The Victory is assigned to investigate the disappearance of some Federation scientists working on a top-secret project. For two crewmembers the mission spells the end of their time on the Victory.

Forgotten Honour

Written by

The Crew of the USS Victory

Commodore Locutis, Cmdr. Magellan, Cmdr. Steve, Cmdr. L’Etal, Dr. Sek, Counselor Lisa Stardust,

Magellan approached Locutis' quarters and tapped the wall terminal. "Enter," he heard Locutis shout as the door opened. Magellan walked in and saw his captain reading a PADD.
"You wanted to see me sir?"
Locutis looked at the PADD for a few more seconds and looked up at Magellan. "Yes, I've been reading the crew reports on your mission and I wanted to say nice work. You diffused that situation very nicely, though Admiral Clark and I are unsure about your decision to use Sek in such a sensitive operation after you discovered his condition."
"I understand your concerns sir, but I felt he could be trusted. If I had any doubts I wouldn't have sent him."
"Very well Commander, but I want you to watch him closely the next few weeks."
"Yes sir."
Locutis picked up a PADD and handed it to Magellan, "Here is a briefing of our mission. Starfleet wants us to depart immediately. Have the senior staff in the briefing room in 20 minutes."
"Aye sir"

Sek reported to the senior staff meeting and sat down. He was quickly followed by Lisa, Magellan was stood at the front holding a pad in his hand
"Right now every one is here I will begin, Starfleet sent a colony of 250 people out to Arkemis 7. It is about 11 days from here, which is why we have set off straight away. Starfleet had contact with the colony up until yesterday when for no apparent reason they lost contact. The planet was in an Un-inhabited area away from other races that may have attacked, the only lead that we have is a reported spatial anomaly reported about 2 hours before contact was lost. Our mission is to travel to Arkemis 7 and find out what happened. Some of Starfleets top scientists were among the colonists and they had very advanced technology, if it turns out that they were attacked we can’t let it fall into any ones hands. Any questions?"

"i have a question sir". The engineer asked.
"Yes Commander" Steve smiled at the sound of his new rank.
"What was StarFleet doing so far out there? And what is so important that it can't fall into the wrong hands?"

Magellan took a seat and casually looked over the other assembled officers. They were a little on the thin side at the present. The Victory lacked a Chief Conn Officer and a Chief Science Officer. Lt. Girade a thin gaunt Betazoid was covering Conn but was not suitable for the chief's job. Magellan noted the extra space the greying Betazoid had left between himself and Sek.
"Ours is not to reason why" He replied to Steve, "Command does as it sees fit. Although it can't hurt to get some more information before we arrive"
Steve nodded.
Locutis sat quietly his chin rested on steepled fingers, he appeared to be staring at Steve, probably trying to weigh up the Victory's new CEO.
"This could present a serious security threat, is Command going to have additional ships on alert" Kern asked
"If need be, we don't know what has happened yet" Locutis cautioned.
"I am worried that we may not have enough medical space" Sek interjected suddenly.
The Victory was only a modified Defiant class vessel and had on proportion to other ships a tiny sickbay.
"We could have considerable casualties"
Girade scoffed and whispered something to Lasooux the Assistant Science Officer. Magellan glared at the pair.
"Right" Locutis growled calling the staff to order " Heres what we're going to do" Locutis continued looking at Steve thinking about his two questions. He was obviously perceptive, Locutis thought to himself. Locutis' train of thought was lost when he noticed Magellan giving Girade a harsh look and said,

"Something you'd like to share Lieutenant?"
"No sir," the nervous officer mumbled, "I was just curious as to how *he* would know if we would be needing extra sickbay space."
"He's the chief medical officer. Is this not reason enough?"
"Yes sir...sorry sir," Girade apologised.
"Very well then. Sek and L'Etal, see that cargo bay 1 is converted to an emergency sickbay should the need arise. Steve, see if you can get us there any faster. Dismissed."
Everyone but Locutis and Magellan left the conference room. When the doors finally closed Magellan looked to his captain and said,

"Do we have authorisation to tell them what the scientists were working on sir? We could be going into a deadly situation..."

Locutis turned to face out through the window in to the endless vacuum of space.
"I don't think so, not yet. I stretched my orders to the very limit when I told you. Besides we can't even be sure that the science team would disobey such a fundamental Starfleet directive"
Magellan sighed in agreement, moving to join his Captain at the window.
"I wish we had a Chief Science Officer"
"We won't have time to pick up a new one. Lasooux will have to do for the time being" Magellan replied "Unless Command can get one to catch us up"
Science frustrated him not that he didn't understand, it was just never as clear cut as it appeared. In fact he had several qualifications and his previous host had been an exo-ecologist. Things had all changed on joining and his passion for science had been tempered by the symbionts technophobia. And this... this current crisis was beyond the scope of anything a Starfleet First Officer or Captain for that matter could be expected to encounter. He hoped that the Intell was incorrect and that they would find the colony safe and sound and the Scientist studying some simple proto star.
"What about Sek?" Locutis asked.
"He seems fine, it's the rest of the crew I am worried about. Although we may have to tell him and Lasooux if we are going to want the containment procedures in place by time we arrive."
"We'll cross that bridge when we get there" Locutis replied "We've got two days to think it over. It may not be needed"
"Here's hoping hey" Magellan answered feigning cheerfulness "I am going to go through the crew rosters and see if I can't nip this distrust of Sek in the bud. We are going to need everyone's mind on the job."
"Very good Commander" Locutis said not turning from the window.
Magellan walked to the door picking up his PADD as he went, at the door he turned.
"Its good to have you back aboard Sir"
Locutis grunted and smiling Magellan left the room.
Magellan hurried down the corridor putting the Colony problem out of his mind and concentrating on crew morale. He tapped his Comm badge.
"Lt Stardust Meet me in my office as soon as is convenient"

Lisa was walking towards Magellan's office wondering what he could want to see her for? Lisa arrived at the door and knocked
"Come in, Ah Counsellor, take a seat I wish to discuss the crew moral with you. I am worried about how the crew are reacting to Sek's new situation"
Lisa leant back in her seat to think.
"I know what you mean. I have talked to Sek and he has noticed it too. People avoid him, walk right next to the walls of corridors to avoid touching him, someone even told Sek that he would wait for the next turbo lift for some reason."
"We need to do something" Magellan got up and walked over to the replicator and got a drink.
"I have also had all my appointments snapped up, I do not have anytime off till next Friday! And now with the mission... sorry I know that if you could tell us you would it is just hard as people are now not only scarred of Sek but the fact that the senior crew are being kept in the dark. I think that we should include Sek in this conversation as it is mostly about him, maybe he would have some input?"
"Ok" Magellan tapped a button on his console "Sek could you please come up to my office immediately"

Sek was walking down the corridor to see what the XO wanted when he noticed that there were three men behind him watching and he sensed trouble. He saw to the end of the corridor where a member of the crew changed direction and walked away before Sek was there. The three men walked past him and said loudly

"Don't you just hate it now we finished the war with the Dominion I wish I could have a go and get a shapeshifter I don't trust them." Sek turned and walked into the room with Magellan in and saw him chatting to Lisa.
"Sir something needs to be done."
"I know Sek that is why I called you here to discuss it."
"It has come to our attention that some of the crew are not..." Magellan paused "Comfortable with your new status. There is still a lot of resentment against the Dominion, in all its guises."
Sek sat quietly somewhat confused, his rigid Vulcan upbringing, his past clashed with the almost new personality that had appeared on his discovery of his true self.
LtCO Stardust said,

"It's my job to see that you re-integrate with the crew. And to make sure that they come to accept you the way we do."
She nodded towards Magellan.
The trill looked at Sek, he still felt that strange mix of curiosity and discomfort. How could he expect the rest of the crew to accept the new Sek when he wasn't even sure himself if he trusted Sek. Yes he had proved himself in the last mission. In fact he had performed above and beyond his duties and yet something still unsettled him.
Still he was the First Officer and part of that role was to ensure that the Crew gelled as a team and with people like Girade on board that task was made all the more important.
"I want you to work with Sek and those few malcontents," He said to Stardust. "I want no distractions on this current mission"
Mention of the mission caused a black cloud to cross the Commanders face, noticed by both Lisa and Sek.
"It would help matters if we knew more, It may help to settle the crew" Lisa pried.
Magellan seemed to consider the plea but shook his head.
"I see your point, but not yet. The Captain and I will fill you in once we reach the Colony. Now we all have a lot of work to do. Stardust report regularly to me on the crew situation. I have to get down to engineering and see how the new CEO is settling in"

Commodore Locutis was in his ready room reading Starfleets latest tactical reports when his door chimed.

"Enter," he barked, tossing the PADD on his desk.
The doors slid open and Kern walked in,

"Hello sir."
"Something I can do for you Lieutenant?"
"Yes sir. I was trying to access a Starfleet sensor probe in the Arkemis sector to get an idea of what we may be going into, but all sensor readings of the area have been classified. Level 12 authorization is required. I was going to ask Commander Magellan about it, but he's still in a meeting with Lt Stardust."
Locutis stared his CTSO over for a few seconds, but finally said,

"I'm sure Starfleet has its reasons Lieutenant. Is there anything else?"
"Yes sir. Several civilian vessels have been ordered out of the area. The reasons for this are also classified for level 12 authorisation."
"And what would you like me to do about it?"
Well, sir, as a Squadron Commander you do have authorisation to the information. It may prove useful t..."
He was cut off by Locutis, "I'm afraid I am not at liberty to discuss this yet."
Locutis got up and walked onto the bridge, followed by Kern, and said, "What's our ETA?"
The officer at Conn hit a few keys and said, "6 days sir."

Commander Steve was working at his station trying to get the ship to go faster then its max speed but every time he had an idea, all he could think about was Sek and working with 1 of them and y he couldn't know what's going on with the mission.
A red light started to flash and Steve's face turns red and as hard as he could he Kicked the console, suddenly he hears someone standing behind him and he looks round and sees the face of Commander Magellan.
"Is everything alright Commander?" the Trill First officer asked.
Steve looked a little abashed and said,
"Yes Sir. Just having a bit of trouble getting an extra mile out of the engines."
He walked back over to the main console and called up the fuel intermix ratios.
"Is there something I can do for you Sir" He asked.
"Not really" the Commander replied, nonchalantly wandering about the room absent-mindedly looking over the shoulders of one of the junior officers at the SIF generator controls.
"You've not been aboard long, and while we have a bit of time before we reach the colony, I thought I would check in and see how you are getting on. The engine room seems in pretty good order

Steve looked up and nodded at Magellan, Magellan then turned to walk out of the room. Suddenly a console on the other side of the room exploded, there was a young Ensign standing there and he was knocked down to the floor in a lot of pain.
"Oh, Sh*t" Steve shouted. "Steve to sickbay, Medical emergency in engineering".
The young Ensign had burns all down his face. Steve just sat next to him holding his hand waiting for the medical team to arrive.
The ship suddenly shook and both Steve and Magellan stumbled.
"Bridge to Magellan"
"Magellan here"

Sek ran into engineering with a nurse with him and headed to the ensign he had burns all over his face and was conscious but was not in a fit state of mind. Then Sek recognised him it was one of the three men who had given him trouble.
"Is he alright doctor." Steve had approached Sek while he was attending the ensign.
"I will get him to sickbay now."
"Ok" Sek noticed a slight hostility but thought it was worry for his officer and forgot about straight away.
"Emergency beam to sick bay." Sek disappeared from engineering and was in sick bay. The engineer looked at him and screamed out not to touch him then fell unconscious he was in a mess internally. Sek got to work then all of a sudden the ship shuddered again.
"Sek to the bridge. What the hell is happening."

"Bridge here. Its just subspace disruptions, We're trying to compensate"
Sek finished his work on the man who had given him so much grief and moved on while his small medical team arrived and then left on call outs throughout the ship. Sek wondered what was happening and the ship shuddered again.

The Victory slowed to impulse and entered the system. It comprised of three planets that orbited a binary star.
The colony was situated on the Class M middle planet, the largest in the system.
Locutis stared out the viewscreen as if he could see the colony and its troubles. He tapped his Comm.
"Commander Magellan. Are you ready?"
"Yes Sir"
"Then begin"
"Aye Sir"
Locutis ignored the puzzled looks of the bridge staff.
"Ensign Zoilip are there any other vessels listed in this region"
"No sir" the Bolian replied.
"Good."

Down in engineering Commander Steve was at the main engineering console tinkering with the intermix ratio when Commander Magellan entered the room.
"Everyone move away from their consoles"
"Sir?" Steve asked as he looked up.
"You too Steve" Magellan said stoney faced. "Evacuate this room"

On the bridge Joe piloted the Victory ever closer to the planet.
Locutis rose form his chair and paced the bridge nervously.
He tapped the comms again.
"All crew here this. All staff are restricted to quarters until further notice. I repeat other than to attend your duty shifts remain in your quarters."
"Sir we are moving in to sensor range" L'Etal reported at Ops.
"I'll run a full sensor sweep of the colony" Lasooux stated helpfully.
"No" screamed Locutis "Stand Down. No does anything unless I tell you"
Lasooux looked up sheepishly the Andorians tentacles quivering,
"Too late Sir the scan has been initiated"
Locutis fought down the urge to strike down the officer and strode up to the science station
"Shut it down" he growled.
Suddenly the ship went dark, each console blinked out one by one. Their many screens were replaced with the Starfleet Logo and a big red Omega symbol

Lasooux looked the red symbol on his screen and said, "What's that?"
Joe looked at one of the screens and said, "That is Omega, the last letter of the Greek alphabet."
"Yes, but what is it doing on the screens?"
All eyes on the bridge suddenly looked to Locutis

Steve walked out of engineering really peed off, he started to walk back to his quarters when the ship went dark and a picture of the Omega letter appeared on a console. This must be bad thought Steve and decided to make his way to the bridge, Steve stepped onto the bridge and saw everyone looking at Locutis, and he didn't look too happy.

Lisa was sat in her office with a crew member when the ship suddenly went dark, with out even realising it her heart rate rose alarmingly as the red symbol flashed on her screen sending off an eerie glow around the room. Then the captain's voice sounded out over the comm system telling everyone to remain in their quarters when not on duty. Lisa sent her patient back to his quarters before deciding that as she was still on duty she would try to find out what was happening.
Walking around the ship in this light was un-nerving and all the crew that were heading for their quarters were doing so cautiously. A few stopped the counsellor looking for answers but mainly reassurance. Lisa tried but as she knew little more if any more than they did most went away un-satisfied. On arriving at the bridge Lisa saw that most of the senior staff were there except Magellan and Locutis was glaring at everyone and a young ensign was close to tears, Lisa just stood at the back and watched.

Magellan was just preparing to follow his captain's orders when the lights all went.
"By Trills Moons" He cursed as he tried in vain to get any of the consoles to work. Each button pressed bleeped unhelpfully and the Omega symbol remained. Someone must have initiated a sensor scan.
"Locutis to Magellan" the Captains voice roared through the Comms
"Magellan. Here"
"As you can see are far too eager staff have resulted in what we were trying to avoid. I am sending Commander Steve down to you with the necessary details and codes to reboot all our systems. You are to wait for him there and once we are back up and running I want to see all the senior staff in the briefing room. Locutis out"

Sek entered the bridge just in time to hear Locutis say there was to be a brierfing so Sek turned and left and headed for the briefing room. He had memories of omega from the dominion.

Steve headed back to engineering with the codes that Locutis had given him. Steve walked in to engineering and saw Magellan standing by the main engineering console. Steve handed Magellan the codes he put the data into the computer. Suddenly all the lights popped back on and the Omega symbol vanished from the screen. Then Steve and Magellan walked off together towards the briefing room.

With everyone finally in the conference room Locutis felt able to begin the briefing.
"As you maybe aware there is more to this mission than myself or Commander Magellan have let on. Arkemis Seven is a new colony. It was established last year. The majority of the colonists are in fact some of the Federations leading scientists and that is why we must act so swiftly."
Locutis rose to characteristically pace about the table and the assembled officers.
"We believe the scientists were working on a top secret energy generation project. They believed that they had discovered a stable isotope of the Omega molecule. Commander"
The Trill stood and crossed to a viewscreen and began a short presentation.
"As some may know the Omega molecule is a highly volatile substance and its use is banned in the Federation. Starfleet in co-operation with the Daystrom Institute decided to investigate the new substance. It is nowhere as near as powerful as Omega itself but sensor scans still register it. That was why Lasooux scan registered its presence and shut us down. Ordinarily it would be the Captains duty to make safe the source of Omega and mop up any mess. When we heard that the colony had disappeared we were dispatched to rescue the staff, protect the research and to ensure the project is mothballed."
"So what do we do" Steve asked.
"Firstly Myself and a small scientific away team will beam down" Locutis said.
"Sir I must protest" Magellan replied " As first officer..." his voice trailed off under the Captains glare.

Two hours later Lasooux had prepared her science team. A small group of three officers. They were supported, on the insistence of Zoi'lip, by two security officers. The team met Locutis in the Transporter room where Chief Tallow transported them down to the surface.
They materialised inside the control centre of the main complex. The place was deserted. Every console was abandoned their lights flashing faintly. Locutis signalled for the teams to fan out and began to search for the colonists.
Walking down a series of corridors Locutis and Lasooux entered a large concourse used by the technical staff to relax. Still no-one appeared. What was odd was the lack of signs of violence. There were no signs of weapons damage. It was as if the staff had just vanished.
Suddenly a whirring sound that increased in intensity filled the air. It got stronger and stronger until it was almost ear shattering. Lasooux fell back her Andorian ears more sensitive than Locutis'. Grasping his head Locutis struggled forward. In front of him the air seemed to vibrate, ripples emanating out rhythmically. Almost unable to move the waves lapped around the struggling Klingon. Just when he thought he would pass out there was a brilliant flash of light.

Magellan paced the bridge. It was strange how the best-laid plans seemed to so quickly go pear shaped. He hoped that the whole situation was a false alarm and that solar flares had disrupted the colonies communications.
"Lasooux to Victory" came a voice over the comms.
"Victory here" Magellan replied.
"It's the Captain, Sir. We've lost him. He's gone. Right before my eyes!"

"What do you mean you lost him." Magellan said.
"I mean he's gone sir. He just vanished."
"Magellan to transporter room, can you get a lock on the Captain?"
"No, he just gone...."
"Magellan to Lasooux, prepare to beam aboard, when you are back report to sickbay, then the whole of the away team and the senior staff report the briefing room

Sek looked at the wounded his mind still on the captain. In his memories of the Dominion's encounters with omega nothing like this had happened. He finished his scans of the team and apart from some burst eardrums and a few lacerations on there skin they were fine. He laid down the dermal regenerator and left for the staff meeting. Sek noticed that the crew had somehow forgotten his newfound abilities and looked past it and people approached him apologised and asked how the survivors were. He entered the briefing room to a completely sombre mood the captain gone and facing a dangerous particle which was responsible for a lot of damage to lots of civilisations and which even the Borg wanted to lay there hands on for there so called perfection. Sek was awakened from his thoughts by the entry of the Magellan, acting-co or not Sek thought he deserved the job and the new XO the engineer who obviously harboured a grudge against Sek.

Taking a quick mental head count Magellan approached the conference room table. For a moment he almost sat in the captains seat at the head of the table. He could quite bear to accept that and so sat in his normal seat.
He had reported Locutis' disappearance to Rear Admiral Clark who had assigned Magellan as the Victory's new Captain in the interim.
"What the hell happened down there" He began.
Lasooux still looked a little shaken but Sek had given her the all clear.
Slowly the female Andorian recounted the away mission in perfect detail. How they had found the colony completely abandoned. How the strange sound had occurred and the sudden disappearance of Locutis?
Magellan's frown deepened with each new issue.
"What are we dealing with then? An Omega Isotope experiment gone wrong? An abduction? Spatial Rift? Any ideas."
The assembled crew looked blank for a moment, deep in thought.
"Alright let's start off easier, What do you think our next move should be?"

"Well first of all, as the 1st officer I will stay CEO until we get a replacement and I think that Magellan as you are now Captain, you will be staying on the ship." Magellan was about 2 object but decided not to.
Steve then turned to Lasooux and asked her to load every scan and sensor reading that had been taken of the surface in to the computer to see if they could find out what they were dealing with.
Steve then looks at the Captain,

"Sir the crew have taken the loss of Locutis very bad and I am not to sure what do about it?"
Magellan looked at Lisa, " Lisa, this is going to be a very busy time for you

"Sir" Sek looked at the new captain.
"I would like to go down there seeing as I have the ability to take away ears from my body and all other things that were damaged on the last teams attempt. I think I could get scans on what happened without any of the problems they experienced and that could give us an idea of what happened and may give us an idea on what to do next"

"I concur with Sek's plan, he is our only chance, my only concern is that if anything happens to him, we will not have a doctor. On the point of crew moral I have started up drop in sessions and also added in extra times for appointments, the crew are still in shock at the moment but know that we have a job to do, most are ploughing themselves into that. I do not think that we will see the full effects of the Captains disappearance until everything calms down and people have chance to think, I am also saying this as a warning to all of you, now you may feel fine but once this sinks in. Well you all know where to find me."

Magellan considered Sek's plan for a few moments and said, "No, we can't risk sending anyone down. Dismissed for now." Everyone but L'Etal exited the briefing room.
"Sir?" L'Etal approached her new captain. "Can I speak to you in private?"
"Certainly," Magellan said. "What did you want to speak about?"
"I want your permission to lead an away team to the surface to find the Commodore."
Magellan sighed deeply. "I'm sorry. I've been wanting to save him too, but it's too risky and against protocol. Really, I am sorry."

Commander L'Etal turned and walked out of the briefing room without being dismissed. Magellan went out after her, but was distracted by beeping from her OPS station.
"We're being hailed...It's a Starfleet channel," the Trill said aloud.
"Detecting a ship on the other side of the planet. USS Optimus."
"On screen," Magellan signalled.
"Greetings," Vice Admiral T'Plet appeared onscreen. "In regards to your last report the Optimus has been sent to oversee the mission and evaluate your performance. I will beam aboard, stand by to receive me in seven minutes."
"Yes sir."

Meanwhile...
L'Etal walked into the transporter room. "Beam me down."
"I'm sorry commander, I have explicit orders not to beam anyone down."
"I have to get to the surface. Now beam me down!" She grabbed the officer's wrist as he reached for his communicator and threw his head against the wall. She then dragged him to an equipment closet on the far side of the room and set the co-ordinates into the computer and beamed down.

L'Etal materialised in a research lab on the planet and pulled out her tricorder to search for life-signs. She began walking through the hall and picked up faint Klingon life-signs. She broke into a run reaching a room filled with stasis pods in a few minutes. She looked around for a few seconds and saw Locutis' face through one of the pods. "Computer, deactivate and open stasis pods."
After no response or action, L'Etal tried to use the consoles, but all were frozen. Frustrated, she pulled out her phaser and began blasting the console.

On the USS Victory, as T'Plet was beaming over, Lasooux picked up an explosion on the planet's surface and an omega shock wave coming from the planet.
Magellan ran to the science station and said, "ETA?"
"7 seconds, sir," Lasooux said
In the transporter room, T'Plet began to materialise as a shockwave hit the vessel.
"Sir, we are also detecting two lifeforms down on the planet! Both Klingon."
"Understood, beam them to sickbay."

As the energy took form on the transporter pad, Commander Steve who was waiting for the admiral contacted the captain.

"Sir, I think you had better meet us in sick bay," he said as he looked at the two bodies on the floor. He motioned to the two security guards standing by who approached the two prone figures, both of whom looked like T'Plet.

"Help me get them to sickbay," as he picked up one of the T'Plet's.

Locutis woke up in sickbay disoriented and confused. He looked around for a few seconds and saw three other patients in sickbay: a Klingon, a Human, and a Vulcan; the Klingon was being treated for severe burns. He then stood up, almost collapsing, attracting the attention of a Vulcan doctor who ran up to offer him support.

"Are you okay sir?" Sek said.
"Wha...who..where am I?" Locutis mumbled out.
"The Victory's sickbay, sir. How do you feel?"
"The Victory?" he mumbled out with a confused tone.
"You'd better lie down sir. You may have head trauma I didn't detect in my initial scan."
Locutis didn't seem too happy to agree, but he was in no shape to put much of a fight with Sek forcing him onto the bio-bed. Sek grabbed a scanner from his medical tricorder and passed it over Locutis's head. "Oh no..."

Later, in the briefing room...
Sek was talking to the senior staff when Magellan, the final member, except for L'Etal, entered and took a seat. Sek activated the briefing room terminal to reveal a scan of Locutis's brain.

"I've made a disturbing discovery. Locutis's short term memory has been wiped somehow."
"How much is that?" Lisa asked.
Well, like Humans, Klingons have both short and long term memory, but in Klingons short term memory is accountable for almost 1.5 years of experiences."
Magellan almost yelled,

"You mean he won't remember anything that has happened in the last 1 and a half years?"
"I don't believe so sir," he replied with a grim tone.
"Is there a way to reverse it?"
"I don't know."
"Amnesia can be cured by exposure to familiar..."
Sek cut him off,

"Yes sir, but this isn't a case of simple amnesia. The memories simply aren't there. His mental pathways aren't damaged, his short term memory has just been wiped."
A grim tone set over the room and Magellan asked, "What about your other patients?"
"L'Etal has been treated. She had nothing but a few burns. A console exploded very close to her when she fired on it, but Locutis was protected in the stasis chamber. As for Vice Admiral T'Plet..." he paused for a few moments, "when L'Etal's phaser fire set off the omega shockwave she was beaming over. The shockwave somehow interfered with the transporter beam and split her Human and Vulcan halves. The transporter used the separate DNA to materialise two different bodies. Both are still unconscious".
Magellan could hardly believe what he was hearing. Neither it appeared were the rest of his senior staff.
"Right. It seems we have two problems here, the colonists and T'Plett and Locutis.
Lisa I want you to work with Sek to find some way to reintegrate the two halves of T'Plett."
He paused to ensure everyone was still with him.
"Steve I want you to contact the Optimus and apprise them of our situation. Then work with Lasooux to find out what happened to the colonists. L'Etal you are to assist Steve. Right lets get going report back by the end of the next shift. Off you go"
As they senior staff began to file out Magellan held out his arm and gently held L'Etal back.
Waiting for the last to leave he indicated for the young Klingon to sit.
"What did you think you were doing?" he roared "I expressly forbade returning to the planet. You point blank disobeyed me. Thats court martialling offence, to say nothing of the assault on Transporter Chief Kellows"
L'Etal stared back at the Trill her Klingon nature not giving an inch.
"I warn you, I will not tolerate such insubordination. You know Locutis wouldn't have" he paused to see if any of this was having an effect. "I will have to think about your punishment. I need your skills to solve our current situation. Dismissed"
L'Etal rose and walked to the door just as it opened Magellan stopped her, in a low voice he said,
"Well Done. At least we have the Commodore back. Don't do it again"

Sound in the knowledge that his crew were acting on the problem Magellan walked down to sickbay. He lingered a moment outside the small ward. He took a deep breath and entered.
Locutis lay in the nearest bed. Nodding for the nurse to leave Magellan took a seat beside the bed.
"How are you feeling?"
Locuits glared at him suspiciously.
"Do I know you?" he snarled.
"Yes" Magellan replied sadly "Don't worry Loc we'll get you better" he whispered under his breath. Even if we have to send you to Starfleet Medical. Standing he left the ward and returned to the bridge

Sek looked over Locutis' scans while diagnoses of the spilt parts of the Optimus' captain were running. He could see nothing for Locutis at all and another transporter accident seem the only way to fix it. Sek reached out to the other side of the sick bay and tapped a few buttons then returned to his scans

Steve walked onto the bridge...

"Open a channel to the Optimus."
Steve informed the Optimus of their situation and everything they were doing.

Steve walked into the science lab and saw Lasooux and L'Etal busy at work.

"What have you found so far?"
L'Etal looks at Steve and gave him a dirty look; Steve just stood there now knowing what he had done wrong.
"Commander what have you found so far?" Steve asked again

Magellan paced the bridge somewhat disconnectedly. This mission just seemed to get more and more complicated. He had reported to command Locutis's return and Sek's preliminary assessment that any cure would be a very long way off.
His crew was doing their best but results were slow. Steve had contacted the Optimus and their own science and medical teams were working on the problem too.
"Sir I am picking up something" Lasooux reported at her science station. Magellan and Steve walked over to look at the readings.
"What is it?"
"I am not sure it looks like a schism of some sort they are popping up all over the place and then fading"
"Where?" Steve asked.
"On the planet Sir"
"There's more Sir," L'Etal reported "I am now picking up 10 life-signs on the surface that weren't there before"
"The Colonists?" Magellan queried.
"Maybe?" L'Etal replied.
"The schisms have all gone" Lasooux said.
"Commander Steve Take an away team and check it out. Use a shuttle just in case the transporter interferes with... what ever they are. Take Sek with you and Acting Security Chief Zoi'lip. At the first sign of trouble get out. Understood."
Steve nodded and left to assemble his team. He would need a pilot and thought Girade would be good enough

Steve slowly walked off the bridge, as he stepped into the turbolift he taped his comm badge.
"Steve to Sek report to the shuttlebay. We are going back to the planet."
"Aye" Sek replied
"Security Chief Zoi'lip, report to the shuttle bay"

As Steve walked into the shuttlebay he saw both Sek and Zoi'lip waiting for him.
"Right you are both here lets get the shuttle ready for launch"
"Sir are only 3 of us going?" Sek asked
"Yes Sek, me you and Zoi'lip "
"But sir only 3 of us going, doesn't that mean we have less of a chance...." Steve cuts Sek off
"With only 3 of us going means that only 3 of us can end up like Locutis. The decision has been made!"
"Yes sir" Sek said wishing he had never opened his mouth.

As the shuttle touched down on the planet surface, Steve slowly stepped out... the air smelt fresh and clean and if he didn't know better he would have thought that this was a normal planet.
Followed by Sek and Zoi'lip they made there way over towards the site where they had picked up the life signs.
"Stay alert people, the 1st sign of trouble we are getting out of her."
Suddenly a loud crashing sound came from one of the buildings, all of the away team turned around quickly.
"Sek are you still not picking up any life signs?" Steve asked quickly

Sek peered at his tricorder although his readings were fussy he could definitely see some life-form of lifeforms he reconfigured his tricorder and he picked up 5 to 10 humanoid life-signs.
"WELL DOCTOR."
"Sorry sir I am reading life-signs over there."
"Very well charge phasers and lets go."
"yes sir"
Sek raised his phaser rifle and changed form into a Nausican and walked on with the shocked looks of the security officer and XO looking at him. He made his muscles a little larger and prepared to fight his medical equipment where is stomach should be. There were advantages to being a shape-shifter not only could he assume any form he could also make his body a backpack. They crossed over a small rise in the land and looked at the building he heard a gasp of shock

All three of the away team just stood there staring at the site they saw.
Steve turned to Sek

"Are you seeing the same as I am Sek."
Sek nodded.
The away team saw about 10 maybe more of the colonists just working, getting on with there normal jobs, like nothing had happened.
Steve walked over to one of the scientists,

"I am Commander Steve of the USS Victory...."

The scientist didn't even batter an eyelid, he just continued with the job he was doing.
"Sek what are you picking up?" Suddenly the colonists just vanished.
"Sek?" Steve shouted.
"Sir, the life signs have just gone, it looks like they have entered sub space."
"Steve to Victory."
"Magellan here. Report."
"Ah sir, we have found what looks like to be some of the colonists but they seem to be phasing in and out of subspace, there one minute and gone the next." Steve informed the Captain
"That would explain the readings on the sensors and...." Steve cut Magellan off
"Sir I hate to cut you off but I don't feel that it is safe for me or the away team to stay down here, I need to know how I should proceed?"

"Gather what sensor data you can on your way back to the shuttle and get back up here right away. Report to the briefing room when you return."
Magellan returned to his calculation. Phasing in and out of subspace, at least they new it wasn't an attack.
Thumbing the comms he informed the senior staff that on the return of the shuttle a briefing would be held to discern the next course of action.

"Aye sir" Steve replied. "Sek grab your stuff, we are getting out of here"
Steve and the away team walked quickly back to the shuttle, just as they reached the craft Sek stopped.
"Sir I am picking up life-signs again but this time I am picking up more."

"Take as many scans as u can from here and we will go over them back on the ship."
As Steve and the away team headed back to the ship Steve lent over to Sek and whispered in his ear.
"I don't want you walking into the briefing room as a Nausican, change into something...normal."
As Steve, Sek and Zoi'lip entered the briefing room all of the senior staff were sitting there talking.
Magellan looked up "Welcome back Commander

Meanwhile, in Sick bay...
One of the T'Plet's eyes fluttered open a crack as she felt a draft from the sick bay's doors open. She could feel the very tips of her fingers, but nothing else would move, even as she tried to open her mouth to speak.
L'Etal walked in through the doors and saw her comrade and Klingon friend Locutis in his bed.
"Have you been awake long? I just got off shift and haven't been able to see you since." The powerfully built Klingon looked up at the commander, but his eyes showed no recognition.

"Loc? Locutis?"
"You seem to know me, but I'm sorry, I don't know you."
Commander L'Etal bared her teeth in a growl. "What exactly are you saying?" She said between gritted teeth.
"Doctor Sek said I have amnesia. He doesn't know what's caused it, but he told me that it's permanent."

The haziness reduced less and less in T'Plet's brain as she was able to move more and more. She could hear sounds of a heated conversation in the bed next to her, but couldn't make out the words. T'Plet tried to sit up, but nothing happened.
L'Etal brought her face close to Locutis's to stare at him at close proximity. "So you do not remember anything?"
Locutis looked semi-offended. "I remember my name, I remember this ship, I remember a lot of things!"
"But you don't remember me?"
"No."
"You don't remember our...you don't remember how..."
"Look, I think I see where this is going. Lots of people have been telling me about all this stuff that I've done for the past couple of years, and I don't remember a single thing. They've told me that I've had command of the Victory, that there are new officers aboard that apparently aren't new anymore, and now you're telling me that we...You know what? Why don't we just be friends? We can be really good friends."
Commander L'Etal looked into Locutis's eyes and saw that he wasn't the same Klingon she used to know.
Wordlessly she turned around and started to walk away.
T'Plet finally sat up in her bed, and steadied herself with her hands. Suddenly, WHAM! A strong Klingon forearm slammed into her face and she ended up flipping backwards onto the floor on the other side of the bed. The angry Klingon walked out.

Doctor Sek rushed out to help the fallen woman back into her bed. T'Plet noticed two pairs of hands lifting her back up onto the bed, along with a sharp shooting pain all through her arm and shoulder.
Sek began scanning her. "She's broken her upper arm, and dislocated her shoulder."
A hand brushed the hair away from her ear.

"Was that Commander L'Etal I saw knock her off the bed?" Sek asked.
"Yes. Where are her quarters? I'm going to go see her."
"I don't think you should leave sick bay."
"Doctor, I feel fine. I really think I should go see her." Locutis asserted.
"It's against my better judgement, but you're healthy enough. Just don't overexert yourself. Call security if you think you need it. Her quarters are on Deck 4."

L'Etal made her way into the turbolift and into her quarters without encountering anyone along the way. Probably a good thing, seeing as she'd most likely taken the head off of Admiral T'Plet back in sick bay, and was still in a bad mood enough to do it again. She took out an old box that she hadn't opened since the last time she was on Q'onoS, and drew an old Dak'Tagh knife out. She was holding it so hard the family symbol imprinted on her hand as she looked at the three blades.

Locutis walked down the corridor, directed by lights on the bulkhead leading him to L'Etals quarters until he found it. He chimed, but there was no answer. He chimed again, but still no answer. "Computer, open this door. Authorisation Locutis-zeta-187."
With that the door opened to reveal a dark room. Locutis took a few steps in and said,

"L'Etal?"
After a few seconds he said a little louder,

"L'Etal."
Still with no answer he said,

"Lights."
The lights flickered on and he took a few more steps in, looking around. Just then he became aware of a scent. It was a scent he knew a scent his Klingon senses recognised well: blood. He proceeded into the bedroom and saw it - a body face down on the floor with blood flowing from her body.

"Locutis to sickbay. Get a team to L'Etal's quarters immediately."
He ran over to her body and flipped it revealing a Dak'Tagh stuck in her mid chest, in one of her hearts. He quickly tore off his sleeve and pushed it against the wound. Seconds later, Sek and two other medical officers arrived

As Sek got to the body, he looked for signs that she was still alive. She was not moving at all. Even Locutis knew what the scans said.
Sek looked up at Loc and shook his head.

"I am sorry sir she is dead"
The room felt cold and there was not a sound

On the bridge Delta shift had just arrived to relieve a very tired Magellan.
The briefing earlier had got them very far and had been interrupted by Seks call to sickbay.
Apparently L'Etal had assaulted T'Plet after arguing with Locutis. He was annoyed that he hadn't thought of L'Etal through all of this, he had known her and the Commodore were close and yet had been too wrapped up in his own shock over Locutis's condition to do anything. Magellan decided he would have Stardust drop by and see her later.
He had made it to the turbolift door when Zoilip stopped him.
"Sir. Locutis has been located and I am receiving a report from Dr Sek stating that L'Etal has been fatally stabbed"
Magellan's heart leapt in to his mouth.
"Have Locutis returned to Sickbay, under escort" he replied uncertainly until he knew the facts caution was best.
"Have Commander Steve meet me in Sickbay immediately"

Magellan left the bridge leaving the Bolian to his tasks. Approaching deck 4 he nearly collided with Stardust.
"Sorry Sir" she apologised
"Thats ok" he replied absentmindedly "Oh Stardust I think we'll need you come with me"
"Yes sir" Stardust replied.
The two officers hurried down to the sickbay.
Steve and Sek were already present.
"What happened?" Magellan bellowed before the doors even closed

Magellan entered sick bay and Sek turned to him and said:
"she has been stabbed in her heart with a Dak'Tagh time of death is 20:58 hours Locutis is in bed again under sedation as is T'Plet what would you like me to do next sir

Magellan stood astounded, another crew fatality on his record and conscience.
"Dr Sek have L'Etal frozen for the time being whilst I contact her relatives. Locutis is comfortable?"
"Yes Sir" Sek replied.
Magellan was about to continue when his badge bleeped.
"Lasooux to Magellan"
"Magellan here"
"Sir I have been looking in to ways to reintegrate T'Plet's two halves. I have reviewed notes made by Voyagers EMH and think a transporter can be used"
"Excellent" Magellan replied "When can we start?"
"Thats the trouble" The Andorian responded "Our transporters aren't powerful enough. I suggest she be transferred to the Optimus. I have been in contact with their science officer and they believe that the plan will work"
"Very well Lasooux, get on to it. I will have Sek prep T'Plet for departure. Magellan Out."
The Captain left Sek to his work and headed back to his quarters he still had to come up with a way to rescue the colonist. Perhaps his first officer would have some ideas. Changing direction Magellan made his way to Steve's quarters and pressed the door chime

Steve was sitting down to a nice cup of tea after the hardest day he had ever had. Steve picked up the pad and started to look at ways to bring the colonists.
The door chime sounded and he looked up, who could that be at this time he thought.
"Enter" he called out.
In walked captain Magellan, Steve stood up, "as you were Commander" Steve sat back down.
Steve pointed to the seat next to him and Magellan sat down.
"Sir" Steve started "I have been looking at was to bring the colonists back and I think I have come up with a way that might work. Now that T'Plet has been returned to her ship I was wondering if I could have Lasooux assigned to me?"
"Of course Commander, what was it you had in mind to bring the colonists back?" Magellan asked.
Steve passed the pad he was working on over to Magellan, Magellan looked at it for a few minutes then looked up at Steve.

"Your idea might just work. But we would need to take the Victory in to the Upper Atmosphere wouldn't we?"
Steve nodded taking the PADD back of his Captain.
"Only for a few minutes and the inertial dampners will compensate for any disruption. However it will take Lasooux and her whole science team and most of our engineers to make the necessary modifications to the transporters."
"You've got them." Magellan replied " The rescue mission is in our hands. I've got to sort out the Locutis situation"
The Trill stood, the past few days seemed to have aged the young officer. The loss of his Captain, the sudden promotion and then the death of another officer had all taken its toll.
"I have to see En. Zoi'lip Use what resources you need"
Magellan left the Commanders quarters and made his way to the Bolian security officers office.
The normally jovial security officer was somewhat stern.
But as usual he cut straight to the chase.
"I cannot be certain but I think we can rule out Locutis' direct involvement in L'Etals death"
"What makes you think that?"
"I have reviewed the crime scene and Klingon culture. I believe that L'Etal committed R'Uustai"
"Ritual Suicide?"
"Indeed. It is the only way a warrior can retain honour in the taking of ones own life and enter Sto'vo'kor"
"So Locutis is off the hook" Magellan sighed relieved.
"I will reduce the number of guards at his bedside" The Bolian entreated.
"Thankyou" Magellan replied "I think Counsellor Stardust will have her work cut out with the Commodore. He was never a fan of Counsellors even when he was well

As if on cue his comm badge bleeped and Lisa's voice echoed out"

"Can I see you sir"

"UM of course counsellor, is there a problem?"
"To put it mildly, I will meet you in 5 minutes."
Lisa was fuming, how was she supposed to talk to Loc if he detested the idea. Arriving at the ready room Lisa rang to enter.
" Come in, ahh counsellor what can I do for you?
" Well... where to start I paid our dear ex-captain a visit this afternoon, it was all going rather well for a counselling session with Loc then I brought up L'Etal as that is the main cause for concern. At that point he stood up, grabbed me and threw me across the room, suffice to say that I will not be trying that again in a hurry and suggest that he be sent to Starfleet medical ASAP! "
With that Lisa collapsed in a chair, exhausted and very stressed!
"WHAT, why did I not hear of this? Are you alright? Magellan asked.
"I will be fine, just need some rest, it was nothing that a dermal regenerator could not fix. Anyway you did not hear about it as I thought that you had enough to think about and it was fine, I handled it. After he had calmed down Loc was very apologetic; I should not have brought up the topic so soon. He is now resting in sickbay, I'm sorry I guess that I got angry because of the shock, even the counsellor loses it sometimes. Anyway I just thought you should know. Any luck on the colonists?

Sek sealed the cryonics chamber containing L'Etal in to the morgue. He turned and saw Locutis being wheeled out of sickbay to an awaiting runabout. The captain was getting better but was still not his old self by a long way. He trundled him into the runabout that had come for him pushed him into the corner and plugged him into the power core took one last look at his captains face and stepped back the doors sealed and the runabout lifted and flew out. Was that the end Sek wondered? Would Locutis return once he was well? That’s if Starfleet Medical could devise a cure.

Sek watched the Runabout depart before turning and making his way to the bridge.
"Has he gone?" Magellan asked.
"Yes" Sek replied.
"It was the best for him. Our sickbay just isn't equipped," Magellan said more for his own piece of mind than anything else.
"Now that most of the senior staff are here I must inform you of the plan to rescue the colonists. Commander Steve and Lasooux believes that if we depolarise the transporters and realign the emitters the next time the Colonists phase into our existence we will simultaneous transport them aboard. The problem is that for it to work we will have to enter the upper atmosphere, which will, put an incredible strain on the ship. I want all of you to be aware of the risks."
The senior staff nodded earnestly.
"I know we have all taken a blow with what has happened to Locutis and L'Etals death but we need to concentrate. The colonists need us

The bridge was quiet after the Captain little speech, Magellan was sitting in his chair in the middle of the bridge and Steve was standing next to him.
"Steve to Lasooux" who was in the transporter room "are we ready?"
"Transporters are operating with the changes we made sir" Lasooux replied.
Steve looked at Magellan and he nodded. "Helm take us into the upper atmosphere and Lasooux transport as soon as you have a lock."
As the Victory entered the upper atmosphere it slowly started to shudder,
"Shields are holding" a voice said and they continued on there course.
"Lasooux to bridge, I am starting transport"
Steve stood thinking for a moment, "Sek report to the transporter room there may be injured"
A few minuets pasts and the shields were getting weaker and weaker. "Bridge, all the Colonists have been accounted for"
Magellan stood up from his chair, "Helm get us out of here"
"Aye sir" the officer at helm replied

The Victory held position alongside the Optimus for a moment longer before finally breaking orbit and jumping to warp.
Locutis was gone, L'Etal dead. The ship seemed so different.
Her crew as ever adapted to the continual change of Starfleet life although this time the adaptation seemed slower and more forced.
With the recent casualties the Victory was now severely under manned. Captain Magellan had submitted several pleas to command for more staff but things were tight back at Section 47 and no-one really new when new recruits would arrive.
Following their recent rescue of the Colonists the Victory was to return to Starbase Bellicose and report to Rear Admiral Clark. Between them and the Optimus the Colonists had been comfortably accommodated and were to be dropped off at Laraia Prime en route.
Magellan had spent several hours speaking with the lead scientists and colony leaders. No-one seemed to know what had happened to them.
Dr Ralek had explained that the tests on the Omega Isotope were going extremely well. The molecule exhibited none of the volatility of its namesake. Ralek was adamant that within five years they could have refined the molecule to create a completely clean and reliable energy source that would rival the Deuterium Engines of modern Starships. That was of course before the accident. The project lost had all its funding and all further research was now banned under the same regulations governing Omega. Ralek was furious and blamed the project leader Dr Talor Kavek for the projects failure. Their leader had been a fanatic, completely obsessed with Omega and the Isotope. It was he who had pushed forward the unscheduled experiment that had caused the incident. It cost him dearly Kavek vanished with the other colonists but never reappeared during the Victory's rescue.