USS Spectre Compile - June 1st-30th 2015 by Alan Reading ================================================================= Mission: Stone Skipping Day: 1 Stardate: 2414.11.01 (USS Spectre – Sickbay - CSO/2O Lt.jg. Kurt Palmer – 15:58) (USS Spectre – Sickbay - CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams – 16:00) (USS Spectre – Deck 4 – CSO/2O Lt.jg. Kurt Palmer – 16:20) (USS Spectre – Deck 4 – CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams – 16:23) ================================================================= Mission: Shore Leave Day: 3 Stardate: 2414.11.03 (Betazed - Tropical Bungalow - Dr. Michaella Kirien - 23:03) (Betazed - Tropical Bungalow - Dr. Riven Mias - 23:05) (Betazed - Tropical Bungalow - Dr. Michaella Kirien - 23:09) (Betazed - Tropical Bungalow - Dr.Riven Mias - 23:10) (Betazed - Tropical Bungalow - Dr. Michaella Kirien - 23:14) ================================================================= Mission: Stone Skipping Day: 10 Stardate: 2414.11.10 (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Tellarite Engineer Gork - 14:51) (USS Wraith - Bridge - JAG - Captain Will Alexander – 14:51) (USS Spectre - Bridge - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 15:17) (USS Spectre - Deck 10, Counselor's office - Lieutenant, Dr. Riven Mias - 15:23) (USS Spectre - Bridge - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 15:31) (USS Spectre - Bridge - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 15:34) (USS Spectre - Bridge - FO/CEO, Lt Remae Ktell - 15:35) (USS Serenity - Bridge – CO, Commander Jay - 15:36) (USS Wraith - Bridge - JAG Captain Will Alexander - 15:36) (USS Spectre - Bridge - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 15:37) (USS Wraith - Bridge - CO, Captain Jana Bell - 15:38) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Ensign Juan Morales - 15:39) (USS Spectre - Deck 10, corridor - Lieutenant, Dr. Riven Mias - 15:40) (Nearby space - The Entity - 15:42) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Lieutenant, Dr. Riven Mias - 15:43) (USS Spectre - Deck 3, Living Quarters - OPS Officer Sestan - 15:50) ================================================================= Mission: Stone Skipping Day: 1 Stardate: 2414.11.01 (USS Spectre – Sickbay - CSO/2O Lt.jg. Kurt Palmer – 15:58) "...you should not walk down dark and deserted corridors on your own?" Doctor Williams grinned. “That’s always a bad idea in scary stories.” "Touché." The science chief assembled the collection of PADDs between them. "I could use a hand, and probably a light." Kurt returned the grin. As they made their way towards the nearest jeffries tube, the lights flickered back up. "Well that's good timing." (Reply, Williams, any) ((Post by Cody)) (USS Spectre – Sickbay - CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams – 16:00) "I could use a hand, and probably a light.” He followed Palmer out of sickbay and into the corridor. They opened the nearest Jeffries tube hatch and crawled in side after Palmer as the lights flickered back up. "Well that's good timing." He smiled back happy that they did not have to crawl around the crawl way of the Spectre in the dark. It was not that he was scared of being there but he had seen far too many horror films in his time to know that dark enclosed spaces were not the best places to be if attacked by scary things and the parasite that was inside the admiral qualified as scary. (Reply, Palmer, any) (Post by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Deck 4 – CSO/2O Lt.jg. Kurt Palmer – 16:20) The science chief hoisted himself out of the jeffries tube hatch and planted his feet on the deck. The dull mechanical hum of the Spectre's engines was the only sound in the usually active corridor. He was closely followed by the doctor. Happy that power had been restored, he directed his voice to the ceiling. "Computer, what is the status of the ship's main core?" It would make their job much easier if they weren't still locked out, but a negative chime followed by an unsavory explanation of how this deck still remained locked out left the science chief unhappy. "Well at least the lights are back up?" He looked back at the doctor. (Reply, Williams) They made their way a few doors down finally arriving at one of the main labs. The doors did not automatically open as they should. Kurt knocked on the door to see if anyone happened to be inside. ~That would've been too easy.~ He scratched his head as he looked back down the empty deck, then over to doctor Williams. "You think they would cover forcing open an automated door at the academy." He grinned at Williams. (Reply, Williams, any) ((Post by Cody)) (USS Spectre – Deck 4 – CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams – 16:23) "Well at least the lights are back up?” Andrew smiled. “Yes lets be thank for small mercies.” He followed Kurt down the corridor past closed doors until they came to the main lab but it did not open automatically as they came close. He watched as Kurt knocked at the door but nothing happened. "You think they would cover forcing open an automated door at the academy." Andrew shook his head. “No breaking and entering was not something they covered during training.” He went over to the small hatch by the door and yanked it open. “They did talk about an emergency manual release though.” He looked closely at the wiring and cables that criss crossed the hatch before seeing that small lever marked in red. ~Guess that’s it~ He pulled it and head a soft click from the door as the locking mechanism retracted into place. He stood and looked over at Kurt. “Would you like to do the honours as this is your lab?” (Reply Palmer) (Reply Palmer, any) (Posted by Robbie) ================================================================= Mission: Shore Leave Day: 3 Stardate: 2414.11.03 (Betazed - Tropical Bungalow - Dr. Michaella Kirien - 23:03) Michaella froze, listening to her beloved admit that he was afraid. She was used to Riven being the kind of person who admitted failure. “I am afraid too, Riven.” She spoke quietly, the breeze smelling like the tropical flowers, a not unusual scent on Betazed. It smelled like home to her, even though she had been born and raised on a starship. “But you do not have to be afraid to be with me. We are two halves of the same whole, Riven, and tomorrow our sould will be intertwined. Her fingers twined with his and her mind reached for his as well.The two connected and Michaella relaxed a bit. Opening her shields, she played back the memories of the Void, the parts of her where she had lost memories and time to the Void. the literal holes that it had torn from her. Parts of her memories were torn, others were gone all together. She felt along the edges of his mind and felt something very similiar, but different. While Michaella was being confronted with the mortality of her daughters, Riven was being tortured with the notion of his own mortality. For a Betazoid mind healer, being rendered so powerless was a torture not to be wished upon one’s own worst enemy. ::Riven, do you believe that the Priestess will think less of you? You are the High Priest, you are the strongest mind healer. No one will think less of you for what you have endured. They won’t make you stay here, I won’t let them. Where one soulbonded goes, so does the other and both of us have a life on the Spectre that we will be returning to. Do you understand, my beloved? I won’t let the Temple keep you here.:: (Reply Riven) (posted by Mel) (Betazed - Tropical Bungalow - Dr. Riven Mias - 23:05) ::Riven, do you believe that the Priestess will think less of you? You are the High Priest, you are the strongest mind healer. No one will think less of you for what you have endured. They won’t make you stay here, I won’t let them. Where one soulbonded goes, so does the other and both of us have a life on the Spectre that we will be returning to. Do you understand, my beloved? I won’t let the Temple keep you here.:: ::it's not like they have a choice.:: Riven smiled up into the night sky and tried to relax.::And that's not what I'm afraid of. Oh, sure they have pushed me back from normal day to day duties in favor of lessening my load but I have always maintained that their precautions are unnecessary and an insult to me. DAMN IT!:: He stood up and began stalking around in an agitated state of mind, their machinations had been partly responsible for him taking a hitch on the Spectre, the council had always been against him going off planet, never understanding it seemed that he was not satisfied with staying in one spot to ply his abilities. There were uncounted stars and nearly limitless beings in the vast expanse of space, some of whom over time had needed his ministrations. This was the reason he had gone to the Nimitz at first, to take the art of healing minds to others. And it HAD been needed. Some of those with whom he had worked would never have gotten the treatment they needed if he had not been there. After that he had spent time back on Betazed before being called to the Mystique and from the Mystique to the Hades. The faces of their captains and crew flitted through his mind. The experiences he had undergone had served to make him stronger over time, especially during his time on the Mystique. He had returned to Betazed again after leaving the Hades stronger than when he had first journeyed into space, a little older obviously and wiser as well having learned more about himself and his capabilities after having to stretch them. So what did they do? They cut back his duties radically out of spite and because he had refused to listen to them. So in this instance you could say they had driven him back off planet with their intransigence. And what had he found there? His LIMITS. Perhaps that encounter on Epsilon Oridani III had given him a false and elevated sense of strength. After all he had been three orders stronger afterward due to the mind altering effects of the planets atmosphere which could make even a non-telepath a strong one. Strong enough to kill with their minds. It had been necessary for him to kill there. That would forever haunt him. The effect had lessened over time, had he sub-consciously been expecting it to be there or had he just been so stubborn he had refused to give in when his body was warning him to back off? (Reply: Michaella) He sighed and returned to the bench. "I know, I was growing increasingly tired but I ignored it. I refused to back down even though it was draining me." He put his head in his hands and breathed deeply, the night air was perfumed with the heady scent of blossoms. When he looked up it was to stare into the distance. "I nearly killed myself despite all the training I had ever received as well as taught about knowing your limitations. I got caught in the trap I knew to watch out for." (Reply: Michaella) (Posted by Charles) (Betazed - Tropical Bungalow - Dr. Michaella Kirien - 23:09) Michaella watched him pace, his agitation obvious as she watched. She bit her lower lip as their light mind touch gave her an idea of what he was going through. As he sat down, she finally spoke, searching for the right words, “Riven.” She put one hand on his face, turning his face towards her, “There is an expression. You are only human. Everyone has limits, even you.” "I know, I was growing increasingly tired but I ignored it. I refused to back down even though it was draining me." He put his head in his hands and breathed deeply, the night air was perfumed with the heady scent of blossoms. When he looked up it was to stare into the distance. "I nearly killed myself despite all the training I had ever received as well as taught about knowing your limitations. I got caught in the trap I knew to watch out for.” He had pulled away from her and that caused her a little distress, but she put her hand back in his, “And I was there for you, anchoring you, as you where there for me. I refused to allow you to die. Isn’t that the meaning of being in love, that you both provide a safe place for the one you love, and that you prevent them from soaring too high? I am not as young as I was either, Riven, I too tire easily and it was I that was lost to the Void’s machinations. But I look back over my life and I know that I have lived it well, and that I have another lifetime to live before my time is over.” Michaella shifted on the stone bench, “Perhaps it was selfish of me to wish to return home. I should have know that it would cause you distress, my love.” She leaned in to place a soft kiss at the corner of his mouth. (reply Riven, any) (posted by Mel) (Betazed - Tropical Bungalow - Dr.Riven Mias - 23:10) “Perhaps it was selfish of me to wish to return home. I should have know that it would cause you distress, my love.” The corner of his mouth quirked in pleasure as she kissed it but he turned to her soberly after she broke the embrace. "You still don't understand and I suppose I shouldn't be surprised my love. No coming to Betazed isn't what is eating at me. My struggles with the temple is another matter." He struggled to collect his thoughts for a moment before continuing. "No what I am really afraid of is now that I have found my limits I might draw away from it, might...." How could he express it? ::...It scares me that the time might come when I really must extend myself to save lives but will be loath to do so even when it is within my power. I am worried I will fail by letting my own fears emasculate me.:: (Reply: Michaella) (Posted by Charles) (Betazed - Tropical Bungalow - Dr. Michaella Kirien - 23:14) ::...It scares me that the time might come when I really must extend myself to save lives but will be loath to do so even when it is within my power. I am worried I will fail by letting my own fears emasculate me.:: Michaella very nearly laughed when she heard what Riven admitted to her. It was to her a small thing, to him it was huge. She was not a counsellor, but she was a Betazoid and she loved him so much that she shone with that love. "My love." She spoke aloud, her hands finding each cheek, turning his face towards her, "When the time comes, there will be no time for thought, or indecision. Your instincts will take over, and those instincts are to protect at the expense of your own life. But." She looked deeply into his eyes, those near pupilless dark Betazoid eyes that he had, that she lacked. Being born an albino, with her light blue crystal eyes, she had some 'other' in her genetics, and it was something that she regretted rather than cherished. An accident aboard Starbase Geneva had changed her, darkened her skin tone, changed that lovely silver hair back to Betazoid black, and cost her the life of John Wilson, who had literally thrown himself on her in order to save her. "But, my Riven, my Imzadi, the other half of my soul, let me tell you this. One of the reasons the Priestesses soul bound was so that if one was lost the other could be found. In your case, you will have me to draw upon, and me to anchor you. And my Riven, I would gladly throw myself on you to save you at the expense of myself. However, the likelihood of us surviving the death of the other once bound is not high my love." She began to drop her hands from his face, indecision on her features, "Are you sure that this is what you desire? That I am what you desire? My Riven, you are my everything." (Reply Riven) (posted by Mel) ================================================================= Mission: Stone Skipping Day: 10 Stardate: 2414.11.10 (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Tellarite Engineer Gork - 14:51) The madness continued unabated, Admiral Sevant had sent out a general comm that the command crew had been subverted and he had taken control of the ship then communications were severed. Command codes were now locked out, the ship was operating strictly under his control, they were in the hands of a savior it seemed... or was he a madman? Crew had been ordered to remain in their quarters or at their posts and to stay out of the halls where security prowled like hungry wolves looking for traitors or saboteurs. Star Fleet regimens ran deep and wide in most and engineering personnel were edgy, fearing the worst. Gork wasn't so sure. Ensign Morales was the senior engineering officer now on tour with the Chief of Engineering /FO and ACEO elsewhere. He wasn't a bad sort but he was only a few months out of the Academy and wet behind the ears... so green that his remarks had sent the Tellarite into a near fury, fortunately she managed to control her temper and refrained from attempting to throw him through a bulkhead. Instead she kept a civil tongue which is subjective between races, we shall say she was civil for a Tellarite. So instead of physical violence she turned the air nearly blue with a series of invectives, insults and curses. Ensign Morales' ears in turn went red along with his face. "You're talking nonsense engineer." He battled back bravely though he was badly outmatched. "If the admiral says it is so then we have to back him, it's our duty." Gork in turn got 'up close and personal' and snarled in his face. "Do you not agree that if the whole truth is not being spoken then you are hearing a lie?" "That depends..." he sputtered. "on the circumstances." "Bah! What a babe you are, a sniveling, mewling child barely out of diapers." Gork hammered at him with her words. "Truth is not subjective, it is not circumstantial, it is not in the eye of the beholder. Truth is truth and less than the truth is a full lie." "What does it matter anyway, he is an admiral. His orders are for us to follow." "Unless he is lying." Gork bellowed back. "I spoke with the ACEO a few hours ago, Haltom was the same as I've ever seen him. He greeted me just like he always does." The Tellarite's face twisted into a half smile at the remembered insults he had thrown her way after they had exchanged complaints. This was the very heart of Tellarite 'civil speech' which very few outside of her species understood. "What you are saying is treason, if we try to take control of engineering..." This was what had been going on from the beginning, Morales had blocked them at every turn when the subject had come up. "If you're wrong we could all be court martialed." Gork wanted to twist his head off at that instant with a grip using dual opposable 'thumbs' on her strong hands but they were mercifully interrupted. "Sir, anti-matter containment is failing." "What?" Morales scrambled toward the officer. Gork shuffled to the nearest instrument panel however. Engineering personnel began scurrying about now in a near frenzy. It was Gork who found it first of course, she was very good at what she did. "I've isolated the energy loss sir, it looks like it is coming from the bridge." "What, how?" Morales was flustered and it showed in his voice. "We don't have command/control here, how did you find out where it's coming from?" "It's simple" she grunted. "There are only a few nodes from which you can access the circuit and they are all green... except for the bridge. There's more than one way to use your instrument panel... sir. You don't need free access at all times to take readings." "Then they're trying to blow up the ship if they can't have it." "How do you know that?" She snapped back. "They might be doing it so HE can't have her." Morales' face registered shock at the thought. "We have to stop the power loss." "And what if he is the one?" Gork shouted. "You fool! You haven't been listening. to a word I've said. If we do stop it we will be the ones betraying the ship!" His face registered uncertainty for an instant. "And if you're wrong?" It was her turn to hesitate but only for a second. "No, I know I'm right." Her eyes locked onto his and stayed there. "The CEO and ACEO were last reported on the bridge and we have to trust that they know what they are doing." "What should we do sir?" Morales looked toward the pasty faced engineer who had shouted the question then turned back to Gork and locked eyes with her once again as he considered. The pause was palpable. "Nothing." Morales finally spoke. "We do nothing." He then turned and moved away from all to stare at the intermix chamber reflectively. Gork knew what that meant, he had given up and was making peace with whatever passed for his religion. She wasn't ready to do so yet though so she moved to the panel he had been watching with Detmer. The power flow continued to drop until the alert lights began pulsing red and the klaxon sounded shrilly, sweat beaded around her eyes as the drop slowed, hesitated then began fluctuating. She chuckled as it continued to oscillate for a few seconds, never dropping below twenty two percent. ~What are you buggers up to?~ "Sir the warp field is now losing power?" Someone shouted. "Anti-matter containment is holding." It suddenly hit her then. "It's a ruse, damn it, the anti-matter containment field drop is a ruse, they're keeping Sevant busy!" "Warp field has imploded! We're back in normal space!" Someone shouted then. Then power flow from the engines was shut off and the Spectre went dead. Morales began bellowing orders then. "Engines on manual control now! Put everything on manual, we have to keep the warp engines from overloading." The crew responded like a well oiled machine, command and control might be down but the engines hadn't been shut off, you couldn't do that without preparation. Power wasn't going anywhere but they were still operating and without computer control EVERYTHING had to be manually operated. ""Drop warp engine output to ten percent and hold it there!" Gork had to admit it then, the kid did have some potential, with the engines at reduced load they would be far easier to maintain and control. Shutting them down now would be criminal as the intermix reheat would take a half hour. The technicians including her were going to be very busy until computer control was re established and it didn't escape her notice before she left the console that the containment field was being restored. ~You are a cagey son of a ***** whoever you are.~ (Reply, any, none) (Posted by Charles} (USS Wraith - Bridge - JAG - Captain Will Alexander – 14:51) "New orders Captain... Admiral Jopek wants us to keep an eye on the Spectre. Whatever Sevant is up to, it's clear the Spectre is now on a heading directly to the STRAPOPS base at Starbase 863.", she said not looking away from the viewscreen. "Tactical, on screen.", she ordered and the map appeared. "Initially, their heading was directly to the Starbase 39-Sierra but now they heading over here.", she said and the map moved to their new destination. "We're going to lose sensor contact soon but we'll be close by, just in case they need our help." The viewscreen switched back to the stars that were warping by. "That base, Starbase 863 is one of the most heavily fortified positions in the Federation, not many people know what is even there or what they have under their belts. If I wanted to send a suspect ship to a location that was the safest place in the quadrant, that is where I would go.", she said finishing up what she wanted to say. "Sensor contact lost, Captain.", reported the officer at OPS. "Understood.", said Jana. "Well Captain, if there is any assistance I can provide, I am available. I served two tours on the Spectre and have served under both under he current CO, Captain T'Vhor and previously under Captain Remae Ktell. If anything, I may know how the crew thinks. If nothing else, I just want to make sure the crew is ok." With that Will stood on the bridge slightly behind the command chairs. He would observe and lend any aid he could, but he would not interfere. It wasn't his place to. (reply none) (posted by Will Banowsky) (USS Spectre - Bridge - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 15:17) "Very well Ensign.", The chief seemed satisfied with his idea so as he turned and began barking orders Jake slipped back under the console with his handful of chips. The timing was going to be crucial, if he started the drain on the warp power controllers first the admiral would be tipped off to their ultimate plan so the had to allow the tap on the Anti-matter containment field to run its course first. This was going to be nerve wracking in the extreme for a while. Jake's first priority was to get the containment field power rerouted successfully so he got right to work on it. The ships's backup batteries could absorb the power from that without a hitch so by setting the iso chips int he correct order he shunted that power stream off to them at a rate of 1,200 joules per second. That direct reroute only gave him seven minutes to set up his next target but he had already laid much of the groundwork. He withheld the last chip though, once it was seated Sevant's workstation would be screaming at him that the warp field was beginning to implode. (Reply Any) (Posted by Charles) (USS Spectre - Deck 10, Counselor's office - Lieutenant, Dr. Riven Mias - 15:23) Riven paced his office like a caged animal, being locked within by an order from the admiral was intolerable. He and Michaella were linked tightly of course so he knew everything that was happening around her and she was safe. What bothered him was that rather than calling upon the Counselors of the ship Sevant had locked down the entire crew complement in essence. Riven found the Admiral's lack of trust highly alarming and feared for the Vulcan's sanity. There had been no way to touch his thoughts obviously since a Vulcan's mental shields were almost always tightly locked down nor would the Betazoid have forcibly intruded anyway but his emotional content, well every species had some leakage. Except of course for Vulcans who throttled their emotions and held them rigidly in check. "Damn!" He veered away from the path he had been walking and stopped at the replicator for some berry tea then continued pacing again. He had been unable to contact the Captain who was far too involved in something to reply. The other telepaths on the ship had been unable to add anything substantive to fill in his lack of understanding on just WHAT was going on, he felt helpless and useless and couldn't wait to jump into the mix SOMEWHERE. And then a while later the lights went out... When they came back on he checked the computer after a moment, the lockout was GONE. His teacup clapped onto the desk and he was through the door in a flash. (Reply Any) (Posted by Charles) (USS Spectre - Bridge - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 15:31) "30 seconds Mr Haltom. Make your call." Ktell barked urgently. "Power drain on anti matter containment field has been initiated." Jake snapped. Holding that final chip in his left hand he began scanning the anti-matter containment circuit with a small sonic calibration tool in his right. Readings were at 37% and falling at this point, he wouldn't have to wait much longer. His eyes watched the readings closely until the bridge klaxon began sounding at twenty five percent. "Now!" On Ktell's order and with a feral grin he then snapped the last chip home into its new position. The warp field controller energy was a different matter, there was too much to shunt off to ship's batteries, instead he fed the power back into the plasma coolant loop where it would be dissipated. ~Analyze that Admiral.~ The admiral gave it all he had all right, attempting to route around his power drain but Jake had a direct feed and using the calibration tool on the chip he forced the system to hover around twenty two percent for the next agonizingly long few seconds. If Sevant ever guessed... The admiral's problem in this instance was that even if he did suspect Jake had given him a choice of two evils, lose warp power or lose the ship along with his life. Every sentient being with only a few exceptions valued life, especially their own life and Sevant was no exception. The deceleration was more pronounced and even faster that Jake had expected but it worked. "Ship is now out of warp." He barked. Ktell barked his orders in return and Ops shut off power to the computer core. Jake didn't just pull the chip he was using to drain off the containment field energy, that would have risked a power surge that might have blown relays and let loose a real catastrophe, instead he used the calibration tool to slowly restore ship's power to the relay until it was within five percent of nominal, at that point he used an insulated probe to pull it loose. The bridge had lost most of its lighting at that point but it was a simple matter of closing the console door after which he heaved himself to his feet. Resetting the chips would take time but he could route around it from engineering for now, first he had to get there and make sure everything was locked down. "Permission to leave the bridge sir?" (Reply: Ktell) (Posted by Charles) (USS Spectre - Bridge - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 15:34) He nodded at the FO's refusal to allow him to leave the bridge, they were already down a man after Alexander had left so Ktell's order to remain at his station was a wise choice. "Yes sir, returning to my station." (Reply: Ktell) Jake turned and dropped back to the floor, he wasn't used to bridge duty and preferred keeping his hands busy so the best way to do that now was too unmake the mess he had made beneath the console. The dim lighting was going to make this a bit of a chore and he hadn't gotten far into it when the lighting returned close to normal, he put down the handful of chips he had been accumulating then and popped his head back over the top of it and hit a button just to check. "Haltom to Engineering, engineering reply." =^=Engineering here sir.=^= The man's voice, Morales Jake knew sounded distinctively unsure. "Morales thank God! What is your status?" =^= Warp core output is at ten percent and holding, we are currently under manual control. Anti-matter containment is back to normal, all other engineering functions currently normal, orders sir?=^= There was still a note of hesitation in the man's voice as though he was unsure of something. =^=Sir a question if I may.=^= "Of course but make it quick." =^= The admiral sir, is... did we make the correct choice sir?=^= ~Ah so that's it. You want me to reassure you. And if I was being controlled what would you do?~ "Morales the command and bridge crew is working in the best interests of the ship and crew and we are not being controlled. The Admiral on the other hand... well it's not looking good at the moment." =^=I see, thank you sir.=^= He did sound a bit more optimistic at that point with only a slight hesitation. Was there anything Jake could do to further assuage his nervousness? Perhaps he could do it obliquely. "Morales tell that pig snouted mound of offal that's stinking up engineering and snorting like a Denebian pulark to get off her fat brain stem and monitor the containment relays while I put everything back in order that I've rerouted. If she can manage that task it will leave you free to continue doing the fine job you are already doing. If I haven't spelled it out clearly enough Morales, good work." Jake grinned as he continued. "Stand by." "Sir engineering has everything locked down and is requesting further orders." (Reply: Ktell, Ops, any) (posted by Charles) (USS Spectre - Bridge - FO/CEO, Lt Remae Ktell - 15:35) The Spectre was dead in space but the ship was being restarted and systems were coming back online. "Permission to leave the bridge sir?", asked Haltom and Remae nodded at the Engineer as Remae turned, another crewman said, "The Spectre is restarting.", The screens flicked with life. Mostly showing diagnostic and other text as the LCARS was not function yet. =^= Alexander to Lieutenant Remae, are you there? =^= "Go ahead.", said the First Officer, heading back to his seat. =^= Sir, you should have control of the Ship again, I've also locked the Admiral out of our systems. The Computer presently thinks the Admiral onboard is an imposter. =^= "Very good." =^= Sir I am going to head to the StratOPS center and make sure there is no way he can try and take control from there, and make sure there aren't any un-friendly ships in the area. Alexander out. =^= "Engineering, this is the Bridge, how long before we have warp power?", he asked and he knew it would take time but axillary power was coming on and that mean at least shields and impulse power. (Reply from Engineering) OPS reported an incoming hail and the message came through the speakers. =^= USS Spectre, USS Spectre this is the USS Serenity. You have been designated a plague ship by Fleet Command. Prepare for quarantine inspection, please respond. =^= Remae looked up the viewscreen, it was non-operational but he had a voice channel opened. "Serenity, the is the Spectre, First Officer Remae Ktell -- Command has...?", he had trouble believing what he was hearing, didn't Admiral Jopek send them out on the mission? And then, send out an order to stop them? This sounded very odd to me and Remae was very interested to find out who have given the orders to stop them. "Very well... conduct your inspection.", he said and waited for them unnamed Captain to lay out the plans to for the inspection but he had no intention of speaking about the rogue Admiral on his ship. (Reply from Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Serenity - Bridge – CO, Commander Jay - 15:36) =^=Serenity, the is the Spectre, First Officer Remae Ktell -- Command has...?=^= She heard the slight pause before Ktell continued. =^=Very well... conduct your inspection=^= She nodded. “Thank you Lieutenant Ktell. We will manoeuvre the Wingmen’s to form a security cordon and then the Serenity will move to a hard dock with the Spectre.” She was about to continue when Audery called out over the comm. =^=Skipper we have a ship de-cloaking=^= Jay looked over to see another Spectre Class star ship appear nearby. ~Guess that must have been the chase ship~ “They are hailing us and the Spectre Skipper.” Jay nodded. =^=Captain Bell to both ships, how about letting us know what's going on here?=^= She paused for a second before starting. “Captain Bell. The Serenity is part of the Hazardous Support Flotilla which is attached to the 52nd fleet. As we were leaving Geneva we have been contacted by Captain Akess who has been by Admiral Jopek for us to do a primary response. We were told that the Spectre was infected with some kind of parasite and needed to be contained and quarantined before it could be spread off the ship” (Reply Bell and Ktell) (Reply Bell and Ktell, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Wraith - Bridge - JAG Captain Will Alexander - 15:36) "The Spectre just dropped out of warp.", "Take us out of warp and bring us close.", she ordered and the Wraith eased herself into normal space but still cloaked, Jana was taking no chances. "Captain Alexander, what do you make of this?", she asked, looking at the viewscreen, the Spectre was just visible, a dead ship in the dark with no sign of life or power. "It is odd Captain Bell, she just dropped out of warp, and now looks dead. No visible sign of a fire fight, no other ships in the area. But here she is dead in the water. Perhaps it is the crew trying to retake the ship. Admiral Sevant thought they'd be able to regain control within two hours. Perhaps cutting the power is part of whatever plan they thought of." (reply Bell iyw) "I mean, its risky, and there would be other steps involved, but I can see how cutting all power could work in retaking the ship. I mean, I'd order such a move if I needed to, and if I had been on the crew..." will paused for a moment, he wasn't on the crew anymore, but someone who thought like him was, someone who almost was him, "it was something I would recommend." (reply Bell iyw) "I think the crew is about to retake control, based on the evidence, either that or, well I don't want to consider what the alternative to a ship sitting suddenly dead in space means for the crew." (reply bell) (reply Bell) (posted by WB) (USS Spectre - Bridge - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 15:37) The chips were going back in correctly faster than it had taken him to rearrange but he still had another few minutes before his task was completed. Peripherally he was aware that communications were going on with a couple of Star Fleet vessels which was puzzling, here among the stars ships had their own assignments and it was uncommon to happen across one much less two in such a short time, were they being followed or pursued? And if so why?- "Engineering, this is the Bridge, how long before we have warp power?" Jake's head popped out from under the console. "Computer command and control are still being restored to the warp drive sir, estimate three minutes before we have warp capability but you have full impulse available now." There was no reply as another wave of reports came from other departments then a hail from one of the ships. The interchange was brief, the captain of the other ship wanted to board the Spectre for inspection and the FO really had no choice but to allow it. Jake decided now might be a good time to speed up the process in Engineering. "Mister Morales how much longer on warp power?" =^= Almost ready sir, we are finalizing the configuration calibrations, give me two minutes.=^= "You have one mister Morales, don't make me come down there and hover over your shoulder." Jake dead panned. Gork broke in. =^= Listen you pale, mop headed simianoid, I don't have as many fingers as you but I make more use of mine than your species does. I'm working as fast as I can.=^= He smiled knowing that her fingers were literally flying over the keyboard now, he could hear the inputs over the comm channel. "Acknowledged Gork. Ensign Morales report to the FO as soon as you are done. Also there will be a meeting for the engineering department after we are through this and off of alert. Pass it around." =^= Aye sir.=^= Jake broke the link then climbed back under the panel, it wouldn't be much longer now. (Reply: Any) (Posted by Charles) (USS Wraith - Bridge - CO, Captain Jana Bell - 15:38) The Wraith was monitoring the situation and Jana was listening to her First Officer. "I think the crew is about to retake control, based on the evidence, either that or, well I don't want to consider what the alternative to a ship sitting suddenly dead in space means for the crew.", he reported and the Captain looked at the situation when, again, the situation changed again when another ship dropped out of warp. "What ship is that?", asked Jana and the viewscreen zoomed on the lettering of the new ship... USS Serenity. Passive sensors were registering communications between the ships but under cloak, they could tell no more. "Decloak the ship, lets see what's going on", ordered Jana and Wraith began to reappear into normal space. Open a double channel to the Spectre and the Serenity. "Captain Bell to both ships, how about letting us know what's going on here?", she said over the channel. Given Jana's personal history with Remae, this was going to be uncomfortable but the mission always came first. Always. (Reply from Spectre, Serenity, Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Ensign Juan Morales - 15:39) He hovered over the Tellarite nervously and felt more than a little overwhelmed. The Academy and his time on the ship had taught him you had to be ready for anything at any time but being under the gun like this was new to him. Always before the CEO or ACEO had been on hand to coordinate things but losing command and control and having to reintegrate it under a tightly restricted time limit was off the stress charts. Gork finally drew a deep breath and stepped back. "Try her." Morales turned slightly to gain access to the terminal keyboard to her left and actuated it. The console fired up within a couple of seconds and began displaying engineering readouts, he scrolled through a number and compared them to the reports the engineering crew was feeding him through his padd and grunted in satisfaction, everything was looking normal. "Take all stations off of manual control." He barked into the cavernous engineering bay and personnel who were standing by to do that very thing leaped to it. As they reported in he ticked them off a mental list he was keeping. Intermix was the very last and he watched the readout closely as it was switched back, a variation of plus or minus three percent or more could blow them all into their component atoms in a millisecond. The reading flickered a bare .2 percent and stabilized. Morales drew a deep breath then as Gork had a moment earlier and stepped back as he initiated communications. "Bridge this is engineering, you have warp power sir." (Reply: Ktell) (Posted by Charles) (USS Spectre - Deck 10, corridor - Lieutenant, Dr. Riven Mias - 15:40) He strode quickly down the corridor with purpose, here and there heads were peeking out of doors and he came upon one lone security officer who tried to slow him down. "Stop Dr. Mias. You are not allowed, the Admiral..." Riven stopped before him with eyes smoldering. " Is no longer in control of the ship young man, step aside." The officer held up his right hand and a phaser was tightly gripped in it. "Sir I warn you, return to your office." The mind healer held himself tightly in check as he stared the officer down. "How dare you! How are you going to explain the use of force against me to the captain?" The guard's Adams apple dropped then rose again as he gulped silently. His hand never wavered but it did lower a bare fraction. "I.." "You will step out of my way." Riven's words were enunciated crisply and clearly. "You will holster your phaser and you will report to your commander's office and I will forget you threatened me with an energized weapon, do we understand one another?" The mind healer's wardrobe was awash in an array of red and orange glints since his clothing reflected his emotional state. Normally his aura was soothing and peaceful but not today, no not at this time. He had been challenged by a dullard of an upstart who was blindly following incompetent orders and he was seething. The guard backed down then, whether it was due to his logic, his bearing or the emotional content he was empathically broadcasting who was to say. But he did back down. Riven swept by him then as the phaser was lowered and he turned into the turbolift the man had been guarding. "Bridge." (Reply Any) (Posted by Charles) (Nearby space - The Entity - 15:42) The Entity drifted in space conserving its energy as it had done for many lifetimes of men. This region of space supplied little sustenance for it except for an occasional small morsel and the presence of numerous new energy sources nearby awakened it. The Entity was weak at the moment and ravenous, its hunger rousing it from sleep. It cycled through alpha, beta and theta wave bands as it 'tasted its surroundings until it finally settled on the nearest food source. The energy it had given off during the interval had been faint due its weakened state. It moved through the void of space swiftly toward its unsuspecting destination. (Reply: None yet) (Posted by Charles) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Lieutenant, Dr. Riven Mias - 15:43) Riven stepped out of the lift and his eyes swept through the command/control center of the starship as his empathic senses also reached out. The FO was running the bridge and he could see Haltom who he felt was on edge no doubt due to unfamiliarity with his surroundings. Ktell wasn't nervous but he was worried about something. The rest of the bridge crew were in various states. There was no sign of the Captain at all as of yet. The Betazoid waited till Ktell was finished with the officer he was talking to before walking up to him. "Sir is there anything I can do?" (Reply: Ktell, any) (Posted by Charles) (USS Spectre - Deck 3, Living Quarters - OPS Officer Sestan - 15:50) Being odd duty the operations officer/Emergency medic was in his quarters passing the time as any Vulcan would who was not asleep or in meditation. He was reading. Vulcans were noted for their dedication to this time honored tradition as much if not more so than their dedication to duty, after all it was eminently logical that in order to make informed, calculated and logical decisions one had to have a broad base of current information to draw from. He had the layout of the Spectre's power systems, command/ control, weapons and cloaking systems even down to replicator layout committed to memory so he was studying something else at this time apropos to their situation which happened to be the section of space they currently found themselves in. One entry caused an eyebrow to rise in interest so he he cross referenced it to the database which went back over several centuries of space navigation by a number of civilizations. What he found there was even more "fascinating". Off duty he might be but if this information was not currently well known to the medical staff it was necessary they be apprised of it. "Sestan to medical." (Reply: Any in medical) "I have happened across a highly cogent piece of data that should be of interest to you and it has been verified substantially." (Reply, Medical) "It has been reported that the crews of ships spending too much time in this sector complained of weakness, fatigue and there is record of 35 deaths, cause unknown." (Reply, Medical) (Posted by Charles) ================================================================