Duncan walked out of the lift. He scanned the bridge. Everyone was where he or she should be. Except for one, he thought to himself as he nodded to Ensign Smith. T’Gerran had assigned him to the position of Captain personal security detail during Melora’s absence. “Report?” He asked.

“Presently on course for Sector 221-G, warp 6. Our rendezvous with the Excalibur is right on schedule.” Kern reported.

Duncan continued toward his ready room without really looking at anyone. “Very good, XO. Carry on.” He said as the doors closed behind him.

Amanda leaned over the center seat and waved Kern to lean over toward her. The two of them whispered over the Captain’s chair so the rest of the bridge crew couldn’t hear them. “The captain doesn’t look very good.” Amanda said noticing the usual lilt was gone from his voice and the dark circles under his eyes. She had gotten used to MacDermott’s looser command style. It worked well with this crew. She felt sorry for him. She had loved someone once. It was on her home world of Xenex. He died during the fighting to free her world. Taken from her in the blink of an eye.

Kern was reluctant to get into this conversation. He wasn’t one to gossip about a fellow officer behind their back. Especially after all the rumors that had been flying around about him and his wife.

Costello picked up on his hesitancy. “I’m not just gossiping about the captain. I’m concerned about the welfare of this ship.” She said angrily. Her purple eyes flaring.

“OK. Sorry, I misunderstood.” He smiled at her. “I’m worried about him too. I don’t think he’s sleeping.” Kern said.

“I’m going to talk to him.” She said. “Offer to help.”

“How are you going to help?” Tom countered.

“I don’t know.” She answered. “I’ll ask him.” As she strode toward the ready room.

Kern just shook his head as she pressed the button for the door.

Duncan didn’t hear the door chime. The music was playing so loudly he wouldn’t have heard a photon torpedo explode. The words of the song created the mood for the room. Sorrow and despair hung in the air.

The singer sang on.

Duncan was just looking out into space. The cerakov radiation making the stars appear as multicolored stripes in the sky. It was a few moments before he saw Costello’s reflection in the transparent aluminum window. “Computer, decrease volume 80%.” The volume instantly dropped, but the singer sang on. “May I help you, Commander?” He asked still staring out at the stars.

“Captain, I don’t want to overstep my bounds as second officer, but I was wondering; Is there anything I can do……?”

“Not unless you know something about Breen disrupters.” He snapped. Amanda was so taken aback by the hostility in his voice, she actually stepped backward.

Duncan instantly regretted his outburst. He turned and with a wave of his arm he gestured for her to sit down. “Commander, Amanda, I’m sorry for that. It’s not your fault. Please sit down.” Hesitantly, she sat down on one end of the couch.

Duncan sat on the other end. “I know I’ve dumped a lot of the day to day things on you and Tom. Thank you for taking those burdens.”

She nodded and smiled. “Captain, Is there anything else we can do?” She asked sympathetically.

His tone was softer this time. “Like I said, not unless you know something about Breen disrupters” Duncan forced a smile.

“Captain to the Bridge.” Kern’s voice sounded.

MacDermott stood and smoothed out the front of his uniform. Costello followed MacDermott out of his ready room. “Report.”

“Captain, sensors are detecting a ship in our path.” T’Gerran said.

MacDermott took his seat. “On screen.”

The screen wavered and came into focus.

“Configuration?” MacDermott asked.

T’Gerran ran the sensors again. “Unable to get a good reading. Sir.”

MacDermott sat down and rubbed his chin.

On the screen a ship appeared. It dwarfed the Katana class starship. It was roughly triangular, at the bow of the vessel was a large clear bubble dome. Directly behind the dome rising from the body of the ship were two engines that glowed with power.

“Reduce magnification.” Duncan ordered.

“Captain, The image is normal size.” T’Gerran responded.

“Damn, that’s big.” Kern said, stating the obvious.

“Shields up. Go to yellow alert. I don’t want to take any chances.” MacDermott ordered. “T’Gerran, can you see any weapon ports?”

“Negative. The only power generation seems to be from those engines.” T’Gerran added. “It has a power curve like I’ve never seen before.”

Suddenly a green energy beam shot out from the alien craft. It was slowed by the Missouri’s shields but continued on and struck the Missouri. “We’re being scanned, Captain.” The beam went from person to person on the bridge. “They are not scanning the ship, but personnel.” The Klingon added. The beam stopped. Everyone on the bridge looked to one another.

“Is everyone all right?” MacDermott asked as he looked around the bridge.

The bridge crew nodded. Costello said. “Captain, reports coming in from all over the ship. That beam reached everyone on the ship.”

“Hail them.” He ordered.

T’Gerran pressed the buttons. “No response on any channel, Sir.”

“Understood. Keep tr...” MacDermott disappeared.

“THE CAPTAIN!!” T’Gerran yelled drawing his phaser against a possible enemy.

Kern spun around. “Where’s Commander Costello?” He said noticing Amanda was gone too.

Amid the pandemonium T’Gerran reported. “Commander, a report coming in from sickbay. Doctor Meyer has disappeared along with Lieutenant Ito’s stasis chamber.”

“What the hell is going on?” Kern asked rhetorically.

MacDermott turned to see Meyer and Costello in a small room with him. One wall was a clear window facing out into a corridor. It appeared there were many cubicles like theirs in along this corridor. He couldn’t tell if there were others beings in the other cubicles or not. “Are you two all right?”

“Yes Sir.” Meyer said.

“Yes Captain. “ Costello replied. Sir, Do you have any idea where we are?”

Duncan responded almost immediately. “I would have to assume we are on that alien ship. We just have to figure how to get back to the Missouri.” He said as he started to examine their cage. The two women nodded in agreement and proceeded to also examine the cage.

“Mr. Kern, the alien ship is powering up its engines.” Kelley said.

Kern ordered. “We can only assume our people are on that ship. Have they answered any of our hails yet?” He asked.

“Negative, Commander.” The Klingon answered.

“That ship is too big for a tractor beam. Mr. Kelley, stay with that ship.” Kern ordered.

A door opened at the far end of the hall. Three beings emerged from the doorway. The were small, fragile creatures. Their heads were large in proportion to the rest of their bodies. Their skin was pale, thin, almost translucent with veins pulsing on their skulls. The three of them wore shimmering, floor length robes of a material that looked like woven metal. The three beings stopped in front of the cubicle that held MacDermott, Meyer, and Costello. Suddenly the crew members from the Missouri heard voices in their heads.

MacDermott stepped in front of the other two. You’ll notice the protective response of the male of the species. He is trying to work through the confusion of our communication.

“I am Captain Duncan MacDermott of the United Federation of Planets. Why have you abducted us?” Duncan asked the strangers.

One of the other aliens thought remembering the other humans they had been in contact with. They do not know us. The others nodded in agreement.

Meyer leaned up and whispered in the Captain’s ear. “It’s telepathy Captain. They are projecting their thoughts into our heads.”

“I wonder if we can project our thoughts.” Duncan whispered. He looked at the leader of the alien group. Why are you holding us against our will?

Notice how quickly this one adapted to mental communication. This holds great promise. The alien thought. At MacDermott he thought. We have brought you here for study. We are traveling the galaxy studying different species.

“Study me then. Return the others to our ship.” Duncan said.

Notice the sacrifice made for the sake of his comrades. I wonder what else he would do to protect them. One of the aliens thought.

Kelley said. “Commander, the aliens have moved off at warp 4. Setting a course to follow.”

“Very good, Jared.” Kern replied. “Don’t lose them.”

“Aye Sir.” He said.

The Missouri turned into a speck of light as it flashed into warp.

Their ship is pursuing us. One of the aliens said.

The aliens took on a look of concentration.

“Bridge. Engineering. The magnetic containment on the warp core is failing. I have to dump the core NOW before it breaches.” Connor O’Roarke said excitedly.

“What? How did that happen?” Kern asked.

“Unknown Commander. I don’t have time to discuss it though.” Connor continued.

“Kelley, Take us out of warp. “ Kern ordered.

Kelley said. “Normal space commander.” The stars in the view screen took on their normal appearance again.

“Dump the core, Connor.” Kern ordered. ”Dammit!” Kern exclaimed slamming his hand down on the arm of the command chair.

O’Roarke replied. “Ejection underway.”

The hatch on the bottom of the Missouri opened as explosive bolts at the top of the warp core fired pushing the warp core down and out of the ship. The core floated free in space as the Missouri moved out of danger on full impulse power.

We will not be pursued any longer. The alien said.

“What did you do to my ship?” MacDermott yelled as he threw himself against the glass.

The aliens recoiled.

“That’s very interesting; you couldn’t read my thoughts. Could you?” MacDermott asked.

Ignoring MacDermott’s outburst. Notice the paternal response to a perceived danger to his ship.

“Answer me.” MacDermott yelled.

“Helm all stop.” Kern ordered. “Put the core on the screen.”

The heart of the Missouri’s awesome power slowly tumbled end over end on the screen. “Why hasn’t it exploded yet?” Kelley asked.

“That’s a good question, Lieutenant. Scan the core. Engineering, the core hasn’t exploded yet. Any ideas?” Kern asked.

“None.” O’Roarke replied.

“Sensors show no problems with the core.” Kern said. “Connor, assemble a team. I want the core reinstalled within the hour.”

“It’ll take two hours to reinstall the core.” Connor protested.

Kern would not budge. “One hour.” He hit the button on the arm of the command chair.

In engineering O’Roarke sighed wondering if Kern knew that he, like all good Chief Engineers, padded their repair estimates. “Very well. Alpha team, we’re going outside for a stroll. Beta team prepare for the reinstallation of the core assembly.” Connor said as he and the rest of the engineering team left engineering.

“Why are you keeping us here?” MacDermott asked out loud.

The aliens looked at their human captives for a moment and moved on without answering.

Duncan sat down on the bench in the center of their cage with Costello and Meyer. He looked at the smooth walls of the cage trying to figure a way out. After a few moments, Duncan said. “Doctor, did you notice the way they jumped back when I threw myself at the glass.”

She responded. “That was interesting. For a moment they could not read your thoughts. What were you thinking?” She asked.

“I was thinking how much I wanted to wring their scrawny necks.” Duncan replied.

Amanda said. “Maybe they can’t read through anger.”

“A person can’t maintain that level of emotion for very long.” The Doctor said.

Duncan responded with, “Maybe I can long enough to get out of this cage.”

Connor sealed the airlock behind him and the rest of his team. The ability to carry sound slowly returned to the airlock as the air pressure returned to normal. When the indicator light on the control panel turned green, he removed his helmet. Connor pressed the intercom button on the control panel. “Bridge. The core in back in the ship.”

“Understood. How long till we can begin warp core startup?” Kern asked.

“Twenty minutes, max. Commander.” He responded.

“Good work, Connor.” Kern commended.

O’Roarke wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Thanks Tom, You know that zero-g stuff isn’t my cup of tea.”

Kern laughed. “Me either. Bridge out. Kern sighed thinking how nauseous floating free in space made him.

“Engineering, this is O’Roarke. Get those plasma conduits connected right away.”

“Aye Aye, Mr. O’Roarke.” Came the voice from engineering.

The last thing MacDermott remembered was dozing in the cubicle. Suddenly he heard a woman’s scream. Duncan looked around, he was not in the cubicle anymore. He was somehow on the shores of Loch Scheel. There was Castle MacDermott. It was intact in all of its majestic glory. That’s impossible. He thought. He looked down he was dressed in a leather vest and wearing a kilt made of the MacDermott family tartan. The tartan was a red fabric with darker red squares set off by yellow stripes in a plaid pattern He was holding a broadsword in his left hand. Looking at it, it was the same as the replica that adorns the wall of his ready room. MACDERMOTT was etched into the base of the hilt. He heard the scream again. Duncan ran toward the sound. He turned a corner to see Doctor Meyer dressed not it a Starfleet uniform, but a low cut dress, with a full skirt and petticoats. It was like something that would have been worn in the 1500’s. She was being advanced upon by one of the rival clans in the feuds for the lands of Tir Moylurg. As he ran with the sword he thought. How is this possible, that was nearly nine hundred years ago. He jumped in front of the oncoming clansman. ”Get back.” He shouted. Meyer still confused about was going on held on to the back of his vest.

“We will take your land MacDermott and then we’ll take your women.” The clansman laughed as he swung his own sword. MacDermott countered and slashed with his own sword.

The broadsword was not a maneuverable as the katana he used on the holodeck. The blades of the sword clashed as the two men fought on. All around others were locked in their own struggles.

On a small view screen the aliens watch MacDermott. See how quickly he went to her defense. She may be the one. The aliens continued to watch.

The clansman dove at Duncan with his sword. Duncan spun and came around with his own sword striking him in the chest. The man fell dead. MacDermott and Meyer backed away from the deceased as two more men from the Clan MacDougall advanced on them.

“What’s going on, Captain?” Meyer asked in a terrified voice.

As they continued to back away. MacDermott replied. “I don’t know. This is my family’s home in Scotland, or how it would have looked nine hundred years ago. The aliens must have pulled this image from my mind. But why?”

The MacDougalls advanced, one swung his sword at Duncan. MacDermott ducked and advanced. He was pushed back by the attack of his opponent. Duncan drove the tip of his sword into the soft ground and used the sword to vault himself toward his opponent. MacDougall was completely unprepared for that kind of attack. MacDermott’s foot connected with his chin. He fell back against a tree with broken end of a branch protruding out of it. He slumped against the tree, suspended by the branch sticking through his chest. MacDermott turned to the other man advancing on his CMO. “NO!” MacDermott yelled as he ran to her aid with his broadsword. The other MacDougall responded by grabbing Meyer and holding her in front of him as a human shield. MacDermott stopped and stared at the man and Meyer. “Let her go.” Duncan said quietly.

“And you kill me. I don’t think so Highlander." Liam MacDougall retorted.

Duncan responded coldly. “I’m going to kill you anyway.” He was slowly advancing on the two.

Meyer was terrified. She silently pleaded with MacDermott to help her.

MacDougall stopped when he backed into a cold stone castle wall. Sensing his impending doom. MacDougall threw the doctor aside. She stumbled in the brush and struck her head on a wagon wheel. Duncan watched her as she fell, he was suddenly too occupied trying to keep his head as MacDougall swung his sword, coming within inches of the MacDermott’s face. The swing threw MacDougall off balance. MacDermott jumped at him as the other man brought the sword back around. Duncan was able to grab his arm. With his right arm locked around MacDougall’s arm, Duncan pushed with his free hand. He pushed arm backward at the elbow. The joint popped with a loud crack as it bent in an unnatural direction. The man screamed in pain. MacDermott elbowed him in the face as he tore away from him. Standing there panting, holding the man off with the broadsword, MacDermott waited. MacDougall stood there holding his sword in his left hand. The right hung at the end of a useless arm. MacDougall raised the sword above his head as he screamed. “DEATH TO THE MACDERMOTTS!” He charged. MacDermott stepped to the side dragging the blade of the broadsword across his chest. The blade cut a furrow 18 inches long across his chest. MacDermott turned to see the man fall forward on his face. Dead.

Watch he will now, go to the aid of the woman. After cleaning her wounds, he will begin a mating ritual. The alien said with his mind.

The others nodded as they watched as MacDermott carried Meyer into the castle on the screen.

“Kern to engineering, Connor what’s our status?”

Connor watched as the warp core pulsed with life again. “Restart complete, bridge. Warp power at your discretion. Engineering out.” Connor grabbed a PADD from a passing ensign. After reading the contents, he pointed to two engineers. “You and you, check the plasma manifold pressure relays and see if you can get another twenty kilopascals of throughput. Let’s move it. We’ve got people to get back.” Everyone seemed to pick up a step or two at that announcement.

“Mr. Kern. I’m picking up a faint ion trail. It has to be the other ship. Another 15 minutes and it would have dispersed completely. “ T’Gerran said.

“Helm, follow that ion trail. Warp 8. When we pick them up on sensors, shadow them, try to figure out where they’re headed. Engage.” Kern ordered.

“Aye Sir.” Kelley responded. The Missouri moved gracefully into warp space.

Inside Castle MacDermott, Arianna was lying on a large couch in front of the big fireplace. Duncan had built a large fire to ward off the damp cold of the castle. Duncan poured water from a pitcher into a bowl. He then took a cloth and dipped into a bowl of water. Slowly, gently, he cleaned the wound on her head. She blinked as her eyes opened allowing them to focus in the dim light.

“Captain, where are we?” She asked still a little foggy. “Oh yes, I remember now.”

Duncan sat back on his haunches. “You gave me quite a scare when you didn’t wake up right away. I’m a starship captain, not a doctor.”

She took the cloth from him. After rinsing it in the water, she wiped her face. Looking at the cloth. “Thank you, Captain.”

“Not a problem. Doctor.” Duncan said as he walked around the room. “Why are they doing this. Why here? “

Meyer watched him. “I don’t know, Sir.” She stood up. Immediately she felt dizzy. The room began to spin. She held her arms out to steady herself. “Captain.” She said as she started to go down.

Duncan ran to her side. “Careful. Just sit down here until I figure out how to get out of here.” He gently set her down on the sofa.

She smiled meekly as she lay back.

See how he ran to her aid. The alien said.

One of the other aliens watching on the screen said. When will the experiment bear fruit? Our resources grow few. We need these humans to rebuild our machines.

Patience. The other alien told him.

“Any idea where they’re headed?” Kern asked out loud.

“Mr. Kern, I’ve pulled up some star charts for this region. There is nothing out here. There is one system. It’s about ten light years on our present course. The Talos star group. It contains eleven planets. Number four is class M, capable of supporting human life.” Kelley said.

“Talos,” Kern exclaimed. “General Order 7. No Starfleet vessel may visit Talos. It’s the only death penalty left on the books.”

“Are we going to Talos, Sir?” Kelley asked feeling a little fearful for his life.

Kern announced. “You’re damned right we’re going.” He looked around the bridge. “If anyone protests this action, I’ll note it in my log. Contact the Excalibur. I need to speak with Captain Calhoun.”

A moment later T’Gerran said. “The Excalibur is standing by. “

“On screen.” Kern ordered.

The image of the stars changed to the bridge of an Ambassador class starship. In the center of the screen was a man about 40 with a large scar down the right side of his face. A remnant of a battle to free his people. To his right, a beautiful blond woman. His first officer, Commander Elizabeth Shelby. She seemed to be upset about something. “Commander Kern, is there a problem?”

Kern started. “Captain Calhoun, it’s the Captain.”

“MacDermott, where is that old space dog?” Calhoun smiled.

“Captain MacDermott and three members of our crew have been abducted.” Kern continued.

Shelby interrupted. “Abducted? By whom?”

Calhoun silenced her with a stare. Calmly he asked. “What’s your situation Commander?”

“It appears that the Captain, our Operations officer, our CMO and another crewman were abducted by aliens.” Kern paused for a response. He didn’t get any. “They appear to be on course for the Talos system right now. The Missouri is in pursuit. It will however delay our rendezvous with you.”

Shelby spoke first. “You cannot go to Talos. It violates....”

Kern finished her sentence. “General Order 7. I know, Commander.” Kern spoke harshly. “I will not let my commanding officer be held hostage by anyone or anything.” Kern’s stare bored holes in the view screen.

Calhoun looked at Shelby again before turning back to the view screen. “Commander, the Excalibur will do all right for a few extra days without those supplies. Bring MacDermott and the others back. I’ll back your decision if you indeed have to violate General Order 7.” Calhoun said with a glance to Shelby. She met his glare with one of her own. “Contact us if you need any assistance.”

“Thank you Captain. We’ll see you in a few days. “ Kern said.

“Sounds like a plan. Excalibur out.” The screen changed back to the stars shooting by.

As suddenly as their illusion began MacDermott and Meyer found themselves back in their cage. It was not all an illusion. Meyer still suffered from hitting her head on the wagon. “How long were we gone, Commander?” Duncan asked Costello.

“Sir, you never left. You and the doctor seem to go into some sort of catatonic state. You were like that for a few hours.” She told him.

“About the same length of time we were in the castle.” He said.

She looked at him. “Castle, Sir?”

“Never mind.” He said. “It’s a long story.”

In the observation area, the aliens planned their next illusion. He never began to mate with the female. What is the problem? You claim to understand these creatures from your earlier experiments on the woman, Vina and the man, Pike.

The alien stiffened at being questioned. I do understand these creatures. Vina and Pike were too badly damaged to use as a suitable sample for mating experiments. It was decided to allow them to live a life of illusion. This human has very strong feelings of connection to another. When I probed his mind. I saw images of the two females we have abducted. The cylinder we are studying and another female. I did not see her in the crew. The alien explained.

Perhaps we should create an illusion putting him in a mating situation. Let us use the other female. She has feelings for the male. I have probed them. Both women for that matter. The first female, while very intelligent and her DNA is well suited for breeding, feels they are incompatible because of their different career paths. The other, not as intelligent is younger and stronger. She would also make an excellent breeder.

Perhaps you are right. Begin preparations. I am going to examine the cylinder. I will discover why it is so important to this human. The leader of the aliens to them.

Kern was in the Captain’s ready room. “Computer, display all files referencing planet Talos IV.”

“Those files are classified. Only a member of the Admiralty can view those records.” The computer responded coldly.

Kern tapped his combadge. “T’Gerran, contact Admiral Paris at Starfleet Headquarters. As soon as possible.”

“Aye, Sir.” T’Gerran replied.

Kern spun the chair around and stared at the stars. A few minutes later T’Gerran announced on the intercom. “Sir. I have Admiral Paris standing by.”

“Thank you, Pipe it in here.” Kern said.

Kern turned to face the monitor just as the Admiral’s face appeared on the screen. “Admiral Paris, thank you for taking the time to talk to me.”

Paris responded. It was not often the admiral received transmissions from starships in the field. “What can I do for you Commander Kern?”

“Sir, We have a situation onboard the Missouri. The Captain, Operations officer, CMO and the Captain’s Security Detail have been abducted.” Kern began.

The Admiral raised an eyebrow. “Abducted?”

Kern continued. “Yes Sir. Apparently, by a race know as the Talosians.”

Paris couldn’t believe it. Like all Admirals he had read the accounts of Captains Pike and Kirk regarding the Talosians. He only hoped he would never have to confront them or their power of illusion. “Commander Kern. I’m sure you’re aware of General Order 7, regarding visits to Talos IV.”

Kern swallowed remembering what MacDermott told him once about how to talk to Admirals. “Yes Sir. However you should know. The Missouri hasn’t been to Talos.” Yet. He didn’t add. “The Talosians have a ship. They came to us. Sir, with all due respect.” He was beginning to lose his patience. “It is my duty as First officer to ensure the safety of my commanding officer. To do that, I need access to all data regarding the Talos star group.”

“Whoa, Son.” Paris couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. “You’re telling me the Talosians have acquired space travel, made contact with us and abducted Federation citizens?” Paris asked.

“That is correct Sir.” Kern responded.

Paris asked. “Have you been in contact personally with the Talosians?”

Kern wondered where Paris was going with his questions. “Sir, everybody on board the Missouri was scanned by the Talosians. Again, with all due respect Sir, what does this have to do with anything? Would you please authorize me to view the information?” Kern’s patience was gone now. It was all he could do to contain his anger.

The Admiral noticed Kern’s increasing agitation. “At ease Commander. I’m just trying to get a handle on the situation. Connect me with your library computer.”

“Yes Sir. Thank you.” He quickly configured the terminal. “Go ahead Sir.”

“There you go Commander, I transmitted the authorization code. Do me a favor. After you read the information and get your people back. Forget it. The Talosians are nothing but trouble. And more trouble is the last thing the Federation needs right now. Paris out.” The screen show the Federation symbol with the words Connection Terminated at the bottom.

MacDermott was going over the cage again. He was looking for anyway to escape. His hands going over the cool walls.

His hands caressed her smooth skin as she arched her back to meet his touch. His lips nipped at the soft skin of her neck. Duncan opened his eyes and he saw the walls of Castle MacDermott again. The sighs of his partner brought his head around. He looked into the purple eyes of his second officer. In a flash, he was out of the bed they were in. Covering himself with his kilt. He stammered. “Commander. Umm I...I...”

Even in the dim light of the fire he could tell she was as embarrassed as he was. She covered herself with a sheet. She lowered her eyes, too embarrassed of her body’s response to his touch, to look him in the eye.

“... uh Amanda. I don’t quite know what to say. Did we?” He pointed to the bed nervously. “You know!”

“No. I don’t think so.” She said meekly.

Duncan began to regain his composure. “I think our captors have shown us finally what they are after. They want us to procreate for them. Why I don’t know yet, but I’m going to find out.” Duncan promised. Duncan focused his mental energy at the aliens. I know you can hear me. I know what you’re up to and it’s not going to work. We’ll all die before we create a colony of humans for you to toy with.

Duncan and Amanda were back in the cage. Meyer looked at them. “What happened? You both blacked out for about ten minutes.”

Duncan and Costello looked at each other. Then together they responded. “Nothing.”

In the observation area, the aliens looked to one another. Did you feel his thoughts. No other being has ever shown such mental capability. He may not be a suitable subject after all.

The leader of the aliens spoke. I will make that decision. If we cannot coerce him pleasurably, we will punish him until he compitulates. Prepare the next illusion. I have removed the other female from the chamber she was in. Her wounds were extensive, I am trying to heal her now. Maybe with her we can get to this human.

“Mr. Kern, we’re approaching Talos IV. The Talosian ship has landed on the surface.” T’Gerran reported.

All right this is it. Kern thought to himself. Even with Calhoun’s backing, if he sets foot on Talos IV, he could find himself on the executioner’s block. “Computer. Record the following entry to be entered into the ship’s official log.”

“Recording ready.” The computer responded.

Another alien entered the room. Their ship has entered orbit. A number of beings bearing arms are transporting to the surface. I have scanned their memories from before. There is an illusion we could create that would be most effective in turning them away.

Prepare it immediately.

Kern and his landing party were not prepared for what they saw after they materialized. Along the walls ran power conduits, and interfaces. They slowly made their way down the passage way. The power throbbed beneath their feet. The landing party continued on.

A group of them are in the complex. The illusion is running now. I took it from the thoughts that each of them held most frightening. The alien said.

Very good. Continue the illusion. We cannot let them find the other humans. The leader said.

How is the female you removed from the chamber?

The leader responded. She is weak but progressing. She has yet to regain consciousness.

The alien nodded toward his leader as he left the room.

Kern turned the corner and turned almost as white as the person he faced. Kern didn’t understand how could the Borg be here. He fired his phaser. The Borg dropped to the floor. Other drones appeared and began pursuing the away team. “Drop back!” He ordered as he smacked his combadge. “Kern to Missouri. Missouri come in?” There was no response. “Damn. They’re already gone.” He cursed to himself as he fired his phaser again.

“Commander, They’ve adapted.” One of the landing party said as he fired his phaser in vain at the now shielded Borg.

“COMMANDER, HELP ME!!” Ensign Rollins screamed. Kern turned just in time to see a drone puncture Rollins’ neck with the assimilation tubules. Almost immediately Kern could see the Borg nanites start to move under the ensign’s skin. Kern fired his phaser, killing the ensign.

Duncan sat with his back against the wall of the cage. He dozed. Costello and Meyer were laying on the hard stone benches, they were all trying to rest, waiting for whatever the aliens had in store for them next.

Duncan stirred restlessly. In his dreams he had visions of Kern and T’Gerran in a struggle for their lives. He saw people he knew being assimilated by the Borg. An away team was in a fire fight with the Borg. In the dream a Borg drone had gotten a hold of Kern. Just as the Borg was going to drive the assimilation tubes into his first officer’s throat, MacDermott was jolted from his sleep by the sound of phaser fire. “Doctor, Commander wake up.” He ordered as he stalked around their cage.

“What is it Captain?” Meyer asked.

He replied. “Listen. Do you hear that?”

They both turned their ears toward the corridor. “Hear what, Sir?”

Duncan paused for a moment. “There, phaser fire.”

“I hear it now.” Amanda said pointing down the corridor. “That way.”

Duncan pounded on the window. “Damn, I wish I could get out of here.” Duncan thought for a moment. Maybe, just maybe. He closed his eyes and concentrated.

Kern was standing there in the grip of a Borg drone. “T’Gerran help me!!” Kern shouted.

T’Gerran was struggling with a Borg, when he heard Kern’s plea for help. T’Gerran grabbed the Borg’s head and twisted. The Klingon heard the neck of the drone snap. T’Gerran let him drop to the floor and ran toward Kern. T’Gerran could see the Borg about to puncture his neck with the assimilation tubes. Quickly he unsheathed his Mek’leth and swung it at the Borg. The blade hit the drone’s arm. As the arm hit the floor, the drone turned toward T’Gerran. The mechanical appendage on the drone’s other hand snapped at the Klingon. The Klingon swung the Mek’leth again striking the Borg on the neck. Fluid spewed from the wound as the Borg sparked and fell to the ground. Now Kern and T’Gerran were standing back to back as the Borg advanced on them. The rest of the landing party was dead or assimilated.

“This can’t be real.” Kern thought out loud.

“You’re right, Tom. It’s not real. It’s an illusion. Right now, I’m an illusion too.” Duncan said as he appeared behind the Borg. The Borg seemed to freeze.

Kern’s looked at the vision of his Captain. “Captain?”

“I heard the phaser fire. I thought myself into this illusion. I don’t understand it all but I’m here.” Duncan said.

With a look of confusion the alien turned. The human is in the illusion. The alien said.

The leader was troubled by this. IWhat do you mean?

The other alien responded. I was monitoring the illusion of the newcomers. Suddenly the human male appeared and began to communicate with his colleagues.

The leader didn’t know what to make of this human. In all of his experiments he had never known of an individual to possess the power of illusion. Stop the illusion, immediately. He ordered.

The other alien nodded.

We may have to terminate the male. We have others here now. They are not as suitable as the original but they will have to do.

The other aliens nodded.

Suddenly the room changed around them. The walls were smooth and cool. Kern and T’Gerran were surrounded by the rest of the away team. Except for Ensign Rollins, he was still dead. There were no nanites, no Borg. They looked as confused and disoriented as Kern felt.

T’Gerran said. “The captain is gone.”

Duncan swayed slightly. He put his hand up to his forehead as he regained his balance.

“Captain?” Meyer asked with the concern of a healer.

Duncan looked up. “I did it.”

“Did what, Sir?” Meyer asked as she walked over and examined the Captain.

“I thought myself into the illusion. I was talking to Kern.” MacDermott explained.

Costello looked at him. “How?”

“I’m not sure, Commander. I just concentrated and I was there.” Duncan told her.

A panel on the wall opened with a whisper. One of the Talosians entered the room. He approached the three Starfleet officers with a weapon. At the last possible moment, MacDermott spun and tore the weapon from the Talosian’s thin fingers. The weapon clattered to the floor as MacDermott wrapped his hands around the throat of the alien and pushed him up against the wall, choking him. As Duncan choked him, the alien changed into a Cardassian.

“STOP IT! Stop it or I’ll rip your head off. Your illusions don’t work on me anymore.” Duncan yelled as he tightened his grip on the Talosian’s neck and threw him to the ground. Duncan went down with the alien never releasing the grip on his neck.

“CAPTAIN!” Costello yelled. “It’s the Away team. Coming this way.”

Duncan turned to see the Away team coming down the corridor. He turned back to the alien. “If this is another illusion. I’ll kill you here and now.”

Inside Duncan’s head a thought rang out. It’s no illusion. Duncan picked the alien up off the floor and held him in a choke hold.

“Tom, the window.” Duncan ordered as the three of them stepped back from the glass.

Kern raised his phaser rifle and squeezed the trigger. Nothing. He examined the weapon.

MacDermott squeezed the neck of the alien a little tighter. “I think that weapon fired and you’re just keeping us from seeing it. Would you like us to try again on you?” Duncan said.

Suddenly, a large hole appeared in the window. “That’s what I thought.” Duncan said as he pushed the alien out through the hole in the glass. Meyer and Costello followed.

“It’s good to see you, XO.” Duncan said. “Where are we?”

“Talos IV, Captain.” Kern said solemnly.

Costello exclaimed. “Talos IV. What about General Order 7?”

“Captain, I reviewed the information on Talos IV and General order 7. Since the Talosians,” he gestured to the alien MacDermott still held onto, “contacted us. I am hoping General Order 7 will be rescinded in this circumstance.”

“Let’s get back to the ship. I don’t think they, “ Duncan nodded toward the Talosian prisoner, will give us any trouble now.”

Captain MacDermott, the thought rang through Duncan’s head. We still have one of your crew. I believe she is of importance to you. The alien said playing his last trump card.

In his mind he saw Melora laying on a table. She had been removed from the stasis chamber. There were a number of aliens around her. They appeared to be operating on her. Duncan held out his hand. “T’Gerran, your phaser.” It was an order, not a request.

Duncan leveled the phaser at the oversized head of the Talosian. “So help me, if you harm her in anyway, I will lay waste to this whole planet. Can you read my thoughts? No? They are too full of hate and loathing. Let me help you.” Duncan closed his eyes and concentrated. The rest of the landing party watched in confusion.

Suddenly the Talosian was alone on the surface of Talos. He had not been to the surface in years. It was still far too barren from the war so many millennia ago . The alien looked up in the sky. He could see a starship. From the starship flew orange and blue lights. The lights seemed to be coming toward him. Then the explosions began. The alien screamed as the world around him burned. It was a shrill, piercing scream. He looked down at his feet, the ground around him burned and seethed with heat. Everything was on fire, even the soil burned. The alien dropped to his knees, shielding his eyes from the flames. The garment the alien wore burst into flames.

In the blink of an eye, the alien was back in the corridor with MacDermott and the landing party. The Talosian trembled with fear. It was a feeling he was unaccustomed to. After a long moment, MacDermott felt the thoughts of the alien again. Captain, I can see now the human race is still much to violent to be of service to us. We are trying to heal the female. We were hoping you and her would begin a colony of humans for us, but we were wrong.

Duncan took in the thoughts of the alien before he whispered “Take me to her.”

The alien nodded in acquiescence. The alien led the group toward the infirmary.

The aliens were operating on Melora when the landing party entered the room. There was no blood, no incisions. The aliens were doing the operation telepathically.

The aliens never looked up at the group of humans now in the theater with them. Duncan projected a thought in the mind of the Talosian he held. Tell them to continue. If they harm her, I will make good on my threat.

The alien slumped in MacDermott’s grip. This is Magistrate Cerik, first citizen of Talos, complete your efforts on the female.

Only then did the aliens look up. When they saw their First citizen in the grip of the humans they returned to their work at a feverish pace.

“Captain, we have no idea what they are doing to her.” Meyer said.

Duncan understood what she meant. “XO, give your tricorder to the Doctor.”

Kern nodded as he handed the device to the Doctor.

Duncan prodded Cerik. Tell them the Doctor will monitor them. Tell them what will happen if they harm her or try to deceive us.

Cerik nodded. This female will monitor your progress, make no attempts at deception. To make his point Cerik provided each of them a glimpse of the illusion that MacDermott had put him in. The three Talosian physically shuttered at the images put in their minds before returning to their work.

Meyer ran her tricorder over Melora being careful not to interfere. “This is amazing. I’ve never seen anything like this before. They have repaired the internal injuries made by the disrupter.” Meyer then got a very disturbed look on her face.

Duncan picked up on the look. “What is it, Doctor?”

“The embryo is gone.” She said sadly.

Duncan gripped the alien. “Did you take the child from her body?” Duncan asked out loud, not taking the time to think the words.

“No.” Cerik said out loud.

Duncan didn’t believe the alien. “How do I know? How do I know you won’t use the DNA from the embryo to create a colony of clones to do your slave labor?”

The alien’s thoughts were in Duncan’s head again Cloning, what is cloning. I do not understand. We do not possess the technology to create life.

Duncan believed him. Why would they go to all the trouble of trying to get species to procreate if they could create the beings they need from just a sample of DNA.

“Captain, It’s possible that the stasis effect stopped the cell mitosis. When she was removed, it was simply absorbed by the body.” Meyer said. “I can run some more definitive tests back on the ship.”

The Missouri took up a position just outside the Talos Star group. Jared Kelley sat in the center seat drumming his fingers on the arm of the chair.

“Time?” Jared asked.

Ensign James at the Ops console replied. “Five hours forty seven minutes.

Kelley drummed his fingers on the arm of the command chair. Tap...tap...tap...tap. Jared continued this for some time. “Time?” He asked again as he rubbed the bridge of his nose between his fingers.

“Five hours, fifty eight minutes, Sir.” The ensign replied with a sigh.

Kelley blew out a long breath. “Any sign of a tranmission from the surface?”

Lieutenant Polamas at tactical replied. “Negative, Sir.”

Kelley nodded to her and turned around to face the view screen. As he stared at the stars. Ensign James said. “Sir?”

“What is it?” Kelley replied rubbing his face.

With a frown she said. “It’s been six hours.”

“Thank you.” Kelley said with a sigh. Orders were orders. He thought. If he’d learned anything from his father, the admiral, it was to obey orders. No matter how much you didn’t like it. “Helm, set course for Starbase 334, maneuvering thrusters only.” Kelley said with a sly smile. If there was anything he’d learned from MacDermott and Kern, it was that orders were open to the interpretation of the person in the center seat.

Ensign James turned to look at him. “Sir?”

“What didn’t you understand? We’re following orders. We’re just not in a big hurry.” Kelley said.

Rollins understood. With a smile she turned. “Aye aye, Sir.” With a burst from the thrusters the Missouri turned. Another burst and she began to creep away from the Talos Star group.

MacDermott watched the Talosians operate on the woman he loved. Unconsciously, he passed their Talosian prisoner to T’Gerran. Slowly he inched his way closer to the operating table. He just wanted to be close to her to hold her hand, to look into her eyes when she woke up. IF she woke up was not an option in his mind. He moved behind Meyer and whispered. “How’s she doing, Doctor?”

“So far, she’s doing fine.” The doctor said with amazement. “They have completely stopped the internal bleeding and the cell degradation caused by the disrupter.”

“She’s going to be all right?” Duncan asked.

“From what I see here, Yes. She’s going to be just fine.” Meyer said.

Duncan smiled a real smile for the first time in a long time. Meyer returned his smile before returning to monitoring the operation.

Duncan tapped his combadge. “MacDermott to Missouri. Come in?”

After a moment, Kelley’s voice was heard. “Missouri here, Sir. It’s good to hear your voice again, Sir.”

Kern and T’Gerran looked at each other. Kelley would have some answering to do for disobeying orders. Kern was relieved to hear his voice all the same.

“Jared we’ll be ready to beam up soon.” MacDermott said.

“We’ll be in range in a few minutes, Sir.” Kelley responded.

“Understood. MacDermott out.”

The Talosians backed away from the table. Inside MacDermott’s head he heard them. We are finished. Please release our First Citizen?

“Doctor?” MacDermott asked as Meyer ran the tricorder over her.

“She’s fine, Sir. Why don’t you come over here?” She said.

“Release, the Talosian, but keep an eye on them.” MacDermott ordered as he made his way to the table.

Cautiously he picked up Melora’s hand and held it in both of his. Her skin was warm and soft. He leaned over her and stared at her as her eyes began to flutter. Slowly here eyes opened and began to focus.

She smiled as her eyes focused on Duncan’s face. “I knew you’d be here when I woke up.” She said not noticing yet that they weren’t on the ship.

“There’s no other place I could be.” He whispered, his eyes welled up with tears.

She looked around. “Where are we?”

“I’ll explain later.” He said.

“How long?”

“Later.” He whispered. Duncan looked to the Doctor. “Can we get her out of here?”

Meyer ran the tricorder again. “I don’t see why not. Some rest in her own bed would probably be the best medicine.”

Duncan helped Melora sit up. After a moment, he helped to her feet. She immediately went down on one knee. “I’m so dizzy.”

Duncan picked her up effortlessly in his arms. “XO, Get us out of here.”

In his head, Duncan heard the Talosian leader. Please wait, Captain.

“Hold it, XO.” Duncan ordered just as Tom was about to hit his combadge.

T’Gerran looked around the room nervously as the Talosian approached MacDermott. Slowly he brought his weapon up and flicked off the safety.

The alien began. You have the power of illusion. It was the downfall of my people. Once we had the power we cared for nothing else. Our machines faltered and failed. Once that happened our race was doomed. We have searched for centuries for a species to rebuild our machines, so our race can continue. We tried to enslave humans once before. We had hoped you had grown complacent the one hundred and twenty years since our last encounter. The human race values its freedom and love of life as much now as ever. If the power of illusion spreads to the rest of your species, beware Captain. It will be your race’s downfall. Mark my words, Captain MacDermott.

MacDermott let the thoughts of the Talosian soak in. He looked at the alien who had tried to enslave him. He felt nothing but pity. The alien had tried to save his race. There was nothing wrong with that. “I will take your advice, First citizen.” He said out loud. “I don’t know why I possess the power. Maybe the Doctor can determine that.” MacDermott nodded toward Kern.

“Kern to Missouri. Seven to beam up.” Kern said. “Energize.”

He looked at Melora, then back to the Talosian. “Thank you, I will talk to my superiors, maybe there is something that the Federation can do for your world.”

The Talosian nodded in response as the transporter effect took them away.

Kelley was in the transporter room when the Away team materialized. Doctor Meyer was off the pads first. “Captain, I want to see you and Lt. Ito in sickbay immediately. “ Duncan carried Melora through the doors as an ensign collected the weapons.

Kern approached Kelley. “Why are you here, Lt.?” Kern asked him sternly.

Kelley snapped to. “Sir. You told ordered me to proceed to Starbase 334 after six hours. I did just that.” Kelley started to smile. “You just didn’t tell me how fast to go.”

Kern tried to keep a straight face, but he couldn’t do it. “Good work, Jared.” Kern was able to get those words out before he started to laugh.

MacDermott lay Melora on a biobed. Doctor Meyer ran the tricorder over body. She patted Melora’s hand. “You’re fine.” She told her with a smile.

“The baby?” She asked already knowing it was gone. She didn’t know how she knew, she just did. Duncan held her hand tightly.

Meyer looked at her. “It’s like I thought. The stasis effect halted the development of the baby. When you were brought out of the chamber. Your body absorbed it. It’s just like if you’d have had a miscarriage.”

Melora began to cry. “Those aliens killed my baby?”

“No. It wasn’t their fault. If you’d been taken out of stasis at the finest facility in the Federation, the result would have been the same. If you’d not been put in stasis. You’d be dead. It’s that simple, Melora.” Meyer really hated talking like a Doctor sometimes.

Duncan looked at the Doctor. “Are their any complications that would prevent her from having children in the future?”

“No, Captain. None at all. She’s perfectly healthy.” She told him. As she stepped away, giving them a moment of privacy

Duncan leaned over Melora and smiled. His face just inches from hers. “We’ll have plenty of time to have children. I promise.” He kissed her on the forehead and wiped the tears from her face.

Melora smiled.

The doctor returned. “Captain, If your ready, I’d like to begin those tests on you now.”

Melora looked at her and then to Duncan. “What tests? Duncan is there something wrong?”

“Shhhh.” He said quietly. “Trust me. Nothing’s wrong. Something peculiar happened down on Talos. I want the Doctor to make sure. That’s all. I’ll explain everything once you’re feeling better.” He told her reassuringly. He looked up at the Doctor. “Doctor, let me get Melora to her quarters first, then I’ll come back.”

“All right.” The doctor replied.

Duncan helped Melora up and as they stood there in sickbay. Melora asked. “When can I return to duty?”

Meyer replied. “Two or three days. I want to you to rest, but after that you should be ready for duty again.

“Thank you, Doctor, for everything.” Melora said.

Meyer smiled. “You’re welcome. “

Thirty minutes later, Duncan entered sickbay again. “Okay, Doctor. I’m ready for these tests if you are. “ Duncan told her.

“Sit right here, Captain.” She said motioning toward a chair.

Once Duncan was seated, she ran a tricorder around his head. After examining the readings, she entered the readings into the computer for further analysis.

“You did find a brain in there didn’t you Doctor?” MacDermott joked.

Meyer responded. “Well......”

Duncan gave her a dirty look.

“....of course I did. Sir.”

“Very funny, Doctor.” Duncan said with mock anger.

“I had a suspicion. I was right.” Meyer said

MacDermott wanted to know. “What Doctor?”

“Well, It seems after your encounter with the Krell brain booster on Altair IV, some parts of your brain were left more susceptible to the mental impulses of more powerful telepaths. It seems that your brain was a kind of amplifier for telekinetic impulses.” She explained.

“I don’t understand how I was able to control those impulses. I put the Talosian into an illusion of my own creation. I’ve never had any type of telepathic control before.” Duncan wondered.

The doctor thought for a moment. “It could be that you were able to channel you energy through the Talosians. You used their brains to create the illusion. I don’t know, that’s speculation on my part. It does, however, seem to fit what happened.” She continued.

“Will I continue to have this ability?” He asked.

“I don’t think so. The stress of the situation increased seratonin levels in your brain. If you remember after Altair IV, your seratonin levels were through the roof. I think as time goes on this susceptibility will fade.”

Duncan got up out of the chair. “Thank you doctor. Like I said before thank you for everything.”

“You’re welcome, Captain.” She said as her mind worked on what to say next. She thought something needed to be said.

“Captain?” She began.

MacDermott turned. “Yes, Doctor.”

“About what the Talosian said.....about whatever feelings I have for you......” She said.

“Oh yes. That.....Yes, what about it?” He could tell she was uncomfortable talking about it.

“The Talosian was wrong. Sir. I’ve never had any thoughts about you...and.....me......us. Am I making sense Sir?” She stammered.

“I think so. Doctor.” He smiled.

“The Talosian was picking up on feelings I had about you and Melora. I felt very sympathetic toward you.” She continued.

MacDermott listened then replied. “I understand, Doctor. Like I said, thank you for everything.” MacDermott left sickbay wondering if he should talk to Costello about what happened between them on Talos.

MacDermott emerged from the turbolift. Kern turned. “Captain. I wasn’t expecting you till alpha shift in the morning.”

“I decided there were a couple of things I needed to do before I retire.” He told his XO. He looked to Costello. “Commander, could I see you in my ready room for a moment?”

“Yes Sir.” She got up and followed MacDermott into the ready room.

Once the doors closed he took his seat behind the desk and motioned for Amanda to sit down. “Commander, about what the Talosian said and what happened between us in their illusion......” He began.

“Sir. If I may interrupt. What the Talosian said was wrong. You remind me of someone I had a relationship with on Xenex. That’s all. As far as the illusion, Sir. I’m sorry. I’m sure it was as uncomfortable for you as it was for me. It’s not everyday, someone is put in that position with their commanding officer.”

Duncan responded. “No it’s not, Commander. No it’s not.” He smiled. “I just wanted to make sure there were no potential conflicts.”

“None Sir.” Costello reassured him.

Duncan smiled. “Good. If there is nothing else. You’re dismissed Commander.”

Amanda returned the smile. “Thank you, Sir.” She got up and returned to the bridge. Duncan sat back and sighed.

After recording a log entry, Duncan rose and stepped onto the bridge.

“Captain’s on the bridge.” Announced the officer of the deck for Gamma shift.

Duncan waved her off. “I’m just passing through, Lieutenant. Carry on.”

“Aye Sir.” She replied smartly.

Duncan entered the turbolift. “Deck 3.” The turbolift began to move.