Only the gentle hum of the power core aboard the Cetan class fighter broke the tense silence which begun the moment the vessel descended into subspace. In the forward seat, Commander Nauta Sinneau read over copious amounts of sensor data collected on the alien vessels in the few seconds before their evacuation; behind him sat his mate, Ensign Riyal Rivean, quietly contemplating everything that had happened to them in the last twelve hours.
Riyal was like most of her species contemplative, insightful, and curious. She held a fascination with the workings of the universe, how time and space related, everything from quantum mechanics to temporal mechanics. Even for her race, Riyal was a precocious young cetan, a trait which got her posted to the Aegean at the age of 16. It was a feat matched by few other members of Starfleet.
And right now, something didn't make sense. Not that it would to most creatures, but to Riyal, it was like an equation that couldn't be solved, that had no answer, because something about it was wrong. She couldn't place it, and this made her uneasy. What if something happened to Nauta because she missed something, some minuscule detail that could have saved them all? The thought made her shiver in the climate-controlled cockpit.
"Nauta, something's not right," she said quietly.
"Yeah, you're telling me," Nauta replied without looking up.
Riyal leaned forward, resting her elbows on the aft control console. "No, I mean something's not right. We missed something important, and I can't figure out what it is."
The commander stopped, and looked at his mate. He smiled, placing his fin on hers. "Now, don't worry yourself so much. You're exhausted. Why don't you go back to sleep and-"
The ensign cut him off. "Nauta, what are we doing?"
Nauta tilted his head. "You mean... you don't want a calf anymore?"
"Not that... what's happening to us in reality?"
"What are you talking about?"
"What's happening on the real Aegean ?"

Lieutenant Vorak rushed through the tight corridors of Aegean under an influence few raptors had ever felt before: fear. The entire crew had been rendered unconscious by some unknown force, and he was the first to awaken. Every attempt to stir either of the cetans or Captain Oberly (as much as Vorak hated him) had failed, and now the ship was on a direct course for Deep Space 11 at emergency speed. But they were still over five hours away.
Upon entering the cockpit, the raptor hurried to the communications console, hoping to enlist the help of a fleet cruiser which could take care of his friends right in its own infirmary. He made a quick fix on the nearest relay station and sighed as he realized the Aegean was on the fringes of Federation space; signal strength would be mediocre at best. It will have to do, Vorak thought to himself, and opened a channel.
"Thisss is the Aegean to any vesssel which receivesss. We are on route to Deep Ssspace 11 with a medical sssituation on board and require asssistance. Over." Vorak waited twenty tense seconds before a reply was heard.
"Aegean, this is the starship Osiris, state your position and situation please, over."
The Osiris! Vorak knew that ship well; his sister served on board as weapons specialist. She was one of the new Kiranath class attack cruisers; huge 2,750-meter warships with medical facilities to rival the best of Starfleet. He couldn't have asked for much better.
"Osssiris, we are currently at bearing zero-eight-five mark two-zero in sssector 45069. The ressst of the crew are in sssome kind of coma; I am unable to awaken them by any meansss. Over."
"Aegean, we've got your nav beacon locked. Our ETA is four minutes, fifteen seconds. Hold your position. Over."
Vorak felt a relieved smile creep across his muzzle. "Osiris, acknowledged, we're holding position and awaiting your arrival. Thank you. Over."
"No problem Aegean. Over and out."
The lieutenant canceled the frequency and walked over to the helm console, bringing the ship out of subspace and putting the engines into standby mode. He looked thoughtfully out the canopy window at the twinkling starscape beyond, and then settled into the commander's seat to await the arrival of Osiris.

"I TOLD you I don't give the orders on that ship! I didn't even WANT to be ON that ship! I'll be damned if I ever let Starfleet get me into another mess like THIS again!" Captain Nick Oberly got up from his seat angrily and stomped across the room.
Ione Saldana sighed. For the last three hours she had been listening to the man's denials about his vessel's attack on Ilex. Thank God the poor ship was all right; otherwise those responsible would surely be put to the same fate.
"Look, I'm not a judge. I'm not trying to punish you. If you give me the information I require, I will let you go with only a reprimand on your file."
He does not have a file , Tranquility spoke via affinity to Ione.
He doesn't? How could that be?
I do not know. I have checked with all habitats as far as Valisk. None of them has ever heard of Nicholas Oberly, nor can they confirm his sensevise.
That's damn peculiar. Ione returned her attention to Nick, who was now staring into space through an oval window set on the far wall. The man had done a good job of leading her in circles, and the engineering team was unable to find anything useful on his vessel, aside from twenty-six antimatter projectiles. The team had estimated there was enough antimatter on board that ship to obliterate six stations the size of Tranquility. The thought was simply horrifying to Ione.
"If someone attacked one of your friends and severely injured them, wouldn't YOU want some answers?" Now she was starting to loose her composure.
Nick turned sharply. "WE were the ones being attacked! That ship came out of nowhere and ordered US to stand down! We were merely defending ourselves and OUR vessel!"
"You had no right under any circumstance to use antimatter against an Edenist vessel!" Ione shot back at him with growing fury. She rose from her seat and stepped out from behind her desk.
Ione, you are loosing control of your emotions, Tranquility said soothingly.
Shut up.
Nick walked toward her until they were less than a foot apart. He spoke coldly and quietly: "Screw you, you telepathic wannabe."
Ione screamed and swung at him with power few males could match. Her left fist connected with his jaw with a satisfying crunch , sending him three feet backwards onto the hard polyp floor.
Nick rolled onto his side and held his broken jaw in his hand, blood covering the right side of his chin. "You little bitch," he growled through partially clenched teeth, in too much pain to get to his feet.
Ione Saldana walked calmly behind her desk, made herself comfortable in her chair, and paged her receptionist.
"Yes, m'lord?" a voice queried.
"Get me an ice pack."

The moment the Cetan class fighter reemerged in truespace, a squadron of the voidhawk-craft descended upon it like vultures to a carrion feast. Nauta had fully expected it; luckily he had the foresight to eject the fighter's minute store of antimatter torpedoes before they arrived. Otherwise, he feared, their reception would have been much more violent.
"Unidentified vessel: this is Captain Meyer of the Udat. Yourselves and your ship are hereby deemed under confinement by the policies of the Confederation. Disable all tactical and propulsion systems and prepare for escort to Tranquility base. Do you comply?"
Nauta sighed. He was hoping to establish communication himself so he could explain his position, but it now appeared he wouldn't have that chance just yet. All he could do was obey their orders.
"Commander Nauta Sinneau to Confederation voidhawk; I understand and comply with your orders. We are not carrying antimatter and our propulsion systems are offline."
As the cetan observed the squadron moving into position to escort them, he became aware of a presence. Non-corporeal, but a presence nonetheless. And then:
I am a blackhawk, not a voidhawk.
Nauta blinked. Where the hell had that come from?
"Hello? Who's there?"
Riyal looked at him curiously, and he was about to shrug when the voice answered him.
I am Udat . I am ready to escort you to Tranquility.
"You're a ship?"
Affirmative. Please maneuver fifteen meters port and stand by.
"Who are you talking to?" Riyal asked, confused. Nauta waved his fin in her direction and did as the blackhawk told him.
"You're sentient?"
As much so as a human being. All of our kind are.
Nauta was astonished. Sentient starships? The idea was absolutely incredible. Sure, Starfleet has experimented with sentient computer systems, but nothing on the scale of a living vessel.
"What about the one we damaged?" Nauta asked.
The blackhawk shuddered. The memory of its friend's pain came flooding back to Udat. This creature deserved to be punished, but the punishment was not for Udat to provide.
You speak of Ilex. It is of the same capacity as I.
Nauta replayed the image in his mind of the side of Ilex exploding in a fiery cloud. And that ship was alive, he thought remorsefully. It was akin to shooting someone on maximum power just because they asked for the time of day. How could he be so savage and cruel?
I feel you are regretful of your actions, Udat said with noted surprise.
"I didn't know that ship was alive, for Nukapi's sake. I would never cause such harm to a living creature under those circumstances. I feel terrible."
Udat sighed. I must apologize for my judgment then as well. I was under the impression that you blatantly attacked Ilex without cause. Apparently it was a matter of misunderstanding.
"I truly wish I could apologize to him- her, whatever. I don't want to be seen as some kind of savage."
I will make that possible, if you so desire. I know Ilex and Captain Auster will appreciate it. Now, if you would please, follow my lead to Tranquility base.
"What the heck was that all about?" Riyal asked as Nauta activated the impulse drive and maneuvered into line with Udat.
"Let's just say all may not be lost," he said with some relief.

The moment Aegean was secured in Osiris' cavernous shuttlebay, a throng of medical officers invaded the tiny craft and rapidly hustled the three unconscious crew members to the infirmary. Vorak nearly had to use the escape ladder to get past them all; once he did, he watched them work with reassurance that his friends would be all right.
Suddenly the raptor felt something touch his shoulder. He spun around in surprise, and was immediately snout to snout with his sister.
"Minaka!" he roared happily, licking her muzzle with affection. She did the same to him, and nuzzled his chest with her head.
"It'sss good to sssee you again, brother. How have you been?"
Vorak smiled a toothy grin which would scare the pants off most other species. "I've been well, sssister, though I am conssserned for my crewmates." He motioned to the remnants of the medical team still exiting the Aegean.
Minaka nodded slowly. "I underssstand. I was briefed on the sssituation when the captain told me you would be docking with usss. But pleassse, trussst in me, oursss are the bessst of all of Ssstarfleet." She smiled to him and licked the side of his face comfortingly. Vorak purred.
"Well, there'sss no sssense in usss staying in here. Why don't I show you around the ship a bit? And then we can ssstop for a bite to eat; there'sss a great 'kill your own' place on deck twelve."
"Oooh, I haven't had a meal like that in ssso long." Vorak smiled, and followed Minaka out of the shuttlebay.

The flattened teardrop shape of Ilex towered over Nauta Sinneau as he walked the perimeter of the great vessel, running a fin gently along the faint scars which were the only evidence of his incursion. Captain Auster and Riyal observed him from several meters away, the former communicating via affinity with his ship.
I feel his remorse. It is genuine, Ilex said.
It doesn't make up for what he put you through. I'm still going to request a formal inquisition.
If you feel that is necessary, the voidhawk said with some disappointment.
Why? Don't you?
It seems unnecessary to punish those who are sincerely regretful of their actions. I find it more favorable to put the issue to rest and begin anew.
The captain sighed. Of all things... Are you certain?
Yes.
Fine, then I'll notify the council to drop the matter. He sighed again, looking at the two cetans as they studied Ilex curiously. I can see why you don't want them punished; they're fascinating creatures.
They like me, Ilex said, delighted. Then it added: Ione Saldana is approaching.
With just enough time for Auster to straighten his ship tunic and stand at attention, the Lord of Ruin passed through the large folding doors at the far end of the docking bay. The moment she entered Nauta and Riyal looked up, and walked around the ship to greet her. Ione nodded to Captain Auster, and strode fluidly toward the cetans.
Commander Nauta Sinneau and Ensign Riyal Rivean, Tranquility informed Ione as she reached out to shake their fins. It would have been more helpful if she could tell them apart.
"Pleased to meet you, Commander Sinneau and Ensign Rivean. I am Ione Saldana, head of Tranquility base. You are to remain confined to the station until such time as we are able to process your infraction."
Ilex has decided to absolve them of responsibility, your lordship Captain Auster said abruptly.
Ione quickly turned to face Auster. You can't be serious.
I am, your lordship. Ilex feels it is not necessary for them to be punished. They are genuinely regretful for their actions.
She shook her head. Fine, fine, one less thing for me to worry about, I guess.
Auster bowed. Thank you, your lordship.
And stop calling me that!
Ione turned back to the cetans. "I have been informed by Captain Auster that he and Ilex wish to drop all charges against you. You're free to leave at your convenience once we release your vessel from drydock."
Nauta and Riyal looked at each other and embraced in a joyful caress. "Thank you so much!" Nauta squealed happily, and turned to face Auster with a smile. "And to you and Ilex as well, Captain. I envy you both."
You are welcome, Nauta, and thank you, Ilex replied as Auster nodded curtly.
"Your vessel is stored in engineering bay sixteen in section C-35," Ione said. "I'll take you there now so that you may get underway as soon as possible."
"What about Nick?" Nauta asked hesitantly. He wouldn't have minded leaving the monkey here, but Starfleet probably would.
Ione clenched her left hand bitterly. "Yes, him. I'll have a security team bring him up to the bay immediately." She switched to affinity. Have Oberly brought to engineering bay sixteen, and make sure he doesn't cause any trouble.
Affirmative, Ione, Tranquility replied.
"Now then, shall we?" she spoke to the cetans, and led them out of the docking bay to retrieve Aegean.

"She looks like shit!" Nauta exclaimed upon seeing Aegean's sorry shape for the first time. He rushed over to his beloved ship and investigated the hole made in the canopy by one of the voidhawk's kinetic harpoons. "Is she spaceworthy?"
Ione shrugged. "It's not my ship; I have no idea. But we did remove all traces of antimatter as required by Confederation directives, so if that's a problem perhaps we could work something out as far as another ship for you to use."
Nauta shook his head. "No, that's not a problem. The only antimatter she carries is for the weapons." He looked down sadly as he recalled something else.
"I don't suppose you were able to help Vorak," he added with a sigh.
Ione cocked her head to one side. "Vorak?"
"My tactical officer. The raptor."
What's a raptor? Ione quickly asked Tranquility.
Early Jurassic period Terran reptile, approximately six feet in height and eleven feet in length with a powerful bipedal anatomy and lethal claws on all limbs. Raptors belonged to the family Dromaeosauridae, which also includes species such as Deinonychus and-
That's all very fascinating, Ione interrupted the starbase. Now, did they find one on this ship?
Not to my knowledge.
"As far as I'm told, there was no raptor found on board," she reported to the cetans. They both wore expressions of bewilderment, at least as much as their delphinic features would allow.
"Wait a minute," Riyal said, walking across the floor of the bay. "I think I understand what's going on."
Nauta rolled his eyes. "That makes one of us."
"This is all supposedly an illusion within Nick's mind, which means that our physical existence is continuing as normal, except our consciousnesses are trapped within the illusion."
Commander Sinneau tilted his head. "What?"
"Now, we both know Vorak was killed. We saw it happen. But yet, his body is nowhere to be found. How could this be?" Nauta and Ione exchanged shrugs.
"It's because he transitioned back into reality!" she said exuberantly.
"I wish your explanation would do that as well," a frustrated Nauta retorted.
Riyal walked back over to stand opposite him. "Okay, think of it this way: we're essentially all sharing the same dream. When Vorak was killed within the dream, it was like the little 'pinch' he needed to wake up. Get it?"
Her mate looked thoughtful for a moment, and then nodded. "Yes, I think I understand it now. But how do the rest of us 'wake up' then?"
That moment the bay door opened, and Nick Oberly was escorted inside by four armed guards, who then exited the room. His face no longer bore the evidence of his incident with Ione Saldana, who impassively watched him from the opposite corner of the bay.
"Like this," Riyal said in response to Nauta's question. She strode over to Aegean and opened a small compartment on the side of the hull. Within were four handheld disruptor pistols; she removed one and checked its power store.
"Riyal, what are you doing?" Nauta asked worriedly. She didn't reply, instead walking a few paces away from the ship and aiming the weapon squarely at Nick's chest.
The fleet captain froze in alarm. "Riyal?"
"Riyal, NO!" Nauta shrieked, leaping at her.
But it was too late.

Vorak and Minaka fed voraciously on the Klingon targ they had just killed in Maktor's Mealtime Massacre , a raptor-exclusive dining room on deck twelve of the Osiris. They were not halfway through with the feast when Vorak's communicator beeped annoyingly.
"Thisss isss Vorak, go ahead," he growled.
"Vorak, I think you'd better come down to the infirmary" said the voice on the opposite end. The siblings looked at each other, their concern evident.
"Underssstood, I'm on my way."

"Nauta!"
Vorak pounced the cetan joyfully, soaking his face with affectionate slurps. "I'm ssso relieved that you're okay!"
Nauta giggled and got back to his feet. "Geez, ya try to get a little rest once in a while, and all hell breaks loose." He smiled and gave the raptor a tender hug.
"You were out cold, I ssswear! I tried everything to wake you!"
Nauta thought for a moment. "I'll say one thing: I had some wicked dreams while I was out." He shrugged, and smiled again to his crewmates as the chief medical officer approached the group.
"I've performed additional tests at the request of the captain, but I can't find any reason why you shouldn't return to duty. I just talked to her myself, and she sends her best wishes. Now get going, you slackers," he added with a smile.
"Thank you doctor," Nauta said respectfully as the rest of the crew filed out. As he turned to leave he was stopped by the CMO, who handed him a small, thick object composed of a multitude of thin sheets joined together within a more rigid layer, prominently displaying colorful graphics and text.
"Your passenger was holding this when we got him down here initially," the doctor said. "We couldn't get him to let go of it until he woke up."
Nauta smirked. "Well, thanks again for everything."
"No problem."
Commander Sinneau exited the room and strolled down the adjacent corridor towards the shuttlebay, inspecting the object as he walked.
"The Reality Dysfunction . Sounds like some new disease," he laughed, and quickened his pace to join his crewmates in the shuttlebay.