Stardate: 70425:1600
Title: Ethereal
Author: Ensign Alex Ross
Time: Following "Golden Years"
Scene: Noted Below


=/\= Somewhere... =/\=

*Where am I?*

This was the single prevalent thought on Alex Ross' mind as he came to. He had been on duty, on the Bridge, and that was the last memory he had before waking up here, wherever 'here' was. There was a darkness all around him, but in the distance, a dim, glowing light beckoned to him.

*Am I dead?* The thought both amused and horrified him at the same time. He had read, while off on one of his reading binges, that disembodied spirits supposedly saw a bright light to which they were drawn. But this light was neither bright nor calling to him in that way.

*You're not dead,* someone answered him. *I don't know WHAT you are, but we're both in the same boat.*

Alex looked around frantically. He could see a faint shape moving closer to him in the gloom of this strange place.

*Who are you?*

*Name's Tally Cochran. Helm officer of the Horizon. You're Ross, aren't
you?*

*Alex.* Ross stuck out his hand and became further aware of his predicament. His hand glowed softly, as did the arm it was attached to, and he noticed that he felt no sensation whatsoever. Tally Cochran nodded.

*Creepy, isn't it?*

*What's going on, Tally?* Ross had the distinct feeling that his lips were not moving, nor was he breathing. A chill raced through him.

*I'm not sure, Alex* Tally replied. *But I've a sneaking suspicion that the computer controlling the sphere has a lot do with it.*

*How so?*

*I think we're inside it...*


==============
Ensign Alex Ross
Operations Officer
USS Horizon
NCC-72400
==============