The Friend

"Get those lights back on !" Devore bellowed.

Finally after a few seconds, Gordon announced that the minimal systems were operational. "Good get them up."

Silent mode lights came on and on the Bridge sat Williams, infested, at his side was his two Zeirg and a H'lisk.

"Hello Devore. You lose." Williams said with a sinister smile.

USS Ronin : Bridge

The Ronin sped into action and began circling the Leviathan. As Ryan had guessed, the Zeratul weren't able to hit the Ronin. A few got lucky, but those few shots were hardly anything to worry about.

"Fenris, open a channel to the Leviathan."

"Sir, I'm still not fully accustomed to this computer system, but I believe that their comm channels are either offline, or they are bing blocked."

"Confirmed." Said Sular. "Their comm channels are being blocked by something onboard."

"Dammit ! I need a way to talk to Devore !"

"It just isn't possible Captain. For all we know, Devore could be dead !." Answered McQueen.

"I sure as hell hope not. Without him, we're lost out here."

"Captain ! More reinforcements are arriving !." Shouted McCloud.

"How many ?"

"At least five hundred !"

"Oh for chri..."

"McMillan, what do you think our chances are of expanding the circle ?."

"Not too good Captain, I recommend keeping it small otherwise a few of those things may slip through the net."

"Any other ways to take some of this heat off ?"

"There is the Aldrin sir..." McMillan suggested.

"Forget it, I'm not sending anyone out in that !" As Ryan spoke, a console blew out and the lights flickered "What was that ?"

"It seems that they have built up at one point and are firing at us as we pass that point."

"How many ?"

"Two-hundred at that point Captain."

"I guess that's our circle plan gone."

"No, next time we pass, we can tractor one of the remaining mines into the group."

"McQueen, do we have any mines left ?"

"Only one Captain."

"Well then, we'll have to get this right first time. Sular, deploy the mine, Fenris, engage tractor beam."

"Mine deployed."

"Tractor beam engaged."

"McMillan, Fenris, the timing is crucial here, release this mine at the wrong time and we miss completely."

"Understood."

The Ronin came up on the large gathering again and as it passed released te mine into the cluster. It detonated in the center taking out all theZeratul.

"Bull's-eye Captain." Reported McMillan.

"Captain, they're filling the hole. Another three hundred and fifty Zeratul taking their place."

"Damn !"

"Kobayashi Maru" Said Fenris quietly from the back of the Bridge.

"Kobayashi Maru." Ryan said solemnly in agreement.

USS Leviathan : Bridge

The Bridge now was quiet as the crew looked upon the terrifying view. Dakul who felt a feeling of duty reached for his phaser. The Zeirg felt some sort of disturbance from his direction hissed and turned towards him.

"Captain. May I remind you that my minions could make mincemeat of you puny men with one swipe of there pincers. Would you kindly remind Mister Dakul to stand down." Williams said confidently.

Devore turned to Dakul who didn't move. His hand was cross his body barely touching his phaser. The Captain said nothing but shook his head. With an exasperated sigh, Dakul removed his hand.

"Good." Williams said as he arrogantly walked around the Bridge. He walked to the helm where Brayden sat. "You know I was never a very large advocate for children to be on a starship let alone my own children." He said as he placed his grotesque hand upon Brayden's shoulder. Devore moved and as suddenly as he did, the large H'lisk blocked his path.

"You never really were a big advocate for anything !" Devore said angrily. He looked at Brayden who sat there motionless. Beads of sweat formed amidst his brow as the hand moved from his shoulder. He let out an audible sigh.

"However Captain, I was passionate about my career. I had such big plans for myself, but you ended that when you left me on Moira." His voice rose slightly.

"That isn't true. We were......." Toran yelled.

"YOU LEFT ME..." Williams interrupted.

"Terry." Rashad said standing up. Her movement caught the Zeirg off guard and advanced upon the intelligence officer. She stopped and put out her hands. They stopped this time keeping an evil eye upon her. "Look. We were coming back. Major Phanan and I both had prepped a plan to get you."

"Why wasn't it initiated ?" Williams said as he moved to Lieutenant Gordon. Gordon sat there eyeing Williams angrily. "I see, Janet, that you have been promoted. Congratulation."

"Don't you touch me." Janet said indignantly.

"My my my, Janet. Just because I no longer am like I used to be, you no longer want me." Williams said moving his hand towards her face. Just as he came close, Janet slapped it away.

"I said..." Janet began. "....don't touch me."

Rejected, Williams returned his attention to the Captain. "None the less. I don't care, if I am no longer accepted, nor do I care about anyone of you, but you had a chance, and now you lost. You will become my servants and maybe some of you may become my Lieutenants, but some of you will not live to see the next hour," He said looking at Devore.

Suddenly there was a flash of bright light. In all her sinister glory, 'Q' appeared. She was stunning unlike before, this time in a long off the shoulder red dress. Her impeccable but undoubtedly created form was revealed in the tightfitting dress. Her blond hair was put up in a bun with strategic tresses dangling from the sides of her face. "I am back." She said as if she made a grand appearance.

The Zeirg suddenly advanced upon 'Q'. Hisses and snickers were heard as they moved quickly towards her. "Oh what's this?" 'Q' said smiling. "They are so foul-smelling." With a wave of her hand, the two Zeirg vanished.

"'Q'. This is of no concern to you." Williams yelled waving his hand at the H'lisk. He then beckoned it to come to him. It had prepared to attack, but was ordered to stand down.

"I have come for Devore." She said stepping to his side. She hooked his arm.

"NO ! He is mine." Williams yelled.

"I don't think so."

"We had played a 'game'and he lost."

"I don't care."

Devore stood there, in some sort of way was flattered by two people fighting over him. "Listen both of you." He said removing 'Q's arm. "I am nobody's trophy."

"Too late. You are mine." 'Q' said.

"No he's mine."

'Q' looked over at Williams and smiled. "Listen I am tired of your looks. Why don't you go and play with your little pets." She waved her hand. Suddenly their look on their faces changed. The H'lisk reached over and in a series of hisses and snickers whispered something into his ear.

"Captain......." Grafton said after his console lit up. "....there is a massive surge coming from 222 mark 9."

"We will be back." Williams yelled. In green light he disappeared. On the view screen Devore saw an Overlord move down the face of the Leviathan to rejoin the rest of their forces. However the H'lisk remained on the Bridge. It opened its mouth and spat a green globule which hit 'Q's dress.

"What is all this ? It had not better stain." 'Q' said looking at the stain. She began to rub it and it wasn't coming off. She looked up her eyes now glowed red as her dress displayed the grotesque shade of green. The H'lisk was dematerializing when she noticed it. "No I don't think so." 'Q' said as she waved her hand. The creature rematerialized on the Bridge.

The expression on its face was not like before, this time it was one of fear. "You will have to pay for the cleaning of my dress," She began waving her hand. "With you and the rest of your species' existence." The H'lisk suddenly disappeared as did a great majority of the Overlords in space. Out of the millions probably half disappeared as if they never were there.

"What happened ?" Devore asked amazed.

"They are gone....." 'Q' said. "...for now."

"Not that."

"The Proletarian fleet have engaged the Zeirg," Grafton replied.

The interior systems came back on.

"Captain...." Gordon yelled with glee. "....we have power."

Devore's combadge beeped. [Captain. Sorry it took so long. I had a little bit of an insect problem.] Taline said.

"No problem Luke. Just give me what you got."

[Just impulse. My crew and I are working on the warp drive.]

"Very well Devore out." Devore tapped his combadge. "Brayden Get us out of here full impulse."

"Aye sir." Brayden said tapping his console.

"Mister Grafton, send a message to the Ronin and the Hellcat to follow us out."

"Done ! Thank God."

The Leviathan span around and left the Zeirg Brood and the Proletarians fighting. Within seconds the battlefield was nothing more than a star amidst the millions. Devore sat in his chair and looked at 'Q'.

"'Q' I don't care why you helped us there. But I am grateful that you did."

"Mon ami, I didn't help you. I was just narrowing the competition." She said smiling. "Now I think that it is time to pay on your debt to me."

"I think I told you before I am not leaving." Devore said.

"And go against your word Captain ?" 'Q' asked devilishly.

"'Q'..." Interrupted Soliel. "....the Captain is needed here. He has a family and a lot of people who depend on him. What if I was to make you a deal ?"

"A gambler !"

"No a protector."

"Toran. You can't." Devore yelled.

"Shut up." Toran and 'Q' yelled back simultaneously.

"What are your terms ?"

"Not here."

"Very well." 'Q' waved her hand and Toran and she disappeared.

An hour passed by and Devore sat there rubbing his chin as always. The entire Bridge crew was drumming their fingers along their console. "I hate this. Open a split channel to the Hellcat and the Ronin." Devore said.

"Aye Captain." Grafton said. "Channel open."

On the screen, Chief Shale and Captain Evans appeared. "Gentleman we are on our way out. But I can't jump to warp right now. Mister Shale, why don't you land the Hellcat."

[Aye sir. Hellcat out.]

[Well Captain. Looks like you had a rough day.] Evans said with a smile.

"You don't even know !"

Suddenly a light appeared and Toran came back. He no longer was in his uniform, but rather a robe of some sort.

"Toran !" Devore yelled rushing to his side.

"It is okay Marc. I am fine. You are freed of your obligation to 'Q'. I have taken your place." Toran said.

"No you can't."

"Yes I must. You see Marc. The reason I can is that I have nobody. I am over one hundred years old and have gotten no where. This is my chance to be something and take care of the people I care about."

"You can't do this."

"I can and I have. My resignation in on your desk and you don't have a choice to refuse it. However the deal was that you and the Leviathan must remain in the Andromenda Cirrius Galaxy... alone. The Ronin will be returning to the Alpha Quadrant." Toran said. In the background of the Ronin someone yipped with glee. "I will give you three minutes to say your farewells deliver messages, etc. Then I must return them."

After a short pause, Devore pleaded. "Give us ten minutes."

"All right ten minutes. Not a second more."

The crew scrambled with Padds and personal effects to give to the Ronin so that they could deliver the messages to their families. They knew it was going to be a long time before they could get back home. Even to the outskirts of the Gamma Quadrant, but they were explorers and they were going to explore.

"Okay Marc. It is time."

"Toran. There are some crew members who want to go with the Ronin. Can I allow them to."

"Sorry. Only those there. 'Q' has made it clear that if anyone tried to beam over, the Ronin will be destroyed."

"That sounds like 'Q'. Very well. " Devore faced the view screen and Evans. "Godspeed to you Captain."

[As to you Captain. We will work on getting you home. I promise.]

"I know. Leviathan... over and out." Devore lowered his head solemnly.

Toran snapped his fingers and the Ronin disappeared in a brilliant flash of light.

"Good bye Marc." Toran leaned over to Marc and whispered softly. "I will try to help you get you home. That is MY promise."

With that Toran snapped his fingers and disappeared.

Now alone in an unfamiliar portion of space, the Leviathan must now make their way home. Their ship was crippled and in dire need of repair, but Starfleet officers were resilient and resourceful. They will over come this obstacle and get home.