Rikan and his rebel crew from the A.S.C. Revox sat anxiously on the bridge of the Zentara, overseeing the progress as they tried to boost the defensive capabilities of the ship.

"Sir, we've detected the Revox. She's en route to Naederia."

'Chief' Rikan shifted in his chair. "Intercept course. Get me to them, officer."

"Confirmed. Catapult Command reports the tetryon reactor is powering up now."

"I'll be back, soon enough..."

Rikan leaves the bridge. He boards a transit pod and leaves the Revox, along with several other officers he "liberated" from the ship.

"I refuse to go along with this! Perhaps it is you that is blind! If the Traquel and Nigillians were willing to break away, there must have been a good reason! Why should we believe the words of this Torran over the words of our own people? You know what they are like! It was only a few years ago that they abandoned their empire and their war-mongering ways!"

"Chief, I've got something here. It says a Dralian trader named Quarval negotiated a trade with a Loxian named Zentox about a cycle ago. The records are vague on what was actually traded, though."

"What about the Traquel? We have never had a civil war, nor have we ever practiced the vicious imperialism of the Torrans. We have always strived toward peace, not to mention the fact that much of the technology that supports the Delta Alliance was made by Traquel. And the Droids? They are the only thing stopping the Borg from assimilating us all! And you would condemn these people for not supporting you in your war against Starfleet? What has Starfleet really done wrong? Went too fast? Oh yes, let's kill them for that!"

Rikan slams his fist on the console.

"I won't let you attack them! Either of you! I would die before assisting you in a war against my people! But the one thing that sickens me is that you don't feel the same way, Chief..."

"Chief? You're going to help defeat your own people? Forgive me, Representative, but the Traquel and Nigillians are usually wisest of the Council, and if they defend Starfleet, I am inclined to believe them. And the Droids, well, they usually function on logic alone, and who are we to argue with logic if they support the Traquel and Nigillians?"

(OFF: The loonie bin http://www.expansionfleet.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>. I really have no idea. I guess they are technically assigned, but I haven't seen them...)

"But there is no reason for war! You say you wish to defend the peace, yet you openly prepare for war against Starfleet! And then you are surprised when some disagree! I won't help you! I may be a member of the Delta Alliance, but my ultimate loyalty is to my people! And I won't let either of you do anything to them!"

(OFF: I've been watching, but waiting for others, too.)

"That sounds like a good idea, Chief."

Rikan takes his communication device from his belt.

]Y[ Officer Rikan to Revox. Four to teleport. ]Y[

"Quarval, she's... she's gone! Apparantly, the Evolution grabbed her moments before our own teleporters established a lock."

"I'll get right on it, Chief."

Rikan spins around in his chair and slides to the dat-link sub-console and begins accessing the Dralian Archive of Commerce.

"And sit by while you wage war upon Starfleet for trivial reasons, and engulf the Alliance in civil war as well? No. Chief, I hearby resign from the Alliance Defense Force. I'm leaving this ship, whether you like it or not, Chief. I won't have anything to do with this."

Rikan walks to the door, but turns around at the last moment.

"You haven't seen the last of me, Chief..."

(OFF: I would post, but I've left the ship. Other than yourself, the only other assigned officer onboard is Bed Hirade.)

(OFF: Oh shush! :P)

Rikan also sends out another hail.

>-< Revox to transport vessel. Do you have any idea why that Dralian would attack you? What were you carrying? >-<