NRPG: Still fishing. Be back tomorrow. Honest. Today's Compile Index is brought to you from the Stream. Day 1 (USS Boudicca -Ten Forward - OPS Lt (jg) Donald Johnson - 0530) (USS Boudicca -Ten Forward - CIV Arania - 0534) (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge- Acting CO - Commander Archibald Stakes - 1315) (USS Boudicca - Donald's Office - OPS Lt (jg) Donald Johnson - 1330) (USS Boudicca, Strategic Operations Center, StratOps\MCO, Lt. Colonel Eva Straton. 1528) (USS Boudicca - Laroon's Quarters - Acting TAC/SC Ensign(sg) Laroon - Day 1 - 1530) (USS Boudicca, Ready Room, acting CO Archibald Stakes, 1530) (USS Boudicca - Corridor - ACEO Ensign Lorimar - 1730) (USS Boudicca - Corridor - ACMO Gates - 1731) (USS Boudicca - Corridor - ACEO Lorimar - 1733) (USS Boudicca - Corridor - CIV Arania - 1734) (USS Boudicca - Corridor - CIV Arania - 1735) RPG: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: The Fires of Heaven, Day 1 Stardate: 2407.06.28 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Boudicca -Ten Forward - OPS Lt (jg) Donald Johnson - 0530) Mei Ling nodded her assent to Donald's suggestion which elicited a very heart warming response. But the moment of elation quickly changed to one of sorrow. Donald listened as her mood changed and Arania began to play a tune that was full of sadness that could not be spoken. He closed his eyes and hoped that such a piece would not be needed for the crew by the time the war was finished, which he hoped was soon. The music drew to a close and Donald could see tears shining on her face. It was clear what had caused such sorrow and Donald felt helpless. He was glad that she had Matthew, but he wasn't her at the moment and it was an awkward thing. Donald exchanged a glance with Mei Ling, before putting a hand on Arania shoulder. "I am sorry for your loss." he said in a soft voice. "I cannot imagine what you have suffered. But I am glad that you did survive for I am certain we would all be diminished without your presence. Should you ever need help, just let me know." It was silly perhaps, a bit naive as well, but he could not think of what else to say. How do you console someone who has lost her way of life and is in a place so far removed from all she knew and loved. Not to mention her friends and family. That would be a loss that Donald could not imagine. While he did not have family, as far as he knew, it was a loss he could feel keenly. (Reply Arania) (USS Boudicca -Ten Forward - CIV Arania - 0534) Tears glistened on Arania's cheeks as she finished the sorrowful melody and tucked her pipes into her robes, but she felt better because finally she had released the grief that had been bottled up inside her for so long, her heart felt lighter. She hadn't realized how much she had needed to grieve the loss of her family, her sisters and her home world. Donald put a comforting hand on Arania shoulder. "I am sorry for your loss." he said in a soft voice. "I cannot imagine what you have suffered. But I am glad that you did survive for I am certain we would all be diminished without your presence. Should you ever need help, just let me know." Giving him a smile, Arania wiped away the tears. "I am now well enough, Don-old, and my thanks to you for your kindness. I have lost much but so much have I found in this new world, and I thank the Goddess for Her mercy." (reply Donald iyw) Pushing her cup forward, she asked Mei Ling if there was more of the delicious caw-fee. (reply Mei Ling) A thought occurred to Arania as she watched Mei Ling replenishing her cup. "The machines called rep-lick-ators...Can they musical instrument make?" (reply Mei Ling, Donald) "I desire to have stringed instruments, a percussion instrument anything that music will make. My pipes I love, they once belonged to my mother's mother's mother's mother, but I yearn to play others." (reply Mei Ling, Donald, any - room for more) "Oh that would make wonderful!" Arania exclaimed, happy at the prospect of soon having more instruments. (reply Mei Ling & Donald, any) (posted by Sal) (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge- Acting CO - Commander Archibald Stakes - 1315) "Sir, if I may offer a refinement to your first requirement?" Archibald looked up, a bit surprised, but nodded never the less. He made a waving motion with his hand. "You're the mechanical expert here, Mr. McLaren, go ahead." He then listened as the Engineer explained how he wanted to divert from Archibald's plan, which made sense to Archibald. He nodded but then looked up when McLaren fell silent. "Additionally, I can install a second primary which you can run at reduced power instead of another auxiliary between the forward main and auxiliary. It should be able to handle the strains just as well, if not better, and can be strengthened as needed to even cover a larger portion of the forward arc as needed. With our engine refits and the improved EPS taps, we shouldn't have any problems powering that unit and maintaining needed power levels elsewhere on the ship. I can then install the two additional Auxiliaries to reinforce the Bridge and Main Engineering They will also act as a shield inhibitor in the event that the ship's primary shields should fail. That means no boarding parties could beam directly to either of those areas. That's a lot of power consumption, so Operations would have to be up to the task of shifting power as needed." "This solution gives us 2-3 primaries in stock, should we need them or need to cannibalize them for parts. The other tasks I'll have to look into in more detail and I'll need some specifics on what type of sensor information I'll need to be looking for. But all of that is doable inside a couple of days if we work the department hard using shift and a half rotations." Archibald inadvertently licked his lips. This fitted even better with a thought he had in the back of his mind. "And this ... set of additional auxiliary primaries, could we extend the range of the generators? Like placing the auxiliary shield *outside* the envelop of the primary shields? So the auxiliary shields become the primary ones and the primary ones become the auxiliaries, when they have been worn down? At the touch of a button? That would double our shield protection and might just give us enough durability to make it all the way." Archibald narrowed his eyes as he studied the Lieutenant, then looked back at Sasha. "How's Mister Laroon holding up?" he suddenly asked. "To be honest, I first thought about not making you the new FO because I did not think a green Ensign would be the best choice when a seasoned veteran could be at the helm of the tactical department just before a major, and I mean *major*, battle. But you should have seen enough of him by now to tell me that I was right, or wrong, in my assessment of his abilities." (Reply McLaren, Stolev) (posted by Adrie Geuken) (USS Boudicca - Donald's Office - OPS Lt (jg) Donald Johnson - 1330) Donald had remained in his office reviewing status repots from throughout the department, searching for any deficiencies or areas that could be improved in such as a way as to increase their chance of survival. ~Hmmm. That's an idea~ he thought, as he looked over the sensor systems. He quickly tapped out an idea that he sent to Stakes for approval. He outlined a plan to manipulate the sensory output of several auxiliary craft as well as the Klingon vessels assigned to their mission to match that of the Boudicca's. It certainly wouldn't fool any visual sensors, but it might throw off any automated systems and give them a better chance at succeeding. It could make the difference by just a few seconds while the base tried to figure out which was the real Boudicca. He also began to wonder if Admiral Sevant would remain on the Boudicca while it made its attack run on the starbase. After all if it failed the rest of the fleet would be in disarray and depending on how the battle was going, it could rout the entire fleet. ~No, I'm sure he is going to transfer before the battle. It's such a dangerous mission and we can't lose him.~ he thought, as he sent his message to Stakes. (Reply Arania, Stakes, Any) (Posted by Kaweo Kanoho) (USS Boudicca, Strategic Operations Center, StratOps\MCO, Lt. Colonel Eva Straton. 1528) Eva sat in front of the Operations Table and rubbed the bridge of her nose. Coordinating for the Battle Group had been one thing, coordinating for a task force of over 400 was something else entirely. Eva and her staff had suddenly found their work compounded by a factor of 11. ~I'll probably be living in here much of the next week up until the time of the battle.~ Eva thought as she took another report from one of her staff. She looked at the data on the PADD: a status report of yet another ship in the Task Force and their estimated time of arrival. Eva looked at the holographic star map displayed above the operations table that indicated the position of every ship on sensors updated continually from the Boudicca, and every other friendly ship in the areas, sensors. She nodded putting the PADD down and picking up another. Then her comm-badge chirped. =/\=Stakes to Commander Straton. Commander, is there an update on the ETA for the Vanguard group? I really would like to discuss our group strategies with the other CO's as soon as they arrive, We won't have time to discuss proceedings between 36 ships when the battle is raging around us. Also how have your simulations progressed? I need to know the optimum angle of attack at the platform rings to break away and go for the Starbase, giving the enemy a minimum of time to respond.=/\= Eva suppressed a sigh as she tapped her comm-badge to reply. ~Everyone is in such a hurry. Six days to prepare and I really don't need all these interruptions.~ She thought sourly. "Straton here," She said, her tone all business, "We won't be engaging the enemy for another six days, plenty of time for discussing strategy." She lifted the PADD in her hand, the one containing the squadron assignments that she had spent the past few hours working on with other members of her staff. "Squadron assignments will be handed out before the end of the day, but not before they have been approved by myself and Admiral Sevant." She paused as she walked over to one of the various work stations set up around the room. She looked over the shoulder of Lt. Anderson who was running the simulations Commander Stakes was asking about. She watched the data scroll by on the screen for a few seconds before replying. "Battle simulations are still in progress. I would say that the results should be ready for you and the other Captain's early tomorrow morning." ~But not before Admiral Sevant and I have had the opportunity to go over the results ourselves.~ She thought closing the connection and heading back over to the Operations Table. (Reply Stakes, Any0 (Posted by Wes) (USS Boudicca - Laroon's Quarters - Acting TAC/SC Ensign(sg) Laroon - Day 1 - 1530) Lorak looked at the Acting FO and seen him frown as he made his way around the desk. "I thought we had determined that the encryption on those files was unbreakable. I've never heard of a ship taking three months to break any sort of code." "The computer has been working on this non-stop since we discovered it?" Lorak nodded to the FO and then told him what had happened. "I got about 1/3 of the data files downloaded on day 5 but then something happened to the system Sir." "Well... cryptographic analysis was never my specialty, but I know a few of the central tenets," Stolev told Lorak as he toke his seat and began reading the information on the computer. After a minute of talking to Lorak Stolev informed him of what he should do next. "As chief of security, that's your job. Start by analyzing computer logs for any evidence of tampering with this file. Next, you will probably want to set up some discrete surveillance of the individuals listed in this report, and investigate past recorded behavior in public areas of the ship, computer usage, et cetera, looking for any suspicious patterns of behavior. Keep in mind that even in times of war, we consider people innocent until proven guilty. Therefore, you must be very careful not to violate the letter or spirit of any regulations in the course of this investigation." Lorak nodded at Stolev and then leaned next to him and pushed a display button on the computer. "You should see this before you go sir" came Lorak's reply. The computer then opened 3 more files and placed them side by side with each other, the name Robespierre popped up on the three new files as a code name but on the file Lorak had let Stolev see the name was not shown and nether was the name Vanderman which was registered as a Marine on board the Boudicca. Lorak then pulled out a brown data slate and turned it on, placing it in front of Stolev. He then pointed to a passage and read it. " I asked Robespierre to meet me in docking bay 2 so we could go over how best to get the 2 new recruits weapons for there upcoming assignments. It should be easy for him to obtain as he is around phaser weapons all day." Lorak looked at Stolev and then started reading more "I will send the information I have gathered and then delete these logs after I take care of Rivers, as she knows to much already." Lorak looked back at Stolev with his ears lowered and his eyes narrowed. "I think this Robespierre is Vanderman and I would like to take him in Sir." (reply Stolev) (posted by Jay) (USS Boudicca, Ready Room, acting CO Archibald Stakes, 1530) Archibald regarded the loudspeaker of his comm system with raised eyes after the Colonel, quite abruptly, ended the transmission herself. ~Who died and made you God,~ he thought, annoyed by her attitude, that was plain to deduce from her reactions. Archibald ran a hand through his hair and sighed. ~Of all the mistakes the Admiral made,~ he considered, ~this one is going to bite us hardest. A mentally extremely unstable woman, and a dangerous criminal at that, in control of such a vital function?~ Archibald had remained silent when Sevant had informed him of his decision regarding her and it was clear that the decision had been reached, so there was nothing to say about it. But lots to think, never the less. As far as Archibald was concerned, Sevant has seriously overstepped his boundaries when he had chosen to protect his beloved Colonel from the fate that she should have received. Nobody was that important that such a serious breach of regulations could be condoned. And for what? To make her head of strategic operations? To control the ebb an flow of ship to ship battles? She was a Marine, for crying out loud. She may be an experienced Marine, but even so, she never once had to command a Starship vessel in battle. But regardless, she had to liaise the movements of a whole fleet in battle? Archibald sighed. It stank. And it was dangerous. It was a stupid mix, one that he would never even have considered. But as Sevant was in control, Sevant *was* God. Whether he had lost all powers of reasoning or not, he *was* in command. And Archibald would sit and nod and say yes if required and when required because that was the way the system worked. But like it? Not a chance. That at least was a difference between both sides. Archibald did not *have* to like whatever the boss was cooking up. It was a small difference but also a significant one. And significantly enough to just follow orders, but at the same time do everything in his power to make sure that the cock-ups from upstairs would not result in the destruction of his ship. Archibald suddenly frowned and looked down at the comm set. ~She doesn't think,~ he thought,~ that because her sugar daddy is God, she becomes God as well, does she?~ He shook his head. That would explain some of the frosty remarks from the Colonel. But then he shrugged. On the other hand, it could be just that the Colonel was already starting to strain under the weight of her position. He suddenly wished that the Colonel *was* suffering from delusions of grandeur. Otherwise with six more days to go when things would only heat up, she'd be a burnt out wreck before they even reached the battlegrounds. Either way, it wasn't a very promising start of a mission that was so definitive in its goal. They had the chance, however remote, that they would make history, but they would have to draw on a lot of luck. And *not* make stupid mistakes before even the first shot was fired. Archibald shook his head again, quite uncertain how to protect his ship and his crew and a deep growl came out of his throat. He didn't like to lose, he never had, but in this case he could not see how he could prevent it, when even tactical simulations were now the remit of the StratOps. Did she really think that by simulating attacks she could actually work out how a battle would go? Archibald had seen plenty of battles as Ensign, Lieutenant and Captain and never once had they progressed exactly the way they should have done. Some things had to be left to the Command Staff on each ships. StratOps gave them the goals and who was supposed to do what in general but as soon as the first fire was incoming, the power of command HAD to return to the ship's command staff. And tactical simulations was for their benefit so show them possible tactics to achieve the goal, to give them choices and options from which they could chose depending on the situation at hand. But no, Archibald had heard that even the tactical decisions were now taken by the Colonel and the Admiral. Before they even knew what would occur. Again Archibald sighed and dropped his head in his hands until he suddenly got up. He accepted the possibility of death whilst serving and it never had stopped him before. So why let it stop him now? It would be near impossible to keep the ship from destruction but that was no reason not to try it anyway. And who knows, perhaps the Colonel might actually be helpful. It was possible. Archibald sighed one last time, stretched his uniform an inspected his face in the mirror so that he was sure that he looked as he always did before he exited his Ready Room, implacably the man in control, the role he had played so long that it had actually become his second nature. For now the main thing was not to infect the crew with his misgivings. He was in command of the Boudicca, perhaps just as acting Commanding Officer, but a Commanding Officer, never the less. One to be trusted to take the right decisions at the right time, even if he wasn't allowed to be. (Reply none) (Posted by Adrie Geuken) (USS Boudicca - Corridor - ACEO Ensign Lorimar - 1730) Lorimar had spent a tiring, yet productive afternoon in Main Engineering, participating in red alert drills, trying to improve efficiency and response times. Both had been sucessful in fairly small and equal measure. He was heading for his quarters and a shower when he heard a sudden and very loud scream ahead of him around a bend in the corridor. He sprinted ahead, drawing his phaser reflexively, unsure of what exactly might be going on. Possibilities raced through his mind, *none* of which were at all good. He rounded the corner at a dead run, phaser in hand... and was completely unprepared for what he saw. ~I hae quite an imagination... but *this* wasnae even close....~ He took in the scene before him quickly. Nearly laughing at the absurd incongruity of it, he smiled slightly and holstered his phaser. He surveyed the scene for another second or so then approached slowly so as not to startle either of the participants. As he drew near, he dropped down to one knee on the deck and spoke softly as he studied both human and animal more closely. "Hello there... ladies. Are ye alright?" (Reply Gates, Goat) He gave his best friendly smile and reached his hands out gingerly, one toward the fallen officer, and his other toward the goat. "Bob Lorimar... may ah help?" (Reply Gates, Goat, Any) (Posted by Russ) (USS Boudicca - Corridor - ACMO Gates - 1731) In hindsight, screaming was probably the worst thing to do. The small creature, which Georgia could now see was some sort of goat, began to lick her face and hair in earnest. Trying to sheild herself from the animals rasping tongue, Georgia was not aware of anyone coming to her aid, until he crouched beside her. "Hello there... ladies. Are ye alright?" Later she would be unsure if it was the shock of her fall, or the accent she was hearing that rendered her temporarily speechless. All she could do for a moment was stare, until her brain was satisfied that by some miracle it wasn't *him* appearing to rescue her. "Um, I think so, although I'm not sure about the goat, if it *is* a goat." She took a moment to study the small furry best, hoping her cheeks would take the opportunity to cool themselves. Her companion, an Engineer judging by his uniform, gave her a friendly smile and reached his hands out gingerly, one toward Georgia, and the other toward the goat. "Bob Lorimar... may ah help?" Georgia took his hand reluctantly, and let herself be hauled to her feet. She had thought for a moment to just get up under her own steam, but the way things were going, she would be just as likely to fall over or do something stupid. ~after all, don't bad things happen in 3's?~ Still blushing, she immediately let go of his hand, and tried to pull herself together. "I'm Georgia, um Gates. The new ACMO, and I have to say this is turning out to be the worst day of my life." She did her best to try to smile, as if she was making a joke, but somehow it didn't quite work. Instead, she looked at the goat, which Lorimar had safely restrained. "So, um, is it normal for that to be running around? Or is it running away from the Captain?" (reply Lorimar? Goat?) (posted by Wendy) (USS Boudicca - Corridor - ACEO Lorimar - 1733) "I'm Georgia, um Gates. The new ACMO, and I have to say this is turning out to be the worst day of my life." Bob wondered if he had conductive gel or something equally sticky and unappealing on his hand, and glanced furtively at it, confirming he indeed did not. ~Maybe ah smell bad? The way she shrunk away so quickly... an' ah was only tryin' tae help...~ He patted the goat with genuine affection, hoping she would not be frightened by his unfamiliar touch; he was, after all a lover of animals of all kinds. He looked back at the new ACMO and saw her smile, or attempt to. It looked a little forced to Bob, but he was no expert to be sure. "So, um, is it normal for that to be running around? Or is it running away from the Captain?" Bob was about to reply to that question when he felt as much as heard someone else approach. The stranger stepped closer and knelt down near the goat, stroking it softly with both her voice and hand. "Aren't you a beauty?" She said softly, smiling at it as she continued stroking it in a calming manner. "You give the best milk, I am sure... My name is Arania, what pretty blue your eyes have." She glanced up, looking at Gates. "A female Baahdret would never harm you unless you were trying to harm its young." Bob glanced from Gates, to the Goat, to Arania, and back at each once more. ~Three strange lassies in one day... an' ah thought engineering wasnae a social profession!~ "Ah'm afraid we havnae met... my loss, surely. Arania ye said? Bob Lorimar, assistant engineer." He extended his hand toward her and smiled. (Reply Arania IYW) Bob turned back to Gates and smiled warmly at her as well, thinking of her question about the Goat fleeing the Captain... the mere thought brought an amused twinkle to his eye. "Ah must confess, lassie...errm, Doctor... ah dinnae ken if this wee Nanny goat is passenger, crew, or cargo, tae be honest. Goin' wie the assumption that she isnae a shape-shifted alien terrorist," Bob chuckled quietly, 'Mah guess would be she must belong to, or wie someone of the crew." Bob looked the Doctor over more closely, and noted her blush. "Are ye alright Doctor?" he asked with some concern. (Reply Gates, Arania, Goat, Any) (Posted by Russ) (USS Boudicca - Corridor - CIV Arania - 1734) Arania had been visiting in Ten Forward and playing her pipes for a while, as she had told Mei Ling she would gladly do. She was just finishing a medley of tunes when her keen ears heard, off in the distance, a scream of fright. Alarmed, Arania had hurried from Ten Forward to investigate and see what she could do to help whoever was in distress. Somebody pounded past her as she entered the corridor, it was obvious he, for she could see it was a male, had heard the cry too and was on his way to assist. For a second or two Arania hesitated, there was really no need for her to go and help, but then again she was very curious as to why somebody would be frightened, and so, curiosity getting the best of her, she walked quickly quickly after the man. She turned the curve of the corridor just in time to hear in a strange but beguiling accent: "Hello there... ladies. Are ye alright?" Beyond the man, a woman lay on the deck being licked by a small Baahdret. Arania felt that the little Baadret was trying to console the woman. It was certainly a pretty little thing as far as Baahdrets went, for they certainly weren't the loveliest of creatures the Goddess ever made, still they had their purpose and could be affectionate, and to a degree quite intelligent creatures. "Um, I think so, although I'm not sure about the goat, if it *is* a goat." The fallen woman replied. ~Goat? Baahdret is better!~ Arania stepped closer as the man reached his hands out gingerly, one toward Georgia, and the other toward the goat. "Bob Lorimar... may ah help?" The woman took his hand reluctantly, and let herself be hauled to her feet. "I'm Georgia, um Gates.The new ACMO, and I have to say this is turning out to be the worst day of my life." She did her best to try to smile and then looked at the goat, which the male was holding. "So, um, is it normal for that to be running around? Or is it running away from the Captain?" The female asked. Arania stepped closer still and kneeling down, she began to stroke the pretty Baahdret's soft coat. "Aren't you a beauty?" She said softly, smiling at it as she continued stroking it in a calming manner. "You give the best milk, I am sure... My name is Arania, what pretty blue your eyes have." She glanced up at Georgia wondering why in the heavens she would be scared of a Baahdret. "A female Baahdret would never harm you unless you were trying to harm its young." She informed the woman. (reply Lorimar, Gates, Goat) (posted by Sal) (USS Boudicca - Corridor - CIV Arania - 1735) Arania glanced up, looking at the woman called Jorg-ee-yah. "A female Baahdret would never harm you unless you were trying to harm its young." She informed her. The male glanced from the woman, to the Baahdret, to Arania, and back at each once more. He appeared slightly bemused. "Ah'm afraid we havnae met... my loss, surely. Arania ye said? Bob Lorimar, assistant engineer." The man extended his hand toward her in what Matthew had explained was an Earthling way of saying 'let us be friendly', and smiled a genuine smile at her as if he was pleased to see her, and Arania couldn't help but smile brightly back at him. She rose gracefully from beside the animal, her right hand curled gently around one of its horns and extending her left hand (for that was the one that was empty), bowed her head to him and then to Jorg-ee-yah. "Arania dera (from) Iradon, I am well content to meet you." Bob turned back to the female and smiled warmly at her as well. "Ah must confess, lassie...errm, Doctor... ah dinnae ken if this wee Nanny goat is passenger, crew, or cargo, tae be honest. Goin' wie the assumption that she isnae a shape-shifted alien terrorist," Bob chuckled quietly, 'Mah guess would be she must belong to, or wie someone of the crew." The young Iradonian nodded though she did wonder about the reference to shape-shifted alien, she had heard of beings that could change their shapes at will, her culture was full of stories about such creatures, she had always thought they were just tales to scare younglings from venturing into the forests or far from their villages, but here and now, if these advanced people believed in such things! Her eyes widened. The pleasant man looked the woman over closely. "Are ye alright Doctor?" He asked with some concern. Also scrutinizing Jorg-ee-yah, Arania noted her heightened color. "Indeed, perhaps a fever, you have!" She suggested. ~If a fever she has, that well may explain her strangeness over the Baahdret. Perhaps she was seeing more than what was there.~ (Reply Gates, Lorimar, Goat, Any) (Posted by Sal) NRPG: Wait, wait. Didn't he say he was going to be back today? How'd he put that sign up? Or who put that sign up? Hmmm.... Watch that space. -USS Boudicca, NCC 49901 Star Trek: Freedom - http://www.startrekfreedom.com