Spectre Compile number 7 by the great Compile Imp Compile covering dates May 14, 2005 to May 28, 2005 Compilers note: Spelling check, grammar check, the usual. Time not accurate. Overall Number of Posts: 18 Overall Number of Pages: 30 Overall Time: 1 hour and 11 minutes -------------------------- Mission: Whom do you Trust? Day: 2 Stardate:2406.11.11 -------------------------- Special Posts Stardate: 2407.1.04-2407.1.14 and dream -------------------------- Mission: Whom do you Trust? Stardate: 2406.11.10 (USS Spectre-Sickbay-ACMO Bently-06.00) (USS Spectre-Bridge-CMO Williams-10.17) (USS Spectre-Sickbay-Ensign H'Chir-11.16) (USS Spectre-Bridge-FO Lt.Cmdr. Shane Schofield-12.15) (USS Spectre-Bridge-Ensign H'Chir-12.18) (USS Spectre-Main Engineering-CPO M'Rurrh-12.19) (USS SPectre-Bridge-Ensign MacDonald-12.19) (USS Evangeline-COmmand Compartment-Ensign Will Banowsky-12.19) (USS Spectre-Bridge-CO Captain Remae Ktell-12.20) (USS Spectre-Main Engineering-Ensign(jg) Grant Archie-12.20) (USS Spectre-Sickbay: CMO's Office-CMO Williams-12.23) (USS Spectre-Bridge-TAC/SO/20 Pierce Orde-12.23) (USS Spectre-Bridge-FO Lt. Cmdr Shane Schofield-12.25) (USS Spectre-Bridge-CO Captain Remae Ktell-12.25) (USS Spectre-Bridge-CO Captain Remae Ktell-12.40) (USS Evangeline-Command Compartment-Ensign Will Banowsky-12.40) (USS Spectre-Bridge-COUNS Ensign{SG} Divon Lronen-12.43) (USS Spectre-Bridge-Ensign H'Chir-12.44) (USS Spectre-Bridge-CO Captain Remae Ktell-12.45) Special Posts Stardate:2407.1.04 (USS Steel Talons-Admirals Office, War Wing-Admiral LoDona-09.47) Stardate:2407.1.14 (USS Sycophant-Bridge-Lieutenant Falthgood-07.00) (USS Sycophant-Bridge-Lieutenant Falthgood-07.46) (Tulev VII-Underwater Temple Complex-Anti Chamber-07.51) (USS Sycophant-Cargo Bay 3-Zach Falthgood-10.27) Dream (Dreamscape-Sytav VII-Main Temple Chamber-Captain Falthgood-Long Ago) [Begin Compile] Mission: Whom do you Trust? Stardate: 2406.11.11 (USS Spectre - Sickbay - ACMO Bently - 0600) Warren walked into sickbay to find two crewmen waiting there for him. He had a nurse show them each to a bed. Warren quickly completed both physicals and updated the crewman’s records. Having finished all his work for the day, Warren decided to hang around sickbay. He had heard about the captain's plan for some combat drills and thought it wise for him to say at work. (Reply Any) (Posted by Paul) (USS Spectre, Bridge, CMO, Williams - 10.17) "That's not exactly the Starfleet way, Doctor.” said Remae thinking about the idea for a moment, "However, I appreciate you thinking outside the square and I will keep it in mind.", said the Captain. Andrew nodded. He was glad that the Captain had not put him down in front of the bridge crew. He realized that he needed to see what was happening in sickbay. ~Would not be a good CMO if he did not know what was happening in his own sickbay~ with that he quietly left the bridge (reply any) (Posted by Robbie (USS Spectre, Sickbay – Ensign H’Chir – 1116) H’Chir felt the medical scanners begin probing him, each new sensor field clawing at his consciousness. He stifled a growl whilst the doctor busied himself studying the readouts before returning himself to the engineer and saying, "Okay Mr H'Chir, it looks like from these scan results like you problem is due to an imbalance in your serotonin levels which is causing your problem." H’Chir’s frown deepened. “Is it… serious?” "There is nothing to worry about. A simple cause of medication should be sufficient to balance out your levels." The doctor pressed a hypospray to the Andorian’s arm and continued, "That's a start. Take this twice a day once in the morning when you wake up and once in the evening before you go to sleep. You should feel the effects lessen in a couple of days but if you have any problems come back to me at once." Unsure what else to say, H’Chir simply stated “Thank you, doctor.” He then stood and walked briskly to the door, anxious to get away from Sickbay as fast as possible. The doors parted for him, and H’Chir was several metres down the corridor before he stopped, the realisation spreading through him that he hadn’t *known* the doors were going to open. ~What do you know! It worked! ~ (posted by Drake) (USS Spectre, Bridge – Ensign H’Chir – 1218) “Thanks, Mr H’Chir. Can you remain on the bridge at the aft engineering station? I think we’re going to need your skills.” H’Chir nodded to the captain, who was immediately swept up in a question from the ship’s counsellor. Tapping his commbadge, the Andorian said, “H’Chir to M’Rurrh; I will be remaining on the bridge for the time being. You have the engine room.” =/\=Acknowledged, Ensign, stay in touch.=/\= H’Chir continued to survey his readouts, watching them drop as though smothered by a blanket as he activated the cloaking device, and then spike as the warp drive kicked into cruising speed. Nothing wavered. Nothing crashed. ~Good ship… Good…~ (Reply any) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre, Bridge, FO, LtCmdr Shane Schofield, 1215) "No definitive sign of the shuttlecraft, although I'm picking up some echoes that might be him.” reported Commander Orde. "The shuttlecraft is not on our short-range sensors, sir. Switching to a long-range scan. And the diagnostics on the cloaking device show its back to working order, sir." "Thanks Mr. H'Chir, can you remain on the Bridge at the aft Engineering Station, I think we're going to need your skills.", asked the Bajoran. "Captain, I'm not very good at aspects of starship maneuvering and combat, my last vessel was not a combat vessel, what precisely does 'flanking' mean?" "Well, Counsellor, it's not exactly an original idea, but it involves our good CONN Officer getting behind us, perhaps in one of the sensor blind spots most ships have in their aft section." "Hmmm... You might want to watch that then." The Counsellor winked at the Captain. "I should also warn you that the Ensign seems to think the only way he can impress you is by besting you and the ship. You may have to reinforce the fact that even if he fails against the Spectre that you are pleased with his performance." "Thanks Counsellor, I appreciate the insight.” said Remae as he raised his voice, "Engage the cloak.” he said. "Warp signature detected.” said one of the Bridge Officers and the confirmed it was the runabout. Remae turned to the First Officer, "Interesting, I would have thought he would have masked the signature. Mr. Lronen, can you take the CONN for me, I need an experienced officer at that station.” ordered the Counsellor. Shane smiled at the Captain. "Sir, respectfully, it is my duty to remind you that I am a neutral observer of this exercise. It is my job to analyze the tactics of both sides for future use aboard the Spectre. In that capacity I can offer no assistance to either party in this engagement. (posted by Brannigan) (USS Spectre, Main Engineering – CPO M’Rurrh – 1219) =/\=H’Chir to M’Rurrh; I will be remaining on the bridge for the time being. You have the engine room.=/\= “Acknowledged, Ensign, stay in touch.” M’Rurrh’s broad grin showed her fangs as you surveyed the engine room. She leapt through the air, her tail curving her trajectory so that she landed at the top of the ladder to the lower engineering deck. “Ensign Grant, I want you to stay with the cloaking device. You two seem to have come to an understanding.” (Reply Grant if desired, any) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre, Bridge – Ensign MacDonald – 1219) Alexander wasn’t exactly sure what chain of events had led to him being given bridge duty, but whatever else was going on he was here now, and the science console was bleeping at him. Pushing aside the file he had been reading the Scotsman looked up at his captain. "Warp signature detected." (Reply any) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Evangeline-Command Compartment-Ensign Will Banowsky-12.19) Will had dropped out of warp, and arrived at the asteroid field Lt. Commander Orde. Like Orde had said he would need to navigate it visually, but Will wasn't afraid, he would hide out in the asteroid field. Of course if the Spectre had the phase cloak active then they would have no problem navigating the field. Minot set back though, and doing combat in the field would be tough as well. Will entered the field slowly and carefully he proceded to a small clareing within the asteroid field. If the Spectre were to find him here, he would be ready. From where he was, it was the upper edge of the field, meaning if he were to travel straight up he would have a pretty easy path to clear space, after that he could jump into warp. He looked at the surronding asteroids. He would use these to his advantage. He didn't know all the specifics yet of the Spectre's cloaking device, but of all the ones he knew about, they couldn't fire cloaked. Meaning if the Spectre were to attack they would neet to decloak. Meaning it would make the asteroid field much more difficult to pass through for the ship, a difficulty Will wanted to use to his advantage. (reply none) (posted by Will Banowsky) (USS Spectre, Bridge, CO, Captain Remae Ktell - 12.20) Less than a minute at following the warp signature, the Spectre has come to the end of the trail. "Mr. Lronen, take us out of warp.” said Remae, ending one of the shortest warp trips the Spectre had ever undertaken. As the Spectre reduced speed, the view screen showed what was ahead. ~ Asteroids ~ "Passive sensor scans?” asked Remae looking over at the CEO, TAC/SC and a Science Officer he didn't know the name of. (Reply from anyone with anything to contribute) The sensors seemed to be confused by the large amounts of kelbonite in the fields, which made the asteroids a good place to hide. "Counsellor, I want to take a sweep through the field. Can you try and sense Mr. Banowsky as we pass through?” asked Remae as he walked over the CONN station. (Reply from Lronen) "Commander Schofield, prepare all hands for the asteroids interaction with the phase cloak. Lay in a course to chart the asteroids, to cover the most area in the least time.", he said turning his back to the view screen to face the Bridge Crew. "If none of you have passed through matter with a phase cloak before, I should warn you, it can be disconcerting, but remember nothing can hurt us while we are out of phase with normal space.", said the CO and after looking around to make sure everyone was prepared. "Take us in.", he ordered. Without the need to slow down, the Spectre moved towards the field and it wouldn't take long to chart, especially without the need to avoid the asteroids! (Reply Schofield, Lronen, Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre-Main Engineering-Ensign (jg) Grant Archie-12.20) "Ensign Grant, I want you to stay with the cloaking device. You two seem to have come to an understanding." Grant looked at the Caitian. "It's not that we've come to an understanding, I'm just a better engineer then you." Grant said with a laugh. "Just joking, but yes, I will tend to the cloaking device. I think now that she is online we should have no more problems, but you never know." (reply M'Rurrh iyw) (posted by Will Banowsky) (USS Spectre, Sickbay, CMO office, CMO Williams, 1223) "computer reduce gravity in my office to zero and set the door to chime when any one approaches." Andrew glanced around his office and made sure that every thing was in its place. He was not usually a tidy person but when he really wanted to relax he liked to float around his office and did not want all his junk floating around with him. He felt the gravity lessen as the generators spun down. He gently pushed him self off the floor and grabbed a PADD as he floated past the table. With a few gentle pushes he got him self floating in the middle of the room. ~that's more like it. A bit of peace and quiet~ although he had not been as busy as other members of the crew there were only so many medicals one person could look at before they got board. =/\= Attention all hands. We will soon be entering an asteroid field ... Andrew realized that it was not an emergency and tuned out the rest of the announcement. As he went back to his PADD .. inside of a starship's hull. =/\= he lifted his head as he caught the last of the announcement. ~what was that about the ships hull? Hope it was not too bad~ he pushed self off the far wall as he drifted to close. As he turned he was what appeared to be an asteroid coming out of the wall towards him. "Computer normal gravity now." He felt the sudden lurch of the gravity generators kick in and realized that floating near the ceiling was probably not the best idea as he hit the floor hard. ~what the hell is happening~ he looked on in amazement as another asteroid floated across the ceiling. ~it must be the cloaking device. It’s the only thing that could do this~ Andrew though for a moment there was something he remembered about the cloaking device. "The U.S.S. Pegasus. Yes got stuck in an asteroid when the cloaking device failed." He glanced at another large asteroid went along the far side of the room. He picked him self up and sat back in his chair. "Hope that dose not happen here." (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre: Bridge - TAC/SC/2O Pierce Orde - 1223) While Pierce recognized the sheer tactical advantage of being able to fly through anything and everything while out of phase, being able to 'see' the blasted asteroids flying through the ship never failed to set his teeth on edge. /While we're in here, we can't decloak - too much debris,/ he thought. "Charting asteroid field, Captain. Heavy kelbonite deposits interfering with tactical scans, sir," he reported. "We may be able to rig the sensors to allow for easier navigation through the field, sir, if we invert the readings and consider the interference as solid asteroid." (Reply Remae) "Sir, when we're done charting the field, we should withdraw, decloak, and then rig up some real photons to break apart a few asteroids. See if we can't flush him out." (Reply Remae) (Posted by Lenox) (USS Spectre, Bridge, FO, LtCmdr Shane Schofield, 1225) "Commander Schofield, prepare all hands for the asteroids interaction with the phase cloak. Lay in a course to chart the asteroids, to cover the most area in the least time.” he said turning his back to the view screen to face the Bridge Crew. "Aye aye sir!" said Shane as he accessed the ship-wide communications system. =/\= Attention all hands. We will soon be entering an asteroid field under full phase-cloak. Everyone is to remember to stand to their duties and concentrate on their jobs. Although we will pass harmlessly through the asteroids, well it is more correct to say that they will pass through *us*, but they will NOT cause any harm! Many of you will experience something in the next while that you will be able to tell your grand-children about... seeing asteroids pass through the inside of a starship's hull. =/\= "If none of you have passed through matter with a phase cloak before, I should warn you, it can be disconcerting, but remember nothing can hurt us while we are out of phase with normal space.", said the CO and after looking around to make sure everyone was prepared. "Take us in.", he ordered. Without the need to slow down, the Spectre moved towards the field and it wouldn't take long to chart, especially without the need to avoid the asteroids! (Reply CO, Any that are scared of asteroids) (Posted by Andrew Brannigan) (USS Spectre, Bridge, CO, Captain Remae Ktell - 12.25) "Sir, when we're done charting the field, we should withdraw, decloak, and then rig up some real photons to break apart a few asteroids. See if we can't flush him out." The Spectre was combing the asteroid field. It wouldn't take long, without the need to avoid the asteroids however, Remae understood the Chief Security Officer's logic. "If he's in here, it's a good idea, Commander. We need to find him first though.", said Remae and he sat back in his chair as the Spectre completed it's search pattern. (posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre, Bridge, CO, Captain Remae Ktell - 12.40) The sensors were having real problems with the asteroids, bad enough they were being interfered with, but in passive mode, they were severely limited. Remae spoke up, "This is no good, even if he's in here, the shuttle will be powered down. Ensign Lronen, take us out of the field.", ordered Remae. As the Spectre left the field, the Bajoran turned around, "Okay, do we have any evidence of where our Ensign is? And if so, I want to hear suggestions about what we can do next.” offered Remae, with the idea of engaging the crew in the Tactical Mission. (Reply from Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Evangeline-Command Compartment-Ensign Will Banowsky-12.40) Will had been waiting patiently in the asteroid field for about 10 to 15 minutes. He probably would have waited longer except he could get no sensor readings at all in the field. Combine that with the Spectre's phase cloak, and Will was more or less a sitting duck. Not wanting that to happen, Will carefully piloted the Evangeline out of the asteroid field and back into open space. Not to far from the field, but far enough to where his sensors were now functioning normally. ~Where should I head now, the Spectre could very well be anywhere. Perhaps I should go to another area.~ Will had entered a heading of 90 mark 30 when something fateful happened. Not fateful in the sense it was fate, but fateful in the sense that this game of galactic hide and seek was soon to come to a climax. As Will had been ready to leave the area, he noticed that something had fired upon the asteroid field. With asteroids being destroyed below him, Will moved the Evangeline up further to get away from any potential shock waves. He then quickly activated the sensors to scan for any ships in the area within a 15 light year radius. ~Well I'll be my uncle's monkey, it’s the Spectre.~ Finally finding his prey, a smile grew on Will's face, from ear to ear. "Activating full impulse, intercept course for the Spectre plotted. Phasers online, engage." The Evangeline moved through space heading for the Spectre. Will was ready, he wouldn't be able to stand a full out attack, but a few quick shots and a jump to warp should be enough to get the Spectre on its toes. He quickly raised shields, as he neared his prey. (Reply none: although feel free to fire at me) (Posted by Will Banowsky) (USS Spectre, Bridge, COUNS, Ensign {SG} Divon Lronen - 1243) Divon was piloting the ship through through the asteroid field, as the tactical officer was getting his jollies blowing things up. Divon had to keep the bulk of his concentration on piloting the ship; it was hard to 'sense' someone unless they had clear and distinct thoughts. Suddenly, he heard it relatively clearly, :: Well I'll be my uncle's monkey, it’s the Spectre.:: "He's found us," said Divon, "Recommend we pull out of the asteroid field and start evasive maneuvers." (Reply Remae) Divon looked and nodded, "Excuse me, Lieutenant Commander Orde, I believe this falls under your jurisdiction now." Divon smiled. He could not really deal with keeping the ship moving, dodging the craft, and mind scanning at the same time. The helm was his principal concern at the moment, besides this would be a good drill for the tactical officer. (Reply Orde, Remae, any) (Posted by Jeff Bergeron) (USS Spectre, Bridge – Ensign H’Chir – 1244) “He’s found us. Recommend we pull out of the asteroid field and start evasive manoeuvres.” H’Chir scowled, not agreeing with the Counsellors tactical advice. Keeping his mind focussed on the task in hand he accessed the Evangeline’s co-ordinates and made sure the shields facing her were at full power. A quick glance was enough to confirm that the weapons board was green; the Spectre was ready for action. (Reply any) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre, Bridge, CO, Captain Remae Ktell - 12.45) "We've cleared the asteroids.", reported the good Counsellor, expertly flying directly into as many asteroids as he could. The eerie sensation had passed; the phase cloak had become second nature to the Captain and it seemed most of the crew, which is what he wanted. "Decloak the ship, raise shields. Mr. H'Chir go to maximum power on all sensors, I want to know where our quarry is. Helm, bring us around, Pierce, fire 5 photons into the field. Reduce yield to 5%, dispersal pattern, Gamma Nine.", ordered Remae. The Spectre spun neatly around and photon torpedoes began to spew from its forward launcher. "All stop.", ordered Remae, they were a sitting duck for anyone who wanted to take them on. The view screen showed the torpedoes raining into the field... at 95% less power than normal; the antimatter impacts would've shaken any ships in the field. With shields down, the runabout wouldn't be damaged by even a direct hit, and much less a glancing blow... still, it was enough to shake up anyone in the field and Remae had no intention of having to explain the loss of yet another runabout to Admiral LoDona, much less a promising young Ensign. Larger asteroids became smaller ones and smaller still until the screen calmed down and the force of the detonations died away. "Sensor status?", asked Remae, anyone within 15 light years would spot them, they were lit up lit an Xmas Tree for all to see. As the CO waited something to happen, he watched the view screen very closely. (Reply from Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) Special Posts Stardate: 2407.1.04 (USS Steel Talons - Admirals Office, War Wing - Admiral LoDona - 0947) "The third wave of Klingon ships will be here in twelve hours, I've got them spread so..." Richard touched the holomap and 80 new blue dots appeared near the center of Allied territory. Robert crossed his arms and nodded briefly, "Very well." he said after long moments. "That is acceptable." "Aye Sir." The Stratops officer, who looked so much older now after a years worth of dirty combat, living on the edge to stay alive, touched another control and brought up suspected enemy positions. "The enemy doesn’t out-number us yet, and they haven’t made any serious incursions into our held territory, but they are more then capable of hurting us now. I would suspect that they will move before the Klingons get into position. Letting the Empire dig in would be..." Rich was interrupted by the Admirals combadge. =^=Rhea to Admiral LoDona. Sir, you had best turn on the pirate feed from the Federation.=^= Robert grunted and turned to the wall-size monitor near the strategy table. "Computer, load up the Federation News Service." The computer beeped, and immediately the screen came to life. Robert was in the middle of crossing his arms, but stopped mid-gesture as the images that showed imprinted themselves on his brain. The image was grainy with static, and the sound was horrible, but the result was unmistakable. "... [static] ...lcan, Andoria, Betazed and numerous other member-worlds have joined in this defacto resistance, propelled by the Violence on Tellar. It has been reported that several pacification fleets are already enroute to those worlds. We do know for certain that the Defense Forces of these worlds are active, and at least one... the Andorian Defense Force, has orders to defend to the last against all forces loyal to new President Doenitz and his regime." LoDona's jaw dropped as the reporter ducked, a Void-Sphinx fighter flew overhead and started firing its phasers at some target within the city. LoDona knew the planet as well, it was Tellar, specifically the city of Ravhivik. There was a major Starfleet Marine Base there; LoDona had been stationed there briefly for training during one of his early tours through the War College. Now the entire city was ablaze. The reporter, bloody and shaken, centered himself on the screen again. "To recap: After former Admiral Doenitz has pronounced himself the new President of the Federation during his imposition of Martial Law on Earth, several member worlds led by Tellar rose up in protest. Almost immediately, select forces of Starfleet targeted the planet of Tellar. An official statement from the Office of the President announced that Tellar had been overrun by agents from rouge Admiral LoDona, and must be weeded out. Even now an occupation army has landed and Tellar has been placed under military law. The new president also announced that Martial Law was being declared Federation-wide to deal with the new Klingon threat, due to the Klingons allying themselves with Admiral LoDona somewhere on the fringes of explored space. In response, several notable worlds of the Federation have pulled support from the Federation council and have mobilized their defense forces. There is even high-level rumors flying around that Admiral LoDona's support might be sought. There are many unconfirmed rumors from sensitive informants in Starfleet that he sent multiple messages to Captains and Fleet Commanders before his so-called Rebellion began that warned of danger from Admiral Doenitz." The reporter paused, "I won't be able to stay on the air much longer, the FNS received word that none of what is happening here is to go on the air. I will have to move soon lest I be found. I wanted everyone to know what was going on, there are so many things we haven’t been allowed to tell you because of Security Concerns. Troop movements, dissenters being quietly relocated and silenced. MY conscience could no longer let me stand by in silence while these atrocities are being committed." LoDona noticed it first, though Lee hissed half a moment later. On the far edge of the screen, three Void-Sphinx’s had lined up and were breaking at high-speed directly at the camera. The Reporter and Camera-man, completely unaware, continued filming. "... As you can see, Tellar is on fire. The Tellarite self-defense force has been completely obliterated. It is safe to say that the planet of Tellar is completely under military control." The reporter put his hand to his ear, "I have been told that a couple Andorian ships appeared in the skies twenty minutes ago and were utterly destroyed by forces loyal to President Doenitz. And..." Whatever he was about to say was lost, all three Sphinx's opened fire. As always, their aim was superb. The image of Tellar burning was immediately replaced with the symbol of the Federation News Service. "Screen off." Lee said, several silent moments later. Robert finished the action he had started to take before the story had started, and crossed his arms behind his back. He continued looking at the screen, his face a stone mask that covered the boiling rage that threatened to make him sick. "Captain Lee." he finally said. "Admiral." "A message to the fleet, forward everything we've just received once it’s confirmed by our agents in place." He turned his head slightly, "And forward a change in the Rules of Engagement Package, we're upgrading to Alpha Nine: Unrestricted Warfare on forces loyal to Admiral Doenitz." He refused to call the b*stard the President. Rich nodded gravely, "Aye Sir. Unrestricted warfare." "Inform the Klingons, its time to build the battle-groups. Rearrange the fleet as required; I want task-forces built around the Paladin, Nimitz and Boudicca within the week, under command of their Captains. Task-Forces built around the Holy Avenger, Vindicator, Emmeline Pankhurst and Gallipoli within two weeks. And prepare the 319th Tactical, 1st Destroyer Group for convoy duty into the Federation." He mused about that, and then nodded. All three of the primary battle-groups were commanded by experienced combat captains, having ten or fifteen more ships under their command with the Rules of Engagement opened up to Hunting Season would get results. "Aye Sir, the orders will be cut within the hour." "One more thing, give Falthgood his head and the use of a ship. Go." LoDona commanded. Rich came to attention briefly, something he rarely ever did, and practically ran out of the room. Robert, who had been caressing his Borg implants the entire time, suddenly whipped his fist around and slammed it into the table. "D*MN!" (reply: none, yet) (posted by Trout) Stardate: 2407.1.14 (USS Sycophant - Bridge - Lieutenant Falthgood - 0700) Zach, covered in sweat, shot up from his bed. His communicator was buzzing, he hit it without a second thought. "Falthgood." =^=We are approaching your designated coordinates, Sir, forty-five minutes at present speed.=^= "Very well, I'll be right up." He cut the line and swung his legs over. He had been a week out from the Nimitz when he had suddenly been recalled, the Sycophant had picked him up a day later and off they went, as they said, into the wild blue yonder. It was almost a shame, Zach had liked the Nimitz, there was no guarantee he would ever see it again. He stood up and walked into the bathroom. A shower... yes, a shower would be good. (posted by Trout) (USS Sycophant - Bridge - Lieutenant Falthgood - 0746) "We are approaching the planet requested, Captain." The Captain looked at his guest, who had spent so much of his time hidden in quarters. Zach said nothing, just watching the screen. A water planet, long since dead and nearly impossible to work because of intense radiation filled the screen. It hadn't changed since Zach had last been here, not long before he had pulled out of Project Sociable, the last project he had been involved with before pulling out of Doenitz's group altogether. ~So much history, lost like sifting sand.~ he mused, uncommonly philosophical. "Sir, these are the coordinates specified." The Captain said, somewhat on edge. Zach, out of habit long dead, snapped "I am aware, stand too and wait here." He turned on his heel, mostly to hide the shudder that came. He had commanded men for a long time; it was a habit he had long sought to break. But, now, coming back... He stepped into the transporter room. "You will find coordinates already entered into the computer, Falthgood Site A. Beam me there, no questions, await my signal and prepare to beam three objects to the secured shuttle-bay." The Chief looked at him oddly for only a moment. "Aye Sir." Zach stepped onto the platform, nodded once, and closed his eyes. The beam gripped him... (posted by Trout) (Tulev VII - Underwater Temple Complex, Anti-Chamber - 0751) .. and he found himself in a room ringed with several high-power transporter enhancers, he could hear their power-hum and could recognize their distinctive whine. He took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes. Everything was unchanged, through all the years; everything was exactly as he had left it. This was another Inchon site, a race that was closely related to the Iconians and Eccobarians. This site, a temple which had sunk deep under the oceans hundreds of years ago, had been one of the first projects he had ever worked on as a fresh young Ensign under the command of a Commander Doenitz. It had also long-since been abandoned, records of its existence erased. There were only three people in the universe who remembered its existence at all, the rest had been vaporized after the project had been completed and its technology removed. It should have been destroyed, but Fate is fickle and Zach... even then buried up to his nose, hadn't set the charges. The thermal power generator, a device that had burrowed into the mantle-rock to within a few hundred meters of the liquid core, continued to provide power for a set of force-fields which had operated long before Man had been recording history. Even better, all the technology that the Reverse Engineering group had left behind had remained untouched. Only one person had been in and out of this set of ruins in twenty years, that man was Falthgood. He had rigged the entire place to explode if anyone had approached it or beamed in without the proper access codes. And even then, there was only one spot out of twenty-five that could be safely beamed into; otherwise the explosives would go off. Zach had created a place where his secrets could be buried, near-forever if need be. Even so, as Zach looked out one of the 'windows' at the dark, cold sea beyond the protective force-field... he wished he had never had to return. Zach stepped off the pad and tapped some long-remembered passwords into the transporter console, disabling all his prior security systems. They would never again be needed after today as he planned on taking everything with him that he had secured here over the years. The Console beeped twice, after which the lights brightened to full luminosity. The entire complex would be powering up now in preparation for people. The Scientist crossed his hands behind his back and walked out and into the main corridor. There were elongated portholes all along his left side, he was in an out-side track of the entire complex; it was set up much like a spiral with cross-walkways cutting across the complex at various spots. It would have taken him hours, but he could have followed his current path all the way to the center where the primary power-core lay. That wasn't his destination though, and he took the first right into the complex, bypassing much of the 'living' spaces of the temple. After several more minutes he took another turn, followed by another, until he found himself before a storage room, one that had been little used, even when this place had been under full scrutiny. He carefully put his hand against a place and said "Zalahoom, C'kah" A second passed, and then the door opened slowly. Zach hesitated a moment, and then stepped inside... (posted by Trout) (USS Sycophant - Cargo Bay 3 - Zach Falthgood - 1027) Zach rubbed his temples after arriving and chuckled bitterly. Within the next month, his name was going to become infamous. All his life he had worked for what he thought was the betterment of the Federation. He had made decisions which had crippled his good name in that pursuit. Now, some of the fruits of his earlier life were going to haunt him forever, far worse then they already had. He was going to become the boogey-man that children had bad dreams about. There were twenty other men in the room with him, Marines and Security provided by LoDona for the effort he was undertaking. They were fanatically loyal, utterly determined to see their mission done. In them was more then a passing resemblance to the security forces he had once commanded, though the comparison gave him an uncontrollable shudder whenever he thought of it. Sitting in the middle of the otherwise empty cargo-bay were three separate devices, each covered with a silvered anti-radiation blanket that also served as a cheap dust-catcher. Two of them were small; they looked like they could be picked up by a couple men. The third was easily ten feet tall, and half as wide as a house. These were the devices he had packed away so carefully, so many years ago. They were things he had never wanted to see again. "No one touches this equipment." he said darkly. "And nobody gets in. You have license to kill, and the crew knows this. You will show no mercy." The Commander of the security force, a Marine, snapped to attention. No words were necessary; they understood very well the price of failure. Zach had been sure to describe it to them in gory detail during their trip here. These twenty would battle the entire ships compliment of the Sycophant, if necessary. ~All this for Mystery Train.~ he thought, bitterly, as he walked to a rigged and secured communications panel that he had brought with him. He keyed his personal code and brought it up, addressing a message to Admiral LoDona and Captain Lee. After several moments of silence, he looked up at the screen, "Operation Derailment is a success, returning to Meeting Point Beta for transfer of the railroad spikes. Falthgood out." He stepped back, his eyes dull and his expression slack. "I am a herald now, and my horn calls nothing but Death." (reply: none) (posted by Trout) Dream (Dreamscape, Sytav VII - Main Temple Chamber - Captain Falthgood - Long Ago) "We found them, Sir." the security guard said unnecessarily. Behind him were three people, two of them scientists. Zach, his arms behind his back, turned away from them briefly, deep in thought. All three were gagged, they made little sound, and his security force was one of the best trained in This Mans Starfleet... they wouldn't have said a word unless it was deathly important. Finally, Zach held out a hand, "Phaser." One was slapped into his hand almost immediately. He gestured to the door; all four security guards immediately stepped out. Once the door was closed, the Captain sat down heavily upon a chair. His face was rock, the phaser held lightly in his hand, but his eyes gave away the callousness of his projected attitude. After long moments he took a deep breath." I know you three were trying to escape with the device, and I can appreciate why..." he began slowly. "But none of you ever had a chance. Whatever your motivations were, you were watched from the start." HE sighed, "I can sympathize. After all these years, I've finally had enough." he almost regretted saying that, the gleam of hope that entered their eyes was just too much to bear. He forced himself to remember the price of failure, and said "I will be leaving all this shortly, by ways that cannot be refused. But to do that, all major witnesses to what we uncovered must be silenced. And the devices we've found here must be hidden away, never... ever... to be found again. The price of failure in this is too high to contemplate, and if certain people within the fleet get a hold of them..." He let his voice die, the consequences didn't need to be muttered. The hope died in the eyes of all three, the scientists and the one Starfleet Officer. Zach brought up the phaser, "I'm sorry. Rest assured, I have my own little piece of hell waiting for me at the end of all things." The scene shattered with the phaser beam, and he was no longer sitting in judgment over several scientists in the ruins of an ancient temple. Zach looked around and noted the office of his boss, on board the Indefatigable. ~The face of Rodrigo Doenitz,~ Falthgood mused for the thousandth time, as he found himself looking at the Boss, ~Is rather humorous when its turned beet red.~ Captain Falthgood waved his hand, "It's that simple, Admiral." he finished. "I'm out." Doenitz said nothing for long moments, but his face did turn several more interesting shades of red. Falthgood didn't so much as twitch a muscle; he remained standing with his hands behind his back, gazing impassively at the Admiral. He was now engaged in the most dangerous of games, one that had gotten thousands killed in years past. After long moments, he said; "Nobody leaves, ever, Mr. Falthgood. You know that as well as I do." "I'm an exception." Zach said, coldly. "Break me, rip apart my bio and send me to the furthest ends of the galaxy. But don't think to threaten me. Everything I know has been safely hidden, ready to break if I should suddenly come up missing." He came to attention briefly and then turned for the door. He paused just before the door, his head raised high. After several seconds he came to a decision, and he began speaking without turning back around. "One more thing, Admiral Doenitz." he said in a solid voice. "I have the Trinity, Sociable and New Destiny devices. One last bit of insurance for my sake, and the sake of all others. Continue your projects, you will have nothing to fear from me." he turned slowly so he could see the Admiral out of the corner of his eye. "But I swear to whatever Gods above, if you ever come after me or mine, Ill bring those devices out of storage and show you their full capabilities. Not even your mighty fleet could save you then, think on that in your darkest nightmares." Doenitz said nothing. Zach reached up and unclipped all but two of his pips, and dropped them to the ground. And then, without another word, he stepped out of the office and out of Doenitz's Reverse Technologies group for what he hoped would be forever. He turned a corner and found himself stepping into a very small space, a turbo-lift. He shuddered briefly as he caught look at his passenger. He brought his hand up and touched his face briefly. Zach's face was haggard, pinched. Pulled back in a way that made him look skeletal. Where grins and conspirital smiles usually rode, now only death was written. His eyes, usually joyful, were haunted and sunken. Across from him in the turbolift, Richard Lee looked no better. After two hours in close conference, his own jovial look had been replaced with one of great worry. Even the stress of controlling the strategic assets of the fleet hadn't hit him as hard as Zach's news. The door opened, two soldiers snapped to attention. Zach and Rich stepped off on the same foot, into the Admirals' Quarter, the section of the Talons devoted to Fleet Command. LoDona's new permanent residence. "Come in gentlemen." Came the weary voice from behind the Admiral's desk at the far side of the room. Zach took a moment to look around, it was less of an office then a gigantic room separated into 'working areas' by nothing more then tables or computer consoles. There was nobody in here now, the room was quiet. Lee had called ahead and requested a private audience. Apparently, they had caught LoDona's interest. They both came to attention before LoDona's desk, but were waved off and pointed to a chair. Robert LoDona looked exhausted, which was to be expected. They were all fighting for their lives; the Admiralty would be feeling the strain. Zach settled himself in the seat, which groaned ominously, and crossed his hands over his stomach. Rich did much the same. In the mean time, the Admiral looked at both of them. "Speak." He finally said. "Sir," Zach began. "You know by now what I was part of, long ago." The Admiral nodded an affirmative. Falthgood paused to gather his thoughts, and to work up some courage. "Sir, one of my old projects has come back to bite us in the ass. Project Mystery Train." He paused again, "To keep it short Sir, it's a temporal gate which can transport anything from one place to another near instantaneously. Think of it as a portable wormhole. I got a hold of some intelligence, they continued the project after I had thought it closed. and now it's operational. We had some, start-up difficulties, originally." "Any way to counter it?" Zach smiled grimly, "Yes Sir." The Admiral must not have liked the look on Zach's face, because his own tightened and he leaned forward. "If I were going to like this news, you two wouldn't have asked for a meeting. So, out with it." Zach looked over at Rich, who nodded shallowly. Zach turned back again, "Fear, Sir. There is no way to stop it directly, not without a lot of preparation time that simply isn't practical in combat situations. The only thing that Doenitz ever respected was fear." Zach paused again, if he continued he would be committed. ~I already am.~ He shook his head and stood up, looking off in another direction as if looking into the past. "When I left Doenitz's team and Reverse Engineering Technologies, I needed a trump card. I had seen thousands killed to keep the secrets that we were researching; I would be no different unless I had a trump card. So. I took three of the major devices that we had found and figured out, weapons of awesome power. Things that frankly scared the bejesus out of us all, and there were some very heartless men on my team. I used them as my trump, I threatened Doenitz and his empire with their use, along with releasing all the information I had accumulated about his black projects if I so much as sniffed an assassin coming my way." Zach turned back stiffly. "I still know where those devices are kept, Admiral. Doenitz will not even consider mothballing Mystery Train unless you give him proper incentive." LoDona leaned back in his seat again. "And what do these devices do?" "Do you really want to know?" The Admiral searched Zach's face for long moments. "Their use will make us monsters, yes?" Zach nodded. "Then no, I don't." LoDona folded his own hands together. "Alright, Mr Falthgood. You're going back to the Nimitz, but be ready for a call from us." Falthgood nodded and turned to leave, but was immediately stopped in his tracks by LoDona's call. He turned back around, "Sir?" "Is there no other choice?" "Yes, Sir. There is always another choice. We can loose. I don't know which would be worse at this point." (posted by Trout) [End Compile]