Chapter 1

SITUATION ROOM

SHADO BASE

SYSTEM PXK-1016

Commodore Straker looked at the holo-information displayed in the room. The room was large, about the size of a gymnasium, and right now it was showing information clear back to the Klingon home world. Straker and the others held pads that could alter the information as needed. Commander Forrester highlighted a signal that was relatively close to their base. "That's the Klingon probe that came through this system last week."

"Did we intercept its report?" Straker asked.

Forrester nodded, "Yes, and decoded it. It did not reveal a single thing."

Straker nodded. "How's the network calibration coming along?"

Forrester tapped a couple of buttons. Highlights showed up on Qo'noS, the Klingon home world. "Our equipment is so sensitive to the point where we can listen in on anything transmitted from low orbit to the surface and back. We have even been able to decode transporter signals to a certain extent."

Straker chuckled, "So we know who is beaming where?"

Forrester shook his head, "Not quite. We can tell if its animal, mineral, or vegetable. That is about it."

Straker's attention started in another direction. "Well, when the manufacturing plant finishes up the next batch of sensor packages, we may be able to refine that." Straker looked over into the Triangle area. "What about the ship list in the Lambda Beta system?"

Forrester said, "The message torpedo was sent yesterday. It should have sent its message today; I would guess the Wisconsin should get the list of expected ships probably tomorrow morning."

"Very good Paul. Now to the big mystery. What is the latest on the Bismark?"

The Bismark was the nickname that had been given to the Klingon's battleship. When SHADO base first detected the Kah'less, they of course did not know its name. The identifier tag assigned was KBS001- Klingon Battleship 001. The ship was used to intentionally draw Federation assets around to protect the border and intimidate them. The nickname from World War II was quickly given 'The Bismark' and it stuck. Everyone at SHADO base knew that the Bismark was in fact the Kah'less, but they tended to refer to the ship as the Bismark.

Forrester brought up some information on his pad and had it displayed in front of them. So far it was just a bunch of numbers. "So far, we do not even know what it looks like. We just know its power output and can guess its mass, but there is some debate on that."

Straker nodded, "Yes, I know. The calculated mass is way off, extremely heavy. The engineering department has told me they think it's a distortion created by the power output." Straker looked at the data displayed. "We also have no idea as to how many or what type of weapons it has. We do not know if it has a cloak or not. Point is, we do not know enough about this ship."

Forrester said, "We are not going to get much more from out here. There is a limit as to what we can passively sense."

Straker had been debating this very next point with himself for an extended time. "Good point. I want you to get the Shadow prepped for departure, full complement of supplies."

Forrester asked, "Extended mission Commodore?"

"Possibly. I am going to take it out and get some better information on the Bismark." Straker said.

Forrester said, "Very well sir. You will be in Klingon territory."

Straker nodded, "Then I better not get caught."

BRIEFING ROOM

USS WISCONSIN

Jacobs walked in with Pastor Octavian in tow. Everyone stood when the Captain walked in. "Thank you all very much, please be seated." Jacobs said. Everyone sat down. Jacobs poured himself a glass of water. "I can now tell you of the specifics of the mission. Everything discussed here is classified codeword only. Codeword for this mission is SKINDIVER ASHORE. As you know we are in the Triangle, so the regs require me to emphasize extra vigilance on your behalf. I know that you all are on extra vigilance anyway, so it is redundant. Besides, what do we have to worry about, nothing important happens on this ship." Everyone had a chuckle at that.

Jacobs continued, "I can now reveal our mission. Federation Intelligence has received an emergency extraction signal from this man." An image of a youngish, average looking blond man came to the screen. "This is a deep plant spy named SKINDIVER. Our mission is simply stated, go in, and extract him."

It was silent for a short time. Jacobs then said, "Ok, it is not so simple. First, we do not really know what SKINDIVER looks like."

Dr. Mallard asked, "What do you mean?"

Jacobs explained, "SKINDIVER is a deep-plant operative. He has provided us with excellent intelligence on the Orions, Norsicans, Romulans, and Klingons as well. SKINDIVER's area of operation is in the Triangle. To be effective for the Federation, he probably has masqueraded as a dozen different species."

Leonaidas asked, "How will we find him?"

Jacobs explained, "SKINDIVER has a sensor-spoofing transducer that is capable of masking his vital signs and replacing them with whatever he wants."

Dr. Mallard asked, "They made those? I have only heard about them in the prototype stage."

Jacobs nodded, "Evidently Starfleet intelligence has had them for about twenty years. Ducky, how about you tell us what you know."

Dr. Mallard nodded. "The prototype that I have heard that was being worked on was basically a thin suit, you can think of it as long underwear. The suit can suppress the vital signs of the wearer and then broadcast the vital signs of what the suit wearer wants. The catch I know is that the suit is tailored to both the wearer and the type of life signs you want to project."

Leonaidas looked back and forth. "So, we have actually made these?"

Jacobs shrugged, "Evidently so. SKINDIVER'S suit also has a feature that when interrogated by our tricorder system, it will return a very specific set of vital signs that our tricorders will be looking for. Our mission is to get close enough to contact him and extract him."

Leonaidas asked, "Where are we going?"

Jacobs pushed a button and said, "The Lambda Beta system. More specifically a space station in the system." A star system popped up.

Carter let out a low whistle, "Lots of planetary debris, a few gas giants, dozens of moons, comets, that system is a nightmare for navigation."

Jacobs nodded. "Alan, I would like you to plan on being at helm for the approach. To complicate matters, we know this chart is out-of-date."

Mallard asked, "How does a star chart get out-of-date? It is not like you have tides or sandbars."

Carter shook his head. "That system will make ocean charting look like elementary school. When we visit a star system, we chart everything we can. Every planet, moon, asteroid, comet, or piece of debris. We record its position and orbital elements. We can go back to a star system years later and predict where most things will be. There will be variance because asteroids will collide and make more asteroids and while you can predict the collision, you cannot predict what happens afterwards."

Mallard said, "Why not?"

Hotchner interjected, "Because you do not know the composition of the asteroids. You can generalize, but those become invalid for something as complex as predicting how an asteroid will break up."

Carter continued, "So a system that complex," he pointed at the screen, "is going to have asteroids that have broken up, debris that has clumped into new asteroids, cometary ice burnt off, I bet even some moons are out of previously charted orbits. How long have we had an accurate charting here?"

Jacobs looked at his notes, "Last I see is about seven years. And that was only down to the moon level, no updating on asteroids or smaller."

Carter shook his head, "I would not trust anything below moon level for sure. We must keep our eyes open."

Hotchner asked, "What about sensors, what will be allowed?"

Jacobs nodded, "Glad you asked, passive sensors only once we are in the system. JJ, non-essential communications are now to be stopped."

Jareau nodded. Carter asked, "Only passive sensors?"

Jacobs nodded, "Starfleet thinks it is the best way to make sure that we go unnoticed. This will be a stealth insertion all the way. At least up until the landing party leaves the ship."

Santini asked, "That hunk of junk we've been towing?"

Jacobs nodded. "That hunk of junk. I'll be leading a small covert team on that freighter. SKINDIVER has seen me before and requested that I be the one to extract him."

Leonaidas asked, "Why you? Surely, he has met up with many Federation operatives before."

Jacobs shrugged, "It is not unusual for deep cover people to request extraction by someone they know. I was used as a courier to give him supplies a few years ago. Beyond that, I really do not know much about SKINDIVER."

Leonaidas shook his head, "I do not like it sir. Why you? Surely there are other assets that Starfleet could use to extract SKINDIVER. You cannot have been the only person he has been in contact with since he was inserted."

"No, I haven't." Jacobs stated. "But I was the one that spent the most time with him. During the resupply, the ship that I was using broke and we had to fix it. He happened to be masquerading as a Bolian engineer."

Santini asked, "What broke?"

Jacobs explained, "While I was on the station, a coolant pipe burst and flooded the ship with coolant. It took a week to decontaminate the ship and replace the pipe."

Santini shook his head, "Didn't Starfleet send you with something spaceworthy?"

Jacobs shrugged, "No, that is the whole point of an operation like this. I need to blend in. If I come to the station with a spit-and-polish ship, it will stand out like a sore thumb. In that case the ship they gave me was one that was seized by Starfleet from a smuggler. Something was bound to break. Fortunately, I had some cargo to trade for spare parts and coolant. I hired SKINDIVER to help fix and it worked out well to hide the supply transfer I had to do for him."

Bauer said, "If you are going on this, I want to be one of the team with you."

Jacobs nodded, "I had you in mind. Also, choose one of the Badgers to accompany us. Lt. Maya will be going along as well. Her shape-shifting ability could come in handy."

Leonaidas asked, "Only four?"

"We aren't invading the station, Leo. Goal is to go in masquerading as smugglers, make contact, and then extract SKINDIVER." Jacobs smiled. "The Wisconsin will be hidden in case things go wrong. In that case, you can come in and invade the station."

Leonaidas said, "I'd feel more comfortable for you to have some more help. If anything, to guard the cargo ship."

Bauer added quickly, "Me too sir."

Jacobs thought a bit, "Sounds like a good idea. I could use backup for piloting. Lt. Maya can fly but someone else would be better."

Carter suggested, "How about TC? He is a qualified Badger as well."

Jacobs nodded, "That sounds like a good idea. If he stays with the ship."

The room was quiet for a little while. Leonaidas said, "What are the threats?"

Jacobs said, "Nothing specific other than whatever spooked SKINDIVER. We will be around smugglers, assassins, thieves, spies, and con-artists. No reported unusual Klingon, Romulan, or Orion activity. This is a hazardous trip, I know. I also know that if we storm in with an invasion force, SKINDIVER most likely will end up dead. Trying to blend in is the best way to get in."

Bauer asked, "What about if things go wrong?"

"I anticipate the problems to be more physical rather than technical, that's the reason for muscle." Jacobs added, "In case we do run across technical problems, Maya has the science necessary. Jack, who would you recommend for the Badger accompaniment?"

Bauer thought a bit. "I'd say given the low-life on that station, you want muscle, in fact intimidating muscle. I recommend Petty Officer Stickell. He can be intimidating, but also has the broad-based technical background to also overcome any technical issues there. Mr. Stickell is familiar with the forms of technology that those species will bring. Another intimidating muscle Badger would be Chief Bodie. His position would be to guard the cargo ship, turn away any nosy people and make them think twice about coming back. He and TC would stay with the ship while Maya, Stickell, you, and I do the extraction."

Jacobs nodded, "It will be a tight fit, but it is only a short flight. Very well, let them know. We will begin prepping and depart once the Wisconsin is in position tomorrow morning. Any questions?" Jacobs asked. None answered.

"Very Good. I'll be making my rounds in a little while to check on progress."

HANGAR DECK

USS WISCONSIN

Jacobs walked into the operations room for the hangar deck. Commander Santini was looking over some scans. "Dom, how does the freighter look?"

"I've had my guys over there since we took possession of the freighter at Starbase 5. It has been a lot of work, but it will be ready by the time we get there. We need to come out of warp in about an hour and beam over more supplies to finish up some work. I also want to do a final inspection, I do not want a plasma pipe to burst on you, my reputation is at stake!" Santini said smilingly.

Jacobs nodded, chuckling, "We can do that easily. I'll let the CONN know to plan for that. I don't need the freighter to go to warp, impulse will do just fine. Just the basics."

Santini looked at his Captain, "Weapons?"

Jacobs thought, "They would be nice, but if I need those, I'll be calling for the Wisconsin."

"You may not be able to call."

Jacobs said, "Weapons would be great, but I need to depart at 0800 tomorrow. That will let us make our schedule. Make it work Dom."

"Aye aye, sir. I checked your cargo, the tanks are all fine, but they just hold water."

Jacobs said, "Purified water. For nuclear reactors. There is a shortage of purified water for reactors out here in the outer rim."

Santini said, astonished, "You're kidding."

"No, as you well know, you need almost absolutely pure water for nuclear reactors."

Santini shook his head, "I thought they could make their own out here. We do."

Jacobs laughed, "They lack refining in every sense of the word. As time has gone on, their systems degrade. It's very tough to produce pure water out here. It's a valuable resource, scarce out here, and isn't contraband."

Santini shook his head, "Well, sir, I suggest you get in and then get out of there quickly."

"Sound advice, thanks, Dom." Jacobs walked out the operations room.

BADGER DEN

USS WISCONSIN

Jacobs walked in and saw that several of the Badgers were with Bauer working on a table. Jacobs asked, "So what do you have for me Jack?"

Bauer pointed at the table. "We are refashioning some phasers into different housings. I do not want us to be spotted as Starfleet operatives. I'd like to fashion some other weapons, but we don't have time."

Jacobs looked at the design on one of the pads. "Definitely doesn't look like a phaser."

Bauer shook his head, "No, but when one of us fires one, it will sound like a phaser. Only an expert will identify it as Starfleet."

"And there probably is an expert around." Jacobs said.

Bauer nodded, "If we have to fire our phasers, we better be thinking of running hard to the freighter."

"Noted, what about other equipment?"

Bauer produced a large knife. "I'm bringing this along. Mr. Stickell is bringing along his toolkit. I also suggest everyone bring their firearms. Good thing is that this will enhance our disreputable reputation. The quartermaster has also finished the clothing for us."

Jacobs raised an eyebrow, "Let's see."

Bauer walked over to a closet and opened it up. "I think the quartermaster has a sense of humor. He knows about you wanting to be Han Solo."

Jacobs looked at the outfit, it was a perfect space-pirate outfit down to the gunbelt. "Well, you do have to get in character…"

"I thought so. Lt. Maya can change into anything she wants, so we did not bother with a costume for her." Bauer said.

Jacobs was looking at the clothes for Stickell, Bauer, TC, and Bodie. "These look appropriate. I'll plan on my pistol concealed as usual. Good work. What about communication?"

Bauer walked to the table and picked up a box. "An Orion communicator we have modified. The landing party's communicators will work autonomously with each other, no need to have a hub. They will also interface with anything a normal Starfleet communicator could. Maya is refashioning tricorders into different housings. Nothing will point to us as being Starfleet."

"Good work Jack. We will brief at 0700, push off at 0800."

Bauer nodded, "Aye aye, sir."

CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS

USS WISCONSIN

THE NEXT MORNING, STARDATE 7665.2

Jacobs was doing his morning routine. His morning started with his prayers, the usual light breakfast, and his daily reading of the Bible, today it was the 23rd Psalm. Jacobs starting to put on his costume for the mission. It ended up being relatively simple. Utility Pants, Boots, plain shirt, short flight jacket, gunbelt, disguised phaser, phaser power packs, firearm, magazines, knife, communicator, and tricorder disguised as an oversized data pad. Overall, it felt comfortable. Jacobs took the powerpack out of his phaser, safed it, and holstered it. He stood in front of the mirror and tried a couple of practice draws. The phaser came out cleanly and on target smoothly. Jacobs was pleased with how everything worked together. Han Solo had new competition. The doorbell chimed.

Jacobs said, "Come."

The door opened and Pastor Octavian stepped in. Jacobs smiled and reached for the phaser power pack. He slid it into the phaser and holstered it. Octavian smiled and shook Jacobs' hand, "Practicing your draw?"

"Still not quite fast enough, but it's smooth." Jacobs said. "Time to go."

Octavian spied where Jacobs had left his Bible. "Into the Valley of the Shadow of Death?"

Jacobs smiled wanly and nodded, "Not only that, but I'm definitely in the presence of every enemy that we have."

Octavian smirked, "Except Senator Jameson."

The two walked out and down the corridor. Various crewmen were walking the corridors and smiled at the sight of their Captain in costume. Jacobs suddenly felt a little self-conscious. Octavian smiled and said, "Captain, just enjoy it. Have some fun with this. You need to get in character! Loosen up, you are walking like a Starfleet officer."

"How so? This is how I walk all the time!"
"Exactly! Slouch a little, get some attitude!" Octavian advised.

Jacobs started laughing, "I'm taking advise from my Pastor to get some attitude! What is happening in this world?" They stepped into the turbolift and the doors closed. Jacobs said, "Transporter room 1."

Octavian smiled, "The world's gone crazy." Octavian turned serious for a moment. "You be careful Josh."

Jacobs turned to his old friend, "I will." The doors opened and the two walked to the transporter room. "Ian, you ever get nervous before a big op?"

Octavian shook his head, "Never, never ever, I was the epitome of the hard-charging Marine! Death feared us!"

The two had a laugh and entered the transporter room. There was quite a gathering there. Jacobs looked all around smiling. "Well, quite a sendoff." Present was the landing party, department heads, and Chief Frye.

Commander Santini said, "Your ship is finished, we have christened it the Millennium Falcon. Do not worry, it still looks like a hunk of junk, but everything that is inside works well. Just don't go to warp, I wouldn't trust the plasma conduits, or the warp coils, or .."

Jacobs laughed, "I get the picture. No warping around."

Commander Carter offered, "Latest navigation data has been uploaded to the Falcon's database."

"Thank you, Alan." Jacobs looked around. "Thank you all for your help. Ian?"

Octavian nodded, "Let's pray. Lord, we are gathered here for an important mission. We all know that danger is part of our lives, and we ask for your guidance, your wisdom, your protection. Please protect the Captain and the Landing party. Please help them and may everything that happens glorify you. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Jacobs looked up, "Ok, gang, let's get going." The landing party stepped up on the transporter pad. "Commander Leonaidas, you are in charge. Take care of my ship."

"Aye aye, sir." Leonaidas said.

Jacobs ordered, "Energize!" Chief Frye operated the transporter and the Landing Party disappeared. Leonaidas said after a short pause. "Everyone to their duty stations."

COCKPIT

MILLENIUM FALCON

The cargo ship that is being used on the mission is nothing like the ship of the Star Wars' fame. This one was long and cylindrical, not circular. It was a little larger, and nowhere near as maneuverable. The cockpit also was very different. It was larger until you factored in that the living quarters were part of it. To the rear of the cockpit were the bunks, this made it convenient to monitor ship's systems at all times. It also made it crowded; the only personal space was the lavatory. The cockpit also did not have a great view, small windows placed very near the heads of the pilot and co-pilot were about it. There was a main viewscreen between the pilot and co-pilot station, but it was relatively small. It was measured in inches as opposed to the huge viewscreens found on starships.

Jacobs and TC finished the departure checks and started flying away from the Wisconsin. TC remarked, "It's very sluggish sir."

"Well, it's certainly not going to inspire young kids to go into space." Jacobs chuckled. "But it will do. Dom was very clear not to use the warp drive. I think it will pass as workable in case anyone scans us. The ship just needs to get us to the station, dock, and get us home."

Lt Maya was sitting at a small table between the bunks. "How long until we get to the station?"

"Six hours. Plenty of time to get into character. That brings up a point of protocol. From this point forward, do not refer to each other with your rank. We need to get into character, if someone mentions rank, it could tip people off that we are Starfleet. You guys can now call me 'Josh'." Jacobs ordered.

Chief Brody asked, "But sir, you're…"

Jacobs shook his head, "Call me Josh. Sir is acceptable, Captain is not. Chief, how do you want to be called?"

Brody thought a bit, "Cheyenne is good for me."

Jacobs looked around, "And the rest of you?"

They went around the room, "TC." "Jack" "Maya" "Luther".

Jacobs nodded, "Good. It is essential that we refer to each other as you requested. The station that we are going to is probably going to have plenty of chances to slip up. Plan on spies being everywhere."

Brody said, "Sir, I thought you said that there was no reported activity."

Jacobs nodded, "Yes I did Cheyenne." Jacobs was trying to get into practice using everyone's names. "That is reported activity. Assume that everyone you meet has a hidden agenda. Also, do not assume that a Klingon is feeding information back to the Klingon empire, it could be the Uridian, or Orion, or whatever. This place is about as close to chaos that you ever will come around. Also, pay attention to what the guard who will meet us says. He gives the customs of the station, and they do change."

Bauer said, "So they have a police force?"

Jacobs shook his head, "No not really. The station guards are there to mainly collect fees and keep people from harming the station. Altercations between people generally stay between people, the guards will not interfere until it escalates to the point of harming the station. Be careful of the guards, do not provoke them or the whole lot will come down on us."

Maya asked, "What's our plan if things go wrong?"

"We fight our way back to the ship. TC and Cheyenne will stay behind and always be able to undock and return to the Wisconsin. TC, if the order comes down to leave, you leave and get word to the Wisconsin." Jacobs said.

"But sir, I…" TC said.

"You get back and get whatever information to the Wisconsin. Commander Leonaidas will take appropriate action." Jacobs said.

TC nodded. "Yes sir."

Jacobs looked around, "For those of us that board the station, we stay together, keep calm, and keep vigilant."

Bauer asked, "Sir, where do we meet up with SKINDIVER?"

Jacobs said, "One of the bars over there, it's called Slimeys."

"How do we find it?" Bauer asked.

"We ask around. There is no telling where we will dock, and the station configuration changes." Jacobs said.

Stickell said, "Changes? How so?"

"Luther, the station is basically a collection of ships and cargo containers that have been docked, welded, weaved, or fastened together by various means. When a module gets so worn or disrepaired that it cannot be used anymore, it gets discarded. Last known configuration was sent by SKINDIVER and is on your tricorders. Set each of your tricorders to autorecord and if for some reason we get separated, they should be able to guide you back to the ship." Jacobs said. "Any other questions?"

Brody asked, "Who's station, is it?"

Jacobs shrugged, "It is called Ghut's station, but no one has ever seen this 'Ghut'."

Jacobs looked at each of the landing party. "Well, try to relax, TC and I will get you there shortly."

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

Lt Cdr Hotchner looked up from his scanner, "The cargo ship is no longer detectable by passive sensors. They were on course for the station on last contact, no problems at all. No anomalies recorded in the system.

Leonaidas looked at the screen. The screen was filled with the surface of the asteroid they were nearby and mused, "Yeah, Hotch, I'm worried about them too. Ok, Mr. Agathon, let's move the ship to the backside of this asteroid. Time to hurry up and wait."

Agathon started moving the ship to be better hidden by the asteroid they were mostly behind. Agathon turned and said, "Sir, I believe this is the best place for us."

Leonaidas nodded and turned around to the Engineering station. "Dom, can you somehow get us a sensor package on the other side of the asteroid? We need it to be as quiet as possible."

Santini nodded, "You bet. Give me an hour. Permission to use a shuttle."

Leonaidas nodded. "Talk to Alan. Permission granted." Leonaidas looked at Communications. "JJ, work with Dom on getting us a totally covert method on communicating with that package."

Jareau said, "Aye aye sir."

FLIGHT OPERATIONS OFFICE

USS WISCONSIN

Commander Alan Carter and Lt Sam Anders were going over status on the ship. They were facing a screen. Anders was going top to bottom, "Our replacement shuttle for the Chaio is still on upgrade. Mr. Tyrol says it will still be a week to get the new control system installed. Shuttles Slayton and Brandenstein are on 30-minute alert per your order."

Carter nodded, "Sam, what is the status on weapons for the shuttles?"

Anders said, "All shuttles have one forward phaser, four-point power. Combined, they will make a starship feel it. Separately, they can do some havoc against unshielded targets. That is except for the unnamed replacement shuttle."

Carter shrugged. "Ok, who ever thought of making unarmed shuttles?"

Anders chuckled, "The same dimwit we rescued from the Norsicans almost a year ago. What are we going to name the replacement?"

Carter said, "I don't know. Look in the database for a NASA Astronaut from the state of Wisconsin. What of the raptors?"

"Both are operational, currently on maintenance." Anders said.

Just then the com panel whistled. "Santini to Flight Ops."

Carter walked over and pushed the button on the desk. "Carter here, what can we do for you Dom?"

"I got a sensor package to drop on the other side of this rock. JJ has about five kilometers of fiber optic cable for a hookup. We need to do it covertly. What do you suggest?" Dom's voice came through.

Carter looked at Anders. Anders pointed at Raptor 1's status bar on the screen. "We'll do it in Raptor 1. I'll have a crew ready in thirty minutes."

"Thanks Alan, Santini out."

Carter looked at Anders, "You want to fly it?"

Anders nodded smiling, "It'll be good practice. Do it dark?"

Carter thought a bit. "That sounds good."

RAPTOR 1

NEAR SURFACE OF ASTEROID

Jareau and Santini finished working on the package. Santini said, "Well, JJ all the systems check out for sensors. I have it fastened down well to the surface. How about the communications package?"

Jareau tapped a couple of keys. "The package is communicating through the fiber optics to the sensor package on the other side of the asteroid just fine. Nice bit of flying Hattrick, laying down that cable."

Anders on Raptor 1 replied, "It was fun. How much longer JJ?"

Jareau tapped more on her datapad and saw that the laserlink with the ship was working well. "Anytime is good for us. Ready for us to return?" Jareau looked up and saw Raptor 1 hovering just a few feet away with the Wisconsin about a hundred yards behind it.

"Yes Ma'am." Anders replied.

Anders took the hovering Raptor and gently maneuvered it near to where Santini and Jareau were next to the sensor package. Anders moved the Raptor gently in the near zero gravity of the asteroid. As Raptor 1 got near to the two spacewalkers, Santini said, "That should be close enough Hattrick."

Anders stopped the Raptor using the fine control thrusters. He opened the door on the left side with a simple push of a button. Santini switched off his gravity boots and expertly used his thrusters to move toward the door. When he arrived at the door, he expertly swung into the entryway and looked back at Jareau. "I'm ready for you JJ."

While Jareau was qualified in EVA operations, she was not as experienced as Santini. For a normal communications officer on a normal Starfleet ship, they probably would go their entire career and not get any EVA time beyond basic qualifications. This tour on the Wisconsin she had already had a couple of EVAs in, which put her far ahead of most communications officers in the fleet. Jareau however lacked the grace of Santini. Jareau turned off her grav boots and she immediately started floating free of the asteroid's surface. Jareau had an unintentional rotation and started correcting it with her thruster pack. Santini said, "Thata girl. Use your heads-up display. Don't worry about the asteroid's gravity, it's virtually zero."

Jareau worked her controls and made it to the Raptor. She reached out for Santini's outstretched hand and grabbed it. Santini had a big smile on his face, "There you go. Nice going." Sanini pulled Jareau inside.

Jareau didn't quite have her feet in the right place when she crossed the threshold of the door. The artificial gravity pulled her down to her knees. Santini pulled her up to her feet. "See, nothing at all. You're getting better JJ."

"Thanks Dom." Jareau said dryly. "It's not natural for me. You're a natural."

Santini closed the door and started repressurizing the cabin. He waved off the last comment, "Awww, it's nothing JJ, I just get more EVA time than you."

Anders added, "Dom, you were born in space!"

The three of them had a laugh. Santini checked the gauges near the door. "Normal pressure."

Anders from the cockpit said, "I agree. You can DOFF your suits." Anders touched the laserlink com button, "Raptor 1, EVA complete."

Ensign Kinchloe's voice came over the speaker, "Roger, we are getting a good laserlink with the package, Commander Hotchner is getting good data. You are cleared back to the ship. Well done."

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

Leonaidas looked at Hotchner. Hotchner said, "I've got passive contact on the station, barely. I have positive contact on the Captain's ship. I'm also tracking several other ships as well."

"Very good Mr Hotchner, be sure to record everything. Might as well update our navigational data as well." Leonaidas said. It was nice to be tracking the Captain again.

"Always, Commander." Hotchner replied.

COCKPIT

MILLENUIM FALCON

The communications system chimed. Everyone looked at Jacobs who said, "The game is on." Jacobs thumbed the transmitter button and said, "WHAT?"

A gruff voice came over the speaker, "Free Commerce Ghut's Station to inbound light freighter. Keep your shields down and weapons unarmed. State your name and purpose."

Jacobs replied, "Joshua Jeremiah. Here to trade water for various other items."

The gruff voice said, "Water?"

Jacobs replied sarcastically, "Yes, water. Probably a rare item, I can smell the stench of your not bathing from here."

"Because you carry a low-value item, the standard docking fee will be ten strips of gold-pressed latinum, payable on docking. If you agree, dock at the nearest port of your choice. The Officer greeting you will give the rules to the station."

Jacobs snapped back, "Ours is not a low-value item. It's extremely purified water, meant for reactor cores. This stuff is so pure as to be able to be certified in Federation reactors. You know how finicky the Federation is."

Several moments of silence followed. The gruff voice replied, "Docking fee will be seven strips of latinum. Final offer."

Jacobs looked at the others, "Seven will be fine." Jacobs killed the link. "Ok, we're cleared for docking."

TC looked at Jacobs, "That's it? Pick the nearest?"

Jacobs nodded. "Yes, that's about it. We'll get the specific rules of the station when we dock."

TC said, "The station is coming on visual." He worked the controls to bring it up on the screens.

Maya observed, "You weren't kidding about it being more a collection of ships than a station."

Bauer added, "Actually like a junkyard."

Jacobs shrugged, "Station Ghut is a collection of ships, barges, cargo containers, and various scrap over the years. Ghut started long ago small but managed to expand quickly. Ghut's reputation is that he runs a fair business but is ruthless in enforcement."

Bodie asked, "What are the rules?"

Jacobs breathed in, "We'll get the specifics after docking but basically anything can be sold here. Also, any altercations are handled between the respective parties. The station security is basically to prevent the station from being hurt, not much else. There's no law out here, except what Ghut manages, so watch your step."

Stickell shook his head, "Sounds like the inner city."

Jacobs nodded, "That's a good start, but no inner city on Earth can compare to this place. Also, nothing I can say can prepare you for the smell."

Maya said, "That does it, I'm going as a Saurian! Their sense of smell isn't too good."

Jacobs laughed. "Well, a Saurian is good muscle in a fight. Let's dock and get to work."

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

The bridge crew was listening to the exchange between Jacobs and the station. Leonaidas' stress was climbing. Now, the landing party was docking and the real danger was about to begin. Leonaidas looked at Lt Jareau, "Did the Captain sound convincing to you?"

Jareau nodded, "Mostly. I know it's an act, but he sounded pretty irritated at the docking fee."

Leonaidas looked at the screen. On it was the image of the station. The Captain's brief was accurate, the station looked like a convoy collided with itself and got stuck together. Leonaidas looked at Lt. Teal'c, "Teal'c, are the Badgers ready?"

Teal'c replied in his deep, bass voice, "Yes sir, I have briefed them on the expected threat, and also on boarding procedures."

Leonaidas was trying not to pester the people around him, but he knew it was coming across. "Guys, I'm sorry about nitpicking. I'm just concerned about the landing party."

Teal'c responded, "No worries, Commander. They are well trained; they will be fine."

Jareau turned around with a datapad, "We just got a message from a message torpedo. Identifier code is LB101."

Leonaidas turned and looked at the pad. "It's from a confidential Federation asset. It's a list of ships that are expected to be here based on warp trails." Leonaidas handed the pad over to Hotchner.

Hotchner tapped a button and instantly had a list on his screen. "I'll start trying to identify as many of the ships visually." Hotchner raised an eyebrow. "Four Klingons, six Norsicans, twelve Orions including an Orion heavy freighter, several unidentified trails, Romulans, Uridians…."

"It's a regular melting pot." Leonaidas quipped.

"Melting pot?" Hotchner asked.

Leonaidas chuckled, "Think of it as an intergalactic stew."

DOCKING PORT 14C

STATION GHUT

Jacobs, Bauer, Maya, and Stickell stood in front of the airlock. Jacobs looked back to Bodie and TC, "Stay out of sight, don't let anyone onboard. I understand you have your security procedure ready to implement Cheyenne?"

Chief Bodie nodded. He pointed to a backpack, "TC and I will start right away."

Jacobs nodded and closed the inner airlock door. He nodded to Bauer who checked the locks, then opened the outer airlock door. The first thing that the four sensed was the smell. Bad was not a sufficiently bad word. Bauer and Stickell took a step back. Jacobs let out his breath and breathed in, and almost threw up. Maya/Saurian didn't flinch at all. Jacobs said, "I forgot it was this bad."

The smell was a combination of sewer, locker room, rotting food, body odor, and who knows what else. The air was stale, and the entrance was dimly lit. There was a large shape in the doorway. An Orion that must have been 300 lbs. "Station Ghut! State your name and cargo."

"Joshua Jeremiah, shipping purified reactor water." Jacobs pulled out several gold strips. "Here is my docking fee."

The Orion started, "Any trade done the seller is required to pay fifteen percent in latinum to Ghut. If barter is used, fifteen percent from each party will be given to Ghut.

The Orion said, "Projectile weapon use is banned, if a projectile weapon pierces the hull, you will be immediately executed. Do any of your species have claws or use venom?" The Orion looked at the Saurian.

Jacobs said, "No."

The Orion continued, "Use of anything beyond hitting, grappling, or kicking will be considered a lethal attack. Any lethal attack will be immediately judged by a local security guard. Self-defense is permissible, starting a lethal fight is not. If anything beyond bare fists or tentacles more than three feet in length is brandished, it will be considered a lethal fight. Any questions?"

Jacobs shook his head. The Orion said, "Then welcome to Station Ghut."

Bauer closed the airlock door and the four went into the cesspool of the station.