NRPG: Okay, I think I get it now. I need to put the names in. So here we go again. :) Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale A tale of a fateful trip That started from this tropic port aboard this tiny ship The mate was a mighty sailing man, the skipper brave and sure, Five passengers set sail that day for a three hour tour, A three hour tour The weather started getting rough, The tiny ship was tossed If not for the courage of the fearless crew, The Boudicca would be lost. The Boudicca would be lost. The ship's aground on the shore of this uncharted desert isle, With Stolev..... (Picture of Stolev) The Skipper too..... (Picture of Stakes) The Millionaire .... (Picture of Caladryll Sevant) And his wife.... (Picture of Vicki Sevant) The Movie star .... (Picture of Eva) The professor and Arania .... (Picture of McLaren and Arania) here on Stolev's Isle. Today's Compile Index was lost, it'll be back in three hours: Day 1 (USS Boudicca, Cargo Bay, aCEO Jael al-Sharif 15.30) (USS Boudicca - Cargo Bay - Capt Falthgood - 15.31) (USS Boudicca - Cargo Bay - aCEO Jael al-Sharif/Lise Arianna - 15.32) (USS Boudicca, Cargo Bay, aCEO Jael al-Sharif, 17.25) (USS Boudicca - Quarters - Falthgood - 17.29) (USS Boudicca - Cargo Bay - aCEO Jael al-Sharif - 17.34) Day 5 (USS Boudicca - ACEO Personal Quarters - ACEO Ensign Lorimar - 1847) Day 7 (USS Boudicca, Personal Quarters, aCEO Jael al-Sharif, 21.30) (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - CEO- Lt. Matthew McLaren- 2145) (USS Boudicca, Ten Forward, aCEO Jael al-Sharif, 21.46) (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - AOPS Lt. Tollian Yalix- 2150) (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - aCO Commander Archibald Stakes - 2155) (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward ­ acting CO, Commander Archibald Stakes - 2158) (USS Boudicca -- Ten Forward -- aCEO Jael al-Sharif -- 22.00) (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward ­ acting CO, Commander Archibald Stakes - 2214) Day 8 (USS Boudicca, Main Engineering, aCEO Jael al-Sharif, 07:59) Day 12 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - CEO- Lt. Matthew McLaren- 1329) (USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - ACEO Ensign Lorimar - 1400) (USS Boudicca -- Main Engineering -- aCEO Jael al-Sharif -- 14.01) (USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - ACEO Ensign Lorimar - 1402) (USS Boudicca -- Main Engineering -- aCEO Jael al-Sharif -- 14.04) RPG: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: The Fires of Heaven, Day 1 Stardate: 2407.06.28 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Boudicca, Cargo Bay, aCEO Jael al-Sharif 15.30) Lise listened to everything that Falthgood said. She felt inclined to believe him, largely because in that moment and time there was no other real choice. She could see the configuration before her, and it did indeed seem that what he was saying was plausible. Moreover, she could feel from her empathic senses that he meant it. That was more than enough for her. Lise took the PADD from Falthgood and watched with horror the scene before her. The destruction and dark capability of the device was more than Lise felt she could handle. She felt her insides wretch as the understood the implications. She fought the regurgitative impulse. She would not throw up. Looking at it intently, she opened her mind to it and it thundered back with its power and ferocity. Quickly, looking visibly shaken, she closed her mind and took a step back. "So where do I come into play?" Arianna finally found the words to voice the question she had. In all honesty, she was uncomfortable with being in the same room as the "thing". (Reply Falthgood) (USS Boudicca - Cargo Bay - Capt Falthgood - 15.31) "So where do I come into play?" Falthgood smiled, though it was one without humor. "Doenitz has other devices, not unlike this one. We spent decades digging in the damn dirty dust for toys that were beyond our abilities... this was just one of three that I managed to spirit away and hide. Doenitz does not like to loose... he could very well end up using some of those toys against us. This is our insurance policy." He sat down on one of its protrusions, "If I die, and that is entirely possible... then it will be up to you to use this thing. You will have all its specs, you'll know when and how. There might even be a couple legitimate uses that won't cause system wide destruction. After all, it sucks up energy. There are others that produce prodigious amounts of energy it can suck." Falthgood shrugged, "One way or the other, you're Plan B. If I can't press the button, you will." (reply: Lise, with room for lots) (USS Boudicca - Cargo Bay - aCEO Jael al-Sharif/Lise Arianna - 15.32) Falthgood had just exploded any sense of containment that Lise had managed to muster with his phrase: "One way or the other, you're Plan B. If I can't press the button, you will" Lise looked from the PADD where the screen was now blank but where just a moment ago, the worst atrocities that she had witnessed in quite some time had played across the display as if it were some fictional performance. Her eyes settled back on Falthgood, cold and stern. "No" (Reply Falthgood) "That's right, the answer is No. This is utterly ridiculous. This is most definitely not in my contract. I am here, completely against my will, masquerading as a loose cannon of an engineer who isn't supposed to gain anyone's trust, whose supposed to stay out of everyone's way, serving what capacity I have no idea, but this -- no... I'm sorry Captain, but you've got the wrong woman for the job. I will keep your secret, but I will not push the button." (Reply Falthgood) (USS Boudicca, Cargo Bay, aCEO Jael al-Sharif, 17.25) "Well, as you can see we have a good number of guards who just happen to be guarding an object that lies in the direct path of a substance that is leaking from the reclamation machines next door. It is eating through the wall and could very well eat through a good deal more. I could use your assistance with this teeny tiny problem" Jael considered the situation, and shuddered, she had just very recently been made someone who had the right to enter this area, but was suspicious as to the situation in which she found herself. "Right..." her intonation leaving it open. "I've been trying to explain all this to these gentlemen, but they won't take off their helmets to smell how bad the odour is. I think it is a slow acid, so they can't detect it with the equipment they have. Perhaps you will have better luck explaining it to them than I have." Lise shifted uncomfortably. It was true she would have better luck gaining access, but what if this was some convoluted strategy that would render the device accessible to more than were supposed to see it. However, the acid was a real threat. Someone had to get in there and neutralise it. ~Why does this happen to me?~ Looking over at Johnson, Lise sighed. "We have to clean that up before it erodes the entire of the wall that holds the "thing"." (Reply Johnson) Well, we're going to have to tell him. I don't see any way around it. I mean, if we don't, then he's going to find out one way or another, and in this time and place, I think it's better that we contact him now and deal with that wrath rather than just doing and then having to explain ourselves from the brig. Do you concur? (Reply Johnson) With that, Lise tapped her commbadge. "Ar... al-Sharif to Falthgood" (Reply Falthgood) "Captain, there is a slow acid leak in the Cargo Bay which has spread to the point that it intersects with one of the containing walls of the device contained within. It appears this leak began in the refuse centre just adjacent to the cargo bay. Permission to access the perimeter in order to neutralise it?" (Reply Falthgood) (Reply Johnson, Falthgood, any) (Posted by Kat) (USS Boudicca - Quarters - Falthgood - 17.29) =^=Ar... al-Sharif to Falthgood=^= "Go ahead Chief." =^=Captain, there is a slow acid leak in the Cargo Bay which has spread to the point that it intersects with one of the containing walls of the device contained within. It appears this leak began in the refuse centre just adjacent to the cargo bay. Permission to access the perimeter in order to neutralize it?=^= Falthgood looked up at that, "Granted. If anything appears to threaten the integrity of the situation, beam my... toy... to the secondary shuttle bay." He paused a moment, "Falthgood to Captain of the Guard, do you read this?" A moment passed, followed by a crisp: =^=Affirmative, Sir.=^= "Very well, Lieutenant. You have your access. Oh, and Chief... nobody snoops under that radiation sheet, or they will be shot." (reply: CEO, any in hearing distance) (posted by Trout) (USS Boudicca - Cargo Bay - aCEO Jael al-Sharif - 17.34) The answer came back through the comm system. =^= Very well, Lieutenant. You have your access. Oh, and Chief... Nobody snoops under that radiation sheet, or they will be shot.=^= "Understood. Sir. Al-Sharif out." With that, Lise turned to Donald. "Well, it looks like we get to cross the line... Are you ready?" As she asked her last question, she handed Donald a repair kit containing a plethora of materials that they would be able to diagnose what precisely was at work. Treatment, however, would be a different matter. (Reply Johnson) (Reply Falthgood, Johnson, any) (Posted by Kat) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: The Fires of Heaven, Day 5 Stardate: 2407.07.02 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Boudicca - ACEO Personal Quarters - ACEO Ensign Lorimar - 1847) The sleeping figure balled his fists tightly, clutching at his blanket like a man possessed. At the moment, he was. Writhing and making unitelligible sounds, he suddenly began thrashing so violently that he fell out of his bed taking sheets, blankets and sundry bedding along with him. He struck the floor solidly. He screamed. Lorimar awoke from the impact, thankfully. He stared, wild eyed and sightless into the darkness. His rapidly beating heart was a fine accompanyment to his racing thoughts and the sheen of perspiration that covered him. *Beat* *Beat* He exhaled, his sight slowly returning as his heart slowed to its normal plodding pace. "That bloody nightmare will be the death of me yet." he said to the darkness. ~Not to mention sleep deprivation is never a good thing is it Bob laddie?~ He untangled himself from the bedding and felt for the light switch on his nighttable. Thumbing it on, he blinked at the comparative glare. Stooping down to gather the messy tangle of bedding, he scooped it all up, stripped the rest of the linens and tossed them into the recycler. He did the same with his nightclothes, then stepped into the bathroom for a shave and shower. After completing the ritual, he had been mostly successful in putting the nightmare out of his concious mind. He dressed unhurriedly, thinking of the other problem that had been tugging at his thoughts the last several days. ~What to do about that one? Ah cannae fix the one problem, but maybe ah can help the other one?~ He plopped down at his desk, letting the chair support him as he looked at the interior of his quarters. Moments passed, then minutes. Almost thirty minutes, in fact, before a slight smile crossed his face. He rose and crossed the room to the replicator and tabbed in a quick command sequence. With its usual magic of molecular resolution technology, the machine produced a slightly more than napkin sized square of white silk. Bob retrieved it, and spread it gently on his desk. He then went to his storage locker and took a small wooden box from within. He carried the box to his desk and sat down in his chair once more. He ran his fingers lovingly, almost reverently across this small relic from his home. He opened the very anachronistic brass clasp and tipped back the lid of the box. The faintest aroma of wood mixed with something sweeter tantalized his senses. For a moment at least, Bob was home. He smiled again, oh so gently taking a small sprig of heather from within the box and placed it gently in the center of the silk. He folded the silk in the most delicate and formal way his grandmother had taught him, thus protecting the fragile sprig of heather within. Closing the box, he replaced it in his locker, then returned to his desk, tapping notes rapidly into a PADD. After three tries, he thought he had it correct, or nearly so: "Doctor Gates, Please accept this small token. Where I was born, this is a symbol of good luck and peace. When we ran into each other the other day in the corridor, you said that you were having possibly the worst day of your life. If you believe in such things as I do, you should find this helpful in leading you to a more favorable fortune. Consider this a gesture of hope for a stranger in a strange land. To better days Doctor. Please accept my most sincere apology for whatever wrongs I did you the other day. Sincerely, Bob, the goat-wrangling engineer." ~A guid thing ah am better at repairing than writing... the ship would be in tatters all the time! Och, as long as the lass takes it in the spirit intended... otherwise my next physical will be most unpleasant indeed!~ He attached the folded silk containing the heather to the PADD, and headed for Sick Bay. (USS Boudicca - Sick Bay - ACEO Ensign Lorimar - 1950) Bob, PADD and attachment in hand walked quietly into Sick Bay, hoping not to disturb anyone. He cast a glance about, put on his friendly smile, and spoke a tentative "Hello" into the room. (Reply Any in Sickbay) (Posted by Russ) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: The Fires of Heaven, Day 7 Stardate: 2407.07.04 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Boudicca, Personal Quarters, aCEO Jael al-Sharif, 21.30) Lise had hesitated, there had been so much talk of the party that would be taking place in Ten Forward. She desperately wanted to attend, and yet, she did not. She felt that it would be a place where she had the greatest ability to be exposed for who she was. On the other hand, she had heard through the grapevine -- an amazing feat as Jael was not remarkably well connected to anyone on the ship -- that Susan Rivers would be aboard. Lise longed for just a moment with her old friend before they made their way into battle again. Some things never changed, some things never would. And so, she had carefully picked out something to wear to the party. First she considered dress uniform, but then decided against it. It would not be one of those occasions. Then she had considered off duty clothes. She put on several different assortments of clothing, but none of in each of them, she felt like she would draw attention for a variety of different reasons -- some positive and some negative, like wearing bright orange and pink together seemed to be a way in which she would be noticed instead of blending in. In the end, she settled for a Starfleet uniform. Just her normal, every-day Starfleet uniform. She made her way out of her quarters and into the reception area. (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - CEO- Lt. Matthew McLaren- 2145) Matthew stepped into Ten Forward with a grin on his face. "Now this looks like a party Arania" he said smiling. He opened his arms as wide as his dress white uniform would allow him as if to take in the entirety of the room. "Looks as if we have a packed house." he commented again, "I see Captain Rivers and well…. I'll be *Colonel* Drizzt! Looks like the Old blue skinned sunovagun managed to wrangle himself a promotion. I didn't know old frosty had it in him." He turned and smiled at Arania. "What do you say we get ourselves some ice cream and mingle a bit. Maybe if you want to, you can play a little something for everyone, since you brought along the keyboard." he suggested. (reply Arania, Any) (posted by Daniel Greene) (USS Boudicca, Ten Forward, aCEO Jael al-Sharif, 21.46) Lise walked up to the Bar and waited only a moment until the bartender came to see her. "Hello" She said cheerfully. (Reply Mei Ling) "Um..." Lise considered, usually at functions like this she would order bloodwine, but that was Lise. Here, she had to be Jael, and it would be quite out of character for her to want to order bloodwine, so she was left with nothing. Lise considered the bar manager before her. "I don't really know what to get... What do you suggest?" (Reply Mei Ling) "Alright, that sounds like I could give it a try..." (Reply Mei Ling) While Lise waited, she asked the bar manager. "Have you seen Captain Rivers this evening?" (Reply Mei Ling) (Reply Mei Ling, any) (Posted by Kat) (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - AOPS Lt. Tollian Yalix- 2150) Tollian abhorred ice cream. The very thought of it gave him terrible thoughts. There was no way that he would even consider eating such a monstrously terrible blight of a foodstuff. He'd rather starve. He was here however for the mood and to share in what may well be the last moments of revelry that some of his crewmates might well have. The fact that Ten forward was brimming with people from across the task Force was a testament to Commander Zzt's amiability. Of, course Tollian was certain that there were some people that were here simply because they had wondered by or been invited. Tollian was one of those. He had noted with interest the Blond that had arrived wearing the lovely dress. She was the center of attention for at least a few people. As for Tollian, he preferred his women to be more demure. He spotted her from across the room. Of course he'd noticed her since she'd come aboard but duty and time had never allowed much of an opportunity to speak to her. He suspected that she was still on duty, it only went to show that she was forced to keep long hours. He placed his empty tonic glass on a tray carried by one of the wait staff and approached her cautiously. She stood regarding the blonde in the dress with interest. He didn't believe it to be an interest of the romantic sort, although he had heard that such things were not unheard of among humans. Her body radiated heat, a form of suppressed excitement that was barely kept in check, or so it seemed. Having the ability to see in spectrums of light beyond that of most other species helped him better gauge the reactions of others around him. He paused when he saw her suddenly look around as if looking for a source of some minor discomfort before she stepped back against the wall, assuming a position of attention. Tollian surveyed the room and noted the entrance and subsequent vector of Captain Stakes as he made his way to a table occupied by Senior officers. Satisfied that Stakes the Senior was duly engaged in conversation, Tollian resumed his route until he was standing next to Esmeralda. He stood there for a moment surveying the room. Standing just slightly ahead and to the left of her. "You have her beat you, know." Tollian commented to her. " There is no point in contesting the matter. You are much prettier than she is." (reply Esme, Any) (posted by Daniel Greene) (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - aCO Commander Archibald Stakes - 2155) "I tell yah, she's an officer. No grunt would dare come to a party dressed like *that*." "She can't be. If she was then she would be wearing her pips, wouldn't she?" "And *where* would you attach them?" "Good point, there isn't much space for them, is there?" Archibald stood a few steps away from the two 'honorary' guards who were peering through the doorway of Ten Forward to a position near the bar. He stepped silently closer and peered into Ten Forward over the shoulder of the guard closest to him. He saw a rather petite blonde sitting there in a quite revealing dress, talking to a, what he assumed to be, Arborian. Having studied the photographs of the honoured guests as they arrived from the other ships, he had no trouble recognising the woman. "She's a crewman," he stated softly. "No wayyyyyyyyyyy, s**t!" the other guard said as he had turned to face the newcomer and recognised the Commander. The man, with suddenly burning cheeks, turned away from the door and stood rigid to attention, his eyes dead ahead and sweat suddenly appearing from every inch of his bared skin. The other guard, seeing his friends reaction, froze, looked over his shoulder with a rather silly smile and closed his eyes, his lips moving in silent prayer. "Not a word," Archibald warned them with icy voice. "We will discuss your behaviour at a later date, when our guest have left. Until that time you both will stand here and act like the honorary guards that you are supposed to be. Now move." Archibald did not give the two men another glance as he walked in, but knew they were now in their appropriate positions, rigidly staring ahead like palace guards from the past. He pulled down his gleaming white shirt and wiped a speck of dust off his sleeve of his gleaming white dress uniform as he made a mental note to have a word with Ensign Laroon about the incident at a later time. As Archibald stepped in, his gaze scanned the room, stopping to nod at several people until his gaze rested on his daughter as she stared at miss Debbie Weston and her outfit, her eyes gleaming. He knew that look and he knew that before long his daughter would have a dress like that too. He saw her suddenly become restless, her eyes darting around the room, as if she could feel his stare on her. And when she finally spotted him, she blushed, half grinned then stepped back against the wall, standing to attention. Archibald shook his head, shot her a last glance and then made his way over to the place, where the two Captains and a Commander were standing, talking to various people. "Captain Sash? Commander Stakes, at your service. Captain Rivers, it is a pleasure to meet once again. Commander Lemar, I have heard much about you. Dr. Kildare," he finished with a nod to each as he named them. (Reply Sash, Rivers, Lemar, Kildare, anyone who has something to say to him 8-) , any) (Posted by Adrie Geuken) (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward ­ acting CO, Commander Archibald Stakes - 2158) "I regret not having had the chance to get to know you better before I left the Boudicca," The former Boudicca FO stated. Archibald raised his eyebrow , having not expected those words, but then bowed his head in response. "You are too kind, Captain," he replied, having worded it carefully to ensure no awkward situation could arise. For a split second he considered safe subjects to talk about, but obviously the shape the Boudicca was in was out of the question, as that might be regarded as a slur towards her. Or him trying to show off. And naturally the subject of the battle was totally inappropriate. "Are you happy with your new commission?" he finally asked. However before Rivers could answer, he heard someone interrupt. "Pardon me," Archibald heard as he turned round to see a smiling Betazoid lieutenant. "I was wondering if I could have a couple minutes of your time, Commander Stakes." From the corner of his eyes he noticed some movement and looking that way he noticed Esme pointing at the Lieutenant, no doubt to tell him that that was the lieutenant that had reacted so strangely in the transporter room. Archibald nodded shortly but then his gaze was drawn to the Efrosian standing next to Esme. His brows knotted as he looked back at Esme, who shrugged and then with a mischievous smile winked once. The Commander inwardly sighed, but then remembered that there were other fish to fry first. He shot both Rivers and Sash a glance, then looked at the Betazoid. He wondered if Sash had been embarrassed by the Lieutenant's intrusion. Or, thinking back of the shocking lack of decorum when he had first taken over the Boudicca, perhaps, this was acceptable on the Hades. And any blasting by Archibald would then state that he did not think that Sash was not doing his job properly. "Lieutenant Trinin." Archibald said with the briefest of nods. "You could and we will, Lieutenant, but not right now. Shall we say in about ten minutes?" With another nod, Archibald turned back to the group of commanding officers, hoping that the intruding Lieutenant would take the hint. "Isn't it amazing," he said at the lightest of tones, "how popular Commander Zzt is in the fleet. I doubt there would be many in the fleet who could expect a similar result," he decided to wash over the possibly embarrassing situation. He smiled amicably as he looked around the group of ranking officers but suddenly noticed his acting CEO approaching, looking at Susan and probably missing anyone else that was standing close by. Luckily the Champlain CO was looking at the other officers and was still unaware that Jael was approaching. "Captain Rivers," he said rather loudly, loud enough for the acting CEO to overhear. "Tell me, what do you think of spies? Ahhhh... Captain Sash, Captain Rivers, Commander Lemar, allow me to introduce my acting Chief of Engineering to you. Lieutenant .......... al-Sharif, wasn't it, Lieutenant? Oh, my apologies, Captain Rivers. You know her of course. You two go way back, don't you?" (Reply Rivers, Sash, Lemar, Kildare, Trinin, Jael, Any) (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward ­ acting CO, Commander Archibald Stakes - 2214) "Now, Lieutenant, you wanted a word with me?" Archibald said as he approached the Betazoid. (Reply Rivers, Sash, Lemar, Kildare, Trinin, Jael, Any) (Posted by Adrie Geuken) (USS Boudicca -- Ten Forward -- aCEO Jael al-Sharif -- 22.00) After having received indication as to where Captain Rivers might have been, Lise carefully started sifting through the crowd. She paused a moment on the step and closed her eyes and rubbed her temples slowly. There were so many people in the room, all of them experiencing some degree of anxiety about the unknown challenges they would be facing in battle the next day. As strong as her mental shields were, they were having a difficult time blocking out all the excess noise that she constantly barraging her. However, she would not leave, she had come to say one last farewell to Susan. Surveying her general surroundings again, she spied her. Her back was towards her, but due to the configuration of the other people that were in the lounge it was impossible to see who she was talking with. Perhaps she would just venture a little closer to take a look. Lise took a couple steps closer and then as if a knife cutting through the anxiety ridden air, Commander Archibald Stakes' voice penetrated the air with a phrase that almost made Lise freeze dead in her tracks. "Captain Rivers, tell me, what do you think of spies?" ~oh GRETHOR on a flaming stick!~ Lise thought, but already she knew it was too late, too late to retreat, too late to hide. ~I should never have come, this is too risky... TOO RISKY, what was I thinking?~ She scolded herself, as she could hear herself being hailed into the conversation at hand. "Ahhhh... Captain Sash, Captain Rivers, Commander Lemar, allow me to introduce my acting Chief of Engineering to you. Lieutenant......... " ~NOT a good sign~ Arianna though to herself, ~Not a good sign at all~ "al-Sharif, wasn't it, Lieutenant?" Jael just nodded her head in affirmation that al-Sharif was precisely her name. But Stakes continued unrelenting. "Oh, my apologies, Captain Rivers. You know her of course. You two go way back don't you?" Lise didn't dare look at Susan. She evaluated her options quickly. None of her avenues of escape seemed plausible, or even possible. She decided to just act normal ~right, and what part of this situation is normal?~ She wondered, just as soon as "acting normal" had become the most logical move. The question had been addressed to Rivers, so, Lise figured the best "normal" action she could fathom would be to plaster a somewhat puzzled expression on Jael's face. Not too puzzled, though, for that would most likely be a little over the top. She realised that Stakes was most excellent at discerning too-perfect performances. ~Right, so the goal is not to be "normal", just "quasi-normal" -- Oh for the love of Kahless, why is this my job?~ (Reply chatty-gang) (Posted by Kat) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: The Fires of Heaven, Day 8 Stardate: 2407.07.05 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Boudicca, Main Engineering, aCEO Jael al-Sharif, 07:59) Lise looked over the last few adjustments they had been working on in the last few days. The time was soon, she could feel it. The comm system sparked to life: =^= Now hear this, now hear this, This is the Commanding Officer speaking. Be notified that we are now under complete communication lockdown. Any unauthorised communication will be dealt with and severely punished. However, now that we are alone, I wish to take this opportunity to inform you of what is going to happen today. Later today, at a time determined by Admiral Sevant, The USS Boudicca will move out together with the fifty other ships in our group, to fight the final battle. We have the honour of spearheading the attack on the last great defence line that Doenitz still has, the Mars Defence Perimeter. It will be our task, and the task of the group that we are part of, to breach those defences and open the way for other units of our 52nd Fleet to take the final battle to Earth. Seeing the resistance that we can expect, let there be no mistake, we will have our hands full. But I have no doubt that in the end, we *will* prevail. There is no option, the Mars Defence Perimeter *must* be breached. And we *will* do it. But if ever was the time for all of us to stand and be counted, this will be that time. We will face everything that Doenitz will have to throw at us, but with every wave, his final defences will be weakened. So we must stand firm and show resolve at all times and wreak as much damage as we can to the enemy line. That is our task, that is our purpose. And one that I am confident that we will be fulfilling. Until we get the call from the Admiral, I will expect this fine crew to be ready to depart at a moment's notice and be prepared. That is all. Stakes out. =^= At that message, Lise sat back and contemplated the situation at hand. Truth be known, this would not be the first battle she had been involved in during the past little while. Her time on Qo'noS had a big impact on her. She realised that fighting for a just cause was important and she knew where her loyalties lie. However, she couldn't help but wonder at the state in which she now found herself -- largely not by choice. On Qo'noS, when she had fought, she fought hand-in-hand beside her sister warriors in their mutual quest. It was important, and in essence, it represented a matter of life and death. That, had been their aim, that had been their mission and no one had told them it, but them. Lise had chosen to resign her Starfleet commission, a career that was decorated and successful (in the eyes of some), in order to pursue her goal. Here, however, she had not been given a choice. She had not been able to choose her identity, the role she would play, the side. Here, everything was entirely out of her control: who she was to be, where she was, and even her function as gatekeeper of Falthgood's secret. There was one thing to serve with passion and another to serve with orders. She would, though, being the Klingon that she was, serve with honour and duty. Perhaps, she considered, today was a good day to die. She could feel the engines increase in frequency. They were moving out. She walked over to a small view-port and looked out onto the darkness of space beyond her. There it was, empty, cold, and void. What would it hold for them? Only time would tell. That is, if they were listening. (Reply any, none) (Posted by Kat) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: The Fires of Heaven, Day 12 Stardate: 2407.07.09 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Boudicca - Bridge - CEO- Lt. Matthew McLaren- 1329) Matthew stepped onto the Bridge just in time to hear someone advise the captain that they were dropping out of warp. With no particular Battle station to attend, since he was no longer the actually practicing Chief Engineer on this ship, Matthew had decided he might as well be where the action was. ~Al-Sharif and Lorimar can handle things in Engineering, you just focus on keeping the modifications operational.~ he reminded himself. He assumed the normally unmanned engineering station on the Bridge and brought up the systems monitoring displays. Despite all his time in Starfleet, he had only managed to be on the Bridge of a Starship during a battle a rare number of times. He was both excited and worried at the prospect. He shifted the displays to show the newly installed shield generator configurations. Granted they would drain power once the shooting started like a whale drinks water, but at least they'd give them some respite from serious ship's damage. ~At least for a little while.~ He pulled up all the other little, *modifications* that Stakes had demanded he make over the last several days. He could respect the man for doing his utmost to be prepared. Matthew only hoped that he had prepared enough. He turned and watched the main viewscreen as the first engagement of the battle began. A bright flash brightened the distant battle in a blue white glow as the warp core of some unfortunate vessel lost containment. "From time to time, the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots. " he said aloud more to himself than to anyone else. Then in a louder voice. "Captain all the modified systems are showing ready for action, sir." (reply Stakes iyw) (posted by Daniel Greene) (USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - ACEO Ensign Lorimar - 1400) Having responded to the earlier call to battlestations, Lorimar was hard at work monitoring the Boudicca's critical systems alongside his crewmates. ~Waiting for something to break or get broken,~ he thought grimly. No doubt there would be plenty of work for engineering shortly. He looked down and to his surprise noticed his hands shook just a bit. ~Nerves? Me? Never?~ He smiled at nothing in particular and placed his hands lightly on the control console to stop the shaking. It worked. He could feel the ship around him. He shut his eyes for a moment, taking in the input from his other senses. Even through his closed eyelids he could almost see the rapid pulsing of energy from the Matter/Antimatter reaction chamber. The heartbeat of the Boudicca... he took in the feeling of the ship and the people around him and opened his eyes. He lifted his hands, turned his palms up and noted the shaking was gone. He wiped the perspiration on his trousers, thanking the quartermaster that had decided on a dark color. He walked quickly to another console, checking the power flow to the new shield generators. They were a very unusual configuration, but a brilliant one. He had to give credit to Lt. McLaren; the idea, Bob was told, had been his to add the extra protection, and it was a very clever one indeed. The power consumption would be enormous when they started taking hits, but any damage deflected is damage not taken. A very good thing indeed, Bob decided. Walking to yet another console outside the CEO's office he checked on the power distribution system. That was his 'baby' after all; Lt. Commander Zzt had upgraded the warp drive, and Bob had made (with a lot of help!) the needed modifications. So far, so good. Now to wait. He was sure it would not be long in coming. (Reply Any) (Posted by Russ) (USS Boudicca -- Main Engineering -- aCEO Jael al-Sharif -- 14.01) Lise had been listening in to the happenings on the bridge. The battle had begun. She watched as Ensign Lorimar walked from one area to another checking the consoles. She did not smile, given the situation, but the approving sentiment waved through her. She had been impressed with the Ensign's contributions and commitment to the ship and crew. They were a team, a real team. This was of paramount importance in the situation that would become them. Lise herself, continued her routine checks. Being a creature of habit, over the years there had been a routine and distinctive way in which she checked the systems before entering battle or any potentially dangerous situation. It was something she clung to, when there was nothing else. She looked over in Lorimar's direction and nodded. The past few days had been nothing akin to a vacation. The engineering crews had been working and working, in the end, the eighteen seconds were shaved off. They were as ready as they could be. Lise looked over at Lorimar again. "If I were Klingon, I would probably use this opportunity to say something like this let us enter into this battle with glory and honour. Perhaps, today... Is a good day to die." (Reply Lorimar) While he spoke, Lise could not help but consider her circumstances. She was not entering this battle with honour. She was entering the battle in hidden, covert form. A form which, she feared would precipitate the worse for her and her crew. She would not let that happen -- even should it result in her being revealed. The Boudicca always had and would, come first and foremost. Such was duty. Such was honour. (Reply Lorimar, any) (Posted by Kat) (USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - ACEO Ensign Lorimar - 1402) In his peripheral vision, Bob caught his Boss casting a glance in his direction. He was rather busy, so he ignored it at first. ~If she wants my attention, ah'm sure ah'll hear it out loud and clear,~ he thought as he continued his power system check. Finishing up, he turned in her direction just as she looked at him again and did indeed speak this time. "If I were Klingon, I would probably use this opportunity to say something like this let us enter into this battle with glory and honour. Perhaps, today... Is a good day to die." Not reacting at first, Bob keyed in a short series of commands to the console. Satisfied with the result, he walked over toward the Lieutenant with a gleam of mischief in his eye. As he approached, he lowered his voice so only he and al-Sharif could hear above the ambient sounds of the engineering space. "If we were both Klingon," he said with an amused look on his face, "I'd suggest we beam over tae the enemy flagship, brandish our Batleths in a very honorable and brave fashion, and demand that they 'Bljeghbe'chugh vaj blHegh!'... or something like that. But since we are neither Klingon nor Marine... I guess we can just settle for 'Qapla!' eh?" (Reply al-Sharif, IYW) Lorimar chuckled and continued. "Mah unarmed combat instructor at the Academy was a Klingon... he used to spice up his lessons with some Klingon phrases. Ah got an interest in the language, and studied it a bit. Tis an interestin' manner of speech. Many people think its rather atonal, rough, and gutteral... but ah find the mair ye study it, the better and more lyrical it sounds." He blushed a bit, then continued. "Ah even managed tae sneak in a Klingon Opera in my off time. Ah dinnae understand all of it mind ye... but twas beautiful all the same." Lorimar cast a quick glance around the room, noting the crew hard at work. Everything seemed fine, but he was sure that would change very soon indeed. His expression grew deathly serious and he took a half step closer to the CEO, lowering his voice to a barely audibly whisper. "Lassie... ah dinnae ken if we will make it through this. It's right grim as ye know. Ah just want ye to know that if today turns out tae be a guid day tae die... ah'll be well content, as ah couldnae ask for finer or mair honorable company." He reached out and clasped Jael firmly on the shoulder, meeting her gaze squarely. (Reply CEO, Any) (Posted by Russ) (USS Boudicca -- Main Engineering -- aCEO Jael al-Sharif -- 14.04) "I guess we can just settle for Qapla'eh?" Jael kept her face deadpan, however Lise appreciated the apparent knowledge of Klingon culture that Lorimar had just demonstrated. Lorimar continued to explain his academy instructor was the one who had introduced him to the finer arts of Klingon -- including Opera. Lise thought back to her usual alarm clock being that of Klingon Opera blaring out at 6 am every morning. That was one thing she missed dearly being Jael. No contact with her culture, what-so-ever. She couldn't risk it. Then, it was as if the ACEO was taken with a wave of seriousness. He spoke "Lassie... Ah dinnae ken if we will make it throuhg this. It's right grim as ye know. Ah just want ye to know that if today turns out tae be a guid day tae die... Ah'll be well content, as ah couldnae ask for finer or mair honorable company." Lise felt a hand clasp her shoulder. As Jael she looked straight across at her ACEO. What was she to say? As a Klingon she should say nothing. As an anti-social human, she should... This was really the area of interaction where Jael lacked. Lise had lived amongst humans almost all her life -- but she had never quite understood the ways in which they spoke to one another, when it was appropriate to say what, and the reverse. On Betazed, she hadn't had such a problem either, while her Klingon pride did not want to let her speak, her mind and telepathic voice spoke for her and she was ever so much more aware of what it was that she had to say. "Then, whatever our destiny, we embrace it -- as a team -- together" She finally managed. (Reply Lorimar) ~I bet that sounded totally inappropriate and dorky~ Although, Lise did not let herself consider her statement anymore, now was neither the place nor the time. (Reply Lorimar, any) (Posted by Kat) NRPG: Oh my god. I can't believe this. We need to establish a tap, because I keep seeing her making this phone calls. We need to know what's going on. Have you had any luck finding that crazy sob? Well, keep at it. -USS Boudicca, NCC 49901 Star Trek: Freedom - http://www.startrekfreedom.com