USS Spectre Compile - October 1st-31st 2014 by Alan Reading ===================================================================== Mission: Inimicus Invisa, Part Two – Fallen Comrades Day: 5 Stardate: 2414.10.15 (USS Spectre - Deck 14, Deflector Control 2 - CSO Lt.jg. Kurt Palmer - 23:28) (USS Spectre - Deck 14, Deflector Control 2 - CSO Lt.jg. Kurt Palmer - 23:37) ===================================================================== Mission: Inimicus Invisa, Part Two - Fallen Comrades Day: 6 Stardate: 2414.10.16 (ATV Garallon - Main Transporter Room - Academy Cadets Twinnings - 00:18) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One - Acting FO, CEO, Lieutenant Remae Ktell - 00:20) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One - Academy Cadets Twinnings - 00:23) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One - Acting FO/CEO, LT (Sg) Remae Ktell - 00:25) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One - Ensign T'Solen Fairefield - 00:26) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One - Academy Cadet Twinnings - 00:27) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One - Academy Cadet Twinnings - 00:29) (USS Spectre - Personal Quarters - Security Officer, Ensign JG Will Frost - 00:30) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One - Academy Cadets, Porsa and Kurrik - 00:31) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One - Security Officer Ens. T'Solen Fairfield - 00:33) (USS Spectre - Deflector Dish - PSE Shayne Cody - 00:35) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Acting FO/CEO, LT (Sg) Remae Ktell - 00:37) (USS Spectre - Bridge, CONN - Pilot Officer, Jennifer Smith - 00:37) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 00:39) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Acting FO/CEO, LT (Sg) Remae Ktell - 00:43) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Dr Tarna’s Quarters – Ensign (JG) Janel Tarna - 00:45) (USS Spectre - Bridge, CONN - Pilot Officer, Jennifer Smith - 00:46) (USS Spectre - Marine XO's Office - MXO, Major Bruce Kowalski - 00:47) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Acting FO/CEO, LT (Sg) Remae Ktell - 00:49) (USS Spectre - Marine XO's Office - Marine, Corporal Houseman - 00:52) (USS Spectre - Bridge, CONN - Pilot Officer, Jennifer Smith 00:52) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Acting FO/CEO, LT (Sg) Remae Ktell - 00:54) (USS Spectre - Marine XO's Office - MXO, Major Bruce Kowalski - 00:54) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 00:55) (USS Spectre - Marine XO's Office - Marine, Corporal Houseman - 00:56) (USS Spectre - Bridge, CONN - Pilot Officer, Jennifer Smith - 00:57) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 00:59) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Acting FO/CEO, LT (Sg) Remae Ktell - 01:00) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Security Officer Ens. T'Solen Fairfield - 01:01) (USS Spectre - Bridge, CONN - Pilot Officer, Jennifer Smith - 01:03) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Dr Tarna’s Quarters – Ensign (JG) Janel Tarna - 01:03) (USS Spectre – Deck 3 – Sickbay – Ensign (JG) Janel Tarna - 01:06) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Security Officer Ens. T'Solen Fairfield - 01:07) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Academy Cadets, Porsa and Kurrik - 01:08) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Academy Cadet Twinnings - 01:12) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Academy Cadets, Porsa and Kurrik - 01:14) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Sickbay – Ensign (JG) Janel Tarna - 01:15) (USS Spectre - Sickbay, Medical Research - Dr. Michaella Kirien - 01:16) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Sickbay – Academy Cadet Twinnings - 01:18) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Acouns, Dr. Riven Mias - 01:20) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Acting FO/CEO, LT (Sg) Remae Ktell - 01:20) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams - 01:21) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Sickbay – ACMO, Ensign (JG) Janel Tarna - 01:22) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Academy Cadet Twinnings - 01:22) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Academy Cadets, Porsa and Kurrik - 01:23) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Sickbay – CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams - 01:28) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Sickbay – ACMO, Ensign (JG) Janel Tarna - 01:30) (USS Spectre - Deck 14, Deflector Control - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 02:45) (USS Spectre - Deck 14, hallway - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 02:50) (USS Spectre - Turbolift - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 21:55) (USS Spectre - Hallucination - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 02:58) (USS Spectre - Turbolift - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 03:03) (USS Spectre - Corridor, Deck 3 - ACMO, Ens. A.O. Windsong-Trommashere 03:04) (USS Spectre - Corridor, Deck 3 - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 03:06) (USS Spectre - Deck 3, Sickbay - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 03:10) (USS Spectre - Deck 3, Sickbay - ACMO Ens. A. O. Windsong-Trommashere - 03:12) (USS Spectre - Corridor, Deck 3 - ACMO Ens. A.O. Windsong-Trommashere - 03:15) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Sickbay – Ensign (JG) Janel Tarna - 03:16) (USS Spectre - Deck 3, Sickbay - CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams - 03:17) (USS Spectre - Deck 3, Sickbay - ACMO Ens. A. O. Windsong-Trommashere - 03:20) (USS Spectre - Deck 3, Sickbay - CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams - 03:23) ===================================================================== Mission: Inimicus Invisa, Part Two – Fallen Comrades Day: 5 Stardate: 2414.10.15 (USS Spectre - Deck 14, Deflector Control 2 - CSO Lt.jg. Kurt Palmer - 23:28) "...start preparing the dish. We've never done anything like this before so we need a way of making our signal hit the dish of the Garallon." Lieutenant Remae addressed Kurt before turning to Doctor Trommashere. Kurt blinked, again. ~right...~ He swallowed hard and entered the Central dish control room. This particular room was not lit as well as the rest of the ship, and Kurt had to step over a large conduit on the floor as he entered. He scanned the room searching for the correct control panel. The entire room seemed to be covered in wires and panels. ~well... Here goes~ Kurt approached the main panel ahead of him. (Reply Any) ((Posted by Cody)) (USS Spectre - Deck 14, Deflector Control 2 - CSO Lt.jg. Kurt Palmer - 23:37) Kurt pressed the last few controls on a small monitor near the floor on the outer bulkhead. "That wasn't so bad." He exited the control room. He caught the eye of the, extremely busy, First Officer, gave him a thumbs up with both hands and mouthed "I'll be on the bridge..." (Reply, any) ((Post by Cody)) ===================================================================== Mission: Inimicus Invisa, Part Two - Fallen Comrades Day: 6 Stardate: 2414.10.16 (ATV Garallon - Main Transporter Room - Academy Cadets Twinnings - 00:18) "Freaky is not the word" "frightening perhaps, maybe even diabolical. Either way how the hell are we supposed to get their attention?" He looked at the group of marines as they moved onto the transporter pad. “I don’t think its possible but we better do something as I don’t want to be left behind.” "We must stand on the pads with them" "This may be our only chance to get off this ship" Twinnings glanced over at Kurrik, compaired to the other things he had been saying earlier this was not the worst he had heard. "Excuse me", He looked at Porsa "won't we end up at the destination in a congealing mess of mixed atoms?", she asked. Kurrik shook his head in the negative. "The pattern buffer will detect two lifesigns and alert the operator of the target transporter accordingly" "the two distinct patterns will then be separated and reassembled individually from the other, hopefully resulting in our arrival with the Marines irrespective of the time shift that is affecting us" “Yeh hopefully.” "Okay, what have we got to lose?" He watched with trepidation as Porsa climbed onto the transporter pad. "Eeeny meeny, minee mo" She said as he followed her to stand beside her and Kurrik. "I just hope that...." was all that Porsa said as they vanished. (Reply Any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One - Acting FO, CEO, Lieutenant Remae Ktell - 00:20) Ships Log, Lt Remae Ktell, Acting First Officer and Chief Engineering Officer Stardate 2414.10.16 Remae found a quiet corner of the transporter room and opened a comm-channel to the computer. He had a moment to log a status report. “First Officers Log, supplemental. We’re attempting to retrieve the away teams of our Marines that are stuck on the Garallon.”, he said before looking at the time, he had a few more moments. “In order to location the team, we had to send a massive signal for the dish, we burnt it out but we were about to arrange a transporter sequence that will grab anyone on their pad and beam them over.”, said the FO knowing that they were beaming in the dark but it was their best shot. “As soon as they team is over, the Spectre will have to leave the void... with us already tractoring the warp core of the Garallon, I don’t see how we can also rescue the Garallon as well, at least, not this time.”, Remae looked over at the transporter chief, he nodded, it was time. The transporter beam energised... (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One - Academy Cadets Twinnings - 00:23) "No sudden moves, hands away from your weapons," The command braught Twinnings out of his diorientation. He looked past the marine infront and saw a security officer pointing a phaser at them and waving a tricorder in the other. “Ow this is just bloody maverluse. We servive the Garallon to be shot by a edge securit officer with an itchy trigger finger.” It took him a instant to realise that the suits pickups were activated and had sent his words loudly across the transporter room. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply. ~bollocks~ (Reply T'Solen, Marines, Porsa and Kurrik, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One - Acting FO/CEO, LT (Sg) Remae Ktell - 00:25) The away team beamed over... they had grabbed them and it had worked. Ensign Fairfield had asked them to keep their hands away from their weapons. It wasn’t required, the beam had disabled all weapons in transport. “Ow this is just bloody marvellous. We survive the Garallon to be shot by a edgy security officer with an itchy trigger finger.”, said someone Remae didn’t know. ~ Who? ~ ~ Wait, what? ~ There seemed to be a lot more people on the transporter than Remae had expected, sure, we had Marines, but who were the others? “Um, okay.”, he said, “Ensign Fairfield isn’t being edgy just careful.”, he said looking over at Major Kowalski. “Major, take your team and report back to your deck, I’ll come down with you shortly for a debrief. Ensign Fairfield, please escort our new arrivals to Sickbay.”, he said to the Security Officer. Remae waited for everyone to file out... and then he headed back to the Bridge let the CO know. (Reply from All from the Garallon, Fairfield, Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One - Ensign T'Solen Fairefield - 00:26) “Ow this is just bloody marvellous. We survive the Garallon to be shot by a edgy security officer with an itchy trigger finger.” Fairfield's eyes narrowed as the TACorder beeped at him. His eyes glanced down briefly, before he folded it up and put it back in its belt holster. "Not all these are crew," he said to the FO, more conversationally than anything, though his phaser didn't waver. “Um, okay.”, he said, “Ensign Fairfield isn’t being edgy just careful.” T'Solen wished he dared roll his eyes. “Major, take your team and report back to your deck, I’ll come down with you shortly for a debrief. Ensign Fairfield, please escort our new arrivals to Sickbay.” "Aye, Sir." He said as the FO departed. The Marines shuffled out as well, leaving him with their new arrivals. They spoke amongst themselves for a moment before moving over to him. “Okay then. Show us the way sir.” "Oh, with pleasure." T'Solen said in a toneless voice, followed by a cold smile. His former team-mates had called it his 'Serial Killer' grin, the kind of smile not often seen on a vulcanoid face. He gestured with the phaser to the door. "No sudden moves, I'll be watching until your identities are confirmed." He paused, his expression dramatically thoughtful, "Oh, yes. So, who are you?" (reply: any, all) (posted by Trout) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One - Academy Cadet, Twinnings - 00:27) "No sudden moves, I'll be watching until your identities are confirmed." ~Your a friendly fellow aren't you~ "Oh, yes. So, who are you?" He glanced at the others before speaking. “I am fourth year Cadet Twinnings. This is Cadets Porsa and Kurrik. If you don’t mind me asking but what are you all doing here?” (Reply Fairefield (reply: Fairefield Porsa and Kurrik, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One - Academy Cadet Twinnings - 00:29) Um, okay.” “Ensign Fairfield isn’t being edgy just careful.”, Twinnings looked at the Lieutenant who had spoken and then back to the Ensign. ~Yeh right mate~ “Major, take your team and report back to your deck, I’ll come down with you shortly for a debrief. Ensign Fairfield, please escort our new arrivals to Sickbay.”, He watched as the marines file out and then glanced Porsa and Kirruk. “I guess we better go.” (Reply Porsa and Kirruk IYW) He moved towards the door as he looked at Ensign Fairfield. “Okay then. Show us the way sir.” (Reply Fairfield) (Reply Porsa, Kirruk Fairfield, Any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Personal Quarters - Security Officer, Ensign JG Will Frost - 00:30) There are many myths and urban legends spread around Starfleet. Did you hear what happened on this ship, did you hear what happened over there. Little whispers, half truths, spread around from Ensign to Ensign, Cadet to Cadet. Did you hear about the transporter accident that can send you to a mirror reality. Did you hear about the transporter accident that can create a perfect double of you. Little stories, that start with an accident, with an unhappy ending or moment. Used to scare young Ensigns. But sometimes these stories all start with a little kernel of truth. As Will Frost lay awake in his bed, mind wandering away, he had no idea that he himself would soon become the subject of one of these stories. He had no way to know what would happen. All he could think about was evil bunnies.Evil bunnies, one small episode, one of the reasons why he was here in bed, and not prepped as a possible away team member. It was why he was in bed and not on the bridge. He had an episode, a moment of unclarity, and it was thought best he get some rest. So instead of getting to be moving, be active, he was laying in bed, pondering on how he felt he was slipping. The last few days he felt he couldn't do anything right. When it came to being a fighter, he was good, he had skill. But here, in Starfleet, he was just one of many, getting lost in the herd. All he could focus on was how ridiculous he was being. ~Bunnies, invading, really. Will you are dumb.~ He got out of bed, put a t-shirt and shorts on, he contemplated going for a run on the Holodeck. He noticed a pad on his night stand. It was a message from an old friend. Captain Will Alexander, former CO of the Mithrandir, now working on Earth, and former crew member of the Spectre. He was orignally 6 years older than Will Frost, but Time travel evened their ages out. Will Alexander had Jumped through time a few times. Their families were friends, and Captain Alexander had written to Will Frost when he joined the Spectre. ~Maybe a call would help ease my mind, surely Captain Alexander, err Will, knows a thing or too about, feeling like you are losing it.~ As he was searching for his running shoes he paused. ~I wonder if Amari is up~ He tapped his commabadge. "Frost to Riya, I hope I am not waking you, ummm do you have a moment to talk." (reply Riya) (Reply Riya) (posted by Will Banowsky) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One - Academy Cadets, Porsa and Kurrik - 00:31) Porsa had a problem with security types. It seemed that they were always of the assumption that everyone and his Dog was a threat, and whilst she understood that to a degree, the fact that she and her two compatriots were dressed in Starfleet uniforms seemed to have eluded the Vulcan hybrid now tasked with keeping an eye on the 'intruders'... "Major, take your team and report back to your deck", the FO had requested, seemingly as confused as everyone else was as to why three extra bodies had been detected in the matter stream and just been deposited on the transport pads. "I’ll come down with you shortly for a debrief. Ensign Fairfield, please escort our newarrivals to Sickbay.” he had added. The Major nodded regimentally, and then took his men out of the room, one or two of the Marines casting curious glances in Porsa's direction. ~Fairfield. So that's who you are~ thought Porsa, narrowing her eyes suspiciously in the Sec officers direction as Twinnings stated yet another obvious. “I guess we better go. Okay then, show us the way sir" Porsa looked to Twinnings, the ever present grin seemingly etched upon his face now and simply nodded. Sir? Why was it that anyone with a phasor was invariably called 'Sir', by someone when said phasor was pointed directly at them? Porsa rolled her eyes and then shook her head dismissively, whilst leaning towards Twinnings and whispering in his ear. "Maybe you should just stick your tongue down the back of the guys uniform right now and be done with it", she said, irritated by the sudden show of subservience, and then realising what she'd actually just said. Was it the Void affecting her in this way? Or was it that she was just exhausted beyond belief. Either way she felt it necessary right then to listen out for the sound of Dragons, lest another appear before them to scrape its razor sharp claws menacingly across the bulkheads before ripping them all to shreds. "I'm sorry Twinnings, maybe I shouldn't have just said that", said Porsa apologetically. "It's just that I've had enough now. One minute I'm dead, then I'm not, then I'm under arrest. And on top of all that I've been partying with Dragons whilst you have been acompanying Kurrik in his quest to find his Mothers damned recipe?" Kurrik raised a predictable eyebrow, and then quirked his head. Fairfield though responded to Twinnings earlier request for him to 'show them the way' with the candor that Porsa had well expected, tinged with more than just a hint of sarcasm it would seem. "Oh, with pleasure. No sudden moves, I'll be watching until your identities are confirmed.", he had said. Porsa contemplated pulling the III-C assault rifle from her sleeve at that. I mean, were they REALLY being considered a threat right now? A young female Cadet and her two unarmed buddies, stinking to high heaven and looking to be more in dire need of a sonic shower than anything else? She let the thought slip from her mind, more from exhaustion than anything else. Fairfield then continued with his previous tact.... "Oh, yes. So, who are you?", he asked, as they walked out of the transporter room and into the corridor beyond. Twinnings answered first of course, scuppering Porsa's plan to curve ball the security officer with clues about the Garallon being a cadet training ship and the fact that they were all wearing cadet uniforms. "I am fourth year cadet Twinnings", he began. "This is cadets Porsa and Kurrik. If you don't me asking but what are you all doing here?" Porsa rolled her eyes once again... (Reply Fairfield) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One - Security Officer Ens. T'Solen Fairfield - 00:33) "Oh, yes. So, who are you?", "I am fourth year cadet Twinnings, this is cadets Porsa and Kurrik. If you don't me asking but what are you all doing here?" "Cadets, eh," Fairfield said in a musing tone as he took position behind them and began walking the corridors. "Interesting. As for why the Spectre is here, that isn't mine to answer, even if the Captain deigned to answer to a mere Ensign of security." (reply: as desired) He stopped at the turbolift and waited for the door to open with 'cadets' in tow. "And what are you doing out here?" he asked, in a deceptively mild tone. There were a lot of questions to be answered, and he had a captive audience... (Reply Any) (Posted by Trout) (USS Spectre - Deflector Dish - PSE Shayne Cody - 00:35) The last of the relays were replaced, at least the one he could get a hold of from the inside of the dish. A few moments later, Cody had the power back on and the dish was powering up. His work was done here... there were a lot of repairs of course but it had power and that was his job. “Deflector Control to Bridge, we’re back in business, you should be clear to about half impulse for now.”, he said, not wanting to overstep his position. (Reply from Bridge, Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Acting FO/CEO, LT (Sg) Remae Ktell - 00:37) =^= Deflector Control to Bridge, we’re back in business, you should be clear to about half impulse for now. =^= Remae had just finished briefing the CO on what had happened in the transporter room and he was going to speak to the Major but the news about the dish was important. He acknowledged and thanks the PSE and sat down in the FO’s chair; he checked a few things and reported back to the CO. “Captain, we can do about 1/4 impulse inside the void, the dish will protect us.”, he reported and then thought for a moment. “We’re tractoring the core still, I am not sure what to do about the Garallon. I think we’ll going to have to leave it for now, the crew are tired, the void is wearing us all down... I recommend we cut our losses and head out.”, he said looking over at the CO. They had the location of the Garallon, it wouldn’t be hard to alert Starfleet to collect it via an automated tug or other robotic means... they would have to make sure that noone entered the void in the future. (Reply from T’Vhor, Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre - Bridge, CONN - Pilot Officer, Jennifer Smith - 00:37) “We’re tractoring the core still, I am not sure what to do about the Garallon. I think we’ll going to have to leave it for now, the crew are tired, the void is wearing us all down... I recommend we cut our losses and head out.” Jennifer turned from the helm console and looked at T’Vhor and Ktell. “Sirs we might be able to take the Garallon with us.” She paused for a moment before carrying on making sure she had it all in her mind. “Sirs thanks to Lieutenant Ktell the Garallon is pritty much powered up. I would be able to link the flight console to the Garallon. She would be flying formation with us and whatever I did with the Spectre the Garallon would copy. We would not be able to maneuver fast due to the time lag of the comm system but it would mean that we could get the Garallon, its warp core and us out at the same time so that she would not be left to any scavengers near by.” (Reply T’Vhor and Ktell) (Reply T’Vhor and Ktell, any) (Posed by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 00:39) The arrival back on the bridge of the FO brought with it a degree of relief regarding the nature of the unknowns detected upon beaming their away team back, but it also brought yet more questions. It seemed that the recent communications via the deflector array had fried a good deal of their support circuits, necessitating a speed limit within the Void of just One quarter impulse. That made sense of course, after all, navigation was going to be hindered even with their deployed Nav-Bouys in place and locked on. "We’re tractoring the core still", said Remae. "I am not sure what to do about the Garallon. I think we’re going to have to leave it for now, the crew are tired, the void is wearing us all down... I recommend we cut our losses and head out." The Captain contemplated that. The crew were exhausted and mentally taxed, but If they left the Garallon then it would surely be stripped clean by any Tellarite scavengers operating within the Void itself. Indeed, he was sure that there were other ships there right now. It was at that point though that the Conn Officer offered a possible alternative. "Sir's, we might be able to take the Garallon with us", she said, hopefully. "Go ahead", said the Captain, giving the floor to the Pilot Officer who then offered the view that she could link up the two ships and pilot both out of the Void together. The FO was the first to respond to that... "I like the idea but it took just about everything we had to punch a message to the away team... how do you think we can control the Garallon remotely? Plus, how close we would we need to get?", he asked. The Conn then gave her view that if they could get really close then they could use a modified pulse data transfer system to provide the necessary link. The Captain though felt that to be too risky, especially considering their present navigational discrepancies and the loss of their deflector array. The FO then offered his own advice. "Given the fact we’re already dragging the warp core behind us, speed isn’t going to be an option. I think we should try.", he said, directing his suggestion to the CO himself. The Captain nodded thoughtfully, it was still risky given the circumstances, but there might be a possible second option that would not be dependent upon power, or the risk of losing it and sending both ships careening into a nearby rock! "A solid linkup, perhaps?", he suggested. "Before the advent of tractor beams, ships utilised grappler's to achieve solid lock upon anything that they were towing", he said. "We have the necessary equipment on the hanger decks. It could work. Ensign Smith could still use a low power link up to provide minimal vectoring control of the Garallon so as to support the manoeuvre, which might be preferable to a full 'sink or swim' linkup", he added, making reference to an old Earth Idiom in his suggestion. (Reply Remae, Smith, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Acting FO/CEO, LT (Sg) Remae Ktell - 00:43) Remae considered the words of Ensign Smith at the CONN. If they could take the Garallon with them so much the better. “I like the idea but it took just about everything we had to punch a message to the away team... how do you think we can control the Garallon remotely? Plus, how close we would we need to get?”, asked Remae, interested in the plan of the Pilot Officer. (Reply from T’Vhor, Smith, Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Dr Tarna’s Quarters – Ensign (JG) Janel Tarna - 00:45) After a promising start to the week things had taken a slightly rough turn. After going to bed much later than he should have, bad dreams had plagued him and he’d spent half the night rolling around in his bed. Janel finally gave up and got up. He didn’t normally suffer with bad dreams and didn’t concern himself overly with it. He’d been with the Spectre for nearly a week now and had names to many faces now. He was super keen to impress and find the path that would take him to joining. Padding through to the restroom he glanced in the mirror and for a second thought he saw his brother staring back. They both had their mother’s eyes but that was where the similarity began and ended. ~Don’t be ridiculous. It’s still me.~ He was still thinking about his brother when he emerged from the restroom minutes later. He deeply admired and respected Neron, who like his mother was joined, but at times like this he didn’t just wish to be successful like him, he wished to be him. ~Hmph! Latinum man! He can do no wrong. He’s got everything: the intelligence, the looks, the high flying career, mum’s love and a symbiont.~ He pulled a sour face at the replicator as he punched in his order. He took a double strength, black coffee to his desk, sat down and picked up a PADD but he found it hard to concentrate on its contents. He’d had a conversation with his mother, Lukita shortly after he’d arrived on the Spectre. Technically he could have spoken to her sooner but he’d been putting it off a little. Her words still went around and around in his head... “... You should request a transfer,” demanded a slightly shrill, stern voice. Lukita Dalis, a joined Trill and mother of Janel Tarna was very much used to getting things her own way. Her son recognised this with an almost inaudible groan. It seemed to him there wasn’t a thing they agreed about and his placement on the USS Spectre was no different. Sure it wasn’t a flagship, a station or even a science of medically dedicated ship, but he thought the Spectre class was still pretty neat. It was designed to be used in the special operations theatre and had some pretty cool features, such as the cloaking technology. The fact the ship carried marines was a good indication of the dangerous nature of the missions it would embark on. He recognised what his mother was saying about the lack of research facilities and opportunities to get involved in big medical research projects with influential scientists. If he was on a dedicated science or medical vessel, or a station he would probably be better off in those regards… and being on a flagship would have brought a lot of prestige. He wasn’t sure what the potential was for developing his medical research but still, there had to be opportunities here. He was enjoying serving here and looking forward to visiting worlds he’d never been to before even if he felt like he had to justify it. Maybe this was the place to be because it was a bit different, maybe he was just on the path less travelled and that would give him something unique to sell to the symbiosis commission. Trying to appeal to her sense of reason he explained, “The Spectre will provide different opportunities. I’ll be able to…” but was quickly cut off again but his fair haired mother. “Honestly dear you’re quite impossible. Are you trying to sabotage yourself?” she complained, looking at him as if he had just announced he was going to do something suicidal. “Hold on a sec, I’m trying to explain. The symbiosis commission don’t want people who have done exactly the same as…” he tried to reason but he was quickly cut off by his sneering mother who rarely had the patience to see anyone else’s point of view. “This coming from the only person in the family who isn’t joined? What do you know about the symbiosis commission compared to us? Most people would be grateful for the help you’ve been given.” Once again they were descending into guilt trip territory. If you didn’t see things as Lukita did and do as she asked then you were either simple minded and ignorant or ungrateful, often both. She was of course overlooking the fact that their father was unjoined but since their separation she had chosen more and more to behave as if he didn’t exist. Janel wished he could talk to his father and sympathised with him. He couldn’t really blame the Trill for leaving them because being around such high fliers was hard work and he felt like he was always struggling to keep up. “Look mum, I have to go. I’ll call again, when I can.” He said hurriedly, wanting to get off the thorny topic and back to his work as quickly as possible. His mother couldn’t help but try to get the last word in and exclaimed, “Don’t make the mistake of a lifetime Janel. Think about what I said. You can still put this right again, I’m sure you can.” ~ I only just got here! ~ Janel had no intention of filing for transfer and was done with the conversation. “Bye mum. I love you. Tell Neron I’m asking after him.” “I will do Janel. Take care and call me again soon,” replied the elder Trill before closing the comm. He knew she was working on a big trade negotiation with a group of Ferengi and that she would be going back to preparing for that. He hoped he could make a name for himself as a doctor in the same way his family had made names for themselves. Even as he sat staring at the PADD with his coffee cooling by his side, it was still going around... Even after a week he had not been able to fully take his mind of the last conversation he'd had with his mother. It bothered him deeply. He kept playing it over in his mind, his thoughts swirled around and around as he wondered what he might of said or done differently - other than obeying her request. ~ Seriously I need to drop this or it’s going to eat me alive. She isn’t even here and she’s still driving me crazy. Come on, I’ve got work to do. ~ (Tag any, iyw) (Posted by James) (USS Spectre - Bridge, CONN - Pilot Officer, Jennifer Smith - 00:46) “I like the idea but it took just about everything we had to punch a message to the away team... how do you think we can control the Garallonremotely? Plus, how close we would we need to get?” Jennifer paused for a moment thinking about before she spoke. “Well Sir. We will to get really close the about one hundred meters from their hull would be good but direct contact would obviously be better. Unfortunately we don’t have that kind of docking system on board. The closer we get the shorter the time lag will be.” “I was thinking of a rapid pulse data transfer, nothing fancy due to the degradation something like binary morse code. we will have the maneuvering capability of a brick with the Garallon in formation with us and it will be slow going.” (Reply Ktell, T’Vhor) (Reply Ktell, T’Vhor, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Marine XO's Office - MXO, Major Bruce Kowalski - 00:47) Kowalski slumped into his seat with all the finesse of an exhausted Bull, his hands pulling apart the metal clamps of his military issue jacket as he settled back against the backrest and then reached behind him and to his right to the small stack of drawers. The drawer slid open easilly, his large, battle-gnarled fingers coming to rest upon the smooth glass of the bottle before curling around it and then lifting it to deposit it upon the table. For a moment or two, he simply looked at it, the Highland Piper gracing its label, the amber liquid sloshing about just briefly before settling once again. Then he removed the clip-on cap and unscrewed the top, all thoughts of the previous debrief now shifting out of importance. The first sip was like nectar sliding down his throat, the bitter aftertaste hanging on his tastebuds and tickling his olfactory bulb in that 'pleasant' manner that it always did. Pure Scottish malt was not easy to come by these days, that was for sure. Well, not of 'this' vintage anyway and Kowalski was grateful of the 'Old Man', for imparting this particular gift to him after his last shore leave. Sitting there in the chair, Bruce closed his eyes and then contemplated the mission to the Garallon. There had been definite times when he had felt that he was losing it, his usual calm sense of control slipping from his grip just once or twice as he fought the Demon's that the Void had conjured within the recesses of his tormented mind. Houseman had been there of course, ever faithful, always dependable Houseman. What would the XO do without him? As if by some strange sense of prophecy though, Houseman suddenly appeared in the doorway of his office, his large frame obscuring Kowalski's view of the corridor and beyond as though he was not planning to leave anytime soon. Bruce eyed him for a few seconds. It was obvious why he was here and he knew that it was something that he was going to 'have' to address. Houseman had been a friend for many years of course and he knew instinctively when his XO was in dire straits, and as always, the mans impeccable ability to pick his moment had not failed him. Kowalski downed the cap of Whisky and then ushered Houseman in with a beckoning hand. "House", he exclaimed, feeling the warmth of the malt within his chest. "Join me my friend." (Reply Houseman) Kowalski closed his eyes. He was weary and he was more than ready for the expected pep talk concerning what had occured on the Academy training vessel. His guard had slipped, yes. He had lost control, yes. His leadership might be in question.... perhaps. Whatever the case though, the Whisky was damned fine. Bruce poured another cap and then filled the one that he had by then provided for House, and waited... (Reply Houseman) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Acting FO/CEO, LT (Sg) Remae Ktell - 00:49) The Pilot Officer was explaining how she was going to take remote control of the Garallon. “... and it will be slow going.”, reported Jennifer as she looked at the FO and the CO. Remae thought about for a moment. “Given the fact we’re already dragging the warp core behind us, speed isn’t going to be an option. I think we should try.”, he said and looked over the CO. (Reply from T’Vhor, Smith, Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre - Marine XO's Office - Marine, Corporal Houseman - 00:52) Houseman had checked the other member of the away team. They were all shaken up but coping with it in their own way. He was not worried that anyone would crack but he would drop by them later just to make sure. After his own experience a fully freaked out armed marine was not something that he would have wanted. He came to Kowalski’s office. The Boss had been spooked like the rest, they had been friends for a long time and wanted to he wanted to make sure that he was okay. He paused at the door of Kowalski’s office and looked at the Marine Major for a few seconds before he was noticed. He looked tired but that was not surprising they had been through a lot recently but he could feel that there was something else. A marine who was not totally focused would make mistakes and mistakes could kill his buddies. He was beckoned into the office and the door swished shut as he moved across the threshold. "House" "Join me my friend." “Thanks Boss.” He gave a tired smile as he took the seat across from. He took the glass of whisky that Kowalski had given him. He gave it a sip and grinned as he felt it sliding down his throat. He knew that Kowalski wanted to talk but knew that he would when he was ready so he started with a different question. “This is good Boss. Have you been borrowing from Skipper stash?” As he took another sip enjoying the taste. (Reply Kowalski ) (Reply Kowalski, any ) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Bridge, CONN - Pilot Officer, Jennifer Smith 00:52) "We have the necessary equipment on the hangar decks. It could work. Ensign Smith could still use a low power link up to provide minimal vectoring control of the Garallon so as to support the manoeuvre, which might be preferable to a full 'sink or swim' linkup" ~Why did I not think of that~ Jennifer tapped on her console and found the grapplers. “Sir the grapplers we originally designed for a rescue work which means that they have the capacity to transfer data through them. If we place them here and here.” She brought up the schematics of the Garallon to show the points. “I could make to link through the grapples which would be a lot more stable.” (Reply T’Vhor Smith, Any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Acting FO/CEO, LT (Sg) Remae Ktell - 00:54) "A solid linkup, perhaps?", said the CO and Remae thought about it for a moment. An old fashioned grappling hook came to mind. “I could make to link through the grapples which would be a lot more stable.”, said Jennifer. "I think its a good plan. Captain. With your permission?", he said getting approval from the CO with a nod. “The Spectre will have to be close. Ensign, take us in.”, he said looking at the CO. The plan was sound and dragging the Garallon out of the void sounded a lot better to the Bajoran than trying to keep it attached with another tractor beam. “Captain, I need to return to Sickbay to check on our guests. We beamed over more than just the Marines. They looked like cadets.”, he said waiting for an answer. He was sure the CO would want to know who they were, as fast as they could find out. (Reply from Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre - Marine XO's Office - MXO, Major Bruce Kowalski - 00:54) “This is good Boss. Have you been borrowing from Skipper stash?”, asked Houseman of the Whiskey he had just partaken. Kowalski smiled and then shook his head. "Skipper stash?", he mused, "no, you don't get malt of this quality through normal channels, Marine or otherwise", he added, savouring the taste that still remained within his mouth. "It was from my Father", he said, resting back into the chair once more and then reminiscing on the last time he had seen him. He had not been at all well then, suffering from the effects of Forrester-Trent Syndrome, his body had grown weaker as the disease had progressed, but he had not lost one ounce of self-esteem or appreciation of the finer things in life, one of which being three hundred year old highland malt whiskey. Indeed, Bruce was wondering right now if Houseman was even aware of what a fine treat he had just been offered. Propably not... Right now though, Whisky, even Whiskey that was probably even more valuable than latinum of the same weight, was but a distraction for more serious things and the MXO was waiting for the reminder... which did not seem to be coming. "So", he said, reaching for the bottle once again and then pouring another tot for himself and his friend opposite. "I guess you're gonna wanna be asking me what the hell happened on the Garallon?", he asked. (Reply Houseman) Kowalski leant forwards now, his hands cradling the small whiskey-filled vessel. "We knew it might happen", he offered, "christ, we are all being affected here, as for Rameriz, where the hell did that light job go? I mean, has he even returned to the ship?", he added, shifting his weight now and straightening out his right leg to ease the pain from an old injury as he contemplated the Holo-Marine and the task that had been set him. (Reply Houseman) "He was supposed to be our frame of reference. Just goes to show that you should never put all your eggs in one basket. Not even a holographic one", said Kowalski, musing over his apparent demise. Could a hologram die though? It seemed possible, and yet even so, the XO felt sure that sooner or later Rameriz would reappear as before, suddenly and without warning to hit them with his nonsensical jibberish all over again. "Rameriz, Rameriz", said Bruce, raising his tot into the air. "Here's to you ya damned light job nut job" Then he downed it in one... (Reply Houseman) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 00:55) So the game was on. It might be a gamble but it was a far less dangerous gamble than having to rely upon their ailing tractor beam in a place that seemed to be distorting the very laws of physics. A grappling hook? A hard link-up to the stricken Garallon and their Nav bouys to rely upon. What could possibly go wrong? "Captain, I need to return to Sickbay to check on our guests. We beamed over more than just the Marines. They looked like cadets.", said the FO. The Captain nodded, and then gave the Bajoran permission to leave the bridge. The Garallon WAS a training ship of course so Cadets were to be anticipated, even though they had not been entirely expected given the state of the ship itself. Any intel that they might provide though would also be of the utmost importance due to the nature of their apparent prey. Sulia Madon was still a relative unknown after all, what little information that existed in Starfleets databases having been compiled from her time with the Detapa Council and her failed attempt to take over the Geneva station over five years beforehand! "Lieutenant", said the Captain, calling after the FO now. "I want you to arrange an interview with these Cadets once their condition and status is confirmed as satisfactory. It is important that any information they can divulge on the nature of their business here is ascertained sooner rather than later", he added, hoping that Remae would remember their discussions of earlier and realise the need for discretion. (Reply Remae) The FO then left the bridge, as Smith began manouvering the Spectre into place in order to deploy the mechanical grappler... (Reply Remea, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Marine XO's Office - Marine, Corporal Houseman - 00:56) Housman was enjoying the whisky he had not had anything good for a long time and was appreciative that the Boss had shared his father’s bottle with him. "I guess you're gonna wanna be asking me what the hell happened on the Garallon?" He nodded. “Yes Boss.” We knew it might happen" He nodded at that. "christ, we are all being affected here, as for Rameriz, where the hell did that light job go? I mean, has he even returned to the ship?" Houseman shook his head. “No not after his disappearing act.” "He was supposed to be our frame of reference. Just goes to show that you should never put all your eggs in one basket. Not even a holographic one" "Rameriz, Rameriz" "Here's to you ya damned light job nut job" Housman nodded in agreement and then followed suit as he felt the whisky slide easily down his throat. He paused for a moment before talking. “You would think that everything we have done and prepared for. That we would be able to control our own minds.” He gave soft sigh. “It looks like the most dangerous opponent a marine has to face is himself.” (Reply Kowalski ) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Bridge, CONN - Pilot Officer, Jennifer Smith - 00:57) “The Spectre will have to be close. Ensign, take us in.”, “Aye sir.” Jennifer leaned over her console. She powered up the maneuvering thrusters and swung the back over the Spectre around so that she was in front and above the Garallon. She checked that everything was aligned. “Captain we are in position. Extending the grappling system now.” (Reply T’Vhor IYW) She entered the command as the grappling system locked on the towing hard points on the Garallon. When she was that there was a confirmed signal she fired the grapples. Her console was the blinking icons of the grapples cover the distance between the Spectre and the Garallon. The grapples hit exactly where they were supposed to and she smiled quickly to her self. ~This was so much easier on a 48 metric tonnes Mako Mk. I fighter than a starship.~ She watched the readings carefully as she tapped the commands. ~Okay looks like the link is running well. I have maneuvering control~ “Captain we have hard connection with the Garallon. I have connected with their computer and have computer assisted helm control. Permission to move out?” (Reply T’Vhor IYW) “Aye sir powering up impulse engines.” She tapped the commands and watched as the Spectre and Garallon’s engines came to life. ~Slowly, slowly catchy monkey~ If she went to fast she there would be to much time lag on the link to control the Garallon and the she would rip the grapples out of the Garallon’s hull. ~No pressure then~ “We are moving. One meters per second and increasing.” (Reply T’Vhor, Any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 00:59) Slowly, the Spectre moved in towards the still listing Garallon, the Conn officer alligning their orientation and bringing the ship to a dead stop before matching their rotation. The effect of this centred the academy vessel in the Spectres viewscreen and gave the appearance that they were both absolutely still now, which was hardly the case. “Captain we have hard connection with the Garallon. I have connected with their computer and have computer assisted helm control. Permission to move out?” The Captain settled back into his chair, his hands coming to a comfortable rest upon the armrests. It was now or never and the time had come to give an all ship warning as to possible turbulence and unpredictability for at least the next thirty minutes or so. Once that had been done, he gave the order to switch to the impulse engines and then waited for confirmation from the helm "We are moving. One meters per second and increasing." "Steady as she goes, Pilot officer", said the Captain. "Increase to Ten metres per second once the line is taut and holding, make your heading One Eighty, Mark Two Zero. Prepare to reorientate to the next navigational bouy once we reach the last deployed marker", he added. (Reply Smith) The ship then continued on. So far, so good... (Reply Smith, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Acting FO/CEO, LT (Sg) Remae Ktell - 01:00) Remae had left the Bridge and returned to Sickbay, the recent return of the away team plus several others needed to be attended to. The FO entered Sickbay and once again he saw the death of any party in the form of Security Officer, Ensign Fairfield, was waiting. “Any update Ensign?”, he asked and it was clear that there was none... he wasn’t sure where the sickbay staff were but given the time, the fact they had all been on duty for so long, it was understandable. He examined the duty log and tapped his commbadge. “Ensign Tarna, this is the FO, you are needed in Sickbay.”, said Remae and he waited for the reply. Sometimes, no matter the time, duty calls! (Reply from Fairfield, Tarna, Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Security Officer Ens. T'Solen Fairfield - 01:01) “Any update Ensign?” T'Solen half turned his head, then snapped to loose attention. "No, Sir. Just questioning our newest guests while we await sickbay personnel." He didn't bother to mention that he'd not called the doctors; free minutes were free minutes, after all. The First Officer nodded and eventually tapped his badge, “Ensign Tarna, this is the FO, you are needed in Sickbay.” =^=Acknowledged. I’m on my way sir,=^= T'Solen grunted. (Reply Any) (Posted by Trout) (USS Spectre - Bridge, CONN - Pilot Officer, Jennifer Smith - 01:03) "Increase to Ten metres per second once the line is taut and holding, make your heading One Eighty, Mark Two Zero. Prepare to reorientate to the next navigational bouy once we reach the last deployed marker" She glanced at the tension on the grapple line as it went taught. “Aye sir increasing to ten metres per second. Her fingers danced over the controls as she entered the new heading and watched as the Spectre moved to her new course. “On heading one eighty, Mark two zero.” She glanced at the navigational data as the range decreased as they moved towards the last deployed marker. “Sir we will reach the last marker in two minutes.” (Reply T’Vhor IYW) She watched as the timer scrolled down as they reached the last marker. She found the next navigational buoy in line and linked with its heading. “I have synced in with the next navigational buoy and changed heading to intercept.” (Reply T’Vhor IYW) Some things blinked on her console. She frowned at it as it blinked again her fighter pilot skills kicked in. ~It look like some thing is following us~ “Sir we have an unidetified object following us at extream range. It might be that freighter that was hovering round the Garallon.” (Reply T’Vhor) (Reply T’Vhor, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Dr Tarna’s Quarters – Ensign (JG) Janel Tarna - 01:03) Janel sat leaning back in his chair, with legs crossed underneath the reinforced glass desk. He’d been up for little over 15 minutes but it hadn't been a productive time and he’d had barely a sip of his strong black coffee. Usually his mind was sharp and focussed but tonight it wandered and didn’t want to land on anything remotely useful. There was a PADD in his hand and he was vaguely aware of the brightness of the screen before him but that was about it, he hadn't gotten around to doing anything with it yet. ~ It’s tougher than I imagined. ~ When he finally glanced at the chronometer on the PADD he realised time had been slipping away from him. He blinked and slapped his own cheeks a couple of times to gather up his wits. He couldn’t say how this mission compared to others since this was his first posting and first real mission. The safety of the Academy was now behind him. This was reality: scary, dangerous, really real reality - only it kind of wasn’t. The void had been messing with people’s minds. The mental field the telepaths had established had really helped but he was sure he’d be hard pushed to find anyone who hadn’t been affected and suffered hallucinations or similar mind boggling things. He was jolted from his thoughts by a communication from the first officer informing him that he was needed in sickbay, although the specifics had been left out. He scraped back the chair and stood up, while simultaneously pulling his comm badge out of his pocket. With a couple of quick taps he was good to reply. “Acknowledged. I’m on my way sir,” he said quickly. At least he would be once he leapt into his uniform. Like most people he’d met, he liked to know what he was walking into where possible and things had no doubt progressed in the time he’d been off duty. He wished he could say he’d had a productive if not restful break but he hadn’t had either really. ~ Here we go, duty calls. Let’s do it. ~ He thought as he psyched himself up and shook off the lingering tiredness. He tried to fish for a little more information as he crossed the room to get his duty uniform from the super-secret storage drawer built into the cabin bed. “What’s the situation?” he asked, hoping that the FO might have an update for him. (Tag Ktell) He listened to the response and took it all in while pulling on his duty uniform as quickly as possible. “Yes sir, you got it,” he replied as he shoved his arms into sleeves and started pulling up the zip. (Tag Ktell, iyw) He stuck the comm badge in the correct position and hurried over to his desk to down the lukewarm contents in a few large gulps. It tasted horrible but he finished it anyway and hurried along the corridor in that strange way, just short of a run, that power walkers moved. (Reply Ktell) (Posted by James) (USS Spectre – Deck 3 – Sickbay – Ensign (JG) Janel Tarna - 01:06) Fortunately, because his quarters were conveniently located on the same level as sickbay, like the CMO and the rest of the medical crew, it took longer to get dressed than to scamper along to sickbay. As he walked through the sickbay doors he smoothed his uniform down and ran his hands through his unbrushed hair one last time. He hated getting ready in a hurry as it made him paranoid he was walking around like a scruff. (Tag Ktell, any) (Posted by James) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Security Officer Ens. T'Solen Fairfield - 01:07) T'Solen turned his head as the doors opened and someone in medical blue, whom he didn't recognize right off, walked into the door. The security officer quirked his head slightly and filed the face away for later consideration. "Doctor; these persons need scanned for health, and identify confirmation, if you please." (reply: ACMO, FO, Cadets, any) (posted by Trout) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Academy Cadets, Porsa and Kurrik - 01:08) So, they had finally arrived in sickbay and Porsa was once again wondering if they had just experienced another time delay courtesy of the Void and its box of magic tricks. It seemed that they were now on a Spectre class vessel, if her time studying blueprints and schematics back at the academy under Venton were anything to go by, and whilst the Engineering and applied structural physics professor would have no doubt been impressed at her acumen in identifying the vessel, Porsa was just glad that it was finally warm and environmentally friendly. It had been days since the air conditioning and environmental systems had been shut down to the bare minimum in order to conserve power on the Garallon, and that had left the place frigidly cold regardless of the fact that their hygiene level had dropped due to sweatiness and a major lack of the means to clean themselves properly. But Porsa was digressing again. It had seemingly taken them over forty five minutes though to arrive at sickbay since leaving the transporter room, and if she were not mistaken she could have sworn that the Void had created yet another anomoly. ~I just hope that this place is free of Dragons~ thought Porsa, as Fairfield announced their arrival to the young medic that had just appeared at the doors. "Doctor; these persons need scanned for health, and identify confirmation, if you please." (Reply ACMO, Any) Identity confirmation? Were they still unconvinced? OK, so Spectre class vessels were perhaps not THE most important ships in the fleet, but surely they had been made aware that an Academy training vessel was out here, and that as such they might know roughly where it might be. Unless of course.... No, it did not bear thinking about, and yet... Perhaps Starfleet had not known anything of the strange re-route to pick up the Woman, Madon and her party? If that was the case then perhaps the Garallon had been assumed lost, whereby a proper identification of personnel claiming to have been aboard her would be deemed quite acceptable. Suddenly, the security officer, despite his off-putting countenance and manner, appeared less threatening, if indeed a Sec officer ever could be less threatening... The medic tasked with their examination and identification though had already set about her business, Kurrik being led to a nearby biobed for his scan, and as usual he did it in the calm, methodical manner that Vulcans always had done. Well, up to a point anyway. "I don't suppose that you have seen an aging female Vulcan on this vessel?", he asked, thoughtfully. "She may have been carrying a recipe" Porsa allowed herself a frown and then shook her head in dismay. He was still going on about that damned recipe! (Reply ACMO, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Academy Cadet Twinnings - 01:12) He watched as Porsa and Kurrik moved over to the bio-beds and were the medic was starting to scan them. "I don't suppose that you have seen an aging female Vulcan on this vessel?" "She may have been carrying a recipe" ~Ow great now he is going to start this~ He moved to the biobed that he was indicated. He suddenly realised with a shock that they there were going to ask him to ask him to remove the suit that he had been wearing. ~Ow no if I take it off I will die~ “Um I can’t take it off. I was told on the Garallon that I would die if it came off.” (Reply Tarna) Fear and anger rose through Twinnings. “I don’t care what you say. I am not going to die because computer says that it is safe.” He took a step back. “Keep away from me.” He saw Fairfield by the door. “and you keep you away from that phaser.” He looked back at the medic and screamed “I am not going to die for your curiosity.” (Reply Tarna) (Reply Fairfield, Tarna, Porsa and Kurrik, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Academy Cadets, Porsa and Kurrik - 01:14) Lying there upon the biobed, Porsa suddenly felt a reason to be calm. After so many days on a ship that was effectively falling apart around their ears, the solidity and warmth of the Spectre felt like a womb that she had longed to return to. Momentarilly though, she thought back to the German guy, what was is name? Max? What the hell had happened to Max? Was he still on the Garallon fighting the first world war in the trenches of eastern France? Was he even real, or perhaps just a Void conjured manifestation of her deepest imaginings? A friend when she needed a friend? And then of a sudden, the calm was abruptly shattered... "Um I can’t take it off. I was told on the Garallon that I would die if it came off." Twinnings had jerked backwards now in response to something that one of the Spectre medics had either done or said, his voice tinged with a fear that did not really seem rational. Porsa turned onto her side and propped herself up on one arm as Twinnings grew more agitated. "Who told you that?", she enquired. But Twinnings was now somewhere else entirely... "I don’t care what you say. I am not going to die because a computer says that it is safe.", he cried, completely ignoring Porsa in the process. "And you keep away from that phasor", he added, gesturing towards Fairfield now and causing Porsas adrenal glands to begin pumping. (Reply Fairfield, IYW) It was at that point that Porsa jumped up and off of the biobed to move towards Twinnings, who looked now as though he would lash out at any moment. He looked like an animal caught in the lights of an approaching vehicle as people moved to give him space. Porsa looked at Fairfield, her earlier thoughts about all Security Officers having itchy trigger fingers returning to the here and now. And then she made her move... "Twinnings!", she snapped, breaking the Cadet from his angst just briefly enough to cause him to stop his outburst and glance in her direction. (Reply Twinnings) "Twinnings", said Porsa, a little calmer now as though not to agitate the man any further, one hand reaching towards him now in an attempt to calm him. "Listen to me Twinnings. We aren't on the Garallon, you know that, yes?", she enquired. "It was dangerous to remove the suit on the Garallon because our environmental controls were failing. This ship is a safe place to remove the suit" (Reply Twinnings) (Reply Twinnings) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Sickbay – Ensign (JG) Janel Tarna - 01:15) The sickbay was packed when he got there. Security officers, old patients and new as well as other medical personnel dealing with them. If there was one thing that took his mind off his troubles it was work and it looked as if there was plenty of it. As he passed through a security officer with moderately pointy ears spoke to him. "Doctor; these persons need scanned for health, and identify confirmation, if you please." He stopped in his tracks and pulled a small tray of medical tools closer, this was important a job as any. “Certainly. This should take but a moment,” he said, thinking the matter would be easily and quickly resolved. Janel led one of the two cadets to the nearest biobed. From what he could see he appeared to be dealing with a Vulcan here. As he picked up a tricorder and adjusted a few settings ahead of his first scan a question made him glance up again. "I don't suppose that you have seen an aging female Vulcan on this vessel?", he asked, thoughtfully. "She may have been carrying a recipe" Janel had seen a lot of people and there were several Vulcan crewmembers on this ship. He hadn’t been here long enough to commit everyone to memory and cast his mind back, trying to identify anyone who might fit the somewhat vague description. Sadly he was drawing blanks but that didn’t necessarily mean he could not help. “I’ve not seen anyone fitting that description but that doesn’t mean I can’t help.” He replied. If it was important they could play a game of guess who with the computer and get it to eliminate crewmembers until they either found likely matches, or found no such person aboard. He was quite willing to continue along those lines and try help track down this female Vulcan but right now it was of secondary importance. At this point he felt it prudent to point out he was going to need everyone out of their suits if he was going to conduct his task properly. They may have been needed on the Garallon but that wasn’t the case here, they were quite safe. “I’m going to need you to remove the suit now thanks,” he said mildly, not anticipating any issues with the request. The response he got caught him off guard completely. “Um I can’t take it off. I was told on the Garallon that I would die if it came off.” Janel wondered if there was a medical reason he needed to keep the suit on but even if there was it was going to have to come off anyway so that the problem could be addressed. He sympathised with the cadet and understood he’d been through quite an ordeal. He hoped a little reassurance would do the trick. "Who told you that?" enquired another, calmer cadet. Maybe he should have waited for a response to the question but the ‘reassurance’ was already rolling off the tip of his tongue. “Okay well you’re not on the Garallon anymore. You’re safe here. If it helps and you have a specific concern though I’m happy to run it through the computer…” The rest of his words died in his mouth as the cadet’s response came back quickly. “I don’t care what you say. I am not going to die because computer says that it is safe.” The cadet was clearly afraid and had taken a step back from him. Janel did not step forward as he was sure it would only cause things to get worse. Unfortunately the female cadet had no such reservations and before he could stop it she had rushed forward. He looked a little lost for words and was flabbergasted by what seemed quite unreasonable behaviour. No one else in sickbay needed to wear a suit to stay alive. Could he not see this? ~ Just what is he afraid of? ~ “Keep away from me.” Even without having moved things seemed to be getting worse. He willed one of the personnel behind the cadet to inject some tranquiliser into his suit because it looked increasingly like they weren’t going to be able to reason with him. If that was the case then they would probably need to sedate him. The cadet glanced to Fairfield by the door. “and you keep your hand away from that phaser.” ~ No you go ahead and stun him. He is not behaving rationally. ~ Despite his thoughts and hopes for a quick resolution to this he continued to try and reason with the cadet. If he could just understand his fears then maybe he could find a way to resolve them. “Hold on a sec. Can you just talk to me for a minute. I only want to help you okay but I’m curious. What are you afraid will happen if you take off the suit?” The frightened cadet looked back at him and screamed suddenly startling him slightly. Fortunately he did not visibly show his shock. Tensions had been high and it seemed like a few people were at breaking point. Having not come away from this whole experience unaffected himself he was finding it a little hard to be as patient as normal. He could feel his painkillers wearing off again. Each dose seemed to do less and less to help and he’d even resorted to staggering two different types at one point when things had been at their worst. “I am not going to die for your curiosity.” Unfortunately the cadet had completely misunderstood him. He suppressed a groan. His mother, a renowned diplomat and negotiator would be so ashamed had she been here to witness this. Another thing he had not inherited was a flair for words and persuasion it seemed. "Twinnings!", snapped Porsa. At least her words had caused him to stop his outburst and glance in her direction. Maybe she would be able to get through to him where he had failed. Part of him couldn’t help but feel wretched and inadequate at the failure. (Reply Twinnings) "Twinnings", said Porsa, a little calmer as she reached towards him with one hand. Janel waited to see if she would succeed. "Listen to me Twinnings. We aren't on the Garallon, you know that, yes?", she enquired. "It was dangerous to remove the suit on the Garallon because our environmental controls were failing. This ship is a safe place to remove the suit" Janel barely dared to breathe and he waited for the response. He hoped that the sound logic would cut through the fear and reach the Starfleet officer in training that was in that suit somewhere. (Reply Twinnings) (Reply Porsa, Kurrik, Fairfield, Any) (Posted by James) (USS Spectre - Sickbay, Medical Research - Dr. Michaella Kirien - 01:16) Michaella was leaning half onto Riven's biobed, her attentions entirely on him and less on those others in sickbay. Her mind was twined with Rivens', her thoughts entirely on him. She sang softly under her breath, a beautiful lullabye in the syllabent language of the Betazoid people. One of her hands rested lightly on his face in a somewhat possessive manner, the other had her fingers latched to his. She was instantly aware that within a few minutes he was reaching consciousness. She had attempted to chase the nightmares away and lend him her strength. Her light soprano voice broke off as he spoke to her, smiling tiredly down at him. :Hello my love.:: He clasped her hand tighter. ::You are tired, how long have you sat here with me?:: ::I stayed here the entire time my love. I didn't trust the others to treat you without me overseeing. I was more concerned with you than the rest of the ship.:: She blushed at that admission. ::I need to try to re-establish the mental field in sickbay don't I? I'm sure that many are suffering.:: ::There are, some came from the other ship. I think the entire away team has returned with a few cadets. Hopefully that means we can leave here soon...:: She reached out her hand to prevent him from rising. "You can call for the nurse as you want, Imzadi, but you are not getting off this biobed." She sighed and then lightly pushed him back to a prone position. ::Do you want me to curl up next to you? The biobed is narrow, but we could both easily fit, and I don't care what the others have to say about it.:: She blew a lock of her dark hair out of her eyes, her white streak brushed back. "Ellie's discovered something interesting. She's found out that the level of progestinal in the Psi on board who have been most affected is very low. It makes me half wonder if the level of the hallucinations is inverse to the psionic abilities. It's data I can analyze at another time. And your levels are extremely low." She placed a soft kiss on his lips. ::If you insist on leaping out of this bed and running off to play the hero again, you will likely kill yourself. And I will -not- allow that. The High Priestess would have my guts for garters if I allowed one of the greatest treasures of the Betazoid people to kill himself.:: She leaned back and frowned lightly down at him, not letting his hand go. "Imzadi, if you go, I go. That is the meaning of the soul bonding as you know. I am yours, and you my love are mine." The look of intense love on her face and the very light projection of calm, light and love she had been sustaining touched those in sickbay lightly, seeking to dispense the gloom. It was all that she could truly do after so many hours using her own abilities so intensely. (reply Riven, any in sickbay) (posted by Melinda Gatling) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Sickbay – Academy Cadet Twinnings - 01:18) Twinnings could feel that his mind was falling apart. He wanted to get out of the suit as it was feeling close and constructive but he did not want to face what was out there. His breathing was hard like he had just run a marathon. It came as ragged gasping as he panicked mind went into overdrive. His heart was pounding in his ears almost blotting out what everyone was saying. ~I’m going to die, I’m going to die. Cant get out, Cant get out~ "Twinnings!" Porsa words cut through his rambling mind like a knife through hot butter. He turned to to her “What!” "Twinnings", He saw Porsa reaching out to him "Listen to me Twinnings. We aren't on the Garallon, you know that, yes?" He rolled his eyes at her question. On course he knew where he was didn’t he! he shook his head as he tried to calm himself. "It was dangerous to remove the suit on the Garallon because our environmental controls were failing. This ship is a safe place to remove the suit" ~She’s right. I know that she is right but it she is wrong I am so stuffed~ He nodded and took some deep slow breaths. ~Pull yourself together~ “Okay but if I die I am so going to haunt you and give you nasty nightmares.” (Reply Porsa) He took a deep breath closed his eyes and moved his hands to the helmet release catch. There was a soft hiss as the seal was broken and the sickbay air rushed in. ~Okay not dead yet~ He opened his eyes and looked at Porsa and smiled. He let out his breath that he had been holding. ~Still here~ He took a deep breath. ~Not dead~ He dropped his helmet to the floor and leant against a biobed as he rubbed his tired eyes with his hands. “Ow that was embarrassing.” (Reply Porsa, Kurrik, Fairfield, Tarna, Any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Acouns, Dr. Riven Mias - 01:20) Riven had never completely woken up and after the pain had subsided a bit drifted back into a deep though normal sleep. The dreams had been a hodge podge of images that should have been frightening but he was no more cognizant of them that a man would have been of an ant underfoot. Not that he was steeled against them, his mind had more important things to do than concentrate on something trivial while his life hung in the balance. He became aware that the pain in his legs had faded to a dull aching, burning sensation. That was his first sensation upon awakening followed by his eyes fluttering open. (Reply: Michaella) The smile which was eternally present upon his face made its reappearance though its edges were a little ragged. ::Hello my love.:: He clasped her hand tighter. ::You are tired, how long have you sat here with me?:: (Reply Michaella) NRPG: We didn't have an opportunity to go over this in the sim but the :: bracket denotes telepathic communication. As in comms a non telepath would answer such communications with a ~thought~ in post rather than returning the :: bracketed contact. RPG: ::I need to try to re-establish the mental field in sickbay don't I? I'm sure that many are suffering.:: (Reply: Michaella) He sighed, not having the strength to protest and groaned as a fresh stab of pain shot through his right leg. "Nurse where is Dr. Williams?" He asked as he caught sight of Douwsy nearby. (Reply: Nurse Douswy) (Posted by Charles) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Acting FO/CEO, LT (Sg) Remae Ktell - 01:20) Remae was a loss to explain the scene to himself, what must it look like to others? The idea of ordering Fairfield to stun the cadets did come to mind. “Cadets.”, said the First Officer in his best authoritative voice. “The Doctor is just examining you, we don’t know why you were on the Garallon. We didn’t expect to find you.”, he said turned to look at the Doctor. “Ensign Tarna, just do the best you can with the scan. Let’s give them a little room for now.”, he said as he walked over to the food station. “Start at the beginning, if you please. What were you doing on the Garallon and what happened while you were there?”, he said placing onto a table a freshly replicated jug of water and glasses for all to share. (Reply from Those Cadets, Tarna, Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams - 01:21) Andrew had finished his preliminary scans of the marines and had been found by Douwsy to say that Mias wanted to see him. As he crossed sickbay he noticed a three academy cadets that were speaking to Ktell and frowned slightly he did not know that there were other survivors. He saw Tarna moving away from the group and moved over to him. “Morning Janel.” (Reply Tarna) “Are these Cadet’s from the Garallon?” (Reply Tarna) “How is their condition?” (Reply Tarna) (Reply Tarna, any) (Posed by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Sickbay – ACMO, Ensign (JG) Janel Tarna - 01:22) Finally the ugly scene resolved and it finally appeared the panicked cadet was calming down. Janel had nothing but sympathy for him and could only imagine how he would feel had the situation been reversed. The first officer told him to do the best he could while giving them a little room and he decided to take care of the most rowdy customer first. He didn’t know if he’d kick off again so it was best to get the scans out of the way quickly, while the going was good. Maybe getting it all sorted out now would help him to see everything was okay and enable him to stay calm. The fact he’d removed his helmet was going to make identification much easier and so he wasn’t going to press for the rest of the suit to be removed right away – even if part of him felt like ripping it off him and tossing it across the room. He had to rise above such feelings. The FO returned with a jug of water and glasses for the cadets. “Start at the beginning, if you please. What were you doing on the Garallon and what happened while you were there?” he asked. Notably the cadet who’d freaked out and seemed visibly embarrassed was reluctant to speak first. (Reply Porsa, Kurrik) (Reply Ktell, Fairfield) Janel listened as his scans confirmed their species, that they were not surgically altered and concealing their true identity. He took samples of blood from each of them and had it send for analysis. The results would come back later but for now he had a couple of last checks to complete. He waved the pen like sensor of the tricorder around the jawline and waited for an opening in the conversation to demand firmly, “Open your mouth for me please, big ah…” (Reply Cadet) After taking a few scans of the dental work he concluded, “That’s great thanks.” Comparing the scans of their teeth with their dental records was a great way to add another layer of certainty to the checks. He repeated the steps for each cadet in turn and was pretty pleased with the thoroughness of the job done. A twinge of pain in his head made him grimace a little as he reviewed the results. He was going to be glad when this was all over but he had a feeling there were others, such as cadet Twinnings who would be even more glad to put this behind them. While he was interested to hear the rest of what had happened on the Garallon he had the results of his analysis to report, and a great many other patients requiring assistance also. “I can confirm the identities of these cadets as Twinnings, Prosa and Kurrik. I have their files here and everything checks out.” He announced to the security officer who had sought confirmation of it. (Reply Fairfield) Next he went on to address the cadets more directly and in a matter of fact but compassionate tone having gained a picture of their general health by now. “From your hormone levels it’s clear you’re all suffering the effects of stress. You don’t have to decide now, but we can arrange counselling sessions if any of you feel it’d be beneficial to talk about your experiences further. Otherwise there’s physically nothing wrong that some down time and relaxation can’t fix. If in the next few days you find you have a lot of headaches, trouble sleeping or are troubled by any other symptoms you’re not happy with then comeback right away.” NRPG: Going on the best information I have about the cadets here but if anything is wrong drop me an email and I will repost. RPG: (Reply cadets iyw) Spotting his boss he felt it prudent to check in with the man and update him with what he had so far. “Excuse me, there are a couple of things I need to do but if you need anything else let me know.” He said pleasantly before leaving the group and approaching the CMO. “Morning Janel.” “Morning sir, I hope you managed to get some rest.” He replied as cheerfully as he could manage. It felt as if the bags under his eyes were reaching towards the floor. “Are these Cadets from the Garallon?” “Yes, sir” he replied. “How is their condition?” “I noted elevated levels of cortisol and epinephrine, which is hardly surprising given what they’ve been through. I’ve offered counselling to any who may want to talk further about what happened but other than that they’re in remarkably good health.” He responded while scratching an eyebrow idly. (Reply Williams) (Posted by James) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Academy Cadet Twinnings - 01:22) “Start at the beginning, if you please. What were you doing on the Garallon and what happened while you were there?” Twinnings took a glass and filled it with water. He sipped it feeling the cooling water going down his throat. He glanced at Porsa and Kurrik and then back at the Ktell. HE had decided not to be the first one to speak especially after what had happened a few moments ago. He was still thinking that he may grow pustules on his skin or star to bleed from his nose or mouth. ~Let the others start they know more then me about what happened at the beginning~ (Reply from Those Cadets, Tarna, Ktell Any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Academy Cadets, Porsa and Kurrik - 01:23) Porsa had resisted the urge to stand to when the Red uniformed officer had walked into the room. Normally of course she would have, as would they all, but given the circumstances regarding Twinnings outburst and the fact that they were currently being guarded over by one of the Spectres finest and assessed by the medics, it seemed OK to remain still. The officer in question though, a Bajoran wearing the two collar pips of a Lieutenant, though exercising the diplomacy and authority of someone much higher in rank, did not seem to be bothered by the lack of formality. He merely brought them a jug of water and then began asking them questions. Porsa looked at Kurrik, and then at Twinnings who made to speak, and then fell silent. ~That's a first~ thought Porsa wryly. For a moment though she was formulating what she might say, but then the Vulcan opened his mouth causing Porsa to hope upon everything that was holy that he wasn't going to start asking questions about Plommik Soup again. Kurrik did not disappoint... "We were on a training exercise in the area of Sigma Draconis", he said, "but were diverted to Pellar Zel. Apparently, to pick up a delegation", he continued, "it was felt that this would give us some experience of an ambassadorial mission objective", said Kurrik, raising his eyebrow in a quizzical Vulcan manner. "But it provided anything but..." (Reply Remae, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Sickbay – CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams - 01:28) “I noted elevated levels of cortisol and epinephrine, which is hardly surprising given what they’ve been through. I’ve offered counselling to any who may want to talk further about what happened but other than that they’re in remarkably good health.” Andrew nodded trying to stifle a yawn that he would feel growing. He really needed a rest but like everyone else that was not going to happen. “Thanks Janel. If there is anything that you just give me a call.” (Reply Tarna) He was happy that everything was under Tarna’s control and he headed across the sickbay towards . As he walked over to the bio bed he was lying on he gave him a pleasant smile. “So how are you feeling?” (Reply Mias) (Reply Tarna, Mias any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Sickbay – ACMO, Ensign (JG) Janel Tarna - 01:30) After the problem with the distressed cadets had calmed down and he had been able to verify their identities and assess their conditions he’d reported on their status first to the security officer and then his direct boss. At the conclusion of the short dialogue the CMO offered, “Thanks Janel. If there is anything that you just give me a call.” The first impressions he’d had so far held true. He didn’t know his new department head at all well, but so far Doctor Williams seemed friendly, likable and easy to get along with. “Thank you sir,” he replied with a smile before heading to the nearest wall console to check the progress of the bloodwork he’d ordered. With a few key presses he was able to find that as suspected, he’d not yet allowed enough time for the tests to be completed. ~ Over keen again. ~ With a small, internal sigh directed more at himself than the personnel carrying out the tests on his behalf he changed the screen to check the record of those in sickbay, who he was assigned to provide care for. He needed to determine which of the patients in here most needed his attention next. A human crewman had botched a repair and injured himself as a result of a bad hallucination. His condition was stable but because of his mental state he’d had to be sedated and had been unconscious for some time now. More urgent cases had meant that his injuries hadn’t been a priority at the time but now Janel was keen to put the bone-knitter and dermal regenerators to work. He hoped that by the time the medications wore off and he started to come around again that the damage would be healed. That would mean only a psychological assessment would stand between the crewman and his release back into the tight, little known spaces of the ship. Janel’s work was quick but methodical. He moved as fast as the device could knit the broken bone back together and because it was a closed, non-displaced transverse fracture it was relatively simple to repair. The crewman had been fortunate and Janel was interested in logging the details of the incident right as soon as the crewman was awake and thinking clearly enough to speak of what had happened. This was assuming he would be able to remember. He’d been screaming about dragons and had not seemed part of this reality when he’d come in. When the bone was repaired he took a tricorder and did a scan of the bone. The area would likely feel a little tender for a while and the newly healed bone was likely to have lost a bit of strength. The crewman would need to look after himself and Janel considered whether some nutritional supplements might help him get the strength in his bone back more quickly. The activity of sickbay around him was but a dull roar of chattering voices, blipping and beeping equipment, sliding doors and footsteps. (Posted by James) (USS Spectre - Deck 14, Deflector Control - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 02:45) Life as they say has its ups and downs but more importantly Jake had learned over time that Murphy had traveled into space with humanity and his law as always was immutable. Despite the best efforts of himself and Hannah the power relays to the deflector array had overloaded as they had all feared and he and the engineering officer had spent the last few hours changing the relays and replacing the fused mess the desperation transmission to the Garralon had made of it. Comm traffic however seemed to bear out that Ktell`s gamble had worked so after they had completed optimizing the navigational deflector controls he was able to allow a small sigh to escape even as he exhaled tiredly. "That's the last of it Ms Yoder, go get yourself something to eat or drink." (Reply: Hannah) He nodded and stretched his back as he looked about the chamber filled with complex electronic equipment which was humming quietly to itself. ~About damn time, this shift went from being a nightmare to a complete disaster.~ He activated the comm control on the board he was standing before. " Chief Ktell navigational deflector control is back to normal efficiency, I'm returning to Engineering with your permission sir." (Reply: Ktell) After the reply he nodded to himself and made his way to the door, glad to finally be away from there. (Reply Ktell) (Posted by Charles) (USS Spectre - Deck 14, hallway - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 02:50) The corridor seemed to stretch to infinity as he began walking which was strange, sure the Void had shown a tendency to play with your senses as well as your mind but come to think of it he had been so engrossed in the repairs it had seemed to fade. Or was it that one of the telepaths had been shielding their area? Without making inquiries there was no way to know for sure and he was tired and not in the mood to track it down. He hadn't seen Angeni or Chief Palmer for that matter since starting the repairs, no doubt they had returned to their duty stations. The thought occured to him that she had ordered he report to sickbay to be checked over. "Damn it how many times am I going to have to make the trip today? Isn't three enough?" The realization he was muttering irritatedly to himself brought a chuckle to his lips. He considered conveniently `forgetting` the order but decided he also didn't feel like being scolded at either. ~Dang it this isn't fair!~ (Reply: Any) (Posted by Charles) (USS Spectre - Turbolift - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 02:55) So it was when he finally reached the turbolift and entered it the words forced themselves from his lips. "Deck 3." The lift hummed as he leaned against the wall and sighed. One moment he was staring at the lights of the passing floors and the next the Harbinger had taken over again. (Reply: Any) (Posted by Charles) (USS Spectre - Hallucination - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 02:58) "You will die here DohVaKiin." He pulled out his sword as he turned to face this new threat and was surprised to see a friendly face, his shield lowered as he replied. "Why do you threaten me PaarThurNaax?" The great dragon huffed them rumbled. "It is no threat, not to one of the Dov." The immortal creature lay at ease of an upthrust shelf of rock from which he gazed down at him. "This place is deadly to one of your kind, it twists your perceptions and its song lures you to stay within the talons of its grasp. Soon you will forget who you are and wander within my realm until it takes your life." The warrior of renown was confused. "I don't know of what you speak." "You will soon," was the fading reply. The sight was precluded by mist until it disappeared. (Reply: Any) (Posted by Charles) (USS Spectre - Turbolift - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 03:03) Jake put a hand to his aching head as the lift came to a stop and the door opened. For the first time physical symptoms were beginning to manifest with the visions and he was glad he had chosen sickbay if for no other reason than to get rid of the dwarf hammering at the inside of his skull. He stepped out and leaned against a bulkhead for a moment to steady himself. (Reply: Any) (Posted by Charles) (USS Spectre - Corridor, Deck 3 - ACMO, Ens. A.O. Windsong-Trommashere 03:04) Angeni wandered through the quiet hallways. She had left Astrometrics after it became obvious that her skills as a Physician left her at a disadvantage. She did what she could and she took her leave just as quickly. She was making her way to Sickbay; surely she could make herself useful. She wanted to check in with Dr. Williams and get an idea of what was going on in the ancillary bays. As the young Cherokee turned a corner, she saw someone leaning against the bulkhead. She sipped at her tea mug and put her Doctor's smile on. As she neared, her smile turned into a worrisome look before going back to a normal smile. "Jake...are you okay?" (Reply Jake) She gave a slight nod. "I know I keep saying it, but I can't wait until we are out of this...where are you on your way to?" (Reply Jake ) "I'm heading there myself. I want to check on Sickbay, the ancillary bays, and then Ten Forward. How are you feeling? Have the hallucinations let up any?" (Reply Jake, Any) (Posted by Kari) (USS Spectre - Corridor, Deck 3 - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 03:06) "Jake...are you okay?" He flinched noticeably at the sound of her voice, she had come upon him so softly he had not heard her over the pounding in his skull. Jake winced as he turned his face to her but he didn't dare shake his head. "Not unless you count a toothache of the brain as painless." His right hand came up to massage lightly at his temple. She nodded in sympathy. . "I know I keep saying it, but I can't wait until we are out of this...where are you on your way to?" He sighed heavily in resignation. "If I remember correctly you were escorting my unwilling carcass to sickbay and don't think I hadn't considered skipping out on you. As it stands now though I'm glad I decided to take you up on the offer." It was too painful to manage a smile but his voice had a teasing note though strained. "So lead the way, I am in desperate need of painkillers. Preferably enough to make me forget the world of **** we're in." "I'm heading there myself. I want to check on Sickbay, the ancillary bays, and then Ten Forward. How are you feeling? Have the hallucinations let up any?" He refrained again from shaking his head as he moved away from the bulkhead and fell in step with her. "They did until the repairs were completed but I had a doozy on the way up followed by this whopper of a migraine. Could you just stun me and put me out of my misery for a while?" (Reply: Angeni) "I know doctors don't normally carry phasers, how about a hypo of poison instead? I would owe you an eternal debt of gratitude for a pain free non- existence. " (Reply: Angeni) A grin did manage to break through at her reply which was partly a product of the looming door to medical. Finally relief was in sight! (Reply Angeni) (Posted by Charles) (USS Spectre - Corridor, Deck 3 - ACMO Ens. A.O. Windsong-Trommashere - 03:08) Jake moved beside her and she gently nudged him with her elbow, casting a small smile in his direction before setting her eyes forward. She was trying hard to focus; she could almost feel the hallucination coming on and she fought valiantly to stop it. She wanted to take back control of her own thoughts. "They did until the repairs were completed but I had a doozy on the way up followed by this whopper of a migraine. Could you just stun me and put me out of my misery for a while?" She shook her head. It pained her to see anyone miserable and sick, but it hurt even moreso to see a friend sick or injured. "Nope. Besides, I don't have my phaser on me..." "I know doctors don't normally carry phasers, how about a hypo of poison instead? I would owe you an eternal debt of gratitude for a pain free non- existence. " She giggled, touching his arm. "Sorry...I just ran out of Ethyl-methyl-death a few days ago. Besides, I'd actually kind of miss you, so no to that either." She saw a smile break through the painful visage and it caused her cheeks to flush. When she realized they were near Sickbay, she felt her stomach drop and her blood ran cold. She tried not to falter; the overwhelming urge to grab him by his arm and run in the opposite direction was strong. Her parasympathetic nervous system was kicking in; all the little hairs were standing up all over her body, her stomach twisted, and her respirations along with her pulse quickened. Her hands began to shake, but she shoved them in her pockets, forcing herself to stay instep with Jake. (Reply Jake, Any) (Posted by Kari) (USS Spectre - Deck 3, Sickbay - ACEO, Ensign Jake Haltom - 03:10) He had thought sickbay had been full before but now it was nearly standing room only by his estimation. "Makes you appreciate automation it does," he said wryly."It looks like half the crew is here. I wonder who's operating the ship?" He flashed her a smile and immediately regretted it. The hand came up to his aching temple again. (Reply: Angeni) While he waited for her he looked about and managed to spot Engineer Gork the Tellarite. She was actually smiling for a change as she sat talking to one of the staff. ~Wow! Is that what they do before expiring or have they shot so many happy drugs into her she's completely oblivious?~ He rubbed the temple a bit before grinning this time and sure enough the preventive measure seemed to help a bit. (Reply: Any) (Posted by Charles) (USS Spectre - Deck 3, Sickbay - ACMO Ens. A. O. Windsong-Trommashere - 03:12) The Bay looked like a bomb had gone off. The room was filled with more people than she ever thought could fit. The empty, hollow stares ate at her. She began to wring her hands nervously, her tongue wetting her rose tinted lips. She felt overwhelmed. "Makes you appreciate automation it does," he said wryly."It looks like half the crew is here. I wonder who's operating the ship?" She turned to him to see him smile, then flinch. She took him by the arm and she led him to the nearest biobed, her mind focusing on a Creighton Abrams quote to try to kill the feeling of being disasterously overwhelmed. When eating an elephant, take one bite at a time... She could fix Jake and solve that one problem, then move onto the next. "I'll be right back." She gave his arm a squeeze and she went to one of the computers. As she waded through the sea of people, she found that they were mostly just seeking refuge; no one was seriously ill or injured, which calmed her greatly. As she stood at one of the wall computers, tapping away to get the appropriate medication, she saw a new figure in Medical Green. She turned and watched him dissapear in the throng. She hadn't seen this person at all in the almost week she had been aboard the ship and he just magically appeared today. She shrugged her shoulders; she hadn't met every medical person and it was quite likely he was from another shift and had been sent to the ancilliary bay or Ten Forward instead of the main Bay. She made a mental note to catch up with him after she had finished up with Jake. She walked back over, holding a couple of different hypos and a cold pack. "Alright my friend...here's the deal. Lay back for me." She helped to guide him into a comfortable position and she rested the cold pack on his forehead, setting it for an appropriate temperature. "I'm going to give you a couple of different drugs. It's a Migraine cocktail: Toradol, Compazine, and a splash of Zanaflex to take the edge off the tension I see written all over your face." (Reply Jake) She nodded, resting a hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle pat. "Now, sit back, close your eyes and rest for a bit. I expect to here some snoring from over here." Angeni ended her statement with mock sterness, but her grey eyes shimmered as laughter played behind them. (Reply Jake) She laughed, crossing her arms over her chest. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't look at him without breaking into a smile. "Doctors orders. Crash for a bit here, then you can go back to your quarters. I don't want you running around doing anything for at least an hour. You need to rest. The ship will run just fine without you..." Pot, meet Kettle... "Besides, you need to be healthy enough for our Holodeck date...thing...whatever...when this is all over. You can't very well slay dragons with a migrane." A tired, but flirtatious wink was sent his way. (Reply Jake) She pressed the hypo against his neck and pressed the button followed by the second and third hypos. She leaned down, whispering softly in his ear. "Get some sleep, my friend. Enjoy it." (Reply Jake, Any) (Posted by Kari) (USS Spectre - Corridor, Deck 3 - ACMO Ens. A.O. Windsong-Trommashere - 03:15) After Angeni had settled Jake, she wandered around a bit, trying to figure out what had happened in her absence. It was all a confusing mess; nothing was charted on, cabinets were in disarray. She couldn't be too upset...it was basically the largest mass casualty incident she had ever seen and she had worked a few during her time. Once she was done replicating a few much needed items and getting important things charted on, she wandered up to the new person. She tapped him on the shoulder and she stuck out her hand. "Hi. I'm Dr. Trommashere, but please call me Angeni. You are?" (Reply Janel) "Nice to meet you." She said with a smile. "It's been so crazy these last few days, I'm sorry I missed you." (Reply Janel) Angeni gestured over to a bunch of crates. "Do you mind helping me unload some of that stuff? I want to get some of the cabinets restocked before we get another wave of mental casualties." (Reply Janel) Angeni gestured to one of the Nurses. "Hey Abel. If you aren't busy, can you possibly get me a rundown on what's happening in the ancillary bay? I want to give a rundown to Dr. Williams when I see him." Nurse Abel nodded and ran off, padd in hand. The young Cherokee pulled her hair up into a bun and she set to work on the cases, quickly restocking the cabinets with the needed supplies. Each case held multiples of the most needed and most used items. The cases were to be used in situations like this; where time was of the essence and all they were doing was rudimentary stabilization on most patients. It wasn't a perfect system, but it worked. "Where are you from?" She asked Janel. (Reply James) (Posted by Kari) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Sickbay – Ensign (JG) Janel Tarna - 03:16) Janel felt he’d been swept up in a mess of somewhat organised chaos. He had no previous experience to compare this with so he could only hope this was not a typical scene on the Spectre. He wondered if the other medics were felling similarly to him or whether they’d become accustomed to this. He was able to keep going only because he kept going. Janel stood next to a patient, using a wall console to review data from recent tests and formulate his next plan. An unexpected tap on the shoulder startled him a little and he had barely started to turn around when he found a hand held out to him for the taking. With a single blink he took the offered handshake as the individual began to introduce herself. "Hi. I'm Dr. Trommashere, but please call me Angeni. You are?" It was the other Assistant Chief Medical Officer, if he remembered his own department’s roster correctly. At this point he was starting to doubt he could recall the name of his own brother, so tired did he feel at times. They hadn’t had a chance to meet yet but Janel had not found it odd. It was a busy department and he imagined they looked after spate shifts for the most part – times like this being the exception when everyone was needed pretty much all at once. He appreciated that she’d taken the time to introduce herself despite how busy everyone had been and gave her a small, tired smile. “Hi Angeni. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Doctor Tarna,” he wasn’t going to extend a similar offer to her at first but since it felt awkward not to he hastily added, “but well, ah, you can call me Janel… If you like.” "Nice to meet you." She said with a smile. "It's been so crazy these last few days, I'm sorry I missed you." He felt a bit awkward after the clumsy introduction but if she noticed it she didn’t seem to let it show. She certainly seemed really nice and he started to feel a little more at ease. “Oh I don’t think any apology is necessary. I know how it is. Everyone is just getting on with the job….” Not being sure what else to say he just trailed off to silence. He was about to turn about and resume his work when she spoke up once more, while gesturing to some crates. "Do you mind helping me unload some of that stuff? I want to get some of the cabinets restocked before we get another wave of mental casualties." He couldn’t blame her for wanting to get the cabinets restocked. When he’d seen all the medicines they carried and the huge quantities he’d imagined they’d last the ship several months and that even then they wouldn’t have run down the amount they had done in the last few days. Glancing back at his screen he made the decision. ~ That can wait a few minutes. It won’t harm anyone and since we don’t know when we’ll get another wave… it’d be better to get that job done asap. ~ “Sure,” he replied, “I can help with that.” Janel made his way over and started to take a look to see what the crates contained. It didn’t take him long to figure out where to put things and got started immediately. Meanwhile Angeni was asking a favour of nurse Abel. The young Trill would have been happy enough to work in silence. The way things were stocked meant the task wasn’t going to be particularly time consuming, it was just something that needed to be done. Angeni however seemed to prefer a little conversation to work by. "Where are you from?" She asked. “I’m from Mak’ala on Trill. It’s a large, prominent city with a lot of modern buildings and towers. The caves of Mak’ala are one of the most significant places on Trill. Have you heard of them?” he asked, but not before realising he’d probably given more than was asked for. (Reply Trommashere) “I’ve never visited them, myself. Almost no one gets to go down there. Only the guardians who look after the symbionts and maintain their natural environment,” he commented. He couldn’t imagine meeting a Trill who did not want to visit there and see extensive underground system of caves, connecting milk-white pools. He was a nature lover as it was and absolutely loved everything about the outdoors and the flora and fauna to be found there. To him the symbionts were a wonder on many levels and he very much hoped to be host to one. Even a new symbiont with no previous hosts would be a great honour. Janel wasn’t sure if the Doctor had read his file at all and whether she was aware of his unjoined status. There were those who sadly made the assumption that all Trill were joined. Many times at the Academy he had been asked about his previous life experiences. He’d been able to cope with it really quite gracefully at first too because he’d been so confident and optimistic about the fact that it would happen for him. However has time passed and things got noticeably tougher he began to fear he would be dropped. This made the whole topic of joining feel more difficult to discuss, so before things could continue to much more in that vein he decided to deflect the attention away from himself. “What about you? I’d love to hear about where you come from.” He asked. (Reply Trommashere) “Do you miss it much?” he asked. He couldn’t say he missed Trill all that much but then he’d only been away from home a few years. He’d been looking very much to get away and see new worlds and it had taken him a lot of time and work to get to the beginning of that journey. Thinking about it as they unpacked the boxes he recognised that even though he was finding it tough – tougher than he’d thought it would be – he still wouldn’t change any of it. He was sure that he had the stamina to ride this storm and that when he came out of it he would have a great sense of accomplishment for having made a difference to so many people under his care. (Reply Trommashere, any) (Posted by James) (USS Spectre - Deck 3, Sickbay - CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams - 03:17) Andrew entered sickbay. He had just finished his rounds to make sure that the other medical areas were coping. Sickbay was still mental he noticed Tarna weaving his way through the mass of people. He would catch up with him again later. He moved over to the replicator he saw Trommashere looking after Haltom. ~She looks she needs a rest. just like the rest of us~ He ordered two coffees and carried them carefully through the crowded sickbay. He paused for a moment until she had finished talking with Haltom. “How are you doing Angeni?” (Reply Trommashere) He smiled and nodded. “Here have some coffee. Its is not a good substitute to sleep but it should keep us going for a while.” (Reply Trommashere) (Reply Trommashere, any) (Posed by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Deck 3, Sickbay - ACMO Ens. A. O. Windsong-Trommashere - 03:20) Angeni had finished up with the cases and she was standing up, her hands on her lower back as she sighed deeply. Exhaustion didn't express just how sore and tired her body was. The aroma of coffee and a friendly voice perked her up quickly. “How are you doing Angeni?” "Andrew...I mean Dr. Williams. I'm as good as can be expected. I'm exhausted. It's good seeing you." She reached out and gave his shoulder a gentle pat. She saw the smile cross his lips as he held out the cup of coffee. “Here have some coffee. Its is not a good substitute to sleep but it should keep us going for a while.” "Like nectar of the Gods...thank you very much." She took a deep sniff and then a sip. "I wanted to give you a run down on the ancillary bays. Right now, we have a total of 146 patients spread between Sickbay, TenForward, and Cargo Bay Two. 120 of them are all walking wounded; they are all in for mental instability for lack of a better phrase. They are being treated with low dose anti-psychotics and tranquilizers, but our supply is running kind of low. I'm thinking about switching to Neural Stimulators for maintenance versus medication so we can more efficiently discharge those who just need a bit of help to get through the hallucinations. We currently have 20 with various injuries, from self inflicted to injured while trying to escape a hallucination. They are all doing well under treatment. We have six dead. Four were self inflicted injuries and the other two look to be accidental stemming from...once again...trying to escape the hallucinations." (Reply Williams) Angeni nodded. "I was about to go up to Ten Forward myself to get the lay of the land. This is just the report that Nurse Abel handed me. Maybe I'll take the other Doc with me...if that's alright with you. I don't want to be stepping on your toes..." she finished with a smile. (Reply Williams) "When this is all over...you and I are going to enjoy a nice dinner and a very nice and very old bottle of wine together. It only seems fitting." (Reply Williams) She took another sip of coffee. "I better be on my way. Page me if you need me." (Reply Williams) (Posted by Kari) (USS Spectre - Deck 3, Sickbay - CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams - 03:23) "I wanted to give you a rundown on the ancillary bays. Right now, we have a total of 146 patients spread between Sickbay, TenForward, and Cargo Bay Two. 120 of them are all walking wounded; they are all in for mental instability for lack of a better phrase. They are being treated with low dose anti-psychotics and tranquilizers, but our supply is running kind of low. I'm thinking about switching to Neural Stimulators for maintenance versus medication so we can more efficiently discharge those who just need a bit of help to get through the hallucinations. We currently have 20 with various injuries, from self inflicted to injured while trying to escape a hallucination. They are all doing well under treatment. We have six dead. Four were self inflicted injuries and the other two look to be accidental stemming from...once again...trying to escape the hallucinations." Andrew nodded as he heard Trommashere report. “It looks like it could have been a lot worse.” Angeni nodded. "I was about to go up to Ten Forward myself to get the lay of the land. This is just the report that Nurse Abel handed me. Maybe I'll take the other Doc with me...if that's alright with you. I don't want to be stepping on your toes..." He shook his head and smiled. “No go. I can keep an eye on things here. and get a bite to eat while you're there this could turn into another long day.” "When this is all over...you and I are going to enjoy a nice dinner and a very nice and very old bottle of wine together. It only seems fitting." “I’ll hold you to that.” He said with smile as he felt his stomach moved in silent complaint. She took another sip of coffee as Andrew finished his. He hopped that the caffeine would take effect soon or he would be like the walking dead within an hour. "I better be on my way. Page me if you need me." Andrew nodded. “Enjoy see you both in a bit.” (Reply Trommashere) (Posted by Robbie) =====================================================================