USS Virgo                                  

Title: "Conflicts and Malice" (Part 2 of 3)
Author: Captain Stephen Maruu
Stardate: 2460208
Earthdate: March 17, 2360
Location: USS Virgo/Lambda Flier/Kirus

Maruu looked at Jorail with disgust. "You traitor."

"Ha!" Jorail mocked. "You really are naive, Captain. Now, goodbye."

Maruu put up his hands. "Wait! Before you kill us all, I would like to address my crew one last time."

Jorail sighed. "It is only proper. Go ahead."

Maruu tapped his com badge. "Crew of the *USS Virgo*. The cat is bad and bigly. He eats the small and scrawny mouse. Mice are cute unless they're black. Then they're fat and ugly."

The incoherent message made the Jem'Hadar and Jorail giggle.
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But not the Chief Engineer. "All right, men, that's our cue. Computer, initiate program Loran Zeta Two." He looked at Ensign Galen. "I hope it works like it did six months ago."

Galen smiled at him. "Hey, if it worked once, why waste a good thing."
___________________________________

The bridge was suddenly free of Jem'Hadar. They had been transported into the vacuum of space and all died from depressurization. Jorail was surprised. "What happened?!"

Maruu smiled. "Looks like you underestimated my cynicism. Benton, take Jorail to the brig."

Benton grabbed Jorail by the arms and placed cuffs on his wrists. "With pleasure, Captain."
___________________________________

The Dominion vessels immediately turned against the *Virgo*.

As soon as that occurred, the Kirusan ships powered up and engaged the Dominion. This time, the Resistance was flying.
___________________________________

"Jeorri Armada this is Commander Lataro. Prepare to enter the Kirus system. Arm all weapons and be prepared to go in fighting!" Lataro said.

The decision of the Council of Elders was a unanimous yes. The threat of the Dominion and the existing oppression of the Kirusan Breadth was enough for the Council of Elders to vote in favor of the alliance. In the closing remarks of the Madam Arbitrator, Commander Lataro need not have presented the request for the alliance, since it had been formed the day that Lt. Roen agreed to explore with the *Virgo*, however the thoughtfulness involved for Captain Maruu to request their assistance showed a great amount of trust and understanding, resulting in the council's impression and appreciation of the consideration. To show their approval, they presented the task force with three of the four battle cruisers and all 12 attack ships.

Unbeknownst to the Lataro or Valdago, the Jeorri ships were also equipped enough fire power to hold their own if they need to jump into the fight with the Kirusans, but timing was paramount. Captain Maruu had given strict instructions to be at a certain point at a certain time, and Lataro was pleased to find out that they were there and ready.

It was T-minus 10 minutes, and the entire Jeorri Task Force reported ready. Now it was just waiting. "John. You ready for this?" Lataro asked Valdago who sat next to him. Valdago's leg was thumping the floor nervously as the time approached slowly.

"Yes, Commander! I am ready!" Valdago said. He pushed a few buttons. "All weapons are online and cloaking device is ready on your mark. Shields are at full power and ready to be engaged, but remember, Sir, the shields and the cloak can't be working at the same time."

"Fine. I don't think that I want to be hiding from the Dominion. Be ready to raise shields."

"Yes, Sir."
 
T-minus five minutes.

"Major Ceteri," Lataro called out.

[Yes, Commander?]

"You ready?"

[All ships report ready, willing and able.]

"Good. We will go in first, then you."

[No problem. By the way, in case I don't have a chance to do this again, thank you. Thank you for giving us a chance.]

"There is no reason to thank me. You just remember, whether or not we survive this battle, you all will live or die as a free people!"

"Commander!" Valdago interrupted. "It's time."

"Okay, task force, enter the battle at full impulse," Lataro ordered. In secession the entire fleet began to sound off.

In a matter of minutes the entire fleet were close enough to the Kirus solar system to see what was going on. Lataro saw the battle and was amazed at the amount of debris. Both he and Valdago looked out of the view port.

"Oh, my God!" Valdago said in amazement.

Four Kirusan warships, 21 battle cruisers, and the *Virgo* were now battling against the remaining 58 Dominion ships. The battle was going badly for the good guys: the *Virgo* was battle weary and the Kirusan Resistance Forces were working with jerry-rigged ships. The vacuum of space was littered with the bodies of dead Jem'Hadar.

Lataro contacted the Jeorri. "Attack! Attack!"

The Jeorri ships and the *Flier* began firing rapidly on the Dominion ships. That initial attack took out 15 ships. Then, they turned around for another pass. The tables were being turned.
___________________________________

Maruu smiled as he saw the *Flier* and the Jeorri flying overhead. "Here comes the cavalry."

The helm officer shouted, "Captain, we're still been getting hit hard! We're losing shields."

Maruu began to worry. "Loran, increase power to shields."

[Aye, Sir.]
___________________________________

Loran looked at Galen and Ek'Ra. "We need shields now!"

They nodded.

As they began to route power from unnecessary systems, a Jem'Hadar who had been left behind by Loran's program approached weapons armed. He fired at Ek'Ra, vaporizing him. "Obedience brings victory." He shot another engineer. "Victory is life!" He fired at Loran, but Galen stepped in. He gave his life for his Chief.

Loran yelled, "You asshole!"

The Jem'Hadar was going to take another shot at Loran. Suddenly, another engineer jumped down on the Jem'Hadar from the deck overhead. The Jem'Hadar simply threw him against a console.

While the Jem'Hadar was busy, Loran tore open a console and pulled an electricity carrying tubule out of the console. He increased power to maximum and pressed the tubule hard on the Jem'Hadar's chest. Loran jumped back before the Jem'Hadar began to have convulsions and explode in a flash of light. Then, Loran proceeded to increase power to the shields.
___________________________________

The Jeorri, Resistance, and Federation forces seemed to overwhelm the Dominion. After destroying more than 75% of their ships, they began to retreat. The remaining fleet left in the direction of the wormhole. The war had been won. There were still things to do, though.
___________________________________

The *Lambda Flier* docked in one of the *Virgo's* shuttle bays. The *Virgo* , plus the remaining Kirusans ships and the Jeorri ships (which sustained only minor damages and no casualties), positioned themselves orbiting Kirus. Immediately, Lataro and Valdago joined Maruu on the bridge.

Maruu smiled as Lataro and Valdago walked in. "Great to have you two back."

Lataro smiled. "Glad to be back."

Valdago nodded. "We missed you so much!"

Maruu nodded at Benton who then ordered that the incarcerated crewmembers be brought to the bridge.

After a while, K'Lara, Dana Nori, and Javier Tara came on the bridge. The three looked at Maruu and immediately caught sight of Lataro and Valdago dressed in uniform.

K'Lara practically ran and jumped on him. "Jon, you're alive!" She stepped back and smacked him hard. "You idiot! How could you do this to me?!"

Lataro only smiled and kissed her on the lips. She kissed back, euphoric to have Lataro back in her arms.

Nori, by now extremely surprised, walked over and hugged her own boyfriend. "So this was all a ruse to get the Dominion off guard and ensure victory?"

Maruu smiled. "Yeah."

"Can I have my pips back in that case?"

Maruu took them out of his pocket. "I was waiting to hear you say that." After attaching the pips to her neck, Maruu kissed Nori on the lips.

She kissed back. When they stopped kissing, Nori said, "I'm sorry by the way."

"For what?"

"For kicking your ass." They laughed.

A content Lt. Tara saw a light flash at his console. "Hey, we're being hailed! Stop acting like teenagers and start commanding this ship like the Starfleet officers you are!" he yelled jokingly.

Kelidat Leinor appeared on screen with Major Cleteri. Leinor said, [Please come down to the planet. Remember the last time you were here, Captain? Well, we have a surprise for you.]

Maruu smiled. "All right." He cut off the communication. "Dana, Jon, K'Lara, Javier, John, and Benton, let's get to the
transporter room.
___________________________________

Loran was working quickly. They were going to need the transwarp drive soon. The captain had told him that. But, how were they supposed to activate a device without the much needed tridanium? He had to do something, and he had to do it now.
___________________________________

The group of seven materialized on the planet's surface. Leinor and Cleteri quickly went to greet the group. Ourha stood only a few feet away.

Major Cleteri thanked the group for their help in defeating the Kirusans.

Leinor then spoke to the captain. "Captain! We have Surok. On your command, we will bring him back."

"What?!" Maruu demanded.

"Come," the kelidat led the group into a large room with an immense contraption in the center. "It utilizes large amounts of pre-synthesized adenosine triphosphate and specialized enzymes to rebuild the damaged body parts as the DNA scans show. Surok's body has been kept in storage. However, since we didn't know if you would come back, we didn't bring him back because the process drains power to a very large extent. So large an extent that we haven't performed the procedure in over a century."

Ourha stepped forward. "The technology was made possible by a combination of Changeling and Kirusan technology, plus a bit of Kirusan anatomy. Their bodies are very special you know. That's how they survive. That's how you," Ourha pointed at Valdago, "were transformed."

Valdago stepped back. "How did you know I had been transformed?"

Ourha smiled. "The one called Solacetta told us. She has been on Kirus for a while. But the Resistance is currently tracking her down now that we have taken the planet by force. She will be dismantled."

Two Kirusans brought out a gold coffin with a glass top. A deceased and cryogenically frozen Surok was inside.

Maruu sighed. "Well, let's put him in and start the machine."

Cleteri was fascinated by the whole thing. "This is going to be a great thing. I am honored to be hear amongst you today."

"So am I!" a familiar voice said. Suddenly, a Kirusan jerked his head to the side hard and fell to the floor, dead. Solacetta decloacked over the Kirusan she had just murdered. "You are all so predictable. I may not come out of this alive, but neither will any of you." She showed a nuclear bomb similar to a hydrogen bomb attached to her torso.

Cleteri yelled, "Who the hell are you?!"

Lataro clenched his teeth. "She is Solacetta. A half-Kirusan half-Android who marches to the beat of her own drummer."

Valdago smiled. "Actually, she makes her own drums." He punched Lataro, who fell on the floor. "Sorry, but Solacetta and I must be together, now more than ever." He stepped forward.

Solacetta smiled. "'We will always be family.' You meant it, didn't you?"

"Of course I did. I love you. We are one." He approached her.

Suddenly, she pulled out a knife and plunged it into Valdago's chest. "Sorry, John, but I can't trust you again." She pulled it out and noticed no blood. "What?!"

Valdago just laughed and stepped back.

"You're not, John."

"You've got me." The pseudo-Valdago transformed into Ourha.

"Dammit!" She looked around and saw Valdago at a transporter station. "No! You won't win this time!" She threw the knife at the real Valdago.

Maruu jumped in the way. The knife caught him in the chest. He fell to the floor in agony.

Valdago stopped to tend to Maruu.

"No, finish what you started! I'm not dying in vain!"

Solacetta began to approach Valdago. Lataro attacked her, but she just threw him against a wall. Tara tried to stop her, but she grabbed his head and twisted it hard. His neck snapped, and he fell to the floor, never to wake up. Benton approached her to try to reason with her, but he was just backhanded and thrown back against Leinor and Cleteri. Finally, Solacetta reached Valdago when she started to dematerialize. "NO! DAMN IT!!! NO!!!" She disappeared.

Ourha was terrified. "Where did you send her?"

"A place where she'll never come back."

Maruu laid sprawled on the floor with a knife in his chest. He was dying quickly. The group came up to him.

Valdago was stammering. "Captain, you...you saved my life."

"I give my life for my crew. I made that oath when I chose to become captain of the *Virgo*, a position you must now fill, Jon."

Lataro saddened. "You can keep it. You're going to survive this."

"Nope, not this time." Maruu coughed.

Nori hugged him. "You can't die, Stephen!"

K'Lara smiled nervously. "Come back to us, p'taQ."

Maruu laughed, then coughed. "I love you all. You've been great. Jon, get the crew home." Maruu relaxed and let himself go. He died.

Dana began to weep terribly. "Damn it, Stephen! *Don't leave me!*" She pounded Maruu's chest. "Don't leave me!"

Valdago and Benton held Nori back. "He's gone. Let him go."

K'Lara and Jon comforted each other.
___________________________________

The Kirusan yellow sun was blazing. In its atmosphere, with solar winds reaching up to 5,000 Kelvins, a form began to materialize. Solacetta.

Soon, she saw her predicament. "AAAAAAH!!! NO!!! DAMMIT NO!!!" She shrieked as the heat melted her outer
coverings and exposed the titanium alloy beneath.

The gravity pulled her closer and closer to the surface of the sun.

Then, the hydrogen bomb exploded.
 

Title: "Conflicts and Malice" (Part 3 of 3)
Author: Captain Stephen Maruu
Stardate: 2460208
Earthdate: March 17, 2360
Location: Kirus/USS Virgo

Valdago suddenly looked up from Maruu's dead body. "The machine! We can use it!"

Leinor nodded. "However, the choice belongs to the next in command. I believe that's Commander Lataro."

Lataro was overwhelmed by the decision. He had to choose one out of three dead people to live: Commander Surok, Lieutenant Tara, or Captain Maruu. His conscience was in conflict. "I choose Stephen. He was probably the most influential member of the crew and must live through this. Besides," he looked at Nori, "he's got family."

Nori wiped off her tears and kissed Lataro on the cheek. "Thank you." She smiled nervously.

Two Kirusans picked Maruu up and placed him in a large, blue, octagonal case. They closed it, and Leinor powered up the machine. "Let's hope it works."

The machine began to whir. Flashes of purple, red, yellow, and green appeared around the case as it was charged with electricity. Two huge tanks began to inject fluids into the case. Then, the sound became deafening. Everyone in the room covered their ears. After five minutes, the flashes stopped and the sound quieted down. The case opened up automatically.

The room grew silent. Everyone waited as if something was to happen. Then, Maruu's left leg flew out of the case. It frightened everyone. Then, Maruu himself walked out. He has his own leg back to boot.

Leinor was surprised. "Hmm. The machine is not supposed to create two legs! That is awkward."

Nori laughed euphorically. "His leg had been shot off six months ago. The leg he has now is his *real* leg." She ran and kissed her resurrected beau.

Maruu kissed her and looked at the rest of the group. "Who brought me back?"

Lataro walked forward. "You went and died on us, Captain. I'm afraid I couldn't let you do that."

Maruu slapped Lataro's arm. "It's an honor serving with you, Commander."

"The feeling is reciprocal."

Suddenly, the machine began to whir. Leinor yelled, "Take your dead and go! The machine is going to blow. Changelings, Kirusans, Jeorri, Humans, Bajorans, Klingon and Kelvan all helped out by taking the dead outside as the machine exploded. There were no casualties, but no dead were going to come back to life after that.

Maruu immediately looked at Ourha, Leinor, and Cleteri. "We must go. I saw something while I was dead that would undermine the efforts of today's battles if it is allowed to occur." He paused. "An even larger fleet of Dominion ships is going to come through that wormhole. We have to stop them."

Leinor became serious. "The Kirusans and the Jeorri will come together and defeat them!"

"No, they're too strong. And with your station gone and your ships scattered and in anarchy, you are more vulnerable than ever. We must stop them ourselves. Now."

Cleteri and Leinor extended their hands. "Good luck, Captain."

"And to you." They said their goodbyes. "*Virgo*, beam us up."

When the *Virgo* had dematerialized, Leinor and Cleteri shook hands. Leinor spoke to Cleteri. "To a long and fruitful alliance."

Cleteri smiled. "To a long and fruitful alliance."

Ourha put his hands over the Jeorri's and Kirusan's hands. "May we all live in peace and companionship for a long, long time."

>From that moment on, the Taboo Sector and the Kirusan Breadth came together to form an entirely new government. One of peace and tolerance for all species.
______________________________________

The crew was back, with some deaths. Maruu took his command chair, and Lataro sat at his left. K'Lara took the helm, and Nori took care of medical systems. Valdago controlled Operations. Tactical was empty.

Maruu gave his command. "Loran, fire up the transwarp drive. Get us to the wormhole, maximum speed."

Loran hesitated. [We don't have enough tridanium to complete the drive!]

"Then, route power from shields. Enclose the drive in a force field. Do what you have to just get us to that wormhole."

[Aye, Sir.] Loran did as he was told.

Maruu then looked at K'Lara. "K'Lara, take us to the wormhole, warp 17."

"Aye, Sir." The ship began to zoom through space at incredible speeds.

"Time to contact?"

"One hour."

"All right. Looks like we wait."
______________________________________

In 45 minutes, the hull was in bad shape, it was coming loose in some areas.

"Loran, increase power to structural integrity!" yelled Maruu through the commotion caused by the bending of titanium.

[I don't have anymore power! The transwarp drive is going to fall apart!]

"Keep trying! Find something! Use power packs if you have to!"

Lataro saw a light flash. "Captain, we have a hull breach on Deck Three!"

"We don't have enough power for force fields! Evacuate the deck!"
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Deck Three was depressurizing. Everything was being sucked out. Ensign Sandra Bingham was pushing people to get to the turbolifts and Jeoffries tubes as fast as they could. Suddenly, plasma began leaking. An subsequent explosion set of a chain reaction that blew her and two other ensigns into the void of space and took the deck with it.
______________________________________

Lataro was morbid. "We lost the deck. Three dead."

Maruu hit his console. "Damn!"

K'Lara then pointed at the wormhole. "There it is!"

"Full stop!" Maruu paused. "Enter the wormhole at one-fourth impulse."

They began to enter the wormhole. After being inside for about twelve seconds, they saw a massive armada of Dominion ships in the distance. They were barely entering the wormhole.

Maruu stood up. "John, arm two photon torpedoes."

Lataro stood up also. "Are you planning on attacking the entire armada?"

"No." He looked at Valdago again. "Aim the torpedoes at the sides of the wormhole. If we destroy its subspace matrix, we destroy the wormhole."

Lataro smiled. "No wormhole, no Dominion."

"Fire!"

The torpedoes exploded on the walls of blue light that was the slipstream of the wormhole. It began to collapse. Suddenly, the *Virgo* found themselves in an empty part of space. No wormholes. No Dominion.

"K'Lara, where are we?"

K'Lara smiled. "We are 8,000 light years from Kirusan space. There is no sign of any Dominion ships."

Maruu smiled as well. "Success. K'Lara, take us to a friendly M Class planet. Let's make repairs."
______________________________________

Ensign Andrew Wiggins walked into Ensign Alysa Anne Sinclair's quarters. "You did it."

"I did what?"

"The Klingon ship. The *J'Rigagh*. One year ago. You knew it would be there. You knew a Kirusan would be onboard. You knew we would capture it. You knew we would check it. You knew someone would touch its
cervical energy system. You knew that person would be assimilated. You knew Solacetta would be created!"

"Well, I kind of expected Dana to be my lab rat but an android was just as good."

"The Federation has met the Kirusans before haven't they?"

"Yes. They have. The *USS Vixen* was our first contact vessel. Unfortunately, we didn't expect such a powerful attack force."

"Solacetta has been destroyed. You know that right?"

"Yes. But I have my information. The Federation has been victorious."

"What information?"

"The information Klingon Intelligence tried to gather on the *J'Rigagh*. The information that was too damaged for anyone to figure out what it was. K'Lara took a look at it. Then, I got my hands on it and cracked the code."

"What did it contain?"

"Kirusan top secret technology. You see, they were experimenting on transconnecting alternate realities. Now, I have the technology. And you know too much." Sinclair pulled out a phaser. "Goodbye, my friend." She vaporized Ensign Wiggin with a phaser blast at its highest setting. Sinclair took a small PADD from her pocket. It
contained a letter signed by Admiral Zultok. "My ticket to fame." It was a letter placing Sinclair in command of Starfleet Intelligence on the *USS Virgo*.
 

Title: "Recovery"
Author: Lt. Commander K'Lara
Stardate: 2460186
Earthdate: March 9, 2360
Location: USS Virgo

The soft candle light seemed to soothe K'Lara's raging emotions. She was glad that her mate and fiance Commander Jonathan Lataro was alive and well. What burned her the most, though, was that she was tricked
into believing that he had died trying to escape the ship. She still had some anger left over from those trying days. She was still angry at Captain Maruu, but it was now just burning embers instead of the raging fire of the previous days. She still wanted to confront Maruu about it, but right now she was going to enough the time she had with Lataro.

"Aren't you hungry, K'Lara?" Lataro's voice interrupted her musing.

"Wha? Oh. Yes. I was just thinking."

Lataro put down his glass of wine and looked at her. He could see the embers burning behind her eyes, and he figured what had put them there. Still he asked, "What about?"

K'Lara stared at him. Clearly he knew what she had been thinking about. It was all she could think about for the past few days.

"How Maruu tricked me into believing that you were killed while escaping the ship. He had no idea of what I was going through. Didn't even think of what I would be going through?!"

"K'Lara, calm down. He knew what this would do to you. Hell, even I knew what it would do to you, but it had to be done. We would all be dead now, if we hadn't have gone through with it. You know that."

K'Lara growled, "I still wished you could have told me. Did he think I would blurt it out to everyone? Is that what he thinks of me?"

Lataro shook his head, "K'Lara, it was for the best. He couldn't risk telling anyone. You never know who would be listening."

K'Lara averted her eyes. She still wished she had been told. It would have saved her lots of embarrassment over her anger. She had gone on a rampage of vengeance, and she would have gone as far as kill those
that got in her way just to avenge her mate's supposed death. It hurt a lot to be reminded of it.

Lataro saw K'Lara's hurt expression and he felt for her. He did wish he could have told her, but it was his duty to the ship and the mission too important. He wanted for to understand that. Maybe with time, she would. Until then, she had to get over her anger.

"How is your recovery going?" Lataro asked, hoping the question wouldn't anger her further.

K'Lara stared at him, but it was an innocent question, so she answered, "All right, I suppose. I've only been once, Jon."

She smiled as she said the last part. Jon returned her smile and lifted his glass toward her.

"Here's to a swift recovery," he said.

K'Lara raised her glass as well. "To a swift recovery."

The glasses clinked together, and they stared into each others eyes as they sipped the wine. It would be a swift recovery with Lataro by her side.
 

Title: "Was There a Mistake?"
Author: Commander Jonathan Lataro
Stardate: 2460211
Earthdate: March 18, 2360
Location: USS Virgo

The glasses clinked together, and they stared into each others eyes as they sipped the wine. It would be a swift recovery with Lataro by her side. "Well Jon, I have to report for duty. I have Gamma Shift tonight. I wish I could stay here with you."

"I wish so too."

"Well, you can come by the bridge a little later."

"Captain Maruu gave me a few days off, and I think that I don't necessarily want to be there on the bridge until I have to. He may think that I will want to work." He smiled.

"Maybe so. I have to go," she said, finishing her wine and getting up.

"Okay," Lataro said putting his glass down and following her lead. He walked her to the door. "I have got Alpha Shift so I will see you, I guess at the changeover."

"That is fine, Love," K'Lara said, leaning over giving him a quick kiss.

"I don't think so, Commander," Lataro said grabbing her and holding her tightly. "You need to say goodbye to me the proper way."

"And how is that, Sir!"

"Like this." Lataro pulled her close and passionately kissed her. After a few minutes of their passionate embrace, she finally pulled away.

"Whoa. You took my breath away. I almost don't want to go to work."

"Then don't."

She smiled. "Sorry. Duty calls," she said. Lataro just looked at her and realized that usually it was his duty that was interfering with their relationship, but this time it was hers.

"Nice."

"I know. Well I gotta go. I love you," she said, kissing him one more time.

"I love you too."

Through the door, K'Lara hurriedly ran making sure that she wasn't to be late. Lataro turned around and looked at the dinnerware and thought to clean his quarters. Afterwards, he decided that he really didn't want to stay home, so he decided to go to the forward lounge for a drink. Through the corridors, he saw many crewmembers who occasionally smiled at him and said, "Hi." He casually responded accordingly and finally reached the forward lounge.

As he entered, he took a moment to absorb the newly decorated lounge, a thing that he hadn't done since Dweezle came aboard some months ago. Lataro was impressed at what Dweezle and Lazarus had done to the lounge. Lataro remembered when the lounge was a simple place with a small bar with a few table which faced towards the view ports. Now, it was a double decked club rivaling Quark's on DS9. Finally he approached the bar where Dweezle was doing his normal bartending duties such as wiping the counter and glasses. "Dweezle. What is the strongest drink you have?"

"Hmm," Dweezle said, putting his hand on his chin in a mock "Thinker's" pose. "I may be able to conjure up something for you."

"Fine. Do it."

"Okay. I hope that you can handle it."

"Well I was quite a drinker in my Academy days, so I think I can handle just about anything you could throw at me."

"Okay." Dweezle reached under the counter and pulled out a five flasks of different colored liquids. All of them looked unpleasant, but as Dweezle mixed a few drops of one, a large amounts of another, the colors changed to a bright orange pulsating concoction that had a small amounts of steam rising from it. "Here you go, Commander. The Dweezle Dazzler."

Lataro looked at the shot glass and smiled, "The Dweezle Dazzler? Couldn't you have come up with a more original name."

"Nope. Just drink it," Dweezle said, slightly perturbed.

"Okay, okay," Lataro said as he picked up the glass. He raised it to his mouth and paused as the steam rose and touched his lips. It was warm and caused his entire face to tingle. *Wow. This is going to be some drink!* Lataro put the glass to his lips and downed it. It burned his throat, causing him to cough as the liquid oozed down his gullet. "Whoa!"

The effects of the drink were immediate. Lataro's entire body was tingly and he was light headed. He turned around and propped his elbows on the edge of the bar and slouched. "That was damn good! How about another?"

"Sorry. One per night per person! Give it about 60 seconds. You are going to wish you never drank it."

"Are you kidding?" Lataro said with a sloppy smile on his face. The Dazzler was taking effect giving Lataro the euphoria of the alcohol. He was drunk from the one shot and he was loving it. "You know something? You are absolutely right. I don't need anything else."

Commander Lataro slouched up against the counter and looked over the club. In a far table he noticed a cute girl sitting all alone, and he didn't want that to happen. There was no reason why such a beautiful girl to be at a club all alone, so Lataro bee-lined his way to the table and sat down. "Hello! Mind if I sit?"

"No, Commander. Be my guest," the girl said. She was sitting their reading a few PADDs and put them down. "So what can I do for you, Commander Lataro?"

"Oh you know who I am? I seem to be at a disadvantage. I don't know who you are."

"I am Lieutenant Junior Grade Jenara Shylo Tomme. I am the new Chief Science Officer," she said, extending her hand.

Lataro reached out for the hand, but seeing triple, even quadruple, made it difficult to grab the right on. "Pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant," he said sloppily.

"Commander are you all right?"

"Please call me Jon!"

"Um, Sir, are you okay?"

"Jon!" he said stupidly. "Call me Jon!"

"Okay...Jon...you have been drinking."

"Yes, Ma'am, but it was an itsy-bitsy-little one," he said, making appropriate finger gestures.

"Sir, I think it would be a good idea for you to return to your quarters."

"But, Lieutenant, we are here to party. So let's." Lataro stood up, but, as if the ground moved from underneath him, he fell to the floor face first.

Dweezle walked up to the Lt. Tomme and smiled, "I told him he couldn't handle it."
________________________________

It was 0030 and the decks still had numerous people walking through it. Occasionally merry laughing was heard that echoed loudly in the intoxicated Commander. "Oh!" he moaned as he was leaned up against Lt.
Tomme who was helping him to his quarters. "Make them stop!"

"It is okay, Commander. We are almost there," she said, walking slowly. They passed a few crewmembers who smiled as the saw their First Officer drunk. However, one group of people didn't but rather broke into a whispering. Lataro quickly responded by saying something stupid to these passersby only to get humorous looks in return. "Jon, I think that it would be best if you stayed quiet. Boy you are plastered."

"No! I am not! I am totally in control of my actions," Lataro retorted sluggishly.

"Fine, whatever you say. Okay here we are. You need to enter your access code."

Lataro reached over and pushed the keypad. The first time though he pressed the wrong buttons and the computer announced it.

<Unrecognized command.>

"Shhhh! Quiet computer!" Lataro squinting.

Lataro tried it again. Same response.

"Here, Commander, let me do it," Tomme said with a smile. "What is it?"

"Umm...two, two, five, two, seven...no wait...two, eight...two, two, five, two, eight."

Tomme pushed the buttons in sequence and the door opened. "Okay, Jon, let's go!"
________________________________

*Lt. Valdago let me off early today. We were really slow so I think that I will surprise, Jon,* K'Lara thought as she proceeded down the hall towards Lataro's quarters. Just as she turned the corner, she saw Commander Lataro hanging all over the science officer, Lt. Tomme. K'Lara quickly put her back up against the bulkhead and peered around a brace. *That son of a... How could he do that?*

>From her vantage point, she noticed the young lieutenant push the security buttons on the panel and door came open. Something was said between the two of them that she couldn't quite make out, then Lataro and Tomme entered the room. K'Lara's eyes turned red with anger as she headed for the closing door, but as she finally reached it it shut completely. She began to raise her hand to bang at the door but stopped. Angrily she turned away and walked briskly down the corridor. About 10 paces from the door, she began to run, running first slowly, then faster and faster. Her tears began to well up in her eyes as she entered the nearest turbolift. K'Lara backed up to the furthest wall slipped down to the floor, hiding her face in her hands crying.
________________________________

"Computer, lights!" Tomme said as she placed Lataro on the couch.

As the lights came on Lataro immediately responded, "Computer, not so bright...35% illumination." The lights dimmed as Tomme sat down next him.

"Sir, you need to go get some rest. Here let me help you," she said as she got back up and grabbed his hands to pull him. However, Lataro's drunken state offered some resistance that Tomme wasn't expecting, and, as she pulled him up, he plopped back down, inadvertently pulling her on top of him and into his arms. Now their faces were within inches.

"You know something? You are a pretty lady," Lataro said in a stupor.

"Thank you, Commander." Tomme made an attempt to break free. This definitely felt very wrong. "Sir, you should get to bed," she said, trying to get back up, but the firm grasp Lataro had kept her down.

Lataro said nothing but was looking straight into a face, a face that didn't belong to his betrothed, but to a young vivacious woman. He reached up and softly ran his fingers along her face. Tomme felt the touch and softly gasped as she looked directly into his eyes. She was shocked at the advance he was making, but realized that he was drunk. The best for him was to be put to bed which she intended to do.

The touch of Tomme's skin seemed to send an electrical surge which pulsated through Lataro's body that jump started his heart. Even as the alcohol had impaired his judgment, his beating heart took control and something inside was telling him to kiss her. The moment was right, a dark room, a beautiful woman who was cradled in his arm, and within inches of his was her pouty lips, ripe for the kissing, but his rational brain which was fighting the battle against incredible odds triumphed. Overpowering the rest of his intoxicated brain and his fast-beating heart, it told him that this was not right and forced him to stand up dropping Tomme to the floor. He began feeling around for something to stabilize him and turned around to face the now surprised science officer. "Um, Lieutenant. Thank you for helping me to my quarters. I...I think that you had better leave."

"Yes, Sir. I think that would be a good idea," Tomme said nervously as she stood up running her hands down her uniform to flatten out the wrinkles.

Inadvertently, her actions emphasized her womanfully form which restarted another battle in Lataro's body. His rational mind thought it had won, but this inadvertent tactic seem to taking its toll on the battle weary portion. Something was flowing inside him, but Lataro's rational mind released its secret weapon to counteract it. "Thank you again."

"Yes, Sir," Tomme said as she hurriedly headed for the door. The door came open and she disappeared. As the door whisked shut, Lataro made his way to the bed and crashed. "Oh boy... What have I done?"
_____________________________________

The next morning, Commander Lataro woke up and noticed his clock. It read 0930. "What?!" he yelled as he shot up out of bed. Lataro's duty shift started at 0800. He was late. As he stood on his own wobbly legs, the ship seemed to twist and turn. His head felt like 2000 tons of bricks were piled on top of his head. "Red Alert! We are under attack!" he yelled.

The ship's automated system put itself in to Red Alert. The klaxons rang throughout the corridors and the side panels flashed with red lights.

[Commander Lataro!] his com badge screamed. It was Captain Maruu. [What the hell do you think you are doing?]

"Sir we are under attack!" *Oh God! Please stop the klaxons.*

[Commander. We are not. There isn't a ship within 1200 light years in any direction.]

*Oh boy. I really did it this time.* "I am sorry, Sir." The Red Alert was canceled by the captain.

[Jon. Are you planning to take your shift?] Maruu said sarcastically. [Or am I going to have to do it?]

"No, Sir. I am on my way."

[Good!  Maruu out.]

*He is not happy. What happened last night?*
 

Title: "The Trouble with Chemistry"
Author: Lieutenant JG Jenara Tomme
Stardate: 2460211
Earthdate: March 18, 2360
Location: USS Virgo

Exiting the commander's chamber quickly, Jenara paused as the door slid shut. Suddenly, she crumpled against the bulkhead taking a deep breath. *My God, what just happened?* Quickly recovering herself, she
continued to her own quarters. As she entered, she quickly pulled off her com badge and allowed her uniform to melt away into a night gown. She went to the replicator.

"Hot chocolate with marshmallows," she ordered. Within moments it appeared. Her adopted parents had introduced her to this soothing beverage.

Tentatively taking a sip, she went to her couch and sat down, spying the PADDs on her coffee table. Dweezle must have had them brought, she thought. Again, another deep breath issued from her as the events of the day played through her mind. First, she gets a promotion which made her feel higher than a kite...a real sense of accomplishment. But then...Jonathan Lataro walked into her life. Being Tanzaran, she had felt every emotion that had coursed through Commander Lataro, along with his conscious thoughts. As much as she tried to deny it, she had felt something as well.

"This is crazy!" she told herself. "You're 129 years old and for the first time you actually feel strong chemistry with someone and not only is he your commander, who happens to be inebriated, but he's also engaged! What is wrong with you?!"

Looking at the hot chocolate in her hands, she suddenly lost her appetite for it. She placed it on the table and buried her face in her hands. *I wonder if I ask if they'll shoot me out a torpedo tube...* she thought cynically. Sighing, she looked out the porthole, into the darkness of space. She knew there was no way she'd be getting any sleep now. Instead, she began to recollect the events that led her to the Mess Hall at such an inopportune time...
_________________________________________

"Congratulations," Captain Maruu said as he announced to Jenara that she was now the Chief Science Officer.

"Thank you, Sir!" she replied as her green eyes twinkled. There was nothing like the feel of a promotion! It was like the feeling on Christmas morning when you got the one thing you had been dreaming you would get.

After the captain left her in the lab where she had been completing a series of experiments trying to break the virus down for Calbian Fever since it was the one type of virus that seemed to be prevalent in this quadrant, she finished her shift and checked the results she had managed to retrieve and then left. She was still floating high on her promotion. Perhaps she'd go to the Forward Lounge and get a drink in celebration, she thought.

As she walked she happened to see Benton.

"Hey! How are you?" she said, flashing a smile. "Guess what?"

"What?" he replied, startled a bit by her exuberant response to his presence.

"I have just been made Chief Science Officer!" she replied. "Come have a drink with me to celebrate!"

"I don't know," he replied.

"You wouldn't want to hurt my feelings, would you?" she asked. "I mean, you are off duty, right?"

"Yes," he answered.

"And Spot is secured in his cage?"

"Yes."

"Then I think you are out of excuses!" she replied, linking her arm around his. "I promise, just one drink. That's it. I just think this is a reason to celebrate!"

With that, she led him through the corridor and to the Forward Lounge.

It was a short jaunt to the lounge. As they took a seat, they ordered drinks. Surprised by this, Jenara watched as Benton ordered Altair water. She had a Tygarian Sparkler. It was one of her favorite drinks. Jenara enjoyed Benton's company immensely, though he did seem kind of clueless to her interest in him. She thought it was kind of cute.

"To good friends and promotions!" she said, toasting.

They clinked glasses.

Suddenly, one of the ensigns from her lab arrived carrying a stack of PADDs. It was Karen Thomas. She was a quiet young girl with brown hair, but very striking blue eyes. She was looking around the lounge until she spotted Jenara. Immediately, she walked up to her.

"Hello, Lieutenant," she said, "I was told that I needed to bring these to you. That you needed to review them before your next duty shift."

Jenara's left eyebrow lifted quizzically as she took the PADDs from the young woman. "Thank you, Ensign," she replied.

Just as quickly the girl vanished. As Jenara looked through the PADDs, she felt a little of her jubilant nature drain away. These PADDs were full of the protocols for her new position, as well as status reports on all the officers under her that she was responsible for in one way or another.

"Is something wrong?" Benton asked.

"Oh, no. Just didn't realize there would be so much more for me to do being Chief Science Officer. But that's okay," she quickly recovered. "I haven't been around for 129 years for nothing! I'm a quick study!"

As Benton finished his water, he bid her good night. She had already become engrossed in this excess of information she had been handed. Time seemed lost as she studied, and she didn't notice Commander
Lataro enter the lounge and go to the bar and to Dweezle.