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She tried to whistle a happy tune, then remembered that she couldn't whistle. She sat down and counted the seconds as they crawled by

James is asking meto see if this Celeste will help his team. Please locate her and ask here to meet me here.

"Yes sir!"

Graynes watched the young ensign dart off.

“At last …..company”

Her smile faded when she saw the ensign

“What do you want? ….Graynes wishes to see me…who the frell is Graynes and why does he want to see me?”

When no amount of questioning would elicit any further information from the ensign , she sighed

“Fine lead the way…….. Herakles re-activate internal sensors, if we have any unexpected visitors while I’m away….shoot them!”

The Trancer personell had come aboard two hours ago, the Nietzscheans an hour later. He had welcomed each group aboard with a brief talk, and then turned them over to the WayFarer's surviving crew for quarters and crew roster assignments.

Twilight Rain looked up from his study of the cloneing chamber, and spoke happily..."The sensors show that the heart is perfect, and ready for implantation."

The other Ruby Than than looked up from inspecting the anesthetized form of his Captain..."She is ready now, and we do not have long."

Daveed nodded as he took his place at the operating table, the nurse across from him. With one sure cut of his laser scalpel he made the first incision.

Hours later, he packed the thoratic cavity with nanite infused quick heal foam, and sealed the incision. He nodded at the anestheologist to flush her systen with counter agent, so that her own nanites would reactivate.

"Twilight would you watch her in recovery?"...Daveed requested as the Captain was floated to the recovery room.

He caught the nurse, who had assisted great capability, looking at some of the equipment stored in the bay next to the surgical suite.

"Yes, Ms. Kianna, it is all specifically designed for the removal of Magog larva. The WayFarer hunts Magog. We have had to deal with infestations numerous times."

"But Magog can develope beyond removable stage so quickly." She protested.

Daveed smiled grimly "That is why we have so many stasis tubes, and we have developed substances that inhibit their growth. Twilight Rain developed a nanobot that that attacks the larva, as well."

"Spirit's Wrath, this is DSI-11240, please come in."

"Forget it, sir. She's not answering. Either there's no one left to answer, or her comm system is down," said the Master Chief Quartermaster at the conn of the drop ship said to the commander of the Trancer Marine platoon that was embarked.

"Is there anything we can do to contact them?"

"No, sir, other than to dock and board her."

"Damn." The Marine lieutenant pounded on the console of the old drop ship as they made their way slowly toward the stricken ship.

The old Trancer chuckled to himself. "We'll be there soon enough, Lieutenant. Just a few more minutes now."

A few more minutes, the Lieutenant thought to himself, A few more minutes and they might all be dead...

Thank you for coming. I am General Graynes, Trancer Military Commander . I’ll cut to the chase since I know we both have no time for idle chat. My Special Ops commander seems to think that you have a lot to offer his team and that I should make a deal with you for him. When James suggests something, I have learned to listen to him. Of course, I have checked the intel-report on you and I agree with his assessment. I understand the look of shock on your face, a Trancer asking a Niet to help out. Well, one thing I have learned from LoP is to put such prejudices behind me. He has many Nietzcheans in his cabinet, most hold a high position and every one of them are dedicated and an asset to all of us. It’s a lesson I wish more from both of our races would learn.

I’m not sure what kind of “deal” is needed to enlist your assistance, but I have the authority to make anything within reason happen. Your position would be as an advisor to the Special Ops team. Now, before we discuss any “deals”, are there any questions you have?

Graynes locked his eyes onto Celeste’s as he waited for her reply. His expression still neutral and in control.

"General Graynes, I appreciate the direct approach, although all this talk of 'deals' bothers me"

She smiled

" 'advisor to the Special Ops team', it has a certain 'ring' to it! in fact...I like it.... I accept"

Seeing the look of surprise on his face, she laughed

"General, you've read the intel-report, you know that since the Archdukes departure I have nowhere to go, no mission...no purpose. Suffice to say I can't go home, so your offer suits me....for the moment. I ask only one thing....that I be allowed to leave this planet as and when I choose...until then you can be assured I will do everything in my power to assist James, his team and your race as a whole.....but I must tell you that I have a .....problem with tails! Although I will do my utmost to curb my ......phobia.

Oh and General, my ship....it must remain out of bounds for all Trancers, my ship....he has been programmed to.....well let's just say it would be safer if no-one attempted to board him!"

This ID card will give you access to most areas of the planet. It will also allow you to enter and leave the flight deck without a guard. If James says you're okay, I believe him. I wouldn't worry about James and his deal talk, it's his way.

Of course you can come and go as you please, just be sure to stay away from any restricted areas you might happen on. We don't have many, but EnTranced is pretty strict about the ones we do have.

I am putting a shuttle at your disposal so you can get around faster without your ship wanting to destroy us. Graynes smiled slightly as he went on. I will log your ship as off limits until further notice. No one will enter without your permission. But be aware, there will be Trancers working nearby so I hope your AI knows that. I would hate to loose anyone because of a mistake.

James is in orbit on the JMT and your shuttle is waiting to take you there. I have assigned a human pilot to you.

By the way...welcome to Kroyous.

Graynes reached out to shake Celeste's hand.

"Thank you General, for your trust and for having the foresight to assign me a human pilot!"

She looked at the ID card and smiled

"it feels good to have a purpose again, I hope I can live up to James's expectations! and your workers have nothing to fear from Herakles, as long as they stay out of his way...he's never been much of a people person. It's been a pleasure doing business with you General...now I'd better be on my way, I have a job to do"

She made her way to the flight deck, eager to begin her new duties

I need a status on Josh's ship. Have the marines arrived yet? Graynes frowned at the ensigns negative reply. Order the cruiser Singularity to move within firing range and to standby for further orders.

The Magog must have control. If the marines couldn't regain control of the ship, it would have to be destroyed.

Come on Josh and Jon, take your ship back! He said to himself.

[This message has been edited by Lover of Purple (edited November 25, 2002).]

Perigryne's hand came up and gripped his with astonishing strength. "How ...How many survived...: Her voice dry and harsh, barely more than a whisper.

He knew she knew the answer to that, but needed to hear it spoken. His eyes were sad as he shook his head slightly and replied..."Only those outside the WayFarer...and the child you carry is safe."...

He answered her second question before she could ask. His assistants had filled him in on the events that had occured since he had been on leave. Daveed was worried about his half sister mind state. She had met, married, and lost her mate...and now her crew, that had been family for many years.

Perigryne looked up at his worried face and knew just what he was thinking...."Help me sit up, and give me a report on our current status." Her tone brooked no arguement, and he propped her up with several thick pillows.

He briefed her thoroughly and she sat silent for many minutes, wieghing options, planing.
There was no time for mourning now. She had strange Nietzscheans on board her ship, and the others of her skeleton crew, while she trusted the Trancers more than the Niets. were unknown factors.

"Daveed, I need to contact General Graynes, and reassure him of our status, and thank him for the loan of the crew. We also need to get Luna reloaded into her A.I., if the Wayfarer is to be even marginally effective."

Daveed knew his Captain well and had a fresh uniform waiting. He still hoped to get her to remain is a grav chair for atleast a few hours, but he doubted that given then circumstances that she would agree.

Doug sent word the the wounded were getting finished with the surgeon. His team had lost eight people out of the twenty it started with he set the computer to check for replacements and requests for unattached personel to be forwarded.

Outside of maybe EnTrances personel guard,and James was not willing to say he could not say his team could not beat them,He had the nearly first call for the replacements.

He forwarded his reports and requests to fleet command. He then turned to fleet action reports. He saw that Josh's ship was till being contested. "Damn" he thought "My guys are to banged up to go get that ship."
he said under his breath. He waited as he knew that Graynes would be ordering him most likey to distroy that ship if they could not recapture it.

"Now that is a beautiful ship...I just know I'm going to like working onboard"

She remained seated until the shuttle had docked safely, then descended the ramp and looked around her

"Impressive, very impressive"

She sent a brief message to James

"Your latest advisor to the Special Ops team reporting for duty, Sir"

He wanted to move for an optimium firing position. He knew Grayes must be pulling hairs about this and he understood why. That was testbed of a lot of local industry. If it worked it would be a sign that the trancers were a little less dependant on outside tech.

Knowing FLEETCOM was going in circle s about the cruiser James ordered Weaps to start running drills on what attack patterns to use to take out that ship both best and worse case and get his teams up to speed. He was in command so he wanted to be ready to do the job when the orders came down.

Josh was going toneed to save his ship or the Marines were going to because James was confident that he would be the guy who would be cleaning this up if they failed. James paused and looked at himself in a reflective surfaces the soldier was there ready to do his duty. His blue eyes were just as cold as he rememebred and the military styled hair was kept short dark brown and not showing grey he laughed inside "With all that has happened I feel seventy rather than twenty six." but the fire was there now just waiting for the starters gun.

Thank you. Please try to find EnTranced and tell him that the JMT is almost ready to break orbit.

He knew it might take awhile since EnTranced and Siobhan had suddenly come up missing through all of the excitment. He walked over to a window and looked skyward.

LoP, where are you? He asked the uncaring stars.

_____________________________________________

Athena watched as LoP's vital signs stablized. They were still dangrously low, but the nanobots had temporarily halted the downward spiral. She refocused her attention on the thursters and directed more nanobots to it.

Several of her new crew began to stand at her entrance, but she waved them back..."Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen, but that is not necessary. What is is a department by department report."

She listened to their status reports with quiet satifaction. The remains of her crew were holding up thru their grief,and the Trancers were highly professional. The Nietzscheans had been her instant worry once Daveed reported his actions. However these were proving to be exceptionally flexible. She thanked her bridge crew for their efforts and took the Command chair.

"Communications,..." She adressed the pink haired Trancer Lieutenant..."Please arrange me an open line to General Graynes. We need to advise him of our status."

The young Trancer smiled and nodded and began effeciently operating a board that was disctinctly not common aboard any starship she had ever seen.

"Captain, the Spirits Wrath has taken sever damage, and may be in Magog control...Is there not some aid we may render?" Luna querried softly from her place at Perigrynes side. "I know we must attempt my reintegration first, but once that is done I will be inposition to take over all repair efforts, freeing much of our temporary crew."

Perigryne looked at Luna and nodded...All aboard the WayFarer hated Magog with a passion, the A.I. included.

"We will offer what aid we can be. We may know some Magog hunting tricks they don't"

So she would be best person to either take the JMT or one of scout crafts throught the area. Add in if there was a smugglers drift or planet in the area she would likely know about it.