SPACE: THE FINAL FRONTIER. THESE ARE THE VOYAGES OF THE WWF TITANPRIZE. IT'S MISSION: TO EXPLORE AND ENTERTAIN NEW SOCIETIES AND NEW CIVILIZATIONS.  TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO WRESTLER HAS GONE BEFORE!

TITANPRIZE CREW:

Captain Vince McMahon
First Officer, Commander Shane McMahon
Chief Engineer, Commander Stephanie McMahon
Chief of Chiefs, Commander Linda McMahon
Chief of Security, Commander Kane
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Taker
Diagnostics Officer, Lieutenant Commander Jericho
Tactical Officer, Lieutenant Commander Austin
Transporter Chief, Lieutenant Commander Debra McMichael
Communications Officer, Lieutenant Commander Rock
Counselor Al Snow (assisted by H.E.A.D.)

... And many more!

WWF TITANPRIZE – CAPTAIN’S READY ROOM

    "Captain’s log, stardate 091720.00. We’ve entered the Esca Nebula.  Our navigational systems declare that going through the nebula will take 12 months off our journey home. As it is, we do not want to be stuck in this unknown quadrant longer then we have to. It will take a week to pass through the nebula. Other then some turbulence, we have not encountered any other problems."

     Captain McMahon leaned back in his chair and stared out the window. Bleak. That was the best way to describe this nebula. Red gas clouds, and blackness. McMahon sighed, and continued his log, "Morale Commissioner Foley has informed me he is planning something that would cheer up the crew. Hopefully it won't end in disaster like last week's pie eating contest between Ensign Rikishi and Ensign Show. End log."

DR. TAKER’S QUARTERS

     Dr. Taker felt it as he looked out the window. This dark cloud was no ordinary nebula. There was something about it that created an uneasy air within the ship.  An air that would tear lovers apart. An air from which unprovoked hostilities would arise. An air which would cause some to act out of character... or perhaps, reveal a deep down personality they had tried so hard to keep hidden.

     Taker smiled coldly.  He would be here to watch it all.

     One had to wonder how these mortals would react if their inhibitions were suddenly stripped away, and they were forced to act upon their true feelings - Anger. Passion. Lust. Obsession. Hatred. Jealousy.

    Sometimes, it was hard to tell them apart...

THE SMACKDOWN

     "Attention! Attention!" Morale Commissioner Foley started as he stood in front of the entire Titanprize crew, "Your commissioner has a new plan to boost morale aboard the ship!"

     "What… another Pay-Per-View?" Lt. Commander Rock called out, "The last one sucked a monkey’s nipple!"

     "Lt. Commander Rock, your constant bestiality references are unacceptable," Etiquette Officer Richards spoke.

     "Forget unacceptable," Foley started, "They’re just downright disturbing," he looked at Rock, "I don’t suppose there’s something you want to tell us, Rocky, is there?"

     "The Rock wants to tell you to get on with whatever the hell you were going to say!" Rocky replied.

     Foley shrugged, "Well, I was going to say that right here on the WWF Titanprize…" he waited for the cheers to die down before he continued, "We are going to have ourselves a little swimsuit contest!"

     More cheers erupted from the gang in the Smackdown.  "How DARE you!" a voice spoke up.

     Foley looked towards the voice, "How dare I WHAT, Ensign Ivory?" he asked.

     "How DARE you look at women as merely sex objects! How DARE you lower us to that level! You're behaviour is completely UNPROFESSIONAL!" Ivory replied.

     "Well… that may be... but we're going to have fun, aren't we boys?" Foley replied. The men cheered.

    Ivory headed to the door in a huff and Mick waved to her with a smile. Ivory offered him an icy glare, then stormed out.

     "Listen Mick," Terri started as she stood at her bar, "I have no problem showing off my … assets… but I’d like to see some male assets too, if you don’t mind…"

     Foley thought a moment, "Oh…" he looked around the Smackdown, "Any male volunteers?"

     "I have a few thongs," Culinary Officer Rikishi offered.  "I’d be more then happy to enter the contest!"

     "NO!" The entire female crew shouted in sync.

     "It’s ok," Terri began with a forced smile, "Forget I said anything!"

     "Well good," Foley said, "Then I'll start a list. Who wants to enter the contest?"

     "I protest!!" EO Richards spoke up, "I will not accept the blatant prostitution of scantily clad women!"

     "Who are you calling a prostitute?!" Ensign Jaqueline spoke up, hands on her hips. She glared angrily at Steven.

     "That’s not what I meant," Steven began somewhat nervously.

     "The only prostitute here is Victoria," Nytron Stacey Kiebler (who decided to change her name from ‘Hancock’) added.

     "Excuse me," Victoria spoke up, "But I prefer to be called a lady-of-the-night!"

     "Lady my ass," Ensign Venis muttered from a stool at the bar.

     Everyone turned to look at him, "Val?" Foley started, "Since when have you turned against scantily-clad women?"

     "Since one of these ‘scantily-clad women’ messed up my promotion!" Venis replied, and glared at Trish, who was mixing a drink behind the bar.

     Trish noticed his glare, "What? How did I mess up your promotion?" She asked.

     "Remember a few days ago, Trish? I was talking to Captain McMahon… and with your klutzy waitressing skills, you  spilled hot coffee on him!" Val snapped, "He didn’t feel much like giving ANYONE a promotion then!"

     "It was an accident!" Trish snapped, "And if you were worthy of a promotion, McMahon would have given it to you!"

     Val stood up, looking down at Trish, "I AM worthy of one! You’re just jealous because you know that a bleached blonde, push-up bra wearing airhead like yourself will never be more then a waitress!"

     EO Richards came up behind Ensign Venis and put a hand on his shoulder, "My brother," he started, "Perhaps you should talk with Mr. Goodfather, Mr. Buchanan, and Myself," he looked at his followers, "And perhaps we can speak to Ensign Ivory as well," he smiled.

     "Ok… enough already!" Foley shouted. "Let’s get back to more important matters," he smiled, "Like the swimsuit contest I have planned!"

     "I’ll be in it!" Trish spoke up.

     "I will too," Victoria said.

     "Count me and Terri in," Kat replied from beside Terri.

     "I’ll enter as well," Chyna spoke up from beside Eddie.

     "What?? No no… my Mamacita isn’t going to be showing off herself for ANY Nytron or WrestleFleet officers!" Eddie spoke up.

     "She can do what she wants, Guerrero," The degenerate, Billy Gunn, said as he sat by himself nursing a drink.

     "You wanna start something with me, esse?" Eddie started.  "You wanna gawk at my Mamacita? Is that it?" Gunn just shook his head and ignored him, "You look at me when I talk to you, esse!!"

     "Eddie!" Chyna started, "What’s wrong with you today?"

     "Nothing is wrong! Let’s go, Mamacita!" Eddie grabbed her hand, and pulled her out of the Smackdown.

     Foley watched them leave, then shrugged, "Well… that was weird," he then turned back to the crew, "Any other ladies who want to join the contest, come see me in my office! Now you can all go back to… whatever you guys have to go back to…" he said, then left the bar.

ENGINEERING - later

     "So, Lita’s thinking of entering the contest," Ensign Jeff Hardy began as he studied the readouts at his station. "Can’t say I’m not jealous," he smiled, "But maybe we can have our own private contest afterwards,"

     "Yeah, like you and Lita have actually gotten that far," Ensign Matt Hardy replied, his voice muffled by the op station he was working under.

     "And how would YOU know?" Jeff asked.

     "Based on the fact you’re as innocent as a newborn babe," Lt. Commander Jericho started, studying the padd in his hand, "Matt and I have decided that you and Lita haven’t even reached second base,"

     "Geez… do you guys always go into deep discussions about my love life when I’m not here?" Jeff asked, somewhat embarrassed.

     "Matt HAS no love life to talk about, and Jerkicho doesn't usually have anything intelligent to say," Commander Stephanie spoke as she came up to the three men, "Is it any wonder they discuss YOU?" she asked.

     "Is it any wonder we never eeeeeever discuss YOU, Commander?" Jericho replied.

     "Is it any wonder you’re not a Commander yet?" Stephanie said.

     Jericho frowned, "You know, it’s too bad I’m allowed to talk to you in Engineering. I could be quite happy without seeing or talking to you at ALL for the rest of my tenure aboard this ship,"

     Stephanie opened her mouth in surprise. Why was he being so mean? Ever since he had been ordered to stay away from her, he’d been giving her the cold shoulder.  Stephanie sighed inwardly.

Maybe he was hoping she would hate him for it…

     "What do you mean, ‘allowed to talk to her’?" Matt asked.

     "Oh... you don't know? My darling brother, Shane, is being an idiot," Stephanie replied, then looked at Jericho, "I still don’t know why he gave you that order!"

     Jericho knew… but he’d be damned if he was going to tell Stephanie her big brother’s concerns, "Like you said… Shane is an idiot,"

     "And here I thought I was the only idiot aboard this ship," Jeff replied.

     "Anyway, never mind," Stephanie said quickly.  "I’m guessing you heard about Foley’s latest flash of brilliance?"

     "Yeah," Jeff pouted, "Lita is thinking of entering the swimsuit competition,"

     "Really?" Stephanie replied, surprised. She thought a moment, then continued, "Maybe I should too,"

     "I don’t think your body is suitable for a swimsuit, Skankanie," Jericho replied.

     "Excuse me, Y2Jerk!" Stephanie started, "I have quite a NICE body, in case you haven’t noticed!"

     Jericho glanced at her for a moment, then turned away quickly, "I haven’t," he replied, and headed to the other side of Engineering to overlook Ensign Crash’s work.

     Stephanie HAD wanted to ask Jericho if he could still sneak her some self-defense lessons, but did she really want lessons from a jerk like him?

TITANPRIZE CORRIDORS

     "Mr. Venis," EO Richards called out as Ensign Venis headed towards his quarters, "Me and my associates would like to talk to you for a moment,"

     "I don’t want to talk to YOU," Venis replied.

     "Oh… I think you do…" Steven said.  The Goodfather and Mr. Buchannan stood beside EO Richards, looking less then friendly. Richards snapped his fingers, and the two converged on Val.

     Val didn't know what hit him.

OUTSIDE HOLODECK 2 – later

     Stephanie stared at the Officers walking up and down the corridors. Jericho was no where to be seen, "Of course not," Stephanie thought, "He’s following his orders…"

     Ensign Angle finally came down the hall and smiled. "Good evening, Commander," he said.

     "Good evening, Kurt," Stephanie replied, less then enthusiastically.

     "Are you ready for your lesson?" he asked.

     Stephanie sighed, "I suppose,"

     "Shall we?" he asked, and opened the holodeck doors.

     Stephanie walked in… and a feeling of foreboding came over her.

SICKBAY

    "You feel it too, don't you, Taker?" Dr. V. M. Piro began.

    Dr. Taker had almost forget he was stuck working with this fool in his Sickbay, "Feel what?" he asked.

    "The energy from the Esca nebula," Piro explained. "It's seeping over this ship. Soon, the nicest people will become the harshest people. The ones who try to hide their true feelings will reveal all. Inhibitions will fade away. The crew will act on impulse, and think about it later," he smiled coldly, "Won't that be fun?!"

    "No, Piro. Fun would be tearing your heart out with my bare hands..." Taker replied.

    Piro's smiled wavered, then he composed himself, "I suspect we will be overrun by casualties soon. Anger and hatred are strong emotions, and the ones most people keep hidden the best. Tempers can run high in such cramped quarters..."

    "Yes... they CAN..." Taker answered coldly, glaring at the skeletal doctor. Piro's smile completely faded now, and he turned around and headed back to his little corner of sickbay.  Taker watched him, "One day,Vampy, MY temper will run so high that you will be lucky if you survive... "

ENSIGN EDDIE GUERRERO AND ENSIGN CHYNA’S QUARTERS

     "So why was that Ass standing up for you earlier, Mamacita?" Eddie asked.

     "He wasn’t really standing up for me, Eddie! He was just speaking the truth. It IS my decision if I want to show off my body!" Chyna replied.  "Billy understands the pride I take in my body! I can’t believe you don’t, Eddie!"

     Eddie looked at her, eyes wide, "Billy understands, huh Chyna? So a degenerate understands my Mamacita better then me? I treat you with nothing but respect, and now… now this is how you treat me? I ask you NOT to enter the contest. Just ONE favour! But no… that’s too much for Eddie to ask. Yet Eddie does whatever Chyna asks. Is that the way it is, mami? Is it?"

     "Eddie, you’re acting silly!"

     "Oh, now I’m silly?" Eddie shook his head, "I would give up anything and everything for you, Mami! You know I would! Yet you can’t do this one thing for me?"

     "Eddie…" Chyna sighed.

     "Don’t EDDIE me, Mamacita!" he frowned, "You know… during that trip to the Kanatian Caves with little Crash, you kept saying how your wish was to become stronger! That was it! Nothing about Eddie. NOTHING!" Eddie raised his voice.  "Did you know what MY wish was, Mamacita? It was to be with you forever!"

     "Oh… Eddie…" Chyna gasped.

     "But I guess that was a foolish wish," Eddie continued.  "My wish now is to be with family -- like Chavo Jr. It’s only family I can rely on after all, isn’t it, Chyna?" Chyna looked away, "ISN’T IT?" he shouted, snapping her attention back. He went up to the door, "And since it’s only family I can rely on, hit the door!"

     Tears fell down Chyna’s cheeks, "Eddie… you’re not… you can’t be…"

     "I am… and I CAN!" Eddie replied, "Now go to your friend Billy, since he’s the only one that seems to understand you! GO ON!" he snapped.

     Chyna looked at Eddie, then quickly headed out to the door, eyes wet with unshed tears.  She could feel her very heart breaking in two.

HOLODECK 2

     "Uh…. Kurt?" Stephanie asked as she looked around the holodeck, "What is this?" She took in the dinner club before her, complete with a torch singer and band, "This doesn’t look like a self-defense training hall…"

     "I thought I’d do something a little more interesting," Angle said, and lead her to a table. He pulled out the seat for her, and she reluctantly sat down.

     "Kurt… I thought we had a lesson,"

     Ensign Angle sat across from her, "Yes… yes... we’ll get to that… but first, I have to get something off my chest,"

     "What is it, Kurt?" Stephanie asked. She squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze. Why was he acting so strange?

     Kurt reached across the table and took her hand in his, "I like you, Stephanie…" he started, "I mean, I REALLY like you,"

     "Listen Kurt… that’s very sweet, but…"

     Suddenly, the torch singer began a slow, romantic song.  Kurt stood up and came around to Stephanie’s side of the table. He held a hand out to her, "Shall we?" he asked.

     Stephanie smiled. Well… it WAS sweet of him, "Sure, Kurt," she said, and stood up.

     Ensign Angle put his arms around her and held her close as they danced to the music, "You’re very good," he spoke, his voice quiet.

     Stephanie still felt slightly uncomfortable, but she did so enjoy dancing, "Thanks. Daddy taught me how to dance a long time ago. All McMahon’s had to be able to dance. We were invited to a lot of fancy parties."

     Kurt lifted her chin up to stare into her eyes, "You’re very graceful on your feet, Stephanie," he said, and slowly brought his face closer to hers. Before Stephanie realized what he was trying to do, Ensign Angle kissed her.

     "KURT!" Stephanie quickly shoved him away.

    "Come on, Stephanie," Angle started, "I’m tired of playing Mr. Nice Guy!"

    "Mr. Nice Guy?" she furrowed her brow, "Listen, Kurt... It's really sweet that you're so fond of me… but... you're my friend... that's all, ok?"

    Ensign Angle frowned, "I could lie and say that yes, it WAS ok... but... it's NOT. It's NOT ok, Stephanie!" he stepped closer to her, "I've had to pretend while you were married to Triple H. But now you're a free woman!" he grabbed her shoulders gently, "I know you like me too, Stephanie. Just admit it!"

    "I DO like you, Kurt... but..." Stephanie shook head and sighed,  "Kurt... Listen... I--"

    "I'm SICK of listening!" Kurt interrupted, "That's all I've been doing these past few months! Listening to you whine about how mean Triple H was. About what a jerk Lt. Commander Jericho is!" His grip on her shoulders tightened, "I'm perfect for you, Stephanie... can't you see that?"

    "Kurt, you're acting really weird," She started, "You're starting to creep me out a bit here," Stephanie pulled out of his grip. "Just give me some breathing space, Kurt,"  Ensign Angle stepped closer, "I SAID give me SPACE!" she snapped. Stephanie lifted a foot to kick him, but he caught it, and smirked. Stephanie then jumped and landed an insuguri kick to Ensign Angle’s temple.

    She remembered when Lt. Commander Jericho had taught her that little move. It seemed so long ago now...

    Angle looked at her, eyes slightly glazed over as he tried to come back to his senses. Stephanie held herself in a ready position… in case the Olympic Ensign tried to get a little more friendly.

    Kurt finally focused again, "I don’t recall teaching you that," he replied.

    "No. You didn’t!" Stephanie answered, "I think our lesson is over for the day, Kurt…"

    Ensign Angle furrowed his brow, "Why?" he asked innocently. "What's wrong?"

    Stephanie looked at him, eyes wide, "What you just did, Kurt... it... um... made me a little uncomfortable!"

    Kurt looked at her, and smiled innocently, "It was part of the lesson!" he replied.

    Stephanie took a step back, and blinked, "Excuse me?" she asked. "THAT was part of the lesson?"

    "Of COURSE, Steph! I mean... you know I'd NEVER do something lacking such integrity! Besides, I have too much respect for you to treat you in such a vile manner! I just wanted to see what you would do in a situation like that,"

    Stephanie eyed him suspiciously, then shook her head, "Kurt... don't ever do that again, ok?"

    "I'm sorry if it upset you," he replied.

    "Yeah, well... let's just stick with the usual lessons next time, alright?"

    Angle nodded, "Fair enough," he replied.

    "Fine. Good. I'm going for a walk, ok?"

    Angle nodded, "Sure. See you later then, Commander,"

    "Yeah... see you," Stephanie said, and headed out of the holodeck.

    Angle watched her leave, then frowned. He was usually so much better at hiding his true feelings. How could he slip up like that? Stephanie seemed genuinely afraid. That was the last thing he wanted!

    Kurt smirked slightly. He had covered well. He was quite proud of that.

    "Stephanie will realize I'm perfect for her all in due time..." Angle thought, "I just have to wait... and make sure no one comes between us,."

CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM

    Captain McMahon went over some old logs. Most Russo had written during the Nytron occupation. In the logs were detailed accounts of the torture the High Commander had planned for the Captain's dear Stephanie.

    So... Russo liked torture, did he? Perhaps Russo deserved a taste of his own medicine. After kidnapping his baby and hunting her through the jefferies tubes, it was only what the bastard deserved.

    Normally, the Captain would never carry out such violent thoughts, but for some reason, he felt as if his inhibitions had been lifted. He felt free. Free to act on such thoughts.

    McMahon stood up, and headed to the Brig...

THE GARDEN DECK

    Stephanie walked around and took in the colourful floral arrangements around her. She smiled to herself. It was so nice here...

    The Commander stopped in her tracks when she sensed something behind her. She spun to see Lt. Commander Jericho standing a mere ten feet away.

    The Y2J Unit looked at her, then quickly turned around and headed in the opposite direction. Stephanie headed after him, "Chris!" She called out. He didn't answer, "CHRIS!" she called again. He walked faster, ignoring her, "I have to talk to you,"

    "What you HAVE to do, Commander, is stay away from me," he replied, and sped up even more.

    Stephanie had to break into a run, "Please, Chris... wait! I have to ask you something. It's about my self-defense classes..."

    "Ask Angle," he replied, "I'm not your teacher anymore!" He continued his fast walk, back still to her.  Jericho quickly ducked into a small hedge maze, and Stephanie followed him in.

    "I can't talk to Angle. Let me tell you what happened on the holodeck today!" she called out, but saw nothing but hedge. "Damn... I hate mazes!" she muttered.  She rounded a corner and came to a dead end. She turned around, and took a left. Another dead end, "JERICHO!" she shouted, "Where ARE you!"

    "Go away, Commander. I can't be seen with you!" Jericho replied from wherever he was hiding.

    "Don't you care about what happened with me and Angle in the holodeck?!" she asked.

    There was a pause, then, "I care about my career, Commander... which will be worthless if you don't leave me alone!"

    Stephanie turned another corner, and saw Lt. Commander Jericho sitting against a hedge wall, "No one will see us here. I have to talk to you, Chris!"

    "Sorry, Chris is unavailable right now. You can leave a message... but he won't get back to you," Jericho replied, his voice cold and robotic.  Stephanie walked up to him, and Jericho got to his feet, trying to sink into the wall behind him. Dead ends truly did suck...

    "Come on! Don't do this to me!"

    "I believe YOU are the one doing something, Commander. You are jeopardizing my career," he spoke, his voice unemotional.

    "Listen to me, Jericho!" Stephanie demanded.

    "Sorry, Commander. You have to go now," Jericho replied.

    The Y2J Unit stepped away from the hedge wall to leave, and Stephanie pushed him back against it. Jericho was surprised. Stephanie had become stronger since he had started teaching her proper self-defense. It was enough to make him feel somewhat proud of his teaching skills...

    "You're not leaving until I tell you what happened!" Stephanie insisted.

    Jericho looked at her carefully. Stephanie had never been this forceful before. Odd. First Chyna informed him that Eddie was acting out of character, and now Stephanie was doing the same. "Commander," he began. Had the temperature on the Garden deck raised a few degrees?

    "Ensign Angle kissed me!" she blurted out.

    Lt. Commander Jericho stared at her, silent for a moment. Ensign Angle had kissed Stephanie?  Jericho's hand clamped into a fist at his side. If Angle were there, he would have used that fist! The Y2J Unit looked away, "Everyone has kissed you, Commander..."

    "Well you don't have to act so damn nonchalant about it!"

    Jericho looked back at her, "You're standing a little too close to me right now, Commander..." he tried not to meet her eyes, "If someone happens to come along, they would think---"

     "Let them think it then!" Stephanie interrupted, then her voice grew quiet, "Sometimes, I wish Jeff's stories were true..."

    "I'm sorry, Commander... but--" a pause, then, "EXCUSE ME?" He couldn't help his surprise, useless emotion chip or not.

    Stephanie blinked, and backed away, "What the hell did I just say?" She quickly regained her composure, and smiled mischievously, "Too bad no one walked by just now, Chris. I would have loved to watch you squirm as you were demoted to toilet cleaning!"

    Jericho frowned, "You would be so wenchy to revel in my misfortune!"  he snapped angrily. Sometimes he was so good at feigning emotion, he even convinced himself.

    "Speaking of misfortune..." Stephanie started, "If you don't continue my self-defense lessons, I'll tell Shane that you've been hounding me outside of Engineering!"

    "WHAT? But I HAVEN'T! I..." Jericho stopped, and frowned, "Wait a minute... are you THREATENING me, Commander?"

    Stephanie looked up at him, defiant, "It seems to be the only way I can get through to your no-selling titanium skull! You HAVE to teach me," she insisted.

    "And why do I HAVE to teach you?" he asked.

    "Because I LIKE you!" she blurted out, then quickly explained herself, "I mean... uh... I liked your TEACHING that is. Angle sucks at it, ok?"

    Jericho shook his head, and sighed, "Just admit it, Stephanie... you think Angle is creepy!"

    "He is NOT. Kurt can be very sweet... well, when he’s not trying to kiss me," she said, then smiled proudly, "Besides, can you blame him for having a crush on a beautiful woman like me?"

    "Well actually---"

    "Never mind!" Stephanie interrupted quickly, "Just teach me again, ok?"

    "You're not giving me a choice, are you?" he asked.

    "No." Stephanie said simply.

    "Fine. Fine. But NO ONE can know or it'll be my gorgeous head in a sling, got it? NO ONE!"

    "Like I want anyone to know that I'm actually spending time with you anyway..." Stephanie replied.

    The two looked at each other for a moment, and Jericho finally spoke again, "Well, now that THAT is settled... GO AWAY!" he made a shooing motion with his hands.

    Stephanie looked triumphant, "I knew I could convince you," She said.

    "Convince me, my ass..." Jericho muttered, "You threatened me!"

    "Well... whatever works!" Stephanie replied, then turned around and walked a few feet. She paused, and looked back at him, her triumphant air quickly dissipating, "Uh.... I don't suppose you know how to get out of here, do you?"

    "Oh for goodness sake!" The Y2J Unit sighed, "Follow me..."

TITANPRIZE CORRIDORS

    "Val?" Victoria called out as Ensign Venis walked down the hallway, "What's with the outfit,"

    Ensign Venis was dressed in a white dress shirt, white pants, and white shoes, "I have decided to change my ways," he started.

    Victoria looked at him, brow furrowed, "Wearing a stupid outfit?" She asked.

    Val looked at her, and what little she was wearing, "I wouldn't talk about outfits. I disapprove of scantily-clad women!"

    "Since WHEN?" she asked.

    "Since Mr. Richards opened my eyes to the wrong I was doing. The wrong of my past behaviour," he hung his head in shame.

    "My god... he got to you!" she gasped.

    "No one got to me. I believe in what I'm saying. I believe that Mr. Richards, Mr. Goodfather, Mr. Buchanan, and myself have the right to censor what is acceptable in WrestleFleet and what is not... and YOU, lady... are NOT..." with that, he turned on his heel and walked away.

    She watched him go. Had EVERYONE lost their minds aboard the Titanprize?

THE SMACKDOWN - the next night

    Dance night in the Smackdown. Terri had one every week. The music was loud and hard, and it seemed to be a great release of tension among the crew.

   "Now watch carefully..." Ensign Scotty began as he talked to Nytron Helms, "This is called the worm!" he began to hop on one foot, when suddenly he was knocked to the ground by a flying chair.

    "What the....?!" Helms started as he came to Scotty's aid.

    Scotty looked up from the ground, surprised as he realized who had hit him, "Eddie?!"

    "I'll tell you where you can stick your worm, esse!!" Ensign Eddie Guerrero shouted, "I hate your stupid dancing, I hate your stupid worm, and I hate YOU. So why don't you take your worm and----"

    "Eddie!!" Terri spoke up, "What's going on here?"

    "Nothing!" he snapped, then marched out of the Smackdown angrily.

    "Dude..." Ensign Christian whispered to Ensign Edge as the two sat in a quiet corner of the bar watching Eddie storm out, "People sure have been acting strange around here lately. First Val goes postal on Trish.... and now Eddie goes postal on Scottie..."

    "Well, the worm totally DOES suck, brother," Edge replied.

    Christian smiled, "Not only does it suck... it REEKS of suckitude!"

    "Dude... you say that a lot. Can't you think of any other awesome catchphrases?" Edge asked.

    "Oh... like what? Chairilicious?" Christian asked, getting somewhat annoyed, "And how many times have you said THAT, Edge?"

    "Hey... at least that's original..."

    "And suckitude ISN'T?"

    Edge stood up, "You got a problem with my totally cool speech patterns?"

    Christian stood up as well, "Only if you got a problem with MINE..."

    "Well maybe we should settle this problem then?" Edge replied.

    "Anytime, anywhere, brother...."

    "Guys, guys," Lt. Bradshaw spoke as he and Lt. Farooq came up to them, "You two pretty boys shouldn't be fighting each other! You should be fighting US!"

    "And what business is it of yours?" Christian snapped.

    Farooq was surprised at Christian's tone of voice, "Are you giving me attitude?" he asked.

    "Yeah, we ARE! We think you two are ... like... totally rude!" Edge replied.

    "And you need work on your oral hygene. You SO smell like beer!" Christian added.

    Bradshaw and Farooq looked at each other, "I think they're asking for a taste of our leather, Bradshaw," Farooq spoke.

    "I think you're right... but after I finish beating you at poker," Bradshaw said.

    "And who the hell says you're gonna beat ME?" Farooq replied.

    "I says!" Bradshaw answered.

    "Well I disagree! I ALWAYS kick your ass at Poker, Bradshaw! You know it!"

    "Yeah, well how about I just kick your ass, period!"

       Edge looked at Christian, "Man... we’d better get out of here, don't you think?"

    "I agree, brother. It seems EVERYONE is acting weird aboard this ship lately... even our usually perfect selves!"

    "I say we stay in our quarters... and don't come out until all this goes away..."

    With that, the two blondes quickly ran out of the bar, not looking back at the brawl that had just erupted in the Smackdown.

SICKBAY - the next day

    Taker tended to his patients casually. A large number of crewmen had found themselves in sickbay. Piro had been right about one thing -- casualties would start coming in quickly. The Esca nebula had quite an effect on the crew of the Titanprize. It seemed any hidden anger they had towards their comrades was magnified ten-fold and acted out. Especially between the Nytron and WrestleFleet officers.

    Taker had even been called in to tend to Russo, who was locked away in the brig. Apparently, the Nytron had been severely beaten with a sledgehammer. He only knew two people with sledgehammers aboard the Titanprize -- Triple H... and Captain Vince McMahon.  He guessed it was the latter of the two.

    In other instances, amorous feelings had been amplified, as could be seen from the way Nytrons David Flair and Stacey Kiebler were reportedly hanging all over each other in the Smackdown, and the way King Lawler and Kat were displaying their affections in the Titanprize corridors.  It was enough to make the old dead man ill.

    Dr. Taker sighed. There was still Foley's swimsuit competition that night. He could only imagine what petty jealousies the female crew would reveal...

THE SMACKDOWN - that night

    "Welcome to the very first WWF Titanprize swimsuit competition!" Commissioner Foley began. The male crew members cheered while the females not in the competition sat with their arms crossed, frowning. "First off, Ensign Lita was supposed to be in this competition... but apparently she changed her mind. She had a date with Ensign Hardy that she was very adamant about keeping," he said, then shrugged, "Now on with the show! Let's introduce our contestants! First, hailing from security deck 5, Chyna!"

     Chyna sauntered out in a lacy robe, covering the swimsuit underneath.  The crowd cheered, and Eddie could be heard above them all, cursing up a storm.

    "Next, hailing from right here in the Smackdown -- Terri and her assistant, Kitty!"

    "That's THE KAT!" Kat snapped as she walked out, purple hair matching her purple robe.

    "Yeah, whatever, Kitty..." Foley replied. He continued with the introductions until all the contestants were on stage. "Hit the music!" the Commish called out. The music began, and the ladies began to reveal their swimsuits one by one.

    "Hey! Wait a sec!" Terri called out as she stared at the Kat, "Bubblewrap is NOT a swimsuit!"

    "It's waterproof! That makes it a swimsuit!" Kat replied.

    "Why don't you just go naked, you little 'ho!" Trish said.

    " 'ho?" Victoria began as she glared at Trish, "Are you telling us you think Kitty can take over for me?"

    "She's close enough!" Trish replied.

    "Are you insulting me?" Kat asked.

    "Oh... excuse me, Miss high and mighty!  Since WHEN is being a 'ho INSULTING? It's something I'm PROUD of!" Victoria snapped.

    "Of course you're proud of it!" Terri snapped back, "You have no morals!"

    "Are you calling me immoral now?" Victoria shouted angrily.

    "If the shoe fits..." Chyna finally spoke.

    Victoria turned to her, "Oh excuuuuuuuuuuse me," She began, "The great big security Ensign speaks! Well aren't YOU just special! Who did YOU have to sleep with to get back into WrestleFleet?"

    "I got back into WrestleFleet for my work ethic and my skills!"

    "Yeah... I'm pretty sure you have some great skills..." Trish muttered.

    Chyna went up to her, "Are you trying to insinuate something, Trish?"

    "You're no better then HER!" Trish snapped as she motioned to Victoria.

    "I am NOT a 'ho!" Chyna shouted.

     "And what the HELL is wrong with being a 'ho?!" Victoria repeated, "Without me, your men would be asking YOU to relieve their stress! You should be grateful!"

    Kat turned to Victoria, "Are you saying I can't satisfy my man like YOU can?" She asked, "Is THAT what you're trying to tell me?" she glared at King Lawler, who was sitting in the audience, "Have you been cheating on me with this slut?!"

    "What?!" Lawler spoke up, shocked at the accusation, "I'd NEVER do that!"

    Kat narrowed her eyes, "I've heard your snide comments, Jerry! Sure you say you're just kidding... but how do I know that for certain, huh?!" Kat started to cry, "You HAVE been cheating on me, haven't you?!"

    King Lawler quickly got up on stage, "C'mon now, Kitty! I never would!"

    Kat shoved him away, "You bastard!" she wailed as she slapped him across the face. Kat then ran out of the Smackdown, tears streaming down her cheeks.

    "Kitty! Wait! KITTY! " Lawler chased after her.

    Chyna and Trish turned to Victoria, "I hope you're happy, you homewrecker!" Chyna snapped angrily.

    "Homewrecker? I'm just providing a service! Besides... YOU are the one who seemed to be all friendly with Billy the other day! Did you forget about Eddie?" Victoria said.

    "How DARE you? There is NOTHING going on between Billy and I!" Chyna replied.

    "What's this, Mamacita?" Eddie spoke up from the audience, "Something going on with you and that ASS I don't know about?"

    Chyna turned to him, "NOTHING is going on!" she repeated, then narrowed her eyes, voice growing angry, "Although with the way you've been treating me lately, maybe there SHOULD be!"

    "Hey Victoria... looks like you should add Chyna to your little slut group!" Terri spoke up.

     Chyna turned to Terri, and grabbed her by the hair, "I am NOT a slut, you bitch!" Chyna shouted. Terri screamed bloody murder as Chyna hoisted her up and powerbombed her on top of the bar. She then turned on her heel and marched out of the Smackdown.

    Eddie didn't follow.

    "This is YOUR fault!" Victoria started as she glared at Trish. "Not only did you ruin our competition, but you managed to piss off Chyna in the process!" Victoria then tackled Trish to the ground, and ripped off the top of her bikini. The men cheered, and no one made an effort to stop the melee. Not even commissioner Foley.  Victoria grabbed Trish's hair, and slammed her head against the stage floor.

    Trish quickly shoved Victoria off her, and pinned her to the ground, "That HURT, wench!" she snapped, and slapped the lady-of-the-night across the face.

    "GET OFF HER!" Terri shouted, and grabbed Trish from behind, pulling her off Victoria. Victoria quickly got to her feet and tackled Trish to the ground again, accidentally hitting Terri in the process.

    "This is NO way for ladies to act!" Ensign Ivory spoke up. The crowd stared at her. She was looking awfully dowdy all of a sudden. She turned to the crew, "How DARE you ask a lady to lower herself like this?! I blame all of you for the events that have just transpired! If it weren't for perverts like you, this would never have happened!" She signaled to the back of the Smackdown

    Mr. Venis, Mr. Buchannan, and Mr. Goodfather acknowledged Ivory, and quickly took to the stage, pulling the ladies apart.

    "This behaviour is UNACCEPTABLE!" EO Richards said as he stood beside his followers, "Not only do we have scantily-clad women... but we have excess violence!" he nodded to Buchannan, Venis, and Goodfather, "Perhaps we should teach them acceptable behaviour, boys!"

    The three male RTC members smiled. Venis lifted Trish, Goodfather lifted Victoria, and Buchannan lifted Terri. The three ladies then found themselves powerbombed through three nearby Smackdown tables.

    The crowd booed, and glared at Richards, Buchannan, Goodfather, Ivory, and Venis with hostile intentions.

    The five stuffed shirts quickly high-tailed it out of the Smackdown.

HOLODECK 2 - the next night

    "Woah woah woah!!" Jericho started as he ducked Stephanie's vicious punches, "You can't throw punches blindly! You'll end up missing the person you're trying to hit! I taught you better then that!"

    "I don't CARE!" Stephanie shouted, and continued her onslaught.

    "Geez, Skankanie! What crawled up YOUR uniform and died?" he asked.

    Stephanie glared at him, breathing heavily from exertion, "Nothing!" she snapped, then let out a shout and attacked him again.

    Jericho quickly clotheslined her, sending her crashing to the ground, "STOP IT!" he ordered.  Stephanie lay flat on her back, Jericho crouching over her. She looked up at him, eyes wet with unshed tears. "What's wrong now?" he asked, "I didn't hurt you!"

    Stephanie sat up, "I'm fine!" she replied.

    "Do you always start crying when you're fine?" he asked sarcastically.

    "My brother hates me, ok?!" Stephanie started, "Just before I came in here, he was ranting and raving like a lunatic! It's like he totally LOST it!" she explained. "He started saying it was MY fault for getting us thrown through the worm hole...!"

    "OH? And how does he figure THAT?"

    "The fact that the whole plan you had with Kim backfired because of me. The fact that Piro felt he could use me as a pawn in his little experiment..." her voice grew quiet as she stared at the ground, "And... he said I was nothing but a cowardly little spoiled brat..."

    "Spoiled brat? Yes. Cowardly? No," Jericho replied, "And I'm going to kick myself for giving you that compliment," he muttered.

    She looked up at him, "You don't think I'm cowardly?"

    He lowered himself to the ground, "No. You’re too damned headstrong to be considered cowardly. When you want something, Stephanie, your mind is dead-set on getting it, no matter what you have to go through to do it!"

    "You're right," she said, then her voice grew quiet, her eyes serious, "Even if Shane declares it prohibited,"

     Jericho studied her for a moment, "What do you mean?" he asked.

    Stephanie looked at him, and climbed to her knees, "I'm determined not to let orders Shane hands out to certain android WrestleFleet officers stop me from getting what I want..."

    Jericho furrowed his brow,  "Are you talking about the self-defense lessons?"

    Stephanie crawled over to him slowly, "That's one thing I want, yes,"

    Jericho slid back against the wall, the space between them becoming slightly too cramped for his liking, "Well you got your lessons," he said, "What ELSE do you want?"

    Stephanie looked at him, her eyes shining in the dim holodeck training hall, "I want to see what would happen..." she started, and put a hand on his cheek, "...if you and I..." her voice was no more then a whisper as she leaned in ever so closely, "Ever became---"

    Her words were interrupted as the ship suddenly jerked violently, tossing Stephanie and the Y2J Unit in separate directions.

    Stephanie's earlier impulse faded away as she sat up from her ungraceful landing, "Now what was I about to say?" She asked herself, then shook her head, "Oh well. It must not have been very important..."

    "This is Captain Vince McMahon..." McMahon's voice came over the public address system, "The bump we just took was the Titanprize exiting the Esca nebula! We are continuing our journey home, crew! Good work!"

    Jericho and Stephanie could hear the cheers from outside the holodeck. It wasn't hard to understand the crew's happiness -- The Titanprize had just shaved a year off their journey and had run into practically no problems doing so.

    "Geez!" Stephanie spoke as got to her feet and brushed off her work-out tights, "Talk about a crappy exit!"

    "Well it's about time!" Jericho replied, "I swear people were starting to act weirder and weirder the longer we stayed in that thing!"

    "Oh nooooooo!!" Stephanie whined.

    "What?" Jericho asked. Stephanie held up a hand, showing off a broken nail. Jericho frowned as he got to his feet, "Gee, Commander. You'd better tend to that before it gets any worse! It must be absolutely horrible to suffer the agony of a broken nail!"

   Stephanie glared daggers at him, "Oh shut up, Y2Jerk! I'll have you know I spent two hours giving myself a manicure this morning! And now it's all ruined!"

    "Cry me a river, Steph..." he muttered dryly, and headed to the door.

    "WAIT!" Stephanie called out.

    "What?" he asked.

    "Same time tomorrow?"

    "What if I say NO?"

    "Then I'll have a little conversation with my big brother about how a certain Lt. Commander keeps hounding me against his orders!"

    "You're still threatening me?!" he asked, then shook his head, "You really ARE a wench!"

    "I know!" Commander Stephanie smiled proudly.

    Lt. Commander Jericho frowned at her, and quickly left the holodeck.

CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM - the next day

    McMahon looked over the crew logs. So many personal conflicts in just one week. Rumor had it that Edge and Christian had hidden away in their quarters, the ladies in the swimsuit competition had nearly torn each other apart, and Ensign Venis had done a 180.

    Tempers had sure been running high aboard the WWF Titanprize!  McMahon couldn't blame his crew though. He himself had let his temper get the best of him... and now Russo was crying in the brig about broken ribs. McMahon took a hint of pride in that. Of course, it was something he would never do again. It wasn't the WrestleFleet way!

    At least none of incidents that had occurred within the last week were nebula-related.

    The Captain leaned back in his chair and smiled. Shaving off one year from the Titanprize's journey had raised the morale of the crew greatly. They had hope now that the ship would be able to find more bypasses like the Esca nebula, and cut the trip even shorter.

    McMahon breathed a sigh of relief. It felt so good when things worked out...