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{Keeli's Shuttle| Somewhere in Deep Space}

"No shit they're dead. We took a hit from those green assholes-the lizard people," she said, struggling to stand up. "Yeah, I'll go. I can't carry Raf, though," she said. "Damn it, this wasn't supposed to go like this," she said. "Sol? Isn't that a bit...far?!" She asked. "Where are we, anyway?" She hobbled along. "Let's GOOO," she said. She wanted to get off this shuttle. From Sol, she could contact Mike, get stuff figured out. "Does your ambulance have a sonic shower, per chance?" She needed one. She hadn't bathed in nearly a week. Ew.

Keeli's Shuttle | later Ambulance Shuttle | Somewhere in Deep Space

Jalen raised an eyebrow at the vulgarity of the woman before him. He hadn't thought the situation, or the information, warranted this level of response. He went and knelt beside the fourth casualty in the shuttle and stabilized them for transport while the woman continued to rant and rave.

"Sol may be far away, but it is my destination, and I am not turning back." Jalen said absently, the woman seemed to be becoming impatient with being around here, even though by his count he had been on the shuttle less than five minutes so far. Once his patient was stabilized he stood up and turned back to the raving woman, she asked about a sonic shower, thankfully the ambulance was equipped with an ablution shower, though it was usually only used to Scrub up before using the emergency surgical suite.

"Yes it does, though it has far less amenities then you are used to." Without waiting for a response Jalen tapped his combadge.

"Jalen to Ambulance 1, three to beam up, one marked for stasis pod alpha."

The computer wasted no time as it beamed the three beings over to the shuttle. The three would materialize in the rear medical ward. Jalen went over to Stasis Pod Alpha and double checked the settings, while absently waving towards a door near the rear of the shuttle.

"That is the Ablution Shower, feel free to use it. The replicators are unlocked as well, but all medical equipment is secured, so please don't try and access them. I'll deal with your wounds once we are finished, and we are at warp again." Jalen finished setting the stasis pod, and then drifted absently to the cockpit, and brought the Shuttle back to warp. Ignoring the pulsing indicator about incoming comms from the station.

Jalen was hunched over the two in the pilot's and co-pilot's seats closing their eyelids and saying a prayer to the Prophets for the repose of their souls, when he heard the voice call from the rear of the shuttle. He straightened up and gloomily made his way towards the rear compartment. He stepped into the room, cautiously his hands only grasping the tricorder and the scanning wand, though his exotic and esoteric phaser pistol in his thigh holster was obviously not Starfleet issue. His uniform was still immaculate, and he wore it proudly. Indeed, he was certain that the path he had started on was for the good of not just the Onlies but Starfleet and the entire Federation. Though he had to admit, at least in his heart of hearts, that maybe it was more selfish then altruistic, but that wasn't enough to stop him.

"The two up front are dead. You have a broken foot, and 3 three cracked ribs, but you'll live." Jalen turned the scanning wand to the scanner to the other casualty in the rear. "Your friend on the other had needs a sickbay or station medical facility. Thankfully the Shuttle has stasis pods, till we can get him the attention he needs. Also, thankfully I am headed to Sol, so he'll get the best medical attention in the entire federation. But you either come now or stay. Either way the choice is yours. Your wounds I can treat on the way." Jalen's usually amiable bedside manner was missing from this interaction as he placed the scanning wand back in the tricorder, closed it and slipped it back into the medkit.

"So, what'll it be? Come with me or die here. Clocks ticking." Jalen said as his hand began to rise to his combadge.

[Type 31 - Medical Emergency Ambulance Shuttle]

Jalen stalked through the station with the tense wiriness and determination  of a large predatory cat. Crewmembers and civilians that saw him, suddenly remembered they had left their "Replicator's On", and slinked away from him. Jalen entered the shuttle bay, the station had minimal security at any hour and there was only one launch bay officer on duty in the bay. He looked up as the airlock doors hummed open and one of the medical staff entered. The man was obviously in a rage of some kind and holding a weapon. The launch bay officer quickly went about locking down his booth, as he recognized who the man was he didn't opt to call security. It was Dr. Jalen, the stations chief of pediatric medicine, he was so good with little Emma.

"Hey Doc, what's up?" The Officer said congenianly. Jalen didn't even look up at the window, the man just kept walking towards the now sealed doors. Jalen paused when the doors didn't open, and then spoke with an icy and dark voice.

"Emergency Medical Override, Authorization Kartos-Seven-Nine-Epsilon" The computer responded with it's typical accommodating bleeps, and the doors hissed open. Jalen entered leveled his pistol at the officer.

"Doc! Hey no need..." The man barely got out those four words before Jalen stunned him. Jalen was already at the controls, stopping the security alarm on the first note of the klaxon. He then went about inputting the necessary codes for an emergency launch of one of the Ambulance Shuttles, as it was the only thing prepped and ready to go. Medical Station Gerhard took its duties seriously, and always had two Ambulance Shuttles prepped and ready to go at all times. Jalen was already stalking out of the control booth when security queried;

"Hey Jonathon? Did you have a phaser malfunction down there? The alarm sounded and was silenced immediately? Do you need any assistance?"

Jalen left the message unanswered and as he climbed aboard the shuttle and took off, as soon as he had cleared the station's security field he immediately took the shuttle to warp, well within the no-fly envelope of the station's security perimeter.

*****

Dr. Quint, was in the Stations Administration Offices when an aborted Klaxon sounded. He raised an eyebrow as he placed the padd on which he was reading daily medical updates on when he heard it. After a moment the Klaxon didn't resume so he shook his head and went back to reading the tedious paperwork. Since his miraculous survival at Wolf 359 and the ship's mysterious reemergence in 2377, he had decided that it was best to take a more relaxing post on Gerhard, and had worked his way up to being Chief of Medicine, which doubled as Commanding Officer. He had barely made it through the next departmental report when his commbadge chirped at him. He sighed heavily and put down his PADD, it was the norm on Gerhard to deliver messages via courier and use the Comm System only for emergencies. Though as Quint had no current patience, and as far as he knew there were no new patience today that would require a consult. He tapped his badge in exasperation.

"Yes?" His voice was tinged with more then a little consternation.

"Umm... Commander Quint..."   That was odd, usually everyone around here referred to each other as Doctor or Professor, rarely did they ever use their Starfleet ranks.   "It seems that someone has launched an unauthorized shuttle... and they have gone to warp inside our no fly perimeter." 

Quint had no idea what the man was blathering on about, he was a doctor not a shuttle pilot.

"In plain English." Quint snapped at the man.

"I... I think someone just stole a shuttle?"   The man seemed confused, as if such a thing was impossible. Which technically speaking it should be, it also almost never happened.

"What? Have you contacted the launch bay? Are we sure there wasn't some kind of time sensitive emergency?"

"Yes Sir, we did... there was no answer from the Launch Bay Officer on duty... I have dispatched security, they have yet to report back."   As the man relayed this information the lights dimmed and was joined by the almost heartbeat like flashing of crimson paired with another Klaxon. Thankfully Gerhard Station kept such warnings limited to offices and administrative space, so at least the patience and civilians would not be bothered. And another voice broke into the conversation.

"Commander Quint, this is Lieutenant J'vol of Security... it seems that the Launch Bay Officer has been shot and is currently unconscious. Medical has been alerted and are on their way. A quick survey of things has identified that the security was overridden by Doctor Kartos, and it was his authorization that launched an Ambulance. I have confirmed that one is missing from the bay."   Quint stood up so fast he knocked over his chair. Kartos? The kindly old El-Aurian who was Dean of Pediatric Medicine? Of everyone on the station, why him? Why would he shoot an officer and steal a shuttle. He didn't have a violent bone in his body. What the hell was going on here...

"Acknowledged, start a full investigation, I want to know what the hell is going on here. I can't believe that Jalen would do this, he is such a mild mannered and thoughtful man. Just like all of his species. He must be under some form of duress. Ensign Cartwright, try to raise him on comms." Quint ordered firmly.

"Umm sir..."   The nervous voice chimed in again.  "I already tried raising the shuttle, or to track it on sensors... it seems that he has gone comms silent, disabled the IFF beacon, and initiated some sort of stealth program. We can't track the shuttle on sensors, and we can't raise it on comms." 

Curiouser and curiouser, Quint thought as he left the office for the Operations Deck... something about all of this didn't smell right to him.

*****

Jalen was only a couple hours into his journey when the stolen ambulance picked up a distress signal, despite the urgency and importance of his task, he couldn't ignore over 800 years of training and cultural conditioning. He adjusted his course and came out of warp right on top of the signal. He knew his stolen ambulance wouldn't appear on the vessel's sensors, unless they had a real EW Wizard onboard, but he was still risking failing the task he had set his mind to.

"Computer beam me over." He ordered as he slung a medical field kit over his shoulder. The Ambulance dematerialized around him and was replaced near instantaneously by the interior of a vessel that had obviously just seen battle. As soon as he could speak, he called out.

"I am Dr. Kartos of Medical Station Gerhard, is can anyone hear me?" Before he finished speaking he already had his medical tricorder out and was scanning the vessels interior.

Type 31 - Medical Emergency Ambulance Shuttle

[Dr. Varrau, Vulcan Ambassdor]

Jalen was in his quarters at the Starfleet Medical Station Gerhard watching a live stream of the Federation Council Hall. The El-Aurian ambassador had made him aware that a long-time rival of his from the days of "Those Old Scientists". The man was Doctor Verrau of the Vulcan Science Directorate: Xenopediatric Department, and even for a Vulcan he was an ass. When Jalen had joined the joint committee that was charged with integrating the Mirian... Onlies... into the Federation Verrau was already there, and the Onlies hated him. He just couldn't get past the appearance of the Onlies and accept that they were not children. Eventually Jalen and the other team members got Verrau removed from the team, but the Vulcan had taken it personally. Which wasn't very Vulcan in Jalen's opinion, but everyone has their flaws. Jalen watched the proceedings with the general disinterest given to political forums, that was until the venerable Vulcan took the dais.

Dr. Varrau, Vulcan Ambassdor

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Federation Council,
I stand before you today, to discuss a matter of great significance concerning the Mirians. As we all know, the Mirians, though remarkably intelligent and resilient, are a unique and endangered species within the Federation. It is our responsibility, both morally and ethically, to ensure their well-being and proper development.
First, it is imperative to recognize that the Mirians, despite their capabilities, are still children. Their development, both physically and emotionally, is not yet complete. Service in Starfleet is fraught with challenging scenarios that demand not only technical acumen but also the emotional maturity to make decisions that could have profound impacts. Not to mention that service in Starfleet brings with it an acceptance of one's own mortality. Subjecting the Mirians to such pressure at their current stage of development risks impairing their growth and does not afford them the opportunity to mature naturally.
Furthermore, as an endangered species, the Mirians represent a rare and irreplaceable genetic lineage. Allowing them to engage in activities that pose significant risks is not only imprudent but also counterproductive to our broader mission of preserving the diverse life forms within our galaxy. We have seen the consequences of neglecting our duties in this regard in the past, and it is a mistake we cannot afford to repeat.
Therefore, I propose that we take a compassionate yet firm stance on this issue. Let us provide the Mirians with the support and guidance they need to flourish within our society but let us also recognize the limits of their current capacities. By cashiering them from active duty in Starfleet, we allow them the space to grow, to learn, and to prepare for their roles in our collective future without undue haste or risk.
It is not a decision to be taken lightly, but I believe it is the logical and ethical course of action. Our commitment to the welfare of all species, especially those as vulnerable as the Mirians, must remain our guiding principle. Thank you for your consideration."

Jalen watched in horror as the Vulcan was given a standing ovation and then the motion was seconded by the Risian ambassador and put to a vote. One by one the various ambassadors and representatives of the protectorates came forward and cast their vote. Most of them just cast in silence, but a few choose to speak. The first to speak was the El-Aurian Ambassador, the man would be described as "middle aged" if he were human, and his commanding and authoritarian presence quickly quieted the room:

Hildorva Myran, El-Aurian Ambasssador

" Let me be clear about something. I have immense respect for the Vulcan people, their wisdom, their logic, and their dedication to the principles that have held the Federation together for generations. But I'm also a man who believes in something more than cold, calculated logic—something that has always set us apart as humans: our compassion, our sense of justice, and our unwavering belief in the dignity of every living being, no matter how young, no matter how vulnerable.

The Ambassador tells us that the Onlies are children—too fragile, too immature to make decisions for themselves. Well, let me ask you something: Who among us, at any age, can claim to have perfect wisdom? Who among us has never made a mistake, never acted with too much emotion or too little foresight? But you see, that's the beauty of being alive. We learn, we grow, and sometimes, we surprise even ourselves with what we're capable of.

The Onlies have faced trials and tribulations that would break the spirit of most adults, and yet they've come through it with a sense of purpose, with strength, with resilience that should inspire every single one of us. And now, because they don't fit some preordained mold of what a Starfleet officer should be, we're supposed to sideline them? We're supposed to tell them, "Thank you for your service, but now it's time for the adults to take over"? I don't think so.

We don't protect people by stifling their potential. We don't honor life by putting it in a glass case, out of harm's way, and out of sight. We protect people by giving them the tools they need to thrive. We honor life by recognizing its strength, by nurturing its growth, and by standing back in awe when it blossoms into something magnificent.

And yes, the Onlies are an endangered species. They are rare, they are precious, and they are the future of their world. But that future won't be written by locking them away, by stripping them of the very rights and responsibilities that make them who they are. It will be written by allowing them to take their place among us, as equals, as contributors, as individuals with their own hopes, dreams, and destinies.

We have a duty to guide them, to teach them, to support them. But we do not have the right to decide for them. We do not have the right to take away their agency, their autonomy, their chance to shape their own lives. That is not our role. That is not our right.

So, with all due respect to the Ambassador, I reject this notion that the Onlies should be cashiered from Starfleet. I reject it because it's not who we are as a Federation, it's not who we are as a people, and it's certainly not who we should be as leaders. Our job is not to decide who gets to live their lives and who doesn't. Our job is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live their lives to the fullest, and to trust that they'll make the right choices along the way.

Because in the end, that's what life is—a series of choices. And the Onlies, like the rest of us, deserve the right to make them. The El-Aurian People vote no on this proposal.w

Thank you.."

A being who resembled a human boy of approximately 12 years, seemingly out of place within the hall of elder states people, takes the podium, after a moment the floor raised up brining him level with the microphone. He spoke, and his voice, as yet unbroken by the aging process, was in stark contrast to the eldest states men in the room who had spoken mere moments before.

Sir Arthur Peter Churchill III Esq. Only Ambassador

"Esteemed members of the Federation Council,

I'm here today to speak for the Onlies," he said, making sure to give the Vulcan Ambassador a proper glare, "and I want to say a few things about why we should stay in Starfleet. I've listened to what everyone's said, and to be honest, some of the things being said against us are really annoying and just not fair.

To the Vulcan Ambassador, I get that you're worried about us 'cos we're still young. But that doesn't mean you get to make our decisions for us. Just 'cos we don't look as old as you doesn't mean we haven't got a clue what's going on. I mean, I'm over 450 years old, after all. All of us have been through stuff you can't even imagine, and we've learned loads from it. And what about all the Onlies who've been in Starfleet? Evangeline Erinth and Nolan Marc have been scientists in Starfleet for yonks. Naota won the Antarian Interstellar Rally in 2354 and fought in the Dominion War. Kyan Mackenzie's got the Grankite Order of Tactics. You say we need protecting, but I say we can look out for ourselves!

And to those who've backed the brain dead Vulcan proposal, it's clear you don't believe in us or think we can handle our duties. To that I say, bollocks! We're not asking for any special treatment; we're just asking for the respect to be seen as capable and to stay in Starfleet, where we can keep proving ourselves.

We've worked really hard to get here, and it's dead disappointing to hear that you Grups think we should just be sidelined 'cos we're not like you. We've faced challenges that would break most of you, and we're still standing strong. Saying we should leave Starfleet now is just saying you don't believe we're capable of more. And that's just not fair.

So, thanks to those who support us. Your belief in us really means a lot. But to those who want us out, we're asking you to think again. We've shown we can handle this, and we want the chance to keep showing that we can be a part of Starfleet and do great things.

As such, we vote against the Vulcan," he practically spat out the word like it was something nasty, "proposal."

Thank you."

The next to choose to voice their concern was the Bajoran Ambassador, a wizened older man of with similar features to the Asians of earth.

Vedek Ira Krirno, Bajoran Ambassador

"Honorable members of the Federation Council,

As I stand before you today, I am reminded of the teachings of the Prophets, who guide us through the Celestial Temple. Their wisdom, their light, has always been a beacon for my people, especially in times of uncertainty. It is through their guidance that I have come to understand the importance of faith, of resilience, and of the sanctity of all life.

We gather here to discuss the fate of the Onlies, a people who have faced trials beyond what most of us can imagine. They have walked through the shadow of death, yet they have not faltered. They have lived in a world stripped of hope, yet they have not surrendered to despair. This is not mere survival—this is the embodiment of the Prophets' will, the manifestation of a strength that transcends mere age or circumstance.

In the Bajoran faith, we believe that every child is a gift from the Prophets, a vessel of potential and purpose. The Onlies, though older then most of us, are no different. The Prophets have seen fit to bless them with the resilience to endure, the wisdom to adapt, and the courage to thrive in the face of overwhelming odds. To dismiss them now, to remove them from Starfleet, would be to turn our backs on the very gifts the Prophets have bestowed upon them.

The Onlies are more than just survivors; they are living testaments to the power of faith and the indomitable spirit of life itself. They have been through a trial by fire, and they have emerged not as victims, but as beings of profound strength and conviction. Who are we to deny them the path that has been laid before them? Who are we to question the will of the Prophets, who have clearly guided them to this point?

The Federation, much like Bajor, is built upon principles of inclusion, of compassion, of respect for the sanctity of all life. We do not cast aside the weak or the vulnerable; we uplift them. We do not close our hearts to those who are different; we embrace them. The Onlies, despite their youth, have shown a spiritual maturity that many of us could only hope to attain. They have faced the void and emerged with their faith, their hope, and their dignity intact.

To cashier them from Starfleet would be an act of hubris, a denial of the divine spark that resides within them. It would be to say that we know better than the Prophets, that we can judge the worth of a soul based on its age or its perceived fragility. But the Prophets teach us that every soul is precious, every life has purpose, and every being has the right to walk their own path.

So I stand before you today not just as a representative of Bajor, but as a humble servant of the Prophets, asking you to recognize the Onlies for who they are: children of the Divine, bearers of a light that must not be dimmed. Let us honor the trials they have endured, let us respect the choices they have made, and let us support them as they continue their journey—wherever that may lead.

For in doing so, we not only fulfill our duty to them; we also fulfill our duty to the Prophets, to the Federation, and to the very essence of life itself.

May the Prophets guide us all. Thank you."

Then a third stood, this one a tall and attractive woman of indeterminant age.

Ambassador Polinne of the Protectorate of Ba'ku

"Honorable members of the Federation Council,
I have listened carefully to the Vulcan Ambassador's words, and while I respect the logic presented, I must respectfully disagree with the conclusion. As a Ba'ku, my people understand the value of time, of allowing life to unfold at its own pace. But I also know that time does not dictate wisdom—experience and spirit do. The Onlies, despite their youth, have demonstrated a strength and resilience that transcends their years. To remove them from Starfleet now would be to deny the extraordinary potential they have already shown.
On Ba'ku, we live in harmony with nature, nurturing the growth of each individual, allowing them to find their path. But we do not shelter our young from the challenges of life; rather, we teach them to face those challenges with grace and courage. The Onlies have faced unimaginable trials, and they have emerged not as victims, but as survivors—stronger, wiser, and ready to contribute to the greater good.
To say that they are too young, that they should be removed from Starfleet because of their age, is to ignore the depth of experience they have already gained. Yes, they are an endangered species, and yes, they are children in many ways. But that does not mean they should be protected to the point of being stifled. Life, as we on Ba'ku know, is not without its risks. It is through facing those risks that we grow, that we evolve, that we become who we are meant to be.
The Onlies have already proven their capability. They have shown the courage to make difficult decisions, the wisdom to survive in the harshest conditions, and the strength to endure when all seemed lost. These are not the qualities of children who need to be sheltered; these are the qualities of individuals who are ready to take their place in the wider universe.
On Ba'ku, we believe in allowing each person to walk their own path, to find their own destiny. The Onlies have chosen to walk the path of Starfleet, and who are we to take that away from them? Who are we to say that their experiences, their trials, their growth, are not enough to earn them the right to serve?
To cashier them from Starfleet now would not be an act of protection—it would be an act of denying them their future. It would be to tell them that despite everything they have survived, despite all the strength they have shown, they are still not worthy of the responsibilities they have willingly taken on.
Let us not make that mistake. Let us honor their resilience, their courage, and their right to choose their own path. The Federation is built on the principles of self-determination, of allowing each species, each individual, to contribute in their own way. The Onlies deserve that chance.
They have already shown that they are more than capable. Let us give them the opportunity to continue proving it.
Thank you."

Lastly a reverendly elder states woman whose coal black eyes were as dark as her dress and veil, ponderously takes the stand.

Betazed Ambassador, Viada Idrun, Daughter of the Third House, keeper of the sacred quil of Indrex, and heir to the Holy Veil of Betazed.

" Honorable members of the Federation Council,
I stand before you today not in opposition, nor in full support, but in contemplation. Betazed holds empathy and understanding as the core of our values, and it is from that place of deep reflection that we have come to the decision to abstain from this vote.
The proposal before us touches on profound matters of survival, growth, and autonomy. The Onlies, despite their youth, have endured unimaginable hardships, and their resilience is a testament to the strength of their spirit. Yet, they are also vulnerable—an endangered people who have lost much of their world and childhood to forces beyond their control. Both sides of this debate present compelling truths, each rooted in care for the future of the Onlies.
We, the Betazoid people, know well the weight of emotional complexities. We feel them keenly, not just within ourselves but within all those around us. And it is because of this sensitivity that we recognize how deeply this decision affects everyone involved—those who advocate for the Onlies' protection and those who champion their right to self-determination. The emotional undercurrents are powerful, filled with love, fear, hope, and uncertainty. To impose a decision from such a position of emotional intensity requires more than just logic or compassion; it requires a profound respect for all perspectives.
Betazed has always respected the principle of free will, the belief that each individual should have the right to choose their own path. Yet, we also understand the importance of guidance and protection when that path is fraught with danger. We find ourselves torn between these truths, and to vote one way or the other feels like an oversimplification of a deeply complex situation.
Therefore, Betazed will abstain from this vote, not out of indifference, but out of respect—for the Onlies, for those who seek to protect them, and for those who believe in their capacity to choose. We do not wish to impose our will upon them, nor do we feel we can make this decision for them. Instead, we believe that further reflection and dialogue may be necessary to truly understand the best course of action.
Let it be known that our abstention is not an abdication of responsibility, but a commitment to continuing the conversation with open hearts and open minds. We trust that whatever decision is made, it will be made with the Onlies' best interests at heart, and we stand ready to support them in whatever path they ultimately choose.
Thank you."

Minutes passed in silence as the votes were tallied, the FNN camera panning over the hall in which various clusters of delegates spoke in hushed tones. Once the numbers were tallied they were handed to the Federation President who stood to read out the tally.

"With a vote of 180 in favour, 4 against, and 1 abstaining. The Motion passes, the Mirians shall be cashiered from and barred from entry into Starfleet service. Those that insist on remaining will be given non-hazardous planet side duties within the heart of Federation Space. Next up on the agenda..."

"Gar'varick!" Jalen threw his crystal tumbler into the view screen, shattering the delicate drinking vessel and breaking the screen. He was breathing heavily; he couldn't believe what he had just seen. For decades that damned Vulcan had worked against Jalen's and the other scientists' efforts to get full rights and privileges for the Onlies. He even had the nerve to refer to them as Mirians, a term that he knew damn well the Onlies despised. Having heard the commotion, Lorian made his way from the family Chapel and into the main room of their family quarters. He stopped in the door way, he had never seen his husband so angry.

"What's wrong my beloved?" Lorian asked, as he gingerly made his way closer to his husband. In all their years together, Jalen had never struck Lorian, but then again Jalen had never been so enraged either, and the experienced Milita and Resistance man that Lorian was knew to be cautious. Lorian's hand reached out and touched Jalen's elbow, Jalen shrugged it off and stormed across the room and began inputting the code to the family safe.

"I WILL KILL THAT GREEN BLOODED ABOMINATION!" In that safe Jalen kept all the things he had recovered from El-Auria and all the phases of his past life. He placed his hand on the door, which recognized his genetic markers, and the door slid open, inside he reached for the El-Aurian phaser he was issued when he joined the El-Aurian Defense Force. Lorain leapt forward with an alacrity he rarely showed and wrapped his hand around his husband's, exuding all the calm he could muster.

"Jalen... please calm down. No matter what happened Violence surely isn't the answer. Let's talk about this." Jalen looked over at his husband, his eyes seemingly not registering the man who was there. Lorian instinctively recoiled in fear, he had never seen such a dark countenance in his beloved. He swallowed hard and withdrew his hand, watching impotently as Jalen checked the weapon with a familiarity that was unexpected from the usually compassionate surgeon. Jalen then turned and stalked out of their quarters, the doors hissing shut behind him. Lorian quickly querried the computer.

"Computer, what was Jalen watching just now?"

"Accessing..." The computer chimed in with it's stereotypical cheerful female voice.

"Dr. Kartos was watching the live feed from the Federation Council meeting. In which they were discussing the cashiering of the Onlies from Starfleet Service. The vote was overwhelmingly in favour of doing so. The proposal was brought forth by Verrau formerly of the Vulcan Science Directorate: Xenopediatric Department, and now Vulcan Ambassador to the Federation Council." Lorian thought for a moment, he knew that name, then it hit him like a ton of bricks, he fell back into the couch and swallowed hard. He knew of Verrau from Jalen's stories of his time on Miri's World, and this did not bode well. If he couldn't reach his husband, then he could only think of one person who could stop this.

"Computer open a subspace communique to Lieutenant Commander Kyan Mackenzie.

Kyan, it's Lorian, I am sure you've heard the news by now, but Jalen didn't take it well. I think he is planning to kill Vulcan Ambassador Verrau. He retrieved his El-Aurian phaser pistol and stormed out of our Quarters on Starfleet Medical Station Gerhard. I couldn't stop him; I think you're likely the only person who can. Hopefully you are in a position to do so.

Computer send message, priority one."   Lorian then stood and made his way back into the chapel, to pray that somehow Jalen would come out of this alive.

Woot! Glad to be here, let the shenanigans commence!

[Kartos Quarters, Starbase 185]

Jalen looked over at Lorian and both shared a knowing smile. They liked for Leran to be exposed to different cultures, so it was already a faite-accomplis that they would approve. Jalen always found it interesting how an Only could switch from being an adult, chaffing under authority, to a child asking an adult permission to do a thing, even though the Only in question was usually centuries older then the person they are asking permission from. Well not in his case but, there is an exception to every rule.

"œAlright, we can go. But you all must be on your best behaviour"¦ only one minor maiming each"¦ no death!" Lorian said with a chuckle, from his position being tackled by two of the children. Jalen got up and brushed himself off with a frown.

"œYes, and no brining that violence home with you, there is a time and place for everything, but that is not in our home"¦ and I think that I should change into something more appropriate for a concert." Jalen said as he brushed his uniform with the back of his hand.

[Kartos Quarters, Starbase 185]

Jalen was the first through the door and found himself in a mortal struggle with a very dangerous forever child. He fought the little scamp, who scurried about him like a squirrel on an energy drink high. Eventually Jalen had to fall to his knees as he caught the squirming child and held him out at arms length, and listenend to his demand in federation standard.

Lorian on the other hand was the more dangerous of the two of them, at least when it came to combat skills. Though he was also the more restrained, so when he was tackled by both Leran and Max he quickly overwhelmed them and got both pinned, and began to tickle them ruthlessly.

Jalen looked at the PADD and laughed.

"œI don't know, especially given the run around you game me today." Jalen tried to look strern, but failed as the smile on his face spoke louder then his words.

[Medical Ward | Starbase 185]

Lorian & Jalen found themselves rather busy on the station. Jalen, having been medically cleared to return to duty, was already tapped to fill the much-needed Pediatrician Role with the station's medical staff, and thus was back to working 8+ hour days putting bandages on bruises and wiping runny noses. The kind of thing that he found, was beneath most "˜Starfleet Doctors'. Who preferred to practice their medicine on the "˜important stuff' that being trauma and not the day-to-day stuff. The new duty was severely cutting into his Juma Sucker stores. Due to this, the last thing Jalen did before ending his shift that today as to put in an express order for more from Bajor, they should be here in a day or two, so hopefully before the Challenger had to leave again. Just as he was logging off his terminal beeped indicating that he had an incoming comms, he knew before he answered exactly whom it would be.

"œDoctor Kartos, this is the 4th time I have commed you today." The irate woman said on the other end of the line. She wore command red and sported the single pip of an ensign.

"œYes, it is, sadly I was packed with appointments today. The burden of the medical profession, you understand of course." Jalen said nonchalantly.

"œThis is a serious matter Doctor Kartos, and you can't just keep putting us off." The woman said red faced at his response.

"œOh, I am sure it is serious to you, but not so much to me." Jalen said, further exasperating the woman.

"œDoctor Kartos, the team needs to speak to Lieutenant Commander Kyan." She looked as if she was going to say more but Jalen raised a hand.

"œAnd as I have told you time and again, once he is medically fit for Interrogations, I shall change his status. But for now, he is not up for such things, and he is still at a critical point in his healing process. As such you and the Admiral will have to wait. Unless of course the Admiral himself feels like he needs to throw his weight around, at which point he can contact me himself. Good day!" Jalen then disconnected the comms and left the medical ward.

*****

[Small Cargo Bay | Starbase 185]

Lorian being the only Vedek within a dozen lightyears of Starbase 185, found himself presiding over the lives of the handful of Bajoran Families on the station. They had arranged to convert one of the smallest cargo bays into a makeshift Shrine, and Lorian spent his days tending to the souls of the Bajorans who called Starbase 185 home. Today he had dedicated 4 babies to the Prophets, over saw a much overdue Rite of Passage for a 14yo Bajoran girl (usually this was done at 12) and counselled 4 members who had various crises of faith and morality. All in all his time here, not only today, but in all had been quite productive. He was just closing things down for the night when the door opened and Jalen appeared.

"œHello my Love" Jalen said as he stepped into the makeshift Chapel, made an obeisance to the prophets and then embraced his Husband kissing him deeply.

"œWhat was that for?" Lorian asked as they broke the kiss.

"œI just didn't want you to forget how good I am at that." Jalen said with a coy smile. Keeping his arm around Lorian's waist the two walked out of the cargo bay and made their way down the halls back to the habitat wing.

"œSo how was your day?" Lorian asked of his husband as they walked.

"œThe usual, mostly scrapes and bruises. Though there was one Andorian boy"¦ well half Andorian half Aenar, who suffers from a genetic condition. So that was interesting. The highlight though was having to chase Kyan over half the station, but the little scamp found the tracker I placed on him. Though the next one he surely won't find. The small viridium patch I am going to subcutaneously inject in that little imp the next time I get him in sickbay, will solve that problem"¦ though knowing him he'll find it and cut it out. But hopefully for awhile it will stump him. But you how was your day?" Jalen said with a coy smile. Tracking Kyan was as much a treatment as anything else, and exercised both their minds and kept them distracted from their healing. Lorian listened, he didn't approve of everything this Husband did in regard to Kyan, as he would never have allowed such things to happen to his own child"¦ though come to think about it as much as Kyan looked and acted the child, he was far from it. As well it was a major part of the Bajoran religion that self-determination was a thing, and if Kyan didn't Object to what was happening, it certainly wasn't his place to do so.

"œOh the usual, mending the spiritual hurts, and guiding people along the path of that the Prophets have laid out for them." Both of them were able to talk about their work, but only to an extent, and each respected the other for it. "œThe highlight was the Rite of Passage; the girl was so honoured and grateful to be able to finally become an "˜adult' and wear the personalized earing she had been working on for over 4 years." Lorian explained. Jalen nodded his head, he knew how important that time was for Bajoran children, and he was looking forward to Leran's Rite of Passage. The boy was very artistic and crafty, so he was certain the earing he would make would be very nice"¦ far better the Jalen's own meager attempt. Jalen mused as his and absently rose up and played with his earing. Lorian noticed the movement and knew how self-conscious his usually, so self-assured husband was about it. He leaned in and kissed his cheek.

"œDon't worry about it dear, your earing is perfect just the way it is, as it is yours." Jalen self-consciously removed his hand from his ear and smiled at his husband.

"œI know, but still. I worry that it isn't as nice as others." Lorian chuckled a little at Jalen's comment, he had lost track of how many times he had said that it wasn't the beauty or quality of an earing that makes it special. And since they had made it to their quarters now was not the time to address it again.

"œCome now, we have 3 kids to deal with in there, and they got that expansion today for their game, so they will be a little high strung, I am sure. So, we'll need all our faculties to wrangle them for dinner." Jalen nodded and set himself as if for battle as he hit the door controls and opened the doors on what they would find inside.

[[USS Challenger | Deck 7 | Observation Room | Medical Bay]]

[USS Challenger | Deck 7 | Observation Room | Medical Bay]

Jalen was off duty, but he just couldn't leave his post, not with Kyan still in the shoals. At some point he had gotten up and gone to the boy's bedside and taken his hand, seated beside him, he had fallen asleep, his head on the bed beside the boy. Today had taken its toll on the ancient man, the guilt he felt at the choice he had been given threatened to overwhelm him, and if Kyan didn't wake up then what was it all for. Jalen awoke with a start as his mind raced. He looked around the darkened room and saw that Kyan was sleeping fitfully. He wondered what the boy was going through, for it certainly was a physical ordeal, at least if the work he had to do to keep the boy alive was any testament. Jalen stood and brushed the hair from the boy's fevered brow and dabbed at the sweat he found there. He then leaned in and kissed the forehead, as he would've his own son.

"œKyan don't leave us; you'll never know how precious and valuable a price I paid so that you could live. We need you"¦ hell I need you; I need you to justify what I have done. I could've saved them all, I could've had it all back"¦ instead I traded it all because I knew you were suffering and only I could save you. Do you know how much that means?" Tears flowed from Jalen's eyes like rain as he looked over the boy, his body wracked with silent sobs. He had made two fateful choices, the first was to throw aside Lorian and Leran, to get Horvath back"¦ and then he threw away his second chance with Horvath and for all the El-Aurian people, because Kyan needed him. Why had he done that? Perhaps someday the boy could tell him or maybe with more time he could develop the wisdom to understand his choice. Jalen felt an arm wrap around his shoulder and held him as he sobbed. Instinctively Jalen spiraled into that embrace and wept into the chest that belonged to that offered arm.

Lorian embraced his life partner and held him as he wept, in all the years they had been together Lorian had never seen the man cry. Occasionally his eyes had watered from happiness, but never had he seen his lover give himself over to grief.

"œShh, I am sure the boy will be fine. For it is said that the Prophet's have a soft spot for Children and those bold enough to go where others wouldn't dare. Both of those apply here, so I am sure the boy will live. And I know without reservation that you have done everything in your power to save him, it is up to him and his Pagh from here on out." Lorian reached out and gripped Kyan's right earlobe, closing his eyes. He gasped not only at the amount of pain he felt in the boy's Pagh, but the sheer power of that same Pagh.

"œYes, he certainly has an overwhelmingly strong Pagh. He just has a battle to fight left within himself. A battle that he must face himself or be lost forever to it. But I will help him as I can." Lorian reached out through his connection to Kyan's Pagh and lent him all the strength he could spare. He hoped the boy could use what he gave him. He brought his arm back and held his lover.

"œCome now, there is nothing more that can be done here. Besides I think Max will need us to be strong for him. Because he will certainly be struggling with Kyan like this." Lorian said as he guided his lover from the room and back to his office to compose himself. Once Jalen was recovered the couple made their way from sickbay and to Max & Kyan's quarters and buzzed for entrance.

"Lieutenant Wu to Sickbay, can I get an update on Commander Mackenzie's condition for the Captain?"

[USS Challenger | Deck 7 | Chief Medical Officer's Office | Medical Bay]
Jalen was 3/4 of the way through his report when his comm beeped. He acknowledged it and listened to the speaker.

"Lieutenant, Commander Kyan is stabilized for the moment, but the surgery was intense and he has not yet awakened. As such I can't not give you a timeline on when he will be able to return to duty. As it sits though, he will likely need several weeks of medical leave and therapy to mitigate any lasting effects. I'll have more to report once I can give him a cognitive and psionic assessments. As well if you could be so kind as to report to the Captain that once Commander Kyan's status is properly assessed and his medical treatment plan made, I too shall be requiring some medical leave, I would be most appreciative."=/\=

[[Dr. Jalen Kartos | Sickbay, USS Challenger]]

[Dr. Jalen Kartos | Sickbay, USS Challenger]

Doctor Rashar paced as he and the rest of the sickbay staff waited for the Mjolnir's arrival. This was the part he hated most.

The waiting

Being a full Betazoid, Rashar's empathic abilities were as refined as those of most Bajorans. As such he could sense that the mood on the shuttle was a mixed bag of desperation from some, wonder on the part of the aliens, and an undercurrent of dread. He frowned at that. Desperation and dread were poor bedfellows. To him, it meant that their patient was in dire straights.

"œThey're on their way. Everyone ready?" Rashar spoke up, breaking the silence that had fallen on the room.

Affirmative replies followed one another until the trauma team had all signaled their readiness. Rashar nodded. "œGood."

Moments later the doors opened and the anti-grav gurney bearing the ship's diminutive first officer slid through them, pushed by a security officer. It was followed immediately by Doctor Kartos, who Rashar considered with an appraising glance. Humans had a turn of phrase that described the El-Aurian's appearance aptly enough.

He had the look of someone who'd been rode hard and put up wet. Rashar supposed this was in reference to a beast of burden, like a horse, but he'd heard it often enough to describe people as well.

"œDoctor Kartos." the Betazoid nodded. "œYou're the pediatric expert. It's your show. What do we need to do?"

Jalen turned to the Betazoid nurse and sighed heavily, he may be a Pediatric specialist, but he was not an expert on all things Psionic. He signaled for one of the orderlies to bring him the proper attire for surgery.

"œFirst off prep one of the surgical bays, as we have to get his Neuropeptide levels stabilized, as at the moment it is high enough that we are risking permanent brain damage. Set the biobed to Pediatric settings, with the Psionic enhancements." Jalen said as he began directing people to certain tasks. Jalen, once garbed and properly assisted, placed the neural monitor on Kyan's forehead.

"œAlright are we ready"¦" Jalen said as he surveyed his surgical team who all nodded in turn.  "œGood"¦ Let's be about it" Jalen popped a Jumja Sucker into his mouth and began the neural surgical procedure"¦ Over the course of the next 4 hours he and his team dedicatedly focused on the task at hand, but every time they seemed to make progress something else complicated the matter. Twice Kyan's heart stopped during the procedure, and twice he was revived. Finall mentally and physically exhausted Jalen rolled away the Neuro-Surgical rig and attached a NeuroCortical Monitor behind Kyan's right ear.

"œThat's it, that's the most we can do. Now we just have to hope he has the strength of will to pull himself out of this. Move him to a private recovery room, and if any of you believe in Prayer now is the time." Jalen said with a wain smile as he stepped back and began to disrobe from the surgical garb. He was exhausted in more ways than any around him would know. He was torn on the inside; he had literally chosen the life of this one forever child over saving his entire people, and more importantly the love of his life. Though somehow he felt no guilt at that decision. He left the surgical bay and made his way to his office and slumped down into his chair to fill out the surgical report.

[USS Challenger | Deck 7 | Medical Bay]
Jalen could feel himself falling, but surprisingly the floor never came.

*****
[El-Auria | High Summer | Eastern Continent | Kartos Estate | Pre-Borg]

Jalen slowly awakened, soft comfort of familiar sheets around him. Their silken smoothness was the exact right temperature to make it feel as if he were wrapped in a cocoon of his own making. He smiled at the comforting feel upon his bare skin, he reached out his hand and found a warm spot where another body had recently left the golden cocoon.

"œHorvath?" Jalen called out, as he opened his eyes and beheld the master bedroom of his ancestral estate on El-Auria. He sat up in bed the sheets pooling around his hips, exposing his smooth and toned chest. An attractive and stately younger man popped his head out from a doorway.

"œYes, my Love?" The soft almost musical voice answered in reply to Jalen's query.

"œOh nothing, I just had the strangest dream." Jalen said as his face broke out in a smile. It seemed to him like it had been centuries since last, he had laid eyes upon his Lover, as if lifetimes of suffering and loss sat between them like an unassailable gulf. He shook his head trying to clear away the last remnants of that horrid dream, but they just wouldn't leave him. He also had the most horrid sense of Deja-Vu, as if he had lived this moment before. Horvath ducked back into the washroom and continued getting ready.

"œWell, I hope it wasn't too bad. Remember you have the meeting with the Medical Conference today for the position as Head of Pediatrics, don't miss it. I know how absent-minded you can be, I have asked Pool to remind you as well. Oh and I will be away for a few weeks, the Diplomatic Corps is dispatching me as the head of mission to negotiate with this new species that our Explorers found, they are called The Borg, they are a hybrid species of technical and biological components"¦" Horvath continued to babble on excitedly about the possibilities  this would mean both culturally and scientifically for the El-Aurian people, but Jalen wasn't listening, for he now knew with a painful clarity as to why he knew this moment. This was the moment it all changed, the pivotal moment of his existence that started the downfall of everything. He could instinctively feel that this wasn't a dream or memory, but that somehow, he was here inhabiting this body in this time. He could change it all, here and now, he could save El-Auria, save Horvath, have the life he'd always wanted. The El-Aurian Temporal Concordat nagged at him, but he pushed it aside as easily as he flung off his sheets and made his way into the bathroom, enfolding his beloved in his arms, and kissing his neck. As he did so a sharp pain struck him behind his eyes, not unlike a migraine but far worse. He mustered all the willpower he could to push through as he moved on to nibble Horvath's earlobe.

"œUmm, someone is in a mood this morning, we don't have time for this." Horvath purred as he almost melted into his lover's embrace.

"œWe have nothing but time"¦ Why don't we get back in bed and have a day. The Diplomatic Corps & the Medical Conference be damned. Let's try to make a baby"¦" As Jalen spoke the pain spiked several times, but he used his years of experience to suppress it as he tried to will the universe to his will. Horvath turned around and slapped Jalen's chest.

"œYou naughty little devil, you know that isn't possible. And besides we can't just ignore all our commitments." Horvath said with a giggle as he tried to turn back to the sink to finish his morning oblations.

"œMaybe, maybe not"¦ perhaps no one has tried hard enough." Another spike of pain, this one worse than the last. Jalen was prepared to double down on his seduction when a scream broke through his mind. A scream that wasn't his. He knew the voice that uttered it, but he hadn't expected to hear it here, and not without the person who uttered it. Something was very, very, wrong, and Jalen grimaced as he realized what he had to do. Even though this was where he wanted to be, it was not where he was supposed to be"¦ or where he was needed. He closed his eyes and focused his mind, and slowly the world he wanted fell away from him.

*****
[USS Challenger | Deck 7 | Medical Bay]

Jalen jackknifed on the bed and inhaled deeply almost as if he hadn't breathed in quite some time. He looked around and saw the faces of the concerned other medical personnel. He gave them a thin smile, his eyes filled with a grief that went unspoken. Lieutenant Davies rushed to Jalen's side, and Jalen grasped the man's arm and spoke.

"œI'm fine, it just seems that my Spatial/Temporal awareness was just overwhelmed by the craziness that is going on. But that's neither here nor there, I am needed"¦" Jalen was saying when a comm message pipped in,

"Sickbay, this is the Bridge, Doctor Kartos to the Cutty Sark immediately. Medical team to the shuttle bay to standby for casualties."

Davies looked up confused as Jalen said almost in unison with the comm that he was needed. How could the man possibly have known? Jalen stood up steadier on his feet then he thought he'd be. He tapped his combadge and with conviction he said.

"œCopy that, Doctor Kartos reporting to the Cutty Sark"

Jalen saw the concern on his fellow doctor's face, as he went over to his office to retrieve his signature lab coat and a medical kit.

"œI'm fine Lieutenant, check my levels everything is stable. I am needed on the surface, and no one else has the skills necessary. I'll be fine, and I promise when I get back, I'll go on medical leave till you are comfortable with my return to duty." Jalen said as reassuringly as he could. Davies skeptically ran his Medical Tricorder over the ancient doctor and found his statement to be accurate. He shrugged.

"œFine, but once this emergency is over, I'll hold you to that."

*****
[Capitol Complex | Nation of Magana | Land-Ta]

Jalen hustled through the corridors and made it to the Cutty Sark where he took his seat and quietly sat in contemplation. Had he done the right thing? He could've had everything he ever wanted back, could've saved his people"¦ but he gave it all up for Kyan, for someone he barely had any ties to. It saddened him that even the thoughts of his Husband and Adopted Son weren't enough to pull him back, but Kyan screaming in pain was what did it. This was not something he had the luxury of processing right now, but he would have to, in time. The Cutty Sark landed safely, and Jalen disembarked and rushed over to Kyan. He had barely taken out the tricorder and began scanning the Only when the tricorder's warning beeps began going off.

"œHe's going into some kind of damned arrest, what the hell did you people do to him?" Jalen snapped at a nearby alien, and frankly he didn't care about political niceties right now. He pushed his fear, pain, grief, and all his other emotions aside and allowed his medical instincts to take over and began trying to stabilize his patient. The ancient child's mind was flooded with an enzyme that seemed similar to that which manifests in minds of various telepathic races, but the levels were far higher than was safe. Jalen injected Kyan with a hypospray designed to counteract those levels, and slowly the levels began to stabilize. Jalen sighed in relief when another alarm sounded, this time indicating that Kyan's heart had stopped. The amount of counteracting agent necessary seemed to have caused too much of a shock to the small body before him.

"œDamn it"¦ don't you die on me Kyan, not after all I gave up to save you." Jalen ordered firmly as he injected another hypo of adrenalin into the boys chest and then brought his fist down hard on the small chest, hearing the ribs crack in protest, three more times he brought his fist down before the small heart restarted and found it's rhythm. Jalen fell back on his feet and cried from the overwhelming stress of what he had just been through.

"œCommander Kyan is stable enough for transport, but we have to get him back to sickbay, immediately. Can we use transporters?"

[Sickbay | Deck 7 | USS Challenger: Less than an hour after the meeting in the Conference Room]

Jalen had just made it back to sickbay after the briefing with the Captain and was sitting in his office going over the personnel files for the new assignees to sickbay, when a new wave of vertigo overwhelmed him, he reached for his commbadge but missed it several times as his vision doubled and his motor skills dropped way down from normal. He braced himself on the desk and tried to stand, and barely leveraged himself out of his seat. After a few moments he thought himself steadied enough to walk, and he made his way towards the door of his office, lurching from foot to foot, like a monster in an old earth movie. He made it to the door and literally fell through the opening, he handed hard on the floor halfway in and out of his office, his Jumja suckers pilling about him.

*****

Lieutenant Davies had been making her way towards the CMO's office to make a report when she saw the doors open and a positively cadaverous Dr. Kartos fell through the door landing hard upon the ground. She rushed to his side and pulled out her tricorder, his neurological scans were varying wildly. Davies called for orderlies and they got the senior physician up and transported him to the Private Biobed adjacent to the CMO's office. Davies then called for Dr. Rasher.

*****

Rasher acknowledged the emergency page and made his way quickly to the CMO's office and found Dr. Kartos unconscious but reasonably stable on the biobed.

"œNurse Davies, what happened?" He asked with concern as he made his way to the side of the bed and began calling up readings on the built in display.

"œI have no idea, I was on my way to his office when I found him collapsing through the doorway. I just got him up on the bed a few minutes before your arrival. At the moment he seems stable enough, but I don't know what happened." The Nurse explained to the young physician. Dr. Rasher frowned down at the readouts, they were strange, but also clear.

"œWell, it doesn't seem to be any kind of infectious agent. So that's a relief, but these neural readings are troubling. They are outside the normal ranges for El-Aurian neural patterns, in fact the areas of his brain that sense space-time distortions are off the charts. This obviously has to do with the distortions that are being caused by the propulsion experiments of the planet we are headed to. My guess would be that Dr. Kartos is just extremely sensitive to the frequency of those disturbances. At the moment it would be best to keep him sedated, while I get a team together to work on some kind of suppressant, as levels this high could leave permanent damage. Nurse get me 50ccs of"¦"

*****
After Dr. Rasher got Dr. Kartos' levels down to a manageable level he would submit a report to the XO about Kartos' condition and that he would likely be out till the current situation is resolved.

[[Officer's Mess | Deck 3 | USS Challenger-A]]

[Officer's Mess | Deck 3 | USS Challenger-A]

Jalen registered the hint of concern on the boyish face of his friend and superior. He reached out a hand and squeezed the Onlie's Shoulder and smiled reassuringly.

"œDon't worry I'll be fine, El-Aurian's are just sensitive to Space/Time Disturbances. Think of it like Vertigo in humans, it is only a minor symptom of a problem that I suspect we will all be facing soon. But hopefully not, I hate space/time anomalies. But I mustn't keep our bonnie captain waiting. Raincheck on the breakfast. Maybe you and Max can come for supper later, assuming we all haven't ended up lost in space by then." Jalen said as he strode away from his friend as boldly as ever. He quickly strode down the corridor and to the Turbolift, he entered the empty lift and firmly ordered.

"œBriefing Room" and slumped against the wall as the lift began to rise. He was more sensitive than other El-Aurian's and the waves off unchecked anomalies always hit him harder and faster than others. He recovered his composure by the time the lift came to a stop on the bridge.

[Bridge | Deck 1 | USS Challenger-A]

The Turbolift doors opened, and Jalen stepped out onto the bridge near the Environmental station, his eyes went wide. This was certainly not what he was expecting. The rest of the ship, including sickbay, seemed so spacious and advanced, though by comparison he found the bridge to be almost cramped and seemingly outdated for a vessel of this size. He nodded to the duty officer and carefully made his way through the abnormally small bridge and around the back to where he assumed the Briefing Room was.

[Briefing Room | Deck 1 | USS Challenger-A]

Jalen had walked by a door marked "˜First Officers Ready Room' and was still plotting out the dimensions of the room as he entered the Briefing Room. He shook his head clearing it away as he though that it was good that Kyan was so small, because that room was tiny. It was so tiny he wondered if it was a converted Fresher. He entered the Briefing Room and nodded to the others present and took his seat. Moments later the Captain arrived, and Jalen stood until the human sat, then retook his seat. He leaned back casually; you didn't get to be his age and not learn to be unintimidated by rank alone. He listened intently as the Captain spoke.

"Welcome all of you, welcome back ta some of you. I know most of you were not expecting ta be in the positions ta which you've been assigned. However, the 285th Rule of Acquisition tells us, that as we avoided the loss of our senior officers, they were in turn, needed ta replace officers that were nae so lucky. I knew we'd lose some of our senior people, I hadn't banked on losin' all of them.

"Key thing at a time like this is ta lean on each other. You are nae alone. Several of you are new ta Department Head status, so are your peers, they are goin' through the same adjustments that you are and will be of solid support ta you as you figure out your way forward.

"A complication all of you will be facin' is the integration of the new personnel into your departments. Most of them are either on their very first assignments, but a few are hard heads that are frequent flyers in the brig. We will figure it out. You have all of 30 hours ta get a feel for your departments before we reach the system we've been assigned ta observe. What we will find there is unknown, but lookin' into the unknown is the very core of Starfleet's existence. Let's see what there is ta see and go from there. Any questions?"

Jalen raised an eyebrow as the man spoke, obviously the Captain had simply generalised his statement to save time. Jalen had run an entire worlds medical personnel, a world of unruly forever children, not to mention his having been the Chief of Medicine at several major hospitals and research projects on El-Auria. A department with the size, skill, and dedication of the Challenger's Sickbay was hardly a problem by comparison, and as for Civilian personnel, that was something he had far more experience with than the straight-laced Starfleet types. In fact, he was looking forward to the refreshing influx of Medical Professionals, who are first and foremost Doctors & Nurses not Officers. He sat quietly though not voicing his achievements, as he was certain that the Captain was more then aware of his service jacket, and didn't want to sound boastful. He did remain seated though to see if anyone else had any questions, and if the Captain had anything specifically for him.

["All hands. This is the Captain. Staff meetin' in ten minutes in the briefin' room on deck one. For those of you uncertain as ta who will be attendin', this means Lieutenant Espada, Lieutenant Mrekrerhas, Lieutnant Cordon, Lieutenant Booker, Lieutenant Jyur, and Doctor Kartos. That is all."]

Jalen looked over as Jackie brought their food to the table, just as the Captain chimed in with his announcement.

"All hands. This is the Captain. Staff meetin' in ten minutes in the briefin' room on deck one. For those of you uncertain as ta who will be attendin', this means Lieutenant Espada, Lieutenant Mrekrerhas, Lieutnant Cordon, Lieutenant Booker, Lieutenant Jyur, and Doctor Kartos. That is all."

Jalen stood up and smiled at Kyan,

"œWell, I think that we could do far better than a Nova for the Onlies. Maybe even a Defiant. But at the moment, it seems the Captain needs me. Though it's a bit surprising you aren't also on the announcement"¦" Jalen was suddenly overwhelmed by a feeling he hadn't felt in a very, very, long time and hand to brace himself on the table to keep from falling over.

"œOh great, just what we need right now." Jalen mumbled as he regained his center. The effect was similar to the Vertigo experienced by other humanoid species, but for the El-Aurian's it was experienced when they are in the proximity of space/time anomalies.