Alliance Central Access Network

       The Dauphin Crown Prince woke up early the next morning, as he grabbed whatever could find from his closet. It was 4:30 in the morning, but he knew he had to be ready in time to say goodbye to his closest confidant. Youri walked towards the shudders, and peeled them apart, it was still dark. Youri smiled, he would be so happy to say goodbye to Timothy this time around. Youri walked back and grabbed a pair of jeans, and a bright royal blue t-shirt. He didn't care that he hadn't gotten a shower or anything, he just wanted to see Tim. After grabbing whatever he could to make himself presentable, he walked towards the door and opened it partially. If his mother or grand-mother knew what was going on, they would be ready to kill him. No need for that Vladimir Rosbourg fella taking care of it. Youri walked back to the shudders again, looking over the court-yard. The police motorcade was already ready to take Maitre Wolf to the shuttle port. He saw the shuttles' lights turned off, and in the limousine in the middle of motorcade. There wasn't much time, he grabbed his patron's saint's chain and walked out of his quarters, nodding to the Royal Guardsmen standing guard.

        Maitre Wolf hummed to himself as he stepped out of the sonic shower, he grabbed his most "conservative" clothing as he picked out clothing which were more suited to the Federation. He added a full scale three-piece suit to his bag as he covered two side-arms with it. No sense in getting yourself killed by not being attentive, he thought, as he grabbed his bags. He looked around and walked to the window, staring at the shudders. Six police shuttles, and a limousine, he shook his head, Youri had certainly overdone himself. Maitre Wolf smiled, the Segan Monarchy was blessed with a very generous King, more generous than either his father or grandfather. Maitre Wolf gave a smirk as he let the shudders hide the darkness away. He glanced over at the watch, 4:33. Time to head out, he thought, as he turned the lights off to his quarters and opened the door. He wasn't expecting anyone to be there, and he'd make the exit fairly quick. Of course, police sirens wailing through the down of Chinon's capital would catch attention, but at least the Royal Family would be safe to enjoy whatever sleep they needed. The entire Family was in trouble, and was worried of the future, understandably. The Fleure's alliance package wasn't going to aid much, except in delaying the inevitable.

        The sounds of two separate footsteps echoed through the marble floors of the Chinon Palace. In the quarters reserved for the V.I.P, Maitre Wolf fit at home, having permanent quarters there. This was a luxury even the Court of the Dauphin didn't have. Maitre Wolf sighed, accepting the report from one of the Admirals who had woken up to give it to him. The latest intelligence and diplomatic files from the United Federation of Planets. Arrivals fresh from Ambassadors Yrishna Wolf and Hector Andreus respectfully assigned to the Intergalactic Alliance of Powers and the United Federation of Planets. He glanced over, the reports were the thickest he'd seen in days. Someone *was* doing work in this nation, he thought as he saluted the Admiral and dismissed him. Maitre Wolf continued on his way, walking down the flight of stairs that would lead to the main hall. As he glanced down, he could see the shadow of something moving that wasn't a Royal Guardsman at attention. Wolf walked down the steps, as the shadow cleared to reveal Youri Rosbourg, in very... inappropriate clothing he thought. The other footstep had been echoing from the other side of the palace, being an unexpected walker by the people in charge of protecting him, he arrived in time. Youri smiled, as he turned around to give a small, very royal nod to Maitre Wolf. Wolf smirked again, all right, maybe he wasn't completely daft.

"What are you doing up?!" Maitre Wolf whispered, "Your mother would kill me if she knew you were up!"

"I'm the heir to the throne," Youri smiled, "And I'd go into a deep deep depression if you didn't survive."

"Very cute, but still," Maitre Wolf walked towards the main doors, "Doesn't explain why you're up."

"I wanted to say goodbye," Youri looked at Wolf, "And I wanted to give you a present.. something I want you to have."

"You know I don't need anything, "Maitre Wolf smiled, as the guardsmen opened the doors to reveal a dark and soggy landscape.

"I want you to have it," Youri extended his hand offering a chain of his patron saint, "Come home safe."

"Where's home, your Majesty?" Maitre Wolf looked over the chain, placing it around his neck.

"With me," Youri grinned his infamous boyish grin.

"I'll be home soon, your Majesty, "Maitre Wolf looked over at the police motorcade, "I gotta go."

"I know, be safe," Youri smiled and kissed Wolf on the cheek, they exchanged a friendly hug and as Youri walked back inside, his clothes a bit wet from the rain that had just begun to pour, "Bye."

"I'll be back soon, I promise you," Maitre Wolf entered the limousine, as the police motorcade rode out the court yard. The moment they were on the street, about a mile away, their sirens began wailing.

"Goodbye," Youri stated again as the motorcade disappeared.

          He continued waving several minutes after the motorcade had disappeared. He would miss Timothy very much as the palace walls again felt lonely. Youri stepped inside, and the doors closed with a loud clang as the Royal guardsmen resumed their "at attention pose." From one of the windows in the VIP Quarters, the Prime Minister watched to be sure the motorcade was completely gone. He turned around and opened a secured communications link, it was scrambled and then transferred between two points before it would reach its destination, for now he would just wait. For the communication link to be made fully secure, it would take a few minutes. On the other side of the palace, looking onto the courtyard mystically, hiding behind the shudders, the Reverend Queen watched the scene which had unfolded. She mumbled a small prayer for the safety of Maitre Wolf and then another for her grandson, she had already lost a son, she didn't want to loose a grandson as well. She allowed for the shudders to hide the scenery as her hand moved back to be clasped. Thunders, large thunders sounded as the dark sky was lighted by flashes of light, the ground rumbled lightly. It would be a very rainy week, Youri thought as he entered his quarters again. He fell into his bed with a loud thump, and then a giggle. By then, the Prime Minister's commlink had been established, and he was soon facing His Majesty Prince Vladimir Rosbourg.

"Is the line secured, your Majesty?" Prime Minister Defont asked, looking over his files.

"It is now," Prince Vladimir glanced over, "I hope you have something of interest to me."

"Maitre Wolf's left again, "Prime Minister Defont looked over, "He's heading towards the Federation, to ask for aid."

"Oh is he now?" Prince Vladimir let out a hearty laugh, "This is better than I expected, the Pacifica-C blocks my attack on a battleship, and now we've got Maitre Wolf asking for more damned Starfleet involvement."

"Aye, your Majesty, he left about 15 minutes ago," The Prime Minister replied, "I'm certain he'll be going through the rift.

"Well, we'll let him go through, nothing breaks a person more than exile," Prince Vladimir's face smirked, "This is good... We may just be able to finish this war before we kill anymore people."

"Your Majesty?" The Prime Minister watched Vladimir, "If he gets the message through---."

"He wont," Vladimir interjected, "We'll be at Chinon faster than Starfleet, I'm gathering the entire fleet, we're coming to liberate you, Prime Minister Defont."

"Understood, but I don't have all the access codes to all the shields, your Majesty," Defont looked at Vladimir, hoping it wouldn't be a problem.

"2000 ships against one planet? Somehow, I think we'll win. Expect us there within 72 hours, Rosbourg out."

      Prime Minister Defont watched as the Segan emblem shined through his computer. He stared at the scenery outside, it was 5:00 AM, and it was very dark. The rain which clanked at the window seemed incessant and very power, the thunder which sent pulses into the ground caused it to rumble. He sighed, it would soon be over he thought. The Segan defensive lines were spread thin, and there were only a few ships defending any single point of entry into the Chinon star system. He knew that, and had relayed that information to Vladimir. Now, the 2000 starship flotilla that Vladimir had mysteriously managed to keep hidden appeared to be ready to launch a massive assault on Chinon. Defont looked out, the other side of the palace to the Dauphin Crown Prince's quarters' windows. There would be no more nonsense from the teenager, he was a weak leader and had always been a pain in his neck. He smiled to himself, in 72 hours all that would be no more his problem. Prime Minister Defont walked out of his quarters, and headed towards his office, he had "work" to do.

* * * * * * * *

Starbase Tranquility was for once following its namesake, everything was tranquil as 22:30 hours hit its dot. Near the Promenade, Starbase Tranquility's newest Captain on the block enjoyed a conversation with Chante De Zire. Captain Jean-Marie Daniels was the now retired Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Carpathia. He was a Doctor, with a strong background in combat medicine, he had seen what phaser burns set on kill could do. He had seen trauma, he had seen men truly scared, and he had known that fear himself. These memories continually haunted him and had a nasty habit of turning up at the wrong moments. For now, however, he was a little bit drunk, having taken several strong tequilas. He had been conversing for a while with Chante, and as she turned the corner, laughing and preparing to leave, Jean-Marie took his chances.

"Where are you going?"

Chante stopped, "Me? Oh just," she shook her head, and pointed, "Over there."

"I see," he grinned, "I see."

"What do you see?" Chante was now puzzled.

"You," It was brief, to the point as well.

"Is something wrong with what you see," She looked down.

"Not at the current moment," He didn't change his face from its serious look.

Chante began messing with her dress, "Oh," she nodded, "Okay, I thought for a second there," she looked up, eyeing him, "You look different."

Jean-Marie extended a hand, hoping to get a handshake, "Capitaine Jean-Marie Daniels, Medical Doctor," he stated in a faint French accent.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else," Chante extended her hand, "My name is Chante."

"Chante, "Jean-Marie smiled, "A pretty name."

"Thank you," She returned his smile with an equal one of her own, "You're a Doctor?"

"A Combat Medic, turned Starship Captain, turned Retired," He continued to smile.

"Retired?" She chuckled, "recently?"

"Very," Jean-Marie answered, "I've been asked to run the family business."

"Oh..." She paused, "Is everything okay with your family?" She stared into his eyes.

Jean-Marie didn't waiver from his smile, " I think they just miss me."

She nodded, "Good to be close to your family," her nod turned into a smile.

"Very much so...," He continued quickly, "And Starfleet's had enough of a bite on my life."

"What is that?" She glanced over a nearby chair.

"I've been a Combat Medic since I was a late teenager, up till I became a Captain... I was in command of a great medical ship."

After glancing at the chair, she turned back to face Jean-Marie, "You sound like you have such an interesting life."

"Not as interesting as you'd think... mostly bloody," He allowed to sentence to die off softly.

Chante was shocked, "Bloody...you'd be surprised what I find interesting," the sentence was a decoy, an attempt at figuring out a complex war veteran.

"Bloody's not interesting, it's sad... very sad," His face remained expressionless.

"Yes, I know, it's very nasty," she grimaced, watching as Jean-Marie prepared to speak again.

"And sad, specially when they're the young ones."

"Babies?" She shook her head, her shock more accentuated, "Too much pain to deal with," She glanced to his face.

He quickly shot a look at Chante, "Luckily, I don't get assigned those, I meant the young ones... 18...19 at most."

"But they are still someone's baby," Chante rationalized.

"That I understand."

"So," Chante glanced around, "What brings you out tonight?"

Jean-Marie looked around and pointed at the moon that Tranquility's planet held in orbit," A beautiful moon," he smiled, "A beautiful moon indeed."

Chante smiled and nodded, "Yes, it is," She glanced at the moon examining it further.

"I remember a moon like that...My medic team's shuttle had been shot down, we got pinned, and the only thing that kept us company was that moon," He could see the explosions in his mind.

A soft look took over Chante's face, "All the more reason to enjoy it."

Jean-Marie just kept smiling, Chante watched the people who passed them, "I think I should be going."

"Peace from a veteran to you," Jean-Marie stared blankly, not watching Chante, and then muttering to himself, "That was the past, don't fall in it!"

She tilted her head, watching Jean, "I'm sorry, what?" She leaned in closer.

"Advising myself not to remember the past."

"But sometimes it is good to remember so you won't make the same mistake again or if a happy thought then it's good to remember," She paused briefly searching for words which made better sense.

"I didn't make the mistake, just cleaned it," he stated it somewhat bitterly.

"Then it's good," She looked puzzled, "I think."

"Field Medic," He looked at Chante," I heal the guys who get hurt."

"Then it is a good thing to do, right?" Her eyebrows raised slightly.

"Hmmmmhmm," He nodded, "I guess."

She chuckled again, " Okay, well you deserve a nice, long relaxing," she began to drift, no doubt thinking of some paradise she had seen, "Well, however you choose to relax."

She turned slightly towards the window again, as Jean-Marie became more interested in her," And you, are you a civilian?"

"Me? I'm sort of on vacation from Starfleet," For once, eye contact was lost.

"Gotcha."

She laughed slightly in response, "Yeah, a vacation."

"Extended? Very Extended?" He began to suspect he was talking to an AWOL case.

She looked over him," Yeah, very extended one... very," Her face now turned mischievous at the thought.

"I won't inquire for fear of Intelligence being involved in there somewhere," He grinned an honest, unbroken grin.

Chante laughed, "Oh, I don't think Intelligence is anywhere around here," she paused, "At least from Starfleet... Let's just say I have a mission to do but can't because the person I need to find is nowhere to be found."

"Well, if you need my place to coordinate this search and rescue," Daniels smiled, "Feel free."

"Yeah, that can come in handy," She nodded," Thank you, you never know when you might get a knock on your door from me."

"I'll keep watch then," Daniels leaned closer and whisper, "Whose it you looking for?"

"Oh hmm ... a Lieutenant, she was seen a few months back," Chante whisperd back.

"A name perhaps?"

"Hmmm," She glanced down to her hand, "Dncer, I think is her last name. Last thing I was told she was seen entering a shuttle and that was it"

"Dncer," The name was familiar as she looked at Chante," I thought she was assigned to the Monarchy... I read a report on that."

Chante nodded, "Yes she is.. well was. But that was several months ago, she hasn't contacted anyone."

"Do you know if she was with anyone?" Daniels tried to connect the dots, trying to draw a conclusion.

"No one knows if she was with anyone but she disappeared the same time his Royal Highness did."

"There was talk the former Fleet Captain had taken some humans with him on the Ghost Fleet.... Maybe she was with them?" He inquired, shooting somewhat in the dark.

Her eyes lit up, she hadn't considered this, "Maybe, but why would she go?"

"I don't know her, can't answer that."

"I wish I knew so they could get off my tail," She mumbled the last part as she further considered the theory.

Jean-Marie looked at Chante, seeing an opportunity to visit something new, "You know, your investigation may take you to the Segan Monarchy... Take me with you?" He stated it bluntly, perhaps a little too bluntly.

Chante, however, smiled, having thought the same," Thought you'd never ask."

"Better than running a family business," Jean grinned sheepishly.

Chante laughed, "Oh, I hope so, I could enjoy some company."

"Well then, my bags will be taken out of the Carpathia at our next stop."

Chante continued laughing at the sound of bags, " I don't have much, but one bag with essentials to me," She looked down again, "But I think I should change out of this dress, doesn't seem appropriate for this trip."

"The Monarchy's at war, may want to grab a gun. And remember, the Monarchy prosecutes foreigners with a whole new set of rules," He commented.

"Oh really? Haven't been able to update anything lately," she answered.

Jean-Marie nodded, "The police act as police officers, jury and judge when it comes to foreigners. No more trials or due process."

"Oh my that isn't good at all," She mumbled.

"Nope," Jean-Marie shook his head.

She shook her head as well, "So how would we get there to find out?"

"Hopefully being Starfleet still means something."

Chante nodded, "I hope so too," She let out a laugh, she looked around, "You there?"

Jean-Marie had already moved to a LCARS access looking at the maps of Segan Sovereign Space, "Right here... Chinon's where the government is."

"How's the government holding up?"

"Hmm," he pointed a various places on the map," Flanked here and here, with a little relief here and there, and a massive flanking point here... Not good."

"So what's the best place for point of entry?" She asked, shaking her head as she pictured all the places he had pointed to.

"Well, the galactic transwarp conduit is here," He pointed at the first planet, "The question is can we get through the SPU defenses. They've put a lot of 'em up."

"In a shuttle?" She leaned down near the map," Could move it through somehow."

"We need something faster... stronger."

"Hmmm, well what if we reinforce a shuttle sort to speak," She eyed him, thinking the strategy out.

The Pattons came into his mind, they were the best of the support crafts the Carpathia had, " Maybe one of the Carpathian shuttles."

"Strong enough?"

"They've been prepared and designed for extraction on hot planets," He thought how well they had done during the Styx War.

She smiled, "How can we get to one?"

"We hmm.... borrow it," Jean-Marie looked at Chante to see her reaction.

Her eyes widened noticeably, "Steal it?"

"Yes, The Carpathia doesn't have a huge security staff, and the Marines are being rotated at our next stop, we could do it."

She nodded, "If you say so, then we can.... Might need a few weapons."

"The shuttles have 'em."

She nodded again, "Good, a few adjustments here and there and we are set," She stoop up straight, looking directly at him, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I'm retired," He smiled.

She smiled as well, touching his shoulder with a firm hand, "Then we could make a good team."

"Let it be done."

She chuckled, "So when's the best time to do this?"

"13:00 hours, after Lunch break," He replied in a matter-of-factly.

Chante nodded, "Good, gives me time to rest."

Jean-Marie smiled, "We shall meet again."

"I will meet at your place until then?"

Jean-Marie extended his hand to finish the deal, "Deal."

She extended hers and shook firmly, "Deal," a customary grin appeared on her face.

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