Setting The Stage

In the darkness, the young Marine laid in the prone position in some underbrush. His weapon was at the ready then suddenly from his right he heard something. Slowly ever so slowly he reached up and adjusted his electronic sniper scope. Closing his non-firing eye resting his right cheek against the butt of the weapon, he poised his phaser rifle in the direction of the noise. Through the monitor he saw his prey. She was beautiful in a morbid sort of way. Her skin was a metallic gray that glistened in the moonlight. He just sat and watched her irregardless of his duty. Her motion wasn't smooth but a stop and jerk movement, but with each move, not a sound was made. This creature had no hair but rather long jagged spikes which looked like sharp razors and when she finally turned around, she had mono colour eyes, that emulated a whitish eerie glow. Across the area of her face that usually housed a mouth and nose was a grate of sorts, similar to a ladies hair beret.

Moving through the wood, her pattern was meticulous. She looked for something, but the young marine laid quietly hoping his camouflage did its job. With anger she swung her hand next to her, the sound of it cutting through the dark night was terrifying. Then young sapling fell over cleanly cut. Her hand came up and in the moonlight the hidden marine saw the razor sharp nails which she sported. He let out a gasp. She turned in his direction, her eyes squinting. She moved.

She got to within five feet. Panic began to swell up in him and he fired full force. The phaser rifle sent streams of deadly light towards the creature hitting her in the chest. Blast after blast hit her and it seemed she wasn't affected just took back a few feet. Suddenly just the marine acted, she did. She pounced on the marine which sent him and his rifle to the ground. He frantically felt for his weapon but he pinned. She was on his chest and the razor-sharp nails were up near her "ears".

"Computer end simulation !" The Marine yelled in horror. Instantly the holodeck's criss cross pattern was views and not a moment to soon. The nails were within a centimetre of his face when they suddenly vanished. "Whew."

"Okay Patterson. On your feet." Said a voice from the rear. It was Lieutenant Jan. "I am not sure how to take this, but either way, out there you can't just yell 'end simulation!' You must deal with the situation. After all this creature obviously showed no mercy did she.

"No sir." Patterson responded. "Just a question. What is she?"

"I don't know just yet. Something I created to train you maggots."

"Understood."

"You have to improve on your tactics. I want to see you tomorrow.. No not tomorrow, Captain Devore and Major Phanan got it.... Just make it here Monday morning bright and early. We are going to make a marine out of you yet."

"Aye sir."

"Dismissed." *Maybe I will call her the Sirene? She is beautiful but deadly.* He thought smiling. With that he grabbed his PADD and belongings and headed out the holodeck.

The nanites rushed through the computer system. Engineering was easy, but their programming was not to destroy the ship just disable her. Well they easily made Swiss cheese of the main protocols and computer's programming there. They headed for the next system.. The holodecks.

*I don't believe it,* Rashad thought as she walked towards her quarters. *To go on this 'retreat' is beyond me. For what so that I could 'like' Dakul. I don't think so.*

Her thoughts began to race as she headed through the halls. Just as she turned the corner, she barrelled into a young crewman who was carrying an armload of PADDs.

"Crewman!" She snapped. "Watch where you are going ?" Commander T'kul walked off.

The crewman was at a lost. The PADDs he had been carrying was all over the floor and he himself almost was too. However his just glared at the back of his first officer. If looks could kill....

"I'm sorry ma'am." He began to recollect his material, one of which was a manifest requisition from Captain Devore. The crewman looked over it quickly and smiled.

Captain Devore sat in the command chair. His eyes stared at the monitors looking at the vastness of space. He couldn't understand why it was so hard for a crew of such diverse races not be able to get along. However, this little 'retreat' he has planned hopefully will allow all the hardest people to get along better.

"Captain," Lieutenant Gordon said spinning around in her chair. "I am sorry sir. May I be excused for tomorrow. I mean, Lieutenant Shale and I have 'plans'. Is it truly necessary for me to be there ?"

"Normally Lieutenant I would say yes. But in the light of you recent disposition, I guess you can be excused."

"Thank you sir."

"Captain," McCaffee said in turn. "Seeing that she is not going......."

"No Brayden. You are going."

"I understand that. I wasn't trying to get out of it, but I would like for Junora.. I mean Commander Loris go with us."

"I don't see why not."

"Great. I will tell her to wear something nice."

Suddenly Devore snapped his fingers.. so loud that it startled the rest of the crew. "Sorry. I don't think that 'something nice' will be appropriate. However........ Computer open an intership com message to the following people: Commander Rashad, Major Phanan, Ensign Morriden, Lieutenant Dakul, Commander Taline, and Commander Loris."

<Channel Open>

"Attention crew members, report to Crewman Nauqus for appropriate attire for tomorrow. Don't forget to be there not later than 05:30. Close channel."

<Channel closed.>

Devore smiled.