Camp Bam Bam

Chang watched as Koth and Korris beamed in and looked on calmly as Juan suddenly pounced the smaller Klingon. He smiled to himself as Korris grabbed both small boys and went to town on their ribs, making them both squeal out loudly.

So loud, in fact, that Adam poked his head around the corridor leading to the quarters and raised an eyebrow at them before disappearing again, this time with a grin on his face.

"Gerroff, Kor!" Koth managed to splutter as he tried fending off his brother's tickling fingers.

Korris grinned wolfishly before licking his lips, "But I want to tenderize you both!"

Juan rolled away quickly, sprang to his feet and ran off; Chang saw that he was putting all his effort into doing so quickly. "Have to catch me first!"

Korris laughed and released his brother. "Go find your cuddly boyfriend, bro. See you tomorrow."

Koth grinned up at his brother as he managed to get back to his feet, "Love you too, Kor! Night!" He then sped off in the direction Juan had vanished.

Korris was watching him go when he felt a pair of arms circle his waist from behind. He stiffened briefly.

"Sorry," Chang said quickly as he stepped back, his eyes filled with concern.

Korris turned, and Chang saw that his eyes were haunted, "S'okay. I just don't like people doing th...that from behind me. Not anymore," he finished with a whisper. Then, "At least, not til earlier on. J...Joel did."

"Jason said," Chang interrupted softly as he gently took the Klingon's hand and started towards his own quarters.

They walked without a word, Chang leading the way while Korris simply had his eyes fixed on their linked hands. The Klingon only looked up as Chang released his hand and closed a door behind them. Korris' face softened as a smile grew. "Your room does this every time," he whispered, "it makes me feel calm."

Chang looked over at the boy he had grown very fond of lately and smiled. "I am glad. I often find that I need some calming influences to let go of many of the problems I have encountered during any given day."

He looked out over his room, pleased that it could bring solace to someone else as much as it had to him. In the far corner was a stand displaying a full set of Samurai armor; next to it a stand displaying the Daisho that he was given by his master. He had explained to Korris that a Daisho was a set of swords, a Katana and a wakizashi. The two swords together, freely given by another Samurai, was a mark of high honor and respect.

In the other corner stood the table that held his bonsai tree. Again he had explained to Korris the significance of such a tree: to help maintain one's balance while making sure the tree was kept trimmed to a certain design, yet not overdoing it and killing the tree.

In another corner was Changs Smithing forge. Very few people were allowed to even see his forge, let alone be close enough to touch it. The forge was Changs most priced possession. It took him years before he was adept enough to be able to create something using his forge and it was his greatest source of pride. The ability to be able to craft a Katana is something that very few people were ever taught, and even fewer could actually do.

The main centerpiece of the room was a rather large waterfall dribbling down over many small rocks to fill a small pool at the base. Around the waterfall were several cushions for one to either sit on or kneel on. Chang would often meditate at the foot of the waterfall.

Korris moved woodenly over to stand holding the Daisho and reverently placed his Bat'leth and both Mek'leth at the foot of the stand. He laid a hand briefly on the two samurai swords for a moment before turning to look at Chang.

Chang's heart nearly broke at the completely lost little boy that was standing in the place of the Korris he had grown so close to over the last three days. Jason had been right - Korris was feeling that old pain again, and it was as fresh as the day it had originally happened, whatever it was. Chang did not even think about it; he just opened his arms towards the Klingon and braced himself as Korris ran into those arms and started bawling out loudly. Chang's new abilities allowed him to pick up on what was being radiated from this distraught alien - shame. The shame of a warrior dishonored and abused and unable to either avenge nor take his own life.

"I have been there before, my Musha, I know what you are going through. But you must understand, you are not responsible for what happened." Chang said softly as he kept a firm grip on Korris.

"I am, though," Korris wept into Chang's chest. "I'm Klingon, I'm a son of Kahless, I'm... I... I should have stopped him! I should have! I could have... but... he... I..."

Chang slowly led Korris over to the bed and sat down, pulling the still crying boy down with him. He took a deep breath and decided to just take Jason at his word - that Korris had to talk about this. Which meant that he too would have to talk about his own pain with Korris.

Somehow, the associated shame of that did not seem as bad - this was Korris, and Chang wanted him to know. But could a Klingon's pride bend enough to open up with him?

"Tell me, Musha," Chang whispered as he rubbed Korris' back softly and gently.

Korris tensed and began to shake his head, but Chang spoke quickly, "Jason said that you needed to talk about it, and I trust Jason."

"That interfering little..." Korris began angrily as he dashed his tears away furiously, but then a slow, sad smile crept onto his face. "He... he's right. Huh, he's always right 'bout this stuff. Okay... but this is hard for me, Qu'raki..."

"Would it help you if I told you my story first?" Chang asked as he felt his own emotions threatening to break free.

Korris looked again into Chang's miles-deep brown eyes, and saw nothing but love and caring there - and a shame equal to his own. He nodded slowly. "If... if you want to - please, if you could," he trembled as he held Chang more firmly. Somehow, he knew that this would be as bad as his own story, and he had loved this boy since the minute he'd laid eyes on him a month or so ago. "I'll be here for you, as you are for me," he whispered, kissing Chang's cheek quickly.

Chang nodded, then focused his emotions and blocked them out. After thinking about it for a second, he realized that what he was doing, what he was about to do, would actually be the wrong way to do it. For the first time in many years, Chang brought down all the emotional controls he so rigorously kept. He would not... COULD not do this with many people.

"The first time it happened, I had reached the maturation level of a eight year old. I am not sure if you know this, but I am actually only eight standard years old. My aging had been enhanced when I was very young. What many people do not know is that the human body grows the way it does for a reason. When the doctors accelerated our aging process, is the time when many of us died. A child's body is meant to age at a certain pace, and increasing that pace is not only very damaging to the body, but also extremely painful."

"The four of us that were born in the labs, as well as all the cats, went through this. From what I have read, only the twelve cats and the four of us survived. They started with over four hundred children."

"As I said, the first time happened when I was equivalent to eight years old. I had just come back from a training session with Master Takamora, and was putting my equipment away when I started to feel strange. It only took me a moment to realize that a drug had been introduced into the air supply and I was being sedated." Even though Chang was trying not to cry, the tears started to flow down his face.

"When I woke, I was on my bed, my hands were bound, and I was naked. Looking around the room, I saw it was empty, but I also saw that people were watching from the other side of the one-way mirror that made up one of my walls. They didnt realize that with a bit of effort, all of us can see into the thermal visual range. So while they did not know that I knew they were there, I did know." He took a moment to calm himself, and let his eyes drift to the waterfall. The soothing sounds of water slowly falling over the rocks helped calm his mind enough to keep going.

"When they came in, I did not know why they would be naked as well. I did not understand what was going on. When I asked, they simply laughed and informed me, yet again, that I was nothing more than property for them to do with as they pleased. I still did not know what was going to happen, but knew at that point it probably was not going to be good."

"When they started to touch me, I figured out that something was going on differently than had happened in the past. Before that point, if they had to touch my penis, it was simply to move it out of the way, or to hold it while they inserted a catheter. However, this was different... much different."

"I was informed that this was going to be a new piece of my training that would happen every night until such time as they were satisfied that I had learned to use both my oral and anal cavities properly. It was at that point that I started to use the meditation techniques that Master Takamora taught me on how to block pain, and how to relax myself as much as possible. I had used those techniques many times for the different tests they had performed in the past."

"However, they would not even grant me that little bit of escape. As soon as they saw what I was doing, one of them gave me an injection in the arm. Within two minutes, I could no longer concentrate enough to mentally escape."

"I...I know what it feels like to be violated..." Chang trailed off as his normal emotionless exterior broke and he started to sob.

Korris also began to weep with Chang, and pulled Chang's head in closer to hold against his own chest protectively. He didn't say a word, but simply held him tightly as Chang regained the use of his voice.

"This... this happened every night for three months. It was only recently that I learned that the reason it ended was because Master Takamora had learned what had happened, and put a stop to it, permanently. From what I have been told, the reason it stopped was because Master Takamora made it very clear what would happen if anyone did it again."

"From the moment I was rescued, I made a vow that I would never let anyone go through what I did if I could do anything about it. Master helped me get over the mental issues it caused by helping me turn the pain into courage to help others. I believe you are well on your way to being able to do that as well." Chang squeezed him close to himself, and allowed Korris to hold him as he cried.

After both boys had finished weeping together, Korris began to speak, and his own voice was as filled with pain as Chang's had been. "I'd watched as my little brother was violated and unmanned, then I'd been taken away on a ship to the Orions' base. I never saw him again 'till I was rescued by Dad - Captain Dafydd Evans. At first, I was just one of a bunch of slaves that the Orions were holding. I came to the attention of the master of the base when I'd killed an Orion with my bare hands for trying to rape a girl in the same cell as me."

"I thought he would kill me when I was dragged out and into his office, but he handed me my father's old Bat'leth and took me to an arena. That was the first of many, many fights I was made to take part in."

Korris remained silent for a moment, before he continued, "I was easily the best fighter taking part at first. It was exhilarating, everything a warrior should be doing. The clash of blades and wills. And for each victory, I was rewarded - usually food that I could share with the other slaves."

"Then, one fight went nasty. I was cut badly and in such a way that my loincloth was ripped away. Here," Korris said as he moved the leather vest he wore away from his side and lowered the right side of his pants. A long scar ran down his side from just under his ribs and on down his thigh. "I won the fight, but was naked and bleeding half to death.

"My 'master'," he spat the word with venom, "he took me to his room to heal me up, but... he had been 'turned on' by the way I'd ended up, and... he... I was too weak that time to stop him... I'd lost too much blood. Yet after each fight since, each and every time, I was taken to his room... The second time I nearly killed my master, but the guards... I was clubbed into submission and they... they all..."

He trailed off again as great heaving sobs started ripping up from deep within him.

Chang couldnt speak right then, so he sent Korris all his love and support through a squeezing hug. He hoped that Korris would get the message, and from the small, sad smile that briefly touched the young boys face, he knew his message had been received. Chang then reached up and brushed the tears away from Korris' eyes as the Klingon continued, "They all used me, and I was thrown back into my cell."

"The next day I was brought to my master's office again, and this time a small Rigellian boy was there as well. I was chained to a wall and made to witness them beat and torture that kid for over an hour. Then they assaulted him over and over. I was screaming at them to stop, but they didn't. They k... they killed him only after they could no longer revive him. Then I was told that, if I did not do as told, no matter what it was, then they would do the same again to another child, then another and another."

"They made me a whore... and I couldn't stop it! I dared not! But I should have found a way! I should have!" Korris began to yell, frustration and shame echoing around the room as he raged and sobbed, yet held in Chang's unbelievably strong arms. He could no more have escaped than if he had been chained with titanium. He stopped struggling and just wept for a moment longer, his face now held against Chang's chest as Chang ran his fingers soothingly through his hair.

"I should have found a way," Korris whispered hollowly, "I'm a Klingon; I should have broken free and saved them all, and not just given in... but I... I failed... I failed them... I did everything those perverts wanted... I..."

"You have not failed, my Musha," Chang whispered to him. "You did exactly as your honor demanded. You may not be able to see it now, but you have never lost your honor. Every time that you allowed yourself to be used so that someone else wasnt, you not only held your honor, but you strengthened it. I do not know if you follow the Christian God, but in their holy text it says Greater love hath no man than he who would lay down his life for a friend."

He continued softly, "I heard those words during a funeral, and although you are not dead, you laid down your own life to protect others. Where is the shame in that? Where is the dishonor in that act?"

Korris pulled back slowly to regard Chang. "I've heard those words, but... I should have found a way..." he repeated slowly, but this time, the self recrimination seemed to be less as he thought on what Chang had said. "I..." he tried again, then sighed slowly and started weeping again. This time, however, the tears were different. "Jace tried telling me, but I didn't hear him. I... it hurts, Chang. It hurts." He wrapped his arms around the Asian boy and pulled him in tightly, and together they wept again.

"Will I... how can I enjoy being... they took so much from me; from us both. Can we ever... I mean..." Korris whispered, and this time a fear was in his voice. A fear and a regretful longing. "I... I love you, Chang. I want to be with you, but... can either of us...?"

It took them many minutes until either one of them could do anything, but finally it was Chang that separated himself from the hurting Klingon. He quickly went into the bathroom, and came out with tissues that he handed to Korris. After they both wiped their eyes and blew their noses, Chang reached his hand out for Korris. When he took it, Chang pulled him to his feet and embraced him again.

Again, after another moment, Korris pulled away and kissed Chang's lips tenderly. He then started to look around at the room. It seemed different now, as if he truly belonged here and was not just a welcomed visitor. It very nearly seemed like this was his room as well as Chang's. He walked over to the Forge and reached to run a hand over the tools, but stopped. "Sorry," he murmured over his shoulder, "I nearly forgot."

Chang smiled as he walked over and stood very near to Korris. He surprised the boy when he said, in perfect Klingon. "There is no issue, love... what is mine is also yours."

Korris' eyes widened. He looked long into Chang's own eyes before he also replied in Klingon, "Do you know what that means to my people?"

Chang's head tilted slightly to the side as he smiled, "No. I said something wrong?"

Korris smiled, and whispered, "No, you did not. You offered to be my life-mate." Korris' eyes then filled with emotion... and hope. "I won't take it as a promise from you, for you did not know, so..."

Chang stopped Korris from saying anything else by placing a finger on his lips. "I may not have known, but now that I do, I will say again... If you would accept all I have, all I am, then what is mine is also yours."

Korris, without taking his eyes from the Asian boy's, reached to his belt and withdrew a small dagger. He traced it over his right palm, bringing a small flow of dark purple blood to the surface. Hesitantly, he held the blade out to Chang.

Chang took the blade, and with his own eyes locked with the Klingon's, cut his own right palm.

They joined their hands and their blood mingled.

In Klingon, Korris said, "My blood is on your hands, my spirit in your eyes. What I am is yours, and all I have is thine."

Chang responded likewise in Klingon. "From this moment on, we are of two bodies but one heart. Two sharpened edges of the same blade. From now till we meet again in the Mists, I am yours and no others."

Korris released his partner's hand and pulled into his arms yet again. Then, he did something that was the bravest he'd ever done. He twisted around and allowed Chang to cuddle him from behind. He kept one of his hands on Chang's linked hands at his stomach and just stood there, trembling yet smiling. "I love you," he whispered eventually as his trembles subsided.

Once Chang felt the trembling subside, he leaned in and whispered in Korris ear. "It has been said for many thousands of years that bravery and courage is not the absence of fear, yet what one does in the face of that fear."

"I will face my fear, I will let it pass around me and over me. And when I look back up, only I shall remain," Korris whispered as he agreed.

"'Dune'?" Chang whispered with a smile.

Korris grinned slightly and nodded. "Wisdom is found in many places," he said with a slight giggle as he moved slowly towards the cabinet by the Forge, pulling Chang with him in that cuddle against his back. "You're making me feel safe," he said by way of explanation as Chang gave a slight giggle. He then turned his head and smiled at his life-mate, "I make this vow - I will never hide my heart behind my honor and pride in private with you. For you, I will leave my heart forever unprotected."

Chang smiled wider. "And I make this vow - I will never hide my emotions from you, and you shall see me ever as I am now; my soul naked before you."

They kissed briefly, then giggled together. Korris turned back, and peacefully reached to open the cabinet. Inside were blades and swords of various makes and types. He gasped, however, when his eyes fell on one in particular - a trillpa'morov.

"You have made a Vulcan Combat-Sword?" he breathed in awe as he gently lifted it down and held it reverently in his hands.

Chang nodded. "There is one thing that you have yet to learn about me. There is only one living soul who knows what you are about to hear." He paused as he walked over and ran his hand over the cabinet holding his most prized possessions.

Korris moved behind Chang now and held him from behind. Chang smiled as he leaned back into his mate. "One thing that very few people know is that Master Takamora is more then three thousand years old. He has traveled many times with Sarek, and was taught by Sarek himself on the crafting of Vulcan blades. He was also taught the Vulcan martial arts."

After a moment of silence, Chang continued. "Master Takamora is also a strong telepath. When I was only four years old, he dumped a very large amount of his own personal knowledge into me. For the last four years, I have taken the knowledge and turned it into my own."

Korris, one arm still loosely around Chang's waist, raised the Vulcan sword up so they could both look at it. "He sounds nice. Was he a father to you?"

"Yes," Chang nodded as he ran a hand over the sword Korris was holding as he pressed himself back even further into Korris' embrace.

"You made this well, Qu'raki," Korris whispered after a moment, moving the blade slowly back and forth. "Did you or your Master Takamora test it to ascertain its standard?"

"What do you mean?"

"A trillpa'morov is made, forged, and folded in such a way that a phaser blast would be channeled up the length of the blade and out of the tip. The matrix of the metal, if this is Vulcan metal, would allow for that after a true forging," Korris explained.

Chang's face grew interested. "It is Vulcan metal. I was not aware of that fact;, however. Nor, it would seem, was my Master. How strong a blast?"

"Up to level three. Levels two and one would destroy it of course, but rarely on a battlefield would you face that level of fire. It would overheat a phaser way too fast, obviously. We could test this, if you are willing," Korris offered before kissing Chang's neck softly.

Chang nearly melted at the kiss, but said with hesitation, "Would it harm the blade if it is not forged true? It is my first attempt, and I am proud of how it turned out."

"No," Korris assured him as he moved away and picked up his wrist phaser from the bed where it had been laid earlier as they had cuddled. "I shall use the stun setting. On normal metal, that would only heat it slightly. You might get a mark on your ceiling though, but we can paint that over," he giggled as he looked up at the plain ceiling.

Chang nodded his assent and watched as Korris held the blade so that it was pointed directly up and aimed his phaser at the base of the blade.

Chang gasped with pleasure and awe as the energy from the phaser rippled up and out of the tip of the blade and giggled at the small scorch mark on the ceiling. "I think it is forged true."

"Well done! Oh, wow!" Korris was beside himself with awe and joy. "You're a master smith! This is unbelievable! Your first, you said?"

Chang nodded with a grin. Korris put the blade back in the cabinet and ran a hand over the hilt one last time before turning to pull his mate into his arms. "You are amazing," he whispered, his eyes once again leaking tears, but these were not tears that Chang wished to take away from Korris.

"There is something else I would like to show you." Chang said as he moved out of his lovers embrace. He walked over to another cabinet that sat near the forge. This one was very large, stretching all the way to the twenty-five-foot-tall ceiling and being at least five feet deep. He used his keys to open up the lock that secured the doors, then opened the doors only enough so he could reach his hand in.

When he pulled his hand out, it was holding a single ingot of a metal that gleamed almost reddish. He turned around and walked back to Korris who was looking at him with a bit of confusion. "Do you know what metal this is?" he asked while handing the ingot to his love.

Korris recognized the symbol that had been cast into the ingot, and the weight and feel of the metal confirmed his suspicions. "This is the metal used in the forging of Mek'leth and Bat'leth blades," he trembled reverently. "How came you by this?" he asked softly as he stared at Chang with joy.

Instead of answering the question, he simply stepped back to his cabinet and reached in one other time. "I crafted this about three months ago, but I would not dare dishonor the blade by actually using it." When he turned around, he presented Korris with a large case hand carved with a rich maple color to it.

Chang held the case as Korris gently opened the lip and gasped. "A Bat'leth," he whispered as he took the weapon out. He moved back and checked around him to make sure nothing was within the reach of the blade, then he started to flow the blade around his body. He moved from stance to stance in the form of Mok'bara, and the whistle of the blade as it cut the air was as music.

Chang watched wide eyed as he witnessed a true Bat'leth Warrior make the fruit of his labor sing out for the first time.

Korris came to the end of the forms and replaced the blade in the case, "It is perfectly balanced. If you wish it, Qu'raki, I will teach you how to fight with both Mek'leth and Bat'leth. You have mastered the forging and you deserve to wield this beauty and the 'young brothers' that come with it."

"I would be honored. However, before that time comes, I think it is I who will help teach you a thing or two. From what you have said, you still wield your fathers blade. You have shown your skill to be great with the blade, but from what I understand, there is one last trial you must perform before you are truly of the Order of the Bat'leth. I believe, my love, it is time for you to craft your own blade."

Korris looked down at the ingot he had laid on the bed, then back up at Chang. With his heart in his eyes, he nodded, "Only if you will honor me by crafting it with me. But not tonight - we cannot start the forging without finishing it. I have to be in Orlando with my brother tomorrow at 9 o'clock EST. Seven, here. We have to start training Travis and Gabriel and their sons. We gave our word, but after... oh, you don't know what this means to me," he started to sob as Chang rushed into his arms. "My brother and I managed to get hold of one ingot seven months ago and from that my brother made his own Mek'leth. He had been using our fathers up to that point, but like me, he wanted his own. Since my family is outcast and dishonored in the Empire, we could not get a hold of more... I... thank you...."

Chang held the sobbing boy for many moments, just holding him and letting the boy cry. When Korris started to calm down, Chang lifted his head so that their eyes met; after a brief moment of just looking into his loves eyes, he softly whispered, "When the time is right, my love, I would be honored to assist you. Whenever you would like to do it, I will be ready."

"How about now?" came a voice from the doorway. They turned and saw a little ginger-haired boy smiling at them.

Korris began to blush badly and a fear came to his eyes. "How much have you heard, Doctor?" he asked quickly, holding Chang tightly, for he sensed his life-mate tensing up quickly.

"I already knew and have done so for longer than you know," the Doctor said seriously as he moved quickly to hug them both around the waist. Looking up into the two taller boys' eyes, he continued, "Joel will know of all this - do not ask me how, for I am not allowed to tell you how he will come by this knowledge yet - and he will meld with me at MY first meeting with him, which is in YOUR future. There are things that Time wants and wanted me to know. This is one of them. I give you Time, Korris; I give you Time, Chang. Forge the sword and temper each other. You can take as long as needed for this Time lasts as long as I say it will."

Chang's eyes softened and he nodded at the Doctor. "My thanks," he whispered.

Korris picked up the now happily smiling boy and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Doc," he smiled, before putting the Doctor back on his own feet. He took Chang's hand and they went towards the Forge. Once there, Korris grinned and removed Chang's top, then stripped himself out of his own. "Our bravery is to be tested as we forge and no protective garments are to be worn above the waist."

"You mean I don't get a show?" the Doctor giggled from the door. He laughed harder at the quelling looks he had from both older boys and winked, "Kidding. I'll be 'around' if needed. Just call my name." He then Folded and vanished from sight.

"Who was that, in any case?" Chang asked curiously. "Another Mikyvis?"

"No," Korris smiled. "THE Doctor."

Chang's eyes widened. "The Last of the Time Lords? From that TV show?"

"The very same," Korris said with a kiss. "The very same."

 

---

 

"I think I like guns," Koth grinned as he handed the last weapon to Juan after they had finished cleaning them. They had been using Juan's personal firing range in his quarters for the last hour and Juan had been teaching his boyfriend all about the 'big booms' that he liked to make.

"Cool!" Juan giggled, then his stomach rumbled loudly.

"THE BEAST!" Koth sniggered as he started to tickle Juan's belly. "Quick! Call for Chang! It must be removed!"

"Ahhh!" Juan giggled as he turned to scoot out of the room. "Evil Klingon trying to molest me!!!" he mock cried as he ran down the corridor, Koth sprinting after him.

Both were in hysterics by the time the reached the canteen, and were panting and grinning happily at each other. They silenced quickly, however, when they saw a dozen smaller children seated in one corner, looking lost and alone and very frightened. Koth and Juan shared a look before heading over.

As they got to the group, they found Jory in amongst them and holding a tiny three-year-old girl on his lap. She was sucking her thumb and her eyes seemed far away and haunted. "Hey guys," Jory said softly, then addressed the others, "this is my brother Juan and his boyfriend Koth. They're cool too."

Koth sat down slowly and smiled around at the others while Juan looked at his brother, an unasked question in his eyes.

'They were all having nightmares,' Jory sent to his brother mentally, 'and this is their first night in a strange place. They were all rescued from an orphanage where their basta... 'caretakers' had been....'

'I get it,' Juan sent back, his face livid with sudden rage. His eyes flashed briefly yellow but Koth's hand taking his that second helped him keep control over 'Juan-2' - but he could feel the screams of fury and blood lust desire in the back of his mind.

Koth had missed what had been passed between the two Unit brothers but he had a good idea what the problem was in any case. "I think a pajama party, complete with cocoa and ice-cream and cookies and a big nest in the middle of the room, is what's needed. How does that sound, guys?" he asked with a soft smile.

Some of the slightly older kids in the group started to giggle, and the oldest, a seven-year-old, nodded his head. "I think we'd like that, Sir... ahh... what happened to your head, sir? You had an accident?"

Koth looked puzzled for a moment, but then it clicked. "You've not seen any aliens before?" he asked quietly.

The boy shook his head. "No sir; we weren't allowed to see telly, an' Mr. S...Simpson always said that aliens are bad... are you bad?" he asked fearfully as he twigged at why Koth had asked that.

"No," Koth shook his head. "I think Mr. Simpson said things that weren't true. I'm a Klingon. I am a part of the Family that the kids here at Camp Bam Bam are a part of... like their cousin? I'm therefore your cousin too, 'cos you are a part of this Family now."

The boy nodded his head and moved closer to Koth. Bravely, he held out his hand to shake with Koth. "I'm George. I'm the oldest, and I look after the others," he said.

"Pleased to meet you, George," Koth said as well, shaking the boy's hand. "Now then, if you are their 'big brother' then you can help me get the stuff ready for the party. That sound okay?"

George nodded his head quickly. "Yes sir, it does," he answered.

"I'm Koth. I'm not old enough to be a 'sir', yet," the Klingon giggled at the boy, and the boy started to giggle back as well. "What about the others? Who's the oldest?" he asked the rest of the kids.

A girl and two other boys raised their hands. "We're all seven as well, Mr. Koth," the girl said seriously. "I'm Trish. This is Barny..."

"Barnabas!" Barny hissed.

"Barny..." Trish continued, glaring at Barny, "and this is Lukas," she completed, pointing at the last boy. He waved shyly.

"Sweet! You three can help me and George while my boyfriend and his brother can help the rest of you guys get the blankets and pillows ready for the nest," Koth giggled as he watched Barny poke Trish in the ribs. "I'm thinking you two are brother and sister."

"Twins, and she's always picking on my name!" Barny answered miserably. "She don't like being called 'Tristina', but I don't like being called 'Barny'... just 'cos she wants a shorter name...."

"I'm the oldest," she protested, poking him back.

"I don't care!" Barny retorted, but said no more as George stepped between them.

"Come on, guys. We don't have to fight no more. Let's get the ice-cream!" he said, and Koth immediately saw why he was the leader of the group. Even if he were not the eldest of them all, he had that potential and ability found only in a few - leadership.

The Klingon and the four seven-year-olds turned and ran into the Kitchen and started heating milk, getting out ice-cream, and all the other 'fun' things they could think of - with the assistance of the kitchen staff, of course. The kitchen was always open, for there was always someone awake in the Camp and food was as important as air to the vast majority of the kids - no surprise there really.

Meanwhile, Juan and Jory had contacted Daileass and pillows and blankets and many sets of pajamas had been beamed into the room. The two Genesis boys made short work of rearranging the tables and chairs to make a space dead center in the canteen, while the younger kids stripped off their clothes and pulled the pillows and blankets into the space they had made.

"Not getting into the PJs?" Juan asked them curiously.

"We's not allowed to sleep in clothes," a five year old girl answered. "We'd get into trouble and stuff by Mr. Simpson...."

Juan glanced again at Jory and Jory said softly, "Mr. Simpson is a bad man and he won't be coming near you ever again, Lizbeth."

"You's sure?" she asked with a tremble.

"Yes," Jory answered as he went over to the untouched pile of pajamas and selected a pretty pink pair with Minnie Mouse on the chest of the top. "Come over here Lizbeth, and I'll help you get ready."

Juan found himself surrounded by many of the others, suddenly, as they were all asking him to help them choose which pair to wear and then to get dressed. Juan had never had as much fun with clothes before in his life, for the kids and rug rats were hysterically funny as they tried to pick and choose. One boy was in a top only for a good ten minutes, for there was no point in Juan putting a pair of bottoms on him until the kid settled on the top he liked the best.

Within another ten minutes, the 'kitchen-raiders' and the 'nest-builders' had reunited at the nearest table and were snacking on hot chocolate, ice-cream, cookies, a few plates of jelly and peanut butter sandwiches, and a few other variations of the above mixed together.

Koth was in a bright green pair of pajamas with a huge yellow Tweetie-bird on the front and he was giggling at Juan, who had been conned by Lizbeth into a bright purple pair, complete with 'The Powerpuff Girls' emblazoned on the front.

In point of fact, Daileass was laughing so badly that Koth was sure the AI would bust a processor or something.

Juan was trying to play offended, but in truth, he was having too much fun. Lizbeth was cuddled into his side and she was feeding him her 'creations', and the smile on her face made it worth it to be dressed as he was.

Jory had not escaped unscathed either, for he was in a 'Pink Ranger' Power Ranger set of PJs, but the kids that had picked it for him were also so pleased at being able to 'help' that he didn't have the heart to refuse them. Good fun is good fun, after all, and he just went with the flow. "Why'd you escape, though?" he asked Koth, who was grinning at them both.

"'Cos Lucy picked this for me, didn't you, little imp?" he asked the three-year-old girl on his lap.

She nodded her head as she spooned more ice-cream into her mouth - and all over her clean, or once clean, PJs.

"Did you get a diaper for her?" Trist asked softly as she edged closer to Juan.

Juan nodded, and pointed at Koth, "When Koth got changed he dressed her. He's looked after little babies and toddlers at his home in Wales."

"Where's that?" she asked curiously.

"In the United Kingdom. It's over the sea, a long way away from here," Juan answered as he handed the plate of cookies Trist was pointing at to her.

"Oh, where that nice Queen lives? The lady I saw at the big funeral we went to after lunch?" Trist asked quickly. "Is she really a grandma to everyone like... uh... like... um... what's that boy's name 'gain?"

"Samuel, or Sammy," Juan giggled. "Yes, she is. I haven't met her yet, but Koth raves about her. I think I'm going to like having her as my grandmother too. And so will you."

"Does that mean I'm a princess??" Trist asked excitedly, causing Barny to groan. "Shut up!" she hissed at him. "I am so a princess!"

"And your brother is a prince," Juan said softly yet firmly. He was beginning to see how his brothers saw him when he went off on a rage, now. Seeing these two fight and squabble made him appreciate his own big brothers more and more. He still grinned as he pulled Barny over to cuddle into his sister's side, "You can both ask her, and Koth has said that anyone who asks can get a crown."

The table had been listening and most of the older ones erupted in cheers... then started having the largest discussion on where their royal selves would live, how many dragons they would slay, and how many cookies and sweets they could eat for the rest of their lives.

Half an hour later, they were all in the nest and the lights had been dimmed. Juan, Jory, and Koth were telling a story between them, making it up as they went along. It was with supreme effort, that Juan kept out the worst of the gore his imagination wanted to put in, but he behaved himself. Once the story had come to its satisfying conclusion, they all curled up in a mass heap and tried to sleep.

As Koth was about to drift away, he felt a tiny hand shaking his shoulder. "Mista Koff... Mista Koff? You wake?" he heard in his ear. He turned over and released Juan, who was already fast asleep, and looked at the four year old who'd woken him.

"What's wrong, Ronny?" Koth whispered.

"These 'jamas; they sticking me in my bum. Does I hav'ta wear dem?" he asked, puppy dog eyes on full.

Koth smiled, "Not if you don't want to."

Ronny hesitated, "Can I keep da top on? I feel special... is dat 'kay, Mista Koff?"

"Sure is, sweety," Koth said as he pulled the little boy down and kissed him. He then watched as the kid stripped off his bottoms and threw them out of the nest. A second later, most of the other really young kids, those who did not ever remember wearing PJs to bed before, did the same with a load of giggles. "Okay, little ones. Let's go get some nice dreams, now."

"Love you, Mista Koff!" most of them whispered, "Night night!"

 

---

 

The new Bat'leth had cooled and Korris and Chang stopped singing the Ballad of Kahless once they completed the final verse. Korris raised the blade off its holder and sank to his knees. He drew his hand across one of the points and spread his blood over one half of the great weapon. Chang watched silently as his life-mate turned the blade over, but Korris did not apply his blood to the others half. Instead, the Klingon looked up, "Will you honor me and my blade with your own blood, Qu'raki?"

"I shall," Chang answered respectfully as he sank to his own knees and copied Korris.

The blade was then kissed by both boys and placed back onto its holder and they slammed together in a tight hug. They were exhausted and covered in sweat and soot from the forge. On trembling legs, they moved from the room into Chang's bathroom. Korris, his heart beating fast, gently stripped Chang completely. His eyes ran over Chang's body, which was fully exposed to him for the first time. He could not speak.

Chang, his own heart hammering just as fast, also stripped Korris. Unlike his own skin, Korris had many battle scars marring what would have been smooth flesh, but Chang saw them only as marks of honor. He raised his eyes and smiled at the Klingon before leading him into his shower.

With utmost respect, they washed each other, then dried each other before returning to the bedroom. Sleep was all they could really think of as they flopped onto the bed next to each other and let their still damp bodies dry in the warm room before getting under the covers.

A second after getting into the bed they were joined by a naked ten-year-old who giggled, "I did get a show after all, but fair's fair - I'm naked too!"

Chang smiled and Korris laughed as they pulled the little Time Lord closer and kissed him. "Thank you, Doctor," Chang said formally. "You were right - we did temper each other in the forging of the blade. Thank you for that 'time'."

"You're welcome," the boy smiled as Korris was busy kissing his right cheek over and over. "Now, I think you should sleep - and if your soppy boyfriend will stop kissing me, I'll restart time and let you both do so!"

Korris chuckled as he released the Doctor. "Thank you," was all he could say as the young-seeming Time Lord waved his hand and 'Folded' away.

Chang pulled himself close to Korris and looked into his lover's eyes. "I still feel I have to repay Joel for what he did for us. In helping you, he has helped me also."

"Hugs, cuddles and kisses... and cookies," Korris said again, repeating himself from when they had talked during the Forging.

"But I wish to give him the Vulcan sword I made," Chang said softly. "I just do not want him to think I'm paying him for a good deed. That would offend me if the role was reversed."

Korris thought for a moment. "I too wish to give him a gift from my heart... my father's old Bat'leth. I believe my father would be honored for Joel to look after it and keep it in honor. But... oh! It's his birthday tomorrow!" he spluttered, a huge grin on his face.

"Then we can both give him what we wish, and it shall not be seen as an insult to a good deed done out of love!" Chang exclaimed with joy and relief.

Korris smiled peacefully at his Asian lover, before pulling him closer and kissing him.

 

---

 

Next Morning:

Chang walked towards the canteen hand in hand with Korris and the smallest of smiles was clearly visible on his calm face. Will gaped as he drew closer to them. "You're happy! You're smiling! Spill it - what's happened?" he asked in shock.

Chang raised an eyebrow, then allowed the smile to grow a little bigger. He pulled his brother over and hugged him between himself and Korris and said, "Korris and I have become life-mates by Klingon tradition - we are married."

Will looked like a poleaxed cow and Korris added, "We will be having a ceremony so all our brothers can rejoice with us."

"WOW! COOL!" Will managed after a long moment, then he hugged the stuffing out of Chang, then Korris.

"I think you cracked a rib," Korris said seriously as he rubbed his side.

"Opps! Sorry," Will blushed, then he bubbled, "Can I tell everyone?"

Chang nodded and watched as his brother zoomed off. Chang then reached into the bag he always carried with him and scanned Korris' ribs. "No breaks, just bruised. I will run a regenerator over your chest once we get to Orlando, unless you wish me to do so now?"

"No, Orlando will be fine," Korris smiled. "I've had worse."

They reached the canteen and entered only to find that those up with the dawn were spread out quietly around what looked like a bedroom explosion in the middle of the place. The kids sitting at the tables around the edge of the 'mess' were grinning happily at each other and giggling quietly.

"What on Earth?" Korris asked rhetorically. He then saw his brother's forehead sticking out from under one of the duvets. "Koth! What are you up to?" he asked loudly, causing the others there to 'shh' him quickly.

Koth popped his head out and blinked around blearily at everyone. "Did we oversleep? What time is it?" he asked with a yawn.

"It is 0530 hours," a fifteen year old girl giggled at him.

"Oh... better get a move on, then," he grinned as he threw the blankets away.

At first, everyone watching said 'awwww' in unison as they beheld the dozen or so little kids and munchkins sleeping peacefully half naked, but then they all burst out laughing at the sight of a purple clad, Powerpuff Girls emblazoned Juan and a bright pink clad, Power Ranger Jory asleep next to Koth.

Jory cracked open an eye, then sat up horrified. "Oh, shit," he sighed.

Juan cracked an eye open and looked around. He looked at his brothers and then those that were sitting in the canteen and in a very calm voice stated, "If I hear ANYTHING about this... people WILL get hurt. Is that understood?" With that, he simply stood up, and with as much dignity as someone dressed in Powerpuff Girls PJs could, he walked out of the room with Lizbeth on his hip, and both their clothes in his other hand.

Koth tried his best not to giggle as he got to his feet, "For the record - and I mean you and Draco too, Daileass! - That little girl with Juan PICKED... for the FIRST TIME IN HER LIFE she CHOSE something... she picked those pajamas for Juan. And the same for these two," he said, pointing at a little boy and girl, one four and one five and obviously little brother and big sister, "did the same for Jory. If I hear anyone tease my boyfriend... well, tease TOO much... then I'll make what Juan does seem like a day at the beach...." He picked up his Mek'leth and held it in his hand, "Clear?"

The assembled group and both AIs all chuckled their agreement and Koth grinned. "It was funny, though," he added as he pulled the blushing Jory up and pinched his cheeks. "You look soooo sweet in pink!"

Jory hugged Koth and muttered in his ear, "Be glad I love my brother, or I'd be putting a boom-box under your bed! And with me... a BOOM Box takes on a whole new meaning."

"Well," Koth giggled, "the earth will move for us, then!"

Those watching smiled before moving over and helping the now awake little kids get up and get dressed., The entire group of children were almost hyper as they were telling these older teens all about the 'adventure' they had had that night with Jory, Juan, and Koth. By the time Juan had returned with Lizbeth, he was met by smiling faces, and one of the older teens came close to him. "Sorry if this is out of turn, sir, but: well done. I lost my little brother and sister years ago, and what you did for these..." said the teenage girl, and tears were in her eyes.

Juan smiled up at her and she smiled as well. He let her hug him and the little girl he was carrying briefly before his stomach rumbled. The teen chuckled at him and said, "I'll get you your breakfast - the little one's as well."

"Thanks," Juan grinned before making his way over to where Koth and Jory were seated with all the kids they had spent the night with. Korris and Chang joined them and they began to eat.

 

---

 

"Ready to go?" Korris said as they left the Canteen thirty minutes later.

Juan and Koth nodded, then looked over at Chang. "What're you carrying?" Juan asked his elder brother.

"The Vulcan sword I crafted. It is for Joel, for his birthday and as a thank you for all he did for Korris and me," he answered softly.

Koth glanced between his brother and the Asian boy, then noticed Korris' hand. He reached and turned over Chang's right hand as well, and saw the final echoes of the cut that had been there. "Wow! Congratulations!" he bubbled happily.

"Thank you," Chang smiled as he gave Koth a one-armed hug.

"What am I missing?" Juan asked curiously.

Koth pulled him in for a strong hug and said, "Kor and Chang are married! I never thought you'd ever find someone, Kor," he bubbled out as he looked up into his brother's face.

"All thanks to Joel - he took the poison away," Korris smiled. "It allowed me to let Chang help me. It's why I'm giving Joel our father's old Bat'leth."

Koth looked at the two blades on his brother's back. "Where did you get the new... you made one??"

"Chang had the metal. He forged it with me," the older Klingon answered, his eyes locking with Chang's and shining with gratitude.

Juan was thinking hard during all of this. "If Joel's the reason my big brother is happy, then I want to get him something too. Can I give him one of my guns?" he asked Koth hopefully.

Koth pulled a face. "I can't see Joel using a gun. Sorry, Juan, but he took a lot, Xain said, to hold that sword yesterday. I'm sure a gun would freak him out. A blade he's okay with."

Juan reached up with both hands and pulled two long daggers from their holsters at his shoulders. "These, then? I really like these, so it's from the heart. He helped you too, didn't he? You did start tellin' me, but..."

"I'll tell you everything later. Couldn't last night 'cos of the little ones," Koth said as he kissed Juan's cheek, making the boy blush. "Yes, I think those daggers would be great for Joel. I'm giving him my father's old Mek'leth blades. They're already in the Clan Compound, so I'll get them after."

"I am sorry to say this, but I have to make rounds this morning before we can go to Orlando. If you will all excuse me, I will meet you all in the main hanger bay in about forty-five minutes?"

When he got a nod from the other three boys, he leaned in a laid a heck of a kiss on Korris and walked off. Juan could not help but think he had a bit more bounce in his step. You know, maybe this love thing might be worth it, he thought to himself as he looked at Koth.

 

---

 

Dan was roused from his memories by the entry of four people all wearing scrubs, covered by lab coats. The first two were men, one woman, and a kid who was about thirteen. "Good morning, Daniel," the boy said, "my name is Chang. The three doctors with me are Andrew, Gordan, and Debra. They will be covering for me for the afternoon. Would it be acceptable to you if I filled them in on your condition?"

"Um, sure," Dan said, wondering why this kid was acting like a doctor.

"Thank you." Chang said, then turned to the other doctors. "Daniel..." Chang was interrupted by the boy in the bed.

"Its Dan, just Dan... please."

"As you wish. Dan was brought to us last night as a class three intervention. He is fourteen years old, and presented with obvious signs of malnutrition, as well as non-forced sexual activity with an adult male. We have tested him for sexually transmitted diseases and all of them have come back negative. Since his admittance, he has been on a constant IV therapy to help replenish both his energy and his electrolyte counts...." By this point Dan stopped really being able to understand what was being said, as it turned into nothing more then techno-babble as far as he was concerned. He was finally brought back into the conversion a few minutes later when Chang asked him if he was hungry.

'Do people in Hell want ice water?' ran through Dan's mind, as he realized, first, that he was hungry just healthily hungry not the cramping pangs of the last few days, and second, that he had to pee bad. "Um, yeah!" he said. "But I really gotta ." He tried to gesture with his left arm, and realized it was immobilized by an IV line.

"Of course... my apologies. You have been on fluid therapy since you have been brought in. It is only natural that you must urinate... and I am sure the need is rather great," Chang said with a small smile, which of course was like a huge grin from anyone else. "Gordan, if you would, please." The younger of the two male doctors nodded, stepped forward, and Chang pulled the curtain.

Once the curtain was pulled, Gordan deftly reached for an odd device looking like a clear plastic bottle attached to a funnel by a tube, flipped up Dan's hospital gown, and held the funnel in place. "Let 'er rip," he said; "You're aimed directly into the funnel." Dan gladly followed instructions; Gordan then called out "375 ml" and then flipped Dan's gown back down and opened the curtain.

Debra walked up and took Dans hand, speaking softly she said, "I've ordered a meal for you. It's going to be very light a little cereal with milk, toast, orange juice, and Jello. You can have more whenever you want; just tell the nurse on duty. We're not trying to short you on food. But you need to eat small amounts frequently for a couple of days, while your digestive system gets back up to speed. Just tell someone when you're hungry again, and you can have something more." Dan nodded; right now he didnt really care, he just wanted to eat.

"There's an abuse case next door, boy whose uncle beat him," Chang said, turning towards the doctors. "I would like you three to do a thorough physical exam of the boy and see if you can find anything I missed. Do not worry, I do not believe he will regain consciousness within the next few days. I wish to speak with Dan for a few moments alone."

"Certainly, Doctor Casey," Gordan said, and they filed out.

"You're a doctor?" Dan asked once they were alone.

"I am, I am also second in command of medical affairs here at Camp Bam Bam. The commander is my mother, Dr. Janet Hayes," Chang answered him. "However, I have something pressing that I wish to speak with you about. Bryan tells me you encountered Pablo. Would you like to talk about it?"

'Sure thing, tell him about wanting to kill myself,' Dan thought. Aloud he said, "Well, um...."

"Please do not feel as if that was an order," Chang said as he sat down on the side of the bed. "Your expressions tell me that you do not wish to speak about this right now. The reason I am asking is because I am aware of what it means when Pablo intervenes. It means it was a life or death situation."

Chang sat there for a few moments, until it was clear that Dan was not yet ready to talk. Of course, Chang could have simply looked into the boys mind, but he would not do that unless he had reason to think the boy might hurt himself. He smiled softly as he stood up and spoke again, his soft voice calming Dan some.

"You do not need to talk to me, or to anyone else about what you have gone through. That is yours and yours alone. However, I would suggest that you not hide the truth of what you went through from yourself."

Chang paused and let what he already said sink in. "You will find that many people here have their own stories to tell. Many of them have been abused in one form or another. Some worse then others, but everyone shares one common thread. We are survivors." Chang purposefully emphasized the word we, and was pleased to see that Dan did not miss it.

"If you are interested in sharing with me, I would be honored, but you are under no obligation to share your secrets with anyone... anyone but yourself, that is. There is no wisdom in running from your past, trust me; I had done that for a few years and it does not do any good. I have found you can not escape yourself." Chang added the last line with a smile, pleased that Dan seemed to at least be thinking about what he was saying.

"One other thing that you may wish to keep in mind. Camp Bam Bam is not your typical childrens home, or anything of the sort. The adults here do not control what happens here. In this place, the adults are here simply to help guide us, but we make the decisions. If you wish, we run this place, and the adults answer to us. Many of the children who have been abused find comfort from that fact. Perhaps it will bring some solace to your soul."

Dan was saved from having to make any responses, as a harried looking nurse hurried in with his food tray. As soon as the food was set on the table and then positioned so Dan could reach it easily, Chang spoke to the nurse. "Please do not worry, I am currently working on getting some help with the more menial tasks. I am sure you would like to be able to take a break from having to do an orderlys work."

The nurse smiled tiredly, but nodded. "It would be nice, but were managing."

Chang nodded and then let her know that Dan was on portion control, but could eat a meal whenever he was hungry for one.

"Please make sure he is looked after, as he is on bed rest until this evening at the earliest." Turning to look at Dan, he continued. "If you feel up to it, perhaps this evening we can get you up and walking around a bit. I have to leave now, but I will be back later on to check on you. Please remember what I said, you are now a member of our family, and we are all here to help."

Chang was rewarded with a small smile and a nod from Dan as he tore into his food.

 

---

 

An hour later, Adam and Logan walked into the now normal looking canteen.

"I'll get the food, love," Logan whispered to Adam.

Adam nodded and just stood there, watching his friends, fellow soldiers, and brothers chat and eat happily. The pain of yesterday, of the past few days, was slowly being healed by their closeness to one another, yet he sighed.

Logan quickly selected what he wanted and what he thought Adam might like, and turned around. As he made his way back, he stopped dead as he watched Adam pause in place. It was as if someone had paused a DVD film. Then he flickered and was facing another direction.

"What the..." Logan breathed as he got to Adam. "What happened?"

"'Who' happened," Adam laughed, and Logan gasped, for there was a peace and an understanding in his lover's eyes that had not been there since they had woken up.

"What do you mean?"

"You know that 'Doctor Who' show?" Adam giggled, as he sat down. "Oh, are you in for a surprise later today!"

 

---

 

"Hey guys, thanks for coming," Jory said as he looked around at what was left of the strike team Demolition personnel. There was only five of them that survived the battle in Montana... four if you counted the fact that Kelly Carlson had been stationed in Orlando. Of course, there were only enough survivors to make four full teams anyways, so it worked out... in a way. Jory felt himself starting to choke up again as he thought about it. Only enough people survived to make four teams, when there had been eleven full teams.

He fought all his emotions back; he needed to be strong for these people. He could break down later. "As you all know, weve had to make some major adjustments to team assignments." They all nodded, and more then one had tears forming in their own eyes over it. This was not something that was going to heal right away. Jory felt he needed to do something to help them all out and wished, not for the first time, that he could put words together like Adam or Logan can.

"Look guys, I know it still hurts... Hell, its gonna hurt for a long damned time, but we gotta keep going. What do you think everyone that died would think if we dropped the ball now? We got us a chance to help a lot of kids, and we gotta do it." He looked at the four there and they were nodding; he knew it would take more then what he just said, but thats the best he could do right now.

"Okay, so heres what we got." He handed out a sheet of paper to each. "This here is the new teams you guys are being assigned to. If theres any issues, let me know and well see what we can do."

Each of them looked over their papers and nodded; the most relieved-looking one was Keith Randolf. Jory knew that he wouldnt want to be separated from his brothers, and since none of the Tiny Terrors had died, there was no reason to split that team up. Of course, with Sean Patrick, their commander, taking the new assignment that Adam offered him, Jeremy Rose was placed in command. That made it so that Doug Crawford, at age twelve, was the oldest member of the team. Of course, Jory knew that age wasnt always a factor in how good someone was, or how well they could do.

He took a moment to look over his own sheet, and once again felt a pang of sadness at how many names were not there. Jory did have one thing to smile about though. It was that morning that the last of the Genesis kids had picked a last name. When they first got there, most of them didnt even have a first name, just a designation. Because of Adams insistence, they all picked names for themselves. Then when Janet and Joe offered to adopt everyone, they then had to pick which last name they wanted. They finally all did.

Strike Team Alpha:

Commander: First Lt. Donnie Williams
First Officer: Second Lt. Egan Hayes
Intel Officer: Sgt. Danny Smith
Med. Officer: Sgt. Katie Werner
Demo. Officer: Corp. Mike Bowen
Heavy Weapons: Corp: Damian Casey

Strike Team Bravo:

Commander: First Lt. Emily Larson
First Officer: Second Lt. Rich Johnson
Intel Officer: Sgt. Braxton Hayes
Med. Officer: Sgt. Charlie Adams
Demo. Officer: Corp. Ethan Casey
Heavy Weapons: Corp. Brayden Casey

Strike Team Charlie:

Commander: First Lt. Austin Casey
First Officer: Second Lt. Bryan Maxson
Intel Officer: Sgt. Clare Hayes
Med. Officer: Sgt. Becky Smith
Demo. Officer: Corp. Malinda Casey
Heavy Weapons: Corp. Evan Hayes

Strike Team Foxtrot:

Commander: First Lt. Jeremy Rose
First Officer: Second Lt. Tyler Morse
Intel Officer: Sgt. Kevin Randolf
Med. Officer: Sgt. Doug Crawford
Demo. Officer: Corp. Keith Randolf
Heavy Weapons: Corp. Karl Randolf

Jory was watching to make sure no one had any problems with what they were assigned to, and was glad to see everyone was smiling and nodding as they read the team assignments. Keith did tear up when he saw that they broke with normal military tradition and kept the Tiny Terrors' original call sign... Foxtrot.

As Jory was watching his Demo. crew review their team assignments, movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. He turned, followed immediately by the others (he noted with satisfaction) to see someone beaming in -- someone not in uniform, carrying nothing, a teenager with dark, apparently Italian good looks. Ronnie, crossing the floor, intercepted him, and pointed over at him and his group.

The boy walked over to them, stepped up to Mike Bowen and asked, "Are you Capt. Jory Casey? Jonas told me to report to you."

He looked a little confused when everyone started to laugh. Finally Mike was able to get out; "Uhhh... no. Thats Captain Casey right there." He pointed to Jory who was just grinning.

"Howdy," Jory said with a mile-wide smile.

The new guy's eyes widened as he looked down at Jory, who was roughly a foot shorter than him. "Um -- they told me to report to you when I got here," he said.

"Yup... Adam said youd be coming. Basically I'm supposed to make sure you keep yourself out of trouble while youre here. First, why dont I introduce you around? This here is the Demolitions team within the Unit, me being their commanding officer." Jory got a huge grin on his face as he delivered his next line. "If its a big boom, we did it." Which got a laugh out of everyone there.

Once the laughter died down, Jory went around and introduced everyone. "Okay, first we got Mike Bowen, Ethan Casey, Malinda Casey, and Keith Randolf. Guys, this here is Tony DiPuglia, hes here to help out over the next week or so."

Tony, looking a little shy now, greeted each of the boys with a smile and a wave, then a lingering look at Malinda. From the point of view of a straight guy, she probably deserved it: buxom with a relatively slender waist, sandy-blonde hair and starry black eyes, and a warm, appreciative smile that was checking him out at the same time.

Jory thought fast. 'Hmm... either put an end to this quick, or use it for all it's worth.' Deciding, he asked, "Malinda, would you mind showing Tony around since were done with the briefing?"

Malinda simply smiled and then nodded. This should be good Jory thought to himself. "Okay guys, check over your gear and make sure its in order. If you got any issues, either check with me or your strike team commander." Jory looked at each one, and when he got a nod form them he dismissed them.

After they all saluted, and he saluted back, Jory shot one other thing to Malinda. "When you're done, can you bring him to the munitions bay? Ill be in there going over things, and then I can give him his assignment."

"Sure thing, boss man," she shot back grinning, "but with this kinda stud, it might be a bit." She ran her hand over Tonys chest, and grinned as Jory just made a gagging noise and turned away. Laughing, he headed to the back bay. He couldnt help but laugh as he saw that across the room, the red-haired, newly promoted 2nd Lt. Bryan Maxson was placing a new pin bearing a devil's-head on a map studded with them, labeled "Pablito Sightings."

 

---

 

Adam was lost in thought as he sat at his desk off the main control room. He still wasnt sure what to make about everything that had happened in the last 24 hours, but he knew he had to keep working on figuring it out. He was startled out of his own thoughts by a knock on the door and Logan walking in. Adam couldnt help but smile. No matter how bad things were, just seeing Logan made him feel better.

"Hey there, love," Adam said as he got up and walked over to embrace his boyfriend. After a kiss, Logan motioned for him to sit and Adam did as he was told.

"So, whats got you looking all perplexed this morning?" Logan asked as he sat down.

"Well, I just got a visit from our construction crew," Adam smiled a bit at the jest.

Logan quirked his eyebrows as he did not understand what Adam was talking about.

"Well, it seems some people cant leave well enough alone and felt we needed some more space...."

He was cut off when Logan laughed. "You mean Levi has added another level or three?"

"Not exactly." Adam spun the monitor around and it showed an almost exact replica of the base they were in now - except everything was backwards. Not really sure what to make of it, Logan looked to Adam with a questioning expression. After laughing a bit, Adam was able to get out, "The entrance is on the other side of the box canyon... another place the same size as this one, but that one is more geared towards military uses. Its got a larger helicopter bay, crew quarters on the main deck for the crews on duty, bolt holes all over the place for weapon caches, and of course, my favorite... a maze of secret tunnels. It holds slightly fewer people, only about four thousand... but...."

"But it will still help out here... how the hell do they do these things?" Logan asked in awe.

"I dont know, but I dont think I want to either."

"Its cause were that darned good," Levi said as he popped in a few inches about Logans lap and fell into him with an "UMPH!" He threw his arms around Logan and hugged him, then popped over to Adam and hugged him before he disappeared in a shower of giggles.

Both Adam and Logan laughed as the little imp disappeared, but before either could say anything, a knock came on the door, then Alvin stuck his head in. "Adam, we have some interesting visitors here who would like to meet you," Alvin said with a bit of a grin.

"Oh, this sounds interesting. Whats up with them?" He asked sitting back in his chair.

"Well, I wouldnt want to ruin the surprise. How about I just show them in?" Alvin laughed as he opened the door wider. "Okay guys... come on in."

Through the door walked a man in his late twenties and three boys, a tall one in his early teens and two younger; looking to be about 8 and 11 respectively. The oldest and youngest boys had rich dark brown hair, the middle one sandy brown. "Thanks Alvin; hi Adam and Logan." the youngest one said cheekily.

"Hey guys," Adam said and motioned for them all to sit. "Welcome to Camp Bam Bam."

"Can I see your hair?" the middle one asked shyly.

Adam cocked his head to the side, not really knowing what the boy was talking about, but then it hit him. Not many people saw a kid with hair that went down to the middle of their back. Adam stood up and turned around so they could see his hair, pulled back in a pony tail, and now almost reaching his butt. Logan loved Adams hair, and would not let him cut it.

"Kewl," the boy said. "Thanks."

"Maybe you better explain about why you were interested in his hair, Galen," the man said.

"Yes, please," Adam said as he sat back down.

"Ummm... you know about Joel?" Galen asked.

"What about him?" Adam asked.

"That he was in another universe and got brought here," the oldest boy said.

"Yeah."

"Well, we used to read stories on the Internet there -- stuff about these kids that got turned into a Vulcan clan and this boy who had been given enhanced abilities by a secret military establishment and escaped and rescued his brothers to form a Unit...." The oldest boy explained.

"And they had scenes of you and Logan necking and stuff!" The little boy added cheekily with a big grin.

"Wait a minute." Adam said, looking at Logan, who was blushing at the last comment, then back at their guests. "You mean to tell me that someone is WRITING about us in another universe?!?!"

"Theres some sick twisted bastard that has been writing about all of this?!?!" Logan added, also shocked.

"Yep," the little boy grinned.

"This place looks a lot bigger than what was described in the story, though," the boy who had been addressed as Galen added thoughtfully.

"It is a bit bigger, I guess." Adam said distracted. "Now lets get back to this writer in another universe... this really bothers me. What do you know about this freak?

"Well, Roland only had twelve chapters of the Unit up when we left -- we didn't know it was part of the Clan stuff, just that Logan's mom helped you escape Adam, and then you took refuge at Joe's grandfather's old mine that he'd converted to a fallout shelter," Kurt explained calmly.

"I wanna meet Juan!" the littlest boy added.

Adam, Logan, and Alvin just stared at the young boy trying to figure out if he was insane. Finally Adam shook his head. "So this Roland asshole is writing all about us. Maybe I should see if I can send Juan out to meet him."

"I'm not sure how you could work that," Kurt said pensively. "One minute we were waking up to a thunderstorm in our universe's Orlando, the next a shuttle craft was flying over and we were here in the CSU."

"CSU?" Alvin asked, confused.

"Oh, sorry," Galen interjected. "It's short for the Clan Short Universe among fans of the stories."

Adam threw up his hands in disgust. "FANS OF THE STORIES... what kind of sick perverted people actually read this shit?!?!" After a second, he actually blushed as he looked at the newcomers. "Ohh... sorry... I didnt really.. uhhh.. mean that."

"Hey, we're perfectly normal perverted teenagers, just like the rest of you," the oldest boy grinned. "Actually, reading about what you and the Clan went through and how you got out of it has helped a lot of kids realize that they don't have to feel alone, or like they're weird, or have to stay victims."

"Yes, and some adults too," Kurt added.

Logan was the first one to be able to respond. "You mean that reading all about us and the other Clan guys is helping kids in your universe deal with the shit we are dealing with?

"Exactly," Galen said. "My life was an awful lot like Deacon's -- seeing what Multimapper wrote about him gave me hope when Mother was leaving me home alone all the time."

"Okay," Adam said with a small grin, "what I want to know is who Juan is helping out?"

"Um...aah," the oldest boy said. The littlest one piped up, "Any of us who wish we could just take a gun and shoot the bad guys that like to hurt people just for the sake of hurting, that's who!"

The oldest one looked at his little brother. "Marky, I never realized that's how you felt!" he said with a shocked expression.

"Just 'cause I'm a kid, doesn't mean I can't hurt and can't feel sympathy for other people that are hurting," Marky said hotly.

The man spoke up. "I'm Kurt Farnsworth and these three were my sister's sons; my nephews, until we got here. But they turned to me because they didn't have any caring in their lives -- their mothers and Scotty and Marky's father were not exactly examples of good parenting skills."

"You can say that again!" Scott said, as the other two made "oh, yeah!" gestures of agreement.

Logan saw Adams eyes go distant and knew he was using his abilities for some reason, so he took up the conversation. "So then, I take it you guys are stuck here and the Clan made you members?"

"That's true," Kurt said. "Teri and Cory made me acting father to the boys; I'll be adopting them under Florida law since they have no other living relatives -- at least in *this* universe." He grinned. "And the boys joined the Clan -- filling one of their wildest dreams!"

"Yet your dreams go unfulfilled." Adam spoke is a rather flat emotionless voice, much like the one Chang or one of the Vulcans might use.

"Um, yeah," Kurt said with a hollow-eyed look. "I worked with developmentally disabled kids back in my home universe; I don't have any credentials here and I don't have any idea what will happen with me."

"You managed that facility for a while when they fired the incompetent staff, right?" Adam said challengingly.

"Yeah -- how did you know that?" Kurt said with a shocked expression.

"If you could do anything, now, what would you want to be?" Adam said, his eyes piercing Kurt's soul.

Kurt was saved from having to put words to an answer to that question when Daileass said, in a fruity mock-British butler voice, "Your guest is here, sah!" -- then spoiled the effect by giggling.

Adam couldnt help but giggle, fully ruining the mood. "Thats SIRE to you, and send him in." He spoke looking up to the ceiling, then looked back to Kurt. "You know, I think we will be able to make a few interesting things happen now." He smiled just as the door opened, and a distinguished older gentleman came walking in flanked by two of the G-Cats, Thor and Tyr, both wearing their Class A uniforms, complete with weapons.

Adam and Logan both stood up and Adam came around the desk with his hand extended. "Mr. Grayson... Thank you very much for stopping by."

"Good to see you again, Adam, Logan. Pleased to meet you young gentlemen." Grayson smiled at Adam as if they shared a secret.

"Please, have a seat, would you like anything to drink?" Adam asked while directing the older man to his seat behind the desk.

"No thank you, those fine young gentlemen that escorted me in made sure I had everything I needed," he said as he sat down in Adams chair. Adam then went around and made introductions of everyone that was there.

Once he was done with that, Adam took the seat next to Logan and took his hand. "I do believe that I have the perfect solution to what you and I discussed earlier. However, before we get into that, there is an unanswered question that I need to hear the answer to." Adam turned and looked at Kurt again. "Mr. Farnsworth, if you could do anything now, what would you want to be?"

"Oh god," Kurt said. "I love working with kids, but there's never any funding for that. And I've got these three to support now too, so I need to take that into account."

Adam smirked while Mr. Grayson leaned forward in his chair, folding his hands on top of the desk. "So, your wish would be to work with children?" He asked while making eye contact with Kurt.

"Yessir," Kurt answered, not sure where this was going. "But I don't have credentials here and I don't know how to explain to you what the story behind that is."

Richard smiled. "Oh, I'm quite well aware of your arrival in this universe. You might say that my sister and I were the first Clan rescues, in a way." He grinned.

"Besides..." Adam said while smiling, "you have all the credentials I need. You see, when you started to explain what happened to you and your boys, I did a mental scan of your memories... dont worry, I did not get into the personal stuff; I simply wanted to know how you really felt about kids and that you had a true desire to help children; not use them for your own personal wants. Since you came through my evaluation with flying colors, and I can guarantee you there is only one person I know of that has higher standards, that being Ambassador Sarek, I think we can do something to help you out. At the same time, you could be helping us out of a bind."

Kurt's expression was a mixture of hope, startlement, and curiosity. Grayson chuckled, turned to Adam, and said, "Title's being transferred as we speak, and the funding is in place. And I approve wholeheartedly of your choice."

Adam grinned, "Well that makes things much easier also, as far as the budget goes, The Unit is going to increase by roughly five times what you put in because a few other things have come up that youre not aware of. However, before Mr. Farnsworth goes into convulsions trying to figure out what we are talking about, why dont you fill him in on your side of things and then I will explain what has been added."

"That sounds wise," Grayson agreed. "Mr. Farnsworth, two years ago Wayne Industries took title to about a dozen surplus military bases, including one outside Syracuse, New York. It is located on the north side of the local airport, and we took it for its investment potential; aside from one outlying portion we made into a warehouse complex. The remainder: barracks, recreation facilities, and so on, have been mothballed for two years."

Kurt was totally lost by this point, so Adam took over. "Mr. Grayson, perhaps I should add a little back story to all of this, so that it would be more understandable." After getting a nod from the older man, Adam sat back in his chair and spoke from his heart.

"I am sure you are all aware of what happened last Saturday in Montana." After getting nods from the new guys there, he continued. "Due to a few things that were said shortly after the attack was over with, Clan Short made it very well known to all people in the world that we would not allow the abuse of children to be tolerated. We also made it clearly known that if the children were in need of help, all they had to do was call. I realized pretty quickly what was about to happen, and we have barely been able to keep up with demand, but basically, we ended up becoming the first and best hope some children have ever had."

He took a break to find a piece of paper on his desk. "Monday morning, the entire Unit fully mobilized to handle the incoming tidal wave of calls for help, and with the help of the rest of the Clans, a good number of states and their agencies, and concerned citizens like Mr. Grayson, we have been able to keep up with something that was a lot bigger then even I thought it would be."

Handing the paper to Kurt, he continued while the man read it. "That is a report from this morning detailing the number of calls we have received, as well as the number of children that have had to find new housing, most of which are here. However, were just about full."

"Wait a minute..." Kurt said in shock. "Youre telling me that in less than four days youve received over seventeen THOUSAND calls for help?!?!? And... And you have over five and a half THOUSAND kids here?!?!?"

"Thats exactly what I am telling you. This is where you and Mr. Grayson come in. See, he has the land and the buildings to house over three thousand children, but no one to run it. You want to work with kids. Now, understand you would be in charge over a staff that numbers well over five hundred, as well as the three thousand children. Also, as far as funding goes... well, Mr. Grayson has generously given a start up fund of twenty million dollars...."

Adam couldnt get anything else out as he watched Kurts eyes roll up to the back of his head and he started to collapse. Thankfully there were four augmented children in the room, and between Adam, Alvin, Thor and Tyr, Kurt never hit the ground.

"And you guys," Alvin said, grinning at the three boys who had come with Kurt, "will be the Clan presence supervising that everything is done right." Scott and Galen had matching looks of wide-eyed open-mouthed shock at hearing that.

Logan came over and offered Adam the smelling salts he had just broken open and Adam waved it under Kurts nose. A few seconds later, Kurt was being helped to sit in his seat and everyone else was grinning. "I take it that you need some time to figure this out?" Adam said with a cheeky grin.

Marky giggled. "I haven't seen Unk that shocked since he grabbed the electric fence!"

Logan laughed. "Are you going to tell him the rest of it, Adam?"

"Theres more?!?!" Kurt groaned.

"Well yeah. See, about thirty minutes ago I got a call from Admiral Morrow of Starfleet Command. He informed me that over the last three days they have had the Starfleet corps of engineers going through and retrofitting twenty-three sites scattered around the US and Canada that are being turned over to the Clan as we speak. Between those, the two we have right now, and the one Mr. Grayson has given us;,they can hold roughly forty-six thousand people. Those bases, currently being named Unit Base Alpha through Zeta, will all fall under the leadership of the Units "Director of Satellite Bases."

Adam took a moment to let all of that sink in, then looked Kurt right in the eyes. "The question I have for you is this... do you want to run one area, or do you want to oversee the operations of all of them?"

Kurt sat down abruptly.

 

Authors Notes

Well guys... thats Chapter 6. I wonder how quick theyre going to fill these new bases up.

SO what does everyone think about Changs story, and Korris for that matter? We also get to learn a little bit more about the mysterious Master Takamora. Isnt that interesting?

Please feel free to send me notes, or better yet, post them on the board.

Dont Juan and Jory look so swwwwweeeeetttttttt in Pink. Please dont tell him that I said that....