USS Spectre Compile - April 1st-30th 2008 by Alan Reading ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 17 Stardate: 2408.02.01 (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 15:17) (USS Spectre - Marine Messhall - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 16:00) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 16:20) (USS Spectre - Bridge - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 16:24) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse T'Pia Pelletier - 16:25) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 16:26) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Ensign Bys'At - 16:26) (USS Spectre - Jeffrey's Tube Cross-Section (deck 5) - Ensign Paul Morphy - 16:26) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse Douwsy - 16:26) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 16:27) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 2 - FO Commander O'Connor, Lieutenant (jg) Sella, Ensign (jg) Morrissey - 16:30) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 2 – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier – 16:32) (Ushar Prime - Reception Hall – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 16:34) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse Douwsy - 16:34) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Public Shopping Complex - SFI Agent - Lt.Cmdr Brian Rogers - 16:35) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, Reception Hall - Captain T'Vhor - 16:36) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, Reception Hall - TAC/ASC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 16:36) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, Public Shopping Complex - Bartender Leena - 16:36) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 2 – Counselor Lieutenant (jg) Sella – 16:36) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 2 – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier – 16:36) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, Public Shopping Complex - ATAC/ASC- Ensign Goldsteen - 16:40) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, Public Shopping Complex - Bartender Leena - 16:42) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Public Shopping Complex - ATAC/ASC Ensign Goldsteen - 16:45) (USS Spectre – Transporter Room 3 – Ensign Bys’At - 16:45) (USS Spectre – Transporter Room 3 – Ensign Paul Morphy - 16:45) (Ushar Prime - Learning Center - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 16:45) (Ushar Prime - Ten'tanis University - Counselor, Lieutenant (jg) Sella - 16:45) (Ushar Prime - Ten'tanis University – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier – 16:45) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 3 - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 16:46) (Ushar Prime - Entertainment & Recreational Zone - Captain T'Vhor - 16:48) (Ushar Prime - Entertainment & Recreational Zone - TAC/ASC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 16:48) (USS Spectre – Main engineering - Nurse Douwsy - 16:49) (USS Spectre – Main engineering - Weapon Systems Specialist, Warrant Officer Jerral Revan - 16:49) (Ushar Prime - Went'uli - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor and Ensign (jg) Emma Morrissey - 16:50) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Rising Dawn Medical Facility – CMO Williams - 16:50) (USS Spectre – Main engineering – Nurse Douwsy - 16:53) (USS Spectre – Main engineering – Weapon systems specialist, Warrant Officer Jerral Revan - 16:54) (Ushar Prime - Learning Centre - SO Ensign Nathanial Yates - 16:55) (Ushar Prime - Learning Centre - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 16:57) (Ushar Prime - Learning Centre - SO Ensign Nathanial Yates - 16:58) (USS Spectre – Bridge – CONN – Pilot Officer Smith - 16:58) (USS Spectre – Main engineering – Nurse Douwsy - 17:02) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Rising Dawn Medical Facility – Dr Mun’Char's research lab - CMO Williams - 17:03) (USS Spectre – Main engineering – Weapons System Specialist, Warrant Officer Jerral Revan - 17:04) (Unknown Vessel - Cockpit - "Venom Nine" - 17:05) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Public Shopping Complex - SFI Agent - Lt. Cmdr Brian Rogers - 17:08) (Ushar Prime - Learning Centre - Ensign Jynea Kreung – 17:10) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, North Access - USO Min'Kat - 17:11) (Ushar Prime - Library Resources - Captain T'Vhor - 17:14) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, North Access - ATAC/ASC Ensign Goldsteen - 17:17) (Ushar Prime – Zamzurrin Semi-Prefecture, Tertiaty Block – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 17:17) (USS Spectre - Security Station Foxtrot – Security officer Smith - 17:17) (Ushar Prime – Zamzurrin Semi-Prefecture, Tertiaty Block – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 17:17) (Ushar Prime – Primary Weather Control, first level – Ensign Bys’At – 17:30) (Ushar Prime – Primary Weather Control, second level – Ensign Paul Morphy – 17:30) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Rising Dawn Medical Facility - CMO Williams - 17:30) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - Lance Corporal Yzak Moriuchi - 17:30) (Ushar Prime - Primary Weather Control - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 17:31) (Ushar Prime - Primary Weather Control, second level - Ensign Paul Morphy - 17:32) (Ushar Prime - Captial City Rising Dawn Medical Facility - SFI Agent - Lt. Cmdr Brian Rogers - 17:35) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Rising Dawn Medical Facility – CMO Williams - 17:42) (Ushar Prime – City Outskirts, "Old Town" Amusement Park – Ensign Jynea Kreung – 17:45) (Ushar Prime - Went'uli - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor and Ensign (jg) Emma Morrissey - 17:50) (Ushar Prime – Capital City, Rising Dawn Medical Facility - Captain T'Vhor - 17:50) (Ushar Prime – City Outskirts, "Old Town" Amusement Park – SO, Ensign Nathanial Yates – 17:50) (Ushar Prime - City Outskirts, "Old Town" Amusement Park - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 17:52) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Rising Dawn Medical Facility – CMO Williams - 17:53) (Ushar Prime - City Outskirts, "Old Town" Amusement Park - SO, Ensign Nathanial Yates - 17:55) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, Rising Dawn Medical Facility - SFI Agent, Lt. Cmdr Brian Rogers - 17:55) (Shuttle Craft Poltergeist - Approaching the USS Spectre - Counsellor, Ensign Pan Dore' - 17:55) (USS Spectre - Bridge – Lieutenant (jg) George La Flaga - 17:55) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, Rising Dawn Medical Facility - Captain T'Vhor - 17:56) (USS Spectre - Bridge - TAC/SC Lt Yelena Vasilyovna - 17:57) (USS Spectre - Bridge – SFI Lieutenant George La Flaga - 17:57) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Rising Dawn Medical Facility - SFI Agent Lt. Cmdr Brian Rogers - 17:57) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room - Engineer's Mate, CPO M'Rurrh - 17:57) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room - Counsellor, Ensign Pan Dore' - 17:59) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, Rising Dawn Medical Facility – CMO Williams - 17:59) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room - Engineer's Mate, CPO M'Rurrh - 18:00) (USS Spectre - Bridge – Pilot Officer Smith – 18:00) (Ushar Prime - RD Medical Facility – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 18:00) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room - Counselor, Ensign Pan Dore' - 18:02) (Ushar Prime - RD Medical Facility – ATAC/ASC Ensign Alex Goldsteen - 18:03) (Ushar Prime - RD Medical Facility – Captain T'Vhor - 18:04) (Ushar Prime - RD Medical Facility – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 18:05) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Lieutenant (jg) George La Flaga - 18:05) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, Rising Dawn Medical Facility - SFI Agent Lt. Cmdr Brian Rogers - 18:08) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, Rising Dawn Medical Facility - Captain T'Vhor - 18:09) (Ushar Prime – RD Medical Facility – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 18:09) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, Rising Dawn Medical Facility - SFI Agent Lt. Cmdr Brian Rogers - 18:10) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, Rising Dawn Medical Facility - Captain T'Vhor - 18:10) (USS Spectre - Counseling Suite - Counselor, Ensign Pan Dore' - 18:10) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, Rising Dawn Medical Facility - CMO Williams - 18:11) (Ushar Prime - Went'uli - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 18:12) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, Rising Dawn Medical Facility - CMO Williams - 18:15) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room - Counselor, Ensign Pan Dore' - 18:16) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room - Engineer's Mate, CPO M'Rurrh - 18:17) (USS Spectre - Transporter room one - CMO Williams - 18:18) (Ushar Prime - Went'uli, the city streets - Counselor, Ensign Pan Dore' - 18:18) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Rising Dawn Medical Facility - SFI Agent Lt. Cmdr Brian Rogers - 18:19) (Ushar Prime - Went'uli - FO Commander O'Connor and SciO Ensign Morrissey - 18:20) (Ushar Prime - Went'uli - Counselor. Ensign Pan Dore' - 18:20) (Ushari Prime - Went'uli - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 18:23) (USS Spectre - Security Console - ATAC/ASC Ensign Goldsteen - 18:30) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Public Shopping Complex - ATAC/ASC ensign Goldsteen - 19:00) ========================================================================= Mission: A Little Piece of Hell Stardate: 2408.05.12 (USS Steel Talons – Admiral’s Quarter, Admiral’s Office – Admiral Robert LoDona – 04:50) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 17 Stardate: 2408.02.01 (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 15:17) "Sir, I shall make a special note in the logs noting your time of arrival to the meeting" replied Ensign Goldsteen. Chuck was taken aback with shock. It was the first words from the officer Chuck had ever heard resemble humor. He looked at Goldsteen, then over to Yates, then back to Goldsteen. “Thank … you, Mr. Goldsteen.” Chuck swallowed hard, “That’s the first time I’ve heard you make a joke. Do I owe Counselor Sella a debt of gratitude?” (reply Goldsteen) (reply Goldsteen, Yates, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Marine Messhall - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 16:00) Rameriz was bored. Here they were at a perfectly nice Federation world with perfectly nice bars and even some non-furry women and they were locked up on ship like the Captain didn't trust them with allies. Weren't they due a little leave and excitement? No, they were kept on the ship doing drills, pacing the same paths they'd paced a thousand times before and cleaning their fingernails with their boot knives. Bored didn't even begin to cover the state of mind Rameriz was in. "Promotions are in." Reported the on-duty Sergeant. Rameriz didn't move from where he was building a castle out of bottle caps. "Hey Rameriz, that means you too!" "Beh." He muttered and swept his hand through the two foot high, six foot wide construction. Bottle caps clattered to the floor and skittered every which way. "Didn'ts you hear? I'm in trouble man! I don't gets promotions!" "You're on the best ship in the fleet and you've kept your nose clean. That's about all it takes when they're rather short on living marines." The sergeant came over, looking at the bottle caps everywhere. "Now clean up your mess Corporal and get out of here. You're driving me nuts." "Corporal? Woohoo! I ain'ts never been a corporal before!" He jumped up and gave the man a big kiss on each cheek. "Blargh!" He shoved the crazy Spaniard away. "I thought you were a Sergeant at one point in your career!" "Oh yeah, I was.. But they jumped me ups two grades.. when dey figureds it out at a review board, dey tossed me back down two grades and busted me a rank for the whole cream in the shower thing." Rameriz was happily tossing bottle caps into the recyc's mouth with casual ease. The Sergeant closed one eye in a wince and regretted asking even as he did, "Cream in the shower?" "Oh yeahs.. See, Private Lickman, he's was HAIRY man. Sooo hairy.. and he always insisteds on doin' PT without a tunic. Who wants to look at that shedding bear skin? Nots me, nots you, nots no one with eyes in their head! So, I brokes into the overhead for the showers and rigged his to spray downs a depilatory with tha water." Rameriz shrugged, tossing a few more bottle caps into recyc. "Seemed like a goods idea.. untils da officer showers were in for rehaul and da Colonel used *our* shower." Rameriz shook his head sadly, "An' he had NO sense of humours, man!" The Sergeant could only imagine the lack of humour in a colonel at finding himself hairless. "Yeah, okay, when you're done cleaning this up, get out. Go find something to blow up in the holodeck or something." Blow stuff up! Now that was an order Rameriz could happily follow "Aye Aye!" he said happily, bouncing on the balls of his feet. He grabbed the remaining bottle caps in scoops and shoved them into recyc. And it being an order, he didn't have to pay for the holodeck time out of *his* paltry energy credit stock. Why did sangria have to taste so good and cost so much to ship? (Reply any/all) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 16:20) H'Chir was sat on the floor of the engineering deck, his back resting against the barrier between the crew and workstations and the warp core itself. A quiet murmur buzzed in the background, individual conversations disguised by the gentle hum of the core of a starship 'at ease'. Around him, various engineering personnel stepped over or around his legs as they went about their business. H'Chir blocked them out; they'd call for him if they needed him. In his hand he held a PADD hooked up to a looped feed from the sensors. An abstract representation of the Ferengi ship hung in the centre of the display; it didn't exactly conform for the physical or visible arrangements of the ship, but to someone in the know the Ferengi vessel was as clear as if he were looking out a view-port. On the display, one area fizzed with a faint green signature momentarily and returned to normal. The screen jumped momentarily as it returned to the beginning of the time-frame and restarted. Several seconds later the green fuzz reappeared... and was gone. H'Chir grunted. The cargo holds the away team had encountered were now empty. The Ferengi had done exactly what they said they were here to do; beamed down their cargo, presumably at a profit... =/\= Ensign Bys'At, assemble an engineering team... =/\= (Reply any, none) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre - Bridge - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 16:24) "Sir, we have an incoming transmission from the Captain," the Op officer on duty said looking over his shoulder. "Put him through," Michael said, looking forward to hearing the news from the surface. =/\=Commander O'Conner, you may begin beaming down small parties of crew at will, bearing standard Federation protocol in mind of course. In addition, we will be needing a dedicated Engineering team to inspect the remaining Federation equipment on the surface=/\=, said the Captain. "Of Course sir, I'll have teams beaming down shortly to cities besides the capital and I'll send an engineering team down as well," Michael said as he tapped out a few commands on his armrest. "Sir, any progress with the Government?" =/\=Everything is as we expected, the Ushari are reluctant at this point to engage in any discussion that takes them away from their current arrangement. Also, there is no direct evidence immediately available at this moment in time that would lead us to feel that they should=/\=, said the Captain. "I'll have tactical and ops keep an eye on the comings and goings in the local area." Michael said. =/\=I agree, we should maintain a close watch on any new arrivals entering Ushari space, we will continue to see what we can ascertain on the ground in regards the background of any backer providing assistance here. T'Vhor out=/\= When the line was cut, Michael opened a line of his own. "Lieutenant Sella, Ensigns Taya, Pelletier, and Morrissey, report to Transporter room 2 in fifteen minutes for away team duty. Ensign Bys'At, assemble an engineering team, the Government and the Captain would like a team to inspect the weather control systems to ensure they're still up to standards. When you're ready, contact The Ushari Weather Control Administration for the coordinates of your first beam down. O'Connor Out." (Reply Sella, Taya, Pelletier, Morrissey, H'Chir, Bys'At) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse T'Pia Pelletier - 16:25) T'Pia had been trying to cover Dr. Williams shift during the away mission when her commbadge chirped. =/\=Lieutenant Sella, Ensigns Taya, Pelletier, and Morrissey, report to Transporter room 2 in fifteen minutes for away team duty. Ensign Bys'At, assemble an engineering team, the Government and the Captain would like an team to inspect the weather control systems to ensure they're still up to standards. When you're ready, contact The Ushari Weather Control Administration for the coordinates of your first beam down. O'Connor Out.=/\= "Nurse Dowsy, I'll be beaming to the surface of the planet. You'll have to find someone else to cover Sickbay but it shouldn't be too difficult. If you have any problems contact me." Said Pelletier nodding to the Nurse. (reply Dowsy) (reply Dowsy, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 16:26) =/\= Ensign Bys'At, assemble an engineering team, the Government and the Captain would like an team to inspect the weather control systems to ensure they're still up to standards. When you're ready, contact The Ushari Weather Control Administration for the coordinates of your first beam down. O'Connor Out. =/\= H'Chir felt several pairs of eyes on him as the comm-channel closed. Several expectant glances in his direction, ready to see how he'd react to Ensign Bys'At being contacted in his place. With a rueful grin H'Chir barked, "Well, Ensign, you heard the man. Choose your team and let's go!" (Reply Bys'At, any) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Ensign Bys'At - 16:26) =/\= Ensign Bys'At, assemble an engineering team, the Government and the Captain would like a team to inspect the weather control systems to ensure they're still up to standards. When you're ready, contact The Ushari Weather Control Administration for the coordinates of your first beam down. O'Connor Out. =/\= Bys'At held a puzzled look on his face. He blinked several times and eyed H'Chir from head to foot (or rather from head to crossed legs on the floor ... a strange but typical position for the Chief). With a rueful grin H'Chir barked, "Well, Ensign, you heard the man. Choose your team and let's go!" "Right on it, Sir." Responded Bys'At ~Command has finally recognized my brilliance. Granted, the circumstances are rather unusual but ... he was Bys'At. Incontrovertible logic.~ Bys'At tapped his commbadge. "Bys'At to Ensigns Morphy and Halloran, meet me in twenty minutes in transporter room three." "Are you ready to go, Sir?" asked Bys'At turning to be abreast of H'Chir. (reply H'Chir, Morphy, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Jeffrey's Tube Cross-Section (deck 5) - Ensign Paul Morphy - 16:26) Paul was crawling through the Jeffrey's Tube and was about to reach a ladder extension when his commbadge chirped. =/\=Bys'At to Ensigns Morphy and Bristed, meet me in twenty minutes in transporter room three.=/\= came the voice over the badge. Paul laid his head facedown on the floor of the tube. ~I guess that's what I get for being friends with him.~ Paul thought a moment more, ~Wow, that's the first time I ever thought of him as a friend. Oh, well, at least he's not quite like Gorlan.~ It took an act of extreme self will for Paul to lift himself up and continue crawling through the tube. He'd make it to the transporter room on time ... unless he was unavoidably delayed. (reply any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse Douwsy - 16:26) Douwsy paused and looked up as the comm system activated. =/\=Lieutenant Sella, Ensigns Taya, Pelletier, and Morrissey, report to Transporter room 2 in fifteen minutes for away team duty. Ensign Bys'At, assemble an engineering team, the Government and the Captain would like an team to inspect the weather control systems to ensure they're still up to standards. When you're ready, contact The Ushari Weather Control Administration for the coordinates of your first beam down. O'Connor Out.=/\= ~That’s nice. A little trip planet side. Wonder what the shopping is like~ "Nurse Dowsy, I'll be beaming to the surface of the planet. You'll have to find someone else to cover Sickbay but it shouldn't be too difficult. If you have any problems contact me." “Not a problem go and enjoy yourself.” Douwsy grinned to herself as she watched Palleter leave sickbay. She shook her head as she headed off to find Heyes. (reply any) (posted by Robbie (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 16:27) "Right on it, sir." There was a pause during which H'Chir could only guess what the Ensign was thinking. He seemed to come to some conclusion, stating, "Bys'At to Ensigns Morphy and Halloran, meet me in twenty minutes in transporter room three." H'Chir struggled to keep from nodding his approval at the choice of landing party. "Are you ready to go, sir?" H'Chir already had his toolkit and tricorder packed and ready to go. "Lead on." He waited for the Ensign's back to be turned and heading out the door before smiling and adding, "Sir." (Reply any) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 2 - FO Commander O'Connor, Lieutenant (jg) Sella, Ensign (jg) Morrissey - 16:30) Michael waited until his away team was gathered, and looked around. "All right folks, We're going to be heading down to the planet to mix and mingle. Your only specific duties are to keep your eyes and ears open. Think of it as structured shore leave. Take in a show, grab dinner, explore the markets or museums. We're looking for a barometer of the civilian population's attitude towards us and their own government. Just don't start interviewing people, if you get into a conversation about it fine, but lets not look like we're interrogating people. Check in with the ship every hour, so we know you didn't accidentally fall down a shaft or something. I'm not going to require you to head down in teams, this is a Federation World after all, however if you do head out alone, check in every half hour instead and keep to more public places." Michael said. "Feel free to pick your city or town, every place is open except for the Capital city as the captain and his team are already there. Other than that, you can leave at your leisure." Michael then caught Morrissey's eye and motioned her off to the side. Sella patted the thigh pouch where she kept her collapsible cane for away missions such as this, to make sure it was secure then turned to face the other two women. "I think the First Officer and Ensign Morrissey are going to be one group. As there's three of us, I'd be willing to head off on my own if you think three would be too many?" Sella asked. (Reply Taya, Pelletier with room for more) Eventually, when everyone was ready they moved on to the transporters in their groups and beamed down to the surface. (Reply Taya, Pelletier). (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 2 – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier – 16:32) Sella patted the thigh pouch where she kept her collapsible cane for away missions such as this, to make sure it was secure then turned to face the other two women. "I think the First Officer and Ensign Morrissey are going to be one group. As there's three of us, I'd be willing to head off on my own if you think three would be too many?" Sella asked. “I have no preference. Although I am curious what Ensign Taya has to say about a company of three.” Replied T’Pia coldly glancing at Taya. (reply Taya) (posted by Anton) (Ushar Prime - Reception Hall – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 16:34) “… T'Vhor out", said the Captain before returning his attention to Chuck. "Have the rest of the away team members report in at forty minute intervals", said the Captain, "it appears that we have a dinner engagement in three and one half hours, let us use our time now to see if we can find anything pertinent from the local resources that might be available to off worlders such as ourselves", he added with a raise of an eyebrow. “Yes, Sir.” Said Chuck excitedly … not that he was at all interested in ‘clubbing’ in the bowels of a mole planet. NRPG: time of transmission = 16:35 … this is all after Jynea’s opinions … I wanted to post more on it but This should catch everybody up and give all something to post about it. RPG: “All Away Team Personal, The Captain has recommended that you freely explore Ushar Prime provided you report in at forty minute intervals.” Said Chuck tapping his commbadge and unusually emphasizing ‘recommended’ to illustrate the order without giving too much to any Ushari within earshot of any of the commbadge reports. “Will that work for you, Captain?” Chuck asked. (reply T’Vhor, all away team members) (reply T’Vhor, all away team members, all) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse Douwsy - 16:34) Douwsy found Heyes checking some equipment. “Heyes, I’m going to do some of the routine emergency medi kit checks. Nurse Pelletier has gone planet side so you will be in charge for the time being.” She gave Heyes a smile. “Don’t worry. Nurse Marshall will be coming in shortly and if you have any problems just call me and activate the EMH if its nasty enough.” (reply Heyes) Douwsy nodded. She then headed for the door and scooped up her PADD as she left sickbay. (reply Heyes, any) (posted by Robbie) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Public Shopping Complex - SFI Agent - Lt.Cmdr Brian Rogers - 16:35) "What are you doing here?" The Ushari woman at the bar asked. "I work in the dilithium trade," Brian said with a convincing smile. The woman had a facial reaction. Rogers couldn't tell if she believed him or not. "What's with the Starfleet uniform then?" she asked, her tone growing more distant. Rogers shrugged. "I didn't say my trading was... legal," he said, mocking the roguish air of criminals and terrorists that he had monitored numerous times while with Intelligence. The molish woman made sort of a shivering reaction. Brian decided she was intrigued by his comment, though she could be disguised. "Don't you have a ship?" she asked. "Well, there's the ship I'm posted on," Brian said, tracing a small circle on the bar with his finger, "Then there are the ships that I run on the side," he hinted. "Ahhh, a... smuggler," she said, her eyes darting back and forth. "Is business good?" she said, sounding more and more interested. "I'm afraid, not," Rogers said, sounding disappointed. "Have you heard about the Deputy Warden on Rura Penthe?" he asked. The woman shook her head. "He was my inside man on the dilithium out of that hell hole. The Klingons found out and his head ended up on a pike." The Ushari woman's eyes light up. "Really!" The Lt. Commander nodded. "Quite. Now, I need to start getting some rock out of Ushar Prime. You don't happen to work in dilithium, do you?" Rogers asked, trying to sound interested. "I might," she suggested. "I might be an administrative assistant for the mining office of a local Dilithium mine if you can... borrow me some money," she said with an evil grin. They both knew the true meaning of borrow. "How much?" The molish looking Ushari looked into Rogers' eyes. She seemed to enjoy trying to think up a price. "Two...." she paused dramatically. "Strips, of gold-pressed latinum," she said with a smile. "Fine," Brian said, sounding dissatisfied. "I won't pay in uniform, and not in public," he said. "By the way, what's the deal with the Federation?" he asked. "What?" she said, sounding alarmed. "They're not selling Dilithium to the Federation anymore. Why?" Rogers said, his tone dropping the smuggler atmosphere. The woman shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Why do you want to know?" she asked. "Because, I want to know who's going to be trying to shoot down my ships," Brian lied. The woman seemed put off. "I'll look into it for you," she said. Her smile returned and she pulled a small golden box from her handbag. "Care for some Hupyrian beetle snuff?" she asked. Rogers turned up his nose, "Never liked the stuff." The Ushari woman's smile disappeared again, and she stood up from the bar. "I'll go find out your answers. Meet me outside in 30 minutes," she said, before promptly leaving. Brian glanced over to see how Goldsteen was doing at the bar, then sat by himself, carefully pondering what he had gotten himself into. (reply none, yet) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, Reception Hall - Captain T'Vhor - 16:36) “Will that work for you, Captain?”, asked the Lieutenant. The Captain paused just briefly, glancing towards the Ushari security as he did so, then he turned to face Donaldson once more. "This works perfectly for me Lieutenant", said the Captain, "In the interim, I feel that given Ensign Kreungs observations earlier, we should now avail ourselves of any attempt we come across to garner the Ushari's failing confidence in the federation", he added. (Reply Donaldson) "As Ensign Kreung has noted, it is quite obvious that they wish to feel important, other than their being seen as a Dilithium repository that is. Given this chance to explore, we may find existing situations that may be beneficial to both us and the Ushari", said the Captain. (Reply Donaldson, Any) "Lieutenant Commander Rogers, the Doctor and Ensign Goldsteen have all headed East to the social and Medical areas of the Capital, it would be logical that we 'explore' in an entirely seperate area in order to maximise our chances of success", said the Captain. (Reply Donaldson, Kreung, Any) (Posted by Alan) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, Public Shopping Complex - Bartender Leena - 16:36) "Uh oh, what do we have here then?", said the somewhat overly cheerful but curiously Human barkeep. A Human living and working on Ushar Prime was certainly not a common sight, and one could be forgiven for asking, whatever next? This particular Human had just spent the last ten minutes chatting to Bi'Lar, one of the Ushari climate control technicians that regularly graced the establishment after finishing their respective work shifts on the surface. Bi'Lar had simply huffed his disapproval as he turned his attention in the direction Leena had motioned, his eyes narrowed just slightly as he watched them casing the bar as though looking for something amiss. As far as he were concerned they were always like that, skulking about like Ferengi intent on securing the most profitable deals and Bi'Lar held a particular dislike for 'Starfleet' officers. "They'll start asking questions, mark my words. Damned fleeters", said Bi'Lar, "they always do", he added as he sullenly turned his attention back to his now empty glass. Leena shook her head as he looked dolefully right into the bottom of it, then she took the liberty to fill it from the bottle that stood nearby, much to the Ushari's obvious pleasure. "So long as they can pay, then their welcome", said the Bartender as she watched the two starfleet officers part and then head off in different directions. One of them appeared to be heading in her direction, or at least towards the bar anyway. Leena smiled upon his approach noting as she did so that this ones rank was lower than the others, the pins affixed to his collar denoted that much and Leena, being not unknowledgable in Federation regalia recognised him thus as an Ensign. His colleague, now apparently chatting up a nearby Ushari female was a Lieutenant Commander. "What do you recommend?", said the fleeter leaning one arm onto her bar and then glancing briefly about the room as though trying to look calm and relaxed, which probably meant that he wasn't. "Well Ensign, for starters I'd recommend a drink", said Leena with a mischievious smile, "I do a curious one known throughout the TD system as a Tamarillian screw", she added with an almost Vulcan raise of an eyebrow. "I'll take that then", said the Starfleet officer, without even bothering to ask what it would be containing. For all he knew it could have been made from the churned innards of one of Ushars indiginous vermin lifeforms, as it was however it was not! Leena cast a wink towards the now curious Bi'Lar who shook his head as though sure the fleeter wouldn't be able to palate what she'd suggested, then he watched as she proceded to mix the order with well practiced ease. It took Leena roughly a minute and a half to mix the four required ingredients in the order needed, a few seconds to provide the acknowledged nod in response to the Ensigns remark of things being slow, another half to allow the contents of the drink to react and then settle and just a few more seconds to place it all before the Federation officer, who nodded and then cautiously picked it up to survey the contents through the glass before placing it back upon the bar. "So what brings the Federation to Ushar Prime?", asked the Bartender in an almost nonchallant manner, "no, don't tell me..... your running short on stones", she added as she leant onto her side of the bar with just a sideways glance towards Bi'Lar who was now apparently talking to his own drink. (Reply Goldsteen) (Posted by Alan) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, Reception Hall - TAC/ASC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 16:36) NRPG: I guess we're adding the 'capital city' in the tagline to differentiate those who beam down in other cities on Ushar Prime? RPG: "This works perfectly for me Lieutenant", said the Captain, "In the interim, I feel that given Ensign Kreungs observations earlier, we should now avail ourselves of any attempt we come across to garner the Ushari's failing confidence in the federation", he added. "I'm just the Assistant Security Chief, Captain. I don't get subtlety." Said Chuck grinning from ear to ear. "As Ensign Kreung has noted, it is quite obvious that they wish to feel important, other than their being seen as a Dilithium repository that is. Given this chance to explore, we may find existing situations that may be beneficial to both us and the Ushari", said the Captain. The Captain seemed to be trying hard to ignore Chuck's humor. Chuck changed his tone the second time, "What do you suggest we do, sir?" "Lieutenant Commander Rogers, the Doctor and Ensign Goldsteen have all headed East to the social and Medical areas of the Capital, it would be logical that we 'explore' in an entirely separate area in order to maximize our chances of success", said the Captain. Chuck flipped open a tricorder and took some readings. "Everyone seems fine ... it looks like we should go, " Chuck paused and then pointed at a nearby door, "that way." (Reply T'Vhor, Kreung, Any) (Posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 2 – Counselor Lieutenant (jg) Sella – 16:36) After arranging the group, Sella broached the subject of location. "I'm actually interested in visiting one of their universities. If that's ok with others." Sella said. (Reply Pelletier, Taya? and assuming yes, we can always jump to someplace else later) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 2 – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier – 16:36) After arranging the group, Sella broached the subject of location. "I'm actually interested in visiting one of their universities. If that's ok with others." Sella said. “I’m fine with it.” Said T’Pia shortly. (reply Taya IYW) “Which university are we going to see? I can pull up information from the Federation database on it.” Quipped T’Pia. (reply Sella, Taya, any) (posted by Anton) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Public Shopping Complex - ATAC/ASC- Ensign Goldsteen - 16:40) "So what brings the Federation to Ushar Prime?", asked the Bartender in an almost nonchallant manner, "no, don't tell me..... your running short on stones", she added as she leant onto her side of the bar with just a sideways glance towards Bi'Lar who was now apparently talking to his own drink. "Well" Alex answered with a straight face "stones happen to be a rare and precious commodity these days. We have to get them from wherever we can." Then with a grin he picked up his glass and swirled its contents. "I have to admit, from your friend's reaction I am wondering how well my digestive system will respond to your drink." (reply bartender) Alex gave her a dubious glance before carefully sipping the drink. ~I swear if this poisons me I am going to be so annoyed.~ "Its good" he said in surprise, "very good. Where in the universe did you learn the recipe for that?" (reply Bartender) "Really," Alex responded with raised eyebrows, "How did you get from there to here?" ~Give me an angle to work with here, I do not want to spend two hours dancing around trying to get something out of you~ (reply Bartender) (posted by Dan Black) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Public Shopping Complex - Bartender Leena - 16:42) The Fleeter had answered the question in a predicable manner, so they had to get their Dilithium wherever they could these days uh? The last thing she'd heard through her little part of the grapevine was that a better deal had simply been had, and that the Federation was now stumped for a reliable supply of rock. Rura Penthe was always an option of course, if you could manage to sidestep whatever dodgy deal was going down at the moment of your arrival that is, and then, assuming you even made it off the ice world with all four limbs still in the general vicinity of your body. Whatever the case, it seemed that Dilithium was trading at a high these days, which made Ushar a busy place to say the very least. The young Ensign then picked up his glass and studied it before addressing Leena once more. "I have to admit, from your friend's reaction I am wondering how well my digestive system will respond to your drink", he said. "Bi'Lar is an ass, he feels that you would not enjoy the combination of bitter and sweet in the same medium, Human's rarely do", said Leena, "but your a big strong lad, I'm quite sure that your digestion system will cope admirably", she added as she watched the Ensign pause and then take a furtive sip of the cool green liquid. "It's good", said the Fleeter, "very good. Where in the universe did you learn the recipe for that?" Leena closed one eye and then screwed up her mouth in contemplation. "Someplace south of the Tendaris Cluster", said Leena with a reminiscing gaze upwards, "I believe it was in a rather seedy little bar on Gamma Ceti 4....if my memory serves me correctly that is", she added. "Imparted to me by a Denobulan trader, who in turn was told the recipe by a..... I forget, but anyway", said Leena. "Really, how did you get from there to here?", asked the Starfleet Officer, clearly doing exactly what Bi'Lar had said he would do now, which was to start asking more searching questions! Leena pushed herself up into an upright position and eyed the Fleeter curiously, before then going off into a sort of pretend imitation of an android information bank. "Translation matrix initiated, multi-lingual parsing and structural analysis online, statement equates to..... 'What's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this'", she stated with a smile and then a cursory wink. (Reply Goldsteen, IYW) The Ensign seemed puzzled but took another sip of the drink anyway. "How do you think I got here", she asked rhetorically, "on a ship which was heading from one place to another, I tended bar in one place until the clientelle, the credits or the place itself dried up, then I moved on, eventually ending up on Ushar in the same mother f..... well, you know", said Leena as another customer duly arrived for her particular brand of service. "Excuse me", said Leena, "this one definately IS in danger of drying up, if you get my meaning", she added before moving off towards the new arrival and leaving the Ensign briefly to his drink. (Reply Goldsteen, IYW) Three minutes later and she was back to notice that the Fleeter's glass was now almost empty. "Seems your digestive system is working just fine to me", said Leena, "another?" NRPG: Assuming a yes here. RPG: (Reply Goldsteen) A second drink then arrived just short of the time the first one had took to arrive beforehand. "I'm curious...", said Leena leaning once again onto the bar. "Your friend, the Lieutenant Commander, she isn't the best person that he should be making deals with", said Leena with a sideways motion of her head in the relevant direction. (Reply Goldsteen) Leena huffed and shook her head. "Darling, I know a deal when I see one, I've seen so many being struck I can smell them with my eyes closed", said Leena, "don't try and tell me that isn't a deal going down", she added. (Reply Goldsteen) "Really, I would watch your friend if I were you, that's all I'm saying. Looks the sort to get himself into trouble without even trying if my opinion is of any worth at all", said Leena. (Reply Goldsteen, Any) (Posted by Alan) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Public Shopping Complex - ATAC/ASC Ensign Goldsteen - 16:45) "Translation matrix initiated, multi-lingual parsing and structural analysis online, statement equates to..... 'What's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this'", she stated with a smile and then a cursory wink. "Well I just go where my ship takes me," Alex responded while attempting to make sense out of the bartender's response. "How do you think I got here", she asked rhetorically, "on a ship which was heading from one place to another, I tended bar in one place until the clientelle, the credits or the place itself dried up, then I moved on, eventually ending up on Ushar in the same mother f..... well, you know", said Leena as another customer duly arrived for her particular brand of service. "Excuse me", said Leena, "this one definately IS in danger of drying up, if you get my meaning", she added before moving off towards the new arrival and leaving the Ensign briefly to his drink. Alex busied himself drinking the admittedly tasty drink while he attempted to figure out a more subtle angle, since his first attempt was clearly seen through. Three minutes later and she was back to notice that the Fleeter's glass was now almost empty. "Seems your digestive system is working just fine to me", said Leena, "another?" "Please," Alex responded trying to buy more time with which to think up an angle. ~I shouldn't be having this much trouble getting information out of her...but then again using my standard method would require her to be under arrest and interrogated. I must remember to practice getting information from casual encounters.~ A second drink then arrived just short of the time the first one had took to arrive beforehand. "I'm curious...", said Leena leaning once again onto the bar. "Your friend, the Lieutenant Commander, she isn't the best person that he should be making deals with", said Leena with a sideways motion of her head in the relevant direction. Alex began to frown, but quickly hid it under a grin. "I really doubt the lieutenant Commander is the type to make deals, he's a very law-abiding officer." Leena huffed and shook her head. "Darling, I know a deal when I see one, I've seen so many being struck I can smell them with my eyes closed", said Leena, "don't try and tell me that isn't a deal going down", she added. Alex took a quick gulp of his drink to ponder the Bartender's words. "I doubt it is anything" he muttered. "Really, I would watch your friend if I were you, that's all I'm saying. Looks the sort to get himself into trouble without even trying if my opinion is of any worth at all", said Leena. "I'll keep that in mind, and don't knock your opinion, it seems to be as sound as any." Alex watched Rogers leave, but he was given no signal to follow him. He shrugged and was about to go back to his drink when he heard the sound of phasers being fired. With a curse he quickly ran out the door hoping that Rogers hadn't done anything stupid. To his horror he found Rogers lying on the ground, and Alex was not sure whether or not he was dead. He hurried over to check his vitals and was relieved to find that Rogers was simply unconscious. "What happened?" He demanded of the Ushari patrolmen that were hurrying towards him. (reply Ushari police) Nervously Alex tapped his combadge knowing that he had to report the situation. "Ensign Alex to Captain T'Vhor" (reply T'Vhor) "Captain we have a problem, Lieutenant Commander Rogers got into some sort of violent confrontation and he was knocked unconscious by a phaser. The Ushari police who saw the fight aren't sure who started it, and so they want to take Rogers in for questioning." (reply T'Vhor) (posted by Dan Black) (USS Spectre – Transporter Room 3 – Ensign Bys’At - 16:45) The away team had been assembled. Bys’At was trying desperately to figure out what he could do to encourage the group. Paul was fidgeting with anticipation, Jacqueline was furiously attacking yet another cup of coffee, and H’Chir … he was always blue. “Well, we’re all here and we have our equipment prepared. I think it’s time to step on the platform and drop down to the surface.” Bys’At tried to stifle his usual desires but he just couldn’t, “I’m very excited!!” Bys’At leapt up onto the platform and took the forward position. “Let’s get going!” he proclaimed. (reply, Bristed, Morphy, H’Chir, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Transporter Room 3 – Ensign Paul Morphy - 16:45) ~I’m here … don’t get too giddy over it, Bys’At.~ Paul had acquired a heavy uniform jacket on his way to the transporter room and had his hands buried deep inside the thick pockets with his elbows bent. “I’m very excited!!” Bys’At exclaimed leaping up onto the transporter platform, “Let’s get going!” Paul just shrugged and made his way leisurely onto the platform. ~Whose idea was it to put Mr. Happy in charge?~ “Are you just auditing on this away mission, Sir?” Paul asked looking at H’Chir. (reply H’Chir) (posted by Anton) (Ushar Prime - Learning Center - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 16:45) She'd wanted to see the children in school, to hear what they learned and see how they interacted. She'd been curious as the make-up of the population. While she realized most of the residents seemed to be Ushari, there weren't a lot of other races represented that she'd seen so far. A few humans, no Ferengi. She wasn't very good at this cloak and dagger stuff, so she was perfectly happy to be introduced to "Administrator Davees" and taken off to the school grounds. Her shadow with a phasor followed suit. Jynea turned her communicator on so everything could be recorded. She wanted to know what was being said out of her ear shot. The children were out of class, but playing on the grounds. A mixture of organized sports and kids being kids. The age range seemed to be from what would be six in a human to pubescent. This appeared to be what would be an elementary school on Earth. "She has green skin!" one Ushari blurted out, then covered her mouth with an embarrassed gesture. Her friends were shushing her. "I do." Jynea said with a friendly smile. "I'm an Orion. I grew up on Terra though." "Are you a plant?" One of the girl's friends asked with open curiousity. He hadn't been one of the shushers. Jynea sat down on the dirt, not much caring about the state of her uniform. Captain T'Vhor would probably twitch when she came back covered in mud and dirt. Oh well, could take the farm girl off the planet, but couldn't take the farm girl out of .. how did that saying go? She looked at the children around her. It was a crowd that was slowly growing. "No, I'm a mammal like you. Though, I will admit, I do like sunshine!" This caused a bit of flutter and conversation. The Ushari didn't seem to think sunshine was necessary when there was perfectly good artificial full-spectrum light while some of the other humanoids admitted they missed sun and storm. Jynea spent several enjoyable minutes answering questions about Orions. "Why does the Federation hate us?" Asked one sullen boy. The shock rippled through the crowd and the teacher looked horrified. Jynea gestured she didn't mind the question. Jynea looked up at him, considering him seriously. "The Federation doesn't hate you, why do you think it does?" Parents opinions easily reflected through children without the censorship the parents would offer would certainly make the diplomatic team happy to hear. "Well, it doesn't CARE about us then! It only sends you to talk to us when we stop serving you!" He accused, standing in a defensive posture, for all he looked at her aggressively, challenging her to defend the acts of the Federation. How to explain the situation to a pre-pubescent boy when she didn't really understand it herself? "The Federation is so very big, its hard for the leaders to recognize every individual world all the time." He was looking more closed with that, she tried a different tact, "The leader of your school - he knows most of your names, he knows most of your faces, but he doesn't talk with you unless you have a problem or are brought to his attention right?" That brought nods and curiosity at where she was going with this. The boy didn't look very open to the explanation. "That's kind of like the Federation. They *care* but there's only so many representatives and ships to take care of an area that's so very big and filled with so very many people. So, we only show up when there's something that needs fixing. But, if no one tells us there's a problem, we can't come try to fix it. We didn't know that there was problems here until the Dilithium stopped being traded with us, so we came to find out why and to see if we can fix problems if they exist." "You just want the Dilithium!" The boy insisted, looking ready to stop listening the little he was and leave. "It's true, we do want trade with Ushar. But, it's not just the Dilithium. We enjoy the silks from the Mesi province, we appreciate the music of your troamas, we like the fruits of your yrls trees." The children, and their teacher, seemed surprised that this space traveller knew of these things from their worlds. "And each of our worlds has something they're proud of. Earth is very proud of its grains and gadgets and likes sharing them." She spotted a girl who had a 'sparkler,' what was a hair tie on earth, was worn like a Yuletide bow on the Ushari. A small holographic device that was decorative and changed colours in reflection of its owner and the environment so it always complimented. "Your Sparkler came from Earth. I have one just like it." Well, it was in a jewellery box in her bedroom on Earth, it had been out of fashion for some years on Earth.. but memes always took time to spread. The girl touched the ornament and gave a shy duck of her head, and facial expression that Jynea read as shy friendliness. "We don't like losing friends, and that's what the Federation is. A network of friends who help and support each other. And, I guess, we haven't been very good friends lately, but we're trying to fix that." The children, and their supervisors seemed to digest this. A young boy pipped up, tired of the political discussion he didn't really understand. "Do you play Bzzik ball?" Jynea blinked, "No, but I would be happy to learn!" She rolled to her feet with ease. She could only wonder how long she'd be allowed to play before she'd be dragged back to the drudgeries of work! (Reply any) (Posted by Lorna) (Ushar Prime - Ten'tanis University - Counselor, Lieutenant (jg) Sella - 16:45) Sella pulled her cane out of thigh pocket and quickly snapped it out to it's full length. She was already sure there were too many people here for her to navigate without it, at least not easily. "You'd best lead the way, I'd likely lead us straight into a midterm exam," Sella said with a smile turning her head towards T'Pia. (Reply Pelletier) (Posted by Patrick D.) (Ushar Prime - Ten'tanis University – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier – 16:45) After the small party had completed transporting down to the surface T’Pia scanned the area. Ushari citizens were scurrying as best their mole-like bodies could carry them around the university campus "You'd best lead the way, I'd likely lead us straight into a midterm exam," Sella said with a smile turning her head towards T'Pia. Keeping a somber mind T’Pia placed a hand on Sella’s shoulder and motioned for Taya to follow. “Where at the university is the most logical to visit first?” T’Pia asked her companions. (reply Sella, Any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 3 - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 16:46) The frantic energy around Ensign Bys'At was showing no sign of dissipating as the away team finished their preparations for their trip to Ushar Prime. He'd fidgeted and fussed over each member of the team, agonized over which equipment they should bring, and now that they were finally ascending onto the transporter platform he fairly glowed in anticipation. "I'm very excited!" he stated, by way of both explanation and understatement. H'Chir made sure he could not be seen and rolled his eyes. "Are you just auditing on this away mission, Sir?" The Andorian couldn't tell if the remark was meant to show insolence, intimidation or pure curiosity - but in the end it didn't matter which. "I'm just along for the ride. Time to see how the engineering staff handle themselves outside the comfort of the jeffries tubes." And because he wasn't sure his reply had been understood he added, "*All* the engineering staff," throwing in one of his sterner looks for good measure. Addressing Bys'At he added, "Ready when you are, Sir." (Reply None) (Posted by Michael Drake) (Ushar Prime - Weather Control Station - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 16:48) As the away team twinkled into being, they took stock of their arrival outside the planet's main weather control station. Unfortunately here, as in so many other places on Ushar, 'outside' was a relative term and still tended to mean underground. "Am I the only one who thinks it's a bit odd to control the weather from underground?" The group surveyed the small ante-chamber and the rather obvious doorway that presumably led to their goal. The cavern was different to underground terrains on many worlds in that it wasn't designed to mimic the surface. H'Chir assumed that being a species who evolved below ground, the Ushari would probably spend effort in making the surface mimic their more natural environment. ~The idea's the same as most everywhere else, it's just the result that's a bit... backwards.~ That said, there was nothing backwards in the environment the Ushari had crafted for themselves. Low-level lighting in deference to what H'Chir assumed were either very sensitive or near useless eyes, and the gentle reminders of sophisticated technology lurking just outside of the average person's awareness all served to remind H'Chir that however different they may be, the Ushari are most definitely an advanced race flush with the wealth of their homeworld. (Reply Bys'At, Morphy, any) (Posted by Michael Drake) (Ushar Prime - Entertainment & Recreational Zone - Captain T'Vhor - 16:48) The door that Lieutenant Donaldson had conveniently pointed out, had led to one of the transportation shuttles that regularly ferried the population from one place to another. Ensign's Kreung and Yates had taken one of them to the Northern sector whilst the Captain and the Lieutenant had headed South. For the last ten minutes though, both the Captain and the Security Officer had interacted very little, their journey consisting of mostly observations made via the transparent panels that graced the sides of the magnetically orientated shuttle system. Upon disembark however, they found themselves in a busy urban area that seemed to be built to entertain both the locals and those that were not native to Ushar Prime itself. Predictably, Donaldson was already engaged in the process of accessing his tricorder the moment he had stepped off the platform, so the Captain duly awaited his report. (Reply Donaldson) The Captain nodded accordingly, then together they walked in the direction that most of the people seemed to be heading. The tricorder information via it's active linking with the Ushari commuter database had given them a few pointers to begin with, now all they had to do was find the relevant information. "If we could find a place where news is distributed, we may be able to access archived records and thus get a broader picture of how the Ushari themselves see recent events in regards our dealings with them", said the Captain. (Reply Donaldson, IYW) "This will also allow us to build a more complete picture of recent events and the involvement of others in regards the Dilithium mining operations", said the Captain. (Reply Donaldson) The Captain nodded again at the Security Officers observation. There were now two options open to them, library archives were a logical assumption of course and the aforementioned news system another. They could now either split up and research individually or work as one unit. As far as the CO was concerned, it would be logical that they would make better progress individually. And so it was suggested. "Would you prefer to seek out the library or the news distribution network Lieutenant?", asked the Captain. (Reply Donaldson) (Posted by Alan) (Ushar Prime - Entertainment & Recreational Zone - TAC/ASC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 16:48) Chuck had kept his tricorder linked to the Ushari Commuter Database. “Captain, we’re somewhere in the entertainment district. The Ushari have an extensive selection of entertainments here. I can’t help but notice the extensive selection of dabo houses.” Reported Chuck. "If we could find a place where news is distributed, we may be able to access archived records and thus get a broader picture of how the Ushari themselves see recent events in regards our dealings with them", said the Captain. “That’s a good idea, I’ve been looking for a news feed or anything remotely similar from the commuter database. It’s been fruitless so we’ll definitely have to find another source of information.” Said Chuck "This will also allow us to build a more complete picture of recent events and the involvement of others in regards the Dilithium mining operations", said the Captain. “There doesn’t appear to be a news feed in the commuter database but there has to be a feed somewhere on this planet. After all, having a developed system of news and information is a semi-prerequisite to becoming a federation planet.” Said Chuck. He shrugged his shoulders as the Captain nodded in approval. "Would you prefer to seek out the library or the news distribution network, Lieutenant?", asked the Captain. “I’ll track down the news distribution network if it kills me, Sir.” Said Chuck smiling. (reply T’Vhor) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Main engineering - Nurse Douwsy - 16:49) Douwsy entered main engineering, her PADD had told her that some of the emergency medical kits were due for their routine check. Although this was a boring task, she did not mind as it got her out of sickbay and around the ship. She looked around the quiet engineering. She had expected the usual hustle and bustle of engineers but it seamed quite quiet. ~Better inform the senior bod that I’m here~ She did not have to inform the person in charge that she was doing the checks but it was the polite thing to do. “Hallo is any one here?” She began to look around engineering to find someone who was in charge. (reply any in main engineering) (reply any in main engineering, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Main engineering - Weapon Systems Specialist, Warrant Officer Jerral Revan - 16:49) "No Damn it, you hook the primary phase coupling up to the wave guides like that and you'll create a variance feed back that will cause uneven wear," Jerral said with a voice a Drill instructor would be proud of. "What do they teach you at the training Depot these days?" "Sir, that's how they taught us to do it." The Crewman said. Jerral just rolled his eyes, missing his old team from the Boudicca already, he hated breaking in a new repair and maintenance crew. "You ever stop to think that if your teachers, and I use that term lightly, were as good as they think they are, that they'd be out here doing the job instead of sitting in a nice cushy chair telling other people how to do it? Look, the instruction manual isn't worth the PADD it's written on. Sure, that method works if you're firing the phasers in nice controlled settings where you won't have a single power spike, or, heaven forbid, a return fire. In the field, you have limited supplies and even more limited time in which to replace worn or broken parts. This caused many of us, real engineers that is, to actually come up with ways to make sure we don't have to crawl around the phaser array in the middle of a fire fight. You, go get a phase regulator, and then install that between the two components, and then hook the regulator into the main control systems. On top of protecting the wave guides from shifting phase during a power spike, it will give Tactical a little extra control over the phase allignment, and a tighter beam if they want it." Jerral said with a tone of disgust. "Hello is any one here?" Came a voice from the main work area. "Install those components right, and I'll show you how to actually fit them into the array when I come back." Jerral said, then turned and left the work room to see who was distracting him. Walking out he found an Orion in medical blue with Chief's tags on her collar. "What Can I do for you, Chief?" He asked, just happy to see someone with a degree of common sense, it meant that what ever was the matter was at least worth his time. (Reply Douwsy) (Posted by Patrick D.) (Ushar Prime - Went'uli - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor and Ensign (jg) Emma Morrissey - 16:50) Michael pulled his heavier uniform jacket looking around the town square. The town had been built a long while before the Federation had approached them, and as such was built in a cavern under ground. Well lit by various means, the cavern still remained colder than outside, and required a slightly warmer outfit than the ship side standard. Emma had been smarter and had just worn hers down. "Told you it would be cold down here...sir," Emma said, blushing at her near slip. "Ok, new rule, if it's just the two of us, you can call me Michael, and I'll call you Emma." Michael said. "Then how do I know the difference between Commander O'Connor and Michael O'Connor?" She asked putting her fists on her hips and looking up at him, her head quirked to one side. "Trust me you'll know, but for now, our job is to relax and mingle, and if we can, have a little fun." Michael said with a smile. "If I start calling you ensign, that's a good clue to start calling me Sir, until then you Emma, me Michael." "All Right, then I'll lead, you'll get lost." Emma said and started walking west out of the square. "I don't get lost," Michael protested. ~~Much~~ "Sure thing, and tell me that PADD you have in your pocket doesn't have that mapping program you wrote up your Junior year after you got us all lost in Boston." Emma said as they walked. Quickly changing the subject, Michael shortened his stride to match Emma's shorter one, and continued. "So, if you're leading, then where are we going?" "The market, should be off in this direction," Emma said. "And you know this how?" Michael asked sticking hands in his pocket. "One, the Industrial district is back behind us; two, it's usually on the edge between the commercial districts and the residential districts; and three... there are people carrying bags of produce and such all coming from the direction we're heading. I swear if it doesn't have a circuit or a sub-space generator, you just don't see it do you?" Emma asked with mock indignation. "Oh, I don't know, there are a few other things interest me," He said, glancing over at Emma, and making sure she saw him, causing her to blush again. "You're even more of a ham than I remember," Emma said brushing a lock of her long brown hair back over her ear. "Had to develop a pretty decent sense of humor during the war, it was either that or just shut down." Michael said with a shrug. Emma caught his hand as she noticed him almost perceptibly sink into himself. "Was it that bad?" She asked, the joking having gone out of her voice, replaced with concern. Michael stopped and pulled them out of the path of the people around them. Wanting to end the topic of conversation then and there, but not knowing how with Emma standing there holding his hand. "Yea, it was hard. When I joined Star Fleet, I never expected a war to break out. I mean, I still believe I was on the right side, but it was still hard. I saw a lot of things that no amount of time in the academy could prepare me for. I lost people under my command in the final push for Earth. Humor was the only way a lot of us on the front lines could deal with the violence." Michael said looking at Emma. "Things went differently on Earth. The Violence was more low key, but it was constant," Emma said giving Michael's hand a squeeze. "Most of us learned to deal with it, but we never really had to deal with the fighting, or the sheer terror." "The worst was never knowing when the next attack was going to happen. You couldn't relax, couldn't let your guard down even if it was quiet, you just sat there and stewed, waiting for the other shoe to drop." Michael said, then straightened up. "Still enough about the past, time to move forward." He started to move back into the crowd but was abruptly stopped by the last source he expected. Emma planted her hand on Michael's chest and exerted a force he didn't think the petite brunette was capable of. "You are not avoiding this subject," She said, her brown eyes flashing. "I'm fine, Emma, lets go find some place to eat," Michael said, "I'm hungry." "That's a load of BS and you know it," Emma said seriously, "I know you, Michael. I know when you're hurt, and I know when you're lying, because, frankly, you're not good at it. Food's a good idea, and maybe now isn't the time to go into war stories. But trust me on this, we will talk about it later. I love you, as a friend or something more, I don't know, but I care about you and you need to work through this, not ignore it." Emma smiled at Michael, "For now, though, if you're hungry, we'd best get you some food. Wouldn't want you to starve." Without waiting for his response she looped her arm through his and pulled him further down the street towards the smells of cooking food. Michael just hid a smile followed. ~~I love you too~~ (Reply None) (Posted by Patrick D.) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Rising Dawn Medical Facility – CMO Williams - 16:50) Andrew waited until Hun’Coo had left the operating theatre before he began his search. The operating theatre was immaculately clean and tidy. To tidy as some one had recently been through the place and bleached it. He began a quick but intense search of the operating theatre trying to find anything that had been missed. He eventually found what he was looking for. Behind one of the large cabinet that ringed the room was a small fragment of metal which had a strange mark on one side. He picked it up and looked at it closer he realised that the mark was the first part of a serial number. ~So this is a broken bit of medical equipment. I need to get it back the Spectre to make sure exactly what is comes from~ He slipped the fragment into his pocket as he got up. He turned as the heard the doors open. In stead of Hun’Coo standing there, there was an elderly woman glaring at him. “Who are you and what are you doing in my theatre.” Andrew paused for a moment but before he could speak Hun’Coo came into the room. “Ah Dr Mun’Char this is Dr Williams from the Federation envoy. He is interested in our facility and our nanobote program. Would you mind showing him the research labs I have work that needs my attention. Good day to you Dr Williams.” With that Andrew saw Hun’Coo turn and quickly left the room. He saw Mun’Char glare at his disappearing back. She then turned and gave him a hard stare. “Well Dr Williams you must be important. Not everyone gets to see the research labs.” She headed for the door and Andrew moved quickly to catch up. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Main engineering – Nurse Douwsy - 16:53) Douwsy saw a Warrant officer walk out of a side room and in to the main area of engineering. "What Can I do for you, Chief?" “Sorry to bothers you Warrant Officer. I’m Nurse Douwsy. I’m here to some routine checks on the emergency medical kits. I did not mean to disturb you from what you are doing?” (reply Revan) She nodded as she walked over to him. “Heard anything on the scuttle bucket about what we are doing here Jerral?" (reply Revan) (reply Revan, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Main engineering – Weapon systems specialist, Warrant Officer Jerral Revan - 16:54) "What Can I do for you, Chief?" Jerral asked. "Sorry to bother you Warrant Officer. I'm Nurse Douwsy. I'm here to do some routine checks on the emergency medical kits. I did not mean to disturb you from what you are doing?" "No problem, I've got two space cases reassembling a phaser manifold at the moment, with any luck the brain cell they share between them will fire and they'll get it done before next Fed Day." Jerral said. "And call me Jerral, They forced the Warrant on me during the war and won't take it back." She nodded as she walked over to him. "Heard anything on the scuttle bucket about what we are doing here Jerral?" "I've only been here a couple of hours, transferred over from the Boudicca. However from what the shiny button brigade has been muttering, apparently the Ushari Government has been supplying the Cardassians with Dilithium in return for weapons and support in case the local Federations worlds start a rebellion." Jerral said with a shrug as the two started walking towards the first med kit. "But hey, what do officers know." NRPG: Hey, no one said scuttlebutt is accurate or even close to the truth. RPG: Jerral leaned back against a console, "Any word from the upper decks?" Just then a pop and a yelp issued from the work room Jerral had been in previous. "Probably should have mentioned using a laser setter on the phaser manifold tends to cause a charge to buildup in the phase coupling. Oh well, they've got to learn some how. You were saying?" (Reply Douwsy) (Posted by Patrick D.) (Ushar Prime - Learning Centre - SO Ensign Nathanial Yates - 16:55) Yates was somewhat at a loss now, thumbing idly at his belted phasor now whilst at the same time knowing of course, that there was nothing here that could actually be considered a threat. Someone HAD once told him that danger often came in small packages but he doubted that this particular scenario quite fitted that particular warning. For the moment, he simply stood by trying not to look too conspicuous whilst the Morale Officer engaged the tiny's. Ha! tiny's, that was a laugh, everyone was tiny to the giant that was Ensign Nathanial Yates and it was beginning to become a bugbear. Not once had he ever visited a planet where it was HE that felt small to anyone. Ensign Kreung however seemed to be in her element right now. The children, who actually did look a little more mole-like than their older variants, were highly inquisitive and certainly not backwards in coming forwards if their pointed remarks were anything to go by. It all kinda reminded him of his own time growing up on Planitia and the way he always stood out like a large sore thumb even at that age. Some of the children did seem curious about him though but for now anyway, all of their concentration was directed at the Morale Officer. Obviously 'green' was far more interesting than 'tall' on this particular ball of rock and mud, not that Yates was phased by that of course but watching her interacting with them made him wonder if she perhaps had children of her own someplace. "Do you play Bzzik Ball?", one of them had suddenly enquired. Kreung had answered that she did not but that she would be interested in learning, the mention of a ball however had just piqued Yates's interest and he instinctively moved closer towards the group. "Can I play?", he enquired, "I too would be interested in learning how", he added, pausing now as everyone turned their attention towards him, Kreung included. "If that would be OK I mean...." (Reply Kreung, Any) (Posted by Alan) (Ushar Prime - Learning Centre - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 16:57) "Can I play?", Yates enquired, "I too would be interested in learning how", he added, pausing now as everyone turned their attention towards him. "If that would be OK I mean...." The kids stared up at him with wide eyes, so tall! They, like Jynea had just written him off as weaponed escort and given him no second glance or thought. "DIBS!" cried one of the younger boys instantly. "What?!" "No fair!" A verbal scuffle broke out over whether that was right of first choice or not. Jynea looked amused as she uncurled from where she was sitting and stood. "I think I'm going to agree.. if there's any running in this game, I think I'm going to be sorely outclassed." She compared her legs to his. Her hip was halfway up his thigh at best. (Reply Yates) "Okay!" said one of the older girls, "We get Lady Kreung, you have Mister.. er.." She looked up at Yates expectantly. (Reply Yates) "Right." She nodded. "Girls against boys!" She took Jynea's arm and led her and Nathanial towards a field that looked strangely like a baseball diamond with pillars instead of bases. Jynea could only hope Yates was as confused as her. "Okay, so, there's kickers and fielders." The girl started, holding up a white ball about a foot in diameter. The kickers job is to hit the polls in order. One, two, three. You get a point for one, two for two and three for three. Every ball that's caught is a minus point and you lose your kick. If you hit the wrong pole you *lose* that many points. Once all kickers have kicked, the other team kicks. There's four fielders on the team at a go, they can sub in and out as needed. Okay?" Jynea thought this a mad mix of what she knew of kickball, baseball and cricket. Too bad she was only good at one of the three. "Sounds good to me." Jynea said with a smile, "Who starts in the field?" "THEY do." The girl said decisively. "Ladies are always first." "Can't argue with that logic." Jynea murmured, amused. She looked over her team of nine girls and at the team Yates had of seven boys. No one seemed to care that the numbers weren't even. Wondering how they would know who won exactly and who didn't, Jynea took her place at the end of the line to see how it was done. (Reply Yates/Any) (Posted by Lorna) (Ushar Prime - Learning Centre - SO Ensign Nathanial Yates - 16:58) ~Dibs?~ Yates furrowed his brow, was that a yes or a no? Whatever it was the kids were now squabbling and it was all apparently because of him. He stepped one step backwards in response to that, then he turned towards Jynea who looked no wiser apart from the fact that she seemed to be sizing him up now. Then the proverbial penny seemingly dropped. "I think I'm going to agree.. if there's any running in this game, I think I'm going to be sorely outclassed", said the Morale Officer with a smile. "Well, that depends on whether the rules of the game involve running at all, for all we know it could involve ducking, diving and slipping inbetween other players legs with the ball", said Yates, "in which case, it would be I that would be sorely outclassed", he added. "We get Lady Kreung", cried one of the girls, "...you have Mister.. er..?", she added inquisitively. "My names Yates, but you can call me Nathanial, or Nat, it's entirely up to you", answered the Security Officer entering into the spirit of it now. Whatever the rules actually were though, the children seemed content now to arrange the game to their requirements, which in this instance was girls against boys. They then went on to explain the rules, which basically amounted to, 'kick the ball at the poles' in order to score maximum points. Yates looked at the poles ahead of him, then he glanced to the boys that had now congregated around him on the playing field. Kreung was leaning forwards, muttering something or other to her obviously unevenly balanced team of girls, Yates then looked again at the poles and the markers as the boys explained again what he had to do. "Just kick the ball at the poles when it's your turn, all of them in succession", said one of the boys. Yates scratched his head. The rules of physics just weren't adding up here, If he was going to hit any of those somewhat spindly poles by kicking the ball at them, with his legs he'd probably just send the ball way beyond the outer markers of the playing field and out of all of their reach, thus ruining their game. If on the other hand he managed to hit the poles, then there was a good chance he'd reduce them to splintered wood. And ruin the game that way! Obviously caution would be required here and since the girls were apparently going to be playing first, he was content in the knowledge that at least he could just watch and learn. The first girl then moved into position to commence the game. (Reply Kreung, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Bridge – CONN – Pilot Officer Smith - 16:58) Jennifer was bored out of her tiny mind. She watched the view screen and saw the planet spinning slowly. She then looked back at the console and saw their projected course. ~Ow I hate being in orbit. All I can do is orbiting maneuvers~ She had plotted break away vectors, emergency maneuvers and also planetary landings all to try and keep the boredom away. Her console flashed at her. ~Ow look it's that not exciting. It’s an orbital burn coming up~ She turned off the autopilot and watched as the distances spooled down. “And the monkey pushes the button.” She said under her breath. She activated maneuvering thruster clusters two, five and ten. She felt the ship turn onto its new course. She gave a slight grin as she remembered her fighter jocks calling anything bigger then a shuttle a BUFM A big ugly flying moose due to the size and lack of mobility everything else had compared to a fighter. ~I really hope we get to break orbit soon~ She looked at the computer and waited for another orbiting maneuver. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Main engineering – Nurse Douwsy - 17:02) "Any word from the upper decks?" Douwsy frowned as pop and a yelp issued from the work room Jerral had been in previous. She looked at Jerral who looked back at her. "Probably should have mentioned using a laser setter on the phaser manifold tends to cause a charge to buildup in the phase coupling. Oh well, they've got to learn some how. You were saying?" A ghost of a smile crossed Douwsy’s face. “That’s a bit mean that you did not mention that.” She shook her head slightly. “As you know the upper decks like to have their secrets. I’ve heard talk about a suspected Cardassian invasion and that they are taking the dilithium to power their warships.” Douwsy shrugged slightly. “But as you know Jerral the scuttle bucket goes from the sublime to the ridicules.” (reply Revan) (reply Revan, any) (Posted by Robbie) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Rising Dawn Medical Facility – Dr Mun’Char's research lab - CMO Williams - 17:03) Andrew looked at the console in front of him. He shook his head as he read what Mun’Char’s data showed. He shook his head in amazement and looked at Mun’Char. “This is amazing. How do you get the nanites to reconstruct the damaged area. From what I’ve just read you can use this procedure on any species.” He turned and looked at Mun’Char. “How.” A slight smile flickered across Mun’Char’s face. “We have a basic work up of most species in the four quadrants on file. It is just a matter of finding the right species template. Using that data and the medical scans of the patient is matched together. The computer then tells the nanites the differences and what needs to be repaired.” Andrew nodded and looked back to the console. “What is it Mr Guntcha?” Andrew looked up and saw a young Ushari male. “Um Dr Mun’Char. I have a message for Dr Williams. One of your party has been brought into the emergency ward.” Andrew stood up. “I’m sorry Dr Mun’Char I have to go.” She nodded as Andrew hurried out of the room and followed Mr Guntcha along the corridor. ~I so hope no one has died~ (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Main engineering – Weapons System Specialist, Warrant Officer Jerral Revan - 17:04) "That's a bit mean that you did not mention that." She shook her head slightly. "As you know the upper decks like to have their secrets. I've heard talk about a suspected Cardassian invasion and that they are taking the dilithium to power their warships." Douwsy shrugged slightly. "But as you know Jerral the scuttle bucket goes from the sublime to the ridiculous." "True, but at least it entertaining. I'd much rather have horribly inaccurate rumors, than an actual invasion or fight. A fight means work, and it means I have to trust those chuckle heads in there to help me fix this ship when the Officer's inevitably break it." Jerral said. (Reply Douwsy) "Well, they've got to be good for something, and if they want the responsibility they can have it, I'd much rather spend the rest of my working career in a jefferies tube." Jerral said with an indifferent shrug. (Reply Douwsy) (Posted by Patrick D.) (Unknown Vessel - Cockpit - "Venom Nine" - 17:05) Stealth, like every other commodity trading throughout the four known quadrants of space, was not exactly at a premium these days. It was generally not something that could be bought on a whim by anyone with enough tradeable credit units to hand at a given time. That wasn't to say of course that it could not be had, for indeed it could be at the right price and in the right location. Even stealth though had it's degrees of effectiveness, and as such predictably vast differences in regards it's asking price. Both Romulan and Klingon bog standard cloaks could of course be sourced and supplied by anyone worth their salt as a trader, what had just entered the Theta Draconis system at high warp however, was not exactly what could be termed 'Bog Standard' by anyones level of understanding. Nor was it readily available...at any price! It went without saying that the ship itself could neither be seen, nor detected by the conventional sensors of Federation Starships or listening posts as it passed the moon of Orrelius, and then swooped on in towards the outer markers of the Ushari system itself. Indeed, had this particular vessel been equipped with anything less than what it had been, Starbase 621, or at the very least Subspace relay AR-558 would have detected something amiss, even if it had logged it only as a spurious anomoly. As it was however, it's passing went completely unnoticed by all. It even eluded the nearby Tzenkethi Coalition with it's enhanced sensor bouys detecting nothing whatsoever, either directly or in it's wake. Arriving in the vicinity of 51-Pegasi, the small blade-like vessel dropped it's cloak and then continued on in towards the moon of Pyrethia 5, where it duly came to a halt and established geosynchronous orbit of said moon. The pilot then began transmitting the coded signal that would begin negotiations with it's counterpart in the proceedings that were about to take place. For a moment the stage remained silent, only one of the protagonists currently taking centre stage as he waited patiently. Far below him, a violent electrical storm raged on the moon, which sent patterns of greenish hued light dancing upon the polished black hull of the vessel itself. Then came the response.... There had been little more than a beep upon the console in front of him before the viewscreen changed from the starfield and moonfall, into that of the Ferengi now gracing it's entirety, thus indicating the arrival of the second of the protagonists to the arena. This of course was the aforementioned 'Good Profit', it's master seated somewhat arrogantly in the command chair whilst the being known only as 'Venom Nine', initiated discussion in a metallic, and decidedly unearthly monotone voice. "Have you transferred the cargo and collected the relevant data?", said the man, if indeed he was a man. "Of course I have", said Daimon Blek waving a small black data block almost arrogantly into the air as he spoke. "Those fools fell for it hook, line and sinker and after causing me and my crew much hardship in the process, I even went on to.......", he added, just as Venom interrupted the spiel he knew would be following if he allowed him to continue with his disquisition. "Silence, transfer the data to me now", came the strange metallic retort, "I have no need to know what the Federation vessel has, or has not done during these proceedings, our agent has kept us well informed", it added as the orator began entering data upon one of the consoles before him, whilst the Ferengi ranted on about his incurred costs and then 'finally' got round to the crux of the matter. "Four hundred and fifty bars of gold pressed latinum before transfer", said Blek, "that is the amount we agreed upon" Venom paused, his hand resting over one of the buttons on the console, then he looked towards the Ferengi who suddenly looked as though he had been caught in the stare of a cold blooded assassin, which in actual fact, he had! "The deal was four hundred, no more, no less", said the black clad figure as he calmly resumed input at the console he had previously been working at. Blek's lobes twitched uncomfortably. "Four hundred and forty", he blared. "Four hundred", repeated Venom, this time without even turning his attention from the console upon which he continued to work. "Four hundred and twenty five", said Blek, this time pushing his luck somewhat. Venom turned his attention from the console and glared at the obstinate Ferengi with a stare that positively froze his blood, then he pressed the button that finalised the input routine he had been busy with before raising his hand deftly into the air, an act that was to confuse the Ferengi no end. In an instance though, the data block in the Ferengi's hand was in the process of dis-assembling and then re-assembling within Venom's own upheld hand, thus turning the Ferengi's previous confusion into total anger at having apparently just been robbed of his bargaining point. "FOOL!, you are but a common thief, a conman, a charlatan!!", cried Blek, "give me back my data block....or give me my latinum!" "Patience little man", said Venom, "what will you do, blow my ship from the sky?", he added, instantly bringing the Ferengi to the sudden realisation that his moderately armed freighter was of course, grosly mismatched against the much smaller, though more powerful vessel. "You...you agreed!, my latinum, give me my latinum!", cried Blek whilst those immediately behind him on the bridge went into a veritable dance at the realisation that they might not be getting paid after all, and worse that they might now be blown from the sky themselves. It was a pointless exercise of course, the Order was not above such practice of cold blooded acts of treachery but on this occasion, it was not to be so. Already, the latinum was materialising upon the decking of the Ferengi bridge, all four hundred bars of it as agreed, not Bleks re-negotiated four fifty, forty, twenty five or whatever.... So, with the Ferengi finally appeased now, the small ship turned about and then left orbit of the moon without so much as a by your leave. Already though, it's unusual occupant was signalling again to the agent stationed covertly aboard the Spectre as the sleek craft sped off and shimmered from view upon engagement of it's unique, and priceless cloak. (Reply None) (Posted by Alan) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Public Shopping Complex - SFI Agent - Lt. Cmdr Brian Rogers - 17:08) Rogers casually stepped out of the bar, and glanced back and forth, looking for the Ushari woman. He missed her at first glance, but she was standing near the corner of the building, next to a tall hooded figured. Brian tried to appear calm, and started strutting towards the pair. He was mentally on Red Alert. Thankfully, he still wore a hand phaser on his waist, and one of those discreet diplomatic phasers up his sleeve, but hopefully, things wouldn't come to those. Rogers skimmed the hooded figured as he approached, from the tall stance and broad shoulders, Brian assumed it was male, though species was impossible to determine, the face was completely hidden by the shadows. "You didn't say you'd bring friends," Rogers said, sounding upset. "Do you have my two strips?" the woman asked. Brian tried to look more and more angry. "I want some assurances first," he said, demandingly. "First, I want to know who is getting the dilithium from Ushari Prime," he leered. "There are rumors of a Starfleet trade delegation arriving here, Lt. Commander. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?" the tall figure said in a low, husky voice. Brian couldn't figure his species, there was no accent of any sort. "The only delegation you need to worry about is me, and my ships, buddy," Brian said, taking a step towards the hooded figure. "Who do you think you are, anyway," he said, reaching for the hood, without warning, a blunt object made contact with the back of Brian's skull, sending him sprawling to the Ushari street. "Ouch, son of a bi-..." Rogers started, reaching for his phaser at his waist, and rolling over, he saw the Ushari woman standing over him with some sort of club, while the hooded figure was standing over him. A black gloved hand was protruding from the robe holding a disruptor. "Watch your hand, smuggler," the hooded figure warned. Brian moved his hand away from his phaser, and held his hands up weekly, while his head was still pounding. "Empty your pockets," the greedy woman ordered. Brian slowly reached inside his pockets, and whilst his hands were inside, he slowly slipped the egg phaser out of his sleeve, and into his hand, and activated it. Using his touch only, he set it to a 'Heavy Stun' setting. "I didn't bring my latinum with me, I'm sure you can see why," Rogers indicated the current situation. The woman and the hood exchanged confused looks. The hooded man slightly lowered his disruptor. At that instant, Rogers drew the egg phaser, firing at the hood. The man took the shot in the stomach, and fell backwards. Rogers turned his attention to the woman, and fired at her while she turned to dive for the fallen disruptor. Brian's aim was shaken by another phaser blast miss his head by a few inches. He turned, to see two uniformed Ushari patrolmen running towards him, with their phasers out. ~Oh shoot,~ Brian said, already pondering the diplomatic consequences of this. Meanwhile, the Ushari woman already had her hands on the disruptor, and, fired at Rogers. Thankfully, her aim was worse than the patrolmen's, and the disruptor blast sailed wildly over Rogers' head. Brian took sights at the woman again, but this time, before he could fire a second shot, the woman was hit by a wave of phaser fire from the patrolmen, and crumbled to the ground. Seeing his opportunity, Rogers raced to his feet and darted towards the hooded figure. He scrambled for the hood, hoping to determine the species of the figure. Pushing the hood down, he saw a Cardassian face, just before he was hit by a phaser blast from the Ushari Patrolmen, knocking him sideways, off the Cardassian, and the phaser effects knocking him out. (reply Ushari Police, Hospital, any) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (Ushar Prime - Learning Centre - Ensign Jynea Kreung – 17:10) The game had ended when a parent had shown up to collect a child. Jynea wasn't quite sure which team was winning or losing since both teams seemed enthused and happy. Some of the boys had clapped Yates on the shoulder and said "Next time we play Sirdrri, Nay-Yates!" She wasn't quite sure if the abbreviation was a misunderstanding of human naming conventions or if it was a nickname. Either way, she made a note of it to tease him with later. The two had decided to move on when the announcement of the incident with the Starfleet intelligence officer came across their comms. Jynea rolled her eyes, "If there's a badger den to poke with a stick, Commander Rogers seems to find it." She said with an amused headshake. She had no doubt the man was absolutely fine and would land on his feet. Well, right up until T'Vhor caught up to him and gave him the chilly-polite 'would you like to attempt and justify what the hell you were thinking?' lecture. Jynea waited to see if Yates or herself would be recalled, but it seemed the command team had it well in hand. So, she pulled the GPS/Map unit out of one of her belt pouches and unfolded it to look at what was offered. "Shall we check out 'old town'?" She'd asked Yates. She supposed, technically, she was his superior in rank, but really, she wasn't exactly the command type. (Reply Yates) (Posted by Lorna) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, North Access - USO Min'Kat - 17:11) Min'Kat activated his communicator the moment the shots had been heard, by that time however both he and his associate had turned about from their prescribed patrol route and were now running towards the location of the unusual phasor retort. It was quite clear that this was not an Ushar weapon being fired, it's signature was more pronounced so logic had already dictated that this was probably trouble involving the newly arrived Federation Officers. "I have shots fired North district, Dar'Pal Arcade... responding", said the Ushari Security Officer as he rounded a corner to come face to face with the situation in question. Min'Kat had certainly not been wrong in his logical deduction. One of the Starfleet Officers now lay upon the floor struggling with two unknown assailants, one of which, a cloaked figure had fallen backwards having just been fired upon by the Fleeter. It seemed though that he had only been stunned for he was already struggling to his feet again as the Ushar themselves responded accordingly. "Put your weapon's down, hands in the air!", cried Min'Kat as both he and his partner aimed their own weapons at the three combatants, who continued on nonetheless. Obviously what was at stake here was worth risking their lives for. By this time, the female had made a grab for a dropped disruptor type weapon and had quickly fired at the Fleeter who in turn returned fire at her. Understandably, this has resulted in incoming fire from the two Ushari, a number of hits making direct contact with the Fleeter to drop him into near unconsciousness as he struggled towards the now prostrate, robed figure lying nearby to pull aggresively at his hood. Min'Kat fired again and the entire incident was brought to a close as the Officer fell into a crumpled heap upon the floor, just as a second Starfleet Officer appeared on scene and immediately began requesting information. "What happened?", he enquired as the two Ushari Securitymen re-holstered their weapons and approached tentatively. Min'Kat looked down at the three assailants where they lay whilst the other Officer approached concerned. "We were rather hoping you could tell us", said Min'Kat, "we heard shots being fired, we arrived on the scene to find all of them in a firefight. It appears that your friend may have been trying to defend himself against the other two", he added, whilst the Starfleet Officer knelt next to his compatriot and quickly tapped at his combadge to request assistance and report the incident to his superiors. (Reply Any, None) (Posted by Alan) (Ushar Prime - Library Resources - Captain T'Vhor - 17:14) The Captain was busy with the Library files he had discovered when his communicator chirped into life. =/\=Ensign Goldsteen to Captain T'Vhor=/\= "Go ahead Ensign", said the Captain as he continued switching through pages and pages of old resource material that was pertinent to Ushari's Dilithium trading rules. =/\=Captain we have a problem, Lieutenant Commander Rogers got into some sort of violent confrontation and he was knocked unconscious by a phaser. The Ushari police who saw the fight aren't sure who started it, and so they want to take Rogers in for questioning=/\= The moment the Sec Officer had even mentioned the name Rogers, the Captain knew of course that it would involve a commotion of some sort, it didn't take a Betazoid mind to pre-empt that one, unpredictable was the Lieutenant Commanders middle name after all. ~Not good~ The news though had caused the Captain to instantly stop what he had been doing, the display screen of the monitor he had been viewing closing down accordingly as he deactivated it and then turned about, whilst addressing the issue as he walked in a predictably calm tone of voice. "Understood Ensign, I want you to escort the Lieutenant Commander to wherever it is he is taken, be it the Ushari Security centre or their medical facility for medical attention", said the Captain. (Reply Goldsteen) "And Ensign, if he becomes conscious, inform him not to say anything until I get there. Is that clear?", said T'Vhor. (Reply Goldsteen) The Captain then opened a channel to the Doctor, only to find that his communicator was not upon his person. Instead, he had been answered by a medical assistant who had identified himself only as 'Guntcha' who had then gone on to explain that the Doctor had been requested to leave his communicator outside of the particular area he had been visiting for security reasons. It seemed a little odd, but understandable. The Captain then requested that Doctor Williams be informed immediately that they had a casualty and that he should attend to it as a matter of urgency. The Captain then relayed the specific details to the assistant before heading out the door with the intentions of returning to the transport shuttles. (Reply None, Any) (Posted by Alan) (Ushar Prime - Capital City, North Access - ATAC/ASC Ensign Goldsteen - 17:17) =/\="Understood Ensign, I want you to escort the Lieutenant Commander to wherever it is he is taken, be it the Ushari Security centre or their medical facility for medical attention", said the Captain.=/\= Alex pursed his lips unhappily before responding. "Understood Captain," he replied, though he truly wanted to go back and attempt to get something useful out of the bartender. She had become something like a difficult puzzle to Alex, and he wanted the opportunity to solve it. =/\="And Ensign, if he becomes conscious, inform him not to say anything until I get there. Is that clear?=/\=", said T'Vhor. "Of course sir," Alex answered, though he did not see how Rogers could make the situation any worse. "So where are we headed," he asked the Ushari patrolmen with a smile, "and who's carrying Rogers? I would, but I have a bad back." (reply Ushari Patrolmen) (posted by Dan Black) (Ushar Prime – Zamzurrin Semi-Prefecture, Tertiary Block – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 17:17) To call the tertiary block ‘low rent’ is probably accurate … but there’s no better place to obtain information. It’s so steeped in Ushari culture that you have to scrape off your shoes before you leave. Several priority calls had come across Chuck’s commbadge and the chatter was a welcome change from the monotonous information download. There was so much information that Chuck had resorted to simply sending it up to the Spectre. Fortunately Security Officer Smith was kind enough to be organizing the information on that end. “According to the chatter on my end it looks like we’ll have to depend on your efforts for information on the Ushari, Jo. As the head Security officer for the away mission I need to report to the Captain and find out what Rogers has been doing. Do you think you can handle it, Officer?” asked Chuck (reply Jo Smith) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Security Station Foxtrot – Security officer Smith - 17:17) =^=According to the chatter on my end it looks like we’ll have to depend on your efforts for information on the Ushari, Jo. As the head Security officer for the away mission I need to report to the Captain and find out what Rogers has been doing. Do you think you can handle it, Officer?=^= Jo had been looking at the information that Donaldson had been sending to the spectre. “I can handle it Lieutenant Donaldson. Is there anything that you want me specifically to look out for?” (reply Donaldson) Jo nodded to herself. “I’ll see what I can find out.” Jo heard the comm channel close as she turned to her console and began to sift through the information with purpose. (reply Donaldson, any) (posted by Robbie) (Ushar Prime – Zamzurrin Semi-Prefecture, Tertiary Block – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 17:17) =/\=I can handle it, Lieutenant Donaldson. Is there anything that you want me specifically to look out for?=/\= “That’s just it, Smith. We don’t have a direction for our search. I’d hazard a guess that there may be more interesting information in the arrival and departure terminal logs, but that’s just as much a shot in the dark as anything else. Let me know if you find anything. Donaldson out.” Said Chuck tapping his commbadge. =/\=I’ll see what I can find out. =/\= (reply none, any) (posted by Anton) (Ushar Prime – Primary Weather Control, first level – Ensign Bys’At – 17:30) Bys’At was enjoying his coffee. Ensign Halloran was kind enough to offer to replicate some variant for him. The name had escaped Bys’At’s notice but it was delicious!! “Okay, okay, okay … everyone report … please, just, if you feel like it … mellow.” Said Bys’At after tapping his commbadge. (reply H’Chir, Morphy, any) (posted by Anton) (Ushar Prime – Primary Weather Control, second level – Ensign Paul Morphy – 17:30) =/\= Okay, okay, okay … everyone report … please, just, if you feel like it … mellow.=/\= ~Oh, god, he’s finally cracked. H’Chir’s going to can him! Why am I upset by that?!?~ Paul’s thoughts were in turmoil. He lay on his back underneath a control console making sure the readings were accurate and trying not to create a hurricane or stimulate a flood. “Should I … answer him, Sir?” asked Paul peaking out from under the console at his Andorian superior. (reply H’Chir) (posted by Anton) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Rising Dawn Medical Facility - CMO Williams - 17:30) Andrew quickly entered the ward. He smiled slightly to himself as he looked around room. It did not matter what they looked like, hospital wards always had the same lay out. He saw a group of Ushari’s around a bed in the far corner. He hurried over to see Rogers lying on the bed. ~What the hell happened to him~ “Who are you? You can’t just walk in here.” Andrew looked over at a large Ushari male. “My name is Dr Williams and you have a member of my team.” He pointed to Rogers. “What happened to him?” “Your officer was waving a weapon around shooting at our citizens. He was stunned by a security officer.” Andrew nodded as he took the information in. “Can I see him?” He noticed for the first time that there were two armed guards standing near Rogers. He stepped over to Rogers and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Hallo Mr Rogers. It looks like you have been having some fun while you have been looking around.” (reply Rogers) (reply Rogers, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - Lance Corporal Yzak Moriuchi - 17:30) NRPG: I debated on the Japanese name convention ! my Anglo-Saxon heritage won out. BTW, picture Mr. Miyagi from Karate Kid without the Okinawan tradition. I didn't know the ranks so I took a shot in the dark. I'm leaving room here for others to post. FYI, the hermit pervert is a Japanese establishment. ;) RPG: Yzak sat amidst a group of his confederate Marines. They were all chattering like old women while he sat silent. "Have any of you seen the holo-program that Corporal Houseman won off of the Engineer?" asked a PFC glancing at the other marines. (reply any IYW) "It's supposed to have Vasilyovna, Bristed, and Kreung in it. I haven't seen it yet but it's supposed to be hilarious." Said the PFC. (reply any IYW) "Who does the program belong to?" asked Yzak breaking his former silence. "Security Lieutenant Donaldson." Responded the PFC with a puzzled face. "Yes, but I also have a copy. Hahaha!" Said Yzak in his Japanese accented English. He produced a clear disk from his waist pocket as he laughed with a lecherous grin. (reply any marines, any) (posted by Anton) (Ushar Prime - Primary Weather Control - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 17:31) H'Chir was sat on the floor once more, his back resting against a crate of some mechanical part of other. His tri-corder had told him the box was sturdy and harmless and therefore of no interest. He'd spend the last twenty minutes watching a pair of legs belonging to one member of the engineering crew - he forgot which one - sticking out from under a console and wriggling occasionally as their owner grappled with one part of the planet's weather control system or another. =/\= Okay, okay, okay . everyone report . please, just, if you feel like it . mellow.=/\= H'Chir rolled his eyes and tapped his tri-corder, continuing to program in his latest notes regarding the mission. He'd got the controls configured to his own personal preferences and barely needed to look at what he was doing - fortunate really as there was an unusual mark on the sole of the shoe attached to one of the legs and he was half contemplating what could cause such a mark and half mesmeris... "Should I . answer him, Sir?" asked the legs. "Like, whoa, duuuude! Take a chill pill!" Inwardly H'Chir added, ~I'm going to crucify him!~ (Reply Morphy, any) (Posted by Michael Drake) (Ushar Prime - Primary Weather Control, second level - Ensign Paul Morphy - 17:32) "Like, whoa, duuuude! Take a chill pill!" said H'Chir. Paul laughed. "Suitably chilled, Sir." Said Paul shrugging. His shoulders scrunched against the floor. Paul slid back under the console and flipping open his tricorder and scanned the console. ~Hmm, a slight rise in gamma radiation in Sector four. It could be a cracked Bercys Seal.~ tapping a few commands into his tricorder Paul reported the slight seal breach. H'Chir's tricorder began to beep due to the incoming report. Paul smiled knowing it was his report and he could have just said something to the Chief. (reply H'Chir, any) (posted by Anton) (Ushar Prime - Capital City Rising Dawn Medical Facility - SFI Agent - Lt. Cmdr Brian Rogers - 17:35) Rogers had come around only a few moments earlier. The Ushari guarding him had said nothing, and he was only looked at briefly by some sort of Ushari nurse. He had sat alone, slowly recovering from the effects of the stunning when he saw Dr. Williams enter. “Who are you? You can’t just walk in here," said one of the Ushari who seemed to be in charge of guarding him. “My name is Dr Williams and you have a member of my officers. What happened to him?” Andrew asked. “Your officer was waving a weapon around shooting at our citizens. He was stunned by a security officer.” “Can I see him?” Dr. Williams asked, and the man allowed it. Andrew walked over and patted Brian on the shoulder. “Hallo Mr Rogers. It looks like you have been having some fun while you have been looking around," The doctor said. "Quite," Brian said, "I've got a hell of a headache, but I feel mostly fine," he said. (reply Williams) "Is Captain T'Vhor on his way? I've got some information for him, not to mention I might need some... legal assistance, in this matter," he said, indicating the two Ushari guards. (reply Williams, any) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (Ushar Prime - Primary Weather Control, first level - Ensign Bys'At - 17:40) Bys'At hadn't heard from any of the other Engineers on the away team. He wiggled his nose briskly from left to right. ~No news is good news.~ he thought. His attempt at maintaining a 'minimal control' on the away team had not been as successful as he had hoped but he was enjoying his coffee while the gears in his mind turned over and over. One sip ~What can I do?~ Two sips. ~Tighten the reigns?~ Three sips. ~Be assertive?~ Four sips. "Brain blast!" Bys'At yelled. Tapping his commbadge. "Bys'At to Lieutenant H'Chir." He blurted. (reply H'Chir) "Sir, in a few minutes I'll be sending a detailed report on the Weather Control to the Spectre. I need you to compile the report from the second level to couple with my own," Bys'At paused. ~stay strong, stay strong, stay strong.~ ". . . if you have a spare moment." He said as his hand fell from his commbadge forlornly. He could only come to one conclusion . . . a Vulcan/Romulan hybrid is just not cut out for command duties. (reply H'Chir) (posted by Anton) (Ushar Prime - Captial City Rising Dawn Medical Facility – CMO Williams - 17:42) "Quite," Brian said, "I've got a hell of a headache, but I feel mostly fine," Andrew nodded. “I’m not surprised.” "Is Captain T'Vhor on his way? I've got some information for him, not to mention I might need some... legal assistance, in this matter," “I don’t know about the captain but I would expect so. I’ll see what I can do about your headache.” He looked past the two Ushari guards and saw some who looked like a nurse. “Excuse me is it possible for my colleague to have some pain killers?” The nurse walked over and looked through Rogers’s chart. “I will have to get it prescribed by his duty doctor.” “Thank you.” He watched the nurse walk off towards a door at the far end of the room. He knew that he could do nothing else until the nurse came back. Although he had his emergency pack on him the medication that he carried was far to strong for what Rogers needed. “We should get something for your headache soon.” (reply Rogers IYW) (reply Rogers IYW, any) (Posted by Robbie) (Ushar Prime – City Outskirts, "Old Town" Amusement Park – Ensign Jynea Kreung – 17:45) After agreement, the two had headed off on the kinetic scooters they'd been loaned. When Jynea spotted a roadside hutch that seemed to be offering local fair, she'd pulled off the small track to investigate the delicious smells her stomach wanted to know more about. She joined the line-up to see Ushari, and others, produce their own bowls to have food dolloped in. You could buy a bowl, but that seemed a bit wasteful to Jynea since there didn't seem to be recycling facilities at the stand. "Old Town" apparently meant things were done in the ways before space travel. Well, when in Rome. She looked around and pulled out her tricorder to help her in her search. She wasn't much use with them, but it would take a real dope to not be able to find the simplest of things with the scanning device. Walking over to the brush, she pulled out the thick, flat grassoids she'd been sort of looking for. She tucked the tricorder back into a belt pouch, pulled out the handy dandy medical radiator to cleanse the foliage and weaved a quick, water tight, bowl. (Comment Yates, if any) Jynea smiled as she handed one to Nathanial, in case he wanted an early dinner. "I took every survival course the academy offered. Commander Trillek said I'd have been a great marine if I could shoot straight." She said with self-abusing humour. About the only marine things she could do were garrotte someone and survive if dumped in the middle of the wilderness on a strange planet. (Reply Yates, if you wish) Bowls in hand, they went back to the line, stood their turns and got dinner which consisted of some sort of vegatables in a tan broth. Still, it smelled good and apparently one just held the bowl to one's mouth and did a mixture of lapping, sipping and tipping to get inside one. Table manners, were apparently not an issue.. and not just because there were no tables. The majority just found a comfortable piece of grass to plonk down on and eat. Some got up again when they were done, some seemed to be perfectly happy to take naps. "I wonder how they got all this greenery in here." Jynea wondered aloud. It wasn't as if grasses were native to caverns on any world she'd been in. In fact, if she didn't look up, this tranquil spot could almost make her believe she was on the surface. They must be near ground level, she guessed, by atmosphere and temperature. (Reply Yates) (Posted by Lorna) (Ushar Prime - Went'uli - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor and Ensign (jg) Emma Morrissey - 17:50) "So you're still not drinking?" Emma asked as they walked out of the restaurant. "Nope, I said I wasn't going to touch the stuff again, and I meant it." Michael said fingering the scar on his jaw, a reminder of what happened the last time he lost control of himself after a long night of drinking. "Well, good for you," Emma said with a smile. "I remember that fight, the other guy was an idiot, for sure, but you may have over reacted just a tad." "Yea, just a little," Michael said, and they walked down the street, quieter than it had been an hour or so ago. They were coming to one of the cavern's huge perimeter walls, when the sounds of music became apparent in the distance. "Where's the music coming from, it sounds like a choir or something?" Emma asked. Michael looked around as they moved towards where they thought the sound was coming from. They rounded a corned as the reached the Cavern wall, and found themselves face to face with a large stone door. It was the size you would normally see on a cathedral on Earth or Betazed, and was sitting slightly ajar. Drifting through the door was a captivating sound. It was a choir singing, but the music had a quality to it that was hard to place. "Should we go in?" Michael asked, not sure whether he would be disturbing a religious ceremony, or some other function he might not be welcome at. "Well the door is open, there are very few cultures where that isn't an open invitation." Emma said and pulled Michael towards the door. Inside Michael had to stop from exclaiming in awe of the space. It was as if someone had quite literally carved a cathedral into the rock. However it was more than that, the floors were covered in what looked like marble and granite both in deep greens and blues, set in patterns that lead towards the center of the oddly shaped room. The area had oddly angled corners and alcoves, that neither Michael nor Emma could see a reason for. The room, if it could be called that, was a single open area, nearly three stories, lit with candles shrouded with what looked like faceted crystal shades, which through off light in all directions. There were no places to sit and the only furniture on the floor was a platform at the far end of the room, upon which ten Ushari stood, in a circle, their backs towards the center, singing something in their language. The one thing they noticed, if they noticed nothing else, was that upon stepping no more than five feet into the room, was that the volume of the music shifted from barely audible to what sounded like a 70 person choir in a massive concert hall. "I know what this is," Emma whispered, afraid her voice would carry, but relieved that it seemed the sound seemed to die no more than three feet in front of her. "It's a massive, natural sound amplifier." "That and more," a voice said from behind them. Turning around they saw a tall slender Ushari, wearing what they could only guess were clerical vestments of some form. "Welcome to the City Temple. The Blessings of the Divine be upon you." "We're sorry, we didn't mean to intrude, we were just curious," Michael said. "Nonsense, this is just choir rehearsal, and even if it was a service, all are welcome. The Echo choirs interest a lot of people of many faiths." The Cleric said. "Echo Choir?" Emma asked, beating Michael to it. "Look for yourself," The Man said gesturing back towards the choir. Looking back, Michael noticed that they had stopped singing, but the music was only slowly dying down, layer by layer. It was only then, as the complexity of the music fell away, that Michael realized that they were listening to the echo's of the choir's previous phrases, the choir was actually harmonizing with it's own echoes. "Engineers or scientists, I can never keep the uniform colors straight." The cleric asked with a smile. "One of each actually," Emma answered with a smile as she brought her attention back to the Ushari. "Commander Michael O'Connor, First officer of the USS Spectre, and engineer of a kind, and this is Ensign Emma Morrissey, Science officer." Michael said with a smile. "Pleased to meet you both, my name is Ter'ent, I'm the Cleric of this temple. I'd be happy to talk more about the choir and the temple, if you'd like. I know it usually catches the interest of both music and science lovers. Especially off worlders who have never seen one before." "That would be wonderful, is there somewhere we could talk where we wouldn't be disturbing the choir?" Michael asked with a smile. "Oh, we could talk here if we really wanted, we're in a dead spot, sound generated here gets trapped and deadened. However, I can't say we'd be comfortable, the next piece they're practicing can get quite loud, follow me, we'll move to my office, we can sit there and talk easier," The Cleric said and then turned and headed towards the wall. Pushing on the wall, there was a quiet pop as a section of the wall moved. A door swung outward, built of solid rock, it must have been balanced perfectly on it's hinges, as the Cleric pulled at the edge of the three foot thick slab of rock, moving it was barely any force. The walked quietly down a more conventional looking hall, and entered a comfortable looking office. A seating area off to one side of a well constructed and sturdy desk. Lit more conventionally than the Temple proper, Michael and Emma took a seat. Ter'ent poured three glasses of what looked like a syrupy looking beverage and set them down on a coffee table in front of Emma and Michael. Smiling, Ter'ent took a seat in a chair across from the two officers. "Don't worry, it has no alcohol, and isn't as sweet as most people assume it is. It's a popular beverage from one of the surface settlements. So, what can I tell you about the temple?" "I guess the best place to start is at the beginning," Michael said. "And that is one of the more interesting stories. This Temple was actually constructed bout 800 years ago by one of the most famous architectural partnerships on Ushari Prime. Wen'ten'shay, designed a dozen temples on this continent, this is actually one of his biggest. Shan'ta'ray and her team did the actual building. She nearly reinvented the techniques necessary for building such spaces. The stories say they actually met at university, but didn't start working together until years later when they were hired independently to help construct the Ten'Su suburb. They both found they had a love of music, but not a single drop of talent what so ever. While they were excavating the Eastern tunnels in Ten'Su, they found a suitable site for an Echo Temple, and offered to build one for the community and church. It was a small complex, only two echo's worth, but soon enough they were in demand as their craftsmanship was beyond compare. They partnered up and were soon one of the most requested temple builders on the continent. This Temple was their second to last, and by far their largest, although it was said they spent the rest of their lives looking for a site they could manage a 12 echo temple." "When you say a temple is two echoes or three echoes, what do you mean by that?" Emma asked. "Well first there are only even numbers, but what the echo number refers to is both the number of echoes that can be sustained at any given point in a piece, and tangentially it refers to the length of time it takes an echo to reflect around the space and return to the choir platform. This means an eight echo temple such as ours, can sustain about 8 echoes or phrases, with the start of the ninth phrase coinciding with the death of the first." "How is it possible to keep an echo going for that long?" Michael asked. "Ah, and this is why there are so few large temples such as ours. The temples are cut out of the rock only where a sufficiently large deposit of denicite can be found." Ter'ent said with a grin. Emma smiled, but Michael couldn't say he'd heard of denicite. "Someone care to explain to the Computer guy what Denicite is?" "It's a sonically reactive crystal, reflecting sound waves without loss in volume or signal clarity. I've never heard of large enough quantities for a use like this though," Emma said. "This system as well as the others in this section of space all have large and varied mineral deposits. Ushar prime and it's moons, have large quantities of galcite, denicite, argonite, pycite, and other mineral and crystal seams you wouldn't find on one of the more rim world worlds. Denicite's still not huge here, but this continent has the largest deposits, and even they tend not to be solid seams but distributed evenly through the surrounding rock. Most of the temples on the other two continents are no bigger than a four echo chamber. All of the rock that is pulled out of these temples was ground up and used for the grout in the floors and any seams. Larger pieces of Denicite were sometimes carved into figurines or if the person was rich, fixed into show pieces." "That's quite frankly amazing," Michael said leaning back in his chair. Smiling and standing up, the cleric rummaged through his desk and emerged with a small blue faceted crystal and tossed to to Michael. "That's a copy of this choirs latest performance. I don't know if your ships have optical crystal readers, but you should be able to cobble together something," He said with a grin. "Thank you very much," Michael said sincerely. "Glad to be of service," The Cleric said as Emma and Michael stood as well. "And to answer the question you've left unasked this entire time. No, we don't hold much animosity towards Starfleet. We're self sufficient except for the weather systems, but most understand war. We live within spitting distance of the Cardassians. The Federation may not be our favorite people in the world, but we don't actively dislike them, we just don't think about them much here. We mine galcite and tericite in this city, most of which we trade on the open market with private firms. Our lives, on a day to day scale consist of work and family, life among the stars is not something we deal with in anything other than day dreams, and essays for school." "How did you know that's why we were here?" Michael asked with a grin. "Why else would the first officer beam down to a small town that mines minerals not necessary to Star Fleet, and do so in uniform?" "Vacation?" Emma added. "Then you'd be in civilian clothes, we do get some Benzites here on shore leave, and they rarely wear their uniforms. No, the uniforms mean your on duty, and want to be noticed to some degree, and the fact that your here and not in the Capital means you want the everyday Ushari's reaction to your presence." Ter'ent said. "But like I said, you won't find many here that like or dislike you based on your uniform. Although you may find a child or two who dreams of being a captain someday." Michael just smiled and thanked the Cleric once again for his time and the drinks and exited back towards the Temple proper. They emerged to find the choir practicing again. This time a haunting melody, pitched in a minor key flooded the room. Michael didn't understand the words, but the sentiment was easy enough. It was an odd feeling to be completely surrounded by music, it was hard not to be swept away by the voices and the emotion of the song. After a few minutes of listening Emma grabbed his arm and pulled him out, back onto the streets of the city. (Reply None needed) (Posted by Patrick D.) (Ushar Prime – Captial City, Rising Dawn Medical Facility - Captain T'Vhor - 17:50) Regardless of the urgency of the situation involving the Lieutenant Commander, the Captain had returned to the medical facility via the route he had previously engaged upon, namely the highly efficient shuttle network. To some that might have seemed strange, site to site would have been an option of course and as such, far quicker. What had to be remembered though was that they were currently at an indeterminate depth beneath the surface and as such, a transport signal may well have suffered degradation due to the varying density of the rock above them. Arriving at the Rising Dawn facility however, the Captain was quickly ushered through and into the area that now contained the object of his rather rapid departure from library resources. Lieutenant Commander Brian Rogers lay upon the equivalent of a starship biobed, the ships Doctor was at his side apparently trying to make sense of the glyphed indicators on the panel above. It seemed that it did not take much time to grasp the basic information and anyway, Williams had resorted to his own tools to back up what he was seeing and correlate the displayed data to some semblance of Federation protocol. "Doctor?", said the Captain enquiringly. (Reply Williams, Any) The Captain listened intently to the Doctors expert analysis whilst keeping his attention upon the languishing Rogers where he lay. There were many questions in his head now though, what the hell had happened here for example and what had the ex first officer of the Spectre done to provoke such a response as someone trying to kill him? There were probably some within the four quadrants that would have baulked at such a question, kill Rogers!! Surely not!! The Captain remained typically stoic, clearly his Vulcan side in dominance now. Rogers was obviously in no danger at this point in time, a fact which beggared belief considering that he could quite easily have been dead right now! "I see", said T'Vhor in response to the Doctors prognosis, before turning thence towards the Ushari personnel nearby, both medical and otherwise, "I would like a moment or two in private with my officers if I may", he asked. The guards seemed reluctant to leave the room of course, but on assurance that the Captain himself would be held responsible for the Lieutenant Commanders actions, they acceeded and reluctantly left the room. The Captain then turned his attention to the man on the bed. "Well Mr Rogers, let's hear it"..... (Reply Rogers, Williams, Any) (Posted by Alan) (Ushar Prime – City Outskirts, "Old Town" Amusement Park – SO, Ensign Nathanial Yates – 17:50) Yates was surprised at the Morale Officers ingenuity, it seemed that she had more hidden depths than even he imagined. "You know, you never cease to amaze me Jynea, good with kids, good improvisational skills, good at handling a kinetic scooter even..... you'd make some guy a fine wife someday", said Nathanial as he took the offered makeshif