The Lurkers' Domain

Knock, knock. Standing at the door was a brash young man of mid twenties. Well weathered and worn from being outside. Shaggy dirty blond hair and crisp blue eyes. "I'm reporting for duty sir. My transcripts are all in order. I've been ordered to give this to you," He hands the Capt. one of those electrical note pads. Reading it with a sneer on his face. "You've got to be kidding me, you're not exactly what I asked for." "No sir." Hearing the insult, he didn't want to get kicked off the ship his first ten minutes. Just play it cool. "The Admiral personally recommended me for the post. Navigator." Capt's jaw drops. I knew he had it in for me, but.....

Even if the Admiral is playing a cruel joke on the new Captain, he is willing to give everyone a chance to prove their mettle. Besides he now has a good reason to test the ship's holo-stage.

"Phoenix, is it?" Capt. Danson asks trying to keep up appearances.

"Yes, sir," is the fast reply.

"At ease, Navigator," Christian continues.

"Thank you, sir," Phoenix says as he relaxes.

"Up to a couple runs through a simulator to see what you can do?" The Captain asks.

"Yes sir, that sounds like fun, sir," still not yet at ease with his new captain. This should vanish as they work together, Christian hopes.

"When at ease, you can call me Captain, or Christian," he says trying to help the situation.

Christian? Phoenix laughs to himself. A little too relaxed, letting his smart mouth emerge perhaps too early he asks, "With all due respect, sir, what kind of name is Christian?"

With an eyebrow raised, the Captain fires back, "Respect noted, but what kind of name is Phoenix?"

They both laugh. Tension finally gone. The Captain shakes the new Navigator's hand and smiles, "Let's go have some fun and see what this new ship of ours can do."

Bridge similation. Heading, 5643 mark 21917. Avoiding a shock wave from an exploding planet. "Helm! Ride into it!" The captain barks, "You gotta be shitting me! Coming about 180 degrees warp 5." The hull buckles, but compresses just enough to hold herself together. She shakes and shudders, but holds her own. "Bring her into the clear." Two meteor showers bang together. "Helm, bring her into the clear." But instead he swirls her around collisions like a dancer. A little showing off, and capt. knew this. Out in the open, Phoenix turns his chair around facing the capt. For a split second Christian had white knuckles. That pleased Pheonix more than his entire performance. Christian regained his composure. "So, what do you think?" Phoenix asks.

clearing throat

Composed and calm, the Captain does his best to be stern without acting like a jerk, "I'm glad you had some fun, but as a word of warning; if you fly like that on a real mission, assuming the crew survives, I'll personally sign your court martial dox. Got me, Phoenix?"

An evil grin dances across Phoenix's face, "Yes, Captain."

Glad he can try to act friendly again, Chris admits, "That was pretty fuckin' cool, huh?"

What would A.I.C. think about a Captain cussing like that? Phoenix amuses himself, imagining Capt. Danson's own court martial. Finished, he replies, "Yes, Captain, what's next?"

"Well," the Captain suggests, "since we've yet to encounter any alien life forms, we'd like to make peaceful contact, but we have to be prepared to take evasive manuevers, since we don't have many weapons on-line."

"NO weapons?" Phoenix practicaly busts a gut.

"I didn't say NO weapons... I said not many. Short of some laser-guided missles, everything else is experimental," the Captain about freaks as he hears himself say it.

"Then, Captain, if I may suggest, let's experiment?"

"There's a time for munitions testing later, right now, show me your evasive maneuvers," he advises.

"Aye, Captain." Hold on tight, Christian...

Spinning the ship around so damn hard that things fall off the panels we head back to the asteroid belt. "Yeah, now the fun begins." Phoenix looks like he's going to enjoy this a little too much. Riding under one and bringing the ship completely around it, on its axis. Shaving an out of control meteor by milibars. Pushing the ship into manuvers that it wasn't designed for as fast as warp 3. Hairpin turns, coming to a slow stand still waiting for the asteroids to move just the right time. Clipping the ship once, by one that rotating on all axis'.
Pulling her around to the nebular, he slows her down and looks at the capt. "She's a bit stubborn sir, but once you convince her to trust you, she'll respond surprising gracefully."

Quote

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"She's a bit stubborn sir, but once you convince her to trust you, she'll respond surprisingly gracefully."

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The captain hopes the same could be said for Phoenix, as he's still not sure of the rebel attitude. He probably doesn't trust many people, but I hope he'll trust me.

"Lilith, end simulation," he says to the computer.

"Very good, Captain," the computer replies in a very realistic, very sensual female voice. The simulated bridge fades to a grey room with only one door, which opens to release them.

Hoping to encourage more discourse to learn more about his new Navigator, the Captain suggests, "How about we take a quick tour of the real thing?"

Capt. Danson doesn't have much time before he has to return to the space station to continue his roster review. But he had been meaning to make a quick tour through his new ship, and who better to join him than the Navigator. Plus maybe this will let Phoenix let down his guard.

Phoenix agrees, "A tour sounds good, Captain." As they leave the holo-stage, they immediately find themselves in the StarDeck, the ship's lounge. There are many seats directly in front of the large windows that provide a wonderful view of the space station and Earth cresting in the distance. They both notice that the bar and kitchen seem to be well stocked and large enough for a meal to be prepared for a large crew rather quickly.

Exiting the StarDeck, they walk down a hallway to an elevator. On approach, the doors open and the two men walk inside. The same ultra-feminine voice asks, "What is your destination, Captain?" "The Bridge, Lilith," he replies. The computer responds in kind, "Very good, Christian."

Phoenix gets a curious look on his face during the conversation the Captain has with the elevator. He smirks, "You two are on a first name basis, too?"

Capt. Danson laughs, "The computer prefers to be called by her proper name, Lilith. I understand that her development was very interesting, especially in the areas of communication with her crew. The computer, excuse me, Lilith, almost thinks of us as her children. Or, more accurately, you as her children, and the Captain as.. well, as her husband."

Phoenix can't help but laugh out loud, and as a result, the elevator stops. But not at the designated floor. Surprised, he looks to the Captain for confirmation. Danson only needed to raise an eyebrow to get his point across.

This is one hell of a ship, Phoenix mused, but then conceded, "All right, Lilith I'm sorry."

The Captain adds, "To the Bridge then, Lilith?"

The computer resumed the elevator's ascent then replied, "Yes, Christian. You are now on the Bridge." With that the doors opened and a small burst of air was released into the elevator car.

Pressurized-- no one has stepped foot on the Bridge until now, Christian marvelled to himself, not sure if Phoenix noticed. The Bridge was an amazing specimen of command control for a vessel. The Captain's chair, black leather with controls on the arm stood directly in the center of a room with a 360 degree panaromic view window. Various stations were located at carefully planned loctaions. All facets of the starship controls could be manned from here. Engineering, observation/science, communications, tactical, and navigation formed a five-pointed star around the Captain's chair. The Holo-simulation in no way demonstrated the immense beauty of this room to him. That almost made him wonder if she would really handle like she did in the simulation.

"Take your station, Phoenix," he ordered, pointing to the Navigation control station. Danson took his seat in the Captain's chair. The leather was supple, unlike any cow hide he'd known on Earth. It almost felt... feminine. It felt like being in the embrace of an old lover. He turned in his chair to swivel around to see the entire Bridge and take in the view.

"It feels good, Captain. When can we take her out for real?" Phoenix asked. But no answer came immediately. Captain Danson was falling in love with this ship. He felt safe here. Finally hearing the words of his new crewman, he replied, "Within a few weeks, once we have a full compliment on board..." then he trailed off again, as he noticed that the floor and the ceiling almost looked like the same panels in the Holo-stage.

Curious, he asked the computer, "Lilith, is the Bridge capable of displaying holograms?"

The computer replied, almost seeming happy to speak again, "Yes, Captain. The bridge is capable of a fully rendered 3D immersive representation of our position in space. You can control the magnification to not only zoom in on a space-borne object, but Phoenix can navigate three-dimensionally as well."

Phoenix, impressed, said only one word, "How?"

With that the Bridge went dark, and the floor and ceiling disappeared into space, and truly, it seemed that the two men were floating outside the space station.

"Amazing, Lilith. Thank you, end visualization," he asked.

"Very well, Captain. Bridge immersion complete," she replied.

Thinking to himself that he didn't want to leave, but the sooner he returned to his roster, the sooner the first mission would begin. He couldn't wait to see more of the ship, but he'd have to make rounds later. He stood up and said to Phoenix, "We'll, I think we've had enough fun for one day. Let's return to the station."

Phoenix agreed, "Yes, Captain." I'll need time to pack, anyway, he decided.

With that, the two exited the Bridge.

The boy moves cautiously out of the cargo hold hoping nobody sees him. he gives a sigh of relief when he notices that nobody is around and works his way towards the kitchen. It has been days since he had last eaten and he knows he can not go much longer without food.

Once he arrives he looks around cautiously, noticing no one is looking he snags some food the wanders off toward the holo deck. Time for a little fun. I know that they have to have some type of action in these programs. He knows if he can make it there he will have no trouble finding a cool program. He might be kind of skinny and young but if there was one thing Billy knew it was computers. He had been hacking since he was 5 and at the age of 13 he could now make a system do nearly anything he wanted it to.

Once Billy finally arrived at the door to the Holo-stage, he searched for a panel to gain entry, but was quite disappointed to not find one. In fact, there are no security/locks on any doors in the ship. All doors open automatically when approached by an AIC officer. If doors lead to secure area, someone's quarters for example, only those given permission may enter. This is all managed by Lilith's A.I. database, linked to AI Command on Earth for updates.

He did not realize this when he stowed away on board because he managed to get on board by hiding amongst equipment that was loaded in the Kitchen.

Well, he'd either have to find a way to convince Lilith he was an officer to gain entry, or he'd have to content himself with staying in the StarDeck kitchen where at least he could find something to eat.

There are a few panels in the bar and kitchen, but they are not linked to the main computer system. They are self-sufficient databases containing inventory and recipes. They were designed intentionally to not allow a hostile alien with hostages to be allowed to take over any systems. The only computer panels that would give outside access would be outside the StarDeck.

But, he cannot leave the StarDeck either, unless he planned on forcing a door open. (Not a good idea, as security doors would then be activated, sealing off the area, trapping the hostile inside until a security team could investigate.

{{{ Sorry, kid, stay inside and have a snack... maybe the Captain will be sympathetic. }}}

Billy begins paceing back and forth trying to think of some way to get out of the star deck. Suddenly he gets an Idea. Looking around he finds what he is looking for and hastily hops inside. Soon the cart with billy is moving. After a little while he knows he must be in the elevetor because he can feel the movement.

Soon the cart stops once more and a voice says "Your Coffee Captian"

Quickly the boy slips out of the undersection of the cart and tumbles behind a nearby seat praying that nobody would see him here.....

Before Phoenix and Christian make their way off the ship, the good captain decides to check out his quarters. The captain waves to Phoenix, who rushes off the ship, back into the space station to collect his things. He is glad to have a second chance on this new ship.

Captain Danson makes his way to what will soon be his new home. As he approaches the door, it opens for him. The Captain is awestruck. The quarters are not large nor glamorous. But the opposite wall provides an incredible view of Earth.

A long glance around finds a small area with chairs and tables. On the walls separating rooms, there are more holo-panels. These apparently work like picture frame/TVs, capable of displaying any image, video, or even projecting a holographic object within this living room.

One room to his left leads to a small desk and computer terminals. The room to his right leads to a sparse bedroom equipped with a lamp, an endtable, and a single, but comfortable bed. Around a corner from that is a lavatory.

Walking back to the small office, he sits down and decides to stay for awhile.. break in the chair and check out the computer. He accesses his personal log and then finds the roster files he needs to refer to. He also updated his appointment calendar to let his next set of reviews know he can be found on the ship, not the station, and how to make their way there.

After finally having a chance to relax after the rush he's been experiencing, he realized he was quite thirsty. Some coffee and doughnuts will help me get through the rest of this roster.

"Lilith?" the Captain asks, to which she replies, "Yes, Christian? How do you like your new quarters?"

"They're very nice, Lilith. Are there any coffee and doughnuts on board? I'm a little hungry." He replies, already comfortable in conversation like the computer is alive.

"Yes, Christian. I will let the kitchen staff know to send a trolley up for you. Would you like me to load some pictures or news feeds into your Vids while you wait?"

"No, thanks, Lilith. I really have to get back to my roster. I need to get a crew ready soon." He's almost heartbroken to have to get back to business.

Not disappointed, the computer responds, "I understand. I am looking forward to our first mission, as well."

At that, he decides he'd like to know more about this wonderful computer. But before he gets the chance to ask, his door chimes. The computer opens the door for the auto-cart that has brought his refreshments, and parks directly in the doorway to the office. Once it stopped, the computer politely confirmed, "Your coffee, Captain."

Before Christian stood up to get to the pastries and coffee, an unseen boy slipped out from underneath and tumbled behind a seat in the living room.

After the Captain placed his tray on his desk, the auto-cart reversed course, exited the doors, which then promptly shut, locking the boy in the Captain's Quarters.

As the Captain took his first sip of coffee, he realized that Lilith has called him Captain. They were certainly on a first name basis by now (hell, she probably picked out the towels in his lavatory by now! grin)

Just then, he noticed he had a new message on his computer panel. Touching the screen, it displayed a message

THERE IS AN INTRUDER IN YOUR QUARTERS, CHRISTIAN. WHAT SHALL I DO?

Christian started to get angry, but then calmed down and quiety typed

LILITH, PLEASE RAISE A FORCEFIELD AROUND THE INTRUDER AND CONTACT THE SPACE STATION SECURITY. TELL THEM NOT TO ENTER UNTIL I SIGNAL.

Upon completion, a response came back.

DONE.

"Thank you, Lilith," Chris whispered. He then stood up grabbed the tray and set it down on his coffee table, then sat in one of the plush chairs. To his unseen stowaway, he said, "There's plenty of donuts if you'd like some."

Nothing. Christian smiled, then continued, "Of course, you won't be able to eat many while your in that force shield."

Mumbled expletives let Christian know he really was not alone. The next move was up to his guest.

Christian already knew all too well all the laws pertaining to stowaways. Yet, this vessal has so many new possibilities, there's no doubt that these missions coming in the near future will be not only not solely following by the book, but perhaps unorthadoc. What a great way to start, he was thinking to himself, we haven't even left dock yet!

Leaning back in his chair, getting a great feel for it, he brushes his hand over the keypad on the console and noticed a button that he knew for a fact wasn't in the typical "Books."
Pressing it, a whole variety of options came to the menu. Not completely spelling out what it was. Random words like Dinner,
or Late. Raising his eye brow in a most curious way he chooses the word "Early." Who the hell put this whole menu thing down?
From the bathroom he heard the shower running. "How many stowaways am I gonna have on my damn ship?" He stands up exasperated, patiance were dwindling. The shower stops and hears someone opening his closet door. "That's it!" Even the young boy looked perplexed. From his kneeling position he couldn't see who it was either. Getting his fazer from his drawer of his desk, he sets for stun. Walking into the bedroom the person was in the bathroom.

Daniel kicks the door wide open! Fazer outstretched. Ready to take another prisoner before the authorities get here.

He sees a young woman with her leg and skirt slightly up, while she was putting on her stockings. "Well goodmorning Christian." Such a playful look on her face. As if she were waiting for him to find out about her sooner or later. Walking over to him, she puts the fazor down on the sink and wraps her arms around his neck and gives him a seductive long deep kiss. "Aren't you being a bit playful this morning." Melting with surprise.

The commander said something about an experiment that he might take particular interest in testing......this couldn't possibly be what he meant.

The sight alone of this beautiful woman practically gives the Captain a heart attack. He turns white, as if he's seen a ghost. In a way, he had.

Nine years ago, before the Mars Riots called Christian to his duty, he was a young man of 21. He lived in New Phoenix and was completely head over heels crazy about a girl. Her name was Anna. He had a crush on her like nothing he'd ever experienced before in his young life. Not only was she beautiful, but she was brilliant.

Her parents were planning to send her to the University of Mars Primus, at the main Earth colony of Mars. Christian, was finishing his NASA training and hoped it meant he could see her on a mission some time.

Their last night spent together was magical. He teased her that she would blend in well on Mars with her bright red hair and green eyes. "People will think you're a native", he joked. "Look who's talking, space cadet," she laughed. A more perfect night could never be. Could never be again.

The next day, when her Shuttle should have arrived at Mars Primus, news of a horrific attack to the colony made way back to Earth. There were confirmed reports of hijackers using shuttlecraft to crash into the colony. Thousands were killed, on the surface, below in the cities, and in the doomed shuttles.

His heart sank as he found out from NASA Mission Control that her shuttle was one of the confirmed destroyed. Christian attended the mass funerals, both on Earth and Mars. It was then that he joined the fledgling Aquarius Interstellar Command, then a top secret division of NASA. He worked on many peace-keeping missions during the horrible Mars Riots that ensued after the tragedy. All the while knowing he'd lost the love of his life.

He worked tirelessly in the movement for Peace and Unity between Earth and the Mars colonists. It seemed like forever, but Peace accords were signed only two years later. The AIC was much hailed as the sole Pacifist organization responsible for the peace that could allow deep space travel to become a desired step out further into that Virgin Sea that is space, since peace at home was finally acheived.

Now, nine years later, Anna is in front of him. Is he dreaming? Could this possibly be true that she was alive after all these years?

"What are you staring at? Hello? Are you alright?" Playfully waving her hand in front of him, he finally blinks but still doesn't have come out of the stupor yet. "Coffee. I know how you are in the morning Christian. Let's get some."

Both walking out into the main quarters, he's slightly concerned about the boy seeing him looked shocked. Still trying to play it cool in front of him, he still can't believe her.
The door opens, it's the security team. The head officer walks over to the Capt. "Sir, Lt. Alden from the fifth division, section nine. A pleasure. We see that you have all under control here. Lilith end program #12."

Anna disappears right before Christians eyes. That wasn't the brightest move. "Lt. Who the hell do you think you are by coming in here and giving commands? Take the boy, Lilith cancel forcefield around the intruder." He looks furiously at the officer. "Take the boy and get off my ship.......now."
The quiet fury in his voice was enough to make the men leave at once with a quiet apology.

They leave. Door shuts. He looks at the roster again.
security Lt. Alden

"Great, just great."
Looking at the menu display for Anna, he realizes what the words mean, Dinner, late, early.
What the hell next will happen?

Mentally exhausted, Christian throws himself into a chair in his living room. Shoving a powdered donut into his mouth, he chases it with some coffee. He takes a quiet moment to reflect on the crazy day he's had so far, and he hasn't even certified the roster yet. A ship of fools, he humors himself.

Finally starting to feel the sugar and caffeine rush, he looks back at the two PADs on his coffee table. One, is the ship's roster. The other is apparently a control menu for the Commander's surprise project.

Dutifully, he picks up the roster and starts selecting names of people he does know. But at the back of his mind, his curiosity keeps nudging him about "Program #12".

Turning around away from the table, he continues to plod away at his roster. Then out of the corner of his eye, he sees the other PAD again.

Curiosity wins out, he trades PADs and reads the screen. This was the Commander's brilliant idea? There was a note left by Commander Hawthorne himself that read

Christian,
With the rush to prepare the ship, I didn't have a chance to fully explain the Artifical Intelligence interface on the ship. In the briefing I told you that the computer has a primary voice interface, with PAD terminals for visual information display. But, the ship also has made good use of holographic technology.
Not only is there is an immersive stage for recreation next to the StarDeck lounge, but you will find that the bridge is also immersive, for navigation control and analysis.
There are also holographic emmiters throughout the ship so that holographic elements alone can be provided. There is truly only one case for this. The computer has an experimental holographic avatar-based interface. In other words, you can communicate directly with the computer as if it were a human.
There are 13 such avatars pre-loaded into the system. I will provide you a list later. There are two of importance. First, #1 is a medical assistant. It can be used in times of emergency assistance or medical reference. I'm sure your sick bay can take advantage of this avatar.
For you, Christian, I took the liberty of adding #12. I hope you don't mind, I know how much you miss Anna. We all do. There is an avatar that looks just like she did, sounds like she did, and has much of her personal information and history loaded. She will never replace Anna. But perhaps, you can have someone to talk to. A good start might be to have a meal with her, to get reacquainted, so I set up some simple menus for you to get to know her.
Good luck, Christian.

Dumbfounded and heartbroken, Christian practically started balling when he read it. Losing Anna the first time was hard enough. Now he had a poor substitute here who would only serve to remind him of how lonely he was. The commander was only trying to help, but this was like cutting open an old wound on his heart.

I can't take much more of this, I'd better get back to the station, he decided. As he went to put the PAD down on the coffee table, he noticed a scrap of paper on the floor behind the chair that the stowaway was hiding behind.

It was a small tattered square of paper with "Feb. 14, 2060" written on it. As he flipped it over he about died when saw that it was a picture of himself and Anna. That's it, I've got to speak with Hawthorne! his mind screamed.

He ran into the bathroom, grabbed his phazer, then left his quarters in a rush for Cmdr. Hawthorne's office on the Station.

The captain had no idea who he had in the Brig. If he had he would of examined the boy more closely. This kid was nothing if not resourcefull. Born unable to speak the doctors had instaled a voice modulater inside of his Lyrax so that he could communicate with people. Long ago Billy had rigged it so that it could record voices and allow him to imitate them effectivley. He had had quite enough of sitting in the brig so he sttod up and walked over to the door.

"Lilith", he said in Christians voice.

"Yes Christian", the ships computer answered.

"I wish you to release Billy and make sure he makes it to the Bridge. I will speak to him there."

Of course Christian. With that the door of his cell slides open and with a grin Billy works his way toward the elevator. Verry soon he would be right where he needed to be. He knew his mother was on this ship. Perhaps she did not know that he was alive because of the fact that he was taken at birth and made into what he now was but, she would know soon enough. Finnaly, after searching all his life Billy would meet his mother.

By the time Capt. Danson and Cmdr. Hawthorne make it to the brig, they find it empty. "Security alert," begins the Commander, "the prisoner from the brig has managed to escape. Seal off all exits on the station and dispatch a security team to look for him."

"Yes, Commander," returns the security chief's voice via comlink.

The captain smiles at the Commander and surprisingly says, "I know where he's going. The kid is smart. Lilith," he turns attention to the ship's com-link.

"Yes, Christian," she replies.

"Did I just order the prisoner to make his way to the ship?"

"Yes, you did. He is headed to the bridge now."

"Thank you, Lilith. Allow him to make his way to the bridge, and give him limited access to your systems. Log everything he does. I am now restricting your access by my security. From this point on, do not reallow access verbally or by panels until myself, Commander Hawthorne, and Lt. Alden all present you our clearance," Christian finishes.

"Understood, sorry Christian," the voice actually conveys true sorrow.

"It wasn't your fault, Lilith. But we will find out who this boy is. But whatever he wants, I want to know immediately."

"Yes, Christian," she finishes, almost happy to be forgiven.

Just then, Lt. Alden arrived with four men, all of them carrying phazers. "Commander, Captain. We tracked the boy to the ship."

"Very good, Lieutenant. Set your phazers to stun. We are headed to the bridge to find out what it is he wants badly enough to pretend to be me. Do not fire on him unless he makes the aggressive move," Christian ordered his new security chief.

"Sir?" Lt. Alden protested.

"He escaped from the brig and is already on the ship. He's looking for something. But I don't think he intends harm to the ship, or me. He's had opportunities already to do so. But if he doesn't find what he's looking for, I think he may react, so just leave them on stun, all right?" Danson finishes explaining.

"Yes, sir," he gives in.

With that, the Captain, Commander, Lieutenant and his men make their way to the bridge.

He was told that his mother was somewhere on this ship. Billy figured that the bridge would be the best place to find her but it seemed that he was wrong because she was no where to be seen. The boy sits down and gently lifts the locket tucked within his shirt. He carefully opens it tears flowing down his cheeks. inside is a holo picture of a beautiful curly blond haired young women, his mother. This was all he had to remind himself of her. Covering his face he curls up in a corner and crys himself to sleep.

A warm summer day close to sunset, a mother is playing with her toddler son on a blanket outside. He snuggles into her long curly blonde hair and smells lilacs. Her skin is a pale porcelain, yet slightly pinked from playing and in the rays of the sunlight.

She picks him up and holds him over her head, giggling and cooing with him. So happy these two, no world exists outside of this blanket and grass. Safe. The watch the glorious sunset, pointing to each other the different shades and colors. She whispering to him stories of the different angels that dance throughout the world without people ever seeing them. Speaking a few words of french, then Latin. He plays the games happily with his mom.

Exhausted after the evenings end. Crickets seranade them as they lay upon the blanket looking up to the stars as she shows him the constilations, and secrets only few would say if they knew them. Stargates, where angels come from, the guardians of the gates of time.

He dreams happily in the warm night air, nestled into her arms and skirts, and hair. She stays awake vigilent, speaking with nature as it comes to explore the sleeping babe in her arms. Night birds of black and blue come down to give respect for their new dark prince of blonde hair. Love as gentle as any earthbound angel could be. More timid animals feel the safety of her presense, though many people would attest otherwise.

In a swoosh, her wings span out. Gargoyle shaped yet with black raven feathers. Though she's tattered from being earthbound, the animals see her as still beautiful. Her huge raggid wings wrap around her and enclose her precious son in them. For he will never see his mothers wings whilst he's awake. Touching his cheek, a tear spills down her illumanated pale face. How precious my little one.

Then Stefan awakes from his dream. Still holding the locket in his hand never to let it go. How much of it was a dream? Memories play strange tricks sometimes. They can overenhance or they can take away. He shudders at the though of the taking away part. Stretching, he starts walking the dream off, as that is where it should be in dreams.

Billy ponders things over as he walks. It has been a long time since he has seen his mother and it might not ever happen for all he knows. Without knowing why he heads of towards where the personals quarters are.

As Billy walks in a daze, lost in the memory of his mother and the dream, he all but crashes into Lt. Alden who is walking in front of the Commander and Captain. Stumbling after running into the solid wall of a man, he falls down. Scared, he looks up and remembers this is the same man who escorted him to the brig.

Lt. Alden points his phazer down at the boy, signal set to stun only, per the Captain's orders. The Captain places his hand on his security chief's shoulder to calm him and says, "Stand down, Lieutenant."

Facing the boy, Christian lowers his hand, extending it in good faith to the boy for a hand up. "Billy, is it? You've come a long way to make it on board my ship. If you can trust me now, I'd like you to tell me who or what it is you are looking for."

The 13-year old has a lot of explaining to do, and Captain Christian Danson may be the only person willing and able to help him now.

Billy looks at the Captian trying to disern wether or not he can trust him. After a few minutes he descides he has no choice. He carefully pulls the locket out of his shirt opening it for the captian to see.

The women in the Picture is verry familiar to the captian and verry beautiful. She has long, curley golden blond hair and amazing green eyes. Her body is Lilth and she is wearing a mischieves grin on her face. The boy starts sobbing once more and prepares to close it but not before the captain gets a glimps at the name on the bottom of the image 'ANNA'

"My mom", says the boy whiping his tears out of his eyes.

Christian about has his third coronary since taking the position of Captain of a ship which has not even left for it's maiden voyage! He stops to catch his breath and then calmly asks the crying boy, "Billy, may I please see the locket closer?"

Billy at first shakes his head no, fearing he might lose his last piece of his history. The Captain senses this and motions to Lt. Alden and his men to back off a bit. Commander Hawthorne is much more curious now as well.

"Please, Billy," Danson starts again, "this locket of your mother, may I see it? I think Commander Hawthorne and I know this woman. Maybe we can help you find some answers."

The Captain has made all attempts to earn the boy's trust. If anyone has a chance now to find out what has happened to Anna, Billy has to make his choice now.

A beep on Christians intercom interrupts for a moment. "Christian." The soft voice of the computer addresses the captain in that informal fashion. "Yes, Lilith." Glancing at the picture with a touch of inconceivable recognition. "Access file 223.432.1 has been accessed by unauthorized personel. They have run the check of our weapons systems."

Christian stands up, soft look upon his face towards the boy.
"I'm on my way to the bridge." He puts his hand on the boys head and messes his hair. "Come on Billy." Looking back to him while he walks. What next? Is what he's asking himself. At this rate we'll never leave this god forsaken dock.

Quote

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Billy looks at the captian for a moment trying to decide if he can trust him or not. After a breif hesitation he goes with him slipping the locket into his hands. This might be his chance to find his mother and he knows it. He also might be able to help the captian with this new interuption.

"Captian"he says uncertingly,"If you give me security access I might be able to find and stop whever is doing this.There are alot of things you do not know about me and I do not have time to explain them now. Please trust me when I say I can help you."

---

This kid is full of surprises, Christian laughs to himself. He waves Lt. Alden to lead the group making their way to the bridge. As he passes, Christian can hear his phazer charge up. A smug look of "Finally, some action," comes across the security chief's face.

As they continue, Captain Danson opens the locket and then shows it to Commander Hawthorne. Hawthorne says, "You've got to be kidding me. This is our Anna? What now, you going to give a boy security access? He's illegally boarded your ship, escaped retention from the brig, and now you want to give him access?"

The captain just smiled realizing the insanity surrounding him... if you can't beat it, embrace it. "Jonathan, first, it's our ship. I want you to be my First Officer. Second, this is no ordinary kid. Without access he did all of those things. I might as well give it to him and save myself a stroke! I think he can help us, and we can help him."

The Commander smiles, succumbing to the insanity as well, obviously, "Yes, Christian, I would love to be First Officer on this ship. And if you are right, that means he's..."

"Your grandson, yes." Christian finishes Jonathan's sentence, driving the point home.

Tapping his communicator, he speaks to the Computer, "Lilith?"

"Yes, Christian?" she answers softly.

"Restore vocal command interface and grant ensign level security access to Billy... Hawthorne." He smiles as Billy smiles in recognition.

"Confirm Commander?" Lilith asks of Cmdr. Hawthorne.

"Confirm authorization, Lilith," Commander Jonathan Hawthorne agrees.

"Thank you. Confirm Lieutenant?" Lilith asks of Lt. Alden.

Lt. Alden only agrees because he has no clue about what's going on, he just wants to run into the bridge blasting. "Yes, Lilith, confirm authorization."

"Thank you," Lilith finishes, then beeps as the door to the bridge opens before them. As they all enter, behind Lt. Alden's tense form, waving his men in first, they are all surprised to find Phoenix in his navigational chair.

Captain Danson enters, confused asks the obvious question, "Phoenix, what the hell are you doing here?"

Billy stares at Phoenix then looks back at the captian and the others. These people have no idea who they have here this much is for certain. Billy remimbers a little bit of Phoenix from the missions that he was forced to run before he escaped from the agency that had made him what he now is. He knows now who has taken contol of the ship and also knows there is nothing they could do but sit tight and wait to see what Phoenix's Plan was.

"Captian", he says," May I speak with you for a moment? It is important."

Phoenix stands at attention as the almost complete crew enter the bridge. "What the hell are you doing here?" Christian asks. Obediantly, trying to impress, "Received my first orders to come aboard from.........." He stairs at Billy. What the hell is HE doing here? wonders Phoenix. Looking back at Christian trying to keep himself stationery, "Navigation, Leit. Eurick from dock recommended that I get a feel for my "Seat". Sir."

Phoenix was Lieing and Billy knew it. he was the reason for the weapons system problem. Billy had no idea what Phoenix was up to but one thing was for damn sure he was going to find out. If only he could get the captian to talk to him for a moment because to do what he needed to do insign clearance would not be enough and he still did not want to give away the fact that he could go anywhere he wished in the system even without clearance. As could Phoenix but for a diffrent reason.

Things were only get crazier now as it became quite obvious to Captain Danson that a serious animosity lay between Phoenix and Billy. This was all he needed. Skeletons in the closet. Things were about to get worse.

"Would somebody please tell me what the hell is going on around here!" It was more an order than a question. But it didn't matter, because almost simultaneously, as if to interrupt anyone's answers, a great explosion rocked the ship. More accurately, rocked the space station!

Perfectly timed, the computer's voice echoed through the bridge, "Christian, three explosions have made their way through the International Space Station. I suggest we leave dock."

"Leave dock?! We barely even have a skeleton crew aboard, Lilith," he replied. "Unless you all want to become skeletons sooner, I again recommend immediate dock seperation, Christian," she responded, a sound of concern noted in that soft yet digital voice.

"Very well, all hands to stations. Billy, make your way to the engineering station over there," Christian pointed to a terminal behind the Captain's chair. Lt. Alden made his way to the security station on the bridge, but signalled his men to secure the bridge's exit and the rest to sweep the ship for more surprises. Commander Hawthorne took the science station, getting readings from the station and the ship. Finally, Phoenix took his post at navigator's chair at the front of the bridge.

"Shield's up, red alert," continued the Captain, finally giving orders to what consisted of his crew. "Lilith, undock us from the station, and give me status updates of your systems."

"Yes, Christian. Ship's airlocks disengaged; station locks removed. We are free from the station, and all systems are online."

"Thank you, Lilith. Phoenix, take us out of here, impulse speed at first until we can take full assessment of our situation." That last word accented because he knew Phoenix had a lot of explaining to do.

"Yes, Captain," came Phoenix's reply. No funny business now, he set course and engines to put the ship a good distance from the station, and from Earth.

The captain knew that with everything that had happened all ready, this was going to be one hell of a ride. Truth be told, he wouldn't have it any other way. But, he needed the trust of his crew, and they all needed to trust each other. A skeleton crew and we already have skeletons in the closet, he sighed to himself.

Billy heads of to his quarters his mind troubled. What the hell was Phoenix doing here. Well one thing was for sure he had better find out. When he gets to quarters he sits in front of the com deep in thought.

"Lilith," he says, "Bring up evreything on The Phoenix Clearance code 19 alpha tango manta x-ray"

"Right away Agent O'Donnell", she replies.

"Oh and Lilith lock out all access to any secure documents to anyone but myself until furthr notice" he commands.

"Yes Sir",Lilith answers.

Billy looks at the file intently traing to find a reason for Phoenix's presence. This was gonna be a long night and if the captain new the half of who he was he was going to have alot of explaining to do.