Back on the Intrepid, Sybok sat in his command chair with a furrowed brow, part of him wishing he could be there with the AT. He could only guess how the AT was doing, as communications were not possible due to the silent running necessary in such territory.

Once a plan of sorts was established by Commander Mekare, the AT moved silently forward, CSCI ACE0584** giving Commander Mekare directions. After entering the mines and taking a turn or two, the AT stopped as it came into view of the first two Romulan guards, apparently the only two in the area around the AT and Admiral Williamson.

Unfortunately, lady luck wasn't on the AT's side, and the two guards, hearing a noise, came over to investigate; u Officers. At the same time, CSCI ACE0584, under the impression the wall blocking the AT from getting to Admiral Williamson was a hologram, was attempting to figure out how to remove it.

During this time, one of the Romulans was able to call for back up...however, an excellent shot by Commander Mekare and another from ASEC Volavengr brought down both Romulans.

Soon the AT neared the beam point, but the Romulans had by this time gotten very near the AT. Sarkadov, at the back, was firing shot after shot at the Romulans, but in his haste his accuracy was gone. As the Romulans drew nearer, Commander Mekare forced herself behind Sarkadov, pushing him ahead. "Go!" she yelled. "Get to the beam out point!" "We're not leaving you, Commander," replied Sarkadov. "That's a direct order, Commander. GO!" came the answer from Mekare.

With a glare, Sarkadov turned, pushed Admiral Williamson forward and shouted "Let's move it, team!" Courtesy of Mekare's firing, the AT was granted extra cover and time, enough to allow them to beam directly to the Intrepid. Unfortunately, she herself was left on the planet, and was flanked by the Romulans as she reached the beam out point.

Commander Mekare took several disruptor shots while being beamed away, falling to the floor of the Intrepid Transporter Room in a cry of agony.

As Sarkadov placed the dying Commander on a bio-bed, Chandra moved over quickly to assist, yelling at the computer. "Computer, activate EMH!" Mekare's vital signs continued to plummet as Chandra used an Anabolic Protophaser in an attempt to revive her. This failed, and Mekare's heart ceased to beat. The silver band she wore around her head flared with light, as if trying to help...but it dissipated as her vitals flatlined.

"Cardio Stimulator, NOW!" yelled Ensign Chandra. The first attempt was successful, Commander Mekare's heart giving a few beats...but, in the face of victory, it stopped again. "Cardio stimulator, again!" cried Chandra. This second attempt failed, however, and Commander Mekare's life had ended.

"Computer, log time of death, First Officer Kyera Mekare..." spoke Chandra weakly. Commander Sarkadov hurled a phaser at the wall; on contact, it exploded into hundreds of pieces. "I'm sorry sir," said Chandra to Sarkadov. Nodding to Chandra, Sarkadov tapped Sybok and Williamson. "The XO is dead, sirs." Standing, startled, Sybok replied "...dead? what?" "Yes, she is dead...I tried to; oh, it's no matter. Sarkadov out." As Chandra prepared Mekare's body, Sarkadov took the band from around her head, tucking it in a safe place.

Back on the bridge, Sybok ordered, "Get us the hell out of here."

Commander Kyera Mekare lost her life in the line of duty, considered honorable in many belief systems and organizations. The one question Sarkadov still asks, and many of the other members of that fated mission too, is when the life of a friend, a loyal officer fails to outweigh that of an order and a starfleet mission...

As for the crew members on that mission, here's a rundown of where they are as of the time this was published:

Admiral Williamson is still the Director of Ships in the ECF, though he did take a leave of absence due to high stress levels after this mission.

Captain Sybok is now Fleet Captain Sybok, and is still in command of the ECF Flagship USS Intrepid.

Commander Mekare's post-mortem ceremony was carried out according to Adelphian custom when the Intrepid arrived at Starbase 7.

Commander Sarkadov is now Commodore Sarkadov, and has command of the USS Concorde. To this day he has not been able to let go of the events which transpired on this mission, and carries with him a tiny holographic image of Commander Mekare.

Ensign Chandra is now Commander Chandra, Executive Officer to as well as the wife of Fleet Captain Sybok on the USS Intrepid. Despite her ill-fated first mission, her duties at CMO afterward were nearly unmatched until she accepted the position as XO.

Ensigns RainFalln, KTemoc, ACE0584 and FHWPrez transferred from the Intrepid soon after this mission.

Volavengr is now Captain Anthony Russell of the USS November, but he and his ship were lost in a temporal anomaly. Search efforts still continue, but hope slides as the weeks and months go by without success.