Deep Space Guardian: Season II-Episode 27

[Founder]

-USS Guardian, Bridge-

Captain's Log, Stardate 58411.77

It has been exactly one day since the magic show on DSG. I'm pleased to say there was not too much trouble. At least, not on a riot scale. Although, on a political scale there was certainly trouble and the station is filthy. I've decided to take the USS Guardian out on a survey mission. A beautiful nebula, class J, that lies a few light years away from the station may hold deuterium deposits. If that is the case, we'll send worker bee vessels to "mine" the nebula. I know I didn't have to take the Guardian out to scan it when the station could have, but I needed to get away from the station. I have a lot of thinking to do. Lieutenant commander Ziona, Lieutenant(J.G.) Roberts, and Lieutenant Grey have accompanied me. Everyone else stayed behind, I left Melina left in charge. Major Katran has dissapeared as has my head of the Hazard team. Colonel Dicot has retreated to the marine quarters, rarely leaving. I don't know what is wrong with everyone...Anyways... Hopefully this will be a quiet trip... End log...

Ian leaned back in his seat and stared at the viewscreen. The image of the warp tunnel was seen. He looked over at Ziona.

"I'm glad you came Z," He said, "Although I hope you weren't looking forward to blowing ships up. I doubt the nebula will go to red alert."

[La Forge]

U.S.S. Guardian, Bridge

Juliana spun around in her seat, to face the Captain and Ziona.

"Well...I certainly hope that we don't have to trigger a red alert!" Juliana spat, obviously scared of such a situation. "I thought that this was supposed to be a peaceful mission. As you may know by now, I am not suited to combat. Why do you think that I became a doctor?"

DSG, OPS

Melina stood, proudly, with her hands clasped behind her back. She was looking out over OPS, watching as the officers scuttled about, doing their boring jobs and going on with their dreary lives. What a life that must be...

However, in the Captain's absence, along with his mysterious first officer, Kyle Katran, that had made Melina in charge. She had made no objections. In fact, she had embraced the power shift, albeit, temporary, with open arms. Melina wanted a little taste of command.

So far, things had gone fine in the Captain's absence. Melina hoped to keep things that way.

[Ziona]

USS Guardian, Bridge

Ziona glanced over at Ian and smiled gently, a soft and comforting smile.

"And here I thought this was gonig to be some grand adventure." She laughed lightly. "I figured we'd at least have to go galavanting around the universe, spreading fear and terror into the lives of our enemies." She sighed a light, content smile. "But I guess I'll be ok with a more quiet journey."

She looked at the viewscreen and watched the warp tunnel. The warp tunnel always seemed fascinating and beautiful to her.

"I've heard this nebula is beautiful." She whispered, barely audible to anyone except Ian. "I've never seen a nebula."

[Lord Borg]

DSG, Promenade

Archer was walking down the Promenade, looking at a PADD. It was going to be a quiet day of reading, relaxing, and just plain ol, doing nothing. Archer sighed. He loved the time off, but wanted something to do on the station...

[Founder]

-USS Guardian, Bridge-

Ian looked over to Julianna, who sat on the opposite side of the bridge.

"Calm yourself doctor," He replied, "We'll be fine."

He looked bac at Ziona, her smile making Ian weak.

"Really?" He said, "Never?"

Ian shrugged his shoulders and looked ahead at the viewscreen.

"I guess when you serve on a station you don't get to see much eh?" He said.

[Ziona]

USS Guardian, Bridge

Ziona nodded quickly and looked forward at the viewscreen as well.

"Well, it's not the station, Ian. I just don't get out much." She sighed heavily this time, doing a ready-check with the systems of the USS Guardian. She leaned back against a nearby railing and simply waited.

[La Forge]

U.S.S. Guardian, Bridge

Juliana cocked an eye at Ziona's words.

"You've never seen a nebula before?" Juliana asked, almost insulted. "I'm suprised. I would think that a Starfleet officer, like you, would have seen a nebula at least once in their career." Juliana said, rather quickly. "I mean, I saw my first nebula when me and my father went on a trip to Vulcan. On our way there, we passed a nebula. It was simply stunning. You really should see one." Juliana continued, almost talking to herself.

Juliana had a tendency to talk too much...only when it came to matters such as these. Scientific matters...Medical matters...Ectetera...

"I forgot to tell you precisely what a nebula is, Commander." Juliana began. "A nebula is an interstellar cloud of matter, mostly gases, like hydorgen, and dust." Juliana explained to Ziona, by memory, enthusiastically.

It was true...Juliana most certainly had a tendency to babble.

[Ziona]

USS Guardian, Bridge

Ziona did a characteristic eyebrow arch of her's and looked at Juliana.

"I know what a nebula is I just haven't seen one." Ziona looked over at Ian and then back at Juliana. "Forgive me for not flying half-around the galaxy in search of large clusters of gas and matter... I'm generally more interested in keeping the ships from crashing into said gas-matter balls of nonsense."

She crossed her arms on her chest, suddenly feeling rather irritated.

"But I do know beauty when I see it. And if it's anything like what I've been told, it will be wonderful."

[Lord Borg]

DSG, Promenade

Archer stoped in his tracks. "Damn, it." Archer went to the turbolift and called for Ops. He had a favor to do for Ian, he had almost forgotton to do so...

[La Forge]

U.S.S Guardian, Bridge

Juliana let a heavy sigh escape from her lips. Juliana crossed her arms over her chest, in a manner similar to Ziona. Juliana kicked backwards, turning her chair backwards in the process.

"I'm sorry, Commander." Juliana muttered, under her breath, in the tone of a frightened child. "I have a tendency to...babble...I didn't mean to make you sound stupid." Juliana sighed, and ran a hand through her long brown hair. "I'm sorry, ma'am..."

"Geez...You've already made an ass out of yourself, Juliana!" came a voice, in the back of Juliana's mind. Juliana, herself, couldn't help, but, agree.

[Founder]

-DSG, Marine HQ-

A marine, young and Human, cringed when he heard the screams. This was the fourth day in a row that they could be heard. Colonel Dicot, the head of the marines, had banned access to the marine HQ to anyone except for captain Xavier for that very reason. The man had retreated here for many many days, focusing on his work. Dicot, a Pendari, was very dedicated to his work. As a military man, the only thing on his mind was the war and how to end it quick. Unfortunetly, his methods were rather harsh and demeaning. None of the marines were allowed to talk about it out of an oath to him. Another scream was heard...

-DSG, Marine Holding Cell-

Dicot was pacing back and forth in front of a Nautolian who was tied down to a bio bed. He had neural suppressors on his forehead, blocking his unique mental abilities. Varios wires were attached to his body and green blood was all over him and the bio bed. His tenticles had been lopped off in a rather sloppy way.

"So," He said, "You, a high ranking officer, mean to tell me that you have no idea where Fito is?"

The Nautolian, shaking in fear, shook his head.

"No..." He said weakly.

The green reptillian alien shook hard when thousands of volts of electricity charged into him from the wires. Dicot watched, unsympathetic and arms folded.

"Enough." He ordered.

The Nautolian suddenly stopped shaking and began to sob, whispering for mercy.

"Oh no," Dicot said, "I'm afraid you won't find that here. Not on this station..."

He walked closer to the Nautolian, his head hovering over his.

"What about the Cardassian, Oyet," He demanded, "Where is he?"

The Nautolian turned away, not wanting to answer or simply couldn't. Dicot grabbed a stub where his tenticle used to be and squeezed it. More screams...

-USS Guardian, Bridge-

Ian listened to the exchange between the two women but did not get involved. It was idle banter to him. Something he saw all the time in his old post.

[Ziona]

USS Guardian, Bridge

Ziona shook her head.

"My mistake, Juliana. Sometimes I let my temper get the best of me." She tried to smile at the woman. "Thanks for the information though. YOu're very knowledgable."

[Lord Borg]

DSG, Ops

Archer walked on to Ops, it was busteling with activity. He nodded to some officers and made his way to Ian's office. Ian had given him the access codes to the lock to do the favor for him. Archer promised it several days ago, today was the day. He walked to Ian's doors, the lift could be heard coming back to ops...

[La Forge]

U.S.S. Guardian, Bridge

Juliana was slightly confused by Ziona's last few words. Juliana had never heard Ziona call her by her first name. Quite peculiar...Maybe Juliana was finally becoming one of the crew aboard Deep Space Guardian.

"Uh..." Juliana studdered, trying to think of the words to say to the woman. "Thank you?" Juliana said, at length.


DSG, OPS

Melina raised an eyebrow as Captain Archer walked past her and into Captain Xavier's Office. Melina had been informed by Captain Xavier, prior to his departure, that Captain Archer may be using his office, although, Melina still found Captain Archer somewhat suspicious.

Melina, being who she was, would never allow anyone into her office if she was gone. That is an invasion of privacy...among other things. The Occupation had made Melina slightly paranoid...Another thing that that damned Occupation had done to her...

[Ziona]

USS Guardian Bridge

Ziona laughed slightly and smiled over at Juliana.

"That was a compliment Juliana. And yes, I called you by your first name. Please, call me Z if you wish as well. Formalities are a nusance."

[Founder]

-DSG, OPS-

The turbolift doors opened a young engineer, a Tiburonian, stepped out. He looked visibly angry and frustrated. The alien was carrying an engineer kit and looked around for Ian, then remembered he was not onboard. The Bajoran woman looked like she was in charge. He didn't know her and trusted talking to Archer more. Even though Archer was not part of the crew, ever since the Oath was downed, he had been going around the station helping officers. He approaced Melina hesitantly.

"Colonel," He said, "I am ensign T'Mor. I have a situation and I wanted to bring it all the way to the command staff."

-USS Guardian, Bridge-

A smile crossed Ian's face. Julianna seemed to be growing more comfertable with the crew, even though she still seemed shy. He rose from his seat to stand next to Ziona. The helmsman looked over at both officers.

"We've arrived sir," He said, "Dropping out of warp."

The ship dropped out of warp finally and the image of the warp tunnel was replaced with that of a class J nebula.



"There it is Z." He said.

[Lord Borg]

DSG, Ops

Archer heard the farmiliar voice. He frowned as he turned. "Ensign?" Archer steped over closer, forgetting his Promis to Xaiver for a moment. The ensign was someone he met before, bellow decks when Archer was making some rounds for a swaped Ian.

[Ziona]

USS Guardian, Bridge

Ziona glanced out the viewscreen and sucked in a breath.

"Oh my god..." She whispered, staring into the swirling mass outside the ship. She saw blue, purple, orange, most every color dancing in a symphony outside the Guardian. She took a few steps closer to the viewscreen and watched in awe. "It is... it is beautiful."

[Founder]

-USS Guardian, Bridge-

Ian stared at Ziona, his eyes focused completely on her.

"Yes..." He said, "You are..."

His eyes shot open immediatly in surprise at himself.

"IT, It is. The nebula is beautiful. IT is beautiful." He corrected in a stupid way.

His face went red with embarrassment and he went and took a seat in his chair.

-DSG, OPS-

T'Mor turned his head towards Archer and smiled.

"Sir," He said, "I'm glad to see you here."

He immediatly turned away from Melina. The engineer wanted to complain to the security chief, but colonel Dicot was reknowned for pulling rank. He knew Blake would have to go to Ian to force him to get Dicot to stop what it was he was doing.

"Sir?" He said, "Last month, Lieutenant Grey asked me to fix a leaking plasma injector on deck 803, marine level. When I went down there, I was ordered, nearly at phaser point, to leave the area by marines. Its been over a month and plasma injector is not fixed. Lieutenant Grey is a busy man and commander Robitialle get the same treatment as I did. I don't mean to complain sir, but I have an evalutation coming up. People are going to think I shirk my duties sir."

[La Forge]

DSG, OPS

Melina was slightly startled by the apperance of the nervous Tiburonian Ensign. The man also looked quite angry and frustrated. What could be bothering him?

What was bothering Melina was Archer. Just as Melina was about to reply to the young Ensign, Archer had burst out of Captain Xavier's office and broke into the conversation.

While Melina was by no means a ruthless or cruel woman, she would certainly express her authority, if need be.

"Excuse me, Captain..." Melina snapped, as her eye's darted to Archer, who had appeared next to the Ensign. "...Archer, was it?" Melina asked, rhetorically. "Well...As you may know, Captain Xavier put me in charge of the station in his absence. I can take care of this situation, if you don't mind." Melina barked, coldly.

U.S.S. Guardian, Bridge

Juliana jumped up out of her seat at the sight of the nebula.

"Sacre bleu!" Juliana said under her breath, in her native language. "It is magnifique!"

[Ziona]

USS Guardian, Bridge

Ziona turned, watching him quietly as he spoke those words and then quickly corrected himself in embarassment. She couldn't help but smile, but for his sake, tried to contain her elatedness which ended up coming out as a half turn away and a hand to her chin trying to appear as if she was thinking about something.

Had he really said that? Or did she simply imagine it?

Ziona turned back and looked at Ian as he took a seat in his chair. She sighed heavily, happy that she had heard that but somewhat disappointed that he seemed so embarrassed about it. He always seemed to be hiding behind something... behind some sort of wall that seemed to protect or withhold him from the world.

"Thank you, Ian." She whispered, just audible enough so that he could hear her. She turned back to her panel and busied herself in some unnecessary checks and rechecks.

[Lord Borg]

DSG, Ops

Archer looked to Melian. He could have come back with a bigger additude, but he got enough of rank pulling, or attempting rank pulling, from Dicot. "You'll find this is a situation that wont be easy..." He looked to the young Ensign. "I've had dealings with dicot..." He looked to Melina. "We'll all go...."

[La Forge]

DSG, OPS

Melina rolled her eye's at the Captain.

"I'm sorry, Captain Archer, but, I have a job to do. I believe that you and Ensign T'Mor can handle the situation." Melina snapped, coldly. "I'd also like it if you would stop ordering me around, Captain. I don't take orders from you."

Melina was already showing her true colors. She hated to be pushed around, like a toy.

U.S.S. Guardian, Bridge

Juliana couldn't help but giggle to herself, as she listened to the brief interlude between Captain Xavier and Z...Ziona.

"Love...I'll never understand it...How does love make people act so stupid?" Juliana thought to herself, before she turned back to her console to resume her duties.

[Founder]

-USS Guardian, Bridge-

Ian rose from his seat and winked at Z as she thanked him. Julianna seemed generally impressed with the nebula. It certainly was an amazing sight to behold. Who knew gas could be so pretty?

"All stop ensign." Ian ordered.

The helmsman nodded and stopped the ship.

"We can't get any closer," He said, "Due to damage from a Klingon ship, the USS Guardian can have severe engine damage if we enter the nebula. We're taking a runabout."

He looked at the others on the bridge.

"Mr. Grey asked that we collect deuterium samples for him," He said, "Anyone care to join me?"

-DSG, OPS-

Ensign T'Mor stepped back, not wanting to get involved in this fight. Whoever this Bajoran woman was, she was forward...

[Ziona]

USS Guardian, Bridge

Ziona smiled gently to herself as Ian winked at her. She sighed in contentment before Ian asked his question.

"I'll join you, Captain."

She watched him a few moments.