It's a long way to trip in a hallway, Pt 1

Posted on Thu May 29th, 2025 @ 3:58pm by Commodore Finchley Kerr & Captain Kevin, Lord Kilbane of Sanquhar & Lieutenant Commander Shr'Nesh Karadis & Commander Milani & Lieutenant Commander Dex

Mission: Delivering on the undeliverable.
Location: USS Thall/Portal planet
Timeline: Current.

Finchley stood on the bridge of the Thall, it was good to feel "home" again. He'd missed the ship, his first command all those years ago, but now he was back, and after the eighteen month refit, she was give a new lease of life. Upgraded weapons, upgraded shields, in fact, all the main systems had been upgraded and he was delighted.

All it needed now was the crew...

Commander Milani walked onto the bridge and looked round with satisfaction. During the refit she had had a chance to go to Earth and settle some things once left unsaid now said. "It's good to be back Commodore, are you completely recovered?"

Finchley turned at the sound of someone speaking to him, "Mil, good to see you, I hope you're trip to Earth was fruitful. To answer your question, yes, more or less. I still get the odd twinge now and again, but to be honest, I really think that's old age creeping up on me. So, what do you think of our ships spring clean then?"

"It looks quite different Sir, upgrades can sometimes be troublesome but after looking over them they all seem in order. I met our CMO earlier, she seems good, to the point and, not very Vulcan. I was surprised."

Just then Shon appeared on the bridge looking muscular and tanned, although shorter than Milani she would give her a good run in the figure stakes. Shon had grown and curled her hair although it was now tied up in a French plait several rather fetching wisps curled around her pointed ears. "I hope I'm not late?" she said smiling at them both.

"Shon, you look great" Finchley answered, "and no, we're just waiting on the others arriving.

As if on queue, the turbolift doors opened, and the site that met Finchley's eyes made him put his hand over his face and utter, "Oh, you've got to be kidding me..."

Karadis walked towards the group, holding onto a leash. Walking behind her, head down and obviously not wanting to be there, was Kilbane, around who's neck the leash was attached to by a collar.

Finchley looked up at the ceiling, sighed, then looked back down at Karadis and said, "Am I really going to have to ask?"

Karadis, a huge grin on her face, replied "We had a bet, who could hold their breath the longest, the loser having to allow the winner to 'walk' them round the ship on a leash for a day. Guess who lost?"

"Oh God..." Finchley said, and looking at Shon and Milani just shrugged his shoulders.

Milani looked at them both. "It's not very professional" was all she said. Shon just shook her head knowing that the rift between them was still there and putting her elbow in would not make any difference. "Are we expecting any one else?" Shon said.

"Fuck being professional" Karadis replied to Milani, "this is funny, I don't care what you say, a bet is a bet."

"Ok, enough" Finchley replied. He looked at Shon, "No, we're not waiting on anyone else, let's take this to the briefing room" he finished, walking off.

A few moments later, with everyone seated, he looked around the table, "Right, here's the mission. Sanquis II is a Federation settlement planet on the border with the Klingon Empire. They've had a tough time of it with a great many skirmishes taking place, their supplies are running low and they only have a few days worth left. SFIHQ want us to deliver a package out there to them, but I have no idea what it is, they won't tell me and we're now allowed to know, we've to ensure it arrives safely though."

Shon spoke, "How big is this package?" she asked thoughtfully.

Finchley looked at Shon, but kept his face straight as he replied, "It's fairly comprehensive, long, but bulky on both sides at one end."

Milani piped up. Commodore I think the good Doctor is worried about a bomb. SFIHQ may have decided that Sanquis II needs help other than food supplies?" she leant forward and rested her elbows on the table. Looking at Karadis she asked, "do you know the Klingon factions in that part of the border?"

"It could be something like that" Finchley replied to Milani, "but I'm more inclined to think it's hand held weapons."

Karadis leaned forward as well and replied in a smouldering tone, "As a matter of fact I do, some of them may even be from my own House."

"Oh, so you know Lieutenant?" Milani shot an annoyed look at the Klingon. She had not seen anything to endear the Klingon to her, apart from her attractiveness.

"I was yanking your chain Commander" Karadis replied, sitting back, "How the hell would I know who they are, that's like me saying you know all the Betaziods who are part of Starfleet. Oh, wait a minute, I see, it's a race thing with you, you hate all Klingons, I'm Klingon, therefor, I must know who it is who's attacking those on Sanquis II. Is that where this is going, well, just so long as I know, two can play at that game, y'nt yalagochukof!"

She stood up and yanked on the leash, pulling Kilbane out his seat, "Come on boy, this briefing is over for the two of us."

She then looked at Finchley, "You've got a racist to join us, well done Bird, just when I thought you couldn't sink any lower, you bring that onboard" she thumbed at Milani.

"Karadis, sit back down" Finchley replied, "the Commander thought you were being serious so I assume she was going to follow a line of questions regarding any information you could provide."

"No!" Karadis answered angrily, "she's a racist, to her, every Klingon not wearing one of their uniforms and fighting Starfleet is a suspect for any attacks happening around the Klingon Federation border, I don't need that kind of shit, my record in Starfleet and Intel speaks for itself, I won't be brought down by a petaQ like 'it'."

She stormed off, dragging Kilbane with her.

Finchley knew better than to argue with her or order her back to sit down, best let her work her anger off first, then speak to her.

Shon sat back looking at Finchley. "Well if it is just weapons why are we not allowed to look into it?"

Finchley sighed, and looking at Shon after she asked her question he said, "I have no idea, all I've been told is we've not to open it till it's been delivered to the settlements leaders."

Milani bristled, "Sir I am definitely NOT racist and I reject Karadis words, may I go after her?"

"Best leave her for now, give her an hour to calm down then have a chat with her, and I mean a chat" Finchley replied, "you go in there all guns blazing and it'll just turn into a fiasco.

Shon sighed, they had only been back on board a few hours and already Karadis appeared to be trying to split them up. "All I am saying," Shon said, "if it is only weapons then why should we not see them. Anything else might be considered a danger to the ship. I would like to perform a medical scan of the package?"

"That's a good idea" Finchley answered Shon, "are you able to do a passive scan, just in case there's any kind of monitoring devices inside?"

Shon nodded and smiled "I do sometimes have good ideas, Sir.......

Milani laughed, "I would like to clear the cargo hold of everything else so this 'package' is on it's own. Shon I agree with your negativity regarding it. Unless you need me on the Bridge I would like, in a while to search Karadis out. I am not racist, in fact I am very attracted to her." Milan blushed and Shon smiled.

"Be careful what you wish for Mil, Karadis is very...oh, how do I put this...unusual" Finchley replied, trying to keep the smile from his face. "You know, keeping the package separate from everything else is a very good idea as well, yes, do that, and when you've completed the scans, let me know what you find please."

Shon nodded and had a sudden urge to kiss him. This happened a lot and, of course she would not act on it on duty. She was about to leave for sickbay to pick up a tricorder.

Milani nodded, "I'll get on that now. Shon I will meet you in the cargo bay?"

Shon nodded, "Give me a few minutes." Milani nodded and left. "Finchley, can you not do something about Karadis, I know she is is an integral part of the Thall as is Kilbane but this, this is ridiculous. It is almost attention seeking. Would you order her to have a full medical evaluation?"

Finchley looked thoughtful for a moment, then said, "Frankly, I would rather set fire to a tigers tail, then try and cuddle it to calm it down before ordering Karadis to take a medical. Yes, I'll speak to her and tell her to stop being such a pain in the arse, but I need her to also be herself, that is what makes her, her, and such an integral part of this team."

"She might be an integral part of the team but she does her best to alienate the team. She is still barely talking to me, went off on one with Mil, and if anyone is not racist it's Mil. Kilbane keeps out of my way completely and only acknowledges me when you are there. It's a shame we don't have a counsellor. Okay I have said my piece and I am off to perform a passive scan on our cargo. I love you you reprobate." Shon laughed.

Finchley watched as Shon left. He gave thought to what she'd said, things were still strained between himself, Shon, Kilbane and Karadis, but he'd change that, he needed to...

Cargo Bay 1.
Mil was already there when Shon arrived. The cargo bay was almost fully cleared apart from several large packs containing essentials for the crew. "wow, that was quick!" Shon exclaimed.

Milani smiled, "I wanted to ensure that this..." She pointed to the large shrouded pallet, " Was on its own. I keep thinking we need to know what this contains for the safety of the ship and crew. Why would SFIH not trust us? I find the whole thing distasteful."

Shon nodded, "I feel the same way as you but the Commodore has given his orders, but, possibly this passive scan might shine at least a little light on the contents. My thoughts are for the ship and crew also, being CMO brings it's own set of problems." She sighed as she began her scan, the only sound being the quiet bip bip from the tricorder.

"I am going to return to the Bridge Doctor, report your findings as soon as possible?" Milani advised as Shon nodded already taken up with her task. For a few moments Shon began to feel nauseated and dizzy. "should have had breakfast" she announced to the quiet. The scan finished she felt she needed to sit down and found a space on one of the pallets that Mil had moved. She bent over, another wave of nausea swept over her. Her eyes closed as she tried to fight the feeling that she was being watched. "Computer give verbal report of this scan?"

"Unable to scan negative space."

Shon sighed through her rising nausea then had an idea. Finchley had said passive scan but now Shon was like a dog with a bone.

"Computer look for biologic patterns through any race on record?" She spun round with the distinct feeling there was someone behind her. Everything was quiet apart from the normal hum of the Thall. The computers voice caused her to turn, startled.

" Negative space contains traces of DNA, human, Klingon, Iconian, Bol......"

"Iconian!" Shon exclaimed.

"You know, the Iconian's were the stuff of myth, legends and fables" a voice, with a thick Irish accent, said from behind Shon, "but every myth, legend and fable has a grain of truth in it."

Shon snapped around her head arriving before her brain as nausea shot through her. "Kilbane" she said with some softness. I am surprised to see you here. I am just trying to scan this' package and am get.....Kilbane" she whispered, "there is someone standing behind you?"

"It's that someone who spoke, not Mr Kilbane" the heavy Irish brogue voice in the darkness replied. Kilbane stepped to the side, "Commander T'ghann-Dex, this is Finnigan, he's..."

"...a colleague of Commodore Kerr so I am" Finnigan added, stepping out where he could be seen. "I'm what you might call..."

"A rogue!" another voice continued.

Finnigan turned, drawing a phaser. When he saw who it was, he retuned the phaser to it's place and said, "Well bless my soul, Finchley Kerr, you've become more and more sneaky in your advanced years."

"You don't have a soul Finnigan, you traded it with the devil for two shots of brandy" Finchley answered, himself stepping out into the light, "and less of the advanced years nonsense, I'm only a year older than you."

"And don't you forget it to be sure" Finnigan replied, a big grin on his face, and he opened up his arms.

Finchley grinned back and gave the man a huge bear hug, "It's really good to see you again old friend, really good!"

"Your...crushing...my...ribs..." Finnigan managed to get out, before Finchley let go.

"Thank you Kilbane, that'll be all for now, but I want to speak to you and Karadis later, make yourselves available, got that?" Finchley said as he turned to Kevin.

"Got it" Kilbane replied, then walked off.

Turning to Shon, Finchley said, "Shon, I'd like to introduce you to Shaun Finnigan, we were at the Academy together, we...well, let's just say we were the bane of the Dean's life."

Finnigan stepped forward and took Shon's hand, lifted it and kissed the back of it, "At your service Ma'am."

Confused she allowed the kiss and it felt pleasant on her hand, "Nice to meet you Finnegan, I am sure you have many stories of your time with the Commodore which I would love to hear one day." Shon certainly was not going to let this stranger know Finchley and her were together, she was after all professional. Turning to the package which now seemed quiet and the air within the cargo bay still. "I am...I am not sure what is going on?" she said, why are you both here?"

"When SFIHQ told me they were wanting us to take the package to it's Sanquis II, they said a specialist was coming along as well, to oversee the delivery" Finchley said, "and that I knew them quite well as we'd worked together when I first joined Intel. They described him as unruly, but charming, almost disarmingly charming. At that point, I knew it was this rogue" he pointed at Finnigan, "I just wanted to make sure I was right."

"Ah, that cut right to the quick Bird me boy, ah fella has feelings you know" Finnigan laughed. "As for me Commander, I can't give to much away, but you were correct, there's something to do with Iconian's, but in a far odder way than you can imagine. 'Time' is of the essence for us, so the sooner we can get to Sanquis II, the better."

Something in the way Finnigan worded the last sentence had Finchley on edge, Finnigan was not one for being in a hurry unless his life was at risk, so for him to say what he did was odd.

Shon smiled a smile that did not reach her eyes. Anything that might mean a risk for the crew whilst on the Thall she knew she would not let go. "I have been here for about an hour and have obtained some very strange readings from my scans. I have also been experiencing auditory and visual hallucinations as well as physical symptoms of nausea whilst in the cargo bay. This is not an acceptable risk to my crew or the Commodore. I can tell you that I will further investigate this and....." Shon's Vulcan ears bristled and her back twitched as the whispering began again. "I need, no have to get out of here and I advise you gentlemen to do the same" she almost ran out of the bay leaning against the bulkhead wall breathing fast the feeling of nausea growing.

Entering the quarters that she now shared with Finchley she threw her tricorder onto the couch and entered the small side room Finchley had said she could use for her Vulcan rituals. Lighting the candle she placed it on the prayer shawl that lay on the floor. Shaking she sat and crossed her legs as the scent pervaded the space and shadows crept along the wall. Trying to concentrate on her breathing she closed her eyes as she began to relax. Shon's breathing slowed and then, suddenly the flame went out and she was surrounded by darkness, that felt almost like the funeral rite of the Abshalla. A hand touched, then gripped her shoulder as a voice whispered in her ear "Lunick T'a'vic manil arek" she screamed as the words 'swift death' entered her. Her eyes widened as she tried to scream pitching forward onto the ground where she lay unconscious.


Having set up Finnigan in guest quarters, Finchley made his way to the shared quarters he had with Shon. He was guessing that after she left the cargo bay, she had gone back there to rest after her saying she needed to get out and advising him and Finnigan to do the same. Stepping through the door, he called out, "Shon, are you here?", but there was no reply.

He moved to their bedroom, thinking she may have gone to lie down and sleep for a while, but when he went in, she wasn't there. Now beginning to worry somewhat, he checked the living area, but again, she wasn't there either. Lastly, the only place left was the small side room Shon used for her Vulcan meditation, and looking inside he saw her slumped on the floor. "Shon, Shon, what's happened???" he called out to her as he rushed to her side and cradled her in his arms. Gently stroking her face, he tried to wake her up, "Shon, come on, open your eyes...open your eyes and show me you're ok" he said.

She opened her eyes, "I'm sorry Finchley," she struggled to stand. "We are seriously in trouble, whatever we have brought on board is not simply arms." She grabbed his arm, "whatever this thing is will spread to the crew."

"Nobody said it was arms, not even Finnigan" Finchley replied, "but if you're getting the sense that it's dangerous, then we have to take that into consideration. I suppose I could try and persuade Finnigan to try and give up a little more information, but knowing him, he won't tell me everything, he's...eh...kind of secretive and won't give up anything unless he's told to by his superiors, or, it's to his advantage."

Shon grabbed his arm. "Finchley you know me by now, I wouldn't say anything unless I believed it. Put him in the way of the package for some time, maybe it will scare him enough to talk, or at least give us an idea that he knows what it is capable of. I need to talk to Mil, she was with me in the cargo bay for some time, I also want to screen those of the crew that have come into contact with....whatever it is. It feels like an itch you cannot scratch then for a moment time means nothing, then it is the feeling that someone is there, then there are actual sightings. Can you order the crew not to go into that area?"

"Ok, ok, take it easy Shon" Finchley tried to comfort her, "none of the crew except, Finnigan, you and Mil and myself have been anywhere near the package, it was brought in by an SFI shuttle through the loading bay. It was worker drones that loaded it at one end and unloaded it at our end. I'm not doubting what you've felt, nor am I questioning it, and it's a good idea to speak to Mil about how she feels and find out if she's had any kind of reaction to having been in the same vicinity as you. Me...I can't say I had any kind of reaction, and as far as I can tell, neither has Finnigan. Kilbane was only in the bay for a very short period of time and that was to just speak briefly with Finnigan to get an update on our mission, so I doubt he's feeling anything. I can try again to contact SFIHQ and see if we can get anymore information on what's in the package, but I'm not hopeful that I'll get anything new. I suggest that you take yourself to Sickbay if you're not feeling yourself, have someone check you over.....no self diagnosing, I mean that, I know what you're like" he laughed at the last thing he said.

He placed his hands gently under her chin and lifted her head to look at him, "Remember, we're all a team. Yes, dysfunctional at times, but still a team none the less, we're going to get to the bottom of all this, but I need us all working together for the same goal."

He reached down and kissed her softly, "Now get yourself to Sickbay."

"Mmmm," Shon mumbled as her Vulcan nose caught his particular scent. "I wish I didn't have work to do or I would throw you down right now and ride you like a Tikarian lizard!" she pushed him away from her and sighed. I am going to the bridge to see Mil then sickbay, but you and me have a date later on."

Finchley wasn't to keen on the fact he was pushed away, but he accepted that Shon had to get on with things.

Turning away she left their quarters centring herself before entering the turbo lift to the bridge. "Remember we are a team," she said out loud as she reached her destination. The bridge was controlled and quiet, Mil stood by the helm talking quietly to the Ensign in the seat. Shon was glad to note that neither Kilbane, Karadis or Finnegan were around. "Commander?" Shon said as Mil looked round and smiled. she placed her hand on the Ensign's shoulder and joined Shon. "If you have a minute Mil I would like to talk to you about our 'package' and propose an experiment?"

The turbolift doors opened and Karadis, Kilbane and Finnigan all trooped out together, sharing a laugh as they entered onto the bridge.

"...and this is the bridge" Kilbane said to Finnigan, "We've just had a refit so things are almost like brand new, well, when I say brand new, upgraded from the rust bucket it had become."

He saw Shon and Milani standing further over, so he guided Finnigan in the opposite direction, "The Commodore's Ready Room is over here, let's go and make ourselves comfy, he should be back with us again shortly."

All three trooped off again, laughing as they went, sharing some joke or other. Once again the 'lift doors opened and Finchley walked out, deep in thought. Seeing Shon and Milani standing together he walked over. "I didn't have any luck getting further information on what's in the package, plus, and this is coming from up top, not from me, we're to afford Mr Finnigan all the help he requires whilst travelling to, and whilst we're at, Sanquis II. I know him from old, we came through the Academy together, we served together on the same first assignment when we graduated and we were both recruited into SFI at the same time. I don't believe he means any of us any harm, and I can't believe for a moment he'd put any of us in danger, he'd put himself in danger first before allowing anyone else to be. That said, I'm still a little wary of what's going on, so if I can persuade him to divulge even the smallest morsel of info regarding what's in that damned thing, all the better. What are you two going to be doing?"

"Haven't they got any work to do?" she said bristling. "II was just about to Ask Mil if she would submit to a scan and then we will enter the cargo bay again but, I think whatever it is it is no longer contained in the cargo bay.

Finchley turned to the Helm, "Set course for Sanquis II, warp five, break the newly upgraded engines in slowly, no point in thrashing them then having to return to get them fixed."

"Aye Sir" the Helmsman replied, "Course laid in for Sanquis II, warp five."

"Off we go then" Finchley said. He turned back to Shon and Milani, "Haven't who got work to do?" he asked.

"Milani looked at Shon, " think she was referring to the three clowns just now on the Bridge." Shon nodded "oh yes" she said, heading out to Sickbay.

Taking a brief scan of Mil's brain Shon was surprised to find no changes where she had expected to find at least some frontal lobe changes. She wondered for a moment if it was only her and the thought was frightening. "Right, now I have a baseline lets go."

Mill turned and fell into step beside her. "Shon what exactly are you expecting to see?"

"I don't want to say in case it skews the experiment Mil. I want you to perform a passive slow scan and verbalise anything you see and or hear or if you feel.....different in any way." They entered the cargo bay.

A minute later, Finchley entered the cargo bay as well, "Right, stop what you're doing and listen to me, both of you, right now!"

He took a deep breath and controlled the rising anger within him, "I have enough shit on my plate without both of you adding to it. Those 'three clowns' as you put it" he said, pointing at Milani, "are in my Ready Room because I told them to go there and wait for me. Now, without sounding to harsh, both of you get your heads out your arses and do the job you're doing and stop giving me more grief, my jobs hard enough without you two forming a clique together against Kilbane, Karadis and Finnigan."

He burled around and began walking away, shouting to himself, "Is this what I've become now, a bloody school playground monitor, please Sir, he's making faces at me, please Sir, she's not playing the game right, please Sir..." and he was gone, heading back to what he was now going to face in his Ready Room, round two of getting the next three to tow the line.

For a moment they looked at each other then Shon began to giggle and Milani smiled until they both broke into laughter. "What was that?" Milani exclaimed. Shon had stopped laughing. Exactly what it was Mil and we fed into it and he is right although Vulcan schools were never like that." They both broke into laughter again.

"It's just that I have never been on board a ship where there is the opportunity for crew to act like that. On my last ship....well let me say that one crew member was dropped off on a durellium mining planet for laughing in a meeting."

Shon smiled. "I say we talk more about this later in the bar, but, for now let's work. "Computer" Shon said out loud "reduce ambient lighting by thirty percent." The lights went down and Milani began her scan walking slowly round the cargo.

Finchley marched, literally marched, out of the turbolift and across to his Ready room. Forgetting where he was, he booted the door with the intention of it suddenly swinging open so he could stomp in. As his foot connected with the door, he remembered it was a steel framed sliding door but it was to late, and he let out a yell of pain, "FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!"

Inside, Karadis heard the sound of the door being kicked and rushed to open it, and the sight that met her made her burst out laughing. Finchley was writing on the ground, gripping his ankle, obscenities flying.

Unable to stop herself, Karadis said, "You rang?"

With hate filled eyes, Finchley slowly dragged himself up onto his feet and hobbled inside, "Sit...yourselves...down, and don't say a fucking word till I'm finished. YOU!" he stabbed his finger at Kilbane, "Get over the fact that Shon chose me and not you, 'we' were an item before you and we're an item now, so if you have a problem with that, find an airlock and jump out the bloody thing. YOU!", he then jabbed a finger at Karadis, "Stop being Kilbane's crutch, whatever happened between him and Shon is over, she's with me, so you can join that wanker" he jabbed his finger back at Kilbane, "and jump out the same airlock if you can't hack it."

Then he looked at Finnigan, "And as for YOU!", he jabbed his finger at the Irishman, "you have five seconds to give me some information about what's in that package and why it's so important it gets to Sanquis II, or I'll put you in a photon tube myself and fire you out of it. Five, four, three, two..."

"Jeazuz wept, ok Bird, ok, keep your feet on the ground" Finnigan replied.

At that comment, both Karadis and Kilbane roared with laughter, the joke not lost on them.

Finchley reached down under his desk and produced a phaser, "...One..." and he aimed the phaser at Finnigan.

The Irishman jumped to his feet, "It's a...an, how do I put this so you can understand, that'll allow you to keep your feet on the ground without going nuts."

Karadis and Kilbane were now helpless on the floor, both roaring with laughter and banging their fists.

"You...think...you're...so...smart...Finnigan" Finchley said between gritted teeth, "Let's see how smart you are with your brains splattered across the walls!!"

"Alright, alright...calm down man, take it easy, I'll tell ya...a little more" Finnigan said. "It's a machine, part Iconian in design, that will allow those Federation settlers on Sanquis II to 'move' to somewhere safe. It'll allow them to be more ready for anything that may come their way from the Klingons. Now, that's as much as I can say, I swear it Bird, no bullshit."

"And the effect it had on Commander T'ghann-Dex, what was all that about?" Finchley demanded.

"That's not anything I can answer Finchley, I swear it, I have no idea" Finnigan replied.

Finchley sat down, putting the phaser away again, "Get out, the three of you, just get out. But you two!" he pointed to Kilbane and Karadis, take heed of what I've said, if I see or hear anything else that causes grief to Dex, you'll have me to deal with...have you got that?

Kilbane and Karadis, by now back on their feet, both nodded, but said nothing.

"Get out..."

The three of them headed out the door, and as they did, Finnigan was heard to say, "I'd take what he said seriously you two, otherwise you won't have a leg to stand on, a bit like him when he kicked the door..."

More uproarious laughter ensued.

Moving towards the cargo bay doors Shon nodded to the guard Finchley had ordered to make sure there were no unauthorised incursions into the bay. It felt warm inside despite the air control. Mil had scanned the cargo several times now and was on her fourth circle. She noted Shon had moved over to the other side of the cargo bay and seemed to be examining a bulkhead. "Are you sure you want me to carry on Shon?"

"Any erroneous readings?" Shon asked.

"Nope" Mil said and turned back to her scanning.

"Well we have been in here two hours so one more circuit and we will call it for today, I am not finding anything either."

Milani continued her scan. There was a noise in one corner, as she approached a door appeared to slide back and a figure entered the bay. A sudden discordant noise filled her ears, a high pitched squealing drilled through her brain and she dropped the scanner in order to put her fingers in her ears. She dropped to her knees hoping that Shon would see her. It seemed like minutes before the sound gradually changed its pitch and something in her brain began to recognise it. "Dad?" she breathed quietly as the sound of a violin plying a solitary sad tune began to surround her.

"How are you doin' me darlin' No hello for your Pasha today?"

She closed her eyes. "You are not real Pasha." Mil said looking into the careworn eyes of her father.

He smiled as his old face seemed to crinkle up like one who had lived a life of near constant work.

"I don't understand Pasha?" Milani whispered as she became a six years old once again. "You are long gone, dead....I miss you" she said as she stretched out her hand her long fingers a few inches from his. She looked behind him her bedroom, behind him on her bed a ginger cat with green eyes stretched and looked towards her. "milka" she said.

He stretched his out, waiting for her to touch her childhood. "It's time you came home Lani We miss you."

Her eyes filled with tears as they dribbled down her face. "Yes Pasha, yes..." She began to move towards him until a strong arm pulled her back. Immediately the scene lengthened and winked out. Milani swung round and with one movement hit Shon on the chin with her fist hard enough to throw her to the ground.

Shon held her chin and moved her tongue round her mouth hoping her teeth were all in place. She stood. "What the hell Mil, what did you see?"

Shon led the trembling woman to a seat and knelt in front of her giving her a minute to get herself together. A black substance was on Milani's collar and Shon scanned it. "Tobacco, old ...very old fashioned tobacco."

Mil looked up at Shon. "It was my Pasha's tobacco, her used to play to me before bed and smoked his pipe until I fell asleep. I don't understand Shon?"

"All I know Mil is that this is not a weapon in the conventional way but it could, can be used to move people, things..." Shon looked at her scan. "From one place to another and, possibly in time. Come on, we have to get out of here." she took Mil's hand and pulled her up. Mil looked with longing at the now bulkhead. As they left she said "I could have gone Shon, it you hadn't been here I would have taken his hand."

As they exited the cargo bay the security officer looked surprised, "Forgot something ladies?" he asked his eyes looking at Shon's bruised swelling jaw.

"Meaning?" Milani said.

He stood to attention at the First Officer's question. "I er...well you just went in you've been in there barely a minute. "

Shon. looked at the chronometer. "He's right, my scans show we were in there three hours but, the officer is quite correct, just under a minute. Come on let's find the Commodore. Do NOT go in there or let anyone else in understood?"

He nodded "Yes Sir. No one in or out."

The two officers were soon out of the corridor and, for a few minutes all was quiet. He relaxed a little. A slight whisper reached his ears and he hummed a tune to himself. After a while the whisper became music strange and discordant striking a memory deep inside him. The door opened onto a scene he knew well. He smiled as the door closed behind him.

Back in his Ready Room, Finchley was thinking over what Finnigan had said to him about the settlers being able to 'move', but it was the way he said it that had him going back over things. What had he meant, how could moving the settlers help them, they would still be on the planet and the Klingons would simply scan for their life signs. Then it struck him, Finnigan worked in a different department in SFI, he wasn't a soldier per say, he was in the science division, quantum science to be exact. Quantum science...Iconians...a secret package...and talk of 'moving' the settlers.

He jumped up out of his chair, "No, not even Finnigan would be that mad!!!" he shouted out loud as he ran for the doors. Mere minutes later he ran out of the turbolift and began running down the corridor that led to the cargo bay. Seeing Shon and Milani coming towards him, he called out, "We have to seal off the cargo bay, NOW!!!"

Shon turned to Mil, "SECURITY OFFICER!" they both shouted to each setting off at a run. It took the three of them only thirty seconds to get to the cargo bay but then they heard the screaming, a thin high pitched sound then.....nothing, complete silence which, in itself was concerning. "Mil stay here do not go inside that is a medical order." Mil nodded as Shon drew her phaser.

Looking at Finchley she nodded to him and they both entered the bay. Shon could not believe what she was seeing and she looked at Finchley for confirmation. The security officer was fused into the back wall of the cargo bay dead. His right side and his head were crushed and Shon knew there was nothing she could do for him. His hand was stretched out as though he was greeting someone and Shon uncomfortably remembered Milani doing the same thing. She looked at Finchley, "we told him not to go in."


"I want this cargo bay sealed, nobody is to come in here except myself, you obviously as you're going to have to examine what's happened to the Security Guard...and Finnigan, because I want answers from him."

He sighed as he looked at the guard, it wasn't a pleasant way to go and he wondered what their last thoughts were before dying. Shaking his head to dismiss the thought, he looked back at Shon again, "What I'm about to say remains strictly between us, Finnigan is in the science arm of SFI, he specifically works on quantum theory science. Now, he told me that this package would help the settlers 'move' to somewhere safe, allow them to be more ready for anything that may come their way from the Klingons. My thinking was lateral at first, if the settlers moved from where they are, any Klingons who came to the planet would just scan for life signs and find them through that. But, he's also mentioned this package has something to do with the Iconian's. The Iconian's, as myth has it, moved through time to save their race from annihilation, what if Finnigan has managed to work out, even partially, how they did this, and that the 'moving' of the Federation settlers isn't from one place to another, but from one 'time' to another?"

Shon nodded, "I am thinking that also. She had her paDD out already and was scanning the body. Then she moved backwards pulling Finchley with her to the other side of the bay. "His body is currently in flux. Half is here with us but his front half was crushed somehow and is being pulled somewhere..... When or even where, this equipment will not tell me. I do know that the portal opened by the guard is still open and may expand. We need to turn it off." Shon shrugged her shoulders rubbing her jaw.

"Finchley I feel helpless in this, I have no idea what to do next, but I can say unless this 'portal' for want of a better word is closed then it could begin to grow and consume the ship."

"What is going on in there?" Mil asked, "there is a large ingress of security personnel in the corridor orders?"

Finchley was momentarily surprised, "Who on earth called for Security, because I never?" he asked, looking at Shon.

He tapped his COMM badge, "Commander, don't let any of them into the cargo bay, that's an order. If any of them disobey, you have my permission to arrest them on the spot."

"Sir!" she replied with a curt nod of her head. "It seemed there was the whole security network milling around. "QUIET PLEASE!" Milani shouted but the general conversation and confusion continued. She shouted again to no effect and, anxious to get control of the situation she withdrew her phaser, set it on the lowest setting, aimed and fired into the bulk head. That did the trick and everyone one went quiet. Noting the team leader for the day she turned to her. "Lieutenant Saddler, what the bloody hell is going on here?"

Saddler stood to attention. "Commander, we were responding to an emergency hail by yourself.." Saddler was obviously confused.

"I did no such thing!" Mil exclaimed bristling with anger.

"It WAS your voice Commander."

"I reiterate I did not give that order and, if I had you all arrived like a herd of Rigellian Milterbeasts, this is not what I expected from a top security crew. There will be follow up and further training on this but, for now no one must enter this deck, I want four of you at the entrance to this deck to prevent anyone else coming down here. At the moment we are safe anywhere else on the ship. Now get back to your duties and act like the professionals you are."

Saddler nodded and they began to leave with her issuing orders.


Turning back to Shon he said, "This is beyond me, I have no idea what's going on or how this 'portal' has appeared, but I would bet my last bar of gold pressed latinum that Finnigan does. I need you to go and fetch him, I'll keep an eye on this thing, if he refuses to come, get Karadis and Kilbane to 'bring' him here. Enough is enough, he's going to explain everything about this package we have onboard, even if it means me having to drag it out of him!"

Shon nodded Yes Commodore." she desperately wanted to tell him to take care but she knew that would not be appropriate. As she passed by Milani she said "What was that about?"

Milani turned still boiling with rage. "apparently the call came from me, obviously it was not. I will have to look into it but I am angry about their lack of proper response. I will follow up on this."

Shon nodded and smiled "I'm glad I am not in security!"

Mil's frown broke and she gave a short laugh and as Shon moved on down the corridor Milani made for the Bridge. Entering she looked around immediately satisfied. Karadis was sitting at the security console Finnegan standing with her, the two were laughing. Milani tried to calm herself down as she liked the bridge to be quiet with the attitude of calm expectation. Shon's comm call for Finnegan broke into their laughter. Milani expected him to respond immediately but they began laughing again.

She walked over "did you not hear Lieutenant Commander Dex on the comm?"

Finnegan looked at her his eyes laughing "Yes" he said and turned back to Karadis.

At that moment Shon appeared on the bridge and walked over to him. "did you not hear my comm Finnegan?"

He nodded as Karadis laughed. "I did and was going to reply in a couple of minutes after I heard the punchline of the joke."

"I expect you to answer me immediately, whilst you are on this ship you will follow our dictates. The Commodore wants to see you in cargo bay one immediately, a member of our crew has now died and we are sure that it is connected to your 'package'.

"Yes Doctor." he said winking at Karadis and moving towards the lift. Shon looked at Milani and shrugged entering the lift. "Cargo bay one" she said standing quietly away from him. "So, how long have you been with Bird? "

"Lift halt" Shon said turning to him. "Nothing about my, our private life has anything to do with you. You need to concentrate on the death of a crew member that, I feel is directly connected to you package."

"Ahh, come on now darlin' there's no need to be angry with old Finnegan," he winked.

"Do you feel that everything is a joke Finnegan, even the death of a crew member that may be related to you?" Shon sighed turning away from him. "Lift continue." she said and once again they began to move. "If I were you I would prepare to be very honest with the Commodore, he would not appreciate prevarication at this time." The lift spilled them out into the quiet corridor and Shon, gratified at the peaceful sight nodded to the two security personnel. They passed the other two security personnel guarding the cargo bay.

"Commodore" Shon said when they entered the bay and moved over to the body for her scans taking care not to impinge on the flux running through the body of the deceased crewman.

"Do you remember when we made our pact with each other after we graduated?" Finchley asked Finnigan.

"Of course I do, like it was yesterday" Finnigan replied.

"Tell me it" Finchley carried on.

"We swore that come hell or high water, we'd help each other out in times of need, no matter what" Finnigan answered.

Finchley pointed to the dead Security Guard, "That's one of my crew, they're dead...dead Finnigan...all because of that damned package you helped bring onboard my ship. Now, I'm invoking that pact, I'm in time of need, I need to know what's in that package and how it killed my Security Guard."

Finnigan looked in disbelief at Finchley, "You can't ne serious Bird!"

"Oh, I'm being VERY serious Finnigan" Finchley replied, moving threateningly towards Finnigan, "You're going to tell me, or, I hand you over to the rest of my Security Team and tell them 'you' caused the death of their comrade, but you could have saved them but chose not to, putting your own safety and pride first. I have no idea how they'll deal with you, but I would imagine they'll take a prolonged time making you pay for the death of a colleague of theirs. It may take a few weeks before they eventually kill you. but not before they've put you through the most excruciating pain you could ever imagine, and then probably some. I won't lift a finger to help you because you broke the pact we had made. I'll report you missing in a few months, and your body may eventually turn up...minus say, your arms, legs, eyes, teeth, tongue..."

"Ok, OK, I get the picture" Finnigan said, moving back away from Finchley, "but I'm doing this not because you're threatening me, but because I want to help you find out how your guard died."

"Suuuuuuuuurrrrrreeeee..." Finchley replied, "now, start talking!"

Finnigan lifted and dropped his shoulders in a big sigh as he began talking, "It was about two years ago, we found some Iconian artifacts on some God forsaken planet on the backside of the universe, don't ask me what it was called, I really don't know. I was just told to go with an archaeology team to oversee the project, and as much as I couldn't understand why at first, as soon as we got to where the artifacts were, I understood straight away. The team on the planet didn't know they were Iconian artifacts, but I did, I'd seen a few pieces at the SFIHQ 'vault'. I had the items packed and shipped, along with myself, back to my labs ASAP...that was when project "DIS" began...before you ask it, it's basically stand for Done In Secret..., anyway, we started to get to work on finding out what the artifacts were for. It took a year and a half to finally work out they were part of an Iconian portal system, but that was only half of it, we also managed to decipher...well, partly decipher...how it worked. We knew it was to do with time travel, but we couldn't work out how to set the portal's time settings, well not properly. Jump forward six months, and my team and I had worked out we could open the portal to go into the past, but we couldn't do it to any specific time scale, it kept jumping back and forth. Sometimes it was ten years, sometimes it was hundreds of years...and sometimes the flux happened within moments of each other, not a solid time scale. SFI have known of a plan by the Klingon's to attack Sanquis II for about two weeks, what they told me was that the settlers also had listening post there, and should the Klingon's attack the settlers and find it, it would only be a short skip and a jump to all out war as we were already in dispute with the Klingon Empire over territorial rights for the planet. SFIHQ chose me to take the Iconian artifact to Sanquis II to prevent the listening post from being discovered by moving it 'in time' to a new time allocation where it could continue to be used for Intel. The portals unpredictable Bird, I can't control it outside of the working conditions of my labs, I told the Brass at SFIHQ that, but they wanted me to bring it and myself anyway. So here I am, and that's the truth of it."

Finchley blinked hard a couple times. What he heard from Finnigan sounded like the truth, but....

"Bloody idiot" Shon whispered under her breath. Turning to Finchley she gave her report. "The crushed areas of the his body are the areas in flux, time is moving slower in those areas but will gradually appropriate the whole body. Once it does in approximately three hours then it will begin on the bulkhead, then we are looking at, eventually the whole ship. I am making the supposition that then, if we survive we will be trapped in a time flux, or thrown into time, we may survive somewhere but we....."

Milani walked in "We may begin a reaction in the whole quadrant. Commodore I have had to take us out of warp because the reactor chambers are trying to run at four hundred percent. Navigational deflectors are unusable so we no longer have any way of knowing where we are or, where we are going. Life support is still one hundred percent apart from this cargo bay, in here it is down to eighty five percent."

Mil looked at Finchley, Shon and then Finnegan. "Could we cut this part of the bay free, close off this part of the ship and use forcefields?" she said.

Shon shook her head. "I don't think so Mil, even if we could, we could never escape the release of the time particles that are even now beginning to disrupt the ship. as I said before you came in the temporal displacement might even affect the whole quadrant." There was a slight sucking sound and Shon suddenly leapt back as her medical tricorder appeared to begin to melt in her hands, for a moment it hung like a waterfall in the air and disappeared. "V'shek!" she swore. Moving to the back of the bay she shrugged. "I'm a doctor not a time expert." she said, "I have no idea what to do."

Finchley looked at Finnigan, "You're the closest thing we have to a temporal time expert Finnigan, what do we do now?"

Finnigan threw up his arms, "How do I know?" he laughed.

"This isn't a laughing matter you idiot!" Finchley chastised him, "my people and my ship are at risk, so you better do something or I will hand you over to the Security Team."

Finnigan lowered his arms, "You're right Bird, it isn't a laughing matter, I'm sorry" Finnigan replied. He placed his hands on his hips and looked at the bulkhead where the guard was, then across to the package. "Look, I don't have a whole lot of time..." and he laughed at the unintentional irony of what he'd just said, "...to go through my teams findings and explain them, but basically the package is the Iconian time portal we had in the lab. It 'leaks' time, and the way we set it up and used it, it's timeline is to the past. We weren't able to shut it off, but we were able to slow it down using deuterium shielding, the unfortunate thing being that the shielding only lasts for about seventy two hours, which is roughly where we're at now. The shielding failing has allowed the Iconian portal to begin it's process again but at a slow rate as the shielding is still there, just. Shutting this down is something I don't know how to do, we were supposed to be at Sanquis II already, but with there being a delay, this reactivation is taking place onboard the Thall."

"So, let me get this right" Finchley began, "You knew it was an Iconian artifact, tried to work out how to use it, partially did so but couldn't really control it, shipped it here, but with a delay, and now it's reactivating and could potentially kill everyone here, or send us into the past?"

"Yep, that's about the size of it" Finnigan said, "but...", and that's all he had time to say before there was a flash from the package .

Shon screamed, covered her eyes and hit the deck. The ringing in her ears was painful but not debilitating. She looked up to see the dead crew member gone to be replaced by a human sized hole filled with a light so bright she was unable to look at it. The light quivered and began to clear. "Is everyone all right?" she called.

Mil nodded her head unable to tear her eyes away from the clearing light.

Shon moved over to Finchley worried about the fact that he was quiet. She took his arm, "Finchley, speak to me?"

"It's beautiful" Finchley replied, "I'm fine, I'm not hurt."

"Look" Milani shouted and pointed as the light vanished. Behind it looking like an old time movie screen pictures played, scenes in which people, some species recognisable and other not moved, places and planets changed and light moved to darkness and repeated.

"Now we're in trouble" Shon whispered.

Finchley moved forward, slowly, keeping his eyes on what was happening in the opening. It was almost as though he was back at the Academy, being shown a lecture on what could be expected on a deep space mission, but with no lecturer giving a commentary. He watched as various scenes passed by, some species 'onscreen' he recognised, but a lot of them he didn't."

"Finnigan..." he whispered.

Finnigan moved forward and stood beside his friend, "Well Bird me boy, if ever you wanted a visual display of what the package can do, this is it."

"Yes..." was all Finchley could say.

Unknown to everyone, Kilbane and Karadis now came into the cargo bay, and they were both stunned at what they saw in the opening. Neither of them could say anything, they just stood and watched.

"Finnigan, have you seen any of these pictures before?" Finchley asked.

"Some, yes, but many of them, no, I've no idea where or when they are" Finnigan replied.

Hesitatingly, Finchley put his hand out, he felt as though he could just touch the 'screen', but he drew it back again as his analytical brain took over, telling him it could be dangerous. He looked round at the package, almost thinking he would see the faint hue of a projector, placing the visual into the opening, but there was none.

"We need to study this, we need to..." and as he moved closer to the opening, wanting to get a look at the surrounding of what they were looking at, his foot caught on something on the floor and he pitched forward, right through the opening itself and disappeared.

"FINCHLEY!" Shon screamed viscerally at seeing him vanish. It would only be seconds before the scene changed, she stepped forward not even thinking about following him, it was instinctual. The sound around her felt like she was in a wind tunnel, light changed to darkness and back to light with searing regularity seemingly taking forever. Then, suddenly she was pitched forward, pushed onto a deep patch of sand her face buried in the burning gold.

She fought to breathe as something slammed into her and hands pulled her out. Spitting the sand out of her mouth she saw Mill doing the same. Behind her Kilbane and Karadis were dusting themselves off, then a rushing sound dumped Finnigan into the Klingon pitching her back into the sand. The sound began to die and, suddenly as it has begun it was over. There was a sucking sound and the changing scenes were replaced by the searing heat of a merciless sun and the exotic violet of the sky. Somewhere something screamed, an animal sound fierce and un relenting.

"Can anyone see Finchley?" Shon shouted.

"Shssh, we don't know where or when we are and what is around Shon. We don't even know if we managed to follow him." Milani shaded her eyes as she looked out over the vastness of the dunes rising up like ocean waves stuck in a stasis field. "We need to find shelter from this heat and, preferably some water, any ideas?"

Shon began to cry.

"I have one" a voice said from the top of the dune behind them, "and it's almost as if it were fate" Finchley added, thumbing behind himself.

Kilbane and Karadis gave a sigh of relief, "You had us worried there you bumbling buffoon" Kilbane said.

"Yes, well, accidents do happen" Finchley replied, "but this could be a good thing, after all, you did all decide to follow me through to this...whatever it is. Besides, think of the sun tan we'll manage to get here. Before that, come and see what I've found."

He disappeared over the rise, and Kilbane, Karadis, along with Finnigan, began their ascent. They all stopped and looked open mouthed at what they saw, it was an oasis, along with palm trees, bushes, grasses and a large pool of water.

"Well it looks like we may have to stay here for a little while to, you know, freshen up" Karadis smiled.

"Hell yeah!" Finnigan added, he too smiling from ear to ear.

Milani felt an enormous lump in her throat seeing Finchley safe, she turned to Shon and bear hugged her suddenly letting her go quickly almost embarrassed. "I suggest we join the Commodore in the shade" she said feeling the sun begin to burn her fair skin and pushed Shon into a walk.

"All this seems rather convenient" Shon announced as she stood under the shade of what looked like a palm tree its fronds heavy with coconuts. " Finchley arrives here and, against what must be ferocious odds we all end up here as well," Shon gestured around, "here by this handy oasis with what looks like earth vegetation, fruits and what looks like potable water. I suggest we take stock of what we have, any equipment?" she felt her side where her phaser and med pack had been. "My phaser and communicator is gone but I still have my med pack, paDD and tricorder, Mil?"

Milani felt her side, "no phaser just my science tricorder." she looked at Finchley, "Sir?"

"Mmmmmhhhmmmm?" Finchley said, only half listening to their conversation and half watching a bush around the far side of the oasis. "Oh, I don't have anything..." he answered eventually. He kept staring at the bush, and then began walking down to the water's edge and around the oasis, heading towards where he'd been looking. It only took a few minutes, but he arrived at the spot where he'd been looking. His eye's hadn't deceived him, he had seen the bush move, and he then reached inside.

A yelp gave way to a cry as Finchley pulled someone out of the bush, it was a young man, around late teens. "Just as I thought, someone was spying on us!" he said triumphantly, looking back at his crew. Looking back at the young man, he was suddenly taken aback when they fell to their knees and began uttering two words, "chosen one."

"What are you saying?" Finchley asked him.

"Chosen one...chosen one..." the youngster said hesitantly, not looking up.

Finchley pulled the young man to his feet and looked at him, "What do you mean, 'chosen one', who are you talking about?"

The young man fell to his knees and looked back at the ground again, in a small hesitant voice once more, he pointed up at Finchley and uttered "Chosen one..." again. Finchley looked back at the crew once again, then back to the young man, "I have no idea who you think I am, we've never met, I'm Commod...I'm Finchley Kerr, a traveller from another place, why do you keep calling me this 'chosen one', I don't understand?"

"As was told, the 'chosen one' would appear with his followers by the pool of life, when the three moons would appear in the sky" the young man replied, still not looking up, but he did point skyward. Finchley looked up, and indeed, there were three moons in the sky. He looked back round at the crew, "Does anyone know what he's talking about?"

Shon sat down on the sand, if truth be told she felt so tired, her brain was hardly responding, her limbs felt heavy and her eyes refused to respond to changes in perspective and light. She attempted to activate her med tricorder but even that was beyond her.

Milani was about to join Finchley when she saw Shon. "Shon?, hey Shon." She took hold of the doctor's shoulder and shook her.
Shon did not respond as Milani took the tricorder from her hand. As soon as she began a med scan a high pitched sound emitted from the machine causing her to drop it and stuff her fingers into her ears. Shon's eyes snapped open and she stood her hands making strange swirls in the air as she walked towards Finchley.

On reaching him she knelt before him her hand touching his foot. "I am the seer, the teller of tales and a light in the dark places of this world. The dark is coming and the chosen one has appeared to save us."

Milani picked up the discarded tricorder and began to scan Shon. "All I am reading is pure energy." she said as Shon stood, her arms reaching towards the sky. "THE JOURNEY OF HOPE BEGINS," she exclaimed as the daylight began to fade and the oasis faded to be replaced by a large cave containing a waterfall. "Eat, drink recover your strength." A huge table appeared groaning with bowls of fruit, breads and meat. She looked towards the boy, "serve the chosen one and his acolytes." she ordered. "I will return when you are refreshed." Shon sank to her knees and fell forward.

Finchley was taken aback by the change in scenery around them, his mind couldn't quite conceive it. One moment they were at an oasis, the next they were in a cave with a waterfall, what was happening was all he could think. When Shon spoke to him and said who she was, a shiver ran down his spine, this wasn't her, this was someone else but in Shon's body speaking through her. When she was finished speaking, and sank to her knees, falling forward, he reached down for her and cradled her in his arms, "Shon, Shon, speak to me...open your eyes and speak to me Shon..."

"Who am I?" she asked rhetorically

Milani said, 'she's back to herself the energy has gone. She needs to eat and drink, in fact,? she said looking round the group, "We all need to keep her strength up. she stood and looked at the food groaning on the table. "Lieutenant Karadis, they have even thought of you, this gach looks fresh."

The young boy looked wide eyed at the food and began cramming fruit into his mouth.

"STOP!" Finchley said to the young man, and immediately he did, putting the fruit down and stepping away from the table. Finchley moved away from Shon, glad that she was back to being herself again. Laying his hand on the young mans shoulder he said, "I'm sorry, I wasn't being angry with you, but it's obvious you haven't eaten in a while, but cramming as much food into your mouth like that isn't good for you, you could choke yourself. Sit down, take a plate and put a little of the things you want to eat onto it and eat, then if you're still hungry, take a little more till you're feeling satisfied."

The young man looked at Finchley, then immediately looked down again, "I am sorry 'chosen one', I did not mean to look at you, but you are being so kind, I am not used to such kindness, only beatings, overwork and hunger."

"Who is it that's overworking, beating and starving you?" Finchley asked.

The young man looked around, scanning the area carefully, almost waiting for someone to appear, "The Overseers, they beat my people if we don't work hard enough for them, and they give us little food, just enough to keep us alive."


TBC