The Starfleet Academy Adventures By: Christine Schnell

Father's Son

Chapter 1

"Lieutenant Arron Steele," Admiral Nogura continued, "your courage in the recent hostage situation, not to mention your outstanding record, both in the academy, and in active service have earned you medals, commendations, and letters of appreciation from Starfleet."

"Yeah, yeah." Steele thought, exasperated, "I hate this promotion bull. Just get on with it so I can rest."

"...Then, without further adieu, I give you Lieutenant Commander Arron Steele."

"Oh God!" Arron thought, "I'm on!"

"Thank you, sir." Arron said trying to keep a straight face. "Your words mean so much to those of us just coming up through the ranks." Arron mentally gritted his teeth, "Especially me."

He's lying his ass off. Thought Admiral Steele, who was watching from the Flag officer table.

Admiral Steele didn't feel any negative feelings towards his son for being insincere. After all, he was just like him. Both disliked blondes, both hated vegetables, and they both loathed attending big ceremonies... especially their own!!

"...And in conclusion," Arron said, "I'd like to say that this promotion means more to me than anyone could know."

"Bull!" hissed DeArra to Stephanie. "He never wanted a promotion out of this!"

DeArra and Stephanie had been watching the whole extravaganza from the third row in the audience. Right now, both Stephanie and DeArra knew that Arron was just bluffing so he could get off stage and into a Saurian brandy, and Stephanie was not afraid to let DeArra know.

"He's just trying to brown nose so he can get off stage and not look like an ungrateful idiot doing it!" Stephanie said.

DeArra looked at Stephanie with a sarcastic expression

"You're telling me this!?" DeArra said with a smile.

They both giggled and continued to watch Arron squirm.

"...And I'd also like to thank my father for years of undying support and guidance. Dad," Arron turned to look at his father, "many people have told me 'you're just like your father' and now I think I'm beginning to see their point of view."

Arron paused for a moment, as his eyes began to burn.

"I guess it's true," he said, "I am my fathers' son... and very proud to be it too."

With that the whole audience came to their feet and applauded.

***

The figure in the dark robe approached the holding area of Starfleet security division. He was silent as he came upon the first guard gate.

"Halt." The guard said, "State your name and business." The figure stopped. "I am Taff Lan. Orion consulate, judicial affairs division. I've come to speak to my client; Dijon Maris." He said.

The guard studied the figure for a moment. "I'll have to see your I.D. and have it cleared before I can let you enter." Said the guard.

Slowly, the figure reached into his robe.

Neither he, nor his counterpart saw the blast that horribly ended their life.

***

"...Son," Admiral Adam Steele said, "I'm very proud of the speech you made tonight, even though you were lying like a dog."

Arron chuckled at his being discovered. "Was I that obvious?" He asked, laughing.

Just then, Stephanie and DeArra walked up. "Nice bit of kissing up you did up there." Stephanie blurted.

Arron just shook his head. "I can't lie to save my life anymore!" He exclaimed, embarrassed.

"Well, if it's any comfort," DeArra said, "I think you fooled the Admiral."

"Maybe," Stephanie interjected, "But Admiral Nogura isn't as, well, bright as he used to be."

"In short, he's an old senile bat!" Arron finished for her.

"Well, uh, yeah." Stephanie agreed under her breath.

***

The Star fleet security ward at Alcatraz island was desolate place. The salty sea air was cold to the robed figure that approached the second set of sleepy guards on post. The figure stopped at the gate abruptly and waited for the guards to clear him. The robed man looked around, there were several guards patrolling on the upper end of the fortress. He noted that it would not be wise at this point to use violence. He decided he would find another way.

The senior guard approached wearily. He had been napping it seemed. He was a Federation Marine. His rank indicated that he was a sergeant. The figure observed him, his mannerism, his alertness, and noted it for future reference. He would need it.

"Good evening sergeant," The robed figure hissed from beneath his hood. The sergeant was not flattered.

"State yer business." He said in a drawl that he, the robed figure, identified as from the south part of the North American continent.

"I am the counsel assigned to Dijon Maris. I'm from the Orion consulate. I've come to discuss my clients' hearing tomorrow." The robed figure stated.

The sergeant scrutinized the robed figure. "A little late to be making house calls, isn't it, sir?" He asked.

"Oh, I do apologize, sergeant, but I just received the assignment myself. I had to make some preparation before tomorrow." The hooded man said in a tone that was nothing less than patronizing.

The sergeant sighed. "All right. I can give you one hour, but that's all."

"Thank you." The figure started to walk toward the gate.

"Hey, wait a minute, will ya." The guard seemed as if he just now remembered something. The man turned around as if he were getting annoyed. "Can I see your ID sir?"

The Orion reached into his robe. The marine was ready to reach for his phaser, he did not trust Orions. The Orion did not pull out a weapon but small case. He opened it and flashed it in the guards face.

"Ah, yeah, I see you are Mr., um, Mr." The marine tried to lean closer to the card, but could not read it since his eyes were still heavy from sleep.

"Taff Lan. You may contact the Orion Judiciary Council for confirmation."

"I didn't know they even had courts. Hey, ain't you gonna let me see what's under that robe?" The marine asked as an after thought.

"No." he turned back around and his robe swung back and forth as he started to walk towards the gate.

"Oh well, remember one hour, we don't see ya come out this way, we come in after ya." He sat down in one of the chairs and leaned back.

The robed figure walked slowly past the drowsy guard and awaited the opening of the gate. Leisurely the gate screeched open. He walked through carefully not looking back at the guards.

Once he was gone the other guard turned to the sergeant. "Why'd 'cha let 'im go?"

"What harm can he do. The scanner would have detected any weapons." The sergeant yawned and put his hands behind his neck.

"Yeah." The other guard put his hands behind his neck also. "Hey, ya all gonna play poker later with us?"

The other nodded and yawned again fighting to stay awake. "Sure, I feel like loosen some money tonight."

***

Arron looked out the window of the station as his going away party was at it's climax. Stephanie, of course, set up the party, with the permission of the admiralty, on Space Station One. The party was in the main lounge with a huge window looking out to the docking bays. Soon now they will have the unveiling of Arron's new command. Even though it wasn't a brand new ship, it was new to Arron and so it had some special meaning.

Everyone was there, even Admiral Nogura. Arron couldn't figure out why top brass such as himself would attend such a party. Of course his father was an admiral as well, perhaps he had pulled some strings and got the admiral to attend. Anyhow, the party was going smoothly.

Then it was time. The room quieted as if it were one being. Then to the right of the windows, slowly the ship came into view. Arron felt someone wrap their arm around his. He didn't look to see who it was, however, he was to grossed in his new ship. It was small, it was bulky, but it was his. He had also heard that some of it's armory was the best. As it came into full sight he saw the name of the vessel and thought it very appropriate. U.S.S. Lightning. In addition to hearing about the armory, he had also heard that this was one of the fastest ships in the fleet. And it had to be for he was going to be patrolling the trade routs for smugglers. After the ship came to a halt Admiral Steele walked up in front of the window to get everyone's attention. "Ladies, Gentlemen, and esteemed guests." He bowed his head to the old, oriental admiral. "I present you with the U.S.S. Lightning. And her new commander, Lt. Comdr.. Arron Steele."

Applause filled the room. Arron looked to the person who had hooked their arms around his. DeArra looked back and smiled. She was beautiful, as beautiful as his new ship. He loved them both, and he did not know which he loved more. All he knows is he is happy, very happy.

Chapter 2

The guards in front of the cell looked at the dark and mysterious figure that was approaching. They came to attention and put their hands on their phasers with out drawing them. One cautiously approached the robed man. "Who goes there?"

"I am Taff Lan. Console to Dijon Maris. I have come to talk to him of the hearing tomorrow." The Orion stopped only half a meter away from the guard.

Keeping one eye on the Orion the guard spoke softly into the communications device on the wall. After a few mumbled words he turned back to Lan. "All right, one hour." He let him pass and was about to release the force field when he noticed the glint under the man's robe.

Realizing it was a weapon of some sort he drew his phaser and the other guard followed suite. They were too late. Lan had already drawn his and was firing upon them. Two seconds later both guards were down. Lan let down the field and called to Maris. Maris came running out and stood next to Lan waiting. Four guards came running down the corridor in both directions, they stopped two meters away to fire their weapons. By the time the first one fired the two figures were enveloped in the sparkles of a transporter. By the time the beam would have hit its mark the two were gone. The shot was wasted on the wall of the cell.

"Damn, I knew this wasn't going to be a good night." The one who had shot said. He went over to the comm. panel and called for help.

***

"Admiral Steele." Jenifer Sandara walked over to the admiral and greeted him with a hand shake. "Nice to see you again. I'm sorry I'm late. Did I miss anything important?"

"Unless you think Arron's speech was important, than no." The admiral joked.

"I was held up by some of the Federation attorneys over the trial tomorrow. I can't wait to put Dijon away for good." Jenifer smiled devilishly, while rubbing her hands together. Several months ago the integra crew had traveled to Beta Nomi and encountered her old Orion lover there. At the time he had staged a trap, kidnapping her parents and Arron Steele, to bring her to him. She had gone through a mix of emotions, and believing she still loved him, stayed with him as long as her parents were safe. That was until she received a message from Eric Quintero, her current boyfriend, on a whim she turned against Dijon once again and in the process captured him for the crimes he had committed against the Federation, and now his day in court had come.

"I'm sure you can't. But in the meantime have some cake and relax, I'm sure tomorrow will be a long day." Adam Steele ushered her over to what was left of the cake.

Arron looked up from his conversation with DeArra when he heard his father approaching. He also saw Jenifer walking with him. "Jenny, so glad you could take time out of your busy schedule to come and say good-bye."

"Good-bye? I thought you were going to be testifying at the hearing?" She asked confused.

"I was until we got urgent orders to head for one of the trade routs out in the Lambada sector. It seems things have been heating up out there." He said apologetically. "Besides you have enough witnesses against him to put him away for good."

"That's true." DeArra cut in. "And don't forget I'll be testifying too."

"Oh, yes. With out you we couldn't possibly have a chance of winning the case." Jenifer said sarcastically.

"Admiral Steele." Nogura called from across the room. It was surprising at his old age, he could still talk over the crowd without yelling.

"Excuse me folks. Duty calls." Steele walked away from them. The three young people looked to one another wondering why he was called off.

Nogura walked Steele out of the room secretly. And into another uninhabited room. "We have a problem."

"What is it?" Steele studied the other man's face. It showed nothing not even a speck of concern. Yet he had a feeling he knew what happened. What else could be so important that they call the head admiral out of a party? "It's Maris isn't it?"

Nogura nodded. "He's escaped. We have no idea if he's still on the planet, the station, or on a ship." Nogura sighed softly then continued. "It was well planned. For several ships left at the same time as his escape. We do not have any idea where he is.

"We are also dispatching all available ships. I'm afraid that includes your sons."

Adam turned pale at the news. This was not good. How would Arron take this. Worse yet how would Jenifer take this? "I'll tell him right away." He started to leave.

"Wait." Nogura called. "You must not tell anyone, not even your son. He will not receive orders until his ship has left orbit. No one is to know about this."

"But what about Sandara. Surely she should know." He protested.

"I believe it would be... wise to keep this under wraps. Especially from Sandara." Nogura shook his head. "Knowing her past record as you do, you should know that she would not take this news lightly." He stopped, then added something as an after thought. "I will have the trial postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. Unfortunately those circumstances can not be revealed to anyone at this time. Is that understood?"

"Yes sir. I will inform Arron to report to his ship and await further instructions." Adam confirmed.

"Very well." With that Steele knew their conversation was over and he left the room to the party. Once he was back in the noise and people filled room he saw Arron and motioned the younger man over to him.

"What's up Dad?" Arron asked before he came up to his dad. Once he was right next to him he asked, "Dad, what's wrong?"

Adam Steele tried to compose himself. After clearing his throat he spoke. "You are to report to your ship immediately. The rest of your crew will join you shortly." This was because most were at the party at this very moment. Steele had arranged for a call for the crew, for five minutes after Arron had left.

"But why?" Arron was dumbfounded.

"I'm sorry I can't tell you at the moment. Please go now." After Arron hadn't moved for several seconds the Admiral added. "That's not a request commander." Arron nodded and left at a jog. Adam watched him go and hoped that Maris was still on the planet. For if he were someplace in space, and if Arron were to run into him, there would be trouble.

***

After the crew was called away, the party became pretty dead. The Integra crew, minus one, stayed behind to clean up. Steph was putting away what was left of the cake and looked out to the window. "You know this is the first party that I threw, that went bad."

"Well, that's the way it goes when you're in Starfleet." DeArra looked out the window as the Lightning started to move. Everyone stopped what they were doing and watched. They waved as the ship started to move faster out of the docking area. DeArra knew something had to be up, if they called him out early and Darian voiced what she was thinking. In effort to calm everyone's nerves, and like a good commander, she tried to contradict him, though she didn't believe it herself. "I'm sure it was just some unexpected emergency out where they were supposed to patrol. By the time they get there everything should be fine."

"I hope so for their sake." Jason watched as the Lightning flashed out of real space. "He seemed to run out of here in a hurry."

"DeArra's right." Jenifer interjected. "Besides, it's not our place to worry about it. That's Arron's job now."

The heads around the room bobbed up and down in agreement. But each and everyone of them were aware of the reality in the universe and how things turned out weren't always for the best.

***

He hated waiting. He hated the pretty smelling, clean offices of the Federation. He hated hiding as well. Each time someone went by he would have to make sure he wasn't seen. He hated this all. But most of all he hated the people that put him through total and outright hell. Even though he did hate waiting, he could wait for this moment to come. Soon he would eliminate one of those that help put him in that hell, and was going to help keep him there by testifying tomorrow.

Once again he heard footsteps coming in this direction. Yet these were different, they were slowing. A door opened and a light went on in the next room. The footsteps were getting closer. Soon now, very soon.

The lights went on in the room. A tall muscular man walked past his hiding place. Now! The man jumped and knocked the new comer to the ground. The lights were now out for that new comer.

***

"We're now holding steady at warp three sir." Helm officer Mesa reported.

"Very good." Arron Steele turned in his seat to face the screen. "Time until intercept with the Lincoln?"

"Four hours six minutes." The dark navigator Wong answered.

"Sir, I have an incoming communiqu from HQ." Palmer's bangs fell in his face and he wiped them away.

"On screen."

Palmer looked to his commander. "I'm sorry sir but it's for your eyes only."

"All right then I'll take it in my quarters." He walked to his quarters which on this small ship was one deck down from the bridge, and activated his screen. Arron watched in amazement as Nogura himself came on screen.

He sat there staring back at Arron and waited until he composed himself. "Commander Steele. You are to set course for the Delta system. From there you will change course and come around on a circular route to Earth."

"Sir? I thought we were to report to the Lambada sector?" Arron was surprised at this order.

"I'm afraid to tell you, but your father is missing." Nogura said flatly.

"Missing? How? Who?" Arron now was more confused than ever.

"Dijon Maris."

That was all he said. That was all he had to say. Arron now understood with out being told that Maris had escaped and taken his father with him. That must have been the reason he was called out early. "Yes sir. We'll be there as soon as we can sir."

"Actually, I want you to proceed at warp four, and when you are in the Sol system to drop down to half impulse." The old man ordered.

"A sneak attack sir?"

"Of a sort yes. Stay advised for further communications. Nogura out." With that his image disappeared. For some reason Arron found himself wondering how he could stay in Starfleet and be that old, in a way he was hoping the old man would just retire so he could speed to his fathers aid. Of course he knew the Admiral was right. So in the end he had his ship do exactly as the head of Starfleet had ordered.

Chapter 3

"Postponed? Postponed!" Jenifer laid her palms down hard on the Admiral's desk. "You've got to be kidding. Why in hell did they postpone it?"

"Some legal technicalities had arisen which have not been addressed. They must be seen to before the trial may begin." Cory Jenkins tried to buy some time.

It didn't work Jenifer saw right through him. Being with Maris for six years had taught her how to read between the lines. "In other words he's escaped." She leaned closer to him demanding the truth.

"No, absolutely not!" He defended himself, though he wasn't as convincing as he had liked to have been.

"Don't try to lie to me. I know Dijon, and I know the Orions. They helped him escape and now he's hiding out somewhere on Earth until we forget about Earth and start searching the possibility of him escaping into space. Then he will seek his revenge."

Cory knew his daughter was correct, except she didn't know that Dijon had already started seeking his revenge. Jenkins, reluctantly, told her about it. "I'm afraid, he has already begun. We know he's on Earth, or at least his conspirators."

Jenifer became suspicious. Had something terrible happened with out her knowing? Had Dijon already started racking destruction? Her father answered these questions. "He's kidnapped Adam Steele." She couldn't let this go on. Something had to be done, but surely she could not turn herself over to him, not again. She must do something, but what? He looked at her as she contemplated this. "Jenny, I know what you're thinking. But we're handling the situation as we speak."

"But you don't know him like I do!" She protested.

Jenkins feared the counseling sessions she was going through over this was having no effect on her. "Of course not. But he also doesn't know where you are."

"What are you talking about." She said bewildered.

"We have arranged for you to be hidden from him for the time being. Because you know as well as I do, that you will be his next target."

"I know, but if Dijon gets frustrated in anyway he will take it out on the admiral, or anyone close to him. We've got to find him before he finds us." She started pacing. "If only we had a clue as to his location."

"We would have been on it a long time ago, if we did." Cory reminded her.

"Perhaps, but if you'll allow us, let our crew inspect where the admiral was kidnapped. I'd assume it was his office." She stated.

"It was. And I will allow it, but I doubt that you'll find anything." He said.

"We'll see about that." Jenifer stopped her pacing and left the room without being dismissed.

***

This was his one and only shot at getting his message across, so he had best make it a good one. He rehearsed it in his mind. A subtle hint here, and another one there. His captors had given him an outline as to what to say, but left the actual wording up to him. This gave him a great advantage.

He didn't even know where it would be sent to. He was planning it for someone who had some push in Starfleet. It would be nice if Nogura received it. But who knows?

Soon his message was sent out, directed into deep space. Straight to a ship that was known to be heading to Earth as many others were leaving. It was the only ship that was meant solely for fighting that was headed there and would be the only one when it arrived. Therefore it must be the rightfully intended ship.

***

Jenifer slammed the drawer shut with all the fierceness of a child throwing a temper tantrum. Small objects were knocked over on the desk, but she did not care, not one bit. Not one shred of evidence has shown itself in this room. They've searched it from top to bottom and not even so much as a speck of dust was harmed. DeArra walked over to her to try and calm her friend down. "Jenifer, perhaps we should take a break for a few minutes. We've been searching this room for a long time now and I think it would be best for all of us."

Jenifer looked to the Betazoid woman standing next to her. Though Jenifer was a few inches taller than DeArra, she still felt somewhat taken aback by the power behind DeArra's words. Slowly Jenifer sank into the Admiral's chair behind the desk. "You're right. Dad was right. Damn everyone was right except me!" Jenifer kicked the desk with her foot, which only made the chair move further away from the desk, as if telling her not to do that anymore, in a way she felt the chair was right as well.

"Jenny, don't be so hard on yourself." DeArra kneeled down next to her. "We all make mistakes. There's just the fact that there is nothing here. It's not your fault, nor mine, nor anyone else's. Things, and mistakes, just happen."

"Yeah, my mistake was meeting Dijon Maris, and then not killing him when I had a chance. If that wouldn't have happened we wouldn't be searching this damned room to help find Arron's dad. For that matter, he wouldn't even have been kidnapped."

DeArra, for once in her life, was at a lose for words. She knew the horrible feelings that her friend was experiencing and she felt them along with her. Yet there was nothing, absolutely nothing she could do for her. "Jenifer." DeArra finally managed to get out.

Jenifer politely turned to DeArra, "With all due respect, sir. Please leave me alone." DeArra felt that she was sincere in her wish to be alone and so she nodded and left to talk with the others. Jenifer leaned back in the chair and placed her boots up on the desk, shuffling some loose objects around. She sat there pondering her past actions with Dijon Maris and thought of all the "what ifs" that she could have done to change this present situation. She knew however that, that would never solve a thing. What's past was past. And what's now, must be taken care of now. But why? Why had he taken Admiral Steele and not somebody else that was closer to her. Like her father, or one of the Integra crew. Why Steele?

She wiggled her feet a little in thought. As she did so something fell off the desk. It must have been something she knocked down when she slammed the drawer. She was just going to leave it be, until a gleam caught her eye. She looked down to the object. A wooden box. It was very familiar to her. Too familiar. Looking closer at it there was a piece of paper wrapped around it. Paper, that was very odd, nobody used paper anymore. She bent down and picked it up. She unwrapped the note and read its contents. She looked up at her companions who were talking among themselves. She placed the box and the paper into her jacket concealing it from the others.

She didn't know how they looked it over. That really doesn't matter. For what did matter was she knew exactly where Arron's father was. And even better she knew exactly where Dijon Maris was. She stood and without so much as a glance at the others she walked out the office door.

***

Not two hours had passed by on their return to earth when communications officer Palmer told him they were picking up a signal directed into space. No where in specific just randomly thrown into space. Arron, who was in his cabin resting, was curious and ordered the message to be brought up onto his screen. Obediently a face appeared. Arron gasped as he saw his father there before him. He was not ragged and dirty as hostages looked centuries before. Instead he was well groomed except for a slight stubble of a beard that was beginning to show.

Adam Steele spoke with confidence in his voice. Arron knew that his father would never give his captors a chance to get what they want, right now he was only biding for time. And yet maybe there was something else. A hidden message perhaps. Arron listened to his father speak and tried to discern that message. He let it run all the way through and yet was not able to figure it out. Then he had a premonition to have Palmer replay it, when it automatically repeated itself.

"To any Federation dignitary." Admiral Steele began. "I have been taken aboard the Aqueous, commanded by Dijon Maris, of Orion. He has taken me for reasons I have not been able to determine. He wishes to-" The transmission was cut off abruptly. Arron had not remembered this from the previous transmission and was now caught wondering why this had happened.

As he reached for the button to call the bridge another face appeared on the screen. This one was distinctly different. The green complexion mixed with those penetrating black eyes was not hard to place. This was an Orion. And not just any Orion, this was Dijon Maris.

"Earthers, listen up. This will only be played once and I will have no hidden messages such as the one you're Admiral was trying to pass by us. And just for your information he will be punished for it." There was a pause in Maris' speech and in that moment Arron could feel his heart pounding, and thoughts raced through his mind at what his father must be going through. Then Maris continued. "My reasons are clear as are my demands. I want Jen Sandara. I want her within twelve hours, or someone will get seriously injured. Is that clear?" The Orion terrorist asked and then repeated, "Twelve hours, one second more and Steele dies." The transmission was cut, but the last words stuck in Arron's head. For a long time afterwards.

Chapter 4

Arron Steele burst onto the bridge of the Lightning like a fusion explosion. All eyes turned to him. "Drop to impulse. Bring all engines to all stop." He barked.

"Answering all stop." Lt. Mesa responded. "We have a priority one emergency at Starfleet command."

Everyone from Lt. Abarnathy, his first officer, to communication officer Palmer, to Ensign Wong, at the navigators seat, all gasped in unison.

"Until further notice, the entire crew is on yellow alert." Arron turned. "Ensign Wong, plot a course to Earth, maximum warp."

"Aye sir." Wong replied, setting his fingers into motion on his keyboard.

"Lieutenant Abarnathy,"

"Sir!" Abarnathy said coming to attention.

"The bridge is yours. Inform me the minute we come into the Sol system. I'll be in my quarters. Also, inform me of any communications from Starfleet command."

"Very good sir!" Abarnathy replied.

Arron moved into the turbolift and was gone.

"Ready for warp speed, mister Abarnathy." Wong said.

"You heard the skipper ! Let's get this old bucket moving!" Abarnathy said. The Lighting shot into warp in a flash of light, then was gone.

***

Dijon Maris sat in his chair on the freighter Aqueous with a gloating smile on his face. His plan was a success! He had Steele, soon, he'd have the head of that impudent little son of bitch, the other Steele. And to top it all off, soon, so very soon, he would have Jen back with him, for good. Maris spun at the sound of the turbolift doors opening, to see his long time friend and loyal comrade.

"Devak!" He said bursting from his command chair, "My old friend, I knew you and Taff wouldn't let me down!"

Devak took his commander in a tight embrace. "My lord, you know that there was no way in Hades fire that Taff and I would let you rot in that maggots' den." Devak said.

"And fortunate it was for me that you felt that way." Maris said, a cruel smile coming to his face, "Unfortunate, however, for our, um, guest."

At this, Maris, and Devak, burst into uncontrollable laughter.

***

Arron's wall communicator beeped loudly. It seemed almost deafening compared to the absolute silence of his quarters. "Sir, we're dropping from warp to impulse for Earth entry orbit." The comm. panel said.

"Very good. Have a transporter standing by," Arron ordered, "as soon as we're in range I'll beam down to the academy."

"Yes sir. Bridge out." With that the panel went silent and Arron went back to the silence that had occupied his room before the interruption.

***

Arron materialized on the transporter pad to see Darian Setek awaiting him, a saddened look on his face.

"Hello, Arron. I wish we didn't have to meet again under such unfortunate circumstances."

"Don't worry," Arron said in his casual tone, "We'll find my father. Besides, he's a big boy. He can take care of himself." Too bad he himself didn't believe what he'd just said. "Let's go see Jenifer," Arron said, "She'll be able to help piece this together."

"I don't think that's such a good idea." Darian replied, "Why don't you come with me. I'll take--"

Darian was cut off sharply by Arron's reply, "Are you having problems hearing, cadet!?"

Darian, caught off guard by the rude interruption, stammered. "N-N-No, sir."

"Very well than. Take me to Jenifer Sandara." Arron ordered.

Nodding Darian turned around and motioned for his superior officer to follow. Under his breath he muttered, "Don't say I didn't warn you."

They did not go to the rooms in which the school's cadets were quartered, like Steele expected. Instead they walked out to the shuttle port and picked up an Academy Transport Vessel, an automatic vehicle programmed to move under the control of someone in the Academy Control Center. Darian flipped a switch that activated the voice unit and simply stated, "Federation Head Quarters." Steele's jaw dropped down to the floor in amazement. After Darian switched the comm. link off he turned to Arron he went on to explain the situation. "Command thought it wise to hide her in a well secure area so that Maris can not get to her." More secretly he added, "If you ask me I think it's so she won't go after him."

Arron agreed with the last statement. After seeing what happened last time he knew that Jenifer was ready for the kill.

Soon they came to the head quarters and passed through security. Then they came to the door in which Jenifer Sandara should be behind. Darian hesitantly pressed the button to signal his wish to entry. But there was no answer. He turned to Arron. "Well, there's no body home. Let's go I'm sure we could find her someplace else." He started walking down the hall as if in a hurry to leave the quarters behind.

Arron stood there looking at the door and tried the chime once more. Again there was no answer. He put his ear up to the door and he swore he heard movement behind it. He rapped his knuckles on the door and hoped this time there would be an answer. There was none. Once again he knocked and once again he went unanswered. One last try. Instead of knocking or using the door chime he called out to her. "Jenifer. This is Arron, listen we have to talk."

At the sound of his voice the door opened and Jenifer appeared. She didn't even look half as good as his father did. Her hair was a mess. Her makeup was smeared and her clothes were all wrinkled. She looked for all the world as if she had already had fought Maris and lost. She quickly looked around and swiftly pulled Arron inside, not leaving the door open long enough for Darian to follow.

Arron stood there just inside the door watching Jenifer. She had started to pace and did not even so much as glance at Arron. "Jenifer, what's going on? Where's Maris, and my father? And why are you locked up here in HQ?" Though he knew the answers to those questions he just had to hear them from her. She ignored all of his questions he had asked her as she paced for a few minutes. She was obviously thinking. But thinking about what. It also appeared she had been doing this for quite some time since the carpet in the area she was pacing was a little more depressed the rest.

Arron tried again, to get her attention. "Jenifer, will you please tell me what's going on." He paused giving her time to answer. When she didn't he continued. "Listen, if you don't talk to me than, I'm going to leave, because it appears that you don't need me." He threw his thumb over his shoulder indicating the door as he spoke.

She continued pacing, back and forth. He shrugged and started heading for the door. As it hissed open, the sound of the door broke Jenifer out of her trance. "Arron, wait." He stepped back inside the room, the door closed behind him. "I'm sorry. I just got caught up in my thoughts, it would seem I've been doing a lot of that lately." Jenifer motioned towards the small living area with chairs and a couch. "Come and sit down, please." He sat on the couch and she sat on a chair opposite. She was so nervous that as she sat there her leg began to shake rapidly. She stopped it with her hand and then began to speak.

"I really do apologize for all this mystery, but I don't want anyone else to know. I want this to be just between you and me."

Arron didn't understand. "What is?"

"The location of Dijon Maris." She said proudly.

Still Arron didn't understand. In the past few days many Starfleet personnel have been searching for him, and no one was able to find him. How could she know?

As Arron was contemplating this she had stood and went over to a drawer. She pulled something out and brought it back to where they were sitting. She held it out to him in both hands. She handled it gently as if it were a sensitive baby.

It was a knife like nothing he had ever seen. Light gleamed off of it's well polished blade. It was very strangely shaped, for some reason all Arron could think it looked like was a Christmas tree.

Jenifer handed it to him for his examination, but he was reluctant to take it. "Go ahead." She stretched her arms out further to encourage him to take it.

He did take it and rolled it in his hands. "So, how do you know where he is because of a knife."

Jenifer seemed offended at first, then she got over it. "That's just not any knife. It's my Christmas Tree knife, I named it that because of the way it looks, that's not important though, that is its my knife that I had while I was with the pirates. When I left, I left that as well. I found it in your father's office, along with this." She handed him the small slip of paper. He took it and unraveled it. He read it and read it again. "Jenny," He really didn't know what to say. The paper had said almost all of what Dijon had said in the transmission, except this had the exact location of his ship. "I don't know if you know this or not, but my dad... my dad had sent out a message according to Maris' wishes. Unfortunately he tried to get a subliminal message across, and Maris caught it. He came on and said almost the exact thing as on this message." Arron relayed. "But, I'm afraid that Dijon also said he was going to punish my father for trying to get a message out."

"Oh, God." Jenifer was flabbergasted. "We have to get over there quick."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, your father could already be dead."

***

The next thing Arron knew was that they were headed for the dense woods of northern Idaho. They had taken Jenifer's land shuttle to speed through the air to the area that Dijon had specifically ordered them to meet. Once there they got out of the small shuttle and looked around them. Arron raised his arms in exasperation. "I thought this is where it said to meet them. So where's the ship?"

"I don't know but I followed the directions to the letter." She looked around also, they were alone. Just them and the little animals scurrying around the forest. "Maybe they didn't want us by the ship. This is more than likely a trap so they just wanted to confuse us." She concluded.

He nodded, knowing she was right. Dijon wanted her, and here in the woods alone was the perfect spot to take her. But Arron was there to make sure he did not.

And she was there to make sure that Arron's father did not die. She didn't want another death on her shoulders, that is except for Dijon's.

Seconds later he appeared. Just as if thinking about him made him appear out of thin air. Nor was he alone. There was at least half a dozen Orions there, blasters armed and ready to fire. Jenifer was not phased by their appearance. She was ready for them. "Where's Admiral Steele?"

"Don't worry about him Jen, he's being taken care of." Dijon stepped forward, but he did not come too close to her. Arron did however. He seemed to be getting very protective. Dijon seemed to notice Arron for the first time. "Well, well, well. If it isn't that little locnus we met on Beta Nomi."

Arron leaned over to Jenifer and whispered, "Locnus?"

"Believe me it is a derogatory term." She said shortly.

"That's right, I see you have not forgotten our language. Now that the preliminaries are over, it is time for us to leave." Dijon motioned to the others whom gathered more closely around the two humans.

"We're not going anywhere." Arron protested.

"Brave boy. I see, most humans must be the same. First, I found Jen to be very stubborn, then her parents and the Admiral, now you."

"Yeah, my father had always been stubborn, I guess it runs in the family." Arron said proudly.

"Arron, Be quiet." Jenifer whispered.

It was too late Dijon was already catching on. "What does your father have to do... Your father's the Admiral? Yes that must be it." Maris smiled, now he had an advantage he did not know he had before.

"Good going Arron. Now he's going to use that advantage to get you to give into him." Jenifer whispered.

Sure enough that's just what he did. "I was just planning to take Jen and leave you alone. Now, though, there's a chance that if I leave you, you will just come back to try to rescue them. Instead you are coming with us."

"And if I refuse?"

"Not only your father will die, but you as well."

"He's right, Arron we should go with him." Jenifer decided.

"What!?" Arron whirled on her. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Calm down. If we don't go with him, your dad will die." She took him by the shoulders and winked, not allowing Maris to see it. She then turned to Dijon. "Before we go anywhere, I'll need to lock up my shuttle. Don't want anyone steeling it you know."

Dijon looked at her strangely examining her then he nodded. He also motioned for one of the others to go with her. She and the Orion walked into the shuttle. After he was inside she shut the door and grabbed her phaser which she was wearing on her belt. She moved so fast the Orion didn't know what was happening. One blast of her phaser and the Orion was knocked out cold. She jumped into the pilot seat and started the engine. The shuttle rose and moved over to the group below her. She armed the small defense phasers that she had mounted on her shuttle, then fired. The beams were carefully aimed so as not to hit anyone, but it sure in hell confused them. She hovered the shuttle just over their heads and went to the door. She opened it and shoved the unconscious Orion out. After the Orion was out of the way Arron jumped for the open doorway.

Phaser fire started coming from every direction and Arron's legs were still dangling out the door. With one final try Jenifer pulled Arron inside and he landed on top of her. "I know you like me Arron, but I don't think now's the time." She joked.

"And I don't think this is the time for jokes." He ran over to the door and closed it as she engaged the engines and brought the shuttle about. Then it speed away leaving the Orions behind. "How good are the sensors on this ship?"

"Not good. I only have navigational sensors. There's no way we could find their ship unless it's by eyesight." The shuttle rocked slightly and then went back to normal.

"What was that?" Asked Arron.

Jenifer, who was already checking the display replied, "When they were firing at you a beam hit one of my engines."

"They weren't firing at me, they were firing at you." He protested.

"Well, who they were firing at doesn't matter. What does is my poor engine is going to overload. I'll have to bring her down." Jenifer did the necessary adjustments and landed the shuttle in an open clearing.

"I have a plan." Arron declared as the shuttle landed.

"Oh, how brilliant, he has a plan, I can't wait to hear it." Jenifer went to the back of the shuttle and made some adjustments to one of the panels.

"We're going to beam up to the Lightning."

This got her attention. "What, are you nuts. We don't have the time-"

"We do. In fact it will give us a little more time. Since we know the approximate area of their ship, we can direct our scans to this area. We'll find it in less time than it would take to find it in this thing." Arron told her.

She regarded him. "First of all this is not a thing. It's a land shuttle. Second," She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Second, you're right. Have them beam us up. It'll be quicker. On one condition you beam my shuttle up too."

Arron smiled devilishly. "You got it babes. Steele to Lightning, two to transport. and transport the land shuttle to the shuttle bay."

The air around them began to hum and their skin began to feel the tingling sensation, then they disappeared into blue shimmering light. And a new familiar surrounding took it's place. They were now aboard the Lightning and ready to take off.

As soon as they stepped out of the shuttle and off of the platform Arron called the bridge. "Has any unidentified ship left the planet in the past minute or two?"

"Yes sir." Came a voice over the unit. "It was moving at an unusually fast pace."

"That's him all right." Jenifer was excited and jumped off of the platform. "We've got to get after him," She paused for effect. "Before he does something drastic."

"Track their course." Arron said into the communicator. "Follow them at Warp six the second we get out of the system."

"I'm sorry, sir but they were moving too fast to get a definite course off of them." The voice got a level deeper. It seemed that this person on the other side was awful worried about something.

"Couldn't get a lock-"

Arron was cut off when the man came back on. "Sir, we have a message from command here for you." The man went on without being told to do otherwise. "It reads: Lightning, do not pursue Orion vessel. Repeat, do not pursue, we have other vessels on intercept course with it."

"Damn." Arron muttered.

"I'm sorry sir, I didn't quite catch that last remark." The man on the other end seemed like he was trying to lighten the mood, but it didn't work.

"Stator rel. T' hell with the fleet Arron. Let's go after 'im." Jenifer virtually yelled. She seemed to be losing control over this entire situation.

"Watch it Mr. Sandara, you're tongue is beginning to slip back to it's old language. That of those who you hate so much had taught you." Arron warned her but not unkindly.

"Respectfully, sir." Jenifer looked to him for approval. He approved. "I believe that we would have a better chance of finding them, and dealing with them."

"I do too. Why don't you try convincing someone like Nogura of that?" Arron said bitterly.

"Fine, then. Get me Nogura." She was serious, he could see it in her eyes. She wasn't about to give up. She had her own rights to Dijon's head, and she wasn't going to let anyone get in the way of that right now. Not even Starfleet.

After an intense moment of staring into her eyes, Arron broke off and called out into the air, in reference to the bridge. "You heard the lady, get her Nogura."

"You're not serious sir?" The man could not believe his ears. Someone was willing enough to go against Nogura's orders. Not even the best captain in the fleet was that brave.

"I am. Now get Nogura on the line or do we have to beam to his office ourselves?" Arron grinned when he got his response.

"I'll try sir, but I'm not promising a thing."

Jenifer stood very calmly with her hands behind her back, she rocked back and forth on her heels. At least she looked calm on the outside. On the inside the blood was rushing out of her stomach and she could feel it condensing. She crossed her fingers tightly to get her mind off of her stomach, but it did not help. Then a different voice came over the line. Unfortunately it wasn't Nogura's, but it was close enough, and would have to do for now. "Jenifer, I know this is hard to cope with, but you must stay in orbit around the-"

"No." Now she lost control. "Stator rel, No!" Not only had she lost control of her emotions but she had slipped back to using Orion curses again. "We will not just stand here while he gets away. Yeah, maybe you have people to intercept him, but he will still get away.

"The only person that knows him, and can stop him, is me. I want to put him away permanently, and will do it given a chance. And I will not let him escape! Dad, please let us go after him."

"You are not thinking rationally, Jenifer." Admiral Jenkins tried once again to talk his daughter out of going after the pirates.

"Give us clearance to leave orbit, or we'll fight our way out." She was quite sincere.

And it defiantly was no bluff. He knew the way his daughter was, and when she said something, she meant it, no matter how ridiculous. "You realize, that I can not just let you have clearance."

"Yes you can, and you know it." Jenifer sighed. "Father please, this is more important to me than you or anyone else will know. You also know that every second you stall me here, the further he gets away, and the longer it takes for us to catch up to him."

"I'm sorry, Jenifer but I can't..." Jenkins stopped as Arron interrupted.

"Sir, I believe Sandara is right. I will also go to any lengths to get out of orbit. I'm sure that my crew will follow my orders as well." Arron informed him.

Jenkins was not moved by this. "I'm ordering you to stay put. If you disobey I will have to put you under arrest." He lowered his voice secretly. "Of course we would have to catch you first." Returning back to his Admiral mode he finished. "Jenkins out."

Jenifer smiled at the blank screen. Arron looked at her, "What did he mean by that?"

"He meant, if we get out of here now, we won't have any problems on the way out."

Arron took the hint and called out to the air. "Steele to bridge. Helm set course heading 002 mark 5, full impulse."

The reply came back immediately. "Aye sir, ready sir."

"Engage." As he said the word she started walking out the door. "C'mon Jenifer, let's get to where the action is." She followed him straight up to the bridge.

Chapter 5

The bridge was not a chaotic mess as Jenifer expected it to be. It was ordered with everything in its place. The people spoke in soft voices and conversed professionally. She had expected the bridge to reflect the captain, an emotional, egotistical, sloppy, panorama. She was in shock.

Nor was anyone distracted by their sudden appearance on the bridge. The crew seemed to be very efficient. She looked to the screen as Arron took his place at the command center. She could see that they were almost out of the system. She was spell bound by the sight, as if she had never been out in space before. She heard Steele give an order, but she was to absorbed by the sight to understand his words. The view on the screen changed, it now showed Earth moving farther and farther away from them, yet there were no pursuers. Another order by the captain came and the screen changed back to the original spectacle.

All of a sudden Jenifer felt as if she were being watched. She turned to Arron Steele and found her intuition to be correct. He was looking at her as if he expected something from her. She looked back at him not sure of what the question was. "Where is he?" Arron mouthed.

Jenifer shrugged. She didn't know, Dijon could be anywhere. But he had Admiral Steele, so he must be someplace where they could find him. Someplace Jenifer would know to look. "Arcturus." She yelped as it came to her.

Steele came alive with energy. "Helm, plot a course for Arcturus, and don't spare the fuel."

***

"Master?" Devak asked cautiously.

The green skinned man turned to find his second in command. "What is it? I thought I told you I don't want to be disturbed."

"Ah, yes Master, nonetheless I thought you would like to know there is a Federation vessel headed on a course for Arcturus." The other man informed him.

"Which vessel?" Hissed the captain of the ship.

"The Lightning sir."

The captain of the Orion ship burst from his chair and came nose to nose with his officer. "Tell me it is the one with that locnus of a captain."

"It is your excellency." Devak did not just say this to please his captain.

"Turn on the clocking device, and arm the Maris Destroyer." Dijon relaxed a little and sat in his command chair.

"Yes Master. It will be done." Devak started to back off of the bridge.

"Devak." Dijon called. Devak stopped and waited for his captain to speak. "The Destroyer is still working is it not? You kept it in good shape for me?"

"We did."

"Good, because I want it to blow her up, not us." Dijon smiled as he heard the door close behind Devak. After Devak was gone Dijon moved over to the helm control board. He programmed the sensors to lock onto the Lightning. They weren't far behind them, soon they will pass him up. That is why Dijon installed the clocking device. His ship may not move as fast but he would be damned if his pursuers caught him.

Speaking of his pursuers, he wondered how Steele was managing. After all that is what his pursuers wanted, and Steele had to be in good shape for them when they arrived. Maris decided to go pay him a visit.

The ship was full of activity. People rushing to their stations, others hurrying to man the weapons, and speeding mainly to maintain their speed. Dijon, caught by their energy, moved briskly towards the brig. He may be cruel but he is not a disrespectful host. He feeds his prisoners well, gives them a clean warm cell to sleep in, and visits them to make sure that any investment he has in them do not go sour.

The brig corridor itself was empty but for the guard in front of a clad iron door. The guard came agilely to attention when he caught sight of the rather large, green-tinged man entering. The guard, who was rather large himself, stood aside to allow his superior to enter the cell. Without even acknowledging the guard, Dijon entered the dark cell.

It was dark in the cell, darker than anywhere else on the ship, and if it were possible it was even darker than the space outside the ship. The cell was almost totally barren if it weren't for a still form sprawled out on top of a metal slab. Dijon walked slowly over to the still form and watched over it. The form never moved, it just laid there unwilling to acknowledge the existence of its visitor. Finally Maris tired of staring at the man decided to do something about it. He nudged the form, not easily, until it stirred and looked at him. Then Maris smiled, the man looked up to his captor and rubbed his head slightly. "What are you smiling at?"

"Merely an investment that will get me everything I ever dreamed of." Dijon imagined it all in his head, the look on Jen's face when she walks straight into his trap, then he would freeze it forever.

"You realize that you will never get any information out of me." Steele sat up slightly and rubbed his aching head.

"Yes, I realized that when we questioned you."

Adam Steele interrupted him before he could even think about continuing. "You call that questioning? I call that torture, and just one more item to add to your long list of crimes."

Maris literally laughed in his face. "I don't care about your list of crimes. Nor do I care about the information you have. You are more important to me as the bait in my plan."

Steele sat strait up, confused momentarily. "Bait? You're planning on capturing Arron and Jenifer. There is only one flaw in your plan. They are two young and inexperienced people. The Fleet would not send them to rescue me, they would send at least one ship after me. Believe me they would be neither inexperience nor young."

"However," Maris contrasted him, "I know, positively that your son and Jen are on their way to rescue you. And I will be ready."

***

The bridge was very quiet not unusual at this time of night. Two others were on board the bridge other than Commander Steele and Cadet Sandara. Steele stretched and looked at the chronometer on a station adjacent to him. "Time until we reach Arcturus."

A young officer at the helm turned. "One day and six hours sir, at our present speed."

"Very good. I'm going to get a little shut eye. Ensign Barny you have the conn and inform me if there are any changes in the status of the Aqueous." He stood and motioned for Jenifer to follow him out.

Once in the privacy of the turbolift Jenny leaned against the bulk head and sighed. "I wish this ship could go faster."

"So do I. All I know is if this ship could go any faster, safely, I would make it so." Arron looked straight into her eyes. "I honestly wish I could go outside the ship and push her myself."

"Arron, can I be totally frank with you?" She closed her eyes concentrating on what she wanted to say.

He smiled warmly, his thoughts racing at what he believed she was going to say. He knew that there was something between them, it wasn't much but it was there. They both were just holding back waiting for the right moment. And now he believed was their right moment, here alone in the turbolift they were in a closed in environment that just intensified their emotions. "By all means."

As soon as she opened her mouth his thoughts were shot down. "I want Dijon dead and I will do anything, I mean anything, to make sure he does die. If we arrest him, he will just escape again. Once we reach Arcturus I will beam down alone and go after him."

Forgetting his earlier thoughts Arron protested. "I won't let you go alone. You know it's a trap and you could get hurt."

The turbolift stopped and its doors opened waiting for them to leave. Jenifer ignored the doors. "I will go alone. I will get purposely trapped by Maris. When the time is right I will kill him. That way it will be me and only me that will take the consequences for my actions. I don't want you getting involved."

"Your not going alone, I won't let you."

"You have no choice." Jenifer's temper started to fly, while not wishing to take it out on her superior officer and her friend she stormed out of the lift. Arron ran to catch up with her. He took her by the arm and swung her to face him. "Arron, let me go now before I get truly angry."

"If I have to I will throw you in the brig so you don't go down by yourself." She tried to move away but he took her by both arms.

"Arron this is not your fight." Her voice had gotten quiet, almost on the verge of crying. "He did not kill your son, he did not capture you when you were young and force you to live their way of life." Now the tears did start falling down her cheeks.

Arron leaned her against his chest and whispered softly to her. "Now Jenny, we don't need to be crying over spilt milk. Come now. I'll get you a drink." He walked her slowly to his cabin.

Once inside he set her down on the couch and went to fetch her a glass brandy. He handed it to her and sat down next to her. With one arm resting on the back of the couch he watched her drink and calm down a little bit. She finally stopped crying set the glass down on the table in front of her and looked toward Arron. "I'm sorry about this, I've been acting real stupid. I should also be acting more mature. I guess it is your fight too since he has your father. I just feel very personal about this. He has made my life a living hell."

"Well, I wouldn't say that. Look at yourself now. You're one of Starfleet's best cadets and certainly their best engineer. The only way you could have gotten to where you are now is because of Dijon. If it wasn't for him you wouldn't have all the experience with engines you have now. You'd probably be some cadet wandering around the campus without five great friends who care for you and look out for you."

"Oh you really know how to make a girl feel wonderful."

Arron could tell she was feeling better, at least some of her sarcasm was returning. "That's not the way I meant it. You are a wonderful, beautiful woman, you are smart, innovative and sexy."

"Arron." In a way she sounded offended, but something in her eyes led Arron to believe that she was not offended at all.

He gently placed his hand on the cheek and looked deep into her eyes. "I mean it. There have been times that I have wanted to tell you that, but it never seemed the right time. Now it does."

Jenifer did not know what to say. She was hypnotized by those beautiful blue eyes. She just reached up and stroked his hand lightly. He leaned forward their faces mere centimeters apart, slowly their lips pressed together.

Then something clicked inside of Jenifer's head. She abruptly stood up knocking Arron backwards a little. She quickly moved to the other side of the table and looked at Arron very upset. "Arron, how could you." Her temper was once again sky high. "You have a very loyal girlfriend and I am very loyal to and in love with Eric. How could you even think that we could be untrue to them. Unless you don't love DeArra as much as you claim to."

"I do."

"Then why? Why ruin it. This isn't right Arron, you have to realize that."

Arron stood now too on the opposite side of the table just across from Jenifer. "Is it a crime to love two people?"

"No." She started to move to the opposite side of the table when Arron moved toward her.

***

"Then why fight it?"

"Because, it isn't right for you and me. DeArra is my friend, I don't want to hurt her, and she would never forgive me for this. Neither would Eric for that matter. DeArra would probably break up with you, Stephanie would also hate you and me. Therefore you would break up the whole Integra crew."

She stopped once she reached the spot where she and Arron began walking around the table. "Jenifer you know I would never let any of that happen."

"Oh," Jenifer threw her hands up and back down in a motion of great relief. "Then you're going to tell them and they'll understand, then everything will be hunkydori." Her tone of voice changed once again. "Why don't you look at reality every once in a while. That's not the way things are, I know, I was there when DeArra first said she loved you. You should have seen Steph's face, she was about ready to kill DeArra."

"But they're good friends now." Arron declared.

"Well, yeah." Jenifer sounded as if that thought had never crossed her mind.

"So what makes you think they would hate you?" He slowly moved around the table to her, this time she did not move.

"That was different. Stephanie and you were broken up at the time." All the anger was gone now, she just sounded as if she was trying to convince herself that he was not right.

He took hold of both of her arms gently and asked her straight out, "Jenifer do you love me?"

She adverted his gaze. "I don't know."

"No, that's no what I asked. Yes or no, do you love me."

She quickly looked into his eyes then broke out of his grip. She stood with her back to him for several seconds, thinking, arms folded. "Yes there's a physical attraction and I like you, a lot, but I don't know if it has or ever will develop into love. Right now I really don't feel like finding out."

"Why?" Arron asked sympathetically. "Because you may find out that you do love me? Because you would have to admit to yourself that it is possible to love more than one person?" He sighed when Jenifer did not answer him. "All I know is that you will never know unless you give it a chance. Perhaps you will like knowing that there is someone else in the universe who loves you."

Under her breath she muttered where he almost couldn't here her. "There is, but he's the one I want dead."

Once again he walked over to her but did not touch her. "Jenifer one of these days you will have to forget about him and start living your life." He knew what she was about to say so he continued with out letting her speak. "I know that it won't be until he's dead, but you could at least try."

She faced him of her own accord. "Why can't I forget about him? When ever I try to, thoughts of him come back even stronger."

"Maybe you're trying too hard. Just let it go and let your feelings take over."

Taking his advice into consideration she moved forward slightly and kissed him. At first he was surprised and thought that she might just be thanking him for his advice. Yet it became more than a thank you kiss. They embraced each other fully. Their hands started roaming as Arron caressed her breast they moved to the floor. Then they let their emotions take over fully.

***

She didn't know how long she had been asleep or how she even got into the bed. All she knew was this was not her room. She turned over to find out exactly where she was. There lying next to her she found a man, and not just any man, it was Arron Steel. Damn, it all came back now, everything, including the passion for one another that they shared. She bolted out of bed not wishing to look at the man, what she did was wrong, what he did was wrong, but they could not take that back now. She sighed as she looked for her clothes that were sprawled all around the cabin. Once dressed she headed for the door. She was nearly there and stopped. She knew that she shouldn't look back yet something led her to believe that it was important.

She looked back. There where she believed she would find Arron she found another man one with light green skin. Dijon was there beckoning for her to come closer. She took one step forward and stared at him. He was mouthing something that she quite couldn't figure out. One more step carefully forward. His lips moved again, this time sound came from his mouth. "Jen, you must remember that love and purity of heart conquers all." It was a weird thing for him to say. That's why she ignored him thinking this was nothing but an ignorant joke her imagination was playing on her. She turned to leave, once again stopping at the door, she looked back. Arron was there now sleeping like a baby. She sighed shaking her head and walked out the door.

***

Earth, California, San Francisco, Starfleet Academy, dorm housing, room 157. "Why are we sitting here? We should be doing something." The voice rang out among the four silent figures sitting in the room.

Another stood, one who had the bearing of an authority figure. "Darian's right, we should be doing something. We can't let Arron and Jenifer go after Maris alone."

"But what can we do about it. We're stuck here in the academy." Stephanie complained. "We're not even supposed to know that they are after Maris let alone help them."

"And even if we did find a way to catch up with them, we would just be getting in the way. Arron knows what he's doing and he doesn't need us to go in there and mess things up." Jason observed.

DeArra listened like any good commander, but in the end she made her own decision. "I know someone who can do something about it. Come on." She walked out the door and strait towards the Administration offices.

In the lobby they met a not so helpful receptionist. "I'm sorry but the Admiral is in a meeting right now and cannot be disturbed."

"What are you saying? He doesn't have time for his own students?" DeArra questioned him.

"No I am only saying he is not available now, you may wait for him. I cannot guaranty how long he will be, however." The receptionist waved his hands toward the sofas placed along the walls of the lobby.

It was about an hour until he walked into the lobby headed for his office and DeArra quickly intercepted him. "Admiral Jenkins can I have a word with you?"

"Cadet, I'm afraid I am very busy at the moment. Please come back at a later time. You can make an appointment with the receptionist." Jenkins started to walk around her.

She was a stubborn woman and would not be shoved aside that easily. "Sir, I have been sitting here for over an hour. And confidentially my butt is starting to ache. I have to talk to you now, you see when my butt hurts I start to get into a bad mood."

"I'm sure you do, as does anyone in the same situation. Now if you will excuse me." He walked into his office and the door shut behind him before she could enter.

DeArra was not about to give up. She tried the door chime several times and when there was no response she knocked as hard as she could on the cold metal door. Finally she heard his quite annoyed words pass through the door. "Come in cadet."

She walked in and did not stop until she was right in front of his desk and far from the door. "Sir, I demand to know what is going on with Cadet Sandara."

He smiled wickedly at her. "You are in a position to demand nothing from me. However, I know nothing about what is going on therefore I can tell you nothing."

She smiled too, and hers was no kinder. "I seriously doubt that sir, in fact I bet the meeting you were just in was about that very subject."

"Get to the point."

"You have sent Jenifer and Arron out after Dijon because they are the only two that can bring him back."

"Maybe, but what is it to you." He was playing it like a card game, giving out the least bit of information for the most he could get coming in.

There was a flaw in his thinking, because she knew that she was right and his silence confirmed it. "I don't think they can do it alone. They may need some help."

Of course she was hinting at herself and her team but the admiral was thinking up a new plan. "You are absolutely correct. Thank you ensign. Now if you will, I must get back on schedule."

DeArra wasn't sure what just happened, but she knew it wasn't what she wanted. "Sir, may I ask when we're leaving?"

He stole his eyes away from his viewscreen on his desk. "Leaving? Perhaps you misread me, I am not sending you, besides it would take too long. I have other connections to try. Your suggestion will be noted, well done." He turned back to his viewscreen as if she wasn't even there.

DeArra took the hint and walked out, she was greeted by an anxious group of cadets at the door. Each wanted to know what was happening and when they were leaving. DeArra tried to explain it as calmly as she could. "We're not going anywhere. He's going to send someone else to help them."

"Who?" Stephanie was curious.

"I wish I knew." DeArra walked back to her quarters.

Chapter 6

Jenifer couldn't believe what had happened in the time of late. What had she done, betrayed her friend, friends that is, and what more she betrayed herself. She had promised herself that nothing would come between her and the captain of this ship. From the first moment she laid eyes on him she knew he was special, not to mention a hell of a good looking guy. She had even taken in thoughts of having a relationship with him back then. But it had all passed when she had heard that something had come between Arron and DeArra. Then she and Eric had gotten back together. At that time she had all but forgotten about Arron. Now being alone on this ship with him had brought back those feelings. But at this moment she found her thoughts drifting towards Eric somehow she felt she betrayed him more than herself. Since they have gotten back together, she hasn't seen anyone else, and as far as she knew he hadn't either.

Jenifer set her chin in her palm as she started to think about Eric. It seemed like forever since she first met him. She had been on Earth for not even a month and in the Academy for only a week. Everything was strangely new. There was so much more bio-diversity than she had ever imagined. There were people from almost every race she could think of walking around campus. She knew the moment she stepped foot on campus grounds that she was going to learn a lot and not just from the classes. It had taken her a while to get used to all the different beings around her and she tended to stay in a secluded corner. She isolated herself for two reasons, one she was unsure of herself around so many other races, and two she did not want to take the chance of anyone finding out where exactly she had been for the past six years.

One day she was sitting in her back corner waiting for her basic warp field physics class to begin when he sat next to her. At first she really paid him no attention for the greater part of the class. It wasn't until the professor had given them a problem to do when she finally did talk to him. She had finished the problem in record time, since after all she had fixed similar problems on the Orion ship hundreds of times. She noticed that he was having trouble with the problem. At first she was amused to see that the new cadets that were being brought in really didn't know anything about application. After a few minutes, however she put herself into his shoes. Just out of college ready to get into a career in Starfleet, yet having no time for actual work on a starship, she started to feel sorry for him. She leaned over closer and looked for his mistake.

She leaned close to him and whispered so no one else could hear. "You need to find the second derivative of the warp field at the density of ninety megs."

He looked at her as if he were trying to look into her mind to see if she was right. However, he couldn't get past her eyes and how they sparkled. He smiled shyly and turned back to the problem. She was unsure if he looked away to actually do the problem or because he was shy. After all the students had finished the professor went over the problem on the overhead and once he got passed where Jenifer had helped Eric out, Eric looked back to her and smiled in thanks. It was the first time she saw his smile, it was kind of hypnotic in a way. For a few minutes she sat there staring at him not realizing that he had turned away a while ago. After the class was over and everyone was filing out of the room, Jenifer pushed through the crowd to catch up with her future lover.

She caught up with him and walked besides him. "Hi, my name's Jenifer Sandara, and yours is?"

He looked at her, she just now noticed how tall he was though he was only a few inches taller than her, he was taller than most of the people she'd been around the past few years. "Eric Quintero, by the way, thanks for your help on that problem, I thought I wouldn't ever get it."

"It was nothing, really. Is this your first year at the academy?" She asked just out of curiosity.

"Yes, I must admit I feel kind of stupid. I mean, you would think that an engineering student, who has gone through schooling for his entire life, would get a simple problem like that that involves basic calculus." He walked complaining.

She put a reassuring hand on his arm. "Don't worry about it, sometimes you don't know how to fix problems like those unless they are shoved in your face and somebody's life depends on it."

"You've been faced with that problem?"

"Yes, unfortunately I have. I've spent quite a bit of time on a starship." So far she hasn't lied and hasn't told him about her past, so far, so good.

They reached an intersection in the hallway and he stopped. "I'm sorry that I have to cut this conversation short, but I have an appointment with my counselor. I'm sure I'll see you tomorrow in class."

"Yes, I sure hope so." She stood in the middle of the hall watching him walk away from her, people passed her up, she paid no attention, she only had eyes for Mr. Eric Quintero.

She did indeed see him the next day in class, however she didn't have time to talk to him it wasn't for a few weeks until she could find him out of class so she could get in a short conversation in with him. She found him under the flag poles reading a text padd. She sat down next to him without being noticed at all. She cleared her voice to get him to notice, unfortunately he didn't even look up. She was a little annoyed and tried again. "What are you reading Eric?"

"Principals of warp field technology."

"Studying up, so you don't need help on anymore problems in class?"

"To be honest, yes." Eric looked up from the PADD. "I really wish it could come naturally to me as it does to you."

Jenifer smiled. "It will, in time, I bet a lot of the other students are having the same problem you are. You do have potential though, I'll wager that with a little tutoring you could be an excellent engineer."

"You really think so." Eric beamed, that magical smile appeared again.

Her face brightened too. He was a very handsome man when she thought about it, she had every intention of keeping that wonderful smile within her grasp, even if she had to sink as low to tutor him. "I'm willing to take the challenge of being that tutor, if your willing to take the challenge of me teaching you."

He straightened. "I'm ready for anything you can throw at me."

Her smile spread across her entire face. "We'll see about that. Come on." She took a hold of his hand and pulled him up to his feet.

He was reluctant to move from his spot. "Were are you taking me."

"To a place where we can study better."

It took them about an hour before they could get a shuttle and make it to the Smithsonian institute of Science and Technology. Jenifer had found the place when she was waiting for the Academies new semester to start. She felt the need to do something besides sit around and read books all day.

Once they did arrive, Eric was in awe. "You know I always wanted to come here, I just have never been able to get the time, with studying and all."

This made Jenifer smile even more. "Then you really haven't seen anything. Come on, I'll show you my favorite exhibit." They walked past ancient proto type airplanes, the first computers that were invented that were controlled by punch cards. The first digital computers were passed up like they were nothing, models of the now famous original Enterprise. They came upon the history of warp mechanics and stopped for a moment. From the very first experiment in breaking the lightspeed barrier to the experiments being conducted now in transwarp technology, each were shown with detail. "Warp mechanics, is one of my favorite subjects. I have worked extensively with engines in the past and someday I hope to find a way to improve upon our warp technology. I don't think this theory of transwarp is going to last that long. There isn't that much experimentation to prove the theory, you know. After all the first starship with that technology broke down during it's test flight. I do think it's possible to go beyond the warp speeds we have now, it's even possible that our very warp speeds will be redefined." Why was she telling him about working her on engines in her past? What if he asked questions? She shouldn't have let it slip. However, what was said is past, she must move on.

Eric smiled. "At least we have something in common, I've been thinking the same way for a long time. However, there must be a limit on how fast one can go before one reaches infinity."

"My sentiments exactly. Perhaps, some year we will reach that speed." Jenifer looked at the display for a few more minutes pointing out several things in the display, then motioned down the hall. "As I said earlier, this is one of my favorites, it is not my favorite. Let's move on."

They moved passed the display and down a short distance further. This time she did not stop until she reached her final destination. "Now here's the one I love. I didn't have the chance to get into before coming to earth since the ship I was on didn't have transporters, but they fascinated me nonetheless. Even before I went out into space I had read many things on transporter engineering."

"Really? That's interesting, I personally have never been transported. I don't know if I like the idea. Having my molecules ripped apart and reassembled in a second. Sounds kind of messy to me." Eric smiled looked at the display.

"Wait until we take transporter theory next year. You'd probably hate the idea even more because you'll learn exactly what happens to you during the cycle." She laughed pointing at the display that showed a diagram of the transporting process. "See it really isn't that bad. It shows here how many back up systems there are. There is hardly any way something can go wrong unless the entire computer goes down, even then they have auxiliary control. Besides, if I were at the controls there would be absolutely no way I'd lose your pattern." Whoa, what was she saying? She knew she didn't want to get involved with someone so soon after, well after what happened. She cleared her throat and showed him another exhibit. A mini transporter, transporting a small piece of metal from one transporter pad to another. "If that piece of metal can be transported hundreds of times a day, without any effects, you can be transported every once in a while with out anything at all happening to you."

"I sure hope so. Because I don't want to die that way. You won't believe some of the horror stories I hear about how people die in space."

Jenifer smiled that knowing kind of smile. "Believe me, I know more than you would hope to even know yourself." She left a moment a silence for contemplation but not much. She then went on with her explanation of her insights into transporters. "I've been thinking extensively about the matter-energy transformer used in transporters. This device is what takes your molecules and turns them into energy to be shot through space. I had been wondering what had stopped us from taking those trace patterns from the transformer and recreating these exact molecules. I know it would be crazy to say that we could make doubles of ourselves, but what if we could somehow take these patterns and recreate food, for example, instead of hiring several hundred cooks to prepare meals that are shot through slots on starships to recreation areas. Or, I must admit I've been playing around with this idea, of creating true to life holographic images. True to life in that if you touch them they feel real, because they would be recreated using a type of transporter effect, and perhaps even be able to intermix among them." She stopped noticing he was looking at her in a funny way. "These thoughts aren't crazy are they?"

He smiled at her unsure of how to answer at first. Her thoughts about the transporters were unlike any he had ever heard, however, there was a possibility that she could have something going for her. He then finally decided how he would answer her. "You are defiantly not crazy. In fact it's quite a sound theory, but I doubt you have any proof to back it up."

"Not yet, but I do have my entire life ahead of me." Now, she added silently. "Who knows, maybe someday it will be my display that we will be looking at."

They walked around the museum for some time more. It seemed he was enjoying himself and learning a bit at the same time. She was glad, because she didn't like books and paper work, she was more of the hands on type learner and it appeared that Eric was as well. Unfortunately there was only so much you could do for a class without using paperwork. So she decided she would have to resort to sitting down with him once a week and going over the work assigned in class. It didn't bother her as much as she thought it would, after all, with all the time they were spending together they were getting to know each other quite well.

One summer night a few months later they had decided it would be nice to sit out on the beach in the cool sea air while studying. Jenifer had just finished writing up a problem on the PADD and was about to hand it over to Eric when she noticed that he wasn't really paying attention. She followed his gaze out to the ocean where the waves curled and crashed into the land mere meters from where they sat. "Beautiful, isn't it." Eric's eyes never left the ocean as he spoke.

Jenifer smiled. "Isn't it amazing how over the centuries we have achieved space travel and explored far reaches of the galaxy and still we don't know all there is to know about our own ocean here at home?"

His eyes still transfixed on the water Eric answered her. "It is, but that isn't what I meant. Just look how smoothly the waves form and rush onto the land, then pull back out to where it came. The sound of the water as it caresses the land, the soft whooshing water running back and forth across the land. And look..." He pointed out towards the horizon. "Whales, a sight you would not see a century ago. Aren't they beautiful in themselves?"

Jenifer watched the whales play out in the ocean. She gasped as one of them few out over the water and breach. She then looked back to Eric who was still watching the whales. "I did not know that you felt so strongly about the ocean. Why I would have suggested this a lot sooner."

"Well, it's not everyday that you get to see whales play out there. I bet if you're real quite and listen hard you could here their song."

They did indeed listen and they heard the song. It was quite and very soft at first, then it seemed to get louder and stronger, then for no reason at all it faded again and was no longer to be heard. Jenifer sighed and had the feeling she was being watched. She looked over and saw Eric staring at her. He smiled at her again, his smile seemed to create sparks in her heart that she did not think was possible, and her stomach seemed to turn over. She smiled but was confused she didn't have the faintest idea why he was smiling. "What?"

"I don't know if it's the night air or something else, but you are just as beautiful as this ocean and the whales." Jenifer blushed slightly. "I mean it, you are truly lovely." He then did something she was not expecting, he leaned over and kissed her. At first she resisted, after about the first second she realized something, she was enjoying herself, so she no longer resisted.

It had been a while since she had kissed someone and even longer since she felt any love in it, now she did feel it, very strongly. She felt sparks running through her body like miniature fireworks, they subsided into a new feeling. One that brought on foreboding, in her mind's eye she saw the face of Dijon Maris. She backed off quickly and opened her eyes. To her surprise Eric was there staring back.

He looked saddened as if she had disappointed him. Of course he had a right to be, she cut the kiss off early. "What is it?" He looked more worried now than sad.

"Nothing really, I... um," She stood, faced away from him by looking out to the horizon.

"I didn't offend you did I, by initiating it?"

She laughed slightly. "No, no, if anything I offended you by breaking it off. It's just the fact that it has been so long since I have kissed anybody like that." She hesitated not knowing if she should go on about her past. She decided against it. "Any way, I didn't mean to anger you at all. She looked down at the fallen padd at her feet. She picked it up and looked back at Eric. "I'm sorry, but it's getting late and I think we better get back to the academy."

He also picked up his things. "Jenifer, don't think this cruel of me, but I think you are a better kisser than teacher." This brought a smile to her face which he hoped it would.

***

Their relationship for the next few months was nothing less than a rollercoaster. One day they would be studying clearly apart from one another, the next they would be so close a crowbar would not separate them. Though with as close as they ever got nothing ever truly happened between them.

In late September the two went to the beach once again for the first time since that night, this time they did not bring any text PADDs with them. Jenifer sat down first and watched the waves as they caressed the beach. Eric put his arm around her shoulders as he sat down. "I hope tonight goes better than the last time we were together here."

She giggled slightly remembering the night. They had long since made up, but she still had not told him about the Orions. "We really have been though a lot haven't we? I mean you and I aren't really a stable couple."

"This is true, of course when we are together there is something between us, even when we are not involved. " He looked her straight in the eyes. "I do truly love you, you know."

Jenifer looked surprised. "You know, I think that's the first time you've ever said that."

Eric was confused slightly, but he caught on rather quickly. "Said what? I love you?"

"Yes." She answered, at the same time she realized she had never said it to him. Of course she had good reason, didn't she, with her past and everything she didn't really want to get close to anybody again. So as to not allow him to question her, she came around in front of him and pressed her lips upon his. This sudden motion knocked him flat on his back.

He laughed as he pushed her off into the sand and rolled nest to her. He kissed her and petted her.