Starfleet Medical Headquarters
Department of Medicine, Office of the Chief of Staff
San Francisco, Earth

"Lieutenant? Captain Chatterjee will see you now."

The COS' office was quiet and orderly, with lush beige carpets, wood furniture, carefully designed lighting, a carefully selected collection of art on the walls and soft pan-Asian music playing over recessed speakers. Two crewmen staffed the reception area. Under normal circumstances, a lowly AMO like herself never would have seen the inside of these premises, but the circumstances surrounding her presence here were anything but usual.

Two days before her scheduled leave, Kiya had called her into the CMO's office and dropped a bombshell: she was retiring from Starfleet and joining a civilian practice. The staff had thrown a going-away party her last night aboard, but Kiya's departure had left a gaping hole in the department in more ways than one: it left the responsibility for the entire 130-strong unit squarely on the shoulders of a lieutenant with just over eighteen months in grade. The regs called for that position to be filled by a lieutenant commander or better.

And if there was anything Captain Rajesh Chatterjee, MD was known for, he was a stickler for the regs.

"Thank you, Yeoman," Karen said, standing to walk toward the door. However, the young man behind the desk held up one hand. "Just a second..." With swift, economical motions, he straightened her pips and insignia and brushed some lint off her shoulder. "Captain's a mite nitpicky over uniform."

Karen gave a soft chuckle at that, wondering just how many wayward officers' uniforms the young crewman second class had neatened in his time here. "Thanks again."

/\

"I must say, this is most unusual, Lieutenant," the Chief of Staff said in lilting, musical tones, reading over the array of PADDs neatly lined on his desk. "You do not have anywhere near the rank or the time in grade to command an Eclipse-class department, yet your CO recommends that you be allowed to do so. Do you care to explain to me what I am supposed to do with this affair?"

"No sir, that wouldn't be my place to do so," Karen said deferentially, although by now she did have a very succinct explanation for what this pompous man could do with his affairs. He'd been going on in this vein for the past fifteen minutes, and she'd increasingly found herself biting her tongue. "I will accept any decision you make, pursuant to my CO's orders."

"And that is the crux of the matter, no?" Chatterjee said, tapping one aristocratic finger on the last of the PADDs, the one that must have contained Captain Stryker's recommendations. "I do not at present have a higher ranking officer that I can transfer to Pretoria to replace your CMO, and without a replacement it would be difficult to countermand your CO's orders, regardless of the regulations here." He sighed dramatically, reaching for another PADD. "I see no option but to allow you to continue as acting CMO until a higher ranked officer can fill the post."

Score! Do you believe in miracles?

"I am pleased to hear that, Sir," she said, smiling demurely. "Thank you."

"That will be all, Lieutenant. Dismissed."

Somehow, as she exited the office and headed out of the building, the California sunshine seemed a little brighter.

After a quick stop at the cargo depot to pick up her luggage, which had been stored from the shuttlecraft flight earlier, she headed for the campus transport facility. Another yeoman, this one a PO1, greeted her when she walked in. "Good afternoon, Lieutenant. How many, and what's your final destination?"

"One plus luggage, going to the Regional Transport Center, Bozeman."

"ID please, ma'am?"

Fumbling in her pants pocket, Karen produced her identity card, which had gotten more use in the last twelve hours than it had in the last two years.

The yeoman's fingers flew over her console, inputting coordinates and passenger data. "Next transport window is in ten minutes. You can wait here if you'd like."

"That's fine, thank you. What's the local time there, anyway?"

"1535, ma'am."

Yeesh. No wonder I feel so giddy, I'm space-lagged as hell.

Delta Bar Ranch
Western Montana, Earth

One transport, one change into civilian clothes, a groundcar rental and thirty minutes' drive later, Karen pulled into the driveway of a low, sprawling log home. Several other groundcars were already there, most civilian rentals, a few with Starfleet tags, and two all-terrain trucks. In the front, a handful of men were playing some kind of game involving throwing and running with an ovoid ball.

"Eh! Look vhat ze cat drags in!" Gunther Spitz shouted in his thick German accent, and the game stopped, as the guys ambled over with smiles, backslaps and handshakes. "Doc, how ya been?" Cross DeLena said, while Kalok looked on with the Vulcan equivalent of an ear-to-ear grin. "We are glad you could join us."

"Head on in and drop your gear, Karen," Marshall Witt said, smiling. "Ashleigh, Colleen and Kale are already here, and Saban's got the bar open. Make yourself at home."

"Thanks, si- ah, Marshall," she said, smiling. Already the tensions of the day were dissolving.

Funny, that... I do feel right at home.

-/\-

Risan Beach

The sun shown down brightly on the pearl white sand of the beaches of Risa and many sun bathers and vacationers were enjoying the sun and the planet immensly. The only thing that stood out was a lone figure sitting on a chair working on a PADD still in uniform. A large lizard who seemed to not know how to relax.

A young girl walked up to him and Kretak looked up from his PADD to see her approach. she wore one of the famous Risan swim suits, but of course, as a Gorn, he could not understand why she would subject herself to such little clothing.

"You are Ensign Kretak?" she asked coming up to him.

The gorn nodded, but went back to work on his PADD.

"My name is Mary Orden, I'm an engineering crewmen on the USS Pretoria. If I may ask, sir, shouldn't you be relaxing?"

The Gorn looked up again at her and frowned. "I have no use to relax, Crewmen, I find laying on beaches and swimming in salt water useless when you have a ship to run."

She sat down indian style beside him and continued. "Oh, come on, sir. The nice warm air, the beautiful waves, the sand."

He continued to work on his PADD as he answered. "The water is cold, the sun is to hot, and I hate sand."

She grinned. "Then what are you doing out here? why aren't you on the Pretoria?"

Kretak sighed. "Captain Stryker believed i be more useful down here. He told me to enjoy myself. I can't disobey a superior officer, so I'm trying to enjoy myself."

"Enjoy yourself? that shouldn't be hard. See those pretty girls over there?" Mary said pointing to more girls getting out of the water. Kretak looked over in that direction and went back to his PADD.

"It may come as a suprise to you, Crewmen, but we Gorns consider Humans to be one of the uglier species in the Alpha quadrant. We cannot understand why the female of your species wishes to wear skimpy clothing...it is speculated among our scientists that it is to enhance what little physical charms they posess."

Mary laughed and stood. "Well, sir, then I see your fit for your job. if you ever feel like taking a swim, I'll be in the water."

Kretak watched her walk away and sighed. Humans, he'd never understand them and probably never will.

-/\-

Alice and Stryker - Beach

In the fading sunlight, Mike Anderson and Liz looked worried when they walked up to Alice and Stryker.

Liz drew a 5 on the sand. That meant they are being followed.

Stryker held a finger to his left temple. Liz shook her hand. That meant she is unable to read their minds.

Mike held out a PADD. The headline read "Violence rocks sleepy vacationers"
On the PADD was the local news about a shoot out between Orions. Several fled the scene. Descriptions pending within the hour. Someone from the Risan Principal Office reported Starfleet seized a pair of Orion shuttles in orbit.

Stryker felt uneasy, but told them to go on with the plan. But he wondered who or what they were up against.

2 hours later

Liz and Alice made a campfire. It was clear that the two couples were getting tired. Time to head to bed soon.

Alice sighed as she took a seat next to her husband by the fire. Stryker kissed her, and placed an arm around his wife's shoulders, who leaned her head against his shoulder in turn. He looked at Alice, who looked as vibrant and cheerful as the day he first met her. Well, not entirely. Both Stryker and Alice had to safe guard secrets now. They often felt guilty because the events of the last few months are unresolved. No one knew what was going to happen if JAG shows up or summoned everyone involved.

-/\-

Gi Jip Koda and Glen - Hotel Sunnyside

Dawn came to Risa with a diffuse, milky light. Admiral Glen Harkness, tired after the long night of womanizing, ate well of sweet fruit and drank deeply of clear water.

"Sir ! The Marshes is home to a dangerous camouflaged urchin, quite capable of walking on land. Highly poisonious." Gi Jip Koda warned the Admiral as they got ready for a day long hike.

Adm. Glen in his usual loud Scotttish voice told the young Trill to stop being so cautious. "Besides m'lad. What could possibly go wrong ?"

Gi Jip Koda protested but the Admiral shut him up. "Let's go."

-/\-

Delta Bar Ranch
Western Montana, Earth

Dawn broke over the prairie in a spectacular wash of reds, pinks and oranges, painting the trees and the distant snowcapped peaks in colors reminiscent of a child's watercolor. High overhead, a solitary hawk wheeled in the crisp air, perhaps searching for a tasty mouse, or just enjoying the stillness of the morning.

A lone human stood on the porch of the log ranch house, taking in the view. Most of the group had elected to sleep in, a few of them nursing hangovers from the night's revelry, but she had risen before the sun, completing the morning's meditation and a five-mile run while the ranch hands were rolling out to start their day's work.

The sharp scent of woodsmoke drifted into the air, and from inside, there was a sudden clatter of pots and pans, accompanied by a string of expletives. Her stomach growled loudly, making its needs clear.

With a smile, Karen turned around and headed back into the house. I'll go see if Ashleigh needs help with breakfast...

/\

Once inside, she couldn't repress a laugh. There was a pot of honest-to-God coffee brewing, bacon frying on the stove - her nose picked out the scent of pea meal - and the source of the swearing turned out to be Ashleigh fighting with a recalcitrant omelet. "You do realize that if you cook like that every morning, you're never going to be able to get rid of us?" she said, smiling.

"Oh, you might change your mind if you're overly fond of omelets. They're Marshall's favorite, but I never could make one worth a tinker's damn. Bloody things always stick and rip on me." Ashleigh sighed in frustration, finally getting the misshapen omelet to slide out of the pan and onto a nearby plate. "I don't suppose you have a magic trick for them...?"

"Not magic, just way too many years of practice. It's all about timing. Here, I'll run the omelet production - you sit down and take a break."

Ashleigh stared at Karen for just a second, and then let out a snort of laughter, pulling out one of the chairs at the counter. "If you can cook like that, I just might never let you leave. So, tell me: when did you find the time to become a short-order chef as well?"

"Home," Karen replied simply, adding a pat of butter to the hot pan, waiting for the foam to subside before pouring scrambled eggs and a splash of cream into the pan. "When I was little, my dad always used to eat the same breakfast: a two-egg omelet, sausage and kadik-germ porridge..." Off Ashleigh's confused look, she added, "Local grain, kind of like a cross between oats and barley. Makes the best oatmeal you've ever had. And yes, I brought some with me." After a minute, she expertly folded cheese, tomato and scallions into the bubbling egg mixture. "On any other world, that kind of diet would be a one-way ticket to the cardiac unit, but working outdoors in extreme cold weather, you can easily burn through four, five thousand kilocalories in a day..."

"So that's how you keep your figure."

"That, and being able to dead-lift a Klingon. Enhanced musculature comes with the juiced-up metabolism to match." She slid the neatly folded omelet onto a plate, added bacon and toast, and handed it across the counter. "Bon appetit."

Ashleigh took a bite of the omelet, and her eyes widened in surprise. "Oh my. I think I'm in love."

And there it was: the words hung in the air, the room silent except for the crackling of the pan. "I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me, I never should have said--"

Footsteps on the wood floors broke the moment, and Gunther Spitz and Colleen Palmer stumbled into the room, rubbing at their bleary eyes. Meska Kale dragged in behind them a few minutes later. "That will be the last time you get me to drink Scotch, Gunther..."

"Ja, me too. Guten morgen, Ashleigh - is zat real coffee?"

"Coffee sounds wonderful. Good lord, I feel like I went ten rounds with a Pagh-wraith..."

Karen caught the other physician's eye, smiled across the counter. "It's all right. Another time."

-/\-

" The Mourning after "

Hotel Room on the Beach, Risa

A few hours later, Stryker was rubbing his eyes as he looked around the semi-dark room. The sun's first rays breaking over the horizon. His gaze moved from her peaceful face over her pregnant figure. The shirt she wore was white, and it reached to mid-thigh. From there, her legs stretched long and smooth and golden.

His eyes, seeing her, were the eyes of love. Her skin was like cinnamon, caramel, honey. Her form had its own lithe grace, its own subtle but definite musculature. She was sleeping deeply, and as always it caused a surge of protectiveness in him. She looked defiant and determined in her sleep and achingly beautiful. He wondered what she was dreaming about.

Stryker yawned and closed his eyes.

Stryker come to, stirred for nearby movement, and opened his eyes again. Alice yanked her fingers through her fiery red hair, which had long since fallen out of its braids. When her hair was down it reached almost to her waist. "Wild night, eh ?" Stryker commented.

"Hey, I was a perfect lady last night. Uhhhh ..." Alice moaned.

"How much sleep did we get ?" Stryker asked her.

Alice shrugged. "Not enough I'll tell you that much. "

Stryker nodded in agreement. He felt miserably tired, not rested at all. It was as if he had not slept at all. Still, he knew that he had slept some. "I just woke up, " she answered, giving up on her hair, tossing it over her shoulder dejectedly.

"Where is Liz and Mike ?"

"I do not know, " Alice said looking around.

"Stryker, go get me a drink. Something fruity in a big glass." cooed Alice. "Or else ..."
"Or else what ?" Stryker replied, sarcastically. Alice made a face and rolled over to punch Stryker on the shoulder.

"Get moving ... " Alice playfully warned.

"The abuse I take, " Stryker grinned as he got up, rubbing his 'sore' shoulder. He walked to the far side of the room and pressed a button to open the closet. Much to his surprise, Mike and Liz come tumbling out.

"I did not know there was the make out room in here." Alice burst out laughing as she watched the couple turn two very different shades of red.

-/\-

Hotel Room on the Beach, Risa

Mike Anderson, Liz Archer, Alice Brangwin and Rakurai Stryker ate quickly. They had access to Admiral Glen's PADD and knew that he was up to today.

Alice had a bad case of morning sickness and when she was able, Alice was helping the others get ready. Stryker summoned Ensign Kretak to join them.

In the meanwhile, Liz and Mike were disguising themselves as Bajorans. Liz dyed her hair colour to gold while Mike now had black hair.

Stryker and Kretak was not able to disguise their unique features, but were to stand by with a portable transporter and Buzz rifles. A 22nd century weapon it merely stuns, but the weapon's discharge is invisible and barely even makes a sound. Given the situation requires stealth, Phasers and Disruptors are way too noisy.

Liz whispered to Stryker, "I am scared."

He whispered back to her, "I am scared too. I have this a prickling sensation across my spine... sometimes I think I hear voices I can not properly understand."

"Then this is it, " Mike punched his fist into his open palm. "I can feel the adrenalin rush already."

"Let's do it." Stryker commanded, the familiar pre-battle calm descending over him like a shroud.

Liz smiled uneasily, "More of a stomach turning sensation if you ask me."

"Be careful Liz." Alice said.

"You too." she replied with a weak smile.

Alice double-checked the transporter's settings. She set it to energize on a delayed timer, "Ten, nine, eight ... "

-/\-

Gi Jip Koda and Glen - The Hydra Marshes

The young and overstressed Trill and Admiral Glen were dressing in hiking gear and a backpack containing a water recycler/purifier, a communicator and a PADD with maps of the area.

They walked along trial 27-46, 15 kilometers in length. A flowery scent hang in the air.

-/\-

Hydra Marshes

Through the magnifiers, Angel's men could see their target through the swamp. "What about the others? We had no orders about them."
Cain said, "Forget about them. Remember," he told the sniper, "your shot has to be perfectly timed."
The Andorian nodded. He was recruited from an elite mercenary squad, as were most of Angel's men. The squad was camouflaged, and hunkered down in the swampy grasses.
The sniper would fire a tiny projectile into the Admiral's neck, and he would instantly be beamed away. The transporter signal would be scrambled, coded, and routed all over Risa before ending up on their ship. A split second after that, a large explosion would rock the area, seeming to incinerate all in the Admiral's group. Fake remains would be beamed in place, matching his DNA.
"Get ready," said Cain.
"I have him," said the Andorian. "Anytime you're ready."

"Now! Fire!"

The sniper fired, and instantly there was a massive explosion

-/\-

Delta Bar Ranch
Western Montana, Earth

After the breakfast dishes were cleared away, the group made plans for the day. Ashleigh, Colleen, DeLena and Saban were going into town shopping, Gunther and Marshall had planned a horseback ride, and Kalok had simply opted to stay in the house and read. Karen had thought about joining the riders, but in the end decided on a solo day-hike.

She had just walked out the door when Marshall stopped her. "Can I talk to you privately for a minute?"

"Of course. What's up?" Her heart sank - a jealous Marshall Witt was not a pretty sight - but there was no anger in the former captain's face as they walked out toward the corrals.

"Thanks. Come on, you can help me saddle up the horses." They walked into the tack barn, the rich scents of oiled leather and horses thick in the air. A long pause ensued before Marshall spoke. "I don't know if you know this or not, but I do keep in touch with a few 'colleagues' at Starfleet," he said. "Mostly minor stuff, what's going on with you guys, and so forth. I did, however, get a very disturbing message a week or so ago from an old friend at Fleet Intel."

"Such as?"

"David Sorenson escaped from the Romulan penal colony at Erinye V three weeks ago."

Karen swore softly. David Sorenson was Ashleigh's ex-husband and, up until a group of sharp-eyed medical officers from the Exeter had thought to order a DNA study, Brandon's legal father as well. In addition to being an abusive, sadistic excuse for a sapient life-form - his predations had left Ashleigh with an astounding set of scars and a badly damaged left eye, and Brandon with permanent heart and lung damage - he had also been a Romulan double agent, working for a terrorist faction of the Tal' Shiar bent on establishing a new Romulan order. After a failed coup, which the Exeter had been instrumental in stopping, Sorenson had been convicted of high treason by both the Romulans and the Federation and sentenced to life at hard labor. At least, until now.

"Do Ashleigh and Brandon know?"

Marshall shook his head. "I can't bring myself to tell them."

"So where do I come into this?"

"My sources have tracked him to the Sigma Draconis system."

The pieces fell into place. Karen swore again. Softly she said, "Do you know what you're asking me?"

"Listen Karen, I know this is tough for you. I'm only asking you as a friend. You're not comfortable with it, say the word and this conversation never happened. I'm asking you because one, I can't go myself; two, you know the place better than anyone; and three, I trust you, and I know you love them as much as I do." Off her astounded look, Marshall smiled lopsidedly, a roguish twinkle in his eyes. "Of course I know. I also know you're the only man I'd trust my wife to."

She couldn't help but laugh at that. "Marshall, that's got to be the most insulting compliment I've ever received. But thank you anyway." Taking a deep breath, she looked into his eyes. "It'll be taken care of. I promise that."

"Thank you. I won't forget it." Marshall handed her two blankets and bridles, hoisting a pair of saddles over his shoulders, and they walked back to the corral, where a chestnut gelding and a cremello mare were standing. "I have to ask you a personal one. Don't answer if you don't want..."

"Hah. Considering what I just agreed to, you're entitled to a few personal questions."

"When did it happen for you? About Ashleigh, I mean?"

Karen paused for a moment, thinking. When she spoke again, her voice was quiet, and there was a soft smile on her face. "I'd only been on the Ex for a month or so, and it was during the Q Continuum incident, when we got thrown into the Normandy conflict. I already had a lot of respect for Ashleigh, I'd seen what a great doc she was, but I never saw the human side until then... I watched her go toe-to-toe with the galaxy's most omnipotent being to get her son back, and I realized there wasn't anything I wouldn't do for her." She straightened the blanket on the horse's back, still smiling. "That was what did it."

"That's pretty good." Marshall finished cinching the girth on the gelding's saddle, looked up and smiled, the subject closed. "Anyway. You know, you're still welcome to ride with us."

"Thanks, but I figure I'll go exploring on my own a little. Besides, I seem to do better when I'm on my own two feet."

"Okay, then. Dinner's at seven, and we're doing Italian Night..."

"Wouldn't miss it. I can't wait to see Chief DeLena in the kitchen."

Marshall laughed as he swung into the saddle. "See you later."

A few moments later, Karen headed off across the prairie. Her calm features spoke not a word to the battle of thoughts within.

-/\-

Kretak - Hotel Room on the Beach, Risa

Alice was running to the bathroom and back for the last twentyfive minutes, getting hit hard with morning sickness, and then complaining about weird food cravings.

Kretak and Stryker was preparing for any surprise attack on Admiral Glen. They were clad in Edenian combat armor, their outfit completed by two arm bracers and a Laconian helmet laying next to the portable transporter. The armor was odd in appearance, it looks like melted plastic, many shades of brown and black.

Underneath, they wore a form fitting metallic-blue body suit. The suit's material, while texture wise was close to rubber, was actually organic in nature, and had pores which would open if the environment got too warm, or close if it got too cold.

"How are you getting along with people onboard Pretoria?" Stryker asked Kretak. "Are you enjoying this mini-vacation ?"

Kretak had finished with his armor and he looked over to his superior officer. "I am getting along fine with the crew. They do their job and I do mine. The vacation? Well, it seems to get in the way of my work."

Alice asked Kretak, "I have always been curious about the Gorn homeworld. Your culture. Or more specifically, I suppose, does Gorn females really lay eggs ?"

Kretak looked at the female human surprised at her question, but decided to answer. She was an alien and was unsure of other planets. "Yes, that is quite true.
We use a special Incubation area of the house to keep them warm so the mother doesn't have to be with them all the time. The Eggs hatch in 5 months."

"Ensign, have you heard about the Orion shootout yesterday ?" Stryker asked Kretak

"Vague rumors, sir."

-/\-

Moments before..

Liz, and Mike, Alice where materialized nearby the Admiral's position. He and his Trill yeoman was sitting at a tiny outdoor restaurant. There were 9 tables in total, enough seating for 27 people.

Liz looked around and tried to melt into the environment. A hard task to do with a golden hair, she seemed to get everyone's attention! Liz smiled and continued her instructions, to look for anything strange. She caught sight of the admiral who was walking, about 50 meters straight ahead of her.

The hiking trials were quite busy, with many people enjoying nature, the sights and the smells.

She was in a short eye contact with Mike. He gave her a short signal with his eyes of recognizing. She could feel that he felt pity for her because of her choice of hair colour. He had also noticed that some younger people were pointing at her. As she took a harder grab in her concealed Buzz gun in her handbag she continued her search for anything strange. Suddenly a man went straight to her with a huge smile on his face. She could feel that he was attracted to her and that he would proberly try to get her attention. She didn't know what do next so she pretended to read a poster very closely. A young man in his twenties approached her.

"Hello there beautiful, nice day don't you think? " he says confident.

Liz turns to the young man and looks behind him as she talks. "Look, I am not interested. I don't think you would appreciate getting embarrassed when I have knocked you down. So let's make this simple. You will go you way and then nothing happen." Liz replies in a warning tone.

He took a quick step back with a surprised gesture and says. "Hey, so you are a tough girl. I like!" Liz couldn't believe what she was hearing. She looked up to her side with an angry look. I don't have time for this nonsense. At that moment she gets sight of a possible sniper. She takes drastic measures. She pulls him closer to her and gives him a big kiss. She then reaches her arms around him in a hug and taps on her secret communicator attached on her bracelet.

She says straight into the communicator. "Listen all, a possible sniper at seven a clock. "

The young man was still of confusion started to returning the hug. She liberates herself from his hug and gives him a hard slap on his face. And then moves away with her eyes on the sniper. She rans as fast as she could straight to the Admiral. But the few seconds before she reached him, he was gone.

She could feel a hand on her shoulder and saw that it was Mike. Mike had his scanner active and was scanning the area. He looked up with a surprised face and was shouting something out loud.

But there was suddenly a huge explosion, so she couldn't hear what he was saying. In the same time she could feel that she was flying through the air. At this moment she reached for her portable transporter button.

-/\-

Hotel Room on the Beach, Risa

"It is strange to have any kind of violence on a planet like this. The local police force is only 390 officers, and you typically have more than a million vacationers here." Alice said thoughtfully.

"The last bit of excitement that Risa had, was when then old man and his clone flooded half of Risa, about 14 years ago."

The Comm line become active. "Listen all, a possible sniper at seven a clock."

"That was Liz !" Alice said alarmed.

Liz and Mike rematerialized a few seconds later. Liz was flat on her back, on the transporter pad. Both Mike and Liz's Bajoran outfits showed evidence of heat and flame.

Mike was Liz's side instantly, he looked up at Stryker, "Explosion !"

"Are you hurt ?" Stryker asked, urgently.

"I do not think so sir." Liz answered. Mike helped her up carefully. Heading the wash room.

Alice was at the controls. Kretak and Stryker put on their helmets, standing on the transporter pad. Stryker then nodded to her.

The Edenian and Gorn rematerialized, arriving Klingon style, phasers drawn, and facing outwards.

Around them was evidence of an explosion. Charred seats and tables. And flesh.

Kretak is the Pretoria's science officer, and best suited for scanning, while Stryker moved around, aiming his rifle at anything that moved.

"I found DNA ..." Kretak started. "Trill, Vellorian, Sprite, Andorian and Human."

Stryker felt disbelief. Everything spun out of control in the blink of an eye. He started to mentally analyse this incident. "This is somehow connected to yesterday's Orion shoot out. Whomever did this is not reckless or careless ..."

"A professional hit." Kretak added. "The work of mercenaries. Leave no evidence of any kind."

"I wish we could call the Pretoria or have it in orbit." Stryker admitted. But as it stood, there was no starship nor starbase in orbit.

Stryker felt defeated. He decided that he and Kretak will stay at this scene for 15 minutes. Then return to the hotel and contact Starfleet to tell them the bad news.

-/\-

"The subject is aboard, as is all personnel," reported a helmsman. Angel, dressed in a black leather suit, turned in her throne-like command chair. "Very good. Engage cloaking device and break orbit. Set course for Home Base," she ordered. The battle cruiser disappeared from Risa, and went into warp.
"I think I'll check on our guest," she said.

She took her time to the holding cell where Harkness was staying. He was under heavy guard. Cain was there, and Angel asked, "Was he injured?"
"Nothing serious. The precision was excellent," said Cain. "Everyone did a splendid job."
"Stop fishing for complements," said Angel. She regarded the human in the cell. "I want information from him, so ensure that no harm comes to him. Make him comfortable, and give him everything within reason. Once we reach our base, then the fun will begin," she said with a smile.

Delta Bar Ranch
Western Montana, Earth

The evening's activities had swung into full gear at the ranch house. Saban was running the bar, as usual, and DeLena and Kalok had staged a "Marine invasion" of the kitchen. Judging by the aromas of garlic, peppers and tomatoes wafting from within, the assault team's efforts were proving successful.

"So here we're stuck on this plague of a planet, we'd just about run out of antivirals, and this little political flack gets up in my face..." Colleen was saying, when Brandon walked over and tapped Karen on the shoulder. "Doc, there's a call for you. It's on the secure line in Dad's office."

Secure line? That can't be good. "Thanks, Brandon. Be right there."

The Starfleet seal was blinking on the screen as she sat down in front of the terminal. After a moment, the screen flashed over, displaying "SECURE CONNECTION ESTABLISHED," and a moment later, Captain Stryker appeared on the screen.

"Doctor, I apologize for disturbing you on leave, but we've had a situation here. Vice Admiral Harkness was just assassinated in a bar here on Risa, and we think it may be the work of terrorists..."

All the blood drained from her face. "What...?"

"As a result, I've had to cancel everyone's shore leave. The Pretoria is currently dry-docked at Starbase 375, and the crew is shipping out now. We're sailing in 72 hours."

"Understood. I'll be there, sir."

"See you soon, Doctor. Stryker out."

Karen closed the comms screen and opened a new link to Starfleet Logistics, quickly accessing the travel requisitions department. A few minutes' search gave her the travel data she was looking for.

As fate would have it, the fastest passage to Starbase 375 would trans-ship at Sigma Draconis IV. And layover there for 24 hours.

Well, we can't control the workings of the universe, only how we react to them...

She finished booking the trip and headed to her room to start packing.

-/\-

Blast Site

Kretak picked himself through the debris of the Blast zone scanning with his tri-corder and eyeing out anything that was suspicious. He had left Stryker behind as he walked and then his eyes picked up something in a collapsed wall area.

Aiming his tri-corder in the direction, Kretak spun to Stryker. "I think I have a survivor sir!"

Kretak rushed over and the footsteps of his captain right behind him. The massive Gorn grabbed ahold of the fallen Duranium and Concrete and with a heave, brought the slab to a vertical position. Stryker immediatly crawled under and soon dragged out a form.

The Gorn set down the slab again and knelt beside the person in Strykers arms. He was already administering First aid.

"Do you know this person?" Kretak asked.

-/\-

Blast Site

The Edenian was angry at himself. He noticed for the first time that he is starting to forget First Aid. But as it was, luckily for Stryker and the young Trill, he appeared to be in stable condition. A miracle he's still alive.

Stryker studied the tricorder carefully. "Changes are, this is the Admiral's Personal Assistant, Gi Jip Koda."

-/\-

Unknown location

Unfamiliar ceiling, Admiral Glen thought looking up. His eyelids felt heavy. He remember something about his mother talking to him. Strange. I am not hungry, yet I do not have remember eating anything.

He blinked a few times, making a half descent attempt to gather his thoughts. iI died. But now I am alive again. Why ? Why did someone revive me ? No, wait. There was ... a sharp pain in my neck. Then what happened ?

He found himself seated in a peculiar chair. The chair was doing something to him; he couldn't move. His arms lay on the armrests, but he couldn't lift them, the same could be said for his legs.

In front of him appeared to be a young Human woman, powder white skin, short platinum blonde hair. Light gray eyes. She was wearing purple clothing suitable for cool tempatures. After seeing that, the Admiral stopped caring where he was.

He stared at her breasts and wolf whistled. "Damn lady, you look hot."

"I know," said Angel without smiling. Another stupid man to deal with. She hated most organic males. "And you look like a man in a deadly situation right now. You could save yourself an immense amount of trouble by cooperating. You might even find it rewarding." She smiled demurely at him.

-/\-

3 Hours since the Blast.

Blast Site

The young Trill turned out to be someone else, called Yanas. The local crime lab found Gi Jip Koda's melted DNA a few minutes ago.

His commbadge beeped. "Bridge to Captain Stryker."

"Stryker here."

/\ "Captain. A pair of Romulan ships on Long range sensors, heading towards Risa, running in cloaked mode. Both are Vereleus class Warbirds."

"Heavy Battlecruiser." Stryker said, feeling somewhat confused. What the hell is going on ?

/\ "Orders sir ?" Belldandy asked.

"I do not kn--" Stryker paused. "Operational status."

/\ "Engines offline. Cold restart scheduled in six hours. Thrusters can be activated in about 5 minutes."

"Start close orbit as soon as possible. I need a detailed scan of the surface and underground. Keep an open comlink and inform me of any surprises, potential or otherwise."

"Stryker to Ensign Archer ...

-/\-

USS Pretoria
18 hours later

"Doctor, welcome back," the triage nurse on duty said as Karen strode into Sickbay. "We thought you wouldn't be aboard till tomorrow...?"

"Caught an earlier transport," Karen replied offhandedly. Which was true, if only half the story. "What've we got?"

"One inpatient, a survivor from the assassination. Male Trill civilian, host body's about twenty years old. Blast trauma and the usual consequences. Captain ordered him into protective custody."

"This his chart? All right, I'll take a look at him."

"So how was your leave?" the nurse asked.

Karen stopped in the entryway, and only a very skilled observer would have seen the pain in her eyes. "It was good... I got a lot done. Thanks for asking."

-/\-

Unknown location

Admiral Glen Harkness. The man known across the Federation and beyond for his womanly exploits said to put the 23rd century legend, James T Kirk to shame.

But right now he was in deep deep trouble. The woman in front of him, proberly human was beautiful to him. He thought again, almost of nothing but sex. Now with the pale skinned woman in front of him. But he also felt the radiance of a Hunter. A trapdoor spider. At any time now, ready to jump out and kill.

Glen lost his voice for half a minute then said, "What --- What do want ?"

-/\-

"I want you to be silent!" Angel hissed. "Questions will come later. Followed by your answers, if you have any survival instinct at all. Until then, behave yourself. You are no longer an Admiral. You are NOTHING."

Angel walked out of the cell and turned around, giving him a smile as if everything was all right again. "Things can go quite smoothly, if you cooperate. We'll be arriving at my home shortly. Get some sleep, if you can."

"Spare me your platitudes" Glen spat back.

Angel smiled, "Very well. You have some information I require."

"I will tell you nothing!"

"Excellent." Angel grinned, motioned to Cain "Prepare the extraction device."

The metal slab Glen was secured to, was lowered. A jointed arm moved, inserting a probe into his neck, once inside moving towards his brain.

"I thought I'd ask nicely, but my scientists do so enjoy their work." Angel replied.

Angel walked out of the cell and turned around, giving him a smile as if everything was all right again. "Things can go quite smoothly, if you cooperate. We'll be arriving at my home shortly. Get some sleep, if you can."

The battlecruiser continued at warp speed to her headquarters, and Angel made her way back to the bridge. "Status. Anything on subspace emergency channels?"
"Nothing yet, Mistress," a comm officer replied. "All Starfleet channels we're monitoring are still clear."
"Continue to monitor. Tactical, any warp signatures following?"
"At present speed, we can only detect vessels at short range. Those scopes are clear."
"Very well. Prepare to drop out of warp, and perform a long range scan," ordered Angel. "Then alter course, and re-engage warp engines."

-/\-

A pair of Vereleus class Warbirds made an agressive turn towards the Pretoria. But luckily the ships did not have weapons armed.

Bridge - USS Pretoria
Just the scene for these 2 ships on the viewscreen reminded Stryker of terrible memories. "Avatar of Tomed and the Avenger" Belldandy told him.

"On screen." Stryker ordered.

A Romulan male, vaguely 90 years of age appeared on screen. "Captain Rakurai Stryker. I am Commander Arlieen Tayva."

"You are atleast fifteen days from your border Commander." Stryker reminded him. "What is your business here ?"

/\ "A dangerous criminal that escaped the Romulan Star Empire. Seems she's been here on Risa."

"The Orion shootout from 2 days ago ?" Ensign Liz wondered outloud.

/\ "Orions ? Well, I guess she is amassing power."

"Wait !" Stryker said, somewhat confused. "Who is she ?"

20 minutes later - Observation lounge
Commander Arlieen Tayva's First Officer handed out PADDs with addiational information.

If Stryker was reading Arlieen Tayva's body lauguage correctly, the man was felt ashamed. Why ? Stryker wondered.

"The following information requires a Clearance of Level 9. No one but the Captain is authorized to know this." Commander Arlieen Tayva said.

"You Obviously screwed up. Unleased something on the Alpha Quadrant that is not under your control." Stryker said, secretly amused.

Tayva was furious. But after a second or two recomposed himself. "The White Angel project was designed to create an artificial life form, to be modeled after Starfleet's Lt.-Cmdr Data. The prototype, Angel's purpose to sabotage, espionage, and intelligence gathering. Soon after activation, her program cascaded and developed emotional mimicking capabilities at an exponential rate. The purpose of the program was to imitate self-awareness, but it worked to well. Unit One killed her creators and destroyed most of the lab along with all information about the project before escaping."

"You created her." Doctor Karen noted.

"Yes. I was on a team of 33 sciencists. And the only one not present when she was activated." Tayva admitted.

"Why is she so dangerous ?" Liz asked.

"Angel does not have any ethical or moral limitations. She likes to toy with people, especially men, and has no respect for life. She is programmed to be an infiltration unit, complete with various combat skills. In trials, she preferred using her hands to kill. Angel Unit 1 also has a vast knowledge of just about any kind of information."

"You have a kill switch to deactivate her ?" Stryker inquired.

"Yes, but to use it we have to be within 25 meters of the unit."

Stryker signed softly. His duty was clear though. "Commander. We need to search this Risa system. All 3 ships in a tight search pattern. Based on the fact she is building a power base means she proberly took over a small or weakened Orion Syndicate. But you built her. We should expect surprises, and a game of cat and mouse if we find her."

The 2 Romulan commanders agreed with him.

"Let's go!"