Stardate:2406.02.25 (Starfleet Academy - Admiral Okqil's office - Cadet Huber Jefferies - 14.21) "Cadet Huber Jeffries, reporting as ordered." The Cadet who'd just entered the office stated. Tenaya nodded and gestured for him to relax as he'd been in the process of saluting her. "Welcome Cadet. Your orders please?" She said as she gestured to the PADD that he was carrying. Jeffries passed the PADD over to Tenaya. Tenaya perused the PADD before her. "Congratulations Cadet, you've passed your training with flying colours. I am hereby promoting you to Ensign (jg) with all the rights and responsibilities of that rank and also, I am assigning you to Starbase Geneva, you will depart tomorrow morning. Here is a copy of your graduation records and also your orders." Tenaya stated as she passed the PADD to Jefferies. "Dismissed, and Cadet, good luck." Huber saluted the admiral, turned, and left the room. As soon as he left the main offices of the admiralty, he slumped back against one of the brick walls of the building. ~Whew. I made it.~ He was actually astonished to have passed all the tests to graduate. He knew he had ability, but making it come to fruition was another matter. He went back to his quarters and packed up his few belongings. Years of nomadic life, combined with his short stint in the merchant service, had taught him to live lightly. As he packed each of his few items, each brought back memories. Like the holocube of Tampura, the parklike community near where he had grown up. He activated the cube, and watched the scenes pass slowly by. After several moments, he deactivated the cube, and tenderly packed it in with his other items. (Posted by Jimmy) Stardate:2406.03.04 (Earth  StarFleet Docks  Ensign (jg) Huber Jefferies  2406.03.04 07.55) Huber showed the PADD with his orders to the lieutenant in charge of the shuttle he was boarding. Accepted, he moved into the shuttle for the trip to Starbase Geneva. Their itinerary, he had learned, would have them at the Starbase in about 28 hours. He settled into his seat, and took out his personal PADD for some light reading. He was reading an old 'western' written two centuries earlier, and it was getting exciting. Stardate:2406.03.04 (Starbase Geneva, Promenade, Italian restaurant - FO Vladek Rofellian - 2406.03.04.12:20) “I say give it a go, one thing that I would like stationed on it would be a hand print recognition device meaning that unauthorised personnel would not be able to open doors with out having the hand print. Unless that would incite people to chop hands off in that case forget my plan,” John said in replying to Vladek's proposal for the improvement of the security measures for the new starbase. "Yes, it could be a good idea but I think that it won't help us against Changellings, you know better than I that they can copy someone till his last cell. According to what I've heard, the device designed by the TAC/SC on SB23 was able to make the difference between a real person and his copy but I'll contact him to be sure." Vladek exposed. (Reply Wilson IYW) " We'll see, I hope we'll have time to update the security until the next attack but I'm sure of it, everyone must certainly know that we have repelled a dominion invasion so they will probably hesitate before attacking us." Vladek stated, he made a pause and stood up in adding " I'm sorry but I've to go, our discussion has been short but I hope to see you tomorrow at the party." (Reply Wilson IYW) And Vladek went in direction of his office, already thinking on the arguments he will put on the proposal to replace the Science Vessel. (Reply Wilson IYW) (Posted by Patrick Buidin) Stardate:2406.03.04 (Deep Space  Shuttle Oceana  2406.03.04 16.20) The shuttle lurching suddenly brought Huber out of a light sleep. Instantly aware, he checked the other shuttle occupants, to find only minor injuries. He went to the front, to the command seats, where the pilot was working on smoking controls.. éWhat happened?" Huber asked, stunned. "We hit something." ~This HAS to be another test. This cant be happening.~ As the minutes passed, it became clear that the problem wasn't something the pilot could easily fix at his control panel. Huber slid into the vacant copilot seat, and began checking what systems he could bring up. He determined that the main problem was navigational deflectors were down. They could move, not only at impulse speed but at warp speed, but without navigational deflectors functioning, theyd be likely to be pulverized. We went to the aft compartment, to work on the engineering innards. Finally, after what seemed ages but had in reality been about 15 minutes, he thought he had isolated the problem. However, the adjustment could only be done from space. Checking with the pilot and the other shuttle passengers, it became clear that he, Huber, was the only occupant who had both the engineering knowledge and certification for Extra Vehicular Activity. Donning the EVA suit, he climbed onto the transporter pad, and the pilot beamed him outside the shuttle. He linked to the ship, and space walked over to the exterior of the sensors, where the deflector dish was located. He was dismayed to see that the leads had burned out entirely. This would take longer than he thought. (Posted by Jimmy) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Dreamscape, Borg Cube 45HB67-JHN65H [AKA, Primary Target Alpha] - Central Corridor - Major LoDona - Long in the past, 0900) Rob ran his finger down the blade of his survival knife, then stuffed in hard into the inverted sheath on his chest. He pointed to the guys with the heavy artillery, then pointed two fingers at the center sphere that made up the Borg cube. They were near the middle of the ship, the hollow core that extended nearly two hundred stories up and down. His eyes took in the awe and sheer size of the center cube, its look the same wherever his eyes stopped to take in detail. There were thousands of drones in view, moving along passageways or plugged into the collective and powering themselves. As yet, the Marines from the Marine vessel Tecumseh hadn't been spotted as a threat, it was one of the few things he enjoyed most about the Borg, they allowed you to set up shop before the big show. He was nominally in command of a demi-company, one of several that had taken position on the ship from several different Starfleet ships under cloak. There was a full Division on this ship, right now, all of whom had the honor of adding another million tons of debris to the solar system that was currently being orbited. Once they were done here, they would move to the fourth planet and start undoing the work that the Borg had begun there. This cube had gotten curiously far in its efforts to assimilate, before Starfleet had been notified. And, like several other times in history, the Corps had been called to throw its blood into a bit of Cube Cracking. The man in charge of the full Company he was part of stood next to him, a pencil pusher that had been placed in a command position to further his career. That smacked to LoDona of something dangerous, but as long as the Colonel stayed close and didn't countermand his orders, they would get along fine. LoDona shouldered his scattergun, he didn't need to check his weapons at the last minute like quite a few of the Marines around him were doing, he had done it on the check here. He knew that both his sidearm were at his side, and his type III was slung behind his back. The only thing he wasn't carrying was explosives, there were four Combat Engineering teams on this cube, most likely already rigging several spots to blow. Heavy Infantry, sappers, Artillery, every branch of the Corps had several examples of themselves on board, all armed to the teeth. It was an awesome sight to behold, even from his vantage point he could see Starfleet Marines moving about like ants, putting themselves into good positions. For some reason, Starfleet Tactical and SFI had requested that this particular cube be taken whole if possible. Thus, a full division was on this chunk of cold technology instead of a few squads for some prep work before the fleet blasted her to hell. Rob thought it was foolishness, a lot of men would loose their lives today so they could capture this ship. On the other hand, it had some noble reasons. To fight an enemy, one had to understand the enemy. The Federation had done all it could with parts of Borg ships, and partial drones. If it was to continue its research at breakneck pace, it needed a full working example of a Borg ship to design off of. So, the marines would bleed today for a higher cause. His eyes focused inward at the HUD for a moment, then he said into his open com link "Fireworks in four minutes, all units converge with sweeping maneuvers at 0905 sharp. Those with the big guns aim at the sphere, knock it out, just like the plan. And the playground rules are like always, the biggest and baddest are king of the court, therefore the call is that there are no rules, thou shalt win at all cost. " He heard someone say =^=Amen, brother.=^= A slight grin broke his serious face, he had just given them carte blanche on what they could do to protect themselves and wipe out the enemy. He felt no moral complications at all, the Borg wanted nothing more then to assimilate them and assign them to living death. Therefore, it was either kill or be killed. His men knew it, he knew it, that's how the game would be played. And as always, the game was played to win. The Colonel beside him coughed, then began to check his own weapons in a last minute show of activity that must have betrayed the strain. LoDona had made a point of looking into the good colonels file, he hadn't seen action in nearly two dozen years. It was another point that put him out of the Majors good graces. Rob mentally shrugged, in all their wisdom, sometimes the High Echelon had some real idiots making plans for them. With absolutely no warning, nearly every Borg voice in the cube suddenly said, "WE ARE THE BORG. YOU WILL BE MADE TO SERVICE US. WE WILL ADD YOUR BIOLOGICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL DISTINCTIVENESS TO OUR OWN, RESISTANCE IS FUTILE." "Bloody HELL!" bellowed Rob, as three dozen drones detached themselves from the wall and scanned for a few moments before moving to one squad of his detachment. He yelled into his mic on broadband, "The Party has started two minutes early, Light your matches, boys!" He twisted down his scattergun, and pointed at the nearest couple drones. Two quick shots later, and they were in pieces on the floor. He ducked, moving easily in his BDU as another swung at him with assimilation tubes extended. He swept sideways with the scattergun and bellowed a credible Southern Yeolp as the arm of the drone was broken nearly in half. Within minutes, everything was chaos. Heavy phaser fire concentrated in earnest on the center sphere, and everywhere in his vision, phaser fire was shooting out in graceful lines of power. But it had started early, not everyone had been able to prepare properly. The screams of the assimilated echoed in his helmet, as comrades yelled for help at the top of their lungs. His own demi-company was being steadily pushed back by pure weight of numbers, pushed ever closer to the drop off in the middle of the sphere. Rob dropped to his knee, "Form a firing line!" he swung the type 3 phaser rifle off his back and took aim down it's barrel. He squeezed off a high power shot that kicked a drone back ten feet, only to be replaced by two others from the rear. Beside him, the colonel was taking panic shots, shooting at nearly everything that was Borg. Rob silently prayed that he didn't hit any of their own men, he didn't want to become a murderer and throw the blasted colonel down the pit behind them in retaliation. Gunnery Sergeant O'Neill squatted beside him. =^=Right flank is bein' overwhelmed, Major!=^= he bellowed over the chaos. Before Rob even had a chance to reply, the Colonel suddenly shrieked =^=All hands, retreat! Get off this block!=^ Rob's mouth dropped open as he glanced down their retreat corridor. It was even more congested with Borg then the way they were facing now, going down it was certain death. "NO!, Belay that order!" he bellowed in response. The Colonel looked at him, then savagely swung his phaser at LoDona's head. LoDona managed to duck, the phaser only hit him a glancing blow. =^=I'm in charge! I say RETREAT!=^= in a panicky voice. He grabbed hold of his phaser again, and started running down the corridor, jumping out of the way of Borg drones and firing at Random. To many men followed him, Rob doubted they would be heard from again. What it did do, however, was weaken his own line. O'Neill stayed beside him and continued firing. Someone tossed a grenade and yelled, =^=Fire in the hole!=^ Rob turned his head as chunks of ship and Borg were blown every which way by the full power photon blast. He grit his teeth in anger, "I'm going to KILL that colonel if the Borg don't get him first!" Someone close by heard him in the com, and said =^=I'll bring the pliers.=^=Another yelled, =^=I've got dibs on the chainsaw!=^ O'Neill nodded, =^=I'll bring the beer.=^= was his response. Rob suddenly stopped, and thinned his lips. Down the corridor, a whole new wave of Borg was approaching. Down that way was the 1st Bravado Squad, if Borg were coming through en-mass, it meant they had either abandoned their post, or were destroyed. Knowing their Commander, LoDona was willing to lay his money on the latter. It also meant they were badly out-gunned. He cursed loud and long, then said "All Forces retreat to extraction point by any means possible!" He slammed the butt of his phaser rifle on the deck, "If that d*mned Colonel hadn't taken all those men..." =^=Then we might still have been overrun, Sir, with all do respect, haul a$$!=^ Rob looked around, all his alternatives had been taken, they had no choice but to leave. Distasteful as it was, this mission was FUBAR, nothing to be done about it but try again later if they had the opportunity. He ran headlong down their escape corridor, O'Neill beside him, both firing indiscriminately at the Borg as they showed themselves in their path. His BDU started showing the strain of being battered and hit not many minutes later, the protection it offered declining by every arm that hit him, and every beam that just nicked him by his own men. At one point his rifle had been swept from his hands, he was now double slinging two Mark V sidearm, shooting everything that came within his range. On both sides, his men were being captured and assimilated. He had even found himself confronted with Marines that had become Borg sometime within the last half hour. Always running through his mind was what he was going to do to the Colonel once he got off this chunk of technology. Throwing him in boiling water didn't sound painful enough, neither did skinning the b*stard alive after pulling out all his toenails with some tweezers. Whatever happened, it would be done slowly with every intention of causing pain. His men fought a hard fight through the corridors, passing dead bodies of those who had suicide after being infected, but still in control of their own actions. He himself only had thirty or so left, he wasn't sure if they could make it to the extraction point or not. He was just turning his head to bellow encouragement when three Borg turned a corner and rammed smack into him. He phasered one, as another grabbed his arms and a third pushed its tubettes through a joint in his BDU. Rob felt something cold start to pass into his blood stream, and paled as he realized what had just happened. He screamed in pain and defiance as he jerked with all his strength, and backhanded the drone that had been holding him. O'Neill phasered the third drone, as LoDona lifted his arm and destroyed the one that he had just backhanded. He turned his head, a look of horror on his face at the expression on O'Neill's face. LoDona knew what was coming, he couldn't allow it. He cracked his Pallas battle helmet and screamed, "Get out of here!" O'Neill shook his head, and grabbed LoDona's arm. =^=Come'on Sir, gotta get you to a doc!=^ LoDona suddenly felt weak in the knees, and he *felt* the assimilation nanties doing their work. He could just see his reflection inside the helmet, his face has grey streaks in it already. Soon, very soon, the nanites would begin sprouting hardware, prepping him for full assimilation. "nooooooo........" he started to chant, "nooo......" O'Neill yanked LoDona around and pushed him. =^=MOVE, MARINE!=^ LoDona took a few steps, then fell to his knees. It felt like he had quicksilver moving through his veins, it wasn't painful but it felt d*mned funny. He almost giggled as the prickly sensation, but he broke off as he heard the first whispers of the Borg Collective in his mind. He screamed again, mindless, as the Gunny picked him up and hoisted him over his massive shoulder. He continued to scream as they beamed away, and he was placed in cuffs by the same Gunny that had saved him. He could feel and see the metal protrusions that had begun forming on him, as the Nanites took available metal from around him and began to incorporate the raw material into him. The group-mind became louder, deafening everything. Within half an hour, he couldn't even think through the noise. He didn't even notice the doctor that had begun work on him, he didn't notice anything for a long time after... The joy, the chaos, the close knit society of the Borg, had almost completely taken him into its grasp... (Posted by Trout) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Geneva - Sqn Command Desks, Admirals Quarters - Vice Admiral LoDona - 0445) Rob sat strait up in bed, switching from sleep to full alertness in moments as he had always done since joining the Marines. He blew a breath through his lips, and rolled his legs out as he unconsciously reached out to stroke the implants left on his hand and arm. He hadn't exactly been stupid that morning, but the results had haunted his dreams for the rest of his career, throughout the time he had remained in the Marines, then when he had transferred into Security and into the command track. Those few moments, the feel of the assimilation tubes, everything about that hellish time remained bright in his memory. And though he could have had the implants themselves removed, he had left them as a reminder of his failure, and as a reminder to all on what failure and cowardice could and would achieve. He rubbed his face, and groaned. It was going to be another long day, the Geneva transfer of Command ceremony was today. He shook his head as he stood, at least they were off that tiny little thing they had called a station. He didn't know how Admiral Greeley could stand having the center of her forces on a station that could hardly block an attack from a rundown freighter. =^=Admiral, you have a priority-one from Starfleet Command, Fleet Admiral Alaya=^= "Wonderful." he muttered, "Ill take it in here." he said somewhat louder. If there was one thing that Fleet Admirals were excellent at, it was catching others at very odd times. Kudo's to LoDona however, he was already awake so she wouldn't have the pleasure of seeing him *very* bleary eyed. He pulled on a robe to cover his mostly nude form, and sat down in front of the screen. "Computer, show message, authorization LoDona Beta Charlie Seven Four." <> He leaned forward to the monitor, and let it scan him. <> He leaned back, something less then impressed, as the Admiral showed herself on the screen. "Admiral." he said as he inclined his head *just* ever so slightly. "You do keep devilish hours." "So do you, Robert." she replied back over the screen. "I somewhat doubted I would be waking an old war-horse like you." He crossed his arms, "What can I do for you." "Fleet Strategic Operations has upgraded the importance of that sector you command, new orders from SFI and Stratops are being sent your way now on encrypted channels for later processing. Generally, they want to feel out the strengths and weaknesses of all potential players, they want to know exactly what is going on." "It would be useful if I had more vessels in which to accomplish this task," he replied dryly. "The Nimitz has only recently been repaired after her last two encounters with hostile forces, the Cochrane is just getting up on her feet, and we are only just transferring to the new Starbase today. The Wraith is in deep sector exploration, the Freedom is too. The Boudicca is still laid up here at Geneva with a skeleton crew." "I'm well aware of your difficulties Robert, I'm afraid I can do nothing more then I have already done. Utopia Planitia can help ease some of your problems with relative efficiency, they are only two days real time travel off, other then that.. The fleet isn't in the best shape right now, I don't have to tell you that." He sighed, "Yes, yes.. I know." He picked up a secured PADD and typed in his access codes to look at the new orders he had been given for his squadron. "Any particular timelimit I need to know about, Admiral?" "No timelimit, but the sooner the better. You know as well as I what Strategic Operations is like." "I worked with them enough, I *should* know." he said as he placed the PADD back on the desk. He folded his hands together, "I take it my standing orders have not changed, the unsavory ones?" She snorted, "You loved those orders, don't even try to lie to me. I have known of you for far to long for you to pretend otherwise." His eyebrow rose, but he didn't move to contradict her. Instead, he simply nodded when she further said "Your standing orders are unchanged." A few more words were passed, then her face disappeared with the Federation logo. He tapped his fingertips together for many minutes after she was gone, considering just how he was going to divide the new task among so few ships. (Posted by Trout) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Geneva - Promenade - Dr Drouhin - 10:00) Zephrine was still deep in thought about the events of the past day or two. She had decided to take a walk on the promenade to try to relax. ~if thats at all possible~ Throwing caution to the wind, she thought it safer if she left Rachel in her quarters. Safer for any bystanders, safer for rachel, not safer for her room. ~but I'll deal with that later~ Ahead of her, a woman walked lazily along, glancing at store frontages as she went. Something about the way she walked, and her mane of red hair drew Zephrine's attention. ~surely thats not Eloise? It can't be....~ The woman paused for a moment, half turning her head, enough for Zephrine to realise it *was* Eloise. She broke into a quick jog to catch up. "Eloi.........." Her voice died as Eloise turned round, and Zephrine spotted the baby in her arms. She glanced from it, to her friends face, positive the confusion was obvious on her face. "Zephrine!!" Eloise all but squealed as she pulled her into a quick hug, sandwiching the child between them. Zephrine felt a small moist hand catch hold of her tunic, and when they pulled apart, it held fast. Eloise grinned, both at the confusion on her friends face, and the determined frown on her son's. It was obvious he wasn't going to let go of Zephrine in a hurry. "Here, you better take him, or else we'll have to stand here for hours." She deftly handed him over, as Zephrine began protesting. "No, it's okay. Eloise! You know I don't *do* babies." "Of course you do! You're a doctor,and a woman! How can you not like babies!" She found the bundle shoved into her arms anyway, and reluctantly took him, determined not to look at him. "What are you doing here?" The question about the baby in her arms was unspoken but it hung between them, and Eloise grinned. "So much to tell you!! Quick, let's grab a seat up here, and I'll fill you in." She took a second glance at Zephrine's uniform. "That is, unless you have somewhere you're supposed to be?" Zephrine shook her head. "No, it's okay. Nothing that can't wait anyway." She tried desperately to ignore the little face that was staring up at her from her arms. They took a seat at a small table outside an eatery, and Zephrine took a closer look at her friend. She was thinner than she had been when they had last seen each other. there were also dark circles under her eyes, and a general look of tiredness about her. ~but how much of that is because of the baby......asuming it *is* her baby~ Seeing the unasked questions on her friends face, Eloise smiled. "Yes, he is my baby. This is Ryuchi." She ran a hand lovingly over his head, beaming proudly. A million questions ran through Zephrine's head, most of which centred around why Eloise was here on her own and who was the babies father. She looked at Eloise, not sure how to proceed. Eloise, however cleverly interpreted Zephrine's silence. "I guess you're wondering about his father and if I'm here on my own, and why I'm here?" Zephrine nodded. "Take a look at him, maybe that will answer your first question." Very reluctantly Zephrine looked down at the baby. He still held her tunic in a tight little fist, and was sucking enthusiastically on his other hand. He gazed up at her , his eyes focusing intently on her face, and Zephrine felt something lurch within her. ~no, no, no! I don't need this now! this is what I've been trying to avoid all along!~ She shook her head slightly, trying to ignore what she was feeling and took another look at the boys face. There was no mistaking the dark hair and dark eyes. She looked at Eloise. "Does he know? Or..........are you still together?" Eloise nodded. "Well, it's complicated, but the short answer to both is yes." Not wanting to delve too much, Zephrine smiled. "I'm glad. You two are perfect for each other. I assume you're here to meet Nimitz when she comes in then?" A shadow seemed to cross Eloises face before she replied. "Yes, I'm just hoping........well, I'm not sure what Nishi will think of us that's all." There was a pause for a moment before Eloise turned to Zephrine, her expression worried. "Zeph, there's someone else. Or rather, someone who is interested in Nishi, and I'm not sure if he's ............ I *do* trust him, but what if he decides he's better off with someone like that than being saddled with me and Ryuchi?" Zephrine took Eloises hand and gave it a quick squeeze. "You know what Nishi is like Eloise. He's completely devoted to you. I'm sure once he meets Ryuchi, he'll be besotted with him as well. It'll be fine, try not to worry." ~and if he hurts you, he'll have me to deal with!~ Eloise sat staring into the distant for a moment, before turning to Zephrine. "Zeph, do you think.......well, I know it's asking abit much, but could you look after Ryuchi for half an hour or so? Just so I can go and get something to wear? And maybe have my hair done? I want to look, well, as good as I can for when I see Nishi. It's just harder than I thought trying to shop with a baby along." ~no!!~ Zephrine's eyes widened in shock. She was about to make some exucse, when she saw the pleading look on eloises face and gave in. "Sure, of course I will. I'll take him back to my quarters. Take your time shooping." She almost gritted her teeth as she was saying it. Having a baby for company was not her idea of fun. For a start it would force her to confront several things she didn't want to think about, but she could hardly deny Eloise a little time on her own. "Oh Zeph, thankyou! I wouldn't trust him with anyone but you. Thankyou. I'll try not to be too long. I've got his things in this bag here. He won't be a problem. He's the perfect baby I promise." She stood quickly and placed the bag on the table. After giving Zephrine a quick hug and kissing the top of Ryuchi's head, she hurried off along the promenade. Zephrine glanced down at the solemn little face looking up at her. "Well, looks like it's just you and me." She stood awkwardly, worried now that she might drop Eloises baby, and hung the bag from her shoulder. The irnoy of the situation hit her. In her whole career, she had managed to escape holding anyone's baby, always coming up with some excuse. Even when she had delivered Louise and Aragorn's baby, she had managed to quickly hand it over without looking at it for too long. There was no escaping it now. She had almost managed to convince herself and those around her that she didn't like babies and had no interest in them. The truth was actually the opposite. She desperately wanted a child of her own, but Tobias had never seemed to be around long enough for them to discuss it. The fact that he might not even want children was something that Zephrine had thought about and part of what made her try to ignore her natural yearning for them. But now here she was, stuck looking after a baby, and feeling all those longings rise up once more. She hitched Ryuchi closer to her, and began heading back to her quarters. She would deal with her emotions later. For the moment she had a baby to entertain and she decided she was going to enjoy what little time she had. (reply any) (posted by Wendy Gibson) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Deep Space  Shuttle Oceana  2406.03.05 10.40) Finally, Huber had the connections all finished. Hed had to jerry-rig a solution; a long shot occurrence had happened to the shuttle, and maintenance had no plan for repairs in deep space. He and the pilot worked together to bring the ship up to full impulse, tuning the navigational deflectors to best protect the ship. Finally, they determined that they could continue into warp speed. (Posted by Jimmy) Stardate:2406.03.05 (USS Nimitz, Bridge, CO, Captain Susan Rivers, 12.01) "Captain, if I might have a moment ?" Susan looked up to see Zach standing before her, holding tightly on to a PADD, and with an odd expression on his face. It reminded Susan of her grandmother's spaniel when he desperately wanted you to share your chocolate cake with him. "Certainly, Zach. Number One, you have the Bridge," she replied as she stood up and led the way to her Ready Room. (Posted by Liz Geuken) Stardate:2406.03.05 (USS Nimitz, Ready Room, CO, Captain Susan Rivers, 12.03) Susan was aware of Zach's impatience as she walked around her desk and sat down. Well, perhaps impatience wasn't the right word. He was more like a cat on hot bricks. Almost as her behind hit the seat of the chair he placed the PADD in front of her and blurted out, "Captain, I would like to request permission to transfer." Susan looked at her Science Officer in surprise. "To transfer?" she repeated. "I thought you were happy here, Zach. Where did you have in mind to transfer to?" With the air of a schoolboy repeating a rehearsed speech for which he has been promised a treat if he repeats it correctly, he poured the words out to her. "There is an archaeological dig on Altarrin Nine, and I want to be part of it. After a month of strait search, I have determined that planet to be the center where we crashed the T'Kon party, and after being there... Well, I *really* want to be there again, there are questions that need settled and... And..." He paused for a moment and crossed his hands together. "Well, all I need is your permission to go. I need to contact the Starfleet Archaeological and Anthropological departments, that planet has been unexploited and I *really* need to set up the dig! There is an expedition just waiting to happen, so many unfound mysteries that can be solved, and my shades to find..." Zach broke off, looking as if he had suddenly made a mistake in his speech. He fidgeted with his hands again, and said "There are so many questions that need answering, and I want my shades back! They were made of a highly resistant polymer, assuming they have not already been removed from the site, they would still be in good condition! For that reason alone time is of the essence, the longer I sit on the ship, the larger the chance that someone could happen by and pick them up for their own!" He beamed at her. "So, may I have permission, Captain ?" Susan bit the inside of her cheek hard to stop herself from laughing. He looked so like an eager puppy. And all over a pair of dark glasses! She took a breath. This was obviously very important to Zach, no matter how trivial it might seem to her. She looked down at the PADD, noticing how carefully he had categorised all his research. She looked up at him again. "Let me see if I have this right," she began slowly. "In a nutshell, you want me to release you from duty here on the Nimitz, in order that you can go and look for your 'shades'?" (reply Zach iyw) "I'm sorry, Zach, I'm afraid I can't authorise it. Not right now, we need your expertise on board. I have been told to expect an unusual assignment for the Nimitz once we leave Geneva. Exactly what it is, I don't know, but I have been told that it will be some kind of scientific expediion. Though not, I'm afraid, to Altarrin Nine." She smiled at him sympathetically. "And whilst I understand there has been no official dig there, it is always possible that there has been some unofficial work done in the past, when this area was first explored. Who knows, perhaps you obtained your shades originally from someone who found them there?" (reply Zach iyw) (Posted by Liz Geuken) Stardate:2406.03.05 (USS Nimitz - Ready Room - Lt(jg) Zach Falthgood - 12.08) "Let me see if I have this right," she began slowly. "In a nutshell, you want me to release you from duty here on the Nimitz, in order that you can go and look for your 'shades'?" He considered that for several moments, "And to find any information I can on Nimera, she wanted to marry me you know..." "I'm sorry, Zach, I'm afraid I can't authorize it. Not right now, we need your expertise on board. I have been told to expect an unusual assignment for the Nimitz once we leave Geneva. Exactly what it is, I don't know, but I have been told that it will be some kind of scientific expedition. Though not, I'm afraid, to Altarrin Nine." Zach's face fell, "And whilst I understand there has been no official dig there, it is always possible that there has been some unofficial work done in the past, when this area was first explored. Who knows, perhaps you obtained your shades originally from someone who found them there?" Falthgood nodded dumbly, unable to counter the argument, the wind was now gone from his sails. He came somewhat to attention, "Thank you, Captain." he said quietly, and turned on his heel to leave. (reply if desired) (Posted by Trout) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Old Starbase Geneva, Personal Quarters, SPC Lee - 12:51) Sasha ran panicked into her quarters. As usual she was late! She had less than 5 min to get into dress uniform and make it to the change of command ceremony. Pulling out her uniform, she looked at it critically. It was a little bit wrinkled but it would have to do. Quickly slipping into it, Sasha ran out the door, pulling her hair into a loose bun. (Posted by Gemma) Stardate:2406.03.05 (New Starbase Geneva - Main Assembly Hall - SPC Lee - 13:10) Quietly slipping into the back, Sasha strained her ear to see how much she had missed. ".And so we have been given that challenge and we will rise to the occasion and make Freedom the place to be. Our motto: That which does not kill us makes us stronger, will become the embodiment of our endeavors. We will endure what is directed our way, deal in the best way possible and forge on to create a new strong path and haven for Freedom Squadron. May this new Geneva bring glory and honor to all the Squadron." ~Well it seems I've missed most of it~, Sasha tried to hide her grin on that thought. She had never been a fan of ceremony and even less so, of speeches. Blocking out the remainder of the ceremony, Sasha quickly ran through her 'incident' involving the refuse container. She would have to find Zeph and make sure she didn't feel responsible.As for Rachel however.Sasha smiled evilly. She had a little surprise for her. (Posted by Gemma) Stardate:2406.03.05 (New Starbase Geneva, Main Assembly Hall, Nimitz CO, Captain Susan Rivers, 1315) Susan listened to the ceremony with half an ear. She was acutely aware of Sevant beside her, and was trying very hard to block out the memories of those times she had experienced in the alternate universes when they had been so much more to eachother than CO and FO. "... May this new Geneva bring glory and honor to all the Squadron." As Captain Arianna passed by them on her way out of the room, someone announced "Starbase Geneva, departing." "Good." Sevant breathed quietly to Susan, "I don't suppose the Celebration is informal." "I'm afraid not," she whispered back. "That would have been too much to hope for!" She searched the hall for Aragorn, but couldn't see him in the crowd. "Excuse me," she said to Sevant. "But I want to see if I can find Captain Aragorn. I'll see you later, at the party?" (reply Sevant) Susan nodded as she stood up. "I hate these formal gatherings," she added in a low tone. "Worst part of being in Starfleet, if you ask me." (Posted by Liz Geuken) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Geneva, Quarters, SPCs V'Tral, B'EtaK, and V'Staq of the house of De'Ktor, 17.05) V'Tral sat down on the armchair and kicked his legs up. They'd been confined to quarters with a 'babysitter', he rolled his eyes with disgust. She was a terran, not much older than they, and they'd been instructed by Deirdra to 'be good'. He shifted his weight in the chair from one side to the next. "Hmph" He intoned loudly. His siblings looked at him. "Well, this is a rather bothersome occurrance. Our last couple days on Geneva, and we can't even go about exploring. Hmph." B'EtaK looked at V'Tral then to V'Staq again. "Well..." She paused. "We could... " She paused again. "I dunno, we're not supposed to get into any trouble." V'Staq shook his head. "Yeah Right! Like she expects us to follow that!" He said with enthusiasm. "Well..." B'EtaK began, "we were kinda good while you were gone." V'Tral nodded her head. "There was so much to do, we well.. didn't really have time to make trouble." "You WHAT? Didn't have time to make trouble?!? Heaven Forbid!!" V'Staq said in mock shock. "You're telling me you didn't do one single thing that was wrong, or that you got reprimanded for in the entire time that I was gone?" B'EtaK and V'Tral shook their heads. They'd been helping out with the move and everything, as a result, they hadn't had the time on their hands that they usually found they had during assignments and they didn't get in trouble. "Well that just does it, we're going to get out of here." V'Staq said as he looked at t