Ok ok, I Know it has been a while since my last update. I'm sorry. I was having trouble writing this part for some reason. I had originally wanted to move father but it turns out I couldn't think that straight lately. First a word to the reviewers who have stuck with me through lack of updates and all.

JoJo the Jellyfish: While I doubt your death threats comment, I do appreciate all the others. I'm glad you caught that little point of irony about Knives being forced to do something he didn't want to do. I'm going to play off that a bit more later on, so watch for it. And while the other ship doesn't always get wasted, it just kind of happens that way. Anyway, here is an update.

X-Over: You'll know who the mystery guy is as soon as I do. But suffice it to say this guy is an evil bastard who will die. But you probably already knew that.

Crystaline-Dragon: thanks for the review. Here's the update.

Godofwar5000: thanks for the review. I'm glad it mixes well. I'm trying to keep up the good work.

Killereagle9999: like I said before, I'll do everything within my miserable little powers to keep this up. Here is some more to satiate your desires.

Brax The Great: I was implying the transformation. I should have gone into more detail for those that haven't seen the fully transformed one yet. Sorry about that. But the true focus was on what Knives was going through and then the shot itself and what happened afterward. Thanks for the reviews. Expect a lot to happen in the next chapter.

Now that is done. Anyway, it is 1 am right now, so I stayed up extra late just to finish this and get it out to you to say that yes I am still alive. So please enjoy. This chapter is a little more plot advancement along with some of my ideas on the show itself concerning the angelarm and its abilities.

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The only audible sounds were the various instruments all over the bridge as they worked. The entire bridge crew could not believe what they had just witnessed. The view screen gave an all too clear picture of the aftermath. After the blindingly white beam died down, there was only small pieces of wreckage left of the Midway Island.

"My God!" Riker finally pronounced. The shock was just beginning to wear off.

"Sensors indicate that there were no survivors from the Midway Island." From the way Data had said the words, it was clear that his emotion chip had been turned off.

Vash simply collapsed onto the floor. He was unable to keep the tears from falling, nor did he even try. He buried his face in his hands and openly wept. His words we just loud enough, the person closest to him could hear. "Knives, what have you done? Have you gone down that path again?"

"Mr. Data, scan the surface for life signs." Picard ordered. His voice was low and holding back his feelings.

"Sensors are having difficulty penetrating the upper atmosphere due to unknown interference. This interference could have resulted from that weapon. Although it is uncertain." Data responded.

"Commander," Picard turned towards Riker. "I want you to take a team down there to locate Knives."

"Sir, it is inadvisable to use transporters. Sensors cannot detect if they will penetrate the interference." Data added.

"I wasn't thinking about transporters." Picard replied.

"Shuttlecraft. I can get a team of 10 aboard the type 11." Riker replied. "We can be ready to go in fifteen minutes."

Vash looked up at those words. As his mind raced with the thoughts of his brother, one thing became very clear to him. He stood up and wiped his face clean of tears. His face was expressionless, but his eyes were showing the hurt he was suffering.

"I'm going with you." Vash stated. The red coat was waving slightly from his movement.

Picard looked him in the eyes. "Our personnel are capable of handling this situation Vash. There is no need to risk your life down there."

Vash responded with a lower tone of voice. "I am the only person that can stop the angelarm from being used. And your people will be able to keep me out of trouble. And even if they don't, I've been getting out of things like this for over a hundred years. No one is better than I am at finding my brother."

Picard thought about it for a moment. But being a Captain gave him the ability to make decisions quickly. "Riker, Mr. Vash will accompany you. Proceed with your mission."

Vash smiled, but it was one of those empty smiles that was merely for the benefit of everyone else. He walked towards Riker.

"I'm ready to go Commander." He quickly palmed the silver revolver, double checking that it was in its holster.

"Let's go. Data, Worf you're with me. Security team 3, report to Ship's Armory." Riker spoke loudly as he walked for the turbo lift. Worf left his station to the security officer behind him. Data left his seat and walked towards the lift as well. Vash followed them all in. He took in a last view of the bridge as the doors closed behind the four of them.

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In the Ship's Armory, Riker, Data, and Worf were handing out Heavy Phaser Rifles Type-3a. The seven Starfleet security crewmen were checking the weapons and removing extra power packs from the racks. Each was taking a rifle, type-2 hand unit and a tricorder.

Vash watched them from the corner of the room. He had refused to take a phaser weapon, preferring his revolver. He pulled out his quick loads to double check how many bullets he had left.

'Six quick loads plus the six in the cylinder, which gives me forty-two bullets.' He thought quietly. He watched as each person prepped their weapons.

"Alright everyone," Riker called them to the table at the center of the room. "Before the interference from the angelarm this is the sensor telemetry we were able to get." The table lit up with an image of the topography. "Now we had picked up a building at these coordinates. And from our analysis and Mr. Vash's help we have been able to discern that the beam came from this point just outside where the building was." The image highlighted the spot.

"Sir, you said "where the building was." A crewman spoke up.

"Correct. According to Mr. Vash, when the angelarm is fired it destroys everything within the blast area. Vash would you like to explain it to them in more detail?"

Vash looked up from his thoughts. "Yes of course." He walked over to the table. "Since I have used the angelarm several times I can say a few things about its power. The energy comes from inside the user. It puts an incredible strain on our power but it is possible to use it several times in a row and for extended periods of time. If used without some resistance, it has enough power to tear apart the entire planet."

The younger crew members looked nervous. The same one spoke up again. "How are we supposed to defend against something like that?"

"I can counter the effect by using my angelarm. With the number of times I have used it, I have found one thing. The blast, while violent, will only destroy buildings. It will not kill any living creature."

Everyone at the table looked at him strangely. He began explaining. "When I used it at July, the entire population was still in town. I also shot my brother with it from 3 yarz away. The whole population survived as well as my brother."

"Even so," Riker interrupted. "Vash is going with us to counter that weapon so that it can't be used against the Enterprise. Remember, we have no transporter abilities because of interference. So if you get pinned down, you must call for help. We can't just pull you out."

"We will be working in pairs on the surface." Data started. "One man will stay behind at the shuttlecraft. Report in every 15 minutes. Should we lose communications, we will rendezvous back at the shuttlecraft 4 hours after landing."

"Remember, this is a rescue mission primarily. Only go to higher settings if stun is having no effect." Riker added in. "When you locate Knives, provide coordinates and we will rendezvous with you. Do not attempt a solo rescue." Riker looked around the table at each person's face. "A man is depending on us. It is our responsibility to bring him back."

Worf leaned closer over the table. "Were sensors able to detect number of life forms on the planet?"

"No, the sensors were having trouble detecting life signs." Data started. "There is no information on how many persons are on the surface. Or what defense systems they may have."

Worf seemed happy. He was going into battle with no information on the enemy he was to face, or what weapons they had. The others seemed more nervous about the lack of data.

"If there are no more questions," Riker began again. "Be alert. Just as data said, we have no idea what we are facing down there. Let's get to the shuttle."

Each member of the team filed out of the room behind the three officers and Vash. They made their way through several corridors before coming up to the large double doors of the shuttle bay. The type 11 shuttle was sitting facing the large hangar doors. The rear hatch was folded out allowing easy access to the rear area. Riker and data walked around the front and entered the cockpit. Everyone else went in the back and took a seat after placing their weapon in a corresponding spot above the seats. Vash took his seat towards the front of the craft. Worf sat across from him.

"Shuttle Montgomery, you are cleared for departure." The female voice came over the ships communication system.

"Acknowledged. Closing hatches now." Data reported from the cockpit.

The shuttles rear hatch lifted slowly and sealed.

"Engaging drive systems now," Riker began working the controls. "We have full power now. Ready for departure."

"Opening Main Shuttle bay door." The female reported again.

The Large door in front of them began to slowly open. The blue glow along the outside edge informed them that the force field was indeed working. The door finished opening leaving a view of the curvature of the planet and stars in its place.

"Beginning departure sequence." Data reported as he worked the controls in front of him.

"We are clear of the deck. Engaging thrusters." Riker stated as he continued manipulating the shuttle.

The shuttlecraft picked itself off the deck and began slowly moving forward. When it encountered the force field, it began penetrating. The field adjusted to allow the shuttle through without decompressing the bay.

"We are clear of the Enterprise." Data reported to Riker.

"Setting course for the landing coordinates. Raise shields and power up weapons." Riker called back.

The shuttle began its decent on the planet. The red glow of turbulence from the atmosphere highlighted the hull of the small sleek craft. The turbulence did not affect the small craft.

Vash sat thinking about Meryl, Millie, and Rem. He had lied to them. He told them that Knives had nothing to do with the blast that destroyed the Midway Island; Told them that Knives was a good guy and he wouldn't do such a thing ever again. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the yellow sunglasses. As he slipped them on, a stray tear slid down his face.

'How can I do it?' He asked himself. 'How can I save Knives this time?' He kept wondering. Before, he had faced just his brother. This time he was going up against someone that had convinced him to...'No, No! Knives would never have done that willingly. He promised me that he would never use the angelarm again! He was forced into doing it.' Vash told himself. 'But how could someone force him to do that?' Each question only led him to more confusion. Knives had a much stronger mind than anyone he knew. For him to be coerced into doing this it would take someone stronger.

Worf watched Vash. He could not help but notice how distraught Vash looked. He could see it even though Vash was hiding it well from the others. Worf simply watched. Allowing Vash time to work things out by himself. He glanced at the other people in the shuttle. All of them were wearing security yellow underneath the gray and black. All of them were enlisted personnel. Four men and three women. Worf's experience has told him that female personnel are just as capable as the men in Starfleet. He went over the search in his head while waiting for the shuttle to touch down. Visual survey, followed by sensor readings if possible, split up and fan out, search for any signs of movement. It all seemed simple enough to him. Now was the time he could allow his warrior blood to get its fill.

"We're coming up on the landing coordinates," Riker announced over the communications system.

Vash looked up and took a few deep breaths. He closed his eyes and waited for a rough landing. He could remember how hard the ship that he and Knives used hit the ground. Of course that was a crash and not an entirely controlled landing. He still expected something.

"Ok we're on the ground, opening main hatch." Riker stated.

Vash opened his eyes and looked at the Starfleet personnel. Each had already stood and retrieved their weapon. The rear door fell open. With a loud thud, everyone started exiting. Vash slowly walked off the shuttle. He began to squint his eyes at the bright sunlight. He glanced around and could see nothing but red and orange dirt.

"It's a lot like Gunsmoke was." He said to no one in particular.

"Alright, split into your teams and begin searching." Riker ordered. Vash waited for the others to leave. He had teamed up with Riker.

After they had walked for a few minutes Vash spoke up. "Tell me the truth, what are the odds we will find him in four hours?"

"Since tricorder readings are limited to 700 meters, not likely. But we won't give up." Riker replied.

"It took me thirty years to find him the second time. And that was only because I was told where to look towards the end."

"The Enterprise will find a way around the interference. That will make life easier."

"I hope we find him before he uses it again." Vash said. His concern was apparent.

"So do I." Riker replied.

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Ok so it isn't anywhere near as long as last time. Forgive me please. You know the drill by now. Read and review. It helps me think better.