Subject: Grail - "The Great Brightness" - `First Contact, pt. 3'

<<Stardate: 47307.29-23:35>>

<<Shuttle Bay 2>>

She was right, of course.

Epic looked into her brown eyes and saw her determination. And her

courage. She was telling Captain Dracula what to do with his `butt', and

she did it without personal consideration. Or maybe she was not aware of

his reputation. She would be, eventually. Soon, in fact.

"You are correct, of course, Counselor.", Epic finally said. "The

Grail is fortunate that you are among us."

Suddenly, though distantly, like a memory, Mirka heard music. It

was the violin, and it sounded so sad. And Mirka felt a shiver at that

moment. Something about Terrakians eyes.They seemed to... glow? No. But

their intensity doubled. Tripled. And as it grew, her own personal

resolve seemed to falter. Hers faltered, but his own posture seemed to

grow. To assume strength. It was as if he had made her determination his

own......

And just like that, she was sure of it. She couldn't define it, but

she was beyond doubt. Epic Terrakian had... fed... there was no other

word for it. He had fed... off her strength. And was strengthened BY it.

But before she was stripped of the last of her strength, the music

stopped. And Epic, who only moments ago seemed doubtful and lost, took

her arm in support.

"Thank you, Counselor.", he said as he turned them both back toward

the Shuttle Bay. "You are exactly what I needed right now. I shall

endeavor to repay you in kind some day."

And after he said that, the music started again, only this time, it

was stronger. Maybe because he was touching her. And this time, the

music was joyous. And the weakness and revulsion she had felt a moment

ago seemed to vanish in the mood of the music.

At that moment, Lt. Fionn exited the turbolift. Epic and Mirka

turned toward him.

"I believe I can also be an asset in this situation, sir.", the

golden-haired man said.

Epic only nodded once. Then, he led Mirka and Fionn to stand once

again beside Kyp Firespray.

Epic considered them all. A Betazoid, a Human, a Koheen, and an

Alterian. They certainly represented a wide variety of cultures.

He had no further time to consider it. At that moment, the

Torrilions shuttle opened.