USS Spectre Compile - March 1st-31st 2011 by Alan Reading ========================================================================= Mission: Cry Havoc and Let Slip the Dogs of War Day: 28 Stardate: 2414.01.08 (Mckinley Station - Pramanade - ACEO, Ensign (JG) Andrew Rock - 14:05) (Mars Defence Perimeter - Main Station – ACSO Teverine Tolqu - 14:21) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - CEO, Lt H'Chir - 14:23) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 1 - ACMO, Ensign (JG)Dr. L'Risa - 14:24) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC, Ensign Jg Alexandria Smithson – 14:25) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Science Officer, Ensign JG Fala Taban - 14:26) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 14:27) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC Ensign Jg Alexandria Smithson – 14:28) (USS Spectre - Sick Bay - ACMO Ensign L’Risa - 14:30) (USS Spectre - SickBay - Nurse, Douwsy - 14:32) (Mars Defence Perimeter - Main Station – ACSO, Ensign Teverine Tolqu - 14:33) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Science Officer, Ensign JG Fala Taban - 14:34) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC, Ensign Jg Alexandria Smithson – 14:36) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Science Officer, Ensign JG Fala Taban - 14:37) (USS Spectre – Bridge – CO, Captain T'Vhor – 14:38) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC, Ensign Jg Alexandria Smithson – 14:39) (USS Avenger - Bridge - Captain Thomas Grayson - 14:41) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 14:42) (USS Spectre - Bridge – FO, Commander Williams - 14:43) (USS Avenger - Deck 1, Bridge - Captain Thomas Grayson - 14:43) (USS Spectre - Bridge – Helm, Pilot Officer, Jennifer Smith - 14:44) (USS Spectre - Bridge – Helm, Pilot Officer – Jennifer Smith - 14:45) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 14:45) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC Ensign Jg Alexandria Smithson – 14:46) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Science Officer, Ensign JG Fala Taban - 14:47) (USS Spectre – Bridge – FO, Commander Andrew Williams – 14:48) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC, Ensign Jg Alexandria Smithson – 14:50) (USS Spectre – Bridge – CO, Captain T'Vhor – 14:51) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC, Ensign Jg Alexandria Smithson – 14:52) (USS Spectre – Bridge – CO, Captain T'Vhor – 14:54) (USS Spectre – Bridge – FO, Commander Andrew Williams – 14:56) (USS Spectre - Marine Staging - MXO, Major Bruce Kowalski - 14:58) (USS Spectre - Marine Staging – Marine, Corporal Houseman – 15:00) (USS Avenger - Deck 1, Bridge - Captain Thomas Grayson - 15:00) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Science Officer, Ensign JG Fala Taban - 15:01) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 15:02) (USS Avenger - Deck 1, Bridge - Captain Thomas Grayson - 15:04) (USS Spectre - Deck 1, Bridge - Ensign JG Fala Taban - 15:06) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 15:06) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC, Ensign Jg Alexandria Smithson – 15:08) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade - Officer, Lileo - 15:10) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Science Officer, Ensign JG Fala Taban - 15:11) (USS Spectre – Sick Bay - ACMO, Ensign (JG) L'Risa - 15:12) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 15:12) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Pilot Officer, Smith - 15:13) (USS Spectre - Dropship Bay – Corporal, Houseman - 15:14) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC, Ensign Jg Alexandria Smithson – 15:15) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 15:17) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade - COUNS, Ensign (jg) Elani Caras - 15:18) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade - Officer, Lileo - 15:22) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade - COUNS, Ensign (jg) Elani Caras - 15:23) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade – Officer, Lileo - 15:24) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade - ACEO, Ensign (jg) Andrew Rock - 15:24) (Mckinley Station - Main Promanade - ACEO, Ensign (JG) Andrew Rock - 15:25) (McKinley Station - Main Promenade - AECO, Ensign (JG) Andrew Rock - 15:26) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade – ACEO, Ensign (JG) Andrew Rock - 15:27) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade – Officer lileo - 15:27) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade – Civilian, Philip K'Ree - 15:28) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade – Officer lileo - 15:28) (McKinley Station - Promenade - TAC/ASC, Ensign (JG) Jack Marcell - 15:29) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade – Civilian, Philip K'Ree - 15:32) (McKinley Station - Promenade - TAC/ASC, Ensign (JG) Jack Marcell - 15:34) (McKinley Station - Promenade - Civilian, Philip K'Ree - 15:35) ========================================================================= Mission: Cry Havoc and Let Slip the Dogs of War Day: 28 Stardate: 2414.01.08 (Mckinley Station - Pramanade - ACEO, Ensign (JG) Andrew Rock - 14:05) Andrew had just left the replicator and sat down to eat. He was eating when he remberd the his first assignment would be the USS Spectra. He was so excited it was showing how he was sitting and eating he looked out of one of the windows in the station. He sall the stars and some ships. (Tag Any) (Posted BY Andrew Rock) (Mars Defence Perimeter - Main Station – ACSO Teverine Tolqu - 14:21) Teverine mused over his idea, they would need engineering to re-calibrate the iso-linear chips, also re-arranging them, reversing the polarity would in effect reverse the tachyon field, the particle emitter should eliminate the radiation, but would have to be controlled by tactical, a surge too high would not only fry the Spectre’s Deflector dish but radiate half the hull of the transport vessel. Teverine did not have to wait long for a reply to his suggestion as his commbadge chirped. ~Obviously we’re not worrying about communications anymore~ =/\=Ensign Fala to Ensign Tolqu=/\= “Tolqu ready and waiting Fala.” =/\=The captain has approved your plan, I suppose the next step is to get engineering to help. I will patch you into Engineering so that you can instruct them on what needs to be done.=/\= “Confirmed Fala, I’ll liaise with engineering and report back.” Teverine listened in as Ensign Fala spoke to engineering; Tolqu quickly tapped a few commands in preparation to communicating with Engineering. (Reply Fala IYW) “Tolqu to Engineering I am forwarding the details of my scan on the vessel, showing traces of Uranium Ore , I have patched through my suggestion to counter this problem.” (Reply H'Chir) Teverine completed the patch through to the Spectre’s engineering console. (Reply H'Chir, Fala) (Posted by Peter Richards) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - CEO, Lt H'Chir - 14:23) =/\=Tolqu to Engineering I am forwarding the details of my scan on the vessel, showing traces of Uranium Ore , I have patched through my suggestion to counter this problem.=/\= "Understood Ensign, forward away", said H'Chir as he watched his console flash, and then beep to confirm the transfer. "OK, let's see what we have here shall we", he mused, as he began looking through the Science Officers plan of action. Re-callibration and positioning of the iso-linear chips would be a doddle, reversing the polarity of the forward feed however added a little awkwardness to the procedure. H'Chir knew of course that if they got that wrong, they could risk declaring their intent and a possible diplomatic issue, or worse blow the dish itself up! H'Chir scratched at his head again, the umpteenth time he'd done that recently. Pausing for a second he wondered if perhaps he had caught some form of an infection, or worse, something physical was going wrong. ~Have to go see the doc about that~ he thought, and then returned to Tolqu's plan. "You do understand Ensign, that your plan could blow the deflector out if there is more than a three percent deviation in our calculations?", he asked. "You don't want to hurt my ship, I can promise you that", he added, knowing of course that although he actually did regard the ship as his, the Captain would no doubt have disagreed on that matter. (Reply Tolqu) H'Chir surpressed a giggle, and then offered some constructive critisism to Tolqu's plan. "I would dispense with your plan to shunt the field array a full one hundred and eighty degrees of phase, and instead move it first to ninety degrees offset, then incrementally advance to one twenty", said H'Chir, still studying the details layed out to him. "And make sure that you keep the tachyon flow regulators within tolerance at all times, that's the critical element here" (Reply Tolqu) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 1 - ACMO, Ensign (JG)Dr. L'Risa - 14:24) Ensign Keith Marciano had decline Ensign L'Risa's offer to share a bottle of Killeen's Red because of the need to get back to Engineering. "I understand, Mr. Marciano," responded the ensign. "I'll take that rain check. If you don't have to work a double shift stop by, I doubt if I am going to get much sleep anytime soon. Also as I was telling the Captain. Medical is my primary area of expertise, but I do have some background in systems and operations and I know a little about the ETHOS situation. So if you need a different set of eyes to look over anything I am available." "Unfortunately, I'm not exactly sure what's going on with the ETHOS situation," explained Keith. "I'm stuck in the bowels of the ship either repairing broken systems or beaming people down to places unknown. I guess that's the life of an ensign. Perhaps check in to sickbay? Our CMO is also our First Officer, so I'm not sure if he was up on the bridge, where you just came from, or in sickbay, but perhaps there's someone who could direct you there?" Thank you, Mr. Marciano, I will check in at sickbay and see if they can point me in the right direction, I hate sitting around with my tail in my ear, but I supposed I'll just have to deal with it. But the invitation holds whenever you get off come look me up. I should be in my quarters and I'll try to have a few 'on ice'. "Sure. If this is all cleared up you can count on me being there." Any time Mr. Marciano, anytime. Before the ensign left, Keith gave a wave. "Welcome aboard, Ensign." "Thank you, L'Risa replied, I guess I'll head up to Sick Bay. Within ten minutes he had finished moving his things into his room. He would unpack later. (Reply any) (posted by Chris Taylor) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC, Ensign Jg Alexandria Smithson – 14:25) "Tactical two if you please Ensign Smithson", said the Captain, and then without missing a beat, "Ensign Fala will assist as need be", he added. “Yes Sir” Alex responded, then she went over to the respective station and sat down, then just like in basic training, she reconfigured the layout of the controls which she could follow easier, remembering to leave a touch surface in the top left corner so she could tap that and return the Tactical display back to its default layout while she waited for Ensign Fala to bring her up to speed. "How are those modifications coming along Ensign Fala?", he asked. (Reply Fala, Any) (Posted Paul Davies) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Science Officer, Ensign JG Fala Taban - 14:26) The young female tactical officer, Ensign Smithson, entered the bridge and reported in to the captain. "Tactical Two if you please, Ensign Smithson," instructed Captain T'Vhor. "Ensign Fala will assist as need be." "Yes, sir," she responded and manned the tactical station. "How are those modifications coming along, Ensign Fala?" asked the captain turning to look in the science officer's direction. "Good. Everything is set here. Chief H'Chir and Ensign Tolqu are talking right now on what needs to be done to the antimatter containment module. I don't want to speak for our chief engineer, but what Ensign Tolqu proposed doesn't sound too difficult. Once the modifications are complete, I will initiate the scan here and Ensign Tolqu will analyze the data and feed back any relevant information." (reply T'Vhor) "Aye," replied Ensign Fala. "I will be ready, Sir." Turning to face Tactical Two, Ensign Fala thought he would bring Alexandria up to speed. "The freighter on the view screen is looking suspicious. They are using Uranium to mask something that our sensors can't penetrate. We are going to attempt to neutralize the radiation so that we can scan their ship. Maybe this is the ship we are looking for...Keep ready in case they are the ETHOS ship and we have to show some force." (reply Smithson, T'Vhor, H'Chir, Tolqu, any) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 14:27) "....once the modifications are complete, I will initiate the scan here and Ensign Tolqu will analyze the data and feed back any relevant information", said Ensign Fala in regards their planned modifications. "I'm sure that Lieutenant H'Chir will be on hand to assist should anything go wrong there. Be ready to run your scans the moment we have a go from all parties", said the Captain. "Aye, I will be ready, Sir", said Fala, before then going on to brief the newcomer of their situation in regards the freighter. (Reply Any IYW) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC Ensign Jg Alexandria Smithson – 14:28) The young female tactical officer, Ensign Smithson, entered the bridge and reported in to the captain. "Tactical Two if you please, Ensign Smithson," instructed Captain T'Vhor. "Ensign Fala will assist as need be." "Yes, sir," she responded and manned the tactical station. "How are those modifications coming along, Ensign Fala?" asked the captain turning to look in the science officer's direction. "Good. Everything is set here. Chief H'Chir and Ensign Tolqu are talking right now on what needs to be done to the antimatter containment module. I don't want to speak for our chief engineer, but what Ensign Tolqu proposed doesn't sound too difficult. Once the modifications are complete, I will initiate the scan here and Ensign Tolqu will analyze the data and feed back any relevant information." (reply T'Vhor) "Aye," replied Ensign Fala. "I will be ready, Sir." Alex had not long finished reconfiguring the layout, when ensign Fala brought her up to date. "The freighter on the view screen is looking suspicious. They are using Uranium to mask something that our sensors can't penetrate. We are going to attempt to neutralize the radiation so that we can scan their ship. Maybe this is the ship we are looking for...Keep ready in case they are the ETHOS ship and we have to show some force." Looking at Fala Alex nodded, then hit upon an idea “Ensign Fala can you transfer all Sensor and scanner data over to me please? Also the ID signature of that freighter, I want to see if an earlier idea holds merit. I think I can get past the radiation signature” She said looking at Fala “At least let me try” She finished. (Reply Fala, T'Vhor, H'Chir, Tolqu, Any) (Posted by Paul Davies) (USS Spectre - Sick Bay - ACMO Ensign L’Risa - 14:30) L’Risa had tossed his two duffle bags on the bed, placed the instrument cases carefully away on a shelf in the closet and had stacked the two cases of beer in a shallow alcove next to the bathroom, taken a shower, shaken himself dry and changed into a fresh uniform all in the space of ten minutes. Now his fur still slightly damp, he stood outside the Sick Bay doors. He tugged at his uniform shirt to make sure it was straight and entered the room. The Sick Bay was well stocked and looked well maintained. It would have made the doctors of most major hospitals envious because of its modernity. L’Risa was impressed, but no awed as he had been on the bridge. This was after all his territory. “Excuse me nurse,” he said with a smile, “My name is L’Risa. I am the new ACMO. I’m looking for the CMO. Is he around?” (Reply any) (Posted by Chris Taylor) (USS Spectre - SickBay - Nurse, Douwsy - 14:32) “Excuse me nurse,” She turned from to see a Caitian male standing in front of her. “My name is L’Risa. I am the new ACMO. I’m looking for the CMO. Is he around?” Douwsy shoo her head. “Sorry Doctor. The CMO is on the bridge at the moment as he is also the FO. I believe that Dr Huval is in his office at the moment if that is any help?” (Reply L’Risa) (Reply L’Risa any) (Posted by Robbie) (Mars Defence Perimeter - Main Station – ACSO, Ensign Teverine Tolqu - 14:33) Teverine wiped his brow with his sleeve as he continued to look down at the monitor. Looking pleased with himself he tapped his comm badge. “Ensign Tolqu to Ensign Fala” (Reply Fala) “We are ready to start, I have transferred controls to tactical and remember to watch the tachyon field does not exceed 150000 Rems. Well not unless we want to radiate the entire hull.” Teverine added wryly. (Reply Fala) (Posted by Peter Richards) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Science Officer, Ensign JG Fala Taban - 14:34) Ensign Fala Taban explained to Ensign Alex Smithson the situation and how she was going to be in charge of the beam that would negate the radiation from the ship. "Ensign Fala, can you transfer all Sensor and scanner data over to me please?" asked the tactical officer. "Also the ID signature of that freighter, I want to see if an earlier idea holds merit. I think I can get past the radiation signature. At least let me try." "Sure," responded the Bajoran science officer. "Ensign Tolqu will be done momentarily and will give you control of the whole system. Hold on." Taban made a few presses on his workstation routing control as well as sensor readouts to the Tactical Two station. (reply Smithson) After a few minutes, a communication channel beeped in. The voice of Ensign Tolqu came over the speakers. =/\=We are ready to start, I have transferred controls to tactical and remember to watch the tachyon field does not exceed 150000 Rems. Well not unless we want to radiate the entire hull.=/\= "Understood," replied turning to look over at Ensign Smithson. "Ready?" (reply Smithson, T'Vhor, Tolqu, any) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre – Sick Bay - ACMO L’Risa Ensign (JG) L’ Risa - 14:35) "Excuse me nurse,” She turned from to see a Caitian male standing in front of her. “My name is L’Risa. I am the new ACMO. I’m looking for the CMO. Is he around?” Douwsy shook her head. “Sorry Doctor. The CMO is on the bridge at the moment as he is also the FO. I believe that Dr Huval is in his office at the moment if that is any help?” Well I was wanting to check in with the CMO, but I understand he is busy. I think I would just be in the way on the bridge at the moment. If Dr. Huval is free, I can speak to him for a few minutes.” (Reply Dr. Huval) (Posted Chris Taylor) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC, Ensign Jg Alexandria Smithson – 14:36) "Sure," responded the Bajoran science officer. "Ensign Tolqu will be done momentarily and will give you control of the whole system. Hold on." Taban made a few presses on his workstation routing control as well as sensor readouts to the Tactical Two station. “Thank you” She replied and began collating data and preparing the respective algorithms for the upcoming analysis. After a few minutes, a communication channel beeped in. =/\=We are ready to start, I have transferred controls to tactical and remember to watch the tachyon field does not exceed 150000 Rems. Well not unless we want to radiate the entire hull.=/\= "Understood," replied turning to look over at Ensign Smithson. "Ready?" “I was born ready” she said intertwining her fingers and cracking her knuckles, then got down to work. Alex put in the Freighters power signature and compared it to the ETHOS vessels last known signature, as she was working, she began speaking to the Bajoran Ensign. “My reasons for having a go at it, was down in security I had a theory, as I surmised that the event taking place mirrored something that happened in 2150s” She paused. (Reply Faban) Looking up and smiling “Oh, it was during Earths first warp five ship, the Enterprise NX 01, about 2153 it involved a captured Aenar an Andorian sub-species, there was an unknown Marauder attacking ships. Problem is when it attacked” Looking at Faban and smiling as she talked, she was touch typing the surfaces of her console. “It attacked a Tellerite ship and it looked like the Andorian’s were initiating a conflict. But every attack it looked like a different ship” she paused as she checked her console than as it was running data she turned to Faban. (Reply Faban) “At one point with the NX 01 was ferrying the Tellerite and Andorian reps to Babel the Enterprise NX01 was attacked by a Tellerite ship. But you get the idea, that event almost destabilized the region and almost turned all non human cultures against each other, and eventually threatened Starfleet’s good standing with the rest of those races.” (Reply Faban) “Anyways it turned out that it was a modified Romulan combat Cruiser, its agility outclassed anything Starfleet or the other races could field at the time, including the Vulcan’s. When Commander Tucker and Lieutenant Reed boarded a temporarily damaged ship they found out that it was Romulan, they got scans and data, which they took back. The end result was the discovery that a Captured Aenar was piloting both Prototypes at the end, with all previously races who were hostile with each other, rallied around one ship, Captain Archer and his crew had proven to be even handed and with some reservations from the then Vulcan High Command all Sensor Codes were sent to the Enterprise.” (Reply Faban) “They created the first Tachyon detection grid, something the previously hostile races were reluctant to do, because of all the decades of mistrust between them.” Now she stopped. (Reply Faban, T’Vhor IYW) “Oh those two Romulan prototype ships could cloak like any standard Romulan ship, and both had holo-emitters around their hulls, much like our ETHOS vessel from what I have heard. But do you know the one thing that never changed Ensign Faban, despite looking like different ships?” She ended with a question. (Reply Faban) “Its power signature, it could mimic size and weapons and shields of any vessels at the time, but its power signature was Romulan. That was the one thing the Romulan’s erred on, up until the end they were doing hit and run attacks, by being found out their plans had the opposite effect, instead of pushing and possible alliance between the targeted races apart it brought them together around one human warp five ship. The conference that followed paved the way for the signing of the Federation Charter in 2161.” (Reply Faban, T’Vhor IYW) “What we were discussing in security three days ago was that the ETHOS vessel had the same abilities, if this is so, then its power signature would be its Achilles heel, you see the ETHOS vessel can mimic other ships, but only ships that it equals in size or bigger. It could not disguise itself as say a Sabre class ship, because its mass is greater than that ship. It could easily copy an Excelsior class or larger, hence the scan” She said finishing as the console bleeped. As she refined the data, she turned to face the Captain. “Captain, I have confirmed that the target ship is the ETHOS vessel” she said. (Reply T’Vhor, Faban) “I have confirmed that the vessel is the ETHOS ship” She stopped and waited for the Captain’s response. (Reply Faban, T'Vhor, Tolqu, any) (posted by Paul Davies) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Science Officer, Ensign JG Fala Taban - 14:37) "I was born ready," the young Ensign Smithson stated. "My reasons for having a go at it, was down in security I had a theory, as I surmised that the event taking place mirrored something that happened in 2150s." "Oh, yea?" asked Ensign Fala seated at the Science Station. "What happened?" The Ensign explained an historical account of the first warp-five vessel, Enterprise, NX-01, and their encounter with a vessel which could hide their true identity. "Oh those two Romulan prototype ships could cloak like any standard Romulan ship, and both had holo-emitters around their hulls, much like our ETHOS vessel from what I have heard. But do you know the one thing that never changed Ensign Faban, despite looking like different ships?" "It's Ensign Fala Taban, by the way," the ensign corrected. "Things change. It's been 261 years since that happened. That's like saying things were the same between 1892 and 2153, when that encounter happened. Same about of time. Also, how were they sure they were Romulan? No one had even seen a Romulan face-to-face until 2266, 113 years later when the Enterprise NCC-1701 encountered them. All treaties with the Romulans were conducted over sub-space before that time." (reply Smithson IYW) "Its power signature," explained Smithson. "It could mimic size and weapons and shields of any vessels at the time, but its power signature was Romulan. That was the one thing the Romulan’s erred on, up until the end they were doing hit and run attacks, by being found out their plans had the opposite effect, instead of pushing and possible alliance between the targeted races apart it brought them together around one human warp five ship. The conference that followed paved the way for the signing of the Federation Charter in 2161. What we were discussing in security three days ago was that the ETHOS vessel had the same abilities, if this is so, then its power signature would be its Achilles heel, you see the ETHOS vessel can mimic other ships, but only ships that it equals in size or bigger. It could not disguise itself as say a Sabre class ship, because its mass is greater than that ship. It could easily copy an Excelsior class or larger, hence the scan." The tactical officer's console beeped and she declared her discovery to the bridge. "Captain, I have confirmed that the target ship is the ETHOS vessel. I have confirmed that the vessel is the ETHOS ship.” The bridge erupted into chatter. Ensign Fala swiveled around and started scanning the ship. Hoping any information they could get would help. (reply Smithson, T'Vhor) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre – Bridge – CO, Captain T'Vhor – 14:38) The Captain had listened intently to the discussion taking place beyond him between Smithson and Fala. Ensign Smithsons theories though, although sound in places lacked one important variable, and that was the fact that this was not happening in the twenty second century with twenty second century equipment, and as such nothing could be reliably ascertained in regards the ETHOS vessel, by power signature alone. In short, this Holographic demon was the product of a Star Fleet black Ops program, not a twenty second century renegade Romulan variant as the Ensign had postulated. “Captain, I have confirmed that the target ship is the ETHOS vessel”, said Smithson suddenly. The Captain turned immediately, concerned now as to why the Ensign was making such a bold statement seemingly without all of the facts. "On what grounds are you basing such a decisive analysis?", he asked. "To assume such a statement is illogical Ensign, we do not have all of the data at this stage" (Reply Smithson) The Captain mused over the Ensign's breakdown, then despite the fact that this ship may well be the ETHOS ship, it would have to draw their hand beforehand for they would not risk a diplomatic situation for making a mistake. "You mention that the ETHOS vessel's flaw, it's achiles heel, is it's power signature, and that it cannot mimic ships smaller than itself", said the Captain, "this is not the case and as we have already found out, our target vessel can indeed mimic the Spectre.... a smaller vessel than the freighter Ensign" (Reply Smithson) "Relying upon the data of the NX-01's encounter with Romulan interlopers is not applicable in the twenty fifth century", said the Captain, "ETHOS was a different approach entirely and the power signature/mass calculations do not apply here", said the Captain. "Please continue with the plan to nullify the uranium ore, whatever it is masking should shed light upon Captain Graysons ruse, whatever it may happen to be, and if it this ship is indeed our target vessel, then be ready for any and all eventualities", said the Captain, before returning his gaze to the viewscreen and the ship displayed upon it. (Reply Fala, Smithson, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC, Ensign Jg Alexandria Smithson – 14:39) It's Ensign Fala Taban, by the way," the ensign corrected. "Things change. It's been 261 years since that happened. That's like saying things were the same between 1892 and 2153, when that encounter happened. Same about of time. Also, how were they sure they were Romulan? No one had even seen a Romulan face-to-face until 2266, 113 years later when the Enterprise NCC-1701 encountered them. All treaties with the Romulan’s were conducted over sub-space before that time." “Actually they had the data supplied by the Vulcan High Command of the time on the ships and their power signatures. Apart from that you are correct, I was only trying to explain in a round about way my hypothesis on the ETHOS ship, nothing more. "Its power signature," explained Smithson. "It could mimic size and weapons and shields of any vessels at the time, but its power signature was Romulan. That was the one thing the Romulan’s erred on, up until the end they were doing hit and run attacks, by being found out their plans had the opposite effect, instead of pushing and possible alliance between the targeted races apart it brought them together around one human warp five ship. The conference that followed paved the way for the signing of the Federation Charter in 2161. What we were discussing in security three days ago was that the ETHOS vessel had the same abilities, if this is so, then its power signature would be its Achilles heel, you see the ETHOS vessel can mimic other ships, but only ships that it equals in size or bigger. It could not disguise itself as say a Sabre class ship, because its mass is greater than that ship. It could easily copy an Excelsior class or larger, hence the scan." The tactical officer's console beeped and she declared her discovery to the bridge. "Captain, I have confirmed that the target ship is the ETHOS vessel. I have confirmed that the vessel is the ETHOS ship.” The Captain turned immediately, concerned now as to why the Ensign was making such a bold statement seemingly without all of the facts. "On what grounds are you basing such a decisive analysis?", he asked. "To assume such a statement is illogical Ensign, we do not have all of the data at this stage" “This may be the wrong place for it Captain, but besides that freighter trying to hide something and my gut instinct, which I might add has yet to let me down. Even it its not the ETHOS ship Sir, the freighter is hiding something, that is a given” She said. The Captain mused over the Ensign's breakdown, then despite the fact that this ship may well be the ETHOS ship, it would have to draw their hand beforehand for they would not risk a diplomatic situation for making a mistake. "You mention that the ETHOS vessel's flaw, it's Achilles heel, is it's power signature, and that it cannot mimic ships smaller than itself", said the Captain, "this is not the case and as we have already found out, our target vessel can indeed mimic the Spectre.... a smaller vessel than the freighter Ensign" “Hmm.. a significant upgrade, something I did not factor into my calculation” Shrugged “Oh well, you live and learn.” "Relying upon the data of the NX-01's encounter with Romulan interlopers is not applicable in the twenty fifth century", said the Captain, "ETHOS was a different approach entirely and the power signature/mass calculations do not apply here", said the Captain. "Please continue with the plan to nullify the uranium ore, whatever it is masking should shed light upon Captain Grayson’s ruse, whatever it may happen to be, and if it this ship is indeed our target vessel, then be ready for any and all eventualities", said the Captain, before returning his gaze to the viewscreen and the ship displayed upon it. “Yes Sir” She said then turned to face her console.The bridge erupted into chatter. Ensign Fala swivelled around and started scanning the ship. Hoping any information they could get would help. Just then the Freighter dropped its disguise and Alex was shocked. “I hate it when my gut is right” She mumbled to herself as the ship sped towards the moon. (Reply Any on Bridge IYW) (Posted by Paul Davies) (USS Avenger - Bridge - Captain Thomas Grayson - 14:41) Captain Thomas Grayson sat on the bridge of the specialized ETHOS ship, USS Avenger. Made of black polished metal, and grey colors, it was like no other Federation starship that had been built. This ship wasn't built for exploration. It was built for war. Fortunately the special holographic imager connected to the communication system masked its true image from any visual communications. The true look of the bridge was known only to the few select people who had stood upon the bridge. This ship was currently in mimic mode, looking like a standard cargo vessel and under tow from the USS Spectre. "Captain," stated one of the officers sitting at the science station. "There are some unusual readings from the Spectre. They's a build-up of tachyons in their main deflector dish." A serious look appeared on Grayson's face. ~What are you up to, T'Vhor?~ he thought. "Stand by to execute our plan on my mark," the captain stated to the bridge. "They are up to something." "Sir, a tachyon beam is coming from the main deflector dish," stated the science officer. "They are doing extensive scans of the ship. We can't stay undetected for long." "Mr. McBride, execute our plan." The true ship's form was revealed as the ship came out of mimic mode. It had the look of a Federation starship, but had a very narrow main hull and small nacelles on either side of an oval secondary hull. The ship was black with several reflective patches on the hull. Two quantum torpedos sprung from the forward torpedo launcher and hit the Spectre. One at the tractor beam emitter, which cut the beam off and the other hit the base of the primary hull. With the shields down, the explosion breached the hull. Free from the tractor beam, the ship headed out at full impulse power towards Earth's moon. (reply all) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 14:42) All at once, panic ensued upon the bridge of the Spectre. There had been no warnings, no alerts, just the image of the freighter changing from it's avatar to it's true likeness, thus exposing Grayson ruse once and for all. They were indeed dealing with the ETHOS vessel. The Captain responded immediately of course. "Red alert, bring the quantum torpedoes to bear Mr Isengard", said the Captain, and all at once the bridge became bathed in the red pulsating glow of the alert annunciators glowing in tandem with the klaxon itself. Then a sudden alert from tactical regarding incoming torpedoes 'before' the shields had risen completely! The Captain ordered 'Brace for impact'... (Reply Any) Two quantum toredoes fired at close range suddenly wreaked the havok that everyone expected them to, one severing the tractor lock and the other striking a direct hit at the primary hull itself. Again, the Captain responded immediately as the ETHOS vessel broke away suddenly and then headed off at a forty five degree angle, it's heading roughly corresponding to Earth's moon. "Target the vessels warp drive and return fire. Helm, begin pursuit please", said the Captain, before then calling for damage reports on the affected decks as the ship came about and leapt into action. =/\=We have a hull breach on deck seven, the force fields are in place, two minor casualties only. The tractor emmiter has been destroyed sir=/\= "Understood, damage control teams to deck seven. Inform Starfleet Command of our situation please", ordered the Captain as calm as ever one of Vulcan blood would be, just as Isengard let fly an unannounced volley at the now retreating ship. (Reply Isengard IYW) The hits were decisive, the ETHOS vessel seemingly robbed now of it's capability to go to warp, the tactical console confirming direct hits on both nacelles. The ship though continueing on at full impulse and slipping beyond the moon to suddenly merge with a number of other ships currently in the area. It seemed that the chase was now on.... (Reply Isengard, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge – FO, Commander Williams - 14:43) Andrew watched in disbelief as the image of the freighter changed into the ETHOS vessel. ~Ow hell this is not good~ "Red alert, bring the quantum torpedoes to bear Mr Isengard" The bridge was bathed in red light and the klaxon screamed. The Captain ordered 'Brace for impact'... Andrew gripped his chair as the ship rocked from the torpedo impacts. "Target the vessels warp drive and return fire. Helm, begin pursuit please Andrew scanned the small screen on his console as the CO called for damage reports. =/\=We have a hull breach on deck seven, the force fields are in place, two minor casualties only. The tractor emmiter has been destroyed sir=/\= ~That could have been worse~ "Understood, damage control teams to deck seven. Inform Starfleet Command of our situation please", Andrew watched the view screen as the image of the ETHOS ship headed with speed towards the far side of the moon, ~If we lose it. It might be able to change into another ship and hide~ (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Avenger - Deck 1, Bridge - Captain Thomas Grayson - 14:43) It was thought to have been lost at the battle of Betazed, but there it was. The USS Avenger, a modified Prometheus class starship, could no longer perform a multi-vector assault, but could do something better. It could now take the form of any other starship. A technology code named ETHOS by the people in Doenitz's camp. Now free from the Spectre's tractor beam, it was head away from the ship after having sent a volley of quantum torpedoes into the underside of the ship. Captain Thomas Grayson sat on the edge of his chair hands on the arms rests intently staring at the readout on the main view screen. "Head towards Earth's moon and perform a Titan's Turn bringing us to heading 15 mark 27 warp factor six when we are on the other side," stated Grayson to his helmsman. The bridge suddenly shook. "Direct hit to our warp nacelles," stated the operations officer. "Shields at 73 percent. Warp power is offline." Captain Grayson stood up and leaned in close to his helmsmen. "See those ships?" He asked pointing to the view screen. "Continue with the Titan's Turn and when we are in their sensor dead spot on the other side, mask us to blend in with them." "Aye, sir," stated the helmsman. Grayson satisfied with his orders, let a smile slip onto his face as he walked back to his chair and sat down. The Avenger maneuvered so that the top of the ship was parallel with the Moon's surface. Moving at almost full impulse, it skimmed around to the other side, but didn't seem to reappear on the other side. To the casual observer, it was gone. (reply any) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Bridge – Helm, Pilot Officer, Jennifer Smith - 14:44) “Target the vessels warp drive and return fire. Helm, begin pursuit please", She leaned forward and her figures danced across the console. She got the position of the other ship from tactical and imputed the coordinates into the console. She then increased the power to the impulse engine until it was red lining. ~Come on, come on. I am not going to lose you, you b*****d~ The Spectre swung onto its new course and powered towards the ETHOS ship as it sped towards the moon. (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Bridge – Helm, Pilot Officer – Jennifer Smith - 14:45) Jennifer glanced again at the console. She was already maxing out the impulse engines. ~You are so not getting away~ She saw the ship get closer and closer to the moon. She saw the engines burn brightly as the ship spun. ~No, no no~ “Dam it.” She muttered to her self as she turned to the Captain. “Sorry sir. The enemy ship’s doing a Titan's Turn we are going to lose it before can catch up with it. We’ll lose it for two minutes before we can regain contact.” (Reply T’Vhor) (Reply T’Vhor, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 14:45) The alert klaxon was still sounding in conjunction with the pulsing of the red annunciators around the bridge, and the Captain ordered it silenced. Sensors were now completely active as opposed to the passive variant they had been using before the ETHOS ship had fired upon them, it would seem that now, they had nothing to lose in probing aggressively and up until that moment the ship had been returning active pings from it's target as it neared the Moon. Then it was suddenly gone! “Sorry sir. The enemy ship’s doing a Titan's Turn we are going to lose it before we can catch up with it. We’ll lose it for two minutes before we can regain contact”, said the Helmsman. "Take us to the last known coordinates of the ETHOS vessel please Helmsman", ordered the Captain, "Ensign Smithson, be on the lookout for any ship that is acting untoward, and be advised, this time it may not be transmitting an erroneous registry as before" (Reply Smithson) The word from tactical was both to the point, and unwelcome. It would seem now that the ETHOS ship had once again done what it was best at doing, and had possibly blended into the collection of ships in the vicinity at the point that it had disappeared from sight beyond the Moons apogee. The Captain leaned forwards in his chair, his mind working through the possibilities that were unfolding now. Had the ship gone down to the surface, or had it indeed changed it's appearance yet again? "Open a channel to the Luna shipyards, see if they can assist in locating the ETHOS vessel", ordered the Captain, eager now to re-establish contact with Graysons ship. (Reply Any) Passing over the Moon itself the viewscreen showed a total of no less than fourteen craft in the vicinity, any one of which could now be their target vessel. The Captain turned hopefully to Isengard, did he have any insight right now? (Reply Isengard) (Reply Smithson, Isengard, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC Ensign Jg Alexandria Smithson – 14:46) The Red Alert began to sound and the first Alex knew what was happening was when the Helmsman spoke. “Sorry sir. The enemy ship’s doing a Titan's Turn we are going to lose it before we can catch up with it. We’ll lose it for two minutes before we can regain contact”, said the Helmsman. "Take us to the last known coordinates of the ETHOS vessel please Helmsman" Said the Captain, "Ensign Smithson, be on the lookout for any ship that is acting untoward, and be advised, this time it may not be transmitting an erroneous registry as before" Working some controls and algorithms, then looking back, “Yes Sir” Turning back to her board using a few more tricks she knew and exclaimed quite loudly “Dang blast Confirmed that the ship has re-disguised itself Captain, any signature lock I had on it has been lost, I got no idea where she is now” Alex said. (Reply T’Vhor) As everything else was going on around the bridge Alex focused her Attention on her duties, trying to relocate the elusive ship. "Open a channel to the Luna shipyards, see if they can assist in locating the ETHOS vessel", ordered the Captain. “So many ships, so little time” Alex quietly commented to herself. (Reply Any) Her Tactical Scanners showed them passing over the moon, then almost calling it quits, something came to her. “Still now indication on what ship it is” She said then the idea took shape. “Captain can a directed Tachyon scan beam disrupt the holo-cloak of that ship?” She asked. (Reply T’Vhor, Isengard, Any) (Posted by Paul Davies) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Science Officer, Ensign JG Fala Taban - 14:47) Ensign Fala Taban sat at the science station on the bridge frantically scanning each ship on the other side of Earth's moon searching for the ETHOS ship with no luck. "Open a channel to the Luna shipyards, see if they can assist in locating the ETHOS vessel," stated Captain T'Vhor. Ensign Fala hit a few buttons and then spoke up, "Channel open." (reply T'Vhor) A human dressed in a red-lined Starfleet uniform appeared on the screen. =/\=This is Commander Johnson of the Luna Shipyards, Spectre. We could scramble some small shuttles in order to go from ship-to-ship. We don't have much beyond that. What did you have in mind?=/\= (reply T'Vhor) =/\=Acknowledged,=/\= said the commander. =/\=Right away.=/\= The communication channel closed and the view screen changed back to the mass of ships. Once the channel was closed, the bridge erupted with chatter. Suggestions from their new tactical officer and the first officer were the loudest of the two. (reply T'Vhor, any) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre – Bridge – FO, Commander Andrew Williams – 14:48) Andrew had been watching the whole situation with growing frustration. They had almost gotten the ETHOS ship before it slipped away again. “So many ships, so little time” Andrew let ghost of a smile as she heard Smithson’s muttered comment. “Still now indication on what ship it is” “Captain can a directed Tachyon scan beam disrupt the holo-cloak of that ship?” (Reply T’Vhor) “Captain. How about a system lock down. Stop everything from moving. At least if they run we can spot them and if not they can’t go anywhere?” (Reply T’Vhor) (Reply T’Vhor, Isengard, Smithson, Any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC, Ensign Jg Alexandria Smithson – 14:50) While Alex listened to the Captain’s response, Commander William’s made a suggestion. “Captain. How about a system lock down. Stop everything from moving. At least if they run we can spot them and if not they can’t go anywhere?” (Reply T’Vhor) “That would help a great deal Captain” Alex agreed. (Reply T’Vhor, Isengard, Any) (Posted by Paul Davies) (USS Spectre – Bridge – CO, Captain T'Vhor – 14:51) The communication from the Luna shipyards now established and an offer of using shuttles to fly out to the ships in the vicinity on the table, the Captain weighed up the odds. It was probably pointless to send yet more ships into the mix right now for that would only serve to further compound the issue. No, that was not the way to go. "The offer is appreciated, but I would rather not add to an already confusing situation", said the Captain, "if you would maintain a look out for anything that might attempt to set down on the surface unannounced, that would be a help", he added. (Reply Luna Command, IYW) “Captain can a directed Tachyon scan beam disrupt the holo-cloak of that ship?” "It Might, but not in a normal configuration", answered the Captain, "Ensign Tolqu and Commander Sprak have modified a probe to detect the ship, but it would have to pass close to the MDP in order for it to do that.", he added. And then another suggestion from the FO. “Captain. How about a system lock down. Stop everything from moving. At least if they run we can spot them and if not they can’t go anywhere?" The Captain nodded, and then gave the order. "Contact all ships in the vicinity on a secure channel and have them come to a full stop, if anything remains moving then logic dictates that this will most likely be our target", said the Captain. (Reply Williams, Smithson, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC, Ensign Jg Alexandria Smithson – 14:52) “Contact all ships in the vicinity on a secure channel and have them come to a full stop, if anything remains moving then logic dictates that this will most likely be our target”, said the Captain. “Yes Sir, only one moving target will make it easier to disable, especially when ones knows where to aim.” (Reply Williams, T’Vhor, Any) (Posted by Paul Davies) (USS Spectre – Bridge – CO, Captain T'Vhor – 14:54) The Captain sat silent, one hand hovering above the armrest console as he waited for something, anything to happen. So far, there did'nt seem to be much in the way of a positive outcome to the plan to halt all ships in the area, everything now having come to a full stop as requested. If the ETHOS ship was amongst these ships, then despite the fact that the order had gone out over a secure channel, it had obviously received the announcement also... and now it was stationary also. Either that or it at headed down to the surface of the moon! The Captain turned to the FO, the question of using a Marine boarding party now forming in his mind. "I was thinking of sending Major Kowalski and his team in to secure the ship once we have brought it under control, what are your thoughts on this Commander?", asked the Captain. (Reply Williams, Any) The Captain nodded at the advice, if anyone was able to prevent a ship self destruct at Grayson's order, then the Marines were the one's to do it. "Have the Major ready a team for a rapid departure, he would no doubt recommend the Martini shakers I would imagine", said the Captain, an eyebrow rising in typical Vulcan fashion just before he returned his attention back to the viewscreen and the arc of the Moon's surface now prominent within it, and which now seemed to be providing a tableau of a sort to the ships that hung in orbit above it. (Reply Williams) "I do not envy those that must undergo such a delivery method, but needs must as they say", said the Captain. (Reply Williams, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Bridge – FO, Commander Andrew Williams – 14:56) "I was thinking of sending Major Kowalski and his team in to secure the ship once we have brought it under control, what are your thoughts on this Commander?", asked the Captain. Andrew paused for a moment before answering. “There are always problems with boarding combat but if any one can do it Major Kowalski can.” "Have the Major ready a team for a rapid departure, he would no doubt recommend the Martini shakers I would imagine", said the Captain. ”Aye sir.” "I do not envy those that must undergo such a delivery method, but needs must as they say", said the Captain. “Sir I think Major Kowalski would over the moon no pun intended to organise this type of assault.” (Reply T’Vhor, Any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Marine Staging - MXO, Major Bruce Kowalski - 14:58) "I'm on it... To tell the truth, we've been on it since just before we dropped out of warp", said the MXO, in response to the call from the bridge. We've run the mission five times already in holo-training, we'll have this guys yarbles on a plate by tea-time.... Kowalski out" The Marine then called for attention, the assemblage of Marines immediately standing and then coming to, as only Marines ever did. The Major stood before them and took a deep breath, then he began. "OK ladies, we have a go from the Captain to take this ship and it's motley crew down. You know the drill, we go with the Marts when the shields are down, once hull breach,has been achieved you know your targets and your waypoints.... it's payback time, let's get ready to roll", said Kowalski, and everyone began readying themselves for the final call. (Reply Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Marine Staging – Marine, Corporal Houseman – 15:00) "OK ladies, we have a go from the Captain to take this ship and it's motley crew down. You know the drill, we go with the Marts when the shields are down, once hull breach, has been achieved you know your targets and your waypoints.... it's payback time, let's get ready to roll", said Kowalski. He turned to the cabinet, grabbed his helmet, rolled his eyes and muttered. “Great, get stuck in a bouncing tin can. Just what I love doing.” He glanced at Kowalski as he grabbed his pistol and TR116 sniper rifle. “OW Yey I just love the Marts.” (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Avenger - Deck 1, Bridge - Captain Thomas Grayson - 15:00) "Sir, we cannot continue under these conditions for much longer, the order to all ships to halt in this area will undoubtably reveal us sooner or later, and to remain here like this is almost certain death", stated the operations officer at the front of the Avenger's bridge. "Damn," cursed Captain Grayson under his breath rising out of his seat and pacing around the bridge. "What's the status of our warp engines?" "Still off-line," replied the ops officer. "It could still be hours before they are repaired." Like a wounded animal caught in a trap, it appeared they had no choice. "Shields up charge weapon systems and standby on quantum torpedoes. Come out of mimic mode and bring us about." The small transport vessel shimmered and a line of energy ran along its hull. The true form of the USS Avenger was once more revealed and was now face-to-face with the Spectre. "Open Hailing Frequencies." "Hailing Frequencies open," stated the ops officer. "USS Spectre. You don't actually think our benefactors would send us out without putting some teeth on this ship? We brought you down and we can do it again. You are out gunned. Stand down and let us leave this system." (reply T'Vhor) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Science Officer, Ensign JG Fala Taban - 15:01) Ensign Fala's science station started to beep as the starship in front of them was revealed. "Sir, it's..." started Ensign Fala. "They are hailing us." (reply T'Vhor) Ensign Fala pressed a button which initiated the ship-to-ship communication. A man dressed in black appeared on the view screen. =/\=USS Spectre. You don't actually think our benefactors would send us out without putting some teeth on this ship? We brought you down and we can do it again. You are out gunned. Stand down and let us leave this system.=/\= (reply T'Vhor, any) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 15:02) The surprised announcement from the Science Officer pretty much summed it up, one minute stars with ships off in the distance, then the dreaded ETHOS ship itself appearing in their viewscreen to the accompaniment of a hail! The man had nerve, that much was for certain, but the Vulcan hybrid CO was'nt one to be easily intimidated by the remark to follow. =/\=USS Spectre. You don't actually think our benefactors would send us out without putting some teeth on this ship? We brought you down and we can do it again. You are out gunned. Stand down and let us leave this system.=/\= The Captain remained calm and collected of course, his demeanor giving nothing away other than the fact he was not about to capitulate, either to this ship, or their 'benefactors'. "You know that we cannot do that", he said calmly, "there are currently fourteen Starfleet vessels in the Sol sector as we speak, to think that you would evade them all is entirely illogical", he added. "Your ship lacks the capability of warp, it is you that should stand down, not us" (Reply Grayson) The Captain remained steadfast, his head quirking slightly to one side as he listened to the ETHOS vessel's CO, intonating his wish to nonetheless proceed with his plan, despite the odds being somewhat against them now. "You disabled the Spectre in an unprovoked and surprise attack at Vedea IV, this time we are prepared and ready. You lack the element of surprise that you appear to need in order to fullfil your goal of escaping this system", said T'Vhor stoicly, "I reiterate, you need to stand down now or risk the full extent of a reaction to your own, misguided venture". (Reply Grayson) (Posted by Alan) (USS Avenger - Deck 1, Bridge - Captain Thomas Grayson - 15:04) Arms crossed, Captain Grayson glared across the bridge at the view screen. The seated captain of the Spectre looked calmly back. =/\=You know that we cannot do that,=/\= stated Captain T'Vhor. =/\=There are currently fourteen Starfleet vessels in the Sol sector as we speak, to think that you would evade them all is entirely illogical. Your ship lacks the capability of warp, it is you that should stand down, not us.=/\= "Damn you and your damn Vulcan logic," replied Grayson frustrated. "We may be without warp, but I'm sure a trip to the bottom of the Vedean ocean didn't bode well for your hull integrity. There's no way the Spectre is battle ready after being under so much water." =/\=You disabled the Spectre in an unprovoked and surprise attack at Vedea IV, this time we are prepared and ready. You lack the element of surprise that you appear to need in order to fullfil your goal of escaping this system. I reiterate, you need to stand down now or risk the full extent of a reaction to your own, misguided venture.=/\= Grayson made a throat cutting gesture which the operation officer knew as the signal to cut the transmission between the two ships. The captain stomped back and sat down in his chair. He glared at the Spectre in the view screen deciding what his next move was going to be. "Mr. McBride," he stated only after a few seconds. "Execute attack pattern Grayson Lambda One." "Aye," replied the helmsman. The hull of the Avenger started to pulse and blinding strobe lights flashed in all direction. Besides having a temporary blinding affect, it also scrambled short range sensors. With the distraction in place, two quantum torpedeos were launched at the Spectre and the Avenger pitched downward heading away at full impulse. If they could make it, the asteroid belt just beyond Mars might just give them a chance to hide out until the warp engines could be repaired. (reply T'Vhor, any, all) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Deck 1, Bridge - Ensign JG Fala Taban - 15:06) White light streamed onto the bridge through the view screen as the hull of the ETHOS ship started to strobe. Ensign Fala Taban raised his hands in order to shield his eyes. Meanwhile his science station was beeping erratically. He strained his eyes to try and see why. "Sir," stated the ensign. "Sensors are scrambled. I can no longer pick up the ship on short range scans." (reply T'Vhor) The lighting returned to normal as the ETHOS ship headed away from the Spectre. With all the chaos on the bridge Ensign Fala suddenly remembered Commander Sprak and Ensign Tolqu back on Mars. In order to cut down on all the chatter, he decided to once again use a text transmission. 'Ensign Tolqu,' typed Taban. 'Are you still there?' (reply Tolqu) 'Good,' he replied. 'We found the ship, but our sensors are down. It is a Prometheus class starship heading away from us. Can you pick up its heading or general direction?' (reply Tolqu, any) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 15:06) The blinding light now piercing through the red glow of the alert annunciators, caused everyone to shield their eyes... or simply close them. What was happening? Nobody knew for sure exactly what was occuring and the Science Officer, Ensign Fala, shouted out something along the lines of their sensors being scrambled, and that he had suddenly lost the targets signature. It was then that the ship shook twice in response to what was clearly two direct hits upon it! When normal light had resumed along with everyone's vision, the ETHOS ship was indeed, gone! The Captain shook his head briefly, the light having momentarilly affected his balance somewhat as the tactical officer duly confirmed the hits to their shielding. (Reply Smithson) The Captain duly called for damage reports, then he turned to the Helmsman, who by now was waiting both hands placed upon his console for further orders. "Helm, stand by for revised target coordinates, I want that ship found and found quickly", called the Captain to the tactical officer, who was already attempting to do preceisely that. (Reply Helm, Tactical IYW) Ensign Fala to the Captain's right, and seemingly acting on his own initiative now, then called Tolqu and Sprak on the MDP, relaying the likelihood that they might be seeing a Prometheus class variant attempting to head out of the system, and could they perhaps pinpoint it's course and heading. It was a long shot of course, there was always the possibility that the ETHOS vessel would mask itself once more and blend in again, by now though the MDP would be running Sprak and Tolqu's modifications so it might just work. The Captain waited, hopefully. (Reply Tolqu) (Reply Helm, Tolqu, Any IYW) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC, Ensign Jg Alexandria Smithson – 15:08) Turning to look at the Captain, “Captain Two torpedoes have hit our Forward shields, minimal damage, reinforcing the forward shields, power has been diverted from all non-essential systems” The Captain nodded then spoke. "Helm, stand by for revised target coordinates, I want that ship found and found quickly". “Aye, aye Sir, standing by for revised targets, Phasers fully charged and torpedoes loaded” Alex announced. The Captain waited, hopefully, as Tolqu responded. (Reply Tolqu) (Reply Helm, Tolqu, Any IYW) (Posted by Paul Davies) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade - Officer, Lileo - 15:10) Lileo had been wandering around the station for hours and had finally found the stations main promenade. He now stood in the main through fair watching people as they moved around. He had gotten a few polite stares as Breen’s were not a common sight in the Federation. At lest he was able to communicate with stations translator system which was good especially as his room was now to his liking after a few attempts with the thermostat. He had already had an interesting conversation with the stations security and had observed that he had been followed discreetly at least for a while by station security until they had gotten board. He did not understand what command had asked him to wait here for the arrival of his ship and not some where closer to home. ~What was that human expression….. Ow yes. ‘Mine is not the reason why’~ He hoped some thing would happen soon or he would have nothing to tell his ship mates when they arrived so he set off again to explore. (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Science Officer, Ensign JG Fala Taban - 15:11) The static on the panel that represented the short range sensors on Ensign Fala Taban's science console started to clear. A flashing ship transponder signal appeared on the grid. "Sir," said Ensign Fala to the captain. "The sensors are clearing. The ship is heading away at impulse power bearing 256 mark 8. They are heading back towards Mars and the asteroid belt beyond." (reply T'Vhor) "They are about 5 minutes away." (reply T'Vhor, any) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre – Sick Bay - ACMO, Ensign (JG) L'Risa - 15:12) L’Risa didn’t want to just sit around in his room so he had decided to spend some time in Sick Bay, arranging his office. He logged into the computer setting his password and other codes, sat out some pictures of his family, his framed diploma and an ancient picture of a boy with his pants half off, checking carefully a doctor’s license while the man held an old-fashioned syringe complete with needle. He was about to go back to his quarter and grab a beet, maybe tune his guitar when he heard a nurse say, “Just a minute, our new ACMO had just checked in, I will get him for you. L’Risa walked out and saw a young man, probably fresh out of the Academy like L’Risa himself clutching his hand as if he had cut or burned himself. Pointing to a bio bed L’Risa pulled some gloves out of the pocket of his lab coat. “Hello, he said in a friendly tone, “I’m Dr. L’Risa, but please, just call me Ris. What’s your name and how did you hurt yourself. “Hi, “ said the dark haired man, I’m Ensign Chaparral, Josh Chaparral. Sorry Doc, I am just so excited to be here. I was dancing around my quarters with a glass of juice in my hand and I got a little out of control and tripped over the table. When I fell I broke the glass and cut my hand. L’Risa began to examine the man’s hand. It did not appear that there was glass in it, but that is what a tricorder is for. He was just reaching for the tricorder when the ship was shaken and several consoles erupted L’Risa, and Ensign Chaparral were knocked to their feet. The nurse had been able to grab hold of the bio-bed and remained upright. L’Risa stood up quickly “Nurse,” he said, “ Take care of Mr. Chaparral. Glass crunched beneath his feet as he grabbed an extinguisher and started putting out the fires. The lights went out replaced by the emergency back-ups. Once the fires had been put out, he tapped his comm badge and said, =<= Sick Bay to bridge, we have some minor damage down here and we’ve partially lost power, what in blazes is going on up there?” His language wasn’t exactly by the book, but he hoped the Captain would understand. (Reply Bridge, any) (Posted by Chris) (USS Spectre -Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 15:12) "Sir," said Ensign Fala to the captain. "The sensors are clearing. The ship is heading away at impulse power bearing 256 mark 8. They are heading back towards Mars and the asteroid belt beyond." "Good work Ensign", said the Captain, "Helm, lay in a course, full impulse", he added, this time turning his attention to the helmsman. (Reply Helm) "How much distance do they have on us Ensign Fala?", inquired the Captain. "They are about 5 minutes away", said the science officer. "Very good. Ensign Smithson, please inform the MDP that we are in pursuit and to be ready to bring their weapons to bear as the ETHOS vessel passes, we must not let them leave the system", said the Captain. (Reply Smithson) A rather abrupt report then arrived from sickbay in response to their recent strike by the ETHOS vessel. =/\= Sick Bay to bridge, we have some minor damage down here and we’ve partially lost power, what in blazes is going on up there?=/\= said an an unfamiliar voice. The Captain raised an eyebrow in typical Vulcan fashion. "Apologies, we were just hit somewhat unexpectably by the ETHOS vessel", said the Captain, to whom am I speaking?", he added. (Reply L'Risa) "A damage party is already en route Doctor, they will be with you shortly", said the Captain. "Power has been re-routed to sickbay, there should be no further power outages" (Reply L'Risa) "You may have inbound casualties arriving due to this attack, however, I will endeavour not to shake sickbay any further... bridge out", said the Captain as he quickly hailed Major Kowalski... "Major, ready your men for immediate action, once Mr Grayson has been brought to a standstill you are to secure the ship at whatever cost", said the Captain. =/\=Understood, we're ready here Captain. Just give me the word and we're out there.... Kowalski out=/\= The Captain then turned his attention back to the viewscreen, the starfield vista already skewing sharply as the ship came about and then headed off in pursuit of the ETHOS ship once again. (Reply Smithson, L'Risa, Helm, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Pilot Officer, Smith - 15:13) "Good work Ensign", said the Captain, "Helm, lay in a course, full impulse", “Yes Sir.” Her fingers danced across the console as she made the Spectre leap after the ETHOS vessel like an angry predator. "How much distance do they have on us Ensign Fala?", inquired the Captain. "They are about 5 minutes away", said the science officer. She corrected the course as they charged head long towards the enemy vessel. "Very good. Ensign Smithson, please inform the MDP that we are in pursuit and to be ready to bring their weapons to bear as the ETHOS vessel passes, we must not let them leave the system", said the Captain. (Reply Smithson) The Captain then hailed Major Kowalski... ~Come on. I got you now~ A small smile crossed her face as she watched the distance spool down. "Major, ready your men for immediate action, once Mr Grayson has been brought to a standstill you are to secure the ship at whatever cost", said the Captain. =/\=Understood, we're ready here Captain. Just give me the word and we're out there.... Kowalski out=/\= (Reply Any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Dropship Bay – Corporal, Houseman - 15:14) =^=Major, ready your men for immediate action, once Mr Grayson has been brought to a standstill you are to secure the ship at whatever cost=^= ”Understood, we're ready here Captain. Just give me the word and we're out there.... Kowalski out” ~All we have to do now is to be shot out into space. Cross the void and slam into the ship~ Houseman was strapped into the shock seat with the restraints holding him tight into place. His personal weapon lay clamped by his side. He had to leave his beloved TR116 sniper rifle on the Spectre as it would be no use in the confined decks of the ETHOS vessel. In its place he had a phaser pistol it did not pack as much punch as the TR116 but any one who came near him would be sorry. ~Great, all we need to do now is to make sure we don’t get hammered before we get there~ (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC, Ensign Jg Alexandria Smithson – 15:15) As the Captain polled the bridge Alex was busy at work, then it came to her turn. "Very good. Ensign Smithson, please inform the MDP that we are in pursuit and to be ready to bring their weapons to bear as the ETHOS vessel passes, we must not let them leave the system", said the Captain. “Yes Sir, sending the MDP notification” Alex said sending the communications to the Mars Defence Perimeter. Alex felt the ship turn, the inertial Dampers were fluctuating again. “Sending current ETHOS ship readings and location to Helm Captain.” (Reply T’Vhor, Helm, Any) (Posted by Paul Davies) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 15:17) The Spectre was now closing in on the already damaged vessel set clearly ahead of them and on a staggered course towards the MDP. For a moment the tactic had bothered the Captain a little, it was a standard ploy of course, stagger your course to make it harder for someone to hit you, Grayson though would have surely known that the targeting systems of another Starfleet vessel would allow for that and adjust accordingly. Was there something else going on here? The Captain turned to the tactical officer beyond, his words formulating his own doubt. "What is the status of the ETHOS vessel?", he asked, wondering now if she was having some sort of thrust instability due to their earlier strikes upon it. (Reply Smithson) The Captain nodded accordingly, then he turned his attention back to the viewscreen and the ETHOS ship within it. His fingers ran deftly across his armrest console, his gaze hardly drifting from the viewscreen as he did so, then he queried the Science officer once more. "Do we have anything from the MDP yet Ensign Fala?", he asked. (Reply Fala) "Understood, be sure to keep me apraised", said the Captain as he again gave orders to the tactical officer in regards the vessel ahead. "Are we in firing range Ensign?", he asked. (Reply Smithson) "Ready the forward phasor banks, plot a firing solution on the ETHOS vessel please. I want you to try to disable their impulse drive only", said the Captain, "let's try and keep casualties to a minimum until Major Kowalski's team can subdue the crew with a little more precision", he added. (Reply Smithson) The Captain then looked over his console once again, the drop ship bay signalling that the Marines were ready to launch. He then ordered a channel opened to the ETHOS vessel one last time. "This is Captain T'Vhor of the USS Spectre, Captain Grayson, please stand down and prepare to be boarded", ordered the Captain. (Reply Grayson) "I assure you Captain, you will not leave this system without great loss of life. There are ships closing in on your position and the Mars Defense Perimeter has you in it's sights...for the sake of your crew, please stand down", repeated the Captain. (Reply Grayson) The Captain quirked his head as Grayson showed his obvious contempt for the Federation and it's ilk, then he watched as the starfield vista returned signifying that the channel had been cut. T'Vhors hand was now being forced and it was not without regret that he gave the next order to the tactical officer. "Ensign, target the vessels impulse drive and fire all phasors... stand by to fire quantum torpedoes on my command", he ordered, and the bridge fell silent as the final act began... (Reply Smithson, Fala, Grayson, Any) (Posted by Alan) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade - COUNS, Ensign (jg) Elani Caras - 15:18) Ellie laughed as she fingered the fabric of the blue wrap style dress on display at one of the shops. From the shopkeeper she sensed an earnest desire to match the product with the customer. "It truly is lovely." She spoke softly. The quality was superb and the dress would be perfect for those off duty parties she heard about that happened on starships. And there was always shore leave. She thought she had enough credit to purchase it. In fact she was sure that she did. She didn't use but barely half of what she had. "It certainly is a flattering style for you, and it is very Betazoid inspired. So many fashion artists were inspired by that planet." Ellie's eyes closed briefly remembering the civil war and some of the things that had happened to that beautiful planet. Her planet, her home. She shuddered. "Yes, yes they were." She smiled. "And one day it'll be returned to that beauty. Already it is returning..." She gave the woman her cabin number and the promise the dress would be delivered. She suddenly realized that she was hungry so she took herself to one of the specialty cafes that the station offered. Sliding into a booth she thought for a long moment, looking over the menu, wondering if anyone would join her. The station was known for its hospitality. (reply leo if you wish) (posted by mel :-) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade - Officer, Lileo - 15:22) Lileo was feeling hungry. He had wandered the promenade and had decided that while he wanted to try some thing different to the usual algi past ~While I am here I should at least try something else~ He stepped into one of the cafes and looked around at the tables which were fole of people. He spotted a woman sitting at a booth on her own which was the only seat in the café. She was short woman with almond eyes and long black hair with light red highlights. He recognized that the insignia was that of an Ensign in star fleet. ~Well I am supposed to be new people and new civilizations~ He realized that he was staring at the woman and began to walked over to the booth before people began to star any more openly then they were already doing. He stopped in front of the woman. “Ensign, do you mind if I join you. There are no other seats in this place.” He waited for the translator to change the string of high pitched noise at her. (Reply Caras) (Reply Caras, any) (Posted by Robbie) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade - COUNS, Ensign (jg) Elani Caras - 15:23) Perusing the menu she had quickly placed her order and was rewarded with a cup of hot chocolate, topped with whipped creme and a dusting of cinnamon atop that. It was perfect and she marveled in the perfection for a moment, smiling down at it. Nothing said peace like a cup of perfect hot chocolate. And that was why she was startled when the Breen spoke to her. For all her theoretical book work in the Academy about xeno-psychology, Ellie had not really encountered that many 'odd' species and she'd never encountered a Breen before. She stared, perhaps a little rudely for a long moment while her mind raced to catch up with what he'd said. "Oh uh sure, please do! You are a Breen right?" She then remembered her manners, "Ensign Elani Caras. But please call me Ellie." She felt a wave of sadness and looked over her shoulder at the human not sitting too far away. She frowned slightly as the human male got up and walked towards them. She tried to catch his eye and was glad when he came over and asked to join them. So she introduced herself again and indicated one of the two empty seats at her table. "So what ship are ya'll from? I'm about to be stationed to the Spectre. I just graduated the Academy, and I can't believe I'm being assigned to my dream job." She grinned a little guiltily at her rambling. (reply lileo and rock) (posted by mel) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade – Officer, Lileo - 15:24) "Oh uh sure, please do! You are a Breen right?" "Ensign Elani Caras. But please call me Ellie." Lileo nodded and took that seat that Ellie had offered her. "So what ship are ya'll from? I'm about to be stationed to the Spectre. I just graduated the Academy, and I can't believe I'm being assigned to my dream job." He was about to respond to her when a tall human with tanned skin and shagy hair spoke from behind him. "I'm Andrew Rock" He noted that Rock sat down beside him without being asked. He was still having problems with the human culture but as Ellie did not seem to mind he ignored it. "That's the same ship on! I also just graduated the academy" "I was originally a medical officer but I switched to engineering." ~Good to see that StarFleet makes enthusiastic officers~ Ellie was slightly happy that as a Breen he could have him mind read as the enthusiastic young officer talked beside him. "What position are are you Ellie? What's your name?" He looked at Rock. =^=My name is Iileo. It is good to meet you=^= He waited for the translator to change the string of high pitched noises into federation standard. (Reply Ellie and Rock) (Reply Ellie, Rock, any) (Posted by Robbie) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade - ACEO, Ensign (jg) Andrew Rock - 15:24) "I'm Andrew Rock" he replied as he took the seat opposite the ensign. "That's the same ship on! I also just graduated the academy" said Andrew he took a sip of his coffee. "I was originally a medical officer but i switched to engineering." ~I can't believe they are from the same ship. haha.~ he was so happy. He had not been this happy in a while. He looked out a window. ~wow this is my dream coming true~ he thought. "What position are are you Ellie? What's your name?" (reply Ellie and lileo) he said looking at the breen also at the table. he was so excited to be in starfleet. He remembered his dads last wish for him before he died and how his mom was so against it. It really did tear him apart because he was not close with his parents. He never did make it back to his moms funeral but he was not going to let his past destroy his future. (reply Ellie and lileo) (Posted By Andrew) (Mckinley Station - Main Promanade - ACEO, Ensign (JG) Andrew Rock - 15:25) Andrew had just finished eating and stood up when he saw a few other officers at a table. He walked to the replicator and got him self a drink. He walked back to his seat. He was feeling lonely. He had not felt this way since his dad died. ~Wow I cant believe i passed the academy. Mom and dad would be proud.~ He thought to him self. His dad died when he was 12 and his mom died a month after he went to the academy. ~I can't Believe i never said good bye~ He felt tired and remembered that after that happened he had not gotten a good night of sleep. He sall officers talking at a table not far from him. He walked over slowly with his coffee in his had. "Do you mind if I join you?" He asked. (Reply Caras and Lileo) (Reply Caras and Lileo and any) (Posted by Andrew) (McKinley Station - Main Promenade - AECO, Ensign (JG) Andrew Rock - 15:26) "That's very interesting. Where did you grow up Ellie" He said wanting to know more bout them. His own past was soon to come up but it did not really matter to him. He felt like he could tell them any thing with out being jugged. He was final starting to trust people again. (Reply Ellei) "Welcome friends," he said with as much genuine friendship as he could muster. "I can see that you are all new to our little starbase. Can I offer you advice, or a tour. I know the best places to visit. Or I can just join you and tell you about the places to go and those to stay away from." said the man standing at the table. "I would like to see around the starbase." Said Andrew as a new man walked heading to them. He shook his hand. (reply Ellie, Jack, Ilieo, K’Ree, any) (Posted By Andrew) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade – ACEO, Ensign (JG) Andrew Rock - 15:27) "Its nice to meet you to lileo" said Andrew. He had always been interested about the breen people. "Ilieo can you tell me about your people?" asked andrew. (Reply lileo) "That's very interesting. Where did you grow up Ellie" He said wanting to know more bout them. His own past was soon to come up but it did not really matter to him. He felt like he could tell them any thing with out being jugged. He was final starting to trust people again. (Reply Ellie) (Reply Ellie and Lilio, Any) (Posted By Andrew) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade – Officer lileo - 15:27) "lileo can you tell me about your people?" liloe paused for a moment before answering the question. “As you can tell I am not your normal humanoid species.” He motioned with his hands at his suit.” “My people are a mysterious and underestimated race. We have a complicated history dealing with territorial expansion and slave trading but since then we have changed.” "That's very interesting. Where did you grow up Ellie" He said wanting to know more bout them. His own past was soon to come up but it did not really matter to him. He felt like he could tell them any thing with out being jugged. He was final starting to trust people again. (Reply Ellie, Rock) (Reply Ellie and Rock, Any) (Posted By Robbie) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade – Civilian, Philip K'Ree - 15:28) The Dopterian looked over his shoulder for the hundredth time. He knew that he was being followed, he just didn't know by whom. Of course he knew why, but it was the who that was important. He had to lose himself in the crowd for a while, blend in if he could. Unfortunately, Dopterians didn't really blend in well anywhere. Their striking, and if he did say so himself, attractive stature, made them stand out. That and the fact that there were not many Dopterians who roamed widely on McKinley Station. He had to find a reason to be unnoticed. He needed to find... someone to be with. He needed to find somebody... new, somebody who would not object to his presence. Somebody like... them. He saw a group of Starfleet officers, who clearly were not from the area. One was a Breen, and one was clearly a fresh from the academy ensign. With a smile he made his way to the table of the group. He stopped and straightened himself up, then cleared his throat. "Welcome friends," he said with as much genuine friendship as he could muster. "I can see that you are all new to our little starbase. Can I offer you advice, or a tour. I know the best places to visit. Or I can just join you and tell you about the places to go and those to stay away from." (reply Rock, Ellie, Lileo) (posted by Al Muir) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade – Officer lileo - 15:28) "Welcome friends," lIleo looked up at the Dopterian male standing beside him. "I can see that you are all new to our little starbase. Can I offer you advice, or a tour. I know the best places to visit. Or I can just join you and tell you about the places to go and those to stay away from." He continued to look at the Dopterian. This may have been his first time to McKinley Station but this was not the first time off his home planet. He would keep a close eye on the Dopterian and see what kind of situations he would get them in. (Reply Rock, Ellie, K’Ree) (Posted by Robbie) (McKinley Station - Promenade - TAC/ASC, Ensign (JG) Jack Marcell - 15:29) Sat propped in a window recess on McKinley’s promenade, half people watching and half reading a PADD, the newly-promoted Ensign Jack Marcell was bored. Very bored. Two days he’d been waiting now, and so far the Spectre had lived up to her name – he hadn’t heard a single substantial thing about his new ship or its whereabouts since arriving on the station. Rumors and whispers in the bars and quiet corners abounded about some kind of secret ongoing investigation, but command was stonewalling him and wasn’t willing to reveal a single detail – or even let him know when he’d be able to report in to his new ship. “Just sit tight” they told him. “They’ll pick you up when they get a chance.” ~ Maybe she is just a ghost, an apparition that only appears when you don’t expect it ~ On the upside, the wait had given him the chance to dig up what little he could on his new ship – information such as what was contained in the PADD he was currently flicking through. Old mission reports which were unfortunately mostly redacted had given him little insight into the nature of the ship, but crew information and the technical specs that he’d managed to pull gave him hope that at the very least his first posting was going to be if nothing else, interesting. The ship had even been mentioned on public news networks a couple of times, but only in name and never more than in passing. Finishing the PADD he was reading, Jack lay it down on the sill next to him and sighed before running one hand through his hair. That’d been the fifth time he’d read through the reports, and he wasn’t quite willing to restart them yet. He figured he’d probably be given greater access levels once onboard, but who knew when that would be. ~ Bored bored bored. ~ A couple of worker bee’s passed the window and Jack watched them out of idle curiosity before focusing on the Earth below. The station was roughly above Europe, and he could vaguely make out England under a bit of cloud cover – his home once, but not any more. His grandparents had raised him there as their own son, loved him and cared for him his entire life – but he was as good as dead to them now he’d joined the fleet proper. They’d refused to come to his graduation ceremony; the disappearance of their daughter – Jack’s mother – was as much an open wound today as it was twenty-three years ago. A wound dealt by both his father, and Starfleet. He hoped that he could find a new home on the Spectre. ~ I really shouldn’t be moping. Might aswell go get something to eat. ~ Standing up, he grabbed the PADD and wandered over to one of the nearby café’s – the place was absolutely heaving with both civilian and Starfleet personnel, and Jack’s security officer mentality kicked in as he scanned the crowd. Nothing particularly out of the ordinary stuck out to him until he spotted a Breen flanked by what looked like Dopterian, chatting to a couple of officers wearing a single hollow pip much like his own. Racial profiling was very much against Starfleet tenets, but he remembered an old Romulan adage that had once been told to him – ‘never turn your back on a Breen.’ And as for the Dopterian… they ranked close to the Ferengi in how you were supposed to deal with them. ~ That looks like a fun combination ~ Vaguely recognising the ensigns, Jack quickly tapped a couple of commands into the PADD and brought up the Spectre’s crew roster. It didn’t take him long to find what he was looking for – Ensigns Caras and Rock, awaiting deployment to the very ship he was due for as well. Figuring that it was probably worth making an introduction, and already feeling protective of potential new crewmates – he wandered over to the café and ordered a black coffee before casually strolling towards the booth with a smile on his face. “Excuse me? Would you mind if I join you?” (reply Ellie, Rock, lileo, K’Ree) “Sorry for interrupting – I’ve been here for a couple of days now and needed some company. I’m Jack Marcell.” He offered his hand. “Waiting here for the Spectre.” (reply Ellie, Rock, Ilieo, K’Ree, any) (posted by Toby F) (McKinley Station – Main Promenade – Civilian, Philip K'Ree - 15:32) "I would like to see around the starbase," Sone of the Ensigns quickly offered. K'Ree smiled at the man and nodded, "Ah, an adventurous spirit. I like that." ~A trusting fool. I like that even better.~ Another human, in a security uniform stepped up to the group. "Excuse me? Would you mind if I join you?” the human asked. The bold human said, "Have a seat." K'Ree nodded in acknowledgment of the new member of their party. "Indeed, welcome to McKinley station. My name is K'ree, Philip K'Ree, or that is about as close to the human pronunciation as I can get." He chuckled at his own joke. "Sorry for interrupting." the new man continued, "I’ve been here for a couple of days now and needed some company. I'm Jack Marcell. Waiting here for the Spectre." "I was just about to take a tour of the station. with Mr. K'Ree" Said Andrew. "Yes, indeed," K'Ree beamed. "A brave soul if I've ever met one. The Spectre you say. A fine ship. It's a rare honor to have the 52nd Fleet back home. I'm so happy that you could all be here. Are we expecting your ships return soon?" (reply any) K'Ree knew that he had to get on the move soon, and the bigger of a crowd that he had with him, the more likely he would be able to hide himself in it. "Well, then, who else is game?" the Dopterian asked. "Would you all care to join us on a little voyage around the promenade, and other, less traveled parts of the station. I know a bar on the 12th level. The host is a friend of mine, and very little of the trade that goes on in it is illegal." (reply Rock, Marcell, Ilieo, Ellie) (posted by Al Muir) (McKinley Station - Promenade - TAC/ASC, Ensign (JG) Jack Marcell - 15:34) "Yes, indeed," The Dopterian grinned wildly "A brave soul if I've ever met one. The Spectre you say. A fine ship. It's a rare honor to have the 52nd Fleet back home. I'm so happy that you could all be here. Are we expecting your ships return soon?" Jack grunted, and shot a dubious grin to his new ship mates. Maybe they knew more than he did, but it wasn’t his place to reveal anything about the Spectre’s movements to a shifty looking civilian. “If we knew, it wouldn’t be our place to say.” he responded, with a slightly casual shrug. “We have some time, I think.” "Well, then, who else is game?" K’Ree asked. "Would you all care to join us on a little voyage around the promenade, and other, less traveled parts of the station. I know a bar on the 12th level. The host is a friend of mine, and very little of the trade that goes on in it is illegal." Jack smiled again, this time in the direction of their new ‘tour guide’ – who was certainly starting to look a little keen to get them to follow him. “I guess, the first question is – what do you want in return? We’re all newly minted ensigns – I’m not sure we’d be able to pay you anything.” (reply K’Ree, any) “And I’m sure the friend of yours that owns this bar will appreciate you mentioning illegal trade to a security officer.” He veiled the threat with a hard look, before relaxing a little – no need to scare his new ‘friend’ away, just let him know that even ensigns could have teeth. (reply K’Ree, any) “That said, I’m not a security officer on this station – and it seems like the others here seem keen for a little tour, so let’s see what you want to show us.” This could be interesting, and it’d be better than reading reports for the next few hours. (reply Rock, K’Ree, Ilieo, Ellie) (posted by Toby F) (McKinley Station - Promenade - Civilian, Philip K'Ree - 15:35) "I guess, the first question is – what do you want in return? We're all newly minted ensigns – I'm not sure we'd be able to pay you anything." K'Ree smiled at the human, "You humans, always worrying about compensation. I wish for no more than your friendship, and... i do get a percentage of the revenue that I bring into an establishment. But that has no baring at all on the genuineness of my offer of friendship. "And I’m sure the friend of yours that owns this bar will appreciate you mentioning illegal trade to a security officer." K'Ree smiled wider and chortled with a snort, "Ah, my friend, I see that nothing escapes your keen ears. However, I did say that there was hardly any illegal activity, which cannot be said for many of the other establishments on this station." He lowered his voice to a whisper, "McKinley Station can bring so many of the "wrong element" to the Earth." Then the young ensign relaxed his outlook, and said, "That said, I’m not a security officer on this station – and it seems like the others here seem keen for a little tour, so let’s see what you want to show us." K'Ree's head bobbed up and down with pleasure as he the situation turn to his favor. If only he can get them down to the twelfth level before there could be an incident, that would be perfect. He'd be safer there, he hoped. "Excellent, excellent," he beamed, "then if you are all ready, shall we begin. There's no time like the present." K'Ree lead them through the promenade at a fair rate. He didn't want to rush them, or draw attention to the group from on lookers, so when they stopped at stores he waited patiently, but maintaining a secluded position from the general view of the public. "Now this store here," he indicated to a shop that was adorned like some kind of bazaar, "is owned by a Ferengi friend of mine, who obtains items from a varied and some unusual species. If you are looking for something that is a little more... shall we say exotic, then you will most likely find it here. However, the owner, Blart, is quite cheap, and his fee for my business is minimal, so I do not always recommend him to my friends. But I can tell that you all are an eclectic group, with tastes that may vary from the norms of your Starfleet brethren." (reply any) (posted by Al Muir) =========================================================================