4 Season 14 Page

Title: "Spot Must Die!" (Part 7 of 7)
Author: Lt. Commander Benton
Stardate: 2460808
Earthdate: October 22, 2383
Location: USS Virgo

"Well, all's well that ends well, I guess," said Sitto.

"Oh, it's more than just well, Sitto," said a very happy Francesca. "Spot's still here, Arn and that crooked judge are in the slammer, and our relations with the Slartans have been fixed."

"Indeed," said Benton.

The three of them were sitting at a table in the center of the mess hall, and there was a large crowd gathered around them. On the tabletop between them were a dozen small, furry, purring creatures. The crowd was cuddling them and petting them and "oo-ing" and "ah-ing" over them.

"And to think, all this craziness was just because Spot wanted to get someplace natural so he could have his puppies," continued Sitto.

"How is Spot?" asked Francesca.

"He seems to be his old, normal self again," said Benton. "Last I saw him he was in my cabin, resting. I wish he had just told me about this. It's not as though we're complete strangers, you know."

Francesca put one of the baby tribbles on Sitto's head.

"You're getting tribble hair all over me," complained Sitto. He plucked the little furball off his head and put it back on the table. "What about these?" was Sitto's next question. He pointed at the baby tribbles squirming around on the table in front of him.

Benton said, "Doctor Maruu has checked them out. Where Spot is just *mostly* infertile, these are truly unable to produce offspring. We are safe from being overrun by tribbles."
_________________________________

Eventually, all the baby tribbles were given away to various members of the crew. Even Johnny Chee took one. He and Jenara Tomme had walked off together petting their new critter. Benton wandered back to his cabin and walked through the door. He set his father's phaser rifle on the desk, very glad that he hadn't had to use it for the reason he had unpacked it.

He turned toward Spot's habitat, to see how his old friend was doing, but Spot wasn't there. Benton turned around and around, but Spot was nowhere to be seen.

"Oh dear..."

Title: "The Plan"
Author: Captain Stephen Maruu
Stardate: 2460819
Earthdate: October 26, 2383
Location: USS Virgo

"And that's how the situation on Slart II was solved," ended Captain Stephen Maruu.

Admiral Zultok smiled. [Seems you've had quite some excitement on that ship, haven't you?]

"Oh yeah."

[And I am quite anxious to meet this Protector of yours.]

"Well," Stephen said, grinning, "He probably won't be making the return trip with us."

[Why not? Has he decided to stay in the Gamma Quadrant?]

"It's not that. Kalmar will only be with us as long as Kosst and Pharox are out there. I imagine when we capture them, Kalmar will go back to Xenon III or to wherever he feels he is needed. He is a 'Protector' after all."

[Of course. But tell me, what of the DTF? Have you met up with them recently?]

"No, sir. The closest DTF vessel is thousands of light years away by our estimates. Chances are we won't see them for a while, but I'm sure we haven't seen the last of them. As long as the Dominion Alliance holds the
wormhole, the DTF can't get to it. But the DTF can always threaten us the long way. We have a DTF Vorta too; they may want him back."

[From what the Dominion Alliance representatives have told us, Old Dominion and DTF Vortas who lose their Jem'Hadar are not met with kindness upon their return.]

"It would serve Jorail well, but I don't plan to give him back. I'm going to use him to our advantage. When the time comes, he'll be working for us."

[What are you planning?]

"Trust me; it's good."

[Well, I know not to question your actions. I trust you. That's why I gave you this job.]

"Thank you."

[You're welcome.]

"Well, I've got some things to take care of."

[Same here. All this Admiral's paperwork. You know, you young officers make fun of us administrators, but we've been out there, we know what war is like, and, seriously, war is so much easier than diplomacy.]

"Except for that small thing about people dying and all."

[That's why we like to do it the hard way.] Zultok chuckled. [Same time tomorrow?]

"Of course, sir."

[Very well, Stephen. Until then. Zultok out.]
________________________________

Stephen walked into the brig. "Sitto. How are you this morning?"

Sitto Lan was dozing when the captain walked in unannounced. "Sir! Good, sir!"

Stephen laughed. "Calm down, Sitto. Where's the fire?"

Sitto sat back down. "Oh sorry. It's just... The last few days have been hectic."

"I can imagine." Stephen looked in the direction of the cells and saw one cell holding two T'rais. The other holding a Vorta. "Sitto, will you leave me with Jorail for a few minutes."

"Sure, sir." Sitto handed Stephen the controls to the brig force fields and stepped out.

"So, Jorail. Long time no see."

"What do you want? Why don't you just kill me?" demanded Jorail.

"This isn't the DTF. You get to live here. You also get to answer my questions."

"I will answer nothing."

"Oh you will." Stephen shut off Jorail's force field. He stepped into Jorail's cell. "We've noticed that the T'rais seem to be hostile towards you. Why?"

Jorail quickly got up and tried to escape. Stephen simply grabbed him by the lapels and tossed him against the wall of his cell.

"Why?"

Jorail spat at Stephen's cheek.

"Okay." Stephen got up. "We'll try this again soon." He stepped up and out of the cell.

Jorail attempted to escape one last time, but Stephen activated the force field just before Jorail reached the opening of the cell. Jorail hit the force field and was sent flying back against the wall. As Stephen stepped out of the bridge, Jorail ambled to the force field and began yelling, "I will never tell you anything! Captain, do you hear me?!"

Sitto heard the yelling from outside as the captain walked out of the brig and handed him the controls. "Thank you," said Stephen. Stephen just kept walking, leaving Sitto there with an angry Vorta.
________________________________

Lt. Alysa Anna Sinclair stepped into her quarters to see her computer flashing. She had an incoming signal on a secured channel. Sinclair locked the room and sat down. Then, she activated the com signal. "I was waiting
to hear from you."

IReally? You seem to be so busy these days,] replied a more-light-hearted-than-usual Stephen Kosst.

"The captain's been moving about the ship a lot lately with all the upgrades and everything." [Well, as long as you're okay. I was worried, you know.]

"I know." Sinclair smiled.

[I wanted to let you know that Pharox has set up a surprise for the *Virgo.* It'll buy us time enough so we can set up our little plan. Is everything ready on your end?]

"Yes."

[Good.] Kosst smiled. [We'll see each other again in a few days.]

"I love you," Sinclair said.

[Yeah. You too.] Kosst signed off.

Sinclair shifted in her chair holding a PADD in her hand.

*Everything is set.*

Title: "Eagerness to Return to Work"
Author: Lt. Commander K'Lara Lataro
Stardate: 2460825
Earthdate: October 28, 2383
Location: USS Virgo

Lt. Commander K'Lara Lataro sat in the living room with her son Alexander in her arms. She was feeding him as she was reading the pilot reports from the day before. She was ready to get back to work and soon. She loved her son dearly, but she was growing insane with staying in their quarters day after day. She was ready to fly the ship once again. The closest she had gotten to doing such a thing was the simulators in the holodeck and also reading over the reports the other pilots had written.

She set the PADD she was reading down onto the table and rested against the cushions of the couch. Alexander had fallen asleep, and she smiled at him. She kissed his lightly ridged forehead and closed her eyes. She had to discuss going back to the control desk with her husband as well as the captain. Hopefully, both would see that she was willing and ready to fly the ship again.

"I'll just talk to them this evening when Jon gets home," K'Lara whispered to herself as she closed her eyes and dozed off.

Title: "Lost" (Part 1 of 4)
Author: Captain Stephen Maruu
Stardate: 2460833
Earthdate: October 31, 2383
Location: USS Virgo

"Hey, babe." Dana kissed Stephen gently on the forehead. "You have to go to work."

Stephen opened his eyes to see his wife sleeping next to him. "Good morning."

Dana smiled and kissed him on the lips. "You know, it wasn't even half as scary as I imagined it." She paused. "I am so glad you were the one."

Stephen smiled and returned the kiss. "I am too." He got up and headed for the sonic shower.

Dana got up and enveloped herself with a bed sheet. She walked to the replicator. "Two Maruu-A breakfasts."

Two plates appeared which Dana quickly grabbed and placed on the table. She sat down drinking a cup of coffee.

Stephen walked out of the shower fully dressed and putting on his pips. "I've been thinking," he said as he sat down across from Dana, "You should move in with me."

Dana smiled. "Are you serious?"

"Of course," he said. "It *is* the best suite on the ship. Plus, we are, like, the only married couple in the galaxy that isn't living together."

"Well, you have a busy job, taking care of a starship and all," she excused the fact that they were not living together. "I'd love too. Plus, it's a nice, big room. I'm sure all my stuff will fit perfectly."

"Great," said Stephen as he finished his breakfast. He got up to leave. "We'll start moving tomorrow. I'll ask Jon if he can take a few hours of my shift so I can focus on the move."

"Good." They kissed on the lips. "I have to get ready for work too."

Stephen headed to the door. "See ya this afternoon."

He headed out the door as Dana headed in to take her own shower.
_____________________________

Stephen walked onto the bridge as Jon got up. "Good morning, Stephen."

"Morning, Jon. How are things here?" Stephen asked, happily.

"Everything's great." He paused. "You seem cheerful this morning."

"I had an excellent night."

"Well, I'm glad."

"Thanks, Jon."

K'Lara stepped into the conversation. "I'm sorry to interrupt your wonderful conversation, but I think I have something on scanners."

Jon and Stephen sat down in their respective seats to inspect their computers. "What is it?" asked Jon.

"I don't know; neither do the scanners. But it's huge. It's an area of space which is about three light years wide and five light years high."

"How about across?" asked Stephen.

"About one light year."

"I guess we can go across then." Stephen turned to his first officer. "What do you think, Jon?"

"You are way too happy this morning," he joked.

Stephen smiled. "Take us through."

The ship started to move into the unknown anomaly. Suddenly, the lights flashed.

Benton, standing at tactical, announced, "There was a fluctuation in the power grid. It has corrected itself."

K'Lara then said, "Captain, the ship isn't moving. We seem to be stuck."

"Engineering," began Stephen, "what's going on?"

Jennifer answered hurriedly, [The warp core is working at peak efficiency. Impulse, warp, and transwarp systems are online and operational. It's like being trapped in mud; the ship's wheels are moving, but we aren't going
anywhere.]

"If we go to warp we may get out because this anomaly may not exist in subspace."

[It's worth a try. I've done all I can on my end.]

"K'Lara, take us to warp one."

"Aye." She pressed the button for warp one.

Suddenly the ship shook horribly. Consoles exploded. K'Lara flew off the helm and landed in an awkward position on the floor in from of Jon, who fell off of his seat. A beam came down and hit Stephen on the head knocking him out. Benton fell to the floor behind his console and landed against the console behind him which shielded him from a falling bulkhead. When the commotion was over, Benton ran to the front of the bridge to help. He ran to K'Lara and felt her pulse.

"How is she?" asked Jon.

"She's dead, sir."

"She is *not* dead," he retorted. "You're probably checking the wrong area." He crawled to her and checked her pulse. "She is *not* dead," he said again as he started CPR.

Benton tried holding him back. "Her neck is snapped; nothing is going to bring her back."

"Shut up!" Jon said as he kept trying to save his wife.

Benton let him be and went to the captain. After assessing the captain's condition, he yelled at Jon, "Commander, Captain Maruu is seriously injured. You can help me save a man who is still alive, or you can keep trying to save a dead loved one while we watch the captain die."

Jon thought for a moment, tears coming from his eyes. He touched K'Lara's cheek one last time. "I love you." He closed her eyes with his hand. "I always will." Then, he helped carry Stephen to sickbay.
_____________________________

"Ninety-seven dead," Stephen began reading the damage report. "One hundred twenty-one wounded. Hull breaches on decks five, six, seven, 12, 13, 15, and 19. Force fields did not activate so those decks are depressurized and inaccessible. Engineering flooded with plasma, no survivors." Stephen laid back on his bio bed in pain. "I really messed up."

"You couldn't have known this would have happened," Dana said as she tended to a man's wound.

"How's Jon?"

"Devastated. I had to get him a sedative. I've never seen anyone that way before."

"What about you?"

"I've lost several best friends in my time," she said, unconvincingly. "I'll live."

Stephen groaned as he got up. "I can't stay here." He looked at Dana. "Is engineering vented?"

"Yes. Jon and Benton should be there."

"Okay." Dana helped him get up. Stephen took a good look around at the many people crowding sickbay. Then, he walked out the door.
_____________________________

Stephen walked into engineering to see two T'rais helping to fix the ship. He walked past them, perplexed. He noticed Jorial, the DTF Vorta who had allied with, and later betrayed, the *Virgo* during their war against the
Kirusans, tied up and unconscious with his head leaning against a bulkhead. Stephen then realized that the brig prisoners must have been freed after the anomaly.

Stephen noticed Benton hard at work near where Jennifer's office used to be. It had been crushed by a bulkhead. "What's going on?"

"We are attempting to bring the *Virgo's* primary systems back online."

"I mean with the T'rais."

"They have agreed to help us in return for their freedom. You see, sir, they were lied to by the Kelvans. That is why they attacked us. Until now, there had been no reason to cooperate. It is only now that each of us see that
we were both fooled into entering an unnecessary conflict by the Kelvans."

"Huh." Stephen looked around. "Where's Jon?"

"Commander Lataro is attempting to scan the anomaly and see if we can find out what caused the accident." He paused. "We are using all the help we can get since we are at a loss of engineers; most of them were incinerated in here." He pointed at a corner where they had managed to accumulate the piles of skeletons and burnt flesh of alpha and delta shift engineers.

Stephen felt even worse after this. He made his way gloomily to Jon. "Can I help?"

"Oh, good. You're awake." He paused and faked a smile. "What a day, huh?"

"I'm sorry about K'Lara."

"That's okay. We're Starfleet. We both knew the risks." He fell to the floor in agony. Stephen managed to catch him just in time. Jon started sobbing. "You know, Ensign Bachman needed a few extra replicator rations. I offered
to give her some of mine if she babysat T'Lan everyday while K'Lara and I went to work." He paused again, barely able to speak. "Ensign Bachman's quarters were on Deck 12!"

"Oh no!" Stephen held Jon, barely able to keep himself standing, let alone himself and Jon. "I am so sorry. I am so sorry."
_____________________________

Benton watched as Stephen approached him. "Sir, where's Commander..."

"I've relieved him. He needs his rest. No one deserves to go through something like that." Stephen remembered that he, too, had lived through the feeling of losing a wife and son. He knew Jon's pain firsthand. He also knew
that it had taken him several months, a shuttle hijacking, capture by the Kirusans, and a mind meld to get over it. "I think Jon found something."

"What?"

"Well," Stephen activated a console. "This area of space is packed with chronoton and tachyon particles. It is extremely dense. You can't warp through it, and impulse won't work because the space itself is constantly
moving so that you stay in the same place regardless."

"So, you'd need to clear a way. How would you to that?"

"I had to look through old data files to find this." Stephen accessed a file and placed it on the computer screen.

"The *USS Enterprise-D*."

"Yeah. You see, in 2370 the *Enterprise* discovered an anomaly, one Commander Data called 'anti-time.' I believe this anomaly is very similar. If we generate continuous inverse tachyon pulses..."

"But wasn't the captain of the ship causing a rip in the fabric of time which threatened to destroy life on Earth by doing just that?"

"Yeah, but here we have an anomalous area of space. If we cause a rip, we might be able to get out."

"It's worth a try."

"I'll be on the bridge. Get engineering ready."

"Aye, sir."
_____________________________

Stephen sat at the helm, preparing the ship. "All right, Benton, do you hear me?"

[Yes, sir.]

"Warp drive online."

[Done, sir. Matter-antimatter reaction at 100 percent.]

"Initiate inverse tachyon pulses. One every 3.4 seconds."
_____________________________

Dana saw the lights flicker and heard a low pitched hum. The crewmembers in sickbay seemed afraid.
_____________________________

Benton yelled in joy. [We've got a rip!]

"Engaging warp one. Now!"

The ship eased forward. Then it halted all of a sudden. Stephen went flying through the view screen and hit the bulkhead head first, smashing his skull.

Benton could do nothing. He had flown back and been impaled by an exposed beam.

<Warp breach in ten, nine, eight, seven, six...>
_____________________________

Dana and Jon held each other closely as the computer continued counting down.

<...five, four, three, two, one.>

The *USS Virgo* exploded. Its pieces flew in every direction. Then, there was a flash of blue light, and there was no debris.

Title: "Lost" (Part 2 of 4)
Author: Captain Stephen Maruu
Stardate: 2460833
Earthdate: October 31, 2383
Location: USS Virgo

"Hey, babe." Dana kissed Stephen gently on the forehead. "You have to go to work."

Stephen opened his eyes to see his wife sleeping next to him. "Good morning."

Dana smiled and kissed him on the lips. "You know, it wasn't even half as scary as I imagined it." She paused. "I am so glad you were the one."

Stephen smiled and returned the kiss. "I am too." He got up and headed for the sonic shower.

Dana got up and enveloped herself with a bed sheet. She walked to the replicator. "Two Maruu-A breakfasts."

Two plates appeared which Dana quickly grabbed and placed on the table. She sat down drinking a cup of coffee.

Stephen walked out of the shower fully dressed and putting on his pips. "I've been thinking," he said as he sat down across from Dana, "You should move in with me."

Dana smiled. "Are you serious?"

"Of course," he said. "It *is* the best suite on the ship. Plus, we are, like, the only married couple in the galaxy that isn't living together."

"Great," said Stephen as he finished his breakfast. He got up to leave. "We'll start moving tomorrow. I'll ask Jon if he can take a few hours of my shift so I can focus on the move."

"Good." They kissed on the lips.

"Besides, you have to get ready for work too."

Dana smiled. "Exactly."

Stephen headed to the door. "See ya this afternoon."

He headed out the door as Dana headed in to take her own shower.
_____________________________

Stephen walked onto the bridge as Jon got up. "Good morning, Stephen."

"Morning, Jon. How are things here?" Stephen asked, happily.

"Everything's great." He paused. "You seem cheerful this morning."

"I had an excellent night."

"Well, I'm glad."

"Thanks, Jon."

K'Lara stepped into the conversation. "I'm sorry to interrupt your wonderful conversation, but I think I have something on scanners."

Jon and Stephen sat down in their respective seats to inspect their computers. "What is it?" asked Jon.

"I don't know; neither do the scanners. But it's huge. It's an area of space which is about three light years wide and five light years high."

"How about across?" asked Stephen.

"About one light year."

"I guess we can go across then." Stephen turned to his first officer. "What do you think, Jon?" He smiled. "I know, I am way too happy this morning."

Jon smiled. "You took the words right out of my mouth."

Stephen turned to K'Lara. "Take us through."

The ship started to move into the unknown anomaly. Suddenly, the lights flashed.

Benton, standing at tactical, announced, "There was a fluctuation in the power grid. It has corrected itself."

K'Lara then said, "Captain, the ship isn't moving. We seem to be stuck."

"Engineering," began Stephen, "what's going on?"

Jennifer answered hurriedly, [The warp core is working at peak efficiency. Impulse, warp, and transwarp systems are online and operational.]

"It's kind of like being trapped in mud."

Jennifer paused for a second. [Exactly, sir. The ship's wheels are moving, but we aren't going anywhere.]

"If we go to warp we may get out because this anomaly may not exist in subspace."

[It's worth a try. I've done all I can on my end.]

"K'Lara, take us to warp one." He was about to second guess his own order, but chose to ignore his sixth sense.

"Aye." She pressed the button for warp one.

"How is she?" asked Jon.

"She's dead, sir."

"She is *not* dead," he retorted. "You're probably checking the wrong area." He crawled to her and checked her pulse. "She is *not* dead," he said again as he started CPR.

Benton tried holding him back. "Her neck is snapped; nothing is going to bring her back."

"Shut up!" Jon said as he kept trying to save his wife.

"You couldn't have known this would have happened," Dana said as she tended to a man's wound.

"How's Jon? He must feel horrible now that K'Lara and T'Lan are both dead."

"T'Lan is dead?!"

"Yeah. Jon had another officer baby-sit T'Lan. That was on Deck 12."

"Oh no!" cried Dana. "No wonder he was so devastated! I had to get him a sedative. I've never seen anyone that way before." She paused. "But you woke up just a few minutes ago. How could you have known that?"

"I don't know. I just... well... I just knew. I've been having déjà vu all day today." He changed the subject. "How are *you* coping?"

"I've lost several best friends in my time," she said, unconvincingly. "I'll live."

Stephen groaned as he got up. "I can't stay here." He looked at Dana. "Is engineering vented?"

"Yes. Jon and Benton should be there."

"Okay." Dana helped him get up. Stephen took a good look around at the many people crowding sickbay. Then, he walked out the door.
_____________________________

Stephen noticed Benton hard at work near where Jennifer's office used to be. It had been crushed by a bulkhead. "What's going on?"

"We are attempting to bring the *Virgo's* primary systems back online."

"I mean with the T'rais."

"They have agreed to help us in return for their freedom. You see, sir, they were lied to by the Kelvans. That is why they attacked us. Until now, there had been no reason to cooperate. It is only now that each of us see that we were both fooled into entering an unnecessary conflict by the Kelvans."

"Huh." Stephen looked around. "Where's Jon?"

Stephen felt even worse after this. He made his way gloomily to Jon. "Can I help?"

"Oh, good. You're awake." He paused and faked a smile. "What a day, huh?"

"I'm sorry about K'Lara."

"That's okay. We're Starfleet. We both knew the risks." He fell to the floor in agony. Stephen managed to catch him just in time. Jon started sobbing.

Stephen held Jon, barely able to keep himself standing, let alone himself and Jon. "I am so sorry. I am so sorry."
_____________________________

Benton watched as Stephen approached him. "Sir, where's Commander..."

"I've relieved him. He needs his rest. No one deserves to go through something like that." Stephen slowly began to realize that he had said these things before. "Um... Benton... you keep working here. Make sure to keep me informed on your progress."

"Sure, sir." He paused, noticing Stephen's apprehension. "Is there something wrong, sir?"

"No, Benton." He forced a smile. "Just a little shaken up."

He nodded. "I think we all are, sir."
_____________________________

Stephen kneeled in front of an altar to the Prophets in his quarters. "I haven't prayed in a while, but I'm a bit lost."

There was only the quiet hum of the engines around him.

"I need help. Many of my crew are dead. The rest are wounded. I keep recognizing events as if they have happened before. Somehow I knew that going to warp would damage the ship and kill many of the crew. I have failed my crew. What's going on?"

Nothing.

"Kalmar, help me please!"

Suddenly, Stephen felt a warm wind pass by him. "You recognize these events because they have happened before."

Stephen turned around quickly to see Kalmar standing there in his admiral's uniform. "What?"

"I've been trying to communicate with you for months. For some reason, maybe because of the anomaly, I had been unable to speak with you unless you summoned me."

"Months? But the last time we saw each other was two days ago at the last senior staff meeting."

Kalmar laughed. "That's what you think. This anomaly has somehow caused this same day to repeat itself over and over. So, while you've been stuck on October 31, the rest of the universe has moved on to the next year. You've been here quite sometime. Every time, the same decisions are made, the same people die, you try to get the ship out the same way, and the ship explodes killing everyone. Then, the whole thing is repeated over again."

"So, why don't we remember anything. As far as I know, I'm the only one who notices that things have been repeating themselves."

"I have been trying to communicate with you, using all my energy to make you suspicious. It has taken me several months, but at last you summoned me." Kalmar looked at the chronometer on the wall. "By this time for the past few months, you have found a solution to the problem. In about two minutes, you will have managed to kill yourself and cause a warp breach which destroys the ship." He approached Stephen. "Your only way out is by not trying. Let the river guide you out."

"You mean just stay here and do nothing?"

"Interpret that as you will, but meditate on it, or you won't remember it tomorrow, or rather, today." Kalmar began to phase out. "I can no longer appear to you until you clear this anomaly. Good lu..." He disappeared.

Stephen looked at the chronometer. Thirty seconds left.

"Let the river guide you out," he began to tell himself as he watched the seconds tick. "Let the river guide you out. Let the river guide you out. Let the river guide you out. Let the river guide you out."
_____________________________

Then, there was a flash of blue light, and there was no *USS Virgo*.

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