Being between missions, the USS Sausalito was tasked with collecting scientific information from the remnants of Romulus. A thorough Geological scan produced an unknown anomaly and the crew moved in for a closer look. As they approached, a light shot out and seemed to be scanning the ship and crew itself but none of the readings from the ship’s monitors showed anything different. Now they had a mystery on their hands. What caused the scan? Was there some sort of ship hiding inside the anomaly? Captain Krolo ordered shields and made the decision to move closer, albeit ever so slowly.

As the Sausalito got closer, the scan stopped, and everything seemed normal for several minutes. Suddenly, an ear-piercing hum began to emit from the anomaly and a loud gasp from the rear of the Bridge caught everyone’s attention. They all turned around just in time to see their Chief Security Officer, Lieutenant Evens, vanish right before their eyes.

“Lieutenant T’Shan disappeared as well, Sir!” called out a junior officer as he pointed toward the Science station.

The captain’s head snapped that way as well. Without any further notice, the remaining members of the bridge crew began blinking out of existence, one by one.

The intercom suddenly came to life.

“Medical to Bridge. Captain, Doctor O’Conner has suddenly vanished. One minute he was here and the next……”

The transmission abruptly ended, and Alen could already imagine what had happened. Before he could complete his next thought, he was enveloped in a bright green light. When he next opened his eyes, he was sitting at a table next to his Chief Science Officer, Lieutenant T’Shan, who had vanished earlier. They both sat up straight and began looking around with eyes wide open.

“Where the Hell are we?” he asked rhetorically. 

“What the hell is that thing!” Commander Tod yelled as they both ran for their lives.

“I have no idea.” replied Declan. “But the damn thing looks like an overgrown Gorn.”

It felt like they weren’t making any progress as they ran through the dense trees. Where they had to zig and zag around them, the Tyrannosaurus Rex that was chasing them just plowed right over them.

The two Starfleet Officers had no idea where they were or even how they had gotten there. Both had been in separate parts of the USS Sausalito when they had begun the investigation of an unknown anomaly.

As they were running for their lives, Lorilen couldn’t help but to think about her crew mate. So not only do I end up wherever the hell this is, but I also end up there with him of all people. It couldn’t have been anyone else on the ship?

She was brought back to the present by O’Conner yelling again. “There!” he said as he pointed ahead of them.

Lorilen looked forward and saw what he was pointing at. The mouth of a small cave. They picked up speed and practically dove in as they approached. Their pursuer followed them all the way and attempted to force its head into the opening. Luckily, there was no way it would fit, and it gave up a few moments later.

The First Officer and the Chief Medical Officer sat there for a moment and took the time to catch their breaths.

The silence was broken by Declan. “So. How’s Leana doing?” he asked.

Commander Tod sighed heavily and turned toward the man. “Really? We don’t know where we are, how we got here, what that exactly that thing was chasing us or how we’re going to return to the ship, and that’s what you want to talk about?”

“Well. The only time I can find out anything about her is when I get the information from you.” He began. “She talks to me occasionally, but you still haven’t told her that I’m her father. She’s fourteen now. Don’t you think she’s old enough to know?”

A loud noise outside caught their attention and silenced them. They both hoped it wasn’t the creature returning. Suddenly, there were two distinctly different roars. It was far enough off that they ventured toward the cave mouth and glanced out. There was, indeed, the creature that had chased them and another that was roughly the same size but a second species. And they didn’t seem happy to see each other. They suddenly attack one another very aggressively.

Tod and O’Conner stood there, watching the very brutal battle. Something in Lorilen made her wonder if that was how she and Declan seemed to others when they argued over their daughter. She turned her attention back to the Doctor.

“Listen. If we get out of this, we’ll sit her down and talk to her, okay?” she asked. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe it is time she knew.”

“Thank you.” was Delcan’s response before they turned back to watch the fight. They didn’t get to see much more of it as they were enveloped in a bright light and then both were back on the Sausalito. Back as if nothing had ever happened.

The Sausalito officers awoke to the sounds of yelling and metal clanking against itself. 

“Where are we?” inquired T’Shan as they looked around.

They appeared to be in some sort of courtyard, near some castle ruins. They began walking toward the sounds and quickly came upon a group of men that were fencing with rapiers, a straight-bladed, edged (often doubled-edged) weapon. Some of the men were wearing blue tunics and the others dawned red ones. There was definitely no love lost between any of them. There were only four men in the blue tunics, and they were easily outnumbered by at least two to one. However, they were holding their own. The officers ducked behind a huge rock and watched the action.

“A tricorder would be of some use.” said T’Shan. “We have no way of knowing when we are or even where we are.”

Fortunately, Ki was a history buff of old Earth. “I believe we are somewhere in Paris, France, sometime during the seventeenth century. And those men in blue were referred to as Musketeers. They were the Kings personal guards at the time, which was Louis XIII. The ones in red worked for the Cardinal. He was the religious leader and a trusted member of the King’s court.”

“Did the two groups often battle amongst themselves?” asked T’Shan.

“Yes.” replied Ki. “According to history, the Cardinal often plotted against the King and attempted to assassinate him on several occasions. The Musketeers thwarted those plans quite often. The Cardinal was eventually outed and arrested. The King lived a long and happy life. He ruled France from 1610 until his death in 1643 and was regarded as one of the most powerful rulers in Europe.”

“The…Musketeers, was it?” Hammond asked Ki. “They seem very well trained. They have already dispatched several of their foes.”

He had yet to remove his eyes from the action as the women spoke. He was totally entranced by the movements. It was as if the men were preforming a very well-choreographed dance. They would thrust and parry each other with such grace and ease. That was, until one of them would make a mistake and leave an opening and then they were dealt a death thrust. The four Musketeers had already removed four of the ten men in red. 

As everyone turned their attention back to the action, one of the Musketeers could be seen making his way up a decrepit set of stairs as he fought off two men in red. The other three Musketeers disposed of their combatants and had gathered in the courtyard just several yards from the Suasalito crew. They too were watching the action on the stair way. The Musketeer on the stairway had just stuck his weapon into the body of one of his opponents when the second was drawing back to swipe his own across the back of the neck. Hammond was so entranced, he couldn’t stop himself from calling out.

“LOOK OUT!” he yelled before he knew what he could realize what he was doing.

His crew mates suddenly looked at him in horror and the three Musketeers in the courtyard suddenly turned and drew their weapons. The Federation officers turned and ran back the way they had come with the King’s men in pursuit. 

“Halt. In the name of the King!” came a call from behind them.

Hammond and the others continued running. They had a good lead and, though they had no idea where they were headed, they were feeling confident in their escape. However, it seemed as if the fourth man had disposed of his second enemy and was now standing before them. They crew slid to a stop. They were suddenly surrounded.

The four men looked from the officers to one another. 

“Your tunics aren’t familiar to us. What regiment are you with?” asked the one that appeared to be their leader.

“We are Tercio.” quickly responded Ki.

“Terico? Since when does the Spanish allow women and blacks into their Army?” laughed one of the other Musketeers.

“It’s a new training program. We are here to observe the Musketeers and learn from you as well.” she answered.

T’Shan and Hammond just stood by and allowed her to lead the way. She was the historian here after all.

“And you have papers to prove this?” asked a third swordsman.

“Um, papers? No. Not on us. They are back in the barracks.” said Ki.

“You look sort of nervous. I tell you what. We will just go back to your barracks and get your papers. Then this will all be settled. How does that sound?” asked the leader.

The seven of them began walking with one of the Musketeers in the lead. The Starfleet officers had no idea where they were headed. The Musketeer that had done most of the talking stepped up to walk beside Ki.

“So what is up with the ears on the other female?” he asked with a nod toward T’Shan.

“She had an accident when she was a child.” responded Ki. “It was the best the surgeons could do.”

Ki picked up her pace and caught up to T’Shan and Hammond.

“What do we do when we reach the barracks?” asked Hammond with concern in his voice.

“I don’t know.” was all Ki could say.

“We could try to take them.” said T’Shan. “Then we could escape to a safe location until we can figure out how to return to the Sausalito.”

“I don’t know. They’re pretty good with those rapiers.” said Hammond as they continued walking.

A few minutes later, they were approaching what appeared to be the barracks and training ground of the Musketeers.

“Athos. Who do you have there?” called a much older man in a blue tunic.

“They claim to be Spanish soldiers.” answered the ones now known as Athos. 

“I think they’re spies.” called the heavy set one from behind them.

“You think everyone is a spy, Porthos.” laughed the old man. “Aramis? D’Artagnan? You two have an opinion you want to share.”

“Not really.” said the youngest looking one. “I just think their tunics are funny looking.”

“Any ways.” injected Athos. “They claim that their papers are in their barracks. Where is the Spanish regiment located?”

“We don’t currently have any Spanish within the region.” said the older man.

“See? Spies.” called the one now known as Porthos. “I say we throw them in the Bastille and sort it out later.”

“What’s this Bastille?” Hammond asked Ki.

“Prison.” she said earnestly.

“We can not go to prison.” Hammond replied.

“We may not have any choice. We can’t produce papers and we can’t prove who we are or why we are here.” she answered. “And I don’t think we would be able to escape from them right now.”

“Well. They said they were here to observe and train. I say we test them and see what they have learned.”

“That sounds like a terrific idea, D’Artagnan.” said Porthos. “We may not even need to waste the room at the Bastille.” he added as he laughed.

“We can’t run and we definitely can’t fight them.” said Hammond. “You saw what they did to those other men. We’d be no match for them. It would be over just as soon as it started.”

“Logic would dictate that I be the one to wield the weapon.” answered T’Shan. “Vulcans are a quick study and while I only observed them briefly, I believe I took in enough to learn their ways and have the best chance at survival.”

“Okay.” called Ki. “Our best swordsman against yours. And when we win, you set us free.”

“You mean if you win.” said D’Artagnan as he stepped forward and drew his rapier.

T’Shan took a step forward as well and one of the soldiers off to her side tossed her a sword. They presented themselves and took their stances. Hammond and Ki were quickly impressed with how well T’Shan was handling herself. The two warriors were going through all the motions. They each would take turns with the required steps and again, Hammond thought of it as a choreography. Slash. Parry. Lunge. Faint. Pivot. Dodge. It was a beautiful sight, even with them in danger. T’Shan dodged another thrust and spun around to avoid a swing but when she turned back, she dropped her guard. This allowed D’Artagnan a huge opening, and he took it. Ki and Hammond both gasped as they watched the rapier head straight for her heart. A bright flash of light took them just before the blade punctured her skin. A second later, the officers found themselves back on the Sausalito where they began.

The three officers awoke in what appeared to be some sort of tent, and they were all chained to their seats. Down below them were three rings with various items arranged within and around them.

“It appears to be an old Earth circus.” said Evens.

The two men both looked at her strangely. “A circus?” asked the Captain.

“What’s a circus?” piped in Shrar.

Maddison pointed down toward the rings as she spoke again. “Families would go and watch performances that were performed down there. There would be clowns and animal trainers.” She looked up and saw the high wire. “And acrobats go up there and walk along that wire.”

“Clowns? inquired the Andorian officer.

“They were……” began Maddison, but she was cut off by a sudden light appearing over the middle ring which now held a man in a very large hat.

“Welcome to the Greatest Show on Earth!!” he exclaimed loudly. “We are so glad that all of you could join us.”

The crew looked around to see who the man was referring to and found that they were the only ones present.

“He’s called the Ring Master.” explained Maddison. “He introduces the acts.

As if on cue, the Ring Master spoke once more. “Our first act tonight will be the Fabulous Fredricks.” And with a flourish of his hand, he directed their attention back up to the high wire they had previously discussed.

High up above the seats that held them firmly in place, there were three humans up on the platform that led out onto the wire. However, two of them were bound and gagged and the third held a weapon on the female.

“This isn’t right.” said Evens. “They shouldn’t be bound and there’s supposed to be a safety net below them.

The one with the weapon raised it level with the woman’s head. “Move.” he said, prompting the male out onto the wire. You could hear both the captives trying to scream to no avail as the man walked onward. Without his hands to balance him, he slowly wobbled his way out a few feet and didn’t get any further before plummeting to his death, some fifty feet below.

“Ahhhhh. What a shame. I thought for sure he’d get further than that. Oh well. Might as well let his wife join him.” said the man in the ring, and with a nod of his head, the one with the gun shot her and sent her down to her husband.

All three crew members made a futile attempted to stand but it was useless.

“This is all wrong. It’s supposed to be a fun, family show.” Maddison told the others.

“For the next act, we bring you, all the way from Andoria, the Beast master, the Targ Whisperer, Thaaaaaaaarn. This is the most terrifying act we have so I must warn you….DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.” The Ring Master directed them to the left side ring, where a cage had been placed with several smaller ones connected around the exterior. Inside was an Andorian and he too, like the crew, was strapped to a chair.

“He shouldn’t be tied up. He’s supposed to be free and be able to do tricks with the animals.”

That wasn’t what they got at all. The small, exterior cages opened and released five Klingon targs into the cage, and after a few seconds of posturing for each other and sniffing around the confined space, they turned their attention to the captive in the center. One of the bigger beasts released an ear piercing roar before they all attacked the hostage. All the officers could do was look on in horror.

“Wow. I thought Andorians were tough warriors. Sort of like Klingons.” the Ring Master said with a laugh. “Guess they aren’t as tough as we’d hoped. Oh well. Maybe the next act will be better. Put your hands together, ladies and gentleman and help me welcome the Clowns of the Cosmos, the Bozos of the Beltway, the Bajoran Comedy Club.”

They followed his gaze over to the third ring. It was occupied by several Bajorans and also held a few Naussicans. 

“Clowns were meant to be comedy relief but I’ve got a feeling that isn’t the case here. Those hammers and saws ans things look real. They are in danger.”

They crew once again made the attempt to escape only to be reminded of how tight their bindings were. All they could do was watch in horror and disgust as the Naussicans began taking turns with the weapons they possessed. They ranged from a large mallet that was used to bludgeon several captives in the heads to some sort of motorized saw that was swung at the necks of others causing their heads to go rolling across the ground. Krolo glanced over at Evens and saw tears running down her cheeks. He had never seen the Sausalito’s Security Chief look so vulnerable. His heart sank. He turned his attention to his other officer, Shrar. He was still staring back at the ring that contained the cage and the targs. Krolo felt sadness again. 

Briefly looking back at the slaughter that was taking place, he closed his eyes. He wasn’t sure what was taking place but he had to believe that it had something to do with the bright, white light that had enveloped him just before he awoke here. He recalled reading about the same sort of light in official records of Captain Picard and his crew whenever a visitor that called himself Q had come around but his antics were never described with this sort of violence. Could this be some sort of hallucination? Another being from the Q Continuum? He no sooner had that thought and he was in the white light once again. This time, when he opened his eyes, he was back in his quarters aboard his ship. He jumped up and looked around. Was it over? What the hell had caused it and why? he found himself wondering. Had it happened to to others? He found he had so many more questions than answers. He straightened his tunic and headed for the Bridge. He now has his next mission.

“I’ve ran scans on everyone that was affected, Captain. Nothing came back out of the ordinary.” said Doctor O’Conner.

Krolo shook his head. So far, nothing explained the crew disappearing like they did. He turned his head to his Chief Engineering Officer.

“Shrar?”

“Nothing wrong with the ship either, Sir. We’ve ran every diagnostic possible and just like the Doc’s scans, nothing sticks out.” answered Shrar.

“And I’ve read the reports from everyone. They all state the same thing. They were just minding their business when they enveloped by a white light and then woke up some where else.” added the XO.

“Was anyone injured during the incidents?” Alen asked.

The Doctor spoke up. “Not physically. But from the stories I heard, Some counseling might be in store.” 

There was a pause in the conversation and Lieutenant Evens took the moment to speak. “And since we don’t know what caused everything to start, except that it began when we approached the anomaly, we launched a warning buoy for others.”

“Good call, Maddie.” replied the XO. “Hopefully, they’ll listen and stay away. I don’t wish what we went through on anyone.”

“Well, I want Science and Engineering to stay on it. I want to know why and how. If we can stop it, we can definitely make sure it doesn’t happen to others.” ordered Krolo.

A chorus of “Aye, Captain” came from around the table. 

“And go ahead and mandate those counseling session, Doctor. I’ll put in the request for a counselor to join the crew on our next stop over.”

“Understood, Sir.”

“Now. Doctor. Number One. If you two will stay behind, the rest of you are dismissed.”

Shrar and Evens stood and exited the Briefing Room. Alen turned his attention to the other two.

“Now. What’s going on between the two of you?” he asked.

Lorilen looked dismayed. “What do you mean?” she asked.

“Ever since everyone returned, I’ve noticed some tension between the two of you. And I’m not alone.”

DeClan spoke up this time. “We just had some stuff to work through during our adventure. That’s all, Sir.”

“Does it have anything to do with a certain teenager?” Krolo asked with a grin.

“How did……Did you….” Lorilen said as she looked between the two men.

The doctor looked just as shocked. “I never said anything.” DeClan assured his former lover.

“Listen. It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out. I’m surprised Leana has never broached the subject with either of you. And she is a genius. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s already figured it out.”  said the CO. “But what ever you’re gonna decide, make it quick and get back to work like a normal crew. Dismissed,” he finally said as he stood and made his way out, leaving the two officers sitting there with amazed looks on their faces.

More disappearing incidents to come

“So there’s absolutely no physical difference between the two of you?” asked Barrett as he sat his drink down onto the table.

Xifer looked over at his twin brother and allowed a sly grin to spread across his face. “Well. I say there’s one difference but I’d only be willing to show Hailie what it is.” he said as he teasingly winked in her direction.

“Don’t listen to him, Hailie.” retorted Xifel when he saw the young nurse blush. “He knows were completely identical.”

All the ensigns shared a laugh and ordered a new round of drinks. They were just coming off of some very long shifts that they had gotten thrown into when all the senior officers had suddenly disappeared from the ship. The whole ordeal had lasted a total of three days before everyone was back home safely. The stand in department heads had called all hands on deck until they had figured out what had happened and how to reverse it. 

The Science division had wanted to get closer to the anomaly to get more scans but Lieutenant Burns, the Acting Commanding Officer, had denied the request due to the uncertainty of the anomaly’s involvement. They had worked around the clock. They ran every diagnostic they could possibly think of do check for any equipment malfunction, which they didn’t think was the issue to begin with. They poured over all the data they had already collected before anyone vanished. They were getting absolutely no where when the senior officers began reappearing just as suddenly as they had disappeared.

The next round of drinks came and Hailie raised hers in a toast. “Well here’s to having everyone back and not having to continue the round the clock shifts. And to everyone seemingly no worse for the wear. We managed to get everyone in and conducted their physicals and no one seemed to have gotten any injuries or illnesses. But man. Some of the stories I heard while they were in Sickbay. Unbelievable.” she said.

A chorus of cheers followed as they clinked their glasses and all took drinks.

“I heard the Doctor and the XO came across some huge Gorn looking creatures. I can’t even imagine that one.” said Xifel. “They’re deadly enough as they are.”

“I agree.” added his twin brother.

Barrett took another drink before he spoke up. “The Captain told me he went to a Circus and that Lieutenant Evens had to explain to him what it was. Only difference was that instead of it being a family adventure thing, everyone there was getting killed in horrendous ways.”

“Do you think we’ll ever discovered what caused them to be taken? And why was it just the Senior officers? None of us lower deckers were effected.” asked Hailie. 

“That was why I had began thinking it may have been a Q thing. It seemed targeted. Just the higher ranks and no one else.” replied Barrett.

“You’re just a conspiracy nut.” joked Hailie as she nudged him teasingly with her elbow. 

“But you have to admit that it’s a legitimate theory.” said the young security officer.

“Q would be almost as bad as the oversized Gorns.” said both Bolians at the same time. “Jinx” they called out again at the same time having picked up an old Earth hijinks.

The two humans looked over at the twins and laughed. 

“I can’t believe you guys still do that.” giggled Hailie. 

“Ever since you taught it to us in the Academy.” responded Xifel. “Only Xifer never pays hat he owes me. I think he owes me like the next eighty rounds of drinks.” he said as he wiggled his empty glass at his brother.

Xifer simply stuck out his tongue and left the table to get the next round.

“You’re gonna turn them human if you aren’t careful.” Barrett said to Hailie with a smile.

“Nah. They’ll always be them.” she said as the next round came and they made another toast and moved on to the next topic.