USS Spectre Compile - January 1st-31st 2010 by Alan Reading ========================================================================= Mission: Cry Havok and Let Slip the Dogs of War Day: 6 years previously Stardate: 2407.06.09 (Ornaran Central Hospital – Perra Tolqu – 09:05) ========================================================================= Mission: R and R Day: 2 Stardate 2413.10.12 (USS Spectre - Sickbay - ACMO, Ensign Mitchell Huval, DM - 13:15) (USS Spectre - Deck 3, Sickbay - Lieutenant JG Christopher Adams - 13:18) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - ACMO, Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 13:21) (USS Spectre - Deck 3, Sickbay - Lieutenant JG Christopher Adams - 13:22) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - ACMO, Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 13:35) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - ACMO, Ensign Mitchell Huval, DM - 17:58) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Lieutenant JG Christopher Adams - 18:05) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - ACMO, Ensign Mitchell Huval, DM - 18:06) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Lieutenant JG Christopher Adams - 18:07) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - ACMO, Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 18:08) (USS Spectre – Tolqu’s Quarters – ACSO Ensign Teverine Tolqu – 22:33) (USS Spectre – Tolqu’s Quarters – FO – Williams – 22:36) ========================================================================= Mission: Cry Havok and Let Slip the Dogs of War Day: 1 Stardate: 2413.12.12 (USS Potemkin – VIP Quarters – CO, Captain T’Vhor – 16:42) (USS Spectre – Captain’s Ready Room – CO, Captain T’Vhor – 17:30) (USS Spectre – Conference Room – TAC/SC Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps – 19:54) (USS Spectre – Conference Room – CO, Captain T’Vhor – 19:55) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - ACMO- Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 19:56) (USS Spectre – Conference Room – FO, Williams - 19:57) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - ACSO Ensign Teverine Tolqu - 19:57) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - ACEO, Lieutenant JG Christopher Adams - 19:58) (USS Spectre – Conference Room – ATAC/ASC Ensign Barak Storm – 19:59) (USS Spectre – Conference Room – Ensign Durgil – 20:00) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 20:01) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – ACSO, Teverine Tolqu - 20:02) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – ACEO, Ensign Durgil - 20:02) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – TAC/SC Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 20:03) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - ACEO, Lieutenant JG Christopher Adams - 20:04) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – ACSO, Ensign Teverine Tolqu - 20:04) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - ACEO, Ensign Durgil - 20:05) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – TAC/SC Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 20:05) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – ACMO Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 20:06) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 20:07) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – ACSO Ensign Teverine Tolqu - 20:08) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - ACMO, Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 20:10) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – FO, Williams - 20:11) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - ACSO, Ensign Teverine Tolqu - 20:11) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – TAC/SC, Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 20:12) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - ACEO, Ensign Durgil - 20:13) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - CO, Captain T'Vhor and CEO Lt H'Chir - 20:15) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – TAC/SC Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 20:16) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – FO, Williams - 20:16) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – ACMO, Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 20:17) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – FO, Williams - 20:20) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – ACMO, Mitchell Huval, DM - 20:21) (USS Spectre – Conference Room – ATAC/ASC Ensign Barak Storm – 20:21) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – TAC/SC Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 20:22) (USS Spectre – Science Lab – ACSO Teverine Tolqu – 20:48) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – ACMO, Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 21:14) (USS Spectre – Science Lab – ACSO Ensign Teverine Tolqu - 21:15) (USS Spectre - Science Lab - ACMO, Ensign Mitchell Huval, DM - 21:16) (USS Spectre - Science Lab - ACSO, Ensign Teverine Tolqu - 21:18) (USS Spectre - Science Lab - ACMO, Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 21:19) (USS Spectre - Science Lab - ACSO, Ensign Teverine Tolqu - 21:20) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 21:57) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Lieutenant JG Christopher Adams - 21:58) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - ACEO, Ensign Durgil - 21:59) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Lieutenant JG Christopher Adams - 22:00) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - ACSO, Ensign Teverine Tolqu - 22:01) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - ACEO, Ensign Durgil - 22:02) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - CEO, Lt H'Chir - 22:03) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Lieutenant JG, Christopher Adams - 22:04) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - ACMO, Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 22:05) (USS Spectre - Phased Cloak Engineering Section - Lt JG, Christopher Adams - 22:09) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 22:35) (USS Spectre - Main Bridge - ACMO, Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 22:36) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T`Vhor - 22:58) ========================================================================= Mission: Cry Havok and Let Slip the Dogs of War Day: 6 years previously Stardate: 2407.06.09 (Ornaran Central Hospital – Perra Tolqu – 09:05) Perra slowly blinked and tried to accustom her eyes to the bright light above her, her eyelids felt like they where being pulled down by little Ornaran moths battling to keep them closed. She felt dazed and confused as she tried to get her bearings around her, with effort she tried to raise her arm, it felt as if it weighed a ton. With effort and a slight grunt she attempted to sit up, instantly the room span and she felt from the pit of her stomach the bile rise and the instant reaction to vomit, quickly she lay back down and tried to regulate her breathing, feeling the urge to be sick slowly fade she concentrated on her breathing. The last thing she remembered was being in the bar in the Garr sector of the city, she had met up with her dealer Jevax after promising herself only hours before never to touch Felicum again, it was just a wish in the wind though as her body kicked into cold turkey and the sweats began to drown out all else but the need to score again. She had just injected some Felicum for the trade of her body. Jerax hated Teverine even though he had never met him, but he wanted Perra and was jealous of their marriage together, she knew it to using this fact to her advantage on many occasions. Long ago she had run out of money and Teverine now kept a tighter hold on their finances knowing only too well what would happen if she had access to money. She never really felt guilty at using her body to get what she wanted and was always of the opinion that what Teverine did not know would not harm him. She tried to remember what happened afterwards but the rest seemed to be a blur, she could not remember going home, she licked her lips feeling the parched skin and knew she was thirsty and hungry. Slowly she croaked.... “Teverine….” A barely audible whisper but though she hated her husband, she also loved him in many ways, he was always there for her but she knew he was also the cause of her habit and felt resigned to her fate, everything still felt out of place and distant, she could hear voices in the background but they only seem to be a buzz compared to the throbbing bang in her head. Slowly she tried to focus her attentions to her surroundings. “She’s coming around Doctor.” “Thank you Nurse check her vital signs and give her 5cc’s of Petro-diluvium” As the nurse added the contents of the hypo syringe into the neck of Perra she felt a sharp tug from behind her eyes and everything suddenly leapt out at her, the starkness of the room and it’s brilliant white walls, she looked around groggily and saw the room was impeccably clean, she knew she was in hospital again, the machines around her beeped in a methodical manner showing to all she was still llive, albeit feeling like death and looked around for Teverine. “Where’s my husband?” The nurse looked to the doctor nervously who nodded that she could be dismissed and walked out the room quickly leaving the doctor standing there; looking very uncomfortable he shifted his feet around and looked up at her, clearly showing compassion on his face as he moved towards the bed putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder he leant forward. ~ What’s going on here? Has he been hurt? ~ “I am sorry Mrs Tolqu but your husband left, he left instructions for us to care for you and paid your medical bills, telling us to look after you and informing us… “ He paused, obviously trying to find the right words to continue. “I am afraid he left you Mrs. Tolqu.” Perra looked confused for a moment looking into the eyes of her doctor who was showing genuine care. “What he went home?” Thinking that he had gone home she inwardly shrugged, she had done this before and could not blame him for being upset with her. “No Mrs. Tolqu I am afraid he has left you, he informed us he had had enough of your marriage and he was leaving to join Starfleet.” Almost as an afterthought he added. “I am sorry Mrs. Tolqu” An all numbing pain set inside her, Perra felt a surge of fury building from her stomach up, he had left her, he had caused her to be in this state and he had left her? She could barely breathe with the weight of the information; she felt a fire kindle and knew that she wanted one thing... Revenge. She would climb any mountain, she would do anything to ensure he would pay for this, something inside her snapped and all she saw was red before she blacked out. Slowly the light began to filter into the membranes of her eyelids, she felt hollow inside, she felt nothing, nothing at all, no need for the assurances the Doctor kept giving her. She simply sat in her hospital bed waiting to be released, all emotions had drained from her in light of what he had done, many years ago she had suggested Teverine join Starfleet and in some trumped up reason he said he needed to support his family first. She knew he resented her for not joining Starfleet but at the time truly did not care as she was so high on Felcium. Now though in the empty hollow of her soul she saw Starfleet as her bane and Teverine would pay with every last breath of his body. Nothing would stop her from getting revenge, she would bide her time and wait, she would do anything to make him pay and she would start by selling everything she owned.The life of Perra Tolqu was over and a new one was about to begin. Perra had heard of the Orion Syndicate and was intent on tracking them down and doing anything to join there ranks and learn the arts of their craft, she would be prepared when she finally met up with Teverine again and they would all suffer like none had suffered in the Universe before, if it took her ten years she would learn as much as she could about making her victims suffer. Death was too easy for him and all who knew him. As she dressed several days later she numbly thanked the Doctor as she prepared to leave. “Perra.” Having learnt on previous days not to use the name Tolqu in front her, the doctor pulled her up. He had been waiting to tell her but did not know how but knew he had to, this was too important not to say anything. “There is one more thing you should know.” (Reply None) (Posted by Peter Richards) ======================================================================== Mission: R and R Day: 2 Stardate: 2413.10.12 (USS Spectre - Sickbay - ACMO, Ensign Mitchell Huval, DM - 13:15) Lieutenant Christopher Adams walked through the doors to sickbay. Mitch looked up, literally, at the much taller man larger man. Adams was completely proportional and of average build for his size, but could have easily been an American Football player on the great ancient fields somewhere in Wisconsin or Texas. This engineer obviously possessed the physical prowess of extreme strength, for a human his size of course. "Doctor Huval, I presume, nice to meet you." The engineer extended his hand. "Mr. Adams, yes," Mitch grasped Adams’ hand and both men looked each other in the eyes as the hand shake occurred. ~Good god their making them big these days~ "So, what appears to be the problem?" Mitch motioned for them to walk over the medical diagnostic control panel and the engineer followed. "Well, take a look... this thing is getting buggy, and I can’t tell what’s wrong with it. It’s said to be so easy to use even a doctor could fix it but I have no idea what’s wrong. The computer says that the holomatrix is stable but clearly it’s not. Even the speech patterns are beginning to glitch up" "Hmm," said Adams. "Okay. Let's take a look. Computer. Activate the EMH." A silhouette of a human bated in rainbows appeared. "Ple....state....emergen..," came a garbled voice filled with static. "It appears to have gotten worse," said Adams. "You’re telling me, watch this," Mitch looked up at the holo-avatar, taking his medical Tricorder in hand and held it up to the EMH. "EMH! Take this Tricorder and run a medical analysis on the lieutenant," Mitch motioned towards Adams. Both men watched as the avatar stared for a second, as if unsure what to do. Then it began its walk across the room towards them, shimmering, glitching, and shifting radically, but still walking. The EMH held out its hand to take the small device. Mitch attempted to put the Tricorder into the EMH’s hand but it fell through the avatar's hand and on to the floor. The hologram glitched again and then shut off. "See" Mitch looked up at the Lieutenant then back at the diagnostic computer still displaying that the EMH was fine, "So easy a doctor could fix it." (Reply Adams) "Well would it be better to take this thing onto the holodeck? Isn’t it more stable in there... for these holo things... or something... right?" (Reply Adams) "Well, honestly I hate this thing, but we can not leave star dock without it working." (Reply Adams) "I see," Mitch nodded. (Reply Adams, any) (posted by Bobby Pirie) (USS Spectre - Deck 3, Sickbay - Lieutenant JG Christopher Adams - 13:18) Lieutenant Christopher Adams stood next to Doctor Mitchell Huval trying to figure out why the Emergency Medical Hologram was acting up. The doctor had just demonstrated the problem by attempting to hand the glitching hologram a tricorder. It fell to the floor with a thud. "See. So easy a doctor could fix it," Doctor Huval said sarcastically. "Hmmm," said Adams. "It appears to be a hardware problem. Not a software problem. The hologram was responding correctly. It just didn't have enough power to hold its form." "Well would it be better to take this thing onto the holodeck? Isn’t it more stable in there... for these holo things... or something... right?" "We could, but it wouldn't solve the root cause of the problem. You stick with the doctoring. Let me do the engineering," responded Adams with a smile. "Well, honestly I hate this thing," said Huval. "But we can not leave star dock without it working." "Agreed. Let me run a few diagnostics on the holoemitters to see why they are failing." Adams walked over to one of the walls in sickbay and popped off the wall panel revealing several circuits blinking and pulsing in rhythm. He pulled his tricorder from his hip and scanned it over the exposed circuits. "It appears that none of these systems are receiving enough power," stated Adams. "The whole sickbay is underpowered. You just haven't noticed it yet. Not enough equipment running at the same time since we are at the starbase. Once you engaged the EMH, it took you over your capacity." "I see," stated the doctor. "It appears there's a power drain from EPS Tap Gamma Three," continued the engineer looking down at the readout on his tricorder. "I'm going to have to crawl through the Jefferies Tube down the hall in order to access the device and see why it's drawing power from these systems. It's probably a temporary issue related to the upgrades, but I'll find out for you." (reply Huval) "Agreed," responded Adams. "If there was a medical emergency, these systems should never be underpowered like this. You would think these systems would be powered directly through the Life Support System and wouldn't be attached to the EPS network. I'll have to find out why it isn't designed like that." (reply Huval) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - ACMO, Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 13:21) "It appears there's a power drain from EPS Tap Gamma Three," continued the engineer looking down at the readout on his Tricorder. "I'm going to have to crawl through the Jefferies Tube down the hall in order to access the device and see why it's drawing power from these systems. It's probably a temporary issue related to the upgrades, but I'll find out for you." Mitch watched as the engineer dug through the panel, Tricorder first as far as his shoulders would let him. Mitch smiled at this attention to detail. "Well I did take several courses in basic starship engineering; I can handle basic things... you know on this end. Plus I know the systems upgrade to this sickbay like the back of my hand, if there is even the slightest problem with how the power is being delivered to these systems, I might be able to help you pin point what’s wrong. So I'll monitor the power levels here in sickbay while you go do your once around in the Jefferies Tubes." "Agreed," responded Adams. "If there was a medical emergency, these systems should never be underpowered like this. You would think these systems would be powered directly through the Life Support System and wouldn't be attached to the EPS network. I'll have to find out why it isn't designed like that." "Great," Mitch replied looking down at his PADD and then he turned back to the engineer, "I'll stay in touch with the comms." (Reply Adams) "Gottcha," Mitch looked up at the engineer and nodded his head, "Mr. Adams, let's get to work." (Reply Adams, any) (Posted by Bobby Pirie) (USS Spectre - Deck 3, Sickbay - Lieutenant JG Christopher Adams - 13:22) Responding to a request from Doctor Huval, Lieutenant Christopher Adams was now looking over the sickbay systems looking for a power drain. It appeared that the drain was coming from a nearby power junction that Adams was going to investigate. "I'll stay in touch with the comms," said Huval trying to help out the engineer in diagnosing the problem. "Sounds good. And by the way, it's customary to buy your engineers a beer after helping out. At least that's a new rule for this engineer," Adams stated with a smile. "Gotcha," the doctor agreed. "Mr. Adams, let's get to work." Adams left sickbay and walked down the hall to the Jeffries Tube access junction. To his surprise, there was a thin portable EPS power conduit running from the access junction, snaked around the bend and ran down the hallway. ~Hmmm,~ thought Adams. ~What's going on here.~ He glanced down the Jefferies tube and just has he figured. The conduit was attached to EPS Tap Gamma Three. ~Well. There's the source of your power drain. Someone is intentionally draining these systems of power.~ The engineer decided to follow the conduit down the hall to find the source of the drain. It was only a few minutes before he came upon a group of starbase technicians. They were crowded around one of the open panels in the hallway, a sonic drill sitting next to them. The portable conduit ran directly into the base of the drill. Adams shook his head. "Guys. Guys. What's going on?" asked Adams trying to get their attention. "Is there a reason this equipment is plugged into the EPS Taps? It's rated for Class C power ports. You have it jury-rigged into a Class F. Your draining power from critical systems in this section." The three starbase engineers all turned at once. "Wha...what did you say...uh...Lieutenant?" asked one of them. "This drill is not hooked up properly. You are draining power from critical systems. Do you know which section you are in?" "Ah, yes sir," spoke one of the technicians. "Deck 3 Section Gamma." "Right...," continued Adams. "And on this deck is sickbay, one of the most power critical areas of the ship." Adams glanced down at the drill. "Doesn't that drill use power cells? Why is it drawing power from the EPS?" "Well...the power cells are dead and...," explained one of the technicians. "What?" yelled Adams. "You are draining power from these systems because you are too lazy to go down to engineering and get some new power cells? Give me a break. This is not acceptable. Your commanding officer is going to hear about this." Adams reached down to the back of the drill and pulled on the power conduit. There was a spark as the cable came out of the back of the drill. Adams turned around and started walking back down the hall shaking his head ignoring the apologies from the technicians behind him. He reached up and touched his badge. "Adams to Huval." (reply Huval) "Check the power now," responded Adams. "Everything should be working. It was just a bunch of the starbase technicians being lazy." (reply Huval) "Great," said the engineer. "I have to get back to engineering to finish some of the upgrades down there. I get off my shift at 1800. You want to meet up at Ten Forward around then?" (reply Huval) "Sounds good," replied Adams. "See you then." Adams tapped his badge and walked to the nearest turbolift. (reply Huval) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - ACMO, Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 13:35) Suddenly the lights in Sickbay flickered and all the monitors blinked and restarted brighter than they had been before. A sound of power filling the conduits pulsed and hummed. Suddenly a chirp sounded. =^="Adams to Huval."=^= Mitch clicked his commbadge. "Go ahead Mr. Adams," =^="Check the power now, everything should be working. It was just a bunch of the starbase technicians being lazy."=^= Mitch rolled his eyes, "Of course, yeah, I’m seeing full power, but wait a minute." Mitch turned his head towards the bulkhead, "Computer, activate the Emergency Medical Hologram." With a quick chirp the EMH appeared, "Please state the nature of the medical emergency." Mitch smiled, on his PADD all systems were still operating perfectly, "Nothing right now, computer deactivate the E.M.H." The hologram looked confused again, "Wha..." and it whirled out of existence. Mitch clicked his commbadge again, "Yerp, all good in here, man I would have never figured to check the power settings and couplings, Mr. Adams good work. Guess that’s why I’m a doctor and not an engineer. We should be able to handle things from here." =^="Great, I have to get back to engineering to finish some of the upgrades down there. I get off my shift at 1800. You want to meet up at Ten Forward around then?"=^= "Awesome, we’ll have some boilermakers" Mitch smiled. =^="Sounds good, See you then."=^= He chuckled and walked to his office to begin his paperwork. (Reply any, none) (Posted by Bobby Pirie) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - ACMO, Ensign Mitchell Huval, DM - 17:58) Mitch arrived in Ten Forward, and look around. There were Starbase personnel and members of the Spectre’s crew. Obviously the crew was glad to have their lounge finished and the Starbase personnel were glad to have a new bar to hang out in. Mitch took a seat at the bar. The bar tender was busy mixing drinks of all forms, from Stardrifters to Bajorian Spring Wine. Mitch raised his hand to get the bar tender’s attention, the man walked over, “What’ll ya have?” “Uhhh... whiskey on the rocks... with a small beer chaser.” “One boilermaker, coming up.” The bar tender grabbed some whiskey and started making the drink. Mitch spun on the bar stool to face the big windows at the back of the lounge. The starbase was all that could be seen. ~Soon, nothing but stars... it’ll be full of stars... and not my worries. We'll be going into that great darkness, my mistress, space.~ Mitch turned back to the bar, the large wooden door to Ten Forward opened again. Mitch took his drink from the bar tender and poured the beer into the whiskey. Sighing he took a long gulp. (Reply Adams, any) (Posted by Bobby Pirie) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Lieutenant JG Christopher Adams - 18:05) The double door slid open to reveal the one location the crew of the Spectre could sit and relax among their peers. Half restaurant-half bar, the Ten Forward Lounge was a common destination for the crew who were off duty. It had decent food, cooked instead of replicated, and a decent brew, but what it had in abundance was a great view of space. Located at the very front of the ship, there was nothing better than to be standing at the the giant windows when the ship went to warp. Today, however, there was only a handful people in Ten Forward and the view was pretty much a close up of Starbase 24. A few of the starbase's personnel and members of the Spectre's crew had made their way into the newly refurbished bar. Lieutenant Christopher Adams walked through the double doors and looked around the new lounge. ~Very nice,~ he thought to himself with a nod. The subdued lighting gave an air of comfort and tranquility. Scanning the room, Adams came across the person he was looking for. Dr. Mitch Huval sat at the bar, drink in hand. Adams strolled over to the bar. "Good evening, Doctor. See you started without me," the lieutenant said with a smile. (reply Huval) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - ACMO, Ensign Mitchell Huval, DM - 18:06) "Good evening, Doctor. See you started without me," the lieutenant said with a smile. Mitch looked up at the engineer, "Please," holding out his hand, "It's Mitch when we're not on duty." The engineer took a seat as he shook Mitch's hand. Mitch held up his hand and the bartender came over to them. (Reply Adams, iyw) "Another Boilermaker for this guy right here." The bartender turned away and began pouring the bourbon. "So where are you from?" (Reply Adams) "Well, I've lived all over the southeastern part of North America on Earth... growing up in New Orleans, south of Uptown on the East Bank." (Reply Adams) "Well, I have a kid, Billy," Mitch pulled out a PADD and punched up a picture of his son. "He lives with his mother on New France Colony; she feels it’s a better environment than a Starship. We've had words on the topic." (Reply Adams) "Well, we're not divorced, just working through some stuff. I think it was better for us to take this break, plus she was offered a great position working for the Ministry of Transportation there... do you have any kids?" (Reply Adams) "So where will the great Engineer Adams be in ten years?" (Reply Adams) (Posted by Bobby Pirie) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Lieutenant JG Christopher Adams - 18:07) Just off duty, Lieutenant Christopher Adams was in Ten Forward to meet Doctor Mitch Huval for a drink. "Please," said Huval holding out his hand and inviting the lieutenant to sit. "It's Mitch when we're not on duty." Adams shook hands with the doctor and took the empty seat at the bar. "Another Boilermaker for this guy right here," Huval stated looking over at the bartender. With a nod, the bartender started assembling the beer and bourbon drink. Mitch turned back to Adams, "So where are you from?" "Houston, Texas on Earth," stated Adams. "Grew up on my mother's ranch out side of town. Dad was career Starfleet, so I didn't get to see him much. We used to travel with him until my parents were divorced. Then, we settled on Earth." "Well," said Huval. "I've lived all over the southeastern part of North America on Earth...growing up in New Orleans, south of Uptown on the East Bank." The bartender returned with the lieutenant's drink and Adams proceeded to pour the bourbon into the beer and take a sip. "Ah, so were were practically neighbors. Me and my football buddies would transport over to New Orleans every few months to go bar hopping on Bourbon Street. There's something about that city's charm that still present even after all these hundreds of years. So, do you have any family on board?" "Well, I have a kid, Billy," said Huval pulling up a picture of him on a PADD. "He lives with his mother on New France Colony; she feels it's a better environment than a Starship. We've had words on the topic." "Sounds familiar," stated Adams thinking back to his own childhood. "Well, we're not divorced," responded Mitch. "Just working through some stuff. I think it was better for us to take this break, plus she was offered a great position working for the Ministry of Transportation there...do you have any kids?" "Ah...me...no," scoffed Chris taking another drink. "Guess I just haven't met the right someone." "So where will the great Engineer Adams be in ten years?" "If this ship keeps jumping ahead in time, that won't be too long from now," responded Adams with a smile. "Seriously, I haven't thought much about it. I'm 27 and I've already served on three starships and at Starfleet Headquarters. Who knows what ahead of me. I just go where I'm needed." There was a moment of silence while the two officers took a few more sips of their drinks. Adams broke the silence. "What about you? Where do you see yourself in ten years?" (reply Huval) "That's good and all, but I've learned that there's no such thing as a sure deal. Here today and gone tomorrow." There was a long pause. "Wow, that was depressing. We need to change the subject." Adams held his glass up. "Here's to new friends, new crew-mates and to the launch of a new Spectre." (reply Huval) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - ACMO, Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 18:08) "What about you? Where do you see yourself in ten years?" Mitch looked back at his drink, “Well, I would love to get a posting to a medical ship as a surgeon, but I’m glad to be aboard this vessel, a lot of new worlds out there, a lot of new things to see. I was a Civilian Administrative Consultant on board the USS Banting... she’s an Olympic Class cruiser. But that was before I joined Starfleet. I just want to stay here among the stars.” "That's good and all, but I've learned that there's no such thing as a sure deal. Here today and gone tomorrow." There was a long pause."Wow, that was depressing. We need to change the subject." Adams held his glass up. "Here's to new friends, new crew-mates and to the launch of a new Spectre." Mitch raised his glass above his head. It just made the fact that his feet did not reach the bar foot pole more evident. He spoke up, “And to the frelling EMH, may we never need it!” The two men continued their drinks. (Reply Adams, iyw) (Posted by Bobby Pirie) (USS Spectre – Tolqu’s Quarters – ACSO Ensign Teverine Tolqu – 22:33) “I can understand that but it is good to talk about the way you feel about it. Other wise it will just grow until it consumes you.” Teverine looked and smiled he knew that well enough and knew he had lived like that for a long time. His whole time at the Academy seemed like a shadow of deceit and hiding his past and his feelings of guilt. He knew he was home and he knew after the past few days what he must do, as hard as it would be he had to be more open. “Are you married Sir? “ ~Is that too personnel a question to ask a commanding officer? ~ Teverine did not know if he had pushed a boundary to far and quickly followed. “If I may ask.” (Reply Williams) Wanting to change the subject and feeling a lot more at ease with Williams. “What do you think of Ornaran tea Sir ?” (Reply Williams) Teverine smiled as he finished of his cup and stood as his FO did feeling the weight of the past few days fall away and having an early shift the next day he like his commander felt tired. “Yes Sir I need to retire to bed and Sir. Thank you again.” (Reply Williams) He stood and walked to the door escorting Williams out smiling and feeling very grateful the First Officer cared enough about his crew to check on him. “Goodnight Sir” (Reply Williams) (Posted by Peter Richards) (USS Spectre – Tolqu’s Quarters – FO – Williams – 22:36) “Are you married Sir? “ Andrew paused for a moment slightly taken aback by the question. “If I may ask.” “Not at all and No I am not. I have yet to find the right person.” “What do you think of Ornaran tea Sir ?” Andrew finished his cup and nodded. “This is very good I must try it again some time.” “Yes Sir I need to retire to bed and Sir. Thank you again.” Andrew nodded. “Of course it has been a long day.” He stood as Tolqu escorted his to the door. “Goodnight Sir” Andrew gave a slight smile. “Goodnight.” Andrew walked through the door and into the corridor. Although he would have liked to go to bed as well there were a couple of things that he needed to do before returned to his quarters (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) ===================================================================== Mission: Cry Havok and Let Slip the Dogs of War Day: 1 Stardate: 2413.12.12 (USS Potemkin – VIP Quarters – CO, Captain T’Vhor – 16:42) The past week had been an uneasy one for the Captain of the USS Spectre, indeed with all the training he had received over the years in controlling his emotions and any resulting angst, the death of a family member was still a sombre affair regardless. T’Vhor had been closer to his paternal grandfather than any of the mans other grandchildren, and as such the loss of the old Vulcan had not been an easy one to bear, bear it he had done so though and the Mount Seleya ceremony afforded his grandfather had been fitting to one of high standing within the Vulcan high council, now though it was finally time to return to Starbase 24 and the much refitted Spectre awaiting it’s master once again. She had been in refit now for two months, most of her key systems having been replaced or uprated according to the five years she had been listed as missing, it would be interesting to see how she handled with her new additions and the Captain looked forwards to returning to a state of mission readiness. No doubt there would be a few 'teething' problems to deal with as the Humans liked to say but T'Vhor had confidence enough in his crew to be able to accomodate any and all eventualities that might arise. At this moment in time though, the Captain had just enjoyed a meal of Plomik soup with a side order of Kreila to mop it up, it had always been one of his favourite meals, it reminded him of the grandfather he had recently lost for it had been his favourite also. Satiated and now settling back into the confortable sofa in the quarters assigned to him, T’Vhor briefly contemplated the Spectre’s new mission orders whilst toying with the IDIC pendant about his neck, these having been passed onto him via secure subspace communique the moment he had actually boarded the Potemkin at Starbase 12. His concentration though was quickly broken by the comms that had suddenly come to life with a chirp to announce the call he had been waiting for. =/\=Captain, we will be arriving at Starbase twenty four in a little over ten minutes, I trust that your transit with us has been a leisurely one=/\= T’Vhor quirked his head slightly to one side and then he answered Moore’s query. “As leisurely as it could possibly be Captain Moore”, he said, “may I extend my thanks to you and your fine crew for accomodating me” =/\=Captain T’Vhor, it is an honour to be of service, I have enjoyed our talks…. And the advice has been nothing short of invaluable=/\= T’Vhor nodded, irrespective of the fact that nobody could actually see that he had done so, indeed it seemed that it was just one of those things that people did under such circumstances. “You are most welcome Captain Moore, perhaps one day the Spectre shall be at your service”, said T’Vhor. =/\=Perhaps…. Starbase twenty four has acknowledged our arrival, we will be docking for supplies only so I will bid you adieu now=/\= The Captain nodded again. “Until we meet again then Captain”, said T’Vhor as he stood from the sofa and then straightened his tunic. =/\=May your journeys be smooth and without incident Captain, may you live long… and prosper=/\= came the reply from the Potemkin’s Captain adding the traditional Vulcan salute as he brought their discussion to a close. “Thank you Captain…. Peace and long life”, answered T’Vhor, and the comms fell silent, the Captain then returned his plate and cuttlery to the waste disposal unit and activated the device, thus returning the resultant molecular soup to whence had it come. He then picked up his kit bag and headed out into the corridors of the Sovereign class vessel. (Reply None) (Posted by Alan (USS Spectre – Captain’s Ready Room – CO, Captain T’Vhor – 17:30) Seated now at his desk, the Captain again perused their mission orders. It seemed that they were to head out to the Falconer system and assist a deep sea survey team tasked with gathering algea from the seabed of Vedea IV, a planetoid almost devoid of land with over ninety percent ocean covering it’s surface. Understandably, the weather systems there were a little strange to say the least and with very little land mass to speak of, any rain was flash and sudden. This worlds short orbital rotation around the Falconer sun also meant that it could go from sunlight to dark almost in an instance, thus promising a wide and varied outcome for all! ~Intriguing~ pondered the Captain. For a moment or two the Captain then set aside their orders to persuse their refit itinary. It was still the same old Spectre of course but the ship was now bristling with new technology and a completely upgraded computer core to boot. Lieutenant H’Chir would be in his element, if indeed he ever had an element that was, and the FO would no doubt enjoy pulling apart their new EMH to test it’s accuracy. All in all everything had gone pretty much to schedule, albeit with one incidence regarding their new phased cloaking device which had failed on start up…… as predicted by the Andorian himself! It was common knowledge of course that H’Chir did not like the yardies interfering with the Spectre’s intricicies, and he would rather have performed all the upgrades himself if indeed he could have done so, as it was though the ship would have been docked for a lot longer if that had been the case, the Andorians report though had said it all. T’Vhor picked up the relevant PADD and read it once again. ‘The phase cloak has gone bang…. AGAIN!, did I not say that this would happen, did I not say that yard monkeys should be tasked with conduit maintenance and kept away from intricate machinery, my antennae are hurting….. does anyone listen, does anyone EVER listen……..’ The report went on, and seemingly on with the Andorian ranting as ever he did. The truth of the matter though was that despite all of his annoying idiosyncracies, H’Chir was probably one of the best engineers in the entire fleet, the closing sentence in his fire roasted report however raised an eyebrow on the Vulcan hybrid CO’s face and he set the PADD down again upon the table. ‘I wouldn’t trust anyone of them to sit the correct way on a toliet’, H’Chir had added before signing off with his usual ‘H’ signature. The Captain could see the Andorian’s face in his minds eye as he read that, if there was one thing that H’Chir was particularly good at, it was metaphor when trying to find descriptive narrative to simply damn someone…. And in that, he had succeeded admirably once again. (Reply None) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Conference Room – TAC/SC Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps – 19:54) Calvin sat in a comfortable chair on the left side of where the Captain would be sitting momentarily. He brought along with him his standard PADD with multiple updates to the ship, crew, systems and any other information that may be exigent to the meeting. It was a long and exuberant list. As he waited for the rest of the senior crew and considered the last few months. The few months had been difficult for most of the 52nd fleet with the forceful push of the entire fleet five years into the future. A few months was all the time needed – according to the Spectre time table – to update everything that was crucial to the ship, SOP’s, and to re-connect all crews with their families. For the Security Chief the new universe around him was bitter-sweet. His mother, Alyssa, had passed away simply of old age. His father, Manawa, was still alive and as a Vulcan he was expected to live much longer than his mother ever would have. Manawa was able to visit Calvin on Starbase 24 for 3 days. Calvin cherished the 3 days, and his father and him had a joyous time talking about what has happened in the last five years. With all the good conversations that Calvin and Manawa had, there had to be a few hard ones as well. Of course the news of Alyssa death was hard to hear and Calvin would need time to mourn. Elizabeth, Calvin’s first love and hoped to be once again, had gotten married. According to his father Elizabeth was very happy, and it would be wrong for Calvin to change the situation in any manner. In a few months the ship and its crew had been re-fitted. The ship gained a new propulsion system, better shield algorithms, new targeting systems and the list was endless. A good number of the crew had either retired, or went home to be with their families so new crew had to be brought on board. Most were younger and less experienced crew members than the Spectre original crew. It seemed everything was fixed except for the cloaking the device, which if Calvin memory serves him correct, since he had started serving aboard the Spectre the cloaking device has never worked. He shortly pondered about the CEO, but was quickly taken out of his thoughts as more people walked into the conference room. In a few short months the Spectre was ready for their first mission back. (reply all) (posted by Calvin) (USS Spectre – Conference Room – CO, Captain T’Vhor – 19:55) The Captain stood gazing out at the station through the viewing window of the conference room, thirty minutes beforehand he had informed the first officer to call the meeting of the senior crew and departmental heads, some had already arrived of course, others were yet to walk through the door. Turning about, he moved to take his seat at the table, then he waited until all were present and accounted for. (Reply ALL) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - ACMO- Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 19:56) Mitch was in a seat about halfway down the long table. His long white lab coat draped over the back of the chair, teal top uniform proudly displaying his rank pip, face freshly shaven. He was hunched over a project he had imported from his office computer on to his PADD. He was considering bringing this up after the meeting to Williams but was debating how to go about this. Or even if there would be time... there would surely be time, if only later. He sat back and looked up, the meeting was beginning soon. He shuffled his pale blue PADD’s menus over to the mission briefing. He had gone over the details with the Sickbay staff as Williams had requested. ~A water world, sounds nice~ Mitch had grown up near the water in New Orleans. He would walk the leaves in the evening with the sun setting west of the southern portion of his neighborhood on the east bank. It was there that he truly began his love affair with the stars, watching the first glimmers of starlight break through the humid muggy weather of summer. Mitch refocused his attention to the room. Many of these officers he had met only briefly in quick introductions through various routines. He turned back to the mission briefing, he figured that the science teams would need some back up with field analysis. Mitch would undoubtedly be asked to offer his Xeno-biological services and of course some of Sickbay’s relevant equipment. Mitch smiled, and sat back. Everyone was quiet, like calm before the storm. (Reply any) (Posted by Bobby Pirie) (USS Spectre – Conference Room – FO, Williams - 19:57) As Andrew entered the conference room he nodded to the other officers present and to the Captain before he took his seat at the captain’s left. When he had received T’Vhors request for a briefing he had quickly sent a message to all the senior crew and department heads as he had been going over the mission orders another time. He glanced at his PADD with the mission orders which he had already memorized and behind his calm exterior he was exited about where they were about to go. This would be a chance to refresh his skills in diving which he had gained in his last year in the academy. He had been working on a course about low G emergency medicine when he had the opportunity to branch off and train at one of the Federation Naval Patrol dive schools in scuba search and rescue. He gave a mental smile as he remembered standing on the cold concrete dock side with a wind that blew right through and being yelled at by their instructor. ~What was his name, ah yes holiday like the singer. He was a hard teacher that one, good but hard definatly not one to cross~ He glanced down at his PADD and brought up a visual image of their destination. Vedea IV with was over ninety percent ocean. ~Better get some Holodeck time and run though that scuba program Jay give me for the Metabeles Three scuba-thon~ He pulled himself from his thoughts and looked over at the T’Vhor as he began the briefing. (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - ACSO Ensign Teverine Tolqu - 19:57) Teverine entered the conference with his head bowed as he studied the PADD in his hands detailing their next mission. He was truly interested in the upcoming mission and wanted nothing but time to skip forward so he could get on with it. ~This could be a scientists dream~ Quickly looking up he took his allotted place next to his CSO and waited for the Captain to get started, sitting upright and attentive now, after putting his PADD down, Teverine waited with anticipation for the briefing to start. Seeing so many new faces and familar ones, Teverine took note to nod or smile to each one as they or he caught there eye. ~Might aswell start of as i intend to finish~ Remembering his promise to himself to start afresh he tried to act natural and friendly as possible, though he knew his smile was slighty stiff nevertheless he carried on making sure he made an effort. (Reply Any/All) (Posted by Peter Richards) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - ACEO, Lieutenant JG Christopher Adams - 19:58) It had been two months of upgrades and hard work, but the time had come. It was finally launch day and Lieutenant Christopher Adams was nervous as hell. He knew the new systems backwards and forwards, he had helped install ninety percent of them. But in his mind everything had to be perfect. Of course there was that incident with the cloaking device, but he didn't want to think about that right now. Adams walked into the Conference Room, several PADDS tucked under his arm. It appeared that several of the senior crew had already assembled. Adams gave a slight nervous nod to the captain and then found a seat at the table. The PADDS scattered as he took his seat, the middle one sliding out from the other two. He collected them and started thumbing through the specs waiting for the meeting to start. (reply T'Vhor, any) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre – Conference Room – ATAC/ASC Ensign Barak Storm – 19:59) Barac had been very upset at losing the Prisoner, and had spent his days working out and training. He had shied away from the rest of the crew furious at himself for failing. More information on the perp would have been helpful, but he could not see how it would have truly changed the outcome. He could not have just shot her without a warning anyway. Knowing his mood and not wanting to make bother anyone else with his dark spirit he had taken his meals to his room and spent some time on the holodeck practicing with the ships new targeting system. This was an odd crew to be sure, having just came up in time several years, common everyday things were not comfortable subjects. Which was yet another reason to stick to his own company. He was summoned to a staff meeting so he had on his best uniform and showed up right on time, mostly so he would not have to talk to anyone. He was not worried about being bashed for his failure, he felt that was deserved, he was mad at himself for letting her get away. On top of that he still had not come across a legal way to have succeeded in capturing her. That was another point of self contention. He entered the room quietly and took a seat at the far end of the table. He was pretty sure he was the youngest Officer there at the moment. He had read that it was better to take a low seat and be called forward then to take a front seat and be sent to the back. That sounded like a wise choice. (reply all) (posted by Raymond) (USS Spectre – Conference Room – Ensign Durgil – 20:00) Aldlar entered the room, but stood near the door, waiting to be invited to a chair. If he was of a position to be included in this meeting, he didn't know, but he assumed that he'd be instructed whether to stay or leave in any case. He stood by the door, waiting to be instructed what to do. He felt nervous, but was still cool and collected. Even though he could stand on his own two feet, Aldlar wanted a lead to follow. He could remember the voices from the academy... ~ "Aldlar, you're a good man, but you need to get more confident when your near superiors." ~ All the observations. The only help he had ever gotten was to be himself and stop trying to be another piece of machinery, obeying orders and only acting with direct input, to be a little more independent, though still in his place. It was confusing. But at any rate, Aldlar wasn't going to intrude in the meeting. (Reply, All) (Posted by: John) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 20:01) Most of the senior officers and their assistants had by now arrived in the conference room, some had taken their seats alongside the CO whilst others had remained curiously alone, notably Ensign Storm who had seemed distanced from pretty much everyone since the episode with the woman that had tried to kill Isengard. The Captain nodded to him as their gazes met and then spoke as the remaining officers finally took their seats also. "Ensign Storm... if you please", he said indicating to the Security officer to take a seat himself now. (Reply Storm, IYW) With everyone seated, the Captain then began the briefing with a brief overview of their seemingly innocuous goal. The mention of algea seemed a million miles away from the sort of thing the Spectre was normally tasked with but fleet command had deemed it 'necessary' so who were they to question the why's and wherefore's of their mission parameters. There had however, been mention of bandits operating in the Falconer system and the refined algea did indeed have considerable merchantable value when mentioned in the right places. "Our task is to oversee the transfer of the merchandise from the harvesters to the freighter in orbit of Vedea IV, we will then resupply the harvesting teams and escort the freighter out", said the Captain. "Other than that our role is purely non interactive unless otherwise required", he added, the very use of the word 'merchandise' lending a certain something to the task in hand. (Reply Any) NRPG: Room for more here... RPG: "What I now need from each of you are full departmental operational reports, if there are shortcomings in any department then I need to know now and before we leave spcedock", said the Captain. Predictably, the Andorian Engineer was the first to speak... "Shortcoming's you say", piped the CEO in surprise as he leant forwards in his seat, "you know the situation with the cloak already Captain, Starbase 24's 'Engineers', and I use that term lightly here, have now vacated the ship and I have a team of my own on the refitment of the new cloak as we speak.... it WILL be ready by the time of our departure or my skin is not blue", he added, settling himself back into his chair as he closed. "Thank you Lieutenant, I have the utmost trust in you on that", said the Captain as he awaited any other departmental concerns from the other officers gathered there. As for the CEO, he simply nodded in response. NRPG: More to come... (Reply Any, All) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – ACSO, Teverine Tolqu - 20:02) Teverine sat and looked toward Ensign Storm as the Captain signalled him to take his seat; he looked slightly uncomfortable in these surroundings. ~I know that feeling~ Directing his attention back to his Captain, Teverine listened on, shifting in his seat to get more comfortable, the seat was a little too soft for his personal liking, preferring a hard backed chair for his usually rigid pose. “Our task is to oversee the transfer of the merchandise from the harvesters to the freighter in orbit of Vedea IV; we will then resupply the harvesting teams and escort the freighter out", Not what Teverine had expected but he was happy to be seated here among his peers. "Other than that our role is purely non interactive unless otherwise required" Teverine was interested in the Algae itself from a science perspective. He did not know if he was allowed to speak or not but thouht it was worth asking, as his old dad had said ‘If you don’t ask you’ll never know’ “Excuse me Sir do we have permission to investigate this algae? I would be interested in getting some samples onboard for further analysis” (Reply T'Vhor) (Posted by Peter Richards) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – ACEO, Ensign Durgil - 20:02) At the mention of algae, Aldlar's mind went back to one of his essays at the academy. Although in engineering, he had chosen to write on a biological component, a decision which caught much mockery from his friends. At least, until it was the best in his class. ~Ah, Algae. Even though it's technically in science, it works pretty well in engineering. Produces hydrogen, which can be used as fuel, as long as it doesn't have sodium... Oxygen normally... Carbon based, and can be used as a lubricant. But if it's just algae, then why the need for us?~ Aldlar knew that even with all the possibility's of such a plant, it's usefulness had ended around the 21st century, when carbon based fuels had gone out of use, which made it's current importance seem... strange. He wondered if he should speak up, but knew that if he did, he'd only be stating the obvious. He remained quiet, knowing that he had nothing to really contribute at this point. (Reply, any) (Posted by: John) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – TAC/SC Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 20:03) "Other than that our role is purely non interactive unless otherwise required” ended the Captain. “Excuse me Sir do we have permission to investigate this algae? I would be interested in getting some samples onboard for further analysis,” asked Tolqu. “Considering that the algae is of importance to Vedea IV, I would doubt that the algae is free to take. I would suggest we use diplomatic terms to acquire the algae that Ensign Tolqu requires.” Lt Cmdr Capps did not have any reasons to not want the algae. He actually understood the science officer’s curiosity. Breaking any rules of Vedea IV would have been a breach of security. (reply, T’Vhor, Tolqu, any, room for more) (NRPG: This is after the above conversation has ended.) RPG: “We are aware that the merchandise is very important, that there have been reports of bandits in the area, and the request for an escort; I believe it is safe to strongly believe that they have had attacks in the past or are concerned that a raid will be attempted. We should be ready for such an attack.” (reply T’Vhor, any, all) (posted by Calvin) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - ACEO, Lieutenant JG Christopher Adams - 20:04) Lieutenant Christopher Adams listened on while the captain explained their upcoming mission. "Other than that our role is purely non interactive," stated Captain T'Vhor. "Unless otherwise required." "Excuse me, Sir," spoke up the Spectre's science officer Teverine Tolqu. "Do we have permission to investigate this algae? I would be interested in getting some samples on-board for further analysis." "Considering that the algae is of importance to Vedea IV," responded Lieutenant Commander Capps. "I would doubt that the algae is free to take. I would suggest we use diplomatic terms to acquire the algae that Ensign Tolqu requires." "Speaking of diplomacy," spoke up Lieutenant Adams. "Protecting this merchandise, as you put it, seems a little suspicious. If the freighter is attacked by Vedean pirates, isn't that an internal conflict? If we get involved, isn't that a violation of the Prime Directive?" (reply T'Vhor, any, room for more) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – ACSO, Ensign Teverine Tolqu - 20:04) Looking toward the top table, he nodded as Capps said. “Considering that the algae is of importance to Vadea IV, I would doubt that the algae is free to take. I would suggest we use diplomatic terms to acquire the algae that Ensign Tolqu requires.” “Thank you Sir.” Sitting back Teverine pondered what the harvesters could effectively use Algae for; Seaweed was also an algae so they could be dealing with great fields of swaying seaweed plants like an underwater corn field back on earth, which was near the academy. Teverine briefly thought back to his earlier days in Starfleet and walking in the field, arms out to his side gently feeling the wheat sheaves on his palms, soaking up this different planet and enjoying its slight nuances that made it so different from Ornaran. Giving himself an internal shake he went back to the task of figuring out what this could be used for. Obviously there was a factor which could be extracted for the use of fuel, but this seemed highly unlikely, it would only be a simple compound from the Algae they would use, and this could be easily replicated, simply taking the sequence bond from the cellular level would be easier to do in a laboratory than waste time on harvester and crew, plus the time of the USS Spectre. Maybe they could be used as a purifier on another planet’s ocean, Teverine knew Algae derived energy both from photosynthesis and uptake of organic carbon or carbon waste, either by osmeotrophy, myzotrophy or phagotrophy, if used in another ocean which had been laid to waste and needed the carbon extracted whilst supply a base of food for potential new creatures to live and constant sustainable cheap way of producing oxygen. Algae would be a good source. If this was some super strain of algae it could have a massive impact on oceanic development. Also some algae are considered to be closely related to bacteria giving the possibilities of a medical aspect. This could be a cure for a viral disease or a simple ointment to help cracked skin, he did not know enough about medical uses to make a good educated guess on its impact to helping people. Or maybe it was a drug and the contractors lied to Starfleet of its real use. ~I better talk to someone in sick bay after this meeting to see what they think~ Maybe it was just considered as a delicacy on someone’s planet, a modern day caviar or truffle. Teverine felt the anticipation of a challenge and he warmed to it. The sooner he could get his hands on a specimen the sooner he would know, he would begin immediately after the meeting, he wanted to get his hands on a fresh sample rather than trusting taking one from the crew of the harvester, he would also research from the computer more on the potential gains of using algae. (Reply none) (Posted by Peter Richards) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - ACEO Ensign Durgil - 20:05) A lieutenant commander spoke. "Considering that the algae is of importance to Vedea IV, I would doubt that the algae is free to take. I would suggest we use diplomatic terms to acquire the algae that Ensign Tolqu requires." ~Why would algae be so important anyway? Another source carbon, but it needs purified... Surely they have some sort of replicator for the things they need.~ "Speaking of diplomacy, protecting this merchandise, as you put it, seems a little suspicious. If the freighter is attacked by a Vedean pirates isn't that an internal conflict? If we get involved, isn't that a violation of the Prime Directive?" An engineering lieutenant spoke this time. Aldlar shifted his position a little, an action that inadvertently would have drawn attention. The entire idea of being an escort of a shipment of algae and yet all the mention of attack... Why would such a sense of threat come from a harmless organism like refined algae? He had one suggestion, but refused to say it unless there were good grounds to do so. ~Smuggling? If you can get the cops to condone your actions, even if they don't know what they are condoning, then your safe, right?~ (Reply, any, all) (Posted by: John) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – TAC/SC Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 20:05) "Thank you Lieutenant, I have the utmost trust in you on that", said the Captain. Once the CEO was finished with his update Calvin followed. “There are some additional training that is required that has not been completed by the entire security department. This training will be finished before we arrive at Vedea IV. All updates to tactical stations and programs have been completed and field tested. Upgraded targeting systems and defense systems have been approved to go.” (reply any, all) (posted by Calvin) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – ACMO Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 20:06) “There are some additional training that is required that has not been completed by the entire security department. This training will be finished before we arrive at Vedea IV. All updates to tactical stations and programs have been complete and field tested. Upgraded targeting systems and defense systems have been approved to go.” When the security officer finished, Mitch looked up from his PADD and turned his attention towards the captain, “Sickbay is prepared, dispensary restocked, all medical components newly installed seem to be operating at above their peak operational settings, and all of our personnel have been updated on most of their training. What is left should be doable during the journey there. I can foresee no problems captain.” (Reply any) (Posted by Bobby) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 20:07) So far, there had been some good questions raised in regards their mission into the Falconer system. A few eyebrows too no less! It seemed that algae was not particularly high on most peoples lists in regards priority, this though was no ordinary algae. Tolqu, being a science officer had almost immediately requested special discompention to examine a sample, Capps had raised the legitimate concern of 'asking' the Vedean government for permission and Lt Adams had voiced his own concerns on the reports of pirates operating in the area, and any impact that the Spectre crew might make in regards the prime directive if they became involved. It was time for the CO to intervene. "Gentlemen, your concerns are noted, indeed they have been noted by Starfleet command also... this is why we are going there after all", said the Captain. "Lt Adams, the pirates do not operate specifically in Vedean space, if we encounter any en route then it will occur most likely in an area of space known as the Telemar void, a dense nebulous cloud laying directly on the route normally taken by the freighters.... there will be no violation of the prime directive", said the Captain. (Reply Adams, IYW) "Ensign Tolqu, permission will be obtained for your sample... I am curious to understand it's makeup also", said the Captain."The Vedean scientists are not normally in the business of hindering true scientific curiosity after all", he added. (Reply Tolqu) "Lietenant Commander", continued the Captain, turning his attention thence towards the second officer, "I want you to liase with Vedean security upon our arrival, Ensign Storm will act as your adjunct on this matter", he added. (Reply Capps, Storm IYW) Then, the question of the Vedeans themselves came to the fore. Being a mainly waterborne world, it was hardly surprising that the dominant lifeform on the planet should exhibit gills and the Vedeans were no exception to the rule. Albeit predominantly humanoid in appearance, their skin bore remants of scales, the gills themselves being upon the sides of their necks making them adept at survival beneath the waves of their planet if need be. Indeed, most of their habitat was upon the seabed and the Spectre had taken delivery of two special vehicles designed primarily for underwater transit. If nothing else, this mission would be an interesting one in the extreme. The Captain continued on. "Commander Williams has xenobiological breakdowns if anyone requires them, I anticipate no communications problems either, for the Vedeans are fully conforming to the universal translator", said the Captain. "Now to the nature of our algae and it's uses", he added. (Reply Any IYW) "The algae itself is important in two aspects, primarily it is used for medicinal purposes and has widespread use in the cure of many diseases currently running unchecked on a number of key worlds in both federation, and other space. However, it has a secondary use to some in that it is the base form of a narcotic, hence the pirate interest in the algae itself", said the Captain. A few nods around the room showed that a proverbial penny had dropped for some at the very mention of that, suddenly it all made sense. The discussion continued on.... (Reply Adams, Tolqu, Capps, Storm, Any, All) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – ACSO Ensign Teverine Tolqu - 20:08) As Teverine mused through his potential ideas of what he could do the Captain brought him out of his reverie, looking up to the end of the table Teverine paid close attention as the Captain began to speak. "Ensign Tolqu, permission will be obtained for your sample... I am curious to understand it's makeup also, the Vedean scientists are not normally in the business of hindering true scientific curiosity after all." “Thank you Sir. I’ll get to work on preparing for a sample.” Teverine smiled as he felt the approval of his idea, accepted by the FO and the Captain as a self assurance he was on the right tracts. To know the Captain like him was interested in the uses and possible benefits of the Algae made him feel proud for asking about it in the first place. Teverine only mildly listened to the Captain’s further instructions to other crew members in the conference room, until he said. "The algae itself is important in two aspects, primarily it is used for medicinal purposes and has widespread use in the cure of many diseases currently running unchecked on a number of key worlds in both federation, and other space. However, it has a secondary use to some in that it is the base form of a narcotic, hence the pirate interest in the algae itself", said the Captain. Teverine nodded he had assumed as much only minutes earlier and was pleased to be on course with his theories. “I will liaise with Doctor Huval in my findings on the algae, if that is ok with you Doctor?” (Reply Huval,T’Vhor) Looking to Huval, Teverine nodded at his reply and went about adding a short note on his PADD about possible experiments he could start forthwith. If they could isolate the base sequence of the narcotic maybe they could render it inert, or maybe synthesise the algae on a chemical basis making it easier for future replication for medical use, he would have to run these ideas by Huval. (Reply Any) (Posted by Peter Richards) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - ACMO, Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 20:10) “I will liaise with Doctor Huval in my findings on the algae, if that is ok with you Doctor?” “It’s fine by me,” Mitch looked over at the head of the table to the Williams and T’Vhor, “but we should be careful. Of course we might be able to isolate the additive portion of the algae’s gene sequence, but I doubt that without lab trials over several years could we ever hope to have a non narcotic solution.” Mitch sighed and looked around the table, “Let’s not forget about the pain doping tests in Earth’s late 1800’s. Scientist and doctors worked to produce a methadone for the pain killer Morphine and accidentally created highly addictive Heroin. We should be producing preliminary results only and preparing samples for future testing.” Mitch then turned to Tolqu and continued, “Sickbay’s medical transport containers, bio scanners and my time are all, of course, at your disposal.” (Reply T’Vhor, Tolqu) (Reply any) (Posted by Bobby Pirie) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – FO, Williams - 20:11) "Commander Williams has xenobiological breakdowns if anyone requires them, I anticipate no communications problems either, for the Vedeans are fully conforming to the universal translator", said the Captain. Andrew nodded. "Now to the nature of our algae and it's uses", He tapped a few quick commands into his PADD and sent the file to the main memory core so that it could be activated by any member of the ship. (Reply Any IYW) "The algae itself is important in two aspects, primarily it is used for medicinal purposes and has widespread use in the cure of many diseases currently running unchecked on a number of key worlds in both federation, and other space. However, it has a secondary use to some in that it is the base form of a narcotic, hence the pirate interest in the algae itself", said the Captain. ~Well it’s not the first time something medical has a nasty secondary purpose~ A few nods around the room showed that a proverbial penny had dropped for some at the very mention of that, suddenly it all made sense. The discussion continued on.... (Reply Any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - ACSO, Ensign Teverine Tolqu - 20:11) “It’s fine by me, but we should be careful. Of course we might be able to isolate the addictive portion of the algae’s gene sequence, but I doubt that without lab trials over several years could we ever hope to have a non narcotic solution.” ~Shame I thought as much but maybe we can get something out of it you never know, where others have failed we might prevail~ Teverine mused as Huval continued. “Let’s not forget about the pain doping tests in Earth’s late 1800’s. Scientist and doctors worked to produce methadone for the pain killer Morphine and accidentally created highly addictive Heroin. We should be producing preliminary results only and preparing samples for future testing.” ~Like Felcium was originally made to cure our own diseases back on Ornaran~ Teverine vividly had an image of Perra flash before his eyes, quickly snapping out of his own personal world he saw that Huval had turned to face Teverine as he continued. “Sickbay’s medical transport containers, bio scanners and my time are all, of course, at your disposal.” “Thank you Doctor I will look forward to working with you on this.” Smiling at Huval’s offer Teverine turned his attention back to Captain T’Vhor. “Doctor Huval and I will let you know our findings Sir; we will have a full report ready for you when we receive and analysize the algae.” (Reply T’Vhor,Any) (Posted by Peter Richards) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – TAC/SC, Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 20:12) "Lietenant Commander", continued the Captain, turning his attention thence towards the second officer, "I want you to liase with Vedean security upon our arrival, Ensign Storm will act as your adjunct on this matter", he added. “It will be done sir,” Calvin assured the Captain. He looked down at his PADD and typed in a few notes. He looked over at Ensign Storm and the two shared a nod. There would need to be some planning after the meeting and before the arrival to Vedea. (reply any, none) (posted by Calvin) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - ACEO, Ensign Durgil - 20:13) Aldlar didn't like where a lot of the conversation was going. As far as he could tell, it seemed as if the ship they were protecting would get attack, and if it did, the Spectre would be obligated to join in. ~And once there's battle, there's damage. A freighters not made to survive battle so...~ Once an opening had appeared in the conversation, Aldlar thought it necessary to ask a question. "Should engineering get some repair crews ready for beaming over to the freighter? I mean, in case something should happen to our escortee." (Reply, any) (Posted by: John) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - CO, Captain T'Vhor and CEO Lt H'Chir - 20:15) Ensign Durgil had seemed perturbed by the possibility of an attack upon the freighter, whether it was actually a likelihood or not nobody could say right now but the Engineer was right to factor all and any possible outcome. "Should engineering get some repair crews ready for beaming over to the freighter? I mean, in case something should happen to our escortee?", he had asked. H'Chir was the first to intercede on that. "This is not a definite Mr Durgil, nobody has said we will be attacked and besides we are ALWAYS in a state of readiness for any eventuality", said the Andorian Chief. The Captain nodded and then added his own input immediately. "Indeed Mr H'Chir, there have been three attacks upon the freighters within a timespan of four months, recent data based upon statistical analysis of the given facts and current 'known' patterns of the pirate activity suggests an attack is unlikely..... but, it would be illogical to assume that the pattern would remain the same", said the Captain. (Reply Durgil, IYW) H'Chir shrugged his shoulders in his own inimitable manner and then 'tweeked' one of his antennae between his fingertips. "Needless to say, I still maintain that we are ALWAYS ready to go Captain", he added. "Of course", said the Captain. (Reply Any, IYW) "Very well, if all the questions are in and everyone is essentially happy with our upcoming mission, then we will move on to the next matter in hand", said the Captain reaching now for a small black attache type case set down beside him upon the floor, he settled it upon the desk before him and then after opening it up, he withdraw a number of small black boxes before settling back into his seat and addressing the recipients of those boxes. "Commander Williams, Lieutenant Commander Capps, Lieutenant H'Chir and Lieutenant Isengard, I am hereby authorized to award you all the Order of Unity in regards services rendered during the.... not so recent civil war conflict", said the Captain, pausing mid sentence in view of the five year delay of the actual awards themselves! "These should have reached you much earlier of course", he added with a characteristic raising of an eyebrow, "however, it does not lessen the gratitude Starfleet command shows each of you now" (Reply Capps, Williams, Isengard) H'Chir took a deep breath and then took his own award from his CO, he wasn't usually the type of officer to relish in awards or commendations but in this instance, he was nonetheless proud to be receiving one.... heaven knew they had gone through hell to get this recognition! "Thank you sir", said the Andorian, "I can only say that I am glad to have fought with such a fine ship and crew" The Captain simply nodded in response, a gesture that in itself returned the compliment to them all. The Captain himself then took a deep breath and took hold of the armrests of his chair in readiness to alight from it. "If there is nothing more then I declare this briefing over, gentlemen we disembark at precisely twenty three hundred hours, please conclude any dealings you may have on the Starbase and report for duty by twenty two hundred hours", said the Captain as the meeting drew to a close. (Reply Capps, Williams, Isengard, Durgil, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – TAC/SC Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 20:16) Calvin watched the Captain take apart the small black boxes and was eager to find who the lucky people would be. He of course had been part of conferences and meetings that ended in such a way. He looked around to see the faces on everyone else. "Commander Williams, Lieutenant Commander Capps, Lieutenant H'Chir and Lieutenant Isengard, I am hereby authorized to award you all the Order of Unity in regards services rendered during the.... not so recent civil war conflict. These should have reached you much earlier of course", he added with a characteristic raising of an eyebrow, "however, it does not lessen the gratitude Starfleet command shows each of you now.” Calvin was shocked to hear his name, but the award made sense. Since the 5 year jump, it had been the new thing to talk about but for everyone in the 52nd fleet the civil war was still fresh in their minds. Calvin still remembered all the battles that he participated in. Calvin stood from his seat and walked over to the Captain to take his award. The Captain began to place the award on the Lt Cmdr’s chest. “Thank you, it has been an honor to fight for good and I was privileged to find my self under a fine crew and Captain.” Calvin took his seat as the other award winners stood and received their awards. Calvin smiled and was proud of his new award. (reply any, all) (posted by Calvin) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – FO, Williams - 20:16) "Commander Williams, Lieutenant Commander Capps, Lieutenant H'Chir and Lieutenant Isengard, I am hereby authorized to award you all the Order of Unity in regards services rendered during the.... not so recent civil war conflict", said the Captain, pausing mid sentence in view of the five year delay of the actual awards themselves! A slight smile crossed Andrew’s lips. "These should have reached you much earlier of course", he added with a characteristic raising of an eyebrow, "however, it does not lessen the gratitude Starfleet command shows each of you now" Andrew watched as Capps and Isengard stood up and received their awards. He then stood up and accepted his award. “Thank you Captain.” He gave another slight smile as he left a little embarrassed at getting the award. It was not that he had no pride in what he had done it was just part of the job. He saw nothing special in what he had done. As he sat down he saw H’Chir got up and accept his award. "Thank you sir", said the Andorian, "I can only say that I am glad to have fought with such a fine ship and crew" As the Andorian sat down Andrew looked back at the Captain. "If there is nothing more then I declare this briefing over, gentlemen we disembark at precisely twenty three hundred hours, please conclude any dealings you may have on the Starbase and report for duty by twenty two hundred hours" As the officers began to file out Andrew headed towards Ensign Huval. “How are you settling into Sickbay?” (Reply Huval ) (Reply Huval, Any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – ACMO, Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 20:17) “If there is nothing more then I declare this briefing over, gentlemen we disembark at precisely twenty three hundred hours, please conclude any dealings you may have on the Starbase and report for duty by twenty two hundred hours” With that, Mitch knew he had some work to do, but first to see if Williams was busy. He stood and saw that the First Officer was already walking towards him. Mitch picked up his PADD’s and turned to Williams. “How are you settling into Sickbay?” “Fine, fine, the crew we have is great, sir, there was one thing I was wondering if I could get your approval to work on.” (Reply Williams) Mitch pulled out a PADD with the medical specs of the program, “It’s the Surgical Assistant Hologram, a fully dedicated holographic program, based loosely on the EMH. I was wondering if Engineer Adams and I could work on this, I think a program like this could be a real asset to the ship, possibly for all of Starfleet.” (Reply Williams) (Posted by Bobby Pirie) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – FO, Williams - 20:20) “Fine, fine, the crew we have is great, sir, there was one thing I was wondering if I could get your approval to work on.” He paused for a moment and the nodded. “What are you working on?” Andrew took the PADD that Huval offered him. “It’s the Surgical Assistant Hologram, a fully dedicated holographic program, based loosely on the EMH. I was wondering if Engineer Adams and I could work on this, I think a program like this could be a real asset to the ship, possibly for all of Starfleet.” Andrew paused for a moment as he thought what Huval had said. “We have the EMH already?” (Reply Huval) “So this would be a separate stand alone program or combined with the EMH?” (reply Huval) (Reply Huval any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – ACMO, Mitchell Huval, DM - 20:21) “We have the EMH already?” “Yes we do, but this would be a new concept entirely. It’s an idea I came up with while I was consulting on Bajor… okay, imagine a hologram capable of assisting medical professionals, even with the most basic training, complete surgeries and procedures. Its programming would have to remain aesthetically basic, no frilly bedside manner or charm, simply a medical tool meant for medical professionals.” “So this would be a separate stand alone program or combined with the EMH?” “Well, both and neither. On board a Starship it could interface with the EMH if the situation would arise, pulling on their combined data libraries, but the SAH would be, for all academic purposes, separate, used almost exclusively for surgeries.” Mitch pulled up the detailed specs for the program on a larger PADD that was on the conference table. “Sir, the EMH is a good program for a crowded room filled with injured and a swamped staff, but it’s more tuned to diagnosis and triage, this SAH program would be dedicated solely to surgery, containing a plethora of data on different procedures, techniques and species.” (Reply Williams) “Well with advancements in holographic and photonic projection technology, it’s conceivable that a mobile version could be combined with a sort of field kit. It was my hope that such a kit could even carry a small shield emitter to create a sterile environment for conducting surgies. I believe this could drastically improve survival rates in battle situations or rural areas with no access to large med centers.” On the large PADD, Mitch pulled up his basic thoughts on what the holographic avatar would look like and a possible field kit model. (Reply Williams) “Now I haven’t actually talked to an engineer about this, and I have no idea how to even begin programming this sort of thing, but I believe that with my basic concepts, medical knowledge and the right engineering team, this could be a worthwhile project. If successful, it could be pitched by the captain to Starfleet Command as a standard component on all Federation vessels. My mission with this project would be to keep cost and system requirements down while providing the greatest amount of medical care. It could make surgery a much simpler event for smaller medical staffs and save quite a few lives.” (Reply Williams) (Posted by Bobby Pirie) (USS Spectre – Conference Room – ATAC/ASC Ensign Barak Storm – 20:21) As everyone left the conference room, Barac walked out with Commander Capps, "What do you want me to do Sir?" There was no joy or eagerness in his voice, just matter of fact business. (Reply Capps) "No problem sir, I would just rather stay aboard the ship and operate the tactical station, all the same I will be were I am needed and do my best." Barac smiled he didn't seem to be worried or even troubled, just not real happy to leave the ship. (reply all) (posted by Raymond) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – TAC/SC Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 20:22) The meeting was over and Calvin stood and began to move out of the conference room behind a few other officers. Calvin and Barac met each other at the door. They walked out of the room. “What do you want me to do Sir,” Barac asked. “I would like for you to take the information of the Vedean sector and the route the escort will take and study it for any holes in the plan. Come up with a list of when and where an attack would take place if one were to happen. Also be ready to go down to the planet to meet with their security,” Lt Cmdr Capps responded. "No problem sir, I would just rather stay aboard the ship and operate the tactical station, all the same I will be where I am needed and do my best,” Barac replied. The Chief thought about what the Ensign said. “There is no need to worry. I am sure your diplomatic skills will improve with time” Calvin thought the Ensign was having nervous thoughts about going planet side. Lt Cmdr Capps continued, “I need an officer that does more than just his duty, but an officer that wants to go above and beyond his duties and steps out of his comfort box. We all can improve, and I believe that this mission will be benefit your growth.” (reply Barac) “Good, I expect to see you on the Bridge at 2200 hours.” (reply Barac) Calvin stepped onto the turbolift. (reply Barac, any) (posted by Calvin) (USS Spectre – Science Lab – ACSO Teverine Tolqu – 20:48) Having finished at the meeting Teverine was keen to get back to the science labratory and go over some more ideas with his CSO. He wanted to prove himself after his fiasco at the Starbase. Which he still secretly groaned at inside, though his chat with FO Williams had put many of his worries at ease. As the door swished open he stood to attention waiting to be told what he would have to do. (Reply Any) He listened intently as he was informed they where heading to the Falconer System, to assist a deep sea survey which was tasked with gathering algae from the seabed of Vedea IV. What intrigued Teverine the most was that the planet was ninety percent water. He considered the things that could aid the mission. ~This could be interesting~ He pondered what would be needed to get this under way and thought of the automated probes which could be recalibrated to withstand the icy waters of Vedea IV and withstand the pressures of the deep sea, also he could attach a mechanism to help collect the algae as well as scan it, he would need to rework the Thermal imaging array to work in the icy climates and narrow it’s band width to scan the algae of any potential heat or signs it might give off. He then quickly switched his thoughts to the onboard scanners if he modified the Z-range particulate spectrometry sensor, he could develop the diffusion-based charged particle spectrometers for ocean application. He could uniquely identify and count the electrons and atoms made up of the algae. This spectrometer proton data could be invaluable to the research team. The main problem would be creating a wide enough band width to penetrate the ocean. He relayed his thoughts to the CSO and smiled as he was given permission to get underway with modifications, which would be lengthy and time consuming. (Reply Any) (Posted by Peter Richards) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – ACMO, Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 21:14) Mitch sat at his desk, PADD’s scattered across the dark plastic top. He sighed, the extra medical containers, specialized to the transport of the algae had already been transported to the cargo bay. Mitch had dozens of equipment reports left to fill out. He looked and leaned over to the replicator, “Coffee, black.” Mitch rubbed his eyes, he wanted to stay awake to be on the bridge for launch. Without looking he grabbed the piping hot mug and took a sip. Suddenly his commbadge went off. =/\= Teverine to Doctor Huval =/\= “Go ahead Mr. Teverine,” =/\= I hope I am not disturbing you Doctor I would not mind your opinions on some of the preparations I am working on? =/\= “Sure, I’ll meet you in the lab in a few minutes.” (Reply Huval) (Posted by Bobby Pirie) (USS Spectre – Science Lab – ACSO Ensign Teverine Tolqu - 21:15) He then quickly switched his thoughts to the onboard scanners if he modified the Z-range particulate spectrometry sensor, he could develop the diffusion-based charged particle spectrometers for ocean application. He could uniquely identify and count the electrons and atoms made up of the algae. This spectrometer proton data could be invaluable to the research team. The main problem would be creating a wide enough band width to penetrate the ocean. ~Maybe I could show this to Huval maybe he has a suggestion or two~ Teverine tapped his comm badge hoping that Huval was still on duty. "Teverine to Doctor Huval" (Reply Huval) "I hope I am not disturbing you Doctor I would not mind your opinions on some of the preparations I am working on?" (Reply Huval) Teverine continued to work on his plans he knew that they would receive a sample from the Vedean’s working on the water world, but he liked to be prepared and he wanted to try and devise the best possible ways of working with the samples, he wanted to have everything prepared when it came on board. As Huval said isolating the narcotic strain was a highly unlikely possibility, but it was still an angle worth looking into. As he continued to work on the console he stopped to quickly walk around the laboratory stopping at different scanning devices to recalibrate them for the use of biological matter. He heard the chime of the door. “Enter” He smiled as Huval walked in, standing slightly to the right allowing Huval to easily access the console he was working on Teverine nodded towards the screen. “I have set up this laboratory ready to work on the algae as well as this small project to scan the seabed itself, we should be able to research this down to the last molecule, what do you think? “ (Reply Huval) (Posted by Peter Richards) (USS Spectre - Science Lab - ACMO, Ensign Mitchell Huval, DM - 21:16) “Enter,” Mitch heard the word through the door, so he walked inside. Once there the scientist motioned for Mitch to walk up to the console he was working at. “I have set up this laboratory ready to work on the algae as well as this small project to scan the seabed itself, we should be able to research this down to the last molecule, what do you think?” “Ah,” replied Mitch as he looked at the schematics and readouts on the console in front of them. “Have you considered using probes?” Mitch took a sip of his coffee, “Slightly modified Class III probes could cut your scanning time down by half and get near similar results.” (Reply Teverine) “After the Probe’s data on the seabed has been processed, we can use the ship’s sensors to isolate and really dig deep into the places the probes weren’t able to penetrate.” (Reply Teverine) (Posted by Bobby Pirie) (USS Spectre - Science Lab - ACSO, Ensign Teverine Tolqu - 21:18) Teverine watched as Huval scanned the console, pressing the screen and forwarding through the different specs that Teverine had changed and modified to penetrate the watery depths of the ocean they sped towards. “Ah, have you considered using probes?” Teverine noticed suddenly Huval had a luke warm coffee in his hands, or he surmised it was luke warm as no steam emitted from the cup anymore. “Slightly modified Class III probes could cut your scanning time down by half and get near similar results.” Teverine smiled warmly nodding over Huval’s shoulder to a probe that sat on one of the many desks in the laboratory. “Way ahead of you there Doctor, the probe has been reinforced to manage the pressure of the deep sea and I have added a few of my own modifications to see how the algae works in it’s own natural environment, maybe the waters or the rocks it is attached to actually may be as important as the algae itself.” “After the Probe’s data on the seabed has been processed, we can use the ship’s sensors to isolate and really dig deep into the places the probes weren’t able to penetrate.” “I agree Doctor.” Changing tact as Huval drained his cup. “Fancy something stronger in ten forward Doctor? We can continue this conversation in more comfortable surroundings if you want.” ~He seems alright and I need as many new friends here now more than ever~ Feeling the pressures of being alone Teverine wanted to get to know the Doctor better, in fact he wanted to get to know the whole crew better, he wanted to prove to himself and to those he left behind on Ornaran this really was all worth it now he had fulfilled his dream and was finally on board a starship. (Reply Huval) (Posted by Peter Richards) (USS Spectre - Science Lab - ACMO, Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 21:19) “Fancy something stronger in ten forward Doctor? We can continue this conversation in more comfortable surroundings if you want.” “Well, I’ll take more coffee, but I really need to get some paperwork filled out first.” Mitch looked at his watch, “Yeah, we launch at 2300 hours right? I’ll meet you in Ten Forward at around 2200 hours for a bit.” (Reply Teverine) (Posted by Bobby Pirie) (USS Spectre - Science Lab - ACSO, Ensign Teverine Tolqu - 21:20) “Well, I’ll take more coffee, but I really need to get some paperwork filled out first. Huval paused checking his cup, nodding he continued before walking out. “Yeah, we launch at 2300 hours right? I’ll meet you in Ten Forward at around 2200 hours for a bit” Teverine nodded with a smile and went back to his work, finishing his specs on the probe before turning his attention to finishing off some more work on the scanner, he still had a good days work ahead of him, maybe two with other matters of the ships work that required his time. (Reply Huval) (posted by Peter) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 21:57) H'Chir was suitably proud of his team, they had completed their pre-checks in record time and the Spectre's warp core was idling nicely now as the chief stood mesmerized by it's steady photononic glow. It was not the warp core that had caused them the most trouble though, no, that particular honour lay with the phased cloak which had failed almost the moment they had run their power loading checks upon it.... much to the CEO's dismay. With the Starbase monkeys dispached from whence they had came though, H'Chir had ordered his own team to refit the new cloak, and they had done so more or less without hiccup, it was online and had already passed most of the quiescant and functional load tests, all they had to do now was finalise the last of the initiation sequence parameters and then run it in an operational test once they were clear of the Starbase itself. "Ready to get this show on the road, sir?", came a voice from behind. H'Chir turned around, the smile upon his face still in evidence. "Show Mr Adams?", said the CEO, "now that Starbase twenty four's inept have left us I would say so... otherwise our 'show' would have continued on in the manner of a circus", he quipped. Adam's seemed to agree. "Yes, sir.... you and I have crawled all over this ship for the past few months cleaning up after those damn starbase engineers, I use the term 'engineer' lightly in their case. She's ready. Maybe we'll even get the cloak ready before we need to use it." The Andorian nodded and scratched the tip of his nose briefly, just as another of his Engineers appeared seemingly from nowhere. "Hey what about me? I just got this toy outta the EPS relay. That would've been nasty", said the Ensign holding up the offending article towards Adams. (Reply Adams, IYW) "By the way, I'm Aldlar. Haven't quite gotten around to saying hi yet", said Ensign Durgil. (Reply Adams) The CEO then returned to the matter of the cloak and it's availability when needed. "I would say it's ready to go now", said the Engineer, "I've already applied to the Captain for permission to run a field test once we are under way, once the final calibration sequence has been checked out though, I see no reason why she won't run trouble free from here on in", he added. (Reply Adams) H'Chir then changed tact somewhat, switching now to a more formal chat. "So, what did you both make of our briefing then?", he asked, "I mean Algae... of all things", he muttered. (Reply Adams, Durgil, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Lieutenant JG Christopher Adams - 21:58) Lieutenant Christopher Adams walked through the double doors into Main Engineering where the engineering crew was starting to assemble for the re-launch of the Spectre. He walked up to one of the consoles and pulled up his personal user interface and started to run a quick diagnostic of all systems. Standing in the middle of the room, looking up at the dilithium crystal chamber, was the chief engineer, Lieutenant H'Chir. The blue glow from the warp engines made his already blue skin darker as the engines pulsed. Adams came up behind him. "Ready to get this show on the road, sir?" (reply H'Chir) "Yes, sir," replied Adams. "You and I have crawled all over this ship for the past few months cleaning up after those damn starbase engineers, I use the term 'engineer' lightly in their case. She's ready. Maybe we'll even get the cloak ready before we need to use it." (reply H'Chir, any) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - ACEO, Ensign Durgil - 21:59) A muffled grunt came from a jeffries tube near the Warp core. "Idiots... They would leave a hyperspanner near an EPS relay. Didn't they teach these guys anything at the academy?" After a sigh, Aldlar got out of the tube and replaced the hatch, pocketing the tool just afterwards. As he turned around, he heard someone talking about the pseudo-engineers. Aldlar approached the speakers. 'You and I have crawled all over this ship for the past few months cleaning up after those damn starbase engineers, I use the term 'engineer' lightly in their case. She's ready. Maybe we'll even get the cloak ready before we need to use it.' "Hey what about me? I just got this toy outta the EPS relay. That would've been nasty." Aldlar indicated the hyperspanner. He extended his hand towards Adams. "By the way, I'm Aldlar. Haven't quite gotten around to saying hi yet." (Reply Adams) Aldlar turned to look at the warp core. The pulsing lights weren't quite what got him about it. It was more about the sound it made... He turned away and began to re-check to see if the imbalance he had found in the systems had stabilized after removing the tool. (Reply any) (Posted by: John) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Lieutenant JG Christopher Adams - 22:00) Lieutenant Christopher Adams stood under the glow of the warp core talking to Chief Engineer H'Chir when Ensign Aldlar Durgil appeared out of nowhere. "Hey, what about me? I just got this toy outta the EPS relay," stated the ensign holding up a hyperspanner. "That would've been nasty." "Wow," replied Adams taking the hyperspanner from Durgil. "That *would* have been nasty. My expectations were already low when I heard that we were bringing the starbase engineers on board. Now they are rock bottom." "By the way, I'm Aldlar," said the ensign holding out his hand. "Haven't quite gotten around to saying hi yet." Adams shook the fellow engineer's hands. "Actually, we met briefly on the starbase. In some sort of Scottish bar, I believe. The captain had me scouring the starbase looking for you. But, nice to meet you again. It's been a few months. I guess our duties over the past two months have kept us apart like two ships passing in a nebula. I'm sure we will be working closely together from here on out." (reply Durgil IYW) "I would say it's ready to go now," interrupted the chief engineer. "I've already applied to the Captain for permission to run a field test once we are under way, once the final calibration sequence has been checked out though, I see no reason why she won't run trouble free from here on in." "Great news," replied Adams. "I thought. What did you name them? The Monkeys? Had screwed up the cloak permanently." H'Chir decided to change the subject away from the standard starbase engineer flogging that had been going on. "So, what did you both make of our briefing then? I mean Algae...of all things." "A waste of time," replied Adams. "Why is Starfleet sending out one of its finest ships to babysit a bunch of vegetables. I don't get it. We are doing research on the Subspace River one minute, the next we are escorting an algae ridden garbage scow." (reply H'Chir, Durgil, any) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward- ACSO Ensign Teverine Tolqu - 22:01) Teverine walked into Ten Forward looking around not seeing Huval he walked to the bar ordering a Ornaran Tea, he considered something a little more risky but then thought he needed to calm down first and relax before thinking of handling anything stronger. Plus it was still too soon after his episode at Starbase before he wanted to really see anything alcoholic again. Taking a furtive sip, he spotted some empty chairs and table by the wall, with a window looking out into space, he walked around a few crewmen with a straight face; still a little paranoid people had heard about his exploits and sat down quickly. Turning his chair to look out the window he gazed into space whilst taking another sip of his steaming tea, letting out a little sigh of pleasure as he felt the warm liquid trickle down his throat and warm his belly. (Reply Huval/Any) (Posted by Peter Richards) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - ACEO, Ensign Durgil - 22:02) 'Actually, we met briefly on the starbase. In some sort of Scottish bar, I believe. The captain had me scouring the starbase looking for you. But, nice to meet you again. It's been a few months. I guess our duties over the past two months have kept us apart like two ships passing in a nebula. I'm sure we will be working closely together from here on out.' "Oh yeah. I think I remember. But wasn't the place irish? Don't answer that. It doesn't matter." H'chir spoke. 'I would say it's ready to go now. I've already applied to the Captain for permission to run a field test once we are under way, once the final calibration sequence has been checked out though, I see no reason why she won't run trouble free from here on in.' 'Great news,' replied Adams. 'I thought. What did you name them? The Monkeys? Had screwed up the cloak permanently.' 'So, what did you both make of our briefing then?" H'chir asked, "I mean Algae... of all things' 'A waste of time, Why is Starfleet sending out one of its finest ships to babysit a bunch of vegetables. I don't get it. We are doing research on the Subspace River one minute, the next we are escorting an algae ridden garbage scow.' Aldlar thought a moment about what Adams said, then responded in turn. "I wouldn't underestimate this. Although it seems low, Algae at least *was* useful once. Although it's passed it uses as a source of fuel, a lubricant, and other engineering applications, it could still be important for some things." Aldlar paused for a moment to think. "Over all, I'm just suspicious of the whole idea of smuggling and possibly narcotics. After all, if the strong guys think your on the level, then who better to protect you? Not that we should do anything..." (Reply Adams, H'chir, Any) (Posted by: John) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - CEO, Lt H'Chir - 22:03) The Andorian listened intently to the arguments put forth by both Adlar and Adams, if he were honest the idea of babysitting a 'bunch of vegetable's', as Adams had put it didn't particularly fill him with joy either, but then again he had seen apparently innocuous materials, seemingly bereft of anything positive whatsoever, suddenly become the most important thing in the universe to some. H'Chir remembered the time the Spectre had been tasked with a similar duty when it had been sent to the forest world of Pollux IX, salt had been plentiful on board the USS Spectre as it sat in high orbit, and yet below them the inhabitants fought pitched battles for it every day as though it were gold back in the days of Earth's historical gold rushes. Algae did not seem particularly interesting, it didn't to the CEO and he had voiced it more than once already, with a shrug of his shoulders though he resigned himself to the greater powers and trusted in their reasoning. If there were no need for a ship like the Spectre to be on station in the Falconer system, then quite simply it would not be being sent there. "Who are we to ask why?", he muttered, "we just do, that's what we're here for after all", he added as he headed off sharply to the master console so as to read off the essential variables associated with the matter/anti-matter flow parameters. Then once he was satisfied that everything was in tolerance, he turned to Adams who had already followed him over. "Run the final calibration sequence's on the cloak Lieutenant, once the Captain gives the order to power it up, I want to know that it'll perform faultlessly and without one single hitch... take Ensign Durgil with you", said H'Chir, "just in case there are any more hypospanners laying around. (Reply Adams) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Lieutenant JG, Christopher Adams - 22:04) Chief Engineer H'Chir, Lieutenant Christopher Adams, and Ensign Aldlar Durgil stood underneath the warp core discussing their upcoming mission just hours before the relaunch of the Spectre. "Who are we to ask why?" H'Chir stated. "We just do, that's what we're here for after all." ~That's pretty grim,~ thought Adams, but nodded and followed H'Chir as he started to walk towards the center engineering console, a flat table in the middle of the long hallway leading to the warp core. The console could be programmed for any readouts that were needed, but they currently showed information about the matter/anti-matter flow. H'Chir looked up from the table and at the lieutenant. "Run the final calibration sequence's on the cloak Lieutenant, once the Captain gives the order to power it up, I want to know that it'll perform faultlessly and without one single hitch... take Ensign Durgil with you...just in case there are any more hypospanners laying around." "Understood," replied Adams, who then turned to Durgil. "Come on. Let's go, Mr. Durgil. Pick up an engineering kit." Adams walked over to a nearby storage locker and pulled out an small case which contained the standard compliment of essential engineering tools. (reply Durgil) Adams walked over to a door just on the other side of engineering marked with a red band which stated "Authorized Personnel Only". Adams stuck the palm of his hand on the black panel to the right of the door. It glowed and a horizontal beam of light ran down starting from his finger tips. The door opened up to reveal ladder rungs which ran down to the deck below. Adam grabbed the rungs and started to descend. (Reply Durgil) (Posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - ACMO, Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 22:05) Mitch walked across the lounge to where the science officer was seated, he raised a finger to the bar tender, “Coffee, black, non replicated if you have it.” He took his seat, Teverine looked at him. “Good evening,” (Reply Teverine) “I see, tell me, what brings you to this ship? I mean, an Ornaran in Starfleet is not a rare sight, but rare enough that I did have to put in an acquisition for five pints of Ornaran blood to have in the dispensary’s cryo storage.” Mitch took a sip of his coffee, “What made you join Starfleet?” (Reply Teverine) "I see," Mitch was glad to be talking to annother like mind, someone else in the sciences, though he might not understand some of the geology and oceanogrphic terms. At least it was not more engineering terms. Mitch had a feeling he would have to desipher more 'engineerese' on this mission. ~What did I get myself into in that meeting with Williams, oh well, a good cause and something to write about... no, a dream, something for the fleet~ (Reply Teverine) (Posted by Bobby Pirie) (USS Spectre - Phased Cloak Engineering Section - Lt JG, Christopher Adams - 22:09) The room was small and narrow and had subdued lighting. The only way in and out was the ladder which lead back to Engineering. Lieutenant Adams looked at the long black cylinder which occupied the middle of the room. From the cylinder ran a series of conduits, twelve in all. "Okay," said Adams walking to the engineering panel which stood at one end of the large cylinder. He had to duck a little as he passed each of the conduits. "Let's start running through the diagnostic. I'm going to put it in calibration mode. You scan each of the conduits and make sure the power is running within acceptable phase variances." (reply Durgil, any) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 22:35) The Captain took his seat at the table in his ready room and then took a sip of the coffee he had just requested from the replicator. Upon the desk lay the PADD he had just been reading in regards final preparations for launch, all departments had reported as ready and all of the crew had arrived back on board in readiness, in a little over twenty four minutes they would be spaceborne once again and for some of the crew, it was about time to. Starbases could be strange things at times and regardless of the luxuries and distractions they could supply, there were those that positively itched to feel the subtle vibration of a starships decking as it moved at high warp towards wherever. The Captain was probably neutral in that, he was as equally at home on soil as he was in space and whether he was moving at warp, or spinning at a steady gravitational rate on a starbase mattered not one iota. That said though, he was relieved to be finally heading out once again. The universe had changed a great deal it would seem, five years has brought with it great shifts in power and technology and their own escapades with the evolved subspace river made things even more interesting for a scientifically questing mind such as the Captain's. Most of the rivers passageways were still off limits to most of course and as the Galactic corporation tasked with it's handling beat out rules and regulations governing it's use, life continued on. The Captain finished his coffee and then placed the cup onto the table, then he stood and headed out onto the bridge and the bridge crew already assembled in readiness for departure. William's was at his seat to the right of the Captain's running checks via his own console whilst Ops, Tactical and Science officers worked at their respective consoles with an eagerness that showed they to, were glad to be getting out there again. "Report", said the Captain as he took his seat in the centre chair, and the reports began to arrive in earnest. (Reply Williams, Tactical, Science, Engineering, Ops, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Main Bridge - ACMO, Ensign (JG) Mitchell Huval, DM - 22:36) “Report,” the captain’s voice was direct and prompting. Mitch responded, “Sickbay and all medical support staff is ready for launch sir.” Great pride flowed through his veins. This was it, time to get underway. Mitch decided that it was time to keep quiet. He had been through the usual Academy bridge training but knew next to nothing about what was about to happen. He remained quiet, looking around the room at the other officers. (Reply Any) (Posted by Bobby Pirie) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T`Vhor - 22:58) With the preliminary checks now completed and all key stations reporting in as ready, the Captain rested back into the command chair in preparation for their imminent departure of Starbase twenty four. The Spectre had been docked now for over two months and during it's refit it had seen a good deal of fracas, both minor and otherwise. The situation with the rogue female that had attacked Lieutenant Isengard had indeed gone from bad to worse in that she had disappeared without a trace and seemingly had no legitimate record of her identity anywhere. One thing was for certain though, whoever she worked for would no doubt NOT be resting upon their laurels and in time, they surely would show their hand once again. "Lieutenant Santiago, obtain clearance from Starbase Ops to depart please", said T`Vhor to the Ops officer. (Reply Santiago, IYW) With clearance duly granted, it was time now to get under way and the Captain began the procedure in the time honoured manner, beginning with a ship wide announcement. "Ready all stations.......all hands this is the Captain, prepare for imediate transit and departure", he said after opening the comms, then he began addressing the key bridge personnel to begin their disembark. "Maneuvering thrusters at station keeping Lieutenant, clear all docking clamps and prepare for umbilical disconnect on my mark", said T`Vhor, addressing Lieutenant Smith currently on station at the helm. (Reply Smith) "Three, two, one.....mark", said T`Vhor and the Spectre promptly withdrew it`s hard links to Starbase 24 as the view in the forward viewscreen shifted just slightly as she disengaged in preperation for transit. The Captain waited for green indicators across his armrest console, then he gave the order. "Take us out Lieutenant, ahead one quarter impulse", said the Captain. (Reply Smith) The Spectre was now transitting to the already opening spacedoors, their own navigational perimiter beacons pulsing now along it`s four quadrants. Upon reaching them the ship slid smoothly from the brightly lit confines of their home for the last two months and into the cold pitch blackness of space once again, before quickly taking up a temporary holding position five thousand metres off the starbase. "Message coming in from Starbase 24 sir", said the comms officer, "bon voyage, god speed" T`Vhor allowed himself an uncharacteristic smile at the comments from starbase, then he accessed his panel to bring up the navigational starmap. "Signal our appreciation and thank then for their hospitality", said T`Vhor. "Conn, make your course heading one ninety mark thirty nine, engage at warp five when ready", he added. (Reply Smith) The Spectre then leapt to warp in a blur of bluelight, much to the relief of some of her crew eager to test their space legs once again. Their new mission seemed innocuous enough and nobody was expecting any big surprises, only time would tell though if that assumption were to be proved correct. One last glance at the viewscreen and the warp stars now streaming towards them and the Captain stood to hand off the bridge to the First officer. "You have the bridge number One, I will be in my ready room if I am needed. (Reply Williams, Any) The Captain then left the bridge. (Reply Williams, Smith, Santiago, Any) (Posted by Alan) ========================================================================