USS Illuminar

Mission: The Call
Day: 1
Stardate: 2446.06.12
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Day 1

(USS Illuminar - - 2/O&CMDR Dieter Gregory and Morale Officer Leeza Pel – 1800 )

Day 2
(USS Hillary - 2/O&CMDR Dieter Gregory, 3/O&CMO Dr. Quinna Solice, SFI Lt. Michael Weston and
Morale Officer Leeza Pel – 1100)
(USS Hillary - 2/O&CMDR Dieter Gregory, 3/O&CMO Dr. Quinna Solice, SFI Lt. Michael Weston and
Morale Officer Leeza Pel – 1100)

Day 4
(USS Hillary - 2/O&CMDR Dieter Gregory, 3/O&CMO Dr. Quinna Solice, SFI Lt. Michael Weston and
Morale Officer Leeza Pel – 1400 )
(USS Hillary - 2/O&CMDR Dieter Gregory, 3/O&CMO Dr. Quinna Solice, SFI Lt. Michael Weston and
Morale Officer Leeza Pel – 1700)
(USS Hillary - 2/O&CMDR Dieter Gregory, 3/O&CMO Dr. Quinna Solice, SFI Lt. Michael Weston and
Morale Officer Leeza Pel – 1715)
(USS Hillary/Wormhole - 2/O&CMDR Dieter Gregory, 3/O&CMO Dr. Quinna Solice, SFI Lt. Michael
Weston and Morale Officer Leeza Pel – 1800)
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Day 1
2446.06.12

(USS Illuminar - - 2/O&CMDR Dieter Gregory and Morale Officer Leeza Pel – 1800 )

It had been difficult for Dieeter to ask Sekal to use the Hilary one more time, especially since he really
didn’t know where he was going or why. He just knew he needed to get off the ship. He, of course,
granted his request. He recognized his second officer’s need for time. What he hadn’t planned on was
taking along any passengers.

“I’m comin’ with you,” said Leeza. She was sitting on Gregory’s bunk while he packed up a few
remaining things.

“Its a long trip to Bajor, and it’ll be boring,” he said.

“That’s not what you said ‘bout ‘ajor. I went with Mikey to the ‘omulan planet and wasn’t bored at all,”
she said. “Besides, you need me.”

Gregory paused and sat next to Leeza, “‘Cause Aggie told me,” she said seriously.

That threw the man for a loop. She had passed away during the plague of nanites from Zertos 3. It
was painful to be on the ship, which is why he was taking leave to go to Bajor. “What did you say,” he
said softly.

“Aggie came to me and told me to not leave you alone,” Leeza said solemnly. “I liked her,” she added.
Gregory brushed back a tear. “Well, we have to do what she says,” he said, standing back up. “I’ll let
everyone know that you’re taking leave with me. Even the morale officer needs some time off,” he said
with a wane smile.

Moving to his desk, he sent a note to the Hammons, as well as Michael that Leeza was taking leave
with him and they were going to Bajor.

“We better get your things,” he said as he put the bag over his shoulder.

“I is all packed up and ready Captain ‘Eggery,” she said proudly.

She put her hand in his and pulled him towards the turbolift.

(USS Illuminar - Deck 9 - USS Hillary Airlock – 2/O&CMDR Dieter Gregory, 3/O&CMO Dr. Quinna
Solice, SFI Lt. Michael Weston and Morale Officer Leeza Pel - 1815)

Gregory entered his authorization codes. The security officer nodded and waved the two of them
through.

Leeza ran into the shuttle and put her small bag down on one of the bunks in the back. Gregory
stowed his bag on the bunk across from Leeza and headed to the flight deck. Sitting in the pilot’s seat,
he pulled out the startup checklist and scanned it. “Since you’re here Leeza, I might as well put you to
work,” Gregory said as he handed her the checklist. “I want you to read each step for me and when I
tell you, put a check mark next to the step to indicate it’s complete.”

“What’s all this,” she asked, turning the PADD upside down and sideways, “Mikey didn’t have to do any
of this.”

“Well,” Gregory said, “Michael had a pilot with him, I don’t so I need to go by the book. It wouldn’t look
good if I damaged the ship now, would it?”

“Ohhh, yea, Cap’n ‘ekal might not let you have chocolate cake,” she said seriously.

“Probably worse than that,” he said. “What’s step 1?”

Leeza turned the PADD right side up, “‘ower up the ‘puter,” she read off the device.

It was slow going, but it was a focused task, which is just what Gregory’s mind needed.

There was a chime as his com badge beeped.

=^= Permission to come aboard =^= came Weston’s voice.

Leeza was beaming, but Gregory shook his head no. “Denied,” he replied.

“Well, it’s a bit late for that,” came the voice from behind them. Turning around, Gregory saw Michael
standing there. Leeza jumped out of her seat and bounced into his arms. “You got my ‘essage?” she
said eagerly.

“I did, no thanks to Eggery,” he said with mock anger. “You think you get to go on leave that easy?
Without your friends?”

Gregory replied, “I had hoped to.”
“Well, not today. Can’t pull one over on this SFI guy,” Weston replied.

“Or me. What is going on here?” Quinna said. She stifled a yawn. She had not had any rest since
Zertos 3.

“Its a good thing that this isn’t a covert operation,” Gregory said sardonically.

“Well if Michael gets to go and Leeza is going, why can’t I come?” Quinna pulled out 3 year old logic.

“No, you not vited to come.” Leeza grumped about. “Mikey, say ‘no’” Leeza told him.

Quinna looked sternly at the little girl.

Michael just shook his head, “Leeza, Eggory needs all his friends right now.” He gave the look he had
given so many times when they talked about Quinna. “Do this for me. Besides, the baby might like
some company.”

“I guess if I have to.” Leeza said.

Then he pulled something out of his pocket and slid it over his head. He turned back towards them
wearing his eyepatch from the Rhyne.

“Besides, every pirate captain needs his first mate,” he said with a smile.

(Reply None)
(Posted by Al, Kris and Tim)
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Day: 2
Stardate: 2446.06.13

(USS Hillary - 2/O&CMDR Dieter Gregory, 3/O&CMO Dr. Quinna Solice, SFI Lt. Michael Weston and
Morale Officer Leeza Pel – 1100)

Dieter sat in the pilot’s seat. Even though the ship was on autopilot, he stayed here. He liked the
solitude. Leeza was curled up in the chair next to him, playing on the PADD, trying to solve the latest
problem that Michael had set for her. For Pex actually.

There was still tension between Leeza and Quinna, but he shut it out for the moment, his thoughts his
own. All he knew was he needed to get away from the Illuminar. He needed this time to think, to
decide what he was going to do. Star Fleet had been his life, but the experiences onboard the Rhyne
had changed him. Aggie had changed him, and they only had a short time together. Now, she was
gone, killed by some micron sized monster that they could not eliminate in time. Too many crew had
been lost over what? Perhaps he would find the answer on Bajor. Perhaps not, but he had to try.

Michael slid into the currently vacant copilot. Leeza, as was her way, generally occupied it, but she had
taken a break to antagonize Quinna for a while. Dieter had been unusually quiet so Michael decided to
give him a little time to his thoughts. It had been a rough year for the pair of them, and it had been nice
to see his friend settle down into a positive relationship with Aggie. Her death was a… well… a kick to
the groin.

He also knew that something was going on with Dieter. Michael’s instincts all screamed that whatever it
was wasn’t good.
Finally he turned and broke the silence. “You know I’m here to talk if you want?”

Gregory turned to face Michael, “I know, Michael, I just am not sure I know what I want to say. Things
are a jumble and my world is shattered.”

Michael nodded and fell back into silence as he began to run his computer search for his possible
contacts at DS 9. Of course, considering his own place in the universe they’d just as likely try to kill him.
He didn’t look up when he spoke next.

“Nothing’s been the same since the Rhyne, has it?” he asked. “Your near death experience changed
you. You’ve never really talked about it.”

“Not much to say,” Gregory replied, “I don’t remember that much of it. For me I went from the Rhyne to
the Illuminar and missed the whole transition. Then got busy again, acating as first officer and trying to
pretend things were the same. Never felt like I fit in back on the Illuminar.”

Michael let that settle for a moment as he fidgeted with the ship’s programming. Finally he broke the
pause.

“I’d hoped that changed when you found Aggie,” Michael said. “She seemed to… center you.” He
stopped what he was doing and put his hands on the panel, almost holding on to it for support. Without
looking up he said, “I am sorry Dieter.”

“So am I,” Dieter replied. “Which is why I needed to leave. See about finding my way back, starting at
the place my journey aboard the Illuminar began.”

Quinna walked back onto the flight deck and stood between the seats, “What do you hope to
accomplish by going back there?” Quinna started. “Your answers are not at the station. You need to
go back before that. The way to the future is through the past.”

Gregory turned to see Quinna. As she spoke, however, all he saw was Aggie, highlighted with a glow.
“I am called, Aggie,” he said softly.

Leeza looked at Dieter quizenly, “Captain Eggery, are you cracked? She,” Leeza said, sneering at
Quinna, “is not Dr. Aggie.”

Shaking his head, he saw Quinna, “Well, Doctor, I guess we will see. Perhaps the Kai will let me peer
into the Orb of Time.”

Michael harrumphed at the mention of the orb. He had been part of an experience, a shared dream, it
seemed like a lifetime ago. But it all still sounded like religious hocus pocus to him. However, he didn’t
want to start that argument with Quinna, again, so he held his tongue.

“All I mean is that this may even go deeper like before joining Starfleet.” Quinna explained.

Gregory shrugged, “Maybe. Perhaps our physicists could better answer the question about that than a
simple engineer. This feels right.”

Michael was suddenly starting to feel the proverbial third wheel. His presence was not required and he
thought it best to remove Leeza from the discussion.

“All right Munchkin,” he said getting out of the copilot’s seat, “ it’s nearly lunchtime. So you know what
that means?”
“Yes,” Leeza started jumping. “Pegetti and chocolate cake.” she rushed to the back of the shuttle.

Quinna smiled at Michael and she took the seat next to Dieter. “We are with you so you know you do
not have to do this alone.”

“In the end Quinna, we all go alone,” Dieter said. “I don’t know where I am going or what I need to do,”
he paused. “But I am glad for the company.”


“I think you are wrong.” Quinna said. “You go the way you want.” Quinna stated without explanation.
“You were not planning on coming back, were you?”

“I just don’t know,” Gregory said.

“We have grown close. We are not going to let you go alone.”

“Sometimes you have to let something go so it can find it’s way home,” Dieter replied.

“And sometimes it takes a different perspective.” Quinna turned in her seat where she was facing
Dieter directly. She took his hand, “And sometimes, all parts of you have to be with you as well. There
is a part of you in all of us.”

(Reply None)
(Posted by Al, Kris and Tim)
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Day: 4
Stardate: 2446.06.16

(USS Hillary - 2/O&CMDR Dieter Gregory, 3/O&CMO Dr. Quinna Solice, SFI Lt. Michael Weston and
Morale Officer Leeza Pel – 1400 )

Gregory was on the flight deck, they were on a final, leisurely approach to Deep Space 9. He had been
chatting with the flight control and secured a berth on the upper pylons. He was looking out the
viewscreen as the station slowly came into view. Within the hour they would be docked, based on the
current flight schedule. Gregory could almost taste the springwine at Quarks, and hoped to get into a
game of Tongo or two.

Quinna sat in the back of the Hillary with Michael. It has seemed like forever since she was able to sit
back and relax. Her eyes closed and she allowed herself a moment of rest. She had put herself last
these past few days as those around her had been getting sick and dying.

Michael put his arm around Quinna, feeling her relax. Leeza had been laying, her head on his lap. He
was literally sandwiched to his seat between the two embattled women in his life. He wasn’t sure if the
scene was ironic or karmic. Sometimes it was hard to tell.

A sudden burst of pain swept through her as she shot up “Ohhh” she cried as she cramped forward.
“Oh No,” Quinna said as she looked up at Michael. “I need a med…” Quinna's face scrunched up in
pain. She did not need a medical tricorder to tell her she was in labor as her water broke as well.

“Michael. The baby is coming.” Quinna said.

“Now?” came Michael’s gut check reaction. ~Of course now, idiot.~ He chastised himself knowing
Quinna was pretty sure about these medical things. “What do you need, baby?”
“I need… Oh…. Ouch…” Quinna balled her hands in fists. “It’s too early. The baby is not ready.”
Quinna started breathing heavily, “Med kit” Quinna knew that she could stop the labor

Leeza was already out of his lap. He reached over for the medkit and handed it to her.

Quinna scanned herself. “The baby is in trouble. I need to lay down.” Quinna slid off her chair and
layed down. She put her legs up in the chair. Taking a hypospray she moved to administer it to her
baby bump. Quinna reached for Michael.

Michael had already begun to clear a space and lay out some blankets on the floor. She was probably
going to need something more solid than those chairs pretty soon. When she grabbed his arm her
fingers sunk into the flesh and she squeezed. His own face winced in pain but he stayed silent until she
relaxed her grip.

“We are in trouble.” Quinna managed to get out between contractions. The intensity of the
contractions seemed to slow for the time being. Quinna took deep breaths. “Baby’s heart rate is
fluctuating. My Blood pressure is high.” Tears started running down her eyes.

“It’s going to be fine, Quinna,” Michael tries to reassure her, his voice filled with more confidence than
he actually felt. “I’m here. Tell me what you need.”

“I may pass out. The only way to lower my blood pressure is to deliver. This time you must listen to
me. The baby is more important.” Quinna said as she calmed herself. “Promise me, you will save the
baby.”

Michael shook his head, “I can’t make that promise, Quinna, and you know it. I’ll do what I can.”

“I am ok right now. Why don’t you go and tell Dieter what is going on.” Quinna suggested. Quinna
needed time to think. She needed to keep her head about herself as she needed to prepare for the
worse.

Michael nodded and headed to the cockpit area. He put his hand on Dieter’s shoulder. “As if we needed
things to get any more interesting, Quinna just went into labor.”

“Its too soon, isn’t it?” Dieter said. “I can see about getting us to DS9 quicker.”

“Somehow I don’t think that’s gonna be soon enough,” Michael told him. “Besides, I may need you
back there with me. Unless you want to leave Leeza at the conn.”

Gregory smiled, “Leeza, think you can conn the shuttle?”

After a couple of minutes, Leeza came to Quinna's side. She had been listening to Michael as he
talked to Dieter. She crawled next to Quinna. “Will the baby be ok?” Leeza’s tone was not what she
usually took with Quinna. This was more of an apologetic sad tone.

“I hope so,” Quinna said.

“I am sorry I am mean to you. I do not want anything bad to happen.” Leeza said.

Quinna took a deep breath. “This is not your fault. Wished that you were not always angry with me.
We both like Mikey.”

Leeza leaned in and gave Quinna a hug, “I promise to be a good girl if you two are ok.”
Quinna put an arm on Leeza, “I am going to do everything possible.” Quinna lifted Leeza’s chin with her
finger and looked into her eyes. She was about to say something but she was overwhelmed by
dizziness and then need to close her eyes. “Just be happy.” Quinna then closed her eyes.

Leeza ran back to the flight deck. A tear ran down her eyes, “She is sleeping.”

Gregory looked at Leeza, “Sleeping?” he asked as he stood up and headed to the back of the shuttle.
He saw Quinna sleeping and felt Leeza hiding behind his leg. “Michael,” he called as he picked up a
tricorder.

He looked at the scan, frowned, and showed the results to Michael. Michael took the tricorder and
looked at it in disbelief. It was showing no life signs. For the first time in his life Michael Weston was
stunned into inaction. How could this be? She can’t be… . He couldn’t even bring himself to think of
the word. Suddenly, as if released from a stasis field he lept into action. He was not doctor, but he’d
been in the field enough to have a basic working knowledge of field medicine. He grabbed the med
bag and began to root through it looking for the right ampule for the hypo spray.

There was a flash of light and two figures appeared on either side of Quinna they knelt down. One of
the figures took Quinna’s right hand. “Do not worry little one,” one of the figures said, looking at Leeza.
“The child will be fine. The journey has just begun.”

Quinna looked at the others as they appeared to be stopped in some kind of tableau.

“The emissary will be here soon,” the other said before they all disappeared.

Leeza’s eyes opened wide and she went back to the flight deck. There, she sat in the pilot’s chair,
barely reaching the controls. With determination, she entered new coordinates, and increased the
engine’s power.

In the back of the Hillary, Gregory noted the change in the sounds of the engines. Looking at Quinna
and Michael, he sprinted to the flight deck to find Leeza sitting there quietly on her PADD.

=^= USS Hillary, this is Deep Space 9, you have broken out of the docking stack, is everything ok up
there Commander?=^=

Sitting in the co-pilot’s seat, he looked at the coordinates. They were heading straight for the
wormhole.

“DS9, this is Hillary. Sorry about that, a residual course correction that accidentally got entered. Please
provide new course.”

=^= Hillary, DS9, sending to you now. You’re going to miss that springwine there, Dieter. =^=

“Hillary copies.”

As Gregory went to adjust the course, Leeza put her little hand on his. “This is the way,” she said in a
very grown up manner.

Suddenly Aggie appeared, placing a glowing, ghostly hand on top of Dieter and Leeza’s. “Trust me
darling,” she said before moving to the back of the shuttle again.

Gregory looked out the viewscreen and saw the wormhole event horizon begin to open.
(Reply None)
(Posted by Al, Kris and Tim)
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(USS Hillary - 2/O&CMDR Dieter Gregory, 3/O&CMO Dr. Quinna Solice, SFI Lt. Michael Weston and
Morale Officer Leeza Pel – 1700)

The Hillary entered the wormhole, passing though the event horizon. For all his time on DS9, he had
never traveled through the wormhole. He admired the transition, as he could see it. “Leeza,” he said,
“Are you ready for adventure?”

“Always ready for venturing!” Leeza proclaimed.

Dieter smiled at her youthful enthusiasm. If she only knew how dangerous it was.

The Hillary’s forward momentum stopped. Looking at the ships sensors, he estimated that they were in
the negative CTL region.

Meanwhile in the back of the Hillary, Michael had picked Quinna up and moved her limp form to a bed.
Although all of her life signs had stopped, she still had the… feel… of someone alive. And then there
was the baby, that seemed to be doing fine; completely ignorant of what was going on around it. He
knelt beside her, fighting back his feelings. He had to remain Michael Weston, SFI Operative, for no
other reason than his own sanity.

Suddenly Quinna grasped his hand and took a deep breath. She did not want to let go. “Why are we in
the wormhole?” Quinna asked as she turned her head looking towards the flight area.

Michael was astounded. How was this possible? He pulled put the tricorder and scanned her body. It
was as if the last minute had not happened for her. Suddenly a smile appeared on his face, and
confusion.

“The wormhole?” he asked. “How do you even know?” He was about to shout out to Dieter.

“I just know, Michael.” Quinna took a deep breath, “I feel it.” Quinna felt the urge to go sit in the flight
area. “Help me up. I have to go.” Quinna started to sit up.

Michael put his hand on her, “Are you crazy? First of all you were dead a second ago. And you’re in
active labor. That’s the last place you need to go.”

Quinna put her hand on Michael’s hand and looked into his eyes, pleading. “I cannot explain it. We
just need to go to the front with Dieter and Leeza. We need to be there.”

Michael shook his head. He wasn’t sure what was crazier, her need to go up to the flight deck, or him
actually letting her go. He reached down and helped her to her feet. Then supporting her the whole
way they headed to the flight deck.

“Look who’s still with us,” Michael said, as they entered.

Gregory nodded, “Thank the prophets,” he said, ”Don’t go dying on us again, you hear me Doctor,” he
said in mock anger. The display changed, “There is a landing spot there,” he said, “this can’t be a
coincidence.”

(Reply None)
(Posted by Al, Kris and Tim)
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(USS Hillary - 2/O&CMDR Dieter Gregory, 3/O&CMO Dr. Quinna Solice, SFI Lt. Michael Weston and
Morale Officer Leeza Pel – 1715)

Gregory maneuvered the shuttle towards the landing spot. After confirming for the dozenth time, he
gingerly set the Hillary down. He began to shut down systems.

“There is an earth like atmosphere,” Michael said. “I’m getting strange energy readings,” he said.
“From over… there.” He pointed to a place on the monitor showing a topological map of the area.

Gregory turned on the viewscreen. The area looked like an idelic park setting.

Leeza got excited, and pointed, “Its Aggie,” she said excitedly pointing at the viewscreen.

Gregory looked at Michael. Michael looked back leaned over. “Are you seeing anyone?”

Quinna shook her head. “I don’t see anything.” she quietly said.

Leeza grabbed Dieters hand, “Come on Captain ‘Eggrey,” she said. “You promised me an ‘venture.”

He nodded, “That I did,” he said standing up. “Michael, you stay here with Quinna,” he said.

Quinna was not about to argue. She knew that this part was not for her.

Gregory looked around and stood up. He went to the locked cabinet where he withdrew a phaser. Next
he grabbed two tricorders and handed one to Leeza.

“OK, We’re as ready as we can be,” he said looking at Quinna and Michael, “We’ll do a quick look
around and be right back.”

Quinna sighed but said nothing.

Michael shook his head and put an arm around Quinna, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

The two adventurers waited in the airlock before stepping onto the space. It smelled green and fresh.

“Did we go to the ‘rboretum? “ Leeza asked, “Are you pullin’ my leg?”

Gregory scanned the area, “Not at all,” he replied, looking at the wacking readings on the tricorder.

“They are not whole,” came a voice. “There are others.” Shimmering into view came a glowing figure of
Captain Sekal.

Dieter put his hand down to stop Leeza from running forward as a glowing image of P’Rah entered the
area. “Where there was one, there is now two, and where two, there are now four,” the spectral Caitain
said with a swish of his tail.

“Kitty!” Leeza cried out in surprise.

The spectral P’Rah flashed a toothy grin before morphing into another figure. “Daddy?” she asked with
a childs curiosity. “Where did you go?” The man stood there, looking stern and solemn.

“Kitty, where are you? “ Leeza called, “We’re ‘venturing, are you comin’?” The visage of P’Rah
reappeared. “The greatest adventure,” he said.
“The two must become four,” came a voice behind the two.

“It is the way. One becomes two. Two becomes four,” came a female voice of a Bajoran wearing purple
and orange. “The circle must continue, unbroken.”

Quinna stood up, “What do you mean?” she asked holding her hand and feeling the baby move. “What
circle?”

An old, bearded man in robes looks up, “That which is above is as that which is below,” he said. There
was a flash and suddenly the four were standing outside in a field. A cabin stood in the distance.
Children played in the field. “The circle must be unbroken,” came the voice of the female Bajoran.

She reached up and put her right hand around Quinna’s left ear. “Concentrate,” she said sternly.

Moments later, she moved to Michael and did the same thing. “Clear your mind,” she said to him.

“Their pagh are strong. They will survive the trials,” she said and faded away.

“It is time,” came a male voice as a tall, dark skinned man in a Star Fleet uniform stepped forward.
There was no mistaking who this was. It has been decades since anyone had seen or even hinted at
seeing him. The Emmissary.

He stepped toward Quinna, but paused to look at Leeza.

(Reply none)
(Posted by Al, Kris and Tim)
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(USS Hillary/Wormhole - 2/O&CMDR Dieter Gregory, 3/O&CMO Dr. Quinna Solice, SFI Lt. Michael
Weston and Morale Officer Leeza Pel – 1800)

“She is out of time,” the shimmering figure said, “She must be returned.”

The three adults looked who the figure was pointing at. Leeza looked scared and clung to Gregory’s
leg.

“Captain Eggery, don’t leave me. Don’t let her take me. I wanna stay with you.”

Gregory peeled her off his leg and knelt down, “No one’s taking you nowhere, ok Leeza.”

Another figure stepped out of the darkness, “This must happen. Much depends on her. She must be
returned.”

Gregory picked the girl up, “Why?” he asked firmly.

“She is corporeal. She is needed then, not now. She is out of time.”

Another figure stepped out of the shadows, it was the Bajoran Giant that had haunted Gregory’s
dreams since his time on Deep Space 9. “The time has come,” he said softly, holding out his arms to
Leeza.

Michael stepped between them, defiantly, “Over my dead body.”
He wasn’t sure how he would fight gods, but he was prepared to give it his best shot. What else could
he do. He would die for that girl.

“No!” Gregory replied firmly. “She has suffered enough. She stays with me.”

“With us,” Michael interjected.

Another figure entered the light, it was Aggie. “Of course, love,” she replied. “As it is, as it was, as it
will always be.”

Gregory’s face changed at Aggie’s words. Realization came over his face as he looked at her. He
nodded slowly in understanding.

Turning to face Quinna and Weston, he smiled. “I … We … have to go,” he said.

Michael looked intensely at his friend. At first it was not clear what he was saying. Then his mind
cleared. He wanted to argue with Dieter. He knew that his friend was going to let Leeza go. But how
could Michael allow that? Words swarmed in his mind of things he wanted to say, looking for a different
way. All he could get out was, “But…”

However the but was to himself. Suddenly his mind filled with images of terror and destruction. Flames
burned at the bodies and in the center was Leeza, tears filling her eyes. Then he knew what was going
to happen here, no matter what.

Looking at Michael, “I could not have asked for a better first officer, a better advisor, a better friend than
you.”

Now it was time for another realization. Michael looked from Dieter to the being that appeared as Aggie.
He shook his head and fought back a tear. He took Gregory’s hand then with more force than he had
intended he pulled him into a hug. He couldn’t bring himself to say anything more. It was too hard.

Leeza scrambled down and jumped into Weston’s arms. Gregory stepped back and snapped to
attention, giving Michael a salute. “Carry on Mr. Weston. And protect her,” he said, nodding to Quinna.

Michael knelt on the ground and pulled Leeza into his arms. He held onto the girl who had stolen a
piece of heart then kissed her on the cheek and then on the forehead. She will always be his morale
officer. He could feel his heart aching already.

“You take care of Eggory, Munchkin,” his voice croaked. “If you ever need me I will come for you.”

“Quinna thank you for your friendship. Who knew how our lives would be intertwined. If things had been
different…” he said, letting his voice trail off. “You two keep each other safe,” he blinked back a tear.
“Here’s looking at you kid,” he said finally.

“It is time,” the giant said.

“Yes, we must get Leeza back in time,” Aggie said.

Leeza’s head was buried in Weston’s shoulder. “I want Mikey to come, too. Mikey needs to come. We
are family.”

She whispered something in his ear before squeezing him tight again, “Don’t forget me Mikey.”
“Not possible, shorty,” he replied. “I’ll never be able to look at chocolate cake without thinking of you. Or
sit on a plate of spaghetti.” He couldn’t keep the tears from escaping even though he chuckled.

Leeza ran to Quinna, “Keep him safe, he can be a bit headstrong at times,” she said.

Quinna whispered to the little girl, “I know.”

“There is one last thing, before we go,” Aggie said and walked over to Quinna. She placed her hand
on Quinna’s belly. “It is time for her to come with us. She will grow and fulfill her destiny.”

“No, no, please don’t” Quinna pleaded.

Michael felt his panic rise again. He stepped over and put his hand on “Aggies”. “What are you doing?”
he warned, his eyes showing danger. His need to protect Quinna and the baby at it’s highest he said,
”Leave her alone.”

Aggie turned to Michael, “I can save them both or you can lose them both, but you cannot have it both
ways. You must decide.” Aggie put a reassuring hand on Michael’s. “Life with or without.”

He drew in a breath and closed his eyes, feeling out of his depth in this. Quinna had already died once
today. Or had she? And he wasn’t sure why he was just accepting the word of this… Aggie. But he
knew she was speaking the truth. Michael Weston, the eternal cynic, taking someone for their word.

Slowly he withdrew his hand and stepped back. He looked into Quinna’s confused eyes. His hand
moved to rub her cheek and then he kissed her. “I can’t lose you.”

Aggie turned back to Quinna. She took Quinna's right hand as she said, “She will be healthy with us.”
And with that, Aggie stood there holding the baby. She then moved back to Dieter.

Quinna closed her eyes. She could not see what was in front of her. She worked hard to stay upright
and not let the tears overwhelm her as all of a sudden she felt empty and alone.

Gregory knelt down again to pick up Leeza. He turned to his two friends, but turned back as he started
to choke up. With Aggie on one side, and the Giant on the other, Gregory walked towards the glowing
light … and they disappeared.

There was another flash of light. Michael and Quinna found themselves back on the Hilary. When they
looked out the viewport they were no longer in the celestial temple… nor the wormhole..

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(Posted by Al, Kris and Tim)
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