>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Mission: You Can't go home again Day: 2 Stardate: 2444.06.02 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Mystique - Deck 7 - Science Officer- Ensign Sekal- 0729) (USS Hades – Bridge – Science Officer, Ensign Sekal – 1123) (USS Hades- Deck 8 - Science labs- Science Officer- Ensign Sekal- 1135) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities -Main Hangar - ENS JG Trip Williams and ENS R’vek Kental - 13:00) (Mars Base – Staff Room 2 – Medical – Medical/Counselor Officer – Ensign J.G. Quinna Solace – 13:07) (Mars Base - Admiral's office - Science Officer- Ensign Sekal- 1323) (Mars Facility – Admiral’s Office - CO Admiral Remae Ktell – 1327) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities -1st Fighter Wing of Mars Briefing Room –pilot - ENS JG Ravok -21:10) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities -1st Fighter Wing of Mars Briefing Room –CONN - ENS JG Trip Williams - 21.14) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities -1st Fighter Wing of Mars Briefing Room –pilot - ENS JG Ravok - 2115) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities -1st Fighter Wing of Mars Briefing Room – Pilot- Ensign (J.G.) Ire Williams - 21.16) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities -1st Fighter Wing of Mars Briefing Room – Pilot- Ensign (J.G.) Ravok - 21.20) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities -1st Fighter Wing of Mars Briefing Room –ENS JG Trip Williams and ENS JG Alexandra Petrova - 21.20) (Mars Base- Officer's quarters,- Personal Cabin- Science Officer- Ensign Sekal- 2208) (Mars Base- Officer's quarters,- Personal Cabin- Science Officer- Ensign Sekal- 2235) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities -Counseling Offices - Ens Trip Williams and Ens Quinna Solice - 23:00) (Martian Orbit – M03 Peregrine Fighter – Pilot – Ensign (J.G.) – Ravok– 2333) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Mystique - Deck 7 - Science Officer- Ensign Sekal- 0729) Sekal had been scanning for life forms and power levels. This group was the only one that the device was able to read though it was possible that the entity was pure energy of a type never before encountered. He would have to make a variety of adjustments to scan for other energy forms. "Do you think it's safe to take the turbolift towards the bridge?" "Safe I believe at this time is a relative term. There is enough power to the subsystems to make the turbolift operational which I should point out is suspicious. There are no records that the Mystique is receiving dock power which would normally be the case for a ship staying for an extended period of time. Also scans from the runabout back this up, it did not show power flow from Utopia Planitia to this ship. When mothballed the Mystique should have had all anti-deuterium removed and its auxiliary reactors powered down as a matter of course ...twenty years ago. To find active power systems points to activity initiated by an outside source ergo the Entity." (Reply: Flagg, Peters) "Readings have not yet identified any sign of it, I am resetting the scans now to look for unidentified sources." Sekal twitched from another pain flare as he spoke as if in reply from the entity to his efforts. While mobile and able every movement was an effort as his nerve endings were screaming continually for his attention. His edge however was that he was aware that the pain input was coming from an outside source that was invading his mind and Vulcans from early in their Kohlinar training were aware that the mind could be controlled much as their emotions. "Computer, how many people are aboard the Mystique currently and what are their locations?" The computer agreed with Sekal's findings which was unsurprising. "The Bridge, I guess? Computer, open the turbolift doors." Doctor Verin tried the standard command codes which were of course unsuccessful. Unless the computer was tied into the Utopia Planitia mainframe and continually updated the codes would not be recognized by the ships computer. "NO." Sekal dropped the tricorder and it was only by the strap around his shoulders that kept it from hitting the floor. The voice had been both verbal and telepathic and the shout had ignited fire along his nerve endings. He clenched his hands into fists as he threw back his head and gave a strangled growl. His teeth ground as he brought all of his reserves of strength up to fight the surging attack.His telepathic shields that had very nearly buckled were firmed up. He was able to focus again then suddenly the pain dropped to a tolerable level. Was that the Entity's upper limit on its attack? If so it appeared it could not sustain that power level for long. "No?" He took up the tricorder again as one of the Security Officers spoke. (reply Flagg, Peters) (posted by Charles Gatling (USS Hades – Bridge – Science Officer, Ensign Sekal – 1123) "Oxygenation will take two hours to become breathable ship-wide and environmental controls are beginning to warm the ship. There is sufficient power. We're going to need the environmental controls at standard in order to strip the ship." The Vulcan nodded a this. A slow warm up of the auxiliary systems was advisable. Battery power would have gone dead long ago and anti-matter would have been removed for safety reasons as well as to use the fuel elsewhere. Auxiliary power however ran either off of plasma emitted by the warp drive engines or fission reactors. And the reactors had been shut down far longer than advisable.To attempt to bring power up too quickly could be catastrophic. Verin looked melancholy. "This ship was amazing once. But I'm not sure it is restore able. I am linking the computer to the base and getting it to transmit to engineering and ops. We should get going and see if the equipment you wanted is still here, Mr. Sekal." The lighting had come on as well, dimly at first but strengthening to full incandescence in a short period. He looked about the bridge at the debris field caused by gutted consoles and considered briefly then spoke. "If the damage is as superficial on the rest of the ship as it appears here then restoring it should not be a major issue. You perhaps are not aware that the Hades was cutting edge technology for its time in a number of ways not only in its tactical uses and systems. Compartmentalizing the warp drive engines between two distinct engineering sections for instance. It should not be a major undertaking to restore it, no more so than restoring the Republic since its technology was based heavily on the Prometheus class starship design." He turned and led the way once more to the turbolift, this time for his initial destination. (Reply Peters, Flagg, Verin) (USS Hades- Deck 8 - Science labs- Science Officer- Ensign Sekal- 1135) The first three labs consisting of Stellar Cartography, Life Sciences and Bio-Medical had been completely gutted as expected, whoever had carried out the purge had been extremely thorough. To Sekal it was the epitome of over-reliance on one distinct people group for a task. StarFleet had been a melting pot of technologies across the Federation and took from the best of all of them. That Andoria however had been allowed to monopolize certain aspects of technology had been short sighted. That the Federation itself had given up their most potent technologies as a stipulation for Andoria leaving was puzzling. Had Andoria threatened to attack member worlds and the purge been a compromise? Had Andoria seen this as a way to hamstring its former allies in further dealings? To someone who did not have inside information on all of the political machinations the policy was completely illogical. The next lab was more promising however, the lab designation was what he had been looking for. GEOLOGY was the label above the door. The door slid open at his approach and he stepped inside to see a number of gutted research devices but three more in a corner that looked untouched. It was the latter three he made for but not before reaching into the kit and handing out transporter tags to the others. "If you find any functional equipment on this deck then please tag it and we will transport it to the surface when we return to the runabout. You have my thanks for your assistance." (Reply: Peters, Flagg, Verin) (Posted by Charles Gatling) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities -Main Hangar - ENS JG Trip Williams and ENS R’vek Kental - 13:00) As Trip stood staring at the four type 11 shuttles he wanted to scream. He was trying to update the computer software to be more setup for as an electronic warfare and surveillance vehicle, but apparently he should have paid more attention to his computer programming classes So he asked for an engineering consult for someone who had a specialty in software. As the Reman engineer approached him, Trip walked forward and extended a hand. “R’Vek right, you my software guy?” As R’vek walked over to Trip he had been looking at the type 11 class shuttle. It was a sleeker small design than the previous design, it was a little outdated but still a nice shuttle. “Yes, sir” he replied and shook the trip’s hand. He liked the young man and was happy to help consult. “So these things are old, and we are trying to convert them to basically serve as Surveillance craft, so we need to supercharge the sensors to be more passive listening, and intelligence orientated, than say scientific in nature and for the life of me, I don’t know what I’m doing. Any chance you can help?” R’Vek thought for a moment going over the request in his head. They wanted to adjust the sensors to a more military design to allow the ships to work for covert uses more than science missions. “Yes I can, to be clear your looking for more passive and better detection than the standard load out?” he asked as he gave one of the shuttles a walk around “Right, the plan is that while our fighters in the air, they can help direct traffic, detect any incursions and get our birds where they need to go.” Trip said with a smile. “We can adjust your sensors to run a passive high-resolution scan this will give you a more detailed scan, also im may suggest unless you plan on combat adjusting your tachyon pulse phaser array to instead act as a secondary array for a multiphasic scan this would let you run scans on harder to read areas where radiation and cosmic effects like a dark matter nebula. That would take some rerouting and modifications but would give you better scans it may need some adjusting though” he said as he opened the hatch to the first shuttle to get an idea of its overall condition. “So do you think we can co opt you to get this done? Our guys know how to keep our birds flying and fighting, but not how to do a complete software overall.” “Absolutely, i can start on it right away” “Can I ask you a random question R’Vek? What’s it like being a Reman in Starfleet, it can’t be easy?” Trip asked with genuine curiosity. He was always curious why someone would choose to put on the uniform. For him, it was the family way, but he always found it intriguing why others would join Starfleet, especially in this era. “Why wear the uniform?” The question caused a flood of motions for R’Vek, it may have been 44 years ago but he remembered it just like yesterday. He was lucky that the ship that picked him and some others up had gotten just far enough away before the star went and his home was lost forever. Remus wasn’t the priority romulas was. They ended up rebuilding on new romulas but the reman’s remained orphans of the universe, starfleet had tried and failed. The oppression of the reman’s was over but the loss was so much more. He tried the best he could to calm down, he looked at trip before he answered. “Many years ago a star went nova destroying Romulas and Remus. Starfleet tried to help but it was too little to late billions died, the Romulans resettled on new romulas but us remans were not so lucky. I spent a long time hating all non remans. The doors opened for me to learn so I could help teach my kin help remans grow strong again but the real reason im here” he paused hate in his words tears in his eyes “I joined starfleet so that maybe one day we can prevent someone else from feeling that loss, from knowing they can never go home that all they have left is a piece of their world tucked away in a box” he took a deep breath and entered the shuttle he didn’t want Trip to see the emotions he knew it was too late for that but he tried nonetheless. He took a seat in the front of the shuttle and tapped the screen a few times as it came to life. He quickly started to work his way through the menus and screens until he reached the sensors. The shuttle would need some attention but that was not the priority. Trip entered the shuttle and sat next to R’Vek. “Hey listen, I didn’t mean to be insensitive when I asked about why you joined Starfleet. I was just curious.” “Im sorry, the loss may be old but the feelings are still fresh, for the longest time I didn't trust anyone who wasn’t reman” he replied now his emotions had gotten the better of him. “It kinda fascinates me why people would want to join, you know, because everyone has their reasons you know. Like for me, I guess it was the family business. There has been someone from my family in Starfleet since the beginning. Since before there was even a United Federation of Planets. One of my ancestors served on the NX-02 Columbia and we just kind of stuck with it for centuries. The line hasn’t been broken yet. Some branches had children not enter, but from me to that ensign on the Columbia, unbroken line of Starfleet service.” R’Vek listened to him talk and thought about what he was saying it was amazing to him that Trip's family had a long running line of starfleet officers. “Before Remus was destroyed my family built and maintained drills for mining, my father’s father and his before him all did the same thing we may have been slaves but we had a long running sense of pride in it” he said with a smile. “Anyways, the shuttle may be a dump right now, but the computer should be in decent shape. Hopefully the update shouldn’t take too long.” “We're about to start the update once one is done we should be able to sync the others to it using a shared data burst.” replied RVek. he tapped a few keys and the update started he moved back to the end of the shuttle and opened an access panel that would allow him to make adjustments to the tacyon phaser array. “Do you have any mementos of home?” he asked "Does my twin sister count." Trip said with a chuckle. “One of the starfleet officers who helped evacuate me came to visit me brought me a rock that was one of the pieces left from remus, i hated humans and starfleet for the longest time. I felt as if the world had turned their backs but he showed me i was wrong if it wasnt for him I don't think I would have gone to the vulcan academy” he trusted Trip but wasnt sure why something about him eased his worries. "Sometimes all it takes is one good deed, one act of kindness to challenge are preconceived notions and biases." Trip smiled. R’Vek finished rerouting some of the systems and closed the panel backup. He moved back to the front, “That should do it there but you will need to take it on a test flight and try the sensors. Our update is almost complete.” "Thanks for the help R'Vek. I literally could not have done it without you." Trip paused. "You know I do keep a mento from home, with me wherever I go." Trip lifted up his left sleeve and showed an tatoo on the inside of his left wrist. The tatoo was of the initials TL with the stardate 2443.04.23 underneath. "The loss you experienced is unimaginable, but I think you're in a good place. We carry our loved ones with us wherever we go. Thanks for sharing your story." “Any time Trip and if we find that ship your looking for let me know i’m happy to help you whenever I can” said R’Vek as the update finished. He looked at trip before speaking again “Thank you for sharing your story as well” (Reply none) (Posted by Will Banowsky and Andrew Rock) (Mars Base – Staff Room 2 – Medical – Medical/Counselor Officer – Ensign J.G. Quinna Solace – 13:07) Trei spoke next, “The Counseling Center is as good as can be expected. There are several couches that will serve the purpose. A few rooms could be added for one on one sessions, but we will deal with what we have at the moment.” Momentary pause, “put aside anything that is tradeable, but we can’t use. We have an unconfirmed lead on something, going to try to see if we can’t secure an additional source of materials and parts.” Quinna nodded, “I will keep anything worth trading in the secondary storage.” (Reply Kasion, Bracken, Trei) She picked up another pastry, and bit into it, her mind busy. Swallowing the mouthful, she spoke once more, “we seem to be using tech that was dated when our parents were our age, you had free reign? What would you need? There’s no reason that in the next few months, that we can’t start innovating our own tech, you guys hear of anything that we can work towards?” “That was my concern as well. I have not seen anything that was made in the last 30 years. We need major updated supplies from thermal blankets to computer systems.” Quinna took a drink, “I can make a list. If we are going to be as busy as I think we are.” (Reply Kasion, Bracken, Trei) (Posted by Kris) (Mars Base - Admiral's office - Science Officer- Ensign Sekal- 1323) The away group had made it back to ground ten minutes ago and the science team had been summoned to the Admiral's office for what reason Sekal did not know. During the communication the Admiral had been abrupt though a hint of excitement had been in his voice. The Vulcan was unsure what this portended. He glanced at Ensign Vern who was visibly nervous as he rang the buzzer for admittance. At the opening of the door he stepped inside and nodded to Ktell. "The science team reporting in as ordered sir." He then moved aside so that Ensign Verin could approach. (Reply: Ktell, Verin) "May I ask what this meeting is concerning sir?" He asked. (Reply: Ktell, Verin) (Posted by Charles Gatling) Remae had asked to see his Science Team, they had spent the morning off Mars and the Admiral wanted an update on what they did and he was very interested in one of the ships. "May I ask what this meeting is concerning sir?", asked Ensign Sekal as they both took the offered seat. The Admiral looked at them both for a moment and again at Ensign Williams-Verin, she didn’t look herself, but he brushed it off, after all, he barely knew her. “Yes Ensign, I do. I am hearing preliminary reports about the Mystique in orbit, that she isn’t as badly damaged as other ships we have. You were there today? In both your opinions, can she be made operational?”, he asked. If the ship was indeed a quick fix, having something that could fly could be a great advantage to the area and rather than spending months, even a year getting the Republic ready, the Mystique could become the priority. Having a working starship at their disposal would undoubtedly be helpful. (Reply from Sekal, Williams-Verin, Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities -1st Fighter Wing of Mars Briefing Room –pilot - ENS JG Ravok -21:10) Nrpg : using some our RPGs ideas here since we are all in agreement lol Rafter listening to them all very carefully begins typing on his PaDD . After a few moments he sends each of them a proposal. Ravok clears his throat "I have sent each of you a proposal on duty rotations based on Tripps earlier model " ----0600-1200 (Ire up, Petranova standby) 1200-1800 (Petranova up, Ravok Standby) 1800-2400 (Ravok up, Trip Standby) 2400-0600 (Trip up, Ire Standby)----- , "I would like to suggest that each of us take turns as CAG . The standby officer should handle that responsibility. All the paperwork and administrative stuff, you know the finer things in life . Meanwhile the on duty sqaudron officer would have time to focus on their squadrons objectives unhindered by any of the paperwork. While on duty your squadron is yours to command as you see fit as long as your perform the basic duties and drills we agree upon as a committee. I have taken time to study your records and I pay attention to details...fine details. There is no reason we can not make this work. " Ravok Takes a breath So this is flatly the page I am at, We will need to set up specific missions sets and configurations for fighters. We will need to drill, we should have an operational squadron, a squad that does recon duty possibly search and rescue. A group that handles planetary defense and a squadron that handles heavy lifting. Since you are Wing Leader, You will be escorting the ship.”Said Alexandra Ravok looks at her " I like your idea as well. Every squadron should have experience with those duties and we can rotate those duties through our squadrons and drill and I mean drill hard until we can do these things in our sleep " (Reply Ire, Tripp, Alexandra) (Posted by davis) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities -1st Fighter Wing of Mars Briefing Room –CONN - ENS JG Trip Williams - 21.14) “I am Russian I understand about building things from nothing, and I am trying to make my point clear. If we are going to build this step one needs to be who is in charge, you want that job, alright I have no objections. But I have expectations. A rotation is important because of flight regulations, A pilot can only log 60 hours per week. I expect that nobody will be sent off on their own, they take a wingman or another squad with them if possible. We need to factor in other duties expected from us, VIP shuttle flights, escort detail, bombing runs, search and rescue duties. The Peregrines are useful enough but we need to get organized. I am going to insist that you appoint a strong second to enforce regulations and be able to handle debriefings. I am also going to insist that we get a crew chief that being said, I believe Petty Officer Castile would make a fine crew chief. He is a tech here who managed to build a medical replicator out of spare parts.So this is flatly the page I am at, We will need to set up specific missions sets and configurations for fighters. We will need to drill, we should have an operational squadron, a squad that does recon duty possibly search and rescue. A group that handles planetary defense and a squadron that handles heavy lifting. Since you are Wing Leader, You will be escorting the ship. So with that being said, I have been involved with Mars most of my life, I lived here, I know the locals. This is my home. I will happily take a position to defend it. Make no mistake, I am a firm person, I operate under the assumption that everybody here is capable of reason and skilled at the duties they perform. So we have passed the first hurdle of who is in charge. The next step is to get fighters online and actually fly a few missions. I would recommend Midnight Manuevers as well.” Trip nodded, midnight maenuevers would have to wait though. With the amount, or lack there of, of sleep he had gotten in the last 24 hours he was not medically cleared to fly. “It is when you take those under your command for team building by dancing on the lines opf regulations. Seeing how far we are willing to bend. How far we are willing to risk things. But that is the page I am on. I hope that clears things up." Petrova went to get coffee and trip nodded. as Ravok spoke up. " I have sent each of you a proposal on duty rotations based on Trips earlier model " ----0600-1200 (Ire up, Petranova standby) 1200-1800 (Petranova up, Ravok Standby) 1800-2400 (Ravok up, Trip Standby) 2400-0600 (Trip up, Ire Standby)----- , "I would like to suggest that each of us take turns as CAG . The standby officer should handle that responsibility. All the paperwork and administrative stuff, you know the finer things in life . Meanwhile the on duty sqaudron officer would have time to focus on their squadrons objectives unhindered by any of the paperwork. While on duty your squadron is yours to command as you see fit as long as your perform the basic duties and drills we agree upon as a committee. I have taken time to study your records and I pay attention to details...fine details. There is no reason we can not make this work. " Ravok took a breath and looked at Petrova. " I like your idea as well. Every squadron should have experience with those duties and we can rotate those duties through our squadrons and drill and I mean drill hard until we can do these things in our sleep " The Romulan said. "Everything looks fine to me, and we will get maneuvers going as soon as we are sure our craft can handle it. Some of these birds haven't been flown in over 20 years, we need to make sure they aren't gonna crap out on us. As for Crew chief, Petty Officer Castile is currently assigned to the Engineering department, and since there is no one head there, no head here, and the fact that we have our own personnel in charge of that, it's best that we don't try and poach anyone from another department. I hope you understand. I'm sure he is capable, but I think the engineering department needs him more right now. Someone needs to make this place less of a dump and it aint gonna be us or the med staff that is for sure." (Reply Ire, Ravok, Petronova if you want) "As for squadron specializations, right now, the Admiral wants us flying patrol, and we only have enough craft to cover a four shift patrol squadron. Once we get some more craft in, I think we can start diversifying." Trip then paused, "Actually, I bet we could re-purpose some shuttle craft from the ship in the shipyard and create a Search and rescue squadron. But first priority is to make sure that we get a 24 hour patrol going. But that's not my call. We can make that call as a team. But it's late, and so we can solve that in the morning. If there is nothing else. I meant this to be more of a get to know each other thing, but maybe now isn't the time. So I guess, if there is nothing else, maybe we break for now. A good sleep might do us some good. I know I need it." (reply Ire, Ravok, Petranova) (posted by Will Banowsky) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities -1st Fighter Wing of Mars Briefing Room –pilot - ENS JG Ravok) Ravok nods his head in response to Tripp and looks over at Ire . Worried about him but he understands the stress he is going through. Ravok stands up. "Well like I said my squadron is up there as we speak . I must be going . Good night everyone. " Ravok walks towards the door . (reply Tripp, Ire, Alexandra) (posted by davis ) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities -1st Fighter Wing of Mars Briefing Room – Pilot- Ensign (J.G.) Ire Williams - 21.16) Ire listened to what was being said and after his outburst he decided less was better. He glanced at the chronometer and looked at the time. ~About nine hours until I fly, and I have a lot to do before then~ The conversation changed to other duties apart from patrol along with VIP shuttle flights, escort detail, bombing runs, search and rescue. Which he realised that the UMTSC could fit some of those roles if he ever got them all of the ground at once. ~Something to work on outside of office hours~ "As for squadron specializations, right now, the Admiral wants us flying patrol, and we only have enough craft to cover a four shift patrol squadron. Once we get some more craft in, I think we can start diversifying." "Actually, I bet we could re-purpose some shuttle craft from the ship in the shipyard and create a Search and rescue squadron. But first priority is to make sure that we get a 24 hour patrol going. But that's not my call. We can make that call as a team. But it's late, and so we can solve that in the morning. If there is nothing else. I meant this to be more of a get to know each other thing, but maybe now isn't the time. So I guess, if there is nothing else, maybe we break for now. A good sleep might do us some good. I know I need it." " Well like I said my squadron is up there as we speak. I must be going. Good night everyone. " As Ravok got up to leave Ire did the same. “I have an early start in the morning. Thanks you for a interesting discussion and good night everyone.” He nodded to Trip and Petranova and followed Ravok out of the quarters. (Reply Trip, Petranova, Ravok, any) (Posted by Robbie) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities -1st Fighter Wing of Mars Briefing Room – Pilot- Ensign (J.G.) Ravok - 21.20) “I have an early start in the morning. Thanks you for a interesting discussion and good night everyone.” Ire nodded to Trip and Petranova and followed Ravok out of the quarters..... Ravok stood in the doorway of the briefing room and looked at Ire "Get some sleep , things are going to be ok. I'll see you later " Ravok said with slight smile as he patted Ire on the shoulder. They both went their separate ways... ( reply Ire if you want ) (Posted by Davis) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities -1st Fighter Wing of Mars Briefing Room –ENS JG Trip Williams and ENS JG Alexandra Petrova - 21.20) As the meeting ended Trip approached Ensign Petrova, “Hey do you got a minute?” He asked as he tried to catch her before she left the meeting room. Alexandra did an about face. She had that same neutral expression that she kept. She motioned for him to speak. “Listen, I think we got off on the right foot,” Trip said in a conciliatory tone. “I wasn’t trying to imply anything with my comments, none of us here have seniority. And every one of your concerns are valid, but already being put in place. No one here is going to do anything outside of regulations, and no one is scheduled to log more than 42 hours of flight time a week. Everything is gonna be above the board and no one is trying to do anything against regulations or protocol.” “Things have gotten so bad because nobody followed the rules laid out. The universe is in the Gold Coffin that it is because nobody listened to advisors. I have no problems, My first duty is to the truth.The uniform and to my ethics. It is never an officer’s duty to set policy just to enforce the existing doctrine.” She replied, then she let him continue. “But enough business, the reason I asked you to stay back, is well. I get the feeling that you might have some issues with me, and I want to clear the air.” Trip didn’t need to use his empathic abilities to get the sense that there could be some misunderstood personality conflicts between the two. “I just want to dispel any misconceptions that may be there. I know, I know, I’m wasting time by asking you to stay behind, but I’m not the cocky flyboy you may think I am.” ~ I believe he overestimates my opinions.~ “I am going to say this you are trying to cut a department from whole cloth, You are trying to do it with little or no support. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. I bear you no ill will nor do I dislike you. Know that I will always give my thoughts when asked and let you know where you stand.” She looked over her PADD. “The thing is, I’m not trying to do this on my own or at all. Ire, Ravok,and I, and with you, it’s a group effort.” Trip didn’t appreciate the feeling that he was trying to run the show, he’d been trying to make it a group effort since the start. She gave a nod, “I have submitted the appropriate repair tickets for the entire hangar and fighters. You will want to inform your squadron they will be operational within the week. Furthermore the S.S. Maid Marion a freighter is coming in from Tellar with supplies and repair parts. They will need an escort once they hit Io. Does that seem like a reasonable test run? A cake walk escorting a friendly in?” “I think so, whichever squadron is on duty can handle the escort, with the standby squadron taking over patrol. Of course nothing is ever a cake walk. Hopefully we everything is flying by then.” “Sir, I am not one to step up for things, but you are going to need a strong right hand in all of this. When you are considering a second in command, I would want to put my name in the list. I attended Operations school, graduated fifth in my class. I also a human resources officer on ESD for six months post graduation. So you have all of my abilities at your disposal.” She said. “Please don’t call me sir, you can call me Ensign Williams or Trip, hell Trip is just fine. I’m fine with being the fall guy, but until the Admiral officially names a department head, we’re all equals here. When it comes to the fighter wing, we make the calls together. Your credentials are impressive, and if I were in charge, I’d definitely take you up on that offer, but the Admiral could wake up tomorrow and decide that some Horta serving on Jupiter was in charge, and that would be that. So right now, it’s a partnership, equals. Does that work with you?” Trip said as he extended his hand. “Ponyal.” She said. She extended her gloved hand, if he looked carefully there was old track mark scars at her wrist. Trip looked down, he could see the scars on her arm, but he wondered if it was his place to ask. Curiosity was always something that seemed to overcome him, but sometimes his filters would thankfully engage before saying something stupid. Trying not to look at them, though, he made it kind of obvious he had seen them. “So,ummm, yeah,” He said awkwardly, not trying to mention the scars, but finally his filter gave out. “So I can’t help but notice the scars, sorry, I shouldn’t say anything, but, I have hardly slept. Have been doing paperwork and errands all day, and my filter is broken…..Sorry, sorry, did they come from a fight?” Trips torso was littered with stab wounds from bar and cage fights gone wrong, but he wasn’t about to start undressing in the briefing room to show them off. Still he knew better to bring up scars. He just also knew full well, each one carried a story key to who a person was. She withdrew her hand, rubbing her wrist. “Since you asked and its already in my jacket folder, I will tell you.” She sighed for a moment, “It is from a fight I had, but with myself. When I was younger my sister and I got addicted to Morphalag, a designer recreational drug. Its actually why I am here and not a policy advisor back at Headquarters. Nobody trusts an addict no matter how much they have changed.” Trip walked over to her and put his right hand on her shoulder. “I wouldn’t say nobody.” He then removed his hand and walked over to the chair he had been seated in and sat back down. He then leaned back and put his feet up on the table. “Not all of us are dealt the same hand in life. Some of us may be born with pocket aces, others might have a 2, 5 off suit. The hand we’re dealt can lead to some unfortunate stuff, but I dunno. Life is, ok, don’t take this the wrong way, but life kind of like a game of poker, the guy with pocket aces might start out in a better position, but after the turn, and the river, that 2, 5 off suit, might turn into a two pair, or close to a straight, and the flop might make it a full house, and those pocket aces, might just be that, and nothing more in the end. So I trust an addict, if they try and change, and grow and learn from it, because addiction is real, and the danger is real, and it takes a lot of courage and character to overcome those demons. Not trying to patronize you or put you on a pedestal. But I respect that you have come through on the other side.” “The speech I normally give is life is more like a card game, we are dealt a hand and we have two choices to play it out or fold. It has never been in me to quit, I have had the deck stacked against me from the get go, Martian raised, daughter of the Chief Engineer up on Utopia so everybody expected me to be just like him. So yeah play it out or walk away.” She adjusted her tunic performing the “Picard manuever”. “Besides, if I would have been caught during my first two years in the academy engaging in the back street cage fights that I was involved in, hell, I’d be sitting around earth with nothing to do.” Trip was an open book, and he probably should keep most of his life to himself, he was an unfortunate oversharer. “So I can trust an addict, if you can trust the kid with pocket aces who wanted to rebel against the dealer.” “”Part of the reason why I am here is because of who I was, Not what I am capable of.” She looked down at her PADD which chirped. She pressed a button. Then tucked it at her side. “Castile reports if he can tear down six fighters he can have four up and running. I am one to ask forgiveness instead of permission and I already ordered him to work on repairing the hangar, fighters and the food replicators here in that order.” She said. “That should be fine. I’m trying to order some parts from a Ferengi on Mars, if I can get approval from the Admiral to buy them, and if they work. Hopefully if I can get them soon, he can get the other two fighters of that six up and going. But yeah, I got no issues with it.” Trip then shifted and sat back up in his chair, “Hey can I be honest with you for a second, I know you probably want to get back to work, but just want to be level with you, use this as a step to build trust.” ~ Work is not a wolf, it will not run into the forest by itself.~ She thought. What she said was in line with that. “I have no reason not to trust, nor a reason not to listen. By all means we have come this far, why not further?” She said. “Look, I know I can come off as a brat, and I probably am, so I;m sorry for it, and please feel free to call me out on it. My full name is James Williams the third, and I let that, stupid name, the fact that I had to live up to my dad, and grandad, make me be a bit of a little turd growing up. I acted out because of it, took up fighting because of it, because I wanted to be my own man, make my own legacy, or some stupid reason. But in the last year, after the attack on Earth a year ago, and then getting here, and seeing, well, my Dad was working on a project here before they shut everything down, I’ve kinda been realizing just how much of a jerk I kind of have been. And I was serious, I’m the brat who was given a good hand and rebeled against the dealer, because I dunno, being a stupid teenager, but I really, really, really am trying, to...well it’s not about me, what I’ve come to realize, legacy isn’t about one does, it’s about what one leaves behind, and I’m trying to do my best here, to do something positive and live a life not about me. You seem like a straight shooter, and I just, can you, maybe not in public, but if I’m being a brat, call me on it.” Trip being rubbing his left wrist, in the sport were a slightly visible tattoo with initials was. “I want a better world, better universe, better Starfleet, and I can’t be an angst ridden idiot to get it done. So if I’m out of line, please feel free to correct me. I need to stop being the brat.” ~For the one I lost, I need to be the best me.~ Trip thought to himself. She took a moment to take in what he was saying. She then said, “Letting my fellow officers know that they are out of line is easy. It is telling them when they do good that I have a hard time with. You state you have altruistic intent? You are also saying you have impluse control problems and need somebody to keep you in line, I can do that without a problem, As for running from your ghosts, the only thing you can do is be a better person then you were yesterday. Otherwise you will run in circles, drive yourself mad.” ~ Yet when I spoke up earlier I got told to STFU? ~ “I believe the other squadron leaders will disagree if I do this, but if you trust me, I can do this.” She added. “Trust is all we have at this point, heaven knows we don’t have the resources,” Trip said with a chuckle, “I need to apologize for earlier, it may have seemed like we were ganging up on you, and that was probably true. I know I probably didn’t treat you with the appropriate level of respect. We’re trying to figure out the dynamic, and I know for myself, I think we may have been talking past each other or at each other but not with each other. I know I can’t talk for the others here, but I know I felt a little defensive and I may have been a little, umm, a lot of a jerk trying to exert some control, and I’m sorry for it. You may be as strong as a russian bear but, I shouldn’t have pounced like that, I hope you weren’t too ganged up on.” “It takes more then a group of unruly men to get under my skin. Before Fleet I was going to be a Political Science Major, and that was a difficult training, I got an ambassador to shut up by threatening to throw him out an airlock. It is why I am no longer considering a career as a diplomat. There is nothing to feel sorry about or apologize for,your men are loyal. This is a good thing.” she said. The thought of Petrova threatening an ambassador with being thrown out an airlock, and his imaginations desire to finish out that scenario caused Trip to laugh so hard that he fell out of his chair. She did something rare for her, she gave a brief smile. Then offered a hand to help him up. Picking himself up he gave a playful smile. “For some reason I don’t doubt that you would throw someone out an airlock. I know you can take care of yourself. But Ire and Ravok aren’t my men, they’re our team, and if we’re gonna be a team, well, we shouldn’t gang up against one another, and I should have been more considerate of that.” Trip then sat back into his chair. “Can I ask a personal question?” “Of course.” She said. “I’m sure some of this is in your file, but I don’t like just snooping in people’s files. It’s hard enough not feeling like a stalker being an empath. Anyways it was something you said earlier. You said the reason why you were here was because of who you were, not what you are capable of, other than the addiction, why do you say that, I mean, I get the sense you’ve been to hell and back, and I don’t need to be an empath to feel that. You don’t have to answer. We all have things we don’t like talking about, just curious. I may be misreading you tone, but it sounds like this assignment seems to you as a punishment or purgatory.” She looked uneasy the relaxation built earlier up and vanished and she bristled. “My last CO was heavily into hitting on everything female. I was told if I did not sleep with him I would loose my post at Headquarters. Before I left I broke his nose, cracked his leg in two places and caused him to get a medical discharge. In exchange for not being drummed out of the service I agreed to take a different post if I kept mostly quiet about the hobbies of a Fleet Captain.” AsTrip listened his rage was visible. He was tired of that sort of attitudes amongst top brass. His closest friends in Starfleet was his childhood bestfriend Ailynn and his twin sister Sienna, and if something like that would have happened to them, he probably would be in the brig right now. He grabbed his mug from earlier, now empty of the hot chocolate that was inside. His right hand still bandaged from destroying a snow globe in front of a ferengi who was inappropriately hitting on Ailynn earlier. He took the mug and slammed it down so hard on the table it broke. She tried not to flinch. Her attempt was unsuccessful. Composing himself, he stood up and walked up to Petrova, he placed his hand on her shoulder in a gentle way, trying to say I’m sorry, but without words and then, realizing how his hand being on her shoulder might be taken, quickly removed it. “I’m sorry you had to deal with jerk like that. That’s not something that anyone should go through, and not anything that I’ll let happen in this squadron, regardless of who is in charge. The guy deserved the beating. But I’m sure you’re tired of sorrys and words.” She flinched as he put his hand on her shoulder, she seized up for a second and wasn’t sure what to do. Feeling herself panic she walked over to the cabinet and took out an orange canister of coffee. She stuck a filter in the machine and began to brew up a pot. “Your gallantry is noted, thank you.” She gave him a nod. She hated that she had said out loud her weakest points in her armor. But there was just no going back now. “We all have our crosses to carry and I do not know about you, but any good martyr needs a good crucible. I am not a hill worth dying on.” She said. “Yeah, well I’ll make sure to keep this between us. Don’t worry, it’s not my story to tell and I won’t share it.” Trip smiled, “Besides Ire, Ravok, and I are gonna need you. You’ve at least been assigned before, I can’t speak for Ravok, but Ire and I just graduated, we’re as fresh and babyface as can be, it will be good to have some experience around.” “I am not going anywhere.” She said. “And you’re right, we all have our crosses to bear. But you know what, it’s not against the rules to let someone help you with it. I mean, I’d be sunk without my sister here to help me deal with my crap.” “Relatives are… important.” She said that with hesitation remember her sister and that was a whole level of guilt she was not prepared to drop. She then spoke hesitantly. “Perhaps you need to burn your ships like Agamemnon did in the Trojan war. What I mean is you have been standing under shadows of others, comparing yourself to unreachable heights. Make your own name and let history judge you,” She offered up. “You’re right,” he said with a smile, “And I get the feeling that wont be the last time I tell you that. The thing is, I spent so much time trying not to be dad or granddad, that I kind of lost site on what it meant to be me, and the sad thing is, the one person I could count on to help me figure that out...is, well. I lost her in the incident.” “Then I say again, better a straw bed then a gold coffin. If it’s something you can change then don’t spend energy worrying about it. If it is something you cannot then its a waste of energy to try to change it if it is out of bounds.” She said with a nod. “I told you I would say you’re right again. It’s not quite that simple. Sometimes letting go of the past, is easier said than done….” Trip paused, “I don’t know want to bore you with my life, honestly, sometimes I feel a bit self conscious when someone else has brought up their pain, because I don’t like feeling like its a comparing of tragedy, and the hell you’ve gone through, well I don’t want you to think I’m cheapining it with my own small fry pain.” Trip took a breath and smiled, “I never caught your first name?” “This is the military its always a pissing match.” She relaxed a little. Then looked at him and poured herself a cup of coffee. “Alexandra, but they gave me the callsign of Rotor, and before you ask it stands for Ran off the only runway when I was in training.” “Alexandra, that’s a pretty name. Not a bad call sign either.” Trip walked over to the table and poured a glass of water. Coffee seemed like a good idea but he had consumed way to much caffeine during the course of the day. “Ire gave me the callsign Star Gazer. I majored in Stellar cartography.I entered flight ops because I thought I’d be on a starship. Wanted to be an explorer, you know, all that jazz. Especially because I pretty much failed at my early attempts at being an amateur baker.” Trip took a drink of his water and leaned up against the table that the drinks were on. “You know Alex, you’re actually quite pleasant when you let your hair down, metaphorically speaking. Here I thought you were a total control freak.” As soon as he said Trip knew that he should have engaged his filter and hoped that she would take it as a compliment. “Be glad you weren’t in my flight training squadron, We would have called you Pilsbury or Hot Cakes. There was this Vulcan pilot we trained with he insisted we call him IDIC as his callsign well things didn’t go quite as planned. Wing Leader thought he needed to be taken down a peg, So when we all had to get haircuts we looked and saw his head resembled an egg. So we called him Omelet. His fault for trying to pick his own callsign.” She took a sip of her coffee. “I am very much a control freak. I just dislike showing this side to anybody, normally this takes a bottle of vodka and a spaghetti dinner.” She said with a nod. “I’ve been told I have a way of making people feel at ease. Probably because I have been described as chaos personified. Well not really, I do sometimes have a rhyme or reason, but I feel like randomness is in my wheel house.” Trip then sighed, “I’ve been told I should have considered counseling, but honestly, I’m the one who needs a counselor. Not sure how much you know about Betazoids, but even halfsies like me develop some of the quirkier traits, like empathic abilities and finding one’s Imzadi or sort of betazoid soulmate. I found mine in middle school, though we never really seriously dated, cause we were kids, but we could communicate telepathically right, she was my best friend, never able to hide a thing from her. Anyways to make a long story bareable, the day of the incident we were talking telepathically, she died, and I felt every stupid emotion as if it were my own, like fresh, like I was feeling it. So it’s like yeah I make people feel at ease, but then I’ll get anxiety attacks and feel like I’m dying, because memories trigger emotions, and those emotions, well they’re trapped in my memory.” Trip paused, “I have no idea why I just gave an exposition dump. Sorry about that, It’s getting better, it only really becomes a problem when I let myself think.” “There is a tactic I use called brassing it out. Its when you take thoughts that haunt you push them down and to the side. Go on till you can’t any more. All I can say is everybody who has loved me has either left or abandoned me. The ones who stayed weren’t worth keeping. So you aren’t missing out.” She said as non judgemental as possible. “But if you don’t get those attacks under control they will take your flight status. As for betazoids, I dated one for a short time. She and I did not work out.” She said. “Yeah, I’m going to try and meet with the counseling staff. I’d hate to lose my flight status, it would mean a department transfer, or worse, a desk job with more paperwork. Which would be the worst.” Trip then paused, a mischievous smile appeared on his face, “So if everybody who loved you either leaves or abandons you, do I need to pass a rule that no ladies on the flight department are allowed to love you, because we can’t really lose any personnel.” Trip took a drink from his glass, “Ok, sorry that was a bad joke. I bet there is actual trauma there and I shouldn’t make light of it.” “Of course I no longer date,men or women these days. So the only romance I have is an ugly affair with coffee.” She sipped some more from her mug. She flashed a brief smile. “I mean, yeah well no luck with either gender so I am sort of not looking and hoping that it becomes a trap. “ ~Smooth Alex real smooth, so you are a total freak now?~ She gave a brief smirk back, “I am a serial relationship killer, because of the control freak nature I have and give off. Or worse they say speak my mind and I do. They are not prepared for what I do.” “Yeah, no i feel yah, I mean I only really had two girlfriends, the first was my Imzadi, we dated in high school, but then we said, you know 14 is too young to find your soul mate, you know whe should date others to see, then I dated another girl for awhile, and she went to Bajor and came back pregnant with someone else’s kid, then when I finally wanted to confess to my Imzadi that I was sure she was the one, she gets vaporized in an anti-matter wave, so I got that going for me.” Trip then walked over to Alexandra and raised his glass in a cheers. “But, as I learned last night, I’m not ready to move on anyways, got to figure myself out first. So only relationship I have right now is chocolate and the gym, you know, because of the chocolate.” “My advice is simple, The universe will put folks in your life who are there to help you grow somehow, be an example somehow or just teach you what not to do. Don’t get me wrong always look a gift horse in both ends, but don’t lock yourself out orr you will find yourself 28, bitter and with very few options.” She said this as if it had come down from the wisest person in the world. “Don’t worry, I wont lock myself out, I’m 22, I got at least six more years before I can be bitter and optionless. Besides, you know what they say, bones mend, pain heals, chicks dig scars and glory lasts forever. I just got to embrace the randomness of the universe and live life. It will work it self out.” Trip smiled and but his arm around Alexandra in a playful manner, “You know you should think about writing an advice blog, you’re pretty good at it.” “Only because I have done monumentally stupid things but that is behind me, this..” She would motion with a hand at the area around her. “Is in front of me. Now are you more comfortable with me since we had this talk?” She asked. “Well I no longer thing you are going to kill me in my sleep, so yeah, I guess I am.” Trip then removed his arm from her shoulder. “Anyways, I need to run and do some paperwork, but it was good chatting with you, and seeing that you are a real person. If you ever need an ear, come and find me, I can’t over you spaghetti, but I do have vodka.” Trip smiled, grabbed his PADD and left the room. (Reply None) (posted by Kaylah Andrews and Will Banowsky) (Mars Base- Officer's quarters,- Personal Cabin- Science Officer- Ensign Sekal- 2208) To say it had been a trying day would have been a severe understatement. Sekal had been continually bombarded with pain from an arguably insane and incensed entity aboard the Mystique over a protracted period of time and a display on the Hades that would have been embarrassing had he been of emotional proclivities. They had however made some inroads on his list of needed equipment and perhaps gained a valuable ally for the future. Some questions remained however that required answers. He glanced at the tricorder on the desk into which he had downloaded the data taken by Ensign Verin during an incident on one of the ships his father had formerly commanded. Saleke's command on the Mystique had been for only a few months duration after Captain Winters had been severely traumatized during the battle between the entity called Luma and the only other remaining of her race over thirty years ago. More importantly however his investigation into the crystal had taken yet another turn and this required another communication to his father as Ensign Verin had suggested. It was admittedly a surprise that in the aftermath of that incident she had shown a remarkable grasp of logic in that recommendation but it WAS to be expected from a scientist or officer no matter their species. "Computer open a subspace communication with the VSRS Sinya, Commodore Saleke in command." =^= Working. Opening a channel and requesting communication with the VSRS Sinya.=^= He nodded appreciatively, since engineering had overhauled the computer core it was operating in a fashion more to be expected. =^= Communication channel accepted, rerouting.=^= His father once again appeared on the display though this time without the glass. "Sekal. What do you have to report?" Sekal's immediate words caught him off guard and caused him to lean forward intently. "Computer initiate code Ceti three nine Alpha five ." =^=Initiating.=^= Both Vulcans waited until the encryption was in force before Saleke spoke.. "It is about the object." It wasn't a question. '''Yes but first I require information." To another species Vulcans could be extremely difficult to read but to another of their race not to mention family the cues were obvious. His fathers's interest became even more pronounced. "Continue." In reply he began playing the recording from the incident on the Hades. Saleke listened intently. The words were his own but spoken in his son's voice. "Interesting. Explain." He spoke after the recording had concluded. "This happened on the bridge of the Hades and in the Ready Room during our expedition to find any Vulcan equipment that may have been left aboard in the labs." Saleke nodded. "This is an exact re-enactment of an incident aboard the ship in which I was involved and took place during the civil war. The saboteur was attempting to sow confusion in order to facilitate her escape. Had I died it would logically have succeeded. What is your question?" "First the object. Did you notice anything extraordinary about it afterward?" Saleke nodded. "The object was pulsing with energy after being blown clear of the desk." It was Sekal's turn to radiate interest. "Did you notice anything out of the ordinary besides the object?" Saleke was caught off guard again which made it a very rare occasion. He considered for a moment, his gaze turning inward. "Everything appeared to be going smoothly until I attempted to play the message which was in fact planted on my terminal as bait. In the immediate aftermath of the explosion I was dazed, momentarily confused and bleeding from a number of wounds caused by shrapnel from the desk and monitor but none life threatening. The object itself was the only thing of note though..." he paused and considered briefly. "...I do remember feeling ...disconnected but it passed quickly." His attention returned to Sekal. "Anything else?" "Did you test the object afterward?" "Of course. From the time the saboteur was caught and killed while resisting being taken into custody and I was able to retrieve the object several hours had passed." "What conclusions did you draw from its activity?" Saleke cocked his head in bemusement at the continuing line of questions but understood his son was being professional and thorough. "My conclusion was that the object had absorbed most of the energy emitted by the explosive device thus mitigating much of the damage it would have caused. In short had it not been there at that instant in time the explosion would not only have killed me but destroyed the Ready Room and much of the bridge due to the device used of which we found traces." And that was the issue... time. "I experienced everything you experienced in that time including the activity of the object." His father's interest rose exponentially at that revelation. "That is illogical." "Indeed but it has been documented by tricorder readings taken by the other science officer with me at the time and it's... activity... was also noted by the security officers in attendance. Readings of me taken during the incident show chronitron particle emissions and it was giving off pulses of energy at regular intervals at a power level of .155 joules per pulse." His father was no longer caught off guard, he had proceeded into stunned. Sekal retrieved and opened the kit, removed the pulsating object then held it before the monitor. "How long did it take the crystal to exhaust the absorbed energy in your time?" The 'object' had now been revealed, if someone cracked into the communication calling it by an obscure reference would be meaningless. "Twelve hours at .155 joules per pulse for a total on thirty thousand two hundred and nine joules of energy estimated overall." Saleke obviously had come to the same conclusion. "If so then it will reach its conclusion in fifty three minutes." "It either opened a phase variance in this time period to connect with its absorption of energy in the past which would require sentience and energy which it did not have or the initial absorption of power created a wave or echo which reached into this time period." Sekal nodded. "Exactly. So as you see the enigma continues to expand." As intelligent as both were they had overlooked a third option. But Saleke had the benefit of age and experience. "There will come a time when the enigma reaches its limits and we will be able to unlock it by exploring its dimensions. To solve a mystery requires one to find out not only what is but also what is not." (Reply: None) (Posted by Charles Gatling) (Mars Base- Officer's quarters,- Personal Cabin- Science Officer- Ensign Sekal- 2235) Sekal nodded at his father's words. "Indeed. I am formulating a theory that the crystal is not of natural origin." He activated the display device and placed the crystal above it where it continued to flash at a rate of once every 1.3 seconds for a duration of .13 seconds. "In what way?" Saleke asked. "The pattern in which it exists would suggest a center of origin." "Perhaps by an unnatural confluence of events." Sekal replied. "That might perhaps explain its concentration in a localized area of space." While his father considered this Sekal placed the tricorder and kit to the left of the monitor. He didn't bother to ask where that area was knowing he would not receive an answer. The size of the area in question was part of his father's project. "It is something to consider. I will of course report this." Sekal nodded. "I realize you will do your duty father. If there is anything that you can relay to me about the ongoing research it will of course be helpful." Saleke leaned back. " I appear to have been given license to do so." It was Sekal's turn to be caught off guard. "Your orders have been changed?" "Not completely, merely modified." "In what way?" Saleke regarded him neutrally. "Your research will not be hindered and an exchange of information would seem to be allowed. I may not however disclose the location. The exact method of transferring that information is being considered." That it was even being considered was good news then. Saleke's fingers began moving quickly over his keyboard. "In the interim I am downloading to you six new codes. Do not use this one again. Purge it from your system." Sekal nodded. "Use a new code the next time you contact me then purge it afterward. You may give them whatever designation you see fit." "Understood." =^= Download complete.=^= The monitor intoned. "Designate them strictly for your use or they will be available to anyone on the base with access to the main computer bank." "I will do so immediately." "I will await your next report... or request for information. Out." Immediately after his father signed off Sekal did as requested. The old code was wiped and the new ones were personalized, set for his use only and given designations. The only other one on the base who could access them legitimately would be the Admiral. He realized also that the Admiral was going to have to be informed of these communications since they could be misconstrued and put him under suspicion. The sooner he took care of this the less chance that someone would question his intent. It took some time to dictate a complete report on the communications with his father over the last two days which included Vulcan's change of policy toward tacit permission to research the crystal for StarFleet use. He included the use of coded messages to insure no one outside of the Federation would know of its existence and new codes set aside for his use in the future for such exchanges of information. Also included was a note that the Vulcan High Council was considering how in the future to notify StarFleet of where to find more of the material. And since he was filing a report he included a rundown of the days events even though Ktell was aware of what they had found on the ships so they could be properly filed in the data bank then sent it to the terminal in Ktell's office. Now if any suspicion arose concerning the codes in his possession the Admiral would be forewarned. His day now officially ended he was soon in his bunk and unconcious. (Reply: None) (Posted by Charles Gatling) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities -Counseling Offices - Ens Trip Williams and Ens Quinna Solice - 23:00) Trip sat on the comfy chair at the counseling office of one Quinna Solice. It was late at night, but with the sort of emotional ups and downs he was having he really thought he should see someone before he spent another night without sleep and another day consuming more than his body weight in caffeine. “Thanks for meeting with me this late.” he said apologetically, “I wanted to meet with a counselor about some emotional stuff and the day just got away from me. I had an anxiety attack last night and it kept me from sleeping and I wanted to talk to someone before I went to bed, so I could you know go to bed. I know it’s almost tomorrow, but when I looked at who the licensed counselors were, I thought it might be best to wake the one who wasn’t part Klingon.” Quinna stifled a yawn. She herself could not sleep. To Do lists were going through her head. She decided to take the night shift in medical and continue her cleaning. “That is ok. Really, I could not sleep. I am happy to help. '' Quinna took a sip of hot tea, “Why don’t you tell me more.” She pressed a button on a PADD which would allow her to pay attention as the PADD recorded the secession. “I guess the other reason I wanted to meet with you is that I don’t want to meet with an empath. I myself am one, and my predicament came about from an overload of those skills, and I’m just afraid of having an attack with an empath present and them feeling what I’m feeling and developing their own issues.” “I can respect that.” Quinna added. “I guess it comes down to the fact that I was in telepathic contact with my best friend as she was killed by the anti-matter wave and felt everything she did when she died as if I was experiencing it. So from time to time I get flare ups, relive those emotions and basically re experience what it is like to die. And I’m not sure how to cope.” “How long ago did this event take place?” She needed background to offer suggestions, though she was not sure what just yet. “A little over a year ago, it was during the incident. The anti-matter wave on earth.” “You say that from time to time you get a flare up. Can you remember what you were doing before the occurrence.” Quinna was not sure that “Flare up was the right phrase. Not like you could put a topical ointment on it and case closed. “Well,” Trip said a little sheepishly, “Usually whenever I get worked up over something, and then if my memories sort over to that one, well, you know how memories trigger emotions, well then feel it all over again. Every single emotion feels right before death, well the emotions she felt before death.” Quinna glanced at Trip’s face and the made her gaze solid, “And last night?” “The most recent one was last night. I had ummm, I had someone over and the conversation brought up some painful memories of just a bad relationship that ended right before, and I can’t think about those memories without thinking about, her, about Rae, and how she died, and well,next thing I know, all the fear, rage, loneliness, sadness, grief, hopelessness came swelling back, and well, couldn’t sleep, sat in my chair just trying to regain sanity, regain, composure. I don’t want to spend another night sitting in my chair, flooded with emotions, and drinking straight from the whiskey bottle.” Quinna leaned forward in her chair and placed her hands on her knees, “Those emotions are fresh. There is no time stamp on loss.” Though Quinna never lost anyone like Ensign Williams had, she did feel loss. “You are right, you need to learn to not so much as cope, but channel and redirect the painful thoughts.” “I wish I knew how.” Trip added. Biting her lower lip, she had thought of one thing, but she did not like the idea, Quinna had to offer the suggestion though. “I have a temporary suggestion, but it is not a coping tool. I can give you a neursuppessant that can allow you a night of restful sleep.” “I would love a good night's sleep.” “You have to know I am against that unless it is last resort. It is by no means a long term solution.” Quinna Cautioned “Well I could use a good night’s sleep. I’ll use it once, tonight. Because starting tomorrow I’ve got duty from 1800 to 0600 and right now I’m operating with zero sleep in my system.” Quinna nodded her head. “The thing is, I just wish I knew what to do. Sometimes the attacks happen in the day, so it’s not just a night thing. The academy thought I needed regular counseling, but so far that hasn’t helped. I’ve been trying to supress my empathic abilities, thinking that might help, but my last counselor said that suppressing them might be making it worse. I just, I don’t know.” “I am not going to lie, it is a long process to figure out what will work, but Eventually we should find something and still keep your abilities intact.” “I guess the thing is, I just don’t want to feel others emotions anymore. I can barely keep a handle on my own. But I’m told that doing so is not the healthy way to go about trying to control my abilities, controlling them by getting rid of them that is.” Quinna agreed with what she was told, “I have to agree. It can be done. You have a permanent neuro blocker but…” Quinna held her hand and held her fingers as the game a list. “Number one, Neuro Blockers can change your brain chemistry in ways you are unknown. Number 2 you are not learning to cope. An Number 3, your abilities are a big part of who you are since birth. Think about that.” “You’re right.” Trip said with a sigh, “And I wouldn’t want to do anything that would change my brain chemistry. I like how my brain works.” “And I believe any one who knows you does as well.” “So what do you recommend, I mean, I liked using my abilities before the incident. What do you think? Can you help me?” “To start, I will give you something for tonight. I cannot promise I will have a permanent solution. The only promise I can give you is that I will be here and try many many methods.” Quinna vowed. “I’m willing to do what it takes, I want to feel normal again.” Quinna stood, “We will do what we can. Just follow me into the medical area.” Quinna motioned to the door. “Thanks doc, I really appreciate it.” Trip said. He was gonna give it a try. He was going to do his best to embrace his abilities and attend to his trauma. No more running. (reply none) (posted by Kris Bailey and Will Banowsky) (Martian Orbit – M03 Peregrine Fighter – Pilot – Ensign (J.G.) – Ravok– 2333) =^= Ensign Ravok to ground control , I have a visual on Lucky 13 =^= Ravok maneuvers his peregrine fighter into higher orbit. As fast he could. " I have a lock on him sir, he's in a rapid free fall , damn it I cant get a lock" crewman baker said. " We have to get closer there is interference " Ravok replied Ravok flew his peregrine fighter directly under him " Using atmospheric thrusters to match descent " " 20 meters away , no lock " said baker " Take control I'm gonna have to do this manually " Ravok yelled.. Ire and the wreckage of the lucky 13 continued their free fall. Ravok activated the manual transport system. " 18 meters out , 15 , 12 ,8 ...I got a lock ,compensating for free fall . Energize!" The emergency transporter on the peregrine activates and Ire slams into the base of the transporter pad. The transporter pads flickers in and out. It's broken Ravok checks Ire " Hes still alive " " Baker take us back to base maximum speed " =^= Ravok to ground control. =^ =^= go ahead =^= =^= we have him hes alive but needs medical attention our transporter is inoperable we need medical staff ready to go =^= Baker pilots the M03 pregrine towards the medical bay landing pad and lands it. Medical staff enter the fighter and remove Ire and take him into the medical bay. Ravok goes with them. ( reply anyone ) (Posted by davis)