COMPILE_TERMINAL_VIEW

USS Illuminar

Through a Mirror Darkly

Through a Mirror Darkly USS Illuminar • ID 8300

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Mission: Through a Mirror Darkly
Day 10
Stardate 2446.03.13
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Day 8

(USS Illuminar - Deck 5 - Sickbay - CMO/3XO Lt. Commander Quinna Solice - 1540)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 5 - Sickbay - ACEO Ensign Tegian Pex -1542)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 5 - Sickbay -CMO/3XO Lt. Commander Quinna Solice -1545)

Day 10

(Imerial Yacht Surak - Bridge - Vulcan High Consort - T’Mur (MU) - 1210)
(USS Rhyne– Deck 1 - Bridge– aCO - Michael Weston - 1220)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 1 - Ready Room - CSRD Lieutenant T'shalaith - 1255)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 3 - Officers quarters - CSRD Lieutenant T'shalaith - 1332)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 1 - Ready Room - CSec - Lt. Commander T’Mur - 1345)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 10 - Main Hanger - CSRD Lieutenant T'shalaith - 1532)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 10 - Main Hanger - ACEO Tegian Pex - 1534)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 10 - Main Hanger - CSRD Lieutenant T'shalaith - 1535)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 10 - Main Hanger - ACEO Tegian Pex - 1536)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 3 - T'shaliath's quarters - CSRD Lieutenant T'shalaith - 1549)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 3 - T'shaliath's quarters - ACEO Ensign Tegian Pex - 1551)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 3 - T'shaliath's quarters - CSRD Lieutenant T'shalaith - 1557)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 3 - T'shaliath's quarters - ACEO Tegian Pex - 1600)
(USS Illuminar -Sickbay -- Deck 5 - CMO/3XO Commander Quinna Solice - 1606)
(USS Illuminar -Sickbay -- Deck 5 - ACEO Ensign Tegian Pex - 1608)
(USS Illuminar -Sickbay -- Deck 5 - CMO/3XO Commander Quinna Solice - 1634)
(USS Illuminar -Sickbay -- Deck 5 - ACEO Ensign Tegian Pex - 1637)
(USS Illuminar -Sickbay -- Deck 5 - CMO/3XO Commander Quinna Solice- 1642)
(USS Illuminar -Sickbay -- Deck 5 - ACEO Ensign Tegian Pex-1643)
(USS Illuminar - Sickbay -- Deck 5 - CSRD Lieutenant T'shalaith - 1647)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 2 - Personal Quarters - SFI - Lt. Michael Weston - 1900)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 2 -Corridor - CMO/3XO Commander Quinna Solice - 1902)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 2 -Corridor - SFI- Lt. Michael Weston - 1903)
(USS Illuminar - Rec Room - 3XO/CMO Commander Quinna Solice - 1907)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 11 - The Rec Room - SFI- Lt. Michael Weston - 2009)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 11 - The Rec Room SPA LT JG Ariel Trei - 2010)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 11 - The Rec Room - 3XO/CMO Commander Quinna Solice - 2015)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 2 - Personal Quarters - CSec - Lt. Commander T’Mur - 2020)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 2 - Hammons Quarters -- Moral Officer Leeza Pel - 2025)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 3 - Hammons Quarters -- SecO, CPO Steven Hammons - 2028)
(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- Leeza Pel - 2045)
(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- SFI - Lt. Michael Weston- 2048)
(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- SFI - Leeza Pel- 2050)
(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- SFI - Lt. Michael Weston- 2052)
(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- COUNS Alaya Ravenstone-Hammons - 2053)
(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- SecO - CPO Steven Hammons- 2054)
USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- CMO/3XO Commander Quinna Solice 2100)
(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- SFI - Lt. Michael Weston- 2300)
(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- SecO, CPO Steven Hammons- 2303)
(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- CMO/3XO Commander Quinna Solice 2305)
(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- SFI - Lt. Michael Weston - 2315)

Day: 11

(USS Illuminar - Deck 11 - The Rec Room - SFI- Lt. Michael Weston and 3XO/CMO
Commander Quinna Solice - 0130)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 4- Sickbay - MO- Dr. Kyllee Stev, 3XO/CMO Commander Quinna Solice,
SFI Lt. Michael Weston- 0135)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 14- Trei's Office - SPA LT JG Ariel Trei - 1300)
(USS Illuminar -- Weapons Storage -- PO1 R’Rah -- 1301)
(USS Illuminar- Deck 14- SFI Office - SFI - Lt. Michael Weston- 1302)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 14- Trei's Office SPA LT JG Ariel Trei - 1316)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 14- Trei's Office - SFI - Lt. Michael Weston -1317)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 14- Trei's Office - SPA - LT JG Ariel Trei - 1320)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 14- Trei's Office - Security PO1 P’Rah - 1325)
(USS Illuminar - Trei's Office - SFI - Lt. Michael Weston -1326)
(USS Illuminar - Trei's Office - SPA LT JG Ariel Trei - 1330)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 14 - Trei's Office - Security PO1 P'Rah - 1335)
USS Illuminar - Deck 14 - Trei's Office - SFI - Lt. Michael Weston -1336)
(USS Illuminar - Deck 14 - Hall outside Trei's Office - Security PO1 P’Rah - 1345)

Day 12

(USS Illuminar - Sickbay -- Deck 5 -- CMO/3XO Commander Quinna Solice and MO Dr. Kyllee
Stev -- 0730)

____________________________________________________________________________
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Day: 8
Stardate: 2446.03.11
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(USS Illuminar - Deck 5 - Sickbay - CMO/3XO Lt. Commander Quinna Solice - 1540)

"I'm a joined Trill, doctor. Could it have anything to do with that?" asked Tegian.

Quinna shook her head, “No, that would only be the case if you are newly joined. I don’t see
that here.”

Quinna thought for a minute and went to the replicator. “Pomegranate Juice” Quinna ordered.
She returned with a glass of Juice in her hands. “Here, Drink. It is Pomegranate Juice. It will
help rehydrate your body from the liquid your loss with the burn and will help with your Blood
Pressure.
Quinna was putting information into the PADD. "Hmm, it tastes better than it smells." He said.

Quinna smiled, as she noticed the numbers dropping. “Oh I like that. Your BP is dropping down
to normal levels. It was your body reacting to the trauma.”

(Reply Pex)

“Looks like you are good to go. Do you have any questions?”

(REply Pex)
(Posted by Kris B)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 5 - Sickbay - ACEO Ensign Tegian Pex -1542)

Quinna shook her head, “No, that would only be the case if you are newly joined. I don’t see
that here.”

Tegian shrugged, not sure what else to say.

The doctor seemed happy with Tegian drinking the juice and the results it produced on his blood
pressure. It wasn't anything that Tegian had bothered to understand. She said, “Oh I like that.
Your BP is dropping down to normal levels. It was your body reacting to the trauma.”

"I shall take your word for it, Doctor," replied Tegian.

The Doctor then seemed to dismiss him. “Looks like you are good to go. Do you have any
questions?”

"Am I allowed to return to work now that you've healed me so magnificently?" He grinned at
her, flexing his arm, carefully.

(Reply Quinna)
(Posted by Keith)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 5 - Sickbay -CMO/3XO Lt. Commander Quinna Solice -1545)

"Am I allowed to return to work now that you've healed me so magnificently?" He grinned at
her, flexing his arm, carefully.

“You are good to go as long as you quit playing with fire, especially the Plasma ones,” Quinna
replied with a smile.

(Reply Pex IYW)
(Posted by Kris B)
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Day 10
Stardate 2446.03.13
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(Imerial Yacht Surak - Bridge - Vulcan High Consort - T’Mur (MU) - 1210)

Trei had done part of the job she’d been hired to do. She had been able to bring Sienna Verin to
T’Mur but she had been able to locate the USS Illuminar and set the huntress off in search of
her betrothed. The princess informed Sekal of her intention to collect the woman herself and
he “gave her permission.” As if she needed his permission. In fact, he looked somewhat
relieved that she was leaving again.

By the time she had gotten to Bajoran space the ship was no longer to be found. However she
was able to find the trail of their warp signature, and that if another ship, this USS Rhyne she’d
heard about throughout the sector.

However, it was the discovery of the freighter captained by some Caitian that had provided the
final clues to tracking down he ships. Apparently the creature had been a past victim of Quinna’s
tender dealings, so it was not too difficult to get the information she wanted.

T’Mur followed the trail to the anomaly. She knew that this was their crossing point. As she
scanned the anomaly she noted that something had entered the rift. An instinct told her that if
she did not go now, she would loose her opportunity. Adjusting her shields she entered the
Maelstrom.

As she entered the the temporal spacial rift something began to happen. The affects of the
Maelstrom was already rocking her ship. Then a flash and her ship was suddenly launched out
of it. She surmized what happened. The Illuminar had detonated a device inside the anomaly to
close it.

When T’Mur was finally able to orient herself and correct the trajectory of the ship the Maelstrom
was gone. She had been uncertain where, or when, she was. Where was simple enough.
Clearly she was not in her own universe. She hadn’t intended to be. Was she in the correct
universe was uncertain. The star systems were slightly different but close enough to predict she
had made it through the anomaly to the correct reality. However it was the time, more
specifically the year, which was uncertain. By her preliminary calculations by adjusting the star
positions for where they should be and how they had been adjusted between the two universes,
it appears that she was in the past. How far was yet to be determined.

“I have patience dearest Sienna,” T’Mur said to herself. “I will wait, and I will have you.”

With that she decided to explore this sector of her new universe. Logic would dictate that she
would need allies, and a different identity. She would have time to devise a plan that, once their
paths crossed again, she would have what is rightfully hers… and perhaps a bit more.

(reply none)
(posted by Al Muir)
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(USS Rhyne– Deck 1 - Bridge– aCO - Michael Weston - 1220)
Weston looked around the near deserted bridge with a mixed feeling of relief and sadness. He
looked at the crew that had decided to stay with the Rhyne to finalize her journey to Earth. The
rest, along with the crew from the Illuminar had already made their way to the transporters and
were already on the Illuminar.

V’Lekkick sat at the conn. “It was logical,” the Vulcan had said, and then didn’t have much else
to say.

Z’h’qaolorh sat at the Ops station. He had reasoned that he had no desire to get used to
another crew. He would end his service with turning the Rhyne over to the fleet and head back
to Andoria to see if he could find if he had any family survivors from the war. E’Mare, the
Klingon engineer just growled and said she wanted to be part of the refit team, if they decided to
do so with the Rhyne. Danny Ambrose chose to stay because, “Who else is going to hold the
rag tag crew together without Weston.”

He sat down in the command chair one last time, and rubbed the arms in a loving manner. He
suddenly checked for hidden food bombs that might have been left by Leeza, and was
pleasantly surprised to find none.

Michael had already taken the time to say his goodbyes to the crew, but he knew he had one
more farewell. He tapped the record button.

“Captain’s log, final entry. We’ve been through a great deal over the past year. Lost some good
people. Found some good people. I guess it all balances out in the end. If there’s one thing I’ve
learned through my years in intelligence it’s that life isn’t fair, and we have to take the bad, with
the good.”

He looked up at the view screen, seeing the Illuminar in its center. “However, what I have
learned over this past year is that it is possible to have a place where I belong. I can’t say that I
belonged in this captain’s seat, but I hope that I did it proud. I’m not sure I belonged in
command, but I hope I commanded well. But I do know where I belong, at least for now. It took
me a while to find it. Then it took me a while to realize what it was. The Illuminar is home, and
believe it or not, I have a family there.”

He stood up from his seat smiling. “It’s time to go home. You’ve served us well old girl. And I will
miss you. But I’m glad to be out of here. Goodbye Rhyne. Godspeed and good luck. End
recording.”

He looked at his remaining crew and nodded. “You are the best crew I’ve led.”

Then he turned and exited to the turbolift. The bridge was silent for a moment unti lE’Mare broke
the silence.

“Wait a minute,” she said, “aren’t we the only crew he’s led.”

V’Lekkick then said, “Logic dictates then that we were his best. I can live with that.”

(reply none)
(posted by Al Muir)
____________________________________________________________________________
(USS Illuminar - Deck 1 - Ready Room - CSRD Lieutenant T'shalaith - 1255)

."Excellent. Illuminar was constructed with an eye to the continuation of the assignment I had
received at Mars, including the installation of an office for the CSRD on Deck 6 of which you are
aware. Understand that accepting this assignment carries with it more responsibility than that of
the CSO. I will reveal that responsibility during this meeting, if you choose not to accept it then
you may decline and take the position of Chief Science Officer."

T'shalaith pursed her lips in thought. He was giving her a way out, but she wasn’t sure she
wanted it. There was so much more to do within the world of Scientific Research and
Development. She considered for a moment. It would put her more in concert with the
scientists Penn and Teller. She had come to accept them and their unique communication style.
“I am amenable to the conditions for the conversation.” She accepted the glass of water as she
waited for him to speak.

"The class from which myself and Commander Verin came was the first mass influx of cadets in
three decades and was based on Mars at Utopia Planitia, the purpose of it was straightforward
and logical, revitalize Starfleet and fuel its return to exploration. The orders given to the science
department and engineering were to consider, experiment, and produce new technologies that
would bring us back to parity with the enemies and competitors of the Federation. After my
promotion to Chief Science Officer Admiral Remae created a new department that bridged the
gap between science and engineering and provided communication and cooperation between
both, scientific research and development."

"Admiral Remae moved me to head of that department and Illuminar itself carries many of the
breakthroughs and advancements that came from it. In addition, I still am heavily involved with
the department on Mars and work continues there to meet the goals I set in materials that will
withstand the energy requirements needed for the next phase of the program which is still years
away. You will answer to me while on the ship and Admiral Salek on Mars who has oversight of
the division."

She blinked. Twice. Reporting to a captain was normal. Reporting to an admiral was
something different than anything she had done in the past. There was more possibility with this
assignment and she had continued to listen, the various opportunities flashed through her mind.
All the research she had quietly been listing in her head now had a place to be used. That
intrigued her. She nodded for him to continue.

"While Mars works to meet the requirements I set you may pursue your own researches on the
ship, I recommend interfacing with them to determine where your researches intersect,
something you are working on might be helpful to their efforts and vice versa. Penn and Teller, if
they remain on the ship will be shifted to work directly under you, independent of general
science. I also expect full cooperation between general science and research and development
should a new CSO be named. Skashe Winters is a good scientist but I have spoken with him in
the past and he does not desire to be a department head at this time, he prefers to concentrate
on his fields of study. In time he may change his mind or another science officer may rise to the
position. I tested and thoroughly vetted Lieutenant Bohb before recruiting him to return to the
fleet, he is a brilliant engineer with an agile mind and will be an excellent resource for you as
well. While we have moved back to parity and in some cases surpassed many your department
will drive advancements in the fleet into the future. Do you accept the assignment?"
T'shalaith drank the remaining water from the cup and returned it to the desk. “There is a
concept within the human culture that the right thing comes to those who wait.” She gave a
thankful nod, “I believe my waiting has been rewarded. I look forward to a continued future
onboard the Illumuniar in service to science, Captain Sekal. I accept the position of Chief of
Scientific Research and Development. Thank you for the opportunity.”

She stood from her chair and headed for the door but stopped at the door and turned to the
captain once more, “I believe this ship may become my new home, Captain.” She thought of
more to say but left it at that for now. She left the ready room and headed for her new office and
the new department that was now hers.

(Reply none)
(posted by Aaron DeLay)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 3 - Officers quarters - CSRD Lieutenant T'shalaith - 1332)

“I forbid it.”

T'shalaith stared at the image of her father’s Katra that stood before her, staring at her with
furrowed brows. “You may occupy a part of my mind, Father…but you do not determine my
life’s future or decisions. Of that I am certain.”

Sath’s Katra crossed his arms, “You do not know the power I wield, daughter.”

She fell silent and stared at him, the coldness of his words washing over her. What had become
of her father in death and his then extended residence in her mind? Had she truly known him?
What was this spirit that stood opposed to her intentions with the engineering officer?

“Nothing happened to me in death, daughter. I was freed. I was no longer bound to a body…I
listened. I learned. I became more. I have found more meaning in the ether of life and space
than I ever imagined possible.”

“I do not consent to you reading my thoughts.”

The figure of Sath cackled and it unsettled her beyond measure. “You have fallen so far from
the teachings of our people, daughter. I do not think I can leave you…I think I must direct you
more in the ways of our teachings. You cannot court this man, daughter. It is not right. You
must find a Vulcan man to bond with. It is the way.”

“No.”

“No? You defy me?”

T'shalaith clenched her teeth, “You are not my father…or at least the father I knew. You have
spent far too much time in the corners of my mind…away from the land of the living and the
realities of the galaxy. What has become of you?”

He pointed a finger at her, “You would betray your people for a…hybrid?” He clicked his tongue,
“There are lines, daughter. I have tolerated your decisions since I died…but this…this is too far.
You left the Vulcan Expeditionary Force and I figured you would return once more…but you
stayed here…far from home. Far from your people. I have spent time thinking of my
legacy…and you are the last piece of that legacy. I do not wish to have that legacy be littered
with a…Trill.” His eyes were cold, the warmth that had been there in their previous
conversations had faded. Something had happened to his Katra. She felt no surprise at this
discovery. Katra’s were not supposed to be in residence more any length of time. His had been
with her for so long. It had gone sour.

“You must go. I will not allow you to do any of this, father.”

He scoffed, “You think you can lock me behind a door? I will find my way out, daughter.”

“I will bury you. Or I will destroy you.” She stared into his faux eyes, “I have found the
possibility of fulfillment…and the answer to my troubles. No one in the galaxy would seek to
step in the way of such a possibility. They would burn in the fires of my determination.” She
stepped forward and stood inches from her father, “You claim that I do not know the power you
yield…I must grant you the same warning. I have spent my years controlling my emotions and
understanding my heart, mind, body, and soul.” She stared into his eyes, the ice of her
indignation tightening the space between them, “I do not wish to hurt you…but I will not hesitate
to protect this man and our possible future. Consider my words, father…and heed them if you
wish to live to see Vulcan and an Ark to extend your time in this galaxy.”

Sath stared at his daughter and the silence held between them. He squinted at her, “We shall
see who emerges victorious, daughter.” He vanished, leaving T'shalaith alone in her quarters.
She closed her eyes and centered herself quickly and quietly. Her father had declared war on
her. She was going to have to fight for her future.

(reply none)
(posted by Aaron D)
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(USS Illuminar - Deck 1 - Ready Room - CSec - Lt. Commander T’Mur - 1345)

Sekal had found the request to be T’Mur’s best man to be a surprise. However, he accepted the
request. Then he said, “I am aware there is normally more to this role than merely taking a
position with one of the participants but I am uncertain of what that entails. Perhaps you could
enlighten me."

T’Mur contemplated the question for a minute and again drew from Sienna. “As I understand it,
you would be responsible for a small celebration for me, to include all of my … friends?”

She looked over at Sienna who appeared to be stifling a giggle. Then she looked over at Sekal
who had raised a curious eyebrow.

"Indeed,” he said. ”I am not an expert on such things but am certain I can find someone who is
up for the task."

T’Mur shook her head, “To be honest, Captain, I could think of no one more expert than you to
find a way for us to celebrate our impending nuptials. Perhaps even an excursion to the Forge.
But I will defer to your judgment.”
Sekai moved his gaze to Sienna, "It is only logical to assume that Doctor Mias has already been
tasked with performing the ceremony."

(reply Verin)

Then his eyes moved back and forth between them. "The next logical question is what the dress
requirements will be for the wedding party."

T’Mur nodded, “It would be logical to assume since Vulcans do not put as much attention to the
celebration of a union, that our ceremony will most likely be Betazoid by nature.” She looked to
Sienna.

(reply Verin)

Sekal gave a shrug and said, "I had assumed as much. Has the date been set yet? It must be
noted that due to orders my schedule while at Earth will be busy once we arrive however I am
certain I can adjust that to compensate for the nuptial duties if necessary."

T’Mur nodded, “We will make all efforts not to encroach up your required time, Captain.
Perhaps if we were to receive the itinerary of your proposed activities while on Earth, we can
adjust our schedule accordingly.”

(reply Sekal, Verin)
(posted by Al Muir)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 10 - Main Hanger - CSRD Lieutenant T'shalaith - 1532)

T'shalaith had come to the event and stayed to the corners and sides with furious intentionality.
Her mind was singularly focused on searching for her father’s Katra in her own head and it was
becoming a frustration to the Vulcan. She did not experience the emotion much, but it was
becoming a regular feature in her experience with her late father. The only good news at the
moment was the blossoming relationship she was finding herself in the midst of with Tegian
Pex. The duality of the blessing it had brought along with a curse would have amused her if she
had been observing it from a distance. Living it and wondering how and what her father’s Katra
had planned did not amuse her. It borderline frightened her, and she could count on one hand
the amount of times that particular emotion had been felt in her heart.

She sighed quietly and inwardly as she resigned herself to departing the event. She was nearly
about to escape when she heard a pleasant voice that was part of her good news.

"Congratulations, Lieutenant! And you're now a section chief! Would you do me the honor of
accompanying me to the Rec Room for this disco? And then, I would like to take you to the
holodeck, just the two of us, for a more private celebration."

She quietly pulled him closer and gently tightened her grip with him, “It would be advisable for
us to pursue the holodeck option at this time.”

(reply Pex)
She nuzzled her nose into his neck and felt a warmth in her heart…and a dull pain in her head.
“I desire…time to discuss something with you.” She looked into his eyes, “There is a warmth in
you I cannot refute, Tegian Pex.”

(reply Pex)

(reply Pex)
(posted by Aaron D)
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(USS Illuminar - Deck 10 - Main Hanger - ACEO Tegian Pex - 1534)

T'shalaith's grip on Tegian surprised him. And her request to skip the disco party concerned
him, but he didn't wish to argue with her.

"Okay, we can skip the disco party. I won't have the time to set up the holodeck the way I was
thinking, but we can just go there to talk."

She nuzzled her nose into his neck and felt a warmth in her heart…and a dull pain in her head.
“I desire…time to discuss something with you.” She looked into his eyes, “There is a warmth in
you I cannot refute, Tegian Pex.”

Tegian circled his arm around her, not at all sure what to make of this change in her, but wanting
to support her and feeling a vulnerability that he hadn't sensed before. "Are you okay,
T'shalaith? We can go somewhere now and talk."

(reply T'shalaith)
(posted by Keith)
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(USS Illuminar - Deck 10 - Main Hanger - CSRD Lieutenant T'shalaith - 1535)

"Are you okay, T'shalaith? We can go somewhere now and talk."

She gave a distracted nod, “My quarters would be a good place to go.

(reply Tegian)

(USS Illuminar - Deck 3 - Officers quarters - CSRD Lieutenant T'shalaith - 1545)

She allowed him to lead her into the room and followed his lead to sit down on one of her
couches in the living space.

(reply Tegian)

T'shalaith felt pressure in her head and fought hard within her own mind to push back against
her father’s Katra. “A unique situation has arisen.” She took to breathing carefully, staring at
the floor while she did so. “My father’s Katra…has become unbalanced.” She held up a hand
to hold his question, “He does not appreciate my intention to court you, Tegian Pex. Hence why
I was…far more physical with you earlier. I wanted to make sure he knew my true feelings for
you…I also desired to…experience some of that physical contact myself.”
(reply Tegian)

(reply Tegian)

(Reply Tegian)
(posted by Aaron D)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 10 - Main Hanger - ACEO Tegian Pex - 1536)

She gave a distracted nod, “My quarters would be a good place to go."

Tegian was surprised. Her quarters? This was moving a lot faster than expected. Something
serious had changed with this woman. He was worried that some balance had shifted with her
father. That was the only reasonable explanation. "Okay. If I wasn't worried about you, I would
think this was taking our relationship to a new level of intimacy." He kept his arm around her as
they left the hanger.

(USS Illuminar - Deck 3 - T'shaliath's quarters - ACEO Ensign Tegian Pex - 1547)

She allowed him to lead her into the room and followed his lead to sit down on one of her
couches in the living space.

Tegian made sure that T'shalaith was comfortable before he took a seat.

Tegian swallowed, nervous. The beginning of relationships were always a bit scary and
exciting. And it wasn't the first time a father objected to him. But, this felt like she was placing
her life in his hands and he felt that he barely knew her. He wanted to know her more, but this
was like jumping off a cliff without first looking to see what was below. Still, she'd already done
that herself. And she'd already shown she was tough, but he badly wanted to protect her.

"I told you we'd take the physical contact at your pace. You just surprised me. I don't know how
to help you fight your father when he's sharing space in your brain, but I will do my best. You
need to tell me what you want and we'll do it together." He slid closer to her on the couch and
took one of her hands.

She shook her head, “For the moment, and the purposes of our conversation, I am
fine…however, once our discussion is concluded…I may yield to you seeking medical
assistance and beyond to assist in…this.”
"Does anyone know about your father's Katra sharing space in your brain except the two of us?"
asked Tegian. "And do you know if medical devices can detect this or can another Vulcan tell?
I only ask because I'm worried that we may have to argue with people that your father is there
and I don't know how to prove it."

He leaned forward. "If I need to build a device to prove it, I will."

(Reply T'shalaith)
(posted by Keith)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 3 - T'shaliath's quarters - CSRD Lieutenant T'shalaith - 1549)

"Does anyone know about your father's Katra sharing space in your brain except the two of us?
And do you know if medical devices can detect this or can another Vulcan tell? I only ask
because I'm worried that we may have to argue with people that your father is there and I don't
know how to prove it. If I need to build a device to prove it, I will."

T'shalaith winced as she leaned back on the couch, “Your worries are
understandable…however, there are at least two Vulcans on board this ship who, if needed,
could mind-meld with me to confirm the situation and its worsening status. As for building a
device, your valor in my stead is noticed”, she shifted her head to glance at him, a quiet and
reserved smile crossing her lips for a brief moment, “...and appreciated by this Vulcan. As for
who knows, the Chief Medical Officer is in the loop about my father's...intrusion. Give me a
moment, I need to…work to contain my father.”

(reply tegian as this starts)

She closed her eyes and evened out her breathing carefully. Slowly her heart slowed, and her
mind cleared as she wrestled back control. She dug deep inside her own soul and mind to
shore up the defenses she had spent her younger years learning. It was a complex and simple
thing to work within the mind, to lock doors, and seal off sections for a time. She strode with
purpose through the spaces and halls of her thoughts, securing each entrance with further
focus, and righteous indignation that blazed in her mind’s eye, fed by her inner strength. It took
her ten minutes to place him behind an intricate system of doors, locks, and walls. Given
several days, he would eventually break free as he learned each of the elements she had
placed in his way. Any time she would spend sleeping would give her further ground to cover
and further ways and means to keep her father’s broken Katra at bay.

(reply tegian at the end of this)

Her eyes slowly opened and she sat forward gingerly and looked at him with fresh eyes,
unclouded by influence. She held out her hand for him to hold, “He is secured behind a
labyrinth of doors, locks, walls, and traps. It will hold him for a time.”

(reply Tegian

(Reply Tegian)
(posted by Aaron D.
____________________________________________________________________________
(USS Illuminar - Deck 3 - T'shaliath's quarters - ACEO Ensign Tegian Pex - 1551)

Tegian watched with concern as T'shalaith winced in pain. But he was reassured that at least
other Vulcans could assess her situation and that the medical staff knew of it. He was also
happy that he managed to coax a smile out of her. Tegian smiled back. "Okay, I'm glad that
others know. It will make it easier to get you help."

When she closed her eyes, he waited patiently, but concerned. He watched her breathing,
carefully, and the rest of her body, to see if he could watch what he imagined was some sort of
war going on in her mind.

He took her hand and stroked it gently. "I wish there was more I could do for you. Should we go
to sickbay? I think we should let them know that your condition has grown more serious. Maybe
we can find you transportation to Vulcan."

(reply T'shalaith)
(posted by Keith)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 3 - T'shaliath's quarters - CSRD Lieutenant T'shalaith - 1557)

"I wish there was more I could do for you. Should we go to sickbay? I think we should let
them know that your condition has grown more serious. Maybe we can find you
transportation to Vulcan."

T'shalaith opened her mouth to respond when suddenly she found she no longer had
control of her vocal cords. Instead, it was the Katra of her father that spoke in her voice,
“You will never court my daughter. I will make sure of…,”

With a great amount of mental strength, she forced him away from her voice and took
quick control, “He is moving faster than I expected. He took control of my voice, but I do
not know how much longer I can hold him back. I may have to…” She got a faraway look
in her eyes before she shouted at him, “DUCK!”

(reply Tegian)

Her arm took a swing at the Trill, but thanks to her warning, it missed. She growled and
took a running start at the wall of her quarters, the burning anger that had suddenly lit
within her spreading through her. She aimed her head at the wall and slammed into it
with great force, groaning as she collapsed to the ground.

(reply Tegian)

The world was filled with stars and lights and all she could muster was a, “Get me to
sickbay and sedate me. He’s going to war, Tegian Pex…and he wants to kill you. I
cannot allow that to happen.” She raised her head as high as she could and pounded it
into the carpet with a hard thump, and her body finally gave up, and she passed out.

(reply Tegian)

(reply Tegian)
(posted by Aaron D.)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 3 - T'shaliath's quarters - ACEO Tegian Pex - 1600)

T'shalaith opened her mouth to respond when suddenly she found she no longer had control of
her vocal cords. Instead, it was the Katra of her father that spoke in her voice, “You will never
court my daughter. I will make sure of…,”

With a great amount of mental strength, she forced him away from her voice and took quick
control, “He is moving faster than I expected. He took control of my voice, but I do not know
how much longer I can hold him back. I may have to…” She got a faraway look in her eyes
before she shouted at him, “DUCK!”

Tegian wasn't sure what was going on, nor why she was crying out about an earth waterfowl,
but he understood she might not have any more control of her body. Tegian had some hand to
hand combat, but he froze in the moment. Pez took over, and stepped back, out of T'shalaith of
her reach.

Her arm took a swing at the Trill, but thanks to her warning, it missed. She growled and took a
running start at the wall of her quarters, the burning anger that had suddenly lit within her
spreading through her. She aimed her head at the wall and slammed into it with great force,
groaning as she collapsed to the ground.

Pez kept control of Tegian's body and put a knee on her back to keep T'shalaith on the floor.

The world was filled with stars and lights and all she could muster was a, “Get me to sickbay
and sedate me. He’s going to war, Tegian Pex…and he wants to kill you. I cannot allow that to
happen.” She raised her head as high as she could and pounded it into the carpet with a hard
thump, and her body finally gave up, and she passed out.

"I'll take care of you, don't worry," Tegian said, taking back control from Pex or Pex giving
control back to Tegian. Tegian couldn't really tell and maybe it didn't matter. When T'shalaith
was unconscious, Tegian replicated restraints and fastened them on her wrists, behind her
back, just in case.

Then, he carefully picked her up in his arms and carried her to sickbay.

(USS Illuminar - Deck 5 - Sickbay - ACEO Tegian Pex - 1605)

Tegian arrived at sickbay, carrying T'shalaith and found an empty bed to put her on. He looked
around for help.

(Reply Medical staff)
(posted by Keith)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar -Sickbay -- Deck 5 - CMO/3XO Commander Quinna Solice - 1606)

Quinna was about to leave when she turned to see T’Shaliath being carried in and placed on a
biobed by Pex. Quinna literally ran to the biobed and initiate the diagnostics. “What
happened?” was her usual question in circumstances.

(reply Pex, T’Shal, IYW)

Quinna leaned over and looked into her patient’s eyes. “Is there anything else I need to know?.”
Quinna reached over to her supplies and took out a neuro suppressor. Her brain waves were
off the charts.

(Reply Pex, T’Shal, IYW)

(Played by Kris B)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar -Sickbay -- Deck 5 - ACEO Ensign Tegian Pex - 1608)

Quinna was about to leave when she turned to see T’Shaliath being carried in and placed
on a biobed by Pex. Quinna literally ran to the biobed and initiated the diagnostics.
“What happened?” was her usual question in circumstances.

"Her father's Katra broke through her confinement," Tegian struggled to find the right
words. "He tried to use her body to attack me. And T'shalaith stopped him by running
into a wall, head first and then slamming her head against the floor until she knocked
herself unconscious. She said she couldn't control her father anymore. That's why the
restraints. If she regained consciousness, I didn't want her father fighting me off." Tegian
looked across the biobed at Quinna. "Doctor, she'd expressed concern about her father's
feelings about me and the whole situation with having her father's Katra inside of her, but
this is putting her life at risk."

Quinna leaned over and looked into her patient’s eyes. “Is there anything else I need to
know?.” Quinna reached over to her supplies and took out a neuro suppressor. Her brain
waves were off the charts.

"Can you do anything to help her? Can you ask the Captain to arrange transport to
Vulcan to get rid of her father's Katra? As I understand it, that's the end solution."

(reply Quinna)
(Posted by Keith)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar -Sickbay -- Deck 5 - CMO/3XO Commander Quinna Solice - 1634)

"Can you do anything to help her? Can you ask the Captain to arrange transport to Vulcan to
get rid of her father's Katra? As I understand it, that's the end solution."
Quinna took in the information. “If I can’t, I know someone that can.” Quinna took a deep
breath. “I will do anything I have for her.” Quinna knew that feeling between two people. Pretty
much will do anything you have to in order to save the one you love. She saw that with her and
Michael. Quinna had died for him.

(Reply Pex)

Quinna adjusted the neuro inhibitor. Looking at the neuro activity, Quinna could see two distinct
brain patterns but she could not isolate them from each other “It may be best if I put T’Shaliath
into a medically induced coma in case the neuro inhibitor does not work.”

(Reply Pex)

“I have out on restraints. You need to talk to her and only her regardless of what personality
comes to the surface.” Quinna took a deep breath. “I will talk to the Captain.”

(Reply Pex)
(posted by Kris B)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar -Sickbay -- Deck 5 - ACEO Ensign Tegian Pex - 1637)

The Doctor knew someone that could help T'shalaith, if she couldn't. Tegian held onto
that thought. "Someone onboard or do I need to take her somewhere?"

Medical jargon came at Tegian. He tried to process it, but he was a little too numb at the
moment. "Do what you feel is necessary, Doctor. I trust you."

“I have out on restraints. You need to talk to her and only her regardless of what personality
comes to the surface.” Quinna took a deep breath. “I will talk to the Captain.”

Tegian tried to repeat the words the doctor said. He obviously wasn't functioning well himself.
He couldn't process them. "The problem wasn't the talking, Doctor. It was that they were
fighting over the possession of the body with one of them trying to use the body to attack me
and the other using the body to prevent it by rendering the body unconscious. I didn't want
them to hurt themselves anymore. Can you keep them in a stasis field so that if they regain
consciousness, no matter who it is, they can't move?"

(reply Quinna)
(posted by Keith)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar -Sickbay -- Deck 5 - CMO/3XO Commander Quinna Solice- 1642)

"The problem wasn't the talking, Doctor. It was that they were fighting over the possession of
the body with one of them trying to use the body to attack me and the other using the body to
prevent it by rendering the body unconscious. I didn't want them to hurt themselves anymore.
Can you keep them in a stasis field so that if they regain consciousness, no matter who it is,
they can't move?"
“She will remain in stasis for now. Don’t worry. I can put her in a medical coma but I am
reluctant to do that. Using your voice as an anchor could help T’Shaliath. It is worth a try. Don’t
you think?”

(Reply Pex)

“You two seem to have bonded quickly. It is good to see. Makes life easier when you have
someone to share experiences with,” and here was Quinna’s Psychology degree and
Counseling career come out in her. Right now Pex was as much her patient as T’Shaliath.

(reply Pex)

(posted by Kris B)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar -Sickbay -- Deck 5 - ACEO Ensign Tegian Pex-1643)

“She will remain in stasis for now. Don’t worry. I can put her in a medical coma but I am
reluctant to do that. Using your voice as an anchor could help T’Shaliath. It is worth a try. Don’t
you think?”

Tegian nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

Tegian sighed, looking at T'shaliath on the table. "I don't know about all that, Doctor. T'shalaith
had wanted to take it slow and we had just been holding hands up until today. But, I do care
about her and I want to help her."

He squatted near the biobed, and spoke near her ear. "T'shalaith, I don't know if you can hear
me. I got you safely to sickbay and you're in a statis field. Doctor Quinna believes she can help
you and if not, she knows someone else who can."

(reply T'shalaith, Quinna)
(posted by Keith)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Sickbay -- Deck 5 - CSRD Lieutenant T'shalaith - 1647)

The world had gone dark for her, but in the darkness, the fight continued. Her father’s Katra
hunted her as she scattered through the fortress of her mind, running from corner to corner,
battlement to battlement, and spire to spire. She had underestimated him and his power…and
woefully overestimated hers. If she was to feel anything, it would be regret.

~You are a regret~ The voice of her father lilted around above her.

Another voice broke through and this one she felt a surge of courage in hearing as his words
drifted through her mind, "T'shalaith, I don't know if you can hear me. I got you safely to sickbay
and you're in a stasis field. Doctor Quinna believes she can help you and if not, she knows
someone else who can."

T'shalaith closed her eyes and gathered herself. She was safe from harming others and that
was enough. She knew she needed to secure herself from her father while they would find
someone to help treat her and remove his sickly Katra from her. If she openly fought him on the
plane of her consciousness, she knew she would lose. He had broken through her greatest
constructions as it was paper. T'shalaith knew if he got ahold of her, he would kill her…and
nothing any medical professional could do would bring her back. The death of a Katra…of a
soul…wasn’t something you came back from in any universe.

Gathering her strength, she went to the center of her mind where she could secure herself
inside a room that would hold out under any kind of pressure. It would leave him to wander the
caverns and cathedrals of her brain, but she would secure the innermost part of herself there
and wait for someone to come let her out. It was a last resort, one she had never considered - a
locked box that would hold her inside, unable to escape. To get her out…to release her…would
take every ounce of Vulcan science and mysticism they had. Her father had forbidden her to
learn of it, but being a teenager, she went in search anyway. She had practiced it in rebellion
against him and built it up year after year in her mind until it was complete. Perhaps he found it
in his wanderings in her head, and that is what had sent his Katra into darkness. He knew she
had gone against him and built something that not even he could enter.

T'shalaith wasn’t sure what the answer to her wonderings was, but she needed to be safe from
him. As long as they kept her under sedation, he could not harm anyone. She slipped inside
the reinforced room and slid the door until it clicked…and then locked, the resounding thunder
shaking every corner of her consciousness. She could hear him roar faintly through the walls,
and knew that now she would have to wait for the rescue that she hoped was coming.

(reply none)
(posted by Aaron D.)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 2 - Personal Quarters - SFI - Lt. Michael Weston - 1900)

Michael looked at himself in the mirror. It was the first time in nearly a year he hadn't seen
himself not in his uniform. But now he was in a different costume, playing a different character.
However, this one was a bit more fun. He straightened the vest of the white suite. His
burgundy shirt stood out from the starkness of the vest, unbuttoned down to his chest. He put
on the jacket smoothed and straightened the collar. He thought the gold chain was a nice
touch. He struck a disco pose he'd seen in a historical document and laughed. Then the door
chime rang.

He opened the door and looked at Quinna. Words failed him. He was flabbergasted. She was
gorgeous. The loose flowing gown moved freely around her. The plunging neckline was very
inviting.

"Well, hello, " he said.

"Well, well, if it isn't Disco Mikey," Quinna said with a smile.
"You like it?" Michael asked. "I'm thinking of making it standard uniform." He spun around and
struck a pose.

(reply Quinna)

"You clean up pretty good yourself," he said, pulling her into a hug. She felt so good against
him. He didn't really want to let her go, but if he didn't, he wouldn't. He stepped back holding
onto Quinna's hands. "Ok Miss Twinkletoes, are you ready to dance?"

(reply Quinna)
(posted by Al Muir)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 2 -Corridor - CMO/3XO Commander Quinna Solice - 1902)

"You like it?" Michael asked. "I'm thinking of making it standard uniform." He spun around and
struck a pose.

“Sexy as ever.”

“Bring it on, Baby. I just hope you can keep up,” Quinna poked a bit.

(Reply Weston)

As the two walked the corridor arm in arm, Quinna took the opportunity to take. “It is funny, you
have been gone a week in my point of view, but you have really changed. The beard and
mustache,” Then Quinna added, “Which I love.” Quinna went back to her other tune, “The
Uniform and pip.” Quinna left it open.

(Reply Weston)

“That was quite a moment you had with Leeza. I am not going to have to worry about the
competition, am I?” Quinna chuckled a bit.

(Reply Weston)
(posted by Kris B)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 2 -Corridor - SFI- Lt. Michael Weston - 1903)

"I just hope you can keep up,” Quinna quipped.

Michael chuckled, “Baby, after a year on the Rhyne I am ready for a night on the town.”

He offered his arm to Quinna and she interlocked their elbows as they walked down the corridor.
“It is funny,” Quinna suddenly said, ”you have been gone a week, in my point of view, but you
have really changed. The beard and mustache.” She paused and looked at him. “Which I love.
The Uniform and pip.”

“Yeah, well, the uniform took a bit to get used to,” he admitted. “But I had to do it to represent
the Rhyne. And then when Dieter… anyway, I just felt I should stick with it. As for the lips?
Who’d have thought I’d wind up a stand up guy?”

“That was quite a moment you had with Leeza,” Quinna changed the subject. ”I am not going to
have to worry about the competition, am I?”

Michael stopped and laughed, then got serious. “I should warn you about that. Leeza is a little
possessive so you may have to take some precautions. It was a very interesting gestalt that we
had created for her. P’Rah was the protector, Gregory was sort of the father figure, and me… I
was the distraction to keep her from going crazy. I was the older, annoying, big brother. When
Dieter went down I had to assume a dual role. She’s a great kid, but she has a mind of her own.
And there’s more, but I don’t want to talk shop tonight. I want to… dance.”

He spun around and stopped in front of the turbolift, grabbed Quinna’s hand and pulled her into
his arms with a twirl. He kissed her until the doors of the turbolift opened.

(reply Quinna)
(posted by Al Muir)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Rec Room - 3XO/CMO Commander Quinna Solice - 1907)

Quinna and Michael entered the Rec Room. The last time she was there was when she
canceled her own wetting down. Now it was a much-deserved party for everyone. The crowd
was relatively light, she turned and kissed Michael on the cheek. “Why don’t you get us some
drinks, and I am going to grab a couple of chairs.” Quinna moved away.

(Reply Weston)

(USS Illuminar - Deck 4 -Rec Room - 3XO/CMO Commander Quinna Solice - 2006)

Abba even all these centuries later has become a crowd favorite. When Dancing Queen started
Quinna jumped to the dance floor. There she literally bumped into Ariel. Both of her hands
went to her mouth in an “Oops” Moment. Then Quinna extended her hand to Ariel. “I am so
sorry,” Quinna said.

(Rely Trei)

“Come on Dancing Queen, Go show them what you have,” Quinna said.

(Reply Trei)
(Reply Any)
(Posted by Kris B)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 11 - The Rec Room - SFI- Lt. Michael Weston - 2009)
As they entered the Rec Room Quinna had told Michael to get drinks while she found chairs.
He looked around and shrugged. Good luck with that. He noted that the tables were mostly
standing tables, and there were very few shorter tables with chairs. The arrangement was
designed to keep people on the dance floor. It was brilliant, from the point of view of Becca,
who had planned for people to party.

But Michael hadn't eaten, and he also didn't want to drink without getting some food in his
stomach. Still, orders were orders. He was also surprised by Quinna's directness. She had
changed a great deal in the past... week? It was still hard to believe it had only been a little over
a week for them. She had grown in confidence.

He went to the bar and ordered a couple of glasses of Risan Rose wine. As he made his way to
the table that Quinna had secured he passed a table of food. Quickly, he loaded a plate with
hors d'oeuvres and set the plate on the table. He offered the wine to Quinna and sat down
across from her. He wanted to watch her as he ate.

Then he began to ask about what had occurred on the ship while he'd been gone. He asked
about Sienna Williams-Verin and T'Mur. Uncharacteristically, she gave little detail, and he hadn't
been in the mood to pry information from her, although he took a mental note to come back
round to the conversation at another time.

They sat, in silence, enjoying just being together, for nearly an hour. They'd arrived early and
watched as others came into the room. Andy Taylor arrived and nodded at Weston. Weston
held his glass of wine up in acknowledgment. Then Ariel Trei came in. A song came on that,
clearly, Quinna recognized. She jumped up and headed to the dance floor. She hadn't waited
to ask Michael to join her, so he sat back and watched the show.

Quinna bumped into Trei, nearly knocking the woman over. She held out her hand, saying
something to her, and the two began dancing together. Michael wasn't familiar with "disco
dancing" but appaarently it included a lot of gyrating hips and shaking shoulders. He found
watching them to be almost... erotic.

Michael had seen Quinna "cut loose" at the last party, for Lt. Commander Greggory's wetting
down. She held the nickname of the kissing doctor for a while. He had hoped to avoid that this
time, but clearly the girl knew how to party.

Suddenly the music changed. There were a lot of cheers as people who recognized the song
recognized the song and all came onto the dance floor.

"Young man, there's no need feel down. I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground."

Michael could feel the beat of the music and decided it was time to join Quinna on the dance
floor. He waded his way through the sea of people. He finally caught up to Quinna when the
song hit its chorus.

"Its fund to stay at the YMCA."

People started making odd gestures to make their bodies look like the letters they were spelling
out. He wondered what a YMCA was. It seemed to be an acronym for some, with the YM
apparently meaning Young Man. He grabbed hold of Quinna's had to pull her towards him.
(reply Quinna)
(posted by Al Muir)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 11 - The Rec Room SPA LT JG Ariel Trei - 2010)

Quinna bumped into her nearly knocking her down but she was strong. Her strong legs
prevented her from hitting the floor. She can thank cheerleading and gymnastics for that. The
song changed to "YMCA" by the Village People and floor became more crowded. It is a great
song and everyone started contorting their bodies to spell out the letters YMCA. She was
pleasantly surprised to see how great the crowd was doing participating in the song since it is
predominantly an old Teran song. She did some hip moves and some spins to show Quinna her
dancing skills. She extended her hand as to challenge Quinna to show her her skills.

"Your turn."

(Reply Quinna any)
(Posted by Edward)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 11 - The Rec Room - 3XO/CMO Commander Quinna Solice - 2015)

Quinna was already having a great time. All she needed was some Bloodwine in her hands but
she has not seen her supplier yet. When the song changed, Ariel challenged her, "Your turn."

Quinna took the challenge, “You’re on. And here comes my dance partner now.” Quinna was
then swept up by Michael. She tried to show him the moves to YMCA. Her smile widens as she
reaches around Michael helping him with the moves. But suddenly the music changed.

(Reply Trei, Weston, Any IYW)

A Stevie Wonder hit shows the floor down for the first slow dance of the evening. As the initial
lyrics of “Isn't She Lovely?” started, Quinna twirled around and looked directly into Michael’s
eyes. She held him tightly.

(reply Weston, )
(posted by Kris B)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 2 - Personal Quarters - CSec - Lt. Commander T’Mur - 2020)

T’Mur looked at herself in the full length mirror that Sienna kept in their bedroom. It was odd that
she rarely ever used the smaller one that had been in her previous quarters, but she found
herself desiring to be at a different physical appearance level when she was with Sienna. It was
a strange paradigm shift for her.

The dress she selected was made of a silver sequin and glitter fabric on a gray mesh, with a
plunging neckline with shoulder tie detailing, and romper shorts underneath and an elastic
waistband. She touched the silver choker around her throat and moved her fingers down her
exposed flesh.
Stepping into the other room she posed for Sienna. “What do you think, my love? Is this too
much?”

As she stepped into the living area she found Sienna sitting on the sofa. Her head had rolled to
the side and she had fallen asleep. She had been concerned that the activities of the day had
been a bit much for her mate. Moving over to the sofa she sat down and snuggled into Sienna
for a moment. Then she kissed her gently on the cheek.

T’Mur got up and carefully picked Sienna up and carried her into the bedroom. Aftr laying her
on the bed she covered her up with a blanket, kneeled over and kissed her forehead. Sienna
mumbled something soft and loving and rolled over.

When T’Mur stepped away she saw herself in the mirror and decided that she was already
dressed for the event so it was logical that she go alone. If nothing else, the experience should
prove intriguing.

(USS Illuminar - Deck 11 - Rec Room - CSec - Lt. T’Mur - 2030)

When T’Mur entered the Rec Room she had already prepared herself for the assault on her
senses. The music could be heard while she was still in the turbolift. The vibrations could be
felt throught the deck plating. T’Mur could hear Luma giggling as the vibrations seemed to tickle
her.

T’Mur looked around the room at the moment the music stopped. Suddenly she could feel all of
the eyes of the crew on her. Her response was to maintain her focus and simply nod at
everyone. Then the music started again.

She walked over to the bar and ordered a glass of ice water. She’d come to enjoy iced water as
much as many enjoy flavored beverages. Iced water tasted different somehow. She took a
drink and looked at the large for of Cal Dogan.

The Brikar looked at T’Mur and said, “Nice dress.”

“Thank you,” she replied.

Arthur Corday stepped over to her with a smile, “Lt Commander, you look … smoking hot.”

T’Mur looked concerned, “Did I combust spontaneously?”

Snoopy chickled, “That means you look very nice.”

“Ahhh, yes,” T’Mur replied after a moment of thought. “Typically something that you say to
someone that you are attempting to copulate with. I am not interested.”

Snoopy nearly choked on his drink, “Well, it might also be something you say for a less obvious
reason. Care to dance?”

After a moment’s hesitation she realized that was the reason for her coming. “Indeed. That is an
acceptable proposal.”
Snoopy took T’Mur’s hand and led her to the dance floor. After finding the rhythm of the music
she found the dance moves to be basic and even an enjoyable cardiovascular exercise. Soon
there were a line of men gathering to dance the newly promoted Lt. Commander. This was her
‘wetting down’.

(reply any)
(posted by Al Muir)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 2 - Hammons Quarters -- Moral Officer Leeza Pel - 2025)

Leeza sat in her room and held her blanket and doll close. It was different but she could tell
they tried hard to make her room the same as it was on the Rhyne. She was scared that things
were going to change. She needed to be out and about. Leeza found her favorite dress and
went to the family area.

“I am ready to party.” Leeza declared.

(Reply Hammons)

“I want to party. We deserve it.” Leeza insisted.

(Reply Hammons)

“I bet there will be Chocolate Cake….” Leeza added to her reasons to go.

(Reply Hammons)
(Posted by Kris B.)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 3 - Hammons Quarters -- SecO, CPO Steven Hammons - 2028)

Steven was reclining in the living area watching an old holovid from Earth circa 1980's. It was
from a series about two 'cops' who drove around, often at high speeds in a brightly colored
internal combustion vehicle. Steven got a snicker every time the one called Starsky stuck his left
arm out of the driver's side window and attached a red strobe magnetically to the roof of the car
then took off with a screech of rear tires and a cloud of smoke from hot rubber boiling in their
wake.

"I feel the need for speed." He chuckled.

“I am ready to party.”

He looked around to see the toddler in her best dress and shoes with blonde curls done up in
pig tails and grinned at the sight. Damned if she wasn't as cute as a button like nearly every little
girl her age. Steven had the urge every time she was around to pick her up and carry her
around like a medal of honor. He was taking his sweet time though, Leeza needed time to get
used to them and he didn't want to smother her. And then there was the ugly fact you didn't want
to give anyone cause for doubts about your intentions, some reprobates preyed on children and
you wanted to make sure no one got that idea about you. Steven had picked up a number of
them while on duty on Earth and they sickened him, it had taken all of his willpower to keep from
beating them to a mangled pulp.

"A party?" His eyes lit up. "Gosh dang it I forgot! Commander Solice's party right?" He
deliberately scrubbed his language around her, Pel might be ancient but little girls shouldn't be
exposed to vulgarisms.

“I want to party. We deserve it.”

He chuckled at the look of determination on her face. "Hang on now, I never said no. There can't
be a real party without the ship's Morale Officer present now can there? You want to make sure
the crew is having a good time."

Alaya was puttering around in the kitchenette so he raised his voice. "Dinner date my love with
dancing and booze, er ah... adult libations. Get changed and we'll get going, Leeza has already
ninja'ed us on wardrobe."

(Reply: Alaya)

“I bet there will be Chocolate Cake….” Leeza noted as he stood to his feet.

With a twinkle in his eye he winked at her. "Pel didn't have a betazoid host by accident at some
point did he? I swear you are just like one." His laughter followed him as he padded toward the
bedroom to change.

(USS Illuminar - Deck 3 - Hammons Quarters -- COUNS Alaya Ravenstone- Hammons - 2030)

Bringing a child into their lives had not been a difficult decision. Steven loved all children and
Alaya had been adopted, and wanted a large family. That Leeza needed a home and that home
should be with them was not in doubt. Implementing that home had been more difficult.

First had come the discussion with Operations about the need for family quarters. Steven had
grinned when only a 3-bedroom had been available. As he had triumphantly said, they would
have a room for the nursery. Alaya had simply narrowed her eyes at her mate and kept the
peace.

Secondly had come the need to move. To look at their home with the eyes of a 3-year old and
get rid of everything that was dangerous. It made Alaya somewhat sad to pack her antique
betazoid weapons away, and for Steven to do the same with his sharp, pointy things. Then was
the need for a lockbox for Alaya's paired ankle daggers and Steven's work accoutrements.
Alaya still wasn't happy with the lock box idea, while that might work for the average 3 yr old, it
wasn't going to work for Leeza.

That brought up that they needed to do this in less than 24 hours. So some of the things that
Alaya had wanted with the quarters- like a full set of holo-emitters, especially in Leeza's room -
had not happened yet. Nor had Alaya had the chance to do anything about meeting one of the
joined trills on the ship, of which they were lucky enough to have several, and arrange a mentor
for Leeza. Nor had Alaya had a chance to arrange for lessons of some sort. They didn't have a
dedicated teacher..maybe she could request one.. because if Steven's mind was on babies and
Sy and T were going to be formally wed...well with the average age of the beings on the ship,
babies weren't far off in the future.
Alaya sat her knife down as she realized the sheer amount of administrative red tape that they
were going to have to dig through. A 3-yr old joined trill was a bad idea all around from
everything that Alaya had a chance to very quickly study. They were going to need to recruit a
pediatrician who was extremely familiar with the needs of the toddler. And a decent counselor
Alaya was not going to be counselling the child, she wanted to be her parent and it was
unethical to be both. And there was going to be a fight with the Symbiosis Commission. .
Maybe Sienna who had worked tirelessly to save the symbionts and had a research hospital
named after her on Trill might be a good person to pull into this fiasco. Maybe her Mother who
had dealt with similar problems when adopting the survivors of the attack on San Francisco
might be worth a word. And the Captain's Admiral Daddy was an implacable force when the
man wanted something.

Alaya stared blankly down at the cucumber she had been chopping and had diced while lost in
her thoughts. Looking at the recipe card, she wondered if diced would work. Nope. What the
heck was she going to be doing with a bunch of tiny pieces of cucumber? Dump it in a salad.
Steven had wanted this meal to be prepared by hand, but Alaya had noted that he was wisely
staying out of the kitchen. He should have known that this was going to be a mess.

Steven had poked his head into the kitchenette to take in the scene and then very wisely
decided not to comment.

"Dinner date my love with dancing and booze, er ah... adult libations. Get changed and we'll get
going, Leeza has already ninja'ed us on wardrobe."

Alaya stared at her mate then nodded, "Leeza, come on and help me pick out something pretty
to wear."

“I bet there will be Chocolate Cake….” Leeza noted as he stood to his feet.

Alaya laughed as Steven made a comment about their having been a betazoid host once. They
had been very quickly briefed on the information that the little girl had been instructed to keep
the symbiont secretive, but it was important that Leeza accepted and understood the nature of
the symbiont, and how her own life was going to be affected.

Gazing into her closet, Alaya picked out a gold jumpsuit with thigh high heeled leather boots.
Her blue hair was going to look amazing with the gold jumpsuit under disco lights. Deciding
against makeup, Alaya put her daggers into her boots and stomped down to settle the blades.

"I'm ready, I'm ready. Glad they are going to have some food there because... I ruined dinner."
She grinned as she took in her family. They weren't quite there yet but they would get there. And
the journey was part of the fun.

(reply iyw)
(posted by Mel)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- Steven Hammons - 2040)
With two females in tow, both holding a hand he stepped into the cacophony of light and noise
that was the party. Nearly shouting he spoke as he looked down at Leeza. "All this needs is
Huggy Bear as the DJ."

He laughed and hoisted the little girl to his shoulder so that she could see then called out. "The
Morale Officer wants to dance, somebody play Disco Duck. And where are the desserts?"

(Reply: Any)
(Posted by Charles G)

____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- Leeza Pel - 2045)

"The Morale Officer wants to dance, somebody, play Disco Duck. And where are the desserts?"

Leeza looked at Hammons, “Disco Duck sounds silly.”

(Reply Hammons)

“Bring on the Cake,” Leeza then looked around and saw her Mikey dancing. “MIKEY!” Leeza
screams and then dashed off running to him. It was then she noticed that he was dancing with
“Her.”

Leeza bumped into Quinna by ‘accident’ “OOps Sorry” Leeza said and then looked at Michael,
“Dance with me.”

(Reply Weston)

Leeza smiled as the blond left the floor and sat down.

“Here we are again. I missed you.” Leeza said.

(Reply Weston)
(Reply: Any)

(Posted by Kris B)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- SFI - Lt. Michael Weston- 2048)

Michael had managed to keep up with Quinna, to some extent, with the dancing portion of the
disco. He had enjoyed the "slow dance." The rest became easier as soon as he had likened
then to martial arts forms. It was still a little awkward but more doable.

The music changed and the song began with a strange rhythmic quacking. Then he heard over
the crowd a familiar voice.

“Bring on the Cake,”

Michael looked across the room to see the Hammons’ and Leeza. He smiled a huge smile.
“MIKEY!” Leeza screamed.

She ran across the room, bumping into Quinna and sending her toppling to the side. Michael
caught her to keep the woman from falling.

“OOps Sorry” Leeza said and then looked at Michael, “Dance with me.”

Michael looked at Quinna apologetically, shrugging with “What can I do” look. He took Leeza’s
hand and headed to the center of the dance floor.

“Let’s go squirt,” he said in his playful voice.

“Here we are again. I missed you.” Leeza said.

“It’s been a whole four hours,” Michael said as he picked the three year old up and began to
swing her to the beat of the song. “But I missed you too.”

The music changed to something slower. “When I need you, I just close my eyes and I see you.”
A message for Leeza. Michael put Leeza down on his feet and held onto her hands. He began
to move his feet with Leeza on them, leading her through the dance.

“So what do you think of the Hammons?” he asked.

(reply Leeza)
(posted by Al Muir)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- SFI - Leeza Pel- 2050)

“So what do you think of the Hammons?” he asked.

“It’s alright” Leeza started, “but it is not home.”

(Reply Weston)

“I want to go home. When can we go back to the Rhyne? When are we going home?” Leeza
said. She missed her ship.

(Reply Weston)

The music ended and something instrumental came on as people took a break. Leeza pulled
Michael’s arm, trying to keep him with her. “Let's go find our Cake. The Ha…” Leeza paused.
What doed she calls the Hammonds? “Let's find Chocolate cake.”

(Reply Weston)

(posted by Kris B.)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- SFI - Lt. Michael Weston- 2052)
“It’s alright” Leeza started, “but it is not home.”

Michael knelt down in front of Leeza, “You’ll get used to it.”

“I want to go home. When can we go back to the Rhyne? When are we going home?” Leeza
said. She missed her ship.

“This is our new home, sweetheart,” Michael told her. “We can’t go back to the Rhyne.”

When the music ended Leeza pulled Michael’s arm, dragging him towards the food.

“Let's go find our Cake. The Ha…” Leeza paused. “Let's find Chocolate cake.”

It had been a big day for this little girl, even if she had a 400 year old symbiont living inside her.
Michael laughed and picked Lees up, setting her on his shoulders. “All right little monkey. Let’s
go find your…” he was a little stuck on what to call them as well, “Steve and Alayna. I’m pretty
sure they’d like some chocolate cake as well. And I can introduce you to vanilla ice cream.”

Michael walked over to the Hammons with Leeza clinging to his neck. “Did you guys loose a
monkey?

(reply Hammons, Leeza)

“I apologize for monopolizing her dance time,” Michael said. He knew that he was going to have
to give them time to bond and his presence was only going to make that more difficult. The best
scenario was that they hung out together.

“I understand the desire and time for chocolate cake have met,” he continued. “And Leeza has
to try vanilla ice cream with her cake.”

He lifted Leeza off his shoulders and put her on the deck between himself and Alayna
Hammons. His eye caught sight of Quinna.

“Excuse me for a moment while I collect my displaced date,” Michael said then looked back at a
forlorn Leeza. “I’ll be right back.”

Michael moved over to Quinna with an apologetic smile, “Woukd you care to Join us for
chocolate cake and ice cream?”

(reply Quinna, Leeza, Hammons)
(posted by Al Muir)
____________________________________________________________________________
(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- COUNS Alaya Ravenstone-Hammons - 2053)

As the trio entered the rec room, the party was hopping. Alaya noticed that T'Mur was dancing
with half the male compliment on the ship, and that Weston seemed to be having a good time
with Quinna. That was when Leeza screamed and took off on a beeline to separate Weston
from Quinna. Alaya's dark betazoid eyes narrowed at that, and took in the situation. Turning to
Steven Alaya nodded towards Quinna, silently sending Steven her desire to head that mess off
as quickly as they could. She had been warned that Leeza was going to cling to her caregivers
for the last year. The time dilation was hard for Alaya to understand, but it was real, and it
needed to be taken into consideration while dealing with Leeza.

Alaya felt Leeza's jealousy of Quinna and Weston, then was happy when Weston was dancing
with her. Alaya was concerned with the rapid cycling of Leeza's emotions. What did Alaya know
about children? She had been an only child, raised by the Starfleet couple that found her
escape pod from the betazoid ship that had been destroyed. There was that though, Alaya knew
what it was like to be displaced, and to be raised among a different species and culture.

Weston brought Leeza over and handed her to Steven. Alaya smiled gently, her expression
having cleared.

“Did you guys lose a monkey?"

Alaya laughed and nodded, "It's important that she know that you are still a part of her life. I
was hoping that you and P'Rah will be available to meet with us all in the next couple of days."
Alaya brushed a hand through Leeza's hair.

“I understand the desire and time for chocolate cake have met,” he continued. “And Leeza has
to try vanilla ice cream with her cake.”

Alaya laughed. "As long as she gets a chance to try chocolate ice cream with strawberries with
her chocolate cake too. It's important after all, to scientifically compare the two." Alaya winked
at Leeza, inviting the youngling to join in the comparison that could only be in her favor. "After
all, it's a party. Let's all go grab a table and get some dinner...after our chocolate cake."

(reply leeza, steven, weston, quinna et all)
(posted by Mel)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- SecO - CPO Steven Hammons- 2054)

The party seemed to be a big hit and much fun was had by all. Steven and Alaya had done a bit
of dancing but he had kept his eye on Leeza as best he could during the festivities. She had
torn off to Michael Weston who had been part of her 'family' on the Rhyne as he well knew,
those people had taken good care of her so Steven wasn't concerned for her safety. This ship
had its own extended family and he was glad the crew had been reunited. Besides, the intent
had never been to separate Leeza from the others, only to give her a stable family setting with
guardians to look after her needs.

Eventually Weston sauntered over to them carrying the little girl who had been partying hard.

“Did you guys loose a monkey?

Alaya got in the first word. "It's important that she know that you are still a part of her life. I was
hoping that you and P'Rah will be available to meet with us all in the next couple of days." She
said as she affectionately ran her fingers through the toddlers hair.

“I understand the desire and time for chocolate cake have met,” Weston noted. “And Leeza has
to try vanilla ice cream with her cake.”
His wife was in partial agreement. "As long as she gets a chance to try chocolate ice cream with
strawberries with her chocolate cake too. It's important after all, to scientifically compare the
two. After all, it's a party. Let's all go grab a table and get some dinner...after our chocolate
cake."

Hammons chuckled and shrugged. "Dinner and dessert can be shuffled around on a special
occasion and this one is pretty special so I'm fine with her living it up."

“I apologize for monopolizing her dance time,” The newly minted Lieutenant noted.

"That's fine." Hammons winked. "We know she's safe with you."

“Excuse me for a moment while I collect my displaced date. I’ll be right back.” With that Weston
hurried off.

Hammons had taken possession of Leeza as Weston passed her over and began heading for
the snacks. "Let's go find you a treat."

(Reply: Leeza, Alaya, any)
(Posted by Charles G)
____________________________________________________________________________

USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- CMO/3XO Commander Quinna Solice 2100)

Quinna watched as a 3-year-old little girl swooped in on Michael. She laughed at the sight abut
felt and overall warming in her heart so seeing so much compassion between the two. She
decided that she could sneak out and head to sickbay.

(USS Illuminar -- Sickbay -- Deck 5 -- CMO/3XO Commander Quinna Solice --2105)

Quinna entered sickbay and nodded at the nurse on duty. She made her way to a special part
of Sickbay where Dieter was laying. She closed the gap and took his hand. “I know you can
hear me. I need to wake up. We still have many quests to make and you are a part of the
Quest.”

As she stood there she could still feel the warmth. It was as if he was just sleeping. “You know,
you owe me two parties. And you are missing an incredible Disco going on right now. Leeza
has manipulated all of Michael’s dance card. The Hammons have taken Leeza into their home.”

“Quinna?” A female voice came from the door. Quinna turned.

“Aggie” Quinna went and gave the woman a hug. Quinna and Agnes Vanderstein attended
Medical school together. They also went to Starfleet Academy. Anges, however, came as part
of the civilian service core and Quinna went full Starfleet. “What are you doing here?”

“Well, I was recruited by CSC to replace Mason, That dweeb.” Aggie laughed. “Cannot believe
he got married like that.” Aggie paused for a moment, “Don’t you have a party to be at?”

“Yeah, I am on my way,” Quinna said.
“I will watch over him,” Aggie assured Quinna.

“Well, that is a stubborn man, good luck. I appreciate it. If he wakes, contact Dr. Kyllee and
then me. I think I am going to get my drink on.” Quinna said.

“Oh no. No man’s lips are safe.” Aggie replied as Quinna.

(reply none)
(posted by Kris B)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- SFI - Lt. Michael Weston- 2300)

For the next two hours Michael and Steve took turns dancing with Leeza. When he wasn't
dancing with Leeza Michael was dancing with Quinna. Every time a slow dance came on, and
Michael began to get comfortable with Quinna in his arms there would be movement around his
legs. He'd look down to see Leeza squeezing herself between the two of them, and looking up
at him, with those sad, sorrowful eyes. Michael would look at Quinna and shrug his shoulders,
giving her a "duty calls" look.

After some time, he could tell that the chocolate cake was wearing off, and Leeza was beginning
to lose ground to her fatigue. The music shifted again to a slow dance and before Michael could
even approach Quinna, Leeza was there holding her hands out.

"Mikey, Mikey, slow dance with me," she pleaded.

Michael smiled and picked the three year old and began to spin her around. The song started
with a slow piano riff followed by a bass line. A high pitch of a young voice began to sing.

"You and I must make a pact.
We must bring salvation back.
Where there is love, I'll be there."

Michael held onto Leeza tightly and began to sway back and forth. Slowly but surely he could
start to feel Leeza go more and more limp in his arms. The song was the prerfect song for him
and Leeza. By the time the chorus was playing Leeza laid her head on his shoulder and passed
into unconsciousness, a much older voice began to sing.

"I'll be there with a love so strong.
I'll be your strength,
you know I'll keep holding on."

He kept moving with Leeza until he was certain that she was completely out. Then he swayed
off the dance floor towards Steve, and Alaya. He turned around to show Leeza's condition.

He turned back around and said, "I believe she is ready to go home."

(reply Steve, Alaya)

He looked at the couple and took a deep breath, "Hey, we need to talk, soon, about Leeza.
There's something you should know. But not now"
(reply Steve, Alaya)

Relieved of his burden, he moved back over to Quinna. Still, he watched the Hammons as they
left, feeling the separation from Leeza. ~How can you feel so strongly about that child?~ he
asked himself.

Then he turned his full attention to the woman that he understood his strong feelings about. "I'm
sorry Quinna. I just feel so responsible for Leeza. She is a good kid... usually."

(reply Quinna)
(posted by Al Muir)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- SecO, CPO Steven Hammons- 2303)

~A toddler hopped up on sugar has more staying power than the Energizer Bunny.~ was
Steven's thought as Leeza ran pell mell across the floor for another dance with Weston and he
caught Alaya with a flourish for another spin to the music and song.

(Reply: Alaya)

"At some point she will understand we aren't trying to monopolize her, the more we let her
spend time with her family from the Rhyne the more at ease she will be around us as you said."
He noted. "Poor kid, the change can't be easy but she needs stability more than anything after
losing her parents. They raised her as best they could on a ship that was always treading a fine
line between survival and being hunted down and destroyed. She has had a lot of father figures
but no mother to rock and sing her to sleep. She needs hobbies, play time and a chance to be a
little kid."

(Reply: Alaya)

The number ended and he saw Weston approaching with the little bundle draped slumbering
over his shoulder, turning so that they could see he presented her.

"I believe she is ready to go home."

Steven smiled, "She's always had a home, her family just got bigger. She's got enough energy
for several families."

He cradled her gently in the crook of his arm.

(Reply: Alaya)

"Hey, we need to talk, soon, about Leeza. There's something you should know. But not now"

"Just give me a shout when you have time,..." Steven gave a shrug, "...our door is always open.
Except when we're sleeping." He chuckled.

(reply: Alaya)
"Let's tuck the little tyke in and have a bedtime cup." Steven said as he led the way to the exit.

(Reply: Alaya)
(Posted by Charles G)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- CMO/3XO Commander Quinna Solice 2305)

Quinna reentered the party. She saw Michael pass off a sleeping Leeza to the Hammons. She
smiled but kept her distance. She knew the Little girl did not like her and she also knew that she
needed time….

She took a drink from a waiter walking by and downed it.

Michael was back with her. "I'm sorry Quinna. I just feel so responsible for Leeza. She is a
good kid... usually."

Quinna smiled. “No need. You were a very important part of her life for a year and she was a
Major part of yours, and still is,” Quinna then pulled Michael closer to him and held him tight,
“You never fail to amaze me, Mr. Weston.”

(Reply Weston, IYW))

“Dance with me,” Quinna whispered in his ear.

(Reply Weston, IYW)
(Posted by Kris B)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar- Deck 11 - Rec Room- SFI - Lt. Michael Weston - 2315)

“You never fail to amaze me, Mr. Weston,” Quinna said pulling him into her.

Michael wrapped his arms around her. He had missed her smell. Her hair smelled of …
strawberries. Clearly, she had not spent as much time in sickbay in the ‘week’ he’d been gone.

He smiled, looking in her face, and said, “Sometimes I even amaze myself.”

“Dance with me,” Quinna whispered in his ear.

“I thought you’d never ask,” he replied.

It didn’t matter what song was playing, all he could hear was the music in his heart, and the
song of his love. They swayed together, holding tightly to each other. As the music reached a
crescendo he moved his face to look into hers. Slowly he moved closer. He sensed Quinna
moving to match him. Their lips came together, first softly, then with more passion.

The music had stopped a while ago, and the only two people still on the dance floor were
Michael and Quinna, in their own world. When they parted Michael suddenly noted the silence
in the room. He looked to the side to see Andy Taylor looking at the pair with a huge smile on
his face. He began to clap. Suddenly the applause began to ripple through the room.
Feeling a little self-conscious, he took Quinna by the hand and led her off the dance floor. He
needed something to drink.

(reply Quinna)
(posted by Al Muir)
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

Day: 11
Stardate: 2446.03.14
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 11 - The Rec Room - SFI- Lt. Michael Weston and 3XO/CMO
Commander Quinna Solice - 0130)

Quinna looked over at the stage. They had been there late and she still had a drink to finish.
She smiled as she noticed that many of the men there had her cherry lip gloss on their cheeks.
As she finished her glass, she put it down and moved to the stage. Even though this was a
disco, Quinna had one request. She put on the song “Last Dance.”

Michael watched with intent interest on what Quinna was up to. One of the things he loved
about her is that she tended to put herself out there with an abandon that bordered on
recklessness. In some ways, she was more like him than even she usually liked to admit. What
was she up to now?

She herself would attest that she did not have a formal singing voice, but felt the need to
serenade Michael Weston. “Last Dance for love, Yes, it's my last chance For romance tonight.”
Quinna then looked Directly at Michael, “I need you, by me, Beside me, to guide me, To hold
me, to scold me” Quinna then got a little provocative on the next line, “'cause when I'm bad, I'm
so, so bad…”

Michael threw his head back and laughed at the line she delivered and the way she delivered it.
She had already been daily bad this evening, kissing everything that moved, and some things
that didn’t. When she had kissed Cal Dogan he had to grab his sides laugh ing at the stoic
response from the Brikarian.

Suddenly the song started to pick up its pace and Quinna began to move with the music.

Quinna finally made her way to Michael where she grabbed his arm and with great force pulled
him to her. “So let's dance, the Last Dance, Let's dance, the Last Dance, Let's dance, this Last
Dance tonight.” She spun around Michael then held his hand as she pulled away and then
swirled back into his arms.

Now, this style of dancing was more up his alley. The bumping and gyrating at a fast pace
made a great cardio program. It was more a choreographed pair routine that actually got in
tune with your partner through touch and movement. But this he enjoyed.

Quinna quit singing but focused more on dancing with Michael. Luckily the Donna Sommers
version of the song was playing in the background. When she came in close to Michael again,
she took the opportunity to steal a kiss. When she swung out she laughed a bit but got a little
woozy. She recovered and continued on.

Michael could feel her instability in his grip and in her movements. But he allowed her to keep
dancing. When Quinna spun back in he pulled her in with her back to his chest. He crossed his
arms and spun her out of the direction. Then he lifted his hand holding her hand up and spun
her under the arch that it created.

“Come on baby, let's dance tonight…” the last lyrics of the song played. Quinna swung tightly
back into Michael’s arms. Michael held onto Quinna tightly, his arms wrapped around her. Then
he turned her again, putting his hand on her lower back, and dipped her back, balancing her
weight until the music died.

Quinna’s smile dissipated as her eyes rolled to the back of her head. She convulses as a
seizure overwhelms her body. Michael lowered Quinna’s trembling body to the ground and knelt
beside her. Her body was a mixture of trembling and writhing. He had no idea what was going
on. He’d seen alcohol poisoning before, but she hadn’t had that much to drink.

“Weston to sickbay, prepare for an emergency medical transport. It’s Dr. Solice.”

=^=We’re ready. Transporting.=^=

Quinna’s body disappeared, leaving Michael feeling helpless and lost. He shook his head. “Pull
yourself together, idiot. Move.”

Michael Weston found himself and stood up. He headed for the door. By the time it opened, he
was at a full run.

(Reply none)
(posted by Al M. and Kris B.)
____________________________________________________________________________
(USS Illuminar - Deck 4- Sickbay - MO- Dr. Kyllee Stev, 3XO/CMO Commander Quinna Solice,
SFI Lt. Michael Weston- 0135)

Kyllee sat in the chair in the office and yawned. He stretched his arms and then stood up. After
being the sole doctor on the Rhyne he’d gotten used to long and grueling hours. However, with
only fifty crewmen he didn’t see a lot of late-night traffic. However, now back on the Illuminar,
which was a twenty-four-seven operation, there was never, really, downtime. However, the
graveyard shift did not, typically, see as much medical need as alpha and beta shift.

Suddenly the monotony of the night was broken.

=^=Weston to sickbay, prepare for an emergency medical transport. It’s Dr. Solice.=^=
Stev went over to the medical transporter and found Solice’s comm badge signal and locked
onto it.

“We’re ready,” Kyllee said. “Transporting.”

He moved his hands over the control and activated the transporter. A moment later Solice’s
body appeared on a biobed. Kyllee stepped over to it and activated its diagnostic mode.
The doctor looked at the results of the diagnostic bed and then ran his own tricorder to check
the results. Her electrolytes had a catastrophic change. The readouts all said hypernatremia
and extreme dehydration. But that was so odd.

The door to the sickbay opened and Michael Weston sprinted into the room. He barely cleared
the opening door, and stopped short of the biobed, breathing hard. He took a moment to catch
his breath.

“Hey Mikey,” Stev said with a nod.

Weston nodded back took a deep breath and said, “What’s going on with Quinna, Stev?”
The doctor looked back contemplating what he should say, but this was Michael Weston.
Finally, he nodded more to himself.

“Well, I don’t get it, Michael,” he began. “She’s severely dehydrated. I see by her alcohol level
that she’s been drinking, but it shouldn’t be enough to cause this, what’s called hypernatremia,
unless she already had an underlying condition that would cause extracellular fluid volume. Did
she seem overly thirsty to you?”

Michael shook his head, “No, I mean she’d been drinking, but I didn’t get the impression it was
due to thirst.”

“Usually you only see this when there’s limited access to water,” Stev explained. “Her
electrolytes are all out of balance, especially her saline levels in her blood plasma.”
The doctor picked up a hypospray and touched it to Quinna’s neck. The device hissed as it
delivered the serum he had wanted.

“I’ve just given her an electrolyte compound that should bring her cells back into balance
momentarily. I also added a mild stimulant that should put an end to her tremors and make her
resistant to any brain damage that might have occurred during her seizure.”

There was a beep from a monitor, and he looked at Michael, “I have to go check that out. She
should be conscious momentarily. You can hang out here with her.”

He turned and walked over to the monitor.

Quinna felt a little groggy. She could hear voices. She did not remember leaving the party. She
recognized she was on a bed but had no idea where she was at. She turned and moved to roll
out of bed.

Michael put his hand out gently and held her down, “That’s probably not a good idea right now.”
Eyes still closed, Quinna laid back. Barely audible, “Michael?” She asked. She grabbed his
hand and held it tight. “Bright” she eeked out. Her eyes were still screwed shut.

Kylee stepped over to the table and pulled out a stool from underneath. He sat down so that he
was more on a level with his patient.

“Well hello there Dr. Solace,” he said. “How are we feeling?”
Quinna slowly opened her eyes to confirm to herself she was in sickbay. She never liked laying
on the biobed. “Bit better, What happened?” Still not knowing why she was there, to begin
with.

He nodded, “Well we’ve taken care of the electrolyte imbalance, so you should start being less
woozy soon. The lights should stop hurting your eyes and then we can sit you up. I do have a
question for you that I really need to say in private. Unless you want Captain Mikey to stay.”
Quinna looked at Michael, “No Secrets.” Quinna tightened her grip on Michael’s hand fearing
what she was about to hear.

Kyllee nodded and proceeded, “Very well. I just need to ask. Your medical records state that
you received your contraceptive vaccination the last year. Is that correct?”

“I just had my latest within the last month,” Quinna added.

“Well,” he said with a deep breath, “you might want to get your money back. Congratulations,
you’re pregnant.”

“Oh, haha, very funny.” Quinna took a deep breath. “You can joke around tomorrow.
Seriously?”

Stev shook his head and handed her the PADD in his hand, “No joke. I’d say about three
weeks. If you hadn’t gotten dehydrated we wouldn’t really know for a couple more weeks. Like,
when you started feeling queasy all of a sudden.”

Quinna took the PADD. She tried to focus on it but could not. “I had mine,” Quinna looked over
at Michael, “Didn’t you have yours?”

Michael looked at her, “Are you kidding? You can’t go into the field without it. The last thing I
would have needed was a trail of little me’s following my progress. Which leads me to wonder.
Who is the father?”

Quinna made her way to sitting up, “Unless this was an immaculate conception,” Quinna
started raising her voice, “YOU. Who else would there be?”

Michael’s eyes inadvertently turned to the isolation room where Dieter Gregory was being kept
alive. A move he instantly regretted.

“Wow. Just Wow.” Quinna could not control how angry she was becoming. “You are an …You
honestly think that Him and I… You really don’t trust me. You are accusing me of cheating on
you? With Dieter. That is rich given what you have told me.”

Michael stepped back and took a breath. He had had no reason to distrust either of them. And
Gregory had become a friend during their time on the Rhyne. The last thing he really wanted
was to disparage him when he couldn’t respond, nor did he want to accuse Quinna of anything
improper. He was just caught by surprise, and that was a feat.

Quinna calmed down when realization set in. “You wish the baby was not yours. I understand
why.”
Michael shook his head and stepped forward. “That’s not it at all. It just caught me by surprise
is all.”

Quinna turned to Dr. Kyllee, “Can I go? I know the drill. Day of rest, water, no caffeine, no
alcohol. Until the baby is implanted, there could still be no baby.”

Stev looked at her, “I’d like a couple more minutes to make sure you’re solid on your feet. Then
I want to see you before you go on shift tomorrow. You may know the drill Doctor, but I also
know how much doctors hate to follow the drill.”

“I understand. Look, I am sorry Dr. Kyllee, but can I have a minute with Michael, please?”
The Bajoran smiled and put a hand on Quinna’s shoulder, “Absolutely. By the way, I meant it
when I said congratulations.” He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “He’s that bad really.”
Quinna took hold of Stev’s hand with hers and turned to say, “thank-you.” Then Kylee stood up
and went into the iso room to check on Gregory.

Quinna turned and looked at Michael, “Caught by surprise, and the first thing you think of is that
I slept around on you. So if that is how you see me…” Quinna was not sure what she was
saying, “... I am not one of those missions where you do what you had to do, am I? Maybe you
should walk away now.”

Michael's head dropped. There is a time in every operative’s life when he realizes that he just
made a huge error. This was one of those moments.

“I’m sorry Quinna, that’s not how I feel,” he said. “And I have no intention to walk away. Now or
ever. Look, we’ll figure this out… together.” He sat down on Kyllee’s stool and put his hand in
Quinna’s. “Now that I’m getting used to the idea, I think I’m getting excited about it.”

“I am scared. I know given your life, this is not going to be easy. I know this is not something
either one of us wanted at this point.”

Michael laughed, “Whoever said life was convenient. It’s like my old mentor once told me, just
because you’re not ready, doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared. We can get prepared for this.
It’s just a baby.”

Quinna took a deep breath. “Just between us. For now.” Quinna said. “Just think what your
other young lady is going to say.”

Now Michael threw his head back and laughed, “Yes, it could go one of two ways, neither of
them good for us.” He stood up and looked at Quinna with a new, softer look. “You know that I
love you.”

“I love you. Why don’t you go and see what you can do to go and spring me from this place.”
Quinna suggested.

With a nod, Michael stood up and went over to the iso room and poked his head in the door.

“Hey Doc, I’m going to help Quinna escape this nut house if you don’t mind.”
Stev chuckled, “Please. Glad to see you two leaving together. It makes me feel better.”

“Me as well,” Michael admitted. “How’s Dieter?”
“No change,” Kyllee replied. “We’ve been slowly rebuilding his neural pathways that had been
destroyed by the electric shock.”

Quinna, looking more stable, popped her head onto the doorway. She had that thinking look on
her face, “Tomorrow let's get together and look at his latest tests. Perhaps there is something
that is not being seen. What about Matrix?”

“For a man who’s been impaled by a girder on two different ships he’s lucky to still be alive,”
Kyllee said. “I seriously doubt we’ll see anything from him until we can replace his heart. I can
do the surgery, but we don’t have everything we need.”

“I will see where we are going. Perhaps we can figure out where we can get one.”Quinna
suggested. It was as if she did not miss a beat and she was working again.
Kyllee stepped away from Gregory and began to shoo the two away. “You kids get out of here.
Go celebrate. But no more alcohol.”

“No Alcohol, I can live with. Coffee, I guess we are going to find out.” Quinna walked slowly
holding onto Michael.

(Reply None)
(Posted by Al. M and Kris B)

____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar Trei's Office SPA LT JG Ariel Trei - 1300)

Since Leeza came aboard the Illuminar, she was thinking of the right time to get to know her.
Talking to a 2 year old Trill was not going to be easy. She needed to get a perspective from
those who worked with her first. Weston and P'Rah from her understanding worked with Leeza
the closest. She will call them to her office and start the conversation. on how to deal with
Leeza. This will not be for profiling Leeza just yet more to get to know her.She tapped her
COMM

^= Trei to Weston and P'Rah. Report to my office now please. Trei out. ^=

(Reply Weston, P'Rah)
(Posted by Edward)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar -- Weapons Storage -- PO1 R’Rah -- 1301)

P’Rah was nursing a well-earned hangover. On days like today, he was happy to be inspecting
weapons. By himself, in a dimly lit environment. He thought about going to sickbay, but after
what happened with Dr. Solice in the wee hours of the morning, he figured that staying away
was a good thing.

^= Trei to Weston and P'Rah. Report to my office now, please. Trei out. ^=

P’Rah replied, “Yes, Ma’am”
P’Rah had already completed the inspection but was hiding out the rest of his expected time.
Now he was busted. “Crap, Wonder what I did wrong now?” He turned and headed for Lt.
Trei’s office.

(USS Illuminar -- Trei's Office -- PO1 R’Rah - 1310)

P’Rah rang the chime to gain entry to the office. He stepped in front of Ariel’s Desk. He
snapped to attention, “PO1 R’Rah reporting as ordered, Ma’am!”

He stood there at Attention until she allowed him to At Ease.

(Reply Trei, Any)
(Posted by Kris B)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar- Deck 14- SFI Office - SFI - Lt. Michael Weston- 1302)

In the world of intelligence you are constantly having to get used to new things. At this point
Michael was having to get used to a series of new things. Firstly, being back on the Illuminar. He
had hoped for a decent, restful evening. But other things prevented that.

Being in his new office and wearing the uniform, with lieutenant pips, was another item. He’d
gotten used to the uniform. It was part of the masquerade on the Rhyne. But now it was real.
~Oh how the mighty have fallen.~. He laughed at himself.

Then getting used to the idea of fatherhood with Quinna. That was something completely out of
his realm. Sure, he’d taken responsibility for Leeza. But in the back of his mind he new that it
was only temporary. Or thought it. But he knew, in his heart, that it was not.

The beep on his com badge broke his train of contemplation.

=^=Trei to Weston and P'Rah. Report to my office now please. Trei out.=^=

A look of irritation came across Weston’s face. ~What? Summoned like a dog. I don’t work for
you lady. In fact, technically, I outrank you.~

For someone who was half Betazoid she really didn’t know how to read an audience. He had
half a thought to tell her to ask politely or he wouldn’t come, but his curiosity, and, truth be told,
need for a distraction, took control.

He tapped his badge, “I’ll be there when I have the time.”

He sat in his chair, feet on his desk, revelling in the idea that he was making her wait. Finally,
after about ten minutes had passed he decided he sauntered over to the SPA’s office and
pressed the chime.

(USS Illuminar - Trei's Office - SFI - Lt. Michael Weston -1315)

When the door opened Weston stepped in. He looked at Trei coldly and sighed. He smiled at
P’Rah, who didn’t look happy. Knowing the Caitian, P’Rah didn’t like being told to come much
better than he did. Although he did look like the literal cat that got dragged out of a bag.
“You rang,” he said, skipping the niceties.

(reply Trei)
(posted by Al Muir)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 14- Trei's Office SPA LT JG Ariel Trei - 1316)

She could feel their displeasure at being called to her office. Maybe talking about Leeza will
change their mood.

"At ease. I called you here to talk about Leeza Pel. It is time I get to know her. I am not gaining
to profile her just yet but I need to know her if we are going to work together. It is better that I
start talking with you about Leeza before I call her in to talk directly. Tell me about her please."

(Reply Weston, P'Rah)
(Posted by Edward)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 14- Trei's Office - SFI - Lt. Michael Weston -1317)

The look on Trei's face painted a lot of pictures. But not as many as her words painted.

"At ease,". She said. "I called you here to talk about Leeza Pel. It is time I get to know her. I
am not gaining to profile her, just yet, but I need to know her if we are going to work together. It
is better that I start talking with you about Leeza before I call her in to talk directly. Tell me about
her please."

Michael was mortified by, not only her words, but the delivery of them.

"Ms. Trei," he began, "first of all, I don't need to be told to be at ease, since I wasn't standing at
attention. Why would I. Secondly, I don't appreciate being called to your office like a dog. I
don't work for you, so, if you wouldn't mind, I'd appreciate being asked to come see you rather
than be ordered in here."

With that he took a seat, and leaned forward, putting his hands on Trei's desk, "And finally, for
someone who is half Betazoid, and professes to have some kind of telepathic abilities, you
really need to learn to read a room. You speak of Leeza as if she is some kind of a threat to the
ship, which, I can assure you, she is not. You're not going to profile her!" He stood up again
saying, "Just what the hell do you mean by that? And if you plan to call her in here to "talk with
her" I, the Hammons, and Captain Sekal all better know the purpose of such a conversation.
For Gods sake, she's a three year old child."

(reply Trei)
(posted by Al muir)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 14- Trei's Office - SPA - LT JG Ariel Trei - 1320)
She heard Weston's answer and felt his passion for protecting Leeza. She understood the
protectiveness. She could imagine being a 3 year old and having a total stranger talk to her for
the first time even how gentle it would be approached. She had to change tactics. On several
occasions in cheerleader camp, she came across passionate girls who believed in their
convictions. She had to tread carefully to make a logical argument for her position. The logic
would make the passionate one register that the point is reasonable. She had to do this here.

"Do you think it would be better if my first time meeting Leeza be informed or not informed. If I
know something about her before meeting her, I can be as gentle as possible to find something
we have in common. It is my understanding she loves chocolate cake. We would have that in
common since Betazoids love chocolate cake. I still would like to know something about her to
establish a working relationship going forward. Can you help me with that please."

(Reply Weston, P'Rah)
(Posted by Edward)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 14- Trei's Office - Security PO1 P’Rah - 1325)

The Caitian’s nostrils flared and his smile showed more than a few teeth.

“With all due respect, Lieutenant,” he growled low as if a challenge to Trei’s rank and authority.
“What business of yours is it that you need to meet with Miss. Leeza. She is not your concern
at all,” he said protectively. “She has suffered more than you can imagine, and it was Lieutenant
Weston, Commander Gregory, and myself who helped her through that. In fact, Commander
Gregory charged me with protecting her, and until he countermands that order, that is what I’ll
do.”

The Caitian’s tail swished back and forth, indicating his agitation.

He scoffed, “You think bonding over chocolate cake is going to help you? All due respect,
Lieutenant, the last thing that she needs is some half-breed telepath probing her. And I will
raise this issue to the Captain if I must. If I have to, I’ll protect her from you.”

He turned to Weston, “I am sorry sir, but this charade has to stop now. Miss Leeza is special.”

(Reply Weston, Trei)
(Posted by Kris B)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 14- Trei's Office - SFI - Lt. Michael Weston -1326)

Michael could feel the tact in Trei turn but it wasn’t really enough. She was still speaking of
Leeza as if she were an assignment. She was being too aggressive. Where was that famous
Betazoid empathy that he had heard so much about. His reservations all came down to one
question. But before he could ask it P’Rah finally spoke.

He asked his question, which was equally valid.

“What business of yours is it that you need to meet with Miss. Leeza,” the Caitian growled. “She
is not your concern at all. She has suffered more than you can imagine, and it was Lieutenant
Weston, Commander Gregory, and myself who helped her through that. In fact, Commander
Gregory charged me with protecting her, and until he countermands that order, that is what I’ll
do.”

Michael saw the tail swishing dangerously and out a supportive hand on his shoulder. It was a
gesture that he knew he had earned, as P’Rah had often stated how he didn’t like to be
touched. But the two of them had been through too much over the past year, and had grown
closer over their care of Leeza.

“You think bonding over chocolate cake is going to help you?” P’Rah asked. “ All due respect,
Lieutenant, the last thing that she needs is some half-breed telepath probing her. And I will
raise this issue to the Captain if I must. If I have to, I’ll protect her from you.”

He turned to Weston, “I am sorry sir, but this charade has to stop now. Miss Leeza is special.”

Michael didn’t have to be told that, and he was certain the Caitian was saying it so that Trei
could hear it. He took a deep breath in order to calm himself and P’Rah, and thought to bring
this under some kind of control.

“Look,” Michael said, standing up, “Ariel, I’m sure you mean we’ll, but where is this all coming
from? You have expressed a concern that does not exist. You threaten to bring her in here and
interrogate her. If you gave us an indication of why, then perhaps we could understand. Not
agree, but understand.”

Michael began to pace, “We’ve known Leeza and cared for her for a year. You didn’t even know
she existed until yesterday. Why are you so interested in getting involved? You want us to tell
you about her? Tell us why you need to know.”

(reply Trei)
(posted by Al Muir)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 14 - Trei's Office - SPA LT JG Ariel Trei - 1330)

She was feeling a lot of hostility from P'Rah. She supposed she understood it. She just wanted
to know something about her if they were going to work together.

"I just wanted to know something about her if we were going to work together but, if that is too
much to ask you two are dismissed. Leeza and I will meet eventually."

(Reply Weston, P'Rah Any)
(Posted by Edward)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 14 - Trei's Office - Security PO1 P'Rah - 1335)

P’Rah felt Weston’s hand on his shoulder, in an attempt to calm him down. Unfortunately,
Lieutenant Trei’s words did much to stoke the fires of the Caitian.

“With respect, Lieutenant, she is a 3-year-old girl, who lost her family, lost everything she knew.
What business is it of yours to have to meet her? As I understand your role, you are not
medical or a counselor, so I don’t get where you think you will ‘work’ with her?” P’Rah flashed
his toothy smile again.

“Or, are you jealous that a 3-year-old girl is now the Morale Officer?” he asked sarcastically.

As she dismissed the two of them, P’Rah looked over his shoulder, “Don’t try to get involved
with or mess with Miss Leeza at all, for it will end badly for you.”

(USS Illuminar - Hall outside Trei's Office - Security PO1 - 13:40)

P’Rah was fuming, he turned to Weston, “Mr. Weston, there is no reason that woman should go
near Miss Leeza. It is bad enough that the Hammons have started to look after her. But I
meant what I said, I will continue to protect her until the Commander orders me not to.”

(Weston)

“I am off to find her now, Sir, and see how she is doing. Try to get her a bit more settled now,”
P’Rah said.

(Reply Trei, Weston)
(Posted by Kris B)
____________________________________________________________________________

USS Illuminar - Deck 14 - Trei's Office - SFI - Lt. Michael Weston -1336)

"I just wanted to know something about her,” Trei said, “if we were going to work together but, if
that is too much to ask you two are dismissed. Leeza and I will meet eventually."

Michael took a breath to speak, but again, P’Rah spoke first, as he questioned how the Profiler
would “work together” with the three year old. Then P’Rah took a turn that Michael was afraid
might turn out badly for the Caitian. As he started to leave he turned back and said, “Don’t try
to get involved with or mess with Miss Leeza at all, for it will end badly for you.”

“That is enough Mr. P’Rah,” Michael said sternly. “Wait for me outside.”

P’Rah left, leaving Weston alone with Trei. He took a breath and stepped closer to her desk, “I
will deal with Mr. P’Rah,” he assured her. “However, i do want ot make something very clear to
you. I do not work for you. In fact, if you check, I outrank you. Granted, it may seem new to
you, but I spent the last year COing the Rhyne. So do not think you can just summon or excuse
me as you see fit. I will leave when I am ready. Is that clear to you?”

(reply Trei)

“Do I need to make you say it?” he asked. “I… outrank… you. Now, as for Miss Leeza, I am
totally lost here. In what way are you planning to “work together” with her? She’s just a little
girl. She’s not a security officer.”

(reply Trei)
“If you just want to get to know her, then go meet her,” he said. “Don’t make it a big deal. Don’t
make it weird. But I would wait until she’s settled in with the Hammons. That make take a little
time.”

(reply Trei)

(USS Illuminar - Deck 14 - Hall outside Trei's Office - SFI - Lt. Michael Weston - 1341)

By the time Weston left the office he had hoped that P’Rah had managed to calm down a little.
He was wrong.

“Mr. Weston, there is no reason that woman should go near Miss Leeza. It is bad enough that
the Hammons have started to look after her. But I meant what I said, I will continue to protect
her until the Commander orders me not to.”

“And I would not have it any other way,” Weston said with a reassuring smile. “However, you
cannot talk to an officer that way P’Rah. She could have you busted for insubordination and you
cannot protect Leeza from the brig.”

“I am off to find her now, Sir, and see how she is doing. Try to get her a bit more settled now,”
P’Rah said.

Michael chuckled, “I doubt that she is even awake. She had quite an evening of it last night.
Stay close to her, but don’t get to involved with her interactions with the Hammons. WE have to
give them time. I can’t say I’m happy about it, but let’s be honest, neither of us can be her
parents. It doesn’t mean that we’re being cut off. But give them their space.”

(reply P’Rah, Trei)
(posted by Al Muir)
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Deck 14 - Hall outside Trei's Office - Security PO1 P’Rah - 1345)

P’Rah had been pacing the hall while waiting for Weston. He was not happy. Ever since they
returned to this universe and the Illuminar, things were not been the same. Too many
experiences, too much time living on adrenaline, and us against the universe mentality. Miss
Leeza was part of that, and the crew here had no idea about her. Or the bonds the three men
developed with her.

A security officer walked by and was about to say something to P’Rah, but one look at the
Caitian’s face had him turn and head back the way he came.

Weston eventually came out of Lieutenant Trei’s office. P’Rah didn’t smell blood, so it seems
the Lieutenant had held his temper better than P’Rah.

He took the dressing down in silence. He respected Weston, that shared experience on the
Rhyne had shown him that. Turning back into the Lieutenant, he said “I am off to find her now,
Sir, and see how she is doing. Try to get her a bit more settled now.”

P’Rah flashed his grin. “Why not, Sir? We have been all the family she has known since I
found her when we began exploring the Rhyne. Any of us have a better claim and would do a
better job than the Hammons,” he paused. “I’ll try sir, I cannot promise anything but I’ll try,” he
said with mischief in his eyes.

(USS Illuminar - Deck 13 - Lab - Security P’Rah - 1400)

He had to do something to protect her. Thinking back to his cat burglar days, he remembered
the device that C’Ria had built. It really helped their burglaries until they were caught after it
broke.

Entering his security codes, he entered an empty lab. Closing the door, he searched to find the
items he would need. Smiling he hummed a tune as he constructed the device.

Completing the device, he mounted it into a heart locket. He had pictures of Leeza on one side,
smiling with her face covered with chocolate frosting, the other side a picture of Gregory,
Weston, Leeza, and himself. As long as Miss Leeza wore this, it would scramble her bio signs
and should make her sensor proof. As a failsafe, P’Rah had built an override into it, that with
the right code, would deactivate the device. He’d keep that close to his chest for now, but the
next time he saw Lieutenant Weston, he’d share the information.

(USS Illuminar - Deck 3 - Outside Hammon’s office- Security PO1 P’Rah - 1600)

He pushed the chime to the door and waited.

(Reply Hammons)
(Posted by Kris B)
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

Day 12
Stardate 2446.03.15
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

(USS Illuminar - Sickbay -- Deck 5 -- CMO/3XO Commander Quinna Solice and MO Dr. Kyllee
Stev -- 0730)

Quinna entered sickbay with her traditional coffee cup in hand. She brews her cold smell even if
no one else can. She looked around and found Dr. Kyllee. “Hey there. Ready to be relieved?”
Quinna said with renewed energy.

Stev had been going over the nights medical reports. It had been a steady flow of minor
incidents of slips, burns and electrical shocks. When he heard Solice’s voice her turned and
smiled.

“Well hey there yourself,” he replied. “Feeling better I see.”
“Spending the day resting did me a world of good.” Quinna took a drink out of her cup.

Kyllee narrowed his eyes at the cup in Quinna’s hand. Her consumption of caffeine was nearly
as legendary as Commander Verin”s.

“I bet,” he said, then changed tact. “May I ask what you’re drinking there that appears to be
giving you so much pleasure.”

Quinna looke around checking if anyone else could hear her, she then sat down next to Stev.
“Since there are only three of us knowing what is going on, I have to keep up appearances.”
Quinna then pulled the lid off the cup. “It’s milk. But tell no one.”

Kyllee’s smile grew, a genuinely happy smile, “Your secret is safe with me. So tell me, how are
you really feeling?”

“I feel great. I can’t explain it. I have gotten use to the idea that there is a little ‘Mini-me’ or ‘Mini
Michael’ in me. And I know that many thing can happen.”

As Quinna spoke Kyllee pulled out his diagnostic node and scanned her. He focused around
her head and then her abdomen.

“So how did it go with Michael after you left Sickbay?” he inquired.

“Well… I rested a lot yesterday.” Quinna said, “But I know we need to talk. Maybe when we get
to the heartbeat stage, that conversation should happen.”
Kyllee nodded, “This is going to go by fast, so don’t put things off.”

“Of course not. Decisions need to be made.” Quinna replied

Stev almost laughed, “It seems to me the most important decision has already been made.”

“Absolutely.” Quinna took a drink of her milk. “So am I clear for duty, Doctor?”

Kyllee dropped his happy smile and looked at Quinna, “I have two things first. First of all,
looking at the cellular osmotic pressure of your uterus and I can give you the exact moment of
conception, well, roughly, within an day. Do you want to know?”

“Why? Does it matter?” Quinna asked.

“Not to me,” he said. “That’s why I asked. If it doesn’t matter to you I had another thing. I
noticed that you had a burn mark on your hand. You know we can get rid of that.”

Quinna opened her hand and showed him the burn. “Actually, We can’t. I have already tried.”
Quinna wondered about telling him the story. She turned her head in the direction of the
comatosed form of Dieter Gregory. “You might appreciate this, but it happened during an orb
experience.”

“Orb experience,” Kyllee said surprised. “You mean, like the orbs of the prophets?”
“Notice the writing is ancient Bajorian.” Quinna was not sure what else to say. There was only
three of then that know about Quinna’s locket and was sure none of the other crew knew about
it.

Kyllee lifted her hand to get a better look at the markings. He hadn’t really thought to much
about the shape of the burn, but now that he was looking at it he could read some of the
inscription. He wondered if he should tell her about his experience and how the prophets fell
from his favor.

“So now, am I crazy or what. You are welcome to try and remove it if you like.” Quinna offered
wondering if it would make him feel better.

He shrugged, “Much like the other item, it’s up to you. I figured you had kept it for a reason.
You’ve already tried? And no luck? Hmmm… I wonder what the markings mean. Any idea?”

“I think it means that the journey I started is not done yet, or like the baby, modern medicine
does not work well with me.”

Kyllee humphed, “Well that’s certainly cryptic enough. You know that every time the prophets
are involved in some story it never ends well, in my experience. Bloody prophets.” His curse
was under his breath. Still, as if his interest in this baby wasn’t already piqued, now he was
even more interested in how it progresses. He just knew that with her mere mention of the
prophets, bad things were going to happen. However, he avoided voicing his opinions.

He took a deep breath and stood up, “Near as I can tell you’re in perfect health, considering…”
he motioned to her belly. “That all being said, you may return to duty, but please try and take it
easy. These next few weeks can be critical.”

“You are right about taking it easy, So I was thinking. We have another doctor coming, but how
would you feel about working alpha shift. Be my main Doctor as I do my Command duty. I will
still administer and do some duties, but I need someone when I am not here.” Quinna asked.

Stev smiled again, surprised. He hadn’t asked to be relegated to Gamma shift but was happy to
do so. But if he were honest, aloha shift left him more opportunities for interesting cases.

“Sure thing,” he said. “I’d love to. You throwing off the coils of medicine for bigger and better
things?”

“For some insane reason they made me a command officer. With Dieter down, I help out on the
bridge more. I need someone here that I can trust.”

Stev chuckled, “I suppose that means I can keep a better eye on you as well. I’m honored that
you feel you can trust me. I’m your doctor.”

(Reply None)
(Posted by Al M. and Kris B.)
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End Compile

Path: /compiles/27/2026/03/Illuminar_Compile_82-_Through_a_Mirror_Darkly.txt