in the room became silent. And all eyes were turned to Sarkin.

The Vulcan turned and looked at all of them. "What might I ask are all of you staring at?"

"You kissed the Chief." Said one of the officers in disbelief.

"No, what happened was-" Sarkin began but was interrupted by another officer, a female Bolian.

"I heard a rumor about that from one of my friends up in medical…I thought he was just making stuff up…but its true." She exclaimed.

Then everyone began to group around Sarkin and began demanding answers to their numerous questions.

"What was it like?" One asked

"Are you two in a relationship?" Came another

"I never imagined the chief was interested in Vulcan's, or is it the ears?" a Ferengi pondered as he stroked his lobes.

Sarkin could not understand something, how so many species shared the similar quality of jumping to conclusions before an explanation was given.

The Counselor stood up in front of the crowed and held up his hands calling for silence. It took several moments before the group to do that but soon he had their attention.

"Now then, as I was saying. I did not kiss the Security Chief, we were trapped inside a container floating in the Vacuum of Space. She had not taken in a sufficient amount of oxygen into her lungs. I knew that she would exhale before we were transported onto the ship. I therefore in order to save her life, preformed mouth to mouth and gave her some of my air. It was not in way a kiss that gives the idea that the Security Chief and I are in a sexual or emotional relationship." He said he looked at the crowed again and added "I hereby declare this matter concluded and closed." He said as he walked his way through the security team who made way for him.

Sarkin stepped out in to the hall and walked to the left.

When they were sure he was out of ear shot one of officers said "He's lying."

Strong rolled his eyes and looked at the man "Have you ever known a Vulcan to lie?" He asked

"Well Light-Bright I have known them to bend the truth of what they say, like when they play poker."

The majority of the Security team nodded in agreement and then they began to talk again. All of them trying to guess what kind of relationship The Counselor and Chief were in.

Kelsey watches as the skiff takes off from the Espial Grace, the ship's XO lets out a sigh. She had been hoping to get on a mission sooner or later, but she figured it was only a matter of time before she got her chance.

In the meantime, she takes out her PADD and begins looking over the data she had recieved from continuing interest in the newcomer, when something odd catches her eye.

"You have the bridge," she says, passing off Command to whoevers next in the chain of command, she needed to confirm this before she could do anything else. Stepping into the adjoining conference room, she takes a seat at the long table, and starts going over the message that she had accidentally intercepted while gathering information on encounters with artificial life.

"Computer, check voiceprints on both speakers and confirm identities," Kelsey says, inputting data into the PADD.

"Voice prints identified as Administrator S'val of the Vulcan High Command and Counselor Sarkin of the U.S.S. Espial Grace," the computer replies.

"Is there any possibility of tampering?" Kelsey asks.

"There is no evidence of tampering or synthasizing of either voice," the Computer says. "Probability of it being authentic, 99.9 percent."

"Computer, speculate on the possible meaning behind the restoration of Vulcan," Kelsey says.
"Possible explination, leading up until 2155 Vulcan was a major power-player in the Alpha Quadrant before the formation of the Coalition that would become the Federation," the Computer replies. "Some Vulcans have shown animosity towards their reduced position of power, it might mean the return to Vulcan power."

"And not to mention the new alliance with the Romulans," Kelsey says.

Kelsey's family had never trusted the Vulcans, but over 100 years ago had become close allies with the Romulans. A secret alliance having been formed during the Undine conflict, Rachel Covaks had made the rash move to allow the Romulans access to Borg technology, the same Romulan Commander would as a result rise to the rank of Admiral, and remembered Rachel's decision, and the Covaks family quickly made friends in the Romulan Star Empire. After the death of Empress Sela, one such friend rose to power in the Empire, and would eventually help to secure the alliance with the Federation.

"First Officer's personal log," Kelsey says, making a log entry. "I have reviewed the partial message that I intercepted, and the implications of it disturbes me greatly. If what the computer has speculated is true, and the Vulcans take such a rash action towards Imperialism, the result will be a destabalization of the Alpha Quadrant. I cannot bring this to the Federation, not with so little evidence against S'val, the fact is that we might be having another incident on our hands similar to what happened nearly 400 years ago. I will bring this evidence to Captain Frame when he returns, and if it comes to that I will bring it to my mother, who has the ear of the Praetor. I can only hope that this will not end in war, or we will all be in grave danger."

Somewhere in the dead of space a secret meeting was taking place. There three ships. One from the Breen Confederacy, anotherTalarianRepublic, and Vulcan, it was aboard the Vulcan Warship that this meeting was taking place.

At a long table the representatives of each faction sat. The five generals of the Breen on the left, and on the right sat six high ranking Admirals of the Talarian, with Administrator S'val at its head.

"So we are all in agreement." The Vulcan asked as he stared at all who were present.

A Breen representative stated something in its robotic voice.

S'val nodded his head. "It is a good choice that the Confederacy joins us, and you shall be greatly rewarded."

The Breen nodded its head. And then S'val turned towards the Talarian side. "And you Admiral." He asked

The lead Talarian male looked at the Vulcan "The Republic of Talarian Empire will support Vulcan and the Breen in this matter. However my superiors are worried that if this endeavor fails-"

However S'val interrupted him "It will not fail, the Joining of our three peoples has now made us the one of the greatest powers in the Quadrant. Not even the grand alliance between the Federation, Klingon and…Romulans, would be able to stand against us once the plan is enacted."

The Talarian nodded his head.

Another Breen General said something and S'val turned his head. "The date the operation begins will be sent on a coded signal. I suggest that you are all prepared."

Both sides agreed that they would be ready.

And then S'val looked at all who were seated at the table. "I hereby declare this meeting adjourned. I wish you all safe return to your space."

All the members of the Breen and Talarian left returning to their ships.

S'val sat in his chair and then out of she Shadows came one of sub-commanders, a female Sakonna. She walked beside him "I do not believe that they will honor the agreement sir." She told him. "The Talarian have no respect for logic, they still believe females are inferior them."

"Regardless of their…outdated practices, they will prove to be valuable ally. And it will be fear that will keep them in check, fear of the power that will once more be wielded by Vulcan."

"The High Command are ignorant sir, they would never be able to see the wisdom of your logic and plan."

"The High Command will come to terms, once the plan has gone into effect. Until then I relay on you and the commanders Sakonna, now what information do you have for me." He asked, he could sense that there was more that she wanted to tell him.

Sakonna took out a data-pad and handed it to S'val. "Something is happening aboard the Espial Grace, sir." She told him.

S'val began looking over the data "Was there any word from Sarkin?" He asked

"No, our agent aboard the ship informed me that Sarkin was sent on away mission. However that is not the issue at hand sir." She reached down and pressed a few keys on the pad. It then brought up an image of Kelsey Covaks.

Both Vulcans stared at the image. The Covaks name was well known amongst the Vulcans.

"It seems that the Commander has been looking into things that do not concern her." She told the Administrator.

"Does she know anything?" He asked

"From what our agent as told me, No. But she did intercept par of that message between you and Sarkin; she might suspect something."

S'val set the pad down and looked at Sakonna "Inform our agent that if this Covak continues to look into this matter, she is to be dealt with."

Sakonna bowed her head "By your command." She then exited the room to go send the message.

S'val then sat alone in the conference room. He still believed that Sarkin would send the genetic scan details to him. Sarkin had never failed before and he doubted that the man he trained would ever fail him.

-Meanwhile-

Outside the mess hall the command officer by the name T'kah pulled out a micro-communicator. It was a small device created at the Vulcan science academy. It sent heavily coded signals through subspace and was received communicator. The signals however could not be detected by the ships sensors.

The Vulcan read the signal he had been sent. When he finished the message he tucked the communicator inside his sleeve. His mission was now to keep a closer eye on Commander Covak.

Stardate 81004.4

USS Espial Grace's Bridge

Admiral Barker sat in the Captain's chair in the center of the Bridge staring out at the space before him. The Barlow still hung several Kilometers in front of the Grace, listing hard to starboard. Captain Rick always had a bad habit of pushing his starship far beyond its limits and disabling it, needing to call for assistance quite regularly. However, it was that very reason that he was a highly decorated captain. The demands which he placed upon his ship had caused the Starfleet Shipyards to rethink and redesign a lot of their equipment which led to many technological breakthroughs. The Barlow was always undergoing retrofitting and had gathered information on anomalies few Captains were brave enough to get near. The retrofits of the Barlow actually led to the refit and upgrading of the Nova Class starship and the new cooling systems in every modern Starship.

"Transmission from the Barlow, they've beamed their officers onto the Skiff and are continuing repairs on their shields. Engineering teams report that their Warp and Fold Drives are losing power and their power levels have dropped to 50%." reported XO Kelsey.

She sat quietly in her chair monitoring all systems of the Grace and of the Barlow. She was very serious about her work, pushing herself as far as she could. This was something Barker had seen many times before in his life. She was young and trying to prove herself as an officer, the dreams of one day making Captain in her eyes. Yet at the same time she seemed distracted, her discovery of the Counselor's transmission still bothering her. Barker, through his years in the fleet remained calm. He knew when Sarkin returned he would receive the answers he sought, be it that he was a traitor or perhaps there was an outer circumstance that had been missed.

"Thank you Miss Covaks, please alert me if the Barlow's status worsens. Have repair teams Alpha and Columbus ready to assist the Barlow at the first sign of trouble." replied Barker as he gripped the arms of the chair, shifting his weight forward.
"Sir?" asked Kelsey as she noticed the Admiral leaning forward.
"I think I should give these old bones a stretch. You have the Bridge Miss Covaks." replied Barker with a small smile as he lifted his thin frame out of the chair.

His legs wobbled and his back curled as he rose to his feet. With a stretch and a cough Barker motioned for Kelsey to take the Command Chair. The younger woman's eyes lit up as she nervously rose from her seat and moved over towards the Captain's Chair. Her worries temporarily subsiding as she moved towards the chair. Barker smiled as he started towards the back of the Bridge watching the Executive Officers quickly shift from nervous, to sitting tall and proud in her new seat.

"Helm, maintain yellow alert. Sensors, increase power and focus on the delicate balance of those planets and debris." ordered Miss Covaks as she smiled, the look of distraction still in her eyes.

As the doors from the Bridge closed behind Barker as he entered the turbo-lift he released a low yet quiet groan as he ran a hand over his lower back.

"Boy's seat is like sitting on a marshmallow, no lower back support." grumbled Barker as he punched in deck two on the Turbo-lift's controls.

The turbo-lift quickly dropped down to the deck below on opened allowing Barker access to the deck. At his advanced age he walked with a staggered gate, taking very short steps. Several Crewmen saluted as the Admiral walked past, a pleasantry which he returned. The time indicator on one of the many screens in the hallways displayed 12:45, high time that it was time to get something to eat thought Barker as he made his way through the ship. With the current development Barker's stomach needed something in it to keep him from getting ill. There were many Officers and Midshipmen walking through the corridors on their way to other tasks. The ship was working like clockwork, all the crew even though they were still getting to know one another were performing at what seemed to be their best. This brought a smile to Barker; however after this morning's incident he was still worried a panicking crewman might end up calling Security to unclog a toilet. After a short time Barker arrived in the Officer's Mess were several Officers sat enjoying a late lunch. Pots and pans rattled back in the kitchen as the Chef began cleaning up after the lunch crowd.

"Admiral!" called the Chief Chef as she popped up from behind the kitchen counter.

Her lizard muzzle was twisted up into a grin as she focused her on Barker. Several Crewmen who sat eating quickly stood and saluted the Admiral before returning to their lunch. Barker raised a brow and curiously walked over to the excited Gorn Chef who seemed like she would stop staring otherwise.

"Admiral, Gaa making you something special, for when you got hungry!" continued the excited Gorn.
"Pardon?" asked the Admiral, momentarily confused by the Gorn's poor speech.
"Gaa is making you food that is winner! Winner food for Admiral!" replied Gaa as she strained her mind to form the words she was thinking of.

Seeing that the Admiral was still at a loss as to what she was saying Gaa released a low growl and reached under one of the many counters in the Kitchen and pulled out a small glass box. Within the box laid eighteen ribbons and awards from chili cook offs and cooking contests.

"Award winning Chili Con Carne? I'll give you this Chef, you can peak an old Texas man's interest." smirked Barker as he eyed several awards in particular involving best tasting and hottest.

Barker had always been fond of daring foods. He had once sampled a fifteen layer Jimbalian Fudge because his great grandson commented that he didn't think old people could eat sweets. Hopefully a good bowel of Chili would help him handle the situation with the Counselor. Chili had after all always been one of his personal favorite foods, his late mother made a habit of cooking chili every other Wednesday when he was a boy that made every pore on his face sweat.

"Alright Chef, I think I'll see what kind of punch this chili packs. I haven't eaten a pepper yet that I couldn't handle." smiled Barker, tempting fate with his challenge.
"You not eat good chili yet then!" grinned the Gorn Chef as she quickly ran over towards her cooking counter.
"And an order of Cornbread with that." added Barker as Gaa quickly readied her arsenal.

Before the Gorn Chef sat a fierce line of ingredients, all assembled of years of experimenting. There was a tray of Bantan, a cup of Amber Spice, a basket full of Talaxian Tomatoes, Shakers filled with Cayenne Pepper and Nimian Sea Salt, three fresh buds of Garlic, a Lemon, a Bag of Brown Sugar, a small cup of Hajjlaran, a Bottle of Enolian Spice Wine, a large bowel of freshly made Nondoran Tomato paste, a whole bowel of the freshest and hottest Jalapeños Gaa had, fresh Cumin, and what seemed like half a cow's worth of Beef. As the Chef quickly set to work mixing and cooking her ingredients Barker moved his hand over what looked like a glowing coaster.

"Sun Tea, sweet with ice." ordered Barker, which caused the replicator to quickly synthesize the beverage.

Barker grabbed his glass and walked over to the table where he sat, still unable to stop thinking about what Miss Kelsey had told him. Counselor Sarkin seemed to be a very wise, trustworthy, and efficient Officer, something he would expect from a well seasoned Vulcan Officer. Could he really be plotting to through the Alpha Quadrant into civil war? It didn't set well with Barker; there was no obvious Logic in such an act. Barker would get to the bottom of this.

-
Meanwhile

The Skiff banked hard to port, narrowly avoiding a large portion of debris that was trapped in an orbit around a large section of Debris.

"A cosmic dance which forces a hole in the very fabric of space and time. Asteroids being pulled in, planets being ripped in two and reformed, each piece moving in constant sync with one another." mused Science Officer Slovek as he gazed out at the spinning debris before him.
"Sir, the debris has sped up again by another four hundred kilometers a minute. I'm also detecting 1.7 Kilograms of Neutronium somewhere dead ahead. Sensors are unable to get a proper reading from this range with all the outside interference. My Tactical recommendation is to advance to Red Alert and lock Phasers on the Debris closest to the Skiff." reported Remi.
"Agreed. Miss Ylek advance Alert Condition to Red but hold on the Phasers until I say otherwise. We aren't sure what would happen if we remove a piece from this "Cosmic Dance" as Mr. Slovek put it. Boost Sensor power to maximum and let's see if we can't get a better look at that Neutronium object." ordered Frame as the Skiff continued forward at half impulse.

The Officers from the Barlow worked at their stations like machines. They had activated several inactive consoles and devoted them to Sensor and Science systems to better scan the area, effectively turning the Skiff into a Science Vessel. The closer towards the anomaly in the center the Skiff got, the faster the debris around them began to move. High amounts of energy were being produced by the Planets, Debris, and Asteroids caught in the gravitational field. Like lightening within the clouds, flashes of light cracked within the clouds of the Nebula. Bolts of highly intense energy shot past the Skiff light lightening, striking one of the several planets that spun past. The Planet quickly erupted into a bright blue orb and shot forward at insane speed, the blue orb of energy quickly crashed into and then passed through another planet, the second planet quickly turned into another blue orb and shot forward on its original course.

"Gravity sheers are making it hard to maintain course and heading!" called the Helm Officer as he grappled with the controls.
"Maintain course Helmsman! Sensors bring the Anomaly up on the main view screen! Do we have a reading on that concentration of Neutronium?" asked Frame as the Skiff began to shake.

The image of a man sized device within a swirling vortex of blue clouds quickly flashed onto the screen. The Device was releasing small electrical charges into the clouds which in turn caused the newly generated electric bolts to strike the device and increase its power output.

"Sir, I've identified some kind of Targeting system within the device. It looks like its somehow moving the interior of the anomaly." announced Remi as the Skiff continued forward.
"The device appears to be some kind of prototype stationary massive temporal displacement system. I would assume it's designed to transport a large object or a large amount of ships backwards or forward through time." replied the Sensors Officer.
"Energy Levels are dangerously high; the Skiff is in danger of being destroyed if we remain here! Sir, sensors just picked up massive discharge waves on a collision course with the Skiff!" hollered the Helmsman as large blue rings of energy shot out from the device.
"Full impulse! Helm, get us out of here! We'll have to continue this survey from a distance." replied Frame as the Helmsman quickly turned the ship about.

The Skiff quickly darted away from the anomaly and past speeding blue orbs of energy which had only moments ago been planets. The entire nebula was soon consumed by the blue orbs as they continued to accelerate. The path with the Skiff originally entered the Nebula from was now blocked by electric arcs and the Discharge waves were only seven Kilometers behind them. The Skiff quickly banked to port and charged towards an opening in the Nebula through the blue orbs.

"Sir, we're not going to outrun that electrical fallout!" announced Remi as her tactical station sounded an alarm.
"Divert power to the engines. All hands brace for possible impact." ordered Frame as he leaned forward in his chair.
"Captain, the Anomaly has tripled in size, the Discharge Wave has increased in power and speed." announced the Sensor Officer from the Barlow.
"Is this some kind of defensive system Miss Ylek?" asked Frame as he quickly turned to the Chief of Security.
"Unlikely. From what I read the Device's targeting systems are limited to within the Anomaly. The electrical discharge is too random and chaotic, at least to me, to be a defensive system." replied Remi.
"Sir, the Discharge Wave is closing! Thirty seconds till impact! Twelve point seven seconds until we exit the nebula." hollered the Helm Officer.

A loud crack rumbled behind the Skiff that was quickly followed by several others. The Discharge Wave and the Skiff were thrown forward through space. Spinning out of control the Skiff shot out of the Nebula, the crew inside being thrown from their seats. The Blue Orbs quickly flashed and exploded as the Nebula compressed and the anomaly expanded, fading away leaving only a large spinning ghostly blue spinning fog that seemed to fold in upon itself with a small device in the event horizon.

"All Stations report." ordered Frame as he pulled himself up off of the floor.
"All systems are still functional, no casualties reported." reported Remi as she too pulled herself up off of the floor.
"Can anyone tell me what just happened?" asked Frame as the Helmsman pulled himself off of his console.
"Sensors report some kind of massive explosion causing a chain reaction which caused the entire nebula to collapse in on itself which allowed the Anomaly to reinforce itself and expand. Sensors can now detect both an entrance and exit within the Time Tunnel Anomaly." replied one of the Officers from the Barlow.

Frame leaned back in his seat and took a deep breath as his heart slowed. There was a series of beeps that erupted from the Comm. Console alerting the Skiff crew that the USS Barlow and Espial Grace were hailing them.

"What the hell happened out there? The whole nebula just collapsed!" asked Captain Rick as the view screen was quickly split between images of the Barlow's Bridge and the Grace's.
"We discovered some kind of machine causing the Anomaly. However before we got close enough to scan it…. that happened" began Frame before raising his hands into the air.
"An alien device?" asked Captain Rick.
"That would explain the six incoming ships we have on long range sensors." replied XO Kelsey.
"What!" asked both Frame and Rick at once.
"And you'll never guess who, it's our friends from the Federation Prison Station PRG 27553." she continued.

Sarkin had been walking down the corridor of the security junction when he saw the Red security lights came on he paused for a slight moment and then he felt the entire ship shake with the force of an earthquake.

The Counselor lost his balance and was thrown against a wall. He slid to the floor. He sat there for a moment wondering what in the name of Surak had happened.

Sarkin pulled himself up off the ground. The red lights flashing ever, his arm ached but he was able to filter out pain. He walked back over to the Rec Room where the security officers were stationed.

He saw all of the chairs and tables over turned, a number of the officers including ensign Strong. However a few of them were still standing.

Sarkin ordered them to help the others up, which they began doing hastily, while Sarkin walked over and pulled Strong to his feet.

The ensign rubbed his head gingerly, he had banged on the floor when he had fallen and he then checked his implant to make sure it had not been damaged.

"Are you injured?" Sarkin asked

Nathan shook his head "No sir, im fine." He said truthfully.

Sarkin then looked at the rest of security. All of them were now on their feet and checking if there was any bruising after being thrown around like a bunch of rag dolls.

"What the happened?" A Klingon officer demanded "Were we attacked?" His hand moving towards his phaser.

"Calm yourself, I do not know what has happened I but intend to find out." Sarkin said as he tapped his Comm-badge. "Sarkin to bridge," He said and waited for a response and finally one came.

"Counselor, are you alright?" Asked Frames voice

"Aside from some minor bruising we are all fine Captain, what has happened?" Sarkin asked.

"The Nebulas been destroyed Counselor." Frame responded and the moment he said destroyed everyone in the room began talking. Some of them were shocked and others seemed to be disbelief.

"How could the nebula have been destroyed Captain?" Sarkin inquired

"It seems that our friends from the Prison Station have come back." The Captain told him.

"I am coming up to bridge sir, Sarkin out." The Vulcan said he then turned to Strong. "Ensign you will Accompany me." Then to the rest of team he added "All of you be on your guard."

Sarkin then headed out of the room with the Ensign following behind.

-Meanwhile Back on the Bridge-

"Sir I have weapons locked and ready too fire." Rami informed the Captain however she doubted that the skiff had enough fire power to cause any real damage.

"Fire only on my command, first hail them." Frame ordered

Once the channel was open the Federation Captain used his most powerful tone "Attention Alien Vessel Identify yourself."

"They are not responding sir." The helmsman said.

Frame tried again "Alien Vessel, you have violated Federation Space, I suggest that you return to your own territory or I will be forced to take action. Respond."

The helmsman looked up "We have a response sir." He said not knowing whether to be relived or frightened.

"Play it." Frame ordered.

What played back was a chopped version of Frames own voice giving the following message. "Alien Vessel…Violated…territory…Forced to take action, Alien Vessel…Violated…territory…Forced to take action." Then the recording stopped.

"An interesting form of communication." Slovek thought out loud.

Frame simply stood there, what did that mean, had the Federation somehow violated these creatures space.

It was Rami who brought Frame out of his thoughts "Sir I am detecting power loss in the security junction of the skiff."

"Why what's going on?" Frame demanded.

Rami tapped a few of the keys on the board "Unknown sir."

Frame tapped his Comm-Badge "Captain to Counselor respond." He waited for a response but none came, Frame tried again "Sarkin can you hear me?" But still no response came. What the hell was going on down there?

-Back in the Security Junction-

Sarkin and Strong where almost to the Turbolift when the suddenly the bulkhead lights went out and were replaced by the pale glow of the emergency lights.

"What's going on sir?" Strong said as he gripped his phaser rifle he had brought with him. Although strong had been itching to go out on this away mission he had to admit this was starting to get kind of spooky.

"I am unsure Ensign." The Counselor said as he withdrew his own phaser Pistol.

Then suddenly they both heard a faint clicking sound coming from around the corner.

Strong hefted up his rifle. Sarkin had his phaser at the ready and they both moved slowly around the corner. As they peeked around it they came face to face with five of the aliens from before.

-Back on the Bridge-

"Sir I am detecting weapons fire in the security junction, and a multiple number of non-Starfleet personal there as well." One of bridge officers told Frame.

"Those things are on my skiff!" Frame yelled "How did they get on?"

"My guess sir is that that when the wave struck us and our shields were temporary down they beamed a few of them over to our ship." Slovak told the captain.

Frame took a look at Rami, "Chief I want you to send a signal to the Grace and Barlow tell them we need some assistance now."

"Yes Captain." Rami said as she activated the signal.

"Helmsman, full impulse I want us out that ships range now, and if they try to follow open fire."

-Back at the Grace-

"Commander I am receiving a distress single from the Skiff, they are requesting aid immediately from both the Barlow and Grace."

Kelsey sat up in her chair. "Inform them that we are on the way. I want ship on red alert and all hands report to the stations. Inform the Barlow that that Grace will go in first and then have them follow." Since the Nebula was gone they shouldn't have any problem entering.

"Aye Commander."

Just then Petty Officer T'kah came out of the Turbo Lift and approached Kelsey.

"Commander." He said as he made his presence known.

Kelsey looked up "What is it officer?" She asked quickly.

"Admiral Barker Requests your presence in his office." The Vulcan informed her.

"We're at Red alert, what does he need me for." The XO asked.

T'kah answered with "He did not say, only that it was urgent and that I was to escort you there."

Kelsey tapped her fingers on the arm of her chair and nodded "Very well. Lieutenant you have the bridge." She said as she gave her command away.

Both the Commander and the Petty Officer entered the Turbo lift, and it began descended.

There was a bit of stony silence for a moment before T'kah broke it. "I must say, I find it interesting to be in the presence of a Covak. Your families name is very well known on Vulcan." He said as he stared at the Commander

"Is it now?" Kelsey answered knowing full well what her families reputation on Vulcan was.

"Yes, The Covak name was mentioned several times when I studied my peoples history at theVulcanAcademyas a child."

"Well that's interesting." She said as the Turbolift stopped and they got off. They walked down the essentially deserted corridor only to pass an occasionally officer running to get to their post.

They finally reached the Admirals office. The doors slide open and Kelsey entered first and the Vulcan followed behind and the doors closed

The Commander looked around the dark office. "The Admiral is not in here." She said she took another look around

T'kah walked up silently and brought his fists above Kelsey and was about to slam then down on her when she suddenly turned around and punched the Petty Officer right under his chin.

T'kahs head snapped up and he stumbled. Kelsey then lifted her foot and kicked the Vulcan in the chest.

The Vulcan let out an 'oooff' sound and slammed against the wall.

"Did you think I was that stupid? I knew the Admiral would never call me away during a red alert." She spat at T'kah as he recollected himself.

"I find all of you humans to be stupid. And this is what happens when you look into matters that don't concern you." He said as he punched at Kelsey. The Commander blocked the punch.

T'kah quickly used his leg and swiped at Kelsey's legs causing the Commander to fall backwards and land on the Admirals desk.

T'kah took this chance and wrapped his fingers around the Covaks neck and began to choke her.

Kelsey began to struggle. She grabbed at T'kahs hands and tried to pry them from her throat but he was too strong. Kelsey then moved her eyes around and then she saw something. Sitting on the side of Admirals desk was a small but heavy looking vase with some bluebonnet flowers he had brought with him from earth.

The Commander stretched out her arm and tried to grab the vase. But she was starting to black out.

Finally she was able to wrap her fingers around the vase and then she swung it and the vase connected with T'kahs head. The vase shattered and the Petty officer released his grip; after being momentary stunned.

After taking in a few breaths Kelsey punched T'kah in his throat. The Vulcan fell to the ground on his knees and then the Commander took one finally swing at T'kah. Her fist collided with his face and the Petty officer fell to the floor, knocked out.

Kelsey leaned against the desk and took a few deep breaths and rubbed her sore neck. Then she tapped her Comm-Badge. "Commander Covak to Security, send a team up to the Admirals office. I have just been attacked."

Kelsey rubs her neck as she watches security drag T'kah off to the brig, ironically she had never entirely bought into her family's distrust of Vulcans, until now. She had buisness to take care of, and first things first, she had to get word to the one person that could help her the most, leaving the Admiral's office, she makes her way to her own quarters, where she sits down at her desk.

"Computer, open a secure subspace communication with Ambassador Delia Covaks on Rator III," Kelsey says.

"Communication open," the computer answers, and the image of an aging woman appears on the screen.

"Kelsey, I see you are doing well," Delia Covaks, Kelsey's mother says, the Federation ambassador to Rator III had barely talked to her daughter since she went to the Academy. "So, you've made Commander already, I've heard some good things about you."

"I wish I could say I contacted you to catch up, mother," Kelsey says. "But there is a problem, there has been a development, something we where all afraid of may come to pass. I'm sending you a data file, this needs to be brought before the Praetor, I am also including speculations on what it could mean."

She inputs commands into the PADD, and the information is transported to Delia. She takes a few minutes, looking it over with a look of concern on her face.

"If what you believe is correct, then the implications are immense," Delia says. "We cannot allow this information to become public knowledge, I will presuade Praetor Torak not to take any actions against the Vulcans until we know more. However, it will be up to you to convince the Federation that there is a rogue element within the Vulcans."

"I plan to confront Sarkin as soon as he returns," Kelsey says. "The truth is, that unless we keep this hidden, the result will be a war between the Vulcans and the Romulans either way. S'val is a threat, and he has to be dealt with, and Sarkin, his place in this conspiricy is questionable, he did work for S'val at one point, but that was years ago."

"After nearly 500 years of an alliance, some Vulcans are willing to throw it away that easily," Delia says. "I'm starting to miss the days when the only internal enemies we had where the Undine, but with the treaty and the end of the Iconian threat, the Undine are content to leave us alone. I'm starting to get the idea that our troubles weren't over when the Klingons and the Romulans became our allies."

"In fact, they're far from over," Kelsey says. "If the Romulans and the Vulcans go to war, the Federation will either choose a side or remain neutral. No matter what we choose, people will go off to fight the war, it'll be the Maquis all over again."

"Then we have to stop this plan before it starts," Delia says.

"I've more or less got Admiral Barker on my side, but the rest of the crew, I don't know yet," Kelsey says. "And on top of that, a Vulcan crewmember attempted to kill me, I doubt that its a coincidence."

"Hah, Vulcans and all their logic, in the end they are just as capable of killing as anyone else," Delia
says.

"I'll deal with the crewmember, make sure this information gets to the Praetor," Kelsey says, and reaches to cut the communication.

"Kelsey, next time make sure it doesn't take a potential war for you to talk to me," Delia says, getting a smirk from Kelsey. "Just be careful out there."

"I will," Kelsey says, and cuts the transmission.

Meanwhile in the brig, T'kah is in the middle of a deep meditation session, having become more concious. Two of the ship's security personnell are watching him closely, having taken away his communication device.

"Commander Covaks, he had this on him," one of the security officers says, handing Kelsey the communication device.

"Hmm, high-tech subspace communicator," Kelsey says, pocketing it, she'd have to take a look at it later, she moves up, and looks right at T'kah from behind the force field. "You have a lot of nerve, do you know that?"

"You humans are all alike, you think you know everything," T'kah says. "The Romulans will never be allies of the Federation, you and your family are deluding yourselves by being friends with them."

"There was a time when people thought the same thing about the Klingons," Kelsey says. "Sure, we've had a lot of rough patches, but the Romulans are now one of our closest allies. Now, T'kah tell me, what is the logic of holding back what information you have? My family may not be the biggest fan of Vulcans, but I know a thing or two about how your society works, and I know that Vulcans find no logic in lying, how about you come clean?"

"It doesn't matter Commander, anything I could tell you you already know or suspect," T'kah says. "I've read your file, you're a very promising officer I'll give you that, and you're clever enough to figure it out based off of what you already know. What you want is the staging ground, information I cannot give you, but I can tell you who can, Counselor Sarkin."

"Yes, and like you said, I already knew that," Kelsey says. "Just expect to be here a long time, or at least until we can drop you off at a Starbase."

"I told you what I know," T'kah says. "When the Vulcan Restoration..."

"There will be no restoration, you are just deluding yourself," Kelsey says. "I'm not crazy enough to think Humans are superior to you Vulcans, but it sounds like even a so-called enlightened species like yours could learn a lot. If the actions of S'val lead to a war, then the blood will be on the hands of every member of his conspiricy, how about you go over the logic of that?"

She walks out of the Brig to leave him to contemplate that.

"First Officer's log, I have contacted my mother on Rator III, who will pass on the data to the Romulan Praetor. However, the threat that is posed by this Vulcan conspiricy is one that no one can ignore, I can only hope that it all ends well and soon, or the result will be a war that will destabalize the Alpha Quadrant. Now, I have to convince Captain Frame, but with the Admiral already convinced, the real next step is to take it to the Federation, but above al Sarkin must be convinced to reveal what he knows. For over 100 years my family has been close friends with the Romulans, sometimes I wonder what Rachel Covaks would do if she was in my situation, and I can only hope that I can do my best."

Stardate 81004.4

Rami's instinct was spiking out of control. Something was terribly wrong, both with the aliens, and back on the Grace. Not only was their response to the Skiff's call for assistance delayed, but there was a part of her Bajoran heritage that could taste danger. She tapped her communicator.

"Security Team Breaker! Your status!"

An officer attempts to answer, but all that can be heard is vague syllables, static and the firing of plasma rifles. She threw a glance at the Captain, who's chiseled frown was throwing shadows onto his eyes.

"Captain." She said, "I have to protect my officers."

His answering stare was venomous, "Alone? That is foolish, Commander."

"They may be impenetrable to plasma fire, but not to cold duranium." Her eyes flashed angrily. Frame knew that expression. He had seen it before, in the faces of captains protecting their crew and their ships. He knew that she wouldn't stop at anything to protect those under her command. It was at that moment that the Grace replied to their distress signal.

"Alright." He trusted her. She may seem crazy at times, but he wouldn't have taken her on as his Chief of Security if he didn't think she would be up to the task.

A terran Lieutenant took her place at the console, and Rami nodded respectfully to the captain as she ran from the bridge and towards the security junction, drawing and fitting together a sharp duranium weapon; it resembled a thin bat'leth, split in half and carried in each hand. Rami had it made specially out of a duranium alloy from the hull of her first ship, back in the resistance, the Carita. She wasn't about to let her officers die without doing everything she could to save them.

The situation was dire. Sarkin and Ensign Strong had had to retreat back to the security junction. It seemed that the aliens took them as the first and immediate threat. This was both good and bad. The good news was that the bridge would be safe. The bad - well, the bad was evident. They were trapped in a junction with scarce cover and enemies that their weapons had little to no effect on. Ensign Strong, under the guidance of the Vulcan counselor, was targeting their weapons. Several had splintered, but the aliens had learned - their rifles now had armor. Two security officers were down, possibly not alive. Several had injuries but were still bravely firing. The situation was grim.

"Counsellor!" The young ensign yelled over the din, "We're going to die, aren't we?" Maybe because of the implant playing with his emotions, or because of the psychedelic light show from the plasma guns was throwing shadows across his face, but he seemed to be demonically enjoying the experience. Sarkin made a short mental note to explore that aspect of his personality.

"No, Ensign. We are not."

Nathan Strong screamed a laugh, "We are!" He began firing his shots almost at random. Sarkin stared into the chaos. He was about to use a nerve pinch to take him out when a grotesquely severed alien limb smacked into the wall beside the remaining dregs of security. The heavy fire that they had been sustaining decreased rapidly, and appeared to turn inwards at the group of invaders. Strong lowered his weapon, eyes wide. The other officers kept popping off shots. The Vulcan grabbed him and pulled him around the corner again, and into relative safety. He took a glance at the aliens, as curious as he could be, being a Vulcan. It took a fraction of a moment for his eyes to get used to the dim lighting.

He can hear slices, shots, and swift feet. Then an angry shout.

"AIM BETTER!"

Rami, darting between the aliens, had taken three down, purely by the element of surprise. Another had fallen by his comrade's hand - they tried to shoot the nimble Security Chief, but their target was harder to hit than a cat. Her officers obeyed - their plasma fire became short and tactical. Sarkin drew a short dagger from his boot and swiftly sprang into the fray. He was as fast as the Bajoran; both species had advanced skeletal structures. The only difference between the two was the feel of their movements. Sarkin's were small and logical, cold and calculative. The woman fought like a hurricane, sweeping and anrgy - she was instinctive.

Sarkin was focussed on two aliens simultaneously when a flash of metal sliced a lock of hair from the back of his head. The attacker approaching from behind fell heavily, one of Rami's weapons embedded firmly in its chest.

"Now we're even." he heard her growl.

Ensign Strong and all the officers were amazed at what they had just witnessed. Chief Rami had just cut through the aliens that had been pinning them down like they were nothing. In the dim light, plasma shots and alien blood; she looked like a demon.

And Sarkin when he had joined the fray almost seemed to teleport every time he moved.

Rami after wiping her blades and then turned to her officers taking asses of the situation. She pointed two of least hurt officers. "You two-" She barked both officers immediately stood at attention "-See to the injured."

Rami then turned her attention back to Sarkin only to find the Vulcan had moved and was now kneeling down by Strong.

"Are you alright Ensign." He asked the young man.

Nathan nodded "Yes, sir. I'm all right." He breathed

Sarkin nodded and helped the Ensign to his feet. "You did an acceptable job, your random fire caused confusion amongst the aliens, now go help your fellow officers." He said as he gestured to the injured.

Strong nodded and did as ordered.

Sarkin then turned to Rami, the two stared at each other and then the Vulcan bowed his head. "Thank you for coming to our aid Lt. Commander. If you had not come when you did things might have ended defiantly." He said in his empty tone.

Rami nodded "Like I said, were even now. Were there any more of these things?" She said as she tapped one of the dead aliens with her foot.

"I saw two more, just before the firing started they went that way." He said and pointed down the corridor on the left.

Rami cursed "That leads to the engine room, they might be trying to stop the ship." She cursed again "Counselor come with me-" And the rest of the security team she added "Comb this area, if any more of those things are on this skiff I want them found." She ordered and ran off towards the engine room with Sarkin following behind.

They did not have to run far. On this small skiff the Engine room was basically next to the security junction.

Rami and Sarkin stood outside the door with their blades drawn. Then they entered ready and expecting an attack.

The Engine room was similar to a small cargo bay. The Impulse engine rested in the center of the room with small computer consoles surrounding it. And aside from a few crates here and there the room was basically empty.

There was no sign of the aliens. However neither of them let their guard down for a second.
Rami made several hand gestures informing for Sarkin to move to the left while she went right.
Sarkin moved silently to the left his eyes scanning around looking for the enemy.

Rami did not like this. She felt like these aliens were just toying with them. Or maybe they were not even in this room. Maybe they had slipped past everyone when the fighting was still going on.

Suddenly the Bajoran heard something. It was a faint clicking noise. Like the sound insects would make. She looked around. Wondering where it had come from. But she could not find the source. And then realization dawned upon her. She looked up at the ceiling and her eyes widened. Like a spider the alien was crawling along the ceiling and it looked down at her. The alien gave another clicking sound and then it released its hold and fell.

Rami moved just as the thing landed on the spot where she had just been standing.
"Sarkin I found one." She yelled.

The Vulcan heard here and immediately increased his speed. Then he too heard the clicking. He looked on the wall beside him and the alien was right there. The unknown creature saw Sarkins dagger and it fired its weapon.

The plasma energy hit the dagger and it disintegrated in Sarkins hand. The Alien got off the wall.
Sarkin stared at the Alien who aimed its plasma weapon at Sarkin and then fired. Sarkin moved quickly; first dodging the shot and then ran straight at it.

When Sarkin had been young child and living at a Vulcan monastery he had studied with master of the Suus Mahna; an ancient form Vulcan Martial Arts that took years to master. And now Sarkin was using what he had been taught to fight this xenomorph.

Meanwhile the alien that had confronted Rami reached down to its side and pulled out its own blade. It looked like a short sword, the blade made out of some kind of red metal.

The alien gave a small clicking sound and then attacked Rami.

Sarkin moved quicker than the Alien seemed to have anticipated. The Vulcan using his right hand knocked the weapon form the beings hand and with his left open hand he slammed it into the things small chest causing it stumbled backwards.

Sarkin ducked the aliens flailing arms and swiped his leg through aliens own. The creature fell to the ground with a thud. Sarkin then pinned the aliens arms down with his knees.

Then Sarkin preformed the tal-shaya. This technique was considered a merciful form of execution. The Vulcan took the aliens thin neck and applied pressure causing it to snap instantly.

Back on the other side of the room Rami was surprised at how well this alien was able to wield his blade. However she still had the advantage of speed.

The Alien brought its sword down on Rami however using her two blades was able to stop it. The alien clicked in frustration and it brought its sword up again.

That was a mistake. The moment it did that Rami drove her two daggers deep into the aliens chest. Grey blood dripped out of its wound.

The Alien stood there for a moment and then its sword fell from its hand and clattered on the ground. Then the Xenomorph fell to the ground; dead.

Rami took both of her blades from its chest. And then Sarkin walked out from behind the Engine.
The Bajoran security chief looked at the Vulcan Counselor. "What about the other one?" She asked
"He is dead." He answered.

Rami nodded "We should back to the others and make sure they are alright."

Sarkin nodded.

Both of them exited the engine room.

The Skiff sped away at full impulse at the Captain's firm command. The alien ship floated in space as though debating whether to follow. In the end, upon sight of the 'Grace swooping down like a mother eagle, they decided to maintain their position. When at last the whole away party were gathered beside the slightly disgruntled-looking Skiff, and Frame had watched over the removal of alien bodies and the beaming to sickbay of the security team, Rami and Sarkin, he finally sighed in relief. "I'm glad that nightmare's over."

Famous last words.

"Captain." First Officer Covaks materialised by the Launch bay doors, along with a pair or yellow-clad security officers. Her voice was grim. "I must speak to you alone. There is something you must know. Would you accompany me to the brig, sir?"

He rubbed his temples and nodded. "Of course."

"Very well." she looked around, "May I inquire as to the whereabouts of Counsellor Sarkin?"

"He is in sickbay." Frame replied darkly. He didn't like the implications hidden in her question.

The four beamed away, leaving a few maintenance officers to scratch their heads and stroke the beaten up panelling of the craft.

-

L'Ann was being kept very busy. There were two critical security officers and several others who were pretty badly hurt. It was the second time the Counsellor and Chief of Security were in medical in the past couple of days. She was so preocupied trying to stop a young Betazoid's lungs from caving in, she didn't even realise that Sarkin slipped out silently through the sliding doors to the teleporter in the corridor.

Rami, covered in minor burns and several gashes, noticed the movement. She ignored him. He was probably going to lick his wounds in some wierd Vulcan ritual. A kindly Andorian crept up to her with a tricorder. Her timid gaze seemed to be asking her permission to speak. The bajoran felt tired and heavy. "What is it?"

"I thought you should know, Commander." A shy voice, almost afraid, "There have been talks of a..." she lowered her tone, looking around, "... of a Vulcan conspiracy! Commander Covaks was attacked! I told Counsellor Sarkin about it and he told me not to worry, but..." her antennae quivered excitedly then froze at the look on the Security Chief's face. She didn't even have time to react as Rami ran towards the teleporter. Before L'Ann, who noticed this rapid movement, could utter a single angry syllable, she had vanished.

A moment later, the tricorder went bezerk.

-

Rami stumbled down the corridor to Sarkin's quaters. She dropped to her knees and tore out one of the engineering panels, disabling the automatic door system. Then, as quietly as she could, she slipped a knife between the doors and angled it, wedging them appart. The Vulcan was inside, talking at a comms screen. She noticed by the codes scrolling across the side of the screen that the standard settings were blocked - the channel was secure and untraceable.

"...what you asked, Administrator. Now I must insist that I am told the reason behind the retrieval of the genetic sample."

She recognised the figure on the screen as S'Val, the leader of the Vulcan High Command. It was slightly fuzzy, like everything else, but the ceremonial robe was unmistakeable.

"The Restoration requires it, Sarkin."

"Administrator..." he began.

"I cannot tell you everything, Commander," 'Commander'? Rami thought disjointedly, "And I'm sure you understand that anybody who finds out must be removed, but this I can say..." The security chief was fading, but what she heard then made her steel-coloureed eyes widen in disbelief and horror. This was impossible! She couldn't retain a small gasp.

The keen-eared Vulcan's head whipped around, and his expression was almost furious. Or maybe it just looked that way in her distorted vision. As fast as her muscles allowed, she scrambled up, tripped and fell again, then staggered to the teleporter. Frantically searching the screen for the right command, she saw Sarkin throw the doors open with his immense strength. Her knees buckled and her hand slid down the teleport controls. Sarkin was a mere three steps away when her molecular structure disintegrated into billions of shining lights and was pulled across the 'Grace.

-

Frame and Kesley flinched as the teleporter activated. Neither had been expecting it. Kesley's hand immediately shot to her phaser, if only by habit. The lights formed a small heap on the Captain and the First officer exchanged worried glances, but they weren't prepared for what materialised.

Rami was covered in alien blood, in her own blood, and clearly feverish. Her breaths came in ragged gasps and her eyes rolled in their sockets. Kesley immediately and instinctively grabbed the Bajoran's shoulders and shook them sharply. "Lieutenant Commander!" A gasp, indistinct and completely un-understandable. Frame barked orders to Sickbay, but Rami couldn't hear the words. Everything was spinning. Colours merged with smells and sounds. She couldn't breathe. She fought to keep her head above the suffocating ocean of unconsciousness, to keep herself afloat long enough to warn them all about what she had heard, but it was too viscous and sticky, like treacle, or tar. She forced her eyelids open and focus. At first, all she could see was a brown blur ringed with a corona of blinding light. Then, as her last burst of strength fueled her, she could make out L'Ann's worried eyes. The Caitian was shouting orders. Rami made out 'reaction to the alien blood'. So that was it.

Fear gripped her. If L'Ann was here, then who was tending to her officers? She tried to choke out words, tried to scream, but she could do nothing. Then, she remembered the more pressing danger. 'He's a traitor!' Rami tried to shout, 'Sarkin's a traitor! Get him! Get Sarkin!'

The Chief Medical Officer tilted her ear to Rami's gasps, while quickly working with the tricorder settings. She could see that the Bajoran was delirious. Suddenly, she felt her uniform gripped as though by an iron claw.

"S...Sar..." Rami gasped, "...sa..r..kin!" L'Ann stared into her burning eyes, worried. She was about to reply when the Grace's Chief of Security went into cardiac arrest

Sarkin had only just arrived in sickbay with the other injured officers in sickbay. He was roughly unharmed except for a few nicks and bruises.

He looked over at Rami who was covered in the grey blood of the alien. He had meant to talk to her on where she had learned her fighting skills when he was stopped by a Female Andorian. The medical officer looked slightly timid. "Uh Counselor might I talk to you?" She asked quietly.

Sarkin nodded his head and the Andorian led him over to a small corner.

"What is this about?" Sarkin asked her.

"Um well sir, there was an attack just a bit ago. Commander Covaks was attacked by Petty Officer T'kah…a Vulcan."

Sarkin raised a brow at the last word. "A Vulcan attacked the Commander?" He repeated "Are you sure this is not just a rumor spreading around the ship. Vulcans do not commit acts of crime or murder."

"Bu…but sir I treated the Commander. She said she was nearly strangled to death. And I saw T'kah being led to the brig."

Sarkin held up his hand and the Andorian fell silent. "I assure you. There is no need for worry. There must be some kind of mistake. No if you will excuse me. I have some business I must see to." Sarkin told her and then he silently slipped out of Sickbay; before anyone could stop him.

"A Conspiracy!" Frame yelled at Covak. They were in the brig at the moment with T'kah sitting in his cell watching them intently.

Kelsey nodded "Yes sir, I intercepted a message to the Administrator S'val and Counselor Sarkin. They talked something about a Vulcan Restoration."

The Commander handed the data-pad to the captain.

Frame took the pad and his eyes scanned down the information. He ran his hand through his hair. He did not need this right now. There hostile aliens that could attack at any moment and now he might have to deal with imperialistic Vulcan's.

Sarkin beamed into his office.

"Computer lock my room door, I do not wish to be disturbed." Sarkin told the computer.

"Yes Counselor." The computer responded and locked his door.

Sarkin then went to the computer terminal. He entered the code and created a secure channel that she ship could not trace.

"Open communication to Vulcan ship Kir'shara." Suddenly a screen came up demanding several things.

Since the Kir'shara was the Administrators personal ship he required all communications to him require several high security codes.

"Authorization Sarkin, Commander. Clearance level seven. Code 16688 Gamma Red."

An image of S'val appeared on the screen. He was dressed in his ceremonial robes.

"Sarkin, I was expecting you." The Administrator said

"There was an attack aboard this ship, committed by a Vulcan named T'kah, were you behind it." Sarkin asked

"I was." S'val answered

"Why did you order it?"

"It was necessary to protect the Restoration. The Covak woman was digging to deep."

"T'kah has failed, and now there is suspicion throughout ship how long before-"

However S'val interrupted the Counselor "Did you retrieve the genetic scanning?" He asked.

Sarkin stared at S'val for a moment and then answered "Yes, I did."

"Send it to me, now."

"Yes, sir."

Sarkin went to his desk. He opened the drawer and pulled out the pad and then he paused, he moved his fingers really quickly. He pulled up the list of genetic compounds and removed two of the key elements in Saybles DNA listing. Without those elements the information would be useless.

Sarkin then returned to the computer. He uploaded the data and sent it to S'val.

S'val looked at his second terminal and read the information that had just been sent to him. When he had finished he looked back up at Sarkin and nodded.

"Well done, Sarkin you have done a great service. And I knew you would not fail."

"I have done what you asked, Administrator. Now I must insist that I am told the reason behind the retrieval of the genetic sample."

"The Restoration requires it, Sarkin."

"Administrator..." he began.

"I cannot tell you everything, Commander, And I'm sure you understand that anybody who finds out must be removed, but this I can say is that with this information the Romulans will be no match for out fleet."

Sarkin then heard a gasp he turned his head sharply and saw that his door was slightly open. He closed his communication and moved to the door. He saw someone moving away.

The Vulcan then gripped the door with both of his hands and using his great strength pulled them open.

Sarkin saw Chief Rami she was staggering towards the teleporter pad. Something looked very wrong with the security chief. Sarkin could sense her anxiety, exhaustion, and…fear.

The Counselor began walking towards Rami but he did not make it and he watched her vanish.

Stardate 81004.4

Less than forty five minutes had passed and the Alien ships had withdrawn just outside of the Grace's weapons range to regroup. The Barlow had limped with her fleeting engine power underneath the Grace for protection and was still trying to restore their failing systems.

The Grace hung still in space, staring dead ahead at the Alien ships with her weapons ready to fire should the Aliens choose to attack. It was as old Humans called a Mexican Standoff, each ship waited for the other to make a move. The Aliens had hailed the Grace several times using the stolen words from others they encountered and demanded that they be allowed to retrieve their prototype device from within the Anomaly.

The Grace's Sensors however had discovered that the Temporal Displacement Anomaly that had been generated opened within Federation Space towards the end of the 24th Century with Alien's intent unknown. However for the Captain, there was a more pressing matter having been briefed by XO Kelsey on the current situation.

"How is she Doctor?" asked Frame as he loomed over the unconscious form of the Ship's Chief of Security.

"She'll live Captain, that being said it's a good thing she made here when she did. The fluid from the Aliens is an advanced defensive mechanism meant to kill their attackers in the event they tried to draw blood." replied L'Ann in a low soft voice, her constant murring helping to calm the Captain.

"You mean it wasn't blood?" asked Frame at the Doctor's use of the word fluid instead of blood.

"No it wasn't. From the DNA I recovered from her blade and of course from the fluid I was able to determine that the Alien's bodies are modular." continued L'Ann as she walked over towards a small computer, her tail slowly swaying behind her.

"Meaning?" asked Frame as he followed.

"Their bodies are actually constructed out of a highly sophisticated combination of organs and a complex Symbiotic fungus, there is no blood in a humanoid sense. The Fungus grows at an enormous rate, so much so that I believe that they might actually reproduce by budding. The skin itself is several layers thick and connects to almost all of the major organs, providing whatever it does have in place of blood to the rest of the body. But as I was saying their entire body is modular, interchangeable like the components of a starship. Limbs, organs, even heads all can be replaced! If they're damaged or removed they can be replaced with incredible ease." answered L'Ann.

There was a brief pause from Frame as L'Ann brought a simulation of the Aliens' ability to reconnect their limbs after they had been severed. He watched as the simulated Starfleet Officer fought against the Alien and removed its limbs only to watch as it reassembled itself. Each shot was a fatal blow, but the fungus like skin of the Alien seemed to be able to take over bodily functions in the event of an organ being damaged.

"Now you see, I don't like the way that sounds." replied Frame, breaking the pause as he continued to watch the screen.

"The way Ensign Strong described Rami's battle strategy, they did nothing more than momentarily stun them. From the skin samples on their blades I learned that each layer of their skin has its own back up nervous system. That means every last one of the Aliens that were on the Skiff are now probably awake back over to their ships albeit a bit sore." said L'Ann as she shut off her screen.

"So now we don't have the option of bargaining, traditional hand to hand Combat does nothing more than knocks them out for a little, and because of those suits they wear Phasers are useless." mumbled Frame as he mentally mulled over the situation.

"They aren't invincible Captain, even though they are a feat of evolution. I could make an entire career out of their natural defenses! But they're still mortal. A focused blast from several fully charged Phasers could still vaporize them, and I can guaranty they can't evolve their way out of that. Their Fungus skin also while one of their biggest strengths is also one of their greatest weaknesses." continued L'Ann.

"How so?" asked Frame.

"The Fungus acts as both a skin and as veins. They need it to constantly remain cold and moist in order for the rest of the cells in their body to receive nutrients and for the skin to remain pliable." answered L'Ann as she walked back over towards Remi to run another scan.

"So you're telling me they have a problem with heat." continued Frame as he followed along behind the busy Doctor.

"Correct. The current temperature inside the Grace wouldn't be enough to kill them, but it would be unpleasant to them. If they're thinking about trying to board the Grace they'd try to hit us somewhere around Engineering to disable our power systems. According to Chief Engineer Trw'elik they'd focus their attacks on our secondary hull." replied L'Ann.

"You've already run this past the Chief Engineer?" asked Frame.

"I had assumed as long as you're out a Security Chief you'd be looking for a Tactical Report and Suggestions." answered L'Ann as she studied her Tricorder after scanning Remi.

"Thank you Doctor, I appreciate all the help." said Frame as he turned towards the door.

"Anytime Captain and I think you'll be pleased to know that everyone will be back on duty within hours." replied L'Ann with a polite smile.

"Doctor, you are a master of your trade. I thank you." replied Frame as he walked out into one of the many corridors of the Grace.

With L'Ann's information Frame now had a good idea of the Alien's attack strategy.

Devising a Counter Offensive would prove to be a much easier endeavor with this knowledge should it be their course of action. It would diffidently be easier than extracting information out of the Vulcan Spy T'Kah.

The Vulcan, while of a species focused on pure logic over emotions displayed a lot of spite, anger, frustration, and smugness, of course in his own Vulcan way. It was unnerving the way he mocked humans, the way in which he cast seemingly emotion based judgment upon the crew, all of which he tried to cover with fracture logic.

"Grace, where is the replacement Security Chief?" asked Frame as he walked.
"Mr. T'pan is already on the bridge adjusting and recalibrating his console." replied the female Computer as Captain Frame picked up his walk to a jog down the wide hallway.

"And the current location of Admiral Barker?"

"Admiral Barker is currently heading down to the Counselor's Office on deck six Civilian Section to speak with Sarkin." replied Grace.
"Alert me when he's finished a returning to the Bridge. Send a message to all hands, maintain combat stations." finished Frame as he neared a Transporter.

"Point of interest, Long Range Sensors have picked up a larger Alien vessel on approach.

Based on tonnage and size I would assume it is a Heavy Cruiser. There is also increased activity from within the Anomaly." reported Grace as Frame stepped into the Transporter.

"Understood, have all Gunners man their stations and tell Engineering to see what they can do about boosting Shield Strength around the secondary Hull." ordered Frame before disappearing in a shimmer of blue light, on his way to the Bridge

"Commander Covaks, here's that report you asked for," Lanae, an Athenan science officer says, handing a PADD with information to Kelsey. The Athenans where distant cousins to the Vulcans and Romulans, but had their differences, such as their species being all-female after a plague some years ago.

"Thank you Ensign," Kelsey says, sitting back in her chair, the report had been on activity of any Vulcan ships within the last few days, but there was nothing that could help her right now.

"Commander, if I may, I don't think we're looking in the right place," Lanae says. "My species had several encounters with the Vulcans prior to the coalition of 2160, if they are resorting back to their Imperialistic tendencies..."

"I'm starting to wonder about that," Kelsey says. "I don't know if all the Vulcans are behind this, condemning an entire species based off of the actions of a few would undermine what the Federation stands for. Throughout our history, some of our captains have had to walk the fine line between right and wrong for the greater good, such as Jonathan Archer who was forced to steal a warp coil from a friendly ship in order to meet with a Xindi, all in the name of saving humanity from a greater threat. Was what he did wrong, yes, but sometimes we have no choice but to make rash actions in order to protect the greater good, Archer understood that, and so did my great-grandmother."

"My people owe your great-grandmother a lot, she stopped us from turning down a dark path," Lanae says. "If there is anything I can do to help you, Commander don't hesitate to ask."

"I won't," Kelsey says, and stands up, she had to go and deal with something right now, she walks out of her office, and into the teleporter, it was time she had a conversation with Counselor Sarkin.

"I am sorry Admiral, but I cannot tell you anything," Sarkin says, his backed turned on Admiral Barker.
"Counselor, there have been two attacks on this ship..." Barker says.

"Admiral, if I may I did not attack Rami, she had overheard a conversation and when I came out she teleported away, I did not harm her," Sarkin says.

"If that is true, you have to admit it does look bad, especially considering the earlier attack on Commander Covaks by T'kah," Barker says.

"Which is precisely why I'm here," Kelsey says, storming into the room, she turns Sarkin around and pushes the Vulcan into the wall, pressing the blade of a Klingon knife against his throat. "Counselor, the only reason why I'm not going to kill you outright is because you know what we need to know."

"Commander, these actions are highly improper," Barker says. "Isn't there an easier way to get him to give us the information?"

"Admiral, I was nearly killed by a Vulcan earlier, sorry if I don't share your sympathy," Kelsey says.

"T'kah was brainwashed by S'val, he was a sleeper agent," Sarkin says calmly, almost as if there wasn't a blade pressed against his throat.

"I looked into your record Counselor, or should I say, Commander Sarkin," Kelsey says. "When your mother is an influential ambassador, a lot of doors open for you, so don't even bother denying it."

"Commander, I will tell you what I know, but it won't help your case if you contine to have that knife pressed against my throat," Sarkin says, and Kelsey glares at him, removing the knife and backing away from Sarkin. "I see that the reputation of the Covaks family being illogical by even human standards is not incorrect."

"That's enough of that, now Counselor tell us what you know about the Vulcan restoration," Barker says.

"60 years ago, Administrator S'val came to me with his plan, using the resources at his command, he began construction on a fleet of ships with the single purpose of restoring Vulcan to a major power in the Galaxy," Sarkin says. "At the time, tensions between the Federation and the Romulan Star Empire where at their highest, his plan was to eliminate the Romulans as a threat, and form an Imperial Vulcan power."

"And let me guess, you went along with this plan based off of your Vulcan logic," Kelsey says.

"Yes, at the time I believed it was a logical course of action, neither of us believed that the Vulcans and the Romulans would ever reunify," Sarkin says. "Then your family pulled off the impossible, Commander."

"Courtney's mission to Romulus in the late 25th century..." Kelsey says, remembering the stories, this time from her grandmother who had been the captain of the U.S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald, she had traveled to Romulus to make the plea to the Romulan Praetor for peace between the Federation and the Romulan Star Empire. "The Federation was on the brink of war with the Romulans again, my grandmother made the last-ditch effort to keep the war from happening, making the appeal before the Romulan senate itself."

"Your grandmother changed the face of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, and wrote the Covaks family into the history books even more than it already was," Sarkin says. "It caught us both off guard, and I believed that there was no longer any logic to support S'val's plan, if it wasn't for your family's influence on Romulus, it is possible that there would be war, and war that because of S'val's technology, both sides would have lost, leading to the rise of a new power in their place."

"Can you tell us where the ships are being built?" Barker asks.

"No, I'm afraid not, S'val never told me where we were going," Sarkin says. "There is another thing, I am not entirely sure that S'val was acting alone, he may have a silent partner in this whole thing."
"Hmm, 'Yesterday upon the stair, I met a man who wasn't there. He wasn't there again today, oh how I wish he'd go away,'" Kelsey says, getting a glance from Barker and Sarkin. "Sorry, its part of an old poem, but I'm starting to think that we're not seeing the whole picture here, a part of the equation that we have no idea exists."

"Let us know if you can tell us anything else," Barker says, and the two step out of the room, Kelsey starts to walk down the hall. "Commander, you where out of line back there."

"I know, I know," Kelsey says. "I let my anger get the best of me, it was rash and stupid, a mistake I will not repeat."

"Commander, you have been under a great deal of stress, I will have to put you on record for what you did," Barker says. "But, I am starting to see the reputation of the Covaks family is well-earned, you're a lot like your Great-Grandmother, rash and quick to act. But at the same time, you are intelligent and clever, and you've learned your opponent well, so you may not fear the result of your hundred battles."

"Hundred battles... wait, wait!" Kelsey says, and runs after Barker, who transports out before she can catch up. "Know your enemy and yourself, and you will not fear the result of a hundred battles, my great-grandmother's favorite line from the Art of War..."

While The Admiral returned to the bridge to aid the captain for what would most likely be certain battle Sarkin and Commander Covak headed down to the brig so that Sarkin could speak to T'kah.

They both stood in the turbo-lift. Two security officers were with them, as a precaution.

"I don't understand why you wish to see T'kah, he committed a crime for attempted murder." Kelsey told the Counselor.

Sarkin did not even look at her when he spoke. "He is Vulcan. No logical Vulcan would commit a crime."

"Your administrator is a Vulcan…and from you have told us he is committing a very large crime even as we speak." The commander said in retort.

"The Administrator is acting upon his own warped sense of logic. In his eyes he is protecting Vulcan. He is using that to justify his logic. However as I told you I think that T'kah might be a sleeper agent who has no control over his actions. "

"We will see." The Covak women said.

They both stood in the Turbo-lift in silence for a moment until Sarkin said "So your mother did a background check on me."

Kelsey looked over at Sarkin "Yes, you have quite an interesting history. First you were a commander of the Vulcan Defense Force, then you rose to become S'vals personal Military Advisor, and then you become the Vulcan Ambassador to the Federation." She told him everything her mother had told her. "A pretty interesting life; for a guy who is now a ships counselor."

"My past is my past." Sarkin said and once more fell silent.

They both stood in stony silence the rest of the way.

When they finally reached the level the party exited the turbo lift and walked down the corridor. Everyone was at their stations prepared for the battle.

They finally reached the brig. The door slid open and they walked in.

T'kah had been sitting on his cot meditating when he heard the door open he did not move however when he saw Sarkin he immediately came out of his meditation and stood at attention.

Kelsey and Sarkin stood before the cell while the two guards stood at another end of the room.

Sarkin stared at T'kah. He had been expecting an older Vulcan. One who had been working for the Restoration since the beginning. But this one…he was child, he would technically still be considered a teen by Vulcan standards.

T'kah bowed his head "I am honored to be in the presence Commander Sarkin."

Kelsey looked at Sarkin "Why do these people keep calling you Commander?" She asked.

"I had quite a history when I was in the military, most of my race still see me as a commander. Look at me T'kah."

The young Vulcan raised his head and stared directly at Sarkin.

The counselor walked up to the cell and stared directly into T'kahs eyes. Neither of them blinked they just stared.

The Commander watched the two Vulcans. Wondering if this was some kind of strange ritual they used to find criminals.

"Lower the force field." Sarkin told Kelsey.

"What? Counselor I don't think tha-"

"I sense something…there is another presence. I must be in physical contact with T'kah."

Kelsey felt that this was against her better judgment but she would rather not get into a long argument with a Vulcan. She walked over to the controls and pressed a button deactivating T'kahs cell.

T'kah moved away from Sarkin. He moved to the very back of his cell and looked like he would attack Sarkin had his hands not been bound.

Sarkin walked over to T'kah his eyes never wavering from him.

Sarkin placed both of his hands on T'kahs head and closed his eyes. T'kah seemed tense for a moment and then he too closed his eyes.

Sarkin was silent for several minutes until "Yes, there is another presence here. Someone has preformed a mind meld upon him." He said he probed into T'kahs mind.

"Mind meld?" Kelsey said shocked. She had heard of these mind melds. Where two minds become one and each person retains some knowledge of the other.

"Yes, someone has preformed a mind meld on this boy, they left instructions inside his head. I was correct, he has no control over his actions." He told the commander.

"Can you break it?" She asked

"Possibly" Sarkin answered.

"Who would do such a thing?" She was shocked that any person could commit such an act on an innocent being.

"Administrator S'val." Sarkin responded and then he fell silent.

The mind was a unique place. It was different for everyone there was a complex layer between the conscious and sub-conscious. Winding passages of memories and corridors of thoughts.

And right now Sarkin was in the sub-conscious…or at least a physical manifest of him. The sub-conscious was a dark place. It was filled with ancient and primal urges that lived inside all beings.

Sarkin stared at all the images that surrounded him. Images filled with emotions and all the other things that Vulcans had abandoned when they were young.

Sarkin walked down the tunnel of the subconscious ignoring all he saw. He then reached a door. The door slide open and Sarkin entered a room. It was large and empty except for the center. In the center there was a large cage and inside that cage held the huddling for a T'kah.

Sarkin moved forward towards the cage and then out of the floor appeared a new figure. And that figure took the form of Administrator S'val.

"Sarkin what are you doing here?" S'val asked.

Sarkin knew that it was not really S'val it was just an after image of S'vals mind that he had left over in T'kah when he had preformed the mind meld.

"I have come to undo what you have done." Sarkin told the image.

"What I have done was I gave this Son of Vulcan the opportunity to serve his people; to aid us in the attempt to bring order to the Quadrant."

"What you have done is abused your power and your position. And you have turned an innocent child into a pawn. And I no longer stand by and allow this." Sarkin said "I hereby declare that your logic is flawed." Sarkin strode up to the image of S'val and placed his hand in front of it "Be gone from this mind." He said and waved his hand.

Sarkin used his own mental powers and he destroyed S'vals presences in T'kahs mind.

The image of S'val faded away and Sarkin walked over to the cage that held T'kah.

Sarkin knew what this cage meant. It not only held back T'kahs conciseness but it also held back all of his emotions. Sarkin knew that by destroying this cage he would be destroying the thin hold that logic had over the Vulcan mind.

But he would not this child prisoner any more to S'val. Sarkin placed his hand on the cage and then using his own mind; shattered it.

T'kah eyes snapped open he let out a small moan and then he fell to the ground.

Sarkin opened his own eyes and brought his hands back to his sides. "I have broken the hold of S'vals mind meld. He is no longer a sleeper agent." He said as he turned to Commander Covak.

"Will he be all right?" Kelsey asked as she stared at the unconscious form of T'kah.

"He will need to be taken to sickbay…and inform Doctor L'ann that she should have a force field around him for when he wakes up. He will be very disturbed."

Stardate 81004.4

"Forward Phasers FIRE!" ordered Frame as he stared forward at the Espial Grace's Main View Screen.

The mint green Phaser beams from the Espial Grace fired forward at the Alien ships as they broke off from one another and tried to swarm the Grace.

"Sir, the Alien Vessels have focused their attack on the secondary hull as predicted." reported T'pan whom sat at the Tactical Console.

"Remind me to thank L'Ann for the Tactical Prediction! Send a message to the Gunners, fire the Ship to Ship Disruptors when the Alien Ships get within range." ordered Frame with a small smile.

Obviously Doctoring wasn't L'Ann's only specialty. With her incredible medical knowledge her ability to predict another's actions based on physiology were as precise as surgery. Their unique weakness of heat was more that enough to give L'Ann an idea of their attack strategy.

The Chief Engineer had already boosted Shield Power around the Secondary Hull and redirected 13% of the added power into the Structural Integrity around the Heating Systems.

"Orders acknowledged. Sir, two ships are targeting our Main Deflector." replied the Vulcan.

"Fire Torpedoes, wide spread dispersal pattern. Concentrate Phasers on the Ships attacking our Deflector, the Gunners can handle the others!" ordered Frame as he leaned forward.

With his piercing stare, the dimmed red lights of the Bridge, and his wild long hair Frame looked like a Lion that had been sat in the Captain's chair. His face looked like it was carved out of stone, unmoving and stern. The glowing near white Torpedoes fired from the front of the Grace and quickly impacted against the Aliens' ships, severely damaging their Shields. Another volley of Torpedoes began to tear through their shields and damage their forward hulls as the Phasers targeted the weak spots in their shields.

"Captain, two of the ships attacking our Secondary Hull have broken off their attack and targeted the Barlow. The Barlow's Engines and Weapon Systems are still at minimum power and their shields are currently at 43%." reported T'pan as he continued to fire on the two ships attack the Grace's Deflector.

"Helmsman, keep us in front of the Barlow! Mr. T'pan fire rear Phasers on the ships attacking the Barlow. When you have a lock, fire aft Torpedoes on the Alien Vessel to Starboard." ordered Frame as Barker and Kelsey ran onto the Bridge.
"Status!" ordered Barker as he quickly took his seat.

"The Anomaly's Activity has increased, their have been indications that there may be a vessel passing through from the 24th Century. There are incoming Alien Vessels on the way, six more vessels of the class outside and what seemed to be a Heavy Cruiser. Two Ships are currently attacking the Barlow and the Grace is currently engaging all eight Alien Ships. Ship to Ship Disruptors, Phasers, and Torpedoes are all firing Admiral!" reported the female Kobali Sensor Officer.

Kelsey jumped over the railing behind her seat and quickly sat down, activating a small screen on her Chair's armrest. Outside views of the ship displayed all of the Grace's Ship to Ship Disruptors firing. Ship to Ship Disruptors were a relatively new addition to Federation Cruisers, originally designed and tested by the Klingons. They harkened back to the old days of Earth in which the Ship's Cannons lined her hull.

The Blue Bolts shot from the Grace's Port and Starboard sides, pelting the two Alien ships on either side of the Espial Grace. Three of the Alien Vessels' shields had been dropped by the Disruptors and two were heavily damaged. On the Main View Screen the two ships attacking the Grace's Main Deflector had turned for another attack.

"Hail the Barlow, I want a status report on their repairs." ordered Barker.

His Order was instantly met with compliance as the image of the two charging Alien ships was replaced by Captain Sheraton.

"Barker my friend, that ship of yours is a real fighter! The second those Alien ships moved in she came out swinging!" smiled Captain Sheraton as the Grace destroyed three of the ships attacking her sides and both of the ships attacking her Deflector.

"How's the Barlow holding up?" asked Barker.

"Your Engineers are a really skilled bunch. Our Engines should be back online in six minutes and our Weapons are coming back online now. We'll have to
head back to Starbase 372772 for new Shield Emitters, but we can manage." replied Rick as the Barlow focused their attack on the ship which the Grace had damaged.

"Just keep her close to the Grace and we'll cover you, Barker out."

"Orders acknowledged. Let's give these guys a proper Federation welcome." replied Rick with a grin as the Barlow fired her Phasers.

The image quickly flashed back to space as the Grace dispatched the last Alien Vessel attacking her Starboard side. The Barlow launched two of her Torpedoes into the damaged Alien vessel destroying it as the last remaining Alien ship quickly broke off her attack and jumped into warp.

"Sir, the Alien ship is retreating to the incoming fleet." reported T'pan as the firing ceased.
"Stand down red alert to yellow. Helmsman, full stop" ordered Frame.

The Bridge Officers collectively released a held breath and calmed themselves. The Espial Grace's first firefight was over, and she preformed beautifully. Every weapon was perfectly calibrated, set, and armed and the Gunner crews proved themselves as incredibly capable officers. Barker however continued to stare at the View Screen, his jaw tightened.

"Order the Gunners to remain close to their stations. Begin recharging the shields, leave the power at their current distributed levels and keep a lock on the incoming Fleet's position. Put us between them and the Anomaly. Mr. Slovek, begin running a level one scan of the Anomaly, record as much as you can. If there is a Federation Ship passing through be ready to hail them, if not I want that Generator destroyed." ordered Barker.
"Orders acknowledged sir, taking the Grace forward." nodded the Lorillian Helmsman as he brought the Grace towards the giant spinning blue gasses.

The Device sat deep within the Anomaly, keeping the Portal open. It was barely visible due to its small size and the blue storm around it. Within the vortex lightening bolts still cracked.

"Sir, scans confirm that there is a Federation ship passing through the Anomaly. Sensors identify the hull design as a Dawnstar-Class." reported Mr. Slovek.

"Dawnstar? Like the oldEnterpriseF. Can you identify the ship?" asked Frame as he turned to the Sensor Officer.

"I can't sir; the Registry Number and name are still obstructed by the interior of the anomaly. However based on the exit and time period the anomaly leads to I can construct a list of all the Dawnstar Class ships present." replied the Kobali Sensor Officer.
"Proceed." replied Barker.

"The Anomaly exits in a gaseous Anomaly in the Delta Quadrant, Dawnstar classes present are USS Tripp NCC-81221, USS Reliable NCC-81990, USS Dawnstar NCC-81000, and USS Black Prince NCC-81962. According to the record they were assigned to escort a Federation Science Fleet since Borg activity had been increased at that time. The USS Reliable and USS Black Prince are listed as MIA assumed Destroyed stating that they both disappeared inside the Anomaly before the Borg attacked." reported the Kobali Sensor Officer.

"Keep me updated on the situation. I want to be informed the second we identify that ship. Run continues scans on the vessel until you can determine if there are Borg onboard." ordered Barker.

Sarkin entered the Med Lab and felt the ship rumble again. His keen ears picked up the sound of Phaser Cannon fire. It brought back memories but he pushed them aside, it was pointless to dwell on things past.

Doctor L'ann looked up from her work and when she saw the Vulcan a frown formed on her feline face.

Sarkin walked over to the good doctors desk and bowed his head "Doctor." He said and he placed the Hyposyringe he had 'borrowed' onto her table.

L'anns eyes widened slightly and she grabbed her medical instrument. "So you were the one that stole it, I knew there was miscount when I checked my equipment." She said bitterly. As she stood up and placed the device back in its proper place.

Sarkin turned his gaze to Chief Rami who lay on the bio-bed and then to T'kah who had been brought up only minutes ago.

"Has there been any change in the Security Chiefs Condition?" He asked calmly.

L'ann turned and looked at Sarkin her cat eyes narrowed "She is stabilized." She told him.

"Contrary to the popular rumor, I was not the one who attacked her." He said

L'ann stared at him hard for a moment her arms crossed and then sighed "I know, it was the aliens blood that did it to her. A Symbiotic fungus that attacked her systems, I was able to counter it." She answered.

"That is good news." He said as he took one last look at the security chief and then moved over to T'kah

Sarkin stared down at the young child and L'ann walked over and stood next to him, but putting a good deal of space between them.

"You erected a force field to restrain him as I instructed."

L'ann nodded "Yes, and I also preformed a scan. His brain waves are completely erratic. What did you do?" She asked

"I had to break to the Mind Meld that was placed on him, however by doing so I broke T'kahs hold over his emotions."

"The Vulcan Mind meld, I found that concept fascinating, the ability for two minds to become one. I wanted to research it but so few Vulcan's are willing to share detailed information on it."

Sarkin looked at her with a raised brow, "Interesting, please contact me when T'kah wakes, I am sure he will require a counselor." He said.

He bowed his head to Doctor L'ann and then he left sickbay.

The Alien ships had broken their attack off the Grace and the Barlow and now they seemed to be concentrating their power on the old Federation ship that was still coming through the wormhole.

"Take us forward, Half impulse." Frame ordered

"Aye sir." The Helmsmen acknowledged.

"All gunnery's open fire, I want that ship protected." Barker said as he leaned into his chair.

The phaser cannons fired their green energy weapons and they struck on the enemies ships while the other one dodged the attack. The hit ships shields held but the shot had been enough to drive them off, but not for long.

"Sir I have an incoming hail from the ship." The communication officers reported.

Frame and Barker looked at each other. If this ship truly was from the past then they would be breaking Starfleet temporal regulations regarding interactions with past or future objects and people.

However if they did nothing then that ship would be destroyed. So to hell with the rules.

"On screen." The Captain ordered.

Then on the view screen appeared an image of what looked like a Betazoid women dressed in an old Starfleet Uniform.

"This is Federation Captain Valani of the USS Black Prince. Identify yourself." She ordered.

Barker stood up from his chair "I am Admiral Barker of the USS Espial Grace, I am afraid Captain that you entered a Time Space Anomaly. You have been brought to the 26th century. And you are in the middle of a battle right now." He said

The Betazoid did not seem shocked by the Admiral information "We were in the middle of a battle before we arrived, I was aiding in an escort mission of a Federation Science Fleet in the Delta Quadrant. When we were attacked by the Borg, I must return and help my comrades." She told him.

"We are working on sending you back to your own time, however captain I suggest you prepare to defend yourself from the threat at hand."

"Very well Admiral, but please hurry." Valani said and then transmission was cut.

The aged admiral returned to his seat.

"Mr. Slovak options." Frame Asked his science officer.

The Romulan-Vulcan hybrid scratched his chin "Hmmm I have theory Sir, the device is still pulling the Black Prince out into our time, So I do believe that part of the ship still remains in its own time. If we were to destroy the device then the anomaly might collapse and Black Prince should be pulled back into its own era." The Science officer explained.

Frame thought that over, it sounded like a risky plan however Slovak had yet to be wrong.

"Open a Channel to the Barlow."

"Channel open sir."

Captain Sheraton appeared on the screen. "Grace, how are things on your end?" He asked

"We are doing just fine Rick, Listen we have plan. We need to Barlow to get close enough and destroy that device. Do you have any torpedoes left?" The Admiral asked

"We have a few, but if we try and get any closer to that thing those aliens are going to be right on top of us." Sheraton responded

"Don't worry, we will provided you with plenty of cover fire, but we don't have much time. That device must be destroyed."

Sheraton looked somewhat pained to here that the device had to be destroyed but he nodded. "I will see to it, Barlow out. The Image vanished and they could see from the View screen The Barlow powering up its impulse engines.

And they could also see the Alien ships coming back in for another attack.

Frame leaned back in his chair "All Phasers prepare to fire, its time we end this battle."

In Engineering Twr'elik was moving at an amazing speed. She kept on moving on all of the levels of engineering and barking order at her remaining engineers, most of them had been sent over to aid the Barlow.

"Get those power relays fixed." She told one of her officers on the second level

She then jumped down back to the first level landing gracefully however it did cause a loud 'thud' sound.

"I just saw that our shields were down twenty percent, reroute power to compensate." She said and then once again she turned into a white blur as she moved.

Meanwhile standing up on the second level gripping the railing Sayble watched Twr'elik move.

The Android yellow orange eyes did not blink as he observed. He took all of the data of what was happening around him.

He had been informed that the 'aliens' that were attacking them were the ones that created him. Although he had no memories of his creators. He did remember something; he remembered a voice.

He remembered being surrounded by darkness and a voice talking to him, telling him things that he did not understand. Something called 'The Joining' and 'evolving'. There was also an image he could not understand…an image of a strange insect like creature.

He could not understand these images so he catalogued them away in his memory until he could understand them and their purpose.

And then the Entire ship shook.

The two alien ships once again fired their weapons, The purple energy beam headed straight at the Barlow and once again the Grace swooped in and used their shields to protect the smaller ship.

Then the front canons fired one of their torpedoes. The shot moved quickly. Faster then the alien ship on the left could react. It caught them in their hull and it exploded.

"Yes." Kelsey said with a smile on her face, one down and one to go.

"Sir, we are receiving a message from the Black Prince, they want an update on the situation."

The Black Prince was half way out of the anomaly and there was no doubt in anyone's mind that once it was all the way out that the anomaly would close.

Barker turned to the officer "Tell them that we have come up with a solution and to prepare themselves."

"Aye sir," The Officer answered and then the computer gave another beep "Sir, it's the Barlow, they say they are within firing range, and awaiting further orders."

"Tell them to fire at will." Barker commanded.

The officer sent the message and then from the view screen they saw the green energy torpedo shoot out of the Barlow and headed straight towards the device.

The Alien ship seemed to see that and they began moving straight towards the torpedo; with the intent on stopping it…with their own ship!

Both objects were speeding towards to anomaly…but in the end it was the torpedo that arrived first and when it struck the device…space exploded.

First there was a flash of white light; it gleamed with the brilliance of a thousand suns. It was so blinding that everyone on the bridge had to shield their eyes. However the light faded. When they could see again, they saw that the USS Black Prince had vanished.

Slovak checked his computer "Sir the Anomaly has sealed and I am not detecting an sign of the Black Prince, I believe our plan has worked." He said with a tad bit of smugness that once again his theory had proven correct.

Frame and Barker smiled but their attention was short lived when they noticed the alien ship was still there.

It seemed to just be hanging there in the dead of space staring right at them.

"We have a weapons lock on them sir." Kelsey told the Admiral thinking he would want to end this battle now.

Barker held up his hand "Hold fire, lets see what they will do." He said as he folded his hand.

The Alien ship continued without moving.

"I am intercepting a subspace message from the alien vessel." The Communications officer told her superior officers.

"They must be calling for reinforcements." Kelsey responded

"Um, it doesn't sound like a distress signal…although I can't understand their message." The officer informed the Commander.

Then the Alien ship engaged its impulse and turned from the Grace, and it dropped into warp and vanished.

"I would call that a surrender." Frame said as he gave sigh of relief.

"For now, but I have don't think that this is the last time we will see our unknown adversaries." Barker told the captain.

He then stood up slowly and turned to the communications station "I want you start working on a method to translate their language."

The female Cardassian nodded. "Yes sir."

Frame pressed a comm-button on his chair "All stations, I want a status report sent to me in Fifthteen minutes."

"Sir incoming message from the Barlow."

"On Screen."

Rick Sheraton appeared and had a smile on his face "Wow, that was quite an explosion eh." He said.

Frame smiled "Any damage Captain?"

"Not really, aside from minor damage to theHulland our shields are kinda on the fritz after that explosion. You should check yours as well."

"Will do, your warp core is operational again correct?"

"Yes, and I think both of us should leave before those aliens return."

Frame nodded "Agreed, We shall reconvene at Star Base 374."

"See you there." Rick said and cut Transmission.

Soon Both ships set in their coordinates and vanished into warp.