Stardate 77666.7

“Welcome back, Commander.”  Halsey glanced up from the couch in his ready room the PADD in one hand and the coffee in the other.

“It is agreeable to be back.”  Sorek learned a long time ago that Humans felt the need to express such emotional greetings, though it was inevitable he would return to the ship.  

Leopold nodded toward the replicator. “I’ve been working through the latest missions that we could pick up, and there’s a few that are interesting.”  He handed the XO a spare PADD, “There’s one somewhat close to Vulcan if that interests you.”

“It is not a matter of what interests me, Captain, but where we are needed most.”

A moment passed as they read through the PADD files before Halsey asked, “How are you doing, Sorek?  After the events of the last mission.”

Sorek raised an eyebrow at the question.  “I am well, sir.  Is there something that concerns you?”

Leopold considered the question he had asked.  “I suppose it’s more a question of whether you have processed the events that you experienced?”  He took a pull from his coffee.

“I have indeed, sir,” said Sorek. “I stepped outside the box and blew off steam.”

It was Halsey’s turn to raise an eyebrow, “What did that look like for you?”

“It was a lesson I needed to learn to ensure I live life to its fullest,” said Sorek.

He was curious, as anyone would be, as to how a full Vulcan would blow off steam and learn to live life to the fullest, but he decided not to press his executive officer for the moment.  “Well, I’d…”

=^=Captain Halsey to the bridge!=^=

He stood from the couch, “Well, let’s go find out what this is all about.”

They walked onto the bridge, and he turned to the communications chief, who had his earpiece to his ear as he spoke. “Sir, we’re getting a distress call from Ghulion IV.  They report they are under attack from Romulans and are requesting immediate assistance.  It is a general distress call.”

Halsey walked over to the station, “Location?”

Ensign Jackson tapped at his console. “It is in the Ghulion system located within the Vayt sector.  Records show it is a Federation Protectorate – just about a year ago.”  Another tap, “A small Federation Colony made landfall last year and established itself.  The last reported number of colonists was upwards of 5,000, but that’s a few months out of date.”

‘Yellow alert,” said Sorek. From his station, he sent a priority one message to all departments to begin preparing for emergency disaster relief.

He turned to the helm. “Plot us an intercept course to Ghulion IV.” He turned back to the communications chief, “Get Starfleet on the line.  If they’re under fire, we’re not going to do much good without someone there to clear the way.”   Wellington tapped quickly as he balanced the distress call and the call to Starfleet.

Sorek thought about the new situation. This was looking like it was going to be a true medical mission, just what the Mercy was designed to do.

Ensign Jackson saw a message blink red on his screen, “Captain, I have Starfleet Operations on a secure and priority channel.”

An Admiral stood in an operations center somewhere, either on Earth or Starbase 1, and was working on a PADD as he looked up to his own view screen.  There was plenty of movement around and behind him from officers at consoles and operations stations.  =^=USS Mercy, we’re aware of the distress call from Ghulion IV.  She’s also known as Coppelius.  We’ve dispatched a task force to deal with the attack ships- we’re not quite sure which set of the Romulans we’re dealing with here, so tread softly until you get the all-clear from our task group.  We’re sending you everything we have on the planet and the system.  Projections have you arriving there in six or so hours at emergency speeds of warp 9.6.  Your use of emergency warp speeds is hereby authorized.  As the situation develops, we’ll update you as we can.  Get to Ghulion IV.  Get an understanding of what they need and begin support operations immediately.  They are a protectorate…and we’re damn sure going to hold up on our end of the deal.  Starfleet out.=^=

Halsey felt as if things were now going to move very quickly, “Helm, push us to emergency warp speeds and engage.”  The USS Mercy surged toward the stars and was soon flying through space.  Leopold turned to Sorek, “Commander, let’s the Mercy ready for whatever’s coming.  Where do you want to start?”

“I’ve notified the departments to begin emergency preparations,” said Sorek. “We’ll need the intelligence reports for that sector and a senior staff briefing to discuss how we’re going to render aid.”

Halsey handed him a PADD, “Take the data Starfleet sent to us and see what you can find out.  There may be more on the way.  I’m going to get with communications and see what I can find out about the colony – the known and the unknown.  Having a colony that close to Romulan space feels like there’s more to the story.  I’ll arrange for a senior staff briefing at 1100 hours.”

They each went to work on their assignments.

They had arrived at Ghulion IV.  The Federation Task Force had engaged and had given chase to the Romulan attackers, which had been confirmed as separatists.  They’d attempted to seize the planet as a means to an end, but the planet’s recent status as a Federation Protectorate hadn’t occurred to them.  The Romulans had been aided by others – there were reports of some Klingon minor and dishonored houses that were mixed in for good measure.  Now they had the attention of Starfleet.  

“Captain, we’re entering orbit now.  We’re directly sending all sensor and scan reports to department heads, as you requested.  The main colony area took the hardest hits, and there are numerous reports of injured out in the open but also in and around buildings – sensors are showing much instability in the buildings and area.  Initial sensor sweeps show significant damage to infrastructure as well – power and water are offline for the entire colony – they hit the power plant pretty badly, and the well system’s been sundered.”  A pause, “We’re also picking up damage and destruction in the rural parts of the colony – the mining and industrial sectors are harder to scan without being closer.  Detecting farm life as well in that area.”

Halsey stood from his chair, “Then we’re the ones for the job ahead.”  He tapped his chair console, “This is Captain Halsey – we’ve arrived at the colony.  Your department heads have all the relevant data, information, and details.  Your teams and specific mission details have been assigned.  Let’s get to work.”

Halsey turned to Sorek, “I’ll follow you down shortly – we’ve got a planet to save.”

Sorek moved closer to Halsey and spoke in a hushed tone. “There was a ground assault on the colony. We don’t know if separatists are still there. Until we can secure the area, I believe you should remain here on the Mercy.”

Halsey gave his Vulcan XO a brief look and gave a slight nod, “I’ll accept it, begrudgingly.  We’ll need to ensure our teams are escorted in that case.”  He pulled out his PADD, “Commander Sorek, the away teams are in your charge.  We’ll coordinate communications and dispatch requests from here.  Let’s get to work.”

“Yes, sir,” said Sorek. The scope of this operation was going to test everyone on board.

Deck 2, Briefing Room

Sorek was addressing the department heads, assistant chiefs, and patient ward coordinators.

“You’ve all been briefed on the situation on Coppelius. Medical teams will be transported all over the city in small teams. Because there could still be Separatist soldiers on the planet, someone from security will accompany each team. Standard security, emergency triage and medical protocols will be in place at all times. If your security escort tells you to hit the ground, you hit the ground. If an area is too dangerous to enter, stay out.

“Mister O’Shea, Doctor MacDonald, you are responsible for duty rosters and shift rotations. Make sure everyone receives rest, food, and water. We’re no good to anyone if our people become patients, too.

“Transporter rooms will be manned at all times to beam critical patients to the Mercy. Shuttles and runabouts will be available to take patients to the ship when a beam out is too dangerous. They’ll also be available on the surface as rest areas or field hospitals. Mister Sesias, you are in charge of that.’

“Lieutenant Cordon, the engineering department will try to restore power to the city, if possible. If not, your people will set up generators and batteries, or anything else needed to insure the medical people have everything they need. Damage control parties can be used to put out fires or be involved in extracting anyone trapped in a building.

“Counselor Choi, you and your people will be ready on the planet and the ship as needed.

“Lieutenant S’Atilen, you and your department will handle surface to ship communications. Coordinate with Captain Halsey on the bridge.

“The chief yeoman will supervise taking names of patients and insuring the recording of all medical records.

“I will be on the planet or on board the Mercy as the situation warrants.  Contact me as needed for anything.

“This is our first true medical operation. We’ve all trained for this. Do your jobs and we’ll get this done. You are dismissed.”

As everyone was leaving, Sorek motioned for O’Shea to remain.

“For now, the captain will be remaining on the Mercy. If he chooses to go to the colony at some point, you will be personally responsible for his safety.”

Sorek had informed the crew as best as he could. Now it was time to save lives.

Deck 28, Security Office

James O’Shea stood overlooking the holographic display of the settlement on Ghulion IV. The damage was clearly visible across the entire colony but what concerned him was the reports of ground assault by the Romulan and Klingon forces. Given that their fleet had been driven off in short order he was pretty sure some of the ground forces remained which meant trouble, especially if they were Klingons.

He looked over at Dougal and Iziraa and sighed, “This one could be messy. The damage to the colony is extensive and our engineering and medical teams will be spread out trying to restore power and locate and treat the wounded. If this had been an orbital attack it would be one thing but they landed ground forces and we do not know if there are any remaining. As such I do not want any team down there without some security personnel and all crew should be armed. I will be coordinating things here on Mercy at first while we get the roster and shift rotations sorted but if needed I can be planet side in an instant with more people. Questions?”

Izi had studied the scans of the colony.  What was done to those people made her Andorian blood boil.  It was likely they might find a Separatist and she hoped she would be the one that found him first.

“What are the rules of engagement if we encounter active Separatists?” said Izi.

“We are there to protect the away teams and the Federation citizens on the planet but do not fire unless fired on first. Our numbers are limited so basically pull back and beam put.” O’Shea responded.

Izi frowned, her antennae moving slightly forward.

Dougal had remained silent to this point digesting the facts and the conversation between Iziraa and O’Shea.   “Sir, if I may.  We are a wee security team, not a bloody force. I dinnae think we have the numbers or training to complete this mission. Assuming there are Klingon ground forces there.”

“We can handle ourselves,” said Izi, displaying her impulsive nature.  “Bring them on.”

Dougal wasn’t one to shrink from a fight, but he also worried about those under him and responsible for.  He also wasn’t big on just throwing his life away either. Sighing he gave Iziraa a look, but didn’t say anything.  He’d said his peace, now it was up to O’Shea to make a final decision. It was Dougal’s duty to carry it out regardless of the consequences.

Izi returned Dougal’s gaze. He was being cautious and that was okay. Everyone was different.

O’Shea nodded as he listened, “Dougal is right. We are very limited on personnel so we will need to focus on keeping our crew safe. Even if that means beaming out the second things get dicey. If we find that there is a force on the ground we will need to re-evaluate and possibly pull back. Once the rest of the armada has driven those ships off, I am sure they will be back to provide assistance if needed.”

Retreat and beam out. Izi was not happy about that, but since they were guarding non-combatants, she supposed she could deal with it.

Dougal remained unusually placid and simply opted to nod in assent. 

O’Shea watched the reactions of both Iziraa and Dougal. He could see a bit of frustration as to the orders and could understand that. “I know the desire to engage the Romulan and Klingon ground forces if they are encountered. But we need to remember our duty and that is to protect the crew. Do you have any questions?”

“No,” said Izi.

“Nay Lad,” Dougal replied.  “But I have a bad feeling about this.”

O’Shea nodded in understanding. “It is not ideal. I wish one of the other ships stayed to provide extra boots on the ground but we have what we have.”

“If there is nothing else you are dismissed. Identify your teams and make sure the large away teams you are with are armed and stocked with food, water and additional medical equipment.”

Standing Dougal nodded for O’Shea and headed for the equipment locker to suit up all the while thinking about his team.”

Izi watched Dougal leave.  She was going to say one more thing, but changed her mind.  Adding a nod of her own, she left to prepare.

With a phaser, a tricorder, handcuffs, a flashlight, and a pouch on her belt filled with energy bars, Izi and the medical team she was escorting, a doctor, a nurse, and two orderlies, beamed down from the Mercy, appearing in one of the colony business districts. The shock of the devastation made her antennae go rigid. Buildings were in various stages of damage, from almost none, to completely leveled. Smoke from a fire billowed into the air, floating on the wind like a menacing spirit seeking someone to possess. Bodies lay in the street. Izi could hear people crying. She had never seen anything like it and it made her stomach churn. Even the medical people were stunned. Doctor Ben Parker was the first to speak, addressing the orderlies.

“Check the bodies first.” He began scanning the area, moving closer to the damaged structures.

Izi watched the orderlies. They checked six, but all of them were gone.

“Lieutenant.”

Izi was so overwhelmed, she hadn’t sensed the doctor approaching her.

“There’s someone in that building. We should start there.”

Izi nodded. “I’ll go in first.” Taking a last look at the orderlies and their grim task, she moved to the place Doctor Parker indicated, a restaurant called, Pam’s Place. The door was ajar, so she peered inside. The interior was a mess, with tables strewn about and chairs spread across the dining area, but what mattered most, was a woman lying on the floor, a man sitting next to her, and a Romulan with dried blood from a gash in his neck. A disruptor and a dagger lay on the floor next to him.

The woman, a Human in her thirties, was wearing a blouse that was torn and bloody. Her eyes were open in a blank death stare. The man gazed at nothing, probably suffering from shock.

Izi went inside, secured the weapons, and confirmed the Romulan was dead. looking around and satisfied no one else was there, she motioned for Doc Parker and the nurse to enter. While they worked, she stood in the doorway, keeping an eye on the orderlies.

In Starfleet Academy, there were training scenarios that simulated relief efforts like this, but no matter how realistic a holo exercise was, everyone knew they weren’t real. The emotional and psychological impact just wasn’t part of it. There was no preparation for the real thing.

“Lieutenant, a word outside please.”

Izi went back onto the street with Doctor Parker.

“The man is in shock; he barely spoke,” said Parker. “The woman is his wife. She has a disruptor burn on her chest, but my scans detected something suspicious.”

“Oh?” Izi was intrigued.

“Her cause of death wasn’t from an energy weapon. The burn is post-mortem.”

“What are you saying, Doctor?”

“She was stabbed in the heart.”

“By the Romulan?” said Izi, her antennae moving in slow circles.

“Maybe, but that doesn’t explain the burn,” said Parker. “I’m a doctor, not a detective. This is your mystery to solve.”

“Thank you, Doc.”

Back in the restaurant, when the nurse finished treating the man, Izi asked him to go outsde with her.

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you.” The man’s voice was quiet.

“I’m Lieutenant Iziraa. I’d like to ask you some questions. Anything you can tell me could help with who did this.”

“Isn’t it obvious? It was the Separatists.”

“I still need to investigate.” Izi activated her PADD. “Can you tell me your name?”

“Daniel Blair. That was my wife…” He began to choke up.

“What happened inside, Mister Blair?”

“We were attacked by a Romulan. He killed my beautiful wife. I fought as best as I could. He was stronger, but I was able to get his dagger from him. I.. I…”

Blair’s story wasn’t adding up. Izi also noticed he wouldn’t look her in the eye. Since he was emotionally compromised, she decided to come hard at him, certain he would rattle and break.

“Mister Blair, before we go any further, I must inform you that you have the right to remain silent. You also have the right to legal representation.”

“I don’t have anything to hide.”

That surprised Izi, as she expected Blair to not answer her questions anymore.

“There’s something here I’m not seeing, Mister Blair. You see, Doctor Parker scanned your wife and she didn’t die from a disruptor, she was stabbed. The disruptor wound came after she was dead.”

“What? Your doctor was wrong.”

Blair’s reaction and accusation was so comical, Izi almost laughed.

“Mister Blair, did you murder your wife and try to make it appear as though she was killed by an energy weapon?”

“How dare you! I’m done talking. Who is your captain? I’m filing a formal complaint.”

“Maybe you’ll meet him. Turn around. You’re under arrest for the murder of Pamela Blair.”

A few tense moments passed. Blair swung at Izi, but she blocked it, held him in an arm lock, kicked his leg out from under him, bringing him to the ground. While she cuffed him, Blair screamed obscenities, vowing to have her thrown out of Starfleet.

“Lieutenant Iziraa to Mercy.”

“Mercy here. Go ahead.”

“I arrested one of the colonists for murder. I need him transported to the brig.”

There was a pause. “Please repeat that, Lieutenant.”

Izi said it again.

“Stand by.”

Once Blair had been transported to the Mercy, Izi noticed the two orderlies staring at her.

“That was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen!”

A communications officer turned to Halsey on the bridge, “Captain – Lieutenant Iziraa reported a colonist for murder.  She had him transported to the brig, and her report has just come in.”

Leopold turned in his chair, “A colonist for murder?”  He stood and accepted a PADD from the officer and began to read.  It was a fascinating and terrifying read – the man had used the attack as a cover to kill his wife.  At least the evidence was showing that to be the case.  Halsey sighed, “He’s made a complaint to me.”  He turned to his wife, “Lieutenant Walker-Halsey, you have the CONN.”  She gave him an annoyed look, and he headed for the turbolift, reading from the report.

He was still reading it when he arrived in the Mercy’s brig.  The Brig Chief stood, startled, “Captain Halsey!”

Waving him off, the CO stepped into the middle of the room, nodding to the occupied cell, “That’s Daniel Blair, correct?”

Ensign Gerald Pottinger made his way to stand beside the captain, “Yes, sir.  He told me he would speak to no one but the captain.”

Halsey chuckled, amused.  “Well, I don’t want to keep him waiting.”  He stepped forward and sat in a chair, signaling to Pottinger to turn on the communications channel to the cell.  “Good afternoon. I’m Captain Leopold Halsey, USS Mercy.  I understand you had a complaint you wished to register?”

Blair jumped up and ran to the wall of the forcefield, “I wish to register a complaint, yes.  Lieutenant Izira.  That’s Izi…”

Halsey waved his hand, “I know who she is, Mr. Blair.  She’s one of my security officers.  What is the nature of your complaint?”

“She falsely accused me of killing my wife!  And she physically assaulted me.  I want her written up and put before a judge advocate general.  I’ll press charges!”

Leopold held up the PADD for the man to see, “I have her report here.  I also have multiple eyewitness reports from both Starfleet personnel and civilians who saw what happened.  Would you like to rethink your complaint?”

Blair frowned.  That was not the answer he had been expecting.  He stared at the captain, “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“You assaulted my security officer…or at least attempted.  I’m charging you with the attempted assault of Starfleet personnel.”  He looked up from his PADD, “I think that’s sorted.  Next is the allegations that you murdered your wife.”

The man was still catching up from what had just happened.  It took him a moment to get his outrage back on track, “That security officer was crazy.  I didn’t kill my wife.  The doctor scanned her wrong.  It happens all the time.”

Halsey tapped at his PADD, taking notes, “Murder happens all the time, Mr. Blair?”

“No, you fool.  The doctor’s scanning things wrong.”

“You get one warning, Mr. Blair.  Speak to me or any of my crew in that form again, and this interview will be over.” For the first time that day, Daniel Blair stopped talking.  Halsey gave him a nod, “Good call.  The doctor rescanned your wife three times.  When they transported her body aboard, they did further scans with handheld tricorders and then moved on to our high-powered medical diagnostic equipment.  Each time, without fail, the original accusation by Lieutenant Izira was backed up by the evidence present with your wife’s body.  We’re assembling the data and evidence for transport.  Starfleet Security has dispatched a transport for you to be taken into their custody.”  Halsey stared at the man, “Do you have anything you wish to say for the record?”

Blair felt the captain’s eyes boring into him as the rugged outer shell of his bravado slowly fell away.  What emerged was a ball of fear, afraid at every corner. “I didn’t mean to kill her…I mean…I did.  I just wanted her to take us home.  I didn’t want to be on this godforsaken planet anymore.  But she had to help people.  She had to serve ‘the greater good’, whatever the hell that was. And look what it got her!”

Halsey finished his report and stood, “It got her murdered by you, Mr. Blair.  You’ll be going home…but I doubt you’ll see any of it from your cell, where you will be for the rest of your life.  Ensign Pottinger, secure the prisoner.”  The walls and a single reinforced door slipped up from the floor and interlocked around the suspect who began to scream and shout.  Halsey could still hear him as he walked out.

“Lieutenant Iziraa.”

“Commander Sorek.  What can I do for you, sir?”

“I've been checking the teams to ensure everyone is safe.  What is your status here?”

Izi thought about what she should say.  She understood what the commander meant, but her knee-jerk reaction was to say, are you serious?

“The medical team has been doing what they can,” said Izi.  "They've treated about twenty injured so far and transported them to the Mercy."

Sorek nodded.  “I have an update for you on Daniel Blair.”

“Did he confess?” said Izi.

“Not at first.  He complained to the captain about you, but when he was shown the evidence, he broke,” said Sorek.  “It turns out the Romulan man was a colonist and not a Separatist.  He and Mrs. Blair were having a sexual affair.”

Izi didn't see that coming.

Sorek was about to say something, but stopped when someone was calling to them.  Up the street was a young girl waving and beckoning to them.

“How may we assist you,” said Sorek after he and Iziraa went to the girl.  

“There's children in the elementary school that don't know where their parents are,” said the girl.  “Some of the high schoolers are with them, but we don't know what to do.  They're scared and crying.  Can you help?”

“Of course.  Take me to the school,” said Sorek.

”Sir, if it's okay with you, I'd like to go," said Izi.

“Why is that, Lieutenant?”

Izi looked at the girl, then led Sorek a few steps away, speaking in a hushed tone.  “Sir, no disrespect, but these are young children, mostly Human.  They're afraid and feeling lost.  I believe I would be better relating to them.”

Sorek thought for a moment.  "I understand.  I will remain here with your medical team.  Keep me informed.”

“I will, sir.  Thank you,” said Izi.  She looked at the girl.  “Let's go.”

While moving through the damaged city, Izi kept a close eye on the girl that asked for help.  The school wasn’t far, but what Izi noticed most, was the girl seemed to not be affected by the aftermath of the attack.  Izi was a security officer, not a doctor, but she suspected the girl was in shock.

“My name is Iziraa.  What’s yours?”

“Mm?  Iziraa?  I’m Katy.”

Izi wanted to ask Katy how she was doing, but couldn’t think of a way to do it without sounding out of line.  She decided to concentrate first on helping the younger children.

“The kids are in the cafeteria,” said Katy.

The school was small, only one story, with a playground to one side.  The building had suffered minimal damage, as though the attackers actually had a conscience about not harming children.

Weaving through the corridors, Izi paused in the doorway to the cafeteria.  There were nine small children, most of them crying, while three older kids tried to comfort them.  Izi’s heart ached, her antennae drooping slightly.

“Iziraa?”

Katy brought Izi back into focus.

“I think the best thing to do is to beam all of you to our ship,” said Izi.  “We can get all of your names and the doctors can examine everyone to make sure you’re okay.  We’ll search for their parents.”

It was at that point Izi realized Katy and the three other high schoolers couldn’t find their parents either.  It made her feel worse.

“Okay,” said Katy.  She joined the others and began explaining the plan.

Sighing, Izi was about to tap her comm badge to update Commander Sorek, when she saw one of the little girls holding the hand of an older boy, leading him towards her.  The girl looked up at Izi, her curious green eyes staring in wonder.

“You’re blue!”

“She’s never seen an Andorian before,” said the boy.

Izi nodded, slowly dropping to one knee.  “I’m Iziraa.”  She smiled.

The girl’s gaze was fixated on Izi’s moving antennae.

“Can I touch one?” said the girl.

Izi’s lips wrinkled and her stomach tightened.  Touching an Andorian’s antennae could lead to a person needing emergency medical care.  Of course, the innocence of the young child didn’t mean anything bad.  If it could help her through this terrible time, Izi was willing to allow it.

“Judy, you’re not supposed to ask that.  We learned that in class,” said the boy.

“No, it’s okay,” said Izi.  It wasn’t, but she would get through it.

“Be careful and gentle,” said the boy.

The girl smiled and slowly reached out.

Izi held her breath.

A tiny hand softly caressed the antennae on the left.  It vibrated and quivered at the touch.

The girl giggled.

“Thank you.  I’m Brian, by the way.”

Izi stood up.  “How are you doing, Brian?”

“Go back with the others,” said Brian.

When Judy was away, Brian looked at Izi.  She could easily see he was both afraid and being brave for the rest of the children.

“I don’t know where my parents are.  They were working in town, but….”

How much worse could it become?  Izi felt so sorry for the kids, it was starting to make her stomach feel like she ate too much katpa fish.  Pushing aside her personal feelings, she realized something for the first time.

“Brian, where are the teachers?”

A few seconds passed before there was an answer.  “The ones with children grabbed them and left.”  He shrugged.  “I guess they thought they could find some place safe to hide.  The rest?  I don’t know.  When the attack started, everyone panicked.”  He shrugged again.

Izi touched Brian on the shoulder.  Maybe that would give him some comfort.

“I need to call my commander.  We’ll get you to our ship and do the best we can to find your parents.”

“Thanks.”  Brian nodded and rejoined the rest of the children.

Izi watched him leave.  She hoped so much they would be able to reunite all the families, but from what she had seen in the city already, it probably wasn’t going to happen.  Sighing deeply, her antennae drooping again, she tapped her comm badge.

Izi stood alone in the deserted school cafeteria after the thirteen children had been beamed to the Mercy.  What should have been a wonderful part of growing up, was now a painful scar that would last a lifetime.  Whatever happened as far as reuniting them with their families, instead of happy memories of learning and making friends, there was the fear, worry, and trauma of the ruthless attack on the colony.  Looking around one last time, with an aching heart, Izi sighed and began making her way back out of the school.

Outside on the street, the heaviness of reality fell upon Izi like a burden on her shoulders.  Damaged buildings were all about.  Dancing orange flames sent billows of acrid smoke into the air.  Feeling the despair of what happened was almost overwhelming.  How could anyone be so cruel?

Before trudging back to Commander Sorek, Izi noticed something she hadn't previously seen.  Focusing on following Katy, she now saw a park across from the school.  A man was sitting on a bench, his back to Izi.  Nearby structures were ablaze, so she approached him.

“Excuse me, sir.  I'm Lieutenant Iziraa from the USS Mercy.  May I help you?”  Izi knew she needed to get the man away from any flames and to one of the medical stations set up around the city, but if he was traumatized or in shock, a softer bearing might be better.

There was no movement or response.

“Sir, we need to move away from here.”

More silence.

Izi was beginning to lose patience.

“Lieutenant Iziraa, have you ever done something so cowardly and shameful, you despise yourself?”

Izi studied the man, her antennae moving in slow circles.  “What happened?  What did you do?”

The man harrumphed.  “You didn't answer the question.”

“I've made mistakes in my life and even done some dumb things, but never anything so shameful that I would despise myself.”  For a moment, Izi considered saying she had, thinking it might help the man if he knew someone else had done something so wrong, but he could have asked what it was.  She didn't want to make up something.  If she was to help him, it was best to be honest.

“No, I don't suppose you have.”

Keeping her distance from the man, Izi glanced at the nearby fire.  More smoke was in the air and some was drifting towards them.  Needing to resolve this situation, she decided to contact the Mercy and have him beamed aboard.  Reaching for her comm badge, Izi was taken by surprise as the man abruptly jumped off the bench and pointed a previously unseen phaser at her.

“Easy there, Lieutenant Iziraa.  Don't go doing something you'll regret.”

Izi slowly spread her arms, showing she didn't have a weapon.  “I was just going to contact my ship.”

“Now why would you do something like that?”

Izi was getting angry, but she maintained an even posture, though her antennae were leaning slightly forward.  “Sir, I just want you to be safe.”  Her eyes were beginning to feel some irritation from the smoke.

“Safe?  No one is safe.  Look around.  We were supposed to be safe here.”

“Sir, I'm really getting tired of this.  Do you want my help or not?”

The man was surprised at the question.  He chuckled.  “No, Lieutenant Iziraa, I don't want your help.”

“Fine, then may I go?”

More surprise, followed by a cynical laugh.  “Don't you want to know what I did?”

Izi did want to know, but part of her didn't care anymore.  There were still many people that needed and wanted her help.  “Let's start with you telling me your name.”

The man didn't move, his phaser still raised.  “My name is Murphy.”

Izi didn't know if that was his first name or last, but at that point, it didn't matter.  “What did you do, Murphy?”  Izi could see the conflict forming on his face.

“I'm the principal of this school.  When we were attacked, I grabbed a phaser and got ready to defend the children.”

Izi could see pain on Murphy's face now.  It was like he was barely holding back tears.

“When the Romulans came, instead of fighting, I ran.  I was supposed to take care of the children, but I ran.  I'm a coward.”

Izi's first reaction was yes, Murphy was a coward, but she couldn't say that.  “You're not a soldier.  It's not easy to face death like that.”

“Please don't try to talk me down from the ledge, Lieutenant Iziraa.  Two teachers died because of me.”

There was certainly more to the story, but Izi wasn't there when it happened.  “Murphy, the only thing that matters now is getting you away from here.  We can work out the rest later.”

“I appreciate your concern, Lieutenant Iziraa.  I really do, but it's too late for me.”  He pointed the phaser at his neck.

Izi couldn't help rolling her eyes, now red and watering, and letting out a deep sigh.  Her antennae were straight and rigid.  “Are you really going there, Murphy?  Spare me the maudlin drama.”

While Murphy stared with incredulity, Izi mulled over her last comment.  She had taken classes in the Academy geared towards bringing someone back from taking their own life, but she was Andorian.  Put up or shut up.  If she was going to help, she had to show him he was able to face what he had done.

“Murphy, I don't know what happened and maybe you did panic and run, but this isn't the answer.  How will your family feel?"  She coughed, trying to clear her dry throat.

Murphy aimed his weapon back towards Izi.  “There's no reason for you to stay.  Please go.  I don't want your blood on my hands, too.”

“I can't do that."

The look in Murphy's eyes changed.

“Murphy, don't!”

Flinging the phaser away, Murphy ran towards one of the burning buildings.

“Murphy!”  In Andorian, Izi ripped a string of swearing that would have embarrassed a Klingon.  “Why is it always me?”  She ran after him.

“Ok ensign, we have a shuttle full of medical supplies and food here. I’m sure the doc would greatly appreciate it if we do not break any of it.”   Sesias said as he took his seat next to the helm officer. “After we drop off the supplies we have been tasked to go investigate the village and see if there is anyone there we can offer assistance to.”

“Yes, sir, try not to break the eggs. Got it.” the young Andorian ensign said as he chuckled. “Mercy flight control, shuttle Sanctuary is ready for departure. “

“Sanctuary, you are cleared for departure. We do have a weather update for you on your destination. The latest weather report shows a major storm front building on the other side of the mountains from your destination. We would estimate it moving through that valley within the next forty-eight to seventy-two hours.

“Roger, that flight control. Thanks for the heads up.” Ensign Shrenen Ch’ethialrith looked over at Lieutenant Sesias. “You don’t get airsick do you, sir? Looks like the approach vector may go through a building cold front, things may get a bit bumpy as we head over those mountains. 

“No, I don’t get airsick ensign. Go ahead and take us out. Slow and steady. We can get some atmospheric readings and scans on our way in. It should help Mercy figure out the weather patterns on the planet.”

“Yes, sir.” The shuttle gently lifted from its spot in the Mercies shuttle bay.

“Course and destination are laid in, lieutenant, looks like we have about  three hours before arrival.”

Sesias nodded in reply. “I’m going to try to reach out to our contact on the ground, and let them know we are on the way.”

“Looking at these reports from flight ops it’s going to be one heck of a storm when it does hit. I’m going to go back there and make sure we have what we need in case this turns into a Medevac or a possible rescue situation.” Ensign Ch’ethialrith made his way to the rear three-quarters of the shuttle checking to make sure that the normally stowed equipment was onboard.

“Sanctuary, this is Chief O’Reilly flight control officer for the area where IzhPilash Menal(SnowRiver Cliff) Village is located .” 

“This Ensign Ch’ethialrith on the Sanctuary, go ahead.” As he turned and looked at the Lieutenant. 

“Sanctuary, the medical compound has suggested that you land there versus your original landing zone, they are worried that the building storm front may hamper operations. We are sending you the coordinates and pertinent information now. Looks like it will be a tight fit for your ship.”

“We received the coordinates, flight control. Let them know we should be there in approximately forty-five minutes.”

“Flight control, this is Lieutenant Sesias. Please add that upon our arrival make sure that the area is empty and that the more hands we have to help unload the quicker the better, we need to go look into that village and hopefully depart before the worst of that storm hits.

“Roger Lieutenant. We will let them know. You should be able to contact them in the next fifteen to twenty minutes on your current path and flight speed.”

“Roger, Thank you for the assistance flight control. We will let you know when we are ready to depart.”

The shuttle entered the planet’s atmosphere being buffeted by the winds as they skirt the edge of the building cold front and the mountains that tower above the valley where the destination coordinates given to them lie. 

“Lieutenant, we will be arriving in five minutes. The hospital says that the landing area is clear and they have folks waiting to help with the offload. I’m going to do a flyover real quick to see the area and figure out the best way to approach it. According to the information they gave us it’s going to be a tight fit.”

Lieutenant Sesias nodded as he watched the small village perched on a cliff edge along a frozen river pass underneath, “That must be IzhPilash Menal, smaller than I thought it would be. But look at that even as small as it is it still took a beating. I count fourteen, maybe sixteen out of maybe twenty to twenty-two total buildings that show signs of impacts from various weapons” He let out a low whistle. “ I would not have wanted to be in that village when things went down.”

Ensign Ch’ethialrith nodded. “ Lieutenant, are you seeing what I’m seeing? That village looks to have been built from log homes and a few modular colony units. I bet it’s the largest village out in this region, probably why it was targeted.” He slowed the shuttle down and started to conduct a low orbital route over the village. “I would guess that the mess of tangled metal in the center was probably the modular units that housed the village’s main infrastructure and governmental offices. Looks like it took at least two or three direct hits

Lieutenant Sesias shook his head, “We are going to have to investigate that area ensign. See what is still there and what can or cannot be fixed. The people who are left are going to need whatever we can fix if they plan on rebuilding here. Also need to see if we can find any survivors down there.

“Lieutenant, the hospital sits on the edge of the village closest to that tree line. I’m going to approach from the south, so we can take a look and decide the best course of action for landing.” The ensign lets out another low whistle and a line of Klingon words under his breath. “ Look at that sir, even the hospital was not spared. I see three modular units in a horseshoe shape with a couple of additions built out of logs and stone much like the village. Looks like at least two of the modular units took smaller hits and that one addition is missing an entire corner.

Sesias nodded. “I would bet that those hits took out the hospital’s power and communications. Hmmmm, I think we may not have many survivors to look for in the village though. Over towards the tree line, I’m seeing what looks like a camp made up of tents and ramshackle shelters just inside the treeline.”

The ensign brought the shuttle into a banked turn as he looked over the landing zone. “Looks like a tight fit with those impact craters on one side, the building on the back side, and the tangled mess of the other building on the other side. The best course of action will be to come in from the tree line, hover, and gently move straight down. Going to try and line up the rear hatch with that set of doors on the building to the rear of the shuttle. Can you keep your eyes on that building on your side, Lieutenant?” As he started his approach and landing procedures.

“Will do ensign, take all the time you need. I don’t want to have to explain to the Captain why we scratched the paint on this shuttle.”

Ensign Ch’ethialrith chuckled. “ Me either, Lieutenant. Especially as I’m the one behind the controls.” he started his approach.

“May want to turn the heat up, lieutenant. It looks awfully cold out there and that wind is going to come through here like a freight train when we open that rear hatch.” He slowly started to drop the shuttle down into the courtyard.

“You’re looking good on this side, prob two to two and a half feet of clearance.”

Ensign Ch’ethialrith nodded. “Thank you, I can feel the winds trying to push us to that side so I’m edging a bit more to my side to give us some breathing room.”

They feel the shuttle touchdown, a bit harder than they probably would have liked.” I’ll blame that on a wind gust, Lieutenant.” the ensign said with a chuckle.

“Uhhh huuu, suuurreee Ensign.” Sesias got up from his seat and headed towards the rear hatch. “ Ok, let’s do this.” as he opened the hatch there was a line of hospital employees waiting to help offload the shuttle.

“Ensign, shut it down and come help me get this stuff out the hatch, looks like they have enough folks in place to get this done quickly.” As he started handing various pieces of cargo to the folks in line as they walked up the hatch.

“On my way.” They broke it down into two lines working to move the cargo off the shuttle as quickly as they could.

As they were finishing up the last of the cargo an older human gentleman rushed onto the shuttle. “Who is in charge here?”

“I am sir, Lieutenant Sesias. Chief of operations on the USS Mercy. How can we help you?”

“Morning Lieutenant, I’m Nurse Maher, retired Starfleet. The Mercy?” Scratches at a bit of stubble growing on his chin. “Hmmmm, Olympic class Hospital ship if my memory serves me right.Good, good. Glad you folks were close enough to help.” He took a second to look around the area. ”Lots to do to rebuild  IzhPilash Menal.”

Lieutenant Sesias nodded as he reached an arm out toward the nurse. “Can you give us a rundown of the current situation? I saw the tents and shelters in the tree line as we came in.”

Nurse Maher nodded and shook the Lieutenants’ offered hand.Yeah, after the attack was finished we went out and found who we could and had them gather what they would need and told them to come here. Figured this was as good of a place as any to circle the wagons, so to speak. We have been scrounging what we could from the village since then.”

Ensign Ch’ethialrith looked over at the nurse as he was putting on a parka and handed the Lieutenant his.”If I may ask, how many people lived here?”

Nurse Maher looked up at the sky for a moment and took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, obviously trying to calm his emotions before answering the Ensign’s question. “ Well, when we first decided on the site we were close to 300 plus or minus a few. Lost a few over the year to various things, a couple of families decided this was not for them and went to one of the bigger groups. That brought us down to about 250 or so, and from what information we can glean from those that came here, along with who we have and haven’t found since the attack I believe we lost close to a hundred, maybe as many as hundred and fifty in the attack.”

Sesias scratched his scalp with his middle arm. “Damn, will you be able to rebuild? With who you have.” 

“That’s the plan, Lieutenant. Though any help the Mercy can give would be greatly appreciated.”

After confirming with the computer on Dr. Egrel Choi’s location Aimee stood outside the door to his office. Pressing the door chime she patiently waited for his response. 

Egrel looked up from nursing a mug of tea in his office. He called out, “Enter…” The doors slid open with a gentle hiss, allowing Aimee inside. He offered her a gentle, kind smile as she entered, “I genuinely was not expecting you. Did you need any help with anything?” He tilted his head as he regarded her, his dark eyes looking at her with curiousity.

“Actually,” Aimee started, “I was hoping I could be of a service to you.”

Egrel blinked a few times, visibly surprised, “Oh! Oh? How so? I mean… sure?” He groaned and set his tea down and pressed his finger tips to his temples, “I meant how do you mean?” That still didn’t sound right, but it was close enough for him.

“Well, you’ve been through a traumatic experience recently.   I may not be a psychologists, but I am capable of listening.   And the second reason is that I wanted to follow up on your post surgery.  I  hoping you are doing well.”

Egrel rubbed his temples for a few more moments before picking up his tea again slowly, “Well enough as I can be. I’m still muddling through everything and trying to process everything.” He sighed and leaned back in his chair. He took a sip of tea before adding, “The telepathic attacks re-opened old wounds I thought were healed.”

“Your telepathic abilities should be returning. How is that coming along?” Aimee asked.

Egrel nodded, “They are, yes. Thank goodness for that. I don’t know what was more maddening. The attacks or the disturbing silence from the surgery. It was very jolting to have one of my senses gone for a while. Everyone seemed so…” He paused, considering on how to explain to a non-Betazoid, “Everyone seems so devoid of life and emotion to me without it.”

“I would imagine the silence would be maddening,” she observed. “You said that the attacks opened old wounds. Emotional trauma can be powerful.”

He looked silently away for a moment, not wanting to dump his trauma on her, “Yes, I was reliving all the deaths of my previous partners. There is more than is normal or sane.” He left it at that, intentionally vague but explaining.

Taking the hint she didn’t press him, “I can only imagine if I lost my husband what I may do. My mom lost a fiancé and a child before I was born.  You can tell it bothers her from time to time.”

Egrel he sighed softly and nodded, “Five. I lost five in five years. I am just so… tired of loss. I don’t think I can handle another. You think you are fine till something rips the old wounds open and it all comes pouring out. And those attacks ripped those wounds wide open.”

Aimee considered his comments,  “I would say you have a right to feel however you wish after that. If I came to you, and revealed that same information what would you say to me?”

Egrel frowned at his counselling being used against him. What a strange turn of events. He emitted a small sigh, “I’d ask about your support system and what steps you are doing to process and coping mechanisims.”

“Hmmm,” she replied. “Is that something you have done?”

An awkward silence lingered between the two as Egrel tried to come up with an answer. He sighed, “Admittedly, not as much. I’m really busy more often than not and there are very few who have clearences equal to or higher than me that I can actually talk to.” He purposefully stepped over coping mechanisims. 

“I think we are quickly moving from asking questions and listening to actually dispensing advise.  That’s a problem since I am not a counselor.   However,  at risk of violating some ethical code; I suggest you heed your own advice.  I am certain you have heard the phrase, ‘physician heal thyself’. I don’t know for a fact, but it stands to reason if you are an emotional wreck you are no help to anyone else.”

Egrel nodded slowly, “I am quite familiar with that phrase, yes. We’re often the worst patients, aren’t we?” He gave a wry smile and leaned back with a soft sigh, nodding, “I hear you and I understand. The only ones who can take these steps is me and me alone.” He did not quite agree with her last statement but he decided now was neither the time or place for such a debate

Aimee stood and gave Egrel a warm smile, “I am sure you will figure it out. You are medically fit for duty, as for mentally I’ll leave that in your more experienced and capable hands.” Turning she headed for the door.  As the doors slid open she paused,  “My husband and I were part of a covert ops team with Starfleet Intelligence. We both hold that top secret clearance,  and know what a burden that is.  I just hope for your sake you never saw or did some of the things we did to make it home.”

Egrel inclined his head slowly, “Thank you for the clearance, MacDonald, and checking in on me…” He paused for a moment to consider her words, nodding slightly, “I can’t say that I have. We all have our burdens.” He pulled out the iconic counselor’s line, “You know where to find me if you need to work through some of that. That goes for your husband as well.”

Aimee nodded, turned and retreated down the corridor. The closing doors marking a period to the end of that conversation. 

Coppelius

Iairaa was taking deep beaths, trying to calm the fear filling her. Murphy had run into a burning building, so she was deciding if she should go after him. It was obvious he wanted to end his life, but she felt she should at least try to save him. While precious seconds raced past, a conversation from Starbase Bravo came bak to her. She didn’t know why she thought of Gren….

Starbase Bravo

While on rounds on one of the starbase promenade decks, Iziraa sawsomeone waving at her. Stopping, she saw Gren in his kiosk, his arms infrantic motion, like the antennae movements of an Andorian in battle.Sighing, she meandered through the crowd to see what her Ferengi friendwanted.

“What is it now?”

Gren was taken aback, his eyes agape and his posture defensive.

“Whoa! What happened to you?”

“I have better things to do today than jibber-jabber with you.”

Gren frowned. “It’s a good thing I don’t get offended. What’s going on?”

Iziraa sighed. “I’m sorry. I have something on my mind.”

“I guess. I saw you go around the promenade five times without dropping by to see your old pal.”

Iziraa leaned against the kiosk, her gaze seemed to be looking atsomething faraway and unseen.

“Well?” said Gren.

“I miss home.” Iziraa’s antennae drooped.

“Oh.” Gren understood. “Did something happen?”

Iziraa looked at Gren. He got the impression she didn’t want to talk about it.

“You can tell me.” Gren learned long ago the value of information, butknowing Iziraa three years, he often didn’t look to her as a source, but truly as a friend. Of course, he would never admit that to anyone.

“I just got word from home that my brother was betrothed. The shelthrethceremony hasn’t been scheduled yet, but I wasn’t there for theannouncement.”

“I get it, but the ceremony is the important part. I’m sure you can get time away to be there.”

“It just made me think of home.” Iziraa got that faraway look again. “It’s been two years since I’ve been to Andoria. A person shouldn’t be awaythat long.”

“Tell me about home,” said Gren.

Iziraa studied Gren, contemplation swirling in her green eyes.

“Family and friends, of course. In past times, to survive the harsh conditions, our society became based on clans. We’re very close and social, so I miss them.”

Gren nodded.

“There’s also the cold. The indoor climate of the base can get too warm.Sometimes I want to rip off my clothes and run naked through thepromenade.”

Iziraa must have seen the shocked expression on Gren’s face, as she burst out laughing.

“That would definitely make a lot of people’s day,” said Gren with achuckle.

“I wouldn’t need to worry about getting leave time. They would probably boot me out of Starfleet.” Iziraa paused. “When I get holodeck time, I run a program of home. I ski, ice skate, snow board. I even make snow angels, something I learned on Earth, but it’s not the same.”

“Nothing is the same as home,” said Gren.

The two shared a quiet moment of nostalgia.

“How about you, Gren? What do you miss?”

“Tube grubs.”

“What?”

“I can’t get live tube grubs, only replicated. I’ve got to have them shipped in.”

“That’s what you miss?”

“There’s the rain and the swamps. Growing up, my friends and I had a lotof fun playing in the rivers of muck. The good old days.” Gren smiled.

Iziraa rolled her eyes. “I suppose home is home, wherever that is.”

“You know, you can always take a trip with me to Ferenginar. You couldrun around naked there and you’d fit right in.”

Iziraa drummed her fingers on the kiosk. Her antennae were pointing atGren.

“Or maybe not. With all the reforms, most females are wearing clothesnow anyway.”

Iziraa smirked. “Thanks for chatting with me. I’m still homesick, but I feelbetter.”

“Glad I could help. I’ll waive my fee, just for today.”

Iziraa scoffed, patting the back of Gren’s hand. “I need to get back towork.” With a wave, she went on her way.

Gren watched the cute Andorian as she melted into the crowd, wonderingjust how much of a disturbance it would cause if she actually did runaround without clothes.

Coppelius

Focusing back on the fire, Iziraa took a deep breath and moved towards the building.

“Going to do what we can, sir. Oh, the Latest weather reports from the Mercy show a pretty big cold front forming just on the other side of the mountains. We flew over it on our way in, if it continues to sit there and percolate it will probably produce one hell of a storm that will head down the valley in the next two to three days.”

Nurse Maher looked towards the mountains. “Damn it, we was not expecting that yet. Going to have to get everyone to focus on building walls and fixing or adding roofs to the clinic here. Guess we will have to hunker down in here and ride it out.”

“We will help as much as we can. First, we need to investigate the village and see what we can do to help out. You wouldn’t happen to have anyone around that can act as a guide, may make things quicker.” Sesias said as he was putting his tactical harness over his parka. “Ensign, do we have anything onboard that may help them get things moving to help prepare for the storm.”

“I believe we do, sir. Though I think they already took the crates, there should have been two crates of tools and whatnot in them.”

Nurse Maher nodded. “I think I saw those being offloaded. Let me run inside and pass the message about the storm and get folks moving on those repairs. I think I know just who you will need as your guide, Lieutenant.”

A few minutes later a mature-looking human female walked out of the hospital/clinic and made her way to the open back hatch of the shuttle.” Excuse me, I was told that y’all need a guide for the local area. May I ask, where would y’all like to go? And what is the reason for wanting to go to the village? Not much left and most of the folks are right here.”

Lieutenant Sesias stopped what he was working on and turned to face the lady. “Yes, Ma’am, we are looking for a guide. I’m Lieutenant Sesias and this is Ensign Shrenen Ch’ethialrith. We are from the Federation starship USS Mercy. To answer your questions we were sent here to not only bring these supplies to the medical center but also to investigate the surrounding area including the village.”

She leaned against one of the walls of the shuttle, arms crossed over her chest.” uhhh ha, anything, in particular, y’all are looking for? Or is this just a sightseeing trip?”

The two officers look at each other. “Nothing in particular. More like what can we do to help? What can we fix? What can we not fix? Maybe some scans and artifact retrieval from the areas that were hit so we can take that data back to the Mercy so it can be checked against the other areas that were hit during the attack. If we find evidence that something needs to be looked into further, then while we are here we will do what we can.”

She looked back over her shoulder at the doors, noticing no one was close, she turned back toward the officers. “How about people? Would you be willing to look for people?”

Sesias and  Ensign Shrenen look at each other and then back toward her. “I’m a bit lost here, ma’am. The nurse just said that everyone has been accounted for living or deceased.” they both took a step toward her to close the distance between them.

“Yaaa not quite. Let’s just say that a couple of folks are missing that I know for a fact no were near the areas that were hit. Of course one of them was supposed to be, but let’s just say he wasn’t. “ she looked at the two of them with a raised eyebrow. “and as for the other three, let’s just say something doesn’t smell right if you know what I mean.”

Sesias looked back towards the front of the shuttle. “Great, so not only do we have to investigate the village but now you’re telling us that there are missing people? And we have one hell of a storm heading this way in the next two to three days. If we don’t find them, do you think they could survive the storm?”

She looked down at the floor and then shook her head. ”Maybe the storm, but no way could they survive after. We haven’t been here long, but long enough to know what storms like this mean, and that is that the cold season is about to hit.”

“Lieutenant, I would bet that it is safe to say that there is more going on here than what we were first led to believe.”

“Indeed” He looked over at her. “Yes, we will look for these people. Would you have an idea of where to start?”

“I have some ideas.”

“Besides the village, can we get to these other locations using the shuttle?”

“Yep”

“How soon can you be ready?”

She straightened up a bit and looked around. “Haven’t said I was going to help y’all, yet.”

Sesias wiped his right hand over his head and then he looked up and shook his head. “Ahhhh, Ma’am would you kindly do us the favor of joining the ensign and myself as our guide as we investigate the aftermath of the recent attacks and search for several missing people.”

“About time. Yes, I will gladly help you as a guide so y’all can conduct your assigned mission.” She straightened her hat, turned and made her way off of the shuttle, and turned back to look at them “Five minutes.”

“Five minutes?” Sesias asked.

“That’s how long it will take me to be ready.”

“Oh, ok” he watched her walk back towards the door. “Hold on, what’s your name?”

“Sara, Sara Oakenhill.” as she continued to walk toward the hospital’s door.

“Well, you heard the lady, ensign. Let’s get this bird ready.”

Roughly thirty minutes later.

“There should be a good place to land this here shuttle in the central square. Last time I checked it was free of anything big. Watch out though, the areas toward the south and west were hit pretty hard.” She stood behind the ensigns chair as she used her hands to point out what she was talking about. 

“I see them.” as he brought the shuttle in for a landing with its cockpit facing the west impact craters.

As the rear hatch opens. “Ping….Ping” as they see two more puffs of dirt hit just on the edge of the ramp.

“What the hell is that?” Lieutenant Sesias asked.

“Damn it.” as Sara goes to the edge of the hatchway.

Another puff hit just as the edge of the ramp.

Dougal entered sickbay and walked into Aimee’s office.   Looking up from her work she smiled at her husband,  “Hey.”

“Hello mo chridhe,” he replied.

“I got your message,” she handed Dougal a PADD. “I wish I knew what they would do under stress, hopefully it won’t come to that.”

Dougal looked over the names of medics and doctor assigned to his team. He frowned and set the PADD down. “Lass, I dinnae care about the others. I need someone I can trust with my life. I need you.”

Aimee sat back in her chair, “I am about to beam down to take command of the mobile hospital.”

“Lass,” Dougal said patiently.  “I dinnae ken if these wee names will do under an attack,  but ken what you will do. I need you.”

Sighing,  “Okay.  Dr. Harrison needs more responsibility.  I’ll put him in charge of the hospital. When do we leave?”

“Now,” Dougal replied.  

 *  *  *

The high mountain village was quiet. Under a thick blanket of snow nothing was moving. Black clouds were rolling over the not too distant peaks, bringing with them a promise of more snow.

Dougal sat under the cover of trees with Aimee at his side, their rifles laying across their laps.Handing her his binoculars he growled,  “I dinnae like this.” His breath was coming in puffs of white.

Aimee looked through the field glasses and zoomed in on the village. Nothing moved. There were even far too few footprints in the snow. “Yeah, this isn’t right. Still doesn’t explain why there’s been no communications.”

“Aye..” Dougal growled.  The cold was settling in and he was getting uncomfortable.

“Cold?”

“Aye lass, but I’ll do.”

Aimee nodded, turning her attention back to the village. “Well, what’s the plan?”

Dougal shook his head, “Something bloody nefarious is going on. Something is buggering our wee tricorders. I just dinnae ken what that is.  We go in there; we go in blind. Let’s head back to the group so I only have to explain this once.”

They crawled backwards into the brush and using the cover of the forest they trotted the 300 meters back to where the rest of the team waited. The three security officers stood when they approached.

“What did you see?” Crewman Benjamin Johnson asked.

“Not bloody enough,” Dougal replied. “Okay lads and lasses, here’s the plan. Aimee, I want you to take position over there on that wee hill over there.” He said, pointing to a rise to the west of the settlement. “It overlooks the whole village and should give you a clear shot of the whole area.”

Aimee nodded and split from the group. She disappeared into the underbrush and snow almost immediately. Dougal gave her an approving nod.  They had worked together a long time, and it was almost like the old times again… not that that was exactly a good thing.

“You medicos stay here out of sight until we have a chance to clear the structures but keep your wee phasers ready. Ye may have to come in and bail us out. Ben, you and Crewman Adams circle to the right and flank the village from the east.  Crewan Baker and I will come at them directly up the street.” Dougal drew a map of the small town in the snow.  “There’s a wee bit of cover here and here,” he said, marking areas they could hide behind in case of attack.  The blighters will be expecting us to come up the street so we are the bait ‘ere. Ben you n’ Adams need to move fast aye?”

The crewmen nodded in understanding.  

“Let’s go lads,” Dougal said and the four security officers split up. 

Baker and Dougal made their way to the main road leading up to the settlement. Pushing through the snow was tiring but after a few minutes the buildings started to come into view. It was just as quiet now as it had been when he and Aimee had scouted it.

 “Act natural lad, but keep yer wee heid on a swivel,” he said to Baker who was nearly as white as the snow.

Suddenly a red disruptor beam sliced through the winter air slamming into Baker. Dougal dropped to the ground immediately as a second disruptor bolt sliced through the air where he had been standing less than a second earlier.  He crawled to one of the nearby buildings and used the stone walls as cover.  

Returning fire at the building from where that shot had come from he knew he wasn’t going to hit anyone in there.  He could see Baker lying on his back in the snow and black circle in his chest where the disruptor had hit him.  He was still alive with his breaths coming labored and hoarse. 

“Bloody hell!” He grumbled and let loose a string of Gaelic curses indicating what he thought of his foe. He slapped his combadge, but it gave that disheartening chirp that indicated it wasn’t in contract with the ship or any other comm system. Someone was blocking communications, and judging by the weapons used they weren’t Romulans.  Likely Klingon.

He knew Aimee was watching him from her vantage point.  Indicating the location of the enemy fire he then pointed to Baker.  With that he took a deep breath and ran into the street fully exposed as beams of phaser fire from the hill slammed into the building that hid their attackers.

Dougal grabbed Baker by the shoulders of his uniform and drug him back to the safety behind the stone buildings.  “Hang on there laddie!’  He said as he ripped open Baker’s uniform exposing his chest.  Dougal swore at the damage the disruptor had wrought. 

“Medic!” Dougal shouted as he ripped open his first aid kit and sprayed the wound with an antiseptic and pressed a gauze pad against the wound to hopefully staunch the flow of blood.  

Moments later one of the trauma nurses approached.  Her face went white seeing Baker not expecting it to be one of their own down.  She immediately went to work with her tricorder, “I can’t believe he’s still alive.  She opened her medical kit and removed a bag of plasma.  Finding a vein she inserted the IV needle into it.  It was primitive but reliable, and took up considerably less space in the medical kit. “We need to get him back to the ship.”

“Aye lass we do. Just one wee problem we don’t have any bloody communications at the moment.”

“Then we need Doctor McDonald down here!”

“Aye we probably do, but right now she’s keeping us alive and the bloody Klingons pinned down.”

“Klingons!” the nurse exclaimed in surprise.

“Aye well, I dinnea ken that they are Klingons, but they bloody aren’t Romulans.”

The nurse signed sitting back on her heels her hands red with her work.  “Mr. Baker is as stable as I can make him. It’s actually good that it’s so cold or he probably would have bled out by now.  I’ve done some emergency repair of the damage but he needs full surgery.”

There was another exchange of fire as disruptors struck the hill where his wife was hiding.  She returned fire with her phaser which kept their foe occupied.  Every time she would fire she would move position keeping them guessing as to where she was and possibly indicating there were more Starfleet officers up there than just one.

“Lass,” Dougal said to the nurse.  “Head back to the others and get into communications range. I need you to call in the cavalry.  We’ll need more than phasers to dislodge the bloody bastards from that building, and Crewman Baker needs a hospital.  Stay low and keep to the left over there.  You’ll be a wee bit exposed but it’s the best cover and hopefully my wife will be keeping their attention.”

Her face went even more pale at that and she hesitated fear gripping her.

“Go! Go you bloody besom!” With that he leaned around the corner of the building and fired shot after shot.  After depleting his power cell by half he paused and looked behind him and the nurse was gone. “Godspeed lass.”

Colony 159 – Solar Power Plant 1845 Hours

Neva’s hand circled the back of her neck in a vain effort to wash away sweat. Dark eyes scanned the treelines and horizon carefully. That watchful gaze widened and whipped away as she sprinted to action. A break in that line coalesced into a group of Romulans headed swiftly toward the power plant.

Neva grabbed and pulled at uniforms and arms upon entering the building. She slapped her comm badge and screamed for Emergency Beam-out. “Don’t worry about tools! Just GET OUT!” She yelled, voice edged in panic.

Just as the last of her crew disappeared, the plant door clanged. Neva’s head swivelled, eyes becoming saucers. ~^~Cordon to Mercy!~^~ She hissed while secreting herself under a table. ~^~Romulans are coming! I’m stuck!~^~ 

A moment later a voice responded, ~^~Mercy, to Cordon. We cannot get a fix on you for a beam out. Are you able to change locations?~^~

Neva groaned silently but answered in a choked whisper. ~^~Negative. They’re almost on my position.~^~

Her combadge chimed again as it activated, ~^~Emergency response team is on route.~^~

Colony 159 – Primary Landing Zone

O’Shea reviewed the security arrangements with Chief Petty Officer Suven Pach that Ensign Pottinger and Crewman Sesuk had put in place around the main landing pads for the shuttles when his combadge chimed. He tapped the device and a somewhat worried voice spoke quickly over it. ~^~Mercy to O’Shea~^~

~^~O’Shea here~^~

~^~Leiuteant Cordon has encountered Romulan forces at her location and needs assistance. We cannot get a lock on her or the security team. The rest of the team was pulled out~^~

O’Shea looked over at the three security officers with him and the relatively steady stream of shuttles coming and going from the landing pad. There were a large number of star fleet officers all armed in the vicinity so he didn’t feel overly worried about pulling his small security team away. ~^~Give me 30 seconds then beam Pach, Sesuk, Pottinger and myself to a safe location near Cordon.~^~

O’Shea looked over at the security team and waved them over, “Grab your gear, beam out in 30.” He then turned to the officer in charge of the landing site. “I will get additional security officers to you soon but keep this running as usually there shouldn’t be any trouble.” As he finished speaking his combadge chimed, ~^~Transporting in 5~^~

Colony 159 – Solar Power Plant

O’Shea glanced around quickly as the four security officers materialized a hundred meters from the power plant in a small grove of trees. Confirming that they were in the clear they crept to the end of the trees and looked out at the solar power plant. 

Pach scoffed at what they saw before he spoke, “Looks like 6 Romulans smashing up the solar panels,  and another two trying to gain entrance into the main structure.”

O’Shea nodded, “Any sign of Lori or Kerian? Mercy confirmed they got the engineering team out but Cordon, Lori and Kerian are still on the ground.” The three crewmen shook their heads, “Damn, guess we will need to risk coms.”

O’Shea tapped his combadge, ~^~Lance, Norean, Cordon; do you copy? What is your location?~^~

A second later there was a response and Lori Lance’s voice came over the coms. ~^~Sir, Norean and I are behind some of the spare solar panels, won’t be long until they get close to us. They think we beamed out with the others. Stunned two as they made for the plan, though.~^~

O’Shea smirked, ~^~Glad you are both ok, do you have eyes on Cordon?~^~ 

~^~No sir, I think she went into the plant,~^~ came Lori’s response.

“Shit,” O’Shea muttered under his breath. ~^~Ok, try to find another way in and find her. Move now if you can, we will provide a distraction shortly.~^~ Lori quickly confirmed and the coms went dead.

O’Shea turned to Pottinger and Sesuk after another quick glance at the facility. “I want you two to wait two minutes and then get their attention. Target those on the door then the field. Pach and I will move to the North and try to get around them. If those on the door get through, drop them even if it is before 2 minutes.” He began to slide back then paused as he looked at the officer and crewman, he could see the worry on both their faces. “Remember your training, fire and move, stay low and use the cover. This is what you have trained for.” They both nodded, “Good. Start the count now.”

Ninety seconds later O’Shea and Pach found themselves approaching the primary solar panel field under the cover of some low brush when Pottinger and Sesuk opened fire. Multiple blasts of orange energy shot forth just as the Romulans at the door to the facility were able to pry it open. The first Romulan dove through the door but his comrade dropped as he was stunned.

“Bloody hell,” O’Shea cursed, as he tapped his combadge. ~^~Cordon, Romulans have entered the facility. Hold tight.~^~ As he did the remaining Romulans in the field began to return fire at the small grove of trees and the phaser fire went silent. Looking at Pach O’Shea grimaced, he could only hope the other two were ok as both he and the Klingon raised their phase compression rifles and took aim.

Neva saw legs creeping closer to her hiding spot. She’d tried to give every being she encountered in her life the benefit of non-judgement. Right now, however, she prayed for the beings’ swift demise. When her comm badge came to life, she cursed inwardly and grabbed at her chest and the offending sounds. ‘Shut UP!’ she silently implored. ‘Don’t give me away!’ She sucked in and held her breath, praying to something for aid.

A pair of grey pants and black boots stopped just in front of the table where she hid. Neva bit her lower lip to keep from making any noise and her body tightened in frozen fear… ‘Dontlookdontlookdontlook’

The boots stood still for a moment then turned slightly as the Romulan looked around. “Where are you yikh? Your Federation won’t be able to save you now and your friends outside will soon be dead. Give up now and maybe I will go easy on you,” the Romulan said as he took a step away from the table.  “Hiding like a coward, typical of the Federation. At Least a Klingon will stand and face me.”

Neva gritted her teeth at the Romulan’s taunt. ‘Yeah, and you’d shoot them before they moved a centimeter like the coward you call me!’ Everything in her wanted to beat the daylights out of him, but stayed put. From what she’d heard from her crewmates outside, the cavalry was coming. Though a diversion could keep him off-guard…

Neva closed her eyes and let out the breath she’d held. ‘You want to see me, petaQ?’ She thought, using a Klingon word herself. ‘Be careful what you wish for…’  With a smirk, she sought the alien’s mind with her own. 

~~She stood up from under the table and faced the humanoid, fists on hips. “Hello, Romulan scum. Looking for me?”~~

The Romulan blinked and smirked triumphantly. “Ah, so you’re not so stupid, Federation!” He levelled his disruptor at her.

~~ “No, I’ve never been called stupid, actually. Annoying, yes, but not stupid.” She dropped her fists to her sides and unclenched them, walking slowly but assuredly around to the side of the table. As she stopped at the corner closest to the Romulan, she pulled out her own phaser and levelled it at him. “I think we’re having what’s called a ‘Mexican Standoff.’ Do you shoot first, or do I?”~~

The Romulan laughed. “Really? These Mexicans-” he spat out the word. “Do they have a word for dead?” At the last word, he fired on her…and it went right through….

The Romulan pulled the disruptor back level to his eyes, looking at it momentarily before extending it once more. There was NO ONE there…

As he gaped like a fish, an arm snaked around his neck and pulled him back and off balance. “By the way, Romulan, the Mexicans DO have a word for ‘dead’…MUERTE!” With that, she shot him in the side with her phaser. She uncoiled her arm from his neck and shoved him to the floor.

Backing away, she wiped her mouth, hand still holding the phaser. ~^~Cordon to O’Shea. He’s stunned out. I’m ok.~^~ She looked down at her attacker, a smirk still on her face. “Remember, Romulan, this Engineer doesn’t run. You tell that to your superiors!” Something about how he lay there caught her up short. She bent down slowly, reaching out to touch the pulse point on his neck…

Neva started shaking then, eyes widening suddenly as the phaser tumbled out of her hand to clank on the floor. Her legs couldn’t hold her somehow, as she slid down into a sitting heap before the…body…

 ~^~He’s…dead…I…it was set…set to stun…I KILLED him…~^~

O’Shea quickly responded, ~^~ Hold tight, you did what you had to~^~

As her coms cut out Lori and Kerian stopped at the doorway to teh room. “Lieutenant Cordon, it’s Crewmen Lance. We are coming in.”

Neva was almost fixated on the Romulan laying on the floor. Tears were streaming down her face. “I only meant to STUN you…” she murmured. 

A moment later both Lori and Kerian stepped into the room their rifles at the ready as they quickly scanned the room. Lori moved up to Cordon and knelt beside her, placing her hand on the Lieutenant’s shoulder. She glanced at Keiran as the Bajoran checked the downed Romulan for signs of life. Keiran shook her head when her eyes met Lori’s.

“Come on Lieutenant. Let’s get you out here, the building is blocking the transporters, likely something to do with the energy capacitors in here but what do I know?” Lori said with a little laugh as she started to stand and offered Cordon her hand.

Neva turned her head when the security officer touched her. She saw Lori, but not. “Yes, gotta get up.” She took the offered hand and slowly stood. As she was led away, she looked at Lori and said “The tools. I made them leave without them…we gotta get them.” Neva went to do this, but she was stopped by a hand again on her shoulder. “No, Cordon. Leave ‘em. They’re not important.” She put an arm around the Chief Engineer and guided her out and into the twilight. Neva looked around and then up to the darkening sky. “I’m ready to go back. I want to be with my Iron Lady.”

O’Shea and Pach both felt a sense of relief as a moment later phaser fire erupted from new locations in the grove. Without pause, they each selected new targets and look aim. The Romulans had been careless and were not in a good defensive position, especially when they were taking fire from two sides. After the short exchange, four were already down and the remaining two quickly threw down their disruptors and raised their hands. “We surrender federation.”

As they did Lori’s voice came over the coms, ~^~Lance to O’Shea, we have Cordon, she is ok.~^~ 

~^~Good, looks like we have some prisoners to question as well.~^~ O’Shea remarked.

Leopold Halsey was tired.  Hell, they were all tired. Thirty days.  Search and rescue.  Recovery.  Rooting out the remaining Romulan separatists.  Helping Colony 159 rebuild.  Rinse. Repeat.  The crew had fallen into a rhythm with each other as the days had gone on, the mornings had come earlier, and the nights had stretched longer.  They had saved so many.  The reports were nearly complete. Out of 5,000 colonists, they had only lost 100.  The intrepid work of the medical teams, supported by the other departments’ quick action, had stemmed the tide of casualties turning into fatalities.  The injuries were the other side of the attack. 1,500 were initially injured, and through focused triage efforts, they quickly transported, treated, and healed many in the initial hours and days.

The last fifty ICU patients departed early this morning for the colony.  Intensive care had been busy, and the critical patient load had tested the still-new crew.  There had been some stress points for many of them.  The crew had learned what it meant to be the healing hands of the Federation – and the work that contributed to the ongoing legends and legacy of the Olympic class ships and crew.

He pushed himself out of his chair and sent a message to his command team, commending them on their hard work.  They would depart the sector shortly and head for the nearest starbase for resupply for whatever was next.  That was the big question that weighed heavily on Halsey.  What was next for them out there?  What challenges would await them in the next sector or on the next planet?

=^=Bridge to Captain Halsey, you’re needed on the bridge.=^=

He stepped out of his ready room and through the door, “Report.”

Wellington Jackson at communications spoke up, “The colony representatives wanted to speak with you before our departure, sir.”  Halsey gave a nod and turned to the screen.

The rugged face of the interim governor appeared on the screen, a look of anticipation filling his face before he spoke, =^=Captain Halsey – I wanted to thank you and your crew…again.  We’re sad to see you go – getting to know you and your crew has been one of the few joys in the last month for us.=^=

The CO returned the compliment with a warm smile, “Governor Larsen, I’ve heard nothing but good things from my crew about the hospitality of you and yours.  I’m sorry this had to happen to bring us to your doors.”

A nervous smile drifted across the man’s face, =^=We’ve…had some requests from colonists to leave and return to their home planets. I’ve sent your communications team the list to forward to Starfleet Command.=^=

Leopold frowned, “Are they worried about further attacks?”

The tall and lanky man shook his head, a rueful smile accentuating his words, =^=No, I think they’re just tired, Captain.  Living out here on the edge comes with risks…and those risks wear on people.  Please make sure the list is given to the right people, Captain Halsey.  I wouldn’t want to ask these folks to stay if they truly wanted to leave.=^=  There was a hint of something in his voice that Halsey recognized.

“I understand, Governor Larsen.  I’ll make sure it gets to the right people.  We wish you the best.”

He sighed a sigh of relief and resignation, =^=The same to you, Captain.  May the Mercy fly true.=^=  He stared at the screen for a moment before quietly closing the channel.

Wellington spoke from his station, “Sir…what was that about?”

Halsey scratched at his overgrown stubble, “I think whoever he’s trying to get off the planet may be a little more high value than he’s willing to admit on an open channel.”  He turned to the communications chief, “Get me Commander Jessica Torrez in the Colony Relocation Services office at Starfleet Command, priority one on a secure channel – put it through to my ready room.”  He shook his head, “What a way to end this mission.  Helm, set a course for the nearest starbase for resupply and repair.  Warp six at your leisure.”  He retreated to his ready room as the USS Mercy took a deep breath and flew true in a flash of warp speed.

USS Mercy – Security Office

O’Shea sat with Chief Petty Office Pach as they reviewed the latest reports from the various security teams around teh colony. So far things had been quiet and the possibility of rogue Romulan and Klingon ground forces had yet to prove much of a threat. 

He glanced over at the backpack he had packed and was ready to go in case of emergency. His gut told him he would need it sooner rather than later. Without looking back at Pach he spoke, “Chief, how were things at the landing pad when you were down earlier?”

Pach began to speak but was interrupted when the coms unit kicked on in the office and one fo the Duty Officers on the bridge began to speak, “Lieutenant O’Shea, we have reports of an attack on the mobile hospital that Dr MacDonald is overseeing. There appears to be a communication jammer in place preventing us from getting locks on our teams.”

O’Shea looked at Pach as he started to move. Pach as expected was already up and moving. “We are on our way to the transporter room. I assume we can beam down?”

“I believe so sir,” the Duty officer responded.

“Good, Chief Pach and I are on our way. Get Lance to join us there and get an Arrow prepped for a flight down, I want it there ASAP in case we need support or to evac wounded without transporters. Patch me into coms with whoever you can reach on the ground.” O’Shea remarked as both Pach and he began to race down the corridor.

Colony 159 – Outside Communication Jammer Range

Within minutes O’Shea, Pach and Lori materialized in a small mountain clearing at the coordinates provided. O’Shea looked around and didn’t see anyone even with the aid of the tactical eye display that linked with his tricorder, “You see anyone? I am getting some interference on the scan.”

Pach and Lori both nodded in agreement, “Same here.” Lori commented.

“Right, I had thought the Doc would be here,” O’Shea said before shrugging and shouting. “Doctor MacDonald?”

Crewman Ben Johnson emerged from the brush, “Sir?”

O’Shea quickly raised his rifle but lowered it when he recognized Johnson, “Johnson, good to see you. Anyone else with you?”

Johnson shook his head, “Adams took one in the leg as we were approaching from the east. I got him patched up and he’ll be fine once we get him to a doctor,  but walking is difficult.   He’s holding position there. I was trying to get reinforcements when I ran into you.”

“Well lucky us because that is what we are here for. Can you get us back there?” We have an Arrow-class runabout en route. We can use it to provide support if needed and make our entrance that way as we get Dougal and Baker onboard?” O’Shea said as he thought through possible options.

Johnson nodded, “I can. There’s sensor and comm jammers. I assume transporter inhibitors in the village as well.” He kneeled and drew a sideways “T” in the snow with the single leg pointing due east and the cross street running north and south.   “There are two streets.” He drew a large rectangle at the junction.  “The Klingons are held up here. It’s the tallest building in town about three stories made of some reinforced material that our phasers can’t penetrate. They have disruptor canons, and snipers on the top floors.  I was able to count at least six separate individuals,  but there’s likely more.”

To the west of town he drew and squiggly shape that connected back in on itself.  It was far from circular,  but definitely not a polygon. “This hill overlooks the whole town.  Doc MacDonald has been moving across that position covering us. I think the Klingons think there’s more than one of us up there.  Whatever they think they have no idea where the Doc is.” He drew another rectangle at the southern edge of town, “Lt. MacDonald is pinned down here with Crewman Baker.  Baker’s been hit and the Lieutenant won’t leave him.”

O’Shea frowned, “A tough nut to crack with only us.” Looking over the rough map Johnson had drawn he knew they couldn’t clear the village with just the four of them here, let alone with the MacDonald’s who were already there. The position was to well reinforced. “Odd that such a small village would have a reinforced building like that. Though I guess that is a question for later.” 

He turned and looked at Pach, “Get me an ETA on the Arrow, we will need to fly in and remove that building I think. No matter what is in there I will not risk the lives of those up there.” Pach nodded and stepped away as he began to speak to the pilot of the ship. As he did O’Shea and Lori continued to look over the map.

A moment later Pach returned, “ETA 2 minutes, they are just coming through the atmosphere.”

“Good, that makes it easier.” O’Shea glanced at Johnson, “How do you feel about a lift back up there?”

“Sir, there might be civilians in that building.  Are you sure destroying it is a good idea? Not to mention the disruptor canons can probably take out the ship.”

“Are there any indications of civilians in the village? Thought everyone was accounted for?” O’Shea asked before continuing, “Fair point about the canons, likely the ship would be able to take a couple of hits but best not risk it.”

“If we had a photon launcher I think we can take out the floors with the canons and possibly expose the snipers to Doc MacDonald.” He smiled ruefully, “They sent out an assault team to take out the Lieutenant and she picked off two of them before they even knew what was happening.  They haven’t tried it a second time.”

“Well, it is a good thing we have a few of those on board the runabout then. When it gets here we will use it to get close then head in on foot. Get Dougal and Baker out, disable the canons and snipers, and find the Doc.” 

Colony 159

Dougal kneeled next to Baker checking on him.  His breathing was shallow, but steady.   Dougal could feel a pulse, but had no idea if it was healthy or cause for concern.  “You’ll be braw soon enough lad,” he said to the other man who lay unconscious next to him.  Dougal broke more hand warmers from his kit and placed them around Baker’s body and pulled the mylar blanket back over tucking in the sides trying to preserve as much warmth as possible. 

As Dougal worked to keep Baker warm O’Shea and the team flew meters above the treetops as they rapidly approached the village. O’Shea stood beside the pilot secretly enjoying the thrill of the flight, without taking his eyes off the scene before him he spoke to the young pilot, “Set us down as close as you can to Dougal and Baker’s position but outside of the view of the building. Getting them on board is key, we will disable the canon once they are on board.”

The ensign nodded as the runabout dove down into the valley before banking hard and dipping below a small ridgeline hiding the ship from view as they approached the location of Baker and Dougal. Within moments the runabout set down and O’Shea, and Pach stepped out. O’Shea turned to the other two crewmembers, “Lance I want you to stay with the ship and the pilot, last thing we want is the Klingons to sneak up on us and get ahold of it. Johnson you lead the way.”

“Over there sir,” he said pointing.  “There’s a line of trees that offer cover until you are within a few hundred meters of the village. ”

“Wish it was closer but it is what we have to work with. Where are Dougal and Baker in relation to us and the village?” O’Shea asked.

Johnson glanced around for a moment to get his bearings.  Pointing at about the 10 o’clock position, “Over there I think.  He’s sheltering behind an stone building on the south end of town.  There’s a low rise and about fifty meters of exposed ground before you are obscured by the buildings of the village.”

Johnson led O’Shea and Pach through the tree on their approach to the village and the location of the other two members of the security team. The forest was dense providing cover for the three as they moved forward. Glancing at the rough map they had of the region and the last known locations of the other officers O’Shea knew they had to be close. “How much farther Johnson?”

He stopped. “Here sir,” Johnson said simply. They were at the edge of the tree line and before the lay a small village. Only a couple hundred people lived there under normal circumstances.  There was no reason for the Romulan Separatists to send their Klingon mercenaries here, yet here they were.  

Perhaps it was something to do with the colony’s sub-space transmitter located nearby on one the peaks. Or maybe it was just simple sadistic need to control the whole planet.  Either way what had once been a near idyllic location had become a deadly battlefield. Like countless other towns in history from Gettysburg, Carentan, and Axanar the peace was shattered simply because that’s where two armies met.

O’Shea scanned the village with his eye, “Looks pretty quiet.” He turned to Pach, “What are your thoughts? They could be waiting for us to try and cross the open ground.”

Pach grunted as he looked through the scope of his rifle, “Possible, but we don’t have much of a choice, Dougal and Baker are in there.”

“True,” O’Shea remarked as he adjusted the photon launcher on his shoulder. “We need to get a bit closer for this and need a better line of sight on the building.” He paused and quickly looked around, “We have limited options, we need to get into the town, ideally that two-story building there,” he said as he pointed to a wooden building painted red. “If we get there we should be able to get a direct shot on their reinforced position and take out the canons, that will let the runabout come in. Both of you cover me, I will go first when then Johnson followed by Pach.”

Johnson nodded, “Aye sir.”

O’Shea nodded, “No time like the present. Of we go.” With that, he slowly made his way through the last few meters of cover before he paused and took one final look across the field at the buildings. Not seeing any sign of life in the village he lifted his hand signalling the two behind him that he was going to move forward. Not wanting to wait any longer he took off at a sprint across the open ground. As he ran he keep his eyes open for any possible threat but saw none, thirty seconds later he had his back to the red two-story building. Looking back he waved and a moment later Johnson burst from the trees and made it across without issue.

“Glad you could make it Johnson, you watch that corner. I have this one,” O’Shea said pointing to the adjacent corner.

Once Johnson was in position O’Shea waved to Pach who took off at a fast run. He made it two-thirds of the way across before a shout went up from past the building they were behind. As he peered around he saw a flash of movement and disruptor fire flew past him splashing into the ground around Pach who dove behind a nearby woodpile narrowly avoiding being hit.

“Pach, you ok?” O’Shea called out.

“Heghlu’meH QaQ jajvam,” Pach responded before peering over and firing his phaser back.

“NO, today is not a good day to DIE PACH!” O’Shea shouted back before turning to Johnson. “Johnson, do you have a clear shot on the target building?” O’Shea said as he took the photon launcher from his shoulder. “The shot is yours, get it down fast!”

Johnson checked the micro photon torpedo before lifting the device to his shoulder.   Designed for runabouts and shuttles it was an awkward,  but effective weapon in this case.  He pressed the firing mechanism and the miniature photon torpedo shot out and less than a second later the whole top floor of the administrative building erupted in flames as bits of ferroconcrete showered the street below. 

As a response the occupants with returned disruptor fire from every opening in what remained of the building.  Johnson ducked behind his concealment as angry red disruptor bolts flashed by.  “I think we made them angry.”

“GOOD!” O’Shea shouted back as he quickly fired his phaser around the corner hitting a Klingon as the warrior ran towards him shouting. Ducking back behind the wall he switched his tactical eye display on and smiled, “Their jamming is down!”

Tapping is combadge open a communication link to the runabout, “Lance, the jamming is down. Get a lock on the MacDonalds and Baker and beam them out. The Doc can decide if she wants him on the Mercy. Then get us out of here.”

Lori responded instantly, “On it, I have their signals.”

O’Shea relaxed a little as he glanced over a Pach who had moved to the building adjacent to him. “Keep them off us for now. Beam out is coming.” 

Johnson learned around the corner and fired twice.  His first shot was wide right,  but the second sent a Klingon falling forward out the open window on the second floor. 

Weapons fire continued for the next 30 seconds before O’Shea combadge activities and Lori’s voice came over it, “Sir, beaming you out in a couple of seconds. Be ready.”

Before O’Shea even had a chance to relay the message he felt the transporter activate and his vision was filled with light before he materialized on the runabout beside Pach and Johnson. Without pause, he stepped off the pad and looked to Lori, “Report.”

“Sir, I was able to beam out the others, the Doc and Dougal are with Baker right now in the back,” Lori said as the shuttle moved away from the village.

“Ok, take us back to Mercy I am going to go check on Baker,” O’Shea remarked and made his way to the rear compartment of the ship.

Aimee was standing next to her husband when O’Shea entered the compartment. Dougal gave him a nod, and she approached the security chief. “Baker’s stable, but he’s lost a lot of blood and has a collapsed lung. I have him sedated and resting.  I’ll have to do surgery as soon as possible. Adams will be fine.  No major damage to the leg. He should be able to report for duty tomorrow.”

O’Shea nodded as he listened to the Doc, “Best give him a chance to recover a bit. I have ordered the ship back to Mercy. I will expect a full rundown of the events after we are back but for now, rest.” He turned and stepped up to Baker, “Glad you pulled through.  Take it easy, you may be physically healed tomorrow but I want you to take a couple of days.”

Baker nodded, “Thank you sir.”

“Thank you for pulling us out of a wee jam sir,” Dougal said extended his hand.  “We stepped in a wee hornet’s nest to be sure.”

O’Shea let out a laugh, “You would do the same.”

Crawford gripped her engineering kits tightly as the transporter faded, revealing the world around her.  Fires burned unabated, and cries of pain, sorrow, and suffering echoed throughout as the whine of the transporter continued to signal the incoming medical and engineering teams along with an assortment of security and operations officers.  She turned to her partner, Choi, “You ready?”

Choi materialized in beside her. The Betazoid blanched, immediately feeling the pain and suffering around them. He took a shaking breath, mentally blocking what he felt out, “As ready as I will ever be.” He felt dread knot in his stomach, or perhaps he was picking that up from someone or somewhere else.

Carolyn searched out and found a building that had taken some significant damage.  She slipped out her tricorder, “I’m getting life signs from that structure.  Come with me, Lieutenant.”

Egrel inclined his head in acknowledgment, “I can feel them; I’m right behind you.”

She took off at a spring, dodging smoke and debris as she went.

Egrel blinked twice as she took off, not expecting it evidently. He took off after her, a little slower but still able to keep up.

Carolyn bounded up next to the structure, her tricorder scanning the structure, which rumbled and groaned every so often.  “Damn it.  It’s not going to hold for very long.”  She glanced at him, “What do you have on life signs?”  She snagged her PADD and transferred the building scans, the floor plans blooming into view.

Egrel stepped up beside her. He seemed to zone out for a moment and a half, focusing on what he could telepathically feel around him. While he connected to figure out where they were, he tried to reassure them as much as he could that help was here. He snapped back in an instant and leaned over, tapping a few places on the PADD she held, “These spots I can feel where people are. These two are weak.” He tapped two spots again, specifically, “The rest are stronger.”

Crawford contemplated their next move, “We’re going to send our triage medics to the stronger ones.  Let’s see what we can see with the weaker ones.  They’re on the second floor near the middle…which makes it even more exciting.”

Egrel nodded. He personally knew very little about medical triage himself as a counselor, “Makes sense…” He hesitated then and frowned, “Exciting? You mean dangerous and likely deadly.”

She gave him a gentle nudge and pointed at his communications badge, “I can guarantee you we have a large team on the Mercy watching everyone’s signal with a hair trigger on transporters in case something goes wrong.  Trust our better angels that watch over us…and let’s get to saving people.”

He hesitated and nodded again. She had a fairly good point there. A thousand worst-case scenarios and what if’s ran through his head at warp speed. He closed his eyes momentarily and shoved the thoughts out of his mind, and squared his shoulders, straightening his back. He opened his eyes again and nodded, “You have a pretty good point about that. Alright, ready.”

Carolyn kept her tricorder out as she stepped carefully up the back stairway of the shattered multilevel, navigating the creaking structure with her eye on the strongest segments ahead of her as she walked.  They moved up the stairwell and onto the second floor.  Small fires burned in isolated corners, and debris still fell from the gaping holes in the ceiling.  Crawford pointed her tricorder towards the middle of the room where desks were upended and furniture scattered, “Life signs that way.  Follow my steps.”

Egrel walked just behind her yet was careful not to hover over her shoulder. He pulled out a flashlight from his jacket pocket and used it to illuminate where they were walking to avoid tripping and becoming one of those who need to be triaged themselves. Egrel was on high alert, constantly looking around and watching their surroundings, while Carolyn kept her eyes on the tricorder. He followed where she pointed with his eyes and nodded, swinging the beam of light in that direction, “Alright, I’m right behind you.”

The engineering officer moved cautiously as the floor trembled underneath them, and the rafters above them vibrated for a moment.

Egrel winced and froze, looking up sharply, breathing out his words as if afraid his voice itself will bring the place down, “Is… Will that hold? Are we safe?”

Crawford shook her head slowly, “It’ll hold.  Trust me – when we’re close to imminent collapse, I’ll have us on our way out.”

He let out a deep breath and sighed softly, “Alright, I trust you.” He furrowed a brow and continued on following her.

They ventured closer and closer to the scattered furniture, and two bloodied and still bodies came into view.  Crawford walked with Choi behind her until they were close enough, “Egrel, your turn.  I’m going to check the other side of this area.”

Egrel nodded and knelt down beside the two bloodied bodies. He looked up and watched Crawford walk off. He hesitated, moving a hand to check one’s pulse. He could feel their minds still alive, but sometimes having that tactile response is far more soothing. He pulled out a tricorder and scanned them quickly, eyes watching the data scrolling across the screen. He tags both of them and sends their data to the ship. He is about to stand up and wait for Carolyn when the building shook and tremoured. He heard a creak and groan that careened him back to a distant memory.

***

Betazed had been taken by the Dominion forces with little to no resistance. He was with a small group of hopeful resistance fighters. They were young, brave, and optimistic at first, their hopes dwindling out slowly. The small group was huddled in the ruins of what was once a building of living quarters. Egrel stooped to pick up something he stepped on. The memory was hazy with time, but he recalled it was a child’s toy, ripped and scarred after the attack. The building around them shook and groaned. A cacophony of snapping and cracking erupted around them as the building started to come down around them. Egrel yelled and sprinted for the exit. He dove into the blinding light and spun around, only to realize that half of them made it out alive as he felt his heart crash down and shatter with the rubble.

****

Egrel snapped back to reality, adrenaline coursing through his body. He tried to send out an absolutely urgent telepathic message to Carolyn to get out. He leaped up to his feet and screamed out loud at the top of his lungs, “Carolyn! Crawford! Get out now!” In an impulsive move to try and save them all, he scooped up the two injured, one over each shoulder, and turned to run out the one they came. He had to get them out. He couldn’t leave anyone behind. Not again.

The triage teams came running as Crawford and Choi carried the injured heavily on their shoulders.  They were quickly loaded on stretchers and suddenly counselor and engineer were alone again.  She glanced at him, “We made it out of there. Thanks for yelling at me to move in the middle of all that.  Didn’t know you could shout that loud, Choi.”  She playfully punched him in the arm.

Egrel handed the two he carried off to the triage teams, watching them get carted off. He dragged a slightly trembling hand down his dusty face. Carolyn’s punch to his arm brought him out of that ‘shellshock’ state. He gave his head a little shake and gave her a faint smile and chuckle, “Ah… Even us quiet guys have a loud voice when needed.”

Crawford gave him an odd look before her face showed her realization, “Some of that was telepathic.”  A thin smile crossed her lips, “You’re a good man Egrel Choi.  I’m glad I had you with me.”  She glanced back at the remaining buildings, “Let’s get some more engineers with us with a medic or two.  I think we’re going to need to travel in numbers for safety from now on – lotta risk out here.”

Egrel nodded in reply to that, “It was, yes. I tried my best to telepathically and physically yell. I’m glad it worked.” He followed her gaze to look at the rest of the building, “That is a sound and good judgement. I am in agreement. We are stronger as a group.” He emitted a soft sigh of relief, rolling his shoulders back, steeling his resolve for the rest of the ground work they had ahead of them.