FREE ORDER

PART II

"He was really beat up when he got up here," Juli explained, "nose was broken, three cracked ribs, numerous bruises across his body…"I'm just amazed he managed to get up here in the first place,"

It was the morning after Daniel had stumbled into Juli's quarters, and currently Ami, Fina and Juli were residing in The Captain's room, where Juli had bunked her guest for the night.

"That's the one thing I don't understand," Ami frowned as she went over her friend with a Medical Tricorder, "Why did he come all the way up here? I mean, your quarters aren't exactly down the corridor from the Guarder Control Bridge, and if anything the Lift-Ship has it's own Sickbay…so why did he feel the need to come all the way up to here?"

"Perhaps he wanted to report his attacker?" Fina suggested.

"But who would bear a grudge against Daniel?" Juli frowned, "I mean, I've known him since the Academy…I've always found him to be very likeable…"

"Don't forget," Ami noted as she brought the tricorder over Daniel's head, "He was named as one of the supervisors by that Mattenson guy. It's possible some people feel he should've been thrown in the Brig with the rest of them. Has he been unconscious since he got here?"

"Yes," Juli nodded, "I had the medics go over him this morning. They said he was suffering from a slight concussion that's all. They suggested just letting him naturally come out of it, but they did give permission to move him back to his quarters,"

Ami nodded as she snapped the tricorder shut, "That's great, thanks. And thanks for cleaning him up too,"

Juli nodded as she smoothed out a crease in in her uniform, "No problem. Well, I have to get to the Bridge," She didn't seem overly happy as she said it, "I'll stop by tonight to make sure he's okay. Fina, I expect you on the Bridge in one hour,"

"Yes Ma'am," The Nolobien girl nodded.

Juli smiled at her, before giving a nod to Ami and finally leaving the room.

The two girls nodded as the Captain left, before Fina turned to Ami, a slightly strained smile on her face, "Thanks for calling me Ami,"
"It's no big deal," the dark-haired girl shrugged, "When Juli called me, I knew you'd want to know," She looked down at her friend, smoothing down his hair fondly, "Me and Daniel have been friends since we were kids. I know him well enough to know he'd want you around,"

"Oh really?" Fina scowled, but quickly returned to her original smile, "Is that the only reason you came up here?"

Ami frowned, "What do you mean by that?"

"You didn't come up here because you have any feelings for him?"

"What?" Ami started to snigger, "Why would I have feelings for Daniel?" She giggled, "I don't have any feelings for him, I'm just his friend…"
"What do you find so amusing that you try to laugh it off and change the subject?" That same, slightly strained smile remained on Fina's lips, "You seemed to feel the need to double check Daniel for injuries,"

"Because he's my friend!" Ami insisted, standing up defensively, "I just wanted to make sure Juli had fixed everything. She's the Captain, not the medical officer!"

Fina continued to smile, "Why are you getting so defensive?"

"I'M NOT GETTING DEFENSIVE!!!"


"They jumped him in the dark?" Nicks looked disgusted, "How slimy can you get?"

"That would be my guess," Carlos muttered as he stared out of the window, "Daniel was working late down in the Control Room. They had to jump him there,"

It was currently the middle of the morning, just before the shifts began, and Carlos, Nicks, Akihiro, Rachel and Katy had all gathered in the girls Quarters to discuss Daniel's attack.

"A lot of people are unhappy that a select few have unlimited points status," Rachel pointed out.

"Not all of us asked for it though," Carlos sighed as he turned to the assembled sitting round the lobby table, "I think me and Dan even discouraged itwhen Alan Blue put it into effect,"

"That might be true," Aki sighed, "But that doesn't mean to say that the crew sees it that way,"

"But why take it out on Dan?" Katy sighed as she looked worriedly over to Carlos, "Why not his brother, or one of the Zwei…?"
"Because Daniel's weak," Nicks scowled, "He couldn't fight his way out of a wet paper bag. Easy target,"

"You know…" Katy murmured to herself, "Ami said she'd contact Fina and let her know when Juli called her,"

"Really?" Carlos's eyebrows hiked up, "You're kidding?"

"Ohh, that should be entertaining," Nicks grinned, "Catfight!"

"You're being rude again," Aki sighed, but it seemed as though he'd lost the will to live on the subject.

"Actually, now that you mention it, I'm kinda intrigued," Rachel smirked.

"Ami and Fina battling it out for Danny-boy's heart?" Carlos grinned, "Who wouldn't be intrigued?"

"I think they're still up at the girl Zwei's Quarters," Katy smiled, "Anyone wanna go look see?"

"I'm up for it," Carlos smiled as he headed for the door, only to stop in the doorway.

"Oh," he stepped back slightly, "Hey Fina,"


"Carlos?" I frowned as I walked by, Fina and my friend having a staring contest, Ami by my side in case I fell, (I still felt pretty ginger after all,) "What are you guys doing?"

"Daniel! Hi!" Carlos suddenly looked overjoyed to break eye contact with the Nolobien girl, "You're looking good! Great even!"

"What can I say?" I sighed I rolled my shoulders gently, "Juli's a wonder with a dermal regenerator,"

"But if what Juli said was right, you just came out of a concussion," Rachel frowned, "You sure you should be up and about?"

"I'll be fine," I muttered as I took my jacket from my shoulder, ducking past my friend to get a fresh uniform, "I just have a bit of a headache, that's all,"
"Carlos?" Ami frowned at the dark-haired Lieutenant, "Shouldn't you been down running simulations by now?"

"Really?" Carlos blinked, "Is it that time already? Alright then, see you later!"

"Bye Carlos!" Katy waved frantically after him, "See ya soon!"

I watched with an amused eye as Carlos ran down the corridor, waving as he went.

"I've decided to take Rafra with me," Fina suddenly announced.

"Really?" Katy stopped her waving, "You sure?"
"Positive," she nodded, "My roommates have offered to help take care of him for me. Thank you for your help. If you ever need anything, you know where to find me,"

"Gifts are always appreciated!" Rachel grinned with a wink.

Fina nodded with a smile before turning back to me, "I'll see you later Daniel, okay?"

I nodded as I reappeared from my quarters, feeling a bit better for cleaner clothes, "Sure. See you later,"

She nodded back and walked away, leaving the rest of us alone in the corridor.

"Well, I guess I better head off to the Lift-Ship myself," I sighed as I slung on my Zwei jacket, making sure my medallion was on straight.

"Take care alright?" I felt Ami's soft touch on my arm, "Don't work yourself too hard,"

I smiled reassuringly as I left, "After having the crap kicked out of me, I don't think there's much chance of that happening,"
She returned the smile, but only half-heartedly, and as I left in the same direction as Carlos, I could feel her eyes watching my until I turned the corner.


"Hey Anina," Lucson smiled slightly, toolkit in hand, "I just came by to pick up Pat on my way down to the Shuttlebays. I was wondering…Is Juli around?"

The ginger Ba'ku shook her head, "Sorry, you just missed her. She's already up on the Bridge,"

Lucson's smiled faded slightly, "Oh, I see. Well, come on Pat, Shuttlecraft Reagan's Impulse manifolds are acting up again,"

"Okay," Pat smiled cheerfully, even though he was still feeling depressed from the events of last night, not to mention the waves of sadness that were emanating from his guardian.

"Poor guy," Anina sighed as she watched the two head off for the nearest Shuttlebay, "I wish he'd just move on from her already,"


"Any response from those probes we sent out?" Juli asked, feeling slightly restless and jumpy after her night trying to help Daniel.

"For the eighth time, no," Kevin replied agitatedly, drumming his fingers on his console, "Do you still want us to send out a signal from the Klingon Probe?"

"Like Serek said," Juli sighed, "Any help is better then no help at all,"

"There's a alternating current crossing our path directly ahead," Chris spoke up, "There's a slightly weaker path off our starboard bow though. What are your orders?"

"Take the weaker current," Juli muttered, massaging her temples.

"But that will take us further away from Starbase Forty-Eight!" Chris protested.

"Then do what you think is right!" Juli snapped.

"Which is what?"

"WHATEVER YOU THINK IS RIGHT!!!"

"Okay, okay!" Chris held up his hands in defeat, "Adjusting course, geez,"
"What about new volunteers?" Ran asked, "And we also need to sort out new teams for the repair crews…"
"Just give me a minute!" Juli slammed her fist down on the armrest, "I can't think straight!"


Ami sighed as she headed down a random corridor, her mind a mess, conflicted. Filled with the conversation she'd had with Fina that morning.

"You seemed to feel the need to double check Daniel for injuries," She had seemed so accusing

"Because he's my friend!" She had insisted, "I just wanted to make sure Juli had fixed everything. She's the Captain, not the medical officer!"

The Nolobien just continued to smile, "Why are you getting so defensive?"

"I'M NOT GETTING DEFENSIVE!!!"

"Don't you understand?" Ami had stopped, a look of confusion crossing her face as she had continued, "Daniel wants to escape from his past. As far as he's concerned, you and his brother are merely people of his past,"

"What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said," Fina's smile grew wider, almost mocking.

"Excuse me?" Ami had gawped at the girl's rudeness, "Are you…are you saying that I'm nothing but a pain in Daniel's side?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Fina's smile grew smug, "because Daniel's life, Daniel's future…they are now combined…with mine,"

That had made her heart stop.

It also made her mind create a list of insults she could throw at her.

"That's out of line!" She had sneered in the end, "It's not like it's my fault we've been friends since we were kids!"

At that point Daniel had started to wake up and the conversation was brought to an abrupt halt.

"Daniel wouldn't say those things would he?" She thought bitterly to herself as she continued to walk, "No, that Nolobien slut is just making assumptions. I can't be just nothing to him, I just can't,"

And then a horrible thought crossed her mind, causing her to stop still in the corridor, her blood running cold.

"but what if I am?"


"Do you need a hand with that?" Catherine asked as I approached with a cargo trolley, laden with various supplies and equipment.

"I can handle it," I sighed, "I'm not completely helpless you know,"
"You realise it's because you don't earn your way that you get beaten up like this," Kurt muttered.

"Does everyone know about what happened last night?" I sighed at Catherine, who merely nodded apologetically, "Kurt, I always try to do the best I can under the circumstances I'm put under,"

"Please," Kurt merely rolled his eyes as he continued his work, "You're merely being swept along by circumstances and you know it,"
"Stop it you two," Carlos snapped, "There's been enough bloodshed in this room already,"

"Well, he should have seen this coming!" Kurt spat at Carlos, "I mean come on, it was bound to happen sooner or later,"
"If you say so," I sighed, going back to my work.

"I do say so," Kurt now scowled at me, "You're always so hopeful and weak, constantly believe that Zwei crap that someone's going to save us,"

"Someone is going to save us," I replied tightly, "We can't just wonder the Briar Patch forever,"

"Now see?" Kurt turned to me fully, "How can you think like that? Everyone's just doing as they please, they're all so pathetic! You follow that train of thought, and look what happens, you get pummelled! Dammit Daniel! Can you honestly stand there and think up a good reason to protect these losers? Can you?"

"Dammit Kurt keep your trap shut!" Carlos shouted, "We're here to protect our friends remember?"

"Like Ami Housen?" Catherine suggested, earning a dirty look from my brother.

"Stay out of this," He scowled as he jumped down from his chair, "This is between me and Mr. Self-destruct over here,"

"Are you telling me to just stand around and do nothing?" I asked calmly, "Is that what you're telling me I should do?"

Kurt smirked, "You took the words right out of my mouth. Considering you're lack of talent, I think that's just about all you can do,"

"So I can't even try to help?" I was surprising myself at how calm I was managing to keep myself.

"Now you're starting to make sense," Kurt continued to smirk, "Trying without results is just a waste of everyone's time,"

I just stared at him quietly, not answering, not rising, just staring.

"So what are you going to do now big-shot?" Kurt shoved me roughly, "Answer me that, What are you going to do now?"


"I am picking up several unidentified objects on Long Range Sensors," Serek announced, "Eight vessels in a sphere formation,"

"Enemies?" Juli asked, already knowing the answer.

"I am unable to determine at this time, however that would be the most likely answer," Serek admitted, "This is a basic formation usually used by small Federation Assault Fleets,"

"Have they sent the Fourth Fleet after us again?" Chris grinned, "You'd of thought they'd of learnt their lesson after last time,"

"Well, anything's better than that Guarder ship we had to battle," Kevin sighed with a slight smile.

"Inform the Vital Guarder Crew to enter Standby Mode," Juli ordered Fina, "Insure they're ready for launch at a moment's notice.

Fina nodded silently as she begun her task.

"Here we go again," Juli sighed, "Why can't these enemies ever be rescue ships?"


"Maybe it would be better if you just sat quietly and watched us work," Kurt sneered as he gave me another rough push causing me to stumble, "Or do you want to try and screw up again?"

"Stop it!" Carlos pulled my brother away, "One more outburst like that and I'll throw you in the Brig for assaulting a superior officer. I don't care if you're the weapons officer," he added as Kurt opened his mouth to object, "I will do it! Clear?"

"Bridge to Lift-Ship," Fina's voice suddenly broke up the argument, "Bridge To Lift-Ship do you read?"

"Lift-ship here," I replied as I ran over and sat down in my chair, "What's the problem?"

"Serek reports in-coming enemies…probably,"

I raised an eyebrow, "Probably?"

"He's unsure at the moment, they only just appeared on Long-Range Sensors. Juli's wants the Lift-Ship in Stand-by Mode ready for emergency launch if necessary,"

"Roger that Bridge, Lift-Ship out," I turned to the assorted Pilots below me, some of their eyes darting between me and Kurt, who simply bared his teeth, challenging me.

"Now's not the time," I said after a long pause, "All hands, prepare for battle,"


"Why are there still dirty dishes in the sink?" The head chef asked Katy accusingly as she stepped through the doors of the Delta Bravo.

"I did my share," Katy scowled, "I earned my points,"

"but you didn't earn you're boyfriend's points," One of the chef's friends smirked, "You've got to do all the dishes to make up for all the times you used his I.D.,"

"You can't be serious!"

"Believe it sister," another friend smirked, "It's only fair. You've been having it way to easy,"

"The only reason Carlos is fighting is to insure my safety," Katy balled her fists, "He's not fighting for you stuck up losers!"

"What did you call us?" The head chef scowled, "That kind of screwed logic isn't gonna work!"

"The only reason you bitches are still alive is because of Carlos," Katy spat, "Therefore, you've got no right to talk to me like that…Umph!"

At that moment Rachel sneaked up behind her and clamped down on her mouth, cutting off all further communication.

"Would you excuse us for a sec?" She smiled sweetly as she dragged the struggling Katy out of the Kitchen, "Me and my friend have to have a little heart to heart,"


"You're being a jerk Katy," she scowled as soon as the doors closed, "You have to stop saying that Carlos is just fighting for your behalf. It's beginning to sound like you're the most important person on this ship,"

"But Carlos said he would protect me," Katy sobbed, "He said it! I heard him,"

"Katy, the fact you were crying your eyes out at the time gave him very little that he could say to comfort you," Rachel sighed as her friend slumped down to the floor, "We have to do everything we can to insure everyone's survival. Got it?"

Katy didn't look convinced, "Yeah…but…"
"Is she going to do those dishes?" The Head Chef stuck her head through the door.

"Yeah, we'll do them," Rachel smiled nervously as the girl ducked back into the Kitchen, satisfied with the answer.

"No," Katy frowned determinately, "I'm not going to do something I don't have to do,"
"Now you're just being difficult," Rachel scowled as she pulled her up to her feet, "I suppose the only reason you've managed to get away with things in the past is that people consider you to be adorable. The cuteness factor must of made them able to forgive for your selfish behaviour in the past, but right now the situation's changed. We're not at home in our nice warm beds with our ever-loving relatives, we're aboard this tin-can we call the Ryvius, And I don't want to end up a target just because of you!"

Katy looked up into Rachel's eyes, on the verge of tears, "But…but Carlos said…"
"There you go again, constantly referring back to a collection of words one guy said in an attempt to make you stop crying! Snap out of it! Do you want to end up like Daniel?"

Katy's answer was cut off my Fina's voice echoing through the hallway Intercom.

"Attention all hands, Attention all hands. We've detected what could possibly be an enemy fleet at four sixty, Shear Three. All hands, man your battle stations. The Ryvius is heading into battle. I repeat, all hands, man your battle stations,"


Captain Elizabeth Topaz and Commander Mira Templar had known each other since the Academy, and had served with each other throughout their long careers. They had taken the same classes, offered placements on the same ships, and had both joined Section 31 at the same time. Neither of them married, for they both found men to be arrogant, selfish prigs.

Now both into their seventies, They were satisfied at the lives they had lived, thinking in their hearts that they had both done the Federation a great service. They both felt that Section 31 was the best thing that had ever happened to the Federation, and felt that it would be run ten times better if it was in control.

It was for this reason that Marcus Tucker assigned them as Dicastia's Captain and First Officer.

"Judging by the data recovered from the Impulse's databanks, I've managed to plot the estimated course of the U.S.S. Ryvius," The Guarder Pilot announced, "Science station reports no sign of their Vital Guarder being activated however,"

"Science station can report on his own," Templar growled, causing the agent at the console to scowl deeply, "Deploy the Vital Guarders, we'll completely encircle the Ryvius before they knew what hit them,"
"And hurry up about it," Topaz snapped, "Right now you youngsters are barely fast enough for maximum performance!"

Outside, the large form of the Dicastia began to segment and detach from it's wiry body, each of the diamond shaped sections shooting off into the Red Abyss towards their target.

"And now," Topaz smiled as she settled back in her chair, "It's time to succeed where those male imbeciles of the Impulse failed. Why don't we turn the current around on them?"

"Activating Vital Guarders," The pilot announced, ignoring the bristling Science and Tactical officers, "Preparing web spinners…"


"What the?" Chris frowned at his console with disbelief, "The currents…their changing! We're being pulled in!"

"I'm detecting an unknown technology at work," Serek frowned, "It appears to be similar to a Tholian web, only it bears the signature of Federation technology,"

Juli stared at the Vulcan with disbelief, "Are you saying we're being attacked by Federation Tholian web?"


I sat amidst the chaos of pre-launch sequences, listening to the pilots run their checks with one ear and the panicked voices of the Bridge with the other. I closed my eyes slowly, trying to sort out my mind, preparing for the coming battle, only to find myself slipping away completely. I found myself away from the VG Bridge, even though I could still hear various voices calling out reports, standing on the very edge of Ryvius's central fin, staring out over the Sea, that girl, the girl in pink standing right beside me.

We stared out together, watching as a large crimson form slowly emerged from the shadows of the red Abyss.

"That ship," I began slowly, not taking my eyes off it, "What is it?"

The girl made no reply for a moment, continuing to stare at the double hull before she finally replied.

"U.S.S.…Dicastia,"