USS Stonewall Jackson-Episode One

Episode One-“A New Beginning”

Commodore Alex Winger stood in the lounge at Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards with his hands behind his back looking out onto the shipyards. The fleet had grown since the end of the Dominion War. The Fleet Yards were putting out enormous amounts of ships every day to rebuild the fleet. Alex was there to meet with Admiral Ciresto about a very important assignment. As Alex stood there an Akira-class starship glided past the view port. The Akira was a new design that was meant only for war. There was no exploration value to it at all. The name on the saucer said it was the USS Stonewall Jackson. Alex chuckled to himself. It was funny to him that they would name a ship after a rebel general that almost brought down a whole nation. "Good morning Commodore," Admiral Ciresto said as he entered the lounge, "How are you doing this fine day.

Alex turned to face the Admiral and said "Not all that bad Admiral, and your self.

"Oh, not to bad." the Admiral replied.

"So, what is this assignment you have for me Admiral?" Alex asked

"That's just like Alex always wanting to get to the point," the Admiral replied, "Well I want to you to take command of Task Force Alpha. The task forces job is to protect the Bjorn wormhole from inside the Gamma Quadrant. Starfleet will be building a starbase on that side soon, but until then you will be the only line of defense there."

"We'll sir, that's a tall order to be asking of me. Which ships will I be taking with me to be apart of this task force?" Alex said. "For right now you will only have your flag ship, which will be the ship you just saw, the USS Stonewall Jackson. The other ships will be arriving shortly but until then you’re on your own,” the Admiral replied.

"That's going to make it hard sir. You wouldn't have picked me though if you didn't think I could do it."

"You're right about that Alex. I have complete confidence in you. It sounds like you have already decided to take the job,” the Admiral said.

"Yes sir, I'll do it." Alex replied

"Good, you can leave as soon as you’re ready. Your crew will meet you at Deep Space Nine. Until then you will have your yeomen and a small crew of technicians to take you and the ship to DS9. Good luck Commodore." The Admiral said as he turned and walked out of the lounge.

"Well this is going to be a hard job" Alex thought to himself as he looked back out the window and began to look the USS Stonewall Jackson over.

As Alexander stood on the bridge of the USS Stonewall Jackson he peered out at the view screen and wondered how much longer it would take them to get to DS9. He only had his current Yeoman and a crew of techs to crew the ship. He was supposed to meet the rest of the crew on the station. As they made there approach to the station the helmsman turned and said "Sir, the station is hailing us."

"Very well, put it through."

=^=USS Stonewall Jackson this is Col Kiera of DS9, we have you on approach=^=

"DS9 this is Commodore Winger, we read you loud and clear.” Alex replies, "What pylon are we to dock at."

=^=Commodore Winger, you can dock at pylon one. Welcome to DS9 sir=^=

Col Kiera said. "Thank you Col. I appreciate your hospitality. Has any of my crew reported aboard yet?" Alex replied.

=^=No sir they have not, but the first shall report in shortly. =^=

"Thank you again. Winger out." Alex said. As the ship glided into the station and docked Alex stood and walked into his ready room where he sat back and relaxed. "Computer Mozart’s 5th symphony please." He said. As he sat back into his chair the music began to play. It’s been awhile since he was aboard an actual ship. It felt good to be back in command.

<Quark's Bar, DS9-Stardate 55268.6>

"'Bout that time Quark, guess I should be taking my leave 'bout now." said the Major in a deep southern drawl, which was quite uncommon to hear from a Klingon.

"You never did tell me if you were interested in Damjat, Major. I could make it very well worth your time." the conniving little troll of a Ferengi replied through gnashed teeth.

"Not likely Quark, I get paid in effort and not in Latinum." Grischelm said, trying to make his way out of the bar.

"Well let me know if you ever want to rent one of my holosuites, I have a Andurian that would..."

"Later Quark." Grischelm said as he cut off the bartender before he could go any further with the advertisement. Deep Space Nine was for lack of a better term a "boom station" known for it's good liquor, bad politics, and one hell of a prime strategic base of operations to launch starships into the Gamma Quadrant. Grischelm had been here numerous times during the Dominion War, and after having been to every nook and cranny in the place he pretty much felt like a native. Well as native as one can get. Quark's Bar was the place to go for everything from black market dealings to, well, a damn good game of Damjat. The extravagant lights, the beautiful women, and not to mention the holosuites, a man could get lost in his own little fantasy world very easily.

The Major walked down the Promenade, which was the main marketplace for the station, and hung a quick left. As he turned the corner he saw who he was looking for. A young Lance Corporal, named Davidson, who seemed to be putting up good airs to a young Betazoid. Grischelm chuckled as he saw Davidson laying a few well placed, but futile, compliments to the woman. Davidson turned and snapped to attention as he saw the Major coming towards him.

"Sir." The LCpl. said with conviction.

"At ease, Corporal. Finish up with what you were doin' so we can go meet the Commodore at Pylon One."

"Oh, I'm all done here sir,” replied the LCpl. "I'll contact you later." as he turned his head behind him and whispered to the Betazoid.

"Trust me she's not interested." now walking with the LCpl.

"No, I really thinks she likes Me.” the LCpl. said with enthusiasm.

"You think that Betazoid couldn't read your mind from a click away? Please, you're jokin' right?"

"She was a Betazoid?" the LCpl.'s face filled both embarrassment and shock, "She looked so 'Human' though!"

"Kid, ya got a lot to learn."

Standing at the doors to Pylon One were four Starfleet Marine Corps Military Police Guards, phaser rifles at the ready. As the Major rounded the corner the Sergeant of the Guard yelled the command "Detail, Attention!"

"Carry on, men." the Major said casually, as he chuckled to himself thinking about the first time he ever heard that command given due to him being there. It was after he had graduated from the Marine Corps Academy, he remembered how proud he was of himself for becoming an officer, and how stupid he felt when he dropped his in-processing papers over onto the ground, making one hell of a mess, by trying to salute back to the Sergeant in charge of the detail. God, it seemed like yesterday and yet it was years ago. "Pop, had been so proud of me." he thought to himself. "It's been too long since I've seen the folks. And here I am going right back out on another tour into the Gam'." Just as he came to from his little stroll down Memory Lane, the Major found himself calling the guards to attention.

<Commodore’s Ready Room>

Alex decided he wasn't going to wait for his crew he was going to go and hunt down some of his command staff. He knew the Marine Detachment CO had already reported aboard the station and his Chief Intelligence Officer was due to arrive shortly. He stood and walked out of his ready room and made his way off the bridge to the airlock connecting the ship and DS9. As the airlock opened and he stepped into the foyer area he heard "Detachment Attention!"

As he looked around he saw to Starfleet Marine Honor guard standing on either side of the hatch and an LCpl standing next to a grizzled old Klingon. The Klingon wore a Marine Majors uniform. This must have been the man who called the group to attention. He liked the look of this man. He hoped to god it was his new Detachment CO. "Major Grischelm I presume. My name is Commodore Alex Winger." Alex said.

"Very good to meet you sir," the major replied.

"Now that I have found you maybe I should give you a tour of the ship." Alex said in an inviting tone.

"Well sir, I am quite anxious to see my new home for the next year or so." the Major said.

As they walked aboard the ship Alex continued "There isn't much of the crew here yet. Just my Yeoman, who is a Marine 2LT, and a few other choice individuals have reported aboard. Where still waiting on our latest arrival one LtCmdr Ian MacMahathain. He is going to be yours and mine ears as our Chief Intelligence Officer. Where also expecting our fighter squadron soon." The Major said nothing. He just listened to the Commodore ramble on about how wonderful of a ship this was and when the crew would get there. When the tour was done Alex showed the Major his new quarters and told him there would be a dinner in the Captain's Mess at 1800 that night. All of the officers in charge of a section that had reported aboard where invited. Then Alex left and went out onto DS9 looking for his Chief Intelligence Officer.

<Teleporter Room, USS Alexandria>
Ian stepped onto the transporter pad aboard the USS Alexandria. Closing his eyes, not enjoying the sensation that comes with teleportation, "Energize." He says with a firm voice.

<Pylon 1, DS9>
                As Alex walked out of the ships hatch a young Ensign ran into him. The young female wore the uniform of the Starfleet Fighter Pilot. Her golden blond hair flowed down her shoulder blades to just above her chest. As they both stood and brushed them selves off she noticed that he was taking measure of her.
                "Sorry sir, I was in a bit of a rush and didn’t see you." she said
                "That's ok Ensign..." he replied.
                "Oh sorry sir Ensign Marie Blair, Starfleet Fighter Corps." she said in a matter of fact tone.
                "Well Ensign my name is Commodore Alexander Winger, your new Commanding Officer," He said in the same tone with a smile he continued, "Welcome aboard Ensign."
                "Thank you sir," She replied lighting up a little this time.
                "That's quite alright Ensign. Why don’t you go and find Maj Grischelm and report in. He will be your temporary CO until your real one arrives."
                "Yes, sir. Have a good day sir." She replied. Then she walks past him and goes into the ship.
                As she walked away he looked at the very militaristic way she walked. He shook his head and thought to himself 'so young so full of fire.' He just began to walk away shacking his head. He walked out into the promenade and looked around. He saw Quarks and decided to go have a look around.

<Teleporter Room 2, DS9>
                Moments later he is face to face with a beautiful Bajoran. "My name is Col Kiera Neirese, welcome aboard LtCmdr Ian Mac..." She stops to try and pronounce his name correctly.
                "It's ok ma'am, Hawkeye will do."
                Coming to attention Ian rendered a hand salute from the 20th century Military. "LtCmdr Ian MacMahathain reporting for duty ma'am!"
                Caught a little by surprise, Col Kiera says "Carry on. You do know that your salute is not used anymore in Starfleet right?" Ian smiled dropped his hands and shrugged. "This way, I will show you the Promenade before I take you to the Commander on the Bridge.
                "Lead the way ma'am." Ian replied with a tone that he was bored already. While in route Col Kiera explained the work schedule and where Ian's quarters were, he listened with half an ear. His attentions more on the cute Yeomen that were walking in front of him...
                "HAWKEYE!" Kiera snapped. "Yes ma'am?" Ian said startled, "Are you listening to
me?"
                Ian nodded yes and paid full attention to Kiera. Upon reaching the Promenade, Ian stops to take a look around. He saw Garret the Cardassian clothing maker. "Might want to stop there for my Spec Ops uniforms for away missions." Ian slipped out absent-mindedly.
                "What was that Ian?" Kiera asked.
                "Oh nothing ma'am I was thinking out loud, my apologizes."
                Kiera took it in stride saying, "There it is, Quarks...the only bar in this sector or at least that we allow on the station. If Quark doesn't have it, or can't make it, he will find a way...for a fee of course he's..." Ian cut her short.
                "Ferengi." He said in a flat tone.
                Kiera nodded and led him towards the bar, seeing friends she stopped to say hi and introduced Ian who was still carrying his carryall. Finally Kiera led him in the establishment, looking around Ian saw a fairly large room with chairs and all life forms sitting in them, there were three Daboo tables...There was two Klingon men standing there betting their money and gawking at the gorgeous Daboo girls who were mainly Bajoran. Ian even caught himself staring at them catching ones eyes, she smiled and winked at him. Noticing what he was doing Ian continued to glance the room, taking in all that he could see. He saw a flight of winding stair leading up...pointing it out to Kiera, she told him that it was the Holo-Suite, made for any
fantasy for the right price..."Ferengi" Ian thought in disgust.
                "There's the Commander at that table, order up any drink you like and I will bring you over to him." Kiera told Ian and pointed at the upper balcony area at a table.
                Ian went to the bar, "What'll you have newcomer?" A scratchy voice said.
                "Scotch." Ian replied, "Single malt, in a glass with ice."
                The Ferengi looked him with a disgusted look and said, "Might I suggest some Car..." Cutting himself short with one look from Ian's dark blue eyes and domineering Scottish build..."Scotch was it?" the Ferengi said shakily...One nod from Ian and the Ferengi was gone and back..."On the house for first timers." The Ferengi quickly went to other customers.
                "That was Quark, you must have made quite an impression, and he never gives out
anything." Kiera looked surprised.
                Ian followed Kiera to the Commodore, who shook Ian's hand heartily...surprising to Ian...it was the first time that his hand actually felt pressure from someone else's hand. "Hello Mr. MacMahathain. I am Commodore Alex Winger." The Commodore sat as he introduced himself. Ian stood until told that he could sit, as was his custom. Observing the Commodore Ian gathered that he was in his late 30's early 40's. Well weathered and looked in good shape. "Your peers have spoken highly of you ability to Shoot and Target, as well as track and move swiftly and silently. Those qualities will come in handy I am sure." As the Commodore continued Ian nodded not saying a word, sipping on his scotch all the while watching the Commodore.

"My Father taught me all I know sir, I am a skilled tracker yes, but my skills go far beyond that..." Ian replied out of the blue during one of the Commodore’s pauses to take a drink "I am also a skilled hunter and concealment expert...my hand to hand and martial
arts skills are well trained also."

The Commander seemed a little taken back by Ian's tone. "I am not questioning your abilities LtCmdr!" The Commodore shifted in his chair to lean forward a little, "I am simply telling you what I expect of my officers and those under me...is that clear?"

"Yes sir, I meant no reproach by my statement sir." Ian stated quickly..."Great going bozo, you really butchered that one" Ian thought in his head.

"Is there anything else you need Cmdr?" The Commodore asked.

Ian thought briefly, "One thing sir, I would like to know where the holodeck is so that I may perfect my skills."

"Col Kiera will show you on your way to your quarters." The Commodore began to stand, Ian rose quickly to beat him and come to attention. "Welcome aboard son." The commodore said as he shook Ian's hand "Dismissed." he said as he left the table.

Ian sat back down to finish his drink...Kiera stayed with him. "What do you think Hawkeye?" Kiera asked intently.

"I think that he is fair and expects well of his personnel. But I think that he and I are going to find conflicting ideas sooner or later." Ian said as he stared at his drink

"Well don't worry," Kiera said placing a reassuring hand in Ian's arm. "He takes some getting used to, but soon you will know how he thinks and what he wants just by looking at him, I can tell you two are going to have that trait easier then most." Kiera took a sip of her drink and began again. "The Commodore has a look that gives some people, I have seen it, and He looks at you like, 'Hmm I think he is going to be ok' He just looked at you like that. But enough of that, come on I'll bring you to Garret and get any gear or clothing you may need."

Ian finished his drink in one gulp swallowed and followed Kiera to Garret's. Upon walking in to Garret's shop Ian noticed that he was selling Lingerie...made especially for Bajorans. "Ash Ms Neirese...everyday you come to my shop is a glorious one!"

Garret smiled and hugged Kiera as she entered; they appeared to be good friends. "Who is the big new comer? My name is Antal Garret, once Gul Garret chief Intel officer for the Cardassian, but not anymore. I gave that up." He chuckled and Ian shook his hand...in Ian's mind he went over Garrets file...Ian made sure to read up on some of the more Shady people on DS9, from his memory Ian recalled that Garret wasn't lying nor was he providing any new info, but no new Intel was out on him.

"My name is Ian MacMahathain, I need something made from you." Ian said to Garret, who was already going to gather up his tape and measure. "I would like Spec Ops Black uniform from the 20th Century US Army."

Garret looked at him and said that it would take him a day or two to get that, but he would have it prefect fit to Ian's orders. Once Garret had the proper measurements he smiled and began searching for the uniform in the computer database. Kiera took Ian to his quarters and gave him his place of duty, which happened to be in 5 hours..."So you better get some rest, tomorrow starts a long day...you have personal to assign and Intel contacts to meet." Kiera said as she walked out.

Ian unpacked his things, a few pictures of home, and his boot knife and authorized military uniform for his personnel. It was the standard black Spec ops uniform with one alteration; I had a red v shape across the shoulders and down to the Sternum. The rest was black. The footwear was a version of the High Tek combat boot, all black with ankle support and high lacing. "Long day indeed." Ian thought, after a quick shower and message home he went to sleep.

<Grischelm's Living Quarters>

It had been a long day of packing for the Major, and Grischelm spent no time in settling into his new surroundings. He was eager to get his belongings put into their proper places, as was his way with all things. 'Time to get all this stuff back to where I can find it I guess.' he thought to himself. 'But first this silence has got to go.' he mused to himself.

"Computer give me something in line of some rock music. Something with a lot of base and some guitar solos."

"Music selection is available for screening on the main terminal." the computer responded.

Brandon went over to the computer terminal in the living room and skimmed through the list of selections. He soon picked out a twenty-second century rock group called Deafnote and told the computer. "Defnotes 'Don't Let Me Down', 28 Decibles"

The computer noted the selection and soon a loud guitar filled song with bass filled the room. "Thank God for sound dampening!" the Major chuckled as he started playing an air-guitar mock backup to the music.

An hour later the Grischelm his things put away and was ready to take a little more detailed look around the ship, particularly the holodecks and the launch bays. He walked down the corridor to the Turbolift and accidentally bumped into a woman with glasses, long hair, and somewhat plain features dropping her PADD onto the floor of the deck.

"Oh!" she said as her posterior hit the deck with a deft 'thump'.

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't see their ma'am, I..." the Major stopped suddenly as he saw a young Petty Officer First Class in front of him. He had never seen someone as pretty in his life.

"Sir? What? Do I have something on my uniform?" the PO said looking at her uniform in confusion.

Shaking himself out of his stupor the Major said "No, that's not it, I just...What's your name pretty, I mean, Petty Officer?"

The PO catching the slip said, "POFC Karen Mazerick, Sir." kneeling down to pick up her data Padd, "I'm the head nurse."

Stammering slightly the Maj. said, "W, Well if I ever come down with anything, I guess I know who'll be there to nurse me back to health, huh?"

"Sure thing, sir." Mazerick saying it in a little more demure manner this time just to check if the interest wasn't just wishful thinking.

"Well, I guess I should let you get back to your duties pretty, I mean, Petty Officer." said Brandon slipping up once again.

"See you soon, Sir." Karen said as she waved goodbye.

Brandon returned the wave bumping into the edge of the doorway to the Turbolift giving out a slight curse under his breath. He looked at her as she continued down the hallway and thinking how foolish he had to of sounded to her. And what was going on with slipping up like that? Grischelm never slipped up when it came to his speech. He always talked clear and concise, always the perfect soldier. Now all of a sudden he found himself acting like LCpl. Davidson trying to pick up that Betazoid.

<Holodeck 3>

Grischelm was still pinged over his encounter with the Head Nurse on Deck Three and was taking some of the stress out on a simulated Nausiccan opponent. A good hand-to-hand combat simulation was just the trick to release unneeded tension...usually. But Grischelm just couldn't get her out of his mind for some reason. Oh well, his mind would clear when he got back to the job and mission.

"Major Grischelm report to Training Facility Two on Deck Fourteen." called the digital voice from the speakers.

"Computer end program.” the Major said just as the Nausiccan was about to split the Major in two with a bladed weapon native to the beast. The Major grabbed his towel and headed out the door wiping him dry of sweat.

<Marine Training Facility Four (TF-4)>

"Detachment Attention!" sounded off the XO.

"Blood and Glory, Death and Honor, Gung Ho, Gung Ho, Gung Ho!" the detachment sounded off in unison. Unit, Corps, Federation This was the order to things for a Starfleet Marine, and nothing was more pleasing to Grischelm than to hear the hard-core motivation of his troops as he stepped through the pneumatic doors to the training facility. Every eye focused on Grischelm awaiting him to tell them what the mission was that they were supposed to do.

Grischelm told them "At ease, men. Bring it on in." All the Marines formed a horseshoe formation around the Major. "All right you've all gotten settled into your new quarters, and everything seems fine and dandy...well it ain't! We are going back to the Gamma Quadrant, first wave. Means more details and slack to pick up, but that makes us mean, are you mean?" briefing the Marines enthusiastically in order to get them hyped.

The Marines replied "Hoorah!" in unison.

"Goooood," almost growling the word, "this ship is the first ship to the 'Gam in a taskforce designed to eliminate the threat of a surprise attack on DS9 and her outlying systems. We are going to be fighting the battle on land and sea and space if need be to accomplish that mission, do you hear me?"

“Hoorah!" again the Marines sounded off, this time with pure motivation and looking pumped for combat with the look of blood in their eyes. Just the way the Major liked it.

After the mission briefing the Major decided to do some training with the men, a few combat drills and some first aid classes given by the Marine Medic, Recruit Marcus Flaven. Flaven was rather slim man in his late
twenties. The major wasn't thrilled with taking a recruit on as his unit's medic, but he wasn't given much of a choice in the matter. Starfleet HQ had given him a long briefing on the medic's credentials and after the battle was fought, HQ won. The men knew that he wasn't one of their own, and as such treated him only with minimum respect. They felt that as long as he did his job, which was basically keeping them alive, he could be tolerated with.

Seeing his men together and showing a high morale made Grischelm content with the duty he was given, and as the Major listened to the class he thought to himself 'Maybe this tour won't be so bad after
all.'

After stopping at Garret’s for his uniform, Ian gathered some of his combat gear, and headed to the holodeck nearby. The round doors slid back with a hiss of compressed air. In front of him Ian saw a path on a mountain in Vermont, not far from where he grew up...he could feel his senses grow in acuteness. Hearing, smell, sight, touch all became much more sensitive, "Ahh finally some down time." Ian sighed as he entered.

"State the nature of program." The computer's monotone voice beeped.

"Tracking and Hunting." Ian replied. "Bow and Arrows, broad head, compound bow,”

"Acknowledge." The computer began processing and the items appeared at his feet. Looking around, Ian began to perform his normal camouflaging ritual. A small dedication the Old Man who created all things, and the Gods for his successful hunt.

Applying paint to his face, the computer beeps, "Incoming message, 'Hawkeye, this is the Commander I am going to be there to meet you and have a little chit chat in about an hour so be aware of that.' end message"

Ian thought to himself, "so...it's my time off." Continuing his painting, he caught sight of a big Northern Whitetail Deer. "I'm in luck. Thanks Grandfather!" Ian whispered quietly. Ian let the deer walk off a ways then he began to follow it, the deer was walking faster then normal, it knew that Ian was following it. So he stopped to give the Deer some space so that it wouldn't be so spooked. The deer came into a clearing and stopped to munch on the grass. Ian crept up to the edge of the clearing, just enough to see what was going on.

"This is a good one, Grandfather make my shot accurate." Ian prayed. Pulling an arrow from his quiver not even the bushes knew he was there. The deer looked up in the other direction flicked one ear...Ian stopped moving entirely. The deer gave the warning by throwing his tail high into the air...his White underside of the tail gave the word.

"DANGER! RUN!" Ian remained still hoping that the deer would run a small distance and stop to wait and see what it was. Ian saw in his sights the Commodore smiling and looking around. Ian slowly drew his bow and put the arrow back in the quiver.

"Why is he here early?" Ian grumbled under his breath, looking at his Chrono watch it had been not only an hour but also another 30 minutes. To Ian's surprise he had been tracking this deer for almost 3 hours. Checking his odometer he had traveled almost ten miles.

"HAWKEYE!!!" The Commodore hollered out to try and find Ian. Ian stayed quiet, "I'll pop up behind him." Ian thought. The Commodore crossed the clearing and walked right past Ian about ten feet away to his right. Ian silently stood and whispered..."Commodore!"

The Commodore whirled around fists raised, "Boy you almost got a whippin like you never knew!"

Ian smiled and said "Maybe."

Back in Ian's quarters, the Commodore admired the pictures of Ian's home and the ancient weapons hanging on the wall.

"The reason I wanted to talk to Commander was about your job aboard the ship. I need a detailed report of everything we can expect from our friends in the Alpha Quadrant and our enemies in the Gamma Quadrant plus everything that you can get us regarding the Gam’ it’s self."

“I’ll get what I can sir.” Ian replied.

The Commodore turned and walked out of Ian’s quarters.

Ian changed the program to one of his personal training routines.

Ian stood in front of his opponent, staring at him with the same eye's staring back at him. Ian had selected a program that mirrored his own actions to better see HIS own weaknesses and strengths. A bead of sweat began to trickle down his opponents head into his eye...Ian watched carefully, both men breathing heavily and sweating quite hard. The bead of sweat trickled into the computer hologram's eye, he closed it in pain..."ATTACK!" Ian thought and began with a furry of kicks and punches...low, med, high, trying to find the kinks in his own defense. Finding none he goes for a grab and hold, the computer anticipated this and grabbed Ian by his right during a punch and yanked hard...there was a loud pop and a small grunt of pain from Ian.

"Computer," The computer beeped with acknowledgement, "Discontinue training save and end program." Ian said through blinding pain.

"Acknowledge" The computer beeped and turned off the hologram; the room became filled with black boxes surround by yellow grid lines.

Ian walked down the Promenade to the medical facility; there the head nurse was coming on duty, "Oh my goodness! What happened?" She asked with genuine concern.

"I was training and I dislocated my shoulder." Ian painfully replied holding back the signs that he was in real pain.

"Who did this? And what training were you doing?" She asked in a teasing tone of voice. She was pretty and Ian saw a lot of beauty come off of her, but figured that someone else had their eye on her, he better get in line. "My name is Karen, so...MR.. I...I mean sir!" Looking at the datapad with Ian's info seeing his rank.

"That's ok Petty Officer I am off duty you can call me Hawkeye for right now."
Ian said to try and calm her down, just hoping that she fixed his shoulder soon.

"Well I need you to lie down, unfortunately we might have to do this the old fashioned way...Doctor!" She called to the Doctor, the doctor came and helped nurse Karen reset Ian's shoulder in
place and fix the ligaments.

"Gee thanks doc!" Sighed Ian as soon as his shoulder reset back in place. "Feels like new. Remind me to see you tomorrow."

Karen smiled and looked towards the door..."Why hello Major!" She seemed to be surprised to see him.

"Ah you must be Ian Mac.Mac..."

Ian cut him short with a grin, "Just Ian sir, or Hawkeye if you prefer."

The Maj thought it over and smiled, "Alright Hawkeye then! Where did you get that name?" He asked. Ian just shrugged and walked off.

<Ian’s Living Quarters>

Back in Ian's quarters the Intel report had come in, "Oh great another alert status red...that will be interesting." He read over the report, same old thing Dominion squad out of Dominion control in the area suspected of trying to Sabotage any and all re-supply runs. Well better get this to the Commodore or to Kiera.

<Bridge, DS9>

"Hawkeye! I thought you were training? What's with the cold pad on your shoulder?" Kiera always asked so many questions when Ian came into work. Her main one was why Hawkeye was his name, as always he would shrug and change the subject.

"Here are today’s Intel reports. Nothing overly big to report today, Sir. Same news as every other day. Reminds me of my Father's stories about the Anti-Terrorist campaign that the US led...”

Kiera cut Ian short. "You better have that shoulder looked at." She seemed to act a little more then just concerned as a superior, but also as a friend.

"I already did, Nurse Karen did a right fine job...by the way who is the Klingon Maj that I bumped into?" Ian asked.

"That is the Marine Major he will be your main contact. Well you should go get changed and by the way, nice uniform, tactical, and dressy. I hope you have something more cordial to wear if the Admiral arrives." Kiera was now mocking him.

Ian said, "Of course I do Neirese, I have my fathers dress blues with full academy awards and accommodations from Starfleet. I had to really pull some favors to get that one."

The two friends laughed and Ian left heading to his quarters. "Take care of that arm! You'll need it next time we go out." Kiera said as he entered the lift

"Tell me about it." Ian said as the lift began to leave.

<Holosuite, DS9>

Ian walked quietly through the pines and hardwood trees. Quickly glancing around making sure that he was not spooking anything. Ian was tracking another deer, this time no one else was due to come calling. The Commodore told him that he didn't need to go to work until further notice. Ian was ok with it, gave him more time to hone his targeting and fighting skills. "After this I am going to train in a weight suit." Ian was thinking ahead in case he needed speed as well as strength. Suddenly Ian froze in place. His blue eyes locked on the deer, it was less the ten meters away. "Perfect." Ian thought, drawing back his bow and arrow, he aimed. The deer was standing with its side to Ian. With a whisper of air, and blur of color, the deer winced and took off running. It didn't get far; it ran for a mile then feel down dead. Ian smiled and went to the fallen animal and performed the proper thanking ritual that his father taught him.

"Computer! Begin hand to hand mirror program." Ian said looking upward. "Acknowledge." The computer began the desired program; Ian took off his Black BDU Top and folded it on the bench provided. He took his place and said "Begin!" In an instant Ian saw himself standing in his ready position. He stood there, waiting until his computer self attacked him, and nothing...he began by throwing a high cross punch. The computer blocked and countered, so began the fight. After three hours of weighted training Ian finally told the computer to stop the program. After the computer complied, Ian went back to his quarters.

<Ian's Living Quarters>

In the shower, Ian enjoyed a real one once in a while. Sonic showers were a great invention, but nothing could beat a real shower with water and all. He heard the computer beep with the normal "Someone is at the door" alert. He pushed the data pad to inform the person outside that he was in the shower. After a few minutes of changing into his BDU pants and a black t-shirt he answered the door.

"Hi Hawkeye, I know you know me." The pretty lady standing in front of him said. She was about 5'5" tall and small build, short brown hair, and the most beautiful blue eyes Ian had ever seen, they looked familiar from the academy...

"Dax?" Ian finally said, "Is that you? I thought that Jeitsia died." Ian remembered the letter he received from Benjamin Sisko, informing him that his friend had died.

"She did, but Dax lived. My name is Ezri Dax. I was chosen after Jadzia died." Ezri looked like nothing was different, Ian looked at her in awe and confusion. "May I come in? Hawkeye have you already forgotten you manner?" Ezri asked in Jadzia's teasing manner.

"U-u-uh yeah. Sorry Dax." Ian stammered, still trying to make sense of all this. "Hot Toady Dax?" Ian asked, "I haven't forgotten everything."

She smiled and nodded "It's been too long my old friend, remember the academy? We were a little wild weren't we, did Prof Jennings ever grow his hair back?" Ezri asked with complete mental acuteness.

"I am not sure," Ian said as he handed her the drink. "I know he wasn't happy last time I talked to him."

Ezri took her seat on the couch, Ian stood, and she patted the cushion next to her "I know that I am not Jadzia but I am Dax, I am still your friend." Ian sat down he felt like crying, his friend wasn't dead after all...he reached out a hand and began to draw it back before he touched her. A tear formed and fell to the couch, Ezri saw it and said, "It's ok, and I’m fine. I would like to try and restart our friendship." Her eyes met his and gave him a feeling that everything would be ok, just like Jadzia would when he would get frustrated at the academy. He began to cry and fell forward into Ezri, she hugged him and placed his head on her shoulder and consoled him. After a tearful reunion, Dax and Hawkeye began to catch up on old times and new ones.

When Ezri stood up to leave, she hugged Ian; it felt good to be with Dax again for Ian. "Take care my friend, even though I am in a new host I will always be with you." Ezri placed a hand on Ian's cheek to let him know that she still cared. She held his hand until she got out the door, Ian sat down and cried for a while, when he stopped. He decided to sleep. It was going to be a new day tomorrow and he needed to rest.

<Commodore’s Living Quarters>

Alex was sitting back relaxing in his chair drinking some Romulan Ale when the comm. light on his desk began to blink. He stood and walked over to his desk. Looking at the screen and sighing he hit the initiate button on the computer."

=^=Priority One message from Starfleet Command authorization required. =^=

"Winger Alpha one zero delta." Alex said in response to the computer.

Alex sat back and read the text only message. As he read the message he began to rub his temples. 'So it begins he thought' as he stood and put on his casual uniform vest. He downed the rest of drink and headed for the bridge.

<USS Stonewall Jackson’s Bridge>

As Alex walked out onto the bridge from turbolift he noted how empty the ship actually was. The bridge was all but deserted. The only personnel aboard were the techs he had come out from Mars with. This was going to be a difficult one to handle. Especially with the dinner planned for that night. "I wish my diplomatic officer had reported aboard, but she is still somewhere in transit." he said out load.

"What was that sir," one of the techs said.

"Oh sorry was thinking out load again." he apologized.

He turned and went into his ready room. As he sat down he thought to himself 'How am I going to full fill Starfleet’s command with only a hand full of my regular crew.' He leaned back in his chair and gave it some great concentration. Suddenly he shot forward in his seat. "Commander MacMahathain, Major Grischelm report to my ready room on the double."

=^= Right away sir. =^= Came the majors response.

A heartbeat latter came the commander’s response. Alex sat back in chair and relaxed. This plan would definitely work. It had to work. It was the only one he could come up with on such short notice with the ship being so undermanned.

<Ian's Living Quarters>

The alarm sounded with a trickle of water, Ian suddenly was wakened from his dream with the urge to go to the bathroom. Rolling out of his bed he made his way there. Upon finishing Ian went to the food replicator, "Eggs scrambled, bacon, fried and crisp, English muffin with butter, glass of milk tall and cold." Ian ordered, the replicator began processing and made the meal. Still in his shorts, Ian sat down, said a small prayer and began to eat. He figured Kiera who always stopped by would come and have a bite. The attention sound was made to let him know that there was someone at the door.

"Just a sec." Ian replied as he grabbed a shirt and put it on, "Enter!" He said letting the computer know that it was to allow his guest in.

"Good morning Ian," Kiera said cheerfully, just coming off duty "How did you sleep?"

"Well not too bad, how was shift last night?" Ian asked, he thought back to when he first met Kiera how much he thought that she was going to be a ball buster. Now they had become good friends and did a lot together, Ian was teaching her how to track and how she could become silent in the woods.

"Coffee, black two sugars." Kiera told the replicator, "I don't know how you eat so much Ian, breakfast is important but..." She trailed off, seeing Ian's understanding smile as he sat down. She took a sip of coffee winced a little bit at the bittersweet taste. "Oh by the way some more Intel reports came in, I had them transferred to your work area." Kiera said, changing the subject she asked "Want to have lunch at the Promenade today?"

Ian thought for a minute and brought up his workload for the day..."Nah I can't I got to check the Intel reports and train some of my personnel in targeting and minor things all day long. How about I meet you for dinner at your place in DS9?" Ian replied with a grin. "Great. What do you want tonight, and don't say steak or I will smack you."

She giggled at the thought; Ian always loved to have steak and potatoes. She wanted to fix something a little bit different tonight. Ian thought and said "How about pizza?" Smiling at Kiera's puzzled look he grinned and said, "Maybe dinner should be at my place." Kiera agreed and finished...Ian saw her out and watched her as she left, "Ian knock it off, she is one of your Commanding officers." He thought to himself. Closing the door he turned and cleared the table...took a shower and changed into his uniform. As he left he grabbed a couple things and left for the turbolift.

"Intel section." Ian stated. The Turbolift hummed as it swiftly took Ian to his area. "Good morning sir." One of his subordinates said looking up "The new Intel reports are on your desk."

Ian nodded and went to his office, it wasn't much, just a little, and 9 ‘X 12' boxed in area with a view port and door. It had a small desk on which Ian found the data pads stacked in a neat pile. Ian started to look through them one by one; each pad was dedicated to a certain race or rouge section. After about the 10th one Ian stood up and stretched..."ahhhhhh. This feels good." Ian spoke while yawning, he was still trying to wake up. He tilted his head to the left and right, his vertebrae snapping quietly in response.

"Ouch doesn't hurt sir?" The Yeoman asked as she walked in.

Ian smiled and replied, "Actually no, it makes my neck and head feel better. What have you got?"

The Yeoman nodded and began "Well sir it's this report for the Commodore. He wants to know the current stance of the Breen?"

Ian noticed the tone and re-acted as he normally would "I understand that, what seems odd about it?"

The Yeoman swallowed "Well nothing overly out of the ordinary sir, but I did look at who will receive and well he wants in his personal quarters."

Ian thought for a second and said "Understood Yeoman, prepare the report I'll view it and bring it to him myself." The Yeoman nodded and left the office. "In his personal quarters, not like it's out of the ordinary." Ian thought to himself, but was proud that his subordinates were at least thinking rather then following blindly...as long as they knew when thinking was for him and not for them.

The Yeoman returned a few minutes later, Ian reviewed it and left for the Commodores quarters, he could hear some classical playing through the doors. He pressed the data pad on the wall to the right with his thumb.

"Enter." He heard from in the room. The doors slid open and Ian saw the Commodore sitting at his desk, he looked very busy so Ian brought him the data pad quickly as to not take up much of his time

"The report you requested sir, my team compiled it and I reviewed it and saw it satisfactory." Ian said with a professional tone.

"Thank you LtCmdr, I will review it in good time, dismissed." Ian nodded and headed for the door, just as he was about to leave the Commodore spoke to him "Been fighting lately Ian?" He chuckled at the comment. Seeing that it was meant as a joke Ian just smiled shook his head and left. He had a few times, but he learned from the last fight to make sure that his opponent doesn't grab his arm and get the advantage.

The rest of the day went by smoothly, his personnel were learning quickly hand-to-hand self-defense and targeting skills. Ian's chest swelled when thought about what fine people he had working for him and what would he do without them. Ian let his people go a little early saying that he would watch the Intel section until the next shift came on. He gave a few directives to the Officer in charge that was coming on duty with one extra. "Let the shift go a little early so that they can have a little extra downtime, they deserve it." His replacement agreed and began the assignments.

In his quarters Ian requested a glass of cold milk and had just sat down when the door alert beeped. "Enter." Ian replied, Kiera walked in and sat down across from him.

"Looks like you had a long day." She said..."Now what's this pizza thing you were talking about?"

Ian walked to the food replicator "Pizza American, pepperoni, sausage, red onion, green peppers and mushrooms, two slices hot." The food materialized and Ian brought Kiera her slice. "Dig in!" He said, taking a bite of his own.

Kiera sniffed it and took a small bite to taste...."Interesting. Not too bad, but not too good either." When both had ate their fill they played a game of chess and said good night. Kiera left for DS9 and Ian went to take a shower and get ready for the next day.

He looked over his messages, nothing interesting. Dad saying that he was fine and proud of him. Garret telling him that his new uniform for jungle combat was ready. A friend from the academy just poppin by to say hi. Finally a call from the doctor’s office telling him that he was due for a physical. "Great..." Ian thought to himself. Ian shut down his data port and sat on his bed, before laying down Ian took a breath, "Another day gone, and another to arrive." He thought, he fell asleep and dreamed the night away.

After Ezri had left Ian decided to lie down and try and catch a little nap after his workout. "Computer music, 'Guns n'Roses' 'Appetite for Destruction, low volume." The computer beeped and began the music, lying down in his bed Ian began to doze off to sleep.

The music came to an abrupt end and was replaced by the Commodore’s voice, "Commander MacMahathain, report to my ready room on the double." Ian sighed and got up.

He changed into his tactical uniform, "Sounds like I might want this on just in case." He thought. "On my way!" Ian barked as he walked out the door.

Col Kiera was walking to stop in and say hi, but saw him walking in a very military manner and walked beside him, "Ian what's going on, you look like something big is happening." She said trying to keep up with Ian's stride.

Slowing down some so not to loose her Ian spoke, "Kiera there is something going on I have to report to the Commodore." Not even blinking she began to walk with him.

The turbo lift doors opened with a small hiss, "Bridge! NOW!" Kiera snapped as Ian opened his mouth to say it himself. He was surprised at the tone of her voice, she sounded a little worried herself.

"What is she hiding?" Ian pondered. "Kiera, you know that I am not overly smart, but I can see that you might know what is happening." Ian said with a firm tone.

Kiera looked at him and turned away quickly as to not maintain eye contact..."I can't say it may be a separate issue, let the Commodore tell you what is going on. That's an order Commander!" She looked at him with a look that was to say, "Just do it."

Ian nodded and cracked his neck...he was ready for the task at hand. He began to focus on military training his father gave him as a motivator to do well in school.

<Sick Bay>

Brandon sat on a med bed waiting for the nurse to walk in. Grischelm had pulled a muscle on the training course, and it had been causing him trouble ever since. Grischelm looked up to see the young Petty
Officer standing next to him. It was Karen Mazerick, the Head Nurse he had bumped into a week ago. Grischelm's blood pressure and heart rate ratted him out as his cheeks flushed red at the sight of her.
Mazerick looked at the patient and wondered to herself how to handle the familiar patient.

"Afternoon sir," looking more at the data padd than at Grischelm, "so...where does it hurt?"

Grischelm taking the absent look as a sign of disinterest shook his head and replied. "I think it's a cramped muscle in the lower hamstring on the right leg."

Mazerick told the computer to create a translucent field around the bed. Grischelm looked at the field a little oddly and Mazerick noted the stressed look on his face. She also noticed something else
showing the Major's thoughts. Playing it coyly she told him matter-of-factly "Remove your pants, sir."

Grischelm looked at her with both shock and interest in her motives.

Karen looked at him and said, "It's so I can examine your leg there, bronco." Grischelm chuckled at the comment and proceeded to remove his pants.

Now standing in his boxer shorts in front of the nurse, Brandon hopped onto the bed, and lay flat on his stomach without any hesitation. Before he got a single word out to apologize for his finding her attractive, Karen broke the silence "Does it hurt here?" she touched a part of his leg that made him jump.

"Hey!" blurted the Major in a growl of pain, "Watch it will ya?" Mazerick held on to the spot and started to rub the muscle group. Brandon started to relax from the massaging of his leg. Soon he felt himself in a daze as endorphins rushed through his body.

"Maj. Grischelm and LtCmdr. MacMahathain report to the bridge immediately." the computer announcement had said.

"Damn." the Major silently cursed to himself as he heard the comm. Karen injected him with a pain releasing hypospray. Without knowing it, he gave her a kiss on the cheek thanks saying, "You saved my life Pretty Officer.", and ran out the door towards the bridge. Mazerick touched her cheek lightly as the feeling of the kiss sunk in. And she sported a slight grin. "Pretty Officer?" she said saying the word 'pretty' as if it were a different word than what she heard. "PRETTY Officer!" finally putting two and two together. "Well to hear that, that'll make any girl's day brighter,” she mused as she twiddled her fingers through her hair in a daze.

He didn't notice the slip-up until he half way up the shaft. "God! What a fool I'm beginning to sound like..." he cursed himself aloud. "Come on Brand! Get a grip on yourself, get your mind off of her and on to the mission at hand." As he finished the pep talk to himself the doors slid open to reveal the bridge, and the personnel tending to their workstations.

The ship's XO said, "The Commodore is waiting for you in his Ready Room, Major." He opened the door to find The Commodore sitting at his desk, and narrowly being missed by a young LtCmdr. in an old 20th century black ops uniform bolting to the office right behind him.

<Fighter Deck, USS Excelsior>

“What do you mean you haven’t been training?” the lieutenant asked, furiously. “You lousy bums haven’t been bothering to work out or even fly some Sims for over 3 weeks, and you’re expecting me to be happy!!!”

David rolled his eyes. “What is with this man?” he thought to himself. “We just get back from a mission that could have meant all our lives, and he’s yelling at us for taking R&R.”

“Iceman, WAKE UP!!!!” the lieutenant yelled. “You’re the one that needs those Sims the most. You almost botched your flight last time.”

David ignored the Lt. as usual. Door opens, and all eyes look towards it, and jaws
drop.

“Hey. That’s my wife you are staring at,” the lieutenant said. Everyone on the deck snapped to
attention.

“Steve, you have a call from the USS Stonewall Jackson,” the beautiful redhead said.

“You goons get to a holodeck and start flying some Sims. NOW!!!”

<Steve’s Fighter>

“Computer, transfer transmission for me to the view screen.” A picture of Commodore Winger appeared. “Sir, how can I help you?”

“I wish to welcome you aboard. Your fighter wing has been transferred to my command and my ship, the USS Stonewall Jackson. The Excelsior is already enroot to DS9 to drop your wing off. We do, however, have a small issue. Currently we are locking down the ship and station, as we are trying to catch a changeling. You need to get here ASAP.”

“Yes sir. I’ll make sure my pilots are prepared, and we’ll help in anyway possible sir.”

“Good. I’ll expect your arrival soon.”

<Fighter Deck, USS Excelsior>

“Listen up you goons. We have a new ship, and new commander. I’m sure all of you have heard of Commodore Winger. Well, he’s your new commander. So you idiots need to get ready, cause we’re headed to DS9.” Steve turns on his heels and heads out of the fighter bay. His wife stands and follows him out.

<Corridor 6, USS Excelsior>

“Honey, what’s going on? You seem to be tense about this.”

“I’ll tell you when we get to the holodeck,” Steve replies to his wife.

<Holodeck, USS Excelsior>

“Computer, lock doors and close all monitoring. Security override code Alpha-Delta-Charlie 330.”

“Security code accepted. All monitoring is ceasing and doors are sealed.”

“There’s currently a changeling running about DS9. We are headed there to report to our new ship and to find this thing,” he tells Desi.

“Ok. So why are you so tense?” she asks.

“It seems this thing has been running loose on the station for a little while. It also seems that a few
people have been killed during that time.”

“Oh. Now I understand. Let’s just fly a SIM. It’ll help you relax. Computer, fighter SIM 311. Start
program.

<USS Stonewall Jackson’s Bridge>

." As Brandon finished the pep talk to himself the doors slid open to reveal the bridge, and the personnel tending to their workstations.

As the two men entered, the men answered, as if they had the same question, "Yes Sir?"

<Commodore’s Ready Room>

Alex was sitting in his, Rebel, his dog laying next to him as the door shot open and Maj Grischelm and LtCmdr MacMahathain come running into the room. Alex gives them a deadly stare as the stop dead and both say in unison "You requested our presences, sir."

"First of all," Alex says in a stern voice "haven't you two ever heard of using the bell. What makes you think you can just barge in here with out announcing yourselves." At that moment though the chime rings and Alex says "Enter Col Neirese."

As Col Neirese enters Ian thinks to himself 'Saved by the bell.'

Kiera walks over and sits down on the couch. Alex just stares through them and says "I will forget this for now. We have a more important thing to deal with. Have a seat gentleman.”

They both sit down and Kiera leans forward to hear a little better. We’ll gentleman it seems that the station needs our help to hunt down a changeling that is on the station. We know it is not Odo the stations former security chief. He is in the Gam trying to rebuild a more peaceful Dominion. The changeling that is on the station is sabotaging the systems a there have been two deaths already. Maj I want you to take your Marines and scour the station trying to route him out and into a cargo hold of the station.” Alex hits a button on his desk and a hologram of the station appears between them. He pointed at a section of the station and said “Here. Commander you will be there waiting for him. Once you get him cornered I want you to capture him alive and take him in for questioning. Is that understood? I want him ALIVE.”

The two nod and said in unison “Yes, Sir!”

“Dismissed gentlemen.” Alex said as he waves them towards the door.

As the two walk out Kiera stands and said “Thank you Commodore.”

“The pleasure is all mine Col.” Winger said as she turned and walked out the door.

Alex stood up and started to walk towards the door. As the door opened he slapped his thigh and Rebel got up and came running after him. He walked across the bridge with Rebel in tow. He said to the computer as he got into the turbolift “Computer as soon as Lt Cmdr MacMahathain, Maj Grischelm, his marines and I get off the ship seal the ship and lock it. No one leaves or boards without my authorization code.”

<Marine Tactical CIC>

Grischelm stood next to the holoprojection of the DS9 schematics with his troops. "Alright, marines we got ourselves a mission from the boys up top and their counting on us to flush out a changeling run rampant." He pointed to a section of the map, a cargo bay in the outer rings of the station. "Here's the capture point here we need to drive him into, Cargo Bay 9. The bay's only a small holding area of fifteen meters wide by twenty meters long. Now the changeling is on the run somewhere on the station. We got to find out where."

A groan and shifting of the troops made evident their dislike for the lack of legwork done already in order to aid in the completion of the mission. "Now I know what's going on in those hollow pockets of air you call skulls, but I'm calling on the Intel boys to give us some better ideas of where he's at but for the most part I want you running patrols in major sectors of the station like Security, the Promenade, and the Docking Bays. We need to keep the little bastard on the station. Does not, I repeat again, DO NOT engage the enemy in hostile fire exchange. The Commodore has put out that the changeling is to be kept alive, at all costs. Intel is wanting for questioning, no doubt to probe his mind for information regarding enemy activity towards this system. So if you want to make our job easier later on, keep the little shit alive!"

The Major barked off orders left and right, directing patrol routes and general command orders to his troops. After the briefing he looked up at the command console and brought up a more detailed schematic. Looking at air ducts and waste disposal routes.

"How the hell are we supposed to catch this damned thing? From what I've heard these things can turn into anything from ooze to a seven foot Nausiccan." the Major said to himself as he looked at the screen.

<Intelligence Section, DS9>

"Commander, you got a minute?" the Major said as he came up behind the LtCmdr. sifting through reports while sipping on a glass of milk. The LtCmdr. held up a finger telling him to wait a moment. After he was done encoding a report and sending it to its recipient he spoke.

"What do you need Sir?"

Grischelm looked at him and said, "I need you to get in touch with security on board the station and find out everything you can on this changeling, where he's been spotted, how he's been seen, what he's gotten into, everything. I want you to also pull up any back history you can on this guy, gal, and whatever it is and a brief history on the culture. Maybe with a little background we'll have some place to start. I've got my marine detachment gearing up for patrols on the station so you might want to inform the security chief about it. I know how they get when they find out that we've been pulled in to handle things for them. Not
necessarily a warm welcoming if you get my point. I'll inform the Commodore on what's being done on the station and what you're up to and get his opinion on the situation. Anything you got to put in further."

Ian looked up at the Major and shook his head in answer to the question and he turned back to his reports. Grischelm looked around and shook his head. 'God help me if I ever run a desk command.' the Major thought to himself with a grimace on his face at the thought.

Grischelm walked into the turbolift. "Bridge." the grizzled voice told the computer. After a few seconds later the turbolift stopped at deck three and Karen stepped in.

"Hello Sir." her eyes twinkling at the sight of him.

"Hey." the Major said, almost absently due to his mind being on the briefing ahead then from dislike. The opposite was truer than anything. The turbolift stopped on the next deck and the nurse headed on her way without a word more. The doors shut and continued up to the bridge.

"Good." the Commodore said in approval. "By the way I've set the computer to seal the ship after our departure. No one in, no one out."

The Major nodded at the input and spoke. "I'll have the station informed to have a barracks space be made available for the troops then. Anything else sir?" The Commodore didn't reply and returned to his work. The Major took that as a negative and let himself out of the office.

<Intel Section>

Ian walked into the Intel section to find that no one was there..."Great I need to get them in here." Ian thought to himself as he made for his office. Stopping in front of the replicator, "Milk, white 10 degrees C." He said, milk helped Ian think and keep him calm, he never knew why nor did he question it. At his desk there were some reports waiting to be filed and some replies to inquiries about warring Nations. He started shuffling the reports and began gathering Intel on the changeling species.

"They can look like anyone, they have to return to their natural state once every 12 hours...." Going over interviews with Odo former security head of DS9. "Computer what is the location of Col Kiera and Cmdr Ezri Dax?"

Ian suddenly had a thought, maybe they could give a little incite on how to catch this thing. "Location of Col Kiera Neirese and Cmdr Ezri Dax, Bridge of DS9" He tapped his comm. unit of his chest, lightly to ensure that he had comms he waited for the beep, "Kiera, Dax I need to see you about something, please come to the Stonewall Jackson in the Intel section." Ian waited for a response.

"On our way." Ezri said. Ian took a Sip of milk and looked up as the doors opened.

Major Grischelm walked in right up to his desk. "Cmdr I need Intel on the culture, background and anything that might be helpful about these things, my men are gearing up right now." Ian agreed to it, and began his report, before the Major left he shook his head, mumbled something that Ian heard but didn't make out, he was to much into his work...He needed to focus and make sure that things would go smoothly. He was sure that he could gather Intel; he was always good at that.

The Major had left for a few minutes and it clicked in Ian's head. "QUARK!" He said out loud as Ezri and Kiera came in.

"What?" Ezri said, then a look of understanding came over her eyes. "I'll get right on it." She said and left.

"Ezri!" Ian called after her. As she turned around he continued, "Be careful, you don't know who or what the changeling might be." Ezri smiled and nodded. Upon her leaving Kiera handed Ian some reports on what they knew about the Changelings and how to capture them alive.

"Concussion, or temporary loss of concentration of what they are supposed to look like will make them show their true selves." Kiera continued. "Also blood should be drawn from everyone on the ship and the station, it's the best way without having to drop a flash grenade in the Promenade." Ian nodded and finished his report.

"Thanks Kiera, I have to go give a brief to the Commodore and the Major." Ian said showing her out, and ensuring she got off the ship.

"We have to be suspicious of everyone,” he said as he walked to the Marines barracks. "Major?" Ian called as he entered, the Major turned his head in the direction of the call, "Gather your men Major, I have a briefing for them. You might want the Commodore here too..."

<Commodore’s Ready Room>

"Cmdr I want you to find weaknesses of the Jem'Hadar so that we can fight them easier." The Commodore said sitting at his desk. "I don't care how you get the Intel, as long as I don't hear it...and Cmdr, this is a black Intel gathering...as little people know as possible...understood?" The Commodore looked at Ian standing in front of him standing in the 20th century military stance of Parade Rest. Ian's face was taunt and stern.

"Yes sir, I will get right on it." Ian snapped to attention and saluted the Commodore. "Dismissed"
Ian left the ready room to begin his Intel gathering.

<Living Area, DS9-Stardate 770409>

Alex walked down the corridor of the living area whistling a tone. He had his eyes out for the changeling but not trying to act like he was looking for him. As he walked down the corridor he thought to himself, “How are we going to catch this thing if we don’t know who he is?"

A young Bajorn security officer walked by and said "Morning Lt."

Alex continued to walk by with out paying attention. Then it dawned on him. As he turned and drew his phaser like an old western movie the security guard was. 'Damn, I had him and I just let him slip by." He thought.

He tapped his communicator and said, "Security, Maj Grischelm the changeling is somewhere on decks 9 thru 11. I just saw him. Sections A thru D."

He started to walk down the hall back towards where the changeling was heading. A phaser blast shot past him so Alex dove for cover into one of the rooms. He drew a bead on the door and waited for anything to come thru.

<Living Area, DS9-10 minutes later>

Maj Grischelm and his marines come running down the hall. The major says "Computer what is the location of the Commodore?"

"The commodore is in quarters 1456."

"This way men." The major says.

As the near the room the Marines are looking around cautiously. The Major taps his communicator Commodore this is Major Grischelm. Where coming into the room Sir."

At that two marines taking flanking positions on each side of the doors and the major crouches in front of the door. One of the marines hits the open button and the door slides open. The Major jumps in and does a combat roll to his feet. As he looked around the room there was no one there. He asks the computer again "Computer where is the commodore?"

"He is in the same room 1456," the computer replies.

The marines and the Major begin to look around the room. After five minutes a marine says "Major, I just found the Commodores communicator."

<Intel Section>

Ian kept going over reports to find a way to capture the changeling alive..."Isometric pulse, sonic blasters. Seems that the only thing that will knock these things out without making them totally dissipate is to, bang them with isotopes that are totally neutral...hmm" Ian suddenly heard his comm. unit beep.

Tapping it absent-mindedly "Cmdr MacMahathain." He said through his programmed response. Funny how things just happen when you don't think about it.

"Cmdr," Major Grischelm’s voice came over with a slight sense of urgency. "The Commodore has been taken, we found his communicator but not him. Keep your eyes open! Grischelm out!"

Ian suddenly started to get a little worried. "If they have the Commodore then he could look like the Commodore, and he is loose on the station!" Ian contacted Kiera, "Is the line secure?" He asked before continuing? She nodded in response as Dax entered in the room with her. "There may be a problem Ian began..."

<Somewhere on DS9>

Alex awoke suddenly from his unconsciousness. As he looked around he noticed where ever he was it was cold and dark. His hands had been tied around his back and his feet had been tied to his arms. He couldn't move. Every time he tried to wiggle free the ropes constricted. He finally gave up trying to get loose and tried to remember what had happened.

He remembered ducking for cover into a room and guarding the door. He had called the Major and told him what was going on. Then he remembered a cold liquid substance rapidly covering his body and suffocating him till he passed out. Then he had awoken in this room.

He could hear the hum of a computer core or an engine of some sort. He wasn't quite sure. He didn't know exactly where he was. He hopped someone would find him quickly before the changeling could use his form as a disguise.

It would be hard for his officers to deny the changeling anything if he acted like Alex.

<Intel Section>

"What do you mean 'might be a problem'?" Kiera’s face tightened.

Ian stared at the screen while he told her that the Commodore had been taken. "And find something out for me." Ian said abruptly "Find out what type of reaction Changelings will have to neutral isotopic ions."

Ezri looked at him and said, "That's easy. Hey would return to their natural liquid form. The ions that hold them together are charged when they are solid, when they are liquid they are neutral." She thought for a second, "When Jadzia was here, she asked Odo to help her in an experiment, that was just about that. The Changeling needs to be flooded with neutral isotopic ions. Thus they will have an urge to go back to their normal form. This will give us a little insight on who they may be...mainly because their structure will start to become deformed."

A smile came to Ian's face without him knowing it, "Dax you never cease to amaze me." She smiled and the screen blipped off "Computer. I need two things from you in the following order. As ranking officer nothing gets on this ship with out a genetic test along with blood and biometric identifiers confirmed.

Use transporter and Starfleet logs to confirm." Ian stopped to ensure that the computer understood.

"Acknowledge." The computer responded.

"Second I need the location of Major Grischelm." The computer gave the location and Ian thought that he was better fit to stay on the ship, there was only a small crew and he knew that someone needed to keep some kind of support here. "Major Grischelm. This is LtCmdr MacMahathain...I think I know of way to kill two birds with one stone..."

Ian continued to study the report about the changelings and the interview with Odo. What caught his eye were the neutral isotopic ions. He knew how to catch the changeling alive...now he needed a way to help Major Grischelm flush it out.

A screen popped up at Ian's request. "Computer, run a simulation of what would be the best way to capture the changeling using neutral isotopic ions." The computer beeped, and began running simulations.

=^=Kiera to MacMahathain. =^=

Ian tapped his communicator "Go ahead" he replied.

=^=I think that you better come to the bridge on DS9, I might have some info that will be useful in the capture of the changeling =^=

Ian's interest was peaked. "On my way" He said.

<Bridge, DS9>

After gaining Authorization from the computer, Ian transported to the bridge. Leaving instructions that nothing was to get on or off the USS Stonewall without his Authorization. "What have you got Kiera?" Ian said as he walked through the door.

"Well,” she said, “we have a way of flooding the entire base with the ions." Kiera began, "The only problem is that if we do this it may have side effects, nothing serious just head aches, body aches and possible temporary blindness. Doctor Bashir is preparing for incomers. He has also set up a scanning section, no one leaves the station with out being scanned and proven that they are humanoid, not changeling."

Ian nodded and agreed that it was a good idea. "What about the Commodore?" Ian asked. Kiera looked down and said nothing. Ian looked out the view port, "Have you tried a bio-scan for him?"

Kiera nodded but said "They came up negative...there is nowhere else that we can really think of..." Suddenly she looked as she had an idea, "There may be a way to find him, what if we were to do a deck by deck search."

Ian thought for a minute, "Is there anywhere that the scanners can't operate? Say the engineering core or something?"

Kiera gasped, "The computer and engineering cores are blocked off from scanning. Portable scanners can penetrate the core enough to get a reading...maybe you should..."

Ian was already tapping his communicator. "Major Grischelm."

"Go ahead Cmdr." The Major replied.

"Major the Col and I have an idea where the Commodore might be...try the engineering and computer cores. Take a team to search them, what do you think?"

Ian waited for a response..."Well Cmdr, that sounds like a right fine idea to me." The Major replied.

Ian just hoped that the Commodore wasn't dead; he would hate to have to try and explain this to Starfleet Intel command...

<Computer Core, DS9>

Grischelm stood at the top of the Computer Core of DS9 looking at the area, well at least what he could see of it. Conduits and memory core blocks and storage ducts laced and weaved through out the core bay making visibility almost non-existent beyond six meters. The steam of the coolant devices made for a low hung fog on the floors and girders.

The Major had received less than ten minutes ago from his Intel Officer that the computer core and the engineering core were the only two places that were shielded from scanners due to their sensitive
natures. Grischelm looked at this little quirk as the sign of a professional. This changeling wasn't stupid, and armature would have overlooked that possibility, but not a pro. This put the changeling in the crazy, but not stupid category in Grischelm's book.

"Ok men, spread out! I want two teams covering the three and six, and one team covering the rear. Team Five your manning the entrance and exit so keep your eyes pealed, Team Three, your with me." the
Major barking the orders to his troops. The Major had decided to break up his usual fire teams into more smaller groups in order to compensate for the small confines of the core's corridors. This way he could cover more ground while still retaining effectiveness.

<Computer Core, DS9-Five Minutes Later>

"Sir, we've got a bio-sig that reads humanoid pulling flank at point-zero-six and three, closing fast. Sir, it looks like the Commodore!"

LCpl. Davidson said over the comm. to Grischelm. Davidson was in the lower compartments with Team Two and was radioing the Major to advise on his findings. "Keep your distance, and lock n load. He might be the changeling, so be ready to disable him. I repeat again, you are not authorized the use of deadly force. Intel needs him for interrogation. I say again do not shoot to kill, he is needed for interrogation.” the Major said with force backing his voice up.

"Copy that Sir!” the LCpl. said in confirmation.

The LCpl. peered into the fog to get a better look at the oncoming humanoid, but couldn't se anything through the thick fog. All of a sudden the LCpl. felt a thick gel envelope him in totality. He was
caught, and knew it. They hadn't seen it coming. He struggled to catch his breath, but there was no air to catch. In fact he was drowning in the ooze. He felt the impact of an ion blast, but it did no good. Why wasn't it doing anything? Then the LCpl. remembered with despair the briefing, and the reality hit him. The ooze is his natural form. Neutral ion charges wouldn't help him in this case.

He came to the conclusion that he was a goner if he didn't get free, and soon! "Fall back!" "They aren't penetrating!" "He's a goner!" was the last thing Davidson heard before the world went black and
faded away.

The Private First Class saw the LCpl. died before his eyes and started firing his MCPR-III; the changeling then released its grip on the LCpl.'s corpse and fell into a spill of ooze on the floor. The
PFC gave a sigh of release, and immediately the comm. gave an alerting signal. "What the hell is going on down there!" the Major barked furiously. "I thought I gave specific orders NOT to use deadly force!"

The PFC then answered the comm. with unfamiliar calm in his tone. "I used a phaser blast set on stun Sir. The changeling was already in his natural gel state when he attacked LCpl. Davidson, Sir. Team Two is collecting the package, and returning to the Security Area now, Sir. Also we suffered one casualty. LCpl. Davidson didn't make it, Sir."

"Understood Private. We'll handle it from here. Good work, and good quick thinking on your part. It will be noted in my logs. Just give your report to the Security Chief and give him an update on the situation. We'll continue looking for the Commodore."

<Computer Core, DS9-Ten Minutes Later>

"Tod'Hac!" the Major cursed under his breath. The only Klingon word that the Major knew and it personified his contempt for the situation with shear defiance.

"Sir, the Commodore is not here,” the LCpl. for Team Four said in a whisper to Grischelm.

"Where can he be then?" the Major asked in reply.

<Intel Section>

Ian rubbed his temples. It had been five minutes after Major Grischelm reported to him saying that he wasn't in the Computer Core and the Changeling was no fool. 'Where could he be?' Ian thought to himself. His comm. unit beeped, he tapped it. "Cmdr MacMahathain." He said still trying to think.

"Ian we have set up the checkpoints like you asked but how is this going to help?" Kiera’s voice gave away the fact that she was worried. Ian just thanked her and told her that it was all they could do.... for now.

<Ian's Living Quarters-2 Hours Later>

Ian sat down on his bunk, he hadn't slept in two days and he needed to have a clear mind. Setting an alarm to wake him he drifted off to sleep gleefully. In his mind he saw home and things that his Father taught him about stalking and concealment...also hiding traps and making sure that you saw the enemy first not the other way around.

Ian saw himself crawling on his stomach for 100 yards before he got to a point to shoot an arrow at a deer; he was 10 feet from it. "Remember well son what you learn in the woods," He shivered when
he heard his father's voice "I know that it seems that in this technological world, even things like this don't matter anymore. But they do. I guarantee that you will use this one day." Ian suddenly woke up. 'That's it!' He whispered. Gathering all his clothing and hurriedly putting them on he raced to the bridge.

"This has to be the answer! It just has to be!" Ian said as he walked out the door, not even finished with buttoning his top.

<Hines's Quarters, USS Excelsior>

Maverick looked around. He was checking to make sure he hadn't left anything. Moving to a new ship and new assignment was always hard. He had to feel the new crew out. He hated that. Change was not something that he neither liked nor took lightly. Flying is the only time a change could occur where he wouldn't think about it.

"Honey, have you seen the CD player?" he asked his wife.

"Should be next to the bed," came her reply. He knew that a CD player was old fashioned, but he preferred it. It reminded him of where he came from, and the way his parents brought him up.

Desiree came into the living room. She quickly crossed the room and came up behind her husband. She wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him lightly on his neck. "Everything will be ok," she whispered into his ear. She'd known him since the academy, and knew how he worried about change. She didn't like it either, but she was looking forward to this new assignment. They haven't had a lot of
missions since the end of the Dominion wars, and she was tired of flying Sims. She could tell that he was too.

"I know," came his reply, as he turned and kissed her.

<USS Excelsior, Approaching DS9>

"Attention” came the command as soon as Maverick stepped through the door.

"At ease," he said quickly. "Well, ladies and gentleman, we are about to embark on a new quest. As I've said, we have been attached to the USS Stonewall Jackson. Currently, there is a changeling running about the station, so everyone will have to have blood drawn to prove they are who their records say they are. You will give your full co-operation to the medical staff. After this, we will get temporary lodging on the station until things calm down. Understood?"

"Yes, Sir!!" came the thunderous reply.

"Good, dismissed," Maverick said.

<Conference Room, DS9-10 Minutes Later>

"It's actually quite simple" Ian said with a half dazed tired look. Dax, Major Grischelm, and Kiera all looked at him wondering what he had planned. "Keep the changeling in its solid form." Ian said with a
wide smile.

"What!" Grischelm burst out "How we supposed to catch the guy if he looks like someone else." The Major grunted something in Klingon under his breath.

Ian smiled and said, "What if we could make him look slightly like Odo, not all of his features would be correct. That would make it easier for us to spot him." Ian looked for at least one reassuring face. Finding none he began again "Look it's all to easy." He went to the monitoring screen, pulled up a few
schematics and continued "If we FLOOD DS9 and the Stonewall Jackson with not fully positive, but slightly positive ions and negative ions, keeping the mixture imbalance. The Changeling will be stuck in its
form that it takes until we find him. It has to work...it's just got to."

Ezri smiled and nodded in agreement. Kiera looked a little worried about it all, "What side effects will the ions have on everyone on the station?"

Ian shook his head saying he didn't know. "I'll ask Dr. Bashir to find out though." He said finally. Kiera thought the whole plan through and eventually gave the ok. Ian and Dax left immediately to begin the operation.

As they started the ions flowing through the station and the ship, Major Grischelm asked Ian "What will this feller look like when this is over with?"

"Simply put he will look like you and me, just many of his prominent features will be..." searching for a word to best describe it "different then anything you have seen in a while. Since Odo was here anyway." Finishing up Ian grabbed a hand phaser and left for the ship. He only hoped that this would work.

<DS9-30 Minutes Later>

Major came over the comm. link, "We have him in our site..." Ian drew a breath and took off running to find the Major and his crew.

"I knew it would work, now to get him to the cargo bay..."

<Conference Room, DS9-An Hour Later>

"Well the changeling won't tell us where the Commodore is." Ian said walking in the room, where the Major and Kiera were sitting, rubbing his temples Ian went to a replicator nearby before he and ordered
up a cup of coffee with sugar, "But he assures us that he is still alive and is willing to give up his location once we release him."

Major Grischelm grunted "Yeah like we're a goin to let that shape shifter go...I would rather fight brigade of Dominion soldiers single handily." Ian agreed and sat down.

Kiera shifted and said, "Well we have looked in the computer core, and to put the Commodore in the engineering core would not be healthy for lack of a better word."

Ian shifted in his seat to come closer to the table "What if he isn't in either of them?" Getting confused looks from his two companions. "Major did you ever scan the room that you found his comm.
unit?"

Thinking back the Major said, "Of course we did! You think that I am stupid!" Ian saw the Klingon half of the Major come out.

"No, I am not saying that, but what if we do it again shall we...I got an idea." Leaving the ship Ian and the Major grabbed the changeling now wearing a neural ion emitter, which kept him in humanoid form until taken off, or remotely deactivated.

<Living Area, DS9>

"Major you know this station better then anyone, could there have been secret tunnels or passage ways anywhere around?"

The Major nodded, "Yeah the Cardassian were a sneaky bunch and put them through out the whole place. Why?"

Ian walked into the room where the Commodore was last known to be. "When hitting soft ground or swamp, walk in a single file to hide your tracks." Ian said as he started to touch the walls and floor areas.

"What are you saying and what the Hell are ya doin boy?" The Major's southern drawl came out a little more then usual.

Ian smiled and continued to search. Finding a button on top of one of the door jams he pushed it..."There's your answer Major, let's follow the tracks and count the numbers." Ian said drawing his phaser. The passage way was about tall enough for Ian and the Major to walk slightly stooped over and it was wide enough for them to walk in it with their shoulders still about three inches from the sides. Ian began to hear the hum of the engines or the computer core, tapping his comm. unit and turning on his flashlight "Kiera do
you read?" Ian said trying to raise them; maybe he could use the comm. unit to triangulate their location. Not getting anything, they continued.

"Who's there?" Ian heard the Commodore say shocked and a little shook.

"Commander? Where are you sir? Keep talking so I can follow your voice." Ian said loud enough for anyone to hear him.

"I'll keep talking alright, did you catch that SOB that put me in this hole?" The Commodore kept talking "And another thing Cmdr, I am Commodore or sir! DO you understand?" Ian smiled as he found the Commodore tied on the ground, letting him free he helped the Commodore to the ship.

Once they got to the entrance of the passage, "Kiera tell the ship we are going to need some food and medical team on the ship, we found the Commodore, now time to kick some ass."

<Interrogation Room 3, Intel Section-Stardate 770410>

Now that the Commodore had been found, Ian could devote all his attention to the Changeling and find out what he was doing. "What is the real reason your here? I know your not here on a diplomatic mission." Ian stared into the changeling’s humanoid form's eyes.

"I am here as a peace keeping mission from elder Odo." The changeling was acting cool even though he had been in humanoid form for over 28 hours now, but he was a showing sign that he was getting tired.

"I tell you what, you’re not making a believer out of me. Why don't you tell me what the hell your doing here, and we'll let you get some rest...I am not the smartest guy in the world, but I even know that you need to relax in your normal state now and again."

The Changeling began again by saying that he was on a peaceful Intel mission from Odo. Ian still not believing him left him in the room. Leaving the room the Commodore came out of the viewing room.

"Who does he strike you Cmdr?" The Commodore said. "Well he definitely is not on an Intel mission, we have found nothing that would show that he was." Ian stopped walking and placed a thoughtful hand in front of the Commodore, "Although if he was on a Intel mission, wouldn't we be able to get a hold Odo to find out?"

The Commodore shook his head and mentioned something about the treaty said that no radion transmissions could come from the Alpha through the Gamma. Walking to the Turbolift the Commodore barked "Bridge!"

Ian was happier that the Commodore was back...things ran much more smoothly.

"Rebel!" He said as he walked into his ready room. Ian made sure that Rebel had food and water while the Commodore was missing. "What would be the best course of action Cmdr?" The Commodore sat down and started to pat Rebel on the head.

"Well sir," Still standing Ian started, "I would say that we should continue until the Changeling falters or we find his story to be true." Ian stood and Parade rest while talking to the Commodore.

"Very well Cmdr, see that the changeling says something." The Commodore said, "Dismissed." Ian came to attention saluted and left.

"Cmdr!" The Commodore shouted, "You make sure that you prepare a nice dinner for Dax." Smiling Ian nodded.

<Ian's Living Quarters>

"Enter!" Ian said after the door chimed. Ezri came into the room wearing a red satin dress with a v-cut to the bottom of her breastbone. Ian caught himself staring at her for a second. "Uh hi...you look great." Ian said after shaking himself back to reality.

"Thanks Hawkeye. You look pretty good yourself." Ian was wearing a tan pair of slacks with a black satin button up shirt. He was wearing a pair of black casual shoes. "What smells so good?" Ezri said as she came into the room, "How was your day?" She said giving him a kiss.

"Uh well..." Ian just stared at Ezri. She laughed bringing him back to the real world again, "You
haven't acted like this since the Academy formal dance." Ian smiled and held her chair for her.

Ian had prepared an Italian style meal; pasta Alfredo, garlic bread, Caesar Salad with grilled chicken. White wine for Ezri and a glass of fine Scotch for Ian. As they ate Ian became aware the Ezri was looking at him a lot more then usual. "What made you think to look for a secret passage?" Ezri asked Ian looking down to eat some more of her Pasta.

"Well I had a dream, one time my father taught me how to find a bunch of people without any tracks." Ian took a sip of scotch. "When I found out that there was actually only one person but it seemed like a lot of them. I realized that not all is as it seems."

Ezri smiled and took a sip of wine, "So a dream helped you? Dream watcher." She smiled as she thought of the nickname she had for him in the Academy. The dinner went well and everything was perfect...Ezri and Ian were talking and cuddling in his living room. "I think that I should go back to my Quarters." Ezri said standing up. She took his hand and made him follow her to the door. "Unless you can think of somewhere else that is a better place to stay." Her eyes met his and he understood. Ian woke up; Ezri was sleeping with her head on his shoulder.

He pulled her closer to him and she awoke, "did I wake you?" Ian said, she shook her head and cuddled up into his neck.

"But I do have to go now."

Ian nodded, he had a long day of interrogations and Intel gathering, he needed to start on the project the Commodore wanted him to....

<Commodore’s Ready Room>

After his dramatic experience of being captured by the changeling Alex just wanted to relax. He would never get the opportunity to though since that was the burden of command. As he entered his ready
room and sat at his desk he reached down and petted his pit bull Rebel. It was kind of ironic now that he thought about it. His dogs name was Rebel and he was the commander of the USS Stonewall Jackson. Alex gave a slight chuckle and looked at his desk. His paper work had piled up.

He shuffled through the standard reports of ship activities and crew manifests. He took a careful look at the report Hawkeye had written up on the changeling. That was a matter that would need to be
handled. He new that no transmission could be sent to Odo in the Gamma Quadrant but the idea hit him that no one said a ship couldn’t visit it. He set that idea on the back burner and continued to shuffle through the paperwork. He had received the planes for the new starbase that they were going to build on the other side of the wormhole for the Task Force.

It was to be part battle station and part shipyards. Starbase 747 was going to be one of the most advanced starbase in all of the federation. He began to look at the ships that were going to be joining his task force also. As he looked he noticed he was getting quite a few new designs and protypes in and almost all of them had cloaking devices. He finished shuffling through his paper work and stood up. As he walked out the door Rebel got up and went with him.

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