All Systems Stable

In the Melting Pot, a fine clear mist began spraying out of the air vents. As the mist landed on the unconscious members of the crew, they slowly opened their eyes, groggily sat up, and yawned, their movements sluggish as they regained their bearings.

"Yolec to Eroga," the Xindi scientist said as he floated around the Melting Pot, his multi-limbed form gracefully navigating the air. "The male crew members are regaining consciousness. Groggy, but awake and alive."

—

Sitting in the Captain's chair, Eroga sat upright, her posture reflecting the responsibility she had assumed in the Captain's absence. "Thank you, Doctor," she responded, tapping her combadge. "Officer Eroga to Engineering, Kayuli, are you still there?"

"Sure am!" he replied, the sound of his fingers clattering over the console audible in the background.

"Ventilate Engineering and Sick Bay, then proceed to the rest of the ship," she instructed, her voice steady and commanding.

"Already on it, I can see the antidote mist in the vents now," Kayuli said back over the comms, the efficiency of his work evident.

"Eroga to Security," she stated, tapping her combadge again.

"Zide'Mok here," he said, groggy but coherent.

"Get these pirates off the ship. I want this place clean of any intruders before the Captain gets back to the bridge."

"To what extent do you want us to…" he began to question, hesitation in his voice.

"Off the ship!" she shouted back, her patience thin.

"Yes, ma'am!" Zide'Mok exclaimed back.

"And do it cleanly first. The Captain likes his carpets clean and blood-stain free," Eroga added with a smirk, her tone lightening slightly.

"Understood," Zide'Mok replied with disappointment, the sound of his Kar'Takin polearm resheathing echoing through the comm.

—

Several moments later, a marginally awake Captain Praxas and First Officer O'Reilly appeared on the bridge, their movements still slow as they adjusted to being conscious once more.

Eroga stood up and away from the Captain's chair, tall, erect, and at attention, a model of Starfleet discipline.

"Status report," Anzyl asked, moving towards his chair, his eyes scanning the bridge.

"Security reports that the Nexus is fully back in our control, sir," Eroga stated, moving towards her station at Operations. "No pirates are left on board. But as for Operations, all systems stable."

"Engineering, all systems stable," Keten stated his fingers flying over the console.

"Helm, all systems stable," Lusaalli reported, her voice confident.

"Communications, all systems stable," Heluna reported, her hand still on her earpiece.

"Tactical, all systems stable," Veirik stated, his tone steady and assured.

"Science, all systems stable," Nolan added, a hint of relief in his voice.

"All stations reporting in," Neil looked over to the Captain, "All systems stable."

"Good," Anzyl said, staring forward with a glaring stare at the viewscreen. "Hail the Liberia's Grace, and shields up, weapons hot," he commanded as the green Rizian cruise ship lumbered before them, ominously.

"Liberia's Grace is hailing us, sir," Heluna stated, her hand to her communications earpiece.

"I can… see that…" Anzyl said, tilting his head confused as what looked like white bed sheets and flags began materializing around the ship.

"White flags?" Neil asked, his brow furrowed. "An old Earth naval sign of surrender."

"On screen, Heluna," Anzyl hesitantly stated, then turned to Diela sitting at his left. "Surrender? Really?"

The screen lit up, revealing a scared human woman holding a white pillowcase. "We surrender!" she cried, her voice trembling.

Diela nodded, also confused. "She's sincere. Unconditionally," she said, looking at Anzyl with a mixture of relief and confusion.

"Captain Jaidaa is dead, and her first officer is missing and not answering. I'm the fifth officer in line, and everyone above me is either missing or not responding," she said, almost trembling. "Myself and many others didn't want to take your ship. But what Jaidaa wanted, she went for, regardless of her crew. Most of us are ex-slaves and just want to be free or return home. Honest!" she said, holding her hand to her heart.

Anzyl eyed Diela for confirmation, who nodded silently back.

"Okay then," Anzyl said, sitting up and crossing his hands. "I highly suggest you leave, and never come across our sensors ever again," he spoke sternly, his voice leaving no room for argument.

"Absolutely! Will do! No argument here! You'll never hear from Liberia's Grace ever again!" the woman bowed and shut off communications. As the giant green cruise line shot off into high warp, flashing out of view.

Letting out a loud sigh of relief, Captain Anzyl sat back in his chair. "Well… that ended rather anticlimactically."

"What do you plan to enter in your Captain's Log about this, sir?" Eroga asked, smirking at the captain. "I believe that 'These logs must be verbally recorded and submitted in a timely fashion.'"

Realizing he had to admit he let a known Orion pirate on board, let himself and half his crew succumb to a noxious poison, and then let his ship be overtaken by pirates, he let out a heavy sigh. Then a sheepish grin came over his face. "In all honesty, I was out of it for most of what happened. I think you should write the report, Eroga! You were at the heart of it all!" he grinned wildly, standing up. "I, for one, am starving! I haven't eaten all day and am famished!" he said, heading towards the teleporter pad. "And I expect the report on my desk first thing in the morning, Commander," he said, grinning to a shocked and flabbergasted Klingon Chief Operations Officer.