Compile#6 March Mission Day 28-29, 42-43, 78 (USS Rosenante) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission: Homecoming Day 28 Stardate: 2408.05.18 Compile Summary (USS Rosenante - Personal Quarters - FO - Lt Cmdr Josh Caskie - Day 28- 2345) ===================================================================== Mission: Homecoming Day 29 Stardate: 2408.05.19 Compile Summary ===================================================================== Mission:  Homecoming Day 42 Stardate: 2408.05.30 Compile Summary (Runabout Touchwood – Combat Nurse – M’Epak – Day 42 - 2232) ===================================================================== Mission:  Homecoming Day 43 Stardate: 2408.05.31 Compile Summary (Runabout Touchwood – Combat Nurse – E’Mpak –  Day 43 - 0243) (USS Wild Fire – Bridge -  Combat Nurse – E’Mpak -  Day 43 - 0302) ===================================================================== Mission: Homecoming Day 78 Stardate: 2408.07.07 Compile Summary (Bracas V, Beach, CO Capt. Ahmed Ibn Salid- Day 78- 1630) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Personal Quarters - FO - Lt Cmdr Josh Caskie - Day 28- 2345) Josh had arrived back on the Rose late in the evening. She had gone straight to her quarters and had notified no-one except the Captain that she was back. She hadn't even told Kitty since that would have involved having to go pick up Bruiser, not to mention a long discussion with Kitty about how her leave had gone and Josh would rather get the newest addition to her family settled before she had to introduce her to the feline from hell, not to mention happily dodging Kitty's questions for a while. So, pushing the anti-grav pallet down the hall she had been happy not to run across any crew members she knew by sight and was grateful when she reached her room. Unloading the pallet she set it back outside the door and crossing to her computer she contacted Ops and ask them to send someone to collect it and return it to Geneva. Finally, kicking off her shoes and crossing to the replicator she ordered a pot of lapsang suchong, a bowl of canine supplement number 1 and a large bowl of water. As her order arrived she started transferring everything. The tea to the small table beside her rocking chair and the bowls of food and water to the floor in the corner. Finally she crossed to the rather large pet carrier she had unloaded and opened it. Bit by bit a rather large puppy began to nose her way out of the carrier until finally the whole dog appeared. Josh smiled as the puppy finally appeared and began to sniff her way around the room. Shaggy and somewhat unkempt looking Luadhas had the usual beige, grey and white coat of the typical Irish Wolfhound. Watching her pad around the quarters Josh sipped at her tea wondering how Bruiser would take to the newest addition. Josh new that while Luadhas had the sweetest of tempers, the same could hardly be said of Bruiser and whilst Josh planned to introduce them to each other in the morning, she planned to keep them separate during the day until they had got used to each other. Bruiser would still be confined to Josh's quarters, but Josh would take Luadhas to her office on a daily basis, keeping them apart until they began to get used to each other. Finally Luadhas stopped exploring and rested her head on Josh's lap. Absentmindedly Josh began to scratch the dog's head wondering if she had time to check her computer terminal to see how everything had been going in her absence. A huge yawn took her unawares and she decided to leave everything until the morning. Hauling out the dog bed she had bought she guided Luadhas by the collar over to the bed. Good as gold the puppy happily settled down in it and watched as Josh made her way into her bedroom. (No reply needed) (Posted by Marilyn) ===================================================================== (USS Rosenante - Corridor - Mike Rosenbaur's Personal Quarters - FO - Lt Cmdr Josh Caskie - Day 29 - 1900) Josh pressed the chime outside Mike's door and waited. She carried a bottle of her favourite white wine in one hand and an insulated container of ham and mushroom tagliatelle that she had made earlier in the other. As the door slid open Josh smiled at Mike. "I come bearing gifts. Do you have time tonight for an old friend tonight?" (Reply Mike) (Posted by Marilyn) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Corridor - Personal Quarters - SO - Ensign Mike Rosenbauer - Day 29 - 1903) ~...56~ ~...57~ ~...58~ ~...59~ Mike's door enunciator chimed and he hurried to finish the last of his pushups. ~...60~ He pushed himself back to his feet with a final rush of power and grabbed the towel off the back of a nearby chair. He wiped the sweat from his brow as he crossed the floor and opened the door. Josh was standing there in all her glory. She was smiling and was carrying what looked to be like dinner and a bottle of fine wine. "I come bearing gifts. Do you have time for an old friend tonight?" Mike nodded, smiling. "There's always time for you Jennifer. Come in." He stepped aside allowing her access to his quarters. He was wearing his regulation physical training attire and so wasn't as presentable as he'd preferred, but he didn't mind enough to turn Jennifer away. "Sorry about the mess," he apologized, as he bent down to pick up the barbells and workout mat that he'd been using just a few minutes earlier. "I decided to workout here instead of the gym today." (reply Caskie) He dropped the variable weight dumbbells back into their carrying case and rolled up the mat. He looked up at Jennifer who had made her way over to the quarters small, but well stocked kitchen. "How was your trip to Earth? How's Ian?" He asked her. (reply Caskie) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Personal Quarters - SO - Ensign Mike Rosenbauer - Day 29 - 1905) As Mike ushered Josh into his quarters he apologies for the mess. "I decided to workout here instead of the gym today." Josh crossed to his kitchen and put the wine and the container down on the counter. "No worries. I just got back late yesterday evening. You should see the state of mine." She fished around in one of the drawers until she found the corkscrew and then opening the bottle she raked around in the cupboards until she found two glasses and poured them a glass each. As Mike began tidying his stuff away he looked over at her. "How was your trip to Earth? How's Iain?" Coming out of the kitchen and handing Mike his glass of wine, Josh smiled at him. "Actually it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and it certainly helped me bury a lot of old ghosts that I think were hanging around and haunting me. Meg was her usual pain in the ass. What can I say, she's Meg and thinks because she is older than me she knows better. Surprisingly it was Iain who shut her up this time. Well, ok, only some of the time. I did have to stomp on her once or twice myself, but it all worked out in the end." She sipped her wine and smiled at Mike. "Iain is, surprising well to be honest. His injuries healed better than any of us expected and by now he's probably back in San Francisco. They asked him to return as Director of the Institute. Quite a coup for someone his age, but I gather they lost a lot of people during the last battle for Earth." (Reply Mike iyw) "The meal will keep warm if you want to have a shower. I'll set the table cut some bread and make a salad. Take your time, no hurry." (Reply Mike) Josh busied herself setting the table, replicating a loaf of bread and cutting it up and rummaging around in Mike's fridge took out some tomatoes, a cucumber, a pepper and a head of lettuce and began chopping them to make a salad. Raking around in the cupboard once again she began to look for anything that she could use to make a dressing for the salad. Combing all the ingredients together and tossing the salad she put it back into the fridge to chill just as Mike returned from his shower. "Perfect timing." she said grinning. Handing him his glass of wine she sat down beside him. "So tell me. How have you been while I've been away?" (Reply Mike) (Posted by Marilyn) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Corridor - Personal Quarters - SO - Ensign Mike Rosenbauer - Day 29 - 1907) Mike took the offered glass of wine from Jennifer and took a sip as she answered his questions. "Actually it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and it certainly helped me bury a lot of old ghosts that I think were hanging around and haunting me. Meg was her usual pain in the ass. What can I say, she's Meg and thinks because she is older than me she knows better. Surprisingly it was Iain who shut her up this time. Well, ok, only some of the time. I did have to stomp on her once or twice myself, but it all worked out in the end." She sipped her wine and smiled at Mike. "Iain is, surprising well to be honest. His injuries healed better than any of us expected and by now he's probably back in San Francisco. They asked him to return as Director of the Institute. Quite a coup for someone his age, but I gather they lost a lot of people during the last battle for Earth." "That may be true, but Ian most certainly could not have accomplished that if he wasn't qualified. I have no doubt that he was selected because of his abilities, not just because their looking to fill vacant slots in their faculty." Mike replied, "besides, he's his mother's son. That has to account for a great deal." Jennifer switched subjects on him. "The meal will keep warm if you want to have a shower. I'll set the table cut some bread and make a salad. Take your time, no hurry." He smiled at her. "That's a great idea. I'll be right back." He leaned forward gave her a peck on the lips and headed for the head, stopping just long enough to grab a change of civilian clothes. Mike showered quickly, and although he normally would take his time, he didn't want to keep Jennifer waiting too long. He stepped out of the shower. Quickly shaved and then headed back into the main room, where Jennifer had just placed the salad on the table along with the rest of the food. "Perfect timing." she said grinning. He stopped and performed a mock bow for her amusement before heading to the table and taking a seat. Handing him his glass of wine she sat down beside him. "So tell me. How have you been while I've been away?" "Honestly pretty busy during duty hours and very bored during off duty time. I've been taking an advanced squad tactics course on Geneva, and also managed a counter boarding and close quarters combat refreshers course as well. On top of that there's been all the T.H.I.S. Training with Haverstaadt. Now that woman's a perfectionist." "Off duty, it's been wondering if I should catch a shuttle to Earth or just stick it out here and wait for you to return. I had a couple of nights out with the squad, in which certain members keep asking me when I'm going to marry you, alongside the usual harassment that I get from them. You know how they are? Hell, Saint-jean even made me promise that if I pop the question that I have to nominate her for your Bridesmaid." Mike laughed. "I missed you Jennifer. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that you took care of this and I know that you needed it, but damn I really missed you." (reply Caskie) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Mike's Personal Quarters - FO - Lt Cmdr Josh Caskie - Day 29 - 1910) "Honestly pretty busy during duty hours and very bored during off duty time. I've been taking an advanced squad tactics course on Geneva, and also managed a counter boarding and close quarters combat refreshers course as well. On top of that there's been all the T.H.I.S. Training with Haverstaadt. Now that woman's a perfectionist." Josh groaned. "Tell me about it. She has left me three separate memos asking when I can fit myself into her schedule. Her schedule mind you not mine." "Off duty, it's been wondering if I should catch a shuttle to Earth or just stick it out here and wait for you to return. I had a couple of nights out with the squad, in which certain members keep asking me when I'm going to marry you, alongside the usual harassment that I get from them. You know how they are? Hell, Saint-jean even made me promise that if I pop the question that I have to nominate her for your Bridesmaid." Josh put her knife and fork down on her plate and sighed. She knew they were Mike's friends and had known him longer than she had. But this constant intrusion into her personal life grated. She and Mike would probably have been a one day wonder when she was simply the CMO, but suddenly once she was the new FO everything had changed. If that was not bad enough along had come the Epiphany and her husband. and everything had become a total nightmare from then on. "You know what. I think your squad has way to much free time to gossip. I am pretty sure that I can fix that if I needed to. Perhaps I should just up their training schedule. That should cut down their gossiping time don't you think?" "I missed you Jennifer. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that you took care of this and I know that you needed it, but damn I really missed you." Josh smiled at him. "I missed you too Mike. I missed the calm balance that you always give me. I missed the warmth that I enjoy simply being with you. To be honest I just simply missed you. (Reply Mike) (Posted by Marilyn) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Corridor - Personal Quarters - SO - Ensign Mike Rosenbauer - Day 29 - 1915) "You know what. I think your squad has way to much free time to gossip. I am pretty sure that I can fix that if I needed to. Perhaps I should just up their training schedule. That should cut down their gossiping time don't you think." "I missed you Jennifer. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that you took care of this and I know that you needed it, but damn I really missed you." Josh smiled at him. "I missed you too Mike. I missed the calm balance that you always give me. I missed the warmth that I enjoy simply being with you. To be honest I just simply missed you." Mike smiled and took a sip of his wine. "Well, that's a great thing Jennifer. It would be a shame if it was one-sided" He replied with a smile, "And as for the squad, I'll take care of their free time, no need to involve yourself there." "So glad to finally be back?" Mike asked. "By the way this is fabulous." he said jabbing his fork at the plate and the wonderful meal she had prepared for him. (reply Caskie) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Corridor - Mike's Personal Quarters - FO - Lt Cmdr Josh Caskie - Day 29 - 1918) "Well, that's a great thing Jennifer. It would be a shame if it was one-sided. and as for the squad, I'll take care of their free time, no need to involve yourself there." Josh's fork went clattering back onto her plate again as she listened to Mike. Staring at him eye to eye she sighed, finally angry but trying not to show it. "Damn it all to hell Mike. Do you think I would have turned up at your door this evening if everything was one sided? Do you seriously think that I would have ignored a stack of padds the size of a small Alp had this been one sided? I've been back less than twenty four hours and I chose to spend my first bit of free time with you. If that doesn't tell you that this is not one sided them perhaps I should just go now." Standing up she threw her napkin down on the table ready to leave. "So glad to finally be back?" Mike asked. "By the way this is fabulous." he said jabbing his fork at the plate and the wonderful meal she had prepared for him. Josh simply stood there torn between anger and laughter, not entirely sure which way she should go until finally she sat back down her shoulders shaking. Resting her elbows on the table she grinned across at him. "You really are piece of work Mike, you do know that don't you. And yes I am glad to be back. More than anywhere else I consider here as home." "However given the fact that your squad will gossip and give you a hard time no matter what. Perhaps it is time that I met them socially and finally let them get to know me as a person and not just the hard ass that sits on the Bridge and orders them about. What do you think? (Reply Mike, (if there is time)) (Posted by Marilyn) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Personal Quarters, SO Mike Rosenbauer, Day 29- 1922) Mike had to be tired. So much so that he almost missed the point that Jennifer had taken his one-sided joke as sarcastic criticism. Before his brain had even registered that she had dropped her fork and risen from the table he had already replied with, "So glad to finally be back?" Mike asked. "By the way this is fabulous." She paused for a moment, but apparently he had said something correct for a change, as she sat back down at the table and rested her elbows there. "You really are piece of work Mike, you do know that don't you? And yes I am glad to be back. More than anywhere else I consider here as home." "However given the fact that your squad will gossip and give you a hard time no matter what. Perhaps it is time that I met them socially and finally let them get to know me as a person and not just the hard ass that sits on the Bridge and orders them about. What do you think?" He smiled up at her. " You'll have to excuse my terrible sense of humor Jennifer. I wasn't trying to upset you." He apologized. He placed his fork down on his plate and slid the plate away from him a bit. "The squad is a good group of people, Jennifer. We've all put ourselves on the line for each other numerous times. Too many to count. I mean, I'm a God father to Cooper's Son's little girl. And Eva, she was bound for a penal facility because she refused to obey an unlawful order during the civil war. They were going to lock her up and throw away the key. She's like a kid sister to me. I nearly got myself court-martialed because of that mess." "If they're gossiping about you, it's because you're in my life now. They care a lot about me and by extension about you. They want me to be happy, and they know that you make me happy, so their natural state is to harass me about out relationship. To make sure it's going along well and maybe to push me to do something to make certain it's permanent. I assure you, they don't talk bad about you, in fact they adore you." He took a sip of wine. "If you want to meet with them socially, then by all means you're more than welcome to do so. The squad gets together twice a month for poker. I'll be glad to bring you along. The next game is in august, because of leave schedules." "There's no rank there, we're all just Friends. The agreement is that we say what we want as we want and we just deal with it. It's our way of making certain that we always stay together and know what's happening in each other's lives." "We've come through a lot of s**t together, starting with the outbreak of the war when we were still Starfleet rangers, until we were assigned to the Norves and then the Champlain. We've seen service on sixteen Doenitz controlled planets, captured two starships and had two blown out from under us. But that era is over and we've transferred to security so that we wouldn't have to do that sort of thing any more." "I'd like for you to get to know them. They're my closest friends and they are the only people besides you that I'd completely trust without question. They're not going away, so you might as well get to know them." (reply Caskie only iyw) Daniel Greene ===================================================================== (Runabout Touchwood – Combat Nurse – M’Epak – Day 42 - 2232)   M’Epak was glad to be going back to Rose. It was no that she had not enjoyed her time with her own people. She had drunk to much blood wine, sang and eaten targ until she thought she would never move again and her stomach would explode.   She grinned as she remembered at one of the many parties she had in a drunken bet with another Klingon to whom could head butt each other the hardest. The result ended with them both suffering from concussion and cracked rig bones. The monitor in front of her bleeped. She looked down at the console and paused as she saw that it was a distress call.   ~Ow no~   She then bellowed over her shoulder.   “Captain you really need to get up here.”   A moment later the figure of Captain Jay was beside her. She had met the Captain at one of the parties. Jay was spending a few days on Qo’noS passing through before heading back to Geneva after finishing her time with High Council’s Medical Centre  and M’Epak was able to snag a trip home.   “What is it Nurse M’Epak?”   “We have received a distress call Captain Jay.”   A frown passed Jay’s Bajoran features.   “Lets play it.”   M’Epak entered a quick command and looked up as the small view screen which flickered into life. A woman’s face appeared on the screen. She had a wild brown hair and blood splattered down one side of her face. Andrew saw the fear in here eyes.   ~This is not good~   =^=Ow god I hope this gets out. They have all gone mad=^=   M’Epak saw her look off to her right.   =^= This is Lieutenant Commander Tudor of the USS Wild Fire. They have all gone mad. The crew have gone mad. Captain Jackson’s dead the XO killed him=^=   There was a loud bang and he saw Tudor flinched away.   =^= I have blocked my self in the bridge and they are trying to get in. I separated the ship but they got onboard before the saucer section separated=^=   M’Epak watched her as she entered a code into the console. She gave a cry of frustration as she hit the console in font of her.   =^= Dam it. I can’t get the engines to fire…=^=   There was a bang, a screech on metal against metal and a rush of feet. Tudor gave a scream as she was pulled away from the monitor. Something heavy hit against the monitor and the view screen went blank.   M’Epak sat there for a moment in shock at what she had just watched. She then looked over at Jay.   “Ow my God Captain.”   Jay looked at her.   “We have to send this to star fleet command. As we are out this far I have a feeling that we are the closest starship out her.”   M’Epak nodded as she realised that Jay was right.   “Yes Captain. I’ll pass it on the headquarters and set a course.”   With in seconds she had sent the message and they runabout had jumped into high warp.   “How long till we get there?”   M’Epak glanced at the helm monitor.   “Four hours? Captain.”   Jay nodded.   “What ever has happened on board is not good. We need to find out what is going on, on the Wild Fire.”   M’Epak nodded as she remembered what she had just watched.   (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) ===================================================================== (Runabout Touchwood – Combat Nurse – E’Mpak –  Day 43 - 0243)   “Bringing us out of warp.”   E’Mpak watched as the streaking star field returned to normal. The view that she received was a worrying one. Taking up most of the view port was the star drive section of a galaxy class star ship. As the drifting form of the star drive section slowly moved out of the line of sight they saw what remained of the saucer section. The aft section of the saucer was missing every thing from the main shuttle bay out including both impulse engines were gone. It was like a giant creature had taken a bite out of it.   “What happened to the saucer section.”   E’Mpak realised it was she who had spoken.   “It looks like the impulse engines exploded and took out most of the aft section.”   E’Mpak nodded at this information from Jay.   ~That is one hell of an explosion~   “Any life sights Captain?”   There was a pause as Jay processed the scan data.   “It looks like most of the saucer section is open to vacuum there are sporadic life signs. The star drive has massive power fluctuations which is masking any life signs.”   E’Mpak nodded as she looked at the two sections as they manoeuvred past.   “No signs of contaminates or viruses?. Which is good.”   “So what shall we do Captain?”   She had a pretty good idea what she wanted to do and a small smile crossed her face as she saw the sparkle in Jay’s eyes.   “Right then we better go and have a look at what’s happened. We will go to the saucer section and find out what happened there.”   E’Mpak saw Jay look over at her.   “I hope you have brought suitable attire for our little outing E’Mpak.   “I am sure I can find some thing that will do the job Captain.”   (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Wild Fire – Bridge -  Combat Nurse – E’Mpak -  Day 43 - 0302)   E’Mpak materialised with Jay onto the back of the bridge. As her senses cleared she looked around the once grand bridge. It had been decimated, there were scorch marks across the walls and debree scattered across the floor along with a few bodies.   E’Mpak moved towards the bodies but did not have to go to close to see that they were dead. The closest one’s neck was broken and lay at an off angle.   “This is not a time for sight seeing E’Mpak.”   E’Mpak nodded as she and Jay moved over to the aft console.   “I need to gain access to the main frame and find out what’s happened.”   As Jay began to type in her commands E’Mpak saw some movement out the corner of her eye. She spun round and saw to her horror the bodies begin to get up and turn to face them.   “Ow  toDSaH this is not good.”   ~Like some old zombie movies I use to watch as a child~   “I thought you said they were dead.”   Said Jay over her shoulder as the zombies began a slow shuffle towards them.   ~How did they kill them on the old movies. Silver bullet?~   “They were but they are walking now.”   ~No that is werewolves~   She stepped towards the closest and saw that there was a cut across its neck severing the carotid arteries.   ~There is no way for him to live. Yep defiantly zombies~   “Stop do not come any closer or I will hurt you.”   ~Garlic or a stake through the heart?~   “Did it work?”   ~No that is vampires~   The shuffled foot steps continued as her answer. E’Mpak gave a slight shrug.   ~Ow I will just have to go for the tried and trusted method~   “I had to try.”   ~Removing the head from the body~   She reached behind her back and pulled out her mek’leth and with one upwards strike she cut off an out stretched arm.  She then pirouetted and then decapitated it with the down wards strike. The headless zombie dropped to the floor with a sickening thud. She slid forward and decapitated the other zombies in quick succession. As the last one hit the floor E’Mpak looked over at the turbolifts who’s doors had been forced open and more zombies were crawling through.   “How long Captain because we are having visitors.”   “Almost done.”   E’Mpak took her d’k tahg from its sheath and through it across the bridge. It imbedded it’s self into the first zombie who toppled back wards and was lost in the depth of the turbolift shaft. She felt a split second pang of sadness for losing it as had been given to her by her father.   “Right that’s it lets go. I think we have out stayed our welcome.”   E’Mpak nodded as she felt the transport grip her and the room fad out of view.   (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) ===================================================================== (Bracas V, Beach, CO Capt. Ahmed Ibn Salid- Day 78- 1630) Ahmed allowed his eyes to flutter open despite the brightness of the sun. The sound of the waves crashing on the shore and the soft murmur of the windwhistles reminded him of his location and he couldn't help but smile. He'd fallen asleep on the beach again, but that wasn't too uncommon recently. His stress and anxiety had slowly faded away and he knew that he'd dread the inevitable return to the hectic duty that was Commanding a starship. But at the same time he was beginning to get a restless sort of feeling that he attributed to inactivity. How long had it been since he'd taken an actual vacation just for himself? Ahmed couldn't remember really. It had to have been before the Civil war and long before Doentiz had assumed his dictatorial control of the federation. He shaded his eyes as he pushed himself up into a sitting position. The weather was beautiful, but then again it was exactly what was expected of a planet renowned for it's pristine beaches and thousands of miles of secluded coves and islets. The small personal sailing vessel that he had rented bobbed in the swell of the ocean just a short distance off the coast of the small secluded sand island that he had selected to explore. The 82-meter long island had been formed as a result of the natural coral reef that was just a few hundred meters away. Ahmed had been steered this way by some of the locals who claimed that there wasn't any better place to skin dive and snorkel than this. He had to say that so far he was in complete agreement with their assessment. A gust of wind kicked up a frothy spray of ocean water, sprinkling his sun warmed body. His tan had deepened in the four days that he'd been here and his Mediterranean heritage was evident to those that looked at him. He stood in a slow lazy manner and slowly padded over towards the clear azure waters. "I should really do this more often," he thought as he stepped into the surf. That's when he first realized something was very wrong. It was almost a subconscious warning, just enough to cause him to turn his head enough that he caught the moment out of the corner of his eye. He tried to twist out of the way, but his assailant was already in motion. The baton struck Ahmed in the forehead, snapping his head backwards suddenly and knocking him off his feet. There was a blinding flash of light as the baton made impact. His body kicked up a fine powder of the natural sand as he landed hard on the beach. The wind was knocked from him in the impact and Ahmed took in a massive gulp of sand filled air. This caused him to sputter into a coughing fit. Instinctively the captain threw his hands up to protect himself from any follow-up attacks. When they didn't come, Ahmed opened his eyes and looked around him. Three Jem'Hadar warriors were climbing out of a boat anchored on the opposite side of the island. Two others were standing nearby, one was carrying a baton of some sort. A Vorta was making his way along the beach, heading towards him. Ahmed shifted into a sitting position the Jem'Hedar with the baton drew the weapon back to strike him. "Hold!" the Vorta male called out. "I think we have his attention well enough." The Jem'Hedar soldier just grunted and took a step back. Ahmed brushed the sand from his face, then tenderly probed the bruising and bleeding point on his forehead. His fingers brought away a bit of blood. "You're a long way from home." he said, thinking of nothing else to say, but feeling the urge to say something. "Indeed I am Captain Salid." the Vorta said. "my apologies but my Jem'Hedar companions have a tendency to be a bit rough around the edges." "I noticed." Ahmed replied as he pulled himself to his feet. The Jem'Hedar once again stepped forward with the threat of violence, but stopped cold when the Vorta gave him a steely- eyed look. "I didn't realize that the Dominion was interested in me." Ahmed said then. "Oh but we're interested in all Starfleet captains, especially those commanding advanced federation starships." The Vorta replied. "So this is going to be a kidnapping?" Ahmed asked, "the least you could do is tell me your name." He watched as the three Jem'Hedar soldiers he'd seen earlier joined them. "Of course Captain, my apologies at being so rude. My name is Julman. And I am not here to kidnap you. I am here to deliver a message and to make certain that I have your undivided attention." He continued. "Well, you could have asked nicely. It does put a significant barrier between us where communication is concerned when you have your goons club me." Ahmed replied sarcastically. Of course he realized that if the Vorta were here, that meant there was a Dominion warship nearby, well inside the boundaries of the federation. Nothing that brought a Dominion warship this deep inside federation territory could bode well. At his incendiary words the baton-wielding soldier moved in to strike him again, but this time Ahmed was prepared. With all the speed and skill of a practiced boxer, the Captain side-stepped his opponent's swing then counter-punched with a right cross. Even Jem'Hedar were subject to a knock out blow and the large soldier crumpled at the Captain's feet. His companions all raised their weapons. "That's for hitting me with the baton," Ahmed stated, then kicked sand on the fallen soldier. Julman laughed. "Good, I'm glad that you won't give in, that's exactly the reason that you need to hear what I'm about to tell you." (reply none) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- End Compile ---------------------------------------------------------------------