Zhra’gha and Kael’ryn both hiked through the jungle at a good pace. The bright, hot sun has just set over the horizon. They both stopped and Zhra’gha pulled out a scanner and started scanning. Kael’ryn looked around the area. They were on a hilltop only about a kilometer from the crash site. Zhra’gha reported his findings from the scanner.

“There are two human life signs nearby,” Zhra’gha pointed to a nearby hill, “there.”

“Ok, we capture them and bring them back to base to question them,” Kael’ryn ordered.

They both resumed their fast paced march to where the human life signs were located. They approached the entrance to a cave slowly and quietly. They both pulled out their plasma rifles, ready to fire at a moment’s notice. They both slowly enter the cave. Moments later, they spot the sleeping humans. One human stirred and opened his eyes, to find the business end of a Jem Hadar plasma rifle in his face.

“Do not move! You both are prisoners,” Kael’ryn ordered the awakened human.

Zhra’gha roughly kicked the leg of the human still asleep. She instantly woke up and screamed in pain. Zhra’gha automatically aimed his weapon at her.

“Don’t shoot her,” the male human said, “you just kicked her broken leg.”

Zhra’gha moved to kick the male human but Kael’ryn stepped in the way of his companion.

“Don’t harm him. They are our prisoners,” Kael’ryn ordered Zhra’gha. Then Kael’ryn looked at the male human. “Stand up slowly, both of you and drop all weapons. Try anything, and I will kill you.”

Aramis slowly stood up and dropped his tricorder and phaser. He reached down and helped Catersha stand up, taking her tricorder and phaser off too. Each alien grabbed a human and Kael’ryn tapped a key on his wrist communicator and all four dematerialized from the cave and rematerialized in a Dominion outpost facility.

“This is our outpost on this moon,” Kael’ryn said. “What are you two doing here?”

Both aliens shoved the humans to the floor. They both cried out in pain as the male landed on his bad shoulder that was dislocated and the female landed on her broken leg. The male human spoke first.

“My name is Commander Aramis Lionel of the Federation starship USS Carlsbad. This is Lieutenant Commander Catersha. We crashed on this moon because something happened to our runabout. We were returning to our ship from shore leave.”

Kael’ryn looked at them sternly, evaluating what the human male said. His companion stepped forward, growling at the human.

“Liar!”

Aramis eyed Zhra’gha cautiously. Kael’ryn looked at his companion, grabbing his arm.

“Enough! Take them away to the holding cell for now while I consider what he said,” Kael’ryn said.

Zhra’gha grunted and kicked both humans.

“Get up! Both of you,” Zhra’gha told the humans.

Aramis stood up and helped Catersha stand and they worked together to go where Zhra’gha walked them to. Zhra’gha shoved them both in the cell, activating the forcefield.

***

Captains Kirok Skyrunner and Sophia Rodriguez arrived back from them sudden shore leave invitation they received from the TFSS. They both arrived back to Starbase 72 feeling refreshed and reinvigorated. They left the Starbase beamed back onto the USS Carlsbad. The current senior officer, Lieutenant Tom Bradley, greeted them.

“Permission to come aboard,” Kirok and Sophia both asked Tom.

“Granted Captains.”

Tom smiled at them both and shook their hands.

“How was shore leave sirs,” Tom asked.

Sophia smiled at Tom while hooking her arm through her husband’s.

“Even though it was sudden, but it was refreshing,” Sophia said.

Kirok kissed his wife on her cheek.

“It was good Lieutenant. How are things with the ship?”

Tom walked with the Captains as Kirok and Sophia headed to their quarters.

“Engineering reports that the new Sickbay module has been installed and connected to the ships power grid. They are conducting final power tests now. New crew members are on route and should arrive tomorrow. The ship itself is operational,” Tom reported.

Captain Skyrunner smiled at Tom.

“That is good to hear Lieutenant. Any word from Commander Lionel and Chief Catersha? They should be heading back from Earth,” Kirok asked.

Tom frowned, replying, “No word yet, sir. They are not due back onboard until 0900 tomorrow. That is when the new crew are arriving.

The three officers walked into the Captain’s quarters together. Kirok and Sophia both put their bags on the couch in the living area.

“Thank you Lieutenant. You did a marvelous job of running the ship while we were on shore leave. You still have command until 0900 tomorrow,” Kirok said.

Tom smiled, “thank you, sir.”

Kirok smiled back at Tom.

“Dismissed Lieutenant,” Kirok said.

Tom left the Captains quarters and headed back to his post. Sophia sat in a chair and let out a loud sigh.

“Home sweet home,” she said.

Kirok carried their bags to the bedroom. Then he walked back out and sat next to her. They spend the evening in each other’s company by having a quiet dinner together before they have to go back on duty.