Ensign Denver Owen Colton's Personal Log: Stardate 49603.14

Today Captain Forrester granted all Endeavour personnel shore leave during the ship's stopover at Betazed. Ensign Loring, Ensign Collier and myself have been confirmed for available shuttle transportation to the planet's northern polar region.

Dr. Mira Montgomery and Lt. Cmdr. Simon McRaney were in a shuttlecraft, along with several other Endeavour Officers, on their way to a skiing holiday on Betazed. Since Jason Alberts decided all Endeavour shuttlecrafts needed more flight time, he suggested that crewmembers use them to fly to certain spots around Betazed. This shuttle was headed for the northern region. Other craft were destined for the southern region, and other popular vacation/shore leave areas.

Ensigns Denver Colton, Brianna Loring, and Gray Collier sat at a table in the Ten forward Lounge. Denver and Brianna were attempting to play a game of Nine Men's Morris. Gray nervously tapped his fingers on the table which slightly moved the playing pieces.

"Collier, please," Denver said without looking up from the board.

Gray immediately stopped. "Sorry," he whispered.

"You're going to love it," Brianna added. "Skiing is very relaxing."

"What's so relaxing about falling down in cold, wet snow?" Gray asked.

"You'll do fine," Denver began. "Once you take your lesson, you'll learn the proper way to fall down."

Shortly after arriving at the Mount Hephaestus Ski Resort, Denver, Brianna, and Gray began to gather the appropriate equipment they needed. As Denver adjusted Gray's ski boots, a young Betazoid male who worked at the resort timidly approached.

"Excuse me, I have a message for Ensign Denver Colton," he said in a low shaky voice.

"That's me," Denver said looking up.

"Your registration request has been denied. Mr. Acklen, the director of the resort would like to see you immediately. Please follow me."

Overhearing the conversation, Brianna asked, "What's going on, Denver?"

"I'm not sure. Why don't you take Gray to the ski school and I'll catch up with you there."

Denver followed the Betazoid to the registration desk. Mr. Acklen, an older Betazoid with a grey beard, was busy entering data into a console terminal.

"Ensign Colton," Acklen began, "there seems to be a little problem with your citizenship classification in our records. You have stated that you are currently a Terran. Have you ever resided on Betazed?"

"Yes, actually my parents were stationed here when I was two years old. I believe we lived here about three and a half years. Then my parents were reassigned back to Earth were I grew up. I was born on Earth so my citizenship should be classified as a Terran."

"Are you familiar with Betazoid customs?"

"Yes, there are a number of Betazoids stationed aboard the Endeavour," Denver noted.

"Are you familiar with the Betazoid marriage promise?"

"Sorry," Denver said.

"Children are promised in marriage at age four and do not date or mingle socially with the opposite sex until age twenty six. At that time, the betrothed couple are reintroduced and the marriage takes place. Ensign Colton, our records show that you were promised in marriage while you were a citizen of Betazed and that you are required to report directly to the Family Planning District for your two year training.You were scheduled to begin three months ago thus giving you a default status."

When Simon and Mira arrived at Mount Hephaestus Ski resort, they noticed several other Endeavour personnel there. As they were filling out their registration padds, they couldn't help but overhear a problem Ensign Denver Colton was having.

"A default status?" Mira whispered to Simon. "That's serious, but rarely enforced anymore. I wonder if I should say something?"

"You know what a default status is, Mira?"

"Yes. Remember, I lived here for two years while studying alien medicine. I learned a lot about the customs. Ensign Colton seems pretty upset by the whole thing. I wonder if he even realizes just what a default status means."

Mira walked over to Ensign Colton, "Excuse me, Ensign Colton, I believe?"

Denver turned and was surprised to see the Endeavour's Chief Medical Officer standing there. "Yes, Commander?"

"I couldn't help but overhear your predicament. Is there anything I can do to help? I lived on Betazed for a few years while studying for my medical degree and I understand a lot of their customs. I'll be happy to help, if I can."

"Ensign Colton," a male voice said. Denver and Mira turned to find Mr. Acklen and a Betazoid security officer. "By the order of the Family Planning District of Betazed, I am placing you under arrest."

"Dr. Montgomery?" Denver said.

"Ensign Colton, do exactly what they tell you to do. Lt. Cmdr. McRaney and I will get to the bottom of this."

"Mira, what can WE do?" asked a concerned Simon. Though he didn't know why they should even try. After all, this was Betazoid Government business. But still, he understood Mira's concern. Anyone could get into a lot of trouble by not observing the laws of a particular planet. HE knew that well enough! But that was another story. One he just as soon not think about right now.

"Mira, maybe we shouldn't interfere with Betazoid business, maybe we had better . . ."

"Hmmm," Mira said, interrupting Simon, "I know of someone in the Marriage Bureau. That is, if she still works there. Maybe she knows something and can help. Let's go, Simon!"

"But Mira! What about our skiing vacation?"

"Simon! This is important! Someone needs my help. Ensign Colton may be in serious trouble!"

Simon sighed, turning to the admissions clerk, "We will not be checking in just yet. But can you hold our reservations and keep our luggage until tonight?" Simon was hoping that all this business would be taken care of by then and maybe, just maybe, he and Mira could spend some time together on this planet!

"Yes, sir," replied the clerk, "I will hold your reservations until 7:00pm."

"Fine. Ok, Mira, where to?" Simon asked.

*******************************

Denver was escorted from the resort lobby to an awaiting security shuttle. As the shuttle lifted off, Denver thought he saw Gray talking with a ski instructor. He pressed his forehead to the window and wondered if Gray had taken his first fall. The shuttle ride was long and bumpy. After arriving at the Family Planning District, Denver was escorted to a nearby court room.

"Ensign Denver Owen Colton," the bailiff announced.

"Ensign Colton," the judge began, "are you aware of the charges that are being brought up against you?"

"Yes, but..."

"Yes or no, please," the bailiff interrupted.

"Yes."

"You have been found guilty as charged and are sentenced to begin your two year training immediately. Bailiff, take him away."

Denver was quickly escorted out of the court room and placed in a small holding area. A short times later, an attractive female Betazoid entered.

"Are you Ensign Colton?" she asked.

"Yes," Denver said automatically.

"My name is Adelicia Claire. Do you remember me?"

"No, I'm sorry."

"We were promised in marriage to each other when we were four years old. I believe our parents were good friends at one time."

"Are Daniel and Bonnie Claire your parents?" Denver asked.

"Yes, they were both killed by Cardassians."

"I'm sorry to hear that. My parents were also killed, Romulans. I grew up hearing stories about your parents."

"We have a lot of catching up to do. However, now is not the time. We need to get you out of here quickly. I'll explain later."

*******************

Mira found the name she was looking for in the Marriage Bureau Personnel Directory. It seems her friend, Lucinda Camery was now the Director of the Bureau.

When they arrived at her office, Lucinda's secretary informed them that since they did not have an appointment, they would need to wait. "I'm afraid the wait may be a long one. Perhaps you can come back later?" she asked.

"Just tell her that Mira Mont...no, tell her Randa Montgomery is here. We're old friends and I think she'll want to see me."

"Randa?" asked Simon, smiling. He could just imagine where that nickname came from.

"Luci always called me that back then. We kind of hung around a little bit together."

"You had classes together and she's not a doctor?"

"No. Luci never intended to become a doctor. She just wanted to be knowledgeable in Emergency Alien Medicine. She took several classes back then--all different kinds of subjects. She tried most everything." Mira couldn't help but smile as she remember all the things she and Luci had gotten themselves into.

All this time, the secretary had been silent, staring straight ahead. "Isn't she going to inform the Director that we're here? asked Simon.

"That's what she's doing now," commented Mira. "They're telepathic here, remember? Full Betazoids don't talk much to each other verbally, but telepathically. They mostly speak when off worlders are present."

"I see. No wonder this building is so quiet!"

Just then, the door to the Director's office swished open and Lucinda Camery rushed through with open arms. Smiling she embraced Mira. "Randy Randa!" she exclaimed, "Don't you look good! It's been too long!"

Simon gave Mira a quizzical look. She smiled and ignored him."It's good to see you too, Luci! This is my finance, Lt. Cmdr. Simon McRaney, Chief Geologist of the USS Endeavour. That's the same ship of which I am the..."

"...Chief Medical Officer," Lucinda finished for her.

"Yes. And you know how I hate it when you do that!" said Mira good naturedly.

"Come into my office and tell me all about your problem." As they walked through the door, Lucinda took a place, leaning against her desk. "Who is this Denver?"

Simon was surprised at how quickly the Betazoid had picked that name up from apparently Mira's mind. Lucinda looked over at him and grinned. "We Betazoids read surface thoughts quite naturally, Simon. But don't worry, we never sneak a peek at the deeper ones. Unless requested to do so, she winked. Simon liked this woman and could just imagine all the trouble she and Mira probably got into in school!

"Ensign Denver Colton, " began Mira, "is an officer on my ship and he was arrested this morning on a Default Status. He's not Betazoid and isn't all that familiar with Betazoid customs and rules. I told him I would help him find out what was going on. Can you help me?"

"Hmmm...a Default Status, huh? That hasn't been enforced in over 100 years! Let me see what I can dig up." Lucinda went behind her desk and sat down at a vid screen. She sat silently as Mira and Simon watched the vid screen come to life without any apparent physical activation. Mira turned to Simon and pointed to her head so as to tell him it was all telepathic. He nodded his understanding. Living on this planet would take a lot of getting used to he surmised.

"Something's wrong here," Lucinda said, turning to face Mira, "normally a Default Status is only invoked by the parents of the betrothed. But according to our records, Adelicia Claire's parents, Daniel and Bonnie Claire are dead. This DF was invoked by Adelicia herself." "Is that legal?" asked Mira.

"Under special circumstances it is. But our records show no special circumstances papers being filed. And normally when the parents die, the marriage contract becomes null. I'll need to do more checking to see just what is up with this case and get back to you. It will probably be this evening before I can find out anything. Why don't you and Simon get back to the ski lodge and relax. There's nothing more you can do here right now."

Simon had almost gotten used to the idea that his thoughts were being picked up by the Betazoid. But until that moment he didn't realize that he had been thinking about skiing.

Lucinda cast a glance in Simon's direction then back at Mira. Mira took the hint. She felt a pang of guilt about dragging Simon from government building to building instead of enjoying their time together on such a beautiful planet. "Yes, perhaps that would be a good idea," said Mira. "But first, I would like to contact Ensign Colton and inform him of my progress. Would that be possible?"

Lucinda turned back to her vid screen, "Sure, I don't see why not. If he was arrested, then he was taken to the Family Planning Center." She activated her vid screen and when a face appeared she said, "Voice please." Instead of communicating telepathically, she would verbalize their conversation for Simon and Mira's benefit as she did with all off worlders.

"This is Lucinda Camery, Director of Marriages. I need to speak with Denver Colton. He was brought in this morning on a DF."

"I'm sorry, Director, but we have just discovered that Denver Colton is missing from our facility." The guard appeared to be embarrassed by this news.

"Missing? How did that happen?"

"We don't know, Director, but we are presently searching for him and I'm sure we will have him back in custody soon."

"Very well. Please keep me informed of your progress and let me know as soon as you find him." Lucinda had picked up the guard's concern but didn't want to alarm Mira.

"Yes, Director Camery." The vid screen went blank.

"What's going on?" asked Mira, clearly concerned. "I told Denver to do exactly what the guards told him to do. I'm sure that he didn't escape. There must be some other explanation."

"Randa, I'm sure that this will be taken care of in short time. However, there is still nothing you can do at this moment. Go back to the ski lodge and I will contact you as soon as I hear anything. Hephaestus, right?"

"Yes, that's right. Ok, Luci. But please call just as soon as you can. I have the feeling that something has gone very wrong here."

"Now, Randa, you haven't suddenly become telepathic, have you?" Lucinda asked, smiling trying to lighten the mood.

Mira smiled too, "No, not exactly, but Simon here does say I tend to read his mind from time to time."

Now it was Simon's turn to smile. "She does too."

Lucinda ushered them out of her office, "Go, have fun and try to relax. I have other business to take care of today. Again, it was good to see you, Randa. You must come back when you have time to just sit and visit."

"Oh, I will, Luci, and thanks again." They hugged and then Simon and Mira were out the door. As they walked outside into the warm sunny Betazoid day, Simon put his arm around Mira's shoulder, "Randy Randa?" he asked.

"Oh, we don't have time to go into that now, Simon. Some day I'll tell you all about it." Mira was hoping to let the subject slide as some of the antics she pulled in those days were an embarrassment to her today.

"Oh, I think we do have the time...Randa!"

Apparently, Simon was not going to let this drop. Mira sighed, took a deep breath and began. "Ok, if you must know, there was this one time when Luci and I........"

*******************

Adelicia led Denver to an awaiting shuttle. The craft was obviously an older Betazed model. As Denver entered, he immediately was confronted by two male Betazoids.

"This is our comrade Danny," Adelicia said pointing to the closest Betazoid. The door closed tight behind her. "And this is my husband Austen."

"This is getting to be one of the more interesting shore leaves I have ever had," Denver noted.

"Everything will be explained to you shortly," Austen said.

Suddenly the engines of the shuttle roared, and faster than Denver would have believed, the craft lifted off the pad. It hurtled skyward. Minutes later they had reached the upper atmosphere, Betazed spinning below--the blackness of space quickly enveloped them.

"Where are we going?" asked Denver.

"You'll know soon enough," replied Adelicia.

Denver noticed that they were not traveling at warp speed, so hopefully it wouldn't be far. I wonder if anyone has noticed that I'm missing? he mused.

*************************************************

Mira and Simon were in the bar of the ski lodge, trying to figure out just what was going on with Denver Colton. "Mira, try and relax," Simon suggested, handing her a drink. Luci said she would call you as soon as she found out something."

"I know, but I just feel so helpless! And I HATE feeling helpless!

"Captain Forrester to Dr. Montgomery," chirped her comm badge.

"Dr. Montgomery here, sir go ahead."

"Doctor, you and Commander McRaney are to prepare for immediate transport back to the Endeavour."

"Is there a medical emergency, Captain?" asked Mira, jumping to her feet. Though why Simon would need to transport back in a medical emergency, she didn't understand.

"Yes," was all the Captain said as the blue transporter beam enveloped Mira and Simon.

***************************************************

"Starbase G-6, this is the suttlecraft, Triodest requesting docking clearance," said Danny.

"Shuttlecraft Triodest, you are cleared to dock at docking port 12. Proceed."

A Starbase! thought Denver. At least I'll have a chance to escape there!

Adelicia came over to where Denver was seated. "There will be NO attempt to escape or alert anyone. I will have this phaser on you the whole time if you try anything.

Do you understand?" she asked.

Denver looked at the two men who seemed to defer to Adelicia. "Yes, I understand completely," he answered, still thinking of a way to escape. After all, that was the first order of any Starfleet Officer who was captured--look for a way to escape!

As they walked through the Starbase, Adelicia kept her right arm around Denver's shoulder and her left hand on her phaser which was in her pocket. Denver chanced a glance at her pocket. She noticed. "Yes, it's fired up and ready if you try anything," she responded. "Remember, I'm Betazoid and can read your thoughts."

"Read THIS then!" responded Denver. He was getting really tired of being dragged all over the galaxy without any explanation and his frustration was beginning to show.

Soon the four of them came to docking bay 34. "This is where Kyler said to meet him," offered Adelicia. No sooner had she said that, than a man came walking in from the docking area. He was dressed in black pants and jacket with a silver shirt underneath. He had long hair, needed a shave and looked as if he had just gotten out of bed. He came up to where Adelicia was standing with Denver.

"This him?" he asked, nodding toward Denver.

"Yes."

"You sure he can pull this off?" asked Kyler, looking Denver over. He looked skeptical.

"Yes, yes! I'm sure!" Adelicia said impatiently. "You Terrans try my patience! Let's get on with this! We don't have much time!"

"All right, come this way." Kyler led them to his ship called The Damphaus.

Austin kept looking around, sensing something was about to happen. "I don't like this, Adelicia, I sense something. Something's not right."

Adelicia stopped before entering Kyler's ship. "I don't sense anything," she said.

"You're just being paranoid!" They all entered the Damphaus onto what appeared to be the bridge. It was a small ship, suited to hauling a small amount of supplies, or people.

Adelicia pushed Denver down into a seat, while she and Kyler walked to the back of the ship's bridge. "Watch him," she ordered Danny.

Danny stood calm and quiet over Denver," Don't worry, we won't hurt you. Adelicia's bark is worse than her bite."

"I certainly hope so!" quipped Denver.

After a few minutes, Kyler and Adelicia returned--Kyler taking his seat in the pilot's seat. "Take the co-pilot's seat, Colton, " she ordered. Denver did as he was told, not knowing what to expect next.

After getting clearance for take off, the small frigate sped away from the Starbase, heading back toward Betazed.

"All right, Colton, I'll now tell you why we brought you here."

"It's about time!" sneered Denver. Adelicia ignored his remark.

"We first learned of the Endeavour's shore leave several months ago," Adelicia began. We stumbled upon your file which indicated that you had once lived on Betazed. We manipulated the Family Planning records which would insure that you were arrested as soon as you arrived. It was only a matter of hours before we got our hands on you."

"You see, we are members of a secret society dedicated to insuring that the Betazoid Government isn't able to initiate their plan to enslave the Betazoid people."

"What?" asked Denver. "I can't believe that the government would attempt anything like enslaving it's own people. Betazoids are known throughout the galaxy as some of the most peaceful and democratic peoples around!"

"We thought so too, until just a few weeks ago when the government decided to launch a thought blocking satellite. This satellite will be able to block any government picked Betazoids from receiving others' thoughts for a specific amount of time. Do you realize what this would mean? What would we be like if we couldn't read each other's thoughts?"

"Terrans?" answered Denver meekly attempting to instill some humor. Adelicia didn't smile.

"You Terrans can't understand what that would be like for us!" she yelled. "The government would be able to control our every action!"

"The satellite has already been tested and proven to work," added Austin. "Adelicia and I can't read Danny and he can't read us! If it has already done this much to us, there's no telling how many others are already affected. And it isn't even at full power yet!"

"I find this very hard to believe," replied Denver. "Starfleet wouldn't allow something like this."

"Starfleet doesn't know anything about it. The Government told Starfleet that it's only a communications satellite for off worlders living on Betazed," offered Adelicia.

Denver noticed that Danny had been quiet all through this exchange. Somehow he didn't seem as fired up about all this as they did. Maybe he was just the quiet type.

"Look, " began Adelicia as she brought up a screen on Denver's control panel. It was a picture of the satellite they were talking about. It was like nothing Denver had ever seen before--rectangular and flat--kind of like a book floating in space.

"Being a communications specialist," Austen began, "we know that your training includes extensive work with decoding. This ship's computers are tapped into the control room for the Cnius Unit--the name of the satellite program. We need you to decode the shield systems so that we can destroy it."

"And if I refuse?" Denver asked in a shaky voice.

Our people's survival is more important than one Starfleet Officer," Adelicia said, quietly. Denver immediately began decoding the shield systems. Although he was in fact familiar with Betazoid coding sequences, this particular one seemed to be a challenge for the young Ensign.

"I think I've got it," he said after working on the console for about 30 minutes. Although it was difficult to break the codes, Denver thought it should have been harder for him. Maybe he was better at this than he gave himself credit for.

"Excellent," Austen said. "Kyler, take primary shields off-line."

Kyler entered the data. "Shields off-line," he noted.

"Now, keep your eye on that satellite," Adelicia said. Suddenly, a beam shot out from the Damphaus and hit the satellite directly in it's center. The entire system was destroyed in seconds. A small amount of debris now floated in the satellite's place.

"Okay, let's get out of here," Austen said pulling Denver out of his chair. "You're our ticket home, Ensign."

As the tiny ship turned to head out into deep space--where Adelicia planned to rendeveous with another ship and leave Denver to make his way home in this old tug--the renegades were surprised to see a Federation Starship come from out of nowhere and stop directly in their path.

"It's the Endeavour!" shouted Denver.

"How? What. . ." Adelicia couldn't find the words.

"They're hailing us!" Kyler announced.

"Get us out of here!" shouted Austin.

"Are you nuts!" shouted Kyler, "We can't out fly a Federation Starship!"

Their viewscreen lit up with Captain Forrester's figure. "Damphaus, you have a Starfleet Officer aboard. We insist you return him, unharmed to us. Lower your shields and prepare to be transported aboard the Endeavour!"

"What do we do now?" asked Danny. This was the first time he had said anything since speaking to Denver earlier.

Adelicia, Austin and Kyler all looked at each other. Adelicia took the lead, "Captain Forrester, this is Adelicia Claire. If you don't permit us to leave in peace, we will kill your officer!"

"That would not be wise, Ms. Claire. If you should harm him in any way, we would have no choice but to destroy your ship! Besides--he took a step to one side where a female Betazoid Ambassador came into the viewscreen--your ambassador tells me that you have no intention of carrying through with your threat. Now, lower your shields!" he ordered.

"I'm not getting my ship blown to galaxies!" shouted Captain Kyler, as he lowered his shields. "It's all over, Adelicia," said a middle-aged Betazoid woman. She walked up to the group, that moments before was transported directly onto the Endeavour's Bridge."I'm afraid you are in serious trouble this time."She looked at Austin, "As are you."

In the Endeavour's Observation Lounge, Denver Colton sat comfortably in a chair beside Dr. Montgomery and Captain Forrester, while he listened to an explanation of what had happened.

"Adelicia, is my daughter," the Betazoid diplomate noted. "She's been involved in participating in renegade activity. This stunt was her initiation into their club. However, the Betazoid government had informants inside their group and was immediately informed of the situation. The entire plot to have you kidnapped was pre-arranged with Starfleet."

"Why wasn't I let in on this little scheme?" asked Denver.

"Because," replied Ambassador Sereyle, " you would not have been able to shield your thoughts from them. Our plan would have failed."

"Even I didn't know about it, Denver, until Captain Forrester called me back to the Endeavour," said Montgomery.

"Dr. Montgomery's investigations into your disappearance almost jeopardized our mission," ffered Captain Forrester.

"But what about the satellite? It was destroyed," Denver said.

"Not exactly, the satellite never really existed. The viewscreen was simply manipulated with a holographic program. Danny was one of our plants. There was never really a blocking satellite. This was simply information that we allowed to circulate in hopes of ferreting out others involved in their so called club.

"Like Captain Kyler," offered Denver.

"Yes, exactly."

"There is one thing I don't understand," began Denver, "if the satellite never existed, then why couldn't Adelicia and Austin read Danny's mind and know that he was a spy?"

The Ambassador smiled and said simply, "Betazoid's can't read Ferengis."

"A Ferengi!? But he looks so human! exclaimed Denver.

"Yes, it is a wonder what medical science can do these days, isn't it?" replied the Ambassador.

Denver shook his head, "I never would have believed it possible had I not seen it with my own eyes!"

*************

Mount Hephaestus Ski Lodge

"Well, Mira, I hope we can finish our skiing holiday now!" said Simon.

"Don't you mean, start it?" asked Mira smiling.

Denver Colton came up to where Simon and Mira were picking up their skiing equipment. "Excuse me, Doctor Montgomery, Commander McRaney. I just want to thank you for trying to help me. I realize that all this has put a damper on your vacation and I'm sorry about that. But I sincerely appreciate all your help."

Mira glanced at Simon who had a slight smile on his face. "Anytime I can help out a fellow shipmate, Ensign. Now, I think your friends are calling you," she said as she noticed the friends Denver had come in with just yesterday. Funny. It seemed like they had been here a week!

"Yes, sir," said Denver as he made his way back to his group of friends.

"Now, Mira, "said Simon, "Can we please get on with our holiday? Or is there anyone else you need to help out yet?"

"Well, now that you mention it . . ."

"Not a chance!" he yelled, grabbing her arm and pulling her onto the Hep ski slopes.