USS Spectre Compile - August 1st-31st 2007 by Alan Reading ========================================================================= Mission : The Sword of Damocles Day: 5 Stardate: 2407.02.06 (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 05:52) (Shuttle Victor Hugo – TAC/ASC Ensign (JG) Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 06:50) (USS Spectre - Junior Officer's Quarters - Ardena Carrow - 07.00) (USS Spectre-Sickbay - Lt. Cmdr. Kaitlyn Mackenzie - 07:04) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 07:07) (USS Spectre - Corridor - Corporal Lewis O'Hara - 07:20) (USS Spectre - Corridor - Morale Officer - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 07:20) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 07:30) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 07:32) (USS Spectre - Bridge - First Officer - Lt. Brian Rogers - 07:36) (USS Spectre - marine quarters - Corporal Houseman - 07:40) (USS Spectre - Marine Quarters - Corporal Lewis O'Hara - 07:41) (USS Spectre - Marine Quarters - Corporal Houseman - 07:44) (USS Spectre - Personal Quarters - Lt. Cmdr. Kaitlyn Mackenzie - 07:46) (USS Spectre - CO’s Ready Room - Lt. Cmdr. Kaitlyn Mackenzie - 07:50) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CMO - Williams - 07:53) (USS Spectre - Bridge - First Officer - Lt. Brian Rogers - 07:54) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CMO Williams - 07:57) (USS Spectre - Morale Officer's office - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 08:00) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 08:00) (USS Spectre - Bridge - First Officer - Lt. Brian Rogers - 08:03) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – Ensign (JG) Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 08:03) (USS Spectre - 10-Forward - Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon - 08:05) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CMO Williams - 08:06) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward - Ensign (JG) Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 08:06) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward - Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon – 08:07) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – TAC/ASC Ensign (JG) Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 08:10) (USS Spectre - personal quarters - Agent Smith - 08:10) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon – 08:15) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 08:18) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon – 08:19) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – Ensign JG Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 08:28) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon – 08:30) (USS Spectre - Science Department - Ardena Carrow - 08:30) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Daimon Brak - 08:32) (USS Spectre – Science Lab – Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon – 08:35) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO - Williams - 08:36) (USS Spectre - Junior Officer's Quarters - Ardena Carrow - 08:40) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 08:45) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 09:00) (USS Spectre - Jynea's Office - Morale Officer Ensign Jynea Kreung - 9:00) (USS Spectre - Turbolift - Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon - 09:05) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - Morale Officer Ensign Jynea Kreung - 9:10) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - CMO Williams - 9:20) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - Morale Officer - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 9:22) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - CMO Williams - 9:26) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - Morale Officer Ensign Jynea Kreung - 9:30) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - CMO Williams - 9:33) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - Morale Officer - Jynea Kreung - 9:35) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - CMO Williams - 9:40) (USS Spectre - Crew Quarters - Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon & Morale Officer Ensign Jynea Kreung - 11:30) (USS Spectre - Crew Quarters - Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon - 11:31) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 1 - Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon - 11:35) (USS Hood - Transporter Room 1 - Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon - 11:36) ========================================================================= Mission: The Sword of Damocles Day: 41 Stardate: 2407.03.14 (USS Gryphon – Sickbay – Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 11:45) (USS Gryphon – Captain’s Quarters – Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 12:17) (USS Spectre – Chuck’s Quarters – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 21:07) ========================================================================= Mission: The Sword of Damocles Day: 61 Stardate: 2407.04.03 (USS Spectre - Deck 11 - Morale Officer Ensign Jynea Kreung - 07:25) (USS Spectre - Deck 11 - Security Personnel Tk'kit - 07:30) (USS Spectre - Deck 11 - Morale Officer Ensign Jynea Kreung - 07:35) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor & SC Lieutenant Yelena Vasilyovna - 08:00) (USS Spectre - Jynea's Quarters - Morale Officer Ensign Jynea Kreung - 08:00) (USS Spectre - Holodeck 1 - Agent Smith - 08:05) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - ACEO Jacqueline Bristed - 08:23) (USS Spectre - Engineering - Ensign Gorlan Therul - 08:40) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor & SC Lieutenant Yelena Vasilyovna - 08:45) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 08:47) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 08:50) (USS Steel Talons - Bridge - Ensign Scott Smith - 08:53) (USS Steel Talons - Bridge - Captain Rhea Shaney - 08:54) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 08:55) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 08:57) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CEO Ensign H’Chir – 08:57) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - COUNS - Lt. (JG) David Taxia - 08:58) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CEO Ensign H’Chir – 08:59) (USS Steel Talons - Admiral's Office - Admiral LoDona - 08:59) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 09:00) (USS Spectre - Science Department - Xenozooligist Ardena Carrow - 09:00) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 09:02) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 09:02) (USS Spectre - Bridge - FO - Lt. Brian Rogers - 09:03) (USS Spectre - Transporter room One - Captain T'Vhor - 09:04) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 09:05) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One – TAC/SC Lieutenant Yelena Vasilyovna - 09:06) (USS Steel Talons - Transporter room One - Captain T'Vhor - 09:06) (USS Spectre - Transporter room One - President Rondar Nell - 09:06) (USS Spectre - Engineering - ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 09:07) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 09:08) (USS Steel Talons - Transporter Room - Captain T'Vhor - 09:10) (USS Steel Talons - Deck 2 - Outside Admiral LoDona's Office - Captain T'Vhor - 09:20) (USS Steel Talons - Admiral's Quarters, Admiral's Office - LoDona - 09:20) (USS Spectre - Engineering - Crewman Suri Rapeet - 09:47) (USS Spectre - Engineering - ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 09:48) (USS Spectre - Engineering - Crewman Suri Rapeet - 09:49) (USS Spectre - Engineering - ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 09:50) (USS Spectre - Engineering - Technician Suri Rapeet - 09:52) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO - Williams - 09:55) (USS Spectre - Deck four restroom - Ensign Gorlan Therul - 09:59) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 10:00) (USS Spectre - Deck Four – Lt. Cmdr. Kaitlyn Mackenzie – 10:03) (USS Spectre - Science Department - Xenozoologist - Ardena Carrow - 10:05) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering – CEO Ensign H’Chir – 10:05) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 10:06) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 10:07) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering – CEO Ensign H’Chir – 10:07) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering – ACEO Ensign Bristed – 10:08) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering – CEO Ensign H’Chir – 10:09) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Xenozoologist - Ardena Carrow - 10:15) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 10:17) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Ensign Carrow - 10:19) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 10:21) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - XenoZoologist - Ardena Carrow - 10:23) (USS Spectre - Personal Quarters - "Janus" - 10:30) (USS Spectre - Turbolift - Captain T'Vhor & Ensign Jynea Kreung - 11:06) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 11:15) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse Douwsy/ CMO Williams - 11:17) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Morale Officer, Ensign (JG) Jynea Kreung - 11:19) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 11:22) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Morale Officer - Ensign (JG) Jynea Kreung - 11:24) ========================================================================= Mission : The Sword of Damocles Day: 5 Stardate: 2407.02.06 (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 05:52) "Hey, Sounds great – what is it?" Bourne asked, curious about how a missing rabbit had appeared, and also a song about a rabbit as well… "Oh, hey. Just...just some song from when I was a kid," she explained with a shrug. "I'm a little wired this morning. Dunno why I did that," she said with a grin. "Heh" Bourne chuckled. "Could have fooled me. So what you doing up so late, or early, or whatever the time is now…" he replied. Jacqueline snorted in disgust. "It's an ungodly hour, be it early or late. I was woken up by an over-friendly engineer I may end up killing in the near future. I'm beginning to truly hate Gorlan Therul now. What are you up to, by the way?" she added, noticing Bourne tapping away at a PADD. "Oh, This? Looking over the night shifts work. Don't know how, but it seems that they have managed to do a weeks worth of repairs in one night.. Must have some experienced engineer's on their team.." He replied. "Can I join ya?" he asked after locking the PADD and picking it up.or do you think Gorlan would get any ideas?" he smirked. "No, joining me sounds like a great idea. Therul can shove it where the stars never shine," she answered with a grimace. "And let's change the subject. Gorlan Therul is the last thing I want to think about." (Reply any, Bourne) (Posted by Siobhan Armstrong) (Shuttle Victor Hugo – TAC/ASC Ensign (JG) Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 06:50) The monitor began going crazy when the timer became active and at the same moment a hail from the Spectre came in. Chuck leapt slightly at the bizarre mixture of audible sound. Corporal O’Hara quickly answered the hail. "Shuttle Victor Hugo responding, please stand by", said O'Hara as he turned his attention from one thing to the next as the hairs on his neck began standing up in response to the Doctors now furious delving about within his patient. Almost everything not part of normal Ferengi anatomy had now been removed during the delicate operation so far, what they had not counted upon though was a failsafe set into the explosive charges themselves & a countdown of some sort had just begun that unless they stopped, would ultimately culminate in one huge explosion, roughly ten thousand kilometres off the Spectre's port side! "Get it out of him!", cried O'Hara, "either that or beam the damn Troll out into space & be done with it" (Reply Williams) "I understand your duty to uphold the caduceus & all Doctor, but if it's him, or every one of us, I vote him", said O'Hara as he turned quickly towards the monitor to attempt to stabilize the readings again. It wasn't happening though, this one was beyond the remit of the equipment attempting to hold it all at bay as the Doctor began detaching the last of the connections retaining the quantum charge in place. "Shuttle Victor Hugo to Spectre, we are attempting to remove the charge now, you may or may not see something big & white, like a fifty Isoton starburst", said O'Hara failing even in his possible last moments to refrain from making a joke. ~I knew I liked this guy for some reason~ thought Chuck. =/\=Understood, standing by for further update=/\= O'Hara seemed frustrated that his efforts were futile but his attention was kept sharp on CMO Williams and Chuck. Once the charges were removed, that was when control would be O’Hara’s again. "Are you anywhere near done? How long exactly will that countdown end?", said Lewis as he entered the field & began examining the now exposed warhead components. “not quite three minutes, can you disarm it?” asked Chuck. O’Hara seemed deep in thought and didn’t answer. Chuck had seen this kind of borg technology during his time as a drone . . . his borg sphere had even created some innovations in the devices but this was rudimentary at best. The technology in the timer was of an older design. ~I wonder how long the Ferengi had this before using it?~ thought Chuck. It was then however that the Doctor had cried the modern day idiom of 'Eureka' as he withdrew the part that would be capable of doing all the damage. Chuck thought the Doctor was being a little to flippant with flinging the device around and was glad to see the explosives expert take it from the doctor. The Doctor, true to his word quickly ordered the Nurse & Chuck to beam out now, since there was no point in risking anymore lives here than was absolutely necessary. Nurse Aelys quickly complied but Chuck hesitated to leave the Victor Hugo in this moment of crisis. “Are you cert . . . Oh, never mind” Chuck muttered stepping away from the biobed He knew that once the Doc had got it into himself to give an order, he meant it. Chuck moved to Nurse Aelys’ side but intentionally put off leaving. Williams and O’Hara were busy and didn’t seem to notice. "It's no use, I can't stop it", said O'Hara after a few moments, his brow furrowing in response to the level of concentration he was giving the problem in hand. "The Borg technology has interfaced with the charge in some way, nothing follows usual procedure" "I say we beam it into space & get the hell back to the Spectre now", said Lewis, not entirely wishing to admit defeat on this one, but knowing in his own heart that he would not be able to stop it now even if he had the time. “If I were still a borg drone I could control the thing with a simple link interface. There probably isn’t any other way to get rid of the device but I think the Ferengi might be useful.” Said Chuck ~I think I can get a thing or two out of him~ thought Chuck. (Reply Williams) "I'll signal the Spectre", said O'Hara as he opened a channel to inform the Captain of their intentions. (Reply Williams, O’Hara, Any) (Posted by Anton Taylor) (USS Spectre - Junior Officer's Quarters - Ardena Carrow - 07.00) Ardena rang the bell before using her pass to enter the new counsellor's quarters. A request had been put into the system for the new crew member's pet to be entered into the system and looked over and Ardena had a break in her schedule. While the tall woman's speciality was actually marine biology, she was perfectly familiar with most pet life on the vessel and doubled up as the ship's vet when sickbay's staff was overwhelmed. While she was no surgeon, she could evaluate animal health. Tucking blonde hair behind gently pointed ear, Ardena looked around the quarters. There weren't signs of personality yet, but she suspected that a counsellor would have hit the ground running since coming a board and not had time to do much decorating. Ardena had been checking on pets and labs since the red alert had been cancelled, better to relieve some stress from the officers who were working double and triple shifts to get the ship limping back to their own space. "Why hello there handsome." She said to the fuzzy nose that was wriggling underneath the couch. A sharp *thump!* came from the rabbit in question as he protested the stranger in his warren. Ardena knelt down, "Well, I'm Ardena, and you must be Mark," she said in her most soothing voice while projecting affection and calm. The nose wriggled slower and he sniffed the air. Ardena produced a craisin from a pouch and held it out. Suspicion in every wriggle forward, Mark snatched the craisin from her hands and disappeared back under the couch. Ardena stifled a sigh, carnivores and omnivores were always easier than the vegetarian prey animals. Poor things had to be suspicious of everyone and everything. She sat down cross-legged on the floor, "A cow has four stomachs," she started, proceeding to recite everything she knew about cows. It required thinking about, since she'd only ever actually seen one cow, and that had been from a distance. She could recite information about the life forms of seventeen worlds, but that didn't require concentration, and concentration kept her voice low, even, and pleasant. It seemed hours before Mark finally came over on his own volition. "Hello again handsome." she greeted him, and gave him another craisin. The sugar wasn't particularly good for him, but a little wouldn't hurt. She stroked his nose until he rubbed his teeth together in a happy purr. "Well, aren't you the little gentleman?" she asked as he licked her knuckles in a mutual grooming offer. Pulling out her tricorder she petted the lop as she picked up the implanted chip and got it programmed and recognized by the Spectre's computer. Now if he escaped, something she'd heard he excelled at, he could be quickly and easily found. It was as much for the crew's safety as it was the rabbit's. The scans also told her the rabbit was in good health, if a little overweight. "I'll be sure to let your pet humanoid know to give you less treats." Mark sat up on his hind feet to snuffle at her face. "Or more exercise, I think I know which I'd choose." He dropped a paw onto the tricorder to sniff at it and took a tentative bite at the cover. Deciding it wasn't edible, he dropped back to all fours and nudged Ardena's knee with his head. "Well, as pleasant as the company is," Ardena said, stroking Mark's nose and ears, "I have a boa constrictor and monitor lizard to examine next." The environmentals in the reptile labs had gone out for a few hours. While chances are no damage had been done to the animals, she was still keeping a close eye on them. "And somehow, I don't think you'd like Frodo the snake much." Mark snorted and disappeared back under the couch. Ardena rolled to her feet and straightened her shirt. She could only hope the Ensign had secured underneath the couch or she'd have a bunny in the works soon. (Reply none) (Posted by Lorna Appleby.) (USS Spectre-Sickbay - Lt. Cmdr. Kaitlyn Mackenzie - 07:04) “Wait a second….Rogers….as in Brian Rogers?” “Yes sir,” he replied. “Is there any thing I can do for you Sir?” “Uh, no thank you. Just trying to get myself familiar with new surroundings,” she replied. <> “Ok, well I’m going to drop my stuff off in my quarters…just wanted to stop by and see sickbay first,” she said, smiling a bit. <> “I’ll be back later,” she said, on her way out. Really she didn’t have the first clue as to where her office would end up being. She was hoping she would be able to work closely with Williams, but she also wanted some of her own privacy. Ever since having been on the Boudicca with the ‘marine force’ nearly capturing her and killing her staff, she had quit, and formed several bonds with other people she found on Starbase 9. There were of coarse all her old friends that she kept in contact with to keep her up to date on what was going on elsewhere in the fleet. But for now, all she was actually interested in was getting her lab set up and eventually meeting up with Brian. It had been so long since she had seen him last, and now he was a shining first officer. ~I remember those days,~ she thought, thinking back to the Paladin. (Reply Williams) (Posted by Stacey) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 07:07) "Uh, no thank you. Just trying to get myself familiar with new surroundings," Andrew smiled. "No problem Sir." "Ok, well I'm going to drop my stuff off in my quarters. just wanted to stop by and see sickbay first," "Good to meet you sir. pop back whenever you want to." "I'll be back later," Andrew nodded as he watched Mackenzie leave sickbay. Andrew stood there for a moment not exactly sure what to do. The caffeine had finaly hit his system and was waking him up. ~Good at least I can now walk in a straight line and not slurr~ He glanced around that nearly empty sickbay. Apart from the Farengi they had no other patients. ~I need a sit down. That's for sure~ He went over to the nurses station and sat down beside Douwsy and Marshal. They paused in their conversation. It was not often that he joined them which he realised, with a slight sadness was a shame. ~Being the Boss can be a bit of a pain~ “So Andrew who was that?” Andrew looked at Marshal. “That! Was Lieutenant Commander Mackenzie. She is a medical researcher and will be working with us for a bit.” “So she’s not getting your job then.” Andrew paused for a moment. He had not thought of that possibility. “Who’s said that?” “Just the rumour going round that’s all. There is no reason to worry about it though.” Andrew grinned as he watched Marshal trying to dig her way out of the hole that she had made. “Well Nurse Marshal if your rumours are to be believed then she’ll get your bums off those chairs that you both love so much.” He knew that they were both very hard working and lazy was not something they could be called. He yawned as Marshal gave him a dirty look. “You should go and get some sleep. You look tired.” Andrew turned to Douwsy. “What are you, my mother?” Douwsy shook her head. “No but I’ll get the new counsellor down here and declare you unfit.” Andrew gave her a hard stare. “You can’t do that I out rank you.” Douwsy gave a devious grin. “We Orion’s stick together and anyway I know where the drugs are. It would take me two seconds to give the Ferengi a sleeping partner.” Andrew put up his hands in mock surrender. “Okay okay, I’ll go, but I need to finish my report and then give it to the Captain first.” “Fine but we’ll be keeping an eye on with the computer.” ~Geez its like being a teenager again~ Andrew shook his head as he got up headed to his office to finish his report. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Corridor - Corporal Lewis O'Hara - 07:20) "I need a damn shower", cried O'Hara as he fidgeted about to relieve an itch that had been steadily growing in between his shoulder blades ever since he had disembarked the Victor Hugo. The last few hours had been just a little tense to say the very least, first it had been babysitting a bomb in a Jeffery's tube, then another bout of babysitting in a damn shuttle, ten thousand kilometres away from what he knew now as home. It wasn't the same of course but it all just reminded him of the time that Krige had kept them under that damned swamp on Betazed, the thick oozing mud had been an absolute pain to endure & regardless of the fact that their suits had been watertight, it still seemed as though the damned crap always found it's way in. Then there was the claustrophobic feeling of being buried alive, sensory deprivation in all of it's forms invariably robbed a man of his humanity & drove him to the depths of despair, it was pointless to dwell upon it though for it was all just a part of the job, all part of being a Marine grunt in the thick of the action. All of this now though, in it's own little way was no different & when you added to that the fact that you itched where you couldn't quite reach, it was pure torment & there was nothing worse than an itch you just can't scratch... "You go ahead n shower, I need me something warm & soothing in ten forward", said the Marine that had accompanied him from the hanger deck. It was at that point however that 'She', appeared. She had simply passed them by in the corridor, seemingly far away in thought as she proceeded along, apparently mindless of their presence as they stopped in their tracks & then turned about like rabbits caught in the headlight beams of an approaching vehicle. The woman was green! O'Hara had seen green beings before of course but none had ever appeared so damned cute as this one was, she had the most captivating eyes that seemed to just draw him in, & she wasn't even looking at him! A nudge in Lewis's side broke him from his reverie & he jumped back, startled at his companions sudden intrusion. "I wouldn't go there if I were you soldier", said the Marine Engineer beside him, "she might look as sweet as candy, but I would hazard a guess that your just not her type", he added with a laugh. "Anyway, I thought you needed a shower?", said the Marine Engineer as he turned about on his heel & headed off, "you coming or what" "Wh...er, umm. What was that?", said O'Hara as the Orion woman disappeared, apparently obliviously around the bend up ahead of her. "S.H.O.W.E.R", said the marine spelling out the word now in a vain attempt to get the apparently lovestruck O'Hara back onto Terra Firma again, albeit an artificial one. "Yeah", said Lewis, "yeah, I guess so, shower" The marine then drew a deep breath that almost sounded like a sigh before reaching down to pick up the pack he'd laid down beside him, he then followed in the direction of his friend. (Reply None, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre - Corridor - Morale Officer - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 07:20) Jynea was happily lost in her own little world as she scrolled through the data bases she'd suddenly gained access to. Nothing that was counsellor flagged yet, she guessed her new boss had to give her access to those, but at least now she could see ship layout and a general roster! She smiled absently at crew passing, everyone seemed less frantic than the day before as the emergency repairs were either holding or getting upgraded from the 'string and prayer' repairs. There'd been some excitement about a Ferengi, a bomb, and a shuttlecraft, but Jynea hadn't heard much about it so far. She guessed if she hung out in Ten Forward at lunch she'd probably get her ears filled. She was slightly startled to see marine uniforms amongst the regular Star Fleet uniforms, brow furrowed she delved through the roster, sure enough, there at the bottom was the marine squad.. group.. crew.. battalion?? What did one call a gaggle of marines? She wondered if they were under her jurisdiction or if someone else was in charge of their morale and mental health. She was of mixed feelings about that. On the one hand, she thought, as she stepped into a turbolift, she was curious about marines and their outlook. Being trained on Luna and Mars, they had a completely different experience than the Academy and they certainly had a different purpose in space than the average Starfleet officer! On the other hand, as far as she knew marines just needed to blow something up once a week to be mentally satisfied. Hardly an ACCURATE assessment, she was sure, but ignorance wouldn't help anyone.. and she already had a lot on her plate to learn how to integrate one friendly Gorn into Starfleet society. She had to wonder how Serixs was settling in, if he'd gotten his lab set up the way he liked it and how the paperwork was going. Thinking about it some more, she realized as she stepped off the lift, her scientist friend was probably elbow deep in repairs and trying to improve every system his claws touched as he went. He had an almost Bolian fascination with efficiency. Jynea pressed the door open to her quarters. Not wanting a repeat of the garden incident, she'd just set the door to only be opened by palm press. No matter how clever Mark got, he didn't have palms. Squolch. Squelch. Squoosh. Jynea looked down in startlement, her boots were stepping in puddles of soaking wet carpet. "Meep!" Mark declared with concern from where he was sitting on the high ground of the couch. His paws looked soaked and the ends of his loppy ears were dripping. His face was all spiky from where he'd been grooming wet fur. "What happened?" Jynea asked somewhat rhetorically as she quickly closed her quarter's door before the water could escape. She squelched her way into the bathroom to find a hose that had been chewed through had automatically shut down after losing a certain amount of pressure. Unfortunately, that certain amount wasn't until it had flooded her quarters. Crouching down, sure enough, the hole was ragged and about the size of rabbit teeth. She was pretty sure this sort of hose would normally be hidden in the walls or cabinets, but it looked like in the last refit the water pathway had been rerouted, jury rigged and no one had come back to it. There was probably a six page report somewhere at Starfleet HQ saying it had to be done. Jynea straightened up. There wasn't a whole lot she could do about it beyond contact maintenance and ask them to come look at it and to move a certain fuzzy brat elsewhere while she set the environmentals to dry out the mess. At least the database had told her she had an office in the counselling department, even if it was kind of small and not meant for actual counselling. She could stash a small furry brat, his litterbox, food and drink there while her quarters recovered. With a sigh she picked up her rabbit. "I think the SECOND order of business is going to be finding an article entitled 'How to protect your quarters from your bunny.'" she told her rabbit, not entirely facetiously. (Reply None, Any) (Posted by Lorna Appleby) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 07:30) "You have the bridge Mr Rogers", said the Captain as he stood & straightened out his tunic with a slight tug. "By the time I return I want to hear that we are ready to leave here.... signal the Hood to remain on station until further notice" (Reply Rogers) With the FO's reply & subsequent occupation of the centre seat, the Spectre's commanding officer then exited stage left so to speak to enter his ready room, his mind already focusing upon what would need to happen next. (Reply Rogers) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 07:32) "Computer, begin log entry....append as supplemental to existing log as follows", said the Captain as he swung himself smoothly into his seat before the monitor, the prerequisite glass of orange juice courtesy of his personal replicator, already in his hand as he did so. [Ready] The Captain took a deep breath, then he began. "The situation involving the Ferengi, Daimon Brak is now under control....... it would seem, from our initial investigations that he had been intercepted by unknown instigators whilst on the surface of Tranome Sar & offered a deal.....", said the Captain pausing now to chose his words correctly. "....he could not possibly refuse." The words were more than apt of course for how could a Ferengi, of all races not bend to the lure of more Latinum than he could ever wish for in two lifetime's, let alone one? As a result of that greed, Brak had been infested with Borg technology, of that there was no doubt, his brain & his guiding morals however were still Ferengi & as such, he was as greedy & as corruptible as the next native of Ferenginar. With the Ferengi nothing ever really changed & the Captain now felt at issue with his choice to allow Brak aboard in the first place. There were those that would have 'Spaced' him in an instance, the Security chief herself would not have lost sleep on that & yet, the Captain had given him a chance. Daimon Brak had once been an ally of Nell's after all, a close friend even, how would the President now react once he had learned of that friends treason? Castigan must have been equally as disheartened by the Ferengi's actions also, for nobody had seen sight nor sound of the man since their return to Federation territory. T'Vhor made a mental note to address this, then he re-addressed the computer, only this time with a certain amount of discord in his voice as he spoke. "Our quest to retrieve target one has been successful, we are now at impulse in Federation space with the USS Hood for company....along with the Warbird DihVael I might add", said the Captain, pausing now to take a sip of the juice in his hand before placing the glass back down onto the table. "The approximate coordinates of the Steel Talons have now been ascertained & fed into the helm, repair crews are working double shift to complete repairs to warp capability, my intentions now being to make best speed for Starbase 968 & the river", said the Captain. "Time is of the essence now of course & it would be illogical in the extreme to assume that Admiral Doenitz is NOT aware of Nell's location or indeed, his destination" The Captain took up the glass once again & then drained the last of the juice in one go, then he closed the log entry. "End log & close" [Confirmed] (Reply Rogers) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre - Bridge - First Officer - Lt. Brian Rogers - 07:36) Rogers was currently the officer in command while T'Vhor was off, most likely (and hopefully) doing captainly things. He turned to ask on a status report when he spotted a large Gorn officer coming his was. The officer addressed him. "Sir," the officer said. Rogers gave him a polite nod, "Ensign." The Gorn started his report. "I have completed my dissection of one of the modified nanites and found some interesting information hidden in its programming." He handed the Padd to Brian and waited for a reply. Brian started skimming over the code. "And what did you find, Ensign?" Rogers asked. "From this, sir, we have the programmer's name in addition to firm evidence of Doenitz's involvement in this attempted assassination. I am sure we already suspected this, but this should confirm those suspicions." "Curious," Rogers said, borrowing a Vulcan-esque line (perhaps T'Vhor was rubbing off on him). "What lead you to believe this, Ensign?" Rogers asked. "Programmer's ego stroking, sir. I am guilty of it myself when I do any programming work, but I avoid anything that might be as incriminating as this." The Gorn explained. Rogers raised and eyebrow and nodded. He had heard reports and seen the leaked footage of how Orwellian Doentiz' Federation had become, and whatever officer had the bravrity to sneak in something so improfessional seemed... odd. Still, Brian didn't doubt the Gorn and his findings. "Thank you, Ensign. I'll report these findings to Captain T'Vhor when he returns. Carry on," Rogers said, setting the padd down on the small paneling in between the captain and first officer's chairs. "Yes, sir," the Gorn said. He turned to leave, but paused. "By the way, sir, we have not been formally introduced. I am Ensign Ssarumon, the new Science Officer." he explained. Rogers smiled. "Welcome to the Spectre, Ensign, I can see you've already become a useful asset to us," Rogers said. Gorn officers were uncommon, but Rogers had already taken a liking to this one. The Gorn smiled, and nodded. "If you will excuse me, sir, I shall return to probing the programming in this thing for anything else that may be of value," he said, before turning and leaving. Rogers watched him head off into the turbolift, and then stood up and walked up behind the Tactical station, and began inquiring about the recent adjustments to the shield modulation. (reply any, none) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (USS Spectre - marine quarters - Corporal Houseman - 07:40) Houseman saw O'Hara walking out of the shower area. He grinned as he watched the marine approach. "Wow Lewis it looks like you needed that shower. I could smell you all the way out here." (reply O'Hara) "Word says you were playing with exploding Ferengi with that Agent Smith. So you been practising your Riker manoeuvres then." He grinned again as he teased his friend. (reply O'Hara) (reply O'Hara, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Marine Quarters - Corporal Lewis O'Hara - 07:41) "Wow Lewis it looks like you needed that shower. I could smell you all the way out here." O'Hara just screwed his face up & cast the corpsman a regarding glance. To be honest, after the Ferengi debacle, the last thing he needed now was to be the butt of Houses jokes. After all, everyone knew that the comedian around here was Lewis anyway. "Very funny Houseman, don't you have something better to do than sit around taking deep sniffs of the air?", said O'Hara as he pulled & fresh top over his head & then slid his arms through the sleeves until the tee sat snug against his chiseled torso. "Word says you were playing with exploding Ferengi with that Agent Smith. So you been practicing your Riker maneuvers then." ~What the hell is he on about now....oh, I get it~ O'Hara reached towards the chair nearby to pick up the uniform top he'd recently discarded, then he balled it up & threw it at the taunting miscreant in an attempt to dampen his sense of humour just a little. "Riker was a pussy, word is he never even learned how to shave until he had that run in with those meddling guys from the continuum", said O'Hara to the usual accompaniment of one of his trademark guttural laughs. (Reply Houseman) "Yeah whatever, who the hell told you about the Orion anyway", said O'Hara, "as if I need to ask", he added knowing already that Danny the spanner just couldn't keep his motormouth shut long enough these days to even attempt the beginnings of a whistle. (Reply Houseman) "So, Krige say's we get to ride shotgun to the President until our secret rendezvous uh", said O'Hara, "all I can say is that any more bombs & I'm no longer the designated demo, had my share for a month of Sundays already", he added as he slipped a familiar & rather worn baseball cap onto his head. "You wanna join Danny n me in ten forward House, my gut is beginning to feel as though my throats been cut, ya know what I mean?", said O'Hara as he moved swiftly towards the door in anticipation of some cool, refreshing Synth. (Reply Houseman) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre - Marine Quarters - Corporal Houseman - 07:44) "Riker was a pussy, word is he never even learned how to shave until he had that run in with those meddling guys from the continuum", Houseman grinned and decided to dig in a bit more. “That and he missed PT a bit to much.” "Yeah whatever, who the hell told you about the Orion anyway", said O'Hara, "as if I need to ask", Houseman paused. He did not know about the Orion. He was talking about Smith but he decided not to push it. He then grinned. “Yeah well. Its good to know you have eyes for the fairer sex mate.” "So, Krige say's we get to ride shotgun to the President until our secret rendezvous uh", said O'Hara, "all I can say is that any more bombs & I'm no longer the designated demo, had my share for a month of Sundays already", Houseman grinned. "You wanna join Danny n me in ten forward House, my gut is beginning to feel as though my throats been cut, ya know what I mean?", Houseman nodded. ~Danny mate, I so need to talk to you about this Orion~ “Ya mate I know what you mean.” He got up and followed O’Hara. (reply O’Hara, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Personal Quarters - Lt. Cmdr. Kaitlyn Mackenzie - 07:46) Most of the personal effects had already been set up. She had yet to meet up with the captain, and figured she should do so soon. He probably didn’t realize she was here yet, but she knew he would know soon. Taking a last look around her quarters, she left part of her unpacked bag sitting in a chair. ~I’ll get to that later.~ (Reply None) (Posted by Stacey) (USS Spectre - CO’s Ready Room - Lt. Cmdr. Kaitlyn Mackenzie - 07:50) Standing outside the Captain’s door, she rang the chime. She could feel all the looks the crew were giving her, the way everyone always looked at a newcomer. This time it felt a little bit worse than usual for her, given the circumstances of the war. A traitor could be anyone in the same uniform…and she suspected that was why they looked at her as such. <> Once inside the ready room, she said, “Lt. Cmdr. Kaitlyn Mackenzie, reporting for duty sir.” (Reply: T’Vhor, any) (Posted by: Stacey) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CMO - Williams - 07:53) Andrew entered the bridge. He watched the bridge crew for a moment as they worked. He walked over to Rogers who was on the bridge. "Do you know if the captain's free?" (reply Rogers) ~Okay then I'll have to wait~ "Do you mind?" He took he seat next to Rogers and looked at the view screen which showed the space that they were travelling through. He then turned to Rogers. "Its nice to be on the bridge. I don't get there much." (reply Rogers) "How are you feeling by the way after yesterday?" (reply Rogers) (reply Rogers, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Bridge - First Officer - Lt. Brian Rogers - 07:54) Rogers had just returned to the first officer's seat after a lengthy debate with the assistant tactical officer on duty about the shield changes when he received another visitor. "Do you know if the captain's free?" Dr. Williams asked. "Sorry Doctor, he's off the bridge, handling something," Rogers explained begrudgingly for the second time in the hour. "Do you mind?" The doctor asked, and Rogers shook his head. Andrew took a seat next to Rogers, and the first and second officers of the Spectre sat, looking out the viewscreen watching the starfield blur past. "It's nice to be on the bridge. I don't get there much," The 2O said. "It's not always nice. Specially during tactical engagements," Rogers said dryly. "How are you feeling by the way, after yesterday?" Dr. Williams asked. Brian shrugged. "Some general stiffness all over in my body. Fine, I suppose, you and your team do good work," Rogers complimented. (reply Williams) "T'Vhor wants to rip-...." Rogers paused, realizing he was the officer in command, on duty on the bridge. He rephrased his statement. "The Captain wasn't very happy with the way that Marine pilot disobeyed orders," Rogers informed Dr. Williams. (reply Williams) "By the way," he said, trying to sound casual, and change the subject, "I read you received a Dr. Mackenzie in Sickbay, as a part of a crew transfer..." Rogers said, trying to lead into the topic. (reply Williams, any) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CMO Williams - 07:57) "Some general stiffness all over in my body. Fine, I suppose, you and your team do good work," . Andrew nodded. “We aim to please.” "T'Vhor wants to rip-...." "The Captain wasn't very happy with the way that Marine pilot disobeyed orders," Andrew smiled and then realised that the Marine had passed away. ~I thought him and the Captian had been informed. I’ll have to check that when I get back~ "By the way," "I read you received a Dr. Mackenzie in Sickbay, as apart of a crew transfer..." Andrew smiled again. “Yes, Dr Mackenzie came to Sickbay. She seams a nice person. I look forward to working with her.” He paused to a moment. “She said that you know each other?” (Reply Rogers) (reply Rogers, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Morale Officer's office - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 08:00) The counselling department was about what she'd expected. A waiting room with overstuffed chairs and a couple of couches, a bookcase with actual books, some calming paintings and some soft music that started when she entered. There were six main offices, five with their doors open and the last had its door closed. She assumed that was her new boss' office, confirmed by the name on the frosted glass beside the doors. The last office on the left, down the short corridor, just said "morale officer" as a label on the wall. Inside was a small desk, terminal and two standard chairs. Obviously not an office for counselling, but for paperwork and a place for her to store her work related paperwork. It was probably a quarter of the size of the counselling offices, but then, she had the whole ship to counsel in. And really, as far as she cared, she'd rather counsel in ten forward than an official office *anyway.* She put Mark down who snuffled at her and went exploring under the desk. She then put down the box that held her data padds and Mark's supplies. She fished out a piece of tri-plas and blocked off the doorway. She had no reason to close the door, she required no privacy to do paperwork and get organized, and anyway, she figured the Lieutenant would want to stick his head in when he was available. She has left a message for him that she was available to meet with him, she certainly didn't want him to then turn around and find a closed door! She adjusted the chair behind the desk and settled down, calling up the ship's roster on the terminal. She might as well start at the bottom and read the summary of the crew from start to finish. From what she understood most of her work would be with the enlisted, best she get to know them first so she knew what to expect! From there, hopefully, she could read the history and mission of the Spectre and get a feel for the ship herself. So far, the feeling had been of a lady's palfrey, injured in protecting her charge. (Reply none, any) (Posted by : Lorna Appleby) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 08:00) Once the doors to the Captain's ready room had opened, the CO strolled onto the bridge with all the finesse of a man clear now in his intent. Where once there had been a certain level of uncertainty in regards their next course of action, now there seemed to be focus again & it showed clearly in the Vulcan hybrids face as he moved towards the command chair, noticing as he did so that the Doctor had seated himself in the FO's usual chair. The Captain nodded a cursory nod in his direction as the two seated men juggled their positions accordingly, then he quickly addressed the First Officer. "Report Mr Rogers", said the Captain. (Reply Rogers) The initial signs were good, it seemed that they were now almost at full operational capacity once again, it had taken time & a lot of people working double & triple shift to get there of course, but the effort had certainly paid off, the CO's only concern now was whether their warp drive, in it's current cobbled together condition would actually hold out for the duration of their travel to Starbase 968! "And our warp drive, what does the Acting CEO have to say in regards this?", said the Captain just as Doctor Williams, 'Ahem'd' to show that he needed to speak to him soon. "One moment Doctor", said the Captain as he awaited the FO's report from Chenoll. (Reply Rogers) It wasn't an ideal situation of course but under the circumstances, it would have to do. The Captain then turned his attention to the Doctor seated beside him. "Doctor?", said the Captain as Williams proceeded to hand him a PADD to peruse before offering his verbal report on the current situation. (Reply Williams) (Reply Rogers, Williams, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre - Bridge - First Officer - Lt. Brian Rogers - 08:03) Brian and Dr. Williams quickly moved seats about when Captain T'Vhor stepped onto the bridge and took his place in the center seat. Once everybody had settled, T'Vhor addressed him. "Report Mr Rogers," he ordered. "Sir, we're now almost at full operation capacity. The engineering teams did a good job," Rogers reported. "And our warp drive, what does the Acting CEO have to say in regards this?" T'Vhor said, before shortly addressing Andrew. Rogers coughed softly, "She reports that the the flow ratio of the warp drive isn't quite right. We're expending far too much fuel for far too little propulsion and power output. She has a team on that now. Other than that, our warp drive is fully operational," Once Rogers had finished his report, T'Vhor turned to talk to Dr. Williams, and Brian turned to listen to their conversation. (reply Williams, T'Vhor, any) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – Ensign (JG) Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 08:03) Having been dismissed from duties for awhile Chuck had decided to make an appearance in ten forward. He thought he might meet someone interesting there by butting in on a few conversations or maybe find a Dabo game aboard. Instead of walking to the bar and ordering his drink he walked briskly over to a replicator in a more secluded spot of the lounge. “Black Hole” he said, ordering. [Disambiguate] responded the computer. Chuck silently wondered why they bothered making the ships voice so ‘pleasant’. Every time the thing spoke to him it seemed nothing but a problem. “It’s a drink” he muttered rolling his eyes. Without another word the computer made a glass of the Ferengi drink appear in the replicator. Chuck picked up the glass and walked to a chair. He sat down a bit too fast nearly spilling his drink. There were no tables in this corner of the lounge but Chuck preferred to keep a good hold on his drinks anyway. He had picked up the habit aboard DS14 since many of his dabo opponent’s on the station had a nasty habit of poisoning rivals. While he sipped his drink he slowly took in the atmosphere of the lounge. ~hmmm . . . not much happening~ he thought Sure, there were numerous faces of different people scurrying all around the lounge but Chuck quickly dismissed them as “inconsequential”. The most interesting thing that caught Chuck’s eye for a moment was a pair of Vulcan crewman sitting near an observation window playing keltoe. He had played keltoe before and was decent . . . probably one of the best humans either Vulcan would ever play. But the fact remained, Vulcan’s rarely allowed non-vulcans to participate in a game. Chuck quickly dismissed this opportunity as well. Although ten forward seemed a lost cause for the “social suicide” that Chuck called a conversation it wasn’t all so bad. He did feel as if he were shaking off the remnants of tension he had built up when dealing with the Brak situation. ~well, at least maybe I proved my worth to some of the crew~ he thought smiling a little thinking back. ~then again, maybe I’m just kidding myself~ Chuck glanced down at his glass and noticed that it was already half finished. Maybe he should have just stayed in his quarters. If the trip wasn’t going to be a complete waste of his time something spectacular was going to have to happen fast. (Reply any) (Posted by Anton Taylor) (USS Spectre - 10-Forward - Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon - 08:05) Serixs had gotten just about all that he could that was useful out of the little nanite he had picked out of Brak's tools, and his eyes were going bleary on him. A non-healthy lack of sleep and hunger had not been kind to him. He had taken care of one of the two before venturing to the bar. He did, after all, keep Tribbles to feed on, but the other was going to take a while longer to deal with. "Coffee, black," Serixs growled at the replicator. The large mug appeared in the slot and he took a sip, smiling blissfully. This would certainly help with the chill in the air he was feeling. Federation starships were always damn cold to him, but he was used to it by now. Taking a moment, Serixs scanned about the lounge, noticing a few people off by themselves. One, in particular, was the Security Ensign that had been present on the shuttle. With a bit of a tap of his claws on the deck, he made his way over to the human. "Ensign Donaldson, correct?" Serixs said, standing in view of him. (reply Donaldson) "I thought so," the large Gorn said with a smile. "We were not properly introduced. My name is Serixs Ssarumon. Mind if I join you?" (reply Donaldson) The big lumbering lizard made sure to get out of everyone's way. It was not an easy task for one his size, but he managed it. "You did very well on the shuttle," he said, "We all returned in one piece and no one was blown to hell. I would call that a success." He chuckled and sipped on his coffee. (reply Donaldson) "So tell me?" Serixs asked. "What brings you out to the lounge at this time of the morning?" (reply Donaldson) "Yes," Serixs said. "I know what you mean." He sipped at his coffee and looked around again, noticing those two Vulcans who were playing their game. He got a mischevious grin on his face and showed those sharp teeth to Chuck. "Hey, want to irritate a couple of Vulcans?" he asked low and with a conspiratorial tone. "As long as you know how to play Kal-toh, because I do. Let us see if we can match their time." (reply Donaldson, Any) (posted by Don Jones) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CMO Williams - 08:06) Andrew saw the Captain approach and swapped his seat with Rogers. He then listened to Rogers give his report to the Captain. He waited until he had finished and then began. “Doctor?” Andrew looked at the Capitan. “Captain. Mr Brak has came through surgery remarkably well despite the amount of explosives that were in his body. He will make a full recovery. As a precaution I would like to keep him heavily sedated for a while so that I can keep a close watch on his recovery.” (Reply T’Vhor) (Reply Rogers, T’Vhor, Any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward - Ensign (JG) Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 08:06) ~Maybe if I sit very still he won’t notice me~ thought Chuck trying desperately not to sip at his “Blackhole” until the creature passed. The Gorn Chuck knew only as Ensign Ssarumon had entered the lounge gruffly . . . at least it seemed gruff. Chuck recalled the few Gorns he had met in the past and realized he never had been able to quite tell a mood change in the reptiles. Then again . . . maybe their moods didn’t change . . . Chuck could hear the Gorn ordering a drink from the replicator but he tried hard not to make any eye contact. "Coffee, black," the Gorn growled at the replicator. ~Oh, great, he’s looking around~ thought Chuck covering his face with his hand pretending to be rubbing his implant which at this particular moment wasn’t itching. ~It always itches when I don’t want it to . . . but now . . .~ the thought stopped dead, Chuck’s one slightly exposed eye (the left one) met the Gorn’s. Ensign Ssarumon moved closer and spoke "Ensign Donaldson, correct?" said the Gorn . . . his nails slightly clicking as he walked. “Yeah, Chuck . . . Chuck Donaldson.” Chuck muttered. "I thought so," the large Gorn said with a smile. "We were not properly introduced. My name is Serixs Ssarumon. Mind if I join you?" ~I’m stuck now, I don’t have a good excuse to get rid of him~ thought Chuck. Chuck simply made a gesture towards a nearby empty chair. Watching the Gorn contort himself in the chair was not Chuck’s idea of a good time but something about it put him into a good humor. After Ensign Ssarumon got himself settled in the chair he looked at Chuck directly once again. "You did very well on the shuttle," Ssarumon said, "We all returned in one piece and no one was blown to hell. I would call that a success." He chuckled and sipped on his coffee. “That’s true I guess . . .” said Chuck briskly. His mind felt a bit more at ease with the creature. Where the words came from wasn’t quite so important as the fact that the words were in agreement with the conclusion his mind was fast taking him. "So tell me?" Serixs asked. "What brings you out to the lounge at this time of the morning?" “Trying desperately to shed the day . . . err . . . morning . . . umm . . . shift . . . whatever.” Chuck stumbled over his words. ~stupid bizarre shift schedule~ "Yes," Serixs said. "I know what you mean." He sipped at his coffee and looked around again, noticing the two Vulcans who were playing their game. Chuck thought for a moment that the coffee was bad as Ensign Ssarumon’s lips curled oddly showing his teeth in an expression he hadn’t seen before. "Hey, want to irritate a couple of Vulcans?" he asked low and with a conspiratorial tone. "As long as you know how to play Kal-toh, because I do. Let us see if we can match their time." “I suppose . . . I guess . . . I mean . . . wait, what?” more stumbling over his words. ~Oh, to be back aboard the Victor Hugo . . . where the lizard didn’t talk much.~ (reply Serixs, Any) (posted by Anton Taylor) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward - Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon – 08:07) “I suppose . . . I guess . . . I mean . . . wait, what?” Donaldson had said, stumbling over his words to a slight bit of Serixs amusement. "Kal-toh," Serixs said. "A vulcan game of logic." He motioned over his shoulder. "That is what those two are playing," he said with a smile. "I believe we can match the time. Unless of course you are more fond of Stratego or Risk." He chuckled softly. (reply Donaldson) "It keeps me sane," Serixs said. "I am a scientist, so I need to exercise the mind as much as the body to keep both sharp." He had put a slight bit of emphasis on the last word, smiling his toothy smile and looking at the human across the table with his unblinking silvery eyes. (reply Donaldson) Serixs sipped at his coffee and eyed the human, having noticed that it would seem the large Gorn was making him uncomfortable. It should hardly be a surprise. "Ah, you think I would have eaten that Ferengi," he said with a chuckle. "No, it was merely a tactic." (reply Donaldson) "Well you see, Chuck," Serixs said as he leaned back in his chair a little bit, making sure not to go back to far or the furniture would break under his weight. "I had no way of knowing if he was actually sedated in sickbay," he said. "When faced with a very large predator, Ferengi tend to do one of two things. They would run away like cowards, or if that were not possible, they would play dead. It is instinct." Serixs grinned. "With him playing dead, he was less likely to get a brave moment and blow himself up in Sickbay." He scanned his eyes over the lounge. "I suspect Corporal O'Hara and Dr. Williams believe the same as you. I should set the record straight on that at least." (reply Donaldson) "So what about that game, hrm?" Serixs asked. (reply Donaldson) "Excellent!" the large creature said. "I shall go get it and set it up." (reply Donaldson,Any) (posted by Don Jones) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – TAC/ASC Ensign (JG) Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 08:10) "Kal-toh," Serixs said. "A vulcan game of logic." He motioned over his shoulder. "That is what those two are playing," he said with a smile. "I believe we can match the time. Unless of course you are more fond of Stratego or Risk." He chuckled softly. “I do enjoy Kal-toh, in fact I was watching those two Vulcans before you arrived,” Chuck commented, “What do you get out of the game?” "It keeps me sane," Serixs said. "I am a scientist, so I need to exercise the mind as much as the body to keep both sharp." He had put a slight bit of emphasis on the last word, the Gorn showed his teeth and stared at Chuck. ~’Sane’? A reptile that would just as soon eat Daimon Brak as get information from him is talking to me about sanity.~ thought Chuck. Serixs sipped at his coffee and eyed Chuck, having noticed that it would seem the large Gorn was making him uncomfortable. It should hardly be a surprise. "Ah, you think I would have eaten that Ferengi," he said with a chuckle. "No, it was merely a tactic." “I see, well Serixs, what was the point of the tactic?” said Chuck a bit offended that a science officer was talking to him about tactics. "Well you see, Chuck," Serixs said as he leaned back slightly in his chair, "I had no way of knowing if he was actually sedated in sickbay," he said. "When faced with a very large predator, Ferengi tend to do one of two things. They would run away like cowards, or if that were not possible, they would play dead. It is instinct." Serixs grinned. "With him playing dead, he was less likely to get a brave moment and blow himself up in Sickbay." He scanned his eyes over the lounge. "I suspect Corporal O'Hara and Dr. Williams believe the same as you. I should set the record straight on that at least." “I must confess I didn’t give you credit for using a tactic of such depth. The nature of the Ferengi is something I understand all too well . . . maybe I’ll explain it to you sometime . . .” the Gorn in his eagerness cut Chuck off in mid-sentence. "So what about that game, hrm?" Serixs asked. “Alright, if you’re so eager to lose then the game is on!” shouted Chuck, forgetting in his excitement that there were other people around. "Excellent!" the Gorn shouted, "I shall go get it and set it up." And with that the Gorn got up from his seat and headed in the direction of the Vulcans. Their full attention trained on him now as his feet clicked along the floor. ~He may play but is he any good?~ wondered Chuck. In Chuck’s experience Kal-toh players fell among two groups in a large “bell curve”. Either the game completely missed their intellect or they were formidable. Given the thus far surprising nature of the Gorn it wouldn’t surprise Chuck if Serixs were talented at the game. However, as is so common amongst mind sports Chuck knew that dedication and a little elbow grease was worth more than natural talent. Chuck looked down at his half finished “Blackhole” and a smile spread across his face as an idea came to his mind. (reply Serixs,any) (posted by Anton Taylor) (USS Spectre - personal quarters - Agent Smith - 08:10) Jo saved the file and closed the console. She then disconnected the data chip and placed it in a secure storage case beside her. She had finished her report on the last 24 hours. When they were back in Federation space she would send it back to Agent Anderson. She stood and walked over to the window and looked out at the stars as they moved past. "Definitely have missed this feeling." She had finally decided. When she got back she would transfer to fleet duty. She had realised that she really did miss being out in space rather than stuck at SFI headquarters. ~Never know might get a permanent place on a starship. Would have to ask the Captain about that though. Until then I have allot to do~ She signed and turned from the window. ~Better get some thing to eat. don't know how long I'll be up in the next 24 hours~ She turned towards the door and headed towards ten forward. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon – 08:15) Serixs had made his way with the Kal'toh board back to the table. He set it in the middle and returned uncomfortably to his chair. "It has been about fifteen years since I have played, so I may be rusty," the large Gorn said, initializing the game it to its beginning state. (reply Donaldson) "I used to have daily matches with a friend of mine, back when I served in the Gorn Navy," Serixs said, taking a turn and moving one of the small rods to a different position. He was making a random move, trying to see how Donaldson played the game. "How long have you been playing this?" (reply Donaldson) "Interesting," Serixs said with a smile, watching Donaldson and sipping at his coffee. He watched how the human handled the game. He was good. Very good. This would be a challenge. "By the way," Serixs said, taking his turn, "I got the opportunity to analyze one of the Borg nanites that the Ferengi was using." He moved the Rod to another level on the board, causing the whole section to change. "Definintly not standard issue." (reply Donaldson) "Well these," Serixs began, "instead of being the little machines of general assimilation were altered for a very specific task, wiring up that bomb." He took another turn, changing another section of the board. "I also found human programming in them." (reply Donaldson) "If you would like, later I could show you what I have found," He smiled. "I could use some help deciphering some of the other bits of programming." Serixs just jawdropped when Donaldson made his move, tipping the board quickly to his favor over the big Gorn's. "Well that was unexpected," he said with a chuckle. (reply Donaldson,Any) (posted by Don) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 08:18) The big Gorn rumbled clumsily back to his firmer “perch” carrying the Kal’toh board under an arm. Chuck sat his “Blackhole” down beside his chair but kept his eye on it in case he had need of it. "It has been about fifteen years since I have played, so I may be rusty," the large Gorn said, initializing the game to its beginning state. Chuck marveled for a moment at the divine chaos on the Kal’toh board. To be such logical individuals the Vulcans certainly understood the roots of disorder judging by the start position of every Kal’toh game. “It has been some time for me as well but I always thought games like Kal’toh were like piloting shuttlecraft . . . no matter how long it has been it all seems to comeback in a moment.” Chuck smiled. The Gorn seemed to enjoy the joke as well although Chuck still hadn’t gotten used to the bizarre expressions of the reptilian features. "I used to have daily matches with a friend of mine, back when I served in the Gorn Navy," Serixs said, taking a turn and moving one of the small rods to a different position. "How long have you been playing this?" “I grew up with a half Vulcan, he introduced me to the game and since that time it has only been a rare pleasure for me to play. However, I am somewhat of a game enthusiast being a dabo player by trade prior to Starfleet.” Chuck glanced down at the kal'toh board. The Gorn had moved so quickly and made a more than decent first move. ~He’s all set to give me a tough fight, he made the move so quickly, he’s trying to test me out. That’s fine, I’ll just have to show him that I’m every bit his equal and more~ “There is a theory dating to ancestral Asia that all skills are accumulated simultaneously and that being good at one thing can translate into other fields. I am myself a believer in Musashi-ism,” in so saying Chuck moved one of the numerous rods on the board and made only a subtle change in the boards appearance. He well knew that some players would not understand such small changes. "Interesting," Serixs said with a smile, watching Chuck and sipping at his coffee. "By the way," Serixs said, taking his turn, "I got the opportunity to analyze one of the Borg nanites that the Ferengi was using." He moved a rod to another level on the board, causing the whole section to change. "Definitely not standard issue." ~He’s creating smalltalk trying to distract me from the game. He may yet be convinced I’m better than he is . . .~ “How do you mean?” asked Chuck taking his own turn pondering the structural changes created by Serixs last move. An idea suddenly occurred to him as so simple he was a bit embarrassed he hadn’t thought of it on the previous move. He recalculated the change in his mind, there was no need to hurry. "Well these," Serixs began, "instead of being the little machines of general assimilation were altered for a very specific task, wiring up that bomb." He took another turn, changing another section of the board. "I also found human programming in them." “I suspected as much, they may have appeared complicated to other crewman aboard the Victor Hugo but I initially suspected the Ferengi had made the alterations himself.” Said Chuck still contemplating the ‘Eureka’ suggested move. "If you would like, later I could show you what I have found," the Gorn grinned. "I could use some help deciphering some of the other bits of programming." With a slight movement of his thumb and index finger Chuck moved a rod as Serixs was speaking. Serixs’ jaw dropped when Chuck made his move, the Gorn seemed convinced in a moment that he was playing at a disadvantage. "Well that was unexpected," Serixs said with a chuckle. “I told you . . . like piloting a shuttlecraft.” Chuck grinned. “It is never difficult for me to get an advantage in such games as this, the trick is not getting sloppy and leaving you an opening to equalize.” (reply Ssarumon) “I’d like to see the results of your testing . . . I’d appreciate it if you sent a data feed directly to my quarters so that I can give them a once over.” Chuck glanced slightly up at the Gorn and then his eyes returned to the Kal’toh board. Any game of skill simply consumed him, it’s no small wonder Starfleet had insisted that he be given a tactical commission. (reply Ssarumon, IYW) Chuck watched as the Gorn’s face contorted in contemplation over his dilemma on the board. It was a sight Chuck had never witnessed. A creature with a body that could turn reinforced bulkheads into shrapnel struggling to understand the complexities of a game of logic. How could a creature so obviously designed by nature to labor be able to stomach the patient effort of Kal’toh. Chuck picked up his “Blackhole” while Serixs thought and took a sip. He wondered how the consumption of this drink might be affecting his performance. Frowning slightly he put the drink down once again. (reply Serixs,Any) (posted by Anton Taylor) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon – 08:19) “I told you . . . like piloting a shuttlecraft.” Chuck grinned. “It is never difficult for me to get an advantage in such games as this, the trick is not getting sloppy and leaving you an opening to equalize.” Serixs let out another soft chuckle and clicked his teeth together as he grinned. "Yes, the move was quite unexpected indeed, but not unplanned for." This human was turning out to be quite an adversary when it came to logic puzzles. The big Gorn would have to be careful and try something unorthadox. “I’d like to see the results of your testing . . . I’d appreciate it if you sent a data feed directly to my quarters so that I can give them a once over.” He heard Donaldson say to him. Serixs looked up from the board and nodded to him. "Then it shall be made available to you." Serixs said as he took a rod and lightly tapped it against the side of his snout, contemplating which gambit to use to throw off the human. He nodded quietly to himself and placed the rod near the top of the board, making no apparent shift in the favor of the game, but leaving himself a very subtle but profound opening to capitalize in his next move, provided Chuck did not see it. (reply Donaldson) Serixs leaned back and picked up his mug once more, taking a sip and smiling. He always enjoyed a good logic game ever since he was a hatchling over sixty years ago. "The programming I was able to leech from the nannite shows that it was altered by human work," he said, making conversation. "Very tricky stuff to do, so whomever it was had intimate knowledge of Borg tech to pull it off." He watched as Donaldson contemplated his move and grinned again, another sharp toothed smile and then remained quiet. He did not wish to distract his opponent any further. He looked at the board and calculated the possible structural changes based upon the moves open to Donaldson. This could still work in his favor, but the game was yet early. Time would tell. (reply Donaldson) "Effective," Serixs said to Donaldson at his last move, then reached and took a rod from the bottom. He paused a moment, appearing to calculate the structure changes, but really trying to quietly throw the human off. He still had his little opening and placed the rod there, shift the entire board into his favor. By his calculations, he would have the board in three moves. However, he also could tell that depending on how Donaldson played, the human could have it in two, but risk was part of this game like any other. (reply Donaldson) (posted by Don) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – Ensign JG Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 08:28) "Then it shall be made available to you." Serixs said. Chuck shrugged slightly as his mind writhed like a snake between the two worlds. The one drenched in reality . . . Serixs notes regarding Daimon Brak; and the other, the world of abstraction where a mans fate is decided entirely by factors of his own design. Chuck felt like a god in such pursuits and - despite the annoying presence of the Gorn’s will - things were more peaceful there. Speaking of Serixs, Chuck came briefly out of his trance to see the Gorn grasp a rod and lightly tap it against the side of his snout. It was somewhat obvious to the both combatants that the game was taking shape and was “winding up” to a swift conclusion. Serixs’ head seemed to bob as he sat in silence. Serixs placed the rod near the top of the board, making no apparent shift in the favor of the game. While it is true that the previous calculations that Chuck made were permanently altered by the move Chuck knew that there was little need to panic. Chuck’s experience hadtold him that a different move by the Gorn was “safe” but he had calculated it as won for himself. This move he would have to think about. Serixs leaned back and picked up his mug once more, taking a sip and smiling. "The programming I was able to leech from the nannite shows that it was altered by human work," Serixs said inexplicably. "Very tricky stuff to do, so whomever it was had intimate knowledge of Borg tech to pull it off." Serixs seemed to notice that not only was he starting to babble but Chuck was too engrossed by the game to be very social. ~How annoying, he refuses to talk on the shuttle and now he won’t shut up.~ Chuck’s patience with the talkative Gorn and the difficult position on the board began to stretch Chuck’s nerves. The implant above his left eye began to itch. Chuck quickly grabbed a rod from the board and thought about the intended move. It would leave Serixs a small opening which was unpleasant for Chuck. Deep in thought he tapped the rod on his forehead. It made no sound until it unhappily connected with his implant. The “metal-on-metal” sound of it grated on his nerves worse than the Gorn. Despite the distraction he made his move without much more delay. "Effective," Serixs said responding to Chuck’s move, then reached and took a rod from the bottom. He paused a moment, appearing to calculate the structure changes, and then placed the rod into a fine position. Chuck could see that the game had taken on a character that had begun to lean in the Gorn’s favor. On behalf of all Mammals he’d have to show the reptile who was at the top of the interplanetary food chain. “Your position here looks very nice.” Chuck commented briefly. This was it, a climax. If Chuck messed up at this point it was game over. ~Hmm, so that’s his game, he can win in no less than three moves if I go there. . .~ Chuck thought letting his eyes wander across the board. ~. . . but if I go there . . . I win in two moves. That’s it!~ Chuck was thrilled and his eyes showed it. A clear win in sight is a thing unlike any other. Unfortunately, pride takes a back seat to economics. In the interest of a possible future financial gain Chuck’s mind began to scream at him. ~Take a dive, this one time, take a dive . . . he’s beaten and he knows it . . . leave his pride and the rewards are exponential.~ said Chuck to himself. “Well, I’ve had enough, you’re a fine player. We’ll have to play again sometime. It has been an unexpected pleasure, Ensign Ssarumon.” Chuck said standing up. (reply Ssaurmon) “I would definitely be interested in playing again, just drop me a line anytime.” Said Chuck nodding. (reply Ssarumon, IYW) Chuck leaned over and picked up his still unfinished “Blackhole” and trying to hold himself expressionless in full display view of Serixs. He calmly held the glass with three fingers and his thumb across the rim of the glass and coolly made his way to the entrance of Ten Forward. He stopped briefly at the end of the bar. He quickly shot the rest of the drink and sat the glass upside-down on the end of the bar. Without further spectacle Chuck firmly grasped the doorframe in one hand and taking a last look around the interior of the room disappeared into the corridor. (reply Serixs, any) (posted by Anton Taylor) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon – 08:30) Serixs watched as the human he was playing the game with stood to signal the end of the match. He too stood, as it seemed custom. “Well, I’ve had enough, you’re a fine player. We’ll have to play again sometime. It has been an unexpected pleasure, Ensign Ssarumon.” Chuck said. "Thank you," Serixs said, nodding his head. "As are you." He grinned, showing his sharp teeth. "I had not expected such a match from a human. Would you care for another match at some point?" “I would definitely be interested in playing again, just drop me a line anytime.” Said Chuck nodding. "Good," Serixs said. "Until then." He started to put the board away as he watched Donaldson step out into the corridor. He had his own work to get back to now, and he needed to get it done. He, too, stepped out into the corridor on his way back to the science labs. (Reply None) (Posted by Don Jones) (USS Spectre - Science Department - Ardena Carrow - 08:30) The labs that held the reptiles were moist and warm. Most of the animals within were jungle animals from various worlds, but the few that required different environments had habitats that adjusted. Easier to cater to the majority. The animal sciences didn't have a very large section of any starship, and the Spectre's was definitely on the smaller side of those, but it was complete for all of its lack of size. She left a Vulcan Bir'lor eating a grape with gusto as she stepped out in the main lab common room, the L branch of the Science department's common room. She could hear the buzz of discussion and discovery, even if they were travelling at high warp through supposed empty space there would be things to examine, papers to rewrite, data to evaluate. The average Starship gathered more information than any crew could digest, the majority went off to Memory Prime for sorting and processing with the onboard scientists nibbling the pieces relevant to them. A stretch realigned her spine from crouching over habitats and she pulled up her schedule on a nearby terminal. Next on her list was Ensign Serixs' tribbles. Even if they weren't pets but sustenance, their health had to be verified. Ardena wasn't much for the eating of living meat rather than synthesized, but she wasn't going to point fingers either. Most of her crewmates were living vegetarians by philosophy, something she shared, but it took all types to make the universe function. She'd eat a steak from a replicator, but only salad from a garden. But, all things considered, it wasn't as if tribbles weren't the perfect food animal.. assuming one Gorn could keep up with their breeding cycle! (Reply None) (Posted by Lorna Appleby) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Daimon Brak - 08:32) From behind him, the Ferengi could hear them coming, women, lots of them, all naked, all calling his name. "Brak....Brak, come with me Brak, I have much land & I can bear you many children", they cried. But Brak's attention was not upon any of them, as good as it sounded to him to hear them fighting for his attention, the view ahead of him was far far brighter & a hundred times more alluring. Latinum, piled as high as a house & ranging as broad as the largest plot of land he had ever seen, it glinted in the sunlight & held his gaze like no woman of Ferenginar or any other planet for that matter, ever could. He was utterly enamoured by it. Then all at once the Latinum began to fade, right before his very eyes the gold, mirror like glow faded to one of a tarnished, lesser metal, & the women were closing on him. "Come with me Brak, come with me......" The Ferengi stopped in his tracks, his bulging eyes fixed upon the apparent promised land ahead, the voices from behind him however were irritating, like wasps or flies buzzing about in an almost imperceptable miasma of utter & complete annoyance. In an instance, the little Ferengi turned about. "Go away!", he cried, "leave me be you.....you harridans, be off with you, I have nothing for you" It was at that point however that the first of the many women caught up with him, she was large & bulbous, not the kind that Brak had a particular liking for at all but she was all over him, pawing at his clothing, caressing his face & making grabs for his large lobes. "Oomox Brak, I will give you Oomox", cried the naked female as she began pressing herself against the beleagered Ferengi's chest at the precise moment that two more women arrived to begin lavishing him with their salubrious attention. "Neeeeagh!", cried Brak, "in all that is sacred, leave me be, GO AWAY!!" But they didn't go away, they continued on.... Oomox Brak, Land, wealth, offspring..... All of these words were uttered & more, all designed of course to attract the Ferengi's attention & all apparently failing as he turned his head once again towards the promised land ahead. By now it had tarnished to such an extent that it appeared to be rusting, gone was the golden glow, gone was the glinting sunlight to be replaced by corrosion & an almost complete lack of anything that depicted wealth. "My Latinum, my lovely Latinum!", he cried, "where has it all gone" And from behind him the women continued to arrive, prompting the ever greedy Ferengi to flail his arms about like some bizarre animated windmill in an attempt to push them away. "Melorazine, twenty milligrams before the fool hurts himself" The voice had been disconnected, apparently coming from the sky to cause the Ferengi to screw up his face in confusion. Then a light appeared above him, a face peering down into his, it was ugly, not a face of beauty at all. "Go away I tell you, go away!", cried Brak as his arms continued to flail about accompanied as it was by a sudden & inexplicable pain throughout his chest. Then all of a sudden somebody was holding him firm, pressing him down onto something as something else was pressed firmly against his upper arm. The light grew brighter & the naked Ferengi women began to dissipate from his vista as he looked up towards it.... Suddenly the realisation hit home, the face looming over his was human & wearing a Starfleet uniform. "Aaaargh!", cried Brak, "Don't touch me Hooman", he hollered as he began pushing the woman away. "Kayolane, ten milligrams", said the woman above him as the relevant hypospray was quickly filled & then handed to her. The Melorazine should have been acting by now of course but it seemed that either Brak was too hyper himself, or that Ferengi anatomy was more resilient than she had first thought. The dose of Kayolane however should assist & kick in soon. "Wh...Wh.... Where am I, what are you doing to me, let me go, let me go now!", cried Brak as it all began to fall firmly into place. He was a bomb, he had a mission, the Latinum would not come until he had completed that mission. ~What is this pain~ Brak screwed his face up again & clutched at his torso in a vain attempt to ease the pain he was now experiencing, then he began hollering once again. "Where is the President, bring him to me!", cried Brak. "I don't think so you obnoxious little man", said the woman above him, "your little game is over" "Over!, Over!, I'll give you over Hooman", cried Brak as he quickly screwed up his face in concentration, his goal being to detonate himself once & for all & rid himself of the never ending nightmare that had just evolved around him. Nothing..... The Ferengi opened up his eyes & looked about. "You should all be dead, what's wrong....why aren't you all dead?", he added just as the familiar face of that damned Human medic appeared above him, apparently gloating at his inability to render sickbay & everything associated with it, a swirling pool of atoms. (Reply Williams) "Operated!, OPERATED!!.....how dare you!", cried Brak as he attempted once again to attempt to sit up on the biobed, an act which was to instill more pain throughout his body. The Ferengi screwed his face up once again in a clear attempt to self detonate, just in case the Doctor had been bluffing of course. "Fools, you fools....what have you done!", cried Brak as the realisation of the fact that he had now failed in his mission, & more importantly, lost all of the Latinum that had been promised to him finally sank in. "You incompetent buffoon", cried Brak, the onslaught aimed directly at Dr Williams. (Reply Williams, Any) "There are rules against this, you can't do what you have done without consequences", said Brak just as the combined sedatives began to lull him into a more relaxed frame of mind. (Reply Williams, Any) "I want to see the Captain, the Captain likes me, the Captain will understand", said Brak as he suddenly allowed his head to fall back onto the small pillow of the Biobed. "Don't worry my diminutive little friend, the Captain will be wanting to see you shortly anyway", said one of the nurses nearby. "Bring me a communications device", said Brak, "the Grand Negus will hear of this, then there will trouble", he added smugly as his eyes began fluttering in their attempt to remain open. "Oh really, said the Nurse, "I have a feeling that there will indeed be trouble, but I rather suspect that you, not us, will be on the receiving end of it", she added. "We will see", said Brak, "We will see". The Ferengi then closed his eyes as the sedatives took full effect. (Reply Williams, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre – Science Lab – Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon – 08:35) Serixs had entered the lab and made quick work of forwarding his already gathered data to Ensign Donaldson for analysis. After that, he would need to delve deeper in the programming again to see what sort of other little tricks this nanite was designed to do. He did not get very far, though, when he was summoned to the Captain's Ready Room. With a grumble, he stepped out of the Science lab once more, making his way through the winding corridors and wondering just what all this was about. It was rare to get called to there unless there was trouble... (reply none) (posted by Don Jones) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO - Williams - 08:36) Andrew heard the cries of Brak as he entered sickbay. One of the nurses was trying to hold him down as he trashed around. ~Brilliant just what I need~ He quickly crossed over to them. "You should all be dead, what's wrong....why aren't you all dead?", ~Well at least his brain still works. More the pity~ “Fortunately for us Mr Brak we were able to operate and remove the explosive device which was inside your chest.” "Operated!, OPERATED!!.....how dare you!", ~I’m not the one who wanted to blow up the ship~ "Fools, you fools....what have you done!", "You incompetent buffoon", ~Well maybe next time I’ll just space you. How would you like that you f*****g little troll~ “Well if you feel too aggrieved by what I’ve done complain to the management.” "There are rules against this, you can't do what you have done without consequences", “There are indeed rules Mr Brak and there will be consequences to deal with that is for sure.” "I want to see the Captain, the Captain likes me, the Captain will understand", said Brak as he suddenly allowed his head to fall back onto the small pillow of the Biobed. "Don't worry my diminutive little friend, the Captain will be wanting to see you shortly anyway", said one of the nurses nearby. "Bring me a communications device", said Brak, "the Grand Negus will hear of this, then there will trouble", ~Good at least the sedatives are beginning to work~ "Oh really, said the Nurse, "I have a feeling that there will indeed be trouble, but I rather suspect that you, not us, will be on the receiving end of it", "We will see", said Brak, "We will see". Andrew waited until he was sure that Brak was truly asleep. He shook his head and sighed. ~What a total idiot~ “If he wakes again. Hit him over the head with some thing will you. You know like maybe a shuttle craft.” The nurse gave him a sly grin. “You know its nice to know that the patients are grateful about the care we give them.” The nurse grinned. “Yeah they used to give us boxes of chocolates and cards.” Andrew grinned back. “That was nice. Do you think if we asked the Grand Negus he might give us some?” “They would probably get lost in transit.” “Yeah and we’d have to pay. Any way, if he wakes again tell me.” With that, he turned and headed out of sickbay. (reply Any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Junior Officer's Quarters - Ardena Carrow - 08:40) Ardena let herself into the Gorn's quarters, not sure what to expect. A blissful wave of dry heat greeted her as soon as she stepped in. Oh, that was lovely. She might have been raised in a temperate rain forest, but it didn't mean she couldn't appreciate a nice warm desert. The Okanagan, while just a short jaunt up the Fraser Valley, always seemed just far enough away to be out of touch. Great cider and wine country, desert, lakes, luxurious accommodations for adults, themed stays for kids and families, she wished she could have spent more time there. It got up to 43C in a dry heat wave most summers, something that stunned and surprised many about a Canadian region. Ardena sighed and took a glance around. She didn't want to imprint her scent on anything more than necessary. She'd left her hand print on the door to let Serixs know she'd entered, she wasn't quite sure if Gorn's 'tasted' smell like many reptiles, or if they had a more mammalian interface, but a scent on a doorway was polite if he could sense it. The science officer's quarters were tidy and organized, it surprised her how often her cousin blue shirts live in tips. The tribble habitat was in the back corner of the common room, Ardena went over and scanned them with a medical tricorder. She didn't need all the data it provided, but it was easier than reprogramming a standard tricorder for biological data. The tribbles trilled when she came close and did their happy vibrate dance. Ardena was unsure if her scent on his food was a no-no or not, so she forgoed petting the cute little creatures. "Pregnant, shock and surprise," Ardena talked to herself, "Well fed, mentally happy, and basically a well cared for snack." She tilted her head to oneside, "Well, better you than me, friend." She told the little animal. A bit callus, she supposed, but she'd rather have an animal without two thoughts to rub together eaten than having a hungry, cranky, Gorn on ship. Pressing her palm against the inside of the door to let the Ensign know she'd left again, Ardena quickly wrote up the report on Serxis' food supply. It got high marks from her all around, the man was obviously a conscientious being, no matter what he ate. (Reply none) (Posted by Lorna Appleby) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 08:45) "Helm, set a course for the Bajoran system & prepare for warp", said the Captain, "open a channel to the Warbird" "Aye sir", said the communications officer & the viewscreen changed to that of the DihVael's bridge with Sub commander Selerk currently seated in the command chair, the serious look of a seasoned officer in place upon his face as he gave a polite nod & then spoke. "Captain T'Vhor, I trust that your situation is much improved", said Selerk. "Admirably", said T'Vhor, "we are now at full operational capacity & are ready to leave the system, before we depart however, I would like to extend my thanks to Commander Talok for his assistance & level of understanding in regards our recent dealings with one another", he added. Selerk briefly turned his attention to the left as a Romulan officer handed him the equivalent of a Starfleet PADD, then he returned his attention to their own viewscreen once again. "Commander Talok is otherwise indisposed at this time, but I will be sure to relay your sentiment of goodwill to him", said the Romulan sub commander, pausing then as though contemplating his next sentence. "May I say personally, that I feel that the last few hours have been.....unconventional in regards normal dealings with a vessel encountered within our territory", said Selerk, "normally, we would have blown your ship from the sky", he added, a sentiment which immediately brought a raised eyebrow to the Spectre's Captain & revealed a return to the usual Romulan way of dealing with things. "Then I am relieved that your vessel is under the command of a commander who is not afraid to illicit a certain degree of Logic in regards his command decisions", said T'Vhor turning briefly towards Lieutenant Rogers seated next to him. Rogers allowed only the slightest of smiles to express upon his face at the Captains choice of words. Selerk's expression remained unchanged regardless of his somewhat innate hatred of Vulcan logic & it's invariably flawed connotations. As a military commander, his choice of action would have been predictably impulsive, shoot now, ask questions later being his usual Modus Operandi. In response, he simply nodded & then remained as stoic as before. "Captain, I bid you a safe journey, may our paths cross again someday in less than unfavourarable circumstance", said Selerk, clearly resorting to the path laid down by his superior in this matter. "Peace & long life", said T'Vhor raising his hand in a familiar Vulcan salute. Selerk remained unphased at the gesture, he simply pursed his lips & then closed the channel, thus returning the Spectre's viewscreen to the familiar starfield vista once again. For a moment there was silence on the Spectre's bridge, then the Captain turned to the First Officer to address him. "A pleasant enough officer wouldn't you say Mr Rogers, perhaps a little lacking in decorum but pleasant enough given our current circumstances", said the Captain. (Reply Rogers) "It would seem so", said the Captain as he quickly went on to address the Helm & Communications officers respectively. "Signal the Hood that we are going to warp, they have their orders & already know that they are to provide close escort during our journey to the Bajoran system", said the Captain, "Helm, take us to warp eight" The Helm Officer then made the requisite adjustments to his console & responded in the affirmative. "Aye sir, initiating warp eight", & with that the Spectre leapt to warp in a blur of photonic light. The Captain then stood from his chair & addressed the FO. "You have the bridge Mr Rogers, have Ensign Ssarumon report to me in my ready room at his earliest convenience", said the Captain. (Reply Rogers) The Captain then left the bridge. (Reply Rogers, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 09:00) The Captain stood next to one of the viewing ports in his ready room looking out onto the vastness of space in contemplation, it was awe inspiring. It had never ceased to instill such thoughts within him to witness their travail through the endless vacuum in which they now plied their trade, & with that in mind, T'Vhor cast his mind back to the stories he had been told concerning sailing ships that once sailed the seas of Vulcan in her pre space infancy. How far they had come, those seas of old once vast in themselves were now diminutive by comparison, it made the Captain wonder what their next evolutionary jump would entail. A leap of entire dimensions perhaps within the blink of an eye, or perhaps they would quite literally, harness the power of their dreams in a manner never before conceived. His chain of thought however was broken by the sound of the door chime sounding, no doubt to signal the arrival of Ensign Ssarumon himself. The Captain turned his attention away from the viewing port, then he bade the Ensign enter. The door slid aside with it's usually effortless hiss & Ssarumon entered the room, immediately coming to upright attention at the Captains table. "At ease Ensign, please.....take a seat", said the Captain as he himself made towards the replicator to fetch a glass of his usual fruit juice. "Can I get you anything Ensign?", said the Captain. (Reply Ssarumon) The Captain then took his seat opposite the now seated Gorn officer. "Before I begin, may I offer my condolences in regards the loss of Captain Zernix", said the Captain, "I understand that she was a fine officer & a credit to the Gorn race in general", he added referring to Serix's earlier communique to him in regards her sudden loss. (Reply Ssarumon) "I am assuming that you will be attending any ceremony arranged for her?", asked the Captain. (Reply Ssarumon) "I am in agreeance of course, however, there is another matter with which I must speak with you", said the Captain continuing on & piquing the Gorns interest somewhat. "I have received an urgent communique from both the Gorn Hegemony & the 52nd Fleet that you are to be transferred at the earliest instance", he added noting the Gorn's change of expression at the sudden & unexpected news. (Reply Ssarumon) "I understand, it is not my decision at all, the orders came to me direct from the Steel Talons, it would seem that your....unique viewpoint in regards the hegemony & it's growing presence within the general arena of conflict, means that another vessels need is greater than that of the Spectres", said the Captain. (Reply Ssarumon) "Again, I understand. Logically however & in light of the available facts, it would seem to be the desired course of action", said T'Vhor pausing briefly to take a sip of his fruit juice. (Reply Ssarumon, IYW) "The Spectre has been ordered to the Bajoran system, the Hood will be accompanying us there & will depart once the President is safely aboard the Steel Talons. Her destination will be the Geneva station so it would be a logical step for you to transfer to the Hood to complete the journey at that point", said the Captain. (Reply Ssarumon) "I understand that you will receive further orders upon your arrival at Geneva assigning you to another vessel of the fleet", said T'Vhor. (Reply Ssarumon) "I have not been informed as to which ship that may be due to security concerns, but I am sure that it will be uniquely suited to your abilities & your role as a direct liason to the Gorn Hegemony", said the Captain. (Reply Ssarumon) The Gorn seemed confused, but complied of course. His first taste of a Starfleet vessel had been unusual to him in the extreme & the Captain clearly sensed his devotion to the cause & to the 52nd's current situation. Apparently though, the deal had been done & dusted, the commands had been given & who was he but a lowly ships Captain to go against that. "May I take this opportunity to say that it has been a pleasure & an experience having you aboard Ensign, I would hope that one day our paths will cross again but in the meantime, you should still consider yourself an officer stationed aboard the Spectre, at least for the duration of our travel to the Bajoran system", said the Captain. (Reply Ssarumon) The Captain nodded, then as the Gorn stood, he rose from his chair also to formally dismiss Serix's from his presence in the usual time honoured fashion. "Ensign Ssarumon", said the Captain just as the Gorn turned about & headed for the door, "please don't hesitate to contact me if you require any further assistance in this matter, I will be more than happy to help", said the Captain. (Reply Ssarumon) The doors then closed after the Gorn had exited, leaving the Captain to turn about & walk slowly towards the viewing port once again, his prior contemplation still fresh in his mind. (Reply Ssarumon) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre - Jynea's Office - Morale Officer Ensign Jynea Kreung - 9:00) Jynea turned the terminal's screen off and sat back in her chair. Her head felt overstuffed with information, and she knew it would take a while to sort in her brain. She knew she'd be reviewing roster and schematics regularly. Jynea had been told that travelling through Jeffrey tubes on her 'rounds' would give her more interaction with the enlisted than turbolifts, as she would find most of them working behind the scenes. As far as she knew, her duty was to the enlisted primarily and to officers secondary. She was sure the Lieutenant would let her know if that was to be changed. She wrote a quick memo to Lieutenant Taxia that she was going walk-about to evaluate crew morale and get a base feeling for ship and crew and that when he was ready for interview she would head back. Before she hit send, she realized she should probably explain the rabbit napping in her office. "Slight water accident in my quarters, my pet rabbit Mark is in my office until its fixed. Hope this isn't inconvenient." She wasn't quite sure where she'd put him if it WAS inconvenient! She turned on a light forcefield on the door, one that a humanoid could walk through if they really wanted, but should stop a small determined animal who didn't have the mass to push through, and headed out, adjusting her PADD filled backpack. (Reply None) (Posted by Lorna Appleby) (USS Spectre - Turbolift - Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon - 09:05) Serixs was on the turbolift headed to the bridge and wondering just what it was the Captain wished to see him about. He was not sure, so he brought along other items that might be needed. He had a PADD with the results of his analysis of the nanite, a copy of the Spectre's new parts inventory, and another copy of the article announcing the death of Commodore Zernix. Serixs entered the bridge, giving a nod to those here and stepping towards the Captain's Ready room. He keyed the door chime. When the Captain responded, he stepped in and stood before his CO's desk at attention. "At ease Ensign, please.....take a seat", said the Captain as he himself made towards the replicator to fetch a glass of his usual fruit juice. "Can I get you anything Ensign?", said the Captain. Serixs got his sizable bulk into the chair and set his PADD on the desk. "Water, sir, if you please," he said in response to the question. Unexpected calls to the Captain's office always made him a bit edgy, but he did not let it show. He waited for Captain T'Vhor to sit as well, then took a drink from his glass while thinking about what all this could be about. "Before I begin, may I offer my condolences in regards the loss of Captain Zernix", said the Captain, "I understand that she was fine officer & a credit to the Gorn race in general", he added referring to Serix's earlier communique to him in regards her sudden loss. "Yes sir," Serixs said. "She was very vocal in her rather unique views on the state of the quadrants at this time. Many considered her to be a visionary." "I am assuming that you will be attending any ceremony arranged for her?", asked the Captain. "I did not know her personally, but it would probably be appropriate for me to attend to put a Federation presence there. Given the time constraints, I would likely be the best choice since I already know the customs involved." "I am in agreeance of course, however, there is another matter with which I must speak with you", said the Captain. Serixs raised the ridge over one eye and wondered just what the other matter was. "I have received an urgent communique from both the Gorn Hegemony & the 52nd Fleet that you are to be transferred at the earliest instance", the Captain said to him. Serixs just pulled a face in no small amount of shock at that bit of information. "So soon, sir?" Serixs said to him. "I am not sure I am fond of the idea of being shuffled away so soon after getting here." He let out a low rumble. "And the Spectre is still in need of support and repairs." "I understand, it is not my decision at all, the orders came to me direct from the Steel Talons, it would seem that your....unique viewpoint in regards the hegemony & it's growing presence within the general arena of conflict, means that another vessel's need is greater than that of the Spectre's", said the Captain. This did not sit well with the big Gorn. He had just gotten here a short time before and was already being diverted. "Sir, would it not be more appropriate for a Gorn intelligence officer to be serving as a liason?" He clasped his claws together. "I am just a science officer." "Again, I understand. Logically however & in light of the available facts, it would seem to be the desired course of action", said T'Vhor pausing briefly to take a sip of his fruit juice. The captain was right, of course. Logically speaking, Serixs was the better choice. The Hegemony needed every one of its officers, and he was already Federation and already accessible. That did not mean he had to like it, though. "Sir, when is the transfer to be conducted?" "The Spectre has been ordered to the Bajoran system, the Hood will be accompanying us there & will depart once the President is safely aboard the Steel Talons. Her destination will be the Geneva station so it would be a logical step for you to transfer to the Hood to complete the journey at that point", said the Captain. "Yes sir," Serixs said. This was not surprising, but irritating. He had just gotten off of the Hood and now he was going right back on. "I understand that you will receive further orders upon your arrival at Geneva assigning you to another vessel of the fleet", said T'Vhor. "Has it been made known which vessel I will be assigned to, sir?" Serixs asked, wondering what other ship he was going to be tossed at. "I have not been informed as to which ship that may be due to security concerns, but I am sure that it will be uniquely suited to your abilities & your role as a direct liason to the Gorn Hegemony", said the Captain. That made no sense to the Gorn, and he was sure it did not make much sense to Captain T'Vhor either. In fact this whole thing made little sense, and the confusion on his face was very apparent. He was just a science officer, not some field operative for the Ministry of Intelligence. Still, orders were orders, and he had to conduct himself accordingly. "May I take this opportunity to say that it has been a pleasure & an experience having you aboard Ensign, I would hope that one day our paths will cross again but in the meantime, you should still consider yourself an officer stationed aboard the Spectre, at least for the duration of our travel to the Bajoran system", said the Captain. "Yes, sir," Serixs said, getting to his feet as he sensed the meeting was at an end. "It has been most enlightening being on board the Spectre as well." He came to attention once again and started towards the door after being dismissed. "Ensign Ssarumon," Serixs heard the Captain say, "please don't hesitate to contact me if you require any further assistance in this matter, I will be more than happy to help." Serixs nodded to Captain T'Vhor. "Thank you sir," He said, then stepped out of the ready room. This was all too confusing for him, and it was a curveball he had not expected to be thrown his way. Inwardly, he growled and started towards his quarters. He wanted to see if there was a message about this in his personal list that he had missed. (reply any) (posted by Don) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - Morale Officer Ensign Jynea Kreung - 9:10) Her first stop was Ten Forward to get a mug of tea and get a feel for the crew. Those at rest would most likely be at the 'top' of the morale curve, and besides, she could eavesdrop on shipboard rumours. Anything that command should know about she'd tell Lieutenant Taxia and he could pass on to the First Officer if he felt it was important. And if the First Officer agreed, it went on to the Captain. A bit convoluted, she'd thought at first, but then, she'd realized just how much a Captain dealt with day to day and that filtering process was quite important.. otherwise a Captain would get bogged down in inconsequentials quickly. Not that she doubted for a heartbeat that any Starfleet Captain had a good grasp of what was going on on his ship, but was just wise enough to delegate the information gathering to others. And that other was her. She felt a warm fuzzy at the thought she was important to the *Captain* doing *his* job! Mug of white tea in hand she looked around the room. Her natural impulse was to sit in a corner and hide, but she had a job to do! She squared her shoulders, after all, no Starfleet personnel would *hurt* her just for wanting to chat with them. She was surprised by a pair of Vulcans playing some complicated game in the corner. Oh, not that they were playing some complicated game that made her headache to look at, but at that one caught her eye and seemed to offer to include her. Well, hopefully whatever 'aura' she extruded wouldn't bother them too much. Once within range, both Vulcans gave her a startled look, she gave her best friendly smile, "Hello, I'm Jynea, the new morale officer." They two shared a glance, "We were informed of your arrival. Do you play Kal-toh? You seemed to have an interest in the game board." Jynea took the spare chair and sat down with her tea, "Absolutely not," she said cheerfully, "I'm hopeless at anything that can't be played at the seat of your pants pace. I can't even win a game of checkers." The one who hadn't been talking actually twitched. Perhaps he couldn't wrap his head around a humanoid who was proud of lack of intellectual ability, or perhaps her 'aura' was getting up his nose. "But - I'm interested in anything my crewmates are interested in if you can give me the baby's version." She added with a hopeful look. The baby version would probably make sense to a baby Vulcan, but Jynea was lost pretty quick. That was okay, it seemed to make the Vulcan's happy to share their knowledge and give examples as they continued their game. Not that she thought the Vulcans would admit to 'happiness' .. perhaps contentment or satisfaction would be a more accurate term? She noticed the Vulcans were subtly moving away from her after their explanations were winding to an end, she didn't even think they were aware. They seemed much too polite to do it with thought, but it was evidently time she moved on anyway. The general feel of Ten Forward seemed to be happy there was a lull in their mission, glee to be travelling at such a high speed, and a sort of 'licking of wounds' feeling. Jynea didn't think she'd ever travelled at such a high warp before and studied the rapidly moving stars outside the Ten Forward windows before thinking about continuing on her way. (reply any) (Posted by Lorna Appleby) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - CMO Williams - 9:20) Andrew entered ten forward. He had not realised how much Brak had got under his skin and was furious with himself for reacting the way he did. He got himself a drink. ~Really need to get some breakfast soon. Sleep would also work out quite nicely~ He headed for a table in the corner but saw Kreung standing by the windows. He changed his direction and walked over to her. "Do you mind if I join you" (reply Kreung) "Did you manage to get any sleep?" (reply Kreung) "How are you settling in?" (reply Kreung) (reply Kreung, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - Morale Officer Ensign Jynea Kreung - 9:22) "Do you mind if I join you?" The voice startled Jynea and she turned to see the doctor beside her, she gave him a welcoming smile, it was always nice to see a friendly face. "Hello Doctor! Your company is always welcome." She replied warmly. "Did you manage to get any sleep?" "Oh, as much as ever." Jynea assured him, "Did you get any yourself? You look like you've been running non-stop for a week." (Reply Williams) "Just don't make me look up whether I have the authority to order you to bed for the sake of your mental health." Unintended double entendre, but feeling mischevious, she let it stand. (Reply Williams) "How are you settling in?" Williams asked. "Oh, well enough, I guess." She shrugged ruefully, "Its all very new and different yet, but everyone seems nice enough.. excluding a slight flooding problem in my quarters, all is good!" (Reply Williams) (reply Williams, any) (posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - CMO Williams - 9:26) "Did you get any yourself? You look like you've been running non-stop for a week." Andrew smiled lightly. “Nearly but not that much.” "Just don't make me look up whether I have the authority to order you to bed for the sake of your mental health." ~Ow grate~ He gave her a worried glance. “There is no need for that. Honestly.” He quickly changed the subject. "How are you settling in?" Williams asked. "Oh, well enough, I guess." She shrugged ruefully, "Its all very new and different yet, but everyone seems nice enough.. excluding a slight flooding problem in my quarters, all is good!" “Flooding problems. Was your rabbit okay?” (reply Kreung) (reply Kreung, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - Morale Officer Ensign Jynea Kreung - 9:30) "“Flooding problems. Was your rabbit okay?”" Williams asked with some concern. Jynea chuckled, "Wet feet and an irritated disposition, but I left him hopping around my office investigating all the new smells and places to hide. WITH a forcefield to keep him in." Jynea tucked her hair behind her ear, "Do you have any pets Doctor?" (reply Williams, any) (posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - CMO Williams - 9:33) "Wet feet and an irritated disposition, but I left him hopping around my office investigating all the new smells and places to hide. WITH a forcefield to keep him in." Andrew grinned. ~Looks like were going to have fun with this innocent looking fluffy bunny~ "Do you have any pets Doctor?" Andrew shook his head. “No. I’ve just not had the time.” He paused for a moment and then grinned. “But maybe a hamster would be nice, due to the fact that I will be awake more then it during the night. ” (reply Kreung) “How long have you had your rabbit. I’m sorry I’ve forgotten his name.” (reply Kreung) (reply Kreung, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - Morale Officer - Jynea Kreung - 9:35) Andrew shook his head when asked about pets of his own, “No. I’ve just not had the time.” He paused for a moment and then grinned again, "But maybe a hamster would be nice, due to the fact that I will be awake more then it during the night." Jynea wasn't quite sure what a hamster was, but she could only guess it was some sort of nocturnal creature. One, presumably, small enough to fit in a Starfleet suite. "Perhaps you should try the new and interesting and get a night's sleep? I have heard rumors that doctors all over the known quadrants give it a try now and then." she teased. (Reply Williams) “"How long have to had your rabbit. I'’m sorry I’'ve forgotten his name.”" asked the chief medical officer. "Mark," Jynea said, "I gained him on the Hood. One of the flight personnel was being transferred.. elsewhere? .. and decided I was the best person available to take him." She shrugged self-consciously and looked back out at the field of stars. "I'm not quite sure at the logic he used to come to that conclusion, I know nothing about lagomorphs and have never had a 'pet' before." (reply Williams, any) (posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - CMO Williams - 9:40) "Perhaps you should try the new and interesting and get a night's sleep? I have heard rumors that doctors all over the known quadrants give it a try now and then." Andrew grinned. "Yes I have heard a rumour of that as well. I really must try is now and again." He paused and then carried on. “"How long have to had your rabbit. I'’m sorry I’'ve forgotten his name." "Mark," Jynea said, "I gained him on the Hood. One of the flight personnel was being transferred.. elsewhere? .. and decided I was the best person available to take him." "I'm not quite sure at the logic he used to come to that conclusion, I know nothing about lagomorphs and have never had a 'pet' before." Andrew did not know what a lagomorphs was but decided not to ask. He gave a quick smile and "Well I'm sure you'll do just fine. Mark seams quite a hand full thought." He paused as he tried to stifle a yawn and realised that he was more tired then he had realised. "I will go with your suggestion though and see if this sleeping thing works. He gave her a grin. (reply Kreung) "I'll see you later." With that he nodded and left her at the window. (reply Kreung, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Crew Quarters - Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon & Morale Officer Ensign Jynea Kreung - 11:30) Jynea rubbed the back of her head as she waited for Serixs to answer his door. It had been a very long strange day. At least the Spectre was seeming more like home, and she supposed she would have plenty of time to get to know each and every crew member with two months of travel ahead of them. She suspect people would be bouncing off the walls by the end of it. Serixs let her in and she noticed his belongings were still in crates, "Haven't unpacked yet?" She asked. Serixs let out a sigh and showed her the orders. "I have been reassigned already," he said. "I was just on my way to the transporter room to hitch a ride on the Hood to Starbase Geneva." "Already?" Jynea asked, startled. That seemed very strange, shipping out a crewman just as he came aboard, no matter his race. She sighed. "Well, I'll miss you.. And not just because you have all the cool toys and gadgets!" Serixs chuckled. "Thank you, I think." He looked at her. "I shall miss you as well, Jynea. Sorry we could not have those sessions we had mentioned." He looked around and rubbed his chin. "According to Captain T'Vhor, another ship in the fleet is in more need of a Scientist than the Spectre, though I do not yet know which one." He shrugged. "I shall find out eventually. Jynea snorted a very unladylike snort. "Like they tell us junior officers anything. You will have a job, we won't tell you until you're expected to have it organized and done. Any questions? Too bad, we're not answering any. Have a nice trip!" She rolled her eyes at the silliness of the bureaucratic military. "I've yet to meet the Captain, what's he like?" she asked with open curiosity Serixs just laughed. "If you think it is that way for junior officers, try being enlisted," he said with a grin as he zipped up his kit bag. His larger bulk items and the rest of his belongings had already been sent over. He rubbed his chin as she asked him about the Captain. "He is....very Vulcan," he said. "Very cool under pressure, it would seem. A good commanding officer." "I've yet to meet a poor commanding officer in charge of a starship." Jynea teased him. Of course, the fact that she'd yet to meet a single starship captain was neither here nor there. "You should arrange a meeting with him when you can," Serixs said with a smile. "You would like Captain T'Vhor." He slung his bag over his shoulder and stepped towards her, then lightly nudged her shoulder with the tip of his snout, an affectionate gesture amongst his people. "I detest drawn out goodbyes, so I shall only say until next we meet," he said, smiling to her. Jynea gave him a scritch along his jaw hinge, tho she doubted he could feel it due to her lack of claws. "I'm sure I'll fill your inbox with all sorts of questions and reports soon enough." Jynea told him, trying not to sniffle. Her first adult friend and she was losing him already! Well, not really, holo-communications made distances seem irrelevant.. if the Spectre ever came off high alert and could use them. "Stay Safe!" she told her friend and gave him a kiss on the top of his snout before he could protest. "I expect the first shell to be named after me." Why his people would name the *shell* of their first laid with the intended name of their offspring was a bit beyond her, but it wasn't like Orions didn't do wacky and strange things. (Reply Serixs, iyw) Meet the Captain, yeah, right. She was just a junior officer on a medium sized ship. The only way she'd see the Captain was if she REALLY stuck her foot in it! Better to not be noticed by those in power, in her opinion! (Reply Serix's, Any) (Posted by Lorna & Don) (USS Spectre - Crew Quarters - Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon - 11:31) "Stay Safe!" she told her friend and gave him a kiss on the top of his snout before he could protest. "I expect the first shell to be named after me." Why his people would name the *shell* of their first laid with the intended name of their offspring was a bit beyond her, but it wasn't like Orions didn't do wacky and strange things. Serixs chuckled. "I will, but do not ask me to be good." He gave a bit of a wink and oomfed at the kiss. He had never had that particular thing happen before. He had been hugged by one over-zealous crew member already, but not kissed. He grinned at the request Jynea made and nodded. "I shall," he said, though he did not tell her that he already had three children at one point. Better to not get into that since it was not the most pleasant of subjects for him. "Be well, Jynea," he said finally, then took one more look around his quarters before he stepped out into the corridor to make his way to the Transporter room. (Reply None) (Posted by Don) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 1 - Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon - 11:35) Serixs stepped into the small transporter room on the Spectre and took a look around before nodding briefly to the transporter chief. "Have I been granted permission to disembark?" he asked. "Yes, sir," the transporter chief told him. "It came though a few moments ago." Serixs nodded and then tapped his communicator. "Computer, relay message to Ensign Charles Donaldson, low priority," he began, taking a moment to form his words. He then continued and smiled inwardly. "I shall have to take a rain check on our rematch, Ensign, but do me a favor and look after Ensign Kreung, the Orion Counsellor. She is dear to me." He then closed the message and waited for the computer to acknowledge that it was sent. Once that was out of the way, he stepped onto the transporter PADD. "Energize," he said. (Reply None) (Posted by Don) (USS Hood - Transporter Room 1 - Ensign (JG) Serixs Ssarumon - 11:36) After the familiar grip of the transporter gathered around him and finally cleared once more, he stepped down off the PADD. "Permission to come aboard," he asked. "Granted, sir," the Hood's transporter chief told him, "but...didn't we send you over to the Spectre some time ago?" "You did," Serixs responded with a chuckle. "Plans have changed. It would seem I will be accomponying you to Starbase Geneva." He nodded and stepped out into the Hood's corridor. He needed to get temporary quarters assigned once more and then get to work seeing if he could find anything out about his new assignment. (reply none) (posted by Don) ====================================================================== Mission: The Sword of Damocles Day: 41 Stardate: 2407.03.14 (USS Gryphon – Sickbay – Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 11:45) “Wake up, Mister.” Said an unfamiliar voice. Chuck opened his eyes. He was lying on a gurney in what appeared to be a federation ship’s sickbay. “What happened?” Chuck asked weakly, still trying to spot the speaker. “You helped save the life of at least fifty people, hero.” Said a pleasant looking female Talaxian in a blue uniform – apparently a member of the medical staff. “The Sphere . . .” Chuck muttered grabbing the woman’s arm. “Don’t be so forgetful, according to the records we recovered from what’s left of the sphere you’re the drone that overloaded it’s core and put a stop to its rampage through this sector.” She said smiling. Chuck took the opportunity to see if he was alright. His eyes widened . . . his body was covered from head to foot in borg implants. Then he noticed it, a bold monocular implant covering the whole left side of his face. He began to flee . . . he pulled and yanked at the various tubes and wires . . . he had to get them off . . . he was a human not a monster . . . not a machine . . . not a borg. As quickly as his panic had set in it seemed to dissipate . . . the spirit was willing but the flesh was weak . . . the adrenaline had hit his system in a flood and the blood had begun to flow through his body sporadically. Without ceremony he collapsed on the gurney fading into unconsciousness. (Reply None) (Posted by Anton Taylor) (USS Gryphon – Captain’s Quarters – Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 12:17) “Good, you’re coming to . . . excellent . . . a testament to human endurance.” Said a recognizable male voice. Chuck could feel that he was no longer on a gurney, he ran his fingers around until he developed the mental picture of a couch, yes, he was laying on a couch. His eyes hurt, he could open them but couldn’t see anything. “I can’t see” Chuck said. “That would be the Elimedizine hypospray I gave you earlier. The blindness is a temporary side effect, it’s a small price to pay for continued life. It would have been a shame if you had died after surviving blowing up an enemy ship.” Said the male voice. As he spoke Chuck realized where he had heard the voice before. “You’re an EMH?” Chuck asked. “That’s right, the ship’s doctor has her hands full with the stream of ex-borg drones pouring into sickbay. You’re in the captain’s quarters by his request.” Said the EMH. “What ship is this?” Chuck asked. “You’re aboard the Federation Starship USS Gryphon. Now that your conscious you can answer a few questions the captain wanted me to ask you when you revived.” Said the EMH. In the darkness Chuck sat up. He felt his arm, the implants were still there, he felt sick. “What can I tell you, you seem to know everything.” Chuck said. “Well, for one, we haven’t been able to establish just exactly why so many of the drones aboard the sphere are de-assimilated. The central node of the Sphere survived the explosion mostly undamaged.” Said the EMH. ~Why would the captain take us onboard if we’re a possible danger~ thought Chuck. “The Sphere was passing by an unknown Nebula and due to an anomaly in the polarity of the nebula’s field the connection to the node was severed. I’m the hero because I was the closest to a control panel and did a desperate thing.” Said Chuck. “Well, anyway, your onboard the Gryphon now, that’s behind you. When we first started beaming borg bodies onto the ship we thought it was an opportunity to study the evolution of borg technology in this region. Imagine our surprise when you turned out to be alive.” Said the EMH matter-of-factly. “Space junk is all I register as now,” Chuck whined a bit shaking a tube-covered arm. “Don’t be so dramatic, we have every indication that the majority of the implants can be removed safely” retorted the EMH without feeling. (Reply None) (Posted by Anton Taylor) (USS Spectre – Chuck’s Quarters – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 21:07) Things had gone black - Chuck opened his eyes and was staring at the ceiling. “Man, a dream of a memory, never had one of those so vivid before.” Chuck muttered to himself. He sat up in bed and felt his arm. No tubes, no wires, just flesh . . . human flesh . . . his flesh. He reached up to wipe sweat from his brow and his arm ran across his ocular implant. ~Not all flesh and blood~ he thought. He had fallen asleep in part of his uniform. His uniform jacket and shoes lay on the floor at the foot of the bed. “I have another one of those and I’ll have to see the Counselor,” moaned Chuck trying to whisper to himself. He stumbled around in the semi-darkness of his quarters not thinking to ask the computer to turn up the lights. He found the mirror next to the door and leaned against the wall. He could just barely make out the outline of his own face. “Just hold it together ‘til you find her . . . then you can . . . you can go completely off the deep end if you like.” He said to himself. “You’ve already gone off the deep end. Talking to yourself and not completely agreeing with what you’re saying.” “Just shut up fool . . . and hold it together.” (Reply None, Any) (posted by Anton Taylor) ============================================================================== Mission: The Sword of Damocles Day: 61 Stardate: 2407.04.03 (USS Spectre - Deck 11 - Morale Officer Ensign Jynea Kreung - 07:25) Jynea ducked behind the power array and looked around the corner of the Jeffrey's Tube. Her goal was supposed to be get to engineering and tag the warp corps. So far she'd been herded further down into the guts of the ship. A look through the vent said she must be either near Marine HQ or their quarters. A lot of green shirts going by. She was supposed to consider all other personnel hostile. Now, why a counselor would ever be the last free officer on a taken vessel was a scenario beyond her, but when the security regs said you had to do an exercise, you did an exercise. Her duty was to supposedly get to engineering and shut down the forcefield generator to free the crew that were supposedly locked in their quarters, the brig and who knew where else. Jynea could only wonder if hostile engineers would kindly give a morale officer directions to what a forcefield generator, power station, whatever it was. All panels looked alike to her, and certainly she didn't know one main controller from another! The traffic outside the vent seemed to disperse and Jynea carefully crept up to it and plastered face to look either way. No feet or legs in evidence, Jynea removed the panel as carefully as she could. Creeping out, Jynea gave quick glances up and down the corridor and crouched to set the panel back, no point in leaving evidence of her passing! (Reply None) (Posted by Lorna Appleby) (USS Spectre - Deck 11 - Security Personnel Tk'kit - 07:30) Tk'kit's tail lashed light from side to side as she waited for the prey to appear. She'd followed the scent to the ship's innards and guessed where they prey was going. A good plan, she supposed, to go down beyond your goal and back up by another route, but there was only one crossroads to take and that's where Tk'kit waited patiently. SHE had no limitations on how she could travel. SHE could take the turbolifts and even site to site transport if truly necessary, but at this stage in the game she was only supposed to suspect an enemy was loose in the ship, she supposedly had no proof to take to her invading commanders to demand action. So, Tk'kit waited, tail twitching. Her patience was rewarded when she got a scent from the environmental vent below her. The vanilla head-fur soap, the faint spicy scent of the Orion herself, and sure enough the vent moved. Tk'Kit thought the officer was no where near cautious enough, she hadn't surveyed the schedule of the marines *at all*, hadn't brought a tricorder to do passive scans, hadn't even sniffed the air. Queen new that Tk'kit was not scentless. So, Tk'kit watched the counselor carefully hide her back trail before acting. (Reply None) (Posted by Lorna Appleby) (USS Spectre - Deck 11 - Morale Officer Jynea - 07:35) Jynea straightened and closed her eyes for a heartbeat to reorientate herself to her mental map. Between having her eyes open and her eyes closed there was a sharp yowl, and before she could curse, a security petty officer pounced on her from above, dragging them to the ground. Jynea had little time for reaction beyond a startled yelp and then loud "OW!" as flesh impacted into flesh. PO2 Tk'kit was at least twice her size! (Reply any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor & SC Lieutenant Yelena Vasilyovna - 08:00) The USS Spectre had been in transit for over two months now, their cobbled together warp drive having stood the test of time most admirably & a testament no less to the men & women of both their home team & that of the Hood. The moment she had entered the Bajoran system however, the Captain had given the order to slow to three quarter impulse & then bring the phased cloak online, whilst the Hood peeled off to sit in a holding pattern just outside of Bajoran space for safety sake. Almost at that precise moment however, the comms had come alive with the transmissions & protocol data streams, running both to & from the various vessels currently operating within the system. Vasilyovna, as the Security officer stationed at the bridge console was analyzing them within seconds of course in her attempts to locate & isolate the one specific signal they had come here to look for. "Passively scanning for contact one now sir", said Vasilyovna as she ran her fingers deftly across the board in an attempt to do so. "There's a lot of comms traffic sir, this may take some time", she added. "Continue passive scans for the contact Lieutenant, the reason the Talons is here is because of the very fact that you mention", said the Captain, "focus your scans in the vicinity of the nearby moons as we pass through the system", he added. "Aye sir", said Vasilyovna as she quickly returned her attention to her console. The Captain then addressed the Ops officer to his right in regards their current power signatures. "Maintain a steady delivery of power throughout the ship Ensign, do not allow our footprint to rise above the current coefficiency", said the Captain. "Our current signature is negligable sir & the phased cloak is showing zero resonance", said the Ops officer. "Keep a watch on those levels at all times, inform me the moment they show anything other than what you have on your console right now", said the Captain in response. "Aye sir", said the Ops Officer. "Lieutenant Vasilyovna, are you reading anything resembling fluctuations akin to a nearby pulsar?", said the Captain. Vasilyovna checked the sensor readings twice, then she turned to the Captain to report her findings. "No sir, nothing resembling Pulsar activity within fifty thousand Kilometres of our current location", said Vasilyovna. The Captain paused briefly at the report, then he addressed the Helm, knowing as he did so that their restriction to passive scans made this infinitely more difficult than it would have been with their active scanners. "Course correction, one ninety mark four zero, slow to one half impulse", said the Captain as he watched the tactical overlay that had now appearing on the viewscreen. "Continue on course heading, Lieutenant Vasilyovna, direct your scans at the planetary moons at location one nine delta, report on any identifiable activity", said the Captain. "Aye sir, scanning for contact one's signature", said the security chief as the Captain turned to speak to the First Officer beside him. "The Talons IS here, although the task of finding her will predictably not be an easy one", said the Captain, "but then of course, that is precisely the point", he added. (Reply Rogers, IYW) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre - Jynea's Quarters - Morale Officer Jynea Kreung - 08:00) Jynea was peeling off her uniform on the way to having a quick bath when she felt the ship slow down. After weeks at warp it was almost strange to see stars stop moving on the other side of her view window. It was mostly coincidence she recognized the stars of Bajor, having done one of her fourth year papers on the trauma of interplanetary war on a people. She yawned into her fist and ran the water of the tub as Mark sat on the mat by the sink and watched with fascination. The rabbit seemed fascinated with running water, for all that he hated getting his fur or feet wet. She'd settled into a routine of serving the last few hours of each of the three shifts. She had been responsible for organizing off duty activities, club meetings, and basically anything that could conceivably have anything to do with morale. She made sure the archery club got holosuite time. She organized the presentation of "The Story of Surak" to crew. She'd arranged a Bolian picnic for the 217th anniversary of .. well, it was something Bolian. She had guessed the crew would be happy to recover and get back into the swing for the first week, and then was going slightly boinky after that. Not a lot of variance on a ship in high warp, she didn't know if they hadn't been picking up mail due to the security level of the mission or if it was from the velocity in which they travelled, but it meant that it started to seem they were the only thing in the universe. It would have taken longer than two months at high warp to cause *real* problems for Starfleet officers, but it still didn't make anyone happy to be out of touch with kith and kin. So, still, she'd done her best to make sure each crew member had some sort of off-duty activity in which to enjoy whether social or not. Though, she'd admit to Lieutenant Taxia that she'd kept a closer eye on those who weren't being social. One of the first signs of true mental distress was withdrawal from the community. Still, she was happy to feel the ship arrive at its destination. Hopefully they'd come out of silent running or whatever their current low energy output was called, and return to being part of the whole again. She missed Serixs and his views, his technical knowledge, and his sense of humour. Sinking into the warm water, Jynea closed her eyes and let her muscles relax. While she sort of felt like a part of the crew, and she definitely understood her place and position, she didn't feel like she had any *friends* amongst the crew. The only senior officer who talked to her with any regularity was the Chief Doc, which was fine, she probably wasn't supposed to fraternize with her superior officers.. but she rarely saw her fellow junior officers and the enlisted tended to stay one step removed from her. Oh, sure, they were friendly and they got along, but there was a gulf of officer and not-an-officer even off duty that frustrated her to no end. Why should rank matter when they weren't on and if they weren't in her 'chain of command'? Not that she could command a grape fruit to be sour, but still. Mark hopped up to the edge of the bathtub and sniffed at the water. "I really can't advise drinking that." She told him. The rabbit tilted his head to listen to her, dragging an ear through the water. Startled he hopped back, fell off the edge of the tub and went down in a scramble. Jynea tried not to laugh at the dignified creature losing his balance, but it was difficult. Mark thumped his irritation and ran back to the living room. Curiosity kept her wondering what they were doing in Bajor, fates, she didn't even know what the Spectre had been doing in Romulan space still. She was sure if she went investigating she could find out, but somehow she couldn't work out a way to find out that didn't involve her looking like a complete twit. Sighing she pulled herself out of the tub and dried off with a towel. Oh well, a few hours of sleep and perhaps the whole matter would become out loud public knowledge and her curiosity would be answered. At least no one had ever died from unsated curiosity. (Reply none) (Posted by Lorna Appleby) (USS Spectre - Holodeck 1 - Agent Smith - 08:05) Jo was lying on a grassy ridge that was overlooking a rolling valley with steep sides. In the middle of the valley ran a small stream and a dirt road snaked it's way through. Nestled into one side of the valley floor was the reason why Jo and her companion were there. A forward supply base had been built by Admiral Doenitz forces. It comprised of a couple of barracks, a command area but most important was the munitions area. Jo looked over at the marine who was lying beside her. “Looks like we are in the right place.” The marine nodded. “Call it in.” Jo activated her comm system. “Independent this is one, Requesting Foxtrot Golf Sierra. Quebec Tango, I will call each. Sending the first coordinates, over.” =^= Send coordinates=^= Jo hit her Padd where she had entered the coordinates and waited for the USS Independent to reply. =^=Ready=^= Jo could imagine the huge bulk of the Sovereign class starship in orbit. Moving into her new orbit. “One Torpedo.” Jo looked up as the quantum torpedo streaked through the clouds and slammed into the far area of the base. ~Good shot~ “Fire for effect” Jo heard the volley of quantum torpedoes as they rushed down towards them. She watched as the torpedoes hit and called out the hit. “Down ten fire.” “Left forty fire.” “Down thirty fire.” Jo walked the torpedoes across the base until it was a burnt out shell. The marine turned and looked at her. “Good to know that you still have the knack Sir.” Jo grinned as the room turned back to the yellow crosses of the holodeck. She had been running through some simulations with the marines. She felt that she needed to keep on top of her skills. “Thank you. Want a drink?” They stood up and headed for the door. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - ACEO Jacqueline Bristed - 08:23) In the old days of Earth, centuries ago, war was sometime conducted with submersible ships, miniature environments with only the hull protecting the ship's occupants from utter destruction. In a way, it was very similar to sitting on board the Spectre, the ship separating the crew from the deadly environs of space. In those old days, it was imperative to remain quiet if detection was possible, because water carries sound far better than air does. The same sort of situation was playing out now, as the black ops ship sat in stealth mode, as quiet as it could be under the circumstances. And just sitting here was driving Jacqueline mad. ~At least I don't have to keep silent myself, but still...~ Somehow nothing was acting up. Nobody was out of place, even the oh-so-detestable Ensign Therul was keeping out of her way. Simply put, apart from checking every so often that things were still running smoothly, there was absolutely nothing to do. Waiting for something to happen was not in Jacqueline's nature. There had to be something she could do that would keep her from going completely crazy. Idly, she began fussing about with a nearby PADD, hoping for inspiration. Stray facts coursed through her mind as she did so, each one just a useless a piece of information as the last. Things like the fact that so many computers were doing the same task at early space shuttle launches from each that some of them would run games instead. ~Games...there used to be machines for portable computer games, PADD sized ones, I think. Hey, that's not bad!~ Inspired by the passing thought, the young woman tapped in a sequence of commands into the PADD. It took a while, but within ten minutes she had created something that could, if used properly, provide her with some mild amusement until there was something useful to do with her time. The screen read "Popcorn Story" on the top line. Below it, in somewhat smaller print, was written, "For when there's nothing better to do." Further instructions on how to play were included, but the gist of the game was to write a bit of a story, then pass it on to another player and see what kind of stupid tale popped up. Satisfied with the job she had done, decided to put the game into action. "Hey, I'll need this back," she said, handing it to the nearest engineer. "What? I don't need this!" he protested. Jacqueline raised her eyebrow, knowing full well that he'd been twiddling his thumbs in between frequent checks on system statuses. "You've got something important going on? I'll just get someone else to do it then." Heaven forbid she give him something else to do besides discover that yes, the ship was in the same working order now as it had been thirty seconds before, and thirty seconds before that. She handed the PADD off to another nearby engineer instead. "Why 'popcorn'?" the crewwoman asked. "Is that the required subject?" She sounded utterly baffled. "No," Jacqueline said. "The game is traditionally played with a group of people speaking out loud, and you call 'popcorn' and another player's name when you're done with your part of the story. But seeing as we're supposed to look like we're busy...just hand it off to someone who will actually play." The engineer, who's name, Jacqueline finally remembered, was Sarah Ferrieri, nodded in understanding, and Jacqueline went back to pretending she was doing something useful. Soon enough that PADD would come back, bearing an idiotic tale composed by the engineering staff. It would, she was sure, be completely and utterly insane, but that was half the fun. And reading even a nonsensical, insane story was better than sitting around being completely bored. (reply any in engineering) (Posted by Siobhan) (USS Spectre - Engineering - Ensign Gorlan Therul - 08:40) Somebody handed Gorlan a PADD. He looked up at his benefactor, wondering why he had been presented with it. Before he could ask, the other engineer, a friend of his by name of Doug (although his second name eluded the Tellerite at the moment), explained the situation. "It's a game, Gorlan. Read what's there, add to it, and then pass it on to someone else," the young man explained. He grinned as he did so, as if he knew something about this game that Gorlan did not. Intent on knowing the joke, Gorlan decided to ask. "What's so amusing? Is this game that entertaining, or have I missed something?" Ramsey (that was his second name, Gorlan remembered) shook his head. "No. It's just something to do. It's just...rumor has it that a certain female ACEO started it around." Gorlan thought about this for a moment. There was only one female ACEO he knew about, unless he had missed something. He'd kept on being friendly toward her but somehow her duties always called her away whenever he had a moment to chat with her. She had, however, stopped screaming at him, although he did seem to get assignments that were less than desirable from her. It was probably because she trusted him to do the job right, though. If this story-game--apparently called it a "popcorn story"--was started by Bristed, then maybe he could throw in a message for her as well as adding to it. She'd probably enjoy seeing a secret message just for her. Friends did that kind of thing for each other. He told his friend Doug about his plan. The young man started laughing, so he must have thought it was a wonderful idea as well. "Sheez, that'll be...You do that, Gorlan. I can't wait to see how she takes it." With that, the blond young man went back to his previous task. Gorlan, now convinced that this plan bordered on genius, set about putting it into motion. The story, as he wrote it, took a brief "commercial break," in which he put an "want ad" for the best ACEO he could think of, describing Bristed as best he could. At the end, he put, "if found, send to USS Spectre Engineering--oh wait! She's already here! And now back to our regularly scheduled story." Looking over what he had contributed, Gorlan nodded in satisfaction. She'd enjoy that, he was certain of it. With a grin so wide it threatened to encircle his head, he handed the PADD on to the next engineer. Returning to his post, he overheard the new player snort loudly and mumble something about "she's gonna kill whoever let him do this." Gorlan wasn't to sure what he was referring to; maybe someone had put something rude earlier in the story. It didn't matter. He had done something that was guaranteed to make her smile, and he was proud to do it. (reply any, none) (Posted by Sio) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor & SC Lieutenant Yelena Vasilyovna - 08:45) "I have an indiscriminate contact resembling axial non conformity sir, contact is bearing two zero mark two nine four", said Vasilyovna suddenly, "contact is stationary & in the vicinity of the third moon of the fourth planet", she added. The Captain immediately located the location specified via the tactical overlay, then he ordered another course change. "Helm, come to heading three one zero mark twenty, slow to one third impulse, steady as she goes", said the Captain as he quickly turned to address the Security Chief once again. "Prepare the requisite package Lieutenant, angle the deflector for beam variance & set up the required response to the signal", said the Captain, "prepare to identify & accept incoming variations to the pulsed anomaly", he added. "Aye sir, encoding response curves, angling the deflector for unphased modulation in reference to the incoming frequency", said Vasilyovna pausing now to verify the resultant incoming pulses. "The contact is positive sir, it IS contact one", said Vasilyovna. At last they had found the Talons... "Are there any other vessels in the area?", said the Captain. "Two sir, one is a freighter, the other a light shuttle, both are transmitting civilian signatures & are currently on tangential headings", said Vasilyovna. The Captain paused again, then he turned to the Helm. "Plot a course to the third moon of the fourth planet, initiate low standard orbit upon our arrival & await further orders", said the Captain. "Aye sir, preparing for low standard orbit as ordered", said the Helm officer as the Spectre swung about & then glided smoothly in towards what would inevitably turn out to be the current location of the 52nd fleets command vessel, the USS Steel Talons...... (Reply Any on Talons, Rogers, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 08:47) During a recent Tactical Officer rotation review Chuck hadn’t been too pleased to see his name on the bridge so often. The problem was obvious, nothing was happening, the standing orders had equated to “watch space fly by and don’t blink”. It had gotten monotonous but at least he had gotten to know the bridge officers a little better – their personalities through observation anyway, Tactical officers on the bridge aren’t expected to be chatty like the command chair and conn. Oh, well, at least the occasional game of Kal’toh had kept his feet planted in sanity. This moment was different from his other times on the bridge. The Spectre had reached its destination and was in the process of securely communicating with the Steel Talons, a ship beyond words. Using his secure Tactical access to Starfleet records Chuck had looked up the Steel Talons. It was an interesting ship - a fine testament to Federation adaptive technology. However, its size concerned Chuck more than anything. Sure, it was well armed (etc., etc.) but the fact remained . . . a large ship created problems of security. Chuck much preferred his station aboard the Spectre than the possibility of serving aboard the Talons. Being called a “flagship” seemed to be the equivalent of putting a target on your back to Chuck. In preparation for the lowering of the phase cloak Chuck progressively scanned the adjacent sectors in an ever-widening geodesic pattern, a somewhat different scan from the standard regulation – but a much more efficient and thorough scan of nearby space than other passive scans. On the captains order the president and his entourage had been moved to one of the transporter rooms in preparation from a word from the Talons. While the Conn Was watching for communications from the Steel Talons Chuck was keeping an eye on his monitors over the Conn. It was a bit like spying and made the scene all the more exciting to Chuck. From his console he could access the other bridge consoles at will except those protected by senior officer command codes. ~to beam or not to beam – a shuttle is less secure but theirs nothing in the scans and I’ve never really trusted the pattern buffers.~ thought Chuck. Chuck knew that Lieutenant Vasilyovna shared his opinion on waiting for communications with the Steel Talons before a direct beamout . . . for all they knew just yet the Talons could be a clever fake or have any number of its own set of problems out there in the soup of space. Communication would lead to the success of the mission, as the Tactical officer on the bridge he was all set to see action. The spectre’s arrival was likely to stir up trouble despite their every effort to maintain stealth. "Lower the cloak & prepare to open communications with the Steel Talons, inform Lieutenant Vasilyovna that the use of the transporters is authorized....inform her also that she is to personally accompany the President & his team", said the Captain turning thence towards the First Officer. "Lieutenant, once the President is safely aboard the Steel Talons, I want you to beam over & meet with Admiral LoDona, he is of course already expecting you & will provide information by hand regarding the movements of the fleet in reference to the latest developments", said the Captain. (Reply Rogers) And with that, the impressive black hulk of the USS Steel Talons came into view upon their viewscreen as it rose slowly over the moons apogee. ~Wow, the Steel Talons’ schematics don’t do her justice. She’s beautiful but foreboding.~ Chuck noticed that everyone seemed to have the same reaction as himself – everyone that is except for the captain. Chuck had a suspicion that somewhere underneath all that Captain pomp T’Vhor was equally awed by the Talons but he didn’t really know the Captain personally . . . who could say what he might be thinking? "Continue passive scans for any other vessel entering the vicinity Ensign Donaldson", said the Captain addressing Chuck. “Yes, Sir, the scans are continuing.” Was Chuck’s short reply, the Captain didn’t seem interested in the other Tactical protocols. Naturally, Chuck was running a ULF scan on the Talons to verify its identity – as well as verifying the Conn. readings coming from the Talons. "Watch for anything becoming active on the moons surface also, it is unlikely but nevertheless a possibility", said the Captain. “Yes, Captain, the sensors are having a little trouble handling the magnetic flux of D-329 but from here inside the magnetic field I should have a preliminary scan and report momentarily,” said Chuck. The CO then turned his attention to the Ops Officer. "Have backup power available to the transporters just in case we need it Lieutenant", said the Captain, "we would not want to have to suffer any degradation of our transport beam at this moment in time", he added. "Aye sir, backup power is available & ready", said the Ops officer. The Captain then addressed the viewscreen as the face of the Talons XO appeared on it. Chuck looked briefly up at the “larger-than-life” face on the viewscreen and immediately went back to carefully and methodically coordinating the multiple scans. The moon’s magnetic flux was creating a strange misreading of its surface and life signs kept appearing and disappearing. It wasn’t anything to worry about just yet but if the readings continued to be distorted he would either have to directly inform a bridge officer or receive instructions from the Tactical Officer aboard the talons on running a progressive scan on the fields fluctuations. It would take awhile to do the calculations on the bridge, it would just be easier to get the formulated filter directly from the Talons. (Reply Rogers, T’Vhor, Any on Talons, Any) (Posted by Anton Taylor) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 08:50) Having established orbit above the moon designated only as D-329, the Spectre prepared to lower her phased cloak & open secured communications with the 52nd fleet command vessel. The Talons of course was in a state of stealth herself having reduced most of her power requirements to a negligible amount, & like the Spectre, having switched to passive scanners so as not to alert any hostile vessels within sensor range of her current position. Both ships were also taking advantage now of the magnetic flux of the moon itself, sitting in low orbit as they both were so as to further mask their signatures. Preliminaries had of course already been instated, the President himself, Tovardi his number one & the rest of his loyal entourage had been moved by security to a state of readiness to disembark, but there was still some question now as to whether they could rely upon their transporters in their current situation. What if something were to either intentionally, or otherwise intercept or degrade the molecular confinement beam? The President & his team could be lost in an instance & all of this would have been for nothing! Perhaps a shuttle would have been a better option but then there was always the possibility that another, as yet undisclosed vessel could appear suddenly & take a pot shot at the shuttle itself. It was quicker & easier of course to transport but the Security chief was still erring on the side of caution & the Captain knew better than to disregard the advice of his senior officers. Captain T'Vhor had pondered the situation for long enough now though, The Talons was unquestionably far better equipped to ensure the safety of their President & he knew that the sooner he was on board the better. "Lower the cloak & prepare to open communications with the Steel Talons, inform Lieutenant Vasilyovna that the use of the transporters is authorized....inform her also that she is to personally accompany the President & his team", said the Captain turning thence towards the First Officer. "Lieutenant, once the President is safely aboard the Steel Talons, I want you to beam over & meet with Admiral LoDona, he is of course already expecting you & will provide information by hand regarding the movements of the fleet in reference to the latest developments", said the Captain. (Reply Rogers) And with that, the impressive black hulk of the USS Steel Talons came into view upon their viewscreen as it rose slowly over the moons apogee. She was a sight to behold & one that left the bridge crew almost in a state of awe as they took it in, well, all of them but their CO of course for it was never an easy task to impress a Vulcan, hybrid or otherwise. "Continue passive scans for any other vessel entering the vicinity Ensign Donaldson", said the Captain addressing the TAC officer stationed on TAC One. (Reply Donaldson) "Watch for anything becoming active on the moons surface also, it is unlikely but nevertheless a possibility", said the Captain. (Reply Donaldson) The CO then turned his attention to the Ops Officer. "Have backup power available to the transporters just in case we need it Lieutenant", said the Captain, "we would not want to have to suffer any degradation of our transport beam at this moment in time", he added. "Aye sir, backup power is available & ready", said the Ops officer. The Captain then addressed the viewscreen as the face of the Talons XO appeared upon it. (Reply Rogers, Donaldson, Any on Talons, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Steel Talons - Bridge - Ensign Scott Smith - 08:53) Scott Smith stood on the bridge. It felt so big. He fought back the desperate desire to turn and run. To be back down in engineering or somewhere that was not here under the eyes of the bridge command crew. He shut his eyes and took a deep breath. As he opened them he looked out of the view screen. “Status report Ensign.” He had been working in engineering after qualifying from the academy. He had been so proud to be posted to the Steel Talons. Scott turned and looked at the commander who was sitting in the command chair. The commander ran a rotation program by giving new ensigns command experience. This meant that all the commands would go through him unless he got stuck she was on the bridge to keep any eye on him. He shook himself mentally as he saw a frown grow on the commanders face. ~Don’t stuff it up now~ “Sir we are in a low geosynchronous orbit of D-329. At our rendezvous coordinates awaiting the arrival of our transport and we're at yellow alert. Main power down to minimum. Our power output is negligible. As requested.” “Good Ensign.” Smith heard the tactical officer speak up. “Ensign we have a vessel de-cloaking dead ahead. it’s the USS Spectre.” ~The Spectre but, but that would mean Jo’s aboard.~ He grinned to himself at his delight to see his big sister again. He suddenly realised that he had not answered the tactical officer. “Thank you Sir.” “So Ensign what do you do now?” Scott turned to the commander and paused for a moment. “Tell the Captain Sir!” The Commander gave him a stare. “Again with out the exclamation mark.” “Inform the Captain Sir.” “Good now do it.” “Excuse me sir.” He noticed that some of the bridge officers grinned slightly. The Commander just indicated to him continue. “Ensign Smith to Captain Rhea.” =^= Go ahead Ensign=^= “Sir, The USS Spectre has just de-cloaked ahead of us.” =^=Thank you Ensign. I‘ll be right up.=^= Scott stood there waiting for Rhea to appear. He watched the image of the small starship through the view screen. He turned to see the Rhea appear on the bridge. “Very good Ensign. Man the aft engineering console.” “Yes Sir.” He saw Rhea and the Commander having a quiet discussion between them as he quickly moved to the back of the bridge feeling slightly happier not to be in the spotlight. “Captain they are hailing us.” Scott turned to face the view screen. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) NRPG: You can assume the first part of this conversation if you like. I've never had to write for the XO before, just for the Captain and Admiral. Captain Rhea is Bajoran, by the way. Don't call her Captain Shaney, or she'll wear parts of your anatomy for a necklace. ;-) In fact, if you want a good idea of how to imagine her... I was always going to put nose ridges on Ripley (of Alien) when she was in the military. Close cut hair, military bearing. That's Rhea. It might help in your dealings with her, heh. (USS Steel Talons - Bridge, Ready Room - Captain Rhea Shaney - 08:54) "Captain, the Spectre has hove-to and is in-range. We're making contact as has been previously ordered." "Very well, I'll be there." She said as she stood. "Find the Admiral; tell him we're making contact, Lieutenant Commander." Commander Vellis nodded once and pulled her head out of the Ready Room, causing the door to close. Rhea paused in front of her desk and took possession of her ear-ring, the one piece of jewelry she owned. She was every inch the warrior, and they were at war. She'd been granted dispensation from normal uniform rules to wear this very simple piece of jewelry, a dispensation she hadn't taken advantage of until recently. She clipped it onto her era quietly and ran a hand through her close-cut hair before turning and leaving the Ready Room. Her XO was already engaged in communications. "... prepare any dispatches you might have." Commander Dubois looked at her, and then turned back to the screen. "Excuse me Captain T'Vhor," she nodded and stepped aside so Rhea could step forward. Rhea did so with military precision, as she was like to do. "Captain T'Vhor." She said, no nonsense. "You are being sent coordinates to beam the package, do so in 8 minutes exactly." She didn't have to say that they wouldn't be dropping their shields. In eight minutes, a pre-planned interruption in the shield pattern would allow a beaming. (reply: Spectre) (posted by Trout) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 08:55) ".....my Tactical officer is currently scanning for contacts as we speak", said the Captain continuing on in his conversation with the Steel Talons executive officer, he then glanced briefly down to his armrest console as an indicator flashed to inform him of the status of their key systems. Ordinarily, this may have caused concern but on this occasion it had simply been caused by electrical disturbance within the moons magnetic field & as such, did not warrant further action from either the CO or his TAC officer, who had seemed somewhat confused as to why they had not performed validation checks upon the Talons yet. He could not of course have known of the prior arrangements between the Captain & the 52nd fleet command vessel, nor could he have anticipated the unique pseudo Pulsar response that the Talons had been requested to deliver upon their arrival. The quick change over of stations due to Vasilyovna's presence being required in the transporter room had not helped of course, but the TAC officer had quickly settled into his own flow so to speak & was performing admirably nonetheless. "Preparations are in place as we speak Captain, you may wish to prepare any dispatches you might have", said the Talons XO as she turned briefly to her left, the arrival of Captain Rhea no doubt piquing her response. "Excuse me Captain T'Vhor", said Dubois as she stood & then allowed her Captain to take the centre seat with an almost Vulcan like detachment. The Bajoran woman appeared almost android in her appearance, apart from the ruddy complexion of course but all in all, she sported what could only be described as a purely functional look about her that spelled devotion to business at hand & a demeanor which said, 'Don't piss with me'...... "Captain T'Vhor, You are being sent coordinates to beam the package, do so in 8 minutes exactly.", said Captain Rhea curtly. The Spectre's CO of course acknowledged in a likewise straight forwards manner. "Understood....receiving the coordinates now, transport will commence at precisely 09:05 hundred hours", said T'Vhor as his armrest console indicated an incoming transmission in progress. Captain Rhea, true to her already established, no nonsense manner simply nodded her acknowledgment to the Spectre's CO & then closed the Comms without another word. Captain T'Vhor, likewise wasted no time at all of course & in a second, he had turned to Ensign Donaldson on the Tactical console. "Ensign, in precisely seven minutes, the Steel Talons will initiate a thirty second shield harmonic disturbance, you are to inform Lieutenant Vasilyovna the moment this occurs", said the Captain. (Reply Donaldson) The CO then addressed the First Officer. "Mr Rogers, delay my last orders in regards your beaming over to the Steel Talons until further notice, I have a feeling that this may change", said the Captain arching one eyebrow in skant contemplation. (Reply Rogers) "Intuition, foresight....I am not entirely sure", said the Captain as he sat in preparation for another communique from the Talons. He did not have to wait long... "Sir, the Steel Talons is hailing, Captain Rhea on a secure channel", said the Comms officer. "In my ready room Lieutenant", said the Captain as he stood & headed forthwith to the said location with a curt order to the FO that the bridge was temporarily his. (Reply Donaldson, Rogers, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 08:57) "Captain T'Vhor, You are being sent coordinates to beam the package, do so in 8 minutes exactly.", said Captain Rhea curtly. Chuck had never heard such impertinence, she could’ve said it a little nicer. Chuck’s first impressions of the Talons was that it was full of hot air like any other political vessel. Sure - it had big guns – Chuck doubted very seriously if anyone on board knew how to use them. It seemed a little too much like The Talons was built to compensate for its crew. Not that he’d ever express the thought out loud. "Understood....receiving the coordinates now, transport will commence at precisely 09:05 hundred hours", said T'Vhor as his armrest console indicated an incoming transmission in progress. Captain Rhea, true to her already established, no nonsense manner simply nodded her acknowledgment to the Spectre's CO & then closed the Comms without another word. ~She’s a hard nut . . . this should be as fun as hugging a cactus.~ Chuck Smiled a little to himself. The image of Captain Rhea hugging a cactus consumed his thoughts only for a moment as his station received an incoming transmission from the Talons. The Federation Tactical Authentication codes were present in the transmission . . . somebody over there had a brain after all. Now he wouldn’t have to do the sensor recalibrating calculations himself. ~Thank you Talons tactical!~ he thought. Maybe the Steel Talons wasn’t such a bad ship after all. In his own little world of implementing the changes to the Spectre’s Sensors Chuck briefly noticed Captain T’Vhor face him. He looked up from his station. "Ensign, in precisely seven minutes, the Steel Talons will initiate a thirty second shield harmonic disturbance, you are to inform Lieutenant Vasilyovna the moment this occurs", said the Captain. ~What am I, deaf? That’s obviously why the Lieutenant’s in the transporter room.~ “Scanning the surface of the Talons for Ablative anomalies, sir.” Chuck said . . . keeping the “official” mood of the bridge. The thought occurred to him that he might be jealous, he dismissed the idea quickly. ~No . . . can’t be . . . Command duties are more difficult than other positions . . . every time the redshirts show up things get more complicated . . . a ship full of yellow shirts would be nice.~ Captain T’Vhor had already dismissed Chuck from his attentions and was busy extolling the virtues of “intuition, foresight, blah, blah, blah”. ~My intuition tells me the captain’s a little too used to babbling, it’s almost as if he feels he has to say weird stuff like that, so quirky.~ thought Chuck. The whole scene melted into Chuck’s monitor. The Captain and the other officers faded into obscurity as Chuck sensed he should keep his eyes fixed on the screens. (Reply T’Vhor, Rogers, Any) (Posted by Anton Taylor) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CEO Ensign H’Chir – 08:57) H’Chir looked around the Sickbay as he entered the room; it was surprisingly empty. He’d chosen to come early for his check-up in the hope of avoiding a fuss. ~Please let me get someone who’s still half-asleep and just wants a quiet morning.~ The check-ups had been a regular part of his life since his release from Sickbay. It wasn’t clear how long they’d continue, but they were a part of his being allowed back to duty; a part of the road back to normality. “Hello?” he called. (Reply any in Sickbay) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - COUNS - Lt. (JG) David Taxia - 08:58) Taxia strolled in behind the Andorian engineer and heard his call. "Hello?" "Ah, good morning, H'Chir," the long-haired Betazoid said, sipping coffee from the mug he carried. "I trust all is well in your mental attic?" the counselor asked, jokingly while taking up position near a medical bed. (reply H'Chir, any) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CEO Ensign H’Chir – 08:59) A voice from behind startled H’Chir and he quickly scurried to the far wall, resting one hand against it for security. “Ah, good morning, H’Chir.” Counsellor Taxia smoothly crossed to one of the biobeds. “I trust all is well in your mental attic?” H’Chir scowled. “You’re the Betazoid, you tell me.” (Reply Taxia, any) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Steel Talons - Admiral's Office - Admiral LoDona - 08:59) LoDona looked up as the Commander stepped up, "Captain Rhea's compliments, Admiral, the Spectre has come into view and we're communicating securely." "Very good." He looked back down, "Prepare a Communiqué; I want Captain T'Vhor in my presence within an hour." "Yes Sir." The Commander left, leaving the Admiral to his thoughts. And those thoughts, how very interesting they were. If the short-burst reports were correct, then they had the Federation President. They had the key to surviving the aftermath of the Civil War. He stood up from hunching over the Strategy Table and folded his arms behind him, gently stroking the implants on his fingers. He was no longer looking at the table, instead, he was reflecting on just what he was going to say. The President had been the first to order LoDona back into Federation Territory to stand an Inquiry into his actions as Commander of the 52nd. Granted, he'd since gone on the run from Doenitz, but who knew how this career politician would regard him? Only the fact that the President had once been a Starfleet Officer stopped LoDona from simply stuffing him away into some quarters before the end. He shook his head and turned, and waited. (reply: any) (posted by Trout) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 09:00) Hello?" "Ah, good morning, H'Chir," "I trust all is well in your mentalattic?" Andrew walked out of his office to see H'Chir and David entering together. ~Is it that time already. Really must keep an eye on the time~ He walked over to them both and said with a smile. "Good morning. How are you both this morning?" (reply H'Chir, Taxia) (reply H'Chir, Taxia, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Science Department - Xenozooligist Ardena Carrow - 09:00) As the Spectre came out of warp and cloak, Ops stripped the Federation communication net and forwarded the piled up messages to the crew. Ardena wasn't *quite* chomping at the bit at her inbox. Darrex had been overdue for a message *before* they went on their long sojourn from contact. She'd managed to get warning out that she'd be out of contact, but she suspected her paramour would still find ways to blame her. If he had his way, she'd quit Starfleet and knit sweaters on the seaside. When they were apart she wondered why she continued the relationship, yet when they were together she couldn't be happier. He made her feel safe, wanted, unique, witty and funny. He made her feel that home was a wonderful place to be, and when duty called her back she almost didn't want to go. But, could she give up the freedom of the stars, of knowledge, of exploration to sit at home in a cottage on the shores of Oxwich and watch the universe evolve without her? She wasn't even sure on what the marinelife was on the western British shore. Dolphins, surely, but whales or any other of the sentients? Probably not, she remembered something about waters being too shallow for the greater ocean mammals. How long before her supposed-love gave up on waiting on her to 'come to her senses' and found a girl closer to home who was willing to be a good housewife? Reading her messages she found the answer was 'about two weeks ago'. Darrex went on at length about how he was sorry that their lives had drifted apart and how he didn't think she loved him enough and blah blah blah. Ardena sighed and calmly deleted the message before thumping her forehead a few times on her desk. "Ensign?" A voice called from over her shoulder. "Yes?" Ardena said, sitting up and turning around. Crewman Suri Rapeet looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Something wrong Crewman?" "I was requested to fix the hydroponics in the secondary growth lab? The door is locked." Suri looked vaguely irritated. Ardena stood, "Sorry Crewman, I'm guessing it got set to autolock when the rabbit originally got on the loose and it was never reset." She led the much shorter woman into the lab lobby and pressed palm to relevant doorpad. With a chirp the door opened. What should have smelt like a pleasant temperate jungle, smelt.. well, dry. A jug by the door showed that someone was taking care of the plants, but beyond Ardena's knowledge who it was. She didn't exactly converse with the tree huggers on a regular basis. Actually, Ardena, thought as she leaned against the doorway, she didn't exactly converse with anyone regularly. She watched the Crewman's delicately long fingers pry off an access panel and peer inwards. She was sure some regulation somewhere would tell her off for admiring the enlisted's well muscled rear end as she half-climbed into the bulkhead. Geez, get dumped by her boyfriend and already she was looking for more tail. It was almost like being stuck in space without physical contact turned her into a teenager all over again. "Pass my toolkit," Ardena looked up, startled to see the dark brown eyes staring at her curiously, "Er, right." She ducked down and passed over the box, startled by the flush that took over when his fingers brushed over the technician's. The crewman seemed oblivious as she just took the kit and fished out the tool she wanted. "Er, I'll just leave you to it then." Ardena said and didn't quite flee the room. Maybe she should lock herself in a small room with a counsellor before the day was done.. (Reply, none) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 09:02) The Captains arrival back on the bridge in a somewhat hasty fashion, was a testament to his early feeling of foresight. The First Officer of course, upon seeing him enter the bridge immediately made to stand only to be handed down with a quick raise of the CO's hand. "The bridge is yours Lieutenant Commander Rogers", said the Captain, wondering as he spoke whether or not the First Officer had actually noted the rank change to his address there. (Reply Rogers) "A field promotion", said the Captain as he moved quickly towards the turbolift, "I will be transporting over to the Talons with the President, the Spectre & her crew are your first priority until my return", he added each sentence delivered in predictable & unemotional manner, as one would expect from the part Vulcan CO as he quickly turned his attention thence towards the Tactical officer who, like the rest of the bridge crew was now showing a certain level of confusion over the sudden change in the Captains manner. "The shield harmonic variation Ensign, do not miss it", said the Captain as he entered the turbolift & left the bridge in the capable hands of the newly promoted Lieutenant Commander. (Reply Donaldson, Rogers, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 09:02) When the Captain reentered the Bridge from his ready room he waved his hand to the First Officer Lieutenant Rogers to keep his seat. Chuck nodded but the Captain, busy with other affairs, barely seemed to notice. "The bridge is yours Lieutenant Commander Rogers", said the Captain. Chuck grinned slightly, even in this far distant place from Starfleet headquarters rank reviews still happened. (Reply Rogers) "A field promotion", said the Captain as he moved quickly towards the turbolift, "I will be transporting over to the Talons with the President, the Spectre & her crew are your first priority until my return", he added each sentence delivered in predictable & unemotional manner, as one would expect from the part Vulcan CO as he quickly turned his attention thence towards Chuck. Chuck had been wondering what all this commotion and sudden change in plans meant. "The shield harmonic variation Ensign, do not miss it", said the Captain as he entered the turbolift & left the bridge in the capable hands of the newly promoted Lieutenant Commander. “I don’t like being kept in the dark like this.” Chuck muttered to himself . . . though he was sure everyone on the bridge heard him. (Reply Rogers, Any) (Posted by Anton Taylor) (USS Spectre - Bridge - FO - Lt. Brian Rogers - 09:03) Brian sat, watching the events unfold on the bridge until T'Vhor dismissed himself to his Ready Room, and left Rogers in command. Brian skimmed a status report while maintaining things on the bridge, until the Captain quickly returned. Rogers rose to his feet, but was waved down by the Vulcan. "The bridge is yours Lieutenant Commander Rogers," T'Vhor said, without pausing, he moved directly to the turbolift. Rogers immediately realized the weight of T'Vhor's words. Vulcans did not misspeak. Roger's face turned bright red with some sort of mix of pride and embarrassment. Being polite, he cocked his head like a puppy, "Sir?" he said with a slight grin. "A field promotion. I will be transporting over to the Talons with the President, the Spectre & her crew are your first priority until my return," T'Vhor explained. Rogers nodded, and turned back and sat down in the center seat. The young officer now sat a little higher in the seat now, his back a little straighter, the smile a little wider. Rogers didn't hear what T'Vhor said to the Tactical officer, but he heard the reply. “I don’t like being kept in the dark like this," the officer said. Rogers rose from his seat and turned to the man. "Ensign, this is a military vessel. The command staff of this ship has no obligation to broadcast our plans to all 180 members of the crew. Specially when we're moving the once and future President of the Federation to safety," Rogers explained, rather sternly. (reply Donaldson) Without saying another word, Brian quietly sat down back down, and continued skimming a report on the condition of the warp core. (reply Donaldson, any) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (USS Spectre - Transporter room One - Captain T'Vhor - 09:04) Upon his arrival into the transporter room, the Captain took note of those assembled, Lieutenant Vasilyovna & two of her security officers were already on the pads & the President & his entourage were likewise preparing to do the same at the precise moment he had walked through the doors. "A change of plan Mr President sir", said the Captain, "I will be beaming over with you at the Admirals orders", he added as Nell looked on with an almost confused countenance at all the fuss that had seemingly been created in respect of him. (Reply Nell, IYW) Tovardi had visibly baulked at the Captain's announcement, it had already been made quite clear that he resented anyone taking over where the President was concerned & the fact that he had now been undermined yet again did not sit well with him at all. "A Captain should remain on his ship", said Tovardi curtly, "a Captain's first duty is to his ship, your own words not mine", he added with an almost smug & contrived look upon his face. "Ordinarily I would agree", said the Captain, "however, on this occasion the ship is in very responsible hands & my presence has been requested by Admiral LoDona himself.....it would be illogical to ignore the chain of command, don't you agree", he added more of a statement now than a question. Tovardi frowned at the response, there it was again, that damned Vulcan logic getting in the way of what should supposedly be smooth & effortless running. Nell simply shook his head upon noting his number ones obvious & clear annoyance with the Spectre's CO, then he addressed him directly to settle it once & for all. (Reply Nell) It was the second time the President had brought Tovardi down & it seemed strange that he had again sided with the Captain. Tovardi seemed to be making a habit of causing grievance & had clearly not learned since his last, rather unfortunate tumble with the CO when he'd tangled with him in sickbay isolation & earned himself an embarrassing defeat. It was neither here nor there though, this was not the place & it was a fact made very clear by the urgent & expected word from Ensign Donaldson on the bridge, their beamout window had just arrived & within seconds, all of those assembled for this particular little party were on the pads & ready to go. "Energize when ready chief", said the Captain & within moments, the familiar fizz of transport had begun to initiate & change their current surroundings into those of the Steel Talons transporter room. (Reply Nell, Any on Talons, Any (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 09:05) Chuck’s screens had begun to light up here and there. He pushed a few buttons to quickly verify the reading. The shield harmonics of the Talons had begun to lose some of their coherence. It could even be seen on the Viewscreen. Donaldson tapped his commbadge. “Ensign Donaldson to Lieutenant Vasilyovna.” Said Chuck. (reply Vasilyovna) “Sir, the shield harmonics variation is beginning. Our window is now.” Chuck replied (reply Vasilyovna) “Donaldson, out” Chuck closed the communication. ~Well, here we go~ thought Chuck. Chuck temporarily accessed the transporter rooms console from his Bridge console. He didn’t take control of the transporter – only observed the actions of Lieutenant Vasilyovna. She likely knew he would be watching to verify the safe arrival of the entourage onto the Talons but he didn’t know what she would think about it. It wasn’t so much to invade privacy or to question her judgement . . . it was a precaution to allow the bridge to stay informed. Chuck watched as the patterns of the Captain, the President, and the entourage left the Spectre’s Pattern Buffer. That was all Chuck could do . . . the safety of the Ship’s Captain was not only out of his hands but outside his knowledge. Chuck watched the viewscreen for some verification of their arrival aboard the Talons. ~goodbye, Starfleet One designation~ thought Chuck. (reply Vasilyovna, any) (posted by Anton Taylor) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One – TAC/SC Lieutenant Yelena Vasilyovna - 09:06) Everyone knew the importance of this next critical step of course & none more so than the Spectre's chief of security. It was no secret at all that Vasilyovna had had reservations in regards using the transporters in such a hostile situation & she had informed the CO accordingly, the decision to do so however had now been made & regardless of her concerns, she knew that the Captain would have weighed all of the connotations carefully before his final, 'logical' decision & as such she was confident now that the decision was a right one. =/\=Ensign Donaldson to Lieutenant Vasilyovna=/\= This of course was the call they had all been waiting for & Vasilyovna responded immediately to the Tactical Officer. "Go ahead Ensign", said Vasilyovna. =/\=Sir, the shield harmonics variation is beginning. Our window is now=/\= "Understood, if anything changes during transport, I have the utmost trust in your prompt intervention to keep the transporter chief well informed", said Yelena, confident now that Donaldson's usual efficiency would ensure their safe transport & subsequent return to the Spectre. The channel was then closed as everyone stepped onto the transport pads to begin their journey. ~Here goes nothing~ (Reply None) (posted by Alan Reading) (USS Steel Talons - Transporter room One - Captain T'Vhor - 09:06) Once the materialization process had completed on the transport pads, the Captain took note of the Talons own security detail that awaited them in the transporter room. Vasilyovna of course, as their own senior security officer was the first to step down, then the Captain himself did likewise as the rest of them duly followed. "Captain T'Vhor, USS Spectre requesting permission to come aboard", said the Captain as he approached the most senior officer in the room, clearly denoted as he was by the command red uniform that he wore. "Permission to come aboard granted sir, Captain Rhea extends her welcome to you & your party & informs you that the Admiral is expecting your presence forthwith in his office", said the Lieutenant in question. The Captain nodded his assent & then turned towards the President. "Gentlemen, I give you President Nell, his senior bodyguard Lieutenant Commander Phillip Tovardi & his close loyal consorts", said Captain T'Vhor as all those assembled nodded their allegiance & respect to the man himself. (Reply Nell, IYW) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre - Transporter room One - President Rondar Nell - 09:06) "Drop it, Mr. Tovardi." The President said wearily. He was tired of the fighting for now, anything more and he'd have to start kicking some rear. The President took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. Though he wasn't nervous, he wasn't looking forward to the upcoming meeting either. IT was entirely possible that Admiral LoDona was just as bad a warlord and murderer as Mr. Doenitz was. The fact he'd been forced off Earth not withstanding, very little was ever black and white and throwing support behind this 'other' Admiral could be worse then doing nothing at all. He crossed his hands behind his back when the Captain gave the order to be beamed. It was an order acted on quickly, they had a small window. Nell could understand it too, almost every time he'd ever gone somewhere, he'd had to deal with many of the same guidelines to prevent assassination. They rapidly appeared in another Transporter Room, no more or less utilitarian then the Spectre's, but larger. "Captain T'Vhor, USS Spectre requesting permission to come aboard." The Captain said once he'd stepped off the PADD. Nell stayed where he was, letting his two body-guards do what they did to secure the area. He watched the Officer of the Deck as he welcomed T'Vhor aboard the Talon. His eyes never left the man when T'Vhor introduced him and his entourage. The man's eyes flicked over to the President, and then he snapped to attention as a Boson put his pipes to his lips and blew. A shrill sound filled the ship's PA system. A few seconds later, the Chief of the Deck tapped his badge and said: "Lieutenant Commander Dresden to Bridge. I am honored to report that USS Steel Talons is now designated as Starfleet One." A second passed, and a hard woman's voice said. "Understood, The Talon's fleet designation is now known as Starfleet One." "Mister President, welcome to the Steel Talons." Dresden said. "Admiral LoDona ordered away the Honor Guard before you came aboard, thinking that you may mistake formality for hostile intentions. If you will come with me, I'll show you to your quarters, unless you would rather see the Admiral at once?" The President considered that, "To the Admiral." He said, bluntly, as he stepped onto the floor and off the transporter pad. "Mr. T'Vhor, it appears we'll be together for a few more minutes after all. Lead on, Mr. Dresden." (Reply: any) (Posted by Trout) (USS Spectre - Engineering - ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 09:07) The PADD had made it's rounds, gathering a story that was as strange and convoluted as they came, involving a cast of characters that didn't quite stay the same throughout the game. There was a princess involved, apparently of mixed lineage (creating a crossbreed that probably couldn't exist), and a talking purple tree, and food was involved...All in all, it was a highly enjoyable read, if only because Jacqueline had started the game herself. Just as the princess was learning that she must free the talking tree from a cyborg Vulcan mage-priest's curse (however that had happened), there was a complete break in the narrative. Some jerk had gone off on a tangent with some "commercial break". As she read through what had actually been written, it became very clear just who had put the message there. Reading things like "always putting duty first, even around her friends," and "Shining brown hair to her Human shoulders" made it quite clear that Gorlan Therul, insanely annoying Tellerite extarordinaire, was responsible for this disgusting butt-kissing. She could have ignored it, probably should have, but there was no way she was going to let this slide. She set the PADD to the side, got comfortable leaning against the bulkhead, and thought about how she was going to get it through the Tellerite's thick skull that she wanted nothing to do with him, including adoring praise of this nature. "Ensign Therul, this is ACEO Bristed. Could you come see me?" she said, tapping her combadge. An idea, and not a particularly kind one, had popped into her head. It didn't take long for the porcine ensign to come to her. "Hey! Did you see that really nice thing someone wrote about you on that Popping Story PADD?" Jacqueline sighed. "Yes, and I know who wrote it too. But that's not why I wanted to see you," she lied. "I've got something I need you to do, and only you can do it." Gorlan's face lit up. Apparently he thought she was entrusting him with some difficult task, one only someone she trusted could complete. If only he knew what she wanted of him....Jacqueline continued speaking. "I noticed a couple of maintenance issues dealing with the toilets on the ship. I'm not sure if it's a computer glitch or if there's something actually wrong, so I need someone to look into it. Check out all of the public restrooms, not the ones in personal quarters, obviously, and particularly check each toilet to make sure it's working right. You might even have to take some apart and check the mechanisms inside to be sure they're working. Can you handle that on your own?" she asked. She knew she was being cruel, but there had to be some way to convince him she was not his best buddy or anything other than his ACEO. To her knowledge, there was nothing wrong with the toilets, so the task was tedious, undesirable, and rather pointless. Hopefully it would get the point across. Gorlan nodded, grinning like a fool at being trusted to do this on his own. "I'll have them all checked for you, don't worry about a thing! That'll keep you working on more important stuff, and you'll be sure it gets done," he babbled. "Great," she said with a false smile. "Oh, and one more thing. If you know who wrote that thing about me in the middle of the Popcorn Story, tell him not to bother kissing up. Next time I'll tell the jerk to do something useful with his time like playing in an airlock. Thanks for doing this for me, Therul." With that, she turned away, wondering if this time would finally be the one where she got her point across. She didn't think it would be, but it couldn't hurt to hope. (reply any, none) (Posted by Sio) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 09:08) Rogers, the commanding officer on the bridge, rose from his seat and turned to Chuck. "Ensign, this is a military vessel. The command staff of this ship has no obligation to broadcast our plans to all 180 members of the crew. ‘Specially when we're moving the once and future President of the Federation to safety," Rogers explained, rather sternly. “Sir, with all due respect, I don’t much care about the other 179. As the Tactical Officer on the bridge and the Assistant Security Chief I have a right to know . . . something,” Chuck said. Chuck’s tone wasn’t commanding but if Mr. Rogers was ready to argue when Chuck knew he was right . . . that was just fine. Expecting the second officer to make a further objection or at least threaten brig or court-martial Chuck was very surprised. Without saying another word, Mr. Rogers quietly sat down back down. ~What the hell, man, I was ready to go . . .~ thought Chuck ~I guess he concurs to some degree . . . conversation for a later time . . . I have work to do anyway~ Chuck went back to keeping his eyes on the “geodesic” nearby scan. The surface of the nearby moon no longer “blipped” on his screen . . . the ship’s computer was compensating adequately for the moons atmosphere. Chuck’s attention fell on the Steel Talons. The “Copernicus-esque” scan had numerous voids as it repetitively passed over the shape of the Talons. Other than that singular expected oddity nothing of interest was on the screen. Chuck tried to focus but his overactive mind wandered to far off places. His eyes narrowed blinding him to most bridge activity but keeping him better focused on the scans. He compartmentalized the activity and its purpose and thought back on his experiences aboard the Spectre. He looked back fondly on his first day aboard. Over-eventful as it was . . . and embarrassing . . . he still remembered the infuriating combadge. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, that day was a thing of beauty. Chuck glanced behind him at the turbolift. “Still my best friend,” he whispered. (reply any) (Posted by Anton Taylor) (USS Steel Talons - Transporter Room - Captain T'Vhor - 09:10) The Captain had simply turned to the President as the retort from the bosons whistle filled the room to welcome the man himself aboard. That was not all though, for that one shrill, multi-toned sound had just altered the Talons designation from it's USS & name suffix into that of 'Starfleet One', the official designation assigned to any vessel currently carrying the Federation President himself. The notion seemed somewhat ironic to the Vulcan hybrid, technically, in the eyes of the Federation as it currently stood, Nell was not actually it's President as such, but so long as there were those that upheld the values of the TRUE & correct Federation, he was still precisely that & the sooner that the man was reinstated upon his requisite throne the better. ".......Mr. T'Vhor, it appears we'll be together for a few more minutes after all. Lead on, Mr. Dresden.", said Nell as the Spectre's CO returned his gaze towards the assembled party. "It would seem so Mr President", said T'Vhor as he extended a hand before him to indicate that he should perhaps lead before him. Nell duly nodded & then led them slightly apprehensively from the transporter room & onto their inevitable meeting with the seemingly ubiquitous Admiral himself. Some of course may have been a tad puzzled at such apprehension but it certainly did not take a Betazoid sense of empathy to pick up the Presidents feelings on this for it was quite clear upon his face now, after all, Admiral's were often very alike in their manner, Nell had had dealings with the quite despicable Doenitz already but LoDona was a new animal entirely. This could all now turn out to be history in the making, or one massive mistake.... Walking through the corridors of the Steel Talons however reminded the Captain of some of the Maquis ships he had served on during his times in the Bajoran resistance, the USS Steel Talons WAS a Starfleet vessel, of that there was no doubt but she was undeniably a warship in every sense of the word also & this was evident in her utilitarian design throughout. Even the voice of the computer seemed to have a no nonsense approach & this was evidenced upon their entry into the nearby turbolift as it read back it's requested destination accordingly. (Reply None) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Steel Talons - Deck 2 - Outside Admiral LoDona's Office - Captain T'Vhor - 09:20) The security detail was as evident outside the Admirals office as it had been throughout the ship as they were greeted by the sight of two imposing Marines, III-C phazer Rifles held firmly in their hands & brought across their upper bodies in readiness for whatever could conceivably transpire. The rifles however were lowered immediately of course, butts against the deck once their owners had clocked the President himself, his personal bodyguards & the unmistakable pips of a Starfleet Captain as each of them came to a halt directly outside of the room they were currently guarding. The unmistakable deep breath of preparation from the President was immediately evident to the Captain stood beside him, as they readied themselves to meet with the commander of the 52nd fleet. Captain T'Vhor however felt it prudent here to leave any announcements now to either the command personnel of the Talons, or to the President himself & remained silent as Tovardi, apparently eager now to make his presence felt again, suddenly seized the moment & took the reigns from everyone. "Federation President Rondar Nell to see 52nd fleet commander Admiral Robert LoDona", he said in a curt, somewhat militaristic tone of voice. "I trust that the man has cleared his schedule accordingly & will see us immediately", said Tovardi complacently. (Reply Nell, Any) The Marines of course remained stoic & steadfast, their expressions hardly changing as one of them turned briefly about to activate the door chime, before then returning forthwith to a ready position beside the door whilst awaiting a response from the man behind them. (Reply LoDona) (Reply Nell, LoDona, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Steel Talons - Admiral's Quarters, Admiral's Office - LoDona - 09:20) LoDona, who had been waiting by the door since the bosun's whistle had designated the Talons as Starfleet One, tapped a button and opened the door. His face was as impassive as he could make it at his first glance of the President. He'd met the man a couple of times before his appointment as Admiral. Nominally, all Admirals had to be approved by the Senate, though that was a power that had been rarely used. Rondar Nell had exorcized it while the Senate Majority Leader, just before his Presidency. And he'd insisted on meeting all of the prospective Admirals, including LoDona- then Captain LoDona. "Mister President, welcome to the Steel Talons." He said. "Please, come in." The Admiral stepped aside and gestured. The office wasn't quite an office, so much as a large open space. The Admiral's desk was to the far side of the room, in a small alcove, flanked by three large screens- one of which was blank and two others had strategic maps. The rest of the room was a mass of tables, a few desks for his aides, and a giant table off to one side covered in holographic emitters. The Bajor sector, with all of it's known strategic assets, was currently floating in the space above the table. Strangely enough, this room was completely empty. Robert had seen to it- there were normally no less then five people working in here, and more often a small horde during intensive activities. He stepped forward after a moment, leading them to the side opposite the huge holo-table, to where a few chairs and couches sat in a circle around a smaller holo-table. It looked like a small living room, but it was a comfortable spot to discuss tactics. It was also the most informal place he had on the entire ship. LoDona took a seat, and gestured for the President and Captain to join him. (reply: any) (posted by Trout) (USS Spectre - Engineering - Crewman Suri Rapeet - 09:47) Suri was amused and bewildered as she came into Engineering, she could have sworn that the science officer was checking her out. Not that she'd bent over a few times more than necessary of course, Ensign Carrow certainly had luscious .. hair. She realized she was humming to herself when Ensign Bristed looked over at her. Suri shrugged one shoulder, "Good day so far," she replied with her lopsided smile and tucked a strand of her black hair back behind an ear. "Got the hydroponics repaired, figured I'd go look at the connectors on the science station up on the bridge next, unless you had something else in mind?" She asked the assistant chief. (Reply Bristed) "Okee, Boss Lady," Suri agreed good naturedly. Suri turned away to head back to the turbolift when she turned back again, "Hey, Boss Lady?" she asked with a bit of nervousness. (Reply Bristed) "Do you know Ensign Carrow up in Science at all? Had the oddest exchange with her earlier." Suri hoped that wouldn't get either of them in trouble, but officers knew officers, didn't they? (Reply Bristed) (Reply any) (Posted by: Lorna) (USS Spectre - Engineering - ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 09:48) Jacqueline heard humming, and not the kind the engines produced. No, this was definitely coming from a living being, one who was relatively nearby. She looked up from the "popcorn PADD", hoping for a different kind of diversion from the one she had just finished editing. There was no shameless plug to be found in that monstrosity any more. It was Crewman Suri Rapeet doing the humming. "Good day so far. Got the hydroponics repaired, figured I'd go look at the connectors on the science station up on the bridge next, unless you had something else in mind?" she asked. "If the 'ponics are done," Jacqueline answered, "You're more than welcome to the bridge's science station. You can work on anything you like, really. Except the restrooms," she added, still feeling decidedly malicious toward Gorlan Therul. "Okee, Boss Lady," Suri agreed good naturedly. Suri turned away to head back to the turbolift when she turned back again, "Hey, Boss Lady?" she asked with a bit of nervousness. Jacqueline looked up from the PADD, wondering what might be bothering Rapeet. Surely the prospect of going to the bridge wasn't making her nervous? "Do you know Ensign Carrow up in Science at all? Had the oddest exchange with her earlier." Suri hoped that wouldn't get either of them in trouble, but officers knew officers, didn't they? "Carrow?" Jacqueline thought hard for a moment, trying to recollect anyone by that name. It rang a bell, but she couldn't quite put a face to the name. Just before she gave it up as a bad job, she remembered an officer who didn't much associate with anyone that she was aware of. She'd certainly never said much to Jacqueline, although that could be because she didn't know her very well. Some people took a while to open up. "I know of her," she said slowly, stressing the preposition. She pulled a lock of hair out of her ponytail in a nervous gesture, twisting her fingers through it without really noticing. "What kind of exchange was it?" she asked. ~It had better not be one that got you in trouble over nothing.~ Jacqueline liked Suri. She liked most of the engineering staff, really, with one very notable exception, and those she didn't especially like she could at least tolerate. But that was neither here nor there. If this Carrow was upset with Rapeet over something stupid, then Jacqueline would be more than happy to butt in for her. (reply Rapeet) "Really?" Well, that certainly didn't call for charging in and waging war against the science officer. "I...huh, wait. I think I remember something about a lovely man waiting for her dirtside, I think in England or something." The memory was hazy, but in light of that this whole situation seemed very odd... (reply Rapeet) "Hey, I could be wrong. Why not just ask her about it? I'll make up some excuse for you to go back if you'd like," Jacqueline offered. This was far more entertaining than making up ways to keep from going out of her mind, and she wanted to keep this unexpected entertainment going as long as she could. (Reply Rapeet, any) (Posted by Siobhan) (USS Spectre - Engineering - Crewman Suri Rapeet - 09:49) "Carrow?" Jacqueline seemed to think it over. "I know of her," she said after a while, making it clear she knew the name and little more. "What kind of exchange was it?" she asked, going all officer. Suri suppressed a sigh. She liked Ensign Bristed, of all the officers she dealt with on a daily basis she was the most relaxed. She was a great engineer and she actually listened to the enlisted rather than just ordering them around like drones. "Oh, well, er.." Dark skin hid a multitude of sins, including a blush creeping up, "Well, the 'wanna go get some coffee?' type looks and glances.." "Really?" It was apparently not an answer that the ensign expected, "I...huh, wait. I think I remember something about a lovely man waiting for her dirtside, I think in England or something." The Ensign really did seem to be racking her brain for her. Suri was a little confused by that, "Maybe I was reading her all wrong. Allah's kindness and generosity hasn't seen my date book lately.. Maybe *I* just need to get out and 'get some coffee'. Or maybe it's an open relationship.." Suri tried not to get her hopes up on one possibility. "Hey, I could be wrong. Why not just ask her about it? I'll make up some excuse for you to go back if you'd like," Jacqueline offered enthusiastically. "Er." Suri said brilliantly and gave it some thought, "Maybe not today, that would be a bit obvious.. perhaps tomorrow?" She asked with arched eyebrow and conspiratorial smile. (Reply Bristed) "I think I will retreat to the bridge before I let you corrupt me further," Suri teased with her good humour restored. (Reply Bristed) (Reply Bristed, any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Engineering - ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 09:50) "Er." Suri said brilliantly and gave it some thought, "Maybe not today, that would be a bit obvious.. perhaps tomorrow?" She asked with arched eyebrow and conspiratorial smile. "I could send someone down to accidentally-on-purpose rig up some not entirely essential equipment down there. Something that would be really easy to fix if you knew what was wrong, and of course you'd be the one to save the day...Or is that too obvious?" Subtlety in this kind of situation was not Jacqueline's strong point, but for the sake of a possible romance, she'd try anything to help out. This definitely beat messing about with the Popcorn PADD by a long shot. ~Wish I'd get "wanna get coffee" looks from someone.~ she thought to herself. ~Someone who isn't Gorlan Therul, anyway.~ "I think I will retreat to the bridge before I let you corrupt me further," Suri teased with her good humour restored. Jacqueline smirked, unable to resist herself. "That's what he said," she purred. "And I'm semi-serious about the fake freeze-up, if you'd like to formulate a better plan for it..." She trailed off, letting the offer hang. "We just can't let anyone higher up know what we're doing, right?" She tossed her head in the direction of CEO H'Chir. (Reply Rapeet, any) (Posted by Siobhan) (USS Spectre - Engineering - Technician Suri Rapeet - 09:52) Jacqueline smirked, "That's what he said," she purred. "And I'm semi-serious about the fake freeze-up, if you'd like to formulate a better plan for it..." She trailed off, letting the offer hang. "We just can't let anyone higher up know what we're doing, right?" She tossed her head in the direction of CEO H'Chir. "Aww, H'Chir's okay. Just happiest when he's hip deep in computer parts. His bark is much worse than his bite." Suri reassured the Assistant Chief. "Its nice to see he's well on the road back to normal." Then a teasing grin, "Well, as normal as any of you officers get, anyway." (Reply Bristed) "Maybe we should arrange a holo-program to simulate some oceanographic life somewhere.. that we need her to test with me?" Suri thought outloud, revealing that she'd researched the scientist already. The slip up missed Suri's censors since she was imagining Ensign Carrow in a bikini. (Reply Bristed) (Reply Bristed, any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO - Williams - 09:55) Andrew put down the PADD in front of him. He had been trying to release the boredom of being in sickbay. All his patients were out. The President was leaving the ship and did not need his medical assistance. Mr H'Chir was recovered after his ordeal. He sighed to himself. He knew that times like these he should be grateful for the peace and quiet. He got up and got himself a drink. He then picked up the PADD and took another look. He sighed and put it down. He heard Douwsy and Marshal giggling to themselves at the nurses station. ~Wonder what the gossip is today~ He took a sip from his drink. ~Nothing good I should not wonder~ He looked back at the PADD. ~Looks like its just me and you then. Wonderful. Another status report~ He began to write. ~Where is the nice little medical emergency. You know anything. A little heart attack, maybe a case of ...~ He saw the Sickbay doors open and a crewman entered. ~Ow look a person in need great~ He recognised who the crewman was and he slumped back into the chair. ~Ow great Crewman Hactak probably got something stuck again~ He put on his professional smile and walked over to the crewman. "Good morning crewman. How can I help you." (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Deck four restroom - Ensign Gorlan Therul - 09:59) Wherever ACEO Bristed had gotten her information about irregularly functioning restroom facilities, Gorlan was beginning to believe that the source hadn't known what he (or it, it could have been a glitched diagnostic,) was talking about. There had been absolutely nothing wrong with the past twelve or so toilets he had checked, and this current one was no different. Somebody was playing some kind of joke. That had to be it. Gorlan didn't really mind being the butt of the joke. It was just...there was so much time and effort going into making sure it really was a joke, and he was becoming very familiar with the look and smell of the least inhabited public areas of the ship. "What the hell are you doing?" someone asked from behind him. Gorlan jumped. He had been so busy making sure there was absolutely nothing wrong with yet another toilet that he hadn't heard her come in. He turned to see a security crewman glaring at him, hands on her hips and tapping her foot in an irritated manner. "I'm doing a maintenance check on the restroom facilities," he explained with a conciliatory smile. "There was a report that some of the toilets were acting up, and I was sent to make sure they were all in order. I think the report's a glitch, but--" The crewman cut him off. "No. This, right here, this is a female's restroom. You need to either close it off or get a chick engineer in here. I have to go." Gorlan was confused. As far as he knew, there were no avian engineers, and there definitely weren't any of their young in the department. He doubted chicks would be allowed in Starfleet at all. As for this woman needing to go, why had she come in here if she needed to be some place else? "I'll let my superiors know what you said, but I think the engineers are all terrestrial. I'll be done in a minute, so you can get to wherever you're going and I'll close the next one. Deal?" He hoped that would make her feel better about things. "Christ, what don't you understand about this? I need to use the toilet, and I need to do it now!" Somehow, the woman reminded him of Bristed, but he wasn't sure why. "There's a second stall right there," he offered. "I'm not having you listen! Get out! Now!" Before Gorlan could fully comprehend what was going on, the security crewman was pulling him to his feet and fairly throwing him out the door. "And stay out!" she barked at him. Gorlan was confused, but he couldn't comply with her wishes. His toolkit was still in that restroom. He was just going to have to wait for her to come out and retrieve it. It didn't take her long to come back out. He grinned at her as she opened the door. "I seem to have left--" Gorlan never finished his sentence. Furious, the woman picked up his toolkit at hurled it at his head, effectively silencing him. Not to mention giving him a bit of a headache. "Okay, you porcine little pervert. If I ever catch you floating around the ladies' room again I'll--I'll--just get the hell away from me!" she snarled. For once in his life, Gorlan had no interest in being friends with this woman, and hurried away in fear for his life. Next time he would close the restroom, just in case she was following him. (reply any, none) (Posted by Siobhan) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 10:00) Andrew watched as the transport whined softly. As the object shot off the small transporter PADD and launched itself into the air. ~Ow no you don't~ Andrew who was expecting this reached out and caught it gently in mid air. He quickly placed it in a container. He placed the container on the desk and waited until the small purple beetle stopped running around. ~Don't worry my little friend your quite safe~ He looked back at Crewman Hactak. "Crewman Hactak we have had this conversation hundreds of times now but you insist in eating these beetles. You know that you cannot digest them." "But they taste so good Doctor." Andrew rolled his eyes. ~So does the Bolian sweetly demise plant until you die of its poison~ "Why don't you try something more suited to your pallet. Um like gagh." He saw the questioning look on the crewman's face. "Gagh is a Klingon dish made from live Serpent worms." The crewmans face light up as he bounced off the bed. "Ow thank you Doctor. This Gagh sound very much better than my sand beetles." As the crewman turned and hurried out of sickbay he said. "I'll give you my whole colony of Sand beetles as compensation thank you." ~WHAT~ "What, a, um no its not necessary." Andrew had a sinking feeling as he watched the crewman disappear through the doors. He shook his head and sighed. ~Thanks, Well that's just marvellous~ He paused for a moment. ~Better make sure I know what I'm doing~ He tapped his combadge. "Dr Williams to Miss Carrow. Would you please come to sickbay at your earliest convenience. I have a personal matter to discuss." (reply Carrow IYW) He then picked up the container. "Time to put you with your other friends." He headed off to his office. (reply Carrow, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Deck Four – Lt. Cmdr. Kaitlyn Mackenzie – 10:03) Kaitlyn still needed to see the Captain, but apparently he was busy. ~What have these guys been up to lately?~ She knew the gist of what had been going on with the fleet in general. After all, they were all in the same boat. With the Spectre though it seemed much different from where she had been. As she rounded the corner in continuance to her destination of nowhere, she suddenly heard, "Okay, you porcine little pervert. If I ever catch you floating around the ladies' room again I'll--I'll--just get the hell away from me!" Stopping, she slowly turned her head to the right and noticed the ladies room, as well as the two others who were bickering. With a confused expression, she noticed the female seemed to be agitated at his apparent attempt to either get in or retreive his toolbelt, she was still uncertain. What she did know was that the ensign had a small gash on his head where it looked as if he were struck. As the woman stampeded away, Kaitlyn asked Therul, “You want me to take a look at that?” (Reply: Therul, any) (Posted by: Stacey) (USS Spectre - Science Department - Xenozoologist - Ardena Carrow - 10:05) Ardena was trying to write a paper about the dolphin settlement on Oceanagana. Mostly she was twiddling her stylus and thinking about a certain engineering tech. =/\= Dr Williams to Miss Carrow. Would you please come to sickbay at your earliest convenience. I have a personal matter to discuss. =/\= "Miss?" Ardena replied with some amusement, "Did I get drummed out of Starfleet and lose my doctorate when I wasn't looking?" she teased the doctor. (Reply Williams if any) Ardena chuckled, the good doctor certainly sounded frazzled. "I'm on my way Doctor." She could only worry what emergency required *her* presence. Hopefully it wasn't an escaped pet again, she really didn't want to be crawling between the decks with a tricorder for at least another two days. Of course, the last time she'd been summoned to sickbay it was to play midwife to a pair of targs. Another experience she didn't want to repeat either. Fortunately, the good doctor sounded frazzled and not panicking. (Reply None) (Posted by Lorna Appleby) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering – CEO Ensign H’Chir – 10:05) He’d been left alone since the Spectre’s brief trip to Romulan space. His return had been kept low key and his assignments had largely been in the quiet, out-of-the-way places. Most of the senior engineering crew were new to him and he got the feeling that his reputation as a grumpy genius had been superceeded by his reputation as the local nutcase with a habit of screwing over his crew. He was currently fine-tuning a drive conduit in the upper engineering deck. The work was intricate and took his concentration. In many ways he’d been surprised how much of his engineering knowledge was still ready and available to him. For a while he’d worried he’d have to be retrained, meaning the Romulan incident would have taken years away from his life instead of just months. Still, a coil spanner in his hand and he was back, working on instinct. “Can anyone hand me an inter-phasic coupler?” (Reply any in engineering) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 10:06) "Can anyone hand me an inter-phasic coupler?" The voice belonged to the CEO, to H'Chir. H'Chir who had supposedly recovered all his marbles, and as far as Jacqueline could tell, that was true. Of course, she'd never known him with all the marbles, so she really couldn't judge. So far, she had kept her distance from the Andorian, waiting for him to make the first move in getting to know each other better. She figured if he needed space, she could give him that easily enough. But right now he wasn't asking for space, he wanted an inter-phasic coupler. That, too, she could easily supply, and anything was better than pretending to be busy doing nothing. "Here you go, sir," she said, passing the tool to the blue-skinned CEO. He certainly seemed stable enough, working away on his back. Well...as stable as any high-ranking engineer got. All the gods and other lesser deities knew she was somewhat off the wall, and so were most other engineers she'd met. "Need anything else?" she asked hopefully. Anything to stave off the boredom... Reply H'Chir, any) (Posted by Siobhan) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO - Williams - 10:07) =/\=Miss?=/\= =/\=Did I get drummed out of Starfleet and lose my doctorate when I wasn't looking?=/\= Andrew paused half way into his office. It had been the first time someone had actually questioned him about using Mr/Miss rather then their rank. He had not expected that response and it had caught him off guard. ~Ow great Andrew way to go. You've irritated her. Way to go~ "Um, Sorry. Miss, I mean Dr Carrow." He paused and shook his head. "I'm on my way Doctor." He looked down at the beetle in the container. "Looks like your going to see your colony very soon." (Reply None) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering – CEO Ensign H’Chir – 10:07) “Here you go, sir.” H’Chir looked round and took the proffered coupler. The officer was one of the new ones; short and pale. He’d made no effort to get to know them – not even their names. It was taking time for him to adjust to the new hierarchy, and there was still a tiny voice in his head that expected him to lose control at some key moment. He was as he had always been; happier alone. “Need anything else?” she asked. Turning his attention back to the drive conduit, H’Chir tried to bend his angular frame into position. The confined space meant he had to be part engineer and part contortionist. “Shorter legs,” he grunted. (Reply Bristed, any) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering – ACEO Ensign Bristed – 10:08) "Shorter legs,” H'Chir grunted. Jacqueline considered the merits of acknowledging that her presence was unwanted, but a large part of her wanted to stick around. Not exactly prudent, considering H'Chir's current gruff attitude, but she had already reminded herself that all engineers were crazy. Might as well live up to her own self-evaluation. "There's probably something around here that could help you out with that," she said. "Except I'm not licensed for that kind of surgery and it would probably be bloody." She squatted down so as to be closer to the Andorian, pushing down an irrational but nagging fear in the back of her mind that he'd go nuts and lash out at her when she did so. (reply H'Chir, iyw) "No, really, I'd be more than happy to help you." She got the feeling that not only was she not wanted, but that she was infringing on his territory. What was wrong with him? (Reply H'Chir, any) (Posted by Siobhan) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering – CEO Ensign H’Chir – 10:09) “There’s probably something around here that could help you out with that. Except I’m not licensed for that kind of surgery and it would probably be bloody.” He felt her bio-electric field shift lower and before he could move away she was sitting on the deck next to him. ~Practically on top of me. ~ She moved in, clearly intending to assist with the awkward working angle and her smaller frame. “I can manage,” he said, taking care to keep his tone level. “No, really, I’d be more than happy to help you.” She reached in and began to take the coil spanner from him; her pale skin brushed against his long, blue fingers. “I said I can manage,” he growled; the last word coming with an effort as he wrenched the part from its socket and a surge of coolant poured out over their legs. The oily green liquid formed large dark stains as it began to soak in. Defiance mingled with panic as he looked at her, waiting for her reaction. (Reply Bristed, any) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Xenozoologist - Ardena Carrow - 10:15) Nothing appeared to be on fire and no large mammals were moaning as soon as she entered, as summons to Sickbay went, this one was looking promising so far. "Good morning Doctor," she called to Williams, "How may I be of assistance today?" (reply Williams, any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 10:17) "Good morning Doctor," "How may I be of assistance today?" Andrew turned to see woman standing before him. ~This must be Dr Carrow~ "Thank you for arriving so promptly Doctor." He motioned her over to a small tank which had a seven purple beetles in it. "This is my problem." He paused looking at her. "I have been retrieving these from a patient who has a problem with them as a food source. I have some how inadvertently been given their whole colony. Which will be arriving later." He looked at the beetles in the tank. "I've not got the first idea about how many I'll have and how to look after them. I fall upon your expertise Doctor, to help me." (reply Carrow) (reply Carrow, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Ensign Carrow - 10:19) "Thanks you for arriving so promptly Doctor." Ardena smiled, "Not often I'm summoned, curiosity sped my feet." He motioned her over to a small tank which had a seven purple beetles in it. "This is my problem." Ardena looked at the container and its contents as the Doctor explained his problem. She was growing more amused by the second but trying to hide it. "I've not got the first idea about how many I'll have and how to look after them. I fall upon your expertise Doctor, to help me." "Well, my first suggestion would be a temperature adjustment to keep them under 17C so they don't reproduce." Her eyes twinkled, "Unless of course you want them to..?" (Reply Williams) "Now, depending on what your plans for them are.. If you give them a space to spread out, say four meters by one meter, some sand, grubs and access to water, they'll start building." (Reply Williams, if any) "Oh, they'll build castles, turrets, all sorts of names for their buildings. Quite fascinating little creatures, hive minded too. You can pick up their communication on a magnetic display. The Academy has a 27 meter high, five meter wide castle that has been built .. I think it started in 2398." Ardena shook her head, "Anyway, if you don't want them clogging up your space in sickbay, I'm sure science could find a corner for them." (reply Williams, any) (posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 10:21) "Well, my first suggestion would be a temperature adjustment to keep them under 17C so they don't reproduce." "Unless of course you want them to..?" "Um no. That would not be a good idea." ~Mental note. No saunas in sickbay~ "Now, depending on what your plans for them are.. If you give them a space to spread out, say four meters by one meter, some sand, grubs and access to water, they'll start building." Andrew looked at Carrow. "Build?" "Oh, they'll build castles, turrets, all sorts of names for their buildings. Quite fascinating little creatures, hive minded too. You can pick up their communication on a magnetic display. The Academy has a 27 meter high, five meter wide castle that has been built .. I think it started in 2398." "Anyway, if you don't want them clogging up your space in sickbay, I'm sure science could find a corner for them." Andrew paused for a moment to think about what Carrow had said. "No I think I'll keep them." Andrew paused for a moment. Zoology was not his strong point. "You said that they have a hive mind. How advanced is it. Could we communicate with them?" ~Could have some company during my long nights?~ (reply Carrow) Andrew thought about what Carrow had said. "Is there anything that I should look out for now that I'm looking after them. Any foods they prefer, any illnesses they might get?" ~Hey the only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask~ (reply Carrow) (reply Carrow, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - XenoZoologist - Ardena Carrow - 10:23) The CMO seemed to consider the matter before deciding to keep the beetles in sickbay. "You said that they have a hive mind. How advanced is it. Could we communicate with them?" Ardena was trying to remember a conversation in passing when she'd stopped to admire the sand castle at the academy in the xenobiology wing. At the time she'd been more interested in the development of trilobites on 16 simultaneous worlds. "I wouldn't think they're terribly advanced since no at the Academy communicates with them," Ardena gave a one shoulder shrug, "But in all honestly Doctor, it could also be a matter of no one has seriously tried. At the bare bottom they're as intelligent and social as Terran honey bees." The Doctor seemed to consider her words once more. Nothing like having an attentive audience! "Is there any thing that I should look out for now that I'm looking after them. Any foods they prefer, any illnesses that might get?" Ardena gave a wild smile, "I think you now know about as much about them as I do, Doctor. I can look up the relevant information and forward it to you if you like? I know they eat small insects and monocotyledonous fibres.. beyond that.." She spread her hands out, "They're yours to discover." (Reply Williams, any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Personal Quarters - "Janus" - 10:30) "God, another long shift," Janus said, strolling into his quarters. As usual, his roommate was gone. He sighed and went to his dresser and withdrew the prop Cricket bat that secretly held the hidden transmitter. Once he had retrieved the long antenna, he flipped off his service boots, and sat on his bunk. He reached for the picture of him with the fake holographic blonde chick, and attached the transmitter to the top. At once, the picture turned from the 'two former lovers' to a secret PADD display. Janus aimed the end of the transmitter at the window, and began entering commands quickly. The words, [Recording Started] appeared on the display. "Janus here. I never sort my socks," he said, saying the password for that day. "They've dropped off the president, safe and sound. Nothing went aloof. Typical LoDona luck," he said, pausing for a moment. "H'Chir is back in active duty, although the rumors say that T'Vhor makes him drag his ass to visit Doc Williams every few days or so. The new counselor or whatever she is seems to be popular. I bet Taxia will probably drink his liver away now, or whatever Betazoids have," Janus reported. "They promoted Rogers, although some aren't happy about it. I bet his old man is jerking somebody around up the chain of command," Janus said, before pausing, searching for more news to report. "Nothing on their next mission objective. Hopefully they won't get us shot at, this time,"Janus remarked, before deciding to finish up. “Well, that concludes my report. Give the Admiral my best, and I'm still counting down the days until you bastards change my name and give me a lifetime expense-paid vacation on Risa,” the man said, repeating his usual sign off. He entered another keystroke, and the hidden PADD informed him that it was [Processing...] then... [Sending...] The sending took roughly two minutes, and below that, the names of various ship's functions, such has [Passive sensor sweep,] and [Bussard collection scan,] were flashed in very quick succession. Once it was done, he yanked the transmitter out of the top of the PADD, returning it to the picture of the man known has Janus, and the fake lady. He slipped it back onto his place near his bunk, and then went to his dresser, and put the transmitter back in the Cricket bat. He put the worn out old bat into his dresser, and unbuttoned his uniform tunic. He put his boots back on, and headed out to Ten Forward. He had some rumors to overhear, after all. (reply none... yet) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (USS Spectre - Turbolift - Captain T'Vhor & Ensign Jynea Kreung - 11:06) It was with a certain relief that the Captain had entered the turbolift with two of his security officers in tow, Nell of course had now been well & truly delivered which meant that anything that happened to him now was completely beyond their control. With thoughts of their imminent arrival at Starbase currently foremost in his mind though, T'Vhor had hardly noticed the doors opening to the accompaniment of a somewhat bruised & battered Orion Ensign in ripped medical teal, stepping apparently obliviously into the lift, whilst the two security officers stepped dubiously past her with puzzled expressions etched firmly upon their faces. Jynea let the yellow shirts leave the turbolift as she hobbled in. Tk'kit had run her through several scenarios, with suggestions and corrections before finally releasing her to go back to her quarters. She looked, at best, like something the security cat had dragged in. Her tunic was ripped, her pants were torn, her body was bruised all over, she even had a claw park across her cheek that had bled a bit when she'd moved contrary to logic and Tk'kit's expectations. Jynea was thinking she should probably go to sickbay and get some bruise patches but the extra walking seemed just too much to ask. She realized she was standing in the turbolift expecting it to psychically know where she wanted to go and the person behind her was being exceedingly patient. "Deck Seven" she finally instructed the computer. She could feel the weight of regard and turned to offer a slight smile, "You should see the other girl, looks like something the counsellor dragged in." she suggested mischievously. The Captain simply raised an eyebrow in a display of typical Vulcan puzzlement as he took in the strange statement from the green Counsellor, was this some strange Orion sentiment he wondered, he had heard similar words from Humans of course but never before had he heard it from an Orion. "I was not aware that Counsellors normally had to resort to dragging people about Ensign?", asked the Captain. "Is this something Orions do often?", he added. Jynea realized by pips and face she was talking at the Captain of the Spectre. Oops. 'Way to make a first impression.' she told herself. She started to salute, then realized that if she did, she'd probably finish ripping her undershirt and tunic and give the Captain an even less professional view. She knew the average Vulcan didn't care about clothes or physical shell, but *still*. Blushing purple Jynea managed to mumble an apology, greeting and bowed her head in salute, careful to stay out of 'irritating aura' range that she tried to maintain around all those gifted with mental sensory awareness. The *Betazoids* seemed to like her mind, a couple calling it 'furry and happy', but she'd yet to meet a Vulcanoid that appreciated having her 'buoyancy' shoved up their noses. The Captain however, despite the bizarrity of the situation evolving did his best to understand it, hoping as he did so that the Ensigns obvious awkwardness at his presence would dissipate sometime soon. She was a strange one for sure, it seemed she was attempting to mask her feelings now as she mentally tried to cover up the bits that were showing, almost as a kind of 'fall back' at not being able to actually do so physically, in regards the state of her somewhat shredded uniform. The fact that her clothing was torn however was neither here nor there, it was clear that something had happened that had been completely beyond her control, the culprit no doubt being much more powerful & adept than she herself had been. "Only the really reluctant?" Jynea offered hopefully. "Am I too assume that this beast is still lose on the ship?", said the Captain. "Lieutenant Vasilyovna would.....I believe the phrase she uses in such circumstances would be, spit feathers", he added, the Human sentiment of course being as completely lost on him now as it had been the first time the Russian had actually uttered it. "Spit.. feathers?" Jynea echoed somewhat mystified as she tried to envision what avian humanoid they had on the vessel, she could have sworn the chief of security was human. "Er, no, wait, I was being trained by Security Person Tk'Kit in 'escape and endure' she called it. "I'm not very good at it yet." "I am relieved for sure.....as no doubt will Lieutenant Vasilyovna be also", said the Captain as he surveyed a small line of dripping blood that was now advancing inexorably down across the Counsellors left cheek unchecked. "I would advise that you seek out Doctor Williams sometime soon Ensign Kreung, it would not be wise to continue your duties in your current state", he added. "Er, yes sir." For some reason her brain wanted to say 'What state is that sir? Half dressed? Orion in a red bow for the CMO'? Maybe she needed more sleep.. The Captain then changed tact to one of a more official line in regards the Counsellors recent reports concerning crew morale. Her reports had been exemplary every time of course, her attention to duty likewise faultless, regardless of the apparent conflict now on display with her current appearance. "I understand there was an issue concerning one of our Engineers, an Ensign Therul if I remember correctly?", said the Captain. "Uhm, How to put this diplomatically? The Crewman seems unfamiliar with basic social interchange between Starfleet races and seems unfamiliar with privacy and personal space." She hoped that was suitably professional.. 'He totally creeps me out!' didn't seem very adult or officerly. The Captain quirked his head slightly, he had not had direct dealings with this crewman but it had seemed to him at the time that Ensign Bristed had not been the only one to have concerns for his 'irritating' behaviour, if the amount of times his name had actually appeared in the Morale officers reports had been anything to go by that is. "Perhaps I should meet with him sometime", said the Captain, feeling that getting to know each & every member of his crew, regardless of their popularity or indeed, lack of it was a good idea in general. "It would be of assistance, sir. I think the base problem is that, uhm, females don't seem to rank as respected superiors to him.." She trailed off. The Captain was a smart man, he wouldn't be a Starfleet captain if he wasn't. She was pretty sure he could do the basic psychological math. "This surprises me, Tellarites are not normally noted for exhibiting sexist values, perhaps it might be beneficial if you could work with him yourself sometime", said T'Vhor just as the turbolift arrived at the Ensign's required destination & then opened it's doors. ~With a cast iron pan to the back of the head, if I could.~ Jynea thought. She doubted anything else she could say or do would leave an impression. "Er, yessir." she replied. The Captain nodded accordingly & then motioned towards the opened turbolift doors. "I believe deck seven was your requested destination Ensign", said the Captain, "or was I mistaken?", he added. Jynea couldn't help it, she knew the Captain wasn't being a smart ass, she didn't think it was in his nature, "I hear I'm going to Sickbay," she replied with a half-smile. "Though you would be correct deck seven was my requested destination, I was just mistaken in where I was going." she added with some whimsy. "Deck Three, please" she told the computer. Captain T'Vhor took the time then to respecify his own destination also & with that the doors slid closed once again..... The Vulcan hybrid however now felt a certain change in the Orions somewhat bubbly demeanor. She still seemed happy enough of course but he wondered whether his adherence to logic & the obvious throughout their conversation, might have seemed inappropriate at times. It would not have been the first time that a non Vulcan had misinterpreted the black & white orchestration of a Vulcan mind, which could in itself be both an asset & a hindrance at times of course. The Captain however, took a deep breath & then looked straight ahead as the turbolift continued on it's way, it's animated light bars moving first in the vertical & then the horizontal as it traversed the various decks & departments therein with little more than the addition of an accompanying hum to indicate it's progress. "So, Ensign Gorlan Therul?", said the Captain, "do you feel that some specific inter-species education might prove useful", he added in an attempt to offer some constructive advice to the seemingly insurmountable problem of the erstwhile & decidedly unpopular Ensign. 'Can I use the frying pan?' Jynea thought with mild irritation. "Species interaction, gender interaction.." She gave a half shrug, "I haven't had a lot of experience with the engineer, I'm sure Ensign Bristed," May she forgive me, "has more personal experience." The Captain nodded & allowed the slightest of smiles to appear on his otherwise unsmiling face, a legacy no doubt of his Betazoid half which occasionally surfaced to show another, lesser seen side to his character. If Jynea wasn't outranked by several pips and in the turbolift with a practical stranger, she'd have been tempted to tease him about the slight smile and crack in facade. Of course, quickest way to get someone to shut down behind walls again was to point out you saw them peeking through a crack. It was at that precise moment though that the turbolift doors slid aside for the third time since the Captain had stepped into it, this time however it was his own stop & Ensign Kreung clearly saw an immediate opening to return his previous reminder to her back at him. "I believe this is your requested destination?" Jynea teased mildly. She couldn't resist, though her sense of humour was probably going to get her locked up somewhere in a small box.. "You are correct of course, this is indeed my stop", said the Captain, "it has been a pleasure to talk to you Ensign, please, keep me appraised of Ensign Therul's progress", he added as he stepped out of the turbolift & thenceforth into the corridor. He then made to move off only to stop & turn about to face the still opened turbolift once again. "Ensign Kreung", said the Captain, "I have noticed that most counsellors have an innate tendency to feel the stress of the crew in ways that others often do not", he added. "Er.." Jynea said brilliantly, not sure where this observation was coming from. She didn't feel stress dealing with the crew, but maybe it took time to build up? The Captain surely had more experience with counsellors than she had being one! She was still very green! Or maybe he meant she was more familiar with the stress level of the crew themselves? "I try to keep in touch with the mood of the crew, sir." She finally managed, a little mystified. The Captain quirked his head slightly to one side, noticing immediately of course the fact that the Orion had seemed puzzled by his last comment & attempted to elaborate a little. "What I mean of course, is that because you deal so closely with the crew & their individual problems...", said the Captain trailing off slightly into a pause. "......you may have a tendency to feel, how shall I say....overloaded yourself", he added. "Oh. I see what you mean, sir." She agreed more confidently. Still not quite convinced she would experience what the Captain suggested. But he was certainly the more experienced officer in this conversation! "Then may I suggest Stellar Cartography as a place on board which you may find peaceful, when peace is what you seek", said the Captain thinking back to the times he himself had passed many an hour within it's unique, transparent window onto space when the chance to do so had arisen. Jynea smiled, somewhat touched that a busy Captain would take the time to think of a very junior counsellor. "Thank you sir, I'll keep it in mind!" The Captain bowed his head forwards in acknowledgment, then as the doors closed before him, he turned about & continued on his way. (Reply None) (Posted by Alan Reading & Lorna Appleby) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 11:15) Jynea hobbled into sickbay with a resigned look on her face. She really didn't want to get Tk'kit into trouble, but if the Captain took it in stride, well, Jynea figured the doctors would too. She waved a hand at Nurse Douwsy as she spotted her fellow Orion sorting some sort of lab results in the office. Jynea clambered up onto one of the bio beds to wait for treatment. It was hard to not swing her feet, but every time she came near Nurse Douwsy she felt three years old since the older Orion was twice her height and senior in age and starfleet experience. She was quite relieved when Doctor Williams came out into triage. He always made her feel comfortable and happy. Definitely a doctor with a good bed side manner! (Reply Douwsy/Williams :) (Reply any) (Posted by : Lorna) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse Douwsy/ CMO Williams - 11:17) Douwsy was entering the latest lab results on to a PADD. She looked up as the sickbay doors opened. She saw Kreung hobble into sickbay. Her uniform was ripped and she was covered in scratches. From the way she was walking she looked like she was in some pain. ~What the Hell~ Douwsy dropped the PADD and hurried across sickbay. As she passed the triage she called out. "Andrew. I need you in here." She helped Kreung onto the bio bed and activated the scanners. "Take it easy. we'll take care of you." Andrew came out of triage when he heard Douwsy's call. As he saw Douwsy standing beside a person who looked like they had been a fight with a Circassian plague cat and lost. For a split second he thought it was one of the training dummies that Douwsy sometimes used. As he reached the bio bed he saw that it was Kreung lying in it. ~Ow hell its Kreung~ He quickly glanced at scans and turned back to Kreung as he filled a hyposray with analgesia. "What on earth happened to you. it looks like you've gone a few rounds with a Circassian plague cat." (Reply Kreung) (Reply Kreung, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Morale Officer, Ensign (jg) Jynea Kreung - 11:19) "Take it easy. we'll take care of you." Nurse Douwsy told her. "Never had a doubt," Jynea reassured her. "What on earth happened to you. it looks like you've gone a few rounds with a Circassian plague cat." "Oh, now that's nice" Jynea said in response to the painkiller. "Well, Crewman Tk'Kit in security has been put in charge of training the new counsellor in sneakiness, resistance and a bunch of other things.. and lets just say, the new counsellor is terrible at it all." Jynea smiled. "Poor Tk'kit, any sane person would duck right, I duck left. I shudder to think what I'd look like if she *hadn't* been pulling punches, kicks and tackles!" (Reply Williams/Douwsy) "Oh c'mon, I can't look *that* bad.. I made it hear under my own power, after all!" Jynea jollied the health professionals. (Reply Williams/Douwsy, any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 11:22) "Well, Crewman Tk'Kit in security has been put in charge of training the new counsellor in sneakiness, resistance and a bunch of other things.. and lets just say, the new counsellor is terrible at it all." Andrew looked at her for a moment. ~Maybe that's because you are a counsellor and not a marine~ Andrew paused for a moment. ~For that matter of fact where is my marine at the moment~ He focused back on Kreung as she continued. "Poor Tk'kit, any sane person would duck right, I duck left. I shudder to think what I'd look like if she *hadn't* been pulling punches, kicks and tackles!" "Can't be any worse then you look now." "Oh c'mon, I can't look *that* bad.. I made it here under my own power, after all!" Andrew tried to give her a stern look but could not hold it. He shook his head. "Yeah well. Personally that was a bad decision. That is why you have a medical team. So that we can come to you." (reply Kreung) Andrew took out a dermal regenerator and handed another one to Douwsy. They started to heal the cuts and bruises. "You were lucky that Miss Tk'kit can control her punches." He indicated to the scratches on her face. "A couple of inches up or down and you would either bleeding out all over the floor or blind." (reply Kreung) Andrew shook his head. He reached over and begun to heal the cuts on her face. "Now hold still or I'll end up giving you a new nose." (reply Kreung) (reply Kreung, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Morale Officer - Ensign (JG) Jynea Kreung - 11:24) Andrew tried to give her a stern look but could not hold it. He shook his head. "Yeah well. Personal that was a bad decision. That is why you have a medical team. So that we can come to you." Jynae didn't seem to be repressed in the least, "Yes Doctor-Father." she replied happily. "Its worse than it looks, I'm sure." Well, considering how everyone had reacted so far, it must. It wasn't like she'd had to crawl into sickbay or anything. All limbs were working in mostly operational order. Andrew took out a dermal regenerator and handed another one to Douwsy. They started to heal the cuts and bruises. "You were lucky that Miss Tk'kit can control her punches." He indicated to the scratches on her face. "A couple of inches up or down and you would either bleeding out all over the floor or blind." "And then I would have called for that talented and swift medical team,"Jynea replied incorrigibly. "Actually, I got the scratch on my cheek when I bit her tail." Andrew shook his head. He reached over and begun to heal the cuts on her face. "Now hold still or I'll end up giving you a new nose." Nothing made her want to fidget more than being told to sit still. Suddenly her nose itched, her ankle was twitchy and she had ten thousands things she wanted to say. It seemed to be sixteen eternities before Andrew was satisfied with his work.. even if it was only a few minutes at most. "Hey Doc, when'd you get the stow aways?" Jynea asked looking over at the tray of beetles that were happily climbing over one another and flattening the sand field. (Reply Williams, any) (posted by Lorna)