Do you know how many people I have watched die by their hands? Do you know how much pain I've experienced on these line? Do you? No, you don't and you never will.And I can only look at her with hate, and I know she's the reason why I am facing the fight of my life . . . and the reason that I'm losing all of my composure and patience.I can only wipe the blood away from my face and stand to fight with the skills and the powers I have grown to know . . . The Slayer will pay for what she has done.

"Commander Leroux, are you all right?" Ensign Molle, Jr. asks.

I stared at the view screen on the bridge of my ship, my baby, the Trek fighter Ship XX-074 . . . The Phenix. I felt my anger swell up in me and kept breathing deeply. I could feel my teeth grinding together.

"Yes, Ensign. Charge the phasers. We have a mission to accomplish, and The Slayer and her pirates will suffer the consequences for their actions."

"Listen to yourself, Leroux, you're letting your anger control you."

"My anger, Molle, my anger? She stripped me of my rank and my pride. She kidnaped my first officer. She needs to be stopped," I hissed.

"COMMANDER!" Commander-in-Chief R'Qual screamed from the communications link, "CONTROL YOURSELF."

I just stared at the Xueimelian leader of the Trek forces. I knew he was right, but I wanted to destroy the Slayer will all my blood.

"And if I don't?"

"I will have Commander Shaw replace you."

"Yes, R'Qual," I said fiercely.

"Commander, the Siamese Cats' ship has fled their position. Should I follow?" Ensign Rual from the Alpha System questioned.

"No, Ensign. Commander Shaw, will you take the helm? Ensign, you are relieved of duty tonight. You did an excellent job," I complimented.

"Thank you, Commander," Ensign Rual said and exited the bridge.

"If I'm needed, I'll be in my quarters. Contact me if you located their ship or any signs of where they might have taken the Lieutenant Commander."

I walked around my quarters slowly trying to regain what I had left of my will power and control. I was losing my grip . . . a fateful error in this situation. My own words were not a comfort but an enhancer to my pain and rage.

"Calm yourself, Laren. You need to concentrate. You are not helping anybody by your wild temper . . . Start from the beginning and you will find clues." I told myself sitting down on my couch.

"The date was 07.20.4019. Lieutenant Commander Nef was on her way back to the Phenix by way of her shuttle craft. She was fired upon by a Siamese Cat's ship. They pulled her in and took her hostage. R'Qual stayed on the back up links to listen to Slayer's messages to us. They attacked us quickly . . . None of that's important . . . NONE! Where the hell should I start?" I screamed frustrated with myself.I picked up a strong mental presence with my telepathic abilities. A presence that great means that Lieutenant Nathaniel Justice Star is nearing. He is a R'gaj. The R'gaj are known for having a select few with superior psionic powers. Star is just one of them . . . He may be their chosen one . . . their great warrior, but that is yet to be determined.Nate has become more than just another serving officer. He has become my teacher in how to use my own psionic abilities. He has also become my friend. Arrogance is the one thing about this man that annoys me, but he bears his people's black and silver uniform greatly. And let me say, he looks great wearing it . . . Yes, I have noticed how handsome he is. He reminds me of Jean-Marc . . .The R'gaj are just one of the systems of people who unite under one title: The Trek. The Trek is a collective of twelve systems of people. The mission of the Trek is to protect and serve the galaxy and it's inhabitants from the evil forces of the pirating Siamese Cats, the merciless Junoguians, and the brutal Reissem. You can tell by our collections of uniforms that we are a united people. All different, but we believe in the same cause: Justice, Freedom, and Peace . . .Except, SHE was the first traitor to our cause . . .

"You know you must start with her," Lt. Star said.

"Nate. I should know better than to let my thoughts stray . . . Not even the most skilled telepath is immune to you," I commented.

"Yes, I know, but I'm not here to talk about me. I'm here to help you, Laren. You keep losing yourself to your short fuse."

"I know, Nate, I know . . . It starts with the Slayer every time. She's caused this ship, her people, my people, so much pain. Her people put their lives up on the line just for their honor, and she . . . she betrayed them. She betrayed us."

"Don't let your temper get the better of you. You saw what happened. You stop thinking clearly, and they'll hit us in our blind spot every time."

"Focus . . . It all started when the Glass World of Needles was under attack by the Siamese Cats. It was our mission to protect the Glass World. I was Captain, then, and the Slayer was my first officer. We were given our orders by R'Qual to get to the Glass World. We were going there Speed 9.9 . . . But then the Junoguians kidnaped Ensign Molle. We had to get her back because she was the key to our offensive. We did. I broke bones for Molle . . . my own that is. People died for her. We got Molle and headed back on our plotted course. We got there two seconds too late. Right before we could strike their ship, they broke the Glass World! They killed the Needles, and the Zelans blamed it on me. It was my fault that their fourth planet was destroyed. It was so fragile, and we swore to protect its beauty . . . It was my fault."

"Hey, Laren, you listen to me. It is not your fault. You know that the Slayer set you up," Nate said sharply staring into my eyes.

I could feel the power of his psionic energy. His memories were pouring into my mind and mine into his.

"Remember how I remember, Nate. And let me tell my story," I replied.

We made a telepathic link that allowed us to share my memories.

"I saw Nef's mother, Admiral Castus, and C-I-C R'Qual staring down at me disappointed in everything I did. They just watched Tabi Scarlet remove my Captain's bar and reduce me to Commander. I felt the disappointment of the entire crew in my mind. I could feel their hatred and fear of the Slayer at one time. But Tabi had control of the ship now, and they would have to listen to her no matter what . . . They didn't want to know why she was called The Slayer.

"Then it happened. She took our ship into Junoguian space. She knew that she could get away with it. She had control of our ship. She left us there. SHE LEFT US TO FIGHT OFF TEN SHIPS! She was a traitor. She's a Siamese Cat . . . She left us in their space and left me to deal with what she started. Then, not even two months later, she has her ship kidnap Nef. Oh by the Supreme One, why is she doing this to us? She has put us through so much!" I screamed.

I snapped out of the telepathic link and could still feel Star's powers around me. Feeling his psionic powers has always been comforting to me. He's always been there for me.

"Laren, you've been through hell and back. And you are not going to collapse on us now. You have the command and the power. Use it."

I looked at the framed picture on my wall. The last family portrait that we had done. It seems like so long ago . . . one face has been missing for some time now. Mom and Dad were standing proudly above their Trek children: myself and my brother Julian, a medical officer. My adopted daughter, Jenee, sat between me and my husband . . . Jean-Marc Leroux. Damned Junoguians killed him. God how I miss him . . . I'm surprised Jenee still wanted to attend the Academy after his death . . . And I have to keep going for them. Jean would want me to. He's always believed in me so why should I stop believing in myself?

I pressed the button on my communications link.

"Commander Shaw," I said.

"Yes, Commander Leroux," Launcelot replied.

"Have one of your people on the bridge track that ship. We're going after them."

"Are you sure, Commander?"

"Oh, yes, I'm sure. Leroux out."

I looked at Star with my sinister, cunning look.

"You're plotting. I can see it."

"Star, how do you think Tabi will react if we board that ship of hers?"

"Leroux, you are talking crazy."

"Am I, Star? Am I? We've done it before. We'll do it again."

"But they were weaker when we went to get Tsial from them, and they didn't have the Slayer as a captain."

"Star, you can blow up their ship with one thought. I'm not worried."

I pressed the button on my communications link.

"All Senior officers meet me in the briefing room. Leroux out."

I looked at Star as devilish as before.

"We're going to have some fun today, Star, and you're never going to forget it."

Nate and I were the first to enter the ready room. I sat quietly in my chair watching those who entered while, I, myself, was still focusing on the entire plan.

Commander Launcelot Shaw was the first to enter. Her wears the same uniform as my first officer: Lieutenant Commander Nef. Both are from the Nirvana System . . . wearing their blue and green uniforms, and the all famous black trench coat. Commander Shaw came to my ship right after the kidnaping replacing my first officer temporarily . . . He's a quiet fellow. He always follows orders, and seems happy, but yet his large green eyes always look sad . . . His wife, Lea, passed away three years ago. I feel his pain because I know it first hand.

"Commander," Shaw greeted me.

"It doesn't sound half as good as Captain would," I replied.

"We'll get it back for you, Leroux. You're too good of an officer to accept this."

"I have confidence in the capabilities of this crew, but if we do find information to clear me, it is ultimately up to Castus and R'Qual to reinstate my title."

"From what I understand of Tabi 'The Slayer' Scarlet, this is how she wanted it . . . She wants you to live with the guilt and shame while she goes out with a bang."

"Very observant, Commander. I actually never looked at it that way," I said.

"Commander, I've been thinking." Star told me.

"A good quality, Star."

"All we need is to get a list of their communications logs. If we can prove that she made contact with the Coldare . . . "

"Shaw?" I questioned.

"I'm a hacker," Shaw said answering my unasked question, "I can do it."

I looked across Nef's empty seat at my two crew members. I knew that I had over looked the obvious from the start because of my temper.

"Where's Molle?" I questioned.

Ensign Sydney Jubilation Rogue Molle, Jr. walked into the room slightly out of breath.

I just arched my eye brow at her not needing to say a word.

The Ensign quickly apologized to me . . . It's funny how things work. Trek has not felt it necessary to promote her, but yet, she is one of my most valued senior officers . . . Sydney Molle of the Molextrus System. She comes from an interesting people. Only the females in her culture are allowed to become Trek officers. The males must keep order on the planet. Sydney wears proudly the green and pink uniform of her people. And she brings to use her unique X factor powers: phase shifting.

Phase shifting is much like our teleporters. She does it with a thought. She's here one minute. Then gone the next. Her infrared glasses just help her see where the danger is . . . an asset to my team.

"Forgive me, Commander. This won't happen again," Molle said.

"I know it won't, Molle."

She took her seat next to Commander Shaw.

I looked around at my officers: Shaw, Molle, and Star. I was down two officers: Nef due to kidnaping and Tsial to death.

"There are four of us and a whole hell of a lot of them," I said.

"What are we going to do?" Shaw questioned.

"The only thing we know how . . . Star and I have enough telepathic abilities to shield our presence on the ship. They'll never detect us."

"Commander, Star could hide our whole ship if he had to," Molle replied.

"Thanks to our cloaking devices he won't have to."

I shared my plan with the four who seemed to agree with me, but we knew it was dangerous. Our main objective: hide the ship, teleport in, hide ourselves, get our information and our officer, and get out . . . I know the Slayer has the information that will clear my name. I know she framed me. I need her to admit it . . . or just give me my proof that Shaw is going to find anyway.

I walked into the transporter room to brief our Devdenian Junior Ensign on what to do.

"Et'kal, I know you are fairly new at this, but you are the best person we have to work the transporters in these situations," I told her.

"Yes, Commander."

"We've gotta get in there undetected. Molle can get herself and Star in. You have to monitor them just incase something goes wrong. If she doesn't get in-"

"Star can put a telekinetic bubble around them, but I must lock on and finish the job," Et'kal interrupted.

Normally I wouldn't tolerate that from anybody, especially a Junior Ensign right out of the Academy, but something about this young officer told me that she was going to be an asset to my team.

"Yes, Ensign, that's correct. I think you know more about this mission than I think."

"I'm sorry for interrupting, Commander, but I've observed how you work and this team we have here. That is probably the most logical choice."

"You're going to be moving fast in this fleet, Ensign, and on my team. Your job is to monitor us and keep and open link with us at all times. Ensign Rual will also be here to help you. He's been in one too many situations like this with me."

"I'll be prepared, Commander."

"I know you will. I'll be in my ready room if you need me."

I have never questioned my own missions in my life, but for some reason this time, I keep questioning everything I do . . . One wrong move, and now, my self-reassurance is shot to hell . . . But what happened happened, and I can't bring back the Glass World . . . I just have to finish what Slayer started once and for all.

I looked at the Commander's green eyes, and I found all I needed there. He knew what we were up against. He knew how much Lt. Commander Nef means to me and my crew. She was my best friend . . . She was a friend, a mother, a sister, and a daughter and if we lose her, everybody is going to feel it.

"We have them on long range sensors," Shaw said as I started out of the window of my ready room.

"I know, but that doesn't make the nerves go away. I'm the leader of this ship, and I'm nervous."

"Anybody would, Commander. You have much riding on this mission. You can find information that would clear your name, implicate Slayer, and save your first officer."

"You didn't have to remind me, Shaw."

"We can do it . . . I'm good with computers. If you shield us long enough, I can get the proof we need that Slayer was working for the Siamese Cats . . . Then, we can get Nef."

"NO! We are not going to play hero. I'm leaving that to Nate and Syd. Nate has enough power to shield three."

"I understand . . . But I know how much you want to be the one that finds Nef."

"Well that's not possible."

"I'm sorry, Commander."

"No, Shaw, I'm sorry. I shouldn't berate you like this."

"Commander, I understand where you're coming from. You are now playing with fire."

"And I hope to the Supreme, that I'm not the one who gets us all burned."

I then hear the beep on my com. link and then Molle's voice.

"Laren, it's now or never. We've got them where we want them," Molle said.

"Fine. Leroux out."

I hit my com. link.

"Rual, Et'kal, Star, and Molle to the Transporter room. Leroux out . . . Come on, Shaw, we have a mission to finish."

I looked around at my crew. They were the toughest group I've ever worked with. I know how high they hold me in their hearts, and I know how far they are willing to go for me. I just pray that I don't get any of them killed for my name and my first officer.

"You know the drill. Et'kal monitor us at all times. Rual make sure there is an open channel at all times. Keep us cloaked. Star and Molle will go in without being teleported. Whatever happens, your priority, Et'kal is to make sure those two make it out alive. Nate, Syd, you two are hunting for Nef. If she is near my and Launce's location, you let us know so we can try and get to her if time permits . . . Launce and my mission is to get the files to prove my innocence. Try to get in and out as fast as you can with no contact at all. If they don't know we've hit them, the better. Understood?" I questioned.

All five members of my team just nodded in understanding. Launce and myself stood on the teleporter pads to prepare for teleporting.

"Activate metal shields, now." I said

Nate and I put up or best telepathic blocks so that we became invisible to the rest of the world.

"Laren, be sure not to break. If you are, contact me . . . I have the strength," Nate said.

"You worry about yourself and Sydney," I said, "On my mark, teleport both groups. Three-two-one . . . "

Within a millisecond, Launce and I were staring at the walls of the Siamese Cat ship Coldare. Launce and I were beamed to one of the main hallways. We looked around and saw nobody. I heard Star and Molle on my communicator.

"Star, are we vocally blocked, too?" I questioned.

"Yes, keep up your defenses. We are undetected."

We worked our way through the corridor until we found an empty room. We quickly entered and Launce went to work. He pulled out a disk from his pocket and began hacking away at the computer . . . I kept talking to Star.

"Did you find her location?"

"No, not yet. I'm having a difficult time accessing any logs. There are to many people around. Shhh . . . She's a telepath."

I prayed he wasn't detected. Star is the most powerful mind in this universe. He can fool almost any telepath.

"Okay . . . I found her. She's six floors below your location. Instructions?" Star questioned.

"I want you and Molle to go after her. Take out any guard in the room. If you see Slayer, contact me. She knows how to detect psis. She's worked with us long enough. Bring Nef to my location. Make sure not to set off any alarms." I told him.

"Easier said than done," Star commented.

"I'm a teleporter. It'll be no problem, Commander," Molle assured me.

"Leroux, look at these," Shaw said.

"Leroux out," I said to shut them up, "Rual, Et'kal have we been detected yet?"

"The ship is still cloaked and hidden. I can guarantee safety for ten minutes," Rual replied.

"Hopefully, that will be enough, Ensign. I'll work with it."

I looked at the screen that Shaw found. It was a list of communications from Slayer aboard the Phenix to the Coldare . . . exactly what we wanted.

"Okay, we know that's what we want. Copy all files surround those dates by a day. We'll sort through them and send them to R'Qual. We've no time," I said.

Shaw started downloading files to the disk.

"Two minutes."

"Hopefully we have two."

"Leroux, we've got Nef," Molle said.

"Nef? Are you injured? Are you okay?" I questioned rejoicing in the return of my old friend.

"Yes, Laren, I'm fine. Slayer framed you . . . She knows you'd come for me," Nef told me.

"Does she know I'm here?" I questioned.

"Doubtful, but probable at the same time."

"We'll find out, won't we? Are you done Shaw?"

"Yes."

Shaw and I left the room we were in. We rushed down the hallway to the location of the three. I saw Slayer walking down the hallway.

"She's coming. Molle, you take Star and yourself back. I can't trust your powers to take three. Et'kal can teleport us. Go, now!" I said.

"But-" Star started to protest my decision.

Molle took Star's arm and teleported him away before he could finish, and I used my telepathy to the fullest . . . I could feel my mind burning.

"Et'kal, on my mark-"

Slayer looked into our direction and flew into Shaw breaking my telepathic shield.

"NOW!"

Shaw was the only one that was teleported. I would have panicked if this was a year ago, but I've learned how to deal with the unexpected.

"Your ship is being attacked, Leroux. I knew you were here."

"I wouldn't put it past you, Slayer."

Slayer threw me one giant blow to the jaw that would have knocked me unconscious if it wasn't for my telekinetics. She has strength beyond comprehension . . . I've seen her put her fist through walls of ships alone.

"You cannot beat a trained psi."

"Yes, but I made sure your precious Star wasn't here to save you or your Nef. Isn't he your precious? I see how you look at the lad," Slayer egged on.

Nef charged up a small metallic object and threw it at Slayer. Slayer turned around greatly annoyed by Nef. I held her back with my telekinetics.

"I know you, Tabi. I know you framed me, and I'm not going to let you get away with it. You don't deserve your bar."

I ripped the Trek medals off of her uniform through my telekinetic bubble. I sensed back ups coming my way. I telepathically stunned a few, but I was unable to stop them all. Nef started charging objects and throwing them to stop the angry pirates. I was blasted back by one of their pistols. Slayer fell from her bubble. I was down for the count with one unexpected blow. I was able to block her from me with a shield, but I couldn't save Nef from her advancing pirates and Slayer.

"Et'kal, get us out of here!" I screamed into the communicator.

"They aren't on line, and Molle can't get through the shields they have up. Star can't do anything without killing you or Nef. One minute!"

One minute too late. I found strength to get up and telekinetically throw people and objects. I was zapped a couple times and lost strength every time. Then, I saw it: Slayer threw Nef into a wall. I tried to get myself up after being hit with a lightning phaser to mind wipe her. I was hit again. Slayer looked at me with a diabolic look.

"Say goodbye to your best friend."

Nef charged up a small object and threw it in Slayer's face. Slayer just became enraged and crushed Nef's skull with one blow.

"NOOOO!" I screamed as I was teleported away from the ship with a near death Nef at my side.

I don't remember even making it to the Medical Lab. I just remember I woke up to see blurred figures, bright lights, and the sense of death at my shoulders. I could feel the extent of my injuries . . . lightening phaser wounds shooting through my back. I could barely make out the images around me . . . my telepathic senses were too weak after overexertion . . . I could feel Star . . . I grabbed his arm.

"Laren? You're conscious," Star said surprised.

"Where is she?" I questioned madly.

"Laren, settle down. You worry about yourself."

"Don't, give me that, Lieutenant. Where is Nef?" I questioned throwing rank into it.

I tried sitting up but quickly fell back down. My sight slowly started coming back to me. I could see Chief Medical Officer Gates in the operating room . . . that was her. I know it was. Nurse Diaz was next to me.

"Commander, you have to lay down. Your injuries need time to heal," She told me.

"No, I will not let them stop me," I said roughly.

"Commander! Give it up!" Star said back to me.

"No! I let Slayer hurt her, Star. I let Slayer . . . " I said then tried to regain myself.

"Look, you're too weak and you know it," Diaz replied.

"Leave me alone! All of you! Just let me alone! If she dies, it's my fault . . . Let me be," I commanded.

"Fine," Diaz said frustrated.

"Diaz, you know that leaders are the worst patients," Star told her.

"Yes, but Leroux tops all lists," Diaz said and left.

I just stared into the operating room. I couldn't see anything, but I knew that she was lost to us forever . . . What was I going to say to little Kurt? How was he going to understand that both of his parents died? He'll be living with his Aunt Nathalie forever . . . Poor child.

"What am I going to tell Kurt, Star? You know how he loved his mother."

"Laren, you're talking like she's dead. She is going to pull through just like you did."

"No, my injuries are less. They can be healed quickly . . . Slayer . . . "

I just kept recalled Slayer putting her fist through Nef's skull . . . The blood . . . I started crying. I was too weak to stop it. I, the Commander of all Captains, was too weak . . . I'm not supposed to be weak. Laren J. Graye-Leroux is known for her strength . . . I couldn't have been weak, but I was.

"I couldn't stop her, Star. I didn't have to power to . . . My incorrect judgement killed her. I should have sent her back with you and Molle."

"And risk having all three of us die? It happened . . . You couldn't stop it."

"I SHOULD HAVE-"

"How, Laren? How could you have? You had three lightening wounds. You would have strained yourself possibly killing yourself . . . You couldn't have stopped it."

"How do you know, Star? I laid there and watched Slayer attack her. Do you know what it feels like to know that you caused the death of your best friend? What am I going to tell her family? I'm Commander Leroux. Everybody knows how strong I am . . . And I was too weak. I WAS TOO VULNERABLE . . . I WAS TOO WEAK. I'm not supposed to be."

Star grabbed me by the shoulders and looked into my eyes frustrated and infuriated.

"You did not do this! Nobody blames this on you! Slayer is the one that caused this! For all we know, they could be saving her right now-"

Star was interrupted by Dr. Gates. I knew by looking into his eyes that they couldn't save my first officer.

"Molle, Shaw, Rual, and Et'kal report to the medical lab. As Commander of this ship, I would like to declare ten minutes of silence for our fallen comrade, Courtney Nefertiti VI," I said very sullen into my com. link.

The ship went silent as the four walked into the medical lab.

"I'm sorry, Laren," Molle said.

"She was a good friend to both of us, Syd, but we have to stay strong," I said as I looked at the Ensign's tear stained face.

Star looked at me and smiled.

"Slayer will be brought to justice for the atrocities that have occurred. I don't know when or how, but she will be brought forth the courts."

I bit my lower lip and silenced myself.

"But that's for another day. We completed our mission and lost one of our own. Never forget this day and that woman for the sake of the child that she left behind."

"Oh, Nef, we cried so many tears for you in the Med. Lab. You're with Ferof, now. I hope the Supreme One is taking care of you somewhere because Kurt cries for you every night . . . It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I told Cerri-Anne, too. She, Kenny, and Stacia will be coming to Earth, too. I hope you don't mind, but Kurt wants you buried on Earth . . . Your parents complied with his wishes . . . But you don't want to hear about this . . . " I said with tears rolling down my eyes, "You were my best friend, Courtney, and now, I have to stand at your grave. You kept this legend going. You stood up for me when my crew shunned me . . . I'll miss you."

I watch the stars pass by the ship at great speed as we head towards Earth. I remember the times that Courtney and I would spend our time talking and laughing in this room . . . exchanging stories of our loves lost, of our families, of our children. She was a skilled soldier, and she was the best friend one could ever have. And all I have are memories of the past . . .

"And all we can do is learn from the past and hope that we never have to repeat it."

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