Title: "Memories"
Author: Lieutenant Jenara Tomme
Stardate: 2460471
Earthdate: June 21, 2383
Location: USS Virgo

Jenara arrived at Holodeck Two an hour early, but there was no place else she wanted to be. At 16 weeks pregnant, the others of the crew were finally starting to notice and ask questions. Questions she didn't have answers to. As time went on, she was spending more of her off-time either in her quarters or on the holodeck. The only times she would go to the lounge or elsewhere was when she had company. Questions were far less likely if she was with someone. As she gazed at her growing abdomen, she sighed and rested her hand there. Any day now, she would start to feel the life within her move. She was happy and yet unsettled by it. According to the scans, she would have conceived around March 3, 2383, and yet she hadn't been with anyone then and not for a long time before that. Yet, she knew this was no immaculate conception. The only time she couldn't account for in her mind was the Away Mission she had gone on with Commander Lataro and Lt. Benton... *Was that the key?* she wondered to herself. It was the only thing that made sense.

Suddenly an idea hit her. She did have time before Johnny arrived, and there was a way to possibly find out. She might be able to dredge up the memories of what happened by meditation.

"Computer, start program Jenara Three Beta Six. Tanzaran Temple. Twilight."

As the holodeck doors opened, she saw the hilltop temple. She walked passed the doors and onto the hill where this temple stood. The doors closed behind her and vanished. She shook a bit, looking around at the
scenery as the sun set over the horizon. This was her world: Tanzaria. The magnificent planet in all its splendor. It had been awhile since she had used this program. Most times, it was too much for her to face, to return to the home she had loved so well, only to know in her heart that her world had been destroyed long ago along with her people... and her family... But pushing those thoughts away, she took a deep breath and headed to the entrance of the large, sandy-colored temple.

The inside of the temple reflected so much of her people. There was a sense of peace. There were plants thriving within the temple and light cascaded down in natural patterns. There were also candles lit everywhere and incense burning. This temple was where one came to look inside one's self for answers. It had been believed that this place was saturated with the energy to help one look within. Jenara had never quite believed any of it. But then, she hadn't believed in Tiadara either. How many other things from her world were real that she had simply tossed aside because of the pain from the destruction? However, maybe it was time to start remembering her past and where she came from. After all, her baby was going to be half Tanzaran and would have a 50/50 chance of having Jenara's abilities. And every child deserved to know where they came from... Which brought her right back to her original dilemma. She needed to find out what happened and how this
child growing within her had come into being.

Suddenly, and old priest approached her. He had white hair mostly covered by a light blue cap. It set off his eyes, since they were also a light blue. He wore robes of the same shiny, light blue material, and gold as well.

"May I help you, my child?" he asked.

"I have come searching for missing memories lost within myself," she explained.

He nodded, "And the gods have lead you here. Come with me."

Obediently, she followed him.

As they walked through the temple, she began to feel a peace she hadn't felt for a long time. When he finally stopped, it was before a chamber that had a small waterfall to one side and several healthy green plants growing around it and the room. Candles were lit everywhere, and she could smell the gentle fragrance of incense. There was also a thick pad on the floor covered in the same shiny, light blue material the priest wore, and above her was a large window that looked out upon the sky filled with stars.

"This is your place for reflection," he said. "This room represents where you are from and where you have gone. It is your past and your present."

Gently, he took her hand and lead her to the pad. As she reached it, she took a seat, allowing her legs to spread out, but meet again when her feet came together.

"When you close your eyes, think of your life. The gods will show you what you seek, if it is time," he said. With that, he gave her a tender smile. "Good luck, my child. May you find what you seek."

"Thank you," she replied.

Within moments he was gone. She took another look around at the beauty of this chamber and sighed. As she closed her eyes, she began the deep breathing sequence she learned many years ago on Tanzaria. As she
focused on her breathing, her body seemed to grow heavy and then float. It was working, as images started playing through her mind. She saw her parents and her brother and sister. Memories of their happy times together flooded her her. Birthdays, picnics, just being together as a family, meals together... Then, her mind seemed to skip over the destruction. Instead, it took her to Earth, where she lived with her adopted parents, Paul and Jennifer Glacier and their daughter Tabitha. Her and Tabitha had become close, but there was always that
feeling of separateness and fear. Fear of losing this family too. But they had loved her and she had loved them. Then, as she got old enough, she took off away from Earth and began searching the galaxy for
fulfillment. She stopped everywhere and learned as much as she could about all the different cultures she encountered. Several times she found herself on pre-warp worlds, but always treaded carefully, so she wouldn't be discovered to be an outsider. But she would return to Earth frequently. Connecting with her only family... Then, she joined Starfleet and found a place she belonged. Her mind began running through all her memories, but as it drew closer to the Away Mission, Tiadara appeared.

"You may not want to see this," she cautioned. "These memories only exist because of me."

"I don't understand," Jenara replied.

"Your mind was wiped of these memories. But I have kept them. They are not pleasant," Tiadara warned. Her light green eyes filled with concern.

"But this is the missing piece," Jenara reasoned. "I have to know what happened. How this child came to be."

Saddened, Tiadara nodded. "Very well.."

With a wave of Tiadara's hand, memories began flooding her. Jenara saw the chamber the Away Team had been beamed into. It was dark except for the space they inhabited, where there were bunk beds. The light shined down from the ceiling very concentrated. They were stunned. This was not where they were suppose to be! Jenara had changed into a large predatory cat to see in the darkness and went searching for a way out.
She ended up hurt by the force-field keeping them there. Then Benton disappeared! Leaving Jon and Jenara alone together for an interrogation of sorts. Jon was hurt by the light and Jenara began feeling strong emotional responses that were uncontrollable, and couldn't understand why. Then, other images flooded her mind. Images
of lying, strapped onto a steel table, then of pain! Horrendous pain! It  coursed through her mind. She could not see these beings, but she was aware of their presence. These aliens concealed themselves in shadows and could not be seen. Then, she was with Jon... They were alone... Emotions running high along with their passions. Only now, Jenara knew the truth. They had been manipulated into being with one another intimately! As the realization swept through her she shuddered and was overcome with remorse. What had they done? Then, another image appeared, with the aliens once again, where these beings were wiping her memory and Jon's. When more images appeared, she was with Benton alone, and the same set of circumstances happened.

*No... No...* she screamed as the images played out in front of her. The realization of what had happened hitting her full force.

Then, she saw how they were kept unconscious for a time. Tests were run. Then, as if realizing they had succeeded in their goal, the aliens had let them go. However, what had seemed like hours had actually been weeks. Jenara couldn't explain it, but these aliens had kept them long enough to make sure that she had gotten pregnant. They had been able to control time and it seemed to all be in the name of research, but for it, they had manipulated her into having sex. Not just once, but other memories of other encounters with Lataro and Benton crashed into her mind.

As the realization of what had happened, truly hit her full force, a horrendous sob escaped her. She had been manipulated into being a slut, just to procreate... Just so these aliens could see how it was done!

"No..." she sobbed, "No..."

Suddenly, she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder, bringing her out of the meditation. As her eyes opened, she saw Johnny before her, concern written in his dark eyes. Tenderly, he wiped away some of her tears. Without thought, she embraced him, more tears filling her green eyes.

"What happened?" Johnny asked.

"I think I know what happened now... How I came to have this child... And who the fathers might be... Oh God, I don't know how I can face this."

Not knowing what else to do, he simply held her and let her cry.
 

Title: "The Wreck of the *Kirk*" (Part 1 of 2)
Author: Major Johnny Chee
Stardate: 2460471
Earthdate: June 21, 2383
Location: USS Virgo/Uncharted Class-M Planetoid
 
The platoon was formed up in the *Virgo*'s docking bay, receiving the briefing for their first bona fide mission since the action on Xenon III.
 
All except one man. Private Ivan Zelansky staggered into the docking bay.
 
"Zelansky!" Sergeant Barek shouted. "Get in formation right now!"
 
Zelansky dutifully stumbled into his assigned slot in the formation. The Marines on either side of him twitched slightly as they caught the smell of his breath. Barek stepped up to him and smelled his breath.
 
"Private, you've been drinking!"
 
"Yes, sir, you bet I have!!!" Zelansky slurred, then proceeded to empty his stomach onto the deck.
 
*This has got to stop!* Johnny thought to himself. *We've given him chance after chance after chance!* "Private Zelansky is unfit for duty," Johnny instructed the sergeant. "He is to be thrown in the brig to await further discipline! Sorek, van der Merwe, get this piece of trash out of here!"
 
The two privates; Sorek, a Vulcan, and van der Merwe, an Afrikaaner with a decidedly mean look to him; grabbed Zelansky by either arm. Zelansky struggled against van der Merwe's grip, but suddenly collapsed. "You shall have no trouble incarcerating our misguided comrade, Private van der Merwe," Sorek responded, withdrawing his hand from the juncture of Zelansky's neck and shoulder. Van der Merwe nodded and drug the limp form out of the docking bay. "Report to Transporter Room One as soon as he's disposed of," Barek ordered. "You'll be briefed there."
 
"Aye, sir," van der Merwe responded.
 
"Now, before I was so *rudely* interrupted," Johnny continued, to the subdued laughter of the rest of the platoon, "the bridge has picked up a distress signal from the *USS Kirk*, believed lost during the Dominion War four years ago. While it is extremely unlikely that there are survivors, there is important intelligence data aboard the Kirk as well as evidence that the T'rais raiders who attacked us nine days ago are in the area." Johnny informed the platoon. *What they don't need to know is that the T'rais are homing in on the distress signal and are less than ten light-years from here: not even a hop, skip, and jump with transwarp!*  A slight, stifled grimace went across Private Bren Maxon's face. ~You did *not* hear me think that, Private, do you understand?~ Johnny immediately thought, reminded that his command now included a Betazoid.
 
Maxon raised both eyebrows in a tacit acknowledgement of what Johnny's "order". Unlike *some* other people, Private Maxon knew how to obey an order.
 
"The *Kirk* is a Defiant-class vessel: much smaller than the *Virgo*. Those of you who were on the *Ilion* are familiar with the layout. Preliminary scans indicate the vessel is torn nearly in half and show no life readings. Nonetheless, you are to be on the lookout at all times! Not all hostile life forms show up on scanners!
 
"Our mission is threefold: (One) Ascertain the condition of the *Kirk* and determine whether or not the ship can be salvaged. We can expect some personnel from Engineering to help us with this part. If the *Kirk* can't be flown or tractored out, we'll have to destroy it in place. (Two) Retrieve the intelligence data in the *Kirk*'s computers. (Three) Determine, as much as possible, what happened to the *Kirk* and its crew. We are to meet the Engineering personnel in Transporter Room One and prepare the way for them. Okay, people, you know what to do! Assemble in the transporter room in fifteen minutes!"
 
The platoon returned to the quarterdeck and began pulling gear out of lockers, preparing for the mission. Full body armor, tactical tricorders, Type V phaser rifles, concussion grenades, a photon antitank weapon: everything the well-dressed Marine needs to wreak havoc on unsuspecting planets.
 
*You'll enjoy seeing the ruins, both ancient and recent!* Johnny chuckled to himself as he strapped on his armor, recalling an ancient joke. Humor was Johnny's way of distracting himself from the fact that this mission, like every other, could well be his last.
_____________________________________________

The platoon, as was tradition, trotted in formation to the transporter room. "Olivares, your squad's with me," Johnny ordered. "Sergeant, bring First Squad with you as soon as the people from Engineering show up. Brief van der Merwe and put him with Maxon on the heavy firepower." Maxon had come into the platoon as a file clerk from Starfleet and had all of five days' experience as a Marine. Apprenticing him with one of the people who had had real boot camp training was the best way Johnny could think of to avoid writing another letter home.
 
The squad assembled on the transporter pad. "Okay, Chief: energize!"
 
"GUNG HO!" the squad shouted, as per tradition, as they shimmered out of existence...
_____________________________________________

...and back in again. The planetoid the *Kirk* had landed on was just marginally Class M, with an atmosphere more akin to mid-20th century Los Angeles than anything remotely breathable. The wind was so powerful it made simple voice communication next to impossible. [Okay, squad, let's fan out and scout the perimeter of the wreck!] Johnny ordered. The squad formed into a broad, 100-meter-wide arc and advanced toward the wreckage that was once the USS *Kirk*.
 
And wreckage it was. The vessel was nearly torn in half by the force of its crash, and sat in a crater roughly half a kilometer across. A gigantic hole running through what was the center of the ship indicated where the warp core used to be. *Superstructure torn up, no warp drive: no way this ship's going anywhere!* Johnny thought as he watched his tactical tricorder. No mines were indicated in his sector.
 
"The center is clear," Johnny reported, speaking into the com unit in his helmet: much more convenient when both hands were needed, as in operating a weapon or piece of heavy equipment.
 
[No mines on the left wing,] Corporal Olivares responded.
 
[No mines on the right wing,] Private Volex, the unit's sole Tellarite, replied.
 
Slowly they advanced toward the ship, closing the arc. Once inside, they saw in graphic detail what had happened.
 
Skeletons, both Jem'Hadar and of various Federation races, lay scattered about the decks of the *Kirk*. From all indications, it appeared that the *Kirk* had been boarded and fighting had gone hand-to-hand before something, either a deliberate attempt by the *Kirk*'s captain or a malfunction, caused the ship to crash into the planetoid. "Okay, Marines, start pulling weapons off all the bodies; don't be squeamish; this is what we're paid for. Also get any reserves of Ketracel White you can find," Johnny ordered. Desperate Jem'Hadar would have no compunction whatever about scavenging off their fallen comrades!
 
Meanwhile, Johnny proceeded to his part of the mission. He climbed over what must have been tons of wreckage to get to the bridge. The body of Captain Nash was still in her command chair, decomposed to a skeleton clad in rags of Starfleet uniform. *Way too many ghosts in this place,* Johnny thought, the beliefs of a lifetime surfacing once again to clash with the rational mind trying to run a mission which was still very dangerous. A blinking light on the arm of the command chair indicated a portion of the ship's computer was still functioning.
 
"Computer, play back most recent ship's log. Authorization Chee Omicron Two One Six."
 
<Please state the current stardate.> the computer, in a slurred voice, responded. Starfleet authorization codes were assigned according to a top-secret algorithm based on the stardate at the time of assignment. If the given code wasn't valid for that stardate, then no access would be granted. Johnny read off the stardate. "The stardate is 60471.6."
 
<Access granted. Playback commencing.>
 
The ship's viewscreen was still intact by some miracle and displayed a static-filled image labeled  with a stardate from four years earlier. The captain of the *Kirk*, a very attractive redhead who reminded Johnny vaguely of someone else he knew, appeared on screen.
 
[...Jem'Hadar forces have overrun 85 percent of the ship... ...can't hold out much longer... ...dispatch probe destroyed by... ...warp core ejected... ...am going to scuttle the ship... ...may God have mercy on us all...]
 
And that was it.
 
Having seen the living face of Captain Helen Nash, Johnny did not want to look at the skeletal remains any longer. Instead, he moved to the science station and activated its computer link.
 
"Computer, access all data in the following files," Johnny ordered, listing the file names supplied to him in his briefing. "Authorization Chee Omicron Two One Six."
 
<Access granted to all files except 04172 Beta.>
 
"Computer, what access level is needed for 04172Beta?"
 
<04172 Beta is restricted to personnel with access level seven or above.>
 
*I thought there were only five levels. This gets more interesting by the minute!* "Computer, download all requested files to my tricorder," Johnny ordered. Just because he couldn't access it didn't mean he couldn't copy it. Besides, the intelligence data was for the Captain and Lt. Sinclair to sort out; he was just the poor grunt whose job it was to retrieve it.
 
<Download complete except for file 04172 Beta.>
 
*Dammit! Well, if the computer won't give me the file, I'll just have to go get it the old fashioned way!*
 
The com unit in Johnny's helmet distracted him momentarily from his frustrations. [Barek to Major Chee. First Squad is dirtside. We are establishing a defensive perimeter. The Engineering personnel are headed your way.]
 
"Copy that. Let me know if anything changes. Chee out." Then, on a separate circuit: "Landing party to *Virgo*."
 
[This is the captain. What is your progress?]
 
"The Engineering team has arrived and is beginning its assessment. From the looks of it, it would appear that the *Kirk* was boarded by the Jem'Hadar and scuttled by its captain to prevent capture. My men are busy stripping the bodies of weapons and other technology. No sign of the T'rais this time."
 
[Very good. Keep us posted], Captain Maruu replied.
 
"Oh, one more thing!" Johnny continued. "I've retrieved all the intelligence data requested except for one file. Should I pull the circuit manually?"
 
A moment's hesitation. [No, that won't be necessary, Major. Bring what you have. *Virgo out*.]
 
*Not usually like the captain to hold back like that, but that's the order." He paused. "Squad Two, report!" he ordered.
 
[All crewmembers and 24 Jem'Hadar bodies have been accounted for. All small arms aboard the ship have been gathered and stacked outside. The torpedo tubes appear to be empty], Olivares replied.
 
[Major, this is Chief Wixtrom from Engineering. This ship's a wreck: it'd take the Yards at Utopia Planatia to put her back together again!]
 
*Wixtrom? What's he doing here? Not that I'm complaining...* "Wasn't Chief McDermott supposed to be on this mission?" Johnny asked.
 
[McDermott's, shall we say, indisposed,] Wixtrom replied, sounding more than a little embarrassed. [I think you may know why.]
 
*Terrific!!! No doubt one of Zelansky's playmates.* "Very well, then, let's pack up and head out of here," Johnny ordered.
 
He was just climbing out of the wreck when another set of transporter beams appeared inside the defensive perimeter. The T'rais had arrived!
 

Title: "The Wreck of the *Kirk*" (Part 2 of 2)
Author: Major Johnny Chee
Stardate: 2460471
Earthdate: June 21, 2383
Location: Uncharted Class-M Planetoid

The transporter beams resolved into twelve heavily-armed, reddish-skinned, vaguely humanoid attackers. Using the viewer monocle built into his helmet, Johnny ascertained that the attackers were, indeed, T'rais.

"Chee to *Virgo*: come in please!" Nothing but static on all bands. *The T'rais are jamming communications: definitely an overt hostile act! Let's see if we can talk our way out of this.*

[Attention Federation interlopers!] the lead T'rais shouted. "This planetoid and everything on it is under T'rais jurisdiction! You have five minutes to leave or be destroyed!"

"We are here investigating a distress signal from a wrecked vessel and have no intention of making a permanent claim here. In order to leave, we need to communicate with our ship. Are you prepared to facilitate
this?" Johnny asked, knowing well what the answer would be.

[I cannot permit that at this time; however, if you and your servants will disarm and accompany me, you can be assured of repatriation at a later date,] the T'rais leader responded.

*Yeah, right!* Johnny thought. *When Klingons swear off bloodwine!*

"My *men*," Johnny responded, "and I will not surrender unless we have orders from Captain Maruu of the *Virgo*. *You* will allow us to communicate with the *Virgo* and leave here peaceably. Then you can have this piece of rock all to yourself!"

[Sir, we're being flanked! Two platoon-sized formations have just beamed down! Volex reports engagement with the enemy!] Olivares broke in.

"Corporal, defend your position and fire at will! All bets are off!" Johnny replied. "All teams, switch to Channel Gamma and dig in now!"

Johnny grabbed a grenade from his combat harness and activated it, tossing it into the middle of the T'rais formation as he ran back to the wreckage of the *Kirk*. The grenade detonated just as he dove for cover behind a crumpled section of bulkhead. He sighted his rifle and saw that the grenade had wiped out five of the twelve T'rais who had been standing in the clearing before his line.

"All teams, switch phaser rifles to maximum power!" Johnny barked as he fired at the T'rais who were in the center formation. The apparent leader, the one who had been speaking, suddenly became smoke rapidly
dissipating in the winds of the planetoid's atmosphere.

*Serves you right, you insufferable son of a bitch!* Fire from the defensive perimeter destroyed the remaining T'rais in the first party. "Barek, split your team up and cover the right wing, take Nkrumah with you! Send half your troops to me; I'll take the left! Maxon, van der Merwe, find a defensive position and be prepared to provide
counterfire!"

Johnny dashed out to assist Olivares, who was holed up behind a mostly-intact warp nacelle returning fire at a furious pace. "How are we holding up?"

"The T'rais are using a combination of phaser and old-style projectile weapons: 45-caliber, if my guess is right. The phaser rifles appear to be Federation Type IVs!" A loud "pop-pop-pop-pop" of automatic weapons fire punctuated Olivares's last statement. Bullets rang off the warp nacelle. Johnny looked to Olivares's right and saw two Marines wounded. One was Private Horigawa, who had suffered the knee injury nine days earlier.

"I guess I should tell my squad leader about this one, sir!" Horigawa gasped. The round had penetrated the space between the breastplate and shoulder plate of his armor and was bleeding profusely despite the quick medical attention one of his mates had afforded him.

"Just hang in there! We're getting you out of here!" Johnny assured him. "Chee to *Virgo*, come in please!"

[...we've penetrated the T'rais countermeasures. What is your status, Major?] Johnny heard the Captain respond through intermittent static.

"We're engaged against T'rais ground forces, approximately 60 in number, and we have taken casualties! Request evac as soon as possible!" Johnny replied, knowing that the *Virgo* was likely under attack itself and couldn't afford to lower shields long enough to transport the platoon.

[...working on it... ...shields can't be lowered at the... ...will beam you out as soon as...]

Johnny had heard enough. A platoon of T'rais attackers was closing in on their redoubt: 50 meters. The T'rais machine guns would become more effective at this range. The phasers already were, as was demonstrated
by a section of the warp nacelle disintegrating in front of the beleaguered party.

"Maxon! I need a burst: medium dispersal, 50% power! I'm patching the coordinates to you now!" Johnny yelled into his com circuit, tapping a series of commands into his tricorder.

[I've received the coordinates, sir. Firing now!]

Four photon anti-tank rounds lanced out from Maxon's launcher and detonated in the midst of the T'rais. Parts of seventeen bodies in various degrees of combustion were left in and around the craters. The remaining T'rais were in a state of panic!

"Okay, men! Let's give 'em back what they've been dishing out!" Johnny yelled. All at once the Marines hiding behind the warp nacelle opened fire on the T'rais. What had been confusion was now a full retreat!

"Barek! How are you holding up!" Johnny asked.

[Sir, we're holding our own. We've taken refuge in what was Deck Three of the *Kirk* and have established it as a defensive position. Three of ours wounded, about twelve of theirs so far!]

"Maxon, van der Merwe, relieve Sargent Barek's position! Do whatever's necessary!"

Johnny didn't hear the loud explosions coming from the vicinity of Barek's defensive position as he and his fellow Marines chased down the retreating T'rais. One turned to use his defensive weapon, the same one which had created such chaos on the bridge of the *Virgo* nine days earlier, to fend off the phaser blasts directed toward his vicinity. A blast from Johnny's rifle eliminated the T'rais's arm and therefore the problem. The T'rais fell to the ground in shock.

The attack was over almost as soon as it had began, or so it seemed. Fifteen minutes had elapsed according to Johnny's chronometer.

"All squads, report!" Johnny called out.

A list of names rang back. Barek, Olivares, Nkrumah: and his senior staff had made it out. Horigawa, Volex, and Sorek were wounded; Sorek badly enough to have entered a Vulcan healing trance. No deaths: this time. Except for the 54 T'rais who now lay dead within the crater made by the crash-landing of the *Kirk*. Two prisoners remained alive.

"Nkrumah, secure the prisoners. I'm sure we can get a few questions answered now. Everybody, gather up all the T'rais weaponry you can locate: including these!" Johnny ordered, holding up the rod-like defensive weapon for all to see.

[*Virgo* to Chee: what is your status?}

"The area is secured! Twenty-five to beam up: have Sickbay ready for casualties and Security ready for prisoners!" Johnny answered.

A wave of blessed relief passed through Johnny as the transporter beam locked onto him and took him home.
_________________________________________

No sooner than the Marines and their prisoners were beamed up than another transport took place. Lt. Alysa Sinclair beamed down near the wreck of the *Kirk* and proceeded directly to the bridge.

Knocking aside the mortal remains of Captain Nash, she sat in the command chair, tapped in a code and downloaded file 04172 Beta to her tricorder, then beamed back to the *Virgo*. Moments later a photon torpedo fired from the *Virgo* ended the existence of the wreck of the *USS Kirk*.
 

Title: "Kalmar"
Author: Lt. Jenara Tomme
Stardate: 2460471
Earthdate: June 21, 2383
Location: USS Virgo

Jenara sat in a quiet corner of the Day's End Lounge trying not to be noticed. Though she had been avoiding contact with the crew after her shift, especially Commander Lataro and Lt. Benton because of the memories that had resurfaced: the biological fathers... Well, Benton's double... But still... She just stared out of the large porthole trying to lose herself in the vast darkness as she pushed aside the memories that kept intruding upon her consciousness. She had ordered a berry-calabeurs smoothy, but had hardly touched the pink, fruity concoction. She could only hope that Johnny would meet her there soon. Maybe with him, the memories would truly abate for a time. He was good at soothing her emotional distress. Maybe they could even visit the holodeck, she thought. Spend more time on that moonlit beach...

"May I join you?" asked a deep masculine voice.

She turned her gaze to see Kalmar standing there, dressed in white. She smiled and nodded. "Of course," she replied.

As he sat down, he gazed at her very intently. "You seemed lost when I first came in."

"I was..." she replied, quietly, "By choice, I'm afraid."

He nodded in understanding. "Things have not been easy for you, have they? I sense that you have troubled memories in regards to this child you're carrying."

Her green eyes widened in surprise. "How...?"she began, and then stopped with an embarrassed smile. "For a moment I forgot that you're a god, a protector. That YOU would know."

He smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "I am now among you, as one of you. It's not surprising you would think of me as such. But it seems to me that you have many protectors, besides myself."

"You know about Tiadara?"

He nodded. "I felt her presence on your arrival on Xenon III."

"That's where she made her presence know to me."

"But you have another protector in Human form: Major Johnny Chee."

Her mouth opened in surprise, but not words came out. She knew Johnny would protect her if the need arose. There was not doubt about that in her heart. But to hear it from someone else...

"Yet, you're a bit of a puzzle. You're so strong. You really don't need protectors. You are a mix of strength, gentility, logic, emotions: the mind of a warrior and the heart of a woman. And one day in the future, instead of being the protected, you will find yourself the protector."

Now Jenara was puzzled. But as she went to question him further, Johnny entered the lounge.

"Your friend is here," Kalmar stated. "I'll take my leave of you." He stood from the chair and then took her hands in his. Tenderly squeezing them, he added, "I hope I have the pleasure of speaking with you again."

"I hope so too," Jenara replied.

Swiftly, he left as Johnny arrived.

"Wasn't that Kalmar?" Johnny asked, taking the seat right next to her.

She nodded. "Yeah. It was." she replied, with many more questions and possibilities swimming in her head now. She would be seeing Kalmar again. She knew it.
 

Title: "Intuition"
Author: Lt. Commander Garek Loran
Stardate: 2460474
Earthdate: June 22, 2383
Location: USS Virgo

Lieutenant Commander Garek Loran entered Engineering. It was bright and early at 0500 hours. Engineering Team Gamma was on duty, busy as over. These guys had the night shift from 0000 to 0600 hours. Not the
most glamorous of shifts, however, as soon as they got off duty, they were always first in line for breakfast at the Mess Hall which started at 0615. Leader of Gamma Team was Eric Wiley. He was in his late teens, early twenties, fresh from the Academy, and the *Virgo* was his first cruise. Eric was 5'11" with blond hair short and spiked. He had blue eyes and an eagerness to learn. That, and he always called Garek "Boss" which Garek couldn't stand, however, he didn't want hurt Eric's feelings.

As Garek entered, Eric was hovering over the craps table, finishing up some reports. "Good morning, Boss." Eric said. "How are you today?"

"Eric, don't you ever leave?" Garek grinned, as he past behind Eric on the way to his office.

"Come on, Boss, you know I sleep on your desk." Eric smiled and downloaded the information to his PADD. He then followed Garek into his office. "I was looking at the power distribution network throughout the ship. It's functioning fine, however, the redundancy system still leaves something to be desired."

Garek sat down behind his small desk. "I thought Kalmar and the Borial gods had repaired those types of things."

"Well, they did. However, I still don't' think it's as good as it could be." Eric handed over the PADD he had to Garek for inspection.

Garek looked it over with an engineer's eye, then handed it back. "All right, if you think you can do better."

"Thank you, Boss. I'll show you." Eric smiled and left the room.

*There's no stopping him.* Garek thought to himself. He reclined in his seat, going over a mental checklist of things he had yet to cover. "Checked the *Lambda Flier* yesterday, the shuttlecraft were checked the day before that. The rest of the *Virgo* checks out. I guess I really have some free time."

Free time didn't come often to Garek. If he's not working on the warp drive, the fusion reactors, or an EPS manifold and such, he's repairing and maintaning shuttles, or the *Lambda Flier*. Seeing as though he had some time, he figured he might as well go to the DEL and get himself a drink. Garek exited his office and passed by Eric on his way out. "Keep up the good work. I'll be back in a little while."

"Can do, Boss," Eric said, calling back over his shoulder.

As Garek entered the Day's End Lounge, he noticed only one occupant. Lieutenant Jenara Tomme. She was sitting quietly, looking out the forward viewport as the stars streaked by. The star lines of warp speed were mesmerizing to watch. Garek attempted to watch them whenever he could. His quarters were on the rear facing part of the saucer section, so he didn't exactly get the best of views. However, the view he did appreciate when the ship went to warp was the powering up of the warp nacelles, watching them glow bluish-green and finally
sort of "explode" giving off their energy to drive the ship at faster-than-light speeds. It was a beautiful site.

However, seeing the ship's Chief Science Officer hunched over a table, slowly sipping a drink wasn't a good sight at all. Garek walked over quietly behind her, and placed his hands on her shoulders. "They're very pretty, aren't they?" Garek smiled as he walked around the table to take a seat across from her.

"Yes, very," Jenara replied coolly and quietly. She stared past Garek at the space that they were heading through.

"So," Garek began. Suddenly, a wave of consciousness hit him. It wasn't Jenara's. It was something else. Someone... very young. Very inexperienced. But who? Garek looked around, but there was no one else
in the DEL.

"Garek?" Jenara asked. She looked at Garek, staring off at the back wall of the DEL and sensed him feeling something. "Garek!"

"Oh, sorry," Garek replied, shaking off whatever had happened to him. He had only experienced this feeling once before, that he could remember. It was when K'Lara was pregnant. He saw where this was going before he could even complete his thought. "When is your due date?"

"Excuse me?" Jenara asked, slightly startled. "What are you talking about?"

"You know, your due date. When is the little one due to arrive?" Jenara's child was starting to experience it's own consciousness, and, being a Betazoid, he'd been able to pick up the child's consciousness and emotions.

"But how did you..." Jenara started. Then she realized it. "You're a Betazoid. How could I forget? For a moment I thought you could tell, since my abdomen is getting bigger... but sitting down..." She shook her head and smiled. She had been discovered. "The baby is due November 24."

Garek nodded. "November. I'm sorry for intruding, it's just, I felt his or her presence, and had to ask." One thing about being an empath was being able to detect the slightest of human suffering. During his second year at the Academy, Garek was thinking about double majoring in Counseling and such because of his abilities. However, since he was already majoring in Engineering and Warp Theory, he dropped the class. It was becoming too much for him. However, he applied what he had learned to his Engineering Teams, and used those skills and knowledge to better the workplace, and make his engineers happier. It was apparent that he had succeeded by the high spirits that always floated around Engineering. "I also have a request."

"You might as well ask," she said, still lost in her own emotions and memories.

"Please, don't do this by yourself. My aunt was a single parent, and she had a very tough time. I'm always available, as is the rest of the crew. Don't hesitate to ask. Never hesitate. Just press the com badge." Garek looked into her eyes, as if to see the response in the back of her head. "Please?"

"I wish it were that simple. Garek, I don't know who the father is. For awhile... I didn't even know HOW I became pregnant," she explained, "but now I know. The memories came back, and I'm starting to wonder if maybe I shouldn't have tried to pry them to the surface."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm assuming you heard about the transporter mishap that Commander Lataro, Lt. Benton and I were in?"

He nodded.

"Well, we had been abducted by some alien race. I haven't exactly reported this yet. But they can even manipulate time. They ran experiments on us. One included getting me pregnant." Tears sprang to her eyes, but didn't fall. "So you see, I have a hard time when the crew asks me questions... at least until I can resolve this within myself."

"Then come to me, but please don't try to do this alone."

Jenara smiled softly. "All right," she said calmly. She looked into Garek's eyes. "All right. I'll do that. In fact, if you don't mind, you might end up with a frequent visitor in Engineering then."

"Superb. That's all I ask." He patted her hand and smiled. "Excuse me one moment. I have to get myself a cup of coffee." He rose slowly, and made his way to the nearest replicator. Garek returned to his seat, sipping the coffee. "Replicator coffee is never the best, but it'll have to do." He sat down across from Jenara. The two talked on into the morning about her newfound pregnancy, and what Garek could do to help.