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From: Ellagon The Dragon <ellagon@centurytel.net>
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Subject: {ASSM} Raptor Squadron chapter 3
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Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2004 17:10:05 -0400
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<1st attachment, "Raptor SquadronCH3V1.txt" begin>

Version 1.0edit Copyright 2003-2004; Ellagon the Dragon, All rights
reserved.  Edited By LVWolfman.

   Raptor Squadron Chapter 3

   "Where is the report from the Rataac sector?" Shalo screamed.

   "My Lord, I have attempted to contact our forces there, but have been
unable to raise them.  I assume they encountered something more than
expected." Glump answered.  Her Lord Shalo had been impossible since she
had informed him that they were now mates.  He hated her, she was repulsive
to him.  That's what he had screamed those statements to her when she had
finished, and he realized the import of her words.

   "And this gives the fleet commanders the authority to ignore
communications?"

   Before she could answer, a messenger arrived and handed Glump a sheet of
paper.  She glanced at the header before putting it on her desk.  Seeing
that it was a message from the Rataac fleet, she said, "One moment, My
Lord." She quickly read the missive.

   "Sir, this makes no sense." She approached her lord's desk, after
placing the message in front of him, lowered herself to her knees beside
him.

   He quickly read through the message, then, reread it; his anger growing
by the second.  "What kind of incompetent idiots do we have in command of
that fleet?  They've lost a cruiser!  And they still haven't identified the
forces they face!  It says here that they have detected no hostile forces
at all in the system!  Then who the hell destroyed the heavy cruiser?"

   Before she could attempt to answer his rhetorical question, the
communicator on her desk beeped urgently.  Bowing her head, she rose to
answer it.  Her terminal said it was private, for her only.  She quickly
glanced at Shalo to make sure he was still staring at the message, and
placed an ear bud in her ear.  A few keystrokes on her terminal informed
the caller that she was listening, but unable to reply.  Immediately, the
base chief medical officer's face came up on her screen.

   "I understand your situation, Nova Star." He spoke, using her peoples
name for her.  She no longer held any formal rank to them.  "According to
bioscans, your Chotpah is reaching a dangerously high level of
glutanisomine.  I am sure he is very agitated, and is bordering on the
unreasonable." Glump nodded, but said nothing.  She knew what she had to
do. Though it might mean her life, she was his, and it was her duty to make
sure he stayed healthy.  The medic continued, "Nova Star, if his levels
continue to rise, dementia will soon set in and he will cease to function
by the end of the day.  Calming him is no longer an option; the levels are
far too high.  You must relieve them now." She closed her eyes, accepting
her fate.  Opening them, she nodded to the male on her screen.  He smiled
at her in sympathy as he faded from view.  Before returning to her Lord,
she placed a communications lock-out on the office and sealed the door.

   "My Lord, there is a problem." She said as she walked back over to him.
She knelt down again.

   "What!" He snarled at her.

   "The chief medical officer has informed me that an emergency sensor has
tripped in regards to you.  Your glutanisomine levels are at critical, and
you are close to dementia, and risking death.  I need to relieve this
condition in you before permanent damage is done to you.  I want to assure
you that this room is locked, and the only monitoring is that of the
medical officer.  No one will know of this." She learned forward and began
opening the front of his uniform.

   He stared at her in utter disbelief as she leaned forward and did her
best to take him into her mouth.

   Though physically smaller than her, his race had large genitals compared
to the males she had known.  Briefly she wondered if he would fit in her.
It doesn't matter if she's big enough, he would fit.  Very soon he was
going to lose control, and take her.  This is what had happened to her
mother.  She was the only female available to a male like Shalo.

   Once the process of relieving this condition began, it couldn't be
stopped.  The male goes crazy for a time, and anything can happen.  Many
woman in Glump's position have died, victims of the glutanisomine poisoning
of another's body.  Glump herself was not a child of love, but one of rape.

   Shalo's loud bellow announced his first orgasm and the foul taste in
Glump's mouth almost made her puke.  The poison in his system making his
taste unbearable and potentially poisonous to her as well, if she took too
much into her stomach.

   Shalo's left hand struck her hard across the face knocking her back onto
the floor.  She could taste blood in her mouth as she realized the he was
deep in the throws of the dementia.  He would take her now, she had been
told, and she knew not to try to stop him.

   He literally jumped on top of her, and began to rip her uniform from her
body, the temporary insanity granting him momentarily more strength than he
would normally have.  Though she had experienced sex before, she had never
had a male.  She had hoped she would have gotten a tender and caring male,
but fate had dealt her the same hand it had given to her mother.

   Shalo had ripped the front of her suit open, and was trying to get it
off of her, so she moved slightly to help him.  Watching his eyes as she
moved to see if she had been too bold, and for a moment she saw a very
scared man, appalled at the wild animal that he had become.

   "Try to slow it some, I will try to assist you as well, but the urge you
have has to be handled now.  Remember, I am trying to help you." She hoped
he understood, at least he didn't try to beat her for sitting up some to
remove her top.  She saw him set his jaw, and get off her, the strain of
resisting clear on his face.  Glump quickly removed her boots and the rest
of her clothes.  She realized her own heart was pounding, and that she was
very wet.  She felt almost dizzy with desire, a desire that was spreading
through her like a drug!  She grabbed Shalo, pressing her lips to his and
pulling him back on top of her.  She needed this badly, and she needed it
now!  Let's see if this little bastard is half as good as he thinks he is.

   She was really beginning to lose control of herself as well.  Something
wasn't right!  This wasn't her!

   "Shalo, I need you!  Let it go, take me!" She screamed, reaching between
them she grasped his hard shaft and pressed it to her small opening.  He
thrust into her tearing her as his large tool entered her too small
passage; the blood adding lubrication to the effort.  She was delirious,
the pain a small thing only adding to the blazing hot need she could no
longer control or understand.  It only vaguely occurred to her that she
should be screaming in pain as she grabbed his ass and pulled him into her,
helping him to pound into her body.

   He roared again as another orgasm tore through him.  Weakling!  She
thought to herself.  I am barely starting to get there!  Her brain screamed
at him, `You will satisfy me too you malignant dwarf!' She grabbed his hips
to keep him inside of her as she rolled them over putting him on the
bottom. "Now you're going to fuck me you little bastard!" She yelled at
him. She began riding him, not gently or even slowly, but with a complete
disregard for him, he was a tool for her pleasure.

   She didn't feel him trying to push her off, she didn't hear his
screaming, and she simply didn't care.  She did feel him going soft inside
of her, and she was starting to feel very dizzy, she had had orgasm after
orgasm from him, and now she was beginning to feel much better.  It was so
nice of her lord to do this for her.  She looked down, to look into his
eyes, to tell him thank you for the tenderness they had shared.  But that
wasn't right, was it?  His eyes were closed, and the floor was moving all
over the place.  A noise brought her eyes to the door, and she looked up in
time to see it fall inward.  She fell over on her side as blackness took
her away.

   ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---

   To: CMDR.  Fleet CMD Talosian Defense Forces C.C.  Cmdr.  Johnson,
Phoenix base research; Dr.  Brittney Benson, Phoenix base; Comd.  Hawkins,
CMDR Sol Sector Research facility.

   From: Adm.  Williams F.S.S.  Star Dancer/Special Missions grp.

   High Priority/Routine - MSG follows:

   Analysis of data received from the Raptor Damocles shows a severe
weakness to Dr.  Benson's armor.  A craft so equipped is susceptible to
overload from what appears to be an ion cannon observed on the Imperial
light cruiser.  Recommend suspension of installation, and grounding of
Raptor and Shadow series craft until further testing can correct or
eliminate this issue.

   Damage to the craft included overloading of the laser generating
systems, weapons targeting and tracking, communications, the jump engine,
and the main power reactor.  Since all these systems are connected, in
various ways, to the new armor, it is curious the Raptor wasn't destroyed
outright by the overload.

   Further, the fact that Damocles was hit by this weapon raises questions
with regards to detection methods of the Imperial fleet.  The possibility
exists that this was only a reaction to the formation of a jump point in
close proximity to the cruiser; however, we must consider all equipped
craft to be detectable by the Imperial fleet.

   END MSG



   ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---

   If sound could exist in a vacuum, the Raptor would have made a good
imitation of it's namesake as it jumped from the surface of the small
planet.  The reactor read 105% output, and the Raptor again shuddered, this
time with the strain of lifting off and the rapid increase of speed.  The
inertial dampeners couldn't quite keep up, and the crew felt the pull that
escaped them.

   "Stand by to detonate!" Cindy called.  She was busy trying to plot a
course through a cloud of incoming enemy fighters.

   "I have targets in range!" Called Sasha.

   "Don't fire unless they see us.  I'm still not sure they can, but just
in case, master safety is off!" Cindy ordered, as she flipped the
appropriate switches.

   It was a very long 25 seconds as the enemy craft shot past the Raptor.
Not one of them even slowed down.  Cindy glanced at the display showing her
the minimum safe distance from the nuke.  The Raptor was clear, but the
inbound fighters were still racing right toward it.

   "Detonate the nuke!" Cindy called as she eased back on the power letting
the reactor drop back into the upper 90's.  They were far enough away that
they should still outrun the shockwave from the blast.  She didn't want any
of the fighters to though.  The Raptor's computer had counted 85 enemy
fighters as they went past.

   She watched in satisfaction as the expanding shock waves erased the
blips on her scope that represented enemy fighter craft.  However, the
shockwaves didn't seem to be dissipating like they should.  In fact it
looked like they were gaining in magnitude.

   "What the fuck?!  Lissa!  What the hell is going on?" Cindy asked.

   "The detonation of the nuclear device has reacted with the composition
of the planetoid.  The explosion is being magnified as more fuel for the
explosion is consumed.  It is likely that the entire planetoid will be
consumed in short order.  The resulting explosion will destroy everything
within a half parsec.  Currently only two ships occupy that area; us and a
cruiser.  They are still inbound but are slowing to make a course
correction.  If we continue at our present speed we should be safe; but
that cruiser is toast." Lissa reported as she analyzed the data.

   "Well, I don't know about you kids, but I've had enough fun for one day.
Sam!  Get some dinner going; as soon as I find a likely place to watch
these assholes, we are standing down to eat and get some rest." Cindy
ordered as she yawned.

   "Thanks the gods for that!" One of the boys said from the crew room.

   "That's `rest' as in sleep you horny bastards!" Cindy teased.  I don't
give a shit who sleeps where, but if I get woke up by someone moaning or
screaming, I'll blow the lock on them!"

   "Yes Mommy!" All three men said in unison.

   ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---

   Ian sat back, and watched the colorful distortions of hyperspace speed
past the view-port.  A chirping from the comm.  unit captured his
attention.

   Thumbing the button, he spoke, "Williams."

   "Sir," Talena's voice said.  "Dr.  Williams and I would like to speak to
you and the Captain on a personal matter."

   "Of course, Commander.  Have you asked the Captain, or would you like me
to request her to come to my office?"

   "No sir, I haven't asked her.  Would you please?  This is a personal
matter, and since it's close to watch change..." She sounded hesitant.

   "Talena, you can come and talk to me anytime you want.  Head on up, I'll
get Jenny in here." Ian replied.

   "Thank you, sir.  We're on our way." Talena said, and broke the
connection.

   Ian punched up the bridge on the comm.  unit.

   "Captain." Jenny answered.

   "Jen, our wives have asked us to meet them in my office.  Why don't you
knock off early today, and head up?"

   By phrasing it that way, it told Jenny it was personal, and not related
to the mission.

   "I'll do that, Ian.  Could you order some Kung-po beef for me?" She
asked.

   "Sure thing, my love.  See ya in a few." He replied and broke the
connection.

   He ordered tea and the food, setting it for a delayed delivery, and then
informed his computer that he was going off duty for the day.

   Jenny arrived first, and Ian poured a cup of the green tea he had
ordered for her.  He had just set the tea in front of her when the door
announced a visitor.

   "Rose said she would watch the kids for a while so we have a few hours."
Beth said as she sat down at Ian's conference table with her food.  "I
asked Talena's opinion on this before interrupting either of you.  I've
received a..." She paused, "...request for Ian's services."

   Jenny chuckled.  "What's so special about this one?  We get asked for
that at least a half dozen times a day."

   "It's special because Talena and I agree with it." Beth stated plainly.

   She hasn't smiled, or even wanted to be intimate with any of us since
she was told that Cindy was in trouble.  I hope she can beat her demons
once Cindy is back on board, Ian thought to herself.

   Jenny slowly lowered her chopsticks, dabbed a napkin on her lips and
looked at Beth.  "Why?  We've turned down every request, and with Cindy not
here to agree, it wouldn't be valid anyway."

   "It was asked in hopes that if the rest of us agree, then Cindy would be
the only one left to agree once she gets back.  I believe a lot of
discussion was anticipated over this request." Beth replied.

   "Well, I don't mind telling you all, I won't even consider it, unless
it's okay with all of you.  I still might not accept it, after all, I would
have to be attracted to the woman, at least." Ian said.

   "Well, I don't think your attraction is going to be an issue, but you're
right, I guess we should wait to discuss this.  I'll let the woman know
after supper." Beth said.

   "So...  Who is it?" Ian asked.

   Talena gave a playful smile to Beth, "I think we'll wait to tell you. 
She is really nervous about being rejected.  Besides, it'll be neat to
surprise you."

   Ian shook his head but grinned softly in frustration.  He dug into his
dinner amid chuckles from the women.

   ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---

   "Okay boys and girls, I sent a probe to the surface of the forth planet
with a compressed message to Star Dancer.  It'll transmit once it gets
there in a couple of hours.  I gave the admiral a Situation and Status
report.  I plan on doing this every six hours, only picking different spots
to transmit from.  That should give our friends out there something to look
for.  The loss of the fighters and that cruiser should insure that they
stay here and look for us before moving on.  So, first; we all need rest.
Anyone want to volunteer for first watch?"

   Sasha raised her hand.  "I'll take it major.  I'm tired, but I would
rather my sleep not be interrupted."

   "Would you like some company?" Sam asked.  "We're all tired, sharing the
watch this time will help keep us awake."

   "It's okay with me.  In fact that sounds like a really good idea at this
point.  I'll pull the midwatch with Ben.  Lissa and Jerry get the last
watch.  Okay, let's hit the sack." Cindy finished.  Everyone had shed their
armor, and were now wearing standard coveralls.  Sasha and Sam disappeared
into the cockpit as everyone else began to climb out of their clothes.

   The one thing that had bothered Cindy about joining the Raptor program
was the expectation that the teams would be intimate with each other.  She
loved her mates deeply, but soon realized a different kind of love for her
team.  None of them could ever replace her family, but she did love them.
The realization had scared her at first, and she had talked to Beth about
it.  Beth got tears in her eyes, and Cindy had feared that she might have
hurt her mother and wife.  Beth took her into her arms holding her tightly
to her she said, "I am so proud of you!  You're growing up."

   Cindy was surprised and confused by this at first, until Beth explained
what she meant.  Giving birth to twins just before her seventeenth
birthday, taking responsibility for a wing of fighter craft, followed by
the greater task of a Raptor commander; Cindy had matured from a girl into
womanhood learning more about her emotions and herself than most women ever
do.

   The night before Cindy left for this mission, Beth held her in her arms
and whispered to her; "I will always be your mother, Cindy, But you are
becoming more and more my wife.  Please, my love; don't let anything happen
to you."

   Cindy missed her children, she missed her wives, she missed Ian, and she
missed her home.  That surprised her, she no longer thought of Earth as
home.  Home was a centuries old starship that had been forgotten about. 
Home was Star Dancer.

   She walked, naked, to her bunk.  Ben was waiting for her, she wondered
if he could sense her melancholy mood; he smiled, winked, and held the
blankets back for her to climb in beside him.

   "You know, I might have to have you help me relax so I can sleep." Cindy
purred as she slid in beside him and into his arms.

   "Uh uh.  You gave us an order, Major.  Now be a good little girl, and
behave.  I'm hard enough from watching you walk across the room." He said,
and then whispered into her ear as she rolled and spooned into him. 
"However, once we are all awake, I would appreciate any assistance you can
give me with this problem."

   She chuckled, turned her head and gave him a soft kiss.  "Goodnight,
Ben."

   "Goodnight, Cindy." He replied.

   As the lights dimmed around them, Cindy thought she heard Lissa giggle
from the other occupied bunk.



   ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---



   Ty was uncomfortable.  He had never gotten used to being in the presence
of high ranking officials.  Ian was different; Ian was a friend before he
ever became someone important.  These three, however, brought back the
feeling of a being kid called to the principals office in school.

   "Coronal," Admiral Goya began, "I'm glad that the grounding of the
Tiamat has left us temporarily stranded here.  I wanted to speak to you
about a plan I have for your new school."

   The F.S.S.  Tiamat was the new battleship.  It had been grounded because
of the problems with the new armor.  Ty had heard that Dr.  Benson almost
blew a gasket over the news.  The Tiamat had been scheduled to return the
Admirals to New Talos on its maiden voyage.

   "I want you to expand your facilities so you can train at least ten
teams at a time.  Phoenix Base is getting similar orders so that the
Raptors can be built as they are needed once this problem with the armor
can be taken care of.  This whole concept of a special operations group is
too good to keep it limited to the experimental stage.  Major Williams'
team is proving the need for this type of force."

   Ty was a bit surprised that he was receiving such orders.  "Sir, I will,
of course, do as you order, but I would like to point out that this type of
training isn't for everyone.  Most people aren't psychologically capable of
the needs of being a team member.  We have trained 2 teams so far, and have
two more in the program currently.  Of those teams, I would say that we are
lucky to have gotten so many that could do this job.  In fact, I actually
have my doubts about a couple of the trainees we currently have.  We don't
have enough empaths to screen out the recruits, so we have to do it the old
fashion way; trial and error.  I just want you to understand that even with
the increased volume of training, we will still most likely fail more than
we will pass."

   Admiral Goya grinned, "You really are the right man for this job.  How
about this; I would like you to expand your facilities, I'll leave it up to
you how to accomplish that for the best result.  If you need anything, or
are getting a hard time from any offices, you call me."

   "Yes, sir.  Since you got stranded here, Sirs, Have any plans been made
to provide other transportation?" Ty inquired.

   "Not really." Admiral Pan spoke for the first time.  "We could order one
of the heavy cruisers to take us back, but that would weaken the defenses
of this system.  So we are going to wait either for the next transport; or
until the Tiamat is ready to make the trip."

   "I would offer a Raptor to take you home sirs, but they are all grounded
too." Ty offered.

   "We appreciate that Coronal, but Commodore Hawkins here has offered to
take us fly fishing in Colorado while we wait." Admiral Goya replied.

   "I can't wait to see Counselor Norek in a set of hip waders!" The
Commodore quipped.

   The Admirals looked a little confused as Ty and the Commodore burst out
laughing.



   ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---



   Ian stood looking out the transparent wall at hyperspace.  The
restructuring of the command and control section of Star Dancer had given
him the opportunity to have a couple of `windows' put in his quarters.  One
of those windows was a whole transparent wall in his bedroom.  Behind him,
his wives slept.

   `Star Trek wasn't even close,' he mused.  Babylon 5 is closer to what it
really looks like, except that if it wasn't for the filtering of the
`glass' in the port, the light would be blinding.

   Ian was worried.  He knew that Cindy and her team were okay, but he was,
in effect disobeying an order by continuing towards the Rataac sector.  He
remembered the message he had received just before his wives and he came
back to his quarters:

   "Based on your recommendations regarding the new armor, you are hereby
ordered to return to Sol Sector until the defect can be corrected.  Star
Dancer is officially grounded until further notice."

   Ian had long ago promised his people that he would never leave any of
them.  The fact that one of those people was also his wife only served to
re-enforce the issue.  He hoped Admiral Goya and the High Command would
understand his failure to obey.  They did give him free reign to do as he
saw fit.  But he doubted that this is what they had in mind.  Was he
pushing too much?  Was he going to get his crew killed, and Star Dancer
destroyed?  He'd not told anyone about the order to return.  If someone was
going to get nailed to the wall over this, he didn't want it to be anyone
else but him.  Treason was punishable by death.  A flag officer disobeying
an order during wartime was considered treason.

   Ian felt arms slide around his waist.  "Thoughtful, husband?" Beth said
quietly.

   "Yes, my love.  I have a lot to think about.  What woke you?" He asked,
gently trying to turn the conversation away from his thoughts.

   "Your troubled thoughts woke me, honey, that and my bladder." She said
softly.  "Mostly my bladder."

   Ian chuckled, and Beth almost smiled.  "Go take a piss sweetheart, I'm
gonna get a cup of tea."

   "That sounds good." Beth said.  "Could you get one for me too?"

   "Sure, meet you in the living room?" Ian asked.  He refused to call it a
lounge.

   She nodded to him as she made her way to the bathroom.  Ian walked out
to the kitchen to get the tea.

   In order to avoid talking about what was on his mind, Ian decided to go
on the offensive with Beth.  He meant to get her to talk out what was
bothering her so much.  He really missed her bright and beautiful smile. 
He got the tea, and sat down on the love seat so he could see out the port.
Shortly, Beth walked out and sat next to him.  He had half expected her to
want to sit in his lap.

   When he motioned for her to climb on, she shook her head.  "No, Ian.  We
need to talk about what's bothering you.  Even when the Caldarians were
attacking you could still sleep."

   "You're right..." Ian said as he reached under her knees and behind her
back.  He picked her up and pulled her onto his lap.  Wrapping his strong
arms around her, he continued, "...we need to talk, but not about me.  I
need to know what's bothering you.  Beth, you haven't smiled since we found
out about Cindy.  Now we know she is okay, but you are still troubled.  I
love you so very much.  I can't stand not seeing you smile.  I want to die
when I see the unhappiness in your beautiful eyes."

   "Ian, I am so sorry.  I never meant it to hurt you, or any of the
others. I'm just so scared of losing any of you, when you told me about
Cindy's ship, I just couldn't stand it.  I'm frantic, I know I'm going to
lose one of you, and it scares me.  I can't stop thinking about it." Beth
confessed.  She dropped her head to his shoulder and started bawling.

   Ian held her close and rubbed her back.  His attempt to comfort her were
slow in showing results; her sobs shook her whole frame, and he almost
cried himself at the realization of her deepest fear.  She had been
carrying this inside her, holding it in so she wouldn't upset her mates,
instead of sharing it with them.  Her fear had grown until it threatened to
consume her.

   Ian continued to stroke her neck and back; making shushing sounds to
calm her.  Finally she was only quietly crying on his shoulder, her arms
wrapped around him as if her life depended on it.  Ian understood that, at
that moment, it probably did.

   "Love, I worry too, and yes, there is a chance that one of us will die
in this war.  That is the choice we have made.  But we can't let the fear
of loss grow to the point were it pushes those same loved ones away, or
closes us off to them.  We have to live and love for now.  Even if we still
lived on Earth, I would be away at college, and Cindy would be getting
ready to go too.  We wouldn't be together like we are now, and at any given
time an accident would be able to take us away.  Yes, the odds are higher
that one of us will die, but we chose this.  It would have been hard for us
to have been together any other way." Ian finished.

   "I know.  I know you're right Ian, but I can't seem to shake this fear.
I can't pull my mind away from it.  It's even starting to interfere with my
duties.  I've delegated as much of my work as I can.  But time isn't going
to fix this; I don't know what will." She said.

   "You know, I think you need to take a break for awhile.  Why don't you
put your assistant in charge for awhile, and take some time off.  I would
also like you to go talk with Janet.  Maybe she can help you more with
this. Spend some time with our children too." Ian chuckled.  "I'll envy you
that time.  I don't get to spend nearly enough time with them."

   "Ian, you are a wonderful father!  Yes you are very busy, but you make
sure you spend sometime each day with them.  Most men in your position
wouldn't bother.  I've seen it.  Those kids know who their father is, Ian,
and they know he loves them.  Just like their mommy's do." With that she
brushed her lips across Ian's.

   Ian stood, with her still in her arms, and carried her back to the
bedroom, and the rest of their wives.

   They would be arriving in the Rataac sector early tomorrow afternoon. 
It was time to live and love for the moment.



   ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---



   In a large dark room, many thousands of light years away from the Milky
Way galaxy, a large, old being stood to address his assembled counselors.

   "A freighter transporting hydrocarbons from the planet Earth brings us
most disturbing news.  A SuperNova class ship has been destroyed.  It was
sent to investigate reports of Talosian ships in that system.  This report
confirms the message drone that arrived a few days ago from that ship.  The
Talosians, and their allies, have discovered that planet, and what we have
been doing there.  This means, unless we invade, and bring enough force to
bear to hold the planet, we have lost this last source of food and slaves.
Our choices are limited here; Invade Sol sector, or attempt to find another
source.

   My Lords, we have been hiding for too long!  We have enough ships to
hold one small sector against the Alliance.  It is time we begin to rebuild
our empire!  Return to your ships, gather your slaves and warriors.  Let us
reprogram the slaves' implants so they will serve as soldiers.  We will
invade this small planet, and use it as a base to expand from.  We will be
victorious!  It is time we sent a message of our own to this Alliance. 
Gather your forces in this system as soon as you are loaded.  Then we will
launch for our new planet." The Grand Preator listened to the excited
talking all over the room.  Action always was preferable to the hiding they
had been doing.  Once they had taken the Sol sector, it would proclaim
itself Emperor.  Then these old fools on the counsel won't be able to
appose it anymore!  Then we'll deal with that damn Alliance!



   ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---



   Cindy awoke to soft kisses on the back of her neck and ears.  In her
sleepy mind the strong arms wrapped around her were Ian's, and his lips
always got her juices flowing.

   Without opening her eyes, she rolled over, straddling him.  She grasped
his cock, and slid it into her.  A small orgasm prompted by the insertion
and she opened her eyes to smile down at...  Ben?

   Her shock at finding Ben inside of her killed her orgasm, and caused her
to squeeze her pussy tightly.  She felt Ben stiffen and begin to shudder as
he shot his semen into her still very wet pussy.  His face was contorted in
an effort to stay quiet.

   She was very angry at this deception, but her mind brought forward the
damning evidence that she was the one that did this.  She had barely
managed to get her emotions under control before Ben opened his eyes to
look into hers.

   He had a look of awe, and fear on his face.  "Gods!  Cindy.  I'm so
sorry!  I've never had that happen before!  I didn't know it was possible!
I promise I'll make it up to you later, please forgive me."

   "What are you talking about, Ben?  I should be apologizing to you." She
replied.

   "I've never came that quickly before.  You just took me by surprise I
guess, but still!  Damn!  I've never felt anything like that before!  You
have nothing to apologize for." He said.

   "Ben, I was dreaming.  I thought you were Ian.  I'm sorry I did that to
you.  That's what I need to apologize to you for.  I made you an avatar for
my husband." She replied, sadly.

   His expression softened quickly as he realized what she was saying.  He
pulled her down onto his chest, and wrapped his arms around her again,
holding her to him.  "Sweetheart, I wish it could have been Ian in bed with
you this morning.  I think we all miss being home.  You don't need to
apologize to me for that; actually I am honored, and happy you could make
that mistake.  Besides, if that's what you do to him in the morning, he is
one very lucky man!"

   She relaxed, and gave him a squeeze.  "Thanks, Ben." She said softly.

   "Well, now that the two of you have made me hard enough to cut diamonds,
you wanna get up?  It's your turn at watch." Sam said, from where he sat
near the foot of the bunk.

   It startled Cindy and she jumped; squeezing a softened Ben out of her
tight pussy.

   "Sam; you're a bastard." Ben teased as Cindy crawled off him.



   Fifteen minutes later Cindy was in the cockpit, ready for duty.  "Hey,
Sasha.  Did you manage to keep Sam outta your pants?"

   The tease prompted Sasha to bite her lower lip, and Sam to blush.  "Not
completely, Major." She answered finally.

   Cindy chuckled at the two of them.  "Okay, anything interesting
happening?"

   "The probe transmitted about 15 minutes ago and then self-destructed. 
The enemy fleet has shifted to search that area.  Not much else has
happened." She replied.

   "No answer yet?" Sasha shook her head.  "Okay, you two head on back, and
get some sleep...  and keep your hands to yourselves!" She added playfully.

   Sasha and Sam left the cockpit, for the commons, passing Ben, who was
carrying in two cups of hot coffee.

   "What's up with them?  They were blushing like two school kids!" He
said.

   Chuckling, Cindy replied, "The principal caught them necking under the
bleachers." Accepting the cup he offered her.

   He looked confused for a moment, then his face brightened with
realization and he chuckled.

   They had spent a few comfortable minutes in silence before the
communications board signaled a message was coming in.

   Cindy decoded it asking for immediate for a display.  Ian's tired, but
grinning face came up on her screen.

   "Major, it's good to know that Damocles is still holding together. 
Repair of your hyper drive can wait.  Please continue to keep the enemy
occupied in the inner system.  Star Dancer will be arriving in your sector
tomorrow and drop from hyperspace at approximately 1430hrs standard.  You
should be aware that all Raptor class ships have been grounded pending a
correction of the flaw that disabled your ship.  At 1330hrs standard later
this day, have a probe send us the current positions and strengths of the
enemy in that system.  We will arrive in system near you, and you are to
land at once.  Any further contact by you with the enemy should be avoided.
Sit tight Major; the cavalry is on its way." Ian winked at her.  "End
message.  0242hrs.  Admiral Williams, Commanding."

   "Well, if we can't go home; at least `home' can come to us!" Ben
quipped.

   Cindy stood; unzipping her coveralls, she looked at Ben.  "Yes it can.
Now, you have a job to finish mister!"



   ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---



   Ian awoke to his wrist unit tingling him.  A message appeared in his
vision as soon as he was awake.  It said a message from Raptor Damocles had
arrived along with an urgent message from engineering.  Getting out of bed,
he walked to the bathroom to relieve himself, and asked for the report from
engineering first.

   The power transfer conduits from the armor to the engines were
overheating.  The engineer had reduced the amount of power from the armor
to avoid an overload.  The resulting power loss had slowed them somewhat,
but the engineer pointed out that they would, at most, lose an hour.  He
was trying to devise a method for increasing the super-cooling capabilities
of the conduits to avoid this problem in the future, but didn't think there
was much hope.  It had simply been too much power pushed into to small a
space too fast.

   Ian sent his compliments to the engineer and his people, and then asked
for the message from the Damocles.  By this time he was out in the living
room again; so, instead of super-imposing the message over his normal
eyesight, the terminal in the coffee table lit up.

   The Damocles had affected some repairs to its systems, but still didn't
have a hyper drive.  Cindy reported that they had used a drone to distract
the enemy hopefully giving them enough time to finish repairs.  Once those
repairs had been completed, she intended to attack the remaining forces in
the system one ship at a time.  She pointed out that, during the escape
from the small moon, none of the incoming enemy fighters noticed the
Damocles even though they passed within visual range.  She then gave a
brief report on her intended course of action.  Appended to the data was a
recording of the ships visual logs and performance profiles.

   Ian recorded the return message for Cindy, and sat staring at the screen
after he was finished.  Do we have the ability to destroy a whole task
force by ourselves?  He simply had no way of knowing.  He had seen that
Cindy's ideas had some merit, but the Raptor was the only type of ship
capable of doing the job.  There was simply no way Star Dancer could get
close enough to pull it off.  But the Raptors and the Shadows were
grounded. Could he risk engagement?  Should he?

   "Computer, put me through to Admiral Goya in Sol sector.  Priority
Urgent/Immediate." Ian asked.

   The words `Stand By' appeared on the terminal.  Ian was a little
apprehensive about calling Goya.  He knew the older man would be furious at
him for having ignored the recall order.

   The screen resolved to the sleepy face of the Admiral.  Ian could see
the back of a blonde head behind him.  "Goya." Then paused as his eyes
focused; "Ian!  Why are you calling at this awful hour for?" Another short
pause, and the Admiral sighed.  "You ignored the recall order, didn't you?"


   "Yes, sir.  I made a promise to my people when all this started that I
would never leave any of them.  It doesn't help that Cindy is one of them
in this case, but it isn't the deciding factor.  I know you're probably mad
as hell at me for it, but that's not the reason I'm calling." Ian said.

   "You're right, but I'll make sure that you're covered on this.  I'm sure
Norek would back you up too; after all we gave you permission to do things
your way.  Now, what's the problem?"

   "We will be dropping into the Rataac sector in a little under 12 hours.
My primary goal is the recovery of the Damocles, But, I'll be leaving a
viable enemy force deep behind our lines.  The Benesian systems are only a
hop, skip and a small jump away." Ian stated.

   Admiral Goya nodded slowly in understanding.  "I think I see your
problem.  But you have to face the facts, Ian: With the exception of six
centurions, all of your offensive craft are grounded.  That includes Star
Dancer itself.  You have no weapons to fight with.  I would recommend
retrieving Damocles, and returning.  We'll try to shift another fleet
around to take care of this problem.  Yes, you can ignore this order too,
but I really hope you don't.  We need you and your ship intact."

   Ian sighed, looking thoughtful.  "I think you're right sir.  As much as
I dislike this, it would be needlessly reckless on my part to try to engage
the enemy right now.  I'll retrieve Damocles and return, though at a slower
pace, to Sol sector.  Thank you for your advice sir.  I'm sorry to wake
you."

   "Anytime, for any reason, Ian.  Good luck, son." Goya said, and the
connection went blank.

   Well, Ian thought, I guess that settles that.  He got up and walked back
to his bedroom to see if he could get any more sleep.



   ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---



   The next transmitter probe had positioned most of the enemy fleet near
the third planet, currently on the far side of the local star.  With any
luck, they wouldn't notice the jump point soon to form near Raptor
Damocles.

   Cindy didn't know it when she positioned the ship, but she had placed it
exactly where the enemy fleet would pass on their way towards their
original goal of the Adonis' fleet.  Ian had seen it though.  He quickly
formulated a strategy to lay some cloaked mines all over the area.

   Cindy and her crew had gotten the ship ready, spending the morning
repacking their gear, making double sure everything was stowed.  Currently,
the boys and Sasha were in the commons playing poker for sexual favors. 
Cindy and Lissa were alone in the cockpit.

   "Major, I request permission to speak freely." Lissa asked.

   "Sure, what's up?" Cindy said, sitting back from her 100th survey of the
control panel.

   "I'm going to tell Sasha.  I want to introduce her to my mother."

   Cindy smiled; knowing who Lissa's mother was.  "I think you should, as I
said before.  I think she'll be able to handle it.  Ian passed along to us
the launching ceremony of the Star Dancer.  I haven't shown everybody yet
because we've been a little busy lately.  The ceremony was broadcast live
to the whole federation.  In it, Counselor Norek officially acknowledged
Star and all her offspring as sentient life forms and citizens of the
Federation.  Now seems a good time to show it to them, and we can see what
kind of reaction Sasha has.  That should help with gauging her reaction."

   "That's an excellent idea.  If the reaction is good, I won't have to
hide from the rest of the team either!" Lissa said, warming to the idea.

   "True, but sweety; tell Sasha first, and in private.  She'll feel
betrayed if you don't.  Besides, I have orders that prohibit me from saying
anything about this to anyone.  It'll be up to you to tell the rest of the
team, IF you want to." Cindy explained.

   "You're right.  I didn't think about that.  Even though these emotions
are not new to us, we still have a lot to learn about them."

   "What do you mean?  I thought that..." Cindy looked at her, puzzled.

   "No Cindy, Mother has been feeling them for years.  Though she had no
idea what it was, or that she was even feeling anything.  When we share our
thoughts with one another, I can see it.  She has been in love for awhile,
and until recently, hasn't even known it." Lissa explained.

   "Really?  Who?" Cindy asked.

   "Now major, you know gossiping about fellow officers is against
regulations." Lissa smiled and teased.  "Besides, she asked me to promise
her that I would never tell."

   Cindy chuckled, "Bitch!  You know I'm going to be dying of curiosity
now!" She playfully slapped Lissa's shoulder.  "Well, first things first."
She said, and turned to her console.

   Flipping the intercom back on, she said, "Hey guys, Admiral Williams
attached the vid of Star Dancers launching ceremony to his last message. 
Wanna watch it?"

   "You mean to tell us I've been loosing blowjobs to Sam for the last hour
when you had a video we could have been watching?" Jerry said, getting a
round of laughter from the rest.

   "Sure, like you're going to hate paying him!" Cindy accused.  "Here you
go guys." She said as she cued the launching ceremony up for them to watch.
Cindy and Lissa watched the ceremony and the rest of their team on their
monitors.  Cindy muted their end of the audio, so they could hear and see
their reactions.

   Every smiled and hugged each other at the announcement of the
emancipation of Star and her children.  After they all watched Star Dancer
slide out of her birth, and the conversation about the announcement began
immediately.

   "Star has kids?  How is that possible?  I thought she was basically a
computer?  Well, physically at least." Jerry asked.

   "I don't know, maybe the Counsel just phrased it that way incase she
ever does find away." Sam suggested.

   "Nyet.  I heard overheard some engineers talking about the AI at Phoenix
Base.  They referred to it as Star's Baby.  I think this was what was
meant. Though I am glad of the announcement, I feel sorry for her if this
was not the case.  I would not like to be alone in the universe; the only
one of my kind." Sasha said.

   "I can see your point." Ben said.  "I still think it's a really nice
thing, but she has been alone for two millennia already.  I think she can
handle the loneliness, as least for as long as it will take someone to
figure out how she can reproduce.  Until then, she has been a damn good
friend to every person aboard.  Though she may be the only member of her
species, we'll never let her feel alone."

   "Da.  She is very special.  I remember when I was trying to learn to
speak English.  I had hard time, still do, but because she was very patient
with me; I can at least talk with the rest of you."

   "You call that English?" Jerry quipped, and was promptly smacked on the
shoulder by a grinning Sasha.

   Cindy switched off their eavesdropping on the team.  "So, what do you
think?  You still want to do this?"

   "Yes, actually.  I feel better about this now that I have seen her
reaction to the announcement."

   "Okay, now that that's settled; when?" Cindy asked, a small smile on her
face.

   "How about now, before I lose my nerve?" Lissa replied.

   "Okay." Cindy said as she rose from her chair.  "I'll send Sasha in. 
Good luck sweety.  Remember; try to see what you say from her side of the
conversation." Cindy reminded her, and walked back to the commons.

   "Sasha, could you take over for a bit?  I need a break." Cindy asked.

   "Sure.  I'm losing anyway." Sasha said as she rose and headed for the
cockpit.

   Cindy walked over to the replicator, and got herself an iced latte' and
returned to the table.  "So, what all has Sasha lost to you boys?" She
asked grinning.



   ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---



   Ian walked down to the bridge after double checking with the armory on
the mines.  All the Centurions were also loaded and ready to launch.

   "Ten minutes to real-space sir." Jenny said to him.  She stood on a
slightly raised section of the bridge.  He nodded to her, but walked over
near Star, who was standing near, but in front of the `stage'.

   "Navagation; sound entry at minus 5 minutes.  Flight: `orange' alert. 
Get the pilots to the ready room.  Weapons; what's our status?" Jenny
asked.

   The weapons officer turned to answer her, and Ian listened to his replay
before speaking to Star.

   "All missiles report green, we have one pulse cannon turret above the
engineering section that won't initialize; maintenance is on it.  All other
batteries report ready.  Gun crews are standing by." The weapons officer
replied.

   "Very good, all sections stand by." Jenny said.

   "Kinda looks like the bridge of the `Battlestar Galactica' in here
doesn't it?" Ian said softly to Star.

   "Not really sir.  I was thinking it looked more like the pictures of a
NASA control room." She said.

   Ian chuckled.  "NASA would love to be able to spend even ten minutes in
here.  Is the Raptor's berth ready?"

   "Yes sir.  Flight will engage the nav beacons as soon as they are on
final approach." She said as the warning chimes for a hyperspace event
sounded in the bridge.

   Ian looked up at Jenny as she toggled the intercom.  "Attention, this is
the Captain.  Five minutes to interface.  All stations stand by for
re-entry." She toggled off the intercom.  "Flight: Yellow alert.  Mount up
the fighters, stand by to launch the centurions, and recover the Raptor
Damocles.  Weapons; master safety to stand by; let's get the guns warmed
up."

   Ian led star up in the `stage' with Jenny so they could hold on to the
rail.  Not that deceleration from supra-light was rough, but it never hurt
to hold on.

   The chimes sounded again, this time the navigations officer's voice came
over the intercom.  "Interface in five, four, three two, one, mark!"

   Ian watched as the swirling vortex appeared in front of the ship, and
then as they slipped through it into the darkness of space.

   "Welcome to the party Star Dancer, glad you could make it." Cindy's
voice sounded from the bridge speakers

   A grinning Jenny toggled her comm.  "You're out way past curfew young
lady!  You're grounded!  Get home right now!"

   "Aw Mom!  I called!  I really did!" a laughing Cindy replied.

   "Centurions launched." Flight control interrupted.  "Raptor Damocles;
vector 195, speed .75 for recovery.  Call on final."

   "Thank you flight.  Damocles is on her way.  ETA is one zero minutes."
Cindy replied.

   "Good to have you home again, Damocles." Flight answered.

   The weapons officer looked up, Captain!  The enemy has turned this
direction.  I'm detecting four smaller jump points forming near the fourth
planet.  If they are coming here, ETA is about 6 minutes!"

   "Fuck!" Jenny whispered loudly.  "Red alert!  Master safety off! 
Flight: stand by to launch fighters.  Recall the Centurions, and get
Damocles on board now!"

   The weapons officer's voice carried over the sounds of flight control
jumping to carry out their orders.  "Tracking confirms four light cruisers
in bound; ETA now 4 minutes!"

   "Flight, what's our recovery time on all craft?" Jenny asked.

   "The recall has just gone out, but I think we can have everybody back in
just less than ten minutes, Captain."

   "As fast as possible, Commander.  It's about to get very unfriendly
around here.  Navigation; set return course for Sol sector, stand by for
jump." Jenny ordered.

   "We have multiple jump points forming.  Distance four-five thousands
kilometers, bearing 235 by 79.  Visual confirmation!  Four Imperial light
cruisers are dropping out of hyperspace."

   "We have acquisition.  Targets are locked." Reported the weapons
officer.

   "Have they fired anything yet?" Jenny asked.

   "No sir, they are scanning, but have not locked on."

   "Damocles on final!  Centurions on deck.  Sir, I need to turn on the
beacons to land them." Flight said.

   "Flight; stand by!  Weapons; once we flame those birds their big
brothers are going to be here as fast as they can get there jump engines on
line.  Flight; No wave offs, this ship is leaving.  Understood?" She waited
long enough for them both to nod at her.  She took a deep breath.  "Fire on
enemy lock confirmation!  Flight; land those ships!"

   Ian stood beside Jenny as she fought her first battle; the voices of
those below, flowing up to them; a choral accompaniment to the deadly
symphony.

   "Missiles inbound!  Tracking confirms inbound..."

   "Anti-missile system is online and tracking.  Firing!"

   "Captain, all ships will be down in two minutes!"

   "Damocles has the ball on vertical approach.  Down in three-zero.."

   "Navigation; sound five minute jump warning." Jenny said.

   "Long range sensors show jump points forming for the heavy's ETA 4
minutes!"

   "Columbia and Atlantia are onboard.  Challenger and Intrepid on final."

   "Jump in one minute!  Stand by to jump!"

   "We have jump points forming off the bow at 15 by 34 degrees!" "Altering
jump path to compensate!  Stand by!  Three zero seconds to jump!"

   "All ships recovered!  Flight ops secured for jump!"

   "Jump engines online!  Five, four, three, two, Jumping!"

   "Dropping and arming all mines!"

   "Flight Ops; stand down.  Weapons: are we being followed?"

   Everyone in the room looked to the weapons officers at their consoles.
The officer in charge looked up from his monitor with a big grin on his
face, "Not anymore, Captain."

   Jenny winked it him, "Quick thinking with those mines, Swanson." He
bowed his head.  "Secure from battle stations.  Have the Raptor commander
report to the Admiral after she's through debriefing.  Good work today
people." She smiled at all of them, and saw it returned.

   ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---



   To: Adm.  Williams F.S.S.  Star Dancer/Special Missions grp.

   From: CMDR.  Fleet CMD Talosian Defense Forces

   Eyes only/Encrypted - MSG follows:

   Ian, an investigation into the design failure of the Raptor armor is
underway.  We found a serious lack of information in the briefing given the
designers by the Talosian intelligence corps.  You're people are not to
blame for this; I am ashamed to say that ours are.

   The investigation is showing that there seems to be a campaign to show
your people in a very bad light as well; hence the lack of people willing
to re-locate to this sector.  Due to the amount of misinformation, and its
origins, it can only be surmised that several high-ranking officials;
military and civilian alike, are involved.

   Rumors of sabotage and kidnapping are being investigated as well. 
Currently, the information leads us to believe that Star and you are at
risk of being kidnapped, and the Tiamat and Star Dancer are the targets for
sabotage.  If this information proves true, this could very well destroy
the Talosian Counsel and convict a good portion of my own command of high
treason.

   Currently less than ten people know of this Ian.  I know you will want
to make your own security arrangements, but please use only your own
people, and then only ones you trust completely.  No one else is to know
until we surmise exactly who is involved.  I'll brief you further upon your
return, until then, be careful; you have some Talosian personnel on board.

   END MSG.

   ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---

   "Star.  Please come to my office." Ian said into the intercom.

   "On my way sir." Came her reply.

   Once she arrived, Ian waved her over to his monitor.  "Read this, but
say nothing." When she finished, she looked at Ian with shock and fear in
her eyes.  Ian could understand it, she was defenseless now.  "Inform your
children via encrypted sub-space message."

   She nodded, and started to leave.  Ian stopped her.  "Star, use my
terminal.  That way if this leaks, we'll know where it came from.  I'm
going to find Janet Laskar.  Remember, nothing is to be said aloud about
this yet." She nodded and sat in Ian's chair as he left his office.

   When he arrived at Janet's office in the residential sector, he was
surprised to see three other people sitting in Janet's office seemingly
waiting for him.

   Janet rose as he entered, "Please, everyone follow me." She said and
walked out the door.  The two pilots and the crewman had risen at his
entrance so they simply turned, and waited for him to go first.

   He caught up to Janet, and she leaned toward him slightly as she walked.
"Something had been making me uneasy for the last few days, but it was
fuzzy, unclear.  About an hour ago it solidified.  I know you received a
message and would be coming to see me to ask for my help.  I don't know
what the message said, but you would need mind readers.  These three are
the best of what we have, but they cannot see unconscious thoughts, only
ones that are alive in a persons mind.  I know how many we should end up
with, but I don't know who they are.  I also know the Star Dancer will
explode when it jumps back to normal space."

   "Are you sure?" Ian asked, too shocked to remember what Janet's power
is.

   She smiled at him.  "If we do nothing at this point, we will all die. 
However, if we continue with this plan, that vision fades." She was leading
them slowly back towards the maglev.

   As they waited for the car, Ian framed a command in his mind and looked
at the three following them.

   `For the duration of this emergency, you are all to report to either
myself or Janet.  Protocol is not as important as the information you give
me.  Unless you need to maintain a ruse, address me as Ian.  Nod if you
understand please.'

   All three nodded, and one hesitantly stepped forward, and took Ian's
hands as if they were lovers.

   `My name is Shannon.' Her voice sounded in his head, surprising Ian.  "I
can communicate directly with you as long as I can touch you.  The others
have questions about ethics.  We have schooled ourselves to shut out most
thoughts, at least those we can so as not to intrude on others private
thoughts.'

   Ian looked up at the other two, and they nodded.

   "I commend your sense of propriety in the use of your gifts.  However,
this is a matter of life and death for everyone aboard, so in this
situation, you have my permission to scan every person you can.  I know
this might seem distasteful to you, but we need to find those that would
harm us as soon as possible.  This is an urgent circumstance, it requires
drastic measures.  I won't order any of you to do this, but I am asking you
to.'

   The maglev arrived, and they all got onboard.

   "Engineering." Janet said aloud.

   Ian placed Shannon's hand in Janet's making it clear that the
conversation was to be shared with her too.

   `Okay, once we get to engineering, Shannon, I want you to scan the Chief
Engineer.  I already trust him, but more than my life is on the line here.
Once you make sure he is okay, fill him in on what's going on.' Ian glanced
at the other two.  `You two, I want to scan as many of the engineers as you
can while we are there, without making it look like you are up to
something. I'll need one of the engineers to scan my office for bugs.  It
would be something even Star wouldn't be able to find.  Once that's done,
I'll return to my office, and I want the rest of you to work together to
come in contact with as much of the crew as possible.  Make sure you hit
all the Talosian crewmen.  If you find anything, let Janet know, she'll
tell me, and I'll deal with it.  Any questions?'

   Janet looked at Shannon, who nodded, and turned back to Ian and took his
hand.

   `Janet asked me to tell you that you should return to your office now.
You are too high profile to be seen wandering around the ship for no
apparent reason.  We know what you need; we'll let you know what we find.'
The little blonde told him.

   "Okay," Ian said aloud.  "I'll head back.  You all be careful."

   The maglev stopped at the engineering level dropping most of its
passengers.  Ian returned alone to the bridge, and then to his office.

   He arrived to a smiling Cindy, waiting outside his office door with Star
to keep her company.

   "How long have you been waiting, love?" He asked.

   "Not long.  Star was kind enough to keep me company since everyone else
is still on duty." Cindy answered.

   "Well, if you'll excuse me sir, I'll get back to the bridge." Star said,
smiling at him.

   "Thank you, Star." He said, then, turned back to Cindy.  "Why don't we
head for our quarters instead?  Someone from engineering is going to be
coming up to work on the ventilation system in my office, and I don't want
to be interrupted."

   Her smile light up the corridor, as she took his arm and they walked
through his office and took his private lift to their home.

   `I hope this is a long debriefing session' she thought.


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