T'Pol's Temptation (Part Four)

I thought things were awkward when I left Intendant Kira Nerys' guest quarters on the Enterprise, but now they are even worse! She was visiting the ship after coming through from the mirror universe, the same as I came from. Kira tells me in a private conversation that she is in love with me. When I left the room, I told my friend Britney , who was livid. I assured her that I would let Kira down gently. When I did, she drugged me with muscle paralysis ands said that if if she can't have me, then she will collect the bounty that is on my head in that universe...which was her intention in the first place.

We have beamed over to her ship, where she has activated an advanced shield and cloak that prevents the ship being detected and me being beamed off.

I wonder how much the bounty is?

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

"Well, T'Pol." says Kira, "It looks like the Enterprise is in a panic. They're looking in all places, but can't see us. We'll be in our universe before you know it. The muscle drug will be wearing off in a moment, so I'll just put these cuffs on you."



"You won't get far, Kira" I say weakly, "You'll be found."

"That's an optimisic view." shw laughs, "Why don't we just sit, relax, and chat over what could have been?"



Kira lies back in her black figure-hugging outfit, and drinks away, giving me a few sips at the same time.

"We could have been a great couple." she says, "You know you were attracted to me, but don't want to admit it. However, a few days in my company might have nade you change your mind."

"Never." I reply, "I'm with the Enterprise, and Britney in particular."

"There's no one else here, T'Pol."  Kira comments, "Just say, off the record, what we both know."

Before I can say anything, I hear the familiar voice of a certain someone approaching from a cvoncealed area at the rear of the ship.



I am relieved to see my Britney coming towards Kira with an aggressive look on her face, and armed with her phaser umbrella. She tends to not use the phaser part and just likes to whack people with it."

"Hi sistah!" she says breezily as she walks past, "I wanted to hear the conversation a little before I took any action. I knew what this shady woman would do, so I hid in the ship when you went back to see her."

With that, she proceeds to give Kira several hefty whacks with the umbrella. As I'm still trabbed with the handcuffs, I can't separeate the two. I don't actually want to, and smile as Brit whacks away.

"Don't come between T'Pol and me!" she orders, "This is just a sample of what would happen if you did!"

With that, Britney unlocks the handcuffs and puts them on T'Pol. She then uses the umbrella to smash the cloak and shield. The Enterprise finds us shortly after.

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

"What shall we do with her?" Captain P:icard asks us when we are all reunited.

Brit is about to give a few highly innapropriate and illegal suggestions when I speak up.

"Why don't we just program her ship to take her back to the mirror universe before the gap between the two closes up?" I say.

"That's very lenient." says the Captain.

"TOO lenient, sistah!" Britney complains.

"Not really." I reply, "Those in the mirror universe do not like failure. If we tag a message like 'another person who tried to capture T'Pol and failed' into the program, the Empire will not be pleased."

"I like it, sistah!" laughs Britney. We both hug, glad to see each other.

"Hey" I say, "It might even put my bounty up a bit as well!"

T'Pol's Temptation (Part Three)

Guest Poster: Mirror T'Pol

I've been given quite a shock. Intendant Kira Nerys, from the same mirror universe as I am is visiting the Enterprise. Britney doesn't like the look of her, and has told me not to trust her, as there is a bounty for me in the other universe. Nevertheless, when Kira and I have private chat together in her guest quarters, she tells me that after studying my records, and now meeting me, she has fallen in love with me!

-----------

"Err...Kira..." I say haltingly, rather lost for words, as if I am about to make a speech and has forgotten to bring along the script, "I don't know what to say."

"Sure, it's a bit of a shock." she replies, "But we are so alike, we are not a natural couple."

"Maybe." I answer, "But I have..."

"Yes, I know that Britney is your friend." she says annoyingly, "But if you think about it, you'll realise that I'm the right person for you. I tell you what, go and take a walk and think about it. While you do, I'll take a sonic shower and change. Then you can return in about twenty minutes and tell me your decision. After you do, I'll be on my way in my ship...hopefully with you wanting to join me."

"Okay, Kira." I say, happy to get the chance to get away from the awkward situation, "I'll be back in twenty minutes."

I leave the guest room,  and walk down the corridor where Britney is there waiting for me.



"Well, sistah?" she asks eagerly, "How did it go?"

"Not too well, Brit." I answer, "Kira says she loves me."

"WHAT!!" Britney shrieks in shock. I haven't seen her do that since the time the replicator failed to produce her favourite chewing gum.

After recovering from the shock of it, Briitney asks if I am in love with Kira.

"No, of course, not, Brit." I answer, "You know that I'm with you. I'll go back in there, let her down lightly, and then she can leave and go back to her own universe."

Britney seems contented at this.

"Alright, sistah." she says, "Just be careful."

After waiting the agreed time, I knock on Kira's guest quarters. She asks me to come in. As I do, I look in shock.



"Do you like it, T'Pol?" she asks me seductively, "I thought you might be intererested in....seeing more of me, so to speak."

I'm lost for words again!

"Err...Kira." I stutter, "You're really attractive and good looking...but....I'm sorry to say..."

Kira sighs, a little disappointed.

"It doesn't surprise me, T'Pol." she says, "I knew that Britney woman had a hold on you. Still, no hard feelings, let's have a farewell drink together before we part for good."

Relieved at this outcome, I pour two glasses of Andorian wine as Kira dresses again. Then we drink together. Kira sips very slightly at hers while a drink an entire glass.



A few moments later, I feel aching all over my body, and unable to move, and can hardly speak.

"You're coming with me, T'Pol." she says, "And I'm going to get that bounty that was on your head."

"So Britney was right." I croak, "It was all about the money, never love."

"Not quite." Kira replies, "I came here to kidnap you, but did have intense feelings for you. Had you reciprocated, then, I wouldn't have bothered with the bounty, and be happy to have you with me."

"You won't get away." I croak.

"Yes I will." she says, "My ship is fitted with an advanced cloak. Your Enterprise will never be able to detect it as it leaves no ion trail. It also has a shield, that when activated. prevents people beaming on and off."

With that, Kira activates a device on her wrist and we appear on her ship.

It looks like I'm in the soup!

TWQ: Pet Peeves

We must have had something like this before, but it's good. TWQ (the Weekend Question) is asking what minor irritations really annoy you.
 What little things get you really mad? List as many as you wish.

My answers are:

Cars that drive right past expecting to be let in when there is a road merge ahead.

Those that are using the  cellphone right up until the point when a movie starts at the cinema.

When sports commentators come up to an athlete who is obviously too exhausted to speak and ask how they feel etc.

Mid-seasonal breaks that a tv series seems to have nowadays.

Those that go for a long walk during a coach vacation stop, and keep the rest of the party waiting for them, then say "Were you waiting for us?"

The Great Britain squad in the Olympics now named 'Team GB'.

Now it's over to you...

T'Pol's Temptation (Part Two)

Guest Poster: T'Pol

Intendant Kira Nerys, who is from the same mirror universe I come from is about to beam over from her ship to the Enterprise. As I'm a wanted person there, and have no wish to go back, Captain Picard has made it clear that she may talk to be only, but should not try and get me aboard her ship.

As we go go to the transporter room, Brit walks with me closely.

"I'll lay my knuckles on her if she tries anything." she tells me.

"Good for you, sweetie!" I reply with a smile.

We await a moment . Kira beams over, and looks ar me straight away with a smile.

"Ah, T'Pol," she says, "You don't know what a pleasure it is to meet you at last."

The Captain goes through the usual greeting procedure, and reminds the Intendant of the conditions upon which he has allowed her to visit. With that he leaves the transporter room, so that just Brit, myself and Kira remain.

"And this is...? she says in a somewhat dismissive manner towards Britney.



"Hey!" Brit yells at Kira, "Watch how you speak. I'm Britney, and I'm T'Pol's girl."

"Oh, really?" Kira raises an eyebrow at this, "Now run along, as T'Pol and I have important matters to discuss."

At this, Britney lunges forward in anger, but I manage to separate the two.

"It's okay, Britney." I reassure her, "I'll remember what you said. Let Kira say what she wants to say."

Brit stomps off,

"Why don't you and I go to some quiet place where the two of us can chat." Kira says warmly to me, "Where we won't be bothered by anybody."

We go to the VIP quarters, where the two of us start to chat over a few drinks and cakes.



"I would have thought you would have found someone better than that Britney." Kira remarks, "I know you like her, T'Pol, but she seems awfully common, not your type at all."

"Once I started to get to know her, I found Brit was just like me." I reply, "She was on her own, a bit of a rebel, so we got drawn together."

"Whatever." Kira comments, "Now this is what I wanted to say. Yes, you are still a wanted woman in the mirror universe, but when the council conferred as to what price the bounty on your head shoould be, I always suggested you should be pardoned. I was on your side. Anyway, last week, they had enough of me and cast me out in my own ship. I found a crossover point and came into this universe."

"And the point of all this, Kira?" I ask, as if waiting for the end of an overlong story.

"Well, T'Pol" she starts haltingly, "I had always defended you, looked into your records, got so absorbed with you that after a while, I started to fall in love with you."

I drop my glass in shock.

To be continued after the TWQ......

T'Pol's Temptation (Part One)

Guest Poster: Ensign Britney

My soulsistah T'Pol and I are on the Bridge doing vital work. That is handing out the drinks to the others. As ever Captain Picard complains about his Eael Grey. I don't think he's ever said it was just right.

"Ship on sensors, Captain." Data tells us, "It's heading for the Enterprise."

When the Captain asks for it to be indentified, he is told it has ISS markings from the mirror universe.

T'Pol looks in alarm at me, and at the Captain. She comes from that universe, albeit two hundred years earlier, and is now a wanted woman by the authorities there today.



"Relax, T'Pol." Picard says, we aren't going to let you go back, "It's only a small ship, which wouldn't have a chance against us. There is just one life form aboard. Let's hear what he or she has to say."

The ship is hailed and a face comes on the screen.



"It's Major Kira Nerys from Deep Space Nine!" exclaims Jadzia, "I haven't seen her since I was transferred to the Enterprise."



"It's not her." T'Pol says glumly.

"Greetings, Enterprise!" says the face on the screen, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Intendant Kira Nerys of the ISS Andromeda, and from what you call the mirror universe. I would like to come aboard and speak to T'Pol, if I may?"

"Don't trust her, Captain!" I say quickly, "She looks too shifty. I wouldn't trust her..."

"I-I don't want to go back." my sistah tells me, and holds my hand.

"She'll have to get past me, first." I defiantly declare.

The Captain looks unsure.

"Understand this, Intendant Nerys." the Captain says, "You may come over to talk, but under no circumstances can you take T'Pol with you."

"That's fine, Captain Picard." Kira Nerys says, "Thank you for giving me this opportunity."

"Don't trust her, sistah." I warn T'Pol, "Anything she says to you is gonna be a lie. I can see it in her eyes."

To be continued...

Baby Fever

All the men in the senior staff have taken refuge in Ten Forward. Following the birth of Sheena, Karena's daughter, the women have talked incessantly about it, and as a result, we are all seeking sanctuary together.



"It's been tough." complains Riker, "Deanna has been asking me when we can take leave to visit Sheena and her mother. She wants to cuddle the baby."

"You think you've had problems, Number One?" I point out, "Beverly is the child's grandmother, and as a result, she wants to know where the USS Rhode Island is at all times so we can be there to help. Karena has sent lot of pictures to the Enterprise, and with each new photo Beverly nudges me in the ribs and says "Isn't she gorgeous." or something like that. My ribs now have bruises."

"A Klingon warrior is not interested in baby pictures." states Worf firmly, "In the Empire, a warrior's woman has her child and they grow up healthy and strong. There are no baby showers or such things."

"Don't Klingon women get tiogether to talk about their children?" Geordi asks with a sly smile.

"They may do." Worf grudgingly admits, "But only to talk about how their child will be a fine addition to the Empire."

"Yeah, sure." Geordi replies drily.



"I must admit." begins Data, "That I might like to be a babysitter."

We look round in amazement, as if we have a traitor in our midst.

"Do you really think you would be good at it, Data." Riker asks.

"I think so." he answers, "After all, my program consists of all the major babycare journals, techniqies and..."

"It takes a lot more than jusr knowledge from a book to get that right." I tell him, "Experience is essential. It's the vital difference between being a good and bad babysitter."



"I think I'd sing the young baby one of my songs" says the hologram Vic Fontaine.

"Well, that would certainly send Sheena to sleep." Geordi comments, which raises a laugh from all, except Vic.

"Even Seven of Nine has got baby fever." I tell them, "She has sent some photos off to the Borg Queen who wants to see more.

"Maybe it will all calm down soon?" Data suggests.

"I think you'll have a few more years to wait there." I reply.

With that, we all leave Ten Forward and join our baby-mad women.

TWQ: Movie Quotes

We remember a lot of movies through memorable quotes. TWQ (the Weekend Question) asks for the ones you like.

What are your favourite movie quotes? List as many as you wish.

My answers are:

"Made it, ma, top of the world!"   (James Cagney, White Heat)

"Here's looking at you, kid." (Humphrey Bogart, Casablanca) Note: I could pick a whole raftful from this movie!)

"No, Mr Bond, I expect you to die!" (Gert Frobe, Goldfinger)

"Hasta la vista, baby!" (Arnold Scwartzeneggar, Terminator 2: Judgment Day)

Now it's over to you...

The Birth Of Sheena (Part Two)

Guest Poster: Karena

I stand next to my pumpkin, Wesley, who is just coming round after fainting while I was giving birth to my daughter, Sheena.

"Uhhhh..." he groans, "What happened, honeybunch?"

"Apparently you couldn't take in the gory procedure of what happens when a woman gives birth." I tell him, "Doctor Ted had to stop treating me for a moment and get a couple of nurses to look after you before returning to me!"

"Baby...." Wes says, suddenly recalling why we were in the SickBay, "How did it all go..?"

"Relax, pumpkin." I say, then turn round to get Sheena.



"Here she is." I proudly declare, "This is our daughter Sheena, the latest amazonian princess."

Wes goes all gooey and starts saying ridiculous baby words to her.

"You should be lying in bed, Karena." he says to me, "After all, you've just given birth."

"Us amazons are far tougher than human women." I remind him, "I'll be going on an Away Mission in an hour's time, so you can look after Sheena then."

Beverly comes barging through into the Sickbay.



"How's my baby??" she exclaims.

"It's okay, mom." Wesley calls from his bed, "I'm allright."

"Not YOU!" Beverly says, looking round ar him, "I was talking about my granddaughter Sheena!"

With that, she grasps my child before I can say anything and starts rocking her in her arms.

"Ga, ga, ga goo!" Beverly says, "Who is a lovely girl, then?"

I sigh. Somehow I think Beverly is going to make a lot more casual visits to the USS Rhode Island in the future.

The Birth Of Sheena (Part One)

Guest Poster: Wesley Crusher

After being kidnapped by three power-mad amazons, my honeybunch wife Karena is taken to the SickBay of the USS Rhode Island, where she is about to give birth to our daughter.

"You don't need your spear in the operating theatre." says Doctor Ted, "Leave it outside and I'll ger a nurse too look after it."

Karena is wheeled in.

"How is she, Wes?" says a voice behind me.



"Mom!" I exclaim, "Whar are you doing here?"

"As soon as we heard Karena had been captured, the Enterprise came ro see if we could help." she answers, "However it seems like all was sorted out. I'm glad we came, as my granddaughter will be born soon."

My mom is joined my Captain Picard.

"Don't you think you ought to be in there with her, Wesley?" he asks, "After all, it is your daughter Karena is giving birth to."

"Karena said that amazons don't need the fathers to be with them when that happens." I reply.

"She may say that out of tradition." the Captain continues, "But inwardly, I think she'll want you with her."

So I walk into the SickBay and see Karena lying there. It took a while to get her maternity battle armour off before Doctor Ted could begin. I must admit, I'm feeling a little queasy about it all.



"Wesley!" barks Karena, "An amazon's Life Servant is not meant to be present during the bir..."

"I know, honeybunch." I interrupt, "But I think this is one time when I'm right and I should be with you."

Karena sighs and reluctantly agrees. Right now, she's in no position to contradict me. She starts screaming.

"PUSH!" shounts Doctor Ted.

Karena then starts to shout a lot of unladylike expletives, not the sort an amazonian princess .

"Get this out of me!!!" she exclaims, "Wes, if childbirth is this bad, you can forget about us trying for another! This is daughter is gonna bew an only child!!! ARRRGHHH!"

"I can see the head." the Doctor tells us, "Just a little more, Karena, PUSH!"

Another earsplitting scream comes from Karena, and I go to see Sheena being born.

The blood and gore seem excessive, and as the baby comes, the whole event is too much to take. I didn't know things would be that grisly and feel myself fainting, then falling on the floor.

To be continued....

TWQ: Childhood Reminders

We often see things that remind us of our childhood. TWQ (The Weekend Question) asks what yours are.

What reminds you of your childhood? List as many as you wish.

My answers are:

Doctor Who
Glam rock groups
School grounds & school friends
Thunderbirds
Old photos

Now it's over to you...

The Kidnapping Of Karena (Part Four)

Guest Poster: Karena

It doesn't look like it's going to be my day. I'm being forced to have my baby for the benefit of three amazons who want control of the planet I come from.

I was kidnapped while on an Away Mission with the crew of the USS Rhode Island by Yalana, Felicia and Vorga. They want to look after my daughter, name her Zyra, and put her on the throne, as she will have the right to be there when she grows up. They will control her and the planet.

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

Vorga carries me to the operating theatre. I'm powerless to resist as the moment of my daughter's birth isn't far away.

"Don't do anything, Karena." she growls, "We'll soon have that future queen out of you. Look on the bright side. You won't have to worry about raising her. Zyra will have three loving mothers, who will show her all the benefits of ruling a planet with an iron fist and having random executions ro keep any dissenters in line."

"Tyranny..." I say dozily, then am sick all over the floor.

"Ah." now I'll have to clean that up after I've put you in the air locker following the birth of your daughter."

We enter a large room and my spirits fall.



"This looks so primative!" I exclaim, "I can't have Sheena in here!"

"Relax, Karena." Yalana tells me, who has dressed herself in a surgical gown, as the other two amazons have, "I've taken a correspondance course in delivering children surgically."

They throw me on the table like a large lump. Felicia gives the surgical instruments a polish with a dirty rag, and Yalana gets a needle ready.

"Anaethesise her!" she commands, "This will be a great moment when we have Zyra. Hand me the scalpel and I'll begin."

"Do you require any help?" a male voice enquires behind them.



Doctor Ted asks them as a group of burly security officers from the USS Rhode Island come through and grapple the amazons, using a phaser to stop them. Captain Hernandez comes through to me.

"Ensign Karena." she says, "I can see you're ready to have your daughter. We'll beam you up to the more civilised SickBay on the ship, and put these three in a secure jail  somewhere."

I smile slightly, and get ready for beam-up.

Now for the birth!

The Kidnapping Of Karena (Part Three)

Guest Poster: Karena

So here I am, kidnapped by three power-mad amazons, and also heavily pregnant.

Yalana, Felicia and Vorga have kidnapped me so they can raise my daughter who I plan to call Sheena. They will brainwash her with their corrupt ideals then lay claim to the throne of my planet Wondawowman with my daughter whom them want to call Zyra, after our goddess of death and destruction. As my sister is a few minutes younger than me, my daughter will claim the throne. As for what happens to me...I'm probably bound for the airlock!

------

I'm still in the brig of the small ship the three amazons are piloting. There is a forcefield stopping me get out, and I can't go near it as it might harm my daughter. I wish I had a phaser with me instead of just a spear.

Still, it could be useful.....

This ship is a cloaked variety, and is getting away from the USS Rhode Island. Flimsy things like following ion emissions are rather unreliable. I need to ger out of here and break that mechanism.

That dodgy looking circuitbox near the ceiling might be the key...



I get the spear and throw it sharply. A moment later, it is all in pieces on the floor and the forcefield has gone. The people who make these brigs don't have much idea. No wonder prisoners are always escaping. Still, on this occasion, I should be grateful. The pain in my stomach is getting worse. I'll be giving birth anytime soon, and I'd rather it be on a starship, than have those three harridans do it.

I stagger into the corridor, thankful that I have my spear to support me. The Control Room is clearly labelled. When I enter, there is a button marked 'CLOAKING DEVICE ON/OFF'.

It's good that these things are so easy to find. I don't want to accidentally press the Self-Destruct.

Still, rather than switching the device from 'on' to 'off', I go by the traditionally more direct method and smash it with my spear.

"So, you've caused us to appear." a gruff, angry voice says from behind.



The muscular Vorga surges forward.

"We'll get that child before they come." she says, "Let's get you to the operating room."

To be continued.....

TWQ: Current Books

As we all read at some point TWQ is asking about what they are right now.

What book are you currently reading? What was the last one, and what do you plan to go on to next?

My answers are:

Currently I'm reading The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters. It's a chilling ghost story that was an entry in the Booker Prize for novls.

Previously, I read The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson, the first in a Swedish crime trilogy.

I plan to return to the second book with The Girl Who Played With Fire.

Now it's over to you...

The Kidnapping Of Karena (Part Two)

Guest Poster: Karena

My husband Wesley Crusher and I have been part of an Away Team surveying the planet Laxos VI. Wes consistantly reminds me not to take on duties like this as I am due to give birth to my daughter Sheena in a few days. However, I remind him that as I am an amazon, we have greater resiliance to such matters than the average homan woman.

The five of us in the Party have just beamed back to our ship, the USS Rhode Island. The only trouble is, I seem to have beamed somewhere else.

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

I'm in a cell that is barred by a forcefield. Wherever I am, it's a small ship that must be cloaked, otherwise the Rhode Island would have seen it. From what I can imagine, I've been abducted.

A door opens, and a female figure steps in.



"Felicia!" I exclaim, "So you're doing this?"

"Yes, Karena." the amazon replies , "With Vorga, and my leader Yalana, the three of us will have our revenge on your family for exiling us from Wondawowman."

"You tried to stage a coup and bring down our royal family." I retort, "You're lucky you were not executed."

She laughs, like the mad professor in a bad horror film.

Two other amazons walk in. The muscular Vorga, and the graceful Yalana, their leader.



She looks at my expanded stomach and smiles.

"Well." Yalana comments wryly, "It's easy to see what you and that weedy husband of yours has been up to since our last encounter. Trying to further the Royal Family line on Wondawowman? Well we'll take care of that!"

"What do you mean?" I snap back defensively, "I won't let you harm Sheena."

"Don't worry." she answers, "Your daughter won't be harmed, although we won't give her that name. We intend to see she is born on this ship, then the three of us will look after her, instilling our values into her as she grows up."

"You mean brainwashing." I say angrily, coming against the forcefield and getting a nasty shock.

"It means that Zyra, which is our name for your daughter will have claim to the throne." Yalana tells me, "Though your mother might try and put your sister Nexa on the throne, your daughter Zyra will be ahead of her....under our imfluence. We will rule the planet!"

"I'll stop you..." I say..

"Oh, I don't think you will, Karena." Vorga snarls, "Many mothers can have an accident while giving birth." She snorts and gives a manic laugh.

The three amazons walk out of the room I am held captive. My stomach is starting to ache. The time of delivery can't be too far away. I want to give birth to Sheena, not Zyra!

To be continued after the TWQ.....

The Kidnapping Of Karena (Part One)

Guest Poster: Wesley Crusher

"You really ought to take it easy, honeybunch." I say to my heavily pregnant wife Karena, "You really shouldn't be on an away mission right now."

"Nonsense, pumpkin." she replies, carrying her spear, as the rest of the Away Party scout the surface of Laxos VI, "I'm an amazon, and did perfectly well when I killed those monsters in holodeck practice. besides that, I would have been a widowe had I not speared that Laxon Condor that attacked when we beamed down."

"Maybe you're right." I comment, "But I still think you need to go and see Doctor Ted for a check up. Our daughter will be born in the next few days."



"Very well, Wes." she smiles, "Just for you. I want Sheena to be born safely."

"Sheena?" I ask, "Have you decided the name of our daughter without asking me?"

"Wes." Karena sighs, "You're my Life Servant. They can't have any say in the choosing of an amazonian daughter's name. Only the mother can do that."

I groan "Well, it is a pretty name."

"That's not the reason I chose it, pumpkin." Karena says, "The name Sheena has a noble history on my home planet of Wondawowman. My distant ancestor Queen Sheena the Great was regarded as the greatest ever amazonian warrior. My mother Queen Diana was very proud that I had chosen such an illustrious name."

I realise that I won't get Karena to change her mind over her choice of names. On reflection, it IS a good name.

"Let's head to the beam-up point." I say, "Captain Hernandez will be expecting us there."

The five of us assemble. Amazingly, even the spare people we always take along have survived. It makes a change.



"Five to beam up." the Captain says on her COM and we feel the familiar sound of our atoms being taken apart.

We appear in the transporter room of the Rhode Island.

"Come on, honeybunch I say, you need to go...."

Karena isn't there.

"Where is she?" I ask.

The technician looks desperate.

"I don't know what happened." he says, "Just as I was starting the beaming sequence, an earlier beam focused solely on Ensign Karena and took her away. From what we can see, a small cloaked ship appeared, beamed her off, then cloaked again...all in a couple of seconds."

I start to look frantic, like I used to when my mom was about to take me to the dentist.

"We've gotta find her!" I exclaim, "She'll be giving birth in a few days!"

To be continued...