Exeter Compile 10 Dates: August 1, 2020 to August 7, 2020 Mission: The Flames of Purity, Day - 15, Day 15 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Mission: The Flames of Purity Day: -15 Stardate: 2445.09.15 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (Mars Facility - Hanger 3 - S&R Chief Ens(sg) Trinity Frost - 0830) (Mars Facility - Hanger 3 - S&R Chief Ens(sg) Trinity Frost - 1100) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Mission: The Flames of Purity Day: 15 Stardate: 2445.09.15 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Exeter - Bridge - ACFO Ens(sg) Trinity Frost - 1545) (USS Exeter - Bridge - CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams - 1546) (USS Exeter, Turbolift – aOPS Ensign M’Rurrh – 1556) (USS Exeter, Bridge - aOPS Ensign M’Rurrh – 1558) (USS Exeter - CSO Office - CMO Ens Gabe Vesper - 1600) (USS Exeter, Bridge - SPC Ensign Rylee Page – 1600) (USS Exeter, Bridge –aCTO/COO Lieutenant jg Ravok – 1601) (USS Exeter - CSO Office - CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez - 1604) (USS Exeter - mess hall - SPC Ensign Rylee Page – 1605) (USS Exeter - CMO Office - CMO Ens Gabe Vespers- 1606) (USS Exeter - CSO Office - CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez - 1607) (USS Exeter - Lab 1 - CMO Ens Gabe Vesper - 1609) (USS Exeter - CSO Office - CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez - 1611) (USS Exeter - ship Corredor‘s ACMO Ens Kasian Poldan - 1615) (USS Exeter - Quartermaster MCPO Janey "Chief' Brown - 1620) (USS Exeter - ACMO ens Kasian Poldan - 1622) (USS Exeter - QM Office - MCPO Janey Brown - 1625) (USS Exeter - QM Office - ACMO Ens Kasian Poldan - 1627) (USS Exeter - QM Office - QM MCPO Janey 'Cheif' Brown - 1629) (USS Exeter - Ready Room - CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams and Dir. R&SE Ashlyn Williams - 16:30) (USS Exeter - Main Shuttlebay - Ens JG Doctor Katie Jamison (spc) - 16:35) (USS Exeter - Shuttle bay - Sec/Tac Officer Ensign Paul Sleeford - 1636) (USS Exeter - FO’s Office - FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken- 1640) (USS Exeter - Personal Quarters - Assistant CScio - Ensign SG – Adala Michaels - 1645) (USS Exeter - Chief Tactical Officer's Office - Sec/TAC Officer Ensign Paul Sleeford. 16:53) (USS Exeter - Personal quarters - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 16:55) (USS Exeter - Ready Room - CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams and FO, Lt. Bracken - 17:00) (USS Exeter - R&SE Office - Dir. R&SE Ashlyn Williams - 1702) (USS Exeter –Bridge - CMO Ens Gabe Vespers- 1710) (USS Exeter - Ready Room - CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams - 1710) (USS Exeter –Observation Lounge - SOPS Ensign SG Billy Alexander - 1710) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - Assistant CScio - Ensign SG – Adala Michaels - 1711) (USS Exeter - Bridge - CIO/3O Lieutenant JG Jaelle Foxglove -1711) (USS Exeter – Observation Lounge – 2O/CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek – 1712) (USS Exeter – Observation Lounge - CMO Ens Gabe Vespers- 1713) (USS Exeter - Bridge - CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams-1713) (USS Exeter – Bridge – CFO – Lieutenant (JG) – Ire Williams- 1714) (USS Exeter –Observation Lounge - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More- 17:14 ) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - Assistant CScio - Ensign SG – Adala Michaels - 1715) (USS Exeter – Observation Lounge - SPC Ensign Greta Smith - 1716) (USS Exeter –Observation Lounge-SEC/TAC. PO3 Sytuk- 1717) (USS Exeter – Observation Lounge – Engineer –Ensign –Galu Vosi - 1718) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 1719) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge – Sec/tac Officer Ensign Paul Sleeford 17:20) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge – Engineer – Ensign – Galu Vozi - 1721) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge – Sec/tac Officer Ensign Stan More 17:22) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - CMO Ens Gabe Vesper - 1725) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - Sec/tac PO3 Sytuk - 1731) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - SPC Ensign Greta Smith - 1733) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 1735) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 1736 ) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 1745) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 17:46) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - Sec/Tac Ensign Paul Sleeford - 1747) (USS Exeter, Personal quarters - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 17:48) (USS Exeter, Personal quarters - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 17:49) (USS Exeter - Personal quarters - SPC Ensign Greta Smith & CFO Lieutenant (JG) Ire Williams - 1751) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Begin Compile >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Mission: The Flames of Purity Day: -15 Stardate: 2445.09.15 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (Mars Facility - Hanger 3 - S&R Chief Ens(sg) Trinity Frost - 0830) Trinity ran across the hanger as the warning klaxon sounded. She felt the rush of adrenaline as she pulled herself up the ladder and jumped into her Vakyrie 5. The ground crew fitted the umbilicals that connected her flight suit to the ship’s diagnostics and life support, and as Trinity tightened her helmet and fitted her facemask and flipped the visor down that provided her preferred smart readout. “Tower this is HB1 Honey Badger response, request clearance for immediate launch.” =/\=Clearance Granted HB1 pattern is clear. Cleared for fast and low heading 265 dead.=/\= “Understood tower. HB1 out” She then opened a channel to the other two fighters, the Valkyrie 3’s rather than her own 5. “Launch clear form on my wing, heading 265 dead.” =HB2, Confirmed HB1 =/\= =HB3, Confirmed HB1 =/\= Seconds later her fighter, and those of her 2 wingmen tore down the runway, and in a tight echelon formation, once they were past the limits of the base, dropped altitude to 100 feet. Their speed, and low altitude, caused delight to a group of small children, who though squealing at the noise, jumped in excitement at the display. One or two older children, trying not to be excited by it, noting the squadron codes in a tiny book that they kept, delighted to complete a collection of seeing all the Squad leaders in flight. Frost’s ‘Honey Badgers’ were the last ones that one child needed. “YEEESSS! I WIN!” Games in the playground resumed, parents smiling at their children, some of whom were now pretending to be fighter planes, resumed their conversations. (posted by Mark) (Mars Facility - Hanger 3 - S&R Chief Ens(sg) Trinity Frost - 1100) Trinity completed the last of her post-flight checks, and filed her report as she was sat in the cockpit. Sighing deeply she looked around the hangar. She was doing something now that she had always dreamed of, she was accepted as an integral part of Mars Flight Operations. As she often did, she thought back to the moment she left home, wearing just the clothes on her back she’d left after a furious row with her father. She’d stormed out with the clothes on her back, a couple of changes of underwear, a small amount of food, and some tradeables that she could use to secure passage to the Academy. This time, he nostalgia for home, the rickety old craft that she’d flown crop-dusting from age 11, the home-baked bread that graced the table a couple of times a week. Her father hadn’t been a bad person, he just felt that his families place was doing exactly what they were told, and never to question. That had never sat right with Trinity, and year after year the arguments between them had grown more and more severe. It was always about the same thing, her leaving to go to the Academy as a pilot. He’d always snapped back that if he’d failed selection, then she’d always fail too, that she couldn’t fly a kite in an autumn breeze. She opened a channel in her cockpit, and using the contacts that she had, called her home for the first time ever. Trinity remembered that her friend Greta had pestered her repeatedly to do this, but she’d resisted. She missed the young Scot. A face appeared on the viewscreen, a face that made her heart jump. “Mum?” “Trinity…? Oh my days...Trinity...you’re alive...I…” She was pushed aside by someone else. “Father.” Trinity’s face hardened slightly. “You gave up all right to use that word when you left. What’s that ridiculous get-up you’re wearing?” Sighing deeply, she pulled off her flight helmet, and placed it on top of the Valkyrie’s dashboard. “It’s a flight suit Dad. Not that it will bother you but I’m a pilot now.” “Huh.” he snapped, “Dusting crops is all you’ve ever been good for, no matter what costume you think you want to wear doing it. What bucket is the farm making you fly anyway?” Shaking her head, realising the pointlessness of the conversation, in her mind she drew a line under the entirety of her former life, ruling it all out now. “Doesn’t matter old man. Look. Tell mum I said goodbye, I’m sorry she’s been hurt so much. Frost out.” “Frost? Who’s…” was the last two words she ever heard the man who she’d once called ‘Dad’ say. (posted by Mark) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Mission: The Flames of Purity Day: 15 Stardate: 2445.09.15 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Exeter - Bridge - ACFO Ens(sg) Trinity Frost - 1545) Excitement. Trinity stepped across the Bridge, seeing one or two familiar faces from back on Mars. The last couple of months had been a whirlwind of change, she'd been assigned to help train some fresh pilots on Bajor, before her newest orders came through. She hit the doorchime, and on hearing a word from inside, entered the room. "Captain. Ensign Frost reporting for duty." (Reply Trip) (Posted by Mark (spc)) (USS Exeter - Bridge - CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams - 1546) Things were going crazy. Dareshaa was on her way to Deep Space 9 with an emergency evacuation, the CMO wanted a moment of his time, he needed to brief his FO and 2O and things were just moving so fast. And now his old friend Trinity Frost was on board. She was supposed to meet them at DS9 in three days, but with the new mission he asked her to meet them at the border to the Badlands. She arrived shortly after the defeated the Saber and had her shuttle enter the Exeter right before the Exeter entered the badlands. WIth all the chaos going on, Trip hadn't really thought much of it. Trinity had spent the last few hours settling in. "Captain. Ensign Frost reporting for duty." "Now is not the best time Ensign, but it's damn good to see you." (Reply Frost) "Listen, I'm swamped with meetings. But we can catch up later. Listen, You're the ACFO in charge of support craft. Best to head down to the Shuttlebays, not the main one, it's being used as a triage. Seek out Ensign Isra Tiar. She's our lead shuttle bay technician. Schedules shuttle maintenance, upkeep, etc. While you are in charge of scheduling pilots and the like. It would be good to touch base, build up a friendship. Y'all will be working closely together." (reply Frost) "It's really good to see you Trinity, dismissed." (reply Frost) (reply Frost) (posted by Will) (USS Exeter, Turbolift – aOPS Ensign M’Rurrh – 1556) Having spent the last several hours on duty in the Operations Centre, M’Rurrh had taken a short break to grab some food and stretch out ahead of taking her Beta shift post on the bridge. Entering the turbolift she stifled a yawn and had to repeat her destination before the lift began ascending to the bridge. ~It’s just contentedness after eating – you’ve pulled double-shifts before so get a grip!~ (posted by Michael) (USS Exeter, Bridge - aOPS Ensign M’Rurrh – 1558) Already en route when the summons came through her commbadge, the turbolift disgorged M’Rurrh onto the Exeter’s main bridge in time for her to hear the Chief Operations Officer say “Ensign Page, when Ensign M'Rurrh arrives you are relieved." Ravok resumed the centre seat, his mind clearly on something, and M’Rurrh took the opportunity to ease over to the Operations station and receive a brief handover from Ensign Page. “So, Ensign – are we ship shape? Anything of interest to note?” (Reply Page) As the two Ensigns exchanged positions and Ensign Page moved to leave the Bridge, M’Rurrh cleared her through and called out “Lieutenant, I believe you said you needed to talk with me?” (Reply Ravok) (Reply Page, Ravok) (Posted by MCD) (USS Exeter - CSO Office - CMO Ens Gabe Vesper - 1600) "Come on in, Doctor." Gabe walked into the room with his usual brashness and self importance. "Erin, I need a favour" "I'm guessing this isn't a home visit for a mandatory physical?" The woman motioned for him to sit down. ~why is it always medicals~ "No it's not, although why does everyone think I want to scan them? Odd day so far, be glad when it's over but I don't think that's going to come anytime soon." (Reply Cortez iyw) "Look, I've been asked by Trip to quickly produce three or four transponder chips that won't be detected when scanned. As much as I can do it myself, I'm slowly learning that I need help. The transponders in the system will be detected as their not bionural, I don't know how long we have but I know we don't have a lot of time. Can you help?" (Reply Cortez) (Posted by Mat) (USS Exeter, Bridge - SPC Ensign Rylee Page – 1600) “So, Ensign – are we ship shape? Anything of interest to note?” "Well, apart from one of the crew collapsing and being taken off the bridge, OPS is ship shape Ma'am. " Stepping to one side, Rylee let the woman take her station, nodded her thanks and headed to the turbo lift. (posted by Jackie) (USS Exeter, Bridge –aCTO/COO Lieutenant jg Ravok – 1601) " Lieutenant, I believe you said you needed to talk with me?" Ravok looked at Ensign M'Rurrh, " Yes Ensign" He stood up and walked over to her. " Look Ensign, for the time being I am being asked to oversee the tactical department. I need you to handle operations, I know you can do it. Tactical is a lot more delicate and requires …" He paused and leaned in and lowered his voice . " A tighter leash" He said leaning back away. ( reply M'Rurrh) " So as assistant chief of operations I say this, Ops is yours, work closely with Science and keep the department in one piece for me " He said laughing. ( reply M'Rurrh) Ravok nodded his head and returned to the command chair and took his seat. ( reply M'Rurrh) ( posted by Davis) (USS Exeter - CSO Office - CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez - 1604) "No it's not, although why does everyone think I want to scan them? Odd day so far, be glad when it's over but I don't think that's going to come anytime soon." Smiling softly, Erin forced back a laugh, "I know what you mean. To be fair, I spent a long time under the care of doctors recently so it's kind of a default answer for me." "Look, I've been asked by Trip to quickly produce three or four transponder chips that won't be detected when scanned. As much as I can do it myself, I'm slowly learning that I need help. The transponders in the system will be detected as they're not bionural, I don't know how long we have but I know we don't have a lot of time. Can you help?" Closing her eyes briefly, Erin opened them, leant forward on her desk and looked at the man, the doctor infront of her. "I think I can but I have a condition. " (Reply Vespers) "It's nothing big. Nothing that will impact this … project for want of a better word." (Reply Vespers) Leaning back in her chair, Erin sighed as she began to speak, "You know my medical history, hell you have access to my file, of course you do. Well, my condition is that you don't tell anyone where I got this idea from." (Reply Vespers) "When I was at Starfleet medical, during my recovery I was assigned to Starfleet Science. Kind of how I got this position now. Part of my assignment was overseeing Ensign Michael's projects. Doing this allowed me lab time. On my own. I need to understand what had happened to me… with Dulon. So I began to research data crystals. I had to understand how it happened and what they could be used for. So, I developed something. A crystal that was so small, it couldn't be detected by any real scan. But the crystal had it's own unique resonance frequency. Scanning for that frequency, and bear in mind you could only do that if you knew the exact frequency you were looking for, allowed us to find a proverbial needle in a haystack. It was tested in the Mojave desert. Everytime we found the crystal. But, we ran side by side scans and we only found it if we knew what we were looking for. Since then, I have three. Three crystals that have their own resonance frequency. I have them here, in the lab. Put them under the skin at the base of the skull. Can't detect them.They are literally just crystals that vibrate. Nothing more. If we were to use those, assign each crystals frequency to the person we put them in, then we could lock onto those frequencies and bang, instant transporter lock." She stopped, realising she had been talking and enthusing a little much. (Reply Vespers) "It's a bit out there I know but, with the time constraints, it's one of the best options we have. The only drawback is I have 3. I could, at a stretch, get another but it depends on how long we have." (Reply Vespers) "They can be placed with a hypo spray. The crystals themself are almost microscopic." (Reply Vespers, any) (Posted by Jackie) (USS Exeter - mess hall - SPC Ensign Rylee Page – 1605) As she sat down by the window in the mess hall, Rylee looked out at the view. The swirling gases of the badlands were almost hypnotic. Picking up her coffee, Rylee stared at them, mind wandering as she took a sip of her drink. ~pops, you would live this. You always said that I would go places but I bet you never thought I would go this far.~ (Reply any) (Posted by Jackie) (USS Exeter - CMO Office - CMO Ens Gabe Vespers- 1606) "I think I can but I have a condition." Gabe looked at her, again he felt the frustration of just wanting to get on with the job at hand rather than chitchat but clearly the Exeter was filled with people that wanted to be friends. ~suffer it~ "It's a direct order from the Captain, I'm to use anyone I need; there are no conditions Erin." Being Science division both officers had spent time together and Gabe felt comfortable calling her by her name rather than rank. "It's nothing big. Nothing that will impact this … project for want of a better word." She continued. "If it will speed things up then let's hear it." Gabe said trying his best not to walk out and find Ensign Micheals. "You know my medical history, hell you have access to my file, of course you do. Well, my condition is that you don't tell anyone where I got this idea from." Erin leaned back in her chair and Gabe stood almost speechless. "I'm the CMO Lt, I know things about the crew that even the Captain won't know." Erin went on to explain her idea as Gabe listened he sat down. "It's a bit out there I know but, with the time constraints, it's one of the best options we have. The only drawback is I have 3. I could, at a stretch, get another but it depends on how long we have." She finished Gabe knew instantly he had gone to the right person. "Its perfect! It's as out there as using Borg tech in your CO! How far is the frequency, we will need to make sure it's beyond transporter range?" "They can be placed with a hypo spray. The crystals themself are almost microscopic." "And the range? Get them out, we don't have long." Gabe blustered trying to contain his excitement (Reply Cortez any) (Posted by Mat) (USS Exeter - CSO Office - CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez - 1607) "And the range? Get them out, we don't have long." Erin's eyes grew wide and she smiled, "Calm down. They're in the lab. Come on, let me show you." (Reply Vespers) Standing, Erin strode into the lab and headed to one of the work stations. Smiling back at Vesper, she pointed out three small tubes lying behind a force field. "Doctor Vesper, meet Delta, Echo and Blue." (Reply Vespers) "I know. I named them. They're kind of my pet project. I can be sentimental when I want to be. So, you asked about frequency range?" (Reply Vespers) "These three will be able to be picked up far. To be honest I haven't had chance to really test the full range of their resonance frequencies, but I am confident that these will do the job." (Reply Vespers) "Medically speaking, the only slight issue we noticed during initial tests was a slight, and I mean slight skin irritation at the insertion site. Part of the reason I suggest base of the skull. Hairline will hide any sign of it." (Reply Vespers) "I need to do some final calculations. Just a few to make sure they will be fine and ready to use. How soon do you need them?" (Reply Vespers) (Reply Vespers, any) (Posted by Jackie) (USS Exeter - Lab 1 - CMO Ens Gabe Vesper - 1609) Following Erin he walked into the Lab and saw the three tubes behind the field. Pulling out his tricorder he scanned them. "Doctor Vesper, meet Delta, Echo and Blue." "Hmmm, what?" He asked focusing on the svanst. "I know. I named them. They're kind of my pet project. I can be sentimental when I want to be. So, you asked about frequency range?" Erin continued. "Mmmhmmm. Fascinating, the tricorder can't read them at all." Gabe said returning to his obsorbed personality. "These three will be able to be picked up far. To be honest I haven't had chance to really test the full range of their resonance frequencies, but I am confident that these will do the job." "Confidence without facts is misguided confidence Erin, what else can you tell me?" Gabe said as he lowered the field scanning again. "Medically speaking, the only slight issue we noticed during initial tests was a slight, and I mean slight skin irritation at the insertion site part of the reason I suggest base of the skull. Hairline will hide any sign of it." "I can get something to sort that. I'd suggest putting it completely out of harm's was in the foot. From what I've seen today we cant risk anything. When can they work?" Gabe pocketed his tricorder and raised the forcefield again. "I need to do some final calculations. Just a few to make sure they will be fine and ready to use. How soon do you need them?" "Ideally I want to run a subdermal test, I would ultimately want to test the range but I guess that's not going to happen." Gabe took the empty hypo he had in his pocket from his meeting with Trip and handed it to her. "Load it up. I need to see the results for myself. Also, where are the files about the research?" (Reply Cortez) Gabe walked across the room to the terminal and accessed it. " I'll hook it up to Engineering and run a few tests on the range." Turning he looked at Erin. "Ready?" (Reply Cortez) (Posted by Mat) (USS Exeter - CSO Office - CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez - 1611) "Ideally I want to run a subdermal test, I would ultimately want to test the range but I guess that's not going to happen." The doctor replied. Reaching into his uniform, he handed her an empty hypospray, "Load it up. I need to see the results for myself. Also, where are the files about the research?" Taking it from him, she raised an eyebrow, smiled and loaded delta, echo and blue into the hypospray. "The files on my research, which was thorough and conclusive I hasten to add, are on the main computer. I can access them any time for you, Doctor." She watched as he walked to a nearby terminal, sat and began accessing the data. ~doesn't waste anytime this one. Not even for basic pleasantries. ~ she thought to herself as she walked over to his side. " I'll hook it up to Engineering and run a few tests on the range. Ready?" "Go right ahead, Doctor." She responded calmly as she placed the hypospray on to the console. (Reply Vespers) As the scan began running, Erin sighed slightly. (Reply Vespers) "It's nothing really. Just that this has been a pet project of mine for nearly a year. I was beginning to think that we would never be using it in the field so to speak." (Reply Vespers) Nodding, Erin took a seat next to him, "That slight irritation I mentioned, maybe… once your tests are done, we could find a way to add an antihistamine or something of the kind into the hypospray so it can be administered at the same time." (Reply Vespers) "I know. You're the doctor, I'm the mad scientist. " she replied with a wry smile. (Reply Vespers) "I'm sure some of the crew think I'm a little bit off kilter for want of a better word. I mean, after all, who can't be taken over by a mad cardassian scientist and come away from that just the same as you were?" (Reply Vespers) Looking down at the console, Erin realised that she had opened up a little more than was appropriate at that moment. "So, what do you think, Doctor? Are they going to work?" (Reply Vespers) (Reply Vespers, any) (Posted by Jackie) (USS Exeter - ship Corredor‘s ACMO Ens Kasian Poldan - 1615) Kasian wasn’t sure what he was doing. With everything going on he felt a bit lost and a bit out of place. He wandered around the ship, his mind rushing with everything going on. Kaz needed to get his mind off of things he missed his family. He wasn’t close to anyone on this ship and he didn’t see him having more than a professional relationship with any of them. Kaz knee his mom always talk about chef brown in such a high fashion and Kaz couldn’t remember his mother ever talking so highly of anyone except maybe her old captains. He couldn’t help but wonder where his mother would be now if she didn’t go home if she wasn’t an ambassador on Trill. Would he have the same fate to spend years in the fleet making friends just to return home to some political career. Kasian was so lost in thought that he hadn’t even noticed he walked into the quartermasters office. (Reply Brown) (Posted by Richard) (USS Exeter - Quartermaster MCPO Janey "Chief' Brown - 1620) Janey looked up as the doors opened she has settled back into her office and was checking reports, mainly to distract herself from the present. A familiar face appeared at her doors and she smiled a little. "Dr Poldan, how can I help?" Janey stood and walked round the desk looking at the pain in the man's eyes, she knew he needed to let something out. (Reply Poldan) (Posted by Mat) (USS Exeter - ACMO ens Kasian Poldan - 1622) "Dr Poldan, how can I help?" Kaz blinked looking around he was so lost in thought that he had no idea how he got here. Kaz had always been the strong one out of the twins always took charge always been the adult, but now things seemed to be changing he didn’t want to be strong anymore. “I’m so sorry I’m not sure why I’m here. I was just trying to clear my mind and took a little walk around the ship.” (Reply Brown) Kaz could still smell burnt flesh; he hated the smell. He had been working on the two patients all day just trying to make sure they didn’t get an infection and make sure the wounds were clean. Kaz took a step back trying to keep his distance “I’m sorry I’m sure I smell awful. Never going to get the smell of burnt flesh off me.” Kaz felt a tear roll down his cheek he didn’t even know why was he was overwhelmed. (Reply brown) (Posted by Richard) (USS Exeter - QM Office - MCPO Janey Brown - 1625) “I’m so sorry I’m not sure why I’m here. I was just trying to clear my mind and took a little walk around the ship.” Poldan said clearly lost in his mind. "It's an odd place to end up Dr, but here you are. Your mother used to aimlessly wonder the ship somtimes, must have it from her." Janey laughed and went to push the man to a vacant chair. Kaz took a step back trying to keep his distance as a small tear fell down his cheek. “I’m sorry I’m sure I smell awful. Never going to get the smell of burnt flesh off me.” Janey held his arms and pulled him back to the chair and sat him down. Silently she moved to the replicator and grabbed a drink. "Here, tea, you're safe here. The smell of burning flesh is fine, I've smelt worse. I can get you a change of uniform if you want?" (Reply Poldan) Janey rested on her desk and sipped her now cold coffee. She smiled gently at the man and allowed him the space to breath that he needed. (Reply Poldan) (Posted by Mat) (USS Exeter - QM Office - ACMO Ens Kasian Poldan - 1627) "Here, tea, you're safe here. The smell of burning flesh is fine, I've smelt worse. I can get you a change of uniform if you want?" Kaz shook his head. “It would be a waste of time honestly.” He really did appreciate the offer, but he knew it was pointless just to go back and dirty a second uniform. Kaz sipped the tea and remained quiet for several minutes. “This all seems like a waste, I mean everything, maybe even rebuilding the federation.” Kaz wasn’t actually talking to anyone just thinking out loud. It was a thing that he Did a lot. Poldan would sometimes respond and make Ka look even more crazier. “All this death, these people are suffering and can we even make a difference by being here.” Kaz generally didn’t have such a negative outlook on things but the last few months had been taxing and he had started to second guess all his life choices. (Reply brown) (Posted by Richard) (USS Exeter - QM Office - QM MCPO Janey 'Cheif' Brown - 1629) Kaz looked at his tea and the room fell silent, Janey was ok for a moment and then the extended silence got a little too much for her. Swearing she could actually hear the plasma rush through the nacells Janey wanted to burst, she went to speak when the air was cut “This all seems like a waste, I mean everything, maybe even rebuilding the federation. All this death, these people are suffering and can we even make a difference by being here.” Janey stood "I'm not completely sure what to say son, but, I've lost a lot on the journey to now. We've all lost a lot." She crossed the small space between them and knelt at his side. "When I look around these rooms these corridors, I see the ghosts of what we used to be, who we were, what we were, what we've lost. I've bridged the gap of a world thats torn itself to bits, a world that has never lost sight of its guiding principle. Your father died protecting citizens of the Federation, the love of my life died carrying out his duty rescuing a member world, my closest friends died as the result of selflessness. And you think standing in a shuttlebay dealing with burns victims is a waste?!" Janey stood and stepped back as she felt herself getting annoyed. "How dare you. This whole ship, this whole crew has no idea what loss and waste is. None of you know the pain of loosing friends, colleagues, partners for duty day on day and week on week. Sure, you've lost people but that's nothing compared to the wave of casualties that come from war, ships plucked from Space for no reason, hundreds of people wiped out in a blink by someone sat in a room pressing a button. But we fought and we pushed on knowing that we were making a difference, knowing we were standing up for the rights, needs and protection of thousands, millions of people. People we would never meet, but needed us to right wrongs, remove injustices and protect them from the sheer evil of the Universe. An evil that is now on the other side of the that bulkhead, that threatens to destroy us all and you THINK YOURE NOT MAKING A DIFFERENCE!" (Replu Poldan iyw) "By turning your back on why we are here you're condemning those people that died to get us here to nothing making their sacrifice worthless." The tears of anger and pain falling from Janey, as she spoke spittal sprayed, she felt the throbbing of her veins at the sheer petulance of this stubborn man. "How dare you reduce the heroic acts of my friends to nothing. How dare you turn the fact that four of your crewmates just put their lives on the line today, me included, by running shuttles in the Badlands. Get out of my office before I say something I truly regret!" (Reply Poldan) Janey slammed her hand against the door panel as the doors opened she spun to face him "Apathy will kill the Federation, choose your side today. Now get the hell out!" As the doors closed Janey tried to seal the lock but the tears stopped her seeing right. She sunk down to the floor as her back hit the doors, the painful memories of loosing Chris came back, the fear of the last mission hit her and she sobbed, shaking as the tears ran out...once more alone in a time she didn't understand. (Reply Poldan) (Posted by Mat) (USS Exeter - Ready Room - CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams and Dir. R&SE Ashlyn Williams - 16:30) “You need to eat. Steak over rye, jack cheese, light on the pickles.” Trip looked as his beautiful bride, and the even more delicious sandwich. He wanted to say he ate an hour earlier, but he knew better than to argue with his wife. Ashlyn leant over and kissed her husband on the forehead, then sat on the desk. “Soo...this is exciting. On the desk this time?” She giggled wickedly, knowing that she was being horribly inappropriate. Trip laughed, “Maybe on the night shift. When there are less people.” Though he would be lying if he didn't want to just pick her up and throw her on the couch. Ashlyn smiled warmly, and winked impish. "Later then." “I ummm, I ummm……” Laughing gently at Trip's awkward response, Ash slipped off the desk and sat at the desk the other side. "So what did you need me for. All okay?" “You know, Ash, when I, when I accepted the offer to be Captain of th Exeter, I mean, I knew our missions would sometimes take us into danger, combat, we might have to provide a military presence, but you know I was hoping there would be more exploring, more first contact, less, less fighting. I mean, it was juvenile of me to think that, idealistic.” Ash nodded. "I understand…" Ash reached out and held his hand, letting him talk himself out. “But after a year of the commanding the fighter wing, of fighting pirates and stopping smugglers, I was hoping for a change of pace. Hoping for at least a window where I didn’t have to… order anyone or myself to record one of those videos to a loved one.” Ash stood up out of the chair, and came round to his side of the desk again, sitting herself on to top. “Do you remember those, I think I recorded one of those for you and showed it you when I got bored one night….” She nodded gently, still keeping quiet. "I remember, it was sad, and sweet." “They’re hard to do, a sign of our mortality, but it’s important. But if you’ve never done one. If you’ve never had to do it before. I umm….Ailynn…” Her head lifted up, her mood swinging out of a gentle worried reverie and fell into a full worry at the mention of Ailynn. "What about her? Tell me she's okay…" “She’s leading the away mission. She umm…. The fear in her eyes. I could see it, the eyes don’t lie. Just shooken. I thought I could send her, I think I can. It just stings more than sending say Ravok or Merek.” Her heart relaxed, "Trip, Ailynn spent 7 years training to be a surgeon, 7 years of the purest hard work, she graduated top in medical school, just to prove to everyone that she earned her place there that it wasn't given to her by Aimee. Now though, she's having to unlearn how to behave, and relearn everything not as a Doctor, but Command." "I know. And I'm throwing her into the lion's den." "She isn't so much scared, you remember she has quite strong atychiphobia? An irrational but persistent fear of failure?" "Another reason I should have sent myself." "I get that it stings, but Ailynn understands and accepts what you have to do. If she didn't she'd have walked already, and would probably be Professor of something at Medical HQ by now." "I know...it's just." "It's your first mission out Trip, it'll get more routine. Not easier, just less painful." "Starfleet robbed us you know. Of a chance to develop and grow on our own. Instead they threw us to a wolves. This is a ship with officers who have less than two or three years service time. And they expect us to know what we're doing." "Now you sound like Ailynn. You wouldn't be allowed to sit there if the Brass didn't think you could do it." "Today I've been told to hunt down a group of terrorists, rescued a bunch of refugees, absolutely destroyed a ship with enemy combatants, not knowing at the time that they have hostages. I have security officers nearly going off the rails, living bombs, my chief tactical officer is now on the way to Deep Space 9 due to a pulmonary embolism. And to top it all off, sending my best friend on an away mission is turning out to be harder thaniU thought." "I understand, but tomorrow you'll do the same thing because that's what you have to do." "And the worst part is, I haven't told Ailynn yet I want her to be bait, just in case." Ashlyn slipped off the desk and sat on her husbands knees, pulling him into a hug and leaning her cheek on the top of his head. "Honey, do you honestly think she hasn't figured it out already that as the Commanding Officer on the away team being even part Bajoran puts a target on her back? She's happy to take that one, whatever the cost or danger, because if she does it no-one else has to. She'd do it any day of the week and twice on Sunday, because that's who she is, she wouldn't let you pick anyone else even if you wanted to." "She doesn't know, she doesn't know that the cultists abduct anyone with Bajoran DNA. She doesn't know I asked the CMO to develop a sub dermal tracker. She doesn't know that I'm going to ask her to have the tracker implanted in case the mission goes south. She doesn't know, because I didn't have the guts to tell her." Ash sighed. "Then you need to tell her now. Because at the moment she may be a touch scared and on edge, but she'll shoulder it and carry on. If you leave it to the last second as a BTW, closest friend or no she'll tear you a new one for not telling her sooner." "I know, she left before I could. Then Billy told me one of our security personnel is going around calling Bajorans wrinkle noses and its just dawned on me how not ready for any of this I am." "'Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.'" Ash quoted, shrugging apologeticly "Henry IV, part 2." ~I still need to tell you something huge, but now isn't the best time.~ Trip thought to himself. "Anyways I guess, I'm just feeling overwhelmed. Like I'm in quicksand." Ashlyn smiled and sighed gently. "You know what to do in quicksand? Stop struggling and relax. Stay still, assess your situation. Find something or someone to cling to and have them help you out. Which...is exactly what you're doing. You have the very best to lean on." "That I do." "I'm fairly sure I can help in some little way too. Want me to take a PADD with the rest of the stuff to Ailynn?" "No. I need to tell her in person. That in the case we fail and she's captured. We can track her. But it's more than that. If I'm being honest. I want her tracked so we can rescue her." Ashlyn nodded, "it makes sense. You any better?" Trip sighed, "Ash, while I am now uncertain if space is the place where we could start our future family… Im glad I have you here. I'm glad I'm not alone." ~Come on Trip, tell her your secret.~ But Trip was too scared to tell her the secret he was hiding. Ash sighed as she spoke, smiling gently. "There's nowhere else that I'd rather be than by your side. As to a family, we have time. I love you." "I love you too…" Trip paused. "Please don't be mad. I ummm. I've been keeping a secret from you." Ash pulled away slightly, raising an eyebrow. "Secrets already Trip Williams?" "As you know my implant has umm, affected my Betazoid physiology. It has heightened my empathic powers, and temporarily kickstarted low level telepathy. Usually controllable, and only with those I know well." "Okaaay…" Ashlyn was uncharacteristically unsure what to say. "This isn't something I know about, but so long as you're still you. "Anyways, only Ailynn knows this, I had to tell her. But with the change in physiology, I umm, discovered something that…. Well. Babe. It changes everything and I just didn't know how to tell you. Frankly I was scared. Hopefully my abilities go away and my physiology gets normalized soon. But things have now changed forever. And I cant keep this from you any longer. I rather you learn about it from me than somebody else. Just know everything is going to be ok." She pulled him into a close embrace. "It's okay, so long as you're still you, and you still love me I'm happy." She lifted his chin and kissed him deeply. "You worry about so much, you're doing far better than you know; and as to that other thing, its okay. Nothing can really change us." "I'm not so sure about that." "I know. Look, you have a lot on, I'd better let you get on and speak to Ailynn." "Thanks for the sandwich." "Love you hun." She kissed him again as she got up to leave another layer of anxiety and worry in her. There was something… something was wrong, until Trip fully opened up and told her what was eating at him, the disquiet in her own soul wouldn't abate. "Ash," Trip said meekly following her. He then pulled her into an embrace. As if he was clinging to his source of sanity. He then whispered the truth into her ear. (Reply none) (Posted by Will and Mark) (USS Exeter - Main Shuttlebay - Ens JG Doctor Katie Jamison (spc) - 16:35) Katie had been overseeing the care of the four that had been cleared of the explosive compound and was finally sitting down, for the first time in ages, a raktajino in her hand, and a tired look on her face. She never complained, well almost never. When she had something to say, she said it. “ Good afternoon Doctor, how are our explosive quartet?” His voice in her ear startled her and she jumped. "Don't do that again!" She said, her voice a little louder and sharper than it needed to be. "Dammit Ensign, please don't sneak up on a person like that." She smiled at him as she pulled herself to her feet and placed the cup on the table next to her. “Would it be possible to grab a quick chat with them?” "Yes, I'm sorry. Of course you can talk to them." She looked at him, her eyes on his. "As long as that is all you are going to do." She followed Sleeford to where the four had been placed, in a corner out of the way and listened to the conversation between them. She remained silent until the two of them had walked away again several minutes later. "That girl want to marry the unknown boy as much as i want to stand next to a warp core breech." Katie noticed his wince and immediately placed a hand under his arm, leading him to a nearby bed. "Ok what'd you punch?" She knew his type, punched first, asked questions later. "Nothing much, just a stupid act of aggression that I should have known better not to do, the walls in the corridor are stronger then the bones in my hand." She was none too gentle while she examined his hand. She had no reason to be. He had been the stupid one punching the wall the way he had. Several minutes later she stepped back and allowed him to stand. "Let's not do that again." Her voice stern as she turned to work on a tray of empty hyposprays while they talked. "Thanks doc." "I've not done this for a while, but would you like to have dinner with me one evening, if you're free and ...." Katie almost dropped the hypospray she had just filled and her head snapped in his direction. "Did ... you, ... just ask me out on a date?" This was a first for her, nobody asked HER out on a date. NOBODY ever asked her anywhere and it left her slightly at a loss for words. She shook her head and laughed "Sure ... but it has to be a place that serves fresh gagh." (Reply Sleeford) (Posted by Kathleen (SPC)) (USS Exeter - Shuttle bay - Sec/Tac Officer Ensign Paul Sleeford - 1636) Sleeford watched as Jamison dropped the hypospray she was holding. Fighting hard not to laugh and offend her. Did ... you, ... just ask me out on a date?" She shook her head and laughed "Sure ... but it has to be a place that serves fresh gagh." Smiling Sleeford stood and faced Jamison. “I’ll book a table on DS9 when we get Back, their more likely to have fresh Gagh, rather then replicated.” Leaning forward slightly Sleeford gave Jamison a quick kiss on the cheek. Smiling he stood fora second then headed out to carry on with his duties. (Replies- none) (Posted by Alistair) (USS Exeter - FO’s Office - FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken- 1640) Ailynn sat, cross legged, at her desk; Sighing gently she ran over the notes for the away team meeting that she was about to hold. It was with a small amount of trepidation that she opened a channel to the away team members. "Bracken to Sytuk, Sleeford, Vesper, Merek, Vosi, Michaels, More, Smith and Billy Williams. Report to the Observation Lounge at 1715 hours for Away team briefing." Having closed the channel Ailynn turned her attention back to the PADD that contained the Intel regarding the asteroid base. (Reply as above, post into Observation Lounge.) (Posted by Mark) (USS Exeter - Personal Quarters - Assistant CScio - Ensign SG – Adala Michaels - 1645) "Bracken to Sytuk, Sleeford, Vesper, Merek, Vosi, Michaels, More, Smith and Billy Williams. Report to the Observation Lounge at 1715 hours for Away team briefing." Adala groaned as she rolled off the couch and stood up. Her body ached from the exercise program she'd used on the holodeck and she had been looking for some R and R. The mission had been a rough one, she'd stayed busy. She glanced at the clock and stepped into the bathroom. Ten minutes later she was shrugging her jacket over her shoulders and straightening her uniform in the mirror. It was amazing what a quick shower could do. (posted by Kathleen) (USS Exeter - Chief Tactical Officer's Office - Sec/TAC Officer Ensign Paul Sleeford. 16:53) Sleeford stood while Tyko read him like a book, feeling smaller and smaller by the minute, the next statement knocked Sleeford back. "I called you down here for more important matters. Your captain is most likely going to send an away team down, and they may end up being confronted with those human bombs, now that we know that they carry hyposprays on them with the compound, we need to find a way to neutralize them effectively. You did good work in the shuttle bay. I wanted to ask you, if you would be able to take that neutralizing compound you were able to put together, and figure out a way to deliver it like a projectile. Like shooting a dart or something like that. Something you could deliver at a safer distance. Is that something you think you could figure out?" "Yes sir, give time, which I assume we don't have, if i could replicate an old fashioned tranquilliser gun and darts, that could work. If not we're going to have to get down and dirty with people who want to stop us. I'll give it some thought, I cant see us going anywhere soon" As he spoke the comms buzzed with a shipwide call "Bracken to Sytuk, Sleeford, Vesper, Merek, Vosi, Michaels, More, Smith and Billy Williams. Report to the Observation Lounge at 1715 hours for Away team briefing." Sighing. “Or maybe not” Tapping his badge, Sleeford responded, “Understood Lieutenant” Looking across the desk, Sleeford looked at Tyko, “I’ll give the information some quick thought, if I have to I’ll ram the vial into the mouths and risk dying in the process, if it stops more people dying it will be worth it. With your permission sir" Leaving the security office Sleeford rode up to the bridge he pulled his tunic straight as the approached the Captains ready room, pressing the chime he waited. (Williams) Swallowing Sleeford entered the ready room, approaching the desk he stopped three foot short and snapped to attention. “Ensign Sleeford reporting Sir.” (Williams) Sleeford stood facing the captain. “ I’ve come to apologise for my actions this afternoon. I didn’t act in the manner a Star fleet officer. To be honest captain I allowed a situation got get away from me.” ( Williams) Sleeford stood there as the captain gave his verdict, feeling it was more then fair, in fact a Sleeford had expected a lot worse. As he rode from deck eight to the bridge, he realised that the situation had been manipulated by Tyko for his gains. (Williams) Leaving the ready room Sleeford let out a large exhale of breath, he wondered if today could get worse. Crossing the bridge Sleeford entered the observation lounge, nodding to the others sitting there he found a empty chair and sat waiting for the briefing to start. (Replies Williams) (Posted by Alistair) USS Exeter - Personal quarters - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 16:55 ) Stan felt different. As if a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders. The Captain had been very fair indeed. Things could of been a lot worse. At least now he was getting the help he needed. Plus Stan had always wanted to speak to Master Chief Knight. He had missed saying hello to him at the meet and greet. He needed to change plus a quick sonic shower would be welcome. He stepped through the doors to his personal quarters. Then counted to four as a ball of excited fur armed with a slimy tongue. Came bounding towards him. Making a high pitched barks that could shatter glass. Jumping into his arms Lillian his German Shepard dog puppy.Attempted to lick all the fleshy parts of More she could reach. “ Not the mouth not the mouth!! “ He told her. Lillian seemed determined to give him a good wash. Finally he placed her back on the floor. “ Ouch! Yer wee scaly look at me face. Now the shower is no longer an option but a necessity. Go and play.” He said. Still excited Lillian bounded off. Stan’s comm. badge chirped. =/\= "Bracken to Sytuk, Sleeford, Vesper, Merek, Vosi, Michaels, More, Smith and Billy Williams. Report to the Observation Lounge at 1715 hours for Away team briefing." =/\= “ Understood Ma’am. More out.” Stan replied More quickly walked into the his bedroom. After a couple of wasted minutes. Trying to convince Lillian that the sonic shower. Was not a monster attacking her master. He showered and changed uniform. Grabbing a chicken sandwich plush glass of milk and after being guilt tripped. A bowl of food for Lillian. He sat down for a quick snack before the meeting. ( Reply - None ) ( Posted by:- Norman 🐼) (USS Exeter - Ready Room - CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams and FO, Lt. Bracken - 17:00) “Thanks for meeting with me Ailynn, I know the timing is very tight.” Trip said, his office door had been a revolving door for the last hour so, between meeting with Dr. Vesper, Bracken and Merek, Ash, and then Ensign Moore. But things were moving right and fast and he needed to talk to Ailynn before her briefing. "It's all good. I need to step away, or I'll just sit and reread the same stuff time and time again rather than just letting it sink in." Ailynn answered gently. “You all set for the briefing?” "Pretty much. Its all in there somewhere." She tapped her head. "You in with us?" “I won't be attending, I trust you, this is your mission, you don’t need me looking over your shoulder.” Ailynn nodded. "I appreciate that." She smiled, half remembering all the games those years ago. “Umm, listen I need to ask you something.” Her face looked puzzled, he was never normally this subtle when asking her things, they'd always just been utterly open with each other. "Sure. Shoot, you know that." “So I left out a piece of intel. You sort of left before I could bring this up. Ummm, the cultists, terrorists, whatever, they umm, abuct, kidnap, or whatever you want to call it, but they take the Bajorans. They won’t harm the Bajorans, they’ll take them, then kill the non Bajorans.” Ailynn sighed deeply. Nodding. "I'd considered it a possibility from their actions on the freighter. Not going to lie the confirmation does not make things easier." “Listen, there is something I need to ask you to do. You can say no, but I am prepared to make it an order.” "Okaaaay. So yes I guess. What is it?" If he was prepared to give her a direct order, then there was no point arguing. “Dr. Vesper is currently preparing a hard to trace subdermal tracker. If things go south, if for some reasons we don’t make it, or if they get the upper hand. You are a ¼ Bajoran, they’ll probably scan for those with Bajaron DNA or something like that. I don’t know. But, if for some reason, you get taken during the mission, we can track you, we can find you, or if the Exeter goes down, I plan on giving the transponder frequency to Starfleet Intelligence. If you get taken, they can track you, find you, rescue you and any other Bajorans, my wife included, that they might abduct from our crew.” "That is quite an escalation Trip. The Bajorans on the away team...I get...yes. but that would mean that what 75% of my first away team is killed in action. On top of that...I don't even want to imagine them getting the crew from the Exeter, Ash especially." “I’ve got to cover the bases here, Lynn. This is worst case scenario. Like if the Exeter gets overwhelmed, boarded, Bajorans taken, the rest of us left for dead. The rest of you, those of you with Bajoran ancestry, you’d be taken, you’d be alive, this way you can be rescued, and we can be avenged.” She stood up silently and moved over to the window, pulling her hair into a tight braid. "You're right of course, and I don't disagree. The thought of so many hundred colleagues left for dead just sickens me." Pausing for a second, she then carried on, swallowing her worries and coming out of the other side of them. "Okay. I'll add it to the end of the briefing notes. Record messages Home?" “Yes record messages home, but leave out the doom and gloom. We can’t have them going in thinking worst case scenarios. I want them going in confident, that the message is just a formality. I mean the group that left on the shuttles did it. I want them feeling like they’re going to kick ass.” "Agreed." Ailynn answered, "makes sense" “I’m probably just being paranoid, but as I was sitting, planning, and the moment Gabe mentioned they were taking Bajorans, my mind went back to my first mission, the battle at the Kuiper belt. The pirates we fought were able to use a short range EMP burst, bringing the shields down just long enough to bring over attackers. Ravok got stabbed, Ire and Greta had a bomb in theirs, and got blown into space. Guess it just popped in my head, the tools of the desperate you know.” "No I know, and you're right. Dammit of course your right. I hope it's just a case of...i dunno...paranoia on our part?" She sighed, sitting down once more. “Maybe I’m being paranoid. I’m probably being paranoid. But it’s my job. I trust you though Lynn. I trust you, which is why your leading this, not Foxglove, not Merek, you. You’re ready for this. I mean I’d send myself if I could, but you’d knock me out before I could.” Ailynn laughed gently. "Yeah I would, or your darling wife would end me for letting you go." “Yeah…” Trip paused, his minds lingering on the memory of whispering his secret into his wife’s ears. "Look, it's okay. I've got this. Yes I'll not lie I'm on edge about it, but I've got this covered. If it goes south then...well. We'll think of something. It'll work to our benefit somehow." “I told Ash the truth.” "Hoped that you would at some point." She looked at him, a whole world of conversation exchanged in a glance. She nodded grimly, but when she spoke her voice upbeat, the worry swallowed once more. "Anything else?" “No, that’s all. Good luck Lynn.” "Thanks Trip." She smiled warmly. "I best get on. Need to set the room up. With your permission?" “Dismissed.” Ailynn stood up and left the office, patting Trip on the shoulder as she passed him. (Reply none) (Posted by Will and Mark) (USS Exeter - R&SE Office - Dir. R&SE Ashlyn Williams - 1702) Ashlyn sat down heavily in her seat, exhausted. There had been so much worry, but it was far from over. The away team would be leaving soon, and it wouldn't be until they were back that Ashlyn could relax. She knew that Trip would be beside himself until they were. She sat back, her mind wandering across space and time to a more simple and settled emotionally, or at least, the evening her mind remembered had begun quietly, and then got more and more intense. (Flashback) Stardate 2444.12.31 Mission: The Great Unknown Day: 1 (Earth - Bracken Villa, Napa Valley - Lieutenant Senior Grade Trip Williams and Civilian Ashlyn Jones - 23:30 Local time) To say that trip was nervous was an understatement. It was weird too, because he was normally cool and confident. He had to be. He was the Commanding Officer of the 1st Fighter Wing of Mars. He had just been promoted to Lieutenant Senior Grade. It had been maybe seven months since he had left the Academy. His career was going fast. Normally that would scare him, but he had found something to ground him, keep him sane, keep him whole. Someone who made him feel wholer than he had ever felt. The hope that he knew Rae wanted for him, in that split second before she died. It was odd too, because ever since he started dating Ashlyn back on Stardate 2444.07.11., he stopped having his anxiety attacks, his empathic abilities worked normally. He hadn’t relived Rae’s death since the moment he held Ash in his arms as his girlfriend. It made him feel warm, but it also scared him. But he could look in her eyes and know what she was thinking, what she was saying, without even a word. It was New Year’s Eve, and he had convinced Dale to let him and Ash have the villa to themselves for a romantic New Year’s getaway. They were close to their six month anniversary and Trip had a surprise planned. They also had not been able to have too much alone time, since his workload and responsibilities kept increasing. He was a hot prospect. They sat silently in front of the fireplace on the sofa, wine in hand. Just the two of them, alone, with solitude. Which was also nice, because his flight officer and assistant Ronnie was constantly tagging along wherever he went. Like she wanted to absorb every bit of knowledge or wisdom he might have. A real fangirl so to speak. Ronnie was also obsessed with Ash and Dale. The only person she acted normal around was the now Lieutenant Junior Grade Ailynn. The two seemed to have a sweet close bond. Like they were keeping a fun playful secret. Staring at the fire, he smiled. “Ash,” he said, placing his glass on the table. “I’m glad we could make this work. I know we’ve never taken a vacation together. Hell, we haven’t even spent the night with each other. But I just want to say that I’m glad we could carve out time for this overnight romantic getaway.” He then put his arm around her, “You are the absolute best.” he kissed her on the cheek. “And I love you so very much.” Ash blushed demurely as Trip kissed her. It wasn't that they rarely said that to each other, but that they never felt the need to voice it. They just got each other. She turned, her eyes a window to her happiness. "And I love you too." She shifted on the couch and tucked her legs under her, leaning into him "so very very much." “You are the constant that keeps me grounded Honey Bear. I’m so glad you strolled back into my life.” "So am I. Funny how things happen isn't it. A single decision, and two lives collide." “And you kiss much better sober,” he said with a chuckle "I can't believe mum let us have this place tonight. This is her really private place." “Yeah, but she really, really likes me. So of course she wouldn’t say no to me. You and Aimee may be her daughters, but Dale thinks I’m the bees' knees.” he then paused. “She is also kind of my boss, which is weird.” Ashlyn laughed gently. "Weird for you? You're the bee's knees. My mum and my sister are both three star Admirals. My niece is Chief Medical Officer and then there's me, the chick who makes sure all our boxes go to the right building." She pouted half heartedly. “Yeah, well you have accomplished something that those two could never do. Not even your cousin, who is my best friend in the entire world could do this. Or my sister, who is more of an enabler anyways.” "Oh?" She turned her gaze toward him "What's that?" She asked, puzzled. “You have managed to keep me grounded and my ego in check. I’ve been out of the Academy, what, Seven months, and I’m a Lieutenant Senior Grade. Lesser men would become egotistical monsters. But you my dear Ash, have kept me humble, sane, and happy.” Once more, Ashlyn blushed and smiled deeply. She leant forward and picked up her glass, took a sip, replaced it on the table and then sat back snuggling back into Trips shoulder. She twisted her head once more, and kissed his cheek. Sighing contentedly, as she watched the fire, the flames flickering and dancing in her eyes. “I need to be honest with you though Ash, there is a lot on my mind that I need to get off my chest, that I need you to know, and I need to know if you feel the same way.” Looking puzzled, Ash lifted off his shoulder. "Well this sounds rather ominous." Trip then stood up, “But lets move outside, Dale swears you can see the fireworks from here and they are amazing.” Ash stood up nervously and picked up her wine glass following Trip out. The unease swallowing her. Trip then exited the house and walked out to a bench in the yard. It was pointed towards the bay area. The sky was clear, the air crisp but not too cool. He waited for Ash to sit before speaking again. "Sooo, we were wondering if I feel the same way?" Ashlyn said as she sat down, her voice nervous. “When we, umm, ran into each other again, I was in an odd place in my life. I was healing, recovering, trying to get my heart and brain back on the same wavelength. Something was missing, and I never thought I would find it again.” "I remember, we've both come a long way emotionally." “But then you came along, and instantly, everything felt better, clearer, I could see with a fresh heart. I ummm, look I’ve told you about Rae, about my struggles, about how your mom helped me in my darkest moment, to have hope. Right?” "Yeah, you said she was always there for you, a confidante." “And the thing is, you and I, we will never have what Rae and I had.” Ashlyn felt the knife stick in her heart. "Oh! No of course...I…" she was genuinely deeply upset, she'd felt that the relationship was a strong one. “But what I think we have is stronger. You know me, I just can feel it, you know me on such a deep level, when I look at you, I know how you feel, what you are thinking, what you want, what you are saying, just by looking at you. Not because of my empathic abilities, not because of a telepathic bond, because we will never have that. But what we have is real.” Trips words slowly sunk in and Ashlyn felt her mood lift. Her eyes, that had become sad, and distant, reawakened with a warm twinkle in the cool, crisp night air. "I tingle when you're near me, and I feel empty when you're away. Every time you go up in the fighters it scares me, because I know that I'd never feel anything for anyone else should anything happen to you." “Ash….” he started to say, but he couldn’t finish the words. She felt her heart ache as she spoke, and her eyes welled up with emotion once more. "You complete me." She said to him, her throat filled with emotion. Trip chuckled, “I knew I shouldn’t have shown you Jerry Macguire.” "You arse. I was being serious." She pouted slightly. “Listen, back to what I was saying, I have been talking to Ronnie a lot, about you and me. Just for clarity and perspective. And because we spend a lot of time together and a 6 hour patrol can get boring. And she really helped me understand something about us.” "Pleasant girl. I like her, haven't had many dealings with her but always really nice. What was it?" Ash asked. “You and I will never have what Rae and I had, but Rae and I never had what you and I have. When Rae and I broke up after high school, it was to find something, someone, that I could have the same connection with, that you and I have. Everything in my relationship with Rae or my relationship with Celia were things that best prepared me to be the best man I could be for you. They showed me what worked, what didn’t, what I wanted, what I didn’t want. It gave me the perspective I would need to know. Ash you complete me too.” Ash didnt say anything, but rested her hand on his. Smiling gently as he spoke. “The thing is, yeah we’ve only been dating for awhile, but Ash, you’re my soulmate. Rae may have been my Imzadi, my first, but you are my last, my Omega, my everything. Every fiber of my soul screams it. You complete my soul. You are my perfect pair, I’m sure of it, and Ronnie helped me realize it. I mean shoot, we were dating for almost a month before we realized we were dating. How much longer would it have taken me to realize that we are supposed to be together.” Ash smiled deeply, remembering the moment they realised that they were already dating. “Look, what I’m trying to say, is, well, getting Dale’s permission to use her villa was easy, because of the other thing I asked her about. And I,” at that moment the fireworks began. “Oh it must be midnight.” Then standing up and pulling Ash up with him, he gave her a big new years kiss. Then releasing the embrace he smiled and said, “Hey look at that firework display over there. Ash turned, looking toward the horizon, slight puzzled by the change in conversation. As soon as she was distracted Trip knelt down on one knee and pulled a box with a ring out of his pocket. Opening it, he waited for her to turn back around to look at him smiling. “Ashlyn Jones. You are the thing in my life I have been searching for since before I could remember. The person who makes me whole, complete, and grounded. You are the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning and the last thing I think about when I go to bed at night. I can't imagine my life continuing without you at my side. Ashlyn Jones, will you marry me?” She felt her entire insides jump, and choke her, she saw him, kneeling down ring in hand, her emotional dam broke. Her eyes welled up and overflowed, she covered her mouth with both her hands. "Oh my…" “Ummm….” he said anxiously. "Oh my…" she pulled him up, with a warm, if teary smile. Snaking her arms around his neck she managed an answer. "Yes. A thousand times." She found that she'd run out of words, so pulled him into a deep kiss. "Yes I will. I love you James Williams." She looked up and all her heart was in the one gaze. “I love you too.” She tilted her hand, her fingers still shaking as he put the ring on her. "Trip, it's beautiful." “It was your grandmmothers.” Trip said with a smile. “When I asked Dale for permission, I was in Italy, and Leola was there, and Dale gave me permission, but your grandmother said I could only marry you under one condition.” "Oh?" Ashlyn looked puzzled. Leola was an interesting character, and even in her eighties was as tough as hull plating. “She said that you had been deprived of being a Bracken for too long and she wanted to rectify that, so she said if I was going to propose, I should give you her ring, the ring your grandfather gave her. The ring that made her a Bracken. And so I said yes, and got it resized.” She'd been alone most of her life, and then had met her birth mother who she'd instantly formed a bond with, alongside the rest of the Bracken matriarchy, and now, with her grandmother’s ring, she was to marry her soulmate. “There is something you need to know though, with ship construction progressing smoothly, there are umm, rumblings that I may be assigned off of Mars within the next year. And I just want you to know that. That my career might take you away from Mars, from the life you created for yourself.” "I'd go with you anywhere with just what I'm stood up in. You know that." “But the truth is Ash, if I had to choose between you or Starfleet, my resignation letter would be sent tomorrow. As long as you are at my side, I don’t care what I do or where I live. You are my life.” "And you mine." She lifted her chin and kissed him again. Turning round, sme smiled deeply as she leant back on his shoulder feeling his arms encircle her. The fireworks going off above the bay area in the distance. "This is just the beginning you know. The journey starts now. And one day, we'll have a nice house somewhere, 3 or 4 kids running around, and you and I will be able to look back at this moment and smile.". "Because we got engaged in this beautiful family spot, at midnight on new years eve surrounded by fireworks?" "Because today is the today we decided to journey together into the great unknown." (The Beginning) (Reply none) (Posted by Will and Mark) (USS Exeter –Bridge - CMO Ens Gabe Vespers- 1710) Gabe had left Cortez to finish the prep work to the transponders and made his way to the Observation Lounge. As he crossed the bridge he was saddened to see the Ronnie wasn't there, if he was leaving for an away mission he would want to see her. Not that she was too open last time they met. A familiar frame stood next to him as he closed on the lounge "Ensign More." Gabe said not making eye contact (Reply More) "Look just cut the crap, what happened in Sickbay and the Shuttlebay was blown out of proportion, let's leave it at that. Fresh start." (Reply More) (posted by Mat) (USS Exeter - Ready Room - CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams - 1710) “Ensign Sleeford reporting Sir.” ~The revolving door never ends, but I guess I need to deal with this before he goes to Lynn's briefing.~ Trip thought to himself. "What is it ensign?" “ I’ve come to apologise for my actions this afternoon. I didn’t act in the manner of a Star fleet officer. To be honest captain I allowed a situation got get away from me.” "That is quite an understatement there ensign. Your actions were unbecoming of a Starfleet Officer, could have caused an incident, and had things gone differently, you'd be in the brig awaiting a court martial, or worse. I expected more from you Ensign I really did. I expected a lot more from you. You are my Assistant Chief Tactical Officer, and your actions have made me question that decision. So much so that with Ensign Dareshaa being medically incapacitated, I did not feel comfortable naming you acting Chief Tactical Officer, and instead had to go outside of the department just to find someone I could trust not to cause an incident. I feel seriously let down." Trip paused, picking up certain emotions and feelings from Sleeford, "And I know you are feeling that perhaps all of this was orchestrated by Lt. Commander Tyko, that he goaded you into it, that you would not normally act that way. Believe what you want Ensign, but let me be absolutely, explicitly clear. You are not the victim in this. Yes Tyko was playing a part, but it was a realistic part that you are actually going to encounter. The fact of the matter is you and Ensign More crossed a line. You threatened a refugee. The fact that he turned out to be a deep cover SFI Agent notwithstanding, you didn't know that and that doesn't let you off the hook. I reviewed the footage. I understand that More was the first to threaten him. As ACTO it was your job to calm him down, deescalate the situation. Instead you joined in threats, why because he was rude. I have a newsflash for you Ensign, rude people are always going to be around you. But you have to be better than that, you have to be better than them. I am greatly dissapointed in you. I expected more from you. You should have been the calming factor, not joining More's crazy train. You are the ACTO, act like it. Not to mention that in that situation, the First Officer should have been the only one speaking, period. Not to mention, again, we don't threaten civilians" Trip paused again. "I'm probably being harder on you than I am on More, and that is due to your station and position. I mean dammit man, what had Tyko really been a civilian. Hot damn, the man was innocent of every wrong doing you accused him off. You viewed him as a terrorist just based on the fact that he was rude and a Bajoran. I will not tolerate that kind of profiling. You let your pride and your hurt feelings cloud your judgement and that is absolutely unacceptable. In no way in this situation were you the victim. That needs to be made explicitly clear. I will not tolerate that behavior again. So here is what is going to happen. First of you are in probation for three months. In that time you will receive no commendations, and I will be reviewing your behavior to see whether or not you should continue as ACTO. Not to mention any repeat behavior will result in suspension at the very least. Furthermore, I'm ordering, and making a note in your personnel file, that you attend counseling sessions every two weeks. In addition to that I'm going to have you meet weekly with Master Chief Erik Knight, our Chief of Boat. Master Chief Knight may be an enlisted, but he has thirty years of experience and is one of the most experienced members of this crew. You'd be wise to listen to him and learn from him. From now on you will be meeting with him once a week. He will be your mentor, he'll help you get your act together and turn you into a model officer." Trip stood up ,"I expect a lot more from you Ensign, and I expect you to deliver. Now I'd keep you here longer and make sure you understood, but you have a meeting to get to. So go, pay attention, and start your path to redemption Ensign. Dismissed." Trip waited for more to leave then followed out onto the bridge, just to make sure he didn't get trapped in the ready room for one more meeting. He then sat down in the command chair and exhaled. ~Things were so much simpler when all I had to worry about was a bunch of hot shot fighter pilots.~ (reply any) (posted by Will) (USS Exeter –Observation Lounge - SOPS Ensign SG Billy Alexander - 1710) Billy wasn't sure why he was being called into the away mission meeting, he wasn't normally the away team type. If anything he was more of an analyst, a data cruncher. The last time he was part of an official away team was a year ago on Trill when he was there working with then Admiral Remae Ktell, as his Aide, and as an analyst. So he was curious how his skill set was going to be used on the mission. He found a chair that wasn't too close to where he was sure Ailynn was going to be seated. He placed a PADD on the table ready to take notes, then walked over to the replicator and replicated an old earth drink known as a Dr. Pepper. Then taking his glass he returned to the table and sat down and waited for the meeting to start. (Reply Meeting Start) (reply Meeting Start) (posted by Will) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - Assistant CScio - Ensign SG – Adala Michaels - 1711) Adala stepped into the lounge, nodded to those around the table and took a seat. She placed the padd she carried on the table and waited for the meeting to begin.. (Reply any in the Observation Lounge) (Posted by Kathleen) (USS Exeter - Bridge - CIO/3O Lieutenant JG Jaelle Foxglove -1711) The bridge had been a hub of activity whe Jaelle sat and kept watch. News of the away teams came and who were going into the fray. In fact it didn't take her long to figure out the nature of the mission. It was risky terrorist numbers were unknown and thier tactics were unpredictable. The people being teleported in as living blweapons already had most of the inexperienced crew on edge. Jaelle also knew by the constant flow out of the captain's ready room ment that this mission was probably starting to strain his good nature. She watched as Trip sat next to her with a deep sigh. "A day of tough choices," she spoke calmly. Trip did need anymore stress than he was already under. (Reply Trip) "It never gets easier," She looked over Trip while he looked the part of confident leader he needed to be. Concern was evident if you knew where to look. "Nor should it be." (Reply Trip) ~ If it does then you've lost something you can never get back.~ The thought passed her mind. ~You know you should be on that mission.~ Lily's voice rang in Jaelle's mind. ~That is not your place.~ Jaelle responded, ~Nor is that either or our choices to make.~ ~You can't lie to me,~ Lily chuckled. ~ I know how you really feel. I know your doubts. Does he actually trust you, or is he trying to protect you from me by not putting us in such positions.~ ~Thats enough Lily.~ Jaelle responded coldly. ~Enough I'm only getting...~ Lily started. ~QUITE~ Jaelle snapped. ~Temper, Temper.~ Lily spoke calmly in her mind. Smiling she faded back into the recesses of Jaelle's mind. But she was right, why would the CO send Billy into a hostile situation when she was the better choice. She had the tools, to hack the system, and the combat experience to be a benefit to the entire team, and Lily knew that. She sighed as she focused on the mission going foward. (Reply Trip) (Posted by Matthew Locke) (USS Exeter – Observation Lounge – 2O/CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek – 1712) Having successfully brought her emotions back under control, Keira stepped into the observation lounge. She was early, for two reasons; she had nothing to do that would fit in the time constraints that she had, and she wanted to make sure that if the FO needed additional assistance preparing the engineering portion of the briefing she was immediately available to assist. She went to take a seat close to Bracken's direct left, across the table from the door, this gave her a direct view of whomever came into the observation lounge. She took the liberty of placing a few commands into the console, bookmarking pertinent files for easy recall during the meeting. There was an inordinate amount of information obtained from these bases when they were captured from the Marquis, there was no reason not to use it, if it still applied. Once that task was complete, she looked over some of the schematics of what was left behind, and began a hypothetical evaluation of what might be able to be created from integrating those systems with out a large engineering undertaking. Taking into account what was missing from all the shipments taken from various cargo vessel according to their manifest documents. (Reply any, none required) (posted by Todd) (USS Exeter – Observation Lounge - CMO Ens Gabe Vespers- 1713) As they walked into the lounge Gabe looked at his sister, her usual spark was gone. ~she knows more than she's going to tell~ He nodded to More to signal he needed to move away and crossed to Ailynn under his breath as he passed her he spoke "you've got this sis, whatever it is we head it face on" (Reply Braxken iyw) Gabe sat and placed his PADD on the table Infront of him, giving a warm look to Ailynn. (Reply More, Bracken, any) (Posted by Mat) (USS Exeter - Bridge - CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams-1713) "A day of tough choices." "Well no one ever said that this job would be filled with sunshine and unicorns." Trip said with a chuckle. "It never gets easier, Nor should it be." "Not necessarily Lieutenant, things get easier with time. I mean, the hard choices will always be hard. Life and death choices, those are never easy. I mean, if they ever did, it would be a clear sign of a calloused heart. But handling the stress, knowing what to do, figuring out how to navigate the chaos. The strength of the crew. Yeah that will get easier. Especially as I learn to see what they are capable of. We have a lot of unknown quantities here. Everyone is so young, and inexperienced. But with time, they will figure it out. We will figure it out. So it will get easier, not the tough choices, not the ones where you have to put someone else's life on the line. Once the crew meshes, once we know how to work with each other, once we know each other's strengths and weaknesses. It gets easier. That's the importance of experience, of getting reps as we'd say in sports. A hitter can only really get better if he's getting consistent at bats. And yes I'm sure you are thinking why am I not on this mission, why am I not leading it. Look Lieutenant, we know what you can do, you have more experience than a good number of the crew combined." Trip paused to take a breath. ~ Honestly, too much, you shouldn't be here, you should get your life back and get your own ship. You'd better serve the federation captaining one of the new ships , than doing intel either her or on Mars. Commander Signos.~ "I need to know what Merek and Bracken can do. They need to know what they can do. They'll never know unless they get that shot. So I'm sorry if it feels like your being sidelined. But I'd rather you be up here, monitoring the area to make sure that we don't get caught by the Saber's with our pants down. Sometimes you need to bench the verteran to let the rookies get experience. And sometimes, you got to put people where you think they are most valuable even if they feel like they are being wasted." Trip then looked over at Jaelle, she seemed to be lost in thought, as if she hadn't paid attention to a word he had just said. A quick scan of her emotions showed she was conflicted with something insider herself. "Lieutenant? Lieutenant, have you even listened to anything I just said?" (reply Foxglove) (reply Foxglove) (posted by Will) (USS Exeter – Bridge – CFO – Lieutenant (JG) – Ire Williams- 1714) Ire looked out off the view screen at the stormy maelstrom that was the Badlands and not for the first time wondered why people would want to live here. He understand why it made such a good place for a hideout but still. His fingers moved over the controls turning the Exeter onto a new course to bypass a large storm cell. He was following the route to the target guided by the data from astrometrics. He had planned to catch up with Greta during a quick brake but had noticed that her comm badge showed that she was in the observation lounge. ~Must be a security meeting~ He understand that her new position as one of the ships Security personnel meant that she would be putting herself into harms way. While she had been part of the squadron she had, had him and the others to support her. Now she would go into harm’s way and he would be unable to have her back. He turned again around another storm and settled on to a new course. It maybe the new order of things but it did not mean he had to like it. (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Exeter –Observation Lounge - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More- 17:14 ) After having to change again. Due to Lillian knocking a glass of milk over More. He rushed towards the Observation Lounge. As he neared the Lounge a familiar figure came into view. It was Vespers taking a calming breath. Stan fell into step. "Ensign More." Gabe said not making eye contact “ Dr Vespers I.....” Stan started to say. "Look just cut the crap, what happened in Sickbay and the Shuttlebay was blown out of proportion, let's leave it at that. Fresh start." Stan was taken aback by this. He had intended to apologise in full. He knew the CMO had been very angry with him. But it seemed Vespers had calmed down a bit. “ Agreed sir. Believe me when I say. It will never happen again. Fresh start.” More said smiling. They entered the room and after a polite nod. They both parted and went their separate ways. Stan walked up to the window and looked out. For all the trouble he had put himself in. For all the problems and pitfalls that lay ahead. Looking out into the vastness of what was out there. Made Stan feel humble. ( Reply Adala) “ Oh hello just looking out. Thinking with all our troubles. Compared to what’s out there it makes you humble indeed” Stan said ( Reply Adala ) “ Agreed. I am afraid the rumours were to my shame true. But I can assure you it will never happen again. Your all be safe from me I assure you.” Stan explained ( Reply Adala ) “ So any idea what this is all about? “ Stan asked. ( Reply Adala ) ( Posted by:- Norman 🐼) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - Assistant CScio - Ensign SG – Adala Michaels - 1715) Stan walked up to the window and looked out. For all the trouble he had put himself in. For all the problems and pitfalls that lay ahead. Looking out into the vastness of what was out there. Made Stan feel humble. Adala watched the young officer as he stood at the window. The meeting was about to start and she wondered what was on his mind. She stood and moved next to him, staring out the window. “ Oh hello just looking out. Thinking with all our troubles. Compared to what’s out there it makes you humble indeed” Stan said "No matter what trouble you are in, Things will get better. They almost always do." “ Agreed. I am afraid the rumours were to my shame true. But I can assure you it will never happen again. Your all be safe from me I assure you.” Stan explained She shrugged. "Just do your job and things should be ok." “ So any idea what this is all about? “ Stan asked. "I am sure we're about to find out." she motioned to a chair next to hers. "Let's sit, the meeting is about to start." (Reply More, any in the Observation Lounge) (Posted by Kathleen) (USS Exeter – Observation Lounge - SPC Ensign Greta Smith - 1716) Walking into the Obs lounge, Greta nodded an hello to the first officer and took a seat. Stifling a yawn, she sat back in her chair and poured a glass of water. As she took a sip, her mind wandered back. (Flashback) Sitting at the kitchen table, Greta sighed. Her father was due to come home any second and she knew he would bring with him the results of her entrance exam for Starfleet Academy. It had been their dream, a joint dream, for a long time that she not only get into the Academy, but as a pilot. Her brother, she knew, was waiting for the call to hear the news and that only made the waiting worse. To know that almost the entire family was waiting for that one moment. ~What if i didn’t make it ~ she thought to herself as she tapped her fingers, nervously on the table. Taking a sip from the glass of water infront of her, she closed her eyes for a moment. Suddenly, she heard the front door of the family home open. Looking up, she saw her father walking towards her with a PADD in his hands. Biting her lip, she opened her mouth to ask but no sound came out. He looked at her, his face almost unreadable as he sat down next to her, put the PADD down on the table and took her hands in his, “Greta, sweetheart, i have some bad news.” Trembling, she removed her hands from his and looked away, “I didn’t get in did I? I knew it. I knew that i shouldn’t have pulled that stupid trick during the flight exam…” He held his hand up to silence her, “Greta stop.” Looking back at him, her eyes glistening with tears, “I’m sorry, papa.” “Sorry? What for?” he replied. “For disappointing you.” “Baby girl, you did not disappoint me. Bad news is that you have to leave home soon because you got in!” Blinking, Greta looked at him, incredulously and stuttered, “I...I what? I got in?” A wide grin flew over his face as he pulled her into a hug, “Yes. My girl is gonna be a pilot!” (End of Flashback) A soft smile crept over Greta’s face as she sat back in her chair and thought to herself, ~I made it papa. I wish you could see me now. Starfleet officer, engaged and about to head off on my first away mission.~ (Reply Any) (posted by Jackie) (USS Exeter –Observation Lounge-SEC/TAC. PO3 Sytuk- 1717) Sytuk walked into the observation lounge, he was almost late. Eyeing up a chair had examined it , guessing its stability. ~ Seems fine~ he thought. He sat down carefully. Across from him sat Ensign Michaels and the chief medical officer. He turned his chair slowly to face Lieutenant Bracken. He squinted his eyes, the light of the observation lounge was more harsh than the bridge. He didn't wear his protective lenses today. As he sat and waited for the first officer to speak he couldn't help but a sense of tension between the chief medical officer and Ensign More. He took a deep breath and rested his arm on the table. He had noticed the others in the room all appeared young for their respective races. He noticed the intensity of the half romulan chief of engineering. She may have been half human but she carried herself in typical romulan fashion. A sense of entitlement and superiority radiated from her. Sytuk knew it wasn't her fault as a person, it was just in her DNA. Romulans, even the all too common half breds always had a look of being 5 steps ahead of everyone else. Their faces never showing their true intentions. A pure poker face in almost any situation. Capable of smiling from ear to ear while thinking about a person step by step demise. Mysterious and calculated. Accepting this assignment aboard the Exeter he knew he had to serve with Romulans, but as much some deep down part of himself would always be terrified of them. He felt at home around them. He knew the depths of their seemingly inherent evil and the height of their commitment to duty. As deceptive as they were, they were also very predictable. He glanced at Adala. Sytuk didn't know why but her hair had always fascinated him. Her skin reflected the warmth of a sunny day. The warmth he longed for deep down inside, the warmth he tried to capture in his paintings was sitting in front of him in the form of a person. He wasn't attracted to her, rather he was drawn to her. He had shared something with her and felt obligated now to protect it. He allowed himself to be vulnerable. Sytuk did not like the idea of the chief medical officer, Ensign more, an engineer, a geologist, two engineers , a former fighter pilot, and a fresh first officer and former medical officer beaming into a situation where a possible conflict was highly likely to happen. They were officers and respected each of them for that but he knew if he wanted to he could kill half of them in a moment's notice before the other half had time to react. He felt like they were a liability to not just the others on the away team but to themselves as well. He didn't think himself better than any of them. He had just seen too many people die. He had witnessed the final moments of good people time and time again. His dislike of the personnel assignments to the away team wasn't anything personal. He just wanted each of them to come back as safe as could be. His thoughts were interrupted as the first officer began to speak. Sytuk focused on her intently. ( reply any in the observation lounge if you want) ( posted by Rob Davis ( SPC)-Sytuk) (USS Exeter – Observation Lounge – Engineer –Ensign –Galu Vosi - 1718) Galu slowed as he entered the observation lounge and quickly scanned the people there. ~Good I am not that late~ He had been working on a faulty relay on deck 23 and had lost track of time. He had just finished and then had to dash up ship to get there on time. He spotted an empty chair near the end of the table and quickly dropped into it. He pored him self some water and began sipping it as he waited for the meeting to start. (Reply Any) (Posted by Robbie)(SPC Galu Vosi) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 1719) “Thank you everyone, we’ve a lot to get through, so let's begin. You are to assume that until further notice; due to the sources of a lot of our intelligence, that all you hear is to be kept classified, and not to be discussed with anyone outside of anyone here.” Ailynn’s calm, clear tone brought silence to the room. It was the tone that she used in surgery, asking for instruments, giving orders, a commanding presence in the room. She still had a tinge of worry, but that was buried so deeply that it wasn’t a factor in her at the moment. “Firstly my apologies for the late notice, a lot has happened, some of which most of you may be aware. At about 1330 this afternoon, we intercepted a Sabre class ship that was making an attack on a freighter. Whereas we rescued some of the crew, the freighter was destroyed by the Sabre; we weren’t able to rescue all of the crew. The Sabre then refused to stand down, turned and tried to ram us, forcing us to fire phasers in defense. Their shields were not up to the job, and the ship was destroyed, losing all hands complete with the remainder of the crew from the freighter.” She took a sip of water. “Amongst the refugees was an Undercover Intelligence Officer. They supplied us with a great deal of information about the attackers. The Cult of the Prophets Fire are a group of religious extremist offshoots of the Bajoran Faith. Seeking not to serve the will of the Prophets, but of their enemies, the Pah Wraiths. As is the case with all types of Extremism they have taken the words of the established religious doctrine, and twisted it into something so utterly abhorrent, that it no longer has any resemblance to the faiths original core message. I want it completely understood that the views of the Prophets Fire, and a subsidiary cult, the Cult of the Pah Wraiths, do not represent Bajor, the words of the Prophets, the Kai and Vedek Assembly, the Bajoran Government and their representation as full, and in my considerable experience, unswervingly devoted members of the Federation.” “The cult themselves operate locally from an asteroid base.” Ailynn clicked a button, and an image appeared. “Once operated by the Marquis as a smuggling base, the base was thought long abandoned, but it appears that the Prophets fire have been using it to make hit and run attacks on freighters that run through this sector for a while now; each time abducting any and all Bajorans, or people of Bajoran parentage. This is the closest anyone has got to shutting the operation down. So…” Ailynn took another sip of water, and hit another button advancing the slide. “Our mission is as follows. We are to be beamed aboard as two separate teams. Beta team, led by Lieutenant Merek, will be composed of Ensigns Vosi, Michaels, More and Smith, and will hit the Engineering section. Priority will be to make sure that we can communicate with each other, Ensign Michaels you’re our geologist. We’ll need you up to speed on structure and composition of the asteroid and its remnants nearby, advise on how that will affect comms and our chances of safe extraction. Beta team will then gain access and cripple the asteroids systems, preventing anyone from using the base. Ensign Vosi, you’re up assisting Merek, Ensign Michaels, you’re field medic certified, so you’ll be doubling up.” (Reply Beta Team) “Alpha team, under my Command, will take control of their Ops centre, access their systems, and rip all the data that we can get, beaming it to the Exeter. What we're after is the base of Operations, and the cults ultimate goals. Billy, that’s your job. Alpha team will be myself, and Ensigns Alexander, Vesper, Sleeford and Petty Officer Sytuk. Sleeford, Sytuk, expect resistance, Vesper you’re medical lead on the mission. ” (Reply Alpha team) “After both teams have completed their missions, we will need to reconvene as a whole team at...this point.” Ailynn pressed another button, and a single room was highlighted. “From here, the Exeter will extract all of us.” “As you will all know from the Academy, other than the stated goals, the thing that separates Religious Terrorism from the majority of the other main types is that the Leader, in this case one Trentin Jost, does not derive legitimacy from a single source or agency, but by the complete and total devotion and support from the followers. This is no different here. It is safe to assume that we will experience strong resistance, from people who have been utterly and completely indoctrinated into the beliefs of this cult, they completely believe in what they believe, but ultimately they are someones loved ones who have been carefully drip-fed poisonous and twisted doctrine. Security, tactical armour and phase rifles to be equipped. Everyone else, myself included will be armed in the normal manner for an away team. Now, I have given you a lot of information, and I apologise. Lieutenant Merek, before I open up to questions have I forgotten anything or is there anything that you need to add?” (Reply Merek) “Thank you, Lieutenant, any questions?” (Reply ALL) (Posted by Mark) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge – Sec/tac Officer Ensign Paul Sleeford 17:20 ) Sleeford sat at the table as the briefing went ahead, listen intently as the FO spoke, glancing around at the faces of the others, some like Sytuk and his own where passive, the others showed a little apprehension, which was understandable, give the information they'd received as the holographic map speared Sleeford leaned forward slightly to study the layout. ~Looks nasty in places, some narrow sections there ideal for an ambush ~ As the FO gave details of the two teams Sleeford nodded to himself at the composition, he'd have preferred Styuk to be with More as a calming influence but as it wasn't his choice he'd hope the younger security officer would push through today's disaster. As the first officer finished with the usual 'any questions' Sleeford stood. "If I may Lieutenant, i've been given some information that may be pertinent," Pausing for a second Sleeford composed his thoughts, "On the asteroid, there may be more Biological bomb's, Bajorians taken and used for this purpose, like our young female in the brig. I've been asked to create a long range delivery system, given time I could, but time isn't something we have. Doctor is there another way other then Hypospray we could use to deliver the antidote in another form?" (Vespers) "The only other thing i can come up with at this juncture is a blowpipe, if i had longer i ... Doctor would it work if we used the environmental systems on the base?" (Vespers) "Thank you doctor. Lieutenant Bracken, I assume that the passages of the base are mined and their posting sentries around the main facilities?" (Bracken) Sleeford nodded, "Going to make it interesting, along with the load out you stated may I suggest some concussion grenades, their non -lethal, unless you sit on on one. Makes a loud bang, a bright flash of light, disorientates for a few seconds, may give us an edge." (Bracken) (Replies Vespers, Bracken) (Posted by Alistair) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge – Engineer – Ensign – Galu Vozi - 1721) “Our mission is as follows. We are to be beamed aboard as two separate teams. Beta team, led by Lieutenant Merek, will be composed of Ensigns Vosi, Michaels, More and Smith, and will hit the Engineering section. Priority will be to make sure that we can communicate with each other, Ensign Michaels you’re our geologist. We’ll need you up to speed on structure and composition of the asteroid and its remnants nearby, advise on how that will affect comms and our chances of safe extraction. Beta team will then gain access and cripple the asteroids systems, preventing anyone from using the base. Ensign Vosi, you’re up assisting Merek, Ensign Michaels, you’re field medic certified, so you’ll be doubling up.” Galu nodded at first officer orders and gave a mental smile. ~Nice to be taking things apart again rather than fixing things~ He glanced over at the other members for team Beta. They seemed dependable people but he had not really been able to spend time with other people out side of his department as the work had been relentless. As the briefing continued about the other team Galu pondered the ways to cripple an asteroid base. ~I guess its going to come down to two ways slow and careful or quick and nasty. Each as their flaws but I guess its going to depend on the situation that we find our selves in when we get there~ He leaned back in his chair and continued to listen to the rest of the briefing. (reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge – Sec/tac Officer Ensign Stan More 17:22) Stan had been speaking with Adala just before the meeting. “ Looks like things are about to start. Well speak later.” He told her. ( Reply Adala ) They took their seats and Stan listened as the meeting began. The away mission was explained in full. Basically put the base out of action without getting killed. But when the enemy was so committed to their corse. That their leaders considered it a holy duty. To blow themselves up taking with as many infidels as possible. The butchers bill was going to be high. Stan was about to point this out. When Sleeford spoke telling everyone. Exactly the same thing Stan was going to say. He listened as Vespers replied to Paul’s comments. “ Maybe we could kill two birds with one stone.” Stan said politely. ( Reply , Sleeford , Vespers , Bracken ) “ If we could put a more concentrated form of the compound into some stun and smoke grenades. It should naturalise the Bajorans who have been turned into bio bombs.” Stan said ( Reply , Sleeford, Vespers , Bracken ) “ I agree but the problem is. Until they are beyond the point of no return. We canna tell who is a bio bomb or someone who does not like us. The compound is useless once the final phase is reached. I know it sounds extreme and I am sorry.Plus for all we know knocking out a bio bomb. Could also set them off.” Stan explained ( Reply , Sleeford, Vespers , Bracken , Adala) ( Posted by:- Norman 🐼) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - CMO Ens Gabe Vesper - 1725) Gabe listened to the briefing it now became clear why he needed to produce the transponders, but kept that quiet, he understood a need to know basis was required on all mission eliments if Ailynn didn't mention them it was because she didn't know, or for the safety of the crew didn't want anyone else to know. When the moment came at the end he coughed for attention. "I understand the requirement for a medical presence, but given the situation on the Exeter I believe my skills are better placed here, I couldnt in all knowledge leave these people, Sickbay is already full, if we hit another skirmish I need to be here. With respect I would suggest that Ensign Poldan goes in my place. (Reply Bracken any) (Posted by Mat) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - Sec/tac PO3 Sytuk - 1731) After listening to everyone's statements , recommendations and suggestions. The usually silent Sytuk took a breath "Lt. Bracken, Sir. " His deep raspy voice filled the room, louder than what most people were used to hearing from him. "Communications." ( reply Bracken) " Yes Sir. Communications" Sytuk responded. " I would suggest disabling their communications as the first and primary objective. We can steal their broadcast and use them." Sytuk stood from his chair and walked over to the screen, pointing to the operations center on the schematics. " Sirs" he said addressing all of them, as they were officers and he wasn't. " As you can see here the operations center has 2 entrances. The main one linking to the main corridor ,this corridor appears to be linked to all primary facilities. This entrance will be our choke point. The highest concentration of their forces could potentially bottle neck here." Sytuk stepped back to the left and pointed to the secondary entrance " This would be our way in. Attempting to enter the operations center through the main corridor will provide them a strategic advantage. They won't be out in the open they will shoot and take cover. Yet if we take the ops center through the secondary entrance. We ring the dinner bell. They come out and try to take their ops back. We can access their database while covering the main entrance." Sytuk paused and looked Bracken straight in the eye. " The next part is dangerous, once the Exeter receives the information. We will have to open the main door and fire everything we have straight down the corridor, at this point they will be out in the open. Expecting us to make a safe retreat, they will have their forces outside the door trying to get in the door" Sytuk grinned. " We open the door for them." (Reply any) Sytuk glared. " Beta team will have them from behind. While the resistance is busy with us from the front Beta team can push on their position, both teams meet we survive." Sytuk stated with excitement. Their specialties had them better suited for the fine detail work of the mission, but Sytuk had the experience of entering enemy bases at his disposal. If they were going to use their skills , he was going to use his. (Reply Bracken and Merek) ( posted by Davis - ( Spc)- PO3 SYTUK) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - SPC Ensign Greta Smith - 1733) After listening to the other crew pose their questions, Greta leant forward and rested her arms on the table, "Ma'am, if I may pose a query?" (Reply Bracken) "With all this talk about resistance we are likely to encounter, could we clarify our rules of engagement?" (Reply Bracken) "Are we on shoot to stun or shoot to kill? Not something we want to think about, I know but if it comes down to it?" (Reply Bracken) (Reply Bracken, any) (Posted by Jackie) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 1735) Ailynn stepped slowly around the room as the questions began. She could stand perfectly still for hours at a time in surgery, but this was a different theatre. "I understand the requirement for a medical presence, but given the situation on the Exeter I believe my skills are better placed here, I couldnt in all knowledge leave these people, Sickbay is already full, if we hit another skirmish I need to be here. With respect I would suggest that Ensign Poldan goes in my place. “Thank you Gabe.” She paused for a second, then nodded. “I concur. Good call. Take Mr Poldan to a secure room, and bring him up to speed, then have him report to me at the earliest possible convenience.” She paused for a moment, then held up a hand, one thing, before I forget, I want everyone in the away teams put down for mandatory counselling post away mission. That is to be considered a standing order.” (Reply Gabe) "If I may Lieutenant, i've been given some information that may be pertinent," Pausing for a second Sleeford composed his thoughts, "On the asteroid, there may be more Biological bomb's, Bajorians taken and used for this purpose, like our young female in the brig. I've been asked to create a long range delivery system, given time I could, but time isn't something we have. Doctor is there another way other then Hypospray we could use to deliver the antidote in another form?" Ailynn listened to the conversation between the Sec Officer and Gabe. Eventually Sleeford spoke. "Thank you doctor. Lieutenant Bracken, I assume that the passages of the base are mined and their posting sentries around the main facilities?" “Safe assumption given what we know.” Ailynn conceded. She was about to comment when Sleeford added his twopenn’eth. Ailynn had no issue with this, it showed a dynamic flow, a discourse of idea. Sleeford nodded, adding his slant to "Going to make it interesting, along with the load out you stated may I suggest some concussion grenades, their non -lethal, unless you sit on on one. Makes a loud bang, a bright flash of light, disorientates for a few seconds, may give us an edge." Ailynn nodded, holding her hand up, calming things. she knew that she’d been the horrible horrible science nerd that she had for a reason, devouring book after book at school, texts that were ostensibly years ahead of her. It had got her into a lot of trouble. “If that ‘loud bang’ comes with any kind of pressure wave then the answer is an emphatic no. I saw that report, those two compounds fall into a dynamic equilibria within the body, forming no less than 5 substable compounds, all of which are potentially…” She ran the chemistry in her mind. “Radiatively coupled to a base state...may still go ‘boom’ The second that we’re in range of the base give me a scan on their base diagnostics, the Life Support Systems shouldn’t have been updated, this type of terrorist doesn’t tend toward housekeeping, the type never does. However, if only one filter has been updated for a TC13 then we all have problems. I’m not saying no, and prep for a go, but keep me posted either way.” (Reply Sleeford/More) “ Maybe we could kill two birds with one stone.” Stan said politely. “Your thoughts Ensign?” “ If we could put a more concentrated form of the compound into some stun and smoke grenades. It should naturalise the Bajorans who have been turned into bio bombs.” Stan said “I don’t like ‘shoot to kill’ Ensign” Ailynn preemtempted, wrongly as it turned out. “ I agree but the problem is. Until they are beyond the point of no return. We canna tell who is a bio bomb or someone who does not like us. The compound is useless once the final phase is reached. I know it sounds extreme and I am sorry.Plus for all we know knocking out a bio bomb. Could also set them off.” Stan explained “Agreed, but ditto pressure wave, work on it” Ailynn answered, simply. “Keep me posted. “This isn’t the Somme.” (Reply More) Next up, the usually silent Sytuk took a breath "Lt. Bracken, Sir. " His deep raspy voice filled the room, louder than what most people were used to hearing from him. "Communications." “Sytuk?” Aiynn was ashamed to say that she didn’t know the Petty Officer all that well, however, Ashlyn spoke of him very very highly, since she’d had far more dealings with him back on Mars; and she trusted Ashlyn’s judgement utterly without question. “Please speak freely, rank is not an issue.” That was a hint at another standing order, Ailynn had seen those of stratospherically high rank bluster and lord it around any and all beneath them, it had sickened her as a child, at aged nine, on a ‘take your child to work day’, she’d called out a two star Admiral for being mean and ignoring logical advice from an attending CPO. The young Ailynn had got into a whole heap of trouble with her mother outwardly, but as they’d walked home, Ailynn could sense the pride that both her mother, and Dale, her grandmother had for her. ~“If someone is objectively lower than you,” they’d explained later at bedtime, “that does not give you the right to think that you know more than they do, all to often...always in my experience, they’ve seen something you haven’t.’~ " Yes Sir. Communications" Sytuk responded. " I would suggest disabling their communications as the first and primary objective. We can steal their broadcast and use them." Sytuk stood from his chair and walked over to the screen, pointing to the operations center on the schematics. " Sirs" he said addressing all of them, as they were officers and he wasn't. " As you can see here the operations center has 2 entrances. The main one linking to the main corridor ,this corridor appears to be linked to all primary facilities. This entrance will be our choke point. The highest concentration of their forces could potentially bottle neck here." Sytuk stepped back to the left and pointed to the secondary entrance " This would be our way in. Attempting to enter the operations center through the main corridor will provide them a strategic advantage. They won't be out in the open they will shoot and take cover. Yet if we take the ops center through the secondary entrance. We ring the dinner bell. They come out and try to take their ops back. We can access their database while covering the main entrance." Sytuk paused and looked Bracken straight in the eye. " The next part is dangerous, once the Exeter receives the information. We will have to open the main door and fire everything we have straight down the corridor, at this point they will be out in the open. Expecting us to make a safe retreat, they will have their forces outside the door trying to get in the door" Sytuk grinned. " We open the door for them." Ailynn nodded, saying nothing, allowing him to continue his presentation. Sytuk glared. " Beta team will have them from behind. While the resistance is busy with us from the front Beta team can push on their position, both teams meet we survive." Sytuk stated with excitement. Their specialties had them better suited for the fine detail work of the mission, but Sytuk had the experience of entering enemy bases at his disposal. If they were going to use their skills , he was going to use his. She allowed her thoughts to settle for a few seconds before speaking, nodding fully. “Concur. Excellent analysis Petty Officer. Share your thoughts with the other security Officers in your teams. Check double check then check again. Look at whatever diagnostics you need. Every member of the teams knows what they’re doing and when. You have my full authorisation.” (Reply Sytuk) Ailynn nodded gently to all the closing discussion, a few things settling on her mind. “Lieutenant Merek, anythink to add?” (reply Merek) “Thank you.” Ailynn paused for breath, took a sip of water, and then started to speak. (Reply (as above tags)) (Posted by Mark) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 1736 ) Stan sat and considered what was being said. Just before taking his seat with Adala. More had ordered from the replicator. An ice cold drink of lemon flavoured carbonated water. Which he now took a sip off. He could understand Brackens reservations. About the use of the stun grenades. The concussion wave could cause more problems the solve. “Agreed, but ditto pressure wave, work on it” Ailynn answered, simply. “Keep me posted. “This isn’t the Somme.” “ Yes ma’am. “ Stan said. More was an idiot. It was official he should of left out the stun part of his suggestion. But then again if he had gone on without telling Bracken. What they had planned and people got hurt. That would not of been , then he would be off the Exeter. Faster then Lillian his puppy was at charging round the room. When Stan wanted to give her a bath. (posted by Norman) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 1745) Ailynn drew breath and paused, the silence of the room descending on all of the occupants. She placed the glass down with a single ‘clink’, telling everyone's sense of physics that the glass had landed perfectly perpendicular to the table. “We are headed toward that asteroid as a liberator, not an aggressor. We will not fly our Federation Flag, the one that we swore to uphold; as neither a symbol of conquest,” She rested her hand on Vespers shoulder, then lifting it to the next, “Not aggressor.” She reached the tactical Officers. “There are some people today that when they woke up this morning, they did not expect to die this day, so allow them dignity.” To each in turn she rested her hand on the shoulder of each person in turn. “Well I tell you that if that is what they choose, I expect you to rock their world. To wipe them out. If that...is what they choose.” Her tone changed as she happened to reach Sytuk’s chair, to which, remembering Ashlyn’s lessons, she didn’t rest her hand, instead rapping the side of her hand against the back of his chair. “But should you be ferocious in battle so should you be magnanimous, and merciful in victory, You will not judge them for the poisoned doctrine that they are fed. You will help those that need you, YOU ARE THE FLEET….and everything it upholds, like it or no.” Another couple of shoulders. A hand rested on each. “You will not judge them as terrorists. They are someone’s children. I’ve been asked about non lethal options, and that does you all credit, these are people like you and I that got dressed this morning to do a job, their job is to do what they are told; to shoot anyone who argues with their task, to kill a fleet uniform…” She paused. “They want you to stand...shoot...and kill.” She snapped to the first person on her left. “Is that not what I’M asking you to do? No? WHY?!” (Reply any only IYW) Her tone fell instantly, “Our morals define us. There are those that stand before you, and maybe they hold a gun, but maybe that’s because they’re more scared of the consequences if they don’t than you are of them.” More shoulders as she passed. “I have seen men, and women kill needlessly, and the mark of judgement has lived with them to the day they die...It is a big move, yet not a strong one, to take...the life...osf another. She reached her own chair. “We go there to complete our mission, to gain information to close this cycle of hatred, of disinformation, of purile disinfatuation for the common good of one’s feelings toward his friend.” Ailynn sat down for the first time. “You’re all dismissed for exactly 15 minutes, you are to spend those extra minutes with loved ones should you have them aboard, or sending a message home for those who like your’s truly...who have Parents that worry way back at home. You have your orders. She paused, and nodded as she spoke, sadly. “Dismissed.” (Reply ALL) (Posted by Mark) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 17:46) Stan felt Brackens hand on his shoulder as she passed. He bowed his head as she spoke, these were wise words indeed. More needed to remember them. Stan had heard the words blow pipe mentioned as a possible delivery system for the compound. An idea came to him and he ran his hands over a padd. A simple attachment to a Phaser rifle. Could convert it to be used as a ‘ blow dart ‘. Plus you had the added advantage of being able. To use the weapons targeting site. Then as the meeting broke up. Stan passed a padd. to Sleeford. “ This contains an idea I had on the delivery system. It coverts a Phaser rifle into a blow pipe. Plus it is quick to do.” He explained to his friend. ( Reply, Sleeford ) “ Well it’s up to you. There are some things I need to attend to. Before our 15 minutes are up.” More said smiling. ( Reply , Sleeford ) ( Posted by:- Norman 🐼) (USS Exeter - Observation Lounge - Sec/Tac Ensign Paul Sleeford - 1747) Sleeford finished and leant back in the chair, as the options and the brain storming begun, smiling slightly as Sytuk outlined his idea, at least he understood the problems of close quarters combat. Looking across the table as More spoke. “ Maybe we could kill two birds with one stone.” Stan said politely. "What's your idea Stan?" “ If we could put a more concentrated form of the compound into some stun and smoke grenades. It should naturalise the Bajorans who have been turned into bio bombs.” Stan said Sleeford looked across at More, "Good idea, but for the close confines of those corridors, the resulting blast would render us combat ineffective" “ I agree but the problem is. Until they are beyond the point of no return. We canna tell who is a bio bomb or someone who does not like us. The compound is useless once the final phase is reached. I know it sounds extreme and I am sorry.Plus for all we know knocking out a bio bomb. Could also set them off.” Stan explained As the others spoke Sleeford pondered again on the delivery problem,sometimes the most elegant solution was the simplest, they had hyposprays, why not just use them. They'd have to get close to the 'enemy' to neutralize them so it would be an effective solution to the problem. As the meeting broke up with the order to prep a goodbye message Sleeford smiled, his old marine one was on file all it needed was the stardate updating something he could do from a PADD, leaving the room he was stopped by More with an idea for a phaser rifle conversion, looking at the PADD Sleeford shook his head slightly. "Its a great idea Stan, but with the time we have, there's no time for range tests and I'd rather not take an untested weapon into a combat situation. I'll add it to my files for evaluation, if and when we get back." Leaving More to record his letter home Sleeford walked back onto the observation lounge and walked towards the window into the turbulent vortices of the badlands and wondered what this mission would bring. (Replies none) (Posted by Alistair) (USS Exeter, Personal quarters - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 17:48) Throughout history there has always been a phrase. That has stood the test of time. When man first stumbled out of the cave. To today when you could travel the stars. At imaginable speeds. A dog is mans best friend. Stan did not know how she knew. Maybe it was in his oder or body language. As soon as he entered his quarters. Lillian can up to greet him. When he sat down she placed her head on his lap. Looking up into his eyes. It was as if she knew. There was a possibility this would be the last time he saw her. “ Ouch ya wee bonny lass. If only another lassie who once looked upon me with the same eyes. Had not betrayed me. I would now be tending a garden rather then about to face people. Who would happily blow themselves and take us with them.” Stan said to the puppy. Lillian tilted her head slightly. As if she understood him. “ Anyway the past is past. Besides lassie yee have nothing to fear. If something did happen ter me. Nana Mc Taggard will take yee in. She has a lovely big garden for yer to run and play in.” Stan told his pet dog. The animal began to lick his hand. Stan pattered her head. “ Oh to be a dog. Nothing to worry over unless yee had wee burns. Happy days of running and playing with no responsibilities to drag yer down.” Stan stroked her head. Lillian gave his arm a gentle shove. Stan began to recite his farewell letter to his grandmother. She would pass it on to his parents. Wherever they were at the moment. More was not sure as at this time of year. They would be off on some archaeological dig. No doubt it would be passed on to his siblings. That was of course if he got killed. Hopefully it would never be sent. Stan intended to return alive. (Reply , none ) ( Posted by:- Norman 🐼) (USS Exeter, Personal quarters - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 17:49 ) With Lillian resting her head on Stan’s lap. He pressed a button on his desk. “ Computer begin recording. Private message for Mrs Morag Gwen Mc Taggard. Only to be delivered on the official death announcement for of her Grandson Ensign Stan More.” While waiting for the computer to acknowledge. He stroked Lillian behind the ear. The computer signalled ready. “ Dearest Nana. I am sending you this. As I have no idea which part of the galaxy Mother and Father. Are digging up looking for ancient civilisations. They will pass this on to Boris , Alice and Nadia. Once you pass this on to them. I know that you were never happy. About my choice of starship posting. I understand you would’ve been happier if I’d joined some planetary lab posting instead. Plus moving into security as Grandfather and suffering the same fate. Do not grieve or take your anger out on Gale. As my CO recently pointed out. If you can't let go of the past, you will never see the future. He is a good man and should not be blamed for my death. Blame those whose intolerance of anyone who does not share. The same screwed up version of the universe, as they demand it must be. I did not commit suicide blindly charging into danger. I died protecting my fellow crew members. Something I would do again if fate grants me a stay of execution. Please look after Lillian she will love your large garden. Although you may have to put up a forcefield around your roses. She will go charging into them and get her eye poked out by the thorns. Do nay grieve for I died doing my duty. Hailing frequency’s closed. Computer end recording.” Stan nodded and continued to scratch behind Lillian’s ear. ( Reply , none) ( Posted by:- Norman 🐼) (USS Exeter - Personal quarters - SPC Ensign Greta Smith & CFO Lieutenant (JG) Ire Williams - 1751) Sitting in their quarters, Greta looked around at the place that they had begun to call home. This was their sanctuary, their space and now, it felt lonely. Looking down at the PADD, She took a deep breath and her thoughts turned to the message she was about to record. ~ what do I say to him? ~ The door opened and Ire stepped into their quarters. He had managed to get a quick break before they arrived at the asteroid and wanted to see Greta before they arrived. He had found her in their quarters and could see from her face that she had things on her mind. He smiled at her as the door shut behind him. “Hey?” Looking up, she smiled softly, "hey there fly boy." “I wanted to see you before you headed off.” "You know? I thought it wasn't ship wide knowledge?" “You okay?” Sighing, Greta shook her head a little. "Truthfully, been better." “You want to tell me about it?” Patting the seat next to her, she said quietly, "Sit." He moved over and sat beside her. “Okay talk to me.” Taking a deep breath, Greta took his hand for a moment, "Something happened in sickbay. There was a young bajoran woman… she'd been turned into a living bomb.. I was there, as security. There was a moment when I nearly had to make that decision to put her down. The doctors have an oath to do no harm, couldn't have been them…" she paused, breathing a little shaky. Ire paused for a moment fighting down the sudden urge to protect her by leaving his protectiveness to one side and be the person she needed right then. “I am so sorry. It must not have been easy. I know that you would have done the right thing to protect people.” "I know, it just hit me that we have dangerous lives. Sounds silly I know but I just thought how would you look at me knowing I had taken a life if it came down to it?" “I guess taking a life from the cockpit of a fighter speeding through space is a lot different then someone at arms length.” He reached out and held her hand. “We talked about how changing to security would be difficult but I trust you and your judgment that you will do the right thing whatever the situation and I will be here when you get back. He smiled at her. “We will talk it through as many times as you need and for as long as you want.” gripping his hand tightly, Greta looked at him, "Ire… I was going to record something because I didn't know if you were gonna be able to … I didn't get round to it so… I have a few things I need to say before I go." Ire nodded. “I am here, you don’t need to record it, you can tell me here and now if you want?” She nodded, "Sounds silly but sometimes it's easier to say things to people when they aren't there." “I can understand that.” "Look, you know me. Better than anyone ever has. If this is the last time I speak to you then I need to…" She paused, took a breath and looked into his eyes, "Ire Williams, you are the best man I have ever met. You treat me like I am the only woman in the universe. We've been together nearly two years now and they have been the happiest years of my life. If I walk out that door and don't come back, then I want you to know that." Taking a deep breath, she gripped his hand tight, "I love you. More than anyone. You have stood by me, loved me and I know you have so much more to give. So much in you than any of the crew realise. You will make an amazing father one day. If that's with me then that would make me happier then you could possibly know. But, if this all goes south then… don't grieve. You deserve to be loved, deserve to have a special someone in your life that loves you like I do. Be happy, don't think that I wouldn't want you to be. You have given me the best two years anyone could ever want, more than I deserve so, promise me you will be happy." Ire choked back a reply and blinked away the tears that were forming at the corner of his eyes. He swallowed and nodded. “I….I love you so much.” His words did not express how much he loved her and also knew that he would be an incoherent mess if he said anything else. "Ire… promise me… you'll be okay if…." “I will be okay it won’t be easy but I promise that I will…... as long as you promise to do the same. I know you watched my recording and I also need to know that if something happened to me you will also be okay.” Smiling softly, Greta leant forward and kissed him gently, "ire, I love you more than anyone ever. If this is the final time o see you then just know that…" She paused, put a hand gently on his face and sighed. He smiled and sighed too. “You have to go now don’t you?” She nodded gently and stood, keeping his hand in hers. He stood up with her and then gave her a gentle hug. “Come back to me in one piece.” "All I can promise is to try." She kissed him gently on the cheek, took a deep breath and walked out of the door, not looking back. Because she knew that if she did, she may not go. (Reply none) (Posted by Jackie and Robbie) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< End Compile >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<