USS Spectre Compile - November 1st-31st 2007 by Alan Reading ========================================================================= Mission ***Docked*** Day: 7 Stardate: 2407.04.11 ========================================================================= Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 1 Stardate: 2407.04.15 (USS Spectre - S'rrep's Personal Quarters - The kitten - 07:34) (USS Spectre - Jynea's Quarters - Mark the Bunny - 7:42) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 07:49) (USS Spectre - Jynea's Quarters – Ensign Bys’At - 7:50) (USS Spectre - Jynea's Quarters - Mark the Bunny - 7:52) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Ensign Gorlan Therul - 07:56) (USS Spectre - Strategic Holodeck - Corporal Houseman - 08:32) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – Nurse Douwsy - 08:40) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams - 08:45) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - EMH - 08:47) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams - 08:52) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams - 11:05) (USS Spectre - Personal Quarters - Ensign S'rrep - 15:49) ========================================================================= Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 16 Stardate: 2407.04.30 (USS Spectre – Captain’s Ready Room – Captain T'Vhor - 12:31) (USS Spectre – Captain’s Ready Room – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 12:34) ========================================================================= Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 56 Stardate: 2407.06.09 (USS Spectre – Engineering – Ensign Bys’At and Ensign Paul Morphy – 20:00) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – Ensign Bys’At and Ensign Paul Morphy – 20:30) ========================================================================= Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 66 Stardate: 2407.06.19 (Unknown Vessel - Bridge – Commander Sajh – 3:19) ========================================================================= Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 74 Stardate: 2407.06.27 (USS Swansea – Ready Room - Captain Ahab - 22:30) ========================================================================= Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 75 Stardate: 2407.06.28 (USS Spectre - Holodeck One - Captain T'Vhor & Ensign Ardena Carrow - 14:27) ========================================================================= Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 76 Stardate: 2407.06.29 (USS Spectre - Holodeck 2 - Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 10:08) (USS Spectre - Jeffery's Tube - Crewman Suri Rapeet - 10:19) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - ACEO Jacqueline Bristed - 11:26) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - ACEO Jacqueline Bristed - 11:35) (USS Spectre – Armoury – Corporal Houseman - 13:36) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 11:37) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 11:42) (USS Spectre – Captain’s Ready Room – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 12:34) (USS Spectre - Bridge - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 12:59) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams - 13:05) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:24) (USS Spectre - Bridge - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:26) (USS Spectre - Jynea's Quarters - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 13:28) (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging Area - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:35) (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging Area - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 13:37) (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging Area - Ensign Alex Goldsteen - 13:38) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 13:39) (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging Area - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:40) (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging Area – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:40) (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging Area - Ensign Alex Goldsteen - 13:41) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO Williams – 13:41) (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging Area - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 13:42) (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging Area – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:43) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Surgical theatre - CMO Williams – 13:43) (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging Area – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:45) (USS Spectre - Bridge – Security Officer Smith - 13:46) (USS Spectre - Transporter room 1 – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:48) (USS Spectre - Transporter room 1 - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:49) (USS Spectre - Transporter room 1 - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 13:50) (USS Alacrity - Transporter Room 1 - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:52) (USS Alacrity - Transporter Room 1 – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:52) (USS Alacrity - Transporter Room 1 - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 13:54) (USS Alacrity - Observation Lounge - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 14:00) (USS Alacrity - Observation Lounge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 14:00) (USS Alacrity - Observation Lounge - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 14:00) (USS Alacrity - Observation Lounge - Captain JT Talasario - 14:01) (USS Alacrity - Observation Lounge - Ensign Alex Goldsteen - 14:02) (USS Alacrity - Observation Lounge - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 14:03) (USS Alacrity - Observation Lounge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 14:05) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Surgical theatre - CMO Williams – 14:05) (USS Alacrity - Bridge then Corridor - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 14:15) (USS Alacrity - Bridge then Corridor – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 14:15) (USS Alacrity - Bridge then Corridor - Ensign Alex Goldsteen - 14:16) (USS Alacrity - Bridge then Corridor - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 14:17) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 14:18) (USS Alacrity - Corridoor outside bridge - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 14:18) (USS Alacrity - Bridge then Corridor – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 14:20) (USS Spectre - Just outside S'rrep's Personal Quarters - S'vrrf - 14:21) (USS Spectre – Crew Personal Quarters – Ensign Bys’At – 14:23) (USS Spectre - Crew Personal Quarters - S'vrrf - 14:24) (USS Alacrity - Conference room - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 14:25) (USS Spectre - Crew Personal Quarters – Ensign Bys’At - 14:26) (USS Alacrity - Conference room - Captain JT Talasario - 14:27) (USS Alacrity - Conference room - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 14:30) (USS Alacrity - Conference Room - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 14:30) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Surgical theatre - CMO Williams - 14:34) (USS Cathay - Bridge - Captain Ilena Leonova - 14:45) (USS Cathay - Captain's Quarters - Captain Ilena Leonova - 14:55) (USS Spectre – Operation theater – CMO Williams - 15:00) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor & TAC/SC Lieutenant Yelena Vasilyovna - 15:00) (USS Wilhelm Steinitz - Bridge - Captain Saragossa - 15:00) (USS Cathay - Bridge - Captain Ilena Leonova - 15:00) (USS Spectre - Bridge - TAC/SC Lieutenant Yelena Vasilyovna & Captain T'Vhor - 15:05) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 15:06) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 15:07) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 15:09) (USS Cathay - Captain's Ready Room - Lieutenant Ilena Leonova - 15:10) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 15:12) (USS Swansea - Bridge - Captain Ahab - 15:20) (USS Wilhelm Steinitz - Bridge – Captain Saragossa - 15:20) (USS Wilhelm Steinitz – Captain’s Ready Room – Captain Saragossa - 15:22) (USS Swansea - Bridge - Captain Ahab - 15:27) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 15:28) (USS Swansea – Bridge – CO – Captain Ahab - 15:34) (USS Cathay - Captain's Quarters - Lieutenant Ilena Leonova & Lieutenant T'Loss - 15:45) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 16:35) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 16:36) (USS Spectre – Chuck’s Quarters – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 17:20) (USS Spectre - Jynea's Quarters - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 17:25) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 17:30) (USS Wilhelm Steinitz - Bridge - Captain Saragossa - 17:30) (USS Swansea - Bridge - Captain Ahab - 17:32) (USS Spectre – Chuck’s Quarters – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 17:32) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 17:32) (USS Wilhelm Steinitz - Bridge - Captain Saragossa - 17:34) (USS Cathay - Bridge - Lieutenant Ilena Leonova - 17:35) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO’s Office – CMO Williams - 17:35) (USS Cathay - Bridge - Lieutenant Ilena Leonova - 17:36) (IKS B'Quaj'ah - Bridge - CO Captain Karl Wagner - 17:37) (USS Cathay - Bridge - ACO Lieutenant Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 17:38) (USS Cathay - Bridge - Ensign Gerome (Gerry) Trinnek - 17:45) (USS Cathay - Conference Room - Department heads - 19:45) (USS Cathay - Conference Room - aCO Liuetenant Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 19:45) ========================================================================= Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 80 Stardate: 2407.07.03 (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - MXO Major Bruce Kowalski & TAC/SC Lieutenant Yelena Vasilyovna - 14:10) ========================================================================= Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 82 Stardate: 2407.07.05 (USS Spectre - MXO's Officer - MXO Major Bruce Kowalski - 21:05) ========================================================================= Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 83 Stardate: 2407.07.06 (USS Spectre – Armory – Corporal Houseman - 08:30) (USS Spectre – MCO’s Office - Corporal Houseman - 08:55) ========================================================================= Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 85 Stardate: 2407.07.08 (USS Spectre - Personal Quarters - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 17:00) ========================================================================= Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 86 Stardate: 2407.07.09 (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor & TAC/SC Lieutenant Yelena Vasilyovna - 13:25) (USS Spectre – CMO's quarters – CMO Williams - 14:40) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 14:45) (USS Spectre - OPS Control Room - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 14:46) (Spectre – Security Station Gamma – Security Officer Smith - 14:48) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor & TAC/SC Lieutenant Yelena Vasilyovna - 14:55) (USS Spectre - Bridge - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 14:56) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 14:56) (USS Cathay - Bridge - aCO Lieutenant Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 14:57) (USS Swansea - Bridge - Captain Ahab - 14:58) (USS Swansea - Bridge - Captain Ahab - 15:05) (USS Spectre - Bridge - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 15:05) (USS Swansea - Bridge - Captain Ahab - 15:11) (IKS DuQ'etlh - Bridge - Commander Kerge - 16:05) (IKS DuQ'etlh - Bridge - Commander Kerge - 16:10) ========================================================================= Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 1 Stardate: 2407.04.15 (USS Spectre - S'rrep's Personal Quarters - The kitten - 07:34) She had been left on her own by the big cattish thing not too long before, although at the time she had been sleeping. He had made a nuisance of himself before going, putting his huge paw on her head and ruffling her fur. He hadn't even bothered scratching her in the right place, the meanie! But by now she had groomed herself back to being beautiful and was ready to find something exciting to do with herself. Not for the first time, she noticed the green things all around the room. Sniffing intently at them, she discovered that they were probably alive, in a silly, nonmoving way. Life would get very boring sitting in one place all the time, that was for sure. Maybe she could help them out. She wanted to play, and they probably did too, although they very rudely ignored her "mrrrrf?" ~Can't move and can't talk?! I'm doing them a big favor!~ With this thought in mind, she leapt up on top of the big cattish thing's sleeping box, the one she had earlier mistaken for a potty box before she had seen it used properly. This brought her much closer to the green living things, which were living in round boxes on top of some kind of shelf. One small jump would have her up there with them, no problem. Except there was a problem. She jumped up toward the shelf, but misjudged the distance, so only her front paws made contact. She dangled there, completely undignified, but refusing to let go and fall to the sleeping box in front of these strange unmoving green creatures. She tried to pull herself up, but it was no use. She tried to let go, but found her claws had no intention of letting go despite what the rest of her wanted. She cried out, asking for help, but the green things didn't answer her. She slipped, fell backward, twisted around to land on her feet as she made contact with the sleeping box. She decided to try again, jumping harder. This time, she made it all the way onto the ledge, no thanks to the green growing things. She swatted at one in annoyance. To her surprise, it wiggled a bit, but otherwise didn't react. She hit it again, then tried to catch it while it swayed back and forth. This was great fun. Delighted, she batted more of the green things about, pounced on one, tried to catch it in her mouth. It didn't taste like food. But it tasted good anyway. She ate some of the flat things sticking off the green things. They didn't say anything, so it seemed as if they didn't mind the game at all. She turned on her purr, rumbling as loudly as she could. She scratched at the things, bit at them, grabbed one with her front paws and held it in place as she tried to kick it away. While she was kicking it slipped, rolled away, fell onto the big cattish thing's sleeping box. She froze, thinking that she was probably in trouble. The obvious solution was to hide, and that would be difficult if she stayed up on the green-thing ledge. As quickly as she could, she jumped onto the sleeping box, then to the floor. The green thing she had accidentally dropped followed her to the ground, looking quite pathetic. She swatted it away, feeling somewhat guilty over what had happened, then dived under the sleeping box. She'd be safe here, out of trouble. Nobody would ever know she was the culprit. In the safe darkness under the sleeping box, she realized she was exhausted. Here was as good a place to sleep as any. With that thought in mind, she curled into a ball and drifted into dreamland. (reply none) (posted by Siobhan) (USS Spectre - Jynea's Quarters - Mark the Bunny - 7:42) At the loud bellow Mark looked around for the threat and ran several paces away before coming back. The two foot seemed to be talking to himself rather than trying to warn of danger. Two foots were strange. The bowl that appeared in the replicator quickly overfilled and very yummy smelly things started bouncing off the ground. Mark skittered back, startled by the attack of the food, but on second thought, he'd just eat it and then it couldn't harm him. *Sniff* *Sniff* Yum! Mark took a big bite then dropped it with a shake of his head. He nosed it gain and took another bite. He chewed on it thoughtfully. The skin was good, the white stuff in the middle, not so much.. but there didn't seem to be a way to get the skin without the white stuff, so, ignoring the french fries bouncing off his body, Mark disposed of several. Remembering his manners, he periscoped onto his back feet and groomed the two foot's leg. Lick, lick, lick. There, that outta make the provider of food happy. Back to said FOOD! (Reply Bys'At) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 07:49) "Congratulations Ensign Bristed", said the Captain as he passed the small black box containing the single gold pip towards her. It wasn't supposed to be an affirmation that she had made the right choice regarding Vashan, but that's what it felt like. Something inside her swelled with pride as she affixed the pip to her collar, something that pushed her reluctance to make eye contact with the captain aside. After all, he wasn't Vashan. They weren't anything alike, really, and that was important. "Thank you, sir," she said softly, feeling as though she might be blushing and not caring in the least bit. She grinned back at the Orion morale officer, Jynea. There were plenty more black boxes there, and she was more than ready to see who had earned them. She tried to guess, but she didn't have long before the answers were revealed. ~H'Chir, for sure. Doctor Williams for putting up with all our c*** without killing anyone. And...Donaldson, probably. Maybe Vasilyovna.~ She was pleasantly surprised to find that most of her predictions were correct. There were others she hadn't thought of, but that didn't really matter. But soon, the tone of the meeting changed as the real subject came to the fore. Basically, they were going to meet with supposed defectors from the "bad guys" and hope that they weren't going to get themselves into a big hole with the situation. It sounded like a trap, really, the kind that they would be hard put to escape from. ~Bring it on.~ Of course, if it was a legitimate request on the part of the Alacrity, things would be looking very good for their side. ~Bring that one on too. Either one is good.~ "In addition, I have been informed now that a combined strike to retake Betazed & then Sector Zero One soon after, is now in final planning & will be executed at, or sometime around the time of our rendezvous", said the Captain. Jacqueline didn't mind missing that. She'd been with the Spectre for long enough to find the idea of getting her shot up and damaged rather distressing in more than a "jeez-this-is-all-that's-keeping-us-alive" way. There was almost a guarantee that frantic jury-rigging would be required to keep things together in that situation, and the less of that there was the better. After all, the last time she had been doing that she had met one Gorlan Therul, terror of the galaxy. ~Scourge of sanity, perhaps. He deserves a title for being such an unbelievable moron.~ She forced her attention back to what T'Vhor was saying. "Our mission is completely confidential, in order to safeguard the Spectre the only ones aware of where we are going & what our mission details contain, are 52nd fleet command & the Alacrity itself", said the Captain. "It is imperative that this remains so." ~Do we have a cover story, or do we just try looking innocent and denying doing anything if we get caught?~ She decided to keep her mouth shut about that despite the invitation for comments or recommendations on what had been said. If there was one, she'd know soon enough. If there wasn't...then they better not get caught, that was all. (Reply any) (Posted by Siobhan) (USS Spectre - Jynea's Quarters – Ensign Bys’At - 7:50) Mark had licked Bys’At’s leg and had gone back to eating the growing pile of French fries. ~He likes them! Once again my genius has helped a benevolent creature!~ thought Bys’At. He resisted that unyielding urge to grab the rabbit up into his arms and give it a hug. He had encountered yet another being onboard the Spectre which shared Bys’At’s feelings of ‘goodness’. Beads of sweat formed along the edge his brow. If he were to maintain the intellect he so prized and not regress into the ‘grabby Bys’At’ his mother warned him about … he’d have to leave soon. “I’m going now.” Bys’At stated slowly. (reply Mark) “Yes, I see … not speaking much is your way … no offense taken.” Said Bys’At leaning over to get a better view of the full figure of the small but growing creature. His lanky frame strained at the weight of his upper half and he had to place his hands on his hips as a kind of counter-balance. (reply Mark) “I’ll have someone come by and fix the damaged wiring.” explained Bys’At, “If the counselor returns before they get here please explain to her that you were taken care of by the intellectually over-stimulated, self-accoladite, Engineering genius … Bys’At.” He said standing erect and taking a few steps towards the door. ~You know, I don’t think anyone in engineering would understand the complicated social benefits to my benefaction of this obviously neglected thing … I’ll neglect to mention the incident to the CEO or ACEO.~ (reply Mark, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Jynea's Quarters - Mark the Bunny - 7:52) "I'm going now." Bys'At stated slowly. Mark looked up at the sound of the mouth noises, but seeing that nothing was relevant to him, he stuck his nose back in the pile of fries. At least they'd stopped bouncing off his head. That had been getting a bit irritating and he'd already learnt thump didn't accomplish anything. The walls never listened. The food giver made some more noises, and peered down at him. Mark watched him in his peripheral vision, but the two foot didn't seem to be doing much of interest, just appreciating the perfection that is rabbit. More talk and the two foot left, leaving Mark with a pile of yummy food and a need for a nap. Yawn. Stretch. Hmm. The food wasn't going anywhere, and his tummy was full. He could come back to it later. Maybe after a drink of water. And another nap. Boy, it was a lot of hard work dealing with the silly two feet! (reply all, any) (posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Ensign Gorlan Therul - 07:56) Ensign Bristed had been very quiet since her shoreleave. Something had happened between her and that Vulcan guy she had met at that restaurant. He'd seemed nice enough, although he had let Jacqueline walk around on the promenade without an escort, something Gorlan found nearly unforgivable. She looked so pretty, but she was all alone. But something had gone wrong on the last night, because Bristed had come back to the ship in tears. There had been evidence that she'd had some kind of trouble, although when Gorlan had gathered the courage to ask, she swore it was nothing, that she'd just had an accident. ~That Vulcan will have an accident if he comes near my friend again.~ Gorlan wasn't so stupid that he couldn't figure out what kind of accident she had had. He valued the Human girl too much to let something like that happen again. Friends didn't let friends get the stuffing beat out of themselves by someone who pretended to love them. Wishing it was Vashan's face she was rearranging, Gorlan vented his feelings on a defenseless biopack that needed replacing. He tried imagining green blood spurting and Vashan's handsome facial features contorted with his attacks, but his imagination was really not that good. But he'd make sure it happened for real if he ever met the jerk again, and then he'd know what it would look like. When Bristed came back from that meeting the captain had called, she'd probably want to throw herself back into her work, try to lose the world and ignore her friends to keep from being hurt again. Gorlan understood the feeling, but he also knew that it wasn't healthy for her. She needed to talk about it, and he was more than willing to listen. He'd get her coffee, maybe a cookie or something, that would make her smile. It might be a good idea to steer her toward sickbay too, to take care of that eye and the cut he knew she had on the back of her head. Neither one had looked good when she came on board, and her left eye was really an upsetting sight for him even now. She didn't know he'd been keeping an eye on her, because for some reason she seemed to take offense at that. It wasn't as if he was doing anything wrong; he just wanted to make sure everything was okay with her. She wouldn't mind if she knew that, he was sure. She also wouldn't mind the flowers he'd left in her quarters once she'd left, or the greeting he'd had the computer record. How could she not feel good about life when she heard, "Hello, Jacqueline! Just wanted to let you know your friends are always here for you. Have a good day!" when she went into her room? And there was plenty more that he could do for her, just to make sure she was really okay again. (Reply any, none) (Posted by Siobhan the Mad) (USS Spectre - Strategic Holodeck - Corporal Houseman - 08:32) "Hey chico, save the doctors and pretty nurses for the marines who need it." Houseman did not hear what the medic muttered but he was sure that it was not nice. ~Well you think this one is bad you should meet the real thing~ "Nono, I means I'm just a hologram, man. Just turns me off and remember To fix me before I'm loaded next time." "Unless, of courses, some loco made me an ongoing and developing program.. run in realtime and all that.. then you's have to send me to sickbay while the EMH bitches about the time and waste of resources." “Well I thougt it would be good to have people that the teams knew so I put you in the system.” ~yes regretting that one now~ "Really man? You put me into the computer? You does love me!" "aww, I'd hug you Chico, but y'know, I'd hate To get your pretty uniform all dirty.." Houseman grinned. “Get going before. I change my mind and delete you.” "Transport away." Houseman watched as Rameriz disappeared. He hoped that sickbay new what they were letting them selves in for. ~Doc’s going to do his nut~ (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – Nurse Douwsy - 08:40) Douwsy had been listening to the exchange between the EMH and the holo-marine. She thought it was time to get to work and do her job. She crossed over the them to see if the EMH need a hand. "Inanimate, my what a big word for such a small marine." She saw the EMH applying a hypospray to the marine. "Ah, here's Nurse Dowsy to supply you with your candy for being such a good boy." Douwsy looked at the EMH for a moment before replying. “Is their anything you need Doctor?” "Man, how many Orions are on this ship?" Douwsy was going to answer and saw that the marine was trying to edge away. ~Hmm so the holo-version is a bit like the real one~ She saw the EMH plant his hand and stopped the marine from moving. "Now now, don't be a close minded, bigoted, uncooperative marine." "Not like there's any other kind." Douwsy watched both of them waiting for the moment the marine was going to be uncooperative and she would either deactivate him or call security. "Hey, I'm plenty cooperative!" "I can tell." the EMH said dryly and applied another hypospray to Jose's neck. She watched as the marine fell unconscious backwards with a thump. The EMH looked satisfied. "I should have done that as soon as he arrived." he told Dowsy. Douswy smiled. “I wish most of our patients were that easy to treat.” (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams - 08:45) Andrew had a lot to think about since the briefing. He hopped that every thing would go okay. There was a lot riding on this mission. As he entered sickbay he saw Douwsy and the EMH standing beside a patient. As he crossed over the looked at the patient he realised that he was a marine. There was something wrong with the marine but he could not place it. “I wish most of our patients were that easy to treat.” He frowned slightly. ~Wounder what’s been happening since I’ve been away~ “Hallo Doctor, Douwsy. Looks like we have a new patient what’s happened?” He nodded to Douwsy and then looked at the EMH. He had a lot of respect for the EMH. His work was not an easy one so he took a lot of value of what he said. (reply EMH) (reply EMH, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - EMH - 08:47) Williams nodded to his nurse and then looked at the EMH expectantly. While the EMH was tempted to reply with his usual rapier wit, he decided Doctor Williams looked a bit tired and could probably do with some coddling. "This holo-marine was injured in a training program and I was summoned to patch him together." (Williams) "Well, if you want to get technical.." The EMH said with some acidity before dwelving into an overly complicated and unnecessarily detailed description of 'Phasor burn to leg, exasperated by lack of armour.' (reply Williams) (reply Dowsy, Williams, any) (posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams - 08:52) "This holo-marine was injured in a training program and I was summoned to patch him together." Andrew nodded. “What’s wrong with him?” "Well, if you want to get technical.." Andrew realised that he had pissed off the EMH when he started to overly explain the holo-marine. ~Okay~ Andrew nodded as the EMH finished. “Thank you doctor. I’ll leave you to your patient. I’ve got to spend some time on the bridge.” He went into his office grabbed a PADD and then headed back to the bridge. (reply EMH) (reply EMH, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams - 11:05) Andrew entered sickbay. Douwsy had said that there was a patient that he had to see. He saw an Ensign sitting on the side of a bio-bed. His hands and feet were bandaged. Andrew frowned slightly because it was quite unusual to see bandages in the age of dermal regenerators. He walked up to the ensign and gave a smile. “Hallo ensign how can I help you?” The ensign looked up anxiously at him and then raised his bandaged hands to him. “Doctor I need you to help me I can’t take it any more. I’ve tried to cope but I just can’t.” Andrew sat beside him on the bio-bed. “Okay why don’t you tell me about it from the beginning?” The Ensign looked worried but starts. “Doctor I suffer from a condition which affects my hands and feet. They swell up and the skin cracks which causes me terrible pain.” Andrew nodded. “Okay how long have you had this?” The ensign looked down at the floor. “I have had it for a week now. I get it from time to time. I just wanted to go with my friends and do my duty. Please doctor don’t send my back to Geneva. I can’t be left there while everyone is on this mission. I just can’t.” Andrew put up his hand to stop the Ensign and tried to give him a reassuring smile. “Its okay Ensign. We could not send you home even if you wanted it. We have received orders not to go home until we have completed our mission.” Not wanting to be drawn into a conversation about the mission he quickly carried on. “So tell me what have you been taking for your condition?” The Ensign picked up a small bag that was on the floor beside him and pulled out a jar of bright yellow jell. “I have been applying this stuff every day and then bandaging my hands and feet. It is the only thing that works. I’ve been given medication before such as antibiotics but they do not help. antihistamines and pain killers ease the symptoms but applying the jell is the only thing that works.“ Andrew looked at the jar and then at the Ensign. “Okay Ensign we’ll do it your way and see how it gose but I’ll give you some antihistamines and pain killers to help easy the symptoms.” As he filled the hypospray with the medication he watched the Ensign unwrap his hands. They were red and swollen . He could see where the skin had dried and cracked. He injected the Ensign with the hypospray. He realized that the Ensign was looking at him expectantly and a sudden realization of dread crossed his mind. “So you want me to apply the jell?” The Ensign looked at him and nodded. “Yes Doctor.” Andrew glanced around sickbay to find that Douwsy had vanished. ~Well that’s just marvelous~ “Okay I’ll do it.” He opened the jar and the warm sickly smell wafted out of it. ~Ow, please don’t let me throw up over my patient~ (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Personal Quarters - Ensign S'rrep - 15:49) It had been a relatively uneventful day. There wasn't much to do regarding the 'ponics, and his experiments in crossing Terran and Andorian flora weren't doing much of anything. They weren't failing, because some of the new plants were growing, but none of them were flourishing. If they would show some sign of producing more oxygen byproducts or increasing the nutritional value to both blue and red blooded beings, maybe he would have been more excited. S'rrep didn't mind. To him, plants were just like people, and they'd take their time to do whatever they were going to do. He wouldn't mind relaxing for a bit in his own quarters though. Maybe today would be the right day to name the kitten. She was definitely a brat, so a 'V' would be appropriate, for "impulsive." Maybe "S" for "curious." "Mrrp?" said a voice from under the bed. On top of it was the sad remains of what had once been one of the plants living on the shelf above his bed. He picked it up, trying to decide if there was a point trying to save it. ~Yes, I might be able to nurse it back to health.~ He took the pathetic looking organism, put it back in the little pot he had been keeping it in, and gave it some water, making sure to put it out of the kitten's reach should she decide to attack it again. What had gotten into her? It looked as though she had tried to destroy all of the plants on the shelf. It didn't make sense. Caitians didn't eat plants; most of his peers thought he was crazy for wanting to study them. Terran cats weren't supposed to be omnivores, so what had possessed his kitten to go eat the plants in the room. ~She was bored?~ "You definitely need a name now. V'srim, maybe. S'vik? No, that sounds Vulcan. S'vrl might work," he thought aloud. The kitten came out from under the bed slowly. Once she noticed him, she froze, lying down as if trying to hide, and then rocketed away like a mad thing. As she left, she made one of her small happy noises, this one sounding very much like "s'vrrf". "S'vrrf it is then. Now, we need to find you something to play with besides my plants. What do kittens play with anyhow?" S'rrep had no idea what kind of toys S'vrrf would want, but she couldn't be allowed to chew on plants. What if she had picked one that was poisonous? No, he'd have to change how things worked in her little world. "But right now, S'vrrf, we'll make do with chasing you around the room, shall we?" She purred loudly and rocketed beneath the bed again, waiting to be flushed out. That was how the game was played, of course. (reply none) (Posted by Siobhan) ========================================================================= Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 16 Stardate: 2407.04.30 (USS Spectre – Captain’s Ready Room – Captain T'Vhor - 12:31) "Sir, I’m sorry to disturb you but I thought it might be appropriate to come to you in this matter." said Ensign Donaldson. The Captain regarded the Ensign with a quizzical look. It seemed strange that he had brought this directly to him & ignored the chain of command, the normal route of such matters would have been for the Ensign to report this to his immediate superior Lieutenant Vasilyovna, as he was now here though, the Captain decided to hear him out. "Yes Ensign, what is it that you wish to report?", said the Captain as Donaldson shifted a little more on his feet as though eager to begin. "Since we’re in high warp the sensors were recalibrated several times as routine maintenance." Chuck began. "A logical enough conclusion", said the Captain with a nod as the Ensign continued on. "During one of these routine recalibrations I decided to run an experimental level three diagnostic through the sensor array, during the scan I encountered part of a message that had been hidden in our warp signature." said Donaldson, immediately piqueing the Captain's interest now at the very mention of a message, for not only was it completely odd in the extreme, it was also tantamount to an indication that an illicit communication had taken place out of the Spectre's normal channels. "Why did you not report this to Lieutenant Vasilyovna?, said the Captain, his hands folding upon the table in front of him now as he listened to the Ensign intently. "I haven’t yet brought it to Lieutenant Vasilyovna’s attention because I did not have her direct permission to run the experimental scan, sir." Said Ensign Donaldson. "I see", said the Captain, "I appreciate that every avenue you may follow outside of your superiors remit does not need to be reported directly, but nevertheless, you should still have mentioned your findings to her before coming to see me", said the Captain. (Reply Donaldson) "The message fragment you speak of, were you able to discern it's source or any useful data from it at all?", asked the Captain. (Reply Donaldson) The Captain's expression changed slightly at the Ensign's words, someone had clearly initiated an unauthorized broadcast & at this precise juncture in their mission, an unauthorized transmission was the last thing they wished to be encountering. "Have the message fragment analyzed by Science, if possible I want to know who, when & how in regards it", said the Captain with a hint of generalized urgency now in his voice. (Reply Donaldson) "Report your findings to me directly as a matter of urgency", said T'Vhor as he dismissed the Ensign to begin immediately on the task assigned him. (Reply Donaldson) Ensign Donaldson then turned about & headed for the door, only to stop just briefly when the CO spoke again. "Ensign Donaldson, in future, please make certain that you follow normal protocol in regards anything else that you might happen to find, during one of your.... investigations", said the Captain. (Reply Donaldson) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre – Captain’s Ready Room – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 12:34) "I appreciate that every avenue you may follow outside of your superiors remit does not need to be reported directly, but nevertheless, you should still have mentioned your findings to her before coming to see me", said the Captain. “Yes, Sir.” Said Chuck feeling more uneasy by the master/teacher attitude of T’Vhor. ~I’m not a child … I’m just … resourceful.~ Chuck concluded relaxing at the momentary ‘bare-ness’ of self-revelation. "The message fragment you speak of, were you able to discern it's source or any useful data from it at all?", asked the Captain. “The message was too fragmented to make any sense of but I’m certain its origin was aboard the Spectre.” Chuck paused to consider any other pertinent information. “The file was formatted using the standard Starfleet file management system. That gives me reason to suspect a spy may be onboard.” The Captain's expression changed slightly at Chuck’s words, someone had clearly initiated an unauthorized broadcast. Chuck was certain that such news at this precise moment was a disturbing but pertinent piece of intelligence "Have the message fragment analyzed by Science, if possible I want to know who, when & how in regards it", said the Captain with a hint of generalized urgency now in his voice. “I’ll go there right now and hand it over to them and I’ll keep an eye on the developments during the research.” Chuck said not wanting to be left ‘out-of-the-loop’. "Report your findings to me directly as a matter of urgency", said T'Vhor as he dismissed Chuck to begin immediately on the task assigned him. “Will do, Captain.” Said Chuck. He thought as he turned to leave the ready room that perhaps ‘will do’ was a bit folksy but there was nothing he could do about it now. T’Vhor began to speak again and Chuck half turned to hear the Captain. "Ensign Donaldson, in future, please make certain that you follow normal protocol in regards anything else that you might happen to find, during one of your... investigations", said the Captain. Chuck simply smiled and nodded as he turned around once more and headed out of the Captain’s ready room. ~Maybe he’s not such a straight-laced Vulcan after all.~ (Reply none) (Posted by Anton) ========================================================================= Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 56 Stardate: 2407.06.09 (USS Spectre – Engineering – Ensign Bys’At and Ensign Paul Morphy – 20:00) “So, what you’re saying, Mr. Morphy … is that …” began Bys’At. “Oh, no, don’t repeat it here … I think you get the idea.” Said Paul smiling slyly. “Understandable … it’s a private matter.” Said Bys’At decidedly. “Tell ya what … meet me later in Ten Forward and we’ll plan the whole thing out.” Said Paul turning to exit Engineering. “Indeed Mr. Morphy … I’m always willing to be humanitarian.” Said Bys’At. ~I love Bys’At. Gorlan is just annoying – can’t prank someone who is that clueless - but Bys’At … still just as disconnected from reality, but more fun.~ thought Paul. (Reply None) (Posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – Ensign Bys’At and Ensign Paul Morphy – 20:30) “So, here it is all layed out.” Paul began with Bys’At listening intently, “Ensign Therul and ACEO Bristed have been seeing each other romantically for the last month or so …” “Yes, yes, you told me that less than an hour ago … now, please explain the invitation.” Said Bys’At trying to hurry things along. Paul clasped his hand over his mouth for a moment seeming to choke. “Do you need help, Paul?” asked Bys’At. “Oh … no … I’m fine.” Said Paul stifling several more ‘coughs’. Paul straightened himself but kept one hand close to his face in case he felt the urge to laugh again. “So, anyway, a few of the juniors thought it might be a kind gesture to throw them a ‘coming out’ party. You know … kinda telling them ‘we know’.” Said Paul trying desperately to keep his lips together as another giggle tried to escape. “Ah, yes, I see … they’re embarrassed about the whole situation around their coworkers.” Bys’At paused to consider, “and you think I’m the best person to deliver the invitations?” “That’s precisely it … you see … if I give them the invitations they’ll know I planned it” said Paul. “But, I don’t even know Gorlan - and the ACEO while being, I admit, scintillating … is hardly someone I would describe as a close friend. Why choose me?” Bys’At asked. “You see … that right there … words like ‘scintillating’. You are the only person in engineering with such a way with words. You’re perfect.” Explained Paul. “Well … that’s certainly true. I’ll do it.” Agreed Bys’At, extending his hand to grab Paul’s across the table. Paul took the offered handshake heartily. ~This’ll teach Bristed to blame me for the mess left in the junior Counselor’s quarters.~ Paul thought smiling, ~While I am the undisputed champion of practical jokes, not everything is my fault.~ (reply any) (posted by Anton) ===================================================================== Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 66 Stardate: 2407.06.19 (Unknown Vessel - Bridge – Commander Sajh – 3:19) Sajh shifted in the command chair as the image of a sixty-something man stood almost motionless on the viewscreen. “So, what your saying, Captain Proudmoore, is that Doenitz no longer has need of our services?” asked the commander. Her expression changed from one of confusion to anger as her antennae made annoyed half circles. “The Admiral no longer requires the backing of the Orion Syndicate.” Said the Captain. He ran his hand across his balding head and readjusted a comb-over. “Captain, our business is not yet concluded … Doenitz wanted rare technology and having undertaken every requested effort I believe compensation is in order.” Said Sajh standing up out of the command chair. “Don’t be hasty now … we’re only the messenger.” Said the Captain visibly nervous. “Admiral Doenitz believes he can win the war by cheating his allies … let’s see how well he fairs without us.” Said Sajh pausing for a moment and looking at the communications station, “Cut communications!” “Wai …!” began Captain Proudmoore as the screen went black and then became a view of the Defiant Class vessel. “Fire … full spread … tear his ship apart!” she ordered … glancing behind her at the Bajoran at the tactical station. Two photon torpedoes issued from the Syndicate vessel. The viewscreen showed two balls of light smash into the Defiant’s hull. The shields of the Defiant vessel had only begun to raise across its nose as the missiles smashed into it. The vessel was torn in half with the forward section splitting in two. “Report!” ordered Sajh. “There are still lifesigns from about half the crew compliment.” Said the Bajoran. “Fine, we’ll leave them here stranded, it’ll discourage future bad faith.” Said Sajh, “just make sure their engines are completely inactive so they can’t follow us.” “Yes, Sajh.” Said the Bajoran. Sajh moved to stand directly in front of the viewscreen and ran her fingers along the beige colored walls of the bridge. “The Ferengi ship is functioning perfectly … and I thought Chulark had cheated us.” (reply none) (posted by Anton) ======================================================================= Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 74 Stardate: 2407.06.27 (USS Swansea – Ready Room - Captain Ahab - 22:30) Ahab looked up from the PADD and then at the other officers who were sitting in front of him. His pulsed quickened as the realization of what he had read came clear. “Are you sure.” He had vowed that he would meet him again and it looked like he might get his chance. He first met the Captain when he had been a pilot on a shuttle run. Ahab had taken the shuttle with his First officer, Marine CMO and Chief Medical officer. On approach to landing the pilot had made a rookie mistake and crashed the shuttle. The other officers were killed in the crash and Ahab had lost his lower leg but the pilot had survived unscathed. When the crash report had been filed Ahab had found that it had been brushed under the carpet and the pilot had not been charged for murder. Ahab had gone to his commanding officer to complain but had been told that there was nothing he could do. The pilot had connections with some one in Doenitz’s command and had been transferred out. He had been also been sent to the back end of beyond to patrol shipping lanes. Since then he had decided that he would get his revenge on the pilot Rebecca looked back at him her emotions clear for all to see. Her husband had been his CMO. She had been devastated and it had taken years to get a little of her smiling personality back. “From what the data Mesha has sent us. You know how reliable her information is.” Ahab nodded. Mesha was his former first officers sister. She worked as a low grade teck for the department of personal and ever since the murder of her brother she had been passing little bits of information about the pilot. “She says that he is now a Captain of a Prometheus class vessel called the Retribution.” Ahab nodded. “Well if this Captain Talasario is going to take us to the party I’m sure the pilot will turn up. No one is going to miss this.” There had been rumours flying around for months that the rebels fleet was going to go on the offensive. In the back end of beyond rumours were more right then wrong. “We will be able to take her? Taking on a Prometheus class is not a walk in the park.” This came from the other officer in the room. He was a marine captain called Surgeon. Ahab grinned at him. “That is true Major.” Surgeon was a marine captain but as there was only one captain of a ship his rank was increased to major. His younger brother had been the Ahab’s old First officer. He had taken it hard when the pilot had gotten away. Since that day had shut his personal feelings away and had become almost Vulcan like in his demeanor. “But if it goes to multi-vector assault mode then it will get interesting.” Surgeon just shrugged. “Get my marines in there and we’ll take care of him.” Ahab nodded again. “We have to find him first. Now let’s talk about when we find him. What are we going to do?” “Kill him.” Ahab grinned. ~Always strait and to the point~ “Give me suggestions about how?” Ahab listened as the plan began to evolve. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) ==================================================================== Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 75 Stardate: 2407.06.28 (USS Spectre - Holodeck One - Captain T'Vhor & Ensign Ardena Carrow - 14:27) Probably not what the Captain had in mind when he said choose somewhere she was comfortable in to focus her mind, but to Ardena, this was Utopia. The waves were crashing against the seawall, the sky was grey and cloud filled, and the pine forest behind the beach was sombre and dark. The wind, smelling of salt and kelp, she'd downgraded from what it should be, even if she kept its effects on the holographic waves and trees. She didn't really feel like trying to talk around her hair. First Beach in Stanley Park was her favourite place in the universe, even more so in the autumn storm season. What made the program even more special to her was it had been a birthday present from her father and designed with his typical thoroughness and knowledge of his daughter. Every sense covered and no more geography needed than her favourite points in the multi-hectare park. As for the Captain, his own thoughts right now would probably have confused the young Ensign, he could sense her surface thoughts right now due to having become accustomed to the vibratory rate of her consciousness purely from touching it so often. He knew full well that regardless of the fact that this place was idyllic to her, she was wondering now, how he himself would take it all. After all, this was nothing at all like Risa. Actually, he, like her found it refreshing, even as a young man on Bajor he had much preferred the cold fresh winter months to the hot summer periods. Some had called him odd for that & now here he was looking out at a harsh, vista that was being appreciated by another. "I must say Ardena, I find it...unusual that you choose such a location as this", said T'Vhor. "I'm considering it a compromise with your morale officer who believes the only way to get you into a holodeck is at phasor point." Ardena offered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear only to have it tugged loose again by the wind. She probably should have left it done up instead of going with the 'home sweet home' feeling. "Happy to change to an environment more to your comfort, however." Ardena teased lightly. The Captain squinted his eyes slightly at the cold biting wind as it swirled about them. "On the contrary, I find it....", said T'Vhor trailing off now as he contemplated the correct syllable. "....exhilarating", he added turning his gaze towards Ensign Carrow as another wave crashed heavily onto the sea wall before them. Ardena smiled, "Why Captain T'Vhor, that's almost an emotion," she teased. "Indeed", said the Captain, "but you forget that I am not entirely Vulcan. I blame my Betazoid heritage for such .....incongruities", he added as he contemplated the Ensign's almost layed back candor. If he wasn't mistaken, she too was letting go of somthing within herself now. "I have a question." Ardena started, as she switched to sitting cross-legged and facing her teacher. "Please.....", said the Captain returning his gaze briefly towards the sea once again but remaining attentive to his young student. "Ask your question" His mind seemed elsewhere, but that was okay. "Who sees to the morale of the morale officer?" It was a leading question, she knew it and she knew T'Vhor knew it. But if she just blurted out her conclusions, there were no opportunities for learning from either party and extrapolations, opinions and greater views. The Captain pursed his lips & then quirked his head slightly. "An interested juxtaposition, the logical answer however would be that she is uniquely qualified to do this herself....", said the Captain, "however, I, as the Morale Officers superior would also be responsible in part, for seeing that Morale officers said Morale was at a level that she could attend her duties to an acceptable level", he added. At that point, the Vulcan hybrid almost went a little further in his typically analytical & systematic assessment of the question, but then chose not to upon realizing that the Ensign would consider this, not the thing to be done. "Why do you ask?", said the Captain, changing his tact now. Sometimes it was hard being a Vulcan, or at the least, part Vulcan... "I ask, because.." Ardena looked thoughtful as she tried to choose the best words, "I have been observing our counsellor, as well as Nurse Douwsy. "I'm no medical doctor, and certainly no psychologist, but I noticed that the longer we are in transit the more they react badly. Douwsy gets cranky, Jynea gets despondent." T'Vhor raised an eyebrow quizzically as he pondered the Ensign's observations. He was about to offer his own thoughts on this but she quickly went off on her own theories regarding the aforementioned females behaviour. "My research, limited I'll admit, is that Orion females were at one point bio-engineered into being pleasure dolls for their males when they weren't being used as baby factories, to be slaves to their hormones and tactile senses." Ardena focused her anger and frustration that ANY thinking and feeling being would do that to their own children. She might not be able to conquer her emotions, but she could at least try and control them and keep her spikes and dips to a minimum. The more out of control her emotions, the more out of control her gifts. If she thought about this in anything other than clinical terms she'd probably go find the nearest Orion male scientist and shove a grenade in an unladylike place. "I would tend to agree", said T'Vhor, "almost all sentient species inevitably follow predictable actions based upon sociological & genetic conditioning", he added, wondering where she might be going with this now & then being answered by way of a possible side effect to their repeated mind contact. The Ensign seemingly pre-empted his thoughts! "What this has led to is, well, on our ship anyway, two intelligent women who are tactile based. I've observed Nurse Douwsy with patients and Doctor Williams, she is given to touches on the shoulder and friendly physical comfort, its part of what makes her everyone's favourite nurse without them realizing. So, on long trips she just gets crankier with no real long term effects. However, Ensign Kreung has had *no* physical contact with another sapient being for over three months. She's getting listless, despondent, and I'd say her self-esteem was in the toilet somewhere. *I* tried to give her casual contact, but between her projective empathy and my own mental issues.. it was more traumatic than helpful and I didn't even manage to touch her." She'd considered asking Suri to help, but she wasn't quite sure Suri wouldn't lead casual contact to other things. Ardena knew both the counsellor and the engineer believed in casual physical relationships, and she wasn't going to protest if it made them both happy, but it was Ardena's opinion that it wouldn't make Suri *or* Jynea happy, just make a bigger mess. The Captain remained silent for the moment, his Science Officer seemed deep in thought on this issue & to a degree, it seemed to be causing her angst. In the end though, this was probably a good thing for she was probing within herself now in a manner he had always wished her to. Now all he had to do was try to get her to be more selective in that probing. It was at that point though, that Ensign Carrow was off on an analytical rant of her own so to speak. "Its been my experience that a crew's habits reflects their Captain's. You don't touch your crew, for obvious reasons, no slaps on the back like humans do and the like. So, your crew is very hands off in a un-conscious echo. So that leads to a young lady who has probably never been without physical contact of one sort or another for a day in her life to being very isolated the last few months. *I* don't know what to do about it and Lieutenant Taxia is not being terribly approachable.. and with Nelia in Sickbay.." She held out her hands. "I didn't want to make an appointment with the first officer since the poor man is still a stranger, so I am calling this a disturbance to my continued mental well being and looking to my teacher for guidance. Or is that cheating?" "Cheating Ensign?", said the Captain, "I think not. In regards to my, lack of physical contact with members of my crew however, I have never thought about it in that way before." "As a Vulcan of course it is not my way to be particularly tactile unless the need arises", said T'Vhor thoughtfully. "It is an illogical act, it serves no purpose, but at the same time, I cannot be responsible for every nuance, mood or action of every member of the crew", said T'Vhor. For the first time in memory recorded, Ardena reacted in a purely Vulcan manner. She looked quizzical with one eyebrow raised. "That was almost .. snippety." The Captain simply mirrored the Ensign's confusion, eyebrow raised & head quirked slightly as he attempted to reason her assessment. ~Snippity, what is snippity?~ Brow furrowed, she studied the man for several long moments. "Two thoughts come to my mind. One, in the worlds of the wise Amanda Grayson to her famous son.. You're not Vulcan, for all that you are Vulcan breeding and you limit yourself to think of yourself only as such." Again the Captain seemed confused, had he not already acknowledged his Betazoid heritage? Ok, she was correct in that he preferred to hedge towards his Vulcan side but to say that he denied his other side completely... well that seemed unfair, even if the thought could be classed as another emotion. The Captain however, chose to let the matter go as he prompted her for the second of her already mentioned thoughts. "The other thought?" Ardena rolled her shoulders, not the easiest conversation the two had ever had by a long shot. "You seem to be frustrated, tired, a bit worn out.." She held up a hand, "No, I'm not about to start on about taking 'time off'. Vacation and war rarely go hand in hand. I was going to offer a sounding board. Myself. I may not be in command, but I've taken the command courses. You know my mind intimately and that any conversations told in confidence will go no further, you know my loyalty to you, this ship and the 52nd, and maybe I can offer you a different perspective. If nothing else, I'm perfectly capable of listening." She smiled, "When I pull my head out of the sand long enough to notice the need to be, that is." T'Vhor took a deep breath as though clearing his lungs, then he turned his attention towards the almost effervescent froth of the churning sea as it crashed hard against the sea wall again, showering them both in a small amount of spray in the process. This was not the first time a member of his crew had remarked upon his need for rest & such things, it probably would not be the last either but the truth of the matter was that he was quite ok. He had his restful moments, he enjoyed playing the Vulcan Lyre once in a while & engaged in probably more than his fair share of contemplative meditation. Why did they all seem so concerned? Ok, in his position of Captain it was clear that the crew looked to him for guidence, stability, confidence in them all that they would endure the coming storm etc etc. could it now be possible that by seemingly overlooking his own welfare, they might lose confidence in his ability to project those things. It was certainly food for thought. The Captain turned to face Ensign Carrow once again, exhaling steadily as he did so. "I appreciate what you are saying Ardena, & I thank you for the offer of an ear should I need it", said the Captain bowing his head now as he formulated a Human coloqialism in his mind that almost bordered upon being a joke. "As you can quite plainly see though, I am more than well equipped in that particular department", he added, pointing to one of his own pointed appendages in the process as he did so. "Mmm." Ardena said again, thinking that T'Vhor had missed both her points. "I will respectfully disagree with both of your assessments but I'm not going to argue." "You seem to try and hide your Betazoid self behind your Vulcan. Instead of trying to find the balance, you weigh heavily in one over the other and do yourself disservice. As for not needing rest, if you're so confused why so many people are insisting you are, perhaps you should examine the matter more carefully." Ardena realized then that he hadn't spoken either thought out loud and blushed deeply. "I'm sorry Captain, not my place to say or judge.. and.." She wanted to crawl under the sand, "I guess I wasn't paying enough attention to my own balance while trying to dictate my thoughts on yours. I'm very sorry." Boy, here was the Captain bending over backwards to help *her* and all she could do was dump MORE problems on his lap, criticize him and try to tell him how to lead his life. Maybe it was time to go back to hiding in her lab and remember why she didn't normally socialize! The Captain however, took another deep intake of breath, his mind drifting once again as the saltiness of the spray hit his nostrils. For a brief moment he had been confused by her previous comment, this after all was supposed to be all about her problems & yet the conversations had now come around to what she perceived as his! It wasn't uncommon of course for two people engaged in the repeated melding of minds to begin reading one another's thought's & then preempting accordingly. It seemed that this was what was happening right now, for she was answering thought's that he himself was not even verbalizing. Perhaps it was time to change the mood somewhat. "Computer", said the Captain, "terminate the currently running program & load program T'Vhor nine, begin from time reference eighteen point nine two four", he added as the scene dissolved into the familiar black & yellow grid before initializing once again. [Loading program T'Vhor nine - initiating required scene] Their environment then became that of the Vulcan temple high upon the plateau of mount Seleya. Both he & Ensign Carrow remained where they had been almost the entire time, seated facing one another although now they were almost dead centre of a circular area flanked by high stone columns depicted glyphs & Vulcan text. The Captain gestured with his hand all around. "This, is what I am", he said, "this is my culture & it is at the very core of my being", he added as he reached down to grab a handful of dry, reddish sand with his right hand before then allowing it to run through his fingers & back onto the ground. This place was such a contrast to that of the Ensign's choice beforehand but T'Vhor hoped that it would serve it's purpose. "T'Plana-Hath tells us that logic is the very cement of our civilization with which we ascend from chaos, using reason as our guide.", said T'Vhor. "Whether I chose to follow my Betazoid half or my Vulcan half is not the issue here, only the sincerity & the strength with which I follow the path I choose", he added. "If you wish to find the peace that is eluding you at this time, then you must find logic first", said the Captain as he glanced around towards the columns surrounding them. To be honest, it didn't seem as though his student was truly able to grasp this concept so easily at this time, in time however, he hoped that she would be able to do so, if only for the sake of her own sanity. (Reply None) (Posted by Lorna & Alan) ======================================================================= Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 76 Stardate: 2407.06.29 (USS Spectre - Holodeck 2 - Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 10:08) It was a dangerous journey, something that a sane person probably wouldn't have embarked on had all the details been given. They hadn't, of course. The only thing that had been said was that the cruises were free, taking explorers around the jungles of the world, to exciting new places where "the hand of man has never set foot." Despite the fact that this made no sense at all, there were plenty of people traveling into the wild with this exploration company. Jacqueline Bristed was now one of them, in the middle of Africa in a small boat called the "Zambezi Miss" along with thirty other passengers and a frighteningly inconcerned skipper. So far, the group had been threatened by a large Bengal tiger, shot at by gorillas that had taken over the camp, nearly gone under a huge waterfall, seen a bull elephant size them up and warn them off with trumpets and growls, found another group of lost explorers being attacked by a black rhino, and were nearly killed when the skipper foolishly drove the boat into a hippopotamus pool with the assurance that they only charged a boat if they blew bubbles and wiggled their ears. If not for the two warning shots fired from a small six-shot revolver, the two biggest hippos would have torn the Zambezi Miss to bits. It seemed as if the "experienced and knowledgeable skipper" they were supposed to be with was either a complete idiot who had never been in the jungle before, or thought that jokes like this were far funnier than they really were. Despite the wise cracks and puns, it seemed very likely that the former was true. The skipper was a young woman, maybe twenty years old. She wore her long brown hair down, falling past her waist, and seemed to spend a lot of time watching her "crew" rather than where she was going. Her shoes had been black once, but time in the jungle had scuffed and dirtied them to a dull brownish tone matching the rest of her outfit. There were quite a lot of pockets on her person as well, although Jacqueline was fairly sure the skipper wasn't keeping anything in them. And then there was the hat. The hat that didn't quite fit, and looked as though it should probably have been retired with the skipper that wore it before this girl. Overall, Skipper Sio was not someone who inspired confidence in the people she was leading on this expedition. ~You'd think someone with a name that sounds like "CO" would know what she was doing...~ Now that they were safely out of the hippo pool, Jacqueline expected things to get better. Judging by the look on the skipper's face, though, yet another disaster was about to befall them. "Uh, folks, we're headed into headhunter territory. That's a terrible place to be headed," Sio said, abruptly transforming from nervous and lost young woman to confident and sarcastic tour guide. "On the right we've got some local arts and crafts. Art's the one on top. The rest...is the Craft family." Jacqueline groaned along with several other people on the boat. This was becoming painful. They traveled down the river, following a C-curve until they found themselves passing what Jacqueline assumed was the headhunter village. The villagers were celebrating, dancing in circles in full war regalia, covered in paint, feathers, talismans, armor, and bristling with spears and knives. Drums beat, and unintelligible chanting echoed through the jungle. A sense of foreboding fell over the passengers. The skipper, on the other hand, didn't seem perturbed in the least. "Looks like the natives are having some kind of celebration. Lemme see if I can translate. This could be important." The young woman turned to listen, apparently trying to figure out what was being said for the benefit of her guests. The boat was silent, waiting for something to happen. The skipper simply stood there, still listening intently, until finally she shrugged her shoulders and turned back to the group. "Nnnno. In that case, folks, please be on the lookout for any ambushes or other dangerous plants in the area," Sio said. She sped the boat up, coming around yet another bend only to find a war party. This set of dark-skinned natives weren't dancing, but charging the boat with spears raised, yelling at the top of their lungs. Jacqueline could almost swear she heard one call out, "I love disco," but that didn't make any sense. The skipper looked unimpressed. "Just a minute, folks," she said, turning away from her crew and looking at the enraged troop of headhunters. "Excuse me!" she roared. "What did I tell you about this? If you aren't going to throw the spears--" She never finished the sentence. As she was trying to finish what sounded like yet another joke, one of the natives did throw his spear. It tore the hat from the girls head, leaving it hanging by a cord around her neck and hitting her hard in the head with the shaft of the weapon. She yelped in shock and terror, stumbling backwards and nearly landing on the person sitting next to her, opposite Jacqueline. Her eyes crossed, and it seemed as though she was fighting a losing battle against unconsciousness. Just as she began to slump across the boat's control panel, another pair of spears came hurtling through the air, punching through the skipper's left shoulder and somewhere in her middle, throwing her back hard. The look of shock on the girl's face was completely understandable. This was not supposed to have happened. The natives, like everything else on the trip, were supposed to have been audio-animatronics, mechanical props to entertain guests on an amusement park ride. Jacqueline jumped to her feet, ignoring the "remain seated at all times" rule that the skipper had laid down while leaving the dock. This was completely unacceptable! "Computer, freeze program! This is all wrong!" The scene froze in place. Jacqueline was tempted to cancel the whole thing entirely, once she got a look at the staring eyes of the young skipper. It was creepy how she seemed to be looking directly at Jacqueline, blaming her for what had happened. In a way, it was Jacqueline's fault. She planned on fixing it. "Computer, has this program been edited by anyone?" If someone had been messing with her half-finished holo-program, she was going to murder. [Program was last updated by Ensign Jacqueline Bristed.] "What the hell did I do?" Jacqueline demanded. She definitely hadn't said to let the natives kill the skipper, she was sure of that. [Last update included two new skipper characters, added passengers to boats.] "Computer, what is wrong with the attacking natives?" She had been trying to recreate Disneyland as accurately as she could, an old amusement park from Earth. She had been digging up all kinds of things on her spare time, trying to get it just right. In theory, it would a relaxing way to spend a few hours, especially considering the hoards of people that were supposed to frequent the park could be shut off, or never allowed in the first place. But if one of the tamest attractions in the park, the World Famous Jungle Cruise, was killing the employees (they were called cast members, Jacqueline remembered), there was something seriously wrong. [Attacking natives scene functioning properly. Holo recreations of a native African war party, dislike of skipper, primitive weaponry and poor attack strategy.] "They're supposed to be robots like the rest of the c**p!" Jacqueline said. "End program. Jeez, look, I want the natives to be just as automated and safe as the rest of the stuff." The boat, the horrified passengers, the natives, and the staring dead skipper all faded away into the blank walls of the holodeck. Jacqueline couldn't get the image of those staring green eyes out of her head. [Query: Skippers should be automated?] ~Why do I fail so badly at doing these things?~ "No. Skippers are living people, the natives aren't. Trader Sam isn't. The lost safari isn't real either. Is that too much to ask?" Jacqueline sighed heavily. "If any of the elements of the jungle aren't automated, save for ducks and the skippers, they should be. Well, insects and birds, but only sparrows and pigeons and the like. No native tropical birds should be here. Just robots that don't have any kind of mind of their own, just a basic program to make them move when sensors are tripped. Know what, nevermind. I'm gonna fix this myself instead of expecting you to understand. Three months later and it still was glitching up miserably. Jacqueline wondered if she'd ever finish the program and get to enjoy it. And why she was feeling so guilty over inadvertantly getting a holo character killed. She was still trying to find answers as she left the holodeck. (reply any, none) (posted by Siobhan) (USS Spectre - Jeffery's Tube - Crewman Suri Rapeet - 10:19) ~I don't get paid enough.~ Suri thought as she wedged herself into the opening and tried to get her arm in at a somewhat comfortable angle to scan the power lines. ~Engineers figure out the problems while they send us techs to fix them.~ Okay, that probably wasn't fair, Bristed and H'Chir had climbed plenty of Jeffrey tubes in their time, and it was hardly THEIR fault that they were needed on the bridge and in engineering. And it probably wasn't anyone's fault that she'd lost the paper, rock, scissors amongst those small enough to fit into the auxiliary tube. It was also probably no one's fault that no one had foreseen the effects of the nebula on the shielding subsystems. They were leaking energy. ~Could be worse,~ she supposed, ~could be plasma.~ "I've found the leak," she reported to engineering, "Gonna have to reroute this and replace the whole tubing." She waited while engineering and operations worked together and the power disappeared out of the pipes. Unfortunately, she'd been using them as her light source. "Son of a neutered camel." Suri muttered and wiggled her way back out to find her tool kit and a head lamp. At least Ensign Bristed had the foresight to send her up with every possible piece of equipment for any possible problems. Climbing back down and back up again wouldn't have been fun. Though, with the power gone, she would have been sorely tempted to just have it beamed in. Yank out the conduits, yank out arm hair, get her head caught three times, put in conduits, drop her scanner and call it lost for all time because be damned if she was going to try and fish it out. She wasn't that good a contortionist! Who the hell had designed this crawl space anyway? The wizard's munchkins? Everything secured, tightened and tested, she let engineering know that they could turn it back on. The lights whirred on, the conduits filled, and there was the happy noises of power going where power was supposed to be. "Leak fixed?" Suri asked. Crewman Roberts sounded confused "Why can't you scan it?" "Because I dropped my tricorder and I can't reach it." Suri replied through gritted teeth. The Crewman wisely made no observation on her clumsiness and just confirmed that leak was fixed. "Great. Onto the next one." Suri grumbled and turned off her comm badge. At least they'd fixed the problem of the energy surges and pulses that was causing the pinhole leaks. Too bad they couldn't make conduit piping heal itself. (Reply none) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - ACEO Jacqueline Bristed - 11:26) "No." "But-" "No." "I just-" "Therul, no!" "You-" "I got trained to use the thing. I specialized in it. I grew up sticking keeping an old ship together with luck and MacGyvering, and I paid for my planet-hopping by doing the same for other people. I'm a lot more comfortable with me sticking my hand in that thing and fixing it up than letting you anywhere near it." Jacqueline took a gulp of the designer coffee she was holding. If she was going to be stuck doing nothing while Gorlan tried to convince her that he should be allowed to work on the cloaking device, she was going to do it while doing something else to make her happy. Gorlan obviously didn't understand the word "no." "What if something happens to you and we need the cloak? Wouldn't it be better to have a back-up plan? Someone who can step in for you and still save the day the way only engineers can?" Gorlan winked at her in a knowing way, nudging her with his elbow as if they were sharing some kind of conspiratorial secret. ~The most likely thing that'll happen to me will be suicide by airlock if you don't stop bugging me. Or homicide, if it comes to that.~ "I am the damn back-up plan! That thing is H'Chir's baby, just like the rest of the ship!" Inspiration struck her. This might be a way to get rid of Gorlan for a while. "If you want to learn how to keep it running perfectly, go ask him if you can. Not me." Gorlan was struck dumb for a moment, a minor miracle. Slowly a huge, disturbing grin spread across his features. "That's a good point. I knew you'd come up with a way!" Then he struck, leaping upon her and giving her an extremely tight hug. Apart from being completely creepy, the situation was made worse by the fact that Jacqueline was still holding her coffee. Her very hot coffee. Not remembering this, she brought her hands up instinctively to protect herself. The coffee spilled her arm, splashed her face, and coursed down her front. Jacqueline screamed, in as much frustration as pain. "God damn it, Therul!" ~Ow ow ow oh Christ, I gotta get to Sickbay!" Gorlan, ever quick on the uptake, had still not removed himself, although he seemed relatively unharmed. He looked shocked, unsure what to do and only vaguely aware of the fact that he was at fault. "Are you all right?" he asked. "Your face looks a bit...burned." He finally let go, giving Jacqueline the room to push away from him as hard as she could. "I'm going to Sickbay. Don't follow me there, just do your job down here," she barked. The pain was insane. How could a little bit of hot coffee do so much damage? She tapped her combadge to alert the CEO as to what she was doing, but instead of the familiar chirping, all she got was a mechanical buzzing and a fizzling, crackling sound. ~Damn it!~ "Here, you can fix this while I'm gone!" she said, tossing Therul the offending piece of machinery. She then walked as quickly as she could from the room, only allowing herself the luxury of running like a mad thing when she was safely in the corridor and leaping into the turbolift. She then indulged in a tear of pain or two, although it didn't really make her feel any better. "Deck three. Sickbay. Whichever comes first, just get there," she said before the computer could ask for her destination. She decided that she would kill Gorlan if he ever so much as breathed on the cloaking device. (reply any, none) (Posted by Siobhan) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - ACEO Jacqueline Bristed - 11:35) It wasn't as if she was seriously wounded, but she had been burned and scalded and she had needed an excuse--any excuse--to get away from Gorlan Therul. It was becoming very obvious to Jacqueline that the easiest way to win this war once and for all was to get Doenitz and Therul locked in a room together for about an hour. It was a shame nobody higher up in the chain of command thought so. "Yeeearg!" Her uniform tore across the fresh coffee burns as she walked, and she couldn't hold in the yelp of pain. ~I'm gonna kill him.~ (reply any in sickbay) "Uh, just...an accident. With some coffee. That'll teach me to drink it so flaming hot, I guess," she said in an attempt at humor despite her pain. (reply any in sickbay) (Posted by Siobhan) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 11:37) He nodded and ushered her to a bio bed. "Okay lie down." Jacqueline complied readily. Apart from the somatic relief brought on by knowing she was about to be treated, she felt better that Doctor Williams wasn't laughing at a rather stupid mistake. He activated the bio-bed scanners as he waited for them the start he took a hypospraty and filled it with some pain killers. He gave her a reassuring smile. "This is some pain killers. This should help with the pain." "Thanks. Anything that'll help," she said. The hypospray made contact with her skin, sending its blessed relief throughout her body far faster than older methods ever could. "Okay that should kick in fast. You have no lasting damage but I'll run the dermal regenorator over the burns which will help. If that's okay or would you prefer a nurse?" Jacqueline thought about it for a second. Was this Doctor William's subtle way of saying he'd rather not see that much of her, or was he just being considerate of her feelings in the matter. She wasn't that body conscious, so for her it didn't matter if he saw anything...as long as all that was happening involved the dermal regenerator. She decided she didn't care enough to make a fuss over who did the job, just so long as it was done. "No, that's fine. Please, do whatever it is you need to do, just so I can get back to work without screaming every time I take a step." (reply Williams, any) (posted by Siobhan) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 11:42) "No, that's fine. Please, do whatever it is you need to do, just so I can get back to work without screaming every time I take a step." Andrew nodded. “Not a problem.” ~Air way, breathing then the rest~ He picked up the dermal regenerator and activated it. He ran it over the burns on her face. “Okay sorry about this.” (reply Bristed IYW) ~Ow this is not right~ He then unzipped her uniform down to her cleavage and then active the dermal regenerator. He quickly healed the burns on her chest and zipper her top back up. ~glad that’s done~ He then healed the burns on her arms and legs. He put the dermal regenerator down. “How are you feeling? Do you need any more pain killers?” (reply Bristed) (reply Bristed, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Bridge - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 12:59) Continuing to look at his board, Calvin noticed a body walking across his station. It was Ensign Carrow. He looked up from his panel as she spoke to him. "Pardon me sir, you'll find if you focus the beta array on background radiation to triangulate against the gamma system here, you'll get placement of the ship as clear as white against black." Calvin did exactly as the science officer said, and it was true that the gray area got lighter, but helm still would not be able to maneuver close enough to get a good communication or visual lock. "Thanks." Calvin said to the officer. He now wondered exactly why she had moved over to his station. She could have easily made the changes from her board. He sort of got the idea that something was wrong, but then dismissed it. "Nice, can I copy that program some time," Ardena asked. "Of course. This program was designed on the Paladin by an OPS think tank. We worked for months on it. I will send it to you." Calvin then did just that. But he thought again about the feeling on how something was wrong. He couldn't figure it out though. The ensign then left his station to return back to hers. He looked behind him once to watch her walk away. He couldn't figure it out. Nevertheless he returned to his work. The ship was about to make its way to the nearest moon. Getting in the nebula was hard, and so would getting out. (reply Carrow, any) (posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams - 13:05) Andrew was sitting on a stool as he smeared the sickly jell onto Ensign Harris’s leg. He had decided to find out what was in the jell. Harris had been sheepish and avoided the subject. He put a big dollop into his gloved hand and began smearing it onto his leg. “So Mr Harris what is in this stuff?” He looked up and saw Harris redden slightly. ~Oh Ow~ “Tell me now. Mr Harris.” “Well doctor it is made out of algae and bat droppings.” ~Algae and bat droppings, WHAT. Bat poo~ Andrew resisted the urge to wipe his hands on his trousers. The stuff was vile enough he had no idea what would happen to his trouser. He kept his head down so that Harris could not see his facial expression. “Bat poo?” “Yes Doctor that is one of the ingredients.” Andrew saw a motion out the corner of his eye. He looked over to see Douwsy leaning at the nurses station doubled over. He was about to get up and go to her when he realized that she had one hand over her mouth trying not to laugh out loud. ~I’ll get you. Don’t you worry~ He turned his concentration back to Harris. “So where do you get the bat droppings from.” “From bats doctor.” Andrew rolled his eyes mentally. ~Ask a stupid question get a stupid answer~ “No I mean who do you get the bat droppings from.” He finished wiping the last of the jell on Harris’s leg and quickly pulled off his gloves and threw them in the bin. “Ow I get the algae and bat droppings from Ensign Carrow .” ~Ow great~ “Does she know what you use it for?” “Oh yes she was the one who suggested it.” ~Okay its not too bad. She is helping a fellow colleague with a problem~ “Dose she know that I apply the jell.” “Yes Doctor.” Andrew gave a mental grown. ~Ow hell. Now I’m going to be known as the crap doctor. That's bloody marvelous~ He glanced over at Douwsy who was now collapsed in a chair with tears of laughter running down her face. ~Don’t know why you are finding it so funny~ “Does this mean that you won’t be putting on my Jell and bandages doctor?” He picked up a bandage and began to bandage Harris’s foot. ~Hell yes. You think I’m going to put my hands any where near that stuff. Do you think I’m crazy~ He blanked his face and kept his expressions in check as he looked up at Harris. He put on a calm professional smile. He knew that he could not be so narrow minded and it was not like he was wearing the stuff. “Its okay Mr Harris come back tomorrow. I’ll put on your jell and sort out your dressings.” Harris smiled with relief and hopped off the bio-bed and headed for the door. Andrew threw the dirty gloves and equipment into waist bin. He saw the doors shut as Harris left sickbay, as the doors shut the sound of silence was broken with the cries of laughter from Douwsy. “Ow Andrew you should have seen your face. Ow ow my chest hurts don’t make me laugh any more.” Andrew scowled at her as he went to his officer. ~I'll get you for that Douwsy. Just you wait~ (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:24) Chuck was at this moment in the middle of a game of Kaltoh with the ‘eccentric’ Nurse T’Pia Pelletier. Chuck had discovered that she was a somewhat cagey and private person but for some reason had decided that Chuck would make a suitable Kaltoh partner. It was a welcome difference from his other companions aboard the Spectre. T’Pia embraced many Vulcan traditions and in viewing Chuck as a Kaltoh partner the fact that they were of opposite genders played a minimal role in their relationship. It was safe for both of them. This particular game of Kaltoh was going rather poorly for Chuck. He wasn’t playing to win … he was playing for distraction. He had worked on the message fragment project since T’Vhor’s order but had gotten nowhere. Science had attempted to restore the broken file but it was beyond repair. Then they tried to recreate the circumstances of the first scan and were unsuccessful. Now, the Science department had given up and threw the whole thing in Security’s hands. While T’Vhor and Vasilyovna had remained ominously silent as he gave them reports every few days the whole thing was going nowhere. He hadn’t found the spy … or even a clue … and now with the Alacrity virtually parked at their front door Chuck was feeling the pressure. Chuck’s mind was on the last few months rather than his next Kaltoh move when his Commbadge chirped. ~Saved by the chime.~ he thought. =/\= Lieutenant O'Connor to Ensigns, Goldsteen, Donaldson, and Kreung, please report to the Away Team Staging Area on deck three, immediately. =/\= came the voice of the new FO. ~well, here we go.~ Chuck thought. Two security and a Counselor meant one thing … The FO was forming an away team to go onto the Alacrity. Chuck wished very much that he had found the spy. “It looks like our game will be postponed for today.” Said Chuck addressing T’Pia. She smiled and touched a button on the board. The tangled web of pieces disappeared. “You were losing anyway.” T’Pia shot to him. “You’re right …” Chuck paused and considered adding an extra quip but decided to simply go about his work. (reply none, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:26) "Your recommendations Lieutenant?", asked the Captain, prompting his FO now for constructive input. "Sir, We should proceed to a meeting place outside the nebula. The nebula's interference is preventing us from making any substantive progress. If they are really willing to joing the 52nd, then we need to move to a face to face meeting. If it's a trap, they are going to pretend until we leave the nebula anyway. Either way, we should move to the next phase." Michael said seriously. The Captain nodded accordingly. "I want you to assemble an away team Lieutenant, your own choice of officers of course. Once we return to normal space, we will head for the nearby moon of beta Ariani IV & establish orbit. You will transport to the Alacrity once both ships are in orbit, make the necessary arrangements & then report when ready.", said T'Vhor. "Aye Sir," Michael said then stood and headed off the bridge. "Lieutenant O'Connor to Ensigns, Goldsteen, Donaldson, and Kreung, please report to the Away Team Staging Area on deck three, immediately" Michael said after tapping his comm badge. (Reply Goldsteen, Donaldson, Kreung) (Posted by Patrick.D) (USS Spectre - Jynea's Quarters - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 13:28) Jynea was leaning back on her couch, eyes closed, rabbit in her lap as she enjoyed the vague fuzziness of lack of sleep and Scotch. She wasn't quite sure if Mark was being extra snuggly due to the alcohol nullifying her pheromone suppressants or if he was just happy to have a warm lap. Whichever it was, he wasn't telling since he was getting ear rubs and nose pets. =/\= Lieutenant O'Connor to Ensigns, Goldsteen, Donaldson, and Kreung, please report to the Away Team Staging Area on deck three, immediately =/\= Jynea was startled out of her revelry. "Wha?!" She sat up, Mark grunting his displeasure. "Nonono, I can't go on an away team.. Tk'kit.." She thought about it, the security cat hadn't been beating up on her recently, maybe she'd passed her away team certification. Crap. "Well, I can't go because.." Oh yes, that was grand, 'Dear First Officer, your counsellor can't attend you because she's afraid you might try to hump her leg.' She could try and claim she was sick, but then the Doctor would want to examine her and.. oh dear. Jynea sighed, "On my way, sir." She finally replied via comm. Immediately would just have to be AFTER a very quick sonic shower and getting into a uniform. Hopefully she could just stay downwind of the rest of the away team. (Reply None, Any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging Area - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:35) NRPG: Not sure if folks have described the staging area before, so if my description conflicts, just let me know and I can change it. Also, I've looked, but never found the class of the Alacrity, so I'm picking one, if It's been mentioned, again, let me know, and I'll fix it. RPG: Michael walked into the room and looked around, it was similar to the Observation lounge/Conference Room, but slightly smaller, and windowless, instead it had more screens for diagrams and displays. Quickly he pulled up the schematics for the Akira class vessel up on one of the screens and pictures and records of the Captain and first officer up on another two as he waited for his small team to arrive. (Reply Goldsteen, Donaldson, Kreung) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre – Armoury – Corporal Houseman - 13:36) Houseman sat at the table with his Angel MkII rifle placed in front of him. He picked up his cleaning device and activated it. A soft humming noise emitted from it as he began to run it across the inner workings of his rifle. “Corporal Houseman.” Houseman turned and saw the sergeant standing near him. “Sarg.” “The captain’s sent an away team to the USS Alacrity. Their Captain wants to defect. Your squad is tasked for emergency retrieval in case everything goes mental. Get your team tooled up and over to transporter room 4.” “Yes Sarg.” Houseman turned back to his weapon and finished putting it back together. “Alpha Squad report to transporter room 4.” Houseman fitted the power cell into his weapon. He grabbed his combat webbing, jammed a couple of grenades into it and picked up his weapon. ~Okay lets go~ With that he headed for the door to meet the rest of his team. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging Area - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 13:37) Nine minutes to have a shower, get dressed and halfway across the ship. Jynea was vaguely impressed with herself, especially since she couldn't work up a sweat or things would just get even worse. "Sir." She said to the first officer when she came into the staging area. She had to admit, this was a room she never thought she'd see. She wasn't quite sure she'd ever wanted to see it - and she really really didn't want to see it now! She took the seat kitty corner from the door, nearest the intake vent (and here was hoping it went to environmental recyc before going anywhere else!), and farthest away from anyone else. She also had no idea why there were going on an away mission to a possibly hostile ship. The away team kits seemed to include phasors. Jynea hoped being able to run away without firing a shot was included as 'acceptable tactics of self-preservation.' Of course, hopefully the very nice first officer with the nice fitting dress pants and.. Jynea snapped her thoughts back to the matter at hand, hopefully he'd explain why she was here and it involved her going no further! (reply away team, any) (posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging Area - Ensign Alex Goldsteen - 13:38) Alex saluted the first officer once he came into the Staging area, then turned towards Kreung. He was very annoyed to find that Kreung had arrived at the Away Team Staging Area before him. Though to be honest, he was annoyed that Kreung was coming on the away mission at all. ~She is just a liability. I have no doubt that she would be useless in a fight. She is overly naive and optimistic, so she'll be useless with dealing with the rogue captain should he wish to enter some sort of negotiations. And if things go badly and I am forced to use some of my special skills, she will be complaining about the moral ambiguity until I die. If we get into a fight, I will not be the one to save her.~ As was his way Alex kept his emotions of his face, and his entire physical being for that matter. "Counselor" he said tonelessly as a greeting then turned his attention to the records that the first officer had brought up. While Alex had planned on familiarizing himself with the Captain's psyche, circumstances had gotten in the way so he began to quietly submit the information to memory. Information was power, especially when someone could wield it with Alex's skill. (reply away team, any) (posted by Dan Black) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 13:39) The USS Spectre was now heading towards Beta Ariani IV at full impulse having just left the nebula. The Akira class vessel they had traveled here to meet with was now in close formation, directly behind & to port mirroring the 52nd fleet ship in it's course, speed & heading until such time as both had reached the moons apogee. The Captain then made the call. "initiate low polar orbit Mr Rodriguez, inform me the moment the Alacrity has established orbit also", said the Captain. "Aye sir, establishing orbit", said the Helmsman. "Maintain scans for any vessels entering the system Lieutenant", said the Captain. "Comms, hail the USS Alacrity", said the Captain. "Aye sir, opening a channel....... the Alacrity is responding", said the Communications officer. "Captain Talasario, my First Officer Lieutenant O'Conner, together with a security detail will be beaming over shortly to discuss terms of your defection. You will cooperate with all requests made & disclose any information called for by Lieutenant O'Conner", said the Captain in plain, logical manner. "Assuming my First Officer corroborates your claims to defect as legitimate & valid, we will proceed with defection protocol as laid down in Starfleet regulation two twenty nine, subsection four, paragraph D", he added. "I understand Captain", said Talasario, "may I say that I am glad that I have the fortune to be dealing with one of Vulcan heritage in this mission", he added, "I had forgotten the exact passage dealing with such matters, trust a Vulcan to remember it with such precision", said Talasario with a laugh. T'Vhor simply raised an eyebrow, the humour in the Captain's sentiment completely lost on his Vulcan heritage as Talasario continued on. "I will of course cooperate as requested. As for your part of our bargain, you will grant myself, my crew & the crews of four other vessels accompanying me safe passage to the 52nd fleet", added the Alacrity's CO. Captain T'Vhor nodded accordingly & then pressed the Captain for information on the other ships. "The other ships Captain, where exactly are they right now?", he asked. "En route to our location as we speak Captain, a coded subspace message was sent upon our rendezvous, they will be with us in approximately one to two hours. They are the USS Swansea, USS Cathay, USS Wilhelm Steinitz & the USS Bretagne", said Talasario. "All are now pledging allegiance to Admiral LoDona & the 52nd fleet & are hereby relinquishing attachment to Admiral Doenitz & any cause currently followed by him." Again Captain T'Vhor nodded as Talasario made his commitments & then instructed the Helm to follow the Spectre into orbit before closing the channel accordingly. A moment or two passed & then the Tactical Officer announced the Alacrity's insertion in orbit of Beta Ariani IV as per request. Captain T'Vhor accessed the console to his right & then called for an update from his FO. "Lieutenant, the Alacrity is now in orbit of Beta Ariani IV & has signaled transport readiness, inform me the moment you are ready to leave", said the Captain. (Reply O'Conner) "Understood, keep me informed of your progress Lieutenant, T'Vhor out", said the Captain as he resumed normal bridge protocol. (Reply O'Conner, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging Area - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:40) Michael waited until the three other away team members were assembled before he started. Looking around the room he nodded and began. "The four of us will be beaming over to the USS Alacrity as soon as we establish a stable orbit and they transmit their readiness. Once we get there, we will not split up unless absolutely necessary. Technically, as this vessel is defecting to our side, I will have some level of authority over her Captain until they have been vetted and approved, so do not listen to any orders from anyone by myself and Captain T'Vhor. If we need to split up, we will do so in pairs, myself and Goldsteen, and Kreung and Donaldson, but I do not see this happening. Ensign Kreung, you are my eyes and ears to a degree. I'm not a trained counselor, nor can I make the quick calls on someone's demeanor unless it is blatantly obvious. This is where you come in, I need you to keep an eye on the crews general demeanor and mood. If this is a trap, someone will show their cards when they aren't supposed to, however, thus far, we have no reason to believe they are being anything but forthright." Michael said, his Irish brogue coloring his speech slightly more than normal. "Ensigns Goldsteen and Donaldson, first and foremost, you will be responsible for the safety of both myself and Ensign Kreung. While I very much hope you have a boring mission, I will not rule out the possibility that something may crop up. During the mission, as you are able, please do keep your eyes open for anything that may appear...out of the ordinary. If you notice anything, please bring it to my or Ensign Kreung's attention in as discrete a manner as possible," Michael said. "Lastly, I want to stress, that until we have reason to do otherwise, we will treat the Captain and crew of the Alacrity with the respect due their station and rank. It may have taken them a little while, but they are doing the right thing now and we will respect that, which means phasers, while worn, will remain holstered until such time as they are needed, if ever. Now, any questions before we head out?" Michael leaned back in his chair. (Reply Kreung, Goldsteen, Donaldson, plenty of room here for questions and/or comments) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging Area – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:40) Chuck made no attempt to hide his displeasure at losing to T’Pia. He had run it through his mind over and over … where had he gone wrong? He couldn’t even recall the moves of the game, his mind had been too distracted. The mystery of a spy onboard the Spectre weighed heavy on his conscience. He entered the Away Team Staging Area and sat down in the first unoccupied seat he came to. He folded his arms and placed his elbows on the table. He didn’t want to ‘show his hand’ to the others in the room … but it was unavoidable. He put aside the thoughts for a moment and decided that he should focus on matters more immediate. His head began to feel light. He tried to focus on Lieutenant O’Connor but it was useless. He looked around the room. Goldsteen sitting next to him seemed blurry. Chuck’s eyes were starting to hurt. He rubbed his implant furiously. ~What the hell is wrong with me?~ he thought. Then he noticed Jynea. “Oh” he muttered under his breathe. Jynea’s appearance had changed dramatically. To put it mildly she had changed into a more ‘attractive’ version of herself. Chuck began to feel sick as he realized what was happening. ~Orion Pheromones.~ (reply Kreung, O’Connor, Goldsteen, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging Area - Ensign Alex Goldsteen - 13:41) "The four of us will be beaming over to the USS Alacrity as soon as we establish a stable orbit and they transmit their readiness. Once we get there, we will not split up unless absolutely necessary. Technically, as this vessel is defecting to our side, I will have some level of authority over her Captain until they have been vetted and approved, so do not listen to any orders from anyone by myself and Captain T'Vhor. If we need to split up, we will do so in pairs, myself and Goldsteen, and Kreung and Donaldson, but I do not see this happening. Ensign Kreung, you are my eyes and ears to a degree. I'm not a trained counselor, nor can I make the quick calls on someone's demeanor unless it is blatantly obvious. This is where you come in, I need you to keep an eye on the crews general demeanor and mood. If this is a trap, someone will show their cards when they aren't supposed to, however, thus far, we have no reason to believe they are being anything but forthright." ~Well at least I am not stuck with Kreung. Though why O'Connor decided to take Kreung instead of someone who isn't entirely green is beyond my understanding. Unless he was influenced by the Orion phermones, which are beginning to affect even myself, and hopes to get into her bed through some misadventure aboard the Alacrity. Yes, I believe that theory is the most plausible.~ Alex was so engrossed with his thoughts that he barely noticed when they got to the Alacrity. (Reply None, Any) (Posted by Dan Black) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO Williams – 13:41) Andrew walked back into sickbay. He saw Douwsy who was about to start another round of giggles. Before she could start he looked at her. “We have an away team going over to the Alacrity. We need to get ready for any eventuality.” The grin vanished from Douwsy’s face and she was instantly a professional. “Do you want me to call in Marshal and Pelletier?” Andrew thought about it for a moment. “Get one of them in. Just in case we need a hand in a hurry. Give them the heads up as well.” Douwsy nodded and she then started to get sickbay ready for any expected emergency. “Computer what is the status of the EMH?” [EMH is working with in specified parameters] ~Good~ “Douwsy I’ll sort out the theatre.” With that he turned and headed towards the surgical theatre. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging Area - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 13:42) Jynea was trying not to look at Chuck who had his head buried in his arms, though he seemed to pick up once he got a second phasor to play with. She had a vision of every 2D cowboy holo with Chuck as the star firing away in a sideways fall. It seemed quite silly, but stuck there for some reason. She listened to the first officer give directions. She still thought him somewhat insane for including her on this mission, even more for expecting her to be able to notice things he, a trained command officer wouldn't. But she'd try her best. At least he didn't stick her with the hateful Goldsteen who seemed to be sitting and radiating negativity in her general direction. Though, she wasn't sure Chuck was particularly happy at the news at being made her partner. She picked up the phasor dubiously and put on the weapon and utility belt. She'd probably be better off trying to strangle someone with the belt. Hand to hand, she wasn't too bad, phasor? She was lousy. Too bad she couldn't bring a phasor rifle.. it was pretty hard to miss with a phasor rifle. She waited for the room to clear before following the men out, but Chuck caught her attention. "Having difficulty with our pheromones today, counsellor." He grinned slyly. Jynea probably looked as miserable and guilty as she felt, she waited for Goldsteen and the first officer to be out of earshot of even a Caitain's ability to eavesdrop. "I had a really rotten morning and this being my scheduled sleep time decided no harm in having some Scotch." She whispered back. "Which, nullifies the suppressants. I am *really* sorry." "Just don't focus any of those Orion persuasive powers . and I should be fine." He said emphasizing the 'I'. Jynea gave him a weak smile. "And here I was hoping to get you to polish my boots for next inspection." (Reply Chuck) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging Area – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:43) Jynea gave Chuck a weak smile. "And here I was hoping to get you to polish my boots for next inspection." ~It wasn’t your boots I was worried about.~ thought Chuck. He thought it might be fun to say something that might make the Orion blush but she seemed incapable of being embarrassed. ~I guess Orion’s don’t embarrass too easily.~ He smiled widely and moved on towards the transporter room but said nothing. (reply none, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Surgical theatre - CMO Williams – 13:43) Andrew entered the surgical theatre. ~We’ve got time so lets do this properly~ “Computer begin start up and run diagnostic on the surgical theatre.” [processing] He watched as the system powered up and ran its diagnostic program. He then walked over to the anesthetic machine and ran through the checks manually. ~Need to keep my skills up to date. Can’t have the computer doing everything~ He quickly ran the checks on the anesthetic machine and some of the other equipment in the theatre. [Diagnostic complete. Power up complete] When he was happy that everything was in place he powered down the sensor array and the other equipment so that they were on standby. ~No need to waste power when they are not in use~ He went over to a large cabinet that ran along one side of the theatre. Inside were rows and rows of surgical trays each one could be used singly or combined for hundreds of combinations depending on what the operation needed. ~Ah there you are~ He pulled out the emergency tray which would cover most eventualities and placed it on the surgical table beside the operating table. ~Now all we need is a patient and were ready~ With a final glance he headed back to sickbay to find out how the away team were doing. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Away Team Staging Area – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:45) Chuck was still struggling against the mild effects of the Orion counselor’s pheromones (and sulking with his face buried in his folded arms) when he heard the FO plainly address him. "Ensigns Goldsteen and Donaldson, first and foremost, you will be responsible for the safety of both myself and Ensign Kreung …” Began the FO. ~he can’t see I’m already struggling against Jynea’s uncontrolled pheromones and he’s going to put me in charge of her safety. This should be a cakewalk.~ He thought. “…While I very much hope you have a boring mission, I will not rule out the possibility that something may crop up. During the mission, as you are able, please do keep your eyes open for anything that may appear...out of the ordinary …” ~maybe I should tell him how to do his job on the next away mission.~ “… If you notice anything, please bring it to my or Ensign Kreung's attention in as discrete a manner as possible," the FO paused. "Lastly, I want to stress, that until we have reason to do otherwise, we will treat the Captain and crew of the Alacrity with the respect due their station and rank. It may have taken them a little while, but they are doing the right thing now and we will respect that, which means phasers, while worn, will remain holstered until such time as they are needed, if ever. Now, any questions before we head out?" Michael leaned back in his chair. ~Nope, I’m pretty clear on the ‘babysit everybody’ speech.~ thought Chuck sitting up and unfolding his arms. (reply Goldsteen, Kreung, any) He ran his fingers along his waist until he found the holster at his side, which contained his phaser. He half smiled as he removed a phaser and holster from the ‘away kit’ prepared for him and fastened it to the other side of his uniform. ~Move over Jesse James.~ he thought. He eyed Jynea for a moment to gauge her reaction to having to carry a phaser … he had judged her to distaste violence … and his prediction was confirmed by the look on her face. Goldsteen had been sitting beside him and was predictably deadpan. Chuck walked out the door to the staging area and waited for Jynea to move to the doorway. Chuck shot her a friendly smile. “Having difficulty with our pheromones today, counselor.” He grinned slyly. (reply Kreung) “Just don’t focus any of those Orion persuasive powers … and I should be fine.” He said emphasizing the ‘I’. (reply Kreung, Goldsteen, O’Connor, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge – Security Officer Smith - 13:46) Jo entered the bridge at the beginning of her shift and saw T’Vhor in command. ~Looks like we are having fun today~ "Understood, keep me informed of your progress Lieutenant, T'Vhor out", She quickly moved over to the tactical station and nodded to the duty tactical officer. She got a quick hand over from the tactical officer and felt a slight rush of excitement as she took her station. She had been on the bridge shift many times since the captain had accepted her position in security. She felt that she now belonged there rather then just a bystander. She logged into the tactical console and scanned the data. The Alacrity was in a close orbit. She kept a close eye on the scans. She checked on the readiness of the spectre’s weapons and nodded to herself in approval of their status. The officer on the last shift had brought the weapons to emergency stand by so with a touch of a button every offensive and defensive weapon system would be ready. ~Looks like we are ready for bear~ She looked up & concentrated on the view screen while keeping and eye and ear out for any instructions T’Vhor might give. She saw out the corner off her eye that Vasilyovna had entered the bridge and was heading towards her. ~Looks like I'm second fiddle~ She relinquished her console to Vasilyovna and took up station at the tactical auxiliary console. (Reply Any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Transporter room 1 – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:48) Chuck stepped onto the transporter platform and took the position farthest to the rear. He figured the FO would take the front position and it’d be a simple matter to knock him out of the way should there be an assassination attempt. Plus … it would hopefully put him a fair distance away from the Orion counselor … it was a big plus. Chuck let escape a slight puff of air as he muffled a giggle when Jynea and O’Connor took positions near one another. ~He’s probably noticing it by now.~ The female Warrant Officer looked up and nodded at the FO, "Energizing on my mark...Three...Two... One...Mark" Chuck braced himself. His implant always seemed to grow uncomfortable immediately after a transport. Lifting his elbows he rested his hands on his phasers as the transporter beam engulfed the team. (reply any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Transporter room 1 - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:49) =/\=Lieutenant, the Alacrity is now in orbit of Beta Ariani IV & has signaled transport readiness, inform me the moment you are ready to leave=/\=, said the Captain. Michael tapped his comm badge and picked up his case. Being an Ops officer had it's uses as a First officer, as he could pull double duty when necessary. "Sir, we're ready to go now," Michael said, nodding to his team to take their places on the pad. =/\=Understood, keep me informed of your progress Lieutenant, T'Vhor out=/\= "Aye Sir," Michael said then cut his side of the line. "Warrant Officer, Signal the Alacrity and energize when ready." Michael said taking a deep breath to steady himself. looking to his left he smiled at the significantly shorter Morale Officer. He wondered why he hadn't noticed just how pretty she was before now, then quickly bit his tongue. ~~She's Orion and obviously nervous, so get a grip on yourself right now~~ He yelled in his head. the sharp pain, while it wouldn't affect his speech gave him some clarity to keep his thoughts in check. The Warrant Officer looked up and nodded, "Energizing on my mark...Three...Two... One...Mark" The woman said an instant before that familiar sensation took hold. (Reply None) (Posted by Patrick.D) (USS Spectre - Transporter room 1 - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 13:50) Jynea wished she was pretty much anywhere but standing close to three men. At least the spiteful Goldsteen seemed immune to her scent. She wished more humanoids were! She wondered if requesting an anti-histamine boost to the away team was out of line.. After all, should her embarrassment outweigh the clearheadness of the away team? Oh, she was probably being stupid, the men were professionals and hopefully forgiving. Besides, when she started to think she should just about speak up anyway, the First officer ordered their transport. (Reply None) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Alacrity - Transporter Room 1 - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:52) Michael appeared on a similar looking transporter pad, in a similar looking room, but with a vastly different view. Nodding to the Lieutenant Commander standing before him. "Permission for my team and I to come aboard, Commander?" Michael asked. He was going to do his best to keep this as professional as he could. "Granted Lieutenant," The man said, his tone somewhat sour. He couldn't imagine the Captain or any of the crew were very happy about being inspected and doubted like they were. "Commander, I'm sorry for the formality, but it must be done," Michael said, giving the man a sympathetic look. "I am here under the authority granted me in starfleet code two twenty nine, subsection four, paragraphs B and C, concerning enemy vessels defecting during a time of declared war. I need to see Captain Talasario immediately to validate and verify his intention," he said reading from his PADD to make sure he got everything right. "Again, Commander, I'm sorry I need to do this, it's not making your choice any easier to bear. Trust me, I know what it's like to be doubted, and I wouldn't be any happier were I in your position." Michael wasn't sure it was going to do any good what so ever, but he'd show what sympathy he had for the man, and hope it would at least buy him a little credit. Quickly they turned and exited heading for the Bridge, keeping Ensign Kreung close by his side as much in case she noticed anything, as to keep her nervousness under watch. (Reply Goldsteen, Kreung, Donaldson) (Posted by Patrick.D) (USS Alacrity - Transporter Room 1 – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:52) The transporter room aboard the Alacrity was unremarkable. Chuck didn’t waste time on the architecture (or lack thereof) … he made certain the Alacrity personnel in the room weren’t aggressive. Chuck leaned slightly to get a better view around the FO. "Permission for my team and I to come aboard, Commander?" O’Connor asked. Chuck could see the full figure of the man Michael was addressing but couldn’t make out his rank. "Granted Lieutenant," The man said, his tone somewhat sour. ~Hopefully we won’t be having to deal with this guy much … clear shot, too.~ said Chuck frowning in response to the man’s sour tone. "Commander, I'm sorry for the formality, but it must be done, I am here under the authority granted me in starfleet code two twenty nine, subsection four, paragraphs B and C, concerning enemy vessels defecting during a time of declared war. I need to see Captain Talasario immediately to validate and verify his intention," the FO said reading from a PADD. "Again, Commander, I'm sorry I need to do this, it's not making your choice any easier to bear. Trust me, I know what it's like to be doubted, and I wouldn't be any happier were I in your position." ~Prone to long speeches … this new FO is a real ‘by-the-book’er.~ thought Chuck still frowning. The group seemed to be heading for the door so Chuck took the opportunity to ‘catch up’ to the FO. Careful not to look suspicious to the Alacrity welcoming committee. “So far so good” he mouthed to O’Connor as he passed. (reply O’Connor, any) (Reply Goldsteen, Kreung, O’Connor) (posted by Anton) (USS Alacrity - Transporter Room 1 - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 13:54) The Alacrity crew didn't look very happy, but she couldn't really blame them. They were hanging their butts over the fire and hoping they'd get saved rather than pushed in. She listened to O'Conner recite off the rules and regulations of the upcoming festivities, admiring the Irish lilt more than the words. ~Oh yeah, note to self, throw out Scotch bottle.~ Formalities attended to, the Lieutenant led them out. She was a bit surprised how close he stood to her, even if he was breathing as facing away as he could be without being blatant. ~Oh goodie, dangerous diplomatic mission and I'm distracting the leader of the team. This should cause interesting reading on my file.~ She also wished for a moment she was a Betazoid so she could say "Nothing unusual" privately. She knew the sign marines and security officers made for 'all clear' but chances were, the officers of the Alacrity did too. Somehow, standing up on her tiptoes to whisper in O'Conner's ear just didn't seem like a good idea.. pheromones or not! (Reply None) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Alacrity - Observation Lounge - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 14:00) Michael followed the Commander into the Observation lounge coming face to face with the Captain. Michael nodded to the man, and put his case down on the table. "Captain, I'm sure you know why I'm here, and the procedures involved. Before we go over your computer systems, is there anything you need me to know, sir?" Michael asked, as much respect as he could manage in his voice. (Reply Kreung, Goldsteen, Donaldson, Talasario) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Alacrity - Observation Lounge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 14:00) Chuck had volunteered to take up the rear. Goldsteen seemed to be equally keen on the kind of ‘leapfrog’ maneuvering that was necessary in the situation. Chuck wondered if the resolute Goldsteen would snap and start shooting people. How would it look on Chuck’s record ‘protected Doenitz defectors against postal Starfleet Ensign’. All that mattered was protecting the FO and the Counselor. He wouldn’t cover Goldsteen and didn’t expect any protection from that quarter. Security protocol emphasized holding a perimeter … not protecting each other. It seemed a cold and unfeeling attitude at first but it had a certain undeniable logic to it. “Captain, I'm sure you know why I'm here, and the procedures involved. Before we go over your computer systems, is there anything you need me to know, sir?" the FO addressed the Captain of the Alacrity, Talasario. (reply Kreung, Goldsteen, Talasario) (posted by Anton) (USS Alacrity - Observation Lounge - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 14:00) She listened to the officers fence before she was addressed directly. "And you girly, your obviously here to....'read' me accordingly", he added emphasizing the word read as he spoke, "so tell me Ensign, what do you see?" Jynea smiled, more amused than anything else. "How do you know I'm not a doctor, here to give you emergency treatment when you don't show appropriate respect to the officers of FO O'Conner's away team?" Seeing that the Captain of the Alacrity wasn't going to take her seriously no matter what she said or did she just folded her hands in her lap and continued to observe. The man certainly seemed full of himself. She barely managed not to wince when Chuck decided to wander off on his own, though she only registered the first officer's reaction because she was sitting beside him. Unhappy man that one of his security officers had wandered off and he couldn't really do anything about it at this point. At least the other one hadn't decided he was bored and opened fire for no apparent reason yet! Goldsteen seemed as unlikely a choice for a diplomatic mission as she herself was. While the Captain of the Alacrity was distracted with watching Chuck go out and his own first officer, Jynea said barely above a breath of sound, "Opportunistic. Sees himself as a canny alpha wolf." Maybe they should have gotten sub-vocalizers. Things to think of next time, for sure. Hopefully O'Conner wasn't as inexperienced as she was! No matter what Talasario thought of himself, Jynea thought of him as a used shuttle salesmen. (Reply any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Alacrity - Observation Lounge - Captain JT Talasario - 14:01) To say that the Captain had been a tad nervous had been an understatement, he knew of course that blatant scrutiny would be the order of the moment in regards their intentions now, but it didn't make this any easier. It seemed strange in fact that as the Spectre Officers arrived with his own immediate subordinate, the First Officer, what was his name...O'Conner? had seemed equally ill at ease at being there. It was to be expected of course though, until this day they had been considered enemy's sworn to one another's defeat, & now here they were quite amicably in the same room together. "Captain, I'm sure you know why I'm here, and the procedures involved. Before we go over your computer systems, is there anything you need me to know, sir?", asked the swarthy looking FO. Talasario grimaced slightly at the question, regardless of the fact that they had agreed to divulge their secured database files to the command crew of this other ship, he hadn't actually anticipated how he would react when their actual disassembly came to be mentioned. The man ground his teeth as he contemplated this, then he bade the Officers to take a seat around the table. "Nothing you don't already know Lieutenant, most of the facts were discussed with your Captain & 52nd fleet command", said Talasario folding his arms in front of him as he spoke, a sure sign of the certain degree of distrust that now existed in the room. "Let's just get this done", he added. (Reply O'Conner, Any) "I will need some reassurance that certain members of my crew not in agreeance with what we are about to initiate, will be given the means to return to a place of neutrality, in which a likewise neutral Starbase is within travel distance", said Talasario. (Reply O'Conner, Any) "My entire command team & most of the officers on board are committed to the terms of our defection, as are those of the accompanying vessels due to arrive soon", said the Captain as he briefly unfolded his arms & then placed his hands palm down onto the table before him. (Reply O'Conner, IYW) The Captain then stood from his chair to walk over to the viewing ports. He stopped to look down onto the moon they were now orbiting & then regardingly to the Spectre now sitting in orbit with them. "I only ever saw two Spectre class vessels before", said Talasario, seemingly reminiscing now to past times, "is she still fitted with the phased cloak?", he asked turning to face the Spectre's First Officer. (Reply O'Conner, Any) Talasario nodded contemplatively, his lips pursing in response. "Pressman swore he'd have it operational sooner or later", said the Captain, "looks like he managed it in spades uh", he added as he returned to the table & then accessed the PADD that lay before him, without actually retaking his seat. "So the 52nd is massing at the MDP?", said the Captain with a furtive smile. It had been a statement even though it had been posed as a question, but it was quite clear that the FO was somewhat perplexed by the fact that Talasario even knew that, after all a good portion of the 52nd didn't even know the full details of the forthcoming deployment, so how come he did? (Reply O'Conner, Any) "Does it matter Lieutenant", said the Captain rhetorically, "we will both be fighting on the same side soon enough, the contents of our database will no doubt levy the playing field a little also", he added as he then retook his seat. "You may as well signal your Captain now", said Talasario. (Reply O'Conner) "Come now Lieutenant O'Conner, you know as well as I that your orders are to assess our intent & then report it's legitimacy, so you may as well do so", said the Captain relaxing back into his chair now & smiling to the FO & then the Morale Officer nearby. "And you girly, your obviously here to....'read' me accordingly", he added emphasizing the word read as he spoke, "so tell me Ensign, what do you see?" (Reply Kreung) The Captain snorted outwards in a kind of silent, unmanifested laugh, then he looked to his own officer nearby. "Return to the bridge Lieutenant Commander, prepare for database retrieval & transfer to the Spectre at once", he ordered, "and get an update on our guests arrival while your at it", he added somewhat casually now. "Aye sir", said the Lieutenant Commander as he nodded to his Captain & then to each of the Spectre Officers before finally leaving the room. Talasario shook his head as he watched him depart. "Model Officer, perhaps a tad over efficient at times but model nonetheless", said the Captain, "he'll make a fine Captain himself some day, once he learns to bend a rule or two" (Reply O'Conner, Kreung, Goldsteen, Donaldson, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Alacrity - Observation Lounge - Ensign Alex Goldsteen - 14:02) "I will need some reassurance that certain members of my crew not in agreeance with what we are about to initiate, will be given the means to return to a place of neutrality, in which a likewise neutral Starbase is within travel distance", said Talasario. This caught Alex's attention who thoroughly disagreed with the idea that such assurance should be given. ~If they do not agree with said actions, then they remain our enemies. Thus we have every reason to imprison them. But of course, the powers that be will choose to do the moral yet idiotic thing to do.~ "I only ever saw two Spectre class vessels before", said Talasario, seemingly reminiscing now to past times, "is she still fitted with the phased cloak?", he asked turning to face the Spectre's First Officer. ~And why in the world would you need to know that?~ Alex maintained his outward expressionless demeanor, but inwardly he was praying that O'Connor didn't tell him. His muscles also tensed ready to move in an instant. The Captain's following statements did nothing to appease Alex's concerns, in fact it increased them. Alex couldn't say anything at the moment, but he noticeably frowned. Hopefully, at least Kreung knew that such an open expression was so unusual that he was trying to convey extreme suspicion and would pass the information onto O'Connor. (reply any, none) (posted by Dan Black) (USS Alacrity - Observation Lounge - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 14:03) "Nothing you don't already know Lieutenant, most of the facts were discussed with your Captain & 52nd fleet command", said Talasario folding his arms in front of him as he spoke, a sure sign of the certain degree of distrust that now existed in the room. "Let's just get this done", he added. "All right then, I assume you have some demands, lets get them out of the way before we go any further." Michael said looking at the man. "I will need some reassurance that certain members of my crew not in agreeance with what we are about to initiate, will be given the means to return to a place of neutrality, in which a likewise neutral Starbase is within travel distance", said Talasario. "I can't promise that at all, and you know it, Captain. Any person's leaving this vessel will have valuable information that could hinder our efforts to restore the Federation. And I'm relatively sure you're aware that the closest thing to a neutral party around here is the Romulan Empire, they don't care which side looses. The only thing I can promise is that I'll pass along your request to Captain T'Vhor, but I can't honestly believe that you think the 52nd fleet is going to risk letting people run back to Doenitz who have actionable intelligence." Michael said crossing his arms over his chest. "Just how much of your ship is actually supporting you in your defection?" "My entire command team & most of the officers on board are committed to the terms of our defection, as are those of the accompanying vessels due to arrive soon", said the Captain as he briefly unfolded his arms & then placed his hands palm down onto the table before him. The Captain then stood from his chair to walk over to the viewing ports. He stopped to look down onto the moon they were now orbiting & then regardingly to the Spectre now sitting in orbit with them. "I only ever saw two Spectre class vessels before", said Talasario, seemingly reminiscing now to past times, "is she still fitted with the phased cloak?", he asked turning to face the Spectre's First Officer. "I can't confirm that, you haven't been cleared to recieve a single ounce of intelligence." Michael said, the Captain was getting on his nerves. Did he actually think that just because he had decided to change sides he was going to be treated as a trusted source from the get go. "The only person in the sector at the moment who could read you into a classified document would be Captain T'Vhor, assuming a document even existed." Michael said. He also knew that the Captain knew the Spectre's capability's full well, and at the minimum was just going to assume that the Spectre had a phase cloak. Talasario nodded contemplatively, his lips pursing in response. "Pressman swore he'd have it operational sooner or later", said the Captain, "looks like he managed it in spades uh", he added as he returned to the table & then accessed the PADD that lay before him, without actually retaking his seat. "So the 52nd is massing at the MDP?", said the Captain with a furtive smile. "Where did you recieve that piece of fiction from, Captain?" "Does it matter Lieutenant", said the Captain rhetorically, "we will both be fighting on the same side soon enough, the contents of our database will no doubt levy the playing field a little also", he added as he then retook his seat. "You may as well signal your Captain now", said Talasario. "Captain Talasario, I haven't even been here for half an hour, there's no need for me to report back to the Captain yet." Michael said. "Come now Lieutenant O'Conner, you know as well as I that your orders are to assess our intent & then report it's legitimacy, so you may as well do so", said the Captain relaxing back into his chair now & smiling to the FO & then the Morale Officer nearby. "And you girly, your obviously here to....'read' me accordingly", he added emphasizing the word read as he spoke, "so tell me Ensign, what do you see?" "How do you know I'm not a doctor, here to give you emergency treatment when you don't show appropriate respect to the officers of FO O'Conner's away team?" While the Captain of the Alacrity was distracted with watching Chuck go out and his own first officer, Jynea said barely above a breath of sound, "Opportunistic. Sees himself as a canny alpha wolf." The Captain snorted outwards in a kind of silent, unmanifested laugh, then he looked to his own officer nearby. "Return to the bridge Lieutenant Commander, prepare for database retrieval & transfer to the Spectre at once", he ordered, "and get an update on our guests arrival while your at it", he added somewhat casually now. Michael listened to the Counselor, what she said just confirmed his suspicions, Talasario wanted to feel in control, wanted to prove that he was doing them all a favor and all Michael was there for was a rubber stamp. And now Michael had to deal with Donaldson in some manner. First things, first however. "Captain, I'm here to ensure that you are being honest and forthright with us. When *I* make that decision, I will inform my captain, not when you tell me to. As for the transfer of your database, I will handle that myself, not any member of your crew, no matter how much *you* trust them. Captain, you may not care about why this is happening this way, but we all do. I'm sorry your pride is being wounded by all of this, but it's necessary. Maybe I do trust you, maybe I think you're just trying to defend what dominance on your ship you have left with your flippant attitude, and your snide comments to my fellow officer," Michael said indicating Jynea. "We are at War captain, and up until 5 minutes ago, we were fighting on opposite sides of the line. This isn't some little skirmish, or a pissing contest between two rivals. Maybe it started out that way, but Doenitz took it to a whole new level when he committed mass Genocide. So forgive me if I want to make sure that you're being honest with me before I tell my Captain that he can trust you and your crew with any piece of information that might cost us this war." Michael said, his voice calm, and cold. "Now if you'll excuse me, Sir, I have what I need here. My team and I have other things we need to do, before I can signal my Captain with anything more than a progress report." Michael said and nodded to Jynea and Goldsteen as he picked up his case and walked out of the room. (Reply None, Any) (Posted by Patrick.D) (USS Alacrity - Observation Lounge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 14:05) "Nothing you don't already know Lieutenant, most of the facts were discussed with your Captain & 52nd fleet command", said Talasario folding his arms in front of him, “Let's just get this done." ~This guy looks like he’s due to have kittens any second.~ Thought Chuck. Instead of waiting for further conversation Chuck slipped out the door and leaned against a bulkhead outside of the Observation Lounge. He held the silver case he had been assigned and contemplated opening it. He knew inside he would find a tricorder he could use to scan the surrounding vessel … as well as access the Alacrity’s computer, thanks to the access codes the Alacrity had provided. “Well, things seem well enough in there … they can chatter mindlessly … there’s work to be done.” He said to himself getting down on one knee and laying the case down on the floor. He unlatched the twin latches and opening the case carefully removed a tactical tricorder. Despite looking generally awkward he began to scan around the frame of the door. Sensing that more than a few pairs of eyes might be watching this awkward activity Chuck decided to begin checking the tactical specifications of the Alacrity. The FO might consider it a breach in protocol, given that such had not been the direct orders. However, as the ranking tactical officer on the mission it was a kind of duty … one which Chuck took seriously. Chuck moved to a computer system station and scanned it with the tricorder. The access codes had been plugged directly into the tricorder and the computer station automatically responded to the commands. Chuck sat the tricorder on top of the interface and pushing a few analog command keys he smiled. “So far so good” he said to himself. (reply any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Surgical theatre - CMO Williams – 14:05) Andrew entered the surgical theatre. ~Okay I have some time lets see if the fingers still have the feel~ "Computer activate holo training program beta gamma five." [program avticated] On the operating table a patient appeared. [Specify difficulty] Andrew thought for a moment. "A laparotomy randomise the operation." The computer beeped. "Okay doctor lets go." Andrew walked over to the operating table. He looked at the patients exposed abdomen where the surgery was going to take place. He could see that the abdomen was extended and raised. ~Hmm this could get messy~ He picked up a laser scalpel and placed his hands through the sterilisation field. He thumbed the activation stud and placed the scalpel above the belly button and began with a mid line incision. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Alacrity - Bridge then Corridor - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 14:15) Michael walked out onto the Bridge from the conference room and saw Donaldson standing at the tactical console. Walking by him, the rest of his team in tow, he looked at the man and said in as conversational a tone of voice as he could. "With me, Ensign, and bring the equipment." He continued to walk, either the Ensign would follow or he wouldn't either way he couldn't have an argument with him in the middle of the Alacrity's bridge. If he didn't follow, Michael would have to remove him from the team. NRPG: Going to assume Donaldson follows the rest of the team, if not I'll repost. Anton, I also want you to know that the following is completely IG, Michael's not used to having people disobey orders. RPG: When they got to the Corridor outside the bridge they stopped. Looking around to ensure it was empty Michael took out his own tricorder and proceeded to Jam and computer recordings of the following conversation. "Ensign Donaldson, when I said that no one was to go off on their own, did I not make my self clear?" Michael asked. "What would have happened, if we had been attacked in there, what would have happened if you had been attacked on the bridge?" Michael said, his voice low to keep from being overheard, but in no way friendly. "Lets not even go into the fact that you ignored protocol and could have easily made a delicate situation even worse. From now on, if you want to go wandering off, ask first." Michael said, before tapping his comm badge. "Lieutenant O'Connor to the Spectre," Michael said. (Reply Spectre/T'Vhor) "Captain, In my opinion Captain Talasario is being honest with us. However I do advise some level of caution. He's showing some signs of trying to hold onto what power he has, whether it is simply due to us putting him under a microscope or if he's under some level of pressure from dissenting members of his own crew, I do not know. He has made mention that he wants to put members of his crew that do not agree with his actions off the ship and let them make their way to a neutral starbase, I told him that would be your call, but I'd rather confine them to quarters or the brig. He says his command team and most of his officers are committed to defecting to our side." Michael said. (Reply T'Vhor) Michael looked at his team, "Do any of you have any other insights for the Captain," Michael asked, looking specifically at the Morale Officer. (Reply Kreung, Goldsteen, Donaldson, T'Vhor, Talasario iyw) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Alacrity - Bridge then Corridor – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 14:15) "With me, Ensign, and bring the equipment." Said Lieutenant O’Connor. ~Is there a stick up your butt … or are you not happy to see me.~ Chuck didn’t show the lack of appreciation he felt. He stopped looking over the Tactical Review of the Alacrity and grabbing the tricorder off the console he leaned down and put it inside the silver case. He picked up the whole case and followed as close as he could to the rest of the team. ~He’s going to lecture me on ‘by the book’ … that’s what I get for trying to be over-efficient.~ As Chuck entered the corridor just outside the bridge area O’Connor began his ‘lecture’. "Ensign Donaldson, when I said that no one was to go off on their own, did I not make my self clear? What would have happened, if we had been attacked in there, what would have happened if you had been attacked on the bridge?" Michael said, his voice low to keep from being overheard, but in no way friendly. "Lets not even go into the fact that you ignored protocol and could have easily made a delicate situation even worse. From now on, if you want to go wandering off, ask first." Michael said, before tapping his Commbadge. ~Thank you for being so efficient, Chuck. It was a stroke of genius to check the Alacrity’s computer, Chuck. Nice Job, Chuck … any of those would’ve been fine. He’s probably not finished but at least I get a reprieve~ (reply none, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Alacrity - Bridge then Corridor - Ensign Alex Goldsteen - 14:16) Michael looked at his team, "Do any of you have any other insights for the Captain," Michael asked, looking specifically at the Morale Officer. "Yes actually," Alex said despite the fact that O'Connor was obviously expecting an answer from Kreung. "It seems to me that both the captain and a part of his crew have suddenly become extraordinarily stupid. Even ignoring the fact that the captain tried to become intimate with various classified information, he could not have truly believed we would likely let the dissenting members go, and the same goes for the dissenting members who believed they would be released. Fact is, anyone with the brain required to get admission to the academy would not have believed we would let them go. Yet far from causing trouble and attempting to hinder the defection, or if they had the captain made no mention of it, they go alone quietly. I am not quite sure what this means, but it worries me. If there is something going on, I guarantee that I'll figure it out if I am able to question some of the dissenting members. (reply T'Vhor Kreung, Goldsteen, Donaldson, O'Connor) (posted by Dan Black) (USS Alacrity - Bridge then Corridor - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 14:17) Jynea had her mouth open when Goldsteen cut her off, she closed it as he said what *she* considered the obvious, but then, he might be right about the interrogator knowing "counsellor tricks." His last suggestion, however, got a raised eyebrow out of her. "I don't think we have the tools, time or requirements for you to torture the supposed truth out of our future allies." Jynea said. It was not her place to say it, but.. Well, the first officer hadn't seen the cat-licking-the-cream pleasure Goldsteen had in his 'interrogation' in the holodeck. The man was sick and shouldn't even be serving in Starfleet. How he'd made it past the psych evals and intake testing was beyond her. She'd think he'd be happier as a backwater prison guard somewhere would he could commit his sadistic little experimentations on live victims who had no chance of escape or route of protest. All in the name of truth, justice and the Federation way, of course. It seemed that Goldsteen viewed the universe around him as himself, potential traitors and traitors and once you moved from the second to the third you were no longer a person with rights. Hellfires, no longer a person. Jynea was not afraid to admit the callousness and eagerness at forcing himself on others scared Jynea. The man was a psychopath. As Goldsteen opened his mouth to respond, Jynea did what he'd done to her and cut him off, "As far as it goes, Sir, we can trust them. They're following the lead of their Captain. Without listening to crew individually, none of us can make an informed decision, but its my thought that Captain Talasario is an opportunistic soul who has himself convinced he's acting for the best of his ship and crew. He thinks the 52nd has the best chance of winning so he's throwing in his dice, but he expects us to kowtow to him and kiss his boots for the pleasure. It's my thought he sees himself Commodore of this fleet and will buck any and all attempts above that." Jynea shook her head, trying to clear distracting thoughts and hormones, "I think he's disillusioned with Starfleet, was once a good officer and Captain, but at some point became jaded and turned a blind eye to all the things that were wrong. I think with time and opportunity his conscience and good soul will return. He's a warrior, a leader and an asset. We'll just have to try and negotiate ego and pride." (reply T'Vhor, O'Conner, Goldsteen, Donaldson, O'Connor) (posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 14:18) =/\=Captain, In my opinion Captain Talasario is being honest with us. However I do advise some level of caution.......=/\= The Lieutenants first report since his arrival on the Alacrity had been as informative as it was definitive, it seemed that their travail here had not been in vain after all. O'Conner had gone on though to raise some questions over Talasario's exact reasoning & such but his general claims of defection seemed to meet with the FO's approval, albeit with some concerns. The Captain's request for safe transport for those crewmen preferring not to cross over for example. The First Officer had been reluctant to agree to those terms & quite rightly so, but nevertheless, something was bothering the Captain in regards this. Under ordinary conditions, it was the norm to place all those crew not wishing to defect under house arrest & then confine them to quarters as per prisoner of war regulations. This however was not an ordinary situation. All of the ships now crossing over were due to join the Spectre in a sustained, final onslaught against Admiral Doenitz's forces & to expect a good portion of crew still loyal to Doenitz to come along & partake in a fight against their own, seemed somewhat unrealistic. Being confined to quarters of course would remove them from the situation to a degree, but it would also mean that those crew not willing to turn, might still pose a problem if they were to break out of detention during the upcoming battle & wreak havok. Ships systems could fail during damage sustained & doors could then open. An attack from within during a combat situation was unthinkable of course & herein lay the crux of the problem. It was a difficult call. The Captain however, as always, resorted to logic. "Inform the Captain that his terms are open to negotiation, assuming certain criteria are met of course", said the Captain. (Reply O'Conner) "Only the lower ranks will be considered in any negotiated terms, any officer opposing defection will be confined to the brigs of their relevant vessels", said the Captain. (Reply O'Conner) "I understand your position Lieutenant & you are correct of course, but these are not normal circumstances", said the Captain, "those not wishing to defect are almost entirely within the lower ranks & as such are not privy to command information", said the Captain. "I see no tactical supplication in allowing them to return to a neutral point, perhaps within a weeks distance from the nearest Starbase", said the Captain, "on the contrary, to have them remain on ships that are going into battle is illogical", he added. (Reply O'Conner) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Alacrity - Corridoor outside bridge - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 14:18) =/\=Inform the Captain that his terms are open to negotiation, assuming certain criteria are met of course=/\=, said the Captain. "And those criteria are, Sir?" Michael asked =/\=Only the lower ranks will be considered in any negotiated terms, any officer opposing defection will be confined to the brigs of their relevant vessels=/\=, said the Captain. "I don't like letting anyone go at this stage sir, it allows for the possibility of an information leek." Michael said, knowing that it was his job to voice his opinion, even if he didn't like publicly disagreeing with his CO. =/\=I understand your position Lieutenant & you are correct of course, but these are not normal circumstances=/\=, said the Captain, =/\=those not wishing to defect are almost entirely within the lower ranks & as such are not privy to command information=/\=, said the Captain. =/\=I see no tactical supplication in allowing them to return to a neutral point, perhaps within a weeks distance from the nearest Starbase=/\=, said the Captain, =/\=on the contrary, to have them remain on ships that are going into battle is illogical=/\=, he added. Michael thought for a moment then nodded, "Will do Captain, I'll start the database transfer as soon as I can get the equipment set up. O'Connor Out," Michael said then turned to his team. After asking if there was any other input from his team, he watched what he could only describe as the squabbling of the Ensigns. Goldsteen wanted to interrogate anyone who wasn't on their side, and from Kreungs response, she seemed to think 'interrogate' was a mild word for what Goldsteen had in mind. ~~I think I missed something,~~ Michael thought as he waited for the Morale Officer to finish her recommendations, and analysis, which seemed relatively well thought out. Goldsteen seemed derogatory towards Captain Talasario, and Michael wondered how he'd react now that he knew that the Captain and Michael agreed to let the dissenting faction go their own way. "Enough," Michael said quietly, "Ensign Kreung, please keep any editorializing for more appropriate places or times. However I agree with you, about the Captain's motives. He's an old dog, who is desperate to hold onto his bone, nothing more. He was doing his best to show me up and put himself in a position of dominance. As for any interrogations, that won't be happening. We will go with what Captain T'Vhor recommended, any enlisted or Non-Coms not in support of the defection will be put to our wake in a shuttle, same will go for every other defecting ship. Officers will be kept in the brig, and will be interviewed if necessary by their own captain, or his or her designate. As far as Talasario's interest in classified material, the fact that the Spectre is equipped with a phase cloak is simply unconfirmed fact, his knowledge of the battle plans means only that Doenitz is able to read fleet movements as well as we can. We were going to have to take Earth at some point, and now is simply the tactically best time to do so." Michael said leaning back against the wall, his voice remaining calm and quiet through the entire little speech. He was beginning to wonder if his team was going to implode before he could finish off the rest of the mission. He had one member disobeying orders, and the other two apparently had some history, whether Kreung's belief that Goldsteen might be a little too over zealous was based in fact or not, Michael had no idea, but his actions and tone of voice had made Michael at least wary. "Any Questions before we move on?" Michael asked standing back up straight and crossing his arms over his chest. (Reply Goldsteen, Kreung, Donaldson, I'm moving on, but leaving room for more dialogue if folks want) (Posted by Patrick.D) (USS Alacrity - Bridge then Corridor – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 14:20) NRPG: this is just after Michael asks for more questions. RPG: Chuck was reluctant to speak but couldn’t hold his tongue any longer. “well … if my opinion means anything at the moment …” he began looking at the Lieutenant. “Talasario is in control of his crew … we saw that when we first came onboard. Naturally Talasario can’t be trusted with sensitive information but one less vessel on Doenitz’s side and a little foresight into his battle plans is worth the risk.” Chuck paused to contemplate his next few statements … not knowing the impact it might have on the team. “three out of the four people on this team seem to agree. Besides, at this point-in-time all that we’re risking are four lives … The Spectre isn’t in danger … she can slip into cloak and disappear if the Alacrity were to become hostile.” (reply O’Connor, Kreung, Goldsteen, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Just outside S'rrep's Personal Quarters - S'vrrf - 14:21) She sat outside the door, scratching politely at it in an attempt to get someone to open it for her. It wasn't her fault she was trapped out here, she had only wanted to explore, but that had been forever ago. When the big cattish thing was leaving, she slipped out with him, hoping to take a look at the great big beautiful unexplored world outside, but the place was rather boring. There were doors that looked like hers, and there were lots of them. Other than that and the weird creatures sometimes passing by, there wasn't anything to see. She'd tried to come back in, but the door couldn't see her all the way on the ground. It was so used to looking for the big cattish thing and opening when he came it didn't know to look down to see her. She cried plaintively to the uncooperative door, but to no avail. It was obviously either very mean or completely deaf, and probably both. She was growing hoarse trying to get back home. The sound of footsteps captured her attention. A big thing was coming, maybe to let her in where she belonged! She turned to look at the newcomer, scratched the door politely once again to demonstrate what she wanted, then very eloquently said, "Mrew?" (meaning, of course, "Could you help, please oh please?") NRPG: Whoever picks this up, S'rrep locked the door to keep her in, and he didn't notice her sneaking out. He'd be mortified if he knew. And he will know soon enough. RPG: (reply any) (Posted by Siobhan) (USS Spectre – Crew Personal Quarters – Ensign Bys’At – 14:23) Bys’At had been wandering around ‘Hunting’ for a ‘Snipe’. Ensign Morphy had informed Bys’At that there was one hanging around somewhere on this deck and if anything Paul had said about the remarkable creature was accurate it would be a fantastic scientifically recognized discovery. The superior intellect of Bys’At would allow him to locate the creature before anyone else could. “Woo-Loo-Loo!” yelled Bys’At. According to Mr. Morphy the creature would climate to the sound of its call. “Woo-Loo-Loo!” Suddenly Bys’At’s call was met by a strange and unfamiliar sound. “Mrew?” came a sound close to the ground … Bys’At removed his gaze from the ceiling as Paul had instructed to see a bizarre looking furry creature on the floor. ~Very short … but not on the ceiling as Ensign Morphy suggested. This may be it, after all, Paul is no scientist at heart.~ thought Bys’At. “Woo-Loo-Loo!” yelled Bys’At standing over the little creature. (reply S'vrrf the ‘Snipe’, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Crew Personal Quarters - S'vrrf - 14:24) S'vrff stared at the newcomer. It was obviously one of the lower order of species in this strange world. It walked on its hind legs, it was mostly hairless, and it made stupid noises. At least the big cattish thing she lived with was cattish. This thing was strange indeed. "Woo-Loo-Loo!" it bellowed. The noise was deafening to her sensitive ears. Clearly this thing was trying to communicate with her, although it couldn't speak properly. She stood up, walking toward it with the intent of sniffing, getting a better idea of what she was dealing with. After all, she spent a large deal of time in the rooms the cattish thing had claimed as his territory, so she was rather unclear on how to proceed with this strange creature. "Rrf," she said reassuringly. It would do her no good if the thing bolted before she could get a good smell in. She came as close as she dared, extending her neck and sniffing delicately at the creature's foot. It smelled of lots of things, most of which S'vrrf had never encountered. The scents spoke of places far more interesting than this boring hallway with boring closed, completely rude doors. As long as she was out here, she might as well try to find them and get in some good explorations. (reply Bys'At) She froze, having forgotten for the moment that there was a living being attached to these scents. It took her scant seconds to decide what to do. The creature didn't speak, but she could probably let it know what she wanted if she framed her request to see more interesting things in the form of a game. Forgetting her desire to return home, she crouched down, looking up with the slightly mad look of all felines ready to play a game. ~Chasing and finding game. Come get me, silly thing!~ With luck, the beast would chase her to the places he had come from so that she could see them too. Without luck, she'd at least have company to play with. (reply Bys'At the creature) (Posted by Siobhan) (USS Alacrity - Conference room - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 14:25) Michael walked in followed by his team and looked at the Captain. He felt sorry for the man on some level. He was desperately trying to hold onto his dreams and life. Michael was pretty sure he wouldn't survive the end of the war, either he'd die in the battle or be relieved of his command in the aftermath. Michael wasn't looking forward to the aftermath of the war, There was going to be a massive cleansing of command and senior officers, he was sure of it, and he was beginning to think that Talasario was going to get tossed out as well, and Talasario knew it too. "Captain, I've talked with Captain T'Vhor, and pending the transfer of your database for scrutiny, both he and I are satisfied with you. As far as your non defecting crew is concerned, Enlisted and Non-Commissioned officers will be put to our wake in a shuttle, Officers cannot and will not be allowed to leave, due to their having access to sensitive material, they should be confined to the Brig as prisoners of war. Each defecting ship will be allowed one shuttle for such purposes, any more should be cleared with Captain T'Vhor. Are these terms acceptable?" Michael asked as he walked over to the panel below the display screen and popped it off and set his case down next to it, then turning back to look at the Captain, waiting for the answer. (Reply Talasario, Kreung, Goldsteen, Donaldson) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre - Crew Personal Quarters – Ensign Bys’At - 14:26) NRPG: this is perfect, Sio. RPG: "Rrf," said the Snipe. Bys’At moved slowly trying hard not to surprise the little creature. He couldn’t help but notice just how many things Ensign Morphy had gotten wrong about Snipe. First, he was on the floor not the ceiling. The second thing Bys’At noticed was the coloration. Paul had said the thing should be as colorful as a peacock. After investigating and familiarizing himself with the peacocks of earth Bys’At determined that the Snipe must be extremely colorful. The real creature was not so colorful … he was rather dull in appearance. Bys’At remained motionless as the Snipe approached him. It seemed to be curious … perhaps pondering the likelihood that Bys’At was another Snipe. Bys’At’s deception seemed to be working. “Woo-Loo-Loo!” exclaimed Bys’At trying to maintain a stern tone while not being too loud … just to be heard. The Snipe crouched down closer to the floor. ~What’s it doing?~ Bys’At thought. The creature ran away from Bys’At in a kind of hopping motion. It made several such motions and continued running from Bys’At. ~Oh, no … it looks like my Snipe call was unsuccessful … I’ll simply have to catch the thing.~ thought Bys’At. The creature continued its bizarre hop/run and Bys’At began to follow it. He tried not to run too quickly so the thing would pick up speed, Mr. Morphy had said Snipe were sluggish … Bys’At did not want to take the chance. (reply S'vrrf the snipe) (posted by Anton) (USS Alacrity - Conference room - Captain JT Talasario - 14:27) "......Are these terms acceptable?" Talasario furrowed his brow at O'Conner's flat, unemotional query, acceptable? They were far from acceptable but in his current position he could hardly have expected much more really. Obviously the 52nd fleet Captain was no fool, JT had requested that all of those on board not willing to side with their CO be given safe passage, the outcome however had of course been the expected compromise. As a Captain himself & a seasoned one at that, Talasario knew that the younger man would fear, did Vulcan's ever fear?, that tongues would wag & spill if they got the chance to do so before their combined strike. He knew also that he wouldn't want to risk taking dissenting crew into a definitive warzone where they could mess things up from the inside. If he were completely honest with himself, the Captain knew that it was a reasonable compromise & all things considered the man would have probably have come to the same decision, had he himself been in the Vulcan CO's shoes. Talasario glanced thoughtfully towards the waiting Spectre officer, his head bowed slightly as he regarded him with an almost covetous urgency to regain his youth. At fifty one years, the Alacrity's CO had seen a few things during active service within this vast universe. In his prime he had fought with & defeated many foes, been on the cutting edge of a good deal of the technology that was now taken for granted by these younger, cocksure officer's & he had personally initiated first contact procedure on more than a dozen new species during his long career in starfleet. Now he was here, being dictated terms by one of the increasingly more common young upstarts & being expected to tow the line for his lunch. "Do I have a choice?", said the Captain obsequiously. (Reply O'Conner) "I thought as much", said Talasario as he moved to one of the chairs & then sat. "Hey, you can't blame me for trying uh", he said with a laugh, "you know as well as I that I can hardly turn back on my course now, I have to see this through", he added as he leaned back into his chair & raised one foot up to the edge of the table in a casual repose, whilst contemplating Rickards face at being told that he would be confined to the brig like a common criminal. (Reply O'Conner, IYW) "I know most of my crew personally Lieutenant, they have served this ship well & have acted in the highest regards irrespective of the lunacy that our leader now shows", said Talasario, "just because they happen to find themselves on the wrong side of the line right now, doesn't mean that I care for any of their welfares less than those that come with us", he added nodding his head as though to emphasize those facts. "As for those Officers that will oppose us, I have one more request that I will not budge on under any circumstance & that is that they be treated respectfully & with due consideration to their rank whilst confined to our brig", said the Captain. (Reply O'Conner) Talasario then let out a heavy sigh & sat upright in his chair once again, slapping the palms of his hands & then rubbing them together as he did so. "So, where shall we start", said the Captain standing up now, "my senior officers on the bridge have been briefed to allow unrestricted access & transfer of our files, you may attend to this at your leasure", he added heading for the door now with the Spectre's FO in close pursuit. "As for myself, I have some travel arrangements to make for some of my crew" (Reply O'Conner, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Alacrity - Conference room - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 14:30) Still trying to figure out what the FO had meant by 'editorialising' Jynea was only listening to the conversation with one ear. Did he mean that he didn't want her opinion on the crew? That she gave too much information? That shouldn't have said anything about Goldsteen and let the FO make up his own mind without full data? That she should be short and concise? What? She'd have to remember to ask him, it wasn't like she'd ever done this job before. Have a shower, then ask him. Maybe he was just cranky due to ill-prepared Orion who should have said something and recommended he take Taxia with him. Or a medical doctor. Or.. Talasario headed for the door now with Michael Following. "As for myself, I have some travel arrangements to make for some of my crew." "I have some experience with this sort of thing if the Captain doesn't mind a hand." Having someone help process was a bit more subtle than having one of the two security guards looming over and watching and tracking every move. She didn't think the Captain was about to pull a fast one, but why give him the chance? (Reply O'Conner, Talasario, etc, Any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Alacrity - Conference Room - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 14:30) "Do I have a choice?", said the Captain obsequiously. "Honestly, Captain, no, you don't," Michael said, getting tired with the man's flippancy towards the whole situation. "I understand you're trying to help your crew, but as of this moment, some of those crew are willing to kill you, and me, and any other member of the 52nd fleet." "I thought as much", said Talasario as he moved to one of the chairs & then sat. "Hey, you can't blame me for trying uh", he said with a laugh, "you know as well as I that I can hardly turn back on my course now, I have to see this through", he added as he leaned back into his chair & raised one foot up to the edge of the table in a casual repose. "I know most of my crew personally Lieutenant, they have served this ship well & have acted in the highest regards irrespective of the lunacy that our leader now shows", said Talasario, "just because they happen to find themselves on the wrong side of the line right now, doesn't mean that I care for any of their welfares less than those that come with us", he added nodding his head as though to emphasize those facts. "As for those Officers that will oppose us, I have one more request that I will not budge on under any circumstance & that is that they be treated respectfully & with due consideration to their rank whilst confined to our brig", said the Captain. "Captain, first off, they will be confined to your brig, so if the 52nd fleet wins the day, they'll be dealt with by a restored Star Fleet Command and Federation Senate. If we loose, well, then they'll share the same fate as the rest of us." Michael said, bristling at the implications in the Captain's words. "And Secondly, I take exception to the implication that I or any one in the 52nd fleet would resort to any acts of cruelty or immoral behavior against the prisoners, that's Doenitz's bag of tricks, not ours." Michael said. Talasario then let out a heavy sigh & sat upright in his chair once again, slapping the palms of his hands & then rubbing them together as he did so. "So, where shall we start", said the Captain standing up now, "my senior officers on the bridge have been briefed to allow unrestricted access & transfer of our files, you may attend to this at your leasure", he added heading for the door now with the Spectre's FO in close pursuit. "As for myself, I have some travel arrangements to make for some of my crew" "I have some experience with this sort of thing if the Captain doesn't mind a hand." The morale Officer said. He got the implied statement that she'd like to go alone, and while that would be grand, he wasn't going to allow that. "All right, help out the Captain if he needs it. Donaldson, go with Ensign Kreung," Michael said, hoping he was clear, that Kreung, not the project was Donaldson's assignment. (Reply Kreung, Donaldson, iyw) Michael watched the three leave, then turned around and sighed, as he rolled his uniform sleeves up and walked back to the exposed panel. Opening his case he pulled out the remote transmitter unit and the ODN relay cable and a tricorder. Sitting down he reached inside the open hatch and pulled out a pair of cables, pushing back the one he decided he didn't need. Patching the relay into the loop, he switched it on, and plugged the Tricorder into the relay as well. ~~Hmmm,~~ Michael thought as he looked at the data flow through the transmitter. ~~Charon, Cerberus, and Styx should take care of making sure none of this data infects us with any viruses.~~ Michael thought as he activated the Transfer Protocol, Fire wall, and Anti-Virus, respectively. All the programs were his own design, and tested out over the years. Cerberus had already proven quite useful during the battle of Starbase 234. "Here we go," Michael said as he tapped out a few commands and started the data transfer over to the Spectre, watching the initial progress on the tricorders screen. (Reply Talasario, Kreung, Donaldson, Goldsteen) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Surgical theatre - CMO Williams - 14:34) Andrew looked at the patient in front of him. The operation was going well, he had opened the abdomen which had produced a lot of fluid which he had been expecting. He now had pulled out most of the small and large intestine out of the abdominal cavity and was slowly expecting it from one end to the other. He ran his fingers along the snake like intestine looking for any dusky grey areas which would indicate lack of blood supply. He suddenly stopped as his figures felt something hard. ~What’s this?~ He probed and found that it was a small golf ball shaped object in the intestine. He took a couple of bowel clamps and clapped the intestine on either side. This meant that he could remove the object with out contaminating the rest of the abdomen. He took the scalpel and cut a small hole in the side of the intestine. When he had made it the right size he applied gentle pressure as the object slowly popped out. He gave a slight smile as he recognised the object. ~Well I’ll be~ He put the ball into a dish and picked up the micro sutures. ~Looks like that’s it. Just a few sutures and then I’ll be finished~ (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Cathay - Bridge - Captain Ilena Leonova - 14:45) Scientist, Ilena 'The lion' Leonova was sitting in the Captain's chair and wondering how exactly she'd gotten herself into this mess in the first place. A mutiny! Her father would be proud she stood up for the right no matter the cost, she had to remember that. Rank didn't make right. You had to answer to your own conscience and they'd really tried to prevent as much bloodshed as possible. She wished Commander Roil could have been talked into taking the hot seat, but the woman had only given her a hairy eyeball and said something about her services were needed more in Sickbay. She also claimed that Ilena had taken the command courses more recently than her. Well, true enough, but that was for running a science department and the occasional scientific away mission, not THIS. Deep breath in. She could do this. She HAD to do this. Talasario had faith in her. Her bridge crew had faith in her. She had to have faith in them and lead them into the fire and out again the other side. "Captain, we are approximately 20 minutes from rendezvous" T'Loss told her. She was finally getting used to this whole being called Captain business after a few days of it. "Approximately?" she teased the Vulcan. He raised an eyebrow stoically, "It seemed you needed the .. morale boost." That got a few snickers. "Right again Lieutenant." She replied. "If I may point out, sir..?" He continued. Great, what part of protocol had she mucked up now? She'd told him to stop dragging her off the bridge to tell her what she'd been doing two days ago. Not like the bridge crew didn't know she was a bit out of her depth and trying her best anyway. "Of course." She replied, standing up and walking to his station. "You may wish to acquire a red uniform before speaking with Captain T'Vhor and the Spectre." T'Loss suggested. Ilena swore inventively in Russian. "Reginald, you have the bridge." and didn't quite dash into the turbolift. Unseemly for a Captain to run. (Reply None) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Cathay - Captain's Quarters - Captain Ilena Leonova - 14:55) She'd ordered the replicator to get her a Captain's uniform, and that apparently came with Captain's pips. She wasn't sure if that was correct or not, but really, she didn't have time to look up the references in the database. She doubted it WAS correct, the computer had been a bit quirky since Gerry had rigged the command codes to her since no official change of command had happened. Starfleet ships weren't supposed to change hand by mutiny after all. She took a few minutes to admire herself in the mirror. The red uniform made her look older than her twenty-six years, a quick freshening of her French roll made her look professional and capable. Hopefully Talasario would have explained the situation to the Spectre. Or something. Time to get back to the bridge and face the wolves. (Reply None) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre – Operation theater – CMO Williams - 15:00) Andrew passed the dermal regenerator over the abdominal wound. During his training he had, had to learn how to suture by hand. It would have taken him three times as long if he had to have sutured. As he put the dermal regenerator down he took his hands out of the sterilization field. “Time.” [55 minutes] “Not bad.” [State the outcome of the Operation] “The patient had a Laparotomy for small bowl obstruction. This was caused by a enlarged gall stone.” The computer beeped. ~Nice to know that I am not loosing my touch~ “Computer put the surgical theatre into stand by.” As the computer acknowledged his request and the lights dimmed he headed back to Sickbay. (Reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor & TAC/SC Lieutenant Yelena Vasilyovna - 15:00) "Sir, I have two vessels closing at high warp, both are transmitting Starfleet registries", said Vasilyovna. The Captain swung around in his chair, his attention immediately to his TAC Officer as she began reading off the variables that were coming in in quick succession. "Steamrunner & Nebula Class sir, they are on an intercept course, ETA four minutes & fifty seconds at present speed....The USS Cathay is hailing us, Captain Leonova is requesting an audience", said Yelena with a smirk at the casual candor being exhibited by the lead vessels CO. "Put the Captain on screen", said the Captain & within but a few seconds, the face of the Cathay's Captain was glaring directly at them. (Reply Leonova) The Captain was not about to allow ANY of these Captain's to direct the unfolding scenes of their defection of course, they should not be allowed to forgot that it was them that were requesting assylum now & as such, they would be expected to tow the line, not him or the Spectre's crew. "You are to follow course heading one nine one, mark two four", said the Captain, "you will be expected to follow Starfleet directives & establish orbit at the specified destination & await further orders....is that clear Captain?", said Captain T'Vhor. (Reply Leonova) Clearly the Cathay's Captain, irrespective of their combined intentions to hand over sensitive data concerning Admiral Doenitz's fleet deployments, was not a Captain used to being given orders by another of her own rank. As it was however, she could either capitulate or turn tail & leave the party, it was her choice entirely but the look of annoyance on the woman's face was quite clear now. "No doubt you have been in contact with Captain Talasario of the Alacrity, he would have told you our terms already, all you must do now......is follow those terms", said T'Vhor impassively. (Reply Leonova) "Bring your ship in as directed Captain, we will talk again soon, Spectre out", said the Captain as he gave the visible request to his comms officer to cut the transmission with a slicing movement of his hand across his own throat, before again turning his attention towards Vasilyovna on the Tactical console. "Both ships are complying sir, ETA to our current location is now one minute seventeen seconds..... I have another vessel closing sir", said Vasilyovna changing tact all of a sudden, her fingers moving deftly across her board now in an attempt to glean more information on the third arrival. "New Orleans class, transmitting a starfleet registry......it's the Bretagne sir", said Vasilyovna turning to face the Captain enquiringly. "Course & heading?", said the Captain. "Initially on an intercept with the two approaching vessels....now changing course to an intercept with Beta Ariani IV sir", said Yelena querying her console once again, to indicate to the Captain that either the Cathay or the second ship had already communicated the Spectre's intent to them. "Contact Lieutenant O'Conner on the Alacrity", said the Captain, "inform him of our arriving guests & let him know that we will be leaving for the Sol system the moment our arrangements are concluded here", he added. "Aye sir", said the Communication's Officer as she immediately carried out the given order. (Reply Leonova, O'Conner, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Wilhelm Steinitz - Bridge - Captain Saragossa - 15:00) “Helm, slow us down … I don’t like running beside the Cathay. We’ll let ‘em take point.” Said Captain Saragossa. “Aye, Captain” said Alonso inputting the change into his console. Captain Saragossa shifted in the command chair. The FO, Lieutenant Dilaj, eyed him closely. “Wondering what I’m doing, eh?” asked the Captain. He ran his hand along the ridge of his Bolean nose. “Timba, his arms wide.” Responded the Tamarian FO motioning for the Captain to explain. “Dilaj, my friend, if we approach abreast it’ll look like a battle formation.” Said Captain Saragossa. “Uzani, his army … at rest.” Said Dilaj. “Yeah, wouldn’t want them to blow us up before we get there.” Said Saragossa smiling. “Lunga, her sky grey.” Suggested Dilaj. “I really wish you’d practice your communication skills.” Commented Saragossa. “And, yes, we are approaching the destination. “Fine, but I think a knowledge of Tamarian language never hurt anyone.” Responded Dilaj smiling. “We’ll be in communication with the regular ‘Fleeties soon … you can teach them some Tamarian if you like.” Muttered the Captain. “Sokath, his eyes uncovered … Mirab, his sails unfurled. ” ordered Dilaj. (reply any) (posted by Anton) (USS Cathay - Bridge - Captain Ilena Leonova - 15:00) "We are within hailing range." Gerry announced. "Hail the Alacrity." Ilena ordered. Best to see what Captain Talasario had planned for them! Gerry winced, "I'm not sure if the Spectre intercepted or we hit another bug, but we've got Captain T'Vhor of the Spectre on the line." Ilena didn't manage to swear before T'Vhor's face appeared on the screen. She'd just have to make this up as she went along and hope for the best. "Captain T'Vhor, I have prisoners that need transfer." She said without preamble. The Captain of the Spectre was looking as cranky as a Vulcan possibly could. Let him decide where to send said prisoners! "You are to follow course heading one nine one, mark two four", said the Captain, "you will be expected to follow Starfleet directives & establish orbit at the specified destination & await further orders....is that clear Captain?" ~NoOooo.. I am too stupid to follow simple directions. I need you to explain to me how to wipe my nose too please Captain T'Vhor. Humourless bastard.~ Ilena gave her best professional smile and saluted her superior officer. "Aye Aye Captain!" Even T'Loss could read the sarcasm in the salute. ~I mean, come on.~ She thought, ~Yes, you are accepting us to your side, but we are helping you too Captain Constipated.~ "No doubt you have been in contact with Captain Talasario of the Alacrity, he would have told you our terms already, all you must do now......is follow those terms", said T'Vhor impassively. "Actually, Captain," her Russian accent heavy as she tried to keep her short temper, "You intercepted our communications with the Alacrity. I was attempting to confirm my limited understanding of the proceedings and situation." The Spectre may be his ship and this his meeting, but as far as SHE was concerned, Captain Talasario was HER leader. If he said turn and fire on the sanctimonious smug bastard, well, so be it. Steamrunners were patrol vessels, not fighters, but the Cathay was more manoeuvrable that the Spectre any day of the week and twice on Sunday. "Bring your ship in as directed Captain, we will talk again soon, Spectre out", said T'Vhor and they were staring at a star pattern. "Permission to open fire?" Hissed Sssia, the helm officer, her tail lashing. "You would think we are here to clean his ears and wash his dishes, not support them on the weakened side of a fight!" Probably a good thing Helm control didn't have phasor control at the moment, she wasn't positive the pilot was kidding. "If you were going to meet several ships who, any or all of, could turn on you at any second, how would you act?" Ilena mused out loud, losing her temper. "Like I was the Son of Abraham Lincoln and the Daughter of God." Gerry offered with a shake of his head. "Still.. You'd think a bit of appreciation for what we've been through." Ilena chewed on her lip as she sat back down in the command chair. "The good Captain of the Spectre may not know. We are mutineers, my friends, that is hardly a state of being that would warm us to anyone, no matter whose side we chose." T'Loss looked thoughtful but didn't speak up. Ilena wondered if he knew this Captain T'Vhor. There might be over 30 billion Vulcans in the Alpha Quadrant, but like Russians, they all seemed to know one another. She'd certainly recognized Vasilyovna on the bridge of the Spectre. Hopefully her mother's fourth cousin's neighbour's friend would have something nice to say about her. (Reply all, any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Bridge - TAC/SC Lieutenant Yelena Vasilyovna & Captain T'Vhor - 15:05) Vasilyovna scratched her head in abject confusion, something didn't seem quite right on the USS Cathay. She couldn't quite put her finger on it of course but it seemed strange nonetheless. Strange enough to dig a little deeper. Being as they had a little time now whilst the First Officer appropriated the Alacrity's command team, the Security Chief now chose to probe the database files concerning the specifics of the USS Cathay. The first thing she did of course was bring up the current command roster, which turned out to be the very first indication that Yelena was right to query anything concerning this ship. The Cathay, according to the 52nd's records anyway, was currently under the command of one Captain Eric Deleveux, his first officer was Commander Paul Alexander.... The facts already were not adding up. Probing further into the database files, Vasilyovna pulled up the file on Ilena Leonova, her rank being indicated as a Lieutenant attached to Science. How come she was now posing as the CO of the Cathay? What was going on over there & more importantly, where was Captain Deleveux? Add to that the fact that Vasilyovna felt sure that she knew the young officer from someplace other than the bridge of the Cathay & the plot was beginning to thicken all the more. Vasilyovna took a deep breath & then returned her console status to what it had been before her little bout of inquisition. The Alacrity remained where it had been the entire time, the Cathay & the Bretagne were still on approach & as far as she could tell anyway, things had not changed. Other than the roster of the Cathay of course..... "Sir, I have a problem with the Cathay", said Vasilyovna all of a sudden, "something just isn't adding up", she added. The Captain turned to the TAC officer with a curious look, then he adressed her directly. "Lieutenant?", he asked quizzically. "Leonova is not the Captain Sir, records show that the current Commanding officer of the Cathay is Eric Deleveux. Leonova is his Science officer sir", said Yelena. The Captain quirked his head & then furrowed his brow, what could have happened on board the Cathay to initiate such a drastic change of command? The Captain pondered this for a moment or two, then he addressed his Security chief, concerns already forming within his mind. "Open a secure channel to the Cathay, feed it to my ready room", said the Captain as he stood from the command chair to address the senior officer on the bridge. "You have the bridge Lieutenant Commander Capps", said the Captain, "keep me informed of any changes", he added as he headed towards his ready room to find out just what was going on. (Reply Capps, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 15:06) A comprehensive work load was being accomplished on the bridge. A collecitve of ships had entered the area and had or were about to enter a stable orbit around the moon below. Each station on the small bridge, relative to other 52nd fleet ships, were filled with at least one duty officer or senior staff member. A couple of the stations were accompanied by two members of the crew. The current situation surrounding the Spectre and her crew was disturbing. They were on their own with 4 enemy, but potentially ally, ships. Calvin and the rest of crew (calvin felt) had total confidence in T'Vhor's command ability and their own ability to get the Spectre out of harms way if in fact something did go wrong. But as of yet everything seemed to go as smooth as expected. Every department did their homework given the type of mission that was explained. Most to all believable outcomes had been brought to department heads attention and ultimaltely to the FO and CO. Solutions for any forseeable problems had already been worked out. For anybody that have served on a starship long would know that the most disruptive idea is of murphy's laws. "If something can go wrong, it will", Calvin said very quietly to himself. He knew that no one could hear him. Although once said he did notice the CONN officer briefly looked in his direction. Even Calvin was busy at his station. Although it may have looked as if he was simply sitting in the seat in front of and illuminated panel, he constantly had to engage his attention to it. The OPS station was a critical point in Calvin's own opinion. Maybe that was why he had majored in OPS in the academy. Operations had almost everything to do with running the ship as smoothly as possible. Its directives were broad. The Spectre was indeed in a safe orbit, but nearly every console, every computer, every ounce of energy was being used. Science ran scans of the moon below for discovery and any initial concerns that may warn the Spectre. It also continued to run scans on every other object around, which included the field that the Spectre had just left. The field itself was tiresome for Calvin. He constantly had to compensate for the effects it was having on the Spectre. Moving power from areas of the ship that was now not accessible the OPS officer placed it so that the ship would not be in danger of breaking apart. Inertial dampers would not be helpful if they weren't effective needless to say. Security and Tactitcal were both on full alert as each department cooperative with OPS to give it power for internal safety and for external readiness. Engineering, obviously the biggest energy sucker of them all, always needed their vital organs to be working. Of course OPS could always rely on engineering on keeping their own needs running, most of the time. The Spectre orbiting around a moon seemed uneventful, but every crew person on the Spectre and all the other ships crew would have disagreed if only you were in one of their shaky shoes. (reply any, none) (posted by Calvin) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 15:07) "You have the bridge Lieutenant Commander Capps", said the Captain, "keep me informed of any changes", he added as he headed towards his ready room. Immediately Calvin shifted away from his chair and stood to make his way to the center chair. "Aye sir," he said as the Captain was already passing him. Calvin took a seat and watched another duty officer sit in the same chair that Calvin was sitting at moments ago. Once Calvin was happy with the crewman sitting at OPS he opened the armrest to his right on the Captain's chair. The buzz of energy spiraled through the circuits of the small screen and displayed its proper contents. Calvin couldn't believe how long ago it has been since he was removed from being the 1st highest ranking officer after the Captain. What had happened. Family, romance, emotions, and stupid decisions. Calvin was part Vulcan, but he never really practiced what his father attempted to teach him. He had always gone his own way about doing things and look where it had gotten him. Yes he was still a young high ranking officer, but with a black ink spot on his record. How could he have let that happen. He studied the panel intently. Department heads ideas, reviews, opinions continued to come across the screen. The Lt Cmdr looked at each of them with importance, but never found a reason to give concern to the Captain. Some of the messages that ran across acquired his immediate attention, but was nothing major that his role could not initiate. Calvin could remember the first time he sat in the command chair. It was when he was still an Ensign on the USS Cochrane. The Cochrane was the first ship he had ever served on, and it would most likely be with his memories forever. That ship was what started Calvin's career. There, he was promoted to Lt (jg) and second officer and later to FO under Captain Lowell. He remembered how nervous he was when she told him of his promotion. His face and body turned green, literally, due to his genetic altering. The command seat always brought memories of his career. Some time had passed and suddenly the bridge went berserk. "Report...?" "A ship sir. Known to us as the USS Swansea. Sheilds up and weapons hot." "Shields..." Calvin went to push the chime button to contact the Captain when Captain T'Vhor stepped out of his office to enter the bridge. "Report", said the Captain. Calvin reported what he knew of the situation as he moved back to the OPS chair. (reply, any, none) (posted by Calvin) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 15:09) Almost immediately he had arrived at his desk, the Captain swung the console around to face him as the face of 'Captain' Leonova appeared on the screen. (Reply Leonova) "I want to know what is going on Lieutenant, why are you misappropriating command of the Cathay.... Speak now or risk a formal enquiry pending possible 52nd fleet command intervention", said the Captain in a blunt, no nonsense tone of voice. (Reply Leonova) "Complicated or not, I want an answer now", said the Captain. (Reply Leonova) The news of a mutiny was the last thing the Captain of the Spectre needed to hear right now, after all, didn't mutinous behaviour signal disrespect of the chain of command? "I need to know where your own loyalties lie right now, I cannot afford to risk taking a vessel into battle that is not entirely committed to our cause", said Captain T'Vhor, "either your cause is with us or against us, if it is against us then I would suggest that you change course now", he added. "The line is drawn, which side of it do you lie?" (Reply Leonova) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Cathay - Captain's Ready Room - Lieutenant Ilena Leonova - 15:10) "Captain, we have an incoming message from the Spectre. It's got a privacy request attached to it." Gerry reported. With a sigh she gave command to Reginald and went into the Captain's ready room. It was still very much decorated in Deleveux's style. She didn't even like coming in here. But she sat at the desk to receive the message on the command terminal. "Captain T'Vhor" she greeted cautiously, he didn't want her head bitten off a second time by patronizing Vulcanisms. "I want to know what is going on Lieutenant, why are you misappropriating command of the Cathay.... Speak now or risk a formal enquiry pending possible 52nd fleet command intervention", said the Captain in a blunt, no nonsense tone of voice. "I do believe I attempted to explain previously and got cut off." Was Ilena's reply. (Reply T'Vhor.) "It is complex, are you comfy?" Ilena asked, enjoying holding the cards for this conversation. "Complicated or not, I want an answer now", said T'Vhor. "Do we always get what we want?" Ilena mused out loud, but seeing she was about to reach the end of T'Vhor's patience she stopped being coy. "Simply put, Captain T'Vhor, the junior officers of the Cathay claimed command of the ship and as highest ranking of those officers I have taken the command chair. The chief medical officer, Commander Dinnica Roil maintains her sickbay, but refused to take command." The news of a mutiny was the last thing the Captain of the Spectre needed to hear right now, after all, didn't mutinous behaviour signal disrespect of the chain of command? "I need to know where your own loyalties lie right now, I cannot afford to risk taking a vessel into battle that is not entirely committed to our cause", said Captain T'Vhor, "either your cause is with us or against us, if it is against us then I would suggest that you change course now", he added. "The line is drawn, which side of it do you lie?" "What a stupid question." Ilena muttered in Russian before she caught herself. "Captain T'Vhor, when the Cathay received word of the Alacrity's intentions Captain Deleveux was planning an ambush for you and Tal's fleet. When we gained knowledge of this, we also gained knowledge of what Admiral Doenitz had been doing in Starfleet's name.." She shuddered, "We would not be a part of it. Our original plan was to claim the ship, clear off and leave them to do what they wish, but Captain Talasario contacted us when he intercepted a communiqué from Captain Deleveux requesting assistance." She gave a one armed shrug, "So, we joined his fleet, I served my ensign year with him. It was never my intention to deceive you. We have prisoners, the senior crew, in the brig and are very much open to suggestion on what to do. I will not even pretend to claim experience I do not have." (Reply T'Vhor) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 15:12) The Spectre's CO could almost have been forgiven for his quick assessment of the Cathay's supposed Commanding Officer. For a start she shared the same stubborn, hard nosed heritage as that of his Security chief & he had certainly come to know just how, 'stick in the mud', Russians could be at times. It was one of those things he had promised himself to look up in the database one day, Earth's regional variations regarding heritage & such matters. Surely it would show a little light into just why those of the once named, 'Eastern Block' location had such quick tempers. =/\=I do believe I attempted to explain previously and got cut off.=/\= had been the curt reply from Leonova when T'Vhor had quizzed her. The Captain paused just briefly on that. ~Ah yes, you did begin saying something didn't you, what was it....prisoners?~ "My apologies on that Lieutenant, but you must acknowledge the tense situation that our ships are currently engaged in", said T'Vhor clearly feeling justified in his actions of simply wanting to get all ships involved into one place before discussions began. "You mentioned prisoners?", added the Captain. =/\=It is complex, are you comfy?=/\= said the Russian Lieutenant with a somewhat smug countenance. "Complicated or not, I want an answer now", said T'Vhor. =/\=Do we always get what we want?=/\= quipped Leonova, using the same curt mode of address as she had done beforehand. To be honest, the Vulcan hybrid wasn't quite sure whether that had been a statement or a question, it had seemed to have been the later but with Russians, he couldn't quite tell these days at all. =/\=Simply put, Captain T'Vhor, the junior officers of the Cathay claimed command of the ship and as highest ranking of those officers I have taken the command chair. The chief medical officer, Commander Dinnica Roil maintains her sickbay, but refused to take command.=/\= "I see", said the Captain musing over what had just been imparted, but maintaining his stance in regards the brashness of their actions & exactly where this had left the remainder of the Cathay's crew right now in regards affiliation. "I need to know where your own loyalties lie right now, I cannot afford to risk taking a vessel into battle that is not entirely committed to our cause", said Captain T'Vhor, "either your cause is with us or against us, if it is against us then I would suggest that you change course now", he added. "The line is drawn, which side of it do you lie?", he asked. Leonova spoke briefly in Russian under her breath, her eyes rolling to indicate that she was again being disrespectful in whatever comment she had just uttered. It mattered not at this time though, Leonova wasn't the first Officer to have a certain disregard for the chain of command & she probably wouldn't be the last. T'Vhor had dealt with many along the route of his life so far & he would deal with them again if the need arose. For now however, he chose to let it lie. =/\=Captain T'Vhor, when the Cathay received word of the Alacrity's intentions Captain Deleveux was planning an ambush for you and Tal's fleet. When we gained knowledge of this, we also gained knowledge of what Admiral Doenitz had been doing in Starfleet's name.. We would not be a part of it. Our original plan was to claim the ship, clear off and leave them to do what they wish, but Captain Talasario contacted us when he intercepted a communiqué from Captain Deleveux requesting assistance.=/\= Leonova shrugged her shoulders. =/\=So, we joined his fleet, I served my ensign year with him. It was never my intention to deceive you. We have prisoners, the senior crew, in the brig and are very much open to suggestion on what to do. I will not even pretend to claim experience I do not have.=/\= At last, she had acquiesced! Or had seemed to anyway, the Captain once again though could not be quite sure on that in the slightest, such was his level of confusion in regards Earth women in general & those of Russian decent in particular. He nodded accordingly but seemed confused. Their rendezvous with the Alacrity & her consorts had not been made public knowledge so to speak, in fact a great deal of time & planning had actually been spent by both parties in ensuring that this was so. How come Talasario had made his intentions known so quickly, or was Leonova now referring to a time when he was surreptitiously still looking for support to his cause? Time would tell, it always did. The Captain exhaled deeply as he contemplated her explanations, then he addressed her once again. "We will speak again on this", he said, "the matter in regards your, 'Prisoners' will be dealt with shortly, until then however, I.... respectfully request that you bring your ship in as ordered", he added, throwing in the respectfully part to hopefully appease the somewhat, overly emotional Human female before any meeting that would take place later. (Reply Leonova) "Until such time then.... Spectre out", said the Captain as he quickly returned to the bridge. (Reply Leonova) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Swansea - Bridge - Captain Ahab - 15:20) Captain Ahab looked at the view screen. The ships had appeared at the edge of their sensor range. They had been drifting slowly into the system trying to see who was there. He was not taking any chances that this was a trap. "Who are they." "USS Cathay, USS Spectre, USS Bretagne, USS Wilhelm Steinitz & the USS Alacrity" ~The Bretagne nice to know a sister ships is here as well~ He looked at his FO Rebecca Hartner who was sitting in the chair next to him. ~The USS Alacrity at least she got that right~ They had been on the trail of an Orion Syndicate star ship that had attacked Captain Proudmoore's vessel. Then suddenly Rebecca had come to his ready room going on about a Captain Talasario and how wonderful he was and how he was a great man and he was going to defeat Doenitz. He was intrigued but not convinced so he broke off his search and went to meet this man of miracles. He turned to her. "Looks like you are right commander." He looked around the bridge and new what he did next was not an easy decision. "Okay red alert. Increase speed to full impulse." ~Lets see who's watching~ (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Wilhelm Steinitz - Bridge – Captain Saragossa - 15:20) The Captain’s portly Bolean body had had enough. He had sat slouched in the Captain’s chair for a bit too long and a cramp slipped from his hips to his shoulders. “That’s it!” Saragossa shouted. Everyone else on the bridge jumped. “I’ve had it … they can’t keep ignoring us forever.” “Patch a communication to the Alacrity and send the response to my ready room.” Said Saragossa. “Lieutenant Dilaj, you have the bridge.” “Mirab, his resolve” muttered Dilaj as Saragossa stood up to leave. “You just couldn’t resist it.” Said Saragossa smiling at Dilaj. “I have the bridge, Captain” said Dilaj leapfrogging into the command chair. Saragossa entered his ready room in a little better mood. (reply any) (posted by Anton) (USS Wilhelm Steinitz – Captain’s Ready Room – Captain Saragossa - 15:22) “Talasario, you know I’m not the kind to sit and wait …” said Captain Saragossa. (reply Talasario, IYW) “ … I’d like to know what the heck is going on. The Spectre’s Captain must be giving you more than a once over. What’s the hold up?” (reply Talasario) Saragossa shifted a little at his desk. He leaned back in the swivel-back chair and propped his feet up on his desk. The chair creaked slightly under his weight but remained relatively unscathed. He folded his hands on top of his cranial ridge. “So, what can I do? I mean … this waiting is killing me … does it look like they’re serious about accepting us?” (reply Talasario) (reply Talasario, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Swansea - Bridge - Captain Ahab - 15:27) Ahab gave a small grin as he watched some of the ships reactions. ~So they are not a bunch of numnuts then~ "Stand down red alert go to yellow alert. Slow to half impulse." He watched as his orders were carried out. He was proud of his crew. They had been with him for a very long time. He knew every one personally and a bit about them. He watched as the group of star ships grew larger. He felt his resolve harden more and more. He knew why he was here and what was expected on him. He slowly moved his hand to his knee. Below his knee he felt through his uniform trousers was the hard cold metal of an artificial leg. He rubbed the skin between at the join which usually began to itch when he had been wearing it for to long. This was true had had been up for far to long trying to track down the Orion Syndicate vessel. He had not great friendship for Captain Proudmoore and he had heard that he had a reputation of being a hot head. ~He is one of those Captains. Up there in the glory rushing around like some prancing fairy. Well he had his pedestal knocked from under him. And I'll make sure that it's not the last~ "Captain we are entering haling range." "Good open hailing frequencies. Lets see who we can talk to." Ahab looked at the view screen. ~Hope this is not a wasted journey~ "USS Swansea to Captain Talasario." (reply Talasario, any ship) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 15:28) The moment he had returned to the bridge, Lieutenant Commander Capps had stood from the command chair & returned to his own station at Ops. "Report", said the Captain & his old friend from the Paladin began reporting on the somewhat unpredictable actions of yet another arriving vessel. This time it had been the Swansea under command of the perhaps, un-aptly named Captain Ahab. Did the man have a whale to seek perhaps? To anyone not of Vulcan decent that thought might have conceivably been regarded as a joke, to the Captain however it had simply raised an eye in contemplation as Capps continued with his report on how Ahab had sped up & then rather foolishly gone to red alert. It was almost as if he were testing their nerve! (Reply Capps, IYW) "Very good Lieutenant Commander", said the Captain as he retook his seat & then accessed his armrest console to bring up the relevant details of this, Captain Ahab. It was then however that the Comms officer announced the fact that Ahab himself was now attempting to hail the Alacrity. "Intercept the communication Ensign, put the Captain On screen", said the Captain & the man appeared in all his glory, looking a little surprised now that the face staring back at him was not that of his old friend Talasario. (Reply Ahab) "A necessary intrusion Captain, you were coming in with shields raised & weapons charged", said the Captain with a raised eyebrow. "What else were we to think in regards your somewhat, brash act?", he added. (Reply Ahab) "It would seem you got our attention admirably, your actions achieved their goal but nevertheless, it was still a foolish act", said the Captain, "especially when there are a number of vessels in the vicinity commanded by Captain's that, shall I say, have itchy trigger fingers", he added. (Reply Ahab) The Captain nodded accordingly & then addressed Ahab once again. "You are cleared to bring your ship in Captain, you may establish orbit of Beta Ariani IV & begin negotiations. Spectre out", said the Captain as the viewscreen returned to the familiar view of the moon below & the stars far off in the distance. (Reply Capps IYW, Ahab, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Swansea – Bridge – CO – Captain Ahab - 15:34) Ahab watched the viewscreen as a Vulcan appeared. He gave Rebecca a glance as he did not know what Talasario looked like. He saw her shake her head slightly. ~Well it's not him then who is he~ “I’m sorry but I’m trying to reach Captain Talasario its very important.” "A necessary intrusion Captain, you were coming in with shields raised & weapons charged", He watched the Vulcan raise an eye brow in a very Vulcan way. He gave a mental smile as he listened to what the Vulcan had to say. "What else were we to think in regards your somewhat, brash act?", “Its not the first trap that I’ve been in. I just don’t like to take any chances.” "It would seem you got our attention admirably, your actions achieved their goal but nevertheless, it was still a foolish act", "Especially when there are a number of vessels in the vicinity commanded by Captain's that, shall I say, have itchy trigger fingers", “That is true Captain. As specially since it seems like enemies are becoming friends.” ~Yeh and friends become enemies~ The Captain nodded accordingly & then addressed Ahab once again. "You are cleared to bring your ship in Captain, you may establish orbit of Beta Ariani IV & begin negotiations. Spectre out", Ahab watched as the viewscreen changed back to the view of Beta Ariani IV. He turned to Rebecca. “Do we have an identification on which ship the Vulcan was from?” Rebecca nodded. “Yes Captain it was the Spectre.” Ahab grinned. “Okay Rebecca. Lets get parked then.” A slight smile passed over Rebecca’s face. “Yes Sir. Helm set course 286.56. Ahead three quarters impulse.” Ahab watched as they moved towards the Spectre. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Cathay - Captain's Quarters - Lieutenant Ilena Leonova & Lieutenant T'Loss - 15:45) Ilena pulled off her boots and started to massage her feet. She looked at the bottles of vodka on her dresser with a vague wistfulness but knew better. She had to keep a clear head while the wolves circled her ship and her crew. "What's the word from our former masters?" She finally asked the security head. T'Loss had been sitting cross legged on the floor, eyes closed, hands folded in his lap. "They still attempt escape." The Vulcan told her without opening his eyes. "I am shocked." Ilena muttered and stood to pace her bedroom. She stopped and looked at T'Loss. "So how well do you know this T'Vhor?" "Not at all. We have never met." T'Loss answered factually. "Hmm." Ilena knew there was more to it, but she didn't know the right questions to ask. T'Loss would never lie to her, but he also might not offer information either. T'Loss opened his eyes and looked at his captain and lover. "As you may know, Vulcans are given their names based upon philosophical beliefs and paths. If I were to become a student of Sarek instead of a student of T'prat, I would change my name to Saloss. T'Vhor is the child of parents of that philosophy and either still follows it or has not chosen another path." "Which means?" Ilena asked impatiently. "Possibly nothing. He also may not be a traditionalist." T'Loss said, starting to stretch out his muscles one group at a time. "Let us assume that he is a traditionalist for the sake of argument." Ilena said. She doubted any information on T'Vhor would be of much use, but the only wasted knowledge was the knowledge you didn't seek.. and it made her feel more in control of the situations and her environment. "Then he is a man of strong principals and honour. He follows the paths of logic to serve the needs of the greater good. He learns and strengthens himself through the learning and strengthening of others." Ilena kneeled down beside T'Loss and nibbled on the pointed tip of his ear. "Would he also have an illogical, impatient girlfriend demanding his attention at the most inopportune of moments?" T'Loss raised an eyebrow and considered her. She could see the dry humour lurking in the depths of his dark eyes. "Perhaps, but I suspect Captain T'Vhor is a more sensible man than myself. After all, he has been promoted far above myself." "Ah yes, choosing duty over love. Always a tough and lonely path." Ilena said, letting T'Loss draw her to sitting across his lap. "A choice you yourself may have to make." He pointed out as he stroked her thick, black hair. "Ha. I suspect we will be blown to Kingdom come or up on charges of mutiny by the end of the next month. These are things I will not worry about while I .. what is it Gerry says? Carpe Diem." T'Loss gave that vague and faint Vulcan smile, a show of emotions only given to the most intimate of associates. "I do believe it is 'Carpe Diem, fire de missiles.'" "Well, whatever it is." Ilena said turning to face T'Loss. "I'm sure we can think of better things to seize while Captain T'Vhor has us in a holding pattern awaiting his whim.. And while Talasario refuses communication." "I am, as always, open to suggestion." was his verbal reply. (Reply none) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 16:35) Captain T'Vhor was already going over the First Officers report & the intelligence recovered from the Alacrity & those vessels that had just come over to their side, it seemed that their core orders had been to prepare for return to the Sol system, no doubt a move initiated by Admiral Doenitz to bolster his already weakening hold on the Federation homeworld. However, It was clearly the move of a desperate man trying his utmost now to hold on to his crumbling powerbase. The chime sounding at the Captain's door had been expected of course, T'Vhor had requested that Lieutenant O'Conner report to his ready room the moment he had returned & the chime had clearly signaled that inevitable outcome. "Enter", said the Captain & the First Officer immediately entered. "Lieutenant, please.... take a seat", said the Captain. (Reply O'Conner) "Can I get you a drink?", he asked whilst refilling his own glass with a chilled fruit juice, uncharacteristically from a jug that had been placed upon a table nearby. (Reply O'Conner) "I have read through your report & I must say that you have been very thorough in your dealings with Captain Talasario, I agree also with all of your recommendations, including your apprehension & concerns regarding the Bretagne", said the Captain taking a sip of his juice as he took his seat opposite the Lieutenant. "Would you care to elaborate on those concerns?", he asked, prompting the FO to go into further detail as to why he felt that there were issues. (Reply O'Conner) "I see", said the Captain, "wise precautions & ones that will ultimately reveal if any of those concerns are validated", he added, pausing briefly as another, more pressing matter came to mind. "Lieutenant", said the Captain, "it has come to my attention that the USS Cathay has undergone a crew mutiny, her senior officers are under guard in her brig & she is now under the temporary command of Lieutenant Ilena Leonova", he added. "Before we leave here, I want you to beam over & take command", said the Captain, pondering as he spoke how his FO would respond to that order. (Reply O'Conner) "Lieutenant Leonova, by her own admission is not an officer suited to command, you on the other hand are ideally so", said the Captain as he sipped at his drink once again. (Reply O'Conner) "I am aware of that of course, your ranks are indeed comparable but I have read your Starfleet record in depth & feel that the time has come to change that", said the Captain. (Reply O'Conner) "What I am saying Lieutenant is that I have been authorized to promote you to the temporary field rank of Lieutenant Commander, pending full placement to said rank in the near future", said the Captain. (Reply O'Conner) "Judging by your record, you have most definitely earned it", said the Captain placing his glass now on to the table before him. (Reply O'Conner, IYW) "You will report to the Cathay at 17:00hrs to familiarize yourself, we are scheduled to depart Beta Ariani IV at 17:30hrs", said the Captain, "you are dismissed Lieutenant Commander", he added. (Reply O'Conner) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - FO Lieutenant Michael Ian O'Connor - 16:36) Michael had gone straight to the Captain's ready room, handing his equipment off to the tech in the transporter room. "Enter", said the Captain & the First Officer immediately entered. "Lieutenant, please.... take a seat", said the Captain. Michael nodded and took the offered chair, placing his PADD on the desk. "Can I get you a drink?", he asked whilst refilling his own glass with a chilled fruit juice, uncharacteristically from a jug that had been placed upon a table nearby. Michael looked at the jug, and quickly deciding that the Captain wasn't likely to be drinking alcohol during the middle of the day responded. "Whatever you're having is fine, sir," Michael said, taking the juice when it was offered. It was an odd thing, working with a Captain who took the time to sit down with his senior staff, even if it was just to go over a report. After serving with Captain Straton, he was beginning to think the war was shutting down the Captains of the fleet emotionally. And while he wasn't sure it could do that to a Vulcan captain, it could have easily made him withdraw from his crew. But T'Vhor had been a pleasant surprise and Michael hoped they all managed to survive the war, he looked forward to serving on the ship, assuming he wasn't drummed out of the fleet, in peace time when everyone could be a little more relaxed. "I have read through your report & I must say that you have been very thorough in your dealings with Captain Talasario, I agree also with all of your recommendations, including your apprehension & concerns regarding the Bretagne", said the Captain taking a sip of his juice as he took his seat opposite the Lieutenant. "Would you care to elaborate on those concerns?", he asked, prompting the FO to go into further detail as to why he felt that there were issues. "Sir, their Captain has behaved a little oddly since arriving in orbit. They've limited communications both in and out, and have parked themselves with their back against the wall so to speak. They haven't done anything that I can really call them on, and all of their actions could just be a paranoid captain whose afraid this is all a well laid trap. The bigger problem is that it could be an trap for us, or just a Captain we can't count on. We should be very careful what information we allow to pass on unencrypted channels and monitor any out going communications for any encrypted subchannels, and I'd very much prefer to keep her in front of us during any battle we enter in to," Michael said, not really knowing anything else to do, short of tossing their captain's quarters, or interviewing every member of the crew in hopes of finding something out. "I see", said the Captain, "wise precautions & ones that will ultimately reveal if any of those concerns are validated", he added, pausing briefly as another, more pressing matter came to mind. "Lieutenant", said the Captain, "it has come to my attention that the USS Cathay has undergone a crew mutiny, her senior officers are under guard in her brig & she is now under the temporary command of Lieutenant Ilena Leonova", he added. "Before we leave here, I want you to beam over & take command", said the Captain, pondering as he spoke how his FO would respond to that order. "Sir, while I'd be honored to take a command, is it wise to usurp the command privileges of the ships crew, mutinous or otherwise, this close to a battle?" Michael asked, somewhat shocked that he was being given command of a ship, even temporarily, this quickly. "Lieutenant Leonova, by her own admission is not an officer suited to command, you on the other hand are ideally so", said the Captain as he sipped at his drink once again. "Sir, there's going to be issues with our ranks. If she decides, in the middle of the battle to second guess me, I don't have the ability to out rank her, and the crew is likely to follow her orders over mine in that case. "I am aware of that of course, your ranks are indeed comparable but I have read your Starfleet record in depth & feel that the time has come to change that", said the Captain. "Sir?" Michael asked, confused again. "What I am saying Lieutenant is that I have been authorized to promote you to the temporary field rank of Lieutenant Commander, pending full placement to said rank in the near future", said the Captain. "I'm not sure I deserve this quite yet, Sir,' Michael said, somewhat shocked at the quick promotion. "Judging by your record, you have most definitely earned it", said the Captain placing his glass now on to the table before him. Michael just nodded, not able to think of anything constructive to say. "You will report to the Cathay at 17:00hrs to familiarize yourself, we are scheduled to depart Beta Ariani IV at 17:30hrs", said the Captain, "you are dismissed Lieutenant Commander", he added. Michael stood and snapped to attention, "Aye, Sir, fair winds and following seas," Michael said, then after a quick thought gave the captain a formal Vulcan salute. "Live long and prosper," Michael said, unsure if he'd live to see his CO face to face again. (Reply T'Vhor) Turning, Michael headed out of the room, and to his cabin to grab two things. (Reply T'Vhor) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre – Chuck’s Quarters – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 17:20) Chuck sat reclining in a chair beside his bed. He had his feet crossed on top of his desk. He had gone directly to his quarters after the away team was dismissed. Being alone with his thoughts at the moment seemed not only the best option … but the only one. While it was true he did ‘expand’ on general orders it wasn’t dangerous. Chuck had correctly assessed Talasario as a non-threat but O’connor kept his suspicions and Chuck’s actions would naturally be questioned eventually. For now he’d just lay low and try hard not to get into more trouble. Things seemed to be going so well until O’connor came onboard. Why couldn’t the thorn in his side be an Ensign he could slug around. Chuck swished liquid in a glass. He glanced at a bottle of scotch on his desk with a bow on it. “It’s no blackhole … but it’s not too bad.” He said smiling. (reply none, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Jynea's Quarters - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 17:25) She'd finally gotten the last of the french fries cleaned up and away from Mark. She didn't even WANT to know how a certain rabbit had gotten the replicator to spew forth a small mountain of the greasy things. She'd have to get down on her hands and knees and scrub the carpet later. She could probably go make mewling noises at maintenance, but she didn't really want to try and explain this one to them.. especially since she didn't understand it herself. She'd had the bottle of Scotch sent to Chuck's quarters with a red bow attached. As far as she was concerned she was never drinking alcohol on board a ship again. She'd only ever, ever, EVER touch it if she had a three day pass, which shouldn't happen until after the war was good and over and she'd either be very unneeded or dead. Hmm, well, no, who was needed more after a war than healers of mind, soul and body? Looked like she was going to be very employed for a very long time. Tho she was still pretty sure the first thing she was doing on her first day off was finding some stranger, konking him over the head and dragging him off for forty-eight hours. She wasn't allowed to mess around with her own crewmates, but no reason she couldn't give an honourable stranger a pheromone headache to remember. Yawning, Jynea pulled her throw blanket over her, curling up on the couch. She didn't have the enthusiasm to go to bed. Mark seemed just as happy to sleep on her head whether she was on couch or bed, so why move? The computer was playing a nice soft lullaby, the tension was finally leaving, and soon they'd be at warp and she could forget this long and rotten day had ever happened. Eyes closed, just drifting off, she was practically thrown off the couch in fright when they went to red alert. "Hand grenades!" she spluttered. Mark thumped his ire and disappeared into the bedroom to hide under the bed. What was she supposed to do in a red alert?! This wasn't exactly covered in her welcome aboard speech. Main counsellor went to the bridge, secondary.. She pondered, probably stayed right where they were. Easier said than done, especially when you saw the Klingons decloaked outside your living room window! It seemed like hours before the alert was turned off and a return to general stations was announced. Jynea stared at the majestic warriors behind them. Yeah, well, desperate times called for desperate measures. She turned to the replicator, ordered a cup of tea and a teddy bear. (reply any, all) (posted by Lorna.) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 17:30) It was now time to leave this place... With their immediate negotiations now concluded to each parties satisfaction, all of those assembled were now preparing to leave orbit of Beta Ariani IV. It was then however that Vasilyovna threw another dirty fly into their once pristine ointment with yet another, ubiquitous sensor alert. "Sir, I have contacts, four Klingon B'Rell Class Bird of Prey's & two Vorcha class heavy attack cruisers decloaking fore & aft", said Vasilyovna with more than just a hint of urgency in her voice now. "Shields are raised, weapons are currently offline", she added looking to the CO now for advice & directions. Almost at once, the entire bridge crew & probably every one of all of the other ships also had swung into action, right now Klingons were probably the last thing they needed..... or were they? The tactic currently being executed by the Klingon vessels was a strange one for sure & the Captain's curiosity was piqued, raised shields but powered down weaponry, what could it possibly mean? Logically it could only mean one thing & that was that the Klingons were in a defensive posture rather than an offensive one, regardless of their obvious tactical advantage. "Shall I target the lead vessel sir?", enquired a slightly worried looking Vasilyovna, "The Alacrity & her consorts have raised shields & have locked phasors", she added. The Captain however remained calm as he assessed the situation logically, coming to a decision based on logic & observation of the facts that had so far evolved. "Take us to Red alert, do not target the Klingon ships", said the Captain as he quickly ordered the Comms Officer to hail the Klingons. The Communications Officer however had already turned to face the CO, a look of confusion now etched upon his features as the bridge became bathed in the red glow of the alert annunciators. "They are hailing US sir", said the Ensign, before the Captain had even completed the sentence. "On screen, relay following communications to all ships", said the Captain turning to face the viewscreen as the imposing face of an embittered Klingon warrior suddenly appeared upon it. =/\=Power down your weapons & lower your shields Captain's=/\= growled the Klingon to each of the Captain's respectively, =/\=unless you want this to be your final encounter prior to having your atoms spread all over this region of space=/\= he added gruffly, before lowering his head forwards & then regarding them upwards of his heavily ridged brow. =/\=It is in your interest to comply=/\= he then added whilst continuing to glare directly towards the monitor. Captain T'Vhor responded immediately of course. "This is Captain T'Vhor of the 52nd fleet vessel Spectre, under what authority are you here & making requests of us?", said the Captain. =/\=Do not fret my Vulcan friend=/\= said the Klingon softening a little now, =/\=I am here by authority of the Klingon/52nd fleet alliance=/\= he added. =/\=And I give you....=/\= he added holding off on his last words now, seemingly for theatrical effect. =/\=....one squadron of ships courtesy of the Klingon empire, Commander Kerge, at your service=/\= said the Klingon commander as he took a comical bow, again seemingly for theatrical effect. Captain T'Vhor had simply raised an eyebrow in response of those theatrics, the Ops Officer however had immediately sat up & taken notice at the Klingon's curious announcement. (Reply Capps) It seemed that the Lieutenant Commander had known the Klingon through serving with him on his old ship the Paladin, it seemed also that they had both been shipped to Geneva following injuries sustained on the aforementioned vessel during it's last mission. Now however, they were both here. Synchronicity, it seemed was apparently alive & well in this part of the galaxy if nowhere else, the irony of it obviously completely lost upon the logical mind of the Vulcan hybrid CO himself. Everyone though seemed to breath an immediate sigh of relief, the odds were already high of course due to the earlier unpredictability of Talasario's ships, but to have to face off to six Klingon ships midway through a difficult & unpredictable mission, seemed a veritable nightmare scenario. "Stand down from red alert", said the Captain, "inform Captain Talasario to do likewise & secure for departure" "Aye sir", said the Communications Officer & within five minutes, the combined ships of their own mini taskforce, in addition to the newly arrived KDF ships were en route to the subspace river & the Sol system beyond, the words of the Klingon Kerge still ringing in their ears as they engaged their warp drives. =/\=Our battle will be glorious & we will taste the blood of our enemies!=/\= he cried, =/\=Qapla Captains, let us drink much & sing songs of honour to rally our battle cries to those that will soon shudder in our wake=/\= he hollered. T'Vhor raised an eyebrow in response. "Indeed", he said, somewhat relaxed now that the Klingons had turned out to be actually on their side. (Reply Capps, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Wilhelm Steinitz - Bridge - Captain Saragossa - 17:30) “Captain, we’re surrounded by Klingon vessels.” Announced Lieutenant Krom … his face looking constipated as usual. “raising shields” “Okay, Lieutenant, bring weapons online.” Ordered Saragossa waking from his ‘wait and see what the Vulcan is going to do’ stupor. He had almost fallen asleep resting his head on his fist slouched in his command chair when Krom chimed in. The Andorian Tactical Officer turned the ship onto Red Alert and the light and sound began. “We’re receiving a general communication from one of the Klingon vessels.” Said the Ensign on Communications. “Put them on screen.” Said Saragossa. The Ensign tapped a few buttons on his console and the Klingon commander and Captain T’Vhor appeared on the viewscreen. =/\=Power down your weapons & lower your shields Captain's. Unless you want this to be your final encounter prior to having your atoms spread all over this region of space=/\= said the Klingon. "Zinda, his face black, his eyes red" muttered Dilaj where only Saragossa could hear. =/\=This is Captain T'Vhor of the 52nd fleet vessel Spectre, under what authority are you here & making requests of us?=/\= asked T’Vhor. “Keep those weapons hot … I’m not going gently.” Said Saragossa lifting himself forward onto the edge of his chair. (reply any) (posted by Anton) (USS Swansea - Bridge - Captain Ahab - 17:32) “Contacts Captain. Four Klingon B'Rell Class Bird of Prey's & two Vorcha class heavy attack cruisers have just decloaked fore & aft. Their Shields are raised but their weapons are offline", Ahab nodded as he looked at the tactical display. “Red alert. Rise shields and lock phasters and torpedoes on the lead vessel.” “Helm set in a flanking course full impulse on my mark.” “Captain the specture is getting haled by the Klingons and they are relaying the sgnale to all the other ships.” “On screen” The image of a Klingon worrier appeared on the view screen. =/\=Power down your weapons & lower your shields Captain's=/\= ~Nice to know that they are as friendly as ever~ =/\=unless you want this to be your final encounter prior to having your atoms spread all over this region of space=/\= =/\=It is in your interest to comply=/\= ~So what will the good Captain say to that~ =^=This is Captain T'Vhor of the 52nd fleet vessel Spectre, under what authority are you here & making requests of us?=^= =/\=Do not fret my Vulcan friend=/\= =/\=I am here by authority of the Klingon/52nd fleet alliance=/\= =/\=And I give you....=/\= =/\=....one squadron of ships courtesy of the Klingon empire, Commander Kerge, at your service=/\= ~Looks like the Klingons are here for a fight~ Ahab cut the connection and saw that Rebecca was looking over at him. “I would rather have them then Cardassians any day.” Rebecca nodded. She then glanced at her console. “Captain we have request from the Specter to prepare for immediate departure.” Ahab nodded. “Send a received signal. Secure from red alert and put us in position to depart.” He then looked around at the bridge as his orders were being carried out. He was proud of his crew and he new that they would follow him to where ever this adventure would finally lead. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Chuck’s Quarters – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 17:32) Chuck had been alone with his thoughts long enough to decide what to do about O’connor. But he wouldn’t let himself admit it just yet. Formulating a plan and putting it into words are two different things. The ship went into red alert and the klaxon began to bark. Chuck dropped his glass of scotch and it hit the ground with a thud. A stream of Scotch flew through the air as Chuck knocked over the bottle with his feet. The glass rolled along the floor and Chuck struggled in a half standing position to right the bottle. ~Gotta get to the bridge … or do something.~ (reply any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 17:32) "Sir, I have contacts, four Klingon B'Rell Class Bird of Prey's & two Vorcha class heavy attack cruisers decloaking fore & aft", said Vasilyovna with more than just a hint of urgency in her voice now. "Shields are raised, weapons are currently offline", she added. Calvin was shocked and surprised to say the least. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. None the less it was confirmed that Klingon ships had just decloaked. The Lt Cmdr quickly ran his hand over his board to set up his tactical alert status screens. "Something had to go wrong.." he said quietly. =/\=Power down your weapons & lower your shields Captain's=/\= growled the Klingon to each of the Captain's respectively, =/\=unless you want this to be your final encounter prior to having your atoms spread all over this region of space=/\= Calvin stared at the screen at the Klingon speaking. The Klingon looked very familiar, and it seemed to Calvin that he knew the voice from somewhere. He couldn't think of where, and continued to stare at the man demanding orders. =/\=And I give you....=/\= he added holding off on his last words. =/\=....one squadron of ships courtesy of the Klingon empire, Commander Kerge, at your service=/\= said the Klingon commander as he took a comical bow, again seemingly for theatrical effect. The name of the Klingon immediately brought memories of how Calvin knew him. The Klingon had served aboard the Paladin with Calvin. In fact it was Kerge who took over the position of Chief Tactical after T'Vhor left for the command of the Spectre. "Sir, I know Commander Kerge. He served aboard the Paladin." Calvin quickly piped in a small amount of information. Once the joke at hand was finished all ships stood down from red/yellow alerts and all prepared to leave. (reply none, any) (posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Wilhelm Steinitz - Bridge - Captain Saragossa - 17:34) “Well, not quite what we expected, eh,Dilaj.” Said the Bolean Captain. “No, Captain … it would seem we are headed in whatever direction with a little army.” Said Dilaj. “Yeah, we thought Talsario had a fleet … looks like it’s ‘Commodore’ T’Vhor from here on out.” Laughed Saragossa. “Mirab, his sails unfurled” said Dilaj smiling and motioning with his hand is a kind of forward half moon. “We’re all ready to go on the word of Captain T’Vhor.” Responded Saragossa. (reply Any) (posted by Anton) (USS Cathay - Bridge - Lieutenant Ilena Leonova - 17:35) "Captain, I have four Klingons decloaking." T'Loss announced as calmly as if he were announcing a visit from her Aunt Meredith. Actually, she'd rather face Klingons than her Aunt Meredith. "On Screen." Ilena ordered, trying not to white knuckle the command chair. "Bring us up to yellow alert." T'Loss raised an eyebrow that she wasn't immediately jumping to red, but she didn't want to warm up the weaponry just yet. Steamrunners had a great speed for switching from defensive to offensive, something that could make even a Klingon Bird of Prey take a step back. Full shields and tactical alert was good enough for her right now. "They are contacting the Spectre." Gerry informed her from Ops. "Can we eavesdrop?" Ilena asked. "The Klingons are sending general broadcast." Gerry replied and flipped the Klingon Commander up on the screen. ~Then how is he contacting the Spectre and not us all if its a general broadcast?~ Ilena wondered, but she was hardly an expert on communications. She was lucky if she could consistently contact the person she wanted when tapping her badge. The bridge crew of the Cathay watched the back and forth between the duelling Captains. Gerry was making strange "Den a nun now now now." noises under his breath. "Power down shields?" T'Loss asked. Ilena was tempted to tell the Klingons to stick it where the Gagh smelt worst. "Power down when the Alacrity and the Spectre do." =/\=Our battle will be glorious & we will taste the blood of our enemies!=/\= he cried, =/\=Qapla Captains, let us drink much & sing songs of honour to rally our battle cries to those that will soon shudder in our wake=/\= he hollered. Ilena rolled her eyes. "We will have to show the Klingons how we throw victory parties in Moscow." "Now there's a challenge and a half.." Gerry said impishly, "'xept I think it'd be more fun to do is Austin style!" "I am not doing anything with a cow," Ilena fired back. Gerry looked like he was going to respond but then seemed to remember he was talking to his Captain.. similar rank or not. "Er, yes ma'am." He mumbled. "Let us get ready to get out of here." Ilena said after a few moments of silence. "Hopefully Captain T'Vhor will unbend enough to tell us where we are going." "I suspect the answer will be 'home.'" Sssia said, happy that the war hadn't been dumped on HER people's doorsteps.. yet. Ilena sighed, she suspected Sssia was right. (Reply any, all) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO’s Office – CMO Williams - 17:35) Andrew sat down with his book. He had decided that this might be a good time to read a few chapters. He picked up the book and flicked through the pages until he reached the spot where he thought he was. The Captain heard the pinging of the bridge receiver. They had been hunting the enemy submarine for hours. It had attached the convoy and had sunk a merchant ship. They had been tasked to get it be fore it could send a signal to the other subs in the area. “First officer to bridge.” The Captain leant close to the voice pipe. “Go ahead OX what do you have?” “Captain I have a faint signal bearing red 250.” “Understood.” He moved over to the compass near the front of the bridge. He got the bearing. “Helm red 250.” “Turning to red 250 sir.” “Captain, signal is stronger. Defiantly is some thing down there.” “Is it our sub OX?” “Certainly looks like it Captain.” “Helm full ahead.” “Aye Captain full ahead.” He turned to the depth charge crew. Set pattern B for Baker.” He felt the ship surge forward as it raced towards the peace of water where the submarine should be. “Instantaneous echo sir.” A grin spread across the Captain’s face as his query was falling into the trap. The Red alert klaxon sounded. Andrew who had leaned back in his chair fell off it in his scramble to get up. He hit the floor and then scrambled to his feet as he ran into sickbay. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Cathay - Bridge - Lieutenant Ilena Leonova - 17:36) The Spectre's first officer had come a board, apparently, while she was giving T'Loss his physical. She wasn't sure what had delayed him, perhaps a problem in Engineering since it hadn't been inspected or reviewed properly since their mutiny and everything computer and hardware related was being wonky. For all she knew the poor man got stuck in the transporter buffer for 30 minutes. "Lieutenant Commander!" Ilena greeted enthusiastically when Michael arrived. T'Loss gave her a dubious look, "Commander on the bridge." He reported properly. "Yes, yes." Ilena said getting out of the command chair. "Happily and enthusiastically turning command of the Cathay over to you Commander O'Conner. May I go back to Science?" (Reply O'Conner) Ilena felt like a weight was off her shoulders. "Lieutenant Reginald Cromwell has been my acting First Officer and is a skilled command officer. He was acting Chief of helm." She gave a wave to the Alpha Centarian who had stood up from the second officer's chair. "I would be happy to continue in that capacity if Ilena is not feeling up to the task, Commander." Reginald replied formally.. then winced that he'd just called his was-acting Captain by their first name. Having been through a pitched ship battle together, they weren't on the most formal of terms with each other. (Reply O'Conner) "Command Transferred to Commander O'Conner." Gerry spoke up. "I think." He winced. "I'm sorry Commander, we've been having computer problems out the wazoo since having to jury rig command access. We're working on it." (Reply O'Conner) (Reply any, all) (Posted by Lorna) (IKS B'Quaj'ah - Bridge - CO Captain Karl Wagner - 17:37) Karl bit down on the end of his cigar as the Vorcha class ship sailed smoothly through space towards it's destination. Sitting back in the command chair he let the sweet smoke fill his nose before blowing it out in a cloud that quickly dissipated. That was one of the things he liked about being on a Klingon ship, they had no qualms about smoking, or at least none that anyone was going to tell Karl about. Karl Wagner wasn't a remarkable looking man when his features were taken individually. A stocky build, and gray eyes, a lined and wrinkled face, calloused hands, and a generous if lopsided smile that came less frequently of late and his hair had gone gray some time ago with out him giving it much notice. He was average height, and looked to be of averaged build, although he was stronger than he looked, a fact that worked to his advantage while on board a Klingon vessel. However when one looked at Karl as a whole, the picture told a much different story. Karl gave one the impression of a bulldog shoved into a uniform. The look in his eyes gave a kind of context to the lines on his face, making it obvious that he'd earned each and ever crow's foot, worry lines, and scars. Karl had seen a lot in his years in Star Fleet, more than most, less than very few. At the age of sixty, Karl probably should have retired to spend more time with his increasing number of grandchildren, but he'd never figured out how to give up space. His children and wife understood, even if they regretted the lost time. To be fair, lately, even Karl had wished he'd retired the last time his old friend and academy class mate, the Vice Admiral of Star Fleet Supply Command, asked him why he turned down another promotion. Three months after that, and sixth months ago, his friend kindly told him it might be best if he take a position as an exchange officer with the Klingon defense force. Karl tried to turn him down, but it was made very clear that he should make himself scarce. Karl wasn't one to play nice, but when he got the feeling that his family would end up involved in whatever was happening, he did what he was told. Karl wasn't one to be told a lot of scuttlebutt but even he had heard what he thought were wild rumors over a split in Starfleet. He'd ignored them as crazy, but when shortly after he'd made it to Klingon space, the war started, he was shocked...and mad. Karl was a very very mad man, and that did not tend to bode well for whom ever he directed his anger at, which was currently a specific Vice Admiral who was going to be on the recieving end of a Klingon Battle crusier if Karl had anything to say about it. He had been graciously given command of the B'Quaj'ah after it's CO was forced to step down as Captain by an injury, and in this case graciously meant Karl had broken the then first officer's arm in four places, hog tied him and dragged him to the Klingon version of an Admiral, and told him he'd save him the embarrassment of sending that moron off as Captain and do it himself. So four months later, he had shoved a dagger in his first officer's shoulder to convince him that his assuming command wasn't necessary, and his first officer had beaten some sense into the chief engineer when he tried the same thing a month later, much to Karl's surprise. All of that, brought him to where he was now, sitting on the bridge of a Klingon ship ready to invade Earth. ~~I'm so getting fired for this~~ Karl thought as he gave the signal for the ship to uncloak with the rest of the squad and listened in on the conversation. (Reply None) (Posted by Patrick) (USS Cathay - Bridge - ACO Lieutenant Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 17:38) Michael finally made it to the bridge of the Cathay, new pip on his collar, and gear in hand. looking at the bridge he nodded. The Steamrunner class was a battle ship, or at least that was her original purpose, although like all Starfleet ships, could be explorers as well. "Lieutenant Commander!" Ilena greeted enthusiastically when Michael arrived. T'Loss gave her a dubious look, "Commander on the bridge." He reported properly. "Yes, yes." Ilena said getting out of the command chair. "Happily and enthusiastically turning command of the Cathay over to you Commander O'Conner. May I go back to Science?" "Permission granted, but who's going to be my Executive Officer?" Michael asked with a slight grin at the woman's desire to get off the bridge. Something he'd noticed in quite a few science officers. "Lieutenant Reginald Cromwell has been my acting First Officer and is a skilled command officer. He was acting Chief of helm." She gave a wave to the Alpha Centarian who had stood up from the second officer's chair. "I would be happy to continue in that capacity if Ilena is not feeling up to the task, Commander." Reginald replied formally.. then winced. "If the Lieutenant would rather man Science, I'm loathe to force her to do command duty. Ops, if you could transfer command of the ship to me, I would be most grateful," Michael said, knowing full well he couldn't assume command of the ship without authorization, as his command codes probably wouldn't be recognized on the former Doenitz ship. "Command Transferred to Commander O'Conner." Gerry spoke up. "I think." He winced. "I'm sorry Commander, we've been having computer problems out the wazoo since having to jury rig command access. We're working on it." "Ah...Ok, then, I'll give you a hand if I can. Although has anyone tried to get the Chief Medical Officer to declare the command staff unfit for duty?" Michael asked, knowing that sometimes the most basic soloution was often over looked, although it was equally possible the CMO was locked out of the computer in the mutiny. (Reply Um...which ever of Lorna's personalities wishes to respond) "All right, well lets get the computer problem taken care of before we end up in any kind of action. I'd prefer not to have the computer shut me out during a fight," Michael said, then looked around the bridge. "Sir, we're getting the six contacts on sensors, Klingon's Bird's of prey and two Vorcha class ships." Michael heard from the Tactical officer. "Red alert, raise shields and bring weapons online. Target the nearest ship." Michael said quickly sitting down in the command chair. It only took a moment or two for the subsequent communication to prove it was all just a Klingon with a sense of humor in command of the squad, something he was unaware commander Kerge had. Michael looked around the darkened bridge, "All right, stand down from red alert," Michael said standing up and walking to the front of the bridge. Only a couple of minutes more and they received orders to move out. "Helm, set course for sector 001, match the Spectre's speed." Michael said. "I'm calling a briefing of all department heads in two hours." Michael said sitting down in the command chair once again, and bringing up the department reports. (Reply Lorna) (Posted by Patrick) (USS Cathay - Bridge - Ensign Gerome (Gerry) Trinnek - 17:45) "Ah...Ok, then, I'll give you a hand if I can. Although has anyone tried to get the Chief Medical Officer to declare the command staff unfit for duty?" Michael asked, knowing that sometimes the most basic solution was often over looked, although it was equally possible the CMO was locked out of the computer in the mutiny. "We did have her try and take command at one point, but Doc didn't have much luck. She never took command courses. Tried to get her to declare them all dead, but the computer is of the belief that anything that would take out the whole command structure would also take out the ship." Gerry looked flushed around the edges from embarrassment. "Good suggestion, sir, I'll see what Commander Roil has to offer." "All right, well lets get the computer problem taken care of before we end up in any kind of action. I'd prefer not to have the computer shut me out during a fight," Michael said, then looked around the bridge. He contacted sickbay and before he could even open his mouth, the chief medical officer was responding. "Yes? Are you all bleeding and broken from having to talk to Klingons? Captain T'Vhor had you all flogged for mutiny in war time conditions? What? I'm trying to bring the medical database online with help of very junior engineers here." "Er." Gerry was used to Dinnica's personality and lack of bedside manner, but she probably wasn't giving the best impression to their new CO. Ilena was standing at science hiding a smile behind her hand. Hopefully the new CO could only see the back of her head. T'Loss could see and hear all and was looking grim. Poor man, always wanted the spic and span and by the book and got stuck with them. "Ahem. Doc, the new CO just came onboard and had the good idea that you declare our previous command crew medically unfit. Without a Counsellor to poke for the request, we had to interrupt you." He looked to the ceiling and hoped that Dinnica was in a cooperative mood. He'd heard that Betazoid women were supposed to be nurturing and caring while Bajoran women tigers.. Doctor Roil had apparently never received the memo. "That IS a good idea, one moment and I'll see if I can give them something nasty and communicable." Dinnica replied, seeming to find good humour in the situation. "And welcome a board Lieutenant Commander, I apologize for my terseness." she said over the background beeps of the console she was apparently manipulating. (Reply O'Conner) ~Christ. What doesn't Doc know?~ Gerry wasn't sure if it was telepathy snooping through everyone's head or the Doc just had some really good snoopers in the system, perhaps both. He knew she'd been an SFI medical recruit at one point. (Reply any/conversation/whatever) "Ah, I have given them all Tenerian Herpes and had them given medical quarantine on Risa. The computer doesn't seem to care none of us have BEEN to Risa in over 48 months." She seemed amused. "And my apologies again, Commander, for not thinking of it myself and saving us all headaches. Is there anything else I can assist with before I go back to trying to beat this stubborn ship's soul into cooperation?" (Reply O'Conner) "Helm, set course for sector 001, match the Spectre's speed." Michael said. "I'm calling a briefing of all department heads in two hours." Michael said sitting down in the command chair once again, and bringing up the department reports. "Aye Aye Sir." Ssia said, winning the bet with herself. "Course laid in and requesting formation placement from the Spectre." (Reply any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Cathay - Conference Room - Department heads - 19:45) Not having far to travel, the bridge crew were the first to arrive. The stress of double shifts for as long as they could recall was wearing off and the feeling of having someone in the know running the show was leaving them relaxed enough to all just want to get horizontal. Ilena was concerned the new Captain wouldn't approve of her relationship with T'Loss, Gerry was worried he was too new and too inexperienced to do a good job in a real battle, Ssia like most pilots had perfect confidence in her abilities and wasn't particularly worried about ten minutes from now, Reginald was wearing his usual poker face and Dinnica was late. (O'Conner?) Dinnica entered late. "I apologize, yet again, Commander." The short, dark haired beauty of a doctor said. She was barely five feet tall and very fine boned. She had the pale skin of the northern continent and shockingly green eyes. "The medical computer and I seem to have arrived to a compromise." (Asks for departmental reports/summaries? Its been a bit lax in that department on the understaffed ship ;) "We are on course, at speed, and have no troubles in navigation or flight control." Ssia replied. She hated paperwork and never filled out more than the absolute bare necessary to keep her console responding to her. If there was a problem, she would fix it. If there was no problem, why should she bother some numb tail somewhere with the fact? (Reply/Discussion) "Well, besides the fun with the computer and command.." Gerry said, brushing a hand nervously through his blonde hair. "..The databases are still a bit scrambled, but Lieutenant Commander Capps is helping me sort them out and correlate between the Spectre's and ours. A bit tricky on his end 'cause we don't get all the classified stuff you have and a bit tricky on mine because the computer is insane." (Reply?) "Well, it called me 'Schnookie Boo' just five minutes ago and asked me out for tea. I'd put that down as fitting my definition of nuts. Other wise, overlooking the computer problems, energy outputs are fine, operational software is cooperating, and response time is optimal." (Reply) Science was supposed to be the computer, sensors and data, playing 'shortstop' one professor had said, between Operations on one side and Security on the other. But, the Cathay's computer was way beyond her ability and Ilena was more than thrilled to leave it in Gerry's capable hands. "Sensors are unscrambled from our trip through the nebula. Nothing unusual out there, but we didn't spot the Klingons till they invited themselves either, so I make no promises." Ilena wondered if she should include that she'd cleared out of the Captain's quarters in her report. But that didn't seem 'official'. (Reply) T'Loss' look at Ilena spoke volumes. How the two maintained a relationship was beyond most of the Cathay's crew, they seemed diametric opposites at the best of times. "Weapon systems are at full capacity, Shields are operating at 17.9% above class standard. All weapons lockers are stocked and inventories. Personnel is practicing battle tactics of ship to ship combat as well as boarding combat as both defender and aggressor. Armour and sidearms are available for all crew. The Cathay consistently defeated all challengers in the quadrant games and changes in command have not affected our effectiveness." T'Loss decided best to give the Lieutenant Commander a chance to reply before continuing. (Reply) "The prisoners in the brig are secure and healthy. If you wish to interview them, I can provide escort." There were many reasons for an escort to be provided and not just at risk of O'Conner's safety. The new CO showing up with Cathay crew would validate his presence for just starters. "They are currently served ration packs and are given hard copy reading for entertainment. Most are choosing to discuss their problems at high volume with each other or sleeping. The current prisoners includes Commander Paul Alexander, previous First Officer, Lieutenent, senior grade, Markiniri Errta previous Chief Counsellor, Lieutenant Commander Olivia Sekia previous Chief of Operations." T'Loss offered an raised eyebrow, "There are twelve more previously senior crew, but I believe those are the ones you would be most interested in." (Reply) "Engineering is a mess." Reginald started without preamble. "We've repaired the damage of the mutiny physically, but software all over the ship is acting up. The replicators are feeding you what they think you need, not what you ordered. Duty stations are shutting down when they think its time for bed. Doors are locking for no explicable reason.. So far none of the battle operations seem effected but.." He looked like he had grown ten years older in the last two weeks. "We're working on it all sir. I suspect Ilena, Gerry and I will be doing a complete reinstall of the operating system, but we're holding off shoving everyone into EVA suits until we have no better answers or options." (Reply) "Well, I suppose that brings it back round to my litter of meerra." Dinnica said with a rueful smile. "The EMH is still offline, Reginald's boys and girls are promising me a fix on that within the next few days, depending on whether we're all standing around hoping the life support comes back online again or not. The medical database is running, the tools of the trade are ready and the medical staff which consists of myself and two nurses, are at peak efficiency. If worst comes to worst, Commander, I can find the catgut and sew people up by hand." (Reply any/all) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Cathay - Conference Room - aCO Liuetenant Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 19:45) Dinnica entered late. "I apologize, yet again, Commander." The short, dark haired beauty of a doctor said. She was barely five feet tall and very fine boned. She had the pale skin of the northern continent and shockingly green eyes. "The medical computer and I seem to have arrived to a compromise." Michael smiled at the Doctor, "Not to worry, Doctor, I understand computer difficulty, and in my opinion, telling my you're ready is drastically less important than actually being ready." Michael took a seat in the middle of the table, avoiding the traditional Captain's chair. "However, readiness reports are necessary in the end, and no is as good a time to go over this as ever, just to get me up to speed. Speaking of speed, lets start with flight control." Michael said turning to Ssia. "We are on course, at speed, and have no troubles in navigation or flight control." Ssia replied. "Good," Michael said nodding, and moving on. "Ops?" "Well, besides the fun with the computer and command.." Gerry said, brushing a hand nervously through his blonde hair. "..The databases are still a bit scrambled, but Lieutenant Capps is helping me sort them out and correlate between the Spectre's and ours. A bit tricky on his end 'cause we don't get all the classified stuff you have and a bit tricky on mine because the computer is insane." "Define insane in this context for me," Michael said with an amused glance. Being a former ops officer himself, he understood the young mans troubles. "Well, it called me 'Schnookie Boo' just five minutes ago and asked me out for tea. I'd put that down as fitting my definition of nuts. Other wise, overlooking the computer problems, energy outputs are fine, operational software is cooperating, and response time is optimal." "All right, as we don't have access to the ships counsellor at the moment, you'll have to do. Work out what you can in the next couple of days and we'll deal with the...eccentricities as they come up." Michael said, then turned to look at Science. "Sensors are unscrambled from our trip through the nebula. Nothing unusual out there, but we didn't spot the Klingons till they invited themselves either, so I make no promises." "All right, luckily cloaking devices will be tactically useless during the battle for multiple reason, but still, see what you can do to increase our sensor sensitivity, if you need to, send a call over to Ensign Bristed on the Spectre, she may have some ideas to help out." Michael said and looked at the Vulcan Tactical officer. "Weapon systems are at full capacity, Shields are operating at 17.9% above class standard. All weapons lockers are stocked and inventories. Personnel is practicing battle tactics of ship to ship combat as well as boarding combat as both defender and aggressor. Armour and sidearms are available for all crew. The Cathay consistently defeated all challengers in the quadrant games and changes in command have not affected our effectiveness." T'Loss decided best to give the Lieutenant Commander a chance to reply before continuing. "Good to hear. I'm giving you free rein on plans for repelling boarders. I've never served on Steamrunner class vessel before, so just tell me what you need from me." Michael said, he'd had two hours so far to get used to the ship, he was sure he'd have questions later but for now he just wanted to hear the reports. "The prisoners in the brig are secure and healthy. If you wish to interview them, I can provide escort." There were many reasons for an escort to be provided and not just at risk of O'Conner's safety. The new CO showing up with Cathay crew would validate his presence for just starters. "They are currently served ration packs and are given hard copy reading for entertainment. Most are choosing to discuss their problems at high volume with each other or sleeping. The current prisoners includes Commander Jonathon Seliux, previous First Officer, Lieutenent, senior grade, Markiniri Errta previous Chief Counsellor, Lieutenant Commander Olivia Sekia previous Chief of Operations." T'Loss offered an raised eyebrow, "There are twelve more previously senior crew, but I believe those are the ones you would be most interested in." "I'll keep that in mind. I may need to have a talk with the executive officer, but we'll see." Michael said looking over at the other yellow shirted individual who hadn't spoken yet. "And how is engineering doing?" "Engineering is a mess." Reginald started without preamble. "We've repaired the damage of the mutiny physically, but software all over the ship is acting up. The replicators are feeding you what they think you need, not what you ordered. Duty stations are shutting down when they think its time for bed. Doors are locking for no explicable reason.. So far none of the battle operations seem effected but.." He looked like he had grown ten years older in the last two weeks. "We're working on it all sir. I suspect Ilena, Gerry and I will be doing a complete reinstall of the operating system, but we're holding off shoving everyone into EVA suits until we have no better answers or options." "Do what you can, I'll do my best to help if and when I have time. If we all have to go on emergency rations for a week, we'll survive. If you need extra help, let me know and I'll see if any of the ships in the task force can spare a repair team to help you out." Michael said, beginning to wonder just how much damage the ship had taken, both to the structure and personnel. "Well, I suppose that brings it back round to my litter of meerra." Dinnica said with a rueful smile. "The EMH is still offline, Reginald's boys and girls are promising me a fix on that within the next few days, depending on whether we're all standing around hoping the life support comes back online again or not. The medical database is running, the tools of the trade are ready and the medical staff which consists of myself and two nurses, are at peak efficiency. If worst comes to worst, Commander, I can find the catgut and sew people up by hand." "Wait, the entire medical staff is down to one doctor, two nurses, and an EMH to be named later? I'll put in a word with Captain T'Vhor and see if any of the bigger ships can spare some staff for detached duty. Also, you should be aware that there will be hospital ships behind the line to get wounded personnel out of harms way as much as they can," Michael said, wondering just how the medical staff got so depleted. He looked around the table at the rest of the staff. "First off any members of the crew with Medic training either through Starfleet or the civilian world, should be equipped with an emergency medical kit where possible, and while we have the supplies. Medical's going to need all the help it can get, and I don't want the Doctor or her nurses running around the ship in the middle of the battle, they're going to have more important work." "Secondly, what were going up against, isn't going to be pretty or fun. I think most of you know that. But I also want you to know that this is a fully capable crew. And, while this is probably the most cliched phrase at this point, we've got a job to do, and people are depending on us to do that job to the best of our ability. It's cliched for a reason, it's true. I've read over all your files since I've been on board. You are all exceedingly competent and qualified officers, and up until the Captain was...relieved of command, your reviews have held that out. The situation is going to get tough, so we're going to have to get creative. If you've ever had a crazy idea to make this ship better, now's the time to try it out, assuming it's reasonably sure not to blow us up. This is your ship now, and I plan on walking on Earth in 11 days and seeing my family for the first time in 9 months, so lets make sure everyone else on this ship can go home to their families when this is over," Michael said, knowing that some would be going home as honored dead. (Reply Any iyw) (Posted by Patrick D, who is slowly getting back into things after thanksgiving knocked him off his game) ========================================================================= Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 80 Stardate: 2407.07.03 (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - MXO Major Bruce Kowalski & TAC/SC Lieutenant Yelena Vasilyovna - 14:10) It was infuriating, another of those damned, stupid devices designed to infuriate & drive it's user to the very edge of insanity. Why on Earth, or off of it to be precise, people played with them was a conundrum in itself & Kowalski had now had enough. There were far more important things to be attending to now than aligning the light patterns & receiving the successful announcement of a four tone reward upon it's completion. Kowalski dropped the cube onto the table & then picked up his tankard, filled as it was with a synthehol blend of something that was a near enough approximation, to that of the extra strength apple Cider that he often enjoyed back on Earth during downtimes. Draining the last of the dregs, he placed the tankard back down onto the table with a metallic clank & then glanced about at those assembled, their expressions & mannerisms predictably that of a crew preparing for a battle they may not be returning from. Some seemed content to talk amongst themselves whilst others sat looking out onto the drifting patterns that made up the constraints of the subspace river, through which they now travelled towards their inevitable fate. In the far corner, two crewman were playing a game & sitting at the bar, the security officer responsible for loaning the MXO that damned infernal cube was engaged in a chat with the pretty barkeep. It was then that the Security chief entered the room looking more than just a little stressed & in definite need of a little R & R. The MXO took a deep breath, then he picked up his tankard & stood up. He glanced down at the cube, it's lights still flashing as though attempting to coax him into playing once again, Kowalski ignored it nonetheless. He contemplated actually leaving it there on the table but then thought better of it, after all it wasn't exactly his to lose so the least he could do was return it to it's rightful owner. Reluctantly, he picked the cube up as well, then he moved over towards the bar where Vasilyovna was now in the process of ordering her drink from the barkeep. "A penny for them Lieutenant", said Kowalski approaching the chief. Vasilyovna took a quick sip of her chosen beverage & then turned to face the Marine. "A penny Major?", said Yelena with a quizzical look in her eye. "Your thought's Yelena", said Kowalski motioning to the barkeep to refill his tankard as he spoke, "as any Vulcan might say, give them to me", he added. Vasilyovna rested herself onto the bar & then glanced briefly into her glass at the bright orange & green fluid now swirling within it, it wasn't Vodka of course but a simple fruit juice creation recommended to her by a certain Engineer she'd had the misfortune to meet a day or two beforehand. The Tellarite had insisted it was the best thing ever & whilst not quite believing his sincerity at first, it had actually turned out to be rather refreshing. "My thoughts Major, are probably the same as every other crewmembers on this ship & those ships currently in tow with us", said Vasilyovna taking another sip of the garishly coloured drink. "I'm wondering whether we will get out of this alive, whether I will see Earth again, specifically the rolling green hills of my homeland back in Baikonur", she added. Kowalski took his refilled tankard from the barkeep as it was slid towards him, then he lifted it to take a quick sip whilst taking a seat beside the worried looking chief. "You'll see your homeland again Lieutenant, don't worry", said Kowalski, "as much as I know that your drink is orange & green, I know that you will", he added reassuringly as he pointed to the Security chiefs glass & the swirling fluid within..... which had just turned pink! Kowalski frowned at the sudden colour change, then he glanced towards the thankfully oblivious Vasilyovna who looked somewhat perturbed at his sudden reaction & silence. "What, what is it now?", she asked. Kowalski turned his attention from her glass, then he looked directly ahead at the wall behind the bar. "Nothing, nothing at all", he said, "forget I said anything about drinks but mark my words, you WILL see your homeland again....trust me on that one", he added just as Vasilyovna glanced down inevitably to her drink, which had just turned a nice shade of turqoise blue & purple. Yelena huffed again at the realisation of what the MXO had just been referring to, she shook the drink up a bit noting with a smile how it immediately changed back to Orange & green again. Then she took another sip of it. Kowalski changed the subject..... "Yates.... take your damned toy back will ya", said Kowalski turning towards the Security officer now as he slid the small cube across the bar, "before I send it to Doenitz as a possible secret weapon we've been holding in storage just in case we need one", he added. Yates just pursed his lips together & then shook his head as he reached down & pocketed the small black device before turning his attention thenceforth back towards the task of chatting up the barkeep once again. "No brains", he muttered, "Marine mentality ya see, geared towards killing, nothing more, can't appreciate pleasure outside of the box", he added as he reached towards the woman opposite him to begin gently stroking at her cheek. (Reply Any) (Posted by Alan) ======================================================================= Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 82 Stardate: 2407.07.05 (USS Spectre - MXO's Officer - MXO Major Bruce Kowalski - 21:05) The plans were flawed, by Marine standards anyway! If this had all been left in the hands of Marine command it would be happening a little differently, as it was though the perpretrators of this little fun run were those that sat in tall chairs in nice plush buidings. Men & women that gave orders & then watched front ranks die whilst they themselves were safe in the secure, concreted bunkers back home. As it was though, things were a little different now in that the very war these people were orchestrating had now arrived in their own living rooms, now it involved them directly & there was nothing like a little real, danger to make someone sit up & take notice. The Marines of course had just received their own specific orders, they were to initiate boarding procedures upon the orders of relevant 52nd fleet commanders once the MDP was reached. Their primary goal was the Valhalla station at the Mars Defence Perimeter, when that finally fell, Doenitz's fleet would inevitably fall back to Earth in a last ditch attempt to hold the Federation & that was where the 52nd would systematically take the uprising apart piece by bloody piece until order was once again restored. For now though, the plans would need to be discussed with his own men & the squad would need to be brought up to a state of battle readiness. Equipment would need to be checked & re-checked, the Marts would be brought to standby & the Trojan equiped for launch. There was much to do. Kowalski placed the PADD back onto the table in front of him & then kicked back in his chair, then he put his feet up onto the table before tapping at his combadge. "Kowalski to all squad leaders, there will be a meeting at 09:00hrs tomorrow morning to discuss our new orders.... Everyone will attend without exception. Kowalski out", said the Major as he himself closed his eyes & then began contemplating how the next few days would evolve. (Reply Any) (Posted by Alan) ==================================================================== Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 83 Stardate: 2407.07.06 (USS Spectre – Armory – Corporal Houseman - 08:30) The phaser shot rang out. He watched as the target shook as the shot hit center in the head. Houseman placed the phaser rifle on the table in front of him. He then pulled out the phaser pistol and flicked the indicator on to single shot. He raised the phaser and fired of two shots. He then moved forward rolled into a crouch and fired another two shots at the target. He holstered the pistol and walked over to the target. ~hmm not to bad~ He took his rifle and pistol to the cage and handed them back to the armoire. “Hay Houseman now when are we going to see some action?” Houseman grinned at him. “When you know tell me.” The Armoire grinned back as he handed Houseman a PADD. Houseman put his thumb print on the PADD and then handed it back. ~Looks like its time for the meeting~ He headed for the door. (Reply None) (Posted by Robbie Gray) (USS Spectre – MCO’s Office - Corporal Houseman - 08:55) He entered the Major’s office. ~Wonder what he’s got for us today~ He walked up to Kowalski and saluted. “Reporting as ordered Sir.” (Reply Kowalski) (Reply Kowalski, any) (Posted by Robbie) ==================================================================== Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 85 Stardate: 2407.07.08 (USS Spectre - Personal Quarters - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 17:00) It was the last shift Calvin would have before it would be the day that the Spectre would be leaving the river and into battle. It was not an easy day, but it would not be the hardest either. Calvin knew how battles were. He had been in his fair share under two different Captains. Tomorrow would be the third Captain he has served under in battle. In the past few months Calvin had the chance to learn how his friend, T'Vhor, commanded a ship. Calvin plumped down on his coach that he had just recently placed in his living area. He had found it in the computer catalog, and found the design to be very unique so he decided that he needed it. It actually fit in with the rest of Calvin's decorations quite nicely. He leaned his head back and rested it on the back of the coach. He closed his eyes. Seconds later he realized that he was hungry. He didn't feel like going out, so he walked over to his replicator and created an enchilada dinner. As the Lt Cmdr ate his dinner alone in his bare and empty room he wondered why was it that he hadn't made as many friends on the Spectre as he normally did on all of his other postings. Was it because that the war was now so close to them that he was just always busy and wasn't able to have as much of a social life as he use to? Was it because everyone he had gotten close to has been killed in actions, lost because of the war, or simply just see anymore? For Calvin it was a mystery, but maybe for someone else it was easy to see. Calvin was happy, but lonely. He placed his fork on his plate and dematerialized it in the replicator. He didn't feel like just lying around in his quarters again. Besides maybe he could go have a good time in Ten-Forward. (reply none) (posted by Calvin Capps) =================================================================== Mission: Emissary on the Edge of Tomorrow Day: 86 Stardate: 2407.07.09 (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor & TAC/SC Lieutenant Yelena Vasilyovna - 13:25) All of a sudden, communications seemingly from hell itself were filling the comms & it seemed as though all hell had just broken out around them........ "Sir, I have multiple comms traffic, Task Force 19 has engaged Admiral Doenitz's fleet at the MDP", said the Tactical Chief as she ran her hands deftly across her board in an attempt to glean more information as to what was now happening. The Captain was on it in a second of course, his detached, Vulcan efficiency coming to bear in a slick display of absolute ecomomy. Immediately, he ordered the Communications officer to signal their contingent vessels & the combined ships of TF19 respectively, in that order. TF19 had been informed that the Spectre & her consorts were en route at best speed, & by way of the river their ETA could be measured in hours now rather than days, but it was far better than months. The CO then addressed his counterpart on the Alacrity. "Now is the time we test each others steel Captain", said Captain T'Vhor as Talasario appeared upon the viewscreen, his face bruised now via an earlier conflict of some kind with one of their own ointmented flies. =/\=My ships are yours Captain, the Bretagne is at full operational capacity once again, the Swansea, Wilhelm Steinitz, Cathay & Kissimmee are standing by for your orders=/\=, said Talasario as one of his senior officers came suddenly into view to whisper into his ear. Talasario leaned towards him & listened intently, then he turned his attention back to the Spectre's CO. =/\=You were correct Captain, there HAS been an unauthorized communication, our logs do indeed show an EM band emmision at Stardate 2407.06.29 - 21:40 hundred hours. We can therefore only assume that the Admiral is now fully aware of the loss of four of his ships & the fleet deployment data contained within their databanks=/\= said Talasario. "It was to be expected", said T'Vhor, "it would be illogical now to attempt to circumvent the effects of this outcome, our only discourse now is to engage the Mars Defence Perimeter immediately", he added. Talasario simply nodded. =/\=Then let us ready ourselves for the engagement Captain, best of luck to us all=/\= said the Alacrity's CO as he rather awkwardly attempted to perform a Vulcan hand salute to the Vulcan hybrid. =/\=Live long & prosper Captain T'Vhor, hopefully we will meet again once this is all over=/\= "I will look forwards to that," said Captain T'Vhor, "peace & long life", he added returning the salute & then closing the communication. (Reply Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre – CMO quarters – CMO Williams - 14:40) Andrew stood and looked at the emergency decompression suit that was on the bed in front of him. ~Let's give this a quick check before I go~ The ED suit was something he had been given by his parents and he felt a strange type of happiness as he slipped it on. He fastened the seals and began to put his jump suit back on. He knew that if the crew knew that he wore an ED suit during battle they might not be as happy to see him. Lucky for him his jumpsuit gave no indication that he had the ED under it. He pulled the face mask over his face and heard the soft hiss as the neck seal closed. ~If the O2’s not working I’m going to be in for a shock~ He took a few deep breaths to make sure that the oxygen was circulating. ~Still alive and breathing. That’s good~ Once he was sure he pulled the mask back off and placed it in a bag. ~We are going to be there soon. Better get back to Sickbay~ He finished putting his uniform back on, placed the bag on his shoulder and then headed out of the door. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 14:45) The Captain was sitting calmly in the command chair as the Spectre approached the point where they would be leaving the river. What lay beyond was uncertainty, within minutes they would find themselves plunged into the fire of a raging war with no course but to engage. This was indeed what they were trained to do & all of that training had led to this point in time, this was where their mettle would be tested so to speak, where both heroes & casualties would inevitably emerge side by side & the aggressor, hopefully vanquished beyond all reason. Every ship in the small taskforce had now been briefed & updated on the evolving situation both in & around the MDP, the tactics had been discussed, counter discussed & then verified by 52nd fleet command until everyone knew precisely where their place in the carefully choreographed assault would be. Onboard the Spectre itself, the Marines were now at full operational readiness & were ready to go at a moments notice. The board was prepared, now it was time to play the game. The tension on the Spectre was almost palpable now, the Morale Officer, Ensign Kreung had done her level best of course to ease this, but the truth of the matter was that this was 'The Big One', this was where the line was finally & inexorably being drawn & once they had crossed that line, there was no going back..... only forwards. For some anyway it was an insurmountable level of tension! The Captain checked the readouts on his armrest console one last time, he took a deep breath & then he opened a channel to address his crew. "This is the Captain", he began, "as you are now aware, within minutes we will be emerging from the river & engaging the enemy en masse in our attempt to retake what was taken from us so many years beforehand", he added. "What happens here today will decide our future & hopefully villify what we have fought for up until this point. If we are successful here today we will ensure the security & safety of the Federation itself, we will change what was once chaos into something very different that will reflect & resound throughout the generations that will come ...", said the Captain. "Gentlemen, Ladies. It is time now for us to go out & make that difference." said the Captain, assured now as he was of the victory that was soon to come as he wished his crew well, closed the channel & then got down to the business of making it all happen. "Helm, prepare to exit the river. Tactical, confirm linkup to all ships under my command, verify targets upon exit & bring all weapons to bear.", he said. "Patch in with the 52nd fleet command vessel the moment we are in telemetry range & update our strategic databases accordingly", said the Captain. "Take us to red alert Lieutenant", said the Captain, "Helm exit the river on my mark", he added. "Mark...." (Reply Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre - OPS Control Room - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 14:46) He should have been on the bridge. A voice continued to nag him as he stood in the control room helping the staff at their monitors. "Take the iso chips out and place them back in the Rockfor-Little order. It needs to be done in 5 minutes." Calvin spoke loudly. He could not believe what the problem was once he made it down to the control room. The staff that sat in front of him normally did an excellent job, and they all passed their battle drills with ease. But as a real battle was just minutes away it seemed that they were not handling it well. The Lt Cmdr did not want to demoralize their spirits, but something had to be done. He stepped in closer to the team so they could hear him. He tapped his combadge. "Lt Wheeler, report to OPS control room. You are now leading alpha team." Calvin was confident of the change. Wheeler had proven himself before, but he was placed elsewhere on the ship that he could have been better use, but it was now clear that he needed to be in the control room. The Lt Cmdr looked at the rest of Alpha. "It had to be done," Calvin knew the words probably did not mean much to them at this moment. "He is experienced in this matter. We are about to go into battle, ready yourselves." =/\=This is the Captain........=/\= Calvin heard over the intercom. "Damn!" Calvin knew it wasn't good. He litterally ran toward the exit doors and to the nearest turbolift. (reply any, none) (posted by Calvin Capps) (Spectre – Security Station Gamma – Security Officer Smith - 14:48) =^=Gentlemen, Ladies. It is time now for us to go out & make that difference.=^= ~Good speech Captain~ Jo looked at the young security officer beside her. He looked terrified. ~Ow dear you kind of forget that just because this is not your first fight that it might be theirs~ The Red alert klaxon sounded and the security officer almost jumped out of his skin. Jo stepped over to him. “Crewman.” “Yess, SSSir.” He stammered. “What is your name crewman.” Jo spoke in a calming voice. “Castell Sir.” Jo nodded. “Well Castell is this the first time in combat?” Castell nodded. “Are we going to die Sir.” ~Ow hell~ She stepped over to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. She smiled kindly as she looked at his scared face. “It is a possibility Castell but I doubt it.” “How can you know Sir.” She grinned and gave his shoulder a squeeze. “I know because I have faith in the Captain and also I have sworn to myself that I would touch earth again before this is over. Now come on stand up straight and signal to the bridge that we are ready or Vasilyovna will come down and give us such a yelling at. Don’t want that do you?” She saw the terror give way to worry as he quickly moved over to a console and reported in. She turned to a console and smiled to herself as she began to activate the protocols for a red alert. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (Spectre - Forward Quantum Launcher – Corporal Houseman - 14:49) Houseman entered the torpedo launcher room a few seconds after the red alert klaxon he sounded. He carried his Angel MkII by the handle which he moved to the ready position as the doors closed behind him. “…I think they will get a pasting Pe…” He looked over at the voice and saw a small console near the launcher which was manned by two crewmen. They turned and looked at him and then went back to their jobs. He heard a soft whining above him and looked up at a hoist that disappeared into the ceiling. ~Must have disturbed there conversation~ “Torpedo one coming down.” “Opening breach.” “Raming torpedo.” “Closing breach.” “Check weapon.” “Weapon is active.” “Torpedo ready for launching.” He heard another soft hum from the hoist. “Torpedo two is coming down.” “Torpedo two in stand by position.” Houseman watched in fascination as they moved three more torpedoes onto standby position for quick firing when they were needed. Houseman opened his comm chanel to the marine tactical net. "Houseman arrived at postition zulu bravo 1." (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor & TAC/SC Lieutenant Yelena Vasilyovna - 14:55) A blinding light hit them head on as they emerged from the relative safety of the river. All at once a ship traversed their path, it's facade ablaze & burning as the previously targetted quantum charge decimated it's primary & secondary hulls, like some strange, creeping death spreading throughout the mechanical constructs of it's design. "Initiate telemetry linkup with the fleet, point of reference, the USS Champlain. Tie in sensor data to the command vessel under secure authority, T'Vhor, Alpha seven zero two, codename, 'broadsword'.... execute", said the Spectre's CO as the reality of the situation of an all out assault hit them full in the face. "Aye sir, initiating requisites.... linking up with the Champlain.... downloading telemetric data.... I have multiple contacts closing, bearing one nine one mark two seven, one ninety mark seven four eight, two twenty mark nine four zero & closing", said Vasilyovna turning her attention quickly to the CO as she spoke. "Their all hot sir, looking mighty annoyed & looking for a target", she added as she returned her attention to her console accordingly. "Helm, execute evasive maneuvers..... Tactical, target the closest vessels & open fire with all weapons", said the Captain. "Aye sir, acquiring targets, photon flux Cannon is precharged & locked on, phasor banks set to pulsed narrow beam, Quantum & Photon torpedoes are locked on.... firing all weapons", said Vasilyovna as a volley of torpedoes, phasor discharges & pulsed photonic charges streaked through the void towards their prescribed targets, whilst the helmsman rolled the Spectre through one hundred & eighty degrees in order to present her narrowest, targetable aspect to the oncoming vessels. "I'm registering hits sir, the Akira class vessels shields are at seventy percent, Nebula class is at ninety four percent & falling", said Vasilyovna as she recalculated & updated as necessary. "I have incoming torpedoes...." The torpedoes hit with deadly accuracy, shaking the bridge & dropping the Spectre's shields to eighty percent in one go as she again returned fire. "Shields are at eighty percent & holding sir, targeting lead vessels", said the Tactical chief as she ran her fingers deftly across her board in quick succession whilst the helmsman continued to do his level best to evade the incoming torpedoes, flying by the seat of his pants where necessary as the situation prescribed. Then all of a sudden, the Spectre was rocked again as she took a full volley of quantum torpedoes to her forwards shielding, throwing the bridge crew forwards from their postions as it did so. Vasilyovna quickly recomposed herself & accessed her console once more. "Forward shields are at seventy four percent sir, balancing shield energy accordingly", said Vasilyovna as she attempted to compensate for the impacts sustained to their fore shielding. The Captain straigtened himself in the command chair & then quickly pulled up a tactical overlay which presented itself upon the viewscreen. Hostile targets were being shown as red, friendly as green as they moved like flies massing all over a piece of discarded meat. "Helm, take us to course heading one nine five mark ninety", said the Captain, "open a channel to the Cathay & transfer telemetry data", he added. "Aye sir....Lieutenant O'Conner is responding", said the communications officer after a few seconds. "Lieutenant, I don't need to tell you that the Steamrunner class is a long range attack ship. I want you to come to heading..... One seventy mark two four, your target is the vessel showing at coordinates twenty... ninety five.... one zero. This ship must be either incapacitated or severely compromised", said the Captain. (Reply O'Conner) The Spectre then shook again as a torpedo ultimately found it's mark. "Evasive maneuvers Mr Rodriguez, continue targeting any vessel coming into range Lieutenant Vasilyovna", ordered the Captain. "Aye sir", came the reply from the requisite officers as the battle continued to rage on all around them. NRPG: Over to you.... (Reply O'Conner, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre - Bridge - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 14:56) The same flash of light was seen by everyone when the ship exited the river. A momentary blindness was the effect of the light, but once cleared away orders started to be barked and every ounce of energy was starting to be used. The ship began to be hammered by phaser fire, torpedoes and any other type of weapon the enemy ships could bolster toward the Spectre. The shields were holding, which meant with each hit the energy spike increased and dropped and then increased again. An OPS officers nightmare. Shields, lights, consoles, medical, engineering, doors, turbolifts all requiring the attention of the OPS officer. Calvin not only paid attention to the internal workings of the ship, but he had to keep focus on what was un-folding on the outside of it as well. Inertial Dampers, movement, placement and more. It was truly an OPS officer nightmare. Calvin knew as well that it wasn't easy for anyone else to be in the middle of a battle. Everyone had to do their fair share of work, each with their own and respected levels and type of work. The Spectre moved through space quickly, but with radical movements as the CONN officer maneuvered through enemy and friendly fire, while at the same time coordinating with the tactical officer to focus fire on certain enemy ships. The first pass finished, and many more to go. It seemed the Spectre did bring down one ship, and its small fleet helped with others. As the Captain called for long range guns from the Streamrunner class ship, the Spectre turned and headed for a second volley. (reply any) (posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 14:56) Andrew had been pacing across sickbay since they had gone to red alert. He knew that it was driving Douwsy mad but he just could not stop. He saw Douwsy roll her eyes and give a slight sigh. "Doctor Williams will you please sit down or something before you wear a hole in the floor." He stopped by a bio-bed as he looked at Douwsy. "Yes Nurse." He realised this was probably the most frustrating time of any battle. The rest of the crew were working hard but he was in sickbay and that meant that he had to wait for some who needed his services. The Spectre rocked suddenly and he scrambled to reach out and hold on to the side of the bio-bed as the ship rocked again. As he steadied himself he looked over at Douwsy who was in the process of putting the brakes on the trauma trolley which was in danger of tipping over. ~Better give her an hand~ He was about to go over and help her when the sickbay door opened. As he looked he saw two crewmen enter. One was helping her companion who was cradling his arm. "Doctor we need a hand." Andrew nodded as he helped the crewman onto the bio-bed. His companion then turned and hurried out of sickbay. ~Things must be hotting up~ "How did this happen?" he asked as he activated the bio-beds scanners. "I was in Jeffery's tube gamma six and lost my grip and landed badly on my hand." Andrew nodded. He had a rough idea about where gamma six was but that was not the point. He looked at the bio-bed reading. "Looks like you have a fractured wrist." "Will you have to operate?" There was a slight pause before he carried on. "Its coz I don't want to miss the battle Doctor." ~Miss the battle. Wee are in it already~ Andrew gave a smile and shook his head ad picked up the dermal regererator. He increased the intensity and carefully held the crewman's arm. "Don't worry I'll have you out of here shortly. Now hold still or it will be back to front." (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Cathay - Bridge - aCO Lieutenant Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 14:57) Michael gripped the arm rest of the chair, and while they had managed to sort out the computer issues, he was still dreading something going wrong at the most inopportune time, which incidentally was that very moment. "Computer secure link to fleet ops, Authorization O'Connor-Alpha-Theta-5-3-2-Argosy, code name Longbow." Michael said, his eyes fixed on the forward view screen. The lights on the bridge were low, it helped with contrast issues with back lit consoles, and cut down on glare, but it cast everyone as a kind of glow, that made Michael wish he was anywhere but there. "Tactical, ready all torpedo tubes, fore and aft, but hold them until we need them, Phasers to any hostile that comes too close. Helm! evasive maneuvers you have free control of the helm until further orders, just keep us with the Spectre." Michael called out over the chaos. "Sir, incoming fire," Tactical called, "300 mark 20." "Evade, Helm, get us out of the brunt of the attack." Michael called, and gripped the arm rest. The deck shook but not as bad as he expected (Reply Helm) "Damage report, just the basics," Michael said looking back at T'Loss (Reply Tactical, and add that incoming transmission from the Spectre) =/\=Lieutenant, I don't need to tell you that the Steamrunner class is a long range attack ship. I want you to come to heading..... One seventy mark two four, your target is the vessel showing at coordinates twenty... ninety five.... one zero. This ship must be either incapacitated or severely compromised=/\=, said the Captain. "Orders confirmed," Michael called. "Helm, heading 170 mark 24, now. Tactical, lets hope the cross linking of the lateral sensor arrays gave us the boost we need. Bring all torpedo's to bear on the target, fire as soon as we have a shooting solution. I want that ship out of the way." Michael called even as the ship began to change direction. (Reply T'Loss) There were ten dull thumps as the torpedo tubes unloaded a full broadside on the target ship. Michael knew they all wouldn't make it through, but he didn't need all of them, he just needed to make sure that some of them did. Michael watched as the torpedoes streaked towards the target vessel. He watched as two of the torps veered drastically off course as their targeting sensors were jammed. The eight remaining streaks of light headed right for the target ship even as it started to move, turning on it's side and diving down. Michael leaned forward as six of the torpedoes impacted on the enemy ships hull, the other two streaked by and into empty space. The ship was damaged, how hurt Michael didn't know, but their shields had to be severely weakened. "Get me a damage report on them if you can, Lieutenant," Michael said as he brought up a screen. Michael quickly muttered a few choice words in Gaelic, before he looked up. The enemy ship was continuing to turn, and was moving straight towards them. "All right Lieutenant, ready another volley. Helm put us on an intercept course for the enemy ship. T'Loss, fire at any targets of opertunity, but save the torpedoes for the primary target," Michael said as he watched the enemy ships on his readout begin to take notice of his little corner of the battle field. He didn't have a choice, they needed to take out that ship, they could run back to the squad once they were done, but for now they had a job to do. (Reply Tactical) Michael looked up quickly to see a large green bulk fly speed past them and intercept an enemy vessel that was trying to stop them from getting to the primary target. Michael grinned a harsh grin and thanked whatever powers were listening that the Klingons were on their side. (Reply Bridge crew [Again, Lorna, just let me know if you want me to take over any of the NPC's you've been writing for, I don't want to swap you]) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Swansea - Bridge - Captain Ahab - 14:58) Ahab watched the carnage of the battle in front of him. He could see phaser and torpedo fire streak between the ships like some macabre fire work display. They had dropped out of warp with the other ships. The Swansea was on the far side of the formation. "Sir our closest contact is bearing two twenty mark nine four zero." Ahab nodded. ~Looks like this is us~ "We'll take that then. Helm bring us round to that course. Increase to full impulse and get ready for evasive maneuvers." He felt the ship swing onto its new course as he looked over to the tactical officer. "I want rotational fire from all four launchers. Only volley when I say." ~Or we will run out of torpedoes too quickly~ "Sir the contacts are a couple of Defiant classes with a Nova class and a Prometheus class following up behind." Ahab leant forward staring at the view screen. “What’s the name of the Prometheus class?” He could feel his pulse begin to race. “Captain the computer calls it the Retribution.” Ahab nearly leaped for joy and an evil grin spread across his face. ~I’ve got you now Pilot~ “Helm head for the Retribution.” He watched as the ships came closer. “Tactical I want to blow past the Defiants. Target two launchers on each one and volley fire when they are in range. I don’t want them coming around and getting us behind.” Ahab watched as the defiants rushed towards him. ~Come on a little closer~ “They are firing.” A slight smile spread across his face. As he saw the phasers lance from the enemy ships. “Fire.” “Firing now.” (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Swansea - Bridge - Captain Ahab - 15:05) Ahab watched the remains of the two defiant class star ships as they drifted in the Swansea’s wake. ~If you going to have a go with the big boys then you better be ready to get hurt~ “Captain the Retribution is making is turning.” Ahab looked back at the tactical screen. ~Now where are you going~ He could see the Retribution and the Nova class turning and heading for an advancing element. ~Ow no your not. Not after all this time you are not slipping out of my grasp~ “Helm plot an intercept course. I want him.” “Yes sir.” He looked at the tactical screen again as they headed towards the two retreating ships. He frowned suddenly as the data on the screen changed. The nova class starship had performed a tight turn and was heading towards them. ~Why is he doing this~ He checked his calculations. The Retribution would have made the safety of the other element but only just. ~So Pilot you have decided to sacrifice the Nova. Just what I expected of you~ “Open channel to the Nova.” He saw that is first officer give him a slight glance but did what he asked. The view screen changed and the face of a young human male with smugness looked back. “So Captain are you surrendering you ship to me.” Ahab shook his head. “Sorry to disappoint you captain. It looks like that you have been sent to your death. I am giving you a chance to save your ship and your crew. You are to power down your ship and weapons.” Fury crossed the other Captain’s face. “In your dreams.” The Captain gave a snarl and then closed the channel. ~He has got guile. I gave it a go~ Ahab shrugged to him self and then looked at the tactical officer. “Tactical let him fire first. I don’t want to dishearten him to much.” (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Bridge - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 15:05) The Spectre had now turned around 180 degrees, and began its decent back into the thick of the battle. Behind them and immediately following were Klingon ships that continually strutted their fire power, and the newly 52nd fleet ships. The only ships ahead were the small but lethal attack fighters from the Klingons and the federation ships. It seemed to be a magical barrier of minimum hits and large hits. Once the Spectre passed that invisible line it was hit by a fully power phaser discharge and one direct hit from a small yield torpedo to one of its nacelles. "Nacelle one is holding and is operating at 40 percent. We now have a slower turn time." Calvin belt out. He sent what he knew to the engineering deck as they would dispatch some workers on the problem immediately. Even with less than a perfect ship the Spectre did not change its direction. It moved into the eye of the battle with all weapons firing. After the hit the Spectre fell back behind the Klingon warriors. The fighters constantly bombarded the enemy ships with their precise firing methods and skill. Suddenly the Klingons split away to chase their own enemy ships. It would seem that it was now an all out brawl. Passing by a Defiant, Constellation and a few others the Spectre evasively maneuvered so that their weapons would hit with optimal yield. Behind them the Swansea, Cathay, and others dished out its fair size of damage behind them. The second volley almost seemed calmer than the first time, but it only got worst as the second volley became longer. Nearly all of the Spectre's task force had now been pulled away from enemy fighters from formation one way or the other. The Spectre suddenly and unknownly how found itself with a Norway Class starship directly behind them and bolting away their rear shields with pahser fire. If something didn't get done quick the Spectre would be down to its hull. Evasive maneuvers persisted, attempting to get out of the fire, but it was unsuccessful. Friendly ships attempted to help but was unable to as they all were pre occupied with their own problems. When all else seemed like it was over the Norway behind them exploded suddenly. With wonderment, curiosity, and happiness Calvin researched quickly what happened. "It was destroyed by the USS Cathay with 3 quantum torpedo's. We owe our lives to them." The Cathay was positioned strategically a further distance away and must have seen the trouble the Spectre was in. Not knowingly to the Norway that she was out there waiting to plummet their enemy. (reply any, all) (posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Swansea - Bridge - Captain Ahab - 15:11) The ship rocked as the Nova’s torpedo’s and phasers hit the ship. ~Now its my go~ “Volley fire with all torpedoes. Then use phasers. I want him disabled not destroyed.” Ahab watched as the torpedoes were launched from the four launches. He tracked there progress and watched as the Nova’s shields flashed and danced from there impact. They held but just. “Fire again.” This time the shields collapsed under the sustained fire. “Engines and weapons. Enough people will die to day. I would like to add to that count as little as possible.” He watched the image of the Nova as it hurtled towards him. ~What now~ “Captain its on collision course.” Ahab shook his head. ~To much of a risky move. To predictable~ “Helm side step on my mark. Tactical take out his weapons and engines as we pass. We’ve spent to long dealing with him already.” ~A little closer~ “Captain to all hands prepare for evasive maneuvers.” He looked back at the helm. “Helm now.” He swayed in his chair as the ship slide to the right. He watch as the Nova zipped passed with only meters to spare. As its aft aspect came into view he gave a slight smile. ~This is almost to easy~ “Fire.” Phasers lanced angrily out across the hard vacuum of space and hit the Nova with surgical precision. He watched as the Nova shook under the onslaught. It stopped dead in space just like it had hit a brick wall. Its light flickered and then blinked out. Ahab turned his attention to the tactical over view and saw that his prey had reached the safety of the element. He gave a silent curse. The three ships had done there job well in holding him up. “Helm put us back on an intercept course with the Retribution. Its time for some pay back.” (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (IKS DuQ'etlh - Bridge - Commander Kerge - 16:05) "Hold your line or get off my bridge!!", cried Kerge, "I have no room for a disobedient PetaQ", he added, slamming a gloved fist hard onto the console beside him. The admonished Klingon bowed his head & then brought his arm across his chest, slamming his clenched fist hard into his armour in a salute to his commander. "I am sorry Commander, I was not questioning the act, only suggesting an alternative", said Chorg, "their line is weak at location two one nine, zero one, twenty two, we can take down the auxiliary power generators of the platform if we can make it through & get in close enough", he added as he verified the tactical information accordingly. Kerge swung about & faced the viewscreen once again, the raging battle had taken it's toll with losses being suffered on both sides, already one of the Bird of preys had suffered irreperable damage & was now on an attack run to the platform they had recently been pounding hard. Her Commander had signalled the fleet with his intentions that he would ram the target after allowing the engines to reach critical mass. The resultant explosion of course would anhihilate that section of the platform & the ship along with it, but those lost would die an honourable death & be assured their place in Sto'Vo'Kor. For them today would indeed, be a good & glorious day to die. Kerge turned to the Klingon weapons officer behind him & nodded, "your plan has merit, but first we must provide the path needed for our warriors to make good their dash", he added as he turned then to address the helmsman. "Make your course that of the Ha'Quj, provide covering fire until they achieve their optimal position for final assault", said Kerge as he again turned to face the viewscreen. The resultant cries of 'Sir', from more than one of the bridge locations indicated that the Commanders orders were being carried out as the DuQ'etlh gathered pace on it's course behind the other vesssel, firing all weapons upon those coming into range as they went. (Reply None, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (IKS DuQ'etlh - Bridge - Commander Kerge - 16:10) The hits registering on their bridge had reduced their own shields to roughly half their overall potential, already three ships had noticed the Ha'Quj's dash for the middle of the first platform, the target calculated with uncharacteristic Vulcan precision by it's Commander as the enemy attempted to put a stop to their brave & spirited run. Commander Kerge had done his level best to clear their path of course but already the Bird of Prey's impulse engines had suffered damage to such an extent that their mission of death was now in jeapordy. "Fire, Fire!...", cried Kerge as Commander Kurak signalled his intentions to engage their warp drive as a last ditch attempt to cause the maximum of damage to the platform. On the bridge of the DuQ'etlh, every Klingon there felt the pride of their comrades commitment to go out in as spectacular a fashion as was possible, Kerge himself gripped the armrests of his chair so tightly that his fingertips almost tore into the leather as he glared ominously towards the viewscreen. The end result of the Ha'quj's plan was realised with little more than a slight blur, then a massive explosion as the entire centre section of one of the platforms was vapourised in the resultant blast. All at once, each member of the DuQ'etlh's bridge crew fell silent, then they looked towards the roof & let out the gutteral roar that all Klingons announced when a warrior was about to enter Sto'Vo'Kor. The Ha'Quj's crew had just been ensured the ultimate atonement of their warrior creed, they would drink plenty this day in the halls of those that had gone before them & they would take their place alongside Kahless the unforgettable. As for those that had occupied the weapons batteries of this part of the platform, they would announce their unworthy presence no more & would share no glory whatsoever. The roars came to an abrupt stop, the Klingons returned to their tasks & Commander Kerge gave his next commands to his crew. "Status report!", he cried. "Our forward shields are at forty two percent, all systems are online, we have full cloak ability & decks are reporting as battle ready", said Chorg. "Apart from the status of our shields, I would say we are in fine shape", said Kerge with a laugh as he then took the time to review the tactical situation of the unfolding mellee via an overlay projected upon their viewscreen. Already, holes were beginning to appear at strategically important areas but as much as some were tilting the scales in their own favour, others were weighing heavily against them, & the situation was changing all the time. "Engage the cloaking device", said Kerge almost reluctantly, "we need to buy some time to rebuild our shield strength before we engage again", he added, the tone of his voice betraying the fact that he did not relish having to veil themselves from the enemy whilst already amidst them. Better to face them head on & trade fire until one of them was annihilated was more the Klingon way, but Kerge had to remember that they were fighting alongside their 52nd fleet allies now & Klingon gung ho tactics might just harm the overall situation & outcome. "When we re-engage we will capitalize on the glorious sacrifice made by our comrades", said Kerge, Chorg nodded his assent & then busied himself with his console as the DuQ'etlh shimmered from solidity & veered off towards the left & away from the battle zone, for the moment anyway.... (Reply Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) ======================================================================