Over 100 posts already for the month! Everyone is doing great! Compile summary Your adoring FO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2406.10.24 (USS Mystique - Deck 14 Chief of Operations Office - Ensign Sarah Nevada - 2206) (USS Mystique, Chief of Operations Office, Deck 14, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 2207) (USS Mystique - Chief of Operations Office Deck 14 - Ensign Sarah Nevada - 2208) (USS Mystique, Chief of Operations Office, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 2209) (USS Mystique - Deck 14 - Ensign Sarah Nevada - 2211) (USS Mystique - Messhall - Ensign Sarah Nevada - 2214) (USS Mystique - the lounge, Deck 5 - Ensign Sarah Nevada - 2219) (USS Mystique, Personal Quarters, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 2300) (USS Mystique - the lounge, deck 5 - Ensign Sarah Nevada - 2302) (USS Mystique - aTAC/SC's Quarters - Ensign Sarah Nevada - 2305) (USS Mystique - Jason's quarters - Ensign Sarah Nevada - 2306) (USS Mystique, aTAC/SC's Quarters, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 2310) (USS Mystique - Sarah's quarters - Ensign Sarah Nevada - 2313) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2406.10.25 (USS Mystique, Chief of Operations Office, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 1600) (USS Mystique, Security Offices, Crewmen Wilkes and Krane, 1601) (USS Mystique, Conference Room, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 1603) (USS Mystique, Deck 4, Waste Disposal and Recycling tanks upper pylon, Crewmen Wilkes and Krane, 1650) (USS Mystique, Bridge, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 1700) (USS Mystique - Sickbay- Pilot- Bill Jansen- 1730) (USS Mystique - Sickbay- Pilot- Bill Jansen- 1734) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Begin compile Stardate: 2406.10.24 (USS Mystique - Deck 14 Chief of Operations Office - Ensign Sarah Nevada - 2206) "Good evening, Ensign." offered HHril as Sarah Nevada approached his desk. "It is a pleasure to meet you. Can I offer you anything?" he asked, gesturing to the cup of Raktajino on his desk. "Just something fresh, anything is good, dinner will be for later." "Orange juice, perhaps?" he asked as he approached the replicator. "That sounds great, thank you." "I don't know about you," he said as the drink appeared. "but I am not too sure about this replicated food." "It's not bad, but nothing beats a home-cooked meal." said Sarah. "Now, Ensign." he said as he re-took his seat. "What is it you wanted to talk about?" "Well, I've been seeing Jason a lot since recently, and I take care of his sister when he's not around, but we expected him to come home tonight, but he never came. I've put Cassie, his sister, to bed, and contacted security once I left his quarters, and it seemed he is missing, and that's why I've come here, what's the current situation if I may ask?" "Unfortunatly, Ensign, the only information that I have for you is what you already know. Ensign Dema is indeed missing in action as we speak... and I am afraid that that is all I can tell you right now. I have dispatched security patrols throughout the ship, and we are doing everything we can to locate him." Hhril seemed to hold her at a distance, but the tone in his voice told her that he knew more. "There is more isn't there? Please, I need to know the situation, I have to know, I'm probably your best shot at finding cleus to what coud've happened." Sarah's eyes showed remorse, but the look could pierce through eyes, as though as steel. Her voice was sincere, honest, sad, almost begging for him to trust her. "You've got to trust me Sir, for his sake." Sarah paused. "For his sister's sake." Yet she paused again. "For my sake." her eyes were getting moist, and soon it turned into a tear, rolling down her cheeck, and chin, where it's life would end, by dropping to the floor. So fragile it was, just as the trust, she hoped that started to grow between her and Hhril ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stardate: 2406.10.24 (USS Mystique, Chief of Operations Office, Deck 14, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 2207) "Unfortunately, Ensign," answered HHril, "the only information that I have for you is what you already know. Ensign Dema is indeed missing in action as we speak... and I am afraid that that is all I can tell you right now. I have dispatched security patrols throughout the ship, and we are doing everything we can to locate him." HHril could see the feelings flooding through the young girl. "There is more isn't there?" she said, the emotions flowing freely from her. "Please, I need to know the situation, I have to know, I'm probably your best shot at finding clues to what could've happened. You've got to trust me Sir, for his sake." A pause... "For his sister's sake." Another... "For my sake." HHril watched as a single solitary tear rolled down her cheek. He was not immune to emotions like his Vulcan cousins, though he did not show it at this moment. He felt her anguish and deep inside wished that he could tell her everything. But there was too much at stake. "I'm sorry, Ensign." he replied in an almost apologetic voice. "It's not that I don't trust you," he paused, thinking how to best formulate his words. "But this situation is so much bigger than you or I. With everything that has been going on aboard ship, it is important that we all do our jobs and let others do theirs. You need to leave this to Security. This is their job, and I am confident that they will find him." He could tell that his words fell on her like daggers. "If you want to help, continue doing what you have been doing. Continue doing your job in engineering. Take care of yourself and Cassandra and wait for him to come back." He looked at her for a long moment before finishing with. "I am sorry, Ensign, but that is all I can tell you." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2406.10.24 (USS Mystique - Chief of Operations Office Deck 14 - Ensign Sarah Nevada - 2208) "I'm sorry, Ensign, it's not that I don't trust you. But this situation is so much bigger than you or I. With everything that has been going on aboard ship, it is important that we all do our jobs and let others do theirs. You need to leave this to Security. This is their job, and I am confident that they will find him." Sarah had a hard time dealing with what Hhril was saying, she started crying harder, not able to control her emotions. Hhril continued. "If you want to help, continue doing what you have been doing. Continue doing your job in engineering. Take care of yourself and Cassandra and wait for him to come back." Hhril looked her in the eyes, and she looked back, her eyes still moist from her tears "I am sorry, Ensign, but that is all I can tell you." Sarah stood up, looking Hhril straight into the eyes. "Then remember this Sir, Cassandra, his sister is on board, and he would never, ever abandon her." Sarah moved closer, her tone sounding dangerous, but scared, she seemed like she was about to snap. "Sir, something is wrong, this isn't like Jason, promise me you'l find him." She still came closer, and whispered softly. "promise me." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2406.10.24 (USS Mystique, Chief of Operations Office, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 2209) "I am sorry, Ensign, but that is all I can tell you." answered HHril. It was not the answer he would have liked to give her, but it was the one that he was sworn to give. Sarah stood up, looking Hhril straight into the eyes. "Then remember this Sir, Cassandra, his sister is on board, and he would never, ever abandon her." She moved in closer, her tone changing to one of desperation. "Sir, something is wrong, this isn't like Jason, promise me you'll find him." She still came closer, and whispered softly. "promise me." HHril looked straight back into the eyes of the Ensign, probing for any information that might lie there. "I will do my duty, Ensign. And that duty includes looking out for the well being of all members of this crew... including Ensign Dema." He paused as he leaned back in his chair, breaking the stare of the young woman. "We will find him. I promise you that." he finally answered in the most reassuring voice he had. (reply Nevada, if you want) "Now if you will excuse me, Ensign Nevada, I have some things to take care of." Following her departure, HHril replicated another cup of raktajino. He took a sip as soon as it appeared and unzipped his jacket. Ms. Nevada had reiterated many of the points that he, himself had made earlier in the day. It made him feel even more steadfast in his decision to support Dema to the Captain. ~Now all we have to do is find you and prove what we already know.~ he thought as he sat at his desk and prepared for a short barrage of work before calling it a night. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2406.10.24 (USS Mystique - Deck 14 - Ensign Sarah Nevada - 2211) Sarah stood still after the doors shut behind her. She stood there for several minutes, not knowing what to do, till she felt her stomach grumbling. spontaneous, she went to the mess-hall ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2406.10.24 (USS Mystique - Messhall - Ensign Sarah Nevada - 2214) Sarah walked in, and approached the replicator. There she just stood still, doing nothing, ordering nothing, till the person behind her woke her up, and told her if she wasn't going to order something, to move aside. She turned around and looked at the man. "Sorry." She said, with tears almost flowing out of her eyes... then she ran out of the messhall. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2406.10.24 (USS Mystique - the lounge, Deck 5 - Ensign Sarah Nevada - 2219) Sarah found herself running into the lounge, the place where she first met Jason. There weren't many people at the moment, since most of em were at their stations, either repairing, or filling in the wounded. She went to the bar, and asked for anything that had a bit nurishment. She walked to one of the large windows and sat down in one of the seat, directed outside, there she stared at the stars. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2406.10.24 (USS Mystique, Personal Quarters, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 2300) "Computer," said HHril as he rubbed his eyes and put down the PADD he had been reading, "turn off the music and the lights." There was a beep of acknowledgment as the commands were carried out. The lights slowly dimmed until it was completely dark in his quarters. He rose for the chair and made his way to his bedroom where he tossed his uniform on the unused side of the bed. He didn't like to drop it on the floor, but he could never bring himself to put it away at night before he went to sleep. He lied in bed with his eyes closed, taking deep, soothing breaths that experience told him would put him straight to sleep. They were having their desired effect when a comm channel opened. =/\=Ensign Sarah Nevada to Lt. HHril,=/\= came the now familiar voice from earlier in the day. =/\=Cassie's gone, someone has taken her into the tubes!=/\= HHril could hear the panic in her voice and was up and getting dressed before she was finished speaking. "I'll notify security and the Captain and then I will meet you there. And Sarah, don't do anything or touch anything. HHril out." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2406.10.24 (USS Mystique - the lounge, deck 5 - Ensign Sarah Nevada - 2302) Suddenly, Sarah stood up. "Somethings wrong." She said, and she ran out. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2406.10.24 (USS Mystique - aTAC/SC's Quarters - Ensign Sarah Nevada - 2305) "I'll notify security and the Captain and then I will meet you there. And Sarah, don't do anything or touch anything. HHril out." Came over the comms, after Sarah notified Hhril of what happened. Sarah did as Hhril told her, and sat went to sit on a chair, sitting there, not knowing what to do. Soon the security team arrived, one checking Sarah's status while the others checked the bedroom for cleus, shortly after, Hhril came in, and approached Sarah "How are you?" Sarah looked at Hhril, again, tears in her eyes, and even more confused then before. She found herself failing to do what Jason had asked her to do, take care of Cassie. She needed to hold someone, and without thinking, she went for Hhril, swinging her arms round him. This is when the tears broke loose. "I failed to protect her as he asked. Why have they taken her?" She said as she slowly let go of Hhril. (reply Hhril if needed) "We are going to do everything we can to find her. Right now, the best thing that you can do is let these gentlemen work. Go back to your quarters and try and get some rest, I'll contact you when I know anything. I promise." Sarah nodded, whiping some tears away and walked out together with the security officer, who escorted her back to her quarters ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2406.10.24 (USS Mystique - Jason's quarters - Ensign Sarah Nevada - 2306) She entered Jason's quarters, and immediatly checked on Cassandra.... she was gone, her closet was messed up, and a panel covering a jeffries tube was hanging loose. without hesitation, she tapped her combadge, and started to talk in panic, her voice very hectic. "Ensign Sarah Nevada to Lt. Hhril, Cassie's gone, someone has taken her into the tubes!!!!!!!!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2406.10.24 (USS Mystique, aTAC/SC's Quarters, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 2310) HHril arrived in Ensign Demas' quarters just after the security team. He knew that they would do anything and everything to find out what had happened. The unspoken rules were that no matter what the situation was, children were off limits. Innocent by- standers. Someone was not playing by the rules, and HHril didn't like people that didn't play by the rules. "How are you?" inquired HHril as he approached Ensign Nevada. (reply Nevada) HHril looked at the girl with empathy. "We are going to do everything we can to find her." he said softly, trying to comfort the young officer. "Right now, the best thing that you can do is let these gentlemen work. Go back to your quarters and try and get some rest, I'll contact you when I know anything. I promise." He offered a small smile of reassurance, trying desperately to comfort her with words that he was certain were lost on her. He ordered one of the security personnel at the door to escort her to her own quarters. He watched as she left, and then turned and got to work on the new twist to the missing officer story." ~If he is the spy,~ HHril thought to himself, ~what possible advantage could he have towing his sister around with him.~ The thought stuck with HHril as he watched the security officers process the scene. Whatever happened her, they would find it out. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2406.10.24 (USS Mystique - Sarah's quarters - Ensign Sarah Nevada - 2313) The officer dropped her of at her quarters. She walked in and turned around. "Thank you." She said. "No problem, my pleasure." He said, and as she turned around, he added. "And don't worry, we'll find them both." Sarah lokked around, and tried to give a smile, but it was a smile drenched in a lake of tears. She walked on, and lay down on her bed, and grabed her pillow, holding it tight, and cried. She wouldn't fall asleep so easy. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2406.10.25 (USS Mystique, Chief of Operations Office, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 1600) HHril was putting the finishing touches on the teams he was sending into the jeffries tubes. They would start on decks 4 and 5. They had found Ensign Dema's comm badge on deck 4, and Jennah had almost been abducted from deck 5. Maybe they felt safe there. Hopefully. He pushed one button, sending his orders to the security department. Soon, they would be making their way through the jeffries tubes, hopefully to more luck than they had had in the corridors. =/\=Mr. Hhril, please report to the conference room for the away team debriefing.=/\= "Acknowledge, Captain." he replied. "I'm on my way. HHril out." He tapped his comm badge closed. The away team had been through a lot, no doubt, and this was his opportunity to find out exactly what had happened. He picked up a PADD and made his way out of his office to the nearest turbolift. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stardate: 2406.10.25 (USS Mystique, Security Offices, Crewmen Wilkes and Krane, 1601) It had been a long couple of days for the security personnel aboard the Mystique. One of the aTAC/Sec, Ensign Jason Dema, was missing, putting the added pressure of having to find one of their own. Many of the members of the security staff tried to remain as optimistic as possible, but as the hours continued to tick by, the optimism was slowly dying. "This ship ain't that big." said one of the less optimistic of the group now gathered. "We should have found him by now." "Should'a." replied Jack Krane. He was senior among the non-commissioned men in the security forces. Many looked up to him like a big brother. "I've been at this for years..." he said as he stood and began pacing around the office. "Longer than most of ya have been alive, even. And the only reason for someone to be missin' this long is either cause they is hidin' or cause someone is hidin' them." "What are you blabbering about this time." shot back Wilkes. "Ensign Dema is certainly not hiding himself on this ship. He didn't stick his own comm badge in between two conduits in phaser housing." "Or did he?" rebutted Krane. "There was no good reason for that there badge to be in behind that there panel. You know it an' I know it." he continued pacing around the room. "Either he put it there or someone else did." "Now who would do that?" asked the younger Wilkes. "Certainly no one from this crew." The phrase was a statement, but sounded much more like a question. "We was told to check for saboteurs and spies. Maybe we didn't catch 'em all." The conversation was cut short as the main screen is the office flashed to life, showing their new orders from Lt. HHril. They were to go through the jeffries tubes starting with decks 4 and 5. It went on to explain the reasons, giving the men and women in Security their first indication as to what was really happening. "He thinks someone's got 'im." said Krane softly to his partner. "You mean Dema?" replied Krane in an equally quiet voice. "Who?" "Don't know." he replied back. "But we're gonna find out." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2406.10.25 (USS Mystique, Conference Room, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 1603) The doors parted as he stepped up to them. Inside the conference room, HHril could see the worn out faces of many of the members of the away team. He took a seat to the left of the Captain and braced himself for the conversation. The FO was the first to speak. "Captain," began the restless FO. "The natives proved to be a dangerous and highly aggressive species. Two from my party were kidnapped as well as two from Dr. Mias' party. Sergeant Peters was tortured and nurse Jones tortured and raped from my party, nurse Jones is currently under observation in sickbay and her prognosis looks good, Mr. Peters as you can see was given clearance and is among us." He shot a look over towards Dr. Mias. "Mr. Jansen was kidnapped from Dr. Mias' party along with Ensign Keswick who remained in sickbay after treatment for fractured ribs but he will be fine. Mr. Ketal is currently under observation after having a crossbow quarrel removed from his side, he was injured during the rescue of Jansen and Keswick and MO Trenor had her mind captured by the Prince of Falais and is under sedation and observation. Dr. Mias and Counselor Raynar are going to have to break his hold on her mind." Finishing his report, the FO sat back in his chair, an almost dejected look on his face. "I see." answered the CO as she stood and approached the windows. "And how exactly were you discovered by these people? What circumstances could have possibly have existed to have you use superior force on these people?" Both very pertinent questions, and not at all easy to ask or answer. "Our disguises were utterly papier maché because of the telepathic nature of the Raelleans, Captain, and as for your last question it is because my party was baited into a trap!" Their was an air of anger coming from the FO. "I will vouch for the discretion of the members of the rescue team in matters of their use of force for their own protection." "Perhaps you had better give me the entire sequence, gentleman. In order." said the Captain as she retook her seat. What followed was a thorough retelling of the away teams encounters on the planet. The benefit of a debriefing was the emotion that you got from the members. That was something that a written report could never do. "And the rest as they say Captain, is history." finished the FO. "I believe their use of force was necessary and fully support them. If there is any blame to be placed for the blunder that was made of the expedition I will take it on myself!" "It's hard to blame Commander Belinia, Captain," added Ensign Jansen. "Although we had a general idea what these people were like, we really had no idea, especially of their telepathic nature. They knew as much about us, maybe more, as we did about them. Only their information came first hand, from our own minds." He paused for a moment. "I would have to say that not all of the Raelleans had those telepathic abilities," he continued. "Only a certain... caste. I really wish I knew what was different about them, but I am certain that it is not a naturally occurring thing. How do I know Commander?" he asked suddenly, confusing HHril. "Let's just say I have some first hand knowledge." The Ensign shot a look at the FO. "What?" "I hadn't actually asked that question Ensign," replied the Commander. "I mean, I was thinking it, but I hadn't asked it." Jansen could feel his cheeks redden. "Sorry, it must have just been an obvious question." It was, and HHril had wanted to ask it, but now the need had passed. "Anyway, Mr. Keswick and I had first hand experience with the Princes hospitality. Let's say that it is lacking. I honestly don't know how things could have turned out differently, Captain." "Mr Jansen is correct Captain." Riven said while eyeing the young man closely. "All was not as it seemed on the planet as it is here. There is also something to be said for Mr. Jansen's remark about the concentration of the abilities of the natives. It would seem the society favors the strongest and it is highly probable that those possessing the greatest abilities would rise to positions of prominence and control based on their talents and power." "One question that begs to be asked is how badly have we poluted their society?" asked HHril. "The destruction of the colony vessel aside, this situation obviously precludes the Prime Directive." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2406.10.25 (USS Mystique, Deck 4, Waste Disposal and Recycling tanks upper pylon, Crewmen Wilkes and Krane, 1650) It didn't take long for the security officers to begin going through the jeffries tubes. They moved again, in groups of two, as per the orders. It was more safe that way. They were in an area of the ship that was very seldom visited. These systems ran themselves. Krane stepped out first, followed by Wilkes. They did a quick visual sweep accompanied by a tricorder scan. They had detected charges set in different areas. Probably left behind by the boarding marines that were all in custody. Easy enough to disarm. Their progress was slow, but it did not take long for their search to bare fruit. "I'm picking up... something." whispered Wilkes. "Maybe life signs. Very faint, but definitely there." Both men looked at each other as the realization as to who they may have just found hit them. They quickened their pace, realizing that the faint life signs were not a good sign, but continuing to be careful all the same, in case their assumptions were incorrect. "They are coming from below us." whispered Wilkes, trying to maintain their stealthy approach. Krane led the way down the ladder leading to the lower catwalk surrounding the tanks, and as he did his visual sweep, he saw a pair of legs coming out of the shadows. Seeing no one else around, he strode forward. Stealth giving way to a willingness to assist. What he saw as he approached the legs sickened and angered him all at once. It was the beaten body of Ensign Dema. He was unconscious. "Krane to transporter room 2." he said as he tapped his comm badge. "Medical emergency. Lock onto my signal and beam directly to sickbay!" No acknowledgement came. He hit his badge again, as he looked around the immediate area. "Krane to Lt. HHril." Still no response. There was a signal jammer here somewhere. That explained why they had had no luck finding him and the reason sensors had not detected him. "Found it." came the voice of Wilkes from behind him. Krane turned in time to see the younger crewman reach for the jammer, inspect it for booby traps, and then finally and carefully turn it off. "Try it now." he said. He tried again to open a channel. "Krane to transporter room 2. Medical emergency. Lock onto Ensign Dema and beam 'im directly to sickbay." This time there was acknowledgement first by voice, and then by the blue shimmer of the transporter beam. "Better report to Lt. HHril." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2406.10.25 (USS Mystique, Bridge, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 1700) Following the debriefing of the away team, HHril stopped at OPS to check in on the days reports. =/\=Krane to Lt. HHril.=/\= "Go ahead." replied HHril, anxious to hear what security had no doubt found. Hoping for the best... bracing for the worst. =/\=Sir, Ensign Dema has been located near the recyclin' tanks. He was badly beaten and we've had 'im transferred directly to sickbay.=/\= A feeling which could only be described as a feeling of relief mixed with anxiety washed over HHril as the words were spoken. Finding him beaten to a pulp was not a good thing, but it certainly seemed to disprove the spy theory. He was anxious to contact Ensign Nevada with the news, but knew that he had a lot of work left to do himself. =/\=Along the way, we stumbled across booby traps. Charges, Sir. Probably left by the boardin' parties.=/\= "Not likely." replied the OPS man. "We ran a full sensor sweep of the entire ship after the marines were taken. Nothing was found. Any signs of his sister, Cassandra?" asked HHril, another odd feeling filling his body. =/\=None, Sir.=/\= came the reply. "Keep looking." he said, an apparent urgency in his voice. "Whoever has her is obviously dangerous. Use extreme caution. HHril out." he tapped his comm channel closed and then opened another one immediately. "Lt. HHril to all security detachments. Ensign Dema has been located. Continue search for one Cassandra Dema. There have been reports of booby traps. Use extreme caution. The suspect that has her is to be considered armed and extremely dangerous. HHril out." "Lt. HHril to Captain Winters." he said after closing the second channel and opening a third. "Ensign Dema has been located and has been transported to sickbay. He was badly beaten, Sir" (reply Captain Winters, iyw) "Unfortunately, Cassandra is still missing. They found multiple booby traps." he said, giving her the highlights as he knew them. "All security detachments have been notified, and they are continuing with the search. Hopefully, Ensign Dema will be able to provide us with some useful information... when he regains consciousness." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2406.10.25 (USS Mystique - Sickbay- Pilot- Bill Jansen- 1730) Jansen walked into sickbay. It was still a bustle of activity, but a lot calmer than he had expected. He knew that the ship had gone through something major. He could "feel" the tension still in the ship. He looked over to see the CMO at work with the others from the away team, but his mind wandered. He began moving, without thought as to where he was going. When he was paying attention agian, he found himself in a private room, with MO Trenor, laying on a bed in front of him. He looked up at the monitors. He was no medic, but even he could tell that the brain activity was something that was most unsual. Without thinking, his mind flickered out to hers and he could feel Hanaldine's poison running through her thoughts. ~Damn it, I should've killed him when I had the chance.~ He wanted to sit down, and a chair slid across the room, as if on its own volition, and he sat deside the bed. He reached up and touched Trenor's hand. ::I'm so sorry.:: There was no reply. he really hadn't expected one. It was such a surface thought. He knew he was going to have to go deep. Taking a deep breath, Jansen closed his eyes. he relesed his breath and allowed his mind to drift, to sink slowly, to wind its way through Trenors. He wasn't sure what he was looking for, or even how he was able to look. However, he didknow that he would recognize it the instant he found it. And sure enough, there it was. A little bubble around part of her mind. There certainly seemed to be a lot of activity in that bubble though. As he approached it, the sensation was almost electric. He touched it with his mind and got a little shock. With another effort of will he pushed harder, and sure enough, his mind went right through the bubble, closing behind him. (Mindscape- Trenor's Mind- Ensign Bill Jansen- Time is irrelevant) As Jansen walked through a an open field, he saw in the distance a small pool of water. He headed towards it. As he got closer he could see someone laying on some sort of chaise lounge. Insitinctively he knew who it was. As he got closer, he could make out Alesia Trenor. She was alying, sanguinely, in the chaise. Her long brown hair flowed over her shoulders, almost hiding the solid looking colar around her throat. She lazily dipped her fingers into the lake and then licked them. Then she would dip them again and trace a line of water from her throat down her cleavage. Under different circumstances, she might seem quite erotic. But these weren't differnet circumstances. But nothing could hide the chain that went from the collar. It looked very strong. Jansen couldn't tell where it led. He walked slowly over to Trenor, and looked down at her. "Ms. Trenor." She ignored him. He knelt beside her and touched her arm. "Alesia, we need to get out of here." There was a tug on the chain and Trenor stood up and followed it. Jansen followed Trenor. They walked together, but Jansen wasn't certain if Trenor knew he was there. As they went through a hedge he could make out Hanaldine. He was standing by a post, and he held something in his hand. Jansen stopped, uncertain if the prince knew he was there. he watched as Trenor went up to the post and presented herself to the prince. He could see the grin on the princes face. Hanldine nodded to her, and with a swift motion she let the dress fall fromher body. She stood before hanaldine, in all her glory. Jansen looked carefully to see red marks across the marines back. She held out her hands and Hanaldine put something that looked like manacles on her wrists. He attached a chain to the manacles and lifted her arms over her head. She was restrained to the post, stretched so that she stood on the balls of her feet. Hanaldine lifted the item inhas hand, it looked like a stick, and whipped it across Trenors back. "No!!" Jansen shouted and stepped out from his hiding place. Hanaldine simply nodded. "I wondered how long it would take you boy." Jansen looked confused. "Surely you didn't think I could sense your arrival. A force such as yours would be nearly impossible to hide. So what do you think of my little prize" Hanaldine indicated to Trenor, who seemed to be enjoying her torment. She was mumbling something about "more." Jansen was repulsed. "what have you done to her?" he asked. "I have only released her from the cares of your world, and allowed her to be what she truely wants to be," Hanaldine explained. "Oh, didn't you know. This is her true self image. What she has always wanted. to be subjugated and owned, body and soul. And now I am the owner." He smiled a cruel smile and whipped her again. Trenor almost smiled at the pain. "Stop it," Jansen ordered. Hanaldine shook his head. "You don't get it do you boy. This is my world. I created it in beautiful Alesia's head. I am its lord and master. Here I rule completely , even over you." With that, Hanaldine lashed out with his mental powers again. He seemed even stronger than before. More confident. Jansen knew that he had beaten the prince before. He wasn't sure if it was sheer brute force, or surprise, but this time it felt different. Jansen could feel Hanaldine try to wrap his mind around his own. His attack wasn't the frontal assault that Jansen had expected. He was intermingling with his own thoughts, trying to find those hidden desires, or fears. Jansen's fear wasn't nearly as hidden as he had hoped it would be. Up until a couple of days ago, it was pretty darn obvious. Now he was his own fear. Then something strange began to happen. Jansen looked down at his hands. They had changed. They looked longer, and the nails were much longer and sharoper. they were green and blotchy, with hair across them. then he felt his face. it too felt different. It was more angular, and beastial quality to it. Hanladine laughed. "You are the monster you always were afraid of." But Jansen was still a lot stronger than Hanaldine had given him credit for. True he was his own monster, but he was in control. With that, Jansen mentally grabbed a hold of Hanaldines thoughts and twisted them back round upon him. He wrapped him up inhis own nightmare. Suddenly the Raellian was screaming at the thought of himself as a monster. "You bastard!" Hanaldien screamed. "This time the force of the thought caught Jandsen by surprise. Jansen grabbed at his chest. he could feel his heart pounding against it, trying to burst out, trying to keep working, and failing. Jansen looked to see the effort and strain on Hanaldine's face. He was putting everything he had into this one attack. Jansen dug down deep into himself to see what he had left. To his surprise there was still a lot in reserve. He was not in as much trouble as Hanaldine was making him believe he was. He was layering Jansen with self doubt and loathing. "I don't think so," Jansen saisd out loud. He finally began to accept what he was. And what he was no longer scared him. He was beyond what anyone else expected. Beyond Hanaldine'simagination. Beyond Vanyssa Winters' suspicions. Beyond Riven Mias' capacity to help. And with that realization he reached through the connection that Hanaldine had with Trenor and found his source of power. And like a candle in the wind he blew it out. With an echo of a scream Hanaldine's image disappeared from Trenors mindscape. Now all that was left was to pick up the pieces of poor Alecia's psyche and put it all back to gether. He sowly lowered her image to the ground. With a wave of his hands, the welts and wounds on her back, and thighs disappeared. He knelt down and put his hand on her head. "Alesia," he said gently, "time to wake up." Then he lifted his hands over his head and the bubble that surounded her mind disappeared. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2406.10.25 (USS Mystique - Sickbay- Pilot- Bill Jansen- 1734) Jansen opened his eyes. He looked up at the monitor to see that her readings were a little more normal. Then he looked to see that he was not alone. Of course, he already knew that by their thoughts. They couldn't help but project them to him. But now he wasn't afraid of them. He didn't fight it. His mind flowed with the thought and organized them so they didn't drive him crazy. There was nothing to say. He could sense their wonder at what he had done. Trenor stirred and all attention went to her. When she opened her eyes she looked up at Jansen. Jansen smiled back at her. "How you feeling?" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End compile