~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Geneva Mission: Inalienable Rights, Day 10 Stardate: 2405.08.28 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Starbase Geneva - Sickbay - GE-SPC Louise Palmer - 06:35) (Starbase Geneva - Sickbay - FO Lise Arianna - SPC Louise Palmer and NPC Largo - 06.45) (Starbase Geneva - Captain's Ready Room - OO Crewman Chrystine Nicklaus - 08.10) (Starbase Geneva - Mess hall - TAC/ASC Vladek Rofellian - .08:15) (Starbase Geneva - OPS - OO Crewman Montro - 08.30) (Starbase Geneva - CO's Ready Room - TAC/ASC Vladek Rofellian - 08:40) (Starbase Geneva - Rec Lounge, First story, stage side - OO Crewman Chrystine Nicklaus - 12.00) (Starbase Geneva ­ CO's Quarters ­ SPC Louise Palmer ­ 17:03) (Starbase Geneva ­ CO's Quarters ­ GE-CSO Lee ­ 17:07) (Starbase Geneva - Ready Room - GE-CO - Captain Aragorn - 22:48) (Starbase Geneva - Ready Room - GE-CO - Captain Aragorn - 23:45) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mission: Coming Home, Day 1 Stardate: 2405.08.29 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Starbase Geneva - Primary Trade Deck - OO Crewman Montro - 01.00) **** ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Geneva Mission: Inalienable Rights, Day 10 Stardate: 2405.08.28 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Starbase Geneva - Sickbay - GE-SPC Louise Palmer - 06:35) "That will pass, son. You - you fell and hit your head. But the nice people in Sickbay fixed you up. I'm glad to see you're better, son. Do what your mother and the nice doctor tell you to do, OK? I'll look in to you a bit later on." Aragorn shot Louise a glance, sighed, and straightened his back. "I'll be back later, kiddo, I promise. A Vegan promise." Again Aragorn shot Louise a glance as he turned and walked out. Louise stared after Aragorn for a moment. ~A Vegan promise,~ she thought. ~A promise that is never broken. Now why did he say that?~ But she knew why. So that she, who had told him so very plainly that she did not trust him, would believe it. ~I was wrong that he didn't care about Meh'Nor. Could I have been wrong about the rest? Could I have been mistaken in what I saw?~ She considered this. ~Not the way those women behaved. But Aragorn.....could he - ~ "Mummy?" She turned her head and forced a smile for her son. "Yes, Meh'Nor?" "When will Daddy come back?" Louise was momentarily stuck for an answer. 'When I'm not here' didn't sound like a good one, although it could well be true. "Well you know Daddy has a new job," she started. "Running the Starbase. And that takes up a lot of his time. But he made you a Vegan promise, and you know that a Vegan promise is NEVER broken." Meh'Nor nodded. "Ow that hurts," he said. Louise looked quickly at the nurse, who moved closer to the bed and smiled reassuringly at Louise and Meh'Nor. "Of course it hurts, poppet. You gave your head a nasty bang when you fell. Now I think you could do with some proper sleep, so I'm just going to give you something to make the pain go away for a while, OK?" "Yes please," he said in a tired voice. The nurse administered a hypo. "There you go," she said cheerfully. "You'll be right as rain when you wake up!" Meh'Nor smiled sleepily. "You will be here won't you mummy? When I wake up again? Even if Daddy can't be?" "Of course I will, love." "Daddy said Vegans don't tell lies, didn't he?" he said groggily, his mind going back to what she had said about the Vegan promise. "That's right, sweetie." Louise replied. "Cos I was wondering....he did lie to you about that thing, but he said it was ok because you'd be cross otherwise......and it wasn't a real lie....." Louise stiffened. ~WHAT???~ "What thing, Meh'Nor?" she managed to say in a gentle tone, her mind whirling. "Your special vase, from grandma Palmer... he said it was the truth in a way because he was supposed to be looking after me, so it was really it was his fault it got broken not mine. He said it wasn't a bad lie but a good lie, that lying to save yourself was a bad lie but lying to save someone else was a good lie, and I should never tell a bad lie.....he made me promise never to tell a bad lie....OH!!!!!! I wasn't supposed to tell you...." he added unhappily. "Will Daddy be cross?" "No, love." "And you're not mad with me?" Louise shook her head. "Not now, dear. It happened a long time ago." "And you're not mad with Daddy?" Louise didn't know how to answer. She remembered the incident, very well. Aragorn had been so remorseful at breaking her *special* vase...... he'd even bought her a new one just like it, at great difficulty. And somehow once he'd done that, it had been impossible to tell him that she'd actually hated the thing. "No," she said at last, "I'm not mad with Daddy about that." "Good," he said sleepily, then his eyes closed and he fell asleep again. Louise watched for a moment, then the nurse tapped her on the shoulder. "Here," she said, holding out a commbadge. "You put this on, and go and get yourself some rest and something to eat. He won't come round for about 6 hours. And with this we can contact you as soon as he shows signs of coming out of it, OK?" Louise nodded unwillingly, but she could see the sense of what the nurse said. And this way she herself could tell Aragorn if he was needed, she supposed. "Thank you," she said, and taking one last glance at her sleeping son, turned and reluctantly left the room, back into the main Sickbay. (Starbase Geneva, Sickbay, FO Lise Arianna , SPC Louise Palmer and NPC Largo, 06.45) After finally having wrestled with herself Lise had gotten sort of dressed in a uniform, and made her way down to sickbay. Her hair was pulled back not with the greatest of care, just so that it would not lay against her tender face. She entered Sickbay looking from left to right, (slowly as she did not want to put anymore strain on her body than was necessary). Lise saw the vague outline of a woman in the far corner. She called out in a slightly horse voice. “Dr?” The woman turned, it was Dr. Kinya Largo, stuck on yet another graveyard shift, just counting the hours until someone else would come and relieve her. It had been relatively quiet, well minus the Captain’s son being brought in, but there had been no severe brawls or other traumatic situations at hand, and for that Kinya was grateful, there was only so much that a person could handle in one week, and with Captain Kaneshiro and Commander Tokugawa, the list had been endless. Kinya heard her name being called, she turned to see Lt. Commander Arianna entering Sickbay, with a horrible bruise on her face, and looking like she was in much pain. ~It must be really bad, she’s part Klingon, and in order for her to even set foot in this sickbay she’s got to be half dead to start with.~ “Lise, come here, sit down on this biobed” Kinya said as she laid a hand carefully on the woman’s shoulder and guided her to the bed. “Here let’s get you something for the pain first.” Kinya said as she reached to grab a hypo that Lise felt instants later transcending her bloodstream. “I’m going to go and get a micro bone and tissue scanner, I want to see exactly how extensive the damage has been ok? I'll be right back.” Lise nodded. The onset of the drugs from the hypo was rather rapid, she felt like she was once again seeing everything in full colour, not the dulled vision of the world that was brought on by intense pain. She touched her face, it felt swollen and puffy, but it didn't make her scream in agony. She moved her head from side to side, feeling an extreme lessening of pain. ~Great, that’s all I needed, I don't need that microbone and tissue whatever scanner thing, that hypo just made me feel soo much better, if only there were a way I could replicate those things for myself, I’d never need to be in sickbay.~ Louise had seen THAT WOMAN as soon as she left Meh'Nor's room. ~HER! What is SHE doing here?~ Louise walked over to her. SHE apparently hadn't seen Louise yet. Lise heard soft slow footfalls coming back towards her, she thought it was most likely Kinya returning. “I feel much better now, thanks Dr. I don't think that those scans are-“ "What the hell are you doing here?" Louise hissed angrily. "Come to gloat? Haven't you done enough damage?" Lise turned sharply to see a woman, who was emoting angrily at her. ~Who is? -AH!~ as she was suddenly able to place that woman. ~Aragorn’s wife~ She thought, her eyes narrowing. “Well that wasn't the intention, but now that you mention it-“ Lise stared back at the woman, her eyes glaring. Louise looked at the swollen face, then her eyes slowly travelled up and down Lise contemptuously. "No wonder you came to Sickbay," she said coldly. "Another boyfriend beat you up when he found you were unfaithful? Or perhaps it was someone else's wife? You really should try to stick to one man at a time. And stay away from other people's husbands. There's a word for women like you, you know? Only it's not one I like to use, even to your kind." Lise looked at Louise before her, her own blood beginning to boil. She could not believe what she was hearing. Her, unfaithful? She’d never been unfaithful in her life, it’d been Yori who, had gone astray, who’d left HER, not the other way ‘round. She’d lived her life with honour. She KNEW that. Honour was what governed her every action, her every decision. “You really should watch what you say my dear,” Lise began her tone sickly sweet and condescending. “It’s no wonder you have such difficulties keeping such a kind, warm-hearted, generous man, one who thinks of the good qualities in others and helps them. But I guess that’s probably why he ended up with a witch like you in the first place, he was able to… “ she regarded Louise up and down, making a grandiose gesture of it. “See the good?” Louise felt her temper rising, but managed to get a grip on it. This - this slut! - was trying to provoke her. Which must mean that she knew herself to be in the wrong. Which also meant that Aragorn might not be.... "In which case, my dear," she said in a falsely-sweet tone, "I can't think what he could ever in a million years find good or worthwhile to see in YOU. You see, until YOU started digging your talons into him, there was never a problem. And trust me, he has worked with FAR more attractive women than YOU could ever hope to be!" She narrowed her eyes and her tone hardened. "So stay away from him, from me, and from OUR son! It's in your own interest, if you have the brains to see that. Which, from what I've seen so far, I doubt." Lise watched the woman, every word that came out of her mouth was an insult, driving itself further into her being. Lise felt utterly revolted and angry. Here was this woman, this cold hearted B**** of a woman, insulting all that Lise stood for. Her Klingon temper flared to life, Lise fought to keep a lid on it, to keep it from boiling over, - ~after all~ she reminded herself, ~I do have an example to set~ But that word ‘example’ set another train of thoughts through her mind ~she should have an example made of her, her, insulting me?~ Lise forced herself to see some ration, some sort of reason. “ME?? Dig my talons into HIM? FIRST?” Lise said with anger, “You might want to ask that precious husband of yours who was doing what to whom first, and maybe mention the bouquet of long stem red roses that he left for me? That’s right, for me, long stemmed red roses, a whole bouquet, but I’m sure you already knew that and all, right? Seeing as there was ‘never a problem’ until I wrought my ‘talons’ into him.” Lise said feigning clawing gestures to accentuate the word ‘talons’. Louise's eyes widened. True, she hadn't heard about that. And she could think of a very good reason why not. The woman was lying, and Louise knew that for a fact because..... She laughed. "ARAGORN bought you red roses? Aragorn, who has to spend three weeks on antihistamines if he walks past a florist shop selling them? Dream on, sweetheart. Whoever they were from it wasn't Aragorn!" She stopped smiling, and stepped back a pace, her body taut. "I thought Klingons behaved with honour. Trying to steal someone else's husband and then lying about it, trying to blame the man, doesn't seem exactly *honourable* to me. But then again.....no surprise there, given your track record, is it?" Lise looked at Louise with confusion at first, “But.. he said there was a present.. for me and then there were roses there… ?!” She said rather quietly, then her mind continued processing the words Louise had uttered, “My track record?” Lise burst out, her eyes narrowing and glaring at the woman across from her. Part of Louise's mind stored the information about the roses, recognising that it was probably important somehow, but the upper part concentrated on THAT WOMAN. "You didn't think you could keep it a secret, did you? I heard about it from several different sources in less than an hour. Your reputation is not exactly spotless, you know?" she said with an icy, superior smile. Louise had a giddy feeling of foolhardiness, provoking a Klingon, of all things. She kept her eyes on Lise's chest. Gruoch had taught her that. ~You can tell when your opponent is about to make their move, a fraction of a second before they actually do so. That fraction of a second can save your life~ she remembered her blood-sister saying, then making her practice over and over again. One portion of Lise’s mind was disturbed at the thought of her work reputation having been soiled. However another section, the more rational, quick thinking one, knew exactly what ‘reputation’ she’d been talking about. Anger flooded her veins, her blood boiling over, she was seething. “You DARE to make such insinuations against me? You are lying, sniveling, petaQ. It is no surprise that ….” Lise couldn't bring herself to finish, she was getting angry and fast. “no surprise that you have such ‘issues’ in your own marital affairs.” Lise paused taking a deep breath and attempting to calm her rage, it was bubbling and boiling, and she knew that any minute she would lose it. “Often it is the Harlot who cannot stand alone and so she paints others with that same brush.” Lise said harshly reciting a proverb her voice hissing with rage. Louise, somewhat relieved that Lise had not launched into an immediate Physical attack, raised an eyebrow. "It's not *me* that was making the insinuations," she pointed out coldly. "I had never even heard of you until today. No, my dear, the so-called insinuations came from people who know you *far* better than I do." She paused to take a calming breath, before continuing. Somehow, she had a gut feeling that if only she could stay calm then all might not be lost. ~If it's not too late for that already~ "I *have* no marital issues, as you so charmingly put it," she said, conveniently forgetting her row with Aragorn earlier. "The only *issue* here is your behaviour. Which I have to say only confirms what I have heard. And as for your proverb, well it is strikingly appropriate, don't you think? For you, of course, since we *all* know who is the harlot here?" she finished with an insincere smile. “*MY* Behaviour?” Lise looked down at the woman before her. “As you have not even heard of me until this day, I guess the only way that you could learn about me would be through gossip now wouldn't it? And we all know that Gossip is the number one most reliable source of news on a station now isn't it? What is it that people are saying about you and your husband? How he kissed the admiral? Or, perhaps how he attended a ‘business’ meeting where she was wearing nightwear, well let’s face it, we both saw that, and I think that nightwear, is a generous classification. Yes, that’s right, my darling little gossip, believe what all they say, and then, we shall all believe what they extrapolate about you as a result of your husbands behaviour, that maybe things aren't all that happy at home?” Lise smiled sweetly. “You play your part well, madame, the poor wife, who blames all the others for her husbands wanderings and never, NEVER looks to see if it’s her own fault. Maybe, you should examine your behaviour!” Louise thought for a moment. "By and large," she said slowly, "Gossip *is* remarkably accurate. And yes, people *are* saying that he kissed that Admiral," ~HAH~ she thought ~Bet you didn't know I knew THAT - and I know WHY too! Which YOU don't, you little fool!~ "And no doubt," she added slowly,"They are drawing their own conclusions. And I have no doubt whatsoever that all the shenanigans in the Admiral's module will now be the subject of a lot of conversations. As for extrapolations, well, we will just have to see, now, won't we? I wonder, whose door will they lay the blame at? Aragorn? A Vegan? Vegans are well known for their honesty and lack of deceit. Or the dear FO, whose proclivities are already so well known?" Part of her mind almost yelled at her to hear to what she was saying, but Louise was too busy scoring points to listen for now. She let her last shaft sink in, then continued. "I don't NEED to play a part, you see?" she said hotly. "I HAVE no wandering husband, DESPITE all the so-called evidence, I KNOW he would NEVER, NEVER do that!" With an almost Physical shock, Louise realised what she had just said. Worse, she realised it was true. ~What have I done? He'll never forgive me for not trusting him, never!~ Hiding the devastation she felt behind a perfect mask of indifference, she continued. "So it's useless, you see? You might as well save what face you can and BACK OFF!" “BACK OFF?! You’re the one who came in here and started this whole thing! I just came in to have this looked at! And then you went flying off the handle!” Lise stared at Louise moving a little closer. At that moment Tianna Lantsa, clad in a nightgown (although much less see through than the Admiral’s night attire) passed through the door. Tianna saw Lt. Cmdr Arianna standing remarkably close to another woman that she didn't recognize, their voices were escalating louder and louder. “Klingons don't back off when their honour is being questioned, or when lies are being spread about them.. And you my dear Ms. Palmer, have just done both.” Lise stated as she was now standing directly over Louise. ~Palmer, Palmer…~ Tianna was racking her brain… ~ARAGORN’S WIFE!!!~ Instantly Tianna stepped between the two women and put forced them to separate. “Ok, you two, hang on, back up, take two steps back.” Lise looked at the woman, the security officer if she was not mistaken Ensign Lantsa? “Ensign what do you think you’re doing?” Lise said with anger. ~Ensign Lantsa?~ Louise thought, confused, staring at the Trill woman. ~Who the frak is Ensign Lantsa? And what's she doing here in a nightie?~ Obedient to the authority in the Trill's voice, Louise stepped back two paces. To be honest she was glad to, however good Gruoch's training had been she didn't think she could hold up for long in a real fight.... Tianna looked the women up and down. “Let me guess.” She said turning to Lise, “you’re in love with him too?” Lise looked at the woman dressed in a nighty and her eyes narrowed as the question asked. The woman continued, “Or, you THINK you’re in love with him.” Tianna concluded firmly, struggling to keep her voice level, to not think of how the thought of Aragorn made her feel. ~THINK she's in love with him TOO?~ thought Louise. Things were rapidly taking on a dream quality for Louise, and not the kind of dream she enjoyed. ~IS EVERY WOMAN ON THIS FRAGGING STATION IN LOVE WITH ARAGORN??~ Lise looked at Tianna, her eyes clouding with hatred, Hatred for both women that stood in front of her. “Why you little-!” “DON'T EVEN!” Tianna shouted over Lise and took a step towards her commanding a presence of attention and respect. Then she turned back to Louise. “It’s not real love, but they think it’s love. And …” Tianna paused and sighed dreamily while she was thinking about Aragorn. “Something’s projected it. I mean, does it make sense that EVERYONE’s in love with Aragorn? Surely not.” Lise’s blood filled with rage, who did this petty Ensign think she was, and what was she doing. She was just lying to try and secure Aragorn for herself. Lise could tell. She would jump her, Tianna wouldn't get away Lise knew it. Tianna looked at Lise, almost as if she’d read her thoughts. “No, Lise, think. Think about love. Think about love you've felt for another. Yori. Think about Yori, is this love you feel for Aragorn the same?” “I won't bother with your petty exercises, you’re just trying to secure him for yourself.” Lise hissed, this time saying the unspeakable aloud. “No, I’m not, that’s just the thing, I feel, that I want to, I would want nothing more than just to… well, never mind.” Tianna stopped short. “But I KNOW this isn't love. I've been in love Forty-five times, and this… this is not real.” Tianna concluded. "NONE of this is bl**dy real!" Louise said, goaded. "Except between you all somehow you've managed to COMPLETELY screw up -" She paused. THEY hadn't screwed things up with Aragorn, SHE had. "Just keep HER away from me," she finished to Lantsa. "My son is in there, recovering, and frankly I can do without that - that HUSSY throwing her unwanted attentions at MY husband!" Lise’s temper flamed. “What did you call me? I AM NOT A HUSSY!!!” She shouted. “Nor a harlot nor anything else along those lines, that is not my vocation, I am the Exec of this starbase and I've worked my bl**dy a** off to get here.” She screamed. Tianna looked from one woman to another, they weren't listening to her. There had to be a way to get them to understand. Louise had had enough of this charade. She was bone tired, her nerves were worn to a frazzle and right now all she wanted was to crawl into bed and sleep, hoping that things would look better when she awoke. Though somehow she doubted they would. Sighing, she turned away and headed for the main door out of Sickbay. The she paused and looked back at the to women. In particular, the FO. "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn *which* part of your anatomy you used to get where you are today," she flung over her shoulder. "Just LEAVE ME AND MINE ALONE!" Then she turned and walked out. Once the doors were closed she ran for the nearest turbo lift, wanting to put as much space between herself and that woman as she could. (Reply Any) (Posted by Liz and Kat) **** (Starbase Geneva, Captain's Ready Room - OO Crewman Chrystine Nicklaus - 08.10) Chrystine was very surprised at this new CO's attitude. The CO's before this one hadn't been so abrupt with her. And the last one was half-Klingon. She couldn't imagine the incredible task that was now ahead of her, in clearing his schedule and rescheduling it all for another day. And given his present attitude, she wondered if it would even be possible to reschedule some of the events. "Dismissed?" said Aragorn finally. Looking at him, she wondered if something else might be the cause for his abruptness. After all, it was only his second day. Maybe he'd been having a rough time. "Are you okay, sir? Did you sleep well? Are you sure you don't need anything? Perhaps you didn't have breakfast? I could get something made for you from the Rec Lounge. They have some wonderful menu options." suggested Chrystine, a concerned look on her face. <> "Before I go, sir. Perhaps you can tell me how you would like to start your morning? Should I have coffee or some other beverage ready? Food perhaps? What reports do you prefer to read first? What priority do you take visitors? Civilians?" asked Chrystine, padd in hand ready to take notes. <> When she finally left, Chrystine returned to her desk and began about the task of redoing the Captain's schedule. But before she did so, she typed up a quick message. To: Lise Arianna From: Chrystine Nicklaus RE: Lunch Wanna have lunch? Meet me at the Rec Lounge at 12:00. My treat. With the message sent, she turned her attention to the task at hand. "Dear Chairman, Due to unforeseen circumstances the Captain...... **** (Starbase Geneva, Mess hall - TAC/ASC Vladek Rofellian - 2405.08.28.08:15) Vladek was having breakfast and he was hungry, his inquiry had been a success in some sort, even he was sad of what he had discovered. He had still some verifications to make and he was asking oneself if he shall have the time to organize a visit of his ship for the command staff. He was eating his sixth pancakes covered with orange marmalade when a call came in =^= CO to Mr. Pitt, Mr. Isengard, Mr. Rofellian, Mr. Roft and Mr. Wilson to my Ready Room, please.=^= ~ wow, what's going on ?, the Nimitz is already there ~ thought Vladek in standing up and drinking a last sip of his coffee. **** (OPS - OO Crewman Montro - 08.30) Montro had turned up at OPS to give a status report. But before he could do so, a person in red with more pips on his shoulder than Montro, sitting at the OPS station said, "Crewman I would like you to keep a eye on things up here why I am not present running these drills, Any problems just give me a call and I shall beam back is that Ok?" Montro nodded, a bit surprised at the order. "Thank you," replied the young man, who promptly headed for the turbolift. Montro watched the turbolift doors close and then looked around. Shrugging his shoulders, he hopped into the OPS chair and swiveled it around a couple times. Finally coming to a halt, he looked at the vessels orbiting. He looked at the Keltoi class Boudicca and the Oberth class Phantom. He was amazed that the ancient vessel still held. ~She must be neat.~ he thought, as he swung his legs in the chair and began to look around to see how things were proceeding. ~Good thing I only sleep four hours a day.~ thought Montro. ~I don't know how the humans do so much while sleeping so long.~ **** (Starbase Geneva, CO's Ready Room - TAC/ASC Vladek Rofellian - 2405.08.28.08:40) The CO had begun his speech, it was concerning some rearrangements in the affectation of some members of the crew and also some promotions. Lt. Pitt was transferred to Engineering as CEO, Wilson was staying as CONN and he had to take over also OPS, Roft was becoming COUNS and they both were promoted to Ensign senior grade. Then he came to the Security Department "And you, Mr. Isengard and Mr. Rofellian, let me first state that I have been made aware of all the good work that you have been doing on this base. To represent my thanks, I will give you both a field promotion. You, Mr. Isengard will be promoted to Lieutenant senior grade, whereas you, Mr. Rofellian will be promoted to Lieutenant junior grade. I know that would be a double step for you, but with the oncoming problems we are going to face, I feel we need as strong a Tactical presence as possible." ~ a double promotion, I haven't done nothing extraordinary yet, just my ordinary work ~ thought Vladek in replying "Thank you Sir." incapable to add more so much he was surprised. The Captain placed four boxes with pips on the desk, one for each of the promoted officers. "Well done, gentlemen. keep up the good work." he said Isengard took one of the solid pips, and nodded to Aragorn. "With your permission captain, I have security details to train and implement for the arrival of the Nimitz..." and he left the room. Vladek was a bit surprised by his reaction, he had thought that his boss would congratulated him for his promotion or even would given orders for the further security measures but he had just left the room without a sight or a word to him.~ It's like something or someone is bothering him, but he will be probably in better mood later.~ Wilson waited for the meeting to end and then he walked out and caught Vladek's eye and walked over. "So Lt now, Very impressive." " It's just normal, now we've got a CO who rewards people at their right merit." Vladek replied with a smile at the corner of his mouth. "When is the best time to do those tests on the Romulan shuttle for you, Parak will be able to assist you if I am up here, Just let me know later if you don't mind, Sir". " Please, John, call me Vladek, between you and me we don't need protocol, the term Sir makes me feel I'm already a old guy. So concerning these tests, maybe this afternoon after lunchtime, you'll be probably busy all the morning with your shuttle training and for myself I've some reports to finish." he said Wilson acquiesced to his proposal and Vladek was going out of the room when he turned back to Wilson and added " But I expect to see you at 11:30 at the bar of the Recreational Lounge, we have some promotions to celebrate. And that's a order, Ensign." (Reply Wilson IYW,any who also wants to celebrate his promotion) (Posted by Patrick Buidin) **** (Rec Lounge, First story, stage side - OO Crewman Chrystine Nicklaus - 12.00) Chrystine walked in and waved at Gaylord as she surveyed the room. ~Ooohh.. a band is playing.~ she thought, as she went to seat herself in one of the booths. ~They're good.~ she thought, as she slid into one of the lower booths. "Good Ahftanoon, mah deah Chrystine. How may Ah be of suhvice?" asked a smiling Gaylord, padd in hand. "Get me a Shirley Temple and the menus for now. You can tell me your specials when Lieutenant Arianna arrives." she replied. "Ov cohse, mah deah. Be rahght back." he said, with a wink and smile. She winked at him and then turned her attention back to the jazz band playing a tune she hadn't heard in a long time. ~There was a boy.....~ (Reply Aragorn, Arianna, Any) (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) **** (Starbase Geneva ­ CO's Quarters ­ SPC Louise Palmer ­ 17:03) Louise looked around, finally satisfied that everything was unpacked. It looked if anything, far too neat. None of the children's toys were around, and there was, as yet, nothing out of place. She'd finally changed into a jumpsuit even if it wasn't entirely official yet that she could return to work, and felt a little better. With her borrowed commbadge pinned on she almost felt normal. Almost. She flung herself on the couch and sighed, wondering if it would ever look like home. Wondering if it would ever *feel* like home. Wondering if Aragorn would ever, ever.... The doorchime sounded. "Come in?" Louise called, puzzled as to who it was. ~Hardly HER come to apologise~ she thought sourly. It wasn't HER. It was another woman though, but this one wore Science blue like Louise herself. She was of slightly above-average height and her hair was long and black, her eyes a startlingly deep blue. Approaching the couch, she gave Louise a friendly smile. "Can I borrow some of your time Ms Palmer? "Umm, yes...." Louise answered, wondering who the woman was. The woman cleared her throat... “I read in your bio, that you specialise in the field of science?” ~You did?~ Louise thought in confusion. Her biofile was not at the top of her thoughts, nor at the moment was science. “Well as you probably would know, I am currently involved in trying to find out all I can about this purple sphere that was recovered from these quarters, actually.” The woman paused to catch her breath then continued. “I was wondering if you would like to lend your expertise to this investigation, we need all the fresh idea we can get.” Louise struggled to make sense of this. ~Purple sphere? What purple sphere? Found here? No one told us - well non one told *me*~ she amended. It was possible that was one of the *little things* that Aragorn would have decided not to worry her with..... "Umm, do sit down, Ensign uhhhhh..... ensign," she finished lamely as she realised she had no idea who this was. "I'm sorry," she added, "My son's been in Sickbay after an accident and things aren't - " Louise paused. This woman probably didn't want to hear all Louise's problems. ~Although she's probably heard enough about it already~ "...and I'm not exactly uhhh caught up with events on the station yet." she finished lamely. Belatedly she remembered her manners. "Look, why don't I get us both something to drink and you can explain all this to me from the top?" Louise paused for a second, slightly intrigued despite her other worries. "A purple sphere? I take it you don't mean some kind of ornament then?" (Reply Sasha, Any) (Posted by Liz Geuken) **** (Starbase Geneva ­ CO's Quarters ­ CSO Lee ­ 17:07) Sasha watched as shades of confusion crossed Louise’s face…~Maybe she doesn't know what I’m talking about~, Sasha thought. "I'm sorry," Louise said interrupting Sasha’s train of thought, "My son's been in Sickbay after an accident and things aren't- " Louise paused seemingly choosing her words. Sasha waited patiently for her to finish. "...and I'm not exactly uhhh caught up with events on the station yet." she finished. Half rising from the chair Louise faced Sasha fully. "Look, why don't I get us both something to drink and you can explain all this to me from the top?" Sasha nodded, “That would be lovely, could I bother you for some coffee ­ I haven't had much sleep.” "A purple sphere? I take it you don't mean some kind of ornament then?" Louise spoke sounding intrigued. Sasha smiled, she knew that look, it was the look she wore every time she started a new project. It was a sign of a true scientist her father always used to say. “Do you mind if I have a seat?”Sasha asked. She assumed Louise would agree, but manners was manners. Taking a seat, Sasha took the cup of coffee from Louise’s proffered hand. “Thank you”, waiting for Louise to take a seat, she continued. “I must quickly apologise for not fully introducing myself, I assumed you knew who I was, but then again not everyone is nosy like me with the need to find out who everyone is!”, Sasha grinned mischievously. “I am Natasha Lee, the Chief Science Officer for Geneva, but everyone calls me Sasha.” “Now by your surprise at my mention of the purple sphere, I’m assuming no one has filled you in?” “Well I’m sure you were informed of the circumstances that led to you’re husbands reappointment?” “No?”,Sasha said surprised. “Don't you love it when everyone keeps you in the dark.”, Sasha stated grinning. “Ok from the top quickly, the former CO, went berserks on the bridge, slapped Lt Arianna, and after a major argument was shot and confined to the Brig.” Sasha paused to let Louise take what she had said in. “Now an minor investigation was launched, when we detected very strange readings coming from these quarters mainly. When we searched these quarters we discovered a pulsing purplish sphere, that definitely shouldn't be there.” “It was assigned to my department with the orders to find out what it is, exactly what it does, and how it got here.” Sasha stopped to make sure Loiuse had got all she said. Taking another sip of coffee, she continued. “Anyway from the minimal scan’s we could do, we deduced that the sphere somehow interrupted and messed with Yori’s brain patterns, however as the sphere is either highly protected, or the material it is made of naturally shield scans, we can't scan beneath the surface to see how it was made, or how it works or anything.” Sasha stopped to take a breath and noticed with satisfaction, Louise looked positively excited about this project. “Any attempts to force it open have also failed basically we are stumped.” “However today I went an sought advice from…a friend…and I have a new possible avenue to try…but I require your help…Interested?” Sasha finished with what she hoped was a beguiling smile. (Reply Louise, Any) (Posted by Gemma) **** (Starbase Geneva - Ready Room - Geneva CO - Captain Aragorn - 22:48) Aragorn didn't know what had kept him in his Ready Room at the time. He just felt that somehow something big was about to happen. Unfortunately he had felt that since dinner time so by now, he had been eagerly anticipating something, filling up his time with reading reports. And re-reading them when nothing had happened. And again...and again...and by this time Aragorn had memorised all the texts on all the PADD's in his office. But after picking up another PADD with a grunt, FINALLY his commbadge came to live. =^= Ops to Captain. Sir, the Nimitz has just called in. ETA 23:45. =^= Aragorn sighed. "Inform my staff to meet me in my Ready Room at once. Give the Nimitz Dock 2. This way we can have a good look at her when she comes in. Also launch all vessels bar the Oberth and have them start the tachyon scan. Go to yellow alert." NRPG: I assume that the space dust sweep has already been introduced. Oh, and just so you know, there are NO Romulan ships hiding near the base. 8-) RPG: Aragorn waited for the others to arrive. (Starbase Geneva - Ready Room - Geneva CO - Captain Aragorn - 23:45) With a deadpan expression Aragorn watched as the Nimitz came into view through the main window in his room. The damage had been much less than he had expected or at least the damage that was visible. But still the proud ship was limping home. "Any idea on casualties?" he asked to nobody in particular. "380 dead, Sir." Aragorn closed his eyes. ".....", Aragorn cleared his throat, unable to speak. "Who....Command staff?" "A Commander Rivers and a Lieutenant Sovak. Both are to report to the Admiral at once." ~Susan?~ For a few seconds Aragorn was unable to think anymore. The last he had expected to see was Susan, his former FO on the Nimitz. Hadn't she been made Captain of another ship? ~The circle comes round then,~ he thought, ~ I send her away to the Spectre and returned with a damaged ship and the loss of 280, then she returns and brings back as damaged Nimitz with 380 dead.~ Aragorn for a moment tried to fathom what is must have been like, to have so many people under your command die and then to take five months to reach home. For Aragorn it had not been 'that' bad. The journey home took only a few hours and at the time, with most of the crew having evacuated the ship, they had been too busy to really think about what had happened. But Susan obviously didn't get that luxury. "Is everything ready, people?" he asked the assembled staff with a coarse voice. "Ok, then," he said after a sigh when the Nimitz was docking, "Let's get this show on the road!" (Reply by all present) (Posted by Adrie Geuken) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mission: Coming Home, Day 1 Stardate: 2405.08.29 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Primary Trade Deck - OO Crewman Montro - 01.00) Montro waited in the converted Customs Area to receive the incoming crew from the Nimitz. Several OPS officers were standing by to help get their new guests quarters and aid in whatever manner they required. "Hi, I'm Montro. How may I help you?" he asked the first Nimitz Crewman to come his way. <> (Reply Lesia, Aragorn, Any) (posted by Kaweo Kanoho)